There is plenty of evidence indicating this purchase is not in the best interest of Manitoba taxpayers: Lamoureux

 Winnipeg – Deputy Liberal Leader and MLA for Inkster, Kevin Lamoureux called for an immediate halt and review of the NDP’s purchase of four new water bomber planes at a cost of $126 million dollars.

 “There is more evidence to suggest that this deal is bad for Manitoba taxpayers.  The Premier is calling this purchase a stimulus project but I reject that claim.  These planes are built and retrofitted outside of Manitoba so there will be few if any new jobs created by their purchase,” said Lamoureux.

 The MLA for Inkster also called on the Premier to release documentation proving that Manitoba’s current fleet of water bombers is unsafe and unusable. 

 “The Premier himself said that our water bombers are maintained to standards above and beyond what Federal standards require and that our planes are in excellent shape,” said Lamoureux.  “I have to question why we are buying these planes while we are struggling with record-high deficits.  No responsible government would consider spending $126 million on unnecessary equipment when we are projecting to run massive deficits for the next four years.”

 “I think that the NDP should follow the lead of Newfoundland and Labrador government which cancelled their water bomber purchase in April, 2009 when it became apparent that it was not the best decision for their taxpayers.”

 Lamoureux also said that the Premier was misleading Manitobans about the urgency and timing of the purchase.  “The Premier told us yesterday that we needed these planes as part of regular upgrading of our fleet and there are a limited number of planes built each year so it was now or never, but the Saskatchewan government chose a more cost effective way to upgrade and bought retrofit kits from Bombardier.”

 “I also know that from 2002 to 2005 there was an over-supply of these planes.  I think the Premier needs to tell us why the NDP missed an opportunity five years ago to upgrade the fleet when the planes were likely available for much less.”

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 For more information, please contact: Michelle Nyhof, Communications Officer

Manitoba Liberal Caucus at (204) 771-2513 or michelle.nyhof@leg.gov.mb.ca