Manitoba leaders applaud budget

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This article was published 22/03/2016 (3492 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Premier Greg Selinger praised the Trudeau government’s first budget, calling it “good for the country.”

Speaking to reporters at the legislature, Selinger said he was pleased to see increased support for indigenous communities, a pledge to boost Manitoba flood protection and funding for jobs training. 

“We think the overall budget is good for the country right now because of the slowing economy,” Selinger said. “There is significant hurt in different regions. For Manitoba, we think it’s a positive budget. We have to see how it’s going to break out in terms of the specific numbers over the next year and two years, but overall we’d say it’s a positive step forward.”

Selinger said it appears there are increases in funding for First Nations housing and education, although the province will have to study the numbers more closely to see how soon the money will flow since the commitments are made over several years.

He said he is pleased to see a federal commitment to fund an outlet channel that will help reduce flooding around Lake St. Martin. And he chastised provincial Liberals for saying the channel could wait until the province’s books were balanced.

Selinger said he’s also happy with a federal commitment of $82 million to support public transit in Manitoba.

“The mayor has made a big commitment to rapid transit. We’ve been very supportive of that. It will take pressure off our roads and will also allow us to build a modern transportation system in Manitoba. It should have positive impacts on the environment, as well.”

A pass from Pallister

Brian Pallister has often criticized the Selinger government for running deficits, but the Progressive Conservative leader gave Prime Minister Justin Trudeau a pass because the feds are in “radically different circumstances.” He said he will wait to see the results before he passes judgment.

“There is a big difference. Justin Trudeau inherited a balanced budget. Mr. Selinger has never balanced the budget, big difference, he (Selinger) has doubled our debt in the past six years,” Pallister said. “I think Canadians will have the opportunity to judge Trudeau’s decision over the next several years.”

Pallister applauded the federal government’s investments for First Nations education, transit and infrastructure spending that he believes will benefit Manitoba.

As for the feds’ flood-protection commitment, he welcomed the investment and said to stay tuned for an announcement today by his party on how they would prioritize flood protection.

Bokhari stands with federal counterparts

Liberal Leader Rana Bokhari was effusive in her praise of the budget, uttering not so much of a syllable of dissent or disappointment, while repeatedly declaring how closely Trudeau and she are aligned.

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“This is historically one of the most Manitoba-focused budgets we’ve seen in a very long time,” Bokhari said. “I was happy to see the commitment to indigenous people,” she said. “I wanted to see a true commitment to First Nations, and I’ve seen it.”

Bokhari said the federal Liberals and provincial Liberals are “very aligned. Liberals are Liberals” and share the same values, she said. Dollars for innovation, technology, and family tax benefits are “very much aligned with our values.”

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