The Gerrard Report

Tuesday October 9th Dougald Lamont, Judy Klassen, Cindy Lamoureux and I teamed up to put pressure on the Pallister Conservatives to address the Methamphetamine Crisis in Manitoba. This include a Members Statement (by me), Questions by Dougald, Questions by me, and an Opposition Day Motion initiated by Dougald.   Both of us spoke, along with Judy Klassen, MLA for Kewatinook, and Cindy Lamoureux, MLA for Burrows, during the debate.  These are in sequence below. In essence, as you will see in the statements below, we are calling on the government do declare a public health emergency, to appoint the Director of a Task Force to bring together actions in various departments to implement an effective approach to the meth epidemic which includes a province- wide awareness campaign, information about meth in the primary and secondary education curriculum, consistent emergency room protocols for handling individuals who have taken meth, access to detoxification, then for stabiliz...

On Wednesday October 3, I raised a Matter of Urgent Public Importance in the Manitoba Legislature over concerns about the poor management of human resources in our health care system in our province. My remarks are below: MATTER OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE Hon. Jon  Gerrard  (River Heights):  Madam Speaker, I rise on a matter of urgent public importance. I move, seconded by the MLA for Burrows, that under rule 38(1), the ordinary business of the House be set aside to discuss a matter of urgent public importance, namely the need for urgent attention to the state of human resource management in Manitoba's health-care system, which is putting the health of patients and the health of nurses at risk. Madam Speaker:  Before recognizing the honourable member for River Heights, I should remind all members that under rule 33(2), the mover of a motion on a matter of urgent public importance and one member from the other recognized parties in the House are allowed not mo...

On Saturday September 29, many people gathered at the Manitoba Legislature for a March for Mental Health.   The march was preceded by a rally and speeches at the Legislature.  Angela Taylor provided introductory remarks.  A number of dignitaries also spoke including Manitoba Liberal leader Dougald Lamont shown below with Angela Taylor and me. Three inspiring young people then spoke and shared experiences.  Rachel Beasley, above, is a young leader in the movement to get better awareness of mental health issues.  She spoke of her own situation and her diagnosis of Tourette syndrome which has given her a deep understanding of the needs of those who face issues with brain and mental health.   She spoke of the broad need for better support for mental health in Manitoba, and the fact that spending on mental healthy, can give substantial benefits with each dollar invested wisely saving seven dollars in expenses in health care such as ...

Sept 21, I hosted a Forum on Learning Disabilities.   I hosted the Forum because I see individuals with Learning Disabilities as needing quicker and better support that many are receiving today.  I hosted the Forum because I see such support as critical to reducing societal issues in our schools and our communities as well as helping individuals.  I hosted the Forum for a personal reasons – that I have personally seen (including in my extended family) the difficulties and the trauma individuals experience when they do not get a diagnosis and help – and the tremendous contributions such individuals can make when they receive the support they need. The Forum was introduced with some basic background on Learning Disabilities; There are a number of specific learning disabilities.   These include as examples: Auditory Processing Disorder, Dyscalculia, Non-Verbal Learning disorder, Dyslexia, Language Processing Disorder and Visual Perceptual/Visual Mo...

Saturday evening September 22, Manitoba Liberals gathered for a "working together" dinner at the Punjab Cultural Centre in Winnipeg. Kevin Lamoureux, MP for Winnipeg North, gave an impassioned speech to those present - talking about the opportunity Manitoba Liberals have in the upcoming 2020 election, and the need for Manitoba Liberals to do well provincially to get our province in a better direction. Dougald Lamont, Manitoba Liberal leader and MLA for St. Boniface addressed the audience to talk about the successful by-election, the building that is happening within the Manitoba Liberal Party and the growing sense of optimism about our future. The Winnipeg Banghra Club members provided a spirited dance performance.