The average homeowner and renter will save at least $250 a year in education property taxes if Manitobans re-elect the NDP, the party promsed Friday.
NDP Leader Gary Doer said Friday a re-elected New Democrat government would increase the education property tax credit from $400 in 2006 to $525 in 2007, $625 in 2008 and $700 in 2009.
Most homeowners have the tax credit subtracted from their annual property-tax bills, while renters receive the credit through income taxes. The average homeowner will save $250 by 2009, once increases in the residential special levy for 2007 are taken into account, the party said.
Doer also vowed to follow through on his budget's commitment for the province to fund 80 per cent of the cost of public education, reducing the portion raised by school divisions through property taxes to 20 per cent, down from the current 40 per cent.
At the same time, Doer said, the government would prevent school boards from, in turn, raising their portion of the property tax bill.
New legislation will require school boards to submit their proposed budgets earlier, he said, which will allow the government extra time to work with them to address funding issues.
Doer said the government has the authority to control school boards' ability to raise school taxes — and he will use it, if he has to.
"I am responsible for delivering on my promise I made today," he said.
"I will always act in a co-operative way to achieve it first, but we are responsible for our promises. You're asking how I'm going to do it. The issue is, are you going to do it? The answer is yes."
Doer said Friday's promises would cost $152 million over four years.
Manitoba Votes 2007 Headlines »
- NDP wins historic 3rd majority in Manitoba
- Manitoba NDP Leader Gary Doer has led his party to a historic third majority government in the province's 39th general election, taking 36 of 57 seats.
- PCs win 19 seats, lose ground from 2003
- The Progressive Conservatives won 19 out of 57 ridings Tuesday — a drop of one seat from 2003.
- Liberals hold 2 seats
- Voters denied the Liberals official party status on Tuesday, although the party held its two existing seats.
- Greens make slight gains
- The Green party's dreams of a breakthrough quickly wilted on Tuesday night.
- 16 cabinet ministers re-elected, one loses nailbiter
- Sixteen members of Premier Gary Doer's former NDP cabinet in Manitoba were re-elected Tuesday, but Trade Minister Scott Smith lost the riding of Brandon West in a squeaker.