Manitoba Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont speaks to media outside the legislature after the provincial throne speech was read at the Manitoba Legislature in Winnipeg on November 21, 2017. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods)
Manitoba’s Liberals would create a separate police agency to complement the work of the RCMP and First Nations police, if elected.
Party leader Dougald Lamont announced Thursday his party would create the Manitoba Police Service.
“For too long, Manitoba has had some of the highest crime rates in Canada. Under the PC’s cuts and inaction, it is only getting worse,” said Lamont.
“There are too many gaps in policing in Manitoba due to years of budget cuts and it is time to invest in a solution that will work province-wide.”
Lamont was the first of the three provincial party leaders to make a policy announcement since Premier Brian Pallister set September 10, 2019 as the date of the province’s next election.
Lamont said his party would also share 25 percent of cannabis revenues with municipalities, and invest in mental health and addictions resources.
“We need to localize services that directly deal with public safety, health care and education,” said Lamont. “You have a right to feel safe in your own home.”
