Manitoba Hansard — 14 November 2013 (Sitting 3, 40th Legislature, 3rd Session)

40-3-3

Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)

Third Session - Fortieth Legislature of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba DEBATES and PROCEEDINGS Official Report (Hansard) Published under the authority of The Honourable Daryl Reid Speaker Vol. LXVI No. 3 - 1:30 p.m., Thursday, November 14, 2013 ISSN 0542-5492

MANITOBA LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Fortieth Legislature Member Constituency Political Affiliation ALLAN, Nancy St. Vital NDP ALLUM, James, Hon. Fort Garry-Riverview NDP ALTEMEYER, Rob Wolseley NDP ASHTON, Steve, Hon. Thompson NDP BJORNSON, Peter, Hon. Gimli NDP BLADY, Sharon, Hon. Kirkfield Park NDP BRAUN, Erna, Hon. Rossmere NDP BRIESE, Stuart Agassiz PC CALDWELL, Drew Brandon East NDP CHIEF, Kevin, Hon. Point Douglas NDP CHOMIAK, Dave, Hon. Kildonan NDP CROTHERS, Deanne St.

James NDP CULLEN, Cliff Spruce Woods PC DEWAR, Gregory Selkirk NDP DRIEDGER, Myrna Charleswood PC EICHLER, Ralph Lakeside PC EWASKO, Wayne Lac du Bonnet PC FRIESEN, Cameron Morden-Winkler PC GAUDREAU, Dave St. Norbert NDP GERRARD, Jon, Hon. River Heights Liberal GOERTZEN, Kelvin Steinbach PC GRAYDON, Cliff Emerson PC HELWER, Reg Brandon West PC HOWARD, Jennifer, Hon. Fort Rouge NDP IRVIN-ROSS, Kerri, Hon. Fort Richmond NDP JHA, Bidhu Radisson NDP KOSTYSHYN, Ron, Hon. Swan River NDP LEMIEUX, Ron, Hon. Dawson Trail NDP MACKINTOSH, Gord, Hon. St. Johns NDP MALOWAY, Jim Elmwood NDP MARCELINO, Flor, Hon.

Logan NDP MARCELINO, Ted Tyndall Park NDP MELNICK, Christine Riel NDP MITCHELSON, Bonnie River East PC NEVAKSHONOFF, Tom Interlake NDP OSWALD, Theresa, Hon. Seine River NDP PALLISTER, Brian Fort Whyte PC PEDERSEN, Blaine Midland PC PETTERSEN, Clarence Flin Flon NDP REID, Daryl, Hon. Transcona NDP ROBINSON, Eric, Hon. Kewatinook NDP RONDEAU, Jim Assiniboia NDP ROWAT, Leanne Riding Mountain PC SARAN, Mohinder The Maples NDP SCHULER, Ron St. Paul PC SELBY, Erin, Hon. Southdale NDP SELINGER, Greg, Hon. St. Boniface NDP SMOOK, Dennis La Verendrye PC STEFANSON, Heather Tuxedo PC STRUTHERS, Stan, Hon.

Dauphin NDP SWAN, Andrew, Hon. Minto NDP WHITEHEAD, Frank The Pas NDP WIEBE, Matt Concordia NDP WIGHT, Melanie Burrows NDP WISHART, Ian Portage la Prairie PC Vacant Arthur-Virden Vacant Morris

53 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA Thursday, November 14, 2013 The House met at 1:30 p.m. Mr. Speaker: O Eternal and Almighty God, from Whom all power and wisdom come, we are assembled here before Thee to frame such laws as may tend to the welfare and prosperity of our province. Grant, O merciful God, we pray Thee, that we may desire only that which is in accordance with Thy will, that we may seek it with wisdom, know it with certainty and accomplish it perfectl y for the glory and honour of Thy name and for the welfare of all our people. Amen. Good afternoon, everyone. Please be seated.

ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS INTRODUCTION OF BILLS Bill 200–The Legislative Assembly Amendment Act (Democracy for Voters) Mr. Kelvin Goertzen (Steinbach): Good afternoon, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the member for Lac du Bonnet (Mr. Ewasko), that Bill 200, The Legislative Assembly Amendment Act (Democracy for Voters), be now read a first time. Motion presented. Mr. Goertzen: Mr. Speaker, members of this Chamber know, I think, more than most Manitobans, the importance of representation. Manitobans deserve, and it's their democratic right, to have their voice represented here in this Chamber.

This act would ensure that by -elections were held within six months of a seat in this Assembly becoming vacated. The existing legislation allows for one year to pass before a by -election must be called. Because of the honour of past premiers, this one year has seldom been used, but it seem s that we can no longer rely on that honour, Mr. Speaker. I recommend this legislation to this House to ensure that no Manitobans are again left without a voice in this Assembly for more than six months. And, Mr.

Speaker, I'd ask for its speedy passage along with, if I could be so bold, an immediate call to the by-election in Morris and Arthur-Virden. Mr. Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed] Any further introduction of bills? PETITIONS Mr. Speaker: Seeing none, we'll m ove on to petitions. Provincial Sales Tax Increase–Referendum Mr. Ralph Eichler (Lakeside): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. These are the reasons for this petition:

(1) The provincial government promised not to raise taxes in the last election.

(2) Through Bill 20, the provincial government wants to increase the retail sales tax, known as the PST, by one point without the legally required referendum.

(3) An increase to the PST is excessive taxation that will harm Manitoba families.

(4) Bill 20 strips Manitobans of their democratic right to determine when major tax increases are necessary. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to not raise the PST without holding a provincial referendum. This petition submitted on behalf of E. Eichler - Graaft, M. Ingalls, J. Ingalls and many other fine Manitobans. Mr. Speaker: In keeping with our rule 132(6), when petitions are read they are deemed to have been received by the House. Mr. Cliff Cullen (Spruce Woods): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. These are the reasons for this petition:

(1) The provincial government promised not to raise taxes in the last election.

(2) Through Bill 20, the provincial government wants to increase the retail sales tax, known as the PST, by one point without the legally required referendum.

(3) An increase to the PST is excessive taxation that will harm Manitoba families.

54 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA November 14, 2013

(4) Bill 20 strips Manitobans of their democratic right to determine when major tax increases are necessary. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to not raise the PST without holding a provincial referendum. This petition is signed by J. Berry, G. Haasbeek, S. Hamilton and many other fine Manitobans. Mr. Dennis Smook (La Verendrye) : I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. These are the reasons for this petition:

(1) The provincial government promised not to raise taxes in the last election.

(2) Through Bill 20, the provincial government wants to increase the retail sales tax, known as the PST, by one point without the legally required referendum.

(3) An increase to the PST is excessive taxation that will harm Manitoba families.

(4) Bill 20 strips Manitobans of their democratic right to determine when major tax increases are necessary. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provinc ial government not to raise the PST without holding a provincial referendum. This petition is signed by L. L'Heureux, D. Friesen, N. Messier and many more fine Manitobans. Mr. Ian Wishart (Portage la Prairie): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. And these are the reasons for this petition: The provincial government promised not to raise taxes in the last election.

Through Bill 20, the provincial government wants to increase the retail sales tax, known as the PST, by one point without the legally required referendum. An increase to the PST is excessive taxation that will harm Manitoba families. Bill 20 strips Manitobans of their democratic right to determine when major tax increases are necessary. We pet ition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to not raise the PST without holding a provincial referendum. This petition's signed by C. Mayer, T. Simpson, B. Simpson and many, many more fine Manitobans.

Provincial Sales Tax Increase– Cross-Border Shopping Mrs. Leanne Rowat (Riding Mountain): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.

And these are the reasons for this petition: Manitoba has a thriving and competitive retail environment in communities near its borders, including Bowsman, Swan River, Minitonas, Benito, Russell, Binscarth, St -Lazare, Birtle, Elkhorn, Virden, Melita, Waskada, Boissevain, Deloraine, Cartwright, Pilot Mound, Crystal City, Manitou, Morden, Winkler, Plum Coulee, Altona, Gretna, Emerson, Morris, Killarney, Sprague, Vita, Reston, Pierson, Miniota, McAuley, St.

Malo, Foxwarren, Roblin and many others. * (13:40) Both the PST–or Saskatchewan PST rate and the North Dakota retail sales tax rate are 5 per cent, and the Minnesota retail sales tax rate is 6 per cent. The retail sales tax rate is 40 per cent cheaper in North Dakota and Saskatchewan and 25 per cent cheaper in Minnesota as compared to Manitoba. The differential in tax rates creates a disincentive for Manitoba consumers to shop locally to purchase their goods and services.

We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To acknowledge that the increase in the PST will significantly encourage cross -border shopping and put additional strain on the retail sector, especially for those businesses located close to Manitoba's provincial borders. To urge the provincial government to reverse its PST increase to ensure Manitoba consumers can shop affordably in Manitoba and support local businesses.

November 14, 2013 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 55 This petition's signed by V. White, K. Slon, B. Novalkowski and many, many more Manitobans. Introduction of Guests Mr. Speaker: Prior to oral questions, I would like to draw the attention of honourable members to the public gallery where we have with us today Luc Imperiali from Switzerland, who is an exchange student with the Rotary program in Portage la Prairie and is the guest of the honourable member for Portage la Prairie (Mr. Wishart). Also in the public gallery we have with us today 23 grade 9 students from W.C.

Miller Collegiate under the direction of Mr. Frank Rempel. This school is located in the constituency of the honourable member for Emerson (Mr. Graydon). On behalf of all honour able members, we welcome all of you here this afternoon. ORAL QUESTIONS Government Record Government Intention Mr. Brian Pallister (Leader of the Official Opposition): Does the Premier really believe that past performance is the best indicator of future behaviour, Mr. Speaker? Hon. Greg Selinger (Premier): Yes, Mr. Speaker. Infrastructure Investment Government Priority Mr.

Brian Pallister (Leader of the Official Opposition): The Premier said this week that his top priority was investing in core infrastructure. I'm interested in knowing when that became his top priority. Was it Tuesday of this week or was it earlier? Hon. Greg Selinger (Premier): T he Throne Speech announced a five-and-a-half-billion-dollar commit - ment to new infrastructure in Manitoba. And we started yesterday with a very significant announcement on Highway No. 75: $215 million to bring Highway No. 75 to the same level as interstate highways that connect with it.

This will dramatically reduce the number of days lost due to flooding. That costs the trucking industry $1.5 million a week when that road's closed. That road will be much more serviceable now, much more open. It will connect our Manitoba goods producers, the private sector – where all the jobs are being created these days –with their major export markets, the United States, where two thirds of our exports continue to flow. Mr. Speaker, it's a very strong story. It's good for Manitoba.

It creates job s for young people, good paying jobs, which will allow Manitobans to live and work in Manitoba and raise a family in Manitoba. PST Increase Apology Request Mr. Brian Pallister (Leader of the Official Opposition): Worst job creation record in the country of Canada over the last year, Mr. Speaker: zero new jobs. But Tuesday, things were going to change. Tuesday a makeover started, a doer -over: restore your lost integrity, make some new promises, rebuild trust, make some more promises.

The Premier, two year s ago, made a promise, and Manitobans remember what that was, and he broke that promise weeks after, and then he proposed to raise the PST this year and he broke the promise yet again. Now, past behaviour is the best indication of future performance, but that being said, his past behaviour hurts the trust that Manitobans deserve to have in their elected officials, who should keep their word but, in the Premier's case, did not.

So if the Premier would like to rebuild the foundation of trust with Manitoba ns–and I believe that is his aim –would he apologize to the people of Manitoba today for breaking his word on the PST hike? Hon. Greg Selinger (Premier): Mr. Speaker, if the Leader of the Opposition wants to set an example, he will get up and apologize for selling off the telephone system after he said he wouldn't privatize it. He's had more than a decade to do that. He's never showed any regrets about doing that. He's never showed any regrets about selling off the telephone system.

