Speech from the Throne delivered as new MB Legislative session begins

Lieutenant-Governor Janice Filmon describes the government's plans in areas such as health care, education and climate change in a speech written by the Premier's Office

The Manitoba government's priorities for the coming year include increasing access to health care, improving education and taking action on climate change, Lt.-Gov. Janice Filmon said in a speech Tuesday as the legislature resumed sitting.

In her speech from the throne, which was written by the premier's office, Filmon said the government will work to reduce wait times for surgeries and diagnostic tests, and to increase the number of family doctors and nurses.

The government will also invest in education, she said, by providing more supports for students with special needs and by expanding access to early childhood education.

On climate change, the government will work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to invest in renewable energy, she said.

The speech from the throne is a traditional way for the government to outline its plans for the coming year. The speech is written by the premier's office and delivered by the lieutenant-governor.

The Manitoba legislature is scheduled to sit for 40 days this fall. The government will introduce a number of bills during that time, including a bill to implement the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Other highlights from the speech from the throne include:

• A commitment to work with Indigenous communities on issues such as education, health care and economic development.
• A promise to invest in infrastructure, such as roads, bridges and schools.
• A plan to create a new Crown corporation to oversee the development of the Port of Churchill.
• A commitment to review the province's tax system.

The speech from the throne was met with mixed reactions from opposition parties.

The Progressive Conservative Party said the speech was "full of platitudes and promises, but no concrete solutions." The New Democratic Party said the speech was "a missed opportunity" to address the needs of Manitobans.