16°c A few clouds
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
NDP's 'power' plays
(DALE CUMMINGS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)
Vote Manitoba
-
News and analysis of the results of Manitoba's provincial election.
-
See the results for each electoral district with our interactive map
-
We track the parties' promises, issue by issue
-
Find out more about the people representing Manitoba districts.
Related Items
Thanks to Greg Selinger's relentless quest for power, Manitobans can fairly wonder if Winnipeg Jets owner Mark Chipman is secretly part of his re-election campaign. It's an unfair perception, but there nonetheless.
The two men shared the limelight Friday at a news conference to announce they were joining forces to mentor inner-city youth. Mr. Selinger claims the election announcement is not a violation of a law that prohibits the government from disseminating information about its programs 90 days prior to an election because the mentoring program was previously announced.
The law is somewhat vague, but the NDP has taken full opportunity to drive a truck through every loophole. In fact, complaints against the NDP are piling up in the office of the Manitoba Commissioner of Elections for alleged violations of a legal provision that is intended to ensure the government doesn't take unfair advantage of its power.
One of the worst alleged offences occurred before the election was even called when NDP cabinet ministers Theresa Oswald and Nancy Allan took a stroll through a new birthing clinic. A campaign worker invited some media to the event, which was coyly described as a tour, not an announcement or a political opportunity. Would the Conservative candidates opposing Ms. Oswald and Ms. Allan be allowed to take a media-escorted tour today? Not a chance. In that respect, the NDP has also compromised the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, which runs the facility, but which wouldn't dare extend the same courtesies to anyone outside government.
The NDP has put other individuals and organizations in uncomfortable positions, too, not just during the election, but as part of what University of Manitoba constitutional scholar Bryan Schwartz has called The Supplicant Society.
"A dominating provincial government," Schwartz said, "crowds out and constricts the rest of society -- the business community, non-profits and local government. The dependent communities must then seek provincial patronage. Friends are rewarded; critics learn to be circumspect. The fed-up simply leave."
Manitoba is a big province, but it's really a very small place in terms of the relatively few circles of influence that govern its public and private operations.
Mr. Chipman's joyous smile at Friday's announcement was genuine, and so was Mr. Selinger's, but for different reasons.
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition September 17, 2011 A18
More Editorials
- Back to Top
- Return to Editorials
More Editorials
(1 of 8 articles for this week)
Hard questions
1:00 AM 0Prime Minister Stephen Harper has stated publicly he believes the $90,000 payment his former chief of staff made to get ...
Poll
Most Popular Editorials
- Hard questions
- Supreme Court gets unfair flak
- A hemispheric view of pot law
- Senate jigsaw puzzle
- Rule by law the new norm
- Mr. Katz strikes out again
- Mayor Selinger
- Welcome to the 1900s, drinkers
- Resign, Mr. Duffy
- Transit justice
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.