The rates used to be am ong the lowest in Canada, now the rates are among the highest in Canada, and there's been thousands of less people working there. Let's lead by example: get up and apologize for breaking his promise and selling off our Crown corporation, the telephone system. Mr. Speaker: The Leader of the Official Opposition, on a new question.

56 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA November 14, 2013 Infrastructure Investment Government Priority Mr. Brian Pallister (Leader of the Official Opposition): The gentleman opposite ran on a promise, solemn vow to the people in Manit oba: wouldn't raise taxes and jack them up more than every other province in the country. And he won't apologize for it and that's a lack of character on display to the people of Manitoba. This week he says his top priority, Mr. Speaker, is to invest in infrastructure. Now, we know this government has overspent their estimates every year.

They've overspent their estimates every year, and last year they overspent by $200 million more than the half billion they estimated they would overspend by. Mr. Speake r, they overspent in every department of government over the last four years, but not in infrastructure, no, not in infrastructure. Last year they promised the people of Manitoba they'd spend $1.7 billion in infrastructure and they spent 1.2, half a billi on dollars less on what they claim this week is their top priority.

Now, if core infrastructure was really their top priority, really, really honestly, then why would they promise the people of Manitoba they'd spend $4 and spend less than $3? Hon. Greg Selinger (Premier): The member wants to look at past performance. In the last three years we have spent $1.6 billion in infrastructure, which, Mr. Speaker, that is more money in the last three years than the Leader of the Opposition and his government spent during the entire decade of the 1990s. Mr. Speaker, they raised the gas tax and they cut the highways budget.

We are spending more with our Gas Tax Accountability Act ever in the history of the province on highways in Manitoba. Now we're going to continue to make strategic investments which will build our highway infrastructure, protect communities from floods, skill up young people to have the jobs they deserve and need with good wages in Manitoba, and you know what? The Leader of the Opposition and his caucus, not only have they voted against every investment we've made in Manitoba, they will continue to vote against every investment we're making in Manitoba and in Manitobans. Mr.

Pallister: Next thing you know, the Premier is going to tell the kids in the gallery about chocolate bars selling for 25 cents in the '90s. So what? It doesn't matter that they overspent 20-year-old budgets. It makes no difference. The key point is this: this week's top NDP priority was not last we ek's top NDP priority. It wasn't last year's top NDP priority, the year before, the year before that, it wasn't. They spent 28 per cent less than they budgeted last year and they overspent in virtually every other department. Now, Mr.

Speaker, their aver age overspending since this gentleman became Premier –their average underspending, I'm sorry, on the budget on infrastructure was 27.3 per cent. Now, that's a total not spent on their top priority of $1.9 billion over four years. That money went somewhere e lse. The only department that they didn't overspend in, infrastructure, their top priority. Now, if it wasn't a priority for the last four years, I've just got to ask the Premier: How can we believe him today? Mr. Selinger: The commitment that we've had in infrastructure is unparalleled in the history of the province.

There has never been a government that has spent more on infrastructure than the government that's before the Legislature today. And past performance is a very good indicator. Leader opposite cut the highways budget when he served in government while he raised the gas taxes, cut the highways budget, did not rebuild infrastructure, did not rebuild after the '97 flood– matter of fact, left the province after the '97 flood, did not stick around to make sure that it was properly looked after.

We did have additional spending in the last three years, and by the way, we had the 2011 flood in the last three years and we made a record commitment to helping Manitobans impacted by that flood. We made very generous compensation payments to people that were impacted by that flood who lost their homes, were displaced from their homes. And, again, the members opposite voted against that support to Manitobans. They say one thing, they do another; past behaviour is an embarrassment for the members opposite. * (13:50)

November 14, 2013 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 57 Mr. Pallister: The most red -faced member of this Legislature, Mr. Speaker, should be the Premier. Past behaviour, a commitment to the people of Manitoba, a commitment made, a solemn vow made to the people of Manitoba that he would not jack up taxes, and then he invokes the broadest tax increase and then the deepening of the PST right after, the two biggest tax hikes in a quarter of a century on the back of that commitment. And what does he rationalize to the people of Manitoba? He says it's for–PST hike, he says, is to invest in infrastructure.

And yet over the last four years, this government did not spend $1.889 billion that they committed to spend on the very thing this week that they cla im is their top priority. Now, they're spending more on everything else. The provincial net debt is up $4 billion since this man became Premier, Mr. Speaker. Why would he raise the PST hike and rationalize it was necessary for infrastructure when no oth er province across this great country has done so? Why? Mr. Selinger: Mr. Speaker, you see every jurisdiction in Canada generate additional revenues to look after what they consider to be their priorities.

In Manitoba, we have an opportunity to match federal dollars over the next decade to invest in infrastructure. We are going to do that, and we're going to do that without shorting money for schools, without shorting money for hospitals. The member opposite, when he was in the Legislature right after th e '95 election, they entire – they cancelled the entire budget for health -care facilities in Manitoba. They promised a new hospital in Brandon; they never built it. They promised to twin Highway No. 1 to the Saskatchewan border; it never got done, Mr. Speake r.

They said they'd do something with the hospital facility in Gillam; it never got done. Take a look at our record: Highway No. 1 twinned to Saskatchewan border, done under this government; hospital in Brandon, built, done under this government; hospital in Gimli, built, invested in and up and running by this government in Manitoba. They cut, they slash. We build. Mr. Speaker: If I might take this opportunity, honourable members may have noticed that we have a new microphone system in the Assembly here , and they're very, very sensitive.

So it would be quite helpful that –when we're making our remarks in the Assembly, if we would make sure that the microphones aren't covered by books or papers. It would be helpful for the recording for purposes of Hansard. The honourable member for Charleswood now has the floor. PST Increase Employment Figures Mrs. Myrna Driedger (Charleswood): Mr. Speaker, the Premier says one thing and he does the– another time after time after time. Mr. Speaker, in the election, the NDP promised not to raise the PST and weeks later they illegally raised it.

It kicked in on July 1st of this year, and so far this government has taken a hundred million dollars away from hard-working Manitobans. In November–or, pardon me, in September a nd October of this year, after the PST kicked in, 4.3 thousand full -time jobs were lost in Manitoba after the PST kicked in. So I'd like to ask the minister to tell us: How much of the PST hike has affected job numbers and job losses in this province? Hon. Theresa Oswald (Minister of Jobs and the Economy): I thank the honourable member for the question.

Certainly, it's a great opportunity for me to remind her, of course, that the unemployment rate in Manitoba is among the lowest in the nation, indeed, third lowest in the nation. We know, month to month, that, indeed, those numbers fluctuate, but we maintain our place, third lowest in the nation. And if I can just let the member know, of course, that in the retail sector there was no net job loss whatsoever, as opposed to what she's intimating. And I can also let her know that there was an increase in jobs in the private sector, Mr. Speaker. So there you have it. Mrs. Driedger: Mr.

Speaker, I'd like to ask the minister to focus, and I'll help her by provi ding and tabling the Labour Force Survey for October 2013, and it's by Stats Canada. And it already shows in here clearly that Manitoba saw a loss of 4,300 full-time jobs in just one month from September to October, and this is after the PST kicked in. I t also shows that a net 3,000 less people were working in Manitoba in that very same month.

58 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA November 14, 2013 So I'd like to ask the minister to tell us: What role did the increased PST play in causing these job losses? Ms. Oswald: I would reiterate–I thank the member– I would reiterate for the member that we maintain one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation. I can tell the member that in the last 10 months, private sector jobs total is up 8,300. That is 1.8 per cent and well above the national growth. I can let the member know that full -time employment in the last 10 months is up 2,700 positions, an increase. Mr.

Speaker, we certainly know that the members opposite will try at every turn to point to the PST increase as the downfall for everything. I suggest to you that probably the snow is because of that, according to members opposite. But the numbers don't lie. In the last 10 months we are up, we maintain that low position of unemployment in Canada, and we're going to continue to grow jobs right here in Manitoba. Mrs. Driedger: Mr. Speaker, what the minister's doing is skating around the issue, and we are talking about job losses since the PST came in, not where things were a year ago.

And I would ask her to focus on this because, obviously, something has run amok in Manitoba. Full-time jobs are down significantly. Over 4,000 full-time jobs were lost in one month, and this is after the PST kicked in. So I'd like to ask the minister: If the illegal PST that her government brought in has forced this job loss in this province, is it a job killer? Ms. Oswald: I want to assure the member opposite that I am absolutely focused on ensuring that we grow jobs and we grow our economy here in Manitoba. I am absolutely focused, Mr.

Speaker, on the fact that our labour f orce over the last 10 months has 5,400 new jobs –that's a 0.8 per cent increase– than 10 months ago. And furthermore, this Throne Speech is all about investing in infrastructure. When you do that, you need to have skilled workers who build that infrastructure. And when you have skilled workers in Manitoba working on that, it means a good paying job. It means a better economy, Mr. Speaker, which is good for our Manitoba families. Why on earth is she against that? Morris By-Election Government Timeline Mr.

Ralph Eichler (Lakeside): Obviously, the new down is up when you're bottom of the barrel, obviously, Mr. Speaker. In the Throne Speech, we saw a desperate, tired government trying to define how they would spend hard-working Manitoba families' money better than they could. Mr. Speaker, this government made two major announcements in the constituency of Morris –by the way, one of those was already previously announced in 2006–who have no representation in the Legislature. I'll ask the Premier (Mr.

Selinger): Why is it that he thinks he knows better than the hard- working families in Morris and won't call a by -election in Morris and give them representation? What's the problem? Hon. Steve Ashton (Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation): Well, Mr. Speaker, I welcome what was an indirect question on a very significant announcement that was made yesterday and the fact that we're going to be investing more money on Highway 75 than in the history of that highway since it was built. And I know the member opposite was talking about the town of Morris, the constituents of Morris.

I was pleased that we were joined by the mayor of Morris, who can also point to the work that's already been done on Highway 75 to pave the main street in Morris. But, Mr. Speaker, I know members opposite have no interest in infrastructure. In fact, I actually checked. I was trying to compare our record on 75 and I got to ask them a question: What did they do to upgrade 75 when they were in office in the '90s? It's a trick question: nothing. Mr. Eichler: Mr. Speaker, just think if they had representation what they could have got. This minister seems to think they can run anything. How about that?

This First Minister seems to think he can ride roughshod over the peopl e of Morris and Headingley. This money off –taken off the kitchen table, and the Cabinet table for them to decide how they want to spend it.

November 14, 2013 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 59 Mr. Speaker, will the families of Morris deserve a voice in the Legislature today? Will they call a by-election this week, yes or no? Mr. Ashton : Mr. Speaker, we –they did have representation. We still don't know why Mavis Taillieu left. * (14:00) In fact, if you want to talk about by-elections, no one knows more about by -elections than the Leader of the Opposition. He quit provincial politics in the middle of a flood. He quit federal politics when he didn't get appointed to Cabinet, Mr. Speaker. I suspect he probably drove the MLA from Morris out.

We're not focused on internal politics of the Conservative Party; we 're focused on building the province. That's why we announced a historic investment in Highway 75. My message to members opposite, our message, is get on board with the plan. Mr. Eichler: Why Mr. Doer left and went for a patronage appointment rather tha n listen to the –Mr. Highways Minister here. Mr. Speaker, this government spins announce - ments around like a tornado out of control. They may do what they say, they may not. Their record is not good at keeping their promises.

We need to have fair, equal representation for every riding in this province. This Premier (Mr. Selinger) claims he knows what is better for the people of Morris and Headingley. Without calling a by-election, they have no representation. Will he do it today, yes or no? Enough is enough. Equal representation for all parts of this province, that's what we want. Mr. Ashton: Well, I can say that members on this side of the House, Mr.

