Manitoba Resolutions 2019

It is the time of year when we start looking forward to the next year.  I will be preparing my inventory soon.  In the mean time, here are some resolutions that will make Manitoba better. 

1.  All of us should find a little person that we love unconditionally.  There are lots of little people out there, so if you don't have one of your own, likely they are in your extended family or neighbourhood.  If you can't identify a little person in your life, consider fostering.  This includes fur little people.  There are tons of them out there who need your love.  Having someone in your life who is little and vulnerable gives your perspective. You want the world to be a better place.  You want to be a positive role model.  You don't have time for petty drama. 

2.  Be more like my sweetie.  He volunteers for everything.  He selflessly gives of himself, including his blood.  I am so proud of him.  In 2019, I am going to keep track of his volunteer hours. I am sure it will be about 825 hours.  That's a lot.  That is the equivalent of a part-time job.  He does a lot for a great variety of organizations.  Always willing to give of himself.  I am so proud of him and his desire to want the world to be a better place.  He also knows the secret.  The more you give of yourself, the more you get back.  There are hundreds of organizations that need another set of helping hands.   Volunteer more.  Keep track of your hours.  Aim for 100 hours for the year.  You have no excuse. 

3.  Manitoba needs safe injection sites.  Not only because it is the compassionate thing to do, but it means good economic sense.  It costs less to fully fund safe injection sites than it does to treat one AIDS patient for one year. 

4.  We had a wonderful civic election with a number of great candidates (and a few not so great).  It is wonderful that post-election that a number of them are remaining involved.  Now that we have more insight into the workings of municipal politics, we need to demand more from our Council.  First of all, we need a new tendering process.  I understand that some high traffic roads may need to be repaired more than once a decade, but every friggin year?  Give me a break.  I was stuck on Waverley for about 15 minutes yesterday waiting on a train.  Remember when this project started?  I think I was 20.  Remember when it was supposed to be finished.  I think Spring, 2017.  These contractors are laughing all the way to the bank.  I'm sure they can't even keep a straight face when faxing in their tenders.  It is not just roads.  Investors Group Field?  I don't want to go on and on. 

5.  Steven Fletcher, give it up already.  Move to a country that is doing pioneer work in spinal cord injuries.  Contribute to society by assisting.  You keep telling us how brilliant you are, do something productive with your brilliance.  Politics is not your game.  It involves getting along with people and that is not a skill you possess. 

6.  Brian Pallister needs to retire prior to next election.  Face it, Brian.  You don't belong in this decade, let alone the new decade upon us.  You have enough money.  Unplug officially.  Live in Costa Rica.  If you really want to stay in politics, go to Washington and work in the Trump Whitehouse.  You will be relevant there and appreciated.  In Manitoba, you are just the nerdy kid in high school who is trying to hang with the cool kids.  Not working.  Manitobans deserve a leader who has compassion.  I am reticent to say it, but some of your Ministers have displayed it.  Led them lead with it. 

7.  The Bruce Oake Recovery Centre needs to break ground. As soon as ground is broken,, we need to find another place to build another recovery centre. 

8.  We need to bring closure to our existing cold cases.  I am so relieved that Thelma's remains were found, however, we still have a predator out there.  I can barely fathom that Christine Jack has been gone for 30 years without resolution.  Jordan Thomas has been dead for a year without identifying a suspect in his murder.  Not to mention all the other women out there, mostly Indigenous, who are still missing. 

9.  It has also been 30 years since J.J. Harper was killed.  That case is resolved, however, that case also should have changed Manitoba forever.  There were many resolutions and recommendations following that case.  I'm not sure we have really changed. Perhaps to honour his memory, we can revisit the recommendations and try to measure our progress and see if there are still things we can do. 

10.  Manitoba is a province in which we can be anything we want.  My wish for 2019 is that we all pledge to be kind.