Manitoba Hansard — 31 May 2021 (Sitting 72, 42nd Legislature, 3rd Session)

42-3-72

Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)

Third Session – Forty-Second Legislature of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba DEBATES and PROCEEDINGS Official Report (Hansard) Published under the authority of The Honourable Myrna Driedger Speaker Vol. LXXV No. 72 - 1:30 p.m., Monday, May 31, 2021 ISSN 0542-5492

MANITOBA LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Forty-Second Legislature Member Constituency Political Affiliation ADAMS, Danielle Thompson NDP ALTOMARE, Nello Transcona NDP ASAGWARA, Uzoma Union Station NDP BRAR, Diljeet Burrows NDP BUSHIE, Ian Keewatinook NDP CLARKE, Eileen, Hon. Agassiz PC COX, Cathy, Hon. Kildonan-River East PC CULLEN, Cliff, Hon. Spruce Woods PC DRIEDGER, Myrna, Hon. Roblin PC EICHLER, Ralph, Hon. Lakeside PC EWASKO, Wayne, Hon. Lac du Bonnet PC FIELDING, Scott, Hon. Kirkfield Park PC FONTAINE, Nahanni St. Johns NDP FRIESEN, Cameron, Hon. Morden-Winkler PC GERRARD, Jon, Hon. River Heights Lib.

GOERTZEN, Kelvin, Hon. Steinbach PC GORDON, Audrey, Hon. Southdale PC GUENTER, Josh Borderland PC GUILLEMARD, Sarah, Hon. Fort Richmond PC HELWER, Reg, Hon. Brandon West PC ISLEIFSON, Len Brandon East PC JOHNSON, Derek, Hon. Interlake-Gimli PC JOHNSTON, Scott Assiniboia PC KINEW, Wab Fort Rouge NDP LAGASSÉ, Bob Dawson Trail PC LAGIMODIERE, Alan Selkirk PC LAMONT, Dougald St. Boniface Lib. LAMOUREUX, Cindy Tyndall Park Lib.

LATHLIN, Amanda The Pas-Kameesak NDP LINDSEY, Tom Flin Flon NDP MALOWAY, Jim Elmwood NDP MARCELINO, Malaya Notre Dame NDP MARTIN, Shannon McPhillips PC MICHALESKI, Brad Dauphin PC MICKLEFIELD, Andrew Rossmere PC MORLEY-LECOMTE, Janice Seine River PC MOSES, Jamie St. Vital NDP NAYLOR, Lisa Wolseley NDP NESBITT, Greg Riding Mountain PC PALLISTER, Brian, Hon. Fort Whyte PC PEDERSEN, Blaine, Hon. Midland PC PIWNIUK, Doyle Turtle Mountain PC REYES, Jon Waverley PC SALA, Adrien St. James NDP SANDHU, Mintu The Maples NDP SCHULER, Ron, Hon.

Springfield-Ritchot PC SMITH, Andrew Lagimodière PC SMITH, Bernadette Point Douglas NDP SMOOK, Dennis La Vérendrye PC SQUIRES, Rochelle, Hon. Riel PC STEFANSON, Heather, Hon. Tuxedo PC TEITSMA, James Radisson PC WASYLIW, Mark Fort Garry NDP WHARTON, Jeff, Hon. Red River North PC WIEBE, Matt Concordia NDP WISHART, Ian Portage la Prairie PC WOWCHUK, Rick Swan River PC

3669 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA Monday, May 31, 2021 The House met at 1:30 p.m. Clerk (Ms. Patricia Chaychuk): It is my duty to inform the House that the Speaker is unavoidably absent. T herefore, in accordance with the statutes, I would ask the Deputy Speaker to please take the Chair. Mr. Deputy Speaker (Doyle Piwniuk): O Eternal and Almighty God, from Whom all power and wisdom come, we are assembled here before Thee to frame such laws a s may tend to the welfare and prosperity of our province.

O–grant, O merciful God, we pray Thee, that we may desire in which is accordance with Thy will, that we seek it with wisdom and know it with certainty and accomplish it perfectly for the glory and honour of Thy name and for the welfare of all our people. Amen. Please be seated. Good afternoon, everyone. ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS INTRODUCTION OF BILLS Bill 237–The Elections Amendment Act Mr. Len Isleifson (Brandon East): I move, seconded by the honourable member for McPhillips (Mr. Martin), that Bill 237, The Elections Amendment Act, be now a read a first time. Motion presented. Mr.

Isleifson: I am pleased to be able to introduce bill 238, The Elections Amendment Act, to the Legislative Assembly today. Bill 238 would require the leader of a registered political party to file their tax returns with the chief elections officer. Bill 238 will benefit Manitobans by increasing transparency in who is running for public office and would settle the debate held every election cycle with leaders calling on each other to release their tax infor- mation. Bill 238 would proactively address the ques - tions that many Manitobans have for those running to represent them in public office.

I look forward to debate on this topic, and I hope that all members in this House can agree to support this bill to increase transparency. Thank you. Mr. Deputy Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? Agreed? [Agreed] Now we'll go on to the next bill. Bill 235–The Scrap Metal Recyclers Act Mr. Jim Maloway (Elmwood): I move, seconded by the honourable member for St. Johns (Ms. Fontaine), that Bill 235, The Scrap Metal Recyclers Act, be now read a first time. Motion presented. Mr.

Maloway: The Scrap Metal Recyclers Act addresses the recent spike in catalytic converter and copper wire and other metal thefts due to large increases in precious metal prices. It's aimed at organ- ized groups of criminals stealing catalytic converters, metallic wires and other valuable scrap metals. It requires scrap metal recyclers to verify iden - tification of sellers and keep proper identification and transaction records for a period of five years. It also eliminates cash payments for prescribed 'scrash' – scrap metals.

Penalties prescribed under this legislation include fines of up to $10,000 and/or one year in prison for first offence and $30,000 fine for corporations. Second offence fines are up to $30,000 and up to $100,000 for corporations. Mr. Deputy Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed] Now we'll go on to committee reports? TABLING OF REPORTS Hon. Scott Fielding (Minister of Finance): I'm pleased to rise today in Ass embly to table the Manitoba Finance report related to the supplementary loan and guarantee authority for the 2020-21 year. MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS Mr.

Deputy Speaker: Now we're going on to ministerial statements. The required 90 minutes –oh, the honourable m ember–Minister for Indigenous, Northern Relations. The required 90 minutes notice prior to routine proceedings has been provided in accordance with rule 26(2).

3670 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 31, 2021 The honourable minister, please proceed with your statement. The honourable Minister for Indigenous and Northern Relations, your mic is not –is still on mute. We still have your mic on mute. Oh, here we go. Children's Remains Found at Former Residential School (BC) Hon. Eileen Clarke (Minister of Indigenous and Northern Relations): Sorry. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Last week, Canadians were shaken by the dis - covery of the remains of 215 children who were found buried beneath the ground at the site of the Kamloops residential school in British Columbia.

This was a horrifying reminder of the suffering endured by thou- sands of Indigenous children who were forced to attend residential schools and a reminder that as we work to reconcile our relationships, Canada must also reconcile with our past. Indigenous children at residential schools were isolated from their families and communities. Many neglected children went hungry due to the lack of food, were forced to face freezing temperatures with inadequate clothing and insufficient housing or were victims of terrible physical and sexual abuse.

The flag of the Manitoba Legislature was lowered to half-mast in conjunction with the lowering of the Peace Tower flag in Ottawa to honour the lives of these children. Residential schools are very much a part of Canadian history, but today we can recognize that they represent a very un-Canadian idea. It has been my privilege to serve as Minister of Indigenous and Northern Relations for five years.

I've been honoured to engage with Indigenous Manitobans across the province but, in my time as minister, I have also seen that the legacy of residential schools still has the profound impact on many people and their communities. The news from Kamloops last week was a grim reminder of the impact residential schools had on the lives of Indigenous children, families and commun- ities. Today, I look at my three young grandsons and I try to imagine what I would feel to have them for - cibly removed from their parents and us as grand - parents.

I can't imagine not seeing them, spending time with them or preparing their favourite foods. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the sur - vivors and families as they are painfully reliving the past through the discovery of these tiny little bodies at a place where their lives ended, never to be reunited with their families again. We owe it to those 215 children in BC, and we owe it to 150,000 others who were forced to attend residential schools across Canada, including in Manitoba, to remember the tragedies of the past and to use these lessons we have learned from them.

We owe it to those children to make sure that the tragedies of yesterday will never happen again. We owe it to them and we owe it to ourselves, as Manitobans and Canadians, to take a far different path in the future and to make sure that every child matters as we w ork together with Indigenous people in Manitoba to help their communities build a better tomorrow. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. * (13:40) Mr.

Ian Bushie (Keewatinook): It is difficult to find the words today to describe the atrocities that have taken place for Indigenous people, the atrocities that we know that have been happening and have hap- pened and have not been disclosed and discovered and talked about for generations now. As we all know, just days ago, the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation f ound the remains of chil - dren as young as three years old on the site of what used to be Canada's largest residential school.

The discovery of the mass grave of 215 children rever - berated across the country, bringing a terrible re - minder of the horrors experienced in the schools to both survivors and their families. Each of these children was somebody's child or grandchild, brother or sister, niece or nephew, cousin or friend, but, Mr. Deputy Speaker, they were also future mothers, future grandmothers, future fathers, future grandfathers. While the intent was to assimilate First Nation children, the real intent was to exterminate.

In a lot of residential schools, family trees were destroyed, family trees that would never and will never grow to fruition. S o all those young mothers, grandmothers, fathers and grandfathers will never get to see their family tree. Their family tree will no longer exist.

May 31, 2021 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 3671 And I think of myself, and if my father or my mother or my grandfather–my grandmother was a vic- tim who was killed in a residential school–I would not be here today. And for that, we owe the resilience of other First Nation citizens and other First Nation people that survived those atrocities that took place in residential school. Families deserved the dignity of being able to bury their child and have some sense of closure, but they were denied even this.

It is the darkest possible reminder of the importance of having every level of government and every Canadian committed to im - plementing all 94 calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. It is important to note that this discovery was only made because of the initiative of the local Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation. We have a commitment from every level –we must have a commitment from every level of government across the country to search the sites of all other residential schools.

Every former residential school site in Canada should be examined for more mass graves like this one, so that Indigenous families can have a chance at closure and to know what happened to their relatives and their ancestors. And as a country, we must come to understand what happened to residential schools. Truce–truth must come from reconciliation. Since the discovery was made, vigils across Canada pai d tribute to these children and pressed governments to do more to help Indigenous com - munities recover from the colonial legacy of residen- tial schools. But we need more than temporary vigils.

A TRC report by archeologist deputy –Dr. Scott Hamilton recommends a co-ordinated effort to docu- ment, maintain, memorialize this shameful

chapter in our country's history. Let us never forget those taken far too soon, because while there was a discovery of 215 children, we know there is more. We know that for a fact, and it's been mentioned many, many times by First Nation citizens across this country. So the truth shall come out and the truth shall be disclosed and it is something that–as difficult as most Canadians may find difficult to talk about–it is some- thing that we need to do.

So today, we again join these calls and ask this government to begin searches in collaboration with Indigenous communities of every residential school site in Manitoba so that these children, and all those who loved them, can finally find some peace. Miigwech. Mr. Dougald Lamont (St. Boniface): I ask for leave to speak in response to the minister's statement. Mr. Deputy Speaker: Does the honourable member for St. Boniface have leave to reply to the ministerial statement? [Agreed] Mr.

Lamont: The discovery of 215 children who died at a residential school in Kamloops in BC is a tragic shock, but it should not be a surprise. The federal government knew a century ago that they were com - plicit in a crime. The story of children forced to attend residential schools who lost their lives is also the story of parents and communities who had their children forcibly taken from them by the government, only to hear that their child had died. The heartbreak is unimaginable. In 1922, P.H.

Bryce published The Story of a National Crime that laid out the federal government's refusal to act on tuberculosis in residential schools, and he called it then a criminal disregard for treaty pledges. It built on his own reports from many years earlier, as far back as 1907. The residential schools were deliberately created not just to indoctrinate Indigenous children and erase a people, but to shatter families so they could be driven off the land that was often being given free to settlers.

For the sake of the families and of re sidential school survivors, we hope the Manitoba government will join with the federal government to provide re - sources to ensure that all human remains are found, identified and granted a proper burial. This is the least we can do to help put the minds of families and sur- vivors at rest, and that the souls of the departed can have peace. We cannot turn a blind eye to present reality be- cause governments have never stopped tearing apart Indigenous families with terrible consequences. The residential schools were followed by the '60s scoop, and then by CFS.

And in the last 20 years, many children have died in Manitoba who were, at one point, in the custody of Child and Family Services. At one point, CFS was seizing a newborn a day, every day, with so -called birth alerts. The present-day issue of Indigenous children in custody of CFS is the single most important moral and political issue that Canada and Manitoba face, not just

3672 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 31, 2021 for righting historical wrongs, but in order to create a future together for those children, their families and their communities. That means ensuring that Indigenous peoples have equal access, not just to service, but to the oppor- tunities that many of us can take for granted, that Indigenous people have been deliberately denied by their separate and unequal treatment under the law.

This means that after the flags have been lowered, we need to commit to the real and hard work of recon- ciliation, which is an ongoing act of justice, healing, care and mutual support. We must not shy away from it. We have an obli- gation to forge a new peace to the benefit of all of us. Thank you. Ms. Nahanni Fontaine (Official Opposition House Leader): Is there leave of the House for a moment of silence? Mr. Deputy Speaker: Is there leave in the Hous e to have a moment of silence on this ministerial statement? [Agreed] Please stand. A moment of silence was observed. Manitoba Access Awareness Week Mr.

Deputy Speaker: Now we'll go on to the next ministerial statement. The honourable Minister for Families. The re - quired 90 minutes notice prior to routine proceedings was provided in accordance with rule 26(2). Would the honourable minister please proceed with her statement. Hon. Rochelle Squires (Minister responsible for Accessibility): As Manit oba's Minister responsible for Accessibility, I am pleased to proclaim this week as Manitoba Access Awareness Week with a theme of Creating a Culture of Accessibility in the Workplace.

I am also proud to share with this House our government's two -year p lan for accessibility. Chief among our government's commitments are the con- tinued development and establishment of the remain- ing three standards under The Accessibility for Manitobans Act by 2023. Another highlight of this week is the launch of new accessibility training that is available anytime from anywhere in Manitoba, on accessibilitymb.ca. This new learning program initially focuses on training required by the Accessibility Standard for Customer Service. A second learning module targeting employment is coming soon.

Both modules include videos featur - ing the perspectives of Manitobans, along with know- ledge checks and certificates to verify completion. Our government announced new provisions under the Province's Accessibility Standard for Employment on May 1st of this year, which came into effect for public sector organizations and will affect the private sector and small municipalities as of May 2022.

These requirements call on all organizations to ensure en- hanced accessibility, include workplace accommoda- tions policies and other initiatives to remove barriers. * (13:50) In addition, earlier this spring I was pleased to announce $20 million through The Winnipeg Foundation, a trust that will provide a sustainable revenue source for all organizatio ns, non-profits and municipalities to make their physical 'splace'–spaces, digital platforms and services more accessible.

Our government is committed to supporting Manitobans with disabilities and increasing the acces- sibility of our province so that al l who live here can access the services they need and enjoy through out our province. I would encourage all Manitobans to reflect on accessibility and how their daily routine would be im- pacted by a disability. We all must take an active role in ensuring that our province is accessible for all Manitobans. Once again, it is my honour to proclaim this week Manitoba Access Awareness Week, and I look for - ward to continuing to work to build a more accessible future for all Manitobans.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Ms. Danielle Adams (Thompson): We are happy to acknowledge and celebrate accessibility awareness week. Many people across Manitoba live with varying accessibility needs, and this week is a reminder for everyone in our province to reflect on how we can be inclusive for –of all Manitobans and remove these barriers. It is important that we take

part in reducing barriers faced by people living with disabilities and create an inclusive environment for all Manitobans can thrive.

May 31, 2021 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 3673 Here in Manitoba, this year's theme is Creating a Culture of Accessibility in the Workplace. We know it is so important for people living with disabilities to feel empowered in their homes, communities and workplace. National AccessAbility Week is also being celebrated at the federal level, and the theme for this year's campaign is Leaving No One Behind.

This week is celebrating the valued contributions of Canadians with disabilities, the accomplishments of individuals, communities in the workplace to remove barriers to acc essible and inclusion, and we need ongoing work to have all of–encounter discrimination against persons with disability and promote a culture of inclusion. I think this theme is especially important this year as we begin the work on our post-pandemic recovery. The pandemic has left many ways to open doors for accessibility for people living with disabilities.

Our collective shift of a virtual has shown and allowed those with accessibilities to have greater access to education, health care and, among others , a critical way of not losing the ease of accessibility in a forward post-pandemic. All creations for accessibility week this year is, of course, to be online as we continue to navigate our way out of the pandemic. That is why it is especially important this year to honour accessibility awareness week throughout the year, and although our actions – and not just for one week.

I encourage all members to promote, respect in- clusion for people living with disabilities. When Manitobans feel included and empower ed, our pro- vince has the best chance to succeed. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Mr. Deputy Speaker, the accessibility awareness week– Mr. Deputy Speaker: Oh, the honourable member for River Heights, if you can ask for leave. Mr. Gerrard: Oh, I ask for leave to speak to the minister's statement. Mr. Deputy Speaker: Does the honourable member for River Heights have leave to reply to the ministerial statement? [Agreed] Mr.

Gerrard: Accessibility awareness week is an important week. It's a week dedicated to achieving greater understanding and support for children and adults with disabilities –or, as we often say, special abilities. We all need to be aware of the physical and men- tal or brain disabilities. Too often the mental or brain disabilities are hidden and not recognized and, as a result, not accommodated for. Such mental and brain disabilities include, as an example, learning dis - abilities. Learning disabilities, in part because they're less visible, are often inadequately recognized and in- adequately helped.

We need to do much better to accommodate such learning disabilities as well as to recognize and accommodate physical disabilities. Under The Accessibility for Manitobans Act, there are five accessibility standards. Two of these, the regulations have been passed–customer service and employment standards.

But we are still waiting for progress on three of these standards: the infor - mation and communication standards, which address- es barriers to accessing one -way static information, as well as two -way interactive communication; the transportation standard, which applies to barriers for Manitobans that are encountered when getting to work or school, shopping, socializing or other aspects of daily life; and the design of public space standards– the built environment–deals with the accessibility to the design and construction that falls outside the jurisdiction of the Manitoba Building Code.

We have o bjected right from the beginning to the exclusion of addressing issues in the Manitoba Building Code, and this needs to be changed. But there have been major delays in the last three stan - dards, and there needs to be a lot of more progress and a lot more emphasis on achieving these. The excuse may be given that the pandemic has been upon us but, in fact, the pandemic has realized, for all of us, the deficiencies that we have in achieving these standards. And the pandemic should have been a time when more, not less, effort was dedicated to achieving these standards for those with disabilities.

One of the– Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable member's time is up. The–now we'll go on to the next ministerial statement, by the honourable Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage (Mrs. Cox). The required 90 minutes notice prior to routine proceedings was provided in accordance with rule 26(2).

3674 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 31, 2021 Would the honourable minister proceed with her statement. Special Olympics Awareness Week Hon. Cathy Cox (Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage): I am so pleased to have the opportunity to remind everyone that June 13th through to June 19th is Special Olympics Manitoba Awareness Week 2021. My colleague, the Honourable Heather Stefanson, was proud– Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. I just want to remind the minister to refer to people as either their constituency or their positions. The honourable Minister for Sport, Culture and Heritage. Mrs. Cox: Thank you, Mr.

Deputy Speaker. I apologize for that. She was proud to have collaborated with the members of Special Olympics Manitoba Honourary Board in 2013 to create bill 209, which proclaimed the second week in June each year as Special Olympics Manitoba Awareness Week. This initiative has been instrumental in promoting the awareness of people with intellectual disabilities who participate in sports, not just here in Manitoba but around the globe. The COVID -19 pandemic has impacted the athletes of Special Olympics Manitoba just as it has all of us, in one way or another.

Special Olympics Manitoba realized at the onset of the pandemic that, in order to continue supporting the health and safety of their athletes, that a shift to online or virtual oppor - tunities was paramount to develop until such a time as athletes could return to in-person programming. Mr. Deputy Speaker, over the past year, Special Olympics Manitoba has invested in several initiatives for their athletes. A virtual website, www.somflex.ca was developed, which houses all programs including fitness, health and wellness activities and oppor - tunities for social interaction.

With this shift to virtual programming, Special Olympics Manitoba realized that not all of their athletes had access to the Internet. In response, 50 tablets were purchased and loaned to athletes and their families so that they could be connected to new virtual programming. Another Special Olympics Manitoba project was the creation of Safe at Home sports kids–kits for group homes and @Home fitness and activity guides, along with fitness and sports equipment, was distributed to over 10 group home organizations across our pro- vince.

These kits have allowed individuals to stay healthy and active safely from their homes. This year's awareness week campaign involves an integrated social media platform that is focused on Special Olympics Manitoba overarching message of inclusion: Accept With No Exception. And it will highlight, in particular, why I love Special Olympics Manitoba. I sincerely congratulate all members of the Special Olympics Manitoba family for accepting and conquering the challenges this pandemic has put for - ward upon us. Our athletes continue to show their competitiveness and dedication to sports.

Their efforts and resilience is a shining example for all Manitobans to respect and embrace. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. * (14:00) Mr. Diljeet Brar (Burrows): Mr. Deputy Speaker, we are all excited to celebrate Special Olympics Awareness Week 2021. This year, it will be the week of June 13th to 19th, and it is the eighth year we are formally celebrating this week as a province. This week recognizes the hard work and dedica- tion of athletes who live with intellectual dis abilities in Manitoba. It reminds us of the importance to pro- mote inclusion in sport so that all Manitobans feel accepted.

This week's campaign is focused on the message of Accept With No Exception, and is shared and celebrated across the social media platforms of Special Olympics Manitoba. This is a time for all of us to appreciate the many achi evements of athletes, coaches and families in Manitoba. Special Olympics Manitoba noticed early on in the pandemic that athletes would appreciate virtual supports to feel connected to one another, so the organization created numerous opportunities for online engagements that would ensure their members could still access fitness and health and wellness resources.

Further to this, Special Olympics Manitoba has created platforms for all athletes to stay connected and keep relationships with one another, ir respective of the distance that may be dividing them. More infor - mation can be found online at www.somflex.ca. We are so happy that the Special Olympics Manitoba has really came together for the community

May 31, 2021 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 3675 during these unprecedented times and that they ha ve found so many ways to support athletes as well as their families whenever possible. Happy Special Olympics Awareness Week, everyone. Sport unites all of us as Manitobans, and we look forward to supporting Special Olympics Manitoba and all athletes at sporting events together very soon. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Ms. Cindy Lamoureux (Tyndall Park): Mr. Deputy Speaker, I seek leave to speak in response to the minister's statement. Mr.

