Drivers win in Manitoba budget; smokers lose with increased tax on cigarettes

WINNIPEG — The Progressive Conservative government tabled its 2020-21 budget on Thursday. Here is a list of some winners and losers:

WINNERS

Drivers: Vehicle registration fees are to be cut by 10 per cent July 1.

Families with estates: Probate fees are to be eliminated July 1.

Taxpayers: Fees for preparing personal income tax returns are not to be subject to the provincial sales tax as of Oct. 1.

Flood prevention: The province plans to double the money available for emergency expenditures to $100 million.

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LOSERS

Homeowners: An election promise to remove the sales tax from home insurance is not to happen this year.

Salon customers: Another election promise to remove the sales tax from haircuts over $50 and from many salon services is also to be delayed.

Smokers: Tax on a carton of cigarettes is to rise by $1 on July 1.

Some working parents: The government plans to remove the maximum daily fee at a small number of daycare centres that use a development tax credit.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 19, 2020

The Canadian Press