Manitoba Hansard — Sitting 7 (40th Legislature, 3rd Session)

40-3-7

Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)

Third Session - Fortieth Legislature of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba DEBATES and PROCEEDINGS Official Report (Hansard) Published under the authority of The Honourable Daryl Reid Speaker Vol. LXVI No. 7 - 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, November 20, 2013 ISSN 0542-5492

MANITOBA LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Fortieth Legislature Member Constituency Political Affiliation ALLAN, Nancy St. Vital NDP ALLUM, James, Hon. Fort Garry-Riverview NDP ALTEMEYER, Rob Wolseley NDP ASHTON, Steve, Hon. Thompson NDP BJORNSON, Peter, Hon. Gimli NDP BLADY, Sharon, Hon. Kirkfield Park NDP BRAUN, Erna, Hon. Rossmere NDP BRIESE, Stuart Agassiz PC CALDWELL, Drew Brandon East NDP CHIEF, Kevin, Hon. Point Douglas NDP CHOMIAK, Dave, Hon. Kildonan NDP CROTHERS, Deanne St.

James NDP CULLEN, Cliff Spruce Woods PC DEWAR, Gregory Selkirk NDP DRIEDGER, Myrna Charleswood PC EICHLER, Ralph Lakeside PC EWASKO, Wayne Lac du Bonnet PC FRIESEN, Cameron Morden-Winkler PC GAUDREAU, Dave St. Norbert NDP GERRARD, Jon, Hon. River Heights Liberal GOERTZEN, Kelvin Steinbach PC GRAYDON, Cliff Emerson PC HELWER, Reg Brandon West PC HOWARD, Jennifer, Hon. Fort Rouge NDP IRVIN-ROSS, Kerri, Hon. Fort Richmond NDP JHA, Bidhu Radisson NDP KOSTYSHYN, Ron, Hon. Swan River NDP LEMIEUX, Ron, Hon. Dawson Trail NDP MACKINTOSH, Gord, Hon. St. Johns NDP MALOWAY, Jim Elmwood NDP MARCELINO, Flor, Hon.

Logan NDP MARCELINO, Ted Tyndall Park NDP MELNICK, Christine Riel NDP MITCHELSON, Bonnie River East PC NEVAKSHONOFF, Tom Interlake NDP OSWALD, Theresa, Hon. Seine River NDP PALLISTER, Brian Fort Whyte PC PEDERSEN, Blaine Midland PC PETTERSEN, Clarence Flin Flon NDP REID, Daryl, Hon. Transcona NDP ROBINSON, Eric, Hon. Kewatinook NDP RONDEAU, Jim Assiniboia NDP ROWAT, Leanne Riding Mountain PC SARAN, Mohinder The Maples NDP SCHULER, Ron St. Paul PC SELBY, Erin, Hon. Southdale NDP SELINGER, Greg, Hon. St. Boniface NDP SMOOK, Dennis La Verendrye PC STEFANSON, Heather Tuxedo PC STRUTHERS, Stan, Hon.

Dauphin NDP SWAN, Andrew, Hon. Minto NDP WHITEHEAD, Frank The Pas NDP WIEBE, Matt Concordia NDP WIGHT, Melanie Burrows NDP WISHART, Ian Portage la Prairie PC Vacant Arthur-Virden Vacant Morris

203 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA Wednesday, November 20, 2013 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 to frame such laws as 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 and know it with certainty and accomplish it per fectly for the glory and honour of Thy name and for the welfare of all our people. Amen. Good afternoon, everyone. Please be seated.

ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS INTRODUCTION OF BILLS Bill 18–The Business Practices Amendment Act (Improved Consumer Protection and Enforcement) Hon. Ron Lemieux (Minister of Tourism, Culture, Sport and Consumer Protection): I move, seconded by the Minister of Multiculturalism and Literacy (Ms. Marcelino), that –sorry–Bill 18, The Business Practices Amendment Act (Improved Consumer Protection and Enforcement), now be read a first time. Motion presented. Mr. Lemieux: The proposed amendment s expand the examples of unfair business practices and clarify when a business takes advantage of a consumer.

The proposed amendments will provide more flexible and responsive tools for the director to use in enforcing the legislation. This legislation continues this government's leadership in the area of consumer protection and builds on our efforts to protect Manitobans from being taken advantage of . Our government stands with consumers, and we hope that the opposition will do so as well. Mr. Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed] Any further introduction of bills? Seeing none, petitions. The honourable–bills? Bill 205–The Seniors' Rights Act Mr.

Cliff Cullen ( Spruce Woods ): I move, seconded by the MLA for Midland, that Bill 205, The Seniors' Rights Act, be now read for a first time. Motion presented. Mr. Cullen: As we all know, Manitoba seniors have played a very important role in Manitoba and continue to be a very important part of our population. This bill would establish rights for Manitoba seniors. The bill lays out which rights should be protected under legislation. The bill also calls on the government to report if seniors are not being provided these important rights. Mr.

Speaker, I look forward to future debate on this bill and hope we can attain some positive consideration from all sides of the Assembly. Thank you. Mr. Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed] Any further introduction of bills? PETITIONS Mr. Speaker: Seeing none, we'll move on to petitions. Provincial Sales Tax Increase–Referendum Mr. Ralph Eichler (Lakeside): Good afternoon. Mr. Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. These are the reasons for this petition:

(1) The provincial government promised not to raise taxes in the last election.

(2) Through Bill 20, the provincial government wants to increase the retail sales tax, known as the PST, by one point without the legally required referendum.

(3) An increase to the PST is excessive taxation that will harm Manitoba families.

(4) Bill 20 strips Manitobans o f their democratic right to determine when major tax increases are necessary. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

204 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA November 20, 2013 To urge the provincial government to not raise the PST without holding a provincial referendum. This petition is submitted on behalf of P. Michalski, B. Michalski, T. Nohlgren and other hard-working Manitobans. Mr. Speaker: In keeping with our rule 132(6), when petitions are read they are deemed to have been received by the House. Mr. Ian Wishart (Portage la Prairie ): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.

And these are the reasons for this petition: The provincial government promised not to raise taxes in the last election. Through Bill 20, the provincial government wants to increase the retail sales tax, known as the PST, by one point without the legally required referendum. An increase to the PST is excessive taxation that will harm Manitoba families. Bill 20 strips Manitobans of their democratic right to determine w hen major tax increases are necessary. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to not raise the PST without holding a provincial referendum.

And this petition's signed by P. Hall, B. Hall and G. Hyrich and many, many more fine Manitobans. Provincial Sales Tax Increase– Cross-Border Shopping Mr. Cliff Graydon (Emerson): Good afternoon, Mr. Speaker, and I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. And these are the reasons for that petition:

(1) Manitoba has a thriving and competitive retail environment in communities near its borders, including Bowsman, Swan River, Minitonas, Benito, Russell, Binscarth, St -Lazare, Birtle, Elkhorn, Virden, Melita, Waskada, Boissevain, Delor aine, Cartwright, Pilot Mound, Crystal City, Manitou, Morden, Winkler, Plum Coulee, Altona, Gretna, Emerson, Morris, Killarney, Sprague, Vita, Reston, Pierson, Miniota, McAuley, St. Malo, Foxwarren, Roblin and many others.

(2) Both the Saskatchewan PST rate and the North Dakota retail sales tax rate are 5 per cent, and the Minnesota retail sales tax rate is 6 per cent.

(3) The retail sales tax is 40 per cent cheaper in North Dakota and Saskatchewan and 25 per cent cheaper in Minnesota as compared to Manitoba.

(4) The differential in tax rate creates a disincentive for Manitoba consumers to shop locally to purchase their goods and services. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

(1) To acknowledge that the increase in the PST will significantly encourage cross -border shopping and put additional strain on the retail sector, especially for those businesses located close to Manitoba's provincial borders. And (2) is to urge the provincial government to reverse its PST increase to ensure Manitoba consumers can shop affordably in Manitoba and support local businesses. * (13:40) And this petition is signed by G. Forest, B. Grosky, and L. Sc oll and many, many more fine Manitobans. Mr. Cameron Friesen (Mo rden-Winkler): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. And these are the reasons for the petition:

(1) Manitoba has a thriving and competitive retail environment in communities near its borders, including Bowsman, Swan River, Minitonas, Benito, Russell, Binscarth, St -Lazare, Birtle, Elkhorn, Virden, Melita, Waskada, Boissevain, Deloraine, Cartwright, Pilot Mound, Crystal City, Manitou, Morden, Winkler, Plum Coulee, Altona, Gretna, Emerson, Morris, Killarney, Sprague, Vita, Reston, Pierson, Miniota, McAuley, St. Malo, Foxwarren, Roblin and many others.

(2) Both the Saskatchewan PST rate and the North Dakota retail sales tax rates are 5 per cent, and the Minnesota retail sales tax rate is 6 per cent.

(3) The retail sales tax rate is 40 per cent cheaper in North Dakota and Saskatchewan and 25 per cent cheaper in Minnesota as compared to Manitoba.

(4) T he differential in tax rates creates a disincentive for Manitoba consumers to shop locally to purchase their goods and services.

November 20, 2013 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 205 We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

(1) To acknowledge that the increase in the PST will signific antly encourage cross -border shopping and put additional strain on the retail sector, especially for those businesses located close to Manitoba's provincial borders. And (2) to urge the provincial government to reverse its PST increase to ensure Manito ba consumers can shop affordably in Manitoba and support local businesses. This petition is signed by D. Harder, B. Potter, A. Hiebert and many other Manitobans. TABLING OF REPORTS Mr.

Speaker: I am pleased to table the annual report of the Office of the Children's Advocate for the year ended March 31st, 2013. Introduction of Guests Mr. Speaker: Prior to oral questions, I have guests in the gallery I'd like to introduce to members. Draw the attention of honourable members to the public gallery where we have with us today members of Advocis, The Financial Advisors Association of Canada, who are the guests of the honourable Minister of Finance (Ms. Howard). On behalf of honourable members, we welcome you here this afternoon.

And also in the public ga llery we have with us today 45 grade 9 students from Kildonan- East Collegiate under the direction of Mr. John Thompson and Mr. Luke Klassen. This group is located in the constituency of the honourable member for Concordia (Mr. Wiebe). On behalf of all honourable members, I welcome all of you here this afternoon as well. ORAL QUESTIONS Municipal Amalgamation Provincial/Municipal Relations Mr. Brian Pallister (Leader of the Official Opposition): Mr. Speaker, the NDP government is forcing local governments to amalgamate, most of them against their will, 84 of them.

And the government has advanced false arguments to support their disrespectful agenda. They claim cost savings and improved services but provide no supportive evidence. Besides, when it comes to good money management and improving service, this government is hardly a best -practices model. Local governments have always balanced their books for decades in the past, while this particular government has doubled our provincial debt and exempted themselves from the consequences of our balanced budget law.

So what right would this government have to proceed with a forced amalgamation plan when it has failed and the governments it is amalgamating have succeeded for so long? Hon. Greg Selinger (Premier): I gave the Leader of the Opposition three opportunities to correct the record yesterday. I'd like to circulate this photograph of a bridge.

And yesterday we identified that this bridge was the wrong project in the wrong decade in the w rong century and that the Leader of the Opposition was misleading the House and the members of the public when he said it was a project that, in fact, we were trying to count twice in our program for jobs and the economy. And I wanted to give him the oppor tunity to correct the record. That project was done well over 20 years ago, was completed, completely different from the project we've announced for the Plum River. And it is a project that we are proceeding with, a completely new project.

