Moving Manitoba forward – New term; new outlook
Message from the President
Premier Brian Pallister will likely go down in Manitoba’s history as the most determined fiscal conservative of our time. He repeatedly said he ‘inherited a fiscal mess’ and set out to correct it.
No one can be heard to argue they did not know heading into the 2016 provincial election that the Premier’s primary focus was twofold – eliminating an inherited runaway deficit approaching $1 billion in 2016 and cutting the PST from 8% to 7% in his first term.
And alongside those considerable tasks, his government laid out a hefty list of priorities, including: reform of Manitoba’s ailing healthcare system, ironically based upon the recommendations of a report presented to the previous administration but not acted upon; launching a review of Manitoba’s education system; introducing the concept of ‘smart shopping’ in the public procurement process; beginning the process of transferring opportunities to the private sector to bid highways maintenance and preservation work; prohibiting ‘forced unionization’ as procurement pre-requisites in publicly funded projects; topping up the provincial rainy day fund with a $407-million injection; strongly supporting internal free trade in Canada and implementing changes provincially; a determination to place Manitoba on an economic growth projection; and generally signaling with the above and more, that the Manitoba he will leave is not only open for business, but will be the most-improved jurisdiction in Canada.
Frankly, who can argue with any of the above, which in this day of populist politics is remarkable for its stated determination irrespective of risk to public popularity.
The record of achievement was put to the test in the election campaign, in which the PC Party, under the banner of Moving Manitoba Forward, extended its fiscally conservative agenda – and added the daunting promise to eliminate school taxes from the realty tax rolls within 10 years.
And the public spoke on September 10, returning him to office with 36 seats, an historic back-to-back majority.
In the one area of public policy which this association differed with the Premier – infrastructure – there now appears to be a reason for optimism. And if our optimistic assessment is correct, then we certainly look forward to a new partnership with the Premier in supporting what appears to be a new direction.
The Progressive Conservative Party platform, as it touched upon economic growth policies and infrastructure investment, was remarkably aligned with investment approaches long advocated by the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association. Further, several of the platform pledges dovetail with PC commitments outlined in the party’s response to the MHCA’s questionnaire on core infrastructure concerns.
It is clear the government regards economic growth and job creation as a policy imperative. To be frank, Manitoba cannot move forward without strategic long-term investment in core infrastructure, especially in our trade-transportation system.
The PC platform sets out its investment approach in the context of a 10-year strategic capital plan. Embedded in that plan are increased investments in highways (incrementally moving the budget to $400 million by 2024; $125-million total additional investment – a start). The key word here is ‘strategic’ – an approach advocated by MHCA relating to core infrastructure investment and, specifically, in trade-transportation infrastructure, which is intrinsically linked to Manitoba’s economic growth.
The strategic investment approach implies intent to identify projects with the greatest potential to boost the GDP. This is supported by the campaign pledges that speak to dedicated funds for infrastructure projects that stimulate private-sector investment and create jobs, and fully expending the Highways Capital budget each year, or rolling over unexpended dollars to the following year – yet another approach long-advanced by the MHCA.
The 10-year strategic capital plan pledge is bolstered by the commitments to release the infrastructure investment deficit for highways and bridges along with the reports compiled by Manitoba Infrastructure of asset conditions and needs. The reports would inform and underpin a successful, long-term solution, and are key to public understanding of the magnitude of the challenge – the infrastructure investment deficit is a legacy of decades of inadequate investment.
The investment challenge is not something that should be left to government alone. A successful approach recruits private-sector investment and its engagement (innovation), through a suggested industry-government working group to review and reframe the current ways in which core infrastructure investment happens. We welcome the government’s willingness to begin such an initiative.
Further, with the government’s willingness, as stated in the PC party reply to our questionnaire, to consider a new fiscal deal for municipalities and to prioritize investment in the Capital Region strategic trade-transportation system, another avenue of municipal engagement opens. This would provide a platform for robust regional development, trade promotion and economic growth.
In summary, we regard this as a critical moment; a potential turning point in the government’s approach to investment in Manitoba’s core infrastructure.
We hope our assessment is correct and strongly encourage the government to seize the opportunity that rests within a strategic approach that recognizes the organic role core-infrastructure investment plays in this province’s prosperity and future, and take the next steps to truly making Manitoba Canada’s most improved province.
Give this Premier his due. But his job is not yet done.
Chris Lorenc, B.A., LL.B.,
President, MHCA
