Stefanson, Kinew promise no more lockdowns, no matter what happens with COVID

As COVID and flu season approaches, the leaders of two Manitoba politicalparties are promising no more lockdowns, no matter what public health situation emerges in the future.

During a party leaders' debate organized by theWinnipeg Chamber of Commerce, PC Leader Heather Stefanson promised no more lockdowns.

After the debate, Stefansonrepeated the pledge.

"We can't go back to those lockdowns where people are in their homes, where businesses are locked down," she said in the lobby of Winnipeg's RBC Convention Centre.

Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont called the PC leader's stance irresponsible considering the PC government's handling of the pandemic.Manitoba hadCanada's highest per-capita COVID-19 fatality rate during the second and third waves of COVID-19, from late 2021 and onward.

"It's a horrifying continuation of everything they did during the pandemic," Lamont said of the PC leader's pledge.

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NDP Leader Wab Kinew, however,also promised no lockdowns, claiming if he becomes premier, hospital capacity will be improved to the point where Manitoba can handle more COVID-19 patients.

"The idea of bringing the economyto a halt again is not something we can contemplate in the future of Manitoba," he said, noting Stefanson was Manitoba's health minister during the pandemic's deadly third wave.

Kinew advised all Manitobans to get a vaccine shot this fall.Stefanson said the province is getting ready for a fall booster program.

She also said a pilot program is underway involving air filtration in Manitoba schools.