Stefanson returns to spotlight after Christmas Eve criticism
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 26/12/2021 (1102 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson said her work responding to the COVID-19 crisis continues behind the scenes, after her absence at a hastily called news conference Christmas Eve was decried by critics and the public.
On Monday, Stefanson joined chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin to announce new pandemic restrictions, after they were teased Dec. 24 at a media event with Health Minister Audrey Gordon, Roussin and vaccine task force lead Dr. Joss Reimer.
“I’ll continue to do my part in all of this, whether I’m in front of the camera or behind the scenes, I will continue to work on behalf of Manitobans as the premier of this province,” Stefanson said, when asked why she wasn’t at the event leading into the holiday weekend.
“Minister Gordon was here at that press conference on Friday, along with Dr. Roussin. I have tremendous confidence in both of those individuals, as well as I believe Dr. Reimer was there, as well,” the premier said. “So, certainly, we work together as a team and I can’t be everywhere at every time.”
The premier’s absence at the Dec. 24 public address — where a record-setting number of new COVID-19 infections were announced as the testing backlog grew to 10,000 samples — was criticized by the Opposition NDP.
“There is no good reason for the premier not to appear publicly today,” NDP Leader Wab Kinew had posted to Twitter.
Stefanson’s absence also led to speculation on social media she had left the province for the holiday weekend, after a picture of her family from November was posted with a Christmas greeting.
Previously, Stefanson told the Free Press she would not be travelling during the holidays.
In the lead up to the weekend, Stefanson sat down with a number of media outlets for year-end interviews.
Her last public announcement was Dec. 15, when funding was committed for more nursing education seats.