by Jon Reyes
The past few weeks have been very eventful for me, with much of my time spent at the Manitoba legislature working toward affordable, effective solutions to issues important to you and your neighbours.
Our government’s new provincial budget avoids drastic measures but makes significant changes to address many issues facing Manitobans, including: increasing the number of available child-care spaces, improving front-line services, rebuilding the economy and reducing the backlog in the justice system. The budget has no new taxes or tax increases as it works toward building an affordable and competitive environment to encourage economic growth and job creation.
Our recently announced health-care improvements for Winnipeg, in conjunction with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, are about healing the system in our city to ensure patients get the right care at the right time and at the right place. Over the next two years, as these changes take place, you will be advised of the hospitals or other facilities that are most appropriate to address a range of health concerns. Information, which will be updated regularly, is available at www.healingourhealthsystem.ca.
Water levels on the Red River continue to be monitored by the Province of Manitoba to address flooding concerns for friends and neighbours in our St. Norbert constituency. For up-to-date flood information and bulletins, visit www.gov.mb.ca/flooding or contact my constituency office.
On April 6, Education and Training Minister Ian Wishart announced changes to the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program, which assesses the skills and qualifications of potential immigrants who are sponsored by their families and friends. In April 2016, a backlog of applications dating as far back as 2013 was identified, but it has since been fully processed, providing answers to many who had put their lives on hold. The minister announced this month that future applications will be processed within six months, a vast improvement over the two to four years previously experienced by many anxious applicants and sponsors in the St. Norbert constituency.
On April 13, our government introduced a new grant for lower-income post-secondary students to ensure those facing financial barriers get assistance in pursuing their education. The grant will make $10.5 million available for qualifying students, and about 5,800 will benefit through this up-front, non-repayable assistance of up to $2,000 per student.
It has been my great privilege as Manitoba’s Special Envoy for Military Affairs to represent our provincial government this month at centennial memorial events honouring the Canadians who served in the First World War’s Vimy Ridge battle in France in April 1917.
Should you have an issue you would like to discuss with me, please contact the constituency office (204-261-7272 or jon@jonreyes.ca) to arrange an appointment.
Jon Reyes, MLA for the constituency of St. Norbert
