Universities and colleges are a launching pad for research and innovation

Over many decades, universities and colleges have made an extraordinary contribution to research and to innovation.

An important example is the work that has gone into developing approaches to addressing diseases like COVID-19. The contributions made by people working in or people who trained in universities and colleges has been enormous.

The contribution of universities and colleges goes far beyond research and innovation in health. The University of Manitoba has made big contributions to the design and testing of structures like bridges and roads.

Many businesses and industries have been built on research and innovation carried out in universities and colleges or by people trained in universities and colleges. This includes a wide variety of industries from the aerospace industries so important to Manitoba, to the mining industries, to agriculture, to information technology and communications.

Today, when businesses are having to make adjustments in many different ways in this world with the COVID-19 virus pandemic, it is vital to have universities and colleges fully functional and in a position to help. This is not a time for making cuts to the funding of universities and colleges. It is a time to be investing in universities and colleges because they are so important to launching research and innovation and such research and innovation is so critical to helping our society do well and our businesses succeed.

Manitoba Liberals say to Mr. Pallister "Do not cut funding to Universities and Colleges."

For our recent press release click on this link.

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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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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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