COLUMN: Report from the Legislature – NDP failed promises betray voters

I would like to start off by again offering my sincere congratulations to all the 2025 graduates in the Lac du Bonnet constituency. I especially want to acknowledge the chosen recipients of my MLA citizenship award and bursary which is presented every year to a graduating student selected by their school for their volunteer efforts as well as their dedication and compassion towards both their school and community. This year’s awards went to Brady Cook of École Powerview School, Ainsley Van Linden of Lac du Bonnet Senior School, Raquel Long of Pinawa Secondary School, Judy Abousetta of École Edward Schreyer School and Tia Plaetinck of Whitemouth School. I wish all the graduates a future filled with promise.

As more Manitobans are receiving their municipal property tax bills, many homeowners are finding increases to the education property tax. While in government our PC Party worked hard to make life more affordable by phasing out education property taxes and implementing the education property tax rebate. Without having to apply, residential and farm property owners received an education property tax rebate cheque to offset a portion of their education property taxes. By 2023 the education property tax rebate was up to 50 percent and residential properties included single dwelling units, condos, multiple unit dwellings and cottages. Our PC plan was working so well that throughout the course of the 2023 provincial election the Kinew NDP campaigned on keeping the 50 percent education property tax rebate.

That campaign promise, like others, was broken when the NDP formed government and promptly scrapped the education property tax rebate in their 2024 budget, saying it was too complicated. The NDP instead replaced the 50 percent rebate with a flat tax credit, on principle residences only, and offered no plan on how it would be implemented. The result of which is now showing up on most Manitoban’s property tax bills with significant increases to the education property tax.

The NDP will say they’ve increased education funding. The truth is, the province only pays a portion of the cost to fund education in Manitoba and a growing amount of school division’s core funding comes from property taxes. Despite receiving massive increases in transfer payments from the Federal government, the NDP cheated Manitoba school divisions out of additional provincial education funding, forcing them to struggle to keep up with increasing enrolment and education costs. Those costs, including wage increases for teachers and staff have been passed onto our school divisions and eventually onto property owners through their property taxes. It’s a system that unfairly penalizes property owners and is one of the reasons why our PC plan was to gradually phase the out the education tax entirely in Manitoba.

I have heard from many of you who were shocked when Manitoba NDP Families and Accessibility Minister Nahanni Fontaine made national news for her insulting remarks about an American Sign Language interpreter at a graduation event for Indigenous women. It came as no surprise to me and my call to action from the media, throughout my leadership role, on the toxic behaviour of the Premier and his NDP MLA’s during legislative session, once the mics and cameras are turned off. As the Premier stands by his Minister responsible for Accessibility, I stand by our PC Caucus request for Nahanni Fontaine to resign or be removed from her minister’s role.

The wildfires in eastern Manitoba continue to have a serious impact on affected communities within the Lac du Bonnet constituency. I am advocating for support on behalf of local businesses and community organizations who have had to manage with the uncertainties of summer recreational activities and planned events being able to take place. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of local governments, community businesses and volunteers, many fairs and festivals are still happening. This includes farmers markets, art shows, community garage sales, picnics, barbecues and other local fundraisers that are going on. I look forward to seeing you at many of these events. They are all important and they are all relying on our support.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email me at wayne@wayneewasko.com, or call me at 204-268-3282. Also, you can follow me on X (formerly Twitter) @wayneewaskomla and friend me on Facebook.