COLUMN: Report from the Legislature – PCs left NDP with surplus

The beginning of June saw the end of spring session at the Manitoba Legislature which began on March 5. I had the privilege of being the interim PC party leader during a good portion of this session and was pleased to welcome MLA for Fort Whyte, Obby Khan into the legislative chamber as the elected Leader of the Official Opposition on May 6.

Highlights from the spring sitting include the Public Accounts Committee approval of the 2023 audited statements, that confirm our former PC government left the Kinew NDP with a $373 million surplus. This disproves the NDP’s ongoing claims that they were left in a poor fiscal position, and using it as an excuse for their government’s growing deficit that could reach as high as $1.9 billion. Public Accounts is an independent all-party committee that examines the province’s audited finances and it includes members of the NDP.

Even though the NDP waited until the final days of spring session to introduce Bill 47 – Fair Trade in Canada Act, our PC Party voted to pass the bill as it is legislation that benefits Manitobans by reducing the interprovincial trade barriers between provinces. PC MLA for Midland, Lauren Stone had originally introduced similar legislation in mid April with Bill 227 – The Free Trade and Mobility Within Canada Act. However, the NDP voted against Bill 227 in order to make it their own, running a serious risk that the legislation might not pass before the summer and would have to wait until October 1st when the fall legislative session resumes.

Throughout the spring Manitobans continued to express their concerns regarding the NDP’s Budget 2025 tax hikes that show a significant increase to their education property taxes, and a crafty bracket creep that will cost Manitoba taxpayers $82 million.

Spring session ended with Manitoba under a state of emergency due to the severity of wildfires spreading across regions of our province. To the tens of thousands of Manitobans who continue to be affected by the fires, our thoughts and prayers are with you. May you find the means and support you need to recover and move forward towards a new normal.

The NDP announced a tax deferral for Manitoba businesses affected by the wildfires. This means businesses are able to apply for relief on provincially administered tax payments, and can ask for a penalty and interest waiver when they are finally able to file and pay their taxes. While a deferral may take some of the pressure off wildfire-impacted businesses that aren’t able to file in time, it is a temporary postponement measure that will not help businesses re-coup their losses.

Adding to the uncertainty, NDP Minister in charge of Emergency Measures Lisa Naylor was reported in the national news media urging tourists to hold off on visiting Manitoba to allow more shelter options for wildfire evacuees. In this time of crisis, all emergency efforts are necessary to help those in immediate need, however many Manitoba businesses who rely on tourism income were never consulted. While affected businesses may understand the reason for the government’s decision to pause tourists from visiting our province, it has not been communicated whether or not they will be compensated for the further impact it will have on their business loss. Thanks to the incredible firefighting efforts, campgrounds are now open for business in the Whiteshell.

I would like to congratulate all Manitoba students who are graduating this year. I have the sincere pleasure of attending graduations in the Lac du Bonnet constituency to present my 2025 MLA Citizenship Award & Bursary. Graduation is an important achievement opening the doors to a lifetime of opportunities. You should be very proud.

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.