Manitoba Hansard — 9 March 2022 (Sitting 20, 42nd Legislature, 4th Session)

42-4-20

Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)

Fourth Session – Forty-Second Legislature of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba DEBATES and PROCEEDINGS Official Report (Hansard) Published under the authority of The Honourable Myrna Driedger Speaker Vol. LXXVI No. 20 - 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 9, 2022 ISSN 0542-5492

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

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

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

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

559 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA Wednesday, March 9, 2022 The House met at 1:30 p.m. Madam Speaker: O Eternal and Almighty God, from Whom all power and wisdom come, we are assembled here before Thee to frame such laws as may tend to the welfare and prosper ity of our province. Grant, O merciful God, we pray Thee, that we may desire only that which is in accordance with Thy will, that we may seek it with wisdom and know it with certainty and accomplish it perfectly for the glory and honour of Thy name and for the welfare of all our people. Amen.

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

Please be seated, everyone. Good afternoon. ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS INTRODUCTION OF BILLS Bill 17–The Family Law Act, The Family Support Enforcement Act and The Inter-jurisdictional Support Orders Amendment Act Hon. Kelvin Goertzen (Minister of Justice and Attorney General): Good afternoon, Madam Speaker. I move, seconded by the Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Immigration (Mr. Reyes), that Bill 17, The Family Law Act, The Family Support Enforcement Act and The Inter-jurisdictional Support Orders Amendment Act, be now read for a first time. Motion presented. Mr.

Goertzen: I'm pleased to intro duce this legis - lation to continue our gov ernment's commitment to modernize family law in Manitoba by making it more accessible for Manitoba families, continuing to en- courage out -of-court alternatives to resolve family law disputes and harmonize Manitoba law with recent changes to federal legislation. The bill will repeal The Family Maintenance Act and replace it with two new statutes that are written and organized to make it clearer and easier, for those who need to, to understand them.

The new acts are The Fa mily Law Act, which governs the rights and duties of family members, and The Family Support Enforce ment Act, that governs the en forcement of support obligations by the Maintenance En forcement Program in the Department of Justice. The bill also amends the inter-jurisdictional sup- port orders amendment act to enhance procedures under that act. Modernizing and improving the justice system in Manitoba continues to be a top priority of our government. Madam Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? Agreed? [Agreed] Committee reports? Tabling of reports?

MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS Madam Speaker: The Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage, and I would indicate that the required 90 minutes notice prior to routine proceedings was provided in accordance with our rule 26(2). Would the honour able minister please proceed with his statement. Taras Shevchenko Hon. Andrew Smith (Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage): Dobry den. [Good day.] It is my privilege to rise b efore the House to recognize the accomplishments of Taras Shevchenko, the great 19th century Ukrainian poet and political activist whose birthday falls on March the 9th.

As the war continues in Ukraine, it is fitting that we should pause to recognize the m any contributions of Taras Shevchenko to art and to human rights. He was a writer, artist, public and political figure, a folklorist and ethnographer, and a round– a re - nowned poet, a painter and illustrator. And the work of Taras Shevchenko is regarded as the foundation of modern Ukrainian literature.

560 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 9, 2022 Distressed by the condition of Ukrainian re gion under the Russian empire, Taras Shevchenko ex- pressed the desire for Ukrainian independence through his poetry, writing, paintings and illustra - tions. Madam Speaker, Taras Shevchenko holds a special place in the hearts of our Ukrainian com - munity who call our province home. A large, bronze granite monument of the Ukrainian poet sits on the west grounds of the Manitoba Legislative Building, created by New York sculptor, Andrew Daragan, and assisted by Winnipeg sculptor, Roman Kowal.

Two statues of Shevchenko also reside at Assiniboine Park, created by Ukrainian sculptor, Leo Mol. A Ukrainian community began immigrating to Manitoba in 1891. Since then they hav e shared their culture, including food, song and dance across much of southern and western Manitoba where the majority of families made their homes. Over the next several decades, Ukrainian community would become some of the greatest contributors to Manitoba's agricultural landscape.

Our vibrant Ukrainian community has made significant contributions that are reflected in the pro - vince's faith, economic, social, political and cultural landscape, as well as the important part of Ukrainian Canadians have played in the development of Canada as one of the best countries in the world to live. The impact of Taras Shevchenko's poetry, paint - ings and illustrations on Ukraine and its people cannot be understated. His work and accomplishments re - sonate with those of Ukrainian heritage and all people to this day.

Madam Speaker, I now ask that all members to join me in recognizing Taras Shevchenko for his many artistic achievements, for his contributions and recognition of human rights and for his enduring inspiration for the independence of Ukraine. Slava Ukraini. [Glory to Ukraine.] Thank you. Mr. Mark Wasyliw (Fort Garry): When I am dead, bury me / In my beloved Ukraine, / My tomb upon a grave mound high / Amid the spreading plain. These are translated lines f rom Taras Shevchenko's 1845 poem Zapovit, a stirring piece that helped found the modern Ukrainian language.

These words were inspirational at the time and they are in - spirational now, as Ukrainian soldiers and civilians die every day defending their homeland. We hope that they, too, will rest upon grave mounds high. Madam Speaker, the Manitoba NDP and I am honoured to help commemorate the birthday of Shevchenko. His influence on Ukrainian language, culture and identity is unparalleled. As a child, I remember being asked to recite his poetry at Ukrainian cultural events. But Shevchenko's legacy isn't just cultural and linguistic. It's also political.

Back in 2014, during the Revolution of Dignity, Shevchenko's work was used by the protesters as a rallying c ry. Arseniy Yatsenyuk, who became Prime Minister of Ukraine following the revolution, said that this new govern- ment is here because 1 million Ukrainians came out to Maidan and did what Shevchenko told us to do: fight for Ukraine. There's an impressive st atue of Shevchenko on the front lawn, but there's more we can do to honour his legacy on these Legislative grounds than just erecting a statue.

This government should drastically increase our support to Ukrainians fleeing their country by creating a matchi ng program for up to $5 million rather than a paltry $150,000. It should adequately staff the Provincial Nominee Program so that applications get processed in a timely manner and it should waive the $500 provincial nominee fee today so that Ukrainians don't need to worry about coming up with that money as they flee for their lives. To the brave Ukrainians fighting against the Russian invaders, the Manitoba NDP offers our full and total solidarity.

We echo an encouragement that Shevchenko wrote in 1845: Fight. You will prevail. God is helping you. * (13:40) Ms. Cindy Lamoureux (Tyndall Park): Madam Speaker, I ask for leave to speak in response to the ministerial statement. Madam Speaker: Does the member have leave to respond to the statement? [Agreed] Ms. Lamoureux: I'm very happy to rise and speak about a great and memorable Ukrainian this afternoon. Taras Shevchenko was born in 1814 in what is now known as Moryntsi, Ukraine. He was known as a famous Ukrainian poet, writer and artist, and he had a huge impact as a figure in the national revival of Ukraine.

March 9, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 561 Not only was Shevchenko Ukraine's biggest and greatest poet and talented artist, but he was the champion for national and human rights. Born an agricultural labourer, he fought with his words for human dignity and freedom for all. Shevchenko and his works were so significant during Ukraine's Orange Revolution and subsequently in the Revolution of Dignity in 2014. Now, Shevchenko is no stranger to Manitoba, Madam Speaker.

Starting on the grounds of the Manitoba Legislature, this year marks the 61st anniversary of the unveiling of his monument in front of the building. Winnipeg is also home to the Ukrainian founda - tion of Taras Shevchenko, which is dedicated to the preservation and development of Ukrainian Canadian cultural heritage. Furthermore, there are many images of him at the Leo Mol Sculpture Garden at the Assiniboine Park, and there's a statue of him at a park that was erected in 1988, in the North End of Winnipeg, on the corner of McGregor and Burrows.

There's a Shevchenko Dance Ensemble, which was established in 1977 by a group of dedicated parents in Sandy Lake in Westman that draws in - dividuals from commu nities such as Sandy Lake, Minnedosa, Oakburn, Erickson, Rossburn, Newdale and Elphinstone. And, Madam Speaker, it is important to share that, in the fall of 1896, Ukraine settlers came to a community that was given the name Shevchenko, and it became the hub of the community known today as Vita. The Shevchenko post office was built, along with a new Ukrainian Catholic Church.

And, in 1906, the first school was built and named after Shevchenko, the community's hero. Now, Madam Speaker, everyone is aware of the atrocities being committed across independent Ukraine because of Russian dictator, and Manitoba needs to commit to a matching dollar -for-dollar humanitarian aid fund and be prepared to welcome and resettle Ukrainians, and others in Ukraine, here in Manitoba. Thank you. MEMBERS' STATEMENTS Altea Active Hon.

Jon Reyes (Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Immigration): I'm very happy and proud of the local private and public investments that are happening in my constituency of Waverley. Today, I highlight one of the extraordinary ex - amples of local private sector investment. Altea Active is an 80,000- square-foot fitness club located near Bridgwater Centre, offering a plethora of various programs and unique services in their state-of-the-art facility. After attending the groundbreaking ceremony in 2018, construction was s wiftly under way.

One year later, I was pleased to be part of the grand opening in November 2019. From the very beginning, Altea has always had an incredible atmosphere and a positive energy. Creating 200-plus jobs in the local community and 7,000- plus members, this is truly a win-win for economic growth in our city and province, local community here in Waverley, as well as the private sector. When the pandemic hit two years ago, Altea was instrumental in adapting rapidly changing public health guidelines and prioritizing the safety of their members.

As a member of the club, witnessing first - hand the safety protocols and continued enhance - ments made me truly feel a sense of safety. Altea used 21 new medical-grade air purification systems that sterilized the indoor air by killing viruses and bacteria with a multi -stage air -purifying tech- nology. They were proactive and took the sanitization steps necessary to enhance the safety of their members and team members. Even with restrictions loosening, Altea still operates with their prevent- and-protect plan.

Altea also kindly allowed my team to distribute KN95 masks to Waverley constituents at their loca - tion. I truly thank them for their commitment to the local community. This $30- million private sector inve stment has benefited the community immensely. It has created numerous jobs, offered fitness services to thousands of Manitobans and has truly shaped the local com - munity. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating Altea Active, this extraordinary facility in my constituency of Waverley.

562 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 9, 2022 Thank you, Madam Speaker. Rhonda Head Ms. Amanda Lathlin (The Pas-Kameesak): It is my great honour today to recognize the accomplishments of Rhonda Head, a multi -award-winning mezzo- soprano hailing from Opaskwayak Cree Nation. She writes her lyrics in her Indigenous Cree language and composes her melodies inspired by the landscape in her home community of Opaskwayak.

Rhonda's classically trained vocals have received worldwide recognition after she r eceived two bronze medals from the Global Music Awards for her Cree language songs, Kisahkihitin I Love You, which was in the contemporary classical category, and 500 Years, which received honours among protest songs. In 2019, Rhonda received the Indigenous leadership award from the Women of Inspiration Awards. Over the course of her career, she toured many parts of Canada, the United States and Australia. Rhonda is a mentor and role model for her next generation of Indigenous artists.

