The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling on the Manitoba government to find savings after the government overspent its budget last year by about $1.4 billion, according to the 2024-25 public accounts.

“Taxpayers can’t afford a government that keeps breaking its spending promises,” said Gage Haubrich, CTF Prairie Director. “Manitoba families have to make tough choices when their budgets are stretched and it’s time for Premier Wab Kinew to do the same.”

The Manitoba government told taxpayers it would spend $24.1 billion in 2024-25. It overspent its budgeted amount by $1.4 billion. The overspending is largely driven by increases in the health and family departments.  

Government revenue also increased about $1 billion compared to the budget.

“Health care is important, but just spending more money isn’t fixing the problem,” said Haubrich. “When the government spends too much in one area, the responsible thing to do is find savings somewhere else.”

The provincial debt was $35.3 billion, or about $23,597 per person, at the end of 2024-25. That’s a $2.9 billion increase compared to 2023-24. Government debt now represents 145 per cent of total government revenue.

Debt interest payments cost Manitoba taxpayers $2.3 billion, or about $1,534 per person last year. That’s a $160 million increase compared to 2023-24.

Debt interest payments were equivalent to 9.5 per cent of budget revenues in 2024-25.

“The government is wasting billions of dollars per year on debt interest payments because it’s repeatedly failed to control spending and keeps borrowing more money,” Haubrich said. “Kinew needs to control spending, stick to his budget and work to pay down Manitoba’s increasing debt.”