Manitoba Hansard — 28 April 2022 (Sitting 44B, 42nd Legislature, 4th Session)

42-4-44b

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. 44B - 1:30 p.m., Thursday, April 28, 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

1713 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA Thursday, April 28, 2022 The House met at 1:30 p.m. Madam Speaker: Good afternoon, everybody. Please be seated. ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS INTRODUCTION OF BILLS Bill 221–The Apprenticeship and Certification Amendment Act (Apprenticeship Supervision) Mr.

Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): I move, seconded by the member for Flin Flon (MLA Lindsey), that Bill 221, The Apprenticeship and Certification Amendment Act (Apprenticeship Supervision); Loi modifiant la L oi sur l'apprentissage et la reconnaissance profes - sionnelle (supervision des apprentis), be now read a first time. Motion presented. Mr. Kinew: Madam Speaker, I'm very honoured to introduce Bill 221, The Apprentice ship and Certification Amendment Act. This bill amends The Apprenticeship and Certification Act.

Currently, the number of apprentices a journey - person may supervise is set by regulation. Bill 221 re- quires a one-to-one supervision ratio for most trades. Today is the Day of Mourning, where we honour those who lost their lives on the job. This bill, in that same spirit, will help ensure that everyone, or at least more people, who go to work in the morning at the start of their shift will be able to come home safely at the end of it. Madam Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed] Committee reports? TABLING OF REPORTS Hon.

Kelvin Goertzen (Minister of Justice and Attorney General): Madam Speaker, I am pleased to table the 2022 Report on the Repeal of Ac ts Not in Force for the Department of Justice. Hon. Eileen Clarke (Minister of Municipal Relations): I'm pleased to table the Supplement of the Estimates of Expenditure for the De partment of Municipal Relations for the fiscal year '22-23. Hon.

D oyle Piwniuk (Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure): Madam Speaker, I'm honoured to table the Sup plement of the Estimates for the Expenditures for the budget of '22- 23 for the Department of Manitoba Trans portation and Infrastructure. Hon. Jeff Wharton (Minister of Environment, Climate and Parks): Madam Speaker, I'm pleased to table the Annual Report for the Manitoba Watershed Districts Program for 2021. Hon.

Scott Fielding (Minister of Natural Resources and Northern Development): Madam Speaker, it's my pleasure to rise today in the Assembly to table the 2022-23 Supplement of Estimates of Expenditure. Madam Speaker: Any further tablings? MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS Madam Speaker: The honourable Minister for Sport, Culture and Heritage –and I would indicate that the required 90 minutes notice prior to routine pro - ceedings was provided in accordance with our rule 26(2). Would the honourable minister please proceed. Holocaust Remembrance Day Hon.

Andrew Smith (Minister of Sport, Cult ure and Heritage): Madam Speaker, I rise today in obser- vance of one of the darkest times in modern history. During World War II, six million Jewish men, women and children were killed, alongside millions more who were targeted for their disability, sexua l orientation, political affiliation or ethnicity in the Holocaust. On May 1st, 2000, the Legislative Assembly joined other governments in establishing a day of commemoration for Holocaust Remembrance Day, or Yom Hashoah, a national day of remembrance i n Israel.

By commemorating this day each year, the people of Manitoba join others around the world in re mem- bering the victims of the Holocaust. We honour the resilience and the resistance of victims and survivors who rallied against organized tyranny, oppression and hatred in whatever ways they could. Despite their own trauma, many survivors bravely share their experiences as they were determined to

1714 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 28, 2022 ensure that their friends and family were not forgotten. We have a responsibility to listen to their stor ies and learn from them. Last Sunday, I attended a Holocaust memorial service at Congregation Etz Chayim. At the service, I had the honour of presenting an official proclamation which proclaimed April 28th as Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day.

I'd like to thank the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg for hosting and in- cluding me in their commemoration of this very im - portant week, and extend a warm welcome to all of the members who are here with us in the gallery today. Madam Speaker, the true impact of the millions of individuals' lives taken in the Holocaust will never be truly and fully understood. As Manitobans, we have a responsibility to remember this collective loss of humanity. As we do so, we must commit to fighting against all forms of hatred and building a more com- passionate word–world, where all people are welcome and included.

Although there are fewer opportunities to hear first-hand accounts from survivors, their words and actions are enshrined throughout our province, in- cluding here on the grounds of the Legislature. In fact, Manitoba's Holocaust monument, erected here on the Legislative grounds in 1990, was the first of its kind on public property in Canada. By building a diverse and respectful society that supports connections be tween people of all cultures, faiths and ethnicities, we ensure our collective success. In observance of this important week, I would encourage all Manitobans to learn more about the Holocaust.

Consider a visit to the monument here on the Legislative grounds, a local museum, or a Jewish cultural or religious centre. We each have a role to play in making Manitoba a welcoming place for all. In doing so, we demonstrate our values of the pro - tection for all human rights. Madam Speaker, on this solemn occasion, I would ask all those present to join me in a moment of silence, reflection and remembrance of the many lives lost in the Holocaust. Mr.

Diljeet Brar (Burrows): My NDP colleagues and I join the rest of this House in taking time to re - member 6 million Jews murdered in the Holocaust and the heroism of the survivors and those who rescued them. We also pause to remember all the descendants of Holocaust victims and survivors who now call Manitoba home. Their continued identity as Jewish people, worship and contributions to our province are by their very nature brave acts of defiance against the Nazi project and ones that show that even something as terrible as Holocaust was, ultimately, a failure.

It is important to remember the horrors of the past so that we ensure we avoid repeating them, especially as Jews in Canada and around the world continue to experience anti-Semitism. We know that Canada is not immune to this ancient form of hatred, either now or during the 1930s and '40s. To our great sham e, anti-Semitism was also present in Manitoba during this time. Jews were discriminated against in admissions to the school of medicine at the University of Manitoba and ostracized at Victoria Beach.

In 1948, an 11-year-old boy applied to join the Puffin Ski Club and was refused because, and I quote, Jews are ag- gressive and can take over the club. End quote. We cannot forget that the same hatred that led to the Holocaust will forever be part of our history. Today, members of Manitoba's Jewish commun- ity gathered to read aloud the names of Holocaust victims inscribed on the monument on the Legislative grounds. It's important that these people are not for - gotten, and this exercise is just one way in which we can honour and pay tribute to Holocaust victims.

We must never forget the devastating horrors of the Holocaust, especially as living memories of the genocide begin to fade. Our children must be taught about the horrors that Yom Hashoah commemorates and our own country's complicity in anti -Semitism. I hope all Manitobans will take the opportunity to commemorate this important day and to recommit to standing up against anti-Semitism wherever it occurs. Let's welcome our guests in the gallery today. Thank you. Mr. Dougald Lamont (St. Boniface): I seek leave to speak in response to the minister's statement.

Madam Speaker: Does the member have leave to respond to the statement? [Agreed] Mr. Lamont: Together with many colleagues from the Legislature, I had the honour this morning of at - tending a c eremony of remembrance at the Shaarey Zedek synagogue: to every person there is a name.

April 28, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1715 It was a sombre and deeply moving ceremony that marked the horrors of the Holocaust in naming the individuals who were murdered, and where their lives were lost. Thes e names are also on the Holocaust memorial here on the grounds of the Legislature. * (13:40) In attendance were survivors, including a woman who is the only remaining member of her family. Many others who read names were the descendants of the Holocaust who lost grandparents, parents, bro- thers, sisters, uncles and cousins, persecuted sim ply for the crime of being who they were.

Some had lost dozens of members of their families, some hundreds, and we read the names of children, of whom one and a half w ere murdered, dying of starvation in ghettos or slaughtered and turned to ash in death camps. On Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, it is also important to draw attention to the recent report by B'nai Brith that shows that anti -Semitic incidents in Canada are on the rise. In Saskatchewan and Manitoba, there was an increase from 101 to 233 incidents in one year, an increase of 125 per cent.

Even more alarming, almost all of the increase in those incidents were in Manitoba, where 146 incidents incurred. In a world awash with misinformation, the historical reality and truth of the atrocities of the Holocaust are being eroded, while anti -Semitic con- spiracies, propaganda, outright hate and threats spread unchecked, especially online. As Manitobans, and as Canadians, we must re - cognize that the price of freedom is eternal vigilance. There is a also a vital lesson we can draw from Judaism, the idea of Tikkun Olam: we all have a role to play in repairing and bettering the world.

This is our commitment to the Jewish community, today and every day. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker: Is there leave for a moment of silence? [Agreed] Please stand. A moment of silence was observed. National Day of Mourning Hon. Scott Fielding (Minister of Natural Resources and Northern Development): Every year, April 28th is recog nized around the world as the Day of Mourning for workers killed or injured on the job. The Day of Mourning gives us all a chance to remember and honour the Manitobans who did not return home safely from work last year.

In 2021, Madam Speaker, 21 Manitobans lost their lives as a result of work -related incidents and occupational diseases. Many more Manitoban work- ers were hurt seriously enough to cause permanent injury or require time away from their jobs. Course, those lost are much more than workers, Madam Speaker. They're our family members, they're our friends, they're our colleagues as well as our neighbours. Today is a day of remembrance, and there are many events occurring throughout the province, com- memorations of those that have been impacted by the workplace tragedies, Madam Speaker.

Earlier today, the new firefighters, peace officers and Workers Memorial was officially unveiled in Memorial Park. The monument honours those who have lost their lives at work. As we remember the past and look to the future, I call upon all of us to renew our commitments to occupational safe–safety and health, and continue to work together to ensure workers come home safely, Madam Speaker. I as k that all members stand for a moment of silence in the Chamber to honour the Manitobans who were injured or killed in the workplace in the past year.

MLA Tom Lindsey (Flin Flon): April 28th marks the National Day of Mourning, which commemorates workers who have been killed, injured or otherwise made sick while on the job. I'd like to thank former NDP MP Rod Murphy, whose private member's bill in 1991 gave rise to the day we remember today. On this Day of Mourning, we pause, reflect and remember those who have lost their lives or suffered an injury, illness due to their work. All Manitobans have the right to come home safe and healthy at the end of every shift. Unfortunately, workplace fatalities and injuries continue to occur.

Not only do these tragedies have devastating effects on workers, they also have profound, long-lasting im- pacts on families, colleagues and communities. The National Day of Mourning is not only a day to remember and honour those lives lost or injured due to workplace tragedy, but also a day to collectively renew our commitment to improve health and safety

1716 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 28, 2022 in the workplace and prevent further injuries, illness and death. The importance of workplace health and safety cannot be undervalued. It is our job as legislators to ensure that legislation is put in place and followed to help reduce and prevent injury, illness from occurring. Thanks to the hard work of unions and advocates, significant progress has been made over the years to protect workers. Continuous improvements to work- place health and safety laws are necessary as new issues are identified. Madam Speaker: The member's time has expired.

Some Honourable Members: Leave. Madam Speaker: Is there leave to allow the member to conclude his statement? [Agreed] MLA Lindsey: Thank you. Unfortunately, this government has consistently cut standards that protect workers and their rights. I hope my colleagues across the Chamber will listen when I say we need to strengthen our resolve to establish safe, healthy workplace conditions. As–this year in particular, we will forever remem- ber those who held the line during COVID -19. And today, we remember the dead and must fight for the living. We do that by extending permanent paid sick leave for all Manitobans.

