With the election finally over, it’s time to get back to serving you on a personal level. Unfortunately, during an election campaign, the Constituency Office cannot remain open and therefore after the election I have to work extra hard at returning the hundreds of phone calls and emails received at the Constituency Office during the election campaign. Most constituents are not aware that the Constituency Office cannot be open during an election campaign, and therefore some are upset that I cannot return their call or email immediately. Because of the backlog of calls and emails, I ask that constituents be patient – I will get back to you!

I offer my personal thanks to all your support and encouragement during the election. I am very thankful that I was warmly greeted and received by all residents in the door-to-door campaign. We are blessed with residents who are polite and respectful, regardless of whom they vote for. This makes it easy for all politicians and prospective politicians at the door, and allows us to fully discuss any issue raised, regardless of political affiliation.

I was personally disappointed that no all-candidate meetings were held during the election. I always look forward to debating at them – and I know you look forward to attending them! I always make myself available for them, but unfortunately no group organized one this year. I was, however, pleased to participate in a Finance and Economic Development debate on CJOB on May 15th with the Finance Minister. It reminded me of question period, and when the Minister of Finance made the statement that he thought that our economy was generating many full-time, meaningful jobs, I took great delight in reminding him that Statistics Canada reported that in 2006, Alberta’s economy created more than 100,000 jobs, British Columbia’s economy created more than 50,000 jobs, Saskatchewan’s economy created more than 20,000 jobs, and Manitoba’s economy created less than 3,000 jobs. Manitoba’s job creation record is pathetic, and it’s the primary reason why more than 35,000 young Manitobans left the Province to find hope and opportunity elsewhere. Those 35,000 young Manitobans is enough to create another city the size of Brandon!