Pallister shows personal side

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This article was published 30/03/2016 (3485 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

On a day filled with hard talk about the economy, Progressive Conservative Leader Brian Pallister struck a softer tone on the campaign trail Wednesday.

He started the day at a breakfast address sponsored by the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, part of a series in which the provincial party leaders speak to the business community about the economy and business.

While he stayed on message, touting his party’s plan for economic growth through a rollback of the PST and improving the tendering process for government contracts, a visibly at-ease Pallister also got personal, telling the packed room at the Delta Hotel stories from his life to help deliver the message.

One story involved the tale of a Grade 9 student named Francis, who had managed to make it into high school without being able to read. Pallister, who was his teacher at the time, said he spent two to three noon hours a week teaching him how to read.

“A year-and-a-half later he came back with a pass on his written driving test, and he wept, and so did I. it was the best moment I had as an educator,” Pallister said, his voice breaking.

He used the story to explain to the crowd the province needs a better education system. Pallister promised to achieve that goal with initiatives such as his party’s proposed $7-million “read to succeed” plan to encourage better reading outcomes in Manitoba.

Another story Pallister told was of a contract worker who refused to take a municipal contract he had bid on because he knew he wasn’t the highest bidder. Another told of an indigenous woman he had met while he was an MP who couldn’t see her children due to the outdated matrimonial rights rules for indigenous women. 

Within the address was an announcement that his party would replace the premier’s economic advisory committee. The new committee, dubbed the “premier’s enterprise team,” would include up to 12 members from the business community.

Wednesday afternoon, it was more talk of the economy as Pallister headed to the Exchange District to announce his party’s fiscal plan at the AssentWorks workshop. Pallister was a little late, as he was seen walking out of the Canadian Footwear store across the road, holding a bag containing two pairs of new shoes. 

“They aren’t many places that carry size 15,” he quipped as he left the store.

The party’s 10-point plan promised to increase venture capital investments, promote trade and encourage new immigration. He pledged to establish an “access to capital” strategy, as well as improve the small-business venture capital tax credit — although he didn’t go into detail over how his party would accomplish the goals.

When asked how his party would improve the small-business venture capital tax credit, as outlined in the party’s releases, Pallister explained his objective is to work with the private sector, not against it.

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“We know there is a consensus that we can do it better, so without getting into the minutiae of specifics, I do look at a better approach than what is currently there,” Pallister said. “That is true with many of the things on this list. I am not coming in here to say, ‘Here is the solution to every one of these 10 categories, I’ve got it all figured out.’”

The announcement drew praise from the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce. The chamber’s president and CEO, Dave Angus, challenged the other parties to start talking more about the economy.

“To me (talk of the economy) has been wanting so far, so I appreciate the fact that they are coming together with some ideas to drive economic growth,” Angus said.

kristin.annable@freepress.mb.ca