COLUMN: Report from the Legislature – The provincial tax and spend budget

As spring marks a new start, along with it comes a new financial budget for many businesses, organizations, and all levels of government. The provincial NDP government brought forward their 2025 budget two weeks ago and although the budget did pass it wasn’t without controversy. I have been vocal that the free will to increase taxes without support for businesses or farms to thrive is a short-sighted approach to running the province. Although this budget doesn’t provide any meaningful value to rural southern Manitoba it has provided Grunthal with a glimmer of hope to have a school expansion finally completed at Green Valley School.

When looking at the budget with a La Verendrye lens there is great concern with the lack of recognition and increased tax burden. Our region of the province is progressive and entrepreneurial, meaning that the people and businesses are quite resilient to economic effects. Less taxation, regulation and government involvement in general is welcomed by most but instead the NDP has presented additional burden without any additional support.

The NDP’s budget virtually ignores the agriculture sector, despite the ongoing tariff war with China and the White House. Producers need support programs during these difficult economic times but sadly, there is nothing in the NDP’s budget to compensate for the tariffs and counter tariffs. Producers are looking for certainty and clarity in programs, plans, and a viable path forward, not vague promises with no detail and floating dollar amounts.

There are, however, plenty of tax hikes. The Kinew government will rake in over $1 billion more in taxes and other revenues from Manitoba families and businesses in 2025. This, as budget projections show new U.S. and Chinese tariffs, along with retaliatory tariffs, will slash Manitoba’s GDP by $3.6 billion, reduce incomes by $1,420 per capita, and cause a recession comparable to 2009. Now is not the time to remove $1 billion from the pockets of hardworking Manitobans. The rosy financial outlook by the finance minister is being panned by financial analysts and will lead to an even larger deficit next year.

At a time when the Kinew government needs to be making life more affordable, the NDP are hiking taxes across the board, making life more expensive for everyone. Instead of giving back to Manitobans, the NDP are taking more, spending more, and giving themselves raises. The NDP’s 2025 budget hits Manitobans hard, including $182 million more in education property taxes $82 million more in income taxes by freezing inflation indexing and $16 million more from a new PST on software subscriptions and cloud storage.

Through the array of tax increases and lack of support for the entrepreneurs, farmers and any substantial reform for our health-care system we were able to see a silver lining for La Verendrye. After last year’s budget saw the cut to a much needed expansion for Green Valley School this year’s budget has included the expansion and has committed to send the project to tender. Although I am grateful for this much needed commitment, I feel that the community deserves the credit for this project.

Shortly after announcing that the project had been cut I was able to meet with the school administration, division board members, and many concerned parents and community members to develop an effective plan to showcase the projects importance to the education minister. As the result of this more than 1,000 signatures were collected on dozens of petitions. I used these petitions to not only showcase the importance of the expansion to our region but also read them out nearly daily in the legislature. Together with my efforts the community, school board, administration, and parents remained committed and vocal.

Although the 2025 provincial budget doesn’t provide me optimism for a future of fiscal responsibility and strengthened economic position I am encouraged by the value opposition is able to provide. I will continue to be as effective as I can be in expressing the priorities of La Verendrye to the government. As always if you have any questions or suggestions don’t hesitate to reach out and contact me at info@konradnarth.ca.