Building through Budget 2026

McPhillips

As your MLA for McPhillips, I continue to advocate for investments that make life more affordable, strengthen our economy, and support families across our community.

That’s why I recently met with Premier Wab Kinew in the constituency near the Aurora community to discuss the concerns I hear from you every day. I also recently attended the reopening of Dialysis Unit 1 at Seven Oaks General Hospital, which had been closed for more than five months because to significant flood damage caused by a broken water main. It was truly rewarding to celebrate the dedicated team whose hard work made its return possible.

On April 29, I was pleased to attend the library construction kickoff at Garden City Shopping Centre for the Mike O’Shaughnessy Library – an important and much-needed addition for the McPhillips community.

As we continue building a stronger Manitoba, I’m proud to share some of the highlights from Budget 2026 and what they mean for you and your family.

Affordability remains a top priority for Manitobans, and our NDP government is taking real action to put more money back in your pocket. Starting July 1, all grocery items will be free from the provincial sales tax. That means everyday essentials will cost less at the checkout.

But that’s not the only thing our NDP government is doing to keep costs down. We’ve frozen milk prices and introduced legislation to crack down on predatory pricing and improve transparency from retailers. At a time when families feel pressure from rising costs, these measures help make life more affordable.

Budget 2026 looks ahead to our province’s future by investing in major economic opportunities. We are advancing development in Churchill, supporting long-term growth that will create jobs and strengthen Manitoba’s role in trade and energy. These investments will unlock the North’s potential and create lasting benefits for generations to come.

I’m encouraged by the recent meeting between Premier Kinew and Prime Minister Mark Carney, focused on improving how major projects move forward in Manitoba. By working more closely with the federal government, we can reduce delays and advance key projects while upholding strong environmental standards and meaningful partnerships with Indigenous communities. This will help create the right conditions for investment, strengthen our economy, and open the door to more good jobs for Manitobans.

We are already seeing progress in our economy. We’ve added nearly 11,000 new jobs, the majority of them full-time positions. Our unemployment rate remains among the lowest in the country, and our province continues to show steady growth during uncertain global times. These are real opportunities for workers and families in our community.

As always, my office is always open to hearing from you with your questions and concerns. We can be reached at 431-323-6014 or at jd.devgan@yourmanitoba.ca.