Province	Législature	Session	Type de discours	Date du discours	Locuteur	Fonction du locuteur	Parti politique
Manitoba	40e	1ère	Discours sur le Budget	17 avril 2012	Stan Struthers	Ministre des Finances	New Democratic Party of Manitoba

Mr. Speaker, I'm honoured to present Budget 2012.
      Depuis plus de dix ans, notre gouvernement travaille de concert avec la population manitobaine à la mise en œuvre réussie d'une formule qui assure une croissance stable et durable.
Translation
For more than a decade, our government has worked with Manitobans to implement a successful formula for steady, sustainable growth.
English
      For more than a decade our government has worked with Manitobans to implement a successful formula for steady, sustainable growth. We have protected front-line services and supported businesses while making responsible choices and keeping an affordable high quality of life for families. We have invested in education and training, rebuilt roads in communities, helped entrepreneurs develop new products and services and welcomed more skilled immigrants than ever before.

      As a result, our economy has steadily created thousands of good jobs. Our population is growing and getting younger.
      In recent years, however, Manitoba has faced a number of challenges. In the fall of 2008, a financial crisis sent shock waves through the global economy. Around the world, jobs were lost and many families saw their savings disappear. We faced a choice. While some called for reckless, deep cuts to key services, we chose a different path. Mr. Speaker, we took action–we put families first.
      Our balanced approach protected jobs and the services families depend on the most. Manitoba did better than most during the crisis, exceeding the national average for economic growth by more than a percentage point each year. Over the last five years, we have led the country in economic growth. In short, our balanced approach worked.
      In fact, Maclean's magazine called this success the Manitoba miracle. Manitobans know this resiliency and optimism in the face of challenges is not a miracle. It is just the way we do things here in Manitoba. We look out for each other; we build our future. As a government, we reject both reckless cuts and irresponsible spending. It may not be flashy but it works.
      Last year, Manitobans faced challenges much closer to home. Unprecedented flooding affected homes, businesses, farms and First Nations communities. The damage was extensive and some families are still unable to return to their homes.
      We worked with Manitobans to face the challenges of this flood and fought the battle on many fronts. It has cost nearly a billion dollars to fight the flood. The price was high, but we refused to let Manitobans face this flood on their own. Mr. Speaker, we would do the same again.
      Budget 2012 continues to move Manitoba forward, by focusing on what matters most in these uncertain times. We know our fundamentals are strong but we see more dangers ahead. The effects of last year's flood are still being felt. There is uncertainty in the global economy. Some of our largest trading partners face severe economic problems. And growth in major federal transfers to Manitoba has been flat for three years in a row, making it difficult to meet growing demands for important services, such as health care and education.
      Budget 2012 protects Manitoba from the economic storms on the horizon. Our balanced approach is responsive enough to meet the challenges coming our way today and tomorrow. It contains innovative, responsible ways to reduce spending and increase revenues. These allow us to continue to invest into things that matter most to Manitoba families. Mr. Speaker, this means more money for schools, roads and hospitals, at the same time as we reaffirm our commitment to return to balance by 2014.
      Governments around the world continue to confront the need to contain spending while providing important services. In lean times, families and businesses find ways to ensure that they have money for the things that they need.
      Our government is also doing its part to reduce spending while ensuring the needs of Manitobans are met. Mr. Speaker, this year core government spending is decreasing by 3.9 per cent. The budgets of 10 departments are being reduced or frozen. Spending increases are targeted to key front-line services: health, education and training, infrastructure, public safety and services for families.
      We are balancing expenditure reductions with modest, fair measures to increase revenues without raising any major tax rates. We have already reduced expenditures. We have successfully negotiated a pause in wage increases with many parts of our public sector. We have managed spending in the health-care system by increasing efficiencies and legislating a cap on administrative costs for regional health authorities.
      The search for savings remains a priority. Budget 2012 introduces more responsible, innovative ways to reduce the cost of government. We will reduce the number of regional health authorities from 11 to five, to streamline services. We will cut the number of Crown corporations by merging the Manitoba Liquor Control Commission and Manitoba Lotteries.
      We will work with municipal governments to encourage more regional co-operation. We will continue a 20 per cent rollback on salaries for government ministers. We will defer wage increases and reduce office expenses for members of the Legislative Assembly. We will reduce travel costs in every government department, and we will reduce the number of government appointed agencies, boards and commissions by 20 per cent. These measures will reduce duplication and result in more efficient use of public resources. Mr. Speaker, these are ways a modern government adapts to today's challenges.
