Manitoba Liberal Party Platform 2011, and Some Points of Difference

Like everyone who reads my blog (I hope), I want better government a la better management of the Province.

I said I looked for a difference maker.

Below are some examples of difference making, put down in writing, by Dr. Gerrard's Liberals.

I'll get to analysis tomorrow, I want to pause and reflect.

I'll tell you now, though, the STV is not my personal pick for change to the voting system. But it is still a sight for sore eyes to see a party commit to a much better system than we have now. Maybe I'll convince them to consider an alternative...

Quotes:

"Manitoba Liberals would legislate a sixth principle; our health care system must also be 

accountable. Liberals would end global budgets for Regional Health Authorities and 

focus resources and effor ts where they are needed — on the front lines."

"End global budgets for RHAs and base funding on front line ser vices delivered."

"Focus on reunification of families and better support foster families."

"Manitobans deserve better economic leadership. Innovation, new ideas, new products and 

new services are vital for Manitoba companies to advance and prosper. Our government must 

provide responsible leadership to build that success."

"Develop a long-term plan for Manitoba Hydro into the next decade with more 

accountability for and input from Manitobans."

"Establish a consultations office to scrutinize all government departments and ensure a 

strong Aboriginal voice in provincial decision making."

"• Institute a new, fairer method of voting, in which voters can vote their preference 

in order. When no candidate has more than 50% of the vote, such a ballot would allow 

the transferring of votes from the candidate with the least suppor t to the voter’s 

second choice, until one candidate has more than 50% suppor t. In this way, ever y 

MLA would be elected by a majority of those voting in each constituency. 

• Ensure more accountability in government by implementing mandatory screening 

of all appointments to the boards of crown corporations. 

• Review the system by which Regional Health Authority boards are appointed and 

explore the possibility of having a number of representatives on these boards 

democratically appointed by the citizens of the regions they ser ve. 

• Provide RHAs with greater autonomy and use key per formance indicators to hold 

them accountable to the province. 

• Make the operations of government, such as Legislative Chamber debates 

and Legislative Committee meetings, available on-line to the citizens of Manitoba. "