Manitoba budget sets aside $1.26B for infrastructure

CBC News has learned that Manitoba'sNDPgovernment has setaside $1.26 billion in the 2015 budget, which will be tabled today, to improve infrastructure across the province.

Government sources say the plan will create 12,000jobs this year.

It's part of the province'spreviously announced $5.5-billion five-year infrastructure plan.

The government has saidits focus will be on creating jobs and growing the economy, not onbalancing the books.

Late last week, Finance Minister Greg Dewarsaidthe government will run a deficit for the next two years, and itdoes not intend on balancing the budgetuntil 2018.

• Finance minister says budget won't to be balanced until 2018

Promises to halt deficit spending have already been broken twice.In the 2011 election,Premier GregSelinger promised to balance the books this year. Earlier this week, the premier didn't rule out raising taxes.

CBC News will provide full coverage online, on radio and on television asDewarpresents his first budget as finance minister on Thursday afternoon.