NDP Cabinet Leader for Southern Manitoba, Brandon Burley, is reaching out to communities and organizations in the region to communicate the details about this new role in an area with no elected MLAs represented by the NDP government.
Burley represents 37 different municipalities across Southern Manitoba and is tasked with listening to and being a voice for those needing direction and representation. His goal is to build bridges from the government to the areas without NDP representation in the Manitoba Legislature.
He emphasized the integral role Southern Manitoba's economics and culture play in the province.
"We are an economic powerhouse. The message of the Premier time and again is, 'The economic horse pulls the social cart.' Southern Manitoba is definitely an economic horse, right? And ensuring it's stabled, and fed well, and is capable of doing the important and hard work needs to do, in terms of innovation and economic development, is a huge part of my role. As I'm informed by the people I serve, the better I can represent Southern Manitoba at the Legislature, and to Cabinet, and to the Premier."
Burley started his tour in his hometown, where he served as the Mayor of Morden for 5 years. Last Monday night, he made his first presentation to the Western School Division (WSD) Board of Trustees at the last public meeting of 2023.
WSD Board Chair Brian Fransen said the board appreciates the Provincial Government reaching out to a region with no formal representation and looks forward to working with them.
"From the perspective from Western School division, it's another avenue through the regular channels that we have through our Education Minister and through our MLA's. But it is another avenue to the decision makers when there are issues, we believe, need special attention."
Burley also visited Altona and toured facilities, listening to priorities, and making sure the Mayor, CAO and Economic Development Officer have a clear understanding of how to reach out and to advocate for the town. Also ensuring the organizations in the community are aware of the new connection to the new Manitoba Government.
Burley noted his role is not a first point of contact but is a place for those looking for extra information about available government grants or for extra advocacy.
"An exciting part of it is that the government is looking to identify areas of the economy and industry that require support. And so, being able to liaise businesses who need support scaling up or growing, certainly I can put them into channels. People who are having difficulties just accessing government services, I certainly can help there as well by ensuring they get put into the right places and their concerns are elevated."
Getting the "feel in the room" is going to play an important role in policy making, added Burley, as it's fundamentally critical for him to know where the challenges and opportunities are in the region.
"The regional offices are going to be relied on very heavily to communicate tone in the room to the province. And so, understanding how policy and legislation is going to be received or how Southern Manitoba is going to be impacted by policy is an important part of the work as well."
Burley said this is a new endeavor for the province, to make sure all people and voices are represented to the Manitoba Government.
"Traditionally, parties/governments don't go out of their way to listen and be represented in areas, or have the government represented in areas, that don't vote for them. So, it's a pretty big move, in terms of outreach, in particular. The commitment from the Premier for every Manitoban, is the mandate of this government and as the Premier. And this is a great way to indicate that early on and to ensure that folks know the government is there to work with, and for them, to collaborate and work creatively to problem solve."
Burley hopes to have a team and office set up in the region soon, for people to reach out directly. He is traveling to many areas across the region over the next while so, the best way to reach him is to email: brandon.burley@manitoba.ca
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