NDP Failing Manitobans as Job Crisis Deepens
WINNIPEG — Manitoba’s year-end job numbers reveal a staggering rise in unemployment in 2024, jumping from 4% to 6.2% and leaving thousands more Manitobans out of work and struggling to provide for their families, Wayne Ewasko, Leader of the Official Opposition, said today.
“Under Wab Kinew and the NDP, Manitoba is facing a growing economic crisis with no clear plan to reverse the trend or drive growth and prosperity for our province,” said Ewasko. “Thousands of Manitoba families are now grappling with job loss, economic instability, and an uncertain future because of the government’s appalling failure to act.”
Statistics Canada reported a loss of 7,200 jobs and 47,200 unemployed Manitobans in December. Last month, Manitoba was the only province to report job losses as Canada added 91,000 jobs and national unemployment fell to 6.7%, Ewasko noted.
Ewasko blasted the NDP for its ongoing failure to protect jobs and secure opportunities for Manitobans, pointing to a series of missteps by the Kinew government last year, including the loss of a $1.6-billion electric vehicle battery plant to Ontario, which could have brought thousands of new good-paying jobs to the province.
Additionally, despite the looming threat of Donald Trump’s proposed 25% tariffs, which could devastate Manitoba’s export-dependent industries, the NDP have refused to hold an emergency debate in the Legislature or establish an all-party committee to protect jobs and shield the economy from this potential shock.
The Official Opposition is calling on the Kinew government to immediately present a comprehensive economic plan to create jobs and attract investment, and establish an all-party committee to address the impact of potential U.S. tariffs on Manitoba industries.
“After nearly 15 months in government, the NDP have let opportunities slip through their fingers and left Manitobans vulnerable to economic and political instability. They’ve fallen out of touch with the serious challenges families are facing,” said Ewasko. “It’s time for leadership, not excuses. It’s time for action to get our province back to work.”
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