Manitoba Hansard — 21 March 2023 (Sitting 32B, 42nd Legislature, 5th Session)

42-5-32b

Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)

Fifth Session – Forty-Second Legislature of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba DEBATES and PROCEEDINGS Official Report (Hansard) Published under the authority of The Honourable Myrna Driedger Speaker Vol. LXXVII No. 32B - 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 21, 2023 ISSN 0542-5492

MANITOBA LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Forty-Second Legislature Member Constituency Political Affiliation ALTOMARE, Nello Transcona NDP ASAGWARA, Uzoma Union Station NDP BRAR, Diljeet Burrows NDP BUSHIE, Ian Keewatinook NDP CLARKE, Eileen, Hon. Agassiz PC COX, Cathy Kildonan-River East PC CULLEN, Cliff, Hon. Spruce Woods PC DRIEDGER, Myrna, Hon. Roblin PC EICHLER, Ralph Lakeside PC EWASKO, Wayne, Hon. Lac du Bonnet PC FONTAINE, Nahanni St. Johns NDP GERRARD, Jon, Hon. River Heights Lib. GOERTZEN, Kelvin, Hon. Steinbach PC GORDON, Audrey, Hon. Southdale PC GUENTER, Josh Borderland PC GUILLEMARD, Sarah, Hon.

Fort Richmond PC HELWER, Reg Brandon West PC ISLEIFSON, Len Brandon East PC JOHNSON, Derek, Hon. Interlake-Gimli PC JOHNSTON, Scott, Hon. Assiniboia PC KHAN, Obby, Hon. Fort Whyte PC KINEW, Wab Fort Rouge NDP KLEIN, Kevin E., Hon. Kirkfield Park PC LAGASSÉ, Bob Dawson Trail PC LAGIMODIERE, Alan Selkirk PC LAMONT, Dougald St. Boniface Lib. LAMOUREUX, Cindy Tyndall Park Lib. LATHLIN, Amanda The Pas-Kameesak NDP LINDSEY, Tom Flin Flon NDP MALOWAY, Jim Elmwood NDP MARCELINO, Malaya Notre Dame NDP MARTIN, Shannon McPhillips PC MICHALESKI, Brad Dauphin PC MICKLEFIELD, Andrew Rossmere PC MORLEY-LECOMTE, Janice, Hon.

Seine River PC MOSES, Jamie St. Vital NDP NAYLOR, Lisa Wolseley NDP NESBITT, Greg, Hon. Riding Mountain PC PEDERSEN, Blaine Midland PC PIWNIUK, Doyle, Hon. Turtle Mountain PC REDHEAD, Eric Thompson NDP REYES, Jon, Hon. Waverley PC SALA, Adrien St. James NDP SANDHU, Mintu The Maples NDP SCHULER, Ron Springfield-Ritchot PC SMITH, Andrew, Hon. Lagimodière PC SMITH, Bernadette Point Douglas NDP SMOOK, Dennis La Vérendrye PC SQUIRES, Rochelle, Hon. Riel PC STEFANSON, Heather, Hon. Tuxedo PC TEITSMA, James, Hon. Radisson PC WASYLIW, Mark Fort Garry NDP WHARTON, Jeff, Hon.

Red River North PC WIEBE, Matt Concordia NDP WISHART, Ian Portage la Prairie PC WOWCHUK, Rick Swan River PC Vacant Morden-Winkler

963 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA Tuesday, March 21, 2023 The House met at 1:30 p.m. Madam Speaker: Good afternoon, everybody. Please be seated. ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS Madam Speaker: Introduction of bills? Com mittee reports? TABLING OF REPORTS Hon. Kelvin Goertzen (Government House Leader): Just tabled a revised Estimates order which will be revised again, I'm sure, some time shortly. In effect only for today. MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS Hon. Kelvin Goertzen (Government House Leader): Seeking leave. Could you ask if there is leave of the House to allow for a minis terial statement on the International Day of Forests?

Madam Speaker: Is there leave of the House to allow a min isterial statement on Inter national Day of Forests? Agreed? [Agreed] International Day of Forests Hon. Greg Nesbitt (Minister of Natural Resources and Northern Development): As we celebrate International Day of Forests, I'm proud to highlight the progress our government has made in advancing sustainable forestry practices and strengthening our relationships with First Nations communities. This government signed the 2 Billion Tree pro- gram with the federal government.

This program aims to plant 2 billion trees by 2030, which will help to mitigate the effects of climate change and protect our natural environment. By investing in reforestation and sustainable forestry practices, we are not only pro - tecting our natural resources but also creating jobs and economic opportunities for Canadians. Forests are vital to our environment and our economy and, as a government, we recognize the importance of protecting and preserving them.

That is why we have signed forestry revenue -sharing agree- ments with First Nations communities such as Pine Creek First Nation, OCN First Nation, Moose Lake First Nation, which ensure that they receive a fair share of the revenue generated from forestry opera - tions on their traditional lands. These agreements are an important step towards reconciliation and building stronger partnerships with Indigenous peoples. We know that forests are essential to our well - being and the well-being of future generations.

That is why we are committed to promoting sustainable forestry practices and pr otecting our forests from threats such as climate change and invasive species. On this International Day of Forests, let us all reflect on their importance and the role they play in enhancing our lives. Let us continue to work together towards a sustainab le future for our forests and our planet. MLA Tom Lindsey (Flin Flon): Today is International Day of Forests. The day has been celebrated for more than 10 years, since the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed March 21st the International Day of Forests in 2012.

The day was created to cele- brate and raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests. Countries are encouraged to under - take local, national and international efforts to organ- ize activities involving forests and trees, such as tree- planting campaigns. When we drink a glass of water, write in a note - book, take medicine for a fever or build a house, we do not always make the connection with forests. And yet, these and many other aspects of our lives are linked to forests in one way or another. Forests provide us so much more than just resources.

They are a habitat for wildlife and biodiversity, and they offer people a chance to get outdoors to experience nature and all the wonderful benefits it has. The sustainable management o f forests and the use of resources are key to combating climate change and to contributing to the prosperity and well -being of current and future generations. The UN has declared the theme for this year's International Day of Forests to be Forests and health. Forests give us so much to our health.

They purify the water, clean the air, capture carbon to fight climate change, provide food and life -saving medicines to improve our well-being. Yet despite all these priceless ecological, economic, social and health benefits, this government continues to put our forests at risk. They privatized the water-bomber fleet; they refused to hire enough initial-attack workers–

964 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 21, 2023 Madam Speaker: The member's time has expired. [interjection] Order. Order. Some Honourable Members: Leave. Madam Speaker: The member's time had expired. I heard a leave request. Is there leave to allow the member to complete his statement? Some Honourable Members: Leave. Some Honourable Members: No. Madam Speaker: Leave has been denied. Mr. Dougald Lamont (St. Boniface): I seek leave to speak to the minister's statement. Madam Speaker: Does the member have leave to respond to the ministerial statement? [Agreed] Leave has been granted. Mr.

Lamont: Forest day began as a casual conversa- tion in Oxford, England, in February 2007, between two scientists who felt the world was underestimating the importance of forests in mitigating carbon emis - sions and saw a glaring need for the latest forestry research and thinking to inform global policy posi - tions and UNFCCC negotiators. They did not foresee at the time that the conference would become one of the most influential global events on forests and climate change today. Manitoba has the potential to be a world leader in fighting climate change , but for decades it has been a laggard.

Instead of action, governments have split their time between greenwashing announcements, while refusing to act, and in some cases, being outright obstructionist. It's certainly unfortunate this government decided to dismantle and sell off the Pineland Forest Nursery near Hadashville, Manitoba, which had been growing seedlings for the province for reforestation since 1953. It means the extensive reforestation and re - wilding Manitoba needs will be that much more difficult. In 2019, a team of scientists published a paper showing that restoring 'nastural' forests is the best way to remove atmospheric carbon.

In one year, a mature live tree can absorb more than 21 kilograms, or 48 pounds, of carbon dioxide. The beauty of trees has inspired artists and scientists alike. Joyce Kilmer wrote that I think that I shall never see a poem lovely as a tree, but the Nobel-Prize-winning physicist Richard Feynman also described trees in a different light. In 1983, he told an inte rviewer, people look at a tree and think it comes out of the ground, that plants grow out of the ground, but he says, but if you ask, where does the substance of the tree come from? You'll find trees come out of air.

Madam Speaker: The member's time has expired. MEMBERS' STATEMENTS World Down Syndrome Day Hon. James Teitsma (Minister of Consumer Protection and Government Services): Madam Speaker, are you happy? I know I am. Yesterday was the first day of spring. The sun is shining brighter and stronger. The birds are chirping just a little bit louder. Yesterday was also the International Day of Happiness. And this year's theme was Be Mindful. Be Grateful. And Be Kind. So my wish for you and every MLA in this House is that we'll all be grateful, kind and, yes, happy.

And while I might not get my wish, Madam Speaker, I can tell you that there is a group of people in this world that are incredibly and incandescently happy. A full 99 per cent of these people report that they are happy with their lives; 97 per cent like who they are; and 96 per cent like how they look. Who are these exceptionally happy people? They are people with Down syndrome. Today we are cele- brating World Down Syndrome Day, also known as crazy socks day.

Down syndrome is a chromosomal arrangement that's always been part of the human con- dition, present across all races, all genders, all socio - economic conditions i n approximately one in every 800 births. Chromosomes look a lot like socks, so that's why I'm wearing crazy socks today, to raise awareness for Down syndrome and to promote acceptance, inclusion and love for these valued and cherished members of our community. People with Down syndrome aren't just happy for themselves. They make the rest of us happy too. They help us to be kind and considerate. They make us smile. And they warm our hearts.

When prenatal parents receive a diagnosis of Down syndrome for their unborn child, their first reaction may be one of sadness or even shock. It does take time for them to process. But when people with

March 21, 2023 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 965 Down syndrome were asked what advice they would give to such expectant parents, well, they wanted the parents to know that their children–that their child will be happy, that their family will be better off because of their baby and that their baby will love them. So let's be sure to welcome them and make sure that they feel included and loved. Fire Prevention Services in the North Mr. Eric Redhead (Thompson): The North is facing an increase in the number of fires affecting our com - munities.

Families are losing homes and the–lives lost in these preventable disasters. In the past months, there have been multiple tragic fires in northern communities including Thompson, Cross Lake, Tataskweyak and Shamattawa. Families have lost their homes during the winter with nowhere to go, and emergencies such of these have not been addressed systemically by this government. The North is lacking greatly in fire-safety educa- tion and protocols, meaning that while disasters have been severe, there is no doubt that some could have been contained and prevented with better fire -safety measures.

Emergency services in the North are greatly disadvantaged as they are not being provided with enough support to maintain rapid, effective fire - response calls. * (13:40) It is disheartening to know that fires which are affecting the North are being dealt with in drastically different manners. Many northern communities are considered lucky to have the ability to fight fires, and are not able to muster the response that even com - munities such as Thompson are able to provide.

Sadly, it is too common for communities who lack these resources to adequately fight fires, and the result is that when fires do occur, it is seemingly a miracle if loss of property is the only result. A lack of infra structure, such as working fire trucks, fire halls, fire hydrants or even the presence of running water is not universal in the North. This means that communities often must share resources with any others that are close enough to offer a response.

It is truly a heartbreaking thing, as all of these communities deserve the confidence and assurance that, should an emergency such as a fire occur, the community and its members will be safe. As northerners, we know how to– Madam Speaker: The member's time has expired. An Honourable Member: Leave? Madam Speaker: Leave has been requested. Is there leave to allow the member to complete his statement? [Agreed] Mr. Redhead: As northerners, we know how to band together and solve problems.

However, it is the responsibility of this government to make sure the North has the resources and support to fight disasters such as the recent blazes. Thank you, Madam Speaker. St. James Hockey Volunteers Hon. Kevin E. Klein (Minister of Environment and Climate): I'm proud to rise today to recognize the many Manitobans volunteering in minor hockey programs across our province and in the com munity that I serve. It is commonly known that children who play team sports learn more about communication, loyalty, social skills, leadership, self-esteem and the im portance of working together as a team.

Sports not only help children feel better physically, but they can also help them with emotional and mental development. Hockey in Manitoba and especially in the area I serve, Kirkfield Park, is possible only because of the dedication of many volunteers, the volunteers for the St. James hockey association and so many others across our province. Volunteers are a tremendous asset to young people in our com munity; from tying skates in the dressing room to fundraising, 7 a.m. practices, outdoor practices, coaching and making sure the music in the dressing room is just right for the children playing the game.

We know it takes a team to run a team, and the unwavering commitment of volunteers at St. James hockey does not go unnoticed. You each play a significant role in the lives of young people through- out our com munity, as do many other associations across our province. You are making a difference in the lives of our future leaders and, most importantly, in future volunteers. On behalf of the residents I serve in Kirkfield Park, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all volunteers across Manitoba for their hard work and dedication during the 2022-2023 hockey season.

Our community is truly grateful for your willing- ness to give up your time and resources to ensure our players have had a safe and enjoyable year. The kids won't remember the wins and losses, but they will

966 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 21, 2023 remember those who made a positive impact on them throughout the season. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Government's Planning and Management Record Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Madam Speaker, I want to speak briefly about an area of major concern at the moment, that the government has been creating conditions where bad things happen. The government has been creating things where bad things happen because we've had a burst of homelessness without an adequate homelessness strategy. It is a strategy to address chronic homelessness months down the line.

We are seeing this happening in our emergency rooms where the gov ernment has created a situation where there's very long waiting lists. It's making it an uncomfortable situation for nurses to work and for doctors to work, and the result is that we're seeing bad things happen in the emergency room s in our province. Time and time again this is a gov ernment which has not looked ahead at the things that it's doing. Time and time again we're seeing that the gov ernment is creating con ditions where, instead of good things happening, bad things are happening.

I hope the government will start to recognize the major mistakes that they've made and start to change direction. But I fear that that's not what they're going to do. Thank you. Scotty and Elaine Nystrom Mr. Adrien Sala (St. James): I am honoured to rise today to recognize the incredible work being done by two volunteers in my community. Scotty and Elaine Nystrom have been volunteer - ing with the Bourkevale Community Centre for more than 10 years.

They got involved because the community centre was right next door to them, so they're able to see and appreciate what a great asset it was to the commu- nity, and they wanted to be part of it. During COVID, with gathering and travel restrictions in place, many more people were looking for local, outdoor ways to entertain themselves and their families. Scotty saw this need and decided to use old cross-country ski groomer to create some ski trails around the community centre. Thanks to a grant, they were able to get updated equipment to make the trails more professional and open them to the public.

In an effort to keep the trails accessible to every- one and remove financial barriers, Elaine reached out to Winnipeg Trails and arranged for a mobile ski library to be brought to the communit y centre. The strong response from the community encouraged them to seek out funding to set up a permanent ski library at the com munity centre, which now provides free, high-quality skis to anyone in the community to use on the trails. Volunteering at the community centre is very important to Scotty and Elaine, because the centre and its services belong to community members and are there to offer value to our community.

Their answer to the needs they see in their community is to find a way to fill them. It's volunteers like Scotty and Elaine, who believe in giving back, that make communities all across Manitoba so strong and vibrant. Scotty is here with us today, so I want to take a moment to thank him and his partner Elaine for their more than a decade of service to our community in St. James. Thank you, Scotty and Elaine. ORAL QUESTIONS Carberry Health Services ER Closure Inquiry Mr. Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): Health care is in a crisis here in Manitoba, and it's because of this Premier's cuts.

She keeps cutting health care, just like Brian Pallister. As a result, we've got hallway medicine here in the city, and we've got highway medicine across the rest of the province. Residents of Carberry want to know if their emergency room is going to close this coming September. They're concerned because they know that seconds count when it comes to an emergency. Can the Premier tell the people of Carberry whether they are going to lose their ER? Hon. Heather Stefanson (Premier): I always appreciate a question about health care because it gives me the op portunity to put some facts on the record, Madam Speaker.

And the facts are that we are making record investments in our health-care system in the province of Manitoba–almost $8 billion in the budget this year, a 9.2 per cent increase –$668 million more than last year–and a 22 per cent increase since we took office in 2016.

March 21, 2023 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 967 Those are more investments for Manitoba's health- care system, not less. Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a supplementary question. Mr. Kinew: Imagine how those tired talking points sound to the people of Glenboro, who've seen their ER cut its hours. Imagine how they sound to somebody in Wawanesa who lost their EMS station just very recently, since the start of 2023. And imagine how – [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr.

Kinew: –those very tired talking points sound to people all across Highway 2, where there are no more emergency services any more. I'll tell you how they land: they don't land very well at all. And that's why the people of Carberry are very concerned, because all throughout their–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Kinew: –region, they're seeing closures, and now Prairie Mountain Health has come to town and told them that their ER may be next, come September. That's why people in the area are standing up and speaking out. They want answers.

Will the Premier provide one, and let pe ople in Carberry know whether they are going to lose their ER this September? Mrs. Stefanson: Manitobans know we don't want to go back to the dark days of the NDP gov ernment, Madam Speaker, where they closed down almost 20 ERs right across the province. We don't want to go back to those dark days. We do recall also the NDP mentioning and saying and running on ending hallway medicine in six months with $15 million. We know–fast forward to 2015, Madam Speaker– that we had the longest ER wait times in the country.

We don't want to go back, and Manitobans don't want to go back, to the dark days of the NDP government. * (13:50) Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a final supplementary. Mr. Kinew: Imagine how those tired PC talking points sound to somebody in Eriksdale who's fighting right now against this gov ernment, trying to keep their emergency room open. Imagine how it sounds to families who have been waiting hours and hours in emergency rooms right here in this city.

Everyone in Manitoba will tell you health care today is worse than it's ever been, and it's because of this Premier's cuts; cuts that she's made and doubled down on, just like Brian Pallister. That's why people in Eriksdale and Wawanesa and Glenboro and Carberry and so many other com - munities are speaking up –well, almost everybody from Glenboro is speaking up, I should say. But folks in the community want to know a simple answer: Is the Premier going to close the emergency room in Carberry this September, yes or no? Mrs.

Stefanson: Well, Madam Speaker, we know that Manitobans, again, don't want to go back to the dark days of the previous NDP gov ernment where they shut down almost 20 ERs across this province. Manitobans don't want to go back to those days. That was a time, I will remind the Leader of the Opposition, it wasn't just after a pandemic. Right now, we are faced with sig nificant health human resource challenges, not just here in Manitoba, but right across our country. And that's why we've invested $200 million to make an invest ment in more than 2,000 new health- care workers. That is a step in the right direction.

And what did members opposite do, Madam Speaker? They voted against it. Shame on them. Madam Speaker: The honour able Leader of the Official Opposition, on a new question. North End Water Treatment Plant Cost Overrun for Upgrades Mr. Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): Now, this Premier may fake that there are big an - nouncements, but everyone in Manitoba knows that there's no follow -through with this PC gov ernment. You just can't trust them, especially not in an election year. Just like Brian Pallister, this Premier wants to say that infrastructure investments are coming.

But where are th e construction projects being advanced here? We just don't see them. When it comes to the North–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Kinew: –End treatment plant–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Kinew: –this gov ernment said the cost was supposed to be $552 million. They repeated that in

968 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 21, 2023 their budget a few weeks ago, but we know that's not true. All tabled documents that show that the North End water treatment plant is now $360 million over budget. Will the Premier tell the House if the upgrade to the North End treatment plant will happen? Hon.

Heather Stefanson (Premier): Well, speaking of trust, Madam Speaker, Manitobans don't want to go back again to the dark days of the NDP gov ernment, where they knocked on the doors just prior to the election and they went right across this province and they told Manitobans that they wouldn't raise the PST. And what did they do as soon as they got back into power? They jacked up taxes on the backs of Manitobans. We will never do that to Manitobans. We have way too much respect for them, unlike members opposite. Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader for the Official Opposition, on a supplementary question. Mr.

Kinew: You know, I'd invite the Premier to take a look at the documents that I've just tabled. What they prove is that this gov ernment knew last August that the North End treatment plant costs were over budget by more than $360 million. Again, I can tell that the Cabinet ministers sitting around her are surprised. Perhaps they've been kept in the dark, like the rest of Manitobans, about the overage on this hugely important project. Once again, Manitobans are tired of fake announcements. They want to see shovels in the ground. They want to see projects moving ahead.

But the mismanagement and huge cost overruns, this time to the tune of $360 million, are putting all that into jeopardy. Will the Premier tell the House if the upgrade to the North End treatment plant is fully funded? Mrs. Stefanson: Madam Speaker, it allows me to put some facts on the record. And the facts are that the NDP had 17 years to upgrade that North End wastewater treatment facility. They chose not to do it. Where they didn't get it done, we will. We'll get it right. Madam Speaker: The honour able Leader of the Official Opposition, on a final supplementary. Mr.

Kinew: Well, we know why this project has gone so over budget. It's because that this Premier, just like Brian Pallister, keeps delaying and delaying and delaying when it comes to necessary infra structure investments. [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Kinew: What we don't know is why she apparently didn't tell her Cabinet colleagues or the rest of the people of Manitoba that this needed infrastructure project was already over budget to the tune of $360 million. Do any of them know the answer? Clearly, they do not. That's why you have a hard-working Manitoba NDP standing up for you in this Chamber.

The only question that the Premier needs to answer–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Kinew: –is: Is she going to tell this House whether her government is going to cover the full cost of this six –$360-million overage to the North End treatment plant project? Mrs. Stefanson: Madam Speaker, this is a project that the NDP had 17 years to implement in the province of Manitoba, yet they didn't do it. It was one of the first initiatives since I became Premier that we took on and worked collaboratively with the federal gov ernment and with the City of Winnipeg. And we went out and we got it done, Madam Speaker.

Nurses in Manitoba Overtime Hours Worked MLA Uzoma Asagwara (Union Station): Madam Speaker, for the past seven very long years, the Pallister-Stefanson government health-care cuts have had a devastating impact on t he personal lives of our doctors, our nurses and allied health-care professionals. Data obtained from recent freedom of infor ma- tion requests, which I will table, indicates that over - time hours for nurses in rural Manitoba are completely out of control. Will this Premier, also known as Pallister's failed Health minister, admit that her PC government's cuts to nurse training was the wrong decision?

