Manitoba PC Leadership Candidates Debate Crime, Taxes, and Health Care in Final Showdown
In a decisive debate held on March 19, 2025, the two contenders for the Manitoba Progressive Conservative (PC) Party leadership—Obby Khan and Wally Daudrich—engaged in a discussion on key issues affecting Manitobans, including crime, taxation, and health care. With the leadership election just weeks away, both candidates aimed to differentiate themselves in their vision for the party and the province.
Candidates’ Platforms and Key Proposals
Obby Khan: A Focus on Inclusivity and Municipal Support
Obby Khan, a former cabinet minister now serving in the Opposition, positioned himself as a progressive conservative focused on expanding the party’s reach, particularly in Winnipeg. One of his major proposals was to allocate a portion of the provincial sales tax directly to municipalities, addressing concerns over funding shortfalls at the local level. However, Khan did not specify the percentage of revenue that would be allocated under this plan.
Wally Daudrich: A Conservative Approach to Government and Economy
Wally Daudrich, a hotel owner and longtime PC board member with no prior elected office experience, took a more traditional conservative stance, emphasizing reducing government size and encouraging private-sector growth. Among his boldest proposals was the development of a new port in Hudson Bay to boost economic opportunities in northern Manitoba. Daudrich also opposed the NDP government’s recent decision to provide free prescription birth control, arguing that the province’s priorities should be redirected toward more pressing needs.
Key Debate Topics
Crime and Public Safety
Both candidates agreed on the need to increase police presence and enhance monitoring of individuals on bail to improve public safety across Manitoba. This aligns with broader concerns among voters about rising crime rates, particularly in urban areas.
Health Care Reform
Addressing Manitoba’s ongoing health care challenges, both candidates stressed the importance of attracting and retaining more doctors in underserved communities. Daudrich proposed a significant policy shift—allowing charitable hospital foundations to fund salaries rather than just capital projects—as a potential solution to chronic staffing shortages.
Taxation and Economic Growth
Khan’s proposal to redirect a portion of the provincial sales tax to municipalities is seen as a measure to empower local governments financially. This aligns with the Progressive Conservatives’ broader strategy of ensuring competitive taxation and supporting economic development.
Context: A Crucial Election for the PC Party
The leadership race comes after the PCs’ significant defeat in the 2023 provincial election, where they lost most of their support in Winnipeg, securing only three out of 32 seats in the city. Both Khan and Daudrich recognize the need to rebuild urban support if the party hopes to challenge the NDP in future elections.
With mail-in ballots as the primary voting method, party members will have until April 26 to decide the next leader of the Manitoba PC Party. The result will shape the party’s direction and its chances of regaining power in the province.
Source : The Canadian Press
