Manitoba MLA’s returned to the legislature Monday for the resumption of the session and it was clear from the beginning that the NDP government was adrift in the wake of Gary Doer’s decision to resign as Premier for a post as Canada’s ambassador to the United States.
The three declared leadership candidates for the NDP all resigned their cabinet positions meaning the legislature reopened with an interim Finance Minister, an interim Minister of Competitiveness and an interim Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs. On the first day a question was asked to the Interim Minister of Finance (Rosann Wowchuk) about why the province’s first quarter financial report showed a significant deficit. She responded by saying the report was only a projection of the future even though it is actually a report on the past performance, not a projection of the future.
Further evidence that the decision by the Premier has left the NDP government drifting like a rudderless ship was found in the decision of the Minister of Justice to postpone a promised strategy to fight gangs in the province. He indicated he was unable to deliver on the promised plan because he was busy with the legislature and “other stuff.” Of course, all the NDP members of the legislature have been busy declaring their support for various leadership candidates and spending time trying to get their chosen replacement for Gary Doer elected.
And while they are busy playing politics, Manitoba Progressive Conservatives are trying to get answers to questions related to the province’s H1N1 preparedness plans, the potential for a Harmonized Sales Tax, support for the livestock industry in Manitoba, crime reduction strategies and a number of other significant issues.
On Tuesday there was an emergency debate regarding the possible end of Greyhound bus service in the province which will leave many people unable to access medical appointments in Winnipeg. It will also impact many students, seniors and Manitoba employees of the company. Greyhound has indicated that it has been trying to meet with the province to discuss the restrictive provincial regulations which are making bus operation difficult, but have not been able to get a meeting with provincial officials. This once again leads to the question of who is running the government while the NDP focus on their leadership problems.
Mr. Doer’s sudden announcement that he was stepping down from the position as Premier caught many Manitobans by surprise and it is clear that it caught the NDP party by surprise as well. However, there is still a responsibility to remain focused on the issues that are important to our province. Manitoba Progressive Conservative’s are focused on the real priorities of our province, even as the NDP government is consumed with its own internal challenges.
