Manitoba Hansard — 21 April 2021 (Sitting 53, 42nd Legislature, 3rd Session)

42-3-53

Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)

Third 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. LXXV No. 53 - 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 21, 2021 ISSN 0542-5492

MANITOBA LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Forty-Second Legislature Member Constituency Political Affiliation ADAMS, Danielle Thompson NDP ALTOMARE, Nello Transcona NDP ASAGWARA, Uzoma Union Station NDP BRAR, Diljeet Burrows NDP BUSHIE, Ian Keewatinook NDP CLARKE, Eileen, Hon. Agassiz PC COX, Cathy, Hon. Kildonan-River East PC CULLEN, Cliff, Hon. Spruce Woods PC DRIEDGER, Myrna, Hon. Roblin PC EICHLER, Ralph, Hon. 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 Assiniboia PC KINEW, Wab Fort Rouge NDP LAGASSÉ, Bob Dawson Trail PC LAGIMODIERE, Alan 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 PALLISTER, Brian, Hon. Fort Whyte PC PEDERSEN, Blaine, Hon. Midland PC PIWNIUK, Doyle Turtle Mountain PC REYES, Jon Waverley PC SALA, Adrien St. James NDP SANDHU, Mintu The Maples NDP SCHULER, Ron, Hon.

Springfield-Ritchot PC SMITH, Andrew 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

2583 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA Wednesday, April 21, 2021 The House met at 1:30 p.m. Clerk (Ms. Patricia Chaychuk): It is my duty to inform the House that the Speaker is unavoidably absent. Therefore, in accordance with the statutes, I would ask the Deput y Speaker to please take the Chair. Mr. Deputy Speaker (Doyle Piwniuk): O Eternal and Almighty God, from Whom all power and wisdom come, we are assembled here before Thee to frame such laws may tend to the welfare and prosperity of our province.

Grant, O merciful God, we pray Thee, that we may desire only in which is in accordance with Thy will, that we seek it with wisdom, know it with certainty and accomplish it perfectly for the glory and honour of Thy name and for the welfare of all our people. Amen. Please be seated. Good afternoon, everyone. ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS Mr. Deputy Speaker: Introduction of bills? COMMITTEE REPORTS Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development Eighth Report Mr. Andrew Micklefield (Chairperson): Mr. Speaker, I wish to present the eighth report on the Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development. Clerk (Ms.

Patricia Chaychuk): Your Standing Committee on Social and Economic– Some Honourable Members: Dispense. Mr. Deputy Speaker: Dispense. Your Standing Com mittee on Social and Economic Development presents the following as its Eighth Report. Meetings Your Committee met on April 20, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. in Room 254 of the Legislative Building. Matters under Consideration • Bill (No. 15) – The Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation Amendment Act (Claim Dispute Tribunal)/Loi modifiant la

Loi sur la Société d'assurance publique du Manitoba (tribunal de règlement des différends en matière de demandes d'indemnisation) • Bill (No. 22) – The Credit Unions and Caisses Populaires Amendment Act/Loi modifiant la

Loi sur les caisses populaires et les credit unions • Bill (No. 30) – The Consumer Protection Amendment Act/Loi modifiant la

Loi sur la protection du consommateur • Bill (No. 48) – The Fiscal Responsibility and Taxpayer Protection Amendment Act/Loi modifiant la

Loi sur la responsabilité financière et la protection des contribuables Committee Membership As per the Sessional Order passed by the House on October 7, 2020 and further amended on December 3, 2020, Rule 83(2) was waived for the April 20, 2021 meeting, reducing the membership to six Members (4 Government and 2 Official Opposition). • Hon. Mr. FIELDING • Mr. MICKLEFIELD • Mr. SANDHU • Mr. SMITH (Lagimodière) • Mr. WASYLIW • Hon. Mr. WHARTON Your Committee elected Mr. MICKLEFIELD as the Chairperson. Your Committee elected Mr. SMITH (Lagimodière) as the Vice-Chairperson.

Non-Committee Members Speaking on Record • Mr. LAMONT Substitutions received during the committee proceedings: • Mr. MALOWAY for Mr. SANDHU

2584 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 21, 2021 Public Presentations Your Committee heard the following two presen- tations on Bill (No. 15) – The Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation Amendment Act (Claim Dispute Tribunal)/Loi modifiant la

Loi sur la Société d'assurance publique du Manitoba (tribunal de règlement des différends en matière de demandes d'indemnisation): Dean Scaletta, Private Citizen Robert Dawso n, Manitoba Used Car Dealers' Association Your Committee heard the following two presentations on Bill (No. 48) – The Fiscal Responsibility and Taxpayer Protection Amendment Act/Loi modifiant la

Loi sur la responsabilité financière et la protection des contribuables: Molly McCracken, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives Shawna Finnegan, Private Citizen Written Submissions Your Committee received the following written submission on Bill (No. 48) – The Fiscal Respon- sibility and Taxpayer Protection Amendment Act/Loi modifiant la

Loi sur la responsabilité financière et la protection des contribuables: Kevin Rebeck, Manitoba Federation of Labour Bills Considered and Reported • Bill (No. 15) – The Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation Amendment Act (Claim Dispute Tribunal)/Loi modifiant la

Loi sur la Société d'assurance publique du Manitoba (tribunal de règlement des différends en matière de demandes d'indemnisation) Your Committee agreed to report this Bill without amendment. • Bill (No. 22) – The Credit Unions and Caisses Populaires Amendment Act/Loi modifiant la

Loi sur les caisses populaires et les credit unions Your Committee agreed to report this Bill without amendment. • Bill (No. 30) – The Consumer Protection Amendment Act/Loi modifiant la

Loi sur la protection du consommateur Your Committee agreed to report this Bill without amendment. • Bill (No. 48) – The Fiscal Responsibility and Taxpayer Protection Amendment Act/Loi modifiant la

Loi sur la responsabilité financière et la protection des contribuables Your Committee agreed to report this Bill without amendment. Mr. Micklefield: I move, seconded by the honourable member for Kildonan-River East (Mrs. Cox), that the report of the committee be received. Motion agreed to. Standing Committee on Agriculture and Food First Report Mr. Dennis Smook (Chairperson): I wish to present the first report of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Food. Clerk: Your Standing Committee on Agriculture and Food– An Honourable Member: Dispense. Mr. Deputy Speaker: Dispense.

Your Standing Committee on Agricul ture and Food presents the following as its First Report. Meetings Your Committee met on April 20, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. in Room 255 of the Legislative Building. Matters under Consideration • Bill (No. 36) – The Public Health Amendment Act (Food Safety and Other Amendments)/Loi modifiant la

Loi sur la santé publique (salubrité des aliments et modifications connexes) • Bill (No. 62) – The Animal Diseases Amendment Act/Loi modifia nt la

Loi sur les maladies des animaux Committee Membership As per the Sessional Order passed by the House on October 7, 2020 and further amended on December 3, 2020, Rule 83(2) was waived for the April 20, 2021 meeting, reducing the membership to six Members (4 Government and 2 Official Opposition). • Mr. BRAR • Hon. Ms. CLARKE • Mr. MICHALESKI • Hon Mr. PEDERSEN • Mr. SALA • Mr. SMOOK

April 21, 2021 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2585 Your Committee elected Mr. SMOOK as the Chairperson. Your Committee elected Mr. MICHALESKI as the Vice-Chairperson. Non-Committee Members Speaking on Record • Hon. Mr. GERRARD Public Presentations Your Committee heard the following presentation on Bill (No. 36) – The Public Health Amendment Act (Food Safety and Other Amendments)/Loi modifiant la

Loi sur la santé publique (salubrité des aliments et modifications connexes): Phillip Veldhuis, Direct Farm Manitoba Your Committee heard the following 27 presentations on Bill (No. 62) – The Animal Diseases Amen dment Act/Loi modifiant la

Loi sur les maladies des animaux: Miranda Desa, Last Chance for Animals Kaitlyn Mitchell, Animal Justice Tracy Groenewegen, Private citizen Brittany Semeniuk, Winnipeg Humane Society Jodi Lazare, Private citizen Debbie Wall, Private citizen Shawn Kettner, Private citizen Sandra Currie, Private citizen Patrick Falconer, Private citizen Elizabeth McCandless, Private citizen Corey Feere, Manitoba Animal Save Bill Campbell, President, Keystone Agricultural Producers Cam Dahl, Manitoba Pork Cory Rybuck, Manitoba Egg Farmers Kurt Siemens, Siemens Farms Limited Andrew Dickson, Private citizen Krista Krueger, Private citizen Kristin Lauhn-Jensen, Private citizen Carmen Asu, Private citizen Jessica Scott-Reid, Private citizen Christal Sudoski, Private citizen Tyler Fulton, Manitoba Beef Producers Janice Pennington, Private citizen Stefanie Allard, Private citizen Accalia Robertson, Private citizen Justin Reineke, Private citizen David Wiens, Chair, Dairy Farmers of Manitoba Written Submissions Your Committee received the following 16 written submissions on Bill (No. 62) – The Animal Diseases Amendment Act/Loi modifiant la

Loi sur les maladies des animaux: Brandi Vezina, Private citizen Ashoke Dasgupta, Private citizen Kristy Carroll, Private citizen Michael Prout, Private citizen Ann Walker, Private citizen Eugene Szach, Private citizen Danae Tonge, Private citizen Bonnie Brandt, Private citizen Ashley Chihonik, Private citizen Robert Driedger, Private citizen Larry Palmquist, Private citizen Julie Lafreniere, Private citizen Victoria Caldwell, Private citizen Shari Lee Block, Private citizen Scott Tinney, Canadian Coalition for Farm Animals Lynn Kavanagh, World Animal Protection Bills Considered and Reported • Bill (No. 36) – The Public Health Amendment Act (Food Safety and Other Amendments)/Loi modifiant la

Loi sur la santé publique (salubrité des aliments et modifications connexes) Your Committee agreed to r eport this Bill without amendment. • Bill (No. 62) – The Animal Diseases Amendment Act/Loi modifiant la

Loi sur les maladies des animaux Your Committee agreed to report this Bill without amendment. Mr. Smook: I mo ve, seconded by the honourable member for Dauphin (Mr. Michaleski), that the report of the committee be received. Motion agreed to. Mr. Deputy Speaker: Tabling of reports? Ministerial statements? MEMBERS' STATEMENTS School Bus Driver Day Hon. Wayne Ewas ko (Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Immigration): I am pleased to rise today to remind all members that the third Wednesday of April each year is known as School Bus Driver Day in Manitoba.

It was almost six years ago that I brought forward this legislation in which The School Bus Driver Day Act was unani - mously proclaimed.

2586 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 21, 2021 As part of Education Week 2021, and in light of the ongoing pandemic, school bus drivers throughout the province continue to be on the front lines of the education system and have an important responsibility in the safe transport of students to and from school each and every day. Bus drivers are often the first person that students see each morning before classes begin and one of the last that students see at the end of the school day. In addition, school bus drivers also transport students to and from field trips, sporting events and other activities.

I know first-hand the role that school bus drivers play in my own household over the years. My two sons benefited and relied on school bus drivers during their years in elementary, junior high and high school to safely bring them to and from school. My youngest son, Jarvis, will be graduating from high school this June from École Edward- Schreyer School in Beausejour, and while he now has his own driver's licence and drives to and from school these days, he often shares with me what an important and invaluable service that bus drivers played over the years.

