Manitoba Hansard — 13 October 2020 (Sitting 4, 42nd Legislature, 3rd Session)

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Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)

Third 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. LXXV No. 4 - 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, October 13, 2020 ISSN 0542-5492

MANITOBA LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Forty-Second Legislature Member Constituency Political Affiliation ADAMS, Danielle Thompson NDP ALTOMARE, Nello Transcona NDP ASAGWARA, Uzoma Union Station NDP BRAR, Diljeet Burrows NDP BUSHIE, Ian Keewatinook NDP CLARKE, Eileen, Hon. Agassiz PC COX, Cathy, Hon. Kildonan-River East PC CULLEN, Cliff, Hon. Spruce Woods PC DRIEDGER, Myrna, Hon. Roblin PC EICHLER, Ralph, Hon. Lakeside PC EWASKO, Wayne Lac du Bonnet PC FIELDING, Scott, Hon. Kirkfield Park 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 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 Interlake-Gimli PC JOHNSTON, Scott Assiniboia PC KINEW, Wab Fort Rouge NDP LAGASSÉ, Bob Dawson Trail PC LAGIMODIERE, Alan Selkirk PC LAMONT, Dougald St. Boniface Lib. LAMOUREUX, Cindy Tyndall Park Lib. LATHLIN, Amanda The Pas-Kameesak NDP LINDSEY, Tom Flin Flon NDP MALOWAY, Jim Elmwood NDP MARCELINO, Malaya Notre Dame NDP MARTIN, Shannon McPhillips PC MOSES, Jamie St.

Vital NDP MICHALESKI, Brad Dauphin PC MICKLEFIELD, Andrew Rossmere PC MORLEY-LECOMTE, Janice Seine River PC NAYLOR, Lisa Wolseley NDP NESBITT, Greg Riding Mountain PC PALLISTER, Brian, Hon. Fort Whyte PC PEDERSEN, Blaine, Hon. Midland PC PIWNIUK, Doyle Turtle Mountain PC REYES, Jon Waverley PC SALA, Adrien St. James NDP SANDHU, Mintu The Maples NDP SCHULER, Ron, Hon. Springfield-Ritchot PC SMITH, Andrew 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

97 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA Tuesday, October 13, 2020 The House met at 1:30 p.m. Madam Speaker: O Eternal and Almighty God, from Whom all power and wisdom come, we are assembled here before Thee to frame such laws as may tend to the welfare and prosperity of our province. Grant, O merciful God, we pray Thee, that we may desire only that which is in accordance with Thy will, that we may seek it with wisdom and know it with certainty and accomplish it perfectly for the glory and honour of Thy name and for the welfare of all our people. Amen. Please be seated.

ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS INTRODUCTION OF BILLS Bill 3–The Public Service Act Madam Speaker: The honourable Minister of Crown Services. Hon. Reg Helwer (Minister of Central Services): I move, seconded by the Minister of Finance, that Bill 3, The Public Service Act, be now read a first time. Madam Speaker: It has been moved by the honourable Minister for Crown Services, seconded by the honourable Minister of Finance, that Bill 3, The Public Service Act, be now read a first time. The honourable Minister of Crown Services. Mr. Helwer: Government is committed to advancing transformation across the public service.

The Public Service Act will provide a legislative framework for an ethical and effective public service for Manitoba by setting out fundamental values such as transparency, accountably–accountability, integrity and respect for others to ensure that they are consistently applied across the public service. The Public Service Act will replace The Civil Service Act that is 134 years old. The new act will enable a modern and flexible public service. Madam Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? Agreed? [Agreed] Further introduction of bills?

Bill 4–The Retail Business Hours of Operation Act (Various Acts Amended or Repealed) Hon. Scott Fielding (Minister of Finance): I move, seconded by the Minister of Families (Mrs. Stefanson), that Bill 4, The Retail Business Hours of Operation Act (Various Acts Amended or Repealed), now be read a first time. Motion presented. Mr. Fielding: I'm pleased to introduce Bill 4, The Retail Business Hours of Operation Act, various acts amendment or repealed.

The proposal will repeal the retail business holiday act–closing act and The Shops Regulation Act to eliminate province-wide restrictions on holiday and Sunday shopping hours. We're going t o maintain the status quo on Remembrance Day closures and retail worker provisions for Sundays. Lastly, the bill makes consequential amendments to several acts to ensure municipalities have the authority to set restrictions on retail businesses in their jurisdiction as they please. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

Agreed? [Agreed] Bill 300–The United Church of Canada Amendment Act Mr. Greg Nesbitt (Riding Mountain): I move, seconded by the m ember for Assiniboia (Mr. Johnston), that Bill 300, The United– Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Riding Mountain? Mr. Nesbitt: –Church of Canada Amendment Act– Madam Speaker: We've lost the sound on this and the activity. May I suggest then and ask, is there leave to allow us to come back to the member once the technology is fixed and he can then bring his bill forward? [Agreed] Committee reports? TABLING OF REPORTS Hon.

Cathy Cox (Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage): I am pleased to table the annual report

98 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 13, 2020 for the Manitoba Arts Council for the fiscal year 2019-2020. Madam Speaker: Further tabling of reports? Hon. Cliff Cullen (Minister of Justice and Attorney General): I am pleased to table the following report for the Department of Justice, Legal Aid Manitoba annual report for the fiscal year of 2019-2020. MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS Madam Speaker: I would indicate that the required 90 minutes notice prior to routine proceedings was provided in accordance with our rule 26(2). Would the honourable Minister for Status of Women please proceed with her statement.

Cyber-Security Initiative for Young Women Hon. Cathy Cox (Minister responsible for the Status of Women): Every year, our government has celebrated International Day of the Girl as an occasion to advocate for investing in girls, and we are continuing to build on that today. When we invest in girls and women, we invest in a better future. October is also Women's History Month in Manitoba, a time for all of us to reflect on the legacies of those that came before and recognize those resilient women making history today.

The COVID-19 pandemic has required all of us to spend more time –more of our lives utilizing technology, and we're now online more than ever before. We've all experienced challenges in this COVID world. It has presented unique concerns, especially in terms of cyber security. Students were suddenly required to learn virtually and that in itself created many challenges. That's why this year, our government is focusing on cyber safety.

I'm proud to share that, over the coming weeks, our government will be distributing USB data blockers to girls across our province through a number of agencies that work closely with young women. Now, more than ever before, the COVID -19 pandemic has increased the need for online connectivity, and we know that young women are most at risk of cyber violence. Vulnerable youth often rely on public places like resource centres, universities, colleges, or even coffee shops or even shopping malls t o access the Internet and charge their smartphones.

We want to help secure their personal information and keep them safe from exploitation. These blockers will protect young women from the hacking of their private data when charging their phones or mobile devices in public spaces. Last week, I was especially delighted to personally deliver the very first supply of data blockers to newcomers employment education deve - lopment services centre, and we will be delivering many more to organizations across the province throughout the month of October, as we continue to celebrate and recognize our future leaders.

I am proud of our government's commitment to the safety and well -being of Manitoban women and girls, to honouring the legacy of the strong women who have come before and to champion the dreams and aspirations of women of the future. Thank you, Madam Speaker. * (13:40) Ms. Malaya Marcelino (Notre Dame): On October 11th, we celebrated the International Day of the Girl. There is still plenty of room to grow today on reducing systemic barriers and ensuring women and girls have equal opportunities in life.

Globally and right here in this province, girls confront adversities– mainly stemming from poverty –that impede their education, prevent them from receiving skills training and making it difficult for them to enter the workforce. The Status of Women Secretariat announced on Sunday a plan to give free USB data blockers to vulnerable teenaged girls across the province to protect their personal information while charging their phones in public spaces.

And while I sincerely appreciate the Province's special focus on vulnerable girls, it shows how woefully out of step this government is with the most important needs of girls in this province. Many childre n in remote and rural regions of Manitoba do not even have access to the Internet, much less to smartphones and USB devices, and children in poverty in urban areas don't have access to landline phones, much less smartphones or USB devices.

During the early days of the pandemic in the spring, teachers and principals had to hand- deliver homework pages to students who don't have access to landline phones or Internet, much less a smartphone. This government should instead put its efforts towards ensuring that Manitoba girls have equal

October 13, 2020 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 99 access to all levels of education, from early childhood education to post -secondary. This Province should focus our shared resources on ensuring universal access to menstruation products in schools, which has been a proven barrier to school attendance for girls whose families cannot afford these hygiene products. And most crucially, this government must listen to advocates, who are the experts on the needs of Manitoban girls, when they ask for funding to support 24-hour safe space s in our province.

And if the Province wants to focus on preventing online violence towards girls, resources should be centred on school programming that can ably do this, not on a USB gadget that shifts responsibility to individual girls to prevent this. Now, as legislators, it is our responsibility to make sure we tackle the issues facing Manitoban girls proactively and effectively and listen for what they ask for when they need it. Now, we must work together to prioritize the policies and programs with the greatest impact on Manitoba– Madam Speaker: The member's time has expired. An Honourable Member: Leave.

Madam Speaker: There has been a request for leave. Is there leave to allow her to continue the rest of her statement? An Honourable Member: No. Madam Speaker: Leave has been denied. Mr. Dougald Lamont (St. Boniface): I ask for leave to speak in response to the minister's statement. Madam Speaker: Is there leave to allow the member to speak to this ministerial statement? An Honourable Member: No. Madam Speaker: Leave has been denied. [interjection] Order. Order. I would just like to make a correction.

In recognizing the honourable Minister for Central Services, I had indicated a different ministry, but it is the Minister of Central Servic es (Mr. Helwer), and I would just like the record to be corrected. MEMBERS' STATEMENTS Madam Speaker: Any members' statements? Northern Health Care Mr. Tom Lindsey (Flin Flon): Northern Manitoba is an area where health issues have for too long been not a priority for this government. I would like to say to the Premier (Mr. Pallister) today that northern Manitobans' health matters just as much as every other resident of Manitoba.

This government has repeatedly failed to address the gaps in health care and is actually widening those gaps. Since 2016, the government has failed to address Cross Lake's concern for more health services, namely a hospital. The community, being one of the fastest growing in the North, needs that hospital. This led the community to go to provincial government and ask for funding from the federal government, which they luckily received, but it's not enough. The Province needs to help out. More recently, under this government Flin Flon has seen the closure of the operating room in the midst of a pandemic.

Flin Flon also lost its only obstetrician in 2018, meaning there's no longer a doctor specialized in delivering babies on- site. Instead of finding a replacement, now the entire delivery ward has been shuttered, meaning that e xpecting mothers have to travel to The Pas or elsewhere for care. It is simply too expensive for new mothers and can cause unnecessary stress on what should be a celebratory event. The Flin Flon hospital has now been reduced to a shoestring operation, as there is no longer an anesthesiologist on hand, either.

In Leaf Rapids, due to limited staff, when one staff member can't make it to work, the whole hospital had been shut down for a week. The staff at our hospitals are doing the best that they can with what little they have been given. And don't get me started on the shambles that NPTP has turned into in the middle of a pandemic. That will be for another day. I am calling on this government to recognize that northern Manitobans are not getting the health care that they are entitled to and that they take action to reverse the health -care cuts and invest in a strong northern health-care system today.

Tall Grass Prairie Bakery Ms. Lisa Naylor (Wolseley): In September, Tall Grass Prairie bakery cel ebrated 30 years since opening its doors in the Wolseley constituency.

