Manitoba politicians take stand with ‘carbon cheques’ By: Kevin Rollason Posted: 6:06 PM CST Thursday, Mar. 2, 2023

It’s about putting their money where their mouth is.

The three Manitoba Liberal MLAs, who have criticized the Tory government’s decision to send cheques — which it has dubbed carbon tax relief payments — to 700,000 people in an election year, have decided to give their cash to charity.

“It is $200 million and it could have been used to help the homeless and many other things which could make a big difference in people’s lives, said Leader Dougald Lamont. “There are better things you can do than just tossing (money) down from a helicopter.”

To prove he means it, Dougald plans to give his share of his family’s cheque to ChezRachel, a St. Boniface organization that helps women and children who are victims of domestic violence.

“They do wonderful work,” Lamont said, noting the province has frozen funding to ChezRachel for 15 years.

“Manitoba does not do enough to keep women safe. ChezRachel is doing that and they need the funds.”

What MLAs do with their cheques, which have started to arrive in Manitobans’ mailboxes, could help or hurt them in the public’s view, say longtime political watchers.

“It would be a very symbolic gesture (to) donate it to a worthy cause when their salary comes from the public purse. All politicians should set an example,” said Paul Thomas, professor emeritus of political studies at the University of Manitoba.

“You can’t reject the cheque, but you can donate it to a good cause.”

The cheques are worth $225 for single individuals and $375 for couples. The government estimates there are 145,000 families with children who will benefit from the program, as well as 52,000 seniors.

To qualify, family net income must be less than $175,000 on the 2021 Manitoba income tax return.

Tory and New Democrat MLAs said they had no campaign to give the money to charities.

“You can’t reject the cheque, but you can donate it to a good cause.”–Paul Thomas

“Like all Manitobans, members who are eligible for the cheques have friends and family members who are feeling the pressure of the rising NDP-Liberal carbon tax and the impacts of inflation,” said Tory caucus chair MLA Ron Schuler.

“After speaking with my caucus colleagues, the funds will support a variety of worthy causes, including helping out loved ones, or buying groceries and fuel.”

Thomas said that reflects the Tories’ “philosophy of individual freedom.”

NDP Leader Wab Kinew, whose wife is a doctor, noted he won’t qualify for the cheque and agreed “the money should probably go to somebody in more need.”

When asked specifically what his fellow NDP MLAs will do with their cheques, Kinew said, “I think people will make the right decision for their circumstances.”

Aa pair of NDP candidates, Southdale’s Renee Cable and Seine River’s Billie Cross, know where they want Manitobans to put their cheques — into their election campaigns.

While the NDP said media can’t interview the candidates at this time, Cross posted on social media: “Please consider donating your “carbon cheques” to the Seine River NDP so we can make that change happen.”

Cable also posted “word on the street is the ‘carbon tax rebate’ cheques from the PCs are hitting mailboxes this week… if you can afford it, please consider donating your rebate to my campaign.”

Kelly Saunders, a Brandon University associate professor of politics, said if she were an opposition MLA, “I personally would donate it to a charitable body working on homeless issues or directing it to a hospital caring for patients to draw attention to the issues.

“But, for the Tories, if you donate it to St. Boniface Hospital, you’re drawing attention to the fact this is where the money should have gone in the first place.”

“But, for the Tories, if you donate it to St. Boniface Hospital, you’re drawing attention to the fact this is where the money should have gone in the first place.”–Kelly Saunders

She said MLAs, who are well-compensated, should send the money to a charity.

“That would be the sound political thing to do.”

Saunders said the government’s move to send out so-called carbon tax relief is baffling.

“Who comes up with this stuff?” she asked. “It just shows how out of touch they are with their optics.

“They ask the federal government for more money for health care, by saying there’s not enough money, and then they give out these cheques assisting people who make $175,000 per year. There’s a credibility gap.”

As for the St. Boniface charity that will benefit from Lamont’s donation, it’s happy to benefit from his political stand.

“We are a very small organization,” said ChezRachel executive director Sonia Grmela.

“The francophone community knows us, but not enough. We use and we rely on donations. We rely very much on the help of the community.”

— with files from Carol Sanders

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca

Kevin Rollason
Reporter

Kevin Rollason is one of the more versatile reporters at the Winnipeg Free Press. Whether it is covering city hall, the law courts, or general reporting, Rollason can be counted on to not only answer the 5 Ws — Who, What, When, Where and Why — but to do it in an interesting and accessible way for readers.

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