We often talk about teamwork, and this is espe - cially true in the education context. Not only do parents, teachers, classmates and staff play an integral role in shaping one's learning development, but school bus drivers as well. Finally, Mr. Deputy Speaker, I want to remind all members that when you are driving near or around school buses that you continue to exercise caution and care. Please remember to slow down and stop whenever you see the sto p sign marker extended or flashing red lights activated on a school bus. Getting kids to and from school safely is theirs and our No. 1 priority. Thank you, Mr.

Deputy Speaker. Learning Disabilities Association of Manitoba Ms. Lisa Naylor (Wolseley): The Learning Disabilities Association of Manitoba is celebrating their 55th anniversary, and I am so pleased to recog- nize them in the Legislature today. LDAM was funded in 1966 by a group of parents who found support in each other. It has since grown into a multi -faceted agency, serving 600 children, youth and adults each year. One challenge that people with learning dis - abilities and attention deficit disorders face is that there are no physical indicators of a disability.

Children are often misunderstood because they learn differently or are assumed to have behavioural issues. Parents can feel ashamed, desperate or powerless, and siblings can feel frustrated or overlooked. In addition to the educational challenges with reading, writing and math skills, living with a learning disability can have an ongoing impact on friendships, employment, self-esteem and daily life. Mental health can be adversely affected if learning disabilities aren't diagnosed and appropriate supports provided.

LDAM works to end the stigma surrounding learning disabilities and attention deficit disorder so that children and adults in Manitoba can get the support they need with the goals of empowerment and fostering self-esteem. LDAM provides a wide range of responsive program ming, from locally developed parent support workshops to international programs based on the latest neuroplasticity research. * (13:40) LDAM is the only agency in Manitoba that works specifically with learning disabilities and ADHD.

Dedicated program staff express gratitude to do the work they do and are excited about the ways that programming has adapted and thrived over the course of the pandemic. They provide post-secondary student practicum opportunities, and their work is supported by many volunteers , fundraising efforts and the United Way. Please join me in congratulating the Learning Disabilities Association on this milestone and thanking them for 55 years of service to families in this province. Assiniboia Chamber of Commerce Mr.

Scott Johnston (Assiniboia): I speak today to the business successes in my community due to the involvement of the Assiniboia Chamber of Commerce. The Assiniboia Chamber of Commerce received its charter in 1959, and they amalgamated 10 years later with the St. James Chamber of Commerce to become St. James-Assiniboia Chamber of Commerce. In an annual general meeting in 1996, their name changed for the final time to become the Assiniboia Chamber of Commerce, as they are known today. For 91 years, the St. James-Assiniboia's business community has been well represented by the

April 21, 2021 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2587 chamber of commerce, who have provided effective representation for more than 100,000 citizens and 4,000 businesses in west Winnipeg. The main ob - jective of the Assiniboia Chamber of Commerce is to be an effective advocate for businesses and the community, with input from their members. Under the CEO, Kristi Meek, and the guidance of their board of directors, St.

James -Assiniboia Chamber of Commerce–or the Assiniboia Chamber of Commerce continues to work diligently with the provincial government, ensuring they provide the most up-to-date COVID-19 response information to their memberships and the overall business com - munity. Through the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, the Manitoba government is providing millions of dollars for a program that provides financial relief in the dine-in restaurants affected by the movement of critical red on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System.

The Assiniboia Chamber of Commerce were advocates of this initiative and certainly works with the business community within our community to help ensure that they're able to prosper. Mr. Deputy Speaker, I wish to thank the Assiniboia Chamber of Commerce for their exem - plary advocacy– Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable member's time is up. The honourable member for Thompson. An Honourable Member: Leave. Mr. Deputy Speaker: Is there leave for the member from–I mean, for Assiniboia, to finish his member statement? [Agreed] Mr.

Johnston: I wish to thank the Assiniboia Chamber of Commerce for their exemplary advocacy for the businesses in St. James-Assiniboia and for the betterment of all Manitoba citizens. Thank you. Education Modernization Act Ms. Danielle Adams (Thompson): Bill 64, The Education Modernization Act, is a disaster for education in Manitoba. Bill 64 will completely dis - mantle the education system as we know it and centralize all power under the Pallister government. This bill replaces Manitoba's 37 school divisions with 15 regional councils, including combining all northern school divisions into one.

It also gets rids of school boards and excludes principals and vice -principals from their union. This change removes decision making from the local level and puts it in the hands of this new authority hand-picked by the Premier (Mr. Pallister). This will reduce transparency, accountability, and the Province will now have total control over northern education. Education is not a one-size-fits-all, cookie- cutter approach, and having decision making at the local le vel is essential to our democracy.

Unfor - tunately, this government doesn't seem to understand that and, in the face of widespread criticism to Bill 64, they don't seem to listen or even care. Pallister government says Bill 64 will improve learning outcomes for Manitoba children. But on this side of the House we know poverty's the leading cause into lower educational results. This government didn't mention poverty once throughout Bill 64, which shows Manitobans just how disconnected they are – actually are f rom addressing the root causes of learning challenges.

It's hard to trust that the Province will take appropriate decisions regarding what is best for northern education when they have ignored our region for years. And the further away from north–education decisions get away from classrooms, harder it is to make proper decisions for our children. It simply doesn't make sense to have someone in Winnipeg deciding how schools are run. Bill 64 empowers educators –Bill 64 won't empower educators, families or Manitoban children. This bill– Mr.

Deputy Speaker: The honourable member's time is up. [interjection] The honourable member's time is up. [interjection] Your time is up. [interjection] The honourable member for Thompson. RM of St. Clements Hon. Jeff Wharton (Minister of Crown Services): I rise in the House today to bring awareness to the community profile of the RM of St. Clements. The Rural Municipality of St. Clements is one of the fastest growing municipalities in Manitoba. The municipality's western boundary runs along the Red River and Lake Winnipeg from south of Lockport, then northward to Grand Beach Provincial Park.

Eastward, the boundary site adjacent to the munici - palities of Alexander, Lac du Bonnet, Brokenhead and Springfield.

2588 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 21, 2021 Mr. Deputy Speaker, the terrain is–in the RM of St. Clements is diverse, from rolling plains to rich forest and marshland to pristine beaches. The muni - cipality is home to an ecological preserve and provincial parks, both rich and beautiful, with varied landscapes. Al so housed within the RM are the communities of East Selkirk, Grand Marais, Libau and Lockport. Mr. Deputy Speaker, known for its many parks and beaches –beach communities, the RM of St.

Clements is the place to go for relaxation and recreation activities in every season, from swimming and boating in the summer to fishing, hunting and hiking in the spring and fall to snowmobiling and skiing in the winter. Sitting at the northern edge of the municipality is Grand Beach Provincial Park on Lake Winnipeg, Ma nitoba's most popular tourist destination on–in the province on the largest lake in Manitoba. Mr. Deputy Speaker, during these difficult COVID times, the RM of St. Clements provides one of the best staycation places in the province.

I would like to ask my colleagues to join me in acknowledging Mayor Debbie Fiebelkorn from the RM of St. Clements, who is joining us virtually today. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. ORAL QUESTIONS Health-Care System Nurse Staffing Levels Mr. Wab Kinew (Leader of the Off icial Opposition): Mr. Deputy Speaker, hallway medicine has returned to Manitoba, and now we know why. It's because of the cuts that the PCs have made to health care. There are 1,300 fewer nurses working at the bed- side than are needed right now. There are 1,300 vacant positions in Winnipeg alone at hospitals like the Grace.

It's no wonder that we're hearing those terrible stories about seniors being left in hallways for five days. I'll table the document that proves that the government is leaving 1,300 vacant positions for nurses, positions unfilled. When will the Premier stop his cuts to health care and fix the nursing staff shortage? Hon. Brian Pallister (Premier): There are presently 1,700 more nurses working in the province than was ever the case under the NDP. The NDP had close to two decades to fix health care and they didn't do it. To put it mildly, they made the wrong choices.

When seniors needed personal -care homes they didn't build them. When patients needed shorter wait times, they got t he longest wait times in Canada. So the member shouldn't run from his record or that of his party. Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a supplementary question. Mr. Kinew: Well, Mr. Deputy Speaker, we know what the Premier's done. He fires 3,000 nurses, hires back 1,700 and then puts up a mission accomplished sign. If only there was some way to cut through his rhetoric. Well, in fact , there is.

The very same document that I tabled and he refused to look at, I will table again. It shows that in Winnipeg there are 1,300 nursing positions vacant. What that means is that if the baseline for staffing was here, the amount that the PCs are funding is way down here at a level 1,300 nurses shorter than what is actually needed to care for patients in hospitals across the city. When is the Premier going to stop these cuts? And when is he going to address the nursing staff shortage? * (13:50) Mr. Pallister: Well, again, Mr.

Deputy Speaker, I can only say to the member that 1,700 additional nurses have been added since June of 2019. Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a final supplementary question. [interjection] Order. Mr. Kinew: Mr. Deputy Speaker, when the Premier gives his answer more slowly, it just means that he's wrong and slow. It doesn't change anything about the veracity of his statement. When we dive into the numbers in the document that I tabled, we see that there are 20 per cent of nursing positions at the Grace vacant –20 per cent of nursing positions are vacant at the Grace.

That is why that 93-year-old that we talked about yesterday had to wait in the hospital for five days. And it's because of their cuts. We know that there's a 22 per cent vacancy rate for nursing positions at the St. Boniface emergency room–22 per cent. That's more than one in five nursing positions that are left vacant. The people left holding the bag are the patients.

April 21, 2021 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2589 Meanwhile, the Premier's making his plans to jet off to Costa Rica. Before he leaves, will he fix the staffing shortage of nurses that he has caused with his cuts? Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable First Minister. [interjection] Order. Mr. Pallister: I've never been charged with a crime, but if I was I'd show up for my court date, Mr. Deputy Speaker. All I can say to the member: he references wrong and slow. Well, he's wrong in each of his

preambles, but the NDP was never slow. No, wait, they were always slow. When it came time to invest in personal -care homes, they were slow. When it came to shorten wait times, they were slow. When it came time to lower ambulance fees, they were slow. They've been slow forever, Mr. Deputy Speaker, when it comes to putting patients first. We put patients first on this side of the House. Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a different question. Mr. Kinew: Let's speed things up for the Premier's benefit on the other side there.

The 20 per cent vacant nursing positions in the Grace Hospital emergency room, that 's why the 93-year-old woman had to wait in the hospital for five days. The 22 per cent vacant nursing positions at the St. Boniface emergency room, that's why people are speaking up about the rough conditions for patients in that hospital. And when we l ook at the reasons why, it's not only because of the failed consolidation plan that this PC government has implemented; it's also because of the cuts that they agreed on at the Cabinet table.

In the budget that they tabled this year, there are $13 million less for emergency rooms, $13 million less for bedside care in the ERs. You wonder why more than one in five positions are empty in some of these ERs? It's because they cut the funding, leaving the nurses to try and hold our health- care system together– Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable first –leader's time is up. Mr. Pallister: Three quarters of a million–of a, sorry, of a billion dollars more invested in health care than ever under the NDP is hardly descriptive of what the member is referring to. Seve nteen hundred more nurses since June of 2019.

The member is wrong and he knows he's wrong, but he has nothing else to go on, so I expect he'll continue to be wrong while we stick up for Manitoba patients. Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a supplementary question. Mr. Kinew: So, again, the patients are speaking out; the conditions that they are being forced to endure in emergency rooms under the PCs are terrible. It is the return of hallway medicine to Manitoba. Manitobans are speaking out.

They want a strong health-care system, and they know that they won't get it with this PC government in place. And the facts themselves are speaking out. I will table again, because the Premier refuses to face the facts. Perhaps this time he will have the courage necessary to look at the document that shows that there are 1,300 nursing positions vacant in Winnipeg hospitals alone. When is the Premier going to stop the health-care cuts and when will he end the nursing staff shortage? Mr. Pallister: Well, I've got the courage of –I never beat anybody up, but if I did, I wouldn't blame them, Mr.

Deputy Speaker, so I don't need a lecture on courage from the member opposite. On the issue of emergency rooms, all I can say is that they were functioning only as waiting rooms under the NDP, with the longest waits in the country. The longest waits in the country for emergency services were under the NDP. And the fact the member doesn't acknowledge that, or doesn't understand it, which is even worse, shows that he's not ready to be accountable for his own actions, for his own decisions, for his own behaviours. And certainly he's trying to run away from those. [interjection] Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. Mr.

Pallister: But as he runs away, Mr. Deputy Speaker, he's running away from understanding what we understand: that cleaning up the NDP mess is what we're about and recreating it is what he's about. Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a final supplementary question.

2590 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 21, 2021 COVID-19 Pandemic Response Workplace Transmission Data Mr. Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): Well, some of the members opposite have been here long enough to know what it's like to see a government that has nothing left but ad hominem attacks to share as a message, and now they're certainly seeing a repeat of that with this Premier in office and with this Cabinet in place. So, again, we know–[interjection] Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. Mr. Kinew: –what is happening in the emergency rooms. It's terrible.

We know that it's a result of the cuts to health care. But when it comes to the pandemic response, what is needed is an accurate snapshot of what is happening with community transmission. That can only happen with the public release of workplace transmission data. The information that's on the record is months old, and yet the Premier goes out and relies on anecdotal information, trying to blame parents, trying to blame people in the community for causing spread. We know, in fact, that we should have a clearer picture of what's happening with workplace transmission.

Will the Premier announce today his commitment to release up -to-date statistics on workplace transmission of COVID-19? Hon. Brian Pallister (Premier): Yes, there are a lot of members here who saw a tired, old government that had run out of ideas and started to rebel against itself, and it was called the NDP government– Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Mr. Pallister: And then the member–and the member opposite throws Greg Selinger–[interjection] Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. Mr. Pallister: –right under the bus again. There he goes again. It's everybody else's fault but his.

But, you know, all I can say to you, Deputy Speaker, is this, that we're going to continue to stand up for better health care for Manitobans. The NDP created a massive problem: long wait times, doctor recruitment was miserable, people were staying in places in hospitals when they should have been in seniors homes they never built. We're building seniors homes. We're shortening wait times. We're lowering ambulance fees. And this is the middle of a pandemic, and all the Leader of the Opposition can do is try to make political hay out of it. Isn't tha t a shame, Mr. Deputy Speaker.

Winnipeg Hospitals Staff Vacancy Rate MLA Uzoma Asagwara (Union Station): There are nearly 1,300 nurse vacancies in health facilities in Winnipeg. That's a rate of nearly 17 per cent, and that's not including personal -care homes that face tremendous staffing challenges during the pandemic. There's not–that's just not the care that we need by the bedside. Needed funding is certainly not getting to the front lines, and since the start of this pandemic, more and more posi tions are empty. The problem is getting worse, not better. When will the minister address this and finally staff up Winnipeg hospitals? Hon.

Heather Stefanson (Minister of Health and Seniors Care): We're addressing it each and every day. In fact, we are implementing the Peachey report that I know members opposite didn't have the courage to move forward with, and, as a result of that, they shut down 17 rural hospitals in Manitoba. There was–you know, the member opposite wants to talk about hallway medicine. Under the previous NDP government there were dozens upon dozens upon dozens of patients in the hallways in our hospitals, Mr. Speaker. In fact, there were so many that they were forced to go onto the highway to be able to get medicine.

We will take no lessons from members opposite when it comes to health. [interjection] Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. The honourable member for Union Station, on a supplementary question. MLA Asagwara: Mr. Deputy Speaker, in 1,300 cases Manitobans are looking for care by the bedside, only to find an empty space. Nurses are missing in nearly 17 per cent of spaces in Winnipeg hospitals. That's concerning to us and should be concerning to the minister. St. 'Bonace'–St. Boniface emergency room has a vacancy rate of 20 per cent.

We've heard concerning patient stories, and while an overburdened staff, they're doing their absolute best beside the beds, there's too many circumstances where patients are just not getting the care they deserve. Emergency care has

April 21, 2021 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2591 had this problem increase since consolidation. It's a system that has been run too thin for far too long. * (14:00) Why is the minister not ensuring care by the bedside in our emergency rooms? Mrs. Stefanson: Mr. Speaker, we are working very closely with our health regions to address these issues and eliminate bottlenecks in patient flow so we can ensure Manitobans get the care that they need, unlike members opposite, who force people into not only hallways but onto highways in order to get the care that they needed.

We're going to ensure, through our changes in our health-care system, that Manitobans have better health care sooner and closer to home. Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable member for Union Station, on a final supplementary question. MLA Asagwara: Mr. Depu ty Speaker, there's a nursing shortage in Manitoba. That's what Lanette Siragusa says. The minister can see it in the data: 20 per cent vacancy at Grace emergency room, 22 per cent vacancy at St. Boniface ER. The minister can also see it–[interjection] Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order.

MLA Asagwara: –in surgical sites, which we previously brought attention to in this House. There is less care by the bedside in surgical sites than before this pandemic. Other provinces have pushed their surgical wait times down. Manitoba doesn't have the staff to keep up with the normal surgical backload and workload before this pandemic, and it's long time past the minister staffed up. Will the minister finally deal with this, and will she commit to doing so today? Mrs. Stefanson: We've hired 1,700 nurses since June of 2019, and we'll continue to hire more nurses each and every day.

We're working hard to increase our capacity within our hospital systems. Thirty -seven registered nurses have recently completed the Critical Car e Nursing Orientation Program. All of them have been offered full -time, permanent positions in Manitoba ICUs. Forty more registered nurses are signed up for the Critical Care Nursing Orientation Program. The first class that–started just, in fact, a couple of days ago, Mr. Speaker. Again, members opposite were –at of time when they had doesn't of people in the hallways, dozens of people on the highways. We don't want to go back.

Manitobans doesn't want to go back to those dark days– Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable minister's time is up. [interjection] Order. Order. Glucose Monitoring Devices Pharmacare Coverage for All Ms. Malaya Marcelino (Notre Dame): In January of this year, Diabetes Canada made the following recommendations to the government of Manitoba: publicly fund advanced glucose monitoring devices for Manitobans with diabetes who would benefit and eliminate the age restriction on the insulin pump program. Diabetes is a lifelong disease, but for some reason this government capped the age of coverage to 25.

Will the minister make coverage available for all Manitobans, including those over the age of 25? [interjection] Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. Order. Hon. Heather Stefanson (Minister of Health and Seniors Care): The member opposite wi ll know that in the recent budget that was introduced by our Minister of Finance (Mr. Fielding), it offered continuous glucose monitors for those individuals up to age 25, as well as insulin pumps to those up to age 25. And that was a significant increas e over the previous NDP government, who did absolutely nothing for these individuals in 17 years.

Members opposite voted against this. Shame on them. [interjection] Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. Order. Order. The Speaker's actually standing right now, just to remind everyone. The honourable member for Notre Dame, on a supplementary question. Ms. Marcelino: Investing in preventative health care saves money in the long run. The cost that the government pays to treat just one person who requires dialysis is approximately $60,000 per year, while the cost of a year of continuous glucose monitors for one person is somewhere between 3,000 and 6,000 dollars per year.

2592 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 21, 2021 In the long run, publicly funded diabetes equip- ment for all Manitobans will save this gover nment money and, more importantly, it will save lives. [interjection] Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. Ms. Marcelino: Will the minister commit to extending this coverage to all Manitobans with diabetes? Mrs. Stefanson: In fact, we did extend the coverage of continuous glucose monitors, as well as the insulin pumps, to age 25. I'll remind members opposite that they did nothing in the 17 years that they were in government.

They had a chance to do something to help these individuals out; they did nothing. As a matter of fact, Mr. Speaker, just this week we were able to vote–or maybe that was last week–we were able to vote on the budget, and members opposite, each and every one of them, voted against the increase for the continuous glucose monitoring and the insulin pumps for those Manitobans suffering with 'diabilites'–diabetes. [interjection] Mr. Deputy Speaker: Clock's ticking. The honourable member for Notre Dame, on a final supplementary question. Ms.

Marcelino: Manitobans with the lowest income have almost double the rate of diabetes compared to Manitobans with the highest income. We know that many Manitobans who struggle with diabetes simply cannot afford to spend thousands of dollars a year on this equipment. Manitobans who are full time, making minim um wage with no benefits would have to spend over 10 per cent of their pre -tax income to gain access to this life-saving equipment. Will the minister commit to eliminating these cost barriers for all Manitobans with diabetes? Mrs.

Stefanson: I, along with many of my colleagues on this side of the House, had the opportunity to– [interjection]–had the–[interjection] Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. Mrs. Stefanson: –had the opportunity to meet with many Manitobans and hear their stories when it comes to diabetes . And we listened to them, Mr. Speaker. That's why we introduced, in our budget, an increase in the coverage for the insulin pumps as well as the introduction of the coverage of the continuous glucose monitors.

Members opposite –now, we recognize there's more work to be done, but we've certainly done a lot more than the NDP ever did when they were in power. Mr. Speaker, we will take no lessons from members opposite. We will continue to protect those Manitobans with diabetes. [interjection] Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. Order. Rising Carbon Price Government Position Ms. Lisa Naylor (Wolseley): Mr. Deputy Speaker, the Premier is wasting public money on a doomed legal fight over a rising price on carbon.

It's needless, as every major political party, includ ing Conservatives, have now proposed a rising carbon price of one kind or another. The Premier's posturing on this issue never made sense; it makes less sense now. Does the Premier support a rising carbon price as proposed by their federal cousins, and w ould he continue legal proceedings against a Prime Minister O'Toole, yes or no? Hon. Sarah Guillemard (Minister of Conservation and Climate): I appreciate any questions coming from members opposite about our Climate and Green Plan.

We have maintained th at it is specific to Manitoba and it is best for Manitobans, and we will continue to advocate for Manitobans, as we have throughout the years that we've been in government, unlike the NDP, who had written their plan for climate and emissions reductions on the back of a napkin. Mr. Deputy Speaker, we will do better. [interjection] Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. The honourable member for Wolseley, on a supplementary question. Ms. Naylor: Mr.

Deputy Speaker, the Pallister government is in a losing legal fight, arguing that they can reduce more greenhouse gases by fiddling with the timing of a carbon price. But this argument is now irrelevant as every major federal party has now proposed a rising carbon price into the future. * (14:10) The Premier and his clerk's on- again, off -again carbon pricing plan is offside with the proposals of

April 21, 2021 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2593 every major political party in Ottawa, including their own. It's time to end the theatre. Does the Premier support a rising carbon price as proposed by their federal cousins? Yes or no? Hon. Brian Pallister (Premier): Well, we are in –at the Supreme Court level with our defence of Manitoba's interests. We believe that Manitoba deserves respect and credit for our green record, our green investments. And we think that that's the right thing to do.

We don't think it's right, as apparently the NDP members do, to see the average homeowner pay $885 more for natural gas every year. We think that's a bad idea. Think people in the North wouldn't like that. We think people who have houses that need heating wouldn't like that. So–[interjection] Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. Order. The–I just want to remind the member for Flin Flon, if –you're not allowed to heckle from the virtual site. Mr. Pallister: Thank you, Mr.

