Manitoba NDP Seeks Probe into Progressive Conservatives’ Property Sale
Manitoba’s New Democratic Party has urged the province’s elections commissioner to examine the Progressive Conservatives’ plan to channel proceeds from the sale of their former headquarters directly to the party as income.
The property at 23 Kennedy Street, located east of the Manitoba Legislature grounds, is listed for $800,000. This 114-year-old structure, historically known as the Reid House, functioned as the PC party’s headquarters from the 1970s until 2025, according to records from the Manitoba Historical Society.
Provincial property and corporate records show the home is held by Nocorp Investments Ltd., with Keith LaBossiere and Mike Watson named as shareholders. In late 2025, PC Leader Obby Khan described Nocorp as a trust set up to donate the sale proceeds to the party.
NDP Alleges Illegal Corporate Donation
In a January 30 letter to Elections Commissioner Bill Bowles, NDP secretary Evan Krosney requested an investigation, arguing that corporate donations to political parties are banned in Manitoba. He stated that transferring sale proceeds from a registered business corporation to the Progressive Conservative Party “would clearly constitute an illegal contribution.”
The NDP submitted a legal opinion supporting its position. In the opinion, lawyer Greg Bartel pointed out that the PCs reported only $91,000 in assets on their latest financial statement. Bartel argued that the party has either underreported its assets or plans to accept a prohibited contribution. He also highlighted that the maximum allowable individual donation to a party is $5,000.
PC Response
Jon Lovlin, spokesperson for PC Leader Khan, indicated that the party received the NDP’s letter on Friday and intends to reply to Elections Manitoba in due course.
