Building confidence and opportunities in 2026

This year is about building – not just infrastructure, but the confidence and opportunities our community deserves. To serve you best, I’ve been focusing on my own strength at the gym, because a stronger leader is a more resilient and effective advocate for the people. My personal commitment to health is my commitment to you – I am building the stamina needed to champion for our shared future every single day.

This year brings positive economic developments for Manitoba’s business community. Our government has taken steps to strengthen support for small businesses through the expansion and modernization of the small business venture capital tax credit program. These changes are intended to encourage investment in early-stage companies, support innovation, and help entrepreneurs access more sources of capital within Manitoba.

As a member of the treasury board, I work to ensure that public investments are reviewed carefully and aligned with long-term fiscal sustainability. Treasury board oversight supports responsible spending while helping programs that contribute to economic growth, employment opportunities, and community development across Manitoba.

Manitoba’s efforts to reduce interprovincial trade barriers have also been recognized nationally. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) has ranked Manitoba among the leading provinces for internal trade-reform performance, reflecting progress in improving market access for businesses across Canada.

Dialogue. Consultation. Community.

In St. James, we’re fortunate to live in a community where people care deeply about their neighbourhoods and about one another. One of the most important parts of my role as your MLA is listening, whether it’s to families, students, seniors, or local business owners, and bringing those voices with me into the work we do at the legislature.

Earlier this month, I was proud to host a community open house in my constituency office. It was a great opportunity to connect with neighbours, answer questions, and hear directly about the priorities and challenges people are experiencing. We spoke about affordability, community safety, local infrastructure, and the importance of strong public services, particularly health care. I’m always grateful for the thoughtful conversations that take place at events like this. Open dialogue makes our community stronger and ensures your perspectives help shape the decisions we make in government.

Over the last couple of months, I’ve had the opportunity to meet with many organizations and groups from across Manitoba as part of our provincial pre-budget consultations. Hearing directly from community leaders and organizations about the economic realities they’re facing was incredibly valuable. We also held public, pre‑budget town halls in Brandon, Gimli, and Winnipeg, along with two telephone town halls, giving us the chance to hear directly from residents across the province. These conversations offered important perspectives on affordability, public services, and the opportunities before us as a province.

February is also I Love to Read Month, one of my favourite times of the year. I was thrilled to visit École Assiniboine, Linwood School, Stevenson-Britannia School, Isaac Brock School, and Clifton School to spend time reading with students. There’s something special about seeing students excited about books and learning. Literacy builds confidence, strengthens critical thinking, and helps young people find their voice. I want to thank the incredible educators in our community who create supportive classrooms and foster that love of learning every day.

Calendrier communautaire 233-ALLÔ

Jusqu’ au 14 mars • Freeze Frame • CCFM

12 mars • Session d’information sur les droits des personnes 2ELGBTQI+ en milieu minoritaire • En ligne

12 mars • Sortie familiale organisée par les CRÉEs • Kid City

13 et 20 mars • Ligue d’improvisation du Manitoba • CCFM

Tony Nardella was out and about recently, taking pictures of these mallards in flight near Sturgeon Creek, and a Woodhaven cyclist who was well-equipped against the cold.

Embracing karaoke culture

Most of my regular readers know about my passion about music mas I talk about music in many of my stories. I had a pretty interesting upbringing, and music was always around. Dad was a bit older than mom and country music was played at a lot of his family’s gatherings. After Christmas dinner at Grandma and Grandpa Kretschmer’s (my father dropped the ’s’ in the surname), the guitars would come out and the whole family would singsongs like Kris Kristofferson’s Me and Bobby McGee and Johnny Cash tunes. I also have memories of visiting my mom’s sister in Moosomin, Sask., and listening to Mr. Moonlight and Baby’s in Black from the Beatles for Sale album. Mom’s family was more into pop and rock.

Hearing a song from the past can stir up a lot of memories. Certain songs can even take you back to where you were when you first heard it. I liken it to a form of time travel – every time I hear Murray McLauchlan’s The Farmers Song, I’m transported to the back seat of the car on family road trips across Canada in 1972, when it first came on the radio.

As a writer, I really appreciate the short-story structure of a song which can say so much in three to five minutes. Sometimes I get more out of a well-crafted short song than a two-hour movie. Indeed, songs leave more to the imagination.

