Manitoba Hansard — 13 June 2011 (Sitting 61, 39th Legislature, 5th Session)

39-5-61

Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)

Fifth Session - Thirty-Ninth Legislature of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba DEBATES and PROCEEDINGS Official Report (Hansard) Published under the authority of The Honourable George Hickes Speaker Vol. LXIII No. 61 – 1:30 p.m., Monday, June 13, 2011 ISSN 0542-5492

MANITOBA LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Thirty-Ninth Legislature Member Constituency Political Affiliation ALLAN, Nancy, Hon. St. Vital N.D.P. ALTEMEYER, Rob Wolseley N.D.P. ASHTON, Steve, Hon. Thompson N.D.P. BJORNSON, Peter, Hon. Gimli N.D.P. BLADY, Sharon Kirkfield Park N.D.P. BLAIKIE, Bill, Hon. Elmwood N.D.P. BOROTSIK, Rick Brandon West P.C. BRAUN, Erna Rossmere N.D.P. BRICK, Marilyn St. Norbert N.D.P. BRIESE, Stuart Ste. Rose P.C. CALDWELL, Drew Brandon East N.D.P. CHOMIAK, Dave, Hon. Kildonan N.D.P. CULLEN, Cliff Turtle Mountain P.C. DERKACH, Leonard Russell P.C. DEWAR, Gregory Selkirk N.D.P.

DRIEDGER, Myrna Charleswood P.C. DYCK, Peter Pembina P.C. EICHLER, Ralph Lakeside P.C. FAURSCHOU, David Portage la Prairie P.C. GERRARD, Jon, Hon. River Heights Lib. GOERTZEN, Kelvin Steinbach P.C. GRAYDON, Cliff Emerson P.C. HICKES, George, Hon. Point Douglas N.D.P. HOWARD, Jennifer, Hon. Fort Rouge N.D.P. IRVIN-ROSS, Kerri, Hon. Fort Garry N.D.P. JENNISSEN, Gerard Flin Flon N.D.P. JHA, Bidhu Radisson N.D.P. KORZENIOWSKI, Bonnie St. James N.D.P. LEMIEUX, Ron, Hon. La Verendrye N.D.P. MACKINTOSH, Gord, Hon. St. Johns N.D.P. MAGUIRE, Larry Arthur-Virden P.C. MARCELINO, Flor, Hon. Wellington N.D.P.

MARTINDALE, Doug Burrows N.D.P. McFADYEN, Hugh Fort Whyte P.C. McGIFFORD, Diane Lord Roberts N.D.P. MELNICK, Christine, Hon. Riel N.D.P. MITCHELSON, Bonnie River East P.C. NEVAKSHONOFF, Tom Interlake N.D.P. OSWALD, Theresa, Hon. Seine River N.D.P. PEDERSEN, Blaine Carman P.C. REID, Daryl Transcona N.D.P. ROBINSON, Eric, Hon. Rupertsland N.D.P. RONDEAU, Jim, Hon. Assiniboia N.D.P. ROWAT, Leanne Minnedosa P.C. SARAN, Mohinder The Maples N.D.P. SCHULER, Ron Springfield P.C. SELBY, Erin, Hon. Southdale N.D.P. SELINGER, Greg, Hon. St. Boniface N.D.P. STEFANSON, Heather Tuxedo P.C. STRUTHERS, Stan, Hon.

Dauphin-Roblin N.D.P. SWAN, Andrew, Hon. Minto N.D.P. TAILLIEU, Mavis Morris P.C. WHITEHEAD, Frank The Pas N.D.P. WIEBE, Matt Concordia N.D.P. WOWCHUK, Rosann, Hon. Swan River N.D.P. Vacant Inkster Vacant Lac du Bonnet

2775 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA Monday, June 13, 2011 The House met at 1:30 p.m. Mr. Speaker: O Eternal and Almighty God, from Whom all power and wisdom come, we are assembled here before Thee t o f r a m e s u c h l a w s a s may tend to the welfare and prosperity of our province. Grant, O merciful God, we pray Thee, that we may desire only that which is in accordance with Thy will, that we may seek it with wisdom, 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.

ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS INTRODUCTION OF BILLS Bill 221–The Criminal Property Forfeiture Amendment Act Mr. Kelvin Goertzen (Steinbach): Good afternoon, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the member for Springfield (Mr. Schule r), that Bill 221, The Criminal Property Forfeiture Amendment Act, be now read for a first time. Motion presented. Mr. Goertzen: Mr. Speaker, this bill establishes an administrative forfeiture mechanism where there is property under the value of $50,000 that is the proceeds of crime or where it's been the instrument of crime where no person claims an interest in that property.

It is intended to strengthen and streamline The Criminal Property Forfeiture Act that applies where no person disputes the property is from crime or an instrument of crime and where no one claims an interest in the property. For example, it might apply to large sums of money found in a drug house. Mr. Speaker, this legislation is similar to legislation that exists in other provinces in Canada who are leaders in seizing the profits of crime and redirecting those funds to victims. Thank you. Mr. Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed] PETITIONS Mount Agassiz Ski Area Mr.

Stuart Briese (Ste. Rose): Mr. Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. And these are the reasons for this petition: For several decades, the Mount Agassiz ski area, home to the highest vertical between Thunder Bay and the Rocky Mountains, was a popular skiing and snowboarding destination for Manitobans and visitors alike. The operations of the Mount Agassiz ski area were very important to the local economy, not only creating jobs, but also generating sales of goods and services at area businesses.

In addition, a thriving rural economy generates tax revenue that helps pay for core provincial government services a nd infrastructure which benefits all Manitobans. Although the ski facility closed in 2000, there remains strong interest in seeing it reopened, and Parks Canada has committed to conducting a feasibility study with respect to the Agassiz site and future opportunities in this area.

We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To request the appropriate ministers of the provincial government to consider outlining to Parks Canada the importance that a viable recreation facility in the Mount Aga ssiz area would play in the local and provincial economies. And to request that the appropriate ministers of the provincial government consider working with all stakeholders, including Parks Canada, to help develop a plan for a viable, multiseason recreation facility in the Mount Agassiz ski area. This petition is signed by R. Dumesnil, A. Vanderburgh and V.

Bodnar and many, many other fine Manitobans. Mr. Speaker: In accordance with our rule 132(6), when petitions are read they are deemed to be received by the House. Bipole III–Cost to Manitoba Families Mr. Blaine Pedersen (Carman): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly.

2776 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA June 13, 2011 The background to this petition is as follows: Manitoba Hydro has been directed by the provincial government to construct its next high voltage direct transmission line, Bipole III, down the west side of Manitoba. This will cost each family of four in Manitoba $11,748 more than an east-side route, which is also shorter and more reliable.

We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to build the Bipole III transmission line on the shorter and more reliable east side of Lake Winnipeg in order to save each Manitoba family of four $11,748. This petition is signed by R. Massinon, R. Massinon, G. Massinon and many, many more fine Manitobans. Auto Theft–Court Order Breaches Mr. Kelvin Goertzen (Steinbach): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly.

The background to this petition is as follows: On December 11th, 2009, in Winnipeg, Zdzislaw Andrzejczak was killed when the car that he was driving collided with a stolen vehicle. The death of Mr. Andrzejczak, a husband and a father, along with too many others–other deaths and injuries involving stolen vehicles, was a preventable tragedy. Many of those accused in fatalities involving stolen vehicles were previously known to police and identified as chronic and high-risk car thieves who had court orders against them. Chronic car thieves pose a risk to the safety of all Manitobans.

We petition the Legislative Assembly as follows: To request the Minister of Justice to consider ensuring that all court orders for car thieves are vigorously monitored and enforced. And to request the Minister of Justice to consider ensuring that all breaches of court orders on car thieves are reported to police and vigorously prosecuted. Mr. Speaker, this petition is signed by B. Gilmore, B. Menard, C. Turner and thousands of other concerned Manitobans. Agricultural Compensation Programs– RM of Sifton Mr. Larry Maguire (Arthur-Virden): Mr. Speaker, I wish to present the following petition.

And the background to this petition is as follows: In the Rural Municipality of Sifton, flooding has affected the Assiniboine River Valley, Oak Lake, the Oak Lake Marsh, Plum Lake, Plum Creek, the Maple Lake area and the Griswold Marsh. Farmers, as well as Oak Lake beach home and cottage owners, have been severely impacted by this flooding. Water in the RM of Sifton is–was required to hold back in its catchment area due to provincial government requirements has caused even more hardship and losses in the area.

Those affected by flooding would like the Premier and appropriate ministers to visit the region as soon as possible to see first-hand the impact of the flooding. We petition the Legislative Assembly as follows: To request the provincial government to consider enacting a compensation program to help address the extra costs facing agricultural producers due to severe flooding in the Rural Municipality of Sifton. To urge the provincial government to consider developing a long-term strategy to more effectively address future flooding events in the RM of Sifton. And, Mr. Speaker, this petition is signed by R.

Plaisier, K. Batho, M. Plaisier and many, many other citizens of the region. COMMITTEE REPORTS Standing Committee on Human Resources First Report Mr. Daryl Reid (Chairperson): I wish to present the First Report of the Standing Committee on Human Resources. Madam Clerk (Patricia Chaychuk): Your Standing Committee on Human Resources–

June 13, 2011 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2777 An Honourable Member: Dispense. Mr. Speaker: Dispense? Dispense. Your Standing Committee on HUMAN RESOURCES presents the following as its First Report. Meetings Your Committee met on June 9, 2011.

Matters under Consideration • Bill (No. 20) – The Defibrillator Public Access Act/Loi sur l'accès du public aux défibrillateurs • Bill (No. 21) – The Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Day Act/Loi sur la Journée de sensibilisation aux dons d'organes et de tissus • Bill (No. 24) – The Innovation Funding Act/Loi sur le financement de l'innovation • Bill (No. 26) – The Université de Saint-Boniface Act/Loi sur l'Université de Saint-Boniface • Bill (No. 38) – The Regional Health Authorities Amendment Act (Accountability and Transparency)/Loi modifiant la

Loi sur les offices régionaux de la santé (responsabilisation et transparence) • Bill (No. 42) – The Caregiver Recognition Act/Loi sur la reconnaissance de l'apport des aidants naturels • Bill (No. 50) – The Thompson Nickel Belt Sustainability Act/Loi sur la viabilité de la ceinture nickélifère de Thompson Committee Membership • Hon. Mr. B JORNSON • Hon. Mr. CHOMIAK • Mrs. DRIEDGER • Mr. EICHLER • Mr. JENNISSEN • Hon. Ms. OSWALD • Mr. REID • Hon. Mr. RONDEAU • Mrs. ROWAT • Hon. Ms. SELBY • Mrs. TAILLIEU Your Committee elected Mr. R EID as the Chairperson. Your Committee elected Mr.

J ENNISSEN as the Vice-Chairperson. Substitutions received during committee proceedings: • Hon. Mr. ASHTON for Hon. Mr. CHOMIAK • Hon. Mr. CHOMIAK for Hon. Mr. ASHTON Public Presentations Your Committee heard the following presentation on Bill (No. 20) – The Defibrillator Public Access Act/Loi sur l'accès du public aux défibrillateurs: Diana Bayles, Heart and Stroke Foundation Your Committee heard the following presentation on Bill (No. 21) – The Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Day Act/Loi sur la Journée de sensibilisation aux dons d'organes et de tissus: Dr.

Brendan McCarthy, Transplant Manitoba Your Committee heard the following three presentations on Bill (No. 26) – The Université de Saint-Boniface Act/Loi sur l'Université de Saint-Boniface: Jeff Leclerc, University of Manitoba Leo Robert, St.

Boniface College Daniel Boucher, Societé Franco-Manitobain Your Committee heard the following three presentations on Bill (No. 42) – The Caregiver Recognition Act/Loi sur la reconnaissance de l'apport des aidants naturels: Darell Hominuk, Multiple Sclerosis Society of Manitoba Syva-lee Wildenmann, Rupert's Land Caregiver Services Nadine Konyk, Private Citizen Written Submissions Your Committee received the following written submission on Bill (No. 20) – The Defibrillator Public Access Act/Loi sur l'accès du public aux défibrillateurs: Jodi Possia, Paramedic Association of Manitoba Your Committee received the following written submission on Bill (No. 26) – The Université de Saint-Boniface Act/Loi sur l'Université de Saint-Boniface: Edward H.

