Manitoba Hansard — 7 May 2025 (Sitting 50, 43rd Legislature, 2nd Session)

43-2-50

Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)

Second Session – Forty-Third Legislature of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba DEBATES and PROCEEDINGS Official Report (Hansard) Published under the authority of The Honourable Tom Lindsey Speaker Vol. LXXIX No. 50 - 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 7, 2025 ISSN 0542-5492

MANITOBA LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Forty-Third Legislature Member Constituency Political Affiliation ASAGWARA, Uzoma, Hon. Union Station NDP BALCAEN, Wayne Brandon West PC BEREZA, Jeff Portage la Prairie PC BLASHKO, Tyler Lagimodière NDP BRAR, Diljeet Burrows NDP BUSHIE, Ian, Hon. Keewatinook NDP BYRAM, Jodie Agassiz PC CABLE, Renée, Hon. Southdale NDP CHEN, Jennifer Fort Richmond NDP COMPTON, Carla Tuxedo NDP COOK, Kathleen Roblin PC CORBETT, Shannon Transcona NDP CROSS, Billie Seine River NDP DELA CRUZ, Jelynn Radisson NDP DEVGAN, JD McPhillips NDP EWASKO, Wayne Lac du Bonnet PC FONTAINE, Nahanni, Hon. St.

Johns NDP GOERTZEN, Kelvin Steinbach PC GUENTER, Josh Borderland PC HIEBERT, Carrie Morden-Winkler PC JOHNSON, Derek Interlake-Gimli PC KENNEDY, Nellie, Hon. Assiniboia NDP KHAN, Obby Fort Whyte PC KINEW, Wab, Hon. Fort Rouge NDP KING, Trevor Lakeside PC KOSTYSHYN, Ron, Hon. Dauphin NDP LAGASSÉ, Bob Dawson Trail PC LAMOUREUX, Cindy Tyndall Park Lib. LATHLIN, Amanda The Pas-Kameesak NDP LINDSEY, Tom, Hon. Flin Flon NDP LOISELLE, Robert St. Boniface NDP MALOWAY, Jim Elmwood NDP MARCELINO, Malaya, Hon. Notre Dame NDP MOROZ, Mike, Hon. River Heights NDP MOSES, Jamie, Hon. St. Vital NDP MOYES, Mike, Hon.

Riel NDP NARTH, Konrad La Vérendrye PC NAYLOR, Lisa, Hon. Wolseley NDP NESBITT, Greg Riding Mountain PC OXENHAM, Logan Kirkfield Park NDP PANKRATZ, David Waverley NDP PERCHOTTE, Richard Selkirk PC PIWNIUK, Doyle Turtle Mountain PC REDHEAD, Eric Thompson NDP SALA, Adrien, Hon. St. James NDP SANDHU, Mintu, Hon. The Maples NDP SCHMIDT, Tracy, Hon. Rossmere NDP SCHOTT, Rachelle Kildonan-River East NDP SCHULER, Ron Springfield-Ritchot PC SIMARD, Glen, Hon. Brandon East NDP SMITH, Bernadette, Hon. Point Douglas NDP STONE, Lauren Midland PC WASYLIW, Mark Fort Garry Ind. WHARTON, Jeff Red River North PC WIEBE, Matt, Hon.

Concordia NDP WOWCHUK, Rick Swan River PC Vacant Spruce Woods

1755 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA Wednesday, May 7, 2025 The House met at 1:30 p.m. The Speaker: O Eternal and Almighty God, from Whom all power and wisdom come, we are assembled here before Thee to frame such laws as may tend to the welfare and prosperity of our province. Grant, O merciful God, we pray Thee, that we may desire only that which is in accordance with Thy will, that we may seek it with wisdom, 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 acknowledge 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 acknowledge 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 and 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. Please be seated.

ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS The Speaker: Introduction of bills? Committee reports? TABLING OF REPORTS Hon. Nahanni Fontaine (Government House Leader): Honourable Speaker, I'm tabling a revised Estimates sequence to be in effect for today only. MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS Emergency Preparedness Week Hon. Lisa Naylor (Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure): It is my pleasure to rise today to proclaim this week, May 4 to 10, 2025, as Emergency Preparedness Week. This year's national theme is be prepared and know your risks. I encourage all Manitobans to stay informed, be prepared and take action.

Manitoba's Emergency Management Organization is responsible for helping to lead our province to be safer, more prepared and resilient in the face of emergencies and disasters, which are deepening and increasing with the climate crisis. Emergency Management Organization encourages Manitobans to take three simple steps to become better prepared to face a range of potential emer gen- cies: (1) know the risks; (2) make a plan and; (3) build an emergency kit. The EMO website has been recently rebuilt to have a significant amount of up -to-date information so Manitobans can take these three steps.

I encourage everyone to learn from it; for example, how to build an emergency plan and an emergency kit, as described on the new website at gov.mb.ca/emo. Just this week, we've witnessed the importance of knowing risks and preparing. With most of the province under a moderate fire danger, wildfires have taken hold near The Pas/OCN, Fairford First Nation, Peguis First Nation and a few smaller fires in other parts of southern Manitoba. EMO is working with local authorities and emer- gency management partners to ensure the safety of residents.

Wildfires are a concern this year and we do en - courage Manitobans to be prepared. I also want take a moment to remind Winnipeggers that the City has imposed a ban on all fires and fireworks due to dry conditions, and this ban is in effect until May 19 at 6 p.m. EMO will also be issuing an emergency alert test message today at 1:55 p.m. This is a proactive practice to test the National Public Alerting System. Together we can work collaboratively to lessen the impact of potential emergencies, ensuring that we're prepared to protect our neighbours, our communities and ourselves.

The safety of our communities is the shared responsibility of each and every one of us. Manitoba must strive to be resilient to hazards, emergencies and disasters that may come our way. The week offers the perfect opportunity to cele - brate this work and reflect on the steps we can all take as individuals to do our

part in being prepared for an emergency. And as always, the NDP Manitoba

1756 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 7, 2025 government is here to support our citizens in every way that we can. Thank you, Honourable Speaker. Mr. Konrad Narth (La Vérendrye): Today I rise to recognize Emergency Preparedness Week, a national awareness initiative that encourages each of us to take simple, proactive steps to ensure that Manitobans are ready to protect themselves, their families and their communities in the face of emergencies. This year's theme is: Be Prepared. Know Your Risks. And this is some thing that is near to me.

During my time on municipal council, I was the liaison to our local fire department; and, unfortunately, in 2012, my community witnessed the largest demon stration of mutual-aid efforts in Manitoba's histo ry. We were thankful as a community that the messages from EMO and emergency preparedness through the Province prepared our community, along with the neighbouring municipalities and communities from across our entire province, to come to help and r escue those that were in need.

This message is extremely meaningful here in Manitoba, where we experience a range of seasonal and environmental challenges, from spring floods and wildfires to extreme cold and winter storms. Understanding the specific risks in our region is the first step in staying safe. Emergency preparedness is not just about planning for the worst; it's about building confidence and resilience together. Preparedness isn't only a responsibility for individ- uals and families. Workplaces, schools and community organizations also play a vital role.

By practicing evacuation procedures, keeping emergency supplies on hand and making sure everyone knows what to do, we help ensure that our communities can respond effectively and recover more quickly. Being prepared is a theme that the NDP govern - ment should listen carefully to. This spring's wildfires and accompanying fire bans, including in the city of Winnipeg, should serve as a reminder that situations evolve quickly. Being prepared also means properly funding emergency services, which the NDP are failing miserably.

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, in response to the NDP's cuts to EMO stated, quote: Emergency preparedness measures for First Nations in Manitoba already fall short of acceptable. To cut emer - gency funding in half and an operating budget by 15 and a half per cent is an extremely dangerous and ill- -advised decision that has serious implications for– The Speaker: Member's time has expired. Some Honourable Members: Leave. The Speaker: Is there leave? Some Honourable Members: No. The Speaker: Leave has been denied. * (13:40) MEMBERS' STATEMENTS Heritage Park Children's Programs Hon.

Nellie Kennedy (Minister of Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism): Honourable Speaker, today I am pleased to rise to recognize the outstanding contributions of the Heritage Park Children's Programs staff, led by Executive Director Debbie Love and Assistant Director Lori Ellis. Since 1986, the Heritage Park team has been providing the highest level of care to the children of Assiniboia. Initially only responsible for 26 school-aged children, staff now also care for preschool and infant children, as well as expectant and new mothers.

Based out of four unique sites, the team supports close to 1,000 families across west Winnipeg. Both of my children spent several years with the Heritage Spark [phonetic] staff, and our family developed deep and long-lasting relationships with the educators. Their level of care and compassion was continually on display and provided constant reassurance that my children were being well cared for and supported. Through their intentionality, creativity and remark- able relationship-building, the Heritage Park team helps families to develop self -confident, respectful and responsible citizens.

They provide opportunities for children to build their social skills, explore their interests, practise basic math and literacy and engage in hands-on and play-based learning. This eases chil- dren's transition to grade school by preparing and empowering them to learn in the classroom setting. Staff members also support mothers, equipping them with the skills they need as they transition into parenthood. They host regular sessions to help parents connect with one another and provide critical infor - mation related to health, nutrition and caring for babies.

May 7, 2025 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1757 The Heritage Park team is indispensable. Through their ongoing and relentless service, they have ensured that families in west Winnipeg continue to thrive. Today we recognize and congratulate each mem- ber of that team for their contribution. Debbie Love and Lori Ellis have joined us in the gallery this afternoon. Please join me in thanking them, along with the rest of their team, for their tireless work that has touched the lives of countless families a nd the broader community. Selkirk Lift Bridge Replacement Mr.

Richard Perchotte (Selkirk): The Selkirk Lift Bridge connects citizens from the RM of St. Andrews, the city of Selkirk and the RM of St. Clements together. It is one of the three bridges in the area that brings the triple-S community together for education, work and commerce. Built in 1935 at a cost of $250,000, it has served the area extremely well for the last 90 years. Under the previous PC government, it was scheduled to be upgraded in 2022. However, the announcement from the federal government that the Lockport bridge would undergo extensive rehab that same year, the project needed to be delayed.

Originally, the work on the Lockport bridge was to take less than one year. It took considerably longer, only opening in September of 2023. The Selkirk bridge, with its narrow lanes and rotting deck, desperately require replacing. Vehicles travelling over it often have their mirrors struck, especially when pulling a trailer. You can visually see small indents of the deck surface slowing sinking toward the river. When I asked the Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation when we could see a new design on the bridge, I was assured that the design consultation would take place within a year.

Well, that year has passed and I cannot get any answers from this minister. In fact, I requested a meeting to follow up on this and several other projects that we spoke of during our only meeting last year and have been waiting for months for a meeting or even a response. I personally asked the minister to please give me a date to discuss this and other matters originally raised in our only meeting that was previously granted, and I was told to wait for a response from her department. Why does this minister think the voices of the residents of St. Andrews, St. Clements and the city of Selkirk do not matter?

Khalsa Diwan Gurdwara Expansion Project Hon. Tracy Schmidt (Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning): On a much brighter note, I rise today to recognize the remarkable achievement of the Khalsa Diwan gurdwara and their congregation on the completion of a transformative expansion project. This project has completely renewed a cornerstone of the Sikh community in Rossmere.

The Khalsa Diwan gurdwara expansion project was far more than simple renovations; it was a com- prehensive revitalization including a new HVAC system, fresh drywall and paint and a renovation of existing spaces to meet the needs of the congregation. After more than four decades since its last major renovation, this project was timely and essential fo r the Sikh community in Rossmere. The inspiring vision of this project became a reality thanks to the extraordinary generosity of the community.

