Health care funding and COVID-19 inquiry among NDP election platform items

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This article was published 28/09/2023 (709 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WINNIPEG – Manitoba New Democrats are promising a balanced budget, more money for health care, and an inquiry into the COVID-19 pandemic if they win Tuesday’s provincial election.

The NDP has released its full platform, with costs including more than $120 million a year to hire more health-care workers.

There are also millions of dollars promised to reduce class sizes in schools, address homelessness and freeze hydroelectricity rates for one year.

The platform also includes $1.6 million over four years for an inquiry into the province’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

NDP Leader Wab Kinew says the province can afford the new spending and still move to a balanced budget by using much of the money the Tory government has set aside for unexpected costs this year.

Winnipeg Free Press | Newsletter

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The NDP platform calls for smaller deficits each year until 2027, when it outlines a small $1 million surplus.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 28, 2023.