Manitoba Hansard — 7 June 2007 (Sitting 2, 39th Legislature, 1st Session)

39-1-2

Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)

First Session - Thirty-Ninth Legislature of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba DEBATES and PROCEEDINGS Official Report (Hansard) Published under the authority of The Honourable George Hickes Speaker Vol. LIX No. 2 – 1:30 p.m., Thursday, June 7, 2007

MANITOBA LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Thirty-Ninth Legislature Member Constituency Political Affiliation ALLAN, Nancy, Hon. St. Vital N.D.P. ALTEMEYER, Rob Wolseley N.D.P. ASHTON, Steve, Hon. Thompson N.D.P. BJORNSON, Peter, Hon. Gimli N.D.P. BLADY, Sharon Kirkfield Park N.D.P. BRAUN, Erna Rossmere N.D.P. BRICK, Marilyn St. Norbert N.D.P. BRIESE, Stu Ste. Rose P.C. CALDWELL, Drew Brandon East N.D.P. CHOMIAK, Dave, Hon. Kildonan N.D.P. CULLEN, Cliff Turtle Mountain P.C. DERKACH, Leonard Russell P.C. DEWAR, Gregory Selkirk N.D.P. DOER, Gary, Hon. Concordia N.D.P. DRIEDGER, Myrna Charleswood P.C. DYCK, Peter Pembina P.C.

EICHLER, Ralph Lakeside P.C. FAURSCHOU, David Portage la Prairie P.C. GERRARD, Jon, Hon. River Heights Lib. GOERTZEN, Kelvin Steinbach P.C. GRAYDON, Cliff Emerson P.C. HAWRANIK, Gerald Lac du Bonnet P.C. HICKES, George, Hon. Point Douglas N.D.P. HOWARD, Jennifer Fort Rouge N.D.P. IRVIN-ROSS, Kerri, Hon. Fort Garry N.D.P. JENNISSEN, Gerard Flin Flon N.D.P. JHA, Bidhu Radisson N.D.P. KORZENIOWSKI, Bonnie St. James N.D.P. LAMOUREUX, Kevin Inkster Lib. LATHLIN, Oscar, Hon. The Pas N.D.P. LEMIEUX, Ron, Hon. La Verendrye N.D.P. MACKINTOSH, Gord, Hon. St. Johns N.D.P. MAGUIRE, Larry Arthur-Virden P.C.

MALOWAY, Jim Elmwood N.D.P. MARCELINO, Flor Wellington N.D.P. MARTINDALE, Doug Burrows N.D.P. McFADYEN, Hugh Fort Whyte P.C. McGIFFORD, Diane, Hon. Lord Roberts N.D.P. MELNICK, Christine, Hon. Riel N.D.P. NEVAKSHONOFF, Tom Interlake N.D.P. OSWALD, Theresa, Hon. Seine River N.D.P. PEDERSEN, Blaine Carman P.C. REID, Daryl Transcona N.D.P. ROBINSON, Eric, Hon. Rupertsland N.D.P. RONDEAU, Jim, Hon. Assiniboia N.D.P. ROWAT, Leanne Minnedosa P.C. SARAN, Mohinder The Maples N.D.P. SCHULER, Ron Springfield P.C. SELBY, Erin Southdale N.D.P. SELINGER, Greg, Hon. St. Boniface N.D.P. STEFANSON, Heather Tuxedo P.C.

STRUTHERS, Stan, Hon. Dauphin-Roblin N.D.P. SWAN, Andrew Minto N.D.P. TAILLIEU, Mavis Morris P.C. WOWCHUK, Rosann, Hon. Swan River N.D.P.

11 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA Thursday, June 7, 2007 The House met at 1:30 p.m. PRAYER ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS PETITIONS Provincial Trunk Highway 2 Mr. Cliff Cullen (Turtle Mountain): Mr. Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. These are the reasons for this petition: As a result of high traffic volumes in the region, there have been numerous accidents and near misses along Provincial Trunk Highway 2 near the village of Glenboro, leading to serious safety concerns for motorists.

The provincial government has refused to construct turning lanes off Provincial Trunk Highway 2 into the village of Glenboro and on to Golf Course Drive, despite the fact that the number of businesses have increased along Provincial Trunk Highway 2 over the recent years. We petition the Manitoba Legislative Assembly as follows: To urge the Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation (Mr. Lemieux), to consider implementing a speed zone on Provincial Trunk Highway 2 adjacent to the village of Glenboro. This petition is signed by Cindy Skanderberg, Loni Gravel, Marion Haslen and many, many others. Mr.

Speaker: In accordance with our rule 132(6), when petitions are read they are deemed to be received by the House. Grace General Hospital ER Mrs. Myrna Driedger (Charleswood): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. These are the reasons for this petition: The provincial government has not ensured that the Grace Hospital emergency room is staffed with a full complement of ER doctors. The ER has been short several doctors for more than two years. Because of this shortage, only one ER doctor is working on many shifts, forcing long patient waits for emergency care.

Residents of the community fear that the Grace Hospital ER will be forced to close if this ER doctor shortage is not fixed immediately. The provincial government has not come forward with a clear, immedi ate plan to address the ER doctor shortage. We petition the Manitoba Legislative Assembly as follows: To request the Minister of Health (Ms. Oswald), to consider developing a clear, immediate plan to address the ER doctor shortage. To request the Minister of Health to consider taking all necessary steps to ensure the Grace Hospital emergency room does not close. Signed by Joan Green, G.

Keating, Terry Young and many, many more. Provincial Trunk Highway 10 Mrs. Leanne Ro wat (Minnedosa): I w i s h t o present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. These are the reasons for this petition: Provincial Trunk Highway 10 separates two schools and residential districts in Forrest, Manitoba, forcing students and residents to cross some very dangerous circumstances. Strategies brought forward to help minimize the danger pose either significant threats to the safety of our children or are not economically feasible.

Provincial Highway 10 se rves as a route for an ever-increasing volume of traffic, including highway trucks, farm vehicles, working commuters, campers and the transport of dangerous goods. Traffic levels are expected to escalate further due to projected industrial expansions. We petition the Manitoba Legislative Assembly as follows: To urge the Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation (Mr. Lemieux) to act in this situation

12 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA June 7, 2007 by considering the construction of a four-lane highway that will bypass around the village of Forrest. This petition signed by Evelyn Lewandoski, Sherry Fehr, Keri-Lyn Rothnie and many, many others. Headingley Foods Mrs. Mavis Taillieu (Morris): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. These are the reasons for this petition: The owners of Headingley Foods, a small business based in Headingley, would like to sell alcohol at their store.

The distance from their location to the nearest Li quor Mart, via the Trans- Canada Highway, is 9.3 kilometres. The distance to the same Liquor Mart via Roblin Boulevard is 10.8 kilometres. Their application has been rejected because their store needs to be 10 kilometres away from the Liquor Mart. It is 700 metres short of this requirement using one route but 10.8 kilometres using the other. The majority of Headingley's population lives off Roblin Boulevard and uses Roblin Boulevard to get to and from Winnipeg rather than the Trans- Canada Highway.

Additionally, the highway route is often closed or too dangerous to travel in severe weather conditions. The ma jority of Headingley residents therefore travel to the Liquor Mart via Roblin Boulevard, a distance of 10.8 kilometres. Small businesses outside Winnipeg's perimeter are vital to the prosperity of Manitoba's communities and should be supported. It is difficult for small businesses like Headingley Foods to compete with larger stores in Winnipeg, and they require added services to remain viable. Residents should be able to purchase alcohol locally rather than having to drive to the next municipality.

We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the Minister charged with the administration of The Liquor Control Act (Mr. Smith), to consider allowing the owners of Headingley Foods to sell alcohol at their store, thereby supporting small business and the prosperity of rural communities in Manitoba. This is signed by John Auber, Mary MacDonald, Jack Boyda and many, many others. Rapid Transit System Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Mr. Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.

The background to this petition is as follows: For decades, indecision and lack of support by NDP and Conservative governments in Manitoba has meant Winnipeg has been denied a much-needed rapid transit system. While a rapid transit system has particular benefits for students, for seniors and for those on low incomes, all Winnipeggers benefit from building a quicker, more environmentally friendly rapid transit system.

Rapid transit is one of the major components of building a livable and sustainable 21st century city that decreases dependence on importing gas from other provinces and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Rapid transit is a critical component in moving Manitoba towards smart growth policies that focus on quality of life instead of decades of dumb growth under NDP and Conservative provincial governments. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the Premier (Mr. Doer) and his NDP government to consider ensuring that Winnipeg has a rapid transit system as soon as possible.

Signed by Kathryn Woodward, Jinglee Xu, Kate Morrison and many, many others. * (13:40) Crocus Investment Fund Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Inkster): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. The background to this petition is as follows: The government needs to uncover the whole truth as to what ultimately led to over 33,000 Crocus shareholders to lose tens of millions of dollars.

The provincial Auditor's report, the Manitoba Securities Commission investigation, the RCMP investigation and the involvement of our courts, collectively, will not answer the questions that must be answered in regard to the Crocus Fund fiasco.

June 7, 2007 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 13 Manitobans need to know why the government ignored the many warnings that could have saved the Crocus Investment Fund. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the Premier (Mr. Doer) and his NDP government to co-operate in uncovering the truth in why the government did not act on what it knew and consider calling a public inquiry on the Crocus Fund fiasco. That is signed by Cathy Blyth, Robert Blyth, C. Blyth and many, many other fine Manitobans. MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS Nopiming Provincial Park Flood Watch Hon.

Stan Struthers (Min ister of Conservation): Mr. Speaker, I have a statement for the House. As members are aware, a flood watch has been issued for the Nopiming and Whiteshell areas and the Whitemouth River. As well, a flood watch continues for the Shellmouth area south of the Shellmouth Dam to Millwood. Only four weeks ago, Manitoba was experiencing dry conditions and extreme fire hazards. However, last week heavy rainfalls caused rising water levels in the southeast area of the province and as much as 80 millimetres of rain fell in a short time. Small creeks and overland flooding has caused road closures.

Additional precipitation is occurring and is forecasted. The Province continues to actively monitor the situation and work to protect residents and park users. On Monday, June 4, I toured the areas of Nopiming Provincial Park affected by rising water levels and road damage. I saw the great work of staff in the Department of Conservation and Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation. Some flooding is now occurring on Bird Lake as water rises. Some docks, boat houses and low-lying cottages are affected.

Since June 3, Conservation staff have successfully fe rried 191 people from the affected area of Nopiming Park due to a road closure on Highway 315. To further ensure the safety of park users, all campgrounds in the Nopiming Park will be closed over the weekend. A full complement of staff will remain at the park over the weekend. Highway 315 at Booster Creek in Nopiming Park has been re-opened to light traffic only, however, travel is not recommended.

Highway 313 from the junction of Highway 315 to Pointe du Bois has also been re-opened but caution is advised again as there is water over the road in several locations. Caution is also urged to motorists on Highway 314, from the junction of Highway 315 to Black Lake. I wish to commend all the great efforts of provincial staff that are dealing with this situation and remind all Manitobans to exercise caution if they must travel in the park area. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr.

Larry Maguire (Arthur-Virden): I'd like to thank the minister for his ministerial statement in regard to the flooding and the potential flooding in this area where many roads have been washed out. A great inconvenience has been caused to many people in this area. It is quite a contradiction that we did see dry periods earlier this spring. Heavy rainfalls that we've experienced through the month of May have led to a great inconvenience in the whole Shellmouth area as well as across the Nopiming Provincial Park area.

