The Manitoba government plans to collect an additional $148 million in school taxes from commercial and residential property owners while maintaining a 50 per cent school tax rebate on farm properties.
On Tuesday, Premier Wab Kinew’s NDP government first budget Since being elected.
The proposed budget projects the state’s deficit to be $2 billion in 2023-24, $796 million in 2024-25 and $532 million in 2025-26.
Keystone agricultural producers have lobbied for decades to reduce or eliminate education taxes on farmland. The NDP budget also eliminates the provincial school tax rebate on commercial properties and introduces a new “Homeowner Affordable Tax Credit” that provides school tax savings for homes valued at $437,000 or less. , which includes plans to increase the amount collected from housing. It’s worth more than that.
“While changes have been made to the school tax rebate on residential properties, KAP is pleased to maintain the 50 percent rebate on farm properties,” KAP General Manager Brenna Mahoney said in a statement. Ta. “We encourage the state to continue working toward the complete elimination of farm property taxes and that this be considered when developing the state’s new education funding model.”
KAP also includes funding for labor, including reinstating the local physician recruitment fund, $1.5 million to increase apprenticeship training slots, and $135,000 for a new veterinarian strategy to address the state’s veterinarian shortage. I was glad to see some appointments.
The province also committed to reopening two Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation centres that were closed by the previous PC government, though the budget said the locations would be “selected in consultation with local communities” and therefore not made public.
KAP also welcomed $146.9 million in BRM program funding, the development of a livestock predation prevention strategy, a three-month extension of the gasoline tax exemption, a freeze on Ag Crown land lease payments, and support for young farmers.
“In particular, loan fee deductions for farmers under 40 through MASC, an increase in the young farmer rebate loan amount to $300,000, and an increase in the maximum rebate to $30,000 will greatly benefit the next generation of farmers. ” said KAP president and Portage area farmer. Jill Verway. “Having said that, KAP would like to see further investment in highways and infrastructure prioritized through increased capital funding and legal changes that allow farmers the right to repair.”
Other notable items in the budget include a new $300 surveillance camera rebate for families and businesses, a pledge to hire 1,000 new health-care workers, and increased trade and value-add for Manitoba’s agricultural products. This includes a commitment to develop a new state strategy for the state.