Countless volunteers dedicated their time and energy, and their unwavering commitment and profound selflessness were the driving forces behind the accomplishment of this project. The gurdwara has a beautiful new kitchen and a main hall, providing vital spaces for gathering and service. The addition of a gleaming–sorry, several gleaming new gold domes on top of the gurdwara has not only enhanced its spiritual significance but also has gifted our Rossmere community with a stunning new landmark that radiates beauty and pride. This project was joyfully celebrated a few weeks ago on Vaisakhi.

Many of our team were there in attendance, and the celebration served as both a profound spiritual observance and a vibrant testament to our community's strength and unity. Honourable Speaker, it is with deep gratitude that I acknowledge some of the instrumental community members who poured their hearts into bringing this project to life: Sukhjit Bhandal, Sital Kang, Davinder Thind and Baldev Gill. Their leadership and dedic a- tion are truly inspiring. I also want to recognize the late Kewal Singh Chohan whose vision laid the foundation for this remarkable achievement.

Though he is no longer with us, his presence is deeply felt within the gurdwara and throughout our whole Rossmere community. Thank you, Honourable Speaker.

1758 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 7, 2025 Waskada Grain Elevator Fire Mr. Doyle Piwniuk (Turtle Mountain): Honourable Speaker, yesterday, Turtle Mountain lost another piece of the past on the prairie landscape when Waskada grain elevator went up in flames. A wooden grain elevator in the village was destroyed by fire early Tuesday morning. It was an icon and a part of our com munity, said long- time resident Margaret Austin-Temple. When people come home, they saw it and when–they knew when they were approaching Waskada. I can see it from a long way out, so that will be all missed, according to Margaret.

The elevator was built in 1961 to replace the elevator in the community that was destroyed by fire earlier that year. The saving grace yesterday was that the winds were light, which kept the fires from spreading to other buildings in the community. Approximately 50 firefighters from the fire depart- ments in Waskada, Pierson, Melita and Deloraine responded to the blaze. I would like to thank all the fire department personnel, the local officials, of their contributions to fighting the fire and saving additional property and keeping residents safe.

At the peak in 1920, Manitoba was home to more than 700 wood grain elevators, more than–the number of these getting smaller as they are disappearing due to fire, demolition and disrepair. The Manitoba Historical Society has stated that the number of wooden elevators after Tuesday's fire, the number stands at 115; around 60 of those are still in use. Growing up near Inglis, Manitoba, I remember when all four elevators were in use in hauling grain with my father. Now the community is now home to the Inglis Grain Elevators national historical site, where all four elevators were restored.

Honourable Speaker, the landscape in the com - munity of Waskada will never be the same after such devasting event yesterday. I was sad–it was a sad day yesterday for the people of Brenda -Waskada after losing their iconic wooden grain elevator. Thank you, Honourable Speaker. Winnipeg Sikaran Arnis Academy MLA Cindy Lamoureux (Tyndall Park): Winnipeg Sikaran Arnis Academy, WSAA, is a family -owned and operated martial arts school that is located in Tyndall Park and has been serving our community for 21 years.

The school was founded by husband and wife, Kuya Redentor Igne, a seventh-degree black belt, and my Ate Kelly Legaspi, a fifth-degree black belt. Now, over the years, they have been dedicated to promoting two ancient Filipino martial arts: Sikaran and Arnis, while upholding the four pillars of their teaching: honour, excellence, respect and discipline. Further, the academy has nurtured its members, many of whom are children and youth residing in Tyndall Park, to develop self -confidence, discipline and a strong sense of identity. WSAA offers a positive and active environment for the community.

Their performances energize crowds at festivals, events and community gatherings, and they are the first martial arts school in Manitoba to have the honour of participating in the Calgary Stampede Parade. In addition to this, last year a team of four black belt members of WSAA represented and competed for Manitoba at the WKC Canadian national team tryouts in Ottawa and made history by winning Manitoba's first-ever national gold medal in this category. Thes e same four athletes went on to compete at the world championships in Portugal.

They faced top teams from Mexico, Guatemala and the United States, proudly winning the first -ever open team Kata world gold medal for Canada, all while bringing home world titles in their own individual divisions. * (13:50) I ask for leave for these individuals' names to be added into Hansard. In closing, Honourable Speaker, I ask that my col- leagues join me in cheering for them, some who have joined us here today as they leave next week as mem- bers of Team Manitoba to compete once again at the WKC Canadian National Team tryouts in Gatineau, Quebec. Thank you.

Ben Clarke, Malcolm Edwards, Lee Angela Igne, Lourdes Lynn Igne, Red Jr. Igne, Maria "Kelly" Legaspi, Jayzelle Policarpio Introduction of Guests The Speaker: Prior to oral questions, there are some guests in the gallery I'd like to intro duce. We have seated in the public gallery from Woodlawn School, 63 grade 3 to 4 students under the direction of Simmy Gandhi, and this group is located in the constituency of the honourable member for Steinbach (Mr. Goertzen). We welcome you all here today.

May 7, 2025 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1759 ORAL QUESTIONS Manitoba Nurses Government Record Mr. Obby Khan (Leader of the Official Opposition): Honourable Speaker, Darlene Jackson, the president of Manitoba Nurses Union, didn't hold back her words on this Premier today. From a public interview, and I quote: You made a ton of promises; it's time to take responsibility. You can't, in a campaign, make empty promises and not fulfill them. You've let the public down and you've let nurses down, and I think that is a shame. End quote. When will the Premier fulfill his many campaign promises to Manitoba nurses?

Hon. Wab Kinew (Premier): Well, Honourable Speaker, I want to take this op portunity to just thank our Minister of Health for all the heavy lifting that they're doing to repair the health- care system after years of cuts under the former PC govern ment, a government that that member was a part of. Now there's a lot of work for us to do to repair that damage and to get health care to the place where it needs to be to serve you, the people of Manitoba.

And I want to say thank you also to nurses, who keep showing up day after day alongside allied health-care professionals, physicians, health- care aides and sup - port staff to treat you, the patients of Manitoba. On behalf of the Province of Manitoba, thank you. We've hired 600 net-new nurses since we've taken office. We've opened up new emergency rooms. We've hired more than a hundred institutional safety officers. Are we there yet? No, we're not. We're working together. We're on the way to fixing the PC cuts and giving you the health care that you deserve.

The Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a supplementary question. Mr. Khan: Honourable Speaker and Manitobans, you can see it right there. This Premier does not have the courtesy to even acknowledge the comments made by Darlene Jackson. This NDP government is failing. They are funda- mentally failing to understand how to govern. A press release and a photo op does not solve the solution– solve the problem. You know what does? Not getting a D- which is what the Health Minister scored accord- ing to Darlene Jackson. And I quote: At best, a D -. End quote.

This Health Minister got a failing grade. Will the Premier stand today and fire his Health Minister for getting a D-? Mr. Kinew: Absolutely not. I give the Health Minister an A+, because every- where that I go in Manitoba–because everywhere I go in Manitoba, whether I'm talking to a nurse, a patient, somebody who's worried about their kids, their grand- parents, they say we have the best Health Minister in the entire country, a beautiful country. We're speaking about Fs. I'll table this editorial from the Winnipeg Free Press giving the member opposite an F on his first week here in the House.

But while he contorts himself into positions trying to justify the past, PC promises, PC election ads, PC closures of emergency rooms, I will say this: we are working hard each and every day. Have we delivered on health care a hundred per cent? We're on the way. Honourable Speaker, 600 net -new nurses, new emergency rooms in the works, including in south Winnipeg, and an end to the betrayals of the front lines that we saw under the PCs. The only complaint that the PCs have with us when it comes to health– The Speaker: Member's time is expired.

The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a final supplementary question. Mr. Khan: Only the NDP would think a D- is a passing grade, Honourable Speaker. Hundreds of nurses gathered today on the steps of the Legislature to send a message to the NDP – [interjection] The Speaker: Order. Mr. Khan: –and this Premier. They've had enough of this Premier's empty pro- mises, and they're angry, Honourable Speaker. MNU president Darlene Jackson gave this Health Minister a D-. And they say this Premier has no plan. When will the Premier show his plan to Manitoba nurses? Mr.

Kinew: Well, only the PCs would think that the leadership candidate that got fewer votes actually won that contest. But when it comes to repairing the damage that they caused during their time in govern ment, led by the closures authorized by the member sitting to his

1760 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 7, 2025 right, and signed off at the Cabinet table by the member opposite, what I would say was this: We shared the plan in the election. That's how we received a mandate from you, the people of Manitoba. Step 1 was staffing up the health- care system. We need more staffing, but we've already delivered 600 new nurses to the front lines. Step 2 is ensuring work-life balance. We're work- ing on safety. We've hired new ISOs. Step 3 was reopening emergency rooms closed under their time in office. We had the public consul - tations on the Victoria ER last night.

We are delivering. This is going to take years to fix. Why? Because of the extra ordinary damage that the PCs caused. How do we overcome great challenges in this province? It's by working together– The Speaker: Member's time has expired. The honour able Leader of the Official Op posi- tion, on a new question. Violence at Thompson Hospital Request for Safety Measures Mr. Obby Khan (Leader of the Official Opposition): Honourable Speaker, health care is a serious matter, and what does this Premier do? He stands up and makes a joke and his caucus laughs at it.

If that isn't the definition of a toxic leader, I don't know what is. Throughout Manitoba, health-care workers are ex- periencing aggression and violence–[interjection] The Speaker: Order. Mr. Khan: –like never before. After a man with a gun fired through a window in the Thompson hospital over Christmas, workers are calling the new measures, and I quote: a band-aid solution. Four months later, this minister only acted after a nurse went to media and expressed their concerns. How many other documented safety concerns are being suppressed by this Premier and this NDP gov- ernment? Hon.

Wab Kinew (Premier): Every single Manitoban deserves to be safe when you go to work. And you deserve to be safe so that you come home at the end of your shift. And we're making progress to ensure that workplaces are safer for nurses, for allied health professionals, for physicians, for support sta ff and, importantly, for you, the patient, when you show up to a hospital. We've hired more than 100 institutional safety officers. The PCs never hired a single one.

We're also ensuring that First Nation safety officers will be deployed to hospitals, including the TGH facility that the member opposite is raising the issue of. Again, he wants to play partisan politics here. The only explanation he should offer is why is his only criticism saying that we need to fix the PC cuts faster. When it comes to building up this province, we're building emergency rooms; we're building the next generation of health-care workers, and we're building a brighter future for you, the great people of this province.

The Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a supplementary question. Mr. Khan: Honourable Speaker, we're talking about safe work place–safety at work. And I'll quote the member from Fort Garry: He is a dysfunctional and toxic leader. He does not take criticism well. Honourable Speaker, that is a dysfunctional work- place. That is not a safe workplace under this Premier. The Thompson nervous–nurses–[interjection] The Speaker: Order. Mr. Khan: –have requested panic buttons. The gov- ernment is aware of this request and has yet, over a month, failed to act.

Can the Premier confirm whether this simple request has been actioned, yes or no? Mr. Kinew: Yes, we're taking steps across the entire province. It's surprising that a former minister of the Crown doesn't understand that his govern ment didn't hire a single institutional safety officer. We've been in government for 18 months and already our Minister of Health has hired more than 100. We're also working with First Nations gov ernments to ensure that their FNSOs can be deployed to keep you, the people of Manitoba, safe in hospital facilities. You want contrast messaging?

Here's the greatest contrast of all: We're working with all commu nities, including Indigenous ones, on making everyone in Manitoba safer. Think about the ads they ran in the last connection–or the last election, rather, and make the connection for yourself.

