NDP continues to stand by Manitobans

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This article was published 21/12/2020 (890 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

With 2020 coming to an end, my colleagues and I recognize it has been such a difficult year for all Manitobans. Every family in Manitoba has been impacted by COVID-19 in some way or another — through job security, health, education, among so many other repercussions of this pandemic.

My colleagues and I send condolences to all families impacted by the pandemic — we continue to keep you in our hearts and minds throughout the work we do as legislators.

We entered the COVID-19 pandemic on unstable ground due to consistent cuts from the Pallister government. Professionals in health and education were left to scramble to ensure Manitobans were safe and healthy throughout 2020.

The government continued to let down Manitobans, whether in its support for schools, health care, or families.

The Pallister government has barely touched the $85 million in federal funding provided to hire more teachers and staff and make schools safe. Meanwhile, educational staff in schools in the Maples are at a breaking point trying to manage remote and in-class learning with inadequate support.

The government previously closed Seven Oaks and Concordia hospital emergency rooms and then shuttered their CancerCare clinics during a pandemic. These closures directly impact residents of the Maples trying to access care. The government refused to take over Maples and Parkview personal care homes regardless of rising COVID-19 cases and fatalities. The government gave out thousands of expired masks to child-care centres, hospitals, correctional centres, PCHs, and schools.

The government then increased Manitoba Hydro rates by 2.9 per cent for all Manitobans — at a time when Maples families need that money in their pockets. We brought a bill forward in the house that would require a referendum before selling off any part of Manitoba Hydro, and the government voted it down.

My colleagues and I continue to call on the government to spend the $85 million in federal funds for our schools, invest in our health-care system by providing adequate PPE and hiring more front-line workers, and to keep Manitoba Hydro public and affordable.

I want to thank the residents of The Maples and all Manitobans who have done their part throughout the pandemic. I believe we will be able to get through this together, and come out stronger as a province in 2021.

Remember to be kind to one another, and safely check in on your loved ones. My colleagues and I wish you a happy holiday season.

If you would like to contact us, our constituency office is located at 103-1730 Leila Ave. Call us at 204-417-3486, or email mintu.sandhu@yourmanitoba.ca

Mintu Sandhu
The Maples constituency report

Mintu Sandhu is the NDP MLA for The Maples.

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