The NDP’s 2008 budget is devoid of any real commitment to rural Manitoba, say Progressive Conservatives, who call it a shameful display of the NDP’s ignorance of rural realities.

“The phrase ‘rural development’ is completely absent from the budget speech,” said Progressive Conservative Leader Hugh McFadyen said. “It’s been eight years, but the NDP still has no idea life exists beyond the Perimeter Highway.”

Rural development critic Len Derkach said the NDP’s continued disinterest in devising policies and programs is yet another blow to struggling rural economies.

“Rural Manitoba is an integral piece of our economy,” Derkach said. “When it’s healthy, our province is healthy. It’s unbelievable the NDP thumb their noses at this and I have no doubt we will continue to see private investment leave for greener pastures, while Manitobans continue to pay the penalty for this government’s lack of vision for our rural economy.”

Agriculture critic Ralph Eichler was disappointed but not surprised that Manitoba’s the farm community – the backbone of our economy - got another big goose egg from the NDP.

“The livestock sector is facing some of its toughest challenges in recent memory and the NDP has the gall to say it’s ‘committed to ensuring Manitoba producers receive support to maintain their farm business today’ when there is not a single new announcement aimed at helping the cattle or pork industries weather these challenges,” Eichler said. “They say they’re positioning the livestock sector for ‘future profitability’ but there’s absolutely nothing in this budget to make that happen. The NDP is consistently negligent when it comes to the agriculture sector and it’s an ongoing snub to producers.”