Ecclectica: Manitoba Politics

We introduced balanced budget legislation, we built the floodway and we established provincial parks. For these accomplishments, and for many others, we have much to be proud of.

We have been blessed with great Leaders - Sterling Lyon; Sidney Spivak; Walter Weir; Duff Roblin and Gary Filmon—all of whom understood that their role was to chart a course that would lead to a better future for all Manitobans.

The Progressive Conservative vision is one of fiscal responsibility and social compassion. We have brought forth tremendous policies and ideas that have made this province a place we are all proud to call home.

As President of Brandon University, Louis P. Visentin, summed up, "at a time when the world is being merged, homogenized and depersonalized, Brandon stands out as something special on the Canadian landscape."

This rings true for our entire province. Manitobans have a lot to offer and be proud of. We believe that each and every Manitoban deserves the best possible opportunity to reach their potential and flourish. It is the role of government to encourage this, not hinder it.

As Progressive Conservatives, we see many opportunities that are currently being squandered. It is travesty that Manitoba is considered a 'have-not' province. We are collecting more money from the federal government than we are sending back. We have difficulty remaining competitive with other provinces. This should not be the case.

Manitoba is now the highest taxed province for middle-income earners. We have slipped in our tax competitiveness over the past six years. People moving to Manitoba must pay income taxes that are significantly higher than in the rest of Canada.

This is not the way to grow our province. It is difficult to attract new people to our province, and keep our current citizens, if we are not providing the type of economic environment needed for them to succeed.

Manitoba was tied for last spot in job growth among the provinces in 2004. This was the second year in a row where we were at, or near, the bottom of the list in terms of job creation in Canada. Meaningful tax relief is urgently needed so that our province can become competitive again.

Additionally, our provincial debt is growing by $1.5 million per day and is the third fastest rising in the country. In 2004, our debt rose to $11.3 billion, up 11 per cent from 2003. On a per capita basis, that means every man, woman and child in Manitoba owes $9,707. Total provincial debt is now over $18,000 per person.

The provincial government often says that they've paid down the debt by $99 million. A closer examination of the budget numbers reveals that in actuality, expenditures by government were so high in 2004/05 and so much money was borrowed by the province, that the provincial debt in fact increased by some $533 million. This trend will continue next year, as the provincial debt is expected to grow by $526 million.

This is appalling. And it is something that affects every Manitoba. The money that is required to service this debt is pulling precious resources away from other programs. Manitobans deserve better management of their tax dollars

As mentioned, Progressive Conservatives brought Medicare and medical insurance to the province of Manitoba. We are proud of the foresight of our great leaders. Medicare is a cherished cornerstone of our Canadian identity.

However, the current state of our health care system would not make our forefathers proud. No one can deny that our system is facing a crisis. Patients are languishing on ever increasing wait lists instead of getting the timely access to quality care that they deserve.

Innovation is needed. Unfortunately, discussion of innovation and reform with respect to Medicare is too often dismissed as the 'Americanization,' of our system. This is an unfair conclusion.

The Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba rejects American-style two-tier health care outright. However, there exist numerous examples of single-payer heath care systems in countries across the globe where citizens are able to access quality services in a more timely manner than is the case in Canada.

We believe that these are models that must be explored if we are to maintain our current health-care system, and improve it.

Our current provincial government has received numerous, generous proposals from the maples Surgical Centre, a private clinic in Winnipeg, that if accepted, could eliminate the pediatric dental surgery wait list within a year. The wait list is currently about 1,200 long and growing. The most recent proposal outlined the ability of the centre to perform a significant number of orthopaedic surgeries for the health regions of Manitoba and went so far as to offer more than 600 surgeries per month to the government at cost, no profit.

The provincial government refused to even consider the offer, even though it would have helped hundreds of patients.

Helping patients is about offering sensible solutions, not blindly following ideology. No one should ever have to pay out of pocket for medically necessary health care procedures. We would never advocate that. We simply believe that the government has the duty to examine the possibility of partnering with publicly funded private health care facilities when it is in the best interest of the patient.

Progressive Conservatives also have a long, proud history when it comes to ensuring that our justice system provides the protection that Manitobans deserve.

It is unacceptable that Manitoba is now known as the crime capital of Canada. Manitobans are growing increasingly frustrated with the proliferation of drugs, gangs and violent through our province. Despite the best efforts of police, incidences of organized crime, drug trafficking, auto theft, and violent offences are on the rise throughout Manitoba.

Manitobans deserve to feel safe. Serious solutions are needed to deal with these problems. Earlier this month, our Party unveiled our action plan for safer communities.

"Enough is Enough! Standing up for Safe Communities," outlines key initiatives aimed at improving the safety of Manitobans because we, like all Manitobans, have had enough of the violence we see happening in our communities.

We have proposed over a dozen initiatives that are intended to act as an integrated approach to the crime problems facing our province, including the addition of at least 100 police officers to the Winnipeg Police Force with a request that at least 30 officers be deployed to gang and drug initiatives. And we also proposed the addition of at least 5 officers in the Brandon region.

Our police forces deserve the utmost respect and thanks for the work that they do. But we cannot deplete their resources and expect them to be able to provide the services needed to address these serious issues.

The current government says that the Winnipeg Police Force is at 'full complement.' In actuality, as of August 2005, the complement of constables was 24 officers short.

Our police officers are simply overworked. They need help. Manitoba's highways are being used as a pipeline for smuggling drugs and guns. Municipal RCMP under provincial contract are being asked to police greater areas with less officers. In 2004, the officer complement of 626 was reported to be short some 50 officers at any given time.

A Manitoba PC government is prepared to provide more funding for the provincial policing contract. We are also prepared to seek a new deal with Ottawa to ensure that our full share of trained RCMP officers are made available to the province. We cannot abandon Manitobans and allow drug smugglers, impaired drivers and dangerous drivers to rule our roads.

Our plan also includes initiatives on gangs, guns, school safety, neighbourhood advisory committees, drugs and breaking addictions, prosecutions, probation enforcement, electronic monitoring, and correction resources.

Our plan is practical, sensible and affordable. Our proposals would only increase the current justice budget by 5.5%. The current government increased the budget for justice 6% from last year. The money is there. What is needed is the political will.

Exercising political will is often times controversial. But, making tough decisions, unpopular as they may be to some, are crucial if we are to lead the province in a better direction.

Our Party firmly believes that the current tuition freeze, coupled with inadequate provincial funding to Manitoba's colleges and universities, is an example of good intentions gone bad.

All Manitobans deserve access to high quality education. But students end up suffering when our universities are crumbling because of an infrastructure and instruction deficit.

Manitoba's post-secondary institutions are vitally important to the development of a well-trained, skilled, innovative and entrepreneurial provincial workforce.

Stable, long-term funding for Manitoba's post-secondary institutions, as well as assurances of financial incentives for new graduates who choose to remain in the province, will ensure that Manitoba is able to attract and retain the most-skilled workforce possible.

The current student loan program does not take into account the increasing ancillary fees at many of Manitoba's post-secondary institutions or the additional costs of education and travel for students from rural and northern areas of Manitoba.

We would reduce the restrictions on student loans and reassess the qualifications for student loans. We would also introduce a geographic component to the student loans program which would recognize the additional expenses faced by rural and northern students in addition to increasing scholarships and bursaries to assist student with the costs of their education.

The Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba remains committed to continuing the proud traditions of our past by offering sensible solutions to the problems that face our province. There is a lot of work to be done if we are to truly live up to our potential. We believe Manitobans deserve nothing less.