Treaty 1 and Dakota Territory, Homeland of the Red River Métis, Winnipeg - In the final day of the last legislature sitting before the election, 7,000 Allied Health Professionals announced their strike deadline. Premier Stefanson began her time in office with a University of Manitoba faculty strike after years of unfair wage freezes.

“It’s been over two years of Premier Stefanson’s government and we’re right back where we started,” said NDP House Leader Nahanni Fontaine. “Health care is collapsing, health care workers are striking and the government is still refusing to take reconciliation and support for 2SLGBTQ+ Manitobans seriously. Manitobans are truly no better off than they were under Brian Pallister.”

In addition to forcing Allied Health Professionals to strike by refusing to give them a fair deal, the PCs also refused to pass NDP bills that would have helped Manitobans. These included NDP bills to restrict mandatory overtime for nurses, make Orange Shirt Day a statutory holiday, provide better healthcare to infants by screening for the leading cause of non-genetic hearing loss in children, and save farmers money with the right to repair.

This session also revealed what the PCs really think about Manitoba schools, universities and educators. The Manitoba NDP exposed the PCs plan to cut millions more from schools and released an audio recording of Stefanson’s campaign co-chair saying Manitoba schools and universities “brainwash” children and students. The Premier refused to take a stand to stop a proposed book ban in Brandon and she refused to commit that all her caucus members will march in Pride events throughout the province after the Manitoba NDP committed to doing so.

In this sitting the Manitoba NDP continued to made progress on issues important to Manitobans. The Legislature passed NDP bills to create license plates for MMIWG2S awareness and raise money for MMIWG2S families, require the Education minister to report on nutrition programs in schools every year, support workers by providing washrooms to delivery people, and mandate all provincial employees to take annual anti-racism training.

“As we look towards an election this year, Manitobans have an important choice to make,” said NDP Leader Wab Kinew. “Our team supports every family in Manitoba. We have a plan to start fixing healthcare, invest in our schools, and create a brighter future for every family.”