Of course, the issue of the Shellmouth is ongoing as it continues to flood between the Shellmouth Reservoir and Millwood, as well, in that area. The situation of the washed-out roads and the facilities in the Nopiming Park and in other areas are something that we need to make sure that the staff is commended for the work that they've done in that whole area and that the government continues to look at how soon and how quickly they can look at the repairs that will be needed in that area once the water has receded. I think that we need to make sure that the parks are reopened as quickly as we possibly can.

So I think that, from our side of the House, we'd just like to commend the staff for the work that they've done in that whole area and make sure that the support is put in place for the people th at need to deal with the inconveniences that they've been faced with. Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Mr. Speaker, I ask leave to speak to the minister's statement. Mr. Speaker: Does the honourable member have leave? [Agreed] Mr. Gerrard: I'd like to thank the minister for his statement and update on the flooding conditions.

I'd also like to extend, on behalf of our party, concern for those who've been inconvenienced and put in difficult circumstances as a result of the road washouts and the flooding that's occurred. I would like to compliment the individuals who have played a role in trying to help out in the circumstances. I hope that the minister, following this event, will

14 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA June 7, 2007 undertake an investigation or review of the situation to see what can be done if such weather strikes again to ensure that we don't have as much road damage and problems as we've had this time. Introduction of Guests Mr. Speaker: Prior to Oral Questions, I'd like to draw the attention of all honourable members to the public gallery where we have with us today 30 retired teachers. On behalf of all honourable members, I welcome you all here today. ORAL QUESTIONS Manitoba's Economy Government's Plans for Growth Mr.

Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition. [applause] Mr. Hugh McFadyen (Leader of the Official Opposition): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That is a moment I'll certainly take note of for future. I want to say that it is great to be back here. I congratulate you, Mr. Speaker, again on your acclamation as Speaker of the Legislature and thank you for the very good work you've done in leading this Legislature over several years. We look forward to more in the future. It feels like just yesterday that we had our last Question Period. They say time flies when you're having fun.

It is nice to be back here again with our colleagues and back here doing the work of the people of Manitoba in the Legislature. Mr. Speaker, there are some concerning signals that we're seeing recently with regard to Manitoba's economic position, particularly versus other provinces in the country. We have consistently been critical of the government with respect to its spending policies, its reckless spending, its lobby- and-spend approach to its financial management that the approach, instead of building a strong economy here in Manitoba, is to go to Ottawa for more and then spend every nickel and then some.

We now see warning signs, early warnings of economic problems down the road. The most recent and some of the most disconcerting numbers that we see coming from Stats Canada for the first three months of 2007 show a net loss of payroll jobs here in Manitoba. It shows that Manitoba finished seventh in the country in the first quarter of this year when it came to payroll employment.

We all know that Alberta, sitting on its vast reserves of oil and gas, is a difficult province to compete with but it's disappointing when we see ourselves falling behind Ontario, British Columbia, P.E.I., Saskatchewan, New Brunswick and other provinces that we have historically outpaced when it comes to the growth of our economy. So my question is to the Premier.

Recognizing that large sums of public expenditure can create a temporary sense of well-be ing, but as the Premier looks down the road, is he going to heed the warning signs that we see right now, or is he going to do what he did with Crocus and ignore the red flags and lead Manitoba down the wrong path when it comes to our economy? * (13:50) Hon. Gary Doer (Premier): Mr. Speaker, I, too, would like to extend my congratulations to you on your re-election. I would like to say to the member opposite we wish him many more years of happiness in the role he is now providing to the people of Manitoba.

I would point out that Manitoba's GDP was at 3.3 percent last year, far above the examples cited by the member opposite. It's projected to be at 3.6 percent, the second best in western Canada and third best in Canada again. Mr. Speaker, I noticed the member opposite, I guess in a form of flattery with imitation, is now using the term "reckless" after, of course, we labelled his three triple-digit tax reductions as reckless. I'm glad to see he's picked up that word. But I would ask him about his reckless promises during the election campaign, his reckless spending promises.

How much money is it going to cost to build the lake in Point Douglas? How much money is it going to cost to build the beach in Point Douglas? How much money is it going to cost to build the boardwalk in Point Douglas? How many hundreds of homes is he going to bulldoze in Point Douglas? Could he please cost that for the people of Manitoba so we will know whether he was reckless again or he had accurate numbers when he made that commitment? Mr. McFadyen: Mr. Speaker, with those debating skills, I am at a loss as to why he refused a live debate in the election campaign.

He goes five weeks ducking debates and now that he's got the election under the belt he is full of fire and brimstone. We're glad to see him back. He's not ducking debate today, and I would just say I am pleased to hear that the

June 7, 2007 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 15 first time we've ever heard him raise any concern about the constituency of Point Douglas in all of the years that members opposite have been here, it is nice to hear that concern. Mr. Speaker, it is certainly not my intent to spend 11 years as Leader of the Opposition, as the Member for Concordia (Mr. Doer) did, and I do want to congratulate him. After going 0 for 3, he has clawed his way back to batting five hundred, and I do congratulate him for that in the recent election outcome. Almost 4,000 votes in Concordia, and I can certainly see why he's gloating.

I just want to say, because we have a serious issue facing our province with respect to our economic future. We saw the numbers come out for the first quarter. We saw 100 jobs lost on the Manitoba payroll at the same time as the province of Saskatchewan, next door, created 4,000 new payroll jobs over the same period, Mr. Speaker. So I want to ask the Premier if he is going to seriously address the issue, the meaningful tax reductions that gets Manitoba out of the basement and somewhere closer to the middle of the pack, as we proposed in the election campaign, or is he going to carry on with what Dr.

McCallum has described as a remarkably sad record of job creation? Mr. Doer: Mr. Speaker, I would point out that the Mount Carmel Clinic is in Point Douglas. The member opposite might not know that. We've announced a major expansion of that clinic. I would point out Red River College is in the constituency of Point Douglas. He might find a new campus worth some $38 million with programs targeted to the residents all across Manitoba, including in Point Douglas. He will note that the child poverty clawback that he initiated as chief of staff has been reinstated for children and poor families.

He might note that there are a number of Lighthouse programs, including the Indian and Métis Friendship Centre which they closed down when they were in office that we've rebuilt. He might note that many of those students now have an opportunity of post-secondary education. Many are going to U of W, Red River College, University of Ma nitoba, a point that was noted by the Governor General, who probably spent more time in the Point Douglas riding than the member opposite. Can he please tell us how much money is the beach in Point Douglas? How much money is the lake? How much money is the boardwalk?

How many homes is he going to demolish? Is he moving them all to Fort Whyte, Mr. Speaker? Has he talked to the people of Fort Whyte? How can he make such an arrogant promise to those people? Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Mr. Speaker: Order. We will have a little decorum here. Mr. McFadyen: Mr. Speaker, I see his 11 years as opposition leader are paying off well today as he fires questions back across the floor. Just a few more years his experience as Premier, he may actually start acting like a Premier and responding to questions instead of posing them.

And so, as he is the Premier of Manitoba, we would ask for a response to some important questions. On the issue of arrogance, Mr. Speaker, only this Premier would brag about the fact that Winnipeg is second only to Vancouver on the issue of child poverty. He gets up and touts his record. He's got a shameful record in that area. One only need ask people like Sid Frankel and others, who are former supporters of his party, who have indicated their disdain for their r ecord on these important issues.

Now, on the issue of growing Manitoba's economy so that we have the resources to invest in important areas like health care and social services, we've seen other numbers come out, Mr. Speaker, which show on average weekly earnings, which is a measurement of the relative well-being of Manitobans, that Manitoba has finished in eighth place in the recent numbers on average weekly earnings, finishing ahead of only Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. We fall behind New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Saskatchewan, Québec, B.C., Ontario and Alberta.

Will the Premier concede today that his lobby- and-spend policies, which have created a temporary sense of well-being, are leading Manitoba down the wrong path economically? Mr. Doer: Mr. Speaker, we all agree on this side of the House that we have more work to do on child poverty. It's gone from 19 percent under the Conservatives down to 12 percent. We have more work. We were pleased to eliminate the capricious clawback on children th at was introduced by members opposite. We were pleased to reinstate the nutrition money that they took away from babies in the 1990s.

16 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA June 7, 2007 I would point out that Stats Canada just came out with numbers for 2005. After-tax income from an average family of four was, I believe, fourth best in Canada. Again, that is a comprehensive number. The member opposite talks about spending again. Will he please tell the people of Manitoba how much reckless money is he going to put in to the lake in Point Douglas, the boardwalk, the beach, and how many homes was he going to demolish? The people of Point Douglas want to know. Job Creation Government's Record Mr. Gerald Hawranik (Lac du Bonnet): Mr.

Speaker, according to Statistics Canada, Manitoba is dead last in terms of job growth from April 2006 to April 2007. Only 5,100 full and part-time jobs were created during that period of time, while Saskatchewan created 14,300 jobs, Alberta 103,000 jobs and British Columbia well over 50,000 jobs. So I ask the Minister of Finance: With such pathetic job numbers in Manitoba, when will he get on with the job of creatin g an economy, creating those long-term, meaningful, full-time jobs that our young people can stay here in Manitoba? Hon.

Greg Selinger (Minister of Finance): First of all, I'd like to welcome back the Member for Lac du Bonnet and congratulate him on being re-elected and put the record straight. There's been 49,000 jobs created in Manitoba since 1999. Mr. Speaker, 50 percent of those jobs have been created in the private sector; 70 percent of those jobs have been full-time jobs. Manitoba retains one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country. Manitoba retains one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country for young people. As a matter of fact, Mr. Speaker, jobs have grown very significantly in the last year.

There has been a participation in the labour force of over 9,000 more people entering the labour force, and more than 5,100 jobs have been created since the last 12 months in this province. * (14:00) Mr. Hawranik: Mr. Speaker, more than 10,000 students graduate from our colleges and universities every year, and, yet, from April 2006 to April 2007, only 1,000 of those jobs were full-time jobs in Manitoba. Manitoba is only creating one full-time job for every 10 graduates from college and university. What will our graduates do? Mr. Speaker, they have no choice.

They're going to have to follow the 35,000 other Manitobans who left Manitoba in search of full-time jobs elsewhere. They won't stay in Manit oba because there aren't enough full-time jobs. So I ask the Minister of Finance: Why does he refuse to create an economy capable of creating full- time meaningful jobs in Manitoba to keep our young people here in Manitoba? Mr.

Selinger: I actually appreciate the member raising issues about young people staying in Manitoba because we have seen more young people staying in Manitoba, and the member, in his own way, has actually complimented us on our post- secondary education policy. It is true, there are more people graduating from post-secondary institutions, colleges and universities than ever there has been in the history of the province. We're very proud of the record on post- secondary education in this province. We're very happy.

More than 90 percent of the people, for example, graduating from Red River College stay and work in Manitoba. Over 90 percent of our Red River College graduates stay and work in Manitoba. The member opposite knows that. He should acknowledge it. Mr. Hawranik: Mr. Speaker, the Finance Minister shouldn't be proud of those job numbers. He should be embarrassed at those job numbers. From April 2006 till April 2007, Stats Canada reports that Manitoba had job growth of less than 1 percent, the lowest job growth increase in Canada and well below the Canadian average of 2.3 percent.

Our graduates are looking for full-time jobs. Manitoba created only 1,000 full-time jobs over the last year; 1,000 jobs for more than 10,000 graduates. So I ask the Minister of Finance: Will he offer his apology to the 9,000 graduates who will be forced out of Manitoba to find a long-term full-time job? Will he apologize? I ask this minister. Mr. Selinger: The member opposite has fully misrepresented the facts in the province. The unemployment rate for young people, Mr. Speaker, remains among the lowest in the country. The number of people graduating from post-secondary institutions is at record level.

