Gas tax first up on new government agenda: Kinew

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This article was published 23/10/2023 (719 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Now that all members of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba are sworn in, the government plans to get to work on its affordability measures — starting with temporarily suspending the provincial gas tax.

“We will have more to say very soon,” Premier Wab Kinew told reporters after being sworn in Monday afternoon, along with the 33 other NDP MLAs elected Oct. 3.

Hours earlier, 22 Tory MLAs took the oath of office. The lone Liberal MLA did the same Friday.

The NDP majority government is expected to soon announce when the new session will start next month with a throne speech and who it will nominate as Speaker.

Kinew said the house could pass legislation to temporarily suspend the 14 cent per litre gas tax before it recesses Dec. 7.

“It’s definitely feasible before the house rises — as long as everyone agrees to move things along,” Kinew said. “I think making life more affordable for you is something everyone in Manitoba should agree with.”

Meantime, the new premier said he expects the Manitoba Public Insurance strike (now in its ninth week) to get resolved at the bargaining table, with fair wages and rates for customers.

On. Oct. 20, the NDP government replaced all but one of MPI’s board members.

“We inherited this mess from the PCs and now we’re hard at work cleaning it up,” Kinew said. “I think everyone understands that what the PCs were offering was unfair.”

The premier said he also wants to see a public inquiry into the Winnipeg Police Service headquarters construction cost scandal and an expert panel examine how to better handle Manitoba’s pandemic response system.

By the end of 2023, Kinew said he expects to have “news to share” on True North Sports and Entertainment Ltd.’s proposed redevelopment for Portage Place mall (in partnership with the provincial government) that includes a $300-million urban centre for health excellence.

“The previous government has left a financial mess, including a health-care mess,” Kinew said. “We’re going to have to go through a lot of details and figure out how we want to proceed.

“I’m optimistic we can find a way to work together.”

As for the new Speaker, Kinew wouldn’t confirm longtime Elmwood MLA Jim Maloway is being considered for the prestigious role.

“I think Mr. Maloway is a significant legislator,” the premier said, noting his many years as an MLA (1986 to 2008 and 2011 to now, along with a 2008-11 term as MP). “He’s got an important role on our team.”

Kinew said St. Johns MLA and Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine will serve as government house leader.

The former government house leader, PC MLA Kelvin Goertzen, said Monday he hopes the new session — boasting 26 new MLAs — will be more collegial.

“It’s become toxic in the legislature in the last 20 years,” Goertzen said. “I think there’s a real opportunity for the legislature itself to reset the tone.”

The veteran Steinbach MLA, who will not serve as Opposition house leader, added: “It’s going to be rough and tumble again. That’s the nature of politics. It’s competitive, the stakes are high and the issues are emotional.”

Kinew urged all MLAs to work together for the good of the province for the next four years. “That’s my message to the people of Manitoba. My message to the PC party will be that they should explain why they campaigned on division and to account for the choices that they’ve made.”

Tory Leader Heather Stefanson was not made available for interviews after the party’s MLA swearing-in ceremony Monday. She is expected to speak to reporters later this week.

Meanwhile, a high-profile NDP incumbent MLA spoke to the Free Press for the first time about how he feels about being recently overlooked for a cabinet post.

“You’re obviously disappointed,” said Mark Wasyliw (Fort Garry). “You think you have more to give and that you’re in a position to serve the province in a more critical role and that certainly isn’t what’s happening now.

“I’m honoured to be elected as the MLA for Fort Garry,” the criminal defence lawyer and former chairman of the Winnipeg School Division said. “I may have a smaller voice in this building, but I still have a voice that I intend to use and see what I can do for the people of Fort Garry.”

Last week, Wasyliw was appointed legislative assistant to Education Minister Nello Altomare to work on the child care aspect of the portfolio.

“I take that as an honour and I’m excited to get to work,” he said.

Wasyliw’s work as a criminal defence lawyer and ads on his firm’s website had been the subject of PC attacks in the house and during the election campaign.

Wasyliw had said he would be winding down his practice ahead of the election.

However, “Given that I’m not in cabinet, I’m going to have a lot of time on my hands and I’m going to be taking more cases and working as a defence lawyer still,” he said Monday.

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca