MANITOBAN Security Services operating Canada Post resumes funds down since 2021-22 operations after a Milan Lukes, staff neighbourhoods, but we are not immune from crime.” The request for access to information, “total university funds allocated to the university Security Services for each fiscal year to conduct their operations,” indicates that the department has received over $31 million from 2014-24, with a yearly average operating fund of over $2.8 million during that period. A fiscal year at the university is a 12-month period that runs from April 1 to March 31. Security Services strives to “[support] a safe environment in which members of our community can live, work, study and enjoy life at the University of Manitoba,” according to their website. The department is responsible for leading safety initiatives on campus, such as
responding to reports of suspicious people and vehicles on campus, medical emergencies and safety and security alarms. Other responsibilities include assisting with unscheduled door openings, assisting Parking Services and offering safe walks and safe rides — a free service in which staff will meet and walk with you or provide a ride to and from your car, class, residence room or bus stop. Operating funds for Security Services was lowest during the 2016-17 fiscal year at $2,521,668 and was highest from 2021-22 at $3,275,933 — a 19.3 per cent increase from the previous fiscal year. Perrier indicated that expenses each year fluctuate for several reasons, with Cont’d p. 3 / primary
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perating funds of the university’s Security Services show an increasing trend over the past decade from 2014-24, according to records obtained under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Despite the trend, since 2021-22, funding for Security Services has been on the decline, decreasing by $178,688 — or 5.5 per cent — to $3,097,245 for the 2023-24 fiscal year. Director of U of M Security Services Gordon Perrier stated that “reported crime levels on campus have remained stable over the last decade and a variation in expenses does not correlate with a decrease in safety. We have very robust security services in comparison to any other Winnipeg
Government invests in reconciliation effort at U of M Iyanda Ajuwon, staff
News
tion Barometer project.” The Canadian Reconciliation Barometer project, which was launched in 2015, is an online survey designed to engage Indigenous and non-Indigenous individuals across Canada to explore their perspectives on the meaning of reconciliation to them. The primary objective of this initiative is to track the evolving understanding of reconciliation within communities and evaluate the progress toward achieving it. Michael Benarroch, president and vice-chancellor of the U of M, highlighted the importance of the project, stating the significance of actively measuring and tracking the progress of reconciliation and decolonization. “What reconciliation and decolonization means to people can be difficult to measure, but it is essential
4 Editorial
that we track progress — and hold ourselves accountable — which is why today’s funding announcement is so very welcome: The Reconciliation Barometer is a key tool for us all.” The new funding will support the project’s ongoing efforts, including establishing an advisory council of Indigenous Elders and traditional knowledge keepers, fostering community relationships across Canada and creating educational materials to inform Canadians about progress toward reconciliation. St-Onge also emphasized the government’s commitment to enhancing the understanding of reconciliation and its progress. “Our government’s support for the Canadian Reconciliation Barometer project illustrates our commitment to Cont’d p. 6 / continuing
11 Comment
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The Government of Canada has announced an investment of $206,029 in the U of M’s Canadian Reconciliation Barometer project to show its commitment to advancing reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. This funding announcement was made by Terry Duguid, member of Parliament for Winnipeg South, on behalf of the Honourable Pascale St-Onge, minister of Canadian Heritage, on Dec. 13, 2024, during an announcement in the Duff Roblin Building at the Fort Garry campus. Duguid said, “with the important work we have to do in mind with respect to the reconciliation journey, today I am pleased to announce that the Government of Canada will invest more than $206,000 in the Canadian Reconcilia-
month on strike
Services resume nationwide, backlog clearance underway Sylvester Delali Agbado, staff Canada Post workers have returned to work after a fourweek strike which began on Nov. 15, 2024. The strike stopped deliveries nationwide which affected Canadians and numerous businesses. According to CTV News, Canada Post announced that while operations officially resumed on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, it will take additional time to clear the backlog of packages and letters accumulated since the strike began. The Crown corporation stated that it would not receive or pick up new items until Dec. 19, with international mail only being accepted starting Dec. 23. This comes after Steven MacKinnon, Canada’s labour minister, asked the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to order workers back to work if it determined there was an impasse in negotiations. After two days of hearings, the CIRB ruled that the parties were at an impasse. The CIRB ordered employees to return to work and resume postal operations starting at 8 a.m. local time on Dec. 17, 2024. Per reports cited by CTV News, the government has also tasked an industrial inquiry commission to examine the unresolved issues and provide recommendations by May 15 on securing a new agreement whilst existing contracts have been extended to May 22. The inquiry will examine the structure of Canada Post, including its customer and business model, according to the labour minister. The review comes as the organization faces challenges in a competitive market. Since 2018,
Arts & 12 Culture
Canada Post has reported a $3.3 billion loss, attributed to declining letter mail volumes and increased competition in the parcel delivery sector. Canadians have been advised to expect delays in mail and package delivery into January 2025. Canada Post also noted that post office hours may vary during this period as the corporation works to restore operations. Service guarantees will remain suspended as efforts are made to process and deliver the backlog of mail and packages. The corporation emphasized that it will continue to update customers on progress as operations normalize. The restart of operations across the country during the peak holiday shopping season provided relief to Canadians. However, some customers’ trust in the 157-year-old institution has been impacted by the disruption. Jan Simpson, president of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), issued a response to the ruling on behalf of the union’s national executive board. She described the ruling as an infringement on postal workers’ right to strike but stated that the union would continue its efforts to address workers’ concerns. Simpson instructed workers to return to their regular shifts on Dec. 17, as ordered by the CIRB. Additionally, workers have been directed not to interfere with preparations for the resumption of Canada Post operations. The union emphasized its commitment to advocating for workers despite the challenges posed by the ruling.
15 Sports
20
UMSU divided
Talking taboo
Workplace bullying
A prequel-sequel
Basketball greatness
Motion 0633 fails in a tied vote
Our silent obsession with sex
An isolating experience
Yet another live action cash grab
Men’s team shares top spot in their league
January 08, 2025
SINCE 1914
VOL. 111, NO. 17