In emails obtained by the Canadian Press under the freedom of information regime, we may read words such as dictator
, criminal
, greedily
sent to Brian Pallister in response to the health regulations established by the province to manage the pandemic.
The correspondence was sent over two days, 11 and 12 May 2020, as the province imposed limits on the opening of businesses and public gatherings.
case?”,”text”:”Your office is borderline criminal. You closed the whole province for what, 30 cases?””>Your office is borderline criminal. You shut down the entire province for what, 30 cases?
reads the email of a person who wanted to revoke public health ordinances
You are greenlighting the spread of this virus and I don’t appreciate it
read another email from a Manitoban who opposed the easing of some restrictions earlier this month. You are not a leader. You are a very greedy politician.
The names of the authors of the correspondence have not been disclosed to protect privacy.
In the period in which these correspondences were written, Manitoba was beginning to register the first infections, i.e. 289 cases and 7 deaths.
The government first forced many non-essential businesses to close. Schools, dental offices, museums and other facilities were also closed.
However, the province announced easing a few days later in early May.
Messages split
However, the positions were divided in the light of the messages received by the Presidency of the Council of Ministers.
While 24 people called for further easing or lifting of restrictions altogether, five others called for the rules to be maintained or tightened.
“,”text”:”I think you can declare that the crisis in Manitoba is over and we can open fully [la province]””>I think you can declare that the crisis in Manitoba is over and we can fully open [la province]
wrote a sender.
Does anyone wonder how this virus is exploited by socialist-leaning politicians?
asked another.
Some letters have even urged the province to take specific actions, such as adding protective equipment for health workers, more financial support for businesses and increasing welfare benefits.
One person thanked Mr. Pallister for the proactive position
which he adopted in the face of the pandemic.
Another Manitoban wrote to say what the Premier was doing good job
.
Whenever I see you in the news updates, I am impressed with your thoughtful yet no-nonsense approach.
Mr Pallister resigned as Prime Minister on 1 September 2021 and was formally replaced in October of the same year by Heather Stefanson.
Important challenges
The new premier has publicly indicated that she wants to listen to Manitobans in her handling of the pandemic.
However, his handling of the pandemic has not been without criticism. The most recent data from the pandemic shows Manitoba has now seen more than 152,000 cases and more than 2,200 deaths.
According to data compiled by the federal government, the province had the second-highest COVID-19-related death rate per capita,
In addition, pressure on intensive care units has reached the alert level and currently the demand for beds remains above pre-pandemic capacity.
As the province tries to catch up on the backlog of surgeries and diagnostic procedures caused by the pandemic, doctors recently warned that hospitals in Manitoba risk being overwhelmed by the growing spread of three respiratory viruses: COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
