The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Although Manitoba has a major crime problem, provincial government agencies have been busy handing out knives. Yes, knives were among the long list of items handed out as Òpromotional materialÓ by arms-length government agencies. Lip balm, manicure sets, golf balls, BBQ sets, clocks, fleece jackets, golf shirts, bouncy balls, coolers, stress balls and laser engraved stainless steel soap dispensers are some of the other items that provincial agencies are busy handing out, all in the name of ÒpromotionÓ. It hasnÕt been cheap. According to documents obtained by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) through freedom of information requests, government agencies have spent over $4.1 million on promo items in the past four years alone. That doesnÕt even include provincial departments or the MLCC. While some agencies have suggested the ÒneedÓ to promote their operations with such trinkets, it cannot be ignored that most agencies and crown corporations operate as monopolies. Like it or not, Manitobans can only buy car insurance from MPI. Similarly, regional health authorities have a virtual lock on health care services. Given their ÒcaptiveÓ audiences, it begs the question why taxpayer and ratepayer dollars are being used in this manner. If you received an MPI stress ball, would that really encourage you to go out and buy more car insurance? Would a golf shirt from the Manitoba Gaming Control Commission encourage you to keep on complying with their rules? Not likely. Most Manitobans would rather pay less in rates and taxes than have the off chance of receiving a sleeve of government golf balls. After all, isnÕt that why the government has granted these agencies monopolies in the first place Ð to provide services at low rates? While most of the $4.1 million appears to be unnecessary, it should be noted that not all of it appears to have been ÒwastedÓ. Within the mix of promo items were some safety-type products and even some educational products for children. Further, few Manitobans would object to buying Ôdime a dozenÕ pens and placing an agencyÕs logo on it. Unfortunately, BBQ sets and t-shirts appear to have trumped the more legitimate purchases. If ratepayer and taxpayer dollars are being used for these products, itÕs easy to imagine what else is being purchased. ItÕs time to use those government promo knives to begin cutting away waste. ItÕs time to use those government promo knives to begin cutting away waste.
