Steinbach MLA, Kelvin Goertzen, said he has had a quick response from local residents regarding a plan by Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) to start paying for road repairs in Winnipeg and parts of Manitoba.
“The response from Steinbach constituents has been quick and decisive, the vast majority are telling me that MPI should stick to the business of insurance and not start using insurance premiums to fund road repairs,” said Goertzen.
Manitoba Public Insurance, with the approval of the NDP Minister responsible for MPI, has been looking at a plan to use the insurance premiums of Manitoba drivers to fund road infrastructure in the province. The plan would need to get final approval from the Public Utilities Board.
“This is really just a backdoor tax,” said Goertzen. “The NDP have been raiding crown corporations for years and diverting the money to things that really are beyond the mandate of these entities. The mandate of MPI is to provide insurance to drivers with the best possible coverage at the best possible rate. It is not supposed to be a piggy bank for the government.”
Goertzen said that the NDP raised taxes $300 million in the spring, including an increase in the gas tax, so they should be looking to fund road infrastructure from those funds and other savings in government.
