What to Expect
Saskatchewan and Manitoba
In response to increasing inflation, SaskEnergy has proposed to increase rates by 17 per cent, a potential move that will dominate discussions this week. Cabinet has to approve any rate hike, and so the Opposition NDP will try to press the issue. With the summer in full swing and the Legislature not sitting, however, there will be few opportunities to break through.
SaskEnergy’s proposal will bring focus to an issue most people in Saskatchewan and Manitoba are already saying is their biggest concern – affordability. A new Angus Reid poll found that 67 per cent of Manitobans identified cost of living as the most pressing issue as did 68 per cent of Saskatchewanians; the poll and its findings will be top of mind this week amongst both politicos and everyday citizens.
The Week That Was
Saskatchewan
Newly appointed NDP leader Carla Beck launched a three-week, province-wide “Build to Win” tour, focused on connecting to voters in rural and northern Saskatchewan.
As of July 8, Beck has travelled about 3,000 kilometres over the span of a week, making stops to communicate the party’s message of positive change.
Manitoba
Manitoba’s Official Opposition called on the Progressive Conservative government to create an all-party affordability committee to find ways to help people in the province cope with rising costs of living.
On July 7, Premier Heather Stefanson announced that the Manitoba government is investing nearly $170 million to improve and modernize Winnipeg’s public transit system.
The Government of Canada, the Manitoba government, and the City of Winnipeg will jointly invest in:
- the purchase of approximately 100 electric buses and the necessary charging and fueling infrastructure;
- the purchase of 135 additional diesel buses; and
- the construction of a new LEED-certified energy efficient bus storage and maintenance facility to replace the 70-year-old North Garage.
The Government of Canada will invest more than $200 million towards these projects. The Manitoba government will provide more than $153 million, while the City of Winnipeg will contribute more than $135 million.
