Manitoba’s Premier made a special stop in Thompson this week to share a story—and some new books—with local elementary students.

On Wednesday, February 4, students at Juniper Elementary School received a high-profile visitor as Premier Wab Kinew dropped by to celebrate “I Love to Read” month.

A Story to Remember: During the visit, the Premier took the stage to read a book to the entire school, engaging with students as part of the annual literacy campaign.

• Gifts for the Library: Kinew didn’t arrive empty-handed; he donated a collection of new books to the school’s library.
• Meet and Greet: After the reading, the Premier stayed to sign numerous autographs and pose for photos with excited students and staff.

Community Connection: The school expressed gratitude for the visit on social media, thanking the Premier for “making time” to connect with the Thompson school community amidst his schedule.

About The Author

Emma Kelly

Emma Kelly is the Senior Editor for The Thompson News, bringing a wealth of expertise in media and community reporting to Northern Manitoba.

A member of the Canadian Association of Journalists, Emma returned to core news journalism in early 2025 following a distinguished 15-year career as a content publisher and digital strategist. This background allows her to combine traditional journalistic integrity with a modern, data-driven approach to storytelling.

Emma holds a First-Class Honours degree in Business Studies from the University of Ulster and a postgraduate diploma in Accounting, providing her with a unique analytical lens when covering municipal politics, community development, and the social issues shaping Thompson, MB.

Contact her at emma@thethompsonnews.ca.