Finance Minister Stan Struthers says the PST hike is needed to pay for expensive infrastructure upgrades and flood mitigation efforts.
The problem with that political spin is that infrastructure spending is not going up anywhere near the level of the PST hike.
In the 2012 budget, infrastructure spending was pegged at $1.719 billion. That included $580 million for roads and highways and $296 million for universities, colleges and public schools and $59 million for water related infrastructure.
In 2013, infrastructure spending is only projected to go up $80 million to $1.799 billion. That includes $622 million for roads and infrastructure, $228 for universities, colleges and public schools and $48 million for floodway and other water related infrastructure costs.
So most of the PST increase is not going into infrastructure as Struthers claims.
The question is, does Struthers and his boss Greg Selinger really think the public is going to buy this malarkey? And do they believe taxpayers will just lay down and die while the NDP passes a law so that the public doesn’t get to vote on a PST hike anymore?
I think history will show that the NDP has made a catastrophic tactical error here.

Here’s the police report from the April 9th chase:


Air1 became involved and maintained a visual on the suspect vehicle and occupants. The vehicle was eventually observed to stop in the area of the 100 block of Inksbrook Drive at which time the occupants attempted to flee on foot.
 
Due to co-ordinated efforts involving Air1, K9 and patrol units, five individuals were taken into custody.
 
A 40 year old male is facing the following offences: Flight from Police Officer and (HTA) Drive while Disqualified.
 
Kendra SINCLAIR, 23 years has been charged with the following offences due to her alleged involvement and detained: Public Mischief.
 
Cameron BONHAM, 36 years has been charged with the following offences due to his alleged involvement and detained: Possessing Controlled Drug or Substance (Methamphetamine), Obstruct/Resist Peace Officer and Breach Probation. 
 
Two other occupants are not facing charges at this time.

In 2012, Air 1 was directly responsible for the arrest of 185 suspects, in addition to its many other functions, including assisting ground patrols with crime scene investigations, arriving first at crime scenes to identify possible suspects — or sometimes to call off ground patrols who are redeployed — helping locate missing persons with mental illnesses like Alzheimer disease and providing back-up to ground patrols by illuminating crime scenes or areas of disturbance.
Here are some examples from Air1’s 2012 annual report:

Operational Highlights

STOLEN VEHICLE – ARRESTS
On February 23, 2012 at approximately 2:30 am a patrolling East District police unit observed a stolen vehicle proceeding southbound on Lagimodiere Boulevard at Dugald Road.
A number of police units including the Canine Unit and AIR1 responded to the area to assist. In a coordinated effort lead by the Tactical Flight Officer in AIR1, the stolen vehicle was tracked within the 1400 block of Regent Avenue West. After a brief foot chase took place, all 5 suspects were taken into custody without incident.
All 5 suspects were charged with the following offence:
Possession of Goods Obtained by Crime.

ASSAULT WITH A WEAPON
On February 18, 2012, at approximately 9:50 pm, numerous police resources, including members of the Flight Operations Unit AIR1, responded to a stabbing incident in the area of the 100 block of Aikins Street.
The investigation revealed that the suspect produced a knife and stabbed the victim to the upper body, after which he fled the area on foot.
AIR1 attended to the area within seconds and located the suspect as he fled the scene to an address on Flora Avenue. As a result of coordinated efforts, the suspect was taken into custody and arrested.
The suspect was charged with the following offences:
Assault with a Weapon
Breach of Probation
Fail to Comply with Condition Undertaking

TRAFFIC PURSUIT INVOLVING AIR1
On May 4, 2012, at approximately 5:00 am, Uniform Patrol members observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed in the area of Roblin Boulevard near Assiniboine Park. As a result, officers attempted a traffic stop, however, the vehicle fled from police at a high rate of speed.
Members of the WPS Flight Operations Unit, AIR1 were requested and immediately responded to the area. The suspect vehicle continued to flee from police, having no regard for public safety. With AIR1 assuming control of the pursuit, ground units attempted to deploy two tire deflation devices, however the suspect vehicle continued to
evade officers.
Due to the coordinated efforts of AIR1 and Uniform Patrol members, the suspect vehicle was successfully tracked to the area of Lee Boulevard and Shore Street.
The suspect was charged with the following offences:
Dangerous Operation –
Motor Vehicle Flight from Police Officer

