After months of preparation and consultation with Manitobans, the provincial government will reveal Budget 2020 on Wednesday, March 11, 2020.
“We have compiled a fiscal plan for the year ahead that focuses on the issues that matter most to Manitobans,” said Finance Minister Scott Fielding. “Our priorities continue to be making life more affordable in our province, while strengthening the public services they depend on and building a brighter future for all Manitobans.”
Fielding will present the budget one week after the provincial legislature resumes sitting. He noted the province remains on the right track to financial recovery as the mid-year fiscal update for 2019-20 projected a lowered deficit of $350 million, slightly ahead of plan even after needing to address unanticipated liabilities ignored in the past. The government remains committed to eliminating the deficit its second term.
As part of the Budget 2020 consultation process, the province engaged more than 18,000 people across the province. The finance minister hosted public meetings in Altona, Brandon, Flin Flon, Gimli, Steinbach, Swan River, The Pas, Thompson and Winnipeg as well as stakeholder sessions and two telephone town hall forums.
“Budget 2020 involved our most ambitious public community consultation schedule to date, which supplied us with valuable feedback and ideas to incorporate into our spending plans,” said Fielding. “There were many ways for Manitobans to voice their priorities, which include our shared goals of improved health care, community safety and tax relief.”
Fielding thanked the Manitobans who emailed and mailed submissions and used the online survey and Build a Budget tool.
