Pallister throne speech vows to make Manitoba 'most improved province in Canada'

The Progressive Conservative government's first throne speech sets thebar highbut has few new promises beyond those the party made during Manitoba's provincialelection.

The new government says its mandate and future course is clear: "Committed to making Manitoba the most improved province in all ofCanada."

"We want there to be measurements so we can be heldaccountable," said Premier BrianPallister, whowants progress reports to chart how the governmentis doing.

However, some of the improvement willbe harder to measure,such as how many potholes get filled or who'slooking for daycare for their kids, Pallister said.

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The throne speech is essentially a recital of what the PCs promised during the election toaccomplish in the new government's first 100 days in office, with a smatteringof broader campaign pledges thrown in for good measure.

There is a broad new promise to find a made-in-Manitoba climate actionplan, including carbon pricing to foster emission reductions. However,Pallister offered little detail on those plans, saying he "wasn'tabout to brainstorm today about that."

Manitoba's new Minister of Sustainable Development Cathy Cox had few details to offer on the government's plan forclimate changeas well.

When asked whether carbon pricing means Manitobans will be facing a gas tax, the minister said, "Well, I think that remains to be seen. We want to work with stakeholders ...and determine the best Manitoba-made action plan for climate change."

She said climate change is a real problem.

"It's important that we preserve, you know, our natural resources, [and] our climate of course is of the utmost importance. I think in this portfolio you don't get a second chance so we want to do it right."

The plans outlinedinthe throne speech also include a value-for-money audit acrossall government departments aimed at cutting $50 million in bureaucracy; a commission to reduce red tape in government; building relations with Manitoba's Indigenous people;reducing hospital wait times; andjoining the New WestPartnership Trade Agreement with other western provinces.

As well, a premier's enterprise teammade of business leaderswill look for ways to grow the economy.

On the labour front, the PCs promiselegislation requiring a secret ballot vote in workplaces considering unionizing. There is also a promise to ensure provincial byelections are called within six months of a seat becoming vacant as well asa promise to eliminate a subsidy that has given hundreds of thousands of dollars each year to political parties.

The PCs also promise to introduce the Protecting Children Act, which will allowstakeholderssuch as police and community agenciesto shareinformation when dealing with at-risk children.

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Promises to improve literacy programs at schools, boosttourism marketing and bring in legislation to have referendumsonmajor tax increases were also included in the speech.

Pallistersaid more of his government's agenda will be clearerin thenext week or so as it sends mandate letters to various departments andstakeholders.

After winning last month's election, Pallister says he wants to start turning the province's finances around, but says it will taketime because the N-D-P deficit was high.

The former government estimated the deficit at $773 million, but Pallister says it has risen and an updated number will be released on Wednesday.

The provincial budget is slated for May 31.