Manitoba Hansard — 25 May 2022 (Sitting 56, 42nd Legislature, 4th Session)

42-4-56

Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)

Fourth Session – Forty-Second Legislature of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba DEBATES and PROCEEDINGS Official Report (Hansard) Published under the authority of The Honourable Myrna Driedger Speaker Vol. LXXVI No. 56 - 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 25, 2022 ISSN 0542-5492

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

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

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

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

2335 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA Wednesday, May 25, 2022 The House met at 1:30 p.m. Mr. Deputy Speaker (Andrew Micklefield): O Eternal and Almighty God, from Whom all power and wisdom come, we are assembled here before Thee to frame such laws as may tend to the welfare and prosperity of our province. Grant, O merciful God, we pray Thee, that we may desire only that which is in accordance with Thy will, we may seek it with wisdom and know it with certainty and accomplish it perfectly for the glory and honour of Thy name and for the welfare of all our people. Amen.

We acknowl edge we are gathering –we are gathered on Treaty 1 territory and that Manitoba is located on the treaty ter ritories and ancestral lands of the Anishinaabeg, Anishininknewuk [phonetic] , Dakota Oyate, Denesuli -suline [phonetic], Nehethowuk nations. We acknowl edge Manitoba is located on the Homeland of the Red River Métis. We acknowledge northern Manitoba incl udes lands that were and are the ancestral lands of the Inuit.

We respect the spirit and intent of treaties and treaty making and remain committed to working in partner- ship with First Nations, Inuit and Métis people in the spirit of truth, reconciliation and collaboration. Please be seated. Good afternoon. Let me just get organized. ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS Mr. Deputy Speaker: Introduction of bills? COMMITTEE REPORTS Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development Fifth Report Mr. Len Isleifson (Chairperson): I wish to present the fifth report of the Standing Com mittee on Social and Economic Development. Clerk (Ms.

Patricia Chaychuk): Your Standing Committee on Social and Economic Dev elopment presents the– Some Honourable Members: Dispense. Mr. Deputy Speaker: Dispense. Your Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development presents the following as its Fifth Report. Meetings Your Committee met on May 24, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. in Room 255 of the Legislative Building. Matters under Consideration • Bill (No. 16) – The Financial Administration Amendment Act / Loi modifiant la

Loi sur la gestion des finances publiques • Bill (No. 29) – The Mennonite College Federation Amendment Act / Loi modifiant la

Loi sur la Fédération des collèges mennonites • Bill (No. 33) – The Municipal Assessment Amendment and Municipal Board Amendment Act / Loi modifiant la

Loi sur l'évaluation municipale et la

Loi sur la Commission municipale • Bill (No. 34) – The City of Winnipeg Charter Amendment and Planning Amendment Act / Loi modifiant la Charte de la ville de Winnipeg et la

Loi sur l'aménagement du territoire • Bill (No. 37) – The International Child Support and Family Maintenance (Hague Convention) Act /

Loi sur le recouvrement international des aliments destinés aux enfants et à d'autres membres de la famille (Convention de La Haye) • Bill (No. 228) – The Eating Disorders Awareness Week Act /

Loi sur la Semaine de sensibilisation aux troubles de l'alimentation Committee Membership As per the Sessional Order passed by the House on October 7, 2020, and subsequently a mended, Rule 82(2) was waived for the May 24, 2022 meeting, reducing the membership to six Members (4 Government and 2 Official Opposition). • Hon. Ms. C LARKE • Hon. Mr. FRIESEN • Mr. ISLEIFSON • Ms. MORLEY-LECOMTE (Vice-Chairperson) • Ms. NAYLOR • Mr. WASYLIW Your Committee elected Mr. ISLEIFSON as the Chairperson.

2336 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 25, 2022 Non-Committee Members Speaking on Record • Ms. LAMOUREUX • Hon. Mr. REYES • Hon. Mr. GOERTZEN Public Presentations Your Committee heard the following presentation on Bill (No. 29) – The Mennonite College Federation Amendment Act / Loi modifiant la

Loi sur la Fédération des collèges mennonites: Cheryl Pauls, Canadian Mennonite University Your Committee heard the following presentation on Bill (No. 33) – The Municipal Assessment Amendment and Municipal Board Amendment Act / Loi modifiant la

Loi sur l'évaluation municipale et la

Loi sur la Commission municipale: Kam Blight, Association of Manitoba Municipalities Your Committee heard the following two presen- tations on Bill (No. 34) – The City of Winnipeg Charter Amendment a nd Planning Amendment Act / Loi modifiant la Charte de la ville de Winnipeg et la

Loi sur l'aménagement du territoire: Marc Pittet, City of Winnipeg Planning, Property and Development Department James Platt, Private citizen Your Committee heard the followi ng three presen - tations on Bill (No. 228) – The Eating Disorders Awareness Week Act /

Loi sur la Semaine de sensibilisation aux troubles de l'alimentation: Elaine Stevenson, Alyssa Stevenson Eating Disorder Memorial Trust Lea Neufeld La Rue, Women's Health Clinic Kristen Bauman, Private citizen Bills Considered and Reported • Bill (No. 16) – The Financial Ad ministration Amendment Act / Loi modifiant la

Loi sur la gestion des finances publiques Your Committee agreed to report this Bill without amendment. • Bill (No. 29) – The Mennonite College Federation Amendment Act / Loi modifiant la

Loi sur la Fédération des collèges mennonites Your Committee agreed to report this Bill without amendment. • Bill (No. 33) – The Municipal Assessment Amendment and Municipal Board Amendment Act / Loi modifiant la

Loi sur l'évaluation municipale et la

Loi sur la Commission municipale Your Committee agreed to report this Bill with the following amendment: THAT Clause 10(2) of the Bill be amended in the proposed clause 64.1(1)(

b) by striking out "third day" and substituting "fifth day". • Bill (No. 34) – The City of Winnipeg Charter Amendment and Planning Amendment Act / Loi modifiant la Charte de la ville de Winnipeg et la

Loi sur l'aménagement du territoire Your Committee agreed to report this Bill without amendment. • Bill (No. 37) – The International Child Support and Family Maintenance (Hague Convention) Act /

Loi sur le recouvrement international des aliments destinés aux enfants et à d'autres membres de la famille (Convention de La Haye) Your Committee agreed to report this Bill without amendment. • Bill (No. 228) – The Eating Disorders Awareness Week Act /

Loi sur la Semaine de sensibilisation aux troubles de l'alimentation Your Committee agreed to report this Bill without amendment. Mr. Deputy Speaker: Tabling of reports – [interjection] Oh, my apologies. The honour able member for Brandon East (Mr. Isleifson). Mr. Isleifson: Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker I move, seconded by the honour able member from Seine River, that the report of the committee be received. Motion agreed to. TABLING OF REPORTS Hon. Cameron Friesen (Minister of Finance): Mr.

Deputy Speaker, I rise to table a revision to the Estimates of expenditure for Manitoba Budget 2022 and accompanying notice. MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS Mr. Deputy Speaker: And I should indicate that the required 90 minutes notice prior to routine proceedings was provided in accordance with rule 26(2).

May 25, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2337 Would the honourable Minister of Health please proceed with the statement. Paramedic Services Week Hon. Audrey Gordon (Minister of Health): I would like to acknowledge our heroes in paramedicine for the incredible work they do for all Manitobans. From May 22nd to 28th Manitoba celebrates Paramedic Services Week. The theme of Paramedic Services Week is Faces of Paramedici ne, which highlights the specialized roles within the paramedic profession. In many cases, paramedics are the first contact that patients have in their health -care journey.

You provide life-saving assistance in medical emergencies and have an indisputably important role in health care. You are the professionals who keep patients calm on the other end of a dispatch call. You are the drivers rushing ambulances through our streets and the pilots careening through our prairie skies. You are the first knock at the door and the first sign of hope for individuals and their families. You have stepped into positions on vaccination teams, in emergency rooms and on research teams in the wake of the COVID -19 pandemic.

That is why, in Budget 2022, we have included a historic investment of $812 million, which demon- strates our government's dedication to support Emergency Medical Services. Within Budget 2022, we purchased 65 new ambulances, which will refresh one third of the Province's fleet. Our government is also i nvesting $4 million to hire 35 full -time primary -care paramedics and $3.5 million to increase dispatch call bandwidth. Recently, $3.8 million went towards developing new EMS stations in Portage la Prairie and Crystal City.

Our government will continue to invest and sup- port these heroes who put their health and safety on the line to care for Manitobans. You work selflessly, but it is paramount to recognize how you also require care and compassion. We recognize the immense stress that you face due to emotional calls and challenging work days. We would like to applaud Shared Health's colleague -to- colleague mental wellness team and their efforts to listen to first responders and help them explore healthy coping mechanisms. * (13:40) Mr.

Deputy Speaker, we have seen recently the tragic circumstances that our paramedics and first responders are asked to respond to. The tragedies in Texas and Buffalo are both horrific for the loss of life but also for the toll it takes on emergency responders. I would ask, Mr. Deputy Speaker, after members have responded, for a moment of silence to remember those who have died in mass shootings in recent days, and the paramedics and first responders in Manitoba and around the world who are called to save lives and comfort families. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. MLA Uzoma Asagwara (Union Station): Mr.

Deputy Speaker, this Paramedic Services Week, we commend those in paramedicine who dedicate their lives to saving the lives of others. Our para - medics work day in and day out, often at great per - sonal risk, to provide expert care when we need it. Everyone in Manitoba is fortunate to know that when they're in emergency, help is on the way. Unfortunately, after years of PC cuts, this help is taking much too long to arrive. Parame dic arrival times are up to 35 per cent longer in rural Manitoba than they were just a few years ago.

In Winnipeg in January, there were a cumulative 28 hours in which zero ambulances were available to respond to emergencies. Now, of course, these delays are not the fault of our paramedics; they're the fault of a government that consistently chooses cuts over care. So today, as we thank paramedics for their ser - vice, we also pause to acknowledge the burden they're under and the challenges that they face. Recent media reports shifts as long as 23 hours for paramedics. They need relief and they need our support. In an emer - gency, every moment matters, Mr. Deputy Speaker.

Nobody knows that more than those in health care providing emergency medical services. It's about time that the PC government appre - ciated not only the critical work that paramedics do, but acknowledge the understaffing crisis that con- tinues to make their work exponentially harder. They've been working for over four years with an expired contract, and it's long overdue that they got a contract too. That's why during Paramedic Services Week, the Manitoba NDP reiterates our commitment to invest in paramedics and support their work-life balance, while they care for us and Manitobans across the province.

2338 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 25, 2022 Thank you. Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Mr. Deputy Speaker, I ask leave to respond to the minister's statement. Mr. Deputy Speaker: Does the honourable member for River Heights have leave to respond to the minis- ter's statement? [Agreed] Mr. Gerrard: Mr. Deputy Speaker, first and fore - most, a big thank you to all paramedics in Manitoba on this week, Paramedic Services Week, and indeed, on every week. Paramedics do incredible work, often under very challenging circumstances.

This i s true for all para - medics, but is particularly true for paramedics work - ing in rural areas, where the longer distances mean more actively involvement in care during transport, and sporadic emergency room closures add to the problems. The development of community paramedicine has been positive, but it still has some way to go. For example, there is still no access to community paramedicine in Camperville, in spite of the need. There is a province-wide shortage of paramedics which has not been addressed, despite the present government having had seven years to act.

Medicine, and in particular paramedicine, is not a static discipline. Treatments and supports, including social supports, are changing all the time, and ongoing continuing education and training is essential to pro - viding optimal help to individuals in difficulty. Training for work in rural areas has additional challenges. There are opportunities to improve, such as en- abling quicker handover of patients when paramedics arrive in emergency roo ms and addressing com - munication gaps for existing communication systems in some rural areas.

