NDP raffle winner gets Costa Rica vacation, possible Pallister-at-work sighting
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 27/09/2017 (3105 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Manitoba New Democrats have made a lot of political hay over Premier Brian Pallister’s sojourns to his vacation home in Costa Rica — and now they’re using it as a cheeky fundraising tool.
The NDP is raffling off an “all-inclusive vacation for two” to the Central American country, worth $4,500. Tickets are $20.
“It’s a nice resort from what I understand. We can’t guarantee anybody a 7,700-square-foot hacienda and a private infinity pool, but we’re pretty sure people will have a good time,” said NDP MLA and raffle-ticket seller Andrew Swan, referring to descriptions of the premier’s tropical digs.
Pallister has faced continued questions about the amount of time he spends at his Costa Rican retreat and the method and frequency of his communications with government officials while he’s away.
“We do hope that whoever goes knows how to use a smartphone and use social media because we’re hoping that they post pictures from Costa Rica,” Swan quipped.
The NDP is paying off its election debt and looking to raise money to get its message out — more difficult from the Opposition benches.
“Politics in Manitoba is very serious, and we thought maybe we should approach this with a bit of a sense of humour,” Swan said, noting the prize vacation is at a resort in Tamarindo near the premier’s villa.
“Some people have been asking a lot of questions about Costa Rica, and we think it’s great for some hard-working Manitobans to have a chance to head down and see what it’s all about.”
A maximum of 10,000 tickets will be sold. Sales are limited to Manitoba residents. They can be purchased online through the party’s website.
Swan declined to describe the state of the party’s finances, except to say that “things are better than we had anticipated (by) this time.”
A fundraising dinner on the eve of the party’s recent leadership convention, featuring broadcaster and environmentalist David Suzuki, was a success, he said.
Manitoba’s political parties are required to publish annual financial statements with Elections Manitoba. At the end of 2016, the NDP posted a year-end deficit of $18,170, while the Progressive Conservatives enjoyed a $392,502 surplus.
larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca