Week in Review
As week two comes to a close both campaigns are homing in on their main proposition to voters. Whereas Stefanson’s PCs are emphasizing tax cuts as a solution to the affordability crisis Kinew’s NDP is focused on strengthening the health-care system.
With next week bringing two public debates, the main cleavage is shaping up to be: Tax cuts versus public services.
Analysis
As the PC’s continue to announce tax cut after tax cut, the NDP continue to bring attention to the consequences of these cuts. Kinew’s daily healthcare announcements have drawn attention to the gaps in care created under the PC government. Though the PCs promise tax cuts for seniors, the NDP have promised to reopen the Mature Women’s Centre at Victoria hospital. This would cost an NDP government $5 million.
The Manitoba PCs have framed tax cuts as strategy to increase affordability for Manitobans. In total, these promised tax cuts would cost the province close to $1 billion. The PCs’ hydrogen, critical minerals, and energy strategy are meant to prompt economic growth and, in part, mitigate lost revenue from tax cuts. As the PCs critique the NDP’s economic plans as short-term solutions, critics point out that the long-term nature of the PC’s proposed revenue replacements is not likely to be profitable for many years. Mine approvals currently take an average of 12 to 15 years to be approved. Though extremely promising, the hydrogen market will likely not accelerate until after 2030.
Campaign Announcements
NDP
- Plan to hire more internationally trained health professionals
- New Centre of Excellence at St. Boniface
- Reopen the Mature Women’s Centre
PC
- Film industry tax credit and infrastructure funding
- $20 million in support of the aquaculture industry
Liberals
In the News
- CBC News- Government calls for meeting with CEOs of Canada’s biggest grocery chains to talk food prices
- Global News- Search the landfill events planned country- wide for Sept. 18
- Winnipeg Free Press- Prescription for Dysfunction
- CBC News- Mobile Clinic has vision of bringing eye care to high- needs schools across Manitoba