Manitoba’s Premier Pledges Tax Relief in Budget Next Month

Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister plans to unveil personal income tax breaks in the budget next month as he tries to offset rising interest rates and utility fees that make his province one of the highest-cost regions in Canada.

Manitobans are among the most heavily taxed in the nation and “there is absolutely” room in the upcoming budget to reduce that burden, Pallister said in an interview. There’s a “triple threat” of higher federal small business taxes, rising interest rates from the Bank of Canada and pending Manitoba Hydro rate hikes that are putting the squeeze on citizens. The province needs to ensure taxes are “going in the right direction,” he said.