ROB PERSON
On November 3, 2012, at 2:00 am, the victim was in the vicinity of the convenience store in the 800 block of Ellice Avenue. At this time the accused confronted the victim and pulled out a knife in a threatening manner. The accused subsequently fled the area but was immediately located by members of the Flight Operations Unit. With direction
from the Tactical Flight Officer, the armed suspect was safely taken into custody.
The accused was charged with the following offences:
Possession of Weapon for Dangerous Purpose
Minor Consume

GARAGE BREAK-IN & DAMAGE
On May 16, 2012 at approximately 2:57 am members of the Winnipeg Police Service attended to the area of
the 100 block of Arrowwood Drive North regarding a break-in to a garage. The suspect had committed numerous thefts and damages at multiple locations.
AIR1 was the first unit in the area and completed a search, locating the suspect attempting to evade officers by climbing on the roof of a house. With the assistance of the Canine Unit, the suspect was taken into custody and charged with the following offences:
Break and Enter commit indictable offence
Mischief Under $5000 X 3
Possess Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000
Fail to Comply with Recognizance X 2

DRUG ARRESTS
On June 29, 2012, at approximately 12:06 am, members of the Winnipeg Police Street Crime Unit became involved in a Controlled Drug and Substance Act search warrant in the 600 block of Langside Street. The warrant was executed with the assistance of the Tactical Support Team and AIR1. Thirteen individuals were located in the
residence and detained as a result of the investigation. One individual attempted to evade officers by climbing out
a third story window and hiding on the rooftop. Members of the Flight Operations Unit immediately observed the suspect attempting to escape and alerted the officers on scene who were able to take the suspect into custody.
The fleeing suspect along with four other co-accused, were charged with the following offences:
Possessing Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking
Possess Proceeds of Crime

COMMERCIAL ROBBERY
On July 22, 2012, at approximately 1:55 am, members of the Winnipeg Police Service responded to the area of the 1000 block of Henderson Highway for the report of a commercial robbery of a convenience store.
Responding General Patrol Officers, a Canine Unit and the Flight Operations Unit immediately flooded the area.
With the assistance of the Canine Unit, a preliminary direction of travel was determined. Members of AIR1 began
to scan ahead, and quickly located the suspects attempting to flee the area.
Both suspects were charged with the following offence:
Robbery

COMMERCIAL BREAK AND ENTER
On August 18, 2012, numerous resources of the Winnipeg Police Service were dispatched within the East District Area in regard to three consecutive commercial break and enters in the area of Nairn and Archibald.
At 3:57 am, a fourth commercial alarm came in the 200 block of Riverton. Within seconds, AIR1 arrived overhead and located the suspect fleeing the scene. Members of the flight crew continued to track the suspect while co- coordinating units into the area. With the assistance of the Canine Unit, the suspect was taken into custody.
Further investigation linked the suspect to all four of the incidents.

STABBING ARREST
On October 15, 2012, at approximately 12:00 am, members of the Winnipeg Police Service responded to the area of the 1800 block of Midmar Avenue for the report of a stabbing.
Attending members located an 18 year old male with injuries to his upper body.
The attending Canine Unit along with members of the Tactical Support Team began tracking the suspect from the scene. As a result of the Canine Unit’s direction of travel, members of the flight crew located the suspect further ahead hiding in a yard beneath a picnic table. Between the combined efforts of units, the suspect was safely taken into custody without incident.
The suspect was charged with the following offences:
Aggravated Assault
Possession of Weapon for Dangerous Purpose
Fail to Comply with Condition of Recognizance X 4.

