Manitoba government halts school building plan [Video]

After a lengthy review, Manitoba’s NDP government has halted a plan hatched by the former Progressive Conservative government to build new schools in partnership with the private sector.

Tracy Schmidt, the province’s acting education minister, says the government is committed to building schools but the Tory plan had no money set aside.

Last year, the Tories promised to have nine schools built through what is commonly called a P3 system.

A private contractor was to be hired to design, construct and maintain the buildings, while the government would agree to a 30-year funding deal that would include money for ongoing maintenance.

The Tories said the method would save money and allow all nine schools to be up and running by 2027.

The province put out a request for qualifications from potential bidders before last year’s election, and the New Democrats put the project under review after forming government.

“There were …