Manitoba Hansard — 4 October 2018 (Sitting 73B, 41st Legislature, 3rd Session)

41-3-73b

Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)

Third Session – Forty-First Legislature of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba DEBATES and PROCEEDINGS Official Report (Hansard) Published under the authority of The Honourable Myrna Driedger Speaker Vol. LXXI No. 73B - 1:30 p.m., Thursday, October 4, 2018 ISSN 0542-5492

MANITOBA LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Forty-First Legislature Member Constituency Political Affiliation ALLUM, James Fort Garry-Riverview NDP ALTEMEYER, Rob Wolseley NDP BINDLE, Kelly Thompson PC CLARKE, Eileen, Hon. Agassiz PC COX, Cathy, Hon. River East PC CULLEN, Cliff, Hon. Spruce Woods PC CURRY, Nic Kildonan PC DRIEDGER, Myrna, Hon. Charleswood PC EICHLER, Ralph, Hon. Lakeside PC EWASKO, Wayne Lac du Bonnet PC FIELDING, Scott, Hon. Kirkfield Park PC FLETCHER, Steven, Hon. Assiniboia Man. FONTAINE, Nahanni St. Johns NDP FRIESEN, Cameron, Hon. Morden-Winkler PC GERRARD, Jon, Hon. River Heights Lib.

GOERTZEN, Kelvin, Hon. Steinbach PC GRAYDON, Clifford Emerson PC GUILLEMARD, Sarah Fort Richmond PC HELWER, Reg Brandon West PC ISLEIFSON, Len Brandon East PC JOHNSON, Derek Interlake PC JOHNSTON, Scott St. James PC KINEW, Wab Fort Rouge NDP KLASSEN, Judy Kewatinook Lib. LAGASSÉ, Bob Dawson Trail PC LAGIMODIERE, Alan Selkirk PC LAMONT, Dougald St. Boniface Lib. LAMOUREUX, Cindy Burrows Lib. LATHLIN, Amanda The Pas NDP LINDSEY, Tom Flin Flon NDP MALOWAY, Jim Elmwood NDP MARCELINO, Flor Logan NDP MARCELINO, Ted Tyndall Park NDP MARTIN, Shannon Morris PC MAYER, Colleen, Hon. St.

Vital PC MICHALESKI, Brad Dauphin PC MICKLEFIELD, Andrew Rossmere PC MORLEY-LECOMTE, Janice Seine River PC NESBITT, Greg Riding Mountain PC PALLISTER, Brian, Hon. Fort Whyte PC PEDERSEN, Blaine, Hon. Midland PC PIWNIUK, Doyle Arthur-Virden PC REYES, Jon St. Norbert PC SARAN, Mohinder The Maples Ind. SCHULER, Ron, Hon. St. Paul PC SMITH, Andrew Southdale PC SMITH, Bernadette Point Douglas NDP SMOOK, Dennis La Verendrye PC SQUIRES, Rochelle, Hon. Riel PC STEFANSON, Heather, Hon. Tuxedo PC SWAN, Andrew Minto NDP TEITSMA, James Radisson PC WHARTON, Jeff, Hon.

Gimli PC WIEBE, Matt Concordia NDP WISHART, Ian Portage la Prairie PC WOWCHUK, Rick Swan River PC YAKIMOSKI, Blair Transcona PC

3399 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA Thursday, October 4, 2018 The House met at 1:30 p.m. Madam Speaker: Good afternoon, everybody. Please be seated. ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS INTRODUCTION OF BILLS Bill 35–The Crown Lands Amendment Act (Improved Management of Community Pastures and Agricultural Crown Lands) Hon. Ralph Eichler (Minister of Agriculture): I move, seconded by the Minister of Sustainable Development (Ms. Squires), that Bill 35, The Crown Lands Amendment Act (Improved Management of Community Pastures and Agricultural Crown Lands), be now presented for the first time. Motion presented. Mr.

Ei chler: Currently, fees or rent for leases and permits for agricultural Crown lands may be determined by a public tender. This bill enables regulations that provide for public auction to also be used. This bill enables Cabinet to designate certain lands as community pastures to regulate their use. The purpose of the community pastures is support haying and grazing on rangelands in a manner that conserves the land's ecological integrity and biodiversity. Once designated, community pastures must be managed in accordance with this purpose. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? Agreed? [Agreed] Bill 36–The Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Impaired Driving Offences) Hon. Cliff Cullen (Minister of Justice a nd Attorney General): I move, seconded by the Minister of Education, that Bill 36, The Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Impaired Driving Offences), be now read a first time. Motion presented. Mr. Cullen : This bill would amend The Highway Traffic Act to make necessary changes to prevent a gap in Manitoba's drug -impaired driving legislation.

It will solve a gap in The Highway Traffic Act driver's licence suspension sanctions that will occur when

part 2 of The Impaired Driving Offences Act replaces the existing Highway Traffic Act driver's licence suspension for refusal of a police demand to participate in a physical co -ordination test or drug recognition evaluation. The bill will also correct some inaccurate cross -references to the Criminal Code. Madam Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? Agreed? [Agreed] COMMITTEE REPORTS Standing Committee on Rules of the House First Report Mr. Doyle Piwniuk (Vice-Chairperson): Madam Speaker, I wish to present the First Report on the Standing Committee of Rules of the House. Clerk (Ms.

Patricia Chaychuk): Your Standing Committee on Rules of the House presents– An Honourable Member: Dispense. Madam Speaker: Dispense. Your Standi ng Committee on Rules of the House presents the following as its First Report. Meetings Your Committee met on October 3, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. in Room 255 of the Legislative Building. Matters under consideration Amendments to the Rules, Orders and Forms of Proceedings of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba Committee Membership • Hon. Mrs. DRIEDGER (Chairperson) • Mr. HELWER • Ms. FONTAINE • Hon. Mr. GOERTZEN • Hon. Mr. GERRARD • Mr. JOHNSTON • Mr. MARCELINO • Mr.

MICKLEFIELD • Mr. PIWNIUK (Vice-Chairperson) • Mr. SWAN • Hon. Mr. WHARTON

3400 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 4, 2018 Officials Speaking on Record • Ms. Patricia Chaychuk, Clerk of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba • Mr.

Rick Yarish, Deputy Clerk of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba Amendments to Rules Considered and Reported At the October 3, 2018 meeting your committee agreed to report the following amendments to the Rules, Orders and Forms of Proceedings of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba: THAT the Rules, Orders and Forms of Proceedings of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba be amended as follows: THAT the definition of "the Leader of the Official Opposition" in sub- rule 1(3) be replaced with the following: (g) "the Leader of the Official Opposition" means the Member recognized by the Speaker as occupying the position of Leader of the Official Opposition, pursuant to

section 52.16 of The Legislative Assembly Act; THAT sub -rule 2(1) be amended by deleting the 6th paragraph and by replacing it with the following: On the last Thursday sitting prior to the Remembrance Day Week, the House will not adjourn until the questions have been put and Royal Assent granted for the following items: (

a) the Designated Bills; (

b) the Business of Supply set out in sub- rule 76(1) including The Loan Act and The Appropriation Act; and (

c) The Budget Implementation and Tax Statutes Amendment Act. Any remaining steps for these items not dealt with 60 minutes prior to the usual adjournment hour will have all remaining questions put to a vote following the provisions outlined in sub- rules (21), (23) and (23.1). THAT the following be added after sub-rule 2(23) Actions to Complete the Business of Supply 2(23.1) If the required actions for the Business of Supply taking place in the Committee of Supply, Committee of the Whole or in the House have not been completed by the las t Thursday sitting prior to the Remembrance Day Week, the following provisions are to apply: (

a) if Routine Proceedings has not concluded 90 minutes prior to the usual adjournment hour, the Speaker must terminate Routine Proceedings and proceed to Orders of the Day; (

b) if not already in Committee of Supply or Committee of the Whole 60 minutes prior to the usual adjournment hour, the House must resolve into Committee of Supply or Committee of the Whole; (

c) Sixty minutes prior to the usual adjournment hour the Chairperson or the Speaker will interrupt debate and put the questions on all remaining items with no further debate or amendment; (

d) Matters of Privilege and Points of Order will be held until all votes are completed; (

e) despite sub- rule 14(4), divisions on these items cannot be deferred. THAT sub-rule 2(10) be repealed and replaced with the following: Second Reading moved for Specified Bills 2(10) On the same sitting day identified in sub-rule (9), and after Bills have been designated by the Opposition parties, the House is to not see the clock until the Second Reading motions have been moved for all Specified Bills. (

a) For each Specified Bill that has not yet been called for debate by this day, debate shall proceed as follows: i. the Minister may speak for a maximum of 10 minutes; ii. a question period of up to 15 minutes may occur according to the provisions of sub-rule 137(5); iii. Critics and each Independent Member may speak for a maximum of 10 minutes; and iv. the debate shall then be concluded for that day, pending Second Reading Completion Day as per 2(11). (

b) For each Specified Bill that has been called for debate previously, debate shall proceed as follows: i. any Members identified in 2(10)(

a) who have not yet spoken in the debate shall be afforded the opportunity to speak;