Temporary programs have expired. On this Day of Mourning, we call on this govern- ment to extend permanent paid sick leave to all workers and for everyone, now and forever. Mourn for the dead; fight for the living. Thank you. Ms. Cindy Lamoureux (Tyndall Park): Madam Speaker, I seek leave to respond to the minister's statement. Madam Speaker: Does the member have leave to respond to the statement? [Agreed] Ms. Lamoureux: I rise this afternoon to speak to the National Day of Mourning.

Today is the day where we take some time to step back and reflect upon those who have lost their lives from being injured on the job. We need to ensure that worker safety is taken seriously in our workplaces and is continuously being improved upon by all levels of government. For ex - ample, our city government has a role to play with transit and bus driver safety. This has become more evident throughout the pandemic. Our federal government has a role to play, for example, with air traffic.

Airport security, staff and pilots, they all deserve to be safe on the job and this requires proper training and workplace strategies. And lastly, Madam Speaker, there's a lot we can be doing provincially. It is disappointing that, over the last couple of years, this government removed the one -to-one ap - prenticeship ratio, and this needs to be reinstated. We have also seen this government ignore our calls for a provincial sick day program.

Madam Speaker, workers have had to sacrifice more in the last couple years than anyone could have expected or anticipated due to the pandemic, and these Manitobans should not have been forced to choose between whether to stay home unpaid or go to work sick to ensure that their essential needs were met. Our Province has a role to play, and I'm hoping that, moving forwa rd–for example, if Bill 36 passes later this year which would allow individuals to sell generated electricity back to Hydro– Madam Speaker: The member's time has expired. Some Honourable Members: Leave.

Madam Speaker: Is there leave to allow the member to conclude her statement? [Agreed] Ms. Lamoureux: My hope is that proper training will be provided to individuals and especially to Hydro workers, as they will be dealing with potentially dan- gerous situations. Madam Speaker, I want to wrap up by just reiterating the importance of workplace safety. Whether it be through official training, being asked to wear steel -toed boots or additional precautions like bulletproof screens or upgraded harnesses, spending these extra dollars are always, always worth the cost. Thank you.

Madam Speaker: Is there leave for a moment of silence? [Agreed] Please stand. A moment of silence was observed. Madam Speaker: And on that ministerial statement, I would indicate that the required 90 minutes notice had been giv en prior to routine proceedings i n accordance to our rule 26(2).

April 28, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1717 The next ministerial statement would be from the Minister of Transpor tation and Infra structure–and I would indicate that the required 90 minutes notice prior to routine proceedings was provided in accordance with our rule 26(2). Would the honour able minister please proceed with his statement. Severe Weather Event Forecast Hon.

Doyle Piwniuk (Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure): Madam Speaker, heading into the weekend, our gov ernment, along with the staff from the hydrologic forecasting centre are monitoring the forecasting of another 'sisnificant' weather event. This weather event has a potential for bringing vast amounts of precipitation, with the great est impact being in southern Manitoba and the Red River Valley. This weekend, daytime temperatures are expected to be above zero while cooling off at night.

The cooler nights' temperatures could temporarily slow down the snowmelt and the runoff rate in t he western parts of the province. There are six municipalities in the–of–in state of local emergency, being the RM of Headingley, Cartier, Ritchot, Morris, and recently the RM of Fisher and the RM of Montcalm. The regional emergency managers continue to en- gage with local author ities throughout the region, providing support and information.

Additionally, they are hosting regular conference calls with local author- ities and providing updates on the weather 'systens' and flood information. * (13:50) In Morris, the provincial crews are working to mitigate high water levels to keep the Highway 75 operable as much as possible. Fill material will been stockpiled on site in preparation for potential closure. Detours will be in effect, should a highwa y close. Please continue to check Manitoba 511 for the most recent updates regarding highway closures. Thanks to all provincial government staff for working around the clock.

Power outages across the province have been resolved and restored. Manitobans, you are rest –you should be rest assured that the government has invested 'sinifically' in flood infrastructure and we will continue to do so, as safety for Manitobans remains on top of our priority. As we are monitoring the weather event looming this weekend, our government is prepared for the worst, but hoping for the best. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Mr.

Matt Wiebe (Concordia): Madam Speaker, I want to begin by thanking the minister for continuing to update this House, as well as all Manitobans, about the flooding situation that is evolving. As we continue to monitor and be concerned about the situation in the Red River basin, just this morning, rural municipalities of Montcalm and Morris joined others in declaring states of local emergency that will remain in place for the next 30 days. Crews in many towns continue to pump and sandbag, in- cluding in Winkler, where they're shoring up low spots along the city's south dike.

Thank you to all those residents who continue to look after your neighbours and step up to help in your communities. Mayor Martin Harder also noted that culverts beneath Highway 32 are now compromised and will need repair by Manitoba Highways. We hope this work will begin promptly, along with many other damaged highways so that Manitobans don't face any more further disruption. We urge all Manitobans who have suffered flood damage without insurance coverage to apply for disaster financial assistance, which they can access through the provincial government's website.

As we all monitor this weather con dition that is coming our way this weekend, we continue to thank those provincial, municipal and Hydro crews who are out working around the clock to protect Manitoba infrastructure, property and people. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Madam Speaker, I ask leave to speak to the minister's statement. Madam Speaker: Does the member have leave to respond to the statement? [Agreed] Mr. Gerrard: Madam Speaker, we are all quite concerned about the possibility of additional precipi- tation this weekend.

We've already had a lot; we don't particularly need any more. But I think it's really im - portant that Manitobans around the province are aware of the situation and are preparing as much as can be possible.

1718 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 28, 2022 I salute those like the RM of Morris, who are taking a lot of precautions at the moment, hoping that the worst doesn't happen but being ready for it in case it does. There are now six rural municipalities which have declared state of emergencies. This is a spreading of the state of emergencies, and the impact of the rain that we've had and the snow that we've had. Madam Speaker, there's a little bit of a tendency to dismiss the importance of overland flooding, but it can be very important.

It may not be as big a deal as a major Red River or Assiniboine flood, but to the in- dividual homeowners affected, it is a big deal. I ask, once again, for the minister to consider restoring a basement flooding support program that was there. I want to thank the minister for the briefing this morning. It was much appre ciated, the sharing of in- formation and the dialogue and discussion.

I want to thank all those who are working hard to prevent further damage and hope that we can get through this and also that the gov ernment will start paying a little more attention to climate change issues and to reducing greenhouse gases, because climate change is part of the reason for this. Thank you. MEMBERS' STATEMENTS National Day of Mourning's Leaders' Walk Mr.

James Teitsma (Radisson): As the legislative assistant to the Minister of Labour, it was my honour to represent government at the National Day of Mourning's Leaders' Walk this morning, and also for the official unveiling of the Workers Memorial just across Broadway from the Legislature. The monument encourages us to remember, re - flect and honour those who have died or been injured in the workplace. The memorial also encourages everyone to mourn the dead and fight for the living.

The construction of the monument was under - taken by the Fallen Firefighters Foundation, the peace officers foundation, Manitoba workers foundation and the Province of Manitoba. Next to the monument was a list of names of those who had died from workplace injuries or workpl ace related disease in the past year, including one worker who was just 19 years old. It also this year included the name of one of our colleagues, Danielle Adams, MLA for Thompson. We cannot understate the impact of the loss felt by each of these worker s' families and also by their friends, colleagues and communities.

No one should become ill, suffer an injury or lose their life while trying to earn a living. Hearing the list of those who died and why makes it clear that we must all rededicate ourselves to creating safer workplaces, preventing workplace falls and saving the 100 who die each year in motor vehicle accidents. I was especially pleased to walk and talk with Alex Forrest, president of the United Fire Fighters of Winnipeg, in today's Leaders' Walk, for today is his last full day as president of that union.

He worked very hard to establish that worker –that memorial monu - ment, so it was special that he was able to dedicate the memorial on his last day. He's had a significant impact on politics in our province, and I expect he'll continue to find ways to be involved. While members of this Chamber may have dif - ferent views and levels of appreciation for the contributions of unions and union leadership in our province, there can be no doubt that unions have had a significant and positive impact in improving worker safety in Manitoba.

I have no doubt that their ad- vocacy over the past 100 -plus years has saved quite literally hundreds if not thousands of lives. So, my thanks to the Manitoba Federation of Labour and SAFE Workers of Tomorrow for inviting government to take

part in today's ceremonies and to all the organizers and attendees, including students from Tec Voc and St. Norbert high schools, for participating in today's events. Thank you. Art City Ms. Lisa Naylor (Wolseley): I am excited to have guests in the gallery today from Art City, which is a non-profit community art studio in Wolseley dedi - cated to providing people of all ages with innovative, professional and free programming. Art Ci ty was founded by Wanda Koop in 1998 to make community art programming accessible to anyone who wanted to express themselves creatively.

Art City made incredible contributions to our community throughout the pandemic. When staff were first laid off, they continued to meet virtually and

April 28, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1719 voluntarily to prepare for when they could restart pro- gramming. Board and staff knew that community engage - ment requires intentional planning. They brainstorm- ed ideas for virtual programming and eventually reformatted their program to be held outdoors. They consulted with public health, secured outdoor storage and partnered with a community member to access power and water. They created a welcoming outdoor space using shade tents and decorative banners and meals were served.

Art City ensured that program - ming felt like a festival instead of just a backup plan. The community responded favourably, with programs at capacity and families participating together more than ever. During a second pandemic closure, Art City Curbside was developed to provide process-based art experiences for community members to take home. This was a huge success with 10,000 kits distributed. In all, Art City pivoted and reimagined their pro- gramming four times. Many supports are needed during a crisis.

And as we collectively experienced the crisis of a global pandemic, Art City staff worked diligently to break through the isolation and provide a language with which community members could process and share their struggles. Please join me in thanking the staff and board members present today for their continued service. Pembina Active Living (55+) Mr. Obby Khan (Fort Whyte): Today I take a tre - mendous amount of joy to shine some light on one of the many amazing things happening in my constit - uency of Fort Whyte: Pembina Active Living (55+) or known as PAL.

This is really an amazing group of volunteers that represent some of the best of what people have to offer. The mission of PAL is simple: to enhance the quality of life for older adults in south Winnipeg.

It is a home away from home where older adults can ex - perience a sense of community, inclusion and well - being through participation in leadership, innovation– innovative programming, active living and leisure pursuits. * (14:00) The pandemic has been especially hard on every- one, but especially hard on groups like PAL, wherein which the social interactions, support system, physical, mental and emotional activities are vital to its members.

However, with all the hard work of the board, they have managed to double their membership since last September and they're on pace to hit their pre - pandemic levels of over 400 members. PAL offers a balance for older adults, cultures – and all cultures in south Winnipeg, which include Zumba, yoga, painting, book club, men's breakfast, pickleball, bridge, gardening, PAL pedallers, tai chi and line dancing. PAL (55+) is a group that could have settled any- where in Winnipeg, but they chose to settle in White Ridge Community Centre –very close to my house, from the backyard actually neighbours onto.

I am honoured and pleased to have them there and I look forward to working them closely over the next 14 years or until I am old enough to join PAL myself, take line dancing lessons. And if anyone wants to have a Kevin Bacon-style dance-off, I am ready to do that. I am so proud of my announce ment–of the an - nouncement from my colleague, member from Assiniboine, for an additional $20 million that will go to support groups like PAL. I want to thank the entire PAL board for their hard work, and especially to the president and good friend of myself, Dr. Sandra Sukhan, and her 37 years of living in Whyte Ridge.

Thank you so much, Sandra and your board, for all you do. I would like to take a moment now and acknowledge her and PAL. United Steelworkers Union Local 6166 MLA Tom Lindsey (Flin Flon): Steelworkers Local 6166 are celebrating 60 years of steelworkers this year. In 1962, United Steelworkers Local 6166 signed their charter certificate with affiliation with the United Steelworkers of America at the beginning of the labour movement in the young town of Thompson.

