stevelambert.bsky.social

stevelambertwpg.substack.comA guest post on leadership and keeping a caucusToday’s post is a guest contribution written by Paul Thomas, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Manitoba — the person with the deepest institutional knowledge about Manitoba ...

New on my Substack: A guest post by Paul Thomas on the leader-caucus relationship: stevelambertwpg.substack.com/p/a-guest-po... #mbpoli

stevelambertwpg.substack.comChanging the math to a balanced budgetWCB will be added to the government’s reporting

New from me on Substack: stevelambertwpg.substack.com/p/changing-t... #mbpoli

stevelambert.bsky.social reposted

The New York Times

@nytimes.com

The Pentagon has again quietly raised the number of U.S. casualties during operations related to the Iran war. The military now is reporting that 21 U.S. service members have been killed, up from 18, and 865 have been wounded, up by 98 since August.

nyti.msPentagon Again Increases Number of U.S. Casualties in Iran WarIn an unannounced change, the Defense Department is now acknowledging troops who died or were wounded in support roles.

stevelambertwpg.substack.com50 Ways to Leave Your LeaderOn caucus revolts and party rebuilds

New from me on Substack: stevelambertwpg.substack.com/p/50-ways-to... #mbpoli

stevelambertwpg.substack.comOn freedom of information, ongoing hurdles, and calls from the ombudsman for improvementsIt has been almost a decade since the Manitoba government launched the last major review of its freedom of information law, and some of the substantial changes called for by the provincial ombudsman i...

New from me on Substack: Freedom of Information hurdles. Thank you to @kristinannable.bsky.social and Erik Pindera for joining the chat. stevelambertwpg.substack.com/p/on-freedom... #mbpoli

washingtonpost.comTrump ad airing with government funding despite law against ‘propaganda’A TV ad boosting President Trump and saying that it was paid for by the U.S. government is airing in two major markets despite a federal law against using tax funds for "propaganda."

If something is not in the party constitution, is it merely symbolic? #mbpoli

stevelambert.bsky.social reposted

The Washington Post

@washingtonpost.com

A television ad promoting President Trump began airing on cable Wednesday saying it was paid for by the U.S. government, despite a federal prohibition on using taxpayer dollars for “publicity or propaganda.”

stevelambert.bsky.social reposted

Dean Beeby

@deanbeeby.bsky.social

9 Sept

Cda prepared to send ships to Iraq in 2003 if UN approved action, access-to-info cabinet records show. By Darren Major. (Note: Cabinet records are accessible after 20 years.) cbc.ca/news/politic... #cdnfoi #cdnpoli

cbc.caCanada was prepared to send ships to Iraq in 2003 if UN approved action, records show | CBC NewsCanada, a notable objector to the 2003 Iraq war, was preparing to back the U.S.-led invasion by sending naval ships into combat if the UN Security Council gave the go-ahead, according to cabinet recor...

30 Aug

“Lake America” is coming up on some provincial gov or utility web sites in Canada. HydroOne (Ontario), Manitoba Hydro and Manitoba 5-1-1 (highway info) as examples. #mbpoli #cdnpoli #onpoli 1/2

30 Aug

I’m no tech expert. I assume the explanation may be something as simple as relying on US-based maps for embedded maps on sites here. 2/2

open.alberta.caopen.alberta.ca

28 Aug

The Manitoba government boasted about having (based on an early prediction) the lowest deficit among provinces. Doubtful from the start, and subject to further variables as the fiscal year progresses, but Alberta is no longer projecting any deficit at all. open.alberta.ca/dataset/9c81... #mbpoli

washingtonpost.com2 measles-related deaths reported in Pennsylvania, the state’s first in 35 yearsBoth people were unvaccinated. Their deaths, the first ones reported in the U.S. this year, came as the country registers the most measles cases in any year since 1991.

28 Aug

In other words, there are indeed ways of “escaping it”

stevelambert.bsky.social reposted

The Washington Post

@washingtonpost.com

25 Aug

Two Pennsylvania residents died after contracting measles, according to the state health department, marking the first deaths from the preventable disease reported in the U.S. this year. Both were unvaccinated.

substack.comManitoba’s political money gapThe new numbers are in

23 Aug

New from me on Substack: #mbpoli substack.com/@stevelamber...

open.substack.com/pub/stevelam...

