Manitoba premier hints at another round of affordability help, suggests it'll support everybody
CBC
The Manitoba government is planning to dish out another round of affordability help as the cost of living continues to rise.
Premier Heather Stefanson hinted on Monday that an announcement that will help all Manitobans is coming.
"We'll have more specifics on that later this week, but I think we've heard from Manitobans that everybody is struggling to make ends meet these days. I think it's important that we look at everyone overall," Stefanson said after a morning news conference in Lorette, where she pledged provincial money to help build a new arena and library in the community.
"We need to make sure that we're trying to make ends meet for Manitobans in the best way we can, particularly those that are suffering the most right now."
When asked to clarify, Stefanson chuckled after saying "stay tuned," a common refrain from the premier when reporters seek more information on what's to come.
This would be the second round of help specifically to help Manitobans address inflation.
Last year, several provinces, including Saskatchewan and Quebec, cut cheques to help people.
Manitoba made a targeted pledge, giving money to some demographics likely to feel the strain of inflation the most: families with children, low-income seniors and people on income assistance.
In particular, Manitoba offered families with children and a household income of less than $175,000 in 2021 a benefit cheque of $250 for the first child and $200 for each additional child.
Seniors with a family income less than $40,000 who rent or own a home and claimed the education property tax credit on their 2021 income tax return got a $300 cheque.
At the time, Finance Minister Cameron Friesen said Manitoba's approach "most broadly and most equitably" distributed benefits to those in need.
The government has been criticized for some of its measures in which broader benefits were handed out, such as giving cheques to all seniors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A survey currently on the provincial government's website may also hint at the affordability measures the Progressive Conservatives could be announcing this week and beyond.
The survey, which is meant to inform provincial budget deliberations, asks people which measures they'd support, ranging from a one-time rebate cheque to lowering the provincial portion of the gas tax to reducing income tax and the provincial sales tax.
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