New PC government setting a new course for the Future

Our new Manitoba government has taken firm steps in its first 100 days to begin making this the most improved province in Canada.

Our Progressive Conservative team has charted a course with a careful approach to ensure the protection of front-line services Manitobans rely on and the jobs of those who provide them. At the same time, we have launched initiatives aimed at eliminating government waste and developing strategic partnerships to put Manitoba onto a responsible fiscal path.

What we’ve achieved since forming the government after April’s election has set the course we will follow in the years ahead. In these first 100 days under Premier Brian Pallister, we have delivered the accountability and transparency that became lost under the previous NDP administration. Our Open Government Initiative has led to the release of ministerial mandate letters as well as the introduction of legislation for fixed dates for election campaigns and a six-month limit for calling by-elections.

To find efficiencies and savings, we have begun a comprehensive value-for-money review of government projects and have reduced the size of cabinet by one-third. We have also found savings for Manitobans in our first budget by indexing income tax brackets to the rate of inflation, and by reducing ambulance fees with a commitment to further reductions in coming years. As well, our new government has abolished the ‘vote tax’ subsidy for political parties and has committed to restore the right of Manitobans to vote on major tax increases.

We are giving municipalities the important ‘fair say’ they have called for in strategic infrastructure investments by holding regular planning meetings with them and with industry stakeholders, and by creating a single-window application system for cost-shared funding.

Our government is working in partnership with Manitobans. We’re building a foundation for a relationship based on trust with Indigenous leaders, which will involve our duty to consult them. We’re also consulting the tourism industry to develop a strategy for improved promotion and investment.

To bring more prosperity to Manitobans, we’re in talks with other provinces on trade opportunities and have made strong progress on joining the New West Partnership with Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia, and on a new Canada Free Trade Agreement.

Despite inheriting a daunting fiscal challenge left by the previous government, we have begun to steer the province in the right direction. However, much work lies ahead. We will continue to build on our partnerships and consult Manitobans on their priorities as we fulfill our vision for a better Manitoba and a brighter future for those who live here.