WINNIPEG – Manitoba’s opposition Progressive Conservatives say they can now measure the discontent in the province with the recent sales tax increase.
The Tories released the results of a poll Friday showing 77% of those surveyed giving the thumbs-down to the hike in the Provincial Sales Tax July 1st.
“Do you support or oppose the choice of the provincial government to increase the PST from 7% to 8%?” Tory leader Brian Pallister read out the question pollsters used at a news conference Friday.
The poll shows 63% strongly oppose and 14% somewhat oppose the tax hike. Seven per cent strongly support and 12% somewhat support the tax increase.
MLA’s finally passed government legislation Thursday night waiving the requirement for a referendum on tax increases.
Greg Selinger’s NDP government has argued the one-cent-on-the-dollar increase is necessary to pay for a number of infrastructure projects around the province. Selinger repeated that mantra Friday.
“We will be accountable to Manitobans and show that these installations will improve our roads, improve our sewer and water and help protect communities from future floods,” Selinger said.
Pallister accused the NDP of going on a campaign to “scare” Manitobans into accepting the tax increase.
The poll was conducted for the Manitoba PCs by NRG Research Group. 805 Manitobans were surveyed by phone; the results of the poll are considered accurate to within 3.5%, 19 times out of 20.
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