Legislature recessed for summer after busy spring session
The Second Session of the 41st Manitoba Legislature ended in the early morning hours of Friday, June 2.
Over 20 pieces of government legislation were passed during the session, with the majority receiving third reading on the final day of the session. Three private member’s bills also made their way through the Legislature.
The final day of session began at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 1 and didn’t finish until 3:30 a.m. on Friday, June 2. The NDP requested recorded votes on nine of the bills, and the maximum amount of time of one hour between votes was also taken.
Her Honour, Lieutenant-Governor Janice Filmon made her way from Government House to arrive in the Chamber just before 3:30 to give Royal Assent to all the legislation. Following the singing of O’Canada and God Save The Queen, the Legislature adjourned to sit again beginning Wednesday, October 4th.
Full-time job
Many people aren’t aware that the role of an MLA in Manitoba is full-time.
The Legislature is in session for a set number of days in the spring and fall. A rural MLA spends weekdays in the city and normally travels home every weekend, many times to attend constituency events.
When not sitting, an MLA spends time on constituency concerns, representing the government at various events, and attending caucus and committee meetings in Winnipeg.
For a rural MLA, not being in session in the summer means they have the opportunity to attend graduations, ribbon cuttings, parades and other community events where he or she has the chance to connect with the citizens he or she represents.
MLAs are entitled to holiday time similar to any other employee in any field of work.
Constituency events
I was honoured to represent the Province of Manitoba at a ceremony to unveil a plaque that recognized the 100th anniversary of the Rivers Train Station on Friday, June 9.
Her Honour, Lieutenant-Governor Janice Filmon and His Honour Gary Filmon were on hand to unveil the plaque, and also to plant a unique Manitoba red maple tree to officially open the Rivers Wetland Centre of Excellence.
The new tree variety, named Regal Celebration, was crossbred by Jeffries Nurseries in Portage la Prairie over two decades, combining the hardiness of western maple trees with the bright red fall foliage of maples in eastern Canada.
The Lieutenant-Governor plants trees to recognize in a sustainable way the efforts of outstanding individuals and occasions in the province.
I attended the Mid-Western meeting of the Association of Manitoba Municipalities in Shoal Lake on Wednesday, June 14 where I had a chance to listen to concerns of municipal officials from across the constituency. It was a great opportunity to talk with municipal leaders from across the constituency.
It was a busy afternoon in Rossburn on Thursday, June 15 with the official opening of the Net-Set Communications tower, the handi-van storage shed and new equipment at the Fitness Centre. As well a Biz-Pal initiative was launched in the community. I am pleased our provincial government was able to assist the community with funding for the handi-van facility.
I was in Russell on Friday, June 16 to bring greetings on behalf of the Minister of Families, Scott Fielding, at the official opening of the Park Manor Seniors Housing life lease project. This 24-unit project received $1.15 million in federal-provincial funding.
The events continued on Saturday, June 17 with the unveiling of a sign in Newdale recognizing Manitoba’s official soil – Newdale Clay Loam.
While the soil, which covers approximately 1.3 million acres in Manitoba, has been Manitoba’s official soil since 2010, the signage recognizes the proclamation and will give visitors an idea about how it differs from soil found elsewhere.
Greg Nesbitt is the MLA for the Riding Mountain constituency. He can be reached at 204-759-3313, toll-free at 1-844-877-7767 or by email at gregnesbittmla@mymts.net