Manitoba Hansard — 12 May 2022 (Sitting 48B, 42nd Legislature, 4th Session)

42-4-48b

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. 48B - 1:30 p.m., Thursday, May 12, 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

1929 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA Thursday, May 12, 2022 The House met at 1:30 p.m. Madam Speaker: Good afternoon, everybody. Please be seated. ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS INTRODUCTION OF BILLS Bill 40–The Hospitality Sector Customer Registry Act and Amendments to The Child and Family Services Act and The Child Sexual Exploitation and Human Trafficking Act Hon. Rochelle Squires (Minister of Families): I move, seconded by the Minister of Edu cation and early learning, that Bill 40, The Hospitality Sector Customer Registry Act and Amendments to The Child and Family Services Act and The Child Sexual Exploitation and Human Trafficking Act; Loi édictant la

Loi sur les registres des clients dans le secteur de l'hébergement et modifiant la

Loi sur les services à l'enfant et à la famille et la

Loi sur l'exploitation sexuelle d'enfants et la traite de personnes, be now read a first time. Motion presented. Ms. Squires: Bill 40, the hospitality sector customer registry act and the amendments to The Child and Family Services Act and The Child Sexual Exploitation and Human Trafficking Act, will strengthen Manitoba's response to sexual exploitation and human trafficking. The hospitality sector cu stomer registry act – which will require hotels and temporary accommoda- tions to keep customer registries and provide police with access to registries for sex traffic investigations.

The bill also amends The Child and Family Services Act to improve no- contact orders to keep harmful individuals away from children and youth who are connected to a Child and Family Services agency. Bill 40 amends this Child Sexual Exploitation and Human Trafficking Act to require staff in hotels and temporary accommodations and operators of vehicles for hire to report suspected human trafficking to police. Madam Speaker, I'm pleased to present this bill to the House for consideration. Madam Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

Agreed? [Agreed] Bill 237–The Drivers and Vehicles Amendment Act (Poppy Number Plates) Mr. Len Isleifson (Brandon East): I move, seconded by the member from Kildonan- River East, that Bill 237, The Drivers and Vehicles Amendment Act (Poppy Number Plates), be now read a first time. Motion presented. Mr. Isleifson: Since December the 12th, 1918, the royal Canadian RCMP have provided a service of policing our communities throughout the province of Manitoba.

At the same time, the Royal Canadian Legions are fully supportive of the services provided by the RCMP and they would like to recognize them for the work that they do. Bill 237 will allow retired RCMP officers to proudly display the poppy number plate on their vehicles throughout Manitoba. On behalf of the RCMP Veterans' Association and the Royal Canadian Legions, I thank you for the opportunity to bring this bill forward. Madam Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? Agreed? [Agreed] COMMITTEE REPORTS Standing Committee on Justice Third Report Mr.

Dennis Smook (Chairperson): I wish to present the third report of the Standing Committee on Justice. Clerk (Ms. Patricia Chaychuk): Your Standing Committee on Justice– Some Honourable Members: Dispense. Madam Speaker: Dispense. Your Standing Committee on Justice presents the following as its Third Report. Meetings Your Committee met on May 11, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. in Room 255 of the Legislative Building.

1930 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 12, 2022 Matters under Consideration • Bill (No. 7) – The Police Services Amendment Act (Enhancing Independent Investigation Unit Operations) / Loi modifiant la

Loi sur les services de police (amélioration du fonctionnement de l'unité d'enquête indépendante) • Bill (No. 27) – The Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Alternative Measures for Driving Offences) / Loi modifiant le Code de la route (mesures de rechange en cas d'infractions de conduite) • Bill (No. 30) – The Police Services Amendment and Law Enforcement Review Amendment Act / Loi modifiant la

Loi sur les services de police et la

Loi sur les enquêtes relatives à l'application de la loi Committee Membership As per the Sessional Order passed by the House on October 7, 2020, and subsequently amended, Rule 82(2) was waived for the May 11, 2022 meeting, reducing the membership to six Members (4 Government and 2 Official Opposition). • Ms. F ONTAINE • Hon. Mr. GOERTZEN • Hon. Mr. JOHNSON • Mr. MICHALESKI • Mr. SANDHU • Mr. SMOOK Your Committee elected Mr. SMOOK as the Chairperson. Your Committee elected Mr. MICHALESKI as the Vice-Chairperson. Non-Committee Members Speaking on Record • Hon. Mr.

GERRARD Public Presentations Your Committee heard the following six presentations on Bill (No. 7) – The Police Services Amendment Act (Enhancing Independent Investigation Unit Operations) / Loi modifiant la

Loi sur les services de police (amélioration du fonctionnement de l'unité d'enquête indépendante): Louise Simbandumwe, Immigration Matters in Canada Coalition Damhat Zagros, Aurora Family Therapy Centre Shereen Denetto, IRCOM Jennifer Montebruno, Police Accountability Coalition Rachael Howgate, SEED Winnipeg Kate Kehler, Social Planning Council of Winnipeg Your Committee heard the following two presentations on Bill (No. 27) – The Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Alternative Measures for Driving Offences) / Loi modifiant le Code de la route (mesures de rechange en cas d'infractions de conduite): Diane Redsky, Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre Hennes Doltze, Private Citizen Your Committee heard the following seven presentations on Bill (No. 30) – The Police Services Amendment and Law Enforcement Review Amendment Act / Loi modifiant la

Loi sur les services de police et la

Loi sur les enquêtes relatives à l'application de la loi: Louise Simbandumwe, Immigration Matters in Canada Coalition Damhat Zagros, Aurora Family Therapy Centre Shereen Denetto, IRCOM Jennifer Montebruno, Police Accountability Coalition Kate Kehler, Social Planning Council of Winnipeg Lisa Forbes, Stop Violence Against Aboriginal Women Action Group Catherine Biaya, Private Citizen Bills Considered and Reported • Bill (No. 7) – The Police Services Amendment Act (Enhancing Independent Investigation Unit Operations) / Loi modifiant la

Loi sur les services de police (amélioration du fonctionnement de l'unité d'enquête indépendante) Your Committee agreed to report this Bill without amendment. • Bill (No. 27) – The Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Alternative Measures for Driving Offences) / Loi modifiant le Code de la route (mesures de rechange en cas d'infractions de conduite) Your Committee agreed to report this Bill without amendment. • Bill (No. 30 ) – The Police Services Amendment and Law Enforcement Review Amendment Act / Loi modifiant la

Loi sur les services de police et la

Loi sur les enquêtes relatives à l'application de la loi Your Committee agreed to report this Bill without amendment. Mr. Smook: I move, seconded by the honour able member for Dauphin (Mr. Michaleski), that the report of the committee be received. Motion agreed to.

May 12, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1931 TABLING OF REPORTS Madam Speaker: And I am pl eased to table the Annual Report of the Legis lative Assembly Management Com mission for the year ending March 31st, 2022. Copies of the report have been placed on members' desks. MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS Madam Speaker: The honourable Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage –and I would indicate that the required 90 minutes notice prior to routine pro - ceedings was provided in accordance with rule 26(2). Would the honour able minister please proceed with his statement. Manitoba Day Hon.

Andrew Smith (Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage): Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to announce that today, May 12th, is the 152nd anniversary of the Manitoba Act receiving royal assent. Today we embrace Manitoba Day as an opportunity to explore our history as we ll as to ac - knowledge, enjoy and honour our province's diverse mosaic of people and cultures. In 1986, the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba formally established Manitoba Day as a day to honour and learn about our history.

Since then, Manitoba's centennial and heritage organizations, many powered by dedicated volunteers, have been taking the 12th of May as an opportunity to express their pride in our collective identity as Manitobans through activities and events highlighting our heritage. Across the provi nce, Manitoba's heritage organ- izations seize the time of year to shed the light on our history and to raise awareness about the events and people who came before us and who have shaped the world in which we live today.

Today we recognize the importance o f our pro - mise–province's diverse people and cultures, whether it be those who have made their lives on these lands for thousands of years, hundreds of years or decades and also to those arriving most recently as we provide shelter for those fleeing war in their homelands. Our province is further enriched with their own stories, languages and traditions. I invite my fellow Manitobans on this day to learn something new about our province and to explore different perspectives.

Consider visiting an unfamiliar museum or heritage site, revisiting an old favourite or participating in any of the great programming planned by cultural organizations across our great province. Now is also a great time to finalize your summer- time plans, whether you are considering da y trips or staying in your favourite hotels, parks, campgrounds or cottages. Manitoba's heritage sector is an important part of every community's vitality and of our province's tour- ism landscape, so be sure to explore the offerings of heritage sites and museums big or small wherever you may find yourself this summer.

I encourage Manitobans to seize the opportunity to learn about the thousands of years of human history linked to the land currently recognized as Manitoba for 152 years now. Understanding our history con- tributes to building community partnerships, common understandings and shared experiences. We need these connections now more than ever. Madam Speaker, I invite everyone to visit Manitoba Day heritage–or the Manitoba Day page on the Sport, Culture and Heritage website to connect to some of the programming developed by our province's hard -working museums and heritage organizations.

On May 12th, and every day, we must recognize the historical events that have shaped our province. They contribute to where we are in our history and they help us develop and grow as a province. Lastly, I would like to extend my warm thoughts to all Manitoban neighbours who are facing chal - lenges with this year's flooding. Our government is here for you. Mr. Di ljeet Brar (Burrows): Madam Speaker, 152 years ago today the Manitoba Act received royal assent after months of negotiation with the father of this province, Louis Riel.

Riel and his provincial government had a vision for a Manitoba in which all peoples were treated equally and in which Indigenous communities played a central role in our cultural, social and political landscape. Today, we reaffirm our commitment to Riel's vision for this province. We celebrate how far we've come, but we also recognize how far we have to go. When we see Manitobans lend their trucks to help neighbours sandbag in the face of floodwaters, we can hope that Louis Riel would be proud.

But we know we have more to do to ensure that all Manitobans are treated equally in this provi nce, regardless of race or socioeconomic background, and more to empower

1932 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 12, 2022 Indigenous peoples. Only then will Riel's vision for our province be fully realized. * (13:40) Manitoba Day is a time to look for the future, but also one to reflect on the past. We congratulate all the nominees of this year's association of Manitoba archives' Manitoba Day Awards for their con - tributions to our historical landscape.

And there are so many other great organizations working to make our history accessible to us, like the Manitoba Historical Society and museums like Snow Lake Mining Museum, the Ukrainian Folk Arts Centre & Museum in Dauphin and the Neubergthal Heritage Foundation. We hope that Manitobans will visit museums like these and learn more about all those who co ntri- buted to this province's creation, the generations of Manitobans that followed them and the ones that con- tinue to make Manitoba great today. Thank you. Ms.

Cindy Lamoureux (Tyndall Park): Madam Speaker, I ask for leave to speak in response to the minister's statement. Madam Speaker: Does the member have leave to respond to the ministerial statement? [Agreed] Ms. Lamoureux: Today we recognize our province's entry into Confederation. In 1870, Louis Riel and his provisional gov ern- ment began the effort of founding Manitoba and having it become a part of Canada. At this time, the Riel government wrote a bill of rights, which recog- nized language rights, religious freedoms, representa- tion in Ottawa and the interests of the Red River Métis population.

