Manitoba's changing political landscape

In one week, the Manitoba Legislature resumes. Gary Doer is going to Washington and several of his cabinet ministers have resigned to run for his spot. It is the start of major change in Manitoba.

In the Manitoba Liberal Party, we have had major changes as well. The last election in 2007 was a disappointment, and we sat down and made major changes in the Liberal Party provincially. We have opened up our Party, and separated the memberships from the fundraising. One result has been a major growth in Liberal membership from 1,000 to more than 5,000 now.

Our financial situation is also improving and we will soon be hiring a party organizer. We now have post-secondary education scholarships for young Liberals, and we are improving our constituency organization.

During the summer, I have visited Manitobans all over our province. The last two weeks in July I visited people in 35 different communities in two weeks. And I have continued to be very active.

Two weeks ago, I was in Killarney where the Lake has deteriorated steadily under the NDP to the point were the algal blooms were extensive, the smell from the lake offensive and the fish dying off in a way that residents never remember happening before. I have been calling for action by the NDP for quite some time, but little has been done. Fortunately, Mayor Rick Pauls and his council have been acting recognizing the severity of the problem. Typically, even though they have been asking for help from the provincial NDP for some time, little has been offered.

Last week, I was in the Interlake meeting with farmers who have been severely affected by the wet weather in the area. Never in recorded memory have conditions there been so bad. Much of the crop was never able to be planted because the fields were so wet. Even for crops which were planted, they were badly affected by the excess rain, and farmers need special equipment (which of course costs extra), in order to harvest even the grain which is there.