Manitoba REALTORS® often hear from families about their desire to live in neighborhoods with well-resourced schools.
The Manitoba Real Estate Association (MREA) believes that fair school funding is the key to providing equal opportunities for all students across the province. Historically, schools in Manitoba rely heavily on local property taxes, resulting in disparities between areas with high and low property values. Manitoba is the only Canadian province with this outdated school funding system.
MREA has been advocating for a more equitable funding model for over two decades and achieved a significant victory in the 2021 Manitoba Budget. In 2022, the province started lowering education property taxes by 50 per cent over two years (25 per cent per year) for residential and farm properties, and 10 per cent for other types of property, in the form of tax rebates.
The existing school funding system in Manitoba, which primarily relies on local property taxes, is unfair and perpetuates inequalities. Certain schools in areas with higher property values receive more funding, while those in areas with lower property values struggle to provide adequate resources. The MREA commissioned a survey in December 2022 which revealed that an overwhelming 87 per cent of Manitobans believe the school system should be funded through provincial taxes rather than local property taxes. Furthermore, 84 per cent of respondents expressed the need for additional support for disadvantaged students.
On behalf of Manitobans, Manitoba REALTORS® urge the Progressive Conservatives (PC), New Democratic Party (NDP), and Liberal parties to commit to fully funding the education system from the provincial government's general revenue. By adopting this approach, funding can be allocated equally to all students across the province, eliminating the disparities associated with property values. Increased funding will not only allow for hiring of more teachers, but also support vital social programs that contribute to the health and well-being of children, such as school breakfasts.
A comparison of school divisions in Manitoba reveals significant disparities in per-student property tax revenue and student-to-teacher ratios. For instance, in the 2021/22 school year, Southwest Horizon and Lord Selkirk School Divisions collected the most property tax revenue per student, resulting in a higher student-to-teacher ratio. Conversely, Beautiful Plains School Division, with the lowest property tax revenue per pupil, had the worst student-to-teacher ratio in the province. Garden Valley School Division also experienced a similar pattern. Such discrepancies demonstrate the urgent need for fair school funding that is not tied to property values.
It is time to advocate for fair school funding in Manitoba by eliminating the reliance on local property taxes and transitioning to a model supported by the provincial government's general revenue. By signing the petition at www.FAIRSCHOOLFUNDING.ca, you can add your voice to the growing number of Manitobans who believe that the quality of education should not be dependent on one's neighborhood.
The petition will be delivered to the Premier, the Leader of the Opposition, and the PC, NDP, and Liberal parties, including your local MLA. Let your voice be heard and contribute to creating a more equitable education system in Manitoba.
Achieving fair school funding in Manitoba is crucial to ensure that all students, regardless of their location or property values, have equal access to quality education. By shifting from property tax funding to a model supported by the provincial government's general revenue, Manitoba can align itself with other provinces in Canada and address the longstanding disparities in educational resources. The support of the Progressive Conservatives, New Democratic Party, and Liberal parties is essential to this cause, and signing the petition is a critical step toward making equitable education a reality in Manitoba. We’ve made great progress. Now let’s finish the job.
Make sure your voice is heard and sign the petition at www.FAIRSCHOOLFUNDING.ca today!
Founded in 1949, the Manitoba Real Estate Association represents more than 2,600 real estate professionals throughout the province. MREA uses its expertise to build, empower and uphold a trusted and sustainable real estate profession to ensure Manitobans value the role that REALTORS® have in building stronger communities, and in helping Manitobans through the most financially impactful decisions of their lives.
— www.realestatemanitoba.com