The MLA for Portage la Prairie isn't too surprised over yesterday's news the province has a deficit of one billion dollars.

Ian Wishart says it's been a pattern with the NDP.

"They've been over-budget every one of their last ten years in terms of spending. That has come home to roost. And, of course, this year was no different. And in their fiscal update that they offered some time ago, they had put in a huge amount of infrastructure transfer payments from the federal government that frankly was never a real number. It was way out of proportion to what Manitoba normally gets as a share of any infrastructure program. And of course, now the word has gotten out as to what exactly Manitoba will get. That certainly took a big hole out of it."

He outlines another issue that wasn't expected.

"There have been some revenue issues in terms of reduced income for the province, in terms of their tax income, which is something we frankly didn't anticipate. So, that part was a little bit of a surprise."

Wishart describes the mood, now that they realize it's become their problem.

"We're still enjoying a very positive outlook from most people. And we're a week or ten days or so away from having a budget of our own in place. But we're still fairly positive that we can put a plan in place that will lead to getting the province back into some level of fiscal responsibility, and eventually, though not in a short term, get us back in a balance."

He says they'll work toward getting on track again without cutting all investment spending, noting they're committed to ensure front line services will be available. Wishart says their focus will be on trying to get the rate of increase in expenditures in line with the rate of growth of income in the first year or two. He describes it as taking the curve in terms of expenditures, which has been rising at a high rate, and turning it down a little bit by being careful with spending, making savings, and well-tendered spending, and still accomplish their goals.