Bill 19 - Sloppy NDP legislation

Bill 19, the Agri-Food and Rural Development Council Act establishes the Agri-Food and Rural Development Council. It will be reviewed at the legislative committee at 9:00 a.m. on Monday June 5. If you would like to present your views on this bill, you should come to room 254 of the Manitoba Legislature by 9:00 a.m. Monday June 5.

The purpose of this bill is to set up the potentially valuable Agri-Food and Rural Development Council. While the purpose has merit, the legislation itself is sloppy. Let me give you some examples.

1) The responsibilities of council are too vague. It would be better to give the Council greater effectiveness by empowering the council to undertake research and analysis of existing provincial programs. The NDP appear to not want to give the council this power for fear it might be critical of the NDP.

2) The Council is of indeterminate size - it is to consist of an "unlimited" number of persons. Councils which are too large are not effective. A specific size of council should be specified.

3) We believe some level of screening by an all-party legislative committee should occur - to ensure all appointees are not just NDP Party hacks.

For a full list of bills at Committee stage on Monday see http://www.manitobaliberals.ca/2006/06/it-is-your-turn-now-to-comment-on.html