Letter of the day: He made his mark

Posted: 1:00 AM CST Friday, Dec. 17, 2010

With former premier Sterling Lyon's death, we should note the important innovation he introduced to Manitoba social policy, the Child Related Income Supplement, an income tested benefit designed to reduce the depth of poverty for working families with children. Unfortunately, his successors, the Weir, Filmon, Doer and Selinger administrations, did not demonstrate premier Lyon's foresight. They let inflation erode the benefit. The Doer government changed its name to the Manitoba Child Benefit, but only added $5 per month. Lyon's legacy, in this regard, exceeds that of his successors and should not be forgotten.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 17/12/2010 (5755 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

With former premier Sterling Lyon’s death, we should note the important innovation he introduced to Manitoba social policy, the Child Related Income Supplement, an income tested benefit designed to reduce the depth of poverty for working families with children. Unfortunately, his successors, the Weir, Filmon, Doer and Selinger administrations, did not demonstrate premier Lyon’s foresight. They let inflation erode the benefit. The Doer government changed its name to the Manitoba Child Benefit, but only added $5 per month. Lyon’s legacy, in this regard, exceeds that of his successors and should not be forgotten.

Sid Frankel

Faculty of Social Work

University of Manitoba