As a native of southeastern Manitoba, I hope Selinger and his government read this article closely. Manitoba, with its diversified economy, has such great potential, but this is being squandered because of an excessive reliance on equalization payments.

Unfortunately, the NDP government has discovered that it's much easier to abuse the equalization payment system and get Ottawa to balance the budget than to put in the hard work of making changes that will modernize and strengthen the economy. Innovation needs to be encouraged for the province to truly grow.

The equalization system is an important part of our federation, but the NDP government has used it to avoid its responsibility to create the conditions that will foster growth. Sometimes creating those conditions means making decisions that are politically difficult, but it is a government's job is to make those choices so that the interests of the people are put first.

The Manitoba government should look at some of the steps being taken by other provinces to bolster their economies. Modernizing the tax structure, which it has so far refused to do, would be a good start.

Fred is absolutely right about what a great place Manitoba is to live. I have to disagree with him on one point, though--I want to share it with more people! Manitoba should be a magnet, both for Canadians from other provinces, and for people from all over the world. But it won't become such a destination until it is willing to start proudly standing on its own two economic legs.