Manitoba Hansard — 13 April 2010 (Sitting 27, 39th Legislature, 4th Session)

39-4-27

Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)

Fourth Session - Thirty-Ninth Legislature of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba DEBATES and PROCEEDINGS Official Report (Hansard) Published under the authority of The Honourable George Hickes Speaker Vol. LXII No. 27 - 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 13, 2010 ISSN 0542-5492

MANITOBA LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Thirty-Ninth Legislature Member Constituency Political Affiliation ALLAN, Nancy, Hon. St. Vital N.D.P. ALTEMEYER, Rob Wolseley N.D.P. ASHTON, Steve, Hon. Thompson N.D.P. BJORNSON, Peter, Hon. Gimli N.D.P. BLADY, Sharon Kirkfield Park N.D.P. BLAIKIE, Bill, Hon. Elmwood N.D.P. BOROTSIK, Rick Brandon West P.C. BRAUN, Erna Rossmere N.D.P. BRICK, Marilyn St. Norbert N.D.P. BRIESE, Stuart Ste. Rose P.C. CALDWELL, Drew Brandon East N.D.P. CHOMIAK, Dave, Hon. Kildonan N.D.P. CULLEN, Cliff Turtle Mountain P.C. DERKACH, Leonard Russell P.C. DEWAR, Gregory Selkirk N.D.P.

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

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

Boniface N.D.P. STEFANSON, Heather Tuxedo P.C. STRUTHERS, Stan, Hon. Dauphin-Roblin N.D.P. SWAN, Andrew, Hon. Minto N.D.P. TAILLIEU, Mavis Morris P.C. WHITEHEAD, Frank The Pas N.D.P. WIEBE, Matt Concordia N.D.P. WOWCHUK, Rosann, Hon. Swan River N.D.P.

719 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA Tuesday, April 13, 2010 The House met at 1:30 p.m. Mr. Speaker: O Eternal and Almighty God, from Whom all power and wisdom come, we are assembled here before Thee t o f r a m e s u c h l a w s a s may tend to the welfare and prosperity of our province. Grant, O merciful God, we pray Thee, that we may desire only that which is in accordance with Thy will, that we may seek it with wisdom, know it with certainty and accomplish it perfectly for the glory and honour of Thy name and for the welfare of all our people. Amen.

ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS INTRODUCTION OF BILLS Bill 20–The University College of the North Amendment Act Hon. Diane McGifford (Minister of Advanced Education and Literacy): Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Minister of Health (Ms. Oswald), that Bill 20, The University College of the North Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la

Loi sur le Collège universitaire du Nord, be now read a first time. Motion presented. Ms. McGifford: Mr. Speaker, this bill is important because it ensures consistency in the governance process among universities across the province. It's important that all universities share features that ensure academic independence, and I believe the amendments introduced today will enable University College of the North to do just that. Thank you. Mr. Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed] PETITIONS PTH 15–Traffic Signals Mr. Ron Schuler (Springfield): Mr.

Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. These are the reasons for this petition: In August 2008, the Minister of Transportation stated that traffic volumes at the intersection of PTH 15 and Highway 206 in Dugald exceeded those needed to warrant the installation of traffic signals. Every school day, up to a thousand students travel through this intersection in Dugald where the lack of traffic signals puts their safety at risk.

Thousands of vehicles travel daily through this intersection in Dugald where the lack of traffic signals puts at risk the safety of these citizens. In 2008, there was a 300 percent increase in accidents at this intersection. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To request that the Minister of Transportation consider the immediate installation of traffic signals at the intersection of PTH 15 and Highway 206 in Dugald. To request that the Minister of Transportation recognize the value of the lives and well-being of the students and citizens of Manitoba. Signed by K. Kirsch, C. Siewart, D.

Slashinsky and many, many other Manitobans. Mr. Speaker: In accordance with our rule 132(6), when petitions are read they are deemed to be received by the House. Ophthalmology Services–Swan River Mrs. Myrna Driedger (Charleswood): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. These are the reasons for this petition: The Swan Valley region has a high population of seniors and a very high incidence of diabetes. Every year, hundreds of patients from the Swan Valley region must travel to distant communities for cataract surgery and additional pre-operative and post- operative appointments.

These patients, many of whom are sent as far away as Saskatchewan, need to travel with an escort who must take time off work to drive the patient to his or her appointments without any compensation. Patients who cannot endure this expense and hardship are unable to have the necessary treatment. The community has located an ophthalmologist who would like to practise in Swan River. The local Lions Club has provided funds for the necessary

720 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 13, 2010 equipment, and the Swan River Valley hospital has space to accommodate this service. The Minister of Health has told the Town of Swan River that it has in sufficient infrastructure and patient volumes to sup port a cataract surgery program; however, residents of the region strongly disagree. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the Minister of Health to consider rethinking her refusal to allow an ophthalmologist to practise in Swan River and to consider working with the community to provide this service without further delay.

And this is signed by L. Parenteau, S. Borland, S. Kennedy and many, many others, Mr. Speaker. Manitoba Liquor Control Commission– Liquor Licences Mr. Cliff Graydon (Emerson): Mr. Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. And these are the reasons for this petition: The Manitoba Liquor Control Commission has substantially raised the cost of annual licence–liquor licences for restaurants, cocktail lounges and other Manitoba businesses. The MLCC justifies this increase by stating that the cost of an annual licence is being increased to better reflect rising administration costs.

For some small business owners, the cost of an annual liquor licence has more than doubled. These fee hikes are a significant burden for business owners. The decision to increase the annual licence fee, while at the same time eliminating the 2 percent supplementary licence fee payable on purchases of spirit, wine and coolers, has the effect of greatly disadvantaging small businesses. Small businesses which do not purchase liquor from the MLCC in large volume will not receive the same benefit from the elimination of this supplementary fee.

Instead, they are facing substantially increased costs simply to keep their doors open. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To request the Minister responsible for the administration of The Liquor Control Act to consider working with MLCC to find alternate means of addressing rising administrative costs. And to request the Minister responsible for the administration of The Liquor Control Act to consider working with MLCC to revise the decision to implement a significant annual licence fee increase.

And to urge the Minister responsible for the administration of The Liquor Control Act to consider ensuring that the unique challenges faced by small businesses are better taken into account in the future. And this petition is signed by S. Boslovitch, M. Cameron and S. White and many, many other fine Manitobans. Bipole III Mrs. Leanne Rowat (Minnedosa): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.

The background for this petition is as follows: Manitoba Hydro has been forced by the NDP government to construct its next high-voltage direct transmission line, Bipole III, down the west side of Manitoba. This decision will cost Manitoba ratepayers at least $640 million more than an east-side route. The Province of Manitoba is facing its largest deficit on record, and the burden of this extra cost could not come at a worse time. Between 2002 and 2009 electricity rates increased by 16 percent, and Manitoba Hydro has filed a request for further rate increases totalling 6 percent over the next two years.

A western Bipole III route will invariably lead to more rate increases. In addition to being cheaper, an east-side route would be hundreds of kilometres shorter and would be more reliable than the west side. West-side residents have not been adequately consulted and have identified serious concerns with the proposed line. The NDP government has not been able to provide any logical justification for a west-side route. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to consider proceeding with the cheaper, shorter and more

April 13, 2010 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 721 logical east-side route, subject to necessary regulatory approvals, to save ratepayers hundreds of millions of dollars during these challenging economic times. This petition's signed by E. Billowski, I. Dean, R. Lane and many, many others, Mr. Speaker. * (13:40) PTH 16 and PTH 5 North–Traffic Signals Mr. Stuart Briese (Ste. Rose): Mr. Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.

These are the reasons for this petition: The junction of PTH 16 and PTH 5 north is an increasingly busy intersection which is used by motorists and pedestrians alike. The Town of Neepawa ha s raised concerns with the Highway Traffic Board about safety levels at this intersection. The Town of Neepawa has also passed a resolution requesting that Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation install traffic lights at this intersection in order to increase safety.

We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To request the Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation to consider making the installation of traffic lights at the intersection of PTH 16 and PTH 5 north a priority project in order to help protect the safety of the motorists and pedestrians who use it. This petition is signed by R. Scott, A. Dutko, W. Denton and many, many other fine Manitobans. Whiteshell Provincial Park–Lagoons Mrs. Heather Stefanson (Tuxedo): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly.

And these are the reasons for this petition: Manitoba's provincial parks were established to protect our natural resources and the environment for future generations. In July 2009, the lagoons in the vicinity of Dorothy Lake and Otter Falls in the Whiteshell Provincial Park overflowed, creating concerns that untreated sewage made its way into the Winnipeg River system and ultimately into Lake Winnipeg. In addition, emergency discharges had to be undertaken at lagoons in the Whiteshell Provincial Park four times in 2005, once in 2007 and once in April 2009.

Concerned stakeholders in the Whiteshell Provincial Park have repeatedly asked the provincial government to develop plans to address the shortcomings with the park's lagoons and to ensure the environment is protected, but the plans have not materialized. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To request the Minister of Conservation to consider acknowledging that more timely action should have been taken to address the shortcomings with the lagoons in the Whiteshell Provincial Park in order to protect the environment.

To request the Minister of Conservation to consider immediately developing short- and long- term strategies to address the shortcomings with lagoons in the Whiteshell Provincial Park and to consider implementing them as soon as possible. And, Mr. Speaker, this petition has been signed by J. Fawley, K. Schepp, S. Schepp and many, many other concerned Manitobans. Medical Clinic in Weston and Brooklands Area Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Inkster): Mr. Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.

The background to this petition is as follows: Walk-in medical clinics provide a valuable health-care service. The closure of the Westbrook Medical Clinic has left both Weston and Brooklands without a community-based medical clinic. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to consider how important it is to have a medical clinic located in the Weston and Brooklands area. Mr. Speaker, this is signed by K. Morden, F. Kent and K. Gushue and many, many other fine Manitobans. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Introduction of Guests Mr.

Speaker: Prior to oral questions, I'd like to draw the attention of honourable members to the public

722 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 13, 2010 gallery where we have with us today, we have United Steelworkers from eight locals across Manitoba representing the District 3 Steelworkers, who are the guests of the honourable Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation (Mr. Ashton). And also in the public gallery, we have Ed Hinsburg, who is the guest of the honourable member for Brandon East (Mr. Caldwell). And also in the public gallery, we have from Assiniboine Community College, we have 17 college students under the direction of Ms. Linda Dustan Selinger.

This group is located in the constituency of the honourable member for Brandon East (Mr. Caldwell). And also in the public gallery, we have from Warren Collegiate, we have 65 grade 11 students under the direction of Mrs. Lee Stewart. This school is located in the constituency on–constituency of the honourable member for the Lakeside (Mr. Eichler). On behalf of all honourable members, I welcome you all here today. ORAL QUESTIONS Agriculture Industry Producer Quota Tax Mr. Hugh McFadyen (Leader of the Official Opposition): Mr.

Speaker, when we came into the Chamber three weeks ago today, members on this side of the House were looking forward and hoping for a budget that would address the major challenges in Manitoba today and into the future. What we got instead was a toxic combination of debt, deficits, service cuts, as well as tax increases. Now, Mr.

