PCs File Election Financing Act Complaint Against NDP in Court of King’s Bench
WINNIPEG — Official Opposition Leader Obby Khan took the unprecedented step today of filing an application in the Court of King’s Bench against Premier Wab Kinew and his NDP for their illegal actions in the Spruce Woods byelection. The complaint stems from a new infrastructure promise made by the premier, which came during the byelection blackout period.
“Announcing a new highway project during an election campaign is a direct breach of Section 92 of the Election Financing Act,” said Khan. “Governing parties are prohibited from making such promises because it tilts the playing field in their favour. Yet again, the premier seems to believe that the rules don’t apply to him—rolling out an infrastructure pledge just days before the byelection, clearly aimed at swaying voters.”
The recent action stems from a social media post made by the premier on Aug. 21 in which he promises to “fix” a section of Highway 2 in the Spruce Woods constituency, in response to a commitment made by the NDP candidate a day earlier during a debate. Immediately following the violation, PCs filed a complaint with the Commissioner of Elections.
PCs have now taken the unprecedented step of filing the complaint in the Court of King’s Bench because of how egregious the violation of the Election Financing Act is. And it might not be the only violation.
“I would like to know whether government resources were used to produce the social media post,” said Khan. “You cannot use Executive Council staff or government resources to produce the video. That also violates the Elections Act by using taxpayers’ money in the midst of a byelection to promote a partisan agenda. Who shot that video and how was it produced?”
PCs are seeking a Justice’s declaration that Premier Wab Kinew and the NDP breached and violated the Act.
“I will always stand up for Manitobans,” said Khan. “Wab Kinew and his NDP think election laws don’t apply to them. They think they’re above the law and can do whatever they want. Announcing new spending programs near the end of a byelection is a clear violation, and we’re asking the Court of King’s Bench for a declaration that Wab Kinew and the NDP are in violation of the Election Financing Act.”
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For media inquiries, please contact PCCaucus_Media@leg.gov.mb.ca