Speaker, we're more than glad to talk about real representation for that area because we've done mor e and we're going to continue to do more for Morris, the town of Morris, the RM of Morris. Let's start off the list with Highway 75, the work that's already been done. Let's look at the work that we've done to flood protect those communities so in 2009 w e had one home impacted by water, a flood that was greater than 1950. Let's look at the way we stood up when members opposite supported blocking the Portage Diversion to protect communities in that area.

I say to the members opposite, a lot of talk, but they better get on with the plan, because we're doing more for the people in the constituency of Morris than they ever did in the 11 years they were in government. Municipal Amalgamation Public Consultations Mr. Blaine Pedersen (Midland): Mr. Speaker, just like the unprecedented tax increase imposed on Manitobans, the NDP did not run on imposing municipal elections in their 2011 election campaign. Now, with no prior consultation, no mandate and certainly no warning, why is this government so intent on des troying municipalities across this province? Hon.

Stan Struthers (Minister of Municipal Government): Well, Mr. Speaker, municipal governments right across Manitoba are valued and respected partners of ours as we move forward to build an economy, to provid e jobs for Manitoba and Manitoba families. We have a long record of working alongside and with municipalities, and that will continue. Mr. Pedersen: Mr. Speaker, the minister should have reported on his meeting in Gilbert Plains last week to see how co-operative that was.

Local government, municipal governments do not–did not include forced amalgamations in their own election campaigns, but now they' re being forced by this government to amalgamate without consultation with their ratepayers. Why will the minister not allow municipalities the ability to consult with their residents prior to any amalgamation plan being imposed on them? Mr. Struthers: First he says there was a meeting in Gilbert Plains with the ratepayers, then he says there was no consultation with ratepayers. The members opposite should just get their story straight. Mr. Pedersen: Mr.

Speaker, I do have my story straight. The amalga mation plan was imposed on them and then the meeting was called. That is not consulting first. This NDP government has no compunction about imposing its will on Manitobans, such as the illegal increase in the PST. But to expect local governments to opera te in the same manner is disrespectful of Manitobans, out –of local govern- ments by this government.

60 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA November 14, 2013 Will this minister finally show some respect for local governments and allow them to consult with their residents prior to this government's bullying tactics of forced amalgamations? Mr. Struthers: Mr. Speaker, Bill 33 and our approach to working with municipalities will create stronger, more efficient, more sustainable municipalities. Working with our government and the federal government, we can work t ogether to make sure infrastructure needs are addressed.

We who live in rural Manitoba have understood for a long time that we need to strengthen the framework of governance in rural Manitoba, and that's what we've been doing. We want to work with munici palities to ensure efficiencies, to ensure that we take advantage of economic development opportunities, and this government has shown that we have done that in the past, and we're going to be there to do that for them in the future. Substation Construction (St. Clements) Public Consultations Mr. Ron Schuler (St. Paul): Well, Mr.

Speaker, the lack of respect and lack of consultation, there is a pattern with this government. In fact, yesterday the minister said in this very House in question period, and I quote directly: ". . . this government became committed to consulting with the people of Manitoba on this and every other project." Yet Manitoba Hydro is building a substation in St. Clements, the constituency of Selkirk. Mr. Speaker, let's be very clear. There were no public meetings. There were no consultations.

So my question is to the minister: Was the minister wrong with his statement yesterday, or is this again proof that this NDP government cannot be trusted? Hon. Stan Struthers (Minister respons ible for Manitoba Hydro): Well, Mr. Speaker, Manitoba Hydro takes very seriously its commitments to consult with people, and they have been doing that. As we saw yesterday with the Sage Creek Residents' Association, Manitoba Hydro has been reaching out t o that group and to other groups to make sure that the concerns of people are incorporated into the plans of Manitoba Hydro.

And from that, there will be a meeting with Sage Creek on November 18th. Those kinds of meetings Manitoba Hydro takes very seriously. We expect Manitoba Hydro to do that because in doing so they learn the concerns of people. They can make changes to their plans to accommodate local folks and local concerns. They take that very seriously, and we support them in meeting with people who are impacted by the decisions that are made at Manitoba Hydro. Mr. Schuler: Mr.

Speaker, the minister says very clearly, from yesterday's question period, that consultations happen, and I quote: " . . . and every other project." Yet let's be very clear. Not one councillor from the RM of St. Clements was ever consulted. In fact, Mayor Steve Strang, the mayor of St. Clements, was not consulted. This is direct disrespect to the people of Selkirk and the RM of St. Clements.

I would like to ask this minister: Can he tell us, yesterday, did he get it wrong, or is this just further proof that this government shows disrespect, that it shows that they will not consult, that they disrespect the people of St. Clements and Selkirk and all the other communities tha t they say they're going to consult with and they don't? Is this the disrespect Manitobans can expect from this government? Mr. Struthers: Respect, Mr. Speaker, was when this government equalized hydro rates for rural and northern and city consumers. Wher e was that member and his government?

They were the ones who had their opportunity to go to bat for rural Manitobans and they went AWOL. Mr. Speaker, this side of the government takes seriously our obligations to consult with people. We expect Manitoba H ydro to do the same, and they've been doing that. They've been conducting meetings all across Manitoba in respect to a number of different projects. Mr. Speaker, this side of the House is willing to move forward with building Manitoba Hydro, investing in Manitoba Hydro infrastructure to build a stronger economy and to put Manitoba– Mr. Speaker: Order, please.

The honourable minister's time has expired. Mr. Schuler: Mr. Speaker, this NDP government has shown the people of St. Clements and, in fact, the constituency of Selkirk great disrespect. Not one neighbour adjacent to the project was ever consulted and not one local government official. Nobody in St. Clements and nobody in Selkirk was consulted on this project.

November 14, 2013 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 61 My question is to the minister: How c ould this minister put such false statements on the record yesterday? How can this minister show St. Clements and the constituency of Selkirk such disrespect, or is it just further proof that this government simply cannot be trusted? Mr. Struthers: Well, Mr. Speaker, I didn't see a response to what I said about members opposite going AWOL when they had a chance to equalize hydro rates for rural Manitobans.

The very people that this member today gets up and feigns interest in, he wasn't there for them throu gh all those years of the Gary Filmon and Leader of the Opposition government when they had a chance to help rural Manitobans to do something very real for them and they did nothing. * (14:10) Mr. Speaker, this government is not going to back off of taki ng on the big issue of Manitoba Hydro. We are–will in –within 10 years, if we do nothing, we will run out of power and we'll either be forced to invest in hydro or we will be forced to take on natural gas as part of our energy needs.

And then we'll see rates go up– Mr. Speaker: Order, please. The honourable minister's time has expired. PST Increase/Infrastructure Spending Government Promise Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Mr. Speaker, over the last eight months, the Premier and his Cabinet have attempted many explanations for how the money raised by the extra 1 per cent on the PST, which they've been collecting since July 1, how this money will be spent. I would estimate that there've been about 50 different proposals. Tuesday, in the Throne Speech, the government provided their 51st option for spending the money.

I ask the government: Why should the latest option for spending the PST money be any more credible than any of the 50 which preceded it? Hon. Greg Selinger (Premier): Mr. Speaker, $1.6 billion in the last three years on infrastructure in Manitoba, larger than was spent in the entire 11 years when the Conservatives were in government. The actions speak louder than words. We've made very significant investments in infrastructure. We've made very significant investments in flood protection. Go to the city of Brandon today, one-in-300-year protection for the residential part of that community.

That did not exist in 2011. We 've partnered with the City to bring that into play. That's just one concrete example. You can drive around Manitoba and see all the roads that have been paved. You can see the bridges that have been rebuilt. You can take a look at the new schools that'v e been brought into play in Manitoba, and new hospitals and personal -care homes. Mr. Speaker, $1.6 billion on core infrastructure, more schools, more hospitals. Actions speak louder than words. We've got results; they've got rhetoric. Mr. Gerrard: Mr.

Speaker, I was looking for some sort of convincing demonstration that they were going to actually pick one and stay with it in terms of how they're going to spend the PST. You know, the government has promised that the PST dollars will be extra dollars fo r additional infrastructure in our province and will not just replace general revenue dollars which were spent in previous years on infrastructure.

Will the government, which has changed its mind so often already, provide this assurance again that the PS T money will be new money for additional infrastructure spending and that it won't just replace general revenue dollars which will then be used elsewhere by this government? Mr. Selinger: Mr. Speaker, we announced five and a half billion dollars in new in frastructure spending in Manitoba over the next five years focused on core infrastructure. Manitobans told us that that's what they wanted the money to be allocated towards; that's where the money will be allocated.

We made a very significant announcement yesterday with Highway 75 and the $215- million commitment to that. We've made additional commitments on Highway No. 10, Highway No. 9, Highway No. 15 and, of course, Highway No. 1 going east. The results will show themselves as the money moves forward. As we ramp up the spending over the next five years, we will see very significant investments which will generate jobs for young people which'll allow them to get the skills they need to participate in the economy, put down roots, have good paying jobs to live here in Manitoba.

62 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA November 14, 2013 PST Increase Referendum Request Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): But how many will be really new dollars and not just replacing what they were spending before? Mr. Speaker, it remains that under our current legislation today, the Manitoba government should have decided how it was going to spend the money raised from increasing the PST by 1 per cent, communicated this clearly to Manitobans and then hold a referendum. And only after receiving a positive vote in the referendum would the PST be legally increased.

Now that this government claims that this is their final decision –you know, sounds like a game show, doesn't it? –will the government hold the referendum they are required to hold under the law as it still exists today? Hon. Greg Selinger (Premier): Mr. Speaker, $1.6 billion over the last three years, a five-and-a-half-billion-dollar commitment going forward, thousands of new jobs within a –with a role for the auditor to verify that the expenditure has occurred and that the money has been put in place to pay for it. We'll be accountable to the people of Manitoba. We'll be accountable to the Auditor General.

We'll build the economy and create new jobs for young people, but not at the expense of education and health care. We'll do that in such a way that we can continue to look after the elderly while skilling up young people and building a better Manitoba where even more people will come and –want to come and live. We've seen 125,000 new people come to live in Manitoba. In the '90s, 33,000 left.

Hundred and twenty -five thousand people, highest participation rate in the economy that we've ever seen, third lowest unemployment rate in the country, beautiful as sets all around the province, roads, schools and hospitals, that's the future. Jobs and Skills Development Centre Opening Ms. Nancy Allan (St. Vital): Mr. Speaker, I feel fortunate that both of my children are independent and contribute to Manitoba's economy because they have good jobs. What they will both tell you, they have their dream jobs. One is in the hospitality industry and the other is an electrician in the construction industry.

I know our government has made significant investments in ensuring t hat our young people have good jobs. And I would like the Minister of Jobs and the Economy to tell us about her latest initiative on behalf of our government to ensure that young people find good jobs, skilled jobs, good paying jobs so that they can parti cipate in our economy, work, play and live in this wonderful province. Hon. Theresa Oswald (Minister of Jobs and the Economy): Well–and, first of all, I'd like to thank the member for St.

Vital for being an extraordinarily fantastic mom and role model tha t led her daughter to pursuing a non- conventional career for a girl, to become an electrician and to pursue her dreams in that way. And I want to let her know and all members of the House, Mr. Speaker, that today we celebrated the grand opening of the fi rst Manitoba Jobs and Skills Development Centre, a one -stop shop where we're bringing together opportunities on apprenticeships and training and workforce development for workers that want to bring up their skills or workers that want to develop essential skills so they can enter the workforce.

And, at the same time, it's a place for employers to come to look for those skilled workers so that our economy can continue to be steady, can continue to thrive, and Manitoba will continue to be an awesome place to work and play. PST Increase Impact on Families Mr. Wayne Ewasko (Lac du Bonnet): Mr. Speaker, extracurricular activities are in full swing and families have to make tough decisions when it comes to travelling to games, activities, buying new equipment and even registering their kids. A family of four this year has $1,600 less to spend on things like gas, new equipment, registration and other fees.