Better training in handling those who are elderly, especially those who have some level of dementia, is also important, as many who are being transported and require special care are elderly. To sum it up: thank you, thank you, thank you, all paramedics in Manitoba. The work you do every day is essential. We thank you for your ability to be emer- gency responders in very tragic and difficult circum- stances and we appreciate your efforts. Merci. Miigwech. Thank you. Mr. Deputy Speaker: As per the Minister of Health's (Ms.

Gordon) request, is there leave for a moment of silence? [Agreed] A moment of silence was observed. The honour able Minister of Tra nsportation and Infrastructure–and I would, again, reiterate the re - quired 90 minutes notice prior to routine proceedings was provided in accordance with rule 26(2). Would the honour able minister please proceed with the statement. Flooding Update Hon. Doyle Piwniuk (Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure): Mr.

Deputy Speaker, our hydrologic forecasting team has indicated there is no significant precipitation in the forecast for southern and central Manitoba over the next three days. With the exception of the Winnipeg River and the Souris River, all locations north and south of Winnipeg along the Red River are declining slowly but are expected to remain high until early June, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Water levels in the–most drains, creeks and tributaries are also declining.

The Winnipeg River is expecting very high flows and water levels are–significant water volumes upstream of Lake of the Woods and Lac Seuli [phonetic], which is impacting many locations within the Whiteshell Provincial Park. The Winnipeg River is expected to crest in early June, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mandatory evacuation notices have been issued to parts of the Whiteshell area, and some roads have been deemed unsafe. Manitobans have been advised not to travel into the Whiteshell Provincial Park area.

Our provincial staff will continue to identify critical infrastructure within the Whiteshell Provincial Park and develop a mitigation plan to ensure con- tinuous operations and provide all necessary flood prevention support. Mr. Deputy Speaker, 33 local authorities, four northern affairs communities, seven First Nation com- munities and one provincial park has declared states of local emergency. Our provincial staff will continue to update the – update Manitoba 511 app with the lates t road re - opening information across the province as well as closures within the Whiteshell Provincial Park.

To all provincial staff, municipal officials and volunteers: we thank you. Our government and

May 25, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2339 Manitobans across the province deem your dedication in fighting this historical flood–we commend you all. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr. Matt Wiebe (Concordia): Mr. Speaker, all Manitobans continue to be concerned about the rising water levels in the Whiteshell and news that there's not much additional that can be done to reduce the flow on the Winnipeg River. Inflow levels are at their highest levels since we began recording them in 1907 and there's a lot more water still to come from Ontario.

A mandatory evacuation notice is now in effect in the northern portion of the Whiteshell Provincial Park. Manitobans and all –and organizations in the re - gion, including lodges and outfitters, need help now, and we commend all those on the ground who are helping to sandbag and mitigate further damage. But as the crest is still weeks away, they'll also need help rebuilding when the flood waters recede later this summer.

Many are already asking for information on plans for financial support programs for those im - pacted in the Whiteshell and surrounding areas, in- cluding lodges and outfitters, as well as those who have primary and secondary properties. Whiteshell residents and business owners are desperate to know that compensation is on the way as soon as possible. Many Whiteshell residents are also expressing frustration about the lack of warning that they were given about the severity of the situation heading their way.

Local resident Amy Vereb told the press yester- day that, quote: What I'm hearing from local people is just the frustration. They're not getting enough help. We're doing the best we can here with our family and friends and the support from the guys across the road. They should have told us, listen, in two weeks there's a lot more water coming. End quote. * (13:50) As always, our thanks goes out to the countless provincial staff, firefighters, Hydro employees and, of course, the volunteers on the ground who are working around the clock to protect lives and property.

We look forward to further information from the government on medium- and long-term plans for sup- port, rebuilding and mitigation across the province. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Dougald Lamont (St. Boniface): Mr. Deputy Speaker, I seek leave to speak to the minister's statement. Mr. Deputy Speaker: Does the member have leave to speak to the minister's statement? [Agreed] Mr. Lamont: A great thanks to everybody who's been working so hard, everybody in the department as well as people on the ground who've been struggling to keep flood waters at bay.

There have been a number of–this is, of course, a very large flood that affects com munities, that often our focus in Winnipeg is Winnipeg, and we're seeing flooding in places which is much worse than usual. We've–I just wanted to touch on a few. There's been St. Pierre Jolys, St. Laurent, Powerview -Pine Falls and, of course, the city of Winnipeg.

The thing that all three of these have in common, in addition to a total of 15 munici palities, is they're all part of the Association des municipalités bilingues du Manitoba who are French-speaking, and I just wanted to flag for the minister that there's been a lot of stuff that has not been translated on the website which probably should be. This is an issue that also came up in COVID where there were emergency situations. People were being asked to vaccinate or ask for help, and there was no French translation. There are many people who live outside of St. Boniface, who live in rural areas, who speak French.

But just as an indication, when you click over from the flood information from English to French, the last press release that was put up there was the 16th of April 2019. So we're well behind both on– and that was in English as well. So if the minister could just commu nicate and ensure that we're making sure that forms–DFA forms– and that infor mation is being communicated in the language that these com munities speak, it'll actually go a long way to helping them out, both in terms of their flood assistance but also, certainly, when people are looking to recover. Thank you very much.

MEMBERS' STATEMENTS Return of In-Person High School Graduations Hon. Sarah Guillemard (Minister of Mental Health and Community Wellness): Mr. Deputy Speaker, we have a very special month ahead in June. After two years that included remote learning, hybrid classes, class cohorts, cancelled sports and cancelled school trips, young Manitobans this year will celebrate together, in person, the milestone of high school graduations.

2340 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 25, 2022 Mr. Deputy Speaker, my daughter was part of the class of the first cancelled grads in 2020. She and her friends had to deal with the sense of loss and dis - appointment, as did hundreds of other graduates over the last two years. We as MLAs have missed attending the in - 'persing,' exciting assemblies that signal the achieve - ments of bright young leaders in our communities. Mr. Deputy Speaker, I know that I very much look forward to being present at high school gradu- ations this June in my own constituency of Fort Richmond.

Schools had to get creative for their gradu- ation ceremonies during the last two years, but this year it will be great to see all these young and eager, smiling faces complete an im portant

chapter of their life. I am very happy to join Southeast Collegiat e and Fort Richmond Collegiate graduation ceremonies this year, and I know that it will include strong feelings of gratefulness. Like all my colleagues here in the House, we welcome the return to in- person celebrations. I want to congratu late all stu dents graduating in Manitoba this year, including some of our pages with- in the Chamber. Well done. Thank you. Krystal Mousseau Mr. Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): One year ago today, Krystal Mousseau died. She was 31 years old.

Krystal was born in Winnipeg and grew up on the Ebb and Flow First Nation alongside her siblings. She always had an outgoing and bubbly personality and loved spending time with her family. Some of these favourite moments came around a late- night bonfire, or per haps on a Lake Manitoba beach during a hot summer day, or even just yard- saling with her mom, Elaine. Krystal had a sweet tooth and loved to unwind with some gummies or NERDS and watch a favourite movie after a long day. Some of her favourite films that she watched most often were The Devil Wears Prada and She's All That.

Last spring, Krystal contracted COVID -19 and thereafter required hospitalization. The systems that should've helped her instead failed her, and Krystal ended up passing away as a result. Like all of us, Krystal had dreams for the future. Some of these were pretty humble: she wanted to take a trip to British Columbia. She also hoped to one day watch her two daughters graduate from school. Krystal joined her partner, Michael, who passe d away a few years earlier. Her daughters are now growing up with their extended family, who are all very close. Krystal's kids today are now 13 and 14 years old.

To her two girls: your mom did everything for you and she loved you so very much. To her family–Elaine, Karen, Kristy, Renee, Theresa, Agnes, Clifford and Kevin: you honour Krystal with the work you do on her behalf. And to Krystal: your family tells me you were the piece of the puzzle that kept them all together. And to the people of Manitoba: let us never forget who Krystal Mousseau was. International Peace Gardens Hon.

Doyle Piwniuk (Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure): I rise today to pay tribute to the International Peace Garden, the only garden in the world that straddles an international boundary. Mr. Deputy Speaker, 90 years ago, in 1932, 50,000 people from Manitoba and North Dakota travelled to –by foot, by horse and buggy and by Model T to pledge and celebrate the everlasting peace between Canada and in the United States. What better place to do it than in a garden, in touch with the natural world and calm of the beauty around us. In 1932, this was the–only a dream. Today, it's a reality.

The International Peace Garden is a mix of beauti- ful floral gardens nestled in 2,300 acres in the heart of Turtle Mountain. A stream runs through a formal garden where people love to photograph themselves with a foot on each of the –each country. There are lakes and trails and wildflowers and waterfalls and one world's finest collection of succulents and cactus in the conservatory which is under construction for an expansion. Mr. Deputy Speaker, this summer, we will open a children's playground that pays tribute to Indigenous partners.

We are working with our further plans with our Indigenous board members to celebrate the fact that in millennia, the Turtle Mountain was a place for First Nations that would gather for peace talks. Mr. Deputy Speaker, we have some special guests in the gallery here today, and they're my fellow board members and friends. And in the gallery we have the

May 25, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2341 president, Dorothy Dobbie, and we have board mem- bers Judy Saxby and Charlie Thomsen, who's also our capital campaign co-chair. We invite all Manitobans to come to the garden to celebrate with us on July 30th, the long weekend, IPG's 90th anniversary. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Let's a give them a round of applause. Catalytic Converter Theft Mr. Jim Maloway (Elmwood): It's time for this government to stand up for Manitoba consumers. More measures ar e needed to prevent catalytic converter thefts.

In the past two reporting years, in 2020 and 2021, MPI reports a 450 per cent increase in these claims. And 2022 promises to be worse, and many claims actually go unreported. Just a few weeks ago, a seniors block in my riding had their parking lot targeted. Residents in northeast Winnipeg are reporting catalytic converter thefts even while they shop at Kildonan Place. As long as precious metals like rhodium, palla - dium and platinum are worth thousands of d ollars an ounce, these thefts will continue. Organized groups of criminals have a shopping list of vehicle types.

It's not uncommon for one to fetch up to $800. Manitoba drivers aren't fully protected against these thefts be- cause Manitoba Public Insurance charges a betterment fee. There are ways we can combat catalytic con - verter theft. I've introduced Bill 232, The Catalytic Converter Identification Act, which would require motor vehicle dealers in the province to mark the vehicle identification number, the VIN number, on the catalytic converters of every vehicle sold by a dealer- ship, including new and used cars.

The purpose of the marking or etching would be to identify the catalytic converter to a specific vehicle, something that's cur - rently not possible. The provincial government should order MPI to offer substantial discounts to Manitoba drivers who have their catalytic converters engraved with the VIN numbers to incentivize people to get it done.

Legislation like Bill 232 would be a meaningful step in catalytic converter theft prevention and one more tool in the fight against thefts occurring across the province. * (14:00) We also need to improve the current bill–govern- ment Bill 9–legislation before the House by requiring proper documentation and record keeping to be in- creased to five years from the two years proposed– Mr. Deputy Speaker: The member's time has expired. An Honourable Member: Ask for leave. Some Honourable Members: Leave. Some Honourable Members: No. Mr. Deputy Speaker: Leave has been denied. St. James Assiniboia 55+ Centre Hon.

Scott Fielding (Minister of Natural Resources and Northern Development): Mr. Deputy Speaker, today I rise to recognize the 30th anniversary of the St. James Assiniboine 55-plus centre. West Winnipeg is the home to one of the highest seniors population in Manitoba. In the fall of 1998, the St. James Assiniboine seniors centre was in the formative stages and a public meeting was held at the Deer Lodge Centre. At this meeting, Mr. Deputy Speaker, a steering committee was established to research and develop a plan for the centre that will meet the needs of the growing 55-plus populations in St. James.

