Health care, cost of living main priorities for Manitoba NDP government's first budget
CTV
The first budget from the Wab Kinew-led NDP provincial government has been announced.
The first budget from the Wab Kinew-led NDP provincial government has been announced.
To help pay for some of the budget, the government plans on overhauling the school tax system which will bring in an additional $148 million. The extra revenue will help cover two focus points for the NDP - the health-care system and the cost of living.
The Manitoba government is promising to hire 1,000 new health-care workers this year. They are directing $310 million to bring in 100 new doctors, 210 nurses, 90 paramedics and 600 health-care aides.
“Some of them will be young Manitobans, who see there is a bright future working in Manitoba health-care,” said Finance Minister Adrien Sala during his budget speech in the Manitoba Legislature.
“Some will be those who left health-care under the previous government, now returning to the front lines.
“Many came to Manitoba as newcomers. They want to use their skills to care for Manitoba families - and we’re going to make that possible.”
Another $65 million is being put toward reducing wait times in emergency rooms. This means there will be 151 new acute beds added to hospitals throughout the province.