Why does the Finance Minister believe she spends–that she can spend the hard -earned money of Manitobans better than they can? Hon. Jennifer Howard (Minister of Finance): Mr. Speaker, I know many of us in this House come from families, come from backgrounds that were humble, that worked hard for their money. I know that. I know from watching my own family make difficult choices in how to pay the bills, make sure they could raise a family. Now, my family never had $160,000 a year to spend on things. Perhaps families that the member

November 14, 2013 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 63 opposite is talking about do, and I feel for those families as well. I will tell you that when we made the decision to raise the PST, that was a very difficult decision. It was a difficult decision because we knew we were going to ask families who work hard for their money to do more. But we also knew that we had a vision. We had a v ision to build the province.

We had a vision where their kids could get a good job and could stay in Manitoba, and we believe that that vision to grow the province shouldn't come at the expense of a nurse at the bedside or a teacher in the school, and that's why we took that difficult decision, Mr. Speaker. We believe in our vision to grow the economy. Mr. Speaker: Order, please. The honourable minister's time has expired. Mr. Ewasko: Other fees like hydro and home and auto insurance are going up at the same time as the 14 per cent PST increase.

The Johnson family, a family of six who I mentioned in the previous session, now has $2,400 less to spend on the things they need the most and the things their children want to participate in. Mr. Speaker, why does this government believe that the Johnsons' hard- earned money is better spent at the Cabinet table than at their kitchen table? * (14:20) Ms. Howard: You know, as I said before, and it is true for each of us who participated in making that decision, it wasn't a decision that we thought we would be faced with.

It was a hard decision, but we all ran for the privilege of making hard decisions, and that was a difficult decision to make. But we also all ran –when I ran, I knew it wouldn't all be easy days. There would be some hard days. It would be necessary to sometimes make a decision because we wanted to build the province, because I want my kid to have t he same opportunities I had to live here, to go to school here, to build a family here, and in order to do that we need to grow the economy. But we are not going to repeat the failed policies that the Leader of the Opposition engaged in in the past.

We aren't going to force a choice to close down health-care facilities. We aren't going to face a choice to lay off nurses. We aren't going to force a choice to lay off teachers. We are going to build our economy. We're going to deliver front -line services to those families and we're going to do it with respect for their hard– Mr. Speaker: Order, please. The minister's time has expired. Mr. Ewasko: Mr. Speaker, this government's own Throne Speech said, and I quote: Spending time at a hockey rink or soccer pi tch is a major part of childhood in Manitoba. End quote.

Yet fewer and fewer families are able to afford it. The Johnson family has $2,400 less to spend on hockey and soccer and dance lessons, and rather than encourage participation in extracurricular activities, this NDP government has decided that they are more important than children participating in extracurricular activities. Mr. Speaker, when will this government allow Manitobans' money to be spent at their kitchen table rather than their Cabinet table? Ms.

Howard: You know, when I was growing up in the west end of Brandon and listening to my parents sit around the kitchen table and decide what to do, a lot of decisions they made were about giving me a better life. A lot of the decisions they made were about giving our family a better chance, and because of that I have a better opportunity to succeed than perhaps they did, and those are the decisions that we're making. We're making decisions today so that my kids, so that people's grandkids c an build a life here in Manitoba. They can get a good job. We can have a growing economy.

We can take advantage of the trade opportunities that we have because we have good roads, we have safe bridges, we have clean water. That's why we took this difficult decision, so that those kids, so that those grandkids can have a successful future here, so that they can build their future here, have good jobs and– Mr. Speaker: Order, please. The honourable minister's time has expired. I know the clock shows zero, but I'm going to allow one more question. Food Bank Usage Increased Use by Children Mr.

Dennis Smook (La Verendrye) : This NDP government created a department specifically for children and youth opportunities in this province. At

64 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA November 14, 2013 that time, child poverty r ates were high and food bank usage amongst youth was near the highest in Canada. Since then, these same rates have only gone up. A department that was given $48 million did nothing but drive up the rate of poverty and food bank use amongst kids. Mr. Speaker, what does the minister have to say about the fact that, of the 60,000 food bank users in the province, nearly half of them are children? Hon. Kevin Chief (Minister of Children and Youth Opportunities): I'd like to thank the member opposite for the ques tion.

We continue to invest in children and young people in the province of Manitoba. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to let the member know – I know he's new to the House as well –but when members opposite were in government, they cut 56 organizations that were ser ving the poorest children and they wiped out friendship centre funding. They cut YMCAs. They cut out family services. What we've been able to do is to continue to invest. In fact, what we're doing right now is not only investing in support for the Prenatal Benefit to giving moms the support they need when they're pregnant, the National Child Benefit we reinstated.

And I'd like to let members opposite know that people like Dave Angus, people like Mark Chipman, people like the Manitoba Business Council ar e standing with us in the investments we're making, including David Northcott, Mr. Speaker, saying that we are moving in the right direction when it comes to supporting children on poverty. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker: Time for oral questions has expired. MEMBERS' STATEMENTS Mr. Speaker: Now it's now time for members' statements. Burrows Schools Learn About Terry Fox Ms. Melanie Wight (Burrows): Mr.

Speaker, Terry Fox is without a doubt one of the greatest Canadians to have ever lived. Celebrated nationwide and around the world for his cancer research activism, Terry was born and raised in Winnipeg, and as a Manitoban I am proud to call Terry one of our own. Despite having lost his personal battle with cancer decades ago, Terry's spirit endures and still inspires people every day. This year, schools in Burrows took up the cause, many of whom are in the gallery today.

This past September, Robertson School, Elwick Community School, Andrew Mynarski V.C. junior high and M aples Collegiate learned about Terry's legacy, raised funds and participated in walks and runs in the community, all in Terry's memory. We know that a cancer diagnosis is terrifying for families, and that's why our government has been investing in faster cancer testing, diagnosis and treatment. Since the 1990s, Manitobans' survival rate for cancer has increased by nearly 10 per cent, and we want to make things even better.

I'm happy to say that our Home Cancer Drug Program is allowing Manitobans to focus on their health without worrying about the cost of cancer treatment, because we're now covering 100 per cent of the cost of cancer treatment and support drugs. Our Cancer Patient Journey Initiative will streamline cancer services and dramatically reduce the wait times for patients between the first moment cancer is suspected and getting patients started on effective treatment. We are also focused on supporting rural Manitobans. Our rural cancer hubs will provide families with staff and resources to let them focus on their health.

I am so proud of the dedication of our young people, their school staff and the Terry Fox Foundation. You are continuing the fight that Terry Fox was unable to complete. On behalf of all members of the Legislative Assembly, I t hank you for your dedication and passion. You are doing life-changing work that helps families right here in Manitoba and around the world. Thank you. Charlie Clifford Mr. Ian Wishart (Portage la Prairie): It gives me great pleasure today to recognize o ne of my constituents who is an extraordinary, caring and selfless individual. Mr.

Charlie Clifford first came to Portage la Prairie in 1963 and immediately made his mark in the community as an educator, school principal and, within the province, as a leader with the Manitoba Teachers' Society and Manitoba Association of Principals. However, it is Charlie's varied and unique contributions through volunteerism, accomplished

November 14, 2013 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 65 despite a personal health setback, that truly make him a remarkable individual. Like others, he has coached youth football and hockey at the community club, is also a leader with Scouts Canada and served on the ArtsSmarts committee. Charlie was a driving force for the establishment of ARC Industries in Portage and supported vocational re habilitation at the provincial level. As local chair of Habitat for Humanity, Charlie led the construction of four houses in Portage la Prairie.

Charlie is passionate about sports and was co-chair of the Manitoba and senior –Canadian seniors games and the 2010 Manitoba Winter Games, and a key volunteer in the World Junior Curling Championships. A member of the Rotary Club, Charlie also served on the boards of Central Plains Child and Family Services and the Community Foundation of Portage and District. As an advocate, he continues to serve the board of the Canadian Mental Health Association as president of the Central Region and supports the company of friends program. His ongoing involvement with Sunset Palliative Care goes back to 1998.

He is a leader wit h the local soup kitchen, a driver for CancerCare and a member of Citizens on Patrol. Charlie is also an accomplished singer and a favourite in the community when called upon to entertain. He recently turned 70 in October and, above all, remains humble. C harlie is honoured to have received awards but the recognition he receives from those he helps is enough for him. The satisfaction Charlie gets by helping out others is his motivation for all of the wonderful work he does in the community.

I would like t o ask you–all members to join me in recognizing Charlie Clifford and –who is with us today in the gallery, and congratulate this great Manitoban on enriching the lives of so many others through his long-standing commitment to community service. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Diwali Mr.

Bidhu Jha (Radisson): This November, Indo-Canadian families in Manitoba celebrated Diwali, the festival of lights, along with friends and families across the world. * (14:30) Diwali is named the festival of lights because it teaches humanity to reject ignorance and to drive away the darkness that engulfs the light of knowledge. The festival of lights is a time to express our gratitude for what we have achieved in the past year and to rekindle the spirit of hope –hope for a better world with a brighter future.

It projects the rich and the glorious path of humankind and teaches us to uphold the true values of life which are people, harmony and understanding. This year, Winnipeg' s Hindu Temple and Winnipeg south centre –Sikh south centre celebrated Diwali with sweets, gifts and lighting of candles and lots of fireworks. The Hindu Society of Manitoba hosted one of the largest Diwali events in Winnipeg, the Diwali Mela at the Convention Centre in October. This event welcomed the Manitobans of all backgrounds to match an inclusive nature of the festival and friendly demeanour of our province.

The Mela, meaning gathering, with thousands of people in attendance, showcased the best of I ndian culture with highlighted Indian music, dance, food and fashion. I had a wonderful time along with our Premier (Mr. Selinger) of Manitoba, Mayor Sam Katz, federal Minister Shelly Glover, the Leader of the Official Opposition (Mr. Pallister) and many other dignitaries whose names I'd like to be included, and I seek leave for the House to –their names to be included in the list that I will send later on –the dignitaries whose names should appear in the Hansard.

Congratulations to the organizing committ ee of the Hindu Society of Manitoba and the volunteers for a very successful event, in particular, the president of the Hindu Society of Manitoba, his board, and master of ceremonies, Ms. Verma. Mr. Speaker, next year, feel free to go to your neighbour's home and wish them a happy Diwali. This–will appreciate your thoughtfulness and you may be treated with delicious Indian snacks and treats. I wish everyone in Manitoba happy Diwali. Thank you very much. Mr. Speaker: Is there leave of the House to include the list of names that the honourable member referenced? [Agreed]

66 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA November 14, 2013 Diwali Mela Attendees: Dr. Lloyd Axworthy; MP Steven Fletcher (Charleswood-St.James-Assiniboia); MP Lawrence Toet (Elmwood -Transcona); MLA for Burrows; MLA for Charleswood; MLA for Elmwood; MLA for Lac du Bonnet; MLA for Logan; MLA for The Maples; MLA for Rossmere; MLA for Tyndall Park; Councillor Wyatt; Councillor Mayes; Councillor Sharma (Speaker, Winnipeg City Council); and other councillors and dignitaries. Diwali Mela Mr. Wayne Ewasko (Lac du Bonnet): Mr.

Speaker, on Saturday , November 9th, I was proud to attend along with the Leader of the Official Opposition (Mr. Pallister), the member for Charleswood (Mrs. Driedger), the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, Shelly Glover, the member from Radisson –to attend Diwali Mela celebrations at the Winnipeg Convention Centre. President Bhadresh Batt, Emcee Shipra Verma and the Hindu Society of Manitoba hosted the event, along with hundreds of volunteers. Diwali is a five -day festival in the Hindu faith, occurring between mid-October and mid -November.

Translated in English, Diwali translates as a festival of lights. The celebrations involve the lighting of small clay lamps filled with oil to signify the triumph of good over evil and the triumph of higher knowledge over ignorance. Sweets and snacks are shared between family and friends, and all celebrants wear their finest new clothes. We were treated to some great Indian food and were entertained with Indian dance and music. The event was entirely free of charge, thanks to all the volunteers and sponsors who took the time to organize such a vibrant and exciting event.

