No surprise opposition MLA's aren't really impressed with Manitoba's new budget.

Finance Minister Greg Dewar calls the budget one of steady growth and even more good jobs for the province.

"Our province's economy is strong because of the choice our government made to protect Manitobans from the effects of global economic uncertainty. We chose to build instead of cut," Minister Dewar said. "While some have called for reckless cuts to front-line services and a halt to the building of critical infrastructure, we have chosen a different path. We chose to grow the economy and protect jobs and services. Our plan invests in infrastructure and training to create jobs and growth, and our plan is working."
Some budget highlights:

*investing an all-time record in infrastructure of more than $1 billion, boosting the province's GDP and exports;
* ensuring an additional 2,000 small businesses will pay no corporate income tax;
* improving a research and development tax credit to allow innovators 20 years to realize profits from investments;
* working with Winnipeg Airport Authority to secure more direct flights to international destinations;
* enhancing and expanding the Apprenticeship Tax Credit to promote more on-the-job training opportunities;
* making the Small Business Capital Tax Credit available to more businesses; and
* renewing tax credits to support dynamic sectors such as film and video production and interactive digital media.
*tobacco tax is going up 12.5 cents a pack
*minimum wage will increase to $11 per hour in October

Brandon West MLA Reg Helwer isn't sure how to take this budget. “It's kind of a mystery where this government plans to take Manitoba. They said this was a budget about infrastructure, education and training and they made cuts to all those departments.”
Helwer also voiced concern about the government ramping up the debt to levels never seen before.

“I have to ask myself what does the finance minister think it will cost to buy the next election and it looks like $3 billion” said Helwer.

Spruce Woods MLA Cliff Cullen is worried about the $422 million deficit. “This is the 7th straight deficit budget. It's a lot more of the same and people are getting tired of the broken promises.”