1st day of fall sitting at Manitoba Legislature sees carbon tax at top of agenda

The carbon tax debate that's gripped federal politics became fodder for Manitoba's provincial legislators Wednesday, as the Opposition Progressive Conservatives tried to score political points in their first question period performance against the new NDP government.

The Tories accused the NDP of not fighting for Manitobans to receive a carbon tax exemption like the one for heating oil, which benefits many homes in Atlantic Canada, where many homeowners still use furnace oil for heating.

Question period also saw the NDP chastise the PCs for keeping the gas tax while they were in power, the premier gently reprimanded for mentioning PC Leader Heather Stefanson's absence from the legislature, and plenty of heckling.

Stefanson began the first question period of the fall sitting by asking how Premier Wab Kinew will ensure Manitobans also see a carbon tax exemption. 

Though Kinew has asked Ottawa to remove the carbon tax from natural gas home heating, his reply to Stefanson cited an agreement in principle his government has, under Ottawa's oil to heat pump affordability program, to help some homes convert to heat pumps.

"The first question and the first answer, and there was no answer," Stefanson said.

"I think it's interesting the leader of the Opposition is already talking about people not doing their job, when she didn't show up for for her first day of her new job," Kinew replied.

Stefanson was absent on Nov. 9, when MLAs returned to the legislature to elect Tom Lindsey as the new Speaker of the House.

Kinew's comments on her absence prompted immediate heckling from the Tories, as legislators are barred in question period from referencing whether a MLA is present or not.

Prior to this week, Stefanson has only made two public appearances since her party was defeated in the Oct. 3 election.

Stefanson also asked if the NDP government would stop collecting the carbon tax on all home heating bills. The government of neighbouring Saskatchewan has said it will go ahead with a similar move.

Kinew later took a jab at Stefanon for not asking more questions.

"I see that the leader of the Official Opposition is already skipping out after one set of questions," he said "We know it's a long-standing practice for the leader of the Opposition to ask two sets of questions."

Speaking to reporters following Wednesday's session, Kinew stayed mum on why he wasn't bringing up the carbon tax on natural gas or what steps he's taken to ensure greater affordability on that tax. He said the NDP's position on a carbon tax exemption for natural gas has been clear.  

He wouldn't go into specifics about any conversations with the federal government.

"I think there's a lot of important conversations we're going to leave behind closed doors as far as the details," he said. "I think our government's position's been very clear."

Liberal MLA raises death of patient at Grace Hospital

Kinew also said during question period that while the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas is being fought overseas, its effects are being felt in Manitoba. 

There are Jewish families in Manitoba who are afraid and have experienced antisemitism, he said, and other families experiencing Islamophobia who are also seeing their mental health affected.

He called for an "enduring ceasefire" and the "end of Hamas forever," following the news that Israel and Hamas have agreed to temporary ceasefire deal where hostages and prisoners will be exchanged. 

"I think there's an opportunity with the news that broke overnight that there's a chance at forging a lasting peace here, so I wanted to share some words today to indicate that ... we want to see civilian life protected," he said following question period.

"I spoke at length about that in the chamber because this is an important priority for a lot of Manitobans."

Kinew also acknowledged Winnipeg-born peace activist Vivian Silver, who was confirmed killed after the Oct. 7 Hamas attack that sparked the latest conflict.

Meanwhile, interim Manitoba Liberal Party leader Cindy Lamoureux was the only MLA to bring up the fact in question period that a patient died over the weekend at the Grace Hospital after a 33-hour emergency room wait.

"I know that there was a lot of talk about carbon tax, but we know that health-care has been the biggest issue here in Manitoba for years now," said Lamoureux, the only Liberal MLA to win a seat in the Oct. 3 provincial election.

"First day back to session, I'm a little shocked that wasn't brought up sooner."