Today the Pallister government suggested that they may introduce a health care premium to Manitoba, imposing a new fee that would be allocated to the health care system.

“Pallister is creating a false choice when it comes to health care,” said Debbie Boissonneault, President of the CUPE Provincial Health Care Council.

“Rather than the false choice between a new fee or cuts, the government needs to do a better job at making sure higher income earners and corporations are paying their fair share into the tax base that supports our health care system.”

The Pallister government has been reeling under growing public criticism of its cuts to health care across the province. Manitobans expect a government to prioritize investments in health care, especially with an aging population.

“Pallister’s health care cuts are reckless, and Manitobans are making it clear that these cuts must stop,” said Boissonneault. “Pallister’s plan for health care premiums is simply an attempt to divert attention away from his cuts, and Manitoban’s won’t fall for that trick.”

The Canadian Union of Public Employees is Canada’s largest union representing more than 643,000 members. In Manitoba, CUPE represents approximately 26,000 members working in health care facilities, personal care homes, school divisions, municipal services, social services, child care centres, public utilities, libraries and family emergency services.