Skip to main content

An Update on the Flooding Situation May 18th

 On Wednesday May 18, I spoke in response to a Ministerial Statement on the flood situation.  My comments are below. 

Flooding Update

Mr. Gerrard: Madam Speaker, the widespread flood­­ing in Manitoba is very serious. Liberal MLAs thank all those who are working hard to address the wet weather and the flooding. This includes those in MIT and in emergency measures in Manitoba as well as individuals in communities around our province, including municipalities, northern affairs and First Nation communities. We also thank the minister, who we know is putting in long hours at the moment.

      I believe there was a misunderstanding by the minis­­ter of our intent in responding to minister's state­ments. Our goal was and is, in part, to provide con­structive suggestions for areas which need attention.

      Talking of the potential need for programs for agri­cultural producers is important. Talking of the DFAA is important. Talking of the need for under­standing why the flood risk prediction for Peguis was delayed is important. We remain puzzled as to why 39 municipalities and northern affairs communities were listed yesterday in the minister's complete list of com­munities with states of emergencies, but the six First Nation com­mu­nities were not listed.

      Today, Minnesota is in a very–Minnedosa is in a very critical state, as we know from the minister, but also from a senior staffer in our office and from news reports. We are concerned about people in Minnedosa, but we are also concerned about the situation of the dam at Rivers, which has not yet been fully repaired from two years ago. And while the department has information on flows along many rivers, the Little Saskatchewan River is not listed on the website. These comments are not criticisms but rather pointing out areas where there could be improvement.

      MLAs like myself, the MLA for St. Boniface and the MLA for Tyndall Park, receive calls and talk with people from all over the province. It's important that we're in a position to provide information and help, and this helps the minister and his department when we can pass those comments on.

      Thank you. Merci. Miigwech.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

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
18 comments
Read more

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.  
Post a Comment
Read more

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    
Post a Comment
Read more