Dr. Jean Paterson nominated as the Liberal candidate in the Fort Whyte by-election

Tonight, Dr. Jean Paterson, a scientist, a teacher and a community activist earned the nomination to run as the Liberal candidate in the upcoming by-election in Fort Whyte constituency. Dr. Paterson and her husband, Bob, are long-time residents of the Waverly West area of Fort Whyte. Dr Paterson is a Professor at the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Manitoba. Twice nominated as the best science teacher in the Faculty, she has a reputation for communicating well with young people. A community activist she has been involved in Hospice and Palliative Care Manitoba, and in the Waverly West Residents Association. Well done Dr. Paterson.

Jean has a sense of service to the community. She wants to take her abilities in a new direction and to use her talents in the service of people in Fort Whyte. Good luck Jean!

The photos show various moments during the nomination meeting and the reception afterwards.

More on NDP use of Crown Corporation dollars to fund political staff

This afternoon, in Legislative Committee, the subject was the Manitoba Lotteries Corporation. For about the last two years, the Manitoba Lotteries Corporation has put on its payroll a political staff person who reports to Minister Scott Smith. Under my questioning, I was told that it was standard procedure for everyone on the Manitoba Lotteries Corportation payroll to have clear terms of reference for their job. I asked twice for the terms of reference for this position to be tabled. But by the end of the afternoon, it still had not been tabled. Where is it? We are still waiting. Manitobans deserve better than this.

Furthermore, under questioning, Scott Smith as much as admitted that the staff person involved may have dealt with people in the media, and not just people with concerns about the Manitoba Lotteries Corporation, and that the staff person may have been briefing him for question period. It would appear that this staff person was likely involved in trying to put an NDP spin on the situation, and not just trying to deal with the concerns of people with difficulties. I feel strongly Crown Corporation dollars should not be used for hiring political staff. But Scott Smith and the NDP don't see it that way. Scott's person has just left and he is very keen to hire someone new for his staff - using Manitoba Lotteries Corporation dollars. Write to me at jgerrard@leg.gov.mb.ca and tell me what you think about the NDP using Crown Corporation dollars to pay for their political staff

International Walk to School Week

Robert H. Smith School in River Heights is one of the schools celebrating International Walk to School Week. This morning I walked to Robert H. Smith School. It was half-snowing and half-raining, and it was cold. But, I was not alone. Lots of children were walking to school - and quite a number of their parents walked with them this morning. Walking to school is good exercise, and it helps children keep fit. I remember, all the way through elementary and high school, I walked a kilometer to a kilometer and a half to school. In the photo, you can see Jackie Avent with Resource Conservation Manitoba and Josie Robinson. Josie walked with her daughter to Robert H. Smith school!!! Good for you Josie.

When it comes to exercise, Jackie is no slouch. She and her husband bicycled from Victoria to Halifax earlier this year. Wow!!! She is a strong role model for fitness.

The Low Wage Community Inquiry

This morning the Just Income Coalition launched their report Paid to be Poor. The report is the result of a series of hearings in Winnipeg, Brandon and Thompson. Presenters at these hearings made it very apparent that the present NDP government in Manitoba has failed in the last six years to address the critical issue of poverty in Manitoba. The report echoes with stories of people trapped in low wage jobs - all too often single mothers with children - and the negative effects this has on individuals and on our province. The report looks at what other jurisdictions have done and offers solutions. It must be taken seriously. Please take the time to look at this report which is available at www.just-income.ca or www.spcw.mb.ca and then send your thoughts to me at jgerrard@leg.gov.mb.ca The photo shows Bill Loewen, John Godard and Sharon Taylor at the launch.

Should we have mandatory voting in Manitoba?

Last provincial election only a little more than half of the eligible voters in Manitoba actually voted. This was one of the lowest turnouts in the history of our province. In Australia, they have moved to mandatory voting and they now have more than 90% of eligible voters who vote.

Mandatory voting is controversial. There seems something wrong about having to force people to vote. On the other hand, consider this - in the last provincial election, nine of the 35 NDP MLAs were elected with less than 30% of the eligible voters voting for them. A major reason for this was the poor turnout. Only 54% of eligible voters voted. This means that 46% of eligible voters in Manitoba did not take their responsibility to vote seriously. Surely we need to send a stronger signal to citizens that their responsibility to vote must be taken seriously.

We need to consider the success Australia and 32 other countries have had with mandatory voting. As one of those who listened to Mac Harb said yesterday - it would send a message - "vote because your freedom to choose depends on your participation and your vote". As Mac Harb pointed out, mandatory voting reduces the power of special interest groups and improves democratic participation.

Tomorrow Senator Mac Harb will be in Winnipeg speaking at the Frontier Centre and the Laurier Club about mandatory voting. This is part of our efforts, led by Kevin Lamoureux, to look at electoral reform in Manitoba, and to better understand what has been done in other jurisdictions. In this photo, Mac and I are eating nips at the Salsbury House restaurant on L'Esplanade Riel earlier this evening. Write me a note at jgerrard@leg.gov.mb.ca to let me know what you think about mandatory voting for Manitoba?

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder - more NDP incompetence

It is hard to believe, but the Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder program in Thompson appears to be no longer functional. As I understand it, the coordinator left in June and has not yet been replaced. It would have been far better to have a coordinator in place before the last one left. As well, Dr. Leigh Wincott, the pediatrician who oversaw the program has moved to Edmonton. This is an essential program. When my staff person called last week, he was told the program was non-functioning. This is very sad, because it is important to identify children with FASD early so that they can be helped. At the conference I attended recently, there is growing evidence that early diagnosis can make a big difference to a child and the family in helping to improve the child's development and in decreasing some of the major problems later on.

Psychologists

I have been receiving many letters recently from psychologists who are very concerned that the NDP may bring in legislation which will reduce the standards for independent practice in Manitoba. I have looked at this situation and met with a number of psychologists. I share the concerns, but we will have to wait to see what the NDP legislation actually looks like. If you want to comment on this issue, please send me an email at jgerrard@leg.gov.mb.ca

The Nigerian Association of Manitoba - 45th Anniversary of Independence

Last night, the mood was positive, the food was good and there was singing and dancing as the Nigerian Association of Manitoba celebrated the 45th Anniversary of Nigerian independence. President of the Association, Dr. Ed Onyebuchi, is one of many who have come to Manitoba from Nigeria. Working for Manitoba Hydro, he is making a significant contribution to our province. Last night was special, because a major group of Nigerians who work with the Power Holding Company and the National Electric Power Authority in Nigeria were there. They are engaged in business with Manitoba Hydro which is providing training for their senior executives.

Among those who have come from Nigeria are Yisa Akinbolaji. Yisa is a fine artist, who has already served a term as the President of the Manitoba Society of Artists. We were honoured, earlier this summer, to be invited to his wedding to Cathy who teaches at Providence College in Otterburne, south-east of Winnipeg. If you are interested, you can see some of Yisa's paintings at his web site - http://yisatheartist.com

The St. Norbert market

I was at the St. Norbert market today, looking for some tasty items for a reception we are holding this week. There were crowds of people, and lots of fresh produce. The variety of goods is remarkable. John Epp showed me all the wooden toys he produces (top photo). I also met Randy Eros with the woolen outfits he and his wife Solange have made from the wool from their sheep (bottom photo). It has not been easy the last two years, for sheep like cattle were caught up in the BSE problem. The U.S. was a major market for live Manitoba sheep, and when BSE hit, all of a sudden no sheep could be exported. But Randy and Solange have turned to local marketing as the Seine River Shepherds. They have expanded the line of products they produce, and they have survived. Well done Randy and Solange!