May 7, 2025 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1761 The Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a final supplementary question. Mr. Khan: Honourable Speaker, it's a shame the Premier keeps bringing up misinformation and facts that are not relevant on this question. * (14:00) The question is simple: did this Health Minister and Premier install a panic button? The answer is no. They did not. No answers, no actions by this NDP and this Premier. A common theme by this NDP gov ern- ment to dodge, deflect and deceive Manitobans.

A listening government would listen to front- line staff and fulfill the simple ask of installing a panic button. Why is this Premier refusing to provide a simple, requested safety measure like a panic button, for health-care workers? Mr. Kinew: You know, I'm very proud to come to work every single day to serve you, the people of Manitoba, and to work alongside my colleagues who listen to you, the people of Manitoba. And so we've listened to nurses, who said that they want a fairer deal, that they want safety at work.

They want more help on the front lines, and they want more safe facilities to be able to work in. We are making progress on every single one of the asks that they've brought forward from the front lines. When we're talking about the members opposite, that didn't last very long, did it? Remember on day one, those heady days of old, when the member oppo- site said there wasn't going to be any breaches of decorum or personal attacks? I'll leave him to ac- knowledge the words that he's putting on the record here. What we're focused on is you, the great people of Manitoba.

Health care is what we received a mandate on to fix. We're reopening emergency rooms the PCs closed. We've hired 600 more nurses after years of them firing nurses in the province, and we're repairing health care for you, the people of the most Canadian province in the best country in the world. Emerson Personal-Care-Home-Bed Vacancies Understaffing and Closure Concerns Mr. Josh Guenter (Borderland): There are beds sitting vacant at the Emerson care home while families are torn apart when loved ones are sent to care homes in other communities, or staged in hospitals.

Will the minister give these beloved seniors their placement in the Emerson care home today? Hon. Uzoma Asagwara (Minister of Health, Seniors and Long -Term Care): We've been meeting with local community, we've been meeting with leadership to make sure that our govern ment is adding capacity across the province, but certainly in that region. And the member opposite would do best, I think, in this House to stand in his place and apologize to his own constituents for being a part of a PC caucus that cut health care for seven and a half years.

That member has still not acknowledged that part of the reason why personal-care-home beds in rural Manitoba were closed was because the PCs closed them and cut services. So I'm hoping that member will do the right thing, stand up in this House, acknowledge that he has con- tributed himself to the damage in health care that our government is doing the work of fixing. The Speaker: The honourable member for Borderland, on a supplementary question. Mr. Guenter: This minister needs to listen to the nurses who have been very clear, and also to Darlene Jackson's scathing review.

How many care home beds in Manitoba are vacant today as a result of NDP understaffing? MLA Asagwara: The PCs closed over 200 personal- care-home beds in their time in office. We had a net loss of over 216–'17 personal-care-home beds, despite his promise to bring 1,200 net-new beds on line. In fact, Honourable Speaker, our government has been doing the work of cleaning up the mess and damage that that member opposite created in our health -care system, including personal-care-home beds.

I'm happy to announce in the House today that we have reopened 45 per cent of the beds closed by the PCs in personal -care beds across this province. We know it's not enough. We know there's more work to do, but our–we're committed to doing that work for all Manitobans. The Speaker: The honourable member for Borderland, on a final supplementary question. Mr. Guenter: Well, that minister got lost on the way to truth town. The community of Emerson is concerned– The Speaker: Order, please. Order, please. I would very strongly caution the member to be more careful in the words he uses.

That's dangerously close to being unparliamentary and not acceptable. Mr. Guenter: The community of Emerson is concerned that this minister is failing to place seniors in the

1762 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 7, 2025 Emerson care home and filling those eight empty suites that currently exist there. Does the minister, does this NDP govern ment, intend to close the Emerson care home? MLA Asagwara: Our government recognizes that we need more capacity in this province, which is why our wonderful colleague from Radisson introduced Bill 216, which ensures that emergency room services can't be closed across rural Manitoba without a plebiscite being– happening first and foremost. On that side of the House, members in that caucus didn't care.

They just closed emergency rooms; they cut PCH beds; they fired hundreds of nurses, and that member opposite, for seven and a half years, applauded every single step of the way. We're fixing the damage that they've done to health care, and we're doing it in conjunction with leaders across rural Manitoba. I look forward to speaking to the reeve of the com munity he represents to see how we can continue to work together. Nurses in Manitoba Request to End Mandatory Overtime Mrs.

Kathleen Cook (Roblin): Hundreds of nurses gathered on the steps of the Manitoba Legislature this afternoon to send a message to this NDP government that they are sick and tired of the countless empty promises they've made during the campaign and failed to fulfill. One of those promises was to end mandatory overtime. When will this minister keep their promise to Manitoba nurses and end mandatory overtime? Hon.

Uzoma Asagwara (Minister of Health, Seniors and Long -Term Care): Honourable Speaker, it wasn't that long ago that the member for Roblin was advising Heather Stefanson on how to force members of our workforce to work more overtime. Wasn't that long ago that the Leader of the Op position was en - couraging Heather Stefanson to fire more nurses so that they'd be forced to work more overtime. The member opposite, the one who asked the question and the one to her right, want to priva tize health care. They want to drive nurses into the private sector. Honourable Speaker, what is going on on that side of the House?

Over here on this side, I know what's going on. We're investing in making health care better, hiring net-new hundreds of nurses and fixing the damage that that member did. The Speaker: The honour able member for Roblin, supplementary question. Mrs. Cook: This was their promise. They cam - paigned on it during the election, and when in opposi- tion, they introduced, multiple times, a bill to end mandatory overtime. So they should be able to answer the question: When will this NDP government end mandatory over- time for nurses?

MLA Asagwara: Honourable Speaker, I was outside Leg. grounds today talking to nurses directly, having conversations with them, meeting them where they're at, listening to their voices. Did the member opposite bother to spend any time going out talking to nurses and apologizing for her role in the state of our health-care system? I don't think she did that. We know our govern ment has much more work to do. We've hired a net-new 600 nurses. We've reduced overtime at Health Sciences Centre–or, Shared Health– the Health Sciences Centre by 45 per cent. We know that there's much more work to do.

But on that side of the House, we all know, they know, that we're dealing with the conse quences of their callous cuts to health care. Has she apologized to nurses? She could have done so today. The Speaker: The honourable member for Roblin, on a final supplementary question. Mrs. Cook: I was at the rally outside and I heard the Manitoba Nurses Union loud and clear. They've had enough of this NDP gov ernment's endless empty promises and failure to follow through. They're frustrated, they're burned out, and they're exhausted.

So when will this minister keep their promise to Manitoba nurses and end mandatory overtime? When? MLA Asagwara: We've hired a net-new 600 nurses. We have over 100 institutional safety officers keeping nurses safer on their jobs. And we made sure that nurses had a fair deal, a deal that MNU recommended to their members, a historic agreement. In contrast, members opposite fired hundreds of nurses. Members opposite refused to hire even a single ISO. And members opposite treated nurses with con- tempt and disrespect for seven and a half long years. We are doing the work of fixing the damage done by members opposite.

On this side of the House, we'll keep listening to nurses and working with them every

May 7, 2025 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1763 single day to make health care better, no matter where they work in our great province. Swan Valley School Division Funding Concerns Inquiry into Loss of Staff and Music Program Mr. Wayne Ewasko (Lac du Bonnet): Honourable Speaker, we, on the PC team, absolutely hold educa - tion as a top priority. Recent infor mation out of the Swan Valley School Division paints a troubling picture for their students. Can the minister confirm that approximately 40 educational assistants have been fired effective June 2025? Hon.

Tracy Schmidt (Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning): We can tell just how much the PC caucus values and prioritizes edu cation by the seat that, you know, my critic occupies in the second row there. * (14:10) I do appreciate a question on education. The fact of the matter is, Honourable Speaker, it's unfortunate that we have heard from our federal partners at the federal government that they are making sig nificant changes to the funding that is offered through Jordan's Principle. Those changes made by the federal govern- ment are having impacts here in our education system here in Manitoba.

I'm happy to share with the House that our depart- ment is working very closely with the school division that the member opposite mentioned and all school divisions to make sure that the supports that the students require are there for them to have. On this side of the House we have– The Speaker: Member's time has expired. The honourable member for Lac du Bonnet, on a supplementary question. Mr. Ewasko: Honourable Speaker, according to the NDP, they don't even put education in their top five. So according to the Educa tion Minister's logic, the Education Minister should be sitting in the hallway.

We on our side of the House, Honourable Speaker, value music and the arts as an im portant component of a child's education. From simple enjoyment – [interjection] The Speaker: Order. Mr. Ewasko: –to understanding tempo to playing. [interjection] The Speaker: Order. Mr. Ewasko: Can the minister confirm that Swan Valley School Division– The Speaker: Order, please. The honourable Minister of Families (MLA Fontaine) will come to order. Mr. Ewasko: Would you like me to start over?

Can the minister confirm that Swan Valley School Division has eliminated music pro gramming for stu- dents at two elementary schools and have reduced in many others across the division, Honourable Speaker? MLA Schmidt: The fact of the matter is, after seven and a half years of a government under the leadership of Brian Pallister and Heather Stefanson after him failed to fund school divisions right across this province, froze educational funding, there were fewer teachers in Manitoba under the leadership of that member when he was the minister of Education.

Thankfully, now Manitobans have an NDP gov- ernment; a government that understands education, a government that funds education. Honourable Speaker, over the last two years, we have increased funding to school divisions by over $170 million, which has seen more educators entering our system. Last year alone, 630 net-new educators– The Speaker: Member's time has expired. The honourable member for Lac du Bonnet, on a final supplementary question. Mr. Ewasko: Honourable Speaker, the minister should be embarrassed, should be ashamed of herself that she doesn't stand in this House and answer a simple question.

Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. The Speaker: Order. Mr. Ewasko: MGEU staff repre sentatives have said that Swan Valley School Division has fired 18 permanent employees and cut term positions for 22 employees within seven schools in the school division. Can the minister assure parents that their chil- dren's education will not be impacted due to her edu- cation funding cuts? MLA Schmidt: I have a question for the member opposite. I wonder, as I've updated the House, the issues that we're seeing across Manitoba right now

1764 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 7, 2025 when it comes to the funding of educational assistants that are funded through Jordan's Principle are a result of policy changes at the federal level. I wonder if the member opposite, in his time as minister or in his time as critic, has ever bothered to reach out to the federal government and see what we can do to make sure that students here are supported. On this side of the House we will not pick fights with school divisions. We will not put misinformation on the record.

The member opposite should be ashamed of his record on education, Honourable Speaker: cuts, freezes; where they cut, we will build. 911 Emergency Medical Services Reliability Concerns for Rural Manitoba Mr. Derek Johnson (Interlake-Gimli): Honourable Speaker, on this side of the House, we believe in equity. Manitobans are very concerned about–[interjection] The Speaker: Order. Mr. Johnson: –the long-term viability of 911 services in rural Manitoba. Every link in the chain needs to be strong to ensure that first respon ders get where they are needed as quickly as possible.

Can the minister assure Manitobans that 911 ser- vices are equitable across Manitoba? Hon. Uzoma Asagwara (Minister of Health, Seniors and Long -Term Care): Honourable Speaker, our government is doing a tre mendous amount of work, working with Shared Health and partners across the province, to ensure that emergency response services are as strong as they can possibly be, in contrast with previous failed, callous, cold PC administration–cut services across the province, parti cularly in rural Manitoba. We saw a net loss, just as one example, of 90 paramedics. On this side of the House, we are doing the oppo- site.

