06) WINNIPEG CIVIC POLITICS HEATING UP

(The following article is from the August 1-31, 2008, issue of People's Voice, Canada's leading communist newspaper. Articles can be reprinted free if the source is credited. Subscription rates in Canada: $25/year, or $12 low income rate; for U.S. readers - $25 US per year; other overseas readers - $25 US or $35 CDN per year. Send to: People's Voice, c/o PV Business Manager, 133 Herkimer St., Unit 502, Hamilton, ON, L8P 2H3.)

By Darrell Rankin

A new centre-left political group is entering Winnipeg's civic arena, bolstered by a founding meeting attended by close to 200 people on June 16. The Winnipeg Citizens Coalition has no plan yet to run candidates in the 2010 elections, but it will push for action on issues such as the need for rapid transit, Aboriginal housing and development issues.

     The coalition is supported by a wide range of individuals and groups, including public sector unions. Mayor Sam Katz and his supporters on City Council need to be given credit for bringing the coalition together, because of the right wing agenda they have imposed since their election in 2006.

     Elected on a promise to eliminate the business tax, Katz is closing or cutting hours at swimming pools, libraries and community centres. He has no plan to replace the large revenues that will disappear when the business tax is gone.

     The most right-wing members of City Council are demanding the privatization of almost every city service, with Katz following along.

     People are realizing that this agenda must be opposed. The Winnipeg Labour Council organized large town hall meetings before the March 26 city council meeting on the civic budget. That meeting also featured a rally against cuts and privatization by the group Winnipeg Is Not For Sale.

     All the activity has helped to involve people. The WCC's founding meeting was attended by five city councillors who have been the firmest opponents to Katz. Although the coalition is officially non-partisan, the Winnipeg Free Press dutifully reported about the ties of the elected co-chairs to the NDP and Liberals.