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The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is urging the Manitoba government to cut spending on salaries after the release of the 2023 sunshine list.
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“Taxpayers can’t afford to keep bankrolling this ballooning government wage bill,” said Gage Haubrich, Prairie Director of the CTF. “Taxpayers are tightening their belts, it’s time for the government to find savings and do the same.”
In 2023, 22,496 government employees earned over $100,000, marking an 83% increase since 2020. The government’s payroll costs have risen by $1.1 billion since then.
Since taking office, Premier Wab Kinew’s government has added about 694 employees, incurring an annual cost of $39.8 million.
On average, government employees earn 8.5% more than private sector workers, retire 2.1 years earlier, and face lower job security.
The government anticipates a deficit of nearly $800 million this year, with total debt reaching about $34 billion and interest payments at $2.2 billion.
“Premier Wab Kinew needs to stop handing out huge wages while normal Manitoba families are having trouble buying the necessities,” Haubrich said. “The government needs to find savings and balance the budget, not spend taxpayer money on more six-figure salaries.”
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