Manitoba Hansard — 25 April 2022 (Sitting 41, 42nd Legislature, 4th Session)

42-4-41

Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)

Fourth Session – Forty-Second Legislature of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba DEBATES and PROCEEDINGS Official Report (Hansard) Published under the authority of The Honourable Myrna Driedger Speaker Vol. LXXVI No. 41 - 1:30 p.m., Monday, April 25, 2022 ISSN 0542-5492

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

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

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

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

1507 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA Monday, April 25, 2022 The House met at 1:30 p.m. Madam Speaker: O Eternal and Almighty God, from Whom all power and wisdom come, we are assembled here before Thee to frame such laws as may tend to the welfare and prosperit y of our province. Grant, O merciful God, we pray Thee, that we may desire only that which is in accordance with Thy will, that we may seek it with wisdom and know it with certainty and accomplish it perfectly for the glory and honour of Thy name and for t he welfare of all our people. Amen.

We acknowl edge we are gathered on Treaty 1 territory and that Manitoba is located on the treaty territories and ancestral lands of the Anishinaabeg, Anishininewuk, Dakota Oyate, Denesuline and Nehethowuk nations. We ac knowledge Manitoba is located on the Homeland of the Red River Métis. We acknowledge northern Manitoba includes lands that were and are the ancestral lands of the Inuit. We respect the spirit and intent of treaties and treaty making and remain committed to working in partner- ship with First Nations, Inuit and Métis people in the spirit of truth, reconciliation and collaboration.

Good afternoon, everybody. Please be seated. ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS Madam Speaker: Introduction of bills? Com mittee reports? TABLING OF REPORTS Hon. Jon Reyes (Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Immigration): Madam Speaker, I am pleased to table the sup plement to the Estimates of expenditure for the De partment of Advanced Education, Skills and Immigration fo r the fiscal year of 2022-23.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS Madam Speaker: The honour able Minister of Transportation and Infra structure–and I would indi - cate that the 90 minutes notice prior to routine pro- ceedings was provided in accordance with our rule 26(2). Would the honour able minister please proceed with his statement. Weather Event Update Hon. Doyle Piwniuk (Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure): Madam Speaker, this past weekend Manitoba received a significant weather event, with precipitation totaling up to 80 millimetres across the province.

As a result, some roadways have been closed due to localized overland flooding, as well as two municipalities declaring state of local emergencies, being that of RM of Headingley and RM of Cartier. In response, our gov ernment, in collaboration with local governments and the emergency manage - ment organization, have taken action to provide miti- gation and recovery efforts while maintaining an 'altmus' safety for all of Manitobans. This past Saturday, the Red River Floodway was put into operations, providing relief to the Red River and Assiniboine River systems.

As of –a total of 30,000 sandbags are being provided to municipalities for distribution, as well as pumping systems, where applicable. S ome dikes in high- risk areas, such as St. Adolphe, have begun to close. Our provincial staff continue to monitor provincial drains and inter- vene where necessary to remove obstructions and restore flow in order to reduce the threat of localized flooding. Manitobans are resilient and no strangers to flooding. As we recoup from the efforts on this weather event, I would encourage Manitobans to lend a helping hand to those who need it.

The strongest way to battle a storm is together. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Mr. Matt Wiebe (Concordia): For this weekend's extreme weather and sig nificant precipitation event, many Manitobans are struggling. As of Sunday evening, over 20,000 people were without power, and many more were anxiously checking their basements for signs of flooding. This situation demands an all - hands-on-deck approach, and we commend all those who are out in the field, working around the clock to address the situation.

We ask the provincial government to continue communicating with at -risk property owners and municipal leaders so that flood prevention measures can be implemented as quickly as possible, especially

1508 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 25, 2022 as we prepare for more rain later this week. For ex - ample, Winnipeggers should be aware that they can pick up sandbags at locations on Pacific and Thomas avenues and Waverley Street. Details can be found online at Winnipeg.ca. Manitobans should have access to flood prevention tools when and where they need them. Winnipeggers picking up sandbags at the sites listed above need to pr ovide identification that they live in the city and sugges tions–suggesting that there might be a lack of sandbag availability in rural Manitoba.

I'd also like to commend all those who are help- ing each other and their communities protect their properties. Manitobans like Marion Willis from St. Boniface Street Links, and all the Manitoba Hydro employees currently restoring power to our communities like Dauphin, Morden, Winnipeg and Killarney. As I said, Madam Speaker, we stand with Manitobans who are wor king through this extreme weather situation, and we look forward to receiving more updates from the minister as we go forward. Thank you. Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Yes, Madam Speaker, I ask leave to speak to the minister's statement.

Madam Spe aker: Does the member have leave to respond to the minister's statement? [Agreed] Mr. Gerrard: Madam Speaker, we have very serious flooding and snow events over the weekend: East St. Paul, the RM of Stanley, the RM of Cartier and in quite a number of othe r areas have been very significantly affected. Around Rossburn and Onanole there's been very heavy snow. In fact, residents are being told, where there's hydro lines out, that the Hydro people can't even come in until the roads are cleared. April 13th, the Manitoba Liberal leader, the MLA for St.

Boniface, raised concerns about flooding and asked for a briefing from the gov ernment, to be sure that the government was preparing well. April 21st, in response to the budget, I also men- tioned flooding concerns, and the government MLAs laughed at my raising this but, I'm glad today the minister and the gov ernment is taking a flood much more seriously and that we're having a minis terial statement. We're still waiting for the briefing from the gov - ernment and hope that they will give a briefing to us and other MLAs shortly. Madam Speaker: A further ministerial statements?

The hon ourable Minister of Edu cation–and I would indicate that the required 90 minutes notice prior to routine proceedings wa s provided in accord- ance with rule 26(2). Would the honour able minister please proceed with his statement. Week of the Early Childhood Educator Hon.

Wayne Ewasko (Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning): Madam Speaker, it is a pleasure for me to speak in the Chamber today to proclaim the 31st annual Week of the Early Childhood Educator and to acknowledge the importance of early childhood educators and their valuable work with children, families and communities in both centre - and home-based licensed facilities.

I want to express my appreciation to the Manitoba Child Care Association and all their advocates of learning and child care for their commitment to foster- ing professional development and excellence in the field of early childhood education. To say these past two years have been challenging is an understatement. Through it all, early childhood educators have remained committed to providing quality child care to Manitoba's children, and their efforts continue to be essential to Ma nitoba's COVID-19 response.

I would like to acknowledge the important ser - vices that are provided by early -learning and child- care facilities to Manitoba's families. * (13:40) This week of the ECE is a time to recognize the important work and to celebrate the energy, creativity and expertise of all early childhood educators. The support they provide for families and communities contributes to both the social and economic develop- ment of our province. It is because of early childhood educators that families in Manitoba can go to work or school and feel assured their children are in safe, caring and capable hands.

With this in mind, it is my honour today to pro - claim the 31st annual Week of the Early Childhood Educator.

April 25, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1509 The Manitoba government recognizes that access to responsive, affordable, high- quality, flexible and inclusive child care is a priority for Manitoba families. Through the Canada -Manitoba Canada- Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, our federal and provincial governments continue to work together toward the shared goals of improving child care throughout Manitoba.

Some of these goals in - clude reducing parent fees by 50 per cent by the end of 2022, the creation of 23,000 new child- care spaces throughout Manitoba and the implementation of the wage grid, making wages more competitive for the child-care sector.

Early childhood educators offer valuable contrib- utions to support families, early learning and child care, social and economic development as well as the betterment of society, and early childhood educators in Manitoba's licensed child -care centres, nursery schools and family child -care homes partner with parents to support children's well-being and develop- mentally appropriate early learning and care. I want to thank early childhood educators across this province for their dedication and passion in providing exceptional care to children throughout Manitoba.

I am pleased to recognize two special guests that are in the gallery today: Jodie Kehl and Karen Kowalski from the Manitoba Child Care Association. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Mr. Nello Altomare (Transcona): Madam Speaker, I am pleased to have the opportunity today to thank all of Manitoba's dedicated and hard- working early childhood educators who take care of M anitoba kids every day. ECEs ensure that children have a safe, fun, educational ex perience while their parents or care- givers are able to work or see to other commitments.

Many studies have found that high- quality day- care has positive impacts on child ren. Children attending daycares and ECEs benefit from cognitive development and learn crucial language and pre - academic skills. They also benefit from social inter - actions with other children that can help with their emotional development and can lead to improved attention spans and conduct. It's important to ensure that there are sufficient re- sources and child- care spaces available in Manitoba so that every child has the opportunity to attend this centres–or these centres if their parents so choose.

Child care needs to be affordable for all parents, regardless of income level. However, affordable child care means nothing if there isn't enough staff or centres for all children. More can be done to ensure that affordable child care is available to all Manitobans. And one aspect of this is ensuring that existing ECE staff are supported, by paying them higher wages. Most ECEs earn little more than minimum wage, which makes it harder to attract new workers and leads many to leave the field in order to find higher paying work. Parents know the value of early childhood educators; their pay needs to reflect this.

Honouring ECEs is a nice gesture, but actions will speak louder than words in this sector, Madam Speaker. This government can do much more to sup- port the child -care sector in our province by taking bold action to ensure that child care is affordable for all, ECEs are adequately paid and a physical space is available for the demand. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Ms. Cindy Lamoureux (Tyndall Park): Madam Speaker, I seek leave to respond to the minister's statement. Madam Speaker: Does the member have leave to respond to the ministerial statement? [Agreed] Ms.

Lamoureux: Over the last few years, as the Manitoba Liberal critic for child care, I've had the op- portunity to converse with many different early child- hood educators throughout the province. I reflect upon a couple of specific late-night com- mittees that took place about a year ago where ECE workers spoke so passionately about the needs tha t child-care centres have and the barriers that they face here in Manitoba. Madam Speaker, child care can be a huge barrier on its own that many people face, and this was am - plified during the pandemic and even more so now as people are returning to work in person.

During the pandemic, many child -care centres faced having to close cohorts. They also had to request parents pick up and drop off their children at different times, and this was all on top of having to find staffing for screening COVID symptoms , answering phone calls and meeting parents at school entrances. Madam Speaker, more presently, this ripple effect has continued to create a huge struggle for people who are trying to find available child -care spots.

1510 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 25, 2022 Many have been on long wait-lists and continue to be. People are struggling to find affordable child care, and people are really struggling in finding ways to manage going back to work or even just maintain their jobs. In addition to this, we as politicians are hearing from early -learning chi ld-care facilities and how many of them felt forgotten and not appreciated by this government throughout the pandemic.

Public child care should be accessible for every - one, and we have seen the federal government provide millions to support recruitment and retention for our early-learning child -care centres, as well as their big access-to-public-child-care-for-$10-a-day pro - gram. But where is this government? We know this provincial government underspent their designated funds for the pandemic support staff- ing benefit in 2020-2021 by $9.2 million. And while the minister responsible says that more child -care spaces are coming, the questions of who will be staff- ing these spaces are ringing louder.

Madam Speaker, my hope is that the provincial government will work directly with ELCC centres and understand the importance of increasing wages and resources, and ensuring that there are spots for all children who would benefit from early learning child care. Thank you. MEMBERS' STATEMENTS Justin Lee Hon. Doyle Piwniuk (Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure): Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a young athlete from the constituency of Turtle Mountain.