October 4, 2018 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 3401 ii. if the question period has not yet occurred, it shall take place as described in paragraph (a)(ii); and iii. if the question period was previously interrupted, it shall continue as described in paragraph (a)(ii), and; iv. the debate shall the n be concluded for that day , pending Second Reading Completion Day as per 2(11). THAT sub-rule 2(15) be repealed and replaced with the following: Actions to complete Second Reading, Report Stage and Concurrence and Third Reading of Specified Bills 2(15) If the actions referred to in sub-rules (11), (13) and (14) have not been completed by the noted date, the following provisions are to apply: (

a) the House will not adjourn on that day until the Speaker has put all the applicable questions on all Specified Bills; (

b) if Routine Proceedings has not concluded 90 minutes prior to the usual adjournment hour, the Speaker must terminate Routine Proceedings and proceed to Orders of the Day; (

c) Sixty minutes prior to the usual adjournment hour the Speaker will inter rupt debate and put all questions on the remaining Bills with no further debate or amendment, except for the debate provisions allowed under 2(10) and 2(14); (

d) Matters of Privilege and Points of Order will be deferred until all votes are completed; (

e) despite sub -rule 14(4), divisions on these Specified Bills cannot be deferred; (

f) if a deadline day falls on a Friday sitting during the debate on the Budget Motion, the provisions of sub-rules (

b) and (

c) shall proceed as follows: i. The Speaker must termina te Routine Proceedings immediately upon conclusion of Oral Questions. ii. Thirty minutes after the conclusion of Oral Questions the Speaker will interrupt debate and put all questions on the remaining Bills with no further debate or amendment, except for the debate provisions allowed under 2(10) and 2(14). THAT sub-rule 2(17) be repealed and replaced with the following: Designated Bills Second Reading Completion Day for Designated Bills 2(17) Within two sitting days of the session resuming, the question for Second Reading of Designated Bills must be put. Emergency recall sittings are exempt from this provision. (

a) For each Designated Bill that has not yet been called for debate by this day, debate shall proceed as follows before the question is put: i. the Minister may speak for a maximum of 10 minutes; ii. a question period of up to 15 minutes may occur according to the provisions of sub- rule 137(5); and iii. Critics and each Independent Member may speak for a maximum of 10 minutes. (

b) For each Designated Bill that has been called for debate previously, debate shall proceed as follows before the question is put: i. any Members identified in 2(17)(

a) who have not yet spoken in the debate shall be afforded the opportunity to speak; ii. if the question period has not yet occurred, it shall take place as described in paragraph (a)(ii); and iii. if the question period was previously interrupted, it shall continue as described in paragraph (a)(ii). THAT sub-rule 2(21) be repeale d and replaced with the following: Actions to complete Second Reading, Report Stage and Concurrence and Third Reading of Designated Bills 2(21) If the actions referred to in sub-rules (17), (19) and (20) have not been completed by the noted date, the following provisions are to apply: (

a) the House will not adjourn on that day until the Speaker has put all the applicable questions on all Designated Bills; (

b) if Routine Proceedings has not concluded 90 minutes prior to the usual adjournment hour, the Speaker must terminate Routine Proceedings and proceed to Orders of the Day;

3402 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 4, 2018 (

c) Sixty minutes prior to the usual adjournment hour the Speaker will interrupt debate and put all questions on the remaining Bills with no further debate or amendment, except for the debate provisions allowed under 2(17) and 2(20); (

d) Matters of Privilege and Points of Order will be deferred until all votes are completed; (

e) Despite sub -rule 14(4), divisions on these Specified Bills cannot be deferred.

THAT sub-rule 23(4) be repealed and replaced with the following: Private Members' Business 23(4) Subject to sub- rule 4(3), Private Members' Business shall be considered as follows when the House sits on Tuesdays and Thursdays: Tuesday: 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (Private Members' Hour) Private Bills Public Bills Motions 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon (Private Members' Hour) Private Members' Resolutions Motions Thursday: 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (Private Members' Hour) Public Bills Private Bills Motions 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon (Private Members' Hour) Private Members' Resolutions Motions Deferred votes from previous Tuesday Private Members' Business at 11:55 a.m.

THAT the following be added after sub-rule 23(4): Sequence of Private Members' Bills 23(4.1) Private Members' Private Bills and Private Members' Public Bills shall be called in the following sequence as listed on the Order Paper: (

a) Report Stage; (

b) Debate on Report Stage; (

c) Concurrence and Third Readings; (

d) Debate on Concurrence and Third Readings; (

e) Second Readings; (

f) Debate on Second Readings. When a Private Member's Public Bill or Private Bill is called for debate and is not disposed of within that hour, it shall be placed on the bottom of the list of Bills of that type on the Order Paper. House Leaders Aut horized to announce Private Members' Bills for debate 23(4.2) House Leaders of Recognized Parties have the authority to announce Private Members' Bills sponsored by Members of their own Caucuses for debate in the first Hour of Private Members' Business.

The House Leaders are further authorized to call more than one Private Members' Bill for debate during that hour, and may allocate blocks of time for consideration of each Bill within the first Hour of Private Members' Business. (

a) On Tuesday mornings the Gove rnment House Leader or designate shall announce Private Members' Bills for debate. (

b) On Thursday mornings the Official Opposition House Leader or designate, or the House Leaders or designates of other Recognized Opposition Parties, shall announce Private Members' Bills for debate. (

c) If there is more than one Recognized Opposition Party: i. The House Leaders or designates of all Recognized Opposition Parties must submit to the Speaker a written agreement on dividing time on Thursday mornings. ii. In the event of an impasse the Speaker shall make a determination as to this division of time. THAT Sub-rule 23(7) be repealed. THAT Rule 24 be repealed and replaced with the following: Selected Bills 24(1) Each Recognized Party may select up to three Private Members' Bills per session to proceed to a Second Reading debate and vote.

Bills to proceed to a Second Reading vote 24(2) Each Independent Member may select one Private Members' Bill per session to pro ceed to a Second Reading debate and vote, and despite Rule 69(1), an Independent Member will not require a seconder to move each Reading motion for their selected Private Members' Bill. Written notice 24(3) Written notice of each selected Bill, indicating the sitting day and time when the debate and vote will occur, must be provided to the Speaker by the Government House Leader (or designate) and the

October 4, 2018 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 3403 Independent Member no later than two weeks prior to the scheduled end of the Fall Sittings. Scheduling Independent Members' Selected Bills 24(4) As part of the written notice required in 24(3), an Independent Member and the Government House Leader or designate must agree on a date and time for the debate and vote on the selected Bill, and notify the Speaker in writing of the details. (

a) In the event of an impasse, the Speaker shall make a determination as to the scheduling of these debates. (

b) The Government House Leader or designate will announce Independent Members' Private Members' Bills for debate on Tuesdays. THAT Sub-rule 34(7) be repealed and replaced with the following: Disposal of questions 34(7) On the sixth of the six days, at 30 minutes before the usual adjournment hour, unless debate has previously been concluded, the Speaker shall interrupt the proceedings and forthwith put every question necessary to dispose of the main motion, and any amendments thereto. The House shall not adjourn until all the required actions have taken place.

THAT Sub -rule 34(10) be repealed and replaced with the following: Termination of debate 34(10) On the eighth sitting day after the main motion has been moved, at 30 minutes before the usual adjournment hour, unless debate has previously been concluded, the Speaker shall interrupt the proceedings and forthwith put every question ne cessary to dispose of the main motion, and any amendments thereto. The Speaker shall not hear Points of Order or Matters of Privilege until all questions relating to this debate have been disposed of. The House shall not adjourn until all the required actions have taken place.

