Why the Pain for Women in Manitoba Jails

By Elizabeth Comack,

The Free Press (May 23 and 26, 2018) recently reported on the case of an Indigenous man who served more than six months in jail after pleading guilty to a break and enter. It later came to light that the man was innocent of the crime because he was incarcerated at the time the incident occurred.
This story should give us pause to consider some of the factors leading people into the criminal justice system — and what happens to them when they get there.

A Comparison of the Carbon Tax Rebates to Families in Manitoba and British Columbia 2017

By Harvey Stevens,

When British Columbia introduced its carbon tax, it provided a rebate to families to offset the higher cost of goods and services created by that tax. It designed it as a refundable tax credit that diminished in value as family income increased. As of 2017, the program provided a maximum yearly rebate of $120.40 per adult and $35.88 per child with the clawback starting at $38,880 for families and $33,326 for individuals at a rate of 2 per cent of family income.

A Made-in-Manitoba Tragedy of the Commons

By Lynne Fernandez

In February, a provincial news release about changes to agricultural crown lands advised that “The Manitoba government has launched a consultation focused on agricultural Crown lands, to ensure upcoming policy changes reflect the views of the livestock industry while improving fairness and transparency in the system […]”.
How will these changes affect the Community Pastures Program, part of what was the federal government’s Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration initiative? Referred to as “Canada’s greatest success story” – the program started in 1935 to deal with the devastation the Dust Bowl brought to the southern prairies. It included initiatives to deal with erosion, water access, irrigation and grass management through the Community Pastures Programs. These pastures are found in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba and cover over 2 million acres in total.

Winnipeg Without Poverty: Calling on the City to Lead

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE [May 2, 2018]: Make Poverty History Manitoba launched it’s city poverty reduction plan Winnipeg Without Poverty: Calling on the City to Lead at 10am, May 2.

This report, endorsed by more than 90 organizations, calls on Winnipeg’s Mayor to be a champion for poverty reduction and commit to leading the development of a comprehensive poverty reduction plan. Up to 107,000 Winnipeggers are living in poverty.

Justice system lacking fairness

By John Hutton,

Almost half of the people in Manitoba agree there is a problem with the Canadian justice system when it comes to treatment of Indigenous Peoples according to a recent report in the Winnipeg Free Press (“Manitobans divided on justice system,” April 16, 2018). Like many problems, it’s complex and the way to resolution starts with understanding the many issues.

Merchants Corner Grand Opening April 28

A community’s Vision Comes to Life

Join us at this new community hub!

Saturday, April 28  11am – 4 pm, 11:30 – 12:00 Greetings and remarks

541 Selkirk Ave.

 

He Had a Dream

By Jim Silver

Fifty years ago, April 4, 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis Tennessee. James Earl Ray was convicted, but as Angela Davis said, “racism was Martin Luther King’s assassin.”

Budget 2018: The Most Disappointing Budget Ever

By Lynne Fernandez

Premier Pallister’s Trump-esque statement that budget 2018 was going to be the “best budget ever” has fallen a bit flat.

Subsidized Housing With Supports Needs More Supports: Lesson from WestEnd Commons

By Jess Klassen

Stable and affordable housing is a central component in improving people’s quality of life. In light of a severe housing shortage facing low-income renters, it is clear that Manitoba has work to do to ensure that all citizens have access to a warm and secure place to live. A successful housing model in Winnipeg deserves attention – it couples subsidized housing with social supports in order to help families to thrive. This model has seen success in Winnipeg’s North End through the transformation of the public housing complex Lord Selkirk Park, and through the housing and wrap-around supports provided to newcomers in two locations of IRCOM House in Winnipeg’s inner-city.

Government’s Directives is No Excuse: Labour rights prevail

By Janet Morrill

First published in the Winnipeg Free Press February 9, 2018

On January 29, 2018, the Manitoba Labour Board issued its ruling in favour of the University of Manitoba Faculty Association (UMFA) in the unfair labour practice (ULP) filed against the University of Manitoba (UM) in connection with a round of collective bargaining that included a three-week strike.