Manitoba to spend $150M more than budgeted to help with inflation, health care
The Manitoba government says it's spending $150 million more than it forecasted in the previous budget to ease costs in the health-care system, for municipal projects and to offset inflation.
The money is part of an $850-million funding package approved by the Progressive Conservative government through a special warrant.
Part of the money, $200 million announced earlier this week, is going to a second round of cheques to help people deal with inflation.
Eight water and wastewater projects are to receive about $100 million, while $40 million will go toward the expansion of CentrePort, North America's largest tri-modal inland port.
Premier Heather Stefanson has hinted her government may end a freeze on municipal operating funding as part of the spring budget.
The Opposition NDP said the funding doesn't make up for seven years of cuts made to Winnipeg and other communities while the Tories have been in government.
"Since they took office, the Progressive Conservative's have frozen municipal funding, forcing communities to make cuts to services families rely on and starving them of resources they need to thrive," Matt Wiebe, critic for municipal affairs, said Friday.
Stefanson said the province is also considering building on federal grants for transit funding for municipalities.
Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham welcomed the funding commitments from the province.
"There's significant pressures that we face as a city. Indications from the premier today is good news for the City of Winnipeg."
Gillingham added that the city has been facing its own budget deficits due to inflation, the COVID-19 pandemic and weather events.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 27, 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine
The United States has vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.