Manitoba government blocked from releasing budget for 3rd straight day

Manitoba's budget will be kept from the public once again.

On Monday, the Opposition New Democratsstalled the business of the legislature for a third day, preventing therelease of the province'sspending plan for 2020.

The budgetwas supposed to be made public lastWednesday, but procedural delays halted the release for two days in a row.

NDP Leader Wab Kinew said last week the Opposition isn't stoppingthe budget's release, buttrying to halt several pieces of legislationfrom being introduced.

NDPmembers haven't read the proposed bills they are trying to kill, but say they are uneasy becausethe bills'titlessuggest they may beharmful to working families.

On Monday, the province tried again to tableits budget, and made the same offer as before: itasked the Speaker of the House to keep the business of the legislature running late until thebudget ispresented, but the NDP turned them down.

Budget release should be normal: Tories

House Leader Kelvin Goertzen called on the Oppositionto cease its stalling tactics while fearsaround COVID-19 escalate.

"This has to stop," Goertzen told a news conference. "At times like this, we as legislators have to rise to a different level and to show Manitobans that we are there working for their best interests."

Kinew said theProgressive Conservatives are treatingthe coronavirus as a political ploy.

"Right now, the government is trying to use COVID-19 to ram through their legislative agenda and we don't think that's right," he said in an interview.

Kinewarguedhis party is doing its job as the Official Opposition by holding the government to account. They aren't interfering in any coronavirus preparations, he added, pointing toall-party support last week for a $35-million bulk buy ofsupplies such asgloves and masks.

Some of the blocked bills concernpublic schools, civil service and public health.

"We're not going to let the government sneak a bunch of measures through while people are paying attention to other things," Kinew said.

The new budget comes as the province's economy is hit with theCOVID-19 pandemic, which is closing businesses, shuttering classes and grounding flights.

When asked if the budget will be amended as a result, Finance Minister Scott Fielding told a news conference Mondaythere willbe some information provided later in the week.

In the midst of the stalemate, the Liberals asked for an emergency debate concerning preparations for COVID-19, which was also denied. Goertzen saidthe government is open to it, but question period must be permitted first.

Legislature mayrelocate

Meanwhile, the three house leaders reached a deal to ensure the business of the legislature continues during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A motion was introduced to allow the governmentto alter thedates, times and evenlocation of the sitting legislature during thecoronavirus emergency, ifa consensus is reached withother political parties.

WATCH | Ian Froese's report:

Blocked from releasing budget for 3rd straight day

5 years ago

Duration 1:45

On Monday, the Opposition New Democrats stalled the business of the legislature for a third day, preventing the release of the province's spending plan for 2020.