Social housing supporters, biz community want to see action in throne speech

AFTER two years of listening tours and announcing plans, it’s time for the Kinew government to take action, say anti-poverty supporters and members of Manitoba’s business community ahead of Tuesday’s throne speech.

Proponents of affordable housing want to see action on more social housing and preventing above-guideline rent increases that the NDP government previously promised. The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business want to know what the province will do to make good on business supports and incentives.

“With the commitments that they made around ending chronic homelessness, we just don’t see how that is going to be successful unless they really start making more robust investments in expanding the social housing supply,” said Kirsten Bernas with the Right to Housing coalition.

The NDP government’s first two budgets after being elected in 2023 included incremental increases, but nowhere near the 10,000 social housing units needed, she said.

That could be “realistically” achieved over 10 years if the province builds 1,000 units per year, Bernas said.

The NDP in opposition — and in government — vowed to pass legislation protecting renters from unpredictable, unreasonable and unlimited rent increases. The coalition plans to hold them to it, Bernas said.

Small business in Manitoba is also hoping to hear good news from the government.

“Costs are rising, crime remains a serious concern and confidence in government support is low,” said CFIB senior policy analyst Tyler Slobogian.

“Seventy per cent of Manitoba small businesses say they do not feel this government has their back.”

“With the commitments that they made around ending chronic homelessness, we just don’t see how that is going to be successful unless they really start making more robust investments in expanding the social housing supply.”

They’re hoping for an increase to the small business corporate income tax threshold, PST relief on insurance and capital expenditures and certainty that no new costs will be added.

Slobogian said they’re waiting to see red tape and interprovincial trade barriers dropped, and to learn how the province will roll out a $2,500 business security rebate promised last month. He said the CFIB consulted with the province on the rebate and hoped it would be in place for the holiday season.

“Strategies are great, but unless you action them, you don’t get the results that you’re looking for,” said Chuck Davidson, president and chief executive officer of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce.

“We spent two years on the talking. Now, we need some action.”

Davidson cited an economic development strategy and a technology, innovation and productivity report the province put together. “What we’re going to be looking for now is how do we start actioning these,” he said.

“We spent two years on the talking. Now, we need some action.”

The $50-million business loan fund for productivity-enhancing investments was announced in September and chamber members are waiting to see how it will be administered, he said.

Labour groups hope the throne speech commits to making good on the federal-provincial plan to create 23,000 new child-care spots by 2026. Manitoba Federation of Labour president Kevin Rebeck said creating more public spaces for child care would help families and boost the province’s productivity.

He called for the province to drop its commitment to balance the budget in its first term in government, and focus on staffing the health-care sector and ensuring Manitobans are safe — physically and psychologically — at work. The federation is also looking for the $16-an-hour minimum wage to increase to a “living wage,” estimated at $19.21. Rebeck called that “a path out of poverty.”

Poverty is at the root of many of Manitoba’s problems, said Molly McCracken of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.

“Poverty is driving desperate people to crime and shoplifting, to problematic substance use and to overwhelmed ERs for help,” she said.

“Poverty is driving desperate people to crime and shoplifting, to problematic substance use and to overwhelmed ERs for help.”

McCracken wants to see the province commit to reducing poverty rates through stronger rent control legislation, and a renewed commitment to eliminating chronic homelessness and housing insecurity.

The government’s plan to balance the budget is getting further out of reach because of the unforeseen wildfire costs this summer and the impact of tariffs imposed by China and the U.S.

“The province would be wise to instead focus on the social deficit by helping those most in need by increasing frozen social assistance rates and funding to make bus fares affordable.”

Progressive Conservative Leader Obby Khan predicted the throne speech will include “a big flashy announcement to distract Manitobans from the actual failures” of the NDP government.

“Two years on and they have broken almost every single promise they campaigned on,” including fixing health care and making life more affordable, Khan said.

“We have the longest wait times in Canada. Grocery prices have skyrocketed.”

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca