Our provincial government has unveiled a path to fight violent crime, strengthen health care and grow the economy.

The Progressive Conservative government presented its throne speech Tuesday afternoon, delivered by Lieutenant Governor Anita Neville. The throne speech opens the fifth session of the 42nd legislature. Premier Heather Stefanson says the throne speech sets a course towards greater health and prosperity for Manitobans, with a series of commitments to make communities stronger, safer and more affordable.

"Our government is focused on making our neighbourhoods safe places to raise families, building a strong and sustainable healthcare system and helping make life more affordable for all Manitobans," says Stefanson. "We are listening to Manitobans, taking action on their priorities and getting things done for the benefit of all Manitobans. We are committed to finding even more measures that will help Manitobans cope with global inflation from rising prices and carbon taxes."

The speech outlined a series of initiatives that will be implemented to strengthen the province's healthcare infrastructure and take aim at violent criminal behaviour while supporting efforts to tackle mental health, homelessness and addiction issues including:

  • increasing supports for front-line law enforcement officers through investments in technology, specialized training, enhanced police presence and support for more officers;
  • making an unprecedented investment in Winnipeg hospitals to ensure Manitobans get the best care possible in the most modern facilities with a multi-year, multi-billion dollar capital investment;
  • providing financial support for up to 1,000 addictions treatment spaces;
  • reopening the Communities Economic Development Fund's business loan program to support key sectors of a growing northern economy;
  • financially stabilizing Manitoba Hydro as a Crown corporation so it can continue to provide clean hydroelectric power for Manitoba residents and businesses at among the lowest rates in the country into the future;
  • protecting students by establishing a teacher registry and an independent body to improve accountability and transparency related to educator misconduct in kindergarten to Grade 12 schools;
  • modernizing the waste diversion and recycling framework to divert more materials from landfills and create new business and job opportunities within a circular economy;
  • helping ranchers recover from climate-change driven droughts and floods by implementing a temporary rent reduction on agricultural Crown lands from 2023 to 2025;
  • continuing efforts to reduce red tape through regulation reform and modernization; and
  • revitalizing the Conservation Officer Service by hiring more officers and providing better equipment and technology to combat dangerous activities such as poaching, night hunting and road hunting.

"This throne speech is a roadmap to a more prosperous future, building a province where its government helps make communities safer, healthier and stronger and its citizens and communities more competitive," says Stefanson. "It is a course that is guided by listening to Manitobans and advancing reconciliation, protecting our environment and helping families make ends meet."

To read the speech from the throne, visit www.manitoba.ca/thronespeech.