October 14, 2021

Treaty 1 and Dakota Territory, Homeland of the Métis Nation, Winnipeg MB— Today the PCs recommitted to Pallister’s agenda by pushing through his budget that cuts millions from acute care, senior’s care and education.

“With Pallister gone, Manitobans were hopeful that our province would have a fresh start and a chance to fix the mistakes of the past,” said Manitoba NDP Leader Wab Kinew. “But instead of turning a new page, the PC party doubled down today and made it clear that Pallister’s agenda isn’t going away. Today it looks like Manitoba families will have to keep waiting for real change.”

The PC budget slashes healthcare for families and seniors with cuts to healthcare operating funding and long term care funding. The budget also forces through a $13 million dollar cut to acute care at a time when patients are being turned away from ERs and healthcare workers are sounding the alarm.

The PC budget will make life harder for families, students and teachers by cutting inclusion funding and programming for kids who need additional support in school, and forcing teachers to pay out of pocket for school supplies. The budget also cuts funding to post-secondary institutions by $9 million while faculty criticize the PCs for jeopardizing the future of Manitoba universities and vote to strike.

“While the PCs continue to repeat the mistakes of the past, the NDP is listening to families, healthcare workers and communities to build a better vision for our future,” said NDP House Leader Nahanni Fontaine. “This is not the budget Manitobans want but we believe a better Manitoba is possible and worth fighting for.”