Premier’s European itinerary light on details

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This article was published 03/06/2019 (1989 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister is off to Europe for 12 days, but his office is keeping several details of the trip under wraps — at least for now.

The premier mentioned to reporters in passing Tuesday he will be attending the 75th anniversary commemoration of the Allied invasion of Normandy on D-Day, June 6.

Pallister said he would also use the trip to drum up business for Manitoba, including “a couple of meetings” focusing on agribusiness.

When the Free Press followed up with his office later in the day, a spokeswoman for the premier declined to answer questions about the trip, saying the government would issue a news release later in the week.

The Free Press asked for details of the premier’s itinerary, whether Pallister was attending the D-Day ceremonies as part of a larger Manitoba or Canadian delegation or if he was attending on his own. His office was also asked for more information about the business meetings the premier had lined up, and who was travelling with him.

The Free Press asked the government to confirm taxpayers were on the hook for the costs of the trip.

While Pallister’s spokeswoman said details would be forthcoming, the premier indicated at his news conference Tuesday the government would be imposing a blackout on announcements and certain government communications “in the next few days.”

It’s unclear whether the European trip will be affected by the blackout.

Todd MacKay, Prairie director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, said the government should provide basic information about the trip, unless there’s a very good reason not to.

Apart from a desire not to compromise sensitive trade talks, he said, “It’s pretty hard to imagine why the government couldn’t be upfront and proactive” on such questions as who is travelling with the premier and if taxpayers are on the hook for the costs.

“Transparency needs to be the default value,” MacKay said.

A spokeswoman for Keystone Agricultural Producers said the farm lobby group was unaware of the premier’s trip.

Loren Remillard, president and chief executive officer of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, said he, too, was unaware the premier was travelling to Europe, in part, to explore opportunities for Manitoba business.

“The premier’s office, both present and past, have not made it a matter of practice to share their schedules with us unless, of course, we’re part of a delegation,” he said. “So it’s not a surprise for us. It’s not an issue for us.”

larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca