WINNIPEG — Premier Brain Pallister is set to deliver his first state-of-the-province address since he was elected in April.
Pallister will address Manitoba’s business community Thursday at the RBC Convention Centre at 11 a.m.
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He will outline future plans and talk about current issues facing the province.
The Tories campaigned on the promise to lower the provincial sales tax from eight per cent to seven by 2020. Finance Minister Cameron Friesen said it will be “a challenge” to keep this promise but the government plans to get it done.
Here’s a list of some of the other promises Pallister campaigned on:
Cut ambulance fees in half
Pallister vowed to cut ambulance fees in half during his first term in office, saying it would cost about $2.8 million a year. The Tories also said they will create a task force to help shorten wait times in hospital emergency rooms.
READ MORE: Manitoba Tories would cut ambulance fees in half
Restore the right to vote on tax increases
The party promised not to increase major taxes such as income, business or retail without getting Manitobans to vote on proposed hikes. If the pledge is broken, Pallister said cabinet ministers will take a 20 per cent pay cut. He said he would impose this within the first legislative session.
No income tax increase
Pallister said his party will increase the basic personal exemption by the rate of inflation within their first full budget year. He also promised to raise the basic personal exemption toward the national average within his first term.
Reduce deficit
The Tories said they will reduce the deficit by an estimated $21.9 million in the first year in office. The premier-elect admitted it would only make a small dent in the$774 million provincial deficit. The platform projected $50 million a year in savings through a review of government programs. Another $35 million a year will be saved through what Pallister calls “smart shopping” for goods and services by putting more contracts up for open bidding.
Boost funds for home-based daycare
The Tories promised to boost funding for home-based daycares in order to lower wait lists for child care spots. The party said this would create 550 home daycare spots in 2016 .
With files from the Canadian Press
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