‘It’s really about good ideas’

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 05/01/2016 (3589 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

On the last day of 2015, Brandon Sun editor Matt Goerzen had an end-of-year conversation with Manitoba Liberal Leader Rana Bokhari.

Their conversation came the same day as the party announced Althea Guiboche — better known as Winnipeg’s “Bannock Lady” — would

carry the Liberal banner in Point Douglas, and shortly after the provincial Progressive Conservatives ran an attack ad against the party,

suggesting that the Liberals would never repeal the NDP’s hike to the PST. The conversation has been edited for length, and clarity.

MG — The polls are showing a surge in Liberal support. A lot of folks like myself are saying it’s a bump from the federal Liberals. Is there truth in this?

RB —The Liberal banner and the values that both parties — federal and provincial —hold is what matters to us as a party. If Manitobans and Canadians are getting behind a value system that is socially just and is fiscally responsible and is environmentally sustainable, that’s better for all of us.

And yes, of course, we’re proud and happy to be a part of that federal family. And if there is a bump coming from that, that’s amazing and wonderful. But that doesn’t make or break us on April 19. On April 19, people are voting for a provincial party and a leader to be the next premier of this province.

MG —One thing I found interesting this week is that the Progressive Conservatives just took a major shot at the Liberal party —“They’re not going to lower the PST.”

RB —(Laughs) I’m sorry, I’m laughing because I’m of such a different world. It’s mind-blowing to me, I’m sure it is to you as well, after coming out of a federal election where Canadians including Manitobans were so clear that the negativity, the attacks, all that nonsense does not work. And then you have these guys who just want to continue to do that. All it shows is that they’re not willing to be innovative. The Progressive Conservatives are stuck in a box that they cannot get out of. And the real choice right now for all Manitobans is, do you want young, progressive, refreshing, fiscally responsible, socially just or do you want to the guy who’s out of touch with all kinds of reality?

MG — Can you define the box that you’re suggesting they’re in?

RB —This is a person who clearly does not resonate with groups of Manitobans. He has a history — just take a look at what he said in the (legislature). This is a man who said, during Manitoba’s racial issues when the Maclean’s article came out, “this hasn’t happened to me, so no big deal.”

These are the kinds of things that he has said in the past. This is a box that he has created for himself. I just don’t think that he reflects the values of Manitobans.

MG —Well, are the Conservatives right? What is your position on the PST?

RB — The PST is going to municipalities on a per-capita basis, first off.

MG — You mean that one extra per cent?

RB —It doesn’t mean all the PST, it means the new revenue from that one per cent of the PST hike that the Selinger government implemented. That one per cent is going to go to municipalities, on a per capita basis, in a transparent fund. Everyone knows what they’re getting per year, and they’re able to manage. Brandon needs the money. Everyone needs the money. They need it to function, to fix their roads, to fix community centres. There’s all these issues that arise in rural Manitoba that we need to start addressing.

MG — Do you ever see a day when the PST goes back down to seven per cent?

RB — I hope for that day. I do. When the PST was raised, it bothered me, it bothered my parents, it bothered my friends, it bothered all of us because we felt betrayed. So, if things would get back on track — and I believe a Liberal government can get us back on track — I’m not opposed to going back to seven. Not today — let’s just make sure that’s clear. I’m saying in time. But we need to solve the issues that are right in front of us. Let’s give municipalities the cash they need and are asking for. All these responsibilities are being downloaded on municipalities. You can’t tell someone, “Hey I’m giving you 50 per cent more work, and I’m going to pay you zero.” That’s not the way the world works.

MG — The reason someone attacks is because they feel threatened. Do you think the Progressive Conservative party is being threatened by the Liberals? Or being helped by the Liberals?

RB — Honestly, I don’t know what’s going on in their minds. But I do know that they recognize that the battle is between us and them. And also I think it may be just habit. They have a habit of attacking people. That’s the old way of politics. That was rejected federally.

MG —But isn’t the very nature of politics to attack and defend?

