Manitoba Hansard — 17 April 2025 (Sitting 44B, 43rd Legislature, 2nd Session)

43-2-44b

Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)

Second Session – Forty-Third Legislature of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba DEBATES and PROCEEDINGS Official Report (Hansard) Published under the authority of The Honourable Tom Lindsey Speaker Vol. LXXIX No. 44B - 1:30 p.m., Thursday, April 17, 2025 ISSN 0542-5492

MANITOBA LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Forty-Third Legislature Member Constituency Political Affiliation ASAGWARA, Uzoma, Hon. Union Station NDP BALCAEN, Wayne Brandon West PC BEREZA, Jeff Portage la Prairie PC BLASHKO, Tyler Lagimodière NDP BRAR, Diljeet Burrows NDP BUSHIE, Ian, Hon. Keewatinook NDP BYRAM, Jodie Agassiz PC CABLE, Renée, Hon. Southdale NDP CHEN, Jennifer Fort Richmond NDP COMPTON, Carla Tuxedo NDP COOK, Kathleen Roblin PC CORBETT, Shannon Transcona NDP CROSS, Billie Seine River NDP DELA CRUZ, Jelynn Radisson NDP DEVGAN, JD McPhillips NDP EWASKO, Wayne Lac du Bonnet PC FONTAINE, Nahanni, Hon. St.

Johns NDP GOERTZEN, Kelvin Steinbach PC GUENTER, Josh Borderland PC HIEBERT, Carrie Morden-Winkler PC JOHNSON, Derek Interlake-Gimli PC KENNEDY, Nellie, Hon. Assiniboia NDP KHAN, Obby Fort Whyte PC KINEW, Wab, Hon. Fort Rouge NDP KING, Trevor Lakeside PC KOSTYSHYN, Ron, Hon. Dauphin NDP LAGASSÉ, Bob Dawson Trail PC LAMOUREUX, Cindy Tyndall Park Lib. LATHLIN, Amanda The Pas-Kameesak NDP LINDSEY, Tom, Hon. Flin Flon NDP LOISELLE, Robert St. Boniface NDP MALOWAY, Jim Elmwood NDP MARCELINO, Malaya, Hon. Notre Dame NDP MOROZ, Mike, Hon. River Heights NDP MOSES, Jamie, Hon. St. Vital NDP MOYES, Mike, Hon.

Riel NDP NARTH, Konrad La Vérendrye PC NAYLOR, Lisa, Hon. Wolseley NDP NESBITT, Greg Riding Mountain PC OXENHAM, Logan Kirkfield Park NDP PANKRATZ, David Waverley NDP PERCHOTTE, Richard Selkirk PC PIWNIUK, Doyle Turtle Mountain PC REDHEAD, Eric Thompson NDP SALA, Adrien, Hon. St. James NDP SANDHU, Mintu, Hon. The Maples NDP SCHMIDT, Tracy, Hon. Rossmere NDP SCHOTT, Rachelle Kildonan-River East NDP SCHULER, Ron Springfield-Ritchot PC SIMARD, Glen, Hon. Brandon East NDP SMITH, Bernadette, Hon. Point Douglas NDP STONE, Lauren Midland PC WASYLIW, Mark Fort Garry Ind. WHARTON, Jeff Red River North PC WIEBE, Matt, Hon.

Concordia NDP WOWCHUK, Rick Swan River PC Vacant Spruce Woods

1427 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA Thursday, April 17, 2025 The House met at 1:30 p.m. The Speaker: Good afternoon, everyone. Please be seated. And I think before we get started today, I've got an extensive list of guests that are visiting in the gallery, so I'll try and get that done first. Speaker's Statement The Speaker: First off, I'd like to take a moment to quickly draw members' attention to the Clerks table. Today marks exactly 25 years to the day that our Clerk, Rick Yarish, first walked through the front doors of the Legis lative Building to begin his truly illustrious career with the Assembly.

Twenty -five years is a long time to spend doing anything, let alone diligently serving members of this Assembly with the level of professionalism and dignity–who wrote this?– that Rick embodies. Oh, I'm not done yet. After starting in committees branch as a clerk assist ant on April 17, 2000, Rick became the province's fourth Deputy Clerk on April 12, 2011, a position he served the next 12 years with distinction, until on November 23, 2023, he was honoured to be appointed as the 14th Clerk of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba by the unanimous passage of a resolution in this House.

Since then, Rick has risen to every challenge, answered every question and overseen the operations of the huge enterprise that is this Assembly. The Assembly is a better place for your 25 years of dedicated service. Your passion for upholding the democratic process, your work ethic and your com - mitment is inspiring to those lucky enough to work with you. On behalf of all the fantastic staff who work here and all the honourable members, happy 'Legiversary'. And here to celebrate it with him is his wife Jackie, who is sitting in the Speaker's Gallery.

On behalf of all members of the Assembly, we appreciate your understanding for the late nights and the crankiness that he sometimes no doubt comes home with. Thank you for allowing Rick to be here for the past 25 years, and, personally, thank you for all you've done for me since becoming Speaker.

Introduction of Guests The Speaker: Now before we get all weepy, I would like to draw attention of all honourable members to the public gallery, where we have with us today Lloyd Celones, Sonny Sylvester, Cheryl Kalinin, Shane Torrance, Ranbir Brar, Harjivan Dhaliwal, Jean Dusimimana, Cristian Giron, Adrian Lanoria, Adrian [phonetic] Laquette, Bryan Lindsay, Rushawn Martin, Terry Ogbeide, Emmanuel Thon, Adrian [phonetic] Walker, Settimo Yugu, who are the guests of the honourable Minister of Justice and the honourable member for Concordia (Mr. Wiebe). We welcome you all here today.

Further, in the public gallery, we have Derek Neufeld, Daniel Emond, Keith Stewart, Deborah McVeigh, Noah Cousineau, who are guests of the honour able member for Morden-Winkler (Mrs. Hiebert). And on behalf of all honour able members, we welcome you here today. I would like to draw the attention of all honour - able members to the public gallery, where we have with us today Amarjeet Kaur and Mangal Singh Brar, who are the parents of the honour able member for Burrows (Mr. Brar). And we welcome you here today.

Further, we have seated in the public gallery, from Palliative Manitoba, Wayne Sandler, Lindsay Felstead, Kathleen Williamson, Cindy Charette; from the Canadian Cancer Society, Susan Russell-Csanyi, who are guests of the honour able member for Kildonan- River East (Mrs. Schott), and we welcome you here today. We have some special guests in the public gallery. From the government of Nunavut, ministerial political adviser Ron Elliott, who is the guest of the Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care, the member for Union Station (MLA Asagwara). We welcome you here today.

And I'm not sure, is the Nunavut MLA present? I don't see him, so we'll save that one for later. Now – orders of the day.

1428 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 17, 2025 ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS The Speaker: Introduction of bills? Committee reports? Tabling of reports? Ministerial statements? MEMBERS' STATEMENTS Daffodil Campaign Mrs. Rachelle Schott (Kildonan-River East): Honour- able Speaker, the Canadian Cancer Society's Daffodil Campaign and the incredible work of Palliative Manitoba are helping so many Manitobans. I ask for the names of my guests to be added into Hansard. The Canadian Cancer Society has been com - mitted to funding research and providing support for those affected by the disease.

The organization has grown to the largest national charitable funder of cancer research. Cancer has touched the lives of almost everyone. My dad is my kids' grandpa in heaven. This has been the only way they've ever known my dad. Cancer took him from us too early. He never walked me down the aisle at my wedding or held either of our babies. I pray more Canadians hear those four important words: You are cancer-free. The Daffodil Campaign helps people with cancer see life beyond their diagnosis. When you donate, you're helping to fund groundbreaking research and a support system for those affected by cancer.

Palliative Manitoba has been an invaluable supporter in helping individuals in their end- of-life care and their families in their grief. Their Love Takes Flight butterfly release event commemorates the new life someone leads following the death of a loved one. Last spring, the member for Lagimodière (Mr. Blashko), the Minister of Advanced Education and Training (MLA Cable) and myself attended the event. But, my butterfly didn't fly at first; it reminded me of my late father who was stubborn like that. I laughed and had a tear when the butterfly finally flew.

I ask for leave to take a moment of silence following my statement to remember and reflect upon the people who have passed, all those living with cancer and the loved ones who support them in their journey, such as Canadian Cancer Society and Palliative Manitoba. Thank you, Honourable Speaker. Cindy Charette, Lindsay Felstead, Susan Russell - Csanyi, Wayne Sandler, Kathleen Williamson The Speaker: Is there leave for a moment of silence, as requested by the member? [Agreed] Leave has been granted. A moment of silence was observed. The Speaker: Thank you. Sid Dueck Mr.

Derek Johnson (Interlake-Gimli): It is my privi- lege to rise today and recognize an exceptional Manitoban, Sid Dueck of Arborg. For over 35 years, Sid has been a driving force for global food security and local community development. He has helped launch Manitoba's very first Canadian Foodgrains Bank project in 1989 and has been the cornerstone of the Arborg and District grow- ing project nearly every year since. These initiatives unite farmers, churches and volunteers to grow crops, with proceeds supporting the fight against global hunger.

Just last season, under Sid's leadership, 150 acres were harvested in just two hours, powered by 13 com- bines, dozens of trucks and more than 30 volunteers; a remarkable display of a community in action. Sid's impacts go far beyond Manitoba. For 20 years, he has worked with the Mennonite Economic Development Associates–MEDA, for short –helping empower women and youth in the global south through sustainable agri-food systems. * (13:40) He also is a long -time leader and owner at Vidir vertical solutions, a company he's helped shape since 1986.

Thanks to Sid's vision, Vidir is recognized not only for cutting-edge innovation but also for its award-winning philanthropy, workplace excellence and deep commit- ment to community. Faith, service and social responsibility are at the heart of everything Sid does. Together with his wife Bea, he has raised four children–Amber, Dean, Kyle and Stephanie–instilling them in the same values that define his legacy. Please join me in thanking Sid and his family for their extraordinary contributions, not just at home, not just in the Interlake, but Sid's ripple effects are felt around the world.

Thank you, Honourable Speaker.

April 17, 2025 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1429 Amarjeet Kaur Mr. Diljeet Brar (Burrows): Honourable Speaker, in 1949, a baby was dragged by a jackal while her parents and farmworkers were busy picking cotton in Punjab. Thankfully, a worker noticed, shouted and scared the jackal away, saving her life. Twenty -five years later, that baby became a mother to a child you now recognize as the member for Burrows in this Chamber. A big thanks to the jackal for sparing my mom's life and to my mom for giving me mine. Amarjeet K aur pursued education when it was uncommon for girls in her society.

While boys typically chose math and girls were steered toward household subjects, she boldly chose math. Despite facing discrimination during her junior basic teacher training, she persevere d, supported by her father's unwavering belief in her. She began her teaching career at nine–married my father and started her bachelor of arts degree, which was briefly interrupted by my birth but completed later, when I let her. As a student, she loved sports and theatre, passions she encouraged her students to explore. At home, she balanced roles as a mother, wife and farm supervisor.

Her skill in knitting, crochet, embroidery and stitching was so remarkable that my brother and I believed tailoring was a mom thing. Over 38 years, she proudly served as an educator, later becoming a block primary education officer supervising over 100 schools. She led with integrity, fought corruption and uplifted fellow educators. Her achievements were bolstered by the support of her family, especially my father. Dear Dad, please continue your decades -long tradition of serving her bed tea every single day. I request my parents' names be added to Hansard.

Amarjeet Kaur, Mangal Singh Brar Adult and Teen Challenge Mrs. Carrie Hiebert (Morden-Winkler): I'm honoured to rise today to acknowledge the remarkable non-profit community organization, Adult and Teen Challenge. This organization does remarkable work in our com - munity of Morden-Winkler, the city of Winnipeg and across Manitoba. They are a beacon of hope for individuals and families facing challenging battles of addiction. Adult and Teen Challenge offers essential outreach services, including support groups, mentorship, addic- tions treatment and recovery programs.