THAT the following be added after sub-rule 36(2): Rulings subject to challenge 36(3) The Speaker shall determine if a prima facie case of privilege has been established and provide the House with a rationale for this decision. Rulings of the Chair dealing with Matters of Privilege may be challenged by: (

a) a House Leader from a Recognized Party; or (

b) any Member with the support of three other Members. THAT Sub-rule 47(3) be repealed and replaced with the following: Disposal of questions 47(3) On the sixth of the six days, at 30 minutes before the usual adjournment hour, unless debate has previously been concluded, the Speaker shall interrupt the proceedings and forthwith put every question necessary to dispose of the main motion, and any amendments thereto. The House shall not adjourn until all the required actions have taken place.

THAT Sub-rule 47(6) be repealed and replaced with the following: Termination of debate 47(6) On the eighth sitting day after the main motion has been moved, at 30 minutes before the usual adjournment hour, unless debate has previously been concluded, the Speaker shall interrupt the proceedings and forthwith put every question necessary to dispose of the main motion, and any amendments thereto. The Speaker shall not hear Points of Order or Matters of Privilege until all questions relating to this debate have been disposed of. The House shall not adjourn until all the required actions have taken place.

THAT Sub-rule 83(1) be repealed and replaced with the following: Standing Committees 83(1) At the beginning of the first session of each Legislature, or anytime the composition of the House membership changes, the House Leaders or designates of all Re cognized Parties must meet to consider the representation of Members – based on the number of seats each Recognized Party holds in the House – to serve on the following Standing Committees of the House: Agriculture and Food Crown Corporations Human Resources Intergovernmental Affairs Justice Legislative Affairs Private Bills Public Accounts Rules of the House Social and Economic Development Statutory Regulations and Orders

3404 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 4, 2018 (

a) If the House Leaders or designates determine that a change in Standing Committee membership composition is required, they must report the new composition in writing to the Speaker. (

b) In the event of an impasse, the Speaker shall determine Standing Committee membership composition and report that in writing to all Members. (

c) The new Standing Committee membership composition is effective upon receipt by the Speaker of a letter from the House Leaders, or in the case of sub rule 83(1)(b), once the Speaker reports to all Members. (

d) At the next sitting of the House the Speaker must table the letter documenting the new Standing Committee membership composition.

Agreements Your Committee reached the following agreements during the meeting on October 3, 2018: • THAT these amendments to the Rules, Orders and Forms of Proceedings of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba come into force on November 20, 2018. • THAT the Clerk may re- number the Rules, Orders and Forms of Proceedings of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba and make other minor corrections that in no way alter the intended meaning of these amendments. • THAT the Clerk prepare revised rule books incorporating all amendments, additions and deletions. • THAT these amendments to the Rules, Orders and Forms of Proceedings of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba are permanent. • THAT the document entitled: "Legislative Assembly of Manitoba Rule Change Proposals – October 2018", be included at the end of the Hansard transcript of this meeting.

Mr. Piwniuk: Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable member for St. James (Mr. Johnston), that the report of the committee be received. Motion agreed to. TABLING OF REPORTS Hon. Eileen Clarke (Minister of Indigenous and Northern Relations ): I am pleased to table the following report: The Path to Reconciliation Act: Annual Progress Report for 2018. MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS Madam Speaker: The honourable minister for Indigenous and Northern Relations –and I would indicate that the required 90 minutes' notice prior to routine proceedings was provided in accordance with rule 26(2).

Would the honourable mi nister please proceed with her statement. Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Honouring and Awareness Day Hon. Eileen Clarke (Minister of Indigenous and Northern Relations ): I would like all members to join me in recognizing October 4th as M issing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Honouring and Awareness Day. Manitoba is the first region in Canada to officially recognize this day. Indigenous women and girls in Manitoba and Canada are disproportionately affected by all forms of violenc e.

Although indigenous women make up 4 per cent of Canada's female population, 16 per cent of all women murdered in Canada between 1980 and 2012 were indigenous. Statistics Canada reports that from 2001 to 2014, homicide rates for indigenous women were six times higher than homicides i nvolving non- indigenous women. According to the Native Women's Association of Canada, in 2010 Manitoba had the third highest number of cases of missing and murdered indigenous women in all of Canada. These statistics are staggering.

Today, I would like to acknowledge and honour the women, girls and the future generations have been stolen by this violence. I would also like to acknowledge and honour the i ndigenous women and girls who are survivors of gender -based violence. And, finally, I want to acknowledge and honour the families of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls. What you have gone through is truly devastating. It's important that we remember the legacies of all these women.

I urge all Manitobans to take the time to do this today, to honour these women and their families by reading their stories and by saying their names out loud. I also encourage Manitobans to attend a vigil hosted in your community. If there isn't one, perhaps next year you could help organize it.

October 4, 2018 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 3405 Our government is proud to support various community and family -led vigils and events. We know that the process of healing must be community driven, and we know that we have a role to play in addressing this injustice. Finally, I want to say thank you to the families for your hard work advocating on behalf of your loved ones. Your courage and your persistence resulted in the launch of the national inquiry in 2016. This week, the commissioners are in Winnipeg to discuss family and child welfare within the community.

I hope that the recommendations that result from these discussion s will be of value to family members, survivors and all the communities involved. Once again, I commend survivors and their family members for your bravery and your tenacity. Thank you for your hard work and unwavering commitment. Although we may never see their face, hear their voice or touch their hand, their memory is our keepsake and their spirit will live on forever. Madam Speaker, I want to ask for a brief moment of silence, to remember those who have been taken from us far too soon. Thank you. Ms. Nahanni Fontaine (St.

Johns ): Today, across Canada, and as the only province with a legislatively recognized day, we honour missing and m urdered indigenous women and girls, alongside their loving families. This morning the m ember for Point Douglas (Mrs. Smith), the first -ever elected MMIWG family member across Canada, and myself, hosted over 300 MMIWG famili es and community members with ceremony–only one of many eve nts organized by MMIWG and supporters today. I acknowledge all the MMIWG famil ies and supporters who worked as a collective , organizing these events.

The m ember for Point Douglas and myself are so proud to be a part of such a powerful collective of indige nous women and express our deep love to each and every one of them. Today, Madam Speaker, I reflect on what is often noted as t he official number of MMIWG: 1,181. To be clear, while the RCMP's national dataset remains the mos t comprehensive to date, it is by no means accurate. The RCMP's data only captures the years between 1980 and 2012. We know that some of the most earliest MMIWG on police record are found along BC 's Highway of Tears beginning in the early 1950s.

And we also know that almost every other month indigenous women or girls go missing or are murdered across Canada. * (13:40) So what is the actual number , Madam Speaker? Nobody knows for sure . Perhaps as much as 2,000, but with certainty I can affirm that it is way more than 1,200. We also know Manitoba has some of the highest numbers of MMIWG across the country and that, unfortunately, continues to grow.

And to tragically illustrate this point, only a couple of days ago the body of Mary Yellowback from Manto Sipi Cree Nation and a beloved mother of six children, Madam Speaker, was found in a recycling bin after coming to the city to access health care. It is heartbreaking to watch families year after year after year struggle with so much pain and trauma. To that end, I want to say miigwech to members who participated in today' s ceremony, and point out that for a second year in a row neither the Premier (Mr. Pallister) nor his ministers responsible even bothered to attend any of our MMIWG events here in the Leg.

Finally, we offer our profound love and support to all MMIWG across the country and know that we continue to stand with them in solidarity. Miigwech, Madam Speaker. Ms. Judy Klassen (Kewatinook): I rise today to speak to the Missing and M urdered Indigenous Women and Girls Honouring and Awareness Day, a day–a recognized day brought forward by my sister, the member for St. Johns. Kitchi megwetch de-duk-ni min -nayn-dan ka - ki-do-di-min. Translation unavailable. I want to thank all of those who cam e to the memorial event today in the Rotunda as well as those who organized the event.

I would also like to thank the m inister for her event in her office. I got to speak to Anita Campbell of the MMF here, and I am really grateful for that. She stated that they are going to–into schools in their region to start talking to our kids, start talking to our girls, creating awareness that this danger exists. It is

3406 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 4, 2018 a small step, but will reap many benefits. Talking openly about this crisis is one small solution, but it will reap many benefits. I live in fear. I t doesn't matter that I have achieved the standards of a success as defined by the Western worldview. I am cautious about where I park, where I walk, how I talk. I have to be extra guarded every single time I am out and about. I teach my children to do the same, especially my sons, as well.

