Province	Législature	Session	Type de discours	Date du discours	Locuteur	Fonction du locuteur	Parti politique
Manitoba	35e	3e	Discours sur le Budget	11 mars 1992	Clayton Manness	Ministre des Finances	Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba


Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to present our government's fifth budget to the Legislative Assembly and to the people of Manitoba.

The budget is aimed at helping speed Manitoba's recovery from the recession that is affecting the entire country. It is a recovery that will not be quickly or easily won. However, it can be accomplished through hard work, determination and a sense of purpose that is shared by all Manitobans.

Reasons for Manitobans to be hopeful are beginning to emerge. Inflation rates have eased significantly. Interest rates are 6.5 percentage points lower than their 1990 peak; the dollar has dropped toward more sustainable levels; some
commodity prices are rising and there are signs of recovery amongst our trading partners.

The Conference Board of Canada forecasts that Manitoba's economy will grow faster than the national average in 1992, as the Canadian economy recovers from the recession.

Slowly but surely, a renewed sense of optimism is building In Manitoba and across Canada.

In order to build on the gains we have made to date, we must continue to work at restructuring our economy. Business must continue to strive to be as competitive as possible. We must apply new ideas to create goods and services that will be in demand, not just at home, but internationally as well.

Government, too, must employ perseverance, innovation and substantial effort to provide services in an efficient and cost-effective manner. We must continue to find new and better ways of delivering important human services within the limits of the taxpayers' ability to pay.

The determination and commitment of Manitobans to share the burden of the recession has put our province in a strong position as recovery begins. We have battled through bankruptcies; Manitobans want a strong province with economic opportunities that create Jobs for themselves and their children. They also want key health care, education and family services maintained.

It has long been recognized that the best social program is having a meaningful job. In order to build a strong economy capable of creating jobs and supporting vital services, we must continue to keep taxes down and the deficit under control. The key to lower taxes and reduced debt lies in controlling government spending.

Since 1988, our government has worked hard at that task. Yes, the job required us to make difficult decisions and to choose our priorities carefully. We realized then that government spending sprees mean big deficits, which translate into higher taxes and fewer jobs.

By prioritizing government spending, we were actually able to cut taxes in our first budget. Since then, we have continued our battle against high taxes and are proud of the fact that not once in those four years did we raise personal or corporate income taxes or the provincial sales tax. Mr. Speaker, that is a record unmatched by any province in Canada, and a distinction we will work hard to keep.
Unlike other jurisdictions, our government remains committed to maintaining capital investment to improve long-term competitiveness while bolstering immediate economic recovery.

We have worked hard to create a positive climate in which Manitoba businesses can prosper and grow. Our increasing reputation as one of the best places in Canada to invest is proof that this strategy is beginning to work.

Together, we must forge a strong partnership among government; business and labour to capitalize on every new opportunity to create jobs and build a strong economy. As a government, we must also maintain and improve the competitive advantage we have worked together to gain for our province. There can be no return to high spending and high taxes. Consumers, businesses and workers in all sectors expect us to keep taxes down. This budget confirms that our government listened to Manitobans and understands the message. .

Manitoba is a trading province; we rely on the markets of our trading partners, especially other provinces and the United States. In large measure, our ability to export and to generate more jobs and incomes for Manitobans depends on the capacity of our trading partners to buy what we have to sell. For the most part, the economies of our customers are performing below capacity. We cannot create growing demand and recovery in our partners' economies.

But we can ensure that Manitoba is positioned to take maximum advantage of the national and international recovery. Manitoba's cost structures must be trimmed to enable our people and businesses to seize the opportunities that will emerge with recovery. Our tax levels help determine whether Manitoba wilt be competitive when the recovery takes off. Our debt levels determine whether we will be able to stay competitive. Therefore, a cornerstone of our economic strategy must be to control the cost of government. Let there be no misunderstanding, the cost of government is debt and taxes.

