PCs Demand Meaningful Affordability Measures in Budget Legislation
WINNIPEG — Progressive Conservatives are fully committed to making life more affordable for Manitoba families, and will use every legislative tool possible to secure higher paycheques for everyday Manitobans.
The NDP government requires the cooperation of the PC Opposition to bring the Budget Implementation and Tax Statues Amendment Act (BITSA) to a vote in the current spring session. Without PCs’ cooperation, the NDP government will not be able to bring BITSA to a vote until the fall of 2026. PCs are prepared to cooperate with the government to bring BITSA to a vote this spring if the government delivers a meaningful increase to the basic personal exemption amount as proposed by PCs.
“This is about providing meaningful financial support to Manitoba families,” said Obby Khan, Leader of the Official Opposition. “Progressive Conservatives have been calling on the NDP to raise the basic personal allowance to $30,000. That would provide a family of four with an additional $3,000 in income tax savings each year. That’s an extra $250 on your paycheque every month.”
Manitoba is currently tied for the highest inflation rate among all provinces and the highest food inflation rate in Canada at 4.9%, making groceries increasingly unaffordable for Manitoba families. Fresh and frozen meat prices jumped a shocking 12.6% compared to last year.
“Many Manitoba families are at the breaking point,” said Midland MLA Lauren Stone, PC Critic for Finance. “Groceries, education property taxes, hydro, MPI rates, gas prices, rent, and transportation costs are all going up and there’s no relief in sight. Manitoba families are paying more for the basics than anywhere else in Canada.”
Interlake-Gimli MLA Derek Johnson, Opposition House Leader, states that the NDP can implement their budget promises without passing BITSA.
“If BITSA is delayed until the fall, Wab Kinew and his NDP can implement their meagre PST savings on Canada Day without PC support for BITSA,” said Johnson. “Greg Selinger and the NDP did exactly the same thing when they raised the PST from 7% to 8% in 2013. They didn’t need PC support for that tax hike back then, they don’t need our support to make a PST change now.”
Progressive Conservatives urge the NDP to provide meaningful relief by significantly increasing the provincial basic personal amount to immediately provide higher paycheques to Manitoba families.
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