Attendees came from all over Winnipeg, all over Manitoba, creating one of the largest Diwali celebrations that many of the attendees had ever seen. An estimated 4,000- plus people attended the event, which is truly impressive. As recently as the 1960s and '70s, very few Hindu families made their home in Manitoba. Diwali celebrations were held at local churches in the community and no temple existed for these families. In 1979, the first Hindu temple in Winnipeg opened on Ellice Avenue, and in 2005, the 30,000- square- foot Hindu centre and temple opened on St.

Anne's Road, and many Hindu families call Manitoba home now. As the community has grown, celebrations have grown, and Diwali is now a great draw in the city of Winnipeg. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of this side of the House, I want to congratulate t he volunteers, sponsors and entertainers on such a well -organized event and a very happy Diwali. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Canadian Sikh Soldier: A Little Story in a Big War Mr. Mohinder Saran (The Maples): Mr. Speaker, Sikhs have a long military traditio n, serving at the forefront of militaries around the world.

Over 65,000 Sikh soldiers fought in World War I as part of the British army, and over 300,000 Sikhs fought against German and Japanese oppression in the World War II. History records show that thousands of Sikh soldiers from India fought in France during World War I and participated in many of the war's major battles. However, not many people know Sikhs also fought in World War I as part of the Canadian army.

At a time when the Canadian gover nment was actively preventing Sikhs from immigrating to Canada and were denying Sikhs Canadian citizenship, these men joined with the –with other Canadians to fight in Europe. Of the 10 Canadian Sikh soldiers so far identified, three were wounded in action and three died in–during their wartime service. These volunteers fought and sometimes died for a country that denied them even the basic rights of citizenship. Winnipeg has a special connection to this story. I would like to recognize the Sikh Canadian soldiers Baboo Singh and John Singh who were both from Winnipeg.

Baboo Singh lived on Henry Avenue and moved to Winnipeg from Punjab. He enlisted in 1917 and was wounded in the Battle of Vimy Ridge, where he fought as a Canadian for Canada. His fellow Sikh Winnipegger was John Singh. John also immigrated from Punjab, India, and joined the 2nd Labour Battalion to fight for Canada in 1916. Mr. Speaker, today we would like recognize these two men's contributions, on behalf of all Manitobans. During this Reme mbrance Day season, we honour all men and women of our Canadian Forces as well as remember all those who served and made sacrifices for their country in the past.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

November 14, 2013 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 67 ORDERS OF THE DAY GOVERNMENT BUSINESS THRONE SPEECH (Second Day of Debate) Mr. Speaker: On orders of the day, under government business, to resume the adjourned debate on the proposed motion of the honourable member for Burrows (Ms. Wight), standing in the name of the honourable Leader of the Official Opposition–the honourable Official Opposition House Leader. Mr. Kelvin Goertzen (Official Opposition House Leader): Yes, Mr.

Speaker, often at this time it seems that when the Leader of the Official Opposition, or sometimes the government leader, or the Premier (Mr. Seli nger), has to give a presentation, a speech, immediately after question period, there are some media responsibilities that have to be taken care of.

Maybe not always the most pleasant part of the job, but certainly a part of the job, and we appreciate that the government has always indulged us when that has happened and we look forward to the reply by the honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, who, I know, is looking forward to giving his reply to the Speech from the Throne. Mr. Brian Pallister ( Leader of the Official Opposition): Mr. Speaker, welcome back to the Legislature. I know that you've missed it, and I know many members here have as well.

I want to again repeat a–thank-yous to a number of people by name, and, first of all, my family for thei r love and support in the enterprise that we're all engaged in. And I would say also a thank- you to all the families of all members who are here, because we all know that without the support of our families, this job and the job we engage in every day is not impossible but made much more difficult. So the support of our families means a great deal, I know, to all of us here, and I wanted to begin by saying that.

I also want to say thank you to my colleagues, initially, on this side of the House, for their support, their energy, their ideas, their commitment, not only to their constituents but to their values, because those are essential. The involvement of all of us in this House, regardless of political stripe, is a critical thing to make this democracy w ork. And it does not work without us here.

We need to remind ourselves of that periodically, I think, that the representation that we provide to the people of this province is critical to them and the participation of them in the process is made possible b y our participation in it. And I would, again, encourage –this has been done many times–the Premier (Mr. Selinger) to call the by-election in Morris and show that same respect to those people who deserve representation in this place as well. I want to als o offer my personal thanks to the folks in my constituency, Mr. Speaker, Fort Whyte.

It's a wonderful constituency with tremendous people and a tremendous amount of energy and vibrancy right now, a lot of good things going on, lots of challenges too. A lot of challenges that are made more difficult by the policies of this government, most certainly, but challenges that people of Fort Whyte, as the people of Manitoba will, as well, will all face up to, and we will endure and we will do the best we can in the circumstances that we must face.

But certainly for the folks at Fort Whyte, it is, again, you know, a wonderful province we live in, and they make it more wonderful by their nature and by their giving back to the community. * (14:40) And there's such a great involvement in our province, not just in my riding but in many, of people who give back through charitable activities and donations of their time and money.

And again, as I did yesterday, I would encourage all Manitobans who may observe these goings -on to give their support to our Filipino friends who are suffering tremendously right now as a consequence of this unbelievably powerful hurricane that has struck that country and ask for your prayers and your support financially as well, if they would, to give that support because it will be appreciated very much. I want to say, because I come from a farm family, I want to say congratulations, I guess, Mr. Speaker, though it is never a hundred per cent uniform, of course, in the farming community.

This has been an incredible year for agriculture in this province, a record crop, unbelievable yields and prices, and for our farm families who, at many points in the past, have suffered very much financially and who experience the vagaries of the real world in terms of ups and downs in prices and a steady, it seems, increase in intrusiveness by governments of various stripes in their operations and so on. These families have continued the fine tradition of agriculture in this province which is so essential to our future success as a province.

And, of course, this year's GDP numbers will show a wonderful spike upward as a consequence of the risks and the

68 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA November 14, 2013 willingness and the courage of farm families to take those risks. This year I think it's fair to say that those families will receive some rewards. So, too, will this government, of course, because the numbers will look great on GDP at the end of the year, and that's what we all want here. Now, on–in terms of a specific thank -you, I did want to pass on my condolences. We were not in session at the time of Allison Filmon's passing and I would want to say just a special word, certainly from us, I hope from all, of condolence to that family.

The loss of a child is just an impossible thing to endur e. So, on another note, last Saturday the Filmon family just joined together to celebrate 50 years of marriage for Gary and Janice, and I think that's a wonderful thing too, and I'm sure there were many mixed emotions that day. As much as I know there is a tendency to want to hearken back to older times and olden days, and I hear the number 99 cited around here more than I used to hear it when Gretzky retired from the Oilers, Mr.

Speaker, but I do know there is an element, though it is seldom shown by me mbers opposite, I know there is an element of respect, and genuine respect, for what –who has come before us and the challenges that they've faced in this place, whether it be Howard Pawley or Ed Schreyer or Walter Weir or Sterling Lyon or Gary Filmon or others. I think the reality is that each time, each generation, poses challenges to us as leaders and each of those generations deserves our respect for the way in which they face those challenges.

We can look back with criticism and condemnation if we choose, but I think we don't learn from that. I think we need to learn from respect, and I was pleased the other day to be speaking to Mr. Pawley and for him to actually offer encouragement to me and reinforce the fact that I have not made a critical statement about Mr. Pawley in this place, nor will I, or elsewhere, and I continue to believe that that is the way we should conduct ourselves in respect of those who've come before us. I would also say a congratulations and a thank-you to the members for Assiniboia, Riel and St.

Vital and for their years of service on the government side in Cabinet and to say that we appreciate that. And we appreciate their commitment to their people, their constituencies, their work ethic, and we thank them for that. And I know all members of the House would like to show that appreciation. There is a bit of a danger, I think, Mr. Speaker, sometimes. I raised an issue when I was first elected a number of years ago, raised an issue.

It wasn't a constituency issue, but it w as an issue pertinent to a government department and I asked the question about–of a Cabinet minister, one of my colleagues, in a caucus meeting, which put them on the spot in front of their colleagues, and I guess I, you know, was guilty of just not knowi ng the nuances as a new member, as a new person, how, you know, one should behave. I probably should have just raised the question privately, but I raised it in a group setting and put the minister on a spot.

I didn't mean to do that, but the reality was h e came to me after –didn't really answer the question at the time, but he came to me after and he said, you know, I want to apologize to you, Brian, because you just raised a perfectly legitimate question and I think the reason that I wasn't able to address it effectively is that after we've been here for a while we start to think in terms of millions and we stop thinking in terms of the little things, you know.

It was a perfectly legitimate little question you raised about a little thing, but it wasn't little to the person who raised it with you and I shouldn't have treated it as a little question myself. Well, you know, what was the lesson in that? I guess, you know, when we make these decisions or when we are critical of the government, as is part of our responsibility and–in no doubt it is, we talk in millions sometimes, and perhaps too much, and sometimes we forget that a $5,000 decision or a $200 decision has a real impact on real people. Sometimes we forget that. We shouldn't forget that.

So I want to start by telling you about Kelly. I've known Kelly's family for a long time. She's in her first year of university now. She has worked part-time since she was 13 years old to help support her mom and her sister and herself. She could not afford not to work, so she had to miss out on a lot of things in her life. She missed out on a lot of school activities. Many of her friends took

part in those activities; she wasn't able to. And it wasn't just the additional costs of those activities. It was the time that they consumed. As a young girl, Kelly –her mom says she was a woman when she was 12. She had to make decisions that it's too bad young girls have to make. She had to make decisions about how she spent her time, how she invested her time, and they were tough. They were difficult decisions and they involved sacrifices and they had consequences. But she gave up and sacrificed many things when she made her choices.

November 14, 2013 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 69 She chose to help her mom. She chose to support her family. She chose to save for the future. She chose to focus on her studies. And those choices weren't easy, but choices with consequences seldom are easy. And now that she's in university, decision time doesn't end. Really, it just begins, and she continues to face choices. Her mom can't help her financially.

Her mother's always encouraged Kelly and her sister to pursue their education, perhaps because she herself had to drop out of school when she was expecting Kelly for –and for other reasons when she was a young woman. She was never able to pursue her education. She always said, you girls, you're going to pursue your education. That's leadership. And she's always emphasized education to her daughters as an enabling factor in their lives, to give them a chance to become independent, to give them the chance to achieve their potential, education is essential.

Her mother has always worked, but there's seldom been any extra money. When she was left to support her two girls as a young mother, she faced that challenge head on. And Kelly and her mom and her sister are go ing to continue to make difficult choices because that's what life does to you. But they deserve our support. They deserve our support in that, not just because they're wonderful people, though they are, but because they are the future of our province as w ell. And their future decisions will be made even more challenging than ever before because of the actions of this provincial government.

This present government, their government, believes that the money that Kelly and her mom worked for and have worked so hard to save is better spent at the Cabinet table than it is at their kitchen table. They see themselves as the builders of Manitoba's future, Mr. Speaker. With their misguided high -tax, high -spend approach–their high-tax approach is hurting Manitobans right now. The real builders of our future are not opposite. They are not here either. The real builders of our future, Manitobans, they're people–they're people like Kelly, they're people like her mother.

Now, as much as the members opposite will obfuscate or cite partial statistics, the reality is the Canadian labour survey just out last Friday reveals this government cannot create jobs with the approach it's taking –not effectively, not well. New Canadian jobs, year over year, 214,000; new Manitoba jobs, zero–zero. I don't think so. I don't think that's a result that Manitobans nor this government should be proud of. This government has consistently placed itself above the people of this province.

