Manitoba Law Courts
WINNIPEG — A decision in a lawsuit brought forward by Manitoba’s Progressive Conservative Party over the province’s PST hike will have to wait for another day.
Justice Kenneth Hanssen reserved his verdict for a later date after nearly three hours of arguments from both sides on Wednesday.
The court proceedings were broadcast live as part of a pilot program with the courts to allow more transparency and public access.
The Tories filed a lawsuit against the ruling NDP government over not giving Manitobans the option to vote for the increase, as is required by law.
“We worked hard last summer to convince the NDP to reverse its decision to raise the PST and promised Manitobans we would take legal action if they chose not to reverse that decision. We are keeping our word to Manitobans,” said PC leader Brian Pallister.
The NDP raised the PST to 8% last year, saying the added revenue would be fuelled into funding infrastructure projects.
Lawyer Robert Tapper is representing the PCs, while Jonathan Kroft and John B. Martens is representing the government.
Updated at 2:45 p.m.