Deputy Speaker: Does the honourable member for Tyndall Park have leave to reply to the ministerial statement? Agreed? [Agreed] Ms. Lamoureux: I'd like to thank the minister for bringing forward a ministerial statement about Special Olympics Awareness Week. The reason it is important to talk about and acknowledge Special Olympics Awareness Week is because Special Olympics Manitoba has done such incredible work in creating opportunities for all. Through their work they have helped open the hearts and minds of Manitobans and they have created awareness about those who have disabilities.

It was ex -NHL hockey player, Ted Irvine, who brought the concept of Special Olympics to Manitoba back in the 1970s, and this has prospered into Special Olympics Manitoba having over 18 sports and over 1,800 athletes in s even different regions of our province. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Special Olympics Manitoba has done a phenomenal job at creating a more in- clusive community and advocating in schools and communities and even to us MLAs. Typically, every year, we get to celebrate and play sports with mem- bers of the group right on the Legislative grounds. However, due to the pandemic, we have had to post - pone.

And I think that when it's safe to do so, we will really have to make up for it. So just before wrapping up, I want to thank Special Olympics Manitoba, all of the staff, the count- less volunteers and of course our skilled athletes for all they do. Thank you, merci and miigwech. Mr. Deputy Speaker: Now we'll go on to members' statements. MEMBERS' STATEMENTS Raj Phangureh Hon. Rochelle Squires (Minister of Families): I rise today to recognize and honour a remarkable man who lives in my constituency of Riel.

Raj Phangureh has been a dedicated member of the Winnipeg Kinsmen for the past 20 years, as recently highlighted in the Indo-Canadian Telegram. And through his time and dedication he has helped the club raise money to support Manitoba groups and organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters, Winnipeg Harvest and Special Olympics Manitoba. Raj has said that he prides himself in giving back to the city he has called home, and for the past five years has served as the chair for the well -known Kinsmen Club bingo.

Through its success, the club has been able to donate close to $8 million to organi- zations like the Toba Ce ntre for Children & Youth, Ronald McDonald House Charities and STARS ambulance. Prior to the pandemic, Raj could always be seen serving meals for those less fortunate in our city at a variety of charity events with joyful laughter and a welcoming smile. The role as philanthropist comes naturally to Raj. As I was pleased to learn, in the 1930s, his grand- father, Gandha Singh Phangureh, started a school for girls in Punjab at a time when there was little support for female education.

Raj is a remarkable individual with a remarkable family, and I ask all my colleagues to help me honour Raj and the Winnipeg Kinsmen Club for the contribu- tions they have made to our great city and province. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Thompson Crisis Centre Ms. Danielle Adams (Thompson): Domestic violence against women and girls is an issue that is much too common in Manitoba. Northern Manitoba has the second highest rate of violence against women and girls in all of the North, at 4.9 times higher than southern Manitoba.

Just one in 10 women and girls under the age of 24 will experience violence, most often at the hands of a male partner or a family member. Indigenous women and girls in particular are three times more likely to be a victim of special–spousal violence compared to non- Indigenous women.

3676 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 31, 2021 This situation is exactly why the Thompson Crisis Centre is invaluable for nor thern Manitoban women and girls. The Thompson Crisis Centre is the only family violence centre in the North, which means that they also can provide support for male children over 16, as well as transgender and non-binary individuals. The centre acts as a safe place for women and girls–women and children who are victims of abuse.

The centre provides immediate assistance for women going through domestic violence and provides sup- ports through support groups, all -day services for women and girls as needed. Unfortunately, many women across the North lack resources like the Thompson Crisis Centre. Now, more than ever, supports are needed in Manitoba's north. There are far too many remote communities that don't have access to resources like the Thompson Crisis Centre provides.

The Province should look at the Thompson Crisis Centre as a model for what works in northern Manitoba for women and girls and look to grow the number of centres across the North so women and families experiencing domestic violence hav e the services they need. Please join me in honouring the Thompson Crisis Centre for the great work they do in advocating for similar services to be accessible to all northern women and girls. Thank you. Mr. Deputy Speaker: Now we'll go on to the Minister of Economic Development and Jobs. Manitoba 150 Award Recipients Hon.

Ralph Eichler (Minister of Economic Development and Jobs): I rise virtually in the House today to introduce the seven honourees in my constituency of Lakeside who have received th e Manitoba 150 award. The seven constituents of Lakeside who have received this honour exhibit attributes that all Manitobans should aspire to have. All seven of the Lakeside honourees are pillars in their respective communities, and each have volunteered countless hours to better not only the communities where they reside, but also the province as a whole.

Along with receiving Manitoba 150 award, Canada Life will make a $500 donation to the charity of each of–honourees' choice. The selflessness of–these individuals have shown in volunteering their time in order to better the com - munities that they live in is remarkable. I'd like to put their names on record in Hansard: Monica Baldwin of Grosse Isle, Jim Lindsay of Grosse Isle, Danny Kleinsasser of S tony Mountain, Dave Van Heyst of Stony Mountain, Paige Proctor of Stonewall, Cheryl Stock of Elie, and Ron Watson of Argyle.

I want to thank these amazing Manitobans of Lakeside for all they have done and will no doubt continue to do in the future in ord er to better their communities. Your spirit of volunteerism is truly unbelievable, and people like you make this province a better place for all. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Right to Repair Mr. Jim Maloway (Elmwood): The right to repair consumer electronic products and home appliances is an idea whose time has come. It's come to Europe this year, and individual countries within it are finding innovative ways to protect consumers and the en- vironment.

Consumers want free access to repair and maintenance information, they want spare parts to be actually available, and they want repair and durability labelling. They want a ban on planned obsolescence. * (14:10) In 2021, the European Union set minimum design requirements for many electronic products with new right-to-repair legislation. The right to repair enables consumers access to the resources needed to fix and modify their products, appliances, including s martphones, laptops, tablets, washing machines and refrigerators.

The right to repair also allows consumers and electronic repair businesses access to the most recent versions of repair manuals, replacement parts, soft - ware and other tools that the manuf acturer uses for diagnosing, maintaining or repairing its branded electronic products. In addition, the right to repair ensures manu- facturers replace electronic products at no cost, or refund the amount paid by the consumer to purchase the electronic pr oduct where they refuse or they're unable to provide manuals or replacement parts.

My hope is this Legislature gets on board with consumers in Manitoba and Canada to give them what they want–what Europeans are now getting–namely,

May 31, 2021 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 3677 products that last longe r, are repaired when broken and where the planned obsolescence that threatens a sustainable future disappears. National Indigenous History Month Mr. Jon Reyes (Waverley): Last week, I was able to bring forward Bill 233, The Filipino Heritage Month Act, for second reading. This act will recognize June as Philippine heritage month here in Manitoba. Over 50 years ago, my dad came to this country as an immigrant. Every day, I'm thankful for him im- migrating to this country and our province.

However, today we must take the time to thank the Indigenous people of Canada for allowing and accepting immi - grants like Filipinos into this country. Over this past weekend, we learned of the graves of 215 bodies of innocent Indigenous children that were found in Kamloops; 215 unfathomable lives taken far too soon. Mr. Deputy Speaker, June is National Indigenous History Month. Thank you to Revka Smith for re - minding me of National Indigenous History Month, a month and beyond where we must take the time to mourn over t he loss of these innocent children.

We must also take the time to learn more about the culture that the Indigenous people give. This culture is the backbone of Canada, a culture that is like the Filipino culture, a culture surrounded by food, family, cele - brations, rituals, dances and music. Thank you to my good friend Chris Eccles , of Métis descent and a schoolteacher, for taking the time to talk and educate me more about Indigenous peoples and some of their teachings and rituals yesterday.

As I stand here on Treaty 1 territory and on the cusp of National Indigenous History Month, I'd like to thank the Indigenous community for everything they have given to me and my family. To the Indigenous community, I thank you for your contributions. We mourn with you. We must take the time to celebrate this month with you, to remember the significant contributions of Indigenous peoples and to help restore and learn more about your culture as we always all learn from each other. Thank you, merci, salamat po and miigwech. Deputy Speaker's Statement Mr.

Deputy Speaker: Prior to oral questions, I have a statement for the House. We have three of our pages are serving their last day at the Chamber today, and I wanted to share comments from the members. The first comment was from Erin Van Veen: In order to even have this opportunity, I had to survive a stressful interview with David Shuttleworth. Working as a page during COVID has really kept me informed on the Manitoba state of the pandemic among other important issues. I enjoyed learning how Manitoba provincial government is run, and I especially appreciated it when members took the time to answer my questions.

The most difficult part of the job, besides calling the vote, was trying to carry the three cups of hot beverages into the Chamber. One day, I was allowed to help with the mace, and then I decided I was going to take over Dave's job and become the Manitoba's first female sergeant of at arms. Just kidding–but one day; you never know what life takes you–While I am not graduating this year, I hope to pursue a career involving American Sign Language and training service dogs. I would like to thank all of the people who made this year one of the most memorable.

Thanks to Dave, Ray, Cam, all the Chamber attendants, the other pages, the MLAs, the Speaker and all of the other employees that made this time here so enjoyable. Next are comments from Laura Boyd: Laura will be graduating from the Collège Churchill High School this June and will be attending the Carleton University in the fall to pursue the bachelor of science degree. She is also going to continue as a–page duties, working as the page at the Senate in Ottawa.

She is grateful for her time she was able to spend learning about the legislative process in Manitoba and knows that it is a privilege to be –have this oppor - tunity. Lastly, comments from Alex Rogers over there: Alex will be graduating from the French immersion program at Collège Saint -Norbert Collegiate in 2022 a nd plans to attend the Price Faculty of Engineering at the University of Manitoba. In the years to come, he aspires through– enter the world of politics and sit here as an MLA.

Working as a page he –has certainly has been relished the opportunity for Alex, being in politics – being as a political nerd that he is. Seeing how the legislative process functions in practice has been a superb learning experience.

3678 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 31, 2021 Coming to know all of the MLAs, even if it's just their beverage preferences, has been a grateful delight. Of course, this opportunity has been made even more unique by the presence of COVID -19. He has been able to witness things that will, hopefully, never need to happen again–and hopefully for the rest of us too. Alex wants to thank the Speaker, the De puty Speaker, MLAs, staff and pages for making this such a wonderful experience, one that he will most cer - tainly not forget.

He considers that a great honour and privilege to be able to work here and with all of you. On behalf of all the members –legislative mem - bers here, all the MLAs, the Clerk staff, the legislative staff and probably all the other pages, too, I just want to wish to all three of you the best of luck in your future endeavours, and it was a joy having you all here, especially when you guys read the votes. It was– you guys rocked. Thank you very much. Now for oral questions. ORAL QUESTIONS Federal Assistance for Manitoba's ICUs Critical-Care Nurses and Respiratory Therapists Mr.

Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): Well, congratulations to Erin, Laura and also to Alex. I hope that you've learned something here that you'll be able to take forward with you, and certainly it's been a great honour to have you calling the votes for us. On Saturday, 17 people were admitted into ICUs across Manitoba. That is a one-day record none of us wanted to see happen. Now, because the ICU capacity is so stretched right now, there are now 35 patients transferred out of province receiving life-saving care. And as we all saw last week, every time that happens there is a risk in play.