Justin Lee, son of Don and Carla Lee, and former Virden Oil Capitals defenceman, helped the University of Denver's men's hockey team capture its record-tying ninth national title. Lee committed to the University of Denver during the successful junior rookie season with the Virden Oil Caps. He was the Manitoba's Junior Hockey League Rookie of the Year and the member of the MJHL All-Rookie Team. Before Denver, Justin recorded 35 points through 57 games during the 2017 season. He registered six goals and 24 assists through the 62 games for the 2018 season.

In the 2019 season, Justin appeared at three–31 out of 36 games, made his NCAA debut and recorded his first point with the assist against the Boston College and scored his first collegiate goal with the University of Minnesota Duluth. Justin played with –24 games in 2022 season, tallying six point s and leading the –all defencemen with four goals. He also scored two goals in Denver's win over Omaha. This season, the Waskada, Manitoba, product of assistant captain of the Denver university team posted an assist in the 5 -1 victory over Minnesota State University.

In the semi -finals, his team beat the University of Michigan 3-2 in overtime. Lee had an assist in the contest. The Michigan Wolverines and the Denver Pioneers are now tied with nine titles each. As you can see, Madam Speaker, Justin Lee is – endured great success during his hockey career. Residents of Turtle Mountain, my fellow MLAs, col- leagues and Manitobas across the province are proud of this Man-made hockey star–Manitoba-made hockey star, and we would like to wish him continued success moving forward. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Murdoch MacKay Women's Hockey Team Mr.

Nello Altomare (Transcona): Today, I'm honoured to rise and pay tribute to the Murdoch MacKay women's hockey team, who happen to be joining us today in the gallery. Despite only being in the Winnipeg women's hockey league for only four years, the Murdoch MacKay Collegiate women's hockey team has proven once again that they are fierce competitors within the Hire Marketing Division. Born out of a desire to represent their school, Murdoch joined the league for 2018-19 as underdogs.

With most of the team experienced as ringette players that year, they were very successful in their debut season and won the Hire Marketing championship. Looking to defend their title in 2019-20, and with most of the previous roster returning, the team made it to the finals once again, was set to play Collège Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau in a battle of Transcona.

Unfor- tunately, though, the final round was cancelled due to COVID, and it would be anothe r two years before they would be back on the ice. * (13:50) After this hiatus, the girls stepped back onto the rink with excitement, enthusiasm to represent their school. Those who kick- started the program in their

April 25, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1511 grade 9 year now return to the team as veterans to set to lead a new batch of players. Going into a season filled with uncertainty, the re- siliency and perseverance practised through pandemic proved to be essential as the season progressed. Lean- ing on team spirit and recognizing the unique con - tribution of each team member, they continued their momentum of the regular season into the playoffs. Ultimately, they were once again able to claim the championship title.

There are five graduating players on the team this year who can look back on their memories with pride, as they were the players who started the program and are now passing the torch to their teammates, who look forward to continuing this legacy. Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating the Murdoch MacKay hockey team and their successes. I would like to respectfully ask that we in- clude the team roster and coaching staff into Hansard. Thank you.

Murdoch MacKay women's hockey team: Torian Cobbett, Hailey Davy, Kaitlyn Davy, Sarah Edwards, Emily Emms, Brooklyn Ferjan, Kaleigh Fontaine, Rebecca Heintz, Alyssa Jefkins, Eve Kubesh, Kylie Loder, Caitlyn Sawatzky, Sara Taylor, Alexandra Tracy – players; Jessica Emms, Trent Heintz, Laurissa Kostiw, Samantha Robert – assistant coaches; Stuart Emms – head coach; Brienna Street – manager/teacher supervisor Manitoba Pork Industry Award Winners Mr.

Dennis Smook (La Vérendrye): Earlier this month, I had the honour of attending this year's Manitoba Pork banquet, where three of the founding members of HyLife Ltd. received this year's Manitoba Pork Industry Award in the category of Industry Builder. Don Janzen has over 45 years of farm experience and has been with HyLife since its inception in 1994. Don is heavily involved in the community, and while he was with HyLife he looked–he overlooked the 'philthropic' management of the company.

Claude Vielfaure has also been win HyLife since its inception in 1994, and during his time at HyLife he led the production, genetics and human resources teams. Claude has over 30 years of farm experience and represented HyLife and the pork industry on several boards, including the Manitoba Pork board, the Canadian Pork Council and the Canadian Pork Value Chain Roundtable. Denis Vielfaure has also been with HyLife since 1994. His primary responsibilities while with HyLife were environmental management, asset development, construction, manufacturing and maintenance.

In 1994, the three Vielfaure brothers–Paul, Denis and Claude –partnered with Don Janzen to form VL4/Janzen, and to build Tritek sow, a 2,000- head barn. In 1997, the barn was converted to house 6,000 head and was the largest in Canada. Many more barns were added, and, in 2003, all barns were com - bined under the name of Hytek. In 2005, Hytek became HyLife. HyLife's reach spread across the province an d around the world. In 2008, HyLife purchased a plant in Neepawa that staffed 350 people, processing 1,300 hogs a day.

Today, HyLife has grown to over 4,500 employees across multiple countries, process - ing over 14,000 hogs a day. I would ask all in this Chamber to help me congratulate the founders of HyLife on their success in growing a true Manitoba success story. Baldev Gill Mr. Diljeet Brar (Burrows): April is the month to recognize the significant contributions Sikh Manitobans have made to the growth and prosperity of Manitoba, and I am glad to rise in the House today and recognize the founder of Radio Awaz, Mr. Baldev Gill.

In the late '60s, Baldev immigrated to Canada, first settling in Vancouver and then making Manitoba his home in the mid-'70s. Starting off as a commercial electrician, he then stepped onto the taxi business, becoming a taxi owner with Unicity and was elected as the president from 1988 to 1989. In 2015, Baldev, along with his wife Sinder Kaur, started Radio Awaz, which is Winni peg's first 24 -7 South Asian radio station. Radio Awaz is known and loved by many families in Manitoba and is a platform for the community and by the community.

Baldev and his team have done a commendable job in keeping Manitobans entertained and informed with great content. Radio Awaz programming presents tourist in- formation, weather and traffic updates, and regularly hosts local guest speakers to engage on a variety of topics. The team from Radio Awaz is actively in volved in the community. By rais ing awareness on various issues, they are able to mobilize the com munity to

1512 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 25, 2022 create change. They have organized fundraisers for many community organi zations, such as Winnipeg Harvest and the Children's Hospital. In 2019, Radio Awaz raised thousands of dol lars for a family who had tragically lost two loved ones in an accidental drowning. Baldev and his team's work is immeasurable in connecting South Asian Manitobans through lan- guage, music and community. Baldev's life story is one of–that resonates with many families across our province.

Madam Speaker, I'd like to ask all members to join me in thanking the team of Radio Awaz and recognizing Mr. Baldev Gill for his contributions to Manitoba. Let's welcome Mr. Baldev Gill and Mrs. Sinder Kaur, present with us in the gallery today. Thank you. Brett Mitchell Hon. Alan Lagimodiere (Minister of Indigenous Reconciliation and Northern Relations): I'm honoured to stand in the house to celebrate the Selkirk & District Community Foundation's 36th Citizen of the Year. Mr.

Brett Mitchell joins a list of dedicated volun- teers in our community who selflessly and without hesitation steps up and works towards bettering our community. He has been a volunteer board member for the Festival on the Red, a member of the Dufferin Gang Committee, a member of the Lockport Development Group and a volunteer board member for Selkirk Biz.

He is also actively involved in most of the events that define the Tri-S area, including Selkirk's Canada Day celebrations; the Triple S Fair & Rodeo; the parade of lights; Homes for the Holidays and Holiday Alley; the Highland Gathering; and the Lockport River's Edge Run. When Brett's father was diagnosed with Huntington's disease, Brett took up the cause, raising funds and awareness fo r Huntington's disease. He became an active volunteer board member with the Huntington Society of Canada, Winnipeg and area chapter. Brett Mitchell values being part of what makes our Tri-S area the best that it can be.

He is known for his endless energy , commitment and entrepreneurial spirit, which contributes to many organizations meet- ing and surpassing their goals. His com munity spirit is driven by the positive energy from others that share the same passion for community. He can be seen at jus t about every event in the Tri- S area, supporting the cause, lifting our communities and sharing his enthusiasm for life. Brett views his time and efforts in volunteerism as a family commitment and gives thanks to his wife Janet and three sons for the ir support and sacrifices.

Brett is proud to state that his three sons have taken up the cause as active volunteers. Madam Speaker, I would like to ask my col - leagues to please rise and acknowledge the Selkirk & District Community Foundation's 36th Citizen of the Year, Mr. Brett Mitchell. ORAL QUESTIONS Manitoba Hydro Rates Application to PUB Mr. Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): Madam Speaker, I want to begin by thanking all the Hydro workers and those on the front lines who are helpi ng Manitobans through this most recent weekend storm. Now, the Public Utilities Board has been a pro- tector of the people of Manitoba.

We know that this Premier and the PCs keep trying to raise hydro rates by hundreds of dollars a year. In fact, this year , they tried to get the rate increase approved for 5 per cent. The PUB said, no, it's not justified. But the PCs and this Premier, they simply won't accept that. We've learned this past weekend that the PCs are now going back to the Public Utilities Board and continuing to push for that 5 per cent rate increase. Madam Speaker, this is going to cost Manitobans hundreds of dollars a year. It doesn't make sense with gas and grocery prices going through the roof.

Why does the Premier want to raise hydro r ates by hundreds of dollars a year on Manitobans? Hon. Heather Stefanson (Premier): Well, Madam Speaker, I don't even know where to begin with the litany of false accusations and the Leader of the Opposition's

preamble when it comes to this. * (14:00) But Manitobans know one thing, and that is what the NDP did to Manitoba Hydro. They–in their time

April 25, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1513 in office, Madam Speaker, they tripled the debt of Manitoba Hydro, leaving that burden on the backs of the ratepayers of Manitoba Hydro. Manitobans know that the NDP doesn't stand for them, Madam Speaker. They stand for them selves. They jacked up the debt of Manitoba Hydro. Now we're having to clean up their mess. [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a supplementary question. Mr. Kinew: Well, we know the PC plan.

It's to thank Hydro workers during a fall storm and then turn around and try and lay them off and reduce their wages. That's their record when it comes to Manitoba Hydro. Our plan is simple: let's keep hydro rates affordable, especially with the cost of living going up through the roof. What the PCs have done with Manitoba Hydro this year is ask for a 5 per cent increase. That's going to cost the average family–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Kinew: –hundreds of dollars.

It's a good thing we've got the Public Utilities Board in place to protect Manitobans, because they – PUB rejected that 5 per cent increase. They said it wasn't justified. Now, this government has gone back to that PUB and asked for them to vary the order. They've asked for an increase of hundreds of dollars a year on people's hydro bills. Why does the Premier think that Manitobans are in a position to pay hundreds more per year on their hydro bills? Mrs.

Stefanson: Well, Madam Speaker, I also want to thank all of those Hydro workers out there who were working diligently over the–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mrs. Stefanson: Well, I know the members opposite think that's funny, but we think it's very serious. They worked very diligently and hard over this weekend–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mrs. Stefanson: –and we thank them very much for the work that they have done, especially with the severe weather that happened over the weekend, Madam Speaker.

We also want to thank those who work in Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure as well as our Emergency Measures Organization, who worked diligently around the work to ensure that–the safety of Manitobans during these times, Madam Speaker. But the member opposite will know that tripling the debt of Manitoba Hydro, as they did under their time, it comes with con sequences, Madam Speaker. And the consequences are, as a result of Manitoba–the NDP tripling the debt of Manitoba Hydro, that forced the PUB to make that decision on the increase. We don't make those decisions, Madam Speaker.

The Public Utilities Board makes that decision. Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a final supplementary. Mr. Kinew: That's the issue, Madam Speaker. The Public Utilities Board has made a decision. The PUB ruled that their 5 per cent increase is not justified. But now this Premier, this PC Cabinet, they're not content with respecting the PUB. They've gone – they've now gone back and they've asked for the PUB to vary the order. They've asked for them to re - consider. They are asking the PUB to change their decision and now come back with a 5 per cent rate increase.

Madam Speaker, Manitobans are dealing with a lot right now. We see inflation is at–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Kinew: –record high levels. We see the price of milk is going up under their watch. The price of gas continues to increase. Why does this PC Cabinet not want to respect the Public Utilities Board, and why are they asking for a rate increase that'll hit Manitobans with hundreds of dollars a year in more costs? Mrs.

Stefanson: Well, what we have been doing, Madam Speaker, and what we will continue to do is protect Manitobans against the NDP govern ment who jacked taxes against Manitobans and made Manitobans' lives less affordable back in their time. We won't go in that direction. That's why in our Budget–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order.

1514 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 25, 2022 Mrs. Stefanson: –2022, we have in–we have listed a whole range of things that we are doing to make life more affordable for Manitobans, Madam Speaker. Their way of doing things is jacking– [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mrs. Stefanson: –up debt in Manitoba Hydro. We will continue to make life m ore affordable for all Manitobans. Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a new question. Mr. Kinew: Madam Speaker, who in Manitoba right now thinks that life is getting more affordable under the PCs? No one.

The cost of living is going–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Kinew: –through the roof, and we know that Manitoba Hydro rates are a big part of that pinch that Manitobans are feeling right now. Everyone in Manitoba who has to pay a Hydro bill got a very stark reminder this past year that their– [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Kinew: –bills were going up. And then, this gov- ernment decided to email everyone, and to remind them–a very difficult reminder, I would say –that the cost of living continues to increase.

And now, we learn this past weekend that this same PC government under this Premier's direction is going back to the PUB and asking for them to vary the order. We think the PUB is im portant to protect Manitobans from these rate increases. The only question that we don't understand is: Why does this PC government keep going back to the Public Utilities Board and asking Manitobans to pay hundreds– Madam Speaker: The member's time has expired. Mrs. Stefanson: Madam Speaker, there is absolutely nothing about the

preamble in the Leader of the Opposition's question that has anything to do with reality of what's going on in Manitoba. Madam Speaker, what I will do is –I will remind Manitobans–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mrs. Stefanson: –that life under the previous NDP government was less affordable, Madam Speaker. They jacked up taxes 16 of 17 years that they were in power. That is not making life more affordable for Manitobans. Now, the members opposite–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mrs. Stefanson: –have a choice this afternoon.

They will have a choice to vote for a budget that makes my– life much more affordable for Manitobans; or they can choose to vote against that. The question is, what will their choice be? Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a supplementary question. Mr. Kinew: Madam Speaker, it's a fact: everyone in Manitoba knows that life is getting more expensive right now. Everyone knows it's a fact that they're in - creasing hydro rates. It's also a fact that business groups have had enough with the PCs' inter ference at Hydro.

Manitoba's Industrial Power Users Group–these are some of the biggest employers in the province , re- sponsible for thousands of jobs –they say: A lack of transparency regarding the most recent rate and regular changes imposed by the Legislature means that industry in Manitoba is presently operating with an unpre cedented lack of con fidence. End quote, Madam Speaker. That means a threat to thousands of jobs in our province.

Given the suspicion from these large employers, given the difficulties that Manitobans are facing, why is this gov ernment going back to the Public Utilities Board, and try and argue that rates need to increase even more? Mrs. Stefanson: Madam Speaker, again, the litany of false accusations by the member opposite. What Bill 36 does is protects ratepayers of Manitoba Hydro. It also protects Manitoba Hydro, especially from an NDP gov ernment that likes to triple the debt of Manitoba Hydro.

This is a stable, sus tainable approach to ensure that Manitoba Hydro remains in Manitoba, owned by Manitobans, Madam Speaker, not tripling the debt and putting that on the backs of ratepayers in Manitoba Hydro.

April 25, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1515 We have a plan to ensure th e sustain ability of Manitoba Hydro, to ensure that we keep rates low for Manitobans. What is their plan? Oh, they don't have one, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a final supplementary. Mr. Kinew: Madam Speaker, on this side of the House, we build the economy. On that side of the House, they make life more expensive. Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Kinew: On this side of the House, we support workers–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr.

Kinew: –who work with companies like Gerdau Steel, a large employer in the com munity of Selkirk. A large employer that is expressing their skepticism with this gov ernment's approach to increasing– [interjection] * (14:10) Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Kinew: –hydro rates at the Cabinet table, Madam Speaker. They're asking for 5 per cent increases year after year. They've now put it–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Kinew: –in Bill 36. I'll point out, Madam Speaker, they're a sking for a variance at the PUB of 5 per cent at the same time that they're bringing in a Bill 36 asking for 5 per cent.

We could be looking at these hundreds -of-dollar in- creases each year after year for years to come. Why do the PCs– Madam Speaker: The member's time has expired. Mrs.

Stefanson: Certainly, I will await to see that plan by the Leader of the Opposition on how he plans to build our economy, Madam Speaker, because we do know that in the past, raising taxes 16 of 17 years that they were in power, making life less affordable for Manitobans, making it difficult to grow the Manitoba economy here in Manitoba–they didn't take a year where they didn't make it more difficult through red tape and other things to make it more difficult for Manitoba businesses to expand and grow here in our economy here in Manitoba.

Madam Speaker, we have a plan that will build and strengthen our economy here in Manitoba. They have a plan that will tear it down. Shame. [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Order. I'm going to give everybody fair warning that I am unable to hear some of the questions and answers that are being asked because of the amount of heckling. I'm also going to point out that there was a comment in the–one of the papers this weekend that indicated that I should be throwing hecklers out of the House, and I am going to make–give some thought to some of that and to see where I need to take that.

But it is increasingly difficult for me to do my job if this level of heckling does continue, and I'm giving fair warning to all. Manitoba Hydro Rates Request to Withdraw Bill 36 Mr. Adrien Sala (St. James): Madam Speaker, even as we see 30-year-high levels of inflation, this govern- ment continues to try to make life less affordable for Manitobans. They've introduced Bill 36, which allows the PCs to increase hydro rates by going around the Public Utilities Board. The PUB exists to ensure that hydro rates are set fairly rather than by political agenda.

It's simple: Bill 36 will allow this gov ernment to jack up hydro rates on Manitobans yet again. This is wrong, Madam Speaker. Will the minister do the right thing and withdraw Bill 36 today? Hon. Cliff Cullen (Acting Minister responsible for Manitoba Hydro): Well, Madam Speaker, I'm afraid, again, the allegations are not grounded in reality. Hopefully the member will take some time to do his homework, actually read Bill 36. I do want to take the member back in history. I know this might–been before his time, but the–under the NDP, they t ripled the debt of Manitoba Hydro.

Cost overruns alone to the tune of $3.8 billion, Madam Speaker. And do you know what that means for the average household in Manitoba? That means an extra debt load, just on cost overruns, of $8,000 per household. That's the legacy of the NDP. [interjection]

1516 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 25, 2022 An Honourable Member: Throw 'em out. Madam Speaker: I hear a member saying throw them out. Well, if that happens, then half this Chamber would be empty. The honourable member for St. James, on a supplementary question. Mr. Sala: Madam Speaker, since taking office, this government has increased hydro rates again and again, costing Manitobans hundreds of dollars, and now Bill 36 will increase them without oversight or accountability. Manitobans are already str uggling with the cost of living. Increasing hydro rates will only make things worse.

That's why we've decided to delay Bill 36. We want to give Manitobans more time to under- stand the implications of this bill and to let the gov - ernment know what they think. Will this gov ernment listen to Manitobans and stop raising rates? Mr. Cullen: Well, this is interesting from the NDP – sort of a newfound interest in the Public Utilities Board. You know, when they were talking about capital projects, the NDP spent $1.2 billion before they even went to the Public Utilities Board, Madam Speaker.

They've created a tripling of the debt in Manitoba Hydro, almost $4 billion overexpended in two capital projects, added the debt to the average household in Manitoba $8,000–$8,000 per household. That's the legacy of the NDP. The ratepayers of Manitoba have to cover the legacy of the NDP. It was the wrong thing to do, but we have to fix it. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for St. James, on a final supplementary. Mr. Sala: Not only does Bill 36 increase hydro rates, it would also move towards priva tization by putting an end to Hydro's monopoly on the sale of electricity in Manitoba.

That's the PC agenda: raising rates and pushing privatization. We know Manit obans don't support that. They know the value of Manitoba Hydro and affordable rates. On this side of the House, we want to keep rates low. Will the minister do the right thing, stop raising hydro rates and withdraw Bill 36 today? Mr. Cullen: Well, Madam Speaker, if the NDP really wanted to keep hydro rates low, they should've thought of that 15 years ago. Madam Speaker, if the members opposite would read Bill 36, this is a path to stability for Manitoba Hydro. The bill protects ratepayers by setting a ceiling on annual rate increases.

The bill also expands the role of the Public Utilities Board to oversee and advise on rate-setting and infra structure programs, some thing that the NDP chose to ignore. [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Cullen: Additionally, this bill establishes reason- able debt-equity targets over time. We're giving more responsi bility to the Public Utilities Board and, at the same time, we're protecting Manitoba ratepayers. Spring Flooding Event Financial Supports Needed Mr.

Matt Wiebe (Concordia): Madam Speaker, this weekend's extreme weather has added to the near - record-breaking levels of snowfall and rain that we've seen this year, resulting in flooding, and has impacted so many Manitobans. Flooding has resulted in widespread damage to people's property, and many are now left wondering what to do, as damages can be significant. The gov ernment has a role to be proactive in collaborating with impacted municipalities and com- munities and with property owners. With the crest and more precipitation on the way, will the gov ernment be proactively working to offer these supports?

Hon. Doyle Piwniuk (Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure): I want to thank the member for the question. Our department, when it comes to our EMO, are actually all–on a regular basis, especially during this past spring, they had communications with all munici- palities in the province of Manitoba, including cities and towns–City of Brandon, Thompson and even First Nations communities. They have com munications with all and they're always working together to make sure that everyone has a plan, and they follow that plan when it's required. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

April 25, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1517 Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Concordia, on a supplementary question. Mr. Wiebe: Madam Speaker, we want to thank all those munici pal employees, prov incial employees who worked through the weekend to ensure that folks were safe. But we know that affected Manitobans are now wondering whether financial supports will be avail - able to them and to at -risk Manitobans who want to know that measures are being taken to prevent flood- ing now. Communication is so important during times like this, but the situation on the ground is changing rapid- ly.

And so it's im portant that–the forecast right now still calls for more participation –precipitation, I should say–that we communicate well. That's why we ask this government to be proactive in offering those supports. Will the minister comment on the specific pro - active supports that he is putting in place to support Manitobans now? Mr. Piwniuk: I want to thank the member for the question. You know, our department is proactive when it comes to com munications with RMs, munici palities and, again, every community around in the province of Manitoba.