We are working directly with municipalities to make sure that they have faster emergency response services in place. We know there's much more work to do, but I think we all know in this House, there's so much work to do because on that side of the House, they spent seven and a half years cutting h ealth care, cutting services and hurting Manitobans. The Speaker: The honourable member for Interlake- Gimli, on a supplementary question. Mr. Johnson: Obviously, with a half a dozen ministers getting up to answer that question, they don't even know who is responsible. Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh.

The Speaker: Order. Mr. Johnson: Recently, a man in the RM of Fisher experienced a medical emergency. His wife and family were unable to contact 911. They tried nearly 20 times. Tragically, he passed away. Let me be clear: this was no failing of –staff incompetency, nor procedures. The call simply did not get to 911. Rural Manitobans are not being treated equal. Honourable Speaker, can the minister share how many 911 calls are not getting through in rural Manitoba? Hon. Mike Moroz (Minister of Innovation and New Technology): I want to thank the member opposite for that important question.

As the Minister of Health and seniors rightly pointed out a moment ago, we are working very closely with communities, with health-care providers and with the federal government, of course, which has some responsibility in this area, to make sure that we improve the system as rapidly as we possibly can. The Speaker: The honourable member for Interlake- Gimli, on a final supplementary question. Mr. Johnson: Honourable Speaker, communities are not responsible for ensuring 911 is running properly; it is this government.

In April 2024, a provincial spokesman indicated that an EMS review was under way and could be expected in the coming months. In August of 2024, after another incident, they repeated the same message. Now almost a year later, and another tragedy, still no report. So I ask the minister: Where is the report? MLA Moroz: Again, I want to thank the member for the important question. We're very concerned about this issue, and as I just identified for the member opposite, it is, of course, at least partially federally organized. It's under the juris- diction of the CRTC.

We're working diligently with the federal government and with com munities and with health-care providers to improve the system as quick- ly as possible. Violence and Assault Against Manitoba Nurses Workplace Safety and Addiction Treatment Services MLA Cindy Lamoureux (Tyndall Park): I've spoken with nurses with the MNU who have been verbally threatened, physically assaulted and left in tears after

May 7, 2025 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1765 their shifts, not because they don't care, but because they care so deeply in a system that isn't caring for them. They're working longer hours, facing more violence and dealing with complex mental health and addic - tions issues without the tools or staffing to manage safely. This is not sustainable. So without pointing fingers and placing blame, what concrete steps is this gov ernment taking to address the serious decline in morale and workplace safety among Manitoba's nurses? Hon.

Uzoma Asagwara (Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care): Honourable Speaker, it was really great to be out on the Leg. steps talking with nurses, some of which I've met with personally previously, some of which are looking forward to– we're looking forward to meeting with them in the coming days and weeks. I want to reassure that member and all nurses that we take the safety and security of their workplaces very, very seriously. Now, part of addressing safety in workplaces is having more people on the front lines. We've got a net -new over 600 nurses on the front lines.

We have over 100 institutional safety officers at sites across the province. At one site alone, the intro- duction of ISOs has resulted in a 40 per cent reduction in violent incidents. We know there's much more work to do; we are committed to doing that work and ensuring that, no matter where you work as a nurse in this province, you are safe and secure and that patients are safe and secure, as well. The Speaker: The honourable member for Tyndall Park, on a supplementary question.

MLA Lamoureux: Honourable Speaker, people experiencing addictions are falling through the cracks because they have nowhere else to go but emergency rooms. Nurses, already stretched thin, are being left to respond to medical needs, mental health crises and addiction-related trauma without the training, resources or security to do so safely. This is hurting both patients and staff. * (14:20) This question came directly from nurses outside here today: When will this gov ernment invest in accessible, com munity-based addictions services so nurses aren't left as the default safety net for a broken system? Hon.

Bernadette Smith (Minister of Housing, Addictions and Homelessness): I want to thank that member for that question. It gives me an oppor tunity just to outline some of the things that our government is doing around Your Way Home. So we're investing to ensure that folks that are not housed or getting the supports that they need–the wrap-around supports that are giving them mental health supports, addiction supports. We also invested in digital RAAM services so that some folks can get supports no matter where they're at.

We invested in the first Indigenous -led RAAM clinic, which has reduced the wait time for folks to get into treatment. Under the previous gov- ernment, seven out of 10 people wer e being turned away at those RAAM clinics. The Speaker: The honourable member for Tyndall Park, on a final supplementary question. MLA Lamoureux: Honourable Speaker, we were told today at the MNU rally that members of the government were spe cifically not invited to speak because last year when they spoke, they made pro- mises that they could not keep.

We cannot keep asking nurses to risk their well -being or people in crisis to wait for care that doesn't come. Will the Premier acknowledge the growing crisis at the intersection of addictions, nursing and public safety, and will he commit to immediate co-ordinated investment to restore safety and trust in our health-care system? Hon. Wab Kinew (Premier): Yes, and this has been the primary focus of our govern ment since taking office.

The fact that we have a registered psychiatric nurse with experience on the front lines working with somebody with lived experience, working with many people across our entire team who have the expertise necessary to co-ordinate a multi-year comprehensive plan to tackle the root causes and the com munity manifestations of these problems is exactly the ap - proach that we're taking. I appreciate the fact that the member is bringing forward these issues, because they were ignored under the previous govern ment.

They avert their eyes the same way that they did the people that they drove by on Main Street every year that they were in govern- ment. This is going to take years to fix. This is not merely the fault of one previous govern ment. This is the fault of hundreds of –150 years of previous gov- ernments. We are tackling intergenerational problems with an intersectional approach.

1766 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 7, 2025 What does that mean in plain language? We're getting people out of tents and into homes. We're getting people out of emergency rooms into recovery centres, and we're getting– The Speaker: Member's time has expired.

Winnipeg Police Service Annual Report Crime Statistics for Manitoba MLA David Pankratz (Waverley): Honourable Speaker, under the previous feckless govern ment, funding to law enforcement was frozen year after year after year after year after year after year after year –I'm glad because I'm running out of fingers–that ended at seven years, and crime was still skyrocketing across Manitoba as they made those cuts. You know, our gov ernment took a different ap- proach.

We're investing in record amounts in law enforcement in Budget 2024 and then breaking that record in Budget 2025 with 30 per cent more funding than any budgets under the PC government. Can the Minister of Justice please tell this House about some of the early returns on that investment? Hon. Matt Wiebe (Minister of Justice and Attorney General): Thank you to the member for the question. Manitobans know that we've invested record amounts in law enforcement here in Winnipeg because, under the previous govern ment, we saw crime rates skyrocketing year after year.

The Winnipeg Police Service now has released their 2024 crime stats, and we're starting to see that the needle is moving in the right direction. Overall crime decreased for the second year in a row. Violent crime saw its first meaningful decline in a decade. Violent youth crime is down. The crime severity index is also down, Hon ourable Speaker. We're seeing more police hit the streets; we're seei ng more crimes being solved for the second year in a row. We've accomplished a lot, but we know that there's a lot more to do.

I want to thank the Winnipeg Police Service for their work, for their dedi cation to the public, and to – and I commit to them to working with them every single day to make our city and our province a safer place. Thank you, Honourable Speaker. US Tariffs on Film Industry Job Loss Concerns Mr. Richard Perchotte (Selkirk): Honourable Speaker, this side of the House supports the film industry here in our province. Manitobans' half-a-billion-dollar film industry is under threat, faced by potential 100 per cent tariffs. Will the minister tell Manitobans how many jobs are at risk? Hon.

Nellie Kennedy (Minister of Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism): I thank the member for the question. This is a very im portant topic that's top of mind for many of us. Manitobans are proud of our world-class film and production sector. Over the past year, Manitoba saw an all-time high of $440 million in film production in 2024. We've helped draw millions of dollars into our local economy from international investors. That's why it's in credibly concern ing that the Leader of the Official Opposition (Mr. Khan) thanked Donald Trump for the tariffs. The member for Fort Whyte (Mr.

Khan) is willing to put our provincial economy at risk for his own gain, and that's something that we can't strand for on this side of the House. Mr. Perchotte: Honourable Speaker, as I said, the PC caucus supports the film industry in our province. However, the current NDP government has cut fund- ing for direct flights between Los Angeles and Winnipeg, risking this half-a-billion-dollar industry. How many jobs are the NDP okay with putting at risk in regards to their decisions? MLA Kennedy: Honourable Speaker, there was no cuts. Let's be clear: There is no renewal; there's no cuts.

The film industry is in credibly important to our local economy, our provincial economy, and we recog- nize that. I certainly do as minister. We, with regards to myself, have reached out to the film industry to ensure our government is working collaboratively with our partners. That is absolutely my job as minister responsible. We have a very resilient local production industry, but we know that uncertainty happens. So we'll be monitoring the system closely, and we're going to continue to work with folks in the film industry to make sure that we protect and grow this vital part of our economy together.

May 7, 2025 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1767 The Speaker: The honourable member for Selkirk, on a final supplementary question. Mr. Perchotte: Honourable Speaker, nearly half -a- billion-dollar industry put at risk. Yes, there has been cuts. WestJet alone had their funding cut for direct flights between Los Angeles and Winnipeg, totally– [interjection] The Speaker: Order. Mr. Perchotte: –cut under this government. When–[interjection] The Speaker: Order. Mr. Perchotte: –will they stand up and protect this industry? Hon. Wab Kinew (Premier): I want to take a moment to say that our minister's doing a great job.

Those answers were great, much better than any PC Sports, Culture, Heritage, Tourism minister, for the record. And I only rise to provide an update for the House to say that I raised this exact issue with the Prime Minister today, alongside the premiers of British Columbia and New Brunswick. When we see a threat from Donald Trump, we cannot thank him even if it's in a lighthearted way on a local podcast. We need to stand firm and protect jobs in our province. When it comes to the relationship with the United States, they're our neighbour; it's going to be an important relationship.

We're working with the Prime Minister, working with the other provinces and territories. We have to protect industries across the board but–including those that generate intellectual property: the film industry, software, technology, manufacturing, ag industries that hold intellectual property, will be the key for us to continue building wealth for generations to come. We have to stand together as Canadians to celebrate these job creators. Geothermal Energy–Home Conversion Program Status of Government Funding Commitment Mr.

Mark Wasyliw (Fort Garry): Honourable Speaker, it's a sad state of affairs when the Premier's signature environmental policy was to make it cheaper to pollute with the gas tax holiday. But this Premier also promised his gov ernment would fully cover the cost of 500 homes to convert to geothermal energy. He high lighted it in the Throne Speech; then, nothing. No money in Budget 2024; no homes converted in 2024. No money in Budget 2025, and there will be no homes converted in 2025. Halfway through the 'manidate', all mentions of this promise have died off. It's the environmental policy that will not be named.

Why has this Premier broken his promise on geo- thermal homes? Hon. Mike Moyes (Minister of Environment and Climate Change): Manitoba has been an energy powerhouse for gen erations, thanks to NDP govern - ments time and time again. We're so proud to be standing up more wind energy, and we're going to be standing up that geothermal program where we're going to reach 5,000 new geothermal heat pumps. We're doing that work with Efficiency Manitoba. We're doing that work with Manitoba Hydro. We're going to get it done. The Speaker: The honourable member for Fort Garry, on a supplementary question. * (14:30) Mr.

Wasyliw: This Premier committed to fully fund- ing these 5,000 homes over four years. It cost Manitoba $31.5 million per year for each of the four years. That would be 1,250 homes a year. They even promised 1,000 jobs. Now, two budgets later, no money set aside, no houses converted, no new jobs, and if the Province were to catch up in Budget 2026, they'd have to spend $100 million and commit to 3,750 homes in one year. That will not happen. Will the Premier now admit he has no intention of keeping that promise? Hon.