Working with the Manitoba Arts Network, she has been organizing the Indigenous emerging artist program. Over 20 Indigenous emerging artists completed their – completed the program and most of them are successful in the music industry today. When the world was shut down due t o the pandemic, Rhonda started an online show called Indigenous Super Stars. She has interviewed over 100 Indigenous guests from all over the world, from musicians to powwow emcees, singers, dancers and fashion designers. Rhonda also wrote a book called Mezzo Soprano: Memoirs of a Rez Girl, which has received numerous five-star reviews.

She has had to overcome many challenges to get to where she is today, including surviving two acoustic brain tumours. Currently, Rhonda is studying broadcast com - munications at Herzing College, and continues to record music, and is releasing an EP and a few singles this spring. I cannot wait to see other things that Rhonda will accomplish in her life. Please join me in con gratu- lating this extraordinary woman and artist. Ekosi. Town of Neepawa Hon.

Eileen Clarke (Minister of Municipal Relations): It gives me great pride to recognize and acknowledge the hard work and efforts that Manitobans have put into their communities during the challenging last two years. Those in leadership roles and businesses in our communities have worked endlessly to support and maintain their city, town, municipality as well as their neighborhoods. I'd like to take this opportunity to recognize one of these examples in my constituency and pay tribute to the town of Neepawa.

Since 2016 census, Neepawa has seen a 23.3 increase in population, making it the third largest growth in the province and the 13th fastest growing community in all of Canada. Not only has Neepawa seen an incredible population growth, but, more parti- cular, in this significant economic growth in the last two years, it's clear the COVID pandemic did not slow the progress of this thriving rural community.

With such significant growth, housing becomes the top priority, and Neepawa is certainly working to meet those needs with two new senior complexes built, two family units under construction and several housing developments breaking ground, all of which impact the housing front. It's exciting to see the population grow in this rural community of Manitoba, and with new growth comes investment and new opportunities. During the last year alone, the town has seen many new busi - nesses and organizations transition as well as expand.

The town hopes to add a waterslide to its re creation options and there's a Best Western to its list of hotel accommodations. A special thank you to Mayor Blake McCutcheon and his council, CAO Colleen Synyshyn [phonetic] and economic development officer, Marilyn Crewe, as well as all their staff. Th is has been an un pre- cedented time in our history and it has not been easy, but you have all gone above and beyond the call of duty and 'conutinue' to work through the many chal - lenges brought on by COVID.

I want to say thank you for their vision, strateg ic planning and continued commitment to economic 'dolth' and development in rural Manitoba as well as your town. Thank you for your future developments and wishing you much 'succesh,' town of Neepawa.

March 9, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 563 Student Unions Mr. Jamie Moses (St. Vital): Student unions at our post-secondary institutions are critical to the success and well-being of students across our province. As the terms for many student union executives are going to come to a close at the end of the semester, their elections are soon to be gin, and I want to thank the many student unions and student leaders I've had the privilege to work with over this past year.

I also want to thank the Canadian Federation of Students, Manitoba and the Manitoba Alliance of Post-Secondary Students for their advocacy as well. These student leaders have done incredible work in such difficult times. Food hamper programs, legal aid, daycare, health and dental insurance, advocacy and more–these are just a few of the ways they have been able to support their fel low students all while maintaining and continuing their own studies at the same time. * (13:50) Unfortunately, this PC government has made the lives of students more difficult each and every year.

Year-over-year cuts to the operating grants at univer- sities and colleges have left students to pick up the slack. For example, the Uni versity of Manitoba stu - dents have seen an average tuition increase of almost 18 per cent since 2018-19 academic year. Now, we all know this gov ernment gave themselves even more control over tuition fees through bill 33, and now they want to implement performance-based funding model for uni versities and colleges. And this will mean a less affordable and less accessible education for students.

And recently, this PC government had problems providing students Student Aid and left students in the lurch and on their own, suffering financially. It's time for this gov ernment to actually listen to students. Reverse these misguided cuts to our advan - ced education system and start working to make an affordable post-secondary education accessible for all Manitobans. Thank you. Dauphin Rail Museum Mr. Brad Michaleski (Dauphin): The Dauphin Rail Museum recently commemorated a landmark an - niversary: 125 yea rs since the first passenger train arrived in Dauphin on December 15th, 1896.

President of the Dauphin Rail Museum Jason Gilmore co-ordinated a series of celebrations around significant dates in the history of the arrival of rail service to the area. For a rural community of Dauphin's size at the time, the establishment of rail travel was an important key that contributed to immigration and furthering the settlement of other communities throughout Manitoba and western Canada.

On December 14th, 2021, guests, dignitaries, local historians and board members of the Dauphin Rail Museum gathered to mark this special an - niversary at Ochre River's intersection of Mann Street and MacKenzie Avenue, named for the two men who were instrumental in the building of the rail line from Gladstone to Dauphin. In 1896, Mann ran a special train carrying the Lieutenant Governor, government representatives and reporters to showcase the poten - tial of their area.

The events of the re-enactment cele- brated what must have been a t remendously exciting time full of promise and anticipation for the future of Dauphin and the area. The group of present-day travelers boarded a train at Ochre River and rode to Dauphin. For some, this was their first train ride ever. The re -enactment also featured members of the Dauphin local Theatre Amisk dressed in period costumes and evoked an excitement of townspeople as they would meet the first train.

Dauphin's working rail station is a provincially designated historic site, a notable landmark and a beautifully restored piece of railway architecture built in 1912. Congratulations to Jason Gilmore, the Dauphin Rail Museum and all participants in celebrating this important piece of Manitoba and Dauphin history with a memorial event. Thank you. ORAL QUESTIONS Transfer of ICU Patients to Ontario Government Knowledge of Transfer Plans Mr. Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): The Premier and the PCs continue to mislead Manitobans about ICU patient transfers during the third wave.

The CEO of Shared Health met with Thunder Bay officials to discuss ICU transfers on May 13th. The same day, the Premier was briefed on ICUs. Those

564 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 9, 2022 are facts. We've established them in the Chamber. Nobody is challenging those facts. But now, apparently, t he PCs are saying the Premier never asked and was never briefed about the plan to send patients out of province. We need to hear from the Premier today on this important issue. When, on which day, did the Premier find out about the plan to transfer Mani toba ICU patients to Ontario? Hon.

Heather Stefanson (Premier): I believe this issue was dealt with yesterday in a statement from Shared Health that clarified that I was not a party to the meetings where those discussions took place. Madam Speaker, I know that I had extensive meetings when I first came to –into the Health port - folio, to plan ahead for ICU capacity and, certainly, I had sometimes daily meetings on ICU capacity, sometimes a couple of times a week, as we ramped up to ensure that we got more nurses trained for the ICU. That's what was increasing the ICU capacity and we were certainly diligent in moving forward on that.

So we were –we did have those discussions, certainly, on the–increasing the ICU capacity. Madam Speaker, we will continue to have those discussions to ensure that we have better health care for all Manitobans. Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a supplementary question. Mr. Kinew: The PCs have had days to prepare for this question. I asked it half a dozen times yesterday. On which day did the Premier–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Kinew: –find out about the plan to transfer Manitoba's ICU patients to Ontario?

Again, the PC line on this appears to be that the Health minister ha d extensive meetings, extensive briefings, extensive work around the clock on this issue, and yet in none of those briefings, none of those meetings, did she ask about ICU patients being transferred to Ontario. We heard the current Health Minister say yesterday that the Premier, the former Health minister, had absolutely no prior knowledge of ICU patients being transferred out of Ontario. So I ask the Premier today: Is the current Health Minister right?

Did the former Health minister not know what was hap pening in her de partment under her watch during the most im portant part of the pandemic? Mrs. Stefanson: First of all, the Leader of the Opposition continues to maintain his space in the grassy knoll, but what I will say is–and then they–then he accuses me of not having meetings. Now he's accusing me of having too many meetings, Madam Speaker, and so–he can't have it both ways. What I will say is what Manitobans want, need and deserve is access to health care. Surgical, diagnos- tic procedures: that's what we're focused on.

That's why we set up the task force, to continue forward to ensure that we're provi ding those much- needed services for Manitobans. Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a final supplementary. Mr. Kinew: Let me just clarify: neither my colleagues nor the people of Manitoba nor do I believe anything this government says when it comes to health care, Madam Speaker. We don't believe the lines that they force Shared Health to trot out. We don't believe t he excuses armed with the Cabinet ministers yesterday. We don't believe the lines that the Premier is deliver- ing today.

All that I'm pointing out is that those lines make no sense. What the Premier would have you believe is that she was working around the clock talking to all the people who were arranging for ICU patients to be transferred out of Manitoba, and yet she had no idea that that was going to happen. So if that's the line that the PCs want to go with, the obvious subsequent question is this: Why didn't the Premier know what was happening in the Department of Health under her watch as Health minister? Mrs.

Stefanson: Madam Speaker, the disrespectful comments about –and disparaging comments about Shared Health and those officials at Shared Healt h is very disturbing. I will say that those individuals who are in charge there are doing tremendous work, as are all the doctors and nurses and everyone else who is working to get us through this pandemic. And I want to praise them for the in credible work that they have done, because there's difficult decisions that need to be made on a day-by-day basis, Madam Speaker –sometimes an hour-by-hour basis.

March 9, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 565 Madam Speaker, those decisions are made, and those decisions are made by professionals within the system. They're not made by the Leader of the Opposition. They're not made by gov ernment or politicians. They're made by doctors. Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a new question. Mr. Kinew: Madam Speaker, on behalf of doctors across Manitoba, that is deeply offensive. No doctor made the decision to send ICU patients out of province. That decision was made by the – [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr.

Kinew: –current Premier and the former premier, Brian Pallister. And they made that decision because they were painted–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Kinew: –into a corner because of the cuts that the current member for Tuxedo and the current member for Steinbach (Mr. Goertzen) made to our health-care system. * (14:00) We lost ICU beds because of their cuts – [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Kinew: –and we lost Manitobans because we lost those ICU beds. So, will the Premier finally answer the question that has been hounding this government for more than a week?

On which day did she learn of the plan to send Manitoba ICU patients to Ontario? Mrs. Stefanson: Madam Speaker, what is somewhat disturbing about the Leader of the Opposi tion's question is that he obviously, from his questioning, does not understand how our health- care system works. Madam Speaker, decisions are made by doctors that–to move people within the system around. Those are clinical decisions that are made by doctors. They are not made by politicians. I shudder to think if he was the premier of this province or the minister of Health in this province. You know what? He wouldn't know how–what to do.

That's disturbing to me. What I will say is that we'll–we will maintain our focus on ensuring that those Manitobans who need their surgical and diag nostic procedures, Madam Speaker, will get those procedures done. That's what our focus is on. We will continue to work with the task force to ensure we move that forward because that's what Manitobans need, want and deserve. That's our focus. We'll continue along those lines, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a supplementary question. Mr.

