The Manitoba government has announced that it is removing the PST from prenatal vitamins as part of broader efforts to support healthy pregnancies and women’s reproductive health.
“When you support new mothers, everyone in the community benefits,” said Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine. “In our first budget, we doubled the prenatal benefit to support new mothers as they raise healthy families, and now we’ve made it even easier for Manitobans to access that benefit. Taking the PST off prenatal vitamins is the next step in strengthening our support for babies, parents and families.”
The Public Health Agency of Canada notes the importance of folate, found in prenatal vitamins, for the healthy growth and development of babies. Folate intake helps reduce the risk of birth defects called neural tube defects, improving outcomes for newborns.
To make the Manitoba Prenatal Benefit more accessible for eligible Manitobans, the Manitoba government has eliminated the application process with auto-enrolment for pregnant women receiving income assistance, the minister noted. This improves access to prenatal financial support, enhances parental and newborn health, and helps reduce early childhood poverty.
The Manitoba government is also investing in resources new and expectant parents can count on, like the Parenting in Manitoba website and the Healthy Baby Community Supports program. These additional supports help parents access expert advice when they need it most, strengthening family supports and ensuring the healthy development of children, the minister noted.
Improved access to the Manitoba Prenatal Benefit also supports the goals of Pathways Forward: Manitoba’s Poverty Reduction Strategy , which prioritizes groups at vulnerable transition points, including babies and children age five and younger, beginning in the prenatal period.