The bill of rights became the Manitoba Act and was passed by Parliament on May 12, 1870 in a vote of 120 to 11. Later that June, land was transferred from the Hudson's Bay Company to the Gove rnment of Canada and, by July 15th, Manitoba was officially established as part of Confederation. Madam Speaker, we must also recognize Manitoba's history pre -1870. Indigenous peoples were here on the lands long before what it is now, Manitoba.

We must co ntinue to strive towards re - conciliation with First Nations, Métis and Inuit people, to ensure that their stories are heard and needs are addressed through equitable outcomes. Now, since becoming a part of Confederation, Manitoba has become home for many people across the world, making our province a cultural mosaic filled with people of different backgrounds, and the hard work, skill sets and dedication of all these people, Madam Speaker, have contributed significantly to the prosperity of our province.

A nd this is why we need to continue to strive for more and play a greater role in response to the war in Ukraine. Madam Speaker, since Putin's unjustified war, millions of Ukrainians have lost their homes and live- lihoods, and are fleeing for refuge. Manit oba has the means, and we need to welcome these refugees in and help them settle. Thank you. Madam Speaker: Further ministerial statements? The honourable Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure–and I would indicate that the required 90 minutes notice prior to routine proceedings was provided in accordance with rule 26(2).

Would the honourable minister please proceed with his statement. Weather Event and Flooding Hon. Doyle Piwniuk (Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure): Madam Speaker, our hydro - logic forecasting team will continue to monitor the projected rain event starting this evening and lasting into Friday. Estimates th at–indicate that some local - ized areas could receive roughly 40 millimetres of rain. An overland flood warning has been issued for parts of western Manitoba, the Parkland region, The Pas area and southeastern Manitoba.

Heavy precipitation is forecast for the Shellmouth basin starting this evening, and with the heaviest rain- fall occurring on Friday. The total precipitation could be in excess of 50 million–millimetres. The Red River peak is declining in Emerson, has peaked in St. Jean Baptiste and is near peak near–in Morris. Additionally, the water level in Fisher River has dropped over two feet. However, water levels should –could rise again due to forecasted precipitation systems over coming days, depending on the amount of intensity of this rain.

Madam Speaker, 28 municipalities and four First Nation communities remain in states of local emer - gencies. The most recent to be declared was the RM of Reynolds. Total evacuees across the province total

May 12, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1933 around 2,500 people, including evacuees from First Nation communities. Three RMs has requested flood mitigation re - sources in preparations for the forecasted rain event, and provincial staff are fulfilling these requests. Our government will continue to support north- ern communities throughout this challenging time. Yesterday, Sturgeon Landing road, northwest of The Pas, was closed due to a washout, but the MTI staff has since reopened the road.

MTI continues to work with Indigenous Reconciliation and Northern Relations De partment on repairs to maintain road access. Along with Indigenous Services Canada, MTI crews will continue to monitor high levels in Peguis First Nation commu- nity. Reports indicate no significant increase in water levels from recent precipitation events in this area. Manitobans as w ell as –brace another precipita- tion event. Our government salutes your continued resiliency, prairie-province grit in fighting this flood.

Along with all provincial staff, our government stands with you, and we will continue to support Manitobans across t he province for the duration of this flood event. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Mr. Matt Wiebe (Concordia): Madam Speaker, as another signi ficant weather event approaches, Manitobans across the province are hoping for the best but preparing for the worst. Everyone in this Chamber is praying that there'll be less rain than anticipated and stands with those in our province who are gearing up for another tough few days.

In particular, the residents of Peguis First Nation are bracing for an even higher floodwater level than they've already experienced up to this point, which has destroyed 200 homes and displaced thousands of people. And while we continue supporting those flood fighters on the ground today, we also raise the con- cerns of Peguis leaders in this Chamber who have been vocal about the lack of support from both the Province and the federal government in the last few months. In an open letter he sent last week, Chief Glenn Hudson wrote, quote: In February, Peguis applied to ISC for $1.5 million for flood protection.

At that time, we were told that there was –there would be no flood prep program for Peguis based on the inaccurate pro- vincial forecasts. That left the community with no resources to fight the rising water. By ignoring flood protection measures in this area, the Province is contributing to the degradation of the natural re - sources, putting drinking water at risk and destroying fragile ecosystems, not to mention the ordeal of emer- gency evacuation of residents. End quote.

In the coming weeks, when the water the levels retreat, we hope that this government will investigate what went wrong over the last few months and com - mit to offering Peguis and other First Nations the sup- port that they will need. For now, we continue to salute all of those who are working to support all of those struggling in the Interlake, and, in parti cular, Katie Powell, who is organizing rescue efforts for dogs and cats from Peguis, and to all those in Winnipeg who are temporarily housing these pets. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Hon.

Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Madam Speaker, I ask leave to respond to the minister's statement. Madam Speaker: Does the member have leave to respond to the ministerial statement? [Agreed] Mr. Gerrard: Madam Speaker, on behalf of our Liberal caucus, I thank all those who are working so hard to address the flood conditions and to protect people's lives and property. I will speak specifically to several concerns. First, agriculture: there may be extensive areas of the province w here there is late seeding.

In earlier years, when conditions were like this, the government extended the crop insurance deadline and provided support for farmers who put in a green cover crop after the deadline. The government should announce its plans soon. In earlier years, when plans were announced at the last minute, many farmers had laboured, sweated and muddied in crops to meet the deadline, when they would've been better to wait a few days 'til the land was drier with the extended deadline. I ask t he government to let farmers know their intentions soon so farmers can better plan what to do.

Second, Peguis: this spring, shockingly, the com- munity did not get an adequate flood warning until a day or two before it happened. Yet, the government has not made any announcements to date with respect to changes it will make in the future to make sure that Peguis gets more warning of an impending large flood. Also, in relation to Peguis, the government should be updating the Legislature on any plans, discuss ion

1934 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 12, 2022 and consultations with the community with respect to the long-run plans to protect Peguis so that, like many communities along the Red River in southern Manitoba, they can be protected. I would remind the minister that homes and com- munities in the Re d River Valley are generally pro - tected to a level of the '97 flood plus two feet. The government should accept no less a standard for Peguis First Nation. With these points, I thank the minister for his comments and the opportunity we all have to consider the flood situation today. Thank you. Merci.

Miigwech. * (13:50) MEMBERS' STATEMENTS Grace Hospital Foundation Hon. Scott Fielding (Minister of Natural Resources and Northern Development): Today, I rise to recognize the Grace Hospital, the Grace Hos pital Foundation and their health- care professionals and staff for their decades of health -care service and supports in the community of Kirkfield Park and, quite frankly, all around Manitoba. The Grace Hospital is and has been a place where many lives' most important moments take place.

Founded in 1904, the Grace is a 251- bed facility that supports patients from, really, all across Winnipeg and surrounding communities and the cornerstone of the Grace Hospital campus that includes the hospice and well as Access Winnipeg West. The Grace is one of three acute- care sites in Winnipeg, along with Health Sciences Centre and St. Boniface, that provides full -service emergency department, critical care as well as acute -care services.

The Grace Hospital Foundation, Madam Speaker, was established in 1990 and is a non- profit organ- ization dedicated to enhancing patient care for the Grace Hospital individuals by raising money for vital equipment as well as programs. The dedication and care of the Grace Hospital health-care professionals is very much commendable, Madam Speaker. We are grateful to have hospital officials working in the com munity as well as the kindness and compassion they share for all individuals.

Tomorrow is Friday, May 13th, the Grace Hospital Foundation's second annual radiothon, where listeners from across Manitoba and online will have the opportunity to pledge their support to the Grace Hospital and their health-care heroes. The radiothon has been happening–will happen from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on CJOB and features important online conversations from staff and patients at Grace. There is also a book sale, live enter tainment, as well as a drive -in movie happening tomorrow night, Madam Speaker.

In honour of the ongoing supports for the Grace Hospital and the Grace Hospital Foundation provided to our community, we are pleased to recognize the second Friday in May as the Grace Hospital Day. I encourage all Manitobans to listen in on the stories and share and take

part in the activities offered by the Grace. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Allied Health Professionals MLA Uzoma Asagwara (Union Station): Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the invaluable work of allied health professionals. There are nearly 7,000 allied health members across 190 professional, technical and paramedical health-care disciplines here in Manitoba. Over the past two years, allied health profes - sionals have adapted to the ever -changing situations, often being among the first to be redeployed to ensure the continuum of care is not impacted for Manitobans in need of care.

Throughout the pandemic, they have worked day in and day out, making sure Manitobans get the care they need, from diagnostics to emergency medical services and everything in between. Manitobans have relied on al lied health care to provide –to deliver quality care. The PC government's approach to health care is a failure. The continuous underfunding of allied health services is causing significant stress issues, including record-level wait times for diagnostic services and a critical staffing shortage of emergency response ser - vices in rural Manitoba.

Instead of investing in the allied health services and the people that Manitoba families count on, we've seen emergency rooms and ICUs close and important outpatient services eliminated. Allied health profes - sionals have continued to provide the care Manitobans need despite being stretched so thin and many having

May 12, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1935 been denied a collective agreement for over five years by this government. Providing extraordinary c are whilst navigating the unknown is no easy feat, Madam Speaker. To all allied health professionals, your dedication, your knowledge and resiliency have been integral in caring for Manitobans throughout the pandemic. You've self- lessly cared for Manitobans during a time where many were scared and often alone.

Today, during allied health professionals week, I, alongside our entire NDP team, would like to thank all allied health professionals for working tirelessly to save lives and acknowledge the many contributions you've all made in our communities. Know that we stand with you and we will continue to fight for robust health care in Manitoba. Thank you. Lac du Bonnet Constituency Hon.

Wayne Ewasko (Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning): Madam Speaker, I am pleased to rise in the House today to pay tribute to the Lac du Bonnet constituency that I have been very for- tunate to represent as the Member of the Legislative Assembly since 2011. As summer is just around the corner, many Manitobans and visitors from outside the province head to their cabins or favourite campsites, allowing the businesses in surrounding communities to benefit from the economic growth.

Stay at Falcon or West Hawk lakes and explore the Whiteshell, cross the Pinawa Suspension Bridge or visit our many historical museums in Whitemouth, Beausejour, Brokenhead, St-Georges, Lac du Bonnet and many others. Many of our communities are part - ners in the building of the Trans C anada Trail which connects us all.

Whether you are following the La Vérendrye Trail through Powerview -Pine Falls, RM of Alexander, RM of Reynolds, Lac du Bonnet, Pinawa and Victoria Beach, or taking the historic No. 1 to Beausejour, RM of Brokenhead and Whitemouth, you will be able to explore many of our rural communities, each of which has something special to offer.

Several of the communities in the Lac du Bonnet constituency host annual events throughout the sum - mer that have also become a tradition f or many Manitobans and visitors alike: the Fire and Water festival, the Canada Day fireworks show in Lac du Bonnet, the Summer Winds festival in Victoria Beach, the Double B Rodeo in Beausejour, the 4P Festival in Powerview-Pine Falls and the Boreal Shore s Art Tour in various locations from Falcon Beach through River Hills, Seven Sisters, Pinawa, Lac du Bonnet, St-Georges, Powerview -Pine Falls and the RM of Reynolds.

