Manitoba Hansard — 28 November 2022 (Sitting 9, 42nd Legislature, 5th Session)

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Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)

Fifth Session – Forty-Second Legislature of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba DEBATES and PROCEEDINGS Official Report (Hansard) Published under the authority of The Honourable Myrna Driedger Speaker Vol. LXXVII No. 9 - 1:30 p.m., Monday, November 28, 2022 ISSN 0542-5492

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

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

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

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

265 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA Monday, November 28, 2022 The House met at 1:30 p.m. Clerk (Ms. Patricia Chaychuk): It is my duty to inform the House that the Speaker is unav oidably absent. Therefore, in accordance with the statutes, I would ask the Deputy Speaker to please take the Chair. Mr. Deputy Speaker (Andrew Micklefield): O Eternal and Almighty God, from Whom all power and wisdom come, we are assembled here before Thee to frame such laws as may tend to the welfare and prosperity of our province.

Grant, O merciful God, we pray Thee, that we may desire only that which is in accordance with Thy will, that we may seek it with wisdom and know it with certainty and accomplish it perfectly for the glory and honour of Thy name and for the welfare of all our people. Amen. We acknowl edge we are gathered on Treaty 1 territory and that Manitoba is located on the treaty territories and ancestral lands of the Anishinaabeg, Anishininewuk, Dakota Oyate, Denesuline and Nehethowuk nations. We acknowl edge Manitoba is located on the Homeland of the Red River Métis.

We acknowledge northern Manitoba includes lands that were and are the ancestral lands of the Inuit. We respect the spirit an d intent of treaties and treaty making and remain committed to working in partner- ship with First Nations, Inuit and Métis people in the spirit of truth, reconciliation and collaboration. Good afternoon, everybody. Please be seated. ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS INTRODUCTION OF BILLS Bill 213–The Animal Care Amendment Act Mr. Obby Khan (Fort Whyte): I move, seconded by the member from Kildonan-River East, that Bill 213, The Animal Care Amendment Act, now be read a first time. Motion presented. Mr.

Khan: This bill amends The Animal Care Act to prohibit leaving a companion animal, such as a dog or a cat, in an unattended vehicle if the temperature in the vehicle is dangerously hot or cold for the animal. If the exterior temperature is more than 22°C or less than -10°C, it is presumed that the temperature inside the vehicle is dangerous for the animal.

An officer is authorized to use force to enter a locked vehicle to remove an animal if they use the minimum necessary force, report the entry to an anima l protection officer and remain with the animal until an animal protection officer arrives on the scene or provides instructions. Mr. Deputy Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed] Bill 10–The Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Amendment Act (Social Responsibility Fee Repealed) Hon. Cameron Friesen (Minister of Finance): Mr.

Deputy Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister for Indigenous Reconciliation and Northern Relations, that Bill 10, The Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Amendment Act (Social Responsibility Fee Repealed), be now read a first time. Motion presented. Mr. Friesen: Mr. Deputy Speaker, this bill amends The Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Act in order to repeal the social respon sibility fe e on cannabis retailers operating in Manitoba effective January 1st, 2023.

The social responsibility fee ensured that canna- bis retailers contributed to the social costs associated with the legalization of cannabis, including increased health costs, public education and addiction services. After four years of legalization, the cannabis market is maturing. The regula tory costs to the province are well known, leading to the repealing of the social responsibility fee and the transition to a new taxation regime for the long term. Repealing the social respon- sibility fee will continue to reduce cannabis costs to consumers looking to switch from the illegal market. Mr.

Deputy Speaker, this initiative is another step toward our government's goal of supporting legal can- nabis operators in their efforts to displace the illegal cannabis market in Manitoba. Mr. Deputy Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? Some Honourable Members: Agreed. Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable minister of Sport, Culture–[interjection] Agreed and so ordered.

266 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA November 28, 2022 Bill 9–The Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Amendment and Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corporation Amendment Act Hon. Andrew Smith (Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage): I move, sec onded by the Minister of Natural Resources and Northern Dev elopment (Mr. Nesbitt), that The Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Amendment and Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Cor poration Amendment Act; la loi modifiant la

loi sur la réglement des alcools, des jeux et du cannabis et la l oi de Société manitobaine des alcools et des loteries, be now read a first time. Mr. Deputy Speaker: It has been moved by the hon- ourable Minister for S port, Culture and Heritage, seconded by–can you–I didn't hear who you had as your seconder. It's not. An Honourable Member: Minister of N atural Resources and Northern Development. Mr.

Deputy Speaker: –the honourable Minister of Natural Resources, that Bill 9, the liquor, gaming and cannabis control amendment act and Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corporation amendment act, be now read a first time. Mr. Smith: This bill amends The Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Act and The Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corporation Act in order to enable existing liquor retailers to improve their product selection, ex- pand local craft manufacturing oppor tunities and allow for enhanced security measures for the safety of patrons and staff of liquor retailers.

The current liquor retail framework is restrictive in nature and limits what products can be sold under different liquor licences. This bill will provide the op- portunity for hotel beer vendors, rural liquor vendors and specialty wine stores in the province to carry a flexible assortment of liquor products to meet their business and their customer needs. Mr. Deputy Speaker, our government is also com- mitted to supporting Manitoba -based businesses and local craft manufacturing industry.

This bill will allow liquor–local liquor manufacturers to sell a broader assortment of products at their manufacturing location in whichever fashion suits their business needs. Security measures to prevent theft are an im por- tant aspect of the retail environment, and liquor retail is no different.

This bill will allow Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries to include enhanced security measures as a part of liquor retail agreements. * (13:40) Manitobans know how the price of fuel has risen, and trimming down a number of stops in different retailers will save Manitobans money and offer more choice when making a trip to a local retailer. Ultimately, Mr. Deputy Speaker, this bill furthers our gov ernment's focus on reducing red tape for Manitoba businesses and allowing Manitobans more convenience and choice when they go shopping for liquor in this great province of Manitoba. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr.

Deputy Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed] Bill 210–The Employment Standards Code Amendment Act (Leave for Miscarriage or Stillbirth) Ms. Amanda Lathlin (The Pas-Kameesak): I move, seconded by member for St. Johns (MLA Fontaine), that bill two -one-ten, The Em ployment Standards Code Amendment Act (Leave for Miscarriage or Stillbirth), now be read for a first time. Mr. Deputy Speaker: It has been moved by the hon- ourable member for The Pas-Kameesak, seconded by the honour able member for St.

Johns, that Bill 210, The Em ployment Standards Code Amendment Act (Leave for Miscarriage or Stillbirth ), be now read a first time. Ms. Lathlin: Mr. Deputy Speaker, I am pleased to intro- duce bill two-one-ten, The Employment Standards Code Amendment Act (Leave for Miscarriage or Stillbirth). The unexpected loss can be emotionally trying on ex- pectant and new parents. This bill would allow parents to take up to three days of paid leave following a mis- carriage or stillbirth.

Currently, Manitobans who experience a miscar- riage or still bird–stillbirth have to cut into their sick leave, lose part of their paycheque or risk their jobs just to take time off to heal. I hope this Assembly will follow the lead of these other jurisdictions and unanimously support this bill. Ekosi. Mr. Deputy Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed]

November 28, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 267 Bill 211–The Reciprocal Enforcement of Judgments Amendment Act MLA Nahanni Fontaine (St. Johns): I move, seconded by the member for Union Station (MLA Asagwara), that Bill 211, The Reciprocal En forcement of Judgments Amendment Act, be now read a first time. Motion presented. MLA Fontaine: I am pleased to intro duce Bill 211, The Reciprocal Enforcement of Judgments Amendment Act. Bill 211 ensures Manitobans' right to abortion ser- vices are even more strongly protected.

Bill 211 pro- hibits the enforcement of a civil judgment of a court outside Manitoba, particularly US states with dra co- nian laws on abortion, in respect of accessing abortion services here in Manitoba. To be more specific, if a US citizen seeks out an abortion in Manitoba, Bill 211 protects the abortion provider from any US civil judgment. Several states in the US have turned their–turned back the clock on bodily autonomy by overturning Roe v. Wade. We must ensure access to abortion ser- vices are available even to those outside our borders, and that in doing so, we protect our abortion providers.

I look forward to the unanimous support of Bill 211 in this House. Mr. Deputy Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed] Bill 212–The Regulated Health Professions Amendment Act MLA Nahanni Fontaine (St. Johns): I move, seconded by the member for The Pas -Kameesak (Ms. Lathlin), that Bill 212, The Regulated Health Professions Amendment Act, be now read a first time. Motion presented. MLA Fontaine: I'm pleased to intro duce Bill 212, The Regulated Health Professions Amendment Act. Bill 212 aims to end the practice of forced sterilization in Manitoba.

For gen erations and up until today, Indigenous women, girls, two -spirited and gender -diverse rela - tives had been victims of forced sterilization. Forced sterilization violates control over our own bodies and is a breach of our human rights. Bill 212 would require the college of a regulated health profession whose members manage labour or delivery of babies to include in its continuing com - petency program education and tr aining to ensure no person experiences forced sterilization. I look forward to the unanimous support of Bill 211 in this House. Mr.

Deputy Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed] Introduction of Guests Mr. Deputy Speaker: Before moving to com mittee reports I'd like to draw the attention of all members to the gallery where we have guests with us from River East Collegiate: 15 grade 9 students under the direc - tion of Dennis Develnick. We welcome you to the Manitoba Legislature and hope you have a great afternoon here. Welcome. COMMITTEE REPORTS Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development First Report Mr. James Teitsma (Chairperson): Mr.

Deputy Speaker, I wish to present the first report of the Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development. Clerk (Ms. Patricia Chaychuk): Your Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development– Some Honourable Members: Dispense. Mr. Deputy Speaker: Dispense. Your Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development presents the following as its First Report. Meetings Your Committee met on November 24, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. in Room 255 of the Legislative Building.

Matters under Consideration • Bill (No. 4) – The Minimum Wage Adjustment Act, 2022 (Employment Standards Code Amended) / Loi de 2022 sur le rajustement du salaire minimum (modification du Code des normes d'emploi) Committee Membership • Hon. Mr. H ELWER • MLA LINDSEY • Ms. MORLEY-LECOMTE • Hon. Mr. SMITH (Lagimodière) • Mr. TEITSMA • Mr. WASYLIW

268 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA November 28, 2022 Your Committee elected Mr. TEITSMA as the Chairperson. Your Committee elected Ms. MORLEY-LECOMTE as the Vice-Chairperson.

Public Presentations Your Committee heard the following two presentations on Bill (No. 4) – The Minimum Wage Adjustment Act, 2022 (Employment Standards Code Amended) / Loi de 2022 sur le rajustement du salaire minimum (modification du Code des normes d'emploi): Kevin Rebeck, Manitoba Federation of Labour Niall Harney, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives Manitoba Bills Considered and Reported • Bill (No. 4) – The Minimum Wage Adjustment Act, 2022 (Employment Standards Code Amended) / Loi de 2022 sur le rajustement du salaire minimum (modification du Code des normes d'emploi) Your Committee agreed to report this Bill without amendment.

Mr. Teitsma: Mr. Deputy Speaker, I move, seconded by the honour able member for Seine River (Ms. Morley-Lecomte), that the report of the commit- tee be received. Motion agreed to. Mr. Deputy Speaker: Tabling of reports? Ministerial reports? MEMBERS' STATEMENTS Swan Lake First Nation Hon. Doyle Piwniuk (Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure): Mr. Deputy Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the people of Swan Lake First Nation and all the great work they have done in their success for–in economic development within our province.

I've had the pleasure of meeting with this group on many occasions where there was always positive exchanges. That is why today I've acknowledged Swan Lake First Nation with the private member statement. As the only First Nation community in my con - stituency of Turtle Mountain, I want to express my gratitude for the amazing work they do. Between the residential and commercial developments in their community, as well as their office expansion growth in Headingley and the business in Carberry, Manitoba, the people of Swan Lake First Nation are getting things done.

