COLUMN: Report from the Legislature – Remembrance, mining and education taxes

On Oct. 9, Manitoba PC’s voted to pass Bill 210 The Indigenous Veterans Day Act to formally recognize Nov. 8 as a day to honour the Indigenous people who have served in the Canadian Armed Forces. Indigenous Veterans Day was first observed on Nov. 8, 1993, as an initiative of the National Aboriginal Veterans Association and was officially acknowledged by the Manitoba government under Premier Gary Filmon in 1994. The day has since been recognized across our country as an opportunity to pay tribute to the contributions and sacrifices made by Indigenous veterans, and to make sure they are remembered in Canadian history. Last session, the PC’s also proposed updates to legislature rules so that in the future, the Manitoba Legislative Assembly does not sit on Nov. 8 to allow elected members to participate in their local community services. Remembrance Day on Nov. 11 and Indigenous Veterans Day on Nov. 8 are designated days to pay tribute to those who fought for our freedom and our values. Thank you all for your service.

Back in the legislature our PC caucus, under the leadership of Obby Khan, made a motion calling on the Kinew NDP to sign on to a memorandum of understanding with fellow premiers to create an energy and critical minerals corridor across Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario. An annual survey of mining companies shows that investor interest in Manitoba’s mining sector has plummeted from sixth in the world in 2023, to 26th place in the two years since the NDP formed government. The NDP voted down the PC motion that seeks to grow our province’s weakening economy and provide opportunities for gainful employment to Manitobans.

As the official opposition, we have the opportunity to sponsor and present petitions to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba on behalf of our constituents and in the interest of all Manitobans. One of the recent petitions I have presented, along with PC finance critic Lauren Stone, is regarding the NDP’s decision to cancel the education property tax credit and the property tax offset grant, resulting in massive tax increases due to the NDP government reducing operational funding to school divisions.

In 2019, our PC team made a campaign commitment to phase out the education property tax entirely by 2029. 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 on residential properties included single-dwelling units, condos, multiple-unit dwellings and cottages.

Throughout the course of the 2023 provincial election Wab Kinew and his NDP campaigned on keeping the 50 percent education property tax rebate. However, once elected, the NDP quickly decided to eliminate the universal school tax rebate and replace it with a limited tax credit exclusive to primary residences, leaving many cottagers and secondary property owners forced to pay more. In addition, these same property owners are subject to taxation without representation, as they are not eligible to vote for school trustees who set the rate, but are still required to pay. The NDP have also frozen the farmland education property tax rebate at 50 percent and have ended the promised phase out while orchestrating even higher taxes on Manitoba homeowners and seniors.

These tax increases, along with the cancellation of rebates, are having a significant impact on our region where many residents struggle to maintain family cottages and secondary homes. The petition, created by the RM of Victoria Beach, urges the NDP to immediately reverse their government’s unfair and punishing tax policy changes, and restore education property tax rebates for all Manitobans. If you see this petition, I ask that you please take the time to read it and sign your name in support of the important changes that it proposes. I will continue to communicate your petitions to the NDP government.

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.