What horrifies me is that my 18-year-old used the public transit system here recently ; someone literally kept up with her and tried smell ing her hair. She quickly dodged him and moved away and got into a safer spot . But what if this was one of my broken little sisters? They don't know love. T hey continuously look for it and monsters take advantage of that. Today across Canada families and communities are coming together to remem ber those they have lost and to raise awareness to the disproportionate amount of violence indigenous women face.

Racism, discrimination and colonialism underpin the violence indigenous women of all identities experience. We need continue the conversation and not allow them to silence us when we talk about violence towards indigenous women. We need to teach our children better ways and to stop this trauma from carrying forward. Manito Sipi is in my riding and they're facing two violent incidences against our women. One is highly publicized and I ask for a moment of silence that–for Mary. The other one is –I'm going to respect them and keep my silence until they are ready to speak. Megwetch, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Assiniboia, seeking leave? Hon. Steven Fletcher (Assiniboia): Yes, Madam Speaker, I wonder if I could have consent to respond to the ministerial statement? Madam Speaker: Does the member have leave to respond to the ministerial statement? [Agreed] Mr. Fletcher: I remember when the member from St. John's brought forward this bill to committee and the passion, the emotion and the strong connection that the member of St. John's and other presenters had, and I simply want to acknowledge that violence in all its forms is bad.

It's very important that the disproportionate amount of violence that seems to be–or is–incurred by people of Aboriginal descent or Aboriginal in present is something that we need to deal with. And I simply want –everything that needs t o be said has been said, but I'd like to say a special acknowledgement to the member for St. Johns (Ms. Fontaine) for bringing this bill forward, increasing awareness and educating all of us. Thank you. Madam Speaker: Is there leave for a moment of silence? [Agreed] A moment of silence was observed. MEMBERS' STATEMENTS Wayne Deschouwer Hon.

Brian Pallister (Premier): I rise to say farewell to a good friend, a teammate, an adversary on the sports field and coach and family man, Wayne Deschouwer, who passed this week tragically at the age of 63. His involvement in sports spans nearly five decades as a player, as a coach, as a manager, as an administrator. He was a more -than-adequate senior hockey player and ball player. He moved, at the age of 21, to the town of Gladstone, where he was instrumental in the establishment of a senior team, senior hockey team. And as player manager, he actively participated with that team for almost 20 years.

In addition to his role with the senior club, he was also the president of the local arena, coached the local midget AA club to a provincial championship. And since moving to Winnipeg, he's been associated with the Charleswood Hawks of the Manitoba Major Junior Hockey League as, first, their general manager and, presently, he was serving as president. And he assembled a great group of volunteers. As you know, Madam Speaker, he focused himself on the overall development of the team, and they experienced an unprecedented level of success in the arena.

He's a humble guy, a reserved individual, but his meticulous organizational skills, his commitment to structure, provided a solid foundation for every organization he was part of. The Charleswood Hawks, for example, have captured the Manitoba Major Junior Hockey League crown for the past four years and nine years of the last 11 years. Wayne's

October 4, 2018 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 3407 leadership has contributed to that team, and he's considered by many to be one of the premier hockey executives in the province. In addition to that, he was also the president of the Tiger Hills senior hockey league and saw it grow over the last 16 years from five teams to now 16. He was also in fastball and baseball. He served as the umpire-in-chief for Softball Manitoba, also the president of the Smitty's softball association.

He was inducted in the Manitoba Softball Hall of Fame several times as part of various teams and served as – was awarded the Hockey Manitoba Volunteer of the Year Award in 2011 and '12. He's an accomplished man, Madam Speaker. We're going to all miss him ve ry dearly. He always gave more than he took. Goodbye, old friend. Habitat for Humanity Morden-Winkler Homes Hon. Cameron Friesen (Minister of Health , Seniors and Active Living ): Madam Speaker, I had the distinct honour of taking

part in a special Habitat for Humanity sod-turning ceremony on May the 18th in the city of Winkler. Habitat first expressed interest in starting a new

chapter back in October 2017. Le d by Christina and Duane Falk, a series of meetings ensued with community groups, city officials and a business–and the business community, leading to both Morden and Winkler each announcing a home for local families. * (13:50) As we know, Habitat matches homes with qualifying families who 've purchased their home at market value, no down payment and monthly payments based on their income. As they pay back their mortgage, the funds return to the

chapter to be reinvested for new homes for new families. We all know the pride, security and stability that comes from having a home that is really yours. This has been the legacy of habitat for humanities. Members may not be aware that when Habitat first came to Canada in 1985, it was Winkler where the first H abitat home was built. And s ince those beginnings, this global non-profit group has grown to 56 chapters nationally, over 2,200 homes built in Canada. It is truly satisfying to see this initiative re-established in the Morden -Winkler constituency after many years.

It's remarkable to see how fast this has all come together. The project would not be possi ble without community partners, like Triple E who generously stepped to plate by donating properties to Habitat. Madam Speaker, today we're joined in the gallery by two Habitat for Humanity staffers, Michelle Pereira and Vernelle Mirosh from the Habitat for Humanity's Winnipeg office. Welcome to the Legislature. Thank you for your wonderful work and o n behalf of all members in the House, thank you for all the ways in which you're making a difference. Manitoba's Methamphetamine Crisis Mrs.

Bernadette Smith (Point Douglas): What does meth look like? It looks like all of us. Our province's meth crisis is permeating every corner of our society ; 2018 hasn't even come to an end, and Winnipeg's fire paramedic services have already documented more crystal meth -related cases than in 2017. Last year, one third of homicides were meth-related, while crime rates have spiked by 60 per cent . Parks where children pl ay are now riddled with needles . Meth-related hospital visits have soared by 1 ,200 per cent, and this government seems to be doing nothing.

Behind these statistics are people , somebody's loved one. Meth is a violent drug, which transforms its users into u nrecognizable versions of themselves, falling into states of psychosis and desperation. Families are forced to watch their loved ones disappear before their very eyes. Where is the help for Manitoba ns struggling with meth addiction? Where is the help for t he families ? For our communities? Main Street Project estimates up to 25,000 Manitobans are struggling with addiction, but yet they only have 46 beds.

While people are dying in our communities, and the amount of people addic ted to meth continues to rise, this government is doing nothing. Most of all, hope is needed. Surviving with–without m eth is impossible for the person struggling. They will often commit suicide or go back to using. Long- term supports and investments in early intervention and prevention are needed, and needed now. Activists and advocates have been calling for these lines of action for a long time but this Pallister government has refused to respond with appropriate urgency. I implore them to s top neglecting the

3408 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 4, 2018 problem, and give people hope that their suffering will end. Corporal Graeme Kingdon Mr. Greg Nesbitt (Riding Mountain): On the morning of August 30th, Canadians woke to the horrifying news that an RCMP officer had been wounded when–while responding to a call in western Manitoba. For residents in the Onanole area, the drama started the evening before and continued through the night.

Corporal Graeme Kingdon and his partner from the Yellowhead RCMP detachment responded to a 911 call of a break and enter in progress at a r ural residence near the community , just south of Riding Mountain National Park around 9:30 p.m. As the two officers exited their vehicle they were fired upon, with Corporal Kingdon being hit by the gunfire. The suspects fled the scene and his partner did not return fire, instead choosing to get immediate help for his injured partner. Corporal Kingdon was taken to the Minnedosa hospital and then transferred to the Health Sciences Centre by STARS air ambulance.

After an extensive manhunt, three suspects wer e detained early the next morning in the Onanole area, and a fourth was arrested in Neepawa later in the day. I am pleased to report to the House that Corporal Kingdon, a graduate of the c lass of 1993 at the Minnedosa Collegiate, is recovering with the support of his wife Nakella, family members and the entire community. Corporal Kingdon comes from a family that serves. His sister Jill is also an RCMP member, while his father Ron is retired from the force.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of all members of the Manitoba Legislature, I want to wish Corporal Kingdon all the best during his recovery, and thank him and all members of police forces across Canada for putting their lives on the line every day in the name of public safety. Thank you. Madam Speaker: Further members' statements? Thank You to St. Boniface Community Mr. Dougald Lamont (Leader of the Second Opposition): Merci Saint-Boniface, je t'aime. Translation Thank you, St. Boniface, I love you. English To the people of St. Boniface who honoured us with your support, I owe you everything.

