Premier faces tough questions after unknown company found

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This article was published 10/05/2017 (3102 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

New Democrat MLA Andrew Swan is demanding answers from Premier Brian Pallister about a previously-unknown numbered company the premier owns.

But Pallister told Swan in his estimates hearing Wednesday that it’s none of Swan’s business.

Swan said that Pallister Investments 22 Ltd. showed up Nov. 24, 2016, for the first time on Pallister’s annual statement of assets and interests.

“How long has this company been in existence? Is it a holding company, or an active business?” Swan asked.

Swan also asked if the company holds property and if the premier draws any compensation or benefit from it.

“Frankly, it’s none of your business,” Pallister said.

The two had been at loggerheads throughout the afternoon, both in question period and the estimates committee, getting snippier over Swan’s questioning of Pallister’s communications while at his vacation home in Costa Rica — to the point that committee chair Dennis Smook cautioned them both.

“If he wants an answer, he can ask a question that’s in the public interest,” Pallister said.

Manitobans want their MLAs to use estimates hearings to explore significant issues about health, education and infrastructure, the premier said.

Calling Swan’s questioning an inquisition, Pallister said he’ll seek advice from the legislature to determine if he has to disclose the information Swan wants.

Swan said outside the hearing that the public has the right to know if the premier’s company does any business with the government or could potentially have any benefit from Pallister’s being premier. “He appears to be the only officer and only investor,” Swan added.

nick.martin@freepress.mb.ca