These pro- grams and resources provide a path to recovery and also foster a sense of community and belonging for those who are struggling. It is through this caring environment that many have found strength in–to reclaim their lives and rebuild relationships. Adult and Teen Challenge's vision is to see ad- diction end, new life begin and freedom for all through Jesus Christ. Their mission is to offer a full range of addiction treatment and recovery services with compassion and excellence. Yesterday, I had the honour of attending the Journey of Hope Gala put on by the Adult and Teen Challenge of Central Canada.

It was inspiring–it was an inspiring event that shared stories from those that have overcome their addictions through the help of this organization. The resilience and strength of those that shared was inspiring. The gala served as a cele- bration of personal triumphs and was a powerful reminder to all of us of the desperate need to invest in treatment and recovery. Teen Challenge is currently working on a project at 20 –at 83 Kate St. that will open up 100 new treatment beds in inner-city Winnipeg. We desperately need treatment beds in our city. We should be sup- porting this project -ready facility.

We must always put recovery and treatment first, helping our loved ones overcome their battles with addiction. I ask my colleagues in the Chamber to rise and join with me, thanking the incredible leadership and staff here today. Your compassion, tireless efforts, are changing lives every day. Thank you. Kildonan-East Reivers Basketball Champions Hon. Matt Wiebe (Minister of Justice and Attorney General): Honourable Speaker, I rise today to con- gratulate our 2025 high school AAAA boys basketball champions, the Kildonan East Reivers. To say the Reivers had a good season would be an understatement.

They played an impressive season and were undefeated throughout the Trojan Classic and Nick Laping Memorial Varsity tournaments, and at the Kilcona Peguis Athletic Conference regular season and tournament play.

1430 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 17, 2025 The Reivers defeated defending champions Vincent Massey 90 -72 at the Trojan Classic and emerged victorious from the Nick Laping Memorial tourna - ment with a final score of 78-71. During the final showdown at the provincial AAAA basketball championship, the whole school community came together to cheer on the team who finished the season strong, winning 67-52 against the Dakota Lancers.

This incredible achievement for the Kildonan East Reivers is unbelievable, as the last time that the school brought home a provincial title was 35 years ago in 1990–not coincidentally, the last time that the member for Keewatinook (Mr. Bushie) was at the school. This is only the second time that the school's history has brought home this provincial title, the true symbol of their extraordinary talent and their perseverance. After winning game after game after game, the evidence of your hard work, of your dedication and of your commitment to your school and your team is clear.

To all the players, I want to say congratulations. All of your hard work, your dedi cation and your commitment to the game has truly paid off, leaving you with an incredible achievement that has made history in your community. Each of you is incredibly talented, and I wish you all the best in the future. I'd also like to congratulate the coaching staff and the parents who supported and mentored the players throughout this season.

I would ask all members of the House to join me in congratulating the Kildonan East Reivers on their new title as Manitoba's High School Athletic Associa- tion's AAAA varsity boys' basketball champions. Go Reivers. The Speaker: Well, it's been pretty special to feel all of the love that's in the room. Let's see how long that lasts for. Oral questions. Introduction of Guests The Speaker: Oh, before we do oral questions, there is a guest that I would like to intro duce.

Draw members' attention to the loge to my right, where we have with us today, the honour able John Main, minister of health for the Legis lative Assembly of Manitoba, and on behalf of –[interjection] All right, it's going to be that kind of day. Sorry. He's the minister of health for the Legis lative Assembly of Nunavut. And we welcome you here today. ORAL QUESTIONS The Speaker: Now, the Leader of the Official Opposition. Winnipeg Jets Playoff Contenders Mr.

Wayne Ewasko (Leader of the Official Opposition): It looks like we will continue the love for at least one more question, and welcome all the guests into the gallery today.

Honourable Speaker, we would like to wish all Manitobans who are 'obserbing'–observing Good Friday tomorrow and, of course, celebrating Easter this coming Sunday all the best in your observances. * (13:50) And of course, Honourable Speaker, Winnipeggers and Manitobans are going to be fired up for this Saturday, when we cheer on the Winnipeg Jets, who has nailed down home -ice advantage for the entire playoffs all the way to bring home the cup to Winnipeg.

I know that we on this side of the House –and I'm pretty sure, everyone on all sides of the House, including the people in the gallery–are going to be cheering for the Jets this weekend. I will sit down and allow the Premier (Mr. Kinew) to say a few words because I know that if we're not united, we're united on this. We're all cheering for the Jets. Go, Jets, go. Introduction of Guests The Speaker: Just before recognizing the honourable First Minister, we have some more guests in the gallery.

We have seated in the public gallery from Waterford Springs School, 50 grade 5 and 6 students under the direction of Shaun Klan. This group is 'lacated' in the constituency of the honourable member for Tyndall Park (MLA Lamoureux). We welcome you here today. * * * Hon. Wab Kinew (Premier): Welcome to all of our guests, including our partners from Nunavut, who we signed on to a nation- building project this week to build up this country that we love so much.

April 17, 2025 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1431 Also want to give a small gesture of appreciation for our Clerk at the Legislative Assembly, Rick Yarish, on 25 years of service to this amazing province. It's not easy being the referee, but it's an important job. And we're not even thinking about the strikes when we're talking about the Jets, the best team in the league, home to the best fans in the league. And the Stanley Cup is coming home to its rightful home, right here in the greatest country on Earth, Canada , this year.

The Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a supplementary question. Cost of Living Concerns for Manitobans Government Record on Hydro and Taxes Mr. Wayne Ewasko (Leader of the Official Opposition): Honourable Speaker, this past week during question period and debates, we've asked about education questions and, of course, we've mentioned, of course, the Premier's tax increases on homeowners and hard-working Manitobans. He's raised school taxes and property taxes. He's raising income taxes. And now, he is raising hydro rates on Manitobans, breaking all of his promises from last year.

He's broken his promise to keep the 50 per cent edu cation tax rebate. He's broken the promise to homeowners, seniors, families, cottagers, businesses and workers. Then he stands up in question period and refuses to explain why he's breaking his promises. Matter of fact, he doesn't even answer any questions. Why should Winnipeggers and Manitobans even trust this Premier if he breaks his word so easily and so often, Honourable Speaker? Hon. Wab Kinew (Premier): I'm the one that keeps my word. I promised to cut the gas tax; our team cut it.

I promised to search the Prairie Green landfill; we're bringing Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran home. We promised to fix health care; we've hired 1,500 net- new front-line health-care staff in Manitoba. And questions. What questions? What questions? They couldn't even sustain question period yesterday. They get paid 110 grand each, and not one of them had a question nine to be able to stand up. They sat down and let somebody who was elected under our banner stand up. What about the debate? What debate? They sit down after two minutes.

There is no opposition in Manitoba, just a govern- ment that's working hard for you. Mr. Ewasko: Well, to the thousands of people watching today from their homes, Honour able Speaker, once again– Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. The Speaker: Order. Mr. Ewasko: –another set of questions that the Premier's refusing to answer. But this is nothing new with you- know-who, the MLA for Fort Rouge. The Education Minister refused to answer simple questions about her bills during debate. The Finance Minister in the media is blaming and scapegoating the school divisions and munici- palities for his raising of the taxes.

The Minister of Housing, Addictions, Homelessness (Ms. Smith) is misleading her own constituents on her plans for a lethal drug injection site. Premier will not even let his ministers answer in question period because he's afraid what they might say and who they might blame. Will this Kinew government stop blaming school divisions and municipalities for their tax increases and stop making life more expensive for Manitobans, Honourable Speaker? Mr. Kinew: We cut the gas tax to save you money. We're giving you a $1,500 tax credit on your property taxes; it's going up to $1,600 next year.

And we froze hydro rates in Manitoba for one year, to save you money. And what do the members opposite bring to the table? Well, the front -runner in their current PC leadership candidate calls them lazy. That's his plat- form. He's winning the PC leadership candidate cam- paign by calling them lazy, and if you showed up in the House this week to see them sit down and run out of questions during question period, to not have anything to bring forward in debate. The Minister of Education, the Minister of Justice (Mr. Wiebe), the Minister of Finance (MLA Sala), they're bringing bills here.

They have nothing to criticize, nothing to say. They support the legislation. So the question that I have for the member oppo- site: Is Wally right? Are they lazy, or is it they actually support our govern ment's agenda just like the vast majority of Manitobans?

1432 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 17, 2025 Impaired Driving Legislation Increased Penalties when Children Present Mr. Wayne Balcaen (Brandon West): Honourable Speaker, the minister dismissed any sugges tion– [interjection] The Speaker: Order. Mr. Balcaen: –that his impaired driving legis lation can be improved. He said he isn't bothered by im - paired drivers who have children in their vehicles. Babies strapped in car seats have no choice, but we do. We can make the difference for all Manitobans.

Will the minister amend his bill to ensure drink - ing and driving with children present is not only wrong but illegal? The Speaker: The honourable First Minister. [interjection] Order. Hon. Wab Kinew (Premier): The Minister of Justice (Mr. Wiebe) is doing important work. He's brought in legislation that brings in stronger penal ties and sanctions for impaired driving. The member opposite, though, comes to the House each and every day with the plan to try and divide Manitobans by misrepresenting things. We think that that's wrong.

We're here to debate in a straightforward way–apparently the member for Lac du Bonnet (Mr. Ewasko) is not. He's already tapped out after a few minutes here in question period. Got tired, just like yesterday evening. The member opposite here–we know that during his time, working on the front lines, things went in the wrong direction here in Manitoba. So I'm very proud to stand with the Minister of Justice who's putting the public safety of Manitobans first, and is working hard to make sure that the PCs cannot obstruct our project of working with you to make our com munities 'safeter'.

Discarded Needles in Swan Valley Concern for Used Needles in Public Places Mr. Rick Wowchuk (Swan River): Yes, Rayna Badowski, Honour able Speaker, of Swan Valley region shared a video with the comment, quote: The river is out and it's so much fun to play in the ice chunks that wash up on the bank. Right? Not when there's needles on the ice. I table a picture of the minister's used needles in our waterways. Why does the minister find children playing with used needles acceptable? Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. The Speaker: Order. Hon.

Wab Kinew (Premier): Members opposite know full well that they started the needle program in Swan River. And that member collected a salary as an MLA for years as needles were being distributed, and how many times did he raise a concern then? [interjection] The Speaker: Order. Mr. Kinew: How many times did he raise a concern? [interjection] The Speaker: Order. Mr. Kinew: How many times did he raise a concern? Zero–zero. Hundreds of thousands of needles were being distributed in his hometown by Heather Stefanson administration and there was never a criticism raised.

Now, you have a minister who is moving people out of tents into housing, you have a minister who is bringing in public health- grounded policies and now he's criticizing. I wonder if he's really criticizing based on evi - dence and policy, or is there perhaps something about this minister that he objects to on a more fundamental level? Perhaps he'll now take the opportunity to stand up and explain why he'd rather divide instead of working with a team that works with all Manitobans to make us healthier, safer and more prosperous than ever before. Emergency Contraception Cost for Pharmacy Services Mrs.

Kathleen Cook (Roblin): The NDP's promise of free emergency contraception is nothing but smoke and mirrors. If a woman walks into a pharmacy needing Plan B, she'll still have to pay, unless she manages to book an appointment with her family doctor–if she has one–to get a prescription. And that's just not realistic when emergency contraception is most effective within 72 hours. And if she turns to her pharmacist, as most women in need of emergency care will, there's a prescription fee because the NDP refuses to cover the pharmacist's service.

Why is the NDP putting up barriers for women and expecting pharmacists to either charge patients or absorb the costs themselves, just to keep up the NDP's illusion that this medication is actually free?