Saint-Boniface, je vous dois tout. Translation St. Boniface, I owe you everything. English St. Boniface is an extraordinary community with deep roots, deep history and an incredible future. It is humbling beyond words to be allowed to represent you. My swearing -in took place on a special day, July 27th. Though my father was not alive to see it, it was my parents' wedding anniversary and the 82nd anniversary of the dat e my grandfather, J.S. "Bud" Lamont was elected to this Chamber as Liberal MLA for Iberville in 1936. Bud was elected in the middle of the Depression, a time of turmoil.

But times of turmoil and trouble are always and also times of hope. He was also elected at a time when people were questioning democracy. In his maiden speech of this Chamber, where he insulted not just the government of which he was a part, but every other political party, he said that democracy has the strength to solve its own problems. I am concerned today that people are losing face–faith in institutions, including government and media, and that our democracies are under threat because economic growth has been so uneven.

And millions of Canadians and hundreds of thousands of Manitobans haven't seen a real raise in decades. What is required is reinvestment and renewal and a commitment to progressive government and an economy for all and not just a few. Ten years ago, there was a global financial crisis, and we're still living in its shadow. We need to invest and work our way out of debt. A year ago, I was running for leader of the Manitoba Liberal Party. We set out with an ambitious goal to change politics in Manitoba so that we can change government in 2020.

What is happening in politics right now around the globe, in many ways, is not normal, and we don't have to settle for it. And change for the better is possible. To the people of St. Boniface, you've shown that change is possible. L'année dernière, on a fixé un objectif ambitie ux de changer la politique et de

October 4, 2018 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 3409 changer le gouvernement au Manitoba en 2020. Saint-Boniface, vous avez fait preuve que le changement est possible. Translation Last year, we set an ambitious goal: to change politics and to change government in Manitoba in 2020. St. Boniface, you have shown that change is possible. English I will do everything I can to defend and promote you in Manitoba –in the Manitoba Legislature to constructively challenge the agenda of the Pallister government and to prove there is an alternative to the new normal we've all– Madam Speaker: The member's time has expired.

ORAL QUESTIONS Manitoba's Climate Plan Removal of Carbon Pricing Mr. Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): So for an entire election campaign, for three straight throne speeches the Premier tri ed to convince Manitobans that he cared about the environment. Now we see his true colours. Instead of standing up for the environment, he's standing next to Doug Ford. This is what happens, Madam Speaker, when you have a Premier who believes that governing is a one-man show. When you- know-who has a temper tantrum, all of a sudden the entire government has to do a one -eighty.

Everything the backbenchers have been dutifully trying to sell to their constituents for the past two years, it's now out the window. What's left? Uncertainty–uncertainty for the average family who has to drive to school, to work, to the hockey rink, uncertainty for business in our province, but perhaps most importantly in the long run, uncertainty for future generations who will have to pay the price because the Premier would not stand up for the environment. Why is the Premier disrespecting the environment and taking a page out of Doug Ford's playbook? Hon.

Brian Pallister (Premier): Well, the member will have to decide whether he's voting for Manitobans, Madam Speaker, or voting for Ottawa on a carbon tax. Next Thursday he'll make that decision. If he votes for a carbon tax, he's voting against the best interest of Manitobans; he's voting against the challenges that people in the North have to face every day; he's going to be voting against his own members. If he votes with us, Madam Speaker, he's voting for Manitobans and a move to certainty and away from uncertainty.

The only thing certain about the 17 years of NDP rule was that they had no carbon strategy whatsoever, no green plan, never acted on– the Auditor General said so. The only other certainty was that they'd raise taxes at every oppo rtunity, and the member is simply restating that strategy and doubling down on dumb. That's it. Madam Speaker: Order. The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a supplementary question. * (14:00) Mr. Kinew: Well, Madam Speaker, the Premier's flip-flop is remarkable; reminds me of a pickerel on a dock, as they say, flip, flop, flip. And now we see his true colours.

And just May 30th, in this very House, the Premier, and I quote: We're talking about people all across the spectrum, not just the right -wing columnists, but many, many others who care deeply about the environment, about our future, about our economy as well, and wanted a balanced plan, and we decided to embark on a plan based on that listening. End quote. Turns out the Premier would eventually fold like a chair in a church basement, Madam Speaker.

Not sure if he's scared of Justin Trudeau, not sure if he's scared of the right -wing columnists, but it is clear that the Premier was unwilling to stand up for the environment. He decided to reject what he himself says regular families support and, instead, he started to wave the flag waved by Doug Ford in Ontario. The Premier's turned himself into a pretzel on this issue. I would just like to know: Is the Premier really, really, really s ure this time, or is he going to come back to this House in six months with a new plan once Jason Kenney– Madam Speaker: The member's time has expired. Mr.

Pallister: Well, Madam Speaker, I guess there's nothing but consistency from the member in respect of throwing NDPers under the bus. He just threw

3410 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 4, 2018 Rachel Notley under the bus, as he did with Greg Selinger, as he did with the m ember for Concordia (Mr. Wiebe) the other day. So he's pretty sure that he's not associated with the old NDP, so it's probably irrelevant to him to read the Auditor General's report because it wasn't him, Madam Speaker, who didn't have a green plan for 17 years; it was those other guys . He's the new guy now, and now he's got an idea, but not one he's articulated clearly. Is he for the carbon tax, at what level, and who's going to pay for it?

Or is he against it, and is he willing to stand with us on behalf of the people of Manitoba and get some certainty here and not give in to the threat from the Trudeau government that they're going to double it and give Manitobans nothing back? That's his choice. He needs to make it, and he needs to make it by next Thursday. Madam Speaker: The ho nourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a final supplementary. Mr. Kinew: Madam Speaker, the Premier has completely abdicated his responsibility to protect the environment. There's a scientific consensus that global warming is real and that it's man- made.

It’s a threat that all of our kids face. [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Kinew: There's an economic consensus, at least–that even includes Conservatives, at least those not running for re -election, that carbon pricing is an important tool for fighting global warming. But instead of that, and going along with the consensus, the Premier has pulled a remarkable flip -flop. He wants to make pollution free instead of making polluters pay. Madam Speaker, this Premier is giving a subsidy to ever y large polluter in the province.

This is a subsidy that our kids and our grandkids will have to pay for generations to come. All year we've been asking for the Premier to come back with a better plan–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Kinew: –but perhaps we should've been more specific. Can the Premier come back to this House with a real carbon pricing plan that will serve generations to come in this province by protecting the environment? Mr. Pallister: Well, as government for 17 years there was one consistency with the NDP: they loved putting their hands in the pockets of Manitobans.

Now they're out of power so they want Ottawa to put their hands in the pockets of Manitobans. That's their choice; it's not ours. It's not ours, Madam Speaker. And the NDP needs to make that choice. They have to decide if they want a carbon tax, then vote for it; if they don't, then vote against it.

We're going to vote against it because, Madam Speaker, we want to keep Ottawa's hands out of the pockets of the Manitoba people, struggling families, half of whom have less than $100 of discretionary income at the end of the month, don't need the NDP or the Liberals in Ottawa to pile on them and throw another bill on their table. The difference between us and them is we respect the decision-makers, and the decision-makers should be the people who work hard to make the money and save the money, not the NDP, who just want credit for taking money from somebody else who worked hard for it.

Manitoba's Climate Plan Removal of Carbon Pricing Mr. Rob Altemeyer (Wolseley): Madam Speaker, yesterday was a very sad day–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Altemeyer: Yesterday was a very sad day, Madam Speaker, for our province and for our planet. After promising serious climate action for two years to a wide variety of stakeholders, the truth about this government's intentions finally came out. Now, I had the honour of being on a panel last night with a number of those stakeholders. I won't speak for them. They include the Chamber of Commerce and the Trucking Association and many others.

