The Manitoba Liberal Party two days after the election; Steve Jobs, and Nobel Prize Winners.

Manitoba Liberals two days after the election:
It is now two days after the election. There have been many compliments on my success in River Heights - and I thank those who have sent them to me, or offered them publicly. My immediate focus is now on attending to what needs to be done after the election, cleaning up, storing signs and other campaign materials, thanking my volunteers and organizing to ensure we have any campaign debts paid off. Thank you to all who are helping in these efforts.

Steve Jobs: Yesterday, the passing of Steve Jobs marked the passing of an icon, pioneer and inventor who together with Steve Wozniak gave the world the apple computer, and in recent years produced the iPhone, the iPod and the iPad. He was an amazing creative genius and a visionary leader who was a great entrepreneur. I have a particular affinity for his leadership, after working in the federal cabinet in the 1990s promoting the development of technology and the information highway in Canada. Jobs died after a several year battle with pancreatic cancer. As I have highlighted recently, we need action on pancreatic cancer to find better treatments for this deadly disease. http://manitobaliberals.blogspot.com/2011/09/pancreatic-cancer-need-for-action-and.html

Nobel Laureates: There have been several recent Nobel Prize announcements. I want to highlight two.

Ralph Steinman, who received the Nobel Prize in Medicine this past Monday, was a Canadian who discovered dendritic cells in 1973. Dendritic cells play an important role in initiating the immune response, essentially binding to the antigen of concern and presenting it to the immune system in a way that triggers an immune response. His initial finding was met with skepticism, but is now very well accepted as a very important finding which may be of importance in many areas, including presenting tumour associated antigens to the immune system in a way that enhances the body's ability to fight cancer. I have a particular appreciation for his work as a result of my own research in the cell biology area in the 1970s and 1980s. His death, three days before the Nobel Award, like that of Steve Jobs, was from pancreatic cancer.

Daniel Shechtman, an Israeli scientist, was awarded the Nobel Prize for chemistry this week for his discovery of an important new crystalline chemical structure, now called quazicrystals, that can be rotated one fifth of a full turn and still look the same from the outside. Normal crystals look the same when turned by a quarter turn, but different when turned one fifty of a turn. Quasicrystals are particularly strong, have hardly any surface friction, and cannot oxidize and become rusty. They have been found in a very durable type of steel used for thin needles and razor blades. It is of interest that Shechtman was initially ridiculed for his work and it took some time before his findings and their importance were accepted. It is good to see his work recognized this week. As I know from my own career as a scientist and a politician, leadership and good ideas often take time to be appreciated.

Thank you to all the Liberals who worked so hard on the provincial election

Thank you to all who were candidates on our Liberal team.  Thank you to all those who worked on our provincial election campaign, whether as part of our central campaign effort or as part of the teams in the various constituencies around Manitoba.  Thank you especially to those who helped on my River Heights campaign. Thank you to all the people in River Heights who re-elected me to serve them for the next four years.  Thank you to my wife Naomi for all she has done during this campaign.

It was quite a battle.  We had hoped to elect more than one Liberal.  But, considering that there were those who were predicting that the Manitoba Liberal Party would be wiped out, we have survived and we have shown that we are still an important presence in Manitoba politics.  Mark Twain once said: "The rumours of my death have been greatly exaggerated."  The same can be said of the Liberal Party.  We are still very much alive with many young people very involved and many new people becoming involved. 

Congratulations to Greg Selinger and the NDP on their victory.

Why it is so important to elect Liberal MLAs to the Manitoba Legislature.

This afternoon, I received a note from a constituent in River Heights.  It read as follows: "I just wanted to tell you what an honor it was to meet you when you came to my door.  I also wanted you to know that I have decided to vote with my heart on this one... for the candidate who impresses me as having the voice with the most integrity.  The WRHA and the NDP have ruined my career, but my hope lies in the fact that someone with heart, vision and wisdom may shift the balance someday."  Her note made me decide to issue one last appeal for people to vote Liberal today.

The last 12 years in which I have sat in the Manitoba Legislature have taught me how important it is to have Liberal MLAS in the Manitoba Legislature.  Liberals provide an important balance to the bickering of the other two parties.  Liberals are the conscience of the Legislature, the honest brokers who work in the best interest of all of Manitobans.  Liberals raise questions and ideas that the other two parties do not or will not raise.  It is extraordinarily important to have Liberals in the Manitoba Legislature to improve the level of government in our province and to advance our province.  Below is a list of a few of my achievements as an MLA in the last 12 years.  They show why it is important to elect Liberals.  I urge you, in the last hours of this campaign, to vote Liberal when you vote today.

