The Canadian Federation of Independent Business in Manitoba is glad for the promises the PC party proposed. Provincial director Elliot Sims shares his thoughts on PC commitments.

"With any party's election campaign there can be promises that you want them to keep and promises that are absent. We were quite pleased with the number of promises that the PC party put forward in their platform, such as reducing the total tax burden, and taking a hard look at provincial government spending to make sure that the taxpayers are receiving value for money, as well as their work on the regulatory accountability side."

Sims expects some opposition.

"And we know there will be other organizations such as public sector unions that will likely be fighting against some of those policies. CFIB will be working hard to make sure that the new government holds true to their election commitment, and brings Manitoba into a better position when it comes to our small business climate."

He notes one concern they're particularly paying attention to.

"One of the key things going forward, and one of the most impactful will be what this means for the potential for CPP expansion. That leaves only Ontario in Canada as a stalwart pusher of CPP expansion. Moving Manitoba from a solid 'yes' to an 'unsure' is a good sign for small businesses that maybe we won't be seeing the massive increases in CPP premiums."

Sims adds, "CFIB and small business owners across the province congratulate Brian Pallister and the Progressive Conservative Party on their election win. But we also want to congratulate all members of the Legislature that were elected on both sides of the house, as well as all the candidates who put their names on the ballot. It takes an immense amount of work and a lot of courage to put your name on the ballot. And we thank all those people that participated in the democratic process."