Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's trillion-dollar debt is crushing Canada. Billions are wasted on interest payments alone, and Manitoba is losing hundreds of millions under Wab Kinew’s ballooning debt. At City Hall, reckless spending has drained the legally required rainy day fund, forcing record property tax hikes. It's time for these politicians to face real consequences.
A recent Winnipeg Sun poll asked, “Should politicians face mandatory pay cuts when governments post deficits?” Out of 691 respondents, a staggering 92.62% said yes, while only 7.38% said no. The results speak volumes about public frustration with political accountability, or lack thereof. It is time to recognize that politicians bear full responsibility for government spending. Budgets are not devised and approved by public servants—they are crafted, debated, and ultimately passed by elected officials. Every deficit, every misstep, every reckless expenditure traces back to decisions made by politicians, not bureaucrats.
Manitoba’s increasing deficit is a glaring example of how out-of-control government spending has become. Recently, the Manitoba government announced that its deficit is $500 million higher than projected. This financial shortfall reflects not only poor planning but a fundamental disregard for fiscal responsibility. Provincially, we are saddled with mounting debt, and this mirrors a troubling trend across Canada. Federally, Canada’s debt levels are climbing at an alarming rate, with recent financial updates showing significant increases in both deficits and debt servicing costs. These figures underscore an unstable economic environment that threatens the financial well-being of future generations.
Young Canadians are particularly disillusioned. A recent survey revealed that a majority of young people in Canada doubt they will ever own a home. Housing affordability has reached crisis levels, driven by skyrocketing real estate prices, rising interest rates, and stagnant wages. These challenges are exacerbated by government spending practices that have fueled inflation, leaving younger generations to bear the brunt of poor fiscal management. Homeownership once considered a cornerstone of Canadian life, now feels like an unattainable dream for many.
Locally, Mayor Scott Gillingham recently implemented the most significant property tax increase in Winnipeg. What’s more troubling is the complete absence of spending cuts to offset this hike. Instead of finding efficiencies or eliminating unnecessary programs, the city’s leadership opted to burden homeowners further. This approach is not only lazy but it also reflects a broader pattern of political complacency. Politicians too often take the easy way out by increasing taxes instead of making tough decisions to rein in spending. This cycle of taxation and deficit is a direct result of a lack of accountability.
Tax increases also create a ripple effect that drives up the cost of everything. Higher taxes on businesses lead to increased operational costs, which are inevitably passed on to consumers. From groceries to housing, the price of everyday necessities rises, further squeezing the budgets of ordinary Canadians. A recent analysis by the Fraser Institute found that Canadian families are spending more on taxes than they do on food, clothing, and housing combined. This demonstrates the pervasive impact of rising taxes and highlights how government policies directly contribute to the financial strain on citizens.
Yet, voters continue to tolerate this. Every election cycle, we see the same faces returned to office despite their failures. I often read comments from people criticizing politicians for their poor decisions, and I can’t help but wonder—did they even vote? If citizens don’t engage in the democratic process, they enable the very problems they complain about. Change starts at the ballot box, and the onus is on the electorate to hold politicians accountable.
The media has a critical role to play in this. Our responsibility is to provide voters with the facts and inform them about the implications of political decisions. When election time comes, people should have a clear understanding of the track record of each candidate. Unfortunately, we are famous for re-electing incumbents at City Hall, and the results are plain to see. Winnipeg’s financial state is in disarray, and this is largely because voters have not demanded better. The media must do more to shine a light on these issues so that citizens can make informed choices.
Accountability for politicians is long overdue, and there are many ways to implement it. For instance, if the city’s budget exceeds its limits, all elected officials’ salaries should be frozen for the following year, and their discretionary expenses should be eliminated. On the provincial level, a similar policy could be introduced, coupled with an additional measure: any politician who consistently runs deficits should be barred from seeking re-election. I know that one is a pipe dream, but some reforms would force politicians to reconsider their spending habits. I guarantee that if such measures were in place, you’d see a dramatic shift in how public funds are allocated.
A commenter to a story on our ballooning debt on my LinkedIn reminded me that in Iceland, in 2012, former Prime Minister Geir H. Haarde was sentenced to jail for running up a deficit. When he was PM during the 2008 financial crisis, Haarde was found guilty of failing to keep his cabinet informed of major developments. Although cleared of three more serious charges of negligence, the bottom line is that he was removed as Prime Minister and sent to jail. This stands in stark contrast to the political landscape here in Canada, Manitoba, and Winnipeg, where similar fiscal mismanagement goes unpunished. If Iceland can hold its leaders accountable for reckless spending, why can’t we?
Another crucial reform is the introduction of term limits. Countries like the United States have embraced this concept, limiting presidents to two terms to ensure fresh perspectives and prevent entrenched power. Why not adopt a similar approach here? Term limits would inject new energy into our political system and discourage career politicians who prioritize self-preservation over public service.
The one thing governments at all levels have consistently lacked is accountability. Without it, we are on a path to fiscal ruin. If spending continues unchecked, the consequences will be dire. We risk becoming a society where homeownership is unattainable, wages are uniform and uninspiring, and the only people who thrive are those in power and the ultra-wealthy. This is not hyperbole; it is the logical endpoint of reckless fiscal policies and a lack of responsibility.
What is so controversial about accountability? Why would any elected official oppose measures that ensure they are held responsible for their decisions? The answer is simple: Such measures threaten their self-interest. Politicians, regardless of party affiliation, are often more concerned with preserving their positions than serving the public. This resistance to accountability reveals a troubling truth: Many elected officials prioritize themselves over the people they are supposed to represent.
It doesn’t have to be this way. By demanding accountability, we can change the culture of governance. Policies like mandatory pay cuts for deficits, spending freezes, and term limits are not radical; they are common-sense solutions to a systemic problem. If politicians knew their paychecks and careers were directly tied to fiscal responsibility, they would think twice before approving wasteful budgets.
The Winnipeg Sun poll results are clear: Canadians are tired of political impunity and want their leaders to be held to the same standards as everyone else. It is time for politicians to step up and embrace accountability. If they don’t do it voluntarily, voters must force their hand.