Manitoba Minute: Hydro Losses, Minimum Wage, and Virtual Addictions Clinics

Manitoba Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Manitoba politics.

This Week In Manitoba:

• One year into his term, Premier Wab Kinew continues to attribute many of the province’s challenges to the previous Progressive Conservative administration, particularly in health care and budget management. He acknowledged the slow progress in improving healthcare wait times, and stressed that fixing the system will take years. While eliminating the gas tax has provided financial relief, it has also added pressure to balance the budget, which is forecasted to remain challenging. Despite the difficulties, Kinew remains popular with Manitobans.
  
  
• Manitobans can now access addiction treatment through Rapid Access to Addictions Medicine (RAAM) clinics via a new virtual platform, eliminating the need for appointments. This initiative allows individuals to connect with RAAM clinics using their smartphones, tablets, or computers. Developed with over $450,000 in government funding, the platform aims to reduce barriers to care, such as transportation costs and stigma. The virtual platform enhances timely access to services at seven clinic locations throughout the province, including Winnipeg and Brandon.
  
  
• Manitoba Hydro is blaming a loss of $157 million in its most recent fiscal year on drought conditions that significantly affected the Lake Winnipeg basin throughout 2023. This loss marks a dramatic shift from the previous fiscal year, which saw a net income of $638 million. The dry conditions hindered water levels in Lake Winnipeg, impacting the corporation's ability to generate excess energy for sale and necessitating the import of power to meet local demand.

Last Week In Manitoba:

• Manitoba's minimum wage increased by 50 cents to $15.80. This adjustment comes as other provinces, like Ontario and Prince Edward Island, implement larger increases of 65 cents and 60 cents, respectively. Saskatchewan's minimum wage is also rising by a dollar, but at $15, it remains among the lowest in Canada, alongside Alberta. The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce said that the province’s predictable formula for wage increases helps business planning, while others are arguing that the current minimum wage is insufficient for survival, citing a living wage of $19.21 for a family in Winnipeg.
  
  
• At the Retail Secure Manitoba Summit in Winnipeg, leaders and stakeholders addressed the ongoing challenges of violent and retail crime in the province. Business owners expressed frustration over a lack of actionable solutions, noting frequent incidents involving repeat offenders. While current initiatives like the Violent Crime and Retail Theft strategy are offering some relief, experts emphasized the need for more sustainable approaches, particularly addressing root causes. Premier Wab Kinew said his government was listening, and noted the importance of investing in mental health and health care.
  
  
• Premier Wab Kinew apologized to defence lawyers after facing backlash for comments made regarding the expulsion of backbencher Mark Wasyliw from the NDP caucus. Wasyliw, a criminal defence lawyer, was removed due to perceived affiliation with a colleague representing Peter Nygard. Legal groups criticized the Premier for undermining the role of defence attorneys in the justice system. The Premier issued both personal and public apologies, acknowledging that his initial stance disrespected the legal profession, however Wasyliw has not been allowed back into the NDP caucus.