Manitoba Tories want inquiry into former immigration minister

Manitoba's Opposition leader is calling for an inquiry into former immigration minister Christine Melnick.

Brian Pallister says a report from the provincial ombudsman shows Melnick lied to a legislature committee last year when she said no one directed a civil servant to invite immigration service agencies to the legislature.

The report this week said Melnick has admitted she directed the civil servant to send out invitations to fill the public gallery.

The immigration agencies were asked to attend a debate in which Melnick criticized federal changes to immigrant programs.

The Tories accused the NDP government of politicizing the civil service.

Pallister says Premier Greg Selinger needs to drop Melnick from his caucus and explain why no one revealed what really happened until the ombudsman's report came out.