NDP leader Greg Selinger said March 24 that if his party is re-elected April 19 that it will boost incentives for mineral exploration and improve northern highways.
An NDP government would increase the Mineral Exploration Assistance Program (MEAP) from 40 to 50 per cent, support the Manitoba Geological Survey’s work with mineral exploration companies and work with industry to improve mining investment and processing tax credits to reduce barriers to processing imported material in Manitoba and make sure companies explore more on undeveloped leases. The party is also pledging to invest more in indigenous land-use planning and support the work of the Minister’s Mining Advisory Council.
“The NDP is committed to a sustainable mining industry that creates good jobs and skilled training opportunities for families in the north,” Selinger said in a press release. “Brian Pallister has said ‘there are no sacred cows’ when it comes to his cuts, and he’s already committed to cancelling Hydro contracts and cutting infrastructure spending—putting thousands of northern jobs and the services northerners count on at risk.”
Thompson MLA Steve Ashton said in a statement March 24 that these measures would be good for Thompson.
“The new incentives that were announced today will support mining and processing in the north,” Ashton said. “We will continue to work to identify other ways to support mining and value-added jobs here in Thompson and the north. In these uncertain times our message is clear. The north matters. We will continue to be there for Thompson and other northern communities in terms of mining and value added jobs. We will continue to invest in the north.”
The NDP also announced that it would pave all 33 kilometres of Provincial Road 392, which connects Snow Lake to Highway 39 and invest $16 million to improve Provincial Road 391 to Nelson House, Leaf Rapids and Lynn Lake, including 10 kilometres of new asphalt on the Nelson House access road.
That followed a pledge March 23 to improve highways around The Pas and to spend $33 million to continue upgrading Provincial Road 373 and Provincial Road 374, with work including upgrading bridges and road reconstruction and surfacing.
