Premier Brian Pallister says Manitoba crown corporations will waive penalties for unpaid bills, allocate $100 million for health equipment spending and add 140 more shelter beds.
“This $100-million investment will allow us to support made-in-Manitoba products and solutions from local businesses to quickly help in our collective efforts to fight COVID-19 and protect Manitobans in the weeks and months ahead,” said Pallister.
Manitoba businesses or manufacturers who are able to scale up production or re-tool their manufacturing lines can access some of this money to help.
For the next six months, Manitoba Hydro, Centra Gas and PMI will not charge interest or penalities in case people can’t pay.
That doesn’t mean those bills won’t come due.
“I would encourage those who are able to do so, to pay their bills on time.”
Manitoba Hydro and Centra Gas will not disconnect customers during this time.
The province is also asking municipalities not to charge penalties for unpaid property and business taxes.
Winnipeg city council voted 11-3 Friday to waive penalties for unpaid property and business taxes for up to three months following their due date.
Property taxes that were due on June 30 will have fees waived until Oct. 1. Business taxes that are were due on May 29, 2020 will have fees waived until Sept. 1.
Taxes must still be paid.
Pallister said he likely will not release the worst case-scenario numbers he’s received, because it’s “incredibly hard” to make an accurate projection in this situation.”
“I’m not interested in scaring the hell out of everybody in the province just so some people pay attention,” he said.
Some projection numbers, however, will be released early next week, said Pallister.
Manitoba Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont wasn’t pleased about the announcement.
As of Thursday, Manitoba had 167 probable and confirmed novel coronavirus cases. One person has died, five people were in hospital and 11 have recovered.
On Thursday, the province asked Manitoba daycares that had closed to reopen to fill anticipated future demand.
Questions about COVID-19? Here are some things you need to know:
Health officials caution against all international travel. Returning travellers are legally obligated to self-isolate for 14 days, beginning March 26, in case they develop symptoms and to prevent spreading the virus to others. Some provinces and territories have also implemented additional recommendations or enforcement measures to ensure those returning to the area self-isolate.
Symptoms can include fever, cough and difficulty breathing — very similar to a cold or flu. Some people can develop a more severe illness. People most at risk of this include older adults and people with severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung or kidney disease. If you develop symptoms, contact public health authorities.
To prevent the virus from spreading, experts recommend frequent handwashing and coughing into your sleeve. They also recommend minimizing contact with others, staying home as much as possible and maintaining a distance of two metres from other people if you go out.
For full COVID-19 coverage from Global News, click here.
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