By the fall of 1991, a board of directors had been established and a founding meeting had take n place. Next, they needed to secure a home space. The fol - lowing summer, in a temporary space, a mailing address would be attained at the St. James Civic Centre. On June 19th, 1992, the St. James Assiniboine seniors centre was officially incorporated.

By the fall of 1993, the centre had settled at its current location at the Deer Lodge Centre and maintains its reputation as an independently operated, charitable non- profit organization that offers a variety of different programs and services that benef it seniors around the com mu- nity, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Over the past 30 years, the centre has evolved into a place where their members have come to see in themselves and the location as a second home. Now known as the St. James Assiniboine 55- plus centre, they look forward to moving back to the St. James Civic Centre once the renovations are completed.

In honour of their 30th anniversary, Mr. Deputy Speaker, they've invited you and others to–and all Manitobans to celebrate with them on June 16th

2342 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 25, 2022 with a three-course dinner, live entertainment at the Holiday Inn. You can visit them online for more in - formation at stjamescentre.com as well as celebrating 30 years of outstanding support for seniors in our local community. I also want to recognize board pr esident, Janet Jackmann, and welcome Sarah Buchan to her new role as executive director of the 55+ Centre. The efforts of the many volunteers that have made this happen, Mr. Deputy Speaker –again, I want to congratu late them on 30 years. Introduction of Guests Mr.

Deputy Speaker: Before proceeding to oral questions, I'd like to draw the attention of all honour- able members to the Speaker's gallery, where we have with us today Mr. Vilhjálmur Wiium, the consul general of Iceland in Winnipeg, who arrived this month to com mence his diplomatic posting in Manitoba. On behalf of all honour able members, we welcome you here today. * * * Mr. Deputy Speaker: I also wish to inform the House this afternoon that one of our pages, Ethan, is serving his last day in the Chamber today– Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order, please.

And I wanted to share some comments with the House. I think, Ethan, you wrote this. Am I right? [interjection] Okay, good, because I was a little con - fused on the grammar, here. So this–these are Ethan's words, just to make that plain. It has been my honour to serve as a page during this session. From my first day to today I always have a feeling of excitement, anticipation and pride when I walk up the Grand Staircase of this building. It makes me feel like a boss. Having an opportunity like this at my age has been one of the highlights of my life, and it will have a lasting, positive impact for my future.

I would like to thank my grade 10 geography teacher Mr. Martin Riley at Miles Mac Collegiate for referring and inspiring me to apply to this program. I have been very fortunate to have worked with my two bosses, Cam and Dave, and to build a friend- ship with them as well as forming relationships with many of our MLAs. Before this opportunity, I have always said that I want to become a doctor. Walking out, I could see myself sitting in one of the blue chairs as an MLA. This will hopefully not be the last time you see Ethan De Brincat in this Chamber. Perhaps, he says, my political journey has just begun.

Ethan, we wish you the west–the best, and thank you for your service. Introduction of Guests Mr. Deputy Speaker: And we 'alf'–we also welcome Ethan's mom in the gallery, as well. Give us a wave. And we also have in the gallery, from Poplar Grove School, eight grade 7 to 9 students under the direction of Darwin Froese. This group is located in the con stituency of the honour able member for Dauphin (Mr. Michaleski). We welcome you here today. ORAL QUESTIONS School Shooting in Uvalde, Texas Condolences to Family Mr.

Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): Yesterday, Manitobans, Canadians and Americans alike had our hearts shattered by the ab - solute tragedy that unfolded in Uvalde, Texas. The idea that 19 children and two teachers could be killed in

an act of senseless violence and murder, I think, defies what we want to believe about human nature but confirms the fact that we have to respond, both by showing outpourings of public support and solidarity with our American relatives, but also in assisting them in putting an end to this senseless gun violence. Nine years ago, I had a chance to visit Uvalde, Texas, when I was doing some reporting on the agri - cultural industry. I don't know what that gives me the licence to say today, other than those are hard-working, blue-collar folks who I don't think are very different from us here in Manitoba.

So, my heart goes out to them. I do have a question on universities and colleges, but I wanted to put those rec ord–those words on the permanent record. Hon. Heather Stefanson (Premier): I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his comments. What happened to these children in Texas, these 19 children, is absolutely horrific. And, Mr. Deputy Speaker, as a mother myself, I can only imagine what those mothers are going through right now, what the

May 25, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2343 parents are going through, what those family members are going through as a result of this senseless act of violence. So, our hearts and our thoughts and our prayers go out to each one of those family members and to all of those children which–it must have been just horrific to ex perience that them selves. It's going to be very traumatic for those individuals, as well, for those other children. And we pray that they get the help that they need to help them through this, because they would have lost a friend and a loved one, as well. So, Mr.

Deputy Speaker, again, our thoughts and prayers go out to all of those family members and friends and teachers and all of those who were negatively impacted as a result of this senseless act of violence. Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a supplementary question. Post-Secondary Education Tuition Increase Mr. Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): Tuition is going up in Manitoba. I'll table the documents which illustrate that college tui- tion is set to rise $250 this year. Students at uni ver- sities will be paying some $200 more this year.

Now, of course, the Premier and her Cabinet didn't tell the people of Manitoba during their budget announcement that tuition was going to get a lot more expensive this year. But here it is, in black and white: tuition is going up at a time of record inflation. Why is the Premier increasing tuition by hundreds of dollars for thousands of students across Manitoba? Hon. Heather Stefanson (Premier): Mr. Deputy Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for that question. I think the im portant thing here is that we are making investments in our post-secondary education, Mr.

Deputy Speaker, to ensure that those students get the education that they need in order to enter the work- force. So we will continue to make those investments here in Manitoba. * (14:10) We will continue to also offer Student Aid for those individuals who need to have access to those – education, and they need to have access to the money to ensure that they can afford that, Mr. Deputy Speaker. We'll continue to make those investments in our students. Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a final supplementary. Mr. Kinew: Mr.

Deputy Speaker, the Premier's decision here means it is going to cost more for Manitobans to go to school to become a nurse, to do a pre-med program, to become an electrician: $250 more per year for those headed to colleges like Red River, and about $200 more for those who are en - rolling in a university program. At a time of record inflation where the cost of living just keeps going up and up and up, the PC gov- ernment is making you pay more.

Life is getting more expensive and that ticket to education that would help empower you and increase your earning potential to respond is now slipping further and further out of reach. Why is the PC gov ernment increasing tuition on hard-working families and students across Manitoba? Mrs. Stefanson: Well, again, Mr. Deputy Speaker, the Leader of the Op position continues to put false information on the record. The fact is that we are spending $33 million more–investing $33 million more in Student Aid pro- grams for Manitoba students, Mr. Deputy Speaker.

That's more, not less like the Leader of the Opposition just put factually incorrect infor mation on the record in this Chamber. Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a new question. Orange Shirt Day Statutory Holiday Inquiry Mr. Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): College tuition's going up $250. University tuition's going up $200. I tabled the docu - ments from the ministry that proves it. What is the Premier referring to? It's factual. It's getting more expensive to go to uni versity in Manitoba.

I have to point out what was just said on the record simply does not line up with the facts. Looking ahead to the next school year, we know that one of the im portant dates that educators will circle on their calendars is September 30th. I'd like to ask the Premier directly whether she plans to make Orange Shirt Day a provincial s tat holiday in Manitoba this year? Hon. Heather Stefanson (Premier): Well, Mr. Deputy Speaker, I will refer to the beginning

part

2344 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 25, 2022 of the Leader of the Opposi tion's question, where he continued to go along the lines of putting false infor - mation on the record. The facts of the matter are that we are investing more than $33 million more in student bursaries and aid for those students who really need that help in order to allow them the privilege of going to our post-secondary edu cation in stitutions, Mr. Deputy Speaker. We are also investing more than $20 million more this year in post -secondary education. That's, again, more, not less, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr.

Deputy Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a supplementary question. Mr. Kinew: So, we recently marked the one- year anniversary of when the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation disclosed some 215 unmarked graves at the site of a former residential school. This House was united in mourning, and this provinc e was brought together over that ensuing year to stand together to advance reconciliation. That meant that, last September 30th, we saw an outpouring around Orange Shirt Day far beyond any that we had seen in previous years.

Stood with the premier of the day on some of those occasions–in fact, inviting him to stand beside me in the grand entry of the powwow at St. Johns Park. Folks across Manitoba deserve the opportunity to mark this occasion with their families. That could be accomplished by making this a provincial stat holiday. Does the Premier intend to do so in time for this September 30th? Mrs. Stefanson: Certainly, Orange Shirt Day is a very important day that is already recog nized in the province of Manitoba.

We are in the process of consulting with First Nations, with Métis, with Inuit, with employers and employees to ensure that we get this right, Mr. Deputy Speaker. And I think it's very im portant that those consultations take place. That is what we're in the process of doing. Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a final supplementary. Mr. Kinew: Indigenous organizations and leadership are united behind making this a prov incial stat holi - day. The right thing to do is to make September 30th a provincial stat this year.

The reason why it's important for it to be a prov- incial stat, and not just a federal stat holiday, is be - cause so many workplaces are provincially regulated. If we want the average worker out there who works in a manufacturing centre or works on a shop floor some- where to be able to mark September 30th with their kids and to learn together about the true history of Canada, it needs to be a provincial statutory holiday. In order for legis lation to be passed in time for September 30th of this year to be designated such, we need to pass legis lation before the House rises June 1st.

On this side of the House, we are prepared to do the right thing. Will the Premier stand with us? Mrs. Stefanson: The fact of the matter is we do re - cognize how im portant Orange Shirt Day is in the province of Manitoba. That's why it is recognized by the–in provincial government. As well, teachers and students also get –recognize those days, as well, and get that off, Mr. Deputy Speaker. So, again, we are moving forward with recog- nizing this as a very im portant day in Manitoba.

But it's very important to also ensure that we do adequate consultation with First Nations c ommunities, with Métis, with Inuk communities, with businesses, with employees and employers, Mr. Deputy Speaker – [interjection] Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. Mrs. Stefanson: –to ensure that we get this right. We will do the consultation process that is required. Thank you. Poplar River Barge Explosion Request for Provincial Assistance Mr. Ian Bushie (Keewatinook): The residents of the Poplar River First Nation are concerned after their barge suffered an explosion and is now out of com - mission.

The barge is the only way that heavier goods, such as bulk foods, gas, lumber and much- needed neces- sities, can be transported in and out of the community during these warmer months. Chief Vera Mitchell has called it a crisis, and we agree. They want the provin- cial government to step up and help solve this issue. Can the minister tell us what they are doing to rectify this situation?

May 25, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2345 Hon. Doyle Piwniuk (Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure): Mr. Deputy Speaker, I want to thank the member for the question. Mr. Deputy Speaker, we actually–our department is in talks with the First Nation com munity to make sure that, when it comes to any ferry services, that we actually do it right. We make sure that we consult with the First Nation commu nity and work together t o make sure that we have solutions and be able to make sure that we do the right thing by looking at 'replacin' with the ferry going forward here. Mr.

Deputy Speaker: The honourable member for Keewatinook, on a supplementary question. Mr. Bushie: The barge is the main way Poplar River First Nation's com mercial fishers transport their catches out of the community to sell in the market. At least 10 per cent of the community of 1,200 residents fish commercially. Without the barge, these community members are worried about how they will make a living. As of today, there is still no timeline for when this situation will be rectified.

Can the minister tell us when the community can expect a solution, and when will they have the support and transportation up–back in place? Mr. Piwniuk: Mr. Deputy Speaker, again, I want to thank–member for the question.