Speaker, as we look at the rapidly increasing debt, the cuts to services in various places around the province and the new taxes–we've already highlighted the issue of the new tax on electricity– rising water rates, taxes on cars, camping, increasing Pharmacare rates for seniors, but we were shocked to find in that budget a new tax on milk, eggs and poultry for Manitobans, a tax that will impact on the producers of Manitoba and have a–put upward pressure on the prices that Manitoba families pay for milk, eggs and chicken.

I want to ask the Premier: How is it that he can bring forward a budget that increases the price of milk, eggs and food for Manitoba families and hurts our farm families in the process? Hon. Greg Selinger (Premier): Mr.

Speaker, I thank the member for a question on why the budget's good for Manitoba because–and let's be clear, the members will vote against this budget which invests– [interjection] I'm glad they have confirmed that that will vote against this budget because they will be voting against investing in front-line services for health, for education, for services to thousands of children as well as additional resources for infrastructure. They will be voting against an economic growth stimulation program that will generate 29,000 additional jobs in Manitoba.

They will be voting against the program which manages public expenditure and has a plan to accelerate down payments on the debt. And they will be voting against a budget which maintains Manitoba as one of the most affordable places to live. On the specifics, we are the government that supports supply management in Manitoba; they are the government that would deregulate it, Mr. Speaker. Mr. McFadyen: Mr. Speaker, we are going to vote against reckless spending on a $640-million wasteful project in Hydro.

We're going to vote against budget cuts to hearing-impaired children, which you saw about today in the newspaper. We're going to vote against cuts to adult education in Portage la Prairie. We're going to vote against cuts to addiction services for Manitobans. Tomorrow, we're going to vote against a new tax on food for Manitoba families. Will the Premier today, in advance of tomorrow's vote, will he, at the very least, withdraw this new tax on family farms, the people who produce the eggs, the milk, the food that feeds Manitoba families?

Will he withdraw it before the vote tomorrow or is he going to require his caucus to stand up and vote in favour of a tax hike on food for Manitobans? Mr. Selinger: Mr. Speaker, let's be absolutely clear. It's this government that supports the supply management system for farmers, which gives them– Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Mr. Speaker: Order. I just want members to take a couple of seconds and have a look up in the public gallery.

We have a lot of guests here today that come from a long distance to come and hear question period, and they want to be able to hear the questions and the answers, and I think we should give them that right, and I'm asking the co-operation of honourable members.

April 13, 2010 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 723 The honourable First Minister has the floor. Mr. Selinger: Mr. Speaker, the supply management system, which is the–supported by this government and opposed by the members opposite who would deregulate it, is one that allows farmers to get a return based on their cost of production and provides them with a stable income. That is what we support on this side of the House.

The members opposite would deregulate and cast to the winds that stability of income for farmers and put them at the will of the free market, the international global free market, which would drive many of those producers out of business. That's the central issue. We support supply management; they oppose it. Mr. McFadyen: Mr. Speaker, of all of the ridiculous, irrelevant responses he has provided, that ranks up at the top. The producers we're talking about are represented by members of this side of the House, and they stand up each and every day on behalf of those producers. They're going to continue to do so.

It shouldn't be lost on members that those producers are not represented on that side of the House, and that is why they 've introduced this mean- spirited tax on farm families in Manitoba. * (13:50) It's going to raise–it's going to take more–close to a million dollars out of the pockets of family farms in Manitoba, people who produce milk, people who produce eggs, people who produce poultry. They're going to tax them. They're going to give them nothing in return. There's no service in return. It's a new revenue grab because of his out-of-control spending on the west-side bipole.

Will he today apologize to Manitoba producers, and will he apologize to those Manitobans who, down the road, are going to pay more for their milk, for their eggs and for their basic food requirements? Mr. Selinger: Mr. Speaker, the member again puts misinformation on the record as he does every single day in this House. One day he wants to suggest that an expenditure not yet made takes away from funding in this budget when the expenditure's not even occurred yet. The expenditure increases in Manitoba over the last decade are the second lowest of all the provinces And, Mr.

Speaker, the supply management system is a system, including the Wheat Board which is under attack from the Conservatives, is a system that we support on this side of the House. The members opposite are against supply management, whether of farm commodities or whether of wheat. If the member is sincere, let him stand up and say he supports the Wheat Board. Let him stand up and say he supports supply management. He will not do that. Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Mr. Speaker: Order. There's no sense trying to ask a question or answer a question. You can't hear a thing anyway.

We've got guests here that come all the– from quite a ways here. Let's show a little bit of decency here, please. Let's have some decorum in the House. I know feelings get a little hard during question period, but let's have some decorum and respect for the institution that we are in today, okay, please. I'm asking the co-operation of all members. The honourable First Minister still has the floor. Mr. Selinger: Thank you, Mr. Sp eaker. I reiterate that we support the supply management system. The members opposite oppose it; they have historically.

The resources that we put into that ensure that farmers get a stable income based on the cost of production. It's one of the things we do to ensure that our producers can have a decent quality of life and predictability in their income. And I wish the members opposite would step up to– Mr. Speaker: Order. Agriculture Industry Producer Quota Tax Mr. Cliff Graydon (Emerson): Mr. Speaker, and talking about putting misinformation on the record. Here I'll indicate what the Minister of Agriculture (Mr. Struthers) has put on the record. Mr.

Speaker, on March 25th, in Interim Supply, I asked the Minister of Agriculture which commodity groups he had met with about his new quota tax. His response was, and I quote: "I've met with, I think all of the groups, all of the main groups." End quote. But representatives from the Dairy Farmers of Manitoba, who are in the gallery today, say that the minister has not consulted with them as yet on this new tax; yet, the tax on supply management food production will have a negative impact on family farms and the implications for consumers in higher food prices.

Will the Minister of Agriculture admit that this government likes to tax first and consult later? Why have they resorted to ta xing our family farms who produce our food?

724 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 13, 2010 Hon. Rosann Wowchuk (Acting Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives): Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to have the opportunity to speak to this issue and I want to make it clear that we support orderly marketing for agriculture commodities, whether they be through supply management or whether they be through single-desk selling. That is not the message that we have heard from the members opposite. Mr.

Speaker, we have indicated that there will be a levy on the sale of quota; however, those details are not worked out yet and there is–when those details will be worked out with the industry. They will be worked out with the industry. However, Mr. Speaker, I would remind the farming community to think very carefully of what the members opposite say when their own members, when they speak out in public, have said. And the member from Carman said the Tories will put less focus on other issues such as health care, roads, social services, agriculture and rural depopulation and First Nations.

So, they pretend in here that they care, out there they don't. Mr. Graydon: Mr. Speaker, the former Minister of Agriculture set out a directive to ministers telling them to cut services by 10 percent–that's the Minister of Finance–and to find a way to raise another 10 percent to fuel this NDP government's spending addiction. Supply managed produ cers are very concerned about the impact of this new tax on their family farms. We believe that it is morally wrong to implement a tax that's going to hurt family farms and, at the same time, have implications for consumers. Mr.

Speaker, can the minister tell the Dairy Farmers of Manitoba and other supply management groups why they're being forced to help offset the Premier's sinkhole budget? Ms. Wowchuk: Well, Mr. Speaker, I think all Manitobans recognize the importance of finding a way to balance during a difficult time when the whole world is balancing–the whole world is balancing. And you know, right now, Mr. Speaker, the members opposite are saying, don't spend this much money. You have a problem with spending. You know what, Mr. Speaker? Yesterday they were asking us to spend more money.

Yesterday they were asking about their roads. They were asking about their personal care homes. Mr. Speaker, you can't have it both ways. You have to make a plan, and we have made a plan, and we will work through this challenging time to ensure that front-line services, stimulus and other activities that are important to Manitoba continue. Mr. Graydon: Mr. Speaker, I believe the Minister of Finance has just said it's okay to tax food on people. Tax the people's food, their milk and their eggs and their chickens. That's what the minister just said.

The minister can't provide a single example of how this new levy will benefit the managed–supply management producers. The impact on consumers is a backward, backdoor tax. The only one that's going to benefit from this tax is the former Minister of Agriculture. She and her colleagues can't control their outrageous spending. This new levy sends a rotten message to the agriculture sector. It says, watch your wallet, we're coming for you with every new levy and fee hike that we can think of. Mr. Speaker, will the Minister of Agriculture (Mr.

Struthers) grow a spine and tell the Minister of Finance that she shouldn't proceed with this new levy? Will he do the right thing? Ms. Wowchuk: Mr. Speaker, what I will tell the industry is that this government has always supported supply management and single-desk selling. Unfortunately, it is not clear from the other side of the House what they would do. They talk out of both sides of their mouths. Sometimes they support it. Sometimes they support the open market. And if you support the open market for the sale of wheat, Mr.

Speaker, it only leads me to believe that they also support the open market when it comes to the sale of all other commodities. That's the direction they would go in, and we will work with the industry. The Minister of Agriculture has said, and like I say, that we are committed to working with all supply management organizations to discuss how this levy can be implemented in the way that will be

April 13, 2010 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 725 fair, and we will take the advice from the commodity groups, Mr. Speaker. Provincial Debt Increase Mrs. Heather Stefanson (Tuxedo): Yesterday the Premier (Mr. Selinger) boasted that Manitoba's debt-to-GDP ratio is 27 percent. Well, that's certainly not something to be proud of, and certainly we don't think it is, especially when we compare it to our neighbouring Saskatchewan, where their debt-to-GDP ratio is 7.3 percent with a projected debt-to-GDP ratio of 5.7 percent by 2014. Mr.

Speaker, why, when other provinces are reducing their debt burden, are we–is this NDP government increasing ours, and why are they so proud of that? Hon. Rosann Wowchuk (Minister of Finance): Well, Mr. Speaker, I'll say to the member again what I did yesterday with regard to the Saskatchewan budget, and that, in fact, on

summary budget basis, Saskatchewan's debt is higher than Manitoba's debt. Saskatchewan has a debt of over $600 million and they have raided their Crowns. Mr. Speaker, we have found a way to deal with this. And if you want to do some comparisons–the member opposite says our debt-to-GDP is not good. It's better than it was in the 1990s. It has gone up a point, and we could expect that, but ours is the fourth best in the country. Mrs. Stefanson: Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Finance wants to talk about the

summary budget, and we–when we compare the consolidated debt of the two provinces–and let's put some facts on the record here. Saskatchewan's debt-to-GDP ratio on the consolidated debt is 14.3 percent compared to Manitoba's 45 percent. That's how out of touch with reality she is. That means that almost half the size of our economy is comprised of debt, and this figure is on the rise with no plan to address it. * (14:00) Do they recognize the seriousness of this issue, and what is their plan to reduce the debt burden that will ultimately left–be left for future generations, our children and our grandchildren? Ms.

Wowchuk: Mr. Speaker, the net debt-to-GDP ratio is projected to be 26.8 percent in Budget 2010; this is down from 32.9 percent in 1999. So the member opposite should lo ok at what the–what situation we were in when the Conservatives were in power and look at the work that we have done to reduce the–to bring down the debt. Under their regime they were spending 13 cents on the dollar to– on debt; ours is 6 cents on the dollar.

So the member opposite wants to make comparisons, she should compare where Manitoba was under their Conservative administration and the good work we have done to improve Manitoba's debt to GDP. Mrs. Stefanson: A lot of that debt was run up under Howard Pawley, and if you can recall–interest rates– if you can recall–the fact is that interest rates at that time were a lot higher than they were during this NDP government's reign, and they are going up. The situation– Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Mr. Speaker: Order. Let's have some order. Order. The honourable member for Tuxedo has the floor. Mrs.

