Today on Inside Winnipeg Politics, Currier, Koop, and Klein ask, “Is it time for a new conservative party?” A real conservative party to serve Manitobans? That question resonates more loudly with each passing day as the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba continues to falter in its duty to represent conservative values and principles.
The Manitoba PC Party has failed to address significant concerns raised about its integrity and financial management. The recent election expenses scandal is a glaring example. Manitobans are still waiting for answers about the rental car invoice linked to a sex coach, invoices submitted without addresses, and glaring mathematical errors on invoices that included a former MP among them. Over $250,000 was handed to Campaign Compass, with even more money paid to an Alberta-based company, yet the public remains in the dark about what these expenditures achieved or what they were indeed for. This lack of transparency undermines trust and calls into question whether this party is fit to represent the interests of conservatives.
The PC Party has also strayed from its foundational values of fiscal responsibility and principled governance. Once the adults in the room when it came to financial stewardship, they have become increasingly indistinguishable from their ideological opponents. Their misguided spending during the last election, their refusal to address the ongoing Sio Silica investigation, and their general lack of accountability reflect a party adrift.
This drift is evident in their failure to confront divisive societal issues. Former Prime Minister Stephen Harper recently told the National Post, “Go see a pro-Israel demonstration and then go see a pro-Hamas demonstration. The difference is that only at the Israeli demonstration will they be carrying the Canadian flag. If you see a Canadian flag at the other group, they’ll be burning it. And that’s all you need to know about why Canada should be supporting Israel — they are our friends, and the other side is not. It’s that simple.”
Manitobans deserve a party that unequivocally stands against importing ancient hatreds into our communities. Harper’s call to action — “We cannot start importing age-old hatreds onto our streets…we need to do something about this” — should have been echoed loudly by the PC Party. Instead, their silence is deafening. Worse, Obby Khan’s letter in support of a University of Manitoba student accused of anti-Semitism raises further questions about the party’s commitment to conservative principles.
Across Canada, we’ve seen examples of new parties emerging when the old guard fails to deliver. The Saskatchewan Party was born out of frustration with the traditional Progressive Conservative and Liberal parties. Today, it’s a dominant force, embodying the values of fiscal responsibility, principled governance, and common sense that resonate with Saskatchewan voters. Manitoba could follow a similar path if conservatives come together to create a party that genuinely represents their interests.
Activists with radical agendas infiltrating political parties have eroded trust and led to a shift away from core values. The WOKE movement has divided communities and even conservative parties, forcing them to adopt positions that alienate their base. True conservatism is about respect for tradition, individual responsibility, and pragmatic governance—not bending to the demands of a loud minority seeking to impose its worldview on everyone else.
The PC Party has lost its way, becoming entangled in the very WOKE rebellion that conservatives reject. It is no longer a vehicle for promoting conservative ideals but a shadow of its former self, beholden to insiders and activists. This is why the idea of a new conservative party deserves serious consideration.
A new party could serve as a fresh start, unencumbered by the baggage of past scandals and free to prioritize Manitobans' needs. It could focus on core conservative principles: fiscal responsibility, public safety, and respect for individual freedoms. It could stand firmly against the divisive ideologies that have permeated other political parties and work to unite Manitobans around shared values.
The WOKE movement has fractured society, but it has also presented an opportunity for conservatives to reclaim their identity. A new conservative party could be the answer, providing a platform for those who feel abandoned by the PC Party to unite and rebuild. It would not be easy, but as history has shown, bold action often leads to meaningful change.
The question is no longer whether the PC Party can reform itself. The question is whether Manitobans are ready to demand something better. The time has come to have an honest conversation about the future of conservatism in Manitoba. A new conservative party may be the only way forward.
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