And when it comes to First Nation communities, we are–our de partment is making sure that, when it comes to ice roads, to –when it comes to highway s going up to the First Nation com munities, that we're always in–working with the First Nation communities to make sure that the trans portation–we know the importance of getting supplies and goods and services in through the com munities and the imp ortance of– when it comes to fisheries, to make sure that they – their–the income is generated in that community, and that's a priority for our de partment, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr.

Deputy Speaker: The honourable member for Keewatinook, with a final supplementary. Mr. Bushie: Mr. Deputy Speaker, the barge situation in Poplar River First Nation highlights how precarious the transportation system really is for this community. The com munity wants to see long- term solutions, such as relocating the airstrip so it can accommodate larger planes, an all -weather road and a freighting barge system. These measures could make the community more resilient to events such as the barge explosion. The minister could work collaboratively with the commu- nity to implement long-term solutions.

Can the minister commit to doing that today? Mr. Piwniuk: I want to tell the member that when it comes to–when it–with our Department of Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure, we're here, always, to make sure that–the trans portation within com mu- nities, First Nation communities, are very vital. * (14:20) We make sure that the–when it comes to invest - ments, we will invest into the com munities to make sure whatever form of transportation is necessary for that com munity to thrive.

And we'll continue look- ing at that and making sure that we work with the First Nation commu nity to come up with solutions, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Public Servants Participating in By-Election Conflict of Interest Declaration MLA Tom Lindsey (Flin Flon): The PC government is attempting to cast a chill over the civil service and their right to engage in the political process. In March, during the Fort Whyte by -election, a directive was issued that public servants participating in political activities must make a conflict of interest declaration. And I'll table a copy of that directive.

This is not what is required by law or the govern- ment's conflict of interest policy. Why is this government interfering with the rights of workers to participate in the democratic process? Hon. Reg Helwer (Minister of Labour, Consumer Protection and Government Services): Certainly, it is very important to participate in the election process in Canada. It is everybody's right. We want to make sure that members of the civil service are aware of what they're able to do and make sure that there is no conflict there.

This is opposed to when I was in opposition and the then-minister of the Crown of the NDP asked his department to check out the time sheets of individuals that were involved in my campaign, Mr. Deputy Speaker. MLA Lindsey: Civil servants have a right to freedom of association, and if they want to attend a nomination meeting or deliver flyers for a political candidate, they should not be–that should not be any of the gov ern- ment's business. Any directive about declarations is

2346 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 25, 2022 going to have a chilling effect on democratic partici - pation. Will this gov ernment, will this minister, ensure that public workers are allowed to exercise their rights to participate, as has been the case for quite some time? Mr.

Helwer: It is ensuring those rights that the Public Service Commission has endeavoured to do, to make sure that people know what they can do and how they can involve themselves, where potential conflicts may exist, as opposed to that NDP minister that had a direct conflict and a direct attack on an individual employed by the Province that was involved in my campaign, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. Order. Order. The honourable member for Flin Flon, on a final supplementary. MLA Lindsey: Unfortunate that the minister's an - swers don't actually answer the question.

Workers within the government of Manitoba have the right to volunteer on political campaigns, and this House should be encouraging them. They shouldn't be trying to get even with somebody. When public servants are not at work, it's their business what they do, not that gov ernment's and not that minister's. Any directive about declarations will have a chilling effect and limit people's desire and willingness to participate in the democratic process. So the minister has an opportunity to do the right thing today. I doubt if he will, but will he rescind these directives about the need for– Mr.

Deputy Speaker: The member's time has expired. Mr. Helwer: Well, the op portunity's there, Mr. Deputy Speaker, and we want to make sure that all Manitobans participate in the election process. It's clear how they can do so, cautions on what might be potential conflicts people need to be aware of, as members opposite need to be 'emare' of –aware of. Obviously, the minister of the NDP gov ernment, the minister of the Crown, didn' t care about those conflicts and directly intervened in that election, Mr. Deputy Speaker, to intimidate a member of the provincial 'civis'–civil service. We've cleared that up, Mr.

Deputy Speaker. That doesn't happen under our watch. That happened under their watch. Congenital Syphilis Cases Need for Public Health Initiative Mrs. Bernadette Smith (Point Douglas): The addictions crisis has taken a toll in Manitoba. Over the last few years, we have shown in this House how rates of blood -borne illnes ses are ex - ploding. Defenseless babies are getting congenital syphilis. With proper prenatal care, this could be avoided, and yet the problem is getting much worse. Through freedom of information, which I'll table, we found that there were 47 babies born with con - genital syphilis last year.

What, if anything, is the minister doing to address this crisis? Hon. Sarah Guillemard (Minister of Mental Health and Community Wellness): I appreciate the question coming from the member opposite. Indeed, w e have been addressing the growing number of addictions issues that have risen in Manitoba. We have invested over $58.1 million in preventative aspects for mental health, addictions, in- cluding programs to help prenatal programs identify those who are at risk. And we continue to monitor the situation and address the needs within that com mu- nity. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr.

Deputy Speaker: The honour able member for Point Douglas, on a supplementary question. Mrs. Smith: There should be zero cases of congenital syphilis. That's according to internal documents with the Winnipeg Regional Health Author ity. But there was not zero cases. In fact, there was 47 here in the province of Manitoba. That's as many cases as there was in all of Canada in 2020. This issue is showing no signs of slowing down. Congenital syphilis is entirely preventable with proper prenatal care. What steps is the minister taking to address this public health crisis? Mrs.

Guillemard: Again, I'll ind icate that we are investing in programs to help with the prenatal aspects.

May 25, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2347 And the member is right; it is con cerning to see any babies that are born with congenital preventable illnesses, and our gov ernment is deter mined to ad- dress the issue, to sp eak with the front -line workers and to implement programs that can help reduce those numbers back to historical lows. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honour able member for Point Douglas, on a final supplementary. Mrs. Smith: Half the congenital syphilis cases in all of Canada are happening here in Manitoba.

Last year, there were 47 cases of congenital syphilis cases in Manitoba. That's as many cases as there were in the entire country in 2020. This is preventable, Deputy Spe aker, and with proper prenatal care, which this gov ernment has a responsibility to provide, these cases could be de - creased. One concrete step that needs to be taken is they need to hire more public health nurses. The minister needs to tell this Hous e how many public health nurses have been hired this year to address this crisis: Will she do so today? Hon. Audrey Gordon (Minister of Health): Mr.

Deputy Speaker, always a pleasure to rise in the House to talk about our gov ernment's commit ment and investments in nurses. Again, $19.5 million to increase nursing seats across our province, heading to an expansion of 400 seats, Mr. Deputy Speaker. We will continue to look across the health system at the needs, whether it's in public health, whether it's in acute care or commu- nity, in terms of the needs of –for nurses, and we will support through record invest ments, as we've done in the past. We will do it in the future. Thank you.

Nurse Paycheque Error Request to Rectify MLA Uzoma Asagwara (Union Station): Deputy Speaker, our front -line health workers deserve to be treated with respect. Unfortunately, it's been reported to us that hundreds of nurses were sent incorrect pay- cheques and that they're now being forced to pay that money back. Can the minister confirm this, and can she explain what her gov ernment is doing to ensure that this doesn't happen again? * (14:30) Hon. Audrey Gordon (Minister of Health): I thank the member for Union Station for bringing this matter forward.

I would welcome the opportunity to receive that information in my de partment, and we will have the various regions or health facilities look into the mat - ter. I'd be pleased to take that forward. Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable member for Union Station, on a supplementary question. MLA Asagwara: Deputy Speaker, front -line health workers deserve our respect and they deserve our support. It was nurse appreciation week earlier this month.

Not only did the PC government not show any appre- ciation for nurses by way of action, they can't manage simple things like ensuring proper paycheques are given to the nurses who are doing the work on behalf of all Manitoba families. This is going to hurt morale amongst nurses, who are already going through in- credible challenges as they've endured terrible crisis in our hospitals. How did this happen, and what is the minister doing to make sure this doesn't happen again? Ms. Gordon: Again, the member for Union Station continues to put inaccurate information on the record.

Our gov ernment is committed to nurses, cares about nurses, values and appreciates all their efforts, Mr. Deputy Speaker. That is why we were pleased to support the work of Shared Health, as well as the negotiators that negotiated a fiv e-year contract with nurses, and we continue to sit at the table and listen to their concerns and respond. I look forward to the, in the next month or so, many convocation ceremonies for nursing, wel - coming new nurses to our system and showing them– Mr. Deputy Speaker: The minister's time has expired. The honourable member for Union Station, on a final supplementary.

Health-Care Support Workers Bargaining Contract and Pandemic Pay MLA Uzoma Asagwara (Union Station): Deputy Speaker, this government froze nurses wages and mis- treated them for years. Improper paycheques is just the latest in a long line of mistakes this gov ernment has made. The PCs have broken trust with health

2348 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 25, 2022 workers. Health-support workers have now had their wages frozen for years. Deputy Speaker, it's time for a fair deal for all health workers, and that includes all health support staff. They deserve new contracts and top-ups that re- cognize their service on the front lines of this pandemic. When will this government recognize the service of our front-line health professionals with a new con- tract and top -up for their service during this pan- demic? Will the minister commit to doing so today? Hon.

Audrey Gordon (Minister of Health): That is why we supported the work of Shared Health and the negotiators to ensure that a fair contract was nego - tiated and finalized for nurses. And now, the member for Union Station is asking us to interfere in negotiations that are taking place for health-care workers and other levels of health profes- sionals within the system. We trust the negotiators, we trust the individuals that are bargaining in good faith on behalf of their members and we look forward to the –to a fair and equitable contract bei ng negotiated for all of those health professionals. Thank you.

Addictions and Mental Health Harm Reduction Strategy Mr. Dougald Lamont (St. Boniface): Every single one of us knows someone whose life has been derailed or lost due to an addiction. E very one of us knows someone whose addiction and intoxication kept them from thinking straight. And, as a principle, everyone in this Chamber should be able to agree that anyone struggling with addiction is better off if they are being protected from getting sick or dying. That is harm reduction, and those words do not appear at all in the 2022 PC budget.

We know people are dying and getting sick from IV needles, and it is a human tragedy for them and a massive cost for our health-care system. Given the suffering and money we could save, why isn't this gov ernment putting pre vention and harm reduction at the heart of its addictions and mental health strategy? Hon. Sarah Guillemard (Minister of Mental Health and Community Wellness): I can appreciate the concern in the member's question that he's raised today. We are indeed investing in harm reduction invest- ments here in Manitoba.

And just to list a few: $2.8 million for a sobering centre in Thompson; we have de- scheduled naloxone; we invested $428,000 in Klinic Commu nity Health mobile withdrawal unit, and that's a pioneering form of community medi- cine, expanding our detox capabilities and allowing patients to detox while staying in the community. We have a 'reshent' –recent part nership with United Way of $4.9 million. We have imple mented the Métis CART pilot program that pairs case workers and a family mentor and addictions and mental– Mr. Deputy Speaker: The minister's time has expired.

Drug Use Illnesses Public Health Reporting Mr. Dougald Lamont (St. Boniface): We're con - cerned that people are getting sick in Manitoba, and this government isn't properly keeping track. IV drug use can cause a heart infection that costs millions of dollars to treat, in just one case. We know there are instances where syphilis and other infectious diseases like HIV are being spread through dirty needles. But when we tried to check the Public Health website, there's no reporting–and there hasn't been for five years, since 2017. I first raised t his issue in December 2018, and nothing has been done.

