Manitoba Hansard — 6 October 2022 (Sitting 70B, 42nd Legislature, 4th Session)

42-4-70b

Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)

Fourth Session – Forty-Second Legislature of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba DEBATES and PROCEEDINGS Official Report (Hansard) Published under the authority of The Honourable Myrna Driedger Speaker Vol. LXXVI No. 70B - 1:30 p.m., Thursday, October 6, 2022 ISSN 0542-5492

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

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

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

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

3033 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA Thursday, October 6, 2022 The House met at 1:30 p.m. Clerk (Ms. Patricia Chaychuk): It is my duty to inform the House that the Speaker is unavoidably absent. Therefore, in accordance with the statutes, I would as the Deputy Speaker to please take the Chair. Mr. Deputy Speaker (Andrew Micklefield): Good afternoon, everyone. Please be seated. Orders of the day–no, that was this morning. ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS Mr. Deputy Speaker: Committee–or introduction of bills? COMMITTEE REPORTS Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development Sixth Report Mr.

Dennis Smook (Chairperson): I wish to present the sixth report of the Standing Com mittee on Social and Economic Development. Clerk (Ms. Patricia Chaychuk): Your Sta nding Committee on Social and Economic– An Honourable Member: Dispense. Mr. Deputy Speaker: Dispense. Your Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development presents the following as its Sixth Report. Meetings Your Committee met on October 5, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. in Room 255 of the Legislative Building. Matters under Consideration • Bill (No. 13) – The Social Services Appeal Board Amendment Act / Loi modifiant la

Loi sur la Commission d'appel des services sociaux • Bill (No. 14) – The Drivers and Vehicles Amendment, Highway Traffic Amendment and Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation Amendment Act / Loi modifiant la

Loi sur les conducteurs et les véhicules, le Code de la route et la

Loi sur la Société d'assurance publique du Manitoba • Bill (No. 24) – The Real Property Valuation Board and Related Amendments Act /

Loi sur la Commission de l'évaluation des biens réels et modifications connexes • Bill (No. 208) – The Teach ers' Pensions Amendment Act / Loi modifiant la

Loi sur la pension de retraite des enseignants • Bill (No. 240) – The Jewish Heritage Month Act /

Loi sur le Mois du patrimoine juif Committee Membership • Mr. Altomare • Hon. Mr. Goertzen • Ms. Morley-Lecomte • Mr. Sandhu • Mr. Smook • Hon. Ms. Squires Your Committee elected Mr. Smook as the Chairperson. Your Committee elected Ms. Morley-Lecomte as the Vice-Chairperson. Non-Committee Members Speaking on Record • Hon. Mr. Ewasko • Hon. Mr. Helwer • Ms. Lamoureux • Mr. Schuler • Mr. Wiebe Public Presentations Your Committee heard the following two presentations on Bill (No. 24) – The Real Property Valuation Board and Related Am endments Act /

Loi sur la Commission de l'évaluation des biens réels et modifications connexes: Tangi Bell, Private citizen Ernie Nathaniel, Private citizen Your Committee heard the following three presentations on Bill (No. 208) – The Teachers' Pensions Amendment Act / Loi modifiant la

Loi sur la pension de retraite des enseignants: William Cann, Private citizen David Harkness, Private citizen Linda Blair, Retired Teachers' Association of Manitoba

3034 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 6, 2022 Written Submissions Your Committee received the following two written submissions on Bill (No. 208) – The Teachers' Pensions Amendment Act / Loi modifiant la

Loi sur la pension de retraite des enseignants: James Bedford, Manitoba Teachers' Society John Sushelnitsky, Private citizen Bills Considered and Reported • Bill (No. 13) – The Social Services Appeal Board Amendment Act / Loi modifiant la

Loi sur la Commission d'appel des services sociaux Your Committee agreed to report this Bill without amendment. • Bill (No. 14) – The Drivers and Vehicles Amendment, Highway Traffic Amendment and Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation Amendment Act / Loi modifiant la

Loi sur les conducteurs et les véhicules, le Code de la route et la

Loi sur la Société d'assurance publique du Manitoba Your Committee agreed to report this Bill without amendment. • Bill (No. 24) – The Real Property Valuation Board and Related Amendments Act /

Loi sur la Commission de l'évaluation des biens réels et modifications connexes Your Committee agreed to report this Bill without amendment. • Bill (No. 208) – The Teachers' Pensions Amendment Act / Loi modifiant la

Loi sur la pension de retraite des enseignants Your Committee agreed to report this Bill without amendment. • Bill (No. 240) – The Jewish Heritage Month Act /

Loi sur le Mois du patrimoine juif Your Committee agreed to report this Bill without amendment. Mr. Smook: I move, seconded by the honour able member for Seine River (Ms. Morley-Lecomte), that the report of the committee be received. Motion agreed to. Standing Committee on Agriculture and Food First Report Mr. Ian Wishart (Chairperson): I wish to present the first report of the Standing Com mittee of Agriculture and Food. Clerk: Your Standing Committee– An Honourable Member: Dispense. Mr. Deputy Speaker: Dispense. Your Standing Committee on Agriculture and Food presents the following as its First Report.

Meetings Your Committee met on October 5, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. in Room 254 of the Legislative Building. Matters under Consideration • Bill (No. 22) – The Environment Amendment Act (Pesticide Restrictions) / Loi modifiant la

Loi sur l'environnement (restrictions applicables aux pesticides) Committee Membership • Mrs. Cox • Hon. Mr. Johnson • Ms. Naylor • Hon. Mr. Wharton • Mr. Wiebe • Mr. Wishart Your Committee elected Mr. Wishart as the Chairperson. Your Committee elected Mrs. Cox as the Vice-Chairperson. Non-Committee Members Speaking on Record • Hon. Mr. Gerrard Public Presentations Your Committee heard the following 10 presentations on Bill (No. 22) – The Environment Amendment Act (Pesticide Restrictions) / Loi modifiant la

Loi sur l'environnement (restrictions applicables aux pesticides): Shirley Forsyth, Private citizen Katharina Stieffenhofer, Private citizen Anne Lindsey, Private citizen Steve Rauh, Private citizen Glen Koroluk, Manitoba Eco-Network Wendy Buelow, Private citizen Cameron Wilson, Neudorff North America Nicolas Sourisseau, Private citizen David Hinton, Manitoba Nur sery Landscape Association Josh Brandon, Social Planning Counsel of Winnipeg

October 6, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 3035 Written Submissions Your Committee received the following seven written submissions on Bill (No. 22) – The Environment Amendment Act (Pesticide Restrictions) / Loi modifiant la

Loi sur l'environnement (restrictions applicables aux pesticides): Denys Volkov, Association of Manitoba Municipalities Joanne Seiff, Private citizen Murray Cunningham, Environmental Health Association of Manitoba Ben Raber, Private citizen Vicki Burns, Private citizen Meg Sears, Prevent Cancer Now Randall McQuaker, Private Citizen Bills Considered and Reported • Bill (No. 22) – The Environment Amendment Act (Pesticide Restrictions) / Loi modifiant la

Loi sur l'environnement (restrictions applicables aux pesticides) Your Committee agreed to report this Bill without amendment. Mr. Wishart: Mr. Deputy Speaker, I move, second- ed by t he honour able member for Midland (Mr. Pedersen), that the report of the com mittee be received. Motion agreed to. TABLING OF REPORTS Hon. Kelvin Goertzen (Minister of Justice and Attorney General): Mr. Deputy Speaker, I'm pleased to table the Legal Aid Manitoba Annual Report for the fiscal year 2021-2022. Mr. Deputy Speaker: No other reports? Min isterial statements? I believe there are none. MEMBERS' STATEMENTS Rick Chrest Hon.

Reg Helwer (Minister of Labour, Consumer Protection and Government Services): I rise today to speak about a good friend who has chosen to retire from public life. His honour Rick Chrest, the current mayor of the City of Brandon, is not running for re - election this October. Rick served two terms as Brandon's 32nd mayor, first being elected in 2014. He had previously served three terms on Brandon City Council and that experience served him very well as mayor. Mayor Chrest worked hard to create a collegial and co-operative style in–of government.

He was well regarded by councillors, by the citizens of Brandon and by his peers at the Association of Manitoba Municipalities. As with many elected officials over the last few years, Rick faced many challenges and had many difficult decisions, but he seemed to take it all in stride , although I know his compassion and caring always shone through despite the sometimes negative environment. Rick has a passion for Brandon, Westman and Manitoba, but I know his heart is with his family and they are very close. Karen is his rock and he al ways has much to learn from Kaitlin, Dylan and Brett.

Rick and Karen recently added the grandparents title to their achievements and I know that Charlotte has taken centre stage in their lives. I know they would love be with us here today but I can neither confirm nor deny that Rick may have been drawn away to Kamloops with an opportunity for a hug and snuggles with Charlotte. Rick's hugs are legendary and I know the last couple of years have caused them to be somewhat rare. Thank you for your service, my friend. Hugs on your retirement. Pembina Curling Club Mr.

Mark Wasyliw (Fort Garry): The Pembina Curling Club celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, after growing from a group of 36 citizens in a church hall to a club of more than 1,000 members. In May of 1947, a group of volunteer community members set out to build the first curling club in Fort Garry, led by Art Elders. The club began raising funds by selling $50 shares to community members in order to build a four -sheet curling club on the same lot which still houses the club to this day.

In December 1947, they held the first junior bonspiel on the new - minted ice, and now, almost 75 years later, the club is honoured to host the upcoming 2022 Canadian Masters Curling Championship from November 13th to the 20th. The club continues to innovate and serve the Fort Garry com munity. It's recently opened an outdoor beer garden this past year, adding a new community gathering place where Fort Garrians can meet and enjoy live music. The club also regularly hosts learn- to-curl nights, where those unfamiliar with the game

3036 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 6, 2022 can come to learn the ins and outs of the game while meeting new people. These efforts are helping the club to achieve its goal of having a diverse and representative member - ship from the community, as the club actively pursues more women and newcomer members from the Fort Garry and south Winnipeg area. Fort Garry Curling Club has become the beating heart of that community. In the gallery today, we have club members Tom Price, Scott Ross and Terry Vopni.

Please join me in thanking them for their efforts to build a warm and welcoming community that shares the love of curling. Thanksgiving Mr. James Teitsma (Radisson): I'm pleased to deliver this private member statement today on your behalf. Yes, indeed, the sentiments that are about to follow I give full credit to the member for Rossmere (Mr. Micklefield), although I must say I whole heart- edly agree with them. This weekend, Canadians will celebrate Thanksgiving, gathering with famil y and friends for food and fellowship.

But aside from the usual traditions of pumpkin pie and turkey, Thanksgiving weekend causes us all to pause and to consider what we are grateful for. Canadians, including myself, can sometimes be more prone to complain than compliment, to grumble than be grateful, to be thankless more than thankful, but the Thanksgiving holiday invites us to give thanks for the many blessings of living in our beautiful province of Manitoba, in this beautiful country of Canada. We're not on the brink of war or starvation. Law and order are the rule, not the exception.

We benefit from education, health care, roads, police, fire and ambulance services, the rule of law and demo cracy. These are not perfect, but they are still very much intact and for this we can be grateful. We should also be thankful for free speech; it remains legal to criti - cize, disagree and argue without fear or favour. The thought of devoting an entire holiday to gratitude is almost unthinkable by today's standa rds. Cynicism, criticism, entitlement–those are the emo - tional default settings much of the time. * (13:40) But gratitude: gratitude offers us a chance to change our perspective.

It displaces negativity and it reminds us that the glass is often far more than half full. In light of history and the world around us, we who live in Canada, in Manitoba, have so, so much to be grateful for. We should not take that for granted. I believe being truly thankful can transform your heart.

