July 19, 2021

Treaty 1 Territory, Homeland of the Métis Nation, Winnipeg MB— The Manitoba NDP are demanding the PCs release Delta modelling data to the public to increase vaccination uptake and prevent a fourth wave. Their call comes one month after Manitoba doctors pleaded with the government to publish Delta modelling data and include it in their reopening plans.

“At every stage of the pandemic, the PCs have refused to be transparent; they’ve withheld valuable data from Manitobans and it has cost lives,” said NDP Healthcare critic Uzoma Asagwara. “While families continue to wait for surgeries, vaccination rates plateau, and the start of a new school year for unvaccinated kids is just around the corner, the PCs have run out of time. They need to release this data today to protect Manitobans and stop the fourth wave.”

The first presumptive case of the Delta variant was reported in Manitoba in late April. Just before the Legislature broke for the summer, the Manitoba NDP asked the PCs to share the modelling data with Manitobans. On June 18, a group of doctors wrote a letter to the province urging them to make Delta modelling public and include it in their re-opening plans. On July 2nd public health officials announced that the Delta variant was in all five health regions. That same day public officials said work was underway on Delta modelling.

“While Manitobans return to seeing friends and family and doing the things they love, they want their government to stay focused on fighting the pandemic and keeping them safe,” said Manitoba NDP Leader Wab Kinew. “But in the last week it’s become abundantly clear that the only thing the PCs are focused on is their own internal dysfunction. Manitobans deserve a government that can stay focused on the things that matter most like strengthening our healthcare system and making sure our kids can return safely to school.”