Protesters call attention to photo radar tickets
Approximately 30 Winnipeggers gathered at the intersection of Grant Avenue and Nathaniel Street to protest the use of photo radar cameras, which they claim to be a “scam,” the Winnipeg Free Press reported.
The protest was organized by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF), which has compiled over 700 complaints from alleged speeders. Each protester had received fines for speeding near the intersection and felt they had been wrongly accused.
“We’ve had photo radar for 10 years and we’ve never had so many people question the accuracy of the technology at one particular location,” Colin Craig, prairie director of the CTF, told the Free Press.
Protesters said they feel the radar is inaccurate due to the abundance of large metallic objects on a service road near the intersection, such as bus shacks and light standards, that can skew readings.
NDP leadership candidate would reverse wheat board decision
One NDP leadership hopeful has pledged to undo the decision to end the Canadian Wheat Board’s monopoly, according to CBC News.
Brian Topp has said he would attempt to restore the Wheat Board’s power if elected as leader of the NDP, but noted it may not be an easy undertaking because of provisions in the North American Free Trade agreement.
“It is worth testing it and it highlights that one of the conversations that we likely need to have with our American friends is whether that’s really a reasonable provision to have in our trade agreements,” Topp told reporters, adding that he felt the deal needed to be revised.
The monopoly of the Canadian Wheat Board is set to end Aug. 1, once legislation comes into effect.
Taxpayer watchdog calls for Human Rights museum costs to be made public
The prairie division of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling for the disclosure of the costs to build the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, reported the Winnipeg Sun.
Officials behind the project announced the cost to complete the facility had risen by over $40 million, bringing the price tag for the museum to $351 million, on Dec. 23. However, an additional $6.5 million is needed to complete a temporary gallery and lecture hall, which wasn’t factored in to the previous estimate.
Colin Craig, prairie director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, criticized the museum for not being upfront about these additional costs.
“They should be straight up with everyone and shouldn’t hide the figures,” he told the Sun.
A spokesperson for the museum explained that the $6.5 million wasn’t factored into the revised costs because the funds are slated for projects scheduled to be built after the museum opens.