List of Achievements over the last 12 years: Jon Gerrard has shown an ability to work with individuals and groups in River Heights and elsewhere around the province to achieve benefits for River Heights residents


- In River Heights: During Jon Gerrard’s time as MLA there have been significant public infrastructure investments in River Heights. These include the expansion of the Reh-Fit Centre, a new playground for Grosvenor School, and will include two projects which are now approved for funding - the Gym at Kelvin High School and the Gym at Queenston School. For all of these projects, Gerrard was an advocate and a supporter, and he worked in these efforts with those at other levels of government. Indeed, Gerrard has long advocated for increased funding for school gyms in Manitoba as part of the provincial effort to improve the physical activity and physical fitness of young Manitobans. As well there has been significant private sector development in River Heights, and Gerrard has worked with constituents to achieve results which fit the River Heights environment.

- Each year Jon recognizes students at schools in River Heights with Community Citizen Ship Awards. These awards go to outstanding students who have been involved with the community and contributed whether locally, provincially or internationally to the health of our community.

- Forums in River Heights – Over the years that Gerrard has been the MLA for River Heights, he has held many public forums on subjects as diverse as Lake Winnipeg, Seniors and Personal Care Homes, FASD, Environmental issues and Educational issues.

- In Health Care:

- Promoting wellness – reducing smoking: Gerrard has long been an advocate of reducing smoking. In 2003, he served as a member of the All Party Task Force on Environmental Tobacco Smoke. From the committee’s work came legislation which reduced smoking in Manitoba and banned smoking of tobacco in indoor public spaces in our province.

- Promoting wellness – improving the health of children: Gerrard served on the All-Party Task Force on Healthy Kids: Healthy Futures which made recommendations on improving exercise and nutrition in children in Manitoba. Together with Kevin Lamoureux, he produced the Liberal Party minority report Six Lost Years: Its Time for Action, which went considerably beyond the recommendations of the All-Party Task Force in calling for changes to improve the health of children in Manitoba, including making recommendations with respect to conditions like FASD, diabetes and improving health through safety measures like making bike helmet and booster seats mandatory.

- Reducing medical errors – Gerrard has consistently called for improvements in the quality of health care in Manitoba, and specifically in improvements in the efforts to reduce medical errors. As a result of Gerrard’s efforts legislation was passed to require the reporting of medical errors. This legislation included an amendment put forward by Gerrard which allows for patients and family members to report medical errors (also called critical incidents). To facilitate improved measures to report and address medical errors, Gerrard introduced The Apology Act which allows health care professionals to apologize for medical errors without legal liability. The Act received all party support and was passed in November 2007 and became law in February 2008. These measures have helped improve the identification of problems within the health care system, and improved the response of the health care system.

- Improving patient and family involvement in health care decisions by improving access to medical records. Gerrard has advocated for quick access by patients and families to medical records. In December 2006, he first introduced legislation to dramatically shorten the time in which patients must be able to access their medical records from 30 days down to 24 hours, the shortened time being essential if patients are to better participate in decisions surrounding their care. After initially rejecting this, the government decided it was indeed the right approach and adopted this change. It became May 1, 2010.

- Working with health support organizations. Gerrard has worked with many health support organizations to get improvements in the level of awareness, understanding and support. These include the Neutropenia Support Association, The Manitoba First Episode Psychosis Family Support Group and Asperger Manitoba, as well as many, many others. For example, Gerrard assisted Bev Larmour and others with organizing Asperger Manitoba, and served for a time on the Board. Asperger Manitoba has done an outstanding job of improving awareness, understanding and support for those with Asperger’s Disease.

- Promoting Good Samaritan activity. In November, 2005, I introduced legislation to provide legal protection to individuals who are good Samaritans in their efforts to help others. In December, 2011, working with Bonnie Korzenowski, MLA St. James, the legislation was modified and passed into law.

- Promoting organ donation. Kevin Lamoureux and I introduced legislation in May 2010 to enable an assurance of unpaid leave from work for an individual donating an organ. This bill received all party support and was passed in June 2010.

- Promoting improvements in health care. Gerrard has been actively involved in many, many ways in promoting improved health care in our province. From promoting improved newborn screening to improved delivery of services throughout the province.

- In Education: Gerrard has been a consistent supporter of improved post-secondary education and improved access by students to education. In his first term in office, together with Allen Mills, Gerrard met with post-secondary education leaders and produced a report calling for improved support for post-secondary education. In the 2003 election, Manitoba Liberals proposed to make payments on student loans fully tax deductible from income taxes paid after the student graduated. The NDP then adopted a variation of this policy in which students received rebates on tuition after graduating.

- Post-secondary education research – Gerrard has promoted improved funding for graduate students and for post-secondary education research in Manitoba. His efforts over many years to push for improved funding for the Manitoba Health Research Council were met, in 2008 with a budget increase to $6 million. He has also called for the creation of an adequately funded Manitoba Science, Engineering and Humanities Research Council.



