‘Pass this bill’: Manitoba Premier frustrated at bill gridlock
Posted November 5, 2025 5:54 pm.
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew is seemingly at the end of his rope in his efforts to pass a bill that would allow officers to detain intoxicated people for 72 hours. His government has been in a gridlock with the opposition PCs.
“I’m done playing games. Pass this bill,” said Kinew.
The mayor and some first responders are in support of the bill.
“For paramedics, this means more time to respond to other medical emergencies and reduced risk of reattending the same patient who may compromise their safety,” said Rebecca Clifton, the administrative director of the Paramedic Association of Manitoba.
As are some parents whose children face addiction.
“As a parent of an adult son who battles brutal psychosis and copes with drugs and alcohol, he’s been out there, he’s been lost, and there have been times where I’ve needed somebody’s help to come and hold him,” said Mitch Bourbonniere, a parent and grassroots community organizer.
Gina Smoke, also a parent of someone battling addiction, added, “I know it sounds terrible locking somebody up, but I’ve also seen people out there, how dangerous they are, and they don’t even know how dangerous they are.”
The Manitoba PCs have said they want amendments to the bill that restricts the locations of the detox centres and includes consultation and follow-up reporting.
Smith and Kinew did not directly answer questions about these amendments, calling them political games.
Bills that don’t pass in a session of legislature die on the floor. Kinew has said he is willing to extend the current session that’s set to end Thursday as long as necessary.
“Congratulations, grandma’s standing at the bus stop next to someone who’s wilding out on meth,” said Kinew.
