Manitoba PCs post $689K deficit on Khan's first day in chamber as Opposition leader

On the first day Obby Khan stood up in the chamber of the Manitoba Legislature as the leader of the official opposition, his Progressive Conservative Party disclosed a deficit in excess of two thirds of a million dollars for 2024.

Khan's PC party posted a $689,000 deficit for the last calendar year, according to an annual return filed Monday with Elections Manitoba.

While this marks an improvement on a Progressive Conservative deficit of $1.04 million at the end of 2023, the red ink continues to pose a challenge for the  PCs and Khan.

Wab Kinew's New Democratic Party finished 2024 with an $835,000 surplus, providing his party with an advantage in terms of advertising, marketing and preparation for an election expected no later than 2027.

The Progressive Conservatives also fell behind the New Democrats in 2024 when it came to fundraising. The PCs raised $57,000 last year, compared to $125,000 for the NDP, according to the parties' respective annual returns.

Khan said Monday in a statement he plans to raise money for the PCs throughout the summer and will ensure the party is "in a strong position financially heading into the 2027 election."

The 2024 PC return shows party leadership candidate Wally Daudrich, who lost a close race to Khan in April, was the single largest individual donor to the party last year. He gifted the PCs $5,902.50.

 Khan donated $646.25, according to the return.

The Manitoba Green Party posted a $22,000 surplus in 2024, according to its annual return.

The Manitoba Liberal Party, Keystone Party and Communist Party have yet to file returns for 2024.