June 10, 2023

Treaty 1 and Dakota Territory, Homeland of the Red River Métis, Winnipeg—With 115 days before Manitobans go to the polls to elect a new provincial government, NDP Leader Wab Kinew rolled out key commitments in a speech to over 650 gala attendees on Saturday night.

“What I want for my kids, I want for every child in Manitoba. A good start and the opportunity to follow their dreams,” said NDP Leader Wab Kinew. “Right now there are kids in our province coming to school hungry. When we feed hungry kids at school we set them on the right path towards more education, a good job, and a healthy life. This is too important to be left to chance—an NDP government is ready to step up and make it happen.”

According to the non-profit Child Nutrition Council, there were 22 schools on the waitlist for programming in September 2022. A 2023 annual report from Campaign 2000 says Manitoba has the worst child poverty rate in Canada, with more than 64,000 children considered living in poverty.

Kinew also pledged, immediately upon taking office, to design a comprehensive public safety strategy that focused on reducing youth crime. His government would work with law enforcement, community foot patrols, educators and families to identify ways to reduce crime, improve public safety and give young people more opportunities for recreation and development.

Background Information:
The NDP hosted it’s largest fundraising dinner since the party was in government. Over 650 people were in attendance. Hundreds were new supporters who had never donated to the party before. Tickets ranged from $150 to $500 and up to $2,500 for a table.

This is the NDP’s second fundraising dinner in this election year, with the first being at their convention. The PC Party of Manitoba has held only one large fundraiser and cancelled their annual fall dinner.

Kinew has already made several campaign commitments including a 5-point rural health care plan, universal coverage for birth control and a plan to end chronic homelessness within two terms.

The Manitoba NDP will release a fully costed platform closer to the election.