Our government continues to invest in our parks, with over $14 million allocated to provincial parks in Manitoba announced in Budget 2022. In addition, many organizations in the Lac du Bonnet constituency received the Building Sustainable Communities grant this year, which will have an–positive impact on com- munities for years to come. Whether you're interested in sailing, hiking, fish- ing, camping or lying on the beach, Lac du Bonnet constituency is the place to be. I invite all members to visit and take

part in our community events. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Kiddie Korner Daycare MLA Tom Lindsey (Flin Flon): While this govern- ment has made many grand an nouncements about their child-care deal, the reality for my constituents is the complete lack of action. Daycare centres are still severely underfunded, cannot meet the demand for spaces nor afford to pay their staff a living wage. The Kiddie Korner Daycare in Flin Flon has had its funding frozen for eight years now. They are having enormous difficulties in retaining staff because they can only afford to pay a median wage of $13 an hour.

This wage is not a living wage and it's not fair to staff who have paid for their education to become certified ECEs, but with the majority of the daycare's income from parent fees and grants going towards wages already and the rest being s pent on food and necessary supplies, they have no other choice. Add the rising cost of living and the extra mea - sures associated with COVID, this daycare would be forced to close its doors if it wasn't for the school board keeping their rent very low and frequent fund- raising efforts they undertake to be able to afford basic maintenance and necessary improvements.

Kiddie Korner is the only daycare in Flin Flon that takes children who have special needs, which comes with extra costs. While the daycare is doing everything possible to provide children with the best possible care, they are frustrated because they do not have the funding and support they desperately need.

1936 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 12, 2022 It's not enough for this gov ernment to try and make daycare more affordable for parents, without making sure daycares are sufficiently funded and staff can receive the wages they deserve for their hard work. This government must do more to invest in all aspects of childcare to make sure our children get the care they deserve. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Karin Gordon and Tom Denton Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Madam Speaker, today I pay tribute to Karin Gordon and Tom Denton.

Together, particularly through the Hospitality House Refugee Ministry, they have contributed to tens of thousands of refugees coming to Winnipeg. Karin Gordon, who is in the gallery today with family and friends, grew up in Thunder Bay in a family which helped refugees. She became an expert in radiation, and worked for many years at CancerCare Manitoba before returning to her passion–helping refugees.

A graduate of Acadia Uni versity and Dalhousie University's school of law, Tom Denton served for 14 years in the Royal Canadian Naval Reserve before taking on the role of executive director at the International Centre of Winnipeg in 1984. There, for many years, he was the face of refugee sponsorship in Manitoba, a role he continued as executive director of Hospitality House. He has received many, many awards, including the Order of Canada. * (14:00) In 2009, he was joined by Karin Gordon, who started as a volunteer involved primarily in refugee settlement.

Karin became progressively more in - volved, to the point of being active –acting executive director in recent years. Karin Gordon and Tom Denton have worked together as an incredible team at Hospitality House, one of the largest acceptors of refugees in Manitoba and with an impressive track record of success. Karin has done an incred ible job helping newcomers, so that many call her mom. She recently retired and has handed over the reins to others. Thank you, Karin Gordon and Tom Denton, for the incredible efforts you have made together to help refugees to come, to settle and to succeed in Canada.

Madam Speaker, I ask that the list of people in the gallery can be included in Hansard. Thank you. Merci. Miigwech. Noor Khan Ahmadzai, Daniel Awshek, Andrea Cameron, Elodie Furaha, Karin Gordon, Gillian Gordon, Elias Mohamud Mohamed Speaker's Statement Madam Speaker: I have a statement for the House. Today, May 12th, 2022, marks the 152nd an- niversary of the day the Manitoba Act received royal assent in the Canadian Parliament. This act created the province of Manitoba, and accordingly, May 12th has been designated as Manitoba Day.

In honour of this historic occasion, as we have done for the past several years, our Sergeant-at-Arms carried our original Manitoba mace in today's Speaker's parade. Carved from the wheel hub of a Red River cart by a soldier with the Wolseley Expedition in 1 870, this mace made its first formal appearance in March 15th, 1871, at the First Session of the first Manitoba Legislature, held in the home of A.G.B. Bannatyne in the Red River Settlement. The Bannatyne home was destroyed by fire in December 1873, but thankfully the mace survived.

After 13 years of service, our original mace was retired in 1884 when our current mace debuted. The original mace has a permanent home on display out - side of the Speaker's office, coming out of retirement annually for this celebration. This important historical artifact sits on the table today as a tribute to the rich history of our province. In addition to the original mace, the star blanket cushion and the beaded– beautiful beaded mace runner–gifted to us by the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs in 2010–are also on display today to help celebrate Manitoba Day and to honour Manitoba's Indigenous heritage.

These artifacts also serve as a reminder that this Assembly Chamber and the Legislative Building re - side on the traditional lands of the Indigenous peoples, as we recognize in our daily land acknowledgement. I am pleased that we are able to include our original mace in the celebration of Manitoba Day, and I trust that this tradition will continue. I would encourage members to reflect on the solemn responsibility we all share to serve our con- stituents in this Assembly, and recall that whatever heated debates we have here are all part of a long legacy of service to the citizens of this province.

May 12, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1937 Introduction of Guests Madam Speaker: I would like to draw the attention of all honour able members to the Speaker's Gallery, where we have with us guests from Punjab, India. We have Mr. Devinder Saini, Mrs. Jagjit Saini, who are visiting their sons, Amit and Sohit [phonetic] Saini, who live in and are guests of the Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Immigration (Mr. Reyes). And also, in the loge to my right, we have with us today Joy Smith, former MLA for Fort Garry, and in the public gallery, her daughter, Janet Campbell.

On behalf of all honour able members in this gallery, we welcome all of you to the Manitoba Legislature. ORAL QUESTIONS Moose Hide Campaign Day Manitoba Day Acknowledgements Mr. Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): Madam Speaker, today is Moose Hide Campaign Day. It's an important opportunity for us to stand together to commit to ending violence against women and children. And so I see the moose hide pins on many of my colleagues on all sides of the Legislature here today, and I want to acknowledge this important occasion. Today is also Manitoba Day.

It's 172–or, 152 years ago, our province came to enter Confederation after the fight led by Louis Riel and the Métis. They envisioned a land where folks could pursue freedom, have their languages respected and, of course, their rights respected as well, and that continues to inspire us to this day. I do have a question about infra structure, but I thought I would begin with those comments. Hon. Heather Ste fanson (Premier): Madam Speaker, I want to thank the Leader of the Opposition for his statement, and I want to thank you for your statement on this wonderful day, the birthday of our province.

Happy Manitoba Day, everyone. And I think it is fitting th at we are working together in many areas, and I think that, you know, it's important that we do that and we take this col labo- rative approach moving forward. And so I'm looking forward to the Leader of the Op position's questions and that we continue in that spirit throughout the rest of question period, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker: I would add me too to that. The honour able Leader of the Official Opposition, on a supplementary question. Strategic Infrastructure 2020-2021 Budget Mr.

Wab Kine w (Leader of the Official Opposition): Well, we would love to collaborate with the gov ernment. However, they have a habit of making big announce ments and then not following through, Madam Speaker. So, again, on the subject of infra structure today, we have these documents that I would like to table at this time that show that strategic infra structure is 'unterspent' by some $354 million. That's a huge amount of money.

That's money that's being taken away from hospitals and clinics, it's being taken away from highways right across the province and everyone in Manitoba this year knows that our highways are in desperate need of attention. Why did the PCs cut $354 million from strategic infrastructure in 2020-2021? Hon. Heather Stefanson (Premier): I see that that spirit of collaboration has ended very abruptly in the Manitoba Legislature today, Madam Speaker.

But, what I will say, this is a very serious issue and I know that in this budget, Madam Speaker, we announced $1.5 billion ov er the next three years to - wards infrastructure, including strategic infrastructure in our province. That is a record level of invest ments in infrastructure and in transportation in our province. We recognize there were challenges, obviously, during the COVID times, and that did have an impact, Madam Speaker. But what I will say is that we are absolutely committed for the next three years to that $1.5 billion and all of those infrastructure projects that will take place in Manitoba.

Madam Speaker: The honour able Leader of the Official Opposition, on a final supplementary. Mr. Kinew: Well, Madam Speaker, this is the heart of the matter. The PC government, the Stefanson gov- ernment, they make all sorts of big announce ments, but then when t he time comes to actually make the investment, the action, the follow through is sorely lacking. The issue that we've documented here today and that we've tabled documents for the House to prove is that last year even though they stand up and they say, b-b-billion in their b-b-budget, when it actually comes

1938 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 12, 2022 down to spending, $354 million are cut from that budget within that year. Madam Speaker, $354 million could go a long way to help repair our highways after the pothole sea- son that has befallen us; $354 million could go a long way towards helping repair the damage to hospitals, medical clinics that we've seen under the PCs. Why did the Premier cut $354 million from the Infrastructure budget within the year? Mrs. Stefanson: Well, again, Madam Speak er, the litany of false accusations by the member opposite continues in this Chamber, and it's unfortunate.

But what we have invested and what we are look- ing at for the next three years –and I know the Heavy Construction Association and others out there have commended us on the–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mrs. Stefanson: –commitment to the three years, Madam Speaker. And $1.5 billion, it's an historic in - vestment in the province of Manitoba when it comes to infrastructure. We look forward to working collab- oratively–in fact, the other day I was out announcing with Mayor Bowman, as well as Kam Blight from AMM, more money, $15 million towards pothole repairs.

So we'll continue to take that col laborative ap - proach when it comes to infrastructure projects in our province. Madam Speaker: The honour able Leader of the Official Opposition, on a new question. * (14:10) Education Property Tax Credit Corporate Refunds Mr.

Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): Madam Speaker, if you had a million dollars–not saying that you do, but let's just say that you did have a million dollars –would you choose to give that million dollars to the massive cor poration that owns Polo Park mall or would you give that million dollars to school kids in Manitoba who in many cases are going to class hungry? On this side of the House, it's very clear. We would invest that money in public education.

What has also become clear is that we see the priority of this gov ernment is to give that million dollars to a massive corporation that certainly doesn't need a tax break at the expense of Manitoba school children. Why has the Premier cut a million -dollar cheque to a company that has a market cap of $20 billion? Hon. Heather Stefanson (Premier): We will con - tinue to make record invest ments in education and health care and social services in the province of Manitoba, billions of dollars more than the NDP ever did back in those dark days when they were in power here in–Madam Speaker.

We wi ll continue to make those record invest - ments in those areas, Madam Speaker. I think it's im- portant that Manitobans know and understand the facts, that there are more invest ments being made in all of these areas in Manitoba, unlike what the mem - ber opposite is talking about. Madam Speaker: The honour able Leader of the Official Opposition, on a supplementary question. Mr. Kinew: Madam Speaker, the Premier is giving record amounts of corporate welfare to companies that don't need it by racking up r ecord deficits here in Manitoba. The company that owns the Polo Park mall is worth $20 billion.

They got a cheque for a million dollars from this government at the expense of fund- ing for our schools. Why was that decision made? Families who are waiting for supports for children with additional needs would like to know. Families in Brandon whose schools have less teachers in them this year because of this gov ernment's cuts would like to know. Families in Seven Oaks where there are fewer educators in the classroom want to know. Why did this gov ernment cut a million -dollar cheque for a company that's worth $20 billion? Mrs. Stefanson: The member opposite likes to talk about a million dollars.

