Provincial government gets $86 million more from the federal government for health in 2018, but will not spend all of it.

On March 15, in Question Period, I called the provincial government to account for getting money for health care from the federal government, and then not spending the full increase. It is time we had a more accountable and more honest government. My question is below:

Mr. Gerrard: Madam Speaker, in this year's budget, the Minister of Health shows his budget increasing by $56 million from last year's budget. The budget also shows that the minister is receiving 86 million more dollars for Health from the federal government than last year. This means that the provincial contribution to health care is decreasing this year by $30 million.

Why is the provincial contribution to health care decreasing by $30 million? Is this because the minister is cutting back on funding for people with cystic fibrosis who need life-saving drugs?

The Minister of Health, in his reply, failed to acknowledge that the provincial contribution to health in Manitoba has decreased and that he has therefore not spent the full additional money for health received from the federal government.

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Manitoba School Boards have contributed much innovation and advancement of education in Manitoba

On Thursday March 25, in Question Period, I asked the Premier why he is getitng rid of school boards when they have contributed to much to the improvement of education in Manitoba. My question and the Premier's response are below (from Hansard). Manitoba Education System Elimination of Boards and Divisions Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Madam Speaker, Manitoba school boards have been an incredible source of new ideas and innovation. The White Horse Plains school board brought in audio and video links to Hutterite schools. The Seine River School Division piloted Roots of Empathy, to help kids learn empathy, and also Kids at Play: half-day kindergarten, half-day early-childhood education. The Seven Oaks School Division brought in Met schools. And there are many, many more examples. Why is the Premier getting rid of school boards when they've done so well at listening to parents, at ...

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