It can be difficult to put into perspective both spending and debt when it comes to government. That’s because the numbers are often so large and the scale of government so big that it’s difficult for almost anyone to relate to the figures.

When Manitobans hear that the debt of the province has risen to $22 billion dollars it is no doubt a number that makes people’s eyes widen, but the number is so far beyond what most people deal with in their day- to-day lives and finances that it’s hard to find perspective for it.

The current combined debt of the province of $22 billion however means that every man, women and child in the province owes about $20,000 on that debt and a family of four owes $80,000. A typical family can understand more easily how significant the debt of the province is when looking at it as an $80,000 obligation and how daunting that would be to add to their own families personal debt.

But even breaking the debt down on a per person basis doesn’t tell the whole story. Many people will wonder how the debt that the province of Manitoba has, which has grown several billions of dollars under the NDP government, compares to other provinces. After all, if other provinces are carrying similar debt on a per capita basis it might offer a degree of comfort to some.

One of the most staggering facts, and one that gives perhaps the best perspective on our province’s debt, is the fact that if you combine the provincial debt of Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia together the debt is less than Manitoba alone. Manitoba has more debt than all of the other provinces to the west of us combined.

When you think about how much greater the population of Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia are compared to the province of Manitoba it puts into perspective how difficult it will be for our province to dig out of the debt that has accumulated. But as big as that challenge is, it has to begin with a steady and disciplined approach to debt reduction. The $22 million debt will not be paid off overnight but a plan must be set out describing how it will be paid off.

Unfortunately, the current NDP government has not made debt repayment a priority and in fact is changing the laws in Manitoba to ensure it can continue to increase instead of reduce the debt.

Getting a true perspective on the debt in Manitoba can be a challenge. Once things are put into perspective however, the need for real action to reduce the debt becomes clear.