NDP Have Solutions to Fix Health Care and Help Families Get Ahead

March 3, 2022  

NDP Finance Critic meets with Finance Minister in advance of Budget  

Treaty 1 and Dakota Territory, Homeland of the Red River Métis, Winnipeg MB – Ahead of the PCs 2022 budget, NDP Finance Critic Mark Wasyliw met with the Finance Minister to encourage the PCs to focus on Manitoban’s top priorities.  

“For the last five years, the PCs budget, with its continued cuts to education, health care and seniors care, and increases to renters, has served the interests of their wealthy friends and left regular families out to dry,” said Wasyliw. “Now more than ever as the cost-of-living increases, Manitobans need New Democrats in their corner ready to fight for better health care and solutions that help them pay the bills and build good lives in our province. The priorities we’re putting forward today are good for families and good for the economy.”  

The NDP urged the PCs to:  

  • Fix health care by committing to stop making cuts and immediately ending patient transfers, setting a date to end the surgery backlog, training and recruiting nurses for Northern health care facilities and allowing rural paramedics to work to the full scope of their practice.  
  • Strengthen public education by committing to stop making cuts and increase funding across the system with an emphasis on adult education and early learning.  
  • Make life more affordable for families and invest in the local economy by committing to keep Manitoba Hydro public and rates low.  
  • Support local businesses by developing a province-wide “shop local” procurement strategy that includes ways to promote BIPOC and women-owned businesses.  
  • Improve infrastructure for all Manitobans by investing in rural and Northern broadband and improving safety conditions and snow removal on Northern highways, including Highway 6.  

“The calls we brought forward today reflect what we’ve heard from Manitobans over the last year,” said NDP Leader Wab Kinew. “It’s time for a budget that reflects the values and needs of regular families and builds a brighter future for everyone in our province.”