Suffice to say no one had anything good to say about the Premier's (Mr. Palliste

r) decision yesterday. The MLA– Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Madam Speaker: Order. Order. Order. Mr. Altemeyer: Thank you, again, Madam Speaker. I will conclude with this question. The MLA for Riel broke her word again by bailing on that same panel discussion. After lying for

October 4, 2018 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 3411 two years and breaking her word, could she please have the decency to apologize to all of the– Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Altemeyer: –stakeholders involved? Madam Speaker: Order, please. The member in his comments just used some words that are not allowed in this House, and I would ask the member for Wolseley to please withdraw those words, to withdraw that language. Mr. Altemeyer: Withdrawn. Madam Speaker: Thank the member for that. Hon.

Rochelle Squires (Minister of Sustainable Development): I'm not surprised nor am I disappointed in this member's unparliamentary language. This is in keeping with what he does when he has an opportunity to stand up. Last night he also said some very interesting things on that panel, and I'd like to table a report – CBC–that he had said –he said carbon tax is not going to get us the reductions that we need but it will generate the revenue. There, in a nutshell, is the NDP entire strategy on climate chang e.

They don't care how high that carbon tax is; they just want to generate revenue so that they could have their hands on Manitobans' money. Manitobans know how that strategy worked out for them–in the last time. They're not going to be fooled again, Madam Speaker. [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Order. The honourable member for Wolseley, on a supplementary question. Mr. Altemeyer: Well, if the honourable member for Riel had bothered to show up to the panel she could have said her piece then. Madam Speaker, what this government clearly does not understand–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr.

Altemeyer: –is the sheer urgency of climate change. No less than the UN Secretary -General has issued a statement to the world that serious action on climate reductions has to happen within the next two years, and yet, yesterday, this government put a huge dagger in the heart of anyone who was hoping to see serious action: $67 million was available to our province to pay for real action, real action that's been promised by this government for that time, and they have not delivered a single time. Why has this government– Madam Speaker: The member's time has expired. Ms.

Squires : For 17 years that member had the opportunity to impress upon his government to take meaningful action on climate change, and not only do all of Manitobans know that he failed in that duty, the Auditor General also points out that they failed in that duty. The only thing that's been consistent from this NDP opposition is that they wa nt to tax Manitobans. They'll take a $25 price on carbon. Leader of the Official Opposition (Mr. Kinew) said he'd take a $50 price on carbon. The member for Wolseley said he'd take a $350 US price on carbon.

They just want an escalating price on carbon, an d that is the only plan they have for Manitobans is to tax them more. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Wolseley, on a final supplementary. Mr. Altemeyer: Well, I continue with my – [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Altemeyer: –initial theme, Madam Speaker: it is a very sad day in this province when the provincial government is going back on its word and completely abdicating its responsibility to address climate change. It doesn't even necessarily mean that this government couldn't have done the obvious.

There is a power sale between Manitoba and Saskatchewan just waiting to happen, and before yesterday our province had the moral high ground to legitimately ask the federal government to bring some of the money from Doug Ford's Ontario t o here to help make that power sale happen, and now we have no legal grounds or moral grounds to stand on. How could the MLA for Fort Whyte abandon his commitment to current and future generations by bailing and failing on climate change? Ms. Squires : Madam Speaker, speaking on bailing on climate change, that was their 17 -year strategy.

They failed to clean up contaminated sites in this province. They failed to clean up orphaned mines in

3412 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 4, 2018 this province. They failed to do any meaningful – have any meaningful mitigation. * (14:10) And today, what is he saying? For –the member for Wolseley is saying that Ottawa has to muster up the courage to carry through and impose their carbon tax on every single province, including Manitoba, and that is his policy. So he wants to talk about a sad day in Manitoba; it is a very sad day in Manitoba when a member of the opposition says that Ottawa needs to impose a higher tax on Manitobans, that's a sad day. Highway and Roads Budget Delays and Cost Overruns Mr.

Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): I'll just point out quickly that in three answers the environment minister didn't say anything about protecting the environment. The Premier is cutting jobs, he's–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Kinew: –already cut–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Order. Mr. Kinew: Must have touched a nerve there, eh, Madam Speaker? Now, the Premier–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Kinew: Thanks. The Premier is cutting jobs. He's already cut over 1,100 front-line workers since 2016.

An internal memo, which I'll table, dated September 20th shows the impact of the Premier's cuts. It reads: Our region has been experiencing continued workload demands along with ever diminishing staff allocations and resources. Diminished resources have resulted in missed steps and processes during the design and construction phases of our capital program delivery causing construction delays and cost overruns. End quote. Cost overages, I would correct myself there.

This is a consequence of the Premier's cuts: staff worked to the limits, missed steps, projects delayed, projects over the budget, all because of the Premier's cuts. Will the Premier take responsibility, beginning by tabling– Madam Speaker: The member's time h as expired. [interjection] The member's time has expired. Hon.

Brian Pallister (Premier): Well, first of all, Madam Speaker, here's what the Auditor General said about the NDP's record on green, which I know the member isn't responsible for because, of course, he's not responsible for anything that happened before in his life or the life of the NDP government. But that being said, Madam Speaker, the Auditor General said specifically that the NDP knew that their environment–they were aware that the plan that they had put before Manitobans in 2008 would not work by the fall of 2009. This is the greenhouse emissions plan that they–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr.

Pallister: –anchored their record on for green. They were aware by the fall of 2009, Madam Speaker. So did they react? Did they care about the environment? Did they take steps ? No, no and no. They waited until 2015, Madam Speaker –six years– to update their plan, and they put it on the back of a napkin. And it would have required every diesel- and gas-operated vehicle in the province to get off the roads to work. That's how littl e the NDP ever cared about the green plan for our province. We've got a green plan and we're working on it, and it doesn't involve a carbon tax.

If they want one, vote for it– Madam Speaker: The member's time has expired. The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a supplementary question. Mr. Kinew: So the question was about the cuts to highways and how short -sighted they are, Madam Speaker. Not only is the Premier putting people out of work in our province, but it's very short -sighted in that his cuts are causing projects to get more expensive. It's causing the quality to go down. The internal memo that I just tabled and that I would point the Premier toward says that. They've – missed steps.

Projects have bee n delayed and projects ended up costing more and more money because of the cuts that this Premier is making to infrastructure in our province. We know that he cut $150 million. The impact is that there's been 2,000 fewer jobs in our province as a result. T he human face of it was just outside of the

October 4, 2018 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 3413 Leg. yesterday when there was some 100 electricians, out of work, on the front lawn demanding to have more job opportunities for Manitobans in our province. Will the Premier respond to the question at hand and answer a question about capital budgets? Will he table a list of which road project have missed steps, have been delayed and have gone over– Madam Speaker: The member's time has expired. Mr. Pallister: Madam Speaker, the member's ideological bent's obv ious.

It's been obvious to Manitobans for years that the NDP wants everyone, every worker to pay a union due in order to participate in building something for the people of Manitoba. That's wrong, has to change. It's illegal in all of Europe, most of the U nited States now and it's no longer going to be the practice here either. What's fair about having a neighbour who's unionized get subsidized by a neighbour who isn't? Nothing fair about that. People working on construction jobs deserve to be paid fairly and fully, and they will be, Madam Speaker. But they're not going to be forced to pay union dues.

They're not going to be forced–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Pallister: And taxpayers are not going to be forced to pay 20, 30 and 40 per cent m ore for construction projects because of NDP ideology. Not in this province, not anymore. Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a final supplementary. Mr. Kinew: Madam Speaker, the Premier's getting ahead of himself with that really long sentence construction there. What he ought to end with is the simple statement at the beginning of that phrase he used–Manitobans have a right to work.

Everybody in this province who wants a job should be able to get one, and that's becoming l ess and less likely because of the cuts that this Premier is making. Not only are there 2,000 less jobs in this province because of the $150- million cut to the infrastructure budget that this Premier has made, we also see from the internal government doc ument that I tabled today that, as a result, the projects are being– lower and lower quality delivered on them, that they're being delayed and that costs are going overboard. The result is that these cuts ought to be properly seen as short-sighted.

So I'd ask the Premier, again, to stop dodging and answer the question directly: Which road projects have missed steps, which ones have been delayed and which ones have seen cost overruns because of the cuts that he is making to infrastructure and jobs in Manitoba? Mr. Pallister: Well, let's talk about projects delayed, Madam Speaker. We're currently in the process of building seven schools in just the first two years of government. The NDP built fewer than one a year in the whole time. So I guess delays in constructing schools would be a legacy of the NDP. How about Freedom Road?