Over the following six decades, Local 6166 has fought for their members and for the protection of their workers and prosperity of the wider Thompson community. And they continue to fight to protect their workers against unsafe conditions. Unfortunately, Local 6166 has also had to deal with a government that won't help make things better. Smelter closed in 2018, hundreds of workers lost their jobs; meanwhile, the PC gov ernment refused to use

1720 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 28, 2022 funds set aside to help com munities to deal with dis - ruption in the industry. It's quite shameful. Despite these changes, workers 'perservere.' In solidarity, Local 6166 president Warren Luky writes, the challenges of all our members face and overcome every day has not let up as COVID operational chal - lenges, ventilation, organizational changes, frustrat - ing mines ' incentive and pay issues have many wondering what 2022 will look like. It is our solidarity that is more important than ever.

The Manitoba NDP wholeheartedly agrees, and I would like to take a moment on behalf of our caucus to reaffirm our own commitment to them and the causes of worker safety, fair pay, social equality for which Local 6166 has foug ht for 60 years. Here's to many more. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Lourdes Federis Ms. Cindy Lamoureux (Tyndall Park): The Philippine embassy is highlighting Filipino restau - rants in Canada this month, and I have used this as an opportunity to not only ea t a lot of good food but to learn about individuals in the restaurant business.

One individual, who I am so inspired by, is my Ate Lourdes Federis, who has joined us in the gallery. Madam Speaker, Lourdes grew up in the Philippines and first came to Canada in 2006, working as a graphic designer and attending marketing classes at Red River College. Over the last 16 years, Lourdes has made it her mission to bring people together and to help people feel at home.

She's done this by creating Mabuhay Welcome P ackages that are specially designed for Filipino newly landed immigrants; through program- ming on Mabuhay TV, which focuses on celebrating Filipino culture; by being the founder of Foodorama, which highlights a taste of Winnipeg's culinary diversity; and by branching off into Foodtrip Market, which is the largest series of food stalls that aims to support independent small businesses. Lourdes also established B2Bpreneur, based on the belief that parents and community have a shared accountability in raisin g financially and socially re - sponsible children.

Now, from day to day, Lourdes, along with her family, manages and works at her two outlets of Foodtrip Kitchen, and when asked where she gets her inspiration from, she shared it comes from her chil - dren and her beautiful mom. Madam Speaker, Lourdes works exceptionally hard because she wants to set an example for her children. She attributes all of her accomplishments to those in her close circle, which includes her incredibly supportive and hard-working husband, Aldo; her three children, Aeron, Ehenan and Yohan; and two of her friends, Marianne and Laarni, who have also joined us here in the gallery today.

Madam Speaker I'd like to ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Lourdes for all of her tre - mendous work and contributions to our province. ORAL QUESTIONS Infrastructure Spending Budget for Road Repairs Mr. Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): Madam Speaker, I want to begin by putting on the record my recognition of Yom Hashoah and extending a message of solidarity to the Jewish community in Winnipeg and across Manitoba.

I also want to acknowledge on the record that the Day of Mourning is a significant one and one that calls all of us from all back grounds to work together to make sure that working people don't lose their lives simply by trying to earn a paycheque. We know that many Manitobans right now are rightfully concerned about the state of our roads and highways; current gov ernment has cut and under - spent. Last year the underspending was to the tune of $60 million. That means that all the potholes that we're seeing now are only going to get worse in the future. Why does the Premier (Mrs.

Stefanson) continue to cut our road and highway budget? Hon. Kelvin Goertzen (Acting Deputy Premier): I want to thank my friend for starting off his question by mentioning two things that are very significant, and I think that all members of this House, and all Manitobans, would agree on: Yom Hashoah, which we celebrated the remembrance of today to talk about the people who had lost their lives in the Holocaust, to read their names, to remember them, Madam Speaker; and then, later today, the walk to talk about those who'd lost their lives through workplace safety.

It's the best of us members when we get together and recog nize things that we agree on. And we all agree that we need to remember where there's been

April 28, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1721 tragedies and do the best we can to put in laws and legislation and remembrances to never have them repeated. And I'll answer the member's question in his second one. Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a supplementary question. Mr. Kinew: Potholes, potholes, potholes, Madam Speaker. We know the situation on the highways in Manitoba is bad.

Driving on the highway at the best of times can sometimes be dangerous, but when you have to swerve around the potholes that seem to be ever increasing in number, that is a major, major concern. [interjection] Of course, I'm talking about the prov incial highways and I'm being heckled by the Minister of Infrastructure, who doesn't appear to understand his area of responsibility. I would point out to this gov ernment that they have cut the budget for road repair, they have frozen the funding for municipalities and now Manitobans are seeing the impact on our roads and highways.

Will the Premier simply stop the highway repair freeze today and stop cutting the road repair budget? Mr. Goertzen: There's no challenge–no question that it's been a challenging winter in a lot of different ways and–Madam Speaker, and certainly on our roads, but we have continued to have record investments when it comes to infra structure, and to spend that money where it's needed most. I remember the NDP, when people were begging them to finish Freedom Road.

They came to this Legislature, they protested every year, begging the NDP to put some money into Freedom Road so people could access their homes; people who had done so much for us. The NDP, year after year after year, said no. They didn't do anything. They didn't do an inch, they didn't do a foot, they didn't do a mile. We got it done because we believe in infrastructure and helping Manitobans. [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. The honourable member –or, t he Leader of the Official Opposition, on a final supplementary. Mr.

Kinew: Well, unlike the members opposite, on this side of the House we believe in building our economy and building our roads, Madam Speaker. This government continue their daily atta cks on the Howard Pawley administration, or whatever their newest talking point is. We know that they've been in power for more than six years, Madam Speaker. Of course, you could never pick it up from them – [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Kinew: –because they were too embarrassed to acknowledge the anniversary of their election under Brian Pallister.

They're running so hard away from his record, and it's easy to see why. * (14:10) Right now, just look outside at any road or high- way: potholes, potholes, potholes. It's a direct result of their policy decisions. They freeze the transfers to cities and municipalities, and then they cut and under- spend the budgets for infrastructure. Will the Premier simply admit that this approach is wrong and that it's hurting our economy, not to mention roads? Mr. Goertzen: Well, I suppose, Madam Speaker, we should've taken more time to celebrate our anni - versary, because there's so much to celebrate, but we've been busy.

And what have we been busy with? We've been busy with building Freedom Road, some thing the NDP never did in 17 years of government. We're busy redeveloping the Perimeter, Madam Speaker, to en - sure that it is a modern trans portation system around the city of Winnipeg. We've been busy building bridges. We've been building–putting money into Brandon, into rural Manitoba, into northern Manitoba, into the city of Winnipeg. Busy, busy, busy, building, building, building, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a new question.

Health-Care System Funding Physician Training Programs Mr. Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): Yes, the member for Steinbach holds up his scissors shoulder height and says, we've been busy, busy, busy busy.

1722 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 28, 2022 Cut, cut, cut, cut, cut, all over Manitoba. Cutting the roads. Cutting health care. Cutting schools, Madam Speaker. That's what they've been doing since 2016, and now it's hitting our ability to train phys - icians in Manitoba. The dean of medicine at the U niversity of Manitoba said that their programs are in trouble be - cause of this government's cuts to health care. And he added, and I'm issuing a direct quote here, it would be disingenuous to think they aren't related. End quote. That's the real-life impact of their cuts to health care.

It's impacting our ability to train physicians in Manitoba. The question is simple: Why, after all these health-care cuts, do they now want to risk our ability to train doctors in Manitoba? Hon. Kelvin Goertzen (Acting Deputy Premier): Madam Speaker, it's nonsense, and when the member opposite was doing his research in the newspaper, he should have looked at the first line that said, no one expects the Uni versity of Manitoba will lose its standing to train doctors, because it won't.

What is true, Madam Speaker, is that a one- in- 100-year pandemic has impacted health care–not only in Manitoba, across Canada and around the world. That is why we are trying to put investments in place: $110 million to clear up the surg ical backlog, more than $800 million for capital invest ment, rebuilding the emergency room at St. Boniface Hospital, all things that Manitobans think are im portant and all things that that member opposite voted against earlier this week. Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a supplementary question. Mr.

Kinew: Well, Madam Speaker, let's turn to the newspaper

article in question, where the dean of medi- cine of the Uni versity of Manitoba says that the im- pact of their health-care cuts is, quote, the fact that the U of M has been living with a budget of austerity for several years. The same applies to the health -care system. And you will note, my colleague from Steinbach abandons the Premier's (Mrs. Stefanson) line of trying to deny that there are cuts to health care. I would like to welcome this new change of tact, to recognize what everyone in Manitoba knows: that this gov ernment has cut and cut and cut when it comes to our health care.

And, of course, the dean of medicine would add there, it would be disingenuous to suggest otherwise– disingenuous to suggest otherwise, Madam Speaker. The only question that remains, now that the member for Steinbach admits the impacts of his cuts to health care, is: Why do they insist on continuing them? Mr. Goertzen: Historic investment when it comes to health care by this gov ernment, but nobody should deny the impact of the pandemic, Madam Speaker. I was concerned when I read a headline in the newspaper that said a doctor had never seen it this bad. In fact, Dr.

Jeff Unger said that, in his 22 years working in the emergency rooms, he's never seen it as bad as it is. He said the wait times in the ER – [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Goertzen: He said–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Goertzen: He said the wait times in the ER often average more than eight hours. This was actually a quote only from a week ago in British Columbia –in NDP British Columbia –who are also dealing with the impact of the pandemic, Madam Speaker. [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a final supplementary. Mr.

Kinew: Again, Madam Speaker, finally, a ques- tion period without the Premier denying that there have been cuts to health care in Manitoba. Again, it's very clear what the dean of medicine at the U of M is saying. He's saying that health cuts are having a tremendous impact on the system. We know the impact that this means for patients. This means Manitobans are waiting longer than ever before in emergency rooms. It means that Manitobans who are waiting for surgeries are waiting longer than ever before, and there is now some 170,000 Manitobans who are on that waiting list. It's the result of cuts.

We know it's disingenuous– direct quote there–to suggest otherwise. Since we now agree on the facts that the PC cuts are harming our province, will the Premier finally agree to abandon them?

April 28, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1723 Mr. Goertzen: Record investments, Madam Speaker. And of course, British Columbia is now looking at moving patients into hospitals because they're running out of room in their hospitals. NDP British Columbia. But there's no question that it's been a challenge in the health-care system. It was a challenge before the pandemic. It was a challenge under the NDP.

I'd remind him, in 2014 when patients were being discharged from the ER over at the Grace and sent home in taxicabs, Madam Speaker –they were sent home in taxicabs, and two of them died because they couldn't get into their homes. And the NDP minister of Health at the time told them to fix it, but not the health officials. They said the taxicab industry should fix it. We're working with the health-care industry; they want Duffy's to fix the health -care system, Madam Speaker. [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. [interjection] Order. [interjection] Order.

I'm going to call the Leader of the Official Opposition and the Minister of Justice to order, please. I've been standing, and I'm expecting that when I do that the room should fall to silence. Health-Care System Funding Physician Training Program MLA Uzoma Asagwara (Union Station): Madam Speaker, the College of Physicians and Surgeons has put our province and the Uni versity of Manitoba on notice. This is very serious. Programs to train our doctors are at risk. Dr.