Deputy Chair, and I apologize for the choking here, I'm just so excited about the fact that the NDP and Liberal parties have joined together to decide that Manitoba should be punished, while every other province to the east of us from Quebec throughout the Maritimes should be given an exception with a plan that is less stringent than the one our government has developed with the help of Manitobans. Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable member for Wolseley, on a final supplementary question. The honourable member for Wolseley , if you could unmute your mic.

North End Water Treatment Plant Provincial Funding for Project Ms. Lisa Naylor (Wolseley): Mr. Deputy Speaker, Manitobans are exhausted by the lack of action from this government. It's been five years. It's time, and this government, all they do is waste public money on a losing court fight. They're leaving serious priorities unaddressed. Costs for the North End water treatment plant have climbed by over $65 million before a foot of concrete has been poured. This government's fantasies regarding public -private partnership have delayed investment and real action on a project that must get done.

Will the Pallister government get back to the table and ensure this project proceeds with matching dollars and without delay? Hon. Brian Pallister (Premier): It's apparent the NDP's position is to do what Ottawa wants. Our position's to stand up for Manitobans. We don't think that it's advantageous in a province that depends on agriculture to punish farmers. We don't think it's 'advantaginse' a promise –with lots of northern residents to punish them for having to drive some - where or to heat their own homes.

And we don't think it's advantageous to invent a plan which doesn't work, and Ottawa's done that as a backstop, when we have a better plan. So while the NDP decides to take sides with Ottawa, we'd decided to take sides on behalf of Manitobans. Catalytic Converters Theft Prevention Mr. Jim Maloway (Elmwood): My question– [interjection] Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. Mr. Maloway: –is to the Premier. My constituents report a notable increase in catalytic converter thefts. Organized criminals are climbing under parked vehicles and cutting out these units, selling their valuable metals for scrap.

The trade in scrap metal is basicall y a cash transaction that requires no ID. The problem has increased as the price of exotic metals has skyrocketed. To stop this, transactions in scrap metals need to be tracked. Will the Pallister government take action to help prevent these thefts? Hon. Brian Pallister (Premier): I think I'm catching on to the NDP theme in this question period. The member for Elmwood should take respon- sibility for not supplying insulin equipment to people under the age of 25 in our province.

The member for Elmwood s hould share the responsibility, most certainly, of the health -care deterioration that we're cleaning up. And I do understand now why the member for Elmwood took NDP right off his signs when he ran for office. Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. Order.

2594 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 21, 2021 The honourable member for Elmwood, on a supplementary question. Mr. Maloway: I have to remind the Premier, and we have told him this before, he's welcome to come on over to Elmwood, and I will be happy to show him hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of signs with NDP on them. And they'll be up in the next election. So, Mr. Deputy Speaker, when these – [interjection] Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. Mr.

Maloway: –when the catalytic converters are stolen, when these thefts happen to Manitobans, not only are the people inconvenienced by the damage to their vehicles, they also have to pay for the costs out of pocket. MPIC won't cover full value. So this further penalizes hundreds of Manitobans. Sellers of such metals should provide photo ID and records of all transactions to be held for five years. We can curtail these crimes, but only through decisive action. When will this government– Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable member's time is up. Mr.

Pallister: I–when I was referring to the member taking the words New Democrat off his signs, I was referring to his provincial campaign, not his federal one. So, just to be clear, I know that he was referring to old signs, but I was referring to the Kinew ones. Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. Order. Order. I'm standing right now. Should be quiet. I'm unable to hear the member for Elmwood even ask his question. So I want silence for –until the question's answered. The honourable member from Elmwood. [interjection] Oh, wait; just one second.

Also, I want to also just to let the members know that a name of the person in the Chamber should not be mentioned. And it should be –people should be directed–either their positions or their constituency names. Mr. Maloway: The Premier is not answering the question. I mean, what is the point of asking a question–[interjection] Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. Mr. Maloway: –if you can't get an answer. Either he doesn't know or he doesn't want to answer. Precious metals like platinum are worth $1,300 an ounce.

Scrap metal dealers pay cash for catalytic converters, but there's no requirement that these transactions can be tracked. The Premier knows this is costing every Manitoban. Simple action such as requiring trans - actions to be tracked will help curb this. Will this government take action to curtail these thefts? And they're ever-increasing thefts, at that. Mr. Pallister: Thanks for the warning on the name thing, there, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I'll work harder on that.

But I am co gnizant that the NDP, when they scream about rules, doesn't have much of a leg to stand on because they're the ones who blockaded this Legislature, because they disrespected the rules on harassment, and because they disrespect the public health rules as well. So when it comes down to rules, Mr. Speaker, I think there's a little inconsistency –no, major inconsistency. And the NDP leader, who's never obeyed a rule in his life, now talking about obeying rules, that's a contradiction.

And I think we'll stand up for the rule of law and protect people and we'll look into the issue the member's raised today as well. Conditions at Grace Hospital Constituent Case Concern Mr. Dougald Lamont (St. Boniface): We've heard some extremely alarming complaints about w hat appear to be system failures at the Grace Hospital. Now, ministers of Health complain when we ask questions about what they want to call casework, instead of keeping it hush-hush. I was asked to make this public. A senior was taken from his seniors h ome to Grace Hospital in severe pain.

We were told he spent six days lying in a gurney on–in the ER, even though he was diagnosed with bone cancer on the second day, then sent to Seven Oaks without his family or power of attorney ever being told. Now, this news may come as a surprise to the Premier, but a foul-up like this should be on his desk long before I have to ask about it.

April 21, 2021 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2595 How long has this government known about the brewing crisis at Grace? Hon. Brian Pallister (Premier): How long has the federal Liberal government known about the crisis in health care? How long has that been? * (14:20) They just put out a budget that did nothing for health care. And they're getting panned on it.

And there's a reason that the NDP support us in calling for greater supports, because every other opposition party–except the Liberals in this province –in the country supports their premiers in fighting for more support for health care, except one leader. The fact of the matter is The Globe and Mail has said it's a glaring omission, it's a lack of a significant effort to refinance the health -care system. It's shocking. The health- care system is stretched. The population is aging. It's about time that a federal government did something about it. It's about time the Liberal leader did something about it, too.

Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable member for St. Boniface, on a supplementary question. COVID-19 Pandemic and Second Wave Timing of Health-Care Reform Mr. Dougald Lamont (St. Boniface): CIHI figures show that in the second wave, Manitoba had the worst death toll in long -term-care homes in Canada. The worst.

If there is a single decision that shows that this government stubbornly refused to get ready for the second wave, it was when, on September 17th, 2020, they announced a massive restructuring of health care over the months of October, November and December and January: hundreds of positions cancelled and the government said outright, there would be disruption. This is a colossal, tragic lack of foresight and judgment for which no one has been held responsible.

Is the reason for the catastrophic negligence we're seeing at Grace Hospital and elsewhere because this government has learned nothing from the second wave and just keeps cutting? Hon. Heather St efanson (Minister of Health and Seniors Care): Well, Mr. Speaker, talk about lack of foresight and judgment. The –his federal counterpart, the Prime Minister, had an opportunity to ensure that all Canadians had access to–and adequate access, in a timely fashion, and that didn't take place. And so now we're having to deal with things as we deal with them.

I would suggest that the member opposite should get on board and work with us to ensure that we move towards a system that will–and offer those vaccines for all Manitobans and all Canadians. Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable member for River Heights, on a final supplementary question. Lead Water Pipes Timeline for Replacement Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Mr. Deputy Speaker, President Biden recen tly announced spending of $45 billion to replace all lead water pipes in the United States to prevent lead poisoning of children. Newark, New Jersey, has nearly completed replacing its lead pipes.

Regina in Saskatchewan will replace all lead water pipes by 2025. I table information showing there are 23,000 homes with lead water pipes in Winnipeg. Based on a sample from two years ago, about 20 per cent of these homes have high lead levels in their water. When will the Province replace all lead water pipes in our province and by which year? And has the Province even completed replacing all lead pipes to all schools and all daycare centres in Manitoba? Hon. Heather Stefanson (Minister of Health and Seniors Care): Well, I want to thank the member opposite for mentioning President Biden.

And we want to actually extend our congratulations and thanks to President Biden for offering, for ensuring and authorizing North Dakota to be able to vaccinate more than 4,000 of our truck drivers here in Manitoba. And, certainly, Mr. Speaker, I know, on the other issue that the member opposite mentioned, I know that we're working diligently to ensure that we protect all Manitobans when it comes to our water system, and we'll continue to work on that. Hudson's Bay Company Building Preservation Fund Announcement Mr. Andrew Smith (Lagimodière): Mr.

Deputy Speaker, our government recently announced a creation of a $25-million Bay Building Fund. Can the Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage update the House on this significant investment and how this funding will benefit our great province? Hon. Cathy Cox (Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage): Thank you to the member from Lagimodière for that excellent question.

2596 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 21, 2021 Recently, I was proud to join the minister of –the Minister of Municipal Relations (Mr. Johnson) to share our government's recent investment of $25 million for the creation of The Bay Building Fund to support the preservation of Manitoba's cherished landmark. Our government recognizes we must protect our past and invest in our future, and that $25-million fund will assist in restoring, preserving and maintaining the heritage elements of our historic Hudson's Bay building. Mr.

Deputy Speaker, we encourage all levels of government, as well as the private sector, to step up to protect this iconic heritage building, to unlock The Bay's full potential. The member's opposite did nothing to preserve or protect our Manitoba's rich heritage– Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable member's time is up –the minister's tim e is up. [interjection] The honourable minister's time is up. Manitoba Hydro Labour Dispute Collective Bargaining Negotiations Mr. Adrien Sala (St. James): The Pallister government's interference in Hydro will cost Manitobans and it's putting Hydro at risk.

We've recently learned that the vast majority of volunteer emergency response crews at Hydro sites have now resigned their posts in solidarity with the ongoing strike. That's nearly 200 people that respond to fires or oil spills. They're now gone at sites such as Grand Rapids, Jenpeg, Kelsey, Limestone, Radisson, Henday and Keewatinohk and more. This government is taking chances with billions of dollars of infrastructure. It's reckless. Will the Pallister government get back to the negotiation table and bargain a fair deal in good faith? Hon.

Jeff Wharton (Minister of Crown Services): Certainly, we respect the process when it comes to bargaining, Mr. Deputy Speaker, and that's exactly what we're doing, unlike the members opposite that tripled the debt at Manitoba Hydro over the last several years. We'll ensure that the Crown jewel of –owned by Manitobans will be protected for generations to come. Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable member for St. James, on a supplementary question. Mr. Sala: Only t he PCs could say that they're protecting a process when they're forcing an unconsti- tutional wage freeze on those same workers.

Got–nearly 200 volunteer emergency response crews have withdrawn their services at sites across the North. Hydro has only found coverage with four people hired privately for Keeyask. That's four people to replace nearly 200, and Hydro is paying these crews more in a day than what volunteer emergency response crews made in a year of service. That is absurd. But so is this prolonged strike that the Pallister government has forced with IBEW workers. It should be resolved through a fairly negotiated contract: Will the Pallister government do so today? Mr.

Wharton: Again, if the members opposite would just simply get out of the wa y and allow the process to unfold, we know that both the members and Hydro, Mr. Deputy Speaker, will move forward in a collaborative way and ensure that Manitoba ratepayers to Manitoba Hydro are protected, not only for today, but for tomorrow too. Mr. Deputy Speaker: Time for question period has expired. Petitions? An Honourable Member: Point of order. Point of Order Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable first – honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a point of order. Mr.