- In the Environment: Lake Winnipeg: Gerrard has been at the forefront of efforts to address the large algal blooms which have reached such an extent on Lake Winnipeg that it has been called an international ecological catastrophe. In 2003, in response to Gerrard’s vigorous approach in the Legislature, the government pushed Winnipeg to accelerate its removal of nutrients including phosphorous from Winnipeg’s sewage. In November, 2006 Gerrard introduced legislation to remove phosphorous from automatic dishwasher detergents. Though the NDP dismissed it at the time as a dishwasher bill, they subsequently introduced legislation which copied Gerrard’s bill, though it was weaker and took longer to implement. Gerrard has promoted and introduced numerous other measures to reduce phosphorous going into Lake Winnipeg, some of which have been followed by government action. To complement the focus on Lake Winnipeg, Gerrard has spent much time advocating for action to reduce algal problems on smaller lakes, like Killarney Lake, as helpful to providing information to reduce the problems on the much larger Lake Winnipeg. As Gerrard says, ”there remains much more to do, and we will be putting forward more proposals during the coming election campaign.”

o Mine Tailings Cleanup: Gerrard has drawn attention to the problems of leaching of heavy metal pollutants from former mine sites like the one at Sherridon, recognized as one of the worst polluted sites in Canada. This has led to action in this area, though there remains much to be done.

- Roads and Infrastructure: Following a presentation by Chris Lorenc of the Manitoba Heavy construction Association to the Manitoba Liberal Party in 2002, Gerrard advocated forcefully for changes to the provincial approach to managing and upgrading road infrastructure. In 2005, Jon used his blog to effectively attack the NDP for their mismanagement of road and bridge infrastructure maintenance. Since that time, the government has improved its funding and its approach to road and bridge maintenance. It is not what it needs to be, but it is better than it was before 2005.

- Water Management: Starting during the 1999 flood in south-western Manitoba, Gerrard began advocating for a dramatically improved approach to water management in our province. He spent a great deal of time investigating improved approaches, and recognized that the Deerwood Project on the South Tobacco Creek with its 27 small dams to store water and its ability to reduce peak flows by 25%, to greatly reduce infrastructure damage to roads and culverts and to substantially reduce flooding of farmland was a good model. He has been a strong advocate of a changed approach to water management in Manitoba which relies as much on water storage as on drainage. Sadly, the NDP have not listened. Research has shown that continued wetland drainage only policy of the NDP in south-western Manitoba has increased peak flows by 37%, and probably contributed substantially to the flooding in 2011.

- Justice: Gerrard is credited with drawing attention to the fact that far too many of the individuals who get in trouble with our criminal justice system have brain health conditions including FASD, brain injuries, learning disorders and addictions. His advocacy of much better understanding of the contribution of brain health issues to crime has led to much more attention in this area, and a Mental Health Court has now been established in Manitoba. There is much more to do in this area which is badly needed in order to effectively reduce crime and recidivism in Manitoba. In the 2011 election, 24 year veteran of the Winnipeg Police Force, Gerard Allard is running for the Manitoba Liberals because of the approach the Liberals are taking to provide alternative positive options for youth, to reduce FASD and to reduce crime.

- Fiscal Responsibilty: Gerrard has been a champion of fiscally responsible government. His first degree was in economics and he was in the cabinet with Jean Chretien and Paul Martin and understands how critical it is to be fiscally responsible and management public monies well.

- Poverty: Gerrard knows how important it is to address poverty in Manitoba if we are to ensure all our citizens have the opportunities they should have. He also understands that reducing poverty improves health and reduces crime, so it is important for us as a community to consider others and to help reduce poverty in Manitoba. In May 2008, Gerrard introduced Bill 226, the Social Inclusion and Anti-Poverty Act which sought to set a provincial framework for a plan to improve social inclusion and to reduce poverty in Manitoba. It was modeled on similar bills in Quebec and Newfoundland. It was rejected by the NDP

- First Nation, Metis and Inuit Issues: Gerrard has been an advocate for First Nation, Metis and Inuit issues. As an example, Gerrard supported the Metis development and implementation of harvester cards which provide for responsible resource management. Gerrard has been an outspoken advocate for the adoption of Jordan‘s Principle, that First Nation children with disabilities should receive equivalent support to non First Nation children with disabilities in Manitoba. He was the first MLA to speak in the Legislature asking the government to adopt Jordan’s Principle in the fall of 2005. In May 2008, he introduced both legislation to implement Jordan’s Principle and a resolution to support Jordan’s Principle. The NDP supported neither. However, as a result of Gerrard’s pressure in Manitoba, and pressure on the government in Ottawa, modest steps were made to help First Nation children with disabilities.

Support our Bold Liberal vision

Tomorrow, on election day, I ask for your support for our bold Liberal vision, a vision for a dynamic, fiscally responsible future for our province.

