Province releases second quarter financial report

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Published on Friday, December 20, 2013

myWestman.ca

The provincial government released its second quarterly financial report.

Budget 2013 projected a $518 million summary deficit for this year as part of Manitoba's plan to protect front-line services, create jobs and grow the economy while working towards a balanced budget. The deficit projection has now been improved by $33 million to $485 million, said finance minister Jennifer Howard. Last year, the summary deficit was $580 million.

Investment in all infrastructure and capital asset renewal is projected to total $1.5 billion, $250 million more than the previous year.  The minister noted that roundtables with business, labour and municipal leaders continue to identify key core infrastructure projects to include in government's $5.5billion, five-year building plan and support steady economic growth and the creation of tens of thousands of good jobs.

"While we are on track this year to beat our deficit reduction targets, our plan to return to balanced budgets face a new and unexpected challenge with news that federal transfer payments for the services families count on could be $100 million less than expected next year because the census appears to have deleted 18,000 Manitobans," said Howard in a release.  "Whether or not the census counts them, these Manitobans still show up in our hospitals and schools and we still have to pay for those front-line services."

Planning for budget 2014 is underway and Manitobans can share their views through pre-budget consultations here.

The second quarterly financial report can be viewed here.

With files from Manitoba news release

The second quarterly financial report can be viewed here.