COLUMN: Report from the Legislature – Manitoba’s largest property tax increase

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 12/05/2024 (449 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Spring has sprung, the trees are in bloom, and although Manitobans are out enjoying the green scenery, they’ll soon be seeing red as the first year of NDP tax hikes land with a thud in mailboxes across the province.

Despite promising to not raise taxes during the election, Wab Kinew was quick to break his word at the first opportunity, raising property taxes by $148 million on the hardworking backs of you, your family, and your business in Budget 2024.

It’s the highest tax increase since Greg Selinger illegally raised the PST to eight percent, and all Manitobans will pay the cost.

It’s difficult to describe the stress we’re all feeling right now about high interest rates and looming mortgage renewals, and the persistent sticker shock at the grocery store. In Manitoba, housing costs are up five percent over last year while food prices are up over three per cent.

I hear every day from constituents that the rising cost of these essentials is becoming more unmanageable and more unsustainable. I hear every day from parents who can’t afford to pay more taxes, from young workers who can’t afford an increase in rent, from seasoned truckers who can’t afford the 40-cent jump in gas prices so far this year.

With nearly half of Manitobans $200 or less away from being able to pay their monthly bills, and one in four technically insolvent, the NDP is driving up the cost of living and squeezing middle class families and small business owners at a time when they can least afford it.

But the NDP needs to dig deep into our pockets for one simple reason: they made over $3 billion in election promises with no plan to pay for them.

It’s why the NDP are also scrapping the School Tax Rebate and ending the phase-out of education property taxes, which would have guaranteed all homeowners and farmers would pay no more school taxes by 2028 under the Progressive Conservative plan.

The NDP Plan all but guarantees more steep tax hikes to come, whether you’ll pay it on your tax bill or on your paycheck, or whether the NDP will hide it somewhere else hoping you won’t find it.

Six months since taking office, Wab Kinew and the NDP have presented no economic vision and no actual plan to lower taxes, spend within their means, and balance the budget. Even with a billion dollars more in federal transfer payments from Justin Trudeau, the NDP have brought in a budget that seems as though it was slapped together at the last minute.

The NDP’s lack of discipline means all Manitobans will pay more and get less in 2024, including you, your family, and your neighbours.

So, the next time the NDP come knocking on your door, remind them that taxes don’t grow on trees. They come out of your wallet and off your hard-earned paycheque. While you’re at it, tell them to start getting to work and stop raising your property taxes.

The work I value most is serving you and your family as your MLA for Springfield-Ritchot.

I welcome any questions or comments by email to Ron@RonSchuler.com or by mail to Box 150, Oakbank, MB R0E 1J0.