Manitoba tax hikes break NDP promise, Tories charge

Manitoba's NDP government is on the defensive over its latest budget, with the opposition Tories accusing Premier Greg Selinger of breaking an election promise not to raise taxes.

Progressive Conservative Leader Hugh McFadyen pointed on Wednesday to a radio debate during last fall's election campaign, in which Selinger said he would not raise taxes.

McFadyen said this week's budget, which raises the tax on gasoline and cigarettes and expands the provincial sales tax to include many new items and services, breaks that promise.

As well, McFadyen said Selinger said during the election campaign that he was ahead on paying down the province's deficit, but the budget seems to show otherwise.

"He's not ahead of schedule on the deficit, he's behind schedule. Because of that, they're raising taxes on Manitoba families," McFadyen said during question period.

"I want to ask the premier why so soon after the election he's betrayed the families of Manitoba."

Selinger said the Tories have no credibility because they talked about deep spending cuts before the campaign, then promised to spend more and run up deficits.

Selinger said the budget raises revenues to protect front-line services and fix roads and bridges.