Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - June 05, 2012, Winnipeg, Manitoba C M Y K PAGE A4 A 4 WINNIPEG FREE PRESS, TUESDAY, JUNE 5, 2012 TOP NEWS winnipegfreepress. com FUTURE SHOP - CORRECTION NOTICE NEWSPAPER RETRACTION FOR THE FUTURE SHOP JUNE 1 CORPORATE FLYER On the June 1 flyer, page 7, this product: Pioneer VSX- 822- K 5.1 Channel Network Receiver ( WebCode: 10195913) was advertised with incorrect wattage. Please be advised that this receiver in fact has a 700- watt total power rating, NOT 980- watts as previously advertised. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused our valued customers. Auto Auction ft City of WPG Wednesday June 6 6: 15P. M. 7130 Roblin Blvd City of WPG Vehicles sold UNRESERVED - 2008 Crown Vic, 4- 2001 Chev Impalas, 2- 2002 Chev Impalas, 2003 Chev Astro. This sale approx 120 vehicles many safety certified some subject to reserve. Cars and Trucks - 2004 Gmc Envoy Sle, 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis Ls, 2000 Volvo V40 Wgn, 2002 Buick Century, 2008 Ford F- 350 Sd Lariat Crew Cab, 2003 Nissan Murano, 2003 Ford F- 150 S/ C, 1999 Ford Crown Victoria, 2008 Ford F- 150 Lariat Fx4, 2006 Chrysler Sebring Ltd, 2001 Nissan Pathfinder, 2004 Infiniti G35, 2010 Chevrolet Traverse Ls, 2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Lt, 2006 Jeep Liberty Sport, 2009 Chrysler Pt Cruiser, 2009 Pontiac G6 Se, 2001 Chrysler Pt Cruiser, 2005 Dodge Caravan Sxt, 2004 Chrysler Sebring Lx, 2002 Gmc Jimmy T, 2005 Chevrolet Optra Wgn, 2006 Toyota Yaris, 2004 Pontiac Sunfire Slx, 2001 Ford Windstar, 1995 Gmc Sierra 2500 Diesel, 2010 Chev Equinox Lt, 2003 Hyundai Accent, 2005 Ford Freestyle Sel, 2008 Chevrolet Uplander Ls, 2004 Nissan Pathfinder, 1995 Eagle Talon, 2002 Mercury Cougar Coupe, 1999 Audi A6 Quattro, 2006 Ford Focus Zx4, 2005 Dodge Caravan Sxt, 2003 Nissan Xterra Se Sc, 2004 Kia Sedona Ex, 1977 Ford F- 350, 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara Xl- 7, 1994 Honda Civic Cx, 2008 Ford Crown Victoria, 2001 Ford Explorer Sport. Repossessions - 2000 Jeep TJ Sport, 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser, 2008 Hyundai Tuscon, 2007 Kia Spectra, 2006 Dodge Magnum, 2010 Chrysler Sebring, 2008 Ford F250, 2011 Dodge Gr Caravan. Specials - 2007 Trailsport R- Vision, 1995 Mallard Trailer 24 Ft, Slide- In Camper, Atv, Atv, Atv. Many Vehicles Sold for the Canadian Diabetes Association. Viewing - Wednesday 8 A. M. till Sale Time 300.00 Cash Deposit Required on Vehicles at Time of Purchase. Listing at www. associatedautoauction. com or by Fax Sale Conducted by Associated Auto Auction Ltd. 7130 Roblin Blvd 895- 9790 Toll Free 866- 737- 0944 Only At Auction I T wasn't exactly a rebellion. More like a sudden, somewhat unexpected outburst or a tantrum designed to draw attention. Whatever you want to call it, last weekend's angry rebuke of the governing New Democratic Party executive by rank- and- file members is a strong indication there are rumblings of discontent deep with this party's core. The spat erupted at the NDP's annual general meeting over the party executive's decision to refuse a $ 1.25- per- vote subsidy guaranteed to registered political parties by law. For the NDP, fresh off its fourth consecutive majority, the subsidy works out to be about $ 250,000 per year or nearly $ 1 million between elections. Party members passed motions at the 2011 and 2012 AGMs to continue accepting the subsidy. Despite this, the executive decided to take a pass. This caused several high- profile members to rebuke the executive for disregarding the motions. It also convinced party president Lorraine Sigurdson to resign her post and not run for re- election. " I have to tell you I'm exceedingly pissed off about it," an angry Susan Hart- Kulbaba, a former MFL president, told delegates at the Victoria Inn in Winnipeg. " We don't come here to sit here and make policy and not have it followed." Publicly calling out the executive is humiliating for Premier Greg Selinger, and a strong signal that he may not have control over his party. Still, it's hard to understand how this issue became the spark for this outburst. The subsidy was a compromise when the NDP outlawed union and corporate donations. However, since it was introduced four years ago, the opposition Progressive Conservatives have effectively made the subsidy a political hot potato, decrying it as a misuse of public funds and refusing to accept it. The NDP continued to support the subsidy, defending it during last fall's general election campaign. However, faced with a growing deficit and increasing political pressure to get it under control, Selinger decided now was not the time for the party to continue taking a taxpayer subsidy for election expenses. It was not hard to see the method in Selinger's madness. At a time when he was trying desperately to project an image of austerity, the vote subsidy seemed to be a luxury the taxpayers couldn't afford. Passing on this year's subsidy would in essence take this issue out of the opposition's arsenal. Some high- profile members didn't appreciate the logic. Opinion leaders in the party, including many influential labour leaders, decried this incident as a crime against internal party democracy - even though in most parties, it's accepted that a governing party takes such motions as advice, reserving the right to make the final decision. Those condemning the party executive would have to be pretty naive to think somehow, after 13 years of majority government, the rules of this game have changed. That is, of course, if this was not a calculated