Premier Greg Selinger says the province is doing everything it can to assist first nations flood evacuees. Families from Lake St. Martin First Nation and other reserves have been out of their homes since May of last year. Selinger says he is committed to finding a new home for aboriginal flood evacuees.

Meanwhile, the Manitoba government introduced legislative changes this week that would increase affordable housing options across the province. Premier Selinger says the changes are in response to a request by municipalities that will allow them to provide incentives to create affordable housing.

In other legislative news, the Manitoba government is proposing to allow farmers and other businesses to carry heavy loads on roads sooner when weather conditions allow it. Selinger says amendments to the province's Highway Traffic Act will add more flexibility and allow the government to build on its strengthened infrastructure.

This week, Tory opposition leader Brian Pallister demanded Manitoba's NDP government provide fair compensation for flood victims. Pallister says the government has been very slow in fulfilling its commitments in paying flood claims.

The province says it has completed over 70 per cent of assistance claims for homes and cottages worth about $48 million.

Meanwhile, Manitoba Conservative Party members accused the NDP government of spending millions of dollars to spin information in a positive light. Pallister says the Selinger government has added dozens of people to the communications staff.

The NDP say the numbers the Tories are using include those working for Crown corporations and universities and insist those jobs are not filled with party sympathizers.