NDP return to power in Manitoba
Manitobans gave Gary Doer and the NDP a second and much stronger mandate last week. The NDP made history by winning the largest representation in the Legislative Assembly ever 35 of 57 seats.
The Doer government ran on a platform that rejected privatization of Medicare and massive tax cuts. Much of the campaign stressed the accomplishments of the last three years but that more had to be done. The strong mandate they received from Manitobans is an affirmation of public support for publicly owned and operated services.
The campaign strategy of the Progressive Conservatives included an attack on the Labour Relations Act and promises to reverse gains that unions fought hard to get. Both the Liberals and PCs vowed to cut taxes and support economic development.
According to Paul Moist, CUPE Manitoba president, theres no doubt we want to keep the NDP in the legislature. The challenge now for us is to keep hold of the broad interests of the public while assuring working people and the poor are not ignored.
Some community activists are saying they must now raise the issues of low-income assistance, affordable housing and environmental protection. These issues were noticeably absent from the campaign, as were references to the contributions of working people and particularly support personnel.
Manitobans gave Gary Doer and the NDP a second and much stronger mandate last week. The NDP made history by winning the largest representation in the Legislative Assembly ever 35 of 57 seats.
The Doer government ran on a platform that rejected privatization of Medicare and massive tax cuts. Much of the campaign stressed the accomplishments of the last three years but that more had to be done. The strong mandate they received from Manitobans is an affirmation of public support for publicly owned and operated services.
The campaign strategy of the Progressive Conservatives included an attack on the Labour Relations Act and promises to reverse gains that unions fought hard to get. Both the Liberals and PCs vowed to cut taxes and support economic development.
According to Paul Moist, CUPE Manitoba president, theres no doubt we want to keep the NDP in the legislature. The challenge now for us is to keep hold of the broad interests of the public while assuring working people and the poor are not ignored.
Some community activists are saying they must now raise the issues of low-income assistance, affordable housing and environmental protection. These issues were noticeably absent from the campaign, as were references to the contributions of working people and particularly support personnel.