I wanted to gi ve him the opportunity to do that because, with respect to his question, these investments in infrastructure are what allow municipalities to have stronger communities. They're allowing municipalities to grow their economies. When they have good roads, when they have good sewer and water, they have good jobs for the citizens in their community and they can grow their economies, and municipal mergers are a part of that story. Mr. Pallister: This bridge was fully costed and fully funded five years before th e Premier tried to wrap himself in credit for claiming he would build it.

If the Premier wants to make integrity an issue, I urge him to run on it next time. The NDP did not run on forced amalgamation in the last election. There wasn't a word about it, not a word about it until the eve of last year's AMM meetings. The municipalities had it sprung on them without any consultation and it was followed immediately by insulting press releases that attempted to portray local governments as incom - petent, and t hat was followed by a barrage of

206 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA November 20, 2013 bullying and labelling, and the NDP used words to describe duly elected local people like dysfunctional and insolent. Now, this is the government that is demonstrating insolence and dysfunction by dictating to and disresp ecting duly elected local representatives and those who duly elected them. What right does this Premier have to shut down century-old governments without even letting Manitobans have a vote on the issue? Mr. Selinger: Mr.

Speaker, municipalities play a very important role in the Manitoba economy, and that is why, over the last five years, we have raised $1.2 billion in gas tax revenue and invested double that, $2.5 billion, in infrastructure in Manitoba, and a good deal of that money has been –all of that money has been invested in one municipality or another in Manitoba. Again, the member opposite was incorrect in his assertions that we weren't doubling our investments in infrastructure in Manitoba.

He picked the year when we diverted additional resourc es to protect Manitoba communities from floods and provide compensation to them. Again, I want to offer him the opportunity to correct the record on his misleading and inaccurate information about what has been invested in rural municipalities, rural Manitoba, as well as our big cities in Manitoba, Mr. Speaker. Just a few months ago the Leader of the Opposition said he did not oppose municipal mergers in principle; now he's flip- flopping again, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Pallister: I like the mergers a lot, Mr.

Speaker, when they come from local people who understand the issues and they're not dictated to by that man and his cronies who don't understand democracy. And what is undemocratic here is a Premier who claims he has the right to close down well -functioning local governments but did not ask for that right in the last election, did not run on it, nor did any of the local politicians who were duly elected by their ratepayers. No one ran on this.

Now, the Premier and the NDP seem to believe that they're ab ove the people, that they're self-appointed judges, self -appointed jury, self-appointed executioner of almost half of Manitoba's local governments, and they are wrong to place themselves above the people of this province. Now, if the Prime Minister of th is country was to decree that Manitoba had to join with Saskatchewan in a forced amalgamation, that would be disrespectful. How is the Premier's actions on this issue any different from that? Totally disrespectful. Mr. Selinger: Mr.

Speaker, the Prime Minister seems to be occupied with doing something with the Senate without the consent of the provinces. There's not really –there's not necessarily any difference in the approach there, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in Manitoba we have some tremendous growth s tories in rural Manitoba. We have communities that have stronger population base, growing economies. We have some other communities that want to be able to be part of that.

Municipal mergers, school board amalga - mations, RHA amalgamations allow for the oppor - tunity for resources to be diverted right back down to where the citizens live to improve their municipal garbage collection service, to improve their muni - cipal waste management systems, their municipal infrastructure in terms of sewer and water and their roads and their recreation programs, and those resources make a difference in people's lives. We have an immigration program in Manitoba where 37 per cent of all the newcomers coming to this province are moving outside of the major cities.

We want rural Manitoba to grow, which is why we doubled our investments in infrastructure compared to the gas tax, which is why municipalities last year got a 12 per cent increase for– Mr. Speaker: Order, please. The First Minister's time has expired. * (13:50) Municipal Amalgamation Deadline Extension Request Mr.

Blaine Pedersen (Midland): Well, the disrespect and the bullying continues from this government to local governments and to the residents of those local governments right across this province: no prior consultations, no respect for taxpayers, no respect for municipal councils and certainly no respect for the complexities of communities. Will this Minister of Municipal Government extend the deadline for amalgamations by at least four years to allow ratepayers to have a say in the municipal elections in the fall of 2014? Hon. Stan Struthers (Minister of Municipal Government): Mr.

Speaker, it's quite something to listen to that question. More than 50 years ago, Duff Roblin was given a report in 1964 that said

November 20, 2013 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 207 municipal boundaries were 50 years out of date back then. Our government is absolutely committed to working with local municipalities to grow our economy and to provide jobs for Manitobans. We believe that the municipal governments should be stronger, they should be more efficient, they should be sustainable. We're open to working with each and every municipality to make sure that they are in a good position to take advantage of the economic opportunities that we're going to be creating in this province over the next number of years. AMM Convention Mr.

Pedersen: Mr. Speaker, new minister, same old disrespect for local governments, same old bullying tactics. Amalgamations were not in this government's election platform in 2011. Certainly, the m unicipal councillors did not run their campaigns on forced amalgamations. Just because this government has no conscience, does–this does not allow government to impose their lack of respect on municipalities. Will the Minister of Municipal Government actually listen to local municipal governments at the AMM convention coming up next week? Mr.

Struthers: Well, I very much look forward to talking with reeves and mayors and councillors next week in Brandon. I look forward to that. I have always looked forwar d to AMM conventions. And not just during AMM conventions, Mr. Speaker, I'll meet with any reeve and mayor and their councils any time to talk about growing Manitoba's economy and to talk to them about creating jobs. And you know what else I'm going to mention to those reeves and mayors when I talk with them?

I'm going to say that this government was the government that saved them $22 million a year when we equalized hydro rates between Winnipeg and rural Manitoba, and I'm also going to slip into that conversation that members of the Conservative Party opposed that. Mr. Pedersen: It's also the government that imposed an illegal sales tax on the municipalities. Mr. Speaker, no consultations, total disrespect, name-calling, threats and intimidation, chaos, turmoil, the list goes on. Is it no–it is no wonder many municipal officials are openly questioning whether or not to even seek office next year in October of 2014.

When the Minister of Municipal Government addresses the AMM convention next week, will he finally reveal his plan of eliminating any municipality under 3,000 residents? Mr. Struthers: Well, Mr. Speaker, add that column– add that little

preamble to the long list of conspiracy theories that members opposite have come up with. Mr. Speaker, i n 1997 it was their government that established in The Municipal Act the threshold of 1,000. It was their government who did that. We're moving forward at –with this amal - gamation initiative so that municipalities can be put in a better spot to take advantage of infrastructure dollars that are going to be available, so they can take advantage of economic development oppor - tunities that will be available, Mr.

Speaker, and that they can take advantage of job creation programs that will stimulate our rural ec onomy to make it a better place to raise a family and open up a business. Our government's– Mr. Speaker: Order, please. The honourable minister's time has expired. Flooding Infrastructure Investment Priority Mr. Brian Pallister (Leader of the Official Opposition): The government's stimulating people in the rural areas to move to other provinces, Mr. Speaker. That's the problem. The flood issue is what I'd like to address now. The Premier raised it, so I'll go on that.

The last two years the NDP has under-spent their infrastructure budget by just under $1 billion. Now, that's the only department this government's under - spent in. This is a spending-addicted government, but that proves that for at least the last two years infrastructure was not a priority. So it's hard to believe, as of this Throne Speech last week, that it suddenly is a priority now. Let's be clear–let's be clear about something. The spenDP did not save the $1 billion. They did not reduce spending.

They –certainly, they did not come close to eliminating their deficit or balancing the budget or paying down debt. They actually didn't reduce taxes either, quite the opposite. They took all that money and they spent it on other priorities. And, amazingly, now the government is saying the reason they under -spent in the Infrastructure

208 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA November 20, 2013 Department was because of the flood. Now, this is bizarre, really. I want the Premier to tell Manitobans that that government spent 28 per cent less than they promised on infrast ructure in the last two years because of the flood. Hon. Greg Selinger (Premier): Mr. Speaker, in the last three years this government has spent $1.6 billion on core –on infrastructure in Manitoba, core infrastructure. That's more than the Leader of the Op position when he was in government in the '90s spent over 10 years.

We've made a record investment in infra - structure and, in addition, we provided one and a quarter billion dollars of various forms of investment in flooding in Manitoba along the Assiniboine valley. Brandon now has one-in-300-year protection. The dikes have been improved and further improvements will be made. An emergency channel was built in Lake St.

Martin to allow the lake to come down more rapidly so that there would be relief to th e people in those communities, and now we've committed a quarter of a billion dollars for new investments to make the channel permanent, to have an additional channel out of Lake Manitoba into Lake St. Martin, and that investment in the Interlake will lead to an economic renaissance there because people will have predictability about the levels of the lake. They will see that there's an opportunity to invest in their homes, to invest in their communities, and that will fuel– Mr. Speaker: Order, please.

The honourable First Minister's time has expired. Mr. Pallister: Mr. Speaker, in the '90s you could get Cracker Jack for a quarter. This Premier is not heading a Cracker Jack government, that is for sure, and he has the nerve to compare his spending of current days to 20 -year-ago spending in front of financial planners without factoring in inflation into the calculation, amazing. In the two years since the flood the NDP spent $949 million less than they promised to spend on infrastructure, and he stands up and blames the flood.

The NDP claim that the reason that they promised $4 and spent less than $3 was the flood. But in the two years prior to the flood, in 2009, 2010, they actually spent $940 million less than they promised. So the flood of the century or the excuse of the century, which is it? In total, $1.9 billion since that member for St. Boniface became Premier taken from infrastructure, put in other areas of higher priority. If the flood was the excuse, what was the excuse before the flood? Mr. Selinger: Mr. Speaker, the member can't inflate his way out of the lack of spending on infrastructure when he was in office.

He can't even begin to do that. The gas tax was raised, the highway budget was cut under the members opposite. In our last five ye ars we've had spending double the amount of money raised on gas tax, two and a half billion dollars. This is $1.2 billion, more than double, very significant improvements in highways in Manitoba. This Throne Speech committed to further investments. Highw ay No. 1, they said they would twin it to Saskatchewan; they didn't do it. We did. Now we're going to pave Highway No. 1 to the Ontario border. Highway No. 10, very significant investments have been made in that, more to come.

Highway No. 75, $125 million in the last several years, now an additional $215 million, Mr. Speaker. Those investments will generate economic growth in the province. They will aid the private sector in producing goods that they will export to our major market in the United States an d they will create good jobs for Manitobans. That's the way of the future. Mr. Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, with a final supplementary. Infrastructure Spending Government Record Mr. Brian Pallister (Leader of the Official Opposition): This is faintly humorous, Mr. Speaker, but tough on Manitobans.

That government raised the gas tax last year and raised $70 million in new revenue with it and spent more than that less on infrastructure. They put not a penny of those dollars into infrastructure. Now, broken promise, in the last two years – speaking of broken promises, a speciality of this government, in the last two years the NDP has imposed higher taxes on Manitobans after promising they wouldn't do that. Higher taxes on insurance products, higher taxes on car registration, life insurance benefits, gasoline, that's broken promise No. 1.

November 20, 2013 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 209 * (14:00) How about No. 2? They claimed they would use the money for roads and infrastructure and then reduced their infrastructure spending by a billion dollars below their budgeted amount, broken promise No. 2. And last week the spenDP released Groundhog Day, the Throne Speech, and they claim that the PST hike that they want to impose in the next few days is going to go to, you guessed it, infrastructure, that old priority they never had that they suddenly have now.

So I've got to ask the Premier, who is demonstrating that he is a serial promise breaker: Isn't this just No. 3? Isn't this just a rerun? Mr. Speaker: Order, please. Time has expired. Hon. Greg Selinger (Premier): Mr. Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition is a specialist on telling tall tales. Yesterday–two days ago he tabled in the Legislature a bridge project that was 20 years old and said that we were counting it in our plan. He was a hundred pe r cent wrong in that. It was the wrong project in the wrong decade in the wrong century, and he doesn't have the decency to correct the record.

This is what the Canadian Taxpayers Federation said in the '90s about The Gas Tax Accountability Act and the lack of it in Manitoba and the lack of gas tax honesty in Manitoba. They said, in their campaign, just 47 per cent of the money raised in the gas tax was invested in roads. In other words, for every dollar they raised in gas tax, they spent less than a doll ar on roads in Manitoba. That's another tall tale from the Leader of the Opposition. He was wrong then and he's wrong now, Mr. Speaker. Flooding Infrastructure Government Investment Mr. Ralph Eichler (Lakeside): Mr.

Speaker, they cost it, they contract it, and they announced it five years ago. That's what this government's all about. They got no credibility. Mr. Speaker, this NDP government has made so many promises and broken them on a daily basis. They cannot be trusted on anything that they say. Mr. Speaker, let's be clear. By the NDP's own numbers show spending less today on flood infrastructure than they did in 2009. For an example, the NDP forecast to spend $195 million, and in 2009 they actually spent $97 million. Mr. Speaker, I ask this minist er, this NDP government why they claim to spend more when it is not.

I ask this government: Why are they misleading hard-working Manitobans? Hon. Steve Ashton (Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation ): Well, Mr. Speaker, you know, I think the Legisla tive Library is setting up a new section. It's in the fiction

section of the library, and it's for Tory press releases because they have absolutely no credibility when it comes to infrastructure. And just like our leader, I want to give my critic the opportunity to stand up and apologize for last week saying that one in four highway projects were cancelled. They actually identified two, Mr. Speaker, they thought were cancelled. They're both active. So will he get up and apologize for misleading Manitobans? Mr. Eichler: Mr. Speaker, this minister should be apologizing. It's called the division of broken promises. An Honourable Member: That's what's in the library. Mr.

Eichler: That's in the library. Mr. Speaker, this NDP government cannot be trusted with taxpayers' money. Their own numbers demonstrate the NDP has not kept promises to invest in flood infrastructure. Since 2009 the NDP has invested 30 per cent less than promised on flood and water control infrastructure. Another example, from 2009 to 20 13 they promised to spend $448 million; instead, they spent $315 million, 30 per cent less. Mr. Speaker, I ask this NDP government why they continue to mislead hard-working Manitobans. Mr.

Ashton: I also understand there's a rumour that Tory researchers have been seen going through the archives at the Manitoba Museum to dig up more 20- and 30- and 40-year-old pictures that they can use in question period. And I just want to say, Mr. Speaker, earlier this week the Leader of the Opposition stood up and, with that, you know, that self -righteous indignation that only he can muster, tabled a 20- year-old picture, and our leader gave him the opportunity–the Premier gave him the opportunity to apologize earlier. Will

210 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA November 20, 2013 he now stand up and apologize for misleading Manitobans, putting false information on the record? The fact is, Mr. Speaker, the reality is, we're investing in Manitoba infrastructure; they're tabling 20-year-old pictures. Mr. Eichler: Mr. Speaker, I gave the minister two opportunities. I'll give hi m one more. Let's try and focus on the question. Mr. Speaker, despite record provincial revenues, it is clear the NDP has a spending problem that is with flood mitigation, and infrastructure is just not there.

They're collecting more money from hard-working Manitobans. Transfer payments from the federal government are at an all-time high. Mr. Speaker, I ask this government why Manitobans believe the PST or any announcements can be taken seriously by this government. What is wrong with this government when they can't make a promise and keep that promise which is true to hard-working Manitobans? Mr. Ashton : Well, Mr. Speaker, I must say there may actually be some hope for members opposite in getting accurate information. Now, I know they haven't apologized for their inaccurate press release last week.

They haven't apologized for tabling a 20 -year-old picture earlier today. But earlier this afternoon I was checking my Twitter account, and I want to announce publicly that the Leader of the Opposition is now following me on Twitter, so maybe now he's going to get some accurate information in terms of infrastructure from this government. But, Mr. Speaker, I sure won't be following him on Twitter, because that's fiction. Shellmouth Dam Upgrade Leaf Gate Construction Timeline Mrs.

Leanne Rowat (Riding Mountain): This comes from a minister who actually, on his application website for Shellmouth Dam funding, dated the application deadline as February 2013, and it just came out in November, Mr. Speaker. Manitobans are tired of recycled announcements that have many residents along the Shellmouth Dam, landowners and visitors alike, were skeptical of this minister's and this government's sincerity to the issue. Mr.

Speaker, I'd like to ask the Minister responsible for Infrastructure to please elaborate on his comments in the Crossroads paper that specifically said in its headline, Province will address Shellmouth leaf gates. Hon. Steve Ashton (Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation): You know, again, I know the members opposite have a lot of interest in the 1990s.

But what might be interesting, by the way, is to–for this member to go and look at when the actual legislation was brought in that actually provides, for the first time, statutory coverage f or artificial flooding in the Shellmouth Dam, and it sure wasn't when the members opposite were in power, Mr. Speaker. It was when this government brought in that legislation. In fact, not only did we bring in that legislation, we put in the funding to hav e that in place for the 2011 flood.

And I want to say, members opposite have a lot of chutzpah when they talk about the Shellmouth Dam, because they did absolutely nothing for people in those areas. Mrs. Rowat: And the families out there are still waiting for representation from the 2011-2012 flood. No money has flowed, so this government is full of announcements. Mr. Speaker, in fact, in 2007 the minister responsible for Hydro, the member for St. Boniface (Mr. Selinger), refused to meet with the SAVED committee who were responsible or –seven munici - palities who are very interested in the goings -on of the Shellmouth Dam.

This minister, now Premier, refused to meet with them, and the leaf gate issue went dormant once again. So last week, when the ministe r actually spoke to the Crossroads paper, he had indicated that he was not willing at that time to give the specifics of the project or the timeline. As this is the minister responsible for the department where for every $4 announced, $3 are spent, can this minister indicate to those ratepayers in that area: Does he only intend to announce that project and has no intentions of building it? Mr. Ashton : Mr.

Speaker, this is– that's got to be probably one of the most convoluted questions I've seen in questio n period for quite some time. And with the Leader of the Opposition, convoluted is kind of standard practice.

November 20, 2013 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 211 First of all, let's understand that she's now switched to the Shellmouth leaf, you know, the gates, Mr. Speaker. I want to indicate that that project is cost-sharable with the federal government. We have about $8 million in place. Originally, by the way, Mr. Speaker–and I know members opposite don't like reference to this –the federal government was actually in charge of that project. They unilaterally withdrew from that. We took over the management of that project. It is indeed part of our flood protection.

And one of the reasons it's very much an active project is because, in addition to the design, we will indeed be consulting with people in that area, because, Mr. Speaker, just like on compensation, when it comes to Shellmouth Dam, it's this government, not the PCs, that are listening to people in that area, because we are going to build that additional leaf gate and do it in a way that doesn't damage people in the surrounding area. * (14:10) Mrs.

Rowat: Well, yes, there was an agreement in 2003 betw een Canada and Manitoba, but this government failed to address the needs of the municipalities, wouldn't consult, so the thing went sideways. So, Mr. Speaker, I'd like some clarification from this minister, because in February at the same meeting the gove rnment's representative indicated that the leaf gate structure on the Shellmouth Dam would not be happening. It was a dead issue.

Well, fast-forward, November Throne Speech, and the minister says to the media that the government will be addressing the need to raise the leaf gates as part of this government's infrastructure plan. Well, they can't have it both ways. When can the Shellmouth region receive honest consultation on the project of Shellmouth Dam, the specifics and a transparent timeline? They've b een lied to enough by this NDP government. Landowners are waiting for compensation from 2011 and 2012. Nothing has flowed. Why should they believe this government and this minister who's full of hot air? Mr. Ashton : Well, Mr.

Speaker, the only person that's trying to have it both ways is the member of a party that from 1971 when they were in government never once brought in legislation that established statutory compensation, a member that stands up and purports to speak for people in that area. And I want to repeat one thing again. It wasn't the PCs that brought in statutory compensation, it was the NDP. They are absolutely without any credibility when it comes to Shellmouth Dam. That's having it both ways.

The member opposite, who can get up and talk about the Shellmouth Dam but did absolutely nothing–her government did absolutely nothing and she's done absolutely nothing in [inaudible] Mr. Speaker: I want to caution honourable members. They seem to be very engaged in question period, which is good, but at the same time it makes it very difficult for myself to hear the –both the questions and the answers, and I'm sure our visiting guests that are in the gallery here this afternoon.

So I'm asking for the co- operation of all honourable members, please keep the level, the volume down a little bit so all of us can hear the proceedings of this afternoon. Illegal Activity in Schools Incident Reporting Mr. Kelvin Goertzen (Steinbach): Mr. Speaker, I can't believe that minister could limit himself to 140 characters on everything. I might want to follow him on Twitter. I asked last week whether or not the Minister of Education was having information on the deadly drug fentanyl brought into schools, and he said he had no idea.

I asked him about how often drugs were found in schools, and he said he had no idea. I asked him yesterday how of ten weapons are found in schools. He said, well, he had no idea. You know, Mr. Speaker, the Safe Schools Charter also indicates that gang involvement, there's zero tolerance for young people being involved in gang involvement within our schools. That sounds like a good idea. I wonder if that's being tracked. Can the Minister of Education tell us how often young people have been found in gang involvement in our schools in the last academic year? Hon.

James Allum (Minister of Education and Advanced Learning): I appreciate the question from the member. I may be new on this side of the House, but he seems to be playing from the same old tired playbook day after day after day. The fact of the matter is, Mr. Speaker, that we are talking directly to parents an d we're talking

212 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA November 20, 2013 directly to students about safety in schools and then making sure that they are safe in inclusive classrooms for every student across our province. We're not interested in the fear mongering and scare mongering that comes from the other side of the House. We're interested in listening to parents, listening to students, taking preventative action to make sure that our students have safe and healthy schools to go to every single day. Mr. Goertzen: Well, Mr. Speaker, if safe schools is a tired playbook, I'm willing to play from that playbook every day.

I don't understand how the Education Minister has no idea how often drugs are found in our schools; he doesn't seem to care. He has no idea how often weapons are found in the schools; he doesn' t seem to care. He has no idea how often gang involvement is happening within the schools; he doesn't seem to care. He talks about a Safe Schools Charter, but there's absolutely no tracking happening within that Safe Schools Charter. Does the minister si mply not care to find out how bad the problem is, or is he simply not willing to address the problem and that's why he's not giving us this information? Mr.

Allum: I thank the member for the question. The truth of the matter is that we're concentrating on preventing actions that are unsafe for children in our schools. We're talking directly to parents and talking directly to schools, talking to principals, talking to school administrators to working col laboratively in order to prevent any unsafe actions happening in our schools. Now, Mr. Speaker, the member from Steinbach wants to say that he speaks for parents. Well, did he speak for parents when he opposed Bill 18? No. Did he speak for parents when h e refused a –to support a human diversity policy in schools? No.

Did he support safe schools and did he speak up for parents? Did he speak up for parents? Mr. Speaker: Honourable minister's time has expired. The honourable member for Steinbach, with a final supplementary. Mr. Goertzen: Times flies, I know, Mr. Speaker. Well, Mr. Speaker, how can he say that he's preventing anything when he doesn't have any idea what is actually happening in the schools? You know, we're all in favour of preventing drugs i n schools, but he doesn't know how often it's happening. We're all in favour of preventing weapons from coming into our schools, but he has no idea how often it's happening.