      Using these and other measures, we will achieve $128 million of savings in year, the equivalent of an additional 1 per cent reduction in program spending. Manitobans have the lowest personal debt per capita in Canada, and they understand the need to balance spending with revenue.   
      Some have called on us to implement a harmonized sales tax, some have called on us to raise the provincial sales tax, while others have called for health-care premiums. Some have said that we should delay a returning to balance indefinitely.
      Instead, we choose to protect front-line services by striking a balance between new efficiencies, spending reductions and fairly generated revenues.
      There are no increases to personal, corporate or provincial sales tax rates in this budget. Our retail sales tax rate remains second lowest in the country. As in other provinces, the retail sales tax will now be applied to some personal services such as spa services, as well as premiums for property, liability and group life insurance.
      These measures will help ensure the long-term sustainability that service–of the services that Manitobans value the most.
      Health care has always been our top priority. Mr. Speaker, we are focused on expanding care instead of costs. Improvements in Home Care, Pharmacare and community-based care are smart investments that allow us to control costs while continuing to provide the services Manitobans need and want.
      We are building and opening new health-care facilities and investing in new equipment. QuickCare clinics, same or next day medical appointments and primary care networks will help take pressure off emergency rooms.
      We will also train and hire doctors, nurses, physician assistants, nurse practitioners and health technologists to provide quality front line care. We promise that all Manitobans will have access to a family doctor by 2015. Mr. Speaker, we will keep that promise.
      We will provide faster cancer testing and treatment and provide free cancer drugs for all patients, allowing more patients to remain at home during treatment.
      To encourage a reduction in tobacco use, the tobacco tax will be increased by 2.5 cents per cigarette.
      Education is the key to our province's future success. In Budget 2012, we are providing $25 million more in funding for public schools.
      In addition to building and renewing schools across the province, Manitoba parents and students will see the difference with new schools opening in the fall, new gyms being built and new state of the art science labs.
      Moving forward, we will continue to focus on smaller class sizes, beginning with an additional $4 million this year for schools to start reducing class sizes to 20 students. Stronger programming will improve reading and math skills.
      In 2008, we promised families we would fund 6,500 child-care spaces and strengthen our child-care system. Mr. Speaker, at the end of this year, we will have delivered on that commitment. A total of 54 child-care centres are being built or expanded. We continue to support better training and wages for child-care workers. Budget 2012 makes targeted investments to support Manitoba families.
      We are taking action to increase the supply of rental housing by adding market-rate rental and affordable housing units through a request for proposals for private sector development. We are building toward our commitment of creating 1,500 new, affordable and social housing units over five years, with continued investments this year.
      Mr. Speaker, this budget also includes funding for firefighters, as well as police officers and cadets on our streets and in our communities. We will also add additional resources to the criminal justice system. We have provided funding to the City of Winnipeg to hire 20 new firefighters this year and are also providing funding for four new firefighter paramedics in Brandon.
      We are national leaders in investing in innovative programs that support a strong start for children and youth. This will strengthen communities and reduce crime.
      During uncertain economic times, we must build on our strengths to grow the economy. We have a successful strategy to keep our economy strong and growing. We will continue to invest in education and training opportunities for the jobs of tomorrow. We will continue to encourage in immigration and supports for new Manitobans and help Manitoba businesses create new jobs.
      We are providing additional funds for our colleges and remain committed to supporting future college expansion. Strong and predictable funding to our universities will ensure academic excellence, affordability for students, more timely completion rates and better recognition of educational experience between institutions. Manitoba businesses need skilled workers. This year we will increase the number of apprenticeships and provide more rural and northern training opportunities closer to home.
      Mr. Speaker, unlike the 1990s, our population is growing rapidly and getting younger. People are coming to Manitoba in record numbers and are putting down roots, building new homes and creating good jobs. These results are no accident. They are the result of Manitoba's internationally acclaimed immigration model, a pillar of our economic success. By linking our selection process to this–our settlement programs, we ensure that newcomers fit into Manitoba's economy better than anywhere else in the country. In fact, Manitoba's immigrants have the lowest unemployment rate in Canada. This success is now under threat from the federal government's unilateral decision to cancel the Canada-Manitoba Immigration Agreement.
      Mr. Speaker, we are standing up for Manitoba and we will fight to keep immigration at the centre of a strong provincial economy.
