Opposition Leader Brian Pallister

After Manitoba Premier Greg Sellinger announced that balancing this year's budget would have to wait another year, Opposition Leader Brian Pallister says the NDP government is trying to buy popularity by borrowing money, which is dangerous for Manitoba and Manitobans.

Pallister says Manitoba's debt service costs are around 900 million dollars this year thanks to the NDP massive spending problem. He adds that the premiere himself is leery to believe his own promises.

“I think Manitoban's would be right to be careful whether they believe his promises or not. I think there have been a number of promises in the last three or four years about balancing the books that haven't been achieved.”

Pallister adds that Premier Sellinger should take some shopping advice from Manitobans on getting value for their money.

“This is the biggest spending government in Canada when it comes to major social services, yet they can't deliver quality services. The NDP just simply can't manage, they've got a spending problem because they can't do what Manitobans know how to do, and that's shop for value.”

Pallister says since the NDP can't get value from the money they take, it's risky to keep them in charge since we will have to pay for their mistakes, and thusly weakening the province.

 

Meanwhile it's budget day in Manitoba and all signs point to more red ink.

Finance Minister Greg Dewar has already said he is postponing a promise to balance the budget by 2017.
He says another deficit is needed to protect front-line services and invest in infrastructure and job-creation.

Expect more announcements of training programs today, as the government is launching another series of advertisements promoting job opportunities.