Wab Kinew (Premier): I want to take this opportunity to thank our Minister of Environment and Climate Change (MLA Moyes) for the great job he's doing, particularly when it comes to Efficiency Manitoba. Manitoba Hydro is certainly our Crown jewel, but Efficiency Manitoba will be the vehicle that drives us towards a low -carbon future. We'll use that for the geothermal installs that are be–asking about, but also to free up 200 megawatts of power through de mand- side management.

1768 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 7, 2025 Also being freed up today: the last PC question. They always sit down. They can't sustain a simple QP. They got to get out of the way because they ran out of topics. It seems like their new leader is actually the second coming of the member for Lac du Bonnet (Mr. Ewasko). But when it comes to the projects that unite Manitobans rather than dividing us, we know the greatest nation-building project of all is the Winnipeg Jets bringing the cup back to Canada. Go, Jets, go. Go, Jets, go. Go, Jets, go– The Speaker: Member's time has expired.

And the time for question period has also expired. Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. The Speaker: Order. Order. PETITIONS Death of Jordyn Reimer–Judicial Review Request Mr. Wayne Balcaen (Brandon West): I wish to present the following petition to the Legis lative Assembly of Manitoba. The background to this petition is as follows: On May 1, 2022, Jordyn Reimer, 24 years of age, was killed by an impaired driver while she was acting as a designated driver.

(2) There are two people legally culpable for her death: the impaired driver and the accomplice. The driver was charged, but the second criminal, the accomplice, has not been held accountable.

(3) A concerned citizen took the keys from the impaired driver earlier in the evening to ensure he could not drive impaired. The accomplice retrieved the keys from the citizen under false pretenses and knowingly provided the impaired driver with access to the vehicle.

(4) The Winnipeg Police Service, WPS, investi - gation provided adequate evidence to meet the charging standards and recommended charges to be laid against the accomplice. The Crown prosecutors declined to prosecute the accomplice.

(5) The family of Jordyn Reimer has called for the prosecution of the accomplice and that the decision to not prosecute be reviewed independently.

(6) As recently as 2022, there is precedent to refer criminal files of decisions to not proceed with pro- secution to extra-provincial departments of justice for review. This was done with the Peter Nygård file, which ultimately led to a reversal in the decision to not prosecute, and charges were laid.

(7) An out -of-province review is supported by MADD Canada, MADD Manitoba and by Manitobans.

(8) The family has exhausted every avenue within the existing system, and, in the absence of a prescribed process when a disagreement exists on charging standards, the only option is to request an independent out-of-province review.

(9) In December of 2024, the WPS reported an alarming number of impaired drivers in the holiday Check Stop program. Extending criminal culpability beyond the driver to those who engage in overt actions to facilitate impaired driving will save lives.

(10) Manitobans deserve to have confi dence in the provincial government and justice system to make decisions that achieve true justice for victims and their families. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial gov ernment to order an out-of-province review to–of the prosecutor's decision to not prosecute the accomplice in the death of Jordyn Reimer. Honourable Speaker, this petition was signed by Cheryl Chipman, Tracy Benard, Dale Candy and many, many other fine Manitobans. MLA Jeff Bereza (Portage la Prairie): Honourable Speaker, I wish to present the following petition: The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) On May 1, 2022, Jordyn Reimer, 24 years of age, was killed by an impaired driver while she was acting as a designated driver.

(2) There are two people legally culpable for her death: the impaired driver and the accomplice. The driver was charged, but the second criminal, the accomplice, has not been held accountable.

(3) A concerned citizen took the keys from the impaired driver earlier in the evening to ensure he could not drive impaired. The accomplice retrieved the keys from the citizen under false pretenses and knowingly provided the impaired driver with access to the vehicle.

(4) The Winnipeg Police Service in vestigation provided adequate evidence to meet the charging standard and recommended charges to be laid against

May 7, 2025 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1769 the accomplice. The Crown prosecutor declined to prosecute the accomplice.

(5) The family of Jordyn Reimer has called for the prosecution of the accomplice and that the decision to not prosecute be reviewed independently.

(6) As recently as 2022, there is precedent to refer criminal files of decisions to not proceed with the prosecution to extra-provincial departments of justice for review. This was done with the Peter Nygård file, which ultimately led to a reversal in the decision to not prosecute, and charges were laid.

(7) An out -of-province review is supported by MADD Canada, MADD Manitobans and by Manitobans.

(8) The family has exhausted every avenue within the existing system, and, in the absence of a prescribed process when a disagreement exists on charging standards, the only option is to request an independent out-of-province review.

(9) In December of 2024, the WPS reported an alarming number of impaired drivers in the holiday Check Stop program. Extending criminal culpability beyond the driver to those who engage in overt actions to facilitate impaired driving will save lives.

(10) Manitobans deserve to have confi dence in the provincial gov ernment and justice systems to make decisions that achieve true justice for victims and their families. * (14:40) We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial gov ernment to order an out-of-province review of the prosecutor's decision to not prosecute the accomplice in the death of Jordyn Reimer. This is signed by Jennifer Martin, Jason Martin, Shane Martin and many, many more Manitobans. Thank you. Mr. Trevor King (Lakeside): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) On May 1, 2022, Jordyn Reimer, 24 years of age, was killed by an impaired driver while she was acting as a designated driver.

(2) There are two people legally culpable for her death: the impaired driver and the accomplice. The driver was charged, but the second criminal, the accomplice, has not been held accountable.

(3) A concerned citizen took the keys from the impaired driver earlier in the evening to ensure he could not drive impaired. The accomplice retrieved the keys from this citizen under false pretenses and knowingly provided the impaired driver with access to the vehicle.

(4) The Winnipeg Police Service's investigation provided adequate evidence to meet the charging standard and recommended charges be laid against the accomplice. The Crown prosecutors declined to pro- secute the accomplice.

(5) The family of Jordyn Reimer has called for the prosecution of the accomplice and that the decision to not prosecute be reviewed independently.

(6) As recently as 2022, there is a precedent to refer criminal files of decisions to not proceed with prosecution to extra-provincial departments of justice for review. This was done with the Peter Nygård file, which ultimately led to a reversal in th e decision to not prosecute, and charges were laid.

(7) An out -of-province review is supported by MADD Canada, MADD Manitoba and by Manitobans.

(8) The family has exhausted every avenue within the existing system, and, in the absence of the prescribed process when a disagreement exists on charging standards, the only option is to request an independent out-of-province review.

(9) In December of 2024, the WPS reported an alarming number of impaired drivers in the holiday Check Stop program. Extending criminal culpability beyond the driver to those who engage in overt actions to facilitate impaired driving will save lives.

(10) Manitobans deserve to have confi dence in the provincial government and justice system to make decisions that achieve true justice for victims and their families. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to re-order an out-of-province review of the prosecutor's decision to not prosecute the accomplice in the death of Jordyn Reimer.

1770 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 7, 2025 This petition has been signed by Cassandra Roberts, Jesse Philip Chemerika and Eric Roberts and many, many, many more Manitobans. Thank you. Mr. Richard Perchotte (Selkirk): Honourable Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) On May 1, 2022, Jordyn Reimer, 24 years of age, was killed by an impaired driver while she was acting as a designated driver.

(2) There are two people legally culpable for her death: the impaired driver and the accomplice. The driver was charged, but the second criminal, the accomplice, has not been held accountable.

(3) A concerned citizen took the keys from the impaired driver earlier in the evening to ensure he could not drive the–impaired. The accomplice retrieved the keys from the citizen under false pretenses and know- ingly provided the impaired driver with access to the vehicle.

(4) The Winnipeg Police Service's, WPS, investi- gation provided adequate evidence to meet the charging standard and recom mended charges be laid against the accomplice. The Crown prosecutors declined to prosecute the accomplice.

(5) The family of Jordyn Reimer has called for the prosecution of the accomplice and that the decision to not prosecute be reviewed independently.

(6) As recently as 2022, there is a precedent to refer criminal files of decisions to not proceed with prosecution to an extra -provincial de partments of justice for review. This was done with the Peter Nygård file, which ultimately led to a reversal in decision to not prosecute, and charges were laid.

(7) An out -of-province review is supported by MADD Canada, MADD Manitoba and by Manitobans.

(8) The family has exhausted every avenue within the existing system. In the absence of a prescribed process when a disagreement exists on charging standards, the only option is to request an independent out-of-province review.

(9) In December of 2024, the WPS reported an alarming number of impaired drivers in the holiday Check Stop program. Extending criminal culpability beyond the driver to those who engage in overt actions to facilitate impaired driving will save lives.

(10) Manitobans deserve to have confi dence in the provincial gov ernment and justice systems to make decisions that achieve true justice for victims and their families. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial gov ernment to order an out-of-province review of the prosecutor's decision not to prosecute the accomplice in the death of Jordyn Reimer. This petition has been signed by Nicole Tetlock, Sara Walker, Matthew Morehouse and many other Manitobans. Mr. Ron Schuler (Springfield-Ritchot): I wish to present the following petition to the Legis lative Assembly of Manitoba. The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) On May 1, 2022, Jordyn Reimer, 24 years of age, was killed by an impaired driver while she was acting as a designated driver.

(2) There are two people legally culpable of her death: the impaired driver and the accomplice. The driver was charged, but the second criminal, the accomplice, has not been held accountable.

(3) A concerned citizen took the keys from the impaired driver earlier in the evening to ensure he could not drive impaired. The accomplice retrieved the keys from the citizen under false pretenses and knowingly provided the impaired driver with access to the vehicle.

(4) The Winnipeg Police Service's investigation provided adequate evidence to meet the charging standard and recommended charges be laid against the accomplice. The Crown prosecutors declined to pro- secute the accomplice.

(5) The family of Jordyn Reimer has called for the prosecution of the accomplice and the decision to not prosecute be reviewed independently.

(6) As recently as 2022, there is a precedent to refer criminal cases–criminal files of decisions to not proceed with prosecution to extra -provincial depart- ments of justice for review. This was done with the Peter Nygård file, which ultimately led to a reversal in the decision to not prosecute, and charges were laid.

(7) An out -of-province review is supported by MADD Canada, MADD Manitoba and by Manitobans.

May 7, 2025 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1771

(8) The family has exhausted every avenue within the existing system, and, in the absence of a prescribed process when a disagreement exists on charging standards, the only option is to request an independent out-of-province review. * (14:50)

(9) In December 2024, the WPS reported an alarm- ing number of impaired drivers in the holiday Check Stop program. Extending criminal culpability beyond the driver to those who engage in overt actions to facilitate impaired driving will save lives.

(10) Manitobans deserve to have confi dence in the provincial gov ernment and justice systems to make decisions that achieve true justice for victims and their families. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial gov ernment to order an out-of-province review of the prosecutor's decision to not prosecute the accomplice in the death of Jordyn Reimer. This is signed by Kristine Galapon, Arlene Lacson, Maenard Lacson and many other Manitobans. The Speaker: No further petitions? Grievances? ORDERS OF THE DAY GOVERNMENT BUSINESS Hon.

Nahanni Fontaine (Government House Leader): Honourable Speaker, can you please resolve the House into Committee of Supply for the consideration of departmental Estimates. The Speaker: As announced, we will now dissolve the House into Committee of Supply. Mr. Deputy Speaker, please take the Chair – honourable Deputy Speaker. COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY (Concurrent Sections) ROOM 254 HEALTH, SENIORS AND LONG-TERM CARE * (15:00) The Chairperson (Diljeet Brar): Will the Committee of Supply please come to order. This

section of the Com mittee of Supply will now resume con sideration of the Estimates for the Department of Health, Seniors and Long- Term Care. Questioning for this department will proceed in a global manner. The floor is now open for questions. Mrs. Kathleen Cook (Roblin): Can the minister tell us how many nurses have left private agencies and are now employed in the public system in the last fiscal year, and where they were hired and into what kinds of positions? Hon.

