Manitoba Hansard — 1 December 2025 (Sitting 9, 43rd Legislature, 3rd Session)

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Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)

Third Session – Forty-Third Legislature of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba DEBATES and PROCEEDINGS Official Report (Hansard) Published under the authority of The Honourable Tom Lindsey Speaker Vol. LXXX No. 9 - 1:30 p.m., Monday, December 1, 2025 ISSN 0542-5492

MANITOBA LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Forty-Third Legislature Member Constituency Political Affiliation ASAGWARA, Uzoma, Hon. Union Station NDP BALCAEN, Wayne Brandon West PC BEREZA, Jeff Portage la Prairie PC BLASHKO, Tyler Lagimodière NDP BRAR, Diljeet Burrows NDP BUSHIE, Ian, Hon. Keewatinook NDP BYRAM, Jodie Agassiz PC CABLE, Renée, Hon. Southdale NDP CHEN, Jennifer Fort Richmond NDP COMPTON, Carla Tuxedo NDP COOK, Kathleen Roblin PC CORBETT, Shannon Transcona NDP CROSS, Billie Seine River NDP DELA CRUZ, Jelynn Radisson NDP DEVGAN, JD McPhillips NDP EWASKO, Wayne Lac du Bonnet PC FONTAINE, Nahanni, Hon. St.

Johns NDP GOERTZEN, Kelvin Steinbach PC GUENTER, Josh Borderland PC HIEBERT, Carrie Morden-Winkler PC JOHNSON, Derek Interlake-Gimli PC KENNEDY, Nellie, Hon. Assiniboia NDP KHAN, Obby Fort Whyte PC KINEW, Wab, Hon. Fort Rouge NDP KING, Trevor Lakeside PC KOSTYSHYN, Ron, Hon. Dauphin NDP LAGASSÉ, Bob Dawson Trail PC LAMOUREUX, Cindy Tyndall Park Lib. LATHLIN, Amanda The Pas-Kameesak NDP LINDSEY, Tom, Hon. Flin Flon NDP LOISELLE, Robert St. Boniface NDP MALOWAY, Jim Elmwood NDP MARCELINO, Malaya, Hon. Notre Dame NDP MOROZ, Mike, Hon. River Heights NDP MOSES, Jamie, Hon. St. Vital NDP MOYES, Mike, Hon.

Riel NDP NARTH, Konrad La Vérendrye PC NAYLOR, Lisa, Hon. Wolseley NDP NESBITT, Greg Riding Mountain PC OXENHAM, Logan Kirkfield Park NDP PANKRATZ, David Waverley NDP PERCHOTTE, Richard Selkirk PC PIWNIUK, Doyle Turtle Mountain PC REDHEAD, Eric Thompson NDP ROBBINS, Colleen Spruce Woods PC SALA, Adrien, Hon. St. James NDP SANDHU, Mintu, Hon. The Maples NDP SCHMIDT, Tracy, Hon. Rossmere NDP SCHOTT, Rachelle Kildonan-River East NDP SCHULER, Ron Springfield-Ritchot PC SIMARD, Glen, Hon. Brandon East NDP SMITH, Bernadette, Hon. Point Douglas NDP STONE, Lauren Midland PC WASYLIW, Mark Fort Garry Ind.

WHARTON, Jeff Red River North PC WIEBE, Matt, Hon. Concordia NDP WOWCHUK, Rick Swan River PC

243 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA Monday, December 1, 2025 The House met at 1:30 p.m. The Speaker: O Eternal and Almighty God, from Whom all power and wisdom come, we are assembled here before Thee to frame such laws as may tend to the welfare and prosperity of our province. Grant, O merciful God, we pray Thee, that we may desire only that which is in accordance with Thy will, that we may seek it with wisdom and know it with certainty and accomplish it perfectly for the glory and honour of Thy name and for the welfare of all our people. Amen.

We acknowledge we are gathered on Treaty 1 territory and that Manitoba is located on the treaty territories and ancestral lands of the Anishinaabeg, Anishininewuk, Dakota Oyate, Denesuline and Nehethowuk nations. We acknowledge Manitoba is located on the Homeland of the Red River Métis. We acknowledge northern Manitoba includes lands that were and are the ancestral lands of the Inuit. We respect the spirit and intent of treaties and treaty making and remai n committed to working in partnership with First Nations, Inuit and Métis people in the spirit of truth, reconciliation and collaboration. Please be seated.

ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS INTRODUCTION OF BILLS Bill 218–The Climate Action Month Act (Commemoration of Days, Weeks and Months Act Amended) MLA Robert Loiselle (St. Boniface): Honourable Speaker, I move, seconded by the MLA for Kirkfield Park, that Bill 218, The Climate Action Month Act (Commemoration of Days, Weeks and Months Act Amended);

Loi sur le Mois de lutte contre les changements climatiques (modification de la

Loi sur les journées, les semaines et les mois commémoratifs), be now read for a first time. Motion presented. MLA Loiselle: Honourable Speaker, this bill creates climate action month in Manitoba, a month dedicated to recognize the real and growing impacts of climate change and the urgent need for collective action. French spoken Nous savons ce qui est en jeu : des inondations, des sécheresses, des feux de forêt plus graves, des menaces pour l'agri culture, des risques pour la santé des Manitobains, ainsi que des répercussions sur les communautés du Nord et les communautés autochtones.

Les changements climatiques ne sont plus un avertissement lointain : ils transforment déjà la vie dans notre province. Translation We know what is at stake: more severe floods, droughts and forest fires; threats to agriculture; risks to Manitobans' health; and impacts on Northern and Indigenous communities. Climate change is no longer a distant warning–it is already transforming life in our province. English Climate action month gives Manitobans the space to learn, reflect and act. It reinforces our government's commitment to clean energy; good, green jobs; and protecting the land and water we all depend on.

And after years of cuts and neglect from the previous government, this bill signals a new direction where environment, respon sibility and economic growth go hand in hand. Honourable Speaker, this bill is a call to prepare our province for the future, a call to empower our communities, and will ensure Manitoba remains a place where generations to come can live the good life with the environment they love. Thank you. Miigwech. Merci. Mrs. Kathleen Cook (Roblin): I move, seconded by the member for– The Speaker: Oh, sorry.

Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed] The motion is accordingly carried.

244 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA December 1, 2025 Bill 206–The Specialist Wait Time Reporting Act Mrs. Kathleen Cook (Roblin): I move, seconded by the member for La Vérendrye (Mr. Narth), that Bill 206, The Specialist Wait Time Reporting Act, be now read a first time. Motion presented. Mrs. Cook: Right now, when a Manitoba patient is referred to see a specialist, they have no idea how long wait times really are because these wait times are not tracked and reported.

Bill 206 will require the minister to publicly report every six months on the avera ge wait time to see a specialist and the total number of patients waiting for each of the 43 specialities recog - nized by the College of Physicians and Surgeons. It will also require reporting on the average wait time after a patient consults with a specialist to when that patient first receives specialist care. What gets measured gets managed. Measuring and reporting on this data will improve trans parency and accountability for Manitoba patients, and I look forward to debating and passing this bill.

The Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed] The motion is accordingly carried. Bill 207–The Health System Governance and Accountability Amendment Act (Reporting When Timely Care Not Available) Mrs. Kathleen Cook (Roblin): I move, seconded by the member for Morden-Winkler (Mrs. Hiebert), that Bill 207, The Health System Governance and Account- ability Amendment Act (Reporting When Timely Care Not Available), be now read a first time. Motion presented. Mrs.

Cook: I am once again introducing Bill 207 or, as it is known, Debbie's Law, a common sense bill that puts patients first by mandating trans parency and accountability when our health- care system cannot deliver timely life-saving care. This legislation is named for Debbie Fewster, a Manitoban who tragically died while she waited in vain for urgent cardiac care. It's for her family and for the many other Manitobans who deserve answers. I urge all members to support this compassionate, common sense legislation. Thank you.

The Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed] The motion is accordingly passed. Bill 213–The Earlier Screening for Breast Cancer Act Mrs. Kathleen Cook (Roblin): I move, seconded by the member for Agassiz (Ms. Byram), that Bill 213, The Earlier Screening for Breast Cancer Act, be now read a first time. Motion presented. Mrs. Cook: I am once again introducing Bill 213, The Earlier Screening for Breast Cancer Act, a bill that has passed second reading twice with no opposition, only for the current NDP government to allow it to die on the Order Paper.

This bill will require the government to lower the age for routine breast screening to age 40 by the end of next year, which would bring Manitoba in line with nearly every other province that has already taken this step. Early detection saves lives, and for that reason I'm hoping the third time is a charm and the NDP will finally pass this important legislation. The Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed] The motion is accordingly carried. Committee reports?

TABLING OF REPORTS The Speaker: And I have a report. * (13:40) In accordance with sections 15(1) and 15(3) of The Seniors' Advocate Act, I'm tabling the preliminary/annual report and service plan of the Manitoba Seniors' Advocate. Hon. Renée Cable (Minister of Advanced Education and Training): I'm pleased to table the annual reports for the year ending March 31, 2025 , for Manitoba Institute of Trades and Tech nology and Assiniboine College. Hon.

Matt Wiebe (Minister of Justice and Attorney General): I'm pleased to table, pursuant to The Statutes and Regulations Act, a copy of each regula - tion registered under the act after the last regulation tabled in this House and more than 14 days before the commencement of this session.

December 1, 2025 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 245 MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS Darwin School–Security Incident Hon. Wab Kinew (Premier): Nothing else matters unless our kids are safe. I want to take this opportunity to address the incident that happened at Darwin School last week, something that should never take place in our province, something that I condemn in the strongest possible terms. Every child deserves to grow up free from harm and to be able to reach their full potential. My thoughts are with this child and their family. This child did everything right, and so did their parents.

So to the children at Darwin School and across Manitoba who may be worried about what they've been hearing, I want to speak to you. We just want to make sure that you know that what happened was not your fault, and you did nothing wrong. In fact, when I heard what happened, I thought that you did every- thing right. And thank goodness that you did. So to all the kids, of course, you did nothing wrong. And you will be safe at school, and we will protect you. Your teachers and the people who work at your school will protect you. The police will protect you. And your government will protect you.

And to the parents out there, you are right to trust your kids to be safe at schools. You are doing the right thing sending your kids to schools each and every day so that they can learn, so that they can grow, so that they can reach their full potential with peers and new experiences and tons of fun along the way. And your expectation that when you send your kids to school in the morning, they will come home safely at the end of the school day, is a fundamental guarantee that our society must uphold and t hat our government will ensure is kept.

To the teachers, staff and school leaders out there, we will continue to be there to support you. You care and you go the extra mile for your kids. Now, the person who did this has something very, very wrong with them. They are in jail, and the justice system will deal with them. Schools in Manitoba are safe. And we're making sure that not only are –they're safe but that there are supports for kids to talk to, for parents to reach out to if they need additional support and for the people who work in the schools as well, to be able to process what they've experienced.

And here is what we are doing as your govern - ment to make our schools in Manitoba even safer in the future: immediately, our Minister of Education has earmarked new funding for the Manitoba School Boards Association and is asking them, by Christmas, to update their school safety plans in light of what happened at Darwin School. We also know that most schools in the province are working with controlled access points. While we're not issuing a formal directive today, we are saying that every school in Manitoba should be moving in this direction.

It makes sense to be able to control who's entering the premises when schools are there. And, of course, we want to ensure that every pre caution is being taken to protect kids while they're in the building. We're also going to work with communities and law enforcement across the province to support the presence of school resource officers in our schools as well as other security options that might meet local needs. Here I'm thinking about northern communities, where a different sort of arrangement might make sense for their reality.

Students, community people, school staff and others all did the right thing in this situation. And eventually, it was police officers and some security guards who stopped this bad guy, so clearly, there is a role for school resource officers. As your govern ment, we are here today with a simple message: Children, you are safe. Parents, your children are safe. And to those who work in our schools, we will protect you too. Because in Manitoba, we know that every child matters. Mr.

