NDP Fail to Support PC Measures Aimed at Growing Economy, Increasing Public Safety, Reducing Red Tape
WINNIPEG — One by one by one, Manitoba’s NDP government failed to support three PC initiatives today aimed at growing Manitoba’s economy, reducing red tape for farmers, and bringing justice to victims of impaired drivers.
Midland MLA Lauren Stone, PC Critic for Finance, called out the NDP government for voting against and defeating Bill 227, The Free Trade and Mobility in Canada Act, a move that she says ignores economic realities and leaves workers and businesses in the lurch.
“In the face of global trade challenges and economic uncertainty, it’s astounding that Premier Kinew’s government refuses to act swiftly to eliminate trade barriers between provinces,” said Stone.
Introduced last month, Bill 227 aims to remove trade and labour mobility restrictions between Manitoba and any other willing province—a straightforward step toward boosting trade, creating jobs, and strengthening the economy across Canada. The federal government estimates that cutting trade barriers between provinces could grow Canada’s economy by up to $200 billion and lower Manitoba costs by as much as 15%.
The NDP also failed to indicate any support for Bill 228, which would reduce red tape and allow farmers to provide an identification number instead of an in-person signature to make farming purchases. The bill will modernize taxation laws and bring them into the 21st century by allowing farm purchases to be done, remotely, digitally and over the phone with ease.
And for the second time, the Kinew government also failed to express support for a PC resolution requesting an out-of-province review of the decision not to prosecute an alleged accomplice in the impaired driving-caused death of Jordyn Reimer. The 24-year-old was killed in a two-vehicle collision at a Transcona intersection in 2022.
-30-
For media inquiries, please contact PCCaucus_Media@leg.gov.mb.ca