7 Aug

open.substack.comOn Daylight Time, government consultation, and memory spansThe Manitoba government has a survey

30 July

Just read an advance copy of Kevin Chief’s new book. Highly recommended. It offers great life lessons (to people from all backgrounds) on gratitude, the importance of helping others, overcoming adversity, forgiveness and more.

stevelambert.bsky.social reposted

Dean Beeby

@deanbeeby.bsky.social

29 July

Billionaire has the ear of the prime minister. Some of the discussion points censored. #cdnfoi #cdnpoli

open.substack.comManitoba poll on health, crime, addiction and moreA poll suggests Manitobans have a more favourable view of the education system than health care, want cost of living relief, and many like getting government info via email, social media

22 July

New from me on Substack: #mbpoli open.substack.com/pub/stevelam...

open.substack.comOn 'revenue levers', equalization, and Manitoba's path to potential balanceManitoba has run deficits almost continuously since 2009. Its latest plan to balance the books has been affected by several factors.

26 June

Some context on Manitoba’s ongoing efforts to stem deficits, starting way back when. #mbpoli open.substack.com/pub/stevelam...

17 June

I just heard someone use the phrase “20 times smaller” than a certain number. I’m tut-tutting

@kristinannable.bsky.social

4 June

The premier’s office is now using the phrase “weekly scrum”, which on the surface indicates reduced access by reporters than in the past. #mbpoli

stevelambert.bsky.social reposted

Kristin Annable

4 June

We were given incredible access by Winnipeg's Fire Paramedic service so we could show what is happening in Winnipeg right now. Crisis, epidemic, public health emergency are all words front-line folks are saying about Winnipeg's drug crisis. Read and watch our story here: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

cbc.ca66 opioid calls in 1 day. This is how bad the overdose crisis is, Winnipeg first responders say | CBC NewsFront-line workers say Winnipeg is in the midst of a drug epidemic, driven by a surge in opioid overdoses that is killing users and overwhelming first responders who are dispatched to dozens of calls ...

My first ‘news afoot’ in retirement. New glamping units are being built at St. Malo Provincial Park. Not yurts, but deluxe bunkies. @mlamikemoyes.bsky.social #mbpoli

Thread 🧵: I want to thank everyone for a retirement send-off Friday night. I am, frankly, blown away by the fact that many people chose to spend a beautiful summer evening at the event, or sent well-wishes via video. 1/ #mbpoli

View full thread

5/ And thank you to readers and listeners for tuning in. Hopefully I left you with more light and less heat — fact-based information instead of emotion-based opinion. I have strived to respect readers enough to let them form their own opinions. #mbpoli

6/ And thank you to my colleagues in the press gallery. We have built on each other’s work, relied on each other’s questions in scrums, and bounced ideas off each other. The result has been a more-informed public m. -30-

View full thread

3/ Thank you to Gary Doer, Greg Selinger, Brian Pallister, Wab Kinew and Heather Stefanson for the well-wishes. The thrust-and-parry between reporters and politicians, done in good faith, is a cornerstone of democracy.

4/ Thank you to @deanbeeby.bsky.social @murraybrewster.bsky.social Kelly Malone. Tim Cook, Chris Purdy, Bill Graveland and countless other colleagues at The Canadian Press for setting and maintaining high journalism standards and always pushing hard to abide by them

2/ thank you to @ianfroese.bsky.social , @kristinannable.bsky.social , @bkives.bsky.social and others for organizing. Thank you to Cabcomm staff, current and former, for the years of civil, respectful dialogue, even when political tensions were running high …

halifax.citynews.caBill to cut tax on some food in Manitoba passes after long nights of debateWINNIPEG — Manitoba’s budget bill, which includes a tax cut on some foods, passed through a final vote early Friday after long days and nights of acrimonious debate. The move paves the way for the eli...

29 May

Article on the budget bill passing in the wee hours. halifax.citynews.ca/2026/05/29/b... #mbpoli

x.comAaron Sousa ✍️📻 on X: "Leave it to tireless newshound @stevelambertwpg to file a late story about Manitoba’s budget bill passing on the eve of his retiring from the wire and journalism as a whole. When I grow up, I wish to be like Steve. 🫡 https://t.co/sum3rlUBgd" / XLeave it to tireless newshound @stevelambertwpg to file a late story about Manitoba’s budget bill passing on the eve of his retiring from the wire and journalism as a whole. When I grow up, I wish to be like Steve. 🫡 https://t.co/sum3rlUBgd

29 May

Manitoba’s budget bill passed a final vote just after midnight Friday morning: x.com/journosousa/... #mbpoli

youtu.beLongtime reporter Steve Lambert handing in his press passYouTube video by CBC News Manitoba