Obby Khan (Leader of the Official Opposition): Honourable Speaker, I rise today to respond to the deeply troubling and alarming event that occurred this past Thursday at Darwin School in St. Vital, in which an adult stranger entered the school, hid in the wash- room stall and grabbed a child who had been using the facilities. There is absolutely no place in our schools, in our communities, in our province for behaviour that puts our children at risk. Our thoughts are with the student, their families and all students, staff and families at Darwin School. This should never have happened in the first place.

It should never happen at any school. I want to thank the brave student, the brave students, the school staff and the witnesses and the witness whose action led to the prompt arrest of the suspect.

246 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA December 1, 2025 This type of incident demands that we take serious action and questions about school safety for our chil- dren. How was such an individual able to gain access, and what more 'wust' me do to prevent any reoccurrence? While the fact that the school's hold-and-secure proto- col was activated and worked as designed, it is impor- tant, and it is clear we must do more. Repeat violent offenders like this individual should never have been out on the streets in the first place. We, as legislatures, as parents, as Manitobans must do more to protect all children.

Honourable Speaker, Manitoba families expect and deserve safety in their children's school. Parents entrust our schools, our teachers, with their children's care, and it is crucial to ensure that trust is honoured. I, as a parent, the safety of your child and my child is of utmost importance. And I promise you: We on this side of the House will do everything in our power to protect your child. Thank you, Honourable Speaker. Carole Vivier Hon.

Nellie Kennedy (Minister of Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism): Honourable Speaker, today I rise to celebrate the incredible life of Carole Vivier and the remarkable contributions she made to our province. Carole was a visionary leader whose passion and determination had a significant impact on Manitoba's creative landscape. Carole began her journey with Manitoba Film and Music in 1985 and served as CEO and film commis - sioner for an incredible 26 years. When she accepted the role, she was determined to make Manitoba a thriving hub of film and music.

Carole pioneered the first film tax credit in western Canada and introduced innovative incentives that attracted repeat productions in our province. Thanks in large part to her tenacity and leadership, film production in Manitoba grew from $12 million in the early 1990s to over $269 million in 2019. Carole passionately championed the growth of Canadian music and supported the careers of major artists, helping them shine on the global stage at music festivals and events around the world. She also had a key role in bringing the Juno Awards to Winnipeg in 2005 and even co-chaired the Juno host committee in 2014.

Honourable Speaker, if all that wasn't impressive enough, Carole served on numerous boards, including but not limited to: the National Screen In stitute, the RBC Convention Centre of Winnipeg, the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television, the Canadian Film Centre Feature Film Advisory Committee, the Burton Cummings Theatre performing arts group, the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce and Film Training Manitoba. In 2023, Carole was appointed as board chair for Travel Manitoba.

Under her leadership, Travel Manitoba achieved remarkable progress, including the launch of their new award -winning brand, Canada's Heart is Calling. Her contributions to arts and culture communities have been–have even been recognized on the national stage. Carole received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012, the Order of Manitoba in 2014 and the Order of Canada in 2024. These honours reflect a lifetime of dedication to Manitoba's film and music community. Carole was not only a leader but a connector, build- ing relationships with warmth and authenticity.

Her vision and passion for supporting and advocating for Manitoba's artists and creators will continue to inspire us all for years to come. * (13:50) Honourable Speaker, we are joined in the gallery today by several of Carole's friends and family, and I'd like to acknowledge them. We have Rick Vivier, Brandice Vivier, Rob Burns, Ali Puumala, Craig Puumala, Carson Puumala, William Puumala, Jack Puumala and Emily Puumala. I ask that all members rise and join me in honouring Carole Vivier: a trailblazer, a mentor and a tireless advocate for the arts and culture in our province. Thank you.

Introduction of Guests The Speaker: Prior to recog nizing another speaker, there's some guests in the gallery that will be leaving shortly, so I want to acknowledge them. We have seated in the public gallery, from Niverville High School 40 Grade 9 students under the direction of Julie -Anne Krcadinac, and this group is located in the constituency in the honourable member for Springfield-Ritchot (Mr. Schuler). * * *

December 1, 2025 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 247 Ms. Jodie Byram (Agassiz): Honourable Speaker, I rise to remember Carole Vivier, a champion of the arts right here in Manitoba. Carole Vivier served the Manitoba arts community with dedication and perseverance. She knew the importance of promoting art and culture. She was a tenacious and an innovator. Carole began working at Manitoba Film and Music in 1985 and went on to serve as the agency's CEO and film commissioner for 26 years, from 1993 to 2019. She was a trailblazer, pioneering western Canada's first film tax credit.

It was through her efforts that Manitoba's film industry grew from $12 million in the early 1990s to over $269 million by 2019. Under her leadership, Manitoba managed to attract many major film productions, including Capote, A Dog's Purpose, and Carole was deeply devoted to supporting artists' full creative visions and her passion was evident in every aspect of her work. She would personally provide film producers and directors w ith a tour of Winnipeg to scout possible set locations across local businesses, parks and landmarks.

Carole was also a staunch supporter of the careers of several Manitoban artists including Guy Maddin, Nor ma Bailey, Madison Thomas and other cultural talent. In addition to her work in film, Carole had a deep influence on the Manitoba's music scene. During her leadership, Manitoba Music and Film supported the careers of many major Manitoban artists including Royal Canoe, Begonia, The Lytics, Crash Test Dummies and many, many more. She helped propel many artists onto the world stage by maintaining a presence at music festivals and events around the world.

Carole also served on numerous boards and played a key role in bringing the Juno Awards to Winnipeg in 2014. Her engagement with the arts and the support she provided was not just work to her; it was a labour of love. It is with deep sadness and respect that we recognize her passing. Her work shaped countless lives and careers. The impact that Carole Vivier had on Manitoban arts community cannot be understated. Thank you. Lung Cancer Awareness Month Hon.

Uzoma Asagwara (Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care): On this side of the House, we're all wearing red ribbons, as today is World AIDS Day, and it's a very important day to mark. However, I would like to make a statement today in regards to our proclamation of November 2025 as Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Honourable Speaker, lung cancer does not discriminate. Lung cancer is in fact the leading cause of cancer-related deaths for all genders in Canada. It claims more lives every year than breast, prostate and colon cancers combined. An estimated 20,700 Canadians died from lung cancer in 2024.

And these are not just statistics and numbers. These are our loved ones. They represent our neighbors, coworkers, community mem- bers and friends. There is a need for more research–we know this– awareness and edu cation, as well, to challenge and dispel the stigma and misconceptions that surround lung cancer. Our government is committed to improving cancer care, strengthening research and providing Manitobans with equitable access to high- quality, compassionate treatment.

We've already taken a number of steps and we will continue to meet with experts, organizations and affected families so that we can do more by working together. Today, I want to take a moment to honour the memory of someone who's already been acknowledged: Carole Vivier, whose family and friends are here with us in the gallery. Carole passed away earlier this year after a courageous and prolonged battle with lung cancer. She was a beloved wife of 54 years, a mother, grandmother, great -grandmother, sister and friend, and beyond that, she was an advocate for lung cancer awareness, specifically radon awareness.

I had the honour of working with Carole and Kelly and members of their lung cancer patient sup- port group in order to bring forward the first proclama- tion for lung cancer awareness last year. And I had the honour today to chat again with some of these lovely folks, including Kelly, to talk about how we can not only honour the work of Carole and so many others who have–unfortunately, we've lost too soon, but con- tinue to do the work together to move Manitoba in a better direction. What I know is that Carole wanted us all to under- stand that radon can be a cause of lung cancer.

She was really passionate about this cause. Her legacy reminds us of the human face of this illness –one of courage, compassion and one of community. And so, as we mark Lung Cancer Awareness Month, we honour all Manitobans affected by this cruel disease who fight the battle each and every day with bravery, their loved ones who support them and the

248 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA December 1, 2025 health-care professionals who provide compassionate and expert care. I ask that the House observe one minute of silence in memory of all Manitobans who have lost their lives to lung cancer and in honour of Carole. And, Honourable Speaker, I'd like to take a moment to acknowledge guests who are in the gallery who are advocates for lung cancer awareness, folks here in Manitoba who have been doing this work for some time.

We've got Juliette Mucha from the Manitoba Lung Association; Sandy Hutchison from Health Canada; Pam Warkentin from the Canadian Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists; Kelly and Alyson, Lung Cancer Patient Advocate Group members; and, of course, Carole Vivier's family. If we could all rise and acknowledge these guests and the importance of their commitment to improving this area of health care and outcomes for Manitobans. Thank you. The Speaker: Is there leave for a moment of silence at the conclusion of the honourable member for Roblin's response? [Agreed] Mrs.

Kathleen Cook (Roblin): I would like to echo comments welcoming Carole Vivier's family and advocates with the Manitoba Lung Association and other organizations who are here to advocate on behalf of those living with lung cancer. We rise to recognize November as Lung Cancer Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising aware- ness, supporting those affected and breaking the stigma surrounding this devastating disease. Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer related deaths worldwide, claiming approximately 1.8 million lives each year, more than any other form of cancer.

Despite its profound impact, awareness and understanding of lung cancer continue to lag behind other major cancers. Without increased education, early detection and improved screening programs, global deaths are projected to rise to 3.2 million by 2045. And here in Manitoba, we join with the Manitoba Lung Association and communities across the country in their mission to build understanding, support and hope. Each year, more than 32,000 Canadians are diagnosed with lung cancer, but behind each one of these is a family, a story and a community impacted by this disease. Lung cancer does not discriminate.

It affects smokers and non- smokers, men and women, young and old alike. Many cases occur in individuals with no smoking history due to genetic, environmental and occupa - tional factors. This reality highlights the importance of ongoing research, awareness, advocacy and equi - table access to screening and treatment for all. This year's theme is hope–helping others persevere through experience, reminding us of the strength and resilience found in those living with and beyond lung cancer. And I'd also like to encourage Manitobans to learn more about radon exposure.

Long-term exposure to radon is the No. 1 cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. * (14:00) It's really easy to test your home for radon. You can get a kit through the Manitoba Lung Association. It sits in your home for three months and then you mail it away and get the results. It's easy as can be. And then when you have those results, you can take action to remediate radon levels in your home and lower your risk for you and your family.

During this Lung Cancer Awareness Month, I urge all Manitobans to make the choices that support a healthy lifestyle, to learn about risk factors and screening options and to support individuals and families affected. Together, through awareness, compassion and action, we can help save lives and move toward a future where fewer Manitobans face this devastating diagnosis. Thank you, Honourable Speaker. The Speaker: If everyone could rise for a minute of silence, please. A moment of silence was observed. The Speaker: Thank you. We will now move on to members' statements.

MEMBERS' STATEMENTS Wolseley Residents Association Hon. Lisa Naylor (Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure): I rise today to celebrate the Wolseley Residents Association, an active and dedicated part of our community for 45 years. Founded in 1980, the association began when neighbours came together with a shared vision of making Wolseley a vibrant and welcoming place for families, and that spirit of creative co -operation continues to guide their work today.

December 1, 2025 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 249 Preserving Wolseley's beloved elm trees has been a priority from the very beginning, and today, the WRA Tree Com mittee is also focused on bolstering biodiversity. Their recent projects include enhancing green space at Wolseley School and planting an urban food forest in Halter Park near Omand's Creek. The Wolseley Residents Association is also respon- sible for the victory garden in Vimy Ridge Memorial Park. Now in its fourth season, the garden features 22 raised allotment beds, community beds, a pollinator garden and fruit trees.

It has become a gathering place where neighbours grow food, share knowledge and strengthen community ties. Beyond these initiatives, the WRA hosts town halls on transportation or local politics and workshops on topics such as composting or radon awareness. They also organize beloved neighbourhood events from bike parades and winter carnivals to this year's post-Halloween pumpkin patch parade. These projects reflect the values that have guided the Wolseley Residents Association for decades: protect- ing green space, fostering sustainability and creating meaningful opportunities for connection.

Their ongoing work is a powerful reminder of what neighbours can achieve when we work together. I'm pleased to welcome board members Ross Brownlee, Julie Penner and Aleksandra Osipova, who are in the gallery today. Please join me in celebrating the Wolseley Residents Association for 45 years of leadership, vision and service to our community. Thank you, Honourable Speaker. Suzie Hnatiuk Mr.

Wayne Ewasko (Lac du Bonnet): Today I would like to acknowledge that during National Disability Employment Awareness Month, I had the pleasure of being invited by my constituent, Suzie Hnatiuk, to participate alongside her in Take Your MLA to Work Day. It is a day in which we celebrate the contributions that Manitobans with multiple abilities make to the workforce, encourage more inclusive hiring of Manitobans and recognize busi nesses who are uti - lizing diverse hiring practices. I had the opportunity to meet and visit with Suzie at her workplace and see first -hand the power of community-based employment.

That visit included a tour highlighting and introduction to her employer, Sheila Sorochan of Soy Harvest Candles, and her team in Beausejour, where Suzie works. She gave me the opportunity to job shadow her in the duties she performs on a regular basis. Joining us for the day was Larissa Pittner, who is the employment counsellor and, of course, Robyn Furnish, program director for sup portive employment options right in Beausejour.

The Manitoba supportive employ- ment network is a professional network of individuals and organizations invested in employment and full community inclusion for people who live with a disability. I am thankful to have had that opportunity yet once again to share this great experience with such a won - derful group. A few more things I'd like to share with the House about Suzie is that it's not just at Soy Harvest Candles that she works or volunteers her time; she volunteers at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 132 as a volun- teer, but also carries the colours on our very special events at the Legion.

She also volunteers at the Double B Agricultural Festival and rodeo; the Beausejour Hotel; the –of course, Soy Harvest Candles; Shades of the Past Car Show, which is always a hit, which sees over 700 cars participating each and every year. I want to thank Suzie Hnatiuk. I want to thank Sheila and Robyn for joining us here today, but also for how important you are to our communities. Thank you very much for the oppor tunity to participate in Take Your MLA to Work Day once again this year. Boris Nowosad Hon.

Ron Kostyshyn (Minister of Agriculture): Honourable Speaker, it is my pleasure to rise today in recognition of a remarkable musician and true com - munity treasure, Mr. Boris Nowosad. Boris's talent, passion and dedication to fiddling have left an unmarkable mark on our region and on Manitoba's musical landscape. From a young age, he showed a natural gift for a violin that began as a childhood interest to grew into a lifelong commit - ment, one that carries him from local dance halls to community celebrations across the Parkland.

For nearly seven decades, Boris brought joy, energy and remarkable skill to every stage he touched. Many will recognize his iconic blue fiddle and the beautiful Ukrainian music that became his signature.

250 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA December 1, 2025 Boris and his father Bill founded the Melody Kings, a band well known across western Canada. Through his work with the Melody Kings and many other groups, he recorded multiple albums and performed at many weddings, socials, festivals and community events, including more than 800 dance halls and venues. Boris was recognized by the Ukrainian music association with numerous honours, including two honourable achievements, and a legacy achievement award and a lifetime achievement award.

He is also a lifetime member of the Canadian National Ukrainian Festival, and he was inducted into the Manitoba Fiddle Association's Wall of Fame in Carman, in April of 2025. Boris's musical legacy continues throughout his family. His daughter Pamela joined the Melody Kings in early 1990, and in the recent years his son–her son Dawson learned the fiddle from his gido, adding another

chapter to proud, multiple–generational story. Beyond his music, Boris has also given generosity to community safety, serving a chairperson of the Manitoba Crime Stoppers for 28 years. Thank you, Boris, for a remarkable gift of music, service and a dedication to your community. Thank you all. * (14:10) Tammy Axelsson Mr. Derek Johnson (Interlake-Gimli): I rise today to recognize an extraordinary Manitoban whose life's work has strengthened the cultural fabric of Gimli. Tammy Axelsson grew up in Gimli, deeply rooted in her Icelandic heritage.

In 1985, she travelled to Iceland expecting only a three-month visit to explore her ancestry, but it quickly turned into a three -year immersion in Icelandic lan - guage, history and culture. She returned to Gimli in 1988 with her husband and two children, where her passion for com munity service flourished. Tammy became the executive director with the New Iceland Heritage Museum where she served for more than two decades.

Her volunteerism is extensive: she contributed to the 1999 millennium celebration committee, the Icelandic Festival of Manitoba, the Gimli Film Festival, the Gimli Ice Festival, the Association of Manitoba Museums, the Gimli Chamber of Commerce and co-chaired Pride Gimli, along with many other initiatives. Tammy was also selected for the Fjallkona, one of the highest honours in the Icelandic community. In addition to her volunteer work, Tammy has served as mayor of Gimli and the honorary consul of Iceland.

Her leadership has been recognized with Toast - masters Communication and Leadership Award and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond and Platinum Jubilee Medals. Honourable Speaker, I have had the privilege of working with Tammy over the past six years as she also served as my constituency assistant. I wish her every happiness in her well -deserved retirement. Please join me in recognizing Tammy Axelsson, who joins us in the gallery here today. Nicole LaTourelle Hon.

Adrien Sala (Minister of Finance): Today I'm delighted to recognize an outstanding individual whose dedication and leadership have made a signifi- cant impact on our community: Ms. Nicole LaTourelle. As executive director of the Deer Lodge foundation for six and a half years, she has tirelessly advanced its mission to support the health and well -being of veterans, seniors and others receiving care at Deer Lodge Centre. Nicole has helped to motivate and organize com- munity support to push many key initiatives across the finish line.

Thanks to Nicole and the foundation's work, the Tower 7 dementia unit is a warmer, more welcoming place with innovative programming for residents. The courtyard has been transformed into a beautiful, accessible greenspace for all residents and the founda- tion's disbursement to Deer Lodge has set record after record under her leadership. Whether organizing events like their annual Dance Hall, building partnerships with the Winnipeg Blue Bomber Alumni and Breezy Bend golf and country club or simply offering a helping hand, Nicole has consistently gone above and beyond in her service.

Her work exemplifies what it means to be a community leader: one who serves with humility, com- passion and a strong sense of responsibility.

December 1, 2025 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 251 On behalf of the community of St. James, and of all Manitobans who benefited from her dedication, I want to extend our sincere gratitude for her many years of service. Her energy, her warmth and her steady leadership will be missed as she steps into a well-earned retirement. Honourable Speaker, I ask all members to join with me in recognizing Nicole LaTourelle for her outstanding contributions to the Deer Lodge Centre Foundation and our entire community. Speaker's Statement The Speaker: Prior to oral questions, I have a state- ment to start with.

I would like to draw the attention of all honour - able members to the Speaker's Gallery, where we have with us today the new director of the Assembly's Members' Allowances office, Omar Sanchez. Omar is joined in the gallery today by his wife, Lizbeth Macias; his daughter, Michelle Sanchez; his sister, Laura Sanchez; and Elma Sanchez. Members may already be familiar with Omar, as he has been serving as the Assembly's finance manager since July 2022.

Originally from Mexico City, Omar comes to this important new position with an already impressive career as a capable leader with over 15 years of experience in a variety of finance roles. He earned a post -secondary degree in public accounting from EBC business uni versity in Mexico City, and worked in Mexico for several years as an auditor at KPMG before moving to Canada to con- tinue his career with KPMG in Winnipeg in 2008. Omar brings to his new position a strong back- ground in both public and private sectors, with experi- ence overseeing financial reporting, accounts payable and comptrollership.

We are pleased to have Omar join the Members' Allowances crew in this essential leadership position. Omar has an ideal combination of professionalism and personal skills that will serve him well as the Members' Allowances director. Omar started this position November 24, 2025, and I'd ask all members to help me welcome Omar to his new role. Introduction of Guests The Speaker: Further, we have seated in the public gallery staff from Indigenous Excellence –Jordan Bighorn, Simran Seehra –who are guests of the hon- ourable Minister of Families (MLA Fontaine). We welcome you here today.

And I would also like to draw the attention of all honourable members to the public gallery where we have with us today Suzie Na Chuk, Sheila Sorokan, Robyn Furnish, who are guests of the honour able member for Lac du Bonnet (Mr. Ewasko). And we welcome you all here today as well. ORAL QUESTIONS Death at Manitoba ER Request for Public Inquiry Mr. Obby Khan (Leader of the Official Opposition): Genevieve Price died after spending over 30 hours on a stretcher in a hallway under this failing NDP gov - ernment. The health -care system under this NDP failed her, failed her family and is failing Manitobans.

The Premier seems content with a critical incident review. Well, let's be clear about what a critical 'incirent' review is. It is not made public, it is for internal purposes only and there is no accountability or transparency for Manitobans. Genevieve and her daughter, who is a nurse, did everything right and yet, sadly, her mother passed away due to negligence by this NDP government and Premier. Will the Premier commit today to a public inquiry so Manitobans can get answers with accountability and transparency about all of their failures? Hon.

Wab Kinew (Premier): I want to send out all my best to the daughter of Genevieve Price. We know that she's experienced a tragic loss but, also, she's part of our health-care system, which is our government's top priority. She does a wonderful thing. And we know that when issues like this take place, there needs to be a fulsome investigation, as well as a conversation around accountability. The critical incident review, which is some thing that was codified under the Tories in the way that it's worked now, is going to be investigated in this situation. That will be about lessons learned for health-care staff.

Our minister, though, has gone a step further, further than any PC Health minister did during their time in office, and has said that there is also going to be an additional layer of investigation so that we can have accountability.

252 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA December 1, 2025 I encourage the members opposite to partici pate in rebuilding the health-care system alongside with us after the years of closures and cuts that they oversaw. It would be about time. The Speaker: Member's time has expired. The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a supplementary question. Mr. Khan: There you have it, Manitoba. No account- ability, no transparency from this Premier. I'm asking about a public inquiry and he stands up and talks about a critical incident review.

Like I said, that is for internal purposes and it is not revealed to the public. The critical 'incirent' is done any time a death hap- pens under unknown, mysterious or suspicious situa- tions. Honourable Speaker, 32 deaths last year have prompted a critical incident review, and yet Genevieve Price still died under this NDP government. * (14:20) From where I'm standing, the people of Manitoba believe nurses when it comes to health care and the way that this government could begin to restore trust, and the chaos and the system issues that they've caused could and would be a call to a public inquiry.

So will the Premier today commit to a public inquiry so Manitobans can have answers about the failures of this NDP government? Mr. Kinew: I send my con dolences to the family of Genevieve Price and certainly for her daughter, who works in the health-care system. I also send my thanks for what you do each and every day to care for our seniors and others in our community. And for the members opposite –all of them–food for thought: what I would say is, on this side of the House, we love nurses. We absolutely love and respect nurses, which is why we've hired more than 1,200 since we came into office.

Again, the members opposite cut more than 300 nurses inside the Perimeter alone, which means that there's been a lot of repairs we've had to do. But the key thing that we're focused on is listening to the front-line expertise of nurses who are demanding even further staffing increases. We've launched a whole series of structural reforms in the health-care system. And most impor tantly, we're re -opening the emer - gency rooms the PCs closed. Construction begins at the Victoria ER this January. The Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a final supplementary question. Mr.

Khan: That non-answer just proves that this Premier is not a man of his word. The last question I stated was an exact quote. From who? This Premier. His exact quote was: could begin to store trust in the chaos and system would be to call an independent investigation or public inquiry. That was an exact quote from the Premier of March 2022. Now he stands up in the House and says there's no need for a public inquiry.