Economic development is one of my true pas - sions, and it is an honour to have a community in my riding who dedicates their time in doing this work. I am happy to see that they take a regional approach in collaborating with both municipal and provincial levels of government to help improve the economy in our province, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Our gov ernment's taken our relationship with Manitobans and Indigenous people very seriously.

I'm pleased to meet with–I was with chief and council of Swan Lake First Nation on August 31st, when I attend- ed the Swan Lake First Nation 's Annual Pow Wow, which I was fortuna te to participate in, and again on September 30th, for the proclaimed national day of truth and reconciliation. We are working further plans with their Indigenous board members to ensure to continue to build a positive and collaborative working relation - ship between our government and the groups such as peoples of Swan Lake First Nation. Madam–Mr.

Deputy Speaker, we have a special guest in the gallery today, and I'm proud to introduce Mr.–Chief Jason Daniels, who' s here with us today. Along he has his me mbers of council, is Michael Esquash, Tina [phonetic] Scott, Roberta Morrissette and Leslie Hobson- Wilson, who 's not here today because of –they're also in conferences around the province. * (13:50) Manitobans can learn a lot from this group, and they have great ideas when it comes to developing economically within our beautiful province of Manitoba.

We hope to meet more Manitobans who share the vision of progressing Manitoba economy, just as the people of Swan Lake strive on a daily basis, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Health-Care System MLA Uzoma Asagwara (Union Station): Deputy Speaker, under this PC government, there has been a myriad of challenges and concerns about cuts to health care in Manitoba. Our health -care system is under pressure, and front-line health-care workers are bearing the weight of poor decisions made by this PC government. Currently, two hundred–sorry, 2,400 nurse posi - tions are vacant across the province and the use of

November 28, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 269 agency nurses has surged to over $400 million per year. Nurses have been cut as were programs to attract and retain nurses here in Manitoba. The shortage of front -line workers due to these cuts by the PC government is neither fair to our health-care staff, who work tirelessly to ensure func - tionality of our health -care system, nor is it fair or considerate of the needs of Manitobans who have a right to access quality health care.

The PC government has also closed emergency rooms, urgent -care centres, community clinics and other health infrastructure, making it difficult for Manitobans to access health care, especially for those living in northern Manitoba. Since this government's very first budget, they've continuously underspent their commitments to im - prove health-care facilities by tens of millions of dol- lars. Promises made but promises never kept by this government. Budgets for health care and infra - structure such as hospitals and other medical facilities have been underspent by a massive $816 million since 2016.

We need a government we can trust, one that does what they say, one that is attentive to front -line health-care workers and provides access to health care for all Manitobans regardless of where they live in our beautiful province. This is why the NDP will commit to investing in medical facilities, filling vacant p osi- tions and working to reverse the damage done to our health-care system by this callous PC government. Thank you, Deputy Speaker. Yohnatan Elizarov and Ava Kemp Hon. Andrew Smith (Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage): Mr.

Deputy Speaker, I rise today to recognize two extraordinary young athletes who re - side in my constituency: Yohnatan–or Yoni–Elizarov and Ava Kemp, who are two and–upcoming world-class figure skaters who have recently began taking the Canadian and international junior figure skating circuit by storm. Both these skaters began their passion at a very young age. Yoni, who is now 18, was seven when he started skating and by age 10 developed a passion to take it to the competitive level.

Ava, who is 14, started skating at three, competing at six and, by seven, was even regularly landing an axel, a very complex manoeuver. The two of them have each sent –spent a decade working their way up in–to the many levels it takes to attain Canadian juniors. Yoni and Ava officially be - came a pairs figure skating team in June of 2021. In February of 2022, at the Canadian Tire national figure skating cham pionships in Calgary, they won the novice pair title after training together for only eight months.

The young pair was selected to proudly represent their country on the junior international grand prix circuit, where after training for little more than a year, they would go on to second place in Riga, Latvia, in September and fifth in Gudnas [phonetic]–I'll say that again–Gdańsk, Poland, in October of this year. With those placements, they qualified for the junior international grand prix final in Turin, Italy, this December, which features the top six placed teams in the world, of which they ranked No. 5.

In 2023, they will be competing at the Canadian Tire national figure skating championships in Oshawa and, potentially, the I -C-S-U world junior figure skating championships taking place in Calgary this coming February. I am very proud of them and wish them the greatest of success. Mr. Deputy Speaker, I ask all members of this House to join me in extending a very warm welcome to Yoni and Elena Elizarov and Ava and Lori Kemp, who are up here in the gallery today. Please join me. Premier's Governance Record MLA Nahanni Fontaine (St. Johns): The Premier's (Mrs.

Stefanson) greatest hits, in no parti cular order: chose not to walk in the Pride parade; forgot to disclose $31 million in property sales; awarded $23 million to a company her family has a financial interest in; broke Elections Manitob a rules; voted against making Orange Shirt Day a statutory day here in Manitoba; voted against –several times –citizens' rights to access abortion health care without being harassed or intimidated by anti -choice pro testers; attempted to mislead Manitobans b y referring to a non-existent supervised consump tion site in California; abandoned Manitoba 's unsheltered rela - tives; regularly schedules press conferences during QP, avoiding account ability; refused to tell the anti - vax, white nationalist convoy to go home after they shut down the borders, blocked hospitals and con- tinued to occupy downtown; when asked what mis - takes her government made during the pandemic, she said I don' t know, I don' t have them all in front of me right now –there were lots of deadly mistakes made, Deputy Speaker, the conse quences of which Manitobans are still dealing with today; instead of

270 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA November 28, 2022 working col laboratively on com munity safety, the Premier took a side and undermined the Winnipeg chief of police by publicly criticizing hi m; chose to give–[interjection] Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. MLA Fontaine: –a shout -out to her son' s hockey team rather than apologize to the–[interjection] Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. MLA Fontaine: –family of Krystal Mousseau; aban- doned–[interjection] Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order.

MLA Fontaine: –Manitobans as the Health minister and Premier when she told us we 're all on our own; has turned a blind eye to the lies and inconsistencies of her Kirkfield Park candidate, Kevin Klein. The role of Premier, minister and MLA– Mr. Deputy Speaker: The member's time has expired. Some Honourable Members: Leave. Some Honourable Members: No. Mr. Deputy Speaker: Leave has been denied. Brandon Food and Beverage Establishments Mr. Len Isleifson (Brandon East): Each day that passes creates more opportunities for Manitoba 's second largest city to grow and to prosper. People visit from all over the world.

And while there are many things for them to see and do, experiencing the cuisine from our ever-growing, diverse culture is high on that list. A few years ago, Ana Beltran and Helder Riano had a desire to share their authentic, handmade Latin cuisine with neighbours and friends. From far –or, from their home far in Colombia, each dish is–served at Sabor Latino is handmade with care and bursts with authentic Latin flavour that will be sure to satisfy everyone's taste buds.

If you're looking for an authentic Mexican food in Brandon, be sure to check out Mariachi Mexican Tacos and Cantina, where Carlos and his staff will serve up everything from steak tacos to quesadillas to a full Mexican platter. You'll also find a great selection of authentic Mediterranean fusion cuisine at Babakadir shawarma restaurant. Chicken shawarma, beef shawarma and souvlaki are just some of the many flavour -filled items on the menu at this downtown restaurant. Mr. Deputy Speaker, if it 's Indian street food or an Indochinese menu you're after, then I recommend you stop by Chilli Chutney on 34th Street.

Their weekday lunch and daily dinner buffets offer mild to medium spice levels or, if your taste is for something a little bit spicier, then order off the menu will be your best choice. If you have already enjoyed one of the many amazing restaurants in Brandon and are ready to head home w ith a full belly and all your Christmas shopping done, stop by A Tea Love for a delicious Taiwanese-, Japanese- or Filipino-induced refreshing beverage. Enjoy the great hospitality from Adrian and Lovelia, as there are many options to choose from, but I do highly recommend the salted caramel milk tea.

These are just a few food and beverage establish- ments in Brandon, as there are too many great places to mention in just two minutes, so I invite all of my colleagues, and all of Manitobans, to spend some time in Brandon and to enjoy the great hospitality we have to offer. Thank you. ORAL QUESTIONS Health-Care System Government Record Mr. Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): You know, many people compared Brian Pallister to a grinch, but even he held a virtual holiday open house.

It 's only the Stefanson gov ernment that has cancelled the Legislature's annual holiday open house. * (14:00) You know, this is the people's building, and at this festive time of year we really should be welcoming people in to celebrate the fact that we can all be together again. And yet, just like with everything else, the Stefanson government has decided to cut, and this time they've cut the people's Christmas celebration. Now, if this sounds like the first act of a holiday movie, then rest assured, acts two and three will see the Manitoba NDP working hard to save Christmas and to fix health care.

Speaking of which, why did the Premier cut health care in Manitoba? Hon. Heather Stefanson (Premier): Talk about a Leader of the Op position that is completely out of touch with reality, Mr. Deputy Speaker.

November 28, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 271 This is a Leader of the Op position that wants to shut Manitoba down, that wants to mask absolutely everyone out there, but yet wants to open the doors of the Manitoba Legislature wide for everyone. Mr. Deputy Speaker, he speaks out of both sides of his mouth. But when it comes to the–to health care in our province, I know the Leader of the Opposi tion held a political stunt over the weekend –one of our hospitals.

I wonder if he informed those individuals of what the dark days looked like during the Selinger government, because I can tell you what he is ad - vocating for right now is just like Greg Selinger. Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a follow-up question. Mr. Kinew: It's remarkable to see Manitoba's Premier go full convoy in the answer there, but I don' t think any of us are surprised. And I don't think any of us is surprised that, just like Brian P allister, this Premier continues to cut health-care services in Manitoba.

You know why we rallied at the park, on public property, across from the Grace Hospital? Because people at Kirkfield Park are fed up with cuts to the Grace. And, of course, people in Manitoba are fed up with seeing nurse positions remaining vacant. They're fed up with seeing emergency rooms being closed, and they 're fed up with the surgical and diagnos tic backlog. Will the Premier explain to the people of Manitoba how, in spite of their widespread opposition, she con- tinues to cut the health care Manitobans rely on? Mrs. Stefanson: Well, again, Mr.

Deputy Speaker, the litany of false accusations is nothing new for the Leader of the Opposition and all members opposite. I wonder if, at his political stunt in front of the Grace Hospital, Mr. Deputy Speaker, he also inform- ed those in attendance –most of whom were his own colleagues that are sitting in the bench today–I wonder if he also informed them that back during the Selinger years, that the Grace Hospital had the worst emer - gency wait rooms in the country. And that wasn't after a pandemic. Manitobans know one thing. They put Wab Kinew–or, sorry, the Leader of the Opposi tion and Greg Selinger is–Mr.

Deputy Speaker, I apologize for that–the Leader of the Op position is just like Greg Selinger. Manitobans don't want to go back to those dark days. An Honourable Member: Are you going to [inaudible] unparliamentary behaviour? Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order, please. Order, please. It is long-standing practice of this House that if a member inadvertently makes an error and owns it quickly, that it does not been–it is not required that it is drawn attention to.

If members make errors and do not own them quickly, as we did just see was owned quickly, then the Speaker is obliged to call it out. So, that's what will be happening going forward. And that is what has happened in the past as well. The honourable member–the honourable Leader of the Official Opposition. Mr. Kinew: You know, I know the Premier's jealous that the Manitoba NDP can have a rally and have people show up because no one would show up to a rally that they held. [interjection] Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. Mr.

Kinew: It's just like the fact that we were able to have our annual general convention this year – [interjection] Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. Mr. Kinew: –whereas they were afraid to face– [interjection] Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. Mr. Kinew: –their own PC Party members. And it's just like the fact that we were able to hold a fund - raising dinner this fall and sadly, tragically, they even had to cut the PC 's enchanted forest fundraiser, pre - cious as that sounded. But what Manitobans really care about – [interjection] Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. Mr.

Kinew: –is the fact that their health care is being cut time and time again. The Grace Hospital, ICU beds were cut, ICU nursing positions were cut, and now we see a refusal to invest in simple ideas like our proposal to expand clinic hours at the ACCESS right next to the Grace Hospital. When will this PC government stop cutting– Mr. Deputy Speaker: The member's time has expired. Mrs. Stefanson: Well, Mr. Deputy Speaker, just like Greg Selinger, the Leader of the Opposition will con- tinue to put ideology ahead of patient care. We will never do that in Manitoba.

272 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA November 28, 2022 Mr. Deputy Speaker, I wonder if the Leader of the Opposition, at his rally stunt on Saturday, also in - dicated the facts of the matter: that our government has investe d more than $77 million into the Grace Hospital; $44 million into the emergency department alone. I wonder if those facts came out at the political stunt that the Leader of the Opposition and his mem- bers had on the front steps of the Grace Hospital. While the Leader of the Op position, members opposite, are busy playing politics–[interjection] Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. Mrs.

Stefanson: –with the lives of Manitobans, we will continue to get them the health care that they need. [interjection] Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a new question. Health-Care Services in Eriksdale Date for Reopening the ER Mr. Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): Not only are the PC talking points worse than they've ever been, health care in Manitoba is worse than it 's ever been under this Premier. The residents of Eriksdale and surrounding com- munities are speaking out.

They're sick of the cuts that the PCs are making to health care, and they're worried about the upcoming closure of their emergency room. They're concerned that, you know, these issues brought forward since September are now being manifested with a closure which this government will say is going to continue 'til December 15th. However, we haven 't heard any concrete plans to ensure that services would resume at such time. Will the Premier commit to the residents of Eriksdale and surrounding regions that that emer - gency room will, in fact, reopen on December 15th? Hon. Heather Stefanson (Premier): Well, Mr.

Deputy Speaker, I know the leader–or, the Minister of Health (Ms. Gordon) and regional health author ities have been working diligently to ensure that we can get those health -care pro fessionals into those com mun- ities as quickly as possible. That's why we announced more than $200 million to invest in more than 2,000 more health -care work- ers. That's doctors, that's nurses, that's health-care pro- fessionals that will go into these com munities, Mr. Deputy Speaker.

But I 'll remind the memb er opposite, and I 'll remind all Manitobans, that we don't want to go back to those dark days of the –it's Greg Selinger gov ern- ment, Mr. Deputy Speaker, where they closed almost 20 rural emergency de partments in the province of Manitoba. We will continue to put the money in place to ensure that we get more human resources here in the province of Manitoba when it comes to health care. Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a supplementary question. Mr.

Kinew: You know, Br ian Pallister promised more doctors in 2016, and it was another PC broken promise. But at that time, he said he would, quote, review programs, end quote, to attract more physicians to Manitoba. Of course, we all know what review means when it comes to th is PC govern ment. It means that they are going to cut, cut, cut. In fact, in 2017, this gov ernment, with this Premier at the Cabinet table, cut $4.2 million from the program that was to help recruit physicians, family docs, to communities like Eriksdale. That contributed to the crisis that we are currently facing today.

In spite of whatever press release they want to kick out during an election year, that 's the record of this government when it comes to health care. * (14:10) We need a firm commitment, one which escaped the grasp of the Premier in her first answer. Will the Eriksdale ER reopen on December 15th? Mrs. Stefanson: Well, the Leader of the Op position should be aware of the fact that we have just come through a worldwide pandemic, Mr. Deputy Speaker, where it's been challenging, not just here in Manitoba, when it comes to human resources within our health- care system, but right across our country.

In fact, back under the Greg Selinger days, Mr. Deputy Speaker, the minister of the–Health even recognized that there were challenges at that time. And I will remind the Leader of the Opposi tion that that wasn't just after a pandemic. She said, and I quote: but we recognize that phys- ician recruitment and retention to rural hospitals isn't just an issue here in Manitoba. It's an issue across the country.

November 28, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 273 Mr. Deputy Speaker, this has been a long- standing issue that, I will tell you, we are working to- wards alleviating: $200 million; 2,000 more health- care professionals, when the Leader of the Opposition and the NDP did absolutely nothing back in those days. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Manitobans don't want to go back to those dark days again. Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a final supplementary. Cartwright and Carman, Manitoba Bloodwork Services Mr.

Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): The fact is simple: health care is worse in Manitoba today than it has ever been. Not only in Eriksdale; we also know that residents of the Cartwright and Roblin area are now going to have to travel further and further to get bloodwork and lab tests done. This means longer travel times. This means health care getting further and further away from home. I 'll table the letter which confirms the fact that this health- care service is being cut in another part of rural Manitoba. We think that all these cuts are wrong.

We know that folks in rural communities count on being able to have services like this in their commu nities. It's part of being able to attract young families to move to areas or to be able to fulfill the promise as retirement com- munities. Will the Premier reverse this cut? Will bloodwork services be available for residents in Cartwright and Roblin going forward? Hon. Hea ther Stefanson (Premier): And the – [interjection] Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order, please. Mrs. Stefanson: The Leader of the Opposition, if he wants to listen to the answer, Mr.

Deputy Speaker, is that there is a human resource challenge within the health-care system, not just here in Manitoba but right across the country. And that is a result of a worldwide pandemic that we are all trying to work collectively to come through. But I will remind the Leader of the Op position that back in the dark days of the Selinger government, Mr. Deputy Speaker, the minister of Health said, and I quote: In the Virden ER, there were two doctors that have left to go to another juris diction within Manitoba. It means we cannot keep the ER open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

We just don't have the staff there right now to do it. Mr. Deputy Speaker, that was at a time before a worldwide pandemic. That was in 2014. They had the opportunity. The NDP had the opportunity to fix that at the time. They didn't. Where they failed, we will deliver. Education System Programs Government Funding Model Mr. Nello Altomare (Transcona): The PC gov ern- ment's looming education funding review means more of the same for Manitoba classrooms. Years of cuts and underfunding have meant the Province's share of education has fallen from 62.4 per cent to 56.4 per cent.

It has meant cuts to so many classrooms and impossible decisions for school divisions. It's time for a new approach, Deputy Speaker. Will the minister commit to properly fund our classrooms and stop the cuts in the coming education funding model? Hon. Wayne Ewasko (Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning): Once again, my friend from Transcona stands up and not only puts false information on t he record, Mr. Deputy Speaker, he continues to fear monger. Not only are school divisions our education part- ners, but also parents and students across this great province of ours. Mr.

Deputy Speaker, $460 million more in edu- cation this year alone ; that's far more than the NDP ever put towards education. We're not going to take any lessons from the member opposite. Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honour able member for Transcona, on a follow-up question. Mr. Altomare: Evergreen School Division is con- sulting on next year 's budget. They are asking resi - dents which programs they should cut, including junior kindergarten, field trips, extracurricular, band programs or school fee subsidies. They're also consid- ering cancelling special high school courses .

All of this because of cuts and underfunding. The edu cation funding model needs to change track. Will the minister commit to no more cuts today?

274 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA November 28, 2022 Mr. Ewasko: I listened to the member from Transcona get up once again–and the member knows, Mr. Deputy Speaker, that the funding model that was there pre - vious for 20-plus years is old, antiquated, confusing. Even him, as a former administrator, Mr. Deputy Speaker, couldn't figure it out. [interjection] Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. Mr. Ewasko: But don' t get m e wrong; that 's no surprise because we know that math is hard for the members of the NDP party, Mr. Deputy Speaker. We know that we're funding $460 million more to education this year alone.

We've got more good news coming towards education, Mr. Deputy Speaker. We're not going to go back to the dark days of the Selinger and the member for Fort Rouge (Mr. Kinew) government, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable member for Transcona, on a final supplementary. Mr. Altomare: Evergreen School Division says the PC govern ment's decisions to –put their local pro - gramming at risk. In their survey, they say, and I quote: As funding cuts continue, we will not have the means to continue to offer our usual slate of program- ming. A lot is at stake, and Evergreen is not alone.

With the coming education funding model, Deputy Speaker, will this government change track and com- mit to no more funding cuts for Manitoba schools? Mr. Ewasko: Over the last few years since we 've formed gov ernment, Mr. Deputy Speaker, we con - tinue to increase funding to education. Matter of fact, Mr. Deputy Speaker, with many of the inputs that we have put in in regards to funding, we are now looking at the gov ernment of Manitoba funding around 75 per cent of overall education funding coming right from government. That was–that's a far stretch from the miniscule amount of–[interjection] Mr.

Deputy Speaker: Order. Mr. Ewasko: –dollars that the members–[interjection] Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. Mr. Ewasko: –opposite used to put towards. Mr. Deputy Speaker, parents and guardians out there want to see success for all students , no matter where they live, their cultural back ground or their personal circumstance. We're getting it done. Lions Place Seniors Residence Concern Regarding Loss of Affordable Units MLA Uzoma Asagwara (Union Station): Deputy Speaker, Lions Place has hundreds of seniors housing units. It keeps rent affordable for many seniors in downtown Winnipeg.

These units should not be lost to private, out-of-province developers. We need these units preserved for the use of seniors now and for the future. Will the minister intervene to save seniors housing at Lions Place? Hon. Rochelle Squires (Minister of Families): I thank members opposite for that question. It is really unfortunate that that–the Lions Club did not inform the government of Manitoba of their decision before the decision was made. It was very difficult for the Province to come in and–on this private sale after the fact. And so, what we are committed to doing, Mr.

Deputy Speaker, is ensuring that all seniors in the province have a safe and affordable place to call home and that all seniors living at Lions Place will continue to have affordable rents. That is what our government is committed to, and that is what we 're working to- wards addressing. Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable member for Union Station, on a follow-up question. MLA Asagwara: Deputy Speaker, one of the first acts of this gov ernment was to sell off hundreds of social housing units at 185 Smith in my constituency of Union Station. There are thousands of Manitobans on the waiting list for social housing.

The Lions Place mortgage was serviced by public funds. It's just wrong that it would be sold off now to an out-of-province corporation. These units need to be preserved for seniors in Manitoba. * (14:20) Will the minister intervene to save affordable sen- iors housing at Lions Place? Ms. Squires: Member opposite knows full well that it was their gov ernment that let the Smith building vacate and remain empty –derelict. It was a vacant building for years under their gov ernment. They did nothing to address that vacant building in downtown Winnipeg.

Our gov ernment is committed to ensuring that seniors have affordable housing. That is why we sign- ed on to the National Housing Strategy, Mr. Deputy

November 28, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 275 Speaker. And that is why we've built 745 new units of social and affordable housing since we took offi ce– something I would like to remind members opposite that they voted against each and every time. Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable member for Union Station, with a final supplementary.

MLA Asagwara: Deputy Speaker, I encourage the minister to watch a video on my social media right now where a resident of Lions Place was displaced from 185 Smith after they sold it, and now he 's ter- rified he's about to lose his housing again due to this government's inaction. [interjection] Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. MLA Asagwara: We need housing in Manitoba now and well into the future. Ultimately, we 're going to lose hundreds of seniors housing units downtown be- cause they're so–because they're going to be sold off, rather, to a private, out-of-province corporation.

The mortgage at Lions Place was serviced by public money. It must remain a public benefit. Will the minister take action today to save housing at Lions Place for hundreds of seniors? Ms. Squires: Well, Mr. Deputy Speaker, I thought that it was a real low when the NDP told cancer patients that they would not be receiving their cancer medication. I thought that was as low as they could go. Today, we see a new low with them fear mongering among seniors. Our government is committed to ensuring that all–[interjection] Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. Ms.

