The leader of Manitoba’s opposition says the Pallister government isn’t doing enough to help Manitobans at a critical time in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Manitoba NDP leader Wab Kinew told 680 CJOB that he’s calling on the provincial government to help small businesses weather the latest pandemic restrictions.
“We know that there’s going to be a big impact on small businesses in particular — businesses generally speaking as well,” said Kinew.
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“So I want to see a really strong program to help these businesses be able to make it through what is going to be a big hit on them.
Premier Brian Pallister, who has been criticized in media and online by local pundits for his lack of attendance at Friday’s announcement of further ‘red’-level restrictions, will be addressing media later Monday morning.
The NDP leader said the province should also be taking control of personal care homes and other places with outbreaks, like the St. Boniface and Victoria hospitals.
1141 new COVID cases in Manitoba over the last 3 days.
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The Province’s approach is not working.
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PC officials have not appeared during that period.
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Manitobans are stepping up, so should the PCs— Wab Kinew (@WabKinew) November 1, 2020
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“At this point, I want the province to step in, because they have the staffing and the resources and the expertise to try to straighten these outbreaks out.”
Kinew isn’t the only provincial politician calling out Manitoba’s Progressive Conservatives for their handling of the crisis.
Manitoba Liberal leader Dougald Lamont said the ongoing healthcare chaos was a result of “weak leadership” from the government.
Manitobans are now facing a disastrous health crisis because of the weak leadership of the Pallister government. They have failed to do the one thing that was essential: preventing ICUs from going over capacity. #mbpoli pic.twitter.com/1O4hC6pwkf
— Dougald Lamont (@DFLamont) October 31, 2020
“We need to be clear about where the responsibility for this lies, and it lies with the premier and the minister of health,” said Lamont at the Manitoba Legislature Saturday.
“Because they’re the ones who have been calling the shots. They’re the ones who have been undermining public health.”
As of Monday morning, the province had a total of 75 deaths, with 3,255 active cases and 2,704 recovered. The reported active case number is higher than the actual active case number, due to a backlog in contact tracing.
On Friday, a group of 17 doctors penned a letter to Premier Brian Pallister and Health Minister Cameron Friesen that said tight restrictions are the only way to deal with the spread of the virus and the toll it’s taking on Manitoba’s health-care system.
“We urge you to go to a full shutdown immediately. This is the time. A couple of weeks from now will be too late. The result will be an appalling and pointless loss of life,” said a portion of the three-page letter.