Will the Premier, for once in his tenure of being a leader, show any sort of accountability and trans par- encies and being a man of his word and hold true to a public inquiry for Manitobans so they can have accountability about all of the failures of this NDP government? Mr. Kinew: Honourable Speaker, if the question's about accountability, I accept your judgment as the people of Manitoba each and every day.

And I would humbly put before you that we have re-opened emergency rooms that were closed under the previous government, hired more than 1,200 addi- tional nurses as part of 3,500 more front -line health- care staff in the province of Manitoba. When it comes to my word, what I would say is this: I promised to cut the gas tax on January 1, 2024; we did. We promised to staff up the health- care system; we have. We promised to re-open emergency rooms; we have.

And even though we didn't ask for this, we were demanded whether we would search the landfill, and we did commit to searching the landfill, bringing Morgan and Marcedes home. I'm honoured to share with the House today that at 8:45 a.m. this morning, I was at the Brady Road Landfill, where we moved the first truckload of land- fill material in the quest to bring Ashlee Shingoose home. I would welcome encouraging words from any of the members on the other side. The Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a new question. Darwin School Incident Repeat Offender Out on Bail Mr.

Obby Khan (Leader of the Official Opposition): I asked him about the death of Genevieve Price and this Premier–and I quote from Manitoba Nurses Union: arrogant and dismissive, end quote –stands up to talk about a gas tax. When someone is dead under his watch, that is arrogant and dismissive.

December 1, 2025 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 253 If you're watching as a parent, grandparent, guardian, I'm sure you were terrified as much as I was last week when you heard the news of a repeat violent offender loose at Darwin elementary school in St. Vital. Thankfully, the child was able to break free and ran to a teacher. The Premier talks a big game on his thoughts on sexual predators, but his actions are empty. He won't call on the federal government to use the notwithstanding clause to enforce minimum sentences on child predators.

And here in Manitoba, he won't do anything to hold repeat violent offenders in jail. Instead, under this failed Justice Minister, they are letting them out on bail. Will the Premier commit today to holding repeat violent offenders in jail, not on– The Speaker: Member's time is expired. Hon. Wab Kinew (Premier): You know, in the after- math of a terrible incident such as the one that took place at Darwin School, there are many ways to respond, and I want to highlight for the House that our Education Minister has spoken with the family as well as with the school community, alongside other mem- bers of our team.

Speaking with people with expertise in mental health, the most important thing right now is to send a message of reassurance to the kids involved that they did nothing wrong, first of all; and, second of all, that you are now safe. That's why earlier to day, we took direct action to ensure that every single school in Manitoba–whether we're talking about Darwin, where this terrible thing took place, or we're talking about any of the many, many institutions across this great land–are taking additional steps immediately to ensure that kids are safe.

We're talking about a sacred bond between you, the parent, and your child. You need to have trust in the school system that when you send your kids to school, they come home safely at the end of the day. Let's keep working together to make sure that that' s true today and every day– The Speaker: Member's time has expired. The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a supplementary question. Mr. Khan: If the Premier wants to send a message, here's a message: Hold repeat violent offenders in jail. Don't let them out on bail, like we want to do on this side of the House.

We will hold them in jail to make sure you and your family and your kids are safe. This repeat violent offender, Scott George, has been a registered sex offender since he was convicted in 2022 for a crime against a six- year-old. It is reported he showed no remorse for that crime. Earlier that year, he breached those con ditions twice. In February, he was caught lurking in a park washroom. In March, he was caught at Dakota Collegiate as well. It appears the only time the public is safe is when this repeat violent offender is behind bars. So why will the Premier not hold repeat violent offenders in jail?

Why is this Premier letting them out on bail when they should be in bail, Hon ourable Speaker? In jail–in jail. Mr. Kinew: Nothing else matters unless our kids are safe. That's why our government has taken immediate action to elevate the level of safety in our public schools. It's part of the first layer of response to young people in Manitoba, which must be reassurance. You did nothing wrong in this instance, and now you are safe.

And, of course, we can't just say you are safe; we have to back that up with action, which, of course, is what the an nouncement that the Edu cation Minister led earlier today was all about. Listen, when it comes to people like this person with whom there is clearly some thing wrong, I think everyone out there knows how I feel. The member opposite posted on his social media the time he criticized me. He ought to post that onto Instagram. I'll let him lurk in the mud. We'll continue work- ing with you to make sure that kids are safe in Manitoba as well as every single school in our province.

The Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a final supplementary question. Mr. Khan: The Premier wants to talk about action. He thinks $724 a school is action. On this side of the House, we say action is locking up repeat violent offenders so they are not out on the streets to cause you, your family, your community and your children harm. This Premier thinks $724 a school is safety. To his right is the failing Health Minister; to his left is a failing Justice Minister who oversees the release of repeat violent offenders and sexual predators.

Last, but not least, is the MLA for Riel, who –where Darwin School is located, who has been quiet on this issue.

254 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA December 1, 2025 The Premier promised bail reform in the first 100 days; 790 days later, nothing. Repeat violent offenders are out on the streets. Will the Premier commit today to keeping repeat violent offenders in jail and not out on bail? Mr. Kinew: Our government delivered on provincial actions when it came to bail reform immediately upon taking office. And we did something that the PCs were never able to do: we got the federal govern ment to change the Criminal Code of Canada to tighten bail conditions.

Listen to that press conference in which the feds announced it; they credited our govern ment for these changes. Now, of course, there's more work to do. But I can assure the member opposite, when we're talking about these accountability conversations, and this person, in a situation like this, who should not have been released– I can assure the member opposite that it–[interjection] The Speaker: Order. Mr.

Kinew: –was the flawed structures established by the PCs which led to that person's release. * (14:30) We will fix it the same way that we do everything: by working with you, by working with community, by working with law en forcement, by working with the whole province to come together and focus on one common thing: unity in the purpose of making Manitoba safer. The era of division is over. Let's keep building a bright future together. The Speaker: Member's time has expired. Darwin School Incident Student Safety Concerns Mr.

Wayne Ewasko (Lac du Bonnet): Honourable Speaker, parents and guardians across this great prov- ince of Manitoba are asking questions today about the safety of their children when they're at school in the wake of the terrifying attack at Darwin School. How does this happen, Honourable Speaker? The Premier (Mr. Kinew) stands in his place, doesn't apologize to Manitobans. We know the students didn't do anything wrong. It's this Education Minister's fault that this continues to happen, because of her failed Justice Minister, that sits next to her, for releasing a violent criminal.

Will she stand in her place today and apologize to Manitoba's parents, guardians and students? Hon. Tracy Schmidt (Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning): What happened last week at Darwin School is horrific, both as the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning, but most importantly, as a parent and as a member of this community. I am horrified that this happened. I want to speak directly to Manitoba students, however, and share with them the same message that was just delivered by our Premier, and that is a message of reassurance that Manitoba schools are safe places for you to be.

Manitoba parents should know that they are making the right choice when they choose to send their chil - dren to school every day, which are safe places. I want to speak to the student and the family that was involved and thank them for their bravery and their courage– The Speaker: Member's time has expired. The honourable member for Lac du Bonnet, on a supplementary question. Mr.

Ewasko: I just want to let all Manitobans know that today, standing in this great Chamber of ours, that the NDP caucus is clapping for this failed Edu cation Minister, which had –who had the oppor tunity today to stand in her place and apologize for failing on the students on Darwin School. So, again, Honourable Speaker, I ask the Edu ca- tion Minister: Will she stand in her place today, as she did in front of the cameras a few weeks ago and basically, when asked if she should be locking down some of the schools for the controlled access points, she shrugged her shoulders and said that she didn't know?

Will she stand today and apologize to all those parents, guardians and students that she is affecting on a day-to-day– The Speaker: Member's time has expired. MLA Schmidt: Honourable Speaker, parents, students, teachers, school administrators out there know that Manitoba schools are a safe place. Our government is committed to making sure that we are stepping up in partnership with the Manitoba School Boards Association: in lockstep with them, in partnership with them, in col laboration with school divisions across this great province.

We are going to ensure that every school division has the resources that they need to address their safety and security plans.

December 1, 2025 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 255 Honourable Speaker, it is the truth that every school in Manitoba today has a safety and security plan. What today–what last week's terrible incident reminds us is that this is an opportunity for us to come together, to work in collaboration to review all those plans and policies and to make sure that w e are doing every - thing– The Speaker: Member's time has expired. The honourable member for Lac du Bonnet, on a final supplementary question. Mr. Ewasko: So again, Honourable Speaker, no apology coming from this Education Minister.

She stands and repeats the same boring talking points of her Premier (Mr. Kinew), the fellow who is in charge of actually deciphering what these Cabinet ministers–[interjection] The Speaker: Order. Mr. Ewasko: –are doing. In their news release today they said, and I quote: That's why we are acting quickly and working closely with school divisions. What is she talking about, Hon ourable Speaker? Working quickly? She had this oppor tunity months ago and now they come out with a pittance of just over $650 per school.

That's not even going to buy those schools the two doorbell cameras that this failed Justice Minister is promoting to Manitobans. Stand up and apologize today to all those parents and– The Speaker: Member's time has expired. MLA Schmidt: Thank you, honourable minister–or, thank you, Honourable Speaker. And you know how we do hard things in Manitoba? Our Premier has said this many times, and it's true: we do hard things together.

That's why today, in partnership with the Manitoba School Boards Association, we announced over $500,000 of an invest ment that we are going to use so that school divisions can do the security assessments they need so that we can bring the sector together and make sure that we're working hard to protect the safety and security of every student in Manitoba. And the member opposite might be right that this work is lagging. Do you know why that is, Honour - able Speaker? That is because here in Manitoba – [interjection] The Speaker: Order.

MLA Schmidt: –thanks to a previous NDP gov ern- ment, we had something called Safe Schools Manitoba. This work was work that was already being done by the Manitoba School Boards Association, in part ner- ship with the– The Speaker: Member's time has expired. [interjection] Order. Death at Manitoba ER Request for Public Inquiry Mrs. Kathleen Cook (Roblin): The NDP and this Health Minister are failing on the No. 1 issue they campaigned on–[interjection] The Speaker: Order. Mrs. Cook: –and Manitobans are paying the price. Genevieve Price died nine days ago after waiting more than 30 hours in the Grace Hospital ER.

Earlier this year, Chad Giffin died in the waiting room of HSC. ER wait times are the highest they've ever been, and Manitobans are scared. It's been two years of empty promises and grandstanding from this minister and no action. Why has this minister refused to be accountable for their failures and refused to conduct an inde pen- dent public inquiry? Hon.

Uzoma Asagwara (Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care): Honourable Speaker, on this side of the House, we are all about accountability, and that is why I continue to show up and we continue to show up to listen to the front lines, meet with unions, meet with experts and do the work that wasn't done for seven and a half years. Honourable Speaker, nobody in Manitoba, I think, discounts the reality of what happens when you close major emergency rooms, fire hundreds of nurses and you're hell-bent on cutting as much of health care as you possibly can in the public system. That takes time to fix.

But we are committed to continuing to do that work, because that is the approach and the commit - ment that Manitobans deserve. So we're going to keep doing the work with the front lines and with the experts in this province who didn't have the ear of government for seven and a half years under the PCs.

256 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA December 1, 2025 The Speaker: The honourable member for Roblin, on a supplementary question. ER Wait Time Reduction Request for Government Plan Mrs. Kathleen Cook (Roblin): When people hear about what happened to Genevieve Price, they are scared. She did every thing right. She had an expert advocating for her, and she was still left on a stretcher for 30 hours under this NDP govern ment. And now she won't be here to celebrate Christmas with her family.

