February 24, 2020

Treaty 1 Territory, Winnipeg, MB—The Manitoba NDP is calling on the Pallister Conservatives to commit to a universal breakfast program in every school in Manitoba so all students get the nutritious foundation they need to be successful in the classroom and in life.

“We know that every child does better when they’re not hungry. The Manitoba NDP supports a universal breakfast program that would see every child have a nutritious meal to start the day,” said Leader of the Official Opposition Wab Kinew.  “The Pallister government has shown time and time again that they just don’t listen to everyday Manitobans.  Rather than investing in education and kids, they’re focused on making cuts to schools and learning,” said Kinew.

Total estimated costs of the universal breakfast program would be approximately $30 million dollars to feed Manitoba students during the school year.

Today, NDP Leader Wab Kinew met with Pallister’s Finance Minister ahead of the provincial budget. Kinew urged Pallister’s government to end the crisis in our hospitals by training and hiring more nurses so that the use of mandatory overtime for nurses can be responsibly ended. Kinew also presented three more immediate priorities: a comprehensive housing strategy for families and offering a $1000 break on the purchase of a home for new home-buyers; upgrading the North End Sewage Treatment plant to help save Lake Winnipeg; and to stop the PC government’s plans for privatization of our Crown Corporations, including Manitoba Hydro.

Further priorities of the Official Opposition will be revealed in the coming weeks, Kinew added.