After hours of debate stretching late into the night, the Manitoba NDP government passed its budget implementation bill in the early morning of May 29. In spite of higher spending — supported by increased reliance on taxes and federal transfers — it ultimately falls short of meeting the needs of families here in Fort Whyte. Key priorities that residents consistently raise have been overlooked.

One of the most noticeable gaps is the absence of new childcare spaces in our constituency. Fort Whyte continues to grow, and with that growth comes increased demand for accessible, dependable childcare. Unfortunately, families are still dealing with lengthy wait-lists and limited options, making it harder for parents to stay in or return to the workforce. Quality childcare is not optional — it’s a critical part of a strong economy and thriving communities. Yet this budget does little to expand availability where it’s most urgently needed.

Affordability is another major concern that remains largely unaddressed. Families across Fort Whyte are feeling real financial pressure as the cost of living continues to rise. Grocery bills, fuel prices, clothing, property taxes, and everyday household expenses are all stretching budgets thinner. While the NDP has introduced some measures, they fall far short of providing meaningful, longterm relief. Many households will see little, if any, difference when it comes to managing their monthly costs.

Our Progressive Conservative proposal offered a clearer path forward. By increasing Manitoba’s basic personal exemption to $30,000, families in Fort Whyte would have seen an average of $3,000 in annual savings. This was a practical, direct way to put money back into people’s pockets. Regrettably, the NDP chose not to adopt this plan or similar affordability-focused solutions.

Manitobans are no strangers to the consequences of the climate crisis.

Last year, we faced the most severe wildfire season in decades, which displaced over 32,000 Manitobans, sending the province into two states of emergency. After an extreme series of wildfires, experts warn Manitobans will likely face surging insurance premiums and limited insurance options.

While those of us in Winnipeg suffered less directly, we faced a summer of high-risk smoke levels that blanketed cities across the country. This left parts of Canada with some of the worst air quality in the world, posing long-term risks to countless people’s cardiovascular and respiratory health. A colder spring has staved off risks of another early wildfire season, but the onset of an early June heatwave has sparked fears. Even more concerning, this year is projected to be among Canada’s hottest years on record. The sharp escalation of wildfires is a clear signal that the climate emergency is here in full force.

With these alarm bells ringing, why isn’t the Liberal government acting on this crisis before it worsens?

As another school year comes to a close, students, educators and families across Transcona are looking ahead to a well-deserved summer break.

This time of year always feels special to me. As a former educator and vice-principal, I know how much hard work, care, and dedication goes into every school year.

That’s why supporting education continues to be one of our NDP government’s top priorities. In Budget 2026, we announced an additional $80 million in funding for Manitoba schools, increasing funding above the rate of inflation for the third year in a row. These investments will help support classrooms, technical vocational education, school operations, and our Universal School Nutrition Program that help students succeed every day.

I’m also proud that our government continues to invest in childcare and early learning. This year, Manitoba is opening 21 new childcare centres and adding more than 2,300 new childcare spaces to help support families across the province. We are also continuing to support early childhood educators through increased wages and investments in growing the workforce. Early learning programs play such an important role in helping children build confidence, curiosity, and a strong start for the future.

After reading the recent article by Gregory Mason in the Free Press touching on young people starting out in the world and the topic of children, it prompted a reaction I had to chime in on.

Education is one of the most important privileges we have in this country that can aid in shaping a person’s future, thus creating a path for good jobs and opportunities to live the dream of either surviving in this all expensive world or maybe someday owning a car, home, etc. Some young women are delaying the start of a family not only because they are continuing their education or establishing their careers, but for other important reasons. Women are becoming wise to the fact that in the past they were expected to give up their jobs or careers and become the main caregiver to the children while the partner kept on their career path as usual. In some cases, women have to start all over again at an older age because of various family breakdowns. The task of caring for the children and refreshing their education at the same time is a daunting endeavor.

Women can lose their jobs because of pregnancy, they can be ridiculed in the workplace for becoming pregnant. They may get set back in the workplace once returning from maternity leave. Finding a daycare is a nightmare. Sometimes getting kids to and from school is a challenge. When the children are sick, it’s mainly the mother who misses work to tend to them. The workload at home is mainly picked up by the mother. In fact, most things involving the children are. In some cases, the time spent child rearing, providing lesser or no financial contribution and generally just being the main caregiver are ridiculed by the partner as never being good enough. Unless there is the perfect partner who is willing to really understand the dynamics of a family, why would women ever want to enter into motherhood?

Most of us — specifically females — are all hoping current and future generations will shift into a truly equal family dynamic to make the experience of having children joyful for all. Families are not the same as the old days, and the phrase “the good old days” can seriously die forever. That joke is not funny and never was. Hopefully, the human species is evolving enough to allow all families the experience of enjoying what the feel good movies portray, thus eliminating all family dysfunction going forward.

“It just costs too much.”

I hear that everywhere I go: at the grocery store, at school events, at the community centre and on the soccer pitch.

Parents across Manitoba are feeling squeezed by the rising cost of everyday life, and many are wondering how much further their family budgets can stretch. Groceries cost more. Gas costs more. Kids’ activities cost more. Even the basics feel harder to afford than they did just a few years ago.

As a mother, I understand that pressure. Families are making difficult choices every single month. Parents are cutting back on extras, postponing purchases, and worrying about bills in ways they never had to before.