Kinew: You know, Madam Speaker, our team doesn't take it for granted that we will have the honour of forming government, but I can tell you that we are working very hard–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Kinew: –to show the people of Manitoba that we are ready to lead and we are ready to run a health-care system. And the reason why we are ready to do so is be - cause we listen to the– Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Kinew: –health-care experts. And–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Kinew: –you know what the health-care experts have been telling us all week, Madam Speaker?

Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Madam Speaker: Order, please. Order. Order. I'd ask for everybody's co-operation, please. I am not being–able to hear the question that is being asked of the House. Mr. Kinew: The reason why we're ready to lead is because we listen to those on the front lines. And what doctors, nurses and health-care profes- sionals have been saying all week is that they've been yelling at their TVs, shouting at their mobile phones listening to the Premier and the Health Minister trying to blame them for the ICU patient transfers during the third wave. Let's be clear.

Those physicians were put into impossible positions because of the cuts of this gov - ernment, and still they play the blame game with those front-line health-care heroes. Just stop it.

566 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 9, 2022 Tell us: Which day did the Premier find out about the plan to transfer ICU patients to Ontario? Mrs. Stefanson: It's very disappointing, Madam Speaker, that–the Leader of the Opposition continuing down this line of questioning. And all Manitobans–indeed, everyone across our country–knows that there's something called COVID– a world-wide pandemic, Madam Speaker. That's what led to the unfor tunate decisions, the very difficult decisions that needed to be made–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mrs.

Stefanson: –by those clinicians, by those doctors, Madam Speaker. Those were very difficult decisions. And they were made on sometimes an hour -by-hour basis, sometimes a day-by-day basis, Madam Speaker. And we cherish–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mrs. Stefanson: –everything that those doctors have done for us, the nurses who–have done for us, Madam Speaker, the difficult decisions that doctors made during that time. But, Madam Speaker, we are listening t o Manitobans, who need, want and deserve surgical and diagnostic procedures sooner rather than later. That's why we set up the task force.

That's why our focus will maintain on delivering those services for Manitobans. Madam Speaker: The honour able Leader of the Official Opposition, on a final supplementary. Mr. Kinew: What a week, Madam Speaker. Government and Shared Health comm staff scram - bling to spin journalists. You have Cabinet ministers briefed and prepped with talking points. The entire weight of gov ernment used to try and explain away the failures of the Premier during our third wave. It's been really something to watch. And then again, today, to see them come out and blame physicians.

Just imagine if they used all the power that they have for good instead of evil, Madam Speaker. So, that's why we are asking these questions about accountability. Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Kinew: It's very simple: On which day– Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Kinew: –did the Premier find out about the plan to transfer ICU patients out of province, and– [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Kinew: –is it really her assertion that she did not know what was happening under the Health Department under her watch? [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Order.

I'm just going to caution members on the language that they choose to use in the House. Some of the rhetoric can be very inflammatory, and I would caution members, when we hear about evil right now, I'm thinking of what Russia's doing in Ukraine. And to throw that word around here, I think, is careless. So I'm going to ask members to please be cautious–[interjection]–please be– Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Madam Speaker: Order. Order. Order. I'm–I would remind members that I'm standing. I'm just ordering caution on members in the House. We need to be very careful with our language.

We don't need to inflame a debate here with using words that may inflame that debate. And I'm j ust asking for everybody to please be careful and courteous and respectful so that democracy can actually function as it should in this Legislature. Mrs. Stefanson: Again, it's disappointing that the Leader of the Op position goes down that path of negativity. What I will say is that Manitobans want to rise up and be hopeful about the future for Manitoba – [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mrs. Stefanson: –Madam Speaker.

We will ensure as part of that hope that we offer the services that they want, need and deserve–the surgical and diagnos tic procedures that they need, want and deserve. That's why we are emphasizing that and making a priority those things, because they're a priority of Manitobans. We have listened to Manitobans. We've made it a priority, Madam Speaker. We'll continue down those lines to ensure that Manitobans get the

March 9, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 567 surgical and diag nostic procedures that they need sooner. Thank you. Health System Support Workers Collective Bargaining Contract MLA Uzoma Asagwara (Union Station): Madam Speaker, health support staff have worked the front lines throughout this pandemic. They showed up con- sistently to keep us all safe. When the ones that we love got sick, those health-care workers were right at the bedside. Sadly, support staff in emergency rooms, long - term care, home -care workers like health -care aides, don't have a contract.

They've been without one for five years, and they've been left out of pay top-ups. Will the minister recog nize these staff and give them a contract? Hon. Reg Helwer (Minister of Labour, Consumer Protection and Government Services): Well, I'm sure the member opposite recognizes and knows that the gov ernment is not the employer in this case. Shared Health is the employer, and I'm told that negotiations are ongoing and doing very well.

And we do respond to and believe in the col - lective bargaining situation that we're in right now, Madam Speaker, and we'll wait to see what the out- comes of those discussions are. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Union Station, on a supplementary question. MLA Asagwara: Madam Speaker, health support staff have had their wages frozen for five years. The PC government legislated their wages at zero per cent. Inflation is now running at 5 per cent. Front -line workers have been in a strike position since August and 97 per cent of their members voted in favour of that.

They've worked the front lines throughout this pandemic, but this government has refused to acknowledge or recognize their contributions. Will the minister give these workers a top-up and make sure they get a fair contract? Mr. Helwer: Well, obviously, the member opposite may not seem to understand what I said the first time, so we'll try to repeat that, that we are not the employer. Shared Health is the employer, and they are in those negotiations and collective bargaining with those unions. They did very well, we think, with what they negotiated with the nurses.

We were thrilled to see that that agreement came to a close and that we found success there, that Shared Health found the path there. I expect that collective bargaining will continue, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Union Station, on a final supplementary. MLA Asagwara: Madam Speaker, hospitals across the province do not have the health- care staffing, health-care aides that they need. This pandemic has made things worse. * (14:10) Health support workers' wages have been frozen for five years. It's unconscionable.

Four thousand Manitobans have now written the minister with a peti- tion that reads, and I quote: You call them heroes, but they are being treated like zeroes. We're calling on the Manitoba government to immediately prioritize col - lective bargaining with health -care support workers. End quote. Will the minister just listen, and will health - support staff get the contract they deserve today? Mr. Helwer: What I'm hearing from the member opposite is they want the government to intervene, but it–that is not our role, Madam Speaker. This is Shared Health that is negotiating with the unions.

They were very successful. We saw a great collective agreement come together with the nurses, and we expect that we'll continue to see bargaining take place. Sale of Hydro Assets Cost to Ratepayers Mr. Adrien Sala (St. James): Madam Speaker, whenever the PCs interfere with Hydro, we know it costs Manitobans money. They ordered Hydro to give up their assets to Xplornet, and now it's going to cost ratepayers more. Last October, they first issued a secret directive to Hydro to give use of the assets, quote, at no additional cost to Manitoba Hydro ratepayers. End quote.

But days later, they issued a new directive that said to give access to Hydro's assets and they took out the language about costs. Why are the PCs ordering Hydro to do something that will cost Manitobans money?

568 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 9, 2022 Hon. Reg Helwer (Minister of Labour, Consumer Protection and Government Services): Well, I'm–I was quite thrilled to announce that we had found that there was a comp any called Xplornet, Madam Speaker, that was successful in going through our RFP process that was very, 'rery' robust, with lots of competition, that will be able to connect 125,000 Manitoba households in the near future. And we made sure that Manitoba Hydro was part of those discussions.

They have dark fibre that is not being used, and Xplornet and the ISPs will bring that ability for broadband to the province. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for St. James, on a supplementary question. Mr. Sala: The first directive said Hydro ratepayers shouldn't be on the hook for the PCs plan to privatize Hydro's assets. They took that out in the second directive, and it's pretty clear what that means: Hydro ratepayers and Manitobans are going to pay more. That's wrong. Everything's more expensive and the costs of living are going up.

And now, we learn PC inter - ference in Hydro means ratepayers will be left with the tab. Will this gov ernment stop interfering in Hydro, and will they stop raising costs on Manitobans? Mr. Helwer: It is clear, through all of these nego- tiations, that Manitoba retains owner ship of their assets. There is no transfer into–of assets. But the member likes to go down that rabbit hole, and now he wants to inter fere in the Public Utilities Board. We are going to connect 125,000 Manitobans to the Internet, Madam Speaker, and make sure that they can do–they can interact with others around the world.

Madam Speaker: The honourable member for St. James, on a final supplementary. Mr. Sala: The PCs interfered with Hydro. I'll table the directives they hid from Manitobans. And that means Manitobans are going to pay more due to their inter - ference and privatization efforts. That's wrong, and it shouldn't happen. The PCs need to stop interfering, and they need to stop hiking the costs of Hydro. Will the minister listen, and will he stop forcing Hydro to do some thing that will cost Manitobans money? Mr.

Helwer: Madam Speaker, we were clear in the RFP that this would be an addi tional service that would be 'availed' to Manitobans through the private sector working with Manitoba Hydro, that they could work with other private ISPs to bring broadband to 125,000 homes in Manitoba. It's obvious that the member doesn't have any collective memory of what drove up the costs of Hydro. It was the inter vention and interference from the NDP that drove the costs of those Hydro dams that Manitobans are now on the hook for, Madam Speaker. Highway and Road Maintenance Snow Clearance Safety Concerns Mr.

Matt Wiebe (Concordia): Madam Speaker, several times over the last few weeks, dangerous con- ditions on the Perimeter Highway have been reported as icy surfaces and snow drifts are affecting com - muters and trade. Residents and even City councillors have raised concerns, urging more attention to ensure our roadways are clear and that they're sanded in a timely fashion. We as a caucus share those concerns. Will the minister explain what steps he is taking to ensure that motorways such as the Perimeter Highway get cleared in a timely fashion? Hon.

Doyle Piwniuk (Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure): I just want to thank the member for the question. And the member has to realize that yesterday's event was not a road con dition situation; it was actually a weather con dition, and the thing was that there was zero visibility. This is the fifth time this year that we've encountered five consecutive–five times that the Perimeter Highway was closed, and it was because of zero visibility. And the RCMP will–we actually take the input from the RCMP to close the highways. Madam Speaker: The honour able member for Concordia, on a supplementary question. Mr.

Wiebe: In yesterday's incident, over 20 vehicles were involved in a major veh icle–multi-vehicle collision near the Perimeter Highway at McGillivray. Three people were taken to hospital, and media re - ports were clear that there were huge drifts of snow that were reported at that intersection. We know we need to do every thing we ca n to protect Manitobans as they use our roadways through- out the province.

March 9, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 569 What additional steps will the minister be taking to ensure safety on the Perimeter Highway even during high snowfall years? Mr. Piwniuk: Madam Speaker, I want to say that –I want to thank our hard- working snow-clearing crew that actually go out there, soon as it's safe to go do so. They're out there within–when it's safe to do so. It can be 2 o'clock in the morning; it could be 2 o'clock in the afternoon. They're out there soon as it's possible to go out there and actually clear the snow, and they'll get the all–clearing done within four hours of a major event.

