Manitoba Minute: Issue 68

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

📅 This Week In Manitoba: 📅

• Manitoba has declared a province-wide state of emergency for the second time this year due to worsening wildfires, which have forced mandatory evacuations of several communities, including Garden Hill and Snow Lake. Nearly 13,000 people have been displaced, with many expected to temporarily relocate to Winnipeg where shelters and hotels are at or near capacity. The Canadian Armed Forces are assisting with evacuations, especially for remote communities like Garden Hill. The wildfires have burned over a million hectares this season, marking the worst wildfire year on record in Manitoba. The government is balancing emergency shelter needs with existing events, and neighbouring provinces like Alberta are discussing support options. Premier Wab Kinew emphasized the impact of climate change on wildfire frequency and called for community support for evacuees. Despite the severity, most fires are lightning-caused, and there are no plans to reinstate fire bans at this time.
  
  
• Speaking of fires, Premier Wab Kinew strongly criticized the US lawmakers who complained about Canadian wildfire smoke affecting their summer activities. Kinew called them "ambulance chasers" and accused them of trivializing a deadly wildfire season in Manitoba. Kinew highlighted the cooperation of American firefighters assisting Manitoba during the crisis. The US lawmakers had blamed Canada’s forest management for the smoke and urged the federal government to take action. The Canadian government has emphasized its commitment to wildfire prevention and response, and international cooperation on this issue continues through agreements like the G7’s wildfire charter.
  
  
• Premier Wab Kinew says he will not rush to call a byelection in Spruce Woods, arguing his NDP needs more time to compete seriously in the solidly conservative seat. The rural riding has been vacant since March, when former PC MLA Grant Jackson resigned to run federally. Progressive Conservative Leader Obby Khan says Kinew is denying residents their right to vote, calling the delay a political game. Kinew pushed back, saying he wants his team to build support in areas that have never backed the NDP. The Premier has until late August to announce a vote or risk missing the six-month deadline. Spruce Woods has elected only PC MLAs since the riding’s creation in 2011. Kinew likened opposition demands for a faster vote to asking for political “freebies.”
  
  
• The Manitoba government spent nearly $95,000 on ads promoting its universal school meal program this school year - more than some small divisions received to feed students. Details from a Freedom of Information request show the campaign ran online and on billboards from November to late December. Education Minister Tracy Schmidt defended the cost, saying families deserved to know about the program, which is backed by $30 million to ensure all students can access a snack when needed. Critics argue the ads blurred lines between governance and party promotion. PC MLA Wayne Ewasko said the ad money alone could have funded meals for hundreds more students. In small divisions like Whiteshell, total nutrition funding was $27,000, far less than the cost of the provincewide promotion.
  
  
• The Manitoba government has decided not to proceed with a proposed restricted crossing U-turn (RCUT) at the intersection of the Trans-Canada Highway and Highway 5 near Carberry, where a tragic bus crash killed 17 people in 2023. This decision came after strong opposition from local residents and a petition signed by over 2,100 people, who argued the RCUT design would not improve safety and could create new problems. Premier Wab Kinew acknowledged the feedback and said the government will develop a new plan that better reflects community needs. Some locals, including Carberry’s Mayor, have advocated for building an overpass, which they believe is a safer, though more expensive, solution. The Province previously rejected an overpass due to traffic volume concerns and had favoured the RCUT. The government plans to hold more consultations before deciding on a new approach.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

If you or a loved one are concerned about wildfires, the Province offers a website where you can monitor the latest fire updates and safety information. 

Click here to stay informed and prepared:

🪙 This Week’s Sponsor: 🪙

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