Squires: –seniors have a safe and affordable place to live in this province, including ensuring that all the residents at Lions Place–[interjection] Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. Ms. Squires: –continue to achieve safe and affordable rents and that they have a place–[interjection] Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. Ms. Squires: –to rent now and well into the future. We are committed to ensuring and addressing the needs of all seniors in this province, particularly those on a fixed income who are exper iencing lower in - comes that need those safe–or, those affordable rents. We are committed to getting the job done, Mr.

Deputy Speaker. Winnipeg Fire-Paramedic Station Land Swap Request for Premier to Call Public Inquiry MLA Nahanni Fontaine (St. Johns): No one believes any of what you just said. There are–[interjection] Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. MLA Fontaine: –still so many unanswered questions– [interjection] Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. MLA Fontaine: –surrounding Winnipeg's real estate and capital construction–[interjection] Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. MLA Fontaine: –scandals. New information shed some light into the find- ings of the RCMP's Project Dioxide criminal investi- gation.

The investi gation found Winnipeg Fire Paramedic land swap records shredded and property values altered. No charges would–laid. The RCMP has stated, and I quote, should a 'whistleblair'–blower/informant come forward with information, this matter could be reviewed for further action. Will the Premier (Mrs. Stefanson) do the right thing and call a public inquiry today? Hon. Cliff Cullen (Minister of Economic Development, Investment and Trade): Well, Mr. Deputy Speaker, appreciate the question again from the members opposite.

I think the members opposite should recog nize there's a process under way through the court system as we speak. We are allowing that parti cular process to unfold as it rightfully should. Mr. Deputy S peaker: The honourable member for St. Johns, on a follow-up question. MLA Fontaine: Project Dioxide discovered that land swap documents were shredded, property values were altered and a City worker was pressured into claiming different parcels of land were equal in value.

Newly elected Winnipeg mayor, Scott Gillingham, has called for accountability, saying, and I quote, what we need to do for the sake of the people of Winnipeg is get to the truth of matters, change what needs to be changed, recoup what can be recouped for the taxpayers, end quote. Yet, the Premier still refuses to call a public inquiry.

276 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA November 28, 2022 Will the Premier do the right thing by Winnipeggers and finally call a public inquiry? Mr. Cullen: Well, Mr. Deputy Speaker, we will do the right thing. There's a process under way. The courts are going through a process now in respect of the situation that's unfolding. The–history is–has done the same thing in other cases, allowing the system to evolve.

Once that system evolves –and, again, once other infor mation becomes to light, those parti cular processes are evolved and they go through the court system, then decisions will be made subsequent to that time. Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honour able member for St. Johns, on a final supplementary. MLA Fontaine: That's a shameful response from the Deputy Premier. Project Dioxide led that the RCMP to consider charges such as breach of trust by a public officer, municipal corruption, fraud over $5,000 and a pay - ment of secret com missions.

While charges weren 't laid, the RCMP did not rule them out in the future as more information could shed new light. A public inquiry could provide this information to the RCMP and to Winnipeggers and ensure responsi- ble parties are held accountable. The Premier (Mrs. Stefanson) should do the right thing by Winnipeg taxpayers, who are on the hook for all of these scandals. Will the Premier actually have some courage, stand up in the House today and call a public inquiry into the City of Winnipeg's real estate and capital– Mr. Deputy Speaker: Member's time has expired. Mr. Cullen: Well, Mr.

Deputy Speaker, what is shameful is members opposite wanting us, as govern- ment, to interfere with a civil lawsuit. That is not on the go. Mr. Deputy Speaker, the process is playing out, as it has in the past. This is the right way for this to proceed. The Premier has spoken before. The Minister of Justice (Mr. Goertzen) has said we will certainly monitor the situation. As other infor mation becomes available, we 'll certa inly monitor the situation as it develops. Manitoba Municipalities Operating Funding Mr. Matt Wiebe (Concordia): Mr.

Deputy Speaker, I wanted to start by congratulating the Association of Manitoba Municipalities on a fantastic, successful fall convention. And while there was lively debate on a variety of issues on the floor of that convention, there was one thing that everyone agreed on. That is: that the PCs should end the municipal funding freeze. For seven straight budgets, Mr. Deputy Speaker– Mr. Speaker, costs have continued to increase for those municipalities, but the PCs maintain the funding freeze. We've been clear: we would end the funding freeze if we were to be able to form government.

Will the minister simply get on board and commit to municipalities that she will end the municipal– Mr. Deputy Speaker: The member's time has expired. Hon. Eileen Clarke (Minister of Municipal Relations): I appreciate the opportunity to put a few words in here today. Listening to the member opposite, you'd think he actually knows Manitoba municipalities. Well, let's go back. Let's have a little history lesson. Do they remember the 60-plus municipalities that they totally eliminated in 2014? Oh, my goodness. And they a re standing up here pretending they re - present 'municipala'? It's an absolute joke.

Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. Order. Order. Order. The honour able member for Concordia, on a follow-up question. Mr. Wiebe: Seven budgets in a row. That is the record of this PC gov ernment and their continued funding freeze to our municipalities. If they want to show to municipalities that they want to be partners, it 's time to end that funding freeze. They are stretched–municipalities are stretch- ed further and further as they try to deliver those programs and services that Manitobans count on, yet this PC gov ernment continues to show they are not listening.

The minister herself admitted all costs have gone up, but she wouldn' t commit to ending the funding freeze.

November 28, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 277 Will she simply do that for the House here today? Ms. Clarke: I've had the privilege of working with or for Manitoba munici palities for, believe, 16 years now, and the one thing that I have learned is what 's really important to municipalities is trust; they need to trust their government. * (14:30) Well, I heard last week how much they trust this opposition. They don 't; absolutely don 't. They didn 't now, they didn't then. However, we are working with those munici - palities, and we have the trust of 137 munici palities. [interjection] Mr.

Deputy Speaker: Order. Order. Order. Just a comment to all members to please direct comments through the Chair. Mr. Wiebe: Mr. Deputy Speaker, over the past seven years, Manitobans have ex perienced two failed premiers, a global pandemic and now a cost-of-living crisis. And they've done so at every turn without the support of the PCs, who have frozen the operating funding for municipalities for seven straight budgets. Local representatives were committed to repre- senting their ratepayers at the convention.

And they came with a variety of different issues but they were clear to this gov ernment, and if the minister was listening, she would have heard it. We certainly heard it. We will end the municipal funding freeze. Will the minister simply agree to do the same? Ms. Clarke: It's very clear, the member of the 'oppitition' have really no clear understanding of how a government actually works–when budgets are done, when funding is done–and it would be a horror if it – they ever thought they were going to have the power to do so. We are working with municipalities.

All my col- leagues are working with munici palities because we represent all munici palities: whether it 's health care, education, justice, you name it; we work with munici- palities on all issues and they were very pleased with every ministerial meeting they had last week. Peter Nygård Assault Allegations Inquiry Into Filing Charges in Manitoba Mr. Dougald Lamont (St. Boniface): Madam– Mr.

Deputy Speaker, this morning I attended a Manitoba law society hearing where Peter Nygård 's lawyer, Jay Prober, pleaded guilty to professional misconduct for the way he publicly attacked the char- acters of Nygård survivors. I won 't repeat his false statements here, but women were being punished for coming forward and sending a clear message to anyone who might want justice that survivors are the ones to be put on trial so Peter Nygård won't be. And in Manitoba, it worked.

I've been asked by more than 40 Nygård survivors who are watching these proceedings right now to ask: Will the Manitoba gov ernment now reopen the in- vestigations into Nygård in Manitoba, even if it means reassigning them to police or Crowns from outside of the province? Hon. Cliff Cullen (Acting Minister of Justice and Attorney General): I hope the member opposite will recognize the role the Prosecution Branch plays, obviously the judiciary play . Certainly us, as from a government perspective, we appreciate the significant differences and we ap preciate the roles that each are responsible for.

Currently, that process is unfolding around this set of circumstances and we will allow that particular process to play out. Handling of Peter Nygård Investigation Call for Public Inquiry Mr. Dougald Lamont (St. Boniface): This govern- ment's Throne Speech talked to pursuing those who have preyed on others and chosen a life outside the law, of violence against women and girls and of their efforts to find and apprehend the most violent criminals who are respon sible for committing the most heinous crimes in our communities.

That is what Peter Nygård is facing prosecution for in New York by the FBI and in Toronto and Montreal, but not here in Manitoba, where he has faced the same accusations. On behalf of more than 40 Nygård survivors who are watching these proceedings, I ask: Will the PC government call a public inquiry into the police – Winnipeg Police Service and Manitoba Justice for their handling of the Nygård investi gations and prosecutions? Hon. Cliff Cullen (Acting Minister of Justice and Attorney General): Mr. Deputy Speaker, I 'd just reiterate that there's a process under way in respect of this particular situation.

We will not be interfering with that process. We will allow that process to unfold.

278 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA November 28, 2022 Certainly, in respect of our Throne Speech just recently, we have made commit ments to –and, cer - tainly, enforcing the law and making sure that we get those offenders off of the streets by assigning in - dividuals for warrants that are outstanding and making sure those individuals that are responsi ble for crimes in Manitoba get off the streets. Mr. Lamont: Mr. Deputy Speaker, in e xchange for Mr.

Prober's guilty plea, the Manitoba l aw society agreed to drop a charge that his unacceptable com - ments may have affected how the public and author - ities considered the case. It sent a clear signal that sur- vivors shouldn't be taken seriously when they should. Nygård is facing both civil and criminal justice in Toronto and Montreal and New York. One of the places survivors have no chance for criminal justice is Manitoba, where he got a start, after over 40 years of allegations of violent crime often swept under the carpet. On behalf of survivors, I ask the Premier (Mrs.

Stefanson) and Justice minder again–minister again: Will you reopen and reassign the Nygård in - vestigation and call a public inquiry into the Winnipeg Police Service and Manitoba Justice's handling of the Nygård cases? Hon. Rochelle Squires (Minister responsible for the Status of Women): Of course, the member opposite does know that there is a process, and that process will play out in the province of Manitoba. And the Manitoba gov ernment is committed to holding offenders to account. We're also committed to working with survivors and lifting up anyone who has experienced domestic violence.

That is why we've in- creased our funding significantly to all our shelters in the province of Manitoba. That is why we have signed onto the national framework on ending gender -based violence, so that we can get results for women and girls and vul nerable Manitobans ex periencing any kind of intimate partner vi olence, sexual assault or harassment in this province.

By investing in proactive and pre ventative measures, by ensuring that the supports are there when people need them and by ensuring that the laws are in there–and that is why we passed, recently, Clare's Law and other bills to support women survivors who have been preyed upon by– Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable minister's time has expired. Off-Road Trails Safety and Maintenance Funding Support for Organizations Mr. Rick Wowchuk (Swan River): Mr. Deputy Speaker, Manitobans value the extensive network of recreational trails that run through all areas of this beautiful province.

Can the Minister of Environment, Climate and Parks explain what this government is doing to ensure that off -road vehicle trails are properly maintained and safe for current and future Manitobans? Hon. Jeff Wharton (Minister of Environment, Climate and Parks): I'd like to thank the member from Swan River for that great question. Last week, I was pleased to introduce the off-road vehicle trails safety maintenance act. This bill will ensure Manitobans have access to safe and reliable off-road vehicle trails.

This will be accom plished by the–supporting and em powering the hard- working organizations and clubs that currently maintain and groom over 13,000 kilometres of trails we have right here in Manitoba. Snoman and ATV Manitoba will provide with additional tools and resources allowing them to increase education, develop new trails, maintain an d expand existing trails, improve signage and repair damaged land and trails, which will help protect our environment. Mr.

