Despite the fact Manitoba's net debt is currently increasing by $4.3 million per day, all three major political parties want more spending.
Thus, if you’re the type of person who spends responsibly, and tries to pay down debt early to avoid costly interest charges...well, you’ve got a difficult choice to make in this provincial election.
The NDP’s track record on how they manage your money is obvious. They’ve been in power the last 12 years and are responsible for putting us in the situation we’re in today – high spending, some of the highest taxes in Canada, and skyrocketing debt.
Over the past 12 years, the NDP have increased spending by more than double the inflation rate; even when you account for population growth. Had spending been kept to a more responsible level, the province could have reduced our taxes to more reasonable levels and could have avoided racking up so much debt.
Consider that the Saskatchewan government is investing in front-line health care services, reducing its bureaucracy, paying down debt and doesn’t charge people income taxes until their incomes hit $14,535. By contrast, Manitoba’s NDP government starts charging you income taxes when your income hits just $8,384.
You see, the NDP‘s philosophy is it’s better to find something to spend your tax dollars on than it is to pay off debt or give it back to you through lower taxes.
By contrast, the opposition Liberals and Progressive Conservatives have at least acknowledged the problem. Both parties have spent the past decade criticizing the NDP for their high spending ways – rightfully so.
Unfortunately, once the election hit, both opposition parties appear to have joined the NDP in promising...more spending.
The Progressive Conservative Party has promised hundreds of millions in new spending this election. If it weren’t for the millions the NDP promised before the campaign even began, the price tag for Conservative party promises would be even closer to the NDP.
The bright side of the Progressive Conservative Party’s platform is some of their new spending will be offset by cutting government fat. For example, the party has promised a shorter Bipole III hydro line – which will save ratepayers $1 billion and cut down fewer trees.
The party has also targeted our province's bloated health care bureaucracy. For example, the 52 health care vice presidents in the system and wasteful expenditures like rooftop barbecues and patios for executives.
By contrast, the Liberals have promised the least in terms of new spending. Their party also deserves credit for promising to stop the NDP’s secret personal income tax hikes each year (known as “bracket creep”) and for promising to phase out the province’s job killing payroll tax; a ‘bonus’ tax that businesses pay once their payrolls hit $1.25 million.
Yet even the Liberals acknowledge they’re not likely to form government but are instead hoping to win a few more seats and hold a minority government in check.
Thus you have a choice between the party that made the mess and is still in denial about it or one of the opposition parties. The platforms offered by the latter aren't great, but at least they acknowledge the problem.
Colin Craig is the Prairie Director for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation
