Ousted Manitoba backbencher asks court to strike down ban on floor-crossing
WINNIPEG — A Manitoba politician who was kicked out of the governing Progressive Conservative caucus is asking a judge to strike down the province’s ban on floor-crossing as a violation of his charter rights.
Steven Fletcher is taking the province to court over a 2006 law that prevents him from joining another party and requires him to sit as an Independent until a byelection in his constituency or a general election. Fletcher says the law is the only one of its kind in Canada.
“As a result of my expulsion … I am not able to represent the constituents of my riding to full advantage,” Fletcher writes in an affidavit filed with the Court of Queen’s Bench on Monday.
“If I were able to join three or more other members of the legislative assembly in a recognized political party, I would regain parliamentary privileges including … asking questions to the full extent contemplated by the rules.”