Stefanson: The situation is getting worse, yet this government is refusing to do anything about it. They say that they are cont ent with the existing debt burden that will be ultimately be left for future generations in this province. Mr. Speaker, we believe it's unacceptable, Manitobans believe it's unacceptable, why won't they believe that it's unacceptable too? Ms. Wowchuk: Well, Mr. Speaker, right across the country people and governments have recognized that there is a need to make investments during a downturn in the economy. We are making that investment and we are spending to keep our economy going.

Yes, there will be a slight increase in the debt-to-GDP, but we are also playing–paying down the debt, and the member opposite should look at our five-year plan and look at how we intend to bring that debt down over time. But I won't apologize for making investments in people so that in the long term we can protect front- line services and continue to make investments in people and at the same time bring down our debt and make a–have a plan in plac e as to how we are going to do it. There was no plan on the other side. Their plan was sell Manitoba Telephone System.

Persons with Disabilities Employment Marketability Advertising Mrs. Bonnie Mitchelson (River East): In December of 2008 this NDP government launched a

726 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 13, 2010 multimedia campaign targeted at employers asking them to consider hiring people with disabilities. I would like to ask the government today: How many people have been employed as the result of this campaign? Hon. Gord Mackintosh (Minister of Family Services and Consumer Affairs): Yes, Mr.

Speaker, over several years the government was getting representations, particularly from persons with disabilities, asking that the government join with them in sending a very clear message to those that have the power to employ, the power to train people for advancements in the workplace, to get the clear signal out that it's important when–it's important that when we look at individuals in society we look at what they can do, not what they cannot do.

And that is why the marketability strategy was launched in partnership–and I will say that the employment–the employer community was very supportive of this; the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce have been the backbone of the whole strategy to increase awareness. Mrs. Mitchelson: B u t i n M a r c h o f t h i s y e a r w e learned that this NDP government had spent over $300,000 on this government's disability campaign trying to get employers to hire people with disabilities. Mr. Speaker, the minister didn't answer my question.

I would ask him the direct question today: How many disabled individuals were hired as a result of this $300,000 of taxpayers' money that was spent? Mr. Mackintosh: Well, Mr. Speaker, if the member wants us to go and do a survey of every private employer in Manitoba–on the other hand, it's our view that the investment should be made in both raising awareness about the abilities of all Manitobans and bust some myths in this province that just because a person has a disability does not mean that they are disabled. Everyone has abilities.

It's important that we join with others including the employer community to send that very clear message. I'm very disappointed that members opposite would not support such an investment. It's very important that social marketing be available, Mr. Speaker. It does help to change attitudes and increase the opportunities for all Manitobans. Mrs. Mitchelson: But the minister can huff and puff all he likes, Mr.

Speaker, but he still hasn't answered the question, and the reason he's not answering the question is because his own department has said, and I quote: The department is unable to provide you with the number of people hired as a result of the campaign as no records exist. Well, Mr.

Speaker, his own department indicates $300,000 in taxpayers' money that could have gone to the front lines at a time when there are choices by a government to make, when they are running deficits of hundreds of millions of dollars, why would they take $300,000 of precious taxpayers' money and spend it on a feel-good, pat-yourself-on- the-back campaign that has absolutely no outcomes and we don't know how many people were hired? Mr. Mackintosh: Mr.

Speaker, if the member wants the public dollars going to make a public record under FIPPA, and go and ask every private employer, well, that's how they would spend the money. We've invested, not just $300,000, Mr. Speaker, in raising awareness about the opportunities– Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Mr. Speaker: Order. Mr. Mackintosh: Mr.

Speaker, not only are we investing in raising awareness about the great untapped potential of persons with disabilities, not only are we investing so that employers will indeed turn their mind to that great untapped source of energy for their workplace so that we can ensure that all Manitobans have a greater opportunity, but we've invested, not just 300,000 but I would say 30 million, in persons with disabilities under the Opening Doors strategy, because it's not only about employment opportunities. It's about housing. It's about training. It's about support, disability supports.

I'm so disappointed in members opposite. Why don't they stand up for an inclusive Manitoba? Health-Care Services Out-of-Province Patient Transfers Mrs. Myrna Driedger (Charleswood): Mr. Speaker, 21-year-old Rodmond Huska died in a Colorado hospital last year with only his mother at his side. The insurance company could not find a bed in Winnipeg so that Rodmond could come home, but the Minister of Health and the WRHA said it wasn't about beds; it was solely because of a communi- cation breakdown.

April 13, 2010 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 727 Does the Minister of Health still stand by her statement? Hon. Theresa Oswald (Minister of Health): I want to say to members opposite that, of course, the loss of a loved one is a very difficult time that any family has to endure. I want the House to know that there is a repatriation policy for family members that are out of the province. Generally speaking, people can be transferred back home within three days in–within North America, five days internationally, you know, off the mainland.

We know that in some cases this does not occur because of specific issues with the patient. We know that the goal of those days–three days and five days, respectively–is very often met. Last year there were about 130 repatriations done successfully. We're going to continue to work with the region to improve that policy and to improve care for Manitobans that may be abroad. * (14:10) Mrs. Driedger: Mr. Speaker, that was rhetoric and no answer. Mr.

Speaker, I'd like to table a copy of the call log provided by the Huskas' insurance company, and it shows that staff at the insurance company went to great lengths to find a bed in Winnipeg for Rodmond. Over a 24-hour period they made 15 phone calls to hospitals in Winnipeg to find him a bed, and, in fact, they did talk to all the right people. Every time they were told there are no beds. This was not miscommunication. I'd like to ask the Minister of Health to tell us, and tell us why she said it was miscommunication, when, in fact, the evidence now shows that there were actually no beds. Ms. Oswald: Mr.

Speaker, we have been in discussion with the family who has provided consent for us to speak to the insurance companies and gather such information. We know that there are documents that would suggest that there was information conveyed that there were no beds. There's information within the region that doesn't match that. We're going to continue to investigate, particularly with the consent of the family, to have further conversations with insurance companies and, more importantly, we're going to work to ensure that that repatriation policy is as clear as can be.

We're going to learn from families and any challenges that they may have. We're going to continue to work on educating insurance companies to make sure that the process is as clear as possible so no family has to go through these challenges as well. Mrs. Driedger: Mr. Speaker, this Minister of Health and the WRHA misled the family and they misled the public. They said, solely, the problem was due to miscommunication. The WRHA told the media that while the Health Sciences Centre had no beds for Rodmond there were beds elsewhere in the city. We now know that that is absolutely false.

The insurance company tried every single hospital in Winnipeg, and the call log shows it, and they were told there are no beds. This Minister of Health covered up the truth about the death of Brian Sinclair. Now she is covering up the truth about the circumstances surrounding Rodmond Huska's death. I'd like to ask her today if she will apologize to Cheryl Huska, who's in the gallery today, to Rodmond's mother, for her misleading comments on this issue. Ms. Oswald: Mr. Speaker, we know that evidence tabled today is information that has been provided from an insurance company.

We know that there were numerous players in the conversation. We know that we're going to continue to review–as we've committed to the family previous to this–we're going to continue to review this case with a view to improving the repatriation process. We will look again at the evidence. It is our view, based on the review that we have done, that communication between the hospitals, between the regional health authority and the insurance companies did break down. This was a problem. This is the central issue and we're going to continue to review. The most important thing that we can do, Mr.

Speaker, is to know that th ere is a goal in place for a three-day and a five-day repatriation process; 130 people last year met those goals. We're going to continue to work with the region to meet those goals and indeed to improve them. Tembec Purchase Loan Option Mr. Gerald Hawranik (Lac du Bonnet): Mr. Speaker, there's a good possibility that a proposal to purchase the Tembec mill in Powerview-Pine Falls will be made either by the employees or by a third- party purchaser. When the Filmon government dealt

728 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 13, 2010 with that same issue in 1994, it made a MIOP loan available to the employees to assist with the purchase. So I ask the minister responsible: Will loan assistance be available to a purchaser who puts forward a viable proposal to purchase that mill? Hon. Jennifer Howard (Minister of Labour and Immigration): Mr. Speaker, as the member opposite knows, we went out last winter to meet with the community and to discuss the situation there.

Part of that effort was to make available to the community a million dollars to do the work that they needed to do, to both look at a possible purchase of the mill but, as well as, to look at other options for community development, economic development in that community. That committee has been working well together, continues to work well. My understanding is they have used part of that money to do some feasibility work on a possible purchase of that mill and we will work with them on the outcome of that report. Mr. Hawranik: It took the Premier (Mr.

Selinger) only a few days to provide $90 million to build a stadium here, but it took the Premier also 99 days after the lockout began in Powerview-Pine Falls before he even bothered to travel the one hour north of the Perimeter Highway to visit our community. So I ask the minister responsible: When a viable proposal comes forward to purchase the mill, will the minister act immediately to make loan assistance available, or will she wait months, as the Premier did, before he bothered to visit our community? Ms.

Howard: I was pleased to meet with the people who were locked out of that mill, and I met with them and with the Premier, and we met together with them. And I would just–thankfully, that lockout ended, and I would just remind members opposite the way that lockout ended. That lockout ended because the union made an application under

section 87(1) of The Labour Relations Act for expedited arbitration because they'd been out for more than 90 days. That is in the act because we put that forward, Mr. Speaker. Every one of them voted against it. Mr. Hawranik: Mr. Speaker, it's not time to play politics with a community. Not time. This community is suffering, and it continues to suffer under this administration. Our community is concerned about a timely response to this issue. In the private sector, decisions to be–need to be made on a timely basis, Mr. Speaker.

If they're not made quickly, then the opportunity could be lost and with it, hundreds of jobs in our community could be lost, for which the minister should take full responsibility. So I ask her: Will she act immediately, or will she delay her decision and roll the dice on the jobs in Powerview and Pine Falls? Ms. Howard: As I said at the outset, we provided, immediately, a million dollars to that community adjustment committee to look at all of the options, to do the feasibility study. Th ere are jobs at stake.

There are the financial future of thousands of community members at stake, and we're going to take the time necessary to make sure that that is protected for people. I would also remind the member opposite that there has been an issue of retroactive Employment Insurance payments, which he has written a letter on, which I have written a letter on, which the Premier has written a letter on to the federal government. And I would also say that, thanks to the unemployed help centre that is taking that case forward, that is helping those members appeal, I think there is an opportunity here to see some change happen.

But it's interesting to me, Mr. Speaker, that when they had an option to fund the unemployed help centre in 1989, what did they do? They took back that funding immediately. It was one of the first acts of the Filmon government. So we will judge them by what they have done. Broadband Services Rural Availability Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Mr. Speaker, I commend the Manitoba government for getting information about government services and programs on the government Web site.

There's been quite an aggressive shift to direct Manitobans to the government Web page, and the page has become an integral part of the way government is doing business today. But Mr. Speaker, with this push towards more government business on-line, the Premier has left a large number of Manitobans out in the cold. Many Manitobans in rural and Manitoba–in rural and northern Manitoba still rely on slow dial-up Internet services that can't support the government's Web site, which is heavy in PDF documents and graphics.

April 13, 2010 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 729 Mr. Speaker, many Manitoban communities are still without broadband services, and we now have a two-tiered system of government service. I ask the Premier: Why, in more than 10 years in his–in the government, has he failed to ensure all communities have broadband access in Manitoba, and why, as a result, do we have two-tiered government services? Hon. Greg Selinger (Premier): I appreciate the question from the member opposite because it is important that modern infrastructure like broadband infrastructure is made available to Manitobans.

And what we have done is when we purchase services from organizations like the Manitoba Telephone System for hospitals and schools, we also try to ensure that those broadband services available to our public institutions are also made available to the surrounding communities, so that they can buy into that and be part of that new technology and develop their businesses and their opportunities to communicate with the rest of the world. We have aggressively pursued that ove r the last several years.

More than 68 percent of Manitobans are never–are now covered under that policy. * (14:20) We have worked with community development corporations to provide addi tional Internet services out through, in some cases, even the dark fibre of Manitoba Hydro in co-operation with the community development corporations. So we are aggressively looking at ways to expand service to all Manitoba communities. We've worked with First Nations, we've worked with community development communities, and we will continue to do that as we purchase services from the telephone system. Mr. Gerrard: Mr.

Speaker, I have to let the Premier know that there are still more than 200 communities without access to broadband services. I table the list. The government has been slow on broadband and hasn't even presented a target date when all communities in Manitoba will have access to broadband services. Does the minister recognize that access to broadband services play a major role in providing solid education and health services?

All communities need broadband services to anchor important government institutions, such as hospitals and schools, and to provide equitable access to education, to health care and to economic opportunities. Mr. Speaker, can the minister tell me why there was no mention of broadband services in his moving Manitoba forward budget plan, and can the minister clearly tell Manitobans with dial-up services when they can expect to receive the same level of government service as their fellow broadband- enabled Manitobans? Mr. Selinger: As I said, Mr. Speaker, there has been very, very significant progress.

In 2004, there were 104 connected communities; in 2006, there was double that–200 connected communities; in 2008, it rose to 255 communities; and last year, it rose an additional 100, to 355 communities. And we have a projection to add approximately another hundred communities in the coming year. So, every year, there is steady progress being made in connecting up communities to broadband services. We do it in collaboration with the telephone system. We do it in collaboration with First Nations. We do it in collaboration with community development corporations, as well as small businesses out there.

And this is the approach we are taking to get a cost-eff ective solution for more broadband services. In some other provinces where Crown corporations provide tele phone services, it's been somewhat easier to do, Mr. Speaker. We do not have that option any more in Manitoba and the member from River Heights knows the reason why. Balanced Budget Legislation Ministerial Salary Reductions Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Inkster): Mr. Speaker, for three consecutive elections, the Premier campaigned in St. Boniface and, in fact, now, throughout the entire province, that they support balanced budget legislation.

And if I quote right from the balanced budget legislation, Mr. Speaker, it states that, quote, clause 6(1): If the balance at the end of the fiscal year is negative, for the next fiscal year the salary of each minister, including any person appointed as minister in the next year, must be reduced in accordance with subsection 2. Mr. Speaker, my question to the Premier today is: Has he applied that reduction to his current salary? Has he actually taken a deduction for the months of April, which is under this particular fiscal

730 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 13, 2010 year, and will he make the commitment to all Manitobans that all of his ministers will take that 20 percent, or more, reduction not only for this fiscal year, but for the following year–something in which he supported in three consecutive elections, something that he told his constituents he would do? Hon. Greg Selinger (Premier): Mr. Speaker, under existing balanced budget legislation, the budget is balanced this year under the four-year rolling average.

In spite of that, the members of Cabinet have voluntarily taken a 20 percent reduction, and they will continue to receive that reduction until the budget is brought back into balance under our five- year plan, which protects front-line services for health, education, social services and justice, which stimulates job creation to the tune of 29,000 jobs this year, which manages our public expenditure below the thresholds that the members opposite carried when they were in office, and does it while keeping Manitoba affordable.

This is the plan that we will use to grow prosperity in Manitoba, and all the members opposite are going to vote against it, once again, as they do not have their own plan other than cutting everything back. Green Manitoba Green Building Products Directory Mr. Drew Caldwell (Brandon East): Mr. Speaker, Manitoba is internationally recognized as being the most progressive jurisdiction in North America on the issues of the environment and sustainable environmental stewardship.

Our proposal before UNESCO for a World Heritage Site on the east side of Lake Manitoba is globally recognized as the most progressive initiative currently under way in North America, Mr. Speaker. Our work on wind farms, ou r work on geothermal, on developing Manitoba Hydro places Manitoba at the top of international jurisdictions in providing green initiatives. Mr. Speaker, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation has seen more housing growth in this province in the last three months than at any time in recent memory.

Can the Minister of Conservation please inform the House today how our government initiative through Green Manitoba will assist in the design and construction of industries to build in a green and sustainable way into the future? Hon. Bill Blaikie (Minister of Conservation): Mr. Speaker, the honourable member asked a very appropriate question indeed. Just today, coinci- dentally, Green Manitoba, in partnership with Manitoba's Canada Green Building Council chapter, launched the Manitoba Green Building Products Directory at the Better Buildings Conference in Winnipeg.

The Green Buildings Products on-line directory will help build a greener Manitoba–something I know honourable members over there are against–by helping industry help the environment. This directory will provide an easy-to-use low-cost way for Manitoba-based green product manufacturers and suppliers to connect with Manitobans who design, construct and operate green buildings.

The site will list environmentally preferable building products and materials for the constr uction, renovation and operation of commercial and institutional buildings, making it much easier fo r industry to find and incorporate locally availa ble products for green construction projects. Through our Green Building Policy, Manitoba is a national leader incorporating sustainability in its construction and supply-needs planning, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker: Time for oral questions has expired. MEMBERS' STATEMENTS Kyle Parrott Mrs. Leanne Rowat (Minnedosa): Mr.

Speaker, I'm honoured to rise today in the House to congratulate each of Manitoba's Olympic athletes who we'll be meeting later on this afternoon. The 2010 Olympic Games were an especially notable event to the commun ity of Minnedosa as we cheered on for our very own Minnedosa hometown hero, Kyle Parrott. As fo r the MLA for Minnedosa, we would like to pay special consideration to my constituent Kyle Parrott who represented not only his home country and home province so capably, but also in his hometown of Minnedosa.

A speed skater, Kyle was one of over 180 Canadian athletes who competed in the Olympic Games in Vancouver this past winter. This young man of 24 years of age began skating competitively when he was 11 years old. While Kyle has most recently been training at the Richmond Olympic Oval, he has humble roots as an alumnus of the Brandon speed-skating club. Kyle qualified to compete as part of the pr estigious Canadian speed- skating team after competing in the Canadian Single

April 13, 2010 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 731 Distance Championships and finished third to qualify for the men's 1,500 metre event. He also competed in both the 500 and the 1,000 metre races in Vancouver. In the last few months, Kyle has become a local and national celebrity featured in the Toronto Star and gracing cereal boxes through General Mills' Aspiring Olympians program. This young man's success demonstrates that small rural communities do produce extremely exemplary athletes. And I want to join all of Kyle's local friends and family to congratulate Kyle on representing our country in Vancouver.

The 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games were truly Canada's games and, because of you, they were Minnedosa's games as well. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Dean Garrioch Mr. Frank Whitehead (The Pas): Mr. Speaker, many individuals make positive contributions to their communities but perhaps those that touch the lives of troubled youth create the most impact. Today, I would like to recognize the efforts of Dean Garrioch, an outstanding man who is dedicated to the well-being of Aboriginal youth. Dean graduated from Eston College, a church-run resi- dential school in Saskatchewan, where he learned the value of community.

Since that time, Dean has been arranging recreational weekends for youth that encourage community, cult ure and education and help teens to deal with challenges and get back on track with their lives. In February, Dean organized a Challenge to Strive, one of those events in Cross Lake, which I attended with Grand Chief David Harper. * (14:30) That weekend, youth discussed the roads to better education, healthier relationships, community participation and holistic well-being. Following this enlightening conversation, we had a floor hockey tournament that promoted competitiveness and good will.

While there was still a winner, the main goal was for everybody to get involved and show respect for the rules and opponents. That evening, community members of all ages came together to share experiences of pers onal challenges, such as gangs, drugs and alcohol, and lack of familial support, and were invited to speak about how they strive to better their lives. At the end of the night, we were all treated to music put on by the young participants, which was a wonderful opportunity for each other's company and feel the embrace of community spirit. Mr.

Speaker, support sy stems such as this are especially important, given the high teen suicide rates plaguing many northern communities, and events that unite the community inspire young people to address their problems and be positive forces. I want to thank Dean and his partners for a steadfast commitment to Aboriginal youth and, as one elder put it, events like this help our youth to succeed and grow old gracefully. Thank you. Community Newspaper Day Mrs. Mavis Taillieu (Morris): Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Community Newspaper Day in Manitoba.

Every year on April 17th, we highlight the central role community newspapers play in local communities. Local and ethnic newspapers bring communities together. These newspapers are an integral part of the fabric of strong communities. Peter Jennings once said: It is a simple axiom of journalism that the most effective way to connect with your audience is to make your reporting relevant to an individual's daily life. It would be an understatement to say that community newspapers achieve this. These news- papers are the lifeline of communities.

They are the connecting point for what is happening in people's lives in their backyards, in their community centres and schools. Community newspapers play a vital role in the development of the local and provincial economy. They build strong and resilient businesses and community partnerships. In addition, they provide a great opportunity for local businesses to advertise and get involved in the community. Mr. Speaker, local newspapers bring a sense of belonging and involvement to communities. They offer a public forum for debate on contentious local issues that aren't covered by media anywhere else.

They provide editorials on i ssues that directly affect people's everyday lives. Today, the Manitoba Community Newspapers Association represents 47 community newspapers that have a combined weekly circulation of over 360,000 households and over 550,000 readers. Manitoba also boasts many ethnic and cultural newspapers that strengthen the province's

732 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 13, 2010 multicultural fabric. These ethnic newspapers enrich our communities and allow them to fully participate in their cultures. Mr. Speaker, the value of community news- papers was recently confirmed by a study. This study found that 77 percent of Manitobans had read a community newspaper in the past week, compared to 59 percent who had read a daily newspaper. Mr. Speaker, given the technological and industrial pressures community newspapers are facing today, I encourage all honourable members to support their local newspapers. Thank you.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police– Flin Flon Detachment Mr. Gerard Jennissen (Flin Flon): Mr. Speaker, this April the Flin Flon detachment of the RCMP is celebrating its 75th anniversary, marking Canada's oldest municipal RCMP contract in Canada's history. Assembled in 1873 by Sir John A. Macdonald, the North-West Mounted Police force, later renamed the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, was initially charged with the task of establishing friendly relations with the Aboriginals of the Prairies and maintaining the peace as settlers arrived, but expanded over time.

Prior to 1930, the RCMP attended to the Flin Flon area on an as-needed basis but in 1935 entered the area of municipal policing with its first contract to serve as the police force in Flin Flon. The work was often arduous and involved a sizable degree of danger. Officers carried out searches for missing persons, rescued injured or starving First Nations peop le and trappers, enforced game laws, noted weather observations for the meteorological bureau and investigated crimes. Over the last 75 years, more than 350 RCMP officers have served the residents of Flin Flon and the surrounding area.