100 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 13, 2020 This is an achievement worth celebrating. Tall Grass represents so many things that our community values now more than ever. In the 1980s, a group of Wolseley neighbours were meeting to worship, share meals and bake their own bread. These folks were concerned about the well-being of farmers, some of whom were struggling with poverty and suicide.

From these conversations emerged a vision to open a bakery in order to support small-scale organic farmers and to change people's perspectives as to how food should be grown, how it should be made and how it should taste. From the beginning, Tall Grass has milled their own grain. One reason that those cinnamon buns taste so good is that the organic whole grain may have come just from the farm yesterday. Ownership of Tall Grass has also been a community endeavour. From the initial six friends who raised the money to start the bakery in 1990, there have been changes over the years.

The current owners are founders Tabitha Langel and Lyle Barkman, along with Paul Langel and French baker Loïc Perrot. They employ over 60 people while supporting several small Manitoba farms. Over the years, the owners have given away their grandmother's recipes, and during the pandemic, they gave away batches of sourdough starter to community members who suddenly developed an interest in breaking–baking their own bread. Past employees have gone on to open bakeries of their own, something the owners are proud of in the spirit of community development and access to good, nutritious food.

Broadcaster Stuart McLean once said of the Tall Grass bakery: They have learned you can't get rich when you pay fair wages to both farmers and staff, but you can make a decent living. To that I would add: fair wages, community engagement and environmentally sound business practices can change the world. Congratulations, Tall Grass Prairie bakery on 30 years of changing our little corner of the world. Fall Suppers Mr. Dennis Smook (La Vérendrye): I rise in this House as we all return to the Chamber after the Thanksgiving weekend. This year's season of giving looks much different than years past.

COVID -19 has changed our lives and the way we do things. In past years, I've been busy attending fall suppers and celebrations, socializing with the constituents and enjoying all the great local fare each community has to offer. Fall suppers are an important part of fundraising for many communities. This year, many communities have changed their model of operation and have gone to a drive -through system for serving the meals. I would like to thank all of the community groups for thinking outside the box and finding creative solutions to our new normal.

Fall is a beautiful time in my c onstituency of La Vérendrye. I am thankful for all the natural beauty we can enjoy, from the Sandilands Provincial Forest, Lake of the Woods, and many rivers and streams, and of course the farmland in all its beauty. This past Saturday I toured parts of La Vérendrye and enjoyed some of its beauty. La Vérendrye has seen more than a seasonal change since this year's high-water event devastated many parts of my community. I am thankful for all the hard -working Manitobans that continue to work together to fla tten the COVID curve.

We live in a great province in a country that we can get to enjoy many freedoms. With this freedom comes responsibilities. We all need to do our

part in stopping COVID-19 and making Manitoba the great province it is. Thank you. * (13:50) Judicial Sexual Assault Awareness Training Ms. Cindy Lamoureux (Tyndall Park): Earlier this morning, I hand-delivered a letter to the Department of Justice, along with a copy to the Government House Leader (Mr. Goertzen), suggesting an important piece of legislation be brought forward. It was actually Rona Ambrose, the interim leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, who first brought the idea forward, and I believe that our province needs to do the same.

The legislation would mandate provi ncial- appointed judges to take a formal course dealing with sexual assault. In addition to this, the legislation proposes that the Criminal Code require judges to provide their reasons for the decisions made in sexual assault proceedings. Madam Speaker, Prince Edward Island, Ontario and now the House of Commons have taken action, and this is why I'm calling on this Manitoba government to do the same. I'm hopeful that the minister will take my suggestion seriously, and I

October 13, 2020 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 101 would be honoured to be the seconde r of this legislation. Having said that, what is important is that we recognize the impact of sexual assault and bring forward this legislation as quickly as possible. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Riding Mountain. Is the member for Riding Mountain there? Could the member unmute his mic? Sheldon Kennedy Mr. Greg Nesbitt (Riding Mountain): Growing up in Elkhorn, Manitoba, Sheldon Kennedy dreamed of broadening his horizons and playing hockey professionally one day.

His dedication and hard work as a young athlete carried him to a gold medal performance at the world juniors in 1988, and in 1989 he was named captain of the Swift Current Broncos, leading the team to the Memorial Cup. For the next eight years, Sheldon played for the Detroit Red Wings, Calgary Flames and Boston Bruins. Outwardly, as his career caught fire, Sheldon was secure in his achievements as a professional athlete. Below the surface remained a painful personal truth that demanded to be heard.

In 1 996, Sheldon Kennedy made the difficult decision to publicly charge his former junior hockey coach with sexual assault. It was a courageous act, disclosing over five years of recurrent abuse that began when he was 14 years old. Following his coach's conviction, Sheldon's charge grew into an urgent nationwide call to action, improving child safety in sports, schools and youth organizations.

For over two decades, he has directed many critically important initiatives to protect vulnerable youth, notably working with Hockey Canada to develop the Respect in Sport program, establishing mandatory training for coaches to prevent bullying, abuse and discrimination. In 1998, Sheldon undertook an 8,000- kilometre inline skate across Canada, which, besides raising public awareness, raised over $1.2 million for the Canadian Red Cross Abuse Prevention Program. In 2004, Sheldon co-founded the Respect Group, a company that works with schools, sports organizations and workplaces.

In 2010 he began working with the Calgary c hief of police and other child protection agencies to establish the Calgary child advocacy centre. Sheldon has also worked for the International Olympic Committee and the NHL Players Association Substance Abuse Program, providing confidential supports to other survivors of childhood abuse. Sheldon Kennedy will be inducted in both the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame and Canada's Sports Hall of Fame as a member of the classes of 2020.

On behalf of all Manitobans I want to thank this small-town boy for 20 y ears of compassionate advocacy that has changed the culture of sport across Canada. Ensuring the protection of children remains a shared priority for future generations of parents, coaches and administrators. Thank you, Madam Speaker. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS (Continued) Madam Speaker: As there had been leave granted to allow the member for Riding Mountain to present his introduction of his bill, I would like to ask him if he's able to do that at this point. Bill 300–The United Church of Canada Amendment Act Mr.

Greg Nesbitt (Riding Mountain): I move, seconded by the member for Assiniboia (Mr. Johnston), that Bill 300, The United Church of Canada Amendment Act, be now read a first time. Motion presented. Mr. Nesbitt: Madam Speaker, this bill amends t he United Church of Canada act, to reflect changes to the church's governance structure. Madam Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? Agreed? [Agreed] ORAL QUESTIONS Manitoba Hydro Rate Increases Mr.

Wab Kinew (Leader of the O fficial Opposition): With the stroke of a pen, this Premier has raised hydro rates for people right across Manitoba: 1.3 million people. That means household owners, renters, business owners are going to be paying way more on their hydro bills this December. That's a special happy holidays from this government, from this Premier and from their Cabinet.

102 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 13, 2020 Now, again, Manitobans own Manitoba Hydro, but they won't have an opportunity to present information, to argue against this rate hike. Simply put, it will be forced upon them by this Premier and his Cabinet. This is a mistake. People's hydro bills should be kept low and affordable. Will the Premier stand up today and announce that he will cancel his plan to dramatically increase Manitobans' hydro utility bills? Hon.

Brian Pallister (Premier): Madam Speaker, the interim 2.9 per cent increase in hydro rates pales in comparison to the underlying costs inflicted on Manitoba ratepayers by the previous NDP government when they proceeded–without consult - ation, without proper process–to engage in a massive overbuild of Hydro–dam and transmission line: not for the good of Manitobans, no. No, because, actually, the plus -10-billion dollars that Manitobans will be paying back, plus interest, isn't designed to serve Manitobans. It's designed to serve American customers.

The NDP believed that Hydro was theirs to manage for the good of Americans. We believe it's Manitobans' property for the good of Manitobans. Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a supplementary question. Mr. Kinew: Well, my dad always told me that actions speak louder than words, and the actions of this Premier are that he believes that Manitoba Hydro is for him to manage exclusively, behind closed doors, without any input from Manitobans. The facts are: Manitoba Hydro was profitable to the tune of $100 million last year; it will be profitable to the tune of $50 million this year.

And yet, in spite of this, without–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Kinew: –any hearings, without the opportunity for anybody in any of this Cabinet's constituencies to raise objections, this Premier is ordering Manitoba Hydro to dramatically increase their rates. What's more, in the back of this nasty bill are provisions which will allow this Premier and his closest advisers to dictate future Manitoba Hydro policy for decades to come, again, without any public process.

Will the Premier simply stand in his place and commit to not increasing hydro rates this year and also to removing every provision of BITSA that affects Manitoba Hydro? Mr. Pallister: Well, Madam Speaker, if actions demonstrate greater –more openly than words do where people come from, I think the member has a lot of 'splaining to do, and so does his party.

The fact of the matter is, this bill, which I encourage the member to read, will protect electricity ratepayers from–for example, by requiring full public reviews of all projects –from ever having to see another massive boondoggle like the bipole west line ever happen again without their chance to have input. This bill will protect Manitoba Hydro ratepayers in a way they needed when the NDP were in power. Now, Madam Speaker–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Pallister: –the issue before us is whether Manitobans should be respected as the owners of Hydro or not. We believe they should.

The NDP never did believe that. Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a final supplementary. Mr. Kinew: No one in Manitoba believes this Premier when it comes to Hydro. Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Mr. Kinew: The reason is simple, Madam Speaker. It's very simple. On this side of the House, everyone knows that we stand for a publicly owned Manitoba Hydro.

If this Premier is the champion for a publicly owned Hydro, let him stand in his place today and commit that no other subsidiary of Manitoba Hydro will ever be privatized, and let him stand in his place and apologize for misleading the people of Manitoba by privatizing Teshmont, a profitable s ubsidiary of Manitoba Hydro. We know he won't do it. He can't, because he wants to privatize Hydro. His interim step, of course, is to–[interjection] * (14:00) Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Kinew: –raise the rates of people in Manitoba.

We have long been warning that the privatization of Manitoba Hydro will lead to higher rates. Today, we see the government is legislating higher rates.

October 13, 2020 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 103 Will the Premier simply stand in his place in the House today and admit that this is wrong and he will instead remove every provision of BITSA that deals with Manitoba Hydro? Mr. Pallister: Well, that dog won't hunt, Madam Speaker. The fact of the matter is that the NDP and the Conservatives, when in opposition, supported a Hydro referendum bill. The difference is the N DP never put any muscle in it. They never designed a referendum. They never structured the bill so it had any muscle at all. We did that.

This government did that, Madam Speaker, to protect Manitoba Hydro against a repeat of the kinds of actions the NDP hoisted on Manitobans–not once, not twice, but many times. They were two and a half times over budget on Keeyask. They were two and a half times over budget on bipole. And the big thing here, Madam Speaker, is they did all this without letting Manitobans k now, without involving Manitobans in the process. This bill protects Manitobans for Manitoba Hydro so that nothing like that can ever happen again, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a new question.

COVID-19 Pandemic Response Demographic Data Collection Mr. Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): Madam Speaker, I'm not sure what bill the Premier's talking about, but the bill his government introduced raises hydro rates before the holidays this year. So let him go out and explain that to the people of Manitoba, tell them why is he raising hydro rates right before the holidays. Today we saw a very, very serious increase in the amount of cases here, of COVID, in Manitoba, Madam Speaker. Many peop le are very, very concerned, and rightfully so.

