• The Source
  • Accessibility
  • Join MGEU
  • Get a Membership Card
  • Update Your Information
  • Contact Us

MGEU

  • A+
  • A=
  • A-
  •  
  •  
  •  
  • Brandon Skyline

    Brandon Skyline
  • Prairie Farm

    Prairie Farm
  • Provencher Bridge and Skyline

    Provencher Bridge and Skyline
  • The North

    The North

Putting People First

About Us > For Members > News & More >
  • Home
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
    • Who we are, what we do
    • Our Mission
    • Our Components and Locals
    • Our Leadership
      • Board of Directors
      • Standing Committees
        • Constitution, Bylaw & Structure
        • Finance
        • Grievance & Appeals
        • Equality & Human Rights
        • Membership Education
        • Pension & Benefits
        • Safety, Health & Environment
        • Technological Change
        • Women’s Committee
        • Young Members’ Committee
    • Our Office Locations
      • Head Office
      • Regional Offices
    • Our Constitution and Policies
    • MGEU Contracts
    • Member Profiles
    • Our History
    • Join the MGEU
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Accessibility
  • For Members
    • New Member Orientation
    • Get a Membership Card
    • Find Your Local / Contract
    • Bargaining for Beginners
    • Member Discounts
    • Become an MGEU Workplace Rep
    • Workplace Safety and Health
    • Dealing with a Problem at Work
    • Employee Assistance Programs
    • Scholarships and Bursaries
    • MGEU RRSP TFSA
    • The MGEU Store
    • Links
    • Update Your Information
    • Meetings & Events Calendar
    • COVID-19
      • COVID-19 FAQs
  • News & More
    • News
    • At the Bargaining Table
    • Publications
      • Bargaining Updates
      • Component Updates
      • Union-Wide Updates
      • Reports
      • Posters
    • Union Bug - the MGEU Blog
    • Media Downloads
    • MGEU Special Convention
      • Who Can Attend?
      • When and Where
      • Convention Proceedings
      • Convention FAQs
      • Candidates for Election
      • Convention Highlights
    • Campaigns
  • Contact Us
The Source
  • Latest News
  • Find Your Local/Contract
  • New Member Orientation
  • At The Bargaining Table
  • Member Discounts
  • Meetings/Events Calendar
  • The Source

Mandate Letters to Crown Corporations Show Government Eyeing More Cuts and Privatization

Manitoba legislative building with Crown Corp logos beside

May 01, 2019

Mandate letters from the Pallister government to Crown Corporations released yesterday show that the government is looking for all Crowns to cut costs, some to become self-sufficient, and in the case of Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries, increase privatization.

The marching orders from Crown Services Minister Colleen Mayer to Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries tells the Crown Corporation to generate more profit for government coffers by finding ways to cut its alcohol purchasing costs. The mandate letter also directs MLL to "Engage with the private sector to identify opportunities for increased participation in the liquor retail and distribution sectors.”

MGEU President, Michelle Gawronsky responded today by saying, “it’s strange that on the one hand, the government is asking MLL to generate more profit, while on the other hand taking away the corporation’s ability to do that by sending more profit to private retailers. It’s very disappointing to see this government looking at even more privatization when we know they told Manitobans during the election campaign that they were focused on keeping public services public.”

Gawronsky said that Manitoba’s public liquor sales system is one of the best in the country at balancing price and selection with social responsibility.

“Our system is one of the best at ensuring alcohol doesn’t end up in the hands of minors or those already intoxicated.  At the same time, revenue generated from our Liquor Marts is invested back into our public services like health care and education. Privatizing more liquor sales is a step backwards. We need this government to focus on public safety, while generating funds for our services. That means keeping liquor public.”

Government Looking to Reduce Manitoba Centennial Centre Funding

Another letter from the Minister directed to the Manitoba Centennial Centre Corp. – which operates several significant arts and cultural properties in Winnipeg, including the Manitoba Museum, Centennial Concert Hall, and Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre – directs the Crown corporation to work with her department to become self-sufficient within five years.

The corporation received $2.5 million in provincial operating grants last year and Gawronsky questions why the government would talk about defunding this cultural hub while it works to boost tourism in the province.

“It doesn’t make any sense. These are some of our province’s biggest attractions. Why would the government talk about taking away funding, especially when we know that the Centennial Centre is in the middle of a plan to renew and expand? The government should be investing in these cultural institutions, not cutting.”

Government says Brokers Must be Involved in MPI’s Online insurance Plans

Meanwhile, the mandate letter to Manitoba Public Insurance says that private insurance brokers must be involved in MPI’s plan to provide online insurance renewal options.

Media reports in March said that the province was lobbying on behalf of private insurance brokers who were worried that MPI’s proposed online services would hurt their business.

The mandate letter released yesterday directs MPI to work with brokers to develop its online insurance plan. It also tells MPI to limit advertising to what is essential to their core business spending and says the Crown Corp. must reduce overall staffing at least 8%.

Return to Article List

Manitoba Government and General Employees' Union

IN WINNIPEG 204-982-MGEU(6438) • Toll-Free 1-866-982-MGEU(6438) • resourcecentre@mgeu.ca

  • Home
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
    • Who we are, what we do
    • Our Mission
    • Our Components and Locals
    • Our Leadership
    • Our Office Locations
    • Our Constitution and Policies
    • MGEU Contracts
    • Member Profiles
    • Our History
    • Join the MGEU
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Accessibility
  • For Members
    • New Member Orientation
    • Get a Membership Card
    • Find Your Local / Contract
    • Bargaining for Beginners
    • Member Discounts
    • Become an MGEU Workplace Rep
    • Workplace Safety and Health
    • Dealing with a Problem at Work
    • Employee Assistance Programs
    • Scholarships and Bursaries
    • MGEU RRSP TFSA
    • The MGEU Store
    • Links
    • Update Your Information
    • Meetings & Events Calendar
    • COVID-19
  • News & More
    • News
    • At the Bargaining Table
    • Publications
    • Union Bug - the MGEU Blog
    • Media Downloads
    • MGEU Special Convention
    • Campaigns
  • Contact Us
  • youtube
  • facebook
  • twitter

© 2022 MGEU