In July of 1999, the Flin Flon and Cranberry Portage detachments consolidated. The work of the force has greatly evolved over the years. The RCMP is no longer simply an outside agency contracted to enforce the law in the north, but an organization with roots in the community. Now the force is involved in the daily operations of restorative and alternative justice forums and is a participant in community consultative groups and drug and alcohol awareness events. Officers partner with local interest organizations, schools and municipal council to address problems such as youth gang activity and addictions. Mr.

Speaker, the anniversary event will be a week-long celebration in August, complete with a pancake breakfast, an histor ical geocache, afternoon tea and regimental ball. I invite all members of the community to come out and celebrate, and I thank the detachment for all their years of dedicated service. Thank you. Mr. Speaker: As previously agreed, the fifth member’s statement will go to the official opposition, as previously agreed when they exchanged with one of the independent members. So the honourable member for Pembina. AAA Midget Hockey Championship Mr.

Peter Dyck (Pembina): From April 1 to 4, 2010, the Morden Community Centre was home to the AAA Midget Regional Hockey Championship. Teams from Manitoba, Saskatchewan and northern Ontario competed for the op portunity to participate in the Telus Cup, the National AAA Midget Championship. The four teams that were part of this year's tournament were Manitoba's Eastman Selects, Saskatchewan's Notre Dame Hounds, the Thunder Bay Kings from northern Ontario, and the Pembina Valley Hawks were the host team.

I would like to congratulate the Pembina Valley Hawks who beat the Eastman Selects in double overtime in the fifth and deciding game to qualify for the West's regional tournament. Although the Hawks had an outstanding season, they came up one game short of qualifying for the Telus Cup. Pembina Valley lost the final game of the Western Regional Championship to Notre Dame Hounds, who will now advance to the Telus Cup where they will attempt to defend their 2009 title in Québec. This year's tournament was a huge success, thanks to volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes.

In particular, I would like to recognize Jim Mutchinson and the entire executive committee, rather, for all the work that they have done to contribute to this event. There were also numerous parent groups who donated their time to the event and their efforts have not gone unnoticed. Mr. Speaker, I hope that all members of this Legislature will join me in congratulating all of the teams who participated in the AAA Midget West Regional Hockey Tournament in Morden. In particular, I would like to congratulate the Pembina

April 13, 2010 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 733 Valley Hawks on an outstanding season and on becoming the Manitoba AAA Midget Hockey League champions. The town of Morden has done a tremendous job in hosting this tournament and I thank them for their hard work and dedication. Thank you. ORDERS OF THE DAY GOVERNMENT BUSINESS House Business Hon. Bill Blaikie (Government House Leader): Mr.

Speaker, I would like to table the Estimates sequence for the House, an d I believe that you will find, if you canvass the House, that there is an agreement for no vote, no quorum for the next 30 minutes to allow for members that are not speaking to the budget to be able to attend the reception for Manitoba's Olympians in the rotunda. Mr. Speaker: Is there agreement for the next 30 minutes for no quorum count and no votes for the next 30 minutes? [Agreed] The Government House Leader, on further House business. Mr. Blaikie: Mr.

Speaker, pursuant to rule 31(8), I'm announcing that the private member’s resolution to be considered next Tuesday will be one put forward by the honourable member for Selkirk (Mr. Dewar), and the title of the resolution is Neighbourhoods Alive! Mr. Speaker: Okay, pursuant to rule 31(8), it's been announced that the private member’s resolution to be considered next Tuesday will be one put forward by the honourable member for Selkirk, and the title of the resolution is Neighbourhoods Alive! BUDGET DEBATE (Seventh Day of Debate) Mr.

Speaker: Okay, now we will move on to orders of the day, resume adjourned debate on the proposed motion of the honourable Minister of Finance (Ms. Wowchuk) that this House approves in general the budgetary policy of the government, and the proposed motion of the honourable Leader of the Official Opposition (Mr. McFadyen) in amendment thereto, and the proposed motion of the honourable member for River Hei ghts (Mr. Gerrard) in subamendment thereto, in the name of the honourable member for Pembina (Mr. Dyck), who has 18 minutes remaining. Mr.

Peter Dyck (Pembina): Just to continue on the debate that we–I was involved with yesterday, I want to continue, and there were a few things that I omitted or, rather, did not get the opportunity to put on record. I also want to talk a little bit about the ag sector and the fact that no mention of it was made in the budget that we heard presented by the minister. Certainly, agriculture is a huge sector within this province and to just go ahead and omit the name, omit anything in reference to agriculture, is not acceptable. And, Mr.

Speaker, I just want to further talk regarding some of the issues that I have brought up in question period, and that is regarding the promise that was made–and this was in crop insurance–to those producers who had corn and who harvested their corn. * (14:40) They were–in fact, that's why they buy insurance, and I indicated to them at the time that–to the minister at the time–that when you buy crop insurance, you hope not to use it. When you buy fire insurance, you hope that you will not have to access the results of it, and so, when insurance is bought by producers, they expect it to be there for them.

And so I'm trusting that the minister will continue to look at this and will look at treating everyone fairly and will not penalize those producers who went out there and harvested their crop. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I went through and I indicated and outlined the huge infrastructure deficit that we have in the Pembina constituency. And I mentioned the fact that our schools–we need them badly. We've got many, many hundreds of students in huts. And just to add to that, I'm really disturbed by the fact that, in fact, we're going to be announcing today–that the Minister of Education (Ms.

Allan) is going to be announcing that one of our schools is going to be delayed for another year because of budget cuts in that area. Now, it's hard for us to comprehend the fact that, you know, schools will be delayed, our personal care home, Tabor Home, is going to be delayed due to the fact that there's not money out there, and yet, though, somehow, this government can find money for the stadium. Just like that they go and they find $105 million. Mr. Speaker, this is unacceptable. Somehow the priorities are totally mixed up with this government.

734 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 13, 2010 So the other part that I mentioned yesterday was the fact of our highways deficit. We've got the deficit in education, we've got the deficit in health care, we've got the deficit in infrastructure and highways. Highway 32 has been something that's been on the drawing boards for the last 12 years and, Mr. Speaker, this government has totally just neglected to deal with the issue. And so I would encourage them to keep this in mind as they look at the expenditures for the coming year. And I know that the members opposite will say, now you're asking for money again.

I'm asking for them to prioritize the dollars that they have and to spend them in a proper and in a right way. Mr. Speaker, I cannot support a budget where we've got $260 million going to a company in the United States. This is for the wind farm. Pattern Energy is going to be receiving $260 million. The stadium here is going to be receiving $150 million. I'm not opposed to the stadium per se, but I am opposed to the fact that the priorities that this government has are wrong.

Then, of course, the one that we continue to talk about is the $640 million that is going to be spent on the Bipole III, the west si de of the province. This would give us numerous personal care homes, numerous schools, and yet, though, we have a government here who looks at that as being something–well, as indicated yesterday, with the personal care homes, right now, we're looking at elder abuse and, obviously, this government doesn't care that some of these areas are being omitted and that the people are going to have to suffer as a result of the decisions that they have made. So, in conclusion, Mr.

Speaker, I just want to thank you for the opportunity to put a few comments on the record. Again, to my constituents, for giving me the opportunity to present the issues here. However, I do wish that the government of the day would look at the fastest growing area in Manitoba, rurally, as an area where they do need to invest dollars, where they do need to pay heed to the issues that are out there. Thank you very much. Mr. Bidhu Jha (Radisson): Mr. Speaker, today I rise to put a few words on the record of supporting our government's Budget 2010.

To begin my speech on this reasonably great budget, I, first of all, like to welcome our newest member from Concordia in the NDP caucus, the gentleman I know since my first election in 2003. A bright young man who has all it takes to be a good member of this Chamber, and I welcome this youthful member as I see he will contribute greatly to his constituency and to our province. Secondly, Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to see the member from Wellington, the first woman of colour to be appointed as a Cabinet minister, displaying our party's ideals and values.

I see this as a true symbol of change and honour to people of all colour, religion and origin. The member from Wellington is a real example of humble character and values. She has demonstrated to me that her deep cultural heritage of humbleness in behaviour truly reflect the portfolio she holds as Minister of Culture and Heritage. I must say, Mr. Speaker, that in that part of the world that she comes from, societies did not dwell much on the American dreams to possess tons of material wealth. Rather, they lived to promote human values. All social systems were in line with the global village concept.

I know, as I have many Filipino friends who share with me how large families grow together by sharing and caring for each other. Once again, I congratulate my colleague, member from Wellington, on her appointment as the Minister of Culture, Heritage and Tourism and also Minister responsible for Multiculturalism. Now, talking about this budget, presented by Manitoba's first female Finance Minister who, again, is a courageous, gracious and hardworking woman, Mr. Speaker. I must say, during my stay in this Chamber for the last seven–past seven years I have witnessed our current Minister of Finance (Ms.

Wowchuk) do her job in the most diligent, humble and dedicated manner, and deliver all what is required by such a responsible position. One of the most humble and decent women I have met is holding a senior Cabinet portfolio and still delivers everything in the most humble and remarkable way. She went with me to a trip to India and has left a great impression in the minds of few leaders of several provinces of that country. She visited along with me to promote Manitoba agricultural business. Mr.

Speaker, our visit to India, particularly to the state of Bihar, has left a great impression on our province and our agrifood business community. People of Bihar, and particularly farmers of Hajipur, near Patna, were very, very impressed with Madam

April 13, 2010 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 735 Minister of Finance who was the Minister of Agriculture at the time. Mr. Speaker, during the visit in 2008, we were honoured to be received with warm welcome by Bihar's most successful chief minister, Honourable Nitish Kumar, at his residence on a Sunday evening. Today I must say the Chief Minister of Bihar, Sri Nitish Kumar, who, by the way, is also an engineering degree holder like myself, have put close to 83 million people of that province on the path of economic self-sustainability and recovery. Bihar is on the international map today.

He has led this big state to new heights. Basically, Mr. Speaker, I see their policy very similar to that of our government in Manitoba. Any progressive leader would see the need to be investing on people and development of the society. Bihar's GDP last year was reported to be India's highest GDP and, Mr. Speaker, 83 million people living in that state thanked the Chief Minister for the great leadership he has demonstrated in building that province from the ruins a few years back that he took the leadership. This budget offers, Mr.

Speaker, a five-year plan which any good management scientist would say this is the right thing to do. It is the blueprint on how to build Manitoba and how to be out of debt in the near future by stimulus economy. Mr. Speaker, it is not a rocket science to understand the term "stimulus." Every household understands that you cannot say no to your health. You cannot say no to your children's education. You cannot say no to the basic needs of living, and every household needs that they have to build for the future. So we are trying to do in this government, Mr.

Speaker, build infrastructure so that our societies in the future will grow on the economic platform. We have taken that road to move forward and continue the mission of building our province for our children and grandchildren. * (14:50) We are building roads. We are building highways. We are building community schools and we are building and developing colleges. We are building the University College of the North in Thompson. I was pleased to learn our Premier (Mr. Selinger) and the Minister of Infrastructure (Mr.

Ashton), member from Thompson, made announcements of developing new premises for Manitoba's unique college in the–of the north in Thompson. This is needed there. We did it, and we will continue doing such things, Mr. Speaker, as we believe in developing Manitoba north, south–north to south–east, west. We are holding on this spree of development of infrastructure and creating thousands of jobs in that process. This would facilitate more international investments into Manitoba, Mr. Speaker. I have a new task of being special envoy for international trade for the province.

