Greg Selinger signed the official forms in October to become Manitoba premier, with Lt.-Gov. Philip Lee looking on.Greg Selinger signed the official forms in October to become Manitoba premier, with Lt.-Gov. Philip Lee looking on. (CBC)

A police helicopter got the thumbs up Monday, but a harmonized sales tax was ruled out as the Manitoba government launched the fall session of the legislative assembly.

The speech from the throne, read by Lt.-Gov. Philip Lee, outlined plans for education, jobs, health and improved public safety. It was the inaugural throne speech for Premier Greg Selinger, who became the leader of the governing NDP in October.

Selected t hrone speech plans, promises:

Economy

  • Organize a 2010 economic summit to focus on skills, training and investment.
  • Say no to a harmonized sales tax (HST) because of a $400-million impact on Manitoba families.
  • Increase stimulus spending by more than 50 per cent, support 1,500 projects and create more than 12,000 direct and 10,000 indirect jobs.
  • Eliminate both the corporation capital tax and the small business tax in 2010.
  • Invest in new projects such as the Polar Bear Conservation Centre and Exhibit to launch the Assiniboine Park Arctic Attraction.
  • Invest $545 million in roads and 28 bridges in 2010.

Education and training:

  • Provide portions of tuition rebate up front for post-secondary education students.
  • Invest $310-million in the schools capital program for new schools and needed renovations.
  • Commit to working with federal government and First Nations leadership to assist students on First Nations.

Health care:

  • Build a new women's hospital at the Health Science Centre site.
  • Build a new birthing centre for the south end of Winnipeg.
  • Expand dialysis capability in Gimli and Russell, and Berens River and Peguis First Nations.
  • Proceed on suing tobacco companies in the upcoming year in co-operation with other provinces.

Justice:

  • Commit to helping the Winnipeg Police Service acquire a helicopter.
  • Introduce new legislative tools to stop gangs, including giving the province a stronger role in denying or revoking licences of businesses that are fronts for gangs, creating a list of known gangs to simplify court proceedings and preventing the introduction of gang armoured vehicles in Manitoba.
  • Increase protection for victims of domestic violence.

Environment

  • Restore Netley and Delta marshes.
  • Introduce legislation to establish Pimachiowin Aki World Heritage Site Trust Fund.
  • Institute methane capture at Manitoba's large landfills.
  • Strengthen building codes to improve water and energy efficiency.
  • Add recycling of electronics and hazardous waste to program for recycling of paper and packaging.

Source: Province of Manitoba

After the speech was read, Selinger said the province's economy is forecast to shrink by 0.2 per cent by the end of 2009. But despite that, Manitoba is still projected to have the best economic performance in Canada, he said.

Selinger expects to draw on the province's fiscal-stabilization fund, also known as the rainy-day fund, in the next year to cover expenses, but it's not clear yet by how much.

One of these expenses will be a new helicopter for the Winnipeg Police Service, Selinger announced. However, he did not reveal how the government will help pay for it.

Keeping helicopter could cost $1M

Police Chief Keith McCaskill has estimated the helicopter would cost between $2 million and $3 million. That includes an infrared device to detect heat sources on the ground.

Operating the helicopter would cost about $1 million annually, McCaskill has said.

Earlier this month, Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz told CBC News the city is willing to pay for a new helicopter if the province covers the operating costs.

Selinger said on Monday that he needs to have some discussions with the police service before making any financial commitment.

The NDP government is also putting cash into fixing schools and into a polar bear research and Arctic exhibit at Assiniboine Park Zoo, Selinger said. The government will invest $310 million in new public schools and needed renovations to existing facilities.

Other initiatives include a tax credit for women receiving fertility treatments and new legislation preventing gangs from bringing armoured vehicles into Manitoba.

No HST

One thing Selinger has ruled out for his government is a harmonized sales tax. Manitobans would pay $400 million more a year in taxes if the PST and GST were merged into an HST, Selinger said.

A harmonized tax would be collected on such untaxed items as books and children's clothing, which are exempt from the PST.

Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty has been encouraging HST holdouts — Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Prince Edward Island — to adopt the HST. He has said he is prepared to cut cheques to those provinces to sign on to tax harmonization.

The legislative session will last about two weeks and will see the introduction of a number of bills before members start their Christmas break in the second week of December, government house leader Bill Blaikie announced last week.

Selinger was elected as NDP leader at a convention Oct. 17. He succeeded former Premier Gary Doer, who announced Aug. 27 that he was stepping down to become Canada's ambassador to the United States.