They will definitely work together with people who have actually had flooding situations in their basements. We–what we–first, what we do in our department is look at an assessment of what's–really happens and then find out what the actual cost is. We're looking at municipalities giving states of local emergency that we–I've reported in my ministerial statement, and we want to make sure that all the communication is going to be flowing both to mun icipalities and to the –any kind of EMO when it comes to a DFA program. * (14:20) Thank you.

Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Concordia, on a final supplementary. Mr. Wiebe: The prospect of spring flooding has been on the minds of Manitobans now for months, and these next few weeks will be crucial. Many Winnipeggers experienced flooding in their homes over the weekend, many more people saw flooded streets in com munities like Transcona, East St. Paul, West St. Paul, and overland flooding has extended throughout all of southern Manitoba. During times of crisis, Manitobans need to know that the gov ernment is there to support them and to support them with financial supports.

Again, what steps will the minister be taking to support financially the impacted Manitobans in their time of need? Mr. Piwniuk: Yes, Madam Speaker, I want to thank the member for the question. Yes, when it comes to the locations in the city of Winnipeg, it's the City of Winnipeg that's responsible for a lot of those situations. Where we–actually, with the Province of Manitoba, we work with all our municipalities to make sure that anything that we can assist our cities, our com munications, our RMs and First Nations communities, we're there for them.

And the thing is, when it comes to DFA programs, once the assessment is done and we finally get through this wicked spring that we've had, it's been a challenge for everybody–and I want to thank all our staff for all the hard work they have done. They should be com - mended for the work that they had when it came to the snow removal to the flood situation. I commend them and I'm very proud of being part of this department. Ambulance Services Rural Response Times MLA Uzoma Asagwara (Union Station): Madam Speaker, people are waiting longer and longer for an ambulance in Manitoba.

Last week, our team raised serious concerns with the bad EMS situation here in Winnipeg. In January of this year, for 28 hours, there were no EMS units available in Winnipeg. The situation in rural Manitoba is just as bad. Through freedom of information, which I table, ambu- lances were out of service due to staff shortages for over 19,000 hours in December of 2021. Far too often in rural Manitoba, an ambulance is not there when people need it. Why has this gov ernment done nothing to make sure 'ambulancers' are there–ambulances are there, rather, when Manitobans need it? Hon.

Audrey Gordon (Minister of Health): I thank the member from Union Station for the question. The member is very inaccurate in terms of the in- formation they are putting on the record today. Manitobans need to know that our gov ernment has invested $812 million to create 38 projects and

1518 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 25, 2022 initiatives to streamline care all across our province, Madam Speaker. Budget 2022 will aid in hiring 35 more paramedics across our province, Madam Speaker. And perhaps the member missed my announce - ment out in Crystal City, in Portage la Prairie, where we announced new garages for paramedics that will improve the care that Manitobans receive. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Union Station, on a supplementary question.

MLA Asagwara: Madam Speaker, when you call an ambulance, it's because you're experiencing an emer- gency, and in rural Manitoba, people don't have access to the health care they need close to home. Over the last four years, response times in rural Manitoba have gone up –an increase in wait times as high as 35 per cent. It should only take 15 minutes for an ambulance to come in rural areas. That is, actually, by the government's own standards. In com munities like Ashern, Riverton and St. Laurent, some patients have to wait three times longer or even more, Madam Speaker. Why has the Premier (Mrs.

Stefanson) done noth- ing to make sure ambulances are there for people who need it in Ashern and Riverton? Ms. Gordon: I'm so pleased to see this new -found interest in rural Manitoba from a gov ernment–pre- vious government that closed 20 emergency de part- ments. I guess at that time they were ex periencing perimeteritis, and what happened outside of the boundaries of Winnipeg did not matter. But, Madam Speaker, for our government, all of Manitoba matters. That is why we're investing $7.2 billion total for health-care budget in 2022.

This afternoon, members opposite will be able to show Manitobans whether they care about all of rural Manitoba and all of this province by voting for our budget. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Union Station, on a final supplementary. MLA Asagwara: Madam Speaker, PC cuts to rural ambulances and health care are making things worse. It takes 25 per cent longer for an ambulance to come to Russell today than it did in 2018. In Dauphin, it's nearly 50 per cent longer to get an ambulance to come than it did in 2018. Those numbers are for the most serious medical emergencies, Madam Speaker.

The Premier was the minister of Health –the Premier was the minister of Health –when those numbers increased, Madam Speaker, and there's no plan from this Premier or her gov ernment to address the concerns that rural Manitobans have. Why has this gov ernment done nothing to make sure ambulances are there for people in Russell and Dauphin when they need it? Ms. Gordon: The member for Union Station is new to the NDP government and their tactics, and so they are not aware of their previous strategies to make life just–not just less affordable for Manitobans, but poor health care.

Madam Speaker, I can remember when individ - uals didn't bother to even call for an ambulance because they couldn't afford to pay for it. It was our government that reduced the ambulance fees by 50 per cent. We've added more paramedics. We've purchased new ambulances. And in this budget, $7.2 billion is an option members opposite will be able to v ote for or against this afternoon. Mental Health Funding Investments Needed Mrs. Bernadette Smith (Point Douglas): Manitobans are facing mental health challenges like never before. The pandemic disrupted much of people's regular lives.

The VIRGO review called for much more signi- ficant investment in mental health within three years. That time has come and gone, and the funding to ad- dress the needs has not been put in place. Why is this government not doing much more to address mental health, especially when there's a greater need here in Manitoba? Hon. Sarah Guillemard (Minister of Mental Health and Community Wellness): I appreciate the question coming from the member opposite. However, she is mistaken in some of the words that she's putting on the record right now. We have invested over $58 million since the VIRGO report had been released.

We have invested 23.1 in ongoing services for this year alone in this budget. We also have added an addi tional $17.1 million.

April 25, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1519 I would ask the mem ber opposite: How much more does the member think is necessary this year, and what is the member's plan? Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Point Douglas, on a supplementary question. Mrs. Smith: Quit leaving mental health money on the table: that's what this government should be doing. Through a FIPPA that we got, Manitoba's finan- cial statement for funding received from Ottawa for mental health–and I'll table it–this year –or, in fiscal year 2019-20, $1.9 million promised for mental health went unspent.

In 2021, $1.8 million was left unspent. In short, the PC government is leaving money on the table that should be used to address urgent mental health challenges in Manitoba. Why has million dollars –why has millions of dollars been left unspe nt to address mental health, especially when Manitobans are suffering more than ever? Mrs. Guillemard: Again, I appre ciate the questions coming from the member opposite. It allows me to really focus on the investments that our government is making in mental health.

And although the member is speaking about pre- pandemic numbers and services, I'd like to speak about how we are addressing the needs of Manitobans as we are coming out of this–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mrs. Guillemard: –pandemic. Madam Speaker, we've invested $2.8 million for a sobering centre in Thompson in the North. It is effective alter native to police - and hospital -based responses to public intoxication. We have descheduled naloxone, so now it can be distributed by r etailers and bought without prescription.

Madam Speaker, I have further details to add from this list. * (14:30) Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Point Douglas, on a final supplementary. Mrs. Smith: Madam Speaker, this government is not taking steps to address mental health problems brought on by the pandemic. The 'audiditor' general found this government has not taken appropriate action to address mental health needs in our schools. Funding called for by the VIRGO review has not happened. In fact, millions of federal dollars are being left unspent by this gov ern- ment and this minister.

Why is the minister not properly addressing Manitoba health challenges, especially in our schools? Mrs. Guillemard: Again, I do believe the member opposite is a little bit confused. Over the past two years, there has been something we've all been dealing with. It's a called a pandemic. And, Madam Speaker, that disrupted in-school learn- ing. There's a lot of disruption that has happened throughout the province.

Madam Speaker, we are prepared to assist students and all Manitobans as we come out of this pandemic together: their mental health needs, their health-care needs, their edu cation needs. [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mrs. Guillemard: Thank you, Madam Speaker. Spring Weather Events State of Emergency Inquiry Mr. Dougald Lamont (St. Boniface): We've now had two Colorado lows with massive snowfalls in the Riding Mountain area, where people are without power, significant overland flooding across southern Manitoba and another Colorado low projected for the end of this week. People are already sandbagging.

Now, we had a record snowfall this winter so there should have been consid erable flood pre par- ations in place, but in 2020, a fter a thousand- year downpour washed away roads and bridges in Westman, it took a month to declare a state of emer - gency and residents there are still waiting for their compensation. If the situation turns, is this Province ready to declare a state of emergency and prepared to call in the federal government for assistance? Hon. Doyle Piwniuk (Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure): I want to thank the member for the question.

When it comes to our DFA, this is all going to be done with–based on the amount of claims that each individual person will have and in an area. Each of the municipalities, towns, they will declare their local

1520 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 25, 2022 state of emergency. Once we get an assessment, that's when we work with the federal government on a DFA program and that's what we'll be waiting for until we deal with the assessment with all the stuff that's coming our way. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for St. Boniface, on a supplementary question. Basement Flooding Protection Program Mr. Lamont: It's clear that munici palities– [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr.

Lamont: –are going to face massive extra costs from this flood and it's equally clear they're being shortchanged by this government. For the seventh year this–straight, this PC govern- ment has frozen funding to the municipalities even while they face un precedented pandemic costs. As this

article I table shows, there used to be a program to help subsidize the cost of protecting basements from flooding through municipalities that was can - celled due to funding cuts by this PC government. Will this government thaw the funding freeze and flow funding to the municipalities to cover the costs of dealing with this flood, including restoring the basement flooding protection program? Hon.

Derek Johnson (Acting Minister of Muni - cipal Relations): As the member knows, we continue to flow $280 million towards municipalities this year and part of that funding alone is $230 million towards municipal capital invest ments, $42 million for water services projects and $3.1 million for munici pal en - forcement support program, and there are millions of dollars more and other great projects, as well, Madam Speaker. Provincial Nominee Program Request for Review of Program Ms.

Cindy Lamoureux (Tyndall Park): Madam Speaker, I want to table some infor mation demon- strating the positive changes that the Saskatchewan nominee program recently made that connects applicants with jobs in demand. Now, Manitoba's Prov incial Nominee Program has played a critical role in our social and economic development and it is clear that it's time to have a thorough review of the program. The program needs to be modernized to better fit today's needs, whether it be through health- care workers, inter national stu- dents or workers in general.

Will this minister commit to attend an open forum that I will host, around his availability , to hear out ideas from Manitobans who are familiar with the program? Hon. Jon Reyes (Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Immigration): I'm very proud of the flagship program called the Manitoba Prov incial Nominee Program that other provinces have emulated. It is my duty and my job to ensure that we en- hance and improve this program, Madam Speake r. Since our gov ernment was elected in 2016, we have committed to addressing the well- being of all Manitobans, including newcomers and immigrants.

Immigration is a key part of our gov ernment's whole plan for economic recovery to address labour and s kill shortages and to attract and recruit inter - national talent and new comers to Manitoba. While COVID-19 has impacted the arrival of newcomers to our province, I would remind all members that in 2021 we had the highest number of MPNP nominations, at just under 6,300, during the pandemic. We are proud of that record and we'll continue to improve and enhance that program that we created back in 1998, Madam Speaker. Former Hudson's Bay Building Indigenous Housing Initiative Mr.

