Time to bear the cost of Maple Leaf deal
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
We need your support!
Local journalism needs your support!
As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed.
Now, more than ever, we need your support.
Starting at $15.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website.
Subscribe Nowor call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527.
Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community!
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Brandon Sun access to your Free Press subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on brandonsun.com
- Read the Brandon Sun E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
*Your next Free Press subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $20.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 31/05/2012 (5198 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Re: “Helwer Presses Government On EAL Funding” (Brandon Sun, May 29).
As stated, the government of Manitoba said it would protect the school division from any adverse financial impact resulting from the Maple Leaf Foods plant locating in Brandon, but while those promises were good for the time, no one predicted, a “What If” scenario.
While everyone apparently knew that there would be a substantial financial impact, what all the experts and planners alike failed to recognize and take into consideration is:
• What if: The plan to hire the majority of plant workers from the city and surrounding communities did not prove successful? (And in hind sight, we all know it failed.)
• What if: There has to be a concentrated import of workers, from beyond the borders of Manitoba and Canada. (Again in hindsight, that is exactly what has taken place.)
• What if: Appropriate studies were carried out? ( They were not.)
The government(s) of the day were warned at meetings in Brandon, that in no uncertain terms, should the Maple Leaf development proceed without meaningful studies, which could have forewarned the “What-if scenarios” and forecasted the larger anticipated financial impacts for the school requirements.
Sitting in opposition, Brandon West Progressive Conservative MLA Reg Helwer has a position to question the government on their shortcomings, but in perfect hindsight and what-if scenarios, I also believe he has to accept that there were many things that should have been done, and done much better, in this development, that he now criticizes. Yes, even when the Filmon Conservative government was in power.
In conclusion, Maple Leaf got a great deal from Brandon and the Manitoba government. Now, the people of the province — one way or another — will have to bear the cost.
John Fefchak
Virden