Deputy Speaker, our gov ernment is com- mitted to working with these organi zations to ensure the sport is needed to Manitobans wi th safe and sus - tainable trails for years to come. Disability Support Workers Wage Enhancement Ms. Lisa Naylor (Wolseley): Workers who support adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities are not being supported by this gov ernment. Wage increases promised in the budget for this sector should have brought these workers well above minimum wage, but now the minimum wage has increased, so disability support professional wages are no longer competitive.

Minimum wage should lift workers up, including those with negotiated wage increases, rather than erase these increases altogether. When will the minister pay disability support pro- fessionals a fair wage? Hon. Rochelle Squires (Minister responsible for Accessibility): In this year's budget, we had an extra

November 28, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 279 $26 million for the sector for people who are living with disabilities and people who are working in that sector. And I want to take the oppor tunity to say thank you to each and every person who went to work throughout the pandemic to care for our vul nerable Manitobans. We greatly ap preciate their efforts in going to work every day. And we also did increase the budget. And I'd like to ask the member opposite on why she voted against money for the sector for people with disabilities. It was their gov ernment that voted it down. Shame on them. Mr.

Deputy Speaker: The honourable member for Wolseley, on a follow-up question. Ms. Naylor: Workers who support adults with intel - lectual and developmental dis abilities d o in credibly important work, and they deserve to be compensated fairly. A lack of a fair wage has led to major issues with recruitment and retention. There 's already a major labour shortage in this field, and it will get worse. * (14:40) The gap between minimum wage and starting starting salary for dis ability support professionals is now much smaller than it was.

Will the minister do the right thing and pay dis - ability support professionals the wage they deserve? Ms. Squires: Of course, our government is committed to building this sector and to ensuring that this sector remains vibrant by attracting talent and keeping that talent working in this sector to care for Manitobans ' most vulnerable people. And I can assure the members opposite that, once again, in upcoming budget, there will be more dollars for people working with in- dividuals with disabilities.

So, I have to ask: Will the members opposite finally do the right thing and vote in favour of a budget that will have more money for people with dis abil- ities? Mr. Deputy Speaker: The time for oral questions has expired. Speaker's Statement Mr. Deputy Speaker: And if I could have the atten- tion of the House, this afternoon, we're having condol- ence motions. This is a unique function of the Legislature, and I do have a statement explaining how this will work.

So–it's unfamiliar to us, so I do encourage you just to listen up for a page or –it's not a full page, even, to explain how the afternoon's going to work. In accordance with the agreement reached in the House on November 24th, 2022, and with a letter I received from the Gov ernment House Leader (Mr. Goertzen) on November 25th, 2022, the House will now consider condol ence motions for deceased members of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.

As agreed to by the House, for each motion, 10 minutes of speaking time will be allocated to members from the deceased member's political party; five minutes of speaking time will be allocated to members from another political party; five minutes of speaking time will be allocated to independent members. Within those speaking time allocations, the parties or independent members may assign as many members as they wish to speak.

As the conclusion–sorry, at the conclusion of the speeches, the Speaker shall put the question and ask members to signify their approval of the motion by rising in their places to observe a moment of silence. If I can just sort of offer a commentary as I was reviewing this, so there's–that 10 minutes is not per member, it is per party, for the party that the deceased member was associated with, and then five minutes total per party for other parties.

As requested by the Government House Leader, I will call con dolence motions for these former mem - bers in the following order: MLA Peter George Dyck, MLA Alan Brian Ransom –[interjection] I can keep going? Yes? MLA William "Bill" Alexander Blaikie, MLA Martin Dolin, MLA Eugene Kostera [phonetic], MLA–Kostyra, my apologies–MLA Jean René Allard. * * * An Honourable Member: On House business. Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable member for– the honourable Opposition House Leader, on House business. MLA Nahanni Fontaine (Official Opposition House Leader): I apologize to do this at this particular mom- ent.

I think that there was a miscommunication some- where along the way, and I appre ciate you clarifying that it was actually 10 minutes per party, or for the totality of the party.

280 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA November 28, 2022 I'm asking leave of the House if it 's possible that we have several speakers, or a couple of more speak- ers, particularly for our dear friend Bill Blaikie and certainly, Eugene Kostyra, who I believe both sets of families are in the gallery. I would ask just the indulgence of the House. We do have a couple of speakers for each of those dif - ferent family members. Mr.

Deputy Speaker: So, I'd like to ask the honour- able Op position House Leader if there 's a certain amount of time that they have in mind, maybe a num- ber of minutes or if they could propose some thing a little more specific. MLA Fontaine: Again, I apologize for raising this at this last moment. I–we would ask for 10 -minute speeches. Again, Deputy Speaker, we don't have many members per in- dividual or per our former colleagues. We're just asking for a little bit of indulgence today. [interjection] Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honour able Op position House Leader.

MLA Fontaine: Deputy Speaker, just to be clear, we're asking for 10 minutes per speech. Mr. Deputy Speaker: Okay. So I'm going to attempt to put this leave question to the House and I 'm going to try to be accurate as I understand the question. First of all, by way of

preamble, the agree ment that I've been given specifies 10 minutes for the party of deceased member and five minutes for other parties that the deceased member was not a part of. The hon ourable Op position House Leader is asking, I believe, for 10 minutes per speech, and I understand the honourable Opposition House Leader has indicated that that is –there will be some reason - ableness, that there won't be a full roster of speeches. So–and that is for the two –former NDP–for Eugene Kostyra and Bill Blaikie. That is the leave request, and I put that to the House.

Is there leave for that request, for 10- minute speeches for any member speaking to those two deceased MLAs? Is there leave for that request? Some Honourable Members: Agreed. An Honourable Member: No. [interjection] Mr. Deputy Speaker: Okay, I'm going to offer the House a recess. I would ask that the recess be kept less than 10 minutes and if we can do it in five, that would be better. So, we will recess and allow House leaders to discuss. The House recessed at 2:47 p.m. ____________ The House resumed at 2:52 p.m. Mr. Deputy Speaker: Okay. It appears the recess has ended.

I'm calling the House back from that recess. And the honourable Opposition House Leader, on House Business. MLA Nahanni Fontaine (Official Opposition House Leader): And I appre ciate the indulgence here and everybody's co-operation for this afternoon. I'm asking the House if there is leave that the movers of each of the motions would have up until 10 minutes for their speech and that every other mem- ber speech afterwards would be up to five minutes. Mr. Deputy Speaker: Okay.

So the leave request – and I invite correction if I misrepresent this–is that the mover for any con dolence motion would have up to 10 minutes and that other speakers to any condolence motion would have up to five minutes each speech. Is there l eave for that leave–for that request? [Agreed] Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Just a bit of clarification, is there an unlimited number of speakers who are going to be allowed five minutes? Is that it? Mr. Deputy Speaker: Well, I mean, of course, it's an unlimited number.

There 's only the people in the room, and it seems to me that there is a respectful understanding that this is a serious matter and I don 't think it's going to be taken advantage of. [interjection] The leave has already been granted. The honourable member for River Heights, is there anything else that–[interjection] Okay. Okay.

November 28, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 281 MOTIONS OF CONDOLENCE Peter George Dyck Mr. Deputy Speaker: So, we will now proceed to the condolence motion for Peter George Dyck, and I would invite the honour able First Minister to move that motion. Hon. Heather Stefanson (Premier): I move, seconded by the Minister of Finance (Mr.

Friesen), that this House convey to the family of the late Peter George Dyck, who served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, its sincere sympathy in their bereavement and its ap preciation of his devotion to duty and a useful life of active community and public service, and that–Madam Speaker?–or should that be Mr. Deputy?–[interjection]–okay–and that Madam Speaker be requested to forward a copy of this resolu- tion to the family. Motion presented. Mrs.

Stefanson: I'm honoured to stand before the House today and put a few words on the record with respect to the life and legacy of Peter George Dyck, who remains at the forefront of our thoughts here today. As the former MLA for Pembina, we recog nize and honour his contributions to his community and to Manitoba through politics, through service, through music and through his faith that was very important to him, as we all know. I had the honour of sitting in the Chamber with Peter George Dyck. He was already elected when I was elected in a by -election in 2000.

And I can tell you that he was very helpful to me as a new elected member of this Chamber. And as he was –at one point in time, he was the chair of our caucus, as well, and was very helpful, I think, to all members, particularly new ones who got to know him. And I just want his family to know what he meant to all of our caucus and how much he was able to help out during those times. I can also remember in–we were in opposition at the time, Mr. Deputy Speaker, and I remember those times after heated debates on the floor of the–of this Chamber, that we would rally together.

I think, back in those days, we sat until 6 p.m., it wasn 't 5 p.m. at that time. But at 6 p.m. we gathered back in our caucus and we had what was called, to Peter George Dyck, our debriefing for the day. And we very much learned a lot from each other, I think, during t hose times, and learned a lot about each other during those times, that you wouldn' t normally learn on the floor of the Chamber. And so I certainly cherish those days, Mr. Deputy Speaker.

I can also recall that there was one issue that Peter George Dyck would never, ever let go, and that was day in and day out, he would bring forward the No. 1 issue for his com munity, and that was Tabor Home, Mr. Deputy Speaker. He was relentless at advocating for his constit uents and his com munity for Tabor Home. And each and every day in this Chamber, he reminded us and he reminded the gov ernment at the time the importance of making sure that that home got built for the residents within those communities, those seniors within the commu nity. And I 'm glad that it finally got built, Mr.

Deputy Speaker, and certainly, Peter George Dyck is the reasoning behind that for his perseverance on that No. 1 issue within his area. There were other issues that he was very passionate about, and he spoke often passionately about various issues: health care, edu cation, other areas in this Chamber. And he spoke very eloquently about–and passionately about those issues. * (15:00) I can tell you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, that he also cared very deeply for the No. 1 issue in his life–or the No. 1 thing in his life, and that was family.

And, cer- tainly, I want to say to Irene today, his wife; I want to say to Patrick and Shannon and Becky; and I want to say to all of his grandchildren, who he was so close to and were with him right down to the end, Mr. Deputy Speaker, he loved them dearly and he enjoyed the times that he had to be able to spend with his wife, with his kids and with his grandchildren. Family meant absolutely everything to him. Family, his com- munity, his faith; those were things that were very, very dear to him.

And so, I know there's a number of my colleagues that would like to speak today, who had the opportun- ity to sit with him in this Manitoba Chamber. I feel so honoured to have been given that oppor tunity, Mr. Deputy Speaker, and I just want to extend my deepest condolences on behalf of Jason and my fam - ily, and the entire Stefanson family, because I know Eric Stefanson also sat with him in the Chamber as well. And so, on behalf of all of us, we send our deepest con dolences for the loss of their husband,

282 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA November 28, 2022 their father, their grandfather and most importantly, to all of us, a friend. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr. Matt Wiebe (Concordia): I'm honoured to rise on behalf of the official opposi tion to offer our con - dolences to the family, to the friends, to the com mu- nity that he served, of Peter George Dyck. I was pleased to serve with Peter for a short period of time when I was first elected and got to know him a little bit during that time.

And there's no question, Peter was the kind of legislator, I think, that all Manitobans would hope that we all bring to this place. I'd like to just start by reading a few of the words of Peter's–one of Peter 's contemporaries here in this Chamber and that would be Dave Chomiak, who said this upon Peter 's passing. Dave said, Peter was the kind of person that made the Legislature a better place. I very much enjoyed his thoughts on faith and humour. We always could talk honestly and in a non-partisan fashion. He was a good and a kind soul.

I wish his family peace in knowing that he is in a better place and did his part to make this place a bit better. Peter George Dyck served this Legislature from 1995 until 2011, serving the constituency of Pembina. He grew up Winkler, on his family farm, and attended Mennonite Brethren Bible College here in Winnipeg. His colleagues knew him as a man of faith and a man who put his family first and was very proud of his family. He also loved music, playing piano and trumpet and singing in his church and school choirs. Later in life, he would teach music and band part-time in his local high school.