Brian Postl, the dean of medicine at the Uni versity of Manitoba, explains that years of austerity budgets left health care stretched remarkably thin before the pan- demic. He says this gov ernment's austerity has been the threat to accreditation. They're linked, Madam Speaker. He also says, and I quote, it would be dis ingen- uous to think they aren't related. Why won't the minister and this government take responsibility for their cuts, and why have they jeopardized the training for our doctors? Hon. Audrey Gordon (Minister of Health): I thank the member for Union Station for the question.

I was so pleased last fall to join the member in the Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Author ity to welcome internationally educated medical gradu ates to our province. We continue to support all medical graduates who are working in the system, the faculty of medicine, and that will not change, Madam Speaker, and we want to ensure the funds and the services are there for these individuals. We'll continue to work with system leaders to en- sure that our graduates receive the op portunities that they need in health care. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Union Station, on a supplementary question.

MLA Asagwara: Madam Speaker, I'm talking about residency programs, and this is very, very serious. Now, the minister has 'prevlisy'–previously offer- ed thoughts and prayers for patients, but that's not going to fix health care. In fact, she's been demanding that others fix her mistakes. Austerity and declining quality in health care are linked. That's according to Dr. Brian Postl. It would be disingenuous to think otherwise. Now, the programs for neurology, internal medi- cine and obstetrics have been flagged for –as in - sufficient for our doctors .

Madam Speaker, internal medicine is a core discipline required for every doctor in training, and it's at risk. * (14:20) Why won't the minister take responsi bility for their cuts, and why have they put these programs at risk? Ms. Gordon: I just want to once again place on the record the comment from the

article that the member for Union Station is referring to: no one expects the University of Manitoba will lose its standing to train doctors. Madam Speaker, Shared Health has also 'staid' – said, and I quote, accreditation reviews are an impor- tant component in our collective efforts to maintain a high quality of care, ensuring that medical residents receive appropriate training. The reviews don't mean patients are receiving substandard care.

What it means is that there are areas for improvement, and our government is committed to supporting our medical graduates and individuals working in the faculty of medicine and across the system, Madam Speaker, and medical teams will con- tinue to provide excellent care.

1724 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 28, 2022 Madam Speaker: The honour able leader –the honourable member for Union Station, on a final supplementary. MLA Asagwara: Madam Speaker, COVID arrived into a system that was not prepared for it and was already stretched remarkably thin and had been living with budgets of austerity for several years. [interjection] Now, those members may heckle me, but those are the words of Dr. Brian Postl. It's simply the truth. It's dis ingenuous to say otherwise. Cuts and con- solidation hurt health care and is now putting our training for doctors at risk.

Madam Speaker, we can't afford to lose a single physician right now. This problem needs to be ad- dressed immediately. Will the minister take respon sibility and ensure that these programs are fixed today? Ms. Gordon: I am so pleased to see, at the end of the week, that the member for Union Station is now on side with myself and our gov ernment in terms of wanting to fix situations in the system. Earlier this week, it was don't fix. Now it's fix. Again, Manitobans don't know what to expect in terms of the position of the opposition.

Madam Speaker, we will continue to support all levels of the health-care system and we appreciate the feedback we're receiving from the accreditation re - view. There's more work that needs to be done. Our government has committed to doing that work. Indigenous Reconciliation Strategy Timeline for Development Mr. Ian Bushie (Keewatinook): The Auditor General recently published a damning report on this government's failure to act on its legis lated–and I repeat, Madam Speaker, legis lated–responsibilities towards reconciliation.

He found that in the five years since The Path to Reconciliation Act was passed, the government still had, and I quote, no strategy for reconciliation. The report urged the gov ernment to do more to - wards working towards reconciliation. However, we haven't heard when or even if a strategy will be developed or even implemented. Can the minister stand up today and provi de us with a date and a timeline for a release of the recon - ciliation strategy? Hon.

Eileen Clarke (Acting Minister of Indigenous Reconciliation and Northern Relations): I'm very pleased to get up and talk about reconciliation in the province of Manitoba. Having been the minister of Indigenous relations for six years, I had the opportunity to work diligently reaching goals, and there were several goals that were achieved and will be continuing to be achieved through this government. Madam Speak er: The honourable member for Keewatinook, on a supplementary question. Mr.

Bushie: I would like to point out that the AG report actually includes the former minister's time as Indigenous reconciliation minister. And it's common knowledge that Brian Pal lister did not work with Indigenous leaders when he was the premier. This led to a fractured relationships with Indigenous peoples. However, in the eight months since his departure, the gov ernment still has not developed a reconciliation strategy. The same people that sat at the–at Pallister's Cabinet table are still there today. This gov ernment talks about change, but hasn't made any progress on reconciliation strategy at all.

Will the minister tell us if and when a recon - ciliation strategy will be implemented? Ms. Clarke: It gives me great pleasure to share with the member opposite that, as Minister of Munici pal Relations, I attended the conference last week with all municipal officials. In my pre sentation, I did make a 'rand' –land–a land acknowledgement, and I also at the end spoke to all members about recon ciliation. I was absolutely humbled after the proceedings of that day to be con- tacted and spoken to by many of the members, how much they appreciated and how far they feel we have come.

The fact that they acknowledged it spoke to me that we have made great strides in the past six years. Madam Speaker: The honour able member for Keewatinook, on a final supplementary. Mr. Bushie: I will point out that a member from Agassiz while minister did not develop a recon- ciliation strategy. Instead what did she do? She quit. The Auditor General states that the government's first step was to develop a recon ciliation strategy as required by law, however, they failed this most basic obligation. And eight months under a new Premier

April 28, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1725 (Mrs. Stefanson) has still not produced any new out - comes either. There still is not a strategy. Ninety-four per cent of Indigenous leadership surveyed stated that the Province had not been re - spectful in their interactions with Indigenous people. How can this gov ernment work to repair these relationships without a reconciliation strategy? Will the minister provide a timeline for this reconciliation strategy that is non-existent to this day? Ms.

Clarke: The member opposite –I find it quite disgusting his comments about my position in govern- ment and decisions that I made for my personal reasons. I would love to share with him the comments, the letters, the emails–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Ms. Clarke: –that I received upon such resigna tion for this–the position that I had at that time. And I would like to point out that reconciliation isn't a docu ment. Reconciliation isn't a strategy. Reconciliation is what we do every day, the way we live and the way we treat other people.

Paid Sick Leave Request for Program MLA Tom Lindsey (Flin Flon): Today's the Day of Mourning for workers killed, injured or made sick on the job, and we will forever remember those who held the line during COV ID. What we need now is com - prehensive paid sick leave. So, will the government commit to that today, not a temporary but a permanent paid sick leave program in the province of Manitoba? Hon. Scott Fielding (Acting Minister of Finance): Our government's very proud of the stance we took, especially during COVID, in terms of providing a sick leave program that was second to none across the provinces.

We were one of the first provinces to intro- duce that, that meshed and amalgamated with the federal government. In fact, our leadership here at the provincial gov- ernment pushed the federal government to make sure there was a sick leave program that was in place when Manitobans needed it most. Madam Speaker: The honour able member for Flin Flon, on a supplementary question. MLA Lindsey: Newsflash for the minister: workers in Manitoba still need a paid sick leave program. Apparently, this government has learned nothing from this pandemic.

They should realize people coming to work sick prolong the illness, interfere with productivity, make more people sick. Paid sick leave stops all of that. It's really just that simple. So, provinces like BC have already implemented it. They didn't wait for the feds. They went ahead and did it. So on this Day of Mourning, will the minister do the right thing for workers and implement permanent paid sick leave today? Mr. Fielding: A part of our program, thousands of Manitobans got support when they needed it most. We also pressed the federal government in terms of a sick leave program that's in place.

In terms of sick leave, we want to make sure there's a balance between labour and management; we want to consult to make sure any program would be applicable. That's always something we'll talk to, in terms of labour as well as management. Madam Speaker: The honour able member for Flin Flon, on a final supplementary. MLA Lindsey: Empty words from a minister. A lot of management already have paid sick leave. That's a newsflash that I'm sure th e minister doesn't under - stand. Workers, on the other hand, do not.

Certainly the most vulner able workers in this province, ones working for minimum wage, part time, that are barely hanging on as it is, need permanent paid sick leave today. They don't need legislated wage freezes. They don't need their collective bargaining rights inter fered with by a gov ernment. They don't need a gov ernment that reduces safety on a job by changing ratios for apprentices. What they need is a minister that stands up and does the right thing, parti- cularly on today, the Day of Mourning, to protect workers going forward. * (14:30) Will– Madam Speaker: The member's time has expired. Mr.

Fielding: We take a balanced approach between labour as well as management in so many different ways. We consult. We listen to individuals to make sure we're getting policies right. We're also making

1726 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 28, 2022 sure that workers have affordability, making sure that that is. And that's exactly what this budget did, Madam Speaker, it reduced th e education property taxes for over 600,000 Manitobans. It introduced a resi dential tax credit that lower income individuals would be supported from. It also put together $10 daycare that the NDP never were able to do, to make life more affordable for Manitobans. Everyone in society needs a break and needs life more affordable coming out of the pandemic. That's something this budget did.

We're concerned that the NDP do not support affordability measures. Support for Ukraine Request for All-Party Committee Mr. Mark Wasyliw (Fort Garry): Madam Speaker, when Russia invaded Ukraine, I immediately called for an all -party committee to develop Manitoba's re - sponse. Everyone who was invited agreed to partici - pate, except this PC caucus. Now, I spoke with the member from Waverley on March 21st, who invited me to set up a meeting with him to discuss this further. Over a month later, he finally responded saying he wouldn't meet.

Not only would he not meet with me, he refused to meet with members of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress who were supposed to attend that meeting. Now, this shouldn't be a partisan issue, Madam Speaker. Gov ernment should want to work with everybody. So will the minister set up an all-party committee today? Hon. Jon Reyes (Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Immigration): Madam Speaker, the member and his NDP party voted against Budget 2022. So, let me put some facts on the record.

We have provided $800,000 in humanitarian aid and grant relief; we've waived the $50 0 application fee for Ukrainians applying through our Provincial Nominee Program; announced $5.1 million in new comer sup- port that will benefit over 6,000 newcomers, including Ukraine nationals–but that's what they voted against– opened a central recepti on centre near the Winnipeg airport. Our government support continues to be imme - diate, strong and unwavering. We've been proactive and we will continue to move forward on these impor- tant issues that matters most to Manitobans. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Fort Garry, on a supplementary question. Mr. Wasyliw: Well, Madam Speaker, you heard that answer. This government continues to ignore the con- cerns of the Ukrainian com munity and Manitobans who are concern ed with provi ding shelter for Ukrainian refugees. To date, this government's response to the war in Ukraine has been to do the bare minimum. No full - time resettlement workers have been hired.

The financial con tributions have been absolutely pitiful , and we're now 64 days into the invasion and members of the Ukrainian community are calling for this gov - ernment to act. That's why I called upon this minister to set up an all-party committee, to include the busi ness commu- nity, to include City representatives and members of the Ukrainian community. To date, he has refused to make this commitment. Will he change course– Madam Speaker: The member's time has expired. Mr. Reyes: I want to thank the Ukrainian Refugee Task Force. I want to thank all the non-profit organi- zations.

