When Lakeside MLA Trevor King looks back on the past year in the riding, he sees a mix of progress, frustration and pride in the people who make up our communities.
“It’s been a year that reminded me why local representation matters because what happens at the provincial level translates into daily life for families, seniors, farmers and volunteers here at home,” he said.
“On the positive side, there were some long-awaited infrastructure improvements that finally moved from planning to reality.”
These improvements include paving work on Provincial Road 236 between Highway 6 and Stonewall. Gravel work took place on Provincial Road 323 as well as on a few other provincial roads in the Lakeside constituency.
“Improvements on PTH 26 and sections of the northwest Perimeter might not sound glamorous but they matter. They make roads safer, reduce wear on vehicles and equipment, and support the businesses and producers who depend on reliable transportation. We also saw progress on the St. François Xavier water expansion project, which is exactly the kind of foundational infrastructure communities need in order to grow responsibly,” King said.
“My position has always been that if a project is promised, government has a responsibility to see it through. I will continue to advocate for improvements on our PR roads, along with the pavement and upgrades to PR 227. Bridge replacement is happening now west of Warren with challenges of detours for commuters east and west throughout the constituency. The hope is for short-term pain and a long-term gain over time.”
Across local communities, King spent a lot of time with students, families and volunteers in 2025.
“Attending graduations across the constituency and supporting scholarships is one of the most rewarding parts of this job. It’s a reminder that, despite all the political noise, there are young people here who are stepping up, contributing to their communities and planning their futures right here in Manitoba,” he said.
“I also had the opportunity to recognize community builders through private member’s statements in the legislature — people who often work quietly behind the scenes but whose contributions keep our towns strong. Those recognitions matter because they tell people that their effort is seen and valued.”
For King, another highlight was the opportunity to present King Charles III Coronation Medals to residents who represent the best of Lakeside.
“Recognizing people like Glenn Tully and Paige Procter was about more than an award — it was about acknowledging decades of service, leadership and generosity,” he said.
“Whether it’s national leadership in the cooperative movement or grassroots fundraising that has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for cancer care, these are the kinds of stories that remind you how much impact one person can have. Lakeside is full of people like that, and it’s an honour to recognize them.”
At the same time, King acknowledges that many families feel under pressure these days.
“Affordability continues to be one of the biggest challenges facing Lakeside. Rising grocery bills, fuel costs and housing pressures are having a very real impact on people’s lives. Safety and access to services are also ongoing concerns, particularly as communities grow,” he said.
“These issues affect how people plan their lives, their work and their futures, and we need to see real action on solving them. Many of these challenges have deep-seated systemic causes, and right now the solutions being thrown around by the government will do little to actually address these problems.”
In another example, King noted that the daycare at Warren School has been announced and re-announced for years.
“Families still don’t have a building. I’ve been working to make sure this project actually gets built because child care isn’t optional for working families. Promises don’t help parents if nothing ever materializes on the ground,” he said.
“We have to remember that the Warren School daycare was announced in spring of 2023 and has been delayed ever since by the government. It’s really not fair to delay a project for perceived political points later when it’s re-announced.”
Senior care is another area that King believes needs improvement.
“The personal care home in Stonewall was planned and budgeted under the previous government, yet instead of moving forward in a timely way, the current government has chosen to slowly roll out personal care homes that were already planned,” he said. “Building them piecemeal creates uncertainty and delay, and that’s not fair to seniors or their families. Seniors deserve dignity, stability and timely access to care.”
In addition, King said he felt disappointed by the provincial government’s throne speech.
“There were a lot of recycled promises but very little detail on how those promises would actually be delivered, other than continuing to increase debt and deficits. Right now, about 21 cents of every dollar the government takes in goes just to servicing the debt,” he said.
“That’s tax money that could be going toward health care, education, infrastructure or public safety, but instead it’s being used to pay for poor fiscal management. Servicing the debt has now become the third-largest government expense, larger than education, infrastructure or justice, and that should concern people.”
Recently, Opposition leader Obby Khan appointed King as the new caucus chair for the PC caucus.
“This role means that I now chair all of our caucus meetings and serve as the bridge between our caucus’s elected members and staff, ensuring that the team functions smoothly, priorities are aligned and staff have the guidance and support they need to serve the caucus effectively,” he said.
Looking ahead, King plans to keep focused on accountability and follow-through.
“I want to see promised projects built, not delayed. I want families to see real progress on affordability, not just rhetoric. And I want to keep recognizing the people in Lakeside who give their time, energy and leadership to their communities,” he said.
“There is a lot of potential here and a lot to be proud of, but maximizing that potential depends on government being disciplined, realistic and willing to deliver — not just talk.”
