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This article was published 15/9/2015 (1834 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

We're still cheap.

That's the finding of an independent report that found Manitoba is still the most affordable province in the country for basic household utilities and auto insurance.

A Deloitte LLP report, done for the Selinger government and released today, said Manitobans spend $2,100 less per year compared to the national average on home heating, electricity and Autopac vehicle insurance. It's the fourth report Deloitte, an audit, consulting and financial advisory firm, has done since 2012.

The report said Manitobans paid an average of $2,965 on these services in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2015, the lowest average total in the country.

It said the average across Canada was $5,060 or $2,095 more than in Manitoba. The next least expensive province was Quebec, where families pay $599 more on average than in Manitoba. Families in Ontario pay $8,140 on average, the highest in Canada and $5,175 more than families in Manitoba.

"Hydro, home heating and auto insurance are top of mind for families when they make their household budget," Finance Minister Greg Dewar said in a statement. "That is why we have made it law that Manitoba families pay the lowest household utility bundle in the country. It is part of our commitment to keep life in Manitoba affordable."

The Manitoba NDP said during the 2011 election campaign that it would guarantee that Manitoba families pay the lowest combined bills in Canada for electricity, home heating and auto insurance. To back the commitment, Premier Greg Selinger said Manitoba's Crown corporations will establish special rate stabilization reserve funds.

As part of that promise, an independent accounting firm would produce annual cost comparisons with other provinces to ensure that Manitobans' costs are lowest.

Elliot Sims, director of provincial affairs for Manitoba with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), said the report did not portray an entirely complete picture of affordability in Manitoba.

Sims said the report only compares selected utility and car insurance costs, and not provincial taxes.

"While we don't argue that Manitobans do pay somewhat less for utilities than in other provinces, if you bring major provincial taxes (income tax, PST and gas taxes) into the equation Manitoba's affordability turns into a major disadvantage," he said. "As the Manitoba government has responsibility for both of these areas (tax rates and utilities), it seems reasonable to measure both of them."

Sims cited the CFIB's own numbers here.