Ian Wishart (Portage la Prairie): On Friday, it was inspiring to see the Premier (Mrs. Stefanson) and the Prime Minister join Southern Chiefs Organization leadership for historic an nouncement regarding the future of the Bay building. A major component of this proposed project will be on housing. Can the Minister of Families explain how her de- partment has contributed to this goal? Hon. Rochelle Squires (Minister of Families): I'd like to thank my friend from Portage for that excellent question.

What was once called the largest reinforced concrete building in Canada now serves as a concrete example of what Grand Chief Jerry Daniels calls the standard of what reconciliation in this country looks like. On Friday, our government and our Premier was very proud to be supporting this exciting initiative,

April 25, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1521 which includes for –a mix of resi dential units, in - cluding affordable housing units and units dedi cated for seniors. Our government committed $10 million towards this initiative, for upwards of 200 of the 300 planned affordable housing units. This funding is in addition to the $25 million our gov ernment had already set aside for the renovation of the building, making it a grand total of twenty–$35 million. Madam Speaker: The member's time has expired.

Northern Manitoba Health Care ER Staffing and Water Services MLA Tom Lindsey (Flin Flon): Five times in the last month, I've brought before this House concerns with northern Manitobans regarding deplorable state of health care. There are facilities with more ag ency staff than normal staff now. Thompson ER has half of its regular nurses missing. The same hospital is forcing patients to use a thing called shower in a bag because this gov- ernment won't fix the hot water. Why won't the minister address these problems now? Hon.

Audrey Gordon (Minister of Health): I thank the member for raising this issue again in the House. The member, quite obviously, is not in touch with anyone who works in the Thompson General Hospital or any of the maintenance staff. He fabricates and puts inaccurate information on the record. The parts have arrived, Madam Speaker. My understanding is that, by this week, all the repairs to the hot water system in that hospital will be addressed. Perhaps the member isn't aware that we had a two - year pandemic–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Ms. Gordon: –where supply chains were interrupted.

It is not just in –hot water, but even here in the Legislative Building, one of elevators have been down–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Ms. Gordon: –for several months now waiting for parts– Madam Speaker: The member's time has expired. The honourable member for Flin Flon, on a supplementary question. Thompson General Hospital Hot Water Service Repair MLA Tom Lindsey (Flin Flon): Madam Speaker, comparing an elevator not functioning in this building when there are three others that are is shameful for this Minister of Health to compare that to not having hot water in a hospital.

Workers in that hospital are forced to carry five - gallon jugs of hot water to patient areas so that patients can have at least a warm sponge bath. This minister doesn't even know when it's going to be fixed. She won't answer if the parts have been ordered. She won't answer any questions. She just refuses to pay attention to people in the North. She should be ashamed of herself. When will the hot water be turned on in Thompson? [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Hon.

Audrey Gordon (Minister of Health): The member opposite should be completely and utterl y ashamed that he continues to come into this Chamber and discredit the work of the leadership at the – [interjection] * (14:40) Madam Speaker: Order. Ms. Gordon: –Thompson General Hospital. The northern regional health authority has–they– he has no communication whatsoever with the leader- ship there. If he did, he would know the parts have arrived and the issue will be resolved this week. But, instead, the member comes into this House and fear mongers and discredits the work of people – [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order.

Ms. Gordon: –who are on the floor trying to resolve this issue, Madam Speaker. I thank them for all their efforts. Madam Speaker: The time for oral questions has expired. PETITIONS Health-Care Coverage Ms. Cindy Lamoureux (Tyndall Park): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. The background to this petition is as follows:

1522 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 25, 2022

(1) Health care is a basic human right and a fundamental part of responsible public health. Many people in Manitoba are not covered by provincial health care: migrant workers with work permits of less than one year; international students; and those undocumented residents who have lost their status for a variety of reasons.

(2) Racialized people–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Ms. Lamoureux: –and communities are disproportionately affected by the pandemic, mainly due to the social and economic conditions which leave them vulnerable while performing essential work in a variety of industries in Manitoba.

(3) Without ade quate health -care coverage, if they are ill, many of the uninsured will avoid seeking health care due to fear of being charged for their care, and some will fear possible detention and deportation if their immigration status is reported to the authorities.

(4) According to the United Nations Human Rights Committee, denying essential health care to undocumented, irregular migrants is a violation of their rights.

(5) Jurisdictions across Canada and the world have adopted access -without-fear policies to pre vent sharing personal health information or immigration statuses with immigration authorities and to give uninsured residents the confidence to access health care.

(6) The pandemic has clearly identified the need for everyone in Manitoba to have access to health care to protect the health and safety of all who live in the province. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

(1) To urge the provincial government to immediately provide comprehensive and free health - care coverage to all r esidents of Manitoba regardless of their immigration status, including: refugee claimants, migrant workers, international students, dependant children of temporary residents and undocumented residents.

(2) To urge the minister of Health and seniors to undertake a multilingual communication campaign to provide information on expanded coverage to all affected residents.

(3) To urge the minister of Health and seniors to inform all health -care institutions and providers of expanded coverage for those without health insurance and the details of how necessary policy and protocol changes will be implemented.

(4) To urge the minister of Health and seniors to create and enforce strict confidentiality policies and provide staff with training to protect the safety of residents with precarious immigration statuses and ensure they can access health care without jeopardizing their ability to remain in Canada. This petition has been signed by many Manitobans. Thank you. Madam Speaker: In accordance with our rule 132(6), when petitions are read they are deemed to be received by the House. Are there any further petitions? If not, orders of the day. ORDERS OF THE DAY GOVERNMENT BUSINESS House Business Ms.

Nahanni Fontaine (Official Opposition House Leader): On House business, I would like to table a list of the five bills designated by the official opposi- tion for this Fourth Session of the 42nd Legislature.

Our designated bills for this session are: Bill 22, The Environment Amendment Act (Pesticide Restrictions); Bill 36, The Manitoba Hydro Amendment and Public Utilities Board Amendment Act; Bill 13, Social Services Appeal Board Amendment Act; Bill 14, The Drivers and Vehicles Amendment, Highway Traffic Amend ment and Manitoba Public Insurance Cor poration Amendment Act; and Bill 24, The Real Property Valuation Board and Related Amendments Act. Hon.

Kelvin Goertzen (Government House Leader): I'm announcing that the following bills will be considered by the government as specified for the Fourth Session of the 42nd Legislature. Bills 2, 7, 8, 9, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 23, 26, 27, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 and 34. Madam Speaker: It has been announced that the following bills will be considered by the government as specified for this Fourth Session of the 42nd Legislature: Bills 2, 7, 8, 9, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 23, 26, 27, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34.

April 25, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1523 Mr. Goertzen: Just in terms of orders of the rest of the day, and how to order the days, in consul tation with the Opposition House Leader and the member for River Heights (Mr. Gerrard), I have a number of leave requests–series of leave requests regarding the com - pletion of second readings of specified bills this session.

Could you please canvass the House for leave to allow the following provisions to govern debate today and tomorrow: (1) on April 25th, 2022, immediately following the conclusion of the votes on the budget motion and amendments, the House will consider second readings for specified bills, and the hour of adjournment will be midnight; (2) on April 26th, 2022, starting at the beginning of orders of the day, government business, the House will consider second readings of specified bills, and the House will not rise until the questions have been put on all specified bills; (3) despite subrule 2(11), on April 25th and 26th, 2022, the provisions outlined for debate on specified bills in rule 2(10) will apply, with the following exceptions: (

a) the Government House Leader will have the ability to call the orders of bills for debate; (

b) after each debate concludes, the Speaker shall put the question; and (

c) matters of privilege and points of order will be deferred until all questions have been put; (4) at midnight on April 26, 2022, for any remaining specified bills, the minister shall move the second reading motions and the Speaker shall put the questions immediately, without debate, division bells shall ring for no more than one minute on each question, and the House shall rise following the consideration of the last motion.

Madam Speaker: Is there leave to allow the follow- ing provisions to govern debate today and tomorrow: (1) on April 25th, 2022, immediately following the conclusion of the votes on the budget motion and amendments, the House will consider second readings for specified bills and the hour of adjournment will be midnight; (2) on April 26, 2022, starting at the beginning of orders of the day, government business, the House will consider second readings of specified bills, and the House will not rise until the questions have been put on all specified bills; (3) despite subrule 2(11), on April 25th and 26, 2022, the provisions outlined for debate on specified bills in rule 2(10) will apply, with the following exceptions: (

a) the Government House Leader will have the ability to call the order of bills for debate; (

b) after each debate concludes, the Speaker shall put the question; and (

c) matters of privilege and points of order will be deferred until all questions have been put; and (4) at midnight on April 26th, 2022, for any re - maining specified bills, the minister shall move the second reading motions and the Speaker shall put the questions immediately, without debate, the division bells shall ring for no more than one minute on each question, and the House shall rise following the consideration of the last motion. Is there leave? [Agreed] * * * Mr. Goertzen: Madam Speaker, could you please resume debate on the budget.

BUDGET DEBATE (Sixth Day of Debate) Madam Speaker: Resuming debate on the proposed motion of the Minister of Finance (Mr. Friesen), and the amendment and subamendment thereto, standing in the name of the honour able member for Burrows, who has one minute remaining. Mr. Diljeet Brar (Burrows): I will be really brief. Thanks the op portunity–for the opportunity to allow me conclude my remarks in continuation from Friday.

Simply, I want to say that this budget does not meet the ex pectations, and Manitobans deserve a lot better than what's offered in this budget. * (14:50) So, myself and my friends on this s ide of the House would be voting against this budget. Thank you so much, Madam Speaker. Ms. Lisa Naylor (Wolseley): Manitobans were looking for hope in this budget: hope for health care, hope for an economic recovery, hope for the environ- ment and hope for a better future for their kids. But Premier Stefanson failed them.

1524 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 25, 2022 I said at the time of the Throne Speech that my measure of a leader is their ability and commitment to bring a gendered lens –and anti -oppression lens –to leadership. This Premier (Mr s. Stefanson) said she would be different from Brian Pallister, but nothing has changed. I had hoped that Premier Stefanson would signal a new era for the PC government, one in which the needs of women and non- binary people were a priority; one in which the needs of LGBTQ2S people and Indigenous, Black and other racialized people were a priority.

I was hoping that this Premier would–could de - liver a budget that showed us she cared about the needs and problems of regular Manitobans and would address pandemic recovery through the lens of nurses, health-care aides, patients, education assistants, early childhood educators, teachers and students. I was hoping that she could deliver a budget that would make a genuine difference for folks who are unhoused, underhoused or suffering from addictions or mental health issues or awaiting surgery. I was also really hoping the Premier could deliver a budget that made a clear commitment to addressing climate change.

But Budget 2022 has only shown us that the prior- ities of this Premier and this government are to reward the wealthy and do little for the rest of Manitobans. I represent a diverse community. Some Wolseley family owns –families own their own homes. Some even own a cottage and were mostly doing okay a few years ago. But many of these folks are pretty stressed these days with the cost of living, hydro bills going up, no child- care spaces available, and now Budget 2022 makes it more expensive for their children to get a college or university education.

Many families are stressed because they're wait - ing for health care or mental health services, and have been for years. They may need a hip replacement or a knee replacement, or their child may need an assess - ment for an eating disorder or addic tion. They may have a parent who needs long-term care, perhaps stuck in a hospital far from home because of this gov ern- ment's cuts to health care. There are now less personal -care homes in Manitoba than there were when the PCs took office. Not one new personal-care-home bed is announced in the budget.