Hon. Audrey Gordon (Minister of Health): Madam Speaker, I'd like to pose the question to the member for Union Station: When will the NDP and the member for Union Station apologize to all Manitobans, to inter - nationally trained medical graduates, who were unable to get licensed in this province in the 17 years they were in office? Hundreds of them have written to my office. Many of them have met with me in person to ask when the

March 21, 2023 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 969 members opposite will be apologizing to all Manitobans. I need to know. I need an answer. [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. The honourable member for Union Station, on a supplementary question. MLA Asagwara: Madam Speaker, when will this minister and her gov ernment apologize to the nurses that kept us safe during the pandemic, and now all they get from this tired gov ernment are empty words while the system crumbles around them? Data from the Interlake-Eastern shows that for the first eight months of 2022, there were nearly 60,000 hours of overtime worked.

Nurses are struggling all across our system and they need help. They need help right now to stop from burning out. Does this minister think it's appropriate that nurses worked 60,000 hours of overtime in just eight months? Ms. Gordon: Madam Speaker, what I think is inap- propriate is that, in 17 years, the members opposite sat on their hands and did nothing to help internationally– medical graduates, inter national medical nurses to gain licensure in this province. When will the members opposite apologize to Ms.

Sigua, who they sent packing, Madam Speaker, during their term, and said, you will not be licensed in this province? When will they apologize to those nurse and those physicians who did not get licensed under their administration? Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Union Station, on a final supplementary. MLA Asagwara: So, Madam Speaker, it's clear that the minister won't apologize to nurses in the Interlake- Eastern.

I wonder if the minister will instead apologize to nurses working in Southern Health, because those nurses in the first eight months alone worked over 70,000 hours of overtime: 70,000 hours of overtime is equivalent to eight years in time. * (14:00) That is why nurses are burning out. That's an equivalent to an extra three dozen nurses working full time for an entire year. Does the minister think it's okay and acceptable that nurses in southern worked over 70,000 hours of overtime in just eight months, and will she apologize to those nurses today? Ms.

Gordon: NDP failures: that is what Manitobans do not want to go back to, Madam Speaker. When will the members opposite apologize to the inter national medical graduates, physicians, nurses, allied health professionals that they failed to license in this province? Madam Speaker, don't take it from me. This came right from the registrar and CEO of the College of Physicians and Surgeons. The exam that was in place under that adminis tration was holding back many qualified, internationally trained physicians from coming to this province. Madam Speaker, all that Manitobans want is an apology from the NDP.

Rental Rate Increase Government Intention Mr. Adrien Sala (St. James): The PCs have hiked rent by 10.6 per cent since they took office. Thousands of renters in Manitoba are paying significantly more for their rent today than they were just a few years ago, thanks to the PCs. That's made it harder for Manitobans to make ends meet. Manitobans are worried the PCs will announce yet another rent hike this year. Will the Premier (Mrs. Stefanson) tell this House: Does she plan on raising Manitobans' rent again this year? Hon.

James Teitsma (Minister of Consumer Protection and Government Services): Madam Speaker, we've had a budget before this House for a couple of weeks now –we've had the budget imple - mentation tax statutes amend ment act before this House. We've heard hardly a single question from the Finance critic of the NDP. Finally, he gets up today – first time, I think, this week. And what does he ask about? Something not directly related to the budget. Well, I'm here to tell you that the budget is what he should be talking about.

And the budget is what I'm going to be talking about, because the budget is something that is going to give signi ficant tax relief to Manitobans on their income taxes. It's going to give sig nificant tax relief to property owners by increasing the edu cation property tax benefit. And it gives significant benefit to dis ability support profes- sionals, who are now going to get $19 an hour under this budget.

970 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 21, 2023 Madam Speaker: The honourable member for St. James, on a supplementary question. Mr. Sala: The budget that this minister is bragging about doesn't mention renters even once. That's a shame, Madam Speaker. [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Sala: The PCs have made life much harder for Manitobans; they've hiked rent by 10.6 per cent since they took office, costing Manitobans thousands of dollars, and they raised taxes on renters by $175 a year, all while giving big handouts to large corporations.

They've also approved hundreds of above - guideline rent increases. Now renters are worried that the PCs will hike their rent yet again. Will the Premier (Mrs. Stefanson) tell Manitoba's renters: Does she plan on raising their rent again this coming year? Mr. Teitsma: I know that the members opposite pretend to be concerned about the lives of Manitobans, but clearly their opposition to this budget shows that they are not concerned.

Now, what I will say is, what we did for renters is when we were giving tax relief to property owners through the e ducation property tax benefit, what did we do with rent increase guide lines? We froze them. Did we freeze them for one year? No, we froze them for two years. That's the way that we deal with renters. And not only that, but then we've brought forward a renter property –sorry, a renter tax benefit that's available just to renters on your personal income tax form. That is sig nificant benefits and sig nificant savings for renters. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for St.

James, on a final supplementary. Mr. Sala: The PCs raised rent on Manitobans by 10.6 per cent since taking office. That is a fact. And they cut renters tax credits and hiked their hydro rates. To make matters worse, they've also approved hundreds of–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Sala: –above-guideline rent increases. One of those increases, Madam Speaker, was a whopping 118 per cent. The PCs' attack on renters needs to stop. Will the Premier stand up in her place today and tell Manitobans if their rent will be going up this upcoming year? Hon.

Rochelle Squires (Minister of Families): We've just learned, and we've just been able to confirm, that the critic for Finance did not read the budget, because he would have read that we've got an increased renters tax credit. We have also quadrupled the Rent Assist program since we formed office. We are indexing those benefits in our budget and we're increasing the number of Manitobans who are eligible for Rent Assist. So we have been working very diligently to give supports for people who are renting, unlike the member for Fort Garry (Mr. Wasyliw), when he sat on the RTB, he jacked up rent many years.

Each time when he sat on that board, he jacked up their rent. We'll take no lessons from members opposite. Speed Zone Variance Backlog Transportation Department Vacancies Mr. Ian Bushie (Keewatinook): Manitobans care about road safety. Slower speed limits reduce collisions and they save lives. Many communities are asking to change speed zones for safety, but the backlog in this minister's department keeps growing. I'll table a FIPPA document that shows the current backlog is at–currently at 77 requests. This document also shows the time to come to a decision is taking much too long–up to two years, Madam Speaker.

Can the minister explain why has he left the speed variance request backlog grow so high? Hon. Doyle Piwniuk (Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure): Madam Speaker, when it comes to road safety, it's No. 1 priority when it comes to our department, MTI department. And our staff are out there reviewing every–when it comes to every com munity, looking at all options out there, making sure that our–the flow of–goods and services flow throughout our communities. And it's a balance, Madam Speaker. We're looking at long- term invest ment in our highways, Madam Speaker.

We're going to be spend- ing $4.2 billion in the next five years making sure that our flow of traffic flows safely and making sure that there–supply chain issues are going to be addressed here too. But safety is No. 1 when it comes to our pedestrians, specially when they cross in larger com - munities. Madam Speaker: The honourable mem ber for Keewatinook, on a supplementary question.

March 21, 2023 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 971 Mr. Bushie: Thanks to the large backlog, this govern- ment is taking up to two years to come to a decision on a speed zone variance request. That means that communities are potentially having to wait years just for an answer to have their safety concerns addressed. We know why this backlog has grown: the depart- ment currently has over 660 vacant positions. I will table these documents today. Instead of filling these positions, the PCs are planning on paying private contractors to review requests. That's the wrong approach.

Will the minister commit to hiring Manitobans instead of paying private contractors? Mr. Piwniuk: I'm not quite sure where the member from Keewatinook is getting his information, Madam Speaker. We are recruiting in our de partment many staff when it comes to recruiting. And, of course, we also have issues like any other de partment, any other industry in this –in North America when it comes to retaining human resources. And w e're doing the best we can to making sure that we recruit, and we're actually putting positions out there on a regular basis, Madam Speaker.

And when it comes to highways, Madam Speaker, this gov ernment–the NDP gov ernment, back in the dark days of the NDP, underspent by a billion dollars for eight years. You know, they could've addressed a lot of these issues too. But this gov ernment here, this PC gov ernment, we're going to get the work done and we're going to get the job done and we're going to invest in these highways, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Keewatinook, on a final supplementary. Mr. Bushie: Well, that infor mation comes from the minister's own documents.

The PCs left 660 positions vacant in Infrastructure, a nearly 40 per cent vacancy rate, Madam Speaker. Manitobans deserve better. They've cut so deep that even requests to vary speed zones are backlogged. That means that Manitobans are waiting up to two years just for an answer to their concerns about safety in their communities. What is this PC gov ernment's solution? To pay private companies to do this government's job. That's just wrong, Madam Speaker. Will the minister commit to stopping cutting Infrastructure staff so the speed zone variance backlog can be cleared today? * (14:10) Mr.

Piwniuk: Our de partment and myself –since I became Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, Madam Speaker, I've been actually meeting with every municipality that actually had a request to meet with our department and making sure that their staff is working with our staff when it comes to consultation, making sure that we listen to communities, much not like what the NDP did back in the dark days of the NDP. They never listened to any municipalities. What–they were unrespectful to –when it came to municipalities, Madam Speaker. They forced amalgamations that happened.

They did not listen to municipalities at all. We're going to listen. We're going to get the job done. We're going to partner with their–municipalities and the federal government, making sure that we get stuff done, Madam Speaker. Home-Care Services Minimum Safety Standards MLA Malaya Marcelino (Notre Dame): Madam Speaker, unlike this PC government and their Seniors Minister, our team understands that the No. 1 issue for Manitobans is to fix health care. Despite a flurry of last -ditch, pre -election announcements from this Premier (Mrs.

Stefanson) in a sorry effort to convince voters that she's changed, Manitobans know that they can't trust the PCs. FIPPA documents that I'll table here show that the minister's own department advised him that, I quote: Home care has no standards or benchmarks. There is no minimum set of standards to ensure safe and ap- propriate care. If this minister has no standards, how can Manitobans have con fidence that home -care clients and loved ones will get the home care that they need? Hon.

Scott Johnston (Minister of Seniors and Long-Term Care): I think the initiatives that this government has taken in regard to supporting seniors speaks for themselves. You know, the seniors strategy that was initiated–excuse me–brought forward a num- ber of initiatives that support seniors –most recently, the hearing aid program, which the seniors continue to congratulate this government on.

972 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 21, 2023 And they voted against every thing. They won't support the budgets that are bringing it forward. Madam Speaker, this gov ernment continues to support the needs of seniors and always will. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Notre Dame, on a supplementary question. Pay and Working Conditions MLA Marcelino: Madam Speaker, facts–sorry, facts do, indeed, speak for them selves. This minister left $24 million last year and cuts to this de partment that could've gone to home care instead.

Madam Speaker, the facts show that –how much damage the PC cuts have done to home care. Vacancy rates for home care are only getting worse. They're up to over 20 per cent in 2022 and 10 per cent higher than in 2021. The number of clients helped is down by a thousand, and the number of hours of care is down by over a quarter million hours. Our population is aging and the need for home care is increasing. When will this minister hire more home -care workers? When will this minister show some respect to home-care workers and address the poor pay– Madam Speaker: The member's time has expired. Mr.

Johnston: Our home -care workers are unsung heroes. They work a wfully hard for the people of Manitoba, and contrary to what the member might indicate, is that there are a lot of seniors that are satisfied with the dedication and the commit ment done by home-care workers within our system. Madam Speaker, there are 50,000 seniors that are served by our home-care program. There is an invest- ment by this gov ernment of $300 million in home care, and we continue to support it, and we'll continue to support it further.