Uzoma Asagwara (Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care): While we look for clarity on those questions, I do want to talk about some thing I shared yesterday. So the member –the critic asked questions about the provincial float travel nurse–float pool. And I did share yesterday that we have 300 –approximately 300 nurses in that float pool, that these are nurses for the most part who have left the private sector and have returned to the public health-care sector by way of the float pool. And the increase is about 117 per cent, which is–it's massive; it really is.

So under our government, we've seen a 117 per cent increase of nurses entering the float pool and provi - ding care across our province in different sites. * (15:10) The total hours were over 127,000 total hours worked. I believe the total shifts were 10,200 and an odd number around there–10,200 shifts that had been covered as a result. Those are sig nificant stats, but they're not enough. We recognize that we want more nurses. We want more nurses to join the float pool and to work the front lines of our health-care system in the public sector.

That's part of the reason why our govern ment, working with Manitoba Nurses Union, has made the decision to not cap the number of nurses who join the float pool. We want to make sure that all nurses who want to join that way of practising are able to do so, and we also have invested a sig nificant amount of resource into really strengthening the staffing side of the float pool so that we can process applications more quickly and engage nurses more consistently. Now we know that there's much more work to do on this front.

The float pool–there's still a lot of oppor- tunity with the float pool to improve the process so that nurses really have a seamless ex perience when they bring their applications forward and then join the public sector again and are working on the front lines, and that work is being done.

1772 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 7, 2025 I've requested for Shared Health and the folks who are managing the float pool to provide me with their recom mendations and a request to further en- hance the float pool and I look forward to seeing that and supporting that. And I want to be really clear: when nurses have brought forward ideas or concerns about the float pool, when MNU has done so, we've reacted and responded very quickly. This is a priority for us, making sure we're strengthening the public system and sub-public health sector.

I do think it's impor tant that, in an era, in a time which I don't think any of us could have imagined we'd be in right now, where we see President Donald Trump attacking our nation's sovereignty, imposing these tariffs that are really, really detrimental to our economy as Canadians, certainly here in Manitoba, and directly impact the health-care system, it is so im- portant that we are all united in championing universal health care, championing a public –a strong public health-care system, and not doing what we've seen some folks choose to do.

The Leader of the Opposition, I mentioned yester- day, thanked Donald Trump for tariffs. Mind-blowing. Pretty jaw-dropping approach to take. And, you know, as the Health Minister, I take really seriously our responsibility to enhance public health care, to respect and honour the Canada Health Act and to do what we can to protect Manitoba jobs, including in the health-care sector.

So we're going to keep doing that, and I will con- tinue and our govern ment will continue to focus on bringing Manitobans and Canadians together under this united message of being proud to be Canadian, being proud to be Manitoban, celebrating that while we have an imperfect uni versal health -care system , we have a system that puts people first. And I've had the op portunity in my life, thank - fully, to travel and, you know, to be in other places where they don't have universal health care, including in the United States, and seeing that one diagnosis can bankrupt an entire family.

And we believe that every- one deserves to access health care and that the right to access health care shouldn't be based on the size of your bank account. So we'll continue to protect those values and do work to strengthen public health care, including through the float pool. The Chairperson: Thank you, Minister. Mrs. Cook: I assume we're still waiting for an answer to the question, so I'll just proceed with my next question, and I'll add some clarity to the minister's comments there. The Leader of the Opposition never thanked Donald Trump for tariffs.

That's nonsense being spewed by the NDP, and it's one of those things that they think if they repeat it enough times it will become the truth. But the reason it's not catching on is because it's patently ridiculous. But the minister talks about tariffs, so I'd like to ask what steps the minister or the de partment have taken to protect Manitoba's health- care system from the impact of tariffs. For example, what impact will tariffs have on the cost of medications and health- care supplies, and what contingency plans are in place to mitigate the impact on Manitoba's health-care system?

MLA Asagwara: I'm going to just read a direct quote from the Leader of the Opposition, the MLA for Fort Whyte: Trump wants a win, and I think this –and I think one of his clear wins, and a lot of Canadians' wins, was a change in federal government. He wanted JT gone , and thank God he's gone. So much of an influence–so how much of an influence did the 25 per cent tariff threat have on that? I would say a lot, and I would say thank you. I would say thank you, he's gone now. End quote. Those are the remarks of the Leader of the Opposition on Donald Trump and the tariffs. Those aren't my words.

Those are the words I've directly quoted from the MLA for Fort Whyte. I'd like to talk a bit about what the critic has raised, and that is the very real threat that our economy does face as a result of Donald Trump's attack on our economy by way of these tariffs. That's a very real threat that we're facing, and our govern ment has brought forward a strong '25- 26 budget that is pre pared to respond. I do–I also want to highlight the fact that there's another narrative that the Leader of the Op position has brought forward that the member for Roblin (Mrs. Cook), the critic, seems to also support.

This is this language of privatizing health care. You know, I heard–and I've heard this many times–MNU, Manitoba Nurses Union nurses say very clearly that they want a strong public health- care system, which is why it's so concern ing that the Leader of the Opposition, leader of the PCs, wants to privatize health care.

May 7, 2025 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1773 The critic started her questions today asking about nurses returning to the public sector from the private sector, and yet their caucus seems to want to privatize health care. So, you know, I think Manitobans–I hope– are paying close attention to this. Our government has been very clear: we believe in a strong public health-care system, so much so that when we came into office, the previous government– just for folks who may not be aware –had been fined $350,000 by the federal government for violating the Canada Health Act.

Our government made it a priority to make very clear, and my first call with the former federal Health Minister, Mark Holland, we talked about this fine, and I reassured him that our gov ernment was committed to respecting the Canada Health Act and wor king in partnership with all levels of gov ernment who are willing to strengthen public health care in Manitoba for Manitobans.

And our govern ment worked very hard, and we actually saw that $350,000 fine that was levied against the former PC administration returned to Manitobans, returned to our province so that we could reinvest those dollars in strengthening health care. We take our responsibility to strengthen and pro- tect public health care very seriously. Recog nizing that there are many different aspects of health care and partnerships, be it with physician clinics and other partners, some private clinics as an example, where we do partner to strengthen public health care.

And so our government focuses on what's the best for patients; what's the best for Manitobans; how do we work with all levels of govern ment, partners, stakeholders across our province, across departments, in order to make sure that we're making the right investments for Manitobans in the right ways at the right times. And that's an approach we're going to continue to take.

To answer the member's prior question, out of the 300–approximately 300 nurses who have joined the float pool, the 117 per cent increase to the float pool numbers under our government–68 per cent, so about just over 200 of those nurses –have returned from the private sector to the public sector in this float pool, which is a substantial percentage. We're really happy to see that, but again, we've been very inten tional about not capping the number of nurses who can join.

We are going to, as a gov ernment, we're going to continue to add the resources and capacity necessary to ensure that any and all nurses who want to join the float pool are able to do so. And because this is some thing that is evolving and is a novel idea here in Manitoba, we recognize that there may be some bumps along the way that we have to work out. But we're committed as a govern - ment to making sure that we address any concerns should they arise, and keep moving the float pool in the right direction.

And I want to thank all the nurses who have signed up, put their names forward and are part of the float pool team. The Chairperson: Thank you, Minister. Mrs. Cook: You know, it's really a shame that the political discourse in our country, and more spe cific- ally in our province, has just degenerated into this contest over who loves Canada more, who hates Trump more. But that seems to be the level that the minister wants to operate at, so I'll play. * (15:20) Why did their gov ernment launch a Trump-style attack website using Trump -style tactics at taxpayer expense?

Why does the minister think that that's an acceptable use of taxpayer dollars? The Chairperson: For all members, as we are in Estimates, so please ask the questions relevant to the Estimates and not out of scope of the Estimates. So I would request the member to please ask another question. Mrs. Cook: Fair enough. We'll save that one for QP. I'll instead turn my line of questioning–oh– The Chairperson: Member for Red River North. Point of Order Mr. Jeff Wharton (Red River North): Point of order, honourable Chair, just on clarity to the Chair's response to my colleague's question.

In listening to the answers provided by the minister, there was a number of answers provided with the reference of the new Leader of the Official Opposition (Mr. Khan) being a Trump fan and also quotes that were not tabled but were repeated here at table. So I question the Chair's comments to my col - league regarding her asking the question with respect to that, after it's already been talked about by the minister.

1774 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 7, 2025 The Chairperson: Thank you for the comments, member for Red River North (Mr. Wharton). I notice the minister did talk about Leader of Opposition, but the minister did bring their remarks back to the Estimates so this is not a point of order. Thank you. And also, I would request all members to stay relevant to the Estimates. * * * Mrs. Cook: Again, I would be encouraged by your intervention, honourable Chair, and hope that that will result in actually getting some answers to the ques - tions that we're asking.

I did ask a question about steps that the minister or the de partment have taken to protect Manitoba's health-care system from tariffs, from the potential impact on things like the cost of medications and on health-care supplies and what contingency plans have been put in place to mitigate the impact on both the health-care system and on the impact to taxpayers. So I'll return again to that question and hope that the minister has an answer. MLA Asagwara: I appreciate the question from the member for Roblin (Mrs. Cook). It is a really impor - tant question.

You know, we're in an unpre cedented time right now, and jurisdictions have had to mobilize very quickly and find new ways of approaching things in order to ensure that we are prioritizing our Canadian economy, local economy. And I think folks will remember that very recently– well, I guess not so recently anymore –a few months ago, our govern ment made an an nouncement about buying local: buying local, supporting local and buying Canadian. And that's a sentiment that, I have to say, it doesn't matter where I go, people are united in that front.

You go to the grocery store, you go to the pharmacy, people are looking closely at labels, shelves; and they're doing what they can within their capa city to support Canadian. And that's really wonderful. I see people still maintaining that elbows -up mentality, and I think we'll continue to see that from Manitobans and from Canadians; it's really important. And so, as a govern- ment, we, like juris dictions across the countr y, have been working very, very hard to take steps to protect our health-care system, to equip our health-care system to be a part of our economy in a responsible way.

I know that other ministers are working very hard and doing the same –Minister of Agri culture (Mr. Kostyshyn), I know, is working very, very hard. We know that food and agri culture has a direct con - nection to health and health outcomes of our commu- nities, no matter where you live. And it's been really wonderful to see my col - leagues, ministerial colleagues working so hard and fighting for Manitobans and for Canadians, and, you know, it's really a unified front not only here, but across the country. I've had really good conver sations with other health ministers in other juris dictions.

You know, there's an openness, generally, in terms of how do we work together to make health care in our respective provinces or territories better for the people that we represent. But certainly now, folks are really reaching out and making sure that we are, as much as we can, be aligned, and to learn from one another in terms of the strategies and approaches that we're taking. Our government recognized in the '25-26 budget, I mentioned before, that we would have to be prepared to respond to any tariff threats, the imposition of these harmful tariffs.

And we've been working very hard across departments–certainly, Health has a big role in this–to actively do the work of securing new sources of supplies for health care. So new sourcing strategies, developing new sourcing strategies is a big part of this work. Finding new procurement opportunities is a big part of this work, and fundamentally prioritizing Canadian wherever we can, and outside of Canada, not the US, in order to meet Manitobans' needs, is an important part of that. All of that being said, I want to be very, very clear that our top priority is the health care and well -being of Manitobans.