Wab Kinew (Leader of the Of ficial Opposition): Yes, just on a point of order. I just want to return to the issue of time in question period. So, you had called that the Minister for Sport, Culture and Heritage's time had expired, which was, you know, it is what it is; nothing personal with the minister. I don't know if they couldn't hear you or what was going on there, but they did continue to speak for a significant amount of time. The net result was that the member for St. James was deprived of being able to ask their third question. So,

(1) I want you to just recognize that it is a breach of the rules when somebody speaking ignores the Speaker who is standing. And then, of course, I would leave it up to you if you want to consider whether we should get that additional time back and the ability to ask a final question. Hon. Kelvin Goertzen (Government House Leader): I know that during this question period we saw members opposite who were asking questions who went over their time. We saw members opposite

April 21, 2021 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2597 who were heckling virtuall y, which you rightfully admonished that member for, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I'm sure that these things all net out in the end. If the member opposite felt that he had a good question to ask, he should have asked it in his first six, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr.

D eputy Speaker: Yes, okay, on the point of order, members should be listening to the Speaker, but if–the discretion of the adding time belongs to the Speaker, and when the members of both sides cause disorders of–the Speaker may or may not add the time on. * (14:30) So, in this case here, I would say that we did have a delay of time here, and I thought with the respect of the–for the Speaker the–I was–told a couple of times to the minister that her time was up. So I will give another–one more question for the member for St. James (Mr. Sala), on the third and final question. The honourable member from St.

James –one second. There was a point of order, and we are going to give the last question to the honourable member for St. James. * * * Mr. Deputy Spea ker: The honourable member for St. James, on a final supplementary question. Mr. Sala: The Pallister government is taking unnecessary risks, leaving billions of dollars of infrastructure exposed to the threat of fire or other emergencies. Nearly 200 volunteer emergency-response crews have resigned their posts in solidarity with striking workers. IBEW's workers want a fair deal without unconstitutional legislation being held over their right to bargain.

Hydro is profitable, but Hydro has work underway cur rently that is being curtailed by this strike. That costs all of us. It's time for a fair deal. Will the Pallister government commit to a fair deal and allow arbitration today, yes or no? Hon. Brian Pallister (Premier): The NDP govern - ment tripled the debt at Manitoba Hydro without any respect for the real owners of Hydro, who are the people of Manitoba. But I would encourage that member, who just benefited from your ruling, Mr.

Speaker, to under - stand also that there are other rules in this Chamber and in this place to protect people, rules that protect people against harassment, for example. And I would encourage the member, if he wants to see, you know, these rules respected by all, as he should, to also show the same kind of respect for the rules when he doesn't like them as when he does. Mr. Deputy Speaker: The time for question period has expired. PETITIONS Public Child-Care Grants Ms. Danielle Adams (Thompson): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly.

(1) The pa ndemic has further emphasized the need for quality, affordable, accessible child care and has demonstrated that the government has failed to ensure child care is accessible to all Manitoba families.

(2) Over 90 per cent of Manitoba children receive child care through non-profit, licensed centres, and yet funding has been frozen since 2016. These cuts have resulted in many early -childhood educators leaving the sector.

(3) While child-care centres have faced increased costs associated with lost parent fee s due to COVID-19 closures and spent thousands on PPE, when open, to keep kids safe, the provincial govern - ment has yet provided no additional financial support.

(4) The government spent less than 1 per cent of the $18- million temporary child -care grant, and instead gave KPMG double their contract, nearly $600,000, to conduct a review that will raise parent fees and lay the groundwork for privatization.

(5) The provincial government's cuts to the nursery school grant is doubling parent fees for hundreds of families, making child care less affordable and accessible.

(6) The provincial government passed bill 34, the budget implementation and status act–amendment act, which removes the cap on child- care fees for private sector businesses. We petition th e Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to reverse changes to the nursery school grant and to end the freeze on child -care's operating grants while committing to keeping child care public, affordable and accessible for all Manitoban families.

2598 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 21, 2021 This petition is signed by many Manitobans. Mr. Deputy Speaker: In accordance with rule 133-6, when petitions are read they must be deemed to – received by the House. Lead Water Pipes Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. The background to this petition is as follows: Many renters and tenants living in Winnipeg are unaware of the potentially high levels of lead in their drinking water due to lead water pipes.

Drinking water with lead levels higher than 5 micrograms per litre is above Canada's national standard for drinking water quality and may be damaging to health, especially for children and expectant mothers. According to medical research, 'rennants'–renters and tenants unaware of the potentially high lead levels in their drinking water because of old, lead pipes are at risk of experiencing greater levels of mental illness. High levels of lead in drinking water due to lead pipes disproportionately affects Indigenous and lower income communities.

A 2019 intrinsic study used data on lead exposure to predict that many children living in Point Douglas will have high and worrisome lead levels in their blood. Lack of knowledge of lead levels in water may result in the continuation of ongoing lead- poisoning- related health issues for thousands of renters and tenants living in Winnipeg and elsewhere in Manitoba. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

(1) To urge the provincial governm ent to immediately act by requiring landlords to inform renters and tenants if their rental units have lead water pipes.

(2) To urge the provincial government to provide an adequate number of water filters on an annual basis for tenants where there are rental units with lead pipes.

(3) To urge the provincial government to immediately act by requiring the City of Winnipeg to replace all lead water pipes in Winnipeg by 2027, as the City of Regina is now doing. This petition is signed by Ben Kramer, by Hilary Druxman, by James Favel and many, many other Manitobans. Diagnostic Testing Accessibility Mr. Jim Maloway (Elmwood): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. The background to this petition is as follows:

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

(2) Dynacare 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 a simple blood test or a 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 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 the 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 Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to immedi - ately demand Dynacare maintain all of 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.

Public Child-Care Grants Mr. Jamie Moses (St. Vital): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.

April 21, 2021 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2599 The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) The pandemic has further emphasized the need for quality, affordable and accessible child care and has demonstrated that the government has failed to ensure child care is accessible to all Manitoba families.

(2) Over 90 per cent of Manitoba children receive child care through non-profit, licensed centres, and yet funding has been frozen since 2016. These cuts have resulted in many early childhood educators leaving the sector. * (14:40)

(3) While child-care centres have faced increased costs associated with lost parent fees due to COVID-19 closures and spent thousands on PPE, when open, to keep kids safe, the provincial govern - ment has provided no additional financial support.

(4) The government spent less than 1 per cent of the $18- million temporary child -care grant, and instead gave KPMG double their contract, nearly $600,000, to conduct a review that will raise parent fees and lay the groundwork for privatization.

(5) The provincial government's cuts to nursery - school grants is doubling parent fees for hundreds of families, making child care less affordable and accessible.

(6) The provincial government passed bill 34, the budget implementation and tax statutes amendment act, which removed the cap on child- care fees for private sector businesses. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to reverse changes to the nursery school grants and to end the freeze on child care's operating grants while committing to keeping public child care affordable and accessible for all Manitoban families. This has been signed by many Manitobans. Dauphin Correctional Centre Mr.

Mintu Sandhu (The Maples): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) The provincial government plans to close Dauphin Correctional Centre, DCC, in May 2020.

(2) The DCC is one of the largest employers in Dauphin, providing the community with good, family-supporting jobs.

(3) Approximately 80 families will be direc tly affected by the closure, which will also impact the local economy.

(4) As of January 27, 2020, Manitoba's justice system was already more than 250 inmates over - capacity. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the Minis ter of Justice to immediately reverse the decision to close the DCC and proceed with the previous plan to build a new correctional and healing centre with an expanded courthouse in Dauphin. This has been signed by many Manitobans. Mr. Mark Wasyliw (Fort Garry): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. To the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, the background to this petition is as follows:

(1) The provincial government plans to close the Dauphin Correctional Centre, DCC, in May of 2020.

(2) The DCC is one of the largest employers in Dauphin, providing the community with good, family-supporting jobs.

(3) Approximately 80 families will be directly affected by the closure, which will also impact the local economy.

(4) As of January 27, 2020, Manitoba's justice system was already more than 250 inmates overcapacity. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the Minister of Justice to immediately reverse the decision to close the DCC and proceed with the previous plan to build a new correctional and healing centre with an expanded courthouse in Dauphin. And this has been signed by many Manitobans. Mr. Deputy Speaker: Any other petitions? Now we'll go on to grievances?

2600 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 21, 2021 ORDERS OF THE DAY GOVERNMENT BUSINESS Hon. Kelvin Goertzen (Government House Leader): Could you please call for debate this afternoon second reading of Bill 71. Mr. Deputy Speaker: It has been called by the honourable Government House Leader to call on Bill 71, The Education Pr operty Tax Reduction Act (Property Tax and Insulation Assistance Act and Income Tax Act Amended). DEBATE ON SECOND READINGS Bill 71–The Education Property Tax Reduction Act (Property Tax and Insulation Assistance Act and Income Tax Act Amended) Mr.

Deput y Speaker: The honourable member for St. Boniface has two minutes remaining. Mr. Dougald Lamont (St. Boniface): I yield the remainder of my time. Mr. Deputy Speaker: Okay. We'll go on to–now to the honourable member for –to Lagimodière – sorry–the honourable member for Selkirk. Mr. Alan Lagimodiere (Selkirk): Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, for allowing me the opportunity to speak virtually to this exciting bill, Bill 71, The Education Property Tax Reduction Act. The passing of this bill will result in the rebate of education property taxes for property owners' annual property tax bills.

This is something Manitoba homeowners, farm - ers and businesses have asked for –to be removed for years, and, currently, in Manitoba, the higher the tax assessment on y our property, the higher your educational property tax bill. Mr. Deputy Speaker, there are many great areas of Budget 2021 that were presented, but the rebate of the education tax from property taxes is a highlight that benefits all Manitobans. Bill 71's rebate program continues to deliver on the government's promises made, promises kept commitment. It's about protecting Manitobans and advancing Manitobans.

That's why we are protecting Manitobans' incomes by reducing the amount of taxes Manitobas pay on their hard-earned money. Our 2020-tax-rollback promise to Manitobans has been met by our government and is not stopping there. We are continuing on our path to remove the education tax from property tax. Lower taxes, including lower education property taxe s, will leave more money in the hands of Manitobans, where it is needed the most.

This bill will see the education property tax rebate is starting with a 25 per cent decrease in educational property taxes for residential and farm property owners and a 10 per cent decrease in commercial property taxes in 2021-2022. For most business owners and personal property owners, the education tax component of their annual property tax bill accounted for roughly 50 per cent of the entire tax bill.

For the average Man itoba homeowner, passage of this bill will leave around $800 in their hands over two years and the entire amount of the education tax back in their control when fully implemented, monies Manitobans can decide to spend in areas most important to them. In my constituency of south St. Andrews, a new low-pressure sewage system is being stalled. This poor sewage plan is placing an enormous financial strain on our seniors who are on fixed incomes and our young families trying to make ends meet.

The elimination of the education property tax will help provide some relief to those stressed to the breaking point by the forced higher costs now needed to remain in their homes. Mr. Deputy Speaker, the opposition condemned tax reductions for Manitobans. I feel I need to remind Manitobans of the NDP legacy.

They are a party that, for 17 years, misled and misinformed the voters; a party that implemented a 1 per cent tax increase after promising not to; a party that had trouble balancing the books and kept adding to our provincial debt; a party that fudged the books, created fake funds and used the money to make our deficit seem smaller; a party that overstated the value of fixed assets on the balance sheets; a party that raised taxes while increasing the yearly deficit an d adding significantly to the provincial debt, and thus the debt of each and every Manitoban; and a party that promised year after year to build hospitals, schools, personal-care homes, bridges and roads, but never delivered.