We continue to work to ensure that we are doing what needed to be done to recruit, and we will continue doing that, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Notre Dame, on a final supplementary. Request for Seniors Advocate MLA Marcelino: Madam Speaker, our elders took good care of us, and they deserve to receive the same quality of care from us as they age. A Manitoba NDP government will support families, investing in health care and seniors every year, not just in the desperate weeks leading up to an election.

Will this gov ernment commit to esta blishing an independent seniors advocate to investigate problems, such as those in home care, and hold this government accountable for their mistreatment of seniors? Mr. Johnston: It's ironic. It's ironic that this government would turn around and say that they didn't realize that there was going to be an increase in the seniors population in the country, in Manitoba. They had 17 years to deal with the explosion that we're dealing with. But this government is dealing with it.

This gov ernment initiated a seniors strategy, which is going to make–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Johnston: –sure that seniors are taken care of in this province, Madam Speaker. Huge invest ments– and they're not election stunts, they're to serve the people of Manitoba. Home-Care Services Staff Vacancy Rate Mr. Dougald Lamont (St. Boniface): We're hearing there's an ongoing crisis in home care and that workers aren't even getting the top-ups and breaks they've been promised in contracts.

We've heard from folks like Eric De Schepper what an incredible respite charitable home-care workers provided to his wife in their time of need, when the WRHA failed him. As I table, Southern Health is faci ng vacancy rates of 25.6 per cent for home -care workers. We're hearing from them that they are not honouring the new contract; they're refusing to pay evening and night premiums, overtime; refusing overtime for the rest period; and fighting a two per cent long service step due April 1st, all under a signed contract. Why is this gov ernment still nickel- and-diming front-line health care workers? Hon.

Scott Johnston (Minister of Seniors and Long-Term Care): This government recognizes that there are vacancy rates, and that's why we are taking the initiatives that the gov ernment has to, to ensure that we're fulfilling the needs of seniors. We're on recruitment, we're doing everything that we need to do to ensure that we are able to fulfill those obligations. And we won't stop, Madam Speaker. We have invested a significant amount of dollars to ensure that we support seniors, and we'll continue doing that.

March 21, 2023 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 973 Madam Speaker: The honourable member for St. Boniface, on a supplementary question. Mr. Lamo nt: It's not just Southern Health where home care is in crisis. According to these FIPPA documents which I tabled, 20 per cent of the home - care positions in Interlake -Eastern are vacant; in the North, in Flin Flon, it's 23.3 per cent; in The Pas it's 61 per cent; and in Thompson it's 66 per cent. Mr. Speaker, the minister can boast about billions of dollars that go into the system, and yet the system gets worse.

One of the reasons why it's getting worse is because they've created an environment where there isn't responsibility, where money goes in but there's no accountability for the results that come out. Those aren't my words; that's the member from Steinbach in 2008, going after the NDP, so it doesn't seem that much changes. If the gov ernment wants to talk about helping home-care workers, why aren't they doing everything they can to respect the contracts that have been signed, to fill vacancies to ensure proper care and dignity for vulnerable Manitobans? [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr.

Johnston: Madam Speaker, contracts that are agreed to by both parties, the gov ernment certainly will honour and certainly will do everything it can to ensure that the employees that work for this gov ern- ment are treated fairly, as we have. And als o, (2) we will do every thing we can to encourage their satisfaction in delivering the services that we expect them to deliver. Psychotherapy Services Regulation Plans Ms.

Cindy Lamoureux (Tyndall Park): Last year, on November 29th, I asked the Minister responsi ble for Health what their timeline was to improve and regulate psychotherapy, and the minister indicated we would be made aware soon. It's been five months. No updates have been shared, and we were disappointed that it wasn't mentioned in the budget. Manitoba is already behind with mental health - care services, compared to other provinces. What is this government doing to ensure psychotherapy is properly regulated, and that all Manitobans have access? Hon.

Audrey Gordon (Minister of Health): I thank the member for the question. As part of our health human resource action plan, our government has committed $200 million to add 2,000 new health professionals. Some of those health professionals are psychotherapists, psychologists. We are working with the various colleges and associations on negotiating those incentives and adding those seats to our health-care system. * (14:20) Look forward to adding more big news, as the NDP calls our announcements, so that Manitobans can hear what our government is doing.

Community Living disABILITY Services Funding Support Announcement Mr. Len Isleifson (Brandon East): Budget 2023 is providing historic help for Manitobans, and I under - stand this morning–just this morning, the Premier (Mrs. Stefanson) and the Minister of Families (Ms. Squires) were joined by many com munity organizations, service providers, front -line workers and advocates for a historic an nouncement that will create foundational and meaningful change for children with disabilities, adults with intellectual dis- abilities, their families and their support workers.

Can the Minister of Families outline how our gov- ernment is providing historic investments for the dis- ability sector? Hon. Rochelle Squires (Minister responsible for Accessibility): It was a great honour this morning for the Premier and I to spend time with those working in the disability sector and the wonderful people that they serve, people with lived experience who depend on the sector to provide them with the dignity that they deserve.

Our government announced historic investments: $104 million in ad ditional funding for Com munity Living disABILITY Services; $82 million of that is going towards wages so that we can make sure that all the direct service pro fessionals are receiving $19 an hour as a baseline for the important work that they do. This is something the NDP never did. They failed to give disability support workers a single raise during their time in office. Our government is getting it done. Foot-Care Services in Thompson Request to Restore Services Mr.

Eric Redhead (Thompson): For years, the people of Thompson and surrounding com munities have been without foot -care services because of this government's cuts. There's a huge demand for

974 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 21, 2023 foot-care service in the North. Over 2,400 people have signed a petition demanding this service be restored. This minister should know better, since she agreed to meet with a group of concerned seniors at my request. Will this gov ernment reverse their cuts and previously–and restore foot-care services in Thompson? Thank you. Hon. Scott Johnston (Minister of Seniors and Long-Term Care): I certainly appreciate the member's lobby and position. I was very comfortable in meeting with him and the people that he had brought in to express their issue and concerns.

As I had indicated, the seniors strategy is a living document and I have taken that presentation from him to heart and am further investigating what solutions may be available to us to satisfy the need expressed. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Thompson, on a supplementary question. Mr. Redhead: The pre sentation, as the minister says, was actually first -hand accounts of the impact that this gov ernment's cuts have had on northerners' health.

They expressed concerns about their foot-care services being cut, and they presented people actually passing away because of this gov ernment's lack of commitment for northern health care. And the minister did say that he would look into this service being restored. I don't know what else there is to look into other than restore this service. This service has been in place for well over two decades in Thompson until this gov ernment decided to amputate that program. Will they restore this service today? Hon.

Audrey Gordon (Minister of Health): Madam Speaker, the northern regional health author ity provides medically necessary foot care. It is an insured service and available through the northern regional health authority. And so, once again, medically necessary foot care is available through home care or through a referral through a primary-care provider. I was pleased to be part of th at meeting with the Thompson seniors' association.

We shared this information and we continue to look at issues that they've brought forward under the seniors strategy, as the Minister of Seniors and Long- Term Care has stated, Madam Speaker. Madam Speak er: The honour able member for Thompson, on a final supplementary. Mr. Redhead: The minister just indicated that medically necessary foot -care service is available. What we are asking for in the North is pre ventative foot care, so we don't need that m edical necessary piece. This is for quality of life of the North, the northerners. Does this government even care about the North? You keep cutting programs.

Will they restore this service today? Mr. Johnston: As I'd indicated to the minister – further to the discussion we had in my office, I had indicated that I will review exactly what the concerns raised are, and do further due diligence with the Health Department to determine whether or not there's a further solution to address those concerns. And I'd indicated to the member that I will do that, and I will do that. Home-Care Services Northern Manitoba MLA Tom Lindsey (Flin Flon): Access to health - care services is a real struggle for people living in the North.

Under this Pallister and Stefanson gov ern- ments, cuts to health care have already made that challenge so much worse. Families that have been trying to get home care for their aging parents are being told they won't be able to get the support service hours that they require. In the meantime, the gov ernment touts its self - managed care, which is complicated and puts more stress on people that are already trying to live with stressful situations.

When will this minister admit the real damage done by the PC cuts, and actually fix health care in the North–and apologize to Manitobans? [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Hon. Scott Johnston (Minister of Seniors and Long-Term Care): As I've indicated to the House on many occasions, this government, through its seniors strategy, has –is going to address home care even further than we already have. As the member indicates, we have initiated the self - and family-care program, which allows further support for seniors.

And I'd indicated that we will be making further announcements in regards to further supports for home care. And I would say to the member that I'm sure that he'll be happy to support these further initiatives as we budget them going forward. Madam Speaker: The time for oral questions has expired.

March 21, 2023 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 975 PETITIONS Bibliothèque Régionale Jolys Regional Library Mr. Nello Altomare (Transcona): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. To the Legis lative Assembly of Manitoba, the background of this petition is as follows:

(1) The Bibliothèque Régionale Jolys has been served notice by the Red River Valley School Division to vacate the premises currently situated in the auditorium of École Héritage school by this March 31, 2023.

(2) The auditorium was original ly built in the 1960s by renowned Manitoba architect Étienne Gaboury, and has been home to the JRL for 48 years.

(3) A photo of the auditorium captioned the regional library is published in a 2008 document titled heritage buildings in the RM of De Salaberry and St. Pierre Jolys. It is marked as an important modern building that could attain the status of heritage site.

(4) The JRL and Red River Valley School Division have flourished from a mutually beneficial memorandum of understanding for 54 years.

(5) Their shared collection boasts over 50,000 books and has the fourth largest collection of French-language literature in rural Manitoba. * (14:30)

(6) The students that are bused in from the neighbouring municipalities that do not have a public library, such as Niverville, Grunthal and Kleefield [phonetic], are provided with free access to the public library and its fourth largest collection of French books in rural Manitoba during the school year. We 'peetition' the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

(1) To request the Minister of Labour, Consumer Protection and Gov ernment Services to consider granting the auditorium to the JRL by March of 2023.

(2) To request the Minister of Education to recog- nize the value that JRL provides to the student popula- tion of École Heritage School, as well as the commu- nities of the St. Pierre Jolys and RM of De Salaberry.

(3) To request the Minister of Edu cation and Minister of Francophone Affairs to recognize that a Memorandum of Under standing between the Red River Valley School Division and the JRL is mutually, financially and culturally beneficial.

(4) To request the Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage to recog nize the heritage potential of this important building and its status in the com munity, and

(5) To request the Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage to prevent any renovations to the auditorium that would destroy and devalue the architectural integrity of the building. This petition is signed by Victor Maendel, Rosie Maendel, Delilah Maendel and many other Manitobans. Madam Speaker: In accordance with our rule 133(6) when petitions are read they are deemed to be received by the House. Provincial Road 224 Ms. Amanda Lathlin (The Pas-Kameesak): I wish to present the follow ing petition to the Legis lative Assembly. The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) Provincial Road 224 serves Peguis First Nation, Fisher River Cree Nation and surrounding com mu- nities. The road is in need of substantial repairs. The road has been in poor condition for years and has numerous potholes, uneven driving surfaces and extremely narrow shoulders.

