NDP leadership hopefuls talk taxes, water quality

One of the three men vying to become Manitoba's next premier says he will not implement a harmonized sales tax for at least two years.

Andrew Swan says if he is elected leader of the governing New Democrats, he will not merge the provincial sales tax with the federal GST until after the 2011 election and only if public consultations show the idea has support.

Swan is also promising to raise the rate of welfare payments.

Another leadership candidate, Greg Selinger, is vowing to implement new measures to protect water quality.

The former finance minister also said the Red River Floodway should be used more to prevent summer rains from flooding out the Forks Riverwalk.

"With our investment in the floodway, one of the things we'll do moving forward is ensure that this walkway system is more available for the use of Winnipeggers," Selinger said.

He also said people who live south of the floodway should either be protected from any impact on their properties when the floodway gates are activated, or be compensated for any impact they do suffer.

Steve Ashton, meanwhile, says his team has signed up an "amazing quantity" of party memberships and is boldly predicting a "possible" first-ballot victory.

All three men are cabinet ministers who have stepped down from their roles to run for the NDP leadership. The race will be decided Oct 17.