Manitoba Government Announces Budget 2026

The Manitoba Real Estate Association (MREA) is pleased to share our perspective on Manitoba’s Budget 2026, released yesterday. This year’s budget reflects the province’s continued focus on affordability and cost‑of‑living relief, at a time when many Manitobans are feeling financial pressure.

As your provincial association, MREA works year‑round to advocate for practical policies that support homeownership, increase housing supply, and help REALTORS® serve their clients in a challenging market. Below is a high‑level overview of what we asked for, what the government delivered in Budget 2026, and how we’re responding.

What the Government Is Doing in Budget 2026

Budget 2026 places a strong emphasis on affordability, particularly by helping Manitobans manage ongoing household costs.

Key measures include:

• An increase to the Homeowners Affordability Tax Credit, which MREA asked for in our pre-budget submission, rising to $1,700 per year, with the credit reduced on a sliding scale for homes assessed over $1 million and eliminated for those over $1.5 million.
• Removal of PST on all food purchased at grocery stores.
• Additional affordability supports, including enhanced renter tax credits and free transit passes for youth in several communities.

“Reducing everyday costs for Manitobans is an important step in supporting household stability,” said Catherine Schellenberg, President of MREA. “Affordability pressures are being felt across the province, and measures that ease those pressures matter.”

What MREA Asked For Ahead of Budget 2026

In our 2026 pre‑budget submission, MREA focused on practical solutions to make homeownership more attainable and to increase housing supply over the long term. Advocacy is a long-game that often requires years of persistant effort.

In our submission, MREA encouraged further enhancing the Homeownership affordability tax credit. In addition, we called for a down payment assistance program for first‑time buyers, sustained funding for Manitoba Tipi Mitawa to support Indigenous homeownership, and targeted land transfer tax relief to reduce upfront costs. We also urged the province to move forward on its election commitments to unlock land and encourage new housing supply, including brownfield redevelopment, a provincial land audit, and incentives to help seniors downsize. These priorities are grounded in province‑wide polling showing that affordability and lack of supply remain the biggest barriers preventing Manitobans from buying a home.

You can view MREA’s full pre-budget submission below:

MREA’s Response to Budget 2026

MREA is encouraged that Budget 2026 recognizes the affordability pressures facing Manitobans and includes measures to help reduce everyday costs for homeowners. The increase to the Homeowners Affordability Tax Credit is a meaningful step forward, as property taxes remain a significant and ongoing cost of homeownership.

“Property taxes are a real and unavoidable expense for homeowners and enhancing the tax credit is a positive step, but it’s only one part of the affordability picture,” noted Schellenberg.

While these cost‑of‑living supports are important, MREA continues to stress that lasting housing affordability will depend on addressing upfront barriers to ownership and increasing housing supply. These remain key priorities in our ongoing dialogue and advocacy with government.

You can view MREA’s full response below:

Looking Ahead

MREA is encouraged by the province’s continued focus on affordability and its openness to working with stakeholders. While there is more to do to address upfront barriers and housing supply, Budget 2026 provides a strong foundation to build on.

“We remain committed to working collaboratively with the Manitoba government to advance practical, long‑term solutions that support REALTORS®, strengthen homeownership opportunities, and keep Manitoba affordable for the clients we serve,” Schellenberg said.