Wab Kinew's troubled past the butt of premier's joke at PC meeting

In front of more than 300Progressive Conservativedelegates, Premier Brian Pallister joked Saturday he has spent less time at his tropicalvacation home this year than NDP Leader Wab Kinew has spent behind bars.

The commentcame during the party'ssecond annual general meeting since coming to power 18 months ago.

During a question and answer session Saturdayafternoon, Pallister told the crowd he wanted to tell them "a cute one."

"So I'm supposed to be away all the time,"he said, smiling.

Many in the crowd laughed athis remark, others seemed taken aback.

Pallisterowns ahome in Costa Rica.Last year he faced criticism for spending weeks awayon vacation. The premier has defended the time, saying he works while away.

In a written response toCBC,KinewsaidPallister'sattack was more political than personal.

• WabKinewspeaks out after anonymousemailsdisclose past charges

"DesperatePallisteris trying to distract from the damage he's doing by taking shots at me," Kinew said.

"I'llkeep standing up for whatManitobansare counting on good jobs and health care they can rely on. I expect the moreManitobansvoice their opposition to his cuts the more desperate and uglyPallister'sattacks on me will become. That's fine, I'm here to focus on the issues."

Kinewwas convicted of assaulting a taxi driver and driving under the influencein 2004. He has since been pardoned. Two domestic abuse chargeslaidagainstKinewwerestayed.

Outside the meeting, Pallister told reporters hetravelled to Costa Rica only once this year, in January, for six working days and two weekends.

He said the trip was "invaded by media every day" and"it wasn't my favourite time away with my wife."

The premier is planning to travel to Costa Rica next for Christmas.

• What we know so far about Wab Kinew's convictions, stayed charges

Candidate criminal recordchecks

Later on Saturday the issue of criminal pastscame up again whenPC members voted on a resolution to require all provincial candidates and leaders, regardless of party, get criminal background checks and publish the results.

Out of the 20 resolutions passed Saturday,it was the only resolution voted down.

Keith Stewart, CEO of the PC Party of Manitoba, said theyalready conductcriminal background checks on candidates so the resolution was not necessary.

"I think that our grassroots membership understands that we do a thorough job of vetting our candidates," he said. "If other parties don't want to do that I think that's their choice."

The remaining 19 resolutions were carried by PC members Saturday, including a plan to review and replace the way education taxes apply to farmland and expandingresidency opportunities in rural and northern Manitoba as a way torecruit new doctors to those areas.

The next AGM for the Progressive Conservatives is scheduled in Brandon, Man. from Nov. 2 to3, 2018.