Get Tough on Causes of Crime
Oct 01, 2007
Much has been made in the media over the last several months concerning the apparent rise in not only automobile theft but also of other incidents of violent crime. Many have argued – rightly so – that legislation such as the Youth Criminal Justice Act needs to be amended to included stiffer penalties for these types of crimes.
However, in addition to addressing the problems themselves, we also need to look very seriously at the importance of taking measures to treat the underlying problems that very often contribute to criminal behaviour. Organizations like the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba (AFM) are there to treat individuals with these addictions and to help them to become functioning members of society.
But for AFM workers, negotiating a new contract with the Government of Manitoba has been anything but easy. On September 25, employees at the AFM staged an information picket in front of the Manitoba Legislature.
The AFM employees, whose last contract expired in March, 2006, hoped to increase awareness about the valuable service they provide on behalf of Manitobans and also about the growing wage gap between themselves and employees doing the same work at other similar government agencies.
“It’s important to underline that this is as much an issue of public safety as it is about wages,” said Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union (MGEU) President Peter Olfert. “While Manitoba politicians are doing photo ops with the Prime Minister and going out of their way to talk tough on crime, we’re seeing less and less done about the causes of crime.”
“These workers provide services that help get people out of a life of crime, off the street, and in to the workforce, in addition to getting Manitoba families back on track,” he said. “The government seems to have forgotten that investing in the treatment of addictions means investing in the people who help treat addictions.”
In recent years, employees at AFM have seen the quality of services delivered to clients seriously diminished; funding to the government agency cut; an increase in staff turn-over as a result of inadequate wages; an overall reduction in the number of staff; continuity of care for clients sacrificed; and the continuation of facility closures during the summer months.
Despite these significant challenges, the government still refuses to offer employees a fair contract, meaning AFM employees are falling further and further behind.
“These workers believe very strongly in the importance of the work they provide to families and the community,” Olfert said. “It’s time the government did the right thing and came back to the negotiating table with a fair offer.”
It’s time that governments like Manitoba’s stop paying lip service to the causes of crime and start investing in programs and organizations that actually deal with the problems that contribute to criminal behaviour. Until then, we’re likely to see more photo ops and press conferences and little change in the rate of crime we’re experiencing today.
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It's clear the Manitoba NDP don't care about people with addictions. They have let the sniffer problem get out of control in Winnipeg. Winnipeg is the only major city in North America that has a sniff problem. What do people visiting Winnipeg think ? Also the manitoba government has been building new Liquor stores, expanding gambling, yet at the same time cutting at the AFM. I agree with this post. Let's start looking at the root of the problem. Perhaps our horrible, racist child welfare system has something to do with things as well.
Pissinginthetent.com - 2007-10-01 17:38
The Tories weren't any better, Piss.
kevin - 2007-10-09 13:24