Province targets infrastructure bump, post-secondary accountability in throne speech By: Larry Kusch and Jessica Botelho-Urbanski Posted: 1:43 PM CST Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2019 Last Modified: 6:27 PM CST Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2019 Updates

Many of the promises laid out in Tuesday’s throne speech were carried over from the Progressive Conservatives 2019 election campaign. Here are some of the new ideas the government has put forward:

— A promise to invest an extra $10 million for a “comprehensive strategy that includes stepped-up enforcement, increased co-ordination between police and business owners, and enhanced resources for the public safety investigations unit to bring drug dealers to justice.”

— Launching a Partners in Economic Growth (PEG) initiative with regional and sector partners “selected to focus on the province’s areas of economic strength, including agriculture, aerospace and technology.”

— Replacing the Civil Service Act with the Public Service Act, “reflecting modern workplace standards and values.”

— Hiring eight new conservation officers to “enhance efforts to protect and preserve our wildlife,” including better enforcement of the Wildlife Act and prosecuting “cruel and inhumane night hunting practices.”

— Launching an infrastructure development program worth “billions,” focused on “hospitals, schools, universities and Crown corporations,” and increasing the highways budget to $400 million (from $350 million) over four years.

— Issuing mandate letters for post-secondary institutions “outlining expected students’ outcomes and financial accountability.”

— Establishing a “Municipal Audit and Accountability Program” for a third-party look at how municipalities can improve services without raising taxes.

— Starting a new program “to support Manitobans with disabilities that is distinct and separate from existing Employment Income Assistance program supports.”

— Setting dates for tax relief promises laid out during the provincial election campaign, including removing PST on salon services and haircuts over $50, and professional fees related to preparation of wills and tax returns, starting in January. Probate fees will also be eliminated and vehicle registration fees reduced by 10 per cent, both by July 1.

— Promising to introduce a resolution in the legislature to “affirm Manitoba’s commitment to freedom of conscience and religion of public servants” — an apparent response to Quebec’s Bill 21, which bans public servants from wearing religious symbols.

— Jessica Botelho-Urbanski

NDP Leader Wab Kinew said he’s more concerned about the actions the re-elected Progressive Conservatives will take than he is about the throne speech itself.

“So what we know about this government to date is that they’re cheap. When it comes to talking about things like health care and education, I think we can expect there to be more cuts,” Kinew said. “What they did to health care in their first term, they’re now going to turn to the school system and they’re going to do that.”

He also chastised the province for promising to send mandate letters to post-secondary institutions, which would be a first for a Manitoba government.

Kinew said this would be “an infringement on the academic freedom” of faculty and “an overreach.”

Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont accused the provincial government of focusing too much on tax relief for the rich.

“What the government’s doing is sort of Robin Hood in reverse — it’s taking money from people who can’t afford it, because there’s a lot of stuff they didn’t mention. They’re cutting funds to people on (Employment Income Assistance). They’re firing people. They’re freezing wages,” Lamont said.

“A lot of the benefits of that are all just flowing to the top, and that’s the opposite of what needs to be happening in Manitoba.”

Mayor Brian Bowman was upbeat, saying: “There was a lot more attention (paid) to the city of Winnipeg” than in previous throne speeches.

“The things that jumped out at me in the speech from the throne were the public safety measures — something we’ve been calling for. To see increased attention to public safety in the city of Winnipeg is absolutely something that we welcome.”

He said news of an extra $10 million for a safer streets strategy, that includes enforcement, increased co-ordination between police and business owners, and enhanced resources to bring drug dealers to justice is “a step in the right direction.”

“There were some positive things here that, if properly executed in a collaborative way, will deliver some good outcomes for provincial taxpayers as well as Winnipeg taxpayers.”

The head of the union representing civil servants expressed concern the government was silent on filling vacant positions, particularly within the Infrastructure Department.

Michelle Gawronsky, president of the Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union, said she’s concerned about the possibility of private contractors taking on tasks such as snow clearing.

Infrastructure lost 220 positions in one year, and there are 2,000 fewer government workers now than in 2016, when the Progressive Conservatives took power, she said. “My concern is what happens to the public system we’ve got today.”

She said there were no reassurances “that our public services are going to be there (and) that they are a priority for this government.”