Peter was also active in local civic issues. He served as a board member and chairperson of his local credit union. He also served as a board member and as a chair of the Garden Valley School Division. He worked actively with the Winkler Bible Camp and served as a choir director, council member and moder- ator of the Winkler Mennonite Brethren Church. In the later years of his life, Peter had a rare dis- order that ultimately took his life. He passed away on Sunday, January 5th, 2020, at the age of 73–much too early–surrounded by his family.

Peter was one of the few folks in here that could transcend the partisan back and forth. Not to say that he wasn't a political person and somebody who could partake in that back and forth, but he was somebody who, at the end of the day, could have an honest con- versation with his colleagues, and that was with mem- bers on all sides of this Chamber. I was just a brand new MLA at that time, coming into this Chamber and only overlapping with Peter for a very brief time.

But there was a different tone, I would suggest, in that Legislature and it was not least of which because of Peter and the way tha t he con - ducted himself. Again, lots of heckling, lots of political barbs being traded here in question period and other times. But Peter often would take the time to chat with us on the opposi tion benches –sorry–on the gov ernment benches from the opposition benches–and at that time, he would, as Dave so–put it so well–talk about what really mattered–family, faith–and sometimes sprinkle it in with a little bit of humour. Peter was a beloved member of this Chamber.

I know he was beloved in his own community and I ap- preciate the opportunity that we all have to rise today, put a few words on the record to thank his family for supporting him as he did his im portant work. I do believe that he left this place a better place, and I hope that his b rand of politics and type of way that he conducted himself is one that we all hold ourselves to in the future. So, on behalf of the official opposition, I wish to once again offer his family condol ences and to his entire community, and thank them f or allowing us to have Peter here in this Chamber for a brief period of time.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Hon. Cameron Friesen (Minister of Finance): Mr. Deputy Speaker, it 's an honour to rise and put a few comments on the record to recog nize former MLA f or Pembina, Peter George Dyck, my pre - decessor in the Manitoba Legislature, my friend; a friend of so many. It is a very unique privilege that the Legislature affords members to be able to acknowl edge and pay respects to former members. I wanted to make sure I had the op portunity just to put a few words on the record, standing in the same Chamber where Peter used to be for so many years –16 years he served in this place.

So, today, Irene, Becky and John, Pat and Jen n, Shannon and Rob, your families, I know some of you are joining us virtually. I know you would have liked to have been here. Pat just sent me a note to say they're

November 28, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 283 really sick. He said we were not going to come to the Legislature today, and we thank you for that. But we know that you're with us in spirit. It's a bittersweet thing to be an MLA and to know an MLA because I remember hearing stories from Peter first-hand about some of the cost of being an MLA, of the hallmark events he missed. I actually believe there was a story he told me–I'm not sure I'm completely right–I think he may have missed a gradu- ation ceremony for one of the children. It could have been Shannon. If that's wrong, then I apologize.

But I remember him saying how he had missed some very sig nificant events because at times, votes were tight and House leaders were not releasing mem- bers to be absent from a vote. And that is part of the tyranny of a caucus and the discipline that is necessary to carry on that work. But for rural members espe - cially, you feel that distance between home and here, and Peter felt it. I won 't say much in my time because I know others want to speak. A few things: he and I had a few things in common. As the member for Concordia (Mr.

Wiebe) said, both of us musicians; both of us former band directors; both of us with some facility on a trumpet –I think his was better; both of us vocalists. I think that Peter used to say he had taught high school band to Loreena McKennitt. And he used to joke, he said, I taught Loreena every thing she knew. And then he talked about Loreena and these –her bright red hair and her pigtails, sitting right in the front of the class because I think she played the flute –and of course, has gone on to be one of Canada's top stars, a Juno award winner. What a thing to boast. Peter was always in op position.

It is a rare and difficult assignment to be a member of the Assembly but to always be in opposition. It is a different kind of a challenge of being–than being in government. So, he did it well. He ha d various critic roles, but he was a long-time caucus chair. Back home, he was visible in the community. He used to joke with me and he used to say, well, I 'm in opposition so I go to every funeral. I don 't know if Peter went to every funeral, but he w ent to a lot of funerals. But it was a way for him to be able to make contact with the community.

He used to tell me, you know, he says, Winkler does not appre ciate, he says, if I show up and door -knock at houses. But he says, the difference in some rural communities is you must be at everything. And he was. He was so visible. Everyone knew him. They all knew that really dark suntan of Peter George Dyck. It was June or it was November or it was March, and he had that suntan. And at his funeral, his family even talked about that suntan that just went with Peter everywhere he went.

But also what went with him was is smile, his energy, his encouragement. * (15:10) In that very little time, he gave me two pieces of advice. When I was thinking about running for office, I said, should I go out and do a public adminis tration master's degree? He said, are you kidding? He says, you just got one, he says, just by working for another elected official. Run for office now.

The second piece of advice, as I sat and the last time I saw him, at his bedside at the Buhler Active Living Centre in the sup portive housing units, which were later named after him, he looked up from his bedside and he said, Cam, I 'm going to give you another piece of advice: Anything that you need to do, anything that is on your list to do, do not wait; do it. And it came from a very real place where Peter was saying he had years stolen from him. He got sick too early. He left the family that was so beloved to him too early. Peter, we are endeavouring to seize that advice. You've left a huge hole.

Your memory lives on. You have beautiful grandchildren. And we miss you today. I miss you many times. Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Mr. Deputy Speaker, I rise to extend condolences to the family and to the friends of Peter George Dyck on behalf of myself and on behalf of our Liberal MLAs. Peter served as the MLA for Pembina, the Morden-Winkler area of Manitoba, from 1995 to 2011. He was fortunate that he had the first several years while he was a part of the member of the government and then, for the rest of his time, he was in the opposi- tion. In 1995, his opponent was Dr.

Walter Hoeppner, a fine physician who worked with the people in the Morden-Winkler area for many years. At th e begin- ning, it looked like it might even be a close race, but in the end, Peter Dyck won handily. He was parti cularly interested in his com munity and he worked closely to advance issues, in particular in relationship to seniors. One of his first speeches in the Legislature was on the need to pay attention to Alzheimer's disease. He was participating in the third

284 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA November 28, 2022 annual Memory Walk and, as he commented in his speech, this is the disease that seems to know no bar- riers; it can strike any of us. In addition to talking about Alzheimer 's disease and other issues of seniors, he talked frequently about the need for ad ditional personal-care-home spaces in Morden, and he read many petitions calling for the new Tabor Home, which was finally completed in 2017. He was also very interested in the development of the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre in Morden with the largest collection of marine reptile fossils in Canada.

Speaking on November 30th, 2010, he men- tioned that the discovery of a massive xiphactinus jaw bone with a partial mosasaur flipper wedged between its upper and lower jaw as if the mosasaur had been caught by the xiphactinus. He also marched with others on the National Day of Mourning to remember those who've been injured, become ill and lost their lives due to work place con- ditions. And he spoke for his caring for workers in his speech in the Legislature.

Over the years, he was parti cularly critical when he was in opposi tion of a number of the NDP initia - tives, including the construction of the hydro line around the west side of Manitoba and the fact that under the NDP, the province of Manitoba was seen as the crime capital of Canada. He also very much liked to go to Mexico in the winter. He enjoyed life; it showed it. We will miss his presence here and his ability to contribute to the issues of the day. Conclude by extending condolences once more to the family and friends. Thank you. Merci. Miigwech. Mr.

Deputy Speaker: I will now recognize the hon - ourable member for Midland (Mr. Pedersen), who is virtual. If the honourable member could turn their mic on. And I'm just looking at the screen. I just–if I could ask that member to also bring their microphone down. There we go. The honourable member for Midland, please go ahead. Mr. Blaine Pedersen (Midland): Just a few short words about Peter George Dyck. Others in the Chamber have already mentioned many of his accom plishments, but when I was first elected in 2007, Peter George was a mentor for those of us who were new members at that time.

As caucus chair, he kept us informed of what was happening in both the caucus matters and the business that was happening in the Chamber. It was a big help to us. Peter George Dyck worked very hard represen - ting the Pembina constituency, that–Morden-Winkler, RM of Stanley, RM of Pembina and Manitou areas, working for the needs of those fast -growing commu- nities, as was mentioned by a number of other speak- ers here. He was always very proud of his –achievements of his com munities. He was very proud of his farm. And he–most of all, he was very proud of his family.

Peter George loved to visit, and Tuesday night rib night became a bit of a tradition for many of us in our caucus. And of course, Peter George was always there and always making sure that everyone was included. I did visit Peter George when he was in hospital, not long before he passed away. And even though he was facing health difficulties, he was upbeat and posi- tive. We had a great visit reminiscing about our time together in the Legislature, of our agri cultural roots that bonded us together. Mr.

Deputy Speaker, to Irene and family, always know the positive influence that Peter George had on me and on everyone he met throughout his life. Peter George is a life well lived. May he rest in peace. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr. Ron Schuler (Springfield-Ritchot): It is, in - deed, an honour to stand today and speak about one of my colleagues who I had a opportunity to serve with– Peter George Dyck was elected in 1995, I was elected in 1999. And Peter George Dyck was always an individual you could go to and seek advice. He was very impor- tant in caucus.

He would tell us what it was like to be in gov ernment, what took place and why decisions were made. And to his family, I would say to them, Peter George Dyck was always a gentleman. He was a very loving husband to Irene. I know that. We were at dinners often together, and they were just a beautiful couple.

November 28, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 285 And I would say he always spoke with a smile on his face when he spoke about his children, but he spoke with an incredibly big smile when he spoke about his grandchildren. He loved his family. He loved to talk about the family. And those that are listening here today, this is a unique op portunity as a Legislature where we get to honour individuals who served and have passed away, so I hope some of you have an opportunity to listen to this because he really did speak about his family, especially his grand- children, with the biggest smile.

Peter George Dyck loved to laugh. He was a lot of fun. Fact, someone mentioned and stole my story, and that was the Tuesday rib night at the Norwood Hotel. It was an honour to be included in those from time to time. It was a great deal. For some reason, that seems to–has fallen away, I don 't even know if it 's a thing anymore, but Peter George Dyck, we would get there and we would have that one side room, and we would have just a great time, laugh uproariously, talk about the day 's events and who said what and what happened where. And Peter George Dyck loved those moments.

One of my colleagues mentioned that he always seemed to be tanned because he loved being outside. And for those of you who don't know him, he loved to walk. So, he would tell us sometimes that he would walk early in the morning and he would tell us the whole path that he had walked. One time, the Minister of Justice (Mr. Goertzen)–the member for Steinbach– and I had supper with him, and he said, oh, yes, this morning I walked, you know, I we nt across the Midtown Bridge and then I walked there and I walked down River and I walked here and then I walked there.

And I looked at the member for Steinbach and I said, I don 't know about you, but man, I feel exhausted already just listening to everywh ere Peter George Dyck walked. * (15:20) So Peter George actually was always outside and that's why he always looked tanned. He loved going to Mexico. He loved being there and he loved being outside on the farm. He was very much a outdoors person. The last time I had the op portunity to speak to Peter George Dyck, he had come back after he had retired. And he came back, and one of the things I noticed, he didn't look as tired anymore and was very relaxed and all the rest of it.

So I went up to him and I said, you know, you look strangely familiar. I think your father used to serve with me in caucus. And he laughed and laughed and laughed. And he said, you know what, retirement 's been really good. He said, you just get rid of all of those stresses of be ing in office. And I'm sure if he lost 10 years, I have a feeling Irene probably lost 15 years. She finally had Peter George back at home and could spend more time with him. And Peter George will always be fondly remem- bered as a gentleman, as a leader, as an individual that you could go to.

