By Tyler Sutherland
Progressive Conservative Party leader Brian Pallister (CHRISD.CA FILE)
The Manitoba Tories on Monday promised to raise the province’s rental allowance if elected.
Progressive Conservative Party leader Brian Pallister said during a news conference his party would raise the Employment and Income Assistance (EIA) limit to 75 percent of median market rent.
“There are many logical reasons to do this, not the least of which are the substantial savings in health care, but more importantly, it’s the right thing to do,” Pallister said.
The rental allowance has been flat for 20 years, while in the past 13 years the rental market has not.
As an example, Pallister said a one-bedroom apartment that rented for $473 in 2000 now rents for $704, but the support has remained flat at $285.
“This is affordable and all the NDP needs to do is spend less in low-priority areas like government advertising.”
