Union Bug Blog
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Mar 29, 2010 -
Did Stimulus Spending Boost the Economy?
Last week the notoriously pro-business Fraser Institute released a study that looked at the Canada Economic Action Plan and whether it had stimulated the economy and helped move the country out of recession.
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Mar 22, 2010 -
A Budget For The People
A few days in advance of Manitoba's provincial budget, Errol Black and Linda Fernandez of the Canadian Centre For Policy Alternatives (CCPA) have co-authored an interesting piece about the government's current approach. It is reproduced below.
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Mar 11, 2010 -
Does Canada Need a "Robin Hood Tax"?
As confirmed in the recent federal budget, Canada seems headed for structural deficits in the medium term and perhaps even larger ones in the longer term. Revenue lost from years of tax cuts, the regressive nature of our income tax system, and the recession have combined to make it likely that things will continue to be difficult for the average Canadian for the forseeable future.
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Mar 03, 2010 -
March 8 is the Centennial for International Women's Day
March 8th, 2010 commemorates the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day (IWD).
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Feb 24, 2010 -
Will Budget Bring Windfall For Wealthy?
As we approach budget day, March 4, Parliamentary Budget Officer Kevin Page tells us we are headed for structural deficits in the medium term and even larger ones in the long term and Stockwell Day, the President of the Treasury Board tells us there are bleak times ahead, the issue of taxes is being forced onto the political stage. There are many elements to this story: the tens of billions in revenue lost yearly to 10 years of tax cutting, the upcoming additional corporate tax cuts and lastly, the regressive nature of our personal income tax system, tax havens and the lack of an inheritance tax in this country.
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Feb 19, 2010 -
Public Services are Essential to Our Economy
The Manitoba government recently announced that it would be introducing a wage freeze of two years for public service employees. In response, the Winnipeg Free Press published an editorial on February 18 that agreed with this position. It relied on a study by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business to support its argument. In response, Peter Olfert sent the following letter to the Winnipeg Free Press:
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Feb 10, 2010 -
Canada Gains Access to "Buy American"
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Feb 06, 2010 -
Cutting the Deficit Shouldn't Include Cutting Jobs
Every provincial government in the country is currently trying to find ways to address deficits of varying severity.
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Jan 29, 2010 -
What is the Winnipeg Citizens Coalition, anyway?
Regardless of where you may fall on the political spectrum (right, centre, or left), it is difficult to take exception with any organization like the WCC, which espouses more active citizen participation in civic government and boosting the numbers of people who vote.
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Jan 20, 2010 -
Migrant Workers Score Breakthrough in Manitoba
A new union contract for employees at the Brandon Maple Leaf plant includes groundbreaking new language for migrant workers who have come to Canada under the federal Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).