January 19, 2016
Manitoba Government Continues to Make Strategic Investments, Build for Future, Create Good Jobs: Premier Selinger
The provincial government is continuing its economic plan to make smart, strategic investments to keep Manitobans working and build the province for the future, Premier Greg Selinger and government house leader Dave Chomiak said today.
“Our province is growing and we need to make sure that we plan strategically to keep it growing,” said Premier Selinger. “Our plan is focused on keeping Manitobans working and creating new good jobs so that average, middle-class families can build their futures right here at home. That is why we are investing in 12,000 new affordable child-care spaces, better roads and bridges, and enhancing our school system to prepare our young people for the careers of tomorrow.”
The premier said recent provincial commitments build on the province’s throne speech which he says lays out a smart, strategic vision for Manitoba over the next five years and includes:
• investing in targeted supports for public schools aimed at enhancing academic achievement and career development;
• advancing a plan for 12,000 new affordable child-care spaces to eliminate the child care wait list;
• increasing support to colleges and universities for Indigenous achievement, research excellence and student success;
• appointing former Quebec premier Jean Charest as the chair of a task force to advance relocating rail lines out of Winnipeg;
• supporting the redevelopment of the Assiniboine Community College’s North Hill Campus in Brandon and supporting affordable student housing at Brandon University;
• committing to building two new schools in growing communities, as well as additional support to hire 50 more teachers to support the province’s smaller class sizes initiative;
• providing support for a new CancerCare Manitoba facility to ensure even better services for cancer patients;
• partnering with the City of Winnipeg to invest in public spaces in Winnipeg’s downtown including new skywalks, roadwork, a public skating rink, green space and an outdoor concert facility to support significant private development;
• extending investments in water and sewer infrastructure throughout the province by two years;
• pursuing economic opportunities in The Pas in partnership with the Swampy Cree Tribal Council and Tolko;
• expanding the Community Cancer program at Thompson General Hospital;
• supporting rural economic development through targeted grants and funding for rural entrepreneurs; and
• providing record investments in core infrastructure like roads, bridges, and flood protection, throughout the province.
“At a time when the Canadian economy is fragile, the province is focusing on stimulus spending to give the economy a boost, keep people employed and support hard-working families,” said Premier Selinger.
The government house leader noted the legislature will sit again Feb. 24 to March 15 for the conclusion of the fifth session of the 40th legislature before the next general election.
“The government plans to move forward on a number of important bills to support today’s modern families including proposed legislation to protect the environment, increase protections for victims of domestic violence, protect daycare spaces and small class sizes in schools, and overhaul the family law system,” said Chomiak.
The premier noted the government will continue all day-to-day operations during the 90-day period before the general election, although public communications will be limited. The Election Financing Act restricts public communications by government departments and Crown agencies during this period, although there are limited exceptions under the legislation. For example, communications regarding matters of public health and safety, items required by law, existing Crown advertising and tenders or employment notices required at the time can still be communicated by the province.
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