Manitoba NDP's attempt to introduce seniors' advocate bill stalled as Tories hold up bills for 2nd day

The Manitoba government plans to establish an advocateoffice for seniors to examine health care, social services and otherprograms that affect older generations.

The advocate office, promised by the NDP in last year's election campaign, would be independent from government and examineindividual complaints as well as systemic issues. Like the existing provincial advocate for children and youth, the seniors advocatewould report to the legislature in a public manner.

"The mandate ... is going to allow for that office to investigate different themes, be it health care, be it housing issues concerns that we know are top priority for Manitobans,"Uzoma Asagwara, minister for health, seniors and long-termcare, said Tuesday.

The Opposition Progressive Conservatives accused the NDP of having little regard for seniors since winning last October'selection. The Tories pointed to a decision by the NDP in December to pause some health-care capital projects, including several personalcare homes, pending a review of the province's finances.

Asagwara wanted to introduce a bill in the legislature Tuesday to set up the new advocate's office, but the Tories continued to stalldebate in the chamber. For a second consecutive day, the Tories used procedural tactics to grind matters to a halt, affecting severalbills.

The delays are unlikely to prevent the bills from becoming law, because the NDP has a solid majority. But the delays can prevent thebills from going to a final vote before the summer break.

Tuesday was the deadline for the government to introduce bills and have a good chance of getting them passed by summer. Other billsbeing held up include one that would ban the use of replacement workers during labour disputes.

The ongoing delays were criticized by government house leader Nahanni Fontaine.

"It's abusing the house and some of the rules and tools we have," Fontaine said.

Cindy Lamoureux, the lone Liberal legislature member, accused the NDP of being hypocritical because, while in Opposition in 2020, theNew Democrats delayed Tory bills and the provincial budget for days.

"They did the very same thing. They did this tactic," Lamoureux said.