Manitoba's re-elected Progressive Conservative government is promising to improve health care and education.

It also promised to tackle addictions and crime in a brief throne speech Monday outlining its priorities for a new session of the legislature.

Premier Brian Pallister has already said the legislature will sit for an abbreviated, two-week sitting that will focus mainly on passing the budget that was introduced in the spring.

The Opposition New Democrats have agreed to let the budget pass by the end of the sitting and say they will be focusing heavily on health care during question period

According to Steinbach MLA, and House Leader, Kelvin Goertzen, the primary purpose of the next two weeks in the Legislature is to complete the budget process. He says there needs to be 100 hours given to examine the budget line by line. This is where the opposition is able to ask questions in great detail.

Goertzen says they plan to complete that around October 11. Then, a new Speech From The Throne will likely be delivered in mid-November and then the next budget will come forward, probably in spring of next year.

MLA Myrna Driedger was also re-elected Speaker of the assembly by secret ballot during Monday's opening session.

Other items included in the short speech included:

  • Continuing to work to make Manitoba more economically competitive by reducing regulatory red tape and encouraging innovation.
  • Completing the implementation of the New West Partnership Trade Agreement.
  • Addressing addictions and public safety issues.
  • Making strategic investments to strengthen front-line health, education and social services.