Premier mum on early election call

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This article was published 07/05/2019 (2487 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Premier Brian Pallister dropped no new hints about a potential snap election date when he addressed supporters at the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba’s largest annual fundraising event Tuesday night.

Instead, during his 20-minute speech at the dinner — which saw around 800 people come out at a price tag of $200 per plate — he trumpeted many of his government’s well-known talking points and promised continued prosperity for Manitobans.

“The potential in this province is untapped and unbelievable. If we keep pursuing as we have, with the focus and the team-building we’ve been doing, we’ll achieve amazing things in this beautiful place,” Pallister said.

“The only thing better than tonight in Manitoba is going to be tomorrow in Manitoba.”

While he worked to rally the party faithful at the event, which was held at the Victoria Inn Hotel and Conference Centre, Pallister kept mum on a possible early election date.

The vote is set for Oct. 6, 2020, but he’s repeatedly hinted his government may call an early election so as to not interfere with celebrations for Manitoba’s 150th birthday.

As he addressed the crowd, gesturing with his hands as he spoke, Pallister riffed on his family and rural roots, and shared anecdotes about his early days in provincial politics and conversations he’s had with Manitobans.

Manitoba is now back on track after the mess left by the former NDP government has been cleaned up, Pallister said, adding that not only are the province’s finances being fixed, but services are being improved at the same time.

Among other accomplishments, he pointed to his government’s fulfilled campaign promises to cut both the provincial sales tax (which will be reduced effective July 1) and ambulance fees.

“Fifty-six per cent of Manitoba families have less than $200 to spend every month. I know what that’s like. I come from a family like that… I know what that feels like and I know many of you do, too. I’ll never forget it,” Pallister said.

“We make hope bigger. That’s what our government is doing…(Politics) is about trying to make life better. It’s about helping people at the kitchen table have a better sense of optimism and hope.”

He also told a story about when his grandfather had his Thermos — which had been a gift from his wife — stolen by a young man he’d offered a ride to. When he realized it had been taken, he tracked the man down and retrieved his property.

Pallister then likened the young man stealing his grandfather’s Thermos to the former NDP government reneging on their promise not to raise the PST in 2013.

“Ladies and gentlemen, on July 1, we get our Thermos back,” Pallister said.

ryan.thorpe@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @rk_thorpe