A responsible budgeting framework is fundamental to responsible fiscal planning. Last year our government took several steps to improve the province's financial management. We recognize that government is not exempt from structural change.

As a first step, we instituted an internal reform process. Last year's budget actually reduced year-over-year spending in about one-half of all departments of government. By securing reductions in administration and management costs, we are able to ensure that more of the budget can be spent on serving Manitobans. The sale of Manitoba Data Services has strengthened strategic economic development opportunities in the province and reduced data processing unit costs in government. This year the government is establishing the Fleet Vehicle Branch of Government Services as a special operating agency. Overall, there are more than 1,100 fewer positions in government today than two years ago.
Manitoba's government is no larger than it was in 1986.

Second, we instituted a revised Estimates process. The new process puts decisions about the overall tax burden facing Manitobans first and foremost. Making responsible spending decisions within the limits of what taxpayers can afford is essential to ensure the continued delivery of vital public services for Manitobans.

Third, we maintained a course of fair but affordable public sector wage negotiations. Last year the overall target of 3 percent growth in public sector wages required a freeze on provincial Civil Service salaries in order to pay for larger increases to others, in particular to nurses. Regrettably, many public entities, including the City of Winnipeg, many school divisions and universities chose not to exercise similar restraint, with predictable results. In many cases, these public entities would be better able to maintain services and jobs and avoid tax or fee increases this year if they had implemented similar wage moderation.

By keeping the deficit under control over the past four years, we are now able to realize some benefit from current lower Interest rates. Our administration also set funds aside for difficult times by establishing the Fiscal Stabilization Fund. The Fiscal Stabilization Fund and reduction in public debt costs afford us a measure of breathing room this year to help maintain priority programs without increasing the annual deficit or raising taxes.

Internal reform, the new approach to the Estimates process and public sector wage moderation, and provide a framework to reduce the deficit as the economy improves. This framework will enable us to make the responsible choices necessary to protect vital public programs and deliver them more efficiently on a basis affordable to the taxpayer.

Manitobans cannot and should not be burdened with more taxes. Therefore, there will be no increase in personal income taxes. Since 1988, Manitobans' personal income taxes have been reduced by over $60 million annually. There will be no increase in provincial taxes on businesses. We will continue working to help Manitoba business regain its competitive edge. There will be no increase in sales taxes.

Freezing major taxes for a fifth consecutive year protects the significant improvements in Manitoba's tax competitiveness secured over the last four years. This budget provides further tax relief with a $10-million reduction in provincial education taxes for homeowners throughout the province.

While we kept a lid on taxes and provided some targeted reductions, other provinces imposed increases. Although Manitoba taxes remain higher than we would like, our position relative to other provinces has improved. The overall burden of Manitoba taxes is now much more attractive in relation to our major competitors. At the First Ministers' Conferences in December and in January, Premier Filmon called for a national freeze on major taxes as a key measure to rekindle confidence in the economy.

Our capacity to maintain these competitive gains and important targeted incentives periodically comes under threat from tax avoidance practices. We are, therefore, moving to tighten up tax enforcement rules to prevent the use of artificial business practices; anti-avoidance legislation will be introduced.

We are working hard to achieve tax fairness and leave as many hard-earned dollars as possible in the taxpayers' pockets to stimulate demand and investment right here in Manitoba.

Mr. Speaker, economic success today, tomorrow and in the future hinges on our ability to compete with the best in the world. Manitobans have proven they can do just that. Our agricultural products, including grains, oilseeds, red meats, poultry, potatoes and honey, often command a premium in international markets because of superior quality. Many of our manufacturers are very successful in export markets: If you buy a silk blouse in Saks Fifth Avenue in New York, or a lottery ticket in Spain, or French fries in Tokyo, or ride a bus in San Francisco, chances are it was produced right here in Manitoba.