I want to 'thunk'–thank all those organizations that have done those fundraisers and that are con - tributing to humanitarian aid for the Ukraine. Madam Speaker, the budget that they voted against will be investing mor e than $821 million in capital infra structure for health care, more than $630 million towards the pandemic response and provide more than $2,400 in tax relief for Manitobans, including Ukrainians coming to Manitoba. We are making life more affordable for those who are already here, and for those who want to come here and stay in the home of hope here in Manitoba. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Fort Garry, on a final supplementary. Mr. Wasyliw: Madam Speaker, if this minister wants to really thank the Ukrainian com munity for all they've done so far in this crisis, he could do so by putting real dollars into helping the resettlement of Ukrainian refugees in Manitoba. Wrapping himself around a Ukrainian flag is insulting.

April 28, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1727 Now, members of the Ukrainian community here in Manitoba are calling on this gov ernment to do more. That's why we are calling for this all-party com- mittee. This com mittee will help this gov ernment's decisions regarding refugee resettlement , humanitar- ian aid and more. Now, this shouldn't be a partisan issue. This shouldn't be this hard for this government to do. Will this minister implement an all-party commit- tee today? Mr.

Reyes: While our gov ernment is provi ding $5.1 million to benefit over 6,000 newcomer families, including Ukrainian citizens, coming to Manitoba, the federal NDP -Liberal coalition in their recent 2022 NDP-Liberal budget did not provide any new dollars for settlement services in Manitoba. I ask the member to pick up the phone and call the unofficial deputy prime minister in Ottawa, also known as Jagmeet Singh, and ask him why are there no new dollars for settlement services in the federal NDP-Liberal budget for Ukrainian citizens in Manitoba? Thank you, Madam Speaker. [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order.

U of M Medical School Loss of Accreditation Concerns Mr. Dougald Lamont (St. Boniface): The University of Manitoba's medical school accreditation is at risk due to spending cuts and closures by this government. I table a docu ment showing actual spending by this gov ernment on health care from 2016 to '19, which was flat -lined while this gov ernment closed urgent cares, ERs and clinics like the Family Medical Centre in St. Boniface, all of them teaching hospitals and clinics where medical students learn and provide care at the same time.

Our health-care system depends on medical stu - dents and the medical school to run. Did this gov ernment ever consider they were risking the University of Manitoba's medical school's accreditation and the ability to train doctors when they closed these clinics? Hon. Kelvin Goertzen (Acting Deputy Premier): It was already stated, Madam Speaker, that there is not a risk, as the member indicates. We do know the im portant work that not only doctors do but all medical professionals do, those who are in training, those who are in residence, those who are in our health -care facilities, those who are in our clinics.

Madam Speaker, we've been supporting them throughout the pandemic. It's absolutely been a chal - lenging time over the last two years. It's been a chal - lenging time in Manitoba, in every province across Canada and, indeed, around the world. There is reason for optimism, Madam Speaker. As we move t hrough this portion of the pandemic, there is increased invest ments and there's reasons to believe that we're moving to a better time when it comes to many things in Manitoba, including moving past the pandemic. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for St. Boniface, on a supplementary question. Mr.

Lamont: It's hard to understate what this govern- ment has put to risk–at risk, including the U of M's reputation. And it's not anything that new buildings are going to fix. The national regula tory body doesn't care about the pandemic. They don't care about the PCs' spin or excuses. They care about one thing: whether or not Manitoba's only medical school can properly teach people to be doctors or not. And it can't.

We're not going to tolerate the claims that this PC government has made about health –about federal funding when they've received 'recod' amounts in equalization–billions for health, education and more– and they've squandered it. This is an emergency. What is the plan to ensure the U of M medical school doesn't lose accreditation? Mr. Goertzen: Already stated in the

article I think he's referencing, that no one expects that to happen, Madam Speaker. But I'm glad that the member opposite did raise the issue of federal funding. It's something that's been raised by every premier across the –Canada, Madam Speaker. Every premier has been asking –well, I can name them: I can name John Horgan in British Columbia, I can name Jason Kenney, I can name Scott Moe, I can name Doug Ford. Every premier in Canada has been asking Justin Trudeau to come to the table to talk about health-care funding. He won't even come to the table.

Maybe the member can raise–or, can lift up a phone, call 1-800-Justin Trudeau and ask him to come to the table to talk about fair and equitable health-care

1728 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 28, 2022 funding for every province in Canada, Madam Speaker. Non-Disclosure Agreements Request for Support for Bill 225 Ms. Cindy Lamoureux (Tyndall Park): Earlier this week, my colleague from St. Boniface intro duced an important bill that would reform the use of non-disclosure agreements. The reason this was introduced is because our caucus heard from many individuals how they were wrongly silenced for decades because of the misuse of NDAs. Does this gov ernment support the idea of dis - cussing NDAs and the need to review how they are used? Hon.

Kelvin Goertzen (Minister of Justice and Attorney General): Madam Speaker, we certainly don't believe that victims should be silenced. * (14:40) I know my friend from St. Johns spoke earlier this week that she believes victims when they come for - ward and they talk about, as an example, the exper - ience that they've had with domestic assault. I ap pre- ciate her coming forward and saying that, that she believes those victims. Th at was a very im portant statement. I think that all members of this House ap - preciated her making that very bold and very clear statement.

I also know when it comes to NDAs, there's a lot of legal con siderations around it. I certainly believe that they shouldn't be used to stop individuals from being able to have their voice heard if they're victims, and the de partment is looking at that bill, Madam Speaker. Development of Seniors Strategy Government Announcement Mr. Greg Nesbitt (Riding Mountain): Today, my friend, the Minister of Seniors and Long- Term Care, announced the in-depth consultation that will form the core of our seniors strategy. This consul tation is essential to addressing the needs of a growing seniors population.

Can the minister outline some of the initial feed - back that he has received from seniors, advocates and experts? Hon. Scott Johnston (Minister of Seniors and Long-Term Care): I thank the member from Riding Mountain, who cares deeply about the seniors in Manitoba. Madam Speaker, I am very pleased to be able to indicate to the House that we did announce the seniors strategy initiative this morning.

As part of that initiative, we have esta blished the advisory–a minis- ters' advisory group chaired by a very, ve ry capable individual, Connie Newman, who is well -known in this House and certainly a seniors advocate in Manitoba. Madam Speaker, I can also advise this House that we will be going through public and stakeholders con- sultations in all parts of this province– Madam Speaker: The member's time has expired. Early Childhood Educators Request for Competitive Wages Mr. Adrien Sala (St.

James): Over the last six years, this gov ernment has frozen funding to child- care centres, and this de facto cut has prevented centres from being able to pay fair and competitive wages, and the sector has struggled to attract workers as a result. As the federal gov ernment sends millions to our province to implement $10- a-day child care, it's un- fortunate that this g overnment won't commit money to increase wages for child -care staff. Child -care workers should be paid a fair wage that reflects the importance of the work that they do for our families.

Will this government commit to paying child-care workers in Manitoba a fair wage? Hon. Scott Fielding (Acting Minister of Education and Early Child hood Learning): We really want and encourage by this budget to making life more affordable, and that's for people that are working moms and dads that are going through child care. We are one of the first provinces to sign on to an agreement with the federal gov ernment that's going to reduce child -care fees to $10 a day, on average, which makes complete sense and will make life more afford for individuals.

We also are committed to over 23,000 new spots with the federal government, as well as making sure that ECEs are paid an appropriate rate. That's something our government did and accom- plished. That's something the NDP government never got right and never did. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for St. James, on a supplementary question.

April 28, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1729 Mr. Sala: Six years of frozen funding to child- care centres under this gov ernment–six years. That's shameful, Madam Speaker. This has forced child-care centres to cut staff and benefits and offer less competitive wages. Child-care centres want to attract the best possible candidates to work with our youth, and Manitoba is currently facing a labour shortage and it's key that ECE wages are competitive with other sectors. However, wage analysis by the Manitoba Child Care Association shows that wages for ECE staff are below recom - mended levels in this province.

If this gov ernment wants to expand child- care spaces, they need to make sure that ECE staff are paid competitive wages so they can attract new workers. Will they make a commitment to do so today? Mr. Fielding: I'm not sure why the opposi tion don't want to take yes for an answer. The reality is, there was agreement that was signed with the federal gov ernment: $1.1 billion is going to do a number of things. Number 1, it's going to reduce costs for parents that are in the system to $10 a day. That's something the NDP never did. In fact, they don't have a plan to do that.

It's going to increase spaces, M adam Speaker, to make sure parents have spaces. As well, it's going to increase costs as well as funding to child-care centres to ensure that ECEs are funded appropriately. That's our plan. Where is the NDP's plan, Madam Speaker? Madam Speaker: The honourable member for St. James, on a final supplementary. Mr. Sala: The minister continues to ignore the ques- tion about ECE wages. We'll try it again. This week is early child hood education week. ECEs play an essential role in the development of our next generation of youth in this province.

However, they're not being paid competitive wages. This deters workers from entering the sector. Using the government's own target of new spaces, experts esti mate the sector will need 5,000 new workers. The best thing we can do to recognize ECEs and attract new workers is by paying them a fair and competitive wage. Will this government commit to doing so today? Hon.

Rochelle Squires (Minister of Families): Madam Speaker, that member knows well that whe n our gov ernment signed the agreement on the child care, the historic agreement, that we committed to raising the floor of the wages for ECEs to $25 an hour; and that is something our government is committed to. Budget 2022 also committed to increa sing the wages of the child and youth practitioners, the people working in the Family Violence Prevention Program, people working in the CLDS com munity serving people with disabilities.

These are predominantly women-dominated sec- tors, and that is some thing that our gov ernment is committed to, increasing the wages. And I would remind members opposite that they voted against every one of those measures. Shame on them. Madam Speaker: The time for oral questions has expired. Petitions? Are there any peti tions? Seeing none, grievances? ORDERS OF THE DAY (Continued) GOVERNMENT BUSINESS House Business Hon. Kelvin Goertzen (Government House Leader): Thank you, Madam Speaker; I'm sorry for the delay.

On House business, I'd like to announce that the Standing Committee on Justice will meet on Monday, May 9th, 2022, at 6 p.m. to consider the following: Bill 18, The Legis lative Security Amend ment Act; Bill 19, The Beneficiary Designation (Retirement, Savings and Other Plans) Amendment Act; Bill 23, The Reducing Red Tape and Improving Services Act, 2022; Bill 26, The Officers of the Assembly Act (Various Acts Amended); Bill 35, The Commemoration of Days, Weeks and Months and Related Repeals and Amendments Act.

Madam Speaker: It has been announced that the Standing Committee on Justice will meet on Monday, May 9th, 2022, at 6 p.m. to consider the following: Bill 18, The Legis lative Security Amend ment Act; Bill 19, The Beneficiary Designation (Retirement, Savings and Other Plans) Amendment A ct; Bill 23, The Reducing Red Tape and Improving Services Act, 2022; Bill 26, The Officers of the Assembly Act (Various Acts Amended); and Bill 35, The

1730 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 28, 2022 Commemoration of Days, Weeks and Months and Related Repeals and Amendments Act. * * * Madam Speaker: The Official Op position House Leader, on House business. Ms.

Nahanni Fontaine (Official Opposition House Leader): Regarding the op position day motion on today's Order Paper in the name of the honour able member for Keewatinook, would you please canvass the House for leave to substitute the wording of that ODM with the following: That the Speaker, on behalf of all members of the Legis lative Assembly of Manitoba, invite Pope Francis to come to Manitoba as part of his upcoming visit to Can ada to deliver, in person, as he did recently at the Vatican to visiting delegations, a papal apology to resi dential school survivors on behalf of the Catholic C hurch, which should include a visit to the graves of First Nation and other Indigenous children who perished in these insti- tutions and a blessing of the grave of Louis Riel in St.

