Manitoba government adds more money to job program after facing criticism
![Manitoba Legislature The Manitoba Legislature is seen on Sept. 26, 2023. (Image source: Devon McKendrick/CTV News Winnipeg)](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2023/10/3/manitoba-legislature-1-6587778-1696382580095.jpg)
The Manitoba government has partially walked back a funding cut to a provincial summer jobs program after an outcry from community groups.
Municipal Relations Minister Ian Bushie said Wednesday he is adding $300,000 to the Green Team program, which helps non-profit groups and municipalities hire young people in the summer.
The move came weeks after the government cut the program's funding to $5.6 million from last year's $9.6 million, and after Bushie met with a camping association and other groups in recent days.
"Just hearing their concerns and hearing what the real world impacts are, we're looking to support (them) as best we can," Bushie said.
Bushie did not rule out more funding adjustments.
"We're going to continue to have the discussions. And I think there are a lot of folks out there that want to be able to have the chance to share their stories and share their challenges, and we're willing to have those discussions every day."
The $4-million budget cut upset some sports groups, museums, non-profit camps and other groups, who said they were surprised when, after years of getting funding, they were either rejected or given less money this spring.
Baseball Manitoba has said some of the local associations it represents were left without money to fill summer jobs to maintain parks and diamonds.
The Opposition Progressive Conservatives said the extra $300,000 from the NDP government won't go very far and many groups will still be left out.
"A number of my municipalities have reached out to me. Some of them did receive some funding. It was cut in half. Some were cut to actually a third," Trevor King, the Tory municipal relations critic who represents the Lakeside constituency west of Winnipeg, said Wednesday.
King said the Tories will continue to push for the funding to be fully restored to last year's level.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 22, 2024
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6944536.1719570373!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
Debate takeaways: Trump confident, even when wrong, Biden halting, even with facts on his side
Thursday’s U.S. presidential debate was a re-run that featured two candidates with a combined age of 159, but it went especially poorly for one of them, President Joe Biden.
NEW Car thieves tried accessing Ontario transportation ministry database
One of Canada's largest police forces has knowledge of car thieves attempting to breach Ontario's Ministry of Transportation database, CTV News has learned.
What is going on with immigration in Canada? Here's what the data shows
Canada has welcomed more than 3.9 million new citizens since 2005, with nearly one third coming from India, the Philippines or China, according to a CTVNews.ca analysis.
Economy grew 0.3% in April, Statistics Canada reports
Statistics Canada says real gross domestic product grew 0.3 per cent in April, helped by strength in several industries including wholesale trade, mining and oil and gas extraction and manufacturing.
Liberal caucus staying quiet after major byelection defeat that rattled party
Liberal campaign co-chair Terry Duguid insisted Thursday that his caucus is united behind Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, even as the majority of elected Liberals remain silent on the prime minister's political future.
'I am very proud': Manitoba grandfather and grandson graduate high school in same class
A grandfather and grandson duo proudly graduated alongside each other at the same northern Manitoba school.
Buying a car? Why you may have to pay more at some dealers if you use cash
It used to be cash was king and that you could get a better deal if you paid for a car in full, but now many dealers want you to finance your purchase so they can make more money.
Princess Anne leaves hospital after treatment for concussion
Princess Anne has left the hospital and returned to her southwestern England estate after an accident thought to involve a horse left her with a concussion.
FACT FOCUS: Here's a look at some of the false claims made during Biden and Trump's first debate
President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump traded barbs and a variety of false and misleading information as they faced off in their first debate of the 2024 election.