Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - May 29, 1997, Winnipeg, Manitoba Winnipeg free May a9 Why is Unity a hot election Issue was it voters or politicians who pushed it into to three category by Paul Samyn election reporter As a Campaign Chicken and egg its a did the party leaders Start talking about National Unity because it was a big Issue with voters or did National Unity become a big Issue because of All the talk on the Campaign Trail about the country future As two free press Campaign polls make it was the constitutional chatter that stirred the Issue that has risen to become one of the top three concerns of Manitoba in the probe research Survey con ducted during the first 10 Days of the National Unity was but a mild irritant on the body politic com pared to the concern about keeping the country together even took a backseat to keeping floodwaters out of your National Unity was Only mentioned As a voter con Cern 11 per cent of the but that was before former parti quebecois Leader Jacques Parizeau Book came out that revealed his fast track plan to and before Preston Manning and the reformers hatched a Campaign strategy to push the National Unity hot the resulting Finger pointing and controversy Over an in you face to and Reform launched has come to dominate the pushing jobs to the nation Al Unity has doubled in importance for cited by 22 per cent of those polled by far the biggest jump of any analysis while Reform is Quick to deny being the midwife of the campaigns cause the issues new profile has been very Good to Manning and his not Only is Reform support up seven Points to 21 per cent among Manitoba but mannings Hartline position on Quebec and push for Equality Over distinct society has struck a while 32 per cent of Manitoban think the liberals would be the Best at dealing with National Unity and Quebec Reform is jumping up to 11 per cent from six per cent on the last despite the polls some Vot ers interviewed yesterday Are not swayed by All the talk about National Ralph who said he intends to vote Liberal in his Winnipeg South said he was sceptical that National Unity was having much effect on Winnipeg Ive noticed that a lot of politicians have been talking about but i dont know anyone who is talking about Fleming National Unity is but there Are other said Delia who lives in Winnipeg Centre and said she is an undecided health care is important jobs and the in not National Unity is but there Are other health care is and the in not sure National Unity is As important As they say it Delia an undecided voter in Winnipeg Centre sure National Unity is As important As they say it Jennette Mcallison had stronger i dont like it that National Unity has become a big said Mcalli a Charleswood Assiniboine Resi Dent who intends to vote they should be talking about other things such As social services and maybe the liberals Are ahead because nobody is really talk ing about what is University of Manitoba constitutional Law professor Bryan Schwartz said it is ironic National Unity has become an Issue with voters because theres been Little More than rhetoric on it from the Schwartz said there has been Little in the Way of detailed proposals and thoughtful i wish the idea of National Unity would go away too but the fact is it is there and we have to talk about yet the free press polls also make Clear that nip Leader Alexa Mcdonough is right when she said its about jobs were the main concern in the first poll and have even increased a Point to reach 57 per cent in the most recent probe research As the Campaign Heads into the final dont expect much to despite Mcdonough plea and poll results indicating Manitoban and canadians primary concern is National Unity will continue to the politicians May even be Able to push the Issue higher in the polls before june but in doing May lower their own standing in the eyes of National Unity is an elite preoccupation of journalists and University of Saskatchewan political scientist David Smith it turns the Public off leaders and makes politics seem More Orrele no count on Gene 310 Donald 9423682 get going again with re ii a i mattress top v Muty Price cuts out the i i i i i i i i 895 Century St 7865400 622 Dakota 2572337 the Liberal government Cut the health care you rely on by when they ask for your ask them the Council of canadians standing on guard for Canadas social programs 18003877177 the government of Canadas restart program is helping your Community recover from the red River since this program was announced last close to flood affected farms and Norfo profit organizations have registered for in initial 4 thousands More farms and no for profit organizations Are what to do Call or visit our Federal business restoration office 18886772525 look for our government of Canada teams visiting your Community Over the next Days and weeks watch for your Cheque within five working Days Start planning for the future million in Federal assistance the government of Canada has made million available to Manitoban through the restart program above and beyond the million Advance to the disaster financial assistance Federal business restoration office Cargill building 822240 Graham Avenue 204 9841533 Winnipeg toll free 18886772525 8 am to 8 pm weekdays 8 am to 5 pm saturdays information about How to Register is also available at the we web site c Western economic diversification Canada Canada silk and Wool blend specially priced for fathers save on select sport dress shirts and neckwear save w i n on All Spring sportswear the ultimate round of Golf a trip to Royal Andrews in Scotland or a set of custom fitted jazz fat cat Golf clubs tip top now til fathers Une 1sth off original Prit ;