Boniface, all with the goal of advancing recon- ciliation for Manitobans from all walks of lives.

Madam Speaker: Is there leave to substitute the wording of the ODM on today's Order Paper with the following: THAT the Speaker, on behalf of all members of the Legis lative Assembly of Manitoba, invite Pope Francis to come to Manitoba as part of his upcoming visit to Canada to deliver, in person, as he did recently at the Vatican to visiting delegations, a papal apology to resi dential school survivors on behalf of the Catholic Church, which should include a visit to the graves of First Nations and other Indigenous children who perished in these institutions and a blessi ng of the grave of Louis Riel in St.

Boniface, all with the goal of advancing recon- ciliation for Manitobans from all walks of life. * (14:50) Is there leave? [Agreed] OPPOSITION DAY MOTION Madam Speaker: The House will now consider the opposition day motion of the honourable member for Keewatinook. Mr.

Ian Bushie (Keewatinook): I move, seconded by a member from Fort Rouge, that the Speaker, on be - half of all members of the Legis lative Assembly of Manitoba, invite Pope Francis to come to Manitoba as part of his upcoming visit to Canada to deliver, in person, as he did recently at the Vatican to visiting delegations, a papal apology to residential school sur- vivors on behalf of the Catholic Church, which should include a visit to the graves of First Nations and other Indigenous children who perished in these institu - tions and a blessing of the grave of Louis Riel in St.

Boniface, all with the goal of advancing recon- ciliation for Manitobans from all walks of life. Motion presented. Mr. Bushie: I rise today to share this im portant mo- tion, and to bring forth this motion in a true spirit of reconciliation on behalf of Indigenous people, Métis citizens across Manitoba, across Canada and, for that matter, where they reside around the world. Madam Speaker, healing is a journey. It's not an overnight, it's not a snap solution where one gesture, one comment, one word can heal generational impacts and generational wounds and generational hurt.

It's something that needs to be driven and ex perienced and developed over time. Indigenous people in Manitoba and First Nations citizens in Manitoba have ex perienced many hard - ships, have experienced attempted genocide, assimila- tion, extermination of their culture, of their being and who they are as people. Madam Speaker, there was been a call a number of times and we've seen various stories come out over the last couple of months, and I beg to differ about calling them stories. They are, in fact, lived experi - ences. They are, in fact, lived exper iences of First Nation Indigenous people here in Canada.

And in regards to residential schools, it's lived experience of children. And those stories that they've shared are not simply–like I said, not simply stories. They're sharing their lived experience. But Indigenous peoples are also very, very for - giving, Madam Speaker.

So, the comments that have come out over these last number of decades in regards to residential schools, there's still that need and that want for Indigenous people and Indigenous com mu- nities, and in fact, these Indigenous children who are now–are adults now, who are now grandparents, their lived experience, now they want to be able to say, let's truly go forward in a spirit of reconciliation. So they had called for that apology from the Pope. They had called for that for many, many years.

So, there was a step, there was a positive step towards reconciliation, Madam Speaker, when the Pope enter- tained the First Nations delegations, the Métis dele - gations at the Vatican.

April 28, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1731 And again, Madam Speaker, that's a step. But there's another step that needs to happen because those atrocities happened here. Those atrocities took place here. Those atrocities took place here on Turtle Island, in the country we all call Canada, in the province we call Manitoba, on a place that's been sacred to First Nations and Indigenous peoples for genera tions. So this motion calls for another step towards that recon- ciliation, calls for the Pope, on –to come on behalf of the Church, to come and share t hat apology, in a meaningful way.

And, Madam Speaker, there's no be -all, end-all. Will there be–is there a checklist that we need to go through on this path of reconciliation? No, there's no checklist because it's a journey. And it's a journey that's met with many different obstacles along the way. But Indigenous peoples are more than willing to engage that journey, more willing to have that journey, to share that journey. Not to walk in front of, not to walk behind, but to walk together with society at large. Madam Speaker, I reflect on how this impacts me and my own family and my own com munity.

And Indigenous communities are still–there're very devout Catholic parishioners in Indigenous com munities. And there's also some that go to Midewiwin lodge and the pipe ceremonies, and that's how they choose to share their teaching and reinvent themselves as a cul- ture, and re-share that–and share that type of what we are. And there's some that do both. My parents, in particular; my family, they do both. But still, Madam Speaker, there's still that hurt that exists there. And I do want to share a personal story. And I know he's no longer with us here today. It's my Uncle Alec.

And I remember my Uncle Alec, and for –we–where we are in our com munity, our families all live around a certain area–a neighbour - hood, if you will, if you want to call it that. But the church is–the Catholic church is centred around that. And, for myself, Madam Speaker, my adjoining neighbour, if you will, or my property next to me is the graveyard of the Catholic church. And further to that is –was my Uncle Alec's house. And my Uncle Alec, time and time again, was the one who went out there and shovelled for the church in the winter, shovelled the steps, made sure the walkway was done.

And, Madam Speaker, what he asked in return– and he's a resi dential school survivor, attended Fort Alexander. And when he was there, there was a group of them that were part of the seminary and were almost being groomed to perhaps become priests at some point in time. And to this day, until the day he passed, he still shared those stories about what that meant and how he didn't feel that was his place, because that was being forced upon him.

And in fact, Madam Speaker, when he was taken from Fort Alexander residential school and taken to a diocese in Otterburn, he was told what he was repre - senting was the devil. And that was supposed to be the inclusion of what he felt in that church. But still, in the spirit of forgiveness, he still, in his adult years, in his elder years, in his senior years, still went and shovel- led that church. And he had passed away at cancer, a couple of years ago now. He would've been 74 in a couple weeks.

And, Madam Speaker, on his deathbed, he asked for the priest of th e parish in our com munity– his wife had gone to the church and asked if the priest could come and see him. And the priest refused. The priest refused because he deemed him to be an alcoholic. So, Madam Speaker, those stories and that lived experience that my uncle had, to be able to say, no matter what, I still believe in this process, I still believe in the church, but for the church to turn their back on him. And did the Church at large turn their back on him? I would like to believe not.

But at the same time, that was the thought process of how that impacted my uncle. He wasn't born an alcoholic. And to his dying day, he acknowledged the fact that he was an alcoholic. But he wasn't born that way, Madam Speaker. All those steps in his journey, all those steps to residential school to his adulthood, to his path to reconciliation with the Church, still, he always believed in that. But, Madam Speaker, did the Church believe in him?

And by refusing him one of his last things that he ever asked, that really hurt himself, that hurt all of us and that hurt Indigenous people. * (15:00) So, Madam Speaker, when Indigenous people then, still, after all those –and that's one story. That's one lived ex perience, and there's many, many more. And there'll come a day where the last resi dential school survivor is physically alive to share their story and share their lived experience. But we have to carry those forward.

We have to–absolutely have to–be able to share that knowledge that they have, to share that experience to ensure that that never happens again.

1732 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 28, 2022 And moving into that path and that journey and that healing journey, and on behalf of my uncle to be able to go on that healing journey and still say, like, I promise you, Madam Speaker, my uncle woul d still be there. He would be glued to the television, glued to the media about what happened with the papal apology in the Vatican. He would be glued to the TV when–if that–if and when Pope Francis visits us here in Manitoba. Because in the spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation, he still believed. He still believed in that forgiveness.

But that forgiveness, Madam Speaker, cannot be taken for granted, and we've seen many, many ex - amples of it, in fact, being taken for granted. But still as resilient as we are as Indigenous people, we're still there asking, giving and provi ding and sharing that forgiveness, sharing those stories, sharing that path, that healing journey that everybody wants to go on. Is there a goal, Madam Speaker? If there is, will we ever get there? No. But I believe we need to get on that path. Like I said, there is no checklist to say, okay, we've met all the matters of reconciliation. Let's move forward.

Let's turn the page from what this is and what a residential school system was meant to do and hope to accom plish in terms of exterminating us as Indigenous people. Let's not get to that point where those things are forgotten. We need to be able to have those conversations forever. And, Madam Speaker, for my Uncle Alec, that is why I stand here and speak. And he is one of many, many generations of Indigenous peoples whose voices need to be heard. And that's why this motion is so im- portant. Miigwech. Hon.

Kelvin Goertzen (Minister of Justice and Attorney General): Thank you very much, Madam Speaker, and for the oppor tunity to speak to the op- position day motion today. I want to commend the member for Keewatinook (Mr. Bushie) for his very thoughtful, poignant and meaningful words. It is the best of this Assembly when we hear mem- bers speak about their personal ex periences and take action upon those personal experiences, and I thank the member for Keewatinook for doing that here today. He spoke of reconciliation as a journey and I agree with him one hundred per cent.

I believe it's as much a personal journey as it is a cor porate journey. Madam Speaker, each of us have a path of recon - ciliation to walk along. Mr. Andrew Micklefield, Deputy Speaker, in the Chair After the graves were found in British Columbia of the children from the residential schools, there was a desire, rightfully, to lower the flags here at the Manitoba Legislature, which involves more protocol perhaps than it should, Mr. Deputy Speaker.

And at the time I was serving as the Deputy Premier, and I came into the Legislature and it was already–there was a number of people here at the Legislature who were remembering the children who were found. And we, you know, gave the direction to lower the flags. But before the flags were lowered, there was a smudging ceremony that I participated in and others participated in. I had the chance to speak to some of the survivors of resi dential schools. My son came with me, my wife came with me, and it was a very meaningful and difficult afternoon. And on t he way home, my wife was in tears on the way home. Mr.

Deputy Speaker, you know her well, and she was in tears. And I said to her, I said, Kim, you know, like, I'm–this really touched you. And she said, you know, I knew –I knew about residential schools a nd I've read about them. I'd learned about them, but I don't think I really understood until she was, you know, speaking to some of the survivors there. And much of it is about under standing and understanding comes from personal connections and personal interactions. And I've been on that journey as well, Mr. Deputy Speaker.

When I was serving in the role as interim premier, I had an oppor tunity to get a better under - standing of the importance of things like land ac - knowledgements here in the Legislature and we began a process, together with my friend, the former minister of Indigenous relations, about how that would happen in the Legislature. And it is true today that we have that land acknowledgement, which is important. On the day for national truth and recon ciliation, also serving as interim premier at the time, I had the opportunity to go across the street Memorial Park, and, together with the member for Fort Rouge (Mr.

Kinew) and others, be involved in a sacred fire, which was new to me. And I am very thankful, both for the member for Fort Rouge and others, who were very gracious in, sort of, teaching and showing me what some of the meanings were of some of the actions we were taken. And that was a journey for me, as well–a personal journey, because we're all on these different journeys.

April 28, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1733 Then, in St. John's Park, and the member for St. Johns (Ms. Fontaine) was there, and the member for Fort Rouge was participating in the powwow, and I participated with my son, Malachi. And after, Malachi and I went for lunch or supper, whatever it was, and we had a very good discussion about some of the things that we'd seen and we'd learnt, and I felt it was important for me to not only be on that journey but to take my son on that journey. And we learned a lot about reconciliation, and about some of the harms that have caused in the past.

And so, I thank the member for Keewatinook (Mr. Bushie) for speaking about how it's a personal journey, it's a com munity journey, it's a cor porate journey and that we're all learning along the way. And I–I'm glad to see that there are things that are hap - pening in Manitoba. Some are initiated by the govern- ment and some are not, and it doesn't really matter, necessarily, how the initiations come, but whether it's the redevelopment of The Bay building, and I think that was described as reconciliation in action, and that is going to be meaningful and poignant for many, many years.

