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.

"Some of those homes were severely damaged and we've ordered houses in many cases and we're working with the Federal Government and the First Nations to get them home. There are still some discussions about where home is for some of them; some of them don't want to go back to communities where they have been flooded repeatedly and one can understand that. We're looking for higher ground for some of the First Nations communities to ensure that they can resettle in a way that they're safe from future events like this."

Tory Opposition Leader Brian Pallister this week 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.

"We're getting reports, increasing numbers of reports, of bullying going on in respect to pushing people to settle for amounts less than what they had wanted to claim. That's a broke promise. When I see a broken promise it bothers me and it's certainly bothering a lot of families who are going to go into their second Christmas feeling like the government is being the Grinch on this issue."

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.

"For example, in some cases, a new apartment block could have a couple of additional floors on it to give more density, more units, and some of those units could be available at lower rent as a result of the greater number of units being built into the structure. That would allow for  municipalities to work with developers to create opportunities for more affordable housing."

In other news from the Legislature, 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.

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