It includes:
1) A Rapid Transit system for all of Winnipeg: http://manitobaliberals.blogspot.com/2011/09/rapid-transit-for-winnipeg-manitoba.html
2) A water management system for Manitoba to decrease problems with future floods and to support farmers: http://manitobaliberals.blogspot.com/2011/09/we-manitoba-liberals-annouce-we-will.html
3) Saving our public health care system and making sure high quality care is available to all Manitobans when it is needed: http://manitobaliberals.blogspot.com/2011/10/liberals-have-best-plan-for-health-care_02.html
4) Supporting entrepreneurs in Manitoba in order to build business strength here and to create high paying jobs by decreasing then eliminating the job-killing payroll tax. http://manitobaliberals.blogspot.com/2011/09/manitoba-liberals-will-reduce-and.html
5) Acting to ensure we have a provincial early childhood education and child care system with the capacity needed so people do not have to wait nearly so long as today (one mother yesterday told me she would have to wait 5 years). http://manitobaliberals.blogspot.com/2011/09/we-manitoba-liberals-will-reduce-wait.html
6) Better supporting post-secondary education students by providing the 40% tuition rebate in the year you go to school and giving a free transit pass with your tuition. http://manitobaliberals.blogspot.com/2011/09/manitoba-liberals-support-post.html
7) An approach to crime which actually reduces crime by ensuring both strong support for our police services, and strong support for efforts to reduce FASD and to provide better options for youth in staying in school and in community sports activities. http://manitobaliberals.blogspot.com/2011/09/manitoba-election-fasd-and-liberal-plan.html and http://manitobaliberals.blogspot.com/2011/09/this-morning-we-announced-our-support.html
8) Actions to ensure Lake Winnipeg is healthy and our environment is in good shape. http://manitobaliberals.blogspot.com/2011/09/manitoba-liberals-on-environment-on.html 
9) Supporting immigrants to Manitoba. http://manitobaliberals.blogspot.com/2011/09/manitoba-election-liberals-will-make.html
10) Supporting First Nation, Metis and Inuit people in Manitoba. See http://mlp.manitobaliberals.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Strong-Families-Healthy-Communities-Platform.pdf
11) Supporting the Arts and Culture in Manitoba: http://manitobaliberals.blogspot.com/2011/09/manitoba-election-liberals-on-arts-and.html
12) Supporting volunteers and non-profit organizations through a volunteer tax credit: http://manitobaliberals.blogspot.com/2011/09/addressing-poverty-in-manitoba-and.html

Look over our platform carefully.  Please vote Liberal to ensure we have as many Liberal MLAs as possible to advance these ideas and to build a better Manitoba for all of us.

Standing up for our treasured public health care system

Liberals are standing strong in support of our public health care system.
Today medicare is under threat by the incompetence of the NDP and the lack of any real plan by the Conservatives.  Liberals have the best plan.

The stories of Brian Sinclair dying after waiting 34 hours in the emergency room without help, of Joe Mcleod, of Olga Comberback, of Henry Froese, and of so many others demonstrate the incompetence of the NDP in improving health care.  Yesterday, I talked with a friend who had a hip replacement.  After the hip replacement, his pain continued.  He was reassessed by a specialist who found the problem was a muscle problem not a joint problem and he never should have had the hip replacement in the first place.  Think for a moment of the extra pain and the extra cost of NDP mismanagement of health care.  It is huge and the poor quality of wrong decisions like this one speak loudly of the need for much better emphasis on quality of care.  Liberals understand the need for an emphasis on quality care if we are to improve.  We have by far and away the very best plan for health care, a plan that can give Manitobans the quality of care needed, when Manitobans need it instead of having to wait and wait and wait as too often happens under the NDP.   See our full platform at: http://mlp.manitobaliberals.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Strong-Families-Healthy-Communities-Platform.pdf

Included in the Liberal plan are two important items which have not got enough attention.
1) It is not just about how many family doctors we have, it is about how well they are supported.  Family doctors needed to be supported so that they have quick access to what is happening with their patients when they are in hospital.  Family doctors need to be supported by quick access to provincial best practices and standards.  This can be done through good organization and good electronic communication.  After eleven years of Conservative government and 12 years of NDP government, it has not happened.  Liberals can and will do this quickly. 
2) Too often new drugs are added slowly to our pharmcare coverage.  Liberals will act to add effective new drugs quickly while saving dollars by decreasing use of drugs which are not effective for the what they are being used for.  Liberals will follow the Ontario model of reforms in drug pricing for generic drugs as our pharmacists have asked for http://manitobaliberals.blogspot.com/2011/09/my-blog-open-government-meetings.html  We will with this effort be able to cover all cancer drugs under pharmacare, as the NDP is now promising.  Indeed, it is very important to elect Liberal MLAs to hold the NDP accountable.  Otherwise, they will likely break this promise as they have so many others.