And also, at the same time, they were out on the Perimeter Highway three times yesterday, Madam Speaker. Madam Speake r: The honour able member for Concordia, on a final supplementary. Mr. Wiebe: Madam Speaker, timely snow clearing is an issue that's been raised by the Association of Manitoba Municipalities. It's been brought forward by City councillors within the City of Winnipeg – [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Wiebe: –who have all criticized this gov ern- ment's lack of action when it comes to cleaning – clearing our highways in a timely manner.

And the pileup that we saw yesterday, Madam Speaker, sent folk s to hospital, which caused– [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Wiebe: –the Health Sciences Centre to declare a code orange. This is a serious matter; I'll agree with the minister on that. [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Wiebe: But at las t check, there were over 387 vacant positions that were admitted by this minister in highways maintenance. We ask: What ad ditional steps, what more can this minister do to ensure that even in a high snowfall event, like we saw yesterday, that our roads are safe for everyone? Mr.

Piwniuk: Madam Speaker, our de partment is continuously looking for–recruiting members–staff to make sure that we have staff on board to make sure our highways are safe. And the thing was –you know what? The chal - lenge is not just with the Province, when it comes to our highways. The challenge is also in the City of Winnipeg, with munici palities throughout this pro- vince. This is the third worst winter that we actually encountered in this whole province, and the thing is, we haven't seen anything like this since 1923, Madam Speaker. Northern Manitoba Health Care Nurse Recruitment and Retention Ms.

Amanda Lathlin (The Pas- Kameesak): The Premier (Mrs. Stefanson) is continuing Brian Pallister's legacy of leaving our norther n health-care system in shambles. Instead of filling the 25 per cent nursing shortage in the North, the gov ernment is spending more than double than two years ago on agency nurses. I'll table the FIPPA documents for the House. Why does the minister c ontinue to cut health in the North? Ekosi. Hon.

Audrey Gordon (Minister of Health): I thank the member opposite for the question. * (14:20) Our gov ernment is committed to ensuring the northern and remote com munities in our province have the services that they need to be able to serve their residents. That is why we committed $19.5 million in Budget 2021 to add 259 nurse train- ing seats this year, and then 400 new nursing educa- tion seats. We also committed $4.3 million for 37 ad- ditional nurse training seats at the University College of the North. We will continue to support our northern communities.

Madam Speaker: The honourable member for The Pas-Kameesak, on a supplementary question. Ms. Lathlin: Spending on agency nurses has gone from $5.1 million in 2019 to $11 million in 2021. That's more than double, Madam Speaker. This is money that could be hiring–that could be going to hiring nurses that can stay in our com mu- nities for the long term. Instead, the PCs are choosing a more expensive way to staff our northern health-care system that results in continuous closures at northern health-care sites. Why is this minister refusing to recruit and retain nurses in the North? Ekosi.

570 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 9, 2022 Ms. Gordon: Madam Speaker, recruiting nurses and ensuring–staffing positions that are vacant is a priority of this government. I was pleased to join the faculty of nursing last year to welcome 150 new nurses to our province and to our health-care system. We continue to train nurses through our critical-care nurse training program. We continue to welcome third- and fourth-year nurses to our undergraduate nurse education program.

We recognize that there's a challenge in the North, and that's why I've committed to hosting a northern staffing health-care sustainability meeting this spring with our northern stakeholders, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for The Pas-Kameesak, on a final supplementary. Ms. Lathlin: We need to fix this problem now, not five years from now. Some northern sites have been totally dependent on agency nurses for their nursing staff, and when they leave, Madam Speaker, sites close unexpectedly and communities can't get the care they need close to home. It's wrong.

Will the minister commit to fixing these nurse vacancies immediately? Ekosi. Ms. Gordon: Madam Speaker, I commit to hosting the northern health- care sus tainability meeting with the stakeholders that have written to me. I commit to working with the northern regional health author ity, which is on the ground talking to the stake holders in the com munity about how we come together to address the issues that are unique to that part of our province. Our government is very much 'committedent' to ensuring Manitobans across the province rece ive the care that they need close to home.

That is our commit- ment, and we will continue to work for–work towards that goal. Thank you. Southern Health Region Staff Vacancies Mr. Dougald Lamont (St. Boniface): I table a report, acquired through FIPPA, of a list of vacant health-care positions over a year in Southern Health. As of January 14th, 2022, of 2,448 positions in regular operations, 584 –nearly a quarter –were vacant. Altona health care –health centre LTC is short 30 per cent of its health -care aides. Boyne Lodge in Carman is short 40 per cent. Home -care programs in Carman, Portage, Ste.

Anne and Steinbach have vacancies from 23 per cent to 42 per cent. The Portage general hospital has a 45 per cent vacancy for LPNs. Ste. Anne Hospital is short 31 per cent of their RNs. How can this gov ernment justify running an entire health region at 75 per cent staffing levels in a pandemic unless their goal is just saving money instead of lives? Hon. Audrey Gordon (Minister of Health): I thank the member from St. Boniface for the question. It is a priority for our gov ernment to address the staffing vacancies throughout the province. Madam Speaker, this is not unique to Manitoba.

Other jurisdictions across the country are facing the same challenges. That is why the federal minister, Minister Duclos–someone he may know–has brought all the health ministers together around the table to talk about a health human resource sustainability plan, because it's not unique to our province, but our gov - ernment is most definitely committed to addressing this issue. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for St. Boniface, on a supplementary question. Health-Care System Nursing Shortage Mr. Dougald Lamont (St.

Boniface): We're also hearing that nurses who are qualified and registered in Manitoba who want work, can't get it; nurses who've been vaccinating people for months at vaccine centres, working 12 to 14 hour days making sure Manitobans get their shots. I heard from a nurse that her hours have now been cut to three a week. She's registered, has ex perience, but when she applied to Shared Health, she heard nothing back. She feels abandoned because she has been. Now, we know com munication between Shared Health and this government is a problem.

Can anyone get the message to Shared Health that the nursing shortage is a crisis in this province and that it–they need to immediately start hiring? Hon. Audrey Gordon (Minister of Health): Madam Speaker, for Shared Health and for our gov ernment, the staffing of vacant nursing positions is a priority.

March 9, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 571 I can't speak to the specific cases that the member is bringing forward, but if he's –if he sends them into my department, we would be happy to take a look at those and to discuss them individually with S hared Health. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Tyndall Park, on a final supplementary. Students Fleeing Ukraine Studying in Manitoba Continuing Education Accreditation Ms.

Cindy Lamoureux (Tyndall Park): Hundreds and thousands of students in Ukraine, both local and international, have had their education completely interrupted as they are forced to settle in other coun - tries all over the world. As noted in a CBC article, which I table, one particular individual was studying medicine in Ukraine and fled to Manitoba to stay with family. Madam Speaker, we know there are more in this position.

What will this gov ernment do to ensure that students wanting to continue their education here in Manitoba will have their previous edu cation fr om Ukraine be adequately accredited and recog nized towards their degrees? Hon. Jon Reyes (Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Immigration): As I said yesterday, we've heard and seen of the mass exodus of Ukrainian people because of Putin's defiance on democracy. We also have seen the mass exodus of students from Nigeria, Egypt, India and other nations trying to leave the Ukraine and are–ex perience–having issues when trying to enter neighbouring countries.

Manitoba will work with the federal government to help immigrate individuals and families, regardless of where they came from, and will welcome them like we know how we can here in friendly Manitoba. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Art and Culture Sector During Pandemic Government Support Programs Mr. Ian Wishart (Portage la Prairie): The COVID-19 pandemic has posed incredible challenges to all sectors in our province. The arts and culture sector was particularly hard hit.

Can the Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage update this House on what supports the Manitoba gov- ernment have provided to the arts and culture sector during the pandemic? Hon. Andrew Smith (Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage): I'd like to thank the member for the question. It's a great opportunity to be able to answer my first question as a member of Cabinet in this House here today. Our government recognizes the importance of the arts and cultural sector. We know that they were very much affected during the COVID -19 pandemic and that's why we stepped up. How did we do that, Madam Speaker?

Through the bridge grants program for the arts and culture recipients–over $12.4 million; bridge grants program for the sports–over $9.6 million; Safe at Home –over $3.8 million; the arts and cultural sustainability fund– $12 million; le Centre culturel franco -manitobain– $300,000; and the Manitoba Centennial Centre – $1 million. That's a total of– Madam Speaker: The member's time has expired. Changes to Crown Lands Program Impact on Young Beef Producers Mr. Dil jeet Brar (Burrows): The PC gov ernment has made a mess of Crown lands.

Matthew Atkinson, chair of Beef Producers' Crown lands committee, says he's a young producer but, I quote, the chances of being able to outbid a more esta blished producer are slim. The benefit for a young producer is certainly not there. End quote. What does the minister say to Matthew Atkinson and the many young producers who aren't being given a chance? Hon. Derek Johnson (Minister of Agriculture): I'd like to welcome my critic–or welcome me to his critic role–I guess he's the same, I'm different–but welcome nonetheless. * (14:30) I also want to thank the Premier (Mrs.

Stefanson) for entrusting me in new role, and I want to thank my predecessors, of course–the MLA from Lakeside and the MLA from Midland. I have some large shoes to fill, and we'll make Manitoba Ag proud. Madam Speaker: The honour able member for Burrows, on a supplementary question. Mr. Brar: I also welcome the new Ag Minister. The PC gov ernment says one thing but – [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order.

572 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 9, 2022 Mr. Brar: –does another. Carson Callum, general manager of the Beef Producers, says that they have, and I quote, many concerns that a lot of the changes to the Crown lands program did not line up with what we had recommended in our consultation. End quote. What does the minister say to Carson Callum and the concerns of hundreds of beef producers around this province? Mr. Johnson: I want to thank the member for the question.

And I want to just take this moment to express our hard work we're doing for the farmers and I want to explain how we've–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Johnson: I want to explain how we've extended our ag drought recovery program and we've extended the eligibility from March 15th 'til April 15th, and you can apply for that program ming all the way through 'til March 13th. Thank you, Madam Speaker. [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. The honourable member for Burrows, on a final supplementary. Mr. Brar: One producer, Dale Myhre from Crane River, says their worst fears with Crown lands have come true.

He says, and I quote, it has gone the way we expected: a major loss of ranchers and economic hardships. The government said they are bringing in these programs to free up some agri cultural land for young producers, but the young people, they have left and this has happened over only three years. End quote. What does the minister say to Mr. Myhre and hundreds of producers they have left behind? Thank you. Mr. Johnson: We've also added, Madam Speaker, extraordinary expenses to the program ming. So, this is including–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr.

Johnson: –expenses that were incurred through- out the summer, and I want to–it includes hauling of water, renting extra pasture and cropland. It's also harvesting extra acres for livestock feed. These are all accommodations that we made for producers. We've also added extra feed and additives and pre-mixes, including molasses -based products a nd vitamins, mineral oils and fats that weren't– [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr.