(3) Due to recent popula tion growth in the area, there has been increased vehicle, pedestrian use of Provincial Road 224.

(4) Without repair, Prov incial Road 224 will continue to pose a hazard to the many Manitobans who use it on a regular basis.

(5) Concerned Manitobans are requesting that Provincial Road 224 be assessed and repaired urgently to improve safety for its users. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the Minister of Infrastructure to complete an assessment of Provincial Road 224 and implement the appropriate repairs using public funds as quickly as possible. This petition has been signed by many, many fine Manitobans. Ekosi.

976 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 21, 2023 SANE Program MLA Uzoma Asagwara (Union Station): Madam Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. To the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, the background of this petition is as follows:

(1) The Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, SANE, program is run out of the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg and provides critical support to sexual assault survivors. The program also helps collect evidence for potential prosecution.

(2) Demand for the SANE program in the province is rising, with 764 sexual assault survivors receiving treatment from April of 2022 to January of 2023, a nearly 50 per cent increase since 2017 and '18.

(3) The SANE program has only one full -time nurse and just over a dozen others who are on call to conduct sexual assault examinations in their off hours.

(4) The provincial government has failed to increase funding or hire additional staff to support the SANE program, breaking its April of 2022 promise to spend $640,000 annually and hire five additional nurses and a provincial co-ordinator.

(5) The provincial government's refusal to support the SANE program has resulted in severe staffing shortages, leading to at least 14 sexual assault survivors being sent home with the instruction to not shower or wipe themselves until they return and staff are eventually available to treat them. It has also been reported that survivors often don't return, and the number of people being turned away could be significantly higher.

(6) The provincial government has compounded its failure to provide supports for sexual –for victims, rather, of sexual and gender -based violence by refusing to proclaim a bill passed in 2021 that would hold the provincial government accounta ble for providing resources available to child survivors of sexual assault. The bill, sponsored by the MLA for The Pas -Kameesak, is entitled, The Reporting of Supports for Child Survivors of Sexual Assault Act.

(7) The SANE program's staffing shortage is just one example of how the provincial government's cuts to Manitoba's health -care system and front -line health-care workers, including nurses, is causing Manitobans harm.

(8) Urgent action is needed to immediately fix the SANE program staffing shortage and to ensure that sexual assault survivors are supported with timely access to care. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to stop breaking its promises to Manitobans and to provide the basic and respectful health care for sexual assault survivors through the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, SANE, program by ensuring it is properly staffed so that no prosecution of perpetrators of sexual violence is compromised by the failure to collect evidence.

This petition has been signed by Shelley Kowalachuk, Rick Couture [phonetic] , Alecia McLeod, Kevin Rebeck and many Manitobans. Right to Repair Mr. Jim Maloway (Elmwood): Madam Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. The background for this petition is as follows:

(1) Manitoba consumers believe products should last longer, be repairable when broken, and that planned obsolescence has environmental consequences that threaten a sustainable future.

(2) In 2021, the European Union set minimum design standards for many electronic devices with new right to repair legislation.

(3) The Biden administration in the US has formally backed the r ight to repair movement in January 2022, following the European Union's lead.

(4) Right to repair enables consumers access to the parts and repair manuals needed to fix and modify their products, appliances, including cellphones, washing machines and refrigerators.

(5) Right to repair also allows consumers and electronic repair businesses access to the most recent versions of repair manuals, repair –replacement parts and software and other tools that the manufacturer uses for diagnosing, maintaining or repairing its branded electronic products.

(6) Right to repair further allows consumers to reset an electronic security function of its branded electronic products if the function is disabled during diagnosis, maintenance or repair.

(7) In addition, right t o repair ensures manu - facturers replace electronic products at no cost or refund the amount paid to the consumers to purchase

March 21, 2023 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 977 the electronic product, where they refuse or are unable to provide manuals or replacement parts. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to adopt right to repair legislation, requiring manufacturers of electronic devices and appliances, including washing machines and fridges and farm machinery and equipment, to make informati on, parts and tools necessary for repairs available to consumers and independent repair shops. This petition is signed by many, many Manitobans.

Punjabi Bilingual Programs in Public Schools Mr. Mintu Sandhu (The Maples): Madam Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) According to census 2021, Punjabi is the fourth most spoken language in Canada and there are 33,315 people in Manitoba whose native 'langual' is Punjabi.

(2) Thousands of Punjabi newcomers are coming to Manitoba as students and as immigrants, looking to call this province home. People of Punjabi origin contribute a great deal to the social and economic development of Canada and Manitoba in fields such as education, science, health, business and politics. * (14:40)

(3) In coming to Manitoba, Punjabi new comers make sacrifices, including distance from their cultural roots and language. Many Punjabi parents and families want their children to retain their language and keep a continued cultural appreciation.

(4) Manitoba has many good bilingual programs in public schools for children and teens available in other languages, including French, Ukrainian, Ojibwe, Filipino, Cree, Hebrew and Spanish. Punjabi bilingual programs for children and teens as well as Punjabi language instruction at college and university levels could similarly teach and maintain Punjabi language and culture.

(5) Punjabi bilingual instruction would help cross-culture friendships, relationships and marriages and prepare young people to be multilingual professionals. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the prov incial government to take steps to implement Pu njabi bilingual programs in public schools similar to existing bilingual programmings and take steps to implement Punjabi language instruc- tion in other levels of education in Manitoba. This has been signed by many Manitobans. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Lead in Soils MLA Malaya Marcelino (Notre Dame): Madam Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. To the Legis lative Assembly of Manitoba, the background of this petition is as follows:

(1) In December of 2019, the provincial govern- ment's commissioned report on lead concentrations in soil in Winnipeg was completed.

(2) The report found that 10 neighbourhoods had concerning levels of lead concentration in their soil, including Centennial, Daniel McIntyre, Glenelm - Chalmers, north Point Douglas, River Osborne, Sargent Park, St. Boniface, West End, Weston and Wolseley-Minto.

(3) In particular, the predicted blood lead levels for children in north Point Douglas, Weston and Daniel McIntyre were above the level of concern.

(4) The Weston Elementary School field has been forced to close down many times of concerns of lead in soil and the provincial government's inaction to improve the situation.

(5) Lead exposure especially affects children aged seven years and under, as their nervous system is still developing.

(6) The effects of lead exposure are irreversible and include impacts on learning, behaviour and intelligence.

(7) For adults, long-term lead exposure can con - tribute to high blood pressure, heart disease, ki dney problems and reproductive effects.

(8) The provincial government currently has no comprehensive plan in place to deal with lead in soil, nor is there a broad advertising campaign educating residents on how they can reduce their risks of lead exposure.

978 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 21, 2023

(9) Instead, people in these areas co ntinue to garden and work in the soil and children continue to play in the dirt, often without any knowledge of the associated risks.

We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to take action to reduce people's exposure to lead in Winnipeg, and to implement the recommendations proposed by the provincial government's independent review, including the creation of an action plan for the Weston neighbourhood, developing a lead awareness com - munications and outreach program, requisi tioning a more in-depth study and creating a tracking program for those tested for blood lead levels so that medical professionals can follow up with them.

This has been signed by John Paul Garcia, Cristina Garcia, Emma Damsel and many other Manitobans. Health-Care Coverage Mr. Jamie Moses (St. Vital): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. To the Legis lative Assembly of Manitoba, the background to this petition is as follows:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(2) To urge the minister of health and seniors care to undertake a multilingual communication campaign to provide information on expanded coverage to all affected residents.

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

(4) To urge the minister of health and seniors care to create and enforce strict confidentiality policies and provide staff with training to protect the safety of residents with precarious immigration status and ensure that they can access health care without jeopardizing their ability to remain in Canada. And this petition has been signed by many Manitobans. Foot-Care Services Mr. Eric Redhead (Thompson): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. To the Legis lative Assembly of Manitoba, the background of this petition is as follows:

(1) The population of those 55-plus has grown to approximately 2,500 in the city of Thompson.

(2) A large percentage of people in this age group require necessary medical foot care and treatment.

(3) The large percentage of those who are elderly and/or diabetic are also living on low incomes.

March 21, 2023 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 979

(4) The northern regional health author ity, N-R-H-A, previously provided essential medical foot- care services to seniors and those living with diabetes until 2019, then subsequently cut the program after the last two nurses filling those positions retired.

(5) The number of seniors and those with diabetes has only continued to grow in Thompson and the surrounding area.

(6) There is no adequate medical care available in the city and region,

whereas the city of Winnipeg has 14 medical foot-care centres.

(7) The implications of inadequate or lack of 'podriatric' care can lead to amputations.

(8) The city of Thompson also serves as a regional health-care service provider, and the need of foot care extends beyond just those served in the capital city of the province. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to provide the services of two nurses to restore essential medical foot-care treatment to the city of Thompson, effective April 1st, 2022. This has been signed by many Manitobans. Community Living disABILITY Services Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Madam Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) Currently, people with specific or non-specific disabilities, or a combination of dis abilities, such as ADHD, autism, dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, auditory or language processing disorders and/or non- verbal learn ing dis abilities, will be denied 'axtess' – access to services under the Province of Manitoba's community living and disability services, CLDS, if their IQ is above 80.

(2) People with these or other borderline cognitive functioning issues also have extremely low adaptive skills and are not able to live in dependently without supports.

(3) Recently, it has become widely recog nized that access to CLDS should not be based solely on IQ, which is only a measure of a person's ability to answer questions verbally or in writing in relation to mathematics, science or material which is read.

(4) Very often, persons with specific or non-specific disabilities or a combination of those dis abilities have specific needs related to their executive function for support when they are adults or are transitioning to adulthood, which is not necessarily connected to their IQ. * (14:50) Executive function is the learned ability to do the normal activities of life, including being organized, being able to plan and to carry out plans and adapt to changing conditions.

Those who have major defects in executive function have a learning dis ability requiring assist - ance under CLDS to be able to make a contribution to society and be self-sustaining. Provision of CLDS services to individuals with specific or non-specific disabilities or a combination of these dis abilities or executive function dis ability, would free them from being dependent on Em ploy- ment and Income Assistance and have the potential to make an important change in the person's life.

Newfoundland and Labrador have now recog- nized that access to services should be based on the nature of the disability and the person's needs, rather than on IQ. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the prov incial gov ernment to change the requirements for accessing com munity living and disability services so that said require ments are based on the needs of individuals with specific or non- specific disabilities, including executive function or a combination of dis abilities, rather than solely on the basis of their IQ.

Richard–signed by Richard Oakden, Douglas Adams, John Gross and many, many others. Punjabi Bilingual Programs in Public Schools Mr. Adrien Sala (St. James): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) According to census 2021, Punjabi is the fourth most spoken language in Canada and there are 33,315 people in Manitoba whose native language is Punjabi.

980 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 21, 2023

(2) Thousands of Punjabi newcomers are coming to Manitoba as students and as immigrants, looking to call this province home. People of Punjabi origin contribute a great deal to the social and economic development of Canada and Manitoba in fields such as education, science, health, business and politics.

(3) In coming to Manitoba, Punjabi new comers make sacrifices, including distance from their cultural roots and language. Many Punjabi parents and families want their children to retain their language and keep a continued cultural appreciation.

(4) Manitoba has many good bilingual programs in public schools for children and teens available in other languages, including French, Ukrainian, Ojibwe, Filipino, Cree, Hebrew and Spanish. Punjabi bilingual programs for children and teens as well as Punjabi language instruction at a college and university level could similarly teach and maintain Punjabi language and culture.

