Manitoba Health Minister and Steinbach MLA Kelvin Goertzen says there are a number of important health care items in the provincial budget. Goertzen says his government is pleased to provide more support for oncology.

"Obviously there are many families in Manitoba and around Canada that struggle when their loved ones or themselves have been diagnosed with cancer," notes Goertzen.

There is also more funding for dialysis, which he says is a particular issue in Manitoba and something that has been raised on the national stage.

"The funding to ensure that renal support is there I think is going to be very important," he says.

Goertzen says his government is working to ensure balance is restored in Manitoba. He notes health care is a significant part of this budget. With a positive, measured funding increase, he says it requires discipline within the health care system.

"It's important to the overall objectives of government to ensure that we are moving back on track in terms of balance and fixing our services and rebuilding our economy," he says.

Goertzen says while campaigning in Steinbach the last election, what he heard most from residents is that government must stop passing on deficits and accumulated debt to the next generations. Goertzen believes his government will be more fiscally responsible.

He notes they are always looking for ways to ensure there are better efficiencies within the health care system. That means working with regional health authorities to make sure they are balancing their budgets.

Budget 2017 also sets out provisions for ensuring an affordable and competitive environment that increases productivity and encourages economic growth and job creation.  Part of that includes an overall strategic infrastructure investment forecast to reach more than $1.7 billion in 2017-18, one of the highest total infrastructure expenditures in Manitoba history.  This includes $747 million for roads, highways, bridges and flood protection, $641 million for health, education and housing infrastructure, and up to $370 million for municipal, local and other provincial infrastructure.

"We have a very aggressive highways budget," said Minister of Infrastructure Blaine Pedersen.  "$502,000,000 this year, but also another $500,000,000 each and every year for the following four years.  A $2.5 - billion investment that the industry can count on, that Manitobans can count on to rebuild our highway and infrastructure program."

"This was the budget that we set the course," added Pederson. "We've worked on the course over the last year and now we were able to set the course for the coming year and the years to come.  This was really exciting for us as a government."

According to the Pallister government's 2017 budget released Tuesday, core government spending is increasing overall by $282-million, with spending increases to the three

Premier Brian Pallister after the delivery of the budget Tuesday at the Manitoba Legislature biggest ministries: health, education, and families.
    
Pallister says there will be some job losses in the public service, which was unavoidable.  "When three out of four dollars Manitobans pay in taxes, including civil servants, is going to salaries, then you've got to see some reduction in the global number on salaries.  Otherwise, you're not going to move to balance.  Ever."

The job losses in the public service, are due in part to minor cuts for roughly two-thirds of the salaries and benefits across the government.
    
Premier Pallister says the move is necessary in order to achieve fiscal balance.  "To suggest that we're going to be able to maintain government at the cost that it was in the past.  The only way you can do that is to jack up taxes again.  The PST can't go higher, income tax can't go higher.  I don't want to see higher taxes that deter investment, and deter job opportunities and economic growth in our province."

The 2017/2018 budget will see a large increase in bursaries.  "That helps the lower income get into post-secondary education to better themselves going forward," said Emerson MLA Cliff Graydon.  "That makes a huge difference in our workforce, and in our entrepreneurs.  We're building Manitoba from the ground up."

Graydon said putting the budget together was not an easy process was not an easy situation, but they feel his party did a very good job and fulfilled a number of election promises. "In rural Manitoba, we increased the municipal spending, we've increased healthcare, and education funding...it's tough to do everything at one time."

AMM President Chris GoertzenMeanwhile, the President for Association of Manitoba Municipalities says the provincial budget does not specifically mention the Building Manitoba Fund or how it will be rolled out. Chris Goertzen, Mayor for Steinbach says that is something that needs to be clarified.

Overall, Goertzen says he is not dissatisfied with Tuesday's budget.

"When it comes to municipalities we saw municipalities get the same funding in 2017 as they were getting in 2016," he notes. "Obviously we were satisfied with the funding last year and we do have an inflationary situation that does occur for municipalities."

Goertzen adds there is about $350 million earmarked for infrastructure and he says those details will be very important.