Liberals would allow Sunday shopping freedom

The Manitoba Liberals announced they would introduce legislation allowing retailers to set their own Sunday shopping hours. The Liberal press release referenced a 2010 Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce poll that indicated 63 per cent of Manitobans support retailers setting their own Sunday hours. The legislation would allow retailers to decide whether to open or not and would include provisions for employees to attend religious services.

NDP make education pledges

University tuition increases would align with inflation and student aid eligibility would expand under an NPD government, a party press release reported. Leader Greg Selinger also said three-year funding commitments would be added to the budget for universities. Under the NDP plan, the Manitoba Student Aid program would allow students to earn income during the school year and own vehicles without affecting their eligibility. Student loan interest rates would also be dropped to the prime borrowing rate. “Our commitment to education is clear,” Selinger said.

PCs would increase community funding

The Manitoba Progressive Conservatives plan to tackle crime at its roots and also increase police and prosecutor resources, a PC press release announced. Leader Hugh McFadyen proposed to fund community facilities with $20 million a year to provide alternative activities for young people to turn to over crime. The press release indicated the PCs believe long-term crime reduction stems from treating the causes and that the increase in funding for community recreation would lead to that ideal. “This fund will help us create safer communities ... and bring positive change Manitobans are looking for,” McFadyen said.

Tax credits the latest fad, say critics

The main Manitoban political parties have focused on special tax credits in the upcoming provincial election, but critics say these incentives may not really help. PC leader Hugh McFadyen proposed a fitness program tax credit to include adults as well as children, and NDP leader Greg Selinger would introduce credits for children’s art programs and personal development courses. Liberal leader Jon Gerrard said his party won’t promise tax credits as part of their campaign, the Winnipeg Free Press reported. Political science professor Richard Sigurdson said these credits appeal to middle-class voters who will spend money regardless, but with tax credits “the parties enjoy some benefit from supporting individuals in making choices that they were going to make anyway.” The executive director of the Social Planning Council of Winnipeg pointed out that people must still pay up front for services and then wait months for their refund. And data from the Canadian Urban Transit Association suggested that even with a tax credit on bus passes, ridership did not increase substantially.

Zoos partner up for polar bears

New interpretative programming for the upcoming International Polar Bear Conservation Centre at the Assiniboine Park Zoo will be designed both by the zoo and San Diego Zoo Global, the Winnipeg Sun reported. The project includes a $25-million polar bear exhibit and the $6-million conservation centre. The facilities will be able to house six adult bears and any cubs born on site. San Diego Zoo Global has also worked to bring light to the threat to polar bears, and their partnership with the zoo will include research, information and staff.

Published in Volume 66, Number 3 of The Uniter (September 15, 2011)