#mbpoli

"As election day in Manitoba draws closer, the Progressive Conservatives are now actively campaigning on their opposition to searching a Winnipeg-area landfill for the remains of two Indigenous women police presume are victims of an alleged serial killer.

In a full-page advertisement in the Winnipeg Free Press on Saturday, the PCs drew attention to four party campaign planks — and provided a place of prominence to leader Heather Stefanson's opposition to the landfill search.

"Stand firm," reads the ad, next to a photo of Stefanson bearing the caption, "For health and safety reasons, the answer on the landfill dig just has to be no.""

If you are eligible to vote in the upcoming Manitoba provincial election, I ask that you consider the healthcare section of each party's platform, as well as the parties' track record on healthcare spending and support for healthcare and allied health workers.

As a registered nurse and as member of the Manitoba Nurses' Union, I'm not here to tell you what party to vote for. I would, however, ask that you look back on the past four years and consider the responses of our current government to Manitoba's critical nursing shortage, to the ever-growing waitlist for placement in personal care homes across the province (10-12 months), and the lack of adequate home care support for clients living in the community, among other pressing healthcare issues.

On October 3rd (or at advance polls from September 23-30), vote like your life, and the lives of your family, friends, neighbours, colleagues, and fellow Manitobans, depend on it.

Right now, it appears election politics have trumped energy policy and climate concerns.

In April 2022, to demonstrate her government’s commitment to addressing climate change and future energy needs, Premier Heather Stefanson commissioned a $1.2-million study from Dunsky Energy + Climate Advisors, a Montreal consultancy that has advised governments, intervenors and utilities in North America.

However, given the complexity of the issues, and the cost of the study, it seemed implausible the document released by the premier covered the entirety of the work done by Dunsky.

As it turns out, it wasn’t.

A copy of the actual Dunsky report, obtained by the Free Press, shows the PC government substantially changed or rejected most of the recommendations.

In many parts of Canada, there are local and municipal elections coming up!

Specifically, all of British Columbia (this Saturday, October 15th!), Manitoba (October 26th), and Ontario (October 24th). Also some parts of other provinces and territories (see here).

For information about how to vote and who's running where you live, you'll have to google "[your city or region] election" or go to your local government's website. You can also check out your local library's website (or ask a librarian in person); they will probably have helpful information!

I recommend looking up the candidates ahead of time and writing down who you plan on voting for if there are a lot of them. You are totally allowed to bring notes into the voting booth, as long as you take them out with you when you go.

Local elections have as much or more effect on your life than national elections! Since they have fewer voters, they are also sometimes used by special interest groups to gain local power. This is why you need to vote! Since they have fewer voters, your vote counts for more.

And after the election, if your new city councillor or whoever seems cool, go back to their website and get on their mailing list! Learn about local issues and events!

The Covidiots are coming for our School Board

Municipal Election is on October 26, 2022 but Advanced Voting is an option too