Tell the government to provide much-needed investments in public services at budget consultation meetings

Jan 24, 2023

Manitobans will get a chance to provide their two cents on what the provincial government’s priorities should be for Budget 2023 at public consultation meetings that begin next week and run into February.

The MGEU is calling on members and Manitobans to take part in the regional telephone town hall events and in-person sessions (see dates and times below) by voicing their support for public services at these meetings.

“After years of provincial cuts, Manitobans are seeing first-hand the destructive reality of austerity,” said MGEU President, Kyle Ross. “Cuts to public services, fueled by this government’s unaffordable tax cuts have weakened our public services, particularly our provincial civil service, to the breaking point. The only way forward is to put an end to the cuts and invest in public services in the next budget. That’s the message we’re asking Manitobans to send at these meetings.”

A recent poll released by CCPA Manitoba confirms that the majority of Manitobans would rather the government spend money on public services instead of continuing to provide tax cuts the province can’t afford. It found that most Manitobans (58%) would nix the provincial school-tax rebates, which have already short-changed public education funding by millions.

The four in-person community meeting dates include:

• Winnipeg – Jan. 30 at 6 pm (RBC Convention Centre, Pan Am Room);
• Steinbach – Jan. 31 at 6 pm (Days Inn Steinbach, 75 PTH 12 North);
• Brandon – Feb. 6 at 6 pm (Victoria Inn, 3550 Victoria Ave.); and
• Thompson – Feb. 9 at 6 pm (Best Western Thompson Hotel & Suites, 205 Mystery Lake Rd.)

Regional telephone town halls include:

• Winnipeg – Feb. 7 at 6 pm;
• Rural – Feb. 8 at 5 pm; and
• North – Feb. 8 at 6:30 pm

Those interested in participating in any of the events are asked to pre-register at https://engagemb.ca/budget-2023.

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