In order for public health interventions to work, they need to have buy -in from the general public. In order for the public to buy in, they need to have access to the right data. We know that this governm ent is collecting COVID-19 data with respect to occupation, with respect to income level and with respect to race.

In order to facilitate Manitobans from further buying into this government's COVID plan, will the Premier commit today to further breaking down COVID numbers, including by demographic categories like income, occupation, and to work with community groups so that race can be released in a culturally safe manner? Hon. Brian Pallister (Premier): Well, Madam Speaker, last week the member called our government sneaky for tabling a bill. I was kind of surprised at that, given the NDP's record–and his personally –is, well, pretty much one of concealment.

So, now the member asks to do something that's well under way, so sure, we'll do that. But, Ma dam Speaker, I'd encourage the member, if he's going to throw charges around and make them personal, he'd better be careful throwing them from a glass house. And I'll say to the member that the NDP's record on promising one thing and doing another is pre tty strong. They promised before the election that they wouldn't raise the PST, and did. They said that the stadium deal was all in the best interests of Manitobans, and covered it up.

And they promised that they'd build Hydro and it wouldn't cost Manitobans a penny. [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Pallister: And, Madam Speaker, I got a bipole waste line that's costing Manitoba ratepayers more than $5 billion right now. That's a Christmas gift that Manitobans will be paying for a long, long tim e. Thank you very much, NDP. Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a supplementary question. Mr. Kinew: Should Manitobans be concerned that a Premier can't answer a direct question about COVID-19 in the midst of the pandemi c?

Should Manitobans be concerned that his brutal dodge of that question was applauded by the Cabinet that is making decisions about COVID-19 during the pandemic? I will leave that to Manitobans to determine. The point that I'm making here today, Madam Speaker, is that our team is calling for COVID-19 data on income, on occupation and, in a culturally safe manner, on race to be released so that Manitobans can have confidence in our pandemic response. Again, if this information was to be released and we were to see that there were a particular number of

104 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 13, 2020 cases in the transportation industry, then maybe we could put into place more protections for those workers as one example. We're all in this together. When will we all have access to the same data, Madam Speaker? Will the Premier commit today to releasing information on COVID -19 cases broken down by income and occupation, and also to work with community groups to release race information in a culturally safe manner? Mr.

Pallister: If the member truly believes the words coming out of his mouth, Madam Speaker, about all of us having this challenge that we're going to face together, then he should step up, he should man up, and he should–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Pallister: –face the challenge together and not be a Monday-morning quarterback. The fact of the matter is the member just asked for information–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Pallister: –which I have told him is in pre - paration by our department right now.

But the actual fact of the matter is none of this information would have been available under the NDP. We've stepped up our data collection ability here so we're able to share information that wouldn't even have been available after 17 years of NDP government, Madam Speaker. So if the member truly believes–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Pallister: –we're in it together, start acting like it. Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a final supplementary. Mr. Kinew: Madam Speaker, this guy trips on his front step and he blames the NDP. It's got to be difficult.

We're in the midst of a very serious pandemic: 35 lives lost, as of the most recent update. This is tragic, Madam Speaker. What we're calling for, on this side of the House, is greater transparency. We want the public to buy in to the public health measures. In order to facilitate that process, let's have a fulsome disclosure of information. We know that this government has the COVID-19 cases broken down by income, by occupation, by race. They could work with community groups today to ensure that race information is presented in a culturally safe manner.

They could work to ensure that the data will be disclosed so that every Manitoban can understand the contours of this pandemic and fully appreciate the need for all of us to step up and do our part to help stop COVID-19. Will the Premier simply stand in his place today and commit that he will release data on COVID -19 broken down by income, occupation and other demographic categories by the end of this week? Mr. Pallister: This government has a deserved reputation for transparency, Madam Speaker. That's something that the member opposite can't claim.

He talks about –I don't know what his reference meant about tripping on the step; he went to the steps, he went to the doors of people in Fort Rouge and asked them to vote for him; he went to the doors of the people in his riding, not having disclosed his own record to them, and he speaks in this House about transparency. Madam Speaker, transparency–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Pallister: –transparency is what we're offering – [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr.

Pallister: The member speaks from his seat, Madam Speaker, but he won't speak about his r ecord on transparency because he can't, and his own party covered up his record, too. Now, Madam Speaker, transparency is how we're acting. The member opposite only talks about it. He never demonstrates it. COVID-19 Spread Prevention Plan for Correctional Facilities Ms. Nahanni Fontaine (St. Johns): There are now confirmed COVID -19 cases at no less than three correctional facilities in Manitoba: the Remand Centre, Milner Ridge and Headingley, which is now in code red because of an outbreak.

There is l ittle information provided on the details of the cases in these correctional facilities, Madam Speaker. We need to know who's been infected as well as the nature of the transmission. We also need to know what steps the government is taking to reduce the risk and stop the spread in correctional facilities.

October 13, 2020 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 105 What is the minister's plan to address COVID-19 for all persons in correctional facilities? Hon. Cliff Cullen (Minister of Justice and Attorney General): I do appreciate the question and the opportunity to update the House on our actions we have taken. I will advise the House, since the onset of COVID-19 we have been working very closely with the public health officials, in terms of Dr. Atwal and his group, and we've been working very closely. We've changed the way we manage inmates. We've changed the way we process inmates.

And we certainly have increased our personal protection equipment there to keep both our staff safe and certainly the inmates safe. There is, currently in Headingley, nine inm ates that are infected and two staff; so that's the status at Headingley today. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for St. Johns, on a supplementary question. Ms. Fontaine: So there's now an outbreak of COVID-19 at Headingley.

We know that one concre te and immediate step that can be taken to reduce the spread of COVID is to lessen or stop completely the transfer of persons, staff or those that are currently incarcerated, between facilities, Madam Speaker. * (14:10) We need to know the minister will act and have a plan to stop any spread of COVID -19 in correctional facilities. Will the minister commit today to stopping transfers between facilities as one part to help fight in the spread of COVID-19? Mr. Cullen: Well, Madam Speaker, since the onset of COVID-19, we've been very cautious in terms of making transfers.

With the onset of the positive results in Headingley, we have discontinued transfers and any new admissions to Headingley. That is in place already. We will continue to discontinue visitations. So there'll be no visitations into that particular facility. We're also getting additional medical protective equipment there for staff, and certainly –and when inmates request personal protection equipment, that is supplied to them as well. So, ce rtainly, solid steps have been taken. Public health officials are on site. And further recommendations will be forthcoming, I am sure.

Madam Speaker: The honourable member for St. Johns, on a final supplementary. Ms. Fontaine: The minister just said tha t they're on the path to getting staff proper PPE. It's seven months into a COVID global pandemic. Madam Speaker, we know that access to proper PPE and the training will be key in controlling the spread in correctional facilities. There needs to be a targeted plan to address testing, tracing and tracking in correctional facilities. We need to stop the spread between facilities. It is essential for staff. It is essential for Manitobans currently incarcerated.

It's essential for public health to all of our communities. Will the minister present a plan today that keeps correctional facilities and everyone there safe? Mr. Cullen: Well, Madam Speaker, our staff have always had personal protection equipment. We are simply upgrading that to a medical status equipment for staff that are in the impacted areas. Certainly, there's been no transfers in and out of that facility. We've been working very closely with public health officials all along. That's why there's plans in place to deal with this pandemic as it now is impacting three of our locations.

So there's plans in place. Our staff are well trained to handle situations like this. And we will keep–make sure we'll mitigate any future damage to the inmates and, certainly, to staff. There's a plan in place and actions are being taken. Parkview Place Personal-Care Home Containment of COVID-19 Outbreak MLA Uzoma Asagwara (Union Station): Madam Speaker, as of Monday, 74 cases and seven deaths are linked to an outbreak of COVID -19 at Parkview Place. It's simply heartbreaking and unacceptable.

The sacrifices families and staff have made to try to keep themselves and their community safe is not being met with the same resolve from the Pallister government. They cut long- term care before the pandemic and haven't done nearly enough throughout it. What steps is the minister going to take now to stop the deaths at Parkview Place?

106 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 13, 2020 Hon. Cameron Friesen (Minister of Health, Seniors and Active Living): Madam Speaker, the

preamble is false, but let me respond by say ing the following. What is unacceptable is when 6,000 people in Quebec die in a personal -care home or 4,000 people in Ontario, and that is why this government took action, acted early, partitioned our personal -care homes, shut down visitation until we could make it safe. We moved one -worker-per-site for all of our personal-care homes. We believe that these and other measures taken in a timely way by our government have saved countless lives. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Union Station, on a supplementary question.

MLA Asagwara: Madam Speaker, I think the families of the seven lives that were lost at Parkview Place would disagree with the minister's sentiment there. Staff at Parkview Place have always done their best, and family members have reached out to me recently to let me know that the fatal circumstances at Parkview were unfortunately an outbreak waiting to happen, Madam Speaker. They say that before the virus struck, the facility was poorly laid out for social distancing, with narrow hallways, crowded shared rooms and inadequate distancing in recreational spaces.

In their own words, whatever measures that were taken to quarantine and isolate known cases were inadequate or put into place too late. Seventy -four cases and seven deaths is the tragic consequence. What will the minister do to ensure this doesn't happen again? Mr. Friesen: The member should understand that they are reflecting on the very, very significant work of the regional health authorities, of key leaders of the personal-care-home delivery organizations, of the many people on the front line who have acted with intent and acted with sincerity to keep our seniors safe.

The member, and all members, should understand that those efforts at the front line have been heroi c. They have saved lives. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Union Station, on a final supplementary. MLA Asagwara: Madam Speaker, unfortunately, Parkview is still in the midst of this outbreak. We sincerely hope that more cases and deaths do not follow, and my heart is with the families of those who've lost loved ones. But hope alone is not enough, Madam Speaker.

Families tell me that much greater action is needed, including increased PPE, additional staff, increased cleaning and more mental health supports for patients during this challenging time. In other words, they're looking for the minister's direct intervention to ensure that this outbreak is truly contained. Will the minister tell these families, and reassure others, that the –that he wil l directly intervene to ensure this outbreak is contained and that no more residents will die? Mr. Friesen: Hope is not enough, and that is why this government has taken action–has taken significant action–to protect seniors.

I think right now of the co- visitation shelters: that this government became the first sponsoring government to bring shelters that will enable visitation to go on between the residents and their family members who love them. Madam Speaker, we are redoubling our efforts to keep our seniors safe. We will continue to be vigilant. We will continue to do all that we can with all our many partners to ensure that our seniors in Manitoba, both at personal -care homes and otherwise, are kept safe. COVID-19 Pandemic Opioid Overdose Deaths Mrs.

Bernadette Smith (Point Douglas): The Pallister government's Throne Speech does not include any reference to the word addiction, nor does it include any reference to harm reduction. That's a stunning failure on this government's part, given overdose deaths and the demands for addiction services has only worsened during this pandemic. In fact, we are greatly concerned that this government does not have a full understanding of how serious a crisis this is. I ask the minister today: How many people have lost their lives to overdoses during this pandemic? Hon.

Cameron Friesen (Minister of Health, Seniors and Active Living): This government continues to take the issues around mental health and addictions incredibly seriously, and that is why there have been $42 million of new announcements for

October 13, 2020 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 107 investments in just the last seven months, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Point Douglas, on a supplementary question. Mrs. Smith: Whatever this government is doing obviously isn't working, because families continue to lose loved ones to the overdose crisis that's happening here during this pandemic, and this minister refuses to tell and be transparent to Manitobans in how many lives have actually been lost.

