Among the changes in the omnibus bill are higher subsidies for political parties

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Manitoba's NDP government plans to increase government-funded benefits for political parties and candidates.

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The measure is part of an 89-page budget bill presented to the Legislature on Monday. This will strengthen the benefits, so that parties and candidates will be reimbursed 25% to 50% of their election expenses.

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Finance Minister Adrien Sala said the move would ensure money is not a barrier for people who want to run for office.

“This measure will help ensure that anyone who wants to participate in our democracy has the opportunity to do so,” Sala said.

The previous Progressive Conservative government cut the discount from 50% to 25%.

Former Premier Brian Pallister said the discount was a subsidy for politicians that was unfair to Manitobans. He initially tried to eliminate the discount entirely, but compromised in a deal with the NDP and Liberals.

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According to a political analyst, the return of the discount could be controversial.

“Concessions to political parties are a very sensitive issue. “Some people think they're just feathering their nest,” said Christopher Adams, an adjunct professor of political studies at the University of Manitoba.

If the bill becomes law, it will add hundreds of thousands of dollars to the coffers of the parties, especially the major parties.

The NDP spent $1.5 million on last year's provincial election campaign, Elections Manitoba shows. The Tories spent $1.4 million and the Liberals $138,000.

The omnibus bill contains dozens of other changes, including removing certain debt reduction targets for Crown-owned Manitoba Hydro set by the previous Tory government.

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The industry said the change would help keep Hydro rates affordable. The NDP promised a one-year freeze on Hydro rates during the election campaign, but has yet to say when that freeze will take place.

Credit rating agencies have expressed concern about Manitoba Hydro's debt levels, saying it exceeds that of similar utilities in other provinces.

The omnibus bill contains measures that the government originally planned to include in individual bills, such as banning the use of replacement workers in labor disputes and creating a senior attorney who reports to the legislature.

The inclusion of these and dozens of other measures in the budget bill should increase the chances of the changes being passed into law by the end of the year.

The Tories, who are now in opposition, said they were worried about the government's move.

“They had ample opportunity to introduce these bills in a way that allowed both the public and the legislature to consider them thoughtfully. And they couldn't do it. Now they're doing it,” Tory deputy leader Kathleen Cook said.

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