We're all in favour of preventing gang involvement in our schools, but he has no idea what's actually happening. Why won't he admit to acknowledging that the first thing you have to do to determine what the problem is and how to solve the problem is find out the information about how often it's happening? Why won't he find the information and bring it public, Mr. Speaker? Mr. Allum: Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member for the question. I regret to inform the member for Brandon West (Mr. Helwer) that the member from Steinbach is now the Justice critic as well as this Education critic. Mr.

Speaker, the truth of the matter is the explanation–the person who needs to explain something to parents and to teachers and to principals and to school administrators is why the member from Steinbach, when he had the chance to stand up for Bill 18, he didn't. He opposed it and, worse still, he voted against it. That's shameful. More than that, Mr. Speaker, we put school resource officers in schools to protect our kids, and, once again, he voted against it. The people of Manitoba know where we stand– Mr. Speaker: Order, please. The minister's time has expired. Early Childhood Education Child-Care Spaces Hon.

Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Mr. Speaker, as Mary Agnes Welch pointed out in Saturday's Free Press, when budgeting, the NDP government has a choice: to invest adequately in child care and early childhood education as foundational human infrastructure for the future of our province or to pay heavily down the road. As brought up at a September 18th meeting of the Child Care Coalition of Ma nitoba, child- care access in Manitoba right now is in crisis. There is a very large shortfall in child care and early childhood education spaces.

Today, on Universal Children's Day, I ask the Premier: Why has he failed to ensure an adequate

November 20, 2013 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 213 number of chil d-care and early childhood education spaces in Manitoba? Hon. Greg Selinger (Premier): I thank the member for the question because it allows us to put on the record the very significant investments we've made in child care. We have tripled the budget si nce our time in office. We have doubled the number of spaces at the same time as the Conservatives withdrew all their funding for it at the federal level and cut the programs.

The provinces were left on their own to provide child care, early learning oppor tunities, to working families in Manitoba. We have the best –one of the best systems in Canada. Wages have gone up over 56 per cent, and for the first time in the history of Manitoba, the people that work in child care have a pension plan. That's what w e're doing for child care, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Gerrard: Mr. Speaker, there are more than 11,000 children waiting today for space in child care or early childhood education. The government hasn't done its job.

Indeed, this NDP government continues to develop new ways to squeeze Manitoba's middle class and other families. Parents who can't work because of a lack of access to child care and early childhood education means a loss of economic productivity, a loss of jobs in our province. The NDP provided only minimal additional funding in the 2012 and 2013 budgets, barely a drop in the ocean of what's actually needed.

Instead of the same pittance and piecemeal approach from this government, I ask the Premier: What is their real plan to ensure the basic human infrastructure for children and families is there in our province? * (14:20) Mr. Selinger: Unlike any other province in Canada, we actually have a prenatal benefit program for young expectant mothers in this province, and immediately upon them entering into parenthood they get support. They get home visits. They get support from nurses. They get support from people that help them get involved in programs, preschool programs, family resource centres, which we fund.

Then when you get to the child- care area and they want to enter the workforce, we've tripled the budget for that, we've more than doubled the number of spaces for that. We've increased wages and training. We've changed the curriculum in child -care centres to a learning curriculum to prepare young people to be ready for school so that they can have success in school. And when we get to school, we've reduced class sizes in the K-to-3 areas. Just this morning, Mr. Speaker, I announced a new school in the Riverbend area of Manitoba, Riverbend, north end of Winnipeg.

It will have 64 daycare spots, 500 more places for students. It will be built in Winnipeg in an area where there's a growing population. The leader of the Liberal Party –or the ex -leader of the Liberal Party has voted against every major investment we've made in child care and he has joined hands with the Conservatives that withdrew the program– Mr. Speaker: Order, please. The First Minister's time has expired. Mr. Gerrard: Mr. Speaker, you know the NDP government is talking about $5.5 billion in physical core infrastructure.

That's over 1,000 times greater than what they added this year to the basic human infrastructure for child care and early childhood education. What we need is not some tinkering. What we need is a major new investment, sufficient funding. Will the government continue to fail Manitobans, or we fine –will we finally see this coming year a major additional –that one -year investment of 40 to 50 million dollars in child care and early childhood education, as Liberals have been calling for? Mr. Selinger: We've added 12,000 additional spaces into our child-care system.

There are now more than 28,000 child-care spaces in Manitoba. And you know what, the population in Manitoba is growing. The population is getting younger. We have a dynamic and robust economy and more people want to work and live in Manitoba, which is why we are going to enter into a new program of child- care expansion in Manitoba–fifty 'por' per cent increase in wages, first ever pension program, 12,000 more spaces, every new school has a child-care centre built in it, and we are investing like you've never seen before in child care in Manitoba.

I invite the ex -leader of the Liberal Party to stand up and actually vote for a budget that increases child care in Manitoba and doesn't do what the Tories do, which is vote against it every single time.

214 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA November 20, 2013 French Immersion School (Riverbend) New Construction Announcement Ms. Melanie Wight (Burrows): Mr. Speaker, as we all know, our government believes in investing in students and our economy. That means focusing on smaller class sizes and the quality of education to help our children develop the skills they need to succeed. We're already building a new school in north Winnipeg where the growth has just been tremendous, Mr. Speaker. And today the Premier (Mr.

Selinger) ma de an exciting announcement, you heard a little tiny bit about it already, but I would like to ask our advanced minister –or Minister of Education to give us a little bit more information on that announcement. Hon. James Allum (Minister of Education and Advanced Learning): Now that's how you ask a good question. Mr. Speaker, our government is focused on jobs and the economy, a skills agenda, and at the heart of that agenda, at the core of it is education. That's why I was p leased to join with the Premier , the member for Kildonan (Mr. Chomiak), the member for St. Johns (Mr.

Mackintosh), the member for Burrows (Ms. Wight), to announce a new school in north Winnipeg today. I also want to recognize the person who did most of the work on that school is right behind me, the former minister of Education and the member for St. Vital (Ms. Allan). Mr. Speaker, this school will provide spaces for 400 kids to learn and develop skills. It will also include a child -care centre for 54 preschoolers and 12 infants. Our gov ernment builds schools; they close them. We hire– Mr. Speaker: Order, please. The honourable minister's time has expired. The time for oral questions has expired.

MEMBERS' STATEMENTS Mr. Speaker: It's time for members' statements. Elmwood Giants Mr. M att Wiebe (Concordia): I'm honoured to share with the Assembly today the accomplishments of some outstanding young athletes from my constituency. I am proud to report that this year the Elmwood Giants won the title of Winnipeg High School Football League Andy Currie division champions, defeating the West Kildonan Wolverines by a score of 14 to 7 in a closely fought defensive battle at Investors Group Field. The team's coaches and some of the players are joining us here in the gallery today.

These incredible young people serve as an example to our community as a whole that when you work together as a team, you put in a heck of a lot of work and you keep your goals in mind, you can accomplish anything. I would like to congratulate all the players of the Elmwood Giants for their hard work, their determination and their grit demonstrated all season. I'd also like to recognize the coaching staff and the many volunteers and supporters who came together to make this victory possible.

Sport is an important part of the history of our community and Elmwood High School, and I'm sure the success of the Elmwood Giants will serve as an inspiration to our younger generation. I also played high school football in my youth, and I can tell you, Mr. Speaker, it taught me the value of hard work, sacrifice and teamwork. All of these are invaluable lessons that helped me get to where I am today, and I know they will serve the –all players in their lives as well. Our government recognizes the importance of sports and a healthy lifestyle.

In 2009, several colleagues of mine and myself had the pleasure of attending the ribbon- cutting ceremony for a refur - bished Elmwood High School outdoor track, field facility and improved football field. I'm sure that this outstanding community a sset has helped to enable our young athletes to fully realize their potential. Mr. Speaker, I invite all members of this House to join me in congratulating this terrific team from Elmwood High. This is an amazing achievement, not only for the school but also for our community. Way to go, Giants. National 4-H Month 100th Anniversary Mr.

Ralph Eichler (Lakeside): I'd like to draw attention to the House to an important milestone in an organization that is not only highly esteemed by our party and Manitobans alike but the one which has roots in Manitoba. As many of you are aware, November is National 4 -H Month. Even more significantly, 2013 marks the hundredth anniversary of 4 -H since its introduction to Canada in Roland, Manitoba.

November 20, 2013 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 215 4-H is one of the largest , longest running youth organizations in Canada, promoting strong values and leadership for over 3,500 youth in Manitoba alone, with over 200 active clubs. More than half the members live on farms, about 30 per cent live in non-rural farm areas and 14 per cent are urban. 4-H engages a wide range of activities. In fact, almost any activity can qualify provided the activity is seen to foster innovative community leadership in youth between the ages of 8 and 21.

These activities have ranged from beef raising , equine adventures, gardening, woodworking and many others. This program strengthens the moral fibre of our province from the bottom up, starting with our most critical and vulnerable demographic, the youth. 4-H achieves this by providing an opportunity for youth in our province to learn important values including teamwork, community, leadership, diligence. The list goes on.

On behalf of our party and all members of the House, I'd like to take a moment today to congratulate the 4 -H council and the larger network of 4 -H organizations throughout Canada for achieving an impressive milestone and immense success in their endeavours. Also like to wish 4 -H continued success with the future as they continue to encourage value–strong values in our youth. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. JDRF Ride for Diabetes Research Mr. Rob Altemeyer (Wolseley): Every November the juvenile diabetes research fund raises funds to fight type 1 diabetes in honour of Diabetes Awareness Month.

This year's Ride for Diabetes Research took place on November the 8th at Winnipeg's downtown YMCA -YWCA, and it was a huge success. This fundraiser is a fast -paced and energetic stationary bike ride held in cities across Canada. It brings people together in friendly competition to see who can bike the farthest, cheer the loudest and, most importantly, raise the greatest amount of money for a fantastic cause. Teams consist of five riders who take turns riding for seven minutes each. This year, JDRF hopes to raise an incredible $7.7 million nationally through the event.

This was my second year joining, and, as always, I was overwhe lmed by the spirit and dynamism of the participants. Teams dressed in elaborate costumes and everyone was supportive of each other's efforts. Meeting several young people living with type 1 diabetes was a personal highlight for me. They have to take multiple needles every day for a disease they inherited genetically, but they rode their bikes faster than many of us adults in the room. * (14:30) For more than 40 years, JDRF has been a leader in the search for an end to type 1 diabetes.

Their mission is to improve the lives of those affected by type 1 by accelerating progress on the most promising opportunities for finding a cure, creating better treatment plans and, with possible, preventing the disease. Mr. Speaker, this event shows what we can accomplish when we come together, united by a cause that affects so many on a deeply personal level. I want to congratulate JDRF on their successful Ride for Diabetes Research and thank all those who volunteered or participated. The money this event has raised is going to help us work towards a cure for type 1 diabetes, and help people the world over.

Thank you very much. Katherena Vermette Mr. Wayne Ewasko (Lac du Bonnet): Mr. Speaker, t he city of Winnipeg and the province of Manitoba are home to talented artists, writers and poets, and this year one of them was honoured with the Governor General's Literary Award for poetry. Katherena Vermette grew up in Winnipeg's North End and has now returned to live there as an adult. Katherena works as a literacy educator and is currently a Master of Fine Arts student through the University of British Columbia, where she plans to finish her degree in April of 2014.

