The leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba told his supporters in Dauphin yesterday that his party would finally get a handle on the province’s finances if they win next year’s election.
A key part of Opposition Leader Brian Pallister’s plan is to get Manitoba on board with the New West Partnership, and he believes the NDP government not joining it was a missed opportunity.
"We have big opportunities to benefit and prosper by being closer to [New West Partnership members] in terms of trade opportunities. This is hundreds of millions of dollars of opportunities. The NDP has folded their arms and crossed their chest and said no, we don't want to be in that partnership. It makes no sense."
Minister for Municipal Government Drew Caldwell responded to Pallister’s remarks, saying protectionism does not grow economies or help communities.
"We're not advocates or cheerleaders for the province of Saskatchewan like Mr. Pallister is. We're cheerleaders and advocates for Manitoba. We are aggressively pursuing the reduction of trade barriers across the country. And we will be discussing with the New West Partnership, the protectionist bloc that's to the west of us, their stance in terms of the Canadian Federation."
Premier Greg Selinger told CKDM that the Manitoba Government wants to reduce trade barriers for all provinces, and not just those to the west. Brandon West Conservative MLA Greg Helwer says regional trade deals like the New West Partnership should compliment national ones like the Agreement on Internal Trade.