Johnson: –originally included in the original programming, and I want to thank Agriculture Depart- ment and their hard work for moving this forward– and, of course, the previous minister. Madam Speaker: The time for oral questions has expired. PETITIONS Foot-Care Services Mr. Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. The background of this petition is as follows:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(8) The city of Thompson also serves as a regional health-care service provider, and the need for foot care extends beyond just those served in the capital city of the province. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

March 9, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 573 To urge the provincial government to provide the services of two nurses to restore essential medical foot care treatment–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Kinew: –to the city of Thompson effective April 1, 2022. This petition has been signed by Mervin Tait, Donna Hopkins, Marlene Rudolph and many other Manitobans. Madam Speaker: In accordance with our rule 132(6), when petitions are read they are deemed to be received by the House. Mr. Ian Bushie (Keewatinook): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. To the Legis lative Assembly of Manitoba, the background of this petition is as follows:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(8) The city of Thompson also serves as a regional health-care service provider, and the need for foot care extends beyond just those served in the capital city of the province. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to provide the services of two nurses to restore essential medical foot care treatment to the city of Thompson effective April 1, 2022. This has been signed by many Manitobans. Madam Speaker: The honour able member for St. Johns. [interjection] The honourable member for St. Johns. Abortion Services Ms. Nahanni Fontaine (St.

Johns): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) Manitoba women, girls, two -spirit, genderqueer, non-binary and trans persons deserve to be safe and supported when accessing abortion services.

(2) Limited access to effective and safe abortion services contributes to detrimental outcomes and con- sequences for those seeking an abortion, as an esti - mated 25 million unsafe abort ions occur worldwide each year.

(3) The prov incial government's reckless health cuts have created inequity within the health -care system whereby access to the abortion pill, Mifegymiso, and surgical abortions are less accessible for northern and rural individuals than individuals in southern Manitoba, as they face travel barriers to access a handful of non- urban health- care pro fes- sionals who are trained to provide medical abortions.

(4) For over five years, and over the admin istra- tion of three failed Health ministers, the prov incial government operated under the pretense that reproductive health was not the responsi bility of the Ministry of Health and Seniors Care and shifted the responsibility to a secretariat with no policy, program or financial authority within the health-care system.

(5) For over four years, the prov incial gov ern- ment has refused to support bill 200, The Safe Access to Abortion Services Act, which will ensure the safety of Manitoba women, girls, two- spirit, gender queer, non-binary and trans persons accessing abortion services, and the staff who provide such services, by establishing buffer zones for anti -choice Manitobans around clinics. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the prov incial gov ernment to imme - diately ensure effective and safe access to abortion services for individuals, regardless of where they

574 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 9, 2022 reside in Manitoba, and to ensure that buffer zones are immediately legislated. Signed by many Manitobans. Provincial Road 224 Ms. Amanda Lathlin (The Pas-Kameesak): I wish to present the following petition to the Legis lative Assembly. The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) Provincial Road No. 224 serves Peguis First Nation, Fisher River Cree Nation and surrounding communities. The road is in need of substan tial repairs.

(2) The road has been in poor condition for years and has numer ous potholes, uneven driving surfaces and extremely narrow shoulders.

(3) Due to recent popula tion growth in the area, there has been increased vehicle and pedestrian use of Provincial Road 224. * (14:40)

(4) Without repair, Prov incial Road 224 will continue to pose a hazard to many Manitobans who use it regularly.

(5) Concerned Manitobans are requesting that Provincial Road 224 be obsessed–be assessed and repaired urgently to improve safety for its users. We petition the Legis lative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the Minister of Infrastructure to complete an assessment of Provincial Road 224 and implement the appropriate repairs, using public funds, as quickly as possible. This petition has been signed by many, many fine Manitobans. Vivian Sand Facility Project– Clean Environment Commission Review Hon.

Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Mada m Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. The background to this petition is as follows: The Vivian sands project is a proposed silica sand mine and processing plant to be built in the RM of Springfield. The overa ll project includes mining claims of over 85,000 hectares–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Gerrard: –making it the largest claim ever given to a single company in Manitoba's history. It is larger than the city of Winnipeg, which is 46,410 hectares.

The amount of dry, solid sand mined or produced per year, according to the EAP, is 1.36 million tons, and much of the sand will be used in fracking. A major concern of the proposed mine and plant is that, if developed, it could contaminate the Sandilands aquifer, including both carbonate and sandstone aquifers, which covers much of south- eastern Manitoba. It has excellent water quality and is the water source for tens of thousands of Manitobans, including many municipal water systems, agriculture, industry, private wells and an abundance of wildlife and ecosystems.

Further, people in the Indigenous communities that are potentially affected by this were not afforded the required Indigenous consultation from either federal or provincial government officials. The sustainable yield of the combined sandstone and carbonate aquifers has still not yet been established by provincial authorities. The mine could cause leaching of acid and heavy metals and pollute the aquifer, as it will go down 200 feet into the Winnipeg formation of the sandstone aquifer.

There is concern that the shale, which separates the carbonate and sandstone aquifers –sand and pyritic oolite itself contains sulphides–will, when exposed to injected air from the CanWhite Sands extraction process, turn to acid. An additional concern with the proposed mine and plant is the potential to pollute the Brokenhead River and the aquatic food chain leading to Lake Winnipeg.

Residents in the area have also expressed fears of being overexposed to silica dust during production, as there has been a demonstrated lack of safety and environmental procedures by the CanWhite Sands Corporation during the exploratory drilling phase. Signage and fencing has been poor; identifying and required mine claim tags were missing; there were no warnings for silica dust exposure and no coverings to prevent exposure of the silica stockpiles to the elements. Residents' concerns include the fact that boreholes, which should have been promptly and properly sealed, were left open for a year.

The drilling of hundreds of improperly sealed boreholes yearly create significant risks of surface contamination, mixing of aquifer waters and drainage of surface fecal matter into the aquifer.

March 9, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 575 There is also a risk of subsidence around each borehole as a result of sand extraction. There are also potential transboundary issues that need to be addressed as the aquifers extend into Minnesota. This project should not proceed, as no licensing conditions and mitigation measures will allevia te the risk to all Manitobans and the environment since CanWhite Sands Corporation plans to use unprecedented mining techniques with no established safe outcome.

The corporation has gone on record indicating that it does not know how to mine for the silica in the water supply and needs to develop a new extraction methodology that's never been done before. Contamination of the aquifers and the environment is irreversible and there are many surface sources of high purity silica that can be extracted without endangering two essential regional aquifers.

We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to undertake a combined review of the Vivian Sand Facility processing plant and the mining/extraction portion of the operation as a class 3 development with a review by Manitoba's Clean Environment Commission to include public hearings and participant funding. To urge the provincial government to halt all activity at the mine and plant until the Clean Environment Commission's review is completed and the project proposal has been thoroughly evaluated.

Signed by Kathie Boznianin, Rob Fetterly, Charlotte Himey [phonetic] and many, many other Manitobans. Foot-Care Services MLA Tom Lindsey (Flin Flon): Madam Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. The background to this petition is as follows:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(8) The city of Thompson also serves as a regional health-care provider, and the need for foot care extends beyond just those served in the capital city of the province. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to provide the services of two nurses to restore essential medical foot care treatment to the city of Thompson effective April 1, 2022. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Diagnostic Testing Accessibility Mr. Jim Maloway (Elmwood): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. The background of this petition is as follows:

(1) Until recently, diagnostic medical tests, including for blood and fluid samples, were available and accessible in most medical clinics.

(2) Dyna care blood test labs have consolidated their blood and fluid testing services by closing 25 of its labs.

(3) The provincial government has cut diagnostic testing at many clinic sites, and residents now have to travel to different locations to get their testing done, even for simple blood tests or urine sample.

(4) Further, travel challenges for vulnerable and elderly residents of northeast Winnipeg may result in fewer tests being done or delays in testing, with the attendant effects of increased health -care costs and poorer individual patient outcomes.

(5) COVID-19 emergency rules have resulted in long outdoor lineups, putting vulnerable residents at

576 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 9, 2022 further risk in extreme weather, be it hot or cold. Moreover, these long lineups have resulted in longer wait times for services and poorer service in general.

(6) Manitoba residents value the convenience and efficiency of the health-care system when they're able to give their samples at the time of the doctor visit. We petition the Legislative Assembl y of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to immedi - ately demand Dynacare maintain all the phlebotomy blood sample sites existing prior to the COVID -19 public health emergency, and allow all Manitobans to get their blood and urine tests done when visiting their doctor, thereby facilitating local access to blood testing services. And this petition is signed by many, many Manitobans.

Lead in Soils MLA Malaya Marcelino (Notre Dame): Madam Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. To the Legis lative Assembly of Manitoba, the background of this petition is as follows: In December of 2019, the provincial govern - ment's commissioned report on lead concentrations in soil in Winnipeg was completed.

(2) The report found that 10 neighbourhoods had concerning levels of lead concentration in their soil, including Centennial, Daniel McIntyre, Glenelm - Chalmers, north Point Douglas, River Osborne, Sargent Park, St. Boniface, West End, Weston and Wolseley-Minto. * (14:50)

(3) In particular, the predicted blood lead levels for children in north Point Douglas, Weston and Daniel McIntyre were above the level of concern.

(4) The Weston Elementary School field has been forced to close down many times because of concerns of lead in soil and the provincial government's inaction to improve the situation.

(5) Lead exposure especially affects children aged seven years and under, as their nervous system is still developing.

(6) The effects of lead exposure are irreversible and include impacts on learning, behaviour and intelligence.

(7) For adults, long- term lead exposure can contribute to high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney problems and reproductive effects.

(8) The provincial government currently has no comprehensive plan in place to deal with lead in soil, nor is there a broad advertising campaign educating residents on how they can reduce their risks of lead exposure.

(9) Instead, people in these areas continue to garden and work in the soil and childre n continue to play in the dirt, often without any knowledge of the associated risks.

We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to take action to reduce people's exposure to lead in Winnipeg, and to i mplement the recommendations proposed by the provincial government's independent review, including the creation of an action plan for the Weston neighbourhood, developing a lead awareness communications and outreach program, requisition- ing a more in- depth study, and creating a tracking program for those tested for blood lead levels so that medical professionals can follow up with them.

This has been signed by Marie Hinegi [phonetic], Jaime Vendivil, Julia Lavarias and many other Manitobans. Foot-Care Services Ms. Lisa Naylor (Wolseley): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. The background of this petition is as follows: The population of those aged 55- plus has grown to approximately 2,500 in the city of Thompson. A large percentage of people in this age group require necessary medical foot care and treatment. A large percentage of those who are elderly and/or diabetic are also living on low incomes.

The northern regional health authority previously provided essential medical foot -care services to seniors and those living with diabetes until 2019, then subsequently cut the program after the last two nurses filling those positions retired. The number of seniors and those with diabetes has only continued to grow in Thompson and surrounding areas.

