Premier Greg Selinger and the NDP government finally announced that they are ready to return to the legislature to debate issues and answer questions…but not until April 12th.

The long delay for the Manitoba Legislature to resume its session seems to be a deliberate tactic of the NDP to avoid dealing in a public forum with the many issues that are of concern to Manitobans.

Among these issues is a growing provincial debt that has resulted from out of control spending by the NDP. Also of primary concern is the decision by Greg Selinger to force Manitoba Hydro to build its new transmission line from northern Manitoba down almost the longest route imaginable. That decision alone will cost every Manitoba family thousands of dollars and years of higher electricity rates. It’s hardly a wonder that Mr. Selinger doesn’t want to answer any more question about that terrible decision.

There are also many questions that need to be answered regarding issues related to crime, family services, health care and the state of agriculture in the province. All of those questions cannot be asked in the legislature until the NDP resume the session and it’s clear from their decision to wait until mid-April, they are in no hurry.

As well, a number of priorities that are more local in nature need to be addressed. Southeast Manitoba residents still want to know why the expanded Emergency Room at Bethesda isn’t under construction three years after it was announced. There are a number of roads which are in need of upgrading and residents are eager to find out when they may be prioritized. Local residents also want to know when more personal care home beds might be scheduled for the region.

When April 12th does finally arrive and the NDP are ready to come back to the legislature, it will be to introduce a budget. After last years budget which ran the province another $500 million into debt, Manitobans may be wondering what to expect. What they are likely to see is an election style budget that promises the sun, the moon and the stars to voters in advance of the October 4th provincial election.

Of course, it may be a difficult sell for the NDP after having been in government for 11 years. It’s difficult to suggest that something is now a priority when it hasn’t been a priority for over a decade but we can expect the NDP to do just that in the budget. Regardless, it will at least be the start of several weeks of a legislative session. And it’s a legislative session that Premier Greg Selinger seems to have been very eager to avoid.