Her nominated works, North End Love Songs, is a collection that focused on Katherena's experience in growing up in the North End as a teenage girl and dealing with some complicated feelings coming back to the neighbourhood with her two daughters. Writing became a release for her, and th is work has led her to join some pretty exclusive company. It is rare for a Manitoban to win an award as prestigious as this, and Katherena has proven that her work is the –is some of the best this country has to offer. Her stories of this city and this pr ovince are

216 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA November 20, 2013 important to share and are important for educating everyone about the great love that people have for where they grow up and the power of returning home to where your life began. Katherena plans to finish her degree in the next year and publis h works geared just for children and youth. Her works are truly accessible for all ages, and all Manitobans will be able to hear more from such a talented poet. Mr.

Speaker, on behalf of all the members of this House, I would like to congratulate Kathere na on winning the Governor General's Literary Award for poetry and wish her nothing but the best in the future. It is artists such as her that are important to the fabric of this province, and I hope to hear more from her in the future. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Early Childhood Education and Child Care Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Mr. Speaker, today is Universal Children's Day, as recognized internationally by the United Nations. It's a day when we should be considering the status of children in our province.

Today, I want to specifically deal with the issue of school readiness of our children and the fact that our child care and early childhood learning system is in crisis at the moment. At a panel organized by the child care coalition on early chil dhood education and child care, held on September 18th, the point was made that we have a crisis today in Manitoba. As of the end of September, there are–were 11,415 names on the province's centralized waiting list. Parents are coming up against comple tely unacceptable long wait times for accessing child care.

The result is that parents who are running businesses are having to stay home and lay people off from their business and the economy is suffering. In 2001, the coverage rate for zero to 5-year-olds was 17.9 per cent. After more than a decade of NDP government, the coverage rate has only crept upwards to 20.5 per cent. Compare this to Québec with about 50 per cent coverage and we are far, far behind. The NDP mismanagement in this area, causing our current crisis, cannot be ignored.

While Liberals continue to call for an annual increment of 40 to 50 million dollars, the NDP have invested only one tenth of that amount and less than a thousandth of the $5.5 billion they've recently announced for phy sical core infrastructure over the next five years. There needs to be a transformation to a much more accessible and fully integrated child care and early childhood education system in our province.

There was no mention of this need for Manitoba's foundational human infrastructure in the Throne Speech, though it's evident, with about 30 per cent of children starting grade 1 not ready for school, that action is needed. As Mary Agnes Welch pointed out recently in the Free Press, just as Liberals have said for many years, the investments in early childhood education can help move Manitoba from the bottom of the barrel in social well-being, as we are under the NDP, into a more respectable social and economic situation for our province. Thank you. House Business Hon.

Andrew Swan (Government House Leader): On House business, Mr. Speaker. I wonder if you would canvass the House to see if there's leave to proceed as follows: On Wednesday, November 27, during orders of the day, no member may request a quorum count and any recorded votes would be deferred to Mon day, December 2, as the first item under orders of the day. During private members' business on the morning of Thursday, November 28, no member may request a quorum count and, despite rule 23(4.1), any recorded votes would be deferred to Monday, December 2, as the first item under orders of the day.

On the afternoon of Thursday, November 28, notwithstanding rule 23(1), oral questions shall be the last item of business considered under routine proceedings. During orders of the day, no member may request a quorum count and any recorded votes would be deferred to Monday, December 2, as the first item under orders of the day.

Lastly, with regards to private members' resolutions, for those resolutions to be considered during the first two days of private mem bers' business in the spring, the resolutions may be submitted to the Journals Branch a week prior to their consideration and to the resumption of the House in the spring. Mr. Speaker: On House business, is there leave as follows: on Wednesday, November 27th, during

November 20, 2013 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 217 orders of the day, no member may request a quorum count and any recorded votes would be deferred to Monday, December the 2nd, as the first item under orders of the day? Is there leave for that matter? [Agreed] During private members' busines s on the morning of Thursday, November 28th, no member may request a quorum count and, despite rule 24– 23(4.1), any recorded votes would be deferred to Monday, December 2, as the first item under orders of the day.

Is there agreement on that? [Agreed] On the afternoon of Thursday, November 28th, notwithstanding rule 23(1), oral questions shall be the last item of business considered under routine proceedings. During orders of the day, no member may request a quorum count and any recorded votes would be deferred to Monday, December the 2nd, as the first item under orders of the day.

Is that agreed? [Agreed] Lastly, with regards to private members' resolutions, for those resolutions to be considered during the first two days of private members' business in the spring, the resolutions may be submitted to the Journals Branch a week prior to their consideration and to the resumption of the House in the spring. Is that agreed? [Agreed] Any further House business? ORDERS OF THE DAY GOVERNMENT BUSINESS THRONE SPEECH (Sixth Day of Debate) Mr.

Speaker: Seeing none, now proceed to orders of the day, government business, and to resume adjourned debate on the proposed motion of the honourable member for Burrows (Ms. Wight) and the amendment thereto, standing in the name of the honourable Minister of Childr en and Youth Opportunities (Mr. Chief) who has six minutes remaining. Is there leave for this matter to remain standing in the minister's name? Some Honourable Members: No. Mr. Speaker: Leave has been denied. The honourable member for River Heights. An Honourable Member: No. Hey, just a minute, River East. Mr. Speaker: River East, pardon me. Mrs.

Bonnie Mitchelson (River East): Thank you. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, and I'm not – well, I'm not quite prepared to leave the northeast quadrant of the city of Winnipeg yet. I have had the proud opportunity to represent the good people of River East for the last 27 years in this Legislature, and I want to, first of all, thank them for the opportunity to let me serve, and this really is a service profession.

It is very important that as we do our job here in the Legislature we don't ever forget the people that elected us and put us in this place and entrusted us to make the right decisions for the right reasons for them. So, Mr. Speaker, I want to again thank the people of River East, and I want to say how pleased I am –I'm not sure this would be my 27th response to a Throne Speech, I may have missed a year or two in there, but I have had the opportunity on several occasions to speak and either support or not support a Throne Speech.

And I know that we on this side of the House, this time around, will very much be voting against the Throne Speech and the vision, the agenda that this government has put forward. * (14:40) Mr. Speaker, I want to, at the outset , welcome you and every other member of the Legislature back.

We were–had a very short intermission, I would call it, after sitting all summer dealing with some very significant issues that face all Manitobans –some issues that Manitobans feel they were bet rayed on in the last election of 2011 when we had a government that promised that they wouldn't raise taxes and then went completely–did a complete about -face after the election and raised more taxes in the last two budget years than Manitobans have ever s een in the history of this province. Mr.

Speaker, they were betrayed by the government, and we felt it important to sit here all summer and make sure that Manitobans knew that we were there supporting them and in trying to ensure that the government would see the light that after presentation after presentation of ordinary Manitobans that told this government it was wrong-headed, No. 1, to increase the PST after they had said they weren't going to in the last election and, secondly, to take away their democratic right to

218 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA November 20, 2013 vote on whether that tax should be increased as is there still today in balanced budget legislation. And I fear, Mr. Speaker, that that option and opportunity for Manitobans is going to be gone within a few short weeks when this government rams through their agenda. And it seems like we have a tax-and-spend vision for this government as they move forward as they have since the 2000 election and as they will continue to do. And so, Mr. Speaker, I know we're back after a very short period of time but, again, I do want to welcome everyone back.

I do want to welcome you, Sir, and the table officers back to the House and all of those that support us here in the Legislature on a day-to-day basis and the pages that are going to experience some int eresting times over the next session and to all of the interns, too, that have been chosen for both caucuses. I'm hoping that their time will be rewarding and that they will learn a lot, and it will bode well for them into the future in whatever endeavours they undertake. And to the staff, Mr.

Speaker, that support us as members of the Legislature, the staff in our caucus office, specifically, and our researchers and all of those support staff and those that support us in our constituencies and ensure tha t we're getting to the right place at the right time and responding to constituents as their issues arise, so there's a lot of people that we need to thank for our opportunity to be here, and I always say to everyone that you are only as good as the people that surround you.

And I know that I am truly blessed by people that surround me that are committed and that are dedicated and that work hard every day to try to ensure that I can do my job to the best of my ability. So I want to say thank you to them. And I listened with some interest today to a very hypocritical government that introduced a piece of legislation, and I think it's Bill 18 that was introduced, and it's a bill to protect consumers. Well, does this bill protect consumers from a government that lies to them, that deceives them, that tells them one thing before an election and does something completely opposite after?

You know, I've had a chance to glance through the bill, and it talks about protecting consumers but it talks nothing about protecting consumers from a government that they can't trust. And, Mr. Speaker, it's been shown time and time again that Manitobans cannot trust this NDP government who says one thing to get elected and then does completely the opposite after they're elected.

And we've seen that in spades this year, and, you know, I was kind of hopeful that with the short recess that we had before we came back into this session, that we would see a government that maybe was a little less arrogant, that maybe would take into consideration some of the concerns that they have heard from hard -working taxpaying Manitobans on that, and they would maybe, just maybe, in their Throne Speech, withdraw Bill 20 and say, no. We'll respect Manitobans. We'll respect their ability or at least delay Bill 20, Mr.

Speaker, and go to a referendum to give Manitobans the opportunity to vote yes or no to the tax increase. But I fear that that is not going to happen, so I feel very badly that Manitobans will be forced, as a result of a heavy -handed government, to once again dig a little deeper into their pockets to support the spending addiction that we see on the government benches. Mr. Speaker, I fear for Manitobans and future generations that are going to have to bear the burden of the increased taxation and the lack of opportunity here in this province as a result of a government that can't get its spending under control.

And we know, Mr. Speaker, and what we've all tried to teach our kids, I'm sure, is that you do have to spend within your means; you can't just spend willy-nilly on absolutely everything that you feel you might want–not what you need, but what you want – and not be able–not have to suffer any consequences. The consequences are that you run yourself so deep into debt that you can no longer get credit. Then you go into bankruptcy. Well, I fear that this government is on a path to bankruptcy for this province.

And they certainly, if they aren't bankrupting the province, they're bankrupting Manitoba taxpayers, who have to pay more and pay more and pay more, as a result of the spending addiction that we see year after year after year. And you know it's fine, Mr. Speaker, to take someone else's money and say, well, we can do this and we can do that. It's different when you have to make your own choices about your own money and when you can make choices about other people's money.

I mean, you can say, well, we'll just raise taxes, we'll just take some more money out of their pocket because we know best how to spend their money, their dollar s. Well, Manitobans are getting

November 20, 2013 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 219 tired and I'm hearing it on a regular basis out there as I go door-to-door and speak to my constituents in my community. They've become very cynical, very cynical of a government that says one thing and does another. And, you know, I heard the Premier (Mr. Selinger) today stand in his chair and call the Leader of the Opposition the specialist of tall tales. Can you believe that? Can you believe that the one person who stood up before the last election and said, read my lips, no increase in the PST –now, Mr. Speaker, was that a tall tale?

I would think it might have been because we know he was not speaking the truth. He deceived Manitobans before the last election and he continues to do that– Mr. Speaker: [inaudible] the opport unity–I've had the opportunity in the past here to caution honourable members with their choice of words with respect to using unparliamentary language, especially when it's in reference to another member of the Assembly.

So I'm going to caution the honourable member for River East on the–her choice of words here during her comments this afternoon and ask her to please follow the parliamentary practices that have been in place for such a long time. Mrs. Mitchelson: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, and I acknowledge your caution and I will be much more careful in my comments. But we do know that there have been some tall tales told in this Legislature by the government's side of the House. And I know one other area where I know many, many seniors within my constituency are feeling the pinch.

