Good jobs, lower costs, better health care

Riel

This year’s provincial budget focuses on the fundamentals that matter most to families here in Riel – strengthening health care, lowering everyday costs, and building opportunities that keep our neighbourhoods strong. It’s a practical plan aimed at steady progress and rebuilding services Manitobans rely on every day.

Health care remains the top concern for many households in Manitoba and across Riel. This budget takes meaningful steps to rebuild capacity and improve access to care.

Manitoba has now added 4,054 net new front-line health care workers since we were elected, helping to stabilize staffing. We are making a $22 million investment to re establish the Cardiac Centre of Excellence at St. Boniface Hospital, now called Heart Care Manitoba, strengthening cardiac services close to home.

At the Victoria Hospital, $5.2 million will support the new Manitoba Menopause Clinic, expanding specialized care for women’s health. The Selkirk Hospital will deliver 200 additional hip and knee surgeries, along with more MRI capacity, helping reduce backlogs that affect patients across Winnipeg.

Affordability is a daily concern for many in our community, and nowhere is this more evident than at the check-out at your favourite grocery store. This budget introduces several measures to help ease the pressure, including eliminating the PST on all food items in grocery stores.

The homeowners affordability tax credit will increase for the 2027 tax year to $1,700 for those in homes valued at under $1,000,000, and scaling down at that level to elimination on those valued over $1,500,000. As well, the renters affordability tax credit will rise to $675, with an enhanced seniors’ top up, important for many long time Riel residents.

The budget also invests in programs that strengthen families and expand opportunities for young people in our constituency. This includes making child care free for the lowest income parents. Free transit for Manitobans aged 18 and under will reduce barriers for students, help families, support Manitoba climate efforts, and create lifelong bus riders.

We have announced that 21 new child-care centres will open over the next year, expanding access for growing neighbourhoods. These centres, along with other existing expansions, will add 2,316 spaces across the full range of children aged 0 to 12.

The popular electric vehicle rebate program has been extended until August 2027, supporting families and Manitoba’s climate goals. This extension, complemented by the new federal program, gives real incentives to those Manitobans looking to make the choice.

This budget focuses on steady, practical improvements, the kind that help families in Riel today while building a stronger Manitoba for tomorrow.