The Manitoba PC Party leaders debate illustrated they have lost their way

The PC Party is at a crossroads. It can continue down the path of internal power struggles and media-friendly theatrics, or it can reclaim its identity as a party focused on fiscal responsibility and good governance.

The recent Progressive Conservative (PC) leadership debate in Brandon should have been a defining moment for a party seeking to rebuild after a bruising election loss. Instead, it exposed the fractures and misplaced priorities within the PC Party of Manitoba. For members and supporters paying attention, it was more than disappointing—it was alarming.

The debate confirmed what I have sensed for some time: the PC Party has lost its way. This is not easy for me to say. I was once a proud PC representative, having served as an MLA for nine months. But I left that role disillusioned by the party’s inner workings. What I saw in Brandon reinforced that disappointment. If anything, it made me more concerned about the future of a party I once believed could be a force for positive change.

Manitoba faces serious challenges. Our deficit is growing, debt levels are climbing, and economic uncertainty looms large. We are teetering on a financial cliff. These should have been the urgent topics dominating the leadership debate. Yet, the event instead became a disappointing exercise in personal attacks, media-friendly controversies, and questions designed to stoke division.

It is no secret that mainstream media thrives on divisiveness. Outrage sells. A heated exchange between candidates or a controversial soundbite spreads like wildfire on social media. This is the business model of modern journalism, and it is effective. What concerns me is that the PC Party allowed itself to be dragged into this game. The questions posed during the debate reflected the same appetite for controversy over substance. The party leadership had an opportunity to elevate the conversation—to steer the discussion toward policy, fiscal responsibility, and rebuilding trust with Manitobans. They chose not to.

One moment that highlighted the party’s misplaced priorities was the question directed at Wally Daudrich regarding his offensive comment about homelessness and polar bears. The backlash to Daudrich’s remarks was justified. His comments were unacceptable and needed to be addressed. However, it is hard to ignore the selective nature of the scrutiny. While Daudrich was held to account, Obby Khan was not questioned about a pending lawsuit filed by a former business partner seeking more than $400,000. This legal issue, reported by the Winnipeg Free Press, should have been addressed. Party members deserve transparency and accountability from anyone aspiring to lead.

The debate also failed to address another troubling matter: the $3,800.00 invoice for a rental car associated with an intimacy coach. This expense was part of the party’s campaign spending in 2023, as revealed in an exclusive report by the Winnipeg Sun. The invoice, along with other questionable expenses, raises serious concerns about financial stewardship within the PC Party. Ignoring this issue during a leadership debate is unacceptable. Party members and the public deserve answers. When a party asks for trust and financial support, transparency is not optional—it is essential.

These omissions were not accidental. They reflect a deeper problem within the PC Party. There is an old guard—a group clinging to power and determined to protect their own. Tough questions were avoided because they might expose uncomfortable truths. The leadership debate should have been a forum to challenge candidates on their vision for the first 100 days in office. It should have demanded answers about how each candidate plans to tackle the deficit, control spending, and rebuild the province’s economy. Instead, it became a popularity contest fueled by soundbites and social media trends.

Manitobans deserve better. PC members deserve better. I am not writing this out of bitterness or personal grievance. My time as an MLA is behind me. I am writing this because I care about the future of our province. I want a government that prioritizes fiscal responsibility, economic growth, and public safety. I want a party that puts its members and the public ahead of backroom deals and internal alliances.

We have allowed politics to become a battleground of division and outrage. The media profits from it, politicians exploit it, and citizens are left wondering who, if anyone, is fighting for their future. This cycle must end. Leadership debates should not be theater designed to generate viral clips. They should be rigorous discussions about policy, vision, and solutions. The Brandon debate was a wasted opportunity, reflecting a party more concerned with optics than outcomes.

Some will dismiss this as harsh criticism, arguing that leadership races are inherently messy. That may be true, but this is not about perfection. It is about priorities. At a time when Manitobans are worried about their jobs, their taxes, and their future, the PC Party had a duty to offer serious solutions. Instead, it delivered spectacle.

The PC Party is at a crossroads. It can continue down the path of internal power struggles and media-friendly theatrics, or it can reclaim its identity as a party focused on fiscal responsibility and good governance. The choice is not for the party elite to make behind closed doors. It is for every member who believes the party can and should be better.

This is not about loyalty to a political brand. It is about loyalty to the people of Manitoba. We need a government focused on reducing the deficit, lowering debt, and creating a stable economic future. We need a PC Party that stands for something more than winning the next headline.

The Brandon debate was a wake-up call. The PC Party has lost its way. Members must demand more—to demand better. Anything less is a betrayal of the trust Manitobans have placed in this party for generations.