And not only are they seeing an increase in their PST of 8 per cent, but, Mr. Speaker, there are many, many that are living in apartment blocks in River East constituency –and, I would venture to guess, right throughout the city and throughout the province –who are on fixed incomes. Many that don't have the ability to see their pensions raised or have any ability to generate any more income in their families. And there are many that are seeing their rents in their apartments go up some 12 per cent this year. And, Mr.

Speaker, I know that during the last election campaign, again, the NDP went door to door in those apartment blocks and they said to those seniors, oh, don't you elect the Conservatives because if you do, your rents are going to go sky-high. They're going to raise your rents, but we're going to keep them affordable for you. We are going to keep them affordable. * (14:50) Well, what is happening this year? What is happening this year, Mr. Speaker?

Their rents are going up 12 per cent under an NDP government that promised them–promised them–that they would keep their rents affordable; 12 per cent increase in their rents, a 1 per cent increase in the PST, an 8 per cen t increase in their insurance on the contents of their apartments and a death tax on top of it all. Well, you can imagine the kind of outrage that I am hearing and the kind of deception that these seniors feel as a result of a government and members of a party that go out and tell them one thing before an election and do exactly the opposite after. Mr.

Speaker, there's cynicism out there, and quite rightly so. People should be cynical and they should be questioning the integrity of this government. And we're not going to let them forget. We are going to continue to make our voices heard. We're going to continue to listen to those Manitobans who say to us, enough is enough. We didn't elect this government to raise taxes when they said they weren't going to. We didn't elect a government to raise our rents by 12 per cent when they said they were going to keep our rents affordable.

We didn't elect a government to lie to us before an election and do something completely different afterwards. Mr. Speaker, we wil l not let our constituents forget. And I know that the government has been in power for 14 years, and I know that sometimes a government can lose touch with the community and the constituents that live in their community. And they believe that they are invincible, that they can do absolutely everything that they want to do and Manitobans are just going to be led like sheep and not stand up and question anything that the government does. And, you know, that is not the case.

I have a little more confidence in Manitobans than this government might have. I have a little more confidence in them to say, you know, maybe it's time. And that's what we're hearing; we're hearing rumblings that maybe it's time for a change out there. And I know that the government is he aring the same kinds of things. Well, and the member for Gimli (Mr. Bjornson) sort of sits there and shakes his head and thinks that, you know, Manitobans don't know what's happening and what's going on. They'll just be led by a government that says one thing and does another.

220 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA November 20, 2013 They won't be cynical at all. Well, Mr. Speaker, I tend to disagree with the member for Gimli (Mr. Bjornson). Manitobans are smarter than what he gives them credit for. Manitobans can see through the arrogance, the lack of consultat ion, the lack of commitment by this government to put Manitobans first and foremost rather than the issues that they believe are important. And, you know, Manitobans don't want to be talked down to. They don't want to be talked down to by a government that says, we know better than you. We are better than you, the masses.

We will make decisions for you. We will decide how to spend your hard- earned tax dollars. We will tax you as much as we think we can take. We know that Manitobans will tire of this kind of government. They are already. And it's our job to continue to make them know and understand what this government is all about. And, Mr. Speaker, I feel sad–I feel sad for the next generation of Manitobans, those that are going to have to pay dearly for the addiction –the spending addiction that this government has.

We do need, I believe, some sort of legislative protection for Manitobans from this government –Manitobans who need their pocketbooks protected. They need their pocketbooks protected from a gove rnment that has such a spending addiction that they just keep going back time and time and time again saying, just give us more–give us more. We know how to spend your money better than you do. Manitobans are tired of this. Manitobans do see through this government and Manitobans will, I know, speak very strongly come the next election and it'll be our job to make sure that that does happen.

So, with those few words, I want the government to know that they can't be trusted and we can't believe a word that they say in their Throne Speech, and we cannot be supporting a government that deceives and lies to Manitobans day after day. That will not be tolerated, Manitobans will not tolerate it and we will make sure that they know come the next election what, you know, what kind of government– An Honourable Member: Doom and gloom. Mrs. Mitchelson: The–well, and the member for Elmwood (Mr. Maloway) says doom and gloom– An Honourable Member: Well, it is. Mrs.

Mitchelson: Yes, and, quite frankly, many of my constituents are feeling that doom and gloom right now–right now. And it's –any way, it's too bad that the member for Elmwood has his head buried in the sand and thinks all is well and good and wonderful. Manitobans will be able to speak loudly and clearly come the next election and I will be here to make sure that that does happen. Thank you. Hon.

Ron Kostyshyn (Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development): Obviously, the member opposite that just spoke is really painting a horror picture, a scenario, a nd then maybe she'd consider an acting career once she gives up political sense because, truly, it is amazing of the acting that's taken place across the way. And from –on behalf of Manitoba, I'd like to make some commentary on the Throne Speech. You know, agriculture is definitely the –a great industry in the province of Manitoba.

I'm very proud to have been involved in agriculture in my own personal life for 30 -some odd years, and I continue to be involved and I really see the benefits of agriculture in the province of Manitoba, and let's –let it be for the record, an industry that brings in $10.1 billion into our industry in the province of Manitoba, directly and indirectly. But yet we hear members opposite complaining that the province of Manitoba is falling apart and then there's no hope at the end of the tunnel.

And you know what, one of the great things we need to celebrate–and just recently –is Manitoba Hydro making a hundred -million-dollar sale to Saskatchewan, and I think at one time there was a commentary from across the way, as I made a comment the lights are brighter in Saskatchewan. Well, truly, they are simply because we're moving more hydro into the province of Saskatchewan and the lights will get brighter because of that, and that's only a st art of many additional sales that we're looking forward with the province of Saskatchewan. Mr.

Speaker, I also want to make some commentary of agriculture in our situation as I think some of the members are quite familiar with certain things that we are f aced with. Obviously, the federal department chooses to make some decisions and, unfortunately, we as a province are faced to maybe shore up some of the support that has existed for a number of years, and let me show you some examples. The community pasture as we all know has been around for the '60s, mid -'50s, and rightfully so because appropriate land that was designated for protection of erosion, soil erosion and wind erosion.

Now, unfortunately, the federal government

November 20, 2013 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 221 has chosen to relinquish their ha ndcuffs with the community pastures. We in the province of Manitoba believe community pastures, first of all, are vital to the beef industry. We know what the beef industry has gone through in the last number of years. The BSE was really the injury of the demise of the cattle industry. But also the community pastures, the reality it's a economical way for cattle producers to maintain pasture scenarios.

As we all know, the value of cropland is accelerated almost to the point where the value of cropland ha s probably increased $100,000 per quarter in certain geographical areas. So for the cattle industry that would be a real challenge.

So I want to make it known on commentary towards the fact that we, the Manitoba government, believes in helping out the beef industry and we are working with the community pasture organization that has been struck up with the Manitoba Beef Producers to make it viable for the agriculture or the beef industry to say it. * (15:00) And we talk about the challenges we face financially, and the challenges are because simply we've been given some tasks that I felt the federal government really chose not to support over the years.

But I also want to indicate to the members opposite the beauty of the agriculture industry and how many jobs it provides, Mr. Speaker. It's really difficult for people to understand the beauty of agriculture. And we talk about 62,000 jobs are created through agriculture in the province of Manitoba, which really 'sumizes' to about a 10 per cent employment through our agriculture and agri-food industry. And, as I indicated, that is a 10-point-some-odd-billion-dollar industry for the province of Manitoba, and it's growing and it will continue to grow.

As we all know, the world population is growing and we want to be part of that, to provide food for the Third World countries and provide economic spinoff. I think I want to stay focused on the beef industry, and I'm very proud to say that our government has been very influential in helping out, continuing talks with the US government. Obviously, another challenging scenario is country of origin labelling, COOL. And I want to make you aware, Mr.

Speaker, that our department, our government, has been in consultation with the federal minister and we're moving forwa rd to provide our opinions how we can address the issue, because it is very critical. And, in fact, it was a couple weeks ago, I was in the US, Chicago, where we had attended a seminar and discussion where the North American Meat Association realized the importance of the cattle industry in their industry or in their country, to the importance that they are going to start to lobby with us in support of trying to get changes made appropriately for the betterment of the industry.

What they're presently going to be seeing is closures of slaughter facilities in their states. And, in fact, a number of the meat processing industries will be shutting down simply because of the change in the regulations that are coming very shortly. So I just want to make that known on the record, Mr. Speaker, that we, Manitoba Ag, see the importance of the –of our involvement to get changes made in the COOL regulation. Now, as far as the other additional things we've done and we focused on –and it was related to in the Throne Spee ch, Mr.

Speaker –is our positive thinking, as far as government, towards working with producers across the province of Manitoba. And I think one of the greatest things that we've done, or a number of the greatest things we've done, we've now put forward the forage insurance program that's been asked for a number of years. And I'm very proud to say our government has moved forward with it, in consultation with organizations, and it's finally has come to fruition. And I want to also indicate the fact that th e livestock price insurance–and I'm hearing the members opposite saying there was nothing in the budget.

Well, let me assure you that from the agriculture perspective this is one of the most exciting budgets we've put forward, or Throne Speech we've put fo rward, for the betterment of the industry–agriculture industry in the province of Manitoba. And no better time, especially when we've seen the beef industry go through some very challenging times, like BSE. And we're seeing the challenge of young generation ranchers coming back into it.

This is an opportunity that we want to bring forward to the agriculture industry and provide incentive for the young generation, for various programs that we're bringing forward to the young producers, because we definitely need the beef numbers and we want to work with producers and organizations in appropriate locations in the province of Manitoba.

222 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA November 20, 2013 I also want to indicate a number of other things that's very key to us, and that's all part and parcel about the fact that we have the Port of Churchill, as – Mr. Speaker, as you're quite familiar with. We've got a port. Given the fact of the amount of grain that was harvested this year and the importance of the Port of Churchill being of a viable option and alternative place to move our grain, and possibly the future holds in store that we will provide an opportunity to bring in products from European countries through the Port of Churchill.

And I want to assure member opposite from Midland that we're thinking positively and, yes, the minister will be working very forwardly on that. And I have to say congratulations to the Port of Churchill exceeding their limits from last year and probably almost setting a record for the amount of tonnage that's been brought forward. And that wa s– that's the great thing about it. And we have another great thing, Mr. Speaker, in the province of Manitoba, is CentrePort. We are working with CentrePort.

We are perfectly located in North America to handle the upcoming opportunities of providing servi ces throughout the province of Manitoba for the betterment of agriculture at the end of the day. Now, I understand that we talk about certain things that are challenging, and some of them are challenging. An example is communication, and, you know, I've t alked to my constituency on a regular basis. I talk to a number of people where I attend various functions. From the rural perspective, and I have to tell you, Mr.

Speaker, one of the biggest complaints I'm hearing about is the cellphone service that is la cking in the rural departments. And I keep saying to them it's unfortunate that the visions of the members opposite at that time chose to sell MTS, and it's become a private enterprise that someone's not making a financial incentive for private industry to invest in the importance of cellphone service.

So what we need to do is to find some alternative mechanism, and I'm sorry to say that members opposite choose not to acknowledge the fact that how important cellphone communication is, high-speed internet service is, to the future of agriculture in the rural landscape. I'm very honoured, Mr.

Speaker, to have the title change to Rural Development, because I really believe in the fact that cellphone and high -speed communication is a key asset in rural develo pment for the province of Manitoba, and our Throne Speech somewhat addresses the importance of being some - what diversed in the importance of agriculture in the province of Manitoba, and I want to assure that we will, through the province of Manitoba, be involved more so in agriculture than we've ever had.

