UW economists sound off on election promises

Tue. Sep. 26, 2023

Whenever Heather Stefanson is asked whether a re-elected Progressive Conservative government can truly afford an additional $1 billion in tax cuts a year, the party leader says growing the economy will make up for any shortfall.

It's a belief that is central to the Tories' economic vision, but some economists say it isn't as simple as Stefanson describes.

"I do think it's wishful thinking that we can sacrifice a billion dollars in tax revenue and satisfy all the demands of citizens of Manitoba about things that they want," said Stefan Dodds, an associate professor of economics at the University of Winnipeg.