October 19, 2021

Treaty 1 and Dakota Territory, Homeland of the Métis Nation, Winnipeg MB--Years of underspending on highways and a 35% vacancy rate within Manitoba’s Infrastructure department means fewer good jobs and sluggish economic activity as Manitoba tries to pull itself out of a pandemic.

“Good roads and highways keep families safe in the winter and they keep our economy moving. By maintaining them properly we can provide good-paying local jobs to thousands of families,” said NDP Infrastructure Critic, Matt Wiebe. “But instead of investing in our rural economy, the PCs continue to make short-sighted cuts. Instead of investing in reliable jobs for families, they are contracting out services and letting our highways fall apart.”

Government documents obtained by the NDP confirm there are 631 vacancies within Manitoba’s Infrastructure department, with the bulk of them in highway maintenance, leading to a 35% vacancy rate in the department. While these positions remain vacant, the PCs are contracting out work like snow clearing.

“Investing in infrastructure is good for families and good for the economy,” said NDP Leader Wab Kinew. “The PCs need to stop making cuts and start hiring Manitoba workers to fix our highways today.”