Put in the work to find fulfilling relationship

Stakes are high for organized labour in upcoming provincial election

Of all the special interests in Manitoba, it would seem organized labour has the most to win — or lose — in the upcoming provincial election.

Just consider the Progressive Conservative government of Manitoba's record on labour issues over the past three years, and you will understand why the stakes are so high for unions, particularly those in the public sector. It has been a non-stop torrent of tough love from Premier Brian Pallister.

The premier had barely settled into the comfy chair in his corner office at the Manitoba legislature when he disbanded blue-ribbon advisory councils that gave labour parallel access on policy to that of business-sector representatives. He then tabled legislation imposing wage freezes on all unionized provincial workers. That law was never proclaimed, but the Pallister government got its wage freeze simply by not bargaining.

Then the premier announced legislation that would force health-care workers to re-organize, from 180 different unionized groups to about 40. The new law has forced unions to campaign against each other to be chosen to represent health workers, a scenario that has led to bitter and divisive confrontations among labour groups.

Physician watchdog under fire for ‘outrageous’ policy

The Manitoba physician watchdog’s policy of deferring its own investigations into allegations of sexual misconduct while a police probe is ongoing is “outrageous” and is further evidence an independent review is needed into the regulatory body, critics say.

HSC nurses concerned info hacked in cyberattack

Health Sciences Centre workers are concerned their personal information has been compromised after a ransomware attack at Manitoba’s largest hospital.

Shared Health said Monday a cyberattack had affected certain facility maintenance systems, such as heating, ventilation and air conditioning, as well as door access at HSC.

While Shared Health said patient information hasn’t been compromised, it has not assured workers that their information is secure, the president of the Manitoba Nurses Union said Wednesday. She noted employee badges allow HSC staffers to access different parts of the hospital.

“Those (identity) badges hold a lot of information — personal information,” Darlene Jackson said. “This is all their personal information, their date of birth — their everything is on there.”

Province giving seniors $200 for pandemic expenses; others need help too, critics say

A $200 cheque will soon be in the mail to all Manitoba seniors — whether they need it or not — to deal with additional costs associated with the pandemic.

"Seniors built this province," Premier Brian Pallister said Tuesday at a teleconference announcing the $45-million Seniors Economic Recovery Credit going to an estimated 225,000 Manitobans age 65 and older, regardless of income.

"We owe them a debt of gratitude for making Manitoba a wonderful place."

But if Manitoba is going to remain a wonderful place after the pandemic, the province should be targeting help towards those most in need, critics say. Just 14 per cent of Manitoba seniors who will be receiving a $200 cheque this month live below the poverty line, according to Statistics Canada's market basket measure, which determines the official poverty line. According to 2016 Census data from Manitoba, it's $18,272 for a single person in Winnipeg.

Canada's Osborne-Paradis mending, waiting

LAKE LOUISE, Alta. - Ski racer Manuel Osborne-Paradis is patient with his reconstructed leg because science tells him he must be.

A year and a week after his catastrophic crash in Lake Louise, Alta., Osborne will be back at the mountain resort Saturday supporting his Canadian teammates in the season-opening men's World Cup downhill.

The earliest the 35-year-old from North Vancouver, B.C., expects he could race alongside them at a World Cup will be 2020 in Lake Louise.

That would be a full two years after shattering his tibia and fibula tumbling into the safety nets halfway down the first training run of the 2018-19 season.

Councillors seek new rules for elected officials facing serious charges

In the wake of additional criminal charges laid against Transcona Coun. Russ Wyatt, several council members say the city should explore options to impose leaves of absence on elected officials who face serious allegations in the future.

Wyatt, 56, was charged Monday with sexual assault and administering a noxious thing with intent to aggrieve or annoy in relation to an October 2023 incident. The councillor was previously charged with sexual assault and administering a noxious substance in March, based on allegations tied to a 2025 gathering.

Under the City of Winnipeg charter, a provincial law, a member of city council automatically forfeits their seat if they are convicted of certain serious criminal offences. It does not apply if they are simply charged.

Mayor Scott Gillingham and others have urged Wyatt to step away from his city hall duties voluntarily, while Gillingham has also suggested the province review the legislation.