Infrastructure investment pledges focus on job creation
Two parties turned their provincial election campaigns to infrastructure announcements recently.
- Conservative Leader Brian Pallister, looking to be re-elected as premier September 10, announced August 16 his party would increase investment in infrastructure, including taking the Highways Capital budget from $350 million to $400 million over the four-year term. Pallister’s Manitoba Works Job Growth plan announcement included other industries, and pledged to create 40,000 new jobs.
- NDP Leader Wab Kinew announced August 21 his party would increase total infrastructure investment, including core infrastructure, to $6.64 billion over the term — $690 million more than is planned by the Progressive Conservatives — creating 50,000 new jobs. While making no commitment on the highways budget specifically, Kinew said if elected, his government would work with Winnipeg on shared priorities, such as the extension of Chief Peguis Trail and widening Kenaston Boulevard.
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