April 17, 2025 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1433 The Speaker: The honourable First Minister. [interjection] Order. * (14:00) Hon. Wab Kinew (Premier): I just want to give a shout-out to our Health Minister, with apologies from our guest from Nunavut, the best Health Minister in all of Canada. And now why do I say that they are the best Health Minister in Canada? Because for people in Manitoba who need it, Plan B is now covered by the provincial formulary. Diabetes medication is now covered by the provincial formulary.

And people–women experiencing menopause, hormone replacement therapy is also now covered by the provincial Pharmacare program. That helps seniors, women; that prevents surgeries, that prevents fractures; it's a great investment. The member opposite, much like her colleagues, who are all tuckered out after one single question each, can come to the House on only one thing: saying to our Health Minister, the amazing work you're doing is so wonderful, how come you can't do more of these things quicker, because my constituents are so happy with their NDP government.

Mental Health Supports Need for Workers in Rural Manitoba Ms. Jodie Byram (Agassiz): The Altona Police Service recently shared with the media that officers spent a staggering 70 hours last week responding to just three mental health-related calls, time that pulled officers away from their core duties, policing and community safety. The Altona police chief made it clear that while his officers are committed to helping those in crisis, they are being stretched thin due to lack of timely mental health supports in rural Manitoba.

Will the minister commit today to funding dedi- cated mental health support workers to assist rural police forces like Altona's so officers can focus on keeping our com munities safe, all while ensuring people in crisis in rural Manitoba get the professional care they need? Hon. Matt Wiebe (Minister of Justice and Attorney General): Honourable Speaker, we're funding mental health workers; in fact, a commitment for 100 mental health workers being done in conjunction with my colleague, the Minister for Housing, Addictions and Homelessness.

This is the kind of transformative work that's going to make a real difference. But, of course, we're doing this in conjunction with law enforce ment, and that's because they're true partners at the table with us. They understand that we will continue to fund their work, we'll continue to partner with them, we'll con- tinue to listen to their needs. Of course, the members opposite, seven and a half years of freezes. We're continuing to increase the funding to all rural police forces across this province. We're going to do that im portant work; they sat on their hands for seven and a half years.

Output-Based Pricing Impact on Small Business Mr. Greg Nesbitt (Riding Mountain): Honourable Speaker, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change has confirmed the existence of a Manitoba industrial carbon tax. We often focus on trade-exposed industries; however, all busi nesses directly and all consumers indirectly are impacted. Honourable Speaker, small busi nesses are the backbone of our economy. Would the minister inform the House what impact the industrial carbon tax will have on a small busi ness such as Zaytoon, a Middle Eastern restaurant just down the street? Hon.

Mike Moyes (Minister of Environment and Climate Change): There is no provincial carbon tax in Manitoba despite the efforts of members opposite. And let me be clear: there will never be a prov - incial carbon tax as long as the good people of Manitoba support our NDP govern ment. I'd like to table for the House an

article from the Beausejour Clipper that reads: our plan has a Manitoba -made carbon price of $25 per ton beginning in 2018. You can only guess who that's –who wrote that. That was the member for Lac du Bonnet (Mr. Ewasko). Manitoba Housing Wait Times MLA Cindy Lamoureux (Tyndall Park): Manitoba currently has more than 5,000 people on the wait -list for public housing, and many families wait years before being offered a unit. Meanwhile, Winnipeg is ranked among the least affordable rental markets in the prairies, with vacancy rates dropping and rents rising significantly.

Budget 2025 commits to building 350 new social housing units, but experts esti mate that we need thousands more to meet current and future demand. What is this government's plan to reduce wait-lists to

1434 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 17, 2025 ensure that no one is left without a safe place to call home? Hon. Bernadette Smith (Minister of Housing, Addictions and Homelessness): I want to thank that member for that question, and that gives me an oppor- tunity just to outline. We've actually exceeded that number of 350; we're actually well -exceeded that number. Your Way Home actually outlines our plan, which is to get folks into housing out of encampments, some- thing members opposite didn't do. Members opposite continue to sell off social housing.

We're taking the boards off of social housing, getting folks into social housing. We've committed 20 per cent of our social housing as Housing First to make sure that people stay housed with the supports that they need, something members opposite didn't do. They had a revolving door. They would house people; people would continually leave housing because they were cutting folks that would keep people– The Speaker: Member's time has expired. The honourable member for Tyndall Park, on a supplementary question.

Community Support Workers Turnover Rate and Low Wages MLA Cindy Lamoureux (Tyndall Park): Commu- nity support workers are the backbone of any success- ful housing strategy because they are the individuals doing the tangible work of meeting people where they are at to rebuild and often heal. Despite their critical role, many front-line workers face low wages, high burnout and unstable em ploy- ment. A recent survey found that most support work- ers earn less than $20 an hour, creating high turnover rates.

What is this government doing to assist those on the front lines who are working day in and day out to solve homelessness? Hon. Bernadette Smith (Minister of Housing, Addictions and Homelessness): And I want to thank all of those workers who are on the front lines. I know they do that because they have a good heart and that they want to help folks in our province and they want to ensure that they have a home with the supports. And I know a lot of those are coming from lived experience. I've met a lot of those folks. I know a lot of those folks. I come from that, you know, lived experience myself.

And, you know, these folks are folks that are com- passionate, caring; they're support ive and they're ensuring that these folks are getting from encampments right into homes with supports. And like I said in this House yesterday, we're proud that we were able to house nine folks last week, clean up an encampment, and these folks were housed from Main Street Project, from Sunshine House. And, you know, we had one folk that was kind of resistant to– The Speaker: Member's time has expired. The honourable member for Tyndall Park, on a final supplementary question.

Homelessness Prevention for Indigenous People Culturally Appropriate Services MLA Cindy Lamoureux (Tyndall Park): The majority of those experiencing homelessness in Manitoba is a clear and painful reflection of ongoing systemic inequities. Many organi zations have called for cul - turally grounded supports. What specific steps is this gov ernment taking to prevent homelessness for Indigenous people and youth aging out of care? Hon.

Bernadette Smith (Minister of Housing, Addictions and Homelessness): I want to thank that member for that question, and I just want to give, you know, the Families De partment lots of, you know – uplift their department, because they're doing a lot of work, actually, with kids aging out of care, you know, in terms of hous ing them, increasing the amount of supports that those families are receiving, kinship care and making sure that families are staying together. We're actually building housing to support families and kids coming out of care to get those supports.

We're working with Spence Neighbourhood Asso- ciation to make sure that when kids are aging out of care that they get those supports as well, and we're going to continue to provide those supports. Unlike the members opposite, when they were in government, provided no supports. They were okay with kids aging out of care without– The Speaker: Member's time has expired.

April 17, 2025 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1435 Provincial Nominee Program Work Permit Extension Mr. Diljeet Brar (Burrows): Honourable Speaker, the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program is a crown jewel for Manitoba. It has helped local economies thrive, communities grow and countless families and individuals establish roots and make Manitoba home. Of course, we will always be a welcoming province, and that has been strengthened thanks to our government.

Can the Minister of Labour and Immigration please update the House today on an exciting an- nouncement we made this week for folks who want to live and work in Manitoba for the long term? Hon. Malaya Marcelino (Minister of Labour and Immigration): I want to thank my colleague for that excellent and important question. For seven years, failed Stefanson and Pallister governments depleted and destroyed our immigration system. They used folks who wanted to settle and work here as political pawns and, as a result, thou- sands–specifically 2,178 MPNP nominations lapsed and went to other provinces.

Our govern ment does not take these folks for granted, and that's why we were thrilled to announce a two -year Manitoba -specific extension to facilitate work permits for MPNP candidates. * (14:10) Honourable Speaker, this will allow Manitoba workers to continue working while establishing roots that will keep them– The Speaker: Member's time has expired. Education Standards for Teachers Request to Reverse Policy Changes Mr. Josh Guenter (Borderland): In October 2024, the media reported, and I quote: NDP take step back- wards in cutting credit requirements for new Manitoba teachers.

In March 2025, just six months later, the headline read, and I quote: Manitoba math scores hit new low. In April 2025, the NDP handed out $610,000 for, quote, math supports based on the results of the 2023-24 provincial tests. If we want to improve math scores, we have to start with ensuring educators have the best skills. Will this minister reverse its disastrous lowering of teacher education standards? Hon.

Tracy Schmidt (Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning): I appreciate the question from the member opposite because it gives me a chance to get up and celebrate the many, many in - credible teachers and educators we have in this province on this week, which is e ducation week in Manitoba. Unlike members opposite who like to speak down to teachers, who didn't care about funding educa tion, we have increased funding in educa tion over the last two years by $170 million, Honourable Speaker. And guess what else we're doing?

We are build, build, building 11 schools across our great province so that students and their teachers can have the space that they need to learn. We are investing in that. Thank you so much to the member opposite for sharing our great announce ment about supports that we are putting directly into the classroom– The Speaker: Member's time has expired. Introduction of Guests The Speaker: And if I could get the clock stopped for a minute, we have some more guests that probably won't stay very long.

We have seated in the public gallery, from Girl Guides of Canada, seven rangers under the direction of Stacey MacVicar, and they're guests of the honour- able member for Kirkfield Park (Mr. Oxenham). And on behalf of all members, we welcome you here today. Manitoba Housing for Seniors Vacancy Rate for the Interlake Mr. Derek Johnson (Interlake-Gimli): Members opposite, all they're doing is tax, tax, tax with no results. This is a –there is an extensive wait- list for Manitoba Housing units in the Interlake, especially for those geared towards seniors.

Inword [phonetic] Manor has a 41 per cent vacancy rate and it's not because those units need maintenance or repairs. I'll table those documents. Honourable Speaker, why are these homes for vulnerable Manitobans being left vacant? Hon. Bernadette Smith (Minister of Housing, Addictions and Homelessness): What I will say to that member is, I will ask that member was he okay when his–when they were in govern ment selling off housing? Was that member okay when he was at – when they were in govern ment leaving folks in bus shacks? Was that member okay when th ey were in

1436 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 17, 2025 government leaving people in tents? Was that member okay when they were in govern ment leaving social housing boarded up and slashing housing by –or, maintenance by 87 per cent? We're not taking that approach; we're taking a different approach. We are supporting meeting Manitobans where they're at. We are housing people with supports. We're going to continue to do that because the safety of our community is important. We are working for Manitobans. Manitobans sent us here with a mandate, which is to get Manitobans– The Speaker: Member's time has expired.

Park Community Centre Child-Care Spaces MLA Billie Cross (Seine River): Budget 2025 has an excellent plan to get Manitoba's work–Manitobans working and to build, build, build. Building is exactly what we're doing. After seven years of cuts by the PC government, Manitobans all over the province are excited to see what a government with a vision can do for them. Just last week, we had a great announcement from the Westman region, and we know families out there are excited that they have a government committed to building this province.

Can the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning update the House on the exciting investment we announced for families in the Westman region. Hon. Tracy Schmidt (Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning): I want to thank my col- league, the amazing MLA for Seine River for that excellent, important question. For seven years, the failed Stefanson and Pallister governments chronically underfunded education and child care in our province. They left families scrambling to find accessible child care. Our government is taking a different approach.

That's why, just last week, we were thrilled to be in Brandon with the honourable member for Brandon East (Mr. Simard) to announce a $6- million invest- ment at the Park Community Centre, which will create 62 new spaces and provide affordable daycare and services in downtown Brandon. This project reaffirms our commitment to expand- ing affordable child-care access throughout our beautiful province, and we are proud to continue to invest in our children's future after seven years of neglect by the previous government.

Oak Tree Towers Advocacy by Residents MLA Jeff Bereza (Portage la Prairie): Honourable Speaker, after many, many unanswered emails to the minister and Premier (Mr. Kinew), the advocacy of the residents of Oak Tree Towers was to fight crime and it's paying off. Honourable Speaker, why did this minister wait on this dire situation until the media brought this forward? Hon. Bernadette Smith (Minister of Housing, Addictions and Homelessness): What I will say to that member is that member should be ashamed of himself. What that member did is he used those residents to get 'plublicity' for himself.

He brought members of that–[interjection] The Speaker: Order. Ms. Smith: –residence forward, called a media scrum and used those residents as props. What I will say to that member: Why did that member ask our de partment to house people in that apartment if he thought that that apartment building was so unsafe? Addiction Treatment Services Funding and Wait Times Mrs. Carrie Hiebert (Morden-Winkler): Honour- able Speaker, for the last three days, I've heard from many inner -city commu nity members and organi - zations that provide treatment and care to people living with addictions.

They're all very concerned about the amount of funding going to the NDP's proposed injection site at 200 Disraeli –$6 million to the NDP injection site but just $1.5-million treatment and recovery–funds to treatment and recovery. When will this minister fund treatment and recovery and end the four - to eight-week waiting period for a treatment space? Hon. Bernadette Smith (Minister of Housing, Addictions and Homelessness ): I've said this for months in this House: We have not landed on a site. That member continues to mislead Manitobans and this House.

We are not rushing; we are listening to Manitobans; we are continuing to consult.

April 17, 2025 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1437 That member –again, she heard it in the media; she's heard it on the radio; she could open the news - paper. We made an announcement about Anne Oake– $1.5 million with the Families Minister. We are going to house that –mothers with their children so that they can get the supports that they need. We will continue to invest so that folks that are struggling with substance abuse in this province can get the supports that they need, unlike members opposite, who did very little when they were in government. Government Services SpaceX Contract Mrs.

Lauren Stone (Midland): Honourable Speaker, this govern ment talks a big game, but, once again, their actions do not match their words. Not only did they block a bill today to remove interprovincial trade barriers but, in fact, records show that this Minister of Transportation is Elon Musk's biggest fan. Before the Premier removed them from gov ern- ment services, they signed an untendered contract with Musk's SpaceX, calling it, and I quote: purchase made under exceptionally advantageous circumstances. I table that untendered contract for the minister.

Why did this minister try and keep their Elon Musk contract a secret? Hon. Jamie Moses (Minister of Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation): Honourable Speaker, I'm so happy I get a chance to grow our economy alongside this wonderful team.

We work alongside the Minister of Public Service Delivery (MLA Sandhu) to make sure procurement works to bolster our economy; we work alongside the member of trans portation make sure we have the highways to power our roads; we have the work along- side the member of Labour and Immigration to make sure we have the workforce for the future; we work– side our long–Minister of Finance (MLA Sala) to make sure our budget is the backbone of a strong economy and works alongside our Premier (Mr.

Kinew) to make sure we strengthen our trade relationships and break down those trade barriers, work we do all as a team to grow our one Manitoby [phonetic] that works for everyone. Increase in Winnipeg Housing Prices Supports for Homebuyers Needed Mrs.

Kathleen Cook (Roblin): While home prices in major Canadian cities like Toronto and Vancouver are trending downward, Winnipeg is bucking the national trend, with the median price of a single-family detached home climbing 5.5 per cent year -over-year to over $454,000, and inventory down 15 per cent compared to last year. * (14:20) Despite this, the NDP continues to do nothing to support homebuyers. They could have eliminated the land transfer tax for first -time homebuyers, but they refused. They could've reduced property tax bills, but instead they hiked them.

Home ownership is quickly becoming out of reach for young people in Manitoba. Prices are forecasted to rise another 4 per cent this year. Why are the NDP standing by and doing nothing while an entire generation is priced out of the housing market? The Speaker: Member's time is expired. Hon. Adrien Sala (Minister of Finance): You know what makes it more expensive to own a home, Honourable Speaker? When you keep jacking up energy costs and hydro rates on Manitobans. That's their record. What did we do with our first budget and our last budget?

We're lowering costs for homeowners with a $1,500 Homeowners Affordability Tax Credit, and next year, $1,600. In addition to that, of course, our hydro rate freeze is going to make it even more affordable for home - owners, and not only homeowners are getting help; we're also hope –helping renters. For years, what did the members opposite do? They made their costs more expensive. They raised taxes on renters by $175. What are we doing? We're bringing in increases to the renters tax credit to make life more affordable for renters.

We're going to make life more affordable for homeowners, and we're going to keep doing the work of making Manitoba– The Speaker: Member's time has expired. Providence University College University Status Request Mr. Konrad Narth (La Vérendrye): This morning, all members unanimously passed my private member's resolution recognizing and congratulating Providence University College on their 100th anniversary. And for that, I'd like to thank all members. Now, all that's left is for Providence to receive full university status.

1438 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 17, 2025 When will the Minister of Advanced Education and Training bring forward legislation to give Providence full university status that they so deserve? Hon. Mike Moroz (Acting Minister of Advanced Education and Training): I appreciate the opportun- ity to get to my feet in response to that question. Was a privilege to take

part in the celebration of the university college this morning. Hundredth anniversary is not something that comes along every day. All of the good work that they've done over the course of their history, we wanted to celebrate that. I do have a bit of a question for the member from La Vérendrye, though, and it relates back to a state - ment they made in response to the MLA for Fort Whyte's comments about team Canada. The most certainty that we could see from retaliation is that it's going to push the president to increase tariffs in the days to come. Your own constituents– The Speaker: Member's time has expired.

Manufacturers in CentrePort Provincial Exemption for Duties and Taxes Mr. Trevor King (Lakeside): CentrePort, which the major part of it is in the constituency of Lakeside, is a federally designated free trade zone, meaning manu - facturers located there have special exemptions and deferrals when it comes to duties and taxes. This allows them the ability to grow our economy. Honourable Speaker, will the minister extend a similar provincial relief to CentrePort manufacturers? Hon.

Jamie Moses (Minister of Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation): Honourable Speaker, we're very happy about the work that's happening at CentrePort. It's a crown jewel of Manitoba's economy, allowing businesses to connect, to relate, to transport and export their products in the tri -modal way. And this is what Manitoba does well. We're in the hub of the continent and it allows us to go south to the States, our partners there, east, west, right across the country, and north to that Port of Churchill that we invest in so much. And this is what we do.

We're going to continue to work with companies to invest in Manitoba, to make sure that they have the tools to export and strengthen our trade relationships with partners right across the globe. This is what we do in–as Manitobans, as one economy that wor ks united to strengthen so it benefits all of us here in the province. Logging Companies in Eastern Manitoba Request to Reduce Crown Timber Dues Mr. Konrad Narth (La Vérendrye): Honourable Speaker, logging companies in eastern Manitoba are being put at a competitive disadvantage by this NDP government.

Timber dues for logging have risen while neighbouring provinces have been actively reducing dues. This makes Ontario logs much more attractive to mills over the border in western Ontario. Unfor - tunately, the closest mills for eastern Manitoba are all in Ontario where Crown dues are now one third of those in Manitoba. When is this NDP govern ment going to reduce the Crown timber dues to put Manitoba logging companies back to work? The Speaker: The honourable Minister of Municipal and Northern Affairs (Mr. Simard)–no, the hon our- able Minister of Natural Resources and Indigenous Futures. Hon.

Ian Bushie (Minister of Natural Resources and Indigenous Futures): I appreciate the question from the member opposite when it comes time to timber dues and the fortunate resources and the creating of part nerships. For us as a gov ernment, it is im- perative for us to be able to create those part nerships with long-term sustainability in our timber industry.

So we were pleased, we were quite honoured to be able to partner with Indigenous Nations and industry as well, something that was unheard of under the previous govern ment, to be able to bring really positive aspects to the logging and forestry industry here in Manitoba. So we take great pride and we'll take no lessons from member–members opposite on engage ment, on partnerships, on sustainability for our forestry industry.

We'll take no lessons from members opposite because we're doing in a right way, with Indigenous N ations, with industry, with all folks at the table, some thing members opposite never did in all their years. Government Contract with US-Based Company Canadian Company not Selected Mrs. Lauren Stone (Midland): Honourable Speaker, untendered contracts seem to be a pattern with this NDP government. They seem to be taking a playbook out of the dark days of the Selinger govern ment. The Minister of Innovation and New Techno logy recently signed an untendered contract with a California AI firm. I table those records.

April 17, 2025 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1439 That's how the NDP work: they say buy Canadian, but they do not practise what they preach. Why is this minister sending jobs to the US and allowing– not allowing Canadian firms to bid on these opportunities? Hon. Mike Moroz (Minister of Innovation and New Technology): Honourable Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity get to my feet and talk about this.

We've been in the process of working through our procurement policies over the course of the last num- ber of months in response to the threats from south of the border, working very carefully to make sure that– making–very carefully to make sure that we're able to provide those opportunities for manic–Manitoba com- panies where we're able. Violence on Winnipeg Transit Buses Request to Fund Dedicated Police Unit Ms.

Jodie Byram (Agassiz): Chris Scott, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union, told media this morning, and I quote: It's becoming quite clear that we may have to start looking into the realm of a Transit division of the police department to deal with violence on Winnipeg Transit. Just this month, a 21-year-old man was swarmed by violent criminals and stabbed near Portage and Main on Transit, and a Transit operator was attacked on the job with a hatchet.

These aren't just isolated incidents; the union shared that operators are suffering psychological injuries, with 44 total drivers off work due to mental strain as of December. Will the minister commit today to funding a dedi- cated Transit division of the Winnipeg Police Service? Hon. Matt Wiebe (Minister of Justice and Attorney General): Honourable Speaker, these members oppo- site have zero credibility when it comes to support of the WPS.

Not only did they preside over a government that saw the net loss of 55 WPS, Winnipeg Police Service officers in this city, but they also voted against our budget, when we increased by $5.3 million, the biggest increase in history, to the WPS. They vote d against that budget, and they continue to every single day. We're supporting the work of our Transit safety officers, we're working with WPS, we're going to make our streets safer despite the efforts of the members opposite.

Wait Times for MRI Services Portage Hospital Foundation Funding MLA Jeff Bereza (Portage la Prairie): Honourable Speaker, the amount of MRI waiting times in Manitoba has increased to almost 27,000 from 24,000, according to the government's own website. The offer from the Portage Hospital Foundation is still on the table to reduce the wait-times. Honourable Speaker, why is this government punishing Manitobans when there's a solution right there–[interjection] The Speaker: Order. MLA Bereza: –right in front of them? [interjection] The Speaker: Order. Hon.

Uzoma Asagwara (Minister of Health, Seniors and Long -Term Care): Honourable Speaker, the member for Portage la Prairie has not yet stood in his place and apologized to members of our communities living in the North. That member stood in this House not that long ago and said that the MRI, the first ever MRI that our government is making sure serves the member –the constituents of northern Manitoba, shouldn't go there, that they don't deserve an MRI. What about Portage la Prairie, he said? That was shameful.

Our government has made a historic invest- ment, bringing MRI diagnostics and the people to staff it for the first time ever to the Northern Regional Health Author ity. We stand by that invest ment, we stand by health care in the North and we're going to keep working very hard to address the wait -list that was untouched and only increased by the previous, failed PC government. * (14:30) Manitoba Housing Kennedy Street Units Request to Address Graffiti Mrs. Carrie Hiebert (Morden-Winkler): The minister has stated that the –that she paints the walls every second day at 355 Kennedy to address graffiti.

I table photos taken from this morning. Will the–is the minister going to paint over this misogynistic, violent graffiti toward women today? [interjection] The Speaker: Order. Order, please.

1440 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 17, 2025 I would just caution members to tone it down a little. And I would also remind the member for Morden- Winkler about using something you're tabling as a prop. Hon. Wab Kinew (Premier): I just want to take this opportunity to say that the Minister of Housing is moving people out of tents into homes. Bravo to them. And I'll point out some thing about the PCs: They've got an esta blishment candidate in their PC leadership contest right now. More than 20 questions asked by the members opposite, he couldn't rise to ask a single one.