ER wait times are longer than they've ever been, and for the first time in history, two major hospitals have been greylisted by Manitoba nurses. And what do Manitobans get from this minister? Theatre, grand- standing, dancing on TikTok. They have no plan to reduce ER wait times. How many more tragedies are Manitobans going to suffer before this minister finally takes real action? Hon. Uzoma Asagwara (Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care): Our deepest condolences go out to the Price family.

I was able to express that directly to her daughter when we spoke, and we're going to work very hard to make sure that Manitobans don't face an experience like that again. And, you know, what I heard loud and clear in that conversation was that we didn't get to where we are in health care overnight. Unfortunately, you know, seven and a half years of cuts, closures and chaos does real damage that takes a real commitment to address. Now we're seeing, as a gov ernment, the benefits of listening to the front lines.

Thousands of net -new health-care workers, hundreds of beds added, but we know there's much more work to do, and that is the commitment that Manitobans deserve and that health- care workers deserve. We know there's much more work to be done, and the conditions that we continue to see are unacceptable. And we'll– The Speaker: Member's time has expired. The honourable member for Roblin, on a final supplementary question. Mrs. Cook: Health care is only getting worse under the NDP and under this Health Minister. ER wait times are longer than ever before. Surgical and diag - nostic wait times are longer.

Nurses have had to greylist two major hospitals just to get this minister's attention. This minister thinks they've hired 13 times as many paramedics as they actually have–[interjection] The Speaker: Order. * (14:40) Mrs. Cook: But worst of all, Manitobans don't feel safe going to the ER. They hear what happened to Genevieve Price, and they are terrified that their loved one will be next. [interjection] The Speaker: Order. Mrs. Cook: These failures can't be tolerated. It's time. This Health Minister needs to be replaced. Will they do the right thing for Manitobans today and resign?

MLA Asagwara: Honourable Speaker, Manitobans can trust that our govern ment is going to continue to invest in making health care better. Major emergency rooms closed, hundreds of health-care workers fired, serious damage done to the health-care system under the former PCs. Under us, thousands of net -new health-care workers, hundreds of beds added and we're listening to the front lines. Honourable Speaker, I won't do what failed after failed after failed after failed PC Health minister did. I won't run from these challenges.

I'm going to con- tinue to show up, listen to the front lines and work with them to make health care better. The member opposite should get up, stand in her place and apologize for advising three failed PC Health ministers to do the damage they've done to health care– The Speaker: Member's time has expired. Abuse of Child in Foster Care Call for Critical Incident Review Ms. Jodie Byram (Agassiz): Honourable Speaker, this Families Minister has to address systemic issues that have thrived under her watch.

And she admits that– and I'm going to quote –there has been 'abonimable' abuse in the case of the six-year-old girl who suffered horrific injuries in foster care. What this minister has been silent on is how, under her watch, this has occurred. Ministerial respon- sibility means the buck stops with her. She is ultimately responsible. How did the system fail this child completely? Hon. Nahanni Fontaine (Minister of Families): As the member for Agassiz knows, I take the safety and

December 1, 2025 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 257 protection of children, particularly as the Minister of Families, incredibly seriously, and our whole govern- ment takes the safety of children incredibly seriously. And while folks know that I can't share any of the details, what I can say is this, is that it is–it should be acutely obvious to folks that you shouldn't abuse children. And if you abuse children, then I hope that the fullest extent of the law is used ag ainst you and you are held accountable. That is the bottom line. The Speaker: Member's time has expired.

The honourable member for Agassiz, on a supple- mentary question. Ms. Byram: The foster mother is charged with aggra- vated assault, assault, failing to provide the necessities of life. The foster father was also charged. The list of injuries and wounds of this six- year-old is heart - breaking. A scheduled respite worker was in the home but did not see the child, who police believe was confined to a bed with her injuries. There were clearly systemic failures. Why is the minister refusing to call a review into this critical incident?

MLA Fontaine: My department is doing a full investi- gation of this parti cular case right now, which also includes investigating case planning, placement deci- sions and licensing of placements. We're using

section 4 powers to do that investigation. As folks know, the police are also investigating, and also members opposite should know that at some point, MACY will also be doing an investigation, and their investigation, that report that they have, will be made public. Under my watch, we are doing an in vestigation thoroughly and ensuring that this never occurs again. The Speaker: The honourable member for Agassiz, on a final supplementary question. Ms. Byram: The Advocate for Children and Youth supports the call for further review. Manitobans demand further review.

They also demand the minister release the steps that she'll be taking to ensure this never happens here again. The system failed this child, and the Manitoba–or, the child advocate said children are falling through the cracks when there is lack of oversight. The minister is respon sible; will she commit to this public accountability today? MLA Fontaine: My department is fully investigating this abominable case of abuse, which includes case planning, placement decisions and also licensing of placements.

It is a sacred responsibility to take care of children, and that's why I'm also working alongside authorities and agencies to ensure that the system is operating in the way that it's supposed to operate. I've also, just of last week, issued mandate letters to authorities to ensure that my priorities as minister are getting executed at the author ity level and our department is working with authorities to make sure that those priorities are streamlined, which includes the safety and protection of all children– The Speaker: Member's time has expired. Manitoba's Economy Concern for Loss of Investment Mr.

Konrad Narth (La Vérendrye): Recently, I've highlighted how Manitoba has the slowest growing economy in our country. But yet, as our neighbours are flourishing. Last week, the premier of Saskatchewan got up in his Chamber and highlighted the billions of dollars of new investment happening in Saskatchewan. But it didn't come without recognizing our province and this Premier (Mr. Kinew) for the amount of investment fleeing our province. Here's his quote: No wonder investment is fleeing. Time and time again, in this nation, we see the NDP being part of the problem.

So I ask: When will this problem Premier take responsibility and hold his minister responsible for the billions of investment fleeing our province? Hon. Jamie Moses (Minister of Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation): Well, the member oppo- site is completely way off base. We're investing not only in growing our economy through a robust manu- facturing sector, also leaning in to our strengths, like our aerospace sector, life sciences sector and critical mineral sector.

A project, a mining project that was completely stalled under the former failed gov ern- ment got the go- ahead under us, and tha t's a billion- dollar gold mine in northern Manitoba. On top of that, we're investing in manufacturing, bringing jobs from the United States to Manitoba here, and creating world-leading companies like Duha, which received the Province of Manitoba's support to create 94 new jobs right here in Manitoba. It came from the States, located here. That's growing our economy, one that's strong, one that's resilient–

258 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA December 1, 2025 The Speaker: Member's time has expired. The honourable member for La Vérendrye, on a supplementary question. Mr. Narth: Honourable Speaker, that's not just rhetoric. Our economy is failing in almost every sector. I'm seeing it in southeast Manitoba. I've highlighted some of these issues like NPI, an ag production company; Law-Marot, a grain dryer production company. Dozens of real-world examples where companies who want to set up shop here and build their operations are forced out by the inaction of this NDP government.

Now they've run out of time, and they're moving their investment to other provinces. And agriculture is just one of those sectors. How many more sectors of our economy need to flee before this failed minister will wake up? Mr. Moses: Well, under the former failed PC govern- ment, what was fleeing were Manitobans out of the province with the highest out-migration rates. Instead, we've reversed that trend. We actually have more Manitobans coming here to work, to enjoy our afford- able quality of life–[interjection] The Speaker: Order. Mr. Moses: –and our robust job sector.

Now, the reality is that Manitobans should know is that we're investing our manufacturing space. Com- panies like Duha receive support from us, and they're growing jobs out of the United States right here to Manitoba. Companies like NFI Group are building an all -Canadian build, taking jobs from the United States and growing manufacturing sectors here. That's how we do our economy here in Manitoba, that works to build on all of our strengths, growing good jobs for Manitobans of all walks of life. Thank you, Honourable Speaker. The Speaker: The honourable member for La Vérendrye, on a final supplementary question.

Mr. Narth: Honourable Speaker, that is simply not true. I have come across dozens and dozens of busi - nesses day after day that are fleeing our province. Investors across sectors re peatedly say the same things. Letters go unanswered, emails go unreturned and departments fail to respond. * (14:50) These are companies that are urging me to bring up their companies as examples, whether it be trucking, forestry, manufacturing, egg processing–companies all across our province. This is why our economy is growing at only 1.1 per cent.

Why is the minister for economic dev elopment failing to ensure that departments respond–[interjection] The Speaker: Order. Mr. Narth: –to business concerns in a timely way so that– The Speaker: Member's time has expired. Mr. Moses: Well, Honourable Speaker, we're happy to respond to busi nesses of all sectors and all industries. If the member opposite is just concerned about emails, we'll win that contest as well, the same way we're winning with putting good jobs on the opportun- ity for all Manitobans.

Whether that's agriculture, manufacturing, life sciences, aerospace, we're invest- ing in all those sectors, which are our strengths here in Manitoba. Whether that's man –Magellan, StandardAero, whether that's NFI Group, whether that is Duha, these are all businesses that are investing in Manitoba, choosing Manitoba, staying in Manitoba and growing in Manitoba. That's an economy that works for everyone, unlike the PC former govern ment which failed to grow the economy and had Manitobans fleeing out across the country. The Speaker: Member's time has expired.

Government's Pledge to End Homelessness 2025 Throne Speech Commitments MLA Cindy Lamoureux (Tyndall Park): Honour- able Speaker, according to the Throne Speech, only 143 affordable units and 100 shelter beds will be created this year. This government initially committed to ending homelessness in 8 years. However, they have since changed the wording of their commitment and now it does not include all homeless Manitobans and it extends the goal past their original mandate. Can the gov ernment explain why they extended their deadline and had to lower their goal to no longer completely end homelessness? Hon.

Nahanni Fontaine (Acting Minister of Housing, Addictions and Homelessness): Miigwech to the member for Tyndall Park for that question.

December 1, 2025 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 259 I first and foremost want to just acknowledge a member of the MMIWG2S community and the step- mother of the Minister for Housing, Addictions and Homelessness who just recently passed just the past weekend from a battle with cancer. Brenda Osborne was a staunch advocate for her daughter, the member –the minister's sister, and on behalf of our govern ment and also myself as a long - standing MMIWG2S advocate, I want to send our profound love and strength to the– The Speaker: Member's time has expired.

The honourable member for Tyndall Park, on a supplementary question. Homeless Encampments This Winter Support for St. Boniface Street Links MLA Cindy Lamoureux (Tyndall Park): Honour- able Speaker, Manitoba has some of the coldest winter conditions. With new restrictions on homeless encamp- ments, organizations and individuals have been reach- ing out with concerns. According to a CBC

article on Friday, police are bringing former encampment residents and people are coming on their own to St. Boniface Street Links, who are doing their best with no funding from this govern- ment. Honourable Speaker, End Homelessness Winnipeg shared that there are an esti mated 2,500 individuals currently homeless. Will this government support St. Boniface Steet Links through this colder weather for those who remain unsheltered? Hon.

Nahanni Fontaine (Acting Minister of Housing, Addictions and Homelessness): I think all of us on this side of the Chamber remember that, when the failed PCs were in government, they turned a blind eye to our relatives that were sleeping in bus shelters in -40° weather. That seemed to be perfectly accept - able to members opposite, who are now yelling and screaming. Our minister has done incredible work since she's been appointed Minister of Housing, Addictions and Homelessness (Ms. Smith). Under her leadership and our government's commit–our administration, we've created–[interjection] The Speaker: Order.

MLA Fontaine: –143 social and affordive –housing units, added over 100 shelter beds to give Manitobans a warm place to sleep. We've restored– The Speaker: Member's time has expired. The honourable member for Tyndall Park, on a final supplementary question. Individuals Experiencing Homelessness Prevention of Death from Exposure MLA Cindy Lamoureux (Tyndall Park): Honour- able Speaker, in the same

article I referenced earlier, the Main Street Project is reminding us that there's no ability or time to support everyone who needs shelter this winter season. The Right to Housing Coalition 2024 action plan has shared that this govern ment has only reached 4 per cent of the target for affordable housing. Every winter we have thousands of people who are experiencing homelessness and they're freezing outside. What is the govern ment doing to imme diately prevent any deaths from exposure to the cold this winter? Hon.

