Pallister's Conservatives' first session was a disappointment for families and an indication that this government is not only out of touch with the needs of Manitobans, but willing to mislead and exclude them, said Interim Opposition Leader Flor Marcelino.
Yesterday, Premier Brian Pallister and his Finance Minister embarrassed Manitobans on the national stage by not signing the agreement on an affordable and sustainable expansion of the Canadian Pension Plan, Finance Critic James Allum said today.
“Manitobans are embarrassed and disappointed that the Pallister government did not choose to set a tone of partnership and sound decision-making with other provinces,” said Allum. “The Conservatives chose to side with big business instead of hardworking families, women, seniors and minimum wage earners.”
Manitoba seniors are fed up with the deceptions and arbitrary decisions from Pallister’s government that impact their future, said Health, Seniors and Active Living critic Matt Wiebe today.
“This government keeps hiding reckless decisions that impact vulnerable Manitobans with a dangerous game of smoke and mirrors,” said Wiebe. “My phone's been ringing off the hook from seniors who feel deceived, confused and angry by a government that is not giving them straight answers. Pallister told Manitobans he would maintain the rebate on CJOB and a PC party representative told Maureen McGregor they would keep our government’s commitments. Enough is enough. Pallister needs to stop playing politics and come clean with seniors.”
The Manitoba NDP stands with labour leaders and working families against Bill 7 – The Labour Relations Amendment Act that was tabled in the Legislature by Pallister’s Conservative government today, said Labour critic Tom Lindsey.
“We are extremely disappointed that this government is attacking workers’ right to organize and to be protected from intimidation,” said Lindsey. “Brian Pallister has removed protections against intimidation, which we cannot accept. He has shown Manitobans that he’s in the pocket of big business and will not stand up for working families’ rights to safe workplaces, fair wages and a voice at the table.”
On May 2, Bell Canada struck a deal to buy Manitoba Telecom Services (MTS).
This would reduce options for cell services in Manitoba from four to just the big three national providers: Bell, Rogers and Telus. In Ontario, BC and Alberta, which only have the big three providers, all cell phone packages are dramatically more expensive with fewer options.
For example, none of the big three providers offer unlimited data like MTS does—and charges for going over can be huge.
But it’s not a done deal. It can still be stopped!
All our hearts go out to the families and friends who lost loved ones in the Orlando massacre yesterday, as well as to the injured and those who witnessed the tragedy unfold.
This was an act of homophobic violence against the LGBTTQ* community—not only in Orlando, but for communities and individuals around the world.
Today Fort Rouge MLA Wab Kinew introduced Bill 204 to the House, which would ensure that post-secondary educational institutions have policies in place to counter sexual violence and sexual harassment.
“We need to confront the issue of sexual violence and assault on campus head-on to make sure everyone can feel safe at school,” said Kinew. “We’ve heard this from students, from parents, and from administrators. It’s time for every post-secondary institution to have policies in place that will help them prevent and respond to these terrible situations, no matter how difficult.”
Pallister’s Conservatives are not listening to Manitobans who do not want to see MTS sold to Bell, Infrastructure critic Jim Maloway said today.
“Pallister is out there advocating for a deal that less than a quarter of Manitobans support, even though it will damage our cell phone market and leave families with higher bills for little to no benefit,” said Maloway. “We saw a poll last week and now a second one today that clearly indicates our Premier is acting against the will of Manitobans.”
Manitoba New Democrats are keeping government accountable to its promises and advocating for investments that build the economy and bring hope to the North, Indigenous and Municipal Relations critic Amanda Lathlin said today.
“Investments in the North are investments in hope, especially for our Northern youth,” said Lathlin. “Projects like the East Side Road and Hydro developments are more than asphalt on the ground and lines on poles. They represent jobs, training and a brighter future. I am deeply concerned that Pallister’s lack of commitment to the North will harm many communities.”
No benefit for low-income families, increased taxes for seniors
Yesterday’s budget did not provide necessary supports to families, seniors, students, women, and low-income Manitobans, Finance Critic James Allum said today.
“We are deeply disappointed that this government is failing to be straight with Manitobans,” said Allum. “What is clear, however, is that the Premier and his Finance Minister are catering to stockbrokers and CEOs, not Manitoba families. And their secret private-sector audit sets the stage to justify job cuts.”
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