It’s been a jam-packed few months for newly elected Lakeside MLA Trevor King, and he’s already working towards community goals for 2024.
When he started his term this fall, King was busy setting up his constituency office at 319 Main St. in Stonewall as well as his office in Room 169 in the legislative building. From Oct. 16 to 19, he learned the ropes of his new role in a four-day MLA orientation training session before the PC caucus was sworn in on Oct. 23.
“The first few months have been quite busy and somewhat overwhelming. The orientation was a great process with all new incoming MLAs of all parties learning the proceedings and allowances in the Manitoba legislature,” he said.
“Following being sworn in, the PC Leader of the Opposition appointed me as critic and shadow minister for Municipal and Northern Relations and Indigenous Economic Development.”
King also attended many caucus meetings, constituency meetings and events prior to the throne speech.
“For the throne speech on Nov. 21, I invited Stonewall Mayor Sandra Smith as a guest to attend in the chamber, which she did. And after the throne speech, I was honoured to attend a reception with Lt.-Gov. Anita Neville at Government House,” he said.
“On Dec. 1, I was honoured to rise in the house for my first private member’s statement in which I recognized local golfer Aaron Cockerill for his accomplishments. On the same day, I also had the privilege to rise and give my 20-minute inaugural speech to debate the throne speech. Both can be found online or in the Hansard notes should anyone be interested in hearing or seeing them.”
It continued to be a busy first session of the 43rd Manitoba legislature until Dec. 7 when the house rose for the December break. Session will resume again on March 6, 2024.
Since he was elected as Lakeside’s MLA, King has also been involved with many local events including the ribbon-cutting for the new Stonewall daycare facility and the unveiling of the baseball monument at Teulon Green Acres Baseball Park in October.
In November, King met at Something Beautiful with representatives from Community Living Interlake and toured some of their facilities. He also attended a Remembrance Day service in Elie, Teulon Parade of Lights, the South West District Palliative Care gala and a Christmas party at Quarry Park.
“In my role for Municipal and Northern Relations, the leader sent me to represent her at the Annual Association of Manitoba Municipalities Convention in Brandon Nov. 28 to 30, where I felt right at home with many municipal officials that I had worked with over the years in my time in municipal government and on the AMM board,” he added.
In December, King attended a long list of community events include the Stonewall Santa Claus Parade, the Elie Cartier Santa Claus Parade, Breakfast with Santa at Lillies and Lattes in Woodlands and pictures with Santa at Warren Fuels.
He also had meetings lined up in with Ian Bushie, the minister of Municipal and Northern Relations and Indigenous Economic Development. As well, he planned to meet with Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham.
“Throughout session, the new NDP government had put through a number of bills for legislation and were passed, such as the Louis Riel Act, Orange Shirt Day and the gas tax holiday on the provincial sales tax on gas and diesel,” King added.
“We, as opposition, felt we were effective on debating this bill as we advocated to include the dyed gas and off-road vehicles for the exemption as well, which their original bill did not include.”
Looking ahead in the new year, King has many plans in the works.
“In 2024, our opposition will continue to advocate for our provincial government to lobby the federal government to remove the carbon tax from all home heating fuels. In November, the federal government removed the carbon tax only from heating oils but not natural gas and propane. We will continue to advocate for this exemption to help all Manitobans instead of just a choice few throughout this affordability crisis we are experiencing,” he said.
“There are a number of infrastructure projects and tax breaks that the previous government had budgeted for in 2023 and we will continue to advocate and hold the new government accountable for such projects.”
Locally, King plans to reach out to all the municipal councils in Lakeside, as well as other rural municipalities and organizations throughout the province in his role as the critic for Municipal and Northern Relations.
“I also hope to attend as many community events as possible in Lakeside throughout 2024 and get to meet many new residents that I may not already know. I may not get to all of them, but I ask that all include me on Invitations and I will do my best,” he said.
“My intention as Lakeside MLA is to respond to all calls, letters and emails throughout my term in office. It has been somewhat of a challenge with the start up with me being a new member and email and phone set up. I ask that residents be patient with myself and my constituency assistant as we get organized and learn to deal with your issues as an opposition member of the legislature.”
King’s constituency office at 319 Main St. in Stonewall is open to the public on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. when legislature is not in session. Anyone who would like to schedule an appointment can call 204-467-1998.
