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Manitoba government's deficit-cutting path not clear, political analyst says

  • Steve Lambert

  • Canadian Press

  • December 17, 2024

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew and Finance Minister Adrien Sala speak to media before the provincial budget is read at the Manitoba Legislature in Winnipeg, Tuesday, April 2, 2024. Adrien Sala says the NDP government remains committed to balancing the budget before the next election, but a veteran political analyst says the path to balance is far from clear. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

WINNIPEG -- Manitoba Finance Minister Adrien Sala says the NDP government remains committed to balancing the budget before the next election, but a veteran political analyst says the path to balance is far from clear.

Paul Thomas, professor emeritus of political studies at the University of Manitoba, says the government has yet to outline how it will keep spending in check after running over budget this year.

The government's fiscal update, released this week, showed spending is forecast to end up $475 million over budget, primarily in health.

That has increased the projected deficit for the current fiscal year to $1.3 billion from $796 million.

Sala says the government will meet its promise to eliminate annual deficits by 2027, partly through spending efficiencies in government contracting and cutting administrative costs in health care.

Thomas says that kind of specific, targeted restraint is likely not nearly enough to balance the budget in three years.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 17, 2024.