We are always going to put the health and well-being and the outcomes of Manitobans first and foremost. And we've been able to do this work of sourcing new supply chains, companies, whatever it is that we need to adjust in terms of health care, while keeping the out comes, the health outcomes of Manitobans at the heart of that work. * (15:30) We're also actively working with the pCPA to identify non- US pharmaceutical supplies, and, you know, to engage in listing them in our new agree - ments. So the pCPA is a really important fundamental organization in our country.

I actually had the oppor- tunity to meet and listen to the experts at the pCPA, the folks who were on that board, and hear what they

May 7, 2025 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1775 have to say and share a little bit about what we're doing in Manitoba. So I want to thank the pCPA for the work they're doing. And, ultimately, it's a united front, really, across the provinces and territories to address this threat in the most responsi ble ways. And here in Manitoba, we're doing the necessary work, recognizing that it's not a short-term effort. This is going to be a long-term effort that we're committed to doing, with Manitobans being put first. The Chairperson: Thank you, Minister. Mrs.

Cook: I think a lot of that was really nice words, but it didn't actually answer the question substantively. I think what Manitobans want to be assured of is that the gov ernment has done an analysis of what impact tariffs could have on our drug supply, for example, or on medical supplies that we need in our hospitals and personal -care homes. They want to be assured that we're not going to be dealing with shortages or an inability to import what we can't get here at home. And I think Manitobans also want to know what the cost impact of that is going to be if it does come to pass.

So I guess I'll just rephrase my question: Has the department done any analysis of these factors of the impact that tariffs could have on the drug supply, on the supply of medical devices and other supplies that are needed in our health-care system, and what is that impact going to be? MLA Asagwara: While the de partment pulls up some of that information for me, I want to just add a little bit of my thoughts to this–bit more detail. The critic is asking really impor tant questions. You know, this is an issue –again, it's a generational challenge that we're facing right now.

We've not seen a kind of –a breakdown in nation- to-nation relations like we're seeing now because a sitting US P resident has attacked our sovereignty in this way and has taken this sort of position and approach. But here we are. And in Manitoba, we recog nize that we must be prepared to respond and, again, protect Manitoba jobs, protect our health-care system. I'm sure the member, the critic, can appreciate the complexity of this work and the amount of work and effort that goes into an analysis of that nature. I want to thank the Minister of Finance (MLA Sala) for his de partment's efforts on this front.

And, you know, our departments and our teams work very closely together, making sure that the way we do health care in Manitoba is certainly much more fiscally responsible than the previous administration's approach was, and we've been able to see the benefits of that partnership and that collaboration across government departments.

You know, we have folks in our own department who have stood up new infra structure in the last couple of years to really strengthen the way that we, as a government, approach finances in health, and to also support other regions, other regional healt h authorities, to have strength in terms of their fiscal approach. And I just want to–I want to really highlight that it takes a tre mendous amount of work, expertise and effort to do that kind of outreach, and that kind of work is really also rooted in relationships.

And folks in our de partment, on the finance side in Health, are doing an outstanding job, not only building that capacity and developing new processes that are helping our government function better, but to also go out beyond government, build those relation- ships with regional health authorities and our partners and offer support to those folks so that they can have more fiscal capacity and sus tainability and be more responsible and accountable. And to me, that–it's really–it's been something that's been certainly a challenge.

It's been, again, a lot of effort, but our team has really risen to that challenge and has supported other regions in being able to do the same. And so this work that we've undertaken in terms of, you know, responding to the ta riffs and what it means for health care is not just solely the government of Manitoba, right?

The reality of it is that we have to reach out to regional health author ities and our partners and also ensure that folks are aligned with this buy Canadian approach, with this new reality we're in where we will always put Manitoba patients first and put their health outcomes first and foremost, but also look at ways that we can find new supply streams, procurement methods, relationships that will allow for us to support our local economy, build new relationships and part nerships with other suppliers f rom other countries –not the United States–while also ensuring that our health-care system remains innovative, responsive and is meeting the needs of Manitobans and Canadians.

So there's a lot of work that's happening on that front, and making sure that we are communicating to every regional health author ity that this work is

1776 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 7, 2025 happening, folks are partici pating and being con- sistent; that's part of it. Certainly, understanding, like, where does the oppor tunity reside, right. Are we looking at the pharmaceutical space? Are we looking at the technology space? Is it digital? Is it building? Is it materials, you know, health? So much of it is, you know, what people think of automatically when they think of health.

They think of maybe BP cuffs and code carts and DPIN machines and things like that, but it's also structures; it's like literal, physical structures that are being b uilt and developed. So there's a lot to consider, and all of that work has been happening furiously again across departments and with partners at the table as well. So I hope that provides a bit more clarity for the critic, and I look forward to providing a bit more infor- mation when I have it available. The Chairperson: Thank you, Minister. Mrs.

Cook: I appreciate that answer because I think it is a really impor tant question, and I think it's one that's top of mind for a lot of Manitobans. I want to shift my questions to a topic that the minister will know is impor tant to me, breast cancer screening. And the minister promised to lower the breast cancer screening age for Manitobans to age 45 by the end of 2025. But I noticed in the Supplement to the Estimates, on page 37, where this topic is discussed, that there is no mention of that.

So I just wonder if it is still the minister's intention to lower the breast cancer screen- ing age to 45 by the end of this year. * (15:40) MLA Asagwara: I just want to offer a bit more infor- mation because I do think it's im portant. The critic asked–was asking questions about the tariff impacts and the work that's being done, and I'd like to provide a bit more clarity on that, just because I do think it's important. So I mentioned the pCPA previously, and so just for everyone's awareness, the pCPA and Health Canada are respon sible for drug importation and pricing analysis.

Think folks, maybe generally, are aware of that. But that's the work that they do, so those are their responsibilities. And I want to reassure the critic and other folks that provinces and territories, with support from Canada, are actively engaged in assessing the impacts developing–and developing mitigation strategies. So that work is intensive; the work is happening and it's happening at the appropriate levels. As I mentioned earlier, you know, the com - plexities of the reality that we're facing right now are huge. Doesn't mean they're not doable, right.

This is work that is important to be done and done the right way and, certainly, it's work that is achievable when you're working truly in partnership and collaboration and across jurisdic tions and in all levels of govern - ment, which is what we're doing and is –that's what's happening right now, which is a wonderful, united effort. And, you know, in Health, we want to make sure that we're doing our part. This is a Health concern; it's a Health issue and Health challenge in a very real way, but it certainly affects every sector, every system in all of our provinces and territories.

I recently was able to engage in a con versation with the Canadian Medical Association, and it was wonderful to partici pate in that con versation with Dr. Reimer; the health minister in Ontario was there; Mr. Furey was there from out east, which was great. And it was moderated by André Picard. It was a really good conversation.

It was wonderful to hear the perspective of folks, what they're doing in their respective jurisdictions and to also understand what the CMA's position is in this, and I think a lot of folks recognize that there's a unique opportunity that we have right now to find innovative ways to not only address this imme diate threat and concern but to strengthen our own local economies and help infrastructure for generations to come. And so as much as this is a real challenge and threat, we are also choosing to see this as an opportunity that we cannot waste.

We've got to maximize this and make sure we do what we can to benefit Manitobans. Budget '25 is, as the critic I'm sure is aware, positioned us to respond, as I've stated before. We essentially provided, you know, two budgets, making sure that there's a tariff-ready budget and a situation if we don't face that reality. So our govern ment under- stands the seriousness of the situation and made sure we were prepared to respond.

If there are more questions on that from the critic, I certainly encourage her to have her colleague pose those questions in Finance Estimates, where some of thos e questions would be better answered. The last thing that I'll note is that all provinces and territories have agreed to undertake this work through the pCPA, in regards to medications, et cetera, that the

May 7, 2025 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1777 member asked about, to ensure consistency and a common beneficial approach. All juris dictions hon- ouring and respecting the role of the pCPA is very, very im portant. We've seen, in our province, some challenges that can arise if that's not the case; it is really good to see jurisdictions are working through the pCPA in this process, and we're hoping for a unified and stream lined and consistent outcome as a result of that. The Chairperson: Thank you, Minister. Mrs. Cook: Thank you.

I just want to reiterate my follow–well, not a follow-up question, my next question. While I appreciate the additional comments from the minister, the question was about breast cancer screening and whether the minister still intends to lower the breast cancer screening age for Manitobans to age 45 by the end of 2025, as previously promised. MLA Asagwara: I thank the critic for that question. Breast health and women's health and those who need access to this health care is a huge priority for our gov- ernment–huge priority for our government.

You know, I had a conversation–I participated in a town hall just last night in regards to re-establishing not only the Victoria emergency de partment, but the Mature Women's Centre. And we know that the prev- ious Mature Women's Centre was able to support women and those who need that care with things like breast health. That was a really invaluable service in that way and unfortunately it was closed, it was cut by the previous administration. We're bringing that back.

I heard from a number of women last night who were very emotional – understandably emotional–talking about mature women's health care and how they're thrilled to see a dedicated effort to women's health. And they fun damentally understand the importance and the value of it, but the feeling of having women's health care –their health care–devalued and dismantled for years and the con- sequences of that.

There was a woman I spoke to last night who talked about the fact that this isn't just about her, that this is about her daughter growing up and being able to access the kind of health care that she deserves and to feel respected in accessing that health care. And that really struck me. That really, really –it struck me. I thought about it for the rest of the night, actually, that, you know, decisions that we choose to make in regard to women's health care can have generational positive or negative impacts.

And our government is focused on making deci - sions and invest ments in health care for women that have positive generational impacts. And , certainly, doing the work around breast health and breast cancer screening is part of that conversation. So I'm just going to–the critic referenced page 37 in the Estimates book, so I'm just going to read from there and talk a bit about what our govern ment is doing in the '25-26 budget.

So our key initiatives are expanding breast cancer screening capacity with a focus on increasing access for the BIPOC, which is, for those who may not know, Black, Indigenous and people of colour popula tions who are currently being screened at a dis proportion- ately lower rate. When people talk about DEI–a lot of folks try to really sort of misrepresent what DEI is; this is a good example of what DEI is.

It's recog nizing that BIPOC communities, Black, Indigenous and people of colour– racialized folks–are disproportionately disadvantaged from being able to access essential life- saving health care for a whole host of reasons, and that if you are not in tentional about reaching those com munities, their health outcomes are damaged and worse as a result. And our government recognizes that, for too long– for far too long–there are com munities that have not been brought into these con versations and have not been prioritized in terms of health -care investments and health-care approaches.

Our govern ment's doing things differently. We want to make sure that BIPOC communities, that folks who are marginalized, have access to this life-saving, essential health care. And so we're working with our partners like CancerCare in order to take the important steps that will close those inequities, close those health- care gaps and improve outcomes for all Manitobans. When you improve health-care access and services for marginalized groups, you're actually doing the work that benefits everybody else. And we understand that.

And so, in our '25- 26 budget, we're going to in- crease focus on breast cancer screening for BIPOC Manitobans, and that's going to support our objective to expand screening for women and those who need it aged 50 to 74. Our department's going to fund the expansion of screening diag nostic infra structure and staffing to address the inequities in access for women between the ages of 50 and 74, including mobile services,

1778 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 7, 2025 mobile breast cancer screening, which was cut multiple times by the previous govern ment. We're investing and strengthening that. And com munity outreach to the identified populations–going out, meeting people where they're at in com munities–to make sure they have the information, awareness and access. * (15:50) Our target in '25 -26 is to improve Manitoba's 59 per cent screening partici pation rate to at least 70 per cent by the end of the '25- 26 fiscal year.