As a matter of fact, any young person staying and working in Manitoba now with the tuition rebate program we put in place in the

June 7, 2007 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 17 last budget will have the lowest effective tax rate of any young person in the country. Young people will have the lowest tax rates in the country. They will have access to growing jobs in the biotechnology sector, access to growing jobs in the professional sector, access to growing jobs in the energy sector, access to growing jobs in the manufacturing sector. Young people know that Manitoba– Mr. Speaker: Order. Crime Rates City of Winnipeg Mrs. Heather Stefanson (Tuxedo): Mr.

Speaker, the facts tell us that Winnipeg ranks No. 1 in auto thefts, No. 1 in robberies, No. 1 in murders with guns, so it should be no surprise that a recent Canada West Foundation survey reported that more than 78 percent of Winnipeggers say there are areas of our city that they are afraid to set foot in. Clearly these people are not feeling much in the way of Spirited Energy. I would like to ask the Minister of Competitiveness how he intends to address this problem. Does he plan to fix the problem by introducing yet another phase to the Spirited Energy campaign? Hon.

Greg Selinger (Minister of Finance): When it comes to neighbourhood safety, we have practical ideas. First of all, this government has put a record number of police officers on the street. Secondly, Mr. Speaker, we know that, when it comes to having neighbourhood safety, there has to be opportunities for young people. There are record opportunities in education, record opportunities in the labour market, record opportunities in terms of recreation, in terms of the Lighthouse programs.

Our training initiatives are providing unique opportunities for young people to go back to school in adult learning centres which were a runaway mess under the members opposite. They have now been settled down. They are now focussing on literacy, grade 12 completion and opportunities for young people to enter the labour market. Young people that are working and productive are young people that are not getting in trouble. Mrs. Stefanson: Mr. Speaker, there are a record number of Winnipeggers who are terrified to go into certain areas in our city.

Crime is a very serious issue in our city, yet this government's only solution to this problem is to come up with some lousy new Spirited Energy slogan, throw up a few technicolour banners and hope that the issue will go away. Well, it doesn't work that way. What is this minister's plan to address the city's image problem? Is it to continue to waste taxpayer dollars in yet more phases of the Spirited Energy campaign? Mr. Selinger: We have a number of plans in place to make sure that we continue to grow Manitoba as one of the best places to live and work.

Our investment in culture on a per capita basis is the second best in the county. We invest in young people who are entertainers, young people who are artists. We invest in arts and culture to have a vibrant quality of life. When I talk to young people they say that if you're an artist, Winnipeg and Manitoba is one of the best places to be because you actually get support, you actually get recognition and you actually have opportunities to grow as an artist in this community, unlike many other places in this country. Mrs. Stefanson: Mr.

Speaker, according to the Canada West Foundation survey, not only do 78 percent of Winnipeggers say they are afraid to set foot in certain areas of this city, but it also says that less than 10 percent of Winnipeggers feel good about their downtown. We know this government has already wasted $2.4 million in two phases of the Spirited Energy campai gn and recently has announced two more phases of the campaign but yet has refused to put a dollar figure to that. So, Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Competitiveness.

How many phases of this bogus campaign does this government believe it takes to address this problem? I'll answer the question for them. It's zero. When will this government realize that putting fancy banners over graffiti doesn't fix our image problems. What we need is real action on crime, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Selinger: Mr. Speaker, any campaign to purport a community has to be based on a substantive change in the quality of life. The member opposite seems to have a problem with issu es around the Spirited Energy campaign.

The Governor General of Canada came to Winnipeg this week, visited young people in the inner city, saw great signs of hope there, and many of those great signs of hope are based on initiatives that we have supported in the last seven years.

18 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA June 7, 2007 We want the downtown to be a place that is thriving in terms of culture. The MTS Centre is up and running. The members opposite voted against it. The new Hydro building will bring 2,000 people to the downtown. We have provided record funding to the City. We've restored 50 percent funding to the Winnipeg Transit system that members opposite cut. We have more people using transit now than we've ever seen in the history of the city of Winnipeg. The downtown will now follow up on more– Mr. Speaker: Order. Crime Rates Auto Theft Mr. Kelvin Goertzen (Steinbach): Mr.

Speaker, once again, under the NDP government, Winnipeg is on track for a record number of auto theft victims. In fact, crime stats today confirm that the city of Winnipeg is on pace for more than 14,000 stolen and attempted stolen vehicles. During the recent election, the Premier (Mr. Doer) announced that he would be leading a citizens' coalition–some might call it a delegation of deflection–to go to Ottawa to try to blame others for what's clearly the NDP's failure.

Can the Minister of Justice indicate whether or not this delegation of deflection will also be making stops in Saskatchewan and British Columbia, two jurisdictions which have had success in getting down their auto theft rate, not by blaming others and victims but by taking their own responsibility? Hon. Dave Chomiak (Minister of Justice and Attorney General): Yes, Mr. Speaker, I am very happy to report that we've taken the Regina auto theft program and implemented it in Manitoba. We were looking for reductions in auto theft and year over year, as of this month, a 25 percent reduction in auto theft in Manitoba.

Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Mr. Speaker: Order. Mr. Chomiak: Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Once or twice during the campaign, I think the opposition mentioned crime in their ads, like 100 percent of the time, and I noted when I was at the conference of Justice ministers last week in Ottawa, where we talked about the highest murder rate in Edmonton or the incredible auto theft rate in B.C. because of shipping stolen auto parts into container ships or Nova Scotia that adopted Manitoba's Safer Communities project, we talked about working collectively– Mr. Speaker: Order. Mr.

Goertzen: I'm glad that the minister recognized that the Safer Communities program brought under the former Conservative government is an essential program. But after the Minister of Justice returned in March from Ottawa, he came back and he said: Mission accomplished. Then, only weeks later, he came and said: Well, no, we need a delegation to go back to Ottawa even though we accomplished our mission on the last trip.

Strangely, on almost the same day that the minister was announcing the delegation of deflection going to Ottawa, British Columbia, which he referenced, put out a news release entitled: B.C. auto theft rates drop for the third consecutive year. Will the minister now admit that he has failed where other jurisdictions like British Columbia and Saskatchewan have had success? Take your delegation of deflection and go see what they're doing right. * (14:10) Mr. Chomiak: Mr. Speaker, what I think the population wants from the government of Manitoba is us to act.

When I was talking with the federal minister, Rob Nicholson, on Friday when I was in Ottawa, and thanking him for supporting our initiative to make auto theft an indictable offence under the Criminal Code, and we had that discussion, I thanked him for our support in that regard. We also talked and Minister Stockwell Day talked about some of the efforts that Manitoba and the other provinces had done and we are sharing in dealing with crime which is under the Criminal Code. I know the member would love to have Criminal Code activities under the provincial jurisdiction and constitutionally they're not.

We have to go to Ottawa, and I'm thankful that Ottawa will work with us to change aspects of the Criminal Code to make it tougher and at the same time to work on prevention. Mr. Goertzen: The Minister of Justice, in his answer, references the Criminal Code in sentencing. In the same news release that I had discussed, the May 1, 2007 British Columbia news release said that the reason they have had a significant decrease in auto theft was, and I quote, improved court sentencing. They've taken action to get improved court sentencing in British Columbia, also under the

June 7, 2007 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 19 Criminal Code, just like Manitoba is. B.C. has taken initiatives, got improved court sentencing and yet, this Minister of Justice wants to go back to Ottawa to try to deflect delaying. I ask him, well, instead of going east to try to go on a mission of deflection, will he go west to try to get direction from jurisdictions that are having success where he has failed, Mr. Speaker? Mr. Chomiak: I don't know if the member knew that the Manitoba court system, together with the Premier (Mr.

Doer) and the former Minister of Justice, received an international award for expediting court processes. It's called the Front End Project in New York by the United Nations. Mr. Speaker, what I don't know is do members opposite support this party's goal to make auto theft a tougher offence under the Criminal Code, to make a first offence be able to be put in custody, to make sure that more than one offence could allow you to be put in custody? Do you support our amendments to the Criminal Code or are you going to continue to only say one thing when you know that you don't have the power to make those changes?

In fact, you never made those changes for the 11 lean Tory years, the mean years of Tory office. Retired Teachers' Pensions Cost of Living Allowance Mr. Leonard Derkach (Russell): My question is to the Minister of Education. Mr. Speaker, retired teachers are with us again today. They are here for one purpose and that is to try to impress upon this government the need to be treated fairly with regard to their pensions and, specifically, with regard to the COLA as it relates to their pensions.

I want to ask this government whether or not this government is prepared to finally treat re tired teachers fairly and recognize that they need to have a COLA clause given to them as other sectors of the economy do. Mr. Speaker, the teachers have been here on a number of occasions. It's time to give them an answer. Is this government today prepared to give these teachers an answer with regard to COLA? Hon.

Diane McGifford (Minister of Advanced Education and Literacy): I thank the member opposite for drawing attention to this complex and important problem, though I do ruefully point out that during his 11 years in government, much of it as Minister of Education, he did nothing to alleviate the situation. Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Mr. Speaker: Order. Ms. McGifford: You know, this is an important problem. It would be helpful if members opposite would just quiet down so we could provide an answer. Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Mr. Speaker: Order. Ms. McGifford: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I want to remind members, and I know retired teachers in the gallery are aware that this government has recently invested $1.5 billion to fund 75 percent of the government's portion of the pension liability. Certainly, this is stabilizing the plan–very necessary if we are to move forw ard with the COLA and improvements to COLA. Mr. Derkach: Well, Mr. Speaker, once again we cannot get an answer from this government.

Retired teachers don't keep coming back to this Legislature, whether it's through demonstrations on the front steps or whether it's through attendance in the gallery, because they've been given the answers by this government. They are clearly here because they are frustrated with the way that they have been treated by this government. I want to ask the minister and this government whether or not the government is finally prepared to make sure that there's a commitment to the issue of COLA in the foreseeable fu ture for retired teachers in this province. Ms.

McGifford: Well, the member opposite is looking for an answer. I think $1.5 billion is a pretty loud answer. I also want to point out to the member opposite that even as we're meeting here, the teachers' Pension Task Force is meeting to consider ways of dealing with advancing the situation related to COLA. So, Mr. Speaker, we are working very hard on this file. We know it's an important problem. We're very dedicated to the teachers of Manitoba, and I think we've shown that both in opposition and in government. Mr. Derkach: Well, Mr. Speaker, my understanding is that Mr.

Tim Sale, who was a part of this government in this last mandate, is now the chair of the teachers' retirement task force. I want to ask the minister whether or not it's within the mandate of this task force to ensu re that the COLA issue is resolved quickly. I want to ask this minister whether or not the recommendations of the task force are going to be

20 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA June 7, 2007 coming down in the foreseeable future so that the retired teachers can access the COLA part of their pensions as they should. Ms. McGifford: Yes, we're very pleased with the work that Mr. Sale is doing. He is an expert in educational finances. We kn ow that he will do a stellar job and, again, I want to make the point that it's important to let the committee do its work carefully, thoroughly and solve this problem that has taken 25 years in the making. We are the first government to take serious action on this issue. Grace Hospital Emergency Room Staff Levels Mrs.

Myrna Driedger (Charleswood): Mr. Speaker, during the election, the WRHA admitted that there is no contingency plan to keep the Grace Hospital open if family doctors don't pick up vacant shifts in July and August when there will only be three doctors left working in the ER in the Grace Hospital. I'd like to ask the Minister of Health to tell us how many shifts remain unfilled for July and August, and if she will table that schedule. Hon. Theresa Oswald (Minister of Health): Mr. Speaker, I'd like to begin by saying that it's a real privilege to be back here in the Manitoba Legislature.

I congratulate the member opposite as well for being elected. I said before the election, we said during the election and now today after the election, we will say once again that the Grace Hospital ER will remain open. It will remain open because the region, because the doctors, the nurses, the front-line health- care workers will work together to ensure that those shifts are filled and that the people in that community, and indeed, communities across Winnipeg will get the ER care. Only one party in Manitoba ever closed ERs in Winnipeg, the Conservative Party. Mrs. Driedger: Mr.