That's why we need to be assured that everything is being done to keep Manitobans safe. Will the Premier double the request for federal assistance in the form of critical -care nurses and respiratory therapists? Hon. Brian Pallister (Premier): First of all, Erin, Laura, Alex, all the very best as you move on in your lives. We've seen –they say there are two things you shouldn't watch being made: wieners and law. And now you've seen law made and so at some point in the future, you may see wieners made as well –I don't know. But the point being that you've seen how things work inside a legislative assembly.

It's not always pretty, but it's a lot prettier than dictatorships where people aren't allowed the freedom to communicate, to express their points of view and to differ on those points of view. We don't differ on the state of affairs in Manitoba in respect of our concerns for those who are afflicted with COVID. Here in the Chamber, we are all vitally concerned with their well-being. To give a quick update, federal assistance–a small percentage of our overall efforts, but nonetheless important and appreciated–is coming. We've now got close to eight nurses that are assisting.

I should mention they are freeing up our nurses to move into the intensive -care units. They're not intensive-care nurses per se; they're ER nurses, and we appreciate their presence here very much. A couple of RNs, as well, assisting in the alternate isolation centres that we have f or our folks that need that protection, and I can continue that update in a moment if the member would like. Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a supplementary question. Mr. Kinew: Yes. I do take that information seriously, and I thank the Premier for updating this House about that.

The concern that we have is that as these nurses arrive the continued admissions to the ICU will quick- ly exhaust, perhaps even exceed, the additional bed spaces that can be created. Again, if we think about that 17-patient figure that was admitted just on Saturday alone, well, if we had the full complement of nurses here that had initially been requested, those 17 patients would have imme - diately exhausted that additional capacity in the ICUs. And so that's why we are asking the government to increase the request. Our health-care system needs this support and fast.

Can the Premier, included in his next update, tell us whether he will increase the ask of the federal government for more critical- care nurses and respi - ratory therapists? * (14:20) Mr. Pallister: Well, I should mention that we're going to continue to take our direction, in terms of priorizing asks for assistance, from our public health leadership as we should and will continue to do that.

May 31, 2021 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 3679 I'll–just to conclude, though: additional help with our medical air transport team–there was one medical team that was provided to us by Ottawa. In addition, 12 med techs. This is paramedics principally, I under- stand, who are assisting at the alternate locations, again to allow people to be able to isolate safely and to, hopefully, protect them from the possibility that they might contract COVID, were that facility not available. So, we expanded that to include a second iso - lation–alternate isolation facility, and that's very much appreciated.

And in addition, three lab techs. Others on the way in various categories, we are told by the federal government. And again, should the need grow, our health-care leadership will, I'm sure, be alerting us to the need for additional support and we will be bolstering or annexing the ask to the federal government most certainly. Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a final supplementary question. Mr. Kinew: So, I just want to acknowledge that the, you know, Premier says that ask will increase.

However, given the current trajectory, it does seem as though the ask may need to be doubled. And again, that's because we just went through a difficult weekend here in Manitoba. We had the record 17 admissions -to-ICU patients on Saturday. Sadly, that was followed by seven people who passed away in the update that was provided on Sunday. We know that, of course, there are also all those Manitobans who were transported and may continue to be transported out of province for care. So can the Premier specify that increase to federal reports?

Would that include doubling the number of critical-care nurses and respiratory therapists? Mr. Pallister: I should alert members of the House that I just received notice a few moments ago that the downtown supersite at the Convention Centre has been evacuated. There is a gas leak in the facility. The source of the gas leak at this time is unknown. Winnipeg fire service is on-site right now. Carlton and York are closed to traffic and there's, as I say, no con- firmed source of that leak at this point in time.

Overseers of the facility will be immediately communicating to anyone that has an appointment, obviously, in the next couple of hours, at least, to not come and, sadly, to have to rebook. I shouldn't say sadly because we, of course, don't want them to come into a facility that's not certainly safe for the–for all. I want to share that with the members a nd also say, yes, there are–I will continue to update the mem- ber and I appreciate him asking these questions because I think it's important to know this additional help is there when needed. That's how the Canadian federation should work. Mr.

Deputy Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a different question. COVID-19 Updates Workplace Transmission Data Mr. Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): Well, certainly our thoughts are with all those Manitobans who were expecting to have the relief of being provided with a dose of vaccine but are now dealing with that unexpected and probably very frightening situation. And certainly we are think- ing of the first responders. Hopefully, the whole situa- tion is allowed to be managed in a safe way that pro- tects everyone's lives.

We know that the situation–you know, what else can go wrong, right? When -it-rains-it-pours type of thing these days in Manitoba. And so, certainly, we do stand shoulder to shoulder with those on the front lines of our health-care system. Manitobans also want to be able to judge what is happening, what may happen next. And that's why many people have been asking for an updated release of modelling data and workplace transmission information. Can the Premier commit to this House to update Manitobans with that info? Hon.

Brian Pallister (Premier): Well, our medical leadership will continue to –as they have, with great diligence and dedication and we thank them for that– update Manitobans on their modelling. They've done that on a regular basis throughout the pandemic. And I understand there are more briefings coming up later this week.

I'm not sure of the content of them at this point in time, other than I can share with members that we do plan to announce an incentivization strategy later this week for vaccine, because we do believe that those two keys are central to getting control of our health - care situation and of this pandemic curve: the key of following the public health orders while also getting the first available vaccine or, if you've been fortunate enough–like a higher percentage all the time of

3680 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 31, 2021 Manitobans–to get your first one, to line up your second appointment as soon as you possibly can. We encourage Manitobans to do that and–so that we can get through this together. Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a supplementary question. Gas Leak at Convention Centre Rebooking of Vaccine Appointments Mr. Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): I do want to return to that update – upcoming briefing information that will be provided.

I do just want to follow up on the point about what is taking place at the Convention Centre this after - noon. Certainly, it's early on and, again, top of mind is the safety of everyone and the protection of every- one in the facility there. But at this hour, seeing as how people will have to be rebooked, can the Premier update the House if those people who were scheduled for vaccine doses today–will they be given priority? Will they be imme- diately able to rebook tomorrow or at the earliest opportunity, or will they have to wait until some further date to get that vaccine? Hon.

Brian Pallister (Premier): I can't give the member the information he's requesting. The vaccine team will be making modifications as a consequence of this gas leak and the delays in appointments that are appropriate–to their leadership, and I thank them again very much for their leadership. We've improved our number of vaccinations, of course, rapidly. We're getting a higher and higher percentage of Manitobans getting their vaccines, and I encourage Manitobans to pursue their vaccines. And, most certainly, we've ramped up our contact tracing capabilities so that we're able to follow up on those cases diagnosed.

I'd encourage all Manitobans who–to share that information. If they are tested and do subsequently find that they have COVID, please co-operate with the contact tracers so that we can get the message out to others to protect themselves as fast as possible. Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a final supplementary question. COVID-19 Updates Projected ICU Admissions Mr. Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): So we'll look for an update on that as soon as we can get it.

And, again, just to return to the topic of the information that Manitobans should rightfully have at their disposal, we know that this was a difficult week- end. Some 10 people in our province lost their lives to COVID. It's been a difficult month: 225 people admit- ted to ICUs over the month of May, 35 patients sent to other provinces. Now, Manitobans want action to be taken to pre- serve our health -care system, put –to preserve lives here in Manitoba. They also deserve to have a bit of a roadmap in terms of what to expect and to be able to judge the response that is being mustered.

So the–can the Premier commit that this release of information will include an update of what's pro - jected for I CU admissions for the near future in Manitoba? Hon. Brian Pallister (Premier): Well, we are, as a government, very dedicated to fixing the health- care system and improving it. Of course, no one anti - cipated this pandemic would motivate us to double the number of ICU available spaces, but that is what's happened.

That being said, the additional assistance that we've received is pivotal –and we hope for the short term–but again, I say thank you to our partners in Ontario and Saskatchewan and the federal govern - ment for their willingness to step up and do their part. Manitobans have done our best to contribute to the Confederation and to our partners in this country throughout our history. And so if it's a little bit of pay- back at this point in time, I think it's well deserved and well earned. That being said, we do hope that this is–that we're seeing a plateau at this point in time.

But, again, COVID is a nefarious enemy and it's an adversary we cannot let our guard down on. And so, again, I encourage Manitobans, follow the public health rules, make sure you get vaccinated at the earliest opportunity, and if you've been vaccinated, make sure you get that second appointment as soon as possible. We're moving ahead with percentages all the time, 64 per cent of Manitobans now, 18- plus, vac - cinated, but we need a much higher percentage than that to get ourselves into a time when we can reduce

May 31, 2021 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 3681 restrictions on all of us. And so I encourage all Manitobans: take part and do their part. Nurses Collective Agreement Timeline for New Contract MLA Uzoma Asagwara (Union Station): Mr. Deputy Speaker, the COVID -19 pandemic pre - sents the biggest public health challenge we've ever faced. The Pallister government calls our health pro - fessionals heroes, but then fight s them in court with their unconstitutional bill 28. Nurses have been without a contract for over four years.

It's time for a fair settlement that represents the important work of our health staff, especially after the incredible work they're doing during this pandemic. Will the minister and the government finally con- clude a fair deal for nurses today? * (14:30) Hon. Kelvin Goertzen (Acting Minister of Health and Seniors Care): I think the member knows that bargaining was really only be –was only started after the conclusion of the restructuring of the bargaining units, which took place late in 2019, which meant that bargaining began early in 2020. Then, of course, the pandemic started, which also slowed things down.

So my understanding is that bargaining began in earnest in the fall of 2020. There has been significant sessions that have already happened. There are more that are scheduled. Certainly all Manitobans and certainly we as a government would encourage that bargaining process to continue i n earnest, fully and fairly and in good faith. Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable member for Union Station, on a supplementary question. MLA Asagwara: Mr. Deputy Speaker, we're talking about four years without a deal, and there are 1,300 positions vacant in Winnipeg alone, hundreds more across the province.

That's care by the bedside that's missing because of this government's actions. There's a surgical backlog now over 20,000. Nurses want action to rectify this situation. Nurses want a new contract. They deserve a new con- tract that respects the work that they do. It's past time for them to deal with them fairly. When will the minister and this government come to terms with nursing professionals? Mr. Goertzen: Again, the member will know that negotiations only began in earnest after the bargaining units were settled by the unions, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Since that time, there have been a number of sessions.

My understanding is that there have been com - petitive and long- term monetary proposals and special-arrangement incentives proposed for the nurses that are most affected by COVID, Mr. Deputy Speaker. There clearly is an understanding and a recognition of the great work that nurses are doing in these days but a ll days, and that's also being recog- nized at the bargaining table. Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable member for Union Station, on a final supplementary question. MLA Asagwara: Mr. Deputy Speaker, nurses and health professionals are working double shift ed; they're completely overloaded.

The impacts of the COVID pandemic will be felt for our health system for many years to come. There is going to be an epidemic of burnout and exhaustion in our health system if our health profes- sionals are not reinforc ed, and that means filling vacancies, that means addressing what Lanette Siragusa says is a nursing shortage, and it means a new contract for nurses, not more spin from this acting Minister of Health. They've gone over four years without a contract. Will the Pallister government finally come pre - pared to make a fair deal today? Mr.