In fact, there was a hospital in Selkirk that sat for years with no progress occurring, and there was a sod-turning ceremony for a personal -care home in Beausejour that was announced over and over and over again. And they are a party that was so poor at balancing and managing the finances of the Province it resulted

April 21, 2021 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2601 in two credit downgrades, which took millions out of the funds available for our schools, our hospitals, our low-income Manitobans, our seniors programming and daycare programs–promises made but never kept. * (14:50) Our party made promises to the people of Manitoba. They were simple and focused. We promised to fix Manitoba's finances, promised to restore the services and we promised to rebuild the economy. Manitobans now have a government with integrity, one that is honest and one they can trust, one that keeps the promises they make.

Our government has the skills and depth and ability to properly assess consultants' reports and use this knowledge to move forward for the betterment of all Manitobans. Opposition are quick to condemn reports as being irrelevant. They obviously do not understand the science involved in report preparation. It requires data collection and analysis. This information is used to prepare options. On many occasions, it involves engaging thousands and thousands of Manitobans and evaluating subjective and objective value; this was done in the K-to-12 review.

Manitobans have a government that makes the tough choices needed to get our province back on track. Mr. Deputy Speaker, when we introduced The Fiscal Responsibility and Taxpayer Protection Act, we promised to create a balanced and sustainable path to balance the budget by the end of our second term. Manitobans are pleased to see that once our budget is adjusted for the effects of COVID, we did not fulfill promise, we surpassed it, while increasing spending on health care, education and our families.

People are asking, how are we able to do this when the NDP spent 17 years increasing deficits and increasing taxes while providing poorer and poorer service? The NDP governed and led in a manner that stifled our provincial economy. After years of out-of- control debit spending by the previous government, the Province is now on track and operating with a value for money spending regime with sustainability as the end goal. Simply put, we're shopping smarter for Manitobans and getting better results at the same time.

We, like all other Manitobans, respect where the monies government spends comes from: the pocketbooks and kitchen tables of all Manitobans. We are government that appreciates and feels responsible for the tax money taken from hard- working Manitobans. Manitobans expect us, as their elected representatives, to respect this and to get the best deal we can for the money they entrust us with. as a government, we owe Manitobans a duty to utilize their money wisely and responsibly. Mr. Deputy Speaker, we have consulted with and listened to the concerns of Manitobans.

Thanks to a focused fiscal prudence, we have exceeded our goals and because of this, our province, once again, has one of the most stable economies in Canada, and our economic growth is now one of the highest in all of Canada. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Manitobans have not forgotten NDP fiscal mismanagement was costing Manitobans over $700 million annually by 2016. Manitobans have not forgotten the NDP raised taxes on Manitobans 15 times in 14 years. Mr. Deputy Speaker, after years of overtaxation and broken promises by the NDP, Manitobans are getting the tax breaks they deserve.

The elimination of the education tax from property taxes is one of the most exciting budget announcements for the consti - tuents of Selkirk. It will leave millions of dollars in the pockets of Manitobans on an annualized basis, instead of in the hands of government. Mr. Deputy Speaker, if our coffee shops were fully open and not at limited capacity due to COVID, they would be buzzing with this news. Members opposite would like Manitobans to believe this tax elimination is not significant and favours only more affluent Manitobans. This thinking is narrow-minded.

The facts are, 658,000 homeowners in Manitoba will benefit from this tax cut. Members opposite appear to have lost connection with the very people they profess to represent. Those most at risk of losing their homes due to financial pressures are our young families and our seniors. These groups are requesting tax breaks to help; we are delivering. Lowering taxes for Manitobans will result in greater consumer spending and greater demand for goods and services within Manitoba.

Lowering taxes for Manitoba result in businesses and property owners seeing greater investments in their businesses to meet this growing demand. The end result will see more opportunities for expansion and the creation of jobs and opportunity,

2602 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 21, 2021 which will stimulate the economy. Mr. Deputy Speaker, the NDP failed to acknowledge that all families have basic needs that they must pay for to survive. Currently, it's estimated the average Manitoba family is left with less than $200 at the end of the month, once basic needs are covered. These are the people hurt the most by high and rising taxes and increased debt loads. The rebate of the education tax from property tax will leave around $800 in the average homeowner's hands over two years and more in the future.

That's money which belongs to the homeowners in the first place. It's money that Manitobans can spend as they see fit: to improve their standard of living, to purchase much-needed essentials, to save for a rainy day, to put into a retirement fund, to help pay for extracurricular activities or buy needed prescrip - tions. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Manitobans asked for lower taxes, to move the tax burden placed on them from the former NDP government. We promised to decrease their taxes and we are delivering on this promise: promises made, promises kept. Mr.

Deputy Speaker, let's get this bill passed so we can get the rebate cheques in the hands of Manitoban homeowners suffering financial stress, our young families and our seniors. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr. Ian Bushie (Keewatinook): Am I coming across okay? Mr. Deputy Speaker: Yes, you are. Can you hear me? Mr. Bushie: Yes. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, for a chance to put a few words on Bill 71, The Education Property Tax Reduction Act, property tax and insulation assistance act and income tax amended. Before I get into that, I would like to give a thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker.

I had the privilege yester - day to receive my vaccination here in my home community.

So I'd like to give a special shout -out to the health staff and all the First Nation health teams around the province, as well as all the staff and other volunteers that contributed to being able to make that a reality, which is still a reality today –we have a vaccination site going on today in our community – and as well as the other staff members that have transitioned from other areas, whether it be health or whether it be just social services or other aspects of the community, that stepped up and provided and helped volunteer in that, and, in particular, the health centre and the Jordan's Principle staff.

Mr. Dennis Smook, Acting Speaker, in the Chair So, before I begin, I did–wanted to thank you for that opportunity and thank you for them to making our communities and our province a better place and a safer place to be. So, in regards to Bill 71, I think I'd be remiss if I didn't mention and didn't thank the member from Selkirk for putting his full 10 minutes and 30 seconds or so in support of this supposed f antastic piece of legislation that they're bringing forward.

You would think they would take that opportunity to actually spend their entire 30 minutes to speak about how much in support they are of this government and what they're standing for. But I unde rstand that a certain amount of praise that they're trying to put upon themselves runs out after 10 minutes, so I fully understand that and respect that ability or that inability to be able to do that.

What's interesting, though, in regards to the bill and the education property tax, and taxes in general, is how the member had talked about being able to reduce deficit, adjusted for COVID–of course, he had that disclaimer in there to mention that–adjusted for COVID, and how we are able to do, but while we still adjusted for COVID. Well, simple matter–the simple fact of the matter, Mr. Deputy Speaker, is that any new investments that were created and passed on from the federal government to specifically deal with COVID and specifically get to the bedside just didn't make it there.

Instead, this government has chosen to put it into general revenue in their coffers to be able to try and supposedly come out of the pandemic on the high economic end. But, again, Mr. Deputy Speaker, that's at the expense of Man itobans. So, that's very unfortunate that they have a claim to fame to be able to reduce those things at the expense of Manitobans. * (15:00) And with Bill 71, The Education Property Tax Reduction Act, property tax and insulation assistance act and income tax amended–well, that is a mouthful, Mr. Deputy Speaker–that is not new investment. So it begs the question exactly what that is.

And then even the wording of the text in the title of this really calls into question and the confusion that this government

April 21, 2021 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2603 is trying to put forward and confuse Manitobans to almost bait and switch them into, you know, this is – this what this looks like. This is not new money, and let's be clear: this is still Manitobans' money. So this is Manitobans' money that they're play - ing with, that they're claiming to be giving back. And I've heard those words time and time again when–especially now in the last couple days, Mr. Deputy Speaker, in reference to Bill 71, when they talk about giving back, giving back, giving back, giving back. I've heard the word back–give back.

But that also means if you're giving back, it's because you've taken, and it's because you've taken from those same Manitobans that you claim to be giving back from. So this is not a new investment, Mr. Deputy Speaker. This is just a recycled description for this Pallister government to be able to say, we're giving back, we're increasing, we're giving more to you than ever before. And that's not really the case.

We have this government, time and time again–when it's convenient, mind you–blaming the pandemic for the shortfalls and their shortfalls and their inability to actually budget properly, to govern properly, to actually invest in Manitoba and in different aspects of Manitoba, whether it be conservation, justice, education, health care, and that inability has come with a little disclaimer to always say, we're going to blame the pandemic. And while the pandemic is here, it's a reality–we've been through one, two, now in our third phase and, heaven forbid, never a fourth phase– that argument also wears very thin.

So, with Bill 71, to be able to say that, well, we're able to do this and we're able to give back, is just–it's an insult. It's an insult to Manitobans; it's an insult to Manitoba families; it's insu lt to Manitoba property owners, because it's not a new investment. When this was first announced, and they talked about eliminating the education property tax, Mr. Deputy Speaker, and you've heard the timeline of 10 years of being able to eliminate that over a 10-year process, but now it's being fast -tracked, and we're all fully understandable as to why that is, including all Manitobans.

They're well aware that it's being fast - tracked for political gain and nothing else. We've had the opportunity, we've had the privilege and honour of being able to participate in numerous question periods where the Premier (Mr. Pallister) has cited issues being brought forward for political gain, you know, partisan politics and those types of things. Well, this is a prime example of that, including being able to say, we're doing this now. So this 10 -year plan is all of a sudden being able to be condensed during a pandemic over a matter of months.

So it begs the question: is there a secret stash of money somewhere? Is there–are you hoarding something someplace else? Or is it just a simple fact that all monies being received for various programs are not being spent in those programs, Mr. Deputy Speaker? And it is clear in the case of health care, and we see that every day. We see the failures of this government every day, with being able to say, we're doing this; we're trying to do more; you know, we're doing more with less. And while that may be true in their definition and in their minds, Mr.

Deputy Speaker, at some p oint in time you do–instead of doing a little more with less, you do less with less, which is exactly what this government is doing. And Bill 71 would be the education property tax– is a prime example of that. It's just being able to–it's a knee-jerk reaction to low polling polls for this government, low polling polls for the Premier. And so this 10-year plan that was announced a while back, now it's being condensed over a course of a few months, Mr. Deputy Speaker. It really begs the question exactly what that is.

So it–like I said, it's a knee-jerk reaction to be able to say, we're going to do this over this short period of time. So the question is, why wasn't this announced long ago to be able to be done over a short period of time, rather than being done over 10 years, when it was originally announced? Now it's being done immediately. And, again, it's for nothing but political gain, Mr. Deputy Speaker, and it's a sad political attempt to buy votes. Just like during a pandemic, again, the Premier ha d talked about showing support for elders, earning support for seniors. Well, here's a $200 cheque.

Here's a $200 cheque personally signed by the Premier. And I don't know how out of touch the Premier is with elders and seniors in Manitoba, but a lot of them, while they could use the $200, laughed at the concept of to–what that came with. You know, it came with a personal letter, and I don't know what – we can use the Premier's personal name in there, but we all know what his first name is and, I mean, that was the signature on the letter. So it begged the question of, well, here's $200. Thank me. Thank me personally. And, no, I didn't see

2604 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 21, 2021 the Finance Minister stepping up and saying, can I get my signature on that cheque, too, or any other members of the cau cus being able to say, well, can I get my name on there because, you know what, Mr. Premier (Mr. Pallister), in a couple of years, when election time comes around, you're not going to be here, so I want the thank you and I don't think it's fair for yourself to get that. So with the Bill 71 and the education property tax, Mr. Deputy Speaker, it's just another reincarnation and recyclement of that same attitude and that same thought process.

And now we're going to say, here again is another cheque from the big man. You know, here's a –maybe that's how he should sign it, so everybody knows exactly who he is. But being able to say, I've now given you now not just $200, I've given you another whatever the amount may be. And I'm sure it varies for different memb ers and different Manitobans, but the fact of the matter is it's still a personal signature, personal signed cheque from the Premier, which is just ridiculous because the Premier is elected to govern Manitobans as the Premier and as a representative of all Manitobans.

