by Lynne Fernandez and John Jacobs
Recent leaks from the negotiations between Canada and EU confirm concerns that a comprehensive economic and trade agreement (CETA) would infringe on Manitoba’s ability to promote economic development and advance public interests. The proposed precedent-setting agreement would expand investor rights and extend the reach of international economic agreements, fully covering for the first time the activities of provincial and municipal governments.
In Manitoba, purchases by all levels of government amount to $5-$8 billion annually, providing considerable clout to support the provincial and local economies. Under existing free trade agreements, public expenditure is one of the few remaining policy tools provincial and municipal governments can use to directly support regional economic development, increase productivity, promote environmental policies and support disadvantaged communities.
by Olivier Berreville
In Canada, large industrial operations designed to raise hundreds to thousands of pigs in confinement have largely replaced the small, mixed farms that dominated the landscape before the Second World War. These pig factories typically rely on liquid manure systems and have been widely criticized for their negative impact on the environment, and worker health.
Pig industry animal welfare issues may now be coming to the fore with the December 8th CTV W5 airing of footage shot by a Mercy For Animals undercover investigator who worked for 10 weeks at Interlake Weanlings, a 3,000 sow operation recently purchased by Maple Leaf Foods from the Puratone Corporation, located near Arborg, Manitoba.
I was one of the scientists asked by the animal protection organization Mercy For Animals Canada to review the undercover footage before its release.
This year’s State of the Inner City report will be launched on December 12, 2012, at 11:30am at Thunderbird House. For more information, please see here.
by Shauna MacKinnon
The 2012 State of the Inner City Report is titled Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges. We called it this because we believe it captures the essence of the two distinct projects included this year. The first chapter, Who’s Accountable to the Community?, speaks to concerns raised by our community partners that the current approach taken by governments and other funders often disregards what is most important—whether or not those in receipt of services feel that they are getting the supports that they need.
The purpose of this chapter is to provide a forum for the Executive Directors of community-based organizations (CBOs) who believe that governments and other funding agencies should be more accountable to the community being served just as CBOs must be accountable to funders. This ‘two way street’ is not always easy to achieve, but is necessary if we are to move forward in a manner that best benefits those we aim to serve.
Breaking barriers and building bridges is also the dominant theme in our second chapter, Fixing our Divided City. Like most cities, Winnipeg is divided in many different ways. The racialized, spatialized poverty that is a growing reality in Winnipeg’s inner-city has led to a divide that is particularly worrisome.
by Dennis Lewycky and John Hutton
The provincial government announced recently that it will take away Employment and Income Assistance (EIA) benefits for people with outstanding warrants for serious crimes. Recently there have been a couple of high profile cases where there were delays by the police in picking up individuals with outstanding warrants and this move appears to be the Province’s response.
The change will do little to reduce the number of serious offenders especially because it does nothing to get those who don’t rely on social assistance to turn themselves in. The measure announced by Manitoba’s Attorney General focuses on the very poor, and will make it harder for those with the fewest resources to move themselves out of poverty. In effect, the proposal will turn the EIA program from a system of protection to one of punishment and enforcement, fundamentally changing its purpose, scope and performance.
by Shauna MacKinnon
It’s been a bad week for advocates working to improve the lives of people living in poverty.
Recent child poverty statistics continue to show high rates for Manitoba and Monday’s throne speech gave no hint that poverty will be a priority in the next budget.
Make Poverty History Manitoba and some 150 supporting organizations have been calling on the Province to increase the rental allowance for people on Employment and Income Assistance (EIA). Access to housing is identified by people living in poverty as their biggest concern. In spite of recent efforts, there continues to be a shortage of social housing and private sector rents have risen far beyond what EIA recipients can afford. But the provincial government’s response to the call to increase EIA rates to 75 percent of median market rents has not been very encouraging – tough economic times, they say.
While this is true, the resistance to increased support for social assistance recipients is far more complicated.
Join us for this year’s State of the Inner City report launch!
December 12 at Circle of Life Thunderbird House, 715 Main St.
Lunch at 11:30, presentation at 12:00.
Please RSVP by December 5 to 204-927-3200 or ccpambATpolicyalternativesDOTca
On October 28, just over one week before Errol Black passed away, CCPA-mb organized a fundraising brunch at the Fort Garry Hotel in Winnipeg in support of the Errol Black Chair in Labour Issues. Thanks to the Hotel’s generous donation, we were able to raise a substantial contribution towards the Chair. Paul Moist, CUPE National President, was the main speaker for the event. Errol’s life is a inspiration to Paul and to all in room. Watch the complete speech below.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=pASUziWhzhU]
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