June 30, 2016
Manitoba's New Government Reflects on Ambitious First Legislative Session
Earlier today, with the passage the Mental Health Amendment Act,the Francophone Community Enhancement and Support Act,and the Budget Implementation and Tax Statutes Amendment Act,Manitoba’s new government concluded its first session since being elected on April 19, Premier Brian Pallister announced.
“Our government was elected on a platform that committed to better services, lower taxes and a stronger economy,” said Pallister. “We formed government with an incredibly ambitious agenda and we have accomplished a great deal in a short period of time for the benefit of all Manitobans.”
The premier highlighted a number of initiatives including:
- a 30 per cent reduction in the size of cabinet followed by the introduction of a speech from the throne and a budget;
- a $100-million reduction in the size of the provincial deficit, indexation of tax brackets and a rise in the basic personal exemption, all without raising or expanding provincial taxes;
- the restoration of Manitobans’ right to vote on major tax increases and a commitment to restoring secret ballot votes to the union certification process; and
- the introduction of the proposed protecting children act and the passage of the Mental Health Amendment Act and the Francophone Community Enhancement and Support Act.
Pallister also referenced his trip to Ottawa earlier this week, during which he was able to meet for the first time with his counterparts from Alberta and Quebec. He also attended a state dinner for the president of Mexico, Enrique Pena Nieto, and the speech to the House of Commons by U.S. President Barack Obama.
International trade is incredibly important across many of Manitoba’s economic sectors, with approximately 30 per cent of the province’s real GDP made up of exports of goods and services to other countries, the premier noted.
“Manitoba is incredibly reliant on trade and co-operation both within Canada’s borders and with our international partners,” said Pallister. “Our government is moving forward with policies that pursue economic development and a strengthened economy while supporting the values that are important to all Manitobans.”
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