Madam Speaker, on December 26, 2019, a fire broke out in Winnipeg Centre, burning an affordable apartment complex to the ground and, in turn, displacing almost 40 individuals, including children. They lost everything. The holiday season is a difficult time of the year for so many and the very worst time for such an event to occur, but our wonderful community of Winnipeg Centre came together.
We opened my office and donations for the fire victims started pouring in. Local community organizations and service providers opened their doors, in spite of having limited services over the holidays.
I give special thanks to my colleagues, city councillor Cindy Gilroy and MLA Lisa Naylor, as well as their staff. I also thank our superb team members at my office. They go beyond the call of duty for Winnipeg Centre.
I also want to extend well wishes to the fire victims as they rebuild their homes. Their courage and grace during this difficult time was moving. This is what community at the centre looks like and we show it best in Winnipeg Centre.