Lipsett, Private Citizen

2778 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA June 13, 2011 Bills Considered and Reported • Bill (No. 20) – The Defibrillator Public Access Act/Loi sur l'accès du public aux défibrillateurs Your Committee agreed to report this Bill without amendment. • Bill (No. 21) – The Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Day Act/Loi sur la Journée de sensibilisation aux dons d'organes et de tissus Your Committee agreed to report this Bill without amendment. • Bill (No. 24) – The Innovation Funding Act/Loi sur le financement de l'innovation Your Committee agreed to report this Bill without amendment. • Bill (No. 26) – The Université de Saint-Boniface Act/Loi sur l'Université de Saint-Boniface Your Committee agreed to report this Bill without amendment. • Bill (No. 38) – The Regional Health Authorities Amendment Act (Accountability and Transparency)/Loi modifiant la

Loi sur les offices régionaux de la santé (responsabilisation et transparence) Your Committee agreed to report this Bill without amendment. • Bill (No. 42) – The Caregiver Recognition Act/Loi sur la reconnaissance de l'apport des aidants naturels Your Committee agreed to report this Bill without amendment. • Bill (No. 50) – The Thompson Nickel Belt Sustainability Act/Loi sur la viabilité de la ceinture nickélifère de Thompson Your Committee agreed to report this Bill with the following amendments: Your committee voted to defeat Clause 2 of the Bill. Your committee voted to defeat Clause 3 of the Bill.

Your committee voted to defeat Clause 4 of the Bill. Mr. Reid: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable member from Flin Flon, that the report of the committee be received. Motion agreed to. * (13:40) Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development Fifth Report Ms. Marilyn Brick (Chairperson): Mr. Speaker, I wish to present the Fifth Report of the Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development. Madam Clerk (Patricia Chaychuk): Your Standing Committee on Social and Economic– An Honourable Member: Dispense. Mr. Speaker: Dispense? Dispense.

Your Standing Committee on SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT presents the following as its Fifth Report. Meetings Your Committee met on June 9, 2011. Matters under Consideration • Bill (No. 13) – The Preparing Students for Success Act (Various Acts Amended)/Loi visant la réussite scolaire (modification de diverses dispositions législatives) • Bill (No. 15) – The Firefighters and Paramedics Arbitration Amendment Act/Loi modifiant la

Loi sur l'arbitrage relatif aux pompiers et aux travailleurs paramédicaux • Bill (No. 23) – The Employment Standards Code Amendment Act/Loi modifiant le Code des normes d'emploi • Bill (No. 28) – The Public Schools Amendment Act (Reporting Bullying and Other Harm)/Loi modifiant la

Loi sur les écoles publiques (obligation de faire rapport des cas d'intimidation et des préjudices subis) • Bill (No. 32) – The Essential Services (Health Care) and Related Amendments Act/Loi sur les services essentiels (soins de santé) et modifications connexes

June 13, 2011 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2779 • Bill (No. 33) – The Pension Benefits Amendment Act/Loi modifiant la

Loi sur les prestations de pension • Bill (No. 34) – The Workers Compensation Amendment Act (Presumption re OFC Personnel)/Loi modifiant la

Loi sur les accidents du travail (présomption s'appliquant au personnel du bureau du commissaire aux incendies) Committee Membership • Hon. Ms. A LLAN • Ms. BRAUN • Ms. BRICK • Mr. CULLEN • Mr. DYCK • Mr. GOERTZEN • Hon. Ms. HOWARD • Mr. MARTINDALE • Mr. PEDERSEN • Mr. SARAN • Mr. WIEBE Your Committee elected Ms. BRICK as the Chairperson. Your Committee elected Mr. SARAN as the Vice-Chairperson.

Public Presentations Your Committee heard the following six presentations on Bill (No. 13) – The Preparing Students for Success Act (Various Acts Amended)/Loi visant la réussite scolaire (modification de diverses dispositions législatives): Floyd Martens, Vice-Chair, Manitoba School Boards Association Brian O'Leary, Manitoba Association of School Superintendents Paul Olson, Manitoba Teachers' Society Suzanne Hrynyk, Board Chair, Winnipeg School Division Ian Mogilevsky, President, Manitoba Association for Christian Home Schools John Bobbette, Winnipeg Technical College Your Committee heard the following two presentations on Bill (No. 28) – The Public Schools Amendment Act (Reporting Bullying and Other Harm)/Loi modifiant la

Loi sur les écoles publiques (obligation de faire rapport des cas d'intimidation et des préjudices subis): Paul Olson, Manitoba Teachers' Society Rebecca Ulrich, Canadian Red Cross Written Submissions Your Committee received one written submission on Bill (No. 13) – The Preparing St udents for Success Act (Various Acts Amended)/Loi visant la réussite scolaire (modification de diverses dispositions législatives), from: Marty Snelling, Chairperson, Brandon School Division Board of Trustees Bills Considered and Reported • Bill (No. 13) – The Preparing Students for Success Act (Various Acts Amended)/Loi visant la réussite scolaire (modification de diverses dispositions législatives) Your Committee agreed to report this Bill, with the following amendment: THAT Clause 9 of the Bill be amended by adding the following after the proposed subsection 259.1(3): Application 259.1(4) Subsection (3) applies only in respect of a child who has withdrawn from parental control. • Bill (No. 15) – The Firefighters and Paramedics Arbitration Amendment Act/Loi modifiant la

Loi sur l'arbitrage relatif aux pompiers et aux travailleurs paramédicaux Your Committee agreed to report this Bill without amendment. • Bill (No. 23) – The Employment Standards Code Amendment Act/Loi modifiant le Code des normes d'emploi Your Committee agreed to report this Bill without amendment. • Bill (No. 28) – The Public Schools Amendment Act (Reporting Bullying and Other Harm)/Loi modifiant la

Loi sur les écoles publiques (obligation de faire rapport des cas d'intimidation et des préjudices subis)

2780 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA June 13, 2011 Your Committee agreed to report this Bill without amendment. • Bill (No. 32) – The Essential Services (Health Care) and Related Amendments Act/Loi sur les services essentiels (soins de santé) et modifications connexes Your Committee agreed to report this Bill, with the following amendment: THAT Clause 3(1)(

a) of the Bill be amended by adding the following after subclause (v): (v.1) Diagnostic Services of Manitoba Inc., • Bill (No. 33) – The Pension Benefits Amendment Act/Loi modifiant la

Loi sur les prestations de pension Your Committee agreed to report this Bill without amendment. • Bill (No. 34) – The Workers Compensation Amendment Act (Presumption re OFC Personnel)/Loi modifiant la

Loi sur les accidents du travail (présomption s'appliquant au personnel du bureau du commissaire aux incendies) Your Committee agreed to report this Bill without amendment. Ms. Brick: I move, seconded by the honourable member for The Maples (Mr. Saran), that the report of the committee be received. Motion agreed to. TABLING OF REPORTS Hon. Bill Blaikie (Minister of Conservation): I have the honour to present the following two annual reports: the 2010 Annual Report of Tire Stewardship Manitoba and the 2010 Annual Report of the Manitoba Association for Resource Recovery Corporation.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS Flooding and Ice Jams Update Hon. Christine Melnic k (Minister of Water Stewardship): Yes, Mr. Speaker, I have a statement for the House. I am rising to provide the House with an update on the current flood situation in Manitoba. Last night and this morning, rain has fallen throughout much of western and south-central Manitoba with upwards of 30 millimetres of rain having already fallen in isolated locations such as Dauphin, Minnedosa and Brandon.

The weather system is unstable, and while current conditions look more favourable than what was anticipated last week, we could expect the system to change in a very short period of time. The forecast is calling for continued rains throughout western and south-central Manitoba for much of this week. South Interlake could also see as much as 20 to 30 millimetres of rain today and tomorrow. Strong south winds will also continue to be a factor throughout the week on Lake Manitoba, Lake Winnipeg and Lake Winnipegosis.

I want to assure Manitobans impacted by the flood that they can expect swift and fair assistance from this government to help get their lives back on track. The Province has al ready received over 800 applications of financial assistance and has flowed almost half a million dollars in advances to folks in need. Today, we announced that former Association of Manitoba Municipalities President Ron Bell will serve as the Flood 2011 Building and Flood Recovery Action Plan appeals commissioner. Over the weekend, the Treesbank Bridge crossing the Souris River near Wawanesa failed.

A provincial bridge inspector was on the bridge at the time and was swept into the river. It is my understanding that he is recovering, but our hearts go out to him and his family. This incident highlights the often hazardous work that is called on–that is called for during floods of this extreme nature. Again, I would like to acknowledge and commend all the people involved in this year's flood fight.

In closing, I am urging Manitobans to remain vigilant in their efforts to protect their homes and properties and to assure them that the Province will stand behind them as this flood fight continues and that we will provide the support needed to get everyone back on their feet. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Stuart Briese (Ste. Rose): Mr. Speaker, I thank the minister for the latest update on the flood situation.

June 13, 2011 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2781 As the minister noted, the flood situation is rapidly evolving. Due to the challenging conditions this morning, more than 100 properties at Sugar Point and Lundar Beach are to be evacuated very quickly. These latest evacuations are an important reminder of the effects that will be felt when adverse weather conditions combine with high winds and create problems around Lake Manitoba. We continue to hear reports of people struggling to protect properties around Dauphin Lake, with some people even resorting to hiring people to help sandbag their properties.

We hope that all resources are being made available to those people and others in similar circumstances to help them protect their properties. We note there was no flood bulletin issued by the provincial government on Sunday as part of its regular news release, and we hope they will continue with the daily issuance of those bulletins and include the lake level charts with the bulletins, as that information is very important to the people on the front line of a flood fight.

I and several of my colleagues attended a packed meeting of the Twin Lakes Beach Association where the flooding on Lake Manitoba was discussed last night. It was clear from that meeting that people are–need information from the provincial government on a broad range of flood issues, from how to mitigate to compensation to what is happening with the level of Lake Manitoba for the long haul. As always, we encourage the government to maintain the strongest lines of communication possible with all those affected by this year's flooding. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Mr.

Speaker, I ask leave to speak to the minister's statement. Mr. Speaker: Does the honourable member have leave? [Agreed] Mr. Gerrard: Mr. Speaker, I thank the minister for her update and extend sympathies to the flood inspector who was on the Treesbank Bridge, and best wishes for a speedy recovery. Certainly the situation with the wet weather now here and expected is of major concern moving forward. There are at this time some very critical decisions which need to be made in many communities, communities like St.

Laurent, Twin Lakes Beach, Delta Beach, Dauphin Lake, areas in terms of–although quite a number of houses and cottages have been lost, that there are still some houses and cottages which are there on the front lines and which were not lost in the first wave of major problems, but the effort and the approach to save those homes and cottages needs to be beefed up and using the information that we have gleaned from what has worked and what has not worked successfully in Lake Winnipeg. So I pass that along.

I also think that fro m what I'm hearing from many, details of the compensation need to be clear from 100 per cent to contracts which don't seem to say that and so on, and I think it is good to have a commissioner in place such as Ron Bell, and, certainly, we hope that that smoothes things out. But in this time of stress for many people, communication and clear communication is certainly very important, as well as help directed where it is needed and, of course, today, particularly in areas like Sugar Point and Lundar Beach. Thank you. Introduction of Guests Mr.

Speaker: Prior to oral questions, I'd like to draw the attention of honourable members to the public gallery where we have with us today, we have Murray Gibson who is the president of Bishop Grandin Greenway Incorporated who is the guest of the honourable Minister for Water Stewardship. And also in the public gallery we have with us from Springs Christian Academy, we have 10 grade 11 and 12 students under the direction of Mr. Brad Dowler. This school is located in the constituency of the honourable First Minister.

