What $11.5 Million Dollars Sounds Like

Moving quickly to the recent grab for federal money surrounding child care and early child development the Manitoba government was one of the first provinces to sign in.

Because of Gary Doer's lust for federal funds in any flavour he fit all to nicely on the lap of minister Ken Dryden. Doer's view from the lap was unveiled today, as his Family Services and Housing Minister Christine Melnick announced $11.5 million dollars for child care workers and the like. The deal will increase wages and benefits to workers in this field and will try to support them in areas of training and campaigning.

"By educating more workers, covering tuition fees for students and attracting former child-care staff back to the field, we will maintain our status as a leader in early child-care development," Melnick said. Translated, that means they have dug their heals in the sand for the next round of provincial to federal panhandling expected sometime next year.

Manitoba's cut in the initial $5 billion was $175 million. Not much when it is measured up to the cross-country offering, and even less when thinking about today's announcement.

However that initial $11.5 million has a very distinctive sound to it.

The federal "hound dog" has rolled over to reveal another monetary 'tit' for its' provincial pups to begin sucking. That sound is the Manitoba Government and General Employees Union (MGEU) latching on and sucking away.

The MGEU and CUPE have long argued that federally subsidized child care was needed while quietly whispering about the opportunities associated for themselves. These two groups have seen what Quebec spends annually on their system and done the math. Union math is always the same equation, more members equals more money equals more power, carry the two and down with capitalism. What's funny about this (and not Rick Mercer funny) is they always hide this equation under a blanket and whisk it by the public while screaming "won't somebody please think about the workers!".

Let's call a dollar bill a dollar bill. The unions enjoy their money and power as much as a capitalist. The only difference being honesty. Greed is the motive of the capitalist while the union claims its' only concern is the worker.

While on the topic of honesty and as a last point let's not forget about the stay at home Moms and Dads. To them $11.5 million sounds like the start of $175 million being drawn from their pockets with nothing in return except another piggy back rider to carry along.