Some of the great stories that I want to share also with members opposite is the fact that the Growing Forward 2 has brought forward some great incentives and we will work with. And some of the key pillar s, Mr. Speaker, is innovation, competitiveness, market development, and industrial adaptation. These are key towards –as our Throne Speech has indicated, we are moving forward towards jobs and economic development, and agriculture will play –will play –a key component of that. I've had the opportunity to meet with a number of ambassadors from various parts of the world, and, Mr.

Speaker, they look at Manitoba, look at Canada being one of the safest places that we can do business with. They are truly very comf ortable with the fact that its food safety is the No. 1 issue of theirs and they feel very comfortable about the international relationship we have with Manitoba and with Canada. This all links into the fact, Mr. Speaker, of CentrePort, Port of Churchill, and the opportunity as we move forward. We have a great institute in Portage la Prairie called the Food Development Centre.

And one of the number of great tributaries towards agriculture is that we have young entrepreneurs–are entrepreneurs of the world, having the opportunity to develop a product and use the Food Development Centre to finalize the ingredients to make it a finished product. We can refer to the hemp seed. We can talk about the buckwheat. We could talk about the sea buckthorn. There is a number of food ingredients that we've put through the Food Development Centre, and we will continue to do that.

And I think, at the end of the day, when we have a partnership with the producers, whether it's crop production, beef production, pork production, this is an opportunity where we can add value to the province of Manitoba through agriculture, and that is part of our job. That's part of our teamwork between our different portfolios in our government, to work forward to increase the economy of the province of Manitoba, and I see we will. So, Mr.

Speaker, this is a very short speech that I'm going to present, and I just want to allow more time for members opposite or my fellow ministers to have an opportunity to speak on it. But I do want to

November 20, 2013 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 223 assure you that agriculture is really front and centre of the Throne Speech, and I just want to assure the members opposite, be prepared for the ride because we're going to have nothing but great news for agriculture for the next number of years, and we will work w ith agriculture producers as I promised we will. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you so much. Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak to the Throne Speech and to the amendment made by the Leader of the Opposition.

First, I'd like to recognize the recent devastation left by the Haiyan typhoon in the Philippines. It's hard for us to comprehend the extent of the destruction and the number of people who have been left homeless and without sufficient access to food and to shelter.

It's important that we are reaching out to our friends in the Philippine community to offer what emotional and financial support we can under these very stressful circumstances. * (15:10) I also want to share my sympathies with our friends south of the border for the devastation left by the recent tornadoes and the severe thunderstorms in the Midwest United States with, of course, the most severe being in Illinois. Our hearts go out to them as they engage in the recovery from these severe weather events. And I want, as well, to recognize that this week is Holodomor Awareness Week.

It's important that we're all aware of the devastating genocide and famine in the –in Ukraine in 1932 to 1933. It's also important that we learn from this and other genocides the reasons for what happened and why it happened and that we act effectively to prevent such genocides from ever occurring again in the future. I want to say a thank- you to the residents of River Heights who elected me and who I represent.

River Heights is a wonderful, friendly community with many outstanding people, like Jim Carson, Bev Larmour and Ara Dungca, who were recognized earlier this year with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal. Our resilient and lively community spirit is reflected in our Kelvin Clippers and Grant Park Pirates football teams and the many Corydon Comets teams who continue to play hard.

The River Heights community is also home to the Chai Folk Ensemble, the only Israeli folk ensemble in North America to perform exclusiv ely in–to live music, a vehicle for continuing Jewish culture through music and dance in Canada. They are now preparing for their 50th anniversary next year and I anticipate a fantastic celebration. Mr. Speaker, I want to reflect for a moment on why we're here. We are here to represent and to care for the people of our province. We are the servants of the people.

It is in this context that it's of great concern that under this NDP government, Manitoba middle-income families have continually been left behind over the last 14 years, with two -income and single-parent families watching their incomes disappear in a myriad of taxes and increasing costs, the majority of Manitoba's workers, the backbone of our province, are being squeezed. Sadly, while the throne speeches of the last 14 years have made many flimsy promises, this government has delivered little for hard -working Manitobans. The status of Manitoba families has hardly changed.

Manitoba's middle -income earners have consistently experienced a flat li ne in their disposable incomes after inflation, year after year. Indeed, for far too many, incomes are not even keeping up with inflation. Manitoba families are feeling frustrated, financially squeezed and worried about slipping backward as they try to kee p a roof over their heads and feed their families. After 14 years of neglecting families in Manitoba, the NDP have conditioned Manitobans to only hope but not expect any improvement from this government.

We had little expectation for anything other than the status quo in this Throne Speech and on this, the NDP have delivered, again. Manitobans would have liked to have seen a Throne Speech that offered real hope for rising incomes and greater opportunities for Manitoba families. Alas, we didn't. The major focus of this Throne Speech was on infrastructure, on spending on what the Premier (Mr. Selinger) has coined core infrastructure. Mr.

Speaker, more than seven months ago when the government presented its budget, the primary focus of the budget was on raising the provincial sales tax by 1 per cent, from 7 per cent to 8 per cent. Since April, the Premier and his Cabinet have attempted many explanations for how the money raised by the extra 1 per cent on the PST, which they've been collecting since July, how that money will be spent. I've estimated that there' ve been about 50 different proposals and last week, on Tuesday, in the Throne

224 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA November 20, 2013 Speech, the government provided their 51st, again, a vague and unfocused option for spending the money.

In presenting their various options, this NDP government began by saying it would be spent on infrastructure and then began by talking about infrastructure as roads and bridges and flood prevention, but they also extended this to include schools and hospitals and then, over the course of the last seven and a half months, the government issued a series of announcements using each to reflect on how this road or back lane or recreational centre or school or playground or house was an example of how they were spending the new money from the increased provincial sales tax.

Indeed, as the days and weeks passed, soon the government was talking about items which weren't infrastructure at all, as if the PST increase, which remains without the legally required referendum approval from Manitobans, as if this increase was there for anythin g and everything that the government was asking. Manitobans very quickly became skeptical about the rise in the PST and the large number of claims that were being made for why the PST was increased.

Since then, last Tuesday, after about 50 proposals in one form or another as to what the rise in the PST was for, the government decided that core infrastructure was the buzzword of the moment, meaning that the vast majority of things that they'd claimed to be spending it on over the last seven and a half months was actually just misleading Manitobans. For reasons known only to themselves, the NDP government have led the people of Manitoba on a tortuous journey to the point where, quite frankly, no one in Manitoba really knew where they were going to spend the PST money on.

Indeed, we were to find out in the two weeks before the Throne Speech that the government had covered such a tortuous past that they themselves had forgotten what they were going to spend the PST money on, and as a result members of the gover nment decided that since they didn't know for sure, they had to ask some people, and so they invited a wide variety of people in meetings in the run-up to the Throne Speech. So that after seven and a half months of telling people what they were spending the money on, they were going to do a complete about -face and ask people what they thought.

And so, as a result of this process, the NDP government has come forward in its Throne Speech to say that they will spend the money on infrastructure–core infrastruct ure, they say. But, because of the circuitous path the government has taken and their recent conversion to the idea that they should only spend it on core infrastructure, we are left with a question. We ask, why should the latest option for spending the PS T money be any more credible than any of the 50 which preceded it?

To top off their statement in the Throne Speech about spending the PST money on core infra - structure, the government has thrown out a number, $5.5 billion, that the provincial government now says it will spend in the next five years on core infra - structure. This is an interesting figure, particularly given that the government will likely only raise about $1.4 billion in the last five years from the increase–in the first five years from the increase in the PST from 7 to 8 per cent.

The $1.4 billion represents about $200 million in 2013- 2014 and then an average of about $300 million in each of the next four years. Now, $5.5 billion is about four times $1.4 billion, and in the information provided by the government it's become apparent that they are including dollars provided by the federal government and dollars provided by municipalities. But, no, the Premier (Mr.

Selinger), in the media scrum, said that every penny spent was to be spent by the provincial government, though, in some cases, they would, of course, rather be pleased if the federal government would consider reimbursing them for their expenditures. So much for the federal government being a partner; the federal government is jus t there for reimbursement.

As I mentioned Monday in question period, the Premier has often taken the position that taxpayers' money is his money to do with as he wishes, and now, in taking the position that federal and municipal government dollars are also his money to do with as he wishes, the Premier has moved to a new level –his claims over the money he's spending, which is not just from Manitoba provincial taxpayers, but from municipal taxpayers and federal taxpayers as well. Mr. Speaker, infrastruct ure is important and so, of course, is spending every cent of taxpayers' money wisely and with honesty.

The people of Manitoba have been and will continue to watch. The Premier and his government have a record of overspending. Whether the Premier will spen d wisely or not, will we–we will be watching closely. It is, of course, of interest that this NDP government says in the Throne Speech that it's committed to working with the municipalities on asset management plans to maximize the life of local infrastructure. This optimization of spending and

November 20, 2013 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 225 efforts to ensure infrastructure lasts and lasts are vital and are elements that we've been calling for for some time. * (15:20) But I would begin by asking this question: Is the Province actually optimally manag ing its own infrastructure, let alone trying to manage the municipalities' infrastructure? Let me give you one small example.

As Manitobans know, for many years I've been calling on the Province to change from a drain, drain, drain approach to water manage ment to an approach which balances water retention with drainage so that water is not continually coming off the land faster and faster. There is at South Tobacco Creek an example of the water retention behind 27 small dams which reduces the peak flow of f the land by 25 per cent. This is good infrastructure management because reducing the peak flow has increased the lifespan of road and culvert infrastructure and decreased the damage to this infrastructure.

Instead of changing their approach to water management, the Province has continued its drain, drain, drain approach which results in greater damage to infrastructure and a shortened infrastructure lifespan. The Province needs to get its act together first before it preaches to municipalities. In another example, the Province has included in its list of priority infrastructure a redevelopment of the Daly Overpass on 18th Street in Brandon.

Now, this is actually very important to the people of Brandon, but the project appears to be getting announced without the normal engineering and traffic planning studies which would be expected to precede such an effort. There have been proposals put forward which might be more effective in dress – in addressing the congestion issues at much less cost which do not appea r to have been fully evaluated. We would expect much better planning than this. It appears that the Premier (Mr.

Selinger) is so keen for a photo op he's jumping in with an announcement without having done the sort of due diligence and homework he's calling out the municipalities for not doing. In

summary, while infrastructure is to be supported, like all other government expenditures – well, not all under the NDP, I must say – infrastructure spending must be subject to due diligence and care and wisdom, all items which the current NDP government seems to have a rather short supply of. The third area I'd like to discuss is the fact that the current NDP government has sadly and has epically failed in many major areas over the course of the last 14 years.

With this record of failure, one has to be at least skeptical of the grandiose plans put forward by the Premier, plans which already appear to be short on proper planning and due diligence. One thing that can be said about the NDP failures is that they follo wed a balanced approach: failing on fiscal management, failing on social spending and failing on environmental stewardship, failing on everything. First, on fiscal management. When the NDP government came to power in 1999, they promised to balance the budget.

In 2008, because this NDP government had failed to put Manitoba's fiscal house in order, they passed legislation so they'd only have to balance the budget every four years. In 2010 they failed to keep even this watered down promise, and again legislation was changed to allow the government to excuse their own failures. After 14 years of failures, Mr. Speaker, one has to ask why on earth would the people of Manitoba now trust the NDP government to honour their current fiscal promises.

