NDP Fail to Make Deal to Save Own Free Trade Bill
WINNIPEG — The Kinew NDP government has failed to pass their fair-trade legislation due to their own mismanagement, having missed the deadline to guarantee passage of Bill 47.
“This is a classic case of NDP political games, a lack of priorities, and mismanagement,” said Obby Khan, Leader of the Official Opposition. “Nova Scotia passed their interprovincial trade legislation in March. Other provinces like BC, Ontario, PEI, and New Brunswick are way ahead of Manitoba in passing their interprovincial trade legislation. Why did the Kinew government have an unforced error this late in the game?”
Tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump have been a legitimate threat since his November 2024 election, but the Kinew government has consistently failed to act. The NDP could have introduced this bill back in March which would have guaranteed its passage by June 2nd. However, the NDP failed to bring forward the legislation until the final week of the legislative session. They simply did not care enough.
Midland PC MLA Lauren Stone, PC Critic for Finance, introduced Bill 227, The Free Trade and Mobility Within Canada Act, on April 15, which the NDP could have amended. Instead, the NDP voted it down rather than prioritizing what is best for Manitobans. Now, at the 11th hour, the NDP are scrambling to get their interprovincial trade legislation passed.
“We have provided a way to pass Bill 47 by June 2nd. Pass four of our bills for eight of theirs—including Bill 47,” said Interlake-Gimli MLA Derek Johnson, Opposition House Leader. “Unfortunately, NDP House Leader Nahanni Fontaine wants to play political games and not do what’s best for Manitobans.”
“The PCs are proposing a way forward: passing the PC and NDP bills along with Bill 47,” said Khan. “It’s now up to Wab Kinew and the NDP to do what’s right and best for Manitobans.”
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