But NDP promised no new taxes, Tories say
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
We need your support!
Local journalism needs your support!
As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed.
Now, more than ever, we need your support.
Starting at $15.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website.
Subscribe Nowor call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527.
Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community!
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Brandon Sun access to your Free Press subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on brandonsun.com
- Read the Brandon Sun E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
*Your next Free Press subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $20.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 19/04/2012 (5301 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
A statement made during a debate in last fall’s election campaign is coming back to haunt Premier Greg Selinger.
The opposition reminded Selinger Wednesday he promised not to raise taxes during a leaders’ radio forum on Sept. 12.
According to a partial transcript provided by the Tories, the premier said:
“Our plan is a five-year plan to ensure that we have future prosperity without any tax increases and we’ll deliver on that. We’re ahead of schedule right now.”
Selinger broke that promise when his finance minister, Stan Struthers, handed down his budget on Tuesday, Conservative Leader Hugh McFadyen said.
“They broke the fundamental promise of the election campaign, which was not to raise taxes.”
In his first budget as finance minister, Struthers broadened the reach of the provincial sales tax and raised cigarette and fuel taxes.
He also hiked a number of service fees, including those for registering vehicles and obtaining birth and marriage certificates.
The increased taxes and levies are expected to raise more than $200 million a year.
The Tories seized on the tax increases during question period Wednesday, saying they would pose a hardship for many Manitoba families.
McFadyen said the NDP laid the groundwork for tax hikes by spending excessively over several years.
“Eventually the chickens come home to roost, and they’ve started to come home to roost in this budget.”
Meanwhile, Selinger repeatedly deflected questions about the broken promise Wednesday when confronted by reporters.
“We have broadened our tax base,” he allowed at one point.
“We acknowledge we’ve generated more revenues in Manitoba to be responsive to the needs that we had to address to protect front-line services and to rebuild infrastructure while keeping Manitoba affordable.”
Selinger said the 2.5 cent a litre gas tax hike, set to take effect May 1, would be spent improving roads and bridges.
larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca