Manitoba NDP Backs Liberal Bill for Universal Learning Disability Screening

The Manitoba NDP government has announced its support for a Liberal bill that aims to implement universal screening for learning disabilities in early grades. This legislation is part of a broader initiative to enhance literacy among young students, with a goal of having screenings in place by 2026.

Legislative Support and Implementation Plans

Education Minister Tracy Schmidt confirmed that the government will collaborate with school divisions and other stakeholders to determine the specific screening tools to be used. The bill has successfully passed its final reading in the legislature, bolstered by support from all political parties.

Cindy Lamoureux, a member of the Liberal legislature, championed this initiative, advocating for the changes to be enshrined in law. She emphasized the necessity of notifying parents about the results of their children’s screenings, aiming to address literacy challenges proactively.

Recent provincial data revealed that only 45 percent of Grade 3 students met literacy expectations, underlining the urgency of this legislation. Carrie Wood, a teacher and dyslexia advocate, expressed her support for the bill, stating that many children currently “slip through the cracks,” waiting for their reading difficulties to resolve on their own. “If this had been in place in kindergarten, they would have been flagged almost as soon as they walked into school,” Wood remarked.

Previous Collaborations and Future Prospects

This is not the first occasion on which the NDP government has backed a bill proposed by Lamoureux. In the previous year, the NDP restructured a bill on judicial education that focused on critical topics such as intimate partner violence and systemic racism, which was passed this spring as a government initiative.

The new legislation on learning disabilities is seen as a crucial step toward improving educational outcomes in Manitoba. It reflects a growing recognition of the importance of early intervention in addressing learning challenges, ensuring that every child receives the support they need from the outset of their education.

This report by The Canadian Press was originally published on November 4, 2025. With this legislative move, Manitoba aims to foster a more inclusive educational environment that prioritizes literacy and learning support for all students.