'It has to start now': Southern Manitoba community leaders look to bridge pandemic divides
CTV
With anti-mandate blockades and protests seemingly coming to an end in Manitoba along with public health restrictions, some community leaders say it is time for Manitobans to come back together.
With anti-mandate blockades and protests seemingly coming to an end in Manitoba along with public health restrictions, some community leaders say it is time for Manitobans to come back together.
Last week protesters blocking access to the border in Emerson drove away. As of Wednesday, demonstrators in Winnipeg are following suit. However, the pandemic has created a division between friends, even family, especially when it comes to vaccines and mandates.
Kyle Penner is the associate pastor at Grace Mennonite Church in Steinbach.
“We can see all of that tension and anxiety and that frustration rising to the top and expressing itself through the convoy and the Emergency Measures Act,” said Penner.
He said no matter what side of the debate people are on, an apology to someone whom they may disagree with is the first step to begin the healing process.
“I don’t regret doing vax cards, I know they hurt people,” said Penner. “Some people didn’t wear masks, that was their choice. I disagree with that choice—that hurts people.”
In Winkler, Mayor Martin Harder has a suggestion.
