Manitoba Bus Rollover: When Will We Prioritize Rural Safety Over Tax Cuts?

I’m not an expert on Manitoba’s budget, but I am an expert on the conservative playbook. Starve the public sector, demonize government spending, and then implement tax cuts that disproportionately benefit the wealthy. What gets sacrificed? Things like properly maintained roads, especially in rural areas where the population density is lower and the political clout, seemingly, is weaker.

How many reports have there been highlighting infrastructure deficits across this country, particularly in rural and northern communities? How many times have we heard promises of “responsible fiscal management” that translate into deferred maintenance and underfunded services? And how many tragedies, like this bus rollover, will it take before we wake up and realize that “responsible fiscal management” shouldn’t come at the cost of our children’s safety?

Icy conditions are a reality in Manitoba. They’re predictable. We know they’re coming every winter. So why weren’t those roads properly salted and sanded? Was it a lack of resources? Was it a lack of political will? Or was it simply a case of rural areas being deemed less important than urban centers when it comes to resource allocation?

This isn’t just a Manitoba problem. It’s a Canadian problem. We see it in the crumbling infrastructure in Indigenous communities, in the long wait times for healthcare in rural hospitals, and in the lack of access to affordable housing outside of major cities. This is the reality of decades of neoliberal policies that have hollowed out the public sector and left rural communities behind.

Some may argue that investing in rural infrastructure is too expensive, that the cost outweighs the benefit. I say, what is the cost of a child’s life? What is the cost of a life-altering injury? What is the cost of eroding the social fabric of our rural communities?

And let’s be clear, this isn’t just about money. It’s about values. It’s about whether we believe that all Canadians, regardless of where they live, deserve access to safe roads, quality healthcare, and a decent standard of living. It’s about whether we’re willing to invest in the things that truly matter, or whether we’ll continue to prioritize tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations while our infrastructure crumbles and our children get hurt.

As we watch the rise of populist rhetoric and the creeping threat of ideologies that prioritize individual wealth over collective well-being, we must remember that our strength as a nation lies in our commitment to each other. That commitment must extend to every corner of this country, from the bustling streets of Toronto to the quiet roads of rural Manitoba.

We need to demand that our governments prioritize the safety and well-being of all Canadians, not just the wealthy and well-connected. We need to invest in our public infrastructure, especially in rural communities. And we need to hold those responsible accountable when tragedies like this bus rollover occur.

The children of Manitoba deserve better. All Canadians deserve better. It’s time to stop prioritizing tax cuts over safety and start building a Canada where everyone can thrive, regardless of their postal code.