They have introduced legislation and in the next few day s they will force the passage of that legislation which will place the interests of 37 NDP MLAs ahead of the best interests of over a million Manitobans, a million individual Manitobans, a million Manitobans who together comprise hundreds of thousands of Manitoba families. * (14:50) And what are these laws? Well, one of them will exempt Cabinet ministers from salary reductions if they overspend. Think about that for a second. If Kelly's mom overspends, she is forced to face those consequences.

She'll dest roy her dreams for her children, she might be driven to bankruptcy, and so she daily makes difficult decisions. She is someone we should all admire. She is someone I deeply admire and she is responsible. She is responsible, but Cabinet ministers on that si de of the House are not. They take her money plus, and they aren't accountable. They're unwilling to be accountable. But Kelly's mom's accountable, and good for her. New legislation will exempt Cabinet ministers from the consequences of their own actions ; they cannot be sued. They will put themselves above the law.

Imagine if Kelly's mom put herself above the law–if she even tried. It's unbelievable. This government will increase the PST, the personal sales tax, but not only that, Mr. Speaker, they'll eliminate the right of Manitobans to vote on the increase. Again, they are saying they are above the law, and in so doing–and to me this is this crux of the matter –they will send a clear message to a 19-year-old young woman, and that message is that she is beneath them, that her vote does not matter. They took away Kelly's right to vote, her first vote to cast her first vote.

We on this side of the House believe that Kelly's right to vote does matter and we believe it matters very, very much. We have opposed this government's initiatives as immoral, as illegal, as a betrayal of Manitoba's rights for a long time, but the government has failed to listen to us. But, more importantly, they have failed to listen to Manitobans. The people of our province, I do not believe, will be misled. They will not be deceived and they must be respected. But this government has already demonstrated its disrespect for Manitobans. Just two years ago, last month, the government campaigned for re -election

70 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA November 14, 2013 on a promise, on a vow , on a solemn pledge which should not be made light of, that they would not increase taxes, and they were given a mandate based on that promise and within weeks –within weeks – they introduced the largest tax hike in a quarter of a century. That was not a sma ll betrayal; that was a massive betrayal. That was not just disrespect for one Manitoban; that was disrespect for all freedom-loving Manitobans.

Le mois dernier, c'est la marque deux ans que les membres du gouvernement ont fait campagne en promettant nos [inaudible] qu'ils ne lèveront pas aucune des taxes. Leurs mandats sont basés sur cette promesse. Cependant, en dedans d'une semaine, ils ont introduit la plus grosse augmentation de taxe en quart d'une siècle. C'est la marque d'une grave trahison aux Manitobains et ne leur montre pas le respect dont ils méritent. Translation Last month, we reached the two- year mark since the members of the government campaigned on the promise to our [inaudible] that they wouldn’t raise any taxes.

Their mandate was based on that promise. Nevertheless, within a week, they introduced the largest tax increase in a quarter of a century. That represents a serious betrayal of Manitobans and does not show them the respect they deserve. English The NDP government has a high- spending problem and–acknowledged by them, obvious to all. They're high- spending problem has become a high-tax problem for Manitobans last year and again this year.

With the proposed PST hike the government has made life more difficult for Manitoba fami lies, and each of their tax increases and each of their fee increases represents a broken promise, a broken promise made to the very families who must now face the consequences of those higher taxes and those higher fees. Every dollar paid by Manitobans in additional taxes and fees represents evidence of a broken promise made to the people of this province. The government likes to say that they have made difficult choices.

I wonder which was more difficult: the decision to promise not to raise taxes or the decision to raise taxes. The spenDP has made selfish choices that favour the government but hurt the people. A widow pays more for a haircut, but the NDP gets a vote tax to do nothing so they can operate their political party. A disabled mom struggle s with paying her rent and the NDP double their advertising budget. They run ads to promote their budget but they don't mention the PST hike.

A struggling family sees their hydro and their home insurance bill skyrocket by 8 per cent one year, and the NDP t ax revenues rise more than any other Canadian province, and it's not enough; they have to rise by more.

Higher fees, higher charges for life insurance, car registration, beer and wine, gas and diesel fuel, permits, licences and many, many more, mean that the NDP give themselves a 17 per cent raise and Manitobans get across -the-board cuts, all from a premier who said he would not raise taxes, a premier who called questions about his promises nonsense, a premier who –along with his 36 NDP MLAs –saw fit to rem ove the voting rights of one million Manitobans and replace those rights with higher taxes on basic fundamental necessities for Manitobans.

This misguided and this disrespectful approach will erode the economic foundations of our province. It is beginning to. When Manitobans' incomes fall, their ability to support themselves through discretionary purchases falls as well. Retail sales have declined by record amounts, the largest amount since the statistic began to be kept in 1991. Cross -border shopping is going to increase. It's common sense. Smart shoppers look for deals; Manitobans are smart shoppers.

The small businesses will be particularly hard hit, and the impact in communities, especially communities nearer to Saskatchewan, to No rth Dakota, to Minnesota, where the PST is now 40 per cent lower, Mr. Speaker, will be even more severe. Already we're hearing reports of local shoppers using their hometown stores for convenience but making their big purchases out of province. That's not good.

Quand l e revenu des Manitobains échoue leur capacité à supporter eux -mêmes [inaudible], les achats discrétionnaires tombent aussi, les ventes de détail sont en déclin, et les achats transfrontaliers augmentent quand les consommateurs cherchent plus d'occasions de bonnes affaires. Translation When the income of Manitobans fails their capacity to support themselves [inaudible] , discretionary expenditures also fall, retail sales decline, and

November 14, 2013 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 71 cross-border purchases increase as consumers seek more opportunities for a good deal. English The government's admission that it's even failed to consider such consequences is simply a deplorable example of mismanagement, deplorable but not without precedent, and the government has mismanaged so many of its responsibilities, I–as I do not have the stamina of the member for Steinbach (Mr. Goertzen), I am forced to summarize at this point– An Honourable Member: How about speeches? Mr. Pallister: –speeches, speaking stamina, Mr. Speaker, to be clear.

Let's f ocus on the important area of infrastructure. As the NDP enters their 15th year in power, they have suddenly embraced the importance of infrastructure. But have they really embraced the importance of infrastructure? [interjection] I think this, Mr. Speaker, says more about the listeners than the speaker. The NDP has attempted to sell their PST hike for some months now by claiming that they need the money for infrastructure but can they be believed? We think not. For several reasons, for several months, t he government has conducted a PST promotional ribbon-cutting tour.

This tour, along with an expensive advertising campaign, has been designed to convince Manitobans that the government deserves a pay raise and Manitobans deserve a pay cut. And the tour has been a miserable failure, however, but it has served to instruct Manitobans on the government's true intentions better than they might like to admit. Yesterday the government respected–repeated its claim that the PST would be invested. This time they said in a new definition of core infrastructure. Now, to most Manitobans, core infrastructure would mean roads, bridges, water, sewer projects.

Yet how many of the government's 162 ribbon cuttings over the last eight months have been about core infrastructure ? About a third, which begs the question: Does the government really have a strategy for core infrastructure investment? Not really –hasn't been on evidence for the last number of months, hasn't been on evidence for the last number of years, in fact, Mr. Speaker. * (15:00) The government definitely has a strategy. What percentage of the $1.3 billion of promises made by the spenDP have involved spending in target constituencies? Most.

It would seem the NDP does in fact have a strategy, but their strategy is designed to help not Manitobans but the NDP. Secondly, can the government really be believed when they make a commitment of any kind? The Premier (Mr. Selinger), of course, is fond of repeating his predecessor's line that past performance is the best indicator of future behaviour. Okay, good. Perhaps the best indicator of his sincerity doesn't lie in the Throne Speech then. Perhaps, as my old dad used to say, don't listen to what they say and look at what they've done. So let's have a look. Look at it. Back at you.

The best indicator of a person's sincerity doesn't lie in the Throne Speech, Mr. Speaker, but rather in a comparison of the government's actual spending on infrastructure to what they promised they'd spend, their budgetary commitments. Look at what they've done versus what they said they would do. Does the government care as much about its landings as it does about its takeoffs, or is it pretty much focused on its takeoffs? [interjection] Pretty much it's takeoffs. Mr. Pallister: I encourage the member for Osborne to work on skill development in terms of balancing budgets rather than heckle, Mr. Speaker.

The reality is that this is the best indicator and it is – [interjection] Well, if she was the member for Osborne. I guess she's now the membe r for Fort Rouge (Ms. Howard). An Honourable Member: I never was. Mr. Pallister: Yes. It was a portfolio change, I gather, Mr. Speaker. This is a government with a spending problem, Mr. Speaker, and I gather that the member for Fort Rouge–and I apologize for giving her that other riding. The member for Fort Rouge needs to listen and she needs to learn and she has a great deal to learn. The reality is this government has a spending problem.

They have overspent, and perhaps this minister can change that tr end. Maybe she can break that unenviable record. But the reality is this government has overspent its budget every year and in most government departments. So, under this

72 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA November 14, 2013 particular government, our provincial debt has doubled. Our net debt from –to–'09 to present is $12 billion, up to now $16 billion according to the Auditor General. That's a 33 per cent increase in net debt in four years. So the Finance Minister has some work to do, and I hope it doesn't just involve jabberwocky.

In particular, because of her high spending, we have seen a record increase in our net debt, and the reality is during that same period –this is a dangerous comparison because if you're spending like that, if you're spending that much and we do a comparison of what the government s aid they'd spend versus what they spend, you'd have to assume they must have actually fulfilled their commitments. They must have actually spent more than they said. They must have kept their word on infrastructure, Mr. Speaker. But they didn't, far from it in fact.

Unlike most other government departments, the NDP did not exceed their spending. T hey did not come close to spending the amount they actually projected. In fact, they underspent by hundreds of millions of dollars in core infrastructure. In the last four years the NDP government underspent by more than 27 per cent in infrastructure. No other department saw underspending of a budgeted commitment to that level, not even close. That's their commitment to infrastructure. Better to look at the words–better to look at the deeds than the words.

For example, last year the government budgeted to invest $1.7 billion in infrastructure, and they invested $1.2 billion; $500 million less than the commitment that they made. Despite the fact that these are the largest they have received, the largest yearly increases in tax revenues in decades, more money than ever before coming in and less going to infrastructure. Now, if past performance is the best indicator of future behaviour, we submit that this government did not keep its word on infrastructure in the past nor will it keep its word on infrastructure in the future.

This government's actions tell Manitobans that this is a ploy, a deceit. This is a shell game. This is a makeover. This is an attempt to cloak a spending addiction with good intentions. Like a lost soul begging money for a bus ticket hom e that'll be spent on a bottle, the government can't face the fallacies that it peddles.

It's come to a point in its journey where viable options for a future direction present themselves, and there are viable alternatives and there are viable options this government could pursue and they involve making difficult choices, but Manitobans make difficult choices every day, more than ever before because of the actions of this government. But, rather than having the courage to make those choices and go forward, what does this government do?

It turns and it goes backward, back to the old days of tax and spend, of vote buying, of pork barrel politics, of fear mongering and the dull repetition of talking points; a tired government, Mr. Speaker. This province, our province, was built by dedicated people. These people made sacrifices for themselves; they made sacrifices for their families; and they handed us a wonderful legacy. And we appreciate that. But they did so by demonstrating the capacity to commitment, and a commitment to control their personal finances, a capacity and a commitment to live within their means.

These wonderful people, who we owe so much to, understood–whether they understood the words or not–fiscal sustainability. They understood that it mattered. People like Kelly's mother understand those lessons today and they've lived by them all their lives. She and her daughter deserve a government that understands these lessons as well as they do. Mr.

Speaker, we look forward on this side to providing Manitobans with the kind of government, that kind of government, the truthful government, a new government that will define targets and aim higher, balance its spending for today with medium and long- term needs for a stronger future, follow through–not just worry about announcements, but follow through and make its deeds match its words.