So again I'll ask the minister : How many lives have been lost due to an opioid or addiction overdose in this province since the pandemic? Mr. Friesen: Madam Speaker, there have been 'overdoth'–dose deaths here in Manitoba, as there have been in every other jurisdiction in Canada. I can tell you that COVID -19 is hard on populations, including those living with addictions. That is why we have invested $3.5 million in the new Bruce Oake Recovery Centre to bring new treatment beds online. It is why we are in the middle of soliciting fo r a 24-7 safe space for people in Winnipeg.

It is why we doubled access to our take -home naloxone kits and then redoubled those efforts again. It is why we added 70 supportive housing units to help those who are recovering from addictions get help and safe ty and accountability and a path forward. Madam Speaker, we are taking actions on mental health and addictions. * (14:20) Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Point Douglas, on a final supplementary. Mrs. Smith: British Columbia is being transparent in releasing the number of deaths that have happened during this pandemic to overdose. Why is our Province not doing it?

So, again I'll ask this minister: How many people have lost their lives during this pandemic due to an opioid or addictions overdose? It's a simple question. Manitobans need to know, and the Premier (Mr. Pallister) earlier said that his government is being transparent. So why aren't they being transparent about how many people have lost their lives to opioids or addiction crisis durin g this pandemic? Release the numbers and let Manitobans know. I've sent letters. I've done a FIPPA. I've talked to families. I've called the minister's office. No answer.

So will the minister release those numbers today to Manitobans? Mr. Friesen: Madam Speaker, the member feigns an interest in these issues but seems completely unmoved by millions and millions of dollars in investments by this government over the past weeks and months to help people out of their addictions, meet them at their point of need. I would reflect on the fact that only weeks ago we opened Manitoba's most recent Rapid Access to Addictions Medicine clinic in Portage la Prairie.

This becomes our sixth clinic that is designed to get people with addictions help sooner, co- ordinated, meeting them where they need the help. Madam Speaker, the evidence of the over - whelming improvement to our system in results, as a result of RAAM clinics, continues to come in. Non-Profit Organizations Provincial Funding Concerns Ms. Lisa Naylor (Wolseley): Madam Speaker, the pandemic is being used as an excuse to cut the funding of non- profit organizations across the province.

Environmental organizations such as the Green Action Centre, Climate Change Connection and the Manitoba Eco-Network all saw their funding cut. The programs the minister pointed to as potential replacements, including the Conservation and Climate Fund, have yet to announce any funding six months into the fiscal year. This was a deliberate means to starve and silence the import ant work of non-governmental organizations in this province. Will the minister reverse these cuts to non-governmental organizations? Hon.

Sarah Guillemard (Minister of Conservation and Climate): I assure the member opposite there have been no cuts to f unding for green initiatives. In fact, we have doubled our amounts of investments from $300,000 to $600,000 this year, and we hope to see in future even more investments in green projects. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Wolseley, on a supplementary question. Ms. Naylor: Madam Speaker, non-profits of all kinds are feeling the effects of the Pallister government's austerity. On September 30th, the Manitoba Federation of Non- profit Organizations closed its

108 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 13, 2020 doors. The Pallister government cut its funding as of December 2019, but didn't even tell them until January. With provincial funding cut and now a pandemic, the organization was given no time to transition their operations. It's very unfortunate, but a decision the Pallister government has purposely made. Why is the Pallister government gutting non- profit organizations? Hon. Rochelle Squires (Minister of Municipal Relations): Madam Speaker, I am pleased to take the member's question and put some accurate information on the record.

We hav e been working with our non- profit sector throughout the entire pandemic. Work had commenced at the onset of the pandemic to reach out and to talk to them about their needs and their shifting needs in light of the pandemic. We have made money available. We have advanced funding to non-profits as soon as possible, and we have sped up the flowing of dollars to–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Ms. Squires: –all of these organizations so that they could get through the pandemic. We've also– [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Ms.

Squires: –made significant investments in community throughout this pandemic so that we can have supports to community when they're needed most. The member is putting false information on the record. We have been working with community. We have been enhancing funding to communities, and we'll continue to do that. [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. The honourable member for Wolseley, on a final supplementary. Ms.

Naylor: Madam Speaker, I'm going to repeat – because I'm not sure that the name of the organization was heard over the heckling –but the Manitoba Federation of Non- profit Organizations closed its doors due to funding cuts by this government. The Pallister government's message is being received loud and clear by our non-profit organizations: you are on your own. It does not need to be this way. They could have been given time to transition their operations. Instead, they've been notified of cuts in a year with little time to adapt.

These are important organizations that drive change and represent voices that we need now more than ever. The minister needs to reconsider and reverse these cuts. Will she do so today? [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Ms. Squires: In addition to flowing dollars rapidly to our non- profit agencies, our government supersized the Building Sustainable Communities fund to $10 million. We have been flowing community dollars to rec centres and community centres – [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Ms.

Squires: –and trails throughout the province since the beginning of the pandemic. [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Ms. Squires: We also doubled the funding–the member might want to pay attention and listen to this because I know there were significant–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Ms. Squires: –dollars that went right to the community of St. Johns, to Concordia, to Wolseley, to every community–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Order. I'm just going to ask that respect be shown when answers are being given or trying to be gi ven.

As members sit and heckle, I'm having difficulty hearing the answer and I'm going to ask the member to patiently listen and show some respect for the members that are trying to answer questions. The honourable member still has about 17 seconds left. The honourable minister. Ms. Squires: While the member may not be proud of the funds that are being invested in her community, on this side of the House, we're very proud of the money that we're putting into Fort Rouge, into Concordia, into all the communities throughout all of Manitoba. We doubled the funding for The Green Team.

We doubled the funding for the Building Sustainable Communities. We're working with communities throughout this province and we'll continue to do so.

October 13, 2020 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 109 Children's Special Allowance Legal Resources for CFS Agencies Mr. Dougald Lamont (St. Boniface): For months, we've been asking this government to remove a truly offensive clause from the budget bill denying children who are in care their day in court. This is one of the most disgusting and immoral pieces of legislation I have ever seen. For years, the Manitoba government, under the NDP and PCs alike, took money intended for children in care. Those children could build up a nest egg when they aged out, and that was all taken away.

There are people living under bridges today, at the Salvation Army or the Main Street Project because this government took what was theirs. The government is the legal parent, and for thousands of Indigenous children, the Manitoba government has been and continues to be an–abusive, cruel, two-faced, vindictive and greedy. We all know it was wrong. The question is how the Premier can possibly justify not just the theft of over $300 million from Indigenous children in care, but blocking those children from getting justice in the courts. Hon. Brian Pallister (Premier): Well, that was rather harsh, Madam Speaker.

For a minute, I thought he was talking about Justin Trudeau's firing of Bill Morneau, the former Finance Minister: vindictive, unjustified. These questions are directed at a government that is ending the practice of clawing back federal support that goes to Indigenous child-welfare agencies. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for St. Boniface, on a supplementary question. Mr. Lamont: Let's be clear: the government defended this by saying they were trying to protect taxpayers. Taxpayers aren't in the constitution.

Every one of us has a higher obligation to citizens and to every resident of Manitoba, to justice and to the law. Children are citizens. They don't necessarily pay taxes. Some seniors don't pay taxes. Indigenous people and First Nations, contrary to popular belief, play plenty of taxes. They certainly pay a price for living in this society. This is not about protecting taxpayers. The PC Cabinet is trying to vote itself immunity to ministers for the consequences of their actions of stealing $330 million that forced vulnerable people even further into poverty.

Will this government, for once, do the right thing and drop these clauses so the children can get their day in court? Hon. Heather Stefanson (Minister of Families): Madam Speaker, the–requiring agencies and authorities to remit the payments for the children's special allowance back to the provincial government is a practic e that was held under the previous NDP government. We have ended that practice. * (14:30) We've gone towards single -envelope funding, which is working very well in the province of Manitoba.

In fact, in the last three years alone, as a result of allowing those authorities and agencies to invest in preventative measures to keep families together, we have seen a reduction in the number of children in care for the last three consecutive years, something that never happened. In fact, under the NDP government, it doubled. Shame on them, Madam Speaker. Health-Care Aides Position Vacancies Ms. Cindy Lamoureux (Tyndall Park): With all the additional challenges that care facilities are facing right now, there is a higher need for more health-care aides.

Now, t here are specific facilities here in Manitoba where there are open health -care aide positions. However, I'm being told that these positions are not being filled. What will this government do to help encourage these positions be filled and ensure residents are being provided with the best care and health- care aides are not being overworked? Hon. Cameron Friesen (Minister of Health, Seniors and Active Living): I thank the member for the question.

We have made very clear to the service delivery organizations providing long- term care in Manitoba that they should keep their receipts, that the expenses that they are incurring that are COVID -19-involved, for additional portering, additional infection pre - vention and control, other expenses that they are incurring, people to facilitate the co -visitation–all of that should be collected. All of that will be repaid. The Province will make them whole.

We want to make sure that we are there to help those long- term-care homes that provide the personnel and the resources that they need to keep their residents safe.

110 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 13, 2020 Conservation Initiatives Funding Announcement Mr. Dennis Smook (La Vérendrye): Our government knows that one of the best ways to protect our environment for the next generation is to invest in conservation. My constituency and all of Manitoba is full of natural beauty that provides incredible opportunities for recreation and is critical to our province's biodiversity. Our government continues to invest in important projects through the Conservation Trust, the GROW Trust, and the Wetlands GROW Trust.

Can the minister please tell the House about the latest investment in these great initiatives? Hon. Blaine Pedersen (Minister of Agriculture and Resource Development): I certainly thank the member for La Vérendrye for bringing up this subject. Our government will provide up to $8.6 million for Manitoba -based groups to support conservation projects through the Conservation Trust, the GROW Trust, the Wetlands GROW Trust. These projects will protect our w ater quality, sustainably manage our natural resources and leave a legacy for all Manitobans to enjoy by creating environmental benefits for decades to come.

The next intake for projects is now open. To apply, visit the Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation website at mhhc.mb.ca or contact your local MLA for more information. Northern Manitoba Economic Investment Ms. Danielle Adams (Thompson): Madam Speaker, the North is being left behind by the Pallister government. As we speak, Vale is reviewing its operations with an eye on reducing its workforce. It is so unfortunate. The Pallister government has known for years that northern Manitoba is in the midst of losing 2,000 good-paying jobs, and now, in the most recent talks of cuts, it is happening amidst a pandemic.

This is a recipe for disaster. I ask the minister: Will they do anything to address the need for good- paying jobs in northern Manitoba? Hon. Blaine Pedersen (Minister of Agriculture and Resource Development): Well, Madam Speaker, Vale in Thompson has announced that they are doing a review of their mining operations, and they've been keeping us in close contact with those. They haven't made any decisions finally on what they're doing.

I should add, though, that there is a record amount of investment coming into the mining community in this coming year, in terms of exploration, mineral exploration up–all across the province, and we look forward to seeing that investment helping good- paying jobs all across Manitoba. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Thompson, on a supplementary question. Ms. Adams: Madam Speaker, here is what the Pallister government actually did. Business loans for the Communities Economic Development Fund have been frozen for more than three years.