Well, just earlier this week the –or, the minister for–sorry, Economic Dev elopment, Invest ment and Trade was out announcing a million dollars to the Manitoba Hotel Association, Manitoba Restaurant & Foodservices Association, Food & Beverage Manitoba, supply chain manage ment association Manitoba. Madam Speaker, these are areas that we needed to invest in because they had very, very difficult times during COVID. So, that was $250,000 to each of those four areas, and those are the kinds of investments we'll

May 12, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1939 make to ensure that we continue on making sure t hat Manitobans are back to work in Manitoba. Madam Speaker: The honour able Leader of the Official Opposition, on a final supplementary. Mr. Kinew: Madam Speaker, the experts on this topic are clear. They say, and I quote, it's a fabrication to maintain that the PC program is putting more money into the pockets of Manitobans. End quote.

Reason why the experts say that is because a $20-billion company that certainly doesn't need hand- outs from this government, that certainly doesn't need corporate welfare at a time when schoolchildren are asked to do with less, they got a $1- million cheque from this gov ernment. We can't even get all of the PC caucus to admit that there should be a nutrition program for hungry students in school, and yet they rush to give a $1-million cheque to a company worth $20 billion. The only question left for the PCs to answer is: Why would they give an extra million dollars to a company that's already worth $20 billion?

Mrs. Stefanson: Well, Madam Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition should know that we're making record investments in education in the province of Manitoba, almost $1 billion more than the NDP ever invested in education in our province, a 17 per cent increase over the last two years, well over $320 million more in the last two years alone. So the Leader of the Opposition continues to put false information on the record. It's really unfortunate, Madam Speaker. Education Property Tax Credit Corporate Refunds Mr.

Mark Wasyliw (Fort Garry): Madam Speaker, Manitobans are falling further and further behind under this PC government. Today, we're once again reminded about who this government actually cares about. Millions of dollars are being handed over to out -of-province cor porate landlords, meanwhile our hospitals and schools are bursting, and they have never been this bad. Why is this government 'giling' millions of dollars to out -of-province cor porate landlords instead of properly funding our schools and hospitals? Hon.

Cameron Friesen (Minister of Finance): It's quite a game that the NDP is trying to play, to pretend that, somehow, these cheques –these rebate cheques– the largest tax rebate in the history of Manitoba –isn't going to Manitoba households who desperately them– need the money. It was only two weeks ago that the Leader of the Opposition sat here in the Chamber–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Friesen: –and in question period said that afford- ability is what Manitobans are focused on. Finally, a point of agreement with the Leader of the Opposition. He is correct.

Manitobans are focused on affordability, and that is why–[interjection] He's right in one thing: Manitobans are focused on affordability. And that is why the gov ernment is also focused on giving back this tax rebate for all Manitobans. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Fort Garry, on a supplementary question. Mr. Wasyliw: Madam Speaker, low-wage earners are falling further into poverty. Manitoba will soon have the lowest minimum wage in the entire country. That is a national embarrassment.

Now, the gov ernment can't even defend its position, as we can see, yet they carry on rewarding their friends, like the member from Fort Whyte. Now– and they are borrowing tens of millions of taxpayer dollars to turn around and have corporate welfare for corporate landlords. Why is this government allowing working people to fall further into poverty while giving massive 'handsouts' to out-of-province corporations? Mr. Friesen: Madam Speaker, let's punch some ap - propriate holes in that feeble argument. Madam Speaker, 425,000 Manitoba households will receive this rebate cheque of an average of $500.

Madam Speaker, M anitobans are focused on affordability. They are concerned about rising grocery bills. They are concerned about rising fuel bills. [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Friesen: So even now, while the members of the opposition try to shout me down, I can assure them they cannot shout down those Manitobans who are crying out for relief. Our gov ernment is responding with a rebate that will go to 425,000 households. We're proud to be standing up. Is that NDP gov - ernment–is that NDP opposition going to also support action to bring relief for Manitobans on taxes?

1940 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 12, 2022 Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Fort Garry, on a final supplementary. Mr. Wasyliw: Madam Speaker, this gov ernment intends to borrow millions of dollars to give away to out-of-province corporate landlords. These companies are worth tens of billions of dollars, and that doesn't make any fiscal sense. And it's not fair to thousands of working Manitobans who need a real break when they're facing down inflation of over 6 per cent. That's the absolute wrong approach.

Why are this gov ernment putting Manitoba taxpayers on the hook for millions of borrowed dol - lars for out -of-province landlords while ignoring Manitobans who are struggling just to get by? Mr. Friesen: That's a false premise. It was disproven yesterday in debate when I answered that member's questions. But let's get to the real issue. The real issue is that yesterday in this Legislature, the Legislature debated Bill 39. Bill 39 is the mechanism by which the –this tax rebate can flow to those 450,000 Manitoba households. What did the NDP do?

They blocked the largest tax rebate to Manitobans who are asking for action on affordability. They are–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Friesen: –blocking the plan to send those rebates. So, let them shout from their seats, but we know that they cannot shout down the voices of Manitobans who are crying out for help on affordability. * (14:20) We will continue to fight for that affordability. If they continue to block it, they're going to have to have an awful lot of explaining to do to their constituents. [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order.

Use of Private Agency Nurses Impact on Public System MLA Uzoma Asagwara (Union Station): Madam Speaker, earlier this week, the member for Fort Garry (Mr. Wasyliw) and I wrote the Auditor General. I'll table the letter for the House. We raised our concern with the PC government's growing reliance on private agencies to replace nurses working in the public system. Will the minister support an in vestigation, and will she make necessary invest ments to reduce their government's reliance on private agencies? Hon.

Audrey Gordon (Minister of Health): I thank the member for Union Station f or the question because it gives me an op portunity to put on the record, again, that in their last few years in gov ern- ment, they spent four –over $46 million on agency nurses, Madam Speaker. And our government has taken proactive steps to ensure that more nurses come into the health system: $19.5 million to add more nursing seats. We'll be expanding to 400 nursing seats.

And, Madam Speaker, I'm so pleased to share with Manitobans that nurses continue to go through our critical care orientation pro gram and will be serving in many emergency de partments and ICUs throughout the province. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Union Station, on a supplementary question. MLA Asagwara: Madam Speaker, the Premier (Mrs. Stefanson) recently claimed that there is no difference whether gov ernment uses a lot of private agencies or not. That's just not true; the government's overreliance on agency care is destabilizing the public system. There are 2,400 vacant nurse positions.

Nurses worked nearly 1 million hours of overtime last year – nearly 1 million hours of overtime, Madam Speaker. Meanwhile, this gov ernment is now spending $40 million on private agencies, more than three times what it was spending three years ago–sorry, four years ago. That's not fiscally responsible. Will the minister support an investigation and in- vest in public nurses today? Ms.

Gordon: It was the members opposite's refusal to invest in nurses and staring at the problem instead of going to the table of solutions like our government has that has led to the staffing challenges that we now see in the health system. But our gov ernment has taken action. We have invested in nearly 1,600 nurse training seats now, over double the 700 the NDP had when they took power, Madam Speaker. And I was so pleased to be part of the graduating class ceremony last fall to welcome 115 nurses into the health system.

May 12, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1941 And also, our gov ernment has invested $4.3 million for 37 additional nursing training seats– Madam Speaker: The member's time has expired. The honourable member for Union Station, on a final supplementary. MLA Asagwara: Madam Speaker, this gov ernment fired hundreds of nurses from our public health- care system, and now they're spending $40 million on pri- vate agencies, and it's hurting our health-care system. Nurses in the public system are currently being told that they can't take summer holidays with their families.

Meanwhile, private agencies are provided more money–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. MLA Asagwara: –and more flexibility. That's wrong. Nurses in the public system are being ground down day in and day out and worked nearly 1 million hours of overtime last year. That's according to data released by the Manitoba Nurses Union. The situation needs to change, Madam Speaker. Will the minister support an in vestigation, and will she invest to change her gov ernment's over - reliance on private agencies today? Ms.

Gordon: Another area that the former gov ern- ment continued to stare at the problem was in terms of internationally educated nurses and ensuring that those individuals had an opportunity to gain licensure in this province. Our gov ernment, the gov ernment of the yes, is offering over $23,000 to each internationally educated nurse–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Ms. Gordon: –to gain licensure. It was our gov - ernment, the government of the yes, that esta blished the undergraduate nurse employees program – [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Ms.

Gordon: –Madam Speaker, seeing 63 third- and fourth-year nursing students join the health system. And it was our gov ernment, the gov ernment of the yes, that added 60 new full -time nursing positions to ICUs– Madam Speaker: The member's time has expired. Upgrades to Highway 6 Repair and Maintenance Mr. Matt Wiebe (Concordia): Madam Speaker, Manitobans deserve to be safe while driving on our highways, no matter where they live. For northern Manitobans in particular, our highways are essential for access to health care, access to remote com mu- nities and for travel to and from work.

This is why it's so im portant that real actions are taken to improve road safety, including upgrades, better maintenance and timely snow clearing. Today, residents from the North have travelled here to the Legislature advocating for upgrades to Highway 6. Will the minister commit to addressing their con- cerns? Hon. Doyle Piwniuk (Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure): Madam Speaker, I want to thank the member for the question.

But the member actually was in the government, the NDP gov ernment, back in the day and he knew that for 16–for 17 years, the NDP government under- spent in–when it came to infrastructure and transpor- tation. And the thing is, our gov ernment is going to in - vest everywhere in this province when it comes to infrastructure, Madam Speaker. We are going to be – invest over $1.5 billion in the next three years. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Concordia, on a supplementary question. Mr.

Wiebe: Madam Speaker, over 5,600 Manitobans have signed a petition calling on the prov incial gov- ernment to upgrade Highway 6 and to improve safety and to reduce accidents. They're asking for widened shoulders, a wider – more passing lanes, rest stops along Hi ghway 6, rumble strips to be installed in key areas. And they are asking for this government to release a three-year plan about how they're going to get it done, and to start work this summer. Will the minister simply speak to the people of the North a nd tell them he will take their concerns seriously and start work on Highway 6 immediately? Mr.

Piwniuk: Madam Speaker, you know, the member was in government up to 2016, and you know what? I would say right now, we're going to invest money throughout the province, including Highway 6. We got –projected for the next three years over $50 million is going to be invested in Highway 6.

1942 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 12, 2022 The NDP, during their days, they underspent in infrastructure: $109 million in 2010; 2011, they underspent by $117 million; in 2012, they under - spent by $88 million; in 2013, they underspent by $126 million; and 2014, they underspent by $140 million. They could've got the job done, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Concordia, on a final supplementary. Mr. Wiebe: Madam Speaker, over the winter this Legislature lost one of our own, Danielle Adams, as she was travelling 'houth'–south on Highway 6.

But we know this issue affects so many in the North. The citizens who have collected those 5,600 signatures on the petition, they also allowed folks to share their own painful stories of loss and close calls on their website. So I invite everybody in this Legislature to take the time to read those personal accounts. We owe it to them, we owe it to all northerners to ensure that our highways are safe. Will the minister simply commit to addressing the concerns that these northerners have brought here to the Legislature today? Mr.

