In the lead up to the 2026 Manitoba provincial budget, MGEU President Kyle Ross has provided the union’s Pre-Budget Submission to the Finance Minister, urging more investment in public services.
In recent years, Manitobans have been through very challenging times—from natural disasters and a global pandemic, to a continental trade war that continues to threaten the economy. At the same time, members’ pay cheques are being eroded by the rapidly rising cost of living as families struggle to cover their bills.
The best way to stabilize the situation for Manitobans is to prioritize services and the people who provide them – education to build the resilient high performing economy of tomorrow, health services to care for us when we are sick, and safe reliable infrastructure that enables us to get around safely and efficiently.
Now is the time to rebuild the foundation of our communities, reinvest in good family supporting jobs, and reinforce what it means to be the caring and compassionate province we call home.
“We’re looking for a budget that prioritizes recruitment and retention across the public service,” said Ross. “For too long, members have been asked to do more with less, while the services Manitobans count on pay the price.”
Recommendations include prioritizing resources to staff up the Civil Service, with clear targets, timelines, and dedicated resources. Other recommendations in the submission include strengthening our public health care system; reinvesting in public education, increasing multi-year funding for community-based social service agencies, re-establishing the priorities of Manitoba’s Crown Agencies, and increasing funding to arts and cultural organizations.