The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Travel in the riding is more difficult while we have a minority government and our availability for votes in the House is so crucial. It is essential that we not be thrown back into election mode unnecessarily. I will, however, make every effort to attend the important community functions and to be available to individual constituents, as this has always been a priority for me as your Member of Parliament. On Sept. 29, I joined the Chemawawin First Nation Chief Clarence Easter at the sod-turning ceremony for the new school to be built in the community. Frank Turner of Swampy Cree Tribal Council and residents of Easterville also attended the event. I traveled to Opaskwayak Cree Nation on Sept. 30 to attend the Northern Aboriginal Festival and Community Awards. I joined Oscar Lathlin, MLA for The Pas, OCN Chief Frank Whitehead, and The Pas Mayor Gary Hopper at the banquet. Many aboriginal individuals were honoured for their accomplishments and their contributions to their communities. Oct. 1 brought me to Wabowden for the sod-turning for the new Health Centre to be built in Wabowden. I joined the Honourable Christine Melnyk, Manitoba's Minister of Family Services and Housing, Steve Ashton, MLA for Thompson, and Wabowden Mayor Reg Meade. Minister Melnyk also took the opportunity to announce additional housing the province will be making available in the community. On Oct. 15., I joined friends and family at a memorial for Adrienne Bage. We said goodbye to Adrienne and had the chance to remember the wife, mother and social activist we all miss. Adrienne and her husband Bill and their two young children lived in Flin Flon for a number of years. While in Winnipeg, I also attended a farewell dinner for Rob Hilliard, who is stepping down as president of the Manitoba Federation of Labour after many years of being a very public voice for labour and social justice in our province. Rob spent a number of years in Leaf Rapids and was greatly aware of Northern Manitoba's issues and challenges. On my way home to the riding, I stopped in Winnipeg on Friday, Oct. 29, to attend the annual Premier's Dinner. I enjoy these opportunities to meet with members of our provincial government and discuss issues of concern to our constituents.
