The new provincial government's inaugural budget's been tabled, and Premier Brian Pallister says they're pleased with what they're accomplishing. Part of the 2016 budget includes reducing Manitoba's core deficit by $122 million, en route to creating a fiscally balanced province by the end of their second term. Pallister uses a canoe as an analogy to explain their approach to reducing the deficit without making drastic cuts.

"To turn it too rapidly is to risk our cargo. Our cargo is our most vulnerable people: Seniors who need health care, young people who need help and support with a great education. We want to make sure we strike the right balance. We know we're bottom ranking in the country on many indicators; things like poverty, education outcomes, and health care access. We have to address those concerns."

One of the cost-reductions included in the 2016 budget was changes to the Seniors' School Tax Rebate, which eliminated the rebate for those with a net household income of more than $63,500, and reduced the rebate for those with a household income of more than $40,000. Pallister says that measure never should have been implemented in the first place, blaming the former NDP government of fiscal irresponsibility.

"It was an irresponsible promise by a previous government that was totally desperate to buy votes with money taken from children and grandchildren, who shouldn't have to pay the price. We have no intentions of keeping unmakeable and insincere promises of the previous administration."

The 2016 budget sees education funding increase by about $37 million, something Portage la Prairie MLA and Education and Training Minister Ian Wishart wasn't surprised by.

"The baseline funding for education was never at risk. It was a commitment made long ago, and Manitobans had built budgets around it. I'm pleased we've managed to maintain an increase across the board. We'll put that to good use, improving the quality of education for Manitoban students."

Wishart notes when it comes to the hot topic of education taxes on farmland, there's still work to be done on that portfolio. However, he says it's something they've been discussing.

"We didn't go there in this budget, but we certainly dealt with the issue of education tax as it relates to seniors. There will certainly be a review. I know I was speaking with some of my staff one day and made a point of stating how much some farmers do pay in education tax, and the reality is many of them didn't realize how much it was."

Meanwhile Interlake MLA Derek Johnson says the 2016 budget really shows a bright future for the province, with a stronger economy. However, he notes one area that particularly interested him was the $1.8 billion for strategic infrastructure investment.

"There was the infrastructure, which always benefits the Interlake with roads, but flood infrastructure's always a huge, huge concern, and that was brought forward in this budget."

One of the spending reductions outlined in the 2016 budget was for agriculture, with $180 million budgeted for 2016, down from $181 million in the last budget. While Finance Minister Cameron Friesen notes that could look like bad news, it's a little misleading.

"We've had some good productions years, last year and the year previous. I won't say that across the board, but these have been strong production years.  Commodity prices have been strong. So part of what you're seeing reflects the decrease in the insurance amounts. In other words, farm insurance programs aren't having the payouts, which are made the by the department. So in some respects, it's a good news story."

The 2016 Budget included no mention of minimum wage increase, the first time in well over a decade. However, Pallister notes they're taking steps to improve personal income tax exemptions, which will see almost 3,000 additional low-income families free from personal income tax.