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3rd Session, 42nd Legislature

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Bill 225

THE BUDGET IMPACT REPORTING ACT


  Bilingual version (PDF) Explanatory Note

(Assented to                                         )

WHEREAS ensuring that all Manitobans are able to contribute to their full potential, regardless of gender, ethnicity or income, will maximize Manitoba's economic prosperity;

AND WHEREAS taking into account the risks and challenges posed by climate change here and around the world is essential to achieving sustainable economic prosperity in Manitoba;

AND WHEREAS the government's budget decisions have a direct impact on the ability of Manitobans to fully participate in economic and social activities, as well as on the amount of greenhouse gas emissions;

AND WHEREAS increasing the government's accountability for its budget decisions will lead to enhanced affordability for Manitobans and promote the creation and retention of environmentally sustainable jobs;

THEREFORE HER MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, enacts as follows:

Purpose

1

The purpose of this Act is

(a) to ensure that economic and social inclusion in Manitoba is considered in the government's budget measures and that the effect of those measures on economic and social inclusion are made transparent;

(b) to ensure that greenhouse gas emissions in Manitoba are considered in the government's budget measures; and

(c) to enhance the government's accountability for its budget decisions.

Report on impacts of budget measures

2(1)

Each year, the Minister of Finance must report about the effects of the government's budget measures on

(a) economic and social inclusion in Manitoba; and

(b) greenhouse gas emissions in Manitoba within the meaning of The Climate and Green Plan Act.

What is a budget measure?

2(2)

For the purpose of this Act, a budget measure is a measure that

(a) imposes a new tax, changes the rate of an existing tax or provides for a new or expanded tax exemption, tax deduction, tax credit or tax rebate;

(b) results in the creation of a new program or alters an existing program under which the government expends money; or

(c) continues

(i) a tax, tax exemption, tax deduction, tax credit or tax rebate, or

(ii) a program under which the government expends money.

Determining impact on economic and social inclusion

2(3)

For the purpose of this Act, the report on a budget measure that affects economic and social inclusion must specify whether, and to what degree, the measure

(a) alleviates gender inequality;

(b) assists in eliminating systemic racism and racial inequality; or

(c) reduces poverty and social exclusion, as determined in accordance with the poverty reduction and social inclusion indicators prescribed by the Poverty Reduction and Social Inclusion Indicators Regulation, Manitoba Regulation 33/2012.

Determining impact on greenhouse gas emissions

2(4)

For the purpose of this Act, the report on a budget measure that affects greenhouse gas emissions must specify the expected change in total greenhouse gas emissions in Manitoba resulting from the measure in the five-year period following its implementation.

Publication of report

3

A report under section 2 must be made publicly available on a government website at the following times:

(a) in respect of a budget measure under clause 2(2)(a) or (b),

(i) on the day the government's budget for the fiscal year is introduced or within 30 days after that, or

(ii) if the measure is not included in the government's budget, within 30 days after the measure is implemented;

(b) in respect of a budget measure under clause 2(2)(c), within six months after the end of the fiscal year.

C.C.S.M. reference

4

This Act may be referred to as chapter B90.5 of the Continuing Consolidation of the Statutes of Manitoba.

Coming into force

5

This Act comes into force on the day it receives royal assent.

Explanatory Note

This Bill establishes The Budget Impact Reporting Act.

The Minister of Finance must report on the effects of the government's budget decisions on economic and social inclusion and greenhouse gas emissions in Manitoba.