Province of Alberta The 28th Legislature First Session Alberta Hansard Thursday, November 28, 2013 Issue 75a The Honourable Gene Zwozdesky, Speaker

Legislative Assembly of Alberta The 28th Legislature First Session Zwozdesky, Hon. Gene, Edmonton-Mill Creek (PC), Speaker Rogers, George, Leduc-Beaumont (PC), Deputy Speaker and Chair of Committees Jablonski, Mary Anne, Red Deer-North (PC), Deputy Chair of Committees Allen, Mike, Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo (Ind) Amery, Moe, Calgary-East (PC) Anderson, Rob, Airdrie (W), Official Opposition House Leader Anglin, Joe, Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre (W), Official Opposition Whip Barnes, Drew, Cypress-Medicine Hat (

W) Bhardwaj, Naresh, Edmonton-Ellerslie (PC) Bhullar, Hon. Manmeet Singh, Calgary-Greenway (PC) Bikman, Gary, Cardston-Taber-Warner (

W) Bilous, Deron, Edmonton-Beverly-Clareview (ND) Blakeman, Laurie, Edmonton-Centre (AL), Liberal Opposition House Leader Brown, Dr. Neil, QC, Calgary-Mackay-Nose Hill (PC) Calahasen, Pearl, Lesser Slave Lake (PC) Campbell, Hon. Robin, West Yellowhead (PC), Deputy Government House Leader Cao, Wayne C.N., Calgary-Fort (PC) Casey, Ron, Banff-Cochrane (PC) Cusanelli, Christine, Calgary-Currie (PC) Dallas, Hon. Cal, Red Deer-South (PC) DeLong, Alana, Calgary-Bow (PC) Denis, Hon. Jonathan, QC, Calgary-Acadia (PC), Deputy Government House Leader Donovan, Ian, Little Bow (

W) Dorward, David C., Edmonton-Gold Bar (PC), Deputy Government Whip Drysdale, Hon. Wayne, Grande Prairie-Wapiti (PC) Eggen, David, Edmonton-Calder (ND), New Democrat Opposition Whip Fawcett, Hon. Kyle, Calgary-Klein (PC) Fenske, Jacquie, Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville (PC) Forsyth, Heather, Calgary-Fish Creek (

W) Fox, Rodney M., Lacombe-Ponoka (

W) Fraser, Hon. Rick, Calgary-South East (PC) Fritz, Yvonne, Calgary-Cross (PC) Goudreau, Hector G., Dunvegan-Central Peace-Notley (PC) Griffiths, Hon. Doug, Battle River-Wainwright (PC) Hale, Jason W., Strathmore-Brooks (

W) Hancock, Hon. Dave, QC, Edmonton-Whitemud (PC), Government House Leader Hehr, Kent, Calgary-Buffalo (AL) Horne, Hon. Fred, Edmonton-Rutherford (PC) Horner, Hon. Doug, Spruce Grove-St. Albert (PC) Hughes, Hon. Ken, Calgary-West (PC) Jansen, Hon. Sandra, Calgary-North West (PC) Jeneroux, Matt, Edmonton-South West (PC) Johnson, Hon. Jeff, Athabasca-Sturgeon-Redwater (PC) Johnson, Linda, Calgary-Glenmore (PC) Kang, Darshan S., Calgary-McCall (AL), Liberal Opposition Whip Kennedy-Glans, Donna, Calgary-Varsity (PC) Khan, Stephen, St. Albert (PC) Klimchuk, Hon.

Heather, Edmonton-Glenora (PC) Kubinec, Maureen, Barrhead-Morinville-Westlock (PC) Lemke, Ken, Stony Plain (PC) Leskiw, Genia, Bonnyville-Cold Lake (PC) Luan, Jason, Calgary-Hawkwood (PC) Lukaszuk, Hon. Thomas A., Edmonton-Castle Downs (PC) Mason, Brian, Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood (ND), Leader of the New Democrat Opposition McAllister, Bruce, Chestermere-Rocky View (

W) McDonald, Everett, Grande Prairie-Smoky (PC) McIver, Hon. Ric, Calgary-Hays (PC), Deputy Government House Leader McQueen, Hon. Diana, Drayton Valley-Devon (PC) Notley, Rachel, Edmonton-Strathcona (ND), New Democrat Opposition House Leader Oberle, Hon. Frank, Peace River (PC) Olesen, Cathy, Sherwood Park (PC) Olson, Hon. Verlyn, QC, Wetaskiwin-Camrose (PC) Pastoor, Bridget Brennan, Lethbridge-East (PC) Pedersen, Blake, Medicine Hat (

W) Quadri, Sohail, Edmonton-Mill Woods (PC) Quest, Dave, Strathcona-Sherwood Park (PC) Redford, Hon. Alison M., QC, Calgary-Elbow (PC), Premier Rodney, Hon. Dave, Calgary-Lougheed (PC) Rowe, Bruce, Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills (

W) Sandhu, Peter, Edmonton-Manning (Ind) Sarich, Janice, Edmonton-Decore (PC) Saskiw, Shayne, Lac La Biche-St. Paul-Two Hills (W), Official Opposition Deputy House Leader Scott, Hon. Donald, QC, Fort McMurray-Conklin (PC) Sherman, Dr. Raj, Edmonton-Meadowlark (AL), Leader of the Liberal Opposition Smith, Danielle, Highwood (W), Leader of the Official Opposition Starke, Hon. Dr. Richard, Vermilion-Lloydminster (PC) Stier, Pat, Livingstone-Macleod (

W) Strankman, Rick, Drumheller-Stettler (

W) Swann, Dr. David, Calgary-Mountain View (AL) Towle, Kerry, Innisfail-Sylvan Lake (W), Official Opposition Deputy Whip VanderBurg, Hon. George, Whitecourt-Ste. Anne (PC) Weadick, Hon. Greg, Lethbridge-West (PC) Webber, Len, Calgary-Foothills (PC) Wilson, Jeff, Calgary-Shaw (

W) Woo-Paw, Hon. Teresa, Calgary-Northern Hills (PC) Xiao, David H., Edmonton-McClung (PC) Young, Steve, Edmonton-Riverview (PC), Government Whip Party standings: Progressive Conservative: 59 Wildrose: 17 Alberta Liberal: 5 New Democrat: 4 Independent: 2 Officers and Officials of the Legislative Assembly W.J. David McNeil, Clerk Robert H.

Reynolds, QC, Law Clerk/ Director of Interparliamentary Relations Shannon Dean, Senior Parliamentary Counsel/Director of House Services Stephanie LeBlanc, Parliamentary Counsel and Legal Research Officer Fiona Vance, Sessional Parliamentary Counsel Nancy Robert, Research Officer Philip Massolin, Manager of Research Services Brian G. Hodgson, Sergeant-at-Arms Chris Caughell, Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms Gordon H. Munk, Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms Janet Schwegel, Managing Editor of Alberta Hansard

Executive Council Alison Redford Premier, Pres ident of Executive Council Thomas Lukaszuk Deputy Premier, Minister of Enterprise and Advanced Education, Ministerial Liaison to the Canadian Forces Manmeet Singh Bhullar Minist er of Service Alberta Robin Campbell Minister of Aboriginal Relations Cal Dallas Minister of Internationa l and Intergovernmental Relations Jonathan Denis Minister of Justice and Solicitor General Wayne Drysdale Minister of Infrastructure Kyle Fawcett Associate Minister of Re gional Recovery and Reconstruction for Southwest Alberta Rick Fraser Associate Minister of Regional Recovery and Reconstruction for High River Doug Griffiths Minister of Municipal Affairs Dave Hancock Minister of Human Services Fred Horne Minister of Health Doug Horner President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance Ken Hughes Minister of Energy Sandra Jansen Associate Minister of Family and Community Safety Jeff Johnson Minister of Education Heather Klimchuk Minister of Culture Ric McIver Minister of Transportation Diana McQueen Minister of Environment and Sustainable Resource Development Frank Oberle Associate Minister of Services for Persons with Disabilities Verlyn Olson Minister of Agri culture and Rural Development Dave Rodney Associate Minister of Wellness Donald Scott Associate Minister of Account ability, Transparency and Transformation Richard Starke Minister of Tourism, Parks and Recreation George VanderBurg Associate Minister of Seniors Greg Weadick Associate Minister of Regional Recovery and Reconstruction for Southeast Alberta Teresa Woo-Paw Associate Minister of Inte rnational and Intergovernmental Relations

STANDING AND SPECIAL COMMITTEES OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ALBERTA Standing Committee on Alberta’s Economic Future Chair: Mr. Amery Deputy Chair: Mr. Fox Bhardwaj Cao Donovan Dorward Eggen Hehr Luan McDonald Olesen Pastoor Quadri Rogers Rowe Sarich Strankman Xiao Standing Committee on the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund Chair: Mr. Khan Deputy Chair: Mrs. Jablonski Amery Anderson Casey Dorward Eggen Kubinec Sherman Standing Committee on Families and Communities Chair: Mr. Quest Deputy Chair: Mrs.

Forsyth Brown Cusanelli DeLong Fritz Goudreau Jablonski Jeneroux Khan Leskiw Notley Pedersen Swann Towle Wilson Xiao Young Standing Committee on Legislative Offices Chair: Mr. Cao Deputy Chair: Mr. McDonald Bikman Blakeman Brown DeLong Eggen Leskiw Quadri Rogers Wilson Special Standing Committee on Members’ Services Chair: Mr. Zwozdesky Deputy Chair: Mr. Young Casey Forsyth Fritz Kennedy-Glans Mason McDonald Quest Sherman Smith Standing Committee on Private Bills Chair: Mr. Xiao Deputy Chair: Ms L.

Johnson Allen Barnes Bhardwaj Brown Cusanelli DeLong Fox Fritz Goudreau Jablonski Leskiw Notley Olesen Rowe Strankman Swann Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing Chair: Ms Olesen Deputy Chair: Mr. Lemke Calahasen Cao Casey Goudreau Hehr Kennedy-Glans Kubinec Luan McAllister Notley Pedersen Quadri Rogers Saskiw Towle Young Standing Committee on Public Accounts Chair: Mr. Anderson Deputy Chair: Mr.

Dorward Amery Anglin Bilous Donovan Fenske Hale Hehr Jeneroux Khan Luan Pastoor Quadri Quest Sarich Stier Webber Standing Committee on Resource Stewardship Chair: Ms Kennedy-Glans Deputy Chair: Mr. Anglin Allen Barnes Bikman Bilous Blakeman Calahasen Casey Fenske Hale Johnson, L. Khan Kubinec Lemke Sandhu Stier Webber

November 28, 2013 Alberta Hansard 3193 Legislative Assembly of Alberta Title: Thursday, November 28, 2013 1:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. Thursday, November 28, 2013 [The Speaker in the chair] head: Prayers The Speaker: Good afternoon. Let us pray. Holy Creator, help us to remember that our debates and deliberations affect over 4 million Albertans and many gener - ations that will follow. Give us accordingly, and guide us that our decisions may be right and proper, just and fair, for all whom we serve. Amen. Please be seated.

Hon. members, as you will recall, on November 21 of this year this Assembly agreed to Government Motion 46, allowing the Hon. David Alward, Premier of the province of New Brunswick, to be invited to this floor of our Chamber to address the Assembly. Now I would like to invite Premier Alward to come and join us at this time, please. head: Introduction of Visitors The Speaker: The hon. Premier of Alberta. Ms Redford: Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am honoured to rise today to introduce to you and through you to all members of this Assembly a great Canadian and a great friend to Alberta, the Hon.

David Alward, Premier of New Brunswick. Premier Alward has been a determined backer of the Canadian energy strategy. He was among the first of Canada’s Premiers to see the incredible benefits that it will deliver to all Canadians, and he has worked tremendously hard to build support for the strategy among our colleagues across the country.

Premier Alward has also been a compelling advocate for the projects that flow from this strategy such as the proposed Energy East pipeline that will carry energy from western Canada to the Atlantic coast, bringing jobs, growth, and investment to every province and territory in our great nation. He is a leader with a truly national v ision, a vision of our country, that he knows can be most successful when we work together with common purpose. It is my great privilege to welcome Premier Alward back to Alberta.