It's too bad that Manitoba families, those being squeezed out of their hard-earned dollars, can't just rewrite the rules every time they feel that squeeze, thanks to the NDP government. Second, on social policy. When the Broadbent Institute recently rated provincial govern ments for delivering on social well- being to their populations, Manitoba was found to be at the bottom of the barrel. Manitoba under this NDP government has done very poorly on such basic measures as infant mortality and educational scores compared to othe r provinces.

The NDP government can hardly blame the organization which gave them this rating since the Broadbent Institute has solid NDP credentials and, if anything, would be more likely to give this NDP government a break. To their credit, the Broadbent Institute was honest and forthright. It would be a nice surprise if this NDP government emulated the Broadbent Institute in this respect. Middle-class families in Manitoba are concerned about social policy and they're concerned the dollars to help those in need of social services are well spent.

The failure of the NDP government to provide an increase in shelter rates to 75 per cent of market rates or any policy reflective of true cost of living in this province stands out as one of the ignominious actions or lack of actions of any government anywhere. The failure of this government to

226 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA November 20, 2013 recognize real-world costs actually exist is reflective of the fact that this NDP government doesn't really concern itself with real-world markets and costs. Not long ago, at a committee meeting in the Legislature, we heard from people in Brandon that there has not been any rental accommodation available in Brandon at the level of support provided under income assistance, $285 a month. There has been no rental accommodation available since the year 2000 in Brandon at that price.

The government is forcing people to take money for their children's food in order to pay the rent. The children are suffering and we are suffering as a society because these children are growing up poor, malnourished and with a lack of opportunities that other children have. The NDP policies are short-sighted, outdated, ineffective and uncaring approaches to social policy, and the results are reflected in the recent rating by the Broadbent Institute.

Furthermore, on one area of social policy, health and the management of emergency rooms, the Throne Speech was silent in spite of the poor management during the last 14 years and the need for improvement. Third, Mr. Speaker, on environmental issues this government is also failing. Today, Lake Winnipeg is still the most threatened lake on our planet, yet in 2003 this NDP government said they'd clean up Lake Winnipeg in two or three years. The year before that, in 2002, this NDP government said they'd mee t, indeed they promised to exceed their Kyoto targets by 2010.

This was later put in legislation, although, of course, they delayed the target 'til 2012. Now just last year the Premier had to acknowledge his failure in keeping even this belated commitment as well. The Throne Speech gives Lake Winnipeg only a small mention. There's no real plan to improve Lake Winnipeg presented. The government has talked for some time of a new water management plan, but this was notably lacking in the Throne Speech.

The government continues with its troubled drain, drain, drain approach to water management and fails to recognize the need to change to an approach which balances drainage with water retention in a way that doesn't continually increase the amount of water coming off the land. The government's present drain, drain, drain approach has increased flooding and has increased the amount of phosphorus going into Lake Winnipeg. Further, with climate change and increased amounts of wet weather, the old ways are not what' s needed today.

The government has reneged on meeting its Kyoto targets, even though these were put in legislation, and in this Throne Speech there's no plan for where the government will be heading in the future. Having covered three principal themes, th e lack of this government's support for families, their confusing policies on infrastructure and their failures on fiscal management on social management –on social policy and on environmental stewardship, I now want to move on to talk about various additional issues and claims which the government itself has made in its Throne Speech.

First, on child care and early childhood education, this NDP government Throne Speech claimed for our government Manitoba families are always priority, yet this is clearly one of the most vacuous claims in the Throne Speech. It is important that this is exposed for the reality that the NDP government has in fact done a very poor job of supporting families. Nowhere can this be seen more clearly than in the poor support this government has provided for child care and early childhood education in Manitoba for all families.

As was revealed in a panel discussion organized by the Child Care Coalition of Manitoba on September 18th, there's a crisis in the child -care system in Manitoba, with very long waiting tines for access in our province and more than 11,000 children waiting. At the present time there are only enough spaces for about 20 per cent of Manitoba children in the preschool years. In Québec, the number's about 50 per cen t, and in Scandinavia I understand it is higher, around 80 per cent. We are only 40 per cent as far as Québec. The prolonged waits for access are preventing many middle -class mothers from working.

This is putting brakes on our economy as well as hampering the needs and aspirations of ordinary families all over Manitoba. And yet in the Throne Speech the NDP do not even recognize the current desperate situation. We have a long way to catch up to where we need to be and this government has presented no plan.

O rdinary Manitoba families are just not a priority for this NDP government. * (15:30) On children: Further addressing important issues for children, such as early childhood tooth decay, improved learning, improved childhood behaviour and decreasing violence, needs to be substantially improved in the approach that's been taken provincially. Similarly, there's a need to improve the child and family services system so that families and

November 20, 2013 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 227 children are better supported and so that fewer children are apprehended and taken into care. Mr. Speaker, 10,000 children in care is far too many, yet, inexplicably, on this the Throne Speech has no plan. Diabetes: In its Throne Speech, the government claims success in relation to diabetes, saying that the number of people bei ng diagnosed with diabetes has declined. Well, the government is referring to a recent report from the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy. The statement made in the Throne Speech is not accurate.

The number of people being diagnosed with diabetes has actual ly increased, and this comes from Manitoba Health's own numbers. It is only when the data is adjusted to give an age -adjusted figure that there's a very slight decline in age-adjusted numbers. Even then, the incidence figure now, age adjusted, is much higher than it was 10 years ago. Indeed, the overall incidence of diabetes in Manitoba is unacceptably high, reflecting the disastrous and abysmal policies of the NDP government with respect to the diabetes epidemic.

As we pointed out, an effective approach t o the epidemic under this government would have produced a very different result, preventing up to 30,000 new cases of diabetes and saving the provincial government up to $600 million over the last 14 years. By now, this could have eased the tax burden a s well as improving the health of middle-class families and all families. Indeed, sadly, when it comes to diabetes, the current Premier (Mr. Selinger) and his NDP government must rank as having done a very poor job, another NDP failure.

Well, progress on rapid transit, as announced in the Throne Speech and this week, is welcome to Manitoba families. It's come all too slowly under this government. It's taken 14 years to have 3.6 kilometres of rapid transit, getting our university students, staff and facul ty halfway to where they're trying to go. Once again, the Throne Speech falls short of where it should be, and it could have done better and we should've been there sooner –all the way, by now. Innovation: The Throne Speech talks of the importance of innov ation and commercialization of new ideas. It's not enough, Mr.

Speaker, just to talk about innovation. Over the course of the last year and a half, drastic changes have occurred in Manitoba with respect to our innovation capacity, with the loss of the institute of biodiagnostics, the loss of the cereals research laboratory and the loss of significant agricultural research capacity, to name a few.

The Premier and his NDP government have been pretty quiet on these losses and have been ineffective in ensuring a strong future for grains research and have failed to achieve their promised coming together of the Canadian national grains institute, the cereal research lab and the research activity at the Canadian grain institute. We are looking at long- term reperc ussions, negative repercussions for the future of the grain industry and the future of our province. Innovation and commercialization of innovations is important for middle -class jobs.

But the government has managed to leave us short of a meaningful action plan in the Throne Speech. Privatization of the Property Registry: In the same Throne Speech that the Premier and his government talk of the failed policies of privatization, and–elsewhere in the Throne Speech the government talks of how it has privatize d Manitoba's Property Registry. They say, we partnered with the private sector to develop a new model for delivering Property Registry services. What is very clear from the way the government has privatized the Property Registry is that the NDP are not business people.

The failure to tender the sale of the Property Registry is incomprehensible unless one recognized that the Premier and his NDP government seem to know very little about normal business practices like tendering for a major sale like this one. The extra cost that will have to be paid by all Manitoba families to access necessary information is obviously not a concern for this NDP government.

From the example of how the same company has operated in Ontario, we can expect very high prices here in Manitoba and poor service all at the same time, all the result of the NDP giving a monopoly to an Ontario company without ever tendering the sale in the first place. It is likely that one day there will be an auditor's report on this sale, and it's likely to not be very complimentary to the NDP, just as the auditor's report in Ontario was not very compli - mentary to this company. Mr. Speaker, in

summary, Liberals will not support this Throne Speech. It is far short of what Manitoba families need. It is far short of what our province needs. Thank you. Mr. Jim Maloway (Elmwood): Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I'd like to begin by recognizing an important Elmwood event. On November 7th, the

228 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA November 20, 2013 Elmwood Giants brought Elmwood High School its very first footbal l title. The Giants had a five-wins-two-loss regular season record and beat the West Kildonan Wolverines 14 to 7, to win the Winnipeg High School Football League's Andy Currie A Division title. This come -from-behind victory demonstrates the determination of this team. Special congratulations to standout players Andrew Ricard, Brady Welburn and Shaun Neil, and I also want to congratulate the head coach, Nathan Falk, Principal Mike Babb, and extend best wishes for continued success next year.

In addition, I' d like to mention that many of my colleagues–and I'm sure members on the Conservative side of the House –have been attending fundraisers over the last week or so for the Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. And the Province of Manitoba is contributing $300,000 in provincial support, and believe there's support coming from Manitoba lotteries and liquor, as well, and the federal government, of course, also stepped up to the plate. And it's a very serious issue in the Philippines and certainly the Filipino -Canadian organizations are very active in raising money for the effort. Now, Mr.

Speaker, regarding the Throne Speech this year, we see a–it's very clear –we see a very big contrast here between what the opposition members are saying and what the governm ent members are saying. You know, if the economy was in the bad shape that the Conservatives say it is in, then it might resonate with the public. But the fact of the matter is that–and the reason they come across as such dour, doom-and-gloom people is because they are trying to turn what is essentially a good economic story into a negative economic story.

And certainly I know that's not good for their mental health, to be making continuous speeches, just running down the province and saying negative things about the province. The truth of the matter is that we are, at some point in the future, maybe 10 years from now, we are going to look back and see this as a golden era where Manitoba's population was increasing. You know, this wasn't the case before; t he members know that. Even in NDP –previous NDP governments, we had had decreases in population, we went through recessions before. That isn't what's happening now.

We have population increases year after year, since the NDP became the government in 1999. W e have an unemployment rate the third lowest in the country, primarily because we do have a balanced economy, we have –we're not reliant on any one particular sector, unlike Alberta or BC or other provinces. And it's reflected when we go out and knock on doors and talk to members and voters and constituents. And we do, you know, hear the odd complaint, but let me tell you that when I asked them whether, you know, they're working, I go through the whole house, and they're all working, every one of them is working.

So then what is the problem? The reality is there is no problem. The opposition are trying to create a problem, stir up a problem and get people to believe things that don't exist. The misinformation that we hear from this opposition every day is m ind-boggling, and it would take me a whole hour just to go through the individual points but we all know what they are. And why they would continue to, you know, repeat such nose stretchers is just beyond me, but I guess they figure that's the way to go. * (15:40) Now we are in historic low -interest-rate eco - nomy at the moment.

Now, you know, if you look at the pattern over the last 30, 40 years, we did have interest rates in the 1950s –early 1950s in the same range we are now. So this has happened before. But, when you have low interest rates like we do right now, this is the time to be building infrastructure. I mean, we'd be having to build the infrastructure anyway, because when the bridge in Minneapolis collapsed five or six years ago, when the bridge i n Québec collapsed, these facilities would've had to have been replaced.

But had they been replaced – have to have been replaced in the 1980s, the interest rates as you know were in the 18 to 20 per cent range, and that would have had–the cost would've had to be

Document details

Collection	Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	40-3-7
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	40th 3rd hansardpdf 7.pdf
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	2d406c689a289df552524fe0cfebfc111783b697

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