The NDP government recalled the Manitoba Legislature on June 17th for an emergency sitting. The Legislature has been in session since mid-April but because of the late start and because the NDP government is determined to increase the PST from 7%-8% very little of the NDP legislation had passed by June 13th when the session was scheduled to end.
As a result, the NDP used the rules of the Legislature to recall the House this past Monday saying that it was an emergency. The only emergency in the mind of the NDP is they want to pass legislation to take more money out of the pockets of Manitobans through Bill 20 (the Bill that increases the PST from 7% to 8%). In fact nearly 70% of the time that the NDP have asked to have legislation debated over the past two months, they have asked that the Bill that increases the PST be debated. That has been their priority over the past two months and it is their priority in recalling the Legislature.
As Manitoba Progressive Conservative’s we have said very clearly that we will do what we can to prevent the PST bill from passing quickly or easily. We want to ensure that the NDP government and Greg Selinger know that this is a bad decision that will hurt Manitoba families, businesses and the Manitoba economy. We want the NDP to have time to reconsider the decision. And we want Manitobans to remember that the NDP decided to reach into their pockets instead of looking for savings within government.
As Manitoba Progressive Conservative’s we are happy to continue sitting into the summer months because we know that we are doing what is right for Manitoba families. The “emergency” sitting called by the NDP ultimately is a result of their inability to manage the Legislature. They failed to recall the House in the spring at a reasonable time to debate legislation and then they decided to make the legislation that increases the PST their main focus. In doing so the NDP have sacrificed their entire legislative agenda including some Bills that might be supported by the general public.
What has become clear during this legislative session and what will likely become clearer as the Legislature continues to sit through the summer is that the NDP government have grown completely out of touch with the priorities of Manitobans.
Their agenda of higher and higher taxes with few results is not supported by Manitobans. As Progressive Conservative’s we are dedicated to continue to fight for Manitobans during this “emergency” session even when the emergency has been brought on by the NDP itself.