Piwniuk: Madam Speaker, our de partment is looking at all ways to make sure that all our highways are safe. That includes everywhere in this province, including Highway 6. And the thing is the minister gets up–I mean, the member from Concordia gets up and talks about a high–the Perimeter Highway, how he wants a bit more access. We want highways, safe highways, for the city of Winnipeg too.

With all our loved ones that come from throughout the province of Manitoba, we want to make sure when we get to a–city of Winnipeg, we also want the Perimeter Highway to be safe too. * (14:30) So, the member is basically talking from both sides of his mouth, Madam Speaker. WPS Headquarters Construction Calls for Public Inquiry Ms. Nahanni Fontaine (St. Johns): Manitoba's top civil court ruled former Winnipeg CAO accepted a $327,000 bribe in connection with the police head- quarters tendering process. The project was –sub- sequently, it went $100 million over budget, and now taxpayers are on the hook.

The full stor y isn't still known, Madam Speaker. Unfortunately, like Brian Pallister, the Stefanson government refuses to call a public inquiry. Will the Premier (Mrs. Stefanson) do the right thing by Winnipeg taxpayers and call an inquiry today? Hon.

Kelvin Goertzen (Minister of Justice and Attorney General): Madam Speaker, the member opposite knows–and I think all of us are concerned about what we've been hearing and the resolutions that have been coming out of the civil court –but she also knows that there are many civil cases that continue on, and has been described by those who are familiar with the system that it would be difficult and perhaps dangerous to have a public inquiry during a civil inquiry where there's civil proceedings, Madam Speaker. So, we'll let the civil proceedings play themselves out and then make determinations after that.

Madam Speaker: The honourable member for St. Johns, on a supplementary question. Ms. Fontaine: The minister knows that's not true. Winnipeggers deserve to know why they're on the hook for a project $100 million over budget and in- volved bribery. The RCMP opened two investigations on the police headquarters, yet they were closed with- out explanation. Last month's court decision proves wrongdoing occurred. Madam Speaker, Manitobans deserve answers. The Premier could call a public inquiry today to make sure that those who are responsi ble are held ac- countable.

Will she get up in the Chamber today and call a public inquiry? Mr. Goertzen: Well, there certainly is accountability being held when the civil court is finding rulings, Madam Speaker. That is, of course, why these issues are before the Legislature, because the civil court is doing its job. It is weighing evidence. It has a broad range when it comes to disclosure of evidence to be able to weigh. And then they are making rulings. Now, there are dozens of more civil cases that are working their way through on this matter.

It is impor- tant, as others who've been involved in public in - quiries, inc luding those in the Phoenix Sinclair

May 12, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1943 inquiry, have indicated, that it is–dangerous thing and potentially a disruptive thing to call a public inquiry while there is a civil case ongoing. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for St. Johns, on a final supplementary. Ms. Fontaine: Again, the minister knows that what he just said isn't accurate or true. Manitobans want trans parency and account abil- ity. Taxpayers are on the hook for a project that went $100 million over budget, Madam Speaker, and Winnipeg's CAO was just found guilty of accepting a bribe.

Clearly, there's more to this story, Madam Speaker. The Premier has no excuse. She should call a public inquiry so that we can all learn the truth of what happened. Will she do the right thing, stand up in the Chamber right now and call a public inquiry? Mr. Goertzen: Madam Speaker, on the one hand, the member says that there's no accountability, and on the other hand she says that somebody's been found guilty. They've been found guilty because there is a civil proceeding happening in that parti cular case. There are other civil proceedings happening related to that case.

Madam Speaker, it's important and there is a wide range when it comes to disclosure in a civil case. It gets put before the court, it gets weighed as evidence and then there's an outcome that comes from that. To have a public inquiry laid on top of that can be disruptive to the civil proceedings. We've seen that in other cases. There's already been advice given on that and we're go ing to ensure that the civil proceedings can work there way through the court. Mission Industrial Park Lead Removal Plan Mr. Dougald Lamont (St.

Boniface): The Province released a report showing that Mission –that lead levels of the Mission industrial park in St. Boniface reached 88,000 milligrams per kilogram of lead, which is 146 times the acceptable industrial level, 338 times the com mercial level and 60 0 times the acceptable residential park level. That area is less than a kilometre away from east St. Boniface and Elmwood. For years, the NDP and PC governments alike hid reports on the 'highed' lead levels in Point Douglas, Weston, St. Boniface, and knew about them since the 1980s and never acted. There is a vague commitment to get the City to act.

What is being done to get the lead out of Mission industrial? Hon. Jeff Wharton (Minister of Environment, Climate and Parks): I certainly appreciate a question from the member from St. Boniface. And certainly, I'd like to thank my colleagues, my predecessors in Environment, Climate and Parks, for the work they did to bring lead to light, Madam Speaker, unlike the NDP that hid reports for 17 years. Our government takes this issue very seriously, and we will continue to monitor lead within Winnipeg and throughout the province. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for St. Boniface, on a supplementary question.

Lead Levels in School Drinking Water Public Health Measures, Testing and Treatment Mr. Dougald Lamont (St. Boniface): Yesterday, I received an email from my child's school in the Winnipeg School Division with a link to the dismal results of lead in drinking water. Because the Manitoba govern ment dragged its feet for years, it took the Auditor General to order all schools and child-care centres to be tested for lead. I table the results, which show that there are excess levels in drinking water at Children of the Earth school, Chur chill, Clifton, Daniel Mac, Earl Grey, Kelvin, Dufferin, Elmwood, Inkster, J.B.

Mitchell, Lord Roberts, Luxton and the list goes on. And that's just the Winnipeg School Division. The taps have been shut off, but will this govern- ment fund public health measures to prevent further exposures, test children for exposure to lead to reassure parents and provide treatment where it's needed? Hon. Jeff Wharton (Minister of Environment, Climate and Parks): The member from St. Boniface is just simply wrong, Madam Speaker.

As a matter of fact, we are committed to reducing childhood exposure, Madam Speaker, and lead, which is why our gov ernment established grant funding to assist not only schools, but child-care centres as well, in testing and remediation of lead in drinking water. Madam Speaker, we take this matter so seriously that we've carried over funding to ensure that every

1944 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 12, 2022 single child -care centre and school in Manitoba is tested for lead to protect our children going forward. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for River Heights, on a final supplementary. Radon Exposure Levels Action Plan to Address Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Madam Speaker, each year radon –a radioactive gas and a major cause of lung cancer –is responsible for about 150 new lung cancer cases and 110 deaths in Manitoba. Madam Speaker, 24 per cent of homes in Manitoba have high radon levels, second highest in Canada.

Some com munities are much higher: Brandon, 37 per cent; the region of Portage, Morden and Winkler, 44 per cent; the RM of Dauphin, 71 per cent; the RM of Harrison Park, 79 per cent. The government needs to implement a major ac - tion plan to address this serious public health issue, including subsidizi ng the mitigation of homes to reduce radon levels. I call on the government to act today. Will it? Hon. Jeff Wharton (Minister of Environment, Climate and Parks): I certainly appreciate the ques- tion from the member. And certainly, as we–as lead, we take radon very seriously too, as well, Madam Speaker.

We know that 'radion' is a very–an issue that we will take seriously, and certainly, I would welcome the member from River Heights to have a discussion with me on the seriousness of it. As a matter of fact, we–as homeowners, Madam Speaker, we have taken action as well. We've tested our home for radon. And I think Manitobans will be, obviously, wanting to test their homes for radon. We want to make sure that gets done and working in non- partisan ways, we'll get it done, Madam Speaker. Sexual Exploitation and Human Trafficking Introduction of New Legislation Mr.

Bob Lagassé (Dawson Trail): Madam Speaker, our gov ernment has and will always remain com - mitted to standing up and protecting the most vulnerable in society. Today, the Minister of Families intro duced Bill 40, which is a continuation of this commitment. Can the Minister of Families please explain how this bill will improve the lives of M anitobans and protect children and youth? Hon. Rochelle Squires (Minister of Families): I'd like to thank my colleague for that question.

I'd also like to thank my friend, Joy Smith, who is a leader in combating sexual exploitation and human trafficking in the province of Manitoba, for being here today to witness this introduction of this historic legislation. Bill 40 will protect vulnerable children and youth from sexual ex ploitation by ensuring a no- contact order against a harmful individual can be obtained before sexual exploitation occurs for any child in the province.

This will also help law en forcement garner the tools that they need to stop sexual exploitation of our vulnerable children and youth. * (14:40) This bill creates a d uty to report by those who often have a line of sight into exploitation, and will make Manitoba a leader with some of the strongest laws in the nation on combatting sexual exploitation and human trafficking. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Employment Leave for Miscarriage or Stillbirth Request for Support for Bill 219 Ms. Amanda Lathlin (The Pas-Kameesak): The ex- perience of a miscarriage or stillbirth can traumatize parents emotionally and physic ally.

Parents should have access to paid time off so they can grieve and heal. No Canadian province offer–currently offers this and Manitoba has the opportunity to be the first. That's why I've intro duced Bill 219 for a second time, so that parents can access paid leave if they need it. Will the minister commit to supporting Bill 219? Hon. Reg Helwer (Minister of Labour, Consumer Protection and Government Services): Thank you to the member opposite for introducing the bill. It's certainly an interesting concept. We know that families grieve when they lose a child.

Our family itself, my wife and I, lost a child through miscarriage, and it is a very signi ficant time. So we're reviewing the bill to see if it can be applied to the Manitoba circumstance, and we'll look forward to debate. Ms. Lathl in: I know that many members in this House know someone who has lost a child due to a

May 12, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1945 miscarriage or stillbirth. They would also know the trauma that inflicts upon an expectant parent. I'm asking the members opposite to support Bill 219 so that parents c an take time to grieve and heal after a miscarriage or stillbirth. Bill 219 would reduce financial worries parents currently experience if they take time off. Will the minister support paid leave for parents grieving a miscarriage or a stillbirth? Ekosi. Mr.

Helwer: Well, as I responded in the previous answer, we'll look forward to debate on the bill and review it to see if we can use it in the Manitoba circumstance. We recog nize that this is a very emotional and traumatizing time for the families that are involved, as we went through ourselves, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for The Pas-Kameesak, on a final supplementary. Ms. Lathlin: Having access to paid time off of mis - carriage, stillbirth, would give parents time to griev e and heal. It would also reduce their worries about their next paycheque.

Our Province should be the first to introduce this legis lation. This would be a step for - ward to ensure that grieving parents are supported at every step of the way. Will this government do what is right and legis - late paid leave for Manitobans grieving a miscarriage or stillbirth? Ekosi. Mr. Helwer: So, it's not just some thing that the Legislature needs to look at. We also have the Labour Management Review Committee that needs to review issues of this nature that have impacts on both labour and manage ment, Madam Speaker. Path to Reconciliation Act Timeline to Develop Strategy Mr.

Ian Bushie (Keewatinook): The minister is simply not living up to his legal responsibilities. The Auditor General has determined the PCs have no strategy for recon ciliation and no plan for when they might advance one. This is now five years since The Path to Recon ciliation Act was passed. In fact, Madam Speaker, two weeks ago I asked the question about a timeline, and the answer was: I would like to point out that reconciliation isn't a docu ment, recon- ciliation isn't a strategy. That's simply unacceptable. It's time for this work to begin.