And also in the gallery we have with us from Tec Voc High School, we have 13 grade 12 law students under the direction of Mr. Colin Bruce Smith. This school is located in the constituency of the honourable Minister for Culture, Heritage and Tourism. On behalf of all honourable members, I welcome you all here today. * (13:50) ORAL QUESTIONS Canadian Wheat Board Reform Advertising Campaign Mr. Hugh McFadyen (Leader of the Official Opposition): As of today, as we know, over 2,000 Manitobans are evacuated from their homes. Hundreds of homes have been swamped, damaged or

2782 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA June 13, 2011 destroyed as a result of the current flood. Millions of acres of farmland are under water and can't be seeded, and, in fact, the minister just said, quite correctly, that this is a flood of an extreme nature. Mr. Speaker, the federal government has been a strong partner to Manitoba through this flood fight, and all Manitobans recognize the importance of provincial and federal governments working well together during such a crisis.

I want to ask the Premier, that instead of working with the federal government during this crisis, he has this morning decided instead to launch a taxpayer-funded attack campaign against the federal government. Manitobans want to know, at this time of crisis, why would this Premier launch a negative, divisive, taxpayer-funded attack camp aign against the federal government, our partner in this flood fight? Hon. Greg Selinger (Premier): Mr.

Speaker, the provincial and federal governments have, indeed, worked very closely together on the issues of managing the flood and trying to provide support to Manitobans and will continue to do so. I'm confident of that. We also know that the Wheat Board is of fundamental importance to the people of Manitoba. We know that, and for the Leader of the Opposition to take the view that this is not a concern to the provincial government or anybody in the provincial Legislature is a mistaken view.

Farmers' ability to market their products, to be able to get support to market their products, is absolutely essential, and the provincial government has to stand up and support those producers; otherwise, they could see permanent damage to the economy, much worse in the long run than the flooding that has occurred right now this spring. This is not a time–this is not a time, Mr. Speaker–to abandon farmer s. They're going through a flood. They need support for the Wheat Board, as well, in Manitoba. Mr. McFadyen: Mr.

Speaker, I don't know whether the Premier realizes that there are currently millions of acres of farmland under water in the province of Manitoba, farmland where farmers can't even seed their crops. This is a time when 2,000 Manitobans have been evacuated from their homes. It's a time when hundreds of homes have been swamped, damaged or destroyed, and this Premier's top priority is trying to overturn the results of a federal election that was settled six weeks ago. The decision was made by Manitobans. The decision was made by Canadians.

That decision was clear for a strong, stable national government in Ottawa, and six weeks later, Mr. Speaker, this Premier's top priority is to abuse the tax dollars of Manitobans running an attack campaign against the federal government. How could he possibly think, Mr. Speaker, that his attack campaign, at the expense of taxpayers, six weeks after the decision was made, years after he failed to keep Viterra, years after he failed to keep JRI, could possibly have any positive benefit for Manitobans when what they need is for their governments to work together? Mr. Selinger: Mr.

Speaker, for the member opposite to abandon farmers at a time when they're under severe stress and to abandon them at–when they're at a period of severe stress with the flooding that's going on in Manitoba and to say that their ability to market their product globally throughout the world will be reduced, to say that they will no longer have the support of the Wheat Board, really is an example of non-leadership on the part of the member opposite. He is skating away from this issue at a rapid rate. The reality is, Mr.

Speaker, the federal government and some of the members of Parliament who were elected in this province have not been clear. They had said, during the last election, that they would support the Wheat Board. Only the member opposite and his caucus does not want to stand up for rural Manitoba and farmers. We will stand up for them all the time, 24-7. Every single day and every single year we will stand up for them when it comes to supporting the Wheat Board. Over 70 per cent–over 70 per cent–of producers say that when you control the organization and you pay for it, you should have a say on its future.

Manitoba producers– Mr. Speaker: Order. Mr. McFadyen: Well, Mr. Speaker, this is the government that failed to keep Viterra in Winnipeg when we lost hundreds of head office jobs. This is the same NDP government that failed to get JRI to invest in Manitoba, who instead invested in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, in their canola-crushing facility. This is the Premier who failed to save Crocus. This is the Premier who at every opportunity has used the power

June 13, 2011 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2783 of his government to attack farmers, to attack producers in the province of Manitoba, every opportunity to blame farmers and producers. Why doesn't he just acknowledge that he couldn't care less about farmers in Manitoba? What he's happy about today, Mr. Speaker, is he's got yet another new excuse to run attack ads. Mr. Selinger: Mr. Speaker, the member clearly does not understand the role of the Wheat Board. They have played an integral role in 1997 and in 2009 in allowing farmers to get their wheat out of flood-affected areas.

That is a role they can continue to play. They have helped farmers move their wheat to markets to be able to get a price for that wheat. They have a worldwide brand which allows prairie producers, Manitoba producers, to get a premium price for their product, and at a time when farmers are under stress, the Leader of the Opposition wants to abandon them. He wants to stick his head in the sand on the Wheat Board. He does not want to stand up for Manitoba producers. We will stand up for Manitoba producers. The member opposite will abandon them at their time of need. Mr.

Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a new question. Mr. McFadyen: Well, Mr. Speaker, that shouting might be persuasive if, in fact, it had happened before the decision was made and not after. This is a decision that was made six weeks ago. He's six weeks late coming into this debate again. The decision was made by Manitobans who voted overwhelmingly on this issue.

It was a decision that was made by Canadians, and he may not like the outcome of the federal election, but the reality is for him to spend tax dollars trying to overturn a federal election six weeks late puts him in the same category as the defeated candidate Jim Maloway. He's nothing but the leader increasingly looking like somebody who's a fringe politician, fighting battles that have–that already–have already been fought, when he should be focused on the future, focused on jobs of the future and focused on protecting Manitobans. Why not just admit, Mr. Speaker, he's a failure. Mr. Selinger: Mr.

Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition may want to put up the white flag when it comes to defending farmers; we won't do that. Our position has always been clear, that we support the single-desk Wheat Board in this province. Producers in Manitoba have also been very clear that they support the single desk. They have also said that under the current law producers have the say on whether or not there's a single desk. They are asking for their democratic rights to be preserved. Let the Leader of the Opposition stand in this House.

Does he support the right of producers to have a say on who–how the Wheat Board will run? Does he support producers, yes or no? Does he support producers? Does he support democracy? Does he support them having a voice? No, he doesn't, Mr. Speaker. No, he doesn't. And you know what, Mr. Speaker? Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Mr. Speaker: Order. You have a few seconds left. The honourable First Minister. Mr. Selinger: Mr. Speaker, farmers have the right under the Wheat Board Act to vote on the future of the Wheat Board. That democratic right is being taken away from them.

If the member opposite supports that, let him stand and say that in the House today. * (14:00) Mr. McFadyen: Well, Mr. Speaker, I don't know if the Premier is aware, there was a vote six weeks ago and in that vote six weeks ago, farmers and Manitobans voted overwhelmingly in favour of a federal, stable Conservative government. They voted overwhelmingly against the negative, backward-looking, out-of-touch NDP. Why can't the Premier just get over it and acknowledge, Mr. Speaker, that he lost? Mr. Selinger: Mr.

Speaker, if you listen to the member's argument, what he's really saying is the federal election means he has no responsibility to defend Manitoba farmers. We take a different view. Manitoba farmers, prairie producers, have in a great majority elected the Wheat Board. Their representation on the Wheat Board supports the single desk. If the member opposite is against producers having a say in the future of the Wheat Board, let him not hide behind the federal election.

Let him stand in this House and say he supports the abandonment of democracy for producers on the Prairies and, in particular, for farmers in Manitoba.

2784 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA June 13, 2011 Let him stand up and abandon farmers in Manitoba. He's done it before. Let him continue to do it today. Mr. McFadyen: Well, Mr. Speaker, the leader of the party that has spent the entire time in office attacking producers in Manitoba, blaming producers in the province of Manitoba, well, let me tell you, on Friday, I went to Ottawa. I met with the Minister of Agriculture, Gerry Ritz, and we talked about the future of farming in Manitoba.

We talked about the government's broad vision for the development of the north, the vision of the four-pillar strategy to develop Churchill, to develop the north. We talked about the future, Mr. Speaker. We didn't talk about the past, and while I was in Ottawa meeting with federal ministers to move the province forward, he was in Manitoba working up attack ads. Why doesn't he just acknowledge he's a failure, Mr. Speaker? Mr. Selinger: Mr. Speaker, if the member really was doing a job, the Wheat Board would retain its democratic right to allow producers to determine its future.

If the member wants to put up a white flag on that and try to switch gears, he can entirely do that, but let it be very clear in this Legislature, let it be very clear in the public and let it be very clear in Hansard, the member, the Leader of the Opposition, has abandoned farmers' de mocratic right to elect their members to the Wheat Board and to determine in a plebiscite whether the Wheat Board will have a single desk. Mr. Speaker, if he wants to abandon their democratic rights, let him be clear about that. No amount of plane tickets anywhere will change that reality in Manitoba. Mr. Speaker: Order.

The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a new question. Mr. McFadyen: While I was in Ottawa meeting with the federal Agricult ure Minister, when I was meeting with other federal ministers on matters of significance to Manitoba, we talked about the very significant situation that has arisen as a result of this serious flood. We talked about the millions of acres of farmland in Manitoba that are today under water. We talked about the need for a federal-provincial partnership to address the needs of those farmers.

We talked about the federal government's bold and optimistic vision for Churchill and the north of Manitoba. We talked about the need to encourage private and public jobs everywhere in this country, Mr. Speaker. And while we were doing that, Mr. Speaker, he was working on attack ads at the expense of taxpayers right here in the province of Manitoba. Why doesn't he acknowledge, Mr. Speaker, instead of being a premier of action and a premier who stands with Manitobans, he's nothing more than a premier of advertising and photo ops? Mr. Selinger: Mr.

Speaker, you know, I'm glad the Leader of the Opposition has caught up with the government who already met with Minister Ritz and made the case for Churchill. Ninety per cent of what goes through Churchill is provided by the Canadian Wheat Board. If that disappears, Churchill is at very serious risk. The mayor knows that. The people of Churchill know that. If the member was so effective on Friday, what guarantees did he get that Churchill will remain viable and that wheat and barley will be able to flow through there?

It's one thing to go to the Conservative convention and to have a cocktail chat with members in the hallways. It's another thing to get results for Manitoba. We're working to get re sults for Manitoba. We want to reserve–we want to preserve the democratic right of farmers to determine how the Wheat Board serves them. They control it. They pay for it. Why is the member opposite abandoning their right for something they pay for, to have a say in it? Why is he abandoning their democratic rights? Mr. McFadyen: Mr. Speaker, and, again, we are at a time of significant crisis in this province.

There are almost four million acres of land under water. There are thousands of Manitobans who are evacuated from their homes, and I had a chance to speak to the Minister of National Defence about the military role in supporting Manitoba. There are, today, thousands of people dealing with great hardship, and we saw many of them meeting last night in Winnipeg. Mr. Speaker, it's a time when we need our leaders and our parties to work together. Instead, this Premier launches an attack campaign on the federal government at the expense of Manitoba taxpayers.

It's become very clear he couldn't care less about farmers; he couldn't care less about homeowners; he couldn't care less about people around Lake

June 13, 2011 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2785 Manitoba. All he cares about are attack ads and his own future on October 4th. Why doesn't he come to grips with the fact that there's more people in Manitoba than just this weak NDP leader? Mr. Selinger: Mr. Speaker, if you listen to the substance of what the member said, he basically said while we were working in Manitoba to support producers and people affected by the flood, he was at the national Conservative convention schmoozing with people. What results did he get? Absolutely nothing.

The reality is when the question was raised with him in rural Manitoba whether he would stand up for the Wheat Board, he said that is not a matter of provincial concern. Mr. Speaker, every farmer in Manitoba is a matter of provincial concern. Their income is a matter of provincial concern. The head office jobs for the Wheat Board in Winnipeg, 400 jobs, are a matter of provincial concern, and the future of the Port of Churchill is a matter of provincial concern. If the Leader of the Opposition won't stand up for Manitoba producers, we will. Mr. McFadyen: Mr.

Speaker, the same NDP leader that attacks producers every chance he gets, the same NDP leader that blames Manitoba producers every chance he gets, the same NDP leader that ran Crocus into the ground, the same NDP leader who said nothing when Viterra pecked up–packed up and left, the same NDP leader that said nothing when JRI built their canola-crushing facility in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, is suddenly coming in six weeks after a decision was made, and the only thing that's driving it are his own petty political concerns.

