The Manitoba government is preparing new legislation to deal with the way Crown corporations are dealt with by the Province.

The Crown corporations governance and accountability act will be introduced to replace existing legislation.    The new act would see the Crown Corporation Council dissolved and replaced with a secretariat that would provide policy and oversight support .

According to Crown Services Minister Ron Schuler the new model will be more efficient and cost effective.

“This new legislation is aimed at furthering our government’s commitment of eliminating overlap and duplication within government, while finding efficiencies and savings,” said Schuler.  “The bill would support improved transparency and clearly define the respective roles of government and the boards of directors of Manitoba’s major Crown corporations.” 

Part of the plan in implementing the new act would be dedicating a policy unit that would help prepare documents, manage legislative and regulatory needs, provide analysis of major capital proposals and liaise with Crowns to address concerns of Manitobans, the minister said.  He added a regulatory unit would ensure compliance with reporting requirements of the act, as well as provide analysis and advice with respect to business plans, capital plans and other major decisions that boards may make.

The proposed legislation would affect four Manitoba Crown corporations: 

• Manitoba Hydro;
• Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries; 
• Manitoba Public Insurance; and 
• the Manitoba Centennial Centre Corporation.

The proposed legislation will be introduced later this year.

-News4 Staff-