MAJOR INDUSTRIAL FIRE
On October 1, 2012, at approximately 5:40 pm, emergency personnel responded to a business located in the area of Nicolas Avenue and Marion Street as a result of a fire incident.
AIR1 assisted the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) with on scene aerial support. AIR1 provided vital information to both police units and fire crews on the ground. The video AIR1 obtained was later provided to the WFPS for follow-up action as well as a measure for future operational deployments and training.

DRUGS
On November 12, 2012, at approximately 10:15 pm, members of the Winnipeg Police Service attended to the area of the 400 block of Maryland Street regarding a male wanted by police.
Attending members observed a male fleeing the area which resulted in the deployment of AIR1 and the Canine Unit.
AIR1 located the suspect fleeing the area and directed uniform members along with the Canine Unit until which time the suspect was apprehended. During the attempt to flee, the suspect was observed by AIR1 discarding evidence pertinent to the investigation. With the direction of the flight crew, ground officers were able to return to the area
and recover all the evidence.
The suspect was charged with the following offences:
Possessing Controlled Drug or Substance (Cocaine)
Possessing Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking (Cocaine)
Breaching Conditions of his Supervision Order X 2.

IMPAIRED DRIVER
On November 29, 2012 at 2:55 am, members of the Flight Operations Unit observed a vehicle operating in an erratic manner in the 2100 block of McPhillips Street. The vehicle was subsequently observed to narrowly avoid striking pedestrians and eventually struck a light standard head on. With direction from the flight crew, uniformed officers attended and stopped the vehicle, at which time the driver was found to be impaired.
The accused was charged with the following offences:
Impaired Driving – Motor Vehicle
Failure to Provide Breath Sample
Drive While Disqualified

STOLEN VEHICLE
On December 10, 2012, at approximately 1:00 am, Uniform Patrol members were dispatched to the area of the 700 block of Nassau Street after Flight Operation Unit members observed a suspicious vehicle.
Initially, AIR1 observed the vehicle being operated in a suspicious manner while driving up and down several back lanes in the area. A short time later, the suspect vehicle collided with a parked car subsequently fleeing the area.
While Uniform Patrol members, including members of the Canine Unit, were attending to the area, AIR1 continued to follow the fleeing vehicle to the 300 block of Maplewood Avenue.
With support from AIR1, Uniform Patrol members and members of the Canine Unit, two suspects were taken into custody. Further investigation confirmed that the vehicle had been recently stolen from the Riverview area.
The suspects are facing the following charges:
Motor vehicle theft
Failure to remain at the scene of an accident and exchange particulars
Drive without a licence (HTA).

Assiatnce to OUTSIDE AGENCIES
AIR1 worked closely with a number of internal and external stakeholders, both operationally and in training. AIR1
worked closely with other provincial bodies and police agencies including the Brandon Police Service, Morden Police Service, RCMP and Manitoba Finance Special Investigations. As well, AIR1 worked closely with the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service on several occasions.

It’s not just the money, obviously. The emotional letdown Jets fans felt this past week goes far deeper than that. The NHL’s return to the ’Peg last year was the single, best thing to happen to Winnipeg in decades.
So when your team lets you down as badly as the Jets did on Thursday and Friday, it’s a real kick in the gut. It hurts.
That came to a head Friday at MTS Centre when fans booed their heroes at the end of the first period after falling 2-0 to the Capitals. They booed them again at the conclusion of the game — a 6-1 drubbing — as Jets players walked back to their dressing rooms.
It’s tough to blame the fans for their negative reaction. The Jets were god-awful — from broken down special-team units, a woeful lack of team intensity and consistent inability to win battles for loose pucks to an utter breakdown of both defensive and offensive coordination.
It wasn’t a pretty picture.
But I still don’t get the booing part.
Do people who boo their team think it’s going to make them play better? I don’t think it does. Human nature would dictate that it just makes players feel like crap.
Do fans who pay as much as $200 a ticket have a right to boo when their team sucks? Of course they do. They pay the freight and they can yell out whatever they want.
But are they booing to make themselves feel better or do they think it will have a positive impact on the team?
Maybe they should think about that.
Go Jets.