Manitoba Premier heads north for community tour, Flin Flon not part of visits

Manitoba’s premier headed north for the first (and likely only) time of his tenure last week, making a pair of stops in northern communities. Flin Flon didn’t make the cut.

Goertzen appeared in Thompson and in Churchill late last week as part of a two-stop tour, focusing on pandemic challenges and plans to boost the provincial economy. While Goertzen and a travelling delegation did go to the north’s largest population centre, the group did not arrive in Flin Flon, The Pas, Cross Lake, Norway House or any other prominent northern communities.

“As we look toward a post-pandemic Manitoba, we want to hear from local leaders and community members about the challenges they face, and how we as a government can help position them for recovery and strong economic growth,” Goertzen is quoted as saying in a provincial press release.

“With its rich natural resources, vast territory and incredible wildlife, northern Manitoba plays an important role in our province’s tourism industry, which is a key contributor to our provincial economy."

During the short tour, Goertzen met with two different groups in each community, gearing meetings toward the northern economy both times.

“While in Thompson, the premier will meet with elected officials and First Nations leadership, as well as industry members to discuss economic challenges and opportunities as it relates to the COVID-19 pandemic,” reads a provincial announcement.

“As part of an effort to encourage international travel to northern Manitoba, a small delegation of foreign diplomats stationed in Canada and tourism professionals will join the premier in Churchill to learn about and promote the community internationally. Included in this delegation are the consul generals of the United States and Iceland in Winnipeg, the premier noted.”

The short tour drew ire from several northern Manitoba MLAs - all four in the region are members of the Manitoba NDP, serving in opposition to Premier Goertzen and the ruling Progressive Conservatives (PCs). That includes Flin Flon MLA Tom Lindsey, who said Goertzen was doing little to offset damage to the north caused by cuts in provincial funding and programs under the current PC government.

“The premier can tour our communities and call it progress, but it means nothing when his government continues to implement Brian Pallister’s plan to cut health care, attack workers and hurt students,” Lindsey said.

“PCs continue to repeat the mistakes of the past, but the NDP is listening to families, healthcare workers and communities to build a better vision for our future.”

Goertzen will only hold his post for another two weeks. On Oct. 31, the PCs will elect a new leader, who will automatically become the province’s next premier. The party is guaranteed to elect Manitoba’s first-ever woman premier, as both candidates - former provincial health minister Heather Stefanson and former federal Conservative MP Shelly Glover - are women.

The next provincial election is set to take place on or before Oct. 3, 2023.