Manitoba gives OK to retired MPI boss to sign new contract

Manitoba's NDP government has changed the rules so the former CEO of Manitoba Public Insurance could sign a contract with the Crown corporation right after she retired from it.

Marilyn McLaren retired from MPI in February, but on March 26 cabinet approved an order in council to let her sign a $50,000 contract with the public auto insurer to provide consulting services.

• Read the order-in-council here (PDF)

Provincial conflict-of-interest rules say a senior public servant must wait at least a year before working for a government or Crown agency.

During question period on Wednesday, the opposition Progressive Conservatives said if the NDP was going to change the rules, it should have at least informed Manitoba ratepayers.

Steinbach PC MLA Kelvin Goertzen asked the minister responsible for MPI, Andrew Swan, how much McLaren got as a severance package after 35 years with MPI.

Swan would not say how much, but he did say the contract is for a year.

He added that it's common for outgoing CEOs to help with the transition.