So I would like to take this opportunity on behalf and together with the member for Rossmere to wish all members, legis lative staff and all viewers a very happy Thanksgiving and to put on the record that we thank God for the many ways that Canada is a blessed country, even as we work together to make it better for our children and their children after them. Marilyn McGonigal Mr. Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): Marilyn McGonigal was a remarkable Manitoban. Over her career she helped shape laws in Manitoba and push for women's rights and economic fairness.

She did this important feminist work as a co-founder of the first all-women law firm here in our great province. She was a trailblazer in this respect, and it couldn't have been easy. Marilyn was actually trained as a teacher. She got married, she started a family. But then in the 1970s she decided to go back to school. She got her law degree and was called to the bar. She did all this while raising three energetic children. In addition to the legal profession, she served as a president of the Provincial Council of Women of Manitoba and was active with the John Howard and Elizabeth Fry Societies.

She advocated publicly for increases to the minimum wage, against family violence and in favour of improved conditions for those incarcerated. A careful student of history will see her name in the proceedings of this esteemed Chamber, speaking thoughtfully at committee on these issues of human rights. She always found time to be a devoted grand- mother to her grandchildren Jordan, Micaela, Kelsi, Megan and Hannah. Marilyn told me that she enjoyed having them over for get -togethers at the pool in her condo building.

I know this because she used to host our Fort Rouge NDP association meetings in the sunroom next door. She was a tireless volunteer and an incisive participant in policy discussions. Sadly, Marilyn left us in June after a battle with cancer, joining her son Tom. On July 17th a large crowd of Manitobans from all walks of life joined to celebrate her life. Her sons Dan and Larry spoke well on that day, and they surely did their mom proud.

October 6, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 3037 Marilyn McGonigal made Manitoba a better place. To her we say we remember you, miigwech, merci and thank you. Her family joins us today in the gallery. Vincent Williams Ms. Cindy Lamoureux (Tyndall Park): I'm happy to rise this afternoon and speak about some very special guests who are up in the gallery. First off, you'll see 40 grade seven students from Stanley Knowles School. They had an educational tour this morning of the Legislative Building, ate some pizza and created a question that I have the honour of asking to our Premier (Mrs.

Stefanson) later today in question period. But right now, Mr. Deputy Speaker, I would like to recognize Mr. Vincent Williams. Mr. Williams taught at École Stanley Knowles School from 1990 until his recent retirement this past June. He served in our education system for 30 years. Mr. Speaker, I spoke with some faculty at Stanley Knowles, and a few of their remarks about Mr. Williams included how he truly made con- nections with kids and believed in the ability of every student.

He stood out for his grace and diplomacy that he brought into his classrooms and he is a true gentle- man, a fine educator and so thoughtful and kind with all of his colleagues. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Mr. Williams has dedicated so much to our province, and he even set such a strong example in the field of education that his daughter, Sonya Williams, has become a vice-principal. Now, Mr. Deputy Speaker, everyone I spoke to reminded me how Mr. Williams does not like the spotlight. So I'm going to turn it to his family who have joined him today in the gallery.

We have up in the gallery right now his wife Elnor Williams, his daughter Sonya Williams and, very shortly, I am sure, we will have Christopher Williams, his son; Shanice Williams, his daughter -in-law; Isaias Williams, his grandson; and Arzaria [phonetic] Williams, his grand- daughter. And, of course, the man of the hour himself, Mr. Vincent Williams. Thank you for your 30 years of service in our education system here in Manitoba. And I would like to ask my colleagues to help me recognize him for this honour. Thank you. Introduction of Guests Mr.

Deputy Speaker: And just before we move forward with oral questions, I do want to acknowledge some students in the gallery. As the member for Tyndall Park just mentioned, we have seated in the public gallery, from Stanley Knowles School, 40 grade 7 students under the direction of Torrie Vicklund. This group is located in the constituency of the honourable member for Tyndall Park. We welcome you to the Manitoba Legislature. ORAL QUESTIONS Home-Care Services Care Hours Available Mr. Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): Mr.

Acting Speaker, for many Manitobans, home care is an essential part of a good quality of life. Yet, the gov ernment's own record– which I will table today–show that their cuts mean that there are more Manitobans than ever who need home care, and yet there are fewer and fewer hours of care available. In the Prairie Mountain Health region, covered by those documents, there are 1,125 more people seeking care in the last five years, but there's nearly 90,000 fewer hours of care available to serve them. It's because home-care workers are stretched too thin to give each client the attention they deserve.

Will the Premier admit her gov ernment's cuts have hurt home care? Hon. Heather Stefanson (Premier): The Leader of the Opposition is just plain wrong, Madam Speaker. In fact, we are inv esting more than $1 billion more than the NDP ever did in our health-care system. I also just want to mention and thank the Minister responsible for Seniors, Madam –or, Mr.

Deputy Speaker, for the work that he is doing in working with stakeholders in t he com munity to develop a home - care strategy for the province of Manitoba so we can look at improving home care for those who choose to stay at home and need that extra help at home. Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, with a supplementary question. Mr. Kinew: More Manitobans are looking for home- care services so that they can live a good life, so that they can stay in the com munity, so that they can age in place.

Yet, we just saw in western Manitoba and in the Parkland, while there are more than 1,100 more patients, there are 90,000 fewer hours to care for them.

3038 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 6, 2022 The situation is similarly dire in the Southern Health region. The number of people there seeking care has gone up by 340 patients just in the last five years. And yet, there are 96,000 few hours of care to serve them. That means more people waiting in pain. That means more people having to go without essential services like meal prep and laundry. It means worse care for Manitobans. Will the Premier please stop cutting home care? Mrs. Stefanson: Again, the Leader of the Opposition puts false infor mation on the record in this House.

More than $1 billion more than the NDP ever invested in health care, Madam–or, Mr. Deputy Speaker. And, certainly, when it comes to home care and within our health-care system, we know that there is a shortage of workers right across the system. That is nothing that's unique to Manitoba. The Leader of the Opposition knows that, but he refuses to recognize it, Mr. Deputy Speaker. But it's a reality of what we're facing, not just here in Manitoba, but right across the country when it comes to the shortage of staffing with respect to health care and for home care, Mr. Deputy Speaker.

So those are challenges that we're taking o n. Of course, we're developing that home -care strategy, Mr. Deputy Speaker, and I'll remind Manitobans that the Leader of the Op position has no plan, no vision whatsoever about home care in the province of Manitoba. * (13:50) If he has one, please table it today. Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition on a final supplementary. Mileage Rate Increase for Workers Mr. Kinew: Let's cut through the PC talking points. These cuts began five years ago –five years ago. And they are cuts.

When a government takes a decision to reduce funding, and it results in fewer hours of care at the bedside, that is a cut. We saw that in Westman; there are more than 90,000 fewer hours of care. In the Southern Health region–and I'll tabl e this document to prove the case, perhaps not to the First Minister, but definitely to the people of Manitoba – there are 96,000 fewer hours of care. We're talking about home-care workers who are helping very vul - nerable people in our society. As the price of gas goes up, these folks haven't even gotten a mile –mileage increase.

We know that the First Minister is not going to cut home care–is not going to stop her cuts to home - care services, but will she finally increase the mileage rate for these people– Mr. Deputy Speaker: The member's time has expired. Mrs. Stefanson: Well, the Leader of the Op position got one thing right, Mr. Deputy Speaker: that we are not going to cut home care in the province of Manitoba. Once again, Mr.

Deputy Speaker, I want to thank the Minister responsible for Seniors, who is working diligently with stakeholders in the com munity to en- sure that we make im provements to our home -care system, something that the NDP never did when they were in power. For 17 years, they did nothing. And the Leader of the Opposi tion stands in this House, again, Mr. Deputy Speaker, puts false infor - mation on the record, and he continues to do that without announcing what his plan is for home care. So, again, I ask him: Would he table his home -care plan for the people of Manitoba? We would like to know what his plan is. Mr.

Deputy Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition with a second question. Increase in Project Nova Costs Impact on MPI Ratepayers Mr. Wab Kin ew (Leader of the Official Opposition): Manitobans want good online services from Manitoba Public Insurance, and that's why MPI launched Project Nova. It was supposed to make life easier and more convenient for families. Now this project could have been done a long time ago. That is, if the PCs hadn't interfered. Now we learn from MPI board minutes, which I will table today, that just because of PC inter ference, the cost of Project Nova is skyrocketing.

This docu- ment shows that it's going to cost ratepayers more than double the original price. We're talking an increase – lately–from $128 million to now $300 million. Will the Premier admit that her gov ernment's in- terference will cost drivers more? Hon. Heather Stefanson (Premier): I do want to thank all of those who are working diligently at MPI and offering those services for Manitobans.

October 6, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 3039 We know that affordability is an issue. MPI stepped up, and they actually gave out rebate cheques to Manitobans. We want to remind Manitobans it was upwards of $700 'por'–per vehicle. That is making life more affordable for Manitobans. I want to thank MPI and the board for moving in that direction to make life more affordable for Manitobans. Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition on a supplementary question. Mr. Kinew: Project Nova was supposed to take two, maybe three years, tops.

Originally, the price tag was named at $82 million. Then, after PC inter ference, that increased to $128 million. But now, after further int erference by this PC government–began under Mr. Pallister, but con - tinuing under this First Minister–we see that the price tag has now ballooned from $128 million to $300 million. And that timeline of a couple years has now been stretched to more than f ive years, Mr. Speaker. A $300 million project over budget at MPI will mean more pressure on ratepayers to make up the difference.

Will the Premier tell the House how much MPI rates will go up because of her gov ernment's inter- ference? Mrs. Stefanson : Well, I'll remind madam – Manitobans, Mr. Deputy Speaker, of the vehicle registration fee that see –the NDP inter fered in MPI and got them to introduce a vehicle registration fee. And to–again, on the theme of making life more affordable for Manitobans, we made three reductions to that vehicle registration fee, making life more affordable for Manitobans. We want to thank MPI for making that decision, for moving in that direction towards making life more affordable for Manitobans. Mr.

Deputy Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a final supplementary. Mr. Kinew: Well, as is typical, Mr. Deputy Speaker, we don't see the Premier engage with the question be- cause there is no defence. Just as with the health -care system, where thei r mismanagement has made a mess of things, now their mismanagement is costing people more at MPI. This project was already over budget when it was pegged at $128 million. Now we see, because of the meddling of this minister and this First Minister, that costs have more than doubled. We're talking about from $128 million to $300 million.

That's mis - management and it's a result of PC interference. How much more of Manitobans' money will the Premier waste before providing simple online services to the people? Mrs. Stefanson: Well, Mr. Deputy Speaker, the piece of paper that the Leader of the Op position tabled in the House does not back anything, and doesn't have anything to do with the questions that he's asking. Does–there's no evidence here to su ggest that –the accusations from the Leader of the Opposition.

But what I will say when it–when we're talking about interfering in Crown cor porations, I'll remind the Leader of the Opposition that when the NDP were in power, the bipole line, the Kee yask Generating Station these things were over budget by almost $4 billion. That's what they did. They interfered in Manitoba, created significant cost overruns, which is also mak - ing life less affordable for Manitobans. We will con- tinue to make life more affordable for Manitobans. Increase in Project Nova Costs Impact on MPI Ratepayers Mr. Mintu Sandhu (The Maples): The price of Project Nova has more than doubled in price.

Initial price was $82 million, then it increased $128 million to nearly $ 300 million now. This project could have been completed a long time ago, but this government interfered. Why is the minister costing MPI drivers more? Hon. Kelvin Goertzen (Minister responsible for the Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation): My friend across the way might need to be reminded that drivers' insurance have been continually going down over the last number of years, Mr. Deputy Speaker, not going up.

