WINNIPEG, MB: With tongue firmly in cheek, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) ‘celebrated’ the provincial government passing the $30 billion debt mark with a giant limousine, “-$30,000,000,000” stretched across it and a big cheque to the government courtesy of “Children of Manitoba.”

While Manitoba’s 2013-14 budget expected the debt to reach $30.1 billion by March 31, the province’s latest fiscal update now predicts the debt to hit $30.3 billion by the end of this month. Currently the debt is increasing by $6.78 million per day or about $78 per second. This year the government is expected to spend $839 million on interest costs this year; more than the province collects in school taxes.

“This isn’t the kind of achievement that the Selinger government should be proud of,” said CTF Prairie Director Colin Craig. “With baby boomers retiring en masse things are only going to get more challenging for governments. Here in Manitoba the government hasn’t saved a penny to deal with that situation, but yet it’s off building football stadiums and avoiding tough decisions.”

The CTF thanked local businessman and activist Todd Dube, who pitched in to help out with some of the costs for the announcement.