Skip to content

Flin Flon MLA Report - March 25, 2020

Remote communities need coronavirus testing centres
tom lindsey column headshot

The outbreak of the coronavirus (also known as COVID-19) has impacted the lives of people globally and now Manitobans across the province. At the time of writing we have not seen the worst of it yet. 

I encourage you all to access the right information through the Manitoba government website: https://www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/index.html. Provincial health officials also recommend Manitobans contact Health Links (204-788-8200, or toll-free at 1-888-315-9257) should you require more information on COVID-19.

We remain concerned about the government and the Northern Regional Health Authority's actions to address the needs of Northern Manitobans amid this pandemic.

Testing centres are now open in Flin Flon, The Pas and Thompson but there has been no word from Manitoba Health or the Northern Regional Health Authority when the rest of the northern communities can expect to see a facility. It is important that the locations not be limited to just the major northern communities but also include remote communities. Having test centres in the remote locations is vital in the protection of some of the most vulnerable people in the north. 

We the NDP were successful in preventing the Pallister government from ramming through legislation that could negatively impact students, families and workers. We took a firm stance to stop this from happening so Manitobans have the proper opportunity to see and respond to those pieces of legislation that will impact their lives for years to come.

Nothing we did in the legislature prevented the government from introducing their budget or from taking action towards COVID-19. The government always had the ability to do so, they just chose not to. We have now seen the budget and some of the legislation they wanted to ram through, although it is interesting to note they didn’t introduce everything they were going to because this government is afraid to show Manitobans their cuts to education and impacts to workers’ rights.

I encourage all of you to stay safe during this difficult time. We have taken the unprecedented step of closing our constituency offices in light of the recommendations from Manitoba Health with regard to COVID-19. 

Should you have any concerns or questions, please contact my office at Tom.Lindsey@yourmanitoba.ca, or call me at 1-204-687-3246.

push icon
Be the first to read breaking stories. Enable push notifications on your device. Disable anytime.
No thanks