Manitoba Progressive Conservative (PC) leader Heather Stefanson announced on Wednesday if a PC government is re-elected, they pledge not to implement any more COVID-19 lockdowns for the province..“We learned a lot during the difficult days of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Stefanson. .“Being kept apart during the good times and the bad, missing our family and friends and having businesses struggling — we can’t go back to that. I want Manitobans to know for sure, that under our PC Team, lockdowns are a thing of the past.”.A 2022 Canada-wide survey by Angus Reid found mental health issues skyrocketed during the COVID-19 lockdowns, with 54% of Canadians saying their mental health worsened..The closing of gyms, recreation centres, community gathering spaces and places of worship only added to respondents’ feelings of distress..“As we turn the page, our PC Team wants Manitobans to continue doing what we all love about the province we call home,” said Stefanson..“Celebrating and spending time with our family and loved ones.”.This ‘no lockdowns’ pledge comes after a poll released earlier on Wednesday showed the PCs trailing Wab Kinew’s NDP by six points. .READ MORE Kinew’s NDP lead Stefanson’s PCs by six points halfway through MB election.The Manitoba election is set for October 3, 2023, with early voting running from September 23 until September 30.