      Hydroelectricity is Manitoba's oil, only green and renewable. Mr. Speaker, our government is fundamentally committed to a strong, growing and publicly owned Manitoba Hydro. We have confirmed more than $7 billion in new, long-term contracts for Manitoba power. Projects like Bipole III, Keeyask and Conawapa will grow our power exports, create jobs and keep rates affordable for Manitoba families. We will create an energy opportunities office and a fund to help Manitoba businesses take advantage of the economic opportunities arising from these investments. We will also work at the national level to build an east-west power grid, to supply more clean energy across our country.
      Manitoba firms have developed an impressive reputation for innovation, reliability and quality. We continue to support business innovation, helping firms develop and bring new products and services to market. And we are listening to entrepreneurs in this province. Starting in 2012, one-half of the Manitoba Research and Development Tax Credit has been made refundable for in-house research and development. We are moving forward with private sector partners to pursue the establishment, in Winnipeg, of the first bilingual world trade centre to provide Manitoba businesses access to a global network.
      Small businesses are a cornerstone of Manitoba's economy. Mr. Speaker, our government was the first in Canada, and still the only one, to eliminate the small business tax, helping them create more jobs. Small businesses have provided new ideas on how to cut red tape. So this year, we will reduce how often small businesses have to file sales tax. We recognize that additional adjustments to business taxes are required to help fund priority supports for businesses. So we are increasing the capital tax on financial institutions to 4 per cent. The dividend tax credit is reduced to 8 per cent.
      When we first took office in 1999, many people had given up on downtown Winnipeg. Some said that there was nothing we could do. We took a different view. And today, we see the culmination of a decade of downtown investments and partnerships with the private sector. Just days ago, when David Thomson was asked about this resurgence, he said: It's no secret the leadership of this province has been inspired.
      Coming from such a leader, this is a true compliment. Our government was proud to work with David Thomson, Mark Chipman and everyone at True North to fight through the opposition to build the MTS Centre. And, as we all know, Mr. Speaker, in the weeks after our last budget, Manitobans took to the streets to welcome home our Winnipeg Jets.
      Some of the flagship new investments in Manitoba are retail developments. From the former stadium and arena sites at Polo Park, to the IKEA development opening this fall, these are exciting, high profile changes. We also know that life is changing in other ways. Families today have hectic schedules, and Manitoba stores face pressures from cross-border shopping and competitors online. In keeping with such changes, we will loosen the restrictions on Sunday shopping. We will work with business and labour and consult with the public to ensure that more Sunday shopping does not mean less quality time together for working families.
      The Canadian Museum for Human Rights will attract tourists from around the world, and make Manitoba a global hub for human rights research, expertise and education.
      The business community shares our confidence in Winnipeg's downtown. There are more than $400 million in private sector investments, in new commercial and residential development under construction or in development.

      We are building on this momentum and encouraging further development in downtown Winnipeg by: partnering with the City to support work now under way on the sports, hospitality and entertainment districts; turning surface parking lots into places to live, work and play; and supporting the expansion of the Winnipeg Convention Centre.
      We were excited to unveil the first phase of rapid transit in Winnipeg. Our government is committed to funding one third of future phases to expand the rapid transit network, and we are moving forward with the City of Winnipeg on a quarter selection process to build the next phase of rapid transit to the University of Manitoba and our new stadium.
      Brandon has seen its own renaissance and the streetscape of the Wheat City is changing rapidly. Our government continues to support Brandon's efforts to revitalize its downtown. Ongoing support is being provided to Renaissance Brandon and we are working with the City of Brandon and the private sector to assist in the redevelopment of the historic McKenzie Seeds building. We will build on this momentum and continue to create new housing in Brandon and revitalize underutilized buildings in the downtown area.
      Our government is investing in recreation opportunities to improve the quality of life for Brandon and western Manitoba residents. Work continues on the Brandon University Wellness Centre, the Brandon family YMCA and improvements to the Brandon Sportsplex pool.
      Agricultural producers have faced difficult times in recent years and Manitoba farmers know that AgriInsurance is their first line of defence. In 2012, producers can take advantage of improvements to the excess moisture insurance top up, forage establishment insurance and the forage restoration benefit.
      Cette année, nous allons aussi affecter 1,5 million de dollars au fonds de développement économique pour les Métis, qui appuie le développement des entreprises dans les communautés métisses à l'échelle de la province.
Translation
We will also contribute $1.5 million this year to the Métis Economic Development Fund, which supports business development in Métis communities across the province.  
English
      We will also contribute $1.5 million this year to the Métis Economic Development Fund which supports business development in Métis communities all across our province.
      One hundred years ago this year Manitoba's borders were extended north to the 60th parallel bringing the province an ocean coastline, forests, mineral resources and water power. We will continue unlocking northern Manitoba's economic potential by creating more education, training and job opportunities for northern families.
