Our government is taking new measures to support Manitobans living with addictions and mental health issues, and investing further to improve clinics and expand treatment for women. Our new annual investment of more than $2.7 million will expand service at Manitoba’s Rapid Access to Addictions Medicine (RAAM) clinics and add 16 women’s treatment beds, while also increasing programming offered by the Strongest Families Institute. All three of these initiatives will come into place by September. Our latest investment will give 176 more women access to treatment beds every year, while allowing more families to receive early-intervention mental health services annually. As well, the increased funding will enhance staff resources at all five RAAM clinics, which have greatly improved Manitobans’ access to treatment for addictions to methamphetamine, opioids, alcohol, and other substances since they opened in 2018. We are moving in the right direction for families, and will continue to take strong steps through more timely treatment of patients, closer collaboration between service providers, and improved support for northern communities.
At the same time, our PC government has reduced the provincial sales tax from eight per cent to seven per cent reduced ambulance fees by half, and we are reducing the deficit and on track to balance in our second term. Our PC government is now giving $325 million back to Manitobans each and every year with our July 1 PST reduction to seven per cent, and a re-elected Progressive Conservative government will bring even more PST tax relief to Manitobans by eliminating the provincial sales tax on home insurance for homeowners and renters. By reducing the PST to seven per cent, and eliminating the PST from home insurance, the average household of four will save approximately $570 annually. With increasing federal and municipal taxes and rising interest rates, now more than ever, Manitobans deserve a break. Eliminating the PST from home insurance will make life more affordable by allowing Manitobans to keep more of their hard-earned money. We are the only team committed to providing new tax relief to Manitobans.
