South Mountain
Press
RELAXATION
Friday, OCTOBER 3, 2025 Vo lum e 17 N um b e r51
FREE TAKE ONE SERVIN G ERICK SON , ON AN OLE, SAN D Y LAK E, ELPHIN STON E, W ASAGAM IN G, ROLLIN G RIVER, K EESEEK OOW EN IN & SURROUN D IN G AREA
DAR R E L L N E SBIT T / SO U T H M O U N T AIN PR E SS As summer gives way to fall, visitors in Riding Mountain National Park, including its home base of Wasagaming, are still noticeable but are moving at a much more leisurely pace. This cyclist, taking up conversation with a fellow beach sitter on the morning of Friday, Sept. 26, enjoyed the warmth of the sun and the views of a quiet pier. By getting involved with nature, history, and culture in Manitoba’s national parks, folks can get on the path of discovery.
P rovince p rojects h igh er deficit due to w ildfires The foreca stshow s a n etloss of $890 m illion for the yea r, p rim a rily a ttributed to the costs of fightin g w ildfires RAC HEAL FLIN TO FT So uth M o unta in Pre ss
The Manitoba government has released its public accounts for the 2024-25 fiscal year and the first quarter report for 2025-26. The reports provide an update on the province’s financial health under the current NDP administration.
The public accounts for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025, show a deficit of $1.15 billion. This is a 42% reduction from the previous fiscal year’s deficit and a $90 million improvement from the third-quarter update. According to the government, this was achieved through financial management and a moderately growing economy,
which saw an increase in service sectors driven by population growth. However, the first quarter report for the 2025-26 fiscal year, projects a new financial challenge. The forecast shows a net loss of $890 million for the year, which is $96 million more than the amount initially budgeted.
This increase is primarily attributed to the costs of fighting wildfires; however, other expenditures did contribute. The financial report indicates that emergency response expenditures related to the fire season are the main factor driving the projected deficit higher than planned. The province’s next general
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election is scheduled for October 2027, as per Manitoba’s fixed election date law. While the NDP’s government notes progress on past deficits, the financial impact of the recent wildfires presents a new and significant fiscal pressure. Total revenue for the 2025-26 fiscal year is projected at $25.1 billion, with total expenses at $26 billion.