The Speech from the Throne, delivered by the Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba, is written by the party in legislature with the most MLAs.  Following the recent election, the majority party in the legislature is now the New Democratic Party, ending seven years of Progressive Conservative speeches.

The NDP cover a few major points in their speech: fixing healthcare, affordability, developing a strong economy, fighting the climate crisis, improving education, and reducing homelessness and violence.  Major points of interest in the speech include the actions that the new government has already taken, their focus being on building social services, and their criticism of the financial mismanagement perpetrated by the former Progressive Conservative government.

First, the government has already begun work in making healthcare more available to Manitobans, by opening more surgical slates, reaching a deal with other provinces to help keep Manitoban doctors at home, and reducing the MRI waitlist, especially for Northern Manitobans.  Additionally, they have accessed a $500 million grant to move to affordable, low-carbon energy from natural gas, reflecting their goals of fighting the climate crisis, increasing affordability, and creating jobs, especially in the budding sector of low-carbon energy.

Alongside these, they have created the Department of Housing, Addictions, and Homelessness to end chronic homelessness over the course of the next eight years.  The provincial government also promises to send mental health professionals to non-violent calls to law enforcement. With these two developments, and by working more closely with police across the province, the NDP seek to reduce violent crime, especially in Winnipeg, which has one of the highest violent crime rates in the country.

The speech is permeated with hope, as it begins with, “There is optimism in our province, for it is a new day in Manitoba,” right after the land acknowledgement.  This optimism is shared by all Manitobans, with Premier Wab Kinew boasting the highest approval rating of all Canadian premiers, according to recent polling.

According to CBC, Heather Stefanson had the lowest approval ratings of all premiers across Canada her entire tenure, never breaking 30%.  Brian Pallister stepped down with the lowest approval rating across Canada of 32%, meaning that for the first time in years, Manitobans have confidence in their leader.

Despite the hope, 16% of Manitobans (more than any other province, according to the recent poll) are uncertain about their confidence in the new leader. It will take some time to see whether Mr. Kinew can deliver on the promises he has made, but for now, Manitoba seems to believe he will.