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WINNIPEG – The provincial budget “offers some very useful increases that will benefit the economy and therefore working people,” according to CUPE Manitoba President, Paul Moist, “but there remains many challenges for the Manitoba economy that the budget could address.”

Some of the budget allocations that the CUPE President said were going to help working people in the province included increases in health care funding, social assistance for single employable people, and funds for a local capital investment pool. A longer relief period from student loan repayment, lowering the tax rate slightly for those in the middle tax category, and improving tax credits for seniors are also progressive gestures, indicated Moist.

“Setting targets for reducing health and safety violations and therefore fatalities, increasing immigration, and increasing funding research and development are also very important initiatives that will help working people,” he added.

“While the government is leaning in the right direction, there is still more it could do to support Manitoba’s workers to address the difficult issues that are going to face us in the future,” said Moist. “We’re facing huge cost demands in health care and education for example, and we think the Government could take more of a lead in stimulating labour and business to take on this challenge.”

The Canadian Union of Public Employees is Canada’s largest union representing more than a half-million women and men. In Manitoba, CUPE represents 24,000 members working in health care facilities, school divisions, municipal services, social services, childcare centres, public utilities, libraries and family emergency services.

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For information, contact:
Paul Moist, President CUPE Manitoba -
#: 942-1001 / Cell. #: 981-2873
Dennis Lewycky, Communications Rep. -
#: 942-0343 / Cell. #: 223-6805