Eco-certification of fisheries on Manitoba's four largest lakes

On Tuesday May 18, during debate on fisheries and wildlife in Manitoba, I had a chance to ask the MLA for Dauphin about the government's progress on eco-certification. There has, in the last two years in particular, been pressure from fishermen on Lake Winnipeg to move forward with eco-certification of the whitefish fishery so that they can get a better price for their fish. My question and the MLA for Dauphin's response is below:

Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Eco-certification is a really important marker of how well a fishery is sustainable. The government had committed to eco-certification, and so I ask the member why has the government not, in five years, eco‑certified the four biggest lake fisheries that we have had historically? That is Lake Winnipeg, Lake Manitoba, Lake Winnipegosis and Southern Indian Lake.

Mr. Michaleski: I thank the member for the question and for him raising an important issue that I don't have the answer for, but I do know eco-certification is something that is–something that's becoming more and more prevalent, especially when we're looking at food and food products. And people are wanting–and the market is changing towards eco-certification, and they're wanting to know how things are produced and where they're buying their products from.

So the–it is an important issue. I don't have the answer for it, but it is an emerging issue, that's for sure.

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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

Pushing for safe consumption sites and safe supply to reduce overdose deaths

On Monday June 20th, Thomas Linner of the Manitoba Health Coalition, Arlene Last-Kolb Regional Director of Moms Stop the Harm and Winnipeg City Councillor Sherri Rollins were at the Manitoba Legislature to advocate for better measures to reduce deaths from drug overdoses, most particularly for safe consumption sites and for a safe supply, measures which can reduce overdose deaths.

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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