Who’s Paying For Family Feud?

The NDP family feud which is now entering its fourth month continues to be both a cost and an embarrassment to Manitobans. The embarrassment is obvious but the costs are not always as easy to see.

One cost was revealed last week when it was discovered that Premier Greg Selinger’s former chief of staff was paid a severance of $146,047. This after having been in the position for only a couple of years and having left the job when the mutiny against the Premier was beginning. This has not been the only staff person who has left the NDP government in this time of turmoil. Several have either quit or gone on a leave of absence to support other NDP leadership candidates.

Some of these positions have been left vacant, with the job not being filled. Some of the positions have been filled with one or sometimes two new individuals coming in with high salaries and, presumably, high severance payouts depending on how the leadership contest ends.

The cost of new staff and severance for outgoing staff is picked up by the taxpayer. None of the NDP leadership candidates seem to feel this is anything other than business as usual. Even the fact that there are jobs that are not being filled raises questions. Is there work not being done or were those positions not really necessary to begin with?

Manitoba Progressive Conservative’s have asked each of the NDP leadership candidates to tell Manitobans which political workers are away from their jobs to work on their leadership campaigns and which other severance packages have been paid out. So far there has been no response. However, one media outlet did ask Mr. Selinger whether there were other large severance packages that have been paid for by the taxpayers. His response was that we would have to just wait and see. That answer will bring no comfort to anyone.

The costs associated with the NDP family feud just keep adding up. No doubt in the weeks and months ahead we will hear of more people coming and going from government as a result of the turmoil and it will all come with a financial cost. And those costs may be small when compared to what the entire mess has cost Manitoba in uncertainty and disruption, which can impact the economy and jobs.

And just as concerning for Manitobans, it doesn’t look like there will be much positive change after the March 8th NDP vote as each of the leadership candidates have pledged to carry on much as before if they win. That means it may be another year before Manitobans have their say on the need for change. And that say will come at the ballot box.