I’m proud of the work our provincial government has done to work with Northern Manitoba and its communities, and I’m particularly pleased to see the close attention that Jeff Wharton, our minister of municipal relations, has paid to issues in the City of Thompson. In response to the Thompson Citizen’s editorial “Cold shoulder from the province?” on Feb. 7, I can confidently say our government is maintaining strong and positive communication with municipal officials in Thompson.
In October, for example, Minister Wharton was in Thompson with two of our other cabinet ministers to receive the Look North action plan from the co-chairs of this important initiative, which is aimed at strengthening the economy in Northern Manitoba. On that visit to Thompson, Minister Wharton met with deputy mayor Kathy Valentino and city manager Gary Ceppetelli. The minister also toured Thompson’s transit facility and looked at new transit vehicles that had been purchased with our provincial government’s assistance.
As well, in Brandon at the Association of Manitoba Municipalities annual meeting this past fall, Minister Wharton met with Mayor Dennis Fenske and other members of council to discuss some of Thompson’s opportunities and challenges. The minister will meet with Mayor Fenske in Winnipeg again in the coming week.
Minister Wharton is only one of several of our cabinet ministers who have visited Thompson for important meetings and announcements since we formed government in 2016. Our government looks forward to continuing close contact and co-operation with the City of Thompson, for the benefit of residents of this great northern community.
Separately, it was a pleasure to see all the hardy participants out in very cold conditions to take in the entertainment and opening ceremony for Winterfest’s kickoff in Thompson last weekend. Thanks to the hot chocolate provided by the Steelworkers, the bannock from Lone Wolf Cafe, the music from Poetry in Motion and the bonfire courtesy of the City of Thompson Fire & Emergency Services for helping to take the chill off the evening. Winterfest is a northern tradition that brings people together, celebrates winter and gets everyone having fun.
I thank Winterfest organizing committee members Malanie Cutler, Kathleen Thrones, Edward Palmer, Lucie Lambert, Darlene Dick and Bobbie Montean, as well as all the sponsors, volunteers and organizers for ensuring this winter tradition continues to create lasting memories for residents of Thompson and Northern Manitoba.