He is here to attend the Bennett Jones Lake Louise World Cup business forum , which I will also be attending, to talk about how provinces and territories can work together to help our country become a truly global energy superpower. I am delighted that Premier Alward will be adding his voice to the discussion about our shared future. I would also note, Mr.

Speaker, that while Premier Alward is in our province, Alberta’s Minister of International and Intergovern- mental Relations is on his way to New Brunswick, where he will be speaking about market access, the Canadian energy strat egy, and the Energy East project at a conference in Moncton. This is part of the growing friendship and partnership between our two provinces. Mr. Speaker, Premier Alward has agreed to do us the honour of addressing our Legislature before question period.

He is accompa- nied today by Dallas McCready, deputy minister of Executive Council from the government of New Brunswick, who is in your gallery, and Yvon Long, deputy chief of staff in the office of the Premier. I would ask all hon. members to give our gue sts from New Brunswick a warm Alberta welcome. The Speaker: Premier Alward, I would now invite you to take a space here at the podium and deliver your address if you would, sir. Thank you. The Hon. David Alward, Premier of New Brunswick Address to the Legislative Assembly Mr. Alward: Mr. Speaker, hon. Premier, hon. Members of Alberta’s Legislative Assembly.

Thank you, Premier Redford, for the warm welcome and the kind introduction. It’s an honour for me to be the first New Brunswick Premier to address the people of Alberta in their House. En tant que Premier ministre de la seule province officiellement bilingue au Canada, je dis bonjour aux Franco-Albertains de la part des Acadiens et des Brayons du Nouveau-Brunswick.

As you know, New Brunswickers were honoured to welcome Premier Redford in June and to have the opportunity to hear her vision for building a strong national economy that can support jobs in our communities, progressive provinces, and a more prosperous Canada. As a fellow Premier and a s a Canadian I am energized by Premier Redford’s leadership. She’s a nation-builder, and it’s truly an honour to work with her to move Canada forward. I was one of the many Canadians across our incredible country that was moved on election night when Premier Redford stated her vision of a strong Alberta within a strong Canada.

When we speak about strengthening Canada through smart and responsible resource development, we must never lose track of what we’re really speaking about: jobs in our communities all over our country. Projects like the Energy East pipeline will translate into thousands of jobs in communities across Canada. New Brunswick and Alberta are provinces built on natural resource development, and we believe that our future growth and prosperity depends on our ability to responsibly develop our resources and access new markets.

In order to achieve this vision together, governments across our country must work together to forge a Canadian energy strategy. Again, I applaud the leadership of Premier Redford and what she has shown across our country in advocating a truly national strategy that can drive Canada’s future growth and prosperity. Last month the Canadian Chamber of Commerce released a report that shows how our lack of energy infrastructure at a national level is hindering our success in energy markets at a rate of $50 million per day.

This translates, very literally, into reduced investment, fewer jobs, and lost revenues for governments at all levels to invest in the priorities of our cit izens. This is the stark reality that drives our belief that projects like the Energy East pipeline will be as important to Canada’s future growth and prosperity as the national railway’s construction was in our past. Tidewater is key to accessing these new and, in some cases, emerging markets in Europe and Asia.

New Brunswick offers the most direct, reliable, and proven access to these world -wide markets through the port of Saint John, the deepest ice -free port on the east coast of North America. Let me be clear as well. New Brunswick favours a one-project, one-review approach to the Energy East pipeline project. We recognize that the regulation of an interprovincial energy pipeline falls under the jurisdiction of the National Energy Board. 1:40 To date T ransCanada has completed seven open houses in various New Brunswick communities and will hold two more in December.

As a government we will continue to work in co - operation with the provinces of Alberta and Quebec as well as Canada’s oil and gas producers. I’m convinced that together we

3194 Alberta Hansard November 28, 2013 will achieve our common goal: to safely and efficiently move crude oil and natural gas from western Canada to the east coast for refining, value -added upgrading, and shipment to international markets in the Atlantic basin and beyond. Some of you may not realize this, but New Brunswick is Canada’s most export -driven province. Energy exports include refined petroleum products, electricity, and significant amounts of natural gas from both domestic and international sources, including output from Canaport LNG, Canada’s first and only LNG terminal.

Our province’s annual energy exports currently exceed $10 billion, a significant economic and trade threshold for a province of just under 750,000 people. New Brunswick provides key export advantages, including the port of Saint John, which has safely and efficiently handled the largest crude oil and LNG carriers in the world for decades. We also are home to the Irving Oil refinery, Canada’s largest and most modern refinery, located in Saint John. Again, in case you didn’t know, this refinery supplies 3 out of 5 cars in Boston with gasoline. And we’re not Boston Bruins fans, by the way.

Some are, but we won’t get into that debate. The Irving Oil refinery currently operates at a capacity in excess of 300,000 barrels a day . Its output accounts for 42 per cent of all of Canada’s finished petroleum product exports to the U.S. New Brunswick is ready to step forward to help Canada rise to meet the opportunities ahead. In addition to the thousa nds of jobs associated with construc - tion, refining, and shipping, the Energy East pipeline has the capacity to create new jobs and opportunities through expanded supply chains.

In New Brunswick we see the potential for brand new industries such as petrochemicals and plastics. We believe that an expanded natural gas industry in New Brunswick will have the potential to create just as many opportunities, such as global LNG exports, a re-energized manufacturing sector, and the poten - tial to add value to New Brunswick’s abundant potash reserves through the construction of fertilizer plants. These opportunities, in addition to the jobs and investments that will be generated with the development of each well, provide a very bright economic future for New Brunswick communities.

Our government firmly believes that environmental stewardship and economic growth are both vital pillars of a strong society and a healthy future. To echo the words spoken by Premier Redford in New Brunswick last June, the false premise t hat we must choose between the environment and the economy is indeed removed from reality. Canada boasts some of the strongest environmental protections in the world. The confidence we place in our laws to protect our environment has been well earned. As C anadians we value the environment as the natural infrastructure of our communities.

As we continue to develop our natural resources responsibly, we will gain more opportunities to invest revenues and into research in innovation that will power our economy and protect our environment for future generations. I began this by saying that we must never forget why we are doing the work we are doing, to allow for the smart and responsible development of our natural resources. This is about jobs for Canadian men and women. We stand here at a critical moment in our history. We are at a crossroads at home in New Brunswick and indeed across our country.

Canada is at risk of standing still while our competitors around the world are moving forward and making plans to move past us. As Canadians we need to think about what that will mean for our grandchildren and their children. Prosperity and opportu- nity are not inherited rights. We cannot take for granted that future generations will inherit the same opportunities that we’ve been blessed with. There are some 15,000 New Brunswickers working outside New Brunswick today in natural resource sectors, and we’re not isolated with this story.

In fact, when I took two flights today to get to Edmonton, I met several workers who a re plying their trade here in Alberta right now. What they said to me is that they are blessed to be able to gain that opportunity, but they are looking for the opportunity in a year and a half or so to ply their trade back home. In fact, as well, my youn gest son, Ben, is 23. He’s a red seal plumber and a last block pipefitter who works in Kearl Lake. As I was flying here today, Ben was flying home for a week. Canadians want to work and need to work.

Canadians want to build prosperity and economic opportu nity no matter what region they live in. By working together and by building on the foundation of respect and friendship that we have built between provinces, I am convinced that we can move Canada forward. Thank you so much for the chance to address the Legislative Assembly of Alberta. C’est un honneur pour moi d’avoir l’oppor- tunité. Merci. Thank you. [Standing ovation] head: Introduction of Guests The Speaker: The hon. minister of government services. Mr. Bhullar: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It’s a little difficult to follow that, but I’ve got a really great introduction today, somebody that you and many members of the Legislative Assembly know very, very well. Sitting in your gallery is Jay Ramotar, my former Deputy Minister of Service Alberta, your former deputy minister of health and wellness. Jay has one of the most distinguished careers in the Alberta public service, a career that spans 37 years, where he served as deputy minister for Treasury Board, Infra - structure, Transportation, Justice and Solicitor General.

One of the most innovative things Jay has come up with is the way that we approach P3s. Projects like the southeast Anthony Henday are part of Jay’s work. Albertans continue to benefit from his legacy, from the ring roads to other projects. As we move forward in this prov - ince, Jay’s work will forever have set us on a course to innovative, smart infrastructure. I’d ask all members to give Jay a warm welcome and a thank you for his service. 1:50 head: Oral Question Period The Speaker: Hon. members, yesterday we stuck to the 35 - second rule and no

preambles to supplementals after question 5, so let’s see if we can do the same thing today, starting with the Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition. Your first main set of questions. Deaths of Children in Care Ms Smith: Mr. Speaker, today the media shared a heartbreaking story of a little girl who the system tragically failed. Failure after failure meant that this infant died a preventable death while in the care of the government. Bureaucracy, privacy, and a lack of adequate resources contributed to this child’s untimely death.

We need to give Albertans confidence that our child protection prac - tices are fully protecting children. Will the Premier agree to call a full public inquiry into the issue of deaths of children in care? Mr. Hancock: Mr. Speaker, the situation that the hon. member just recounted was indeed a tragic circumstance, which was fully investigated through a fatality review inquiry. Each tragic circum - stance of that nature is fully investigated through a f atality review inquiry. We learn from those inquiries. We strive constantly to do

November 28, 2013 Alberta Hansard 3195 better. We have thousands of people in this system who work daily to make sure the lives of Alberta children who are in danger or in need are improved and that they have the opportunity . . . The Speaker: The hon. leader. First supplemental. Ms Smith: Mr. Speaker, the minister has held up the Child and Youth Advocate as having complete authority to review child deaths.

However, as the advocate makes plain in his report of just three weeks ago, this government continues to withhold infor - mation and has provided no details about how it intends to implement his recommendations. This is not acceptable. Will the Premier agree to call a full inquiry into the issue of deaths of children in care? Mr. Hancock: Mr. Speaker, the Child and Youth Advocate has full a ccess to information from the department. I met with the Child and Youth Advocate this morning to deal with operational pieces.

His concern was not that he didn’t get the information but is one of timeliness, which was an issue of a legal review and those sorts of things. We’ve agreed to iron out that and to make sure that he has access. He has full access electronically now and will continue to have it. There is no issue with respect to the Child and Youth Advocate having information from our department, Human Services, with respect to children in care. Ms Smith: Mr. Speaker, the government’s restrictive privacy laws contribute to Alberta’s lack of confidence in our province’s handling of the deaths of children in care.

While the minister has cited the need for privacy, the priority for the government must be to ensure that future avoidable deaths are not repeated. With the battery of issues we now have before us, a round -table of MLAs just isn’t enough. Will the Premier agree to call a full inquiry into the issue of deaths of children in care? Mr. Hancock: Mr. Speaker, in fact, Alberta’s laws with respect to disclosure are similar to the laws right across this country. I checked on that, and that is the case. In fact, there is evidence to suggest that other jurisdictions have actually modelled their laws on ours.

But what we have said is that we want to be best in class. We want to do what’s in the best interests of all children and all Albertans, so we will host a round -table. It won’t be an MLA round-table although the MLA critics are invited to come. It’ll be an expert round -table and one that hears all the necessary voices so that we end up with the best policy in the country. The Speaker: The hon. leader. Second main set of questions. Ms Smith: Mr. Speaker, other provinces don’t hide the nature or the number of deaths.

Support for Victims of Child Sexual Abuse Ms Smith: This government has a strange approach when it comes to protecting children. The minister steadfastly defends the status quo at every step. In his mind, there’s no room to improve how his department works. Last year he turned down funding for Be Brave Ranch, which helps to heal victims of child sexual abuse. It wasn’t necessary, he implies. Albertans disagreed, and today Be Brave Ranch is a reality. To the Premier: why is it that her government rejects any improvements or innovations in how we protect children? Mr. Hancock: Mr.

Speaker, I have never once ever suggested that we reject any suggestion about improvement. In fact, I have said to virtually every question in this House that we look forward to continuing to improve, continuing to learn, and continuing to do a better job, and we will. Ms Smith: Mr. Speaker, we have on several occasions asked the government to fund the treatment of chi ld sexual abuse victims with money from the victims of crime fund. Inexplicably, this government refuses to even fund it out of the surplus that it has of $50 million. To the Premier.