Speaker, on such a serious issue, I think it is incumbent upon the Minister of Health to be forthcoming with her answers. This is very, very important. During the election the NDP promised to keep the Grace Hospital ER open by hiring five clinical assistants. I would like to ask the Minister of Health to tell us if they have been hired, if they have ER training and if they will be in place on July 1. * (14:20) Ms. Oswald: Mr. Speaker, and I say again, before the election, during the election and today, we have a comprehensive plan that does indeed include the hiring of clinical assists.

It includes ensuring that academic programs are available in our community hospitals. It ensures that we make sure that salaries are negotiated in a way that is fair for the very challenging work that doctors do. And may I remind the member opposite that in all of the recklessness that we saw during the election campaign, there were claims about helping front-line care. How many doctors did the members opposite promise? Zero. Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Mr. Speaker: Order. We have the viewing public, we have guests in the gallery and they came down here to hear the questions and the answers.

I think we owe that to them. Also, decorum in this Chamber is very, very important. Time is ticking, and we're trying to get as many questions and answers in. So I ask the co- operation of all honourable members, please. Mrs. Driedger: Mr. Speaker, what is reckless and pathetic is the lack of answers from a Minister of Health that has the job of telling the public what is going on with that hospital ER. Mr.

Speaker, come July and August, if family doctors are not picking up extra shifts, if the clinical assistants are not in place and if there are only three ER doctors left, how can this Minister of Health and this NDP government provide safe patient care to patients that come to the Grace Hospital ER? They deserve an answer from this minister today. Ms. Oswald: Mr. Speaker, indeed the people of Manitoba and the people of the neighbourhood of the Grace Hospital do deserve to have their ER open.

That's why we're committed to do it with our multifaceted plan, including the decision to open negotiations with ER doctors early to ensure that we have the staff that we need. Again, only one party has ever closed an ER. On the subject of $800 million of reckless tax cuts promised by the members opposite, maybe we should review what exac tly that would mean for health care in Manitoba. We know now it's no longer a priority. They've proved it during the campaign. Mr. Speaker, $800 million would be the equivalent of the annual budgets of the Grace, Concordia, Health Sciences, St. Boniface combined.

June 7, 2007 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 21 We know that we stand with doctors, nurses and patients in this province. We know that they do not. Mr. Speaker: The honourable Member for River Heights. Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Mr. Speaker: Order. The honourable Member for River Heights has the floor. Candidate Nomination (Wellington) Allegations of Intimidation Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Mr.

Speaker, the recent allegations that individuals very close to the Premier used intimidation and bullying tactics with respect to a nominated candidate in Wellington constituency are very disturbing, particularly given that there were such allegations not long before in another constituency. I would ask the Premier, given that his government and he have occasionally, in this Chamber, voiced opposition to bullying and intimidation, if he would assure members of this Legislature that he would never, under any circumstances, condone such bullying and intimidation tactics by members of his party. Hon.

Gary Doer (Premier): Mr. Speaker, I know in the Liberal Party, in the federal Liberal Party, the leader of the party gets to ultimately and unilaterally declare who are candidates of their party. In our party, there is a nomination process and there's an executive. It is not a right to run in our party; it's a privilege. If somebody is accused and convicted of some–I'm using a hypothetical example–of the serious crime, for example, and they win in a nomination race, they're not going to be sanctioned by our executive.

I've seen at least, in the last three times that we've won, over 175 or 180 nominations, counting by-elections that have taken place, the great majority of them proceed in a very , very successful and non- controversial way. There is the odd time where that doesn't happen, but I would support the right of our executive, not the leader. The leader has no authority in the constitution on nominations. I would support the right of the executive to ensure that people that have given the NDP name and endorsation have acted in a way that's consistent with the principles of the party and with the laws of the country. Mr.

Gerrard: Mr. Speaker, the accusations that are being made with respect to what happened in the Wellington constituency are so extraordinary and so outside of the normal realm of democratic practice that it's very important that there be a full and open public recording on what happened. As a matter of maintaining and preserving public confidence in the democratic process in Manitoba, I would ask the Premier: Will the Premier ensure that a full, open report of what happened in Wellington constituency be made public as a result of the investigation by the Commissioner of Elections? Mr. Doer: Well, Mr.

Speaker, I would point out that in a democracy the people are always right. The people that elect candidates and elect all of us to this House are always, at the end of the day, the most open democratic process possible. The candidate in the Wellington riding, the present member of Wellington, received 2,332 votes; the Liberal candidate received 731 vot es; the Tory candidate received 567; an independent candidate named Mr. Chan, who was disqualified from our party, received 504 votes, and Mr. Santos, a former incumbent, received 188. That is a full public disclosure of the will of Wellington. Mr. Gerrard: Mr.

Speaker, the allegation that individuals close to the Premier presented a nominated candidate with a previously written unsigned statement that she was to sign saying that she was sick when she wasn't and was withdrawing from this nomination race, and pushed her and bullied and intimidated her to sign under duress, these are extraordinary th ings which need to be investigated. Will the Premier ensure that there is a full and open report of what happened to make sure that the democratic process in Manitoba is respected and that credibility is restored to what happens? Mr. Doer: Mr.

Speaker, I would point out that democracy is the votes that people have in a ballot box. You know, in the Liberal Party, and I know the member opposite may be a little wrong on the culture of a party, in the Liberal Party of Canada, the leader can appoint and not appoint and do this. In our party, the leader has no power of nomination. There is a clear separation between the leader of the party and the constitutional executive. Our executive makes sure, for example, that somebody that might be convicted of being a deadbeat dad doesn't run as a candidate for the NDP.

You know, if we had that information, members opposite would be howling if somebody was convicted, for example, of child pornography. They'd

22 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA June 7, 2007 be howling if they were a candidate, and rightly so. That's why our executive makes sure that people nominated by the NDP are worthy, and that's why we see the results in Wellington. This is an open, democratic election campaign, and I respect the people of Wellington. Mr. Speaker: Time for Oral Questions has expired. MEMBERS' STATEMENTS St. James Ladies Auxiliary 80th Anniversary Ms. Bonnie Korzeniowski (St. James): Mr. Speaker, May 27 was the 80th anniversary of the St. James Ladies Auxiliary.

As part of Legion No. 4, the Ladies Auxiliary is an integral volunteer group and community support to my constituency of St. James. Mr. Speaker, the Ladies Auxiliary received their charter on May 25, 1927. Without a formal venue but determined to meet regularly, these volunteers held their first meetings in schools, offices and even members' homes. It is this determination of the volunteer sector that enrich es the lives of others by both increasing the awareness of social causes and improving the community. This impressive membership of the Ladies Auxiliary has not gone unnoticed.

Many of these women have received recognition over these 80 years for their volunteerism through various service awards and certificates of merit. Mr. Speaker, over the last 80 years, the Ladies Auxiliary has been succe ssful in raising funds through luncheons, teas, bake sales, drives, Tupperware parties and raffles. These proceeds have been disbursed through a number of community charities. These include student bursaries, support for local school programs, university scholarships, hospital donations, the financing of athletic programs and through a number of activities and services at the Deer Lodge Centre.

The Ladies Auxiliary also works closely with Veterans Affairs and the Legion branch by organizing and fundraising on their behalf. St. James Ladies Auxiliary is an important feature to this constitu ency. They foster the development of social networks for positive change in Manitoba. Their mandate is to work in the interest of education of veterans for and with youths in the interest of good citizens hip for the future of the nation. Mr. Speaker, marking this 80th anniversary of the Ladies Auxiliary celeb rates these extraordinary people who invest their lives in improving the world.

I ask members here today to join me in applauding the efforts of the St. James Ladies Auxiliary and to thank them for their continued commitment. Thank you. * (14:30) D-Day Anniversary Mr. Ralph Eichler (Lakeside): June 6 marks the 63rd anniversary of one of history's greatest battles, D-Day. June 6, 1944, was a grey, chilled, windswept morning that saw 14,000 Canadian soldiers, sailors and airmen take

part in one of the most important sea-borne invasions of the Second World War. The purpose of this large-scale military event was to spearhead the long and difficult campaign to free Europe from Nazi tyranny. This was done by landing thousands of Canadian and allied troops on the shores of France. What ensued was heavy and bitter fighting that saw a significant number of casualties. What was gained was a decisive foothold on the war front that was integral to the eventual conclusion of the war. There was no part of Canada that was spared the effects of losing loved ones on D-Day.

Indeed, Manitoba was part of that great sacrifice and trial for these hometown heroes who risked everything in the defence of their country and the advancement of freedom. Each year, on the anniversary of D-Day, it is our duty and responsibility to pay proper tribute to Canadians who fought on that grey, cold day and to observe and remember those who did not return. Mr. Speaker, I rise in this House today to continue the memory of this event that is more than a matter of history but a vivid part of Canada's story. Lest we forget. Ms.

Bonnie Korzeniowski, Deputy Speaker, in the Chair Keep the Beat War Child Benefit Mr. Andrew Swan (Minto): Madam Deputy Speaker, on May 24, I had the pleasure of attending the second annual Keep the Beat, a fundraiser for War Child Canada, at Daniel McIntyre Collegiate Institute. Students came not only from DMCI, but also from Maples, Sisler, St. Johns, Elmwood, St. Boniface and Kelvin. More than 500 students from these high schools filled the stands in the Maroons gymnasium to capacity, and, indeed, students filled the available space on the floor as

June 7, 2007 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 23 well. Students participated in a series of music and dance competitions. The singing competition had students in the stands breaking out not lighters but cellphones to celebrate incredible vocal performances. A wide variety of dancers and dance troupes, some with as many as 25 dancers, went through their energetic routines. Finally, four teams of break dancers displayed their best moves. I had the difficult task of being one of the judges of the competition, but the competitive aspect was secondary to the spirit and camaraderie shown by several hundred studen ts.

Performers from all schools were cheered loudly, and the feeling in the packed gymnasium was truly one of unity. The funds raised through DMCI's Keep the Beat event will help War Child Canada provide humanitarian assistance to war-affected children through international programs in countries such as Sierra Leone, Iraq, Sudan, Ghana, Afghanistan, Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. I congratulate the student council of DMCI for organizing yet another successful event. I also acknowledge the hundreds of young people who came together for a common cause and a great event. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.

Dustin Penner Mr. Peter Dyck (Pembina): Madam Deputy Speaker, soon the Stanley Cup will be making a visit to the city of Winkler, Manitoba, with our much- loved Dustin Penner. After a 6 to 2 win over the Ottawa Senators, the Anaheim Ducks had a well- fought five-game victory in the Stanley Cup finals. His parents, Terry and Linda Penner, and all of Dustin's family and friends, the entire city of Winkler, are so proud of him. Dustin played early-year s hockey in the Winkler area and went on to play for Minot State University and the University of Maine.

After sneaking under the radar of some recruiters, his talent was recognized and the Anaheim Ducks signed him. Dustin is a force to be reckoned with on the ice and at over six feet four inches he's hard to miss. He's a talented and dedicated individual who remains humble. Dustin has overcome challenges and fought for his dreams, proving his genuine love for the game. His success and skill is well-earned after years of hard work and persistence. He has continued to improve and grow as a player, and I am told that he grew just over eight inches in over a year.

We all look forward to watching his hockey career in the future. A highlight of the series was the winning goal of game four scored by Dustin and assisted by former Winnipeg Jet, Teemu Selanne. This victory thrilled hundreds of spectators who gathered in the Winkler arena to watch him and to cheer him on. He closed out the Stanley Cup playoffs with three goals, five assists, for a total of eight points. I would also like to acknowledge Manitoba's other connections to the Ducks.

