Lowering wait times for surgery and building more than 1,000 personal care home beds is part of the agenda set out by the Manitoba Progressive Conservative government. 

Health Minister Cameron Friesen. File photo.

In Tuesday's Speech from the Throne, which kicked off the 41st legislative session, Premier Brian Pallister focused on delivering better health care in the province.

"We have embarked on an ambitious plan to make Manitoba the most improved province in Canada," Pallister says. "Though we have made good progress over the past two years, much work remains to be done."

He notes ambulance fees have been reduced by 35 per cent over the past two years and will be cut in half by 2020.

Keeping seniors in their homes and communities is also key, and Pallister pledged to help older adults remain independent longer by constructing 1,200 additional personal care home beds by 2025.

Health Minister Cameron Friesen says all their research puts Manitoba as lagging behind other provinces when it comes to healthcare.

"We've got great people that work in our healthcare system, but the system is too complex, and the investments are spread to thin," Friesen explains. 

He notes the province is specifically targeting lowering wait times for joint replacements, cataracts and diagnostic imaging.

"This is exactly why we're doing a healthcare transformation," Friesen says, adding announcements are coming soon."We need more healthcare, not less."

Meantime, the Pallister government's latest throne speech highlighted the anticipated release of an action plan for economic growth in the province. 

Growth, Enterprise and Trade Minister Blaine Pedersen. File photo."We really feel that this will help move Manitoba forward in terms of not only attracting new businesses, but also building on the business we have in the province right now," said Growth, Enterprise and Trade Minister Blaine Pedersen.

He added the strategy will build on the core industries identified in the province - agriculture, manufacturing, aerospace, tourism.  

"We've led the country in terms of private investment in industry on a per capita basis, so we want to continue that."

In order to do this, Pedersen said the province needs to keep its fiscal house in order and keep taxes in-line while continuing to reduce red tape. 

"We'll continue to make it attractive for businesses to consider coming to Manitoba, and it's about us getting our message our there...that we are open for business," he added. 

The Manitoba government also plans to deliver a renewed strategy for Travel Manitoba.

Pedersen said the industry is closely tied to economic development and boasted a $100 million dollar growth in recent years. The minister expects tourism to double in the coming years.