And there are people who can stop and listen and learn and reflect. And so much of it is about listening and learning. I've learnt –maybe question period isn't the prime example of that, but sometimes you're better to stop and listen and just stop talking. And I'll do that relatively soon because I want to hear other members, because I learn –I learn from the member for Keewatinook who has spoken; I've learned from the member for Fort Rouge (Mr. Kinew), at times, when he's talked about his journey; I've learned from the member for St. Johns (Ms.

Fontaine); I've learned from our members; I've learned from many of my friends on this side of the House. It is about learning, and recog nizing that sometimes we make mistakes and it's okay to admit those mistakes, but if we con- tinue to try to learn, that's how we get to true recon- ciliation. I appreciate the motion brought forward and the amendment that was raised by the member for St. Johns.

I think it's a stronger motion by having the Assembly ask, all of us together, as opposed to just the government ask for the Pope to come to Manit oba to make that personal apology –the apology that he's made at the Vatican, but to do it here at in Manitoba. I think it's great that the Assembly comes together to ask for that, because this place can be powerful in a very meaningful way when we do it together across party lines.

There's always going to be political divisions, and that is an important part of democracy, but there's power in political parties coming together on something and this opposi tion day motion is part of that. So, I think it's entirely appropriate to ask the Pope on his upcoming visit to Canada to come to Manitoba to deliver in person what he's delivered from a dis - tance to the delegations that came–or, went to the Vatican.

I want to thank them, by the way, for the journey that they made on behalf of all Manitobans, on behalf of Indigenous people, going to the Vatican and getting that apology and then encouraging the Pope to come to Canada, as well.

So, again, you know, when we talk about residen- tial schools and we talk about reconciliation, today is an important point, it's not an end point, it's not the end-all, it's not the be-all, but it is another step, another part of a journey, another place where politicians can put aside whatever differences we have and join to - gether in something we all believe, we all think is im- portant, and we journey together. We're not all in the same place in that journey; we're not all at the same marker point. I've got much further to go, I'm sure, than others do. But I'll learn from them.

I'll learn from others who will show me along the way, as well, and I ap preciate that, and I ap preciate the member for bringing forward this opposi tion day motion. I look forward to hearing from other members and seeing this motion pass this afternoon. Thank you very much, Mr. Deputy Speaker. * (15:10) Mr.

Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): If the Pope is to visit Manitoba, I think it could be a significant moment to help bring healing to residential school survivors, to help non-Indigenous Catholics who've had their faith unsettled over the past year, and to provide a venue for Manitobans from all walks of life, believers and non- believers, Indigenous and non- Indigenous alike, a venue with which to engage in some im portant con versations about both one of the darkest eras in our Canadian history, but also one of the most important challenges that we share as we go forward into the future.

My remarks today, I just–I'm going to speak about a few uncles, and as I go al ong the way there, you'll see what I mean by that. I want to begin by speaking about my uncle Fred, who was my late father's youngest brother. As we were talking about this motion, I gave him a shout and I did so because he was a part of the delegation t hat went to the Vatican recently. You may have seen him

1734 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 28, 2022 in some of the media coverage. He was the elder wearing the war bonnet in the Holy See. And he is the one who, I guess, carried out some of the ceremonies that were conducted in Vatican City. So I call him about this and I said, you know, we were saying we should invite the Pope, and his imme- diate response was, you know, your father and I went to St. Mary's residential school in Kenora. But it was part of the Saint Boniface diocese, he said.

So he supported it because he thought it gave an opportunity to reflect on the ex perience of some of our family members as it pertains to the Catholic Church in this part of the world. We got to speaking a bit more about it, and after- wards I reflected on his experience as a child. He was taken from his parents when he was four years old. I have a son who is going to turn four in about a week, and I can tell you that it's not difficult to draw the connection.

And I have to say that I think it's fair to judge that any person, at any time in human history should've known that it was wrong to do what was done to a child of that size and of that disposition. Any child, every child matters. I'll spare you the details of the abuse that he suffered, but suffice it to say that he ex perienced the first assault on day one of arriving, at the size that a four-year-old child is.

You fast -forward many years, he's now had the oppor tunity to hear the head of the Catholic Church acknowledge what has been the truth the entire time: that the Church was wrong for the role that they played in these institutions of cultural geno- cide, and that children and him were right in that they always deserved the opportunity to be who they were, to be respected for where th ey came from, and should've had the oppor tunity to grow up with their parents. A few years ago, I had an opportunity to travel to the Vatican with another person who I would call an uncle, and I know that my colleague from St.

Johns would refer to as a relative, as well, and–Uncle Phil– if we're going to crack a joke about Fresh Prince. He's Phil Fontaine. And as we were there, we were there to see the canonization of Kateri, the first Indigenous saint from North America in the Roman Catholic tradition. And it was quite a remark able ceremony that we shared there, my late father –still around at the time – the rest of our family, Phil, and a few other folks, and we crossed paths with Caroline Bruyere who is an elder and resi dential school survivor from Saugeen First Nation.

And I just had to step back and remark how we are in, you know, this centre of the Roman Catholic tradition and we're carrying on a conver sation in one of the languages that the residential school era sought to replace or erase. And as we're carrying on this con versation, one line in particular that Caroline said really stood out to me. She said, like, in Ojibwe, we're here to 'canonizawiyin' Kateri. I really got a kick out of 'canonizawiyin' because she took a Roman Catholic verb and she conjugated it with the Anishinabe grammar.

And in that moment, I think you have a little microcosm for all the various cultural, linguistic, spiritual and human exper ience that kind of intersected in the ex perience of somebody like Caroline Bruyere and so many other residential school survivors. And that is who they are and that is what they carry forward with them throughout their lives. Another person that I spoke to in advance of this motion is somebody that I affectionatel y call Uncle Jimmy. Uncle Jimmy is better known to most Manitobans as the former Archbishop of Winnipeg, James Weisgerber.

The reason that I call the person who used to be the head of the Catholic Church in this part of the world uncle is because, at a ceremony several years ago, Phil Fontaine, Phil's brother Bert, my late father and my Uncle Fred adopted the archbishop as their brother. The significance to the adoption ceremony in our culture is a peace-making ceremony, the foundation of which rests on the idea that if you embrace somebody that you're in conflict with as a relative you will arrive at a peace because you're committed to one another in the sense that any family is committed to those that they share blood with.

But on a spiritual level, the ceremony was signi- ficant to me because it represented four resi dential school survivors who were willing to rise above the pain and the anguish that they felt, and were willing to embrace somebody who represented some of the darkest moments in the ir lives. They were willing to step above that and embrace that person with love and with forgiveness in their hearts. And so I thought that that was really, truly sig nificant.

And of course, you know, the former archbishop offered his support and said, yes, if the–if you invite the Pope and he makes it, a hundred per cent the Church is going to be behind that.

April 28, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1735 But I really wanted to reflect on that ex perience because, you know, I learned a lot from Phil and from Bert, and I remember Bert had his Bib le there with him. So we had an Indigenous ceremony, conducted by Indigenous elders, presided over by Indigenous elders, and a Catholic priest in a Roman collar was being embraced as part of that, and you had one of the Anishinabe elders there with his Bible that he wanted blessed.

And so again, the overlapping, intersecting, multidimensional nature of what it means to be a Manitoban; of what it means to be alive in this part of the world today. And the final person I wanted to reflect on in my remarks today is a person who came up to me last summer and is a non- Indigenous person who I had never met before in my life. But they are a Catholic. They are somebody who has a deep faith that they practice throughout their lives.

And they approached me because t hey were deeply upset by how they felt after having learned of the disclosures of the gravesites at places like, you know, Kamloops and Brandon, and many of the other sites across Canada. And this person was clearly somebody in turmoil. On the one hand, they're not going to abandon their Catholicism even if they're feeling unsettled by the practice of that faith at the time. They are still somebody who is going to pray in that same kind of way and have a relationship with the Creator inter - mediated by that faith.

At the same time, this person articulated some frustration with how could the Church have been involved in some thing so dark as that part of our collective history. And even some of the frustration, I would venture to say, reflected on the cur rent leadership of the Church, and they were asking, why are they asking me, as a parishioner today, to pay for the things that they should have done back then? Why am I being asked to put into the collection plate to make up for the money that the bishops were already supposed to have committed to residential school survivors?

I don't think any of us relish confronting the emo- tions, but it is important for us to do so. All of us have been affected by this issue. Some of us have had our lives upended and framed by some of the experiences in residential schools; other of us are learning about it and are feeling our conceptions and ideas of our country and of our religious traditions challenged by these things. And yet, we are all here together right now, and no one is going anywhere. And so we have a sacred respon sibility and a shared responsibility to work through this together.

And insofar as inviting the Pope here is only one step, it is a significant step and it could bring people from all walks of life here in Manitoba together. So that's why I support this motion. * (15:20) Hon. Eileen Clarke (Minister of Municipal Relations): I welcome the opportunity to speak today of the value in healing that would be realized by the Pope's visiting and including Manitoba as a priority visit on his planned trip to Canada this year. Manitoba had, over the years, a very high number of residential schools and the last one was closed in 1996; that's only 26 years ago.

Many Manitobans and many Canadians had little or no knowledge of resi - dential schools until last year when the 215 unmarked graves of deceased children that were stolen from their families were identified in Kamloops, BC. This stark reality is the–of the shameful harm and tragedy sent shockwaves across our country, and beyond. I believe for many who knew of this horrific past found it far too easy to disregard and left the past to be forgotten. I'm personally relieved that the events of the past have come to light and are finally being acknowledged, discussed and many questions are being asked.

I personally had very little knowledge of residen- tial schools earlier in my life, too, about those who didn't survive but even more so of the survivors, until I had the distinct honour of bec oming Manitoba's Indigenous minister from 2016 to 2021. I traveled and I listened to many survivors and I was saddened, and often horrified, to hear their painful stories. In another way, I wanted to know so much more, so I went to Chapters and I purchased many books. As I read them, I found the ones that were personal ac - counts of individuals who had lived this unbelievable life were the ones I just couldn't put down.

I felt ashamed for not having known so much more, and I intend to keep reading, listening and learn- ing. I don't need a title or a position to do what's right for residential school survivors and their families. Reconciliation comes from the heart. It's not written docu ments or media reports. As I read and listened, I was often left wondering what needed to be done now, in my time, to make a difference for the families and the individuals that are scarred and living in darkness because of a life that was forced on them and their previous generations.

1736 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 28, 2022 It's extremely painful to think about it, and often find myself in –putting myself in their life, if this happened to us right now. I think of my three precious grandsons, aged 13–pardon me, 11, 13 and 14. I think of what it would have been like to have them brutally removed from their mo m and dad, or us as grandparents. I think of my oldest grandson, who absolutely loves his dark, thick and very, very curly hair, and likes to let it grow; and it's sometimes very unruly, but he loves his hair.

And I think of how im portant hair is–the hair of Indigenous people, grown long–how im- portant it is to them. I also think of my grandson who lives here in Winnipeg, who is pretty shy and would just carry such deep pain and loneliness within him. And then I think of my youngest grandson, 11 years old, who's feisty, quick to retaliate and would verbally and physic ally fight 'til–to the death, likely to the point where he'd be one of the ones in the unmarked grave. The feelings that fill up within me is terrifying and it keeps me awake at night; and that's just thinking about it.

