The province is increasing infrastructure investments by an additional $500 million as part of an economic stimulus package to help restart Manitoba’s economy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Premier Brian Pallister announced today.
“As Manitoba continues to flatten the COVID curve, we are now in a position to slowly and carefully begin to restart our economy,” said Pallister. “Our government is committed to working with industry, municipalities and all levels of government to help stimulate our economy as we move forward through this global health and financial pandemic.”
The $500-million investment through the Manitoba Restart Program announced today will expand on the significant already-planned infrastructure investments of $3 billion over the next two years, the premier noted.
The Manitoba Restart Program will include new:
• water and sewage projects through the Municipal Water Services Board,
• road and highway resurfacing and repairs,
• bridge repairs,
• municipal infrastructure priorities, and
• potential new cost-sharing construction projects with other levels of government if agreements can be reached.
“Today’s announcement builds on our commitment to ensure critical funding to Manitoba municipalities as promised in Budget 2020 remains intact, despite unprecedented financial pressures on the provincial government and record borrowing levels,” said Pallister. “Manitoba’s construction industry is ready to ramp up their work and we have many important shovel-worthy projects throughout the province to start that will improve the quality of life of all Manitobans.”
The premier noted specific projects would start to be determined in the coming weeks.
This additional investment is one of many measures undertaken by the province through the Manitoba Protection Program, which includes approximately $250 million in supports for small and medium-sized businesses and various measures to help the health and well-being of Manitobans.
More information on Restoring Safe Services can be found at:
https://manitoba.ca/asset_library/en/proactive/2020_2021/restoring-safe-services.pdf.
A comprehensive list of Manitoba government COVID-19 measures can be found at:
https://manitoba.ca/bg/2020/04/covid19.html.