Manitoba Minute: Worst Roads, Literacy Screening, and a Critical Mineral Office

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

This Week In Manitoba:

• Manitoba is introducing a universal early reading screening program to help identify students at risk of reading difficulties from Kindergarten to Grade 4. Starting in fall 2025, select school divisions will pilot the initiative, with a full rollout planned for fall 2026. All students will undergo a mandatory fall screening, while spring assessments will be optional for those meeting literacy benchmarks. This move is part of a broader literacy strategy that includes smaller class sizes and expanded community school programs. The program aligns Manitoba with other provinces taking similar steps to address concerns about declining student literacy.
  
  
• MLAs are considering a proposal from the Progressive Conservatives to begin each legislative sitting day with the singing of O Canada. The resolution describes the anthem as a "permanent symbol of collective Canadian pride" and suggests that the singing follow the daily prayer and land acknowledgement. While the NDP has not officially endorsed the idea, members have expressed openness, noting the anthem is already sung during significant legislative moments. The proposal is expected to be referred to the legislature's rules committee, which handles procedural changes. Currently, O Canada is only sung at the start and end of each session, alongside God Save the King.
  
  
• The Province is formalizing a protocol to ensure cardiac surgery patients are clearly informed about how long they can expect to wait for their procedures. This move follows public outcry over the death of Debbie Fewster, who waited nearly two months for an urgent bypass surgery. Patients will now receive written wait time estimates and personalized updates from their surgeons. Additionally, the Province will begin releasing quarterly reports on the deaths of patients awaiting cardiac procedures. While the current changes focus on cardiac care, officials suggest similar measures may be expanded to other life-saving treatments like cancer care.

Last Week In Manitoba:

• Manitoba announced a new Critical Mineral Office to streamline mining development and attract investment. Alongside this, a Mining Advisory Council has been formed to guide policy and encourage Indigenous participation. The Province is also committing $1 million in mining-related training for four Indigenous communities. This funding aims to build local workforce capacity and connect communities to opportunities in the critical minerals sector. No timeline was provided for the full rollout of the new office or training programs.
  
  
• The Province has decided to spend $13 million on a new $102-million Global Agriculture Technology Exchange (GATE) facility aimed at expanding international markets for Canadian cereal grains. The project, led by Cereals Canada, will feature innovation labs, a pilot bakery, and training spaces to showcase how Canadian grains can be used in global food products. Premier Wab Kinew called the funding a "down payment" and urged the federal government and industry to each cover a third of the cost. The facility is expected to boost downtown Winnipeg's economy and strengthen Manitoba's agricultural sector. While a site has been identified, no timeline or final funding plan is yet in place. Farmers across five provinces have already contributed over $13 million toward the initiative.
  
  
• Manitobans have spoken loudly in this year’s “worst roads” campaign, setting a new record for nominations and drawing participation from municipalities that had never joined before. CAA Manitoba says the campaign isn’t about blaming the government but reflecting widespread frustration, with 96% of residents concerned about road conditions. Rural areas have become more vocal in the campaign too - last year’s top offenders were all outside Winnipeg. The final list of worst roads will be announced in the coming weeks.