A new government that will raise the basic exemption, that will restore the right of Manitobans to vote on major tax increases, that will increase – finally–the rental allowance for Manitobans who are struggling and living in despair, that will lower the illegally raised PST, because we understand what the government doesn't get; that a Manitoba government should reflect Manitoba values. And in this province we help those less fortunate, we respect the democratic rights of one another, we support our personal and familial ability to build our economy and we tell the truth and we keep our word to one another.

This is our goal. This is the kind of leadership Manitobans deserve. This is not what Manitobans are getting. This is what the PC Party will provide to the people of this province.

November 14, 2013 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 73 But, because the government is not providing these things, Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the member for Lac du Bonnet (Mr. Ewasko), THAT the M otion be amended by adding at the end the following words: But this House regrets: (

a) That despite hearing from thousands of Manitobans in opposition to raising the provincial sales tax and calling the idea ridiculous during the last election period, the provincial government has chosen to ignore both the will of Manitobans and the law by choosing to raise the PST by 1 per cent, from 7 to 8 per cent; and (

b) That despite continued calls for respect for the law , the provincial government's approach of continuing to disrespect the tenets of the balanced budget and fiscal management act including raising major taxes on Manitobans without a referendum and exempting ministers from established salary penalties during deficit periods represents a failure to res pect the rule of law and the democratic rights of Manitobans; and (

c) That despite the fact that Manitobans experienced the hi ghest food bank usage in Canada–especially amongst children –an inflation rate that is more than twice the national average, the p rovincial government continues to impose taxes on Manitobans at a lower level of income than what is found in all but two provinces and has failed to provide an increase in the basic personal income tax exemption to the national provincial average; and (

d) That despite the many calls from i ndividuals and community groups the provincial government has failed to protect the most vulnerable Manitobans by refusing to raise the rent allowance portion of employment and income assi stance to 75 per cent of median market rents; and (

e) That despite the largest increase in revenue of any Canadian province in 2013 and the highest projected growth in revenue of any province in Canada over the next several years, this House regrets the provincial government's commitmen t to increase spending in the absence of a comprehensive expenditure review to evaluate return on investment and program outcomes across all departments of government; and (

f) That despite the promise to invest in core infrastructure, the provincial gover nment has consistently failed to follow through on past commitments, demonstrating to the House that the provincial government cannot be taken at its word since numerous core infrastructure projects cited in the Speech from the Throne constitute reannounce ments of long-standing projects committed to prior to the proposed hike in the provincial sales tax.

As a consequence of these and many other failings, the provincial government has thereby lost the trust and confidence of the people of Manitoba and this House. * (15:10) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker: It has been moved by the honourable Leader of the Official Opposition (Mr. Pallister), seconded by the honourable member for Lac du Bonnet, THAT the Motion be amended by adding at the end – of–the following words: But this House regrets: (

a) that despite hearing from thousands of Manitobans in opposition to raising the– Some Honourable Members: Dispense. Mr. Speaker: Dispense? Some Honourable Members: No. Mr. Speaker: Wish it read? Okay. (

a) That despite hearing from thousands of Manitobans in opposition to raising the provincial sales tax and calling the idea ridiculous during the last election period, the provincial government has chosen to ignore both the will of Manitobans and the law by choosing to raise the PST by 1 per cent, from 7 to 8 per cent; and (

b) That despite continued calls for respect for the law , the provincial government's approach to–of continuing to disrespect the tenets of the balanced budget and fiscal management act including raising major taxes on Manitobans without a referendum and

74 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA November 14, 2013 exempting ministers from established salary penalties during deficit periods represents a failure to respect the rule of law and the democratic right of Manitobans; and (

c) That despite the fact that Manitobans experienced the hi ghest food bank usage in Canada–especially amongst children–and the–an inflation rate that is more than twice the national average, the provincial government continues to impose taxes on Manitobans at a lower level of income than what is found in all but two provinces and has failed to provide an increase in the basic personal tax–income tax exemption to the national provincial average; and (

d) That despite the many calls from i ndividuals and community groups the prov incial government has failed to protect the most vulnerable Manitobans by refusing to raise the rent al allowance portion of employment and income assi stance to 75 per cent of median market rents; and (

e) That despite the largest increase in revenue of any Canadian province in 2013 and the highest projected growth in revenue of any province in Canada over the next several years, this House regrets the provincial government's commitment to increase spending in the absence of a comprehensive expenditure revie w to evaluate return on investment and program outcomes across all departments of government; and (

f) That despite the promise to invest in core infrastructure, the provincial government has consistently failed to follow through on past commitments, demonstrating to the House that the provincial government cannot be taken at its word since numerous core infrastructure projects sp ited in the Speech from the Throne constitute reannouncements of long-standing projects committed to prior to the proposed hike i n the provincial sales tax. As the consequences of these and many other failings, the provincial government has thereby lost the trust and confidence of the people of Manitoba and this House.

The amendment is in order. Hon. Steve Ashton (Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation): It's a great pleasure to speak in the Throne Speech debate, Mr. Speaker, and I do want to indicate that when I start my comments here that I do have a bit of a cold. It seems to be going around this Chamber, but I'm not going to let a cold or anything stop me from standing up to say how proud I am to be part of this government speaking in favour of this Throne Speech. And I do want to indicate first of all, that –as I've always done, Mr.

Speaker, I always recognize that the reason I have this privilege is because of the support for the people of the Thompson constituency, the eight communities that I represent in this Legislature. The community of Thompson, of course, the centre of the constituency, but I'm really proud to represent Thompson; represent Wabowden; Thicket Portage; Pikwitonei; Alfred and War Lake, the two communities; the Bunibonibee Cree Nation in Oxford House; the Tataskweyak Cree Nation in Split Lake–and I know the member for St. Paul (Mr.

Schuler), I'm still waiting for him to come and visit Tataskweyak, the fine community of Tataskweyak – and, of course, the York Factory First Nation in York Landing. All of these are communities from Wabowden to Tataskweyak that are seeing the results of our government. And I would point out that, as we speak, work is under way in terms of the interim campsite for the Keeyask dam, and I had to represent three of the four communities that are going to be partners in building one of the most significant investments we've seen in a couple of decades in this province, the Keeyask dam. Now, Mr.

Speaker, I want to stress that –I'm going to be a little bit political here –I might be a little political in the rest of my speech. But, you know, one thing about northern Manitoba–I've said it before, and every time I see the member for St. Paul (Mr. Schuler), I'm thinking of this again, you know, we know that the members opposite don't care a darn about northern Manitoba. There's been more sightings of the sasquatch in my constituency than there have of Tory MLAs. But, you know, Mr.

Speaker, I wonder why they don't want to come to northern Manitoba, because what is the first thing that the Leader of the Opposition said he would do when he became leader? He didn't even wait for an election. He didn't fight an election on this. He didn't debate it. He didn't come up and talk to people affected. The first thing he said he would do is shut down hydro construction in northern Manitoba.

November 14, 2013 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 75 Now, Mr. Speaker, there's a bit of a precedent here. I know members opposite know I like to ask these kind of questions. Earlier today I asked– actually, I like to ask this question about infrastructure generally –is, like, what did the Conservatives build in the 1990s when they were in government? And there 's usually deafening silence from members opposite because even they can't think of one project. It's a trick question. But you know what?

Every time an NDP government is anywhere close to building a hydro dam, whether it was Limestone with Sterling Lyon, whether it was Conawapa with Gary Filmon, the first thing they want to do is they want to shut it down. Well, I got news for members opposite: We're not going to let them shut it down. We're going to build it in partnership. We're going to build Keeyask and we're going to go on building Conawapa. Now, Mr. Speaker, as I said, I was introducing my constituency in a non- partisan way.

It is a fine constituency, but I do want to say that it's also a pleasure not only to speak on the Throne Speech but to follow the Leader of the Opposition. Now, I'm not sure if that was really a speech or a sermon. You know, it lacked a little bit of passion, quite frankly. You know, I still think that speeches are best certainly from a Leader of the Opposition. I would expect, you know, off -the-cuff, not necessarily reading a written speech, but what struck me about it, by the way, was the decided lack of enthusiasm for – from his caucus.

Now, there was the mandatory standing ovation at the end, you know, and their declining num bers–I mean, you want to talk about the sequel to honey, I shrunk the caucus? You know, it's the Leader of the Opposition. And I thought the ultimate in hubris is getting up today and his demanding representation for Morris. Well, Mr. Speaker, we still w ant to know why the MLA for Morris quit. We know that Larry Maguire is pursuing his federal ambitions.

It's interesting– I'm actually going to miss both Mavis Taillieu and Larry Maguire, but the winner of the Leader of the Opposition award has clearly got t o be Larry Maguire. Just like his former leader quitting provincial politics to pursue them federally, the only difference, of course, is when the Leader of the Opposition quit, he not only quit provincial politics, he quit in the middle of the biggest flood–the flood of the century. So we don't need any lectures from the Leader of the Opposition in terms of commitment. But I got to tell you–I got to tell you, Mr.

Speaker, there's some pretty tough positions over there. I want to say, you know, that proba bly the toughest is being a Tory environment critic. I mean, we all know that when it comes to Conservatives and the environment, that's an oxymoron. I'm actually not even sure who the environment critic is. You know, it's pretty tough being Health critic over there, given their record in the 1990s. I was going to say it's tough being the Education critic. It's interesting–I can't remember last time they even asked a question. I'm not even sure they have a critic anymore–not surprising.

And, you know, at bottom line is they're tough jobs, but one of the toughest jobs has to be anybody that's a critic for anything involving infrastructure over there. The member for Lakeside (Mr. Eichler), you know, he's had that portfolio–I've got to say, the ultimate in hubris is to get up and ask any question about infrastructure in this House when you're a Conservative, given their abysmal record in the 1990s. * (15:20) Now, I got a kick out of –earlier today, Mr. Speaker, the Tories put out a press release. And it was on infrastructure.

Now, what was interesting–the interesting part, by the way, the media asked me about a number of things, and one of the things they said is that we had cancelled one out of four projects. I said, no. I said, we haven't cancelled any project s. We deferred some because of the flood; I think people would understand that. Then I challenged, and I said, what projects? And actually I was told by the media at the time that the Conservatives have actually withdrawn that initial press release, that they made a mistake. Well, how about they withdraw the rest of their ridiculous argument.

They have no credibility on infrastructure. When they were in government, in 10 years they spent the same amount of money invested by us in the last three years. Under this Premier (Mr. Selinger), with this government, in three years we spent what they have in 10. Now, I want to just focus in on some of the key projects we're working. And I want to start with Highway 75–Highway 75. Does anybody remember how embarrassing it was to come back if you were visiting the States, Mr. Speaker, or for American visitors going back, when you hit the border?

I mean, it was just an absolute embarrassment, the condition of that highway. An Honourable Member: Take your false teeth out.

76 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA November 14, 2013 Mr. Ashton: Now, Mr. Speaker, I've got to tell you, the–the member for Dawson Trail (Mr. Lemieux) has put it rather graphically. I tell you, there was no reed for–no need for speed bumps on that highway. But one of the first things we did when we got i nto government, we actually–we started investing in that highway. And I actually asked the question–I actually asked the question –what the Conservatives had done on Highway 75. Now, let's understand–let's understand–they represented Highway 75, they represented from St. Norbert all the way to the US border.

And, if you include the surrounding constituencies, every single one of them were Conservative MLAs. And I want to tell you what those Conservatives delivered: nothing. Some Honourable Members: Nada. Mr. Ashton : Oh, I'm not going to go there, the member of Dawson Trail –but I got to tell you, they're a–they didn't have a single major project on Highway 75. They didn't have a single project.

