Manitoba Tories promise to eliminate business payroll tax over eight years

Manitoba Progressive Conservatives are promising to phase out the province’s payroll tax over eight years if re-elected Oct. 3

The tax, which charges employers a percentage of their total payroll, brings in about $440 million a year for the province.

Tory Leader Heather Stefanson says the tax discourages economic growth and makes Manitoba less competitive with other western provinces.

The tax-cut pledge follows promises last week to cut hundreds of millions of dollars a year in revenues from the provincial income tax and other levies.

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Stefanson says Manitoba can afford the tax cuts because economic growth will put more money into provincial coffers.

Stefanson made the announcement on a downtown second-floor terrace, while some striking public-sector workers chanted, “Where is Heather?” on the street below.

1:55 Elections Manitoba calls on young voters: ‘Some choices mean more than your fit check. Vote.’