Budget Accountability Act Would Close Loopholes, Make Public Hearings Mandatory
WINNIPEG — Today, Midland MLA Lauren Stone, PC Critic for Finance, called for support for Bill 224, The Budget Bill Public Accountability Act, which would require provincial budget implementation bills to go through a public hearing, and give Manitobans more say over how the province spends their tax dollars.
“Although governments typically consult Manitobans, the important details of the budget aren’t available until after it’s tabled,” said Stone. “This bill makes sure Manitobans can comment directly on the actual budget decisions that affect their lives and finances.”
Last year, the NDP government added entire pieces of new, non-budget-related legislation to the budget bill at the last minute, bypassing public hearings and avoiding scrutiny, Stone noted. Bill 224 would close this loophole, ensuring every legislative measure in future budget bills face public accountability before becoming law, she said.
“This bill is about transparency and letting Manitobans genuinely influence how their tax dollars are spent,” Stone said. “The NDP need to support this simple but important change.”
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