September 15, 2015
Manitoba Remains Most Affordable Province for Families Paying Basic Household Costs: Minister Dewar
Manitoba remains the most affordable province in the country for basic household utilities and auto insurance according to a Deloitte LLP report showing Manitoba families spend $2,100 less per year compared to the national average, Finance Minister Greg Dewar announced today.
"Hydro, home heating and auto insurance are top of mind for families when they make their household budget,” said Minister Dewar. “That is why we have made it law that Manitoba families pay the lowest household utility bundle in the country. It is part of our commitment to keep life in Manitoba affordable.”
Conducted by Deloitte LLP, the independent report found Manitobans paid an average of $2,965 for electricity, home heating and auto insurance in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2015, the lowest average total in the country.
The average across Canada was $5,060 or $2,095 more than in Manitoba. After Manitoba, the next least expensive province was Quebec, where families pay $599 more on average than in Manitoba. Families in Ontario pay $8,140 on average for these basic services, the highest in Canada and $5,175 more than families in Manitoba.
Since 2012, by law the finance minister is required to submit a report each year showing the comparative costs of a utility bundle of electricity, natural gas and auto insurance rates for each province. The government has committed to Manitoba families to keep the utility bundle the cheapest in Canada, Minister Dewar said.
The report found that for electricity, Manitobans pay $910 on average per year compared with the countrywide average of $1,441. For home heating, Manitobans pay $844 compared to the Canadian average of $1,466 while car insurance is $1,211 in Manitoba while the national average is $2,153.
The report is available at www.gov.mb.ca/finance/otherreports.html.
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