Why are they going to give him a promotion when he doesn't even seem like he's showing up for work on a given day? But on the subject of painting, I hope all the kids out there have a wonderful job painting the Easter eggs, painting the pysanky and painting the families' yards with colours of joy and happiness this coming Easter weekend. And, of course, any time we talk about family, we got to give it up to the front lines. Thank you to the first respon ders, the fire fighters, law en forcement, paramedics, who ensure that all of our families stay safe this Easter and forevermore.

The Speaker: The time for oral questions has expired. Petitions? Grievances? ORDERS OF THE DAY (Continued) GOVERNMENT BUSINESS Hon. Tracy Schmidt (Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning): I rise to table responses to written questions. The Speaker: The honour able minister has tabled responses to written questions. House Business Mr.

Josh Guenter (Chairperson, Standing Committee on Public Accounts): I would like to announce that the Standing Committee on Public Accounts will meet on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at 7 p.m. to consider the Annual Report and Public Accounts of the Province of Manitoba for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2023; the Auditor General's Report, Public Accounts and Other Financial Statement Audits, dated December 2023; the Annual Report and Public Accounts of the Province of Manitoba for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024; and finally, the Auditor General's Report, Public Accounts and Other Financial Statement Audits, dated December 2024.

The Speaker: It has been announced that the Standing Committee on Public Accounts will meet on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at 7 p.m. to consider the Annual Report and Public Accounts of the Province of Manitoba for the fiscal year ending May 31, 2023; Auditor General's Report, Public Accounts and Other Financial Statement Audits, dated December 2023; Annual Report and Public Accounts of the Province of Manitoba for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024; and Auditor General's Report, Public Accounts and Other Financial Statement Audits, dated December 2024. * * * Hon.

Nahanni Fontaine (Government House Leader): I would like to announce the Standing Com mittee on Public Accounts will meet Wednesday–what? Sorry. Can you please call second reading of Bill 29, The Workplace Safety and Health Amend ment Act; followed by Bill 24, The Workers Compensation Amendment Act; followed by Bill 43, The Human Rights Code Amendment Act; followed by Bill 36, The Drivers and V ehicles Amendment and Highway Traffic Amend ment Act; followed by Bill 34, The Highway Traffic Amend ment Act (Motor Carrier Enforcement); followed by Bill 38, The Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Traffic Safety Measures).

The Speaker: So, as per subrule 2(11), today is the second deadline day for second reading of specified bills, and such –as such, at the begin ning of – [interjection] Order, please. As such, at the beginning of orders of the day, the following provisions shall apply: for each such bill, the minister can speak up to a maximum of 10 minutes, followed by up to 15-minute question and answer period. Critics of recognized parties and inde- pendent members may then speak for a maximum of 10 minutes per bill, following which I will put the question on second reading of the bill.

If such a bill had previously called for –been previously called for debate, all remaining actions just identified will be dealt with before the question will be put. For the infor mation of all members, under the provisions of subrule 2(11), the House will not rise until the second reading question has been put on all remaining specified bills.

April 17, 2025 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1441 If the House is still sitting at 12 midnight, the debate will be interrupted to put any remaining second reading questions without further debate or amend- ment and the division bells shall ring for no more than one minute for each question. The list of bills that will follow this process are as follows: Bill 29, Bill 24, Bill 43, Bill 36, Bill 34 and Bill 38. SECOND READINGS Bill 29–The Workplace Safety and Health Amendment Act The Speaker: Accordingly, I will now call second reading of Bill 29, The Workplace Safety and Health Amendment Act. Hon.

Malaya Marcelino (Minister of Labour and Immigration): I move, seconded by the Minister of Justice (Mr. Wiebe), that Bill 29, The Workplace Safety and Health Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la

Loi sur la sécurité et l'hygiène du travail, be now read a second time and be referred to a committee of this House. Motion presented. MLA Marcelino: I am pleased to arise to provide comments on Bill 29, The Workplace Safety and Health Amendment Act. This bill follows the work of the Workplace Safety and Health Act review committee, which undertook a legislated five -year review of the act from 2022 to 2024. Regular consul tation and review ensure our laws reflect the current landscape of occupational safety and health.

We thank all representatives of employers, workers and technical and professional organizations with an interest in occupational safety and health who partici- pated in the review for their extensive efforts. I am pleased that the newly re -established Ministers Advisory Council on Work place Safety and Health will continue to provide this valued exp ertise as we move forward. This bill addresses all 18 actuated recommendations of the review com mittee.

The proposed amendments will bring clarity to several terms and inter pretations using the act, modernize adminis trative processes, strengthen adminis trative penal ties and related col - lection mechanisms and expand discretionary author- ities of the chief occupational medical officer. * (14:40) Notable changes include: embedding psychological safety into the act's purpose to recognize the role employers have in preventing work-related psychological injuries, and position Manitoba as a leader in doing so; modernizing and stream lining appeal processes, including reducing the need for oral hearings where possible, allowing for costs to be awarded by the Manitoba Labour Board as is done in the Employment Standards Code and limiting the duplicative processes associated with filing the same complaints in multiple forums; recognizing associated activities under com - mon control as busi ness entity for the purposes of issuing orders and penal ties to better address bad actors that try to aid en forcement and fly under the radar; introducing mechanisms to collect wages owed if an employer refuses to pay a worker in connection with orders issued, a gap that currently exists in the act; intro ducing a new adminis trative penalty for failure to report a serious incident to Workplace Safety and Health when required to do so; helping to ensure timely notice is given when there is a fatality or other significant occurrence in the work place; ex- panding the chief occupational medical officer's author- ity to order employers to implement medical surveil- lance in workplaces where workers are suspected of being overexposed to a hazardous substance.

Robust surveillance is already required in the mining industry, and this change would extend similar protections to workers in other industries. These measures will ensure that Manitoba's laws keep up to date with the realities of workplaces and that workers are safe no matter where they work. It is our govern - ment's priority to keep Manitoban workers safe by taking steps to improve workplace safety and health and to always stand up for the rights of working people.

Honourable Speaker, I do want to make some com- ments and focus on one aspect of the proposed amend- ment, and that is a part where we're going to be trailblazers here in Manitoba. There is nowhere in North America–in a North American juris diction or anywhere in the world; the closest would be in Australia, where they have a small definition of what constitutes psychological hazards. But we will be the first in Manitoba to come up with a definition for psychological safety in the workplace. So what is a psychologically safe workplace?

Well, Manitoba is aligning its definition with the 2013 Canadian Standards Association, CSA, standard on psychological health and safety in the workplace. This CSA defines a psychologically safe workplace as a workplace that promotes workers' psychological being

1442 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 17, 2025 and actively works to prevent harm to workers' psychological health, including in negligent, reckless or intentional ways. Employers are not to be responsi ble for workers' medical conditions or mental health broadly. The term psychological safe workplace is used in tentionally to help clarify employers' responsibilities as being specific to risks that the work or work environment present, rather than for mental health more broadly. Employers are expected to identify and address risks to psycho- logical safety that the workers may encounter in the workplace.

Certain workplaces are more likely to be affected by the need t o implement psychologically safe changes. Workplaces that are associated with higher psycho- social risks, such as health, corrections, police, fire, paramedics, social services, edu cation and public transit, would be required to have systems in place. But that's not just the only list, Honour able Speaker; there's a lot more. Regulations are anticipated later this year which are expected to include requirements for risk assess- ments, implementing of policy, control measures and training.

We are continuing to consult with stake - holders on the regulatory framework as well as resources to support compliance. Honourable Speaker, in the gallery today we have many guests who are –which this bill means a lot to them.

Here today we have Preston Heinbigner's parents, Robert and Elaine; Kevin Rebek, the president of MFL; Nick Kasper, the president of the United Fire Fighters of Winnipeg, he's also a chair of the mental health commission for –mental health committee for the UFFW; Chris Perry, president of Manitoba Pro fes- sional Fire Fighters Association; Shane Wilton, presi- dent of Brandon professional firefighters; Ryan Woiden, President of MGEU local 911 paramedics. And there's more firefighters and paramedics and other first respon ders that I'd like to be able to add their names to Hansard.

Honourable Speaker, last year we were gathered here after April 9 to really bear witness to what hap - pened to many firefighters in Winnipeg when they were mourning the loss of their friend, their brother, their colleague, their family members, Preston Heinbigner. He was 40 years old, he joined the service as a firefighter in 2007 and he suffered from PTSD . There was a lot going on. Firefighters here in Winnipeg– they've seen the highest call volume increases in the last four years across Canada. They don't have enough resources in terms of apparatus or numbers of fire fighters to deal with what's going on.

They see so many unnatural things every single day. And it's not just fire fighters, it's all the first responders. I know we have paramedics here, as well, and they suffer from a lot of the same things. And we are a gov ernment that listens. We are a government that consults and works together with our stakeholders and make sure that we can make this place a better place for all workers across Manitoba, especially the people who we call our heroes. But sometimes everybody needs help, and there's nothing wrong with that.

And this bill that we're going to be bringing for - ward today, Honourable Speaker, will do just that. It's going to make employers pay attention to this concept of what psychological safety in the workplace means, and to be able to uphold that and to prevent future occurrences like that and to be able to lift up the workers that do this important job for us every single day.

I want to, with the few minutes that I have, just maybe mention something that Preston's widow said at–in a eulogy to Preston: April 9 should not be marked as a day of pain and sadness, but rather a day that caused everyone to pause, a day that started a discussion and a day that brought about change. Shayda said this while she was pregnant with her second child and–at Springs Church during the eulogy. And Shayda has urged us all to do better. And this bill–this amendment is the start of trying to create what a safe workplace would look like, even amidst a lot of challenges.

And how we're going to do that is by doing that together, by listening to one another and coming up with, you know, proper policies in place. And we can do that as a province. We can do that and be leaders across Manitoba. And we're going to be doing that to start with in dedication of the–and to honour Preston's memory. Thank you, Honourable Speaker.

Names: Scott Atchison, TJ Belluk, Terry Browatt, Shelly Brown, Lionel Crowther, Keith Dixon, Laura Duncan, Brad Enders, Carla Jones, John Kuryluk, Rob Labossiere, John Lloyd, Ben Naaykens, Daniel Nix, John Normandin, John Peters, Troy Reedy, Chad Silvari, Adam Smithson, Chad Swayze, Rich VanDeMosselaer, Gauge Wood. The Speaker: Before moving on to the question period, I have to make a slight correction in the state-

April 17, 2025 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1443 ment I read earlier. I had previously referenced subrule 2(11). The correct reference is subrule 2(13). Questions The Speaker: So now moving on. A question period of up to 15 minutes will be held.

Questions may be addressed to the minister by any opposi tion, independent member in the following sequence: first question by the official opposition critic or designate; subsequent questions asked by critics or designates from other recognized opposition parties; subsequent questions asked by each independent member; remaining questions may be asked by any opposition members. And no question or answer shall exceed 45 seconds. The floor is now open for questions. Mr. Konrad Narth (La Vérendrye): Thank you to the minister for bringing forward this bill.

I have tre - mendous respect for maintaining the safety, and psychological safety in parti cular, of workplaces in Manitoba. My first question –my questions are just some basic clarification. It states in the bill that an employer who is required to conduct a risk assessment must ensure the assessment is carried out by a competent person. How would this be established? Hon. Malaya Marcelino (Minister of Labour and Immigration): I thank the member opposite for their question and for their words of encouragement regarding the need for workplaces in Manitoba to be psychologically safe and healthy.

For his particular question, an example would be when there is a risk assessment of a training standard, for example, for confined spaces. That would be an example of some thing like that. You would have to say that a competent person is somebody who has some kind of training in safety and occupational safety to say that yes, the training standards for this confined space training is done well. * (14:50) So, it was just like a smaller, kind of clarification– The Speaker: Member's time has expired. Mr.

