Union Bug Blog
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May 02, 2007 -
PST Cut Misguided
In the first week of the provincial election campaign, Progressive Conservative Leader Hugh McFadyen announced that he would reduce Manitoba’s Provincial Sales Tax (PST) by one percent if elected. This is the first reference so far in the campaign to tax reductions of any kind.
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Apr 27, 2007 -
It Ain't Easy Being Green
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Apr 22, 2007 -
Now It's Up to Manitobans
On Friday, Manitoba Premier Gary Doer did the inevitable and called an election. It promises to be an interesting and, one would guess, potentially heated affair.
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Apr 12, 2007 -
The Declining Minimum Wage
Manitoba’s minimum wage, like those of all Canadian provinces, is reviewed and adjusted on an arbitrary basis. It needs to be indexed to some measure of economic performance or wage rates, and should reflect a desire to help full-time minimum wage earners at least reach the poverty line.
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Apr 10, 2007 -
You Can't Always Get What You Want
As expected, everyone wanted a piece of the Doer gang after the budget came down last Wednesday. “Not enough” was the mantra once again, whether you were looking for tax cuts, program spending, money for Lake Winnipeg and water clean-up, child care, etc, etc.
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Apr 03, 2007 -
Doer Government Set to Release Budget
The Doer government is poised to release a Provincial Budget tomorrow. This being an election year, it will be interesting to see what the government priorities are – and where they’re headed as the campaign silly season begins.
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Mar 30, 2007 -
McFadyen’s Record on Privatization is Clear
It was ten years ago this week that the former Progressive Conservative government of Gary Filmon announced that Manitoba Health had selected Olsten Health Services to deliver home care services to new clients in Winnipeg. In short, this was the first step in an effort to privatize home care. At the time, the arrangement was deemed, “the best model to use to deliver high quality patient care while curtailing escalation of costs.”
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Mar 28, 2007 -
Are Hybrids the Cure-all We’ve Been Looking For?
As part of an effort to appear more “green”, the federal Conservative government recently began offering rebates on the purchase of new cars, like hybrids, which use less than 6.5 litres of gas for every 100 kilometres driven. The basic rebate will be $1,000 and will increase by $500 for every half-litre reduction, to a maximum of $2,000.
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Mar 26, 2007 -
Tories Flip Flop on Child Care
The recently tabled Federal Budget confirmed what many had known for a long time – that the Harper Government had been way off base on its plan to create child care spaces by providing tax incentives and grants to businesses.
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Mar 21, 2007 -
Say "No" To Racism
Wednesday, March 21 is the International Day for the Elimination of Racism. There are many events and seminars happening around the province to note this special day.