Whether you agree or disagree with politicians receiving "free" Jets tickets courtesy of government Crown corporations and businesses, "Ticketgate" is more than free tickets; it’s about accountability.
The issue hit the public on May 7, when NDP Healthy Living Minister Jim Rondeau was asked again in the legislature for information on who received the Manitoba Liquor Control Commission’s (MLCC) 10 Jets season tickets.
Incredibly, Rondeau stood up and suggested that the information was still being pulled together.
Yet, five weeks earlier, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF), a non-profit taxpayers’ watchdog group, received the details about the Jets tickets from the MLCC.
The CTF then released the information to the public to hold the minister accountable for his statements.
Rondeau then went silent; dodging most questions in the legislature.
The information provided to the CTF also showed another government official made questionable statements in the legislature.
Roman Zubach, acting president of the MLCC, stated at a committee meeting on March 21 that the MLCC’s tickets were used for promotional purposes, "in other words, for our customers."
However, MLCC documents show only 30 of the 440 tickets were used for promotional purposes. The rest went to the minister’s office, NDP appointed board members (including all 10 tickets for the first game) and staff.
When the scandal started to unfold, the government sent Finance Minister Stan Struthers out to answer media questions on the contentious issue.
When asked about his own ticket situation, Struthers noted in the legislature that he only received tickets from a ticket pool with friends.
Yet, days later it was learned he had also received tickets from a business association and Red River College, a taxpayer-funded organization.
It was also later revealed that Energy Minister Dave Chomiak received tickets from an oil company. Coincidentally, Chomiak disclosed the tickets in the Speaker’s Office when the issue emerged and was away from the legislature sick after the premier suggested he repay the tickets.
During the premier’s emergency press conference on the issue, the government released details of Jets tickets for all four major Crown corporations and all cabinet ministers.
Interestingly enough, the figures released by the Premier’s Office for Manitoba Public Insurance and Manitoba Hydro didn’t match the figures they provided to the CTF weeks earlier.
Manitoba Hydro even told the CTF they didn’t have a list they could provide that noted who received their four season tickets, yet somehow they were able to disclose such a breakdown to the government.
From the start, the CTF has noted publicly that gifts to politicians was actually a fairly common practice in government, but one that should end.
After all, despite what some naive politicians think, they’re receiving gifts for a reason.
It’s good that the premier has said no more pro sports ticket freebies for MLAs, but what about concert tickets, tickets to see celebrities speak and other expensive events?
And why are Crowns buying tickets in the first place? MPI told the CTF it can still negotiate advertising deals without receiving tickets. The Crown corporation should do just that.
Some good progress has been made on the issue, but clearly there is more work to do.
One thing is for certain, the issue is more than just politicians getting free tickets.
» Colin Craig is Manitoba director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, the country’s leading non-partisan citizens advocacy group fighting for lower taxes, less waste and accountable government.
Republished from the Brandon Sun print edition May 29, 2012
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