Boarded Up and Unanswered: Bernadette Smith’s NDP Constituency Office Closed Without Public Notice or Explanation

Residents of one of Manitoba’s most economically marginalized constituencies are raising urgent concerns after discovering that NDP MLA and Minister Bernadette Smith’s constituency office has been completely boarded up—on all sides—with no public notice, no alternative location identified, and no clear explanation provided.

The office, which first opened in 2017, has been a critical point of contact for constituents dealing with housing insecurity, poverty, addiction services, and crime prevention efforts. In this riding, where social and economic challenges are deeply entrenched, a physical office is more than just a place—it is a frontline resource.

In an effort to better understand the situation, The Daily Scrum News sent a media inquiry to both Minister Smith’s ministerial and constituency offices. We asked directly:

• Why has the office been boarded up?
• How long has it been closed?
• Is there an active location for constituency services?
• If not, why wasn’t a temporary or alternative space established?
• Do you still reside outside the constituency, and if so, what steps have been taken to maintain accessibility?
• How are constituents expected to get the support they need if the doors to that support are quite literally shut?

To date, we have not received a formal response to these questions. We did, however, receive an automated reply confirming that our inquiry was received. Beyond that, there has been no communication from the Minister’s office.

We also reviewed Minister Smith’s official social media platforms and government channels for any relevant announcements. There have been no public updates explaining the closure, relocation plans, or service adjustments. If a public notice was issued, it was not made available through any of the usual channels—and more importantly, had Minister Smith’s office responded to our inquiry, we would have been able to help circulate that information so constituents wouldn’t be left guessing.

In the absence of answers, we turned to the Government of Manitoba’s Members’ Allowances database, which provides transparency on MLA expenses, including office costs and the salaries of constituency staff. Unfortunately, as of mid-June 2025, the most recent available data is still listed as “processing” for March 2025. A representative from the Office of the Members’ Allowances confirmed that this information has yet to be released, which further hinders public insight into whether funds are still being allocated for an office that appears inactive.

This isn’t a matter of partisan politics—it’s a matter of public trust and responsible representation. In high-needs communities, the absence of clear communication isn’t just frustrating—it’s harmful.

Whether temporary or permanent, the closure of a constituency office should never happen in silence. Constituents deserve transparency, access, and timely answers.

Editor’s Note: The Daily Scrum News remains open to publishing a full statement or response from Minister Bernadette Smith’s office. We encourage the Minister’s team to provide clarification so that her constituents are properly informed