naivet� designed to send a message to the top of the NDP hierarchy. The relationship between organized labour and the NDP has been strained lately. Over the past two years, the NDP has asked for and obtained wage freezes from public- sector unions, while at the same time introducing legislation governing public- private partnerships - a real thorn in the side of unions - that did not come nearly close enough to meeting the labour agenda. Labour has been pretty muted in their responses to these issues, but lately there are signs union leaders are losing their patience with this government. Just last week, the Manitoba Federation of Labour announced it would like to see a one- point bump in the provincial sales tax to support infrastructure. It's an idea that is seeing increasing support but it is extremely unpopular in Selinger's office, where there are fears the Tories would use the tax hike to bludgeon the NDP in the next election. Announcing a policy such as that was widely viewed as dirty pool by those NDP partisans in government. What does this mean for Selinger? Condemned to be forever compared to his successful predecessor, Gary Doer, last weekend's shenanigans will do nothing to convince rank- and- file party members that Selinger is worthy of leading this party over the long term. Selinger has recently completely retooled his inner circle, bringing in long- standing confidants and dispatching the last of the Doer loyalists, most notably former chief of staff Michael Balagus. Selinger's decision to part ways with Balagus is material to last weekend's drama. Balagus was a stern - some would say too stern - right hand of the premier who proved his worth in many ways. Not the least of which was his ability to convince dissidents to back away from resolutions that might ultimately embarrass the premier. Perhaps no one, including Balagus, could have talked these dissidents down off this ledge. But it is important to note this was the first party AGM since Selinger effectively asked for, and received, Balagus's resignation. The big question now is whether the dissident factions will continue their spat, allowing it to grow from a rebuke into a full- out rebellion. Either way, Selinger has some work to do before next year's AGM because either he has lost control of some elements within his party, or they have lost their sense of humour about his style of leadership. dan. lett@ freepress. mb. ca PREMIER Greg Selinger played a key role in a decision to ignore a party directive - something that has inflamed rank- and- file members of the NDP. Selinger and three members of his caucus pressed the NDP executive at a special meeting April 26 to disregard the directive to accept a $ 250,000 taxpayer subsidy. A party source said Selinger and MLAs James Allum ( Fort Garry- Riverview), Erna Braun ( Rossmere) and Drew Caldwell ( Brandon East) were among 15 members of the NDP's inner circle to support a motion not to apply for the funding, which is available to all registered political parties. Eight executive members voted against the motion, introduced by Caldwell and Allum, including party president Lorraine Sigurdson. She would resigned from her post four days later. At the NDP's convention in 2011, delegates passed a resolution calling on the party to apply for the subsidy, which was introduced four years ago under the Election Finances Act. The payment was brought in as the province banned corporate and union donations to political parties. However, the provincial Conservatives - terming the subsidy a " vote tax" - have pointedly refused to apply for the cash. And the NDP have followed suit. The NDP provincial executive's decision to ignore a directive from its supreme policy- making body - its annual convention - angered many in the party. At last weekend's NDP AGM, two party stalwarts called the action " shameful." Delegates passed an emergency resolution demanding the NDP accept government funding in the future. According to the party source, Sigurdson, as the executive meeting's chairwoman, initially ruled the April 26 MLA- backed motion defying a convention directive out of order. Her decision was challenged, however, and she was overruled in a vote. The executive then passed the controversial motion. Among the dissenters was Ellen Olfert, who was acclaimed as president, succeeding Sigurdson, at last weekend's convention. The NDP executive includes two spots for caucus members - currently filled by Caldwell and Braun. Allum sits on the executive as the party's past president, while Selinger, as premier, is guaranteed a spot. The premier refused to discuss the April 26 meeting when scrummed by reporters outside the legislature on Monday. He did, however, acknowledge the anger that NDP delegates expressed this past weekend at the executive's decision. " They aired their views. Everybody was there and paid close attention to what their views were. And we respect the process of having that kind of democratic discussion in our party." Last month, the government introduced legislation to scrap the current political party funding model and replace it with one to be devised by an independent commissioner. The bill is expected to pass before the legislature rises later this month. Government House Leader Jennifer Howard said it is clear the old law was not working, as neither of the two major parties applied for funds. The NDP has argued public funding of political parties is necessary to give all a level playing field and to prevent wealthy Manitobans from exerting undue influence on elections. larry. kusch@ freepress. mb. ca Outcry signs