Tories want price of NDP purge

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This article was published 19/03/2015 (4215 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Premier Greg Selinger should be honest with Manitobans about how much the “NDP leadership family feud” is going to cost taxpayers, the Tory Opposition says.

House leader Kelvin Goertzen said the Conservatives have been denied information on the number and size of severance packages negotiated with former NDP political staff members who worked on the leadership campaigns of those who challenged Selinger.

He said based on the package given to former Selinger chief of staff Liam Martin, the cost to taxpayers could reach as much as $1 million. Goertzen said Wednesday it’s estimated between five and 10 political staffers may be purged. Most worked for leadership rival Theresa Oswald.

To date, Anna Rothney, former cabinet priorities and planning secretary; Meaghan Dewar, head of issues management for the executive council; Matt Williamson, former director of communications; Jen Anthony, director of issues management for the government; Alissa Brandt, director of the premier’s secretariat; and Sally Housser, associate director of cabinet communications, have left or are in the process of cutting ties with the government.

Selinger narrowly defeated Oswald to retain the NDP leadership on March 8. Former cabinet minister Steve Ashton also contested the leadership.

Staff is being let go despite assurances from the premier beforehand he would respect the decision of individuals who worked on different leadership campaigns, Goertzen said.

A Dec. 9 memo written by chief of staff Ihor Michalchyshyn said all staff had the “right to involve themselves in any type of political activities outside of regular working hours leading up to the convention.” Staff would also be granted vacation and/or leaves of absence to work for leadership candidates.

“For anyone not seeking time away, it will continue to be the case that party activities may only be undertaken outside of regular working hours. Anyone who fails to comply with those parameters should expect to face disciplinary consequences,” Michalchyshyn said in the memo.

Goertzen also said because of the manner in which political staffers are being pushed out, they may receive “supersized severance packages.”

‘We think that Mr. Selinger should come forward and provide that information and let Manitobans know exactly what the cost is going to be for these severance payouts for staff that are being ousted from the NDP caucus as a result of the leadership race’ — Progressive Conservative house leader Kelvin Goertzen

“We think that Mr. Selinger should come forward and provide that information and let Manitobans know exactly what the cost is going to be for these severance payouts for staff that are being ousted from the NDP caucus as a result of the leadership race,” the Conservative MLA said.

Goertzen said he is also concerned by reports severance is being negotiated instead of calculated based on a formula for time served.

“When you’re negotiating severance, that already means that you’re not operating off of a formula,” he said. “You’re operating off of something unusual. And this is an unusual thing that Manitobans are going to be paying for.”

Selinger said Wednesday the total cost of the severance packages will be released at a later date in the Public Accounts. “Those are things that will be released when decisions are made,” he said.

Selinger also said he is working toward bringing Oswald (Seine River) and six other MLAs back into the NDP caucus. They include Andrew Swan (Minto), Erin Selby (Southdale), Stan Struthers (Dauphin), Jennifer Howard (Fort Rouge), Clarence Pettersen (Flin Flon) and Christine Melnick (Riel).

He said he has had a telephone conversation with one of the seven MLAs with limited caucus rights and is in the process of setting up meetings with each of them. He said he hopes to meet with all of his caucus members in the next few weeks.

“Right now we’re working on reconciliation,” Selinger said, adding any discussion on whether any of the seven rebel MLAs will be allowed to run as NDP candidates in the next election is for a future date.

“Every MLA is valued in the caucus, and we want to find a way for people to come together to provide the best service to Manitobans,” Selinger said. “We are all working together to find the best way forward, and nothing is off the table.”

Selinger made his comments Wednesday after he and five of his MLAs announced the location of Manitoba’s sixth QuickCare clinic. The clinic, at 930 Jefferson Ave. in northwest Winnipeg, will open later this year

QuickCare clinics are intended to handle less serious health issues to lessen the pressure on hospital emergency rooms. Staff at the five already-existing clinics have treated about 100,000 patients since the first facility opened in the North End in 2012.

“We need more publicity to let people know where they are, and then they can take greater advantage of them,” Selinger said.

larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca bruce.owen@freepress.mb.ca