Stock photo - Tory Leader, Brian Pallister

Thursday marked the two year anniversary since the Provincial Sales Tax increased by one per cent in Manitoba, and Opposition Tory leader Brian Pallister wasn't going to let the occasion go unnoticed. He says the total tax take from Manitoba families has now risen to $500,000 and calls the move by the NDP in 2011 a half a billion dollar betrayal. "The government ran for re-election on a significant promise, and that promise was that they would not raise taxes. What they have done over the last short period of time is dig their hands deeper and deeper into Manitobans' pockets."

Furthermore, Pallister says the NDP proceeded to inflict the largest tax hike in Manitoba in over a quarter century. "They added the PST to fundamental and important items like home insurance, hair cuts, employee benefits, a car tax. And then of course the year after, the NDP government increased our PST and removed, of course, Manitobans' rights to vote on the issue and fought us in court on the issue." He goes on to say this move has added more to the tax burden of Manitobans than any other provincial government has done to residents of their province. Pallister adds it is important to remember occasions such as the tax hike.

The Tory leader adds, "All Manitobans need to remember not to get fooled again."