Winnipeg Free Press By: Dan Lett | Posted: 7:00 PM CDT Wednesday, Jun. 16, 2021 Welcome to Premier Brian Pallister's long con on Manitoba Hydro. In the parlance of grifters, a long con is an elaborate scam that unfolds over a prolonged period of time, involving many people, props and tools, all working together in a grand act of deception. The most recent instalment came this week, when it was learned Hydro has ignored a demand from the Public Utilities Board to turn over detailed financial information. The PUB order was prompted by a complaint from the Consumers Coalition, an intervenor umbrella organization that includes the Consumers' Association of Canada (Manitoba), Harvest Manitoba, and Aboriginal Council of Winnipeg. The group is concerned about the Pallister government's intentions to pass Bill 35, a law that would significantly curtail the PUB's role in hydro rate setting.