WINNIPEG – Manitoba premier Greg Selinger is saying very little about the combined $670,000 payouts given to seven of his former staffers following a party revolt over his leadership.
After Friday’s question period, reporters were told the Premier would only be issuing a paper statement and not answering any questions.
READ MORE: Hefty payouts to former NDP staff members in Manitoba
Selinger left the legislative chamber through a back door in an attempt to avoid reporters. A Global News reporter was one of only two journalists to track him down.
The premier refused to stop walking to his office but attempted to explain why the $670,000 in taxpayers money was paid out in severance to former NDP political staffers, who left their jobs after having supported other candidates in the NDP leadership vote Selinger ultimately won by a narrow margin.
WATCH: Selinger wins NDP leadership vote by narrow margin
“(The payouts) were arrived at by proper advice of proper advice from professional people and the intention is to make sure that it is done in such a way that everyone is protected and looked after,” said Greg Selinger, before the door closed on his office.
Opposition leaders jumped on the latest controversy facing Selinger.
“This is a classic example of government waste,” said Brian Pallister, leader of the Official Opposition Progressive Conservative party. “Why Manitobans are expected to pay a departure tax for his flare up with his colleagues in the leadership race is beyond me. The NDP should foot the bill.”
“Greg Selinger is paying out more in severance to his former staffers than many Manitobans make in a year.” Liberal leader Rana Bokhari said in a news release. “These outrageous payouts are an insult to the hardworking people of Manitoba, and another clear example that Greg Selinger is unfit to govern this province.”
Their sentiments were echoed by others Friday.
“This is unacceptable, the payouts are too high, at least twice as high as they should be,” said Todd MacKay of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, adding that somebody else should be footing the bill, not taxpayers.
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