By what date will this minister put forward a reconciliation strategy for Manitoba? Hon. Alan Lagimodiere (Minister of Indigenous Reconciliation and Northern Relations): Our gov- ernment is committed to addressing all five recom- mendations of the Auditor General's report, and I want to provide assurance that significant work is currently under way on all five areas.

As the Minister of Indigenous Reconciliation and Northern Relations, I am guiding the development of a strategy to reconciliation that is guided by the Truth and Reconciliation Com mission and UNDRIP and builds on meaningful engage ment with Indigenous people. Madam Speaker: The time for oral questions has expired. Petitions? The honourable member– An Honourable Member: Point of order. Point of Order Madam Spea ker: Oh, the honour able member for Radisson, on a point of order. Mr.

James Teitsma (Radisson): Madam Speaker, on a point of order, earlier in question period on a question about infra structure, the Leader of the Opposition referenced a billion-dollar budget in a way that was denigrating toward people who stutter or have a speech impediment. I found the way the member asked his question to be derogatory, disrespectful and beneath the level of decorum we ex pect in this Chamber, and I'd like to give that member the opportunity to apologize for his ill-conceived remarks. Mr.

Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): Well, Madam Speaker, when I repeated the opening syllable of the word billion and budget, it was to emphasize and draw attention to the point. I sincerely apologize if my comment was mis - interpreted in any other fashion.

1946 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 12, 2022 Madam Speaker: And I think that should take care of the matter. PETITIONS Foot-Care Services Mr. Nello Altomare (Transcona): Madam Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. The background of this petition is as follows: The population of those aged 55- plus has grown to approximately 2,500 in the city of Thompson.

(2) A large percentage of people in this age group require–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Altomare: –necessary medical foot care and treatment.

(3) A large percentage of those who are elderly and/or diabetic are also living on low incomes.

(4) The northern regiona l health author ity previously provided essential medical foot -care services to seniors and those living with diabetes until 2019, then subsequently cut the program after the last two nurses filling those positions retired.

(5) The number of seniors and those with diabetes has only continued to grow in Thompson and surrounding areas.

(6) There is no adequate medical care available in the city and region,

whereas the city of Winnipeg has 14 medical foot-care centres.

(7) The implications of inadequate or lack of podiatric care can lead to amputations.

(8) The city of Thompson also serves as a regional health-care service provider, and the need for foot care extends beyond just those served in the capital city of our province. Therefore, Madam Speake r, we petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to provide the services of two nurses to restore essential medical foot- care treatment to the city of Thompson effective April 1, 2022. This petition is s igned by Carol Ann Halcrow, Walter Halcrow, Mabel Weir and many more Manitobans. Mr.

Diljeet Brar (Burrows): Madam Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. To the Legis lative Assembly of Manitoba, the background to this petition is as follows: The population of those aged 55- plus has grown to approximately 2,500 in the city of Thompson. A large percentage of people in this age group require necessary medical foot care and treatment. A large percentage of those who are elderly and/or diabetic are also living on low incomes.

The northern regional health authority previously provided essential medical foot -care services to seniors and those living with diabetes until 2019, then subsequently cut the program after the last two nurses filling those positions retired. The number of seniors and those with diabetes has only continued to grow in Thompson and surrounding areas. There is no adequate medical care available in the city and region,

whereas the city of Winnipeg has 14 medical foot-care centres. The implications of inadequate or lack of podiatric care can lead to amputations. The city of Thompson can–the city of Thompson also serves as a regional health-care service provider, and the need for the foot care extends beyond just those served in the capital city of the province. We petition the Legislativ e Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to provide the services of two nurses to restore essential medical foot-care treatment to the city of Thompson effective April 1st, 2022.

And this has been signed by many, many Manitobans. MLA Tom Lindsey (Flin Flon): Madam Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. The background of this petition is as follows:

(1) The population of those aged 55- plus has grown to approximately 2,500 in the city of Thompson. * (14:50)

May 12, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1947

(2) A large percentage of people in this age group require necessary medical foot care and treatment.

(3) A large percentage of those who are elderly and/or diabetic are also living on low incomes.

(4) The northern health author ity, N -R-H-A, previously provided essential medical foot -care services to seniors and those living with diabetes until 2019, then subsequently cut the program after the last two nurses filling those positions retired.

(5) The number of seniors and those with diabetes has only continued to grow in Thompson and surrounding areas.

(6) There is no adequate medical care available in the city and region,

whereas the city of Winnipeg has 14 medical foot-care centres.

(7) The implications of inadequate or lack of podiatric care can lead to amputations.

(8) The city of Thompson also serves as a regional health-care service provider, and the need for foot care extends beyond just those served in the capital city of the province. We petition the Legislativ e Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to provide the services of two nurses to restore essential medical foot-care treatment to the city of Thompson effective April 1, 2022. And this petition, Madam Speaker, has been signed by Joyce Mymko, Marjorie Beardy, Catherine Hegalson [phonetic] and many other Manitobans. Louise Bridge Mr.

Jim Maloway (Elmwood): Madam Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. The background to this petition is as follows:

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

(2) The current structure will un doubtedly be declared unsafe in a few years as it has deteriorated extensively, becoming functionally obsolete, subject to more frequent unplanned repairs and cannot be widened to accommodate future traffic capacity.

(3) As far back as 2008, the City of Winnipeg city has studied where the new replacement bridge should be situated.

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

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

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

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

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

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

(10) The provincial budget due in mid-April 2022 is the Province's oppor tunity to announce its portion of funding for this long overdue vital link to northeast Winnipeg and Transcona. We petition the Legis lative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

(1) To urge the Premier to financially assist the City of Winnipeg in her new 2022 prov incial budget to build this three -lane bridge in each direction to maintain this vital link between northeast Winnipeg, Transcona and the downtown.

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

1948 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 12, 2022

(3) To urge the provincial government to consider the feasibility of keeping the old bridge open for active transportation in the future. This petition has been signed by many, many Manitobans. Foot-Care Services MLA Malaya Marcelino (Notre Dame): Madam Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. The background of this petition is as follows:

(1) The population of those aged 55- plus has grown to approximately 2,500 in the city of Thompson.

(2) A large percentage of people in this age group require necessary medical foot care and treatment.

(3) A large percentage of those who are elderly and/or diabetic are also living on low incomes.

(4) The northern regional health author ity, previously provided essential medical foot -care services to seniors and those living with diabetes until 2019, then subsequently cut the program after the last two nurses filling those positions retired.

(5) The number of seniors and those with diabetes has only continued to grow in Thompson and surrounding areas.

(6) There is no adequate medical care available in the city and region,

whereas the city of Winnipeg has 14 medical foot-care centres.

(7) The implications of inadequate or lack of podiatric care can lead to amputations.

(8) The city of Thompson also serves as a regional health-care service provider, and the need for foot care extends beyond just those served in the capital city of the province. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to provide the services of two nurses to restore essential medical foot-care treatment to the city of Thompson effective April 1, 2022. This has been signed by Arnold Bienell, Jamie [phonetic] Pronteau, Marie Dumas and many Manitobans. Bibliothèque Régionale Jolys Regional Library Mr. Adrien Sala (St.

James): Madame la Présidente, je désire présenter la pétition suivante à l'Assemblée législative. Le contexte de cette pétition est le suivant :

(1) La Bibliothèque Régionale Jolys Regional Library a été avisée par la division scolaire vallée de la rivière Rouge de libérer les locaux actuellement situés dans l'auditorium de l'École Héritage school d'ici le 31 mars 2023.

(2) L'auditorium a été construit dans les années 1960 par le célèbre architecte manitobain Étienne Gaboury et y est installé depuis 48 ans.

(3) Une photo de l'auditorium intitulée la bibliothèque régionale est publiée dans un document de 2008 intitulé bâtiments patrimoniaux des 'monsieurs'–Salaberry [phonétique] et Saint- Pierre- Jolys. Il est indiqué qu'il s'agit un bâtiment moderne important qui pourrait atteindre le statut de site patrimonial.

(4) B-R-G et DSVRR ont été–prospéré grâce à un protocole d'entente mutuellement bénéfique pendant 54 ans.

(5) Leur collection commune compte plus de 50 000 livres et possède la quatrième plus grande collection de littérature française dans l es régions rurales du Manitoba.

(6) Les élèves qui sont transportés par l'autobus des municipalités voisines qui n'ont pas de bibliothèque publique comme Niverville, Grunthal et Kleefeld, ont accès gratuitement à la bibliothèque publique et à sa quatrième plus grande collection de livres en français dans les régions rurales du Manitoba pendant l'année scolaire. Nous présentons à l'Assemblée législative du Manitoba la pétition suivante :

(1) De demander au ministre du Travail, de la protection des consommateurs et des Services gouvernementaux d'envisager de concéder l'auditorium à la B-R-G d'ici le 1er mars 2023. * (15:00)

(2) Demander au ministre de l'Éducation de reconnaître la valeur que la B -R-G apporte à la population d'étudiants de l'ÉHS ainsi qu'aux communautés du village de Saint-Pierre-Jolys et de la MR de De Salaberry.

May 12, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1949

(3) Demander au ministre de l'Éducation et au ministre des affaires francophones de reconnaître qu'un protocole d'entente entre la RRVSD et G -R-L est mutuellement bénéfique, financièrement et culturellement.

(4) Demander au ministre du Sport, de la Culture et du Patrimoine de reconnaître le potentiel patrimonial de cet important bâtiment et son statut au sein de la communauté.

(5) Demander au ministre du Sport, de la Culture et du Patrimoine d'empêcher toute r énovation de l'auditorium qui détruirait et dévaloriserait l'intégrité architecturale du bâtiment. Cette pétition a été signée par Marie- Josée Clément, Christiane Boulanger et Caleb Boulanger. Merci. Translation Madam Speaker, I'd like to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. The context for this petition is as follows:

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

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

(3) A photo of the auditorium captioned "The Regional Library" was published in a 2008 document titled "Significant Heritage Buildings of De Salaberry and St. Pierre Jolys". It is marked as an important modern building that could attain the status of Heritage Site.

(4) The JRL and the RRVSD have flourished by means of a mutually beneficial memorandum of under - standing for 54 years.

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

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

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

(2) To request the minister of Education to recognize the value that JRL provides to the student population of ÉHS, as well as the communities of Village de St. Pierre Jolys and the RM De Salaberry.

(3) To request the minister of Education and the Minister of Francophone Affairs to recognize that a memorandum of underst anding between the RRVSD and the JRL is mutually, financially and culturally beneficial.

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

(5) To request the Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage to prevent any renovations to the auditorium that would destroy and devalue the architectural integrity of the building. This petition was signed by Marie -Josée Clément, Christiane Boulanger and Caleb Boulanger. Thank you. Eating Disorders Awareness Week Ms. Lisa Naylor (Wolseley): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. The background of this petition is as follows: An estimated 1 million people suffer from eating disorders in Canada.

Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses affecting one's physical, psychological and social function and have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness. The dev elopment and tre atment of eating dis - orders are influenced by the social determinants of health, including food and income security, access to housing, health care and mental health supports.

It's important to share the diverse experiences of people with eating disorde rs across all ages, genders and identities, including Indigenous, Black and racialized people; queer and gender -diverse people; people with dis abilities; people with chronic illness; and people with co- occurring mental health con di- tions or addictions.