Standing up for Immigration and for Immigrants in Manitoba

Liberals have long been strong supporters of immigrants and immigration.  In the late 1800s and early 1900s it was two Manitoba Liberals, Thomas Greenway and Clifford Sifton, who led in bringing large numbers of immigrants to Manitoba.  Under Pierre Elliot Trudeau, immigrants flocked to Canada from many parts of the world.  For many years I have spent a lot of time working with and helping immigrants. Kevin Lamoureux and I have worked closely together in this respect, and in this election we have many candidates who have come from countries around the world.  This morning the Free Press acknowledges "The Liberals are running a remarkably diverse field; one Liberal member mused that many first generation Canadians arrived under federal Liberal immigration programs and "they never forget"."

We have people of many background helping in our campaign as the photos above show. 

Standing up for students in Manitoba

Standing up for Students in Manitoba: Liberals believe very strongly in post-secondary education and in supporting students.  As such a key part of our platform is supporting students with two measures below:

1) Liberals will advance the present 40% rebate on tuition provided for students staying in Manitoba so that those in need receive up to 20% of post-secondary tuition on their initial entry, and the balance monthly, based on satisfactory attendance and grades. What this means is that for a student who registers and pays $4,000 in tuition in September, the student will receive the 40% ($1600) rebate with the first cheque for half ($800) in October and with subsequent monthly cheques for $133 each month from November to April. Students have been very excited as they see this as a good way to get the money they need to do well in their studies when they need it rather than after they graduate. The rebate will come to students provided they do not drop out or flunk out.

2) Liberals will provide the subsidy so that students will get a free transit pass (a UPASS) when they register in September. Students have also been very excited about this.

Standing up for Seniors in Manitoba

Time after time, I have stood up to support seniors in Manitoba.  We have held many forums in Manitoba dealing with seniors issues.  In October 2010, when one of our respected elders, Joe McLeod, was put in jail as a result of his Alzheimer's Disease.  The NDP failed to act.  I spoke out loudly for better respect and understanding of seniors with dementia.  Within two days Joe was out of jail and in a personal care home.  Recently, Joe was at a barbeque and dancing with his wife Rose.  This is what respect is about - giving seniors the respect and the decent care they should have.  See http://manitobaliberals.blogspot.com/2010/10/joe-mcleod-with-alzheimers-ends-up-in.html

When Olga Cumberback had problems Liberals stood forward to help. See http://manitobaliberals.blogspot.com/2011/01/story-of-olga-cumberbatch-why-things.html

When Henry Froese (above with his daugher Phyllis), ran into difficulties, Liberals came forward to help. See - http://manitobaliberals.blogspot.com/2010/11/henry-froese-personal-care-homes.html

Standing up for Aboriginal People in Manitoba.

For many years and in many different ways, I have stood up for people in our Aboriginal community.  You can see this in many, many blog posts.  Orville Woodford, above, our candidate in the constituency of Kewatinook is shown with Bob Rae.  Orville worked with me when I was a Member of Parliament in Ottawa.  In February 2010, he travelled with me to communities on the East side of Lake Winnipeg.  See -  http://manitobaliberals.blogspot.com/2010/02/bloodvein-berens-river-poplar-river.html
Orville was the person who came to me to say we should have one price for milk in Manitoba to benefit people in northern communities.  Under the NDP and Conservatives we have had one price for liquor.  Liberals will bring in one price for milk.

We have gone to great lengths to have a platform which supports First Nation, Metis and Inuit people in Manitoba.  See our full platform at: http://mlp.manitobaliberals.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Strong-Families-Healthy-Communities-Platform.pdf

Standing up for Joe Chan and the Chinese community in Winnipeg

In the face of a viscious attack on Joe Chan and the Chinese community in Winnipeg by a person who professes to be a supporter of Flor Marcelino, I am standing up strong for Joe Chan and for all the members of the Chinese community in Manitoba. 

Joe is in immigrant and an entrepreneur who has worked hard to help others in his community.  He is very interested in keeping people healthy with healthy food and owns and operates a restaurant Cathay House. Joe is our Liberal candidate in Logan.

The Chinese community is an extremely important community in Winnipeg and in Manitoba.  There have been many outstanding citizens in our Chinese community and they have contributed enormously to our province. The hate literature directed at the Chinese community has no place in Manitoba and we have acted immediately to take this to Elections Manitoba and asked that it be taken to the Police for investigation.

Yesterday, in Church, I sat beside Ted Klassen who was our Liberal candidate in Emerson in 1999.  He came close to winning in 1999, but was the subject of a very viscious underground attack which appeared to come from supporters of another political party and undermined his chances of winning.   As I sat beside Ted, I thought that we need to make sure that such last minute viscious attacks do not achieve their objectives of defeating good candidates like Joe Chan.

Faye Jachyn is standing up for people in Transcona

Faye Jashyn is standing up for people in Transcona.