March 9, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 577 There is no adequate medical care available in the city and region,

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

This has been signed by Jaylene Benson, Shaun Pierone and Allan Benson and many other Manitobans. Mrs. Bernadette Smith (Point Douglas): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. The background of this petition is as follows:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(8) The city of Thompson also serves as a regional health-care service provider, and the need for foot care extends beyond just those served in the capital city of the province. We petition the L egislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to provide the services of two nurses to restore essential medical foot-care treatment to the city of Thompson effective April 1, 2022. Signed by many Manitobans. Road Closures Mr. Matt Wiebe (Concordia): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly.

The background of this petition is as follows: Manitoba Infra structure has under taken the closure of all farm -access roads along the North Perimeter Highway, forcing rural residents to drive up to six miles out of their way to leave or return to their property. The prov incial gov ernment's own consul tations showed that closing the access of some of these roads, including Sturgeon Road, was an emerging concern to residents and busi ness owners, yet the North Perimeter plan does nothing to address this issue.

Residents and business owners were assured that their concerns about access closures, including safety issues cited by engineers, would be taken into account and that access at Sturgeon Road would be maintained. However, weeks later, the median was nonetheless torn up, leaving local residents and busi - nesses scrambling. Closing all access to the Perimeter puts more people in danger, as it emboldens speeders and forces farmers to take large equip ment into heavy traffic, putting road users at risk.

Local traffic, commuter traffic, school buses, emergency vehicles and commercial traffic, including up to 200 gravel trucks per day from the Lilyfield Quarry, will all be expected to merge and travel out of their way in order to cross the Perimeter, causing increased traffic and longer response times to emergencies. Small businesses located along the Perimeter and Sturgeon Road are expected to lose busi ness, as customers will give up on finding a way into their premises.

Residents, business owners and those who use the roads have been left behind by the provincial govern- ment's refusal to listen to their concerns that closures

578 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 9, 2022 will only result in worsened safety and major inconveniences for users of the North Perimeter.

We petition the Legis lative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the Minister of Infra structure to leave residents access to the Perimeter Highway at least every two miles along its length, especially at intersections such as Sturgeon Road, which are vital to local businesses; and To urge the Minister of Infrastructure to listen to the needs and the opinions of the local residents and business owners who took the time to complete the Perimeter safety survey while working with engineers and the technicians to ensure that their concerns are addressed.

This petition, Madam Speaker, is signed by many Manitobans. Madam Speaker: Grievances? ORDERS OF THE DAY GOVERNMENT BUSINESS Hon. Kelvin Goertzen (Government House Leader): Can you please com mence the Supple - mentary Appropriation process. Madam Speaker: It has been announced that the House will consider Supple mentary Ap propriation this afternoon. Messages Hon. Cameron Friesen (Minister of Finance): I have a message from the Administrator, as well as the Supplementary Ap propriation document, which I would like to table. Madam Speaker: Please stand for the reading of the message.

Please stand for the reading of the message. To the Speaker of the Legis lative Assembly, the Lieutenant Governor transmits to the Legis lative Assembly of Manitoba Estimates of ad ditional sums required for the services of the Province for the fiscal year ending the 31st day March, 2022, and recom - mends the Supplementary Estimates to the Legislative Assembly. * * * Madam Speaker: Please be seated. The House will now resolve into Com mittee of Supply to consider the resolutions respecting the Sup- plementary Appropriation bill, 2021-2022.

Will the Deputy Speaker please take the Chair. * (15:00) COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY Supplementary Supply Mr. Chairperson (Andrew Micklefield): Will the Committee of Supply please come to order. We have before us for our con sideration four reso lutions respecting the Supplementary Appropriation bill. First resolution, 16.5(a), pertaining to part A of the Supplementary Estimates, reads as follows: 16.5(a): RESOLVED that there be granted to Her Majesty a sum not exceedi ng $75 million for Education and Early Child hood Learning, Early Learning and Child Care, for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2022.

Does the minister have any opening comments? No? Does the official op position critic have any opening comments? No? The floor is open for questions. Is the Committee ready for the question? Some Honourable Members: Question. Mr. Chairperson: Shall the resolution pass? Some Honourable Members: Pass. Mr. Chairperson: The reso lution is accordingly passed. The second resolution, 21.8, pertaining to part A of the Supplementary Estimates, reads as follows: 21.8: RESOLVED that there be granted to Her Majesty a sum not exceeding $24 million for Health, Medical, for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2022.

Does the minister have any opening comments? No? Does the official opposition critic have any opening comments? No? The floor is open for questions. Is the committee ready for the question? Some Honourable Members: Question. Mr. Chairperson: Shall the resolution pass?

March 9, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 579 Some Honourable Members: Pass. Mr. Chairperson: Resolution is accordingly passed. The third resolution, 21.9, pertaining to part A of the Supplementary Estimates, reads as follows: 21.9: RESOLVED that there be granted to Her Majesty a sum not exceeding $26 million for Health, Pharmacare, for the fiscal year ending March 31st, 2022. Does the minister have any opening comments? Does the official op position critic have any opening comments? Floor is open for questions. Is the committee ready for the question? An Honourable Member: Question. Mr.

Chairperson: Shall the resolution pass? An Honourable Member: Pass. Mr. Chairperson: The reso lution is accordingly passed. The fourth resolu tion, 26.2, pertaining to pa rt A of the Supplementary Estimates, reads as follows: 26.2: RESOLVED that there be granted to Her Majesty a sum not exceeding $100 million for Enabling Appro priations, Internal Service Adjustments, for the fiscal year ending March 31st, 2022. Does the minister have any opening comments? Does the official op position critic have any opening comments? The floor is open for questions. Is the com mittee ready for question –for the question?

An Honourable Member: Question. Mr. Chairperson: Shall the resolution pass? Some Honourable Members: Pass. Mr. Chairperson: The reso lution is accordingly passed. This concludes the busi ness before the com mit- tee. Committee rise. Call in the Speaker. IN SESSION Committee Report Mr. Andrew Micklefield (Chairperson): Madam Speaker, the Committee of Supply has considered and adopted four resolu tions respecting Sup plementary Appropriation. I move, seconded by the honourable member for Seine River (Ms. Morley-Lecomte), that the report of the committee be received. Motion agreed to. Concurrence Motion Hon.

Wayne Ewasko (Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning ): I move, seconded by the Minister of Finance (Mr. Friesen), that this House concur in the report of the Com mittee of Supply respecting the reso lutions relating to the Sup ple- mentary Appropriation bill for the fiscal year ending March 31st, 2022. Motion agreed to. Supplementary Supply Motion Hon. Cameron Friesen (Minister of Finance): I move, seconded by the Minister of Famil ies (Ms.

Squires), that there be granted to Her Majesty on account of Certain Expenditures of the Public Service for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2022, out of the Consolidated Fund, sums not exceeding $225 million as set out in part A of the Supplementary Estimates. Motion agreed to. * (15:10) INTRODUCTION OF BILLS Bill 20–The Supplementary Appropriation Act, 2021-2022 Hon.

Cameron Friesen (Minister of Finance): I move, seconded by the Minister for Education and Early Child hood Learning, that Bill 20, The Supplementary Appro priation Act, 2021- 2022, be now read a first time and be ordered for second reading immediately. Motion agreed to. SECOND READINGS Bill 20–The Supplementary Appropriation Act, 2021-2022 Hon. Cameron Friesen (Minister of Finance): I move, seconded by the Minister of Justice,

580 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 9, 2022 Attorney General, that Bill 20, The Supplementary Appropriation Act, 2021-2022, be now read a second time and be referred to Committee of the Whole. Motion presented. Mr. Friesen: I am pleased to be able to stand today and to speak briefly on the subject of the Supplementary Appropriation act for 2021-2022, that provides supplementary expenditure authority for this concluding fiscal year. The amount of supplementary operating expenditur e author ity is $225 million. Of this aggregate amount, there are $100 million pro- vided as Enabling Appropriations.

The Supplementary Appropriation is to provide funding to–for other expenditures that are likely to result from COVID -19 or other c ontingencies. The bill provides $75 million for Early Learning and Child Care, including the funding for the Canada-Manitoba Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, the C -M-CW-ELCCA and funding to support the recruitment and retention of quali fied early-learning-and-child-care workforce. There's also an ap propriation of $50 million provided to the De partment of Health that provides funding for medical services and the Pharma care program.

This funding is needed due to increasing usage and price increases in these programs. When the bill reaches the com mittee stage, I can provide members with a section- by-section explanation. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker: Do members wish to ask questions on the bill? Questions Madam Speak er: The hon ourable member –oh, a question period, then, of up to 15 minutes will be held.

Questions may be addressed to the minister by any member in the following sequence: first question by the official opposition critic or designate, subsequent questions asked by critics or designates from other recognized opposi tion parties, subsequent questions asked by each in dependent member, remaining questions asked by any opposi tion members. No question or answer shall exceed 45 seconds. Mr. Mark Wasyliw (Fort Garry): In the mid -year fiscal update in December, the minister's financial update stated that there was about $381 million left out of the $1.2 billion set aside for COVID -19 and contingency.

Could the minister explain, is the remaining dollars–have they already been spent? Hon. Cameron Friesen (Minister of Finance): As I indicated in my remarks, this gov ernment has responded, and responded very significantly, to the challenge of COVID -19. We, of course, included in our budgetary Estimates the additional monies to help respond to those challenges, but we are forecasting at this point to spend to year end. So, Madam Speaker, we have a–we voted author- ity, but this is additional authority in case it is needed. Hon.

Jon Gerrard (River H eights): Yes, Madam Speaker, just a question on the allocation for Education and Early Childhood Learning, a little more detail about what these expenditures will be, and are they related to –in any way to the increased federal expenditures on early learni ng educa tion and early childhood learning? Mr.

Friesen: I'm happy to provide addi tional detail later on, as well, during Committee of the Whole, but I can say that there's just over $60 million here in funding for that Canada -Manitoba child –it's th e Canada-Manitoba Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement; $15 million more for the Early Childhood Workforce Agreement. These are the agreements that the minister announced in late February that had been reached. We're very proud to have those negotiations concluded. And, of course, as always, the Public Accounts will detail all spending and budget will provide forecast updates. Mr.

Wasyliw: I wonder if the minister can break down for this House the $381 million that was supposed to have still been in existence in December of last year. Mr. Friesen: In the 40 seconds allotted to me, no, I will not be able to break down $381 million, but I'm very happy to start on that and indicate to that member and all the members of this House that thi s govern- ment undertook the very serious and prompt work of responding to a global pandemic.

Those funds that were held in Internal Service Adjustments were allocated to such priorities as PPE, as vaccine and vaccine supplies, standing up vaccine– vaccination centres, campaigns to notify Canadians – or Manitobans of what resources were available to them, doctor tariffs that allowed doctors to see their physicians virtually, hiring of nurses–the lists goes on

March 9, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 581 and on and on, and I'm happy to provide whatever detail this afternoon allows me to. Mr. Gerrard: Just a clarification on the expenditures in relationship to Health. The minister mentions that some of that may be used for hiring of nurses. Is that $50 million also related to a federal -prov- incial agreement? Mr. Friesen: The $50 million that is being voted for Health appropriations includes $24 million for med - ical services.