Congratulations to fellow player and Manitoban, Aaron Rome, born in Nesbitt; Teemu Selanne, the former Winnipeg Jet and also coach Randy Carlyle, who has a long and storied history in Manitoba with the Winnipeg Jets and the Manitoba Moose organizations. Congratulations to all players from both the Anaheim Ducks and the Ottawa Senators for a great series. Thank you. Harry Schellenberg Ms.

Erna Braun (Rossmere): Madam Deputy Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge and highlight the 10 years of good service that Harry Schellenberg, the previous MLA for Rossmere, provided both to the people of his constituen cy and to Manitoba as a whole. Mr. Speaker in the Chair Before becoming a member of the Legislative Assembly, Harry spent over 30 years as a history and world issues teacher, challenging young minds to think more critically about global issues and encouraging his students to consider the importance of social justice.

Harry was always active in the political arena long before he became an elected official, serving as the president of the Rossmere NDP from 1995 to 1999, and as the president of the Manitoba NDP from 1997 to 1999. Moving to the political arena was a natural fit for Harry given his long history of service to his community. During the over 25 years that he has resided in North Kildonan, he has served as a president of the Manitoba Parents for German Education, a former board member of UNICEF and a founding board member of the Chief Peguis Health and Fitness Centre.

Throughout his time as a representative in the Legislature, Harry was known for his active involvement with Rossmere's

24 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA June 7, 2007 community groups and was a well-known face at their events. He often visited seniors blocks and hosted coffee parties as a way to reach out to those of his constituents that were not able to attend other community activities. Harry not only served his constituents but also his fellow members by serving for a time as Deputy Speaker and also as chair of the Legislature's finance, justice and education committees, to name just a few. In his interaction with others, he was known to be a kind, fair and honest leader.

It is an honour to follow in the footsteps of someone who served his community with devotion, commitment and compassion. I look forward to serving Rossmere with the same kind of dedication and integrity that Harry Schellenberg demonstrated for his community. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. * (14:40) House Business Hon. Dave Chomiak (Government House Leader): Plus les choses changent, plus elles restent les mêmes, Monsieur le Président. Translation The more things change, the more they stay the same, Mr. Speaker. English As you know, Mr. Speaker, we are in this House.

We started sitting yesterday following the election, and we are trying to expedite business of the House as it moves forward in order to ensure that matters are dealt with. To that end, of course, we had yesterday the Speech from the Throne. It was ably delivered by the Lieutenant-Governor first, and seconded, I must say, very eloquently by the Member for Fort Rouge (M s. Howard) and by the Member for Wellington (Ms. Marcelino), respectively. We're lookin g forward to comments and address in reply by the Leader of the Opposition (Mr. McFadyen) in Orders of the Day. Thank you.

ORDERS OF THE DAY GOVERNMENT BUSINESS ADJOURNED DEBATE (Second Day of Debate) Mr. Speaker: Resume debate on the proposed motion of the honourable Member for Fort Rouge (Ms. Howard) that th e following address be presented to His Honour Lieutenant-Governor: We, the members of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, thank Your Honour for the gracious speech addressed to us at this First Session of the Thirty-Ninth Legislature of Manitoba, standing in the name of the honourable Leader of the Official Opposition. Mr. Hugh McFadyen (Leader of the Official Opposition): Again, I thank the Member for Kildonan (Mr.

Chomiak) for once again putting words on the record of wisdom that I know will benefit all Manitobans as we look back on the record of the comments today, and thank him also for giving me the opportunity to take a little bit of time with the media. As it turns out, the question was to do with Paris Hilton's sentence, and so time, I'm sure, could've been better spent here in the Chamber, but it's one of those things you don't know until you actually get into the scrum. Mr.

Speaker, I want to put some words on the record today with respect to the Speech from the Throne, a very brief Speech from the Throne, introduced yesterday by the government, and I want to again thank you for taking on the role of presiding over this Chamber. I want to thank and congratulate all members for putting their names forth in the recent election campaign and congratulate all of those who were successful in that campaign. I also will congratulate the government on their re-election.

We wish that the result would have been different, but we certainly accept the verdict of Manitobans and look forward to the good fight again several years down the road when the time is right. I also want to thank, if I can, just some people who have provided support to me through the course of the election campaign: members of my family, Jennifer, of course, my kids, Rachael and James, and parents, Ralph and Leyah, and many others who have supported us through this process.

I would also like to thank the family members of all other candidates who, I know, feel the stress of campaigns even more acutely sometimes than the candidates themselves, and I want to thank all the members of the Progressive Conservative caucus in particular for the outstanding work that they have been doing and for the dedication they bring to this Chamber today and in every day that they come here to work.

Members of staff as well from the leader's office, caucus, party and other places, who have worked hard over the past number of weeks taking time away from their normal duties to campaign certainly deserve our thanks and recognition as well for their participation in this great democratic process.

June 7, 2007 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 25 I also want to just note the election of two other members of the Silver Heights class of 1985, and I want to assure all members that there are Tories in that class of '85 not yet elected to this Chamber. I look forward to the next election campaign when we can even the score, perhaps even add further members of the class of '85 on this side of the House, Mr. Speaker. An Honourable Member: Five more years. Mr. McFadyen: Five years. He's going to drag this one out, is he?

Well, I guess if he drags it out five years, then he will have been Premier for as long as he was opposition leader if he can drag it out to 11 years, Mr. Speaker. And I want to just say on the theme of the Silver Heights class of 1985, there used to be a time when members, many were concerned about the influence of the Masons on Manitoba politics, but we now know that the secret society of Huskies is now the new with its secret handshake and bizarre rituals as the new force to be reckoned with in Manitoba politics. I do want to take a few minutes to talk about the Speech from the Throne.

We've had many opportunities through the campaign to comment on promises made by the ND P and the Leader of the NDP through that campaign. We've had opportunities already to put comments on the record with respect to the Throne Speech that was introduced and voted on prior to the election campaign. So I will try to be fairly brief today, Mr. Speaker, to allow the newly elected members of the House their opportunity to make their speeches without heckling, a privilege I know that I will be afforded over the next few minutes. Mr.

Speaker, the Speech from the Throne is problematic not for exactly what it says but for what it has left out. We have said in Question Period today and have been raising the concern over several years about the policies of this government when it comes to creating private investment job creation and a sustainable economic future for Manitoba, jobs and opportunities for young people.

I know that I and many others in my generation, and generations that have come both before and after mine, have said with sa dness and reflected with sadness on the number within our generation who have left for other provinces in search of opportunity, whether it be Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, and, increasingly, places like Newfoundland, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick and P.E.I. as we see the job numbers in those provinces coming up dramatically as Manitoba remains stalled close to the back of the pack when it comes to economic growth.

We've seen a record spending under this NDP government over the last number of years. They, instead of taking their foot off the gas pedal, put their foot on the gas pedal when it comes to spending, and that spending, Mr. Speaker, while it creates a temporary sense of well-being, does lead us down the wrong path as a province. We know that with record reliance on Ottawa we've seen increases in the total gross debt of Manitoba.

With the highest taxes in the country we see a growth in the public sector and a lack of investment in the private sector that is worrying in terms of where we go in the coming months and years. We know that, in a rising tide where the economies of the world are growing, including all economies within Canada and indeed throughout North America, it's easy to look good on the surface as our economy rises with the tide which is rising throughout North America. But we know that, with the dead weight of NDP policies, our economy is rising more slowly than those of other places.

The dead weight of NDP policies is putting a drag on our province. It is now showing up, Mr. Speaker, in the economic numbers that we get from credible agencies, not from the Minister of Finance, but from Stats Canada. The Minister of Finance who misled this House over successive years on Croc us, and he continues to put wrong information on the record on economic matters, Mr. Speaker, again today continues to paint a misleading picture.

So, given the choice between the discredited Minister of Finance, the king of Crocus, the misleader-in-chief on the opposite government side, we look to Stats Canada when it comes to the true picture– Mr. Speaker: Order. Point of Order Mr. Speaker: The honourable First Minister, on a point of order? Hon. Gary Doer (Premier): Yes. The member opposite is breaking the rule s again, Mr. Speaker. Of course, all members are honourable members. Mr. Speaker: The honourable official Opposition Leader, on the same point of order?

26 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA June 7, 2007 Mr. McFadyen: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was making reference to misleading information put on the record previously by the Minister of Finance, which, I believe, is in order, if in fact it is accurate. Mr. Speaker: Order. On the point of order raised, members have used the term "misleading" at times. Where all Speakers have ruled where it is totally unparliamentary is when you put–[interjection] Order. A point of order is a very serious matter, okay. [interjection] Order.

When members use the word "deliberately misleading" that has always been– [interjection] Order. When members have used the word "deliberately misleading," all Speakers have ruled that out of order. Okay. So I would like, at this point, to caution all honourable members on using the word "directly misleading" because I will call it to order and the member would have to withdraw that comment. But right now I'm cautioning all members to pick your words very, very carefully because all members in this Chamber are honour able members and each member should be treated as such. * * * * (14:50) Mr.

Speaker: The honourable Official Opposition has the floor. Mr. McFadyen: Mr. Speaker, I would simply note that there was information put on the record which is contradicted by what Stats Canada is saying when it comes to our economic performance as a province. We've seen, with the numbers that came out prior to the new year, stats showing that Manitoba's job growth was dead last in the country last year.

We've seen more recent numbers come out reported, I believe, the day or two da ys after the election on May 22, which showed that in the first three months of this year, Stats Canada is showing that our average weekly earnings are eighth in the country. As we've said previously, we could live with the thought of falling behind the province of Alberta given their vast wealth within the ground there in oil and gas reserves. But, when we fall behind New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Saskatchewan, Québec, B.C., Ontario, then we do believe that there is cause for concern, Mr. Speaker.

When we look at job creation, a loss of 100 payroll jobs in the first three months of this year, zero percent, the eighth ranking in the country on payroll jobs, Mr. Speaker, we know that the early warnings are there for problems down the road.

So we will acknowledge that while massive increases in public spending may temporarily produce a sense of activity and a sense of well-being, as we look down the road we must raise concerns and raise warnings about government policies that are slowly leading Manitoba into relative decline, and which may ultimately, if we are not careful and if we're not prepared to take some new decisions and different courses of action, lead to a state of absolute decline when it comes to our economic performance. I know that they don't particularly worry about private-sector jobs.

They don't particularly care whether business is doing well. But they do care about other things, Mr. Speaker. We know that the inability of a province to produce jobs and wealth will, in the long run, jeopardize our ability to pay for important public services, including health care, where we see the Grace emergency room teetering on the edge of disaster, and we see in many cases public services not meeting the needs and the expectations of Manitobans. So we see many areas of concern. They have us close to the back of the pack. After all the budgets are introduced across the country, Mr.

Speaker, Manitoba will have the highest taxes west of Québec, and we fear that after other governments have introduced their budgets and moved forward with their medium- and long-term plans, we will sink even further behind in terms of our tax competitiveness as a province. We've seen economists as eminent as John McCallum call the recent numbers stunning, in a negative sense, and absolutely sad when it comes to Manitoba's performance as a province.

These are things that, over time, will begin to manifest themselves if we don't have a government that isn't prepared to invest and make the right decisions to move Manitoba forward with measured tax reductions, to move us from back of the pack closer to the middle of the pack, with meaningful action on infrastructure, Mr. Speaker , where we've seen close to eight years of neglect. We've got roads being washed out, bridges, on the verge of collapse, being closed. We've seen roads that are an absolute disgrace around our province; not just embarrassing, Mr. Speaker, but dangerous.

