Manitoba's NDP government has started advertising the income tax reductions that were initially introduced and approved by the previous Progressive Conservative government.
The advertisements, which can be seen on social media, show happy single individuals, couples, and families with various dollar amounts representing their estimated yearly savings.
One example shows a man named John saving $632, and a family with two children called 'The Kims' saving $1,386.
The tax cuts are already in effect and were part of the Progressive Conservative budget released last spring, several months before the NDP gained power in the October 3 election.
Finance Minister Adrien Sala stated in an interview, 'I think this is an important way for us to ensure Manitobans know about the work that we're doing and delivering on our commitments.'
Sala added that the NDP could have stopped one of the tax cuts after the election, but opted not to. Once in office, the NDP revealed that the deficit was considerably higher than the Tories had indicated.
'We had a decision to make before the end of October as to whether or not we were going to follow through … and we made a promise to improve affordability and so that's exactly what we did. We followed through on that promise,' said Sala.
The opposition Progressive Conservatives mentioned that the NDP ads do not acknowledge who implemented the tax cuts.
'They need to thank the previous government for those savings,' remarked Tory finance critic Obby Khan.
The tax reduction consists of two parts: an increase in the basic personal amount individuals can earn before paying income tax, which came into effect last year, and adjustments to the thresholds at which higher tax rates apply, which came into effect on January 1 of this year.
These advertisements follow a previous campaign that promoted the temporary suspension of the provincial fuel tax by the NDP government, which began on January 1 and is scheduled to continue until June 30.
Around $200,000 has been allocated for that campaign up to now.
Khan stated that the Conservative income tax cuts are preferable because they are permanent, whereas the NDP's fuel tax holiday, which saves consumers 14 cents per liter at the pump, is temporary.