I'm very pleased to see the visionary CentrePort being developed here. It is one of the finest tools needed to promote investment into Manitoba. I must say, understanding how global businesses operate, it is very important to show to the world and the investment community in real terms of what are the salient features of our province. Why should a business locate to your geographical area? Looking at our assets, I–Mr. Speaker, Manitoba an ideal location for automobile industry and future of transportation industry. We have huge natural resources for growth.

One must look beyond the Perimeter and see the vast land in east and west, south and north, of our province and envision big industries flourishing in Manitoba. Mr. Speaker, I must state I grew up as a child with a dream and a clear vision to build my own future. I recall Mr. Izzy Asper, who once said to me: When I see an empty parcel of land somewhere in the city, I imagine a tall building to be erected there. We must dream and act to investing on infrastructure. Economies must grow in our province, which has a great, great future, Mr. Speaker.

My vision is to see rural Manitoba attract more international investments in the area of innovation and knowledge-based industries for our people to grow with the economy and have a good quality of life. With our policies on social democracy, health care and education, we are on the path to build a beautiful province, which will be an ideal in this country. It is not possible for me to explain all in such a short term of time, Mr. Speaker, one particular event: That I met Mr. Ratan Tata, the chairman of Tata Sons Ltd., in Toronto in February this year. Mr. Tata

736 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 13, 2010 is a leader that, I must say, that the world admires. He was voted as the second most trusted person in India, the world's largest democracy. He was voted by people–not by the business–people as the second most trusted individual in the whole country of 1.1 billion people. It is very difficult for me to say how Tata has brought the culture of being a socially responsible business leader. And he has been given that stature by people of India, whom he, as a big industry leader, has served.

I am honoured to mention that I have worked for Tata after graduating from my engineering university. What an experience for an employer who built hospitals, residences, the schools for their employees and now, but–not now, but several decades back. I hope that all members of this Chamber, along with me, would love to invite world leaders, such world leaders as Mr. Tata, to visit Manitoba and witness by their own team, how wonderful and good opportunities are available in our beautiful province to grow globally. Mr.

Speaker, we are all–I mean all–members of this Chamber as part of a new revolution to build a better world. As Mahatma Gandhi called the freedom and democracy as a peaceful revolution, a movement to install social justice and universality for all people. It is democracy I'm talkin g about. It is democracy which is by the people and for the people. I dream to see Canada to be a true symbol of a global village, where all human beings live together like brothers and sisters, live in peace with good health, have equal opportunities and love for each other. That is my dream. I call it Canadian dream. Thank you. Mr.

Larry Maguire (Arthur-Virden): Mr. Speaker, it's my privilege to put some words of record on the budget today in this government's budget, and to show my displeasure and concern about this particular budget as well. But, before I do that, I just want to do a few formalities, Mr. Speaker. I also want to invite the new member from Concordia to the Legislature. And I know that there are a number of our colleagues here in the House today that are out at the day we have to honour our Olympic athletes, and– [interjection]–Olympic athletes.

And I appreciate the member from Fort Rouge saying that she's listening to me, and I could pass on to her an e-mail that one of her people sent me last night, that I was quite pleased to receive, from a former French teacher, Mrs. Alice Little, that taught me French in Hartney collegiate, and English as well, a number of years ago. And so it was a pleasure to receive that as well.

But I wanted to say that it's a pleasure to welcome the member from Concordia into the Legislature, and, at some point, as a few of us said to his predecessor, that some time when we're in Washington, we may have the opportunity to see him there as well. But, Mr. Speaker, I also want to say that I want to thank and–all of the staff in the Legislature, from the Clerks in the Chamber here, to the staff at the security, to everyone else in–that has helped–that helps keep order and keep us–keep the legislative agenda moving in the Legislature. I want to thank them for their time and efforts in this facility as well.

Mr. Speaker, I just re ferred casually to the Olympians that we are honouring today in the Legislature in the rotunda. And I just want to add my personal congratulations to all of them, not just the Manitoba ones, but also to all Canadian athletes and Paralympic athletes that took

part in the Olympics, because I think it was–while there is a cost to these things, it was certainly, I think, a tremendous credit to the country and–I know from being at the Olympics myself personally–was a tremendous opportunity for the city of Vancouver to display, and the province of British Columbia to display their efforts and attractions fo r people from around the world. And I recall speaking to people in Alberta, in my farm activity days and farm leadership roles, how important the '88 Olympics were to the beef industry, particularly in the province of Alberta, and speaking with many of those people.

And the facilities that are left behind, and the same thing will happen and be garnered in both Whistle r and Vancouver for the future of not only our athletes that took part this time, but for training of our youth for these athletic endeavours in the future, Mr. Speaker, not only for Olympics, but also for world events as well. Mr.

Speaker, this budget is historic–and if I could go on into it as well–in that it creates four straight deficits in a row on top of one of the–on top of the largest deficit in the history of this province, a $602-million shortfall this year, when the govern- ment budgeted for a $2-million surplus. And, of course, spending is not what Manitobans elected the New Democrats for, when they said they would honour balanced budget legislation. And so I've had

April 13, 2010 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 737 many of them in the last few weeks indicate to me that they were certainly be seeking a change in government, as we move forward in the days and weeks to come, in the time that the minister has–in the year and a half that he has indicated that he'll have before the next election on October 4th, 2011. And I think it falls upon all of us to do what we can to make sure that the accountability–and that this government is held to accountability and to honesty in regards to the integrity of our young people in this province.

And maybe integrity is not the right word, Mr. Speaker, but we cannot continue to offload on our future generations the kind of debt repayment that is already present in the proposed budget and what has already happened. * (15:00) And I only say that it could get worse because, as even the Bank of Canada has indicated, Mr. Speaker, interest rates cannot go lower. When they're at a quarter of a percent, they're virtually zero anyway. And as we see increases–as we know, throughout history, interest rates have been and can go higher.

The increased debt of 1 percent on the amount that this–of the largest debt in Manitoba's history would be around $237 million, annually, added to the cost of servicing the debt that this province already has. And I just want to say that I find that horrendous. It is the largest increase in spending in the budget. Although the government said that the increase in spending is in health, 60 percent of their increased spending may be going into health, Mr. Speaker, unlike what the member from Kildonan, I believe it is, indicated the other day when he was in the heat of battle in the House.

He indicated that 60 percent of all of their spending was going to health care. Well, it's not quite there yet, but if he's allowed to continue with these kind of deficits, it might get there. It's presently in the neighbourhood of 42 percent and growing, because I know it was 31 percent when I was first elected in 1999, and the government has certainly not improved health care or health-care services. And I'd just like to refer to a meeting that was held again in Virden last night with Dr.

Poff, the president of Brandon Un iversity, when she was indicating that the–there may be changes in needs there for training doctors at Brandon University, Mr. Speaker. And she's wondering, I think, just where the government's at in some of those areas. Certainly the people of southwest Manitoba were wondering those–where those needs are at today as well. Mr.

Speaker, I want to say that there are a whole host of areas besides the debt and I–that I want to speak to in this budget today in the budget debate, and our Leader has outlined in his amendment that we put forward from our Progressive Conservative side of the House reasons why we cannot vote for this budget, but I wanted to say that I'd like to just outline a few more in regards to the debt. One of them is that they are increasing the debt this year by $2.3 billion to take it to just over $23 billion, Mr. Speaker. It's about a 10 percent increase and, as I said, the largest increase in Manitoba's history.

But that breaks down to a–when you're financing that kind of debt in the neighbourhood of $780 million a year, and as I said, another 1 percent would be another $237 million added to that–you're over–almost over a billion dollars just to service the debt in this province of a million–0.2 million–1.2 million people, and that's not just voters or those who are making a living; that's the total population of our province. So you can tell how many–what that breakdown is on a per-family basis. And, so, for a family of four, Mr.

Speaker, it's about 19,000–being about $19,000 per person, it's about $76,000 worth of debt for a family of four in this province, and that is without any of the other debts that we may be paying in taxes on our homes to municipal levels or federal taxation, as well. Just to service the debt in Manitoba is about $15,000 a minute, Mr.

Speaker, and I think–$1,500 a minute, pardon me, and I don't think that that's acceptable to put on the future generations of Manitobans, to tax them with and burden them with, as they haven't even gone through school yet or haven't even been able to get their college degrees to allow them to get into the workforce or the trades that they may want to take on as well. Mr.

Speaker, I know that there are many other issues that we could talk about in regards to the debt and the deficit, and I know one of my colleagues today referred to how this is so similar to what I've said in this House in just about every Throne–or every budget speech that I've ever replied to, and that is that this is not New Democratic programming; this is old democratic programming. This is falling back to the days of Howard Pawley when he recapitalized the deficits of his government into debt, and I know

738 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 13, 2010 some of the members in the House won't remember that. They weren't old enough at the time to remember how that impacted the province, this province. But it is not responsible management to refinance your deficits a nd recapitalize them into debt every year. Sometimes you can do that and refinance a loan on a mortgage or something like that, but you can't do it every year sustainably. And he did it for four years in a row in the '80s, increasing the debt of the province from 1.4 to 5.2 billion dollars and declared he didn't have any deficits.

The government of today, under the Premier (Mr. Selinger), the member from St. Boniface, who has been the Finance Minister for the last 10 years before this, is doing the same thing, taking the page out of the same area, putting the burden of future deficits, future debt, on the citizens–young citizens of this province. Mr. Speaker, I hope–and I do see where growth can occur at a rate that it could pay off these types of debts in the future, but it's not going to happen under the policies that are coming forward from this government.

They–their tax and increases in fees and service charges in many, many departments, are not what is going to sustain the long-term development of this province. Mr. Speaker, I want to–I just want to say, as well, that the debt now being over 23 billion is about $11 billion more than it was. It's double what it was when I was first entered into this House in the fall of '99. And what have we got for it? You know, I mean, the government talks a great deal about building, developing, you know, future energy areas.

They talk about, you know–I don't think they want to talk about wind energy very much because you know they've just given an American company, I think it was $260 million was mentioned earlier, to develop something that–from a company that's in financial straits, as well, and that money's leaving Manitoba. It's going out of the province. And, instead of 300 megawatts of power, it's down to 138, I believe.

So they've almost cut the program and–certainly, they've cut it further than half, almost a third, and the–instead of accepting some of the other programs that they've had years to look at through Manitoba Hydro, the government, in their wisdom, has to save face politically, said, we're going to develop this and we're going to do it with $260 million that we're telling Hydro to give these people to make the development. Well, Mr. Speaker, that's just like saying we're going to take $110 million and we're going to give it to the football stadium to be built. And, Mr.

Speaker, I just wanted to say how disappointed I am, as well as the member from, I know, Pembina, that just indicated his concerns on this area. We had concerns–and I'm just going to make sure that I get this right on the type of facility that they're expected to build–and, you know, the government is putting up $90 million for a hundred percent, taxpayer- funded, scaled-down deal for a football stadium. I have no problem with a new football stadium.

I am a true blue Blue Bomber supporter, unlike, I know, the member from Dauphin, the other day who was talking about, in reply to the 2 percent levy that he's putting on dairy and other supply managed commodities in this province, a tax on them to raise food costs across the province, Mr. Speaker, unlike the new Agriculture Minister, the member from Dauphin, who indicated that, in the reply to why he was doing that, said, well, you have to look at Saskatchewan; they just took $97 million out of their budget in agriculture. Well, I haven't seen that , Mr.

