During legislature yesterday, the Dauphin Correctional Centre was the hot topic of discussion.
NDP leader Wab Kinew brought forward the MGEU’s petition that had over 6000 signatures and tabled a document that proves no consultations were done prior to the closure.
Despite the continued questions about the Dauphin Correctional Centre, Premier Brian Pallister responded by criticizing the NDP, and saying the facility is no longer needed.
Pallister says the government will continue to help the growth the community has experienced in the past few years, adding that he cares very much about the Dauphin area because his mom is from there.
After legislature, CKDM's Isaac Wihak spoke to Wab Kinew, who expressed his disappointment.
“What really turned me off is that we asked over and over again about the Dauphin jail, which to me was the big issue in town, and the local MLA got up and he asked a question completely off-topic, had nothing to do with that. At that point, I saw the correctional officers from Dauphin, some of their colleagues, basically they just stood up in the gallery and walked out. I think that probably sums up the government’s performance.”
Kinew says the next step is listening to the community because they had talked about the possibility of a court injunction, but it might not be appropriate anymore because some workers are already taking other jobs or looking at other houses.
Kinew continues to fight for the Dauphin jail because it’s an important issue, and says on a personal level, he’s passionate about jobs.
“You know, in my own life, having a job, that was the structure, the discipline, the pride that helped me get onto a good path, and so I want everyone in Manitoba to feel that same empowerment from work, the dignity of work. That’s what I’m about, so it upsets me when I see people getting pushed out of work by their government that’s supposed to be working for them.”
Kinew adds that the idea of a new healing lodge, a new facility to keep jobs in Dauphin and improve community safety, is an idea he likes and wants to be a part of the solution.
He says the people of Dauphin have done everything right so far in terms of advocating on this issue and now it’s really up to the government to listen.
“It really is about government realizing when you’ve got 6000 people out of, say maybe the, 8000 in Dauphin signing a petition saying change your mind, it’s probably time to change your mind.”
Kinew finished by saying it’s an important day with people from Dauphin making the trek to the legislature, and the fight isn’t over.