RB —I do not agree with that, no. I think dialogue is great. I think you only attack if you are very ideological. Because it’s really about good ideas — and I have openly supported great ideas from other parties. Nobody owns good ideas. And if you’re truly wanting to be the premier, you’d better be thinking about what’s best for all the people of our province.

MG — Can you give me one idea from each party that you agreed with?

RB — The post-traumatic stress (disorder) for the firefighters. That was something that I agreed with that I supported openly. And the PCs — they asked a question in the legislature about why Manitoba did not have a stroke unit. Now, they did not present that policy, I did. But when Myrna Driedger did bring it up in the legislature, I appreciated that — and definitely supported it.

MG —One thing you mentioned during the debate here in Brandon, was that the NDP had not done anything for infrastructure in 15 years. I’ve been here for 10, and I can say they have done some things. Victoria Avenue has been addressed in Brandon. Highway 10 has been addressed to some degree.

RB —Highway 15 has not been addressed. Highway 75, after 15 years, is only now being addressed. What I suggested in that debate is that we’re talking about an infrastructure deficit. For anyone to believe that one day in 2015, magically we all woke up and all of a sudden they’ve fixed this big hole of infrastructure needs, I just don’t believe that to be true. There are a lot of issues that have (arisen) because of mismanagement, if you want to call it, ignoring issues, not prioritizing properly — whatever it is. We didn’t get to this point dealing with the issue head on when we needed to deal with it.

A province doesn’t get to a crisis scenario until something’s been ignored. We see that in our poverty rates, we see that in our health-care system, we see it in our education system, and now you see it in infrastructure.

MG — I’ll go back to today’s announcement with Althea. This is maybe the third time off the top of my head that I recall a Liberal candidate being appointed instead of (the party) holding a nomination meeting.

RB — No, that’s absolutely false. We have candidates who have been acclaimed when no other person put their name forward. That has happened.

MG —I guess my point here, though, is that I’m hearing of a dearth of open nomination meetings. I’m not hearing, “Hey, we’re having a nomination meeting — anyone who wants to put their name forward, we’re looking for people.” I haven’t heard any of that, and I’m wondering why that is.

RB — So you’re questioning the process here …

MG — I’m questioning the process here because there was no nomination meeting for (Vanessa) Hamilton in Brandon East.

RB — Vanessa’s nomination meeting is when we’re going to call it, which means the next time out in Brandon.

MG — I’m talking about a process where one or more people vie for the same chance to run. So when I say we have a nomination process starting, put your names forward — she was appointed. She was chosen to run in Brandon East.

RB — I’ve been in Brandon about five times. And we had asked people. Obviously we’re looking for quality people who want to be a part of this team. That is false information that there is no call out for people. We do it differently. We have people on the ground who are asking people, approaching people, having conversations with people. But people are acclaimed and I own that. Listen, at the end of the day, I’m doing whatever it is that we need to do to make sure we have a quality slate that is going to represent the people of this province.

MG — Is there anyone stepping up to run against each other in Brandon West?

RB —No, the only contested nomination we’re having is in Kildonan in Winnipeg. And there may be two more.

MG — I still need to know why there aren’t more contested nominations. I know of at least a couple of people who might have run for Brandon East had they been allowed to put their names forward. To me it seems more as if someone was chosen.

RB — Let’s be very clear about this. If I want to choose somebody, I will tell you that I’m choosing somebody. I’ve never said in any shape or form that if I want a quality person in an area, I have as leader the right to appoint — our process allows us to appoint. And when I’m appointing, I will appoint. And I will do it openly and proudly. The releases will say that I’ve appointed. There should be no misunderstanding. I’m not saying that I won’t appoint, because I will. And where there’s contested, there’s contested.

MG — Why not this time?

RB — I don’t have an answer for you there. It is what it is. We put out the call and no one stepped forward. Vanessa had been in conversations with not only the federals, but us, actively. I liked who she was. This isn’t some hidden thing. I don’t see this as a negative thing. In Brandon East, we asked people during the federal election if you’re in. I’m not wasting a lot of time here. Everyone has their time limit.

MG — Is there someone to be announced in the coming weeks?