Every Albertan knows that there is no greater victim than the victim of child sexual abuse. Why is her government not funding programs like Little Warriors out of the victims of crime fund? Ms Redford: Well, Mr. Speaker, from the first day that I became the Minister of Justice, I was committed to making communities safer. We work in partnership with professionals and social workers, police officers, and health care professionals across this province who put programs in place that they determine to be in the best interests of all children who have violence committed upon them.

Now, I am not going to take the word of the Leader of the Opposition that any particular program is the best program. The reason that we have a system, a child welfare system, with professionals and health care experts in it is to give us advice on how to provide the best proper programming, and that’s . . . The Speaker: Thank you. Ms Smith: Fortunately, the folks at Little Warriors aren’t going to wait for the government; they’re just going to do it anyway. We’re asking for the government to spend money on the right kinds of things.

This government has money for lavish expense accounts, severances for their friends, and layer upon layer of senior managers, but they won’t spend victims of crime fund money on helping victims of child sexual abuse. Will the P remier commit her government to funding the important work of Little Warriors so that they can make sure that they’re treating Albertans who have suffered unspeakable crimes? Ms Jansen: Mr. Speaker, there is excellent work being done in this province in th e area of child sexual abuse. It is evidence based, it has measurable outcomes, and it has been done in some cases for over 30 years.

Yesterday we convened a group of more than 27 stakeholders in this area. They will be informing us going forward on where we put our funding and the decisions we make. Little Warriors is at that table. They are part of a larger group who will help us and inform us. The Speaker: The hon. Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition. Third main set of questions. Public-service Contract Negotiations Ms Smith: Mr. Speaker, as most Albertans know, the Wildrose is the party of fiscal restraint, but we are also the party of the rule of law and due process.

Across all sectors we believe government should uphold the law, respect the processes in place, and abide by the principles that distinguish us in a free and democratic society. That includes bargaining in good faith with public -sector workers. To the Premier: why has she abandoned the bargaining table and revoked the legal right to ar bitration, which Premier Lougheed first created, to fairly settle contract disputes? Ms Redford: Well, Mr. Speaker, we have been bargaining with a number of public -sector unions this year and had some very successful progress.

We are currently involved in another round of negotiation and are very much hoping that AUPE will be able to

3196 Alberta Hansard November 28, 2013 come back to the table to ensure that we get a fair deal for taxpayers and a fair deal for public servants. Our public servants are valuable to our province. They provide the s ervices and the programs that we need and rely on. We want to make sure that everyone is treated fairly, and we think we can get there. Ms Smith: Mr. Speaker, in his day Premier Klein was able to negotiate at the table reductions to public -sector salaries. He was able to do so for one critical reason: he campaigned on it, and he was elected to do it.

Last election this Premier and her party prom- ised the moon to everybody, including the public sector. To the Premier: does she not realize that after making l ofty promises to public-sector workers during the election, she doesn’t have a leg to stand on now when she tries to force a deal like this through? Mr. Lukaszuk: Mr. Speaker, this is very rich coming from a leader and a party that have campaigned on reducing public -sector salaries by 20 per cent and freezing their pay until the deficit is eliminated in this province. Mr. Anderson: Point of order. Flat-out lies. Mr. Lukaszuk: Mr.

Speaker, the fact is that this province has reached deals with teachers, with doctors, and we’re looking forward to reaching another deal with our very valued employees of the public sector. 2:00 Ms Smith: Mr. Speaker, they didn’t tell the truth about our plat - form during the campaign. Why would I expect any more in here? At the end of the day this is about honesty, and we all know that this government has problems being honest. They promised public-sector workers one thing in the election and delivered something entirely different once elected.

Earlier this year they agreed to ar bitration to settle these negotiations. Now they’re about to break that promise and override the arbitration rights that Premier Lougheed created to fairly settle these disputes. To the Premier: will she abandon the heavy -handed tactics and get back to the bargaining table in good faith? The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mr. Hancock: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First of all, it wouldn’t be correct to characterize that we agreed to binding arbitration. There’s a process by which the union applied for compulsory arbitration under the act.

But what we did promise Albertans was fiscal restraint. What we did promise Albertans was that public - sector salaries would be constrained this year as part of that fiscal constraint program, and that is what we are delivering. The bill that’s before the House allows bargaining to continue till the end of January and, if progress is being made, to the end of March. It does not take away that right to collective bargaining. We want them back at the table. The Speaker: Hon.

Member for Airdrie, your point of order was noted at 2 o’clock, which was the first supplemental answer to your leader’s first supplemental question. Let us move on to the leader of the Alberta Liberal opposition. Deaths of Children in Care (continued) Dr. Sherman: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Alberta Liberals wish to thank Alberta social workers, front -line staff, and foster parents who go above and beyond to rescue vulnerable children. The issue we’ve been discussing this week isn’t them.

Rather, the problem is caused by this government covering up or, shall I say, not reporting the true number of children who died in care. This Conservative government has lost public trust and credibility on this issue. To the Premier: what do you think is going to restore public confidence? A chit -chat run by your secretive government or an independent, impartial judicial inquiry? Ms Redford: Well, Mr. Speaker, if the hon. member is actually concerned about getting better outcomes in the child welfare system, then we welcome his parti cipation.

Since this government has been formed, we have introduced the Children First legis - lation. We have an independent Child and Youth Advocate, which is one of the reasons we can talk about these issues in the House today. We’ve ensured that every fatality is reported and investi- gated. That is how we improve the system, and that’s how we take care of kids, not righteous indignation on the part of the leader. Dr. Sherman: Mr. Speaker, the Alberta Liberal call or, shall I say, the united opposition cal l for an inquiry is not about placing blame on anyone.

An independent, impartial judicial inquiry is the best way to allow the facts to come out. Only then can we find the best solutions, restore trust and confidence in the system, and improve the safety of children in care. This is our goal and should be the government’s goal. To the Premier: why won’t you restore trust and confidence in the system by calling for an independent, impartial judicial inquiry? What are you afraid of? Mr. Hancock: Actually, Mr.

Speaker, I think it’s almost unani - mous now in the calls I’ve had from experts in the field that the round-table that we’re proposing is a much better way to bring all the important issues to the table, have an expert discussion together with lived experience, have all the voices there, and actually move forward to create the best possible policy for children in this province. That’s what we’re going to do because that’s what Albertans deserve. Dr. Sherman: Mr. Speaker, the minister raised a very important issue.

The fact of the matter is that 78 per cent of the children who died in care were of First Nations heritage. Responsibility for them is shared between the federal government, the First Nations, and the provincial government. I’ve written to the Prim e Minister asking him to investigate the deaths of the aboriginal children in care. To the Premier: will you join me in bringing the federal government, the First Nations, and the province of Alberta to the table through an independent, public judicial inq uiry so we can finally get some answers and solutions? Mr. Hancock: Mr.

Speaker, if the hon. member actually wanted to add voice and value to this discussion, what he should do is write to the Prime Minister and ask him to fund the DFNAs at the same level as the child and family services authorities are funded. That’s where the federal government could really step up. All of the deaths of children in care have been investigated, and we have jurisdiction in that area. We do have jurisdiction in that area. The Child and Youth Advocate can investigate those. He doesn’t need the federal government’s help to do that.

But the resources for on- reserve: now, that would be really nice. [interjections] The Speaker: Silence, please. Thank you. Let’s move on. Edmonton-Highlands -Norwood, the leader of the ND opposition.

November 28, 2013 Alberta Hansard 3197 Public-service Contract Negotiations (continued) Mr. Mason: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday was a dark day for workers in this province, when this government introduced draconian legislation that has forever changed labour relations in this province. The right -wing Tea Party agenda of this PC government shined brightly yesterday when they removed the ability of public -service workers to bargain in good faith.

Rather than follow UN labour guidelines to respect the “recognition of the right to collective bargaining,” this government is ramming through a bill that violates basic human rights. To the Premier: why isn’t this government respecting workers’ rights to enter arbitration without imposing cuts to wages and . . . The Speaker: The hon. member of the front bench, the Deputy Premier. Mr. Lukaszuk: Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Indeed, it was a dark day in Alberta history yesterday because the protesters were actually turning on the leader of the NDP, and that is something new for this province. Mr.

Speaker, the fact is that this legislation does not impose anything. It gives the AUPE and this government an opportunity to negotiate in good faith until the end of January. I’m certainly hoping that both parties will be able to reach an agreement much like teachers and doctors and others have. The Speaker: Hon. members, I did not interject yesterday, but there are a lot of you interjecting today, and if it continues, I’ll keep standing and you’re going to lose question period spaces. Please keep that in mind, both sides of the House.

Let’s listen to what the supplemental is from the leader of the New Democrat opposition, please. Mr. Mason: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The leadership review is over, and now the mask has slipped, revealing the true face of this Premier. The latest attack on working families excee ds the wildest dreams of Margaret Thatcher, Mike Harris, or Stephen Harper. They have put a gun to the head of the public sector and threat - ened leaders for even communicating with their own members. My question is to the Premier. Why are you trampling on the rights of workers and attacking the standard of living of their families?

Ms Redford: Mr. Speaker, we are a province of 4 million people. Those are 4 million people that make up families that work hard every day in this province. Whether they are peopl e that are in public-sector unions or private unions or not in unions, we think it’s important that they be valued and compensated fairly. That’s why we have asked for the AUPE to come to the table and continue to bargain until the end of January so that w e can actually get a deal that is fair for Alberta taxpayers, Alberta families, 4 million people in Alberta, and for workers. Mr. Mason: Well, Mr.

Speaker, all the talk about being fair to working people. The latest consumer price index shows Alberta has the highest rate of inflation in the country, 1.5 per cent across the province. The unilateral contract to be imposed on public -sector workers – and that’s what it is, Mr. Speaker – will actually result in workers taking home less money to look after their families, to contribute to the economy, or even to make ends meet. Why has this government established a policy of reducing the living standards of working families through the imposition of multiyear wage freezes? Mr. Lukaszuk: Mr.

Speaker, what the memb er forgets to tell Albertans is that we also have the highest average weekly earnings in this province. The fact is that we value our front-line employees – they deliver very valuable services throughout the government of Alberta – just like we value teach ers and doctors. We have reached long -term deals for the benefit of students with our teachers, for the benefit of patients with our doctors, and I’m hoping that we can reach a deal with AUPE for the benefit of all Albertans. The Speaker: Thank you. That concludes the first five. No more

preambles to your supplementals, please. Let’s go on. Fort McMurray -Wood Buffalo, followed by Calgary-Shaw. Health Services in Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo Mr. Allen: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What should be the best news possible, the birth of a child, is often the most frightening. With roughly 130 to 150 births per month in my constituency and only three obstetrician -gynecologists on staff many expectant mothers are choosing to deliver their babies in other municipalities to avoid long wait times. We desperately need to expand our maternity care so that mothers -to-be are not forced to sit in waiting rooms.

To the Minister of Health: can you tell me what the ministry is doing to improve the access to services for mothers-to-be in my constituency? Mr. Horne: Yes, Mr. Speaker, I can. First of all, certainly, births are continuing to increase. Over the last year the average number of births has reduced slightly, from 117 to 105. We’ve increased the number of obstetrical-gynecological services this year. A fourth ob-gyn physician has successfully been recruit ed. A fifth recently signed a contract with Alberta Health Services.

So we are well on the way to increasing the capacity to deliver more and more babies in Fort McMurray. 2:10 The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. Allen: Thank you. To the same minister: given that the regional municipality of Wood Buffalo has a desire to build a multilevel seniors’ village which contemplates commercial and professional office space, would the minister consider including a birthing centre in the same complex? Mr. Horne: Well, no, Mr. Speaker, we would not.

What we have at the moment in Fort McMurray is a commitment to build a continuing care facility to serve the needs of senior s, which is a very important need, but we would not consider it safe from a patient safety or quality perspective to house a birthing centre in a seniors’ facility. What we are doing is looking at ways to expand the capacity within the Northern Lights health centre. The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. Allen: Thank you.

Again to the same minister: given that the government has already selected land for a continuing care facility and the municipality has deferred approval for further consulta - tion, will you pro vide the criteria used in the selection process so that stakeholders understand and we can get these projects moving forward?

