NDP have spending problem, not revenue problem: Goertzen
Steinbach MLA Kelvin Goertzen says the most recent financial figures for the province of Manitoba paint an alarming picture of a government that continues to increase the debt while taking more and more tax dollars from Manitobans.
“Despite record tax increases last year and the extension of the PST to items like home insurance, the NDP just can’t seem to get the deficit under control. They keep taking more tax dollars from Manitobans but then turn around and spend even more. It’s just not sustainable,” said Goertzen.
On Monday the province released the final budget numbers for the 2012-2013 fiscal year. They showed that the NDP incurred a $580 million deficit last year, $120 million more than originally budgeted. This was despite tax increases last year that were the largest in 25 years and which were followed up this year with an increase in the PST.
Goertzen says that the growing debt and increasing taxes remains one of the top issues he hears about from residents of the Steinbach constituency.
“Our province cannot keep running deficits of half a billion dollars and Manitobans understand that. There needs to be some proper financial management within government because we can’t keep increasing the debt while at the same time taking more money from Manitobans,” said Goertzen.
Manitoba Progressive Conservatives have repeatedly called for a full review of government spending to find efficiencies. The NDP have refused to undertake such a review.