Speaker, but I find it really an oxymoron for th e Minister of Agriculture (Mr. Struthers) to be standing up, on one hand, saying that he supports a football stadium with taxpayers' money in Manitoba, but he's cheering for the Roughriders in Saskatchewan. And I just find that that's a kind of a contradiction in terms, but that's just about where he's at in all of the policies he's brought forward in this House, whether it was Bill 17, his moratorium on hog barns in the province or whether it was his deal ings with waste-water management systems in the province of Manitoba. So, Mr.

Speaker, I want to say that–just to finish off with the football stadium, for a government to fund something like that, if that's what they choose to do, they have the right to do that as a government, with no private money invested in this virtually. They are going to give $90 million. The University of Manitoba will own half of the building because it's on their land, the City will own the other half and if Mr. Asper–and he is a good businessman, I have no problem with that. He's very sharp.

In fact, in this–in fact, any one of us in this House, I think, would have signed the same kind of a deal if we were in that position because the government has already provided him with a way to pay off the $90 million if

April 13, 2010 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 739 he doesn't. They've already decided that if he can't pay it back, you know, he does have to give up the ownership of the Blue Bomber team, but Mr. Speaker, he'll end up with a development and, hopefully, it will be able to put them all in place, to be able to earn some funds to pay back as well. But, it's a very lucrative sweetheart deal I would say, Mr. Speaker, for the development, and, I guess, from Creswin's position.

And I only say that because, if it is going to be a taxpayer-funded facility, then I totally concur that it should have been publicly tendered so that it can be built, because, of course, there are many other stadiums being built across the country as well. * (15:10) Mr.

Speaker, there is another issue that I wanted to speak about, and, I guess, when we talk about all of the deficits that this government is projecting down the road, I don't know how they can plan that when they can't plan day to day or they can't organize things, like how to implement the sewage- ejector program in Manitoba or the other programs that we were asking them about in question period today and the Minister of Finance (Ms. Wowchuk) hasn't got answers for. There's two that I want to bring to mind in Manitobans.

And one of them is in my conservation district area, the Water Stewardship critic responsibilities that I have. And that one would be for the removal of–forcing the Winnipeg taxpayers to remove nitrates from the waste-water treatment facilities, instead of the phosphates only, as told by 63 scientists that it was unnecessary to remove the nitrogen, Mr. Speaker, to the Clean Environment Commission.

And yet the government has gone ahead, in their wisdom, and forced the taxpayers of Winnipeg to spend $350 million that they don't need to spend to remove those nitrates out of that water supply, when the scientists have indicated that they will be returned by nature anyway into those water facilities. That's $350 million that is unnecessarily being forced on Winnipeg taxpayers and all citizens of Manitoba, because we will pay for some of that infrastructure development no matter where we live.

The other one, of course, is the $650 million wasted on an environmentally dirtier, longer, more expensive, less habitat-fri endly west side Bipole III line–hydro line–to move power from northeastern Manitoba to east of Winnipeg via The Pas and Riding Mountain and virtually west of Portage la Prairie, maybe even Brandon. Who knows where the government may move–make their final decision to force others to go. Mr. Speaker, this line has received a great deal of public attention.

The waste of this money and the extra 400 kilometres of line that has been put–that has been–that would need to be developed, something in the neighbourhood of 1,350 steel towers that would need to be built that unnecessarily would lead to a more safe line if they didn't need to be built. There would be less vision of–or less opportunity, I should say, for ice storms to take down that extra 400 kilometres of line if this line was built on the east side of Lake Winnipeg in a direct line from the north to the–north east to the east side of Winnipeg.

And, considering that this power is being used to–for export into our United States neighbours in Wisconsin and Minnesota and other jurisdictions, it makes clear sense that we would be able to build it down the east side. There's also discussions with First Nations people on that side of the line that have indicated that they wouldn't mind having that line come down through their area, if somebody would just give them a plan that they could look at. And, also, there is a road being built up the east side of Lake Winnipeg to Berens River and I–we concur on this side of the House that that type of a road is needed.

But, Mr. Speaker, we find it strange that the government can build a road but not a hydro line. And I'll give you another example of that. And that is the fact that the government also has indicated–and I've been in estimates many times with the minister of highways and infrastructure on this one–they–and it's, well, it's not an irony, Mr. Speaker, I guess it's just sad that they keep coming out with this document every year when they get into trouble with the winter roads that–well, they've– they're proud of the fact that they've moved more winter roads off of the ice and put them onto the land.

But, in order to do that, they've had to clear 600 kilometres more trees to put the winter roads in and get them off the ice. Now, I'm all in favour of safety, but you can't have it both ways as the minister–Finance Minister said in the House today in reply to questions as well. And she does every day. She has it both ways. You can't say that you're going to clear down 600 extra kilometres of line and say you're doing it for safety and to be envir onmentally friendly. What's environmentally friendly about knocking down 600 kilometres of trees already in the UNESCO

740 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 13, 2010 designated area, Mr. Speaker, when they're saying that we can't run a line through that area because we need to keep a pristine boreal forest so we can have a UNESCO designation, maybe have a UNESCO designation? So I think it's incumbent upon the government to rethink the policies that they've got to be more consistent in the decisions that they're making, and that's what members of this side of the House will do when we form a government. We're much more consistent, we're much more consistent with the policies that we put in place.

There'll be some due diligence put in place, there'll be some consultation with people before these kinds of policies are put in place, unlike what the government is doing today, Mr. Speaker. And I know I've–the members must be feeling a little bit sensitive because I think they know that the Hydro line's the wrong way to go, they know that the waste-water treatment facilities are the wrong way to go, they know that the en hanced identification cards that they've got are a flop in Manitoba, Mr. Speaker, that nobody wants to use those.

They know that taxing supply management to 2 percent to increase food taxes–food costs–to citizens is the wrong way to go. I don't know why some of their backbenchers aren't standing up and taking the Premier (Mr. Selinger) on, Mr. Speaker, as we have to every day in this House to be accountable. Because these are policies that Manitobans don't want. And I can tell you, Mr. Speaker, that when it comes to development in Manitoba, from the circumstances I've got a number of developments that want to take place in my own constituency. And the government is dragging their feet.

In fact, they're telling them, no, you can't even put a– we've got a–one situation right now where a young farmer wants to build a house on his–on basically their own farmyard site next to highway but they won't give him any kind of access to do it, Mr. Speaker. They won't allow a development for 10 lots along No. 1 Highway, Mr. Sp eaker, even though the municipality will build a service road, and no new access would be gained to No. 1 Highway at all.

There's a–they're a mile apart; there's a road on the No. 1 Highway every mile anyway, and yet they say, well, it might be too much traffic from these particular venues. We've got high-volume trucks moving oil and grain all over my constituency, right now, and if you want to talk about growth, it's taking place in southwest Manitoba. I'm proud of that. These are independent people coming in, businessmen making the decision that they're going to go ahead and invest in southwest Manitoba and we got a government who wants to shut them down, when housing is at extreme shortage. Not just low- cost housing, Mr.

Speaker, any kind of housing in southwest Manitoba right now, is at a premium. Because of the increased activity from not only the oil industry–certainly it's not the growth that we'd like to see in the livestock side and, of course, this government has done nothing to help the livestock industry over the 11 years that I've been in this Legislature.

But, with the growth that 's taking place, there are opportunities in Manitoba, and I am the first to recognize that and all I'm saying is that some accountability in those areas would go a long ways to enhancing the development of our region on an even more strengthened basis. Mr. Speaker, a couple of other areas of road– speaking of the oil industry in our area, there needs to be repairs done on Highway 256. There needs to be policy changes there to allow the traffic to be alleviated off of the gravel PR Road 255.

We've got a situation where farmers are being fined over $6,000–well, not the farmers, but the truckers hauling heavy loads of grain, Mr. Speaker, on a gravel PR road in 35-degree weather when the road was fully solid and no bridges on the road. And the minister's office knows about it, they've been saying they are going to make changes to this for some time and so we wonder where that's at, as well. And I think this is just a tax grab. That's certainly what the farmers and the trucking companies in Manitoba–we have the head offices of many of the trucking companies in Canada, Mr.

Speaker, and this is what they do to trucking industries. Fine them. Well, we aren't going to tax you but we'll go out and we'll fine the devil out of you so that you can–you have to pay these exorbitant fees and costs of doing business in this province. Now, these are individuals that have told me and I know that they would not–they want to comply with road restrictions , Mr. Speaker. They've indicated that in a letter to the minister; they're not trying to get away with anything. Their trucks were loaded virtually identical to what they would need to

April 13, 2010 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 741 be for the paved roads that they would have go to, Mr. Speaker. But on this particular gravel PR road, these individuals were fined by, I think, an overzealous road inspector at that particular time. But I don't blame him. I blame the government for the direction that they've provided some of these people. They're so short of money they tell them to go out and get it wherever you can in your de partments. Not only was there cutbacks in those departments but you've got to collect more fees, to earn your right to be here.

And I think that's the wrong way to go for development in this province. Certainly the wrong message. * (15:20) Other areas that need attention are in that area of heavy activity right now from the west end of Turtle Mountain all the way to the Saskatchewan border in the southwest corner of the R.M.s of Brandon, Arthur and others have asked for an indication from the government that they can get help with some of the roads that are being beaten in that area just because of the traffic. Mr. Rob Altemeyer, Acting Speaker, in the Chair And, fortunately, it is a bit of a drier spring out there, Mr.

Acting Speaker, and so the roads are in probably better shape than they would be if there was ditches full of water there. But this government has given no indication of how they're going to help the infrastructure development so that those industries can more easily succeed and continue to develop economic returns for the province of Manitoba.

Because let–make no question about it, the government is getting a benefit–a tax benefit and an investment benefit–from all of these industries that are taking place and from the people that have come in from out of province to not only work, but to invest in our province in those areas. And so, Mr. Acting Speaker, the last area that– well, there's other areas too–but one of the major ones is the International Peace Gardens. We've got the second largest trading in the border at Boissevain, south of Boissevain, by the International Peace Gardens on No. 10 Highway.

And that road is in poor shape all the way from the U.S. border to the north side of Morton municipality, right through the town of Boissevain–the beautiful town of Boissevain, that also just won an award through the Good Roads Association again yesterday, for its beautification as well. And I think that this is a truly indicative indication of the types of ingenuity of the people in southwestern Manitoban that I have the opportunity to represent. And I commend them every day and thank them for the opportunity of allowing me to do that in this Legislature.

And I just, you know, wish that the budget that's come forward from this government had a more clear picture of how it was going to provide a sustainable opportunity in the future for our young citizens in the province. Mr. Acting Speaker, the–in closing, I just want to say that the waste-water management situation, with waste-water ejectors in the province of Manitoba, is another horrendous decision of the minister, now of Agriculture, when he was formerly Conservation Minister (Mr. Struthers). I've raised the situation of the reeve of Sifton municipality–Mr. and Mrs.

George Harrison and his situation–where his letter to the minister indicated it would cost him $40,000 just to change the two homes in his area. He and his wife live in one and his daughter and son-in- law live in the other. They are selling their land. They want to subdivide the region–their house, their farm site. And they want to continue to live there as they have all of their lives in their retirement. And this government's saying, no, we're going to tax you to the tune of $40,000 to have you stay there in the future.

