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Manitoba's PST increases to 8%
By: dave.cournoyer
Manitoba’s latest budget reveals plans to increase their PST to 8 per cent. The money gathered from this one per cent increase is planned to go towards infrastructure spending.
Currently, 1 per cent of the province’s PST goes directly into infrastructure funding. With this increase, an additional 1 per cent will be added.
Stan Struthers, Manitoba’s finance Minister said the money will go towards repairing and renewing roads, improving flood prevention infrastructure and increasing capital investments such as hospitals and sports arenas.
The current balanced Budget Legislation would require the NDP government to hold a referendum before the PST could be increased. Struthers plans on changing that, as he believes the province needs to move quickly in order to improve flood prevention infrastructures.
Struthers hopes to have all three levels of government working together in this project.
It is estimated that nearly $277 million will be raised for provincial coffers because of this increase by the next budget. This will contribute to the 1.8 billion dollar investment in infrastructure that is currently planned for the year.
Officials state that on average, this means an extra 300 dollars from the average household per year.
The federal government’s Building Canada Plan offers provinces infrastructure funding if they can match it first. Struthers has stated that Manitoba plans to take advantage of this plan until it expires in 10 years.
Provincial officials state that, after that, the tax increase will be reversed.
Some of the infrastructure improvements Manitoba has planned to improve are portions of the Trans-Canada Highway between portage la Prairie and Highway 16, and the Brandon’s Keystone Centre.
A new recreational multiplex for the Peguis First National will be built, and funds will be allocated to the Selkirk Mental Health Hospital for needed improvements.
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CJLO News - April 16 2013
Hosted by: Gabrielle Fahmy
Stories by: Spoon Jung, Jenna Monney-Lupert, Danny Aubry & Carlo Spiridigliozzi
Produced by: Carlo Spiridigliozzi
High levels of nickel detected in Quebec town
High levels of nickel were found in the air of a Quebec City neighbourhood.
According to CBC News, air quality tests conducted in the Limoilu district revealed that the cargo company Arrimage du St-Laurent is responsible for the pollution.
The tests show there’s between 2 and 8 times more nickel in the air than the normal amount.
Excess nickel in the air can cause a wide range of health hazards, from various skin reactions like eczema to more serious conditions like chronic bronchitis and reduced lung function.
The province has given the cargo holding company until May 3 to find a way to stop spreading the nickel dust.
Arrimage du St-Laurent is located in the Port du Quebec.
STORY WRITTEN BY: JENNA MONNEY-LUPERT
Explosions rock Boston Marathon
Two explosions occurred near the finish line of the prestigious Boston Marathon yesterday around 2:50pm, injuring at least one hundred-and-forty people and killing at least three, including an eight-year-old boy.
Blood and glass littered the sidewalks in the aftermath of the explosions as dozens lay injured, some whose limbs had been torn off by the blasts.
Dr. Peter Fagenholz, a trauma surgeon at Boston General Hospital said “several” people had to have limbs amputated.
President Obama vowed, “Any responsible individuals, any responsible groups will feel the full weight of justice.”
The police have not arrested any suspects.
Richard DesLauriers—head of the Boston office of the FBI—announced that the FBI is taking the lead in what may be a potential terrorist investigation.
The marathon drew in some 27,000 participants this year. 371 Quebecers were registered to run in the marathon, including 77 from Montreal.
STORY WRITTEN BY: SPOON JUNG
Violence increases as Iraqi election gets closer
The lead-up to the first elections in Iraq following U.S. troops withdrawal is being met by rising tensions.
According to the New York Times, 15 candidates who represented the Sunni minority have been assasinated in recent weeks by Sunni militants or political opponents. There have been many others kidnapped and wounded as well.
The radical Sunni sects affiliated with Al-Qaida are going after their own to to destabilize the the ruling Shiite sect. This in turn has inflicted more fear on community members to get involved in national politics.
The latest surge of violence saw 50 people killed and more than 200 wounded in 20 different attacks on Monday.
The U.S. has expressed concern over the political situation in Iraq. This is the first surge in sectarian violence in the middle-eastern country since U.S. troops withdrew at the end of 2012.
Flickr Photo by: Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Province cooks up potential deal with Alberta doctors
The Alberta Medical Association has stated that they have come up with a potential seven year deal between doctors and the provincial government.
According to CBC News the deal aims to have doctors participate more in making decisions on the health care system.
Unfortunately doctors will not see a pay increase until the fourth and fifth year of the seven year deal.
The AMA President stated that doctors will be thrilled to hear about the several benefits the deal offers despite the late pay increase.
The deal must come to a conclusion by Monday before doctors participate in an approval vote.
CJLO News - April 15 2013
Hosted by: Aisha Samu
Stories by: Kurt Weiss, Carlo Spiridigliozzi & Natasha Taggart
Produced by: Carlo Spiridigliozzi
New PLC leader to make debut in question period
The race having ended on Sunday, Justin Trudeau starts his role as Liberal Party leader with a faceoff in the House of Commons.
According to CBC News, Trudeau will appear in the House during question period where he expected to faceoff with Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
The two first faced each other in last month when Trudeau replaced interim leader Bob Rae in the during the question period.
Harper was tongue tied when referring the newly minted Liberal leader as a minister rather than the MP of Papineau.
The first test for Trudeau as Liberal leader will come on May 13th when a by-election will be held in the Labrador riding which was held by the Conservatives.
Flickr Photo by: Justin in Markham-Unionville
Inmates separated into one man cells in attempt to end hunger strike
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