What to Expect
Saskatchewan
While generally speaking, the time between Christmas and the New Year is quiet politically, however, Saskatchewan might be a bit interesting. In response to the Saskatchewan First Act, Indigenous leadership in the province has threatened blockades, arguing that the legislation violates Treaty rights.
Manitoba
Manitoba will be quiet, with political discussion centring around the byelection in Kirkfield Park and what it means for the governing Progressive Conservatives, as while they held the riding, it was a close race.
The Week That Was
Saskatchewan
Statistics Canada reported a 39.3 per cent increase in investment in building construction for October 2022 compared to October 2021 and a 7.4 per cent increase in manufacturing sales since only September 2022. Both areas ranked first in the nation in terms of the percentage change.
Wholesale trade value in Saskatchewan increased 46.7 per cent in October 2022 compared to last year, bringing the provincial total value to $4.5 million.
Manitoba
Manitoba has announced the new Manitoba Supports for Persons with Disabilities program, which will allow eligible applicants to receive the same financial, health and other benefits available to Employment and Income Assistance (EIA) clients in addition to the following:
- an assigned financial worker to issue monthly benefits;
- increased benefits of approximately $100 per month;
- laundry and phone allowances automatically added to budgets;
- ability to earn up to $12,000 per year before benefits are impacted; and
- access to health benefits for two years after a file closes.
The provincial government has decided to aid in the harm-reduction efforts of smoking by expanding the Tobacco Quit Card and Counselling (TQCC) program throughout the province after a successful pilot project.