Some of the first articles I wrote for the now defunct Community News Commons were concert reviews, in which I encapsulated a two-hour concert experience into a short review. I also got to meet and interview some of my musical heroes of the past. I remember meeting Gordon Lightfoot and telling him a show he did in 1974 was one of the first concerts I saw. My aunt couldn’t go, so my mom brought me. Pretty impressive for a 10-year-old. I got him to autograph an LP each for mom and me. Again, great memories.

Saying goodbye to big U.S. tech

If you’ve been feeling more like the consumed than the consumer lately, you aren’t wrong. I wrote a piece in this space a few months ago about abandoning my Amazon Prime habit, but now I am going further.

The tech billionaires who sat behind U.S. President Donald Trump at his inauguration are determined to extract as much data and value as they can from us, while reducing the quality of our experience of their products.

The Canadian writer Cory Doctorow describes this process as ensh*ttification – wherein companies first offer good service to lock in their users, good business service to lock in their advertisers and, finally, lousy service to both users and advertisers to lock in their real customers, the shareholders.

They are counting on our inertia and the difficulty of switching to keep us locked in, even as we receive less and less value from their products – while we no longer love Facebook, we love our friends and family who are there, and it’s hard to leave them, unless we can persuade them to come somewhere better with us.

Volunteers make our city a better place

Harvest Manitoba, formally known as Winnipeg Harvest, is a not-for-profit organization which provides food and supplies to folks in need. Each month, the food bank supports over 100,000 Manitobans and usage of its services has increased 150 per cent since 2019, as costs of groceries and living essentials continue to increase.

Harvest Manitoba relies heavily on volunteers to help with day-to-day food sorting and distribution. It also relies on donations from large corporations such as Walmart or Superstore to provide supplies and food. These deliveries usually arrive at the Harvest warehouse in large boxes full of miscellaneous items which must be sorted for quality control and distribution. Harvest also supports an extensive Meals2go program for schools.

On a chilly morning a few weeks ago, approximately 30 Grade 9 Life Works students from Collège Churchill High School spent time volunteering at Harvest.

Our group was split into two. One group went into the classroom to learn about Harvest Manitoba, about who is most in need of their services and how to budget money and supplies properly as a young adult and in a family.

Baseball’s in his blood

Old-school baseball legend Leo Durocher famously said, “Nice guys finish last,’” but he was wrong. Sometimes, nice guys make the hall of fame.

Congratulations to Guy Yerama on his selection to the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame. From playing to coaching to building programs, Yerama’s done it all.

“I was happy to hear about it, but it took a while to sink in,” Yerama said. “I know lots of people who are in (the hall)…friends, guys I’ve coached, a lot of guys I’ve played wth and coached with. I think that’s the cool thing.

“In my mind, hall of fame guys are like Gerry Falk and Mike Labossiere and Gord Leduchowski. They taught the game, they played the game, they coached the game. They were national teamers. The rest of us are all normal people.”

A new space to play and connect

Waverley has such a strong sense of community. As the neighbourhood grows, so too does the need for welcoming spaces where families can gather, children can play, and neighbours can connect. That’s why I’m so pleased to share that a new playground is being built at Bison Run School, an important addition for both students and the broader community.

Since Bison Run School officially opened in 2023, it has quickly become a hub for families in this rapidly expanding area. However, there has not been an existing playground within walking distance for many residents nearby. This new playground will help fill that gap, giving children and parents alike a safe and accessible place to socialize, stay active, and build friendships close to home. It’s a much-needed addition that reflects the growth we’re seeing in Waverley.

Community spaces are at the heart of healthy neighbourhoods. Many families already enjoy the Waverley Heights site of the South Winnipeg Community Centre, located along Chancellor Drive next to Arthur A. Leach School. With its trio of hockey rinks, playground, splash pad, baseball diamonds, cricket field, and basketball court, it’s a vibrant gathering place throughout the year. These amenities bring people together and support active living for all ages.

We’re also fortunate to have beautiful outdoor spaces like Thelma J. Call Park, where families can simply relax, or get active and enjoy the soccer field, baseball diamond, and tennis courts. Nearby, Chancellor Park offers additional green space, playground equipment, and sports fields that make it easy to spend time outdoors with friends and family.

Protecting our environment

Churchill is one of the most extraordinary places on Earth. It is home to polar bears and thousands of beluga whales in Hudson Bay. Since time immemorial, the marine ecosystem has sustained the way of life for people in what is now northern Manitoba. All the way across the province, people in Fort Rouge know that this environment is a big part of how we are known around the world, and care deeply about protecting it. Our government knows this, too, and we have a responsibility to protect what makes our province so special.