On Saturday, there was a fire in Transcona on Saturday that they say was started by grass and spread to the plastics plant.  It could have been devastating for Transcona had the winds shifted. We would have had to evacuate the area because of the toxic fumes.

Russ Wyatt has been asking the Province to stop allowing businesses in the area until we can look at the area and what type of businesses are coming in. He has not had any help from the Province and they have not responded to his letters.

The NDP MLA has not worked with him on this even though Transcona is affected when something happens.The Municipality of Springfield is actually in charge there but they do not have the equipment to take care of the area. There are a few businesses there that have toxic materials, a manure facility, a tire depot, wood depot, all can be very toxic if fire breaks out. The plastics plant though has had a fire there before in 2006 and now again.

Faye Jashyn is speaking out and I am working with her to bring this problem to a wider attention.  It is an example of the NDP taking people for granted.  It is time to elect Faye Jashyn in Transcona to make sure the people in Transcona are better represented.

Manitoba Liberals are the party people can trust

Those who are wondering who to trust this election should read Tom Brodbeck's column on Friday September 30 in the Winnipeg Sun.

Tom says it boldly "Both the NSP and the PCs campaigns are shamefully dishonest."

He also says "I haven't heard the Liberals lie about anything in this campaign so far.  Someone can correct me if I am wrong on that.  Liberal leader Jon Gerrard has run a pretty clean campaign."

Thank you Tom.  All I will say, is as Liberals we do our best.  We try to be forthright and open. I am the only leader who has a regular blog that is open to all Manitobans.  I do my best to represent people in Manitoba.

Liberals have the best plan for Health Care in Manitoba; Liberals will be the saviours of our public health care system

Right now our treasured public medicare system is under threat.  It is under threat from incompetence by the NDP.  The death of Brian Sinclair after waiting 34 hours in an emergency room is totally unacceptable.  Waits of 10 hours or more on an ongoing basis in emergency rooms after 12 years of NDP government are totally unacceptable.  Dramatic rises in abuse complaints in personal care homes under the NDP are totally unacceptable.  I could go on and on.  I hear the stories every day.  Yesterday, I almost cried when I heard of a young person who committed suicide because the NDP system is a failure.  Last fall, I called out across the country when the NDP system put a person with Alzheimer's Disease in jail instead of in a personal care home.  The awful failures of the NDP health care system are putting public health care at risk because it leads to increased demand for access to private health care.  And the Conservatives are waiting in the wings, all ready to help people get access to private health care.  They won't talk about it, but they have no other plan for health care, and anyone who thinks the Conservatives will safe our public health care system are mistaken.

As Liberals, we are very strong believers in our public medicare system. It was brought in nationally by a Liberal government under Lester Pearson.  We have fought tooth and nail for our public health care system.  We see that changes are needed to save our public health care system and we have brought in a full platform for changes to improve and save our public health care system.

In the photo above, I am with Faye Jashyn.  Her father, Joe McLeod, was put in jail under the NDP when he developed Alzheimer's Disease.  As Liberals we were outraged and in two days we achieved success in getting Joe McLeod moved to a better place.  Thanks to Liberal action, he is in a better place now, and recently he and his wife were able to attend a barbeque and they had a good time dancing together afterwards.  This is the dignity for seniors that Liberals believe in  This is the dignity for seniors that Liberals will fight for.

Some of the elements are detailed in my blog postings below, and in many other postings on health care issues over the last six years.   Look them over carefully and consider supporting your Liberal candidate on October 4th.

Addressing the diabetes epidemic: http://manitobaliberals.blogspot.com/2011/09/manitoba-election-as-manitoba-liberals.html

Addressing senior's care: http://manitobaliberals.blogspot.com/2011/09/elder-care-in-manitoba-liberal-plan-for.html

Dramatically reducing Emergency Room wait times: http://manitobaliberals.blogspot.com/2011/09/solving-er-wait-times-our-manitoba.html

Addressing FASD: http://manitobaliberals.blogspot.com/2011/09/manitoba-election-fasd-and-liberal-plan.html

And on so many other health care issues: See our full platform at: http://mlp.manitobaliberals.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Strong-Families-Healthy-Communities-Platform.pdf
 

On October 4th, Vote Liberal to save our public health care system.

Liberals have committed to ending bracket creep

Each year, when people pay taxes, the question of bracket creep comes up.  Basically the brackets used for income tax payments should be adjusted each year to reflect the rising cost of living (inflation).  Liberals commit to a yearly adjustment of tax brackets so that people are not pushed into higher tax brackets and higher taxes just because their income goes up to reflect the increase in the cost of living.  Liberals will end bracket creep.  It is good for Manitoba and for Manitobans.  It is another reason to vote Liberal on October 4th.

