Manitoba NDP has mountain of bills for spring session

The Manitoba PCs grilled Premier Wab Kinew over recent ER deaths in Manitoba as the legislature’s spring session resumes. Jeff Keele reports.

Health care, crime prevention and the cost of living are on the province’s agenda for the spring session.

“When our budget comes forward, we’re going to have some really strong measures on affordability,” said Premier Wab Kinew.

MLAs returned to the legislative chamber for the spring session. Nearly three dozen proposed laws are on tap that could be put forward by the NDP government.

On crime, there is proposed legislation to restrict long-bladed weapons and another bill to ban street weapons in parks and on buses.

For health care, laws to stop the requirement for sick notes, end mandatory OT for nurses, and establish a nurse to patient ratio.

Manitoba Nurses Union President Darlene Jackson said she’s cautiously optimistic about the plans, but still needs to see the legislation.

“If you know that when you go to work, and you are working with a workload that is manageable, that your patients are getting great care, that you’re going to be able to leave at the end of your shift and not be mandated, that’s a big, big recruitment and retention issue,” said Jackson.

Health care dominated the first Question Period.

PC Leader Obby Khan reiterated his call for a public inquiry into the health system, following a number of emergency room-related deaths.

“I’m asking the question that the families have asked me to ask on their behalf,” said Khan. “Will the premier call a public inquiry into the deaths of their loved ones while they waited for health care treatment?”

The premier responded.

“We’re committed to listening to the desires that they have for answers, to working through the processes before them, to provide those answers, and perhaps most importantly, to take action,” said Kinew.

Later this month, the government will unveil the 2026 budget, with a pledge to tackle the cost of living.

Speaking to reporters later, Kinew said the government will go after what’s known as predatory pricing.

“A ridesharing company will charge you more for a ride if your phone has less battery charge on it, and a food company engaged in predatory pricing when you’re ordering groceries will charge you more if they think you can afford to pay for it.”