Mar 112013
Services preferred over balanced budgets.
from the Manitoba Government and General Employees Union
MGEU representatives met with Manitoba Finance Minister Stan Struthers recently, armed with polling results that show Manitobans consider protecting public services a top budget priority.
In advance of the upcoming budget, the MGEU presented Struthers with recommendations on maintaining front-line services, and identifying savings and revenue sources.
“Manitobans have been vocal about their support for public services, and suporting services was something the current government pledged to do in past elections,” said Michelle Gawronsky, MGEU president.
The poll of 805 Manitobans, conducted by Viewpoints Research took place January 22-31 this year. Among the poll's findings:
- 47 percent identified protecting public services as their top budget priority, compared to stimulating the economy (20 percent), balancing the budget (18.6 percent) or cutting taxes (11 percent);
- 49 percent prefer a small tax increase to protect public services rather than service cuts (29 percent);
- 80 percent want to see increased income taxes on corporations and on households with income in excess of $200,000 annually;
- 77 percent say it's more important to protect public services than balance budgets by arbitrary dates;
- 67 percent say the government should not eliminate the 600 jobs it has announced.
MGEU's recommendations to the finance minister included government protection of public services, modernized balanced budget legislation, increased taxes on corporations and top income earners, and multi-year funding for social service agencies and community colleges.
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