The October 3, 2023 General Election in Manitoba resulted in a change in government and the new government was sworn in on October 18, 2023.
The previous government tabled Budget 2023 on March 7, 2023.
The Third Quarter Report provides the fiscal and economic update for Manitoba for 2023/24. This report is based on the latest economic forecasts. However, the expenditure forecast is as of December 31, 2023 and predominately reflects the decisions and corresponding impacts of the previous government. Similarly, the revenue variance relative to budget predominately reflects assumptions, decisions, and corresponding impacts of the previous government.
The new government will deliver its first budget on April 2, 2024.
Budget 2023 projected a deficit of $363 million for the fiscal year and the First Quarter Report- published by the previous government on July 18, 2023 - reported the deficit was unchanged.
The Third Quarter Update projects that the deficit has increased significantly and is forecast at $1,997 million. This is an increase of $1,634 million, largely attributable to significant overspending in the health care sector and provisions for the settlement of longstanding lawsuits.
The deficit increase shown in the Third Quarter Update is compounded by two preceding factors:
First, a substantial increase in expenses in Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care that was as a result of decisions made by the previous government subsequent to Budget 2023 and not included in the First Quarter Update issued by the previous government. These include collective agreements settled in July 2023, the Health Human Resources Action Plan and other initiatives that have resulted in substantial increases in salary and benefit costs in the service delivery organizations.
The second driver was the $450 million net income forecast from Manitoba Hydro in Budget 2023, which was not achieved due to low water conditions and lower net export revenues. This change in Hydro’s forecast was also not accounted for the First Quarter Update. As of the Third Quarter Update, Hydro is now projecting a $190 million loss.
Total revenue is projected to be $901 million below budget, primarily reflecting lower revenue from Manitoba Hydro, decreases in individual and corporation income tax revenues, and the fuel tax holiday, drawn partially from the revenue contingency.
Effective January 1, 2024, the fuel tax in Manitoba was temporarily reduced to zero cents per litre on gasoline and diesel, including marked gasoline, for an estimated reduction in revenue of $82 million for 2023/24. This tax measure not only provided immediate relief at fueling stations across the province, but it also lowered the overall inflation rate in Manitoba. The province’s inflation rate in February 2024 fell to 0.9 per cent, the lowest in Canada.
Federal Transfers decreased by $195 million compared to budget mainly related to underspending on Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program projects and underspending on the Canada-Manitoba Early Learning and Child Care Agreement and the Canada-Manitoba Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement. Manitoba Agriculture is also forecasting a decrease in Agrilnsurance indemnities and a corresponding reduction in the federal share of unearned premium revenue.