He may also be well to be reminded that this is a 30-year-old legacy system that the dr ivers renewal system, the technology system that is in the different brokers and at MPI languished for nearly 20 years under the NDP without any sort of revival or renewal, Mr. Deputy Speaker. If he wants to know why this system is so out - dated and why there needs to be such refurbishment,

3040 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 6, 2022 he may want to speak to, for example, one of his colleagues who sat and did nothing for 20 years, Mr. Deputy Speaker. [interjection] Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. Mr. Sandhu: Brian Pallister intervened in the opera- tion of MPI on behalf of his friends in the insurance industry. Project Nova was supposed to be done long time ago. Now, it has more than doubled in price to nearly $300 million. The time has been–delays. This cost us more. Why did the PC gov ernment in terfere in the operation of MPI and why are they costing drivers hundreds of millions of dollars?

Mr. Goertzen: Mr. Deputy Speaker, inter ference would be defined as going to a Crown corporation and saying, instead of building a hydro line on the shortest route possible, as was recom mended by many, many experts, including experts in the NDP–instead having ministers say, no, we're going to go across the entire length of the opposite side of the province and cause more than a billion dollars more.

That would be inter- ference. * (14:00) What the definition of languishing would be is doing nothing to upgrade a computer system and tech- nology system at MPI for more than two decades and then waiting for another gov ernment to have to take on that task. So, that's the definition. He now knows what inter ference is; he now knows what languishing is. I'm happy to give him further

definitions in the next answer, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr. Sandhu: The government's interference costs us all more. The costs of Project Nova have more than doubled to nearly $300 million. The timeline has been extended for years. Will the minister explain why their government's interference is costing MPI drivers so much more? Mr. Goertzen: Well, I was reminded by my frien ds in this side of the House, Mr. Deputy Speaker, about something called FleetNet. I'd almost forgotten.

This was the emergency system, of course, that our emergency responders were communicating with across the province where there were fires or oth er sorts of things. We came into gov ernment and we realized that FleetNet was so old that they were having to buy parts off of eBay to keep it going. Now I don't know that MPI was quite that desper- ate, Madam Speaker. I don't–[interjection] Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. Mr. Goertzen: –think that –Mr. Deputy Speaker, I don't know that they were using Commodore 64s still at MPI, but if the NDP had still stayed in government, that might have been the case.

We had to renew FleetNet. We had to renew MPI computer systems. That's the gov ernment that did nothing to ensure that those things were redone. We're not interfering. We're actually trying to get things done– Mr. Deputy Speaker: The member's time has expired. Provincial Carbon Pricing Timeline for Plan Ms. Lisa Naylor (Wolseley): Mr. Deputy Speaker, climate change is a threat unlike any other we've faced before and urgent action is needed to avoid the worst outcomes.

We've had six years of inaction from this government, and they've spent hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars in two years fighting the federal government's price on pollution. Thanks to public pressure, the PC gov ernment backtracked and committed to developing a carbon- pricing plan before December 31st of this year. Will the minister confirm if his gov ernment will meet this deadline? Hon. Jeff Wharton (Minister of Environment, Climate and Parks): I certainly appreciate the ques- tion on climate and environment when it comes from members opposite.

We know tha t the NDP climate plan existed on the back of a napkin. We know that, how? Well, none of us have seen it. But I can tell you, our government has a plan. As a matter of fact, we're already moving forward with a low-carbon economy-finding efficiency trucking pro- gram, Efficiency Manitoba residential natural gas effi- ciency programs–$18 million, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Stay tuned, I've got more. Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable member for Wolseley, on a supplementary question.

October 6, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 3041 Ms. Naylor: After losing two court cases, widespread public pushback and wasting hundreds of thou- sands of taxpayer dollars, this gov ernment finally abandoned their challenge of the federal price on pollution. Nearly a year ago, they committed to developing and imple menting a carbon -pricing plan by December 31st of this year. Mr. Deputy Speaker, we know that this gov ern- ment is not fond of deadlines. Fortunately, they still have time to deliver on this one.

Will the minister confirm whether a carbon - pricing plan will be announced by December 31st of this year? Mr. Wharton: The member opposite talks about deadlines and pollution. Well, let's look at their record on deadlines.

(1) Mr. Deputy Speaker, we know that one of the largest freshwater lakes in this beautiful country is Lake Winnipeg, just north of us, which I happen to reside on. We know that for almost 20 years, the NDP did nothing, nothing on the North End treatment plant in the city of Winnipeg, the largest polluter to Lake Winnipeg and our waterways. We will take no lessons from the members oppo- site when it comes to pollution. Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honour able member for Wolseley, on a final supplementary. Ms.

Naylor: Manitobans want a gov ernment that takes action on climate change and not one that wastes taxpayer money on failed court cases. They also want a government that takes action and doesn't interfere in the building of the North End water treatment plant, as this government did for six years. Thankfully, they've abandoned the court appeals after losing two cases and pushback from this side of the House. They've committed to developing a carbon-pricing plan, but we have heard nothing. The government has until December 31st of this year; that date is coming quickly.

Can the minister confirm whether he will actually meet this deadline? Mr. Wharton: We certainly know that members opposite had no plan, no plan at all, Mr. Deputy Speaker. We certainly know that the members oppo- site would never have a plan other than the back of a napkin. Let me tell you, for members of the House, what our gov ernment is doing, Mr. Deputy Speaker. We've–increasing the ethanol content in gasoline from 8.5 to 10 per cent, in biodiesel, 2.5 to 5 per cent. The efficiency truck program saves 25 million litres, Mr. Deputy Speaker, of GHG emissions over a life cycle of equipment. Mr.

Deputy Speaker, they have no plan. We're just getting started. Post-Secondary Education Issues with Student Aid Program Mr. Jamie Moses (St. Vital): My office continues to receive complaints from students about this gov ern- ment's poorly run Manitoba Student Aid program. Students have faced extreme delays in accessing funding that they need to go to school. This has re - sulted in students having to pay out of pocket, to take on debt as funding for their education because their payments did not arrive before deadlines.

This debt is detrimental for students who have – already struggling with increasingly high rising costs of living. This government needs to take action to ensu re that students receive their funding in a timely manner. Will the minister commit to doing so today? Hon. Jon Reyes (Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Immigration): We are continually en - hancing our processes and products. That includes Manitoba Student Aid. I know that staff are working hard each and every day to ensure that application inquiries from clients are addressed in a timely manner.

I can share that in 2021-2022, Manitoba Student Aid helped over 16,000 students, including Indigenous students and low-income students, in access to post-secondary edu- cation. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr. Moses: The continuing issues with Manitoba Student Aid are simply unacceptable. I wrote to the minister months ago to share stories of st udents who have concerns and urged him to take action. In the fall semester, over 200 students had delays with their–receiving their student aid. And he had time over the summer to fix it, but he didn't.

That's why it's so disappointing to hear that stude nts are now still coming to my office with complaints because they're not receiving their student aid money in time–students such as a mother of six, who contacted my office after

3042 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 6, 2022 extreme delays and now she's consid ering dropping out of school. The minister should take urgent action on this to resolve problems with Manitoba Student Aid. Will he do so today? Mr. Reyes: Let me share with the House that during 2021-2022, Manitoba Student Aid provided approxi - mately $217 million in both federal and prov incial student loans, grants and bursaries, including $51.9 million in Manitoba student loans and $19 million in Manitoba bursaries to help post - secondary students receive a high quality education in Manitoba.

The financial supports that our gov ernment pro- vided these students will help them not only receive a quality education but gain the right skills and know- ledge to stimulate our growing Manitoba economy. We have a plan; they do not. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. * (14:10) Mr. Moses: Mr. Deputy Speaker, I don't think the minister quite understands how much Manitoba stu- dents rely on Student Aid. It's why these persistent issues, when it comes to Manitoba Student Aid, is such a huge issue.

Issues like low turnaround time, poor-performing website, inadequate phone supports and general lack of organi zation with Manitoba Student Aid are the complaints that I hear all the time from Manitoba students. They reach out to my office over these con- cerns, and they want to hear action from this minister. They're missing out on thousand dollars, and it's forcing them to go into debt. Will the minister commit to fixing issues with Manitoba Student Aid and help students in our pro- vince today? Mr. Reyes: Mr.

Deputy Speaker, our gov ernment is providing students with record levels of financial sup- port in the form of scholar ships, bursaries and loans, unlike the previous NDP gov ernment, who didn't know how to run a Manitoba Student Aid system and wasted $15 million on outdated student aid softwa re, resulting in delays in student applications and 'dispurgance' of funds. We're still cleaning the mess. They have lack of action; we are–have a plan of action. They have no plan. We're cleaning up the mess; we're continuing to clean up the mess, and w e're going to get it right, unlike the NDP.

Northern Health-Care Services ER Closures and Patient Transfers Mr. Ian Bushie (Keewatinook): When the Leaf Rapids Health Centre's ER closed on July the 13th, residents were told the move was temporary, for only six days. It's now been more than two months. More than 80 days later, and the region is still saying it'll be –it will be closed for an indeterminate amount of time. Likewise, cuts at Lynn Lake and Snow Lake have resulted in disruptions. Will the minister address and reverse the cuts her government has made to northern health care? Hon.

Reg Helwer (Acting Minister of Health): Well, I'm pleased to talk to about the investments that our government has made in health care, Mr. Deputy Speaker. We have $50 million that have gone into the HSC Operation Excellence to increase HSC surgical and diagnostic capacity by 25 per cent. I was pleased to be at HSC with the Minister of Health (Ms. Gordon) not that long ago for a $750,000 invest ment to HSC Children's Hospital in -patient monitor 'uprudes' – upgrades to support 26 in- patient monitor beds.

This will enable nurses to spend more time at the bedside, less time monitoring those patients in person, serving more patients. Mr. Deputy Speaker, $2 million for the Swan River CT scanner: That was very well received in the Swan River area. People were coming up and telling the Premier (Mrs. Stefanson) that they had never anticipated training– Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable minister's time has expired. Mr. Bushie: I did not hear the word North at all in any of that response. Patients are being moved across the North and far from family.

My colleague, the member from Thompson, raised the issue of transfer from Thompson to Flin Flon. At Lynn Lake, al l the long - term patients were sent to Flin Flon without notifying family and com munity. This is an eight -hour drive. This is such an undignified way to treat our seniors. Why won't the minister ensure there is care avail- able for our seniors close to home in the North?

October 6, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 3043 Mr. Helwer: Well, in order to continue about, you know, portions of investment in Manitoba in–not just in Winnipeg but also in northern Manitoba, we just talked about the Swan River CT scanner where people were coming up and talking to the Premier, thanking her for this an nouncement, saying that, I had never anticipated training as a CT technician, and now I have that ability to do that, to perform CT scans in Swan River, Mr. Deputy Speaker. So we also have 700,000–$200.5 million in the Russell CancerCare site redevelopment. CancerCare in Russell, Mr.

Deputy Speaker, something the NDP ignored for many, many years. Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honour able member for Keewatinook, on a final supplementary. Mr. Bushie: Well, the minister tried to drop the word North in that answer in some capacity, but there are still less and less surgeons available in the North. Consequently, more and more people have to travel south. Unfortunately, under this government, the north- ern patient transf er program is inadequate. We have heard from constituents who have missed appoint - ments because they simply could not afford the cost of their attending their appointments down south.

When will the minister address and reverse the cuts they have made to the northern patient transfer program? Mr. Helwer: Well, we've lost count of how many emergency rooms the NDP closed –20, 30, pick a number, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Constantly closing throughout their inactivity. Recently, the Minister of Health (Ms. Gordon) was up at a summit in Thompson listening to health- care professionals there, listening to the com munity about things that needed to change, Mr. Deputy Speaker. She's listening. We're getting things done. We have–they–we know they have no plan what- soever.

Domestic Violence Shelters Funding for Secondary Housing Mr. Dougald Lamont (St. Boniface): I recently attended the AGM for a women's shelter that runs secondary housing, transitional housing where wo- men and children who are escaping violence can stay for up to year. They're about to mark their 30th anniversary, and for half that time –the last 15 years–their provincial funding has been frozen.