Why doesn't he acknowledge that he is out of touch, he is weak, he's late to the party and he's letting down the farmers and the people of Manitoba today? Mr. Selinger: What the Leader of the Opposition is practising here is the best defence is a good offence. This is the Leader of the Opposition who has a rural caucus over there, many of whom are involved with producers or are producer s themselves, and he is completely abandoning them when they have, by 70 per cent, said that they should have a say in how the Wheat Board runs in this province and on the prairies.

Seventy per cent of producers have said they should have a say. He's not willing to stand up for them to retain their ability to have a democratic voice in the future of the Wheat Board. That is putting up the white flag, Mr. Speaker, and no amount of smoke and mirrors, no amount of cocktail parties in Ottawa will cover that up. He's abandoning Manitoba producers. He's abandoning the people that work in Winnipeg at the head office, and he's abandoning the Port of Churchill.

Manitobans know that, the people in the Legislature know that, and they'll know that on October 4th. * (14:10) Water Stewardship Department Water Level Forecasting Mr. Stuart Briese (Ste. Rose): Mr. Speaker, during this year's flooding, the work of EMO has been exceptional. The work of municipal governments has been phenomenal. The role of the military has been superb. Volunteers, property owners have given all they could and then given more, and we are grateful to all of the above.

The failure of this NDP government has been in forecasting the magnitude of the flood and communicating the seriousness of the situation to the people. Will the Minister of Water Stewardship (Ms. Melnick) apologize for her management on those issues? Hon. Greg Selinger (Premier): Mr. Speaker– Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Mr. Speaker: Order. That's enough yelling. We've got students here. I think we're not setting a very good example. I've let it go for a while. I thought you guys would calm down a little bit, but let's have some decorum here. We have to set an example.

We have students in the gallery, the viewing public, and this is time for questions and answers. The honourable First Minister has the floor. Mr. Selinger: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Everybody that the member mentioned has done a superb job. Manitobans have worked shoulder to shoulder to fight this flood. They're still doing that. That remains our fundamental priority, is to protect as many people and property as possible. Our provincial civil servants have done that, including our forecasters.

They have taken the best information available in the public sector, the private sector, at the federal level, at the local level.

2786 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA June 13, 2011 Everybody has done their very best to predict these very volatile weather conditions. The member opposite knows that. He's playing politics when he suggests that the weather conditions have been something that have been entirely predictable. The reality is that the weather conditions have beat all the forecasts both short term and long term. This is a one-in-300- to a one-in-350-year event, and everybody's working together to solve that problem as they continue to meet the enormous challenge. Mr.

Briese: This province's civil service has worked diligently throughout the flood. There's no question about that. The Minister of Water Stewardship expects them to do her heavy lifting too. She sent the deputy minister to last night's meeting of the Twin Lakes Beach Association to answer questions about Lake Manitoba flooding, rather than face the crowd herself. Mr. Speaker, when we are faced with flooding of this magnitude across the province, it is critical that preventive actions take place.

We raised concerns two and three years ago with letters, questions and even a grievance that a major problem was developing. Mr. Speaker, I ask again: Why did this Minister of Water Stewardship ignore those warnings? Mr. Selinger: Mr. Speaker, this government has invested a billion dollars in flood prevention works in this province over the last decade, and the record is clear. The members opposite have voted against every one of those investments in flood mitigation.

So for them to stand up and say that they warned everybody three or four years ago is completely hypocritical in the absence of them being willing to support resources to include and improve flood prevention in this province. The member knows that. All the members opposite know that. Mr. Briese: Mr. Speaker, in recent years, wetlands, retention areas and even farmlands were saturated full to overflowing, yet the Minister of Water Stewardship took no action. The minister was informed repeatedly of what was happening, yet she ignored the advice that was offered.

She did absolutely nothing to prepare for those very conditions she knew were coming. Mr. Speaker, will the Minister of Water Stewardship today admit her failings, apologize to the farmers, ranchers, First Nations and property owners that she placed in peril by the mismanagement of the flood file? Mr. Selinger: Mr.

Speaker, indeed, people knew that there were very saturated soil conditions this fall, and this was a year when everybody, all the officials in Water Stewardship, the ministers in Emergency Measures and Water Stewardship–the ministers in Emergency Measures, Water Stewardship and Infrastructure all started very early with their officials planning to do as much as possible to mitigate the very serious conditions which could occur in this province.

They also engaged with municipalities as early as possible to ensure that flood preparation measures were taken, and all of those measures have made an enormous difference. They planned for the wors t event on record, plus an additional two feet, and what has happened, is we have seen unprecedented precipitation in this province, unprecedented precipitation in excess of a one-in-300-year event, and that precipitation continues. So the members opposite– Mr. Speaker: Order. Lake Manitoba Flooding Ministers' Attendance at Meetings Mr. Ralph Eichler (Lakeside): Mr.

Speaker, under normal floods, normal conditions, a flood can last anywhere from three to six months, maximum. People around Lake Manitoba are desperate to know how long the lake level will remain high. Last night, at a packed meeting of the twin beach association, an official from Manitoba Water Stewardship said lake levels won't be down much until October and could still be at 814 in December. No NDP Cabinet ministers attended the packed meeting, even though dozens and dozens of people had questions about how this flood is being handled. The reeve of the RM of St. Laurent had to handle many of these questions.

Mr. Speaker, will the government apologize to the people of Lake Manitoba and to the affected municipalities for their no-show last night at this important flood meeting? Hon. Christine Melnic k (Minister of Water Stewardship): Mr. Speaker, we are now into a one-in-350-year event. There is 50 per cent more water in the Assiniboine Basin than was in the flood of record in 1976.

June 13, 2011 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2787 We communicate on a daily basis through EMO. We put information up on a daily basis, including all the levels of the lakes. Mr. Speaker, we're dealing with very high waters. We are running capacity through Fairford. We are working with the local EMOs. We understand that people are going through a very difficult time which is why, in an unprecedented time frame, we announced a comprehensive compensation package. We know Manitobans are having a difficult time and we, unlike members opposite, are standing with them. St. Laurent State of Emergency Declaration Mr.

Ralph Eichler (Lakeside): She had ample opportunity to make that loud and clear last night. Not one minister–not one minister showed up. They had ample notice. Shame on this government. Mr. Speaker, we heard very loud and clear the RM of St. Laurent was doing an outstanding job standing up for their ratepayers. All the councillors, the reeve, were in attendance last night and filled in the questions as best they could. The council has been working 20 hours, 24-7, which has taken a toll on them.

Under normal conditions, we could see the light at the end of the tunnel, but with no forecast from last night, no one expects the RM council and staff to be able to continue at this pace. But someone has to be there for the ratepayers, and they have been there for them. I would like to ask the Premier: Will the Province declare the RM of St. Laurent a state of emergency, take over the management of this flood and process that comes with it, while maximal our council people? They're stressed out, Mr. Speaker. It's time for this government to take some action and some leadership. Hon.

Steve Ashton (Minister responsible for Emergency Measures): Mr. Speaker, this morning I was in St. Laurent. I met with the reeve and the council. This meeting had been scheduled, at their request, over the last number of days, and I took the time, as well, to visit some of the hardest hit areas. And I can tell you, they ar e doing an incredible job in St. Laurent. I can also tell you, Mr. Speaker, that they're getting the full backup of every provincial resource that's available.

I can also indicate that there were specific requests that the reeve and the council had put forward, such as an area where permanent mitigation could be put in place. We are proceeding with that on an expedited basis. There was a request for road access on an urgent basis. We are, again, going to meet that request. There were requests in terms of engineering planning which we'd been putting in place the last number of weeks. They are in the front lines, and we as Manitobans are there to back them up. Mr. Eichler: Mr.

Speaker, I would have invited the minister to be there last night to carry on and show their support for the RM of St. Laurent. Where were they? They were missing in action. Mr. Speaker, the council of St. Laurent and their staff has done an outstanding job to date. They need help to manage the flood and take charge of the unforeseen future. They need someone very familiar with how disaster policies work and funding works and how to get standards set by the Province. The RM councillors and staff have regular duties to fulfill on top of this flood and are still getting burned out with no end in sight.

When is this flood going to end? We have no idea. It's too hard on the councillors. Mr. Speaker, the RM needs the Province to come in and take control and work with the RM in order that they can get some of their other work done, too. I would ask this government: Will the Premier take the steps needed to ensure that the RM and councillors will not get burned out? Provide assistance today, Mr. Speaker. * (14:20) Hon. Greg Selinger (Premier): I thank the member for the question. I myself have met with the RM of St. Laurent twice.

The Minister of Emergency Measures has met with them, and every time we meet with them, we listen to their concerns and follow up on their concerns and try to provide them support, whether it's releasing staff, whether it's providing them cash flow, whether it's taking a look at what specific technologies can be used for mitigation. And I can tell you, the leadership at the local level in St. Laurent is doing an outstanding job. They are facing a very difficult situation. We will support them in every way possible, and if the member has

2788 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA June 13, 2011 specific recommendations that he wants to make, we will listen to them as well. But, Mr. Speaker, we will be there with the people of St. Laurent. We will be there with the Rural Municipality of St. Laurent, not only to fight on the emergency basis to protect as much property as possible but also to do restoration work.

The last time I was there, I indicated to the reeve that we had announced over $3 million of money for young people to be hired through Green Teams, teams of 15 people that would be available for municipalities to help them with the tasks they have. That process is unfolding and we expect to have people in place very shortly. We are going to be with them every step of the way. We are not going to stop– Mr. Speaker: Order. Southwest Manitoba Flooding Financial Compensation Information Mr.

Larry Maguire (Arthur-Virden): Well, yesterday, I and two of my colleagues attended a meeting in Griswold where the impact of this year's flooding and excess moisture conditions in southwest Manitoba was discussed. This included damage to property, damage to municipal infrastructure and the impact on livestock and grain producers. Can the–Mr. Speaker, can the minister responsible for emergency services and measures provide an update as to the type of assistance to be offered to municipalities coping with these ongoing challenges? Hon. Steve Ashton (Minister responsible for Emergency Measures): Well, Mr.

Speaker, it's hard to believe now, but we've been into the flood season in this province for three months. Very early on, in addition to all of the proactive mitigation measures that we had put in place, we indicated very clearly there would be a disaster financial assistance program that will cover the damage across the province. We have worked with the federal government who have clearly recognized the magnitude of what we're dealing with, and, certainly, indications are that in the member's area and across the province, we could be looking at damage that could approach or even exceed what we saw in 1997.

So, Mr. Speaker, the clear message to the municipalities and many individuals there is there is a disaster financial assistance program, and along with all the other things we're doing across this province, it will be there to deal with the significant damage to property that we're seeing from this point. Agriculture Industry Flooding Financial Compensation Information Mr. Larry Maguire (Arthur-Virden): Mr. Speaker, in western Manitoba, we didn't have a flood in 1997, but it certainly is more devastating than it was in 1999.

Yet a week ago, the Minister of Agriculture couldn't provide an analysis of the magnitude of this year's flooded cropland, hay land and pasture destruction. It's unfortunate he still has not got a handle on the devastation taking place in these flooded farm families and their land and livestock, Mr. Speaker. There is over at least a million acres in western Manitoba alone that are flooded out at the present time. Mr. Speaker, will the Minister of Agriculture inform these devastated farmers what, if any, support he is considering?

Will producers at least end up on par with their Saskatchewan neighbours, and will livestock producers be allowed–included, rather, in any compensation packag es–announcements that may be made? Hon. Stan Struthers (Min ister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives): Well, Mr. Speaker, first of all, the member knows that the deadline for crop insurance that we use is June 20th. That's still on the way.

But having said that, I think everybody understands that there's going to be a lot more unseeded acres this year than there was last year and probably more than the history of our province can point to at any other point in its time. We understand that; we get that. The federal minister gets that too, Mr. Speaker. When I met with him and talked to him about an AgriRecovery program, I know that he understands that, and he knows, too, that we understand that it's going to be grain farmers and, of course, a program to get cattle to feed and feed to cattle. We've come through for farmers before. We'll do it again.

