Practical steps to lower costs for Manitobans

Concordia

As Manitobans continue to navigate rising costs, our government remains focused on what matters: making life more affordable. Pressures are coming from beyond our borders – global instability, Trump’s tariffs and his conflict in the Middle East have driven up fuel and transportation costs, which affects the prices of everyday things. Those impacts are being felt in Manitoba.

The most direct step we’ve taken is removing the provincial sales tax from groceries, starting July 1. Food is a necessity and families shouldn’t pay extra tax on essentials. It’s a simple change, but one that makes a difference for households across our province.

At the same time, we know affordability is more than groceries. It’s about the everyday costs such as rent, utilities, housing, and making sure families feel relief where it matters. That’s why we’re increasing the homeowners affordability tax credit and the renters affordability tax credit, which puts money back into the pockets of Manitobans.

We are taking action to crack down on predatory pricing and increase competition in the grocery sector. Predatory pricing is when corporate monopolies drop prices to push out smaller competitors, then raise them once there’s less competition. Our government passed legislation to prevent new restrictive covenants. We’ve started bringing legal cases forward to remove these property controls at locations across Manitoba. By doing this, we are opening the door for competition, more local choices, and lower prices for families.

We are also paying attention to predatory algorithmic pricing, where companies use automated systems to charge different people different prices for the same product. It’s like when airlines charge differently for the same seat on the same flight depending on when you search or how the system tracks demand. That kind of pricing makes it hard to know if you’re getting a fair deal. We believe pricing should be clear, consistent, and the same for everyone.

This work is part of a broader plan to make groceries more affordable. Alongside removing the PST, we’ve also taken steps like freezing the price of milk and examining pricing practices that drive up costs. These actions are about standing up and ensuring the marketplace works for people, not just large corporate monopolies.

There is still more to do, but we are focused on delivering practical solutions that make differences in people’s lives.

As your MLA for Concordia and as minister of justice, I am committed to this work and to being a voice for our community. My office is always here to help. You can reach us by phone at 204-654-1857 or by email at matt.wiebe@yourmanitoba.ca.