How can it be, given what we know about domes- tic violence in Manitoba –where women face violent partners at eight times the national average and Indigenous women are 2.7 times more likely to be murdered, and when we know things got worse in the pandemic–how can it be that there has been no in - crease in provincial funding to make sure that women and children have secondary housing to get out of an emergency shelter for this long? Hon.

Rochelle Squires (Minister of Families): If the member opposite was paying attention, Budget 2022 did bring in significant increases, as well as a modern- ization strategy to improve the funding formula for all women's shelters in the province. Our gov ernment is also working with women's resource centres so–and those provi ding transitional housing and long- term housing for women who have been fleeing domestic violence and need to have housing.

In fact, earlier this year, our gov ernment stepped in and worked with the North End women's resource centre after they'd learned that Ottawa–the Liberals in Ottawa–was cutting funding for eight beds at the North End wome n's resource centre for transitional housing. That member sat by. He did nothing. He didn't call his friends in Ottawa to ask for that funding to be reinstated. It's this government that responded– Mr. Deputy Speaker: The member–minister's time has expired. The honour able member for St. Boniface. [interjection] Order, please. Mr. Lamont: Here are the numbers–[interjection] Mr.

Deputy Speaker: Order. Mr. Lamont: –which I table, from page 91 of the Department of Families' annual report. Since 2019, calls to women's shelter crisis lines have been growing by more than 1,000 per year, but this year funding is $241,000 less than it was two years ago. Second-stage funding has been frozen at $571,000 every year for the last three years. And when it comes to specialized programs, while the number of clients has soared by 50 per cent from 2,297 to three hundred and–3,485, the funding has dropped from one point–from $2.5 million to $1.8 million this year.

I have people who are calling me who are desper- ate for help, who have no place to go. Will the Premier act imme diately to increase funding to provide women fleeing domestic violence

3044 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 6, 2022 a safe place with supports, even if it means renting hotel rooms? Ms. Squires: Madam–Mr. Deputy Speaker, our gov- ernment recognizes that intimate partner violence was certainly a shadow pandemic in the last few years. We have seen situations es calate because people were spending more time at home and that was not a safe environment for a lot of women. That is why we've made sig nificant investments in our women's shelters and our resource centres. That is why we've established permanent funding for hotlines for people to reach out to receive supports.

And if the member wants to do some thing constructive, he can come in this House and he can vote in favour of Budget 2022, which has signi ficant investments and increase in funding for women's shelters and women's initiatives throughout the province. Stanley Knowles School Student Questions for Premier Ms. Cindy Lamoureux (Tyndall Park): Today, I get the oppor tunity to ask a question on behalf of the grade 7s from Stanley Knowles School, who are–have joined us here in the gallery today. Mr. Deputy Speaker, these students have many great questions –even what the Premier had for breakfast this morning.

They also touched upon issues including: how do we get rid of laws that are not working for us? Why do people who immigrate here have to answer such a long test? And what is our Province's debt? So based on these topics, I'd like to ask the Premier: What will the future of Manitoba look like? Hon. Heather Stefanson (Premier): Great question. [interjection] * (14:20) Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable First Minister. Mrs. Stefanson: I want to thank all of the students who are here today and for the member opposite for asking those great questions on their behalf. So, thank you, to all of you.

I can tell you that the future in Manitoba looks bright because of many of the initiatives that we have taken on this side of the House and our gov ernment, over the course of the last number of years, to make life more affordable for Manitobans, to make life –to also tackle some of the surgical and diag nostic wait lists in the province of Manitoba. These ar e all the exciting things. And, of course, education. Yesterday was World Teachers' Day, which was a great thing, and I see your teachers here today. We thank you for the incred ible work that you do, but thank you to all of you for being here today. Mr.

Deputy Speaker: The First Minister's time has expired. Manitoba Hydro and Public Utilities Board Information Regarding Bill 36 Mr. Josh Guenter (Borderland): I hate to spoil the fun, but there has been much debate about Bill 36–a lot of it, unfor tunately, focusing on some pretty blatant misrepresentations of the facts. For the sake of this House and members opposite, can the Minister of Finance briefly explain the ex - planatory note he tabled in the House last week? Hon. Cameron Friesen (Minister responsible for Manitoba Hydro): Mr.

Deputy Speaker, these students from Stanley Knowles and their teachers know the value of reading for com prehension. The NDP has done less well at this. Mr. Deputy Speaker, under the NDP, bipole and Keeyask came in almost $4 billion over cost, the debt of Hydro tripled, 40 cents on every dollar now goes to pay bankers, and that puts at risk the funda mental advantage to ratepayers, which has been low rates. And that is why Bill 36 sets hydro on a path to stability by setting a limit, a cap on the rate of any increase.

And the bill reads the general rate increase for a fiscal year cannot exceed 5 per cent or the rate of inflation, whichever is less. Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable minister's time has expired. [interjection] Order. Prairie Mountain Health Region Home-Care Hours Available MLA Malaya Marcelino (Notre Dame): Mr. Deputy Speaker, docu ments provided to us through FIPPA show that, despite increasing demand for home care, the number of hours being provided is going down. And I'll table those documents. In prairie region, despite more costs and more clients, there are less hours of care being provided.

Why are those living in Brandon and Westman paying more for home care while getting near ly 100,000 less hours of care?

October 6, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 3045 Hon. Scott Johnston (Minister of Seniors and Long-Term Care): I share the member's concerns. We are in a process of establishing and reviewing our home–our whole home -care strategies to ensure that the needs of Manitobans will be met in the future, and I continually liaison with my colleague, the Minister of Health (Ms. Gordon), and we are looking for input from Manitobans to come to terms with this, and we will be providing solutions. MLA Marcelino: Mr. Deputy Speaker, home -care clients are very, very frustrated.

This gov ernment is nearing the end of its second term, and they're still requiring input and consultations even at this point. Mr. Deputy Speaker, the gov ernment's explana- tions don't add up. One tho usand more people need home care in Westman compared to five years ago. The cost of this care is up, but the hours of service delivered is way down–100,000 less hours of care than what it was five years ago. When people say that they can't get the home care they need, that is why, and it's because of this govern- ment's cuts. Why is the gov ernment cutting home care for Westman residents? Mr.

Johnston: Our increase to the needs of Manitobans regarding health is well-documented. We continue to increase the amount of money in terms of things that haven't been done in this province before and we will continue to do that. As I mentioned, we are certainly studying this question. I, along with the Minister of Health will con- tinue to do it, and we will find solutions. Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honour able member for Notre Dame on a final supplementary. MLA Marcelino: Mr.

Deputy Speaker, instead of in- creases to home care, what we've heard is increases in workload for less pay and less benefits for home-care workers, so we're not hearing from the same folks. Mr. Deputy Speaker, this week, we have heard terrible stories from Manitobans not being able to get enough hours of home care. The number of those needing home care continues to climb. In prairie region, the hours of care continue to decline while the overall cost has gone up. Why are those living in Brandon and Westman paying more for home care while receiving nearly 100,000 less hours of care?

I've tabled the documents for the minister, and I'd l ike him to address those documents. Mr. Johnston: The circumstances that exist basically worldwide is that there is staffing shortages within the health-care system. And our Minister of Health, sup- ported by our gov ernment, is continuing to look for solutions to try to enhance the numbers to support health-care needs in Manitoba. And we will continue to do that.

I mean, the Leader of the Opposition continues to challenge this government, regards to agency staffing to ensure that the needs of Manitoba are met, and yet, they criticize the fact that we are trying to find solu - tions. So, Madam Speaker, we will continue to do– Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable minister's time has expired. The time for oral questions has ended. PETITIONS Bibliothèque Régionale Jolys Regional Library Mr. Nello Altomare (Transcona): I wish to present the following petition to the Legis lative Assembly.

The background of this petition is as follows: The Bibliothèque Régionale Jolys has been served notice by the R ed River Valley School Division to vacate the premises currently situated in the auditorium of École Héritage school, by March 31, 2023. The auditorium was originally built in the 1960s by renowned Manitoba architect Étienne Gaboury, and it has been home to the JRL for 48 years. A photo of the auditorium captioned, the regional library, is published in a 2008 document titled, heritage buildings in the RM of De Salaberry and St. Pierre Jolys.

It is marked as an im portant modern building that could attain the status of heritage site. JRL and Red River Valley School Division have flourished from a mutually beneficial memorandum of understanding for 54 years. Their shared collection boasts over 50,000 books and has the fourth largest collection of French- language literature in rural Manitoba.

Students that are bused in from the neighbouring municipalities that do not have a public library, such as Niverville, Grunthal and Kleefeld, are provided with free access to the public library and its fourth largest collection of French books in rural Manitoba, during the school year.

3046 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 6, 2022 Therefore, we petition the Legis lative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

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

(2) To request the Minister of Education to recog- nize the value the JRL provides to the student popu- lation of ÉHS, as well as the com munities of St. Pierre Jolys and the RM of De Salaberry.

(3) To requ est the Minister of Edu cation and Minister of Francophone Affairs to recognize that an MOU between the Red River Valley School Division and the JRL is mutually, financially and culturally beneficial. * (14:30)

(4) To request the Minister of Sport, Cul ture and Heritage to recognize the heritage potential of this im- portant building and its status in the community; and

(5) To request the Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage to prevent any renovations to the auditorium that would destroy and devalue the architectural integrity of the building. This petition is signed by Greg Walters, Sara Ringinaco [phonetic] and Barbara Walters. Thank you. Mrs. Bernadette Smith (Point Douglas): I wish to present the following petition to the Legis lative Assembly. The background to this petition is as follows: The Bibliothèque Régionale Jolys Regional Library has been served notice by the Red River Valley School Division to vacate the premises currently situated in the auditorium of École Héritage school by March 31st, 2023.

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

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

(4) JRL and RRVSD have flourished from a mutually beneficial memoran dum of under standing for 54 years.

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

(6) Students that are bused in from the neighbouring municipalities that do not have a public library, such as Niverville, Grunthal and Kleefeld, are provided with free access to the public library and its fourth largest collection of French books in rural Manitoba during the school year. We petition the Legis lative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

(1) To request the Minister of Labour, Consumer Protection and Gov ernment Services to consider granting the auditorium to the JRL by March 31st, 2023.

(2) To request the Minister of Education to recog- nize the value of–JRL provides to the student popula- tion of ÉHS, as well as the communities of Village de Saint-Pierre-Jolys and the RM De Salaberry.

(3) To request the Minister of Edu cation and the Minister of Francophone Affairs to recog nize that MOU between the RRVSD and J RL is mutually, financially and culturally beneficial.

(4) To request the Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage to recognize the heritage potential of this im- portant building and its status in the community.

(5) To request the Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage to prevent any renovations to the auditorium that would destroy and devalue the architectural inte- grity of this building. And this has been signed by Chris Hartin, Ryan Cox, Margaret Neville and many other Manitobans. Louise Bridge Mr. Jim Maloway (Elmwood): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) Over 25,000 vehicles per day cross the Louise Bridge, which has served as a vital link for vehicula r traffic between northeast Winnipeg and the downtown for the last 110 years.

(2) Current structure will undoubtedly be de - clared unsafe in a few years as it has deteriorated

October 6, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 3047 extensively, becoming functionally obsolete, subject– [interjection] Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. Mr. Maloway: –to more frequent–[interjection] Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. Mr. Maloway: –unplanned repairs–[interjection] Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. Mr. Maloway: –and cannot be widened to accom - modate future traffic capacity.

(3) As f ar back as 2008, City of Winnipeg has studied where the new re placement bridge should be situated.

(4) After including the bridge replacement in the City's five-year capital budget forecast in 2009, the new bridge became a short-term construction priority in the City's transportation master plan of 2011.

