WINNIPEG — The Manitoba government says it has found some cost savings as it attempts to deal with a large deficit and keep its election campaign promises.

Finance Minister Adrien Sala says there is $16 million in personal protective equipment in health care that was not needed, and $5.8 million in recruitment of nurses from the Philippines that has been delayed.

Along with earlier announcements, such as the disbanding of the province’s surgical and diagnostic task force, Sala says the government will save $123 million this fiscal year.

That, he says, is enough to pay for NDP campaign promises, including the temporary suspension of the fuel tax, starting in January, and new money to address homelessness this winter.

Last week, Sala announced the deficit this year is projected to end up at $1.6 billion — more than four times the estimate under the former Progressive Conservative government.

Some labour leaders are asking the government to forgo its promised tax cuts and, instead, spend more money on front-line services.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 13, 2023

Steve Lambert, The Canadian Press