View From the Legislature

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to challenge many Manitobans financially, new measures were announced last week to try to help individuals weather the storm.

Included in the new measures are directions that until October 1, Manitoba Hydro, Centra Gas and MPI are not to charge interest or penalties in the event Manitobans are unable to pay at this time. As well, Manitoba Hydro and Centra Gas have been instructed not to disconnect customers during these times.

And while the Manitoba government does not have the ability to issue similar directives to private insurance carriers, in an effort to reduce the financial impact while still encouraging Manitobans to maintain important insurance coverage for home and business property, the provincial sales tax (PST) will be removed from residential and business property insurance on July 1 of this year.

For daily updated information on Manitoba’s response to COVID-19, please visit the provincial website at gov.mb.ca.