The Minister of Finance Cameron Friesen made his way up to Thompson for his fourth visit to a Manitoba community for pre-budget consultations.

Businesses, organizations and The City of Thompson came to the meeting to give suggestions on what should change when it comes down to finances for the province.

One common complaint was the lack of essential skills that many people do not have in the area.

Other concerns brought up were the lack of entrepreneurs in the community and the limited amount of affordable housing which can be found in the city.

Friesen said that the province will look at helping the North after a rough summer, saying that the province only succeeds if the North succeeds.

The province will be trying to fix an $846 million deficit, which saw it have the second highest expenditures in the country.