26 May

Thank you to Marcy Markusa for having me on today to discuss the changes in journalism: youtu.be/9wpph6X0c48?... #mbpoli

stevelambert.bsky.social reposted

Ian Froese

@ianfroese.bsky.social

22 May

Manitoba Tory MLA slammed for calling farmer who killed Cree man in Sask. a victim | @stevelambert.bsky.social www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... #mbpoli

cbc.caManitoba Tory MLA slammed for calling farmer who killed Cree man in Sask. a victim | CBC NewsA member of the Manitoba Legislature is facing criticism for saying the farmer who killed Colten Boushie in a high-profile Saskatchewan case was a victim.

substack.comMy two cents: Advice for aspiring political reporters and their editorsSome advice to reporters who want to cover politics, from a retiring journalist

20 May

Something from me with retirement looming: A Substack, with some advice for reporters interested in covering politics. #mbpoli substack.com/@stevelamber...

winnipeg.citynews.caManitoba politicians spar as new Statistics Canada figures point to inflation jumpNew numbers from Statistics Canada show Manitoba tied for the highest annual inflation rate among the provinces in April, driven in part by jumps in food prices and property taxes. Manitoba’s inflatio...

20 May

Article today on Manitoba’s high inflation rate, with some context about food prices: winnipeg.citynews.ca/2026/05/19/m... #mbpoli

19 May

With the usual caution that these are monthly snapshots, here are the latest inflation numbers from StatsCan today. They show that, among the provinces, Manitoba had the highest food inflation in April (vs April 2025) and tied for the highest overall inflation. #mbpoli

stevelambert.bsky.social reposted

CJ Fogler

@cjzero.bsky.social

19 May

Canadiens win game 7 in OT, Alex Newhook gets the series winner

ctvnews.caFight by Manitoba politicians over bill process could delay promised tax cut on foodManitoba’s governing NDP and Opposition Progressive Conservatives are at odds over who will be to blame if a planned sales-tax cut on food is delayed beyond Canada Day.

18 May

Article today with context on the debate at the legislature over the food-tax cut: www.ctvnews.ca/winnipeg/art... #mbpoli

15 May

1/2 For those that haven’t heard, I’m retiring in two weeks. It has been a rewarding 36 years and I love the industry. At 60, I will now be able to spend more time outdoors and with friends and family. Here’s ….

vimeo.comVimeoJoin the web’s most supportive community of creators and get high-quality tools for hosting, sharing, and streaming videos in gorgeous HD with no ads.

15 May

2/2 .. a video thank-you to a career that has shown me this big, beautiful country. To young journalists out there, oh the places you’ll go. vimeo.com/1167778075 #mbpoli

ctvnews.caManitoba renters to start getting quarterly cheques from the governmentManitobans who rent their homes may soon get government cheques in the mail instead of a credit on their income tax returns.

8 May

Article today on a big change to a Manitoba tax credit for renters: www.ctvnews.ca/winnipeg/art... #mbpoli

ctvnews.caManitoba Premier Wab Kinew wants word ban lifted in legislatureManitoba Premier Wab Kinew says he has asked legislature Speaker Tom Lindsey to reverse a decision made this week on banned words.

8 May

Article tonight on the NDP and the Speaker. www.ctvnews.ca/winnipeg/art... #mbpoli

ca.news.yahoo.comManitoba Tory gets one-day suspension from the legislature chamberWINNIPEG — The Speaker of the Manitoba legislature, Tom Lindsey, tossed a Tory Opposition member from the chamber Monday, warned that other politicians could follow, and laid down a new list of words ...

5 May

Article tonight on a Tory getting tossed from the legislature chamber and the Speaker revealing a new list of banned words ca.news.yahoo.com/manitoba-tor... #mbpoli

Madeleine Bonsma-Fisher, PhD

26 Apr

Signs at wedding receptions and political fundraising dinners.

stevelambert.bsky.social reposted

@mbonsma.bsky.social

17 Apr

What you can't see in the pictures of pedestrian streets: the QUIET. Hundreds of people out, and all you hear are birds singing, the click of a bike mechanism, and the murmer of conversation. 📷 Ave Mont-Royal, Montréal

13 Apr

1/ Just an FYI re: the rumours in some circles about an early #mbpoli election. There is no snap election call allowed under Manitoba law, unless the government falls on a confidence matter in the chamber ….

13 Apr

2/ Section 49 (4) of the Elections Act, enacted a few years ago, requires the government to implement (via a publicly available cabinet order) a blackout on advertising for at least 32 days before calling the election.