Winnipeg, MB - Mayors and reeves from Manitoba’s Capital Region gathered at Winnipeg City Hall today to speak out against a provincial budget that claims to support infrastructure but ultimately leaves Manitoba municipalities without any ongoing ability to make essential repairs.
“The province is raising $277 million from its PST hike,” said Mayor Sam Katz. “Most of that new revenue will come from consumers living within Manitoba’s Capital Region, yet the region will see very little benefit. As you all know, Premier Selinger is investing only $7 million of this new money into Winnipeg roads.”
The Capital Region, representing Winnipeg and 15 surrounding communities, represents about 800,000 people in Manitoba. Mayors and reeves from the region came together to call for renewed investment in municipal infrastructure, in order to support the economic health of municipalities adjacent to Winnipeg.
“In the days and weeks following the provincial budget, it has become clear that the Province of Manitoba is raising taxes to fund existing commitments,” said RM of St. Andrews Reeve Don Forfar. “For municipalities struggling with an infrastructure crisis, this doesn’t seem fair. If the Capital Region is to be healthy, safe and prosperous, Premier Selinger must invest in municipal infrastructure.”
“The provincial budget sets aside only $7 million for nearly 200 Manitoba municipalities to help with road repairs,” said Association of Manitoba Municipalities President Doug Dobrowolski. “That won’t make any meaningful difference to the state of our crumbling roads.”
Mayors and reeves from the Capital Region have now joined the Association of Manitoba Municipalities and mayors representing Brandon, Flin Flon, Morden, Portage la Prairie, Selkirk, Steinbach, Thompson, Winkler and Winnipeg in calling for Premier Selinger to dedicate one per cent of existing PST, over and above what municipalities already receive, to municipal infrastructure. This revenue would be shared among all municipalities on a per capita basis.