As I write this, I’m sitting on the deck in my backyard. Beverage of choice in hand, dogs at my side. It’s Friday, the entry day of the Labour Day long weekend. By the time this article gets posted I will have attended the annual Labour Day March celebrating the strides that we have made as a union movement. We have come a long way since 1919 but there is a long way to go. We must continue to make our voices heard.

We are in the midst of a provincial election. An election that could define the landscape of public education for years to come. Many of us have faced challenges in our classrooms and seen our students struggle with decreasing supports. The political parties have made their promises in the last several weeks, now it’s your turn to have your voice heard.

I encourage you… no, I implore you to vote in this election. I want to emphasize that I am not suggesting who to vote for, rather what to vote for. Public education matters. Yes, there are other important issues to consider like poverty, climate change, finances, health care, and others, but if we as teachers don’t stand up for public education, who will?

Let’s do our part to make voter turnout a record high for Manitoba. I know the election date is less than convenient but keep in mind you can vote any day at the advance polling stations.
Find your polling station at https://www.electionsmanitoba.ca/en/Voting/Advance_Voting

For those of you joining our profession, I welcome you. You are in the midst of wonderful colleagues and embarking on a career that will be both challenging and fulfilling. And to returning members I welcome you back and wish you a smooth re-entry into your year.

As always, take care of yourselves and each other. We are all in this together.
C