Shauna MacKinnon – Editorial in the Winnipeg Free Press

DURING the pandemic in Manitoba, are we really "all in this together?" Everyone is saying it, but what does it actually mean? And what could it mean at a time when all that we know as "normal" has been turned upside down? Many intelligent, passionate people have been critiquing government responses and suggesting ways forward. …

Bruce Bolster – Letter to the Winnipeg Free Press

Dear editor: It is unfortunate indeed that Premier Pallister thinks cuts to Manitoba Universities are an appropriate response to the current economic and health crisis related to the Covid-19 pandemic. What is urgently needed to mount an effective long term response to crises of this sort, both present and in the future, is research on …

Peter Ives – Letter to Minister of Economic Development and Training Ralph Eichler

Dear Minister Eichler, As you can imagine, this is not only a chaotic and stressful period at the University of Winnipeg, where I chair the Philosophy Department. In Philosophy, we have been able to successfully transition to on-line learning very swiftly, finishing off the Winter Term and offering the same six courses for the Spring …

Peter Miller – Letter to Premier Brian Pallister

Dear Premier Pallister, I’m writing today in response to the reported possibility of cuts ranging from 10-30% to public sector organizations in general, and Universities in particular. While I am a professor and faculty member at the University of Winnipeg, I am also a downtown resident, a parent, and a first-generation University student (neither of …

Margaret Sweatman – Letter to Premier Brian Pallister

April 21, 2020 “Critics fear long-term effects of Pallister order for staffing cuts at post-secondary facilities”   [from April 20] Dear Premier Brian Pallister: I’m learning that your government desires to cut funding to the operating functioning of our universities by 10 to 30%. And I think about the peeling veneers on our shabby but fully …

Kathleen Venema – Letter to Premier Brian Pallister and MLAs

I am deeply concerned about the current government's direction to the administrations of Manitoba's universities to cut costs by as much as 30%.  Linking austerity budget measures to the current COVID crisis makes no economic sense.  University spring courses are currently over-subscribed.  Twice as many students are enrolled as was the case a year ago; …

Melissa Funke – Letter to the Brandon Sun

During these troubled times, as our premier and his fellow PCs look to cut public services further and gut our vital post-secondary institutions, Mr. Pallister and the Conservatives need look no further than Manitoba’s legislative chamber for inspiration to guide them through this challenge. On the right side of the speaker’s chair is a statue …

Anonymous UWFA Member – Letter to Premier Brian Pallister

I am writing to you about the disturbing news of cuts to post-secondary education. While I understand that resources must be prioritized towards the front lines right now, I also think we need to have a province to come back after COVID-19. Students deserve to be respected for their work and to be permitted to …

Sheri-Lynn Skwarchuk and Paul Betts – Letter to Premier Brian Pallister and UW President Annette Trimbee

Good morning! I feel the need to write about this to people who are being asked/told/negotiating/making decisions on our behalf.  We are professors in Education at the University of Winnipeg and Brian Pallister is our MLA. I have heard that our provincial health budget is in excellent shape at the moment due to the low …