June 7, 2007 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 27 We've seen recent tragedie s in western Manitoba on Highway 1, as a result of their years of neglect when it comes to investment in roads in our province. So, Mr. Speaker, we see in this Throne Speech more of the same. We see more of the old complacency. We've seen more of the arrogance of thinking that there's no more work to be done when it comes to building a great province of Manitoba.

We would urge the government to fight against the tendency to be arrogant at this stage in their mandate, to fight against the natural tendency that we saw after Brian Mulroney's great historic win in 1988, the natural tendency to allow arrogance and hubris creep into their thinking. We saw–and I'm even prepared to admit that after our success in 1995 there were some who thought that we couldn't ever lose. We know that history is hard on those who become arrogant, who allow the intoxicating fumes of power to render them arrogant and complacent.

We call on the government to resist the temptation to lapse into arrogance. I know the Premier (Mr. Doer) is very proud of his .500 record when it comes to general elections in Manitoba, and we do acknowledge that, as a political tactician, he is skilful, Mr. Speaker. But we call on him to take a look at the numbers, to read the writing on the wall, and as the chickens come home to roost as a result of eight years of NDP mismanagement of our economy, we urge the Premier to look at what is required in the modern world to build a strong, growing economy.

We urge him to consider the position of Manitoba versus other provinces when it comes to our tax levels. We urge him to consider the position of Manitoba versus other provinces when it comes to investing in infrastructure, post-secondary education and all of those other policies and directions that are required to create a strong economy. But we also urge the Premier to look at the recent results and consider the growing gulf between the city of Winnipeg and rural Manitoba, Mr. Speaker.

We see many in rural Manitoba today who feel that they don't have a voice in this government, that nobody in this government is stand up and fighting for them and addressing and tackling the problems that matter to the citizens of our rural communities. We've seen emergency rooms close. Contrary to the statements made by the Minister of Health (Ms. Oswald) earlier in the House, emergency rooms have closed under this NDP government.

I know that the Minister of Health has never travelled outside the Perimeter Highway, but if she did, she would find that there are closed emergency rooms throughout rural Manitoba, closed as a result of the neglect and negligence of this government.

I would urge them to visit the community halls, the legions, the curling clubs and the various places where citizens across rural Manitoba gather, and listen hard to what they'r e saying today because the triumphalist attitude, the arrogance that we see permeating this Chamber today from the NDP is not something that is being reflected and felt in rural Manitoba, where people feel that they have a government that has neglected and ignored their concerns for too many years, Mr. Speaker.

They don't have the sense of optimism about the future of agriculture that some may feel today as a result of their opportunities to work on public-sector funded projects taking place disproportionately within the city of Winnipeg, Mr. Speaker.

So I would urge them to listen carefully to what our farmers are saying who are operating in an environment of lower prices and rising costs in terms of fertilizer, in terms of other inputs into agriculture as they try to transport their goods across crumbling roads, as rail lines are closing, and are looking for a government that's in their corner as opposed to fighting against them, whether it be in the area of neglect in the area of the cattle industry–a $2 tax eaten up entirely by administrative costs paid to friends of the NDP government instead of going where it was needed to support our rural producers, to support those in the cattle industry who are looking for a government that's in their corner, and a government that's not fighting against them with phony taxes handed over to friends of the ruling party and not going into where they're required in terms of increased benefit. [interjection] Now, Brian Mulroney, the comments coming from the other side of the floor.

The arrogance–he hasn't got Gucci loafers, Mr. Speaker, but I expect that we're going to see that tomorrow when he comes into the House. The le vel of arrogance and complacency that we're seeing creeping into this government is something that they have to fight against. I know it's not easy when one in four eligible voters come forward to vote for them, three in four either having voted against them or stayed home in the election. I can see why it is that they feel the level of arrogance that they feel today. * (15:00)

28 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA June 7, 2007 When the Premier (Mr. Doer) of the province gets fewer than 4,000 votes in his own constituency of Concordia, Mr. Speaker, the people who know him best return him to the Legislature with fewer than 4,000 votes in his own constituency. I know they feel they've got lots to celebrate. Enjoy it while you can. But, more importantly, listen to what the people of Manitoba are saying outside the city of Winnipeg. Listen to what the numbers are saying. Listen to Stats Canada when they raised the warning bells about our lacklustre performance.

Be concerned about what that means in terms of our ability down the road. Maybe we don't feel it today, but down the road, as we look to our future, I would ask members opposite to share our concerns. Don't do what they did on Crocus. Don't ignore the red flags. Heed the warnings and start to change course today while we still have the opportunity to put Manitoba on the right track. So, Mr. Speaker, with those comments, I would move an amendment to the motion currently before the House. I move, seconded by the Member for Ste. Rose (Mr.

Briese), THAT the Motion be amended by adding at the end the following words: But this House regrets: (

a) the government's failure to address the fact that Manitoba's health-care system is ranked dead last in Canada, failure to end hallway medicine as promised, failure to keep Manitoba emergency rooms open and safely operating and failure to ensure that Manitobans have timely access to health care; and (

b) the government's failure to make a substantial commitment to the health of Lake Winnipeg and to effectively limit Manitoba's greenhouse gas emissions; and (

c) the government 's failure to make post-secondary institutions sustainable by neglecting their needs and failing to provide leadership and a long-term strategy for their growth; and (

d) the government's failure to take responsibility for the fact that Manitoba is first in Canada for robberies and homicides committed using a firearm, experiences very high rates of auto theft and violent crime, and the government's tendency to blame the federal government for these problems; and (

e) the government's failure to make Manitoba competitive by failing to index tax brackets to inflation, failing to recognize that Manitoba's basic personal exemption is the lowest in western Canada, and allowing Manitoba to remain the highest taxed province west of Québec; and (

f) the government's failure to make Manitoba Hydro strong by raiding it, weakening it and jeopardizing it to the point where it now carries more than $7 billion in long-term debt; and (

g) the government's failure to address Manitoba's crumbling infrastructure for the last eight years leading to washouts, detours, weight restrictions and collapsed bridges. AND HAS THEREFORE failed to address the priorities of Manitoba. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker: It has been moved by the honourable Leader of the Official Op position, seconded by the honourable Member for Ste. Rose (Mr. Briese), THAT the Motion be amended by adding at the end the following words: But this House regrets: (

a) the government's failure to address–dispense? Some Honourable Members: Dispense. Mr. Speaker: Dispense. The motion is in order. Ms. Sharon Blady (Kirkfield Park): Mr. Speaker, I am most honoured today to speak in response to the Speech from the Throne as the new MLA for Kirkfield Park. I would like to begin by thanking the people of Kirkfield Park for the opportunity they have provided me by electing me as their representative to this Legislature.

I am grateful to them for the warmth and hospitality with which they greeted me as I visited door-to-door in their neighbourhoods, and I am both humbled and invigorated by the trust they have placed in me. It is especially an hono ur to be elected to this House as the first member of our party to represent Kirkfield Park. I will work tirelessly to ensure they will always be proud of this, their decision to move their neighbourhood forward.

I especially want to thank the volunteers from Ki rkfield Park who saw in me and in this government an opportunity to build the best possible future for themselves, their families and their neighbours.

June 7, 2007 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 29 Surely, as well, I thank those that came as friends, family and colleagues from the labour movement and from the teaching and social work professions. A degree of special gratitude is reserved for those real-life heroes, those members of the United Firefighters who supported our work from the early days before my nomination until the final minutes of the May long weekend, canvassing in the heart of Westwood. Not too often does one have over a hundred people backing them during a month-long job interview.

Their efforts throughout the campaign, their faith, dedication, and hours of commitment still leave me awestruck. Likewise, I thank the many colleagues in this House who also took the time to share with me their wisdom, their experience, their time, and their energy. This was assuredly their victory as much as it was mine. Thank you to all of you, my colleagues. It is humbling, as a result, to stand in this Chamber knowing the standards set by my colleagues in their previous terms in office.

Already, I have seen the camaraderie, work ethic and dedication to service that I believe inspired the people of Manitoba and of Kirkfield Park to return this government to office for a third term. I'm honoured and privileged to be part of this historic team. I will work tirelessly to meet the standards they have set in their commitment to their constituents, to the ideals of this government, and to the betterment of life for all Manitobans. Ms.

Bonnie Korzeniowski, Deputy Speaker, in the Chair Madam Deputy Speaker, in coming to this moment, many different paths in my life have converged to permit me this opportunity to continue to advocate for social justice for all Manitobans and to uphold the values of this government while in the service of my neighbourhood. The influences of my family, neighbourhood, education, activism, and teaching background have brought me to this place.

To begin with, I must thank my family for both the early exposure to being politically aware and involved and for providing the strong foundations that allowed us to get through a wonderfully chaotic month of campaigning. My husband and sons have grown as they rose to meet the challenges and changes that a campaign such as ours places before a family. As a mother, I felt such pride as I watched my boys, especially my eldest, Zachary , participate in the campaign. My own mother, Anne Whitwell, has always been my greatest role model.

As a working mother, she has always dedicated a large part of herself to the service of others, from working as a Girl Guide mom and sewing countless costumes for school productions to her current work on the board of directors for the Stroke Re covery Association. She laid the foundation of my strong feminist and social justice perspective and my work ethic. To this day, she is still my biggest cheerleader, and my respect for her and gratitude to her are beyond anything words can express. With my mother, I regret only that my stepfather, Brian Whitwell, did not live to see this moment.

I know he too would be proud of how one of his daughters was now able to represent the province he chose to make his home over 50 years ago, when he left Yorkshire to begin a new life. My father, Stan Blady, is certainly one of my parents who most directly is responsible for my taking this early-formed work ethic and applying it to political endeavours. He too ran for a seat in this Legislature under the leadership of the Honourable Sharon Carstairs.

While he never had the opportunity to be a member of this House, I know that my arrival here is, in many ways, a fulfilment of his own aspirations to represent the community in which I was born and raised. His support, and that of my stepmother MaryLynn Turner-Blady, has made this journey a dynamic and rewarding one. I hope to continually earn the respect of my parents and my family, and I will strive to make them all proud of my service and work on behalf of the people of this province and of Kirkfield Park.

Madam Deputy Speaker, it is also a pleasure to serve in this Legislature with two former high school classmates: the MLA for Minto (Mr. Swan) and the Leader of the Opposition (Mr. McFadyen), and also a former university classmate and fellow environmental advocate and activist, the Member for Wolseley (Mr. Altemeyer). Each of the four of us has been afforded a strong education, an opportunity to explore the greater world, and now the prospect of working together to ensure the continued growth and prosperity of this province.

I anticipate working toward these goals in a collegial manner, even when working from opposite sides of the Legislature, and I look forward to working with these friends and my other new colleagues in a manner that benefits all citizens of this province. * (15:10)

30 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA June 7, 2007 Madam Deputy Speaker, I am also thankful to the educators who inspired me to teach and shaped my political perspectives, especially those at Collège Silver Heights Collegiate and in the departments of Anthropology and Native Studies at the University of Manitoba. They encouraged critical thinking and provided me with the theoretical and practical tools that have served me well as a parent, activist, and educator. These same gifts now will help me in my service to the people of Kirkfield Park.

I must also thank my teachers and mentors from the Aboriginal and Métis community for teaching me in their traditional ways, guiding my work as an advocate for decolonization and as an ally in the quest for social justice for the First Peoples of this province and of this country. Over the years they have generously shared their knowledge and guidance. Their teachings will always serve as the underpinning of my commi tment to work for the betterment of all and in the service of others. Meegwetch, et merci.

It is through the guidance and mentorship of these many people that I chose to become an environmental and social justice activist and an educator. It is the teaching profession which I am now leaving to serve in this House. This is a bittersweet moment. I am saddened to step away from my cherished role as an educator and I accept that I will no longer be with my students in the classroom. Still I recognize the opportunity I now have to work and advocate for the programs in which I am honoured to have taught. My students at Brandon University were the first I had to leave.

