A not so usual return to fall

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 14/09/2020 (1874 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

This year’s return to school was quite different and I have heard concerns from many parents, educators and students about the weeks and months ahead.

I was so relieved that pressure on government from our official opposition team, together with the Manitoba Teachers’ Society and parents led to masks being mandated for students in grades 4 to 12.

As we move back into school and fall season a number of socially distanced events have recently taken place or on the horizon.

First up is the annual Pride Run. I have participated in this run as a volunteer since its inception, but this year I took part by walking on my own, raising awareness and funds.

The Virtual Pride Run 2020 coincided with Winnipeg’s Virtual Pride Week which ran from Sept. 4 to 13. This was an opportunity to reflect on how far we have come in terms of the extension of equitable human rights for LGBTQ2S+ community members, and how far we still have to go as folks sometimes continue to struggle to feel safe, to have their gender respected or to have access to queer-positive health care.

The Pride Run raises money for Reaching Out Winnipeg (ROW), a local organization that helps resettle LGBTQ2S+ refugees to Canada when they have experienced persecution based on sexual orientation in their home countries. Thanks to everyone in Wolseley who took time to show your support and participate in Pride Week virtual events!

Coming up is the virtual Red Ribbon Walk from Sept. 14 to 20, an annual fundraiser for those living with HIV. It’s not too late to register through Nine Circles Community Health Centre to participate in fun daily activities and help support social programs, food security and health equity for our community members living with HIV.

By the time you read this, Labour Day will be behind us but, as always, it’s an important day to remember the role of the labour movement in achieving workers’ rights over the decades.

Today more than ever it is apparent that a $15 minimum wage is needed. Many of the so-called essential workers in this province work full-time and still live in poverty and it is time for this to change. The Pallister government is planning to increase the minimum wage by only 25 cents to $11.90 on Oct. 1, and that just isn’t good enough. I will continue to stand up for workers and add my voice to the push for a $15 minimum wage.

If you have a fall community event coming up and would like to share the information or if you want more details on the events above, you can contact me at Lisa.Naylor@yourmanitoba.ca or  204-792-2773.