Credit rating agency says Manitoba’s recent tax changes outweigh affordability offers

STEVE LAMBERT

THE Manitoba government is expected to use more “revenue levers,” similar to its recent income and property tax changes, as part of its plan to reduce the deficit, a credit- rating agency report says.

S&P Global Ratings has affirmed the Manitoba government’s existing shortterm and long-term credit ratings and says the outlook for the province is stable, based in part on expected revenue changes and spending control.

“The stable outlook reflects our expectation that, despite economic growth and trade uncertainty, Manitoba will deploy revenue levers and expenditure management to generate stronger fiscal outcomes in the next two years,” the report, issued May 26, said.

The NDP government, elected in 2023, has promised to reduce costs for Manitobans. It has taken out advertising to promote its cut to the provincial fuel tax, an increase to a tax credit for renters and other measures.

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