Cheers & Jeers
Jeers: to talking out of turn. NAPE president Jerry Earle says he was gobsmacked — and furious — to hear Finance Minister Cathy Bennett speaking openly at a news conference Thursday about specific sticking points like sick leave, shift premium pay and severance as the province negotiates with public sector workers. Earle says Bennett called him 20 minutes before the newser to say she wouldn’t do just that. Governments often like to say they are not interested in bargaining through the media, but in this instance it sounds like precisely what’s afoot. And in contract bargaining etiquette, that’s a big no-no.
Jeers: to too few Good Samaritans. When a Telegram reporter slipped in Pippy Park and was injured one frigid day last week, she was left sitting on a sheet of ice near her car and trying to hang onto her dog on its leash. When a car pulled up she thought for certain the occupants would come to her aid, particularly when she called for help, even just to put her dog in her car. Instead, they drove off. The reporter was eventually taken to hospital via ambulance.
Cheers: to better late than never. The provincial government signalled last week that it will introduce tougher measures to crack down on impaired drivers, including zero tolerance for alcohol for drivers under the age of 22, the roadside impoundment of vehicles and a mandatory ignition interlock program for those convicted of impaired driving. Those latter two actions are already in place in most other provinces. Still, you can’t quibble with anything meant to address what is a very serious issue in this province, and all three political parties endorsed the measures.
Cheers: to open invitations. The Commission of Inquiry Respecting the Death of Donald Dunphy is inviting the public to provide input by submitting written questions on topics that will be discussed at a one-day symposium on Thursday. You can find the details in the Phase 2 section of the inquiry website: www.ciddd.ca Just remember, though, your questions have to be submitted by tomorrow, March 7.
Cheers: to food fights. Dairy producers are frothing over the practice of beverages derived from almond, soy and rice being billed as “milk.” As Jim Mulhern, president of the National Milk Producers Federation, told The Associated Press, “Mammals produce milk, plants don’t.” On the flip side of the argument, in favour of plant-based food and drinks, the Good Food Institute says as long as products make clear what they’re made of, they should be able to call themselves “milk” or “sausage,” whether or not there are dairy cows or meat involved, respectively. Got milk? Obviously it depends on who you’re talking to. You can’t blame industries from trying to protect their turf, though.