I'm really happy to share, actually, that in '24-25, through our efforts and partnerships, we were able to increase our screening rate, not quite at the 70 per cent that we were hoping to get to but to 66 per cent. So the work we're doing with our partners is already improving the rate of women who need to get screened who pre - viously were not getting screened here in our province. We know there's much more work to do. The Chairperson: Thank you, Minister. Mrs.

Cook: I thank the minister for the answer, but it's disappointing to learn that it is no longer the minis- ter's intention to lower the breast cancer screening age to 45 by the end of this year. I think that Manitobans will be disappointed to learn that today, particularly because Manitoba is one of the last provinces to do so. Within the last year, year and a half, most other Canadian provinces have moved in that direction. And certainly, moving in that direction would benefit BIPOC Manitobans because there's an increased incidence of breast cancer in younger women in BIPOC popula tions.

I know the minister's aware of this. I think that the many advocates who have come to the Legislature to talk about this issue, who've been vocal with the media, were certainly led to believe that the Province was moving on this issue, and certainly believed the minister when they publicly t old media just last fall, that the–by the end of 2025, the screening age would be 45. This is a disappointing development and positions Manitoba women behind those of other Canadian provinces. So I wonder if the minister could just clarify: How many screening mammograms are currently happening in Manitoba?

MLA Asagwara: I'm not sure about anyone else–I was sitting very confused, listening to the critic's response to my answer. Nowhere did I say that the breast cancer screening age wouldn't be lowered. I was just sharing the other infor mation that I thought was really important and relevant, including that here in Manitoba, our govern ment is working very hard to make sure that underserved, marginalized com mu- nities who have historically not been able to access breast cancer screening, and have worse health -care outcomes as a result, are able to do so.

We're working very hard to make sure that Black, Indigenous and people of colour, women between the ages of 50 and 74, hit that target screening rate of 70 per cent. That's our goal in our '25- 26 budget. Historically, that number was under 60 per cent. I'm not thrilled that we're not at the target yet, but I am happy to share we're moving in the right direction. In our first budget, that working with our partners, from listening to women, we were able to bring that screen- ing rate up from 59 per cent to 66 per cent.

We're getting closer to that 70 per cent target, and quite frankly, I'd like to see us get beyond that. I thought that was a really important thing to share and to put on the record, that the work that we're doing with our partners matters, and that we are listening to women, particularly those who have been marginalized and not a part of the conversation for far too long. But I also want to make clear that these efforts are part of a multi-year approach. We know that this ex- pansion of breast cancer screening needs to happen, and we need to increase access for all those who need it.

And so it's a joint effort between our de partment and CancerCare as stated on page 37 of the Estimates book. It will help ensure that breast cancer screening is expanded to women between the ages of 40 and 49 by the end of '26- 27, meaning that, in that journey, yes, the screening age for breast cancer will be lowered to 45 as we've previously stated and com - mitted to by the end of this year. So I want to reassure the member. Again, I'm not quite sure why she thought differently; I didn't state otherwise. It's implied in this Estimates book on page 37 that that is the case.

We are lowering the breast cancer screening age to 45, and we are going to lower the breast cancer screening age to 40 as we stated previously and as we've committed to Manitobans. We are also doing the work of making sure that those folks who have historically not been able to access screening in marginalized communities will be able to do so, and we've set some targets in regard to that as well. So it's a pretty comprehensive approach. I wanted to use the time to share that with Manitobans and with the critic because I do think that it matters. It's one

May 7, 2025 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1779 thing to talk about setting these targets; it's another thing to elaborate on how you're going to get it done and who you're going to prioritize in this work being completed. So I want to thank our partners at CancerCare. I want to thank, in parti cular, Dr. Turner, who's been wonderful to meet with and is a leader in this space. I want to thank the advocates, the women and Manitobans who have reached out to me directly and have shared their personal stories.

We're listening and we're lowering the breast screening age for you this year, and we're going to keep moving forward and lowering it to 40, moving beyond that. The Chairperson: Thank you, Minister. Mrs. Cook: I thank the minister for that clarity. In their first answer they talked around the issue and actually never specifically stated that, when that was the direct question that I put, and that's why I inferred the answer that I did because the minister's answer was so unclear. And, in fact, the supplement to the Estimates does not imply anything at all.

It only states explicitly that it'll be lowered to 40 to 49 by the end of '26- 27. It doesn't say anything about this year or the age of 45. And '24-25 is the fiscal year we're in. One could be forgiven for thinking that it would make it into the supplement for the Estimates of this fiscal year. So I'd like to ask: How much additional capacity for screening mammograms will be required in order to achieve this target? The Chairperson: Thank you, Member. MLA Asagwara: I thank the critic for that question. I appreciate her commentary on why she assumed that maybe something had changed.

I would encourage her to not assume. * (16:00) Our government is committed to following through on our commitments to Manitobans, in particular, women in this province who for years watched as their health care was cut and dismantled, watched as women's health care was deprioritized, devalued for years under the previous PC government. Women deserve better. It's fundamentally impor- tant that we invest in research, in technology, in inno- vation and in essential health care for women, and at the heart of all of that is listening to women.

And our government listens to women when it comes to every- thing, but certainly their health -care needs. And it's been really wonderful, the conver sations I've had more recently with women in this province, different parts of this province, talking about their health- care needs, what they would like to see, what matters to them. Certainly, breast health is a big part of that con- versation for many folks.

I think most of us have been affected, impacted in some way, shape or form by cancer, and, you know, I think about people in my own life who have been affected by breast cancer, and what their journeys and their stories mean to me in how we do this work. You know, I'm grateful to be in an op portunity with our gov ernment where we can sit down and engage in these really im portant conversations with Manitoba women and those who need this care and take action on their behalf.

We recognize that so many years women's health care was cut and mistreated is going to require a lot of years of repairing and work and investment to not only fix but really strengthen and have it be in a place where Manitoba can be a beacon for other jurisdictions in terms of how we treat women's health care. And we're taking steps in the right direction while recog nizing there's much more work for us to do.

So I talked, in my previous response, a bit about the work we've done to improve the access to breast cancer screening for marginalized com munities and that we're moving the needle in the right ways and the targets that we've set for ourselves, who we'r e work- ing with. We're also working with local, smaller organizations than CancerCare. But I want to talk a bit about what our budget '25- 26 is going to do in this space. We are going to increase screening. So we're going to be able to take screening from 45,500 screens in '24-25 to over 65,000 in '25-26.

Our government is investing in a 44 per cent increase in breast cancer screening for women in this province with our '25-26 budget because we know that this area of health care is so important. This budget '25-26 also includes more screening for marginalized com munities. It means that over 15,000–15,600 breast cancer screens will be completed and available for self -referred Manitobans, right? So we are lowering the breast cancer screening age, and for those who are self-referred, we're going to have an opportunity to have almost 16,000 screens done. That's a substantial increase.

We're also ensuring that because we're lowering the breast screening age to 45 that in the first few months of the new calendar year, which is the few remaining months of the budget year, we're going to

1780 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 7, 2025 be able to have 4,000 Manitobans get access to screen- ing who are 45 years of age. So our government takes this very seriously. We're making very real investments where we saw divest - ment years prior. Mobile breast cancer screening is a way that reaches many, many Manitobans in rural communities, northern communities. Mobile breast cancer screening was cut for multiple years by the previous government. We're doing the opposite. We're investing in making it stronger, better and more accessible because we know that Manitobans can get care in that essential way.

And we're going to make sure that we continue to do more work so that more Manitoba women benefit from this screening and have better health -care out- comes as a result. The Chairperson: Thank you, Minister. Mrs. Cook: As part of this, of course, we know in- creasing screening capacity is going to require increasing the health -care workforce. So I'm just wondering if the minister could provide the current number of mammography technologists in Manitoba. How many have been hired since the minister became the minister and how many more we need in order to increase screening capacity?

The Chairperson: Thank you, Member. MLA Asagwara: That's a really, really great question by the critic. I'm going to–we're working on getting some more clarity around those numbers. The–I'm not a hundred per cent clear. I think the number was either 13.6 or 12.6, somewhere in there, in terms of the amount of mammographers that we would need by '26-27 in order to meet those lowering- the-age targets. So we're going to get clarity on that.

What I can say is that our government has worked with our partners across the health- care system and post-secondary institutions to reach out to students, to learners–health-care learners, before they graduate, to make them aware of the opportunities to advance their learning and training and job op portunities in our province. So in anticipation of lowering the breast cancer screening age, recognizing that we would need more human resource capacity, we started doing the work of planning, right? We started doing the work of recruiting, informing and retaining folks proactively.

We recently had a graduating class of–I believe it was 26 technologists being trained in the province, and we reached out–normally, you know, our govern- ment is –establishes new practice, or the Premier (Mr. Kinew) and I send out to learners a letter, letting them know that there's a job right here in their home province for them when they graduate. We've seen that be very suc cessful. It's a great way to let folks know. I didn't receive a letter like that when I was going to be a new grad; would've been nice to.

Certainly, we know that folks were not getting that letter under the previous administration, but we felt it really important to reach out, as a government, to say there's a job for you in your province should you want one, and we would love for you to stay right here. And so we took it a bit –took it a step further in terms of the graduates and the new grads who would be responsible for, you know, technologist roles in our province, and we said, we know that we're going to need more mammographers; that requires additi onal training beyond your initial studies.

And so we reached out proactively and asked if folks would be interested. We provided them an op portunity to access mammography training right away and said that we would love for you to choose this path. These are the goals that we have. We know that women in this pro- vince need more access to screening, and we're really happy to see that folks had an interest in that. And just by making that effort, making folks aware of the op- portunity and engaging them proactively, we saw some uptake there.

And so we're taking unique approaches in order to ensure that we have the staffing that we need to meet the needs of Manitoba women and those who need this care. There's more work to be done on this front. Certainly, you know, across the country there's a shortage of health-care workers. Here in Manitoba, we were late to getting into that effort in terms of recruitment and retention and being innovative in that approach, but our government has stood up a retention and recruitment office, a dedi cated office to health - care human resource, and we're seeing the benefits of that.

We have physicians, we have allied health -care expertise, who are all working with our office–nursing expertise, working with our office in order to ensure that we're moving staffing in the right direction. So the critic is correct. More staff, more resources, is neces- sary in order to support lowering the breast cancer

May 7, 2025 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1781 screening ages, and our government is doing that work with our partners to meet those needs. Recognizing, again, there's more work to be done and that 70 per cent target for screening that we want to achieve, which is recommended by the national–the Canadian Cancer Society–we're only going to be able to do that by working with our partners, by having more health-care human resource capacity and being creative about how we do that.

The last thing that I'll mention is there's an organi- zation I met with –I've met with a couple of times named SERC–really wonderful organization that does a ton of really wonderful outreach to women in our communities. And they have a couple of folks there who do outreach specifically in newcomer communities. And I want to thank them for being willing to meet with us and being open to using their relationships, their structure, as a way that we can engage women -in- health conversations that meet the needs of newcomer communities.

It's impor tant that we recog nize that it's –health care and screening and education awareness isn't a one size fits all. We have to be able to be creative about how we reach people and make sure they have the tools they need to make the best and most informed health-care decisions. * (16:10) And so, you know, we've been in government now for about a year and a half–just over that; we hope to have many years ahead of us to do this work. But building positive relationships is a big part of how we get this work done, and so we're going to commit to continuing to do that collectively.

The Chairperson: Thank you, Minister. Mrs. Cook: Thank you, and I hope that the numbers that I asked for will be forthcoming here this afternoon about the number of technologists that we currently have, how many have been hired and how many more we need in order to meet the screening target. And I'm going to ask one more question on this topic. And the mini

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Collection	Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	43-2-50
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	43rd 2nd hansardpdf 50.pdf
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	414e3df4913d65ca1c1f6767a6f0b8fadc834594

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