(5) Punjabi bilingual instruction would help cross- cultural friendships, relationships and marriages and prepare young people to be multilingual professionals. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the prov incial government to take steps to implement Punjabi bilingual programs in public schools similar to existing bilingual programs and take steps to implement Punjabi language instruction in other levels of education in Manitoba. This petition has been signed by Paige Johal, Harpreet Brar and Keshav Katia. Thank you. SANE Program MLA Nahanni Fontaine (St.

Johns): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. To the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, the background to this petition is as follows:

(1) The Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, SANE, program is run out of the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg and provides critical support to sexual survivors–sexual assault survivors. The program also helps collect evidence for 'portential' prosecution.

(2) Demand for the SANE program in the province is rising, with 764 sexual assault survivors receiving treatment from April 2022 to January 2023, a nearly 50 per cent increase since 2017-18.

(3) The SANE program has only one full -time nurse and just over a dozen others who are on call to conduct the sexual assault examiners–examinations in their off hours.

(4) The provincial government has failed to increase funding or hire additional staff to support the SANE program, breaking its April 2022 promise to spend $640,000 annually and hire five additional nurses and a provincial co-ordinator.

(5) The provincial government's refusal to support the SANE program has resulted in severe staffing shortages, leading to at least 14 sexual assault survivors being sent home with the instruction not to shower or wipe themselves until they return and staff are eventually able–available to treat them. It has been reported that survivors often don't return, and the number of people being turned away could be significantly higher.

(6) The provincial government has compounded its failure to provide supports for victims of sexual and gender-based violence by refusing to proclaim a bill passed in 2021 that would hold the provincial government accountable for providing resources available to child survivors of sexual assault. The bill, sponsored by the MLA for The Pas-Kameesak, is entitled The Reporting of Supports for Child Survivors of Sexual Assault Act.

(7) The SANE program's staffing shortage is just one example of how the provincial government's cuts to Manitoba's health-care system and front-line health-care workers, including nurses, is causing Manitobans harm.

(8) Urgent action is needed to immediately fix the SANE program staffing shortage and to ensure that sexual assault survivors are supported with timely access to care. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to stop breaking its provinces–promises to Manitobans and to provide basic and respectful health care for sexual assault survivors through the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, SANE, program by ensuring it is properly staffed so that no prosecution of perpetrators of sexual violence is compromised by the failure to collect evidence. Signed by many Manitobans. Madam Speaker: Grievances?

March 21, 2023 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 981 ORDERS OF THE DAY (Continued) GOVERNMENT BUSINESS House Business Hon. Kelvin Goertzen (Government House Leader): Pursuant to rule 34(7), I'm announcing that the private member's resolution to be considered on the next Tuesday of private members' business will be the one put forward by the honourable member for La Vérendrye (Mr. Smook). And the title of that reso lution is Commending the Provincial Government for Investing in Diabetic Supports.

Madam Speaker: It has been announced that, pursuant to rule 34(7), the private member's resolution to be considered on the next Tuesday of private members' busi ness will be one put forward by the honourable member for La Vérendrye. The title of the reso lution is Commending the Provincial Gov ernment for Investing in Diabetic Supports. * * * Mr. Goertzen: I have a leave request specific ally relating to the

section of the C ommittee of Supply meeting in room 254. For reference, by long-standing Manitoba practice, government members sit on the committee–at the com- mittee table to the left hand of the Chairperson while the opposition and inde pendent members sit to the right-hand side. To better accommodate our virtual infrastructure in room 254, could you please canvass the House for leave to allow op position members and inde pendent members in the

section of the Com mittee Supply meeting in 254 to sit on t he left -hand side of the committee table whenever the minister of the department currently before the committee is partici- pating virtually. This agreement would remain in effect until the conclusion of this Session. Madam Speaker: Is there leave to allow opposition members and independent members in the

section of the Committee of Supply meeting in 254 to sit on the left-hand side of the com mittee table whenever the minister of the de partment currently before the committee is participating virtually? This agreement would remain in effect until the conclusion of the Session. Is there leave? [Agreed] Mr. Goertzen: Thank you to members of the House. And, Madam Speaker, could you please resolve into Committee of Supply. Madam Speaker: It has been announced that the House will consider Estimates this afternoon. This House will now resolve into Committee of Supply. Mr. Deputy Speaker, please take the Chair.

COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY (Concurrent Sections) ROOM 254 HEALTH * (15:00) Mr. Chairperson (Dennis Smook): Good afternoon. Will the Committee of Supply please come to order. This

section of the Committee of Supply will now consider the Estimates of the Department of Health. Does the honourable minister have an opening statement? Hon. Audrey Gordon (Minister of Health): Yes, I do have an opening statement. Mr. Chairperson: You may proceed. Ms. Gordon: On behalf of the Department of Health, I'm very pleased to present the financial Estimates for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. I would like to make the following introductions of my team who is joining this com mittee.

Karen Herd, Deputy Minister of Manitoba Health; Scott Sinclair, our incoming deputy minister; Sandra Henault, assistant deputy minister and executive financial o fficer, Manitoba Health; Sil Komlodi, associate deputy minister, Performance and Oversight Division; Barb Wasilewski, assistant deputy minister, Health policy and planning; Louis Barré, assist ant deputy minister, Public Health Division; Robert Schafer, assistant deputy minister, Insurance Division.

I commit to Manitobans that through this budget we will continue to deliver a positive health -care ex- perience for Manitobans with a focus on quality health services. That care is delivered in a system that is focused on continuous im provement to address capa city, performance and accountability. We also want to ensure that care is delivered by an em powered, adaptable and highly skilled work - force. At the same time, we oversee the system in a

982 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 21, 2023 manner that ensures us care is sustainable for current and future generations. * (15:10) The health system is recovering from the impacts of the pandemic. There's a global health human resource challenge, so we will continue our health human resource action plan to meet the significant demand for health-care professionals across Manitoba, and we will continue our commitment to address surgical and diag- nostic wait- lists arising from the COVID pandemic using innovative solutions brought through the Diagnostic and Surgical Recovery Task Force.

The proposed 2023- 2024 Health budget in core represents the largest investment in health care in our province's history, just over $6.7 billion as it resides today. More spe cifically, the De partment of Healt h now reflects a 2023- 2024 expenditure in core of $6.778 billion and 729.3 full -time equivalent posi - tions. This represents a $503.5-million increase from the 2022-2023 budget, or an 8 per cent increase. In terms of

summary financial reporting, the 2023-2024 Health sector

summary budget is set at $7.133 billion. Budget 2023 includes key invest ments and en - hancements in the delivery of health services. I will now take a few moments to describe some of these investments. Manitoba Health takes the fiscal imperative of this government very seriously. This means weighing carefully our options that maximize patient outcomes and quality of care, along with protecting the sustain- ability of the health-care system. A sub stantial driver of this increase , around 47 per cent of this, is for front -line health -care remuneration.

This includes the esti mated financial cost of the suc cessful conclusion of major collective agreements in the health sector for nursing and support staff. It also contains a volume increase estimate related to physicians. Another substantial portion of Health's increase is due to the largest ever percentage increase in the drug budget so that we can continue to keep up with the rising cost of pharmaceutical treatments. The dru g budget includes two major programs: Pharmacare and the Home Cancer Drug Program.

Pharmacare is a universal comprehensive income- tested prescription drug program for all Manitobans , regardless of age. It covers 100 per cent of eligible drug costs once the income-tested deductible is reached. The Home Cancer Drug Program budget was established in 2012 and has provided oral chemotherapy drugs to eligible residents at no cost with no deductible in order to work consistently with the intravenous drugs provided through CancerCare Manitoba, also at no cost to clients.

The drug budget increases in Budget 2023 ensure that we continue to provide Manitobans with inno- vative and life-saving drugs and therapies. The Manitoba government also continues to recog- nize that significant financial resources are needed to address the pandemic backlog challenges. Budget 2023 provides a total of $130 million, an increase of $20 million over Budget 2022, to aid in the recovery from COVID -19 related to surgical and diagnos tic backlogs. This will be available to Health through an internal service adjustment within Enabling Appropriations.

Manitoba's made significant progress on elimin - ating the COVID-related backlogs in many key areas, including ultrasound, pacemaker, cath lab, cataracts, oral surgery and dentistry, as well as urology and CT scan. There is more work to do, but significant progress has been achieved. An ad ditional invest ment of $9 million is provided to maintain the elevated ICU bed levels that first increased under COVID -19. Combined with Budget 2022 totals, this results in an $18-million total investment to maintain these elevated ICU bed levels to this day.

Work is also concurrently under way to assess the ongoing ICU bed needs in our province. This means that our ICU configuration plans, once the COVID pandemic is declared over by the World Health Organization, will adjust to the most up -to-date and evidence-informed assessment of critical-care beds. Health has also made large commitments related to the health human resource action plan focusing on recruitment training and retention of health- care providers across Manitoba.

Thirty-six initiatives were announced November 10th of 2022 that build on existing actions that are already under way; $129.6 million will be available to Health through an internal service adjustment within Enabling Appropriations. There are also strong linkages between the health human resource action plan, with our c linical and preventative services plan. Under the training pillar of the health human resource action plan, a

March 21, 2023 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 983 notable an nouncement was made a few weeks ago by Minister Guillemard and myself regarding $2.1 million to Assiniboine Com munity College to offer a one -time 25 -student cohort for its practical nursing diploma program in the com munity of Neepawa. The benefit of the ACC program is that nurses from rural communities are more than likely to stay or return to rural health settings. These graduates of this program will be elig ible to fill positions at the new hospital under construction in Neepawa, which is well on track to a completion scheduled in 2025.

On the recruitment pillar of the action plan, also notable, is that we have completed a request for expression of interest for physician recruitment services, which will help us arrive at recruitment firms specializing in physician recruitment through a finalization of that selection process via a request for proposals. We are also working with our regulators to streamline and modernize the path to credentialing in Manitoba.

The College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba recently publicized the steps it has taken through our work with them to modernize and streamline registration processes for nurses, IENs already in Manitoba, retired nurses wishing to return to nursing practice and recruitment mission nurses. This announcement included details of its expedited pathway for the targeted recruitment of internationally educated nurses, in addition to significant updates to how applicants may demon strate language proficiency, clinical competency and return to practice.

As part of the modernization efforts, applicants will now have three additional ways to demon strate English language proficiency, including current or rece nt registration within the past two years as a licensed practical nurse or registered– Mr. Chairperson: The minister's time has expired. I'd like to thank the minister for those comments. I'd also like to remind everyone in the Chamber here– not Chamber ; in the com mittee room –that when referring to another member, that they –the name should be the constituency or the title. You cannot use people's names. So, we will now continue.

Does the critic from the official op position have an opening statement? MLA Uzoma Asagwara (Union Station): I'd like to welcome the minister, welcome all folks, all the clerks and all the folks who are making Estimates possible today and for the duration that we will be conducting Estimates. As always, I'm pleased to be here and to bring attention to what is Manitobans' absolutely No. 1 priority, that is health care. And so I want to be clear about the Estimates that we are going to be asking questions about in the budget.

