5 years ago the Manitoba NDP chose a new Leader. As Lisa and I look back at photos from that day it’s easy to see how much has changed – our sons are now young men playing high school football. They also now have a younger brother who just started school.

I remember the feeling in that room at the Convention Centre, I think we were all filled with hope about the future. But we could only imagine what would come next for us as the Manitoba NDP. We’ve been honoured to work with great Manitoba NDP MLAs and candidates from across the province who are ready to create good jobs and make life more affordable as we create a healthy environment for our kids. We’ve had the chance to support front line health care heroes and bring some common sense into the conversation around repairing our health care system from PC cuts. We’ve been able to work with educators, school staff and students to defeat Bill 64 and other legislation that would make life for working families in Manitoba harder.

And today we have a chance to restore the deal that working people and Manitobans from all walks of life have had for decades with their provincial government. It’s a straightforward deal that says you contribute to our society and in return you should get a hospital that can care for your family when you need it, a decent school to send your kids or grandkids to, and a shot at getting ahead if you work hard and treat people right. That deal has been broken by the PCs. We intend to fix it… and we need your help.

To be ready to lead, you need to be willing to learn. And these last five years have taught us a lot. We can’t afford another term of a PC government that refuses to listen to working families or ignores the the opportunities that we have for the future of this great province.

When we started this journey, we knew it was in service of an amazing goal—to build a brighter future for families and communities across the province. Can you help us in this final year as we prepare for the election?

Before we sign off we want to thank you for your support. Every step of the way, we’ve felt the power of regular people like you standing behind us. With your support we’ve grown our movement, put a stop to Bill 64, nominated dozens of strong candidates, gained thousands of new donors, increased our seat count in the Legislature and set new fundraising records.

As we head into this last year before the election, our family is honoured to stand alongside Manitobans like you who want to build a brighter future. Let’s go win this thing—together.

With thanks,

Wab & Lisa