(5) City capital and budget plans identified re - placement of the Louise Bridge on a site just east of the bridge and expropriated homes there on the south side of Nairn Avenue in anticipation of a 2015 start.

(6) In 2014, the new City adminis tration did not make use of available federal infrastructure funds.

(7) The new Louise Bridge Com mittee began its campaign to demand a new bridge and its surveys con- firmed residents wanted a new bridg e beside the current bridge, with the old bridge kept open for local traffic.

(8) The NDP provincial government signalled its firm commitment to partner with the City on replacing the Louise Bridge in its 2015 Throne Speech. Unfor - tunately, provincial infrastructure initiatives, such as the new Louise bridge, came to a halt with the election of the Progressive Conservative government in 2016.

(9) More recently, the City tethered the Louise Bridge replacement issue to its new trans portation master plan and eastern corridor project. Its recom- mendations have now identified the location of the new Louise bridge to be placed just to the west of the current bridge, not to the east as originally proposed. The City expropriation process has begun.

(10) The Premier has a duty to direct the prov - incial government to provide financial assistance to the City so it can complete the long overdue –this vital–long-overdue, vital link to northeast Winnipeg and Transcona. We petition the Legis lative Assem bly of Manitoba as follows:

(1) To urge the new Premier to financially assist the City of Winnipeg on building the three-lane bridge in each direction to maintain this vital link between northeast Winnipeg, Transcona and the downtown.

(2) To urge the provincial government to recom- mend that the City of Winnipeg keep the old bridge fully open to traffic while the new bridge is under con- struction.

(3) To urge the provincial government to consider the feasibility of keeping it open for active trans por- tation in the future. And this petition has been signed by many, many Manitobans. Bibliothèque Régionale Jolys Regional Library Mr. Adrien Sala (St. James): Je désire présenter la pétition suivante à l'Assemblée législative.

Le contexte de cette pétition est le suivant : 1) La Bibliothèque Régionale Jolys Regional Library a été avisée par la Division scolaire Vallée de la rivière Rouge de libérer les locaux actuellement situés dans l'auditorium de l'École Heritage School d'ici le 31 mars 2023. 2) L'auditorium a été construit dans les années 1960 par le célèbre architecte manitobain Étienne Gaboury, la B -R-G y est installée depuis 48 ans. 3) Une photo de l'auditorium intitulée la bibliothèque régionale est publiée dans un document de 2008 intitulé : bâtiments patrimoniaux de De Salaberry et Saint-Pierre-Jolys.

Il est indiqué qu'il s'agit d'un bâtiment moderne important qui pourrait atteindre le statut de site patrimonial. 4) La B -R-G et la DSVRR ont prospéré grâce à un protocole d'entente mutuellement bénéfique pendant 54 ans. 5) Leur collection commune compte plus de 50 000 livres et possède la quatrième plus grande collection de littérature de langue française dans les régions rurales du Manitoba. 6) Les élèves qui sont transportés par autobus des municipalités voisines qui n'ont pas de bibliothèque publique, comme Niverville, Grunthal et Kleefeld, ont accès gratuitement à la bibliothèque publique, et à sa quatrième plus grande collection de livres en français

3048 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 6, 2022 dans les régions rurales du Manitoba pendant l'année scolaire.

Nous présentons à l'Assemblée législative du Manitoba la pétition suivante : 1) De demander au ministre du Travail, de la Protection des consommateurs et des Services gouvernementaux d'envisager de concéder l'auditorium à la B-R-G d'ici le 1er mars 2023 ; 2) Demander au ministre de l'Éducation de reconnaître la valeur que la B -R-G apporte à la population étudiante de l'EHS, ainsi qu'aux communautés du Village de Saint-Pierre-Jolys et de la MR De Salaberry ; 3) Demand er au ministre de l'Éducation et au ministre des Affaires francophones de reconnaître qu'un protocole d'entente entre la RRVSD et la G-R-L est mutuellement bénéfique, financièrement et culturellement ; 4) Demander au ministre du Sport, de la Culture et du Patrimoine de reconnaître le potentiel patrimonial de cet important bâtiment et son statut au sein de la communauté ; 5) Demander au ministre du Sport, de la Culture et du Patrimoine d'empêcher toute rénovation de l'auditorium qui détruirait et dévaloris erait l'intégrité architecturale du bâtiment.

Cette pétition a été signée par Carole Beaudry, Danie English et Janique Gauthier. Translation I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. The background for this petition is as follows:

(1) The Bibliothèque Régionale Jolys Regional Library was notified by the Red River Valley School Division to vacate premises currently located in the auditorium of the École Heritage School by March 31, 2023.

(2) The auditorium was built in the 1960s by famous Manitoban architect Étienne Gaboury, and it has been home to the G-R-L for 48 years.

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

(4) The G -R-L and the RRVSD have flourished by means of a mutually beneficial memorandum of understanding for 54 years.

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

(6) During the school year, students who are bused in from neighbouring municipalities that do not have a public library, such as Niverville, Grunthal and Kleefeld, are provided with free access to the public library and its fourth largest collection of French- language literature in rural Manitoba. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

(1) To urge the Minister of Labour, Consumer Protection and Government Services to consider granting the auditorium to the G -R-L by March 1, 2023.

(2) To urge the Minister of Education to recognize the value that G -R-L provides to the student population of ÉHS, as well as the communities of Village of St. Pierre Jolys and the RM of De Salaberry.

(3) To urge the Minister of Education and the Minister responsible for Francophone Affairs to recognize that a memorandum of understanding between the RRVSD and the G-R-L is mutually, financially and culturally beneficial.

(4) To urge the Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage to recognize the heritage potential of this important building and its status in the community.

(5) To urge the Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage to prevent any renovations to the auditorium that would destroy or devalue the architectural integrity of the building. This petition was signed by Carole Beaudry, Danie English et Janique Gauthier. * (14:40) Home-Care Services MLA Malaya Marcelino (Notre Dame): Mr. Deputy Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. To the Legis lative Assembly of Manitoba, the background of this petition is as follows:

(1) Home -care workers in Manitoba provide skilled and com passionate care that helps better the quality of life for thousands of Manitobans.

October 6, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 3049

(2) Robust home -care services are proven to reduce the strain on health services and demand for hospital beds.

(3) Home care reduces the demand for long-term- care beds as it allows people to continue living in their own space.

(4) Studies show that a third of the 200,000 Canadians living in long- term-care homes could stay home with proper home-care support.

(5) Investing in home care saves money, as daily services cost half the price of a long-term-care bed and one-seventh the daily cost of a hospital bed.

(6) The provincial government's cuts to home care in Manitoba has resulted in chronic staffing issues that caused the WRHA to cancel 27,000 home -care ap - pointments in the month of April 2022 alone.

(7) Many clients in Manitoba only receive home- care services once a day,

whereas other countries such as Denmark offer up to six visits a day.

(8) Home-care workers in Manitoba are paid poor wages, are offered little benefits, lack sick time and are overworked, resulting in dif ficulty retaining and attracting workers.

(9) Home -care workers have been without a contract since 2017 due to this prov incial gov ern- ment's interference in labour negotiations.

(10) Investing in home care is a proactive approach that would save the Province millions of dollars as well as allow more Manitobans to age in place. We petition the Legis lative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the Minister of Health and the Minister of Seniors and Long- Term Care to immediately in - crease investment in home-care services so that home- care workers can be paid a fair wage and clients can receive the level of service they require. This has been signed by Cole Beres [phonetic], Angeleigh Manaois and Demi Manaois and many other Manitobans. Hearing Aids Hon.

Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Mr. Deputy Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. The background to this petition is as follows: A hearing aid is a battery -powered electro nic device designed to improve an individual's ability to perceive sound. Worn in or behind a person's ear, they make some sounds louder, helping people hear better when it's quiet and when it's noisy.

People who suffer hearing loss, whether due to aging, illness, employment or accident, not only lose the ability to communicate effectively with friends, family or colleagues, they can also experience un - employment, social isolation and struggles with mental health. Hearing loss can also impact the safety o f an individual with hearing loss, as it affects the ability to hear cars coming, safety alarms, call 911, et cetera.

A global commission on the state of the research for dementia care and prevention released an updated consensus report in July 2020, identifying 12 key risk factors for dementia and cognitive decline. The strongest risk factor that was indicated was hearing loss. It was calculated that up to 8 per cent of the total number of dementia cases could potentially be avoided with management of hearing loss.

Hearing aids are therefore essential to the mental health and well -being of Manitobans, especially to those at significant risk of dementia, Alzheimer's, a disorder of the brain affecting cognition in the ever - growing senior population. Audiologists are health -care professionals who help patients decide which kind of hearing aid will work best for them based on the type of hearing loss, patient's age and ability to manage small devices, lifestyle and ability to afford. The cost of hearing aids can be prohibitive to many Manitobans, depending on their income and circumstances.

Hearing aids cost an average of $995 to $4,000 per ear, and many professionals say the hearing aids only work at their best for five years. Manitoba residents under t he age of 18 who require a hearing aid, as prescribed by an otolaryn - gologist or audiologist, will receive either an 80 per cent reimbursement from Manitoba Health of a fixed amount for an analog device, up to a maximum of $500 per ear, or 80 per cent of a fixed amount for a digital or analog programmable device, up to a maximum of $1,800.

However, this reimbursement is not available to Manitobans who need the device who are over the age of 18, which will result in financial hardship for many young people e ntering the work- force, students and families. In addition, seniors repre- senting 14.3 per cent of Manitoba's population are not

3050 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 6, 2022 eligible for reimbursement despite being the group most likely in need of a hearing aid. Most insurance companies only provide a min - imal partial cost of a hearing aid and many Manitobans, especially retired persons, age -old pen- sioners and other low -income earners do not have access to health insurance plans. The Province of Quebec's hearing devices pro- gram covers all cos ts related to hearing aids and assistive-listening devices, including the purchase, repair, and place–replacement.

Alberta offers subsidies to all seniors, 65 and over, and low-income adults 18 to 64 once every five years. New Brunswick provides cove rage for the pur - chase and maintenance not covered by other agencies or private health insurance plans, as well as assistance for those for whom the purchase would cause financial hardship. Manitobans over age 18 are only eligible support for hearing aids if they're receiving Employment and Income Assist ance, and the reimbursement only provides a maximum of $500 an ear.

We petition the Legis lative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: 1) To urge the provincial government to consider hearing loss as a medical treatment under Manitoba Health. 2) To urge the prov incial government to provide income-based coverage for hearing aids to all who need them, as hearing loss has proven to be an essential–to Manitobans–as hearing has been proved to be essentia l to Manitoba's cognitive, mental and social health and well-being. Signed by Ron Halbesma, Elizabeth Toews, Ken Wilks and many others. Ms.

Cindy Lamoureux (Tyndall Park): I wish to present the following petition to the Legis lative Assembly. The background to this petition is as follows: A hearing aid is a battery-powered electronic de- vice designed to improve an individual's ability to perceive sound. Worn in or behind a person's ear, they make some sounds louder, helping people hear better when it's quiet and when it's noisy.

People who suffer hearing loss, whether due to aging, illness, employment or accident, not only lose the ability to communicate effectively with friends, family or colleagues, they also experience un- employment, social isolation and struggles with mental health. Hearing loss can also impact the safety of an individual with hearing loss, as it affects the ability to hear cars coming, safety alarms, call 911, et cetera.

A global commission on the state of the research for dementia care and prevention released an update consensus report in July 2020, identifying 12 key risk factors for dementia and cognitive decline. The strongest risk factor that was indicated was hearing loss. It was calculated that up to 8 per cent of the total number of dementia cases could potentially be avoided with management of hearing loss.

