Manitoba Tories call for provincial election 'the sooner the better'

Manitobans, along with other Canadians, have just emerged from an 11-week federal election campaign.
But the main priority of the province's Leader of the Opposition is to have another one, and quickly.

"I'd like to get an election called. I think Manitobans are itching to get a new more forward looking government," Tory Leader Brian Pallister said. "The sooner the better." 

The date of the next provincial election was changed early this year so it didn't coincide with the federal election this month, as per the Manitoba Elections Act.

It's now April 19, 2016, but Pallister said he doesn't trust the governing NDP. 

"It depends on whether the premier keeps his word," he said. 

• Manitoba changes provincial election date to 2016

But government deputy House leader James Allum said the government won't alter that date.

"I'm incredibly confident that's exactly when it will happen," Allum said. 

Wednesday was the second day provincial politicians were back debating at the Manitoba Legislature on Broadway.

Pallister promised to present an alternative throne speech, to highlight the differences between his party's priorities and those of the government's, normally set out in the official speech from the throne.  

He released one last fall as well. 

• Tories release 'alternative' throne speech

At the time, Pallister was trying to capitalize on the turbulence within the NDP government that spilled into a very public battle when five cabinet ministers called on Premier Greg Selinger to step down. 

That sparked a leadership challenge Selinger narrowly survived in March.

• Manitoba revolt: 5 ministers resign from Premier Greg Selinger's cabinet
• Manitoba NDP leadership: Greg Selinger re-elected, remains premier

Meanwhile, the omnibus budget bill the NDP tabled in the spring is still sitting on the table, yet to be passed.

"This is a dangerous budget," Pallister said. "What this budget has already done and what this budget has caused to have happen is our credit rating has been knocked down for a loop."

• Manitoba budget highlights: tax credits, minimum wage increase and more
• Manitoba's credit rating downgraded due to growing debt

The NDP's Allum said the budget will be passed in short order. 

"That's a major priority," he said. "Because in that budget are the investments in infrastructure, the investments in healthcare." 

'What's the game plan?'

Earlier this week, the premier said the government doesn't know if it will table a budget ahead of the coming spring election. Selinger said at the very least he will table a fiscal update before that. 

Pallister said that indecision is reckless. 

"He should decide. He's the premier," Pallister said. "The finance minister made it clear there was going to be a budget before the next election and the next day he flipped around on it. So let's get clear. Manitobans deserve to know what the plan is. What's the game plan?"

"All options are on the table," said Allum Wednesday afternoon. 

The NDP has said it also to see what the new federal government's budget is, before it tables its own. Allum said that all adds up to more information for Manitobans. 

"What we do know going into 2016, [is that] Manitobans will know what our vision for the province is, and they'll certainly know what Mr. Pallister's vision for the province is," he said. 

Liberal Leader Rana Bokhari said her party's lone MLA may table legislation this session, but wouldn't elaborate. She said for now, she won't get into the debate about this year's or next year's provincial budget. 

"I'm not going to concern myself with that. When the election is called, we are ready and we will be good to good," Bokhari said.