Manitoba government left searching for cash after federal budget

WINNIPEG — Manitoba’s finance minister was left wanting more out of Tuesday’s federal budget.

“We had hoped the federal government this year had invested more in infrastructure,” said Greg Dewar.

He said he was also hoping there would be more allocated to help fund health care. He said there has been a a modest increase in transfer payments but more money needs to flow to Manitoba.

“Right now they provide only enough transfer for 20 per cent of health care costs, as you know that is becoming a growing requirement in our budget and we had hoped they would have provided us more assistance in that regard,” said Dewar.

The federal budget also included a public transit fund which will help finance significant transit projects.

“This fund will be another available fund we hope to be able to tap in to,” said Mayor Brian Bowman. “Let’s keep in mind Winnipeg is one of the last major Canadian cities with a rapid transit system so we have a lot of ground to catch up on.”

It will only start in 2017, meaning the Conservatives will have to be re-elected for the money to flow. Starting in 2017-2018 $750 million will be made available with the number jumping to $1 billion by 2019.

Dewar isn’t optimistic Manitoba will see a lot of the money.

“I don’t know the exact number but you can only image we have 3 per cent of the population, we would only see $30 million if that is the case,” he told reporters shortly after being briefed on the budget.

Dewar is set to give his first budget as finance minister next week.

He said some juggling will now have to happen after the federal government announced changes to the tax free savings account contribution limits and registered retirement income funds.

Dewar estimated he will need to find between $8-9 million dollars in the provincial budget to compensate for the changes.

The province delivers its budget April 30.