May 26, 2022  

Treaty 1 and Dakota Territory, Homeland of the Red River Métis, Winnipeg MB – This morning Legislature passed two important NDP bills. The Legislature passed Bill 228, the Eating Disorders Awareness Week Act, a bill brought forward by NDP MLA for Wolseley, Lisa Naylor, and Bill 227 the Turban Day Act, brought forward by NDP MLA for Burrows, Diljeet Brar.  

Naylor, who worked for years as a counsellor specializing in body image and eating disorders, said her bill would help reduce stigma around eating disorders and establish an open public dialogue about healthy body image. “So many Manitobans struggle in silence with eating disorders,” she said. “Shining light on this important topic will encourage Manitobans to seek help and push the government to save lives by investing in more treatment programs.”  

Naylor was joined by counsellors and advocates and the family of a woman who lost her life to an eating disorder, to celebrate the passage of her bill. This was her first bill to pass in the House. Eating Disorder Awareness Week will take place February 1st to 7th of every year in Manitoba. 

The Turban Day Act, proclaims April 13 in each year as Turban Day, a day to recognize and promote the significance of the turban to Sikh Canadians. Brar, who is the first turban-wearing Punjabi man in the Legislature, said “this is an exciting day for the Sikh community and our province. Turban Day will be a wonderful opportunity to share the importance of the turban with Manitobans and celebrate Sikh culture.”  

Brar was joined by members of the Sikh community to celebrate the passage of his bill. This is his first bill to pass in the House.