View From the Legislature

It was one of those unusual moments in the Manitoba Legislature. Generally, when Question Period is over, media gather by one door of the Legislative Chamber where they conduct their interviews with politicians.

Every spring in Manitoba the provincial government brings forward a budget. It’s a detailed document that outlines how much a government plans to spend in specific programs and departments.

As many of you have heard, this year we are celebrating the 100th anniversary of women receiving the right to vote in Manitoba.

February is “I Love to Read Month” in Manitoba as schools place a renewed focus on encouraging a love of reading in their students.

It was like a tap turning off. Suddenly, after weeks of endless NDP promises to spend your money, it all came to a sudden and abrupt end.

Last week the Manitoba Progressive Conservative party announced a detailed plan to help improve openness in government and restore the trust of Manitobans that has been lost over the past several years with their government.

Manitoba’s ombudsman tabled the finding of her investigation last week surrounding the attempt by the NDP government to award a five million dollar contract for flood fighting equipment without putting the contract out to tender.

It’s hard to believe now, but it was early in 2009 when former Premier Gary Doer said he was convinced to support a new stadium in Winnipeg when he realized that it would only cost taxpayers one million dollars. Yes, only one million dollars.

While Manitoba’s youth are at the Legislature debating the future, the NDP government announced this week that the money future generations of Manitobans owe just keeps on growing.

Most Manitobans would expect the Legislature to be a pretty quiet place between Christmas and New Years Day.