Province Provides COVID-19 Immunization Rollout Update
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January 8, 2021 Province Provides COVID-19 Immunization Rollout Update This week represented a significant step forward in implementing the province’s immunization plan to protect Manitobans from COVID-19. The RBC Convention Centre vaccine super site opened on Monday, January 4 and administered over 4,000 first doses in its opening week. Doses of the Moderna vaccine also began making its way up north to protect First Nations communities in our province. Since the vaccine first arrived in Manitoba, nearly 7,500 people have received a first-dose immunization. There is capacity available for 6,650 appointments to be scheduled at Manitoba’s vaccine super site next week. Additionally, the province has been actively recruiting to support the immunization campaign in the coming weeks and months. To date, more than 750 immunizers, clinic managers, clinical leads, navigators and post-immunization observers have been hired. Manitoba also began shipping 5,300 doses of vaccine to support the launch of a co-ordinated immunization campaign in all 63 First Nation communities in our province. The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc., Keewatinohk Inniniw Minoayawin and Southern Chiefs Organization have announced their initial priority groups for immunization, which include essential health-care workers, residents in personal care homes and Elder care facilities, and older Manitobans. The province looks forward to continued collaboration with Indigenous leadership to provide First Nations communities with an equitable, timely and effective response to COVID-19. Manitoba has shipped 5,300 doses of the Moderna vaccine to 63 First Nation communities Manitoba Welcomes New Provincial Cabinet and Departments Premier Pallister shuffled his cabinet this week while creating two new departments to protect Manitobans and spearhead new job opportunities. Nine Ministers were sworn in to new portfolios, including three new Ministers entering cabinet for the first time. The new cabinet includes a strong and diverse team of six female Ministers and the first black person to be appointed to cabinet in provincial history. The new cabinet roles include: • Wayne Ewasko, MLA for Lac du Bonnet, enters cabinet as Minister for Advanced Education, Skills and Immigration. • Derek Johnson, MLA for Interlake–Gimli, enters cabinet as Minister for Municipal Relations. • Audrey Gordon, MLA for Southdale, enters cabinet as the first-ever Minister for Mental Health, Wellness and Recovery. • Kelvin Goertzen, MLA for Steinbach, becomes deputy premier and Minister of Legislative and Public Affairs and retains his role as Government House Leader. • Heather Stefanson, MLA for Tuxedo, becomes Minister of Health and Seniors Care. • Ralph Eichler, MLA for Lakeside, becomes Minister of Economic Development and Jobs. • Cliff Cullen, MLA for Spruce Woods, becomes Minister of Education. • Cameron Friesen, MLA for Morden-Winkler, becomes Minister of Justice and Attorney General. • Rochelle Squires, MLA for Riel, becomes Minister of Families as well as Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs. Ministers whose portfolio responsibilities did not change are: • Ron Schuler – Minister of Infrastructure; • Blaine Pedersen – Minister of Agriculture and Resource Development; • Eileen Clarke – Minister of Indigenous and Northern Relations; • Cathy Cox – Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage; • Scott Fielding – Minister of Finance; • Jeff Wharton – Minister of Crown Services; • Reg Helwer – Minister of Central Services; and • Sarah Guillemard – Minister of Conservation and Climate. Manitoba’s new #TeamManitoba2021 cabinet roster New PC Caucus Roles Announced PC Caucus Leadership Greg Nesbitt, MLA for Riding Mountain was appointed as PC Caucus Chair. Greg is a long time Shoal Lake business owner, community leader and a former Village Councillor. He was elected to his first term as the MLA for Riding Mountain on April 19, 2016 and re-elected on September 10, 2019. He previously served as the Legislative Assistant to the Minister of Health, Seniors and Active Living. Greg Nesbitt PC Caucus Chair. Andrew Micklefield, MLA for Rossmere was appointed as PC Caucus Whip. Andrew was elected to his first term as MLA for Rossmere on April 19, 2016 and re-elected on September 10, 2019. He previously served as Assistant Deputy Speaker and Government House Leader. Andrew Micklefield PC Caucus Whip. New Legislative Assistant Roles to Support Cabinet Rick Wowchuk, MLA for Swan River, was appointed as Legislative Assistant to the Minister of Agriculture and Resource Development (ARD). Scott Johnston, MLA for Assiniboia, was appointed as Legislative Assistant to the Minister of Education. Ian Wishart, MLA for Portage la Prairie, was appointed as Legislative Assistant to the Minister of Finance. Josh Guenter, MLA for Borderland, was appointed as Legislative Assistant to the Minister of Health and Seniors Care (HSC). Janice Morley-Lecomte, MLA for Seine River, continues as Legislative Assistant to the Minister of Families, Rick Wowchuk LA for ARD. Andrew Smith, MLA for Southdale, continues as Legislative Assistant to the Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage (SCH). Scott Johnston Ian Wishart Josh Guenter Janice Morley-Lecomte Andrew Smith LA for Education. LA for Finance. LA for HSC. LA for Families. LA for SCH. .