Manitoba opposition parties took an opportunity before the start of the next legislative session to criticize the Progressive Conservatives for salary hikes, the premier's vacation schedule and Manitoba's rocky relationship with Ottawa.

"Premier Brian Pallister took a 20 per cent pay raise and says he deserves to take two months off a year in Costa Rica without using email, and then he imposes cuts on the rest of Manitoba," interim NDP Leader Flor Marcelino said in a news release Tuesday. The next legislative session begins tomorrow.

Pallister and his cabinet ministers got bumps to their salaries last year due to a clause in Manitoba's balanced budget legislation.

The premier's pay package is roughly 20 per cent higher than his predecessor Greg Selinger and $71,000 higher than his salary as an MLA.

"It's distressing that the premier asks families to tighten their belts while he spends two months a year out of touch at his vacation home in the tropics," Marcelino said.

In December, Pallister said he plans to spend between six to eight weeks in the central American country.

Manitoba's largest union, the Manitoba Government and General Employees' Union, along with political watchers are expecting the Progressive Conservatives to introduce cost-cutting measures to help deal with a $846-million deficit the government inherited from the New Democrats.

The Manitoba Liberals are calling on Pallister to address "several matters that are of dire importance," said interim Leader Judy Klassen.

She is calling on the government to improve relations with Ottawa, starting with signing a new health accord that includes funding earmarked for mental health.

"We need that health accord signed," said Klassen.

Liberal MLA Jon Gerrard criticized the Progressive Conservatives for failing to present a plan to grow the economy and to deal with poverty.

"We've seen no sign of anything yet. That clearly needs to be on the table quickly," he said of a plan to reduce poverty in the province.

The NDP say the government is considering bringing back unpaid days off for public servants. The NDP were critical of the cutting of hundreds of jobs at Manitoba Hydro and cuts to spending on infrastructure and roads.

Details of the government's plan to cut costs will be contained in two pieces of legislation this spring: the budget and a bill to limit growth in public-sector wages.

The premier has floated ideas including wage freezes for government workers, reopening of collective agreements and job cuts at the management level.