Provincial Liberal leader Dougald Lamont paid a visit to Portage la Prairie today.

He first met with Mayor Irvine Ferris at City Hall this morning.

Lamont says they had a good conversation, and touched on a number of matters, noting there's a lot going on here, in terms of investments and jobs. At the same time, he points to challenges that are similar to other centres.

"One is issues with meth and addictions," he says. "(As well as) infrastructure and taxes, but also being able to pay their bills, and invest at a time when I think it's a good time to invest, but I know that the province has been reluctant to share when it comes to infrastructure issues, for example. There are a number of areas where the province could and should be doing more to help municipalities build."

Lamont brought the Liberal message to City Hall that they want to be a positive, credible alternative to the Conservatives and NDP

"The most important for us is we want to grow," he says, "not just grow our party, but we want people to succeed all across Manitoba. But to succeed, we're going to have to invest. That's where we really differ from the PCs, who are very much focused on cutting. You can't provide diabetes care with cuts, you can't provide addictions care with cuts, you can't build roads and bridges with cuts. It all takes investment."

Mayor Irvine Ferris says he discussed the new developments in Portage over the last four years, but also some specific issues.

"First and foremost is the discontinuation of the Municipal Road and Bridge Program," he says. "The impact last year was over $400,000. Also talked to him about the changes in the Educational Tax Credit, and reductions in services from the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba."

Lamont also visited the Herman Prior Centre and the Portage Friendship Centre, toured the Simplot plant, and attended a book launch at the library.