This is very plainly an election budget that the government has brought forward, and an election budget is about trust. After seven years of underfunding by this PC government, this year is no exception. Premier–the current Premier (Mrs. Stefanson) has unfortunately continued Brian Pallister's attack on health care, which is having devastating impacts on the health care and health outcomes of Manitobans. * (15:20) We see that Manitobans are left to deal with chaos in our health- care system.

We see even today the impacts of this gov ernment's cu ts, mistreatment of health-care workers and mismanagement with health- care workers that we depend on, continuing to leave our health-care system in droves. The minister we hear on a regular basis talk about announcements. Unfor tunately, we know that this government's pattern is to make an nouncements and not follow through on any commitments. We also know that this government has no actual strategy to repair the damage they've done to health care.

Their cuts, closures and consolidation, and promised, you know, couch tours instead of sitting down with front-line health-care workers, like nurses, have thrown our system into absolute chaos . And I want to also be clear in saying that that all started before the pandemic and has only since gotten i n- creasingly worse. And so, I would like to start the Estimates process here asking some questions around ap pointments in the minister's department. So, can the minister undertake to give–[interjection] Oh, thank you, okay. Mr. Chairperson: We thank the member for those comments.

Under Manitoba practice, debate on the minister's salary is the last item considered for a de partment in the Committee of Supply. Accordingly, we shall now defer consideration of line item 21.1(a), contained in resolution 21.1.

984 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 21, 2023 According to our rule 78(16), during the consid - eration of de partmental Estimates, questioning for each depart ment shall proceed in a global manner, with questions put separately on all resolu tions once the official opposition critic indicates that questioning has concluded. The floor is now open for questions. MLA Asagwara: I'm actually heading off now to meet directly with real -life, front -line health -care workers, nurses and doctors, that know, unfortunately, the hard truth of this PC gov ernment's cuts to health care.

And I'm going to turn questions over to my wonderful colleagues, who are incredible champions of health care in the North and the com munities they represent, as I know they also have a lot of unanswered questions. Thank you. MLA Tom Lindsey (Flin Flon): I welcome the opportunity for us to have a discussion and ask some questions, particularly in relation to northern health and northern health care. I know that recently they've appointed a new CEO for the northern regional health authority with the former CEO retiring, moving to a different area.

Can the minister explain to us what all con sulta- tions took place between various groups throughout the North before the new CEO was hired? Ms. Gordon: I'm not part of the hiring process for the CEO for the northern regional health author ity. That is an internal process that is delegated to the health–to the human resource team at the northern regional health authority. Mr. Chairperson: The member for –the honourable member for Flin Flon. MLA Lindsey: I thank the minister for that answer. I do have some concerns around the recent hire.

I know I'd had conver sations earlier with the grand chief from MKO, recog nizing that probably, I don't know what the exact number, but the majority of residents in northern Manitoba are, in fact, Indigenous. I know that he had hoped that perhaps, maybe, there would be some move towards having an Indigenous CEO to lead the Northern Health Region. Has the minister had any discussions with either the grand chief or the MKO or any of the other northern chiefs that represent the majority of people in the North about that particular issue? Ms.

Gordon: I recall seeing the ad go out publicly, anyone in Manitoba and who–anyone who felt that their qualifi cations met the require ments of the position can–could apply. And it was a public and transparent process. And, again, the applications were open to all. But I do want to focus the –today's committee on what we're here to discuss, which is Budget 2023 and the Supplement to the Estimates of Expenditure for 2023-24 for Manitoba Health. If we could refocus the questions to the Estimates, please.

MLA Lindsey: Unfortunately, these questions are questions that are important to people in the North and are part of the importance of the budget process, which is why we get to ask questions in a global nature without specific–always saying something to do with a number. So, we know that the Northern Health Region –if it had offered an apology to the northern Indigenous folks because of the racism that was felt to be directed specifically against Indigenous peoples –so, can the minister tell us what actions her department has taken to address any of those racist –racism issues in the Northern Health Region? Ms.

Gordon: Neither I nor my gov ernment will tolerate racism in any form, especially within our health-care system. It is important to our government that First Nations leadership and health professionals have a direct role in developing and imple menting health-care plans that prioritize First Nations people on and off reserve, as well as northern and remote communities. I have met with Grand Chief Garrison Settee of MKO and Dr. Barry Lavallee of KIM to continue the discussion of improving health and wellness services in northern Manitoba and for advice on other ways to fight racism in our health-care system.

Shortly before that, I hosted a northern health- care sustainability meeting in Thompson, where over 30 northern leaders and stakeholders were there to talk about how to fight racism in our health- care system. And that was one of the top issues that we discussed. Manitoba, as you know, is at its best when First Nations leadership and health professionals are at the table helping make the best decisions for their people and communities.

March 21, 2023 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 985 Our gov ernment continues this relationship by investing the largest amount in Manitoba's history: $812 million in Budget 2021 to improve health care in rural and northern Manitoba. * (15:30) A significant portion of that invest ment will be used in the creation of a northern intermediary health- care hub. We are excited to be working with our First Nations and northern partners to reduce the need to travel to Winnipeg and allow for better care closer to home.

Moving forward on our joint statement to end anti-Indigenous racism in health care, our ongoing joint KIM and northern regional health authority co-planning process on sus tainable health -care delivery in the region. We want to create a wisdom council. We want to add elders as part of the northern regional health authority care team. The addition of a social worker who will focus on supporting Indigenous patients in the emergency department. Spiritual care includes access to Indigenous ceremonies like smudging.

Expanding cultural training, which includes First Nation-inspired, land-based education for staff and our board of directors. These are all on top of initiatives under way with the Province and the feds, which they can speak to. We understand and we all want these solutions implemented without delay, but it will take work and time to solve this very complex, multifaceted issue.

We are committed to working with all of our partners, especially our Indigenous com munities and leader - ship to find and implement sus tainable solutions that meet the health needs of the people we serve in support of our vision of healthy people, healthy North. And I want to also acknowledge the monumental work done by Manitoba's chiefs, councils and the Manitoba First Nations pandemic response team in keeping their communities safe over the course of the pandemic.

Over the last two years, over 300,000 vaccine doses have been administered to First Nat ions in Manitoba, and 89 per cent are fully vaccinated in our 63 First Nation communities in Manitoba. It is im portant to our gov ernment that First Nations leadership and health pro fessionals have a direct role in developing and imple menting hea lth- care plans that prioritize First Nations people on and off reserve as well as northern and remote com mu- nities. Manitoba is at its best when First Nations leadership and health profes sionals are at the table helping to make the best decisions.

We're going to continue to consult with Indigenous and First Nations communities. We're going to continue to meet around the table of solutions. We're going to talk about the issues such as that–those that have been raised by the member for Flin Flon (MLA Li ndsey), around racism in the health system. We take it very, very seriously and our gov ernment wants to root out and eradicate all forms of racism in health care. And I know the member is focusing his questions on the North, but we want to root that out and eradicate racism all 'acrass' –cross Manitoba.

We're not just focused on the northern regional health authority, we're focused on Winnipeg, the southern regional health author ity, Interlake, everywhere–we want this to be reduced. Mr. Chairperson: The hon ourable minister's time has expired. MLA Nahanni Fontaine (St. Johns): The minister's final comments were in respect of rooting out racism everywhere, which is great.

I would suggest to the minister, if –and we have said this many, many times in the House –in the House, outside the House, across our territories, across Canada–I would suggest that she can start by being very cognizant of the language that she uses in respect of Indigenous people. In her comments, she said our Indigenous people. I know that, for myself, I have stood up in the House many, many times to correct gov ernment members when they say our Indigenous people. It is very im - portant the language and the discourse that is used.

And I will share, you know, our Indigenous peoples is very patronizing and it actually finds itself, its history, in Indigenous peoples being the ward of the state. That's–that is the language where that comes from. So I would ask the minister to make sure that she no longer uses that narrative, that it is just Indigenous people, not our Indigenous people. We as Indigenous peoples don't belong to anybody. We have always been here. These are our territories. We are sovereign nations. We are inde pendent peoples and we don't – we're not the property of anybody.

And along that line, I would ask the minister to share what the plan is, in respect of her gov ernment and her adminis tration's plan, to increase abortion access in the North. I know that several of our members have brought up for many years now, but certainly in the last little while as well, the lack of

986 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 21, 2023 access to abortion in the North and the detrimental effects that that has for Manitobans living in the North that are not able to access what is essential health care and what is a human right. So I would ask what the plan is in respect to the PC government ensuring that there is access to abor - tion in the North. Ms. Gordon: I thank the member for St. Johns for the question. Since 2019, our gov ernment fully covers Mifegymiso for Manitoba residents, regardless of where they live in the province.

To help with ac cessibility, all Manitobans can access the drug at their local health -care practitioner, community pharmacy or nursing station. And we also provide virtual accessibility options for individuals to talk to their care provider. MLA Fontaine: Miigwech to the minister for that response; however, the minister will know that Mifegymiso is only one component of abortion access, right? And the minister should know that Mifegymiso is only –is not universally available because there are criteria to be able to prescribe Mifegymiso. One of the criteria is that you can –you are pregnant eight weeks or under.

So anything above eight weeks, as the minister should know, requires a surgical abortion. And so, I appreciate, and I will put on the record here, that the government pays for Mifegymiso, and I will put on the record that that is because of the NDP and the work that myself and other members did here alongside doctors who were in school–I think that the minister will remember this–who started a camp aign to ensure that Mifegymiso was made universally free to folks. So that work was done because of our lobbying and for folks at becoming doctors.

So I think that's really important. * (15:40) But again, the question about access to abortion, and let me just say this as well: like, Mifegymiso–not everybody, and the minister will know this, or should know this, that in order to prescribe Mifegymiso, doctors have to go for training. And the minister will also know that there are doctors in Manitoba that will not take the training because they don't believe in abortion.

They will know–the minister will know that there are pharmacies–not many, thank God –but there are pharmacies in Manitoba that will not dispense, they will not carry Mifegymiso and they cer tainly won't dispense it if there is a doctor's prescription. They just won't do it. So I know that the minister referred to Mifegymiso as if it is the end-all and be-all in respect of abortion access, but actually there's quite a bit of obstacles in accessing Mifegymiso. So, put that aside. Again, Mifegymiso is only one small component to abortion access.

So my question to the minister is, what is her de partment's plan moving forward in respect of abortion access? And right now the question, because we're con- centrating on issues in the North, so my question in respect of accessing abortion is specifically about the North. But actually, as well, accessing surgical abor - tions in the city and other cities like Brandon and–is actually increasingly more difficult as well.

So–but for right now, I would ask the minister: What is the de partment's plan to increase access to abortion in the North, other than Mifegymiso, which is only good until you are eight weeks pregnant? Ms. Gordon: I thank the member for St. Johns (MLA Fontaine) for the question. I do want to, for a moment, point to our clinical preventative services plan, and there is a specific

chapter within that plan that speaks to women's health, and I just want to share some infor mation from that

chapter in terms of how the clinical pre ventative services plan was developed. So, nearly 300 provincial clinical team members analyzed data, reviewed leading practices and models of care from other jurisdictions and developed a plan to i mprove health services for Manitoba patients.

Eleven teams organized around speciality areas of care like primary health and com munity services, mental health and addictions, chronic and complex medicine and women and child health; reviewed data, models of care out comes, analyzed the needs of specialized populations and assessed opportunities to improve access, co-ordination and quality of care.

