Media reports today say the Manitoba government plans to use a "rarely-invoked provision" when the legislative sitting resumes Monday to ensure an interim supply bill passes and civil servants get paid.
The move arises from the government’s inability to pass the bill last week, which would allow for government money to be spent in the new fiscal year.
A government spokesperson released a statement to media, saying that the “government will use a rarely-invoked provision to call the interim supply legislation for passage as the first order of business when the legislative assembly resumes sitting on April 1."
The spokesperson says they will use Rule 35 about reading orders of the day, which the legislative assembly rule book states "has precedence over any motion before the House."
MGEU President Michelle Gawronsky plans to attend Question
Period on Monday along with representatives from the union’s civil service components to see if the government passes this bill. She says this issue should
never have been used as a political football to begin with.
“I give full credit to the government for making this the first priority when the legislature resumes on Monday. However, it should never have come to this in the first place. Hard working government employees should never have to wonder if their paycheque will be held up due to infighting between political parties in the legislature. I encourage all MLAs to take the weekend to think about what’s hanging in the balance if this bill gets held up yet again. I also want to see some assurances that this won’t happen again.”
The MGEU, which represents approximately 12,000 members in
the provincial civil service, will post an update following Question Period on
April 1.