Hearing aids are therefore essential to the mental health and well -being of Manitobans, especially to those at significant risk of dementia and Alzheimer's, a disorder of the brain affecting cognition in the ever- growing senior population. Audiologists are here –are health -care pro fes- sionals who help patients decide which kind of hearing aid would work best for them, based on the type of hearing loss, patient's age and ability to manage small devices, lifestyle and ability to afford. The cost of hearing aids can be prohibitive to many Manitobans, depending on their income and circumstances.

Hearing aids cost on average $995 to $4,000 per ear, and many professiona ls say that hearing aids only work at their best for five years. Manitoba residents under the age of 18 who require a hearing aid, as prescribed by an 'oranlancologist' or audiologist, will receive either an 80 per cent reimbursement from Manitoba Health or a fixed amount for an analog device, up to the maximum of $500 per ear, or 80 per cent of a fixed - income amount for a digital or analog programmable device, up to a maximum of $1,800.

However, this reimbursement is not available to Manitobans who need the device who are over the age of 18, which will result in financial hardships for many young people entering the workforce, students and families. In addition, seniors representing 14.3 per cent of Manitoba's population are not eligible for re imburse- ment, despite being the group most likely in need of hearing aids. Most insurance companies only provide a minimal partial cost of a hearing aid, and many Manitobans, especially retired persons, old- age

October 6, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 3051 pensioners and other low-income earners do not have access to health insurance plans. * (14:50) The Province of Quebec's hearing devices program covers all costs related to hearing aids and assistive listening devices, including the purchase, repair and replacement. Alberta offers subsidies to all seniors 65 and over and low-income adults 18 to 64 once every five years.

New Brunswick provides coverage for the purchase and maintenance not covered by other agencies or private health insurance plans, as well as assistance for those whom the purchase would c ause financial hardship. Manitobans over age 18 are only eligible for support for hearing aids if they are receiving Employment and Income Assist ance, and the reimbursement only provides a maximum of $500 an ear. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to consider hearing loss as a medical treatment under Manitoba Health.

And to urge the provincial government to provide income-based coverage for hearing aids to all who need them, as hearing has been proven to be essential to Manitobans' cognitive, mental and social health and wellbeing. This petition has been signed by many Manitobans. Mr. Deputy Speaker: Are there any other petitions? Seeing none, we will move along. Grievances? ORDERS OF THE DAY (Continued) GOVERNMENT BUSINESS House Business Hon.

Kelvin Goertzen (Government House Leader): I'd like to announce that the Standing Committee on Social and Economic Dev elopment will meet on Wednesday, October 12th, 2022, at 6 p.m. to consider the following: Bill 233, The Engineering and Geoscientific Professions Amendment Act; and Bill 237, The Drivers and Vehicles Amendment Act (Poppy Number Plates). Mr.

Deputy Speaker: It has been announced by the honourable Gov ernment House Leader that t he Standing Com mittee on Social and Economic Development will meet on Wednesday, October 12th at 6 p.m. to consider Bill 233, The Engineering and Geoscientific Professions Amend ment Act; and Bill 237, The Drivers and Vehicles Amendment Act (Poppy Number Plates). * * * Mr. Goertzen: In co-operation with the honour able Opposition House Leader , I am pleased to table the revised Estimates order. Mr. Deputy Speaker, would you be so kind as to resolve the House into Committee of Supply. Mr.

Deputy Speaker: It has been announced by the honourable Government House Leader that the House will resolve into the Committee of Supply. Mr. Deputy Speaker, please take the chair. COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY (Concurrent Sections) ROOM 254 SENIORS AND LONG-TERM CARE * (15:00) Mr. Chairperson (Dennis Smook): Will the Committee of Supply please come to order. Before we begin, I have a leave request for this

section of the Committee of Supply. Is there leave to allow the opposition to sit at the other side of the table to allow them to see the screens that are situated in the room? [Agreed] This sect ion of the Committee of Supply will now resume consideration of the Estimates for the Department of Seniors and Long -Term Care. Questioning for this de partment will proceed in a global manner. The floor is now open for questions. The member for Union Station. Does the Minister of Seniors and Long- Term Care have something he'd like to say? Hon.

Scott Johnston (Minister of Seniors and Long-Term Care): I just, as per yesterday's meeting, I would like to provide further infor mation to the member, as well as a clarification, if you'll allow me. Mr. Chairperson: Proceed.

3052 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 6, 2022 Mr. Johnston: As of April –this is in regards to the personal-care-home beds that the member had asked about yesterday. As of April the 1st, 2022, there were 9,513 licensed personal-care-home beds, and I believe I gave that answer accurately yesterday. With the addition of 36 beds with the opening of Rest Haven in the summer, there are 9,549 licensed beds. As of October the 4th, 2022, there were 9,462 beds available for occupancy. Beds may not be available due to factors like repairs to infra structure or outbreaks.

As of October the 4th, 2022, there was a 99.4 per cent occupancy, or 9,405 beds were occupied. So I believe that answers the member's question on that particular item. And just for clari fication, I would like to also clarify for the member in regards to my answer yesterday on equity and diversity, I am personally interested in and will endeavour to look into this matter further. * (15:10) As well, I will raise the issue with my colleagues, as it is my understanding that there are areas such as privacy and process that need to be considered.

However, I indicated to the member that I will certainly take the remarks of the minister under con - sideration. Mr. Chairperson: Before we continue on, I'd just like to inform the com mittee that we are having some technical difficulties with the clocks. The clock that I have in front of me is working, but the one that the members see is not. So when the member's or minister's time has come down to one minute remaining, I will wave my little yellow pad in the air to remind you that there's one minute left in your speaking time.

MLA Uzoma Asagwara (Union Station): I thank the minister for provi ding that infor mation right off the hop, and for provi ding the clari fication around the benchmark data that he will be pursuing. I think that that's a good approach. And I look forward to hearing more from the minister in terms of ensuring that repre- sentation is reflected in the data. I'd like to ask about personal-care-home beds that were promised by this minister's gov ernment. So, many Manitobans will remember that this government promised 1,200 new personal-care-home beds.

Based on the data the minister has just provi ded, it's very clear that they have fallen well short of that goal. Can the minister explain why there are less beds now that are available for occupancy in our health - care system than when they started? Mr. Johnston: In answer to the member's question, the reduction is based on the closure of Parkview personal-care home. MLA Asagwara: Given that Parkview –Revera's Parkview Place has closed, has the minister received notice that any other personal -care homes have also closed or intend to close?

And if so, how many beds are involved in those potential closures, or if they've already happened, bed losses due to those closures? Mr. Johnston: In answer to the member's question, to my knowledge, my de partment has not received any notice of further closure. MLA Asagwara: I thank the minister for that response. I'll presume that he's also meaning that he hasn't received notice of any pending closures or any closures that are going to be happening in the future, near or otherwise. Mr. Johnston: Yes, I have not received any notice of further closures.

MLA Asagwara: I thank the minister for provi ding that clarity. I appreciate it. In July, the minister launched engage ment on personal-care-home standards. That engage ment has since closed. Can the minister tell us when he might put for - ward regula tory changes as a result of that specific engagement? Mr. Johnston: In answer to the member's question, the standards review was actually an initiative by the Minister of Health (Ms. Gordon).

I will indicate that the Stevenson review recommendations that I in- dicated have been adopted by the government, and my department will be implementing. * (15:20) Our department will be working closely with the Department of Health to ensure that the standards that we adopt will be implemented. MLA Asagwara: I thank the minister for that response. I just want to make sure that I'm clear. I'm speaking specifically to an announcement the govern- ment made in July. The release was sent out July 12th over the summer, saying that they would be engaging citizens regarding the standards of personal -care

October 6, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 3053 homes. They were –you were inviting–rather, the minister and the gov ernment were inviting Manitobans to provide feedback on personal -care- home standards to help the government better under- stand their perspectives on this topic. Can the minister clarify if he's saying that the–that engagement is spe cifically being dealt with by the Minister of Health or is this en gagement something his department was also involved with? Thank you. Mr.

Johnston: Further to the member's question, upon reviewing the July 12th news release, it states that Minister Gordon is initiating the en gagement on personal-care homes, and as I'd indicated in my earlier answer, our department is very interested in the results of that engagement and work very closely–as I'm sure the member can ap preciate our department's relation to Health–and I'm very much looking forward to the results that that engagement delivers. As well, as I have indicated to the member, we are very aggressive in establishing the recommendations from the Stevenson report.

We do have a steering committee and we are following through on the–all of the recom mendations that have been made and are being adopted. MLA Asagwara: I thank the minister for provi ding that clarifi cation. The minister actually answered a question for me in his response and provided a great deal of clarity, so I do appreciate that.

I have a question now about staffing in personal- care homes, and I've got a few questions around this area that I'd like to put forward to the minister, but I'll start with the fact that the minister announced over the summer that there would be 400 more staff at personal-care homes. Can the minister tell us how many additional staff have been added? And to be clear, it's really important to clarify the ad ditional staff that have been added, since the minister identified that 400 ad ditional staff would be incorporated into personal -care homes in Manitoba. Thank you. * (15:30) Mr.

Johnston: In answer to the member's question, my department is certainly following the progress of the Stevenson steering com mittee, and I am antici - pating hearing an update in November on the staffing situation. MLA Asagwara: Yesterday, the minister provided me a bit of a breakdown on how the funds –two pots of dollars were spent in regards to personal -care homes: the $32 million in grants and the $21 million in other expenditures.

And in his response in regards to the $32 million in grants, he talked about $15 million being allocated for infection control and $16 million being allocated for other items, staffing included. And he did make mention of nursing positions and other staffing posi - tions. So, given that the minister does seem to have a sense that those funds were allocated to address staffing and to bolster health -care human resources, I'm hoping he can give me a sense, even an approxi - mation, of how many addi tional staffing positions, nursing or otherwise, have been added.

If he can't clarify if the 400 more staff target has been achieved, I can appreciate that. But if the minister could provide some clarity on just –approximation on how many positions they believe have been added, and perhaps a breakdown on what types of positions. That would be great. Mr. Johnston: And as I indicated earlier, I am ex - pecting a update in November from the steering com- mittee. The regional health authorities are mobilizing actively to recruit various positions. MLA Asagwara: Can the minister provide us with staffing number information for personal-care homes in Manitoba?

So, for example, a number–the number of health-care aides, the number of nurses, number of vacancies, et cetera. If the minister could provide that information for personal -care homes across the province, that would be greatly appreciated. Mr. Chairperson: The honour able Minister of Seniors and Long-Term Care. Mr. Johnston: Thank you, Mr. Chair. My arms were getting a little tired there, I–thank you.

In answer to the member's question, in order for the member to receive the most accurate infor mation in regards to the data that the member is asking for, it would be my suggestion that this question be referred to the Health De partment. The acces sible data, the member would be best served to receive the informa- tion directly from Health. * (15:40) MLA Asagwara: My understanding, given the minis- ter's mandate and respon sibilities, are that he should have access to this information. While I can appreciate

3054 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 6, 2022 that perhaps the minister does not have or might not have access to exactly, you know, perfect information at this time, I would hope that the minister would have access to information and data that would at least give him an approximation of what is going on in terms of staffing in the personal -care homes that are–that– where the seniors that he is responsi ble for leading their health care and their needs are living and residing.

So, if the minister is able to pro vide, again, even approximate data, as much information as possible in this area, I would appreciate it. Mr. Johnston: As our department reviews, certainly, various issues, we do certainly have access to infor - mation. However, I would indicate to the member that my initial answer is still my recommen dation to the member: to ensure that the information that is required by the member is best ascertained by the Health Department. MLA Asagwara: I thank the minister for that response.

It is con cerning that the minister will simultan - eously acknowledge that he does, in fact, have access to information as the Minister for Seniors and Long- Term Care, but is unwilling to provide it because he believes I am best served to get that information from the Minister of Health (Ms. Gordon).