Goertzen: In fact, we know that there was a recognition of a nursing shortage by the former minister of Health, Theresa Oswald, by –her suc - cessor, Sharon Blady, acknowledged the nursing shortage existed under the NDP. In terms of these negotiations, there have been, in terms of my understanding, competitive long -term monetary proposals that have been put forward. There has already been special incentives that have been provided for those who are working in the nursing sector most directly affected by COVID -19; there's been additional proposals for that, Mr. Deputy Speaker.

So my understanding is that there are certainly those incentives and those undertakings already on the bargaining table. We want to ensure that the bargaining continues to take place, Mr. Deputy Speaker.

3682 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 31, 2021 Former Manitoba Residential Schools Request to Search for Burial Sites Mr. Ian Bushie (Keewatinook): Many Canadians and Manitobans were shocked and horrified by the recently discovered mass gravesite at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School. These findings are heartbreaking and unfortunately for us –for many of us Indigenous people, this story is all too familiar. Manitoba has many horror stories of its own.

Just a few years ago, a forensic anthropology student un- covered the names of 70 students who died while attending the Brandon Indian Residential School, almost all buried in unmarked graves. Will the minister support efforts to searc h for other unmarked gravesites at former residential schools here in Manitoba? Hon. Eileen Clarke (Minister of Indigenous and Northern Relations): I thank the member opposite for his words that he put on record today in regards to the tragedy that the y've uncovered in British Columbia this past week.

We all know that this –kids that were taken from their homes to attend these residential schools has been a part of our past that has marred so many people and it has changed their lives forever. And here we are, generations later, and we're still uncovering the untruths of the past. And I think we all have to work harder and we have to work together to ensure that, going forward, these types of events never happen again. Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable member for Keewatinook, on a supplementary question. Mr.

Bushie: The Truth and Reconciliation Commission includes a call for strategies to identify and document residential school burial sites. All of Canada's former residential schools must be examined for graves that haven't been uncovered yet, and Manitoba must do its part by examining all Manitoba residential school sites and areas. These are shameful parts of Manitoba's legacy, but to ignore them or hide them only further exacer - bates the shame. Will the minister commit to financially support - ing efforts to search residential school burial sites? Ms.

Clarke: I thank the member opposite for the question and, in my time as Indigenous Minister in this government of Manitoba, we have worked with Brandon, in regards to burial site, with the mayor of Brandon as well as Indigenous stakeholders there that are also interested in finding the truths about what is considered the burial site in Brandon. Our efforts will continue. Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable member for Keewatinook, on a final supplementary. Mr. Bushie: We are looking for a real commitment here.

Residential school survivors should not have to tell and retell their traumas in order for it to be real to the Canadian and Manitoba governments. Indigenous people deserve governments who are willing to admit that this was a genocide, both cultural and literal. All levels of government must work to commit to doing the real, very hard work of uncovering the truths of the traumatic and devastating history of the treat - ment of Indigenous peoples in Canada and here in Manitoba. For the provincial government to defer to the federal government on this issue is offensive and shameful.

Will the minister commit provincial resources to undertake, and in collaboration with First Nations communities, the search for residen tial school burial sites and will the results of this work be done as well– and the results be search –and the results of these searches be made public? Ms. Clarke: I thank the member opposite again for his questions in regards to this matter that's before us today. And we have, as a government, put forward our path to reconciliation for the province of Manitoba.

To date, even during COVID, we have met with 42 organizations in regards to finding a path forward, in regards to having a solid strategy in the province of Manitoba, and the issue, in regards to what we're look- ing at today as to burial of these young children near residential schools, I'm sure will be addressed in that. It's now come to the forefront now, but it is only a part– Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable minister's time is up. Manitoba School Divisions Staff Reduction Concerns Ms. Lisa Naylor (Wolseley): Base funding to schools was reduced last year for the first time in a generation.

That is an absolute cut, after years of funding below inflation and below a growing student population. It has put our schools in a desperate situation where they have no choice.

May 31, 2021 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 3683 Winnipeg School Division has announced that there will be 130 fewer teachers in the classroom next fall because of disinvestment by the Pallister government. Why is the Pallister government reducing teach - ers in the classroom when we need them the most? Hon. Cliff Cullen (Minister of Education): First of all, I will say, on behalf myself and our Department of Education, we were deeply saddened by the tragic news coming out of the former residential school in Kamloops.

We acknowledge the families and the community and we join in the mourning and l oss of their children. Out of respect, and to grieve alongside the community, we're encouraging schools and school divisions to do the following: lower flags flown at schools half-mast for four days, beginning today; hold a moment of silence over four consecutive days at the same time each day; identify space and time to support those who require social, emotional and spiritual supports while they grieve; and invite the school community to participate in virtual smudge, song and prayer. * (14:40) And we also– Mr.

Deputy Speaker: The honourable minister's time is up. The honourable member for Wolseley, on a supplementary question. Ms. Naylor: While I definitely appreciate the words from the minister, I want to remind him how many Indigenous children are i n the Winnipeg School Division, the Winnipeg School Division that is being forced to lay off staff because of cuts from this government. We need every tool possible to help children address their learning gaps that have occurred as a result of the pandemic.

River East Transcona has also announced less staff, explaining it's impossible to find $3 million for a shortfall without reductions to staffing. We need stronger classrooms, not fewer supports as schools recover from the pandemic. Will the minister reconsider and give our students–all of our students, including Indigenous students in the inner city–what they need? Mr. Cullen: I'd like to thank our team at our Indigenous Inclusion Directorate under the leadership of Helen Robinson- Settee, along with Elder Myra Laramee, in terms of developing these recom menda- tions.

I will say –and it's quite interesting –we had a couple of school divisions go out and start negotiating in the media without consultation with the depart - ment. I look forward, on behalf of our department, to working with those school divisions to make sure we do provide better education for all students in Manitoba. Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable member for Wolseley, on a final supplementary question. Ms. Naylor: Classrooms are getting bigger, not smaller, under the Pallister government. Base funding for schools has been cut in absolute terms for the first time in a generation.

I will table again the budget documents we re - ceived through FIPPA. The minister still has not released the FRAME report, which shows this clearly, and it's months and months overdue. There will now be dozens of school divisions forced to delete posi - tions and lay off staff to meet this government's demands. This is a completely inappropriate response to the challenge our students face in recovering from the pandemic. Why is this government forcing hundreds of teachers out of their jobs when we need them the most? Mr. Cullen: Well, Mr.

Deputy Speaker, the reality is we've put over $1.3 billion into K -to-12 educa tion. That is a historic amount. And we've also committed to 'spanding' an extra $1.6-billion investment over the next four years, another historic investment in K to 12. I will also say we set aside, last year, $185 million for the COVID recovery. We've set aside $160 million in this year's budget for COVID recovery. We will be there when students need recovery learning. Consolidation of Dynacare Labs Accessibility Concerns Mr.

Nello Altomare (Transcona): Northeast Winnipeggers are having a miserable time getting timely access to medical lab tests they need. Pallister government has turned a blind eye as Dynacare has closed half of the labs in the city.

3684 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 31, 2021 It's now gotten worse. We recently found out that Dynacare has closed more locations at 701 Regent, 1210 Rothesay and 1400 Henderson, which will reduce access to those with mobility and trans porta- tion issues. Has the Pallister government done any work to consider the impact on so many people living in northeast Winnipeg, and will they reconsider the consolidation of labs across the city? Hon. Kelvin Goertzen (Acting Minister of Health and Seniors Care): I thank the member for the question.

We know that that particular provider has been setting up sites that are larger, that are more efficient, that can handle more tests, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Certainly, where there are challenges and there are difficulties with the establishment of these larger facilities, we'll work with that provider to try to ensure that no Manitoba individual who is looking for a test is unable to get it in a timely and a reasonably accessible fashion, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable member for Transcona, on a supplementary question. Mr.

Altomare: Many people who need access to Dynacare services are those with health conditions or have limited mobility. The closure of these clinics is an inconvenience for many and a real mobility challenge for those without means or transportation. A monopoly has been handed to this company with no accountability. And it gets worse. Patients like Claudette Wills are only finding out that these clinics have closed when they show up at the front door. Claudette found many others like her surprised by this sudden closure of their local lab.

Will the minister reconsider these cuts to local labs and restore access to the people like Claudette? Mr. Goertzen: We know during the pandemic that there's been a great reliance on a number of different providers who are not normally pro viding testing in the way that they are now during this pandemic, and we're very grateful for that support. That has allowed testing to happen in the robust way that we have needed it to in Manitoba during the pandemic. More generally, though, Mr.

Deputy Speaker, there obviously are efforts underway to ensure that there are not only accessible sites but they are de- signed in such a way that individuals can get their testing quickly, they can get the results in a timely fashion so they can get the medical treatment that they need. If there are individual challenges or cases, I would be happy to speak to the member individually. Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable member for Transcona, on a final supplementary question. Mr. Altomare: The consolidation of Dynacare labs means decreased access and longer lineups.

This com- pany has been allowed to monopolize public services without proper accountability to the public. This is a real disservice to many, especially sen - iors and those with mobility or health challenges, because it is all about getting to the lab. This change adds more stress to clients and could even deter them from accessing the services they need to get. Further Dynacare closures will make this situation even more dire. Will the minister reconsider this ill -considered consolidation and will he ensure no further labs are closed across the city of Winnipeg? Mr.

Goertzen: We're grateful for the work that that provider has done during the pandemic in ensuring that testing in a number of different ways not only can continue but can be increased during the increased de- mands during the pandemic. Certainly, when there are changes within the system, they are designed to ensure that there is a greater effecti veness, that individuals can get tests more quickly, that they can still remain accessible, Mr. Deputy Speaker.

If the member opposite has par- ticular issues or concerns within his particular area or with an individual constituent, he is always welcome to contact me or the office of Health and we can have direct discussions about that, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Transfer of ICU Patients Out of Province Coverage for Patient Transport Costs Mr. Dougald Lamont (St. Boniface): It's very clear that our health-care system has been overwhelmed in this third wave, not just by cases, but because the government kept cutting before and during the pandemic.

ERs, ICUs and labs were closed; nurses and workers are burned out and working without con- tracts. So Manitoba's health- care system could not handle the surge, and we know that because we've been transferring sick patients, at incredible risk, out of province. I table, virtually, a Shared Health memo from May 18th which details the script people are supposed

May 31, 2021 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 3685 to follow. It says the cost of patient transfers will be covered, but only to May 31st, which is today. Are Manitobans going to have to pay out -of- pocket to be shuffled around or out of our health-care system as of tomorrow, June 1st? Hon. Brian Pallister (Premier): Let me educate the member a little bit on the Peachey report and its recommendations. It was commissioned by the pre - vious government to improve care in ICUs and ERs across the province. The system had fallen in to dis- repute. The previous government knew it and it asked for recommendations.

The conclusions were, among others, that acuity of patient care was, quote, limited and variable with some sites lacking specialist support. In other words, ICUs weren't wel l equipped. In other words, people were put into a hospital –an emergency room or ICU setting–and then asked to move or told to move or simply moved to another facility. Transport among multiple sites was common. The critical-care transport system was estab lished to accommodate the safe transport of critically ill patients to another site be - cause patients will require transfer among multiple sites. That's the way it used to be done.

We supersized our emergency rooms and our ICUs, increased the capacity of real care with staff and equipment. That wasn't the case before it was the case. Thank goodness this pandemic didn't happen in 2016. Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable member for St. Boniface, on a supplementary question. * (14:50) Patient's Option to Refuse Transfer Mr. Lamont: It's a –this is not the only very con - cerning aspect of this memo, Mr. Deputy Speaker. It may–does not adequately mention out -of-province transfers and it appears in this memo that patients have no option to refuse.

