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This article was published 21/8/2017 (1126 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The provincial NDP is charging the highest fees of any Manitoba political party for its members to attend its Sept. 16 leadership convention — $100 for delegates and $40 for other party members.

There are subsidies available for delegates, but the New Democrats are also charging the general public $500 — and that includes observers from other political parties.

Manitoba's Liberals are charging members and the general public $15 to attend their Oct. 21 leadership vote. The Conservatives say they didn't charge anyone at their last two leaderships.

The provincial NDP headquarters confirmed information raised Monday by Manitoba Liberal president Paul Brault.

NDP leadership candidate Steve Ashton said Monday he's not happy with the fees.

"I am concerned with any fee that can act as a barrier to participation. It is one of the reasons why I have always supported direct election for our leaders," Ashton said. "Given that it is a delegated convention, our campaign believes it is important to ensure that accommodation is made in terms of delegates fees to ensure that all delegates who are on limited incomes are able to attend the convention."

NDP leadership candidate Wab Kinew declined to discuss the fees Monday, referring all questions to the provincial office.

Party provincial secretary Keith Bellamy said the fees are consistent with leadership fees in 2015 and 2009.

The delegates' fee is listed on the party's leadership convention website on a link, No. 11 in a series of frequently asked questions about serving as a delegate.

The members' and non-members' fees are on a link at the bottom of the leadership website for visitor registration and payment forms.

The Liberals have charged $5 admission at candidates' debates, while the NDP debates have been free.

The $15 admission to the Liberal convention applies to observers from other political parties, as well.

The net cost of that fee is $3.75 after figuring in the tax receipt, Brault said. "This was the previous board of directors, that approved these budgets and rules."

He blamed Premier Brian Pallister for the Liberals' need to impose a fee to break even on convention costs. "One of their first pieces of legislation was to eliminate any form of political subsidies. The requirement for the ability to function, is cost recovery."

Manitoba Conservative party volunteer spokesman Blake Robert said that the Tories did not charge members for the 2012 and 2006 leadership conventions. There was no general public admission and there were no problems accommodating everyone who wanted to attend, he said.

The Tories did charge the NDP $500 to observe the party's last annual general meeting, he said, but that was only because the NDP did the same to the Tories.

Robert said the party will pay $500 for one observer to attend the NDP convention, and will pony up $15 to send an observer to the Liberal convention.

nick.martin@freepress.mb.ca