Manitoba Minute: Issue 105

Manitoba Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Manitoba politics.

📅 This Week In Manitoba: 📅

• Manitoba’s NDP government released its 2026-27 budget promising to reduce the provincial deficit to $498 million while increasing health-care spending by nearly $1 billion. Affordability measures include eliminating PST on all grocery store food, free transit for children and youth, free child care for low-income families, and increases to homeowners’ and renters’ tax credits. Finance Minister Adrien Sala emphasized that the budget relies on rising federal equalization payments, which allow the Province to spend more on health care and education without focusing heavily on economic growth. The budget also addresses hospital congestion with specialized ER zones, expands cardiac care at St. Boniface Hospital, invests in wildfire response, and maintains incentives for electric vehicles and prenatal vitamins. Critics argue the government is overly dependent on federal transfers and that measures like the grocery PST cut disproportionately benefit higher-income households, while proponents say it provides tangible relief to Manitoba families.
  
  
• Speaking of Manitoba’s PST cut on grocery store food this July, it will not benefit smaller “mom-and-pop” shops, convenience stores, or restaurants, as the exemption applies only to larger grocery stores and selected prepared foods. Critics, including the Retail Council of Canada and Restaurants Canada, say the measure unfairly favours big chains, excludes low-income shoppers who rely on nearby convenience stores, and disadvantages restaurants selling similar prepared foods. Premier Wab Kinew defended the policy, saying the focus is on helping Manitobans access groceries affordably, while Progressive Conservative Leader Obby Khan criticized it for favouring wealthy grocery chain owners over local businesses.
  
  
• Manitoba post-secondary institutions are being allowed to raise tuition fees by up to 4% for the 2026-27 academic year, the largest increase in 8 years, as universities and colleges face funding pressures. University of Manitoba President Michael Benarroch cited declining international student enrolment, due to federal policy changes, as a key factor driving the need for the increase, though he noted the rise won’t fully offset revenue losses. While provincial operating grants will increase by 2% and more scholarships are being offered, critics argue that students are unfairly bearing the burden of funding shortfalls. Student leaders highlighted growing financial pressures, including rising costs for housing and food, and expressed frustration that international students’ health coverage remains unresolved three years after an NDP election promise. Advanced Education Minister Renée Cable defended the tuition cap, emphasizing the government’s limited fiscal flexibility amid broader challenges. Opposition Progressive Conservatives criticized the government for not developing a plan sooner.
  
  
• Former Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister returned to the Legislature for the unveiling of his official portrait, which depicts him standing by the Assiniboine River near High Bluff, a location he says holds deep personal significance. Pallister, who served as Premier from 2016 to 2021 and won two consecutive majority governments, reflected on retirement, describing it as a slower pace that allows more time with family, reading, and travel. His tenure included efforts to lower taxes, reduce the deficit, sign interprovincial trade deals, and attract investment, though he faced controversy over health-care changes and pandemic management. Pallister acknowledged the challenges of making decisions during COVID-19, emphasizing the collective effort to save lives. The portrait, painted by Andrew Valko, is notable as the first Manitoba Premier portrait set outdoors, highlighting Pallister’s connection to the communities of Winnipeg, Portage, and Brandon. 
  
  
• Premier Wab Kinew has called on Prime Minister Mark Carney to take action to end the ongoing conflict in Iran, describing it as a “dumb war” at the NDP national convention in Winnipeg. He criticized the US-Israel strikes and the resulting Iranian control of the Strait of Hormuz, which has disrupted global oil and gas shipments and caused economic pain in Canada. Kinew argued that no Canadian - or American working-class person - should be put in harm’s way for what he called “Donald Trump’s foolish Iranian war.” The Premier emphasized Canada’s role in promoting human rights and suggested that taking steps to end the conflict would align with those values. His remarks came shortly after federal Defence Minister David McGuinty indicated Canada might contribute vessels and cyber support to secure the strait if a ceasefire is reached. 

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

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