Nahanni Fontaine (Acting Minister of Housing, Addictions and Homelessness): Once again, I want to remind folks in the Chamber and those watching that, under the failed PC govern ment, those numbers of our relatives unsheltered grew exponentially. You could physically see it on the street that those numbers increased day after day, year after year. And why did they increase? Because the PCs didn't care whether folks stayed outside in -40° or if they had any shelter beds or any shelter space. And on top of that, they sold off affordable housing.

Our government, on the other hand, we've housed over 100 Manitobans who are living in encampments and we've prevented 1,400 Manitobans from becoming unsheltered and homeless. The Speaker: Member's time is expired. Hudson Bay Marine Conservation Area Feasibility Study Announcement MLA Eric Redhead (Thompson): Honourable Speaker, our Premier (Mr. Kinew) and the Prime Minister are investing in the Port of Churchill. Our government is creating a real op portunity to grow the northern economy while protecting the natural and cultural heritage that makes this region so important.

Can the Minister for Environment and Climate Change update the House on how our govern ment is moving quickly, protect –to protect the waters and lands of Hudson Bay?

260 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA December 1, 2025 Hon. Mike Moyes (Minister of Environment and Climate Change): Thank you to the MLA for Thompson. Honourable Speaker, the belugas, migratory birds and polar bears of Churchill are absolutely essential to the culture of the North and to the tourism that sup- ports the community. That's why we're working with Ottawa to explore a Hudson Bay marine conservation area. This feasibility study is a practical look to how to protect wildlife while supporting local jobs and future growth–[interjection] The Speaker: Order.

MLA Moyes: As invest ments in the Hudson Bay increases, we'll work with local operators to ensure the development is safe, sustainable and creates real opportunity in Churchill. We're going to build up the province while protect- ing the wildlife and landscapes that define us as Manitobans. The Speaker: The time for oral questions has expired. PETITIONS Amending The Winnipeg Foundation Act MLA Robert Loiselle (St. Boniface): Honourable Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly.

To the Legis lative Assembly of Manitoba, the background for this petition is as follows: The Winnipeg Foundation was incorporated by

an act incorporating The Winnipeg Foundation, S.M. 1921, circa 165, and was continued by

An Act respecting The Winnipeg Foundation, S.M. 1943, c. 52, The Winnipeg Foundation Act, S.M. 1980, c. 98, The Winnipeg Foundation Act, R.S.M. 1990, c. 222 and The Winnipeg Foundation Act, S.M. 2004, c. 45. The board of The Winnipeg Foundation would like to amend The Winnipeg Foundation Act to: (

a) remove the requirement that the mayor of the City of Winnipeg be a director of The Winnipeg Foundation; (

b) allow The Winnipeg Foundation to depart from the directions of a donor or a trust or conditions attaching to property if the donor is unable to provide directions, or if the trust no longer fulfills the purposes or objectives when it was formed; and (

c) remove a require ment that copies of the audited financial statements be provided to the public on request and the information respecting the financial statements be published in a newspaper. Instead, information respecting the audit of the financial statements of The Winnipeg Foundation would be published on its website. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba to make the above amend ment to The Winnipeg Foundation Act. The Winnipeg Foundation. Thank you, Honourable Speaker. House Business Hon.

Nahanni Fontaine (Government House Leader): Could you please canvass the House for leave to allow an ASL interpreter to be on the floor of the Chamber beside the Minister of Families on December 3, 2025, at the beginning of routine proceedings and until the conclusion of members' statements. The Speaker: Is there leave to allow an ASL interpreter to be on the floor of the Chamber beside the Minister of Families (MLA Fontaine) on December 3, 2025, from the beginning of routine proceedings until the conclusion of members' statements? Is there leave? Some Honourable Members: Agreed.

Some Honourable Members: No. * (15:00) The Speaker: Leave has been denied. The honourable member for Interlake-Gimli. Mr. Derek Johnson (Official Opposition House Leader): House leader. The Speaker: The hon ourable Op position House Leader. Mr. Johnson: Could you please canvass the House for leave to allow an ASL interpreter on the floor of the Chamber beside the Minister of Families on December 3, 2025, from the beginning of routine pro- ceedings until the conclusion of member state ments, as well as to allow an ASL interpreter to be on the floor of the Chamber beside the member for Brandon- West (Mr.

Balcaen) for each occurrence that Bill 225, the deaf and it –awareness week and day of sign languages act, is called for debates and com mittees. [interjection] The Speaker: Order. Is there leave to allow an ASL interpreter to be on the floor of the Chamber beside the Minister of Families on December 3, 2025, from the beginning of routine

December 1, 2025 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 261 proceedings until the conclusion of the mem bers' statements, as well as to allow an ASL interpreter to be on the floor of the Chamber beside the member for Brandon West for each occurrence that Bill 225, The Deaf Awareness Week and Day of Sign Languages Act (Com memoration of Days, Weeks and Months Act Amended), is called for debate and committees? Is there leave? Some Honourable Members: Agreed. Some Honourable Members: No. The Speaker: Leave has been denied. The–[interjection] Order. The–[interjection] Order. Order. Order.

Order. * * * Amend Westminster United Church Foundation Inc. MLA Carla Compton (Tuxedo): Honourable Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) The Westminster United Church Foundation ("the Foundation") was incorporated by

An Act to incorporate Westminster United Church Foundation S.M. 1968, c. 102, and the corporation was continued by The Westminster United Church Foundation Incorporation Act, R.S.M. 1990, c. 212.

(2) The current act requires that in the event of the liquidation or winding up of the Foundation, the assets of the Foundation be transferred to the Winnipeg Presbytery of the United Church of Canada.

(3) The Winnipeg Presbytery of the United Church of Canada was dissolved on December 31, 2018. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba to amend The Westminster United Church Foundation Incorporation Act as follows: (

a) to change the composition of the board of trustees of the Foundation so that if the position of immediate past chair of the General Board of Westminster United Church is vacant, the vice -chair is one of the ex -officio members of the board of trustees; (

b) if the Foundation is dissolved, to require all of the Foundation's remaining assets, after payment of debts and liabilities, to be distributed to registered charities as determined by the board of trustees. Signed Ted Barnett, chair; Margaret Cuddy, member; and one more member whose signature I cannot read. The Speaker: Further petitions? Seeing none, grievances? Grievances? MATTER OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE Mrs. Kathleen Cook (Roblin): On a matter of urgent public importance, Honourable Speaker. The Speaker: The honourable member for Roblin, on a matter of urgent public importance. Mrs.

Cook: I move, seconded by the member for Fort Whyte (Mr. Khan), that in accordance with subrule 39(1), the regular business of the House be set aside to discuss a matter of urgent public importance, specifically the systemic failures of the health -care system under this provincial government. Motion presented.

The Speaker: So before recognizing the honourable member for Roblin, I should remind all members that under rule 39(2), the mover of a motion on a matter of urgent public importance and one member from the other recognized parties in the House are allowed no more than 10 minutes to explain the urgency of debating the matter immediately. As stated in Beauchesne, citation 390, urgency in this context means the urgency of imme diate debate, not of the subject matter of the motion.

In his remarks, members should focus –in their remarks, members should focus exclusively on whether or not there is urgency of debate and whether or not the ordinary opportunities for debate will be–will enable the House to consider the matter early enough to ensure that the public interest will not suffer. Mrs. Cook: I rise today to insist that this Legislature set aside the regular business of the House to debate a matter of truly urgent public importance, that of the current NDP government's failures in health care and the disastrous impact it is having on Manitobans.

The reason this matter is so urgent is because people are dying, waiting for care in this province, and that is something that should never happen. This is a very serious issue.

262 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA December 1, 2025 Genevieve Price died nine days ago, after spend- ing 30 hours in the Grace Hospital ER. She did every- thing right. And her daughter, a nurse, was there advocating for her every step of the way, doing every- thing she could. And there are a lot of questions about what was going on in the health- care system when Genevieve Price tried to get help, questions like: How many staff vacancies were there? How many nurses were work - ing overtime?

What was the bed occupancy rate in the hospital that meant that Genevieve was stuck on a stretcher in a hallway for 30 hours? But that's not all, Honourable Speaker. The failures of this NDP govern ment in health care continue to compound and demand urgent attention by this Assembly. Chad Giffin died in the Health Sciences Centre ER in February, waiting to be seen by a doctor. Debbie Fewster died waiting for life -saving cardiac surgery that never came. The NDP learned nothing and took no action in response to either of these tragedies.

They weathered a few days of negative media attention but failed to take action from–to prevent it from happening again. And yet, here we are again. The NDP cannot let another tragedy go by without taking substantive action, and that's why we need to debate this issue in this Chamber today. The failures of this NDP government have reached a crisis point where Manitobans have lost confidence in this minister. Current ER wait times as of 12:55 p.m. today: at St. B, 12.5 hours; HSC, 7.5 hours; the Grace Hospital, 13.25 hours.

Monthly median and 90th per- centile wait times are the highest they've ever been, certainly higher than they were two years ago. And still, the NDP does nothing. Not only are they failing to make any im prove- ments in health care, they're actively making things worse and their mistakes continue to compound. And if we don't debate these issues in the Legislature today, their failures will only continue to grow unchecked. Last week, the Premier (Mr. Kinew) had to clean up his minister's mess following their terrible decision to deny Jeremy Bray his medication.

Two weeks ago, the minister thought they'd hired 13 times as many paramedics as they actually had and was forced to issue a retraction. They promised 200 of those; they've hired 18, including one new paramedic this entire calendar year, which speaks to the minister's and the NDP's complete lack of understanding when it comes to health human resources and, more troubling, a tendency to make wild promises they cannot keep. Manitobans deserve better, Honourable Speaker. We saw more of that with the Throne Speech and a minister that continued to make wild promises they have no ability or inten tion to keep.

Even front -line workers spoke out to cast doubt on this minister's ability to actually do what they've said they will do. * (15:10) The Premier went so far as to declare he's hired enough nurses, hanging the mission accomplished banner. It was an astounding comment for the Premier to make and again highlights the urgency of discussing this issue in the Chamber today. Earlier this year, the minister was forced to go out and apologize for ignoring front-line workers and causing chaos in home care, a mess of their own making that they still haven't fixed.

And that has a direct impact on our ERs and the issue at hand here today, Honourable Speaker, because when patients can't get discharged back to their homes with the support of home care, they have no choice but to remain in the hospital. That backs up the ER, which in turn backs up the waiting room and leads to tragedies like we saw nine days ago when Genevieve Price died after waiting 30 hours on a stretcher for care. This also marks the first time in Manitoba's history that two major hospitals have been greylisted by the Manitoba Nurses Union. This is not a step they take lightly, Honour able Speaker.

MNU nurses voted 94 per cent in favour of greylisting Health Sciences Centre three months ago and still there has been no action from this govern ment to do what nurses are asking that would result in the greylisting being lifted. MNU calls it a reflection of their collective frustra- tion over unsafe working condi tions, unsafe working conditions that make it hard to hire and to retain staff, which makes it very difficult for those staff to provide timely care to patients. A greylisting vote means the union is advising nurses not to take jobs at HSC and now at Thompson General Hospital.

This follows a string of recent incidents around HSC, including the sexual assault of five people, three of whom were staff, on the HSC campus. It also follows an incident in Thompson hospital, where shots were fired in the chapel, a stabbing in the ER. These are serious, ongoing and worsening safety issues in our health- care facilities that are directly

December 1, 2025 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 263 contributing to the staffing crisis in our health- care system which is, in turn, directly contributing to the deaths of people trying to get care, Honourable Speaker. Manitobans are paying the price of this govern - ment's inaction. They love news conferences, headlines, slogans and sound bites but have fallen dismally short of Manitobans' expectations. And our job as opposi - tion is to hold the NDP govern ment to account. Manitobans expect this of us. So we ask questions in question period about this very serious, very important issue.