Narth: Within the bill, it also makes mention that an employer may be ordered to put in place a medical surveillance program. Will this also specifically apply to psychological safety within the workplace, or an unsafe psychological workplace? MLA Marcelino: That doesn't have anything to do with the psychological safety part of the bill. This bill encompasses a lot of different com po- nents, a lot of technical issues, and a lot of it is just updating clarifications or

definitions: for example, using the word incident instead of the word accident, be - cause we think that accidents are actually preventable. There is a little bit about administrative penalties and things like that. So, a lot of those other items are smaller types of changes in this amendment act, but the more significant one has to do with introducing the concept of psychological safety and health. Thank you, Honourable Speaker. Mr. Narth: In–within the bill it also makes mention to multiple businesses will now be considered a single employer.

How exactly will that be set out, and is this a current issue in Manitoba, that busi nesses are func - tioning under multiple different names to avoid poor health and safety practices? MLA Marcelino: I thank the member for that question. And just to kind of go back to his previous question about the role that the Chief Occupational Medical Officer would be playing, or the COMO. The part of the bill amend ment would state that he, or that the medical officer, would be able to issue surveillance in a workplace.

This is if we would suspect that a worker or workers at a work place would have some kind of undue exposure to chemicals and then they could put in, like, an order to make sure that this workplace would be surveilled. So that's a little bit of clarification about what that part of the bill was referring to. Mr. Narth: So I'll just ask a question to that and then go back to the previous question that the minister wasn't able to answer. So why is it, then, that this wasn't expanded to psychological unsafe workplaces, to have a surveil - lance program in those, if it's just the physical safety in workplaces?

MLA Marcelino: The part about psychological safety first, this is going to have to be steps; this is going to take steps to do this. We're the first trailblazing juris- diction to do this. It's a big project, so this is a small step; it's a small first step, but it's a very important step. When we're introducing the definition of psychological safety and health in the workplace and, to this extent,

1444 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 17, 2025 it's just about the definition. It's a 2013 CSA standard, and it's just the definition. Down the road there's going to be more consulta- tion with stakeholders, like the folks above, and there's going to be more regulations in place and, most likely, more legislative changes to ensure that we can do this. So those are two separate topics as it relates to the chief occupational– The Speaker: Member's time has expired. Mr. Narth: Thank you to the minister for clarifying that question.

Circling back to a previous question that I had is around making note in the bill regarding multiple businesses will now be considered a single employer. Is this something that comes from current issues that are being seen in the labour market in Manitoba? And are there businesses that are trying to avoid safe work environments through multiple business entities? MLA Marcelino: Thank you to the member opposite for that important question.

The purpose of allowing the director to declare multiple employers to be a single employer is because our Workplace Safety and Health branch has en - countered enforcement challenges, where some em - ployers have repeatedly been caught in contra vention of a regulation, and then they open a new company in the same sector, doing the same work in order to avoid the penalties and enforcement. So this legis lative amend ment would allow Workplace Safety and Health to hold those employers accountable despite their evasion efforts.

And this mirrors current provisions in the Em ployment Standards Code and also aligns with the labour rela - tions code. Thank you, Honourable Speaker. Mr. Narth: So I realize now and recog nize that the psychological safe workplace part of this bill has been established now as recognition. That being said, would there be further monitor - ing of that, and who determines whether a workplace is psychologically safe under this new legislation? MLA Marcelino: Again, Hon ourable Speaker, this bill is just a first step. So it's a first, small but impor - tant step. And no one's even taken this step before.

And we are, as a province, saying that we are going to be adopting the current CSA–2013 CSA standard of what a psychologically safe workplace should look like. And that definition is: a workplace that promotes workers' psychological well-being and actively works to prevent harm to a worker's psychological health including in negligent, reckless or intentional ways. So it's just the first step. It's just the adoption of a definition. The next steps, which we've already started to do, is to continue and to– The Speaker: Member's time is expired. Mr.

Narth: Out of respect for the minister, I'd like her to expand on what the next steps that she foresees, moving forward, in additional regula tion and other legislation. MLA Marcelino: Thank you for your consideration, to the member opposite. So the next steps would be to continue to engage with stake holders, like the folks upstairs, the folks who live this and breathe this and see their fellow co-workers having such a hard time, and have a hard time themselves, and have some –nowhere to turn to, and sometimes even with their employers giving them, like, not even the ability to talk about this.

So we know that that's changing. So similar to how we expect employers to be able to have physic - ally safe working con ditions, we are now expecting employers to have also– The Speaker: Member's time is expired. No further questions? Debate The Speaker: The floor is open for debate. Mr. Konrad Narth (La Vérendrye): I'd like to thank the minister for bringing this legis lation forward. I think, on both sides of the House, we can recognize and appreciate the importance of a safe workplace for all Manitobans. I think it's some thing that all employees –all Manitobans deserve.

They deserve to be able to go out and earn a living for their families, to provide for their families and contribute to their communities in a safe environment. There's no one that should be expected to go into an environment that is unsafe, physically or psychologically. I welcome the guests in the gallery that are here today that represent those who work in some of the most challenging work environments. And we're more

April 17, 2025 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1445 recently realizing that that expands and extends past physical dangers in the workplace. And we recognize the psychological importance of safety and well-being in the workplace. * (15:00) Firefighters are those in our com munities that I have utmost respect for. On my time in municipal government, I served as the liaison to the fire de part- ment and closely worked with their training and their expectations within the work place.

Al though it's a volunteer fire de partment in a rural municipality, these firefighters see and deal with many of the same things that a committed, full-time firefighter must do. The loss of Preston has hit many homes across our province. I know that some of his nearest and dearest friends are friends of mine as well, that serve as fire - fighters in the Winnipeg fire services, and the news of his passing last year had hit hard. The se are people that live within my constituency and my community.

My predecessor, Dennis Smook, the previous MLA for La Vérendrye, his boys were close friends with Preston, and it hit them hard, it hit their families hard. And it made us take note and recog nize what needs to be done to safeguard the workplace for all Manitobans, especially those that are in such demand- ing workplaces as firefighters. The legislation, I do realize–and I thank the minister for a valuable bill briefing that allowed me to early on ask some of those hard questions. In fact, the minister was so kind to allow me two bill briefings, because we were called out early the first time, so I respect that.

And I realize that this legislation being brought before us for the most

part is a five -year review, so a lot of what is included in this thick Bill 29 is basically cleaning up wording, as the minister had earlier said. What I want to make note of, though, is the im - portance to be mindful of businesses. I think there are the majority of Manitobans that work for busi nesses, for employers–not just in the private sector, but public sector–that do truly respect the work that their em- ployers do to safeguard their interests within the work- place in regards to safety. And that's both psycho- logical safety and physical safety.

I know that there are workplaces already, both in the public sector and private sector, that do have surveillance programs for the public or for the employees' safety within those settings. The member from Brandon West had just shared with me that within the police service in Brandon, there is a three- year review surveillance program that already exists. So, many employers across our province are being proactive in this. Further to that, I want the minister to be aware, as I'm hoping that she is, of the importance of attracting and retaining workforce throughout all industries in our province.

We can't be hindering the ability for employers to attract and retain a workfor ce, and we cannot be adding undue hardship as far as responsi - bilities for employers that may be outside of their control. I think we can all accept and ap preciate the im- portance of an employer doing everything that it can to safeguard each and every one of their employees going home unharmed, and unharmed whether that be psychologically or physic ally.

But what we can't be doing is putting in place boundaries for employers that, like I said, may esta blish undue hardship if we have a bad employee that wants to take advantage of some of the legal authority that is provided to them. Another thing that I can appreciate, and I actually learned through reviewing this bill, is answer shopping; it's some thing that I didn't realize was a thing. I'd never heard the terminology before, and this bill sets out to eliminate that.

And that's not so that an em- ployee can go to their employer, workplace health and safety and the union and try to get the response that they're looking for. This streamlines their claim and does make positive impact in the ability to access a safe workplace. So with that being said, I think myself and my colleagues support safe workplaces in Manitoba and we ap preciate the hard work that many Manitobans do. Thank you. The Speaker: Seeing no further speakers, is the House ready for the question? Some Honourable Members: Question.

The Speaker: The question before the House is second reading of Bill 29, The Workplace Safety and Health Amendment Act. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed] I declare the motion carried.

1446 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 17, 2025 Bill 24–The Workers Compensation Amendment Act The Speaker: As previously agreed, we will now move on to second reading of Bill 24, The Workers Compensation Amendment Act. Hon. Malaya Marcelino (Minister responsible for the Workers Compensation Board ): I move, seconded by the Minister of Justice (Mr. Wiebe), that Bill 24, The Workers Compensation Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la

Loi sur les accidents du travail, be now read a second time and be referred to a committee of this House. Motion presented. MLA Marcelino: I am pleased to rise again to pro- vide comments on Bill 24. This bill will expand the eligibility for the Workers Compensation Board's lump-sum fatality benefit to a deceased worker's estate, to better support workers' families following the loss of a loved one. Currently, the WCB pays this benefit to a spouse or a former spouse entitled to benefits; and where a spouse is not identified, a deceased worker's estate cannot currently access this sig nificant sum.

This change better reflects the modern realities of today's families, and ensures access to critical benefits fol - lowing a tragedy. This bill also supports more balanced decision- making at the Workers Compensation Board; new benefit-of-the-doubt clauses provide consistency to decision-making in circum stances where evidence is equally balanced. And this will not only better support injured workers through the claims process, but it also provides fairness in WCB decisions relating to an employer's assessment costs.

The change of the annual reporting deadline for the appeal commission to May 31 each year aligns it with that of WCB and streamlines approvals, ensuring data in both reports are con sistent. Changes to the annual reporting deadline for the WCB appeal com - mission to May 31 each year aligns the date with that required of WCB, ensuring consistent data in report- ing to government. * (15:10) This bill will ensure that the interests of all Manitoba workers are protected in and out of work, and also enables the Workers Compensation Board adjudicators to consistently take fair decisions.

Honourable Speaker, the reason why our NDP government is putting this bill forward is because a core mandate item for our Labour minis try is to always stand up for the rights of working people and to make sure that workers are treated with dignity and respect; and this didn't happen in a specific case of my constituent who was 19 years old. His name was John Lloyd Maaba Barrion, and he was killed at work on February 15, 2022. He was shot during a robbery while he was working at the Travelodge by the Wyndham Winnipeg hotel on Notre Dame Avene, shortly around 3 a.m.

My constituent, John Lloyd, was a recent graduate of Tech-Voc High School. He was the middle child. He used his earnings at the beer vendor to directly support his family and save money so that he could put himself through culinary studies. His siblings include three brothers and one sister, and one of hi s brothers is here with us today–it's John Christian Barrion, and also John Lloyd's mom is here today – Maria–and other family and friends.

And I thank them for being present today at this second reading, because this bill amend ment was done directly in response to what happened to your family so that this doesn't happen to any other family ever again in Manitoba. John Lloyd was such a good kid, he actually shared his earnings with his parents. He wanted to support his family as much as he could. He would buy his siblings food, clothing and even shoes.

After John Lloyd was robbed and killed at work during his shift as a beer-vendor attendant, the family and the community held vigils; we held a funeral; and the WCB paid an amount for the funeral costs. But it was very unfair that John Lloyd's family wa s not eligible for the lump-sum death benefit cost, because John Lloyd did not have a spouse or a former spouse. So going forward, this bill changes that.

The lump-sum death benefit will go to the deceased person's estate of–or the WCB will be able to make a deter mination who the lump -sum benefit goes to, and that would have made a huge difference to John Lloyd's family. It's part of our mandate, as an NDP govern ment, to always stand up and fight for the rights of workers, and this is just a small example of how we're going to do that. But it would be a big deal to families like John Lloyd's, and it's never going to happen to any other family again because of your advocacy.

April 17, 2025 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1447 And I commend your family's strength in the difficulties that you've had over the last two years navigating–more than two years –navigating his loss, and I really ap preciate the help that you've given me in drafting this so that we can stand up for other workers. So thank you again, especially to his mom, Maria, and to his brother, John Christian. Thank you, everybody. Questions The Speaker: A question period of up to 15 minutes will be held. Questions may be addressed in the standard rotation. No question or answer shall exceed 45 seconds.