I look forward to seeing the continued enrichment of the Gender and Women's Studies program, and the Aboriginal and visual arts studies program in whose development and expansion I played a small role. It is also with regret that I will be leaving the Joint Baccalaureate Nursing program at Red River College. As I have told my students repeatedly, I know I do not possess the skills that they bring to their profession and that has made it all the more a privilege to mentor those who do, as they will work to become even better nurses and provide the best care possible.

I will also be leaving the place that I have considered my second home for the past six years: the Inner City Social Work Program and the Aboriginal Child Welfare Initiative. William Norrie Centre is a hidden jewel in the crown of the University of Manitoba. Too few people outside of its programs are aware of it. Yet its students and faculty represent the best of investing in post- secondary education, youth, Aboriginal communities and the inner city of Winnipeg.

As a member of this House, I will continue to advocate for programs like these as they serve not only the students enrolled in them but also the people and the greater community that these caregivers will serve. It is in these educational environments that my commitment to high-quality health care and social services was reaffirmed and in which I came to realize that it was time for me to reach outside of the classroom and enter this new phase of service to my community. This, Madam Deputy Speaker, brings me back to my neighbourhood, the constituency of Kirkfield Park.

Growing up going to Saturday morning hockey games at the Allard arena and researching school projects in the Westwood library were significant parts of my childhood, as were so many other activities founded in the strong sense of family and community fostered by Kirkfield Park. It was wonderful to be able to go into my neighbourhood in a whole new way during the election campaign. Never before had I methodically set out to meet all of my neighbours.

It was wonderful to end up on the doorsteps of old classmates and their parents, of former teachers and principals, and to even be reintroduced to children that I had grown up babysitting, to now see them with children of their own. While I remembered a different political tone when I was growing up there, it was interesting and rewarding to see that we shared so many of the same values, values that this government has been demonstrating and nurturing over the past eight years. It was this that made the month-long meet-and- greet so rewarding.

Our sh ared concern for health care and the future of the heart of our neighbourhood, the Grace Hospital, was often the first place where dialogue on values and aspirations for the neighbourhood began. The constituents of Kirkfield Park and I look forward to the expansion of the emergency room training program of the University of Manitoba into our beloved Grace. The opening of the Access Community Health and Social Services Centre will also be a proud and significant moment in the provision of stable and long-term commitment to care, not just for Kirkfield Park, but

June 7, 2007 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 31 to all of west Winnipeg served by the Grace Hospital. Likewise, we have a common interest in providing future generations with a cleaner and healthier environment. Whether it was youth and young families concerned for the legacy they were inheriting, or seniors concerned by that which they were passing on to future generations, there was an overwhelming focus on how we can each contribute to building a future and an economy that will bring us forward without sacrificing the soil, water and air we require to survive.

People in Kirkfield Park were eager to participate in programs like Power Smart and the proposed Water Smart. They look forward to a future where clean energy like wind power, geothermal and biofuel are the norm rath er than merely an alternative. The people of Kirkfield Park are committed to their neighbourhoods. They recognize that this government's collaborative approach with the green energy, biotechnology, film and health-care sectors offer the prospect of secure education, training and employment.

They believe these actions affirm this government's commitment to retaining youth and providing a strong and thriving economy to grow and develop our province. Also, the upcoming tuition rebates that encourage younger Manitobans to build their careers here are considered pragmatic and realistic. These young people sincerely wish to establish their future in their home communities. Along with their families, they welcome these measures. Having grown up there, I know that Kirkfield Park is, and has always been, one of the safest neighbourhoods in Winnipeg.

This is not taken for granted by the residents of Kirkfield Park. They appreciate and have always demonstrated a commitment to building and maintaining safer communities. My neighbours appreciate this government's stated intention to increase the number of police officers and firefighters, and they recognize that this government has led the way in calling for tougher consequences for lawbreakers. They feel secure in their neighbourhood and know that this government is working to ensure and maintain that sense of security throughout the province.

I was also pleased to see how many believe that Manitoba Hydro is part of a legacy for all Manitobans present and future. As such, they were adamant that it remain publicly owned. They also appreciated the work being done to further develop our infrastructure and to build a strong and sustainable economy for all Manitobans. They especially appreciate the practical and affordable manner in which it is being accomplished. Finally, Madam Deputy Speaker, I must point out how the people of Kirkfield Park stress the importance they placed on responsible fiscal management.

And how they repeatedly expressed that, as working families, they greatly appreciated the measured, moderate and consistent practices of the recent NDP governments. The ongoing balanced budgets, coupled with responsible tax relief, are central to their support for this government. In closing, Madam Deputy Speaker, I am proud and humbled to be here as the representative for Kirkfield Park in this Thirty-Ninth Legislature. I look forward to the hono ur and the privilege of serving my neighbours and province and doing so as a New Democrat.

Madam Deputy Speaker, I appreciate you and all my colleagues in this House for providing me this time to express my gratitude to the people of Kirkfield Park. Thank you for allowing me this inaugural opportunity to share with the members of this Legislature some of the thoughts and considerations which the people of Kirkfield Park have entrusted to me to bring to this Chamber. Thank you. Mr. Stu Briese (Ste.

Rose): Madam Deputy Speaker, I rise to speak to the Speech from the Throne, but first I want to take this opportunity to thank some of the people that helped me in my constituency through the election, through the nomination process and every step of the way. I was sworn in I think it was the day before yesterday in room 255 in this building, and my mother and father attended that ceremony. It was a very proud moment for me. My dad is 90 and my mother is 89; she'll be 90 in August. They made a special trip in from Neepawa to attend. I have other members of my family that were very helpful during the campaign.

I had an excellent campaign team. They were competent, they were professional, and I think we had signs up around our constituency as quick as anybody in this province. I want to thank the people of the constituency of Ste. Rose for their suppor t. It was an interesting

32 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA June 7, 2007 election. They certainly supported me well, and they supported me from every corner of the constituency. I also want to thank the members and the staff in the Leg. and the staff back in Ste. Rose. Everybody is so helpful. This is a steep learning curve, but it's certainly working out reasonably well. * (15:20) I do want to take a moment to acknowledge Glen and Heather Cummings. Glen was my predecessor in the Ste. Rose constituency, and Heather helped him at every step of the way for 21 years.

Glen served the people of Manitoba in this building for 21 years and was instrumental in the development of most of the environmental legislation that is still in use in the province today. It was carefully thought out and implemented, and I think everybody in the Chamber today owes Glen Cummings a huge vote of gratitude. He was truly a minister who always placed the best interests of Manitoba in the forefront of everything he did. I want to speak a little on the constituency of Ste. Rose. It is roughly 100 miles by 50 miles and covers over 6,000 square kilometres.

It is located between the Riding Mountain escarpment and Lake Manitoba. Ste. Rose has a large diversity of landscape and people, and it is a true honour to represent this riding in the Manitoba Legislature. Ste. Rose encompasses four main towns: Neepawa, Gladstone, Ste. Rose and McCreary. There are also numerous small towns and like the song, "I've Been Everywhere" I'm going to name some of them because I believe members of the Legislature should be familiar with the names and locations of the small urban centres of Manitoba. The towns and villages of Ste.

Rose constituency include Riding Mountain, Kelwood, Eden, Laurier, Plumas, Alonsa, Langruth, Amaranth, Arden, Westbourne and Glenella. The Ste. Rose riding also includes nine R.M.s: Langford, Lansdowne, Westbourne, Rosedale, Glenella, Lakeview, Alonsa, McCreary and Ste. Rose. There are three First Nations: Ebb and Flow, Crane River and Sandy Bay and several Métis communities: Crane River, Eddystone, Kinosota and Bacon Ridge. Ste. Rose also has 10 Hutterite Brethren colonies, and very recently we have had approximately 15 families of Old Order Mennonites move into the constituency to make their home.

We now are seeing farming operations carried on as they were a hundred years ago. On one side of the road there are four-whe el-drive tractors with 50-foot air seeders. On the other side there are four horses hitched to a 10-foot press drill. In Ste. Rose we have four hospitals and three RHAs. Two of the hospitals are still managed by local boards and two are under RHA management. All of our hospitals have concerns about doctor and nurse shortages and emergency service provision. Ste.

Rose constituency also has a number of education facilities that fall into the jurisdiction of three school divisions and the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs. Most of our schools are facing problems, some with declining populations and some with overcrowding and some with deteriorating infrastructure. The point that is unique about rural ridings is the fact that we serve mostly large areas with small populations. That creates a different set of problems that urban areas do not experience. I spoke to one school bus driver during the election campaign who was just making his last stop at 5:30.

Those children have been on the school bus for almost two hours. People routinely are one-half to one hour away from ambulance and paramedic services. So you can see the impact that the closure or reduction in services at the schools or in the hospitals can have on the residents of rural constituencies. The residents of Ste. Rose are independent- minded, hardworking, make-do type of people and I'm proud to be their representative in the Legislature. When I hear a need for assistance, I know it is legitimate, and I intend to do whatever it takes to assist them with their issues and problems.

During the election campaign I had the opportunity to hear many of the issues that are foremost in the minds of the residents of Ste. Rose. In Neepawa I heard concerns about the new personal care home and the fact that its construction has been announced in three different provincial elections and any other time one of the cabinet ministers happens to pass through the town. So far, in eight years of announcements, not one shovelful of soil has been moved. Neepawa has also seen the transfer of a number of Crown Lands Branch employees out of the community. Every community has critical mass, and

June 7, 2007 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 33 the loss of a few jobs can be quite detrimental. The loss goes far beyond economics. It is a loss of children in the schools and the recreation facilities and volunteers in the community. In McCreary, I heard concerns about economic development and the fact that the Agassiz ski hill was closed. The residents of that community believed that even though the ski hill is a federal issue, there's a role for the Province in the negotiations. In Ste. Rose I heard concerns about maintenance and staffing of health-care facilities. In Neepawa, Ste.

Rose, and Crane River, I heard serious complaints about staffing and maintenance of facilities that are under the jurisdiction of Manitoba Housing. The 2,200 people at the Ebb and Flow First Nations at Bacon Ridge need ambulance services. They receive 200 calls pe r year, and most of the patients are transported in private vehicles. The people in Crane River need road improvements. The roads are literally impassable for part of every year. The BSE crisis in the cattle industry started five years ago, and we have seen little increase in slaughter capacity in this province.

Wind farms and ethanol plants, although important initiatives, aren't going to solve the problems of the cattle industry in crisis. The R.M. of Alonsa has 35 percent of the cow herd in Manitoba, and the industry is struggling. There are huge problems with The Crown Lands Act and administration. The act needs review and needs inputs from producers in that review process. Madam Deputy Speaker, because of my background and experience working with municipal government, I believe there is room for improvement in the way all levels of government operate.

I think there's a need to review the roles and responsibilities of all levels of government: federal, provincial, and municipal. We might not like the results of such a study, but we're stuck in an archaic system of grey areas and overlapping services. They are confusing to the public and they are economic disasters. I also believe there must be a better communication and co-operation between government and departments. People in the province have far too much difficulty finding answers and solutions to their concerns , and they deserve better service from us.

Madam Deputy Speaker, I am concerned by the almost total disregard for ag issues in the Throne Speech. Any jurisdiction that forgets its agricultural roots is destined to failure. Agriculture is a primary industry that creates huge renewable economic benefits to our province. The efficiency of our ag producers allows every one of us to follow our dreams. I believe farmers and, in particular, the hog industry have been unfairly targeted on environmental issues. It's my view the farmers are the best environmentalists of us all.

