The Manitoba Legislature has a well-deserved reputation as being one of the most beautiful provincial legislatures in all of Canada. And every year it welcomes many tourists, visiting school children and groups who are taking wedding pictures and pictures for other special occasions.

Despite this, the majority of Manitobans have likely never visited the Legislative building, not for a lack of interest but simply because time and opportunity have not allowed it to happen. So it has been interesting to watch as the Manitoba Legislature has become a beehive of activity lately as Manitobans concerned about the policies of the NDP government have come to, or are planning to come to, the Legislature.

A few weeks ago several hundred Manitobans came to demonstrate at the Manitoba Legislature against the proposed PST increase. They also clearly expressed their concern that the NDP are doing away with the referendum requirement before increasing the PST. And since the NDP in the 2011 provincial election went door to door and promised Manitobans that they would not be increasing the PST, upset Manitobans brought their message to the door of the Premier to let him know they expect him to keep his promise. Unfortunately, the Premier didn’t bother to walk out the door to hear from these Manitobans.

There are also many other Manitobans who have decided to visit the Manitoba Legislature, not for a tour, but to speak directly to MLAs at legislative committee. As of Tuesday, 185 Manitobans had registered to speak at legislative committee regarding Bill 20. This is the bill that increases the PST from 7% to 8% and takes away the referendum that Manitobans are legally entitled to.

There were also about 125 people who had registered to speak to Bill 18, the so called anti-bullying bill which is actually one of the weakest anti-bullying bills in North America. This means that on these bills alone, there will be several days of committees where Manitobans will come to the Legislature and express their views directly to MLAs.

Dozens of people have also registered to speak to Bill 33 which will force many municipalities to amalgamate without any consultation. It’s legislation that, ironically, has many municipalities feeling that they are being bullied by the NDP government.

The reality is that the vast majority of Manitobans who are coming to rallies and who are registering to come to committee would much rather be doing something else than visiting the Manitoba Legislature under these circumstances. While it is a beautiful place to visit and I would encourage all Manitobans to do just that, the fact is that the Manitoba Legislature has become a popular place not because of its grandeur, but because of the NDP government’s unwillingness to keep its promises and listen to Manitobans.