Instead, the budget for health infra - structure, including for personal-care homes, is frozen for the next three years. There are many other families in my com munity who don't own their own home: thousands of renters, many of whom have ex perienced above- guideline rent increases and some who live in Manitoba Housing, struggling with safety and security issues or cockroast–roach infestations. There is no commitment in this budget to care for the most vul nerable people in our com munities, and that is shameful, Madam Speaker.

For folks who are low income but going to work every day, sometimes working two or three jobs just to make ends meet, they are so discouraged by the lack of commit ment from this gov ernment to a fair living wage. Overall, this gov ernment is still finding ways to make things less affordable for Manitobans. They've frozen funding for City services so families will pay more and go with less. They've raised hydro rates at the Cabinet table and they've done nothing in this budget to address the rising cost of groceries and transportation.

So many families in Wolseley and across Manitoba are just stressed by the Stefanson govern- ment's continuing Pallister's plan to slash funding for public schools. There is no plan and no investment to help our kids recover from the pandemic. What the education property tax cut really means is more crowded classrooms, fewer teachers and EAs and less resources for kids this year and next. The loss of schools' ability to be able to charge a property levy meant the loss of a subsidized milk program for hungry kids at Winnipeg School Division.

Every time we ask the gov ernment to fund men- strual supplies in schools, they like to push this responsibility off to school divisions while cutting school divisions off at the knees, but no longer allow- ing them to raise funds for essential services like milk, let alone menstrual supplies, through property taxes. The PC gov ernment is also not doing what i s needed to address the addictions crisis or address mental health wait-lists. Madam Speaker, 407 people died of a drug overdose in 2021. Since the pandemic, opiate overdoses have doubled and reached a record high.

Barriers to supports and services have only in - creased during the pandemic for people who need help with substance abuse and mental health concerns. Instead of offering service and action on the VIRGO report, the Province hired yet another con- sultant to do another review. The minister announced that Manitoba is entering the consulting phase for a five-year mental health action plan, but Manitobans

April 25, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1525 deserve help now, not in five years after lengthy reviews and cost-cutting plans. Another thing that makes life harder for Manitobans is having the second worst minimum wage in the country. Budget 2022 maintains the PC commitment to do the least possible for workers. Manitoba low-wage earners make only 5 cents more than they did a year ago–they're 17 cents away from being the worst paid in the country.

No one should be forced to live in poverty–especially not while working full time–and one of the best ways to lift people out of poverty is to make the minimum wage a living wage. According to 'stastistics' Canada, 38,600 Manitobans work for minimum wage, and 55 per cent are over age 20. The majority of the people working minimum wage jobs are women with chil dren, and many of them are working multiple jobs to make ends meet. They are also the ones who have been dis - proportionately impacted by the pandemic.

The pandemic has revealed to us the importance and value of front -line employees, and also has re- vealed that many of them are not making a living wage. Manitoban workers don't want a one -time bonus for risking their lives during a pandemic, they want a living wage, paid sick leave and stronger worker protections. Mr. Andrew Micklefield, Deputy Speaker, in the Chair In addition to the PC's offensive minimum wage increase, they also refused to implement permanent paid sick leave for all Manito ban workers.

The Pandemic Sick Leave Program has proven to be woe- fully inadequate in meeting the needs of Manitoban workers. The PCs continue to reject the need for a living wage for working people and refuse to address the challenges ex perienced by wom en, BIPOC and other marginalized groups to fully partici pate in a pandemic recovery. Manitoba's Auditor General just told us last week that the prov incial gov ernment has not lived up to its commitments to advance recon ciliation with Indigenous people.

And reconciliation would demand investments in housing, mental health, health care and education to help repair the damage of the past, but also to ensure good health, good oppor tunities and well-being for Indigenous people going forward. I know a lot of my colleagues have already dis - cussed the health -care cuts, so I'll keep my remarks brief on that, only because I'm eager to outline all the problems with the lack of invest ment in the environment. But I want to briefly reiterate that this budget has no plan to fix the damage the government has caused to health care.

And I will reiterate that 170,000 Manitobans are waiting in pain with a re - duced quality of life for surgeries. There's so much more to respond to when it comes to the day -to-day needs of Manitobans for health care, housing and affordability, but I need to highlight my concerns with this government's inaction on climate change and stewardship of our parks. In six years in office, this gov ernment has shown time and time again a profound lack of commitment to address- ing climate change.

Earlier this month, the IPCC released the third part of its Sixth Assessment Report looking at ways to limit and prevent human- caused emissions that commit–contribute to global warming. T he co-chair of the I-P-P-C working group made a clear statement: It is now or never. And this budget shows us that the Stefanson gov ernment is choosing to continue in- action in the face of a terrible climate crisis that will eventually impact all Manitobans. So far, the Pallister and Stefanson gov ernments have spent millions of dollars fighting the federal carbon levy in court. Recently, the Premier (Mrs.

Stefanson) sent a letter asking the federal gov - ernment to excuse Manitoba from doing its part. Budget 2022 reveals that millions were left unspent in efficient–Efficiency Manitoba last year, and this is money that should have been spent to help Manitobans transition to cleaner choices. As deputy premier, the Premier sat silent when environmental organizations had their funding cut and there were no new initiatives provided by her govern- ment. Not only was funding cut for non- profits, but the Con servation and Climate de partment had 58 fewer full-time positions than they did six years ago.

Parks and resource protection had 22 fewer full- time positions in that same time frame, and there remain many vacancies, and this budget appears to maintain the status quo. Year after year, this gov ern- ment is cutting positions, leaving fewer and fewer people whose role it is to protect our environment. Budget 2022 reveals that the PCs left millions of dollars unspent to help Manitobans switch to cleaner energy and appliances. Efficiency Manitoba has missed their own legis lated targets of electricity and natural gas consumption in their first year.

They only reached 69 per cent and 60 per cent of their respective targets in 2020 and 2021.

1526 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 25, 2022 Madam Speaker, Friday was Earth Day, and de - spite the lingering snow piles, many Manitobans are thinking about parks. They want to get outside now more than ever. * (15:00) Yet, here we are with a gov ernment that has doubled the cost of park passes so they can continue to send hundreds of thousands of dollars every year to a Texas company. They failed to fix t he technical failings of the booking system for campers and yurt reservations. Madam Speaker, prov incial parks are protected wilderness areas set aside by and for the people of Manitoba.

They provide space for wildlife to roam, feed and raise their youn g away from the threat of human dev elopment, and for people to spend time with family and friends, learn about nature and enjoy healthy outdoor activities. Parks moderate our climate by storing carbon in their soils and forests. For some Indigenous people, parks offer a way to maintain and share cultural traditions. Manitobans can enjoy many provincial parks, but they only account for approximately 11 per cent of the province's territory. However, we need to do more and go further for protec tion of land and waterways.

There's a global movement to protect 30 per cent of the world's land mass and water by 2030, and our federal government has made this commit ment. But, in six years, this gov ernment has made almost no movement in protecting more of Manitoba. Budget 2022–sorry–Manitobans could even lose access to nature under a proposal to run prov incial parks like a business and to shed unprofitable assets. Privatization of park services has already begun. Campsites are three times higher at S aint Ambrose provincial park after a private company was awarded a 21-year contract to manage what used to be a public service.

A private company was awarded a contract to build cabins in Turtle Mountain Prov incial Park in violation of the park's own management plan. The provincial government is looking to poten- tially decommission prov incial parks while also seeking greater financial sus tainability for the parks that remain according to their own internal docu- ments. And the gov ernment is also considering ex - panding user fees as part of a new trail strategy. Madam Speaker, we need more invest ments in parks, not less. We need these to be recognized as what they are: a sacred prov incial treasure that is worth protecting.

Manitobans want us to protect these diverse land- scapes, from the rare grasslands to the boreal forest, and from the rich wetlands to pristine Arctic tundra, as well as our freshwater lakes and marine coastland. We need to protect our complex community of plants and animals and ensure a network of protected con- served areas that contain biological diversity and unique features. We also have a respon sibility, as part of our Province's recon ciliation journey, to ensure that Indigenous people can continue traditional practices, such as trapping, hunting, fishing and medicinal plant collection.

And we need our government to remember that protected and conserved areas are natural solu - tions to climate change and can help protect com mu- nities during extreme weather events like our current flooding situation and last summer's wildfires. This budget fails Manitobans on so many levels. It doesn't go far enough for the climate, for the environment, and, certainly, it leaves our health -care system in crisis. For those reasons and many more, I will have to vote against this budget this afternoon. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. MLA Uzoma Asagwara (Union Station): Well, thank you, Mr.

Deputy Speaker, for the opportunity to put a few words on the record in regards to this budget. You know, Mr. Deputy Speaker, I think that my colleagues have done a fantastic job. My colleagues on this side of the House have done a fantastic job speaking to this budget and articulating very clearly why we can't support this budget.

So, I'm not going to take up too much time, but I do want to make sure that I highlight a few areas of my own concerns, certainly as it pertains to the con- stituents I represent in Union Station, but certainly, you know, what I'm about to talk about is rele vant across the board to all Manitobans. Now, Mr. Deputy Speaker, this budget was really important. This budget is really im portant. We have all, alongside our fellow neighbours and Manitobans across the province, we have all been going through this pandemic. It has been over two years of some of the most challenging times that our province has had to face.

It has certainly been the health -care crisis of our genera tion. And, globally, we've all seen the impacts that COVID-19, this novel virus, has had on communities.

April 25, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1527 The inequities that we knew existed pre - pandemic have been exacerbated during this pan- demic, and this budget was an–a great opportunity, an opportunity that not everybody has in their experience as a legislator.

This budget was an op portunity to inspire hope across our province, to instill confidence in Manitobans that this gov ernment–throughout this pandemic, as everybody has been struggling day after day to get through this–that this government has been paying close attention to the needs of Manitobans and was ready to bring forward a budget that would address those needs. And, Mr. Deputy Speaker, the sad fact is that this government missed an important–a golden opportun- ity to show Manitobans that this is a government that has their back. And where we saw the Premier (Mrs.

Stefanson) in the media, for all Manitobans to see, tell Manitobans that they had to look after them - selves, that they were on their own, that she was not the kind of leader that would show up and stand up for Manitobans–this Premier had a chance–she had an op- portunity to turn that narrative around and actually show by way of her first budget that she is the Premier that cares about Manitobans. And, unfor tunately, Mr. Deputy Speake r, what this budget does is solidifies for Manitobans that, in fact, their Premier is not there for them.

And that is reflected in the absolutely abysmal lack of planning, strategy, meaningful investment, acknowledgment of the realities that Manitobans are facing in this budget. Mr. Deputy Speaker, I am annoyed when mem - bers opposite talk about us not having a plan. We do have great plans. We've got great ideas. We bring them forward every day on behalf of Manitobans. I think it's interesting, though, that this gov ernment's strategy of recent is to project their own failings onto members on this side of the House. This is a government that doesn't have a plan for Manitobans in recovering from this pandemic.

This is a government that doesn't have a plan to address some of the most important areas that we need to see a clear strategy around. This is a gov ernment whose budget reflects the fact that they don't have a plan for Manitobans that works for Manitobans. And the residents of this province see that. They know that. I hear that from constituents every single day. It's plain, plain to see. So, when we're talking about lack of a plan, I'm talking about things as concrete as, you know, ad- dressing the recovery.

This is a gov ernment that for some reason has just neglected, just closed their eyes to entirely the core of our city: Union Station, other constituencies like Notre Dame that are impacted, aspects of St. James, Point Douglas, core communities that are not recovering from this pandemic the way other communities are. This government was keen, eager to make sure that their candidate for Fort Whyte got half a million dollars for his business. They were quick to cut him– make sure he got cut a cheque for half a million dollars.