The Unisys Canada computer plant in Winnipeg is an excellent illustration of how competitive Manitobans can be. It is now the only plant in the world manufacturing disc drives for Unisys computers. Just a few years ago it was one of 10 plants scattered around the world in places like Tennessee, California, Mexico and Singapore. In spite of much lower wage rates in some of those factories, the other nine were shut down and work moved here because Manitoba was building a more competitive product. How did this plant accomplish this feat? The answer is straightforward: superior employees, most of whom were educated in Manitoba.

Further evidence that Manitobans are ready and able to compete is found in the recent Statistics Canada survey of investment intentions. Private investment in Manitoba is expected to grow 7.4 percent in 1992-the second highest increase among the provinces. Manufacturing investment is expected to grow 31 percent-the best performance in the country.

To thrive in this new, more competitive environment, we cannot be satisfied with past accomplishments. We must continually strive to be the best. As a government, we must champion better co-ordination and partnership among government, labour and the private sector. We are taking several steps to sharpen the economic development focus within government. We are proposing some targeted incentives to help accelerate business activity and strengthen economic renewal and job creation in our province. This forward-looking economic renewal package is intended to give investment in Manitoba an added boost during the recovery and build for the 21st century.

The new Economic Development Board of Cabinet, chaired by the Premier (Mr. Filmon), provides the leadership necessary to co-ordinate government-wide efforts for sustainable economic growth. The restructured Industry, Trade and Tourism department will emphasize strategic initiatives under a more project-oriented approach. Working with individual firms and groups of companies, the department will serve as a catalyst to create new development opportunities.

The overall budget for economic and resource development is set at $604 million, up 6.3 percent.

The new $20-million Manitoba Industrial Recruitment Initiative Program gives focus to our efforts to stimulate expansion of Manitoba industry and to attract new business investments and jobs. The program will provide secured loans with forgiveness directly related to job creation.

The Crocus Investment Fund, established earlier this year, assists employees to assume an ownership role where they work. The Vision Capital Fund provides venture capital investment to help Manitobans with good ideas turn them into reality. The strengthened Manitoba Industrial Opportunities Program is encouraging companies to build on the advantages of investing in Manitoba.

Our ongoing commitment to the development of successful economic initiatives in rural Manitoba communities is strengthened in this budget. Over $2 million has been allocated for Rural Economic Development Initiatives. This program, funded from revenue generated by video lottery terminals, will help communities upgrade local infrastructure and fund youth employment initiatives. The Grow Bond program helps rural communities intensify efforts to strengthen their local economies and create more jobs.

Mr. Speaker, we are introducing a temporary 10 percent income tax credit for investment in new manufacturing and processing in Manitoba. This will encourage business to accelerate existing investment plans and to consider new investment opportunities in our province. We want to turn the good news on investment intentions into real investment and jobs in our province. The new credit will be available on investment in new buildings, machinery and equipment undertaken between budget night and June 30, 1993. This measure will give export-oriented industry added impetus to modernize and upgrade and become more competitive.

The Manitoba Economic Innovation and Technology Council will help foster industrial innovation and technological commercialization by developing partnerships among government, business, labour and the research community. The Economic Innovation and Technology Fund, financed by a portion of the proceeds from the sale of Manitoba Data Services, will focus new resources in this important area.

To complement the efforts of the council and to further strengthen this vital activity in our province, a new Manitoba research and development tax credit will be introduced.

Manitoba's central time zone, skilled labour force and good quality of life make the province a natural candidate for central office processing operations, especially in financial, shipping and communication services. That is why United Parcel Service is establishing Winnipeg as the hub for all its cross-border freight destined for western Canada.

To foster more activity in this growing area, I am pleased to announce a sales tax exemption for .800" numbers, and extension of the payroll training tax credit to include training programs delivered in export-oriented service industries.

Transportation is a key to development and growth in our province. Jobs throughout the province depend on our ability to get products to market quickly and efficiently. We are acting to improve Manitoba's transportation network and to bring Manitoba's transportation taxes more in line with other provinces.

