The MLA for Morden-Winkler says a record number of bills passed through the Manitoba Legislature during the recently closed out spring session.

"It's been a lot of work for everyone because with all of those bills comes a lot of debate, a lot of committee hearings and amendments that must take place," said Cameron Friesen.

Speaking as Justice minister, Friesen says his department alone passed 12 bills, including changes to the Petty Trespassers Act and Occupiers Liability Act.

"Which essentially brings changes to help us address the ongoing concerns around rural crime," explained Friesen. "This bill shifts the responsibility from the landowner to the trespasser in some cases, in protects landowners from civil liability through enhancement to duty-of-care provisions. It helps to make sure that we're putting the right emphasis on people in rural areas having a high degree of confidence that their issues of safety and crime are being heard and attended to."

In addition, Friesen says Manitoba's Limitations Act was improved for liabilities held by business owners, architects, and engineers, etc. As well, he noted the Criminal Property Forfeiture Act, which redirects proceeds of crime to agencies, non-profits and police services, was strengthened.

Meantime, Friesen says work continues to further prepare bills for the fall sitting, including Bill 64, the Province's education reform plan, that was introduced in the spring.

"Those are very important conversations. I know there's a lot of interest around this bill. The Minister of Education is really engaged in this conversation," explained Friesen. "That bill, of course, didn't pass. It was held in the Legislature, which is the prerogative of opposition parties, so it will return in the fall...that debate continues...because it's a big piece of work and it's important that the process respect the right of Manitobans to have their say."

Without tipping his hand too much, Friesen added the Justice department is also working on a series of bills that he says will attend to "a number of areas of priority" that will he believes will receive a high degree of attention when they are introduced in the fall/winter.

"And of course, on top of all of this, COVID-19, which has meant a lot of extra work for many people," added Friesen. "Of course, our thanks go to people on the frontline of the healthcare system."

He pointed out that hospitals in southern Manitoba remain busy treating COVID-19 patients. "But we take consolation in the fact that the numbers are stabilizing. We're seeing reductions in the daily case numbers, we're seeing stabilization, Dr. Brent Roussin continues to tell us, in the hospital system. That is all good news."

Friesen says he looks forward to the situation in Manitoba further stabilizing, noting many are feeling weary after months of restrictions.

As a provincial representative for an area of the province posting some of the lowest vaccine uptake percentages, Friesen offered this message.

"I think it's important, if I had one message, that right now at this time we need to find pathways to people, we need to establish and maintain trust. Condemnation and rebuking is not working, it's not bringing us together as a community. Let's find ways to do that which we do best as people who live in southern Manitoba, and that is to bridge distances, overcome differences and work together," said Friesen.