MGEU President Mostly Positive About Province's 2008 Budget
Apr 11, 2008
On Wednesday, the province of Manitoba delivered its ninth balanced budget in a row with a projected surplus of $96 million.
MGEU President Peter Olfert was looking for more investments in basic social services -- recruiting and retaining early childhood educators, hiring more child welfare and youth workers, and boosting home care for the elderly. More capital for the province’s highways, provincial parks, jails as well as universities and colleges was also at the top of the union’s list of budget priorities.
"The government is at a point where we have to consider seriously reinvesting in those services," he said. "We’re at the point where further tax cuts come at too high a price in terms of maintaining services."
Olfert was relatively pleased by several of the commitments the government made yesterday, which includes…
• $9 million in new funding for provincial labs, diagnostic imaging, and mental health programs;
• additional resources for Selkirk Mental Health Centre;
• $8.8 million in additional funding for the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation;
• $79 million over three years to fund colleges and universities;
• a $7 million reconstruction of the Westman Regional Laboratories in Brandon; and
• a commitment from the province to fund their full share of current service pension contributions to the Civil Service Superannuation Fund.
Overall, the budget had many positives, but of course there were a couple of weak areas as well.
For instance, other than money set aside to expand the Milner Ridge Correctional Centre, no other capital expenditures were announced to deal with the province’s overcrowded jails.
The province also allocated only $5 million new dollars for child care, which was disappointing to many. “At first glance, it really doesn’t seem to address the needs of Manitoba’s working families,” said Olfert. “But we’ve been told that a further announcement on that issue is coming soon, so I’ll have to reserve judgement until that takes place.”
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Of course the union leaders tell their flock the budget is great. I hope people are smart enough to see the truth. I still don't understand how they call it a balanced budget , with a surplus , when the truth is the debt is increasing $490 Million in one year. I guess that's NDP math. Also we better pray Harper doesn't slash those transfer payments, because Manitoba can't survive on it's own without Ontario, Saskatchewan , and Alberta. Sad, Manitoba is a giant welfare province. Maybe it's time to give the Liberals a shot.
James Cotton - 2008-04-12 08:38
“But we’ve been told that a further announcement on that issue is coming soon, so I’ll have to reserve judgement until that takes place.” WOW, unions really do have the inside track on the Manitoba Government. Even dipper mla's are unaware of this future announcement.
winnipeg - 2008-04-12 10:51
Winnipeg, you obviously haven't looked at the budget or watched/read the news lately. The government has stated repeatedly that a childcare announcement will be announced by the minister in the near future. Get with the program.
Fred - 2008-04-14 09:24
I support child care, but I would like to see something that would make sure the child care workers are behaving themselves. My child attends day care, and they are professional ( though one seems to yell at the older kids too much ) , but we need to make sure there are very strong standards to avoid children being harmed. I am not convinced they are there , right now.
James Cotton - 2008-04-14 10:41