So we know that these are related to price and volume from–for fee-for-service remunera- tion, but also $26 million for the Pharmacare program, also due to a volume and price increases. None of this is related to a federal-provincial agreement. Mr. Wasyliw: Can the minister advise whether the $381 million that was set aside for COVID -19 has been completely spent at this point? Mr. Friesen: Continuing on my earlier response to the member of what constitutes the $381 million, that was noted at the forecast report earlier this year.

I would also remind that member that included in those amounts was the very, very sig nificant support that this government offered to sectors–our very suc cess- ful and well -received Sector Support Program was also included in this. And, of course, even this afternoon in debate there was a reference to the Province's arts sector funding support, $6 million there; $22 million for the Sector Support Program; and as I mentioned earlier, we are forecasting to completely subscribe on these $381-million amounts. * (15:20) Mr. Gerrard: My question relates to more detail on the Internal Service Adjustments.

Is this due to the finalization of labour contracts, or is this due to increase in prices, or can the Finance Minister provide some clarification? Mr. Friesen: No. I'm happy to provide addi tional detail. As the member knows that doctors, when we talk about fee-for-service, that is not a contractual arrange- ment–and I know he knows that well from a previous life that he lived when he was practising as a physician. So this is related to fee -for-service re - muneration. I think it suggests that doctors have continued to be hard at work during the pandemic.

Our gov ernment worked very, very hard with Doctors Manitoba and with other groups to be able to enter into new arrangements for virtual tariffs. I know, as the former Health minister, this was an in credibly important piece of work to get into place and there were questions as to how well it would be received or work. It has been in credibly well-received; it's allowed doctors to see their patients during the pandemic in a safe way. But it also means that that has cost money– Madam Speaker: The member's time has expired. The honour able member for River Heights (Mr.

Gerrard)–[interjection]–oh, sorry; the honour - able member for Fort Garry. Mr. Wasyliw: Thank you, Madam Speaker. In the budget consultation meetings, the minister had made representations to the public that there was still $600 million in the rainy day fund. I'm wondering if he can update the House with how much money is still in the rainy day fund. Mr. Friesen: I will be happy to provide to that member promptly, in the course of this afternoon, the exact number, and I am seeking the exact number.

But what I can tell that member is, in general, while the analysis I most recently looked at indicated that the former NDP government drained that account by almost 80 per cent, our government has been hard at work in respect of the rainy day fund to rebuild and rebuild because it's an im portant fund. It's an im por- tant contingency for the Province of Manitoba, and so while that party depleted it, we will remain committed to restoring that rainy day fund, that addi tional area that can be of value to gov ernments and citizens in times of need. Mr. Gerrard: Madam Speaker, yesterday, the Minister of Finance (Mr.

Friesen) tabled The Financial Admin istration Amendment Act, which provides for a cap on the budget, but it also provides for changes to procedures. Can the minister explain whether it will change the procedure that we are undergoing today in terms of the supplemental Estimates? Mr. Friesen: It's an interesting question. I would indicate that I see no interaction between the FAA bill yesterday intro duced that sets parameters for total borrowing for governments and the process that we're undertaking now.

582 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 9, 2022 However, that member will know that because this process does refer to a loan act, this Legislature will have to consider how it's going to respond in future to work around, to be able to respect that new process. So, of course, there's advantages to gov ern- ment with the FAA approach, but also there's consid- erations for the Legislature to consider. Mr.

Wasyliw: I'm wondering if the minister can explain why, if we have money in our cash reserves, are we borrowing 225 million extra dollars and incurring those interest costs when we have these resources available, we're just simply not using them. Mr. Friesen: I want to remind that member that the appropriations that are being sought today in way of the Supple mentary Ap propriations are mu ch, much more modest than the three that were sought last year. There was a reason that larger ap propriations were sought.

That member knows how gov ernment finance works–if there's controls not only on the amount of voted expenditure authority, but also in the categories of that authority, which means that there is not a direct link between those amounts being sought today and those buckets into which previous author ity was sought. It's very important to make that distinction. So it's a modest–it's a more modest amount being sought today, but an important amount nonetheless. Mr. Gerrard: I–just–further clari fication requested with regard to The Financial Administration Act.

That act would mean that we would not need, in many cases, the loan act. Is that what the Minister of Finance (Mr. Friesen) is saying, and what sort of changes would have to happen if that's the case? Mr. Friesen: So I know that the member for River Heights (Mr. Gerrard) and I are not newcomers to this building, and so what I was referring to–and I know there's the tyranny of this 45- minute answer – 45-second answer period. But, essentially, that main part of our process whereby, in budgetary debate, we essentially –there's a

section set aside for the loan act. And in that part of our process as a Legislature there would need to be a change agreed to by all the members of this House and negotiated by the House leaders. Otherwise, we will have this reference to a loan act which will no longer be active because this legis - lation seeks to replace the loan act with this new way of doing business of setting a debt ceiling, if you will. Mr. Wasyliw: The minister had indicated he's setting aside $100 million for Internal Service Adjustments. I'm wondering if he can break down exactly what that money's going to be used for? Mr.

Friesen: As I indicated, the $100 million being sought today provided as Enabling Appropriations in order to cover expenditures that are likely to result from COVID-19 or other contingencies. That member knows that only two weeks ago, for instance, this government indicated that, as an initial and preliminary response to the Ukraine crisis, that we were seeking to author ize some amounts for imme - diate assistance. By no means does that indicate what our eventual support may be, but it is amounts like that, unforeseen, that would be covered exactly by the Internal Service Adjustments. Mr.

Gerrard: Just one further clari fication with regard to the change in procedure. Does the removal of the loan act get rid of procedures and account ability, which we normally have and we have now, so that it is easier for the gov- ernment to borrow money? Mr. Friesen: The FAA amendment act that was intro- duced yesterday is designed to move to a more trans- parent and accountable system by which government would request author ity. It would do nothing to set back accountability or transpar ency; rather, it pro - motes it and advances it.

The member should know that the federal govern- ment, the federal Liberal government, has adopted this approach. Various provinces across Canada have adopted this approach. And I would just want to make the note that the authority to borrow is what this bill contains. The authority to spend is what our processes i n this Legislature go to, whereby gov ernment makes its argument to spend and must defend its plan. Mr.

Wasyliw: The minister is asking for $50 million more for health care, but last year's budget cut acute - care and long-term-care funding, and we continue to see patients being transferred hundreds of kilometres away from home due to lack of capacity in our health- care system, Will the minister be providing more funding and increasing capacity in our health-care system with this new money?

March 9, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 583 Mr. Friesen: Well, if the member was listening, he would have understood that that's exactly what these appropriations seek to do. We reject his line of thought here among cuts because he knows full well that this gov ernment is investing annually almost $1 billio n more now in health care than the former NDP gov ernment ever invested in health care. But even now, in these Supple mentary Ap pro- priations, more money for doctors' fees, more money for our Pharmacare program, more money for surgeries and procedures and much, much more.

Madam Speaker: Are there any further questions? Debate Madam Speaker: If there are no further questions, the floor is open for debate. Mr. Mark Wasyliw (Fort Garry): When it comes to finances, obviously, this gov ernment has a l ong and sad history of failure and poor fiscal management. * (15:30) We're talking about the Pallister -Stefanson gov- ernments that originally said that they were going to take eight years to balance the budget. But in their balanced approach, they somehow claim to have done it in four.

But when you actually sort of peel back the accounting tricks, they haven't actually balanced the budget once. And how they sort of play games with the finances, of course, we know that 18 per cent of our civil servants has been cut, and our Province no longer can offer basic government services to its citizens. You know, birth certificates used to take two weeks in Manitoba. Now, we're hearing horror stories of nine months, sometimes longer. And this problem has been going on for years.

And marriage certifi - cates, et cetera; people are having trouble with immi- gration, having trouble with family law issues because they can't get basic documents from this government. It used to take for –you know, a couple weeks t o get a work permit in Manitoba if you needed your licence for work. Now, it takes a minimum four months to get that. And, of course, near in–to my concerns is the huge immigration backlog in Manitoba. We were certainly told that there's literally –there's two civil servants in Manitoba that are respon sible for the Provincial Nominee Program.

That's a program that's supposed to, on a normal year, without a war and a refugee crisis, process 10,000 claims in Manitoba, and you have two people doing it. No w onder there's a backlog. We can't even get more than seven inter national nurses to come to Manitoba in a nursing shortage crisis because we don't have the staff to actually process their claims. We don't have the staff to process refugee claims from Ukr aine because we are so down–such few staff. And this gov ernment has refused in six years to staff up these de partments. These are all policy choices.

The gov ernment is basically saying that they're okay with a lack of service and the disruption and the pain, often, that it causes. Of course, more tragically, they've also cut and privatized road maintenance and snow clearing. Our roads are not safe. Obviously, the tragedies of the roadway have hit very close to home in this Chamber, and you would t hink that would sharpen the gov ern- ment's resolve into acting. And, of course, it simply hasn't. And they're allowing these things to occur, and, of course, yesterday was a 20 -car pile up.

I mean, there are–people get hurt when we don't take governing seriously, when we don't staff our services properly. So the second way that they have tried to manage the province –it's–obviously was reduced staff com - plement, but it's also cuts to health care and education and infrastructure. So this government has not kept up with the rate of inflation in the education system. They haven't kept up with the rate of inflation in the health- care system and they certainly have let our infra- structure deficit balloon. You don't have to look very far other than the municipalities.

I think the City of Winnipeg projects an $11-billion deficit. I think the province–provincial infrastructure deficit is even more than that. Even my own former school division had a 4 or 5 hundred-million-dollar infrastructure deficit. So, those things don't get cheaper when you neglect them and ignore them, and you have to put those in the balance sheet. You can't say that you have a balanced budget when you're allowing the province to literally crumble around you. We're seeing school class sizes balloon, which is absolutely shameful.

In the Pembina Trails portion of my riding, I'm hearing of classrooms of 30, 32 children. That's unheard of in Manitoba–[interjection]

584 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 9, 2022 An Honourable Member: That's not unheard of. My mother taught 40 in grade 3. Mr. Wasyliw: And the gov ernment's reply is, we could be doing even worse, Manitoba. So be thankful that you have 32 kids crammed in a classroom, because it could be 40. That's the mentality of this government. It is so–I think we're going t o put that on a campaign flyer in south Winnipeg because I think that'll be of interest to the good people of Fort Richmond.

So, school class sizes have been ballooning, and that is in nobody's interest because children are not getting the one -on-one atte ntion that they need. If children are vulnerable and they come to school with certain challenges, they are not going to get that sort of one-on-one attention that they need to succeed, and they are going to fall through the cracks.

And it ultimately will end up costing Manitobans more, because if we do a poor job in teaching our children, we will see more expensive outcomes in the criminal justice system, in the health -care system, in the child-welfare system, and it ends up costing all of us. It actua lly makes more fiscal sense to actually invest in edu cation to prevent these things from snowballing and to mitigate the causes of social injustice and poverty in Manitoba. But, of course, this gov ernment doesn't accept that. They think, hey, let's put 40 people in a class - room, and I guess they're not done.