The bottom line is the members opposite –and I'm sure every election, they went in and it was this kind of, you know, running around that they love to do, and it's–they love swaggering around, and it's like, you know, Conservatives, rural Manitoba, you know, it's almost like Conservatives, rural Manitoba. They did nothing for rural Manitoba. They ignored the highway network. They ignored Highway 75. And I can tell you, since 1999, we've invested more money in every region of this province, and it's one of the reasons I believe that we're still in government in 2013. And, Mr. Speaker, it's not just Highway 75.

How about Highway 1? Highway 1, as the Premier (Mr. Selinger) outlined earlier, the National Highway System. You know, you hit Virden and it was like, you know, you fell off the end of the Earth. There was no four -laning to the Saskatchewan border. The condition of Highway 1 was pathetic. It was an embarrassment. Now, you know what? Every one of the–those constituents out there were –with the exception of that island of sanity in Brandon, were all Conservatives, ev ery last one of them –every last one of them were Conservatives. And what did they deliver when they were in government? Absolutely nothing.

It took an NDP government to four -lane it to the Saskatchewan border from Virden. Now, Mr. Speaker, our vision also goes east. We still have another portion of Highway 1 that has not been four-laned. And I'm–maybe I'm being a little bit clairvoyant in this one. Well, maybe not.

But I get the feeling that members opposite may be hearing this speech in the context of Hi ghway 1 east soon, because we've already started the work in the constituency of the member for Dawson Trail and we're going to finish the job, because our National Highway System, whether it's Highway 75 or Highway 1, deserves an investment, and we're making that investment, no thanks to members opposite. Now, I've got other highways, if members opposite want to take my virtual tour of the province. I remember our major routes like Highway 6.

I don't think there was a single job on Highway 6 in the entire time they were in government. You know, Highway 7 and 8, Highway 9–Highway 9 was in pathetic shape. What have we done? Mr. Speaker, 6, 7, 8 and 9, major investments in this Throne Speech, even more commitment to investing. How about Highway 10?

Highway 10, I ask that question too, because every so often, you know, you get a member, you know, it goes back forth in Brandon West, and I always appreciate the perspective of this member from Brandon West who, quite frankly, is continuing a tradition of voting against anything and everything that benefits Brandon. The only difference is, unlike the former MLA for Brandon West, a lot of times he actually speaks against it too. The former MLA a lot of times would join with the MLA for Brandon East and put Brandon first, but you know what? Highway 10, we have a historic investment coming up.

Stay tuned, more construction delays this year on Highway 10 because we're going south from the Highway 10 to the border, north of Brandon, all the way up to Flin Flon. And I wa nt to put on the record that the member of Flin Flon, please apologize in advance –I know you've already done this –major construction delays for the work we’re going to do on Highway 10, south of Flin Flon. Mr. Speaker, every so often they even try to swagger around certain parts of Winnipeg.

You know, they still haven't gotten used to the fact that – talking about shrinking the caucus, they don't exactly have much of an urban focus but they go into parts of the city–and I look forward, by the way, you know, when they go out and actually find their way into some of the areas that they used to represent. You know, I know they still think they have a divine right to represent those constituencies. Periodically, they get up in the House and, you know, go after the MLAs from that area, but when we announce the details of some of the work we're doing on the

November 14, 2013 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 77 Perimeter, I wonder if they will actually go and tell people in that area that it's actually going to be an NDP government, once again, that is going to fix the Perimeter Highway. Because I asked that question too. You know how many major projects they did in the '90s on the Perimeter Highway? Nothing, zero– okay, I'll even say it this time, nada. But, Mr. Speaker, you know what, it really comes down to the fact that members opposite have a very different approach to government.

Let's understand that when they were in government, when the Leader of the Opposition was a key Cabinet minister–and by the way, for members who weren't here at the time, he hasn't chang ed a bit. He had all the answers. He had all the answers, but if you disagree with him, watch out. Believe you me, by the way, watch out. And I won't get into internal politics in the PC caucus but I can tell you the Leader of the Opposition was –I would sa y he was the ideological guru of the Filmon government. Now, this was a government that didn't need much, you know, guidance in terms of ideology.

You know, they –when it came to health care, first reaction was to privatize the home care–you know, Connie Curran. The member for Charleswood (Mrs. Driedger) actually was legislative assistant to the Minister of Health. So, you know what, there's a number of them across the way that have their fingerprints all over that agenda. It took an absolute, you know, uprising from average Manitobans to stop them from privatizing health care. But who can forget the hundreds of thousands of nurses that they cut?

The fact they even cut admission to medical school –but, you know, do you remember what I said about the Leader of the Opposition? You think he's changed? One of the first things he did when he was asked on CJOB whether he supported, you know, a two- tier system including privatized health care, he said, yes, he does. Well, surprise, surprise? No, the member opposit e is stuck in a time warp.

He doesn't get the fact that that agenda was rejected in the 1990s, and I look forward to us fighting an election with the Leader of the Opposition campaigning on a platform of privatization, on a two-tier health-care system. * (15:30) But where else haven't they changed? I think it's very obvious to my mind they don't get the reality facing working people in this province. I don't know what it is about workplace safety and health that members opposite don't get. I remember w hen the member for St. Paul (Mr.

Schuler) was critic and he held up the Legislature until, you know, not until December like they've done the last few months, but into August to fight against the workplace safety and health bill. What did they do in the la tter part of the last session? The amazing

part is I sat in committee. I heard the presentations. I heard presentations talk about the perspective of working people who are forced to work in unsafe working conditions, people that are forced to work in unsafe conditions, I–you know, the need for the right to refuse to be actually able to be enforced. I saw the minister of Labour, you know, listen to the presentations that came forward, and, no, I don't think there was a single opponent. Not one opposition, y ou know, one person in opposition to that. So what did they do?

One of the first things they did when they came back in the Chamber and that bill came up they voted against the workplace safety and health amendments. Now, Mr. Speaker, I don't know what part of their ideology leads them to do that, but let's put this on the record. To my mind, once again, members opposite haven't changed. They don't get the reality facing the working people of this province, and I should say, quite frankly, to vote against something that's going to improve safety, shame on them. Shame on them. But do you know what? They change their agenda on anything.

I'm looking at –I mentioned education before. You know, I'm glad our –the member for St. Vital (Ms. Allan) in her new role actually has the chance to stand up and have a voice because, you know what? I think it's been about a year and a half since they asked her a question when she was the minister of Education on education. Well, you know, Mr. Speaker, what do you–what is it about education that members opposite don't have– [interjection] Well, I know the member for Steinbach (Mr. Goertzen) is getting vocal again.

We know their entire agenda in the last session for three months they held up the Legislature because they didn't agree with an antibullying bill that will protect all kids including gay and lesbian kids against bullying. Talk about ideology, and I'll put on the record they quoted from some of the presenters at committee. But they never once disowned some of the comments. Vast majority of Manitobans gave recent comments. But there were some comments that were

78 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA November 14, 2013 clearly unacceptable, I think, to all Manitobans in the 2000–the year 2013, and you know what? Again, it speaks volumes about their agenda which is increasingly, you know, very much imposing their views on others on important social issues. I think our caucus represents the diverse view that Manitobans have which they reject that, and I can tell you, Mr. Speaker, I was never more proud than when we stood to vote to prevent bullying against all kids including gay and lesbian and transgender and bisexual kids in this province.

Well, let's look where their agenda also really is very obvious as well. Mr. Speaker, we put a lot of effort over the last number of years i n terms of flood protection and fighting floods. I'm really proud of the fact that we spent more than a billion dollars, invested it in flood protection. I'm proud of the work that we have done to protect the Red River Valley, now the one-in-a-hundred-year flood, and how about the city of Winnipeg, one -in-700-year flood protection. And I recently had the opportunity to meet with my counterpart from Alberta.

I just want to put this in perspective and this is really a reflection I think of where they're headed now. I think they've learned, you know, the hard way. The city of Calgary major flooding they faced. They're protected to one-in-25-year flood. Now, Mr. Speaker, they also don't have a sales tax in Alberta, and we do. By the way, it was Duff Roblin t hat brought it in, just as Duff Roblin put that sales tax to use to protect Manitobans and it was one of the wisest investments ever made. With the one cent on the dollar we're undertaking the same challenge to protect Lake Manitoba, Lake St.

Martin, to pr otect the people in the city of Winnipeg. I say to members opposite, you know, if they have any sense of what vision is about, they would support us in putting that one cent on the dollar in place to protect flood victims. And I know members opposite sti ll, you know, they still talk in these conspiracy theories about the flooding. You know, a recent report that came out proved actually that during the time which most of the damage occurred in May of 2011 we were actually about a foot and a half below natural level, and I said–the media said, is that vindication of your arguments is it?

You know, there's no comfort, given the damage that took place, even if it was a major natural disaster. But, you know, we hear members opposite get up, flippantly talk about artificial flooding. You know, they act like it's sort of, you know –I know they've said that–you know, I've accused them of sort of, you know, comes to the moon landing. They think we're shot in a back lot in Hollywood. You know, they really–if you listen to their comments, do they really believe that somebody pressed a button and instantly there was, you know, one -in-400-year flooding? I mean, really, Mr.

Speaker, what it comes down to is you've seen a hyperpartisan approach, particularly since the L eader of the Opposition has taken over the helm across the way. I remember the days when you had a non- partisan–a bipartisan approach on flooding. Even in 2011, I want to give members opposite credit; we worked, you know, collegially on issues. Didn't alwa ys agree. But I've got to tell you, don't you think if you really were concerned about flooding, the first thing you'd do is stand up and be counted and support the budget we brought in and the Throne Speech we brought in, that is there for those flood vic tims.

You know, talk is cheap, especially political talk. What really counts is if you prepare to have a plan, and we've got a plan to protect those flood victims. So, Mr. Speaker, I think there's a bit of a theme here. The Leader of the Opposition hasn' t changed. The Conservatives haven't changed. They still believe they have a divine right to govern. You know, they haven't really learned many of the lessons the last several elections. I look –they particularly have a view of rural Manitoba that, I think, takes it for granted.

I think they don't get some of the very significant things that are happening all across rural Manitoba. I'm very proud of the fact, by the way, that Manitoba is probably the unique jurisdiction in Canada, because rural Manitoba is leading the way. And I'm proud, by the way, of what I see what's going on in communities like Morden and Winkler and Steinbach, Mr. Speaker. I'm proud of the growth we're seeing in Brandon. I'm proud of the growth we're seeing in the parklands all throughout this province.

But you know, members opposite are still in this sort of mode where, you know, they have a very limited view of the province. I mean, they still have those old highway maps, I know, Mr. Speaker, that, you know, get cut off after a certain point. They still, you know, run around and they don't recognize some of the things that are taking place. But because of our economic initiatives, not the least of which the way

November 14, 2013 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 79 that we've opened up the Provincial Nominee Program, we're also starting to see, you know, many of the communities throughout the province becoming increasingly diverse. And I love when I travel, making the many announcements that we have to make, when I see that diversity. But one thing I don't see reflected opposite is the diversity of this province. One thing I'm also very proud of, Mr.

Speaker, you look at our caucus, you see the province of Manitoba, from First Nations and Metis people through to the ethnocultural communities that have settled Canada in the most recent times. And we represent every single region of the province, and we will continue to speak up for that great diversity. So, Mr. Speaker –[interjection] Well, you know the member opposite, you know, talks about calling the election, and you know what? I know they're still refighting the '99 election, the 2003 election, the 2007 election, the 2011 election.

You know, I'm sure when they go back to their caucus, you know, it's always the same. It's, like, we were robbed, you know. Like, we should be governing. But, you know, that swagger doesn't really cut it with Manitobans. There's no divine right in this province. And I want to say to members opposite, you know, they can swagger all they want and the Leader of the Opposition–pretty good on the swaggering s ide. But I can tell you one thing. So long as they continue to recycle the kind of tired ideology of the 1990s –ain't going to cut it. [inter

Document details

Collection	Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	40-3-3
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	40th 3rd hansardpdf 3.pdf
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	538fdd7208a657894e881e96005a707c726e3b5e

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