A question on the government's inaction with respect to the strike at the University of Manitoba

On Wednesday November 24th, with the strike causing chaos at the University of Manitoba, I asked why the government was not doing more to ensure professors can return to work at the University of Manitoba. My question and the response from the Minister of Education are below.

University of Manitoba Labour Dispute
Impact on Students and Staffing

Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Madam Speaker, for 22 days, a strike has been causing chaos at the University of Manitoba. Major researchers and teachers are so upset with the chaos, uncertainty and lack of support from this government that some are considering going elsewhere.

Recruitment has been extremely difficult because of the uncertainty and the lack of support for the university and its star teachers and researchers by this government. Students are caught in the middle of the chaos created by this government. The Premier has had 22 days in office as Premier to provide the leadership and to end the chaos. She has not.

Why has the Premier failed to act to show support for exceptional teachers and researchers and for the students at the University of Manitoba?

Hon. Wayne Ewasko (Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Immigration): Madam Speaker, I understand that the member never lets facts get in the way of his rhetoric.

Will he and his party stand up today and confirm that both sides should be listening to the mediator, end the strike immediately and resolve their differences through binding arbitration?

Comments

Dougald Lamont speaks at Meth Forum last night to present positive ideas to address the epidemic, while exposing the lack of action by the Pallister Conservatives

Last night at the Notre Dame Recreation Centre in St. Boniface, at an Election Forum on the Meth Crisis in Manitoba, Dougald Lamont spoke eloquently about the severity of the meth epidemic and described the Liberal plan to address it. The Liberal Plan will make sure that there is a single province-wide phone number for people, or friends of people, who need help dealing with meth to call (as there is in Alberta) and that there will be rapid access to a seamless series of steps - stabilization, detoxification, treatment, extended supportive housing etc so that people with meth addiction can be helped well and effectively and so that they can rebuild their lives. The Liberal meth plan will be helped by our approach to mental health (putting psychological therapies under medicare), and to poverty (providing better support). It will also be helped by our vigorous efforts to help young people understand the problems with meth in our education system and to provide alternative positive

Comparison between Manitoba and South Dakota shows dramatic impact of Physical Distancing

Manitoba implemented physical distancing measures in mid-March. South Dakota has still not made physical distancing mandatory. The result is a dramatic difference in the incidence of covid-19 viral infections between the two jurisdictions. This graph shows the number of people with Covid-19 infections from March 27 to April 14. Manitoba ( red line ) started leveling off about April 4 and has seen only a small increase in Covid-19 infections since then. South Dakota ( blue line ) has seen a dramatic increase in Covid-19 infections since April 4. Those who are skeptical of the impact of physical distancing in Manitoba should look at this graph! Data are from the Johns Hopkins daily tabulations

Pushing for safe consumption sites and safe supply to reduce overdose deaths

On Monday June 20th, Thomas Linner of the Manitoba Health Coalition, Arlene Last-Kolb Regional Director of Moms Stop the Harm and Winnipeg City Councillor Sherri Rollins were at the Manitoba Legislature to advocate for better measures to reduce deaths from drug overdoses, most particularly for safe consumption sites and for a safe supply, measures which can reduce overdose deaths.

The Gerrard Report

Search This Blog