Investment in our highways network will be fully maintained in this budget. This investment in our vital transportation links will provide important jobs this year, with a longer-term payback in greater efficiency.

At the recent First Ministers' meetings on the economy, our Premier called on the federal government to increase its investment in asset-creating capital projects to stimulate employment and economic activity across the country. He referred specifically to a National Highways Program. Such a program would strengthen domestic and international trade links, improve highway safety and increase employment.

In my previous budgets, action was taken to help the trucking industry. Our on-road diesel fuel taxes are currently amongst the lowest in the country.


The rail industry is another important mainstay of our transportation sector. It is labouring under extremely high fuel taxes. Along with streamlining our method of collecting this tax, the railway locomotive fuel tax will be cut by one cent to 12.6 cents per litre, effective July 1, 1992.

The Winnipeg International Airport has tremendous growth potential, especially as a major hub for regional, national and international distribution. An increasing number of companies, including Federal Express, have signalled their interest in Winnipeg. To help foster growth in this fast-paced sector and create more jobs, the aviation fuel tax will be reduced by 0.8 cents to 5 cents per litre on July 1, 1992.

Mr. Speaker, we recognize the important contribution of mining to the economic activity of our province, including direct and service jobs and export earnings. We are determined to secure its future. The Manitoba Mineral Exploration Incentive Program, announced last year, is now operational. Further action will be taken in this budget. Exploration incentives allowed under the mining tax will be strengthened. The corporation capital tax on exploration costs will be eliminated. As an added step to help revitalize exploration and development of new mines in Manitoba, I am pleased to introduce a mining tax holiday. The holiday will permit companies to recover their full investment in new mines prior to the mining tax being applied.

Recent years have been very difficult for many farmers. Last year Manitoba farmers faced some of the lowest grain prices in two decades, aggravated by the international subsidy war. We will continue to stand with our farmers in these difficult times. Resources deployed through the Agriculture department will increase by $23 million or 21 percent. The entire increase is needed to underwrite the provincial share of the Gross Revenue Insurance Plan and the Net Income Stabilization Account.

There is some encouraging news for the future, including renewed hope for a balanced resolution at the GATT talks. As well, for the first time in several years, there are some solid signs of improving conditions, especially for grain and oilseeds farmers. World supply is down and prices are rising. The price of wheat on the spot market has climbed approximately 50 percent since last spring. Thanks to good crops in Canada and below-normal crops in some other countries, Canada's grain exports may reach a record high this year. In addition, the sharp decline in interest rates reduces the interest costs borne by farmers and contributes to an improved outlook.

Cross-border shopping is providing added competition for consumers' dollars with over $300 million leaving Manitoba annually. That translates into at least 2,000 lost jobs. We must take action to stem the growing cross-border shopping threat.

Federal collection of provincial taxes at border crossing points is essential to create a more level playing field for Manitoba businesses. The federal government has agreed to collect provincial tobacco and alcohol taxes at the border. We have also suggested that Ottawa begin collecting sales taxes at the border on a selected list of items currently taxed in all sales tax jurisdictions. We will not fight cross-border shopping by imposing new taxes on in-province purchases, particularly books and children's clothing, as initially suggested by the federal government.

My officials are also working with federal officials to streamline sales tax rebates to foreign tourists. We are hopeful that it will be possible to use a single administration for rebates of provincial as well as federal taxes later this year. This will help Manitoba businesses compete for the tourist dollar.

The government's emphasis on protecting the environment will be strengthened. New funding will be provided for environmental assessments and implementation of the Ozone Depleting Substances Act. Work is advancing on means of reducing harmful waste, including possible extension of environmental protection taxes to disposable diapers and tires. The government will ensure that all the revenue yielded through such environmental taxes is fully invested in planned measures to protect the environment. The Minister of Environment (Mr. Cummings) will be introducing the province's action plan later in this session.

