The government needs to get to work to address the large backlog andl long wait times for cataract surgery

March 4 I asked, in question period, what the government is doing to address the large backlog and the long wait times for cataract surgery. My question and the Minister’s response are below. It is to be noted that though the Minister, in her answer, said she would have a report on the surgery backlog the next day, it did not happen.

Cataract Surgery Backlog
Request to Address Wait-Time

Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Madam Speaker, close to 10,000 Manitobans are waiting for cataract surgery. Delays means the cataract gets denser and harder to operate on, and the affected person, usually a senior, is more likely to have a fall, which can be life-limiting, as indeed it was for my mother.

Why is there not yet a plan or a timeline to address the current average 37-week wait at Misericordia Health Centre? Why is the centre still not operating at full capacity? Was it–why was there not even an ophthalmologist on the task force when eye surgeries are so important and delays such a problem?

Hon. Audrey Gordon (Minister of Health): Madam Speaker, after riding out the fourth wave, the second most important issue for our government is the diagnostic and surgical recovery backlog.

That is why our government committed $50 million in the budget to tackle the backlog. That is why we established a Diagnostic and Surgical Recovery Task Force, and that's why tomorrow at the update, Manitobans will hear about the great work that is being done by the task force.

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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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The Gerrard Report

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