1950 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 12, 2022 It is necessary to increase awareness and edu ca- tion about the impact of those living with, or affected by, eating disorders in order to dispel dangerous stereotypes and myths about these illnesses. Setting aside one week each year to focus atten - tion on eating disorders will heighten public under - standing, increase awareness of culturally relevant resources and supports for those impacted by eating disorders and encourage Manitobans to develop healthier relationships with their bodies.

We petition the Legislative Assembly as follows: To urge the prov incial government to support a declaration that the first week in February of each year be known as eating disorders awareness week. This has been signed by many Manitobans. Bibliothèque Régionale Jolys Regional Library Mr. Jamie Moses (St. Vital): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly.

To the Legis lative Assembly of Manitoba, the background to this petition is as follows: The Bibliothéque Régionale Jolys Regional Library, JRL, has been served notice by the Red River Valley School Division, RRVSD, to vacate the premises currently situated in the auditorium of École Héritage school, ÉHS, by March 31st, 2023.

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

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

(4) JRL and RRS –RRVSD have flourished from a mutually beneficial memorandum of understanding for 54 years.

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

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

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

(2) To request the minister of education to recog- nize the value that JRL provides to the student popu- lation of ÉHS, as well as the com munities of Village de St. Pierre Jolys and the RM De Salsberry [phonetic].

(3) To request the minister of education and the Minister of Francophone Affairs to recognize that an MOU between the RRVSD and JRL is mutually, financially and culturally beneficial.

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

(5) To request the Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage to prevent any renovations to the auditorium that would destroy and devalue the architectural integrity of the building. This petition has been signed by Stephanie Gosselin, Alice Dearborn, Ken Chapman and many other fine Manitobans. Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Foot-Care Services Mrs. Berna dette Smith (Point Douglas): Madam Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. The background to the –to this petition is as follows:

(1) The population of those aged 55- plus has grown to approximately 2,500 in the cit y of Thompson.

(2) A large percentage of people in this age group require necessary medical foot care and treatment.

(3) A large percentage of those who are elderly and/or diabetic are also living on low incomes.

(4) The northern regional health author ity previously provided essential medical foot -care services to seniors and those living with diabetes until 2019, then subsequently cut the program after the last two nurses filling those positions retired.

May 12, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1951

(5) The number of seniors and those with diabetes has only continued to grow in Thompson and surrounding areas.

(6) There is no adequate medical foot care available in the city and region,

whereas the city of Winnipeg has 14 medical foot-care centres.

(7) The implications of inadequate or lack of podiatric care can lead to amputations.

(8) The city of Thompson also serves as a regional health-care service provider, and the need for foot care extends beyond just those served in the capital city of the province. We petition the Legislative Ass embly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to provide the services of two nurses to restore essential medical foot-care treatment to the city of Thompson effective April 1st, 2020. And this has been signed by Nicole Brightnose, Jag Sandhu, Sharan Sandhu and many other Manitobans. Madam Speaker: Grievances? ORDERS OF THE DAY GOVERNMENT BUSINESS House Business Hon.

Kelvin Goertzen (Government House Leader): I wish to table a revised Estimates order that will be in effect only for May 13th and 16th of this Estimates session. Madam Speaker: Thank you for that tabling. * (15:10) Mr.

Goertzen: On House busi ness, I want to an- nounce that the Standing Com mittee on Justice will meet on Monday, May 16th, 2022 at 6 p.m., to consider the following: Bill 2, The Public Services Sustainability Repeal Act; and Bill 8, The Court of Appeal Amendment and Prov incial Court Amendment Act; Bill 15, The Drivers and Vehicle s Amendment and Highway Traffic Amend ment Act; Bill 17, The Family Law Act, The Family Support Enforcement Act and The Inter-jurisdictional Support Orders Amendment Act; and Bill 21, T he Highway Traffic Amendment and Manitoba Public Insuranc e Corporation Amendment Act.

Madam Speaker: It has been announced that the Standing Committee on Justice will meet on Monday, May 16th, 2022 at 6 p.m., to consider the following: Bill 2, The Public Services Sustainability Repeal Act; Bill 8, The Court of Appea l Amendment and Prov - incial Court Amendment Act; Bill 15, The Drivers and Vehicles Amend ment and Highway Traffic Amendment Act; Bill 17, The Family Law Act, The Family Support Enforce ment Act and The Inter - jurisdictional Support Orders Amendment Act; and Bill 21, The Highway Traffic Amend ment and Manitoba Public Insuranc e Corporation Amendment Act. * * * Mr.

Goertzen: Could you please resume the appro - priation procedure on Bill 39, which I believe is at second reading. Madam Speaker: It has been announced that the House will consider debate on second reading of Bill 39, The Appropriation Act, 2022 (School Tax Rebate), standing in the name of the honour able member for Transcona, who has eight minutes remaining. DEBATE ON SECOND READINGS Bill 39–The Appropriation Act, 2022 (School Tax Rebate) Mr.

Nello Altomare (Transcona): I'm very happy to rise to debate this supplemental appropriation because when we enter into debate we're hoping that we can convince; we're hoping that we can sway opinion; we're hoping that, after listening to some considerable reasoned debate this afternoon in this House, that we can convince the government, at this point, to rethink this supplemental ap propriation and base it on prin- ciples of equity and fairness. Mr.

Andrew Micklefield, Deputy Speaker, in the Chair Deputy Speaker, we find that when we have a system now, our education system, that–and I've stated this before and it's there in black and white in the framed docu ments–we've seen, since 201 5-16, a systematic decline of the prov incial con tribution to public education. It's right there on page 1. It shows clearly that since 2015-16, when it was at 62.4 per cent, it has now declined to 58.2.

And so what ends up happening then is that t he extra burden to fund a system that, in a province that's growing with a growing student popula tion, the burden now gets shifted to school boards and their education levy.

1952 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 12, 2022 So what was once in the range of 38 per cent, now, school boards have to fund over 42 per cent, and that talks a bit about equity and fairness. And when we're talking about equity and fairness, this is some - thing that fair-minded Manitobans understand. Deputy Speaker, I'll say fair-minded Manitobans are deeply troubled when bill ion-dollar corporations receive million -dollar rebates.

When billion- dollar corporations that don't even have their head offices here in Manitoba are asked to reduce their con tribu- tions for the benefit of Manitobans –not even asked, they're just given–and that is a direct slap in the face of hard-working Manitobans. Deputy Speaker, I want to stand here right now and ask this gov ernment to reconsider how this sup- plemental appropriation will be used.

If this gov ern- ment–like the hard-working teachers in this province, like the hard -working educators, everyone in the system–understands is something called fairness and equity, they know that that's not fair nor is it based on anything that's equitable. This gov ernment needs to reconsider how t his supplemental ap propriation will be used, Deputy Speaker. Most Manitobans, fair -minded people that they are, will understand that on their tax bill they see the edu cation tax rebate.

What was once $700 for every homeowner–and I can talk about every constit- uent in Transcona saw that and understood that, because a house that was valued at $180,000 in my constituency got that $700 and saw a real appreciable reduction in their education support levy. A person that had a house at a half -a-million dollar value also had that $700, but then paid a bit more because of the value of their home, some thing that's based on a person's wealth, some thing that is understandable, Deputy Speaker, and equitable.

So if this government was truly interested in that, what they could've done is increase that parti cular rebate on the tax form so that a person that's living in a home valued at, say, $350,000 or lower will have seen an increase in the education support levy, some- thing that is based on fairness and equity, Deputy Speaker, almost to the point where many homeowners in the province, at a home, say, valued at $350,000 or less would have seen most of their education support tax removed. But that's not what happened here.

Deputy Speaker, what's happe ned here is that people that have a higher personal wealth are re- ceiving more of a rebate. And it's so perverse that it's gotten to the point now where we're sending the hard- earned tax dollars of Manitobans out of the province to benefit another jurisdiction. It's ham-fisted, it's not well-thought-out and it's insulting. I wonder if members really thought this through. We were here exactly a year ago, Deputy Speaker, debating bill 71 and how ham -fisted it was, how poorly constructed that bill was because it insulted our value of fairness and equity.

It's very difficult to go back to my constituents right now and say, you know, when they ask me, how is it that Cadillac Fairview and other real estate investment trusts are making off like bandits with our tax dollars? They're making off with it, and the Minister of Finance (Mr. Friesen) knows that. I think, at his core, because the Minister of Finance is a teacher, and I know that the values of fairness and equity mean a lot to the minister because that's what we based our whole piece.

When you're an educator we try to impart those values, and I will tell you, when we see and we're debating this supple mental ap propriation today, it's not based on fairness, not based on equity and it's very, very difficult to explain this to the con stituents in my riding who will be asking me why people that are well off are receiving more of a rebate than they are. Answer that question when we're supposed to have a tax system that's based on fairness and equity. That's the issue here.

And this is one that this govern- ment has not answered, but is still going to plow through with this, Deputy Speaker, still going to plow through with this, and that is some thing that is going to be very difficult for Manitobans to swallow and to understand. And as I wrap up my comments today I'm hoping that in my 30 minutes I've convinced the government to rethink this, to pause, to reconsider because this is an insult to Manitobans and some thing that they will pay for in 2023. Thank you, Deputy Speaker– Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable member's time has expired. Hon.

Jon Gerrard (River Heights): I have a few comments on this legislation. * (15:20) First of all, it needs to be clear to everybody that this tax rebate is using borrowed money. The deficit on this year is basically $198,200,000, and with this bill, the deficit goes up to $548 million. That's an increase in the deficit for this year of $349,800,000. It is an increase in the deficit, which means that the money which is being used to pay this $349,800,000

May 12, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1953 to give rebates to people –some, as we've heard, out - side of the province –is adding to the deficit and adding to the amount that needs to be borrowed this year by $349,800,000. Now, I had asked the Minister of Finance what are the terms on this. Would it be borrowed? We know that we have inflation and that the interest rates –that money will need to be borrowed–are going up. We suspect the government–and the Minister of Finance hedged and dodged the question saying that they could borrow anywhere from two years to 10 years or more.

But the reality is that this is likely to be money which is borrowed over a longer term, just because of the big potential for the cost of money to go up very significantly. So, we are borrowing, this year, $349,800,000 to pay rebates to people all over the province. I'm not saying that rebates are always bad but that when you're borrowing that money, that that's a problem. And it's a bigger problem when you borrow that money at a time when interest rates are rising and you have to pay more for that money, and it will end up costing not $349,800,000, but something considerably more than that.

Maybe over the term of the length of time that that money is borrowed, it might be 500 or 600 or 700 million dollars–we don't know because the Minister of Finance (Mr. Friesen) wouldn't answer the question when it was asked. So there is a problem with the approach that the government is taking. They are going out of their way to borrow money, and that money is going–it has to be clear–primarily to people who are middle or high income. And the reason that that is the case is that this money is going to property owners, primarily.

It will go to people who own property, and therefore it wil l disproportionately go to those who are more well off. It will dis proportionately go to people who live in Tuxedo, which is the constituency of the Premier (Mrs. Stefanson). It is, from her perspective, perhaps a nice way to give a gift to people in her own constit- uency, but it's not so fair for people all over the province. And when so many people are struggling–and people are struggling more right now because of the rising cost of food, rising cost for all sorts of things.

