Tories delay debate on five government bills until fall

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 14/04/2025 (235 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Progressive Conservatives are delaying legislative debate on doing away with God Save the King in public schools and barring convenience stores from selling liquor.

The official Opposition revealed Monday the five government bills it is holding back until the fall sitting.

Interim party leader Wayne Ewasko suggested his caucus picks reflect where PC MLAs want more information rather than whether they are strictly “for or against” the proposals.

“We are going to take the time, on behalf of Manitobans, to ask some questions, to do further consultations… and see what Manitobans have to say,” Ewasko told reporters after question period.

Bill 40 would repeal dusty and long-ignored regulations requiring schools play the royal anthem and incorporate religious exercises that consist of a scripture reading, prayer and hymn.

The multi-pronged proposal would require school boards establish written policies respecting land and treaty acknowledgements.

It also enshrines in provincial law the expectation that all schools start every day by playing O Canada.

The daily singing of the national anthem is currently mandated in a patriotic observances regulation whose contents — aside for a requirement to acknowledge God Save the King — the NDP wants to move into the Public Schools Act.

Ewasko suggested that school boards should have options and Bill 40 takes away their autonomy. “And I don’t think that’s right,” he said, referencing an ongoing conflict in Dauphin’s school division.

Mountain View School Division administration asked local principals to update daily protocols during the winter to align themselves with a government regulation that has not been enforced in 25 years.

School board chair Jason Gryba did not provide information about what prompted the sudden request at the time, although he said “good governance” is about following rules.

Residents have expressed concerns about the practice being outdated, unnecessarily eating into instructional time and negatively impacting Indigenous community members who have mixed emotions about historic relations between the Crown and First Nations.

Government house leader Nahanni Fontaine called it “ironic” that the Progressive Conservatives are delaying a bill that encourages children to sing the national anthem days after calling for it to be made part of the routine inside the Legislative Building.

Fontaine said she wasn’t surprised by the Opposition’s other choices, suggesting their priority is business, above all else.

Bill 8 restricts what kinds of businesses can apply for new liquor service licences.

Bill 12 — which was introduced in the wake of the controversial sale of Lions Place — would regulate when the owner of a social housing complex can sell or demolish a building.

Bill 23 provides an avenue to dismiss strategic lawsuits aimed at silencing or deterring participation in matters of public interest.

Bill 30 sets out sweeping changes to election financing, including capping donations and introducing a complaint procedure for political advertisements.

The omnibus bill also introduces strict penalties for candidates who make false statements, impersonations and deepfake images, video and audio.

“These bills will pass in the fall,” Fontaine said. ”They’re going to be delayed, thanks to the PCs, but they will pass.”

The NDP government has introduced a total of 45 bills this session. There are 18 private member’s bills on the table.

maggie.macintosh@freepress.mb.ca