WINNIPEG, MB: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) responded to Manitoba’s 2015 budget with disappointment after learning the deficit numbers keep getting worse. Budget 2014 predicted a $357 million deficit, far less than it actually ended up, and now Budget 2015 calls for an even larger, $422 million deficit.
“It’s sad that the government is predicting the deficit to get worse not better,” said Todd MacKay, Prairie Director for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. “This government is forcing Manitoba families to pay high taxes today while piling up debt that will force our kids to pay even higher taxes in the future.”
The government is projecting a deficit of $422 million for 2015-16. That’s on top of nearly $36 billion in provincial debt – nearly $28,000 for every Manitoban. This year, Manitoba’s debt will increase by $3 billion and the province will pay $842 million just to cover debt servicing costs.
“This government has an out-of-control spending problem,” said MacKay. “The government has failed to provide even the slightest hint of restraint. This government refuses to even admit that is has a problem.”
Despite running deficits well into the future, the government is not backing off the job-killing PST hike.
“Premier Selinger told Manitobans that the PST had to go up in order to deal with the deficit,” said MacKay. “It’s now obvious that the PST hike is feeding the government’s spending spree instead of dealing with the deficit.”
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For more information, contact:
Todd MacKay, Prairie Director - Canadian Taxpayers Federation
306-582-7717 (cell)
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