Special congratulations go out to three CUPE members who were candidates in the election. CUPE 500 member Marilyn Brick and CUPE 1735 member Louise Wilson both came within 500 votes of defeating incumbent Tories in St. Norbert and Ste. Rose, respectively. CUPE 1063 member Dennis Kshyk took on the health minister in Kirkfield Park.
“The victory in Manitoba is long overdue and much deserved,” said CUPE Manitoba president Paul Moist. “The NDP had the most realistic platform and were very much looking forward to working with a government that cares about working people.”
Activists across Canada should take note of the Manitoba results, said National President Judy Darcy because Manitobans clearly showed that health care and education are priorities. “Manitobans clearly demonstrated that public services are more important than deep tax cuts. In spite of what the National Post says, Canadians priorities are clear and Im very much encouraged that we can obtain a reinvestment in public services in the next federal budget,” she said.