3198 Alberta Hansard November 28, 2013 Mr. Horne: Well, Mr. Speaker, actually, we’ve done that on a number of occasions, and as the hon. Minister of Infrastructure may w ish to supplement, we at the moment have two funded projects, a primary health care centre and a continuing care centre, ready to go. The land is set aside. We are awaiting permit approval from the regional municipality of Wood Buffalo to proceed. Once we have that, my understanding is that these projects will be under way. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Calgary -Shaw, followed by Edmonton-Riverview.

Publication Ban on Children Who Die in Care Mr. Wilson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today we heard another heart-wrenching story of a young child who died under the province’s care and whose parents are barred from speaking out. For the province to forbid grieving parents from even mentioning their child’s name publicly is simply cruel and unreasonable. The Minister of Human Services says that this is to protect their privacy, but across Canada almost all provinces lift this ban or won’t enforce it when a child dies.

Minister, is the legislation really meant to protect privacy, or is it simply meant to protect the interests of this government? Mr. Hancock: First of all, Mr. Speaker, I think it’s important to get the facts right. The facts are that there’s no prohibition on a parent talking about their child. The fact is that there’s a publication ban. The media cannot report the name or the picture of a child who’s died in care, and that is what protects the privacy of the family. The parent can talk in the community and often does and should, and that’s part of the normal healing process, absolutely.

But we have indicated that although we in the 2011 legislation made it discretionary or optional to be able to allow that information, we will meet in January. We will develop the . . . The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. Wilson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With a judge labelling the practice of making up names or onl y referring to children by their initials in fatality inquiries as dehumanizing, once again to the same minister: is this dehumanizing law really designed to protect privacy, or is it simply there to protect the interests of this government? Mr. Hancock: Mr. Speaker, it was designed to protect privacy.

But, again, this hon. member and other critics are invited as we sit down in January with the best experts available to talk about what information should be made public in the interests of assurance and what information should not in the interests of privacy. We will do that, we will bring back the best policy in the country if not in North America, and we will go forward to make sure that we have that right balance. It’s a very difficult decision. It’s one that’s not made easily.

But it is important to protect other siblings, caregivers, and others who might be unfairly accused and might be unfairly represented, and that’s important, too. The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. Wilson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Given that the publication bans appear to be nothing more than a smokescreen to protect this government and keep the public in the dark about problems facing the system, will the minister commit today to addressing the issue and changing the legislation that ga gs parents after the death of a child in care? Mr. Hancock: I would reiterate for the hon. member, Mr.

Speaker, that parents are not gagged. Parents can talk about their child, and they need to talk about their child. What is not allowed is the publication of a name or a picture of a child who died in care, and that’s because there are many others who may be affected. There is a discretion to allow that publication now. We brought that forward; I brought that forward in the Child and Youth Advocate Act in t he fall of 2011. That discretion is some - times utilized in appropriate circumstances, but you have to look at the circumstances on a case-by -case basis.

We will, as I said, have a full discussion on this in January. We will bring that back to the Legislature in the spring, and we will . . . The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Riverview , followed by Chestermere-Rocky View. Canadian Energy Strategy Mr. Young: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Albertans understand the importance of collaboration on critical issue s like responsible resource development. We know Alberta has enormous productive capacity in the world’s third -largest oil reserve while New Brunswick has Canada’s largest refinery and ocean access, enabling world markets.

My question is to the Minister of Energy. With regard to discussions with Premier Alward are we connect - ing the dots to take advantage of this opportunity between Alberta and New Brunswick? The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mr. Hughes: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, today we had the unprecedented opportunity and honour of having Premier Alward from New Brunswick come and address all Albertans through this Chamber. The Canadian energy strategy has been an immensely effective strategy led by and with the strong focus of the Premier of this prov ince. The Premier is focused on getting the job done.

We have a focus as the province of Alberta on ensuring that we are a reliable, responsible partner in building Confederation, and that is the role of Alberta today. The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. Young: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again to the minister: given that Premier Alward referred to the Energy East project as a game-changer and that we have called it a nation -building project, what could this project mean to workers and families in Alberta and Canada, not just the oil companies and pipeline companies? The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mr. Hughes: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

Well, it’s clear that Premier Alward shares our view in Alberta and the view of many Albertans that we need to build a pipeline to tidewater, to the ocean, to ensure that we get optimum price for our resources. That means billions of dollars not just to the Treasury of the province of Alberta but to industry and employment opportunities for Canadians right across this country. The Premier of New Brunswick spoke eloquently about his own family working in Alberta and the contribution that that makes, and we’re very proud of the fact that so many Canadians . . . The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr.

Young: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again to the minister: how important is the Canadian energy strategy to achievi ng success on

November 28, 2013 Alberta Hansard 3199 these types of projects across the jurisdictions of Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, between here and New Brunswick? Mr. Hughes: Well, it’s quite clear, Mr. Speaker, that the Canadian energy strategy has been a key enabler to allow us as Albertans to engage other Canadians. As we can see, other Canadians want to engage us as well. They want to work very constructively with us to help build the opportunities that we have in this country.

You know, the Canadian energy strategy and the success thereof will come about because of these engagements with provinces like New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, the Northwest Territories, and other commu- nities that want to work with us to build Canada and help ensure that all Canadians get employment. Alberta Distance Learning Centre Mr. McAllister: Mr. Speaker, parents across Alberta are starting to feel the impact of this government’s broken-promise, back -in- debt budget. In Education it looks like the Alberta Distance Learning Centre is the latest casualty.

ADLC has existed for 90 years and gives over 60,000 kids access to alternative learning options that are not available in the class, but that program is now in jeopardy. I’d like to ask the Minister of Education if he real izes that he may have inadvertently put a bull’s eye on this program and the kids that rely on it? Mr. J. Johnson: Mr. Speaker, it’s a good question. I might direct the member to check Hansard from a couple of days ago because the Member for Barrhead -Morinville-Westlock actually asked very similar questions, and we gave her the answers.

I would tell him again that the ADLC is a very important piece of the education system in Alberta, and with their 90 -year history, which is a great history, they’re going to have a great future, too. Mr. McAllister: Well, that’s four go -rounds at it, and we still haven’t had an answer, Mr. Speaker. The proof is in the pudding. The lack of foresight in Education means that boards can longer afford this program.

Given that the ADLC estimates a 50 to 60 per cent reduction in enrolment next year, which potentially means tens of thousands of kids, does the minister not realize that without the program he is treating those that use it currently as second class? Mr. J. Johnson: Well, Mr. Speaker, nothing is further from the truth. This was all debated during estimates, and we had questions on it last year as well. The issue that we had with the funding with respect to the ADLC was that there was some double-dipping going on.

We’re paying $1.56 for every dollar we’re putting into the traditional classroom, so we’re paying more for distance learning as a taxpayer. I hope that the hon. member can appreciate that we want to get value for the taxpayer. When we know that e - learning costs le ss to deliver, why are we paying 156 per cent of what we’re paying for the traditional classroom? Mr. McAllister: Mr. Speaker, I assure you that the boards in this province sing a different tune. You don’t have to necessarily answer me today, Minister, but you ought to speak to them.

Given that there will be a couple hundred teachers on the steps of this Legislature in just a few days, probably a lot more, in fact, how are you going to explain to them that dumping distance learning makes any sense for the thousands of kids in Alberta that rely on it? Mr. J. Johnson: Mr. Speaker, it’s irresponsible statements like that that create fear in these folks. There’s nothing of the sort happening. As a matter of fact, there’s a very comprehensive review of distance learning happening in this province right now. It’s been going on for some time; it was started by the previous minister.

That report is coming due here very soon. In addition to that, the minister of advanced education, myself, the superinten- dent in charge of the ADLC, and the president of Athabasca University have been talking about a province-wide symposium or conference on e-learning in this province and the future of that. This is a foundational piece of education going forward, but we’ve got to make sure we’re going to get it right. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Centre , followed by Edmonton-Beverly-Clareview. 2:20 Pipeline Environmental Issues Ms Blakeman: Thanks very much, Mr. Speaker.

The Fraser Institute has noted . . . An Hon. Member: Whoa. Whoa. Ms Blakeman: I know. Listen up. . . . that the key to transcontinental pipelines and further development of the oil sands is the support of First Nations people. Now, mix in the province’s poor reaction to environmental issues, which disproportionately affect First Nations, Métis, and Inuit. To the minister of environment: does the minister under - stand that when the province does not do its job in environmental and health protection affecting aboriginal peoples, it undermines the oil industry and jeopardizes future development?

The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mrs. McQueen: Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker, an d thank you for the question. We care deeply about First Nations and all Albertans in this province, and we care deeply about the environmental issues in this province. That’s why we work with all Albertans, be it First Nations or Métis, to make sure that we do have strong environmental policies in place and make sure that we work with Albertans on the concerns that they have when they raise them. Just yesterday I was talking to Chief Adam about issues that they have.

We work very hard, as does the Minister of Aboriginal Relations, directly with First Nations and Métis. Ms Blakeman: Same minister, Mr. Speaker: why does this government continue to minimize the concerns that are raised by First Nations people? Just today hundreds of people from Treaty 8 were on the steps of the Legislative Assembly to protest the lack of provincial accountability for damages done to their lands. Mr. Campbell: Well, Mr. Speaker, first of all, I think the member across the way is a little high on her number of people on the steps of the Legislature today. Mr.

Speaker, I can say to you that we’ve had very engaging discussions with all of the treaty organizations in the province of Alberta. I’ve been to a number of communities, talked to chiefs and councils, talked about the environment, talked about consulta - tion, talked about economic opportunities, talked about education. We’re changing the dialogue in Alberta. We’re partnering with First Nations to make sure that they succeed in all the opportu- nities that are available in this province, and looking after the environment is one of those key objectives.

3200 Alberta Hansard November 28, 2013 Ms Blakeman: Talk is cheap, Mr. Speaker. Back to the envi ronment, minister: why does the polluter not pay in Alberta? They get an educational lecture, but they don’t have to pay costs, and they don’t seem to get any kind of a serious fine. Why is that? The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mrs. McQueen: Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Maybe we need to spend some time together because, quite frankly, if there are environmental issues that happen in this province, the companies are fined.

That’s why we actually take the time to do the investi - gations, which the members acr oss the way never want us to take. But we, quite frankly, in our ministry take the time to do the investigation, and if there are charges to be laid, we lay them, and then the industry, companies pay for that. The Speaker: Thank you. Hon. members, we seem to be having some technical diffi - culties with the sound system. It’s not coming through as loudly. I’ve had three notes already. Let’s speak up a little bit if we could. Aboriginal Children Mr. Bilous: Mr.

Speaker, this week the media revealed the deep crisis of children in care in Alberta, a crisis this PC government wanted to keep secret. Nothing is more troubling than the disproportionate number of indigenous children in care and the appalling number of deaths of indigenous children. Will the minister admit that there is a crisis facing indigenous children in care and that it warrants a full public inquiry? If not, why not? Mr. Hancock: Mr. Speaker, there is no doubt that there’s an overrepresentation of aboriginal children in the care system, and that is something that we have been working hard on.

We’re building relationships with First Nations and with the Métis Nation of Alberta to deal with that issue, and we’re achieving success. In fact, the numbers last year of aboriginal children in care went d own, and they’re going down again this year. It’s not yet a trend, but it is evidence of very good work happening. More work needs to be done, and we will continue to do that work. It is absolutely a focus of our government through band designates, through DFNAs to deal with that issue. Mr. Bilous: Mr.

Speaker, given that children at risk in indigenous communities receive significantly less funding than nonindigen- ous children and given that 70 per cent of children in care are indigenous, why won’t this minister stop passing the buck to other governments, recognize our moral responsibility, and do what is necessary to fix the inequality faced by Alberta’s indigenous children? Mr. Campbell: Well, Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the question, but one thing the hon. member should understand – maybe he should attend at a few First Nations communities. This is a very serious issue that First Nations take very seriously.

There’s a process within First Nations communities, and it’s important for us as a government to understand that process, and it’s important for us as a government to build the relationships and work in partnership. Mr. Speaker, this Minister of Human Services, who has done more than a ny member in this House has when looking after children, has started to build those relationships. We met with the treaty organizations and will continue . . . The Speaker: Thank you. The hon. member. Mr. Bilous: Where are the dollars, Mr. Minister? Mr.

