Tory budget doesn't support Manitoba's families, NDP finance critic says

The government is not being straight with Manitobans, the New Democrat finance critic says.

James Allum said Tuesday's provincial budget doesn't provide supports to families, seniors, students, women, and low-income Manitobans.

"What is clear, however, is that the Premier and his Finance Minister are catering to stockbrokers and CEOs, not Manitoba families. And their secret private-sector audit sets the stage to justify job cuts," Allum said in a statement on Wednesday.

In the first provincial budget posted by the Progressive Conservative government, there were modest increases in spending for most provincial departments, some tax relief for low-income earners, and a clawback of the seniors' schooltax rebate.

The budget planned an $890-million deficit at the end of its first fiscal year in power and when Crown corporations, regional health authorities and other non-core government agencies are included, the deficit is expected to be $911 million at the end of 2016-17.

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The NDP said they are concerned that the budget fails to raise the minimum wage and that the "tax bracket tweaks" give low-income earners only $16 a year.

"[Premier Brian]Pallister is patting himself on the back for buying struggling families a lunch at Burger King, when what they need is rent," Allum said in the statement.

Allum also pointed to the seniors' school tax credit saying that clawing back the credit is a tax increase.

"[It] is a perfect example of a deception that says 'we don't believe in raising taxes,'" he said.

Budget documents showed reversing thepropertytax creditfor some seniors will amount to$37 million a year in savings. The credit used to offerhomeowners as much as $470 a year in rebates.

Allum also pointed to a lack of money dedicated to filling more than 10,000 empty child-care spaces.

"They did maintain the status quo, but no plan for new spaces to address the needs of families," he said. "Certainly we're concerned about tax relief that does nothing for families."

The NDP said the budget expressed that the PC government is taking a short-term approach to help Pallister politically.

"The priority is attractive numbers on the books now, not continuing investments for a strong economy," the statement said.

On Tuesday, Finance Minister Cameron Friesen said the Tories will balance the budget during their next term in office, which would begin in 2020 if they win the next provincial election.

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