The Manitoba Progressive Conservative Party held its annual general meeting (AGM) this past weekend in Winnipeg. Several hundred Party members came to the convention and close to 1,000 were on hand for a gala fundraising dinner that capped off the event.
No doubt, many delegates were talking in the convention hallways about the leadership problems that the NDP government is currently experiencing which has led to a number of their cabinet ministers resigning their positions. But those conversations formed no part of the formal agenda of the convention as the PC Party and its MLAs stay focused on the issues that matter most to Manitobans. Those include the fact that Manitobans pay among the highest provincial taxes in Canada, the fact that we continue to pay more taxes and get fewer results under the NDP and the fact that waste and mismanagement in the NDP government are putting at risk our frontline services.
During the convention the PC Party held a number of policy seminars where we discussed with delegates the targets that a Progressive Conservative government would be looking to achieve if elected. These targets dealt with a range of issues including decreases in taxes, decreases in violent crime and more access to medical treatment.
There was a great deal of discussion as to how best to reach these targets and which targets where achievable in what timeframe. Contrast this to how the NDP spent their weekend, discussing whether or not the Premier should be able to stay on the job while he campaigns in a leadership race.
Also during the convention weekend, the PC Caucus unveiled its alternative Throne Speech. While not an election platform, it did include a number of things the PC Party would do if elected government. This includes cancelling the wasteful west side Bi-Pole III Hydro Transmission line and building it on the east side of Lake Winnipeg as Hydro has always recommended. This would save billions of dollars. The PC Party also committed to reducing the PST from 8% to 7% in the first term of office. These are just two of more than 20 specific commitments made by Official Opposition Leader Brian Pallister during the Throne Speech.
In addition, I was pleased to unveil new television ads that will feature Mr. Pallister and which provide a positive and hopeful message about the future of our great province. These ads will be aired on local television over the coming weeks.
It is important that we as an Official Opposition and that supporters of the PC Party of Manitoba stay focused on the priorities of our province and not be distracted by the challenges the NDP currently face. We must continue working for Manitobans and looking forward to a bright future for our province.
