Raising concerns about the cuts to science and math teaching and to the cooperative education program at the l'Université de St. Boniface

Today in Question Period I raised concerns about the funding, staff and program cuts at the University of St. Boniface. This was the subject of a large rally at the University of St. Boniface last week - as shown in the photos. My questions and the Premier's response is below.

Université de Saint-Boniface - Funding Concerns

Hon. Jon Gerrard

(River Heights): Madam Speaker, enrollment in French immersion across Manitoba has been exploding and there's a shortage of qualified French teachers, including in math and science. We should be investing in education and our future, but instead this government has cut budget. French, math and science positions are being cut and co-op programs closed, while tuition goes up. There is always a gap between what this government announces in its budget and what it actually delivers: cuts that undermine our province's youth and our future.

Why has the Pallister government reduced the budget for l'Université de St. Boniface resulting in these cuts to services.

Hon. Brian Pallister (Premier): Il n'y a pas de réduction de financement au Bureau de l'éducation française.

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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

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There is an imperative to have a provincial plan to ensure every child learns to read

Too many Manitoba children with learning disabilities like dyslexia are not being identified and helped early on starting in Kindergarten and grades 1 and 2. The Supreme Court ruled in 2012 that it is the provinces responsibility to ensure that every child learns to read, and even when, in the case of a child with dyslexia intensive intervention is needed. In 12 years Manitoba has failed to produce a provincial plan to address this issue. We are holding a Forum (see below) on this subject. Please come out to the Forum. There is no cost. Everyone is welcome. To learn more about the need to do better helping children, youth and adults with a learning disability click on this link

The Gerrard Report

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