Gerrard challenges  Flin Flon MLA to speak to bill and provide accountability

WINNIPEG – Manitoba Liberal leader Dr.Jon Gerrard is calling for change to the process by which government political appointees are elected to the Manitoba Hydro board without public scrutiny or input.

“We are facing today the results of a politicized decision making process and the outcome is a hydro transmission line to be built on the west side of Lake Winnipeg,” Dr.Gerrard said.  “This decision was made by a hydro board, a secretive board, which lacks the high level of accountability that should be associated with the largest Crown corporation in this province.”

Gerard Jennissen MLA for Flin Flon, one of the political appointees to the Hydro board, currently sits in the legislature but he has never answered a single question about Hydro, and he has completely avoided publicly being accountable in any way for his role on the Hydro Board.

“Does Mr.Jennissen answer to the Premier or the caucus? Critical decisions that affect the future of Manitoba Hydro are being made by political appointees who may be driven by motives that do not benefit the average Manitoban,” Dr.Gerrard said.  “In the wake of concerns about Manitoba Hydro’s spending in northern Manitoba, over the past two years, and how recent decisions were made it becomes imperative that we change how members are chosen to ensure greater accountability.”

The liberal bill, Bill 205 – The Manitoba Hydro Amendment act, calls for all board appointees to be screened by a legislative all-party committee before being appointed.  This screening process will allow legislators to question board appointees about their qualifications and about their vision for Hydro and their views on important issues that impact Hydro. Bill 205 will reach second reading stage on Tuesday.

“This bill essentially gives the Hydro board the ability to stand up against political interference because appointees would have already been publicly questioned about their willingness to challenge the government,” Dr.Gerrard said. “It will provide a level of accountability that is severely lacking and will give board members the power to act in the best interests of Manitobans as opposed to being NDP lackeys.”

Manitoba Hydro, the province’s most important Crown Corporation, had revenues totaling over $2 billion in the last fiscal year.