Manitoba Opposition Leader Obby Khan is using his visits to communities like Portage la Prairie to spotlight provincewide challenges alongside local priorities. From municipal funding and bail reform to calls for better health care access, he says his focus is on accountability, safety, and unlocking Manitoba’s potential. He speaks on issues he says are felt across the province, while drawing attention to specific concerns in Portage la Prairie. Municipal funding and infrastructure Khan points to shared concerns he hears throughout Manitoba as well as here in Portage. He briefly refers to affordability, crime, and wait times, then turns to how municipalities are funded. “It was really the municipalities and the work they’re doing, the great work the council here is doing, but also the concern of sustainable and ongoing funding is a big one.” “I campaigned on that during my leadership race and now talk about it as the leader of the opposition that we have to change the model that was set up 30, 40 years ago,” he says. “The municipalities are not getting enough money to continue their operating, to continue the way they work, to continue to provide for their great communities, and Portage la Prairie is just one example of that.” Crime and bail reform Khan turns to public safety and bail reform, framing his comments around commitments he says have not been met. “This Premier campaigned on a 100-day stint that he’s going to reform the bail policy, and we’re over 700 days later, nothing,” he adds. “So our job in opposition is to continue to bring up these concerns over and over again.” He continues with the administration of the justice system. “The federal government can make whatever changes they want in the bail, but if the province isn’t ready for that, or they’re not indicating they want to do that … the Premier’s words say, yes, we’re going to reform bail, but there’s been no action.” Khan also references local concerns raised after a high-profile case. “You have a repeat violent offender who sadly took the life of a local here, and he was released on bail after repeat violent offenses, and he wasn’t given ankle monitoring; he escaped,” he says. “That’s the administration, right?” Health care and an MRI for Portage On health care, Khan focuses on calls for an MRI unit in Portage la Prairie, acknowledging past decisions and urging action now. “I can admit that as the leader, it was left out,” he notes. “Now I’m the leader. I wasn’t the leader then. So we made a mistake, but let’s fix that mistake, let’s put it in now.” “You’ve got $5 million sitting there, and I heard more. You have a need. There’s 30,000 Manitobans waiting for an MRI. Why don’t you just put the MRI machine in there?” he says. “Portage la Prairie has the capacity.” Related stories: PC leader Obby Kahn rallies support at Portage fundraiser MRI Open House hopes to bring more attention to the issue Homelessness and community safety Khan argues for limits on homeless encampments near schools and playgrounds and says he wants people moved into housing. “We want no encampments,” he adds. “We want people in affordable, sustainable housing that we can develop and grow with community partnerships and have people being accountable for living in housing, not on the streets.” Role as opposition leader and broader vision Khan reflects on his first months leading the opposition and his approach in the legislature. “It is a tremendous honour,” he says. “I’m hearing a lot of issues that Manitobans have. And it’s really just about service.” Asked about what he would do as premier, Khan offers a summary vision. “Oh, if I was Premier tomorrow, it would be 'Unleash Manitoba.' Let’s go,” he continues. “Let’s unlock the potential of this province.”