He was always a positive force in our caucus, and I believe, as others have mentioned, he was a positive force here in this Chamber. And I'd like to say to the family, I for one –and I know many of us who served with him–miss him dearly. Our condol ences to you, Irene and your family. Mr. Deputy Speaker: Just by way of reminder, I 'm about to put the question to the House, and unlike other times in this House where, when the question is asked, we say, agreed, members who will support the motion will do so by standing and then we 'll have a moment of silence.

So, is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? A moment of silence was observed. Mr. Deputy Speaker: Just on a point of clarity, I know these are not familiar regular rules that we 're working with this afternoon, but members from the party of the deceased member will speak first. It's not an alternating of members, so we'll have–my notes say three government members and then any opposi tion members who wish to speak and then the independent member. So, it doesn't rotate, which is normally how it's done here. Alan Brian Ransom Mr.

Deputy Speaker: But we will move now to the condolence motion for Alan Brian Ransom, and I recognize the honour able Deputy Premier to move that motion. Hon. Cliff Cullen (Deputy Premier): I move, seconded by the member for Brandon West (Mr. Helwer), that this House convey to the family of the late Alan Brian Ransom, who served as a member of the Legis lative Assembly of Manitoba, its sincere sympathy in their bereavement and its ap preciation of his devotion to duty in a useful life of active com munity and public service, and that Madam Speaker be requested to forward a copy of this resolution to the family.

Motion presented.

286 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA November 28, 2022 Mr. Cullen: It's an honour for me to speak about Alan Brian Ransom and his contribution to Manitoba. Mr. Ransom was an extra ordinary individual who–we would like to honour him here today in the Chamber. When you search his name in Google, the first page you are met with is the Manitoba Historical Society webpage, which lists Mr. Ransom as a, and I quote, memorable Manitoban. This is, indeed, a testament to this individual and the recognition of his contribution to our province. Mr.

Ransom was born at Boissevain, and from there attended the Uni versity of Manitoba and the University Alberta, and worked as a resource manager and a farmer before he entered into politics. Mr. Ransom was elected to the Manitoba govern- ment in the 1977 general election. He served the seats and the ridings of Souris -Killarney and Turtle Mountain in the southwest region of Manitoba. His portfolio contained the minister of mines, resources and the environment. He would later go on to become the minister of Natural Resources and the chairman of the Treasury Board.

In 1981, he became the minister of Finance and then was re-elected in the 1981 general election. Once Brian finished his political service, he con- tinued to offer his skills and leader ship to Manitoba Hydro, where he served as chair of the board. And he also served at the Fort Whyte Nature Centre, where he became a trustee and also worked as a consultant. Mr. Dennis Smook, Acting Speaker, in the Chair In recognition of his com munity service, he re- ceived the Queen Elizabeth silver jubilee medal. And, Mr.

Deputy Speaker, this medal is awarded by the Governor General of Canada to those who have made outstanding and exemplary contributions to their com- munities or to Canada as a whole. Mr. Deputy Speaker, we recognize the con tribu- tion that Mr. Ransom provided to Manitoba over his years. We extend our deepest condol ences to the family of Mr. Ransom for their loss, and we just want to thank and acknowledge family and friends of Brian who also gave their time of him, and we appreciate all that he has done in his service to Manitoba. Thank you.

The Acting Speaker (Dennis Smook): The honour- able minister of Infra structure–or, sorry, Transpor - tation and Infrastructure. Hon. Doyle Piwniuk (Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure): I just wanted to put a few words on about–on the honourable Alan Brian Ransom, who was actually the MLA for Turtle Mountain, my pre - decessor and, I guess, my predecessor to the –also to the Deputy Premier. He actually was born, again, in Boissevain, which–where my office is actually located, as –my constituency office.

And I remember I was able–I had been fortunate to meet Brian's brothers, Don and Bill, and had a lot of conver sations when I first ran as the MLA for Arthur- Virden, which represented the Boissevain area at the time. And I remember hearing a lot of different stories that they shared with me when it–regarding their brother who served from 1977 to 1986. I know in his days as a MLA, when he first got elected, he became minister in the Lyon –I guess, Sterling Lyon gov ernment, and then he also got re - elected again in 1981 with the–and was serving as the minister of Finance.

And he actually ran in 1983 for leadership for the party and ran against Gary Filmon and came in second, and he should be commended for that. * (15:30) I know my wife, who actually worked in Boissevain as a recreation director right after she fin- ished university, phys. ed degree. But she remembers actually, when she went to Kildonan East school divi- sion she–her marching band actually play–supported– like, the band actually was at one of the events that Brian Ransom, it was this leadership event that he was hosting.

And I remember she told me the stor y, that she actually was in the band which actually played for the candidates. So, again, I just wanted to put a few words on the record how–to thank him for the contribution to the province, but also to Turtle Mountain for the south- west region, Mr. Deputy Chair. So, I'm going to pass it on to my colleague. Mr. Ron Schuler (Springfield-Ritchot): Again, what an honour to get up and speak about someone who has had such a impact on the history of the province of Manitoba.

I took out my first membership in 1981 in the PC Party of Manitoba as a new student at the University of Manitoba, there was a table. And soon after that I met Brian Ransom.

November 28, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 287 We went through the provincial election; he was the minister –Finance at the time. And he was very impressive. He was thin and he was tall, and had a very serious way about him and had incred ible inner strength. So, when you met him, you automatically knew there was an individual who took what he did serious. He did well for the province of Manitoba. At that time, economics in Manitoba were such that they were tough, tough times, which we all understand right now.

Canada was just going into a bit of a recession, and he was the individual who was responsible for the books of Manitoba. So I met him and had the opportunity to speak to him at different events, and then he made the courageous decision that he was going to run for leader of the PC Party of Manitoba. And the team came up with an inner slogan: they called him straight as an arrow. In fact, we ended up using that as part of our leadership campaign. And, to the family –I don 't know how many of them are able to be online and watch–but we had these little gold pins, and it was an arrow.

And I looked for it today and yesterday and I couldn't find mine, I was going to put it on. If I do find it, I should actually send it to the family, because it was Brian Ransom: Straight as an Arrow, and that was his slogan. So, he tapped me and –on the shoulder, and he said, would you be my youth organizer ? Said, I 'd really love it if you would be my youth organizer. And I, with a group of other individuals, young people, we went and organized; and what a exper ience of a lifetime.

We would often drive –so, we have a campaign vehicle that was rented, and I would drive the can- didate out to meetings when he would speak, as would the other candidates; then I would stay and help scrutineer, because that was still delegate selection time, and then I would be the dedi cated scrutineer from the campaign–me, who had just been party mem- ber for very short time. And we would then wait for the results to be announced, and then we 'd get the vehicle and we 'd drive back to Winnipeg. I would drop them off and park the vehicle, and I 'd take my vehicle home.

I 'd often get home sometimes 2:00 or 3:00 in the morn- ing. There was one morning I got up and I decided probably the best way to pass my exam that morning– this comes from the former minister of Infrastructure– I drove to uni versity while I was studying with my textbook on the seat next to me. And–but that's what we did. And I learned to love Brian Ransom. He was just an amazing individual.

I was able to work with great individuals on that campaign: Gerrie Hammond, who ended up becoming the MLA for Kirkfield Park; Barb Switzer [phonetic], Olive MacPhail, Adele Chornoby [phonetic] and others, and we ran an amazing campaign. I was so proud being part of that team. Came just a little short; I think it was just within about 50 votes of winning. It was a–heavily contested, very exciting. And Gary Filmon ended up winning, went on two elections later to become premier, and the rest is history.

But Brian Pallister then served the gov- ernment and then also went on to become, I believe, chair of Manitoba Hydro and did a lot of work in the province. So, to an individual who had a big impact on a very young Ron Schuler –a very young member for Springfield-Ritchot, I apologize–he had a big impact on me, and hearing his death certainly saddened me because I know that I lost a mentor, lost an individual who was a good friend and Manitoba lost a great Manitoban.

So, to his family on behalf of myself and my family, on behalf of the individuals that I represent here in this Chamber, our condolences to you and your loved ones. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. MLA Nahanni Fontaine (St. Johns): I'm pleased to put on a couple of words on the record in respect of Alan Brian Ransom. I do want to say miigwech to the member for Springfield-Ritchot (Mr. Schuler). I actually enjoyed listening to his relationship with Alan Brian Ransom. And Mr. Ransom was born in Boissevain. He was educated at the University of Manitoba and University of Alberta.

He worked as a resource manager and a farmer before entering public life. He was first electe d to the Manitoba Legis lative Assembly in 1977, representing the then-named rural riding of Souris -Killarney. He served in Sterling Lyon's Progressive Conservative gov ernment, where he was appointed minister of mines, resources and environment. And t hen, as minister of Natural Resources and chairman of the Treasury Board. In 1981 he served as the minister of Finance. He continued to serve in the riding of Turtle Mountain

288 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA November 28, 2022 and ran in the PC leadership selection, of which Mr. Gary Filmon ultimately won. He did not seek re-election in 1986. He served as the chairman for Manitoba Hydro under Gary Filmon's government. Acting Deputy Speaker, I just wanted to share in my short minutes here, as I was doing a little bit of research, there were some con dolences that were on the Winnipeg Free Press's website from their Passages section.

And I just wanted to just share one for sure, maybe possibly two, that–because I thought that it was important to put these on the record as well: Brian and my mother, Gerrie Hammond, were MLAs together in the 1980s. Mom was a big fan of Brian' s, and she worked tirelessly on his leadership campaign. Mom died close to 30 years ago. I was going through a box of photos and came across one with Mom, Brian, Charlotte Oleson–who was the MLA for Gladstone, who died in 2017–all with big smiles. Despite a lot of work, I remember them having a good time together and great friendships.

And I wanted to put that on the record because, of course, I did not know Mr. Ransom, but for t hose folks that did know him and for –certainly, for mem- bers opposite that did know him–you know, one of the things about this Chamber is that you become, you know, not only colleagues, but friends, and I would suggest family with your colleagues. And so, on behalf of the NDP caucus, I offer our sincere con dolences and our respect and regards to Alan Brian Ransom 's family and certainly to all of those colleagues that he worked with, including the colleagues that are here in the Chamber. Miigwech. Hon.

Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Mr. Deputy Speaker, I rise to extend condolences to the family and to the friends of Brian Ransom on behalf of myself and the Liberal MLAs. Brian was born in Boissevain. He attended the University of Manitoba and the University of Alberta in Edmonton. It was while he was at the University of Alberta that he did research and wrote a thesis on the reproductive biology of white-tailed deer in Manitoba. * (15:40) His research on white -tailed deer was conducted in the Whiteshell, in the Turtle Mountain and in the Duck Mountain.

He made significant observations on the impact and of cold temperatures on the reproduc- tion of whitetail deer. I talk about this because it shows a side of Brian Ransom; he got into and was very interested in wildlife. He was, in time, elected in 1977 in the riding which was then Souris -Killarney. He was a straight shooter, as is evident from his comments in the Legislature. When he was the minister responsible for the en- vironment, he was asked about pollution arising from agricultural feedlots. And when asked about this pollution, he said as follows, and I quote: Mr.

Speaker, as the hon ourable member knows, the regulation prohibits any discharge of waste from feedlots into streams, and the regulation has been in effect since 1973. That is, four years under the NDP. And there are, he says, I would venture, thousands of operations in Manitoba that are in viola- tion of that regulation. He didn't mince words. He went on, then, to discuss the specific issue and the specific location, and that it was being investigated and there wasn't significant evidence that the pollution was from the feedlot.