They ripped up the mining reserve fund, whose purpose it was to support communities facing disruptions in their community due to change in production. They replaced it with the exploration fund, which has yet to flow a single dollar to anyone, let along a northern community. In other words, their lack of action speaks for itself. Why is the Pallister government abandoning northern Manitoba? Mr. Pedersen: Well, Madam Speaker, the minister is just–or, the member is just totally wrong. [interjection] Have your fun. Madam Speaker, the community mining develop- ment fund has now been given $20 million.

It's being run by the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce. They've actually approved three projects to date, and I know there's more projects coming. And this is to– how to develop economic development in northern communities, which is what the goal of the program should be and it never was under the previous government. Madam Speaker: The time for oral questions has expired. Speaker's Ruling Madam Speaker: I have a ruling for the House. On March 11th, 2020, the honourable member for Concordia (Mr.

Wiebe) raised a matter of privilege regarding the government's failure to bring forward their first-quarter financial report and how, in doing so, the government has impeded the member's ability to do his job and to hold the government to account.

October 13, 2020 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 111 The member concluded his remarks by moving, and I quote, that this matter be moved to an all -party committee for consideration. End quote. The honourable Government House Leader (Mr. Goertzen) and the honourable member for River Heights (Mr. Gerrard) both spoke to the matter of privilege before I took it under advisement, and I thank all honourable members for their advice to the Chair on this matter.

As the House should know, in order to be ruled in order as a prima facie case of privilege, members must demonstrate both that the issue has been raised at the earliest opportunity and also provide sufficient evidence that the privileges of the House have been breached. Regarding timeliness, the honourable member for Concordia (Mr. Wiebe) stated that the phrase earliest opportunity should be understood in a reasonable manner, and it should take into account the realistic functioning of the Legislature. However, the member did not explain what it was that prevented him from raising this matter earlier.

The first -quarter financial report is usually released early in the fall, and therefore the member had ample time to research this matter and raise it in the House last year. Accordingly, I am ruling that the condition of timeliness was not met in this case. Regarding the second condition, the member argued that by failing to issue a first-quarter financial report, the government impeded the member's ability to do his job and to hold the government to account.

On the matter of tabling documents by a minister, Bosc and Gagnon, House of Commons Procedure and Practice, Third Edition, cites a ruling of Speaker Fraser from 1993, which can be found on page 443, citation 106. The Speaker ruled that a prima facie case of privilege had occurred when the government failed to table a document required by statute in a timely manner. This is a key element of finding a prima facie breach of privilege. A member raising the issue must identify where in legislation there is a requirement that the specific document be tabled in the House.

When raising this matter of privilege, the honourable member for Concordia did not indicate any statute requiring the tabling of the first -quarter financial report. The Financial Administration Act requires the Minister of Finance to lay a copy of the Public Accounts before the Legislative Assembly; however, there is no mention regarding the number of financial updates required or whether they need to be tabled in the House.

This approach has also been followed by past Manitoba Speakers, as Speaker Hickes ruled on a similar ruling in 2004 as follows, and I quote: I would like to advise the House that I have checked the procedural authorities, and there is no reference or citation that advises that it is a matter of privilege if a government does not table information when requested to do so, with the exception of items that are required to be tabled by statute. End quote. I would therefore rule that the honourable member does not have a prima facie matter of privilege. * (14:40) Petitions? Point of Order Hon.

Eileen Clarke (Minister of Indigenous and Northern Relations): Madam Speaker, point of order. Madam Speaker: Oh, on a point of order. Ms. Clarke: Madam Speaker, I'd like to table the requested copies of the document I quoted from in the House on October the 9th during the Throne Speech debate, and I would also like to advise that a digital copy has been provided. Madam Speaker: And I would just thank the minister for that.

It had been pointed out the other day that, when referencing a private document, that it must be tabled in the House, and I believe that the minister has now finalized and provided that document. PETITIONS Madam Speaker: For th e ease of me recognizing members for petitions, because we've got quite a number and a number of them are also virtual, I would like to start at the beginning and go from there. The honourable member for Concordia has indicated he would like to present his petition. Dauphin Correctional Centre Mr. Matt Wiebe (Concordia): I do wish to bring a petition forward here to the Legislature.

And the background to this petition is as follows:

(1) The provincial government plans to close the Dauphin Correctional Centre, DCC, in May 2020.

112 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 13, 2020

(2) The DCC is one of the largest employers in Dauphin, providing the community with good, family-supporting jobs.

(3) Approximately 80 families will be directly affected by the closure, which will also impact th e local economy.

(4) As of January 27th, 2020, Manitoba's justice system was already more than 250 inmates overcapacity. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the Minister of Justice to immediately reverse the decision t o close the DCC and proceed with the previous plan to build a new correctional and healing centre with an expanded courthouse in Dauphin. And this petition is signed by many Manitobans. Cochlear Implant Program Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Madam Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) People who suffer hearing loss due to aging, illness, employment or accident not only lose the ability to communicate effec tively with friends, relatives or colleagues, they also can experience unemployment, social isolation and struggles with mental health. A cochlear implant is a life -changing electronic device that allows deaf people to receive and process sounds and spee ch, and also can partially restore hearing in people who have severe hearing loss and who do not benefit from conventional hearing aids.

A processor behind the ear captures and processes sound signals, which are transmitted to a receiver implanted into the skull that relays the information to the inner ear, the cochlea. The technology has been available since 1989 through the Central Speech and Hearing Clinic, founded in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The Surgical Hearing Implant Program began implanting patients in the fall of 2011 and marked the completion of 250 cochlear implant surgeries in Manitoba in the summer of 2018. The program has implanted about 60 devices since the summer of 2018, as it is only able to implant about 40 to 50 devices per year.

There are no upfront costs to Manitoba residents who proceed with cochlear implant surgery, as Manitoba Health covers the surgical procedure, internal implant and the first external sound processor. Newfoundland and Manitoba have the highest estimated implantation costs of all provinces. Alberta has one of the best programs, with Alberta aids for daily living, AADL, and their cost share means the patient pays only approximately $500 out of pocket. Assistive Devices Program in Ontario covers 75 per cent of the co st, up to a maximum amount of $5,444, for a cochlear implant replacement speech processor.

The BC Adult Cochlear Implant Program offers subsidized replacements to aging sound processors through the Sound Processor Replacement Program. This provincially funded program is available to those cochlear implant recipients whose sound processors have reached six to seven years of age. The cochlear implant is a lifelong commitment. However, as the technology changes over time, parts and software become no longe r functional or available.

The cost of upgrading a cochlear implant in Manitoba of approximately $11,000 is much more expensive than in other provinces, as adult patients are responsible for the upgrade costs of their sound processor. In Manitoba, pediatric patients, under 18 years of age, are eligible for funding assistance through the Cochlear Implant Speech Processor Replacement Program, which provides up to 80 per cent of the replacement costs associated with a device upgrade.

It is unreasonable that this technology is inaccessible to many citizens of Manitoba who must choose between hearing and deafness due to financial constraints because the costs of maintaining the equipment are prohibitive for low -income earners or those on fixed income, such as an old age pension or Employment and Income Assistance.

We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to provide financing for upgrades to the cochlear implant covered under medicare, or provide funding assistance through the Cochlear Implant Speech Processor Replacement Program to assist with the replacement costs associated with a device upgrade.

October 13, 2020 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 113 Signed by Shelley Oleschuk, Dale Oleschuk, Lorraine Oleschuk and many others. Madam Speaker: And I should indicate that, in accordance with our rule 133(6), when petitions are read they are deemed to be received by the House. Further petitions? If–is–the honourable member for Tyndall Park. Vivian Sand Facility Project–Clean Environment Commission Review Ms. Cindy Lamoureux (Tyndall Park): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) The Vivian sands project is a proposed silica sand mine and processing plant to be built in the RM of Springfield. The overall project includes mining claims of over 85,000 hectares, making it the largest claim ever given to a single company in Manitoba's history. It is larger than the city of Winnipeg, which is 46,410 hectares.

(2) The amount of dry, solid sand mined, produced per year according to the EAP is 1.36 million tons, and much of this sand will be used in fracking.

(3) A major concern of the proposed mine and plant is that, if developed, it could contaminate the Sandilands aquifer, including both carbonate and sandstone aquifers, which covers much of southeastern Manitoba. It has excellent water quality and is the water source for tens of thousands of Manitobans, including many municipal water systems, agriculture, industry, private wells and an abundance of wildlife and ecosystems. Further, people in the Indigenous communities that are potentially affected by this were not afforded the required Indigenous consultation from either the federal or provincial government officials.

(4) The sustainable yield of the combined sandstone and carbonate aquifers has still not yet been established by provincial authorities.

(5) The mine could cause leaking of acid and heavy metals and pollute the aquifer, as it will go down 200 feet into the Winnipeg formation of the sandstone aquifer. There is concern that the shale, which separates the carbonate and sandstone aquifers–sand and pyritic oolite itself contains sulphides–will, when exposed to injected air from the CanWhite Sands extraction process, turn to acid.

(6) An additional concern with the proposed mine and plant is the potential to pollute the Brokenhead River and the aquatic food chain leading to Lake Winnipeg. * (14:50)

(7) Residents in the area have also expressed fear of being overexposed to silica dust during production, as there has been a demonstrated lack of safety and environmental procedures by the CanWhite Sands Corporation during the exploratory drilling phase. Signage and fencing has been poor; identifying and required mine claim tags were missing; there were no warnings for silica dust exposure and no coverings to prevent exposure of the silica stock piles to the elements.

(8) Residents' concerns include the fact that boreholes, which should have been promptly and properly sealed, were left open for a year. The drilling of hundreds of improperly sealed boreholes yearly create significant risks of surface contamination, mixing of aquifer waters and drainage of surface fecal matter into the aquifer.

(9) There is also a risk of subsidence around each borehole as a result of sand extraction.

(10) There are also potential transboundary issues that need to be addressed as the 'aquifiers' extend into Minnesota.

(11) This project should not proceed, as no licensing conditions and mitigation measures will alleviate the risk to all Manitobans and the environment since CanWhite Sands Corporation plans to use an unprecedented mining technique with no established safe outcome. The corporation has gone on record indicating that it does not know how to mine for the silica in the water supply and "need to develop a new extraction methodology that has never been done before."

(12) Contamination of the aquifers and the environment is irreversible and there are many surface sources of high purity silica that can be extracted without endangering two essential regional aquifers. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

(1) To urge the provincial government to undertake a combined review of the Vivian Sand Facility process ing plant and the mining/extraction portion of the operation as a class 3 development with a review by Manitoba's Clean Environment

114 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 13, 2020 Commission to include public hearings and participant funding.

(2) To urge the provincial government to halt all activity a t the mine and plant until the Clean Environment Commission's review is completed and the project proposal has been thoroughly evaluated. This petition has been signed by many Manitobans. Dauphin Correctional Centre Mr. Jim Maloway (Elmwood): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) The provincial government plans to close the Dauphin Correctional Centre, DCCC, in May 2020.

(2) The DCCC is one of the largest employers in Dauphin, providing the community with good, family-supporting jobs.

(3) Approximately 80 families will be directly affected by the closure, which will also impact the local economy.

(4) As of January 27, 2020, Manitoba's justice system was already mo re than 250 inmates overcapacity. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the Minister of Justice to immediately reverse the decision to close the DCCC and proceed with the previous plan to build a new correctional and healing centre with an expanded courthouse in Dauphin. This petition has been signed by many Manitobans. Madam Speaker: Are there any further petitions? ORDERS OF THE DAY GOVERNMENT BUSINESS Madam Speaker: If not, I will call orders of the day, government business. House Business Hon.