Right now, we’re working to build up the Port of Churchill into a major trading hub that will help us grow our economy and protect Canadian freedom. Along with all the economic benefits this project will bring Manitobans, we have a chance to invest in conservation and protect the natural world that sustains all of us.

Our government is making good on this opportunity. In February, we announced that we’re exploring creation of a marine conservation area in Hudson Bay. Conservation efforts like this one are important for a healthy and sustainable province, and they also help promote economic growth. Northern tourism, sustainable development, and community prosperity all depend on clean water, healthy wildlife populations, and intact ecosystems. When we protect the environment, we also protect long-term opportunities for families and communities in the north and across our province.

Exploring the marine conservation area in Hudson Bay is just one step we’re taking to reach our goal to protect 30 per cent of our land and water by 2030. It builds on the important progress we’re making with the Seal River watershed, and with protecting the Lemay Forest right here in Winnipeg.

One decision can create a lasting ripple effect

April 7 is Green Shirt Day in honour of Logan Boulet, a Humboldt Broncos hockey player who lost his life in the tragic 2018 bus crash and subsequently saved six lives as an organ donor. I encourage everyone to have an important conversation with their families about organ donation. Even if you are registered as an organ donor, your loved ones will still have the final say on whether organ donation occurs, so it’s crucial you let them know your wishes. To learn more or to register, please visit signupforlife.ca. One decision can create a lasting ripple effect.

This was the third consecutive year I attended both the opening and closing ceremonies of the All Seniors Care Seniors Games at River Ridge Retirement Residences 1 and 2. The dedicated staff who organize these events create a welcoming and positive atmosphere and it’s a joy to be part of cheering the active, vibrant seniors on. It was truly magical to watch residents proudly show off medals from past years while others experienced a new sport or activity for the very first time. This reminds us that it’s never too late to try something new and of all the benefits of staying active at all ages.

Our local team read at almost every daycare and school in Kildonan-River East during I Love to Read Month. We even showed up for students and educators in Dawson Trails, Springfield-Ritchot and Red River North. I wish my colleagues who represent these rural communities would take part in I Love to Read Month to show up for their communities. We need to hold our elected officials to a higher standard, because showing up matters.

Our local team has been door-knocking, and we’ve heard you loud and clear on your struggles navigating the health-care system. Through these conversations, we’ve realized many of you aren’t aware of our new, user-friendly online system for booking appointments in clinics across Manitoba: medinav.ca.

Strengthening our community

Strengthening our community

One of the best parts of living and working in Southdale is seeing how people show up for one another every single day. Whether it’s families coming together at local events, students pushing toward new goals, or small businesses keeping our neighbourhood vibrant, the sense of care and connection in our community is always front and centre.

Our government is committed to building on that strong foundation by investing in the services we all count on and by working alongside communities to advance local priorities in meaningful and practical ways.

A key part of that work is supporting public education. For the 2026–27 school year, our government is increasing funding for public schools by $79.8 million, bringing the total provincial investment to $1.995 billion. This funding will help school divisions respond to enrolment changes, support classroom learning, and ensure students and educators have what they need to succeed. Continued investments in building new schools and the universal school nutrition program are also helping create learning environments where every student feels supported and ready to thrive.

Grandparent scam targets Manitoba seniors

A troubling scam continues to target seniors across Canada – including right here in Manitoba. Often called the “grandparent scam” orthe “emergency scam,” it preys on the love and concern grandparents have for their families.

Typically, a senior will receive a phone call, often during the day, from an unfamiliar or blocked number. The caller claims to be a grandchild in urgent trouble. They may say they’ve been in a car accident, arrested, or facing some other emergency. Most times, another person comes on the line, pretending to be a police officer or lawyer to make the story sound more believable.

These callers create a strong sense of urgency. They may beg the grandparent to not tell anyone else in the family, claiming there’s a “gag order” or that they’re too embarrassed to let others know. The goal is to cause panic and prevent the victim from verifying the story.

Once the grandparent is emotionally involved, the scammer asks for money – often thousands of dollars – to help fix the problem. They may insist the funds are needed immediately for bail, legal fees, or fines. In some cases, scammers have even arranged taxi rides to take seniors to the bank if they no longer drive. After the cash is withdrawn, a courier is sent to the senior’s home to collect it. That courier could be part of the scam, another person who has been misled, or a delivery company unaware of the scam.