The minister has an oppor tunity to provide the information he has available in order to alleviate concerns and questions that are being brought forward on behalf of Manitobans, and this is an area of signi - ficance given that we know our health-care system is facing a human resource crisis, one that, during this pandemic, resulted in some catastrophic health -care outcomes for seniors residing in personal-care homes. So I don't really understand the minister's ap- proach to this question.

If he has the infor mation available to him, which he's indicated he does, it would, in my mind, serve him very well and his de - partment well to provide the information he does have available. And certainly on my own end, I can pursue further infor mation from the Minister of Health if there are any other gaps. So, again, we are asking these questions on behalf of Manitobans and it's disappointing that the minister is choosing to withhold this very im portant informa- tion regarding staffing infor mation for personal -care homes.

But I am going to move on because the minis- ter has made clear he's going to continue to withhold that information. In June, the minister and the Minister of Health said that the Pro tection f or Persons in Care Office would open an investi gation into Oakview place Extendicare–a direct quote –upon the conclusion of the criminal investigation. End quote. Can the minister provide us an update and–in terms of where things are, if they have any infor ma- tion in regards to the in vestigation and the status of Oakview place? * (15:50) Mr.

Johnston: I can advise the member that there is an ongoing investi gation into the situation that the member references. The Protection for Persons in Care Office will be giving a report to the Minister of Health (Ms. Gordon) which will be shared with this min istry, and upon receiving that report, further initiatives may, in fact, be taken. The Licensing and Compliance branch is also, too, doing an investigation, and we'll be looking for the conclusions of that investigation also. MLA Asagwara: Can the minister provide clarity, I– and thank you for that; I thank the minister for that response.

The minister says that the PPCO will be providing a report. Can the minister clarify if that means that the PPCO is doing their own in vestigation and will pro- vide a report to the Minister of Health which will then be shared with the minister in terms of the results of that investigation? I just want to make sure that I'm very clear and that I understand whether or not the PPCO is doing their own investigation.

If the PPCO is not doing their own investigation, can the minister clarify then what that report actually is and will be, and why they are not, therefore, doing their own in vestigation at the same time as the criminal investigation. Thank you. Mr. Johnston: I can indicate to the member that the PPCO is conducting an investi gation, and upon the finalization of the investigation, there will be a report going to the Minister of Health, who will be sharing it with the Minister of Seniors. * (16:00)

October 6, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 3055 MLA Asagwara: I thank the minister for provi ding that clarification. I do appreciate it and I apologize if I missed it in his first response when I initially asked the question, but can the minister provide a timeline for when he anticipates that report will be completed? Mr. Johnston: In answer to the member's question, I'm not really prepared to speculate on the timing of the results of th e in vestigation. I would not try to suggest a minimal or maximum time frame.

I will look forward to reviewing the results when it ultimately is brought to the attention to the Minister of Health. MLA Asagwara: I thank the minister for provi ding that response. That information is very important, as he is well aware. There are families that have been in credibly harmed by what happened at Oakview place and are certainly deserving of answers to their questions, accountability and a path forward tha t we all hope ensures no seniors or elders will ever be subjected to the harms that we've heard reported.

So, that concludes my questions, and I want to thank the minister for his time in this committee. Mr. Chairperson: Hearing no further questions, we will now proceed to consid eration of the resolu tions. At this point, we will allow virtual members to unmute their mics so they can respond to the questions I will now call. Resolution 34.2: RESOLVED that there be granted to His Majesty a sum not exceeding $53,668,000 for Seniors and Long- Term Care, Seniors and Long- Term Care, for the fiscal year ending March 31st, 2023. Resolution agreed to.

The last item to be considered for these Estimates is item 1(a), the minister's salary, contained in resolu- tion 34.1. The floor is open for questions. An Honourable Member: I move that line– Mr. Chairperson: The–I'm sorry, the member for Union Station. MLA Asagwara: I move that line item 34.1(

a) be amended so that the Minister of Seniors and Long- Term Care's (Mr. Johnston) salary be reduced to $21,000. Motion presented. Mr. Chairperson: Are there any questions or comments on the motion? Hearing no questions, is the committee ready for the question? Shall the motion pass? Some Honourable Members: Yes. Some Honourable Members: No. Mr. Chairperson: I hear a no. Voice Vote Mr. Chairperson: All those in favour of the motion, please say aye. Some Honourable Members: Aye. Mr. Chairperson: All those opposed to the motion, please say nay. Some Honourable Members: Nay. Mr.

Chairperson: In my opinion, the Nays have it. The motion has been defeated. * * * Mr. Chairperson: The last item to be considered for these Estimates is item 1(a), the minister's salary, contained in resolution 34.1. Shall the res olution pass? [interjection] Oh, sorry, I got to read in the act.

Be it RESOLVED that there be granted to His Majesty a sum not exceeding $662,000 for Seniors and Long-Term Care, Executive, for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2023. Resolution agreed to. This completes the Estimates for the Department of Seniors and Long-Term Care. We will take a –the next set of Estimates to be considered by this

section of the Committee of Supply are for the De partment of Environment, Climate and Parks. Shall we briefly recess to allow the minister and critics the opportunity to prepare for the com mence- ment of the next department? [Agreed] The committee recessed at 4:06 p.m. ____________ The committee resumed at 4:10 p.m. Mr. Len Isleifson, Acting Chairperson, in the Chair

3056 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 6, 2022 ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE AND PARKS The Acting Chairperson (Len Isleifson): Will the Committee of Supply please come to order. This

section of the Committee of Supply will now consider the Estimates of the De partment of Environ ment, Climate and Parks. Does the honour able minister have an opening statement? Hon. Jeff Wharton (Minister of Environment, Climate and Parks): I do. Great to be here this afternoon. It's my pleasure, again, to be here as the Minister of Environment, Climate and Parks, and the department's programs that we deliver, talk about the department's programs we deliver within thi s year's budget. I want to state how pleased I am to be the minister of this very diverse de partment that serves Manitobans in numer ous ways.

I would also like to acknowledge the senior staff of my de partment that are here with us today, Mr. Chair.

And they are Jan Forster, my deputy minister; Matt Wiebe, the execu - tive financial officer and assistant deputy minister of Finance and Shared Services Division –that is a long name; Colleen Kachulak, the assistant deputy minister of Parks and Trails Divi sion; Shannon Kohler, the assistant deputy minister of environment stewardship division; Neil Cunningham, assistant deputy minister of Climate and Green Plan Imple mentation Office; Elliott Brown, the assistant deputy minister of water stewardship division; and my special assistant, Erik Selch, who also is joining us today. Mr.

Chairperson in the Chair At this time–acknowledge the hard work of, and the professionalism, of all of our de partment staff. I take my role as minister of the de partment most seriously. Our vision is one of a healthy and resilient nature–natural environment where current and future generations will prosper. This reflects my gov ernment's commitment to balance the needs of Manitobans while protecting the environment, and also sustainably growing our economy, now and in the future. Protecting the environment has been a clear importance this past year as we work on a number of key priorities.

Since becoming Minister of the De partment of Environment, Climate and Par ks, I have been –I'm pleased to meet a variety of stakeholders, industry representatives and Manitobans, including Indigenous communities. I and our de partment are committed to listening to Manitobans and to stakeholders' groups to improve services our department offers.

Despite the challenges of the past couple of years, due to COVID-19, meeting with individuals and groups from across this great province, often over by phone or video meetings, but also in person recently, which is a welcome sight, has been key importance for me, and I will continue to do so. I want to highlight several priorities, priority areas of work in our department as a way to frame the opening of our discussions in com mittee today. Our Made-in-Manitoba Climate and Green Plan sets out a bold vision for Manitoba to become Canada's clean - est, greenest and most climate -resilient province.

It includes a variety of tools to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, adapt to changing climate, build a pros - perous green economy that focuses on adding green jobs in Manitoba, protect our valuable waters and conserve our natural environment for both current and future generations to enjoy. We have begun imple menting our Made -in- Manitoba Climate and Green Plan and have already achieved great success. The intro duction of our gov- ernment's Conser vation and Climate Fund had an exceptional year of activity, with a number of pro - posals being approved for funding.

Continued increases to the fund showcased our gov ernment's commitment to climate action. Low-carbon gov ernment office has been esta- blished that works across the organi zation to support government of Manitoba de partments and the sum - mary gov ernment's many agencies, so that we can become leaders in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and building climate resiliency. Manitoba has been able to work with federal gov- ernment and other provinces and territories to ensure access to dollars to deliver innovative and green programs and initiatives.

For example, the gov ern- ment of Canada through the Low Carbon Economy Fund, and the gov ernment of Manitoba through Efficiency Manitoba, are each contributing to support natural gas reduction programs offered by Efficiency Manitoba. This is a tangible benefit that will improve Manitoba's energy efficiency and the health of our natural environment. In addition, the Climate and Green Plan Imple - mentation Office has been instrumental in leading the efficiency trucking program, which has been–which has seen the government of Manitoba contribute to an initiative that reduces greenhouse gas emissions in

October 6, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 3057 transportation sector by providing rebates for fuel - saving tech nology and retrofits for heavy -duty vehicles. The de partment continues to develop a multi - pronged approach to modernization of our provincial parks. The Park Endowment Fund is a big piece of this and illustrates the commitment of our government to our wonderful provincial parks.

Strategic capital infra structure im provements continue to ensure that amenities and facilities that are available to enhance the experience of Manitobans who are increasing their visits to our parks and camp- grounds. Capital spending is targeted to address a variety of priority projects for the benefit of Manitobas–Manitobans and our visitors. We launched a study in part nership with Travel Manitoba to better understand the opportunities we may wish to consider to improve parks in Manitoba. I am looking forward to reviewing and creating–the creative and innovative ideas that may come from this study.

Our parks are not for sale. Instead, the study will ensure that public invest ment in parks is secure. Furthermore, our department, in partnership with our departments and stake holder groups is focused on development of our tr ail strategy that will enhance trails for all Manitobans. Trails are critical infrastructure that allow a variety of Manitobans to enjoy the great outdoors and we are committed to delivering a thoughtful and strategic plan. Our provincial parks and campgrounds are enjoyed by Manitobans, as well as many, many visitors to our province.

Our government is committed to making provincial parks accessible for all. In closing, there are many ongoing activities and critical priorities for the department. We are com - mitted to building part nerships and continuing our ongoing discussions and consultations. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chairperson: We thank the minister for those comments. Does the critic from the official opposition have an opening statement? Ms.

Lisa Naylor (Wolseley): The annual report for the Manitoba Environment , Climate and Parks for 2021-2022 shows that this Province is going in the wrong direction with underspending and cuts from the year before. It is, in fact, this ministe r's job, more than any other in this government, to protect the environment, to protect parks and to get his gov ernment to take climate change seriously. Real action is needed to avoid the worst effects of climate change, and the bottom line is, there is not enough being done by this government. We can see by the budget that this gov ernment's gone in the opposite direction.

We know that you've dropped transit funding, dragged their feet on North End pollution plant, and, as I talked about earlier today, fought the carbon tax. This government's done virtually nothing to in- crease protected spaces in Manitoba.

And this govern- ment is in support of increasing the use of pesticides in this province that we heard from many folks talking in committee that they don't support this, that it increases dangers for health, it increases costs to the health-care system and it's worse for the environment and biodiversity, and it's unfor tunate that that's the only bill that has even been brought forward by the minister of this department. So, looking at the budget and the record, I just want to urge this department to do more. Thank you. Mr. Chairperson: We thank the member for those comments.

Under the Manitoba practice, debate on the minister's salary is the last item considered for a de - partment in the Com mittee of Supply. Accordingly, we shall now defer consideration of line item 12.1.(a), contained in resolution 12.1. * (16:20) At this time, we invite the minister's staff to join us at the table, and we ask that the minister introduce the staff in attendance. Mr. Wharton: I have intro duced the staff in my opening comments, so I think we're good. Mr.