December the 6th of 1977, he was asked, in another question, does the minister intend that minis- terial respon sibility on his part will mean that he agrees with every word that is contained in a profes- sional opinion of a person operating within his depart- ment? And Brian Random replied: Mr. Speaker, I think the honourable member well knows the answer to that question. He fought hard for the people in Boissevain and the surrounding communities. When, under the NDP, the land titles office in Boissevain was threatened with closure, he spoke out frequently and forcefully against this. I quote one example: Mr.

Speaker, the office will be closing a week from today if the government does not make a decision to reverse the earlier decision. Can the First Minister simply advise the House whether he's looked at the facts and has decided to proceed with the original decision, or whether, in fact, he is going to reverse that decision so that five full- time jobs and two part-time jobs will not be removed from Boissevain and southwestern Manitoba for doubtful savings? He put i t on the line. Premier –then Howard Pawley–replied, and after circling around the question

November 28, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 289 for a while, he concluded: I understand there 's little alternative but to close the land titles office in Boissevain. It's an example of who Brian Ransom was. He spoke clearly and forcefully. He knew what he wanted, and it is an honour that we have him representing as an MLA his area. It's an honour to have known of him and about him and his work not only here within the Legislature, but with Manitoba Hydro and elsewhere. So, with those words, I close, extending condol - ences. Merci. Miigwech. Thank you.

The Acting Speaker (Dennis Smook): Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt this motion? Would the honour- able members please rise and remain standing to indicate their support for this motion. A moment of silence was observed. William "Bill" Alexander Blaikie The Acting Speaker (Dennis Smook): We will now move on to our next condol ence motion for William "Bill" Alexander Blaikie. Mr. Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): I move, seconded by the member for Transcona (Mr.

Altomare), that this House convey to the family of the wait–of the late William Alexander Blaikie, who served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, its sincere sympathy in their bereave - ment and its appreciation of his devotion to duty in a useful life of active com munity and public service, and that Madam Speaker be requested to forward a copy of this resolution to the family. Motion presented. Mr. Kinew: I want to tell you about one of the first times that I spoke to Mr. Blaikie and the last time that I spoke to Mr. Blaikie.

To begin, though, I want to, of course, acknowl edge a few of his many, many achievements. He was a long -time Member of Parliament who represented Transcona for so long that I believe the riding was actually called Birds Hill-Transcona when he was first elected. He was the Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons. He served as parlia mentary lieutenant to Jack Layton, and in the process was named to the King's Privy Council.

He was long recognized as the dean of the federal Parliament and, in fact, was voted the best parlia - mentarian on one occasion, in a vote that was held by all his colleagues across all parties. He also served in this Chamber and, during that time, became a minister of the Crown for the Province of Manitoba. And I can say that he had the unique distinction of intro ducing me to haggis. My view of haggis is that haggis is an acquired taste, so you might as well acquire it at a Transcona NDP Robbie Burns fundraising dinner, of which he held many over the years. My first memorable interaction with Mr.

Blaikie was following the death of Jack Layton. I was working as a journalist at the time and I interviewed him on a street corner in downtown Winnipeg. And Mr. Blaikie told me, through tears, about how much he grieved the loss of Jack Layton, along with so many other Canadians. And at this time–at that time, rather, Mr. Blaikie said that he believed Jack Layto n would be a Moses-like figure to the NDP, somebody who led his people out of the political wilderness but would not live to see the promised land. And it was in that interaction that I really caught a glimpse of some features of Mr.

Blaikie that I would see over and over again; that he was a loyal family member and friend, that he was a committed New Democrat and that he was a deeply faithful person. Now, you reflect on his career and those things came up so many times. He was, of course, somebody who was a progressive, who came out of the Social Gospel tradition.

He was also somebody who doted on his family and who never wavered in his loyalty to the blue-collar, middle -class people of Transcona and people like them across the country. * (15:50) Some of his important political victories included pushing for the creation of The Canada Health Act. The presiding federal Health minister at the time said that he engaged in guerilla -like warfare in the House to push the government of the day to adopt the Canada Health Act. Speaking about it later, Mr.

Blaikie said, quote, we won the big battle, creating a system in which provinces would be penalized if they allowed extra billing and user fees for medically necessary services. End quote. In the end, what he ensured is that the good people of Transcona and others like them across the country would not have to pay for health care.

290 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA November 28, 2022 It should also be said that he was a tireless ad - vocate for the working class. Mr. Blaikie recog nized early on that the era of globalization would be bad for working people. In parlia mentary debate, in writing, even at protests in the street, he warned that jobs would be lost, that local democracy would be under - mined and that the wages of the average worker would be impacted.

You can now see that he was a prophet in this respect because political leaders from all partisan persuasions are now rushing to catch up with their condemnation of the era of globalization. And im portantly, while Mr. Blaikie did attend protests and he did engage in activism in the name of the blue-collar workers, he also tried to steer young progressives towards engaging in electoral politics. He said simply, and I quote: As long as you 're not willing to do that unexciting, plodding work of elec - toral politics, the global corporate guys have you right where they want you. End quote.

He also came by this political en gagement hon- estly. It's said that he started to watch town council debates when he was only 12 years old. He explained, and I quote: I liked to watch the arguing. And I'm still doing that. No growth there at all. End quote. Self-deprecating humour aside, his motivation on these issues came from his faith. Another quote here: I came out of Emmanuel having found the prophetic tradition within the Bible, a tradition of challenging the ruling elite. End quote. I also want to say that Mr.

Blaikie loved the out- doors, loved being on a canoe, loved paddling; spend- ing time in backwoods country with friends from political life or with the fam ily that he cherished so deeply. I knew Mr. Blaikie perhaps best of all through his children. You have Daniel, not only a unionized electrician and a university degree holder but, of course, a parlia- mentarian himself that we work with closely and is today one of the most prominent voices of the middle– or the working class in the House of Commons.

Rebecca, somebody that I 've spoken to since before I was a partisan, and she long encouraged me to put my money where my mouth was, to get in the game. You have Tessa, who does amazing work in the inner city as the CEO of Siloam Mission and to whom I owe a tremen dous debt because she ran my 2017 leadership campaign as a campaign manager. And, of course, we have Jessica, who joins us in the gallery today, who 's somebody that I really en - joyed the pleasure to get to know these past many years at family and community and political functions here in Winnipeg.

So, the Blaikie kids are progressive royalty, and yet each and every one of them have earned their place through their talent and hard work and dedication, and I would say that that should be no surprise, seeing as they follow in the footsteps of a father who came from a family of rail workers and yet earned his own place of respect on the yard of the CNR. And so, if we reflect on their well-being and their success as well as those of his grandkids Robert, Owen, Noah and Emmett, then I think perhaps that is one of the finest ways we can take a measure of the man that was Bill Blaikie.

Brenda, I wanted to save some of my final words for you at this time. You shared 50 years of marriage with Bill, and you did so much of the heavy lifting, I'm sure, while he was away on Parliament Hill. You also carried out what I believe to be one of the most sacred acts that a human being can fulfill, which is to support somebody and care for them in their final days. And so for that, I want to say thank you and ac - knowledge your own pain and grieving that you 're going through.

For all those of us who feel as though we were lucky to know Bill, I 'm sure if Bill were on the floor of the Chamber today, he would say, no, no, no; I am lucky to know Brenda. My colleague from Transcona and I had the great honour on a late afternoon this past summer to spend a bit of time with Brenda and Bill. And we talked about politics and family and Transcona; stuff that Bill liked. And I'll always remember some of the advice that he gave to us on that day. I 'll remember the feelings and thoughts that Brenda shared.

And, of cours e, I think I will keep those just to us who were there at this time, but I just wanted to share that, to let you know that I was affected by that interaction. A few short weeks later, Mr. Blaikie left us. His family, in true Blaikie fashion, carried on w ith strength, a balance of good humour and stoicism and, of course, great speeches at a funeral that was attended by three former premiers, by members of Parliament–

November 28, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 291 current and former, from many different parties–and, of course, tons and tons of people from Transcona. As has been the custom of Anishinabe people since time immemorial, we do not say goodbye. We only say, see you again. And so, to Mr. Blaikie, I would say, we will see you again. And, in the mean- time, we will honour you by listening to your cherished instructions as they pertain to family, pol - itics and faith. Miigwech. Mr.

Matt Wiebe (Concordia): I appreciate the op - portunity to rise here today to offer my personal con- dolences to the family of Bill; to Brenda, who is joining us here today; Jessica; of course, to Daniel and to Rebecca and Tessa. It's hard to put into words what Bill has meant to me personally, what he 's meant to our com munity, what he's meant to our party and, indeed, what he 's meant to this country. Bill was the Member of Parliament for the first 30 years of my life. He was my Member of Parliament. He was my political idol. He was my hero. He was a mentor and he became a friend. Mr.

Andrew Micklefield, Deputy Speaker, in the Chair He was also a giant of the Social Gospel move - ment, and I believe he was an important link between those who went before him, like Stanley Knowles and Tommy Douglas and some of those who came after, myself included, who have our own unique faith traditions that guide us in our political life. Everything I have I owe to Bill. Some of my first volunteer work was working on his leadership cam - paign. Some of the most important connections that I made were because of Bill and because of the group of people that he brought together around him.

He gave me op portunity, Mr. Deputy Speaker, but he gave so many that opportunity. That was what was so im portant about what Bill did. He plugged people into the political world; people who otherwise wouldn' t, you know, give a second thought sometimes. He brought those very complex issues right down to the working people of Transcona, Elmwood, East Kildonan and across this country. He never backed down on his beliefs but he talked about them in a common-sense way and a way that everyb ody can understand. Everybody could understand how we want to support our brothers and sisters.

He was a compass; a north star for our party. The NDP's often called the conscience of the– of Parliament. Bill Blaikie was our conscience. He was our north star. He was there for those big decisions in Parliament that talked about free trade, environmental justice, the Canada Health Act. But sometimes it 's the small things that really make a big difference. I was just recently at a commu- nity gathering; about 50, 60, maybe 70 people in a room in the com munity of Chalmers, where people had come together: neighbourhood organizers, aver - age people, residents.

Folks came together in that room for the annual general meeting and gathering of the Chalmers Neighbourhood Renewal Cor poration. We were there to talk about how we can make our neighbourhood better. * (16:00) I had to share at that time that it was Bill Blaikie who fought for Neighbourhoods Alive! to be imple - mented in the community of Elmwood, and it was–we were gathered there because of him, and we were brought together because of his work. Also cherish the friendship that I had with Bill. We both shared a love of the outdoors, many after - noons chopping wood at the lake.

The train ride back from Malachi, one of my favourite experiences of my entire life. The train stops in the middle of the bush and two, you know, two guys get on the train, you know, probably not smelling too good–I can 't even imagine what folks thought of us when we got on, threw our knapsacks up top, and rode back to Transcona. I've heard it said never meet your heroes. Well, that's not the case with Bill. He was every bit as much an honourable man as he was an honourable member. And no bigger testament to this fact is the legacy of his children.

I 've had the pleasure of friendship with his kids at different points. They're all successful and they've all shown that he put his family first, and that's something–a lesson that I think all of us can learn. So, in my short time here, just once again, my condolences to Brenda, to Rebecca, to Jessica, to Daniel and Tessa, to the grandkids, to the whole family. Thank you for letting me be a part of your dad's life, and thank you for this opportunity to honour him here in this place. Mr.

Nello Altomare (Transcona): It is indeed a privilege that, on behalf of the constituents of Transcona, I'm able here–to stand here today to bring

292 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA November 28, 2022 our condolences to the family of Bill, to say how much we appreciated Bill. Deputy Speaker, I will–I got the first– I met Bill firstly in 1979–grade 10 student at Transcona Collegiate. Came to our class as a candidate in Winnipeg, Transcona. Winnipeg Birds Hill –that's what it was called. There wasn't a Transcona in there, I don 't think, if I remember correctly. A

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Collection	Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	42-5-9
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Volume / chapter	42nd 5th hansardpdf 9.pdf
Language	en
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