The floor is open for questions. Mr. Konrad Narth (La Vérendrye): Thank you to the minister for that explanation and her remarks. During the bill briefing, the explanation was never shown to myself, so I appreciate that. I was wondering, though, how many other cases are like the example that the minister brought forward? Is this a one-off that we're closing a potential hole in the legislation, or is this something that happens more frequently? Hon. Malaya Marcelino (Minister responsible for the Workers Compensation Board ): Thank you to the member opposite for their question.

I'm going to assume that he was speaking about the lump-sump–lump-sum death benefit in this case. And I would just update the House that the WCB's analysis on the system implications on expanding benefits deter mined that between 2019 and 2023, 15 per cent, or 22 cases, of the 143 fatality claims would've been impacted by the proposed require- ments, providing the lump-sum benefit to a deceased worker's estate. So, in regular words, that means this has hap- pened to 22 other families since 2019. The Speaker: Member's time has expired. Mr. Narth: Thank you for that clari fication.

Fifteen per cent of the cases or 22 families, yes, I think that clarifies that well enough; I can do the math. But maybe to clarify: The lump-sum payment right now currently in Manitoba is $102,130, is that correct? MLA Marcelino: Yes, that's correct. Mr. Narth: In the case that this does need to happen, and I think the example that was used, of the family that we have with us today in the gallery, is quite clear-cut. It is his family that would've been the bene- ficiary. Other cases out of those 22 may not be as clear.

So how will the WCB deter mine the appropriateness of the other person or entity that they may transfer the death benefit to? MLA Marcelino: I thank the member for that question. So currently, if the worker who died had a spouse, that lump-sum benefit would go to the spouse. If that worker who died had even a former spouse, there's calculations in place. Like, if that –if the worker was providing maintenance payments to the previous spouse, even that person would get that –a portion of the lump-sum benefit as well. So now with this bill, this bill amend ment, this lump-sum benefit could go to the worker's estate.

An estate–it doesn't matter if you have a will or not. The Speaker: Member's time has expired. Mr. Narth: I did realize that the next line of payment would be to the estate, but many people, especially younger people, may not have an esta blished estate. So who other than the family could be deemed as beneficiaries? MLA Marcelino: So I had to learn about this from lawyers, and, actually, everybody has an estate, even if they don't have a will, because an estate is the total of belongings, property, assets and liabilities of a person at the time of their death.

Now, beneficiaries of an estate are set out in a will, but even if there is no will, that estate is distributed to the deceased person's closest living rela- tives in accordance with The Intestate Succession Act. If you do have a will, it will go to the executor that will deal with the 'ecstate,' and if you do not have a will, the court may appoint an administrator to fulfill the same role that the executor would. So– The Speaker: Member's time has expired. Mr.

Narth: I think that clarification has been strong enough, unless it was to extend past an estate, and that's–that was my top question, is to clarify that it's a spouse, previous spouse, common-law partner or the estate. And then it would go into the legal system after estate. Is that clear? * (15:20)

1448 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 17, 2025 MLA Marcelino: There is a part of this amend ment that also gives the WCB discretion to pay the lump sum fatality benefit to someone other than the worker's estate, and it would be giving the WCB discretion. But the WCB already has this type of discretion to pay beneficiaries or family members directly for the interment benefit.

So similar policy can be put in place and similar safeguards can be put in place that kind of mirror what the WCB already does when they give an interment benefit, and that's just about $14,000 or so, and we can do–and the WCB can do this as well for the lump-sum benefit to put criteria in place and a policy later on to outline how it can utilize this decision– The Speaker: Member's time is expired. Mr. Narth: Would that discretion ever include some- body or a corporation outside of the person's estate or family? MLA Marcelino: I don't have that information.

The WCB will be, in the future, outlining this type of policy and more criteria and the safeguards in place, but I'm just going to say that it would–they already have this ability to do that now with the interment sum, which is a much smaller sum, because families often have the immediate needs for these funds on the death of the worker, and it can take time to obtain these letters or probates of letters of administration for the worker's estate. So it makes sense for the WCB to have this type of discretion to pay someone other than the worker's estate. Thank you, Honourable Speaker. Mr.

Narth: Does legislation like this being brought forward today exist in other juris dictions outside of the province of Manitoba currently? MLA Marcelino: Across Canada, the juris dictions– almost every province is different. I wouldn't be able to–there's no, like, clear pattern similar to other parts of–like, other parts of this legis lation. There is, like, for example, the benefit -of-the-doubt clause. We 're one of only two other provinces that don't have one. But as far as this, almost every province does it differently. Some provinces have smaller amounts; some pro- vinces have, like, double the amounts.

So this is a – I think, a fair–but, I think a fair way of dealing with this kind of–difficult kind of case. Thank you, Honourable Speaker. Mr. Narth: Would the minister say that we are now unique in the disbursement of the lump sum payment in comparison to other juris dictions across the pro - vince, or is the lump sum similar and also paid out to the family and estate or the spouse? MLA Marcelino: I can find it in my notes. I do have, like, a juris dictional scan of how everybody does things differently. Again, the amounts are very different and how they do things is different.

But I can certainly find that and start listing them off, all 12 provinces and juris - dictions and other territories for the member opposite. So, for example, in Newfoundland, the lump-sum payment goes to the spouse or to the common- law partner. It's 26 times the worker's average weekly net earnings, or $24,000, whichever is greater. In Prince Edward Island, 100 per cent of the maximum annual earnings in a year of death can go to a worker's estate. In Nova Scotia, the lump- sum payment is $15,000 that can go to the worker's estate.

In New Brunswick, it's $25,000 –$641–$25,641.50 that goes to the worker's– The Speaker: Member's time is expired. Debate The Speaker: Seeing no further questions, the floor is open for debate. Mr. Konrad Narth (La Vérendrye): Thank you, once again, to the minister for bringing forward this legislation and with the in tention to safeguard the interests of Manitoba employees in a variety of dif - ferent workplaces. There–for the most part, again, this legis lation, Bill 24, is a housekeeping piece of legis lation. It sets us in line with juris dictions, sets us in line with the WCB.

An example of that is the deadline for the appeal commissions to submit its annual report to the ministers extended from April 30 to May 31. So these are examples of parts of the legis lation that are straightfor ward, and just work to stream line legislation on a review basis. The lump-sum payment is really the only thing that is added to this legislation and the only thing that would make this legislation unique. I thank the minister for answering the ques - tions that I brought forward during the question period, and I think that clarifies much of this legis - lation for myself and for Manitobans.

I look forward to the com mittee's process where Manitobans are able to ask some questions of im -

April 17, 2025 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1449 portance, but I am comfortable and confident that the minister had consulted stake holders, as she had outlined with family in the gallery today. So I can ap- preciate that. I think it's an important addition to the legislation. Basically, the only concern that I'll flag and highlight is the amount of independent discretion that the WCB has with the lump sum payment. That's concern ing, that we weren't able to clearly outline in legislation the order of priority for the lump- sum payment.

I think examples can be used, like they say, the family who had to ex perience such a terrible and tragic loss deserve that lump -sum payment. Nobody here and nobody in Manitoba would stand to dispute that. Past that, I'm not a hundred per cent confident with the minister's response that the WCB is not able to use additional discretion to award that lump sum to people that they so see fit, and in fact, it outlines that in legislation now.

And that only has concern because when you allow an in dependent entity to have discretion over the benefits that are rightfully those of a family or individual, it can raise concern. And I think this potentially can raise legal con - cern in the future that I wouldn't want to see the Province of Manitoba being put into that predicament, the Workers Compensation Board as well and definitely not the grieving family or beneficiary. I know many people's personal situations are unique, or I should say everyone's personal situation is unique.

We realize that people may not have a spouse, and something tragic could happen. Then they may not have an established estate. The first response by the minister saying that everyone has an estate, and the lump sum would automatically just be provided to that estate, gave me some peace of mind.

But the legislation isn't written that way, and her question–or answers following that had provided me some additional uncertainty that the discretion could not be abused by–not in tentionally, even, by the WCB, but putting the WCB in a difficult position where they may be requested to provide the lump-sum payment to somebody who is of extended family and a caregiver or a provider for that individual, just to use that as an example. * (15:30) Potentially, the beneficiary of an estate that may not be entitled to these types of payments.

They could be the beneficiary of an estate with clear outlines on what they're the beneficiary of, and there may not be any monetary funds in that estate and cl early set out in the estate that no monetary funds should be given to the beneficiary. In this case, it would put the Workers Compensation Board in a tough predicament on who, then, would be the beneficiary of the lump sum. So I think there are many consid erations to be made and should've been made during the drafting of this legislation. So I'd like to highlight that, but not discredit the in tention of the minister or this legis - lation.

I do feel that the minister has drafted this legis- lation with good intentions and I can appreciate that. Thank you, Honourable Speaker. The Speaker: Seeing no further speakers, is the House ready for the question? Some Honourable Members: Question. The Speaker: The question before the House is second reading of Bill 24, The Workers Compensation Amendment Act. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed] I declare the motion carried. Bill 43–The Human Rights Code Amendment Act The Speaker: We will now move on to Bill 43, second reading of Bill 43, The Human Rights Code Amend- ment Act. Hon.

Matt Wiebe (Minister of Justice and Attorney General): I move, seconded by the Minister of Infra- structure and Transportation, that Bill 43, The Human Rights Code Amendment Act, be now read a second time and referred to a committee of this House. Motion presented. Mr. Wiebe: I'm pleased to rise in the House today for second reading of Bill 43, The Human Rights Code Amendment Act. Mr. Tyler Blashko, Deputy Speaker, in the Chair This bill will amend The Human Rights Code to include gender expression in the list of protected characteristics.

At present, the code prohibits discrimina- tion against individuals based on numer ous specified characteristics such as age, sex, family status, sexual orientation, gender identity and physical or mental dis- ability. This amendment would add gender expression to the list of protected characteristics. Gender expression refers to how a person presents and communicates their gender. This can include behaviour and outward appearance such as dress, hair,

1450 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 17, 2025 makeup, body language and voice. This is distinct from gender identity, which refers to a person's deeply felt internal and individual exper ience of gender. Gender expression can be a distinct aspect of their lived experience. Without this explicit protection, individuals who challenge traditional norms of masculinity or femininity remain vulnerable to discrimination in workplaces, in housing, in services and in public spaces. Our govern- ment believes that all people should be able to express their gender in a way that feels authentic to them.

Recognizing gender expression in human rights law affirms the freedom of all people to do so without fear of prejudice or harm. Human rights laws in almost all provinces and territories in Canada prohibit discrimination based on gender expression. This proposed amendment would align the protected characteristics in Manitoba with the laws of other juris dictions and with the fede ral Canadian Human Rights Act.

Our govern ment stands with the 2SLGBTQIA community and believes unwaveringly in the rights of individuals to be who they are, to proudly be who they are, unapologetically, to live the –live their lives free from all forms of harassment and free from al l forms of discrimination. Of course, we saw a very different approach from the members opposite during the last election cam- paign when their party ran an ad campaign that tar - geted the 2SLGBTQIA youth in our province, some of whom are the most vul nerable members of our society. They campaigned on limiting youth from expressing their true selves.

And they have never explained that position; they've never accounted for it or apologized for the divisive ads that they ran. And, of course, hon ourable Speaker, the face of that divisive and disgraceful campaign–well, it was the member for Fort Whyte (Mr. Khan), who's now running for the leadership of that very party. It's some- thing that he has never explained, something that he's never accounted for. He's never apologized for being the face of that campaign. And that's not leadership, honour able Speaker. That's not accountability.

So while members opposite would rather sow division and discord, and use the rights of others as a political dog whistle, our government will work each and every day to stand up for those rights. The good people of Manitoba, well, they rejected the politics of division, and instead, they elected a government that's focused on bringing people together. It's simple: on this side of the House, honourable Speaker, we stand for equality; we stand for human rights; we stand for the rights of everyone, and we stand for one Manitoba.