Never got around to it, Madam Speaker. We're going to get it completed. How about flood protection for all the people living in the Lake Manitoba basin? Never got around to it over there. We're doing what they failed to do. They failed continuously to get these jobs done. We're getting them done. We have a commitment to make sure that we invest strategically, not for political purposes as the NDP used to do, for logical reasons that pay back the people of Manitoba by getting the infrastructure projects they deserve: new schools, new drainage programs and flood protection, new ways to get access.

That's how we build a stronger province, Madam Speaker, not by ignoring the problem or politicizing it, as the member is doing now. Methamphetamine Crisis Mental Health and Addiction Services Ms. Nahanni Fontaine (St. Johns ): Back in 2016 our NDP caucus sounded the alarm about a looming drug crisis here in Manitoba. Parents were telling us, Madam Speaker, public safety officers were telling us, but now our worst fears have been realized: there's a 1,200 per cent increase in met h-related hospital visits and meth-related crime is way up.

Health-care workers aren't equipped to deal with this crisis, and the association of 'registrated' – registered nurses wrote to the minister on Tuesday advising, and I quote: They cannot wait any longer; they need action now. Why does the Premier not care about this issue? Hon. Cameron Friesen (Minister of Health , Seniors and Active Living ): The member for St. Johns is wrong. The government cares very deeply about this issue. It's why we have been working co- operatively. I know that even just this

3414 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 4, 2018 morning, the Minister of Justice (Mr. Cullen) and I were talking about conversations he just had with police chiefs just today. Yesterday, this has just occupied an awful lot of our time–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Friesen: –so the government is fully aware. We all know that this is a challenge that every single jurisdiction in Canada is facing. We're working well with police, with health officials, with other jurisdictions to get a handle on the situation. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for St. Johns, on a supplementary question. Ms.

Fontaine: Clearly, the Premier (Mr. Pallister) or his minister isn't taking this seriously if he's only spoken to the chief of police today. Manitoba received the VIRGO report on mental health and addiction in March, but didn't release it until May, Madam Speaker, and for good reason. The Pallister government is making cuts to addiction services, cutting its funding to the only long- term treatment centre for teens with addictions, forcing youth addiction centres to close their doors.

Manitoba Health annual report shows that $1.5 million was cut from mental health and addictions, primarily because the government cut its funding for youth treatment. Why doesn't this Premier care about this meth crisis? Mr. Friesen: The member, again, is wrong. We are making significant investments in mental health and addictions, including six new mental health beds at Health Sciences Centre.

We have expanded capacity for women's treatment with 12 additional beds. * (14:20) I do note in the VIRGO report that she references, that the author of t hat report made clear that when it came to the NDP, for years and years in Manitoba these challenges were left unaddressed, and at one point it even says 10 years behind everyone else. We are addressing the challenges that that government left unaddressed. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for St. Johns, on a final supplementary. Addiction Services Safe Consumption Site Request Ms. Nahanni Fontaine (St.

Johns ): The former minister of Health didn't want to look at the evidence nor did he want to lis ten to the experts. In fact, he interfered with the VIRGO report and forced them to take out the recommendation calling for a safe consumption site. Rick Lees, the director of Main Street Project, was clear when he stated, and I quote: I don't believe that safe consumption should be politicized. I think it's a health issue. So why is the Premier not listening to experts or listening to families or front-line workers? Will he open a safe consumption site in Winnipeg today? Hon.

Cameron Friesen (Minister of Health , Seniors and Active Living ): Well, the member has asked three questions, and yet not one time does she even reference the fact that this government has taken action where they did not in opening the brand new Rapid Access to Addictions Medicine clinics– opening three, two more to come directly. I note for her that Dr.

Erin Knight at Health Sciences Centre had this to say about that: that these RAAM clinics quickly connect patients with addictions for assessment, connection to services and treatment from harm reduction to medication-assisted treatment to abstinence – everything based on the patient's goals –helping the system, taking the pressure off emergency departments. This is real action; our government is taking it. Manitoba's Climate Plan Removal of Carbon Pricing Mr. Dougald Lamont (Leader of the Second Opposition): Madam Speaker, the government delivered an about -face yesterday on the Pallister carbon tax.

Two and a half years into their mandate – [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Order, please. I would indicate to the member that the only time the name of the Premier can be used is as Pallister government. And as a new member, I would just ask him to just be careful with putting the name of the Premier attached to anyt hing other than that; and in this case, that would not be acceptable language.

October 4, 2018 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 3415 Mr. Lamont: Two and a half years into their mandate, Madam Speaker: on poverty reduction the government has no plan; on jobs and economic growth, no plan; on housing, no plan; on education, no plan; on health, a patchwork of several plans mostly developed under the NDP; on Hydro, no plan; on mental health and addictions, a plan that ignored suicide and methamphetamines, both of which are at crisis levels in this province. The Climate and Green Plan may have been flawed. It may have been incoherent.

It may have had no measureable goals and no real chance of success. But it was a plan, Madam Speaker; a plan that cost Manitobans $60,000 in return flights to Ottawa for its author alone. Does the Premier have any idea how much time and public money have been wasted promoting this charade? Hon. Brian Pallister (Premier): I'd say the biggest charade of all is Ottawa pretending that they know more about how to help build an environmental strategy for the provinces than the provinces themselves do.

I'd say the second biggest charade is that Ottawa thinks that its going to help the economy of this country blossom by taking billions of dollars out of the hands of working families, seniors living on fixed income, struggling people, and taking it to Ottawa and then getting credit for sending it back somehow. I don't see this as helping our economy. I don't see this as helping our environment, either. So, Madam Speaker, when the man speaks about charades he's speaking about what's going on in Ottawa right now. Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Second Opposition, on a supplementary question.

Carbon Pricing Revenue Low-Income Tax Relief Mr. Dougald Lamont (Leader of the Second Opposition): Madam Speaker, the Premier says that by abandoning the Pallister government carbon tax he will not be able to pay for his planned income tax cuts. I will note that in the first two years of a federal carbon tax Manitobans will actually be paying 20 to 60 per cent less than they would have pay than they would have under the plan the government has abandoned.

Now, it's also the –worse pointing out, Madam Speaker, that the promised income tax cuts were regressive, trickle -down cuts that only save people living in poverty a few dollars while handing hundreds of dollars to people at the top of the income scale. The government side were effectively voting – [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Lamont: –themselves a tax cut. Under the NDP, as we know, low - and middle-income Manitobans paid the highest taxes in Canada because the tax cuts they delivered, too, were at the top.

The Province could still proceed with a better tax relief for people at the bottom of the income scale without massive handouts to people who don't need it if they used earned-income tax credits. My question to the Premier is: If the federal carbon tax will bring in more revenue than the Pallister government carbon tax, why not use it for bigger tax cuts or relief? Hon. Brian Pallister (Premier): That was the ultimate Liberal question right ther e, Madam Speaker. Why not raise taxes and lower them, he said. Well, frankly, we're not for raising them on this side of the House; we're for lowering taxes.

Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Second Opposition, on a final supplementary. [interjection] Order. Manitoba's Climate Plan Removal of Carbon Pricing Mr. Dougald Lamont (Leader of the Second Opposition): Madam Speaker, in July, Premier Doug Ford of Ontario tweeted that –for–the Premier would be abandoning the carbon tax, a tweet that was later deleted. Yesterday, minutes after the government issued a press release about the carbon tax, a Conservative MP asked a question in the House of Commons about it.

It seems that the House of Commons in Ottawa and, indeed, the Premier of Ontario knew about this plan before Manitobans did. It seems that, far from standing alone, on principle, and defending his plan for Manitoba, the–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order.

3416 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 4, 2018 Mr. Lamont: –Premier has caved in to peer pressure from Conservatives in Ontario a nd Saskatchewan. Perhaps the reason this government faces this – challenges getting anything done is because the First Minister has to ask permission from Conservative leader Andrew Scheer first. Did the Premier of Ontario and the federal Conservative Part y know about this plan before Manitobans did, Madam Speaker? Hon.

Brian Pallister (Premier): You know, Madam Speaker, actually, the Prime Minister and I have had several good discussions about this issue, including, but not limited to, just two weeks ago. And it was very, very clear, as a result of that series of discussions, that he was steadfast in wanting to have a higher carbon tax for Manitobans. He wanted it double and, frankly, he wanted it for nothing. So what that means, Madam Speaker, is tha t the member has a choice to make next Thursday as well.

