The wrong spin for Manitoba’s budget

PREMIER Wab Kinew is a top-notch communicator among Canadian politicians. Given that fact, it is surprising that his government is doing such a poor job of communicating a compelling narrative regarding Budget 2026.

The spin has focused mostly on minor and “gimmicky” items such as free bus fare for kids and making prepared meals and junk food cheaper at grocery stores. That’s a mistake, given the availability of a more persuasive narrative.

Such an approach would focus on the argument that, if not for factors well beyond the control of the government, they would be well on their way to achieving a balanced budget by next year, as the NDP has promised.

The argument is composed of two components. First, all provinces are struggling to limit the harmful impacts of the erratic conduct of the Trump administration. The constant cascade of tariffs and other threats has hurt economic activity in Manitoba and the tax revenues the province would otherwise be earning, just as it has harmed every other province.

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