This gov ernment has a legal responsibility to release reports, but there is nothing but broken links. Where are the reports of outbreaks? Is the govern- ment covering them up on purpose, or is this just more negligence? Hon. Sarah Guillemard (Minister of Mental Health and Community Wellness): I know that the member opposite really wants to point out negativity, but there's a lot to celebrate. We are on the path to progress. The –and in an area t hat really has been neglected for decades previously. Mr. Deputy Speaker, for instance, this year we have increased–[interjection] Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. Mrs.

Guillemard: –our budget in mental health for– $17.1 million to support our new five-year road map.

May 25, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2349 We also have increased a–$500,000 to add six crisis-stabilization-unit beds at the Crisis Response Centre; an ad ditional $830,000 to support expansion of the Winnipeg RAAM clinics, and telepsychiatry expansion as well, in our mental health field. Mr. Deputy Speaker, I'd be happy to sit down with the member opposite about some of these– Mr. Deputy Speaker: The minister's time has expired. Safe Consumption Site Request for Facility Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Mr.

Deputy Speaker, the failure of the gov ernment to engage in harm reduction and esta blish safe con sumption sites to decrease the use of unsafe needles for drug injection is leading to harm and to extra costs and other demands on our health-care system. For example, a person who gets endocarditis from using an unsafe needle may end up in hospital for months. Esta blishing a safe con sumption site saves dollars.

Liberals are so concerned about the gov ernment operating a low-quality, high-cost health-care system that we've asked the Auditor General to audit the extra costs from the government's failure to provide a safe consumption site or sites in Manitoba, as I table. Will the gov ernment support our request to the Auditor General? Hon. Sarah Guillemard (Minister of Mental Health and Community Wellness): It really is unfor- tunate that, for decades, the mental health field and harm reduction strategies were ignored. Our gov ern- ment is committed to actually addressing the issues at hand.

I'd be happy, again, to sit down with the member opposite and have a further discussion. We are in- vesting in harm reduction strategies here in Manitoba. We are enhancing core services that have been neglected and underfunded for decades. And, Mr. Deputy Speaker, we are going to give hope to Manitobans–[interjection] Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. Mrs. Guillemard: –where it was lacking in the pre - vious NDP government. Thank you. [interjection] Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. Healing Lodge in Thompson Program for Indigenous Youth Mr. Bob Lagassé (Dawson Trail): Mr.

Deputy Speaker, our government has expressed our commit - ment to advancing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action, in part through our criminal justice modernization strategy. Part of this included addressing the overrepresen- tation of Indigenous people in our justice system. Can the Minister of Justice please share with the House how our gov ernment has committed to decreasing the number of youth incar cerated in Manitoba and address ing the overrepresentation of youth? Hon.

Kelvin Goertzen (Minister of Justice and Attorney General): I want to thank the member for Dawson Trail, who has a strong heart for families and for all those who need healing. Our gov ernment, because of his advocacy and others', was very pleased to partner with MKO and in- vest $2 million in a healing lodge –a youth healing lodge–in Thompson, the first of its kind in Manitoba. This will help to not only keep youth closer to home, but provide them the support that they need when it comes to addictions, mental health and reduce recidivism, Mr.

Deputy Speaker. * (14:40) I want to thank the mayor of Thompson, Colleen Smook. I want to thank Grand Chief Settee for his partnership. We are there to work with the people of Thompson to better Thompson, the North and build a stronger Manitoba. Federal Child-Care Subsidies Equitable Distribution Mr. Adrien Sala (St. James): Child-care centres in Manitoba are saying that bureaucratic red tape is preventing them fro m distributing daycare subsidies to families in need.

Rather than directly cut costs, as is happening in other provinces, this gov ernment is forcing parents and child- care centres to deter mine who is eligible for subsidized care, yet child -care centres and families haven't been given the clear infor- mation they need to make those determinations. The result has been mass confusion, with many eligible low -income parents not knowing about the benefits that they're missing out on.

2350 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 25, 2022 Why has the province taken such a failed approach to child care? Hon. Wayne Ewasko (Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning): I ap preciate the question coming from the member opposite on child- care affordability, working with the child-care sector, making sure that we've got a sus tainable child -care program right here in Manitoba for more and more and many, many, many years to come and generations to come, Mr. Deputy Speaker.

That's why we provided $75 million to improve the affordability of child care th rough an advance of subsidy payments to facilities. It's too bad that the member opposite is against that; wanted to put it on the record that he is against subsidized daycare spaces right here in Manitoba, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable member for St. Janes [phonetic] on–James, on a supplemental question. Mr.

Sala: Rather than taking responsibility for a fail- ing approach to child care, the province has effect - ively off-loaded it onto child-care centres and parents, and this has resulted in many eligible parents missing out on subsidies, and it's allowed higher income families to collect the subsidy, even though they don't need it. This makes no sense, and it raises questions about a lack of responsibility that this government seems to have with federal funding. There's been clearly a lack of communication on the Province's end.

What is this gov ernment going to do today to ensure these federal child -care supports are dis- tributed equitably? Mr. Ewasko: Again, I appre ciate the op portunity to put some facts on the record, Mr. Deputy Speaker. It was great to be joined by the Prime Minister, the Premier (Mrs. Stefanson), Minister Gould from the federal gov ernment, Mr. Deputy Speaker, to announce the fact that we are t aking subsidized child-care spaces here in Manitoba from 6,000 to 18,000 subsidized spaces, Mr. Deputy Speaker. And it's unfortunate that the member across, the member for St. James, had voted against the budget.

It's unfortunate, but he's putting it on the record today that he's against subsidies going to those families that need it, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable member for St. James, on a final supplementary. Mr. Sala: If the minister spoke with e ven a single child-care centre, he would know that what I'm bring- ing forward here today is important and that his gov- ernment should be paying attention to it. A CCPA report report shows that Manitoba will miss its federal fee targets by hundreds of dollars this year. The Province's confusing subsidy approach is clearly part of the the reason why.

Many eligible parents are missing out on hundreds, if not thousands, in child-care supports, while at the same time many who shouldn't be receiving it are receiving it. Rather than directly cutting costs, they've put re - sponsibility on child -care centres and parents, and that's completely counterintuitive. Why has the Province off-loaded responsibility to child-care centres and parents? Mr. Ewasko: It's interesting that the member stands up today and is asking myself and our government to interfere with the boards of child- care centres. [interjection] I know that the member from St.

Johns is wanting interference with the boards of child- care centres. But it's unfortunate, Mr. Deputy Speaker, because the fact is that Manitoba has–[interjection] Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. Mr. Ewasko: –all along had low, low subsidized child-care spaces already. We're going to make it even lower. We're taking it to $10 a day. [interjection] Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. Mr. Ewasko: Matter of fact, even the federal minister, Minister Gould –who is a Liber al–is even commending the great work that Manitoba's doing. I'm not going to take any lessons from the members opposite– Mr.

Deputy Speaker: The minister's time has expired. Support for Children with Epilepsy Inquiry into Purchase of ROSA Machine Ms. Lisa Naylor (Wolseley): In 2017, CEO Michael Schlater donated $2 million to a program for children with epilepsy, and part of this money was to purchase a robotic 'stereotatic' assist ant machine, commonly known as ROSA. ROSA machines can help those liv ing with epi - lepsy by providing safer and less invasive surgeries. It changes the lives for children with epilepsy. Yet, in

May 25, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2351 the five years that have passed since this donation was made, no machine has been purchased. Can the minister tell us why a ROSA machine has not been purchased and when this will be corrected? Hon. Audrey Gordon (Minister of Health): I thank the member opposite for the question. Our government announced a $4- million invest- ment in support of a four-adult-bed epilepsy monitor- ing unit, which underscores our commit ment to improving neurology services in our province. [interjection] Mr. Deputy Speaker, I know they're going to shout me down again.

This investment allows the epilepsy monitoring unit–[interjection] Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. Ms. Gordon: –still shouting me down, Mr. Deputy Speaker–to expand to–[interjection] Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. Ms. Gordon: –four beds from two, and the purchase of new state -of-the-art monitoring equipment. And I understand from Shared Health that this equipment is being–[interjection] Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. Ms. Gordon: –requested. As the members opposite know, we've come through a two-year pandemic. There have been supply chain disruptions and issues and we are working– [interjection] Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. Ms.

Gordon: –into a long -term plan to develop and expand our epilepsy program here– Mr. Deputy Speaker: The minister's time has expired. [interjection] Order, please. The time for oral questions is over. PETITIONS Drug Overdose Reporting Mrs. Bernadette Smith (Point Douglas): I wish to present the following petition to the Legis lative Assembly. The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) Across the province, many Manitobans continue to struggle with addictions, and the pandemic has led to even more death and worsened the ongoing public health crisis of opioid overdoses.

(2) Three hundred and seventy -two Manitobans died from an overdose in 2020, and that's over one a day and 87 per cent higher than in 2019.

(3) Manitoba is expected to exceed over 400 overdose deaths in 2021, but the data is not publicly available since the last public reporting of opioid deaths was published in 2019.

(4) The data for drug overdose deaths from 2020 to 2021 was compiled through media inquiries, and this needs to change.

(5) Access to timely data on the harms of drugs helps to inform both government and stakeholders on where to take action and tar get resources needed in various communities.

(6) Manitoba is the only province not provi ding regular, timely data on the federal government opioid information portal.

(7) Manitobans deserve a gov ernment that takes the growing drug crisis serio usly and will report the data publicly in a timely manner to target actions and allow for accountability. We petition the Legis lative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the prov incial gov ernment to enact Bill 217, The Fatalities Inquiries Am endment Act (Overdose Death Reporting), to require the Province to publish the number of drug overdose deaths, as well as the type of drug, on a gov ernment website in a timely fashion. And this has been signed by many Manitobans. * (14:50) Afghan Refugees in Manitoba Hon.

Jon Gerrard (River Heights): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. The background to this petition is as follows: Since the takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban in August of 2021, Afghan citizens and their families have been subjected to persecution and human rights atrocities because of their faith, gender and former associations with organizations thought to be friendly with the previous gov ernment and its allies. This abuse has taken th e form of public assaults, kid- nappings and killings.

2352 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 25, 2022 Many Afghans have left or are attempting to leave Afghanistan to find safe refuge in neighbouring coun- tries. This undertaking is difficult due to the Taliban's activities and their presence in countries like Pakistan. Many Afghans who are looking to leave Afghanistan and come to Canada are educated and ex- perienced and, as such, would prove to be valuable assets to Manitoba con sidering its current labour shortages and challenges to its economy.

Educated Afghans have usually studied for four to six years in a specific field of study and spent a sig- nificant amount of time and money for that education. However, these people still face barriers to obtaining employment in their field of expertise, as Canada has very strict rules regarding the use of that edu cation and experience. Many Afghans are refugees in other countries and are currently jobless, which is an added barrier for them under the current criteria of the Prov incial Nominee Program.

Some Afghan new comers who face literacy issues because they came from a non-developed coun- try would benefit from an in -depth infor mational course to assist them with acclamation into Canadian lifestyle. The Interim Federal Health Program provides limited temporary coverage of health-care benefits to refugees who aren't eligible for provincial or territorial health insurance.

However, the refugee must apply for discretionary coverage and provide a list of com - pelling personal circumstances in order to qualify for urgent medical circum stances, such as urgent root canals, unanticipated life-threatening and emergency medical conditions. We petition the Legis lative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

(1) To urge the prov incial government to work with the federal government to prioritize the evacua- tion of the immediate and extended family of Afghans who now call Canada home and to facilitate their coming to Manitoba, including helping Afghan re - fugees in other countries such as Pakistan.

(2) To urge the provincial government to expand the Manitoba Prov incial Nominee Program and re- evaluate the accreditation of edu cation and jobs to ensure all immigrants and refugees can utilize their skills more easily and readily in Manitoba for work.

