Manitoba PCs promise $2.2M annual spending to improve bus service around Winnipeg's perimeter

Manitoba's Progressive Conservatives say they'll spend $2.2 million annually for four years to improve transit service in growing areas on the outskirts of Winnipeg if they're re-elected next week.

That money will go toward supporting the Aurora and Castlebury Meadows transit lines in north Winnipeg, and improving bus service in Sage Creek, Bonavista, Prairie Pointe and Waterford Green in south Winnipeg's Waverley West area, PC candidate Andrew Smith said at a news conference Thursday.

"We want to address those needs, because these areas are growing," said Smith, who is running for re-election in the southeast Winnipeg riding ofLagimodire.

"We want them to continue to grow. But you can't continue to grow if you don't provide some basic services like increased bus services."

In response to the Tories' funding announcement, Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont said "at this point, the PCs sound like arsonists applying for the job of a firefighter."

"On their watch, the funding for transit was cut, and the City of Winnipeg faced seven straight years of freezes because the PCs don't think Winnipeg matters," said an emailed statement attributed to Lamont.

The statement highlighted the Liberals' pledge to restore 50/50 transit funding for Winnipeg and create a $300-million green fund to support municipalities with transit costs.

The NDP echoed some of those points in a statement later Thursday.

"It's hard to trust the PCs who cut funding for transit and froze municipal funding for seven years. Manitobans know these last-minute promises are a desperate attempt to distract from their failed record," spokespersonRebecca Widdicombesaid in an email.

Colin Fast, a spokesperson for Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham, said in an email the mayor has intentionally not commented on any promises during the election period.

But Gillingham "looks forward to working with the next government on modernizing and expanding our transit system, and especially finding ways to expedite the Winnipeg Transit Master Plan," said Fast.

The Tories have spent much of the final week of Manitoba's election campaign highlighting promises aimed at community safety and crime.

Those pledges included funds for victims of violence and money for the Winnipeg Police Service property crime unit.

The party has also been ramping up its attack ads as recent polls from Probe Research and the Angus Reid Institute suggest the Manitoba NDP have a lead over the Tories in popular support.

Advance voting in Manitoba continues until Saturday. Election day is next Tuesday.

• Read full coverage of the 2023 Manitoba election here