Manitoba Politics, October 22, 2023 - In a time when political trust is at a premium, Manitobans find themselves questioning the alignment of Premier Wab Kinew's priorities with the needs of the province. As the premier outlines his agenda, one can't help but wonder if these priorities truly reflect the multitude of promises made during the election. Sadly, the answer is a resounding "no."
Premier Kinew has stated, "Manitobans have told us what their priorities are—they want to see a safer, healthier province." However, a closer look at his chosen committees reveals significant gaps in addressing these concerns. While committees like the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit (MMIWG2S+) and Gender-Based Violence Committee, as well as the Poverty Reduction Committee and the Healthy Child Committee, are undoubtedly important, the glaring omission of healthcare is baffling. It's worth recalling that healthcare was the focal point of Kinew and the NDP's campaign. How can healthcare not be a priority?
Furthermore, there is a conspicuous silence regarding the issue of crime, which recent polls indicate as the number one concern for most Manitobans. The absence of any commitment to making the province safer is a troubling oversight, especially for those who expected to see a focus on public safety.
Premier Kinew's initial actions, including firing senior departmental staff and reshuffling crown corporation boards, seem to reflect personal agendas rather than the interests of the province. This raises the question of why it is so challenging for political leaders to keep their promises, especially when an election campaign is akin to applying for a guaranteed four-year job, with a salary that places elected officials in the top 1 percent of wealthy Canadians.
What Manitobans truly need is stability. The cost of living has soared, and the Canadian economy is facing serious challenges. The lack of a clear plan for addressing these pressing issues only deepens the sense of uncertainty. Instead of rushing to implement changes, a government's first priority should be to create an atmosphere of stability for its citizens. This can be achieved by taking the time to assess the current situation and listening to the valuable insights provided by civil servants. Hasty decisions often lead to failure, both in the political and private sectors.
Change for the sake of change will not benefit our province. Manitobans need to see their elected officials delivering on the promises they made during the campaign. Failure to do so only exacerbates the growing disillusionment with our political leaders. As Premier Kinew charts his course, he would do well to remember that the province's well-being depends on delivering what was promised to the people of Manitoba.
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