Sept. 3, 2019

REGINA, SK: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is applauding the Progressive Conservative platform promise to balance the operational budget ahead of schedule and begin phasing out education property taxes.

“Balancing the budget means the government can save money on debt interest charges and cut taxes,” said Todd MacKay, the CTF’s Prairie Director. “The province is paying about $1 billion in debt interest charges every year and Manitobans pay some of the highest taxes in Canada.”

The Progressive Conservative platform promises to balance province’s operational budget in 2022-23. The current budget projects a deficit of $360 million with nearly $17.4 billion in spending (the 2015-16 budget projected $15.5 billion in spending).

The Progressive Conservative platform also promises to save the average taxpayer about $2,000 over the next four years, primarily through the one-point PST cut implemented this summer, but also through a number of tax-relief initiatives including a 10 per cent cut to education property taxes. The 10-per-cent cut is a first step to phasing out education property taxes entirely over 10 years.

A Winnipeg family with an income of $75,000 pays about $7,580 in provincial taxes, compared to an Regina family that would pay $4,605 or a Toronto family that would pay $5,628.

“Some of these promises reach years into the future and the details will make a big difference so we’ll keep a close eye on these policies if Progressive Conservatives are re-elected,” said MacKay. “But it’s encouraging to see a commitment to ensure the provincial government lives within its means and starts lightening the heavy burden on Manitoba taxpayers.”