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The Edward Schreyer Tribute and the recognition of MLAs from 1969-1977 held on September 23 at the Manitoba Legislature was a highly successful event.
Click here to see the Photographs of the event.
Press Release for Immediate Distribution, September 24, 2009
“It’s wonderful to hear that you and your colleagues have done the right thing”, commented former Premier Edward Schreyer on his government’s implementation of indexing Manitoba teacher pensions in the 1970s. He was the guest of honour, accompanied by former colleagues Sam Uskiw, Saul Cherniak, Ben Hanuschak, and Sid Green. The event, “A Salute to Edward Schreyer”, was a nostalgic occasion Wed. evening, organized by the Retired Teachers Association of Manitoba .
RTAM President Richard Benoit described the impact of the creation of the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) as being of “epic, fantastic, huge importance” to teachers. He underlined this statement by pointing out that the pension of a teacher retiring in 1969 would have the purchasing power of only 50% by 1978 due to inflation. Only the COLA prevented this catastrophic decline from occurring.
Nearly a hundred guests attended the function, including Minister of Education Bjornson, MLAs Drew Caldwell, David Faurschou and Erna Braun. Former MLAs Muriel Smith, Al Mackling and René Toupin also were in attendance.
Mr. Schreyer spoke eloquently on “the obligation of government to do the right thing to bring about more equality of the human condition.” He pointed out the danger of putting all of your eggs in one basket in view of the recent fall in stock market shares. In fact, he stated his belief that government commitments should not depend on the fluctuations of the stock market.
The “walk back in time” was accompanied by many pictures and newspaper articles from the 1970s. The occasion was a festive celebration, thanking all legislators for an action that has helped teachers for some forty-two years.
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