And taking this time to look for personal gain–let alone political gain–at the expense of the finances of the Province of Manitoba and the taxpayers of Manitoba is just shameful. And when–so there was other options available. There are option s available for people to get their Education Property Tax Credit or whatever kind of tax credit they may get, there was other options available for people like that to be able to do, but the Premier's insisting on doing that over the course of a physical cheque, which is, again, shameful.

Again, a cost measure that could be saved – suppose this government is all about saving costs but at the same time, don't do that; don't do that, by their own definition; don't do that, by their own actions, which is embarrassing and shameful. So now, during a pandemic, Mr.

Deputy Speaker, when people are expected to step up and do their part to stay home when possible, do their part to social distance, do their part to only go out for essential reasons–pre- or post-vaccine, it's still going to be the norm for some time now–now, potentially, and as–and I'm speaking more from –for elders and seniors, the Premier is now going to mail them a cheque. So with that cheque, a senior or an elder, who is not comfortable going out now to get that money in their bank now have to go out, now have to go out and they have to drive to their local bank.

And for those of us in rural and northern Manitoba –which I know the Premier is very unfamiliar with and this government is very unfamiliar with, northern Manitoba, including today, talking about natural gas in the North, which just doesn't exist–being able to now have our seniors leave their home, drive to the bank, risk COVID exposure, possibly having to–unintentionally, mind you–violate pub lic health orders just to put their money in the bank. All because this Premier has to have his name put on a cheque to remind people where it came from. And, Mr.

Deputy Speaker, Bill 71, The Education Property Tax Reduction Act (Property Tax and Insulation Assistance Act and Income Tax Act Amended)–well, that's a long paragraph to be able to stick on the memo line of a cheque, but I'm sure that the intention is that the Premier not be able to do that anyway. If he had his way, it would just be: here's a cheque from the government of Manitoba signed by yours truly and no description as to what this is, because it is a blatant attempt to be able to tell people that I, as your Premier, or as the big guy, am the sole person and the sole reason why you are ge tting this money.

And that is just shameful to be able to do that. Perhaps these cheques, Mr. Deputy Speaker, including the $200 cheques that went out some time ago from the Premier, at the time, and now these education property tax rebate cheques that ar e going to be –are now going to come out there, and then perhaps they should come with a pen. * (15:10) Perhaps they should come with a pen, again, with the Premier's name on that, too, because that's again another way for him to advertise himself. But perhaps with a pen and a little note and little disclaimer saying, oh, here's your property tax cheque.

By the way, here's your property tax cheque; by the way, here's a pen, so now endorse it back over to Manitoba Hydro because I've raised your Manitoba Hydro rates–so now this money that I'm giving you, you have to give it back. And that's every intention of being able to say this money is not for Manitobans and this money doesn't belong to Manitobans, by the Premier's definition. Because this, again, is recycled money. If this was money meant for Manitobans, it would be given to them in any ways –in any means necessary and as

April 21, 2021 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2605 quickly as possible. And that's not happening. There's this other step that it has to go through to be able to get to the hands of Manitobans that need it. And it comes –again–with a personal letter, personal signature from the Premier (Mr. Pallister). So I'm–perhaps the Premier is hoping that, you know, individual Manitobans will reach out to him to give him a pat on the back and a thank you, but Manitobans need to know that that's not even possible, and that's not going to happen because first of all, the Premier wants nothing to do with Manitobans.

He turns his back on Manitobans every day. I watch in the Chamber –we watch in vari ous different public events, the Premier turns his back on Manitobans every day, both sym bolically and physically turns his back on Manitobans, turns his back and disrespects Manitobans every day. And this is another example of doing just that; turning his back on Manitobans and disrespecting Manitobans. Because Manitobans can see right through exactly what this is. This education property tax rebate that's going to be coming forward in the form of a cheque for Manitobans, people see that for what it's worth.

It's worth nothing than the paper it's printed on, while people are desperately in need because they've lost their jobs, they've lost their occupations, they've lost their homes; for some people they've lost loved ones. The real thank you and the r eal investment that the Premier should show Manitobans is to step up, step up and truly represent Manitobans, represent all of Manitobans by improving health care and true investments in health care.

And that's not happening in this time of pandemic, in this time of global pandemic which is –it's hitting various degrees of demographics in Manitoba to different –I don't even have a word for exactly what that is and how hurtful some of that is for some people. And this education property tax in Bill 71 is a true reflection of the disconnect that this Premier has with the people of Manitoba. And by definition this – exactly what this does, is this now helps better -off Manitobans. This does not help the more vulnerable, the people with lower incomes, and that enti re demographic of Manitoba, Mr. Deputy Speaker.

And there's been shots given back and forth in the Chamber and in the House and even in the media where members opposite are talking about million -dollar homes and great homes that are out there and, oh, by the way, this person will get this, this person will get that. But there's still no talk from members opposite about low -income families and low -income earners and low-income residences. So when we talk about million-dollar homes, and I think it was the m ember from Lac du Bonnet who had talked about million - dollar homes, and it must be nice. Well, Mr.

Deputy Speaker, with Bill 71, the education property tax– there are no million -dollar homes on reserves in Manitoba. And, of course, members opposite wouldn't know that because they've never stepped foot on a reserve.

I mean, I've heard the Premier talk about growing up next to one, but then we've heard of exactly what that means in terms of–I won't go down that road–in terms of the people of Long Plain and what they think of the Premier's claim of growing up next to a reserve and knowing what reserve life is like, and how the Premier actually treated the people in those surrounding reserves and surrounding communities. But the fact is, stepping foot on a reser ve to be able to see a million-dollar home is just non-existent.

The only way this tax helps and affects those people is if you come to this so -called million-dollar home– and the only thing that makes that home worth $1 million is if there's $1 million of cash sitting in a briefcase on the kitchen table in that home–and we all know under this government that there is nothing on those kitchen tables. There is nothing going to be on those kitchen tables. And, by the way, in all our homes in northern Manitoba, all our homes in Indigenous communities, we own those kitchen tables.

They're not rented for the purposes of being able to get a tagline in the media to be able to get a little claim to fame and say, oh, here it is, we're going to put money on this kitc hen table. There's nothing on that kitchen table. For most, Mr. Deputy Speaker, it's a hard time to put food on that table. It's a hard time to put necessities on that kitchen table, let alone being able to put hundreds or thousands of dollars on that kitchen table. That's just not happening. And that's the reality of what it is for all of Manitoba.

My colleague from Notre Dame had talked about her constituency being one of the poorest in the country, let alone in Manitoba, Mr. Deputy Speaker. And so we have this government and this we have this Premier standing up and touting about all these great things they're doing for the lower income families in Manitoba. And this is existing, Mr. Deputy Speaker, in the constituency of Notre Dame and existing in a l ot of

2606 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 21, 2021 Indigenous communities and northern communities in Manitoba. This is existing in Notre Dame, for example, a mile from the Chamber in which the Premier (Mr. Pallister) stands up and touts exactly how great this government is doing and how much they're representing everything to go forward, which is–I can't believe that's happening in today's day and age. We're sitting here in 2021 being able to sit there and have this government say this is what we do, this is how we're going to invest. And the priorities of this government, Mr.

Deputy Speaker, have been lost for some time and the pandemic is really showing that and really showing the desperation. So with Bill 71, The Education Property Tax Reduction Act, property tax and insu- lation assistance tack and income tax act amended–I'll definitely get the hang of saying that, or maybe I won't, because they're also trying to ram this through awfully quick. So maybe I won't get the –able to memorize that whole title without having to look at my notes really quick. But being able to bring that piece of legislation in the time of a pandemic to say, here, we're going to give back.

Again, it's a knee-jerk reaction to be able to try and say we're giving back to Manitobans. But it's not thought out properly to be fair to all of Manitobans, which is unfortunate and it just shows the priority of this government and the pieces of legislation that are brought forward by this government, Mr. Deputy Speaker. And when we think about the priorities, I know it was announced, I believe it is for tomorrow, the PMR, the private member's resolution being brought forth tomorrow–I believe it was by the member from Portage la Prairie.

And the title of the PMR is going to be Keeping More Money on Manitoba Tables. So I don't know if that's meant to coincide with Bill 71, if it's meant to coincide with another cheque run to be done by the Premier to be able to say this is what we're going to do. But pieces of legislation to properly respect and show the sacrifices of Manitobans are wh at this government should be doing and instead they're just doing taglines for themselves, being able to say we've done this, we'll –can you speak up and pat us on the back because we're doing something for you? When the fact of the matter is, Mr.

Deputy Speaker, they're doing nothing. They're doing nothing. They're not matching the same sacrifice that all of Manitobans are making during normal times, let alone during the course of a pandemic. So now, I mean, we've–now I think we've seen or heard the word table or kitchen table or Manitoban's tables so much times over this past year. But the fact of the matter is, Mr. Deputy Speaker, there are less tables in Manitoba to be able to put food on, to be able to put money on.

For those people that even have that ability to do either of those things, there's just fewer and fewer Manitobans around to be able to try and help. And that's because of this government. And during this pandemic we've had people lose their lives because of the inability of this government to step up. And we each know and I've heard members opposite always sit there and when they're looking for a reaction or an emotional reaction from Manitobans, they go back and they cite certain things within their personal lives. And while that is a fact for some, Mr.

Deputy Speaker, it's –take that to heart that if you've had Manitobans –and I'm talking to members opposite here. In regards to Bill 71, for an–as an example and it's just one example. If you've had friends, family, associates that have been negatively affected by the decisions of this government–and yes, of your government –speak up. Speak up and be able to represent the people, represent the family, represent your friends, represent your friends, represent the people that have chosen for you and the people that have believed in you. * (15:20) Speak up. Speak up and truly say, hey, what's going on here is wrong.

I can't believe, Mr. Deputy Speaker, that there would be members opposite that would believe in the aspect of Bill 71 where it says, here's a cheque from this one guy in our caucus, this one leader in our caucus. What about the rest of us? Where am I? I've heard it mentioned today, thrown under the bus. Are members opposite being thrown under the bus by the Premier just for his person al gain, just so he can actually try and say, I'm going to leave here with my head held high and this is going to be my legacy going forward?

I'm sorry to say to the members opposite and to the Premier that if their Premier left today or if he leaves and loses and leaves at the end of the next election, his legacy is already tainted. His legacy is already tarnished. It's all about that individual, and that individual being able to say it: I've done this, I've done that.

April 21, 2021 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2607 You know, there's a lot of rhetori c and a lot of policy, lot of legislation brought forward–including Bill 71, Mr. Deputy Speaker –that are all about the Premier (Mr. Pallister) and the Premier alone. So, when the Premier comes and talks about putting money back and this education property tax with Bill 71, being able to say, I'm giving back. I'm going to put money back on the table of Manitobans. Well, that's what it is, exactly. It's not the government; it's not the PC caucus.

It's the individual, and it's the individual that's going to s it there and claim to fame and say, I've done this. I don't care what this caucus has done. They may have supported me behind the 'stenes', but I'm the face of this approval; I'm the face of this cheque. I'm the face of why, when you deposit this cheque in a bank, you have money. Not you, not anybody else, not the PC caucus, not my team. It's going to be about the Premier himself.

And that's exactly how this comes across, and how this comes across to everybody in Manitoba, how this comes across as members opposite, how it comes across to members of this Chamber, and it's something Manitobans can see through. And it's unfortunate that the Premier thinks so little of the people of Manitoba to think that they can't see through this, and they can't see exact ly what this piece of legislation is bringing forward and what this piece of legislation is attempting to do.

