Lower taxes, job creation, a commitment to health care and building schools were priorities outlined in Speech from the Throne Tuesday afternoon which opened the 42nd session of the Manitoba Legislature.

"There's a bold vision that's been articulated," Morden-Winkler MLA and Health Minister Cameron Friesen says. "We're very proud of the work our government has done in just three and a half years, fixing the finances, repairing services like health care and rebuilding the Manitoba economy. It's amazing to think how far we've come in just a short time."

Other highlights include working with Shared Health and the regional health authorities to create 200 new nursing positions by 2023, and a commitment to constructing 13 new schools over the next ten years in addition to the seven schools already committed, including an additional 1,510 school-based child-care spaces to be added as part of the 20 New Schools Guarantee.

He notes they're on track to balancing the deficit in the next two years.

"This is a government with the energy and vision to keep building a better Manitoba."

Friesen also highlighted recent commitments in the Pembina Valley like additional dialysis spaces at Boundary Trails Health Centre. "That allows us to serve so many more clients in the community in which they live. Those are important investments to make."

"I can tell all of my constituents that as we move down this road towards health care system transformation, they can have a high degree of confidence our local hospital, Boundary Trails Health Centre, will figure prominently into the delivery of those services going forward."

With the recent opening of the K-8 elementary school in Winkler, Friesen says they continue to make investments based on evidence and the demonstration of population growth.

"Both of those factors are in place when it comes to Morden, so we continue to advocate for schools."