Mr. Maguire: Well, Mr. Speaker, clearly, this is much more devastating than it was in 1999, let alone last year; '99 was probably the benchmark for flooded acres in that region. With nearly a foot of

June 13, 2011 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2789 rainfall over large areas of southwest Manitoba in June on top of the 300 per cent of normal rainfall in May, farmers, ranchers and their families are desperate for any programming that the minister can impart. They need to know whether it's worth moving their livestock to drier ground or to market. Mr. Speaker, they need to know that after the crop insurance deadline, grain farmers will not lose their unseeded acreage payments if they choose to seed green feed for livestock.

Will the minister at least supply hope to these families by announcing some signs of planning for these desperate farm families throughout Manitoba? Mr. Struthers: Mr. Speaker, if the member was at least a little bit interested in helping out farmers, he'd know that we've already done that, and maybe if he wanted to be useful in helping farmers, he'd help us get the message out that we've already started this process with the federal government. We've been doing our part. They're doing their part. The only people I don't–that I think don't get it are members across.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Diagnoses and Treatment Resources Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Mr. Speaker, my question's for the Minister of Healthy Living. Manitobans are now fully aware of the scope of this NDP's indifference to kids with FASD. The Winnipeg Free Press had an excellent series this winter about FASD, and the underlying picture and theme was how the NDP steadfastly refuses to implement an effective screening strategy for FASD and also how the NDP serv ices are spotty, and the schools, the courts and the job world are almost perfectly set up for people with FASD to fail. Mr.

Speaker, knowing that kids who are not diagnosed don't receive treatment, will the minister answer why the NDP are so indifferent to children who have FASD? Hon. Jim Rondeau (Minister of Healthy Living, Youth and Seniors): I am very pleased to get a question on FASD because I believe that when we started in government there was no funding for FASD programs. Now there's $12.5 million of programming for FASD that deals with prevention, things like InSight and Project CHOICES. It deals with actually–every single RHA now has a person set up to diagnose.

Family Services have people embedded in them to assist the families and individuals who need support. And, you know, things like Stepping Out on Saturdays that have just been expanded to four different locations to help the individuals suffe ring for FASD and to provide support and respite for their families are world renowned. I'm very pleased with where we've gone and, by the way, Mr. Speaker, that member voted against every single investment. Mr. Gerrard: Mr.

Speaker, after 12 years in power, this government is still failing kids with FASD by failing to diagnose an estimated two-thirds of the children who are suffering in this province. While implementing programs to determine whether or not a mother will drink during pregnancy and whether this government has started the odd pilot program, neither is an effective province-wide screening strategy for diagnosing this condition. Because the NDP has spent so much tax money trying to win in suburban elections but almost completely neglected these kids, there's no money left to prevent FASD and to help children with FASD.

Mr. Speaker, will the minister now admit that the NDP indifference to this problem has created this crisis? Mr. Rondeau: Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to let the member know, InSight, which is a world-renowned program which prevents FASD, that works with individuals who could be susceptible to FASD, now gets a $1.38-million investment, a 400 per cent increase since 1999. I'm pleased to see Project CHOICES, which makes a difference, now gets funded at $280,000 and has been expanded this year. I'm pleased to see that we help fund and support their families.

I'm pleased to see that we've gone on a comprehensive prevention strategy throughout the province, whether it's in the affluent neighbourhoods or the less affluent neighbourhoods. This is an issue that's across the province. I'm pleased we stepped up and have a very comprehensive $12.5-million strategy. And, by the way, Mr. Speaker, we just did yet another expansion which is working with Mount Carmel Clinic on a local project to really work intensively with mothers that are susceptible, and I think that will also show results. I think we're very proud of what we've accomplished.

2790 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA June 13, 2011 * (14:30) Mr. Gerrard: Mr. Speaker, this government has spent more than $12 million and yet drinking while pregnant is on the rise in Winnipeg. What kind of a strategy is that? Mr. Speaker, by properly screening for FASD at an early age, kids can participate in programs that will prevent them from entering the justice system. But the NDP doesn't want that. They allow crime to run rampant on Manitoba's streets because that's a politically easier thing for them to do. For 12 years, this NDP has ignored safety issues in our streets.

For 12 year s, the NDP has refused to screen for FASD, leaving kids to suffer. Mr. Speaker, will the minister apologize for this NDP's indifference and ineffective when it comes to addressing crime and to helping suffering kids? Mr. Rondeau: Mr. Speaker, let's be clear, the FASD clinic which diagnoses people was voted against by that member and all members opposite. Let's be clear, the people who are working in each RHR–RHA to diagnose kids and work with families was voted against by that member and all members opposite.

Let's be clear, Stepping Out on Saturdays, which helps families and individuals suffering from FASD, which has been expanded now to four communities, was voted against by that member and all members opposite. People have been diagnosed, but more importantly, we're preventing, we're intervening early, we're supporting people, and we have vast mounts of programs that are making a difference for individuals, and every single one was voted against by the Liberals and the Conservatives.

I'm proud of being NDP, moving forward in this important area, and I'm not voting against families and young people who need our support. Mr. Speaker: Time for oral questions has expired. * (14:30) MEMBERS' STATEMENTS Philippine Heritage Week Mr. Mohinder Saran (The Maples): Mr. Speaker, last week was Philippine Heritage Week, which is an opportunity for many people in our province to celebrate their cultural identity. Festivities started on Saturday, June 4th and lasted until Philippine Independence Day on Sunday, June 12th.

The roots of the Filipino community in Manitoba stretch back to the first wave of immigration in the late 1950s. Thank you to my fellow Manitobans who invited me into their heritage celebrations. On the opening day of celebrations, I attended the flag-raising ceremony alon g with the Minister of Culture, Heritage and Tourism, who is a Filipino immigrant herself.

Many people joined outside of the Philippine-Canadian Centre of Manitoba and came to events throughout the week, which included a celebration of Philippine films, a picnic in the park and a Philippine Independence Ball on Friday evening, which I was pleased to attend together with the Premier, the ministers for Culture and Justice, and the member for Wolseley. On June 12th, 1898, the Philippines declared itself independent from Spain, although it remained a colony of the United States until 1946.

This is a vibrant country whose cousins in Manitoba contribute to almost every industry, including health care, agriculture or hospitality. Mr. Speaker, Winnipeg has a long history with the Philippines. In 1979, our respective mayor declared the twinning of the city of Winnipeg and Manila. We have hosted many delegations here in Canada, and we have had many trade missions and visits to the Philippines.

The Philippine Association of Manitoba has been active since 1972 and the Filipino-Canadian community participates in many areas of performance with several community newspapers, theatrical productions and concerts by Filipino entertainment, such as internationally acclaimed violinist Gil Lopez Cabayao. When people rebuild their lives in a new country, it is crucial to celebrate the culture and wisdom of people's homelands because that is a defining feature of who people are.

Thank you to all the volunteers and the Philippine Heritage Council co-ordinating committee for organizing the Philippine Heritage Week celebration. You all did a wonderful job. Thank you. Beaverlodge Elementary School Mrs. Myrna Driedger (Charleswood): I rise today to congratulate Beaverlodge Elementary School on an amazing accomplishment, that of attaining Earth status II–Earth Schools–sorry–that of attaining Earth School II status. This feat means the completion of

June 13, 2011 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2791 another 1,000 Earth projects to bring their total to 2,000 Earth projects, qualifying Beaverlodge to be recognized by the SEEDS Foundation of Canada as an Earth II School. SEEDS was first established in 1976 by members of the gas industry who wanted students to learn about energy issues. Ov er the next four years, an energy program was developed, meeting the original goal of the foundation.

In 1989, a new goal was established: SEEDS will work towards the development of a society that understands and is committed to actions leading to wise stewardship of resources, resource utilization and the environment. Mr. Speaker, in 1991, the GREEN School program was begun, which encourages students to be environmentally responsible and to take personal action at school and with their families. I remember, in 1999, when Beaverlodge was first recognized as a Jade school, having completed 250 projects. It was recognized as an Earth School in 2006, having attained 1,000 Earth projects.

Since then, the school has maintained an active green kitchen and recycling boxes. A garden club was developed, and children began to show an interest in growing and caring for plants at the front of the school. Last year, they introduced an outdoor education program at Beaverlodge to enrich their students and introduce them to the beauty found in nature and in the schoolyard.

They established a butterfly garden and began to work on the idea of an outdoor classroom and ways that they could enhance the natural beauty of the front of the school, successfully obtaining grants from the S'Cool Fund, the Toyota Evergreen Foundation and the sustainable development fund of the Pembina Trails School Division.

They began working towards their goals as soon as school started in September and continue to tally up projects, with reusing containers, using white boards instead of paper, using both sides of the paper, turning off the lights, learning about animals, plants and various aspects of nature, collecting plastic bags, planting and growing and performing hundreds of actions that helped to make them a GREEN School. By mid-April, they had achieved their goal of 1,000 projects, thus becoming an Earth II School.

This is an awesome accomplishment that makes Beaverlodge one of only 16 schools in all of Canada to have attained this status. Way to go, Beaverlodge. You are helping care for our planet, and we truly appreciate it. Thank you. Bishop Grandin Greenway Ponds Hon. Christine Melnic k (Minister of Water Stewardship): Mr. Speaker, a week ago, the Bishop Grandin Greenway Inc. group celebrated the new names of the three ponds that are part of the Bishop Grandin Greenway. Until recently, they had been referred to as ponds 1, 2 and 3.

In an effort to engage community and create a greater sense of ownership among local residents, the group held a pond-naming contest. The members of the selection committee had their work cut out for them, as they received 107 entries and could choose only three of them. In the end, the names they chose were submitted by people who all have a deep connection to the area and use the greenway on a regular basis. Pond 1, located near Red River, is now called Apakway Pond. A University of Manitoba student, Melanie Burt, submitted this entry.

She explained that this is the Ojibwa word for cattails, and she felt the name would remind people that the area was originally inhabited by Aboriginal people, mostly Ojibwa, and would serve as a reminder of the greenway's past. Guent Salzman's contest entry was chosen as the name for Pond 2, now called Eagles Pond. Although he has seen an increasing number of bald eagles in the area recently, the inspiration for the name comes from the Eagles Athletics Club he used to go to when he first moved into the St. Vital area in the 1920s. Pond 3, located close to the Home Depot, just west of St.

Anne's Road, is now called Nature's Haven. This name was the successful entry of grade 8 student Nicole Hallett. Having come across the word "haven" in a book, she felt that it was an appropriate description of the pond as she often rides her bike past. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the three contest winners for their successful entries and for their long-lasting contribution to the Bishop Grandin Greenway. I would also like to thank the members of the Bishop Grandin Greenway Inc. group, including their president, Murray Gibson, who's in our gallery today. Your hard work and

2792 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA June 13, 2011 vision have resulted in a wonderful, safe and accessible green space for everyone to enjoy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Slade Doyle Mr. Larry Maguire (Arthur-Virden): Mr. Speaker, the 2011 Canada Winter Games took place in Halifax over a two-week period from February the 11th to the 27th. Manitoba athletes had a very successful showing at th e games, and Manitoba finished in fifth place with 25 medals: five gold, seven silver and 13 bronze. Mr.

Speaker, I'd like to congratulate all the athletes for Manitoba for th eir considerable efforts at the games, but today I would like to focus on the exploits of a very inspirational individual, Slade Doyle, who was selected to be Manitoba–Team Manitoba's flag-bearer for the closing ceremonies. Doyle is a double amputee, who lost both his arms below the elbow in an electrical accident in 1997. Unlike the majority of his competitors, Doyle, a Para-Nordic skier, skis without the use of his prosthesis and ski poles.

He recognizes that he is at a disadvantage, but he believes that it is best to focus on himself and using his height and fitness to his advantage. The 35-year-old Hydro technician from Brandon, Mr. Speaker, Doyle is a natural athlete and six-time member of Team Canada's International Standing Amputee Ice Hockey Federation world championship team.

Despite his success, Doyle decided to put hockey on hold to compete in cross-country skiing events for the first time at the Canada Winter Games. * (14:40) Astonishingly, Doyle won the first two events he competed in, the 800-metre and the 2.5-kilometre men's standing para spirit–sprint, rather, events, but it was his third event, the 5-kilometre standing classic, which presented a remarkable challenge.