of NDP house divided Small issue turns into embarrassment for Selinger Resolution's text Text of the resolution passed at a special NDP executive meeting April 26: " Whereas the provincial executive has been advised the legislation governing party funding will be amended during the spring legislative session; " Therefore be it resolved that the party not apply for funding prior to the passage of the legislation. " Be it further resolved that the party- funding legislation ensure that the annual funding allocation be automatically paid without need of a check- off." By Larry Kusch Selinger pivotal in move to shun party directive DAN LETT OTTAWA, Ont. - A tragic public shooting on the streets of downtown Toronto 6 � years ago helped propel Stephen Harper's Conservatives to power on a law- and- order ticket. A similar, deadly shooting spree over the weekend at Toronto's crowded Eaton Centre has a Conservative cabinet minister touting the " absolutely critical" sentencing reforms his government has enacted, even as experts say the murder illustrates just how useless " tough- on- crime" policies are at preventing crime. One likened the policies to selling " snake oil." The only point of agreement seems to be that the government's toughon- crime message still hasn't seeped through to the criminal mind. Where supporters and critics diverge is on whether it ever will. " The political rhetoric doesn't make sense," says Anthony Hutchinson, a social worker at evangelical Tyndale University College in Toronto who works with gangs and is himself a former gang member of mixed black and south Asian descent. " Basically an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure." Back on Jan. 2, 2006, Harper used the Boxing Day shooting of 15- year- old Yonge Street bystander Jane Creba to press home his Conservative party's agenda. " A Conservative government will crack down on crime," Harper said during a campaign stop in Toronto. " We will act quickly, we will act comprehensively and we will act decisively to fix our criminal- justice system." He was as good as his word. Among the very first pieces of legislation the Conservatives passed after winning the Jan. 23, 2006 election was a bill lengthening mandatory minimum sentences for crimes committed with a handgun. It was the first of many such measures, culminating in March with an omnibus crime bill - optimistically entitled the Safe Streets and Communities Act - that included nine different pieces of legislation. Justice Minister Rob Nicholson touted Bill C- 10 as honouring " a commitment to better protect Canadians." But all those laws did not keep the streets safe Saturday when a gunman opened fire in the food court at the downtown Toronto Eaton Centre, killing one and injuring seven, including a 13- year- old shot in the head. " Some of these people obviously need to be taught a lesson," Julian Fantino, the former Ontario Provincial Police commissioner who now sits in the Harper cabinet, told the Globe and Mail on Monday. " We haven't been able to effectively get their attention. That's why some of some of these sentences, severe sentences and mandatory sentences, are absolutely critical." That the lesson - do the crime, do the time - apparently hasn't sunk in after more than six years of Conservative rule could be construed as an admission of failure. Nicholson declined an interview request Monday but his office, in an email, listed various gun- crime provisions it has enacted and stated " our government has a solid track record when it comes to cracking down on gun crime." John Sawdon, the head of Canadian Training Institute in Toronto, said two gang- exit programs died in February when federal funding dried up. " Dollars continue to go into policing and suppression efforts but less and less funds go into prevention, intervention activities," said Sawdon, whose national voluntary organization provides training and support services for social and criminal justice workers. - The Canadian Press Mall shooting stirs tough- on- crime debate Cabinet minister stresses reforms By Bruce Cheadle TORONTO - An unspecified personal issue apparently sparked the bloody weekend gun rampage that left one man dead and two people badly wounded, including a teen who was shot in the head during a family outing at one of Canada's top tourist spots. A man under house arrest for a previous charge turned himself in to police early Monday and was charged with one count of first- degree murder and six of attempted murder related to the Eaton Centre shooting. The dead man, along with an associate who remained in critical condition with gunshot wounds, belonged to the same gang as the accused, police said. " Regardless, I do not believe this to be a gang- motivated shooting," said Det. Sgt. Brian Borg, the lead investigator. " I believe there's personal aspects involved." Police refused to discuss a possible motive behind Saturday's violence. Wearing a blue hoodie under a grey jacket, Christopher Husbands, 23, appeared briefly in court Monday afternoon as his lawyer tried to cover his face with a notebook. Husbands, who was remanded in custody until a video appearance Aug. 15, should not have been out of his home at the time of the shooting that sent panicked shoppers scrambling for the exits, police said. Personal, not gang issues, likely deadly spark ' I have to tell you I'm exceedingly pissed off about it. We don't come here to sit here and make policy and not have it followed' - Susan Hart- Kulbaba, a former MFL president Christopher Husbands A_ 04_ Jun- 05- 12_ FP_ 01. indd A4 6/ 4/ 12 10: 24: 35 PM ;