By expanding the Human Rights Code to cover gender expression, we are protecting more people from discrimination. And we're sending a clear message to the 2SLGBTQIA community that our government has your back. This amendment is an important step forward and will protect vulner able individuals in the workplace, in our schools and those who are seeking services in our–in public spaces. It's about ensuring that every- one, no matter how they express their gender, is treated with respect and the dignity that they deserve.

I look forward to the support of all members in this House and moving this bill past second reading. Thank you, honourable Speaker. The Deputy Speaker: A question period of up to 15 minutes will be held. Questions may be addressed in the standard rotation. And no question or answer shall exceed 45 seconds. Seeing no questions, is there–the floor is open for debate. Is the House ready for the question? Some Honourable Members: Question. The Deputy Speaker: The question before the House is second reading of Bill 43, The Human Rights Code Amendment Act.

Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed] Bill 36–The Drivers and Vehicles Amendment and Highway Traffic Amendment Act The Deputy Speaker: We'll now move on to second reading of Bill 36, The Drivers and Vehicles Amend- ment and Highway Traffic Amendment Act. Hon. Matt Wiebe (Minister of Justice and Attorney General): I move, seconded by the Minister for Infra- structure and Transportation, that Bill 36, The Drivers and Vehicles Amendment and Highway Traffic Amend- ment Act, be now read a second time and referred to a committee of this House. Motion presented.

April 17, 2025 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1451 * (15:40) Mr. Wiebe: I rise in the House today for second reading of Bill 36, the drivers and vehicles and highway traffic amendment act. This act makes changes to MPI ser - vices and improves customer protec tion and road safety in several areas. A certificate of inspection, i.e. a safety, which is issued by a qualified mechanic, is required to register a used vehicle in Manitoba, and it lets MPI and other drivers know that the vehicle meets safety standards and is fit to operate on our roads.

It also provides con- fidence to consumers that a used vehicle meets safety standards. Unfortunately, safeties presented to MPI have been revealed to be false or misleading or not issued by qualified mechanics. This represents a road safety concern, as these vehicles may not be road -worthy. In 2022, this House passed legis lation which gave MPI the ability to issue tickets to a mechanic who issues a fraudulent certificate, a person who issues a certificate but is not a mechanic or a person who submits a fraudulent certificate to MPI.

This bill would build on that and give MPI author- ity to issue tickets to a person –to other persons who authorized permit or acquiesce in the issuance of a fraudulent certificate or one issued by a person who is not a qualified mechanic. This could be an inspection station that allows or participates in such a scheme, or that hires people who are not mechanics to conduct these inspections. Should this legis lation pass, MPI could charge the inspection station itself. The second item affected in this legis lation is searchable database of drivers' licences.

Legis lation, again passed in 2022, authorized MPI to build a tool allowing individuals to enter driver's licence number on the MPI website and learn if a licence is valid or if there are any conditions or restrictions on it. No other information about the licence holder will accompany the licence status, and this tool will become available later this year. The ability to verify the validity of a licence online already exists in Ontario and Quebec, and this been–has been requested by stakeholders in Manitoba, including car rental companies, trucking companies and the City of Winnipeg.

The tool will allow them to ensure their drivers are valid, licensed, validly licensed and will help keep drivers with a suspended licence off the road. However, the legislation from 2022 doesn't allow the tool to disclose or–the class or stage of the licence being searched, so this new legis lation will add licence class and stage to the list of infor mation provided, which will make the tool much more useful. The database is only searchable for a licence number, not a name, and won't have the number unless–and, of course, you wouldn't have the number unless the person being searched gives it to you.

The third key impact–area impacted by this bill is the age limits for driver licencing and vehicle registra- tions. Manitobans under the age of 18 cannot obtain a driver's licence or register a vehicle without the con- sent of a parent or guardian. The Drivers and Vehicles Act suggests that both parents need to provide approval, but this amendment will clarify that only one needs to sign, which will keep us in line with most other provinces. If there is no parent or guardian or they cannot provide approval, then another adult who is an– who MPI considers respon sible could also do so.

If the person who provided the approval revokes it and the child is still under 18, then MPI cancels the driver's licence or vehicle registration; this will continue to be the case. Finally, we're taking the opportunity through this bill to improve the wording of several other provisions related to driver's licencing. A person who is con- victed of impaired driving offence or is issued some types of licence suspensions at a roadside by a police officer must complete an impaired driver's assessment and possibly additional programming through Shared Health.

The person cannot become licensed again until they have completed this require ment, but the legislation is not clear about th is, so we're making those sections of the act clearer. In conclusion, Honourable Speaker, I'm confident that this bill will increase road safety by keeping unsafe vehicles and drivers off the road, all the while keeping driver licensing accessible to all Manitobans. Thank you, Honourable Speaker. Questions The Deputy Speaker: A question period of up to 15 minutes will be held. Questions may be addressed in the standard rotation, and no question or answer shall exceed 45 seconds. Mr.

Wayne Balcaen (Brandon West): My first ques- tion is, this legis lation allows a minor to acquire a licence with only one parent's approval.

1452 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 17, 2025 What is the process should a minor not be able to secure this approval, for example, if they have very poor parental relations? Hon. Matt Wiebe (Minister of Justice and Attorney General): I think we covered this in the bill briefing that we had with the member opposite. Happy to delve into it a little bit deeper if he'd like. We could set up a meeting and talk a little bit more through this. The point here is that we're making it easier for those families to be able to obtain that permission and be able to grant that to a minor. Mr.

Balcaen: I repeat the question, honour able Speaker, so that all Manitobans can hear an answer from this minister, not just me personally in a bill briefing. And I think the thousands of people that are watching online today deserve an answer. So will ask again: If a child doesn't get along with their parent, what is the process for them to move forward under this bill? Mr. Wiebe: Well, again to the–I would suggest maybe tens of thousands of Manitobans that are watching along the debate here this afternoon.

The point that we are making here with this bill is to make it easier for those parents to give that consent. I also would suggest that this is, of course, bill stage at second reading. And so by passing this at second reading, we're going to have an opportunity to call those tens of thousands of Manitobans in to ask questions at committee, and I look forward to hearing the member's further questions. Mr. Balcaen: So with that answer, I guess I'll ask: How will it make it easier for children who have poor relationships with their parents to get a driver's licence? Mr.

Wiebe: Well–and I think I mentioned it in my opening comments, that MPI does have some discre - tion when it comes to how they obtain the permissions that we're talking about. So there are some circum - stances where they are able to find an additional, responsible adult who can grant these permissions. So there is some flexibility, and that is part of the legislation that we're presenting here today. Mr. Balcaen: I guess third time was the charm. Appreciate the answer from the minister.

Providing additional infor mation in a database, while welcome, can also increase the susceptibility of that data being breached. What steps will MPI undertake to ensure that only qualified individuals can access the validity of a driver's licence? Mr. Wiebe: Well, of course, as I said, this tool is currently being built, ready to roll out, and, of course, the cybersecurity, and the security concerns more broadly, of drivers' infor mation is paramount in this process. So I know that MPI is taking this –taking their time to ensure that they get this right.

They've been developing this tool for quite some time, and, as I understand it, it's ready to roll out very shortly. Mr. Balcaen: Does the minister have any data on the number of fraudulent safety inspection certificates that have been issued over the past five years? Mr. Wiebe: Well, again, I don't have those figures in front of me, but I'm happy to have this if this is a question that, of course, again, members of the public are bringing forward at com mittee stage. We'd be happy to delve into that.

What we know is that the industry has been ask- ing for this kind of support, because they're asking for us to clamp down on those who are acting in a fraudulent way, to ensure that those who are doing it in the right way are supported and that industry is protected. Mr. Balcaen: Under this legis lation, the registrar must cancel the registration issued to a person under 18 years of age if the registrar receives a written request from the person who approved and signed the application.

What is the process and time frame for such a cancellation, to ensure that a minor's licence is not disrupted, impacting their work or studies? * (15:50) Mr. Wiebe: Well, I think the member opposite is on the right track, and that is ensuring that we're stream- lining the processes as best we can. That is the goal of this. If this is a –just picking up on this, it might be a specific casework issue, a specific instance that the member is bringing forward. I'd be happy to sit down and support his constituent if they have a specific question about an instance that they've run into. Mr.

Balcaen: No, it's not a specific casework. Otherwise, I would follow the process and have a discussion with the minister or send this in.

April 17, 2025 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1453 I was asking for the tens of thousands of Manitobans that are watching us here today so that they understand, especially those youth that are coming up and becoming active drivers, what would happen if they're in this situation. Mr. Wiebe: Well, again, and that's why we're making sure that, you know, we're getting infor mation for those hundreds of thousands of Manitobans who are following along this debate here this afternoon.

What I will say is if there is a very specific circumstance that the member opposite is referencing, I'm happy to get him additional information. Otherwise, the point of this bill is to ensure that there is no disruption and stream line the process for those kinds of drivers. Mr. Balcaen: Once again, I appreciate getting up and asking a question for the 1.4 million people who are following along today in Manitoba. Under the bill, an impaired person's driver's licence must not be returned to them until the person has provided the registrar with an impaired driver's assessment from a recognized agency.

How many drivers have been required to under - take an assessment over the last five years, and what is the successful completion rate? Mr. Wiebe: I have to apologize. There was some chatter in the room, maybe even some laughter from the member's previous question. Can I just ask him to repeat the question so that I can get all the details? Mr. Balcaen: Well, it's my pleasure, again, to ask on behalf of the 1.4 million Manitobans that are follow - ing along today to the minister.

Under this bill, an impaired person's driver's licence must not be returned to them until the person has provided the registrar with an impaired driver's assessment from a recognized agency. How many drivers have been required to under - take an assessment over the past five years, and what is the successful completion rate? Mr. Wiebe: It's a very good question and, of course, I don't have those numbers in front of me. But, again, I look forward to committee. We can delve into some of the details that the member opposite is bringing.

I'm sure some of those–at least some of those 1.4 million Manitobans will come to our com mittee and, of course, we'll be able to get all th at infor mation for those folks that come to the committee. Debate The Deputy Speaker: Seeing no further questions, the floor is open for debate. Mr. Wayne Balcaen (Brandon West): You know, I certainly don't want to hold up this bill getting to second reading, so I'm just going to put a few words on the record regarding Bill 36, the drivers and vehicles amendment and highway traffic amendment.

I think this kind of dovetails a little bit on to Bill 5, which talks about The Highway Traffic Amendment Act, spe cifically to impaired driving legislation, because one of the areas in this bill is that a person who is obligated to provide an impaired driver's assessment is not eligible to hold a driver's licence until they provide the assessment and com - plete any required education or treatment program. Honourable Deputy Speaker, this could actually be more severe than somebody who's involved in an impaired driving incident or an impaired -driving- causing-death incident.

They could have their licence sitting there longer than a person who causes death through impaired driving. Bill 5, which dovetails on to this, amend ments were brought forward by this PC govern ment–PC Party to look at severe conse quences. And we really have to make sure that, you know, when we're looking at drivers and vehicles amendments and The Highway Traffic Act amendments, we really have to make sure that people are kept safe. And, you know, when we talk about safety, the Minister of Justice (Mr.

Wiebe) moved this bill and the Minister of Transpor tation and Infra structure (MLA Naylor) was the one that seconded this, yet at committee, on Bill 5, which talks about this, they both denied any sort of changes to make the road safety. The minister who is respon sible for Justice and the minister who is respon sible for road safety both denied this and said we don't need any changes. So I find it funny that road safety is spoken about as being paramount in our province, yet it's empty words and no action is ever actually taken by this NDP government.

My other concern is adding extra work on to MPI, building this tool. I'm wondering if that's caused some of our 5.3 per cent increases that we've seen a

Document details

Collection	Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	43-2-44b
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	43rd 2nd hansardpdf 44b.pdf
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	01ec0d51b0e88bb5f1b8ee4378c93d82d66cb3df

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