Manitoba ran a higher-than-expected deficit in the last fiscal year and is on track to miss its target again this year.

Government figures show the province ran a deficit of $1.1 billion in the fiscal year that ended in March — $353 million higher than it originally planned.

The deficit ended up higher despite the government booking hundreds of millions of dollars from a settlement that will see major tobacco companies pay provinces for smoking-related health costs.

Health and families were among the departments that ran over budget.

The figures also show this year’s deficit is now forecast to end up at $890 million — $96 million higher than expected — partly due to the cost of fighting wildfires.

The NDP government promised to balance the budget before the next election, scheduled fo

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