NDP Leader Greg Selinger gave local media a peek at his tax return.
He invited reporters and cameras into his home in St. Boniface to show them his 2014 tax return.
On that year’s return, the Manitoba premier listed his income as $147,375.42.
“There’s a lot of attention around the world right now about transparency with respect to finances for people that are in politics,” Selinger said, referring to recent revelations springing from leaked documents of a law firm in Panama that contain details of offshore financial holdings of wealthy and powerful people around the world.
“I do not have any offshore ownings, no secret accounts anywhere,” he said. “What you see is what you get.”
Selinger said the NDP is checking with members to find out if any of them have offshore accounts. Some members are newcomers who own property in their home countries, he said.
Selinger also challenged other leaders to reveal their incomes.
Liberal Leader Rana Bokhari is the only leader so far to take Selinger up on the offer. The Liberals released a photo of Bokhari’s 2013 T4, which lists her income as $24,584 after deductions.
The Progressive Conservatives responded dismissively, calling Selinger’s move “desperate” and “American-style politics”.
In a news release, they accused Selinger of refusing to be transparent about $670,000 in severance payments given to NDP staffers, or release documents related to the Tiger Dam deal and accusations of conflict of interest with cabinet minister Steve Ashton.
At a news conference, Bokhari said she appreciated Selinger calling the other leaders out, saying she would also like to see Pallister’s tax return.
“I just think that all three leaders do it or not. The premier did it, I have no issue doing it, and I believe that the man that is wanting to be the next premier and is in line to do that should most likely do it.”
CTV has reached out to the Progressive Conservatives for a response but so far have not received a comment.
