The Gerrard Report

The River Heights farmers market is every Friday from noon to 5 pm at 1370 Grosvenor in the parking lot of the Corydon Community Centre (River Heights site).  I was there earlier today to pick up fresh vegetables and novel Manitoba made specialty teas.  Getting some produce from Stefan Regnier  Local, fresh and organic produce from Stefan Regnier farming near St. Francois Xavier Stefan is using biodegradable alternatives to plastic packaging There are many other booths including this one with varied pastries from near Plum Coulee.  

Congratulations to nurse practitioner Kathryn Braun who was nominated this evening as the Manitoba Liberal Party candidate in the constituency of Kildonan-River East. Her personal experience with health care under the Pallister government led her to come forward to seek the nomination and to stand for better health care in our province.  She understands the need to better integrate nurse practitioners into our health care system as an important part of improving it.  Kathryn Dougald Lamont praised Kathryn for coming forward and for speaking out for better health care.  Congratulating Kathryn after the nomination Kathryn with other nominated candidates present this evening

The Family Mental Wellness Festival, organized by Angela Taylor of Inspire Communications and many who worked with her, is going on today at Assiniboine Park.   It is open to all.  Consider coming down to the Park near the Lyric Theatre as the program will continue into the evening.  Naomi and I purchased a copy of Adam Schwatz's book "Jonathan and the Big Barbeque" for  our grandson Zayd.  Adam has autism of a type which was previously called Asperger's Syndrome.  He is an amazing champion for those with autism.  His excellent book is an example of what he can accomplish.   Angela Taylor got things started this morning, and thanked all those who contributed to making the Festival happen. Dougald Lamont, Manitoba Liberal Party leader talked of the importance of better attention to mental health support at the provincial level.   I talked of the important work Angela Taylor is doing emphasizing a better apprecia...

This morning, I joined Manitoba Liberal leader Dougald Lamont and other Liberal candidates for an announcement that Manitoba Liberals put a priority  on Public Transportation and on the support for transit in Winnipeg and in other Manitoba communities. Investments in public transportation are critical to improve accessibility for all in Winnipeg as well as other Manitoba communities.  It is particularly important for those who do not have cars - including many students, seniors and newcomers.  It is also important as part of effective efforts to reduce greenhouse gas production  MANITOBA LIBERALS WILL INVEST IN PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION WINNIPEG  –  Manitoba Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont says that a Manitoba Liberal Government will restore the 50/50 funding agreement and tap into more than $500-million in dedicated federal funding to improve transit systems that the Pallister Government has left on the table. Earlier this year, it was revealed ...

Today I joined many others in Assiniboine Park as part of a rally to bring attention to the needs of individuals with disabilities. This is an initiative which I strongly support.   Some photos from the event are below:

Saturday June 22 Naomi and I joined many others in a walk to support those with brain tumours and to raise awareness of the importance of the need for improved treatments for those with brain tumours.

Yesterday, June 20, I was in Gimli to present a Young Liberal Scholarship to Sinead Gibbs a student who has excelled academically, done well in sports and has volunteered in the community.   She has volunteered with various organizations including Evergreen Basic Needs, the Gimli Humane Society, Siloam Mission and Meals on Wheels.    She has become a certified lifeguard and has supported the teaching of swimming lessons to children with special needs.   She has developed, not only in her work locally, but also as a global citizen being concerned about issues like climate change and the need for effective action to address climate change.    She writes in her essay on what she would do if she were Premier – about increasing student engagement in learning, in addressing physician shortages in area like the Interlake and of addressing climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.     Sinead is a very talented stude...

Yesterday, June 20, Dougald Lamont and our Manitoba Liberal Team announced that if we form government we will create a Manitoba Police Service.   The Press release and backgrounder are below. Manitoba Liberals Announce Justice Policy: Manitoba Provincial Police Service   Winnipeg – Manitoba Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont says that a Manitoba Liberal Government will address the gaps in police services in rural and northern Manitoba with the creation of a provincially-run police service, a Manitoba Police Service.    “For too long, Manitoba has had some of the highest crime rates in Canada. Under the PCs cuts and inaction, it is only getting worse,” said Lamont. “There are too many gaps in policing in Manitoba due to years of budget cuts and it is time to invest in a solution that will work province-wide.”    Lamont said a Manitoba Liberal Government would create the Manitoba Police Service by working in partnership with ...

On Wednesday, May 22, in Question Period, I asked the government to consider helping Niki Dumas get out of province coverage for a procedure which is not available in Manitoba.     Ms Dumas has a condition – intestinal malrotation – for which surgical treatment is only available in Cleveland in the United States.   Another Manitoba with intestinal rotation has already been referred there, has had the surgical treatment and is doing well. Out-of-Country Health-Care Case - Manitoba Health Coverage Request Hon. Jon Gerrard  (River Heights): Madam Speaker, in the gallery today, along with many supporters, is Niki Dumas. She has had difficulty since birth with the digestion of foods and abdominal pain. Finally, about three years ago she was diagnosed as having intestinal malrotation, a condition in which the intestine is rotated within the abdomen in the opposite direction from normal. She needs a surgical procedure to connect the malrot...

Thursday May 16th, I brought forward two examples of very long waits for hip and knee surgery in Manitoba.   As Rhonda Grist makes clear, there needs to be a maximum wait time of 6 months for hip or knee replacement surgery.   Waiting longer results in joint difficulties happening in other joints and increasing health problems over the long term.  My questions and the government's responses are below: Hip and Knee Surgery  - Wait Time Recommendations Hon. Jon Gerrard  (River Heights): Madam Speaker, I table a copy of a letter from Rhonda Grist to the Premier. She says that she agrees with the CIHI recommendations that the maximum waiting time for a hip replacement should be six months. As she says, based on her experience of waiting 11 months, more than six months causes harm to the other joints in our body. In her case, she says, after having to use a walker for 10 months before surgery and then another three to four months after su...