Local municipal leaders are looking forward to working with Manitoba's new government. RM of Portage la Prairie Reeve Kam blight notes while the polls indicated a Progressive Conservative majority, he was quite surprised to see the margin of victory. He's looking forward to beginning to work with the new government, noting great relationships with local MLA Ian Wishart, and Premier-elect Brian Pallister.

"We're very excited about continuing to cultivate those relationships and seeing what's going to be in the works for the future. I think we're going to take it one step at a time and try to develop some relationships. We did have an excellent working relationship with the previous government. That's a huge priority for me, and I don't foresee that being an issue."

Blight congratulates all those who put their names forward to run in the election, adding he really appreciates their willingness to become involved in provincial politics.

Meanwhile city of Portage la Prairie Mayor Irvine Ferris is also looking forward to working with the new Progressive Conservative government. Ferris says this election could mean good things for Portage, noting not only is Wishart now in government, but Pallister grew up in the area.

"I think we're very proud a Portager is once again premier. Congratulations to Brian for a job well done. We're certainly looking forward to working with the new provincial government. We're also looking forward to having our MLA, who's been working very hard for us for the last five years. Ian Wishart will probably be a cabinet minister. I believe that certainly helps our communities."

Ferris also mirrors Blights comments, in saying both local candidates ran great campaigns.

"The campaign that both Ian and Stephen Prince ran in Portage; they came out to the debates, they answered people's questions, they both ran very thoughtful, civil campaigns. I think a lot of people were impressed with that, and good for those two local candidates."