On page 2, in a script it delivers, it says, and I quote: if asked about an option to refuse, the answer is supposed to be our first priority is to ensure we provide the appropriate environment of care for you. At this time, that requires a transfer to insert facility name. End quote. This is a 'dision' that should require a triage protocol, which we have asked for. Is Shared Health giving patients and their families and option to refuse a transfer? And if there is no triage protocol, how are physicians making t he call about who gets transferred? Mr.

Pallister: Let's move away from fantasy to the reality of what we've done as a consequence of the Peachey report. Its recommendations–I remind you, Mr. Deputy Speaker –were given to the previous government and not acted upon. From the Peachey report, it says –and this is in 2015–centres that continue to provide critical care have been challenged with the lack of capacity to sustain delivery of these essential services. This is why, very likely, in part, people were f requently moved to other facilities: because there wasn't the capacity to care for them, there wasn't the expertise.

In some cases, there wasn't even the equipment. In fact, it says here –again, on the '15 report from Peachey–it was difficult to ensure in -hospital cover- age, especially overnight, because certain ICU sites had limited respiratory services. Again, the previous system was a mess, the previous government knew it. They didn't act to fix it; we did. We increased the capacity for ICU beds by 40 per cent in the first four years we were in govern - ment. Thank goodness that this pandemic didn't hit in 2016. Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable member for Tyndall Park, on a final supplementary question.

COVID-19 Pandemic Third Wave Request for Safe Reopening Plan Ms. Cindy Lamoureux (Tyndall Park): Throughout the pandemic, the Pallister government has refused to listen to the experts and learn from other provinces and territories, which has resulted in a horrific third wave. Currently, we are havin g to send Manitobans out of province because our health- care system is at its limit with no more ICU beds available. Other provinces have made recovery plans open to their economies–to open up their economies, yet Manitoba again is falling behind. A reop ening plan would provide hope and guidance.

Will this government listen to the science and present a safe recovery plan to encourage as many Manitobans as possible to get vaccinated? Hon. Brian Pallister (Premier): It is true, most certainly, that we are a hot spot for COVID cases, Mr. Deputy Speaker. It should not be forgotten that we were not so for well over two thirds of the time since this pandemic hit.

3686 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 31, 2021 And so I wouldn't want any comment from the member to be taken as disrespectful–and I know she wouldn't intend that –to our health- care leadership, whose advice we follow and will continue to. Plastic Recycling Initiatives Agriculture and Health Industries Mr. Greg Nesbitt (Riding Mountain): Last week, the Minister of Conservation and Climate announced the establishment of a stewardship program for re - cycling agricultural plastic waste and products, as well as a program for recycling products like needles and lancets.

Can the minister share with the House how our government is making sure Manitoba continues to be cleaner and greener? Hon. Sarah Guillemard (Minister of Conservation and Climate): I just want to really thank the honour- able member for Riding Mountain for that fantastic question. I'm pleased to l et the House know that with this announcement, Manitoba will become the second Canadian jurisdiction with a provincially regulated agricultural plastic stewardship program, and the first to include multiple designated materials.

Cleanfarms has established an industry -funded stewardship pro- gram to take responsibility for recycling the products and materials produced by its industry members. Our government has also approved the Health Products Stewardship Association's Manitoba medi - cal sharps collection program. This industry -funded stewardship program provides Manitobans with safe disposable–or, disposal options for household– Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable minister's time is up. Employment and Income Assistance Clawback for CERB Recipients Ms.

Malaya Marcelino (Notre Dame): Last year, when the federal government announced the Canada Emergency Response Benefit, they urged provincial governments not to claw back existing social - assistance supports such as EIA. However, betwee n April and July of 2020, in the midst of a global pan- demic, this government decided to count CERB as income for Manitobans on social assistance, and then they reduced or eliminated EIA benefits to approxi - mately 2,200 Manitobans. Now Manitobans who access the Canada Recovery Benefit or CERB are experiencing the same clawbacks from this government.

Will the minister admit that it is the wrong approach to claw back– Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable member's time is up. Hon. Rochelle Squires (Minister of Families): Our government recognizes that there are many benefits that should not be included in a claw-back, and that is why we've taken action to ensure that certain benefits that many individuals have received over the years, whether it be payments from another level of govern- ment or compensation for wrongdoing that they –that was done to them, should not be clawed back.

And we're certainly working towards modern- izing the EIA system so that it is more fair for all individuals in the province of Manitoba. Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable member for Notre Dame, on a supplementary question. Ms. Marcelino: These federal programs were design- ed to build upon provincial income supports and not to be a substitute for them. They were not designed to provide the –this provincial government with cost - savings. This minister's cuts to EIA has left many Manitobans unable to pay their rent, their bills and they are at greater risk for homelessness.

Many low - income seniors will not be able to afford their $400-per-month rent increases coming their way at the next lease renewal due to CERB repayments. These low-income seniors are very much at risk for eviction and low -income Manitobans are financially struggling now more than ever. Will this minister stop punishing Manitobans for accepting federal emergency benefits and stop the clawbacks to EIA today? Ms. Squires: We've certainly joined with other pro - vinces in a unified approach to some of these benefits.

I would also like to confirm for the House that our approach to EIA–we've got some of the most generous benefits in the country, and while EIA recipients in the province of Manitoba have been able to access other benefits, we have been able to maintain their 'dentical'–dental, optical and prescription bene fits under the Rewarding Work health plan, as well as many other initiatives. We certainly do understand the challenges that many Manitobans have had to work through over the last year, and we're going to be committed to working

May 31, 2021 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 3687 with all Manitobans to ensure that they get the benefits they deserve throughout this period. Mr. Deputy Speaker: Time for oral questions has expired. PETITIONS Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable member for River Heights? Does the member for the River Heights have a petition? Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Yes, I won't be reading my petition today. Mr. Deputy Speaker: Okay, well, then we'll go on to the honourable member from Elmwood. The honourable member from Elmwood, would you unmute your mic? Mr. Jim Maloway (Elmwood): No petition today. Mr.

Deputy Speaker: No petition. Okay. Okay, now we'll go on to the honourable member for Notre Dame. Health-Care Coverage Ms. Malaya Marcelino (Notre Dame): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. The background for this petition is as follows:

(1) Health care is a basic human right and a fundamental part of responsible public health. Many people in Manitoba are not covered by provincial health care: migrant workers with work permits of less than one year, international students and those undocumented residents who have lost their status for a variety of reasons.

(2) Racialized people and communities are disproportionately affected by the pandemic, mainly due to the social and economic conditions which leave them vulnerable while performing essential work in a variety of industries in Manitoba.

(3) Without adequate health- care coverage, if they are ill, many of the uninsured will avoid seeking health care due to fear of being charged for the ca re, and some will fear possible detention and deportation if their immigration status is reported to the authorities.

(4) According to the United Nations Human Rights Committee, denying essential health care to undocumented irregular migrants is a violati on of their rights.

(5) Jurisdictions across Canada and the world have adopted access -without-fear policies to prevent sharing personal health information or immigration status with immigration authorities and to give uninsured residents the confidence to access health care.

(6) The pandemic has clearly identified the need for everyone in Manitoba to have access to health care to protect the health and safety of all who live in the province. * (15:00) We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

(1) To urge the provincial government to immediately provide comprehensive and free health - care coverage to all residents of Manitoba, regardless of immigration status, including refugee claimants, migrant workers, international students, dependa nt children of temporary residents and undocumented residents.

(2) To urge the Minister of Health and Seniors Care to undertake a multilingual communication campaign to provide information on expanded coverage to all affected residents.

(3) To urge the Minister of Health and Seniors Care to inform all health -care institutions and providers of expanded coverage for those without health insurance and–the details on how necessary policy and protocol changes will be implemented.

(4) To urge the minister and seniors care to create and enforce strict confidentiality policies and provide staff with training to protect the safety of residents with precarious immigration status and ensure they can access health care without jeopardizing their ability to remain in Canada. Signed by Tiffany Pau, Geethanjalie Jayasinghe, Carly Nicholson and many other Manitobans. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr. Deputy Speaker: In accordance with our rule 133(6), when petitions are read they are deemed to be received by the House. Any further petitions? No further petitions? We'll go on now on to the honourable Opposition House Leader.

3688 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 31, 2021 MATTER OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE Ms. Nahanni Fontaine (Official Opposition House Leader): In accordance with rule 38(1), I move, seconded by the member for Fort Rouge (Mr.

Kinew), that the ordinary business of the House be set aside to discuss a matter of urgent public importance; namely, the devastating discovery of a mass grave of 215 childr en at the Tutslem te Secswetuem [phonetic]–sorry, Deputy Speaker –First Nation who died at the hands of the Kamloops Indian Residential School, and the need for the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba to call on all levels of government to immediately implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission 94 calls to action, including searching for all former residential school grounds to investigate whether similar mass graves exist.

Motion presented. Mr. Deputy Speaker: Before I recognize that honourable membe r for St. Johns (Ms. Fontaine), I should remind all members that the –on–under rule 38(2), the mover of a motion of the matter of urgent public importance and one member from the other recognized parties in the House are allowed not more than 10 minutes t o explain the urgency of debating the matter immediately. As stated on Beauschlesne's [phonetic] citation 390, urgency is the content's means of urgen- cy of immediate debate, not the subject matter of the motion.

In their remarks, members should focus exclusively on whether or not there was an urgent of debate or whether or not the ordinary opportunities for the debate will be –enable the House to consider the matter earlier enough to ensure that public interest will not suffer. Ms.

Fontaine: This is a se minal moment in our col - lective histories, and it demands that this Legislature, among all other legislatures across our territories, set time aside to honour, acknowledge the lives of these little ones, of these babies, and seek resolution in the closure for families whose loved ones never came home from Indian residential schools. Miigwech. Hon. Kelvin Goertzen (Government House Leader): Under our rules, a matter of urgent public importance, one of the criteria that must be met is that there's no other time to debate the issue.

That's a dif - ficult bar to meet in our Assembly, as there's question period and other opportunities such as members' state- ments and, of course, it was subject of a ministerial statement. So while I don't suspect that you will be able to rule in favour of this being a matter of urgent public importance, all of us, all of us in this Chamber, in person or virtually, recognize this is an extremely, extremely important issue that should be discussed in this Assembly, and it should be discussed this afternoon. So following your ruling, I'll have a leave request to allow such a debate to happen. Mr.

Deputy Speaker: I thank members of their advice–oh, the honourable member for River Heights. Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): –and support– Mr. Deputy Speaker: Does the honourable member for River Heights seek leave for–to speak on this urgent issue? Mr. Gerrard: No, I don't believe I need leave to speak– Mr. Deputy Speaker: Yes, you do need leave, yes. We're just determining the urgency of the–before. We haven't started the debate yet. Mr. Gerrard: That's exactly–I just want to say– Mr. Deputy Speaker: Oh, you have to have leave first. Mr. Gerrard: I ask for leave to comment briefly. Mr.

Deputy Speaker: Does the honourable member for River Heights have leave to comment briefly on the matter? [Agreed] Mr. Gerrard: I just want to say that we, in the Liberal Party, fully support having a debate and are in agree- ment with the leave request that is going to be brought forward by the Government House Leader. Mr. Deputy Speaker: I thank all members of their advice to the Chair on the motion proposed by the honourable member for St. Johns. The 90 minutes notice required prior to the state– routine proceedings, under rule 38(1) was provided, and I thank all honourable members for that.

