“Golden Boy and Femme Fiscale
 join forces on Budget 2007”

News Release

April 5, 2007 — UNPAC Manitoba

The Golden Boy climbed down from his lofty tower yesterday to join his companion, the Femme Fiscale, and visit the Manitoba Legislature on Budget Day 2007. Golden Boy used his vision and Femme Fiscale her conscience to check that Budget 2007 would make life better for the province’s women.

“We appreciate that this budget recognizes some of the needs of women in this province, including more money for education and training programs such as the University College of the North, improved health services in rural and Northern communities, settlement services for immigrants, Handi-Transit, literacy programs, and the Northern Healthy Foods Initiative,” said the world-famous Boy.

But we agree with the Minister of Finance Greg Selinger who, in his Budget Speech, said that, “Rates of child and adult poverty have fallen in Manitoba — but not by enough — there is much more to do.” “Indeed, so much more needs to be done to bridge the gap between rich and poor in this province,” said Femme Fiscale in response, “particularly for the 19% of Manitoba women who live in poverty.” Budgets affect men and women differently. As more than half the population, women are not a special interest group. “Women are largely responsible for raising healthy families. The budget isn’t just for men in suits. As a society we’ll all lag behind if we don’t put the needs of our most vulnerable citizens front and centre,” said Femme Fiscale.

Money for social housing was a priority for Golden Boy. “La Femme Fiscale and I have been looking high and low for safe, affordable housing. La Femme’s been on a waiting list for Manitoba Housing for months.” When women and families don’t have a safe place to live that they can afford, it makes it nearly impossible to make progress on any other aspect of life.

While inside the building he usually stands atop of, Golden Boy exclaimed, “Hey, wait a minute. I’ve had my foot in the door here at the Leg for years. Maybe they could sublet us a space. Nice high ceilings, on good bus routes, close to schools… but I wonder if there is mould.”

The pair were pleased that $104 million of Budget 2007 spending is slated for affordable housing particularly for senior, Aboriginal, inner-city and Northern Manitobans. However, this money is but a drop in a sea of need that has Manitoba women naming the lack of housing as their key budget priority and complaining of high rents, unsafe neighbourhoods, bed bugs, harassment from landlords, and high costs of utilities. It also pales in comparison to the $297 million promised for new tax cuts.

“More tax cuts?” said the Boy. “What will I save as a low income earner? $22? That sure won’t change my life. But quality social services will.”

“They say I’m the vision of this province, and from where I stand I can tell you we need more childcare, more affordable housing, a strong social safety net so that all have their basic needs met. There’s some in this budget and that’s a good first step.”

La Femme Fiscale was encouraged that the province has promised to pick up the slack from when the federal government cancelled the childcare agreements with the provinces. While Manitoba received $23 million for childcare from the federal government last year, they can only expect $9 million this year. As a result, the province will kick in the missing $14 million. “Quality, affordable childcare services help ensure that women have equal access to the paid workforce,” said the feisty Femme. “That’s crucial to making sure families and communities stay healthy.”

As he returned to his post atop the Legislature Golden Boy promised that his head would not stay in the clouds and blind him to the realities of the neediest of Manitoba’s people. Meanwhile, Femme Fiscale will continue travelling the province on her never-ending fight for women’s economic equality.

For more information contact Jennifer deGroot of the United Nations Platform for Action Committee Manitoba (UNPAC) or call (204) 772-7876.

Photo available upon request.