I know my colleagues have raised other personal circumstances and situations from others affected by this across the province. I've even got a situation, Mr. Acting Speaker, where a couple in the province, in my situation, have been living together for a number of years and so they decided that they both should be on the land titles. They're not going to change anything. They've got an ejector system at the present time. And just beca use she was added to the land titles, and it goes through Land Titles in the ownership, they now have to pay 20, 25,000 dollars to put a sewage field in. Nothing has changed.

So I urge the minister to quickly move forward with the changes that he's talking about making. And, Mr. Acting Speaker, with those few words, I'd like to wrap up my comments today in the Legislature on this horrendous bill, or the budget, that they've got before us and look forward to the days when our party will lead the province of Manitoba into a much better opportunity, be much more accountable in its spending in these areas and

742 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 13, 2010 provide sound financial management and growth in our social programming for this province. Thank you. Ms. Erin Selby (Southdale): I stand today, Mr. Acting Speaker, to support our budget as originally presented by the Minister of Finance (Ms. Wowchuk) and not the amendments. Mr. Acting Speaker, let me start by welcoming the member for Concordia (Mr. Wiebe) to the House. I know how hard he worked to be here. He deserves it. And I know how hard he'll work for his constituents as well. Mr.

Acting Speaker, I'd also like to take a moment to thank the Minister of Family Services and Consumer Affairs (Mr. Mackintosh). He is a modest man and so he'll probably appreciate if I keep this brief. But I do want to say, however, that I feel very lucky to work alongside him as his legislative assistant. He is a brilliant man and a patient mentor, and I do my best to live up to that responsibility. But I have much to learn, and I thank him for sharing his experience and knowledge with me. Mr. Acting Speaker, the Minister of Family Services has also asked me to take

part in the planning for Family Choices, our plan for child care in Manitoba. And this past Friday I was with him at one of the announcements. Our government committed to eight new child-care centres this year. We're on our way to 35 new sites by 2013 and, with eight more, we're now well on our way with 29 new centres since Family Choices began. We promise 6,500 more funded day-care spaces by the year 2013, and we'll see 650 of those this year. Last year, we added 500 newly funded spaces, and in 2008 we added 2,350. And we've been listening, Mr.

Acting Speaker, to child-care workers who've been asking for greater work-force stability. We've answered that call with a pension plan for child-care workers, the first province-wide plan outside of Québec, and it'll be launched this fall. But I think the piece that I'm most excited about, Mr. Acting Speaker, is the centralized on-line wait list. Phase 1 will launch in Brandon this fall and across the province next year. We know how busy parents are and this will streamline the process for them. Parents will be able to register for as many day cares as they choose all at once.

And once they find a day care they can remain on the list of another preferred day care if they wish, or they can move or change their contact information with one update instead of having to call several day cares. And I think the best

part is that we, as a government, will be able to target those areas in need. We'll have an accurate idea of who's using day care and where, if any, ther e are any shortfalls. It's more efficient for parents, takes the burden of maintaining lists off child-care centres and it will enable us to better focus child-care spending where it's most needed. Mr. Acting Speaker, I'm lucky enough to be the legislative assistant to two ministers; I'm also the LA to the Minister of Culture, Heritage and Tourism (Ms. Marcelino).

In the minister's speech yesterday, she mentioned being the first woman of colour to hold a Cabinet position in Manitoba and, although I knew that, the weight of her words hit me yesterday when she said that. I think all members of this House recognize that we have a responsibility in being role models, and perhaps that's especially true to those of us who are women. But think of how this Minister of Culture will inspire our youth and those young people who are new to our country.

I'm proud that Manitobans can see themselves reflected in our caucus and our Cabinet and I'm also really glad that the minister has such a full schedule, and has to occasionally pass along tickets to me for some of our city's world-class cultural events, something I'm very grateful for. Mr. Acting Speaker, I was pleased to be present for a delegation before caucus from the Manitoba Arts Council. The council shared with us some of the projects they've been a part of and congratulated us on our support for the arts. Manitobans are spoiled for choice when it comes to arts in this province.

Cities larger than Winnipeg don't offer the choice or calibre of talent coming out of this place. And I think it's important we all remember what a strong economic driver the arts are in this province. Mr. Acting Speaker, government is about choices, what to spend on and where to save. And although we as a government are tasked with making those decisions, they're not made in isolation. No, this NDP government did what we always do. We listened.

And here's what we heard: Manitobans asked us to protect vital front-line services, and not just to maintain the status quo; Manitobans want us to continue investing in their health-care system, their education; Manitobans want us to continue

April 13, 2010 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 743 supporting their police force and to provide support to all families but especially those that are vulnerable. Our health-care system is easy to take for granted until you need it, and Manitobans have told us that it is their No. 1 priority. It is for us, too. And that's why Budget 2010 invests 60 percent of all new spending in health care. Well, you're wondering how does some of that break down? Well, let me tell you a few of the highlights. We'll see more doctors in training, with support for a third intake of 110 new medical students.

We'll provide additional support to Brandon University for nurses training to become registered psychiatric nurses. The nursing diploma program at Collège universitaire de Saint-Boniface will become an accelerated program and we'll see students from southern Manitoba train in the University College of the North midwifery program. Budget 2010 also makes–continues making capital investments in Manitoba, and things such as the ongoing construction of a regional cancer centre, and redevelopment of the Westman lab in Brandon.

We'll continue investing to build on a centre for cardiac–excellence for cardiac heart surgery and cardiac care at St. Boniface Hospital, as well as the launch of the construction of the mental health crisis response centre in Winnipeg. Not only will this be the first of its kind in Canada, patients needing this kind of specialized medical help will benefit from having the right team in place, and it will free up space in other emergency rooms better equipped to deal with other medical needs. * (15:30) Mr. Acting Speaker, the opposition may hoot and holler about us spending money on a health-care system.

We know they would make different choices. We know that they did. But Manitobans have told us clearly, loudly, and overwhelmingly in the last three elections that health care is their No. 1 priority, and we're listening. Our teachers work hard every day. Those who've ever felt tired after hosting their child's birthday party should imagine having to do that every day, and usually with more kids. I have a great respect for the people who spend their days nurturing our children. It is the most important thing we can do for our future.

Beyond elementary school and high school, I think most of us hope that our children will continue with a higher level of education and learning, and that's why we've made the choice to support education in this province, but it is a choice, Mr. Acting Speaker, it means that the budgets of one half of all government departments have decreased. We've saved in those areas so we can spend in the places that Manitobans have asked us to, and that's why you'll note that budget 2010 has an 11 percent increase in education sp ending.

We know that spending on children and their future is the right thing to do, but spending money on educating people, either people for jobs now or jobs in the future, also makes good economic sense. Very few people buy a house without a mortgage. A mortgage is considered good debt, though, because you're paying it off. It increases in value as you do so, and that's the thing about investing in infrastructure.

We all know that buying a house–and our banks agree with us–is a good investment, and we're doing the same thing here in Manitoba, stimulating the economy by investing $1.8 billion in infrastructure stimulus. Not only is that a good investment for the future of Manitoba but it'll help nearly 30,000 Manitobans find jobs. And do you know what 30,000 Manitobans who are working do? That's right, they're going to invest in our economy. Some of them will even buy houses.

Their bankers will suggest that they run a mortgage and those people are going to buy homes in Manitoba because they know that Manitoba is among the top three provinces in the country for affordability. Mr. Acting Speaker, I want to spend some more time talking about what this government is doing to stimulate the economy.

I've already mentioned the $1.8 billion we're investing in infrastructure, but we're investing $4 billion on highways because when you can keep Manitobans moving and keep their products moving, you support business and our economy, and some of those investments will go to an all-weather road to bring goods to isolated communities on the east side of Lake Winnipeg, a road that will move goods and people, and it flows both ways. Mr. Acting Speaker, I hear members opposite suggest naively that we should build Bipole III along this all-weather road.

I suspect they haven't really studied a map of Manitoba, and I think if they did, they would notice that our hydro-electric sales go to the south of us and that the communities along the east side don't line up quit e as neatly. The roads will have to meet the communities, which will mean it will twist and turn and veer to the side as need be. I also want to remind members opposite that people

744 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 13, 2010 living on the east side, people who have a history on the east side, have told us what they want with their land. They want an all-weather road. They want the economic benefits that it will bring. They also want the UNESCO heritage site so that the entire world will know and visit the area that they have done so well in protecting. The east side of Lake Winnipeg is an area we should be proud of. And, while I'm on the subject, let me say something else as well.

Members opposite seem to think you can balance the budget by reversing the Bipole III routing decision . Mr. Acting Speaker, that's just not true. Bipo le III will be paid for by Manitoba Hydro's export customers, the ones who are planning to buy $20 billion in power from Manitoba over the next two decades. And if we don't build Bipole III, we'll lose that money, and I don't know why members opposite are so keen to throw away $20 billion in export sales. Why are they rolling the dice on Manitoba's future, and cancelling a project that doesn't start for two years isn't going to make a difference on this budget?

I've spoken about some of the investments this government will make, but I also want to talk about those other choices. I remember the day my husband sold his motorcycle to buy a minivan. I remember it because he talks about it all the time. He had a motorcycle. I had a Montréal Metro pass and a bicycle, and it was all we n eeded in Montréal at the time until our three daughters came along all at once. And then we bought a minivan because we needed it. It was essential for getting our girls to appointments with the pediatrician, for buying groceries and for getting around the large city of Montréal.

But buying a minivan meant not spending on other things, like going out to dinners or movies. We spent on the essentials and we cut back where we could. And, when the recession hit, governments around the world had to decide what they were going to spend on. Many, like our federal government, made the same choices we did here in Manitoba, to spend stimulus money on infrastructure. We've reduced spending in many departments, so that they continue to support those things that Manitobans have asked us to protect: health care, education and training, policing and support for families.

For the past decade Manitoba has seen the second lowest per capita spending growth in Canada, and, over the next five years, core government spending growth will be limited to an annual average of less than 2 percent. New spending will go where Manitobans have asked us to put it, to front-line services. Manitoba has not been immune to the global recession, and, while we fared better than most, it's important to address the shortfall. We will reduce this budget deficit by one-third within the first three years of the plan.

We'll dedicate 600 million from the rainy day fund to keep paying down the principal and interest on the debt incurred because of the economic downturn. And, to ensure that we meet that commitment, we'll bring in legislation that requires budget shortfall to be eliminated over the next four years, with a return to a surplus in year five. We will keep and maintain legal requirements to meet balanced budgets in the future, and we'll pay down our debt more aggressively than the law currently says we have to.

And we will retain restrictions that prohibit an increase to major taxes without a referendum, because, while we choose to protect those essential front-line services that matter to Manitobans, we also know they expect us to be prudent in our spending. Mr. Acting Speaker, we chose to run a debt this year. We know that Manitobans would prefer us to manage the global recession over five years rather than absorbing it all in one year. We could have balanced the budget this year. We could have cut the number of people we're going to train to be doctors. We could have chosen to lay off nurses.

We could decide our children don't deserve the best and we could cut back on teachers and education spending and, by that, choose not to run a deficit. That's what members opposite would like us to do, and we know that's what they did. But, instead, we're building schools in Steinbach, Winkler a

Document details

Collection	Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	39-4-27
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	39th 4th hansardpdf 27.pdf
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	a207d57f23b352714a55063c58442e1ec02252ee

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