      Work will proceed on Manitoba's next hydro project in partnership with First Nations communities. A new mining academy in Flin Flon will open later this year, and work is under way on new education and training facilities in Thompson and in The Pas.
      We will continue to work with First Nations partners on the World Heritage site project by developing a cultural and ecological tourism industry that can fully realize the potential of the largest protected area in the North American Boreal Shield.
      Manitobans know how devastating flooding can be for families and communities. Last year's record breaking flood washed away homes and businesses, affecting thousands of Manitoba families. Parks, roads and bridges were not spared, and rebuilding will take time.
      Our province has a long history of learning from major floods and making investments in flood mitigation to prevent future damage and hardship for Manitoba families. Our response to the 2011 flood will be no different. Our government is continuing to support Brandon to recover from the 2011 flood. Funding will be provided this year to improve flood preparedness and raise flood protection to 1 in 300 year levels. We will also improve flood protection along the Assiniboine River and around Lake Manitoba while reviewing where future flood mitigation investments and improvements can be made.
      The gas tax, which is the main way we fund infrastructure projects, has been frozen since 1993. Last year our infrastructure took a devastating hit from the flood. A two-and-a-half-cent increase to the gasoline tax will support the extensive rebuilding needed after the flood, ensure stable ongoing funding for public infrastructure and provide funding for projects in the future.
      The motive fuel tax will be adjusted by the same amount. We are also aligning the tax base on market gas with Saskatchewan. Vehicle registration fees will increase by $35 per vehicle. Mr. Speaker, every cent raised in these ways will be invested in roads, bridges and other infrastructure, guaranteed.
      Last year, we made a commitment to provide the equivalent of one percentage point of the provincial sales tax to support investment in municipal infrastructure and public transit. This investment rose with the success of our Manitoba economy. This year, it is expected to grow by almost $23 million to $262 million. Manitoba is the only province to enshrine this commitment in legislation.
      We continue to move forward with our 10-year highway renewal plan, and we are ahead of schedule on our commitment to invest $4 billion over 10 years. This year, we will build and renew thousands of kilometres of road and renew many bridges and overpasses. We will continue to invest in the east side road network to link isolated communities, create training opportunities and jobs and bring down the cost of living for northern families.
      Over the next year, we will maintain partnerships with First Nations, for First Nations leadership, to engage the federal government to advance this important road link. We continue to support environmental protection and innovation.
      This year, we will take steps to make it easier for families to recycle electronics and household hazardous waste, preserve wildlife habitat, restore Lake Winnipeg while protecting all our lakes and rivers, and help Manitoba position as a leader in electric vehicle technology.
      Work is also under way on a comprehensive, multi-year environment strategy for Manitoba. We are committed to keeping Manitoba affordable.
      Mr. Speaker, tax cuts delivered since 1999 will save Manitobans more than $1.2 billion in lower taxes this year. This keeps Manitoba one of the most affordable places to live and encourage businesses to grow. We are following through on our commitment to increase the basic personal exemption by $250 this year, as well as increasing the seniors' maximum property tax credit by $75 to $1,025. 
      This year, we will introduce legislation to guarantee that Manitoba families will pay the lowest combined bills in the country for electricity, home heating and auto insurance. We will also hold tuition fees and Pharmacare deductible increases to the rate of inflation, improve student aid and lower the cost of milk for remote northern communities. We support enhancements to the Canada Pension Plan that will help ensure adequate retirement income for Manitobans.
      We are also reaffirming our commitment to support hard-working Manitobans with regular increases to the minimum wage. This year minimum wage will increase by 25 cents on October 1st.
      Mr. Speaker, on a personal note, I think today of my grandfather, Stan Paul, who worked nearly 40 years with the RM of Swan River, building the roads and the bridges that connected farmers and families to each other and their communities. Today, we carry on the work of those like my grandfather who built our province. We are building a bridge from where we were to where we want to be. Budget 2012 takes firm steps to spend less money and spend it smarter. We balance these with modest and fair revenue increases. All of these changes will support front-line services, our focus on what matters most in uncertain times.

      Together we are building a Manitoba where every family gets the health care they need when they need it. Together we are building a Manitoba where strong schools and training opportunities are giving young people a good start in life.
      Ensemble, nous bâtissons les routes et les ponts qui relient les collectivités et renforcent notre économie.
Translation
Together we are building the roads and bridges that connect communities and strengthen our economy.
English
      By focusing on what matters most, we will move Manitoba forward through these uncertain times toward an even brighter future. Merci. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.