Another year, the same absent government
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 14/01/2022 (501 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
I’d like to wish the constituents of Burrows a very happy and healthy 2022. Despite the hardships of the pandemic, the past year was a wonderful year of community connection, collaboration, and perseverance in my constituency.
Throughout the year, I connected with community members at businesses, doorsteps, schools, and virtually. I was able to hear first-hand about the uncertainty and challenges faced by families in Burrows – particularly concerns about the Progressive Conservative government’s inability to invest in health care and education.
Constituents in Burrows have a vision for a government that stands up for all Manitobans. However, as we enter into a new year, it is clear that Premier Stefanson continues to follow in the footsteps of her predecessor, Brian Pallister. As cases take an unprecedented surge and people look towards the government for leadership, this premier is missing in action — just as she was when she was health minister.
The government has failed to make the necessary investments to keep Manitobans safe. To prevent the spread of the virus to our loved ones, getting tested is necessary. However, Premier Stefanson has not increased the capacity for mass rapid testing and effective contact tracing, leaving Manitobans in a vulnerable position.
The province’s shift to a new COVID-19 testing protocol relies on Manitobans self-administering rapid tests at home, or in the case of young, healthy Manitobans, skipping testing and assuming positivity if they develop symptoms. This policy was put in place to reduce the burden on an overburdened and under-invested public health system, but a lack of public reporting could make it difficult for Manitobans who do get COVID-19 to prove it later when trying to access supports, such as government programs, sick leave, medical treatment and insurance coverage.
The NDP recognizes that Manitobans are struggling and we are calling on the government to create an online database for Manitobans to report their rapid test results to help inform the public of the true case counts in the province, as well as to access needed health care and coverage.
Further, we are also calling on this government to implement a remote learning benefit for families to help cover the cost of at-home learning, which would help students access the technology and supplies they need during period of remote learning.
Manitobans deserve a government that is prepared and ready to lead in the toughest of times. I, along with my NDP colleagues, will continue to advocate on behalf of all Manitobans. If you have any concerns, please contact my office at 204-415-7621 or diljeet.brar@yourmanitoba.ca.
Diljeet Brar
Burrows constituency report
Diljeet Brar is the NDP MLA for Burrows.