Take a walk in the con stituency of Union Station and go talk to the busi nesses, the small-busi- ness owners who have fought day in and day out to keep their doors open, to keep their staff paid, to remain an active part of our com munities as small businesses, and ask each and every one of those busi- ness owners if they would have benefited from a fraction of what one single company run by the member for Fort Whyte (Mr. Khan) received in support.

It is absolutely shameful that these small-business owners saw nothing by the way of that kind of financial support and are doing so much for our com- munities, especially in Union Station. And I encourage members opposite –I encourage the member for Fort Whyte: go, talk to these small - business owners, hear fr om them directly how this government has failed them throughout this pandemic and is failing them in this budget. Small businesses need support–consistent support, meaningful support. They need to be heard by this government. That's not reflected in this budget, Mr. Deputy Speaker.

Take a walk in the com munity of Union Station. See what's going on in terms of the challenges for those folks who are unsheltered–the housing crisis that we see. Take a look at what's going on in terms of the Manitoba Housing buildings in our constituency. We've lost hundreds of units of housing in Union Station because this gov ernment was quick to sell those units to private corporations. And now we've got a housing crisis across Manitoba, but certainly you can see it right in the core of the city where folks do not have access to affordable housing what soever.

There's no plan, there's no strategy outlined by this government to address that. * (15:10) When we talk about things like housing, when we talk about things like small businesses and income, and, I mean, I could talk about living wage. My col - leagues have all, I think for the most part, talked about the fact that this gov ernment has absolutely forced

1528 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 25, 2022 people into poverty by doing nothing to address the living wage, not provi ding a living wage, provi ding embarrassing–you can't even call them, really, in - crements to minimum wage. It's beyond shameful, and the impacts of that are significant–people working two and three and four jobs. Mr. Deputy Speaker, I know folks living in Union Station who are going to school, who are working multiple part- time jobs trying to make ends meet, providing for their families on poverty wages.

And this government is doing nothing to address that while raising their cost of living, be it by hydro, and taking no meaningful steps to address affordability. I talked to a senior. I talk to her fairly regularly. Her name is Jean and she lives in the constituency and I spoke with her maybe last week, and Jean asked me to bring up in this House the fact that this government shuttered urgent care at Misericordia and the impacts that was having on Jean and many other seniors. Jean is 91 years old. She's very active, but when Jean has health issues arise, she had to ta ke a $27 cab ride to, often, the Grace.

She can't go to Misericordia like she used to be able to and pay a $6 cab ride it was, for her to get her health needs met. Jean represents –she's just one of thousands of Manitobans, one of thousands who are affected by this government's cuts to health care, their closures of emergency rooms, urgent care, their refusal to invest meaningfully in health care. And yet, again, we see that lack of under standing of the impacts, the lived impacts their cuts have had in this budget.

This budget, the health-care funding that they all tout, seemingly not understanding basic math that the funding to health care was well below the rate of inflation–it's a health -care cut, not realizing that the health-care crisis we're in right now is in no way going to get better, based on their pattern of lack of invest - ment in our health- care system and mistreating the health-care workers who work within it. I remember, like, way back, 2016, 2017, I re - member, under Brian Pallister, the disrespect from this government. I was working as a front -line nurse at the time.

We used to –when we, you know, had a moment, we used to just kind of shake our heads and ask one another, what is going on? How out of touch can this guy be and this government be, to be treating health-care workers this way, treating us this way and thinking the outcomes are going to be good? Fast-forward years later, new Premier (Mrs. Stefanson): I think they've had 17 different ministers of Health. No change, if you can believe it.

I actually hear from people in the community that they think–they didn't think it was possible, but they actually are questioning whether or not this Premier's worse than Brian Pallister. The point of that is just to say that this government, this Premier missed an im - portant opportunity to right the wrongs over the past several years and improve the relationships with health-care workers. They just have refused to do so. They continue to refuse to provide a fair contract for thousands of health-care support staff. They refuse to provide a fair contract for thousands of allied health-care pro fessionals.

They refuse to listen to those front-line experts, hear their concerns and take action. There are experts, doctors, telling us that per - haps this gov ernment is just kind of frozen, unsure what to do because they have made such a mess of things, they don't know how to proceed. This is a government that looks over this way and actually says to people on this side of the House – they've even said it to me, Mr. Deputy Speaker: We'll take no lessons. This is a gov ernment that takes no lessons from anybody. This is a gov ernment that listens to no one.

It is unbelievable, the lack of willing- ness this government has put on display since 2016 to listen to anyone who actually puts people in Manitoba first.

If your priority–it's become plain as day –if your priority is Manitobans having the best out comes possible–communities of all demographics, no matter where you live, thriving; your kids have great out - comes; seniors having the ability to live in their com- munities for as long as possible, have access to recreation; health-care workers being happy to go to work because they're not going to be mandated to stay for a double or tripl e shift–if you are someone who puts people first, this government doesn't want to listen to you. They don't want to hear from you.

That is one of the greatest shames that this gov- ernment will have to carry. Not past 2023–not in gov- ernment, anyway–they'll carry it with them for what - ever it is they choose to do after that. But this Premier will carry that shame with her. It started under Brian Pallister. She championed it, championed that ap- proach, and she's carried it forward, unfortunately. Mr. Deputy Speaker, I could talk a long time about how they have damaged health care and how this budget fails to address any of the concerns –the growing surgical and diagnos tic backlog.

No idea – they have no idea how that's going to be addressed. Nothing in the budget reflects that they understand

April 25, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1529 how serious it is. They spent $21 million of the $50 million they've announced 70 times on just regu- lar, routine primary -care visits. They've an nounced $110,000 to address a surgical backlog that they can't produce a plan for, that they've said they're going to provide regular updates for and they don't. They said they'd be trans parent to Manitobans and they're not. There's no end date or targets set for any aspect of the backlog whatsoever. Manitobans continue to wait in pain.

Or they say, you know what, get in your car if you have a vehicle, make sure you have a passport –or if you don't, get one –and drive yourself to the United States of America and get health care over there, as if that's a reasonable thing for Manitobans to expect from their gov ernment; never mind they're sending hundreds of Manitobans hundreds of kilometres away from their homes to get health care, 70 of which are still stranded in hospitals and facilities away from home. Mr. Deputy Speaker , this budget fails. That's what it does. This budget fails Manitobans across the board.

There is no plan to make sure that our economy moves forward without leaving people behind. There is no strategy to close the growing gap of inequity for pay for folks who are really struggling. Thousands of Manitobans, more now than ever, are struggling with affordability. This budget does nothing to address that. There's no meaningful action taken to address the climate emergency. This–we know this gov ernment gets a failing grade on reconciliation. This budget, to be blunt, is completely out of touch with the realities that Manitobans are facing. And Mr.

Deputy Speaker, that is because this government is completely out of touch with the realities that Manitobans are facing. And what's worse is they have no motivation. I don't know if it's because they're tired; I don't know if it's because they see the writing on the wall and they're actually secretly hoping for 2023 to just hurry up and get here. I don't know, but this is a government that has no interest on working on behalf of Manitobans. And so, this is a gov ernment that can absolutely not get the support on this side of the House because on this side of the House we represent Manitobans.

We put people first, and the people have made clear that this budget is inadequate. Woefully. Thank you. Ms. Amanda Lathlin (The Pas-Kameesak): Thank you, Deputy Speaker, for this opportunity to put some words on record in how con cerning this budget is to me as a northerner, as somebody who is living in The Pas, as somebody who has been living in a com - munity of have-nots. First of all, what's really concerning is, you know, imagine yourself living in The Pas, living in Moose Lake, trying to access health care.

I've always been a fan of telehealth, but that only is strong when there's actual Internet connection. And with the pandemic that went by, within my communities, it became even more important and more highlighted that the fact that our communities in northern Manitoba need Internet connection, when it comes to health and education. * (15:20) And within northern Manitoba, we have facilities that have shut down. We're having problems retaining and recruiting nurses and doctors. We have a problem with agency nurses, as well. There was a few concerns at the personal-care home in The Pas, St.

Paul's, about agency 'nurseses' coming in and out, especially during the pandemic. So, when it comes to doing with have -nots with health care; for example, a l ot of our people have to travel to Winnipeg to access health care. And, at one time, we had this really good idea to have this – The Pas clinic, that was supposed to have been built in 2016. Everything was done; the shovels were ready to hit the ground until this government came into play and thought it was not im portant; it wasn't an emer - gency to have this site built.

And I did talk to –oh, I did talk to the former minister of Health, when it came to Estimates –in regards to the Northern Patient Trans portation Program, even though the health–the current Health Minister has con tributed money to this Northern Patient Transportation Program, still is a very, very bad program. So, with the site that would have been built, in - vestment–an investment in The Pas–if that site would have been built, it would have housed specialists that could have came to us rather than sending hundreds and hundreds of patients from northern Manitoba to access health care here.

So, imagine if you–if that invest ment was made, the former minister of Health did admit during Estimates that the budget for M-P-T-P program would have eventually met halfway.

1530 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 25, 2022 And another example –personal example: north - ern Manitoba, we have many, many, many diabetics, especially within our Indigenous com munity, espe - cially with myself, and I come here –and also many, many other people –for eye injections for diabetics. And just looking at the doctor's schedule, you know, in my mind, why can't we have this one doctor invest– this one doctor to come up to The Pas or be based in The Pas and Thompson, to provide these services that diabetics need every five weeks.

And you can imagine we have thousands and thousands of diabetics in northern Manitoba. And because this invest ment is not made, north- ern Manitoba's not–to me, somebody who lives there– we're always looked upon as second-class citizens. So just imagine if we got this eye doctor to come there. Many, many people, including my family, relatives and myself would not further go blind, right? So, just again coming from northern Manitoba, of have-nots, my goal is to actually see –have more services provided, especially with mental health, when it comes to our youth.

Just recently, I tried to get a mental health therapist to see my second oldest and I was told it's a six -month wait in The Pas. And so, okay, I tried my resources here in Winnipeg. I was told it's a one-year wait in The Pas–I mean, in Winnipeg. So even though there's announcements and an- nouncements coming from here, how is that a ctually going to reduce wait times? How is that going to reduce wait times, too, for –in The Pas, for kids in Moose Lake, for kids in Shamattawa? How is that going to actually ac commodate our children's lives and future?

I also wanted to look back and not forget as to what happened when it came to this gov ernment's stance on truth, reconciliation –TRC, sorry, I cannot remember that right now. I was at home, working from–working virtually when I seen the former premier, along with the government that stood behind him and stood quiet while this individual spoke harshly about Indigenous people, about me, about my children, about my ancestors. And it was quite dis - heartening to see every single person there quiet and not sticking up for what I'm pretty sur e would–are good principles, but for some reason were muzzled.

And with those same actions, we–you know, they have elected a leader, a new leader. They put together this budget. But it's not fooling me, Mr. Deputy Speaker. This group of people stood behi nd a leader that they followed, voted with, voted against with, and to me, like I said, you got to be careful of who you run with, right? Because you catch the fleas from the dogs that you run with. So I'm not being fooled. What I see here is still fleas from that dog they ran with. So with this new budget, this new Premier (Mrs.

