NDP allows provincial economy to lag behind Saskatchewan, Alberta and BC: McFadyen

Leader of the Official Opposition, Hugh McFadyen, said a Canada West Foundation (CWF) report released today provides further evidence that the NDP government is not taking the economic performance of our province seriously.

“The Premier and his government continually try to mislead Manitobans by saying everything is just fine, yet report after report from reputable organizations tell a completely different story,” said McFadyen.  “We are experiencing the weakest growth among the four western provinces because of high taxes and low wage rates, and yet instead of actually doing something about it the government chooses to spin its own numbers, adhere to a ‘steady as she goes’ philosophy, and deny that it has a serious issue on its hands.”

According to the CWF, Manitoba is not only experiencing high taxes and low wages, we’re also dealing with a labour shortage, something provincial business leaders have expressed great concerned about. More than 9,000 Manitobans left for Alberta in the last 12 months, while approximately 5,000 and 4,000 left for Ontario and British Columbia respectively during the same time.

“Manitoba has some serious catching up to do,” said McFadyen.  “While Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia all show positive gains across the board, the NDP has failed to put us in a position to compete,“ McFadyen said.

The Canada West Foundation analysis follows a recently released Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce survey that showed 93% of business leaders feel the NDP government has failed to created opportunities for young people.

“Manitoba needs a government that is serious about cutting taxes, which in turn will give businesses the ability to offer better paying jobs that would spur economic growth by not only keeping our young people here, but also attracting even more to the province.”