It doesn't compare with the tremendous pain and suffering exper ienced by Indigenous families in the past. I took the oppor tunity at Long Plain Keeshkeemaquah last year. I was invited on September 30th for the national day of truth and reconciliation. I took that opportunity as a minister of this government to humbly apologize on behalf of our government, my Agassiz constituency and my family, to all families who did and are currently living with the nightm ares and pain that has totally dissipated their lives for so many years.

There were a couple of survivors who spoke, and one of them was a good friend of mine, former band councillor, Liz Maric. It was so hard for her to share her personal story with eve ryone, but she gave us a very clear picture but even more so, a gut feeling of what she endured. We listened to how it made her feel then, how it has remained in her heart and the stigmas that just don't go away, even though she is a very accomplished First Nation woman. I'm proud to call her my friend and I have so much respect for her, for the bravery she showed in sharing her residential school experience.

I was also honoured to be invited to the historic day at Keeshkeemaquah for the announcement of the Portage la Prairie residential school historic designa- tion, one of only two in all of Canada. Former Chief Meeches indicated this was a very long time coming, and there has been personal traumatic effects on his people. But in many ways, this designation would be bring some closure and showed reconciliation efforts were being undertaken. There are many reasons I personally feel the Pope should reconsider and include Manitoba in his Cantadian [phonetic] locations to visit.

I want to acknowledge Manitoba First Nations, Métis and Inuit delegations that have recently visited Rome to meet the Pope and hear his humble personal apologies to Manitoba Indigenous families. I believe it is appre - ciated by those who were able to travel, but there are thousands of survivors and families who were not able to be included in those chosen delegations. My husband and his family are Irish Catholics. My mother-in-law had the distinct opportunity to just visually see the Pope in Manitoba at Birds Hill park many year s ago.

It meant the world to her and it strengthened her faith, even though her faith has – never did waver, and she had not ever suffered at the hands of the Church. This makes –helps to make me understand how much it would mean to resi dential school su rvivors and all their families and friends. It could, perhaps, set them free and finally give them a chance to heal.

It could, perhaps, often–open and soften their hearts, knowing that their lifelong emotional and physical pain is being acknowledged, that apologies are genuine and that the people in the com munities and province are–will stand with them and want to be a part of moving forward to live a life of freedom and respect. For it truly means the most –for it to truly mean the most, you need to look into the eyes of the person delivering the message and hear the words in the person that 'treally' feel the sentiment of this long - overdue apology.

Manitoba resi dential school survivors and their families, past and present, have my absolute respect, and I'm honoured to have the opportunity to just be a small voice in their appeal to have Pope Francis visit them and address them in their home province. I had the oppor tunity last year, as our gov ern- ment's Indigenous minister, to have a virtual meeting with Archbishop Richard Gagnon. He spoke of his work within the Catholic Church and he also spoke of the meeting that was being planned to Rome with Manitoba Indigenous repre sentatives. I shared with him my concern and disappointment that only selected

April 28, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1737 leaders were going to be chosen and that those who are suffering the deepest pain would not necessarily be included, which would be so disappointing for many. I also shared with him the value and the learning I was ex periencing in my travels an d meeting with Indigenous leaders, elders, knowledge keepers, grand- mothers and individuals all across their Turtle Island.

I told him of the conver sations and stories had truly changed my life in a good way, and that would it be good for leaders or the Pope to visit and sit with the people in their traditional territories. It became evident that that was not being con- sidered and I was really disappointed to hear that. I wish my colleagues and residents of Manitoba all had the opportunity to be a part of the journey that I have been on with the people –Indigenous people of our province. I pray for the healing that needs to happen. I pray for forgiveness for all the wrongs of the past.

And I pray for recon ciliation not to be a buzzword for the time–this time in our lives, but instead an intense feeling within our hearts to do better, to respect all others and to be inclusive in all we do. As a representative of all people in Manitoba and our government, I commit to equality for all people. I have never and will never consider recon ciliation a strategy or a number Call to Action. I choose to live reconciliation by example. Thank you for this humbling opportunity today.

MLA Uzoma Asagwara (Union Station): I really and truly appreciate the opportunity to rise today and speak to this very im portant motion brought forward by our colleague, the MLA for Keewatinook. * (15:30) I have a tremendous amount of respect for him, as I do all my colleagues. But, certainly, in the very short amount of time that I've been elected alongside him, I have learned an incredible amount. He is incredibly generous. He is generous with his knowledge, with his time, with his kindness.

And it's signi ficant not only that he's brought this forward on behalf of so many, but it's sig nificant that even in doing so, you know, when he speaks to this, he shares personal stories, as all of our colleagues–all of our Indigenous colleagues have done, time and time again. So, I want to thank him for not only br inging it forward, but for sharing from such a personal place and for all the work that he does day in and day out that, you know, folks would know nothing of in this House. I want to thank survivors who continue to advo- cate, make their voices heard.

Se nd love and care to them as they navigate all of the ups and downs of what's been going on now for quite some time and, certainly, the dialogue around this. Thank the leaders, activists, organizers, community members who are all working very hard to try and, you know, bring folks on board, non- Indigenous folks on board and really invest meaningfully and partici pating in reconcilia - tion and fighting tirelessly for their voices to be heard and for action to be taken by way of reconciliation. Mr.

Deputy Speaker, this motion–I think that all of us in this House can speak to this motion and why it's sig nificant and why it's so im portant. And, you know, our NDP caucus, our NDP party, we recognize the realities of the legacy of resi dential schools and the importance of centering and prioritizing the voice and the needs of survivors and their families, recog- nizing the lasting impact residential schools have had on Indigenous peoples. And I think, Mr.

Deputy Speaker, it's so important for us to–when we talk about reconciliation and when we talk about the roles that we each play, we can't just talk about what we do as legislators. It's incredibly im- portant, what we do. But, certainly, it is some thing that we have to commit to and recommit to e very single day in our lives, our day -to-day lives, not just in terms of policy.

What we do here is incredibly im- portant, but it's also important for us to recognize that we must be actively engaged in this in all aspects of what we do in our homes, with our families, in our communities, at the grocery store, you know, as we go on our day-to-day lives. And our colleague, the MLA for Keewatinook, who brought this forward in question period today was asking some really important questions. And the minister–and I apologize , I don't know her portfolio clearly off the top of my head.

But the minister who responded was the former minister of Indigenous relations and recon ciliation–you know, sort of came off as defensive. I'm just going to describe it that way. And what I think is really im portant about that interaction, Mr. Deputy Speaker, is it actually really represents much more than what we see in this Chamber. It represents sometimes as non -Indigenous folks, moments where we are being asked t o be ac- countable to our roles in advancing reconciliation, and we receive feedback that perhaps we're not com - fortable with, and we receive feedback that perhaps

1738 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 28, 2022 we don't want to face because we feel it is incongruent with how we see ourselves in partici pating in recon- ciliation. And that moment–I know that question period is, you know, described sometimes as theatre, performa- tive or what have you –but those questions that he asked today were really im portant. They are im por- tant.

And it's incumbent of non- Indigenous folks – myself, good example–to listen and to not listen from a place of trying to protect our feelings, of trying to defend our actions or inaction, but to listen to folks when they are so generous as our colleague always is and offering us an oppor tunity to learn and unlearn and move forward in a better way that respects the rights of Indigenous peoples.

And so what I would encourage–what I encourage myself to do, because I do reflect on this because I am certainly somebody who's had t o do a lot of learning and a lot of unlearning, and over the past many months alongside, you know, thousands and thousands of other Canadians, have had to dig into having a deeper understanding for the reckoning that this country has been facing.

And so, I say that because I do think that what happened earlier is a good, clear example of a shift that needs to take place, where, if we're saying we're committed to reconciliation, then that means that we are prioritizing the listening aspect of this journey. And that, you know, we don't use, you know, one person gave us feedback or gave us these insights and therefore I'm doing it well. No, like, set that aside. Hear when someone is asking you to do better and commit to doing that.

And that's some thing that I'm taking away from that interaction today and really going to focus on applying, you know, to my own actions, moving forward. Mr. Deputy Speaker, this motion is incredibly im- portant. There's a lot of work that needs to be done to– well beyond t his motion to fulfill and to respect the efforts of those who are working so hard, to make sure that the truth is accessible and understood by all of us. There's a tremendous amount of work that needs to be done by this gov ernment, this current gov ernment.

And, you know, I think that –I hope that all of us in this House can be unified in supporting this. Obviously, we all support this, we recognize the significance of this motion. But again, it's about more than just supporting this motion. It is incredibly im- portant. We've all seen the reactions that so many folks are having to the apology, the folks going to the Vatican, et cetera. But we need to insist on ongoing actions being taken. And that when members of this House–just as an example, when Indigenous members in this House bring concerns forward, their voices should be heard and taken seriously.

When Indigenous members of this House are raising issues and advocating for their communities, that should be met with open arms, open hearts and should be reflected in the actions in this Chamber. And I do raise that, Mr. Deputy Speaker, because as I stated –I–in the beginning of my comments, you know, there's a role that each of us has to play well beyond just supporting this very, very im portant motion. And so, I do hope that folks can commit and recommit to taking those steps. I'm grateful for the op- portunity to be able to put a few words on the record in regards to this motion and the significance of it.

And I really and truly cal l for, you know, all members of this House –non-Indigenous members of this House –to be open -hearted, open- minded and receptive to the feedback that they receive from folks who are being very generous with their knowledge and their experiences, and to meet that with the re - spect that it should be. Very much looking forward to the unanimous support of –in this House, of this motion. Thank you. Mr. Dougald Lamont (St. Boniface): It's a pleasure to speak in favour of this motion and I wanted to thank the me mber for Keewatinook (Mr. Bushie) and the member for Fort Rouge (Mr.

Kinew) for their leadership in putting this forward as well as for sharing their powerful stories. You know, the first time I think I heard of resi - dential schools was from the playwrig ht Tomson Highway. Next week at MTC, there's a premiere of his play, The Rez Sisters. But I was at a student confer - ence in 1991 and there'd been a number of scandals in–in the Mount Cashel boys' home was one, and he said, look, there's some thing coming up. You're all going to be hearing a lot more about the experiences in resi dential schools. And I remember that very significantly.

It was first time that I ever heard anyone in person–it was in Brandon–talking about that. * (15:40) And last September 30th, I had the opportunity to meet a residential school survivor at St. John's Park, and she had gone to the resi dential school just off

April 28, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1739 Academy Road in–here in Winnipeg. And it was the first time she had ever attended an Orange Shirt Day and she hoped to see one of her former classmates. But the choice of St. Boniface as a site of apology for the Pope is, of course, extremely important. Le choix de Saint -Boniface et de Winnipeg comme lieu de réconciliation pour le pape revêt une importance spirituelle et historique considérable.

Le cimetière de la cathédrale Saint -Boniface est aussi le dernier lieu de repos de Louis Riel, le fondateur de notre province, mais c’est aussi là qu’il a vécu, travaillé et adoré. Lorsque le gouvernement du Canada a c herché à engloutir le Manitoba et l’Ouest canadien sans penser aux habitants de la rivière Rouge, c’est sur les marches de la cathédrale de Saint-Boniface que Riel a prononcé des discours enflammés qui ont galvanisé les citoyens. C'est à Saint -Boniface qu e Riel collabore avec l’abbé Ritchot et le gouvernement de transition pour rédiger la

Loi sur le Manitoba, et Ritchot a négocié lui-même l’entrée du Manitoba dans la Confédération. Et une des conditions que Riel et Ritchot de

Document details

Collection	Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	42-4-44b
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	42nd 4th hansardpdf 44b.pdf
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	678eeaef319051f594fdaee4f7ea8473d771cc47

Source file is stored in the law ingest library (pdf).