Only two days prior to the 5-kilometre standing classic, Ted Bigelow, Team Canada's Chef de Mission–or Team Manitoba's Chef de Mission, rather–realized that somehow the Games' technical package was not ready–was not read properly, and Doyle was set to ski in the event, even though he had never skied the classic style before. As it turns out, the Games board made a change in November to make the race a classic, but Doyle, a natural skate skier, approached the unique situation with the desire of a true champion.

After buying boots and replacing the bindings on the skis borrowed from Bigelow, Doyle had two instructors, Megan Carter and Nadene McBride, teach him the basics of classic skiing. The trio hit the trails and, in no time, Doyle had the hang of the style. Doyle went on to win the 5-kilometre standing classic convincingly which allowed him to bring home a gold medal for each of his personal cheerleaders, his daughters Alexandra, 8, Samantha, 6 and Annabelle, 3. Mr. Speaker, it's truly my pleasure to share the story of such an inspirational athlete and person and to know his parents personally.

Congratulations to you, Slade Doyle, and all the best in the future to you and your family. Grand Beach and Birds Hill Provincial Parks Mr. Gregory Dewar (Selkirk): Mr. Speaker, parks are an important asset that we have here in Manitoba. Just recently, the government announced a slate of exciting new investments in our province's treasured parks. I'm happy, today, to talk about two of those, Grand Beach and Birds Hill Park, which are located within my constituency. Grand Beach Provincial Park will undergo major upgrades for cottages, campers and other visitors to enjoy.

As members will recall, last fall a major storm resulted in damages to the beach, including the boardwalk and surrounding areas. Mr. Speaker, these improvements which will be starting this year will include the reconstruction and expansion of the boardwalk among–excuse me, plus other park improvements. Additional plaza and rest areas, recreation space and infrastructure upgrades will make up the $10.5-million investment in this beautiful public space. Many of these developments, including the boardwalk, will be ready just in time for the hot summer–for the hot weather this summer.

Birds Hill Park will also enjoy major changes and improvements over the next five years. Birds Hill Park is the busiest provincial park in Manitoba. The plan will include expanding the campground, new recreation areas a nd construction of a new visitors centre and, importantly, expansions to the existing lake and beach areas. This will be a $22-million investment to make Birds Hill an even better summer escape for Manitobans.

June 13, 2011 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2793 These exciting investments are part of our plan to invest over $100 million in provincial parks over the next five years, Mr. Speaker, and we're also continuing the free entry program, meaning hundreds of thousands can enjoy th ese parks for free for the third year in a row. Thank you. ORDERS OF THE DAY GOVERNMENT BUSINESS OPPOSITION DAY MOTION Mr.

Speaker: As previously agreed, we will now move into Opposition Day motion, and we'll deal with the motion brought in by–that will be brought in by the Leader of the Official Opposition: THAT the Legislative Assembly urge the provincial government to consider repealing sections 70.2 to 70.4 of The Elections Finances Act. Mr. Hugh McFadyen (Leader of the Official Opposition): I move, seconded by the member for Tuxedo (Mrs. Stefanson), THAT the Legislative Assembly urge the provincial government to consider repealing sections 70.2 to 70.4 of The Elections Finances Act. Motion presented. Mr.

McFadyen: This resolution is brought in recognition of a few realities that today face our great province of Manitoba, Mr. Speaker. We have many things to celebrate in Manitoba but, of course, we have a provincial government that is running record deficits, Mr. Speaker, with no end in sight. We have record levels of debt in the province of Manitoba and that debt is growing at a rate of some 10 per cent, Mr. Speaker, now at record levels, and, of course, we have rising hydro rates. At the same time, Mr.

Speaker, this calls on governments to review their spending and set priorities and be very clear about what is a priority area of expenditure and wh at are those areas that would fall under the heading of waste and mismanagement that could be removed for the sake of protecting front-line social services and protecting Manitoba taxpayers. One such example, Mr.

Speaker, is the opportunity we have today before this House for all members to vote to be on the side of Manitobans, to say that we are wanting to ensure that Manitoba tax dollars are spent well, that we respect those people who work hard each and every day around our province who play by the rules and pay their taxes, and we have a rare opportunity to send them a very clear message about whose si de the members of this Chamber are on. Mr.

Speaker, we are in favour of removing these sections from the act that were brought in by the NDP government a couple of years ago and that we opposed at the time and we have opposed consistently every minute since that time. We have not waffled or flip-flopped or moved from one side of this issue to another. We have very clearly and consistently said that taxpayers should not have to pay annual subsidies based on votes to political parties, that there are better ways to spend their money and it's better to leave that money in the pockets of those taxpayers. Mr.

Speaker, political parties, as has been well established, already receive benefits through the tax system already in the form of tax credits to donors who make contributions to parties even more generous than those provided to those who make charitable donations. And, secondly, there are rebates provided to political parties that relate to election expenditures. So Manitobans ask, quite rightly, why on earth would political parties need a third form of handout at our expense, at the expense of taxpayers? You've got these two areas already. Why on earth, Mr.

Speaker, when we're working so hard and struggling to get by when our hydro bills are going up, when we are paying more by way of taxes than any other province west of Québec, when we have a government that is wasting money on attack ads against the federal government is their latest target, when they're wasting money attacking at the federal government for decisions made weeks ago, when they're wasting money on their west-side bipole just because they're afraid to stand up to international environmental activists, and when they're wasting money to line the pockets of political parties, how could they possibly say that they're on our side when they have brought in a bill that so clearly demonstrates the oppos ite of that, a bill that takes money right out of the pockets of Manitoba taxpayers and puts it right into the pockets of political parties, indirectly into the pockets of members of this Chamber?

And that's why, when we had the opportunity, we said no to that vote tax money. Even though we could have accepted it, we said no to that money, and we said that if Manitobans want to contribute to our political party, we should go out there and earn it,

2794 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA June 13, 2011 Mr. Speaker. We should ask them to provide those contributions voluntarily because they want to provide support for our pa rty, because they agree with our plans for the future, because they are optimistic about the future of Manitoba and because they want change for the sake of the future of Manitoba. Those are good reasons for Manitobans, as they are doing in record numbers today, to contribute voluntarily to political parties, to make that choice that I believe in my local candidate. I believe in the good work being done by my MLA.

I believe in this newly nominated candidate for office and their ideas. That's why, Mr. Speaker, I'm going to show, in my own way, in amounts that I can afford, my support for those candidates, for those ideas and for that political party. * (14:50) And we are so happy that Manitobans responded in record numbers to thos e requests for support, voluntary support, and that's why we don't think they should be forced by a heavy-handed, out-of-touch government to contribute money to parties that they may not want to support going into the future. And that's why, Mr.

Speaker, we see that Canadians in very large numbers just six weeks ago voted overwhelmingly in favour of a platform that contained within it a commitment to get rid of the federal per vote subsidy. Canadians liked that idea; they respected it. They liked the fact that there was a federal party that was on their side, and they rewarded that party with their votes just six weeks ago. And now, we have an opportunity at the provincial level to send a similar message to the people of Manitoba that there is a party that's on their side, Mr. Speaker, that is prepared to say that we will take less from taxpayers.

And it will, in fact, have an impact on us, a negative impact on our party in not taking that money, but we feel so strongly that this is the right way to go that we're prepared to allow our party to suffer the negative consequences of not taking that money because we believe that at a certain point in time, all parties have to be prepared to put their money where their mouth is and say that they are prepared, even at expense to themselves, to stand on the side of hard-working Manitobans. Today, Mr.

Speaker, every member of this Chamber is going to have an opportunity to vote on that very question and the vote is very simple. Am I on the side of Manitobans or am I on my own side? Am I in it for myself, or am I in it for the people who elected me, for the people I was sent here to serve? It should be, Mr. Speaker, an easy decision for all the members of this Chamber to make. It's very, very clear, and I know that members of this Chamber will want to send that message today to those who sent us here. Mr.

Speaker, we know, as a result of what has come to light through disclosures made by members of the New Democratic Party, that this is a party that went around falsifying election returns in order to get more money from taxpayers than they were entitled to. At the same time as they were falsifying their election returns, including the member for St. Boniface (Mr. Selinger), Mr. Speaker, they were also gaming the system with a two-for-one federal tax credit.

But those tax credits weren't available to just any old NDP contributor; they were only available to a select group of senior NDP insiders, including a number of members of the current caucus, including the member for St.

Boniface who received those very same two-for-one federal tax credits, and who has yet to apologize to Manitobans, who has yet to give the money back to taxpayers, and who has yet to make a straightforward and clear statement that they were wrong to engage in their two-for-one tax credit scheme; they were wrong to falsify their election returns; and they have a chance today to start to make amends by saying they were also wrong to impose on taxpayers for annual grants.

I know members opposite want a chance to say that they were wrong to falsify their returns; they were wrong to engage in the two-for-one tax credit scheme. And, even though the member for St. Boniface got a secret letter claiming in order to cover himself, we now learn that he personally destroyed that letter.

And so we don't know what he was trying to hide when he personally destroyed that letter, but we know that that is a member who spends his time working on attack ads, on shredding documents, on falsifying election returns, on telling people that Crocus was a good investment, even as he's writing secret memos to Cabinet saying that it was headed for a liquidity crisis. With all those on his background record, Mr. Speaker, he's got a chance today to stand up and start to make amends and start to say to Manitobans, I'm on your side. We recognize this bill never should have come in in the first place.

We recognize that,

June 13, 2011 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2795 when federal voters went to vote six weeks ago, they sent a very clear message. We're listening to that message. We were wrong before; we'll make up for it today by voting in favour of a resolution that very clearly defines: Are you on the side of Manitobans or are you just in it for yourself? I look forward to their support. Hon. Stan Struthers (Min ister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives): Mr. Speaker, what utter hypocrisy that we just heard from the members opposite. What utter hypocrisy.

They can stand up here in the Legislature and they can make a whole bunch of airy-fairy, hot air speeches that they like, Mr. Speaker, but when it comes down to brass tacks, when it comes to standing up for Manitobans, they blew it. Ms. Bonnie Korzeniowski, Acting Speaker, in the Chair Right now, Madam Acting Speaker, we're dealing with farmers in this province who are facing unseeded acreage numbers that they've never faced ever before in this province. We've got farmers who are trying to sow wheat and trying to sow barley and they can't get to the land, and what are they putting up with?

What are they putting up with? They're putting up with a federal Conservative government that's running a knife through something that actually works in favour of the farmer. More so than that, they're running a knife through–I know they don't want to hear this, and they can try to shout me down if they like. They can try that, because that sums up their approach to democracy on the other side.

Not only are they running–the federal Conservatives, Madam Acting Speaker, running a knife through the Canadian Wheat Board, something that works for farmers, they are–they're running the knife through an organization that is controlled by farmers, controlled by farmers who are voted on as directors to the Wheat Board. I know they're not interested in that. They can say, when they stand up in this House, that they're all in favour of democracy, oh, it's nice to talk about it, but they're running a knife through a farmer-own ed, farmer-voted-upon, farmer-directed Canadian Wheat Board that works for farmers.

Madam Acting Speaker, for this Leader of the Opposition (Mr. McFadyen) to suggest that this is nothing more than a federal issue, nothing more than a federal file, is absolutely ludicrous. For him to try to palm that off in a political way is absolutely shameful. This is a Manitoba issue. The Wheat Board and the democracy of the Wheat Board is a Manitoba issue, and he can't face that. He's playing a political game. He's gambling politically, and he rolled his dice, and now he's going to have to life with it. He has to live with it. He won't stand up for Manitoba farmers, but we are.

Madam Acting Speaker– [interjection] Who's my MP, they want to know? My MP is Bob Sopuck, and you know what he did? Do you know what he did? Now, they don't want to hear this either. He ran full bore in favour of the Wheat Board, against–in favour of single-desk selling and against what his own minister has brought forward. Absolutely, clearly, and I heard him do that. And now you're standing up and letting him off the hook too. Madam Acting Speaker, we make choices. We make choices in this Legislature and then we have to live with them. Your choice is the wrong one.