Farmers care for their land, their crops, and their livestock partly because the health of their land and their livestock is directly related to their livelihood. Beyond that, though, farmers think in generation terms. They truly want to leave the land in good shape for the next generation. When we see an industry such as the livestock industry in crisis, it is our duty and our responsibility to provide whatever assistance is necessary.

We talk about permanent cover being carbon sinks and good for the environment, but we fail to realize that every time another cattle producer is forced out of business or gives up in despair, another parcel of what is probably marginal land is returned to crop production and we lose some of the environmental benefit. Sound environmental practices are good for every Manitoban and should be financially supported by every Manitoban. Farmer s are excellent stewards of the land, and it is the responsibility of all of us to provide the tools they need to operate efficiently.

Agriculture in Manitoba is facing a growing problem of attracting young people into the industry. Crop and livestock production have become very technical enterprises. I believe one of the actions that should be taken to address that issue is the development of mentoring and apprenticeship programs for young people interested in agriculture as a career. * (15:30) One final ag issue I want to comment on is drainage and water management. As I mentioned earlier, most of Ste. Rose constituency lies between the Riding Mountain escarpment and Lake Manitoba.

The only way I know to effectively hold water on top of a hill is to freeze it. Thankfully, in Manitoba we get a few months each year when it won't stay frozen. When that happens, it moves to the lake at a rapid pace. We have seen a lack of funding and a deterioration of the provincial drainage system over the last few years, and that trend needs to be

34 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA June 7, 2007 reversed. We need to be proactive about it rather than reactive. At the present time, we take the risk every year of paying out through crop insurance for land that's too wet to farm, flooded in the spring, until past the deadlines. All we need to do, I think, is improve and revitalize our drainage system, and we do away with that risk. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, for the opportunity to address the House. I have tried to give you an overview of the Ste. Rose constituency and the issues of the people that live there.

In conclusion, I would like to support the amendment made to the Throne Speech by our leader. Thank you again, Madam Deputy Speaker. Mr. Mohinder Saran (The Maples): Madam Deputy Speaker, it is an honour to be here and an even greater honour to re present the constituents of The Maples. I look forward to expressing their interests, their values and their concerns to this Assembly. Before continuing, Madam Deputy Speaker , I would like to congratulate you and Mr. Speaker on your election as Deputy Sp eaker and Speaker. Your guidance, wisdom and assistance will be of great help to us new members.

I would also like to congratulate all newly elected members, my colleagues and members from all parties who were successful in their election bids. I am proud to follow in the footsteps of those who served as representati ves for The Maples before me, and I would especially like to thank Cris Aglugub for his years of service and many efforts on behalf of the people of my constituency. Most importantly, I would like to thank the people from The Maples for electing me to serve as your representative in the government.

I'm humbled by their faith, trust and will work hard to represent them to the best of my abilities. Madam Deputy Speaker, the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba has long served as a reflection of Manitoba society in general. As our society evolves, so should the values and composition of the House. That is why I am so pleased to be working with my new colleagues in the NDP caucus. We come from so many different backgrounds and experiences that we can only benefit from our diversity.

In our caucus, we have former engineers, lawyers, professors, teachers, social workers, business people, journalists, farmers, miners, ministers and many others. History has been made of many few instances. There are 13 women in our caucus, and 18 in total in the House, the highest percentage anywhere in Canada. We have members with many different ethnic backgrounds, including at least six that I know of who were born outside of Canada. We now have two Indo-Canadians serving together for the first time. We now have a woman of colour representing as an MLA for the first time.

Together, we are truly representative of Manitoba, and I am looking forward to learning and working with all the members in this House to make my community and all of Manitoba a better place. Madam Deputy Speaker, when I first came to Canada I was looking for opportunity; the opportunity to find a good job, the opportunity to make a better life for myself and my family and the opportunity for a better futu re for my children. I first arrived in British Columbia in 1970 as a visitor. I applied to have permanent immigrant status but was rejected. Fortunately I appealed the decision and was granted a work permit.

However, I couldn't find a steady job. My friends moved east in search of jobs, first to Calgary then to Toronto. Many stopped in Winnipeg and found the opportunity they were looking for and called me to join them here. Since then, the East Indian community in Manitoba had increased from 30 ordinary working people to about 15,000 people. Economic opportunity is what first called me to Manitoba. But I should mention that I also moved from B.C. for another reason. While it is a beautiful province, racism was frequent and quite open during my time there.

There was not a single day in which I did not hear racial slurs. At one point it got so bad that I asked my father to send me a plane ticket to return home. Fortunately, during the time it took him to arrange the money, I changed my mind and decided to continue on in the face of these adverse circumstances. I decided to continue on in the province of Manitoba. Madam Deputy Speaker, looking back, I feel lucky that I decided to come to friendly Manitoba. I found a greater welcome here and plenty of jobs were available.

More confident in the future, I was able to obtain my permanent resident status in 1974, returning to India and getting married before moving permanently to The Maples in 1977. I have lived in The Maples ever since, except for the one year I spent working in Thompson gaining

June 7, 2007 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 35 experience in the trade. I speak with pride that my children did not go to private school; they went to public school in The Maples. Now one is a doctor and the other is a pharmacist. I can say without hesitation what a great place The Maples is to raise children and I know that our government will make it an even better place to raise children in the future. * (15:40) Madam Deputy Speaker, as a father, I appreciate the initiatives our government is undertaking to develop more skills and education opportunities for our young people here at home.

Examples like creating 4,000 new apprenticeship training opportunities, a 60 percent tax rebate on tuition fees for all post-secondary grad uates who stay and work in Manitoba, a new training centre at Red River College for leading-edge re search opportunities for youth in Manitoba's green-energy economy. These are all examples of initiatives that will encourage our young people to stay in Manitoba and in The Maples. As one who looks forward to working and retiring in Manitoba, I appreciate the improvements to health care our government continually undertakes.

I appreciate the fact that The Maples has already and will continue to benefit from our government's investments in health care, home care, and the provision of more medical equipment throughout the province. I note with satisfaction that work on the new emergency department for Seven Oaks Hospital is well under way. Madam Deputy Speaker, one of the concerns I have heard while talking to my constituents concerns the issues around crime. I am pleased that our government will work to make our communities safer by adding more police officers and prosecutors to the justice system.

I agree that we must call upon Ottawa to ask for tougher consequences for youth involved in serious crimes. But I am also pleased that our government will be expanding and creating new programs and opportunities for at-risk youth. One of the commitments I made to my constituents during the last election campaign was the call for solutions from the community itself. We need to take our lead from the grass roots, from those most affected, and from those concerned with the security and safety of their families. We must be proactive, not just reactive, when dealing with the issues of crime and public safety.

We must assist families, providing supports for good parenting, and encouraging solid role models and mentors for our youth. I take a look at the success of so many graduates of Maples Collegiate, and I would like to take this opportunity to invite successful grads to come back and provide a positive example for our youth. The importance of having solid role models is vital for our youth, and I think in a community like The Maples, we can provide many positive examples for our kids to follow.

Madam Deputy Speaker, tolerance and the acceptance of diversity in The Maples is a source of strength and a positive role model for all our communities. The Maples is a very diverse constituency with a number of linguistic groups, families with varied socio-economic backgrounds, and many, many hardworking people. It is a mosaic of newcomers and of more established families. I am pleased to say that The Maples enjoys the many benefits of immigration as immigrants help fill skill shortages and enrich our social and cultural fabric. The richness of that fabric is reflected in the schools in my constituency.

For example, I would like to acknowledge the work of the Maples Unity Group, now in its 12th year, which is a nationally recognized leader in the promotion of equality and in the fight against racism. Composed of students and staff at Maples Collegiate, the group also promotes peace through its many yearly activities. These include food drives, bringing speakers in to talk about racism, volunteering at homeless shelters, and participating in Remembrance Day ceremonies, among other activities.

The results, I think, have been profound as The Maples is one of the most desirable communities to live in our province today. Madam Deputy Speaker, strength through diversity can serve as a gui depost for the future. It was at the latest unity march in The Maples that a young student approached me and told me how proud she was that a member of the Indo-Canadian community had been elected to the government. She said that she wanted to fo llow in my footsteps and accordingly was going on to post-secondary education, studying law at university. These are the kinds of signals we want to hear from our youth.

Inclusion, diversity, education, these are the building blocks for our youth and our future. Madam Deputy Speaker, I am pleased to be sitting as a member of such a diverse and representative caucus as ours. I am a firm believer that we as a legislative body should mirror the wider society of which we are part. With members from so many differing cultural and socio-economic

36 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA June 7, 2007 backgrounds we are well poised to lead Manitoba forward. To quote from an earlier Speech from the Throne by this government it should once again be emphasized that we Manitobans are different, one from another, in our origins, the colour of our skin, our languages and our political perspective, but we have built a society where those differences can be valued. We are united by our sense of community, by the welcome we offer newcomers and by our pride in our many ways of life. Madam Deputy Speaker, our government is dedicated to inclusion and diversity.

By including new Canadians and indeed all Manitobans in our hopes and deliberations I believe that we can guide a strong Manitoba into the future. I also believe that the Throne Speech outlines just how we can achieve that. At the end I will like to quote the quotation from the Sikh holy book, The Guru Granth Sahib , written by the founder of the Sikh faith: we should have such a society that all the people feel included and no one should be left out; and the tenth Guru said: there is only one race, that is the human race. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. * (15:50) Mr.

Blaine Pedersen (Carman): Madam Deputy Speaker, to be here in the Chamber today is a culmination of a long-time goal of mine, so I am very happy to be here. I should just clear the air. First of all, and contrary to a rather biza rre press release issued Tuesday morning by the NDP party, I will not be part of the NDP swearing-in ceremony. I will sit on this side of the House. First and foremost, I have to say that having my family here in attendance at our swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday was very significant for me.

While I've always tried to put family ahead of business, having their support in reaching my goals is a very different perspective for me. Knowing that they are beside me as I take on a new challenge in life meant very much to me, and it is something that I will keep very close to me forever. Of course, I need to thank my volunteers, and one of them is up in the gallery today, Madam Deputy Speaker. He's probably the youngest volunteer out here, but he's just been an excellent worker. Caleb Jones, thank you very much for your help.

My achieving the position of MLA was made possible by a large group of dedicated volunteers who worked very hard in many ways, especially by helping me assemble the largest nomination meeting ever held in Carman constituency on probably the iciest roads that anybody has ever seen. It was, again, these volunteers who helped me attain a larger majority than in the previous election, so it's very comforting to me that I have this group of volunteers around me.

This has been a three-y ear dream in the making in getting here, and I'm very privileged to have been given the opportunity and the support by many members throughout the whole constituency. We have a large constituency and I have support from all over. My constituency has big expectations of their member, expectations I plan to meet and exceed every day. As a rural constituency, Carman faces many challenges that continue to be ignored by the current government. Right now, we have health care and roads in a competition, and it's a competition to see which can decay at the fastest rate.

Our transportation system remains crippled from a road system that routinely faces restrictions and closures. Carman constituency faces two separate rail line abandonments, which further diminishes our ability to do commerce, and it will become even more difficult to maintain our current business environment as well as the hope of attracting any new business to our area.

It's just a complete lack of vision by this government that allows a rail line from Morris to Mariapolis to be abandoned and dismantled, sold to Brazil, where it's going to become a new rail line in Brazil that will haul corn, soybeans, meat and ethanol to port to compete directly with our farmers here at home. Something's wrong with this picture. Manitoba needs a government that's willing to take short-term risks for long-t erm gains for all parts of Manitoba, both rural and urban.

Our health facilities face a variety of challenges just like many other areas in Manitoba: aging structures, shortage of doctors, nurses. We have an acut

Document details

Collection	Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	39-1-2
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	39th 1st hansardpdf 2.pdf
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	7a87ad83759997ae047caa380812511fc08e1dfd

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