We make sugges- tions, like call an in dependent public inquiry so that what happened to Genevieve Price is made clear to everybody in Manitoba, an inde pendent inquiry that can call witnesses, that will make recom mendations that will be made fully public. And this minister refuses. What do Manitobans get from the NDP Minister of Health and the Premier (Mr. Kinew)? No answers. They get grandstanding and theater. Meanwhile, Manitobans are scared to go to the ER because they saw what happened to Genevieve Price. They saw what happened to Chad Giffin. Genevieve did every- thing right.

She had a family member, who was a nurse, advocating for her. I heard little else from Manitobans this weekend when I was in my constit- uency and at the hockey rink and at the soccer pitch. Manitobans are s cared that their loved one will be next. They have so many unanswered questions about what happened to her but also what's happening generally in our health- care system under this NDP government. And that's why we need to debate this issue today. Manitobans deserve to know exactly what's going on under the NDP's health- care system.

They deserve answers, they're not getting them and we want to hear from the NDP today about how they're going to address this growing crisis in Manitoba's hospitals. Manitobans deserve accountability and they expect us, in this Legislature, to deliver it. We can do that by debating this matter of truly urgent public importance today. Thank you, Honourable Speaker. Hon. Uzoma Asagwara (Minister of Health, Seniors and Long -Term Care): Honourable Speaker, the member for Roblin (Mrs.

Cook) has no credibility on health care. [interjection] And the Leader of the Opposition can heckle me all he wants and he will probably heckle me throughout all of my comments, and I'm okay with that. Because, Honourable Speaker, the Leader of the Op - position not too long ago was around the Cabinet table when the PCs were actively cutting and decimating health care. Honourable Speaker, our government has worked very hard to fix the damage done by the previous gov- ernment. I'm going to table some documents here. An

article from October of 2024: Manitoba adds record number of doctors. That's the headline; subline here is: net gain of 133 still leaves province second worst per capita. Honourable Speaker, our govern ment has suc - cessfully recruited and retained record numbers of health-care professionals and yet, the challenges per- sist. And Manitobans are rightly asking the question why. And the answer to that question rests on that side of the House. Hiring record numbers of doctors does not fix the reality of seven and a half years of record- bad decision making in health care.

The previous gov- ernment fired hundreds of health-care workers, closed some of our largest and most sig nificant emergency rooms, drove people out of our province, cut hundreds of beds from health care. And Honour able Speaker, the only thing members opposite–including the member for Roblin–have to say is: NDP, my goodness, could you please clean up the damage we did faster. And the honest thing here, Hon ourable Speaker, is on this side of the House, we do want to do this work faster. We want to see these improvements more quickly.

We're working as hard as we can and tirelessly with the front lines to fix what was near 'catastrobic' damage– catastrophic damage done to the health-care system by the members opposite. The member for Roblin still has not acknowl - edged in this House that she was advising the former Health minister, Heather Stefanson, to cut health care. And yet, she stands up in this House acting as though she's a champion for health care. She isn't. I was a front -line health -care worker when the PCs starting cutting health care. I felt the effects of their callous and cruel decision making every day as a front-line nurse.

I saw it as my co -workers started to disappear because their jobs were being cut. I saw it when the resources we needed for our patients started to evaporate because the system was being cut. And now, members opposite want to stand up and act like they care about health care? Where was that care for health care for seven and a half years?

264 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA December 1, 2025 Members on that side of the House can't even look their colleagues in the face–people who sit with them– who cut services for pregnant women in this province, cut services for women full-stop across this province, treated health care like it was a public service an - nouncement on how to harm people and cut services on the backs of health-care workers. It was deplorable, Honourable Speaker. So, no, forgive me if I will not take any lessons from members on that side of the House. And the member for Roblin (Mrs.

Cook) has some audacity, standing up– actually, sitting down right now –and heckling me, calling me arrogant. What was the level of arrogance that she had when she was saying, you know what, Heather? I think this plan you laid out to cut health care, that's a good plan. What level of arrogance must she have had when she was saying to Heather Stefanson, you know what, Heather? You're right. Firing hundreds of nurses; that makes sense. What level of arrogance must the mem- ber of Roblin and members on that side of the House have had when they, for example, cut birthing services for women and families in the North?

And I'll table that document as well, Honourable Speaker. When they ask the question: Where did we get to where we are in health care today? The answer is simple: the Manitoba PCs, who continue to show an absolute lack of appreciation for the harm they caused to health care. And yet, Honourable Speaker, on this side of the House, we do some thing they couldn't do for seven and a half years, and that is actually commit to health care. When I was the op position critic for health care, I was a critic when there were three different Health ministers. One failed, another one was brought in.

One failed, another one was brought in. One failed, another one was brought in. I was the critic when health care under the PCs meant that women in this province couldn't talk about health care with the Health minister. That is the level of disrespect the previous PC administration brought to health care in this province. * (15:20) The member for Roblin was advising Heather Stefanson when Heather Stefanson, as the Health minister, wouldn't talk about women's health.

Three different Health ministers wouldn't talk about women's health care; they attacked it, they cut it, they dismantled it–just like they did emergency rooms, just like they did bed capacity, just like they did the ser vices that Manitobans in every corner of this province count on. And so, Honourable Speaker, we are going to con- tinue to do the work of, yes, fixing the monumental generational damage that was done by the PCs, and, no, we won't back down from that challenge. Facing that challenge head-on has meant that we have hired over 3,500 net -new health-care workers.

It has meant that we have added over 430 fully staffed new beds to the health-care system. It has meant that we are adding back the emergency rooms that they closed when they were in power and had power and abused that power. But here's the reality: there are so much more work that needs to be done. And the truth is that the worst thing that could possibly happen to health care in Manitoba is, God forbid, another PC administration that would come in and do what they did before , and that is destroy it, cut it, dismantle it, treat health -care workers with disrespect and contempt.

On this side of the House, Hon ourable Speaker, we have folks coming to Manitoba from outside of our province. We have folks coming from the United States. I'm going to table the documents of what hap- pened under the PCs. Why do we have challenges in health care? Maybe that's because they were driving doctors out of the province. Maybe that's because they spent millions of dollars for a firm–a private firm–to hire what they said would be 150 doctors. Honourable Speaker, they hired two, and that was under us. Don't worry; we've added 283 net-new doctors to that list under our initiatives in government.

The member for Roblin talks about safety and security. The PCs didn't listen to health-care workers. They didn't give not one lick about safety and security when they were in government. They passed a bill–we passed a bill in this House so that in stitutional safety officers would be on the front lines of our health-care system. What did the member for Roblin do while she was advising Heather Stefanson? She might've been the one to tell Heather Stefanson: Don't bother hiring institutional safety officers. Don't listen to those nurses. Don't listen to those doctors. Don't bother doing any- thing about that.

Again, Honourable Speaker, we recognize safety and security left unaddressed for seven and a half years

December 1, 2025 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 265 is a lot of work to do. But what have we been able to do? We've been able to add 130 institutional safety officers to the front lines across the province, with more on the way. We have two police officers stationed 24- 7 at HSC right now, and I'll table the documents for the member opposite. We are taking real action, where they washed their hands of health care for seven and a half years and worked as hard as they could to privatize.

Honourable Speaker, we take very seriously that health care is Manitobans' No. 1 priority, and we take very, very seriously the role and responsibility of pro- tecting health care. Members on that side of the House have a terrible record on health care. They have zero credibility on health care. Nobody in Manitoba trusts them with health care. On this side of the House, Hon ourable Speaker, health care will continue to be our No. 1 priority. We've got health-care workers who sit in our caucus, myself included.

And we're going to continue to invest in not only fixing the monumental damage done by members opposite–and members on that side of the House who have still not said two words that Manitobans need to hear, and that is: I'm sorry; I'm sorry for my role in trying to decimate health care in Manitoba. We're going to continue doing that work for Manitobans. And, no, we won't take any lessons from a member who advised Heather Stefanson to cut health care, or any member on that side of the House who cut it, closed and attacked health care for seven and a half shameful years. Their record is disgusting.

Their actions continue to be. We'll take no lessons from the PC caucus. The Speaker: Order, please. I thank the honour able members for their advice to the Chair on the motion proposed by the honourable member for Roblin (Mrs. Cook). For a matter of urgent public importance, the 90-minute notice required prior to the start of routine proceedings by subrule 39(1) was provided and I thank the member for that. Under our rules and practices, the subject matter referenced in the member's motion must be so pressing that the public interest will suffer if it is not given immediate attention. [interjection] Order.

Crucially, there must also be no other reasonable opportunities to raise the matter. I have listened very carefully to the arguments put forward. Although the challenges facing the Manitoba health-care system are indeed very serious and worthy of consid eration and discussion, my duty in this moment is to determine if there is other opportunities for debate on such matters. With that in mind, I must note that members have the opportunity to make statements on the topic during members' statements or when rising on a grievance. Members can also ask questions on this topic during oral questions.

Further, those opportunities and others will continue to be available every sitting day in this House. Accordingly, I do not believe the motion meets the criteria as a member of urgent public importance, as there are other opportunities to debate the matter. With the greatest of respect, I must rule that the motion is out of order as a matter of urgent public importance. Thank you. * * * The Speaker: Grievances? The honour able Govern ment House Leader (MLA Fontaine), on House business? Grievances? Seeing no grievances. ORDERS OF THE DAY GOVERNMENT BUSINESS Hon.

Nahanni Fontaine (Government House Leader): Honourable Speaker, can you please call second reading of Bill 2, The Non-Consensual Distribution of Intimate Images Amend ment Act; followed by the start of second reading of Bill 3, The Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation Amendment Act. The Speaker: It has been announced that we will now resume debate on Bill 2, The Non-Consensual Distri- bution of Intimate Images Amendment Act; followed by the beginning of debate on Bill 3, The Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation Amendment Act.

DEBATE ON SECOND READINGS Bill 2–The Non-Consensual Distribution of Intimate Images Amendment Act The Speaker: So now, at this time, we will resume debate on Bill 2, the non- consensual distribution of intimate images act, and it stands in the hon ourable– in the name of the honour able member for Roblin, who has 26 minutes remaining.

266 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA December 1, 2025 Mrs. Kathleen Cook (Roblin): I'm pleased to con - tinue speaking to this important legislation today. And as we know, this is a bill that aims to expand the ability to respond to the non- consensual distribu- tion of intimate images, including deepfakes and digitally altered content. It's an area where technology has moved quickly and laws must catch up and keep pace. So the bill before us is an oppor tunity to close some of these gaps, strengthen protections and, impor- tantly, to ensure that the justice system has the tools it needs to respond effectively.

I said this during the brief time that I had to speak to this bill late last week, but it bears repeating that we on this side of the House, and I am sure all members of this House, stand with victims who have had their intimate images, or deepfakes of them, shared, distributed or posted online without their consent. And, unfor - tunately, this is an issue that's impacted far too many Manitobans.

It's an issue that's personal for so many because it's not a one -time incident; it's a prolonged intrusion and a prolonged violation of one's privacy. * (15:30) When an image becomes public or even when some- one threatens to publish it, one loses a measure of control over their privacy, dignity and their safety. This can have long- standing impacts. Some people suffer anxiety, depression, panic attacks. Young people, in particular, struggle with how to respond to terrible incidents of this nature and often feel overwhelmed by shame and the social fallout.

Adults might see their professional reputations damaged and families exper- ience fear and stress as they try to support their loved one through what can be a very traumatic experience. Mr. Tyler Blashko, Deputy Speaker, in the Chair Historically, many victims have not come for - ward at all. They fear embar rassment, disbelief or retaliation. They might worry that the justice system can't help them. Some don't know or fully understand what their rights are. And others believe that even if they report the harm, the image will still circulate.