They're not happy with 32 children in a classroom, they want 40, says the minister. We're seeing valuable programs, like full -day kindergarten, which are under threat, which school divisions are looking to cancel. These programs help students who may not have the same advantages as other children to catch up, and it really helps them, you know, basically stay with their classmates and have a real shot at success. So, again, this government would rather sacrifice those vul nerable students than put in the money to actually do a proper job.

And, of course, we know that we are down thousands of nursing positions in Manitoba. Our ICU and hospitals are overrun. We have 160,000 surgical backlog list , and, of course, this has tragic conse - quences. This affects the quality of care. This has most definitely probably resulted in deaths and further more serious illness because we just simply don't have the resources and the staff to address the health needs of Manitoba.

This is exacerbated in rural and northern areas, so that we have two-tier medicine in Manitoba, where your quality of care very much matters where you are from and what your personal circum stances are. And, of course, we have, with this gov ernment, some of the most shameful statistics in Canada: the second highest mortality rate for COVID. We had the–one of the highest, if not the highest, hospital - ization rates. And we, even now, have the highest rate of infections across Canada.

We had some of the deadliest long -term-care facilities during COVID, and, of course there's no action about that; that's due to cuts and underfunding. We can't staff any of these institutions because of nursing shortages and burnout. I had a friend of mine who just recently graduated with–as a registered nurse, and she was apprenticing in eye surgery, and the minute she finished, they were going to move her into an ICU unit, even though she had no training.

And, thankfully, people in her facility were able to prevent that and allow her to actually develop in a normal, professional way in a responsi ble environ - ment. But that's how it's –desperate it has got in Manitoba, where we are sort of fighting over new nurses because this gov ernment has let this p roblem develop into a crisis. So that's how this gov ernment saved money. So they saved money by firing civil service and then providing poor quality civil service. And then, third, the civil servants that they didn't fire, they said, hey, let's just fight with them.

Let's take from them –actually, wage theft, I believe, is the expression, where you had negotiated a contract in good faith that you were getting a cost of living increase to deal with rising inflation, and then what does this government do? Says no, we don't agree with contracts; we don't agree–our word isn't our bond, and you can't have your cost-of-living increase. We don't care if Manitoba families can keep up with inflation and cost of living. * (15:40) And, of course, you know, this government spent six years fighting with various civil servants about this. And of course, they lost.

It an was uncon stitu- tional, illegal bill, and now the bill's due and it's costing this province tens of millions of dollars. The nurses' union alone had to be paid out $216 million in back pay for four years, that this gov ernment refused to honour their agree ments with them and fairly bargain with them.

March 9, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 585 Teachers just received a large settlement –tens of millions of dollars, to the point where basically school divisions were insolvent because they couldn't absorb the extra costs and were restricted by this government from actually raising their own money to cover what the government had done for them. This is going to go into the tens of millions of dollars. If you add up just the nurses and the teachers, you're talking $300 million or more of back pay that this government owed Manitobans.

You can't claim to have slayed the deficit when you had this bill that wasn't paid, just like you can't claim you slayed the deficit when you were allowing our infra structure to crumble into the ground and not repair it. It's basically accounting games. It's not real. So–and then the next wonderful fiscal idea of this government is to cut taxes during this period of time. And they pat them selves routinely on the back that they've cut almost $2 billion in taxes but, of course, whose taxes did they cut? They cut the wealthiest Manitobans' taxes, right?

The wealthiest Manitobans received the lion's share of every single one of this government's tax cuts and what that means is they have pushed the tax burden off of people who can afford to pay onto people who can't. Manitobans who don't have fancy tax lawyers or expensive accounting firms can't claim deduct ions and every thing that the wealthy Manitobans can and, therefore, end up paying a higher proportion of their income in tax to Manitoba. This is rigging the Manitoba economy. It is making it less fair.

And, of course, we have the in - famous scandal of Brian Pallister, the premier, cutting his taxes by $7,000 for his mansion on Wellington Crescent, among others, when the average Manitoban saw a fraction of that. We have a Premier (Mrs. Stefanson) who was a large commercial landlord; a large commercial land- lord who, as Housing minister, was selling off afford- able housing stock, was standing by and allowing a hundred per cent above- guideline rent increase so private landlords could get a windfall and did not build in six years–six years with this government did not build one affordable housing unit.

And then didn't disclose $31 million–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Wasyliw: –in transactions. Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Madam Speaker: Order. Order. Mr. Wasyliw: Now, they–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order, please. Order. Order, please. Order. I'm going to ask members for their co- operation. While members may not like comments that are being made in the House, that is no reason to try to drown them out with heckling. So I'm going to ask for everybody's co -operation. Nobody likes to get heckled down.

We have differences of opinion and everybody is privileged to have differences of opinion but respect- ing those differences of opinion are what we should be able to show in this House. So I'm going to ask for everybody's co-operation, please. Mr. Wasyliw: So, you know, what the Premier did will be illegal after the next election. She voted on that bill, yet in her own business dealings, was prepared to act in the way that she did. Now what does that say? Do you believe in trans- parency and account ability or is that just for other people? And knowing this Pallister-Stefanson govern- ment, it's for other people.

But the point to be made here is that com mercial landlords got the biggest tax cut from this government in Manitoba's history, right? You cannot rig the economy just for you and your political donors. It has to work for all Manitobans. This government cut probate taxes, of all things. Those are fees that the Province administers the wealth of estates. This is money nobody earned that was passed down to them, and there's a modest fee that goes for the adminis tration of unearned wealth. It absolutely goes to the wealthiest in Manitoba.

It has no impact on the economy at all; it is welfare for the rich, and it is a handout and that is the type of tax cuts this government has brought in. This government said, well, wait a minute. We cut PST on insurance. Well, yes, you did. The average person got $75; the average business got $700, almost 10 times that amount. Again, wealthy companies that are doing well, that don't need any kind of cor porate welfare are getting subsidized by this gov ernment, and for every dollar they're not paying, it means some working or middle class Manitoba has to make up that amount.

So we know that none of this makes Manitoba fairer or more inclusive in our economy. Now, in January, the former Finance minister says that there's $600 million in the rainy day fund. He tells us that there 's $391 million in unspent COVID relief. That's in January.

586 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 9, 2022 Ask the minister, the current one, simple question: Where is that billion dollars? And he can't answer. An Honourable Member: Can't or won't? Mr. Wasyliw: He can't. I'm pretty sure he can't. And what does that tell you? That they're now coming back, borrowing $225 million when they literally have cash reserves of $600 million sitting in the bank? They're borrowing money, paying interest on it, when they have a billion dollars in the bank. How is that fiscal management? And, of course, these tax cuts, we didn't actually have the money.

This government borrowed money to give tax cuts to the wealthiest Manitobans. So it's not only an insult to the people who rent in Manitoba who saw their rent subsidy cut and actually lost from this. They're going to have to–and their children have to– pay the interest for large com mercial landlords like our Premier (Mrs. Stefanson) or, you know, wealthy landlords who own estates, like our former premier . They get a break; Manitobans get the bill, right? It's all about being in power in order to reward your friends. An Honourable Member: I resent that. I have no friends. Mr.

Wasyliw: It's the first honest thing he said in this House. So–[interjection]–now, I find it very curious that there seems to be a pattern developing in Manitoba, that every March, a few weeks before the budget comes out, all of a sudden, this government, which has literally billions in the bank, comes back to the Legislature, says, oh, we need more money. Well, really. And when we ask, well, what happened to the billion dollars in the bank, they have no answers, right? We're talking about three weeks, we're going to have a brand new budget where all of this could be there.

So why is this government doing this year after year? Well, I think the answer is obvious. Again, this is more accounting games. They do not want Manitobans to see another $225 million on the books for the next budget, and they're trying to hide it by putting i t in the previous year, right? This is, again, what this gov ernment does; it's all press release politics and it's shuffling money around, and, of course, who loses is Manitobans.

So when we look at what we've actually been given here, another hundred million dollars in internal service adjustments, which the government says, well, they don't know what they're going to need in three weeks for a hundred million dollars. Well, then, why ask for it, right? And we know why: because they have no inten tion of actually spending any of it, and it's going to sit in the bank account. * (15:50) We have seen, over the past year and over the course of the pandemic, that the needs of Manitobans have not been met.

Our health-care system was on the brink of collapse where we actually had to shamefully send 57 ICU patients out of province, and that hasn't been corrected. We're now highway medicine; we have people being shipped all over Manitoba because our hospital space can't cope with it. And this gov ernment h ad the money; they had that billion dollars sitting in the bank, and they refused to spend it. We don't need 32 kids in a classroom, but this gov ernment won't fix a fixable problem. You know, our schools–and my colleague from Transcona is very passionate about that–they haven't been given the tools that they need.

They need infrastructure up- grades; they need air and filtration upgrades that cost money, but this gov ernment isn't prepared to protect children because that costs money. So, not only has this government not ever actually balanced a budget, they've borrowed money for rich people tax cuts –[interjection]–yes, they have paid consultants. They've spent a lot of money on corporate welfare and on consultancy, and Manitobans are poorer for it.

But the biggest issue is all the problems that aren't being solved in Manitoba and that this gov ernment has not only just shown no leadership; has abdicated its respon sibility. It's actually made things worse. Tuition has skyrocketed in Manitoba–skyrocketed. It's making life much less affordable for Manitobans, and it's preventing a lot of families from even being able to access higher education. Child-care fees have gone up in Manitoba. And, of course, this government likes to raise Manitobans' hydro rates and did so again and again and again.

So, certainly more than that $75 they got off of their PST on their insurance. They're spending a lot more money on all kinds of things. This government has made life much, much less affordable for Manitobans. And then, of course, we are now heading into an affordability crisis where we're seeing gas prices go

March 9, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 587 up, and then we'll see grocery prices go up as well because we seem to transport, in this country, our groceries by truck, and this gov ernment has no plan. They don't even seem concerned about it or even interested that it's going on. They haven't raised minimum wage more than a nickel in the past year. I think, in their entire six years of government, they haven't even raised cumulatively minimum wage for a dollar. I don't think we hit the dollar mark in six years.

We are now, to our ever shame, the second lowest juris diction for minimum wage, and for the longest time we had a Finance minister who owned a company that employed low - wage Mani tobans, who had a direct benefit by not paying them and raising their wages. Now we all know that after the next election, that's illegal; you cannot do that. But that minister voted for that bill, knowing full well that it would become law after the nex t election and still did what he did. So, you know, you can't talk out of both sides of your mouth.

If this is, you know, a conflict of interest and you shouldn't be, you know, setting labour rates when you financially benefit by supressing them and keeping them low, why are you doing that? Why are you doing that, right? And, again, it's about using gov ernment, not for the benefit of Manitoban

Document details

Collection	Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	42-4-20
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	42nd 4th hansardpdf 20.pdf
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	a5e807045708e7373e77f30af6164a48342a00a8

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