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The Liberals specifically listed the Crown corporations of Manitoba Public Insurance, Manitoba Hydro and Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries as organizations that would remain publicly owned.

“I don’t see the benefit in privatizing these public services and I know people have certainly been concerned about both Manitoba Hydro and MPI (being privatized),” said Lamont.

If the current Progressive Conservative government’s long-term proposal to contract out the Lifeflight air ambulance service hasn’t been awarded by the time a potential Liberal government is elected, that proposal would also be cancelled, said Lamont.

The Liberal leader cast doubt on the claim that privatizing a service is guaranteed to save the government money. And, if it does, that could come at the cost of poorer service, he added.

Lamont noted that past NDP and Progressive Conservative governments have privatized some government services. For example, the NDP sold the provincial land registry in 2012 and the Tories contracted out the province’s water bombers (used for wildfire suppression) in 2018.

In an email, Crown Services Minister Colleen Mayer said a re-elected PC government would have “no intention of privatizing any of our Crown corporations.”

“Our Crown corporations provide important services to Manitobans. We will continue to work with them to ensure they operate efficiently and for the best interest of Manitoba ratepayers,” wrote Mayer.

In a prepared statement, an NDP campaign spokesperson did not directly answer if that party would rule out any form of privatization, if elected. The statement did stress the party’s support for public Crown corporations.

“The NDP will keep investing in strong public services, like Hydro and MPI, so that life stays affordable for families,” the statement said.

Manitobans will elect their next government on Sept. 10.

jpursaga@postmedia.com

Twitter: @pursagawpgsun