So if we want to reduce victimization, we must make reporting worthwhile. That means provi ding accessible remedies, meaningful en forcement and ensuring that the courts can act quickly. It means assuring victims that their experience is valid and the legal system will take it seriously. And this bill incorporates some of those per - spectives. It creates a statutory cause of action for threatening to distribute intimate images, and that's important. That gives people a faster, more direct route to seek relief, even when the harm is psychological and not just financial.

It also signals–and this is true–that threats alone, even without dis tribution, are harmful enough to warrant legal consequences. This legislation affirms that we believe in strong penalties and con sequences for those who distribute intimate images without consent, who threaten to do so or who profit from exploiting others in this way. And let's be clear: these behaviours are not misunder- standings; they are deliberate acts. They exploit vul - nerability, aim to intimidate or seek to gain power or financial benefit at another person's expense. They deserve to be treated as serious wrongs.

And it is appropriate for the law to impose consequences–civil, criminal, or both–that reflect the severity of the harm. In some cases, penalties serve to punish; in others, they function as deterrents. And in all cases, they communicate society's judgment that exploiting someone's intimate image is not a trivial offence but a violation of autonomy. One of the elements of this bill is the esta blish- ment of a tort for threatening to distribute an intimate image. The threat alone is often enough to exert control over a victim.

Many people comply with demands–demands for money, demands for more images, demands for silence–because they fear what might happen if the image becomes public. It's called sextortion. It's an increasingly common dynamic, and it's particularly troubling when it occurs among youth. Creating a tort for threats gives victims a legal tool to respond before the situation escalates. It establishes a societal norm that coercion based on intimate content is unacceptable, and it creates consequences for harm- ful behaviour that stops short of distribution but is still incredibly damaging.

And very im portantly, it deters wrongdoing. Bad actors need to see that the justice system can and will intervene early, not only after irreparable harm has occurred. S o that measure will fill a current gap in our system. Passing laws is one step and giving courts the necessary tools to enforce them is another. Courts need effective mechanisms to enforce publication bans and ensure Internet providers co-operate in removing harmful images. Right now, takedown efforts can be slow, inconsistent or ignored entirely. Many images reside on servers outside of Canada. Some platforms

December 1, 2025 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 267 do not respond to legal orders. Others respond only selectively. If we expect victims to come forward, we must also provide them with a system that can actually reduce harm in the real world. Courts need clear authority to order removal of content, clarity on the obligations of platforms and tools to enforce com - pliance when companies refuse to act. These measures will not solve everything, because global jurisdictional challenges remain. But they can improve the practical reality for victims here in Manitoba. This leads to another central point.

Internet pro- viders must remove harmful intimate images when directed by a court. Without that requirement, the law is weakened. Victims may win in court, but the harm continues online. If we are serious about victim pro- tection, co-operation from platforms is non-negotiable. This bill should move us closer to a system where Internet providers, whether social media platforms, storage services or hosting companies, cannot simply ignore court orders. That expectation should be clear, enforceable and backed by consequences. We should recognize too that co-operation is not always technologically simple.

Some providers need better mechanisms, others operate across multiple jurisdictions, but none of these complexities are a reason to avoid creating obligations. If anything, they show why the law must be explicit. I think it's impor tant when we debate this legis - lation to acknowledge the rapid shift in digital techno- logy and the impact it has in this space. Artificial intelligence, deepfakes and sophisticated image editing tools have made it easier than ever to create incredibly damaging, ex ploitative content without the victim's involvement.

We are no longer dealing with cases where some- one mishandles a consensual photo. Increasingly, a person's face can be placed convincingly onto another individual's body. Explicit images can be entirely fabricated. Once created, these deepfakes can be circulated, sold or used for blackmail. Victims can be targeted even if they have never taken an intimate image in their life. This technology magnifies the harm and it com - plicates enforcement. It speaks to the need for regula- tions that confront AI-driven harms directly.

Protecting youth and vul nerable Manitobans from deepfake exploitation is no longer optional. And the legis lation we are debating today does not appear out of thin air. It builds on steps Manitoba has already taken. In 2022, initial legis lation was introduced, and that received royal assent in 2023. That earlier bill laid groundwork; it clarified defini - tions, created certain remedies and acknowledged the need for legal reform in this area. And this new legis lation is the next logical step. It strengthens pro tections, it expands

definitions, it introduces new legal tools and it responds to develop- ments that have occurred even in the last couple of years, especially around AI. Technology changes too quickly for a one-time legislative fix. Governments of all political stripes will have to keep updating this legislation to keep up. I think it's also impor tant we recog nize and acknowledge the work of those who have advised on this legislation. The Canadian Centre for Child Pro- tection, headquartered here in Manitoba, consulted with government and provided guidance on many of the measures included in this act.

This organi zation has decades of experience dealing with online exploit- ation, image -based abuse and child protec tion. It understands how images circulate, how victims exper- ience harm, how predators operate and what tools are effective in getting images removed. So their support for this legislation is very impor- tant. It ensures that the measures reflect the reality faced by victims and not just the theory of legal frameworks.

When those with front -line ex perience endorse stronger enforcement powers, broader defini- tions and clearer civil remedies, we should take that seriously. * (15:40) Manitoba is not alone in needing to address this issue. Other jurisdictions have taken different approaches and their ex perience is instructive. Australia uses a dual model of criminal law and practical support. New Zealand includes direct mediation and take - down processes. British Columbia recently modern- ized its civil remedies, particularly around deepfakes.

What all these juris dictions share is an under - standing that a single legal tool is not enough. A criminal charge may bring justice, but it does not always remove content. A civil remedy may remove content, but it does not always deter offenders. Support services may help victims heal, but they cannot enforce compliance.

268 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA December 1, 2025 A layered approach is necessary. Manitoba is moving toward that model, which is encouraging, but ongoing reform will likely be needed. This legis lation alone won't solve all of these problems. It must be paired with education and effective communication. If Manitobans don't know their rights, they can't exercise them. If young people don't understand consent in a digital environment, legislation alone won't protect them. And I know that's something that I as a parent am challenged to com - municate with my children about every day.

It's an ongoing conversation. It's challenging, I think, for many parents to stay on top of the digital reality that our children are growing up in and to communicate to them what their rights are, what their respon sibilities are, how to consume content in a ethical and responsible way and where to go if something is happening that they know is wrong. If platforms don't fear con sequences, they won't co-operate. Education in schools, in workplaces and online must accompany legal reform.

This will also require public com munication about this new tort, about take-down orders and, im portantly, about sup- ports available to victims. Laws that sit quietly on the books don't achieve their full purpose, and communi- cation and education around this law in particular is going to be very important. When intimate images are shared without consent, the harm goes far beyond embarrassment. People can experience serious psychological con sequences: anxiety, loss of self -confidence, distrust of relation- ships, depression. These are not abstract concerns.

They are common patterns reported by victims of image-based abuse across countries and age groups. But the harm isn't limited to the emotional sphere. There are concrete social and material consequences. Victims have lost jobs, scholarship opportunities and professional standing. Young people have seen edu- cational prospects disrupted. And once an image circulates broadly online, it can be replicated indefinitely. That sense of permanence, the idea that something deeply personal may be beyond your control forever, is itself a signi ficant part of the harm. The digital environment aggravates this damage.

An image can be shared, copied, altered and redistributed by people who were never part of its creation. Removing it is difficult and sometimes impossible. Even when content is suc cessfully taken down, victims often describe living with the fear that copies remain somewhere online waiting to resurface. And this bill attempts to catch up to a world where images are not only captured and shared but also created. The rise of AI -generated intimate images, also known as deepfakes, has introduced a new and very troubling dimension to this problem. That matters.

The psychological and social impact of a fabricated image can be nearly indistinguishable from that of a real one because the reputational damage and loss of dignity feel the same. Existing laws don't clearly cover that category. This bill's expansion of the definition of intimate image acknowledges this gap. But we should be careful not to pretend that solving this is simple. Detecting deepfakes is already difficult. As the tech nology improves, distinguishing real from fake will get harder.

Legis lation can define the wrong, but enforce ment will require ongoing investment in technical expertise, digital literacy and co-operation with industry. Under-reporting is a major barrier, as many victims don't report image-based abuse at all. The reasons are predictable: shame, fear of not being believed, worry about retaliation and a perception that the legal system is slow or ineffective in addressing these cases. The civil remedies in this bill, especially the ability to seek action without proving financial loss, will help address a real barrier.

For many victims, the harm is largely psychological or reputational. Requiring them to demon strate monetary damage would effectively bar them from any remedy. Earlier, I mentioned Australia, where states and territories adopted national principles in 2017. They criminalized non-consensual image sharing, but also recognized that criminal law alone doesn't help most victims. They paired punitive measures with practical supports, assistance with reporting, navigating take - downs and accessing mental health services.

In New Zealand, the harmful digital com muni- cations act created a system that goes beyond criminal charges. It includes com munication principles, an agency dedi cated to resolving complaints and a process for quick takedown orders. It explicitly frames non-consensual image sharing as a form of harmful online conduct, not merely a privacy issue. In British Columbia, recent reforms broadened civil and en forcement options. They addressed the same tech nological gaps we are confronting today, including deepfakes and dif ficulty proving financial losses. Early evidence suggests victims are more willing

December 1, 2025 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 269 to come forward when they know civil remedies are accessible and takedown procedures are available. If there is a common theme across these jurisdic- tions, it is this: a mix of criminal law, civil remedies and practical assistance is more effective than relying on any one of them alone. This bill appears to follow that multi- layered model.

Expanding the definition of intimate images, creating a civil cause of action without a financial proof requirement and enabling more direct interven- tions like takedown assistance are all constructive steps, but we should consider a few challenges. First, enforcement will require resources. Passing a law is the relatively easy part; imple menting it is harder. Agencies and organi zations responsible for assisting victims need stable funding, training and technical capacity, otherwise, the promise of support becomes more symbolic than real. Second, Manitobans will need clear communication.

Many Manitobans won't know this recourse exists unless gov ernment and com munity organizations actively educate the public. A law that people don't know about is an ineffective law. Third, platform co-operation remains a major gap. Many of the websites where intimate images circulate are outside of Manitoba's juris diction or operate anonymously. Even when takedown orders are issued, there is no guarantee of compliance but that's not a reason to avoid legislating.

We also need to recog nize that non- consensual sharing of intimate images doesn't occur in a vacuum; it reflects broader societal attitudes about relation - ships, privacy and control. This behaviour stems from an abuse of trust, an erroneous belief that once someone has shared an intimate moment, they have surrendered their right to privacy. Nothing could be further from the truth. And legislation like this is in part about correcting that idea. Consent to create an image is not consent to distribute it. Consent, once given, is not consent forever.

And consent cannot be implied for an image that was never real in the first place. * (15:50) Passing this bill won't fully eliminate this problem. No jurisdiction has solved it fully. But it should improve our ability to respond, to support victims and to hold people accountable when they distribute intimate images without consent. It will require better edu cation in schools about digital consent, privacy and respectful relationships. It will require continued engagement with platforms and federal authorities on content regula tion.

It will require support in the form of mental health profes- sionals to assist victims. This law will require con - tinued updates if technological developments continue to create new vulnerabilities. This legis lation is about ensuring that when someone's privacy, dignity or autonomy is violated, they have a clear path to regain control. It brings Manitoba in line with what other juris dictions are already doing and addresses gaps in the current frame- work, and it confronts the reality that technolo gy has changed the nature of harm in ways we cannot ignore.

The problem is serious, but the solutions will need continual refinement. We can't pretend that this bill will solve everything. This bill should serve to ensure that Manitobans who

Document details

Collection	Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	43-3-9
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	43rd 3rd hansardpdf 9.pdf
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	707e0c724f262deb91ce0ad95b09159da1693332

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