While it may be attempting to try and put money in the bank and food on the table, money on the kitchen table of Manitobans, it's a payoff. It's a payoff by the Premier to the people of Manitoba to say, hey, I've done this. Nobody else –if it wasn't for me, you wouldn't have this. And again, Mr. Deputy Speaker, the perfect example you can think of is how, on a daily basis, this government is transitioning and changing their course of action in different ways. Bill 71, with the education property tax, is a perfect example of that. Again, something that was going to be phased out over a 10-year period.

But now, look at the polls come out, the ratings are lowest they're–never been. If there was election today, I'm out of here–that's exactly what the Premier thinks. So what am I going to do? I'd better hurry up and try to get people some money somehow. And they're giving people money at the expense of–I don't care what. I don't care what it is. I don't care if it's going to be sacrificing the 1,300 nursing shortage; the 18,000 wait-list on child care. And those kind of–I don't care what that's going to–what it costs.

Because I'm going to double -talk my way out of this in some form, and I'm going to get money, and because people are going to remember me giving them money. That's exactly how the Premier's thought process is on this, and it's very shameful and it's very embarrassing and it's very disrespe ctful to Manitobans, Mr. Deputy Speaker, that can see through that every day. Those polling numbers, as much as the members opposite may think that it's part of the opposition party who are the only ones in those polls, the fact of the matter, Mr. Deputy Speaker, is those polls are being done of Manitobans.

Those polls are being contri - buted to by Manitobans. So, Manitobans, on a daily basis, can see that. And not only on a daily basis are they being able to see that, Mr. Deputy Speaker, but they're able to raise their concerns and voice their concerns. So, now those polls that leading towards a change in government, in– next year, next month, who knows when that's going to be –but those polls are being led by Manitobans because Manitobans are smart, Manitobans are articulate and Manitobans know exactly what they want for their families, for their communities and for all of Manitoba, Mr. Deputy Speaker.

And they see that every day. They have sacrificed tremendous amounts in their lives. So, this Bill 71, the education property tax, again, Mr. Deputy Speaker, is nothing but a political ploy by the Premier to try and gain back support that he's lost, try to gain those back. And I think it was mentioned or perhaps it should be mentioned that this is something that's an advertisement for the Premier. So, this should go on a frank of his own that he puts out there, or a radio spot that he puts out there, and those should be maybe spent on from his caucus, from his constituency allowance or whatever he chooses to do.

But this shouldn't be an expense paid for by the people of Manitoba. So, Manitobans that – while Bill 71 is claiming to give back to Manitobans and put money on the tables of Manitobans, it's also coming at the expense. So, the $1.3 million –but you don't hear him talking about that, the cost of being able to do a cheque run and those kind of things. You don't hear that cost brought out, Mr. Deputy Speaker, but again, because that cost is coming from Manitobans. So, again, when Manitobans were given t hese $200 cheques in the past from the Premier –with a personal letter from the Premier, mind you –and now

2608 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 21, 2021 they're going to get these again. They should come with a pen, Mr. Deputy Speaker, because what's going to happen is those same Manitobans are going to have to give that money back that the Premier (Mr. Pallister) and the government are claiming to give them as new money, and give that back to the government because they've increased costs for Manitobans and the cost of living for Manitobans across the board. So with those few words, Mr. Deputy Speaker, thank you for your time. Miigwech. Mr.

Greg Nesbitt (Riding Mountain): It's certainly a treat to be back in the House today. I want to thank all the legislative staff for the great work they've done on the virtual broadcast and things and it's great; everything works really smooth, but you certainly can't replace being in this Chamber and seeing everybody's faces live here. It's my pleasure today to put a few words on the record about Bill 71, the education property tax reduction bill. I'll just shorten the name; it's a pretty

long title. Our government has committed to phase out education property taxes. That was an election promise–nothing surprising here –and it'll save homeowners thousands of dollars when fully imple - mented. The MLA for Keewatinook just told us that it's an insult that our government wants to give more money back to Manitoba taxpayers. I say it's an insult for the MLA from Keewatinook to say that. Our government is committed to making life more affordable for Manitobans. I don't know what part of that the opposition doesn't understand. This is new money going back to Manitobans.

By balancing the budget in 2020, pre -pandemic, and freeing up dollars no longer allocated to debt servicing and reinvesting even more in priority areas like health care, education, infrastructure and tax relief, our government is moving Manitoba forward towards a better, brighter, more affordable future. We remain focused on reducing the tax burden for Manitobans. For years and years, under the previous government, Manitobans were taxed to the max. Since we were elected in 2016, we've not raised any taxes. I know the opposition likes to always say cut, cut, cut, but instead we've managed government.

We r un a smaller government now but yet spend more on the essential services that Manitobans look forward to. We made an election promise to make life more affordable and we are making good on our promise. This Bill 71 will provide $248 million in rebates of education property taxes and community revitalization levies to 658,000 property owners across the province. Rebates will be for 25 per cent for residential and farm properties and 10 per cent for all other properties in 2021, and higher rebates will be able to be set by regulation in future years.

I'm just going to give you an example of a few of these rebates here. The average homeowner rebate on $1,540 worth of school tax is $385. That's no small change. The average business rebate is $800 on $8,000 s chool tax. Again, businesses have been hit hard by the pandemic here, and this assistance will certainly be appreciated by the business owners I've talked to anyways. * (15:30) And farmers, let's talk about farmers. They've been asking for years that the re be something done about school tax on their property. Increasing property values and land values has pushed up this education tax every year.

So their average farm rebate is $1,900; that's based on $7,600 school tax. And the average apartment landlord rebate is $1,700 on $6,800 school tax. So, any funding requirements not met through local taxes will be provided through the provincial coppers, as is a predominant practice in other provinces. All property owners in Manitoba will benefit from the rebate. This will ensure all property owners are treated equally.

We do not want to discourage Manitobans from returning home to Manitoba, immigrants choosing to settle in Manitoba or businesses from choosing to invest in Manitoba because they do not qualify for the school tax rebate as a property owner. We want fairness. We want everyone to benefit from this tax. Bill 71 also provides for corresponding reduc - tions in various existing education property -tax- related credits and rebates to ensure that all propert y owners are paying 25 per cent less on residential and farm properties, regardless of whether an owner qualifies for existing credits and rebates.

Manitoba has one of the most complicated and uneven education property tax regimes in the country, which has resulted in Manitobans paying thousands of dollars on their property tax bills to fund education.

April 21, 2021 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2609 Manitoba's property tax system, as it had stood, can be an impediment to future private sector growth and investment throughout the province. The phase-out of the education portion from taxes on property will be completed over a maximum of 10 years. I'm going to talk a little bit here about the previous government, yesterday's NDP. The NDP raised 15 taxes in 14 years, including increasing the PST withou t the required referendum to 8 per cent.

Over the 17 years the NDP were in power, tax increases culminated in costing Manitobans over $700 million annually by 2016, the equivalent to raising the PST to 9 per cent. The NDP expanded the PST base to more goods and services, including home insurance and haircuts. The NDP, during their tenure, took money off the kitchen tables of Manitobans and put it onto their own Cabinet table. Delivering on our promise of cutting the PST, we are providing relief to all Man itobans, especially when they need to make the large purchases in life, like a car. Manitobans work hard to support themselves and their families.

Our government believes it is our role to help Manitobans accomplish their goals and make life more affordabl e, and reducing the PST helped to do that. Where the NDP failed, our government has provided Manitobans with a long- overdue tax break. In the 2011 election, former premier Greg Selinger told Manitobans, it's ridiculous–ideas that we're going to raise the sales tax. That's total nonsense; everybody knows that. He gave his word. He said, our plan is a five-year plan, with no tax increases, and we'll deliver on that. Manitobans were already taxed to the max. Manitobans are not the NDP's ATM.

The NDP believes that Manitobans should work harder for government. Our government believes that government should work harder for Manitobans. Our government is committed to making sure that the tax environment in this province is efficient, competitive and affordable. The member for Fort Garry (Mr. Wasyliw) is one of the trustees who raised property taxes in Winnipeg school division 1 to astronomical heights. While the member was chair of Winnipeg 1, property taxes increased by 36.61 per cent from 2012 to 2019. This direct increase made the less–made life less affordable for all Winnipeggers that were impacted.

The NDP as a whole missed every budget target when they were in power, resulting in annual structural deficits. This resulted in Manitoba's debt doubling in just six years and debt servicing charges reaching record levels of over $1 billion. The NDP refused to be accountable for their fiscal mismanagement. They watered down balanced budget legislation twice to avoid ministers taking a 20 per cent salary cut. Greg Selinger was named the worst premier for fiscal management in 2012 by the Fraser Institute, due to overspending, record deficits and spiraling debt. This is the NDP's financial record in history.

Under the NDP, Manitoba families paid the highest i ncome tax in Canada west of Quebec. Manitoba's small -business tax threshold was the lowest in Canada under the NDP. Thus, small busi - nesses were taxed at corporate rates sooner here than anywhere else in Canada. Manitoba's only one of four provinces left in Canada that has a payroll tax. It kills job and investment in the province. I'm pleased to say our budget addressed that again this time and, to make life more affordable for businesses moving forward. Mr.

Acting Deputy Speaker, I want to urge today's NDP to do the right thing and let Bill 71 pass second reading and let Manitobans have a say on whether they want more money on their kitchen tables in committee. Thank you. MLA Uzoma Asagwara (Union Station): I appreciate the opportunity to put a fe w words on the record in regards to Bill 71. My understanding is that this bill actually doesn't need to be brought forward at all for the Premier (Mr. Pallister) and his Cabinet and caucus to do what they want to do by way of rebate.

But I certainly can u nderstand that, given the diminishing popularity of the Premier, he's wanting to put a bill forward to probably try and earn back some of the confidence of Manitobans. Unfortunately, this bill reflects sort of the lack of understanding that this Premier and his Cabinet have of the issues that Manitobans are facing. I can certainly appreciate, as can members of our caucus, that Manitobans are struggling and that many, many Manitobans are in need of financial support.

Many Manitobans are in need of support that helps them feed their families, helps them pay their bills, that helps them contribute to their communities, helps

2610 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 21, 2021 them thrive and not just survive, Mr. Acting Deputy Speaker. The thing is, although the government tends to say that we're the party of status quo, they continue to reflect the fact that they are very much status quo and lack creativity, lack ingenuity, lack original thought when they bring forward pieces of legislation like this.

Anyone who has meaningful conversations with folks across all of our communities who are struggling and asks those folks the ways in which they really need support right now would understand that there are several reasons why this bill misses the mark. And, you know, there's a few things that, for me specifically, as the representative for Union Station, that I'm concerned about. I think about the impacts that some of the changes will have on folks who rent. Significant–a significant portion of folks who reside in Union Station are renters.

And, you know, there have to be solutions brought forward that will address some of the income disparities that people face, that factor in renters, beyond a rent freeze, a rent freeze that doesn't even account for the fact that folks who are applying for rent increases based on renovations are having those applications granted at an alarming rate.

I get phone calls at our constituency on a regular basis from folks who are going to be essentially homeless in a matter of weeks, matter of months, basically being 'ren ovicted', because their landlords are applying for astronomical rate increases for basically changing out things like toilet paper holders, like really sort of insignificant renovations that are having catastrophic incomes on people who have a difficult time finding affordable, safe, dignified places to live. This legislation doesn't address that issue. There wasn't really anything in the budget that meaningfully add

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Collection	Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	42-3-53
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	42nd 3rd hansardpdf 53.pdf
Language	en
Format	pdf
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