Category: Manitoba Budget

Manitoba Budget

WINNIPEG, TREATY 1 – Manitoba’s largest labour union says while the 2026 Manitoba budget hit the target, it’s still far from a bullseye.

A glaring omission from the budget is the continued refusal to legislate staffing levels for health care support workers in personal care homes.

“One nurse to fifty patients is unacceptable, but nurses aren’t working alone; health care aides and dietary aides are doing hands-on patient care every single day and are consistently working short-staffed,” said Margaret Schroeder, President of CUPE 204.

Manitoba Budget

For immediate release March 23, 2026

CUPE Calls on Government to Table Budget That Puts Manitoba Jobs First, Strengthen the Care Economy

WINNIPEG, TREATY 1 – Manitoba’s largest labour union has released five key budget priorities it hopes to see reflected in this week’s provincial budget.

“CUPE represents public-sector workers across Manitoba,” said Gina McKay, President of CUPE Manitoba.

Manitoba Budget

WINNIPEG, TREATY 1 – Manitoba’s largest union is pleased to see the NDP government’s Budget 2025 take new steps to strengthen public services as part of the province’s fiscal plan to meet the moment in Manitoba. This budget serves as a clear contrast to the cuts to programs and services in the United States.

Childcare

On February 11, CUPE Manitoba President Gina McKay presented a number of CUPE priorities to the Manitoba Minister of Finance during the government’s budget consultation.
McKay highlighted the importance of investing in good Manitoba jobs, bringing services and work back in-house from the previous government's privatization, and rejecting continued privatization of public services.

Childcare

Winnipeg, Treaty 1 – Manitoba’s largest union is applauding the NDP government’s first budget, which should help address chronic understaffing in healthcare, childcare, municipal services, and education.
“Hiring 600 health care aides will help fill the staffing holes created by the previous government”, said Gina McKay, President of CUPE Manitoba. “We hear every day from health care support staff across Manitoba who are calling for backup, and now the help is coming”.

Manitoba Budget

WINNIPEG, TREATY 1 – Manitoba’s largest union is not convinced that Premier Heather Stefanson’s provincial budget is anything more than an attempt to bury the harm the conservatives have caused to public services in Manitoba.

“After two terms of active attacks on public services, the Conservatives think that they can buy themselves the next election,” said Gina McKay, President of CUPE Manitoba.

Childcare

WINNIPEG – The 2022 Manitoba budget continues to put public services at risk, says CUPE Manitoba.

“Manitobans expect to see a budget that protects the public services they rely on,” says
Gina McKay, President of CUPE Manitoba.  “This government continues to cut taxes for ideological reasons rather than fully supporting our schools and health care facilities.

Long Term Care

Winnipeg – Today the Manitoba Government announced new funding towards staffing in long-term care facilities, but fails to address systemic staffing shortages for Manitoba’s care homes, according to CUPE.

“While we welcome additional funding for long term care staffing, the government has missed this moment in time to address systemic staffing shortages across long-term and seniors’ care” said Gina McKay, President of CUPE Manitoba.

Childcare

The Manitoba Throne Speech offers little reassurance that the provincial government will support public education and child care, says the Canadian Union of Public Employees.

“With the elimination of the education property tax, we are concerned that the government will resort to school cuts, especially under the auspices of the K-12 review,” said Abe Araya, President of Manitoba.

About Us

BRANDON – Delegates at the 2019 CUPE Manitoba Convention in Brandon elected Abe Araya as President of the province’s largest union. Abe Araya comes from CUPE Local 110, representing custodians, maintenance, and painters at the Winnipeg School Division.

“Our union is focused on fighting back against cuts to health care, education, social services, and privatization,” said Araya.