Chairperson: According to our rule 78(16), during the consid eration of de partmental Estimates, questioning for each de partment shall proceed in a global manner with questions put separately on all resolutions once the official opposition critic indicates that questioning has concluded. The floor is now open for questions. Ms. Naylor: Thank you for introducing the senior staff that are present here today, Minister.

3058 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 6, 2022 Can the minister under take to give a list of all technical appointments in his de partment, including names and titles? Mr. Wharton: Certainly pleased to provide technical officers to the member, and looking forward to also having a more broader discussion on the member from Wolseley's comments about the depart ment not moving on climate. I think we're looking forward to challenging that comment today, and certainly we will be doing that in the coming minutes and days, as long we sit.

I'm happy to report that Erik Selch, Jack Zinger [phonetic] and Jonathan Scarth are technical officers within the department. Would you like the titles? Special assistant, Erik Selch; executive assistant to the minister, Jack Zinger [phonetic] and chairperson of Clean Environment Commission, Jonathan Scarth. Ms. Naylor: Can the minister under take to give an organizational chart that lists all employees and program areas? Mr. Wharton: I know the member has a copy of the Budget 2022 supplement Estimates and expenditures for Manitoba Environment , Climate and Parks.

I'll direct the member to page 13, which has a clear chart– an organizational chart that you're referencing. That would be, again, page 13. Ms. Naylor: Can the minister give a list of all current vacancies in the department? Mr. Wharton: Certainly appreciate the question from the member from Wolseley.

Currently, as of August 31st, 2022, there are a total of vacant FTEs of 77.6, and 25 per cent of that number are actually administrative levels, where the– when the NRND was formed, some of them amalgamated over to our de partment, so I want to make sure I'm giving the member a clear under - standing of what the 77.6 vacancy rate is. And again, to the total complement, it's about 16 per cent of our total complement of staff, full -time staff right now, FTEs. Ms.

Naylor: Can the minister –you don't –not to explain every one of those vacancies in detail, but can the minister give me an overview of what departments and positions where these vacancies, in general, are? * (16:30) Mr. Wharton: I know the member knows I–and I will give the member a little bit of a

preamble; I know she's familiar with it. Right across every sector, it doesn't matter where you are, or what –who you employ or how you try to employ, whether it be the food sector or service sector or retail sector or pro fessional sector, finding em - ployees, FTEs, right now, is one of the most difficult challenges that busi nesses have, gov ernments have. We're certainly not immune to those issues, and I wanted to make sure that the member understood that and that that is the reality.

We find that a lot of the breakdown–again, 25 per cent was administrative, but the rest are spread out throughout departments–but the bottom line is that some in rural, for instance, were recruiting regularly but, again, trying to find folks that want to work and come to work has been a challenge, not only for gov- ernment but for Manitobans –Manitoba employers at large. Ms. Naylor: I can certainly appreciate the issues with hiring at this time. So I just want to confirm that there's not a high concentration of vacancies in any one position or any one part of the province. Mr. Wharton: Right. Ms.

Naylor: Can the minister explain, looking at page 33 of the report, why the amount spent in 2021-22, $157,430,000, is less than half of the last year's budget? Mr. Chairperson: The honour able Minister of Environment, Climate and Parks. Mr. Wharton: Well, thank you, Mr. Chair, ap pre- ciate that. And thank you for the question. We have a very good breakdown for you. Are you ready? Okay. So, $323 million. You're wondering why there was a difference, a discrepancy from '20 -21 fiscal to '21-22. I have the answer. We had a one -time write -up for orphaned and abandoned mines to the tune of $160 million.

As you know, our gov ernment is very proactive in ensuring that we get this –these issues cleared up, and we've taken action, and that's exactly what we're doing. That one-time write-up has given us the oppor tunity to go ahead and do that. We also have a $20-million write-up, as well, for a parks endowment fund. You're probably aware of that too. As you know, we had an announcement back

October 6, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 3059 in late August on the endowment fund where we funded over 64 projects, and these are making differences within our provincial parks. I can tell you I had the opportunity to walk out on one of the mobi- mats in Birds Hill at the Birds Hill La ke. And, wow, what an oppor tunity for Manitobans, especially Manitobans with dis abilities, to enjoy our beautiful parks, our lakes and really get out there and enjoy sometimes short summers, but the summers that we all enjoy. So, I hope that answers the question for the member.

It certainly puts us back to where we were in fiscal '21-22. Ms. Naylor: I'm not sure I entirely understood, but that's okay. What I'd like to know is, you're talking about additional projects for parks and making parks more accessible, but spending spe cifically on parks and trails in '21-22 was 18-and-a-half million less than the prior fiscal year. So why has the–why and how is the gov ernment cutting spending on parks and trails? * (16:40) Mr.

Wharton: Again, earlier I talked about the endowment fund that our government started to–as we had to look at ways to ensure that our parks could be sustainable and could–we could recognize continued growth and investment within our parks. We–our gov- ernment started the e ndowment fund, the parks endowment fund. So just to give a little more context to the member: again, it was launched in 2021 with an initial investment of $20 million. The Prov incial Parks Endowment Fund is expected to generate approxi - mately $1 million per year to help enhance visitors' experiences in Manitoba prov incial parks.

Priorities for the fund are determined through a process involv- ing engagement with citizens and stakeholders. So, again, it's engaging Manitobans, and Manitobans wanted m ore invest ment in their parks. This gives them a sus tainable, generational invest - ment going forward through the endowment fund of $20 million. So it was booked in March 31st, 2021 , and now continues to generate revenue for infinitum. So there you go. Ms. Naylor: I'm going to ask a little bit more about that, and I appreciate you taking the time to explain it to me. I'm not that familiar with the endowment fund and how that works.

So I'm glad to hear that that's in place. But I'm still trying to understand; regardless of the endowment fund, it's very clear that the budget was underspent by over $18 million this year compared to what was spent the previous year. While looking at the Parks and Trails budget, the actual amount spent in '20-21 was over $ 51 million and in '21 -22 was $37 million. So I'm trying to understand if the endowment fund is something separate and in addition to what–to the budget, and if so, why is the money coming from an endowment fund but being underspent in the de - partment?

A nd maybe I'm just –yes; I could use an explanation. Mr. Wharton: I'll see if I can help a little bit on two fronts. An endowment fund is like a savings account. So at 5 per cent at $20 million, you should recognize $1 million a year. So that endowment fund was booked in fiscal 2021, March 31st. That is a book entry of $20 million. That doesn't mean you're going to show $20 million on your books every year. What you're going to show is a revenue generated on that $20 million. So that happens to be, this yea r, about $1.1 million.

So, as interest rates and returns go up, that $20 million will generate more revenue. Again, as we go forward, hopefully we're up to 10 per cent, where we're, you know, we're looking at returns that are double the–what they are now. So, in essence, that's how it works and I hope that explains it to you. Ms. Naylor: Thank you for that explanation. I know we have a second day we get to do this, so I will do my best to understand it more fully if –in case I have follow-up questions before then.

So, I'm going to just ask now about the under - spending for Environmental Stewardship, that there's a significant decrease in spending between –from the 2021-22 budget from 2020 to 2021. And that is a decrease; it's about 25 per cent, right, has been–it's less than 25 per cent was spent in the most recent fiscal year. So, can the minister explain that? Mr. Wharton: Just some clarity, if I may. On page 39,

section 12.3, I believe you're asking–and I just wanted clarity so I can get you the response–Other Expenditures: thirty-four-six-eighty-two; 195,600. Is that the line that you're looking at? It would be under D, just below D, Salaries and Other Expenditures.

3060 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 6, 2022 Ms. Naylor: I'm actually looking at page 33, Environmental Stewardship, with the actuals for 2021-22 and 2020-2021. Mr. Wharton: Again, thank you for the question and the clarity. Again, this question refers to the orphaned and abandoned mine book entry. So, essentially, then, what we did was we booked $160 million to tackle the issue that was left unchecke d for many years, under the former government. And we now have on our books a liability to en- sure, though, that we can spend up to that $160 million as we go forward.

So, the next fiscal, on a go -forward, gets us back to where we were in previous years, with an account of about 45 thousand– million, sorry, $45 million. And also, Mr. Chair, if I may. And also, too, member from Wolseley, glad to invite you to our office to sit down, go through it in more detail with our team any time after we get through Estimates so we can have a full understanding for you, and present, if you wish. We can take that offline later. Thank you. Ms. Naylor: Thank you. I thank the minister for that explanation and invitation.

On the same line of questioning, I wanted to a sk why Water Stewardship was nearly $4 million less was spent in this most recent fiscal year than in the previous one? * (16:50) Mr. Wharton: Under Water Stewardship there are two areas that I'd like to share with the member. One was a $2.5- million watershed district capacity fund. It's basically a trust, again, a one -time investment in the fiscal 2021. And also $1- million water strategy fund, essentially working–as we know, we're working towards a water strategy that hasn't been done for 20 years.

As a matter of fact, it was done in 2003, so we're pleased to be moving forward with that, and that would represent $1 million for the water strategy fund. So, you'll notice then, much like the orphan and abandoned scenario and the other $20 million that we talked about earlier for the parks endowment fund you'll see that we've gone back now to where we were in prior years. We're spending 'mon'–parks. Ms. Naylor: Is the minister in the process of developing an energy policy for the Manitoba govern- ment? Mr. Wharton: I thank the member from Wolseley for the question.

And certainly, yes, we are working on an energy strategy, right here in Manitoba. We've engaged Dunsky Energy + Climate Advisors, or Dunsky, to develop our long-term energy strategy. They have do ne en gagement–broader en- gagement than any other juris diction in Canada to date, and we're looking forward to continuing to get information from them. At that point, once we have the report, certainly I'll have the op portunity in the de partment to get the advice from Dunsky that they've gathered in this very large engagement with stakeholders.

And then, at that point, we're going to put it out to Manitobans, as we do. And we're going to engage Manitoba to get feedback from Manitobans. And then certainly, once we get that and put it all together, then that certainly will be a report that'll drive us towards net zero by 2050. Ms. Naylor: I thought that was a yes or no question, but I appreciate the full detail that you provided. I'm still going to ask some questions to ask you to expand on it, and I understand that we're going to run out of time before you can answer.

But my next question is if you can say more about the scope of the energy policy and if it will include Crown corporations like Manitoba Hydro. Mr. Wharton: As I mentioned in my

preamble –my long

preamble and explanation, Dunsky has engaged with–well, again, the largest en gagement, which would include all sectors –public, private, right throughout Manitoba. So, I can assure the member that we–we're well on our way. Mr. Chairperson: The hour being 5 p.m., committee rise. ROOM 255 FAMILIES * (14:50) Mr. Chairperson (Brad Michaleski): Will the Committee of Supply please come to order. This

section of the Committee of Supply will now consider the Estimates of the Department of Families. Does the honour able minister have an opening statement? Hon. Rochelle Squires (Minister of Families): I'm very pleased to be here in Com mittee of Supply for

October 6, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 3061 the Department of Families. It is a real honour to lead this department. And before I get into some of the highlights of the department's initiatives, I do just want to say thank you so much to the staff, many of whom you'll meet as we go throughout the process and many of whom are here today. But to really emphasis and stress the gratitude that I feel for their initiatives each and every day, it is arguably one of the tougher de partments in gov ern- ment.

We're dealing with very vulnerable individuals and families an d working under extreme pressure at times, and yet each and every time, depart ment staff have always risen to the task at hand. Whether it is trying to find housing for people who are out of their com munity because of a forest fire or a flood, or are fleeing their war -ravaged country. Whether it is finding supports for women and children who are fleeing domestic violence. Whether it is trying to suppor

Document details

Collection	Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	42-4-70b
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	42nd 4th hansardpdf 70b.pdf
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	47425ef138253448d198f6a74f0d76adab73f6f2

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