Kelvin Goertzen (Government House Leader): On House business, Madam Speaker. Pursuant to rule 33(7), I'm announcing that the private member's resolution to be considered on the next Tuesday of private members' business will be the one put forward by the honourable member for Brandon East (Mr. Isleifson). The title of the resolution is called: Call on the Federal Government to increase the quota of the MPNP.

Madam Speaker: It has been announced that, pursuant to rule 33(7), the private member's resolution to be considered on the next Tuesday of private members' business will be one put forward by the honourable member for Brandon East. The title of the resolution is: Call on the Federal Government to increase the quota of the MPNP. THRONE SPEECH (Third Day of Debate) Madam Speaker: Resuming debate on the motion of the honourable member for Swan River (Mr. Wowchuk) and the amendment and sub- amendment thereto, standing in the name of the honourable member for Transc ona, who has 17 minutes remaining. Mr.

Nello Altomare (Transcona): I would like to continue with a cautionary tale for all Manitobans. As many of you know, as I neared the end of my treatment for the cancer I had, and because of the chemo drugs, my heart and lungs were greatly affected. In early April, I wasn't feeling well; I was lethargic and losing weight, and because of COVID-19, I didn't know–I didn't do what I needed to do: I needed to get myself to an emergency room. As it turned out, it came to late April and my spouse had to call for an ambulance because in the middle of the night I became unresponsive.

Due to her quick thinking, she immediately called 911, and as a result, I was admitted to St. Boniface ICU. I won't go into the details of my stay at St. Boniface, but suffice it to say, my spouse and the team at St. Boniface ICU saved my life. Mr. Doyle Piwniuk, Deputy Speaker, in the Chair And, as I said earlier, let this be a cautionary tale. We are not invincible. And when we need help, we need to access help. And just like the medical professionals have been saying all along during the pandemic, so I say to all Manitobans, if you're sick, get yourself the help you need.

Don't wait until it is almost too late. And, as it went, I was in St. Boniface for nearly three weeks, and while there, I had the good fortune of meeting many Manitobans. One of my roommates was Patrick, from the Brandon area. I told Patrick that, you know, I happen to be the MLA, because he kind of recognized me because he saw my thing in the

October 13, 2020 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 115 paper. And Patrick told me of the difficulties he was having with his heart and that he needed to have a stent inserted. However, instead of being able to focus on his recovery, he was distracted by how he was going to pay for the cab ride from Winnipeg back to his home. The care he required was only available to him here in Winnipeg, and he wondered why, as a senior on a fixed income, he was on the hook for transportation costs. Sitting with him in our room, I had recall ed that the Premier (Mr. Pallister) was going to mail out cheques for $200.

Perhaps Patrick could use that money to cover the cost of a ride back to Brandon. He told me the real amount was close to $400 and that he would have preferred the Pallister govern ment cover the cost of transporting him to and from his home in western Manitoba to St. Boniface Hospital. Another roommate of mine, Percy, from Winnipeg, had the same procedure as Patrick but had the good fortune of living close to St. Boniface Hospital, and therefore didn't have to pay the exorbitant cost of accessing health care.

Percy also said that he would've preferred his $200 cheque go to investments in health care where people like Patrick didn't have to pay for the health care they needed. These are just some of the stories of ordinary Manitobans, people who have worked hard to contribute to the province and people who look to their provincial government to ensure that proper investments are made to maintain quality health care, public education and our prairie way of life. I would now like to tell you the story of Courtney: Courtney, who is a true inspiration; Courtney, who is one of my constituents here in Transcona.

I've known Courtney for close to 10 years, as our sons used to play minor hockey together in the system out here in east Winnipeg. Courtney and her partner have five children: from newborn all the way up to the age of 18. Courtney is also enrolled at the University of Manitoba and is close to completing her master's degree in social work. Courtney called me one day, concerned about the Province's back to school plan, for she and her partner have children at all three levels of school, and they were concerned for the health and well-being of their extended family members who they call upon to help with child care.

She was also concerned because there wasn't going to be the recommended two metres distance, like we enjoy right here in the Chamber, at her children's schools. She had heard about Louis Riel School Division working to provide two-metre social distance in their classrooms and wondered why this wasn't the case in other city of Winnipeg and Manitoba school divisions.

She wondered why the Province was allowing one school division to do one thing and the neighbouring school division to do another. * (15:00) I couldn't provide the answer she needed, so I said to her to have faith in her local schools, as she is sending her children, because they will do their best to ensure that they have a safe learning environment. But I think she wanted to hear that the Province had her back and that they would provide some leadership in what the return to school could look like for all our children in this province.

Courtney called me back again two weeks ago and voiced her concerns again because, in one of her children's schools, there was a lack of hand sanitizer available. This speaks, Madam Speaker, to the lack of consistency, which is maddening to Courtney and many Manitobans who have children, and with the back-to-school plan that this Province has put forth. They feel that the Province has let them down in providing clear, concise direction to school divisions throughout our province, as well as necessary resources to ensure safe learning spaces for all.

I couldn't agree more wi th these concerns expressed by these Manitobans, and I haven't even spoken yet to the plight of Winnipeg School Division parents, who are left without school bus transportation because, right now, the school bus transportation isn't available. All they see is a provincial government that inappropriately inserted themselves into the collective bargaining process without prescribing any constructive dialogue.

Then we have the citizens of northeast Winnipeg– Transcona–who are looking for something, anything, from this provincial government to address the many issues emanating from this part of our province. I harken back to the 2016 election campaign when we had, then, the leader of the opposition himself standing in front of Park Manor Personal Care Home in East End, Transcona, announcing that, if elected, his government would make the necessary

116 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 13, 2020 investments in new personal-care-home spaces for our seniors. Then, when elected, we heard nothing. Even after the local organizing committee at Park Manor had planned the expansion, was asked to redo their proposal to take into account a new pod system of design, and then, after this submission was placed, we heard nothing. Studies have indicated that Transcona and northeast Winnipeg are in dire need of further investment in senior -care-home spaces, and still in 2020, in this Throne Speech, we heard nothing.

The Dynacare lab situation in my constituency is also of serious concern. The Dynacare lab in Transcona has consistently some of the longest wait times in the city. Our constituents have been contacting my office throughout the summer and early fall, concerned about long wait times–long wait times standing outdoors in exposed areas and where people are in direct sunlight without any reprieve from the elements. Residents don't want to hear of another super centre located somewhere out by Kildonan Place, where it is not part of our Transcona here and east Winnipeg.

They want a lab that has proper human resources and a place to sit comfortably while they wait f or lab services. And just like the Premier (Mr. Pallister) said, in –regarding COVID-19 testing and long wait times, this is unacceptable and we need to find a solution that rectifies this situation. Then there is –there was the proposed new construction of a DSFM school that was promised for Transcona and is now off the table.

This new school would have been a welcome addition to our neighbourhood in east -end Transcona, and would have had the requisite child -care spaces that are part of every new school co nstruction in Manitoba. Instead, Transcona remains–like a good portion of this city and the province–a child-care desert where a lack of affordable, quality, publicly accessible child -care spaces are unfortunately the norm. Now we move to the decision to close CancerCare treatment facilities at Concordia and Seven Oaks hospitals.

These community -based, conveniently located CancerCare centres are being removed from the residents of north Winnipeg. We have–we've had a significant number of calls and emails to our constituency office regarding this decision. Many are concerned with how they are going to fit patients and their own care into the remaining four CancerCare centres in Winnipeg, and this remains a major concern because there hasn't been any plan laid out to do so. Now, let's get to jobs and the true and just economic recovery for all Manitobans.

I received an email from a constituent named Diana [phonetic] just last week outlining what a true and just economic recovery can look like. In her email, Diana [phonetic] espoused the virtues of collective effort, collective support, not just within our own circles but all the circles that are based on the value of community and the prairie spirit that existed here long –as long as Indigenous people have called this part of the world home. However, what the pandemic has done is exposed deep disparities within our economy and society, and one thing is certain: the road towards recovery remains long and uncertain.

As elected officials, as members of our community, we must work together to lay the groundwork for a strong, inclusive and sustainable economic recovery that ensures no one is left behind. Manitoba's economic shutdown earlier in the year hit low-wage workers the hardest, especially women, youth and people of colour. To encourage job creation and ensure essential-service workers receive a living wage, let's have Manitoba take a bold step and raise our minimum wage to $15 an hour. To get this done, the Province can provide financial support to small business.

This small bus iness is the same small business who'll be the backbone of our economic recovery. The Province can do this in the form of wage supports for these small -business enterprises. Studies have shown that a $15 minimum wage results in more disposable income for w orkers, which will reverberate throughout the economy. We can lead our country in this and prove that together as Manitobans we can support our workers and small business together. Can you still hear me and see me? Mr. Deputy Speaker: We can still hear you. Mr. Altomare: Oh, I'm back. Diana [phonetic] in her email goes on to say– Mr.

Deputy Speaker: The member for Transcona. Mr. Altomare: Can you hear me, Madam – Mr. Speaker? Okay, then I will continue. Diana [phonetic], in her email, goes on to say that to plan for a tr ue and just recovery, she's wanting to hear about a plan for accessible, affordable, public

October 13, 2020 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 117 child-care spaces. Many research studies have indicated that this type of child care can lead us to a full employment economy, one that includes the participation o f more women and single -parent households. As Diana [phonetic] has said, there can be no just economic recovery without high- quality, accessible, affordable, public child care. Not only does this support women in the job market, but it is also an important source of employment and a known economic driver.

As we emerge out of the pandemic, we need to ensure that we continue to invest in physical infrastructure, such as schools, hospitals, public transportation and a green economic recovery. Our provincial government c an partner with the federal government and identify shovel -ready infrastructure projects. A good start would be to ensure that all Manitobans have access to broadband Internet services, especially those in rural and isolated communities. This is something where the expertise of our very own Manitoba Hydro can be tapped into to take the lead.

Citizens also need a provincial government to take the lead in Canada and invest in a–green climate- resilient projects. Our very own New Flyer Industries, located in Transcona, is a world leader in green transportation technologies, such as electric and hydrogen fuel cell buses. In our very own backyard, we have ready and willing partners in New Flyer, City of Winnipeg and the federal government. * (15:10) We can assist our own transportation industry by incentivizing the expansion of public transit in Winnipeg, one that highlights zero-emission vehicles that are manufactured in the constituency of Transcona.

And this expansion of rapid transit that was outlined toda y by the City can include the Provincial government to partner with the City and make this expansion zero emission. Recovery also entails proper and robust infrastructure, investments in our social enterprises, investments in long- term care, home care, p ublic education and post-secondary education. The Pallister government has pledged an additional $1.6 billion in funding for public education over the next four years.

At the same time, they say they will phase out education property taxes up to the tune of about $825 million over this same four -year period. That's even an extra $600 million a year. This year's education budget is $1.33 billion. So, going forward, it will be a close to a $2-billion-a-year investment enterprise. The math to me doesn't ma ke sense, and I hope that the Province looks closely into this. And then, finally, to ensure a true and just economic recovery made right here in Manitoba, we must reject calls for American-style cuts, austerity and privatization.