(3) To urge the prov incial gov ernment to have fewer rigid criteria for Afghans under the Prov incial Nominee Program and have a connection to Manitoba–family members or friend–should be a key criteria. To urge the prov incial gov ernment t o enhance adequate acclamation services for newcomers through community-based support programs and increase their health-care coverage to meet their urgent health- care necessities. Signed by Karin [phonetic] Strong, Karin Gordon, Daniel Awshen [phonet ic] and many other Manitobans.

Speed Reduction on PR 392 MLA Tom Lindsey (Flin Flon): I wish to present the following petition to the Legis lative Assembly of Manitoba. The background for this petition is as follows:

(1) On October 26th, 2020, a 51- year-old driver was killed when a cement truck overturned on provincial road PR 392 just outside the town of Snow Lake, Manitoba.

(2) The HudBay company will be trucking gold ore in 40-ton B-trains from its Lalor deposit into the town of Snow Lake for processing starting next year.

(3) This large truck traffic will be competing with local vehicle traffic between the turnoff to the Lalor mine on PR 395 and the town of Snow Lake on PR 392.

(4) Similar vehicular traffic already competes with these 40-ton trucks between the turnoff to Lalor at PR 395 and the turnoff to the Stall Lake mill at PR 393.

(5) Residents of Snow Lake have suggested that the speed limit on PR 392 between Snow Lake and the intersection with provincial road PR 393 be lowered from 90 kilometres an hour to 70 kilometres per hour.

(6) Residents also propose that on PR 392, from Berry Bay-Taylor Bay entrance to the Wekusko Falls park north entrance, speeds be reduced to 70 kilometres an hour; Wekusko Falls park north entrance to the hel itac base entrance, speeds be reduced to 50 kilometres an hour; and from the helitac base entrance to the entrance of the fish dump, speeds be reduced to 70 kilometres per hour.

(7) Reducing speed limits on dangerous stretches of highways is a simple and effective measure to protect the safety of all drivers.

May 25, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2353 We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the Minister of Infrastructure to adopt the proposed speed reductions on Provincial Road 392 set out above. And this petition has been signed by many Manitobans. Thank you. Catalytic Converter Engraving Credit Mr. Jim Maloway (Elmwood): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. The background to this petition is as follows: (1)–[interjection] I'm getting that half of 30 seconds back. [interjection] Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order, please. The member for Elmwood is struggling to be heard, I think, and perhaps we could–thank you. Mr. Maloway:

(1) The spike in catalytic converter thefts occurring across North America has hit Winnipeg. The price of precious metals in catalytic converters like rhodium, palladium and platinum are worth thousands of dollars an ounce. Scrap metal recyclers have catalytic converters priced to the vehicle, with some catalytic converters worth $800.

(2) Organized groups of criminals are climbing under vehicles and cutting catalytic converters, selling them to scrap metal recyclers for cash without any record of these transactions.

(3) Catalytic converter thefts cost consumers about $2,000 for each replacement. Manitoba Public Insurance charges a betterment fee for new replace- ments, so insurance doesn't cover the full cost.

(4) Catalytic converters do not have any part number or vehicle identification number, VIN, and the inability to tie a catalytic converter to a specific vehicle is a major enforcement issue.

(5) Engraving of a vehicle's VIN on its catalytic converter would be a major deterrent to theft by tying the vehicle to the part and making enforcement possible. We petition the Legis lative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the prov incial gov ernment to bring in consumer protec tion legis lation directing Manitoba Public Insurance to initiate credits to Manitobans for engraving vehicle identification numbers on their catalytic converters. And this petition is signed by many, many, many Manitobans. Mr. Deputy Speaker: Are there any more petitions? Grievances? ORDERS OF THE DAY GOVERNMENT BUSINESS Hon.

Kelvin Goertzen (Government House Leader): Mr. Deputy Speaker, could you please resolve the House into Committee of Supply. Mr. Deputy Speaker: It has been announced by the honourable Government House Leader that the House will now resolve into Committee of Supply. Mr. Deputy Speaker, please take the Chair. COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY (Concurrent Sections) ROOM 254 HEALTH * (15:00) Mr. Chairperson (Dennis Smook): Will the Committee of Supply please come to order. This

section of the Committee of Supply will now resume con sideration of the Estimates for the Department of Health. Questioning for this de part- ment will proceed in a global manner. Before I open the floor to questions, I am just wondering if there would be leave to allow the opposi- tion to sit on the left side –instead of me reading this long script–in order so that it would be easier for us to look at the cameras. Is it agreed? [Agreed] Floor is open for questions. MLA Uzoma Asagwara (Union Station): I'd just like to welcome folks back.

I know we just had a long weekend, and hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable long weekend. I'd like to start by asking the minister some ques- tions in regards to the Estimates document that we all had access to and I certai nly went through after receiving it. So the supplement to Estimates document iden- tifies a series of risks that's a risk is identified in that

2354 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 25, 2022 document, and a series of treatment plans are pro - posed in relation to those identified risks. Can the min ister give us a clearer idea of what these treatment plans are and when they might be complete, and whether they'll be released to the public when they are complete? * (15:10) Mr. Chairperson: Before I recog nize the minister, I'm just wondering if the mi nister could get her staff to get her a set of headsets. It would make it easier for the recorders here to hear what the minister has to say. Hon.

Audrey Gordon (Minister of Health): I don't know if we have headsets for this particular machine; I don't see that, but we can look into that for future Estimate sittings. Mr. Chairperson, I thank the member for Union Station (MLA Asagwara) for the questions. We –I have found the

section the member is referring to. I would like to take the member's question under advisement and provide a response to each of those categories as laid out on the pages at a later time, please. MLA Asagwara: I thank the minister for being willing to take that under advisement. I look forward to receiving those documents. I'd like to ask the minister if she can provide me the budget and the actual amounts of dollars spent for community health over the last few years. Ms. Gordon: I thank the honour able member for Union Station for that question. I would like to seek further clarification from the member.

Can the member be specific about which years they are seeking this –the budget and actual infor ma- tion for? Please be specific about the years. Thank you. MLA Asagwara: If the minister could provide the budget and the actual amounts spent for years 2021– sorry–2020/2021, 2018/2019–I think I missed a year, there–and so–and then 2019-2020. So, for those three years, please. * (15:20) Ms. Gordon: I'm pleased to respond to the hon our- able member for Union Station's question. In 2018- 2019, the budget was 348,422 and the actual was 332, eight, nine, two.

In 2019- 2020, the budget was 347,472 and the actual was 357,422. In Budget 2021, I do want to flag for the member that this was the year that com munity health and mental health were separated. The new min istry of Mental Health, Wellness and Recovery was created on January 5th of 2021, so there's a change there. In 2021, the budget for com munity health was 180,611 and the actual for 2020-2021 is $237,799.

So if the member is wondering why the decrease in the budget amount for one hundred–for 2020-2021 to $180,611, it's because we –[interjection] Oh, it's because we separated that depart ment–the de part- ments. Thank you. MLA Asagwara: Can the minister provide –thank you for–thank you to the minister for that response. Can the minister provide clarity, then, that $180,000 actual, can the minister –does the minister have access to the information that would tell us how much additional dollars as a result of the change in departments were redirected?

So is there any way for the minister to provide what the number would have been, had it not been for that addition of the de part- ment, or the funds that were redirected into the ad di- tional department as a result? Ms. Gordon: While we are obtaining the information the honourable member has asked for, I just want to flag for the member that in the supple ment it does show that the dollar amounts that I quoted have three zeroes. S o when I was saying thousands, it's million dollars. I apologize for that oversight. So I just wanted to make you aware of that. Thank you.

MLA Asagwara: I thank the minister for provi ding that clarification. I did presume that that was the case, otherwise I would've been shouting and alarmed at the amounts provided. But I am wondering, while we wait for the minis- ter to get the answer to the previous question I asked– looking at these numbers that have been budgeted for community health and also under standing–and the minister is very well aware –that rates of congenital syphilis here in Manitoba in Winnipeg have sky - rocketed and steadily increased over the last several years.

So, you know, begin ning in about, I believe, 2018, we've seen the numbers increase from under 10

May 25, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2355 to a number, for last year, 47, which is –I mean, any number above zero is high. There shouldn't be a single baby born in Manitoba with congenital syphilis. It is preventable. But certainly, Manitoba having 47 cases, which matches the numbers for congenital syphilis for the rest of the country, is deeply concern ing. It is astronomically high. And it begs the question, as these numbers in - crease over the years–have increased over the last few years, we've also–we also know that the rates of HIV have also increased. They are also astronomically high.

I've heard from many com munity health pro - viders that they're quite frankly terrified for what this means for folks in our communities who are not only being diagnosed with HIV, babi es being born with congenital syphilis, but also they're finding, due to lack of resources, it in credibly difficult to make sure that people are receiving the care that they need to improve their health outcome.

So when I look at these numbers allocated to com- munity health, and we also reflect on the increased rates of preventable diseases, does the minister look at this infor mation and wonder whether or not these funds are adequate? For me, as somebody looking at this and seeing what's going on, certainly, it flags, for me, that no, the invest ments are inadequate, that they're not addressing the acute concerns we see in community health. So I'm wondering if the minister can provide her thoughts on that.

Does she think that the funding her government has provided to com munity health has been adequate and is going to address the alarming rise in congenital syphilis that we see and the alarming rise in rates of HIV that we see and other challenges like overdoses in our communities? * (15:30) Ms. Gordon: I'm pleased to respond to the hon our- able member for Union Station's (MLA Asagwara) question. Our government, of course, is always monitoring the cases of congenital syphilis.

I know that back in February of 2019, under the previous prov incial public health officer, we were informed about an out- break and we implemented and took under advisement the recom mendations that came forward from the chief prov incial public health officer at that time regarding the need for more testing. The Department of Health increased the amount of testing that was done, that is being done. There's also treatments available to the baby when it is born with syphilis: antibiotics for up to 10 days and other treatments may be provided.

So we've worked wit h our current Chief Provincial Public Health Officer in terms of ad - dressing the requirements they have sought regarding communicable disease control and continue to have those discussions, Mr. Chairperson, with regard to HIV/AIDS. Of course, our gov ernment takes this disease very, very seriously and we're always actively working with Public Health to improve the prevention and treatment of HIV and AIDS.

And I just want to state for the record that that is why we added coverage for pre -exposure 'prophylaxic,' also known as PrEP, to the prov incial Pharmacare formulary; allocating $2.3 million over three years to support the development and implemen- tation of an Indigenous -led S -T-B-B-U testing; and contact-tracing strategy as well; and extending cover- age for HIV post-exposure treatment; and, of course, enhancing coverage for HIV treatment for those ex- periencing financial or administrative barriers. Mr.

Chairperson, we will continue to have dis - cussions, as I said before, with Public Healt h regard- ing communicable diseases and how to control those. In terms of overdoses, my honourable colleague, Sarah Guillemard, in the Min istry of Mental Health and Com munity Wellness, now oversees that parti - cular file.

But, of course, the two de partments work very closely together in terms of ensuring that the needs of those who are struggling with overdose of addictions is being properly funded and managed, and because individuals certainly will gain access to sup - ports and health treatments at various facilities across the province. So we do work very closely together. Our govern- ment continues to monitor the rates of overdoses and deaths from–those deaths from overdoses.

And that is why we've established a five-year road map and we're funding that road map so that we can add supports to core services, supports that were often, under the previous administration, overlooked. That is why our government has added Rapid Access to Addictions Medicine clinics. That's why we have– are making na loxone available to over 120 different locations, Mr. Chairperson. And that's why we're even going further in terms of helping our youth through our new Huddle youth hubs, where they can gain access to primary care, to referrals for addictions, mental health support.

