Fletcher pushes for fewer politicians

BACKBENCH MANITOBA MLA TO INTRODUCE UNIQUE BILL

A backbencher in Manitoba’s Progressive Conservative government says there are too many politicians in the legislature, and is hoping to chop eight of the province’s 57 seats.

Steven Fletcher, a former federal cabinet minister who has already shown a willingness to be at odds with his own governing party, is planning to introduce a private member’s bill today that he says would reduce the size of government and save the public a lot of money.

Private member’s bills usually fail to get enough support to become law, but Fletcher said Sunday he hopes to at least start a public discussion about the size of government in Manitoba.

“There are places even in my (area) where you could trip over and land in three provincial ridings,” said Fletcher, who represents the Assiniboia constituency in west Winnipeg.

Winnipeg alone has 31 legislature seats. The same area is served by 15 members of city council and eight federal members of Parliament.

On a per-capita basis, Manitoba has fewer provincial politicians than provinces such as Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan, but much more than big-population provinces such as Ontario and Quebec.

Fletcher said cutting the number of legislature seats would mean fewer politician salaries, along with fewer expenses such as travel and support staff. The 44-year-old said the change would not be a big burden for himself and his legislature colleagues.

“Representing a provincial riding is nowhere near as onerous as a federal riding,” said Fletcher, who was a member of Parliament from 2004 to 2015, when he lost to Liberal Doug Eyolfson.

Fletcher would not say Sunday whether he has any support within the Tory caucus for his bill. He has been something of a lone wolf in caucus since being elected last year, and has had to look to other parties on occasion to get his bills introduced in the legislature.

Earlier this month, Fletcher went against his party’s line and criticized a government bill that would create a new Crown agency to promote energy efficiency. Premier Brian Pallister appeared displeased with the dissension but said any discipline would be dealt with behind closed caucus doors.