The Manitoba Hazardous Waste Corporation is proceeding with the next steps toward the approval and development of a world-class facility for the safe disposal of hazardous wastes in our province. This initiative will require a large capital investment and create Jobs In the A.M. of Montcalm and surrounding district.

Mr. Speaker, capital investment in permanent assets can and does play an important part in job creation. In 1992-93, the combined budgetary and non budgetary capital related programs of the government, the Crown corporations and other agencies will exceed $1.1 billion. The Investment will provide work opportunities for Manitobans and enhance needed Infrastructure to support future growth. The non budgetary capital related programs totals $812 million for the coming year, whereas the budgetary capital total is $306 million, including $38 million for education and training, $57 million for health, and $113 million for highway and road construction and upgrading.

This budget allocates $3.5 billion for priority social programs, including increases of: $101 million or 5.7 percent for Health, Mr. Speaker, I emphasize increase at three times the present rate of inflation; secondly, a $51-million increase or 8.7 percent for Family Services, four times the rate of inflation; and increases totalling $52 million or 5.5 percent for Education and Training, three times the rate of inflation.

Reform of Manitoba's health care system must continue to enable service delivery to be maintained despite limited financial resources.

These reforms must be designed to better reflect patient needs and preferences while ensuring services are delivered in the most cost-effective manner possible. Services can be strengthened and costs contained by shifting toward services provided in the community where people live and work.

To support this strategic plan, major funding increases have been provided for both home care and personal care homes. In addition, the Manitoba Health Services Improvement Fund has been established to provide incentives to health care institutions which demonstrate improved quality and efficient services. Increases to the Health Services Development Fund provide further support for proposals which demonstrate potential for significant health care reform. Budgets for health promotion, protection and disease prevention have also been increased, including funding targeted for substance abuse prevention.

The Department of Family Services is proceeding with several new and expanded Initiatives. An office of the children’s' advocate will be established to ensure that children In care are protected and well treated. Daycare operating grants are increased. The wife abuse shelter system and related services are enhanced. A $40-mlllion Increase In the social assistance budget is focused on meeting the recession-induced needs of Manitobans and on improving supplementary benefits for the disabled by $8 million.

Additional resources have also been provided in support of the justice system, especially for the Family Violence Court, shelters and for the implementation of native justice initiatives.

Significant increases have been provided in the Education and Training budget. Funding support for schools, including the new School Finance Program, Is up 6.8 percent. Grants to the universities are up 3 percent. The Introduction of $2.5 million of new training programs at the province's community colleges, and the additional resources provided for the Workforce 2000 program, reflect a renewed focus on equipping students with skills more relevant to the marketplace.

In the coming months, many young Manitobans will enter the job market for the first time. For a young person; getting a job and getting needed experience are challenging at the best of times. When prospects are limited, however, the challenge can be discouraging and daunting. In recognition of that fact, the CareerStart Program will be maintained. In addition, the province will complement its regular summer student employment program with a new Partners with Youth program to assist young Manitobans to create their own work opportunities-to earn, to learn and to contribute their energy and new ideas to their communities. Projects under the Partners with Youth program will be cosponsored by businesses, local governments and non-profit organizations. Details of the new program will be announced in the near future by the Ministers of Family Services; Rural Development; Industry, Trade and Tourism; and Culture, Heritage and Citizenship.

Mr. Speaker, in summary this government believes these increases, totalling $204 million, for priority social programs are necessary and appropriate at this time. However, increases of this magnitude are simply not sustainable on a longer-term basis. Greater efficiencies will have to be found, otherwise the costs of these services will outstrip the ability of Manitoba taxpayers to finance them. The challenge in planning our budget for 1993-94, a year hence, is to reduce the cost of providing those services.

Economic conditions necessitated greater spending, especially in agriculture and social assistance. Reduced revenue growth made the task of maintaining government services more difficult. This budget provides increased government support where it is most needed. This is accomplished within a responsible fiscal network.