Speaker, given that only 9 per cent of children in Alberta are indigenous yet account for a staggering 78 per cent of children who have died in foster care since 1999 and given that this government is able to find billions of dollars for the flood crisis, will the minister take responsibility and provide adequate funding to the crisis facing indigenous children to ensure that they receive a level of funding at least equal to nonindigenous children, and if not, why not? The Speaker: The hon. Minister of Aboriginal Relations. Mr. Campbell: Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker.

As I said, we’ve had a few conversations with First Nations across this province and with the Métis and with the Inuit, and we are putting programs in place. On December 9 we will announce our aboriginal women’s council. We’ll provide economic opportunities for single mothers in this province to have secure and stable homes so they can raise their children in them. We’re going to have economic opportu- nities initiatives announced on December 9 – we’ll meet with the chiefs again – that are going to provide opportunities to First Nations.

We have First Nations in this province who have zero unemployment and zero children in care. We are going to continue to work with First Nations and partner with them to get to a solution and make sure that we do the best for all of our children in this province. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Strathmore-Brooks, followed by Grande Prairie-Smoky. Seniors’ Care in Brooks Mr. Hale: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This spri ng the Minister of Health met with families regarding conditions in the AgeCare facilities in Brooks.

There’s still work to be done to ensure that an adequate number of staff are hired to deliver proper care. In addition to auditing the facilities, the min ister conducted an investigation under the Protection for Persons in Care Act. This was expected to be completed in August, but it has not yet been released. The families want this report. To the Minister: when will you release the results of this investigation? Mr. Horne: Mr. Speaker, it is true that we did launch two investigations into two facilities in Brooks earlier this year.

As I mentioned before in response to other concerns, we take all of these issues very, very seriously. At the member’s request I met with representatives of his constituency who expressed these concerns. We released the public inspection reports. I am awaiting the Protection for Persons in Care Act report. Under certain circumstances we can share most of that information; whatever we can we certainly will in this instance. The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. Hale: Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Given that the families are waiting, as soon as you get that report, you will contact the families, I hope.

Given that the main problems have been exposed and the investigation is complete and I’m still hearing a few concerns over the staff-to-patient ratio, Minister, when will you take action on the results of this investigation and other complaints?

November 28, 2013 Alberta Hansard 3201 Mr. Horne: Well, Mr. Speaker, let’s not for get the fact that we took immediate action as soon as these allegations were raised by this member with me in this House. That consisted of sending a team from Alberta Health Services and my department to both facilities. It included monitoring the operations at those facilities for a period of time, and it includes ongoing monitoring to ensure that both facilities are meeting the continuing care accommodation standards and continuing care health standards. This is aggressive action taken in response to very serious allegations.

The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. Hale: Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker. That’s great. Given that it took significant public pressure to facilitate a timely response on the former degrading situations, what concrete steps is this gover nment taking to ensure that complaints don’t go unresolved for three years like they did in Brooks so families don’t have to go through a public spectacle to get quality care for loved ones? 2:30 Mr. Horne: Well, Mr.

Speaker, you know, public spectacles aside, as we’ve demonstrated in this House, particularly in response to this hon. member’s concerns, we act immediately upon receipt of complaints, very serious allegations, some of which were not upheld in t his case but nonetheless which we take very seriously upon their presentation. We continue to have among the most aggressive health and accommodation standards you will find in the country. We are continually improving our audit and inspection processes, a nd we follow up on the recom - mendations following those inspections. The Speaker: Thank you. The hon.

Member for Grande Prairie Smoky, followed by Little Bow. Winter Road Maintenance Mr. McDonald: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Throughout the convention for the Association of Municipal Districts and Counties earlier this month delegates that I talked to were concerned about the standards of and maintenance being performed on provincial roads and highways. My question this afternoon is to the hon. Minister of Transportation. What is being done to improve not only the safety but the driving conditions on Alberta’s rural highways? The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mr. McIver: Well, thanks, Mr. Speaker.

The hon. member often puts a burr under my saddle on this when he hears from his constituents. Every year in winter people complain. We take those complaints seriously. We pass them on to the contractor. We try to get resolution. Again, we never ignore these thing s. I would encourage the hon. member to give details wherever he can, and we will try to address those things. The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. McDonald: Thank you.

Again to the same minister: given the comments from the delegates, will your department be holding competitions on your maintenance contracts or raising your minimum standards for contracting companies? Mr. McIver: Well, Mr. Speaker, we tender out our maintenance contracts. There are some occasions where somebody that wins a contract can have i t extended if they’ve met their obligations, but we tender those out in a transparent way in order to get the best service for the best price for Albertans. Nonetheless, problems come up from time to time.

Some contractors on any given day will behave diff erently than others, so it requires constant vigilance. We provide that. We have GPS equipment on the equipment that says how fast they’re going, whether the blades are up or down, how much salt and sand material are going on the road, and we’ll continue to do that. Mr. McDonald: No further questions. Thank you. The Speaker: Thank you. Let’s move on to Little Bow, followed by Calgary-Hawkwood. Breast Cancer Screening Mr. Donovan: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For women up to 49 years of age a risk of being diag nosed with any type of cancer is 1 in 500.

About 36 per cent of these cancers diagnosed in this age group will be breast cancer. Routine breast cancer screening with a mammogram can reduce breast cancer deaths by 30 per cent. However, women under 40 are be ing denied this because of AHS’s policy to test only 40 and over. Will the health minister change AHS policy to offer young women who find a lump in their breast immediate access to mammograms? Mr. Horne: Well, Mr. Speaker, cancer is a growing issue in our health care system, as it is in all of Canada.

As the hon. member will know, about 42 Albertans are diagnosed with cancer and about 15 people die from cancer each day in our province. To make decisions both about the extensive infrastructure we have and t he treatment that is provided, we rely on clinical evidence that’s evaluated by experts. We have a strategic clinical network in Alberta on cancer. They recommend protocols based on evidence around testing such as that the hon. member described. The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. Donovan: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Given that breast cancer can go undetected for a long period of time and that women under the age of 40 by even a few months are refused mammograms even with a doctor’s requisition, will you ensure t hat if a doctor recommends a mammogram, any woman, regardless of her age, is going to be able to get one? Mr. Horne: Well, Mr. Speaker, there’s absolutely no issue in Alberta with services such as the hon. member is describing being delivered upon the reco mmendation of a physician.

I think the point here is that we rely on clinical evidence evaluated by clinicians to make these determinations when we issue protocols or guidelines in the system. Ultimately, the clinical judgment of the physician will prevail. Mr. Donovan: Mr. Speaker, given that when a doctor does give a requisition and if you’re under the age of 40 by even a few months, it’s up to the staff to decide whether they do the mammo- gram or not, could you please guarantee that women get this access as it is vital? Mr. Horne: Mr.

Speaker, what I will guarantee is that this health care system will continue based on evidence and based on the clinical judgment of oncologists, physicians, and other health care professionals that Albertans get access to t he services they need, including tests. Politicians don’t make these rules. Clinicians evaluate evidence, which is changing on a regular basis, and they

3202 Alberta Hansard November 28, 2013 design protocols around services in accordance with that evidence. That’s the kind of health care system we operate in Alberta. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Calgary-Hawkwood, followed by Innisfail-Sylvan Lake. Seniors’ Housing Mr. Luan: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As people enter into their senior years, it is disheartening to learn that many of them have to move out of their communities that they have been part of for decades, becoming disconnected from friends and family and uprooted from their community simply because there are not enough seniors’ homes nearby.

My question is to the Associate Minister of Seniors. Have any thoughts been given by your ministry to convert old or unused schools or day cares into seniors’ homes? The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mr. VanderBurg: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I thank the member for the question. In fact, it was just a number of weeks ago that I was up in Peace River, and we opened up a seniors’ facility with Points West that did exactly what you said. We repurposed the site with the co-operation of the community, with the proper zoning. Where appropriate I think it’s very valuable to do that.

You know, we’re building a thousand new units each and every year, and we have to continue that. With the demographic change that we’re faced with here in this province, we need to continue that at an even faster pace if possible. The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. Luan: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the same associate minister: given the huge demand for seniors’ homes and the limited government resources, what services can your ministry provide for a group of residents in Silver Springs in my riding who want to work with government to build such facilities in nearby places? Mr. VanderBurg: Mr.

Speaker, as you know, each and every year through the ASLI grant process we’ve partnered with faith- based organizations, with foundations, with private companies, with profit companies , anybody that we can partner with and use the leverage of that partnership. Last year in Calgary alone we partnered with companies providing an additional 600 sites. I’m sure that AHS will identify more sites as we go forward, and if budget allows, we’ll continue to build at the pace we are. The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. Luan: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Again to the same associate minister: given that public -private partnerships have been championed in this fiscal environment, does your ministry have money set aside to continue to do matching funds for P3 seniors’ homes like what has been used for Wing Kei nursing home in Calgary? Mr. VanderBurg: Mr. Speaker, Wing Kei is just a classic example of a great partnership with an organization. We’ve cofunded a site there.

I can assure the member that every penny that’s in my budget every year gets allocated as quickly as possible, and when the new budget comes about next year and the year after, we’ll continue to be very aggressive. The only way that we can k eep ahead of this curve with the demographic change is to increase capacity, and we’ll do that. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Innisfail-Sylvan Lake, followed by Edmonton-Mill Woods. Continuing and Long-term Care Placements Mrs. Towle: Thank you, Mr. Sp eaker.

This week the Minister of Health assured Albertans that the 100-kilometre first available bed policy had been rescinded and no longer existed. That was despite evidence to the contrary. However, another family just yesterday sounded the alarm, saying that yesterday Alberta Health staff in the central region told them that the government has simply reduced the policy from 100 kilometres to 80 kilometres. To the Associate Minister of Seniors: is your government trying to do a workaround of the 100-kilo metre policy by just reducing it to 80 kilometres? Mr.

VanderBurg: Well, you know, it may be a smart -sounding question, but I’m going to tell you that the folks here on this side and the people that work in Alberta Health Services work with families to mak e sure that families get the appropriate space. I’m going to tell you, Mr. Speaker, that every year there are between 7,000 and 8,000 placements either from acute -care facilities or from community into continuing care facilities. It’s not easy to place everybody exactly where the family wants, but I can assure you that every step is being made to accommodate that. 2:40 Mrs. Towle: Well, Mr.

Speaker, it’s unfortunate that the Associate Minister of Seniors doesn’t know that his government is reducing it to th e 80 -kilometre rule. On June 19 the issues manager for the Premier tweeted out that central region is using David Thompson health region policy of 80 kilometres as their interim policy for seniors in care. Would someone on the other side like to explain the 80-kilometre rule to Albertans? Mr.

VanderBurg: Like I said earlier, you know, if this member wants to stand up and grandstand about 80 kilometres or whatever kilometres, she can do that, but I’m going to tell you – and I’m going to defend the system tha t’s in place – that we try to put family members as close together as possible. We want to make sure that when there’s a couple that needs placing, when there’s a spouse that needs additional care, we think about that placement and that we be very mindful of the situation that we need to place people out of acute -care facilities and into a home-like setting as fast as possible.

The Speaker: The hon. member. Mrs. Towle: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can honestly say that Albertans across this province do not thi nk at any moment in time that speaking on behalf of defending Albertans and keeping couples together and keeping families or seniors in their communities is grandstanding. The question to minister is: why are you not standing up for seniors and eliminating the 80 - kilometre rule as a whole? Mr. Horne: Mr. Speaker, I’m very glad this hon. member is raising this issue again today. The policy of this government is very clear.

