One of the famous figures of Greek mythology is King Midas. In this legend, King Midas was famous for turning everything he touched to gold. Over the past few weeks, we have seen that NDP leader Greg Selinger has virtually the opposite of the Midas touch as everything he has touched seems to have turned to near disaster.
The first example comes from the new stadium in Winnipeg that is under construction for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the University of Manitoba Bisons. This project should be one that is a rallying point for Manitobans– one that builds excitement and not division. Former Premier Gary Doer was right when he put in place a plan that had the stadium led by the private sector and on its way to widespread public support. And then Greg Selinger became Premier.
Since then the original Gary Doer deal fell apart. After that, Premier Selinger held a news conference and announced another deal, this one involving David Asper. Now, months after construction has begun on the stadium, that deal has fallen apart too. Today, there is a massive hole in the ground at the University for the stadium but no plan on what is going to go in it, what it’s going to cost or who is going to pay for it. And that’s a shame, because it’s a project that should have been a source of public pride, not division, as has happened under Greg Selinger.
Last week, we also learned that many Crocus shareholders still have not received their payout from the failed investment fund. It collapsed years ago when it was under the direction of then Finance Minister Greg Selinger. The money has been tied up for years in receivership and shareholders will get less money back the longer it drags on. This was once a proud investment fund that became insolvent just shortly after Mr. Selinger said it was strong.
Also last week, it was announced that 500 jobs would be lost in Thompson as a result of Vale Inco’s plan to shut down its nickel smelter and refinery. At first Premier Greg Selinger expressed shock and outrage at the announcement. That was of course until it was revealed that he actually had been told about Inco’s plans five years ago and has done nothing to address them since.
And finally, the week ended with Hecla Resort going into receivership after the developer launched a lawsuit against the provincial government. The province put $5.5 million into the project, and the developer alleges it has failed because under Greg Selinger, promises and commitments made to them by former Premier Gary Doer have been broken.
Two failed deals for the stadium, 500 jobs lost in Thompson, Crocus shareholders demanding some closure and a government sponsored resort in receivership. King Midas turned everything he touched into gold. Greg Selinger’s touch seems to have quite the opposite effect.