He has to decide if he wants to back the Prime Minister and get into the pockets of Manitobans for no good reason, or whether he wants to back us and have lower taxes for Manitobans, and that's going to be his choice next Thursday. Madam Speaker: Is there a question? LGBTTQ* Students Support for Bill 224 Mr. Matt Wiebe (Concordia): Just a few years ago it was this current Minister of Education that led the charge in opposition to Bill 18, which helped Manitoba students create gay -straight alliances.

Bill 18 offered young people a greater share of basic freedoms like freedom of association and freedom of speech, and most importantly, they were student -led and student-focused. Now, Bill 224 seeks to strengthen the protections of the rights of those LGBTTQ* students. So will this Minister of Education admit that he was wrong about Bill 18 and stand in support of Bill 224? Hon. Kelvin Goertzen (Minister of Education and Training): Madam Speaker, The Public Schools Act has a number of different principles.

And certainly, one is that all students should feel safe and should feel accepted in the school environment. Of course we support that. Another principle is that there should be respect for prof essional teachers to allow them to apply their knowledge to individual circumstances–and we support that; and also that parents have rights as well when it comes to the education of their children. All of those are reflected within The Public Schools Act, and we support all of those, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Concordia, on a supplementary question. Mr.

Wiebe: Madam Speaker, on this side of the House, we recognize that all people, including young people in this province, deserve to decide when and to whom they disclose their sexual or gender identity. The new Minister of Education once said that he was never more proud of his community than when 1,000 people gathered to oppose gay -straight alliances. I sincerely wish that his proudest moment instead was when Steinbach residents gathered together for their first -ever Pride parade, instead. That would have been much better.

Will this Minister of Education open his heart like the people of Steinbach who led that first Pride parade and commit to bill–supporting Bill 224? Mr. Goertzen: Madam Speaker, there is no question that Steinbach is a wonderful community and I'm always proud to represent it. As I've already indicated, Madam Speaker, The Public Schools Act clearly delineates and supports the need to protect all students so that all students can feel safe within the school environment.

It already protects the r ights of parents, and it already protects the professional teachers to apply their knowledge to situations as they need to. We support all of those principles, and we'll continue to. * (14:30) Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Concordia, on a final supplementary. Mr. Wiebe: Madam Speaker, many people watched in dismay as –and fear –as Doug Ford scrapped Ontario's progressive sexual education curriculum, setting Ontario's sex ed back by two decades. Along with the critical issue of consent, the Ontario curriculum taught students about sexual orientation and about bullying.

Thousands of students have voiced their outrage at this setback by walking out of classes.

October 4, 2018 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 3417 Yesterday this Premier, who opposed bill 18 and once called LGBTTQ marriages a social experiment, proved that he is, in fact, willing to follow Doug Ford's path. Will the Premier prove that he will not betray Manitoba's LGBTTQ community and commit to supporting Bill 224? Mr. Goertzen: Well, Madam Speaker, my first three questions as the Education Minister, none of them had to do with the results that students actually get in schools.

None of them had to do with the fact that over the 17 years the NDP were in government the results got worth –worse for math, for reading, for science. That member opposite, all he ever talks about is how much money is spent, Madam Speaker. When my son comes home from school I ask him the question, what did you learn in school today? I don't ask him how much did the government spend on you in school today. Our focus will be about results. I hope he gets on board with that. Provincial Finances Deficit Reduction Mr.

James Teitsma (Radisson): Our PC government was elected on a promise to fix the finances, repair the services and rebuild our economy. This coming Thanksgiving weekend Manitobans will have over 1.7 billion reasons to be thankful for that. That's because if the NDP had their way o ur deficit this year would be $1.7 billion, and that's without accounting for the cost of all those NDP election promises, not that anybody should be believing those. So with only two years of our government we have shown more progress in reducing the de ficit than 17 years of NDP government.

So my question for the Minister of Finance is: Can he please inform the House about this important work that we're doing to reduce Manitoba's provincial deficit? Hon. Scott Fielding (Minister of Finance): Madam Speaker–and it's an honour to talk here in the Legislature about Manitoba's finances. I can tell you that Manitoba is on the path to recovery when it comes to the finances of Manitoba. Our deficit is over $145 million less than we anticipated in the last budget. That's over the second year.

The hard work that the former minister of Finance and the rest of our government has done to came–to maintain stability in terms of our finances is important. We're doing what we said we were going to do and we're doing what we were elected to do: clean up the mess from the former NDP government. St. Boniface Neonatal Unit Nursing Overtime Concerns Mr. Dougald Lamont (Leader of the Second Opposition): Madam Speaker, yesterday the First Minister said he would give straight answers to my questions, and I appreciate that. This week I received a letter from nurses at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at St.

Boniface Hospital. Over 70 nurses signed a lette r and, frankly, it was a cry for help. They are pleading for change for this government to do something about the dangerous levels of overtime that nurses are having to endure. Just as recently as last weekend, nurses are being forced to work 16 hours of overtime and even a shift as long as 20 hours. This government promised to protect front -line workers and the most vulnerable. Intensive care nurses are the front line of the front line, and babies in intensive care the most vulnerable of the most vulnerable. This has been going on for months, Madam Speaker.

Does this Premier seriously believe that of all the places in health care to shake up that newborn intensive care was the place to do it? Hon. Brian Pallister (Premier): I thank the front-line wor kers in health care in particular for their understanding and their patience during this period of change. It's not easy, Madam Speaker, and I understand that very well.

I also understand that their involvement, their voice, is important to this government and I have had the great chance to be the beneficiary of a lot of input, as have my colleagues from people who work in the front lines of health care and we have listened and we are acting on those concerns. I can also encourage him to visit the new G race Hospital ER and to see how bigger, better and faster it can work to benefit the clients of our health -care system, and to see all the intricate design advantages that we've derived in expanding the ER by listening to the front -line workers themselves–not just nurses,

3418 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 4, 2018 but also the health-care aides and others whose input was vital in making sure that we improve our system, that we shorten wait times and that we make sure that, as my friends who are nurses have told me, they want to work in a system that works better for patients. Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Second Opposition, on a supplementary question. Mr. Lamont: Madam Speaker, the Premier and his government can talk about wait times. My question was about St. Boniface NICU and the nurses there.

There is no such thing as a wait time for a mother in labour. What is being asked of nurses is not just unfair and unreasonable, it is dangerous. There are limits on how long truckers can drive without sleep so they don't kill someone on the highway. We have a situation where nurses who are looking after babies who are the sickest of the sick are being forced to work dangerous hours –20-hour shifts with three or four hours of sleep. They are being told that when they need to cope, they should get therapy through the employee assistance plan. The Minister of Health is aware of this issue.

The Premier is aware of this issue. Are they willing to accept responsibility if something terrible happens, as the nurses have warned, or are they willing to act now to listen and engage? Hon. Cameron Friesen (Minister of Health , Seniors and Active Living ): The member should know that we've already acted. We're aware of this. There is a 10 per cent increase in volume at St. Boniface in the NICU unit. We're aware of this. I've immediately instructed the WRHA to work with that hospital. They're working collaboratively both with the staff and the union to address the immediate issues.

However, I'd also say that since the letter that he's referring to was written there have been a number of nurses hired. Indeed, 35 new nurses have been added to St. Boniface, and three or four more already into that particular unit. We're aware. We're acting. We care. Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Second Opposition, on a final supplementary. Mr. Lamont: Madam Speaker, I first heard about these issues almost a year ago, in October of last year. So the idea that this is a problem that only came about because there's been a 10 per cent increase over the last year is false.

Though –or perhaps the minister has erred. In responses to nurses from St. Boniface Hospital–the response of nurses has been that they're preparing a briefing note and a business plan to try to address the issue. One of the elements of the BITSA bill the government introduced states that all employees in health care in Manitoba are now employees of shared services. This government promised to protect the front line. They promised to protect the most vulnerable. And they promised to cut from the top.

In the 1990s, the PC government created RHAs, a massive new layer of bureaucracy at arm's length from accountability in part so they could blame someone else for their cuts and their mistakes. How can this Premier justify the creation of yet another layer of bureaucracy and even greater central planning while cutting front -line care and closing hospitals and departments across the province? Mr. Friesen: So the member's asser tion is incorrect and, actually, I would want to indicate to him that, while there are some pressures faced at St.

Boniface NICU because of volume increases, which we're addressