Happy back to school! September is always an exciting time of year. But between school supplies, sports equipment, and new winter gear, it’s also a tough season on the pocketbook for many families in Fort Rouge and across Manitoba. As always, our government is here to help make life more affordable and make the back-to-school season a little bit easier.

Last year, we introduced the universal school food program, and I’m so proud that it is now a permanent part of Manitoba’s school system. Our government brought in this program because we know that feeding kids is always the right thing to do. No one should have to learn on an empty stomach.

The best part is it’s available to every kid who goes to public school in Manitoba, including on reserves. There are so many reasons why a family might need some help, and we’re here to support you no matter what. For parents who are struggling with high costs, it takes a bit of pressure off your wallet. And for those busy mornings when you’re rushing to get out the door, you can rest assured that your child will be able to access a healthy meal or snack when they get to school.

Supporting kids is the best investment we can make for our future. It isn’t just good news for families, it’s good for our economy too. When kids have the food they need to learn and grow they’re more likely to show up to school. And when they have the supports they need to stay in school, they’re more likely to go down a good path. We’re already seeing signs of success, with reports that attendance is up in some schools after only one year of the program.

This summer my team and I spent a lot of time knocking on doors across Waverley. Every conversation reminded me why I chose to do this work. At your doorsteps, in driveways and on front lawns, you told me about the struggles and hopes you carry for your families. And one message came through clearly: families want real opportunities for good jobs, training that leads to meaningful work, and an economy that allows our kids to build their future right here at home.

That hope is one I share deeply. What I want for your family is the same thing I want for my own. I want our kids to know that they can stay in Manitoba, find opportunity, build careers, and raise their families in the same neighbourhoods where they grew up.

I am proud to be part of Premier Kinew’s team, who is making sure Manitoba has a strong voice on the national and international stage when it comes to economic growth and workforce development. Manitobans deserve investments that create good jobs today and strengthen our communities for the future.

One way this vision is becoming reality is through the 2025–26 Canada-Manitoba Job Grant, now open for applications. This program helps local businesses train both new and existing employees, so our economy grows from the ground up. At the same time, the province is investing in programs that support Manitobans who face barriers to employment, giving more people the chance to step into meaningful work and provide for their families.

In recent months, many Roblin constituents have reached out to talk to me about the state of home care. Seniors, people with disabilities, and those recovering from illness depend on reliable home care support to live safely and with dignity in their own homes. Unfortunately, that support is being undermined by the NDP government’s decision to centralize home care scheduling services in the WRHA.

Instead of improving services, the shift has created chaos. Families report missed visits, last-minute cancellations, and no-shows that leave vulnerable Manitobans at risk. Home care staff, meanwhile, are struggling to deliver consistent, quality care under this new system, leaving them burned out, frustrated, and demoralized.

I’ve spoken to dozens of front line home care workers over the last few months, and they have all told me the same thing: centralizing scheduling services in downtown Winnipeg has stripped the flexibility and responsiveness out of home care. The government’s one-size-fits-all approach cannot replace the common sense of local offices that know their clients and communities best.

This is not just a scheduling problem — it’s a matter of health and safety. When home care doesn’t show up, vulnerable Manitobans are left at risk. In fact, the number of canceled home care visits in Winnipeg has nearly doubled since last year, forcing families to scramble, take time off work, or go without care. It’s unfair, unsafe, and unsustainable.