Dawson Trail NDP candidate Ron Lemieux trumpeted his party's track record of improving provincial infrastructure Monday during an announcement in Lorette.  The former La Verendrye MLA was alongside former Industry & Transportation Minister Steve Ashton as it was announced Main Street in Lorette is being re-surfaced if the NDP are put back into office.  The boulevard and curbs were damaged following the installation of a new water line last year.

"It hasn't been done for many, many years," said Lemieux.  "It's approximately a kilometre, but it will cost over a million dollars to re-do it.  It's a four lane street that goes through town and the re-investement is to re-pave and re-construct the boulevard through the town."

That was the first part of the announcement.  the second part is taking place outside Lorette.

"The second piece is paving and chip-sealing the road between Richer and highway 501, on the 302.  It's paving the 302 from Richer to 501.  It joins the communities of Richer, St.Genevieve and Ross."

Lemieux says Monday's announcement proves that they consider deteriorating infrastructure outside Winnipeg a priority.

"We pave roads in rural Manitoba, we don't pave back alleys," Lemieux said.  "Hugh McFadyen is talking about paving back alleys in Winnipeg.  I would argue that we need instructure money on roads in rural Manitoba, and that's what we're all about and we're committed to doing it.  We don't just pave back alleys in Winnipeg."

As Minister of local government, Lemieux adds he is acutely aware of the needs of rural Manitobans.

I work with Municipalities every single day.  I know the needs that they're looking at, I know the things that need to be addressed and, I would argue the province of Manitoba has been on the right track moving forward.  We made an investment five years ago of $4 billion dollars over ten years to address infrastructure needs in the province - primarily roads and bridges.  However, other infrastructure we're talking about, drainage issues and culverts, are also being addressed on top of all that."

Lemieux says during the Conservatives' time in charge of the province, they increased the gas tax by 44% but only increased highway spending by 4%.  He notes since taking over, the NDP have more than tripled that investment and will continue to do so.