It is to place seniors, when they require facility -based care, in the facility which can best meet their needs. Whether that be dementia or Alzheimer’s, whether it be other specified needs, the policy is to place the senior in the most appropriate facility that can meet their needs. Wherever possible that is closest to

November 28, 2013 Alberta Hansard 3203 home and it is with a spouse, but the most important piece of this policy is that people get the care that they require. Thank you. The Speaker: Thank you. Hon. members, 16 questions were recognized today with supplementals taking us to about 96. I want to thank the hon. Member for Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo for forgoing any

preamble, but I think the prize of the day goes to the Member for Grande Prairie-Smoky, who came into this House about a year and a half ago but came into the world on this day many years earlier. Thank you, hon. member, for forgoing your question’s second supplemental, and congratulations on your birthday. Also, kudos to Edmonton- Riverview and Little Bow for shortening their

preambles. In 30 seconds from now we will continue with Introduction of Guests, followed by Members’ Statements. head: Introduction of Guests (continued) The Speaker: Hon. members, we are well into the time allotted normally for the introduction of guests; however, we’re going to go back through. I recognize that some of the guests may have left, so if you need to put something on the record, please do so. If not, forgo your spot in the interest of time. Let us start with Sherwood Park. Ms Olesen: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It is my pleasure today to rise before you and introduce to you and through you to all members of this Assembly the attendance earlier of 50 fine young people from St. Theresa Catholic school from my constituency of Sherwood Park. They were accompanied by teachers Luba Eshenko; Mrs. Cynthia Metzger; a nd parents Dave Laforce; Mark Ramsankar, president of the Albe rta Teachers’ Association; and Father Slavko Dumeč. Thanks for being with us today. The Speaker: Thank you. The hon. Member for Strathmore-Brooks. Mr. Hale: Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It’s my pleasure today to rise and introduce to you and through you 25 bright young minds from the grade 6 class at Bassano school. I have many great schools in my constituency, but Bassano school is a little special to me because I graduated from that school a few short years ago.

Accompanying them today are nine parents, their teachers, and their school principal: Len Sproule, principal; Della Armstrong, a teacher; Janice Schaffer, a teac her; Melanie Chapman, a newly elected school board representativ e; Matthew Henry; Lorraine Bouwman; Tanya Moss; Amy Richards; Alanna Magnusson; Sung Mi Lee; Sandra Maloney; and Desirea Cunningham. Thank you. The Speaker: Hon. members, any other school groups that were here that would like to be recorded? No? In that case, let’s move on with others. Mr. Deputy Premier, did you have an introduction for the record? Mr. Lukaszuk: I certainly do, Mr.

Speaker. It gives me great pleasure to introduce to you and through you to all members of our Assembly an executive and executive assistant of the Alberta Congress Board, which is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that hosts the annual Workplace Conference in Jasper. Its mission is to bring diverse stakeholders together from business, labour, and government. I’m pleased to inform you that in the fall of 2014 the Congress Board will be celebrating 40 years of service to Alberta. Today with us is Mr. Don Diduck, who has been a director for over 20 years, and his executive assistant, Kimberlee Sears.

Please rise and receive the warm welcome of this Assembly. The Speaker: The hon. Minister of M unicipal Affairs, followed by the Minister of Justice and Solicitor General. Mr. Griffiths: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m very glad that our guest endured the last hour and 20 minutes and remained here in order that she could be introduced. It is indeed a pleasure to introduce to you and through you to members of this Assembly Angela Groeneveld. She’s one of the Albertans who has worked absolutely tirelessly to help rebuild her community since this summer’s catastrophic flooding.

Ange la Groeneveld is a business renewal officer for the town of High River and has been instru- mental in developing economic plan s and strategies to restructure the town’s commerce community. With her background as a business counsellor and mentor she has provided incredible experience to business owners and entrepreneurs throughout the area by fostering relationships between key stakeholders and government partners. Mr. Speaker, High River does not want to be remembered as the town hardest hit by the flood. They want to be remembered as the town, the community, that came back the strongest.

Moving forward, it is essential for the town to continue building on its strengths, including fostering a thriving business community. I know I’m not the only one who considers Angela a hero, Mr. Speaker, for offering her expertise, but I’m one of her biggest fans, and I thank her from the bottom of my heart for everything she’s done. Angela is seated in the members’ gallery. I’d ask her to rise and receive the traditional warm welcome of the Assembly. The Speaker: The hon. Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition, followed by the Liberal opposition leader. Ms Smith: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It is my pleasure to introduce to this Assembly some representatives of Little Warriors, a one- of-a-kind national charity dedica ted to helping victims of child sexual abuse heal and move on w ith their lives. Today is a landmark day for Little Warrior s and for sexual abuse victims across Canada. This morning I was delighted to attend their announcement that they have reached their goal and the Be Brave Ranch will soon be a reality.

Here on behalf of Little Warriors earlier today were Brandy and Halie, two survivors of abuse; Allison Lee, a wonderful young lady whose passionate YouTube video about Little Warriors has moved thousands of Albertans; Kelly Benson; and Tory Taruba. I’d ask that they receive the hearty congratulations of this Assembly. The Speaker: The hon. leader of the Liberal opposition, followed by the Minister of Culture. Dr. Sherman: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s my pleasure to introduce to you and through you to all members of this Assembly an outstanding individual, Dan Bil dhauer.

He was joined earlier by his friends Harjinder Singh Gill and Tariq Chaudhry. The South Asian community of Edmonton, in collaboration with other community organizations, is holding an intercultural and interfaith fundraising dinner for the victims of the natural disaster in the Philippines. The banquet will be held on Sunday, December 1, starting at 5 p.m. onwards, at the Maharaja Banquet Hall in Edmonton. I thank the South Asian community for showing solidarity and sympathy for fellow human beings at this time of great need and for their work in partnership with the Canadian

3204 Alberta Hansard November 28, 2013 Red Cross to help alleviate hu man suffering and hardships. I would ask Dan Bildhauer to rise and receive the traditional warm welcome of the Assembly. Thank you. The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mr. Denis: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to introduce to you and through you to all members of the Assembly a lovely young lady, Isabelle Steppan. Isabelle’s dad, Mat, is my chief of staff, and I also know her mother, Pamela. We all know how proud both of them are of Isabelle and her younger brother, Noah.

I’d ask that she please stand and receive the warm welcome of this Assembly. The Speaker: The hon. Minister of Culture, followed by Edmonton-Beverly-Clareview. 2:50 Mrs. Klimchuk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m thrilled to rise today and introduce to you and through you to the members of the Assembly two members of the Premier’s Council on Culture. The chair, Mr. Todd Hirsch, chief ec onomist with ATB Financial, and the vice-chair, entrepreneur and best-selling author, Mr. Todd Babiak, are here with us today, enjoying question period.

Council members serve us as the voices and champions of our collective cultural sector. They are incredible community leaders working on a long-term, province-wide cultur al plan that aims to make Alberta’s cultural sector one of the best in the world. I am so looking forward to the ideas and the wisdom that these creative minds will offer for a sustainable sector. I’d ask that they rise to receive the warm welcome of this Assembly. The Speaker: Edmonton-Beverly-Clareview, followed by Strathcona-Sherwood Park. Mr. Bilous: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It’s my pleasure to rise today and introduce to you and through you to all members of the Assembly my guests from Treaty 6, Treaty 7, and Treaty 8. My guests are here today because they want to make it absolutely clear, as they did during their rally today, that they are not in favour of this PC government’s consultation policy nor their response to the Obed coal slurry. This disrespect for First Nations members’ concerns has led to a weak and inadequate consultation policy and has produced consider able mistrust from indigenous stakeholders, whose comments have been completely ignored.

I would ask my guests to rise as I call their names: Kevin Ahkimnachie, Freida Cardinal, Shannon Houle, Francesca Kiyawasew, Jesse Cardinal, Mel Grandbouis, Chief Laboucan, Chief Courterielle, Chief Mackinaw, Victor Horseman, and a young chief from Beaver Lake. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Speaker: Thank you. The hon. Member for Strathcona-Sherwood Park, followed by Edmonton-Ellerslie. Mr. Quest: Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker. It gives me great pleasure to introduce to you and through you to all members of this Assembly a constituent of mine, Pierre Cormier. Pierre counts the Hon.

David Alward, Premie r of New Brunswick and our visitor to this Assembly earlier today, as a family friend. Clarence Cormier, Pierre’s father, was a fo rmer Minister of Education for the province of New Brunswick. Pierre is seated in the members’ gallery, and I’d ask that he now rise and receive the traditional warm welcome of this House. The Speaker: Hon. Member for Edmonton-Ellerslie, your first of two introductions. Mr. Bhardwaj: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I have two introductions.

Today I would like to introduce to you and through you to all members of the Assembly guests from my constituency of Edmonton-Ellerslie that are members of the Summerside Community League and the Summerside playground committee who were very instrumental in helping to build the new Michael Strembitsky playground. They worked very, very hard to raise a significant amount of money, and I would like to thank the committee. Please rise as I call out your names.

Joining us today are Tracey Marshall Craig, chair of the playground committee, and her son Flynn Craig – please stand – Gale Johnson and her daughter Haley Johnson; Nicole Lindberg; Wendy Westren; and Kathy Murphy and her daughter Emily Murphy. I’d ask all of my colleagues to give them the traditional warm welcome of the Assembly. Mr. Speaker, my second introduction.

As you well know, southeast Edmonton is one of the fastest growing communities in Edmonton, and joining us toda y is the president of the Summerside Community League, Danielle Thorkelsson, as well as the vice-president of the community league, Michelle Gosselin. The ladies have worked extremely hard to build the playground as well as capture the multicultural spirit of southeast Edmonton. Once again, I’d ask my colleagues to please give them the tradi- tional warm welcome of the Assembly. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Calder. Mr. Eggen: Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It’s a pleasure to rise today to recognize my guests that were here previously: Amarjeet Singh Grewal, Surinder Singh Braich, and Harpreet Singh Gill. The South Asian community of Edmonton is organizing a fund- raiser for victims of the calamity in the Philippines, and I encourage everyone to participate in this humanitarian effort. It will be taking place at the Maharaja Banquet Hall at 5 p.m. on December 1. I just wanted to acknowledge the efforts of the Indo- Canadian community and Sout h Asian community, who are always there to help the larger community here in the province of Alberta.

I hope I see everybody out there on Sunday. Thank you. The Speaker: Are there others? Just before we go to Members’ Statements, Government House Leader, did you wish to rise? Mr. Hancock: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I would. I’d like to ask unanimous consent that the R outine be extended up to 3:30 in order to make up the time that we allowed the Premier of New Brunswick to attend on the House. [Unanimous consent granted] The Speaker: We’ll continue the Routine until we finish, provided that happens before 3:30.

We’ll go on with members’ statements, beginning with Edmonton Ellerslie. head: Members’ Statements Michael Strembitsky School Playground Mr. Bhardwaj: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’m proud to stand today and recognize the recent opening of the Michael Strembitsky school playground in my constituency of Edmonton- Ellerslie. On September 11 I was privileged to be part of the

November 28, 2013 Alberta Hansard 3205 ribbon-cutting ceremony at this brand new playground. Most importantly, I was honoured to stand alongside dedicated mem- bers of the Summerside Community League and Summerside playground committee when the new structure was unveiled and opened to community members. Many of these community members are here today in the gallery. It is because of these hard- working and dedicated individuals that children and their families in Edmonton-Ellerslie as well as the students at the Michael Strembitsky school now have a brand new playground to enjoy.

In addition to local fundraising completed by the community members, this project was also complemented by provincial grant programs. Over the past five ye ars the provincial government has provided over $29 million worth of funding through the community facility enhancement program, which is available to organizations to plan, upgrade, and develop community-use facilities to enhance the lives and well-being of its users. Mr. Speaker, this also includes playgrounds.

In addition to CFEP, additiona l funding has also been provided through the community initiativ es program, enriching commu- nities and local citizens, to respond to the local needs regarding facilities construction and equipment purchases among many other things. Over the past five years, Mr. Speaker, over $32 million has been funded through these grant programs to help build a very important part of Alberta’s communities.

I would like to once again thank the members of the Summerside Community League and the playground committee for their unwavering dedication to supporting families and foster- ing community-based initiatives throughout the neighbourhood. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Calgary-McCall, followed by Calgary-Fort. Sikh Community Generosity Mr. Kang: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Typhoon Haiyan struck the Philippines on November 7 with winds up to 315 kilometres an hour and waves over five metres high.

