ValleyBiz Story |

Progressive Conservative Leader Brian Pallister met with party supporters at the Westwood Inn on Saturday April 9, 2016, one day after the release of his party’s full platform along with cost and savings estimates.


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The platform costing document outlines $117 million in election promises, offset by a spending reduction of $139 million for a $22 million reduction in Manitoba’s $773 million deficit. According to the plan the bulk of the savings, over $85 million, is projected to come from “smarter shopping, smarter spending, smarter investments and better allocation of funds”. The costing document also promises a PST reduction from 8% to 7% to take place no later than 2020.

Included in the costing document for 2016-2017 is $20 million to build more personal care home (PCH) beds. “There isn’t a community I have gone to that doesn’t want a PCH.” said Pallister. The platform takes the unique approach of making general spending commitments rather than community specific promises. Fast tracking 1,200 PCH beds by investing $160 million over the next 8 years was identified as a priority along with developing a funding model with non-profit organizations, faith-based groups and community leaders similar to the successful Heritage Life Personal Care Home in Niverville.

Pallister also spoke with ValleyBiz regarding plans for physician recruiting. While he did not disclose his party’s position on the number of physician training spots available, Pallister did say their strategy would focus on getting more Manitoba students interested in attending medical school. The PC Platform also outlines a plan to hire experts to recruit more foreign doctors. “We are going to work with the experts that know how to do this properly and we are going to coordinate it better.” said Pallister.

Other significant election promises include $50 million in infrastructure spending to meet annual infrastructure commitments of $1 billion and $2.8 million to lower ambulance fees.