Cross-clinical working groups with expertise in Indigenous health, quality of patient safety, digital health, diagnostics and emergency medical services and patient transport worked across all teams to ensure the recom mendations were integrated into a provincial plan that is appropriate for the needs, acuity and geography of Manitoba's population. The health -care needs of any popula tion are constantly changing, and the plan was adapted to

March 21, 2023 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 987 ensure the services delivered, and the providers who deliver them, are able to adapt while ensuring a continued focus on ac cessible, equitable and quality care provided by skilled health-care professionals. And I just want to share with you some of the next steps. Clinical planning workshops have focused in on the success of health systems in other parts of the country and around the world, identifying the improved out- comes of easier access to care that have been achieved by implementing integrated health systems.

Planning is patient- focused, taking careful con- sideration of the need to improve the exper ience and access of Manitoba's unique patient population while looking at leading practices in use in other juris dic- tions, as well as innovative practices and pilot projects already in operation in parts of Manitoba's health system.

So, across the provincial clinical teams, opportun- ities have now been identified to lay the foundation for improved models of care, guided by leading practice and evidence, to build the capacity necessary to ensure the appro priate expertise and optimal technology exist to deliver care while monitoring and measuring improvements in patient quality and safety.

Elements of the proposed model of the future included necessary enhancements to capacity in order to allow for consistent access to clinical expertise, including enablers like digital health and diag nostics to allow for both appro priate patient transfers to higher levels of care and repatriation of patients to be cared for closer to home; and that they continue to be refined and tested against the needs of the population so that Manitobans can continue to –or, health- care providers can continue to meet to refine the model of Manitoba's population.

So, we have developed our clinical pre ventative services plan by taking the advice and the direction of health-care providers in the system, Mr. Chairperson, that looked at one of the speciality areas being women and child health. And we are moving forward with the advice of those individuals, and the Manitoba government and all regional health authorities remain committed to provi ding the best possible care for women and their families. I have a list of notable increases that have occurred since our gov ernment took office in 2016 in women's health.

And I want to point out one of them in particular that just happened about a month ago: more than $300,000 in continuing annual funding was invested by our gov ernment to support the Provincial Eating Disorder Pre vention and Recovery Program at the Women's Health Clinic, which offers outpatient community-based treatment. * (15:50) So, Mr. Chairperson, our gov ernment has not remained static in terms of supporting– Mr. Chairperson: Honourable minister's time has expired. MLA Fontaine: That's a really disappointing answer. Like, it's super disappointing.

It's disappointing in the fact that –I mean, what do ministers make? They make, like, $150,000, something like that? And you would expect that a person who's elected to represent their constituency, but then has, like, the absolute privilege of being named to Cabinet to be a minister –you know, there's been, you know, a little over 800 people in the history of Manitoba –in the history of Manitoba –that have ever been elected to sit in these rooms, to have these positions in Cabinet. Very, very few folks, you know, that gets a privilege, the awesome privilege, to be the minister of Health.

And as I have said many, many times in the Chamber, all of us, even just a backbench MLA like myself, I –it is such a sacred respon sibility that we have to work on behalf of and for Manitobans. And so to hear the minister read off some report but not be able to answer the question that I'm asking that actually affects Manitoba lives, is quite–is disappoint- ing; it's so disappointing. Nowhere in that–in the minister's answer did she even utter the word a bortion, which is –you know, we've seen previous ministers before her that couldn't utter the word abortion.

Like, abortion is not a dirty word; it's not a bad word. It is health care. Manitobans have abortions. They have the right to have abortions. They have the right to access abortions. They have the right to have as many abortions as they want, and the fact that this minister can't even say the word abortion is quite disappointing and then cannot even answer my question about what is she going to do to make sure that abortion in the North is ac cessible, that there are actual services to have abortion.

Folks should know in this room, even though I am the only woman in this room, sitting at this table, everybody should know that accessing abortion is time sensitive; it's time sensitive. And Manitoba–folks that live in the North have to deal with a variety of

988 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 21, 2023 different issues that put obstacles in their way to be able to access, even on a–when all the stars align, there are obstacles in the way to be able to access health care. But when you are pregnant and you are choosing not to progress with that pregnancy, it is time sensitive. So I'm asking the minister to earn her $150,000-plus a year salary and answer Manitobans, answer the question, on what she's doing to ensure that Manitoba citizens– Some Honourable Members: Mr. Chair, a point of order. MLA Fontaine: –can access abortion in the North. Point of Order Mr.

Chairperson: On a point of order. An Honourable Member: On a point of order, Mr. Chair. I've never had somebody, after all these years of having health–[interjection] Mr. Chairperson: The member for Virden. An Honourable Member: Well, no. It's for Turtle Mountain. Mr. Chairperson: Turtle Mountain. Hon. Doyle Piwniuk (Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure): Yes. All these years that we've– I've been in as an MLA for nine years, with–we had Health ministers that I had to, you know, sit here in these chairs –Chambers and listen to people, you know, asking questions.

But I've ne ver seen such a disrespect for our Health Minister right now. I value her expertise, her wisdom. She comes from the health -care sector herself. My wife, who's also half Jamaican, I feel that there's a disrespect here from the member from St. Johns here, and I'll stand up and say that because I think our minister–I think there is something to be said here that the minister from St. Johns–I mean, the MLA for St. Johns, has gone over the edge here when it comes to our minister from–for Health. Mr. Chairpe rson: The member for St. Johns (MLA Fontaine), on the same point of order.

MLA Fontaine: On the same point of order, I really don't care. Do you realize how bad health care is in Manitoba? Do you realize how bad health care is in Manitoba? Do you realize t here are Manitobans that cannot even have their babies in their home com mu- nity because there's no infrastructure for them to have their babies? Do you realize that? Do you realize that Manitobans have died under your watch? Under her watch– Mr. Chairperson: I'm interrupting this point of order. It's not a point of order, it's a dispute over the facts. And, basically, we're here to discuss the Estimates books.

It's not a debate, and a point of order–it's not a point of order. We will continue, and the behaviour is something that we need to take a serious look at. We won't get any place by yelling and shouting each other. There's no point of order; it's a dispute on the facts. * * * Mr. Chairperson: We will continue now. MLA Fontaine: So, I think I had actually already finished my question, and so the question remains, what the Minister of Health (Ms. Gordon) is doing to ensure that Manitobans have access to health care, in the form of abortion, in the North. Ms. Gordon: I want to also reiterate what you have said, Mr.

Chairperson, that we are here to consider the Supplement to the Estimates of Expenditure for the Budget 2023-2024, for the De partment of Manitoba Health. I encourage the member for St. Johns to focus on the Estimates process and to respect the time and that all the members around the table, on both sides, have dedicated and committed to this process so that we can go through the Estimates for Manitoba Health, and to stay on topic and not turn this highly respected process into a circus, Mr. Chairperson.

And so I want to also respond to the question, that Budget 2023 includes nearly $8 billion, an historic investment into our health -care system, which provides $660-million more to strengthen health care for Manitobans in the North, in rural communities, in Winnipeg, all Manitobans. Health care always –has always been a top priority of this gov ernment. The budget affirms our commit ment to health care by making it stronger and more sus tainable for all Manitobans in the years to come. Mr.

Chairperson, $130 million in funding dedi - cated to reducing surgical and diagnos tic backlog; $120 million to the Pharma care program, including extending the coverage for insulin pumps for adults

March 21, 2023 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 989 with type 1 and type 2 diabetes; the health human resource action plan. We're continuing to implement the $200- million invest ment for our front -line workers. We're provi ding $1.2 billion in multi -year capital investments for expansion and im provements on rural hospital or other heal th infra structure, in addition to the renovations of several Winnipeg facilities, including St. Boniface Hospital, Grace Hospital, CancerCare Manitoba and the Health Sciences Centre.

This budget demonstrates our commit ment to creating a better, brighte r and stronger Manitoba. Mr. Chairperson, 22 per cent increase in health -care funding since our government took office in 2016. And here are some of the announcements.

I know, the members opposite called them big announce - ments, and I actually want to thank them for that, because I never thought of using that term, but they're big announcements: 80 new physician training seats, 40 undergraduate physicians, 10 international medical graduate seats, 30 two- year post -graduate medical seats for internationally educated medical students. * (16:00) Premiums offered to family and pediatric clinics to extend patient hours; $450,000 for physician mental health supports through the peer support program; $6.6 million for the creation of a specialized CAR T Ca ncerCare therapy program; $5 million to create the new emergency -care services vectors to virtually support patient transfers; $200 million, again, for the health human resource action plan, to add 2,000 additional health-care professionals to end the mandating of overtime; $12.5 million for new nursing simulation training centre at Red River College Polytechnic; $482,000 for respiratory therapy program; new training seats at the Uni versity of Manitoba, raising the seat total to 20 –an increase of 20 per cent.

And then, my all-time–all of them are my favourite, but I'll tell you, when I met six-year-old Sam [phonetic]– this one really stood out for me–TRIKAFTA. Expanding coverage for the cystic fibrosis medication to patients age six and older; $50 million for the Health Sciences Centre Operation Excellence, to increase Health Sciences Centre surgical and diag nostic capacity by 25 per cent; $750,000 for the Health Sciences Centre Children's Hospital inpatient monitor upgrades, to support 26 inpatient monitored beds; $2 million for the Swan River CT scanner; $800,000 for– Mr.

Chairperson: The honour able minister's time has expired. MLA Fontaine: So, I will note again that the question is about abortion access, which is a very serious issue for many, many Manitobans. And once again, the minister took her full five minutes, read from the book, and not once uttered the word abortion. I mean, I don't know how –this is now my third question asking about abortion.

The minister should be able and should be willing to answer these questions; they are important questions for Manitobans in accessing essential health care, and the minister has now wasted 15 minutes not answering these questions. I'm going to try again–again, I'll remind the minister what the three questions were: What's the plan to increase access, or have access, to abortion in the North? But I'm going to add to that; maybe we'll get an answer: Can the minister tell the committee how many Manitobans accessed the abortion bill –or pill, Mifegymiso, in the 2022- 2023 fiscal year?

And can the minister also advise how many Manitobans received surgical abortions for 2022-2023 fiscal year? And would she have a breakdown of which sites performed those services? Mr. Len Isleifson, Acting Chairperson, in the Chair Ms. Gordon: I can now respond to the member for St. Johns' (MLA Fontaine) question. I do want to refer the member to the clinical pre- ventative services plan, which is a public docu ment that is available on the worldwide website Intern et.

Google Chrome–it can also be searched there–and on page 61–spe cifically page 63 –lays out very com - prehensively the service standards and provider roles for women's health right across this province. So I would encourage the member to take a look at that

section as we now return our focus to the Budget 2023 Supplement to the Estimates of Expenditure Budget, again 2023- 24, for the De partment of Manitoba Health. Thank you, Mr. Acting Chairperson. MLA Fontaine: Yes. I think it is, you know –again, I can't stress how disappointing it is to hear the answers from the minister, the Minister of Health (Ms. Gordon), who is responsi ble for a pretty, pretty big department. And to give answers like that is absolutely just shameful, to take all of that time and just really play

990 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 21, 2023 around with a process here where we're trying to get answers that

Document details

Collection	Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	42-5-32b
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	42nd 5th hansardpdf 32b.pdf
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	2db74e65ac01bbf21d50466d8d7b8bda0070e320

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