Morden-Winkler MLA and Manitoba Finance Minister Cameron Friesen said the provincial Tories have taken numerous significant measures to make things more affordable for Manitobans.

He said that includes things like the Education Tax rebate with average rebate cheques of nearly $600 currently in the mail and the new residential renters' tax credit.

"We know that right now, Manitoba families are really focused on affordability, they have been shocked by rising prices for fuel and groceries, and household goods and our government has been there and is responding to help make life more affordable."

It's not only families and households that are facing those pressures, noted Friesen. He said our community organizations in the arts, culture and sports are also feeling the same pressures. "So we're very proud to be able to fund a specific program to be able to fund the needs of these groups to make good things happen right here where we all live."

Friesen said they're also investing heavily into infrastructure, "as anyone can see when you drive around Southern Manitoba you can see the construction where we are making good investments for highways." Friesen said they have also spent $ 1 billion more on healthcare than at any point in time.

The latest investment, announced earlier this week - is a new $100-million program specifically to fund arts, culture and sport.  

Friesen said arts, cultural, and sports organizations matter, and they too have faced many challenges. "We have a program called the Building Sustainable Communities program, which has been absolutely fantastic. Even this year, giving hundreds of thousands of dollars right here. But this is a new program specifically for arts and culture, and we know that whether it's the CFDC, the Pembina Threshermans Museum, whether it's the Winkler Harvest Festival or a local baseball club, we know that there are significant numbers of community organizations that will be eligible."