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Send Harper a message, win $100!

Want to give Harper a piece of your mind, and possibly win $100?!

Ottawa (02 March 2012) - The National Union of Public Employees (NUPGE) is providing another opportunity for Canadians to win $100 by telling Stephen Harper what they think!

In the second round of the All Together Now! campaign "Send Harper a Message", the public is encouraged to write Harper a letter telling him why they believe it is important that he meet with the premiers and negotiate a new deal for the Canada Health Transfer (CHT) and the Canada Social Transfer (CST).

The CHT and CST will expire in 2014. We need the public to pressure the government to stop making unilateral declarations and instead work cooperatively with the premiers to negotiate a new deal for these transfers. These transfers are important to ensure all Canadians have equal access to quality health care, education and social services. These public services are also the foundation of a modern, competitive economy because they help ensure a healthy, educated and productive workforce.

We know Canada can afford to significantly increase funding for these transfers. Canada doesn’t have a deficit problem; it is in the best fiscal shape of the entire G8. We don’t have a spending problem; total government spending as a share of GDP has declined every year since 1992. If this government fixed the tax fairness problem, finding the money to invest in these essential public services would be clear. If the government put Canadians' priorities first -  health care, education and social services - rather than fighter jets, mega prisons and political slush funds for Conservative ridings (G20), Canada would be able to maintain and increase these transfers.

People can find information to help construct their letter on the All Together Now! website

All letters will be sent to Prime Minister Harper, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty as well as the appropriate provincial premier and finance minister.

Then, once the letter is on its way, names will be entered into a random monthly draw for $100.

During the first round of the "Send Harper a Message: Win $100" contest, hundreds of letters were sent to Harper about the importance of protecting and enhancing public services and the need for a fair tax system.

NUPGE

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE