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Winnipeg Free Press
3 days ago
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
NDP-Tories spar as interprovincial trade bill up in the air
A game of political chicken playing out at the Manitoba legislature could see the premier go to a first ministers' meeting Monday in Saskatoon without an interprovincial trade bill and MLAs' summer recess delayed three weeks. 'If (the Progressive Conservatives) want to sit here throughout the month of June, we are very happy to do so,' Premier Wab Kinew said during question period Thursday. The NDP want the Tories' co-operation in fast-tracking the Fair Trade in Canada (Internal Trade Mutual Recognition) Act and the Buy Manitoba, Buy Canadian Day Act. It was introduced May 22, long past the deadline for bills to be guaranteed passage before the house rises on Monday. The opposition has said it won't pass the bill unless the NDP agree to fast track four of their bills. On Thursday, Kinew tabled a letter from Nova Scotia's PC Premier Tim Houston saying that Manitoba's fair trade bill meets his province's criteria for reciprocal free trade. Kinew wanted Bill 47 passed before he meets with Prime Minister Mark Carney and his fellow premiers in Saskatoon. Internal trade is expected to be a key part of the discussions. Carney has said he wants a Canada-wide interprovincial free trade deal signed by July 1. The federal government's speech from the throne delivered Tuesday by King Charles called for free trade across Canada. 'It is crucial that Manitoba's interprovincial trade legislation is passed without further delay,' the premier said in a news release Thursday. It pointed to support for the elimination of interprovincial trade barriers from business and labour leaders — including Keystone Agricultural Producers president Jill Verwey, Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce president Loren Remillard and the United Steelworkers Manitoba co-ordinator Mike Pulak. The news release said the legislative sitting will be extended into the summer if the passage of the bill is delayed. 'We will pass Bill 47 within a few days and then we can spend the rest of the month talking about Sio (Silica),' the premier told the chamber Thursday. He was referring to Ethics Commissioner Jeffrey Schnoor's report last week that found former premier Heather Stefanson, then-deputy premier Cliff Cullen and former economic development minister Jeff Wharton — the MLA for Red River North — acted improperly by trying to get a controversial sand mine licensed after the PCs lost the election and before the NDP government was sworn in. Schnoor recommended fines of $18,000, $12,000 and $10,000 respectively that the Manitoba Legislative Assembly must vote on within 10 sitting days of the tabling of his report. The PCs refused to fast-track the bill Thursday and said it's the NDP government's own fault for missing the deadline to get the bill passed before the summer recess and for refusing to work with the opposition. 'We have clearly laid out a pathway for passing this bill,' PC leader Obby Khan told reporters Thursday. 'It is unfortunate that the government house leader refuses to negotiate, refuses to be reasonable, refuses to put Manitobans first.' Government house leader Nahanni Fontaine said the bill is in the best interests of the province and the country as it faces U.S. president Donald Trump's threats of tariffs and making Canada the 51st state. 'It's incredibly disappointing to see the Manitoba PCs choose to play games rather than do the job that they're elected to do, which I remind folks is to do what's in the best interest of Manitobans,' Fontaine said. Management of the legislative agenda is the responsibility of the government house leader, said veteran political observer Paul Thomas. 'Even in a majority government situation, making progress on moving bills forward depends somewhat on the co-operation of the opposition,' the University of Manitoba political studies professor emeritus said. 'Achieving that co-operation involves negotiation within meetings between the two house leaders. In addition to the clash of their respective political goals, the interpersonal styles and the level of respect between the house leaders affect how constructive such meeting are.' Sometimes bills just aren't ready on time, he added. 'Unforeseen events can occur which prevent the government from completing its legislative agenda based on a possible plan starting the session. There have been more than a few unforeseen, disruptive events this spring.' Members return to the chamber Monday and will sit for an additional three weeks if the government requests an extension from the speaker. Carol SandersLegislature reporter Carol Sanders is a reporter at the Free Press legislature bureau. The former general assignment reporter and copy editor joined the paper in 1997. Read more about Carol. Every piece of reporting Carol produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Winnipeg Free Press
7 days ago
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
NDP asks Tories to co-operate on passage of interprovincial trade bill before next week's summer break
The NDP government house leader is asking the Tories to co-operate in passing an interprovincial free trade bill before the Manitoba legislature breaks for the summer recess June 2. 'Bill 47 is critical to Manitoba to respond to tariffs introduced by the (U.S. President Donald) Trump administration,' says a letter Nahanni Fontaine sent today to Opposition house leader Derek Johnson. Bill 47, the Fair Trade in Canada (Internal Trade Mutual Recognition) Act and the Buy Manitoba, Buy Canadian Day Act was introduced Thursday, past the deadline for bills to be guaranteed passage before the house rises on Monday. MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES House leader Nahanni Fontaine urged the Opposition Tories to support the NDP government's interprovincial trade legislation before the legislature breaks for the summer. 'We must act swiftly to protect Manitoba jobs and our economy,' says Fontaine's letter, which was shared with the Free Press. 'Let's demonstrate together this assembly will meet this historic moment and deliver meaningful action on behalf of all Manitobans.' Johnson and the PC caucus didn't immediately respond when asked if they'd support the speedy passage of the government bill. The Manitoba legislative assembly has been bitterly divided on most issues with speaker Tom Lindsay repeatedly calling for decorum on both sides of the house. Tuesdays A weekly look at politics close to home and around the world. Trade Minister Jamie Moses told the legislative assembly last week that Bill 47 aims to increase the flow of goods, services and investments between Manitoba and the rest of the country. It gives Manitoba the power to designate another province or territory that takes similar steps to remove barriers to trade as a 'reciprocating jurisdiction.' ALEX LUPUL / FREE PRESS FILES Fontaine sent the letter to Opposition House Leader Derek Johnson on Monday. Another region's products will be treated as if they have met local certification, testing and quality standards under the proposed legislation, and will not be subject to additional approval requirements and related fees. Out-of-province services will also be exempt from related red tape. The government wants the bill passed before the house rises next Monday and doesn't return until Oct. 1. Canada's first ministers — including Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew — are to meet in Saskatoon next Monday with Prime Minister Mark Carney. Carney has said he wants an interprovincial free trade deal done in time for Canada Day, July 1. Carol SandersLegislature reporter Carol Sanders is a reporter at the Free Press legislature bureau. The former general assignment reporter and copy editor joined the paper in 1997. Read more about Carol. Every piece of reporting Carol produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