Your choice was to support your cousins in Ottawa, instead of supporting the Manitoba farmer, and you're going to pay for that, let me tell you. It's not just the undemocratic, it's–they don't want to hear this, and they want to shout me down. I know that's their approach to democracy. It's not just the undemocratic view that they have towards farmers. What about the Port of Churchill? What about those jobs in Churchill? What about the town of Churchill, that port that serves Manitoba farmers so well. Members opposite should understand–and I think they do, but they give in to their ideology.

They give in to supporting their federal cousins in Ottawa, rather than standing up for Manitobans. Every single grain of wheat that went through the Port of Churchill last year was Wheat Board wheat, not a single grain from a private company. When I asked the federal minister for a business case to show to me and to Manitoba farmers and others–when I asked him to show that business case, he had nothing. He had nothing. When I asked him–yes, they don't want to hear it, I know. They're the most undemocratic group going. They don't want to hear any kind of other voices come forward.

They–yes, they love to shout people down that don't agree with them. They don't let farmers vote either when farmers disagree with them. That's what they're scared of across the way. Madam Acting Speaker, the future of the Port of Churchill is at risk, and this Leader of the Opposition won't lift a finger to help them. He won't stand up for

2796 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA June 13, 2011 the Port of Churchill. Well, I'm telling him right now, we're going to stand up for the Port of Churchill. We're going to stand up for those jobs. We're going to stand up for the farmers who depend on that line right through to the Port of Churchill. * (15:00) And any MLA, especially in the western side of Manitoba where that is a very big benefit to farmers, shouldn't be simply knuckling under to the Conservative ideology. They shouldn't be just standing up for the federal minister and the Prime Minister.

For crying out loud, Madam Acting Speaker, the Prime Minister of this country offered Canadians an opportunity to vote on the name of his cat. They voted on the name of his cat. Why can't that same Prime Minister let farmers vote on their economic future? What's the difference? I'll tell you what the difference is. The Prime Minister doesn't care what the name of his cat is, and I got to say they picked a good name for the cat. I like the name of the cat; Stanley's a fine name.

I'm not quibbling with the results; I'm quibbling with the process by which the Prime Minister offered Canadians a vote on that and then just ran a knife through the Wheat Board, a farmer-controlled, farmer-voted-upon entity. Madam Acting Speaker, the Port of Churchill is at stake, the future of farming is at stake, and I want to also add, the future of a head office, an internationally renowned head office in this province is at stake. Worse than that, it will be toast. It will be toast if we don't convince the federal Conservatives to change their approach.

Again– [interjection] Shouting down the Agriculture Minister of Manitoba is something they can try, but they're not going to be successful at that, Madam Acting Speaker. Madam Acting Speaker, in excess of 400 jobs directly are connected to the Wheat Board here in the city of Winnipeg. Those jobs will not be there when the federal Conservatives, aided and assisted by the provincial Conservatives, run a knife through the Wheat Board. They won't be there and somebody needs to be held to account on that.

Two thousand–in excess of 2,000 jobs connected to the Wheat Board here in Winnipeg and more–double that when you go province wide are at jeopardy. They will not be there when the Conservatives run the knife through the Wheat Board. And somebody needs to be held account to that. Somebody needs to be–we're going to stand up for those farmers. We're going to stand up for the Port of Churchill. We're going to stand up for the Canadian Wheat Board head office.

We're going to stand up for those Winnipeggers who work at the Canadian Wheat Board and we're going to make sure their voices are heard, whether or not members opposite choose to serve their political bosses in Ottawa or whether they decide to fight for the Manitoba economy and the Manitoba farmer. How could you be against having farmers vote on an issue? How can you even stand in this Legislature and talk about what you call is a vote tax and not stand up for farmer s' right to vote on their economic future? How can you do that? How can you be so hypocritical? Madam Acting Speaker, that is uncomprehensible.

You know, and then they go–then they stand up here facetiously the other da y and vote in favour of Bill 46. Madam Acting Spea ker, it is almost beyond words how hypocritical, how phony, how ridiculous the position of members opposite is. Why don't you grow a backbone and stand up for Manitobans? Do that. Do that. Mr. Speaker in the Chair Take some political advice from me, at the very least. Mr. Speaker, these Conservatives don't represent Gerry Ritz acr oss the way. You don't represent the people at the cocktail parties at your Conservative convention that you attended. You represent farmers.

You represent people in Winnipeg who work for the Wheat Board. You represent people in Churchill whose futures are at risk. You represent short lines in this province that are trying to get up off the ground and now you're going to squash them. Mr. Speaker, this a group of people who want to turn these folks over to the multinationals, whether they be grain companies or otherwise, or big rail lines, and the guy who thinks he can be premier won't stand up for Manitobans. It's awful.

They have some nerv e coming forward with a phony approach that I just heard from the members opposite, that I just heard from the Leader of the Opposition. It's as phony as a three-dollar bill, Mr. Speaker, and it ain't going to work with Manitobans. Manitobans want a premier who's going to stand up for Manitobans. They want a government that's

June 13, 2011 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2797 going to stand up for farmers and Churchill and Winnipeg– Mr. Speaker: Order. The member's time has expired. Mrs. Heather Stefanson (Tuxedo): Well, I know certainly the member for Dauphin can be confused at times, but rarely does a minister of the Crown show up with entirely the wrong briefing binder for a piece of legislation and for a motion in this House. And I think obviously we are here, Mr.

Speaker, what we are discussing today is abolishing the vote tax in a motion that has been brought forward by our leader– Leader of the Official Opposition–and, you know, rarely does a minister of the Crown show up for the entirely–for a debate in this Legislature with the wrong briefing binder, but I guess that's happened today, and we'll see if others have shown up with the wrong briefing binder as well. But, Mr. Speaker, this motion calls on the government to repeal

section 70.2 to 70.4 of The Elections Finances Amendment Act eliminating the controversial vote tax. The Elections Finances Amendment Act allows for a taxpayer-funded annual allowance to registered political parties of $1.25 per vote to a maximum of $250,000. In election years, this maximum could even be thousands of dollars higher as the $250,000 cap is removed in election years.

So this is a very important issue for us to be discussing and debating in this House, and I would suggest that members opposite try and focus a little bit of attention on this very, very important matter that Manitobans care a lot about. Mr. Speaker, it's a–this is unacceptable. Manitobans already contribute $4 million to political parties in this province each and every election through tax credits and subsidies, and why should taxpayers be forced to contri bute up to an additional half a million dollars a year?

The Progressive Conservatives believe taxpayers already contribute enough to elections, and the responsibility should rest with the political parties to earn support through voluntary donations and not by means of another tax grab. Mr. Speaker, the–our party, the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba, is not alone in this matter, and voters have told us time and time again that they are opposed to this vote tax.

And this vote tax was introduced through a controversial piece of legislation, Bill 37, where over 100 Manitobans came out to committee to speak against this very part of it as well as other parts of that piece of legislation, and, unfortunately, members opposite didn't listen to them. They should have taken this part out of that piece of legislation, at least this part, and, unfortunately, they didn't. Mr.

Speaker, many presenters were strongly opposed to having their tax dollars go towards supporting political parties in this way at a time especially when thousands of Manitobans are being forced from their homes due to the flooding situation that is taking place in our province right now. Where is the priorities of the members opposite? It seems to be in a vote tax and a tax grab for Manitobans. It seems to be in the way of ads–campaigns attacking the federal government and attacking these other attack ads, Mr.

Speaker, and, unfortunately, their priority is nowhere near where it should be in this province, and that is protecting those thousands of Manitobans who have been forced from their primary residences in Manitoba and forced from their other–forced from farm land, forced out of their homes, and yet, instead, this government is more concerned about attack ads and about collecting more money than they already do from–in the way of a vote tax. Political leaders need to put the province ahead of narrow party interest, Mr. Speaker.

It is measures such as the vote tax that make people becoming disenchanted–become disenchanted by politics. The vote tax is an undemocratic concept as each $1.25 that's collected when one votes goes to all registered political parties. This means that even if someone voted Conservative or Progressive Conservative, the biggest part of their vote tax would go to the NDP, and we believe–and it goes the other way as well where NDPers who contribute to–have to contribute through–by way of vote tax, maybe if they voted NDP, they don't want it going to a Conservative.

It just should be abolished altogether. * (15:10) And, Mr. Speaker, when Bill 37 passed, our leader took a very strong stand against the vote tax by refusing to allow our party to accept that money, and that's–that was a tough decision for a political leader to make at the time and to take, especially, as an opposition party, and he took a very strong stand on this issue on behalf of our party. It was the right stand to take, and I want to congratulate him on that.

2798 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA June 13, 2011 He also, beyond that, Mr. Speaker, has called on the government to also not accept the vote tax, which they followed his leadership. So far, they've followed his leadership, but if they wanted to do the right thing, they can do it today. They can stand up in favour of this motion. They can repeal this vote tax and stand up and follow the leadership of our leader and vote in favour of this motion today. And I encourage each and every one of the members across the way to do the right thing and vote in favour of this motion today, Mr. Speaker. Hon.

Dave Chomiak (Minister of Innovation, Energy and Mines): Mr. Speaker, I rise to deal with this particular motion, and I think this motion says if–speaks volumes about the priorities and about the intentions of members opposite. Here we are in the middle of one of the worst flooding situations in the history of Manitoba and when the Wheat Board–when the Canadian Wheat Board is under threat of dismantling, the members opposite exercise their typical judgment. This is called a judgment decision. Bad judgment, Mr. Speaker, poor judgment.

They have an opposition member day–they have a Opposition Day, and of all things to talk about on an Opposition Day, the members, the once mighty Progressive Conservative Party–the once mighty Progressive Conservative Party that used to represent or purport to represent all Manitobans, come up with this flimsy little resolution that they don't want to have some funding gone to political parties, even though we haven't taken it, in the midst of the greatest flood in the history of western Manitoba.

But members opposite throw their–turn their backs on the public and put up a little flimsy sign of what they're going to represent. It's pathetic, Mr. Speaker, how low the once mighty Progressive Conservative Party–in fact, they're not even progressive–how low they have sunk. How poor is their judgment. How poor is your judgment in the middle of June in the province of Manitoba when you have an Opposition Day, but you put up a little resolution on a subsidy. You know, Mr.

Speaker, it might be an issue with members opposite, but I dare say, if you go out and ask those farmers who are flooded out, you ask those farmers who are going to lose–they're going to lose their right on the Wheat Board, their right to vote, if you ask those people who are at the head-office jobs in Winnipeg, if you ask the people in Churchill what's important, what an opposition should be raising in the Legislature, oh, it's going to be a little, flimsy little issue. I don't think the–they have even close to the reading of what's out there in the public. Mr.

Speaker, what this exhibits is bad judgment, reckless behaviour, poor judgment, political arrogance at its worst. The Legislature is sitting to debate issues that are important to the people of Manitoba, and we have the Leader of the Opposition (Mr. McFadyen) and all his little minions, particularly the member for Minnedosa (Mrs. Rowat), who loves– Mr. Speaker: Order. Let's pick our words carefully here. All members are honourable members, and I don't think minions–we have to–"little minions" I don't think describes any member in this House.

All members are identified by the constituency they hold or ministers by their portfolios, please. Okay, that's just a caution to all honourable members. Mr. Chomiak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I withdraw the word "minions", but the member for Minnedosa has been chirping from her seat and I want to hear her justification. She represents an area. I would love to hear why she should stand up on an Opposition Day when you have hours to debate matters of extreme importance to Manitobans, when we're under emergency in several areas of the province– An Honourable Member: Point of order. Point of Order Mr. Speaker: Order.

The honourable member for Minnedosa, on a point of order. Mrs. Leanne Ro wat (Minnedosa): Thank you, Mr. Speaker, on a point of order. The Opposition Day motion today is talking about a minimum of $250,000 from this government side to–that could go towards communities throughout the province who are suffering right now, Mr. Speaker. I have attended meetings every weekend, have talked to people every night for the last six to eight weeks, Mr. Speaker, about flooding issues and about how people cannot get to their homes because of the flood waters.

