Premier Pallister and the PCs have an obligation to be open, transparent, and accountable, yet they are treating the government as if it is their own private company, free from any questioning. Freedom of Information requests or "FIPPAs" are a tool to provide Manitobans with greater transparency. These days FIPPAs aren’t even being acknowledged, much less answered, when they are being sent to Finance, Crown Services and Executive Council. The law requires that requests are acknowledged within 30 days. That is why the Manitoba Liberals have filed a complaint with the provincial ombudsman to look into the Pallister Government ignoring the Freedom of Information law. This is a Premier who does not want Manitobans to know what he is doing on critical files, even as he is planning to call a snap election. It's not just freedom of information - the Premier is using all sorts of legislative tricks so he can avoid tough questions and debate on the budget. The PCs have resorted to legislative stunts and stalling tactics so that the premier can avoid direct questioning at committee of supply in what are known as "estimates." Further, the PCs have even gone so far as to introduce legislation for next year's budget - 2020 – presumably to avoid debate on this year's budget. Whether he likes it or not, all of this secrecy and avoidance sends the message that the Premier has something to hide. Manitobans deserve a government which will respond to its questions, not one which does its best to do the opposite.
STANDING UP FOR MANITOBA NURSES
MANITOBA LIBERAL PLAN FOR GREEN GROWTH & RENEWAL A recent report from the United Nations highlighted the dire state of Earth’s biodiversity. Manitoba’s grasslands are being greatly impacted. CBC Manitoba: 'This is our life support system': Habitat loss in Manitoba's grasslands a significant threat, experts warn Our caucus recently released the Manitoba Liberal Plan for Green Growth & Renewal. Our plan will expand, restore and maintain Manitoba's wetlands. Click here to find out how we can achieve this.
CONCORDIA ER CLOSURE
CBC MANITOBA: Province changes course, will convert Concordia ER into urgent care centre. WINNIPEG FREE PRESS: Concordia ER now slated to be urgent care centre as Tories change gears
GRACE HOSPITAL GALA I attended the Grace Hospital gala which honoured the incredible Pearl McGonigal. Pearl was Winnipeg’s first female city councillor and the first lieutenant governor. She is charming, funny and incredibly accomplished - the work she has done in building her beloved Grace hospital is amazing. Over 50 years she has helped bring bus service, a CT scanner, and an MRI to the Grace - and even made sure it kept the name.
A BIG thank you to everyone who came out to the BBQ in Provencher Park in St Boniface.
We hope to do it again soon in the coming weeks.
Please join me for a fundraiser for the Manitoba Liberal Party, with Dr. Lloyd Axworthy on Sunday, May 26. Tickets are $125, and are eligible for a tax credit.
You can buy them online at Eventbrite. We’ll be talking about Climate Change and why it’s so important to act now.
If you believe in what we are doing, please SHARE it. Forward this e-mail, like and share our pages and posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. All the best, Dougald Lamont MLA St. Boniface, Leader of the Manitoba Liberal Party