Manitoba's Army

Winnipeg Free Press Editorial

from the editorial page of the Winnipeg Free Press, February 7th, 2008

PREMIER Gary Doer has never taken a public position on Canada's combat role in Afghanistan, but he has always been an enthusiastic supporter of the troops and of veterans of past conflicts. Mr. Doer carried that support one step further this week when he named MLA Bonnie Korzeniowski to the post of special envoy for military affairs in Manitoba.

The Canadian Forces may be a federal responsibility, but soldiers have homes, families and lives that frequently require the support and understanding of the local civil authorities. Ms. Korzeniowski will be the first point of contact for soldiers and their families looking for help or assistance from the province. It could be as simple as a request for the premier's attendance at a dinner or funding for a special project, and as complicated as ensuring the province's health and education systems are sensitive to their special needs.

The appointment is particularly appropriate as 800 Manitoba soldiers prepare to leave for Afghanistan, starting next week. Ms. Korzeniowski herself is an appropriate choice for the job of special envoy. An army brat, her father was a soldier with the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, which is among the Manitoba units about to deploy soldiers to Afghanistan. She also represents many soldiers who live on or near 17 Wing, which is located in her St. James riding.

Her appointment also recognizes the important role the military has played both today and in the past in Manitoba. More than 4,000 troops are based in Manitoba, mainly Winnipeg and Shilo. Combined with families and civilian jobs, the Armed Forces is one of the largest and most influential employers in the province.

The air base in Winnipeg alone has an estimated economic impact of at least $250 million in salaries and other expenditures. As the operational headquarters for the Canadian Air Force, as well as the Canadian headquarters for Norad, the base also confers considerable prestige on the city. But despite their importance to Manitoba, military personnel have sometimes felt neglected and isolated in their local communities.

Under all these circumstances, it just makes sense to have an MLA dedicated to watching over Manitoba's sprawling military assets.