Instead, we need a Manit oba plan, a prairie plan, rooted in our way of doing things, rooted in the philosophy that created medicare for all, a fully funded public education system, old-age security and the Canada Pension Plan. We need a bold vision for our province, one that points to the future, and it's based on a foundation of– Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable member's time is up. Mr. Andrew Smith (Lagimodière): I do –I appreciate the opportunity to speak to our government's Throne Speech. I certainly hope that everyone had a safe and fun happy Thanksgiving over the weekend.

I know it’s not a Thanksgiving that many of us are used to, where we couldn't have large family gatherings, see friends and loved ones like we have in previous years. However, I know that Manitobans did what they could to celebrate all that we do have to be thankful for as a province. This is a truly an historic time for us as a province and, of course, members of the Legislative Assembly. As a province, the people of Manitoba have done an amazing job to adhere to public health orders, helping each other when needed and helped weather a global pandemic, the likes of which we have not seen in a century.

Here in the Manitoba Legislative Assembly, this is the first time we are witnessing a hybrid model of participation where many members are participating online. I commend and thank the Legislative staff, clerks and everyone who made this possible. It's during times like these that we have no choice but to adapt to our ever-changing environment, and the staff of the Legislative Assembly rose to the occasion, and for this, I say thank you. Given the ever-changing nature of COVID, it has created certain uncertainties for everyone, including small-business owners.

Our government understood that and created the engagemb.ca portal to help direct Manitobans with specific questions about health

118 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 13, 2020 orders and how they impact their individual businesses. Through this process, our government has consulted with more Manitobans more often than any other government in the past to inform them of our collective COVID-19 response. We listened and we will keep listening. Mr. Deputy Speaker, 2020 is our province's sesquicentennial, or 150th birthday. We, as a government, has designs on a fun- filled year of activities and celebration. Now, unfortunately, circumstances have not allowed us to do so.

Despite the cancelling of events, this year will be a year nobody will ever forget. It'll be a year where Manitoba's resolve, our entrepreneurial spirit and adaptiveness were put to a test, a test that not only was passed, but succeeded, and I believe that Manitobans will come out stronger than ever. We must not forget the heroes who worked tirelessly during this time, who helped strengthen our resolve. They are the front -line worke rs–those who worked in hospitals, grocery stores, food delivery, truck drivers and all others who delivered essential services. To all them, I say thank you.

I know that I can speak on behalf of all Manitobans when I say thank you for everything you have done. The outpouring of praise and expressions of gratitude for the front line was incredible and well - deserved. The people of Lagimodière, like other Manitobans, have demonstrated their strength, tenacity and courage as they've overcome the challenges of this pandemic. I am incredibly proud to represent the people of Lagimodière and thank them again for entrusting me to represent them during these uncertain and often challenging times.

You took the public health orders seriously, followed the guidelines and helped your neighbours with the fight against COVID-19, and for this I cannot thank you enough. After all, we in Lagimodière are incredibly fortunate to live in such a beautiful and diverse community where every neighbourhood has its own distinct char m.

Whether you live in Royalwood for its parks; Bois -des-Esprits along the Seine River; Sage Creek with its natural prairie grasslands; Island Lakes for its iconic Lindsey Wilson Park, equipped with a splash pad, workout equipment and picnic area; Bonavista, a brand new community; and, of course, the good people who live on the east side of St. Anne's Road, who back onto the Seine River.

Like all communities, Lagimodière is home to a number of small businesses; restaurants such as the Block & Blade in Sag e Creek, MC's Curry in Island Lakes, 9Round gym, Orangetheory Fitness and a number of other small enfranchised companies that make up the backbone of our community. For many people in Lagimodière, the summer of 2020 was very different. Rather than travel ling outside the province, many of them spent their time exploring our own backyard. Manitoba has an abundance of natural beauty, including breathtaking lakes, boreal forests and a prairie mountain region.

Over the summer, I had the opportunity to travel to many of the communities represented by some of my colleagues. And like never before it is important that Manitobans remain united, whether you're from urban, rural or suburban communities. So I took the opportunity to travel with my colleagues from Riding Mountain, from Interlake and Dauphin. We toured their communities and highlighted certain attractions on social media and spoke to Manitobans and heard their stories as they dealt with the pandemic.

It was very interesting to not only see the many hidden jewels of our province, but it was also interesting to see the number of constituents from my riding visiting Manitoba's hidden jewels. Some of the highlights included Moggey's Cabin, Steep Rock, the Manitoba Narrows, Elkhorn Resort and other amazing scenery in around the Riding Mountain region. While it was a great experience to tour parts of Manitoba with my colleagues, it was also an opportunity to see, as I had mentioned before, some constituents of mine who were out and about as they discovered Manitoba.

In July, I ran into Wayne and Helen Lymburner of –at Steep Rock while touring with the member from Interlake -Gimli. Wayne and Helen are amazing people who live in Lagimodière. They have devoted themselves to the Island Lakes Residents' Group and have done far more than their share of volunteering for their time in our neighbourhood. It was nice to see them taking some well-deserved time off throughout the summer. Like Wayne and Helen, many other Manitobans spent time travelling Manitoba and exploring its natural beauty.

While we had a beautiful summer and many families spent much deserved time off exploring the province, I 'conintued' to work hard on behalf of my constituents and make sure that their needs and concerns were heard, and I am proud t o be part of a

October 13, 2020 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 119 government that has delivered for the people in Lagimodière. Some of the projects that I was happy to announce with some of my colleagues in and around Lagimodière include upgrades to the St. Vital Curling Club, securing funds for the cons truction of a community kitchen at the Gurdwara on Archibald, a safe and accessible dock for the Seine River, the sea pathway in Island Lakes, Sage Creek Green Team, a community theatre upgrade at J.H. Bruns and a new interchange at the corner of St. Mary 's and the Perimeter.

Each of these community groups play a vital role in southeast Winnipeg, and I'm very proud of our government for funding these projects that are very important to them. The St. Veltel [phonetic] curling club is an example of a community group that is essential to southeast Winnipeg. The club is a curling hub not only for southeast, but for the entire province.

It is famous for producing high quality curling champions such as Jennifer Jones, Kaitlyn Lawes and Dawn McEwen, people who c ontinue to shape and influence the sport of curling. * (15:20) Throughout the years serving as an MLA, I've had the distinct pleasure to honour –and honour to attend the many events, tournaments and send-off parties and New Year's Day levies at the club. The executive, the volunteers and the curlers all work together to create a bond that is beyond a sport or an activity, but created a true community. Thank you to the entire team at the St.

Vital Curling Club for your continued work and dedicated to the community. The Island Lakes Residents' Group has been a staple of Island Lakes since its inception in 1989 and has continued to work hard and advocate for the residents ever since. I am proud of the strong working relationship that I have developed with this group. The executive is truly dedicated to the community and have successfully advocated for many of the amenities in the community that we all enjoy today.

Over the years, they have organized an annual spring cleanup and barbecue, the annual Island Lakes garage sale, and community meetings to keep residents apprised of what's happening in the neighbourhood. To them I say, keep up the good work. You have earned the respect of the entire community. Save Our Seine, also known as SOS, is an amazing organization whose mandate is to preserve, protect and enhance the natural environment and heritage resource of the Seine River.

Their expertise, work and advocacy over the years has created the beautiful riverbank and the public awareness of the importance of the Seine River. I've had the distinct pleasure this summer to have joined the Seine River –Save Our Seine, rather, in planting trees along the riverbank. People from all over the city come to the Seine River to canoe, kayak or just to enjoy its natural b eauty. This all thanks to the hard work by Save Our Seine. Thank you so much. Mr.

Deputy Speaker, I could go on about the number of community groups in my community and certainly the –how our government has supported them, not only in the past but throughout this pandemic, but I do want to leave off with this and say thank you again for the opportunity to speak to our Throne Speech. I know that our government takes this current situation very seriously and again, thank you for the opportunity to speak to this. Thank you. Mrs. Bernadette Smith (Point Douglas): Well, let's talk about what the Pallister government has done since they've been in office.

That member talked about– Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. Mrs. Smith: So let's see. [interjection] Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. Mrs. Smith: They've closed not one, not two, but three emergency rooms: Victoria hospital, Seven Oaks emergency room, Concordia emergency room. They've–18 ICU beds have been closed. They've closed an urgent-care centre: shuttered it in the middle of the night. Took the Misericordia sign off: something that was historically –people looked at and were appreciative of, and that's actually where I was born.

I loved driving over that bridge and actually seeing a hospital where I had roots in and many Manitobans had roots in. Let's see. They closed five QuickCare clinics: the one on Portage Avenue, the ones on Vermillion Road, Jefferson, Dakota. They closed five primary community clinics: Corydon, St. Boniface Family Medical Centre. Hundreds of patients went to that hospital–or that clinic to seek medical attention. They said, oh, those Manitobans don't need a doctor there. They can go find doctors somewhere else.

120 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 13, 2020 They closed the Mature Women's Centre. So when that member was talking about supporting Manitobans, especially women –closing mature women's clinic, that's how they show appreciation to women here in Manitoba. And that's just one of hundreds of things that they've done to show appreciation to Manitobans since they've taken office. They've closed the obstetrics unit in Flin Flon. Now women in Flin Flon now have to travel over an hour to go have their baby. I talked about this at length.

Women, you know, sometimes have emergencies, you know, and need to seek medical attention immediately. Well, now they have to drive an hour or longer. They privatized Lifeflight, an essential service to community members in rural communities that need to get on a plane, on a flight, to come to see a doctor in the city. We saw lives lost because of that. Mr. Donkey had to travel on a bus by himself because they cut services for a companion to even be on the bus to go with Mr. Donkey, and he ended up dying on the bus, not even able to get to the hospital.

And that's jus t one example that I want to highlight that this government has continued to do. They pushed for the closure of 26 of 53 Dynacare locations. Well, Mr. Deputy Speaker, I used to be able to go into my doctor's office and go right in and get bloodwork. Well, I recently, just over a month ago, had to go for bloodwork. I registered online. I waited in line over an hour and a half, and you know what? I felt bad because there were people there that would– before me that didn't register that were still there after I left.

I don't know what kind of system that this government thinks that they're improving, but it certainly isn't an improvement when you see people that are elderly, that are–have mobility issues. It's only getting colder and it's only getting worser under this government and, you know, they're doing nothing but sitting on their hands while people wait in line. And let's talk about lines. Well, I have one of the COVID testing sites in my riding right on Anderson and Main, and it's been in the news, like, hundreds of times since this testing site opened. Why?

Not because people are getting efficient service, but because this government has failed to open up more testing sites to meet the demand that people have. More and more people in this province are being infected with COVID, which is unfortunate, but we need rapid access to testing. There's no way that people should have to wait in their car with their children for hours on end to actually get in to get testing. Not only that, but wait days for the tests to come back because there's so many people being tested. Has this government got off their hands to address that? Absolutely not.

They opened one on Portage Avenue, which is to capacity and way beyond capacity. They should be opening, more than ever, more sites so that more people can get tested so that we can stop the spread, but is this government doing that? No. They're depending on others to ensure that they go and get tested. Well, I can tell you, Deputy Speaker, that people's time is precious, and when you're ill, you're sick, do you want to be sitting and waiting in a car? Do you want to be sitting and waiting in a car with young children?

People should be able to go online, they should be able to book an appointment, they should be able to get in and get out instead of waiting in cars. And, in fact, community members have come forward and said, like, people are urinating on their properties because they don't want to get out of line because then they're going to have to come back and wait in that line again. And does this government do anything to address that? Absolutely not one thing. And this government, in fact, has had seven months–seven months, Deputy Speaker –to address this. They knew a second wave was coming.