Liberals support Municipalities and Municipal Infrastructure

Liberals know that Municipalities have asked for a full transfer of 1% of provincial sales tax to help with their infrastructure issues.  As I have said in various forums in this campaign, Liberals commit to a full transfer to municipalities of 1% of the provincial sales tax.  Our commitment is firm and it contrasts with the commitment of the NDP which is a wishy-washy statement about trying to transfer an amount equal to 1% of PST.

We know that Municipalities need infrastructure funding.  We know that Municipalities should be the decision makers when it comes to how that funding is best used in their municipalities, rather than having the province micro-manage municipal decisions.  That is why we are committing to the transfer of the full 1%.

We know that Municipalities will need additional support above and beyond this, and we will work with Municipalities in the first year of a Liberal government to look at how we can build on this support.  As a province we have an important role to make sure that we have high quality infrastructure building standards so that the money that is spent on infrastructure is well spent.  Depending on how it is built, a new road or bridge can last a few years or a very long time.  Decisions are often made to build infrastructure which will last a short time rather than a long time because it is less costly in the short run, even though it is much more costly in the long run.  We want to ensure that infrastructure is built to last and is the best and the least costly in the long run.  We want a Manitoba quality standard that is high because we know Manitobans like to see infrastructure that is well built and that lasts a long time.

This is our approach.  It is why we are asking Manitobans to vote Liberal and to elect as many Liberal MLAs as possible.

Liberals support a Barrier-Free Manitoba

The last decade under the NDP has been one of talk but little action when it comes to concerns of those in the disability community.  A Liberal government will commit to a decade of action.  We have had enough talk.

Liberals recognize that the provincial government needs to take a critical leadership role. 

Liberals support the following nine basic principles:
1) Covering all disabilities
2) Reflecting a principled approach to equality
3) Moving beyond a complaints driven system to comprehensively address discrimination and barriers
4) Establishing a definite target date to achieve a barrier-free Manitoba
5) Requiring the development of a clear, progressive, mandatory and date-specific standards in all major areas related to accessibility that will apply to public and private sectors,
6) Establish a timely and effective process for monitoring and enforcement of the standards.
7) Incorporating leadership roles for the disability community
8) Introducing legislation which will supersede all other provincial legislation, regulations or policies which provide lesser protections.
9) Not diminishing other legal and human rights protections.

We know that these nine principles for the proposed legislation to have a barrier-free Manitoba have been endorsed by coalitions and groups representing hundreds of thousands of Manitobans, along with hundreds and hundreds of concerned citizens.  Liberals are strongly behind these hundreds of thousands of Manitobans. We will do all we can to support strong and effective accessibility rights legislation because it is badly needed in Manitoba today.

We ask all those who are concerned about ensuring a barrier-free Manitoba to vote Liberal.  It is important to elect as many Liberals to the Legislature as possible. On October 4, vote Liberal for a barrier-free Manitoba.

Don Woodstock - A Voice for Minto

Don Woodstock, transit driver, is working hard to be the Voice of Minto. He has run an extraordinary campaign.  You just have to visit the Minto area to see the support he has got in a seat that many thought was a shoe-in for the NDP.  Don listens to people, and he stands up for people. 

Don is calling for community input into the location of liquor outlets.  The liquor outlet on Maryland (above) is located near two playgrounds for children.  Don is hearing that this location of this liquor outlet is inappropriate.  In many other cities, liquor outlets are not allowed so close to playgrounds or to residential areas.  People in the community need a say.  People in the community should not be forgotten like they have been by the NDP.  If you live in Minto, vote for Don Woodstock.

Don has been wondering about the use of new types of facilities, facilities like the Behavioural Health Foundation facility in St. Norbert (above).  At the Behavioural Health Foundation, a person who is convicted for certain crimes can be put to work, and have a chance to rebuild their life.  But if they don't shape up and get themselves together, they will go back to jail.  Don is talking to people in Minto about whether this type of facility should be built in his area.  

I joined Don last night in his office where he had a constant stream of people from Minto coming through.  He is a man of the people.  Please help elect Don Woodstock in Minto.

Matthew Ostrove for Charleswood - a team full of energy

Matthew Ostrove, our Liberal candidate in Charleswood, has a team which is full of energy.  I joined Matthew's team last evening in Charleswood.  As you can see in the photos above, there is incredible energy and enthusiasm for Matthew in his area. 

Matthew is always sending me ideas about how we can improve Manitoba.  Matthew can make a wonderful contribution to Manitoba as the MLA for Charleswood.  Vote for Matthew on Tuesday.

Monica Guetre, our Liberal candidate in La Verendrye Constituency speaks out

Monica Guetre is a amazing, determined woman.  She is our candidate in La Verendrye constituency.  She has lived most of her life in the La Broquerie area.  After graduating with a Science degree from the University of Winnipeg, and going on to varied experiences including managing an Aboriginal Development Corporation in the NWT, she works in finance for an International Pharmaceutical Company.   She has also had extensive experience working with the family farm in the La Verendrye area.  She has a worked the last several years advocating for rural families and rural issues as a member of the Manitoba Liberal Party board of directors and as a candidate for La Verendrye, visiting communities such as La Broquerie, Sprague, Marchand, Woodridge, Piney, and throughout the Whiteshell and Sandilands area to discuss education, access to health, and water quality and water management issues.  The photo above is taken from one of her trips.  I know how hard she has worked, because I have followed her closely. 

