Skip to main content

Emergency Response - the Alert Ready Warning System and Preparedness for Wildfires in Manitoba

Tuesday May 8, I spoke in the Legislature on the Alert Ready warning system and preparedness for wildfires in our province.
Mr. Gerrard: Madam Speaker, I'm happy to rise today to commend the Government of Canada for implementing this incredibly important initiative using mobile wireless to keep Canadians safe.
      The tests scheduled for Wednesday are being   'connucted'–conducted after the Canadian Radio‑Television and Telecommunications Commission, CRTC, ordered wireless providers to implement the system to distribute warnings of imminent safety threats, including tornadoes, floods, AMBER Alerts, terrorist threats, et cetera.
      Government has an important role in dealing with emergencies and erratic weather, particularly with climate change. While Manitoba has often been prepared for floods, we're not as prepared for drought, which we're seeing now. Just yesterday, a   number of homes burned down in Little Saskatchewan First Nation due to forest fires. Our caucus has been asking this government now for two years to develop community safety plans for all Manitoba communities.
      Tremendous amount of blood, sweat and tears was put into getting new homes for those in Little Saskatchewan who had to be evacuated for so many years. This is a sad moment, and, sadly, it affects somebody who I know very well.
      And so let us get to work, I ask the government, and make sure that every community has a much better safety plan to protect from grass and forest fires and other fires near their community.
      Thank you.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Being able to participate matters - Let’s build a more inclusive, accessible Manitoba

Too often, our homes, buildings, and outdoor spaces are designed without sufficient consideration given to how they will impact little people, those with large bodies, or those with disabilities.  Manitoba should become a leader in designing and building new structures so they’re comfortable and accessible to all.  Further, the province needs to do more to adapt our existing infrastructure, so that it meets everyone’s needs.   The design of our built environment makes daily living a challenge for too many.  A friend, who uses a wheelchair, must call ahead wherever she goes to ensure she can enter a restaurant, store, salon, etc. A young person in River Heights has a struggle each fall to make sure that with his cerebral palsy he is able to get the support he needs to do well in school.  A large-bodied man I know has been bedridden for five months because he lacks access to a usable lift or wheelchair.  Samantha Trubyk, President of the Little People ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Comparison between Manitoba and South Dakota shows dramatic impact of Physical Distancing

Manitoba implemented physical distancing measures in mid-March.  South Dakota has still not made physical distancing mandatory.   The result is a dramatic difference in the incidence of covid-19 viral infections between the two jurisdictions.   This graph shows the number of people with Covid-19 infections from March 27 to April 14.  Manitoba ( red line )  started leveling off about April 4 and has seen only a small increase in Covid-19 infections since then.   South Dakota ( blue line )   has seen a dramatic increase in Covid-19 infections since April 4.  Those who are skeptical of the impact of physical distancing in Manitoba should look at this graph! Data are from the Johns Hopkins daily tabulations
18 comments
Read more

Debating the importance of the french language, education in french and french services in Manitoba

Thursday, May 17, we had a debate on a resolution on french language education and french language services in the Manitoba.   The debate arose because the Pallister government has made major cutbacks in french language education.  In part these cuts have reduced the status and funding for   le Bureau de l'éducation française which is the division of the Department of Education which deals with education in french.   Several items are notable:  The Pallister Conservatives block a motion to have the normal full hour of debate.   Hon. Jon  Gerrard  (River Heights):  I have a question. Before I ask it, this is a pretty important subject and I'd like to have leave to make sure that we have a full hour of debate, and so the debate would go 'til about 12:15. Mr. Deputy Speaker:  Has there been leave to go to 12:15? An Honourable Member:  Agreed. An Honourable Member:  No. Mr. Deputy Speaker:  N...
6 comments
Read more