Dear Editor:
Our new Manitoba government has taken strong steps in its first 100 days to begin making this the most improved province in Canada.
Our Progressive Conservative team has taken a careful approach in the Arthur-Virden constituency and across the province to protect all front-line services and the jobs of those who provide them, while beginning to eliminate waste. We’re putting Manitoba onto a responsible fiscal path.
We have launched a comprehensive value-for-money review to find government efficiencies and have reduced the size of cabinet by one-third. We have also found savings for Manitobans in our first budget by indexing income tax brackets to the rate of inflation, and by reducing ambulance fees. As well, our new government has scrapped the ‘vote tax’ subsidy for political parties and has committed to restoring Manitobans’ right to vote on major tax increases.
What we’ve achieved since forming the government after April’s election has set the course we will follow in the years ahead. Our Open Government Initiative has led to the release of ministerial mandate letters and we have introduced legislation for a six-month limit for calling by-elections.
We are giving municipalities in Arthur-Virden and across Manitoba the important ‘fair say’ they have called for in strategic infrastructure investments by holding regular meetings with them, and by creating a single-window application system for cost-shared funding. Furthering our partnership with Manitobans, we’re building a foundation for a relationship based on trust with Indigenous leaders, which will involve our duty to consult.
To bring more prosperity to Manitoba, our new government is moving toward joining the New West Partnership Trade Agreement with the other western provinces. In addition, we are consulting the tourism industry to develop a strategy for improved promotion and investment.
We have begun to steer the province in the right direction. However, much work lies ahead in western Manitoba and across the province. We will continue to build on our partnerships in the Arthur-Virden constituency and consult Westman residents on their priorities, as we fulfill our vision for a better Manitoba and a brighter future for all of us.
Doyle Piwniuk,
MLA for the constituency of Arthur-Virden
