Manitoba government, opposition reach deal on legislature sittings

WINNIPEG — The Manitoba legislature is to sit more often under a new agreement between the NDP government and the opposition parties.

The legislature now is to reconvene for brief sittings in October and February – months that have traditionally been part of seasonal breaks.

The Opposition Progressive Conservatives have been pressing for longer sittings, saying the normal 10 to 15 weeks a year are not enough to properly debate the budget and legislation.

The agreement also helps the government by limiting some of the delay tactics that the opposition has used in recent years.

The agreement clears the way for the government to pass its budget and dozens of bills that were pushed back by a late start this year.

The spring sitting was supposed to wrap up today, but as part of the deal will go on until June 30.