Not only does the NDP charge a farmland tax while Progressive Conservatives are committed to abolish it altogether, but they’re also gouging farmers excessive administrative fees to collect it.  

“It’s a tax on a tax,” Progressive Conservative agriculture critic Ralph Eichler said, who was shocked to discover the hidden cash grab. “Over the past four years, the NDP has charged $1.5 million to administer the Farmland School Tax Rebate program and the NDP agriculture minister congratulates herself for it? She should have mentioned the NDP is gauging farmers twice – first with the tax and again to rebate a small portion of that tax.”

Eichler said the NDP government already overtaxes Manitobans and to further gouge farmers by charging three percent on an already small rebate only adds insult to injury.

What is more ironic, Eichler said, is the NDP has introduced payday loan legislation to protect consumers from excessive charges. 

“Payday loan companies charge three percent to cash a cheque and the NDP felt it necessary to regulate their practices,” Eichler said. “But at the same time, the NDP charges almost the same amount to rebate farmers money to which they are entitled.” 

“It’s a trademark NDP tax policies,” Eichler said. “Excessive, disrespectful and pointless.”