Mr. Speaker, last year I stated: "The government's fiscal plan continues our commitment to fiscal responsibility, despite the difficult circumstances of the Canadian recession. The lack of fiscal responsibility at both federal and provincial levels during, and especially after the last recession, resulted in an unprecedented legacy of debt and deficits and interest burdens which still plague governments in Canada. We cannot afford to repeat those mistakes."

We continue to believe we must be fiscally responsible.

Budgetary expenditure will be $5.45 billion. An overall 4 percent growth in budgetary expenditure is a responsible level at this time, considering both need and our collective ability to pay.

Budgetary revenue will be $5.12 billion, after a $201 million draw on the Fiscal Stabilization Fund. Without the cash resources available in the Fiscal Stabilization Fund, revenue would be quite modest and the budgetary deficit for '92-93 would be at an unacceptable level.

The deficit will be held to $330 million.

This budget is designed to bring us through the recession without the massive growth in deficits and debt which occurred in Manitoba in the early 1980s, and in some provincial jurisdictions during the current recession. For the medium- to longer-term, we must resume progress towards a balanced budget.

This will not be an easy task. It is made more difficult by the burden of interest on past debt, federal offloading and unilateral federal decisions on transfers.

In 1980-81, interest on the province's general purpose debt totalled $79 million. Today interest costs are $521 million. In 1980-81 public debt costs consumed 1.5 points of Manitoba's sales tax. Today, fully six points of Manitoba's sales tax points are required to finance past deficits.

Federal offloading has added to provincial expenditure, making spending control more difficult. The province is absorbing more than $100 million annually in offloaded costs in agriculture under GRIP and NISA, in RCMP cost-sharing, unemployment insurance and other areas. Unilateral changes to federal financing for health and higher education since 1981 have impacted payments to Manitoba by $250 million annually. As well, the province has to live with the federal freeze on per capita transfers for health and higher education until 1994-95, and re-imposition of a ceiling on equalization for 1993-94.

Imagine the flexibility we would have if we did not have to spend most of the sales tax Manitobans pay just to carry the interest on past debt. Imagine the flexibility which would come with $250 million more annually in federal transfers and $1 00 million less in offloading.

But wishing cannot make it happen. No matter how much we might wish, the reality is that federal support will continue to be constrained, and we will have to continue paying interest on our inherited debt.

Manitobans do not want and cannot afford higher taxes. They want to protect vital public services. Deficits are not the answer. They add to future costs, squeezing out services and adding to tax burdens.

A return to stronger economic growth, low inflation and lower interest rates will help, but the problems of debt and deficits will not be solved through economic growth alone.

As the economy recovers, the real test of our administration will be how vigilantly we control spending, not only for internal operations but also in provincial Crown corporations and agencies.

For 1993-94, current forecasts suggest revenue growth of fewer than 2 percent. To hold the deficit at this year's level requires that overall growth in spending be limited to 1.5 percent.

Over the longer term, revenue tends to grow with economic growth, likely in the 5.5 percent range. In these circumstances, spending growth must be held to approximately 2 percent annually in order to reduce the deficit.

There are major rewards in following this course. The most important public programs can be maintained. Tax competitiveness can be assured. Investment and job opportunities can be realized, and we can move ahead toward a balanced budget and debt reduction.

This will demand a discipline which has not been widely practised in recent times. Again, expenditure growth must be held significantly below revenue growth; otherwise, the deficit will rise inexorably. We must not allow this to happen.

As I said earlier, Manitobans demand that their governments live within their means and provide services that taxpayers can afford. That requires balancing the budget and stopping the growth in debt. Success in achieving our fiscal targets will help assure Manitoba's economic prosperity and, therefore, its social progress.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud of the good start we have made. I am convinced Manitoba is ready for economic recovery. Manitobans are working together toward that recovery, and our government will continue to work with them every step of the way.

Thank you very much.