Parties make fiscal promises as campaign continues for April 19 vote in Manitoba

WINNIPEG – More promises are being made as the campaign continues for the April 19 provincial election in Manitoba.

On Monday, Liberal Leader Rana Bokhari said her government would run deficits longer, avoid tax increases and impose spending caps on health care and social services.

She also outlined a fiscal plan showing how her party would pay for $143 million in promises made so far — ranging from new child-care spaces to northern food subsidies to a sales-tax reduction on haircuts.

Conservative Leader Brian Pallister said if he becomes premier, he would more than double funding for post-secondary scholarships and bursaries, adding the program would be cost-shared with matching private donations.

NDP Leader Greg Selinger said if his party is re-elected, they would cut the cost of ambulance rides and hospital parking fees.

The ambulance fee promise matches a promise already made by the Progressive Conservatives.