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Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION
No more free tickets for MLAs, gov't officials
Manitoba Finance Minister Stan Struthers (JOHN WOODS / THE CANADIAN PRESS ARCHIVES)
The Selinger government released its new policy today than stops cabinet ministers, MLAs and government officials from attending Jets hockey games on someone else’s tab.
The policy was released to reporters after today’s question period at the Manitoba legislature.
It says ministers, MLAs and government officials shall not accept complimentary tickets to professional sports events, a provision Finance Minister Stan Struthers said includes all professional sports in Winnipeg.
The new policy also says Crown corporations, which obtain free tickets in exchange for their advertising and sponsorship support, will adopt a similar policy in respect to government-appointed board members.
It says if Crown agencies do receive free tickets they will be encouraged to distribute them through charities or community groups. Crown employee can also get a free ticket under a "fairly-administered" employee recognition program.
Crown officials will also be able to use free tickets as long as they're for proper business purposes, such as entertaining a out-of-town business guest.
"Ministers, MLAs, government officials and appointees may continue to accept complimentary tickets to other events, such as arts and cultural events, charity dinners and community fundraisers, when acting in an official capacity," the policy states.
They will also be allowed to accept free tickets to the arts, such as the ballet, symphony or Folklorama.
The policy
Background
Manitoba Crown Corporations have traditionally sponsored sports and culture in the province through grants and advertising. Typically, the Crowns receive complimentary tickets as part of a ‘corporate sponsors package’ and distribute these tickets as they see fit – to charities, clients, employees, board members and Ministers.
In many cases, Ministers also receive complimentary tickets to events directly supported by the province, such as performances of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.
Past policy has allowed Ministers, board members and government officials to accept complimentary tickets. In fact, attendance at events like the Ballet, the Symphony or Folklorama has been encouraged. For the most part, this policy will remain.
The return of NHL hockey, however, has prompted a revision to the policy. Tickets to Jet games have a higher face value and (due to perpetual sell-outs) are harder to obtain than tickets to almost any other events.
New Policy
- Ministers, MLAs and government officials shall not accept complimentary tickets to professional sports events.
- Crown Corporations will adopt similar policies with respect to their appointed Board members. The Crowns Corporation Council will draft a common policy. If Crowns receive sport tickets in return for advertising support they will be encouraged to distribute them through charities or community groups. In some cases Crown employees may also receive complimentary tickets, as part of a fairly-administered employee recognition policy.
- Ministers, MLAs, government officials and appointees may continue to accept complimentary tickets to other events, such as arts and cultural events, charity dinners and community fundraisers, when acting in an official capacity.
-- Stan Struthers
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