The Canadian Press Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister speaks at a press conference during the Council of Federation meetings in Edmonton on July 18, 2017.

WINNIPEG — Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister is bristling at questions about his use of his wife's personal email account and cellphone to conduct government business while at their vacation home in Costa Rica.

While government records indicate he didn't communicate with his staff each day, he said was "accessible" every day.

"Frankly, if sending emails and phone calls is your measure of effectiveness, we should have a teenager as the premier of Manitoba," Pallister said at a news conference Wednesday.

Are you questioning my wife's integrity?

Last December, documents show government staff reached out to his wife, Esther, through her email account while trying to set up a conference call with Health Minister Kelvin Goertzen.

A document obtained by the Opposition New Democrats shows a draft of this year's budget speech was emailed to Esther Pallister nine days before the budget was delivered.

Pallister took exception to questions about his wife's access to confidential government information.

He said he has shared information with his wife for 25 years and they have never been associated with a leak. His wife has acted for years as his gatekeeper, including screening calls and emails to allow him to spend time with his family, Pallister said.

Pallister appeared to take umbrage when asked if his wife is a government employee.