Manitoba's Progressive Conservative Caucus will be headed to the City of Sunshine for a couple days, getting started with meeting a few local stakeholders.
Jeff Bereza, MLA for Portage la Prairie, said the Caucus is looking forward to hearing from residents first-hand about some of the challenges the Parkland is facing, and how they can help.
"The people of the Dauphin area and that, the way they're willing to pitch in, the way they're willing to work together, and just like our PC team, that we like to do things together, it's time to spend some time in Dauphin, and listen to the people, listen to what they have to say...whether it be with their business, with healthcare, with addiction issues, whatever it may be, it's our time to listen to the public," said Bereza.
One of the key topics of conversation Bereza will be involved in is the large scale of infrastructure repairs that have been ongoing across the Parkland since early July, and the widespread damage and destruction to crops and agriculture across the region.
Bereza himself has more than 30 years of agriculture experience, before taking on the role of Portage la Prairie MLA. Part of his schedule will be a tour of Vermillion Growers, whose crop was wiped out by flooding, as a way to hear directly from just one of the region's impacted agricultural producers. Bereza said especially when it comes to agriculture, considering the Parkland's focus on the sector, it's important to hear straight from the producers.
"When we're dealing with farmers, and especially when we're dealing with crops, we need to hear from them and how important it is to get that infrastructure rebuilt there, because farmers can't charge more for the product they're selling, because that has already been established. So I think we need to work with farmers, how do we bridge these gaps, what do we need to do to help them move forward, to help them be successful," said Bereza.
Another topic that Bereza hopes to hear about is the Dauphin Regional Health Centre, and other health-related concerns in the Parkland. One of the key stakeholders Bereza hopes to speak with is Treena Slate, Prairie Mountain Health CEO, as well as Prairie Mountain Health staff.
"It sounds like she's doing a great job there, and hopefully we have the opportunity to hear from her and the folks that are working within the Dauphin health facility as well, to [ask] what more do you need," said Bereza.
Aside from stakeholder meetings, the PC Caucus will be holding a Public Reception & BBQ on Thursday, September 10th, starting a 5:30 PM at Credit Union Place. Bereza hopes many Dauphin residents will attend, to make sure their voices are heard by Manitoba's PC Caucus.
"Come an join us at the rec centre on Thursday evening, just for an informal get together. Here's your chance to talk to the whole PC Caucus here of what we can do to help make the Parkland be greater than what it is today," said Bereza.
Other meetings throughout Thursday include conversations with local City and RM officials.
