November 10, 2020
Province Receives Significant Feedback from Manitobans on COVID-19 Enforcement and Public Health Protection Measures
Nearly 45,000 Manitobans provided their feedback on COVID-19 enforcement and public health protection measures within the first week of the province’s comprehensive, pandemic protection-focused public engagement strategy, Premier Brian Pallister said today.
“Our government’s number one priority is protecting Manitobans,” said Pallister. “All Manitobans have a critical role to play in protecting themselves, their loved ones and their community. We are all in this together, and I look forward to continuing to hear from Manitobans, every step of the way, on how we can keep each other safe in the face of this pandemic.”
The second in a series of telephone town halls is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 12. This week’s town hall will focus on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System, its design, public health indicators, and other considerations that factor into the response levels and sector-specific measures implemented to protect Manitobans. A survey on Manitobans perceptions of COVID-19 is also open for submissions this week. Manitobans can register to participate in Thursday’s telephone town hall or complete the survey online at https://engagemb.ca/restartmb-pandemic-response-system.
Upcoming virtual stakeholder roundtable sessions will include discussions with leaders in sectors focused on services to seniors and vulnerable people, arts and culture, and Indigenous and northern communities, the premier added.
Manitobans can also seek clarification on the current public health orders through the question and answer tool on EngageMB by visiting https://engagemb.ca/restartmb-pandemic-response-system.
More than 26,200 people participated in the Nov. 5 town hall, which focused on enforcement of COVID-19 public health and emergency orders. The telephone town hall included a discussion with Justice Minister Cliff Cullen, Municipal Relations Minister Rochelle Squires, Dr. Brent Roussin, Manitoba’s chief provincial public health officer and Scott Kolody, associate deputy minister for Manitoba Justice.
A live poll during the town hall indicated a majority of respondents said people gathering in groups larger than five people is the biggest issue related to compliance with public health. They also indicated the most effective measure to ensure compliance with public health orders was to issue fines.
Nearly 20,000 people provided feedback through the online survey on enforcement and a possible curfew between Nov. 2 and 5. The survey results indicated high levels of awareness of current restrictions, a majority of respondents indicating that a 10 p.m. curfew would be effective in reducing COVID-19 transmission, and widespread confusion about where enforcement concerns should be reported.
As a direct result of this feedback, a dedicated tip line was launched last week. Manitobans can report compliance and enforcement issues by visiting www.manitoba.ca/covid19 and completing the reporting form, or by calling 204-945-3744 or 1-866-626-4862 (toll-free) and pressing option three on the call menu.
A roundtable this week brought together stakeholders from the municipal and enforcement sectors to discuss the issues and challenges that have prevented increased enforcement. The $2.5-million fund to support municipal enforcement and increased training support were a direct result of these discussions.
The participation report from the telephone town hall, as well as the results of the survey on enforcement and a possible curfew, is available at https://engagemb.ca/restartmb-pandemic-response-system.
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