We heard them t alk about a second wave many times in this House, but did they do anything to prepare for that? Absolutely nothing. They sat on their hands. They thought it wasn't going to happen, or maybe they just didn't, you know, think that they needed to prepare for it. Maybe they thought that what they had was adequate, but obviously, they know what they're doing right now is not adequate because it's not meeting the needs of Manitobans. Today there was 125 new cases, Deputy Speaker, and more lives lost. We can't afford to address the COVID crisis this way.

We can't afford to have people dying in our province. These are Manitobans that have helped to build this province and the ones that are most vulnerable. We should be putting things in place to make sure that they are the most protected. When we talk about Parkview centre, you know: seven lives lost. That could have been, you know, prevented possibly, some of that, but, you know, we have to do more and put more measures in place so

October 13, 2020 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 121 that we are making sure that no life is lost, that persons that want to go and get tested will go and get tested. We need to ensure that people get paid sick leave. My sister works in a school. She had a cough so they asked her to go and get tested. She went and got tested. She came back with a negative. She went back to work for one day, was again coughing, so they asked her to go and get tested again. She went and got tested again. Well, she can't keep going and getting tested. They both came back negative. So she's now back at work.

Today's her first day back at work. She's been off for over two weeks, and each time, that eats up her sick time. Well, she doesn't even have enough sick time to cover all of the days that she's been away, let alone the consistency that children need in school to have that same person. She's been away for two weeks; somebody else has been in place of her; thankfully, she has the same sub that was able to cover her.

But not everybody has that, you know, that luxury of having someone cover them. * (15:30) But I do want to take the opportunity to say thank you to all of the Manitobans who have certainly stepped up, who have certainly sacrificed and, you know, condolences to our many families who have, of course, lost a loved one during this pandemic.

I know it's been hard, and I certainly, you know, stand with you and will push for more measures to ensure that Manitobans get the services that they need so that we can fight this pandemic in a timely manner so that people can get the testing and the resour ces that they need to take care of themselves.

And, of course, you know, all of the front -line workers that continue to put their lives at risk to ensure that we stayed healthy, you know, I think of our health-care workers and I think about our grocery workers that, each and every day, you know, made sure that Manitobans were able to get the food and nutrition and, you know, toilet paper and whatever else they needed, and, of course, our truck drivers that, you know, had to drive from coast to coast to coast to bring those essential needs, services and groceries and things to the communities that needed them here in Manitoba.

And certainly our NDP caucus, you know, has been standing united, side -by-side with each of you, and I want to say that, you know, I feel shameful that our government hasn't made the same sacrifices, that while you had to be on the front lines, you know, fighting and maintaining services, that we actually weren't in this place debating. We weren't here making sure that we could ask t he questions that we certainly were receiving in our offices, asking why this wasn't happening, why do we have to go to work when, you know, you're not in the Manitoba Legislature.

And Manitobans will know that each and every day we were asking to get back to work, to get back into this very place to ask the questions that Manitobans wanted to hear. And I certainly want to say a big thank you to the Manitoba Metis community for their contributions in making this province a great province. You know, we have a Premier (Mr. Pallister) who uses his vendetta against President Chartrand to really not represent the Metis people, you know, which is shameful. When I was working in a school, you know, lot of the young kids, we would call Louis Riel the father of Manitoba.

And many of my students would know that. And, you know, he was, when I was going to school, known as a 'treasoner.' And we know today that that was, in fact, false, that he actually fought to ensure that, you know, 150 years later, that we are in fact here as a province, standing proud.

So I want to say thank you, of course, to President Chartrand, but I also want to say to our Premier to stop letting his vendetta with President David Chartrand stop him from representing the Metis people, because I've certainly got emails from our Metis community asking why our Premier is doing that, why is he letting that guide how he represents Metis people in Manitoba? So he should stop his Trumpian style of politics and certainly recognize the–Louis Riel and the Metis people for their contributions to this great province that we are so happy and proud to live in today.

So I want to get back to, you know, Manitobans having to really step up and, you know, our government here really not having to do the same thing. In fact, not even wanting to sit here while our Government House Leader here was negotiating and trying to get us back into the House and, you know, the Pallister government refusing to get back to work when we were all willing to–and ready to get back into this very House. You know, the Throne Speech really missed an opportunity for a Pallister government to address the real concerns of families and to honour the commitments that so many Manitobans had made.

You know, I remember when the schools wer e shut down and parents now had to become the teachers. And what a struggle it was for some parents because

122 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 13, 2020 some parents still had to work. They still had to go to work every day and they still had to figure out how they were going to home-school their children. And, you know, child-care centres also shut down due to the pandemic and many families were struggling and scrambling for who was going to help, you know, support their family while they had to go to work while this Pallister government sat on the ir hands and did nothing to support families.

Those that, you know, certainly were in the business industry, small businesses, and I represent part of the community where there's a lot of businesses and a lot have shut down. And I think of Luda's, which is right on Salter and Aberdeen, a small family business that's run by a mom and her daughter and sometimes the grandson comes and helps in–helps out. When you walk in there, everybody knows everybody. They know you by name and many people, you know, that's their daily routine, is they go there. Well, that restaurant has been closed since March.

It doesn't have the space capacity to be able to, you know, when the government released, oh, you can open up at 30 per cent capacity, they couldn't even open up at that because they wouldn't make any money. And then when they said, oh, 50 per cent, well, then I got other emails from businesses saying, like, we can't even open up to that because we don't have the space to be able to do that, nor do we have the finances to provide the PPE to our customers that are coming in or to our staff.

And this government did nothing to support those small businesses–many, I'm sad to say, that have had to shutter their doors because of their lack of commitment and support to Manitobans. These are people who have paid taxes, people who have helped make this province a great province. And what did this government do? They turned a blind eye. Oh, you know, we're not going to do nothing. Instead, what they did was they picked a n argument with the Trudeau government time after time. This Premier (Mr. Pallister), you know, had to– one-hand-up the Trudeau government every time, and it was, like, really?

Like, that's the kind of premier that we have here in Manitoba that just has to be No. 1 at everything but yet he can't be No. 1 at supporting Manitobans when they most need it. And we're in a global pandemic. It's not like people aren't losing their lives. You know, I remember when it first hit and being in Dauphin and actually seeing them–I was with the member from St.

Johns and we were in the room and we were watching the news and they were building the hospitals there and how many, you know, excavators and stuff were, like, there were thousands of them, and just, like, kind of being really shocked at, like, that was coming here and we couldn't–there was nothing we can do about it. So, this Pallister government has really made life harder for Manitobans during this pandemic. We've seen, you know, tens of thousands of jobs be lost under this government.

And this government, you know, Pallister govern- ment, says, oh, we're going to create jobs; we're going to get people back to work. Where? Where are they going to get people back to work when there's no jobs, when they've cut the very jobs that Manitobans relied on? Ten thousand civic jobs under their watch have been cut. They've cut it. Pallister himself has taken that scissors and he said, okay, they're out of a job. You know, how is that being supportive of, you know, Manitobans and getting Manitobans back to work?

You know, I want to go back to another closure, a new facility that was supposed to open for CancerCare. You know, that was cut. You know, people–I heard my colleague there and, you know, I'm just so happy and thankful that my colleague from Transcona is, you know, here today to speak and to share his experience and really to give voice to the constituents of Transcona. But, again, he's gone through that and he knows how valuable it is to have those services and thos e resources there. And what does this government do? Oh, they –there's enough CancerCare resources in Manitoba. Well, there is not.

You know, there's so many people that are losing their lives and they need to have quick access to those things when they need them, but this government doesn't seem to think so. There was even a personal -care home in Lac du Bonnet and, you know, that's a rural community and I, you know, I often think about our rural communities because we're so fortunate to live in an urban area where, you know, there's services–I'm not going to say an abundance of them, but there are, you know, services there, and Lac du Bonnet is a service that they needed a personal -care home. And what did this government do?

The Pallister government cut that. * (15:40)

October 13, 2020 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 123 They also cut the Vita –in Vita, a primary care ACCESS Clinic; in The Pas, another primary ACCESS Clinic; in Bridgwater, a primary ACCESS clinic; and I mean, I have pages and pages and pages of all of the cuts, and this government says: oh we're investing in this, we're doing that–all at the same time cutting essential services that Manitobans rely on. You know, when you go to the hospital now, you have to go and wait in line. If you go on and check how long the line up is and how many pat ients are waiting, like it's not a quick in and quick out.

Manitobans are struggling to see a general practitioner because this government, you know, continues to close clinics here in our province and you know, without batting an eye, which is unfortunate. You know, the bottom line is that this government has had seven months to prepare for this pandemic, and what have they done? They've sat on their hands; they've continued to cut jobs, they've continued not provide supports to Manitobans that so despera tely need it.

And I think about, you know, our addictions centres–treatment centres; I think about our homeless shelters, and I think about those that need EIA and we certainly seen how this government responds, which is not to provide as much support as Manitobans need.

So I'm going to end with really thanking Manitobans and really saying a heartfelt thank you to all of those that have sacrificed, that have had to, you know, put their lives on hold, whether it's to support a loved one or to homeschool the ir kid, or whether it was, you know, having to provide some child care for–whether it was a family member or a friend, and all of those that really stepped up and made sure that the services that us Manitobans rely on that were there.

That they have made the ultimate sacrifice and that, you know, I'm ashamed, you know, standing here, that our government, you know, in standing in this House and being the opposition, how I haven't felt that I can really essentially do my job because they've stopped me from being in this House to represent you. They've stopped us from doing our job and making sure that they were accountable. They have been unaccountable for seven months. It's time for them to step up to provide the supports to Manitobans– Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable member's time is up. Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Mr.

Speaker, we're in the middle of a pandemic. I want to thank all those who are on the front lines and contributing to the effort to prevent spread of the COVID -19 infections, who ar e contributing to test and treat individuals who've developed infections with this coronavirus. I also want to thank the residents of River Heights, who are continually raising concerns with me and keeping me abreast of what's happening in our community. I want to emphasize that we're now in the middle of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Throne Speech should be first and foremost measured in terms of how it deals with this pandemic. It's important when facing a crisis that the message from t he leader of our province be factual. It's important when facing a crisis that there's an element of how we are working together to address the crisis. Instead, this Throne Speech tries to sugar-coat the present situation we're in. The Premier (Mr. Pallister) paints a world in which, in his rhetoric, he is protecting Manitobans. But sadly, the Premier has failed badly in preparing for the second wave of this pandemic.

We have this past week, even as the Premier speaks to dismiss concerns, seen extraordinarily long wait times for tests –often five, six, or seven hours. Coupled to this, we're seeing extraordinarily long wait times for the results of tests. This last week, during the week when the Throne Speech was read, my daughter waited seven days for the results of her COVID-19 test. Fortunately, it was negative. But the wait was frustrating, excruciating and difficult.

But the anguish and the frustration of my daughter must be seen also in the context of what this means for our attempts to control the CO VID-19 pandemic in Manitoba. When Manitobans have to wait seven days for test results for a disease with an incubation period of up to two weeks, this adds an extra week before public health of

Document details

Collection	Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	42-3-4
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	42nd 3rd hansardpdf 4.pdf
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	4fe779b071e1df2ed1c826b79877bd2c8bc88578

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