Progressive Conservative Party in Manitoba says no to a debate on the Covid-19 situation

On Monday March 16, I asked for leave to have a debate a Matter of Urgent Public Importance (a MUPI) - the Covid-19 situation. Because the NDP was blocking the normal procedure, I asked for leave to bring the MUPI forward first before the NDP brought in their obstructionist tactics. But Kelvin Goertzen and the Progressive Conservative Party said no. This is too bad. They denied all parties the ability to participate in a discussion and debate on the COVID-19 pandemic when it is so much in the minds of Manitobans. My comments in Hansard are below:

The Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Mr. Speaker, I would ask if there's lead of–leave of the House to first deal with a–an all-important resolution which we have dealing with the operations of the House, and followed by the matter of urgent public importance, which is the discussion of COVID-19, before moving on to the rest of the business of the House.

Clearly, we have a major issue in terms of a pandemic, and at least this would allow that discussion to happen before there is any more obstruction of the House. Thank you.

Mr. Deputy Speaker: ... The honourable member for River Heights has asked leave to look at the topic that he has discussed, and also the MUPI that he actually also presented today in the House.

The honourable member–is it a leave for–the honourable member for River Heights asked for leave?

Some Honourable Members: No.[This was the MLA for Steinbach, Kelvin Goertzen who said no.]

Mr. Deputy Speaker: I hear no. Leave is denied.

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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 ...

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

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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