I see this in the p eople that I talk to, they are saying, I don't know how I'm going to survive, how I'm going to eat. I –when we were campaigning in Fort Whyte, I ran into a woman who was absolutely desperate; you know, what am I going to do, I'm on a fixed income, is what she said. All these costs are going up and up and up and it's a very, very difficult situation for a person like that. I talked recently to an individual who gets social assistance, and he pointed out that, you know, after his housing is paid for, he a ctually gets very little each month.

And now there's no way that that little is going to cover the extra costs that he's got, which are costs for food, costs in order to have just the very basic services that one needs in order to live in today's world. And that, you know, for lots of people, for most people, right, includes access to a smartphone. You know, it's pretty darn hard to live in today's world without a smartphone, but this is not figured into EIA. And it is a problem, right?

And it is a probl em because this smartphone is essential for people to arrange hospital visits or clinic visits, physician visits or for meeting friends and not being so isolated. You know, it's for getting help, it is for finding out in the winter where you can go if you're homeless. There are lots and lots of very basic reasons why people need a smartphone, but, you know, this is not taken into con- sideration in any way, shape or form by the current government when they're allocating funding through the Employment and Income Assistance. So we're at a time when costs are going up.

The Premier's gov ernment is giving money which is destined to go dis proportionately to her con stituency of Tuxedo, and which is forgetting a lot of people who are on low incomes. Now, the Minister of Finance says that, oh, but we're going to help renters, we're going to give a tax credit of $525 to renters. Now, I've looked very carefully; there is no indication what soever in all the budget documents that this is a refundable t ax credit. So it is a tax credit which will work if you earn income and if you pay taxes.

There are a lot of people in Manitoba who are on low enough income that they are not paying any taxes, would get zero benefit from this tax credit. They are the forgotten people by the PCs. They are people who they don't seem to worry about, they don't seem to be concerned about, and yet they make up a considerable proportion of Manitobans and we need to be con- cerned about them. We need to make sure that we have a society which has got some equity, that all people have opportunities and those opportunities are there for those who have low income as well as those who have higher income.

1954 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 12, 2022 So the other thing about this tax credit is that tax credits like this, usually you put these tax credits into your tax forms which you file at the end of the year and you get that money after you have filed your income tax forms. And that, you know, it may not be much of a problem for the Premier who has, you know, $31 million that she's been investing and forgot to tell us about.

The situation is that somebody who's got a tax credit, when they have to wait for maybe a year before they actually get the money, then they are living in very difficult circumstances because, you know, they need that money now; they don't need that money a year from now. * (15:30) And while the Premier can manage things so that, you know, if she were in a position that she was renting, she could get that tax credit. But –and it wouldn't be a big problem, you know, whether she got it a year from now or now, but it is a really big issue for individuals who are on low incomes.

Now, I have just been passed a note from the Minister of Finance (Mr. Friesen), and his note scratched in front of me says th at it may be a refundable tax credit. We are waiting for details and waiting for confirmation. The minister has not yet said this and confirmed this in the House, but at least have a piece of paper here with this on. If that is the case, that is an im provement. But it is still a problem, right, if it is going to come a year after you need it.

And it is something that clearly needs to be indicated on how they are going to deliver this and what is going to happen in terms of whether people get it when they need it or a year afterwards. The other thing about the treatment by this gov- ernment of renters that is worthy of mention is that they have put a freeze on rents, right? But there is an escape clause, and the escape clause is if people im - prove the property. And so what we're seeing at the moment is lots and lots of people who are landlords making improvements in the property and jacking up rents.

And from what, you know, I'm hearing in talk - ing with people, that can be quite considerable. A fellow that I know who was–and we've tried to help, right–was in an apartment which was –he could afford, and all of a sudden he's no longer able to stay in that apartment.

And the result is that he now has to find another apartment, and he looked all over the place and the apartment that was the lowest cost; one that, you know, met his needs, was $400 and some more than –in fact, when you added up the various items that go along with it, that I think that that extra cost is probably going to end up being $500 m ore because he's got to pay some utilities and things like that.

So, I mean, it's a serious issue and it's one that – the problem with the PCs is that they live in one environment where people are well off and they own homes, and they don't so much live i n environments and talk with people who have low incomes. And, you know, there may be some members and some MLAs who live in rural areas and who actually do look after and, you know, relate to and deal with people on low incomes. But the fact is that so many of the programs of the PCs are really targeted primarily at helping those who are well off instead of helping those who are less well off.

It's some thing which the PCs should learn from, and, you know, they are making claims about the poverty rates going down. But it's going down because of programs like CERB and once CERB is gone it's likely to go right back up because this gov ernment is not paying enough attention. In fact, I'm trying to help a woman right now who's–has Rent Assist and she has –gets Rent Assist, but the situation is this: that she was in a position where she was able to get a CERB benefit. The amount of Rent Assist that the PC gov ernment cal- culates is based on your income last year, or the year before.

Because she was getting CERB, her income is estimated to–higher than it will be this year by a con- siderable margin, and the result is that her Rent Assist has been cut by four or five hundred dollars a month. That's an extraordinary amount for somebody to try and make u p, and all of a sudden, you know, in- stead of having Rent Assist, which is –was coming to her–about $500 a month–she's now getting, I think, about $200 a month. And there's just no way that she can manage with–faced with this sort of a situation.

So, you know, I've written to the minister about this and see if there could be an exception because of this kind of situation. But one has to recog nize that there's a lot of people who are struggling right now, and that some of the programs–the way the PCs have them operating and designed–are actually creating a lot of dif ficulties for people. And that is some thing that we need to recognize, and one of the reasons why we are concerned about a program like this, which does a lot more of targeting for people wh o are well off than targeting people who are at the low income.

May 12, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1955 So, with those few comments, Mr. Deputy Speaker, I believe that there's probably a few others who would like to speak to this, and I will pass it on. My–the MLA for St. Boniface would like t o speak shortly and so I will let him have an opportunity. Thank you. MLA Tom Lindsey (Flin Flon): It doesn't give me any pleasure at all to stand up and talk about this parti- cular piece of legislation, but, by golly, that's my job, is to stand up here and tell people what's wrong with this government. And they make it easy, because pretty much everything they do is wrong.

It's wrong for average Manitobans, but not so bad for their friends –not so bad for their friends. Which, you know, we can see that with this particular piece of legislation when you look at the –some of the numbers, Mr. Deputy Speaker, and let me just find it here. I've lost it. But that, when you look at things like the huge conglomerates that own the shopping centres, that are getting a million-dollar tax break. And yet, some folks that live in the heartland of the city, in Point Douglas, they're getting eight bucks.

And then you wonder why we stand up and say there's something wrong with what this government's doing. The biggest thing that's wrong with what this gov- ernment doing–is doing, of course, is simply the fact that it's pork barrel politics at its worst. It's trying to buy an election with our money. That's exactly what it is. And so, why is the government in a big panic to bring this legis lation in? Well, I'm told there's a by-election happening in Thompson and they want to be able to hand out cheques to voters in Thompson: look what we did for you.

But at the same time, those voters in Thompson are going to say, but wait a minute, we had a hospital that didn't have hot water–not for days, not for weeks, but for months –and this gov ernment sat on their hands. The minister didn't even know that didn't have hot water until we started raising it here in this Chamber. People in Thompson aren't stupid. They'll be able to see through this vote -buying scheme very quickly because while that hospital didn't have hot water for months, they're–they know that the other thing that it didn't have is nurses.

And i t doesn't matter which health-care facility we talk about in the North–well, in reality, anywhere in the province–they don't have nurses. They don't have human beings in those facilities. * (15:40) Something like 80 per cent vacancy rate for nurses in Lynn Lake, and the numbers are almost as bad in every other health -care facility in northern Manitoba. Well, Leaf Rapids, the folks in Leaf Rapids, they're not going to fall for getting a $50 cheque in the mail. They didn't have a hospital for weeks, never m ind hot water.

They didn't have a facility at all because this gov ernment just shut it down simply because of their cuts to the health- care budget. And they stand up and spew these numbers and, look at us, we're spending more money than anybody in the history of mankind has ever spent before. Well, that's not true and we know that. Time after time after time we intro duce docu- ments into this Chamber, documents from this gov - ernment, their own documents that we get through FIPPA that show constantly that they don't spend that which they keep claiming they're spending.

And then they stand up and say, well, you're putting false infor- mation on the record. If it's false information, then it's being given to us by this gov ernment so then they should doubly ashamed that they're underspending and giving out false information. And they can stand up and talk about how much money they're spending in their budget, but they're not actually spending it. It's, again, a make -believe num- ber designed to tr ick people into thinking they're doing the right thing when, in fact, they have no inten- tion of doing that.

And every member opposite knows that, just like every member on this side knows it. We see the cuts that this government has made to the northern patient transportation system that people, quite frankly, now just stay home. They don't bother trying to get the care they need until they get flown out on an air ambulance because they simply can't afford the expense.

It's interesting that when t his gov ernment, be - cause they had bungled health care, they had bungled hospitals so badly in the city of Winnipeg that they actually had to start shipping patients, against their will, out of the city to other communities. In fact, they actually sent some to Flin Flon, which is quite sur - prising when you consider that most of our hospital is shut down because they don't have any staff.

1956 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 12, 2022 But they also decided, well, gee, if we're sending people from the city north, we better give them some money for their families so that they can go and visit. Do they do that for people in the North? Well, as a matter of fact, no, they do not. Under the terms of the northern patient transportation system the only time a family member would get anything what soever is if they can convince their doctor and the clerk at northern patient transportation that they need to take an escort, that they're not capable of going there.

And the clerk regularly overrules the doctor with no medical training, no medical knowledge, only financial knowledge –that no, you're denied, you're denied, you're denied. You have no idea, Mr. Deputy Speaker, how many constituents I've dealt with that have raised that concern, that the doctor says I need an escort, and yet northern patient denies it until we get involved and fight for them. So this gov ernment hasn't spent the money that they claim –certainly not in the North. And I don't claim to be an expert in what they have or haven't spent in the city of Winnipeg on health care.

I'll let other MLAs that are more familiar with that talk about that. But I can tell you that they haven't spent any - where close to the money that they claim they're spending on health care in the North. They haven't spent it on the facilities. That's why the Thompson hospital didn't have hot water for so long because they haven't done maintenance. Came as a surprise that this is a lot of plumbing in a hospital. Thompson hospital doesn't actually have a plumber on staff, so they had to hire one from somewhere else.

So, there's so many things that this gov ernment could be doing instead of giving money to their friends. So, let's talk a little bit about edu cation, because that's kind of what this is all about, right? It's taking money that should be earmarked for education in the province of Manitoba, and they're giving it to corpor- ations in a form of a cheque. But what they haven't told us –what they haven't told us is where are they getting the money to replace those funds that are supposed to be earmarked for edu- cation. Are they going to put other taxes up?

Well, no, no; they're not going to do that, because they're very adverse to actually paying for health care, edu cation, infrastructure or anything else that actually betters society. They only want to help their friends, not the general taxpayers. They'd just as soon they didn't hear from them. So, what are they going to–where are they going to get the money that they're going to spend–or, should be spending on education? Well, we already know and we've heard from several members, and I know from talking to my own school board t

Document details

Collection	Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	42-4-48b
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	42nd 4th hansardpdf 48b.pdf
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	6e35a7dbfd7e1d300d638b5bad37df1e737e7fb4

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