2356 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 25, 2022 So we are focused quite broadly on ensuring all Manitobans, regardless of age, have access to the sup- ports that they need, and we will continue to do so as we move forward as a government. Thank you, Mr. Chairperson. Mr. Chairperson: I'd like to remind the honour able minister that when referring to a member, they should be referred to by their title or ministry or constituency, but not by their name. So, I'd just like to remind the member. She had mentioned Sarah Guillemard. So if the member–if the minister could just keep that in mind.

The–or, the member for Union Station (MLA Asagwara). MLA Asagwara: Thank the minister for that response. Interestingly enough, the minister talked about steps that may be taken that folks can access after they've been infected with a disease. And so, I mean, it's pretty im portant that there be a plan in place to address the rising rates of congenital syphilis, as one example.

This is something that is devastating fam- ilies, and it is inexcusable that, under this government, the rates of congenital syphilis have –not only exist, but they are in credibly high, they're markedly high, highest in the country right here in Manitoba. And so my question is, what is the minister doing to bring down those rates of congenital syphilis? What is the minister doing by way of action to prevent babies from contracting congenital syphilis? What steps is this minister taking? What investments are being made? What strategy is in place to bring down the rates of congenital syphilis in Manitoba? Ms.

Gordon: I want to note, for the record, that this is an area that is very, very im portant to our gov ern- ment as well as our public health officials. Our chief and our deputy chief have stated numerous times their commitment to ensuring that supports are in place, and they continue to monitor the numbers and to have conversations with my department regarding the need to scale up supports in areas that may be identified. I do want to go back and answer the member's question about the budget in 2021 for com munity health.

The member had asked if I was aware–if I could provide the number for what the budget would have been if–before the departments were divided and the new min istry of Mental Health, Wellness and Recovery was created. That budget for 2021 is $367,697,000 in Health. Again, the amount that remained in the Minis try of Health or De partment of Health –$180,611,000.

The amount that went to mental health was $187,086,000. * (15:40) So I will pivot back to the question posed by the honourable member regarding syphilis and just share that we are, as a gov ernment, and Public Health, aware of an increase in STBBI cases across Canada, and the government is working with Dr. Roussin, as I mentioned before in Public Health, to address the issue. One of the things that we have done is we've in - creased syphilis testing in pregnant women in the pro- vince, and pregnant women are now screened multiple times during their pregnancy.

We've expanded harm reduction networks and peer advisory councils across Manitoba. Spe cifically, since 2019, we've provided over $850,000 in increased annual funding to the Manitoba Harm Reduction Network. We've increased the distribution of harm reduction supplies in every health region for things like sterile equip ment, in - cluding $650,000 in the WRHA –Winnipeg Regional Health Authority–alone. We added new Public Health nurse positions to support STBBI case and contact management and STBBI testing and treatment among priority populations and outreach locations.

We have funded new social workers and repro - ductive nurses at Mount Carmel Clinic to provide on- site and outreach services, and I want to talk a little bit about Mount Carmel Clinic, that we did this in part - nership with WRHA and Street Connections. In 2019, we launched the Star Lodge Keewatinook Ashak Mino Awaganak [phonetic] to enhance overall com - munity health related to sexually transmitted blood - borne infections, specifically syphilis and congenital syphilis.

And we–they are focusing on those who are pregnant or in child- bearing years, including their parents and individuals who use substances, and it's grounded in culturally relevant teachings and cultural- ly safe approaches. Star Lodge supports low-barrier access to STBBI reproductive health care. And so Mount Carmel Clinic was provided with funding to hire 1.0 FTE social worker, outreach worker, and 1.0 EFT reproductive health nurse for the project, and the WRHA was provided with funding to hire a 1.0 EFT public health nurse to work in col laboration with Mount Carmel Clinic.

May 25, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2357 Services are delivered on -site at Mount Carmel Clinic and by outreach twice a week in the afternoon– approximate. Several clients have been engaged in testing and several prenatal clients as well. And, as I mentioned before, we scaled up our harm reduction networks and peer advisory councils and, in addition to the $850,000, WRHA also received $100,000 to implement a Harm Reduction Network full-time co-ordinator in the WRHA.

Other supports in Southern Health- Santé Sud, Prairie Mountain Health, northern regional health authority, and Interlake -Eastern Regional Health Authority as well. MLA Asagwara: I thank the minister for that response and providing those details. I'm wondering if the minister can clarify the dollars that she's outlined for 2018-2019; 2019-2020; and 2020 and 2021. Can the minister clarify if any of those dollars, any of that funding–I guess, more spe - cifically, for 2019- 2020 and 2020- 2021, were spe - cifically to address COVID -related expenditures?

And, if so, how much of –what's the amount, rather, that was spe cifically allocated to address COVID - related expenses? Ms. Gordon: I thank the honour able member for Union Station (MLA Asagwara) for the question. In our annual report, the–we are being transparent in terms of showing that the 2020- 2021 authority in- cluded supplementary authority of $600 million from internal service adjustments to support COVID -19 support programs in the de partment a nd that those funds went to acute -care services. That is shown in our annual report quite clearly.

The member is asking whether the community health dollars that was shared for 2020-2021, if any of those dollars went to COVID, and my answer is that there was separate funding allocated for COVID spending, and that is under the acute -care services line: $600 million. Thank you, Mr. Chairperson. MLA Asagwara: Thank the minister for that response. A couple of weeks ago, now, at this point, I raised concerns that we have about long waits for cardiac surgery.

I'm sure the minister, like many of us, has received cor respondence from Manitobans who are still waiting, who've been waiting years for cardiac surgery or who–more recently, we shared the story of a gentleman who was just a couple of hours away from receiving surgery and was told, you know, moments before he was meant to go in that it was cancelled. * (15:50) So I'm wondering, given the importance of ad- dressing this backlog that we know is affecting so many Manitobans, and also given that we know, spe- cifically in regards to cardiac times, the wait in March was 70 days–70-days-long wait in March compared to just 12 days a month before.

So that's a pretty big increase. It affects a lot of families. What is the minister doing to address these waits? Ms. Gordon: I thank the honour able member for Union Station for the question because it gives me an opportunity, once again, to thank all our health- care professionals that have been working diligent ly to ensure Manitobans receive the surgeries and diagnos- tic tests that they have been waiting for.

And I'm pleased to state that all the health -care workers that were redeployed to assist in critical care and ICU during our fourth wave and our Omicron variant wave has now returned to their program and clinic areas. And so, as of May 24th, there were 1,188 non- emergent surgeries completed the week of May 16th to 22nd at Winnipeg sites. This is a –150 more sur - geries than the number completed during a simi lar week in 2019. So that would be May 13 to 19th, 2019, when 993 surgeries were completed. That means Winnipeg's surgery program operated at 119.6 per cent of pre -pandemic levels last week, Mr.

Chairperson, and the number of surgeries com - pleted last wee k is 45 more than the week before it. This marks a 3.9 per cent increase week over week. Also, all emergent and urgent surgeries, including cardiac and cancer procedures, continued to be prior- itized. Non -urgent surgeries are reviewed by phys - icians to prioritize patients who medically should not wait any longer for procedures to be performed. The number of emergent surgeries performed last week also remained steady, as it has through out the pandemic.

There were 185 emergent or life -saving surgeries performed last week in Winnipeg, up one from the previous week. There were 262 surgical slates in Winnipeg last week. This is up one from the previous week. So they're at 95.3 per cent of pre-pandemic baselines. And I just want to remind the honourable member that the number of surgeries performed during a slate

2358 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 25, 2022 will vary widely depending on the acuity of the patient and the complexity of the procedure. So, for example, an endoscopy will not take as long to perform as neurosurgery. And the time allotted for surgical slates in 2022 may vary from those performed pre-pandemic due to demand resulting in fewer surgeries being performed. And, of course, COVID has also resulted in some slowdowns in terms of infection and pre vention con- trol and what needs to be done to ensure a room is prepped and ready for the next patient.

But with respect to the member's question about cardiac surgeries, 21 cardiac surgeries were per - formed May 16 to 22nd, which is unchanged from the previous week, but all 21 surgeries were non-urgent, elective in nature. And there were 17 cardiac surgeries performed during a similar period in 2019: 13 non- urgent, elective, and four emergent. And in terms of rural surgeries–because we don't just want to focus on what is happening in the city of Winnipeg–the surgical slates are at or near baseline funded capacity at most of our sites outside of Winnipeg, and surgical slates were restarted in Ste.

Anne on May 10th. And we continue to support other sites such as Bethesda Regional Health Centre in Steinbach. Effective May 30th, they are also supporting Ste. Anne in terms of ensuring that any overflows or any needs from the Ste. Anne Hospital are being transferred to Bethesda Regional Health Centre in Steinbach. And so they are continuing to ensure equity in health-care services. So we continue to work with our cardiologists and the Diagnostic and Surgical Recovery Task Force to ensure Manitobans receive those cardiac surgeries and are not having to wait for long– Mr.

Chairperson: The minister's time has expired. MLA Asagwara: I'm sure the minister is aware and understands that referencing surgical numbers – number of surgeries that have been performed and identifying that they–the numbers–most recent num- bers she provided that she has available are the same as they were during that time period in 2019–I'm sure the minister understands that that is actually reflecting an inadequacy in terms of the amount of surgeries that are being performed right now, given the fact that we have an un precedented surgical and diag nostic backlog.

And so, you know, I would hope that the minister would recognize that and appreciate that, certainly, we have to be performing above and beyond what we have historically in order to address this backlog in a way that doesn't continue to see thousands upon thou- sands of Manitobans have poor health out comes because they've gotten so sick and gone without the care they need that their diagnoses become that much more complex.

I had an interesting conversation with a few sur- geons last week who made it abundantly clear that the surgeries they were performing are increasingly more complex and taking longer and, quite frankly, taking a lot more out of them as doctors, as surgeons, because the cases are in creasingly complicated because folks are presenting much more sick than they would have had they gotten their procedures and their surgeries much earlier on and not been delayed by this backlog that is astronomically high right now in Manitoba and has unfortunately not been addressed in a meaningful, adequate way by this government.

And so that's just a flag for this minister that, you know, comparing those numbers really doesn't do a service to Manitobans who are still waiting for their surgeries and it doesn't reflect the ways in which we really need to be addressing this backlog for folks to not continue to wait in pain. What I'd like to clarify here is whether or not the minister has taken steps to address the wait for cardiac surgery. She failed to answer that in her question. It was 70 days in March. What steps has she taken to bring that wait time down?

And, following that, I'd like to ask the minister some questions about Grace Hospital, but if she could provide clarity on that point, I would appreciate it. * (16:00) Ms. Gordon: I want to be sure I have time to clarify and put accurate information on the record with regard to the member's statement that individuals are having to wait 70 days.

But before I do that, I do want to state that, since January, we've had one –13,323 non- emergent sur - geries completed, 3,604 emergent surgeries com - pleted, for a total of 16,927 surgeries that –this is in addition to the 11,000 surgeries procured by the task force through request for supply arrangements. So this is in addition to returning, as I mentioned before, to pre-pandemic levels, and we do–we have sent out the RFP for our sixth request for supply arrangements so that we can increase those volumes. And so with regard to cardiac surgery, so the–we need to clarify that wait times are reported for all

May 25, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2359 cardiac surgeries combined, and for coronary ar terial bypass grafts, commonly referred to as bypass sur - gery. So it's broken down by level of urgency: emergent and urgent, semi-urgent and elective. So the information provided that the member's referring to is, for all cardiacs combined, the median wait time was 70 days. But if we break it down by the various levels of surgeries–so, for example, emergent and urgent, the average is four days and, in terms of priority level 1, it's required to be done within 14 days.

