The Manitoba government is reducing checks for families, seniors and people on income assistance as part of a new package of affordable family benefits to help make ends meet at a time of high inflation and rising costs, the premier said.
“The citizens of Manitoba have been through a lot in the last few weeks, months and years, from the pandemic to the floods, the unjust war in Ukraine and now record inflationary pressures,” Premier Heather Stefanson said at a press conference Wednesday to announce the $87 million package.
“It is more than clear that many Manitobans are suffering. While Manitoba families are resilient, this economic crisis has created the perfect storm, with unprecedented cost increases hitting us everywhere we turn.”
Manitoba families with children and a household income of less than $175,000 in 2021 will receive a benefit check of $250 for the first child and $200 for each subsequent child.
Approximately 145,000 families will receive an average of about $440, for a total of $63 million, the province said in a statement.
Approximately 52,500 seniors with family incomes under $40,000 who rent or own a home and claimed the Education Tax Credit on their 2021 tax return will receive a $300 check in the mail. In total, the adult portion will amount to $16 million.
“This [package] represents almost 200,000 out-of-pocket payments and 282,000 children will benefit from these checks,” Finance Minister Cameron Friesen said.
The remaining $8 million of the $87 million total will go to Manitobans receiving Employment and Income Assistance (EIA) through an increase in the Basic Needs rate starting in October 2022.
EIA General Assistance clients without dependent children will receive an additional $50 per adult each month. All EIA customers with disabilities will receive an additional $25 per household each month.
Stefanson was asked why the benefits were limited to certain people and not the entire population. In Quebec, anyone with an income of less than $100,000 gets a $500 check, while the same amount is given to all Saskatchewan residents who are 18 or older and have filed a tax return.
“We believe this is the most responsible and practical approach to helping those most in need right now,” she said.
She then called on the federal government to “step up” and do its part. In particular, she said she needs to stop the carbon tax to give Manitobans a break.
“Inflationary pressures are not just a provincial problem,” Stefansson said.
“Yes, we need to spend carefully with an eye on our long-term financial future. but we also know that Manitobans need help right now … to ease the pressure and make life more affordable, especially for those who need it most.”
Finance Minister Cameron Friesen says the latest affordability measures are aimed at families with children and seniors on low incomes. (CTV)
Friesen said Manitoba’s approach is different from other provinces because “we’re focused on families with children, we’re focused on low-income seniors.”
“Our desire is to move these checks quickly and that is why we have set a threshold. A province like Saskatchewan has not set a threshold,” he said.
Manitoba’s approach “broadest and most equitably” distributes benefits to those most in need, Friesen said.
The government was held accountable during the COVID-19 relief effort when broad benefits were handed out without any threshold, he said.
As for those not benefiting from the latest announcement, Stefanson said the affordability package is a continuation of relief measures the province has taken and will continue to take, such as the child care subsidy program being phased out on education property taxes, raising the minimum wage, creating a renter’s tax credit, and providing rebate checks to vehicle owners.
“So maybe this particular one today doesn’t affect that individual, but I can tell you that there are many other programs that I’ve already mentioned that will have a positive impact on these people,” she said.
Stefanson also said a temporary grant program called the Food Security Fund will support food banks and other community organizations that provide food assistance to Manitobans.
She did not specify how much money would be provided or when it would be provided.
Vince Barletta, CEO of Harvest Manitoba, the province’s largest food bank, said he still needs to see the details of this grant, but he expects it will go a long way in helping food banks, strongly affected by increases in food and fuel.
He praised the increase in EIA rates as something that would have a big impact on people on welfare. It’s the first overall rate increase in nearly 20 years, he said.
“We’re talking about people who, when they go to the grocery store every week, have $30 in their pocket to eat. So an extra $50 a month will help a lot of those people.”
Barletta was asked about the lack of support for single people who aren’t seniors, and said Wednesday’s announcement won’t be a solution to all the challenges Harvest sees, but it will matter to many.
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