Manitoba's finance minister says there is a real and quantifiable need to reduce the province's debt, but community needs aren't going away either.
Cameron Friesen spoke to business and community leaders at a luncheon at Dauphin's City Hall yesterday, stopping in on his way to Swan River for pre-budget consultations.
He says the province has a current borrowing program of more than $6.5-billion, which he says is a challenge that cannot be overstated.
"I know the needs are very, very critical all over the province. As a new government we have to do a very good job of measuring, of analyzing, of speaking to municipalities and people who live there, to understand where the most critical need is and then to strategically plan how we meet each and every one of these needs."
Dauphin's mayor and the president of the local Chamber of Commerce each told Minister Friesen there is a need for a new correctional centre here, as well as a new ER, and highway development on the south end of Main Street.
