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MP Report - Sept. 22, 2020

Priorities for a new Parliament
Niki Ashton new

A new throne speech. A new Parliament. A very different Parliament because of COVID-19.

The Liberal government has moved to press the reset button with a new throne speech and new session of Parliament.

It will obviously be a very different start to a parliamentary session than we have seen in previous years. The most obvious will be with COVID-19 and the continuing reality of having virtual parliamentary settings and limited in-person sittings.

This is important. We need to make sure that we are part of the solution when it comes to containing the further spread of this deadly virus. 

While the kind of parliamentary setting is different, if anything the importance of this parliamentary sitting has never been greater.

We have to deal with the fact that COVID-19 is on the rise again. Here in Manitoba there has been an increasing number of cases including the first cases in First Nations communities in our region. The same is true across Canada and many other jurisdictions throughout the world. We have to continue to focus on limiting the spread of the virus, making testing available and continuing to provide the economic supports we need.

We also need to focus on rebuilding our economy. There is great potential to build a green economy through what is often called the Green New Deal. We need to be focusing on economic development. We need to be focused on jobs.

As we return to Parliament I will be watching not only the throne speech but most importantly the budget to see if this minority government is listening and acting on these key issues.

As we head back into session my priority will remain the same. To fight for our region. To make sure we continue to focus on COVID-19, both the pandemic and what needs to happen beyond the pandemic.

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