Stefanson), the Cabinet shuffle, it's still a gov - ernment that is still completely out of touch, and this is clearly demonstrated through their action items in their budget. This is demonstrated through when they cheered and hollered for themselves and patted them- selves on the back when it came to awful, awful legislative policies for poor people, if you will, and that's what I'm starting to feel in this House. And when we have debates, they come back with rebuttals say - ing, announcement this, announcement this, I'm going to bring my couch here.

That's not helpful to Manitobans, especially when you're living in northern Manitoba. You know, for example, again, have -nots: w e have–I sent a handwritten letter to the Minister of Health (Ms. Gordon) in regards to the medical examiner. Why does it take so long–up to four weeks– to get our families' bodies' back into northern Manitoba and slightly less wait period for our people here in Winnipeg. So, again, a lot of have-nots that we deal with. We have to wait much, much longer to bury our loved ones. So I just wanted to talk about –a little bit more about–with edu cation.

I'm very –I'm proud of many people in my constituency. When it came to bill 64, many called my office to ask how to get involved; how could we stop this. And with that, a huge mass grew of people who did not like that horrible, horrible bill. And it was such excitement to see our con stituents, our people, see this rise, see how many people wanted to speak against it at committee. I think there was over 500 people that wanted to speak against this horrible bill. And I would like to see how many evenings, how many days, hours, it would have been if that would have went through.

And so, again, that idea, that huge idea about dismantling board–boards for our school divisions, we would have lost voices for our teachers, our children. Issues would not have been understood, versus being in northern Manitoba, versus having our schools in southern Manitoba as well. So I just wanted to end with that it's been an ab- solute honour to stand here as the MLA for The Pas - Kameesak. It's been an absolute honour to see my con- stituency grow from 10 to 17 com munities. And i t's been an absolute honour to get to know every single one–communities, health -care workers, teachers,

April 25, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1531 especially the kids. I really enjoy meeting the kids in the schools. They have probably the most interesting and most im portant questions to ask, such as: how much money do you make? And so things, like –I just wanted to say, even though it could be quite frustrating being in this Chamber, it could be quite frustrating walking into this building, this huge, massive building which could be tiring on y our body and on your soul sometimes. But I just want to give gratitude to the constituents who have got me here.

I want to give gratitude to every single colleague of mine in here. We all sacri - fice a lot. We all have to deal with a lot at home and put on a brave 'frace'–brave face once we step into this Chamber.

And I want to thank everyone who has supported me along this way as well. * (15:30) And I also want to give a shout out –I was just thinking about them the other day when I was looking at speeches and reading Hansard for research –I want to thank the people in Hansard for having to put up and listen to every single word we say and, with that, I'd like to thank them –keep up the good work–and, hello–hello, Hansard–see, that's going to be in there. So, with that, I will end my speech by saying, as you know, I clearly do not agree with this budget; it's very concerning, and actions speak louder than words.

So I'd like to see more invest ment in northern Manitoba so we can actually have more healthier, more happier, more educated com munities. And I'd like to see more change, too, towards–when it comes to children in care. There needs to be more investment and towards raising the age from 21 to 25. I can name you 10 children right away off the cuff that are falling off the edge of that cliff and could be –potentially be homeless, could potentially be housed in a prison, a jail.

So, with that, I want to work with this government to ensure that these realities become a reality and to include us –us–our Manitobans, because I just feel there's just a certain type that is represented over there than the type that we represent here–real people, real realities. And that's where I want to end off. Ekosi. Mr. Jim Maloway (Elmwood): Mr. Deputy Speaker, I d on't think we're going to have to wait too long before we find the gov ernment prowling around northern Manitoba, making all sorts of announce - ments, to be quite honest with you, but it may be very temporary.

So, you know, the budget, this is the firs t budget of the new Premier (Mrs. Stefanson) and, you know, we should expect to see a little bit different–a little bit of difference in it than the previous, but I have some issues that I want to deal with regarding the old premier. He didn't stay around long enough to be able to answer the–answer all these questions. But, you know, Mr. Deputy Speaker, when COVID first started, we were trying to catch up with what was happening in the world and to take appro - priate action.

But there was some obvious things that we should have been able to see just by, you know, watching CNN and watching the news. We had –we were not –Manitoba was not the first juris diction to have COVID cases, and, in fact, we didn't really get any for the first round and we got them in the second. But we were able to watch what was happening in other juris dictions, in Italy, other parts of Europe, United States, New York, where they had a big rush of people. They had to put together hospital facilities. They had to–they even brought in a naval vessel in New York, which they, in fact, ended up not using.

But what we found during that whole period was that we discovered who was being hit the hardest with COVID. We could see, unlike the Spanish flu of 1918, that it wasn't young people, t hat this particular virus was attacking the older people, and we saw the death rate in those jurisdictions to be where the deaths were, with the older people. So, knowing all that and seeing all that, we have to try to com prehend what was going on here in Manitoba, what was the premier doing, or what was the premier not doing about the situation.

It was pain- fully obvious where the deaths were, and one would think that the first thing you should be doing is going out and protecting your personal -care homes. And that's not what happened. You know, I mean, I –you would think that from the time that Mr. Cuomo was having his daily news conferences and they were having huge amount of deaths and they went through the entire wave, you saw where the deaths w ere. You saw they were in these nursing homes. That's the first place you should have gone to and make certain that the issue was taken care of.

Now, my long -time assist ant of –for–of many, many years, had the misfortune of getting into Parkview–literally, I think, about a week before the outbreak occurred–and so he survived Parkview only to be transferred to Maples. And my current assistant would make weekly visits to see him there, and there

1532 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 25, 2022 were people all around him that were –had passed away because of the virus. So it didn't seem to me like anybody was really in charge here of taking preventative action in situations where you would expect that that's where the problem will be two or three weeks from now. And when I did read and did hear that w e still have, in Manitoba, homes where people were sharing– the member for union centre mentioned just previous- ly that Manitoba and people in Manitoba were sharing rooms for four people to a room.

Well, that would make sense if you know what you're dealing with. You know you're dealing with a virus. The first thing you should be doing is getting people out of those four-room situations–maybe out of any sharing of a room. There should be maybe one person per room. So that should tell us something right there. Also, it didn't go unnoticed during the pandemic that even the Health minister of the day, himself, talked about, oh, how we're going to rebuild in the future. When this is all over, we're going to be build- ing on–based on a newer and better model. Well, where's this newer and better model?

Well, evidently it was, I think, Holland and/or Norway or Denmark –certainly Scandinavian coun - tries or Holland –and evidently, there they kind of learned a little ahead of us that older people didn't thrive in these big skyscrapers of –buildings that we are–what we–been building for the last 40 years–that, in fact, they are–the new centres that are being developed now are being done in low level–you know, sort of like Washington- height, three-story high, and there is like a building code. They're not allowed to be any higher than that. And they mix up people, the older people with younger people.

So you can't –you know, and that's how it's being set up now. The minister, I did listen to him on one of his press conferences, and gave the impression that we're just on the verge of breaking ground for one of these things, right? Well, that was like a year ago or more and haven't heard a word about it. But, I mean, that's what we should be doing is the government should be announcing a plan here for, you know, the next 20 years that we're going to do, you know, 1,000 a year or 2,000 a year and we're going to redevelop the concept on –and get away from these buildings, the tall buildings.

And I think you're going to se e a lot of financial perks coming out of the pandemic from the downtown areas of cities like Winnipeg here. We're going to have a big problem getting people to come back to the downtown, and that we may see a big overdevelopment in real estate in there and we may see a suppression of the pricing in those areas where people just don't want to go in there anymore, right? But that's just the way things should happen given the pandemic.

We've had the, you know, the architects for quite a few years talking about how we've got to, you know, make people live–I say, anyway–make people live on top of one another, that we've got have density in the city. And I don't know anybody that came to this country from other countries hundreds of years ago that wanted to live on top of one another. * (15:40) But that's what we want to do. We simply say, oh, no, you can't afford to be driving your own car and you can't afford to be, you know, living in a bigger home. You have to be, you know, right along the bus route, right, and you're going to ride that bus.

Well, guess what? When –as soon as that virus started, people didn't want to be on that bus anymore. They–the used-car market just exploded and people were buying cars because they wanted to get away from the people they were riding with the day before, right? So this is the kind of new view of the world that we were looking at just, like, a year or two ago.

And I don't know that maybe, you know, we're going to all forget about all this, that as we get past the pandemic, we're going to forget what we were talking about here and how scared we really were and we're going to say, oh, well, no, don't worry about it anymore; I'll ride, you know, four people to my car and I'll go and live in high-rises and stuff like that. You know, they may get back to that. So I'd–I'm not going to say that this is going to change for good, but there was some good ideas that, you know, were employed elsewhere, that fit the new reality that we were looking at just two years ago.

And I was hoping that we are going to see some dev elop- ments in that. So, you know, I do look forward to a government in the future announcing new personal -care homes and approaches, but I would hope that when they do that, that they look at the –what's being used in other parts of the world. And I do have some concerns about the private sector, you know, being involved in the home -care business, in the long-term care, you know, because we

April 25, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1533 did find, here in Manitoba, in our group of facilities, that two of these big ones were part–and, you know, and the fact that they are owned by the Canada pen- sion fund or whatever, you know, doesn't really, you know, doesn't make any stronger point with me. The question is, why are–why were these the most poorly run of the bunch? And maybe they are trying to, you know, run the homes with half the staff, or, you know, I'm not sure. An Honourable Member: Got to make money. Mr.

Maloway: I'm not sure why it is, but it's a good enough question for us to be asking about that. [interjection] Yes, I'm not saying it's the case all the time, but it's –I'd bet on it, right, that that's, in fact, what they are doing. So I –and I also wanted to talk about how, you know, how the health care has totally changed, too, with the new–well, with the new realities that we're in right now.

I mean, when the gov ernment came in and they found this Peachey report lying around somewhere and dusted if off and decided to do some pretty crazy things, one of them being shut down the Concordia ER, I mean, the reality is this goes to show you why your MLA can be important. Because, you know, the –they had –the govern- ment had 38 seats that a premier who doesn't listen to anybody other than himself –and you know what he did with those poor people, I mean, not only the poor public, but his own members? He dragged them through a process where they announced they're going to close the ER completely, right?

Like, completely, just leave it vacant. And that whole mess went on for about a year while people got really worked up about it. And then he announced that he's going to have a walk-in clinic, big monster walk -in clinic, he's going to set that up, right? And then never said who's going to operate this thing, but that's what he was going to do. Well, that went by another year and he found people just got madder at him. And meanwhile, his MLAs, they were, like, starting to sink underwater over there because they couldn't talk to him.

At least when this whole scenario happened way back in the Filmon days, Bonnie Mi tchelson, the MLA, got it –stormed into –well, that's what I was told–stormed into Filmon's office and read the riot act to him, and that was the end of it. Concordia was saved. And–but he did the opposite with Misericordia. Remember, Misericordia is out in Wolseley, right; at least, that's where it used to be. So, he had it over there. Well, Bonnie–you know, like, nobody was able to stop him from closing Misericordia, and there's a good argument for keeping that one open too, right?

But he got stopped on Concordia because of Bonnie, because of the MLA. And that should tell you something right there, that she had some influence at that time, right, but when the new group come–I'm not saying they didn't try –but they didn't get anywhere with the leader of the time. Now–so, now it sat vacant for another year, and then we ramped up the campaign agai

Document details

Collection	Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	42-4-41
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	42nd 4th hansardpdf 41.pdf
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	8f502ebd3e03b65fc2e7c57d0c91a71f9614e0f3

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