Critics say Manitoba’s million-dollar ad campaigns are aimed at buying votes

“It’s completely undemocratic and it’s the sort of thing that needs to be recognized and reined in,” Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont said Monday. The spending is needed to ensure people know they are eligible for things such as the inflation-fighting cheques, Finance Minister Cliff Cullen said. Another document, provided by Cullen’s office, shows $500,000 has been budgeted for the child-care ad campaign alone, with additional money set aside for other initiatives. Some of that advertising is aimed at attracting more workers to the field, he said. Cullen said that campaign is aimed in part at fighting accusations by critics.