Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION

City threatens legal action over union's attack ad

The City of Winnipeg has threatened to take legal action against its largest union if it does not immediately stop airing a "false and defamatory" attack ad.

This morning, the City of Winnipeg sent a letter to Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 500 to ask that they immediately stop airing the 30-second ad titled For Sale and "retract the false information." If the union does not comply, the city says it will consider any and all legal action available, including an action for defamation.

The ad features animation that shows the letters of Winnipeg getting chopped up, sucked into a vacuum and sent down a drain. The ad alleges Katz and city council are selling off infrastructure, "want to privatize parks, golf courses and arenas and have sold garbage collection to private companies headquartered in Ontario and the U.S." It erroneously maintains "the city handed management of our water to a company in France." The latter claim appears to be a reference to the city’s sewage-treatment consulting contract with Veolia Canada.

The ad also describes a proposed swap of land below a new fire-paramedic station for three pieces of city property as a council attempt to "sell fire halls to their friends."

The attack ad launched Oct. 31, and CUPE 500's website says the ad will continue to air through November.

CUPE 500 has been contacted for comment.

You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.

Have Your Say

New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.

letters

Make text: Larger | Smaller

LATEST VIDEO

Fire destroys Manitoba Ave home, residents escape

View more like this

Photo Store Gallery

  • Marc Gallant/Winnipeg Free Press. Gardening Column- Assiniboine Park English Garden. July 19, 2002.
  • A gaggle of Canada geese goslings at Woodsworth Park in Winnipeg Monday- See Project Honk Day 05- May 07, 2012   (JOE BRYKSA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)

View More Gallery Photos

Poll

Will you go see the kangaroos at the Australian Outback zoo exhibit?

View Results

View Related Story

Ads by Google