So these are critically ill, medically unstable patients who cannot be discharged from hospital prior to receiving care. And level 2 is semi -urgent; the average time is 20 days, and for semi-urgent, priority level 2, the wait time should be within 15 to 42 days. And these are patients with significant heart health problems. They may be doing poorly with medi cation and/or may have pain with minor exercise. These patients are not critically ill but waiting too long could result in a deterioration of their health status. And then there' s level 3, which is elective.

The average time is 63 days, but elective priority 3 is re- quired to be done within 43 to 180 days. And these are patients who are stable but have some form of heart health problem. Their procedure may be scheduled after a wait time without undue deterioration in their health status.

So the 70 days the member is referring to is the average for all cardiac surgeries combined: again, level 1 average is four days, level 2 –level 1 is emer - gent and urgent, the wait is four days; le vel 2, semi- urgent, is 20 days; level 3, elective, is 63; and for all coronary arterial bypass grafts, the number of days is– levels is 45 days. So I just wanted to clarify that, because we cer - tainly don't want to frighten Manitobans into be - lieving that if they are emergent and urgent, they will be waiting 70 days.

So these are critically ill, medical- ly unstable patients who cannot be discharged from hospital prior to receiving care. And everyone that requires a surgery is important. I certainly don' t want to give the impression that if you're an elective cardiac patient, that you're not im - portant. Our emergent and urgent priority level 1 is important, our semi -urgent priority level 2 is im por- tant and our elective priority 3 patients are also impor- tant, Mr. Chairperson.

But I think it was factually incorrect for the member to just state the number, 70, and to leave that number in the minds of Manitobans who may be waiting for surgery and feeling that, again, if they're emergent or urgent they w ould be waiting 70 days. That is factually not correct. MLA Asagwara: I thank the minister for that re - sponse. Our of respect for the many Manitobans who are currently waiting for cardiac surgery, I'm not going to get into the weeds of what the minister just put on the record. I think it does a disservice to those folks. We shared the story of Mr.

Moyse who is waiting–has been waiting years for his surgery. He has a heart functioning capacity of 30 per cent, was mere hours away from getting his surgery and he was told it was cancelled. I–the wait times being, on average in March, 70 days; hearing stories like that of Mr. Moyse certainly should be a catalyst for this gov ernment, treating this as a crisis in our health -care system, to see this as urgent.

And so the facts that we have put on the record in regards to cardiac surgery waits are im portant facts that reflect the realities of Manitobans, and I won't contribute to this narrative from the minister of trying to diminish the realities that Manitobans are facing. It does them a disservice. I'd like to ask the question–ask a question around the Grace Hospital. I just indicated previously to the minister I would be doing so. What we're hearing in terms of what's going on at Grace Hospital is quite scary. We've been hearing for well over a year now–myself; my colleague, the MLA for St.

James; our leader, the member for Fort Rouge (Mr. Kinew)–we've all heard from many, many staff at the Grace Hospital, from con stituents who have accessed care at Grace Hospital, that things there are in utter chaos; that nurses, health- care aides, doctors are working in condi tions that are, for them, horrific and that Manitobans are exper iencing what Manitobans should not expect in their emergency rooms and in thei r hospitals–which is disarray, folks reporting languishing in hallways, going without water, without anyone checking up on them for hours, sitting there for days on end.

This has been a crisis for far too long. The minis- ter and her government refuse to call it a crisis, refuse to take meaningful steps to address the crisis, and now we're beyond that point at Grace. We know that at Grace Hospital–and we know this because we obtain- ed staff schedules, that there were times when only two or four nurses are staffing the emergency room at night. We've highlighted the staffing crisis in the

2360 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 25, 2022 emergency rooms for years. We've highlighted that there are 2,400 vacant nursing positions in the pro- vince right now: 33 per cent of positions are vacant in emergency rooms; 32 vacancy –32 per cent vacancy rate in the medicine unit. Manitobans should be able to go to an emergency room and get the care they need when they need it. They should be able to expect that and they can't, and, quite frankly, they don't.

What is the minister doing to ensure that staff resources at Grace Hospital for nurses, not just –not this plea for anybody, you know, to show up and put in some hours there, but what is this minister doing to ensure to shore up nursing capacity at the Grace Hospital to address this horrific crisis that they're facing right now? * (16:10) Ms. Gordon: I thank the honour able member for Union Station (MLA Asagwara) for the question. It gives me an op portunity to just place on the record some information about how we got to where we are today. And, Mr.

Chairperson, I remember back in 2013 when then- Selinger gov ernment campaigned on the highest number of active nurses. And what they didn't tell Manitobans was that at that time–2013–there were 1,777 nurse vacancies, and so they were warned that there was a crisis. And so 13 years ago, again, a warning: the alarm bell was rung with regard to the deficit of registered nurses, and that was in a report authored by the Canadian Nurses Association of a projected deficit of 60,000 registered nurses nationwide by 2022.

So the NDP were told of this and Manitoba's share of the deficit was esti mated at 2,160 nurses, and that was before the pandemic, Mr. Chairperson. And what did the former NDP gov ernment do when they were told it was time to begin to steer the ship away from the staffing crisis in the early 2000s? Nothing, Mr. Chairperson. Under the NDP's tenure, there was a clear lack of expanding the nursing RN and LPN program capacity. What our gov ernment has done is we've acted. We've added 400 new nursing education seats to five post-secondary institutions, and this change doubles what they –the NDP –had in 2000.

And we're also graduating 15 per cent more nurses on average than the NDP ever did and, again, the $7.2 billion, the largest health-care investment in our province's his - tory, as well, Mr. Chairperson. With regard to Grace Hospital, the wait times that–are concerning and, again, I want to state that the health system leadership has acknowledged the chal- lenges they've ex perienced not just at this health facility but at others. And the solutions are coming forward from the hospital floor, which includes a $1.2-million expansion supported by our government of the physician and triage model of care .

This pilot program places a physician in the triage area to man - age and provide care for those waiting to be seen, with a parti cular focus on higher acuity patients, Mr. Chairperson. And we're also improving lab turnaround time for patients requiring admission, which will significantly help with COVID testing and, as well, the level loading of transport arrivals across all sites to try to alleviate some of the pressures on Grace and our other acute-care facilities.

And we expect that these ini tia- tives will have success in reducing the wait times in the weeks ahead which have–are some of the pressures that Grace Hospital is experiencing. And then our gov ernment's overall commit ment of–to our nurses: 93 nurses in the last year completed the 12-week critical-care orientation program, 23 of which graduated in January; 29 more nurses will graduate from this program this month; 19 have enrolled for the next program class that started yester- day; and we are going to be graduating more nurses from our faculty of nursing later next month.

We con- tinue to–our commitment of the $19.5 million, again, to add 259 nurse training seats this year. And those nurses don't just go to work in one facility. We encourage them to apply to work across many facilities. We hope to see many of those nurses at the Grace, as well, and we'll continue to support the work of the health system leaders– Mr. Chairperson: The minister's time has expired.

MLA Asagwara: So, because this is such an incred - ibly urgent issue, what is happening at Grace Hospital has gone beyond a crisis, and those nurses and health- care aides and support staff and physicians des per- ately need to know that their Minister of Health and their government is listening to them. They need to believe and they need to know that they haven't been abandoned by this government and by this minister. And so I'm going to ask the minister, again, know- ing that nurses are actively leaving their careers in Manitoba because they have PTSD; knowing that

May 25, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2361 nurses are actively leaving their jobs which they love, which they have poured time, energy, money and love into working because they fear losing their licences; knowing that nurses are leaving because other juris - dictions, other provinces are offering them what this government has refused to–to recognize their skill set and their service; knowing that nurses have made very clear that their concerns and their challenges predate the pandemic, that nurses at the Grace were sounding their alarms and raising concerns back in 2019–that goes for nurses at HSC and as well nurses at St.

Boniface–but specifically at the Grace; I would ask the minister to, in her response to my question, think about those nurses and those health-care professionals and what they need to hear from this minister. What steps is the minister taking right now so that the staff working at the Grace Hospital emergency room do not go into work every day feeling like their drowning? What is this minister doing right now to ensure that they have the capacity there to provide the care that Manitobans deserve and should come to expect when they're accessing that emergency room?

What steps has this minister taken or is taking imme- diately? * (16:20) Ms. Gordon: You know, I want to begin my response by saying this is in no way a reflection on the com - mitted and dedi cated health -care pro fessionals at Grace Hospital. They have–are doing incredibly great work, and our government is committed to supporting them and hearing from them through our health sys - tem leaders. And, as I mentioned before, some of the suggestions that have come forward have been imple- mented. But, you know, I noted in today's Winnipeg Free Press that the author of an

article stated that hospital overcrowding is not a new phenomenon. It predates the COVID-19 pandemic and Manitoba's healing our health system consolidation plan, the first phase of which was imple mented in October of 2017. And it even predates that time period. I have articles dating back to June–September 19th, 2014. The CBC

article headline was, Winnipeg's Grace Hospital has worst ER wait times in Canada: study, and that was under the previous adminis tration. And then, June 11th, 2015, another article: Winnipeg hospital wait time the worst in Canada. So this has been a struggle, is not based on a gov- ernment; it is challenges that they faced and we face as a government. And we're certainly committed –far more committed–to finding solutions, I believe, than the previous government.

And if I can read into the record an exchange that occurred on June 9th, 2015, between the Health critic and the then-minister of Health, Sharon Blady –and I quote, Mr. Chairperson–and the question's being posed by the critic: "Mr. Speaker, there is an ER crisis and ther e are also regions in Manitoba –there are regions in Manitoba that are exper iencing a critical doctor shortage. Because of that, two dozen rural ERs are closed.

When asked in Estimates yesterday how she was going to address this issue, this Minister of Health said that she's still waiting for a, and I quote, 'magic health -care wand.' I would like to ask her: Since last evening, did she find that wand?" End quote. And that is how the NDP addressed the concerns and the issues of emergency room crisis, was for a Health minister to state that they were waiting for a magic health-care wand. But, Mr.

Chairperson, our gov ernment is cer - tainly not as dismissive of what was –is happening in our hospitals, in our emergency de partments, as the previous NDP government, and that's why we've made the commit ments that we have: the $19.5 million for 259 nurse training seats expanding to 400.

You know, I was up in the North last week talking to health leaders, service delivery organi zations, stakeholders, touring the nursing simulation lab, hear- ing that the number of nurses that will be graduating this spring from the University of Manitoba faculty of nursing, very heartened to hear that there are nurses across our province that will be moving into the sys - tem, and hearing, as well, from the regulators that the number of nurses that are registering in our province has not decreased. And so nursing continues to be a rewarding and fulfilling profession.

We continue to support our nurses, regardless of the faci lity that they work at. We will support our nurses at the Grace Hospital. We will ask our system leaders to be on the front lines talking with staff about: what are the needs, how can we work together to find long-term solutions? That is being done. I've been assured by Shared Health leadership that those meet- ings are taking place. When suggestions come back to our government, we are funding those solutions, and we will continue to support Grace– Mr. Chairperson: The honour able minister's time has expired.

2362 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 25, 2022 MLA Asagwara: Well, I think it's fair to say that the staff, the health -care support staff, the allied health - care pro fessionals, nurses, health- care aides, phys - icians at Grace Hospital would not be inspired by that response from the minister. It certainly doesn't instill confidence that she's taking this crisis –what it is, beyond a crisis at this point–as seriously as needed in order to make sure that those folks have increased capacity to provide the care to Manitobans that they know Manitoba ns deserve, which is disappointing, quite frankly.

Like the concerns of those health-care workers at Grace Hospital, those concerns we previously raised, we've also raised our concerns with the minister about the neurology program. I know this is some thing the minister is well aware of.

Document details

Collection	Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	42-4-56
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	42nd 4th hansardpdf 56.pdf
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	5b125c604f92890cd6e57a17351a4179db1360dd

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