In Manitoba, an investigation by the province's election commissioner has concluded that the Progressive Conservative Party (PC) acted unlawfully by using a legislative room for campaigning purposes prior to the 2023 provincial election. This finding stemmed from a complaint filed by a former provincial secretary from the New Democratic Party (NDP), alleging that the Tory caucus engaged in a partisan political event in the legislature building, which contravened existing electoral laws. The commissioner pointed out that while government staff were informed the event was intended for student engagement, serious breaches of campaign regulations were evident, particularly with the involvement of campaign leaders making partisan remarks.

The election commissioner's report highlighted that despite efforts to present the event as educational, the nature of the proceedings indicated a lack of adherence to impartiality in the use of government spaces. The report specifically mentions how the co-chair and campaign director made partisan statements and invited attendees to participate in the forthcoming election campaign. As a result of these findings, Commissioner Bill Bowles has issued a recommendation for the Progressive Conservative Party to negotiate a fee for the use of legislative space, suggesting that it be deposited into a consolidated fund to correct the misuse of government resources.

In response to the findings, a spokesperson for the Progressive Conservative Party indicated that they are currently reviewing the situation. This incident raises critical questions about the boundaries between government responsibilities and political activities, particularly regarding the use of public resources in electoral campaigns. As this matter unfolds, it may lead to further scrutiny of campaign practices within Manitoba and potentially influence future legislative guidelines around such activities.