The devastation it wrought was unimaginable, destroying homes and villages and costing over 5,000 lives. The Filipino community in Alberta was quick to respond, raising money and supp lies for those in need. This tragedy was great, and the Filipino community called upon and co-ordinated their efforts with other immigrant communities. Thanks to the president of the Dashmesh Culture Centre, Mr. Jarnail Singh Nijjar, members of the Sikh community heard the call, and on November 17 they set up a table in the temple and raised over $30,000 for Typhoon Haiyan from the Sikh community.

The Sikh community’s response was overwhelming. We as a community have a history of helping others in times of need. From strong support for a local women’s shelter to continual support of the Inter-Faith Food Bank and the Mustard Seed, the Sikh community has been at the forefront of generosity. When those in Haiti and Kashmir suffered a horrible earthquake, the Sikh community stepped forward. When the floodwater ravaged Calgary, the community raised $35,000 in the temple and another $175,000 and seven and a half tonnes of food in less than a day through the RED FM Radiothon.

But the Sikh community’s commitment to humanitarian causes has not been just financial. All of the Sikhs were not free. When the forces of tyranny allied themselves against the free peoples of the world, the Sikhs fought nobly for honour, for freedom, and for peace. Between the two world wars over 109,000 Sikhs were wounded and 83,000 Sikhs laid down their lives. But the battles the Sikhs fought were not limited to Southeast Asia. The freedom of Europe is dependent upon the te ns of thousands of Sikhs who fought bravely in trenches and fields far from home.

I wish to thank the Sikh community for their compassion, generosity, and sacrifice. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Calgary-Fort, followed by Dunvegan-Central Peace-Notley. Chris Gibbons Mr. Cao: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On November 23 many of us here in the Legislature lost a dear friend. Chris Gibbons came to Alberta in 1988 with his wife, Co llette. He discovered a passion for software design and in 1990 started his own software design company, Caseworks Systems. A skilled entrepreneur, it wasn’t long before Chris was designing programs for communities across the prairies.

He designed many of the daily programs used by health inspectors and health care providers today. Chris remained the president of Caseworks Systems for 28 years. 3:00 In 1992 he became involved in po litics as an active member of our Progressive Conservative Part y. He was president of the Calgary-Fish Creek PC association for nine years, only stepping down when issues with his health made it impossible to continue. Chris was proud of his involvement in provincial politics, and we were very lucky to have him. His greatest pride and joy, however, was his family. Mr.

Speaker, before becoming Chris’s loving wife, Collette had been his high school sweetheart. She passed away in 2004, but together they were blessed with a loving, happy family filled with children and grandchildren. In this difficult time our thoughts are with Chris’s family: the children, Jennifer and Ch ris, and grandchildren, Riley, Victoria, Anastasia, and Aria. Upon receiving a letter from our Premier while resting in the hospice – Chris was aware of his situation – he said: I’ve had a good run. That is something we can all agree with, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. The Speaker: The hon.

Member for Dunvegan-Central Peace- Notley, followed by the Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition. Grande Prairie Regional College Mr. Goudreau: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On October 23 the rankings for Canada’s top 50 research colleges for 2013 were released, and I’m so pleased to report that the Grande Prairie Regional College and its campuses across the northwest, including Fairview, fared extremely well . GPRC was ranked number 1 for growth, number 3 for research intensity, and number 15 for research funding. This is a not eworthy change from the ranking last year of number 43.

This achievement is credited in part to the hard work of the college staff and the board and in part as well to the establishment of the National Bee Diagnostic Cent re a year ago. The centre is the only federal bee research program in the country and looks at bee health as well as offers hone ybee diagnostic services and surveillance data to industry and government bodies right across Canada.

Alberta is strongly represente d in the ratings, with SAIT and NAIT leading in research colleges, placing first and second respectively in research income, but GPRC’s ranking attracted a total of $2.56 million and saw a phenomenal growth rate of 377 per cent, far more than any other institution. The members of the faculty at GPRC are to be credited for this incredible success with

3206 Alberta Hansard November 28, 2013 their projects on social and environmental research as well as bee population health and diagnostic research. I would like to recognize and congratulate the faculty and staff at GPRC and the other Alberta colleges who made the rankings for their leadership in investing in quality research. I’m very proud of our colleges for achieving this national recognition, which will undoubtedly have a positive impact on our communities and our province. There is a bright future for students for many years to come. Thank you. The Speaker: The hon.

Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposi - tion, followed by Edmonton-Manning. Be Brave Ranch Ms Smith: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today I was thrilled to attend a news conference announcing that the Be Brave Ranch, a first-of-its-kind treatment facility for victims of childhood sexual abuse, will finally become a reality. The Be Brave Ranch is the vision of Glori Meldrum and the Little Warriors, a national charitable organization that exists to educate adults on how to prevent, recognize, and react to child sexual abuse. Mr. Speaker, as Glori always points out, sexual abuse is not a minor crime.

It is a horrific crime, that can and often does leave lasting scars on its young victims. These scars come with great pain and can only heal when the community steps up and decides that it’s going to h elp, and that is what Glori and the Little Warriors have done with the help of so many volunteers and donors. Together they have raised the $3.5 million they needed to open the ranch entirely from private contributions. The ranch will open this summer and operate for a two -year trial period, during which time it aims to treat 100 children per year. Mr.

Speaker, I’d like to close with some comments from foster mom Brandy, herself a victim of child sexual abuse, who chose to adopt Halie, also a victim of this heinous crime, who just found out today that she will be one of the first children to be treated at the ranch. She says: I know all too well the true cost of what happens when children have their innocence taken from them by people we thought we knew: innocence, self esteem, pride, and value, ripped unexpectedly in the most vile ways.

Then she goes on: the Be Brave Ranch will bring light where there was once only shadows, and it’ll mean that kids will have a chance to be kids again, and parents will be able to see their kids smile again, really, truly smile; you never know what a blessing that is until you watch your child’s smile be stolen, unsure if or when it will return. Parents and kids will be given the gift of knowing how to deal when memories come instead of . . . The Speaker: Thank you, hon. member. Edmonton-Manning. Brintnell Park Mr. Sandhu: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

I’m pleased to rise today to talk about a better way to build play parks. This summer I was honoured to attend the grand opening of Brintnell Park in my riding, a community that raised a lot of money, including winning a $100,000 grant from Schneider’s through social media. I’m thrilled that another community in my riding, Hollick-Kenyon, will see their decade of hard work pay off with a new park next spring. However, the average price of neighbourhood play parks is between $600,000 and $1 million, or close to 500,000 hot dogs if you’re trying to raise money with barbecues.

Although grants are available, a community must still raise the initial half million dollars for the matching funds. This idea works fine when the park costs only $100,000 to build, but it does not any longer. Instead of taking months to raise enough money, it’s now taking years, Mr. Speaker. So why do communities do it? The playground is a meeting area for a community, a place where a family can play, exercise, and meet their neighbours. A more engaged neighbourhood can result in less crime, Mr. Speaker. Children who play do better in school. Families who play together are happier and healthier.

It takes too long to build parks. We need out-of-the-box thinking. Since 2008 I have met many municipal leaders to discuss options, with no results. Developers should set aside $1,000 per lot for park building. I would urge all my colleagues to work together to develop policy that will ensure that every neighbourhood in Alberta has a play park. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Speaker: Thank you. head: Notices of Motions The Speaker: The hon. Minister of Transportation. Mr. McIver: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I rise pursuant to Standing Order 34(3) to advise the House that on Monday, December 2, 2013, written questions 42 and 43 will be accepted. head: Tabling Returns and Reports The Speaker: The hon. Member for St. Albert, followed by Calgary-Mountain View. Mr. Khan: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Pursuant to

section 15(2) of the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund Act I am pleased to table the 2013 -2014 second -quarter update on the Alberta heritage savings trust fund. Copies were distributed to members’ offices earlier this week. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Calgary -Mountain View or someone on behalf of? Edmonton-Centre , then, followed by Edmonton-Beverly-Clareview. Ms Blakeman: Thanks very much, Mr. Speaker. Lucky me. I get to do all kinds of people’s. I’ve got two of my own to start with, that are related.

The first is copies of news stories about the walkout of guards at correctional facilities across Alberta, that I will be referencing later. The second one is the answering response from Mr. Laville, the Justice and Solicitor General ministry spokesperson, in which he does admit that there was glass that needed to be replaced. Then I have a report from my constituency office, the fabulous constituency of Edmonton-Centre .

We’ve created this report to bring forward the names and the concerns of a number of my constituents who wrote to me to express their opposition to the pension sustainability reforms that are proposed by the govern - ment. They’re very proud of the service that they provide to Albertans, and they find it very difficult to reconcile this demand to reduce their benefits. They’ve made plans based on that, and they’re finding that this is really a broken promise.

That’s the report. 3:10 Now, on behalf of my colleague from Calgary -Mountain View I’d like to table the appropriate number of copies of a report, From Words to Action: Alberta Can Afford a Real Poverty Reduction

November 28, 2013 Alberta Hansard 3207 Strategy, published this month, November 2013. It’s a joint study released by Public Interest Alberta, the Alberta College of Social Workers, and the Edmonton Social Planning Council, talking about a child poverty strategy that will take real steps to protect children.

Finally, on behalf of my colle ague the leader of the third party and the Member for Edmonton- Meadowlark, copies of the letter from that individual to the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, the Prime Minister of Canada, asking him to use the power that only the federal government has to b e able to bring together all parties necessary to protect vulnerable aboriginal children. Thank you. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Beverly-Clareview, followed by Little Bow, then the Deputy Premier. Mr. Bilous: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Today I’d like to table more copies of handwritten letters my office has received expressing concerns about the deep cuts to postsecondary education that are happening in Alberta. These letters call on this PC government to reverse their harmful cuts to postsecondary education. A feeling of confusion, frustration, and hopelessness is reflected in over a thousand letters that my office has received from concerned staff and students at the University of Alberta. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Little Bow. Mr. Donovan: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I’m tabling the requisite copies of the 2013 Performance Measure Update, where AHS has failed to meet their participation targets by more than 10 per cent on mammograms. The Speaker: The hon. Deputy Premier. Mr. Lukaszuk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday, the Member for Edmonton-Strathcona raised a point of privilege against myself, I believe, or the Premier, relevant to the breach of the House’s privilege, relevant to the tabling of bills vis -à-vis the timing of doing a press conference. As you know, points of privilege are the highest accusation one can levy.

Well, it looks like the Member for Edmonton-Strathcona was rather liberal with her facts. Mr. Saskiw: Point of clarification, Mr. Speaker. Are these tablings, or is he arguing a point of privilege? Mr. Lukaszuk: I would like to table, Mr. Speaker, a copy of a document that Kim Trynacity of CBC Edmonton has filed showing that at 3:09 p.m. the media was waiting in the press gallery . . . Mr. Saskiw: Point of order, Mr. Speaker. What is this? The Speaker: Hon. member, do we have a tabling? How many tablings do you have? Mr. Lukaszuk: Just three. The Speaker: Three? Mr. Lukaszuk: Yeah.

The Speaker: Which one are you on now? Mr. Lukaszuk: The first one. The Speaker: Good. Let’s get on with it. [interjections] Hon. members, please. Just get on with the tabling, if you would, Deputy Premier. Shorten up. Mr. Lukaszuk: Mr. Speaker, what we have is a copy of a communication from Kim Trynacity at 3:09 p.m. showing that media is still awaiting a briefing. We have a copy of a commu - nication made by Mr. Matt Dykstra of Sun Media at 3:07 showing that the media is still awaiting briefing.

Oddly enough, we have a time-stamped picture of the hon. leader of the ND opposition on the front steps of the Alberta Legislature at 2:33 p.m. indicating that this is the most draconian piece of legislation he has ever seen, indicating that he has seen that piece of legislation. The Speaker: Hon. members, we had two interjections during that tabling. Again, I’m going to ask House leaders from all four caucuses to please review the matter surrounding

preambles to tablings. This is not a new issue for this Assembly. It comes up every time during tablings. Some people take a very long time doing their introductions, and some people take very little time, which is the more proper way of doing it. We don’t have anything hard-cased that we can rely on in that respect, so I leave it to the House leaders to address that matter as well as numerous others I have mentioned. Let us move on, then. head: Tablings to the Clerk The Clerk: I wish to advise the House that the following document has been deposited with the office of the Clerk: on behalf of the hon. Mr.

