Manitoba NDP MLA’s were doing the best they could at the conclusion of the spring session of the Manitoba Legislature last week to talk about party unity. They were doing all they could to convince Manitobans that they are once again a united team. It didn’t work. Throughout the spring session it was clear that Manitoba’s NDP government is deeply divided and deeply dysfunctional.
The visual signs were there as former senior cabinet ministers literally turned their back to Premier Greg Selinger as he answered questions in the legislature. Other NDP MLA’s shook their heads negatively when their leader answered questions while still others ignored the Premier all together, instead spending their time signing letters. Of course it was expected that there would be some lingering effects from the divisive NDP leadership race which began with five senior cabinet ministers quitting the NDP cabinet saying that Manitobans no longer trusted Premier Greg Selinger.
But the divides were deeper than imagined as several leaks from within the NDP revealed the true dysfunction throughout the NDP government. The most critical was the allegation that two NDP cabinet ministers had attempted to award a $5 million untendered contract without getting either Treasury Board or Cabinet approval. In fact, an announcement about the commitment was made, along with a photo-op, before either Treasury Board or Cabinet approval was given. Both Treasury Board and Cabinet are responsible for ensuring that Manitoba’s tax revenue is spent wisely and that proper procedures are followed. Going around these two processes is a serious matter.
Now the whole mess is being investigated by the Manitoba Ombudsman. It’s just one of several ongoing investigations regarding the NDP. And it reveals not only the deep divide within the NDP government but also how poorly Manitobans are being governed by Premier Selinger and the NDP.
New Legislature Rules
One positive development did come out of the spring session. The legislature approved a new set of rules that will put in place a parliamentary calendar and bring the Manitoba Legislature in line with the majority of legislatures across Canada. Up until now, the sitting schedule of the legislature was a matter of uncertainty as it was left entirely up to the government. That has resulted in the legislature not only sitting fewer days, but in it being called back later and later each spring. In fact, this year the NDP only recalled the legislature at the end of April.
With the new rules and new calendar in place, the legislature will begin future spring sittings at the beginning of March and will sit for at least three months in the fall. It is a step toward making the legislature both more accountable and more professional in its operations.