Under all –our rules and practices, the subject matter requiring urgent consideration must be so pressing that the public interest will suffer if the matter is not given immed iate attention. There must be also no other reasonable opportunity to raise this – the matter.

May 31, 2021 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 3689 I have listened to it very carefully –to the argu - ments put forward. As members will know, under Manitoba practice, there are very few matters that are the criteria as a matter of urgent public importance, as there are other opportunities that can be used to raise the issue, including oral questions, members' state - ments, petitions and grievances. Despite having been addressed as a ministerial statement, this iss ue is a historical and cultural sig - nificance to our country.

I feel it is my duty, as Deputy Speaker, to let the House decide if the matter should be debated. Therefore, I am satisfied that the matter is so pressing that the public interest will suffer if the de - bate does not proceed. I rule that the member's motion is in order and the urgent public importance. Is there leave to have the–this matter –the MUPI before the House? Is it–yes, is there agreement to–the question before the House is there agreement to–shall the debate on the motion proposed by the honourable member for St. Johns (Ms. Fontaine) proceed? [Agreed] The House has agreed that the bate should proceed.

Each member wish –okay, this is now – the honourable Government House Leader. Mr.

Goertzen: Could you please canvass the House for leave to organize the debate on the matter of urgent public importance today as follows: the debate shall be no more than one hour; the first 25 minutes shall be allotted for members of the official opposition cau- cus to speak; the next 25 minutes shall be allotted for members of the government caucus to speak; the last 10 minutes shall be allotted for independent Liberal members to speak, with the understanding that within each speaking block, as many members of each group may speak as they wish? * (15:10) Mr.

Deputy Speaker: Is there leave to organize the debate on the 'mannet' of urgent public importance today as follows: (1) the debate shall be no more than one hour; (2) the first 25 minutes shall be allocated to the members of the official –is it–caucus to speak; (3) the next 25 minutes shall be allocated to members of the government caucus to speak; and (4) the last 10 minutes shall be allocated–allotted to the indepen- dent Liberal members to speak, with the under - standing that within each speaking block as many members of each group may speak as they wish. Is there leave? [Agreed] Ms.

Fontaine: First, I want to just say miigwech to all of our colleagues in the House for allowing us to take some time this afternoon in honour of our loved ones that were found in the last 7 2 hours that came to our attention. First, I want to acknowledge and send love out to all of our relatives across the country from coast to coast to coast. It has been an incredibly devastating, raw, brutal 72 hours upon learning this information. And I often say and our people often say what happens to one of us, happens to all of us.

And so I send my love and deepest respect and strength to each of the families across the country who are now sitting in their communities and sitting among their families, wondering if the little ones that are found in the grounds of the Kamloops Indian Residential School are their loved ones –is that their brother or sister or auntie or daughter or son. I send all of my love to each and every one of you. This morning, I had the opportunity to go to The Forks to pay my respects to the vigil that is being set up there. And as I laid down my tobacco, an elder came up. Her name was Sandra [phonetic].

She's from Swan Lake First Nation, and she just started crying and I comforted her. And once she stopped crying, she asked me if I would put down her flowers and the two pairs of little shoes that she had, and I did that. And we started to talk and she said to me, she said, these little children are pushing the truth up through the ground.

And I thought that was so poig- nant and so true and so beautiful, that here are these little ones that are putting right in our face, in all of our faces, the colonial legacy of this country and what colonization took out on the bodies of our children and the heart of our families and our communities. She said, as well, she shared with me that she hopes that all of those little ones make it back home. And she says, you know, people will say that it's so difficult, it will be so difficult to find their homes.

And she says, but it wasn't difficult to take them out of their communities, away from their families, so we should put more effort into the repatriation of these little ones. I want to say here that this moment, it is a seminal moment in our collective history and it demands from all of us that we do more, but it certainly demands more from settlers and even more from all levels of government. It demands that governments, all levels of government right now commit to the TRCs 94 calls

3690 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 31, 2021 to action , that we do not go another day in this country, in our territories, where we do not have strategies and commitments on how to implement all of those 94 calls to action, which includes searching and investigating all sites of former Indian residential schools across the country to see if there are similar graves of children who never made it home. I reached out to my uncle yesterday, as many of us have done to our relatives who are former –or are survivors of residential school.

My uncle actually re - ceived one of the highest awards across Canada in respect of his settlement, which is the level of abuse that he went through. And I asked him if he was okay, and he said yes. And he said, what I want, he said, in Sagkeeng, where my mom is buried and my grandpar ents, in the back of that burial there are so many little crosses. And we don't know who's there. And he says, I want that – I want us to find out who's buried there, who's buried there and to bring them home for those families. I thank everyone in the Hous e. Again, I thank– I send my love to everyone across the country. Miigwech.

Mr. Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): I want to acknowledge my sister col - league from St. Johns for bringing forward this important matter of urgent public importanc e today. This is but one of the reasons why it's so good that we have anishinaabekweg [Indigenous women] in the Chamber of the Legislative Assembly. At this time, it is with a heavy heart that I want to send my condolences to the families of the 215 children who were found in that mass grave.

And I also want to take a moment to acknowledge and to say to the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation that we grieve with you and we honour you for bearing the pain it must have caused to share this news about 215 of your children so that this country could be reminded of the truth. At least five of us MLAs here are the descendants of survivors, but all of us inherit their legacy –every single one of us. I myself am the survivor of a son who shared a bunk with a boy who was killed while the two of them were incarcerated at St. Mary's Indian Residential School.

I am a father to three children, the youngest of whom is the same age as the youngest victim found in Kamloops. If my wife Lisa and I were born a generation earlier, would we be raising our own children? We all know the answer to that question. And every single Indigenous mother, father and parent that I know has been asking them some variation of those words over the past few days. And so I ask every non- Indigenous person out there to contemplate how you, your family, your com- munity would have been affected if all the children had been taken away.

What would have happened to the child taken and to the parent left behind? Now, at this time, I want to acknowl edge the many non- Indigenous people who have used their platforms to raise awareness about the 215 children over the past few days. But I also have to acknowledge that many Indigenous people still ask: how would our country respond if the remains of 215 children were found at the site of a former public school? Until we can answer honestly that our collective response to this has been the same as our collective response would be to that, then the project of reconciliation still lays before us.

Sadly, we know for a fact that was happened at Kamloops is not an isolated incident. Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada documented thousands of deaths in residential schools and, as Commissioner Marie Wilson said, many residential schools had cemeteries but no playgrounds. Brandon Indian Residential School listed 11 names buried there, but researcher Katherine Nichols has documented a number of additional deaths and believes that there may be more than 70 children buried at the site. * (15:20) There are more than a dozen other former residential schools across Manitoba.

There is a former residential school five kilometres away–less than five kilometres away than from where we are gathered now. There's another residential school an hour down the Trans-Canada from there. There's another residen- tial school one hour to the northeast of where we meet today, and so on and so forth. Every one of these sites must be searched so that we can know the truth, for without truth there can be no reconciliation. I want to acknowledge that it was the Indigenous government of the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation that undertook the heart -wrenching research that uncovered this mass grave.

In a just world, that

May 31, 2021 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 3691 work would have at least been shared by the govern - ments that facilitated and funded the residential schools. Federal, provincial and municipal govern- ments must now join the effort. Of course, Indigenous peoples must lead this, but I only mean to make a simple point. If we live in a Canada where reconciliation is a priority, then it cannot only be Indigenous peoples who seek dignity for Indigenous children who lay in unmarked graves. As TRC chair Senator Murray Sinclair said, words are not enough.

Specifically, we must implement all 94 calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. I want to remind the House of the words that resi- dential school survivor Ted Fontaine shared with us here when he spoke at committee on The Orange Shirt Day Act in 2017. He beseeched us all to implement the 94 calls to action. He said, and I quote: The 94 recommendations that came, they weren't devised by government or a body selected to come up with recommendations. Those 94 recommendations came from people like me in our hearings. We sat for hours and hours talking about w hat was required for this country.

It's not a document of guilt. It's a document of love and hope and justice. End quote. Ted passed away earlier this month. People like Mr. Fontaine have always known the truth about what happened in residential schools , and they carried that burden with them throughout their lives, and today we are being collectively asked to bear only a tiny fraction of that. And yet they emerged from that pain with a road map for the future of our country, grounded in love and hope and justice. None of us in good conscience can ignore those calls. Let us meet their calls with action.

Let us support the calls made by my sister colleague here today. And I want to say to all the young neechies [phonetic] out there: wear your hair long for all the times that they cut our hair, speak your language for all the times that that was forbidden, live your life to your fullest potential. Make your mind strong, your body strong, your spirit strong because when you do that, you will show the survi vors the reward of what they have been fighting for all these years. Miigwech gi-bizindawiyeg. [Thanks for listening to me.] Mrs.

Bernadette Smith (Point Douglas): I just want to acknowledge my colleagues that spoke before me and my colleague from St. Johns for bringing this MUPI forward. This is super important. I want to also acknowledge all of the survivors who are suffering right now and since this brought up so many painful memories, and all of the Kamloops community that are grieving and are grieving the loss of 215 of their children–children, Deputy Speaker, as young as three years old. I had my two grandchildren this weekend and was watching them play together thinking, like, who can do this to children? Like, who does that?

Monsters. Like, people entrusted to take care of these children, to love, to care for them, to nurture them, to educate them. I'm an educator and I can tell you every single child that entered into my classroom was like my child. I did whatever I could to take care of them , to love them, to nurture them, to educate them, to let them know that they were valued, that they were sacred, that they had a place–that there are people who cared about them.

And I think about these children and how they must have felt being away from their families, feeling unloved, unsupported, nowhere to go, no one to take care of them, and how, you know, people could do this to little defenceless children. I want to, you know, remind people, because I know there's people watching today that are survivors or family members of survivors, and they've watched the pain that their loved ones have gone through and they've lived it with them, that there's some help lines. There's the Indian residential school support line, which is 1 -866-818-3505.

And then there's also the crisis line, which is an emergency line, that's 24 hours. That's 1-800-721-0066. And I also just want to, you know, implore all of our colleagues in the House, this is something that we should all be standing up for, we should all be supporting, and we should all be demanding that all levels of government do more. We can't allow this to continue to happen. We know that there's more children out there.

There's 160 residential schools throughout Canada and probably 160 unmarked graves and thousands of children in those graves that never came home, whose families are wondering where they are, what happen- ed to them, when they were told, oh, they ran away,

3692 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 31, 2021 they ran away from the residential school, we've never seen them. Well, I'm sure these 215 families were told the same thing. And we know that there's more children out there, and our government has a responsibility. And I want to implore all Canadians to write their governments to demand that their governments search every single one of those 160 residential schools and do what Kamloops did. I want to say, also, thanks to the BC Pathways to Healing program, because they're the ones that provided the funding, not the government.

This group provided the funding to that community who were able to take ground-penetrating radar, which brought those 215 children to light. And we can't allow those other children out there to remain in unmarked graves. So I just want to say that, you know, we need to all stand united in this and that we all have to support this and we have to do much better. And when we talk about reconciliation, this is part of reconciliation. Reconciliation is bringing home all of the children. Miigwech. Mr.

Ian Bushie (Keewatinook): It is with a heavy heart and a heavy spirit that I sit here being able to have this venue and have this avenue and have this privilege to be able to address and bring awareness, and it is something that generations of our people have never had the opportunity to do.

