Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries chair left over 'fundamental disagreement': Premier

Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister saidPolly Craik's departure as chair of Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries was tied to a "fundamental disagreement," which he implied was connected with her interest in anexpansion of Club Regent Casino.

"I think you'd have to assume that, wouldn't you?" PallisteransweredTuesday when questioned about the link between Craik's departure and the multimillion-dollar Winnipeg casinoexpansion,after telling reporters the Crown corporation needs to be more prudent fiscally.

"I'll just say this: when we're given the choice as a governmentto stand up to Manitobans'best interest, we take that choice very seriously."

Pallister responded for the first time Tuesday after it became known that Craik,a Progressive Conservative appointee and businesswoman, was no longer in her MLL post which he characterized as a resignation instead of an ouster.

He quickly dismissed charges of political interference, and instead said his government had a"fundamental disagreement" with Craik.

Gambling's growth unwise, Pallister says

"We don't believethat while we're doing a gambling review, we should be expanding capital investment in casinos in Manitoba."

The government last Thursday announcedRandy Williams would be promoted toboard chair, but made no mention ofCraik's departure which would normally be common practice in notifications of board changes involvingCrown corporations.

A notice on the Orders in Council website, dated Feb. 13, indicated thatCraik's appointment as board member and board chair had beenrevoked.

Pallister has previously run into conflictwith the boards of Crown corporations.

All but one member of the Manitoba Hydro board walked out last year after failingto get an audience with the premier, and following an order that the board cancela planned $70-million payment tothe ManitobaMetisFederation, intended as a means to forestall opposition to future Hydro projects.

Craik told the Winnipeg Free Press last week she was dismissedfrom the board, which runs counter toPallister's description of events.

"She's moving on to other things," he told media. "That's her choice."

The CBC was unable to reach Craikto respond to Pallister's remarks Tuesday.

Despite the purported disagreements, Pallister complimented Craik for her service and said the board should be applauded for its adept handling of the legalization of cannabis last year.

The Tory government has put a pause on the development of the province's gaming industry while in power.

They have stopped issuing any new licences whilea review of gamblingrevenues and social costs is ongoing, scrapped a $75-million plan to relocate MLL's headquarters to downtown Winnipeg.

The province alsorefused to open a First Nations-run casino in Winnipeg, much to the chagrin of several chiefs, and pressed pause on the expansion of Club Regent Casino.