I've heard from people who have indicated to me that this Premier is more interested in a photo op than helping people in rural communities, Mr. Speaker. So I believe that when this–when the member for Kildonan (Mr. Chomiak) wants to why I want to put a–I want to support an Opposition Day

June 13, 2011 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2799 motion that speaks about a vote tax where the dollar should be going back to the communities. That is my answer, Mr. Speaker. This money should go to farmers, to people in the north, to people who are fighting the flood, not the back pocket of this government. Mr. Speaker: Order. Points of orders are raised–are supposed to be raised to point out a breach of a rule of the House or a procedure of the House. Points of order should not be used for debate, and all members that do not agree or do agree will have their opportunity.

All members will have a chance to–that's the time for debate, not as a point of order. Okay. * * * Mr. Chomiak: Yes, the member makes my point. They have a choice. They chose in their caucus to make a motion on Opposition Day, not about the flood, not about the Wheat Board, not about the matters affecting Manitoba, but to make a political choice. That's what members opposite chose. They had a choice, which is more than they're offering farmers on the Wheat Board. They're not allowing them a choice. That's the most undemocratic bunch of people that I've seen in my–they're very undemocratic. Now, Mr.

Speaker, it might work in their caucus. They may not be able to listen in their caucus. And I know the senator has a lot of influence, and in the caucus they might say, this is what you're saying, and this is what you're doing. But I'm astounded that we're in the middle of the–one of the greatest floods that we've had in western Manitoba, that we're in the middle of a crisis and we're facing the dismantling of the Wheat Board, and members opposite choose not to use the time to talk about those issues.

But, instead, they want to chit-chat about a particular political issue and hide under the guise of a federal mandate in an election as to why they can't defend farmers, people on the railroad, the people of Churchill, the people of western Manitoba, why they can't do that. It shows precisely why members opposite are, should and will be remaining in opposition, Mr. Speaker, because they have poor judgment and they're not in touch with Manitobans.

They're so out of touch with Manitobans that on a day that they have a chance to make a motion, a chance for all members of the Legislature to make a point about the Wheat Board, a point about flooding, a point about matters that resonate with all Manitobans, they stand up and they do a little motion up the flag. They run this little motion up the flag on a matter that's been debated before, dealing with supports to political parties which, by the way, this political party has never taken funding from. But I digress, Mr. Speaker.

What I'd like to hear, if members wanted to talk about–if they wanted to talk about that issue, I'd like to hear them–whether or not they support union and corporate donations. That's the other issue they completely avoid. They have never stated that they'll–they've never stated that they won't roll back and allow their big corporate buddies to provide corporate and union donations. You know why? Because they will. They will if they ever got a chance in power. Think of it, Mr. Speaker. Here we are in the Legislature. They're in minority and they run up the biggest issue that they can find.

The biggest issue that they can rally out there to talk to their supporters about is a–is about a political subsidization scheme. They do that at a time when Canadian farmers do not have the right to vote on the Wheat Board. What all Canadian farmers are saying is give us a chance to vote in a plebiscite. And at the very same time, this very poor-judgment party is raising that as the most important issue in the Legislature–the most important issue in the Legislature?

They have the gall to stand up and debate this for hours while farmers are looking around for support, are looking around for someone to stand up for them and say, wait a minute–we have a right to a vote. Mr. Speaker, we have a right to a vote as to how our Wheat Board should be operating, where people in Churchill are saying, wow, 90 per cent of the product that comes through here comes from the Canadian Wheat Board; when short-line railroads, Mr. Speaker, are in trouble but can thrive with support from the Wheat Board; when there's head office jobs in Winnipeg. I know members opposite have written off Winnipeg.

They haven't–they don't support anything in Winnipeg. The member for Steinbach (Mr. Goertzen)–as far as they're concerned, Winnipeg could be eliminated. They don't care about Winnipeg. * (15:20) But we care about all of Manitoba. We care about a head office here, Mr. Speaker. We care about the entire province, but members opposite put up a little motion. They've run it up the flag, this little thing. Here we are in the Legislature, and you know,

2800 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA June 13, 2011 Mr. Speaker, if I were out–if this were publicly televised and 1.2 or 1.3 Manitobans were seeing what the opposition considered a priority, what they consider a priority in the Legislature is this little item on a subsidization, right at the same time when members opposite are not prepared to stand up to the rights of farmers, to have–the farmers are simply asking for a plebiscite. They're asking for a right to vote; they're asking for the democratic right. And the ears of members opposite are covered and their mouths are closed, Mr.

Speaker, and they don't dare speak out against the direction they've been given by their political masters. We know that. I know that. People talk to me; people talk to us. We know that the cone of silence is down. We know that, Mr. Speaker, but when it comes to standing up for Manitoba, and standing up for farmers, you can have disagreements with the federal government and you can still work with the federal government. I've had disagreements with the federal government, but I've worked very well with the federal government, as had the Premier.

In fact, the federal government appointed our former leader to be ambassador of the United States, Mr. Speaker. We didn't agree a hundred per cent with what they're doing. We don't agree with what they're doing in the Wheat Board, but we do agree to the farmers' right to have a say and members oppos ite are silent on that. They do not want to say anything about that. They're taking away the democratic right of Manitoban farmers, and that speaks volumes.

It speaks volumes about priorities; it speaks volumes about what members opposite stand for, and it says a lot about a party that used to represent all of Manitobans. Mr. Speaker, they don't represent Winnipeg. They say anything they can negative about Winnipeg and now they turn their ba cks on farmers in rural Manitoba. We know they've spent no interest in northern Manitoba. For heaven's sakes, the Leader of the Opposition said, oh, the highway should be in the south of Manitoba, promised there'd be no highway building in the North.

And now on a matter of basic democracy, on a day when they have a chance to raise their voice, our opposition motion day, that they decided to put on the Order Paper by their caucus, by their decision to talk about their most important issue. What did it amount to? This little motion, this motion on subsidization, and they're afraid to talk about the Wheat Board. They're afraid to talk about going agains t the directive.

They're afraid–they don't stand up and as I believe the member for–the Minister of Agriculture said, you know, when you look around for your friends, you look for your friends to support you, not to turn you down and turn down your right to have a vote. This issue speaks volumes about Conservative priorities. Thank you. Mr. Speaker: Order. Mr. Ralph Eichler (Lakeside): Mr. Speaker, I do want to put a few things on the record. The member from Kildonan called this a scam. Well, I couldn't agree with him more. Whenever this vote was–tax was brought in in 2008, where was his caucus then?

Why didn't he stand up to his caucus and say, look, this is a scam. We don't need to put this vote tax in. In fact, it was after our government and us as oppositions brought forward the idea the fact that we shouldn't be taking it, so we shamed the government into not taking the $250,000 per year that it was allowed. So that speaks volume in itself. So it is a scam. In regards to what the member from Dauphin said in regards to the Bill 38 and said that he's the minister that brought in the tax on food, on poultry and dairy. Where was he standing up for farmers then?

He talks about all these issues that are so important to the everyday Manitoban and we're fighting and asking questions each and every day in regards to the flood, trying to make sure, in fact, that their voice is heard, and these farmers out there have been asking for question after question, and this adds up to a significant amount of money. What we're looking at is a quarter of million dollars a year, almost $2 million that's going into the pockets of those parties that want to take the vote tax.

Shame on them for even thinking about taking this type of money, and I know that if we was going to take ours, they'd have been first in line to make sure that they were going to take theirs. In fact, we shamed them out of doing that, Mr. Speaker, and we're proud of the fact that we took the lead on it. In fact, the member from Kildonan talked about the fact that he was talking people every day. Well, so do we, and we heard loud and clear that this message was not something that we wanted to be able to take to the voters and say to them that, in fact, they asked us not to take the vote tax. We listened to them.

In fact, what we go out and do with each and every Manitoban is we put our life on hold. We make sure that they contribute, those that want to support us; if not, they don't. It's not a tax that's forced on them in the future in the days of the next generation to come.

June 13, 2011 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2801 So I know back in 2008 when Bill 37 was brought forward, in regards to–Bill 37, into the committee, there was over a hundred people that made their voice loud and clear, but instead of listening to the public, what the government did was go ahead and move forward and bring in this vote tax forward. So I thank the Leader of the Opposition, the member from Tuxedo, for bringing this motion forward because I do know that the $4 million brought forward each and every year through election finances, credits and subsidies, where was the government?

I mean, they've been getting their fair share, the 50 cent dollars during the regular election, so what we got to do is we got to have more money. Oh, we can't raise money. We can't go out and make a plea to make sure that we have our finances in order, so what we'll do is we'll put a tax on each and every Manitoban that votes for us. What's that going to say to democracy? Unfortunately, that speaks loud and clear that we don't have the ability to go out and raise money. Shame on this government.

And whenever we talk about the amount of money that's being raised, we could use that money on health care, public safety, education. Oh, wait, we've had people in the Interlake that's been flo oded out for four years. Where has that been? Where has that been? We've asked every session about where this government's at to help the farmers in a time of need, and now we have a flood of record in 2011. What do we do? We look at vote subsidies instead of looking after the people that need money each and every day.

In fact, I know–listen to the government and what they've put on the government so far, this $1.25 that's collected would go to each and all registered parties. It's unacceptable. It's unacceptable. Under the vote tax, they have no choice. It's been legislated by this government. Whether they like it or not, they're going to say, hey, you owe us $1.25 for each and every time you check our ballot. We want $1.25. So, Mr. Speaker, I know that our party has refused to take the vote tax. In fact, the Premier (Mr.

Selinger) confirmed that the NDP won't be accepting the vote tax this year, which we're glad that Premier saw the error in his ways and he followed our lead, which is a great thing to do. But what this House should do is the right thing. Remove the vote tax from legislation completely rather than leave the option for this government in future years and years after, if they happen to get into power again. But I can tell you, Mr. Speaker, it's unfortunate. They had an opportunity in 2008 to listen to each and every Manitoban and make sure that this vote tax was repealed. Unfortunately, they didn't.

They didn't do that, and I can tell you, as a result of that, that people are listening, and we're listening to those people as well.

So what we've been hearing loud and clear is the fact that whenev er we are out there in the trenches talking to voters each and every day, we want to make sure that the right thing is done, and by doing that, we ask the government to make sure they vote with this Opposition Day motion in order to be fair to those that want to get out and work and talk to the constituents on a regular basis and make sure that if they want to raise mone y for their own party, they do so by getting in the trenches and talking to them each and every day.

With that, I know others want to speak to this motion as well, so thank you for the opportunity to speak on this motion. Hon. Jennifer Howard (Minister of Labour and Immigration): It's my pleasure to speak a bit to this resolution today, and I know that the topic under discussion today is really about democracy and how do we go about making sure that democracy in Manitoba is as strong as possible. And I think, on this side of the House, we've always started from the premise that one of the ways you have to do that is you have to have a level playing field for the competition that is democracy.

You have to make sure that big money does not have an undue influence when it comes to who gets elected, and that's why we took the step of banning union and corporate donations. And that's the premise that we start from. And that's not a philosophy that we share in this House with members opposite. They have never repudiated their position that they would repeal that ban on union and corporate donations. So we know very clearly the starting point that they start from. They start from the starting point that really, how much money you have should determine how democracy works in Manitoba, and we reject that.

And so that's where we start from when we talk about democracy. * (15:30) And I really, Mr. Speaker, expected, when we heard the announcements from Ottawa about their plan to dismantle the Wheat Board–I really expected

2802 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA June 13, 2011 that we would see some kind of resolution, some kind of stand, some kind of question, something standing up for farmers on the Wheat Board, and that's not what we've heard. And you know, it's puzzling to me that I remember growing up, and I grew up in Brandon, of course, and grew up knowing many people in rural Manitoba and have farmers in my family–and it was always puzzling to me that the Conservative Party was considered the party of rural Manitoba and the party of farmers.

It was puzzling to me because the farmers I knew and the farmers in my family embraced values that were very similar to NDP values. They embraced the value of co-operation because they knew that if they didn't stick together, if they didn't work together, that they wouldn't get very far. They knew that they had to come together, for example, and form co-ops so that they could get the kinds of machinery and things that they needed for their farms. They knew that they had to come together and form credit unions. No bank was going to build in rural Manitoba. No bank

Document details

Collection	Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	39-5-61
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	39th 5th hansardpdf 61.pdf
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	2949b71acd16d7ff72e4a9e7e5eb5ad0761b1468

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