Manitoba PCs ready to fight NDP's agenda as election nears, premier says during AGM

Progressive Conservative leader Heather Stefansonwarned supporters at the party's annual general meeting on Saturday that the "Wabway" would be an NDP government which would hike Manitoba's provincial sales taxa claim she did not back up with evidence.

With the next provincial election looming in October, Stefansonlaunched a blistering attack of the Wab Kinew-led NDPat the PC annual general meeting at Winnipeg's RBC Convention Centre on Saturday.

During the premier's address, Stefansonalleged theNDPwould be soft on crime and legalize illicit drugs if elected in the fall, but did not offerany proof. She also claimed to hear the NDP is looking to hike the provincial sales tax (PST) to 10 per cent.

"Can you believe that? Could you imagine what will happen to our province if that goes through?" Stefanson told more than 200 delegates.

When asked to provide evidence while speaking with reporters, Stefanson didn't offer an answer, butsaid the last NDP government raised the PST,from seven to eightper cent,despite previouslysaying it wouldn't.

"We've seen them do it before and I guarantee they'll do it again."

Stefanson lying to PC donors: NDP

The PCs "will say anything to trick Manitobans," the NDP said in response.

"Every time Heather Stefanson gets in front of PC donors, she lies. First, it was that she has never cut health-care, now this. Manitobans don't believe her," a spokesperson said in an email.

Public anger over the PST hike contributed to the NDP'selectoral defeatin 2016. The Tories returned the provincial sales tax to sevenper cent when they were elected.

Stefanson'saddress signalled what looks to be a feisty election campaign as the governing Progressive Conservatives tryto win back support. Opinion polls suggest the NDP has been in the lead for two years, but the gap isshrinking, according to the latest Probe Research poll.

The premier was on the attack throughout her address, warning of "dire prospects" if Manitoba elects the NDPthis fall.

Stefansonaccused Kinewof supportingdecisions of the federal Liberal/NDP coalitionsuch as the carbon tax anda bail system that she says has become too lenient.

The premier also alleged the NDP would defund the police, something the party has denied.

In recent months, the Torieshave taken a more aggressive stance in their messaging. The party unveiled its campaign sloganthis weekend,which is "Fighting for Manitobans."

"Now more than ever, Manitobans need our Progressive Conservative team to fight for them," Stefanson told delegates.

"We need to fight to prevent NDP tax hikes.We need to fight their soft on crime agenda. We need to fight to continue to create more jobs, attract investment and keep Manitoba on the right track."

Stefanson said a thriving and growing economy will improve the healthcare system and the cost of living in Manitoba, claiming Kinew doesn't understand that.

"His way, just like Greg Selinger's way, the NDP way, is to raise your taxes and stifle economic growth. Well, let's call that the Wab way. We think that's the wrong way."

She wouldn't say if the "Wab way"phrasingwould become a future party tagline. "You might" see that, she told reporters.

More liquor sales, online gambling

Members supporteda number of policy resolutions on Saturday, though the party is not required to act on them.

The PC's grassroots askedthe party to expand liquor sales to private retailers, open the online sports gambling market to more regulated operators and expandthe Downtown Community Safety Partnershipa street patrol in downtown Winnipegto other communities.

Members also want the federal government to stop pushing for the expansion of themedically assisted death (MAID)law to cover those sufferingsolely from a mental illness.

MLA Andrew Micklefield, who spoke in favour of the resolution, calledextending MAID to this group of people "sick, dystopianrecommendations that provoke a death culture in Canada."

In a session closed to media Saturday, the PCspresented supporters with a reportoutlining possible changes to the rules for leadership elections.

When Stefanson became leader in 2021, there was a late surge in party membership and many people complained they did not receive mail-in ballots in time to vote.

Stefanson's opponent, Shelly Glover, alleged there were voting irregularities and challenged the results in court. A judge rejected her claims.

Speaking to reporters afterward, party president Brent Pooles offered few details.

"I think that at the end of the day, we just want to make sure that every single [one]of our 28,000 members feel that their voice has been heard and they're given the opportunity to vote when the time comes," Pooles said.

When pressed on specifics, Pooles said the rule that allows people to buy memberships as late as 30 days before the leadership vote "might be part" of the changes. The party was hard-pressed in 2021 to process thousands of new members and have mail-in ballots sent out and returned within a month.

Stefanson 'won't back down'

Pooles would not say whether the party is looking at moving away from its current system of allowing every member to vote. Some other parties use a delegate system, in which party members send a smaller number of delegates from each constituency to represent them and vote for a leader.

A party committee will take the proposed changes,which include multiple options on some items, to party members in the coming months and develop a more firm set of recommendations, Pooles said.

Later, asold-out fundraising dinner hosted by the PCs drew 1,300 attendees on Saturday night, which Stefanson entered to applauseand the Tom Petty song, "I Won't Back Down."

The premier, who has often portrayed herself as a conciliatory leader, acknowledged during a fireside chat in front of dinner guests that she "won'tdo that at all costs" and "won't back down."

"Ifwe'renot getting what we need for Manitobans, damn right Iwill stand up and fight for Manitobans."