RB — We have a few more. They’re coming soon. But I’m not going to release too much detail about those.

MG —I’m curious about Brandon West.

RB — No, nothing yet. I’ve got to get back out there sometime in January. I know there’s conversations that are happening with people who are able to gauge for us. But I haven’t heard anything either way. But the call is out there. If you want to put that out there that we’re looking for someone for Brandon West. I’m looking to fill that at the latest, mid-February.

MG — Looking at the current numbers here, what are your chances come election day?

RB — None of us are here to do anything but serve on April 20. If we have something to do, it’s to put forward meaningful policies. The reality is, this is a challenge and we have a tough job ahead of us. We’re going to do everything we can to make sure we succeed at this.

MG — How do you see the campaign in the new year? A lot of people are predicting a nasty campaign.

RB — I’d say the same — but not from us. I’m not going to get thrown into that nastiness. It’s not my style, it’s not who I want to be, and it’s not the kind of team I’m willing to lead. So that’s off my table when it comes to attack ads or any of that stuff.

MG — One of the criticisms I’ve seen levelled at some of the announcements you’ve made over the last several months, that they’ve been more populist — appealing to voters, but not necessarily policy heavy. Privatizing alcohol, for example, to make it in the long run cheaper for buyers is a populist idea.

RB — And creating a new industry. What a lot of other people call populist, that is a norm for a lot of people. This is the difference between politicians who are in touch with people and politicians who are really just hanging out with other politicians —some go out and have actual conversations with Manitobans. What are they talking about? What are the needs that they want met? What are the things that they feel would be amazing for our province to move forward? Creating a retail industry in alcohol that allows people to start businesses, and helps rural Manitoba and helps the hotel industries out in the country who want to succeed — you guys call it populist, I call it good policy.

MG — What about freezing rent? There are any number of people who would say any number of things about how to control rent and how to make rent affordable. But freezing rent?

RB — The issue with rent today is it’s increasing higher than the rate of inflation, No. 1. We have a serious poverty and homelessness issue in this province. And we also know that Manitobans on average, are spending more than 30 per cent — the recommended amount of their income — on shelter. We have a problem. What we said, and it’s the right thing to do for the people of this province who are struggling, is give everyone a moment to breathe. And let’s figure out how we make rent control work. This isn’t forever. We need to take a break, and have all the stakeholders around the table, and let’s have this conversation. But if we continue on this path, poverty is going to continue to increase. They are going to be homeless. Our working poor is going to increase. They’re going to continue on this destructive path.

MG — On (Brian Pallister’s) plan to cut members of cabinet should he take office to try and trim costs, do you agree with him?

RB — Decreasing the size of cabinet? Yeah. I’m not going to say how many … I’m saying in principle, if it’s possible to manage, which I can’t say based on evidence I know at this moment in time. If you’re going to tell Manitobans to tighten their belts, the government needs to tighten their belts as well.

MG — What about government salaries?

RB — It’s a great question. I haven’t delved into it as much as maybe I will closer to the election. I’ll get back to you on all that stuff.

MG —Would a Liberal government start trimming costs? The Tories are being accused of “running with scissors.” They’re going to cut this, and they’re going to cut that.

RB — I’m getting excited as every day goes by to present a plan closer to the election. That plan will be three things: it will be responsible, it will be well thought out, and it will benefit the people of Manitoba. And it won’t take away the very services and necessities that we all rely on. The details will come. I’m actually having a lot of fun working on it. It’s actually fascinating to go through this and really think about some creative ways that we can govern efficiently and properly and responsibly.

MG — What can Manitobans look forward to from your campaign in 2016?

RB — It’s going to be exciting. We’ll have a great team. I look forward to visiting as many ridings as I can. Hopefully I’ll be out in Brandon soon, just meeting people. I’ll be the person who’s jumping from place to place, just talking to Manitobans. That’s the part of politics I love the most, the one-on-one relationships that you build along the way.

And really meaningful policy — things that affect Manitobans and their everyday lives.

And third, they can look forward to us rising above all the negativity and all the nastiness and all the nonsense. Because that’s not my style, and that’s not what we want to do.