The Manitoba government’s recent advertising campaign promoting a "Hydro rate freeze" is a blatant misuse of public funds and a gross misrepresentation of the truth. Billboards across Winnipeg boldly proclaim that the freeze took effect on January 1, but this is entirely false. Only the Public Utilities Board (PUB) has the authority to set hydro rates in Manitoba, and it has not issued any such ruling. In fact, the PUB approved a one percent rate increase for the 2024-25 fiscal year, and any changes—whether a freeze or otherwise—would not take effect until April at the earliest. This advertising campaign is not only misleading; it is an abuse of taxpayer dollars to serve a political agenda.
Manitoba Hydro is nearly $25 billion in debt and faces the daunting challenge of replacing aging infrastructure while expanding capacity to meet the growing demand for electricity. Yet, instead of addressing these serious financial and operational issues, the government is choosing to play politics with one of the province’s most essential services. Claiming a rate freeze before any regulatory process is complete is irresponsible and deceptive. It shifts the focus from the real issues at hand and leaves the public with a false sense of security.
This is not the first time Manitobans have been subjected to such tactics. The City of Winnipeg, under Mayor Gillingham, provides a similar example of financial mismanagement cloaked in political spin. Despite raising property taxes to record levels and claiming the city is under financial stress, Gillingham found millions to funnel into the arts community. At the same time, critical infrastructure projects like upgrades to the North End treatment plant remain delayed. This practice of siphoning tens of millions of dollars from water and sewer utilities to cover budget shortfalls has left vital systems underfunded and ratepayers footing the bill. These funds should have been reinvested into the systems they were collected for, not used as a band-aid for poor fiscal planning.
The Manitoba NDP is engaging in the same shell game by promoting a Hydro rate freeze that does not exist. This is a distraction from the hard truths about Manitoba Hydro’s financial state and the government’s lack of a coherent plan to address it. Instead of paying for misleading advertisements, those funds could have been directed toward debt reduction or infrastructure improvements. But this is not about governance; it is about optics. The NDP is using taxpayer money to paint a rosy picture that simply does not align with reality.
Utilities are essential services that should be managed with transparency, efficiency, and the public’s best interests in mind. They are not opportunities for governments to score political points or generate profits at the expense of taxpayers. Manitoba Hydro, like all utilities, should operate as a well-maintained machine—focused on reliability, sustainability, and fiscal responsibility. Excessive salaries, bloated union contracts, and political interference have no place in the management of these critical systems. Instead of misleading the public with false claims, the government should be investing in long-term solutions that ensure Manitoba Hydro’s stability and affordability for future generations.
The overuse of political advertising at taxpayers’ expense is another glaring issue. Every announcement from this government seems designed to promote a political position rather than solve a problem. Wab Kinew’s government is no exception. While the healthcare system crumbles under mounting pressure, the Premier chooses to attend press conferences for spending announcements that benefit special interest groups. This focus on optics over substance is not limited to the provincial government. Gillingham’s pattern of raising taxes, claiming financial hardship, and then holding press conferences to tout discretionary spending is just as problematic. Both levels of government are more concerned with public relations than addressing the systemic issues that affect Manitobans daily.
This misuse of public funds for political gain is not just wrong; it is an insult to Manitoba's citizens. Our tax dollars should not be spent on billboards promoting false narratives or self-serving marketing campaigns that prioritize political survival over public welfare. The money wasted on these campaigns could be used far better to address the real challenges we face: crumbling infrastructure, a struggling healthcare system, and an overburdened Hydro utility.
Political mistrust in Canada is at an all-time high, and it is easy to see why. A recent survey found that fewer than half of Canadians trust their government to act in their best interest. This decline in trust is fueled by actions like the NDP’s Hydro advertising campaign. When governments prioritize spin over substance, they alienate the very people they are meant to serve. Flashy billboards and empty promises should not fool Manitobans. They see through the political games and recognize that their money is being squandered on tactics designed to manipulate public perception.
The Manitoba government’s decision to promote a Hydro rate freeze that does not exist is a clear example of how politics can corrupt the management of essential services. This is not governance; it is propaganda. Taxpayer dollars should be allocated responsibly, focusing on addressing real problems rather than creating false narratives. The same applies to municipal governments. If Gillingham truly believes Winnipeg is under financial stress, his actions should reflect that. Spending millions on the arts while neglecting critical infrastructure is not leadership; it is negligence.
Utilities are not slush funds for governments to misuse. They are lifelines for the people who rely on them and should be managed with care, transparency, and accountability. Much like Gillingham’s spending priorities, the NDP's Hydro advertising campaign demonstrates a disturbing disregard for these principles. It is time for leaders to focus on the real issues facing Manitobans and to stop using public funds as tools for political gain. Until that happens, trust in government will continue to erode, and the challenges we face will only grow more severe.