I’d like to take a moment to highlight a few recent announcements from our provincial government.
Firstly, since announcing our Senior’s Strategy back in February, we have already committed over $34 million to senior supports. $15 million has been authorized to advance the planning and design phase for six new personal care homes (PCHs) – located in Arborg, Lac du Bonnet, Oakbank, and Stonewall, along with two in Winnipeg, in Bridgewater and on Portage Avenue. While the exact number will be determined as this phase progresses, we expect to add approximately 670 beds across these six PCHs. Spaces will be created in innovative campus or village models, which purposefully incorporate social interaction, functionality, and intergenerational contact, while taking into consideration affordability and safety.
Additionally, in collaboration with Manitoba Health and Manitoba Families, and as part of the ongoing implementation of the Home and Community Care Modernization initiative, we will be piloting a new home and community care model, called Community Supportive Living, for seniors with complex health needs who do not require a personal care home. Through a housing-with-supports approach, this new model provides affordable home-like spaces with 24/7 onsite staff available to meet the scheduled and unscheduled care needs of residents, including nursing for those who require more care. They will also feature onsite therapy and recreational supports, as well as access to other health-care professionals. With a goal of adding 288 beds overall, 105 beds will be added in the first phase for individuals in the Interlake Eastern Regional Health Authority, Prairie Mountain Health, and Southern Health-Santé Sud health regions. Evaluation will begin immediately following the launch, where decisions regarding expanding to additional communities will also be determined.
Secondly, our government has invested $10 million into making the streets of Downtown Winnipeg safer. This investment will provide the area with 24 new police officers; 75 more CCTV cameras and enhanced lighting for a more secure and well-lit environment; a new centralized community safety office that will serve as a hub for crime prevention initiatives; funding for all-purpose Winnipeg Police Service vehicles; and an integrated network between police and the Downtown Community Safety Partnership.
Lastly, our provincial government announced its initial water strategy action plan. This action plan will provide a framework to conserve and protect the environment, enhance resiliency, improve water quality and availability, and enhance engagement and Indigenous inclusion in water management, while fostering economic development opportunities. The plan includes 72 actions, with a total investment of $990 million over the next five years. Some of these actions include $763.5 million in capital investment in provincially owned water-related infrastructure through the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure’s 2023 Multi-year Infrastructure Investment Strategy, which includes $600 million for the Lake St. Martin channel; $221 million for programming under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership over the next five years, cost shared 60 percent federally and 40 percent provincially; $4 million in enhanced resources for the Manitoba Water Services Board; $1.64 million for enhanced drinking water safety; and $1.47 million in new funding within the Department of Environment and Climate for water strategy implementation, including $600,000 for watershed districts.
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact my constituency office.