I do want to make mention that over the course of these sitting sessions virtually that I've had, I've had the opportunity to have a number of different back- grounds, a number of different star blankets to repre - sent my culture, to represent our people, to represent our generations to come, our generations that have been lost. And today I have my favourite. I have one that was made by an elder, Isabel Phillips, in our com - munity, and also carries the name of my six children on it.

And I'm for tunate that I do have that ability to have my children with me and to know where they are. * (15:30) As of this moment, this exact moment in time, I know where they are. And that was taken away from our ancestors, from our grandparents, from our par - ents. That ability to be a family, cohesive unit, was taken away and it's still something that's not answered to this day. Some people know –some Indigenous people know what happened to their families. They know where they are. They survived or they know where they are.

Others don't; and my condolences to the 215 lives that were lost and the families that were forever torn apart. But we know the number is higher. We know that number is in the thousands, and it's something that is very difficult. As our leader had mentioned earlier: what if this happened someplace else? What if this happened in a public school in the city of Winnipeg? And there is – there was a residential school, as he had mentioned, just a matter of kilometres away from where that Chamber sits today. So what if that happened today, five kilometres from where you sit today? What would happen?

And even just simple questions like that are now being asked by youth, by Indigenous, by non - Indigenous people, not only in Manitoba, not only in the country, but around the world. So why not answer those questions? Why not answer the question of why? Why did this happen? Why did this need to happen? Why is this still con- tinued to this day being a denial, being something that is not talked about, that is something that is looked at as shameful if you talk about it? It's a part of history. It's a part of our history back then and it's a part of our current history right now as we speak.

When we talk about all the young lives –the brothers, the sisters, the nieces, nephews–in my min- isterial statement today I also talked about the future mothers, the fathers, the future grandmothers, the future grandfathers that will never come to be, that'll never come to be that. So those family trees that were planted when our youth were born and then they were taken away to residential school to never ever return again, they had their family tree destroyed. So we've never seen those results.

And if anybody's sitting in the Chamber today–or anybody in this country in this province today –was ever or ever had a potential parent that was to become a victim and killed in the residential school system, you would not be here today. And that's an eye -opening experience for some people, to not be able to comprehend exactly what that means. Entire generations of people were extinguished. It was meant to assimilate, but it came down to being an extermination.

May 31, 2021 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 3693 And it's something that if you ever had the opportunity to read about a residential school sur - vivor, let alone be able to have that discussion with a survivor and have them still have the ability within themselves to disclose and tell and retell that–and the courage that that takes to be able to say that and to be able to relive that experience time and time again, and they relive it for the hopes that nobody ever has to go through that again. The sacrifices that were made by our ancestors in the residential school system, those sacrifices can't be for naught.

It has to be used as a tool to improve the lives for Indigenous people and those Indigenous generations, and those families that are still feeling those effects to this day. And it can't fall on deaf ears– so when we talk about, oh, it's with a heavy heart, a heavy spirit, those atrocities still survive today and they still show and rear their ugly head today. When the member from Fort Rouge had spoke about, you know, grow your hair. That meant some - thing that's–that may be just symbolic to somebody else, but in this part of our culture–so I also tell those same youth, you know, beat your drum.

Dance your spirit. Because that is who we are and that is our lost ancestors now living through us today, and it's some- thing we can't forget. When we talked about the definition of what the matter of public importance is, you know, will the public interest suffer? Yes, the public interest will absolutely suffer if we continue to ignore the atrocities that occurred in residential school, if we continue to not talk about it and discuss it like it was something so shameful that it can't be talked about. We have to be able to talk about it –not just Indigenous people.

We can't be looked at the ones and the only ones to be able to talk about it. Society in general has to talk about it so that we can improve, so they can bring closure, so that we can bring a sense of worth to all those Indigenous lives that were lost. They were people. They were our generations. They were our future generations that were wiped out. They were wiped out and we never have–we'll never have that ability to see them again and hear from them again. So, with those few words, Mr. Deputy Speaker, I say miigwech. Mr. Deputy Speaker: Now we'll go on to the PC debate. Hon.

Eileen Clarke (Minister of Indigenous and Northern Relations): I want to thank the member for St. Johns (Ms. Fontaine) for bringing this MUPI forward today. I think it's very relevant that we do deal with this. I also want to acknowledge the member for Point Douglas (Mrs. Smith). As grandmothers, the time with our grandchildren is very precious to us, and I'm sure for her, within her Indigenous culture, this is extremely painful. The discovery of the remains of the 215 children last week was a sad reminder of an ugly and an unfor- tunate

chapter of Canada's histor y. Canada's resi - dential schools were established as a part of a policy of assimilation, or, as it was put more bluntly in the past, to kill the Indian in the child. The residential school system removed children from their homes. The system was designated to sep- arate children from their families and from their communities. Residential schools are an unfortunate relic of the past, but the impact of residential schools is still felt by the survivors and the families of those children to this day.

While Canada's residential schools are now closed, it was only last year that the Manitoba govern- ment ended birth alerts. Many of our Indigenous colleagues felt that the old birth alert system unfairly impacted parents who are Indigenous Manitobans, and decades after the last residential was closed, they felt that the government was still unfairly separating Indigenous mothers from their children. We all felt the same way, and that's why I'm glad that birth alerts are over and we built a new system. We'll focu s on keeping mothers and their children rightfully together.

Ending birth alerts is a hopeful sign, a sign that we are recognizing the mistakes of the past and taking the lessons we learned to work with, in partnership, with Indigenous Manitobans and moving forward on a path of reconciliation together. However, it's also regrettable that this hopeful sign came so late and the birth alerts continued until 2020. I mentioned earlier today in my ministerial state- ment how much I enjoyed making my three grandsons their favourite meals, and I thought about that over the weekend.

And I think of those young Indigenous children, taken out of their homes, not having their mom or their grandma's or auntie's fresh bannock or duck soup or fresh fish that their dads had caught that day. I can't imagine what it would be like if they were removed from their homes and they went hungry at

3694 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 31, 2021 residential schools instead and I not knowing where they were. Sadly, many Indigenous Canadians do not have an image of that horror. T hey actually lived through it. The mistreatment and the neglect of the children at these schools was appalling. Children faced abuse, starvation and poor living conditions. The trauma of residential school survivors and their families is inter- generational trauma, and many Indigenous com - munities are still feeling the effects today.

One of my first visits in 2016 when I was appoint- ed to this position was to Waywayseecappo, and I was going to meet with the chief and council that day. It was midsummer and the chief was away that day and we were waiting for some of the council, but we started the meeting. * (15:40) After not too long, a tall, lanky gentleman clearly much senior in years to the other councillors came into the meeting –a tall, lanky guy with a cowboy hat, cowboy boots and, clearly, a good heart and per - sonality. He explained that he was regretful that he was late for the meeting, but he had been at his school reunion.

It was either a Wednesday or a Thursday of that week and I thought it was r ather funny. Typically, school reunions are at school on weekends. And I said, well, it must've been a really good school reunion if you're only getting home now, and he just kind of smiled and he said, it was great, it was really good. And I said where w as your reunion, or what school? And I thought, you know, for an elder his age, having a school reunion, that was quite something. He said, Brandon residential school, and I immediately felt some shame for making light of this reunion and I apologized.

I s aid, I'm very sorry, I didn't realize, you know, is this something new? And he said, well, for about the last year, we've been meeting once a week and we are learning to talk about our experience in residential schools. And he alluded to the fact that he felt like he–that he was a survivor, but he also told me that he had never spoke of that time in his life until one year ago. And I thought, wow, you know, how sad that he wasn't emotionally able to be talking about it. And he said, it just wasn't talked about, we did not talk about it. But he says, I can talk about it now.

And he did, and he shared a lot with us, and that was probably one of the most remarkable experiences of the past five years. Since then, I've talked to many more survivors and there are a lot of different stories. I've talked to a couple of nurses from up at Sasye Dene [phonetic], twin sisters who'd been in residential school. They told me about their time there, but they had survived well and they both went on to be nurses so that the y could help other people. It had pushed them in a good direction. Not all people were that lucky.

But I do feel fortunate for the experiences that I've had this past five years with survivors and families who have spoke to me of their experiences. When Prime Minister Harper issued a formal apology for residential schools in 2008, it was be - lieved that over 4,000 of the 150,000 children who attended these schools had died while in care at the residential schools. And I agree with the member from Point Douglas, how many of the ran–were told they ran away but perhaps they didn't.

There is a lot of truths that need to be told, and maybe those truths are coming out now through the tiny shoes of these individuals that we're talking about now. Perhaps they are going to be the catalyst that moves us all to a better discussion and doing the right thing. And if it is, I'm thankful for that. The discovery of 215 children in Kamloops could mean that this number is undercounted.

Truth and – pardon me –truth and reconci liation calls to action Nos. 71 to 76 are mainly directed at the federal government and relate to identifying and documenting deaths and burial sites related to residential schools, and have appropriate memorial ceremonies and com- memorative markers to honour all the deceased. Manitoba and other provinces are still at an earlier stage in exploring the grounds of residential schools.

However, our government is committed to working in partnership with Indigenous leaders and communities, residential school survivors and the federal govern- ment to advance the missing children burial infor - mation calls to action. Our Province has also made a public commitment to take measures to advance reconciliation in response to the national inquiry's call to action. Work is on - going on a wide variety of activities that align with the calls to action and support efforts and are still illus - trated in our path to reconciliation annual report.

This government will ensure that the ceremonial rites are considered and proper reburial practices are

May 31, 2021 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 3695 respected. As Canadians, we must move forward together, without forgetting the lessons we've learned from the injustices of the past. We must remain committed to working together with Indigenous Canadians to improve people's lives. W e must con - tinue to take action in helping to protect Indigenous women and girls and 2SLGBQQIA+ persons who in recent years have faced an even greater risk of experiencing violence.

I was pleased last fall to attend the Portage resi - dential school at Kees hkeemaquah when they were declared a historic site of residential schools –one of only two in all of Canada. It's a real honour to have this historical site named in Manitoba. And I look forward to working with all the survivors and Long Plain First Nation as they restructure this building into a museum that will tell the stories so that people that come to visit Canada–all visitors, whether you're from Manitoba, Canada, or beyond–that they will have an opportunity to actually learn.

I walked through the halls of that school with an Indigenous law officer when I was there. There was still in some rooms that were locked, there was little beds, there was desks, and there were other remnants of that actual school because it was only closed in 1975, the year my son was born. And we went downstairs to some of the locked rooms down there, and she explained to me what each of those rooms were. And it was cold, and it was damp, and it was eerie. And I've known this young woman for many, many years, and she said to me , sometimes, Eileen, I can feel–I hear the children crying.

I hear them sobbing and, you know, it just made my blood run cold. It was such a grim thought, even of them existing inside those facilities so far from home. So today and going forward, I think we need to make a renewed commitment that we will do better. It's on us. We are the present. If we want a better future for our children, for our grandchildren, we have to do better. We have to do collaboratively. But finally, we must remember that all children matter. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr.

Goertzen: I want to begin by thanking members of the Chamber who were instrumental in making this discussion happen this afternoon. I want to thank the member for St. Johns (Ms. Fontaine), who I was able to speak to this morn- ing about arranging for this time. Thank her leader, the member for Fort Rouge (Mr. Kinew). Of course, thank our Indige

Document details

Collection	Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	42-3-72
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	42nd 3rd hansardpdf 72.pdf
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	04d8d4d0b8973a6e0d505e837d7a2064b8a64608

Source file is stored in the law ingest library (pdf).