Today, Monica sent me an email about her role as a candidate.  She says "put effort into helping one Manitoban at a time if necessary. Do it with honesty and integrity every day. Elections are never about politics or you the candidate, it will always be about listening and advocating for the area you represent."  Monica says it right on.  It is about working for other people to make a better community in your area.  Good for you Monica, and good luck on election day, October 4th. 

Made in Manitoba - Branding Manitoba and Manitoba Products and Services at the St. Norbert Market

This morning Naomi and I were with Marcel and Gudrun Laurendeau at the St. Norbert Farmer's Market (top photo). It is a great place to buy foods and other items produced in Manitoba, like the Manitoba Mist I am drinking (second photo) and the Manitoba Buckwheat Honey (bottom photo).


I am always proud to see "made in Manitoba" products which are of very high quality. We need to do a lot more branding of products produced in Manitoba and make it easier for Manitobans to see "made in Manitoba" products in Manitoba and around the world.

I am convinced that we can do more to brand Manitoba products so that people know about, believe in and buy our products.  Sadly, under the NDP, Manitoba is known as the violent crime capital of Canada, the poverty capital of Canada or the drop-out capital of Canada. I would much rather people in Manitoba, across Canada and around the world know us for the great products we grow or make here.

We Liberals will build the Manitoba brand.  We will start with the great Manitoba products we do have and start promoting them better.  "Made in Manitoba" should be a symbol of great quality.  We should be proud of it as Manitobans.  We will be - under a Liberal government.    This is why it is so important to elect as many Liberal MLAs as possible this coming Tuesday.  Tuesday October 4th, Vote Liberal.

Liberals have the best plan for health care, and the only plan to ensure the future of our public health care system

Over the course of this campaign, I have been talking about our plan for health care.  Our Liberal plan is by far and away the very best plan for health care for Manitoba.   In the face of NDP incompetence in many aspects of health care, and the lack of a real plan from the Conservatives, we Liberals are the ones who can save and preserve our public health care system so that you can get the care you need when you need it.

Addressing the diabetes epidemic: http://manitobaliberals.blogspot.com/2011/09/manitoba-election-as-manitoba-liberals.html

Addressing senior's care: http://manitobaliberals.blogspot.com/2011/09/elder-care-in-manitoba-liberal-plan-for.html

Dramatically reducing Emergency Room wait times:  http://manitobaliberals.blogspot.com/2011/09/solving-er-wait-times-our-manitoba.html

Addressing FASD: http://manitobaliberals.blogspot.com/2011/09/manitoba-election-fasd-and-liberal-plan.html


And on so many other health care issues: See our full platform at: http://mlp.manitobaliberals.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Strong-Families-Healthy-Communities-Platform.pdf

Standing up for Liberals and for Liberal values

Yesterday, I spent the day standing up for Liberals and for Liberal values.  I was with Troy Osiname and Syed Bokhari in the morning.  They are two of our outstanding candidates. 

Troy Osiname has been a community organizer, putting together the Community Vibes program and having outstanding success in getting young people involved in Winnipeg.  He is a wonderful person with great enthusiasm and a very talented and intelligent leader.   He is showing the power of getting young people involved in exciting activities and building promising futures.

Syed Bokhari is a businessmen who is originally from Pakistan.  Syed and his sister Rana and his brother Moe have been at the forefront of raising funds for people in Pakistan (when there were the floods there), and in Somalia (more recently with the famine).  See http://manitobaliberals.blogspot.com/2011/08/liberals-helping-in-community-with.html

Later in the day, I was again with Troy and with Sheila Copps at the Corner of Corydon and Osborne.  In the bottom photo, Naomi and I are with a group of enthusiastic young people helping spread the Liberal message and Liberal values.

Troy and Syed are two outstanding examples of who we are as Manitobans.  Many of us, or our parents or grandparents, have come from all over the world.   Immigrants have been so important to us in Manitoba and to our place in the world and to our ability to build an exciting future trading and working with people around the world.   Liberals have played an extraordinary role over many decades in supporting immigrants to come to Canada and to Manitoba.  In the 1990s, it was a Liberal federal government which brought in the provincial nominee program for Manitoba which has proved such a success.  Supporting tolerance and building a diverse province are an important part of who we are as Liberals.  Supporting young people in developing their careers is also a part of who we are as Liberals.  These are Liberals values and I am proud to support them and to stand up and be a Liberal and to be known to be a Liberal.