Higher subsidies for political parties among changes in Manitoba omnibus bill
Manitoba's NDP government is looking to increase publicly funded rebates for political parties and candidates.
The measure is part of an 89-page omnibus budget bill put before the legislature Monday. It would boost rebates so parties and candidates would get 50 per cent of their eligible election spending reimbursed, up from 25 per cent.
Finance Minister Adrien Sala said the move will ensure money is not a barrier for people who want to run for office.
"That measure will help to ensure that anyone who wants to participate in our democracy has the ability to do so," Sala said.
The former Progressive Conservative government had cut the rebate to 25 per cent from 50 per cent.
Former premier Brian Pallister said the rebate was a subsidy for politicians that was unfair to Manitobans. He initially tried to eliminate the rebate entirely but compromised in an agreement with the NDP and Liberals.
Bringing the rebate back up could prove controversial, a political analyst said.
"Rebates back to political parties is a sensitive issue. Some people think they're feathering their own nests," said Christopher Adams, an adjunct professor of political studies at the University of Manitoba.
If the bill becomes law, it would add hundreds of thousands of dollars to party coffers, especially those of the bigger parties.
The NDP spent $1.5 million in last year's provincial election campaign, filings with Elections Manitoba show. The Tories spent $1.4 million and the Liberals spent $138,000.
The omnibus bill contains dozens of other changes, including the elimination of certain debt-reduction targets for Crown-owned Manitoba Hydro that were set by the former Tory government.
Sala said that change will help keep Hydro rates affordable. The NDP promised in the election campaign to freeze Hydro rates for one year but has yet to say when that freeze might occur.
Credit rating agencies have raised concerns about Manitoba Hydro's debt level and have said it exceeds that of similar utilities in other provinces.
The omnibus bill also contains measures the government originally planned to introduce in separate bills, such as a ban on the use of replacement workers during labour disputes and the establishment of a seniors advocate who would report to the legislature.
Wrapping those and dozens of other measures into the budget bill should improve the chances of getting the changes passed into law before the end of the year.
The Tories, now in Opposition, said the government's move was concerning.
"They've had ample opportunity to introduce these bills in a way that would allow them to be considered thoughtfully by both the public and the legislature. And they've failed to do that. Now they're ramming it in," Tory deputy leader Kathleen Cook said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 6, 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ottawa driver who appeared to be racing another vehicle on Highway 416 facing charges
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says an Ottawa driver is facing charges after being caught going 187 km/h on Highway 416.
Helicopter carrying Iran's hard-line president apparently crashes in foggy, mountainous region
A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the country's foreign minister and other officials apparently crashed in the mountainous northwest reaches of Iran on Sunday, sparking a massive rescue operation in a fog-shrouded forest as the public was urged to pray.
Canadian immigration asks medical worker fleeing Gaza if he treated Hamas fighters
Lawyers are questioning Canada’s approach to screening visa applications for people in Gaza with extended family in Canada after one applicant, a medical worker, was asked whether he had treated members of Hamas.
4 homes lost due to wildfire near Fort Nelson, B.C.
A wildfire burning near Fort Nelson, B.C., completely destroyed four homes and damaged six more properties, according to an update from the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality.
Walmart, Costco refusing to sign grocery code of conduct 'untenable': industry minister
Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says it's 'untenable' for 'smaller players' like Walmart and Costco to delay signing on to the government- and industry-led grocery code of conduct, now that industry giant Loblaw has agreed to do so.
VIDEO Born without front legs, this dog has been inspiring the world for 3 years: Dresden farm owner
A sanctuary dedicated to animals with disabilities is celebrating the third birthday of one of its most popular residents.
'A horrible way to start the summer': 3 killed in serious boat crash on lake north of Kingston, Ont.
Three people were killed and five others were injured Saturday night following a boat crash on the Buck Bay area of Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont., the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said.
French security forces work to regain control of airport highway in violence-scorched New Caledonia
Using armoured vehicles and backhoes to shove aside charred barricades, French security forces worked Sunday to retake control of the highway to the international airport in violence-scorched New Caledonia, shuttered because of deadly unrest wracking the French Pacific archipelago where indigenous people have long sought independence from France.
Diddy admits beating ex-girlfriend Cassie, says he's sorry, calls his actions 'inexcusable'
Sean 'Diddy' Combs admitted Sunday that he beat his ex-girlfriend in a hotel hallway in 2016 after CNN released video of the attack, saying in a video apology he was 'truly sorry' and his actions were 'inexcusable.'