Manitoba Minute: Property Taxes, Pharmacare Deal, and Declining Test Scores

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

This Week In Manitoba:

• Manitoba Hydro is proposing a $1.36 billion fuel-burning generating station to prevent winter power shortages. The facility would consist of two 250-megawatt turbines, with natural gas being the most cost-effective fuel option, although hydrogen and renewable natural gas are also being considered. The Province faces growing electricity demand and is also working on an integrated resource plan that includes expanding wind power capacity. The project is part of a broader effort to modernize Manitoba's energy infrastructure and ensure long-term power reliability.
  
  
• Several school divisions in Manitoba, including four in Winnipeg and one in western Manitoba, are proposing property tax increases to cover rising costs such as wage settlements, growing student enrollment, and capital expenses. Despite a funding boost from the provincial government, divisions like Seven Oaks and Winnipeg are suggesting significant tax hikes, with Seven Oaks proposing a 4.5% increase and Winnipeg a 5% increase. Other divisions, such as Pembina Trails and Brandon, are also planning tax hikes to address enrollment growth and budget shortfalls. Critics argue that these tax hikes reflect mismanagement of education funding.
  
  
• The University of Manitoba Faculty Association (UMFA) is setting a bargaining deadline for March 6th, with a potential strike set for March 10th if an agreement isn't reached. Negotiations, which began in August, have focused on issues like pay, working conditions, workload, and childcare. UMFA says that low salaries compared to other universities are causing faculty to leave (or not accept offers of employment in the first place) while remaining faculty face high workloads. Despite this, the University claims it has made a competitive salary proposal, offering an 11.25% raise over four years.

Last Week In Manitoba:

• Manitoba has become the first province to join Ottawa’s pharmacare program, securing $219 million in federal funding over four years. The agreement will cover the cost of birth control, diabetes medications, and hormone replacement therapy for menopause, with coverage set to begin in June. The pharmacare legislation, passed in October, was a key part of the Liberal-NDP agreement that sustained the Liberal minority government.
  
  
• Possible human remains have been discovered at the Prairie Green Landfill, prompting a formal investigation. The site was being searched for the remains of Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran, victims of a convicted serial killer. RCMP have collected the remains for forensic analysis, with DNA testing expected to take several weeks. Premier Wab Kinew acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the discovery, emphasizing the need for a thorough identification process. Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Kyra Wilson described the finding as both painful and significant, reaffirming the commitment to justice for missing and murdered Indigenous women.
  
  
• Manitoba Grade 12 students saw a decline in advanced math and French scores on the 2024 provincial exams, compared to results from 2016-2019. The reinstated exams, which had been paused due to the pandemic, revealed a drop in pre-calculus scores to 62.4% from a previous average of 67.9%. While some math subjects showed minor improvements, experts warn that students may not be adequately prepared for post-secondary studies in fields requiring calculus. The Province is reviewing the math curriculum, investing in smaller class sizes, and launching new programs to address the issue.