WINNIPEG -- After having the budget announcement blocked by the NDP last week, the province has now tabled the 2020 budget.

It prepares for looming financial storm clouds over COVID-19, while following through with most of its promised tax cuts.

"The important message for Manitobans to get today is that we have a very resilient province, with resilient people, and this budget demonstrates that resilience," said Premier Brian Pallister.

"The budget today sets the stage for recovery, recovery faster. It focuses on the priorities of the people of Manitoba because that will always be the top priority."

Pallister said it's the government's aim to balance the budget by the end of his current term in office, but said the government will address the concerns of Manitobans as its top priority.

RAINY DAY FUND

With COVID-19 impacting the world economy, the province is preparing for any unforeseen emergencies, as it is topping up the Rainy Day Fund.

The Conservatives added $300 million to the fund to bring the total to $872 million.

An emergency contingency fund for natural disasters, like flooding and forest fires, is doubling from $50 million to $100 million.

There is also a smaller investment of $5.7 million to deal with smaller-scale floods or other emergency events.

In a supplementary budget document tabled Thursday, the government said H1N1 cost $83 million in emergency funds ten years ago.

"We anticipate that the costs of COVID-19 will exceed that amount, and will ensure the necessary resources are made available to respond to the current situation," The document said.

The province is also predicting lower than expected revenues.

”COVID-19 will impact Manitoba’s forecasted budgetary revenues. The revenue outlook included in Budget 2020 was based on reasonable, consensus-based assumptions about the pace of growth in the province’s economy. This is no longer the case," the document reads.

"Given the sudden escalation in economic, social and financial developments caused by the spread of COVID-19 throughout Canada, it is impossible to identify a consensus view among forecasters relied upon by Manitoba Finance.”

DEFICIT

Last week Finance Minister Scott Fielding said the deficit has been reduced to $220 million, which, compared to last year is an improvement of $140 million, when the deficit was $360 million.

Fielding said the government is now within “striking distance” of eliminating the shortfall.

TAXES

  • As promised the province will be lowering the PST by one percentage point to six per cent. That will come into effect on July 1, 2020.
  • Probate fees will be eliminated on July 1, 2020.
  • Vehicle registrations will be reduced by 10 per cent on July 1, 2020.
  • Promised payroll tax reductions will come into effect Jan. 1, 2021.
  • A carton of cigarettes will cost a dollar more to offset the PST cut.
  • PST will be removed from tax returns on Oct. 1, 2020.
  • Campaign promises to remove PST from home insurance and salon services won’t happen until next year's budget.

ENVIRONMENT

As the government had previously announced a green levy, also known as a carbon tax will be put in place at $25 per tonne on July 1, 2020.

It is also spending $101 million for the Lake Manitoba and Lake St. Martin Outlet Channels Project.

There is also a one-time $45 million capital investment for climate “resiliency" projects.

Funding for the city’s first phase of the north end sewage treatment plant upgrades will be increased by $21.8 million to $56.2 million. Fielding said that completes the government’s obligations for phase one. The entire project is estimated to cost $1.8 billion.

There is also an additional $15.8 million that will assist municipalities outside of Winnipeg with developing safe and sustainable water and sewage facilities.

HEALTHCARE

The province said health spending is estimated at $6.82 billion, but could increase because of the pandemic.

The health budget includes $1.8 billion for the Health Sciences Centre master campus plan, which is projected to cost $592 million, and the redevelopment of the Saint Boniface Hospital that has a price tag of $88.5 million.

The province is also investing more than $250 million through the Provincial Clinical and Preventative Services Plan, for rural and northern healthcare, digital health supports and infrastructure investment in projects and program delivery.

EDUCATION

The budget also includes $160 million for education capital projects, including seven new schools this year.

The province is promising 13 more new schools over the next decade.

These projects will result in 4,425 new classrooms that will be open or under construction by the end of the fiscal year.

There is also $5 million to implement recommendations from the K to 12 review, and a $2.4 million increase for curriculum development funding.

MANITOBA FAMILIES

The budget features $2.1 billion for the Families Department. Part of that will see an increase in funding for Community Living and disABILITY Services to $21.2 million.

HOUSING

It appears the province is getting out of ownership of social housing.

There is a funding increase of $10 million for the Manitoba Housing and Renewal Corporation, but the province said over the next five years the corporation will change from a housing “provider” to a “funder” and “regulator”.

The conservatives said this is being done to make social housing more sustainable.

CRIME

The policing budget will see an extra $6 million for provincial police service agreements, including funding for an additional 27 officers.

There is also a $3.7 million increase that will be directed toward addressing crime and gang activity and a $2.3 million investment for public safety.

The province is also helping police officers “detect and deter drug-impaired driving” by including $1 million.

INFRASTRUCTURE

The highways budget is increasing by $12.5 million to $362.5 million.

The province said this is the next step to boost the budget to $400 million.

The government is also investing $313 million into local governments through the Strategic Municipal Investment Fund, and some of that money, $3.8 million, will go towards projects in northern Manitoba.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Transferring the Manitoba Centennial Centre’s buildings and properties to the not-for-profit-sector, including the Manitoba Museum and the Centennial Concert Hall.
  • The creation of an independent appeal body to hear zoning and permit appeals for Winnipeg and surrounding communities.
  • Legislation that will “allow for greater alignment” of wages across central government, Crowns, Universities, Schools, and Hospitals.