Drysdale, the Minister of Infrastructure, responses to written questions 28, 29, and 33, all asked for by Mr. Barnes on April 15, 2013. The Speaker: Hon. members, we have some points of order, one in particular. I believe the hon. Member for Airdrie rose on a point of order at around 2 o’clock. Who is prepared to move forward with the citation, please? Point of Order Factual Accuracy Mr. Saskiw: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise according to Standing Order 23(h), (i), and (j).

It’s in regard to a comment made by the Deputy Premier during question period in which he stated – and I don’t have the benefit of the Blues with me – essentially that the Wildrose plan was to cut salaries by 20 per cent. Of course, the Deputy Premier is known for making things up, and that does cause disorder in the Assembly. Mr. Hancock: Point of order. Mr. Saskiw: You can’t call a point of order during a point of order. You should learn the rules, too. Mr.

Speaker, I’ve seen, actually, in the Assembly that he has a copy of Budget 2013: Wildrose Financial Recovery Plan, so I think he would know that in regard to our plans there’s some wording there that says, “maintain front line positions and salaries.” If you continue down there, completely contrary to what the Deputy Premier said – and I think it’s actually a great opportunity that he’s mentioned this so that we can outline our plan to the various entities that are now negotiating or dealing with the government – it states:

3208 Alberta Hansard November 28, 2013 Wildrose has never proposed cuts to the salaries of Alberta’s front-line public sector workers. However, until the provincial budget is returned to a cash surplus position (that would be in 2014 under the Wildrose plan), the Wildrose will work collaboratively and respectfully with public sector unions to hold the line on the current overall expenditure on front line public sector salaries. Mr.

Speaker, I can understand why the Deputy Premier might be confused because on the next page it states that one of our recommendations is to “reduce what is spent on the salaries, benefits, bonuses, and severance packages for non-front -line workers in the government and AHS bureaucracies [friends of the government’s party] by 20% . . . over the next 4 years.” Mr. Speaker, hopefully, this educates the Deputy Premier, and I’m very glad that we had the opportunity to highlight our policy. Thank you. The Speaker: Deputy Premier, do you wish to respond? Mr. Lukaszuk: Well, of course, Mr. Speaker.

The fact is that in that very document, their alternative budget or whatever they call it, they say: For the most part, Alberta’s public servants are well compensated through pay, benefits, and pensions. Numer ous studies indicate that Alberta’s public sector is compensated substantially more than in any other province and the most recent statistics show that their hourly wages are approximately 20% higher than [those] across the country. But then they say, Mr.

Speaker, and I find it very peculiar, that they would negotiate with front -line workers in good faith – negotiate in good faith – but they say that they would “hold the [hard] line on front -line public sector salaries until the provincial cash deficit is eliminated.” Well, those two things are very much contradictory. I believe that this, as a matter of fact, is a matter of opinion. The fact is that one cannot negotiate in good faith and also hold the hard line and freeze salaries until there is no financial deficit. [interjections] Mr. Speaker, no misinterpretation and definitely not making up facts.

The Speaker: Okay. Thank you very much. Hon. members, let me make a couple of comments briefly here. At approximately 1:59:01 this afternoon, during questio n period, the Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition stood to ask a question about negotiations pertaining to public -sector salaries. According to the Blues, which I have, the Deputy Premier responded this way: “Mr. Speaker, this is very rich coming from a leader and a party that have campaigned on reducing public -sector salaries by 20 per cent and freezing their pay until the deficit is eliminated in this province.” Immediately after that, the hon.

Member for Airdrie rose and said, “Point of order,” and then, loudly enough for Hansard to catch, he also said, “Flat -out lies.” [interjections] Now, one comment, as we know in this House, tends to provoke another comment; one action tends to provoke another action just like you’ve heard just now when I read t he statement. So I have two comments. Number one, with respect to the point of order there is no point of order as such. There is certainly a point of clarification. I allowed Lac La Biche-St.

Paul -Two Hills to go a little longer and explain their position, his position, their party’s position, and I allowed the Deputy Premier to go on and conclude his position on behalf of his colleagues. The difference of opinion is clear. It frequently happens in here.

The re might be a dispute as to the facts as they state, but nonetheless it’s a point of clarifi- cation. 3:20 What I do want to do, though, in this regard is to ask the Leader of the Official Opposition if she would please speak with her member from Airdrie a bout the comments he made, because saying “flat-out lies” is not parliamentary language in this context here. You can use other words, but that wouldn’t be a very appropriate choice of language. Perhaps you could just bring that to that member’s attention if you would, please. That having been said, we shall move on to the next item, the point of privilege.

Privilege Obstructing a Member in Performance of Duty The Speaker: As all members here would know, points of privilege are the most serious points that can be raised in this Assembly, one elected official toward or against another, and that requires very serious consideration. However, there are a few issues that still remain outstanding, in my view, or questions that remain unanswered, in my view, con- cerning the purported question or questions of privilege that were raised by the hon. Member for Edmonton- Strathcona yesterday on behalf of the hon. Member for Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood.

Let me first remind you that under Standing Order 15, which is titled Privilege, subsection 15(3) among other things states that: the Speaker may defer debate on the matter to a time when he or she determines it may be fairly dealt with. It goes on to read in subsection 15(4): If the Member whose conduct is called in to question is not present, the matter shall be deferred to the next day that the Member is present unless the Speaker rules that, in the circum - stances, the matter may be dealt with in the Member’s absence. Now, as acknowledged by the hon.

Member for Edm onton- Strathcona yesterday at page 3167 of Hansard , there could very well be three different issues or purported questions of privilege in this respect.

Put briefly, the issues as I have summarized them are as follows: one, the alleged reference in a broch ure to a multiyear wage freeze for Members of the Legislative Assembly in spite of the fact that the Members’ Services Committee has not approved such a multiyear freeze; two, the alleged reference in the same brochure to a wage freeze for public-sector em ployees, which is the subject of Bill 46, the Public Service Salary Restraint Act, which was introduced yesterday in this Assembly; and three, an alleged news conference or technical briefing on Bill 45, the Public Sector Services Continuation Act, and Bil l 46 prior to their introduction in this Assembly.

In considering this matter, as your chair I wanted some assurances put on the record from the ministers responsible for the aforementioned bills and from whichever minister or ministers are responsible for the brochure that was referred to, or the house - holder or whatever it may have been called, and which was referenced by Edmonton-Strathcona , by the Deputy Premier, and perhaps by others yesterday. First, your chair would like to know more about the refe renced brochure containing the material referred to yesterday. For example, when was this brochure produced? Who produced it?

When and how and to whom was it distributed? And whatever other information might be useful for your chair to know under the circumstances. There won’t be any need to further characterize or analyze the language that was used in that document because that was already done and quoted on yesterday. Second, it would be very helpful for your chair to know more about the nature of the ne ws conference held yesterday in connection with bills 45 and 46. Was it a news conference? Was it

November 28, 2013 Alberta Hansard 3209 a technical briefing? Was it an embargoed briefing? Exactly what was it? What time did it start? What time did it finish? And so on. Was there more than one such media session or technical briefing, and where was it held? Anything that would shed light on that matter would be much appreciated.

So if the minister or ministers responsible are not in a position today to respond to these questions – and I can well appreciate they may not be – then the chair would appreciate receiving written responses to these questions from whomever is responsible by not later than 4 p.m. tomorrow, Friday, November 29, 2013. The responses can be sent to me in my Speaker’s office. Please know that any responses or written communications that I receive related to this matter will be tabled in this Assembly as soon as I’m able to.

Now, assuming that I do receive the requested information on a timely basis as mentioned, I would hope t o find time to then review the matters at question and to provide you with a ruling as soon as possible thereafter. That concludes that matter for the time being, and we can move on to Orders of the Day. The hon. Member for Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood. Mr. Mason: If I may in response to part of your request . . . The Speaker: Well, you can’t respond to it, but if you request a point of clarification, I might be able to give it.

But I’ve just indi- cated what the situation and the status is of the point of p rivilege for now. Mr. Mason: Yes. I thought you were asking us for information in response to your questions, and I have some. The Speaker: Hon. member, if you want to provide that to me, then I’ll consider that as well. Mr. Mason: But not now? The Speaker: Not now, please. We’ve already called Orders of the Day. head: Orders of the Day head: Government Bills and Orders Committee of the Whole [Mrs. Jablonski in the chair] The Deputy Chair: Hon. members, I’d like to call the committee to order.

Bill 28 Modernizing Regional Governance Act The Deputy Chair: At this time I understand that we have an amendment from the Minister of Municipal Affairs. Mr. Griffiths: Thank you very much, Madam Chair. A couple of weeks ago, 10 days ago, we had announced and discussed that we were going to set up a task force which had representation from AAMD and C, the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties; the Alber ta Urban Municipalities Association; the Capital Region Board; the Calgary Regional Partnership; the city of Calgary; and the city of Edmonton.

We worked very vigor - ously, very diligently, as did I myself as a member of that task force, through Bill 28. We worked on it line by line and made a few proposed changes. So I would like to propose an amendment now. The Deputy Chair: Hon. member, do you have copies of the amendment that we can distribute? Mr. Griffiths: Yes. The Deputy Chair: We’ll pause for a moment while the pages distribute the copies of the amendment to our Assembly. This will be known as amendment A1. Hon. member, I think we have enough distributed. You can continue, please. Mr. Griffiths: Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Mr.

Saskiw: Point of clarification, Madam Chair. I’m just wondering. Normally these are approved by Parliamentary Counsel. Is this approved? The Deputy Chair: Yes, this has been approved by Parliamentary Counsel. Mr. Saskiw: Okay. Because it’s not signed. The Deputy Chair: I’m sorry. It’s approved by Legislative Counsel. Please continue, hon. member. 3:30 Mr. Griffiths: Thank you very much, Madam Chair. I’d like to read the contents of the amendment. The bill is amended as follows: A The title of the Bill is struck out and the following is substituted: Enabling Regional Growth Boards Act B

Section 4 is amended in the proposed

section 603.1(3)(

c) by striking out “2015” and substituting “2017”. C

Section 6 is amended (

a) by adding the following after the p roposed

section 708.01: Purpose 708.011 The purpose of this

Part is to enable 2 or more municipalities to initiate, on a voluntary basis, the establishment of a growth management board to provide for integrated and strategic planning for future growth in those municipalities. (

b) in the proposed

section 708.02(1) (

i) by adding “on the request of 2 or more munici - palities” after “Minister”; (ii) by adding “in respect of those municipalities” after “board”; (

c) by striking out the proposed

section 708.03(2) and substituting the following:

(2) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may appoint one or more persons to a growth management board to represent the Government of Alberta, but those persons do not have voting rights. (

d) in the proposed

section 708.07(2) b y adding the following after clause (d): (

e) the power to appoint an auditor; (

f) the power to recommend the approval of a growth plan. (

e) by renumbering the proposed

section 708.09 as

section 708.09(1) and by adding the following after subsection (1):

3210 Alberta Hansard November 28, 2013

(2) On receiving the report under subsection (1), the Minister must lay a copy of it before the Legis - lative Assembly if it is then sitting or, if it is not then sitting, within 15 days after the commencement of the next sitting. (

f) in the proposed

section 708.1(1) by striking out “, with or without modifications or conditions,”; (

g) in the proposed

section 708.14(1) by striking out “Minister” and substituting “growth management board”; (

h) in the proposed

section 708.17 (

i) in subsection (1) by striking out “The chief elected official of a” and substituting “A”; (ii) by striking out subsection (2) and substituting the following:

(2) A participating municipality that contra - venes subsection (1) is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine of not more than $10 000. (iii) in subsection (3) by adding “participating” before “municipality”. (

i) by striking out the proposed

section 708.23 and substituting the following: Appeal or dispute resolution mechanism 708.23(1) A growth management board must at its inception establish by bylaw an appeal mechanism or dispute resolution mechanism, or both, for the purposes of resolving disputes arising from actions taken or decisions made by the growth management board.

(2) Section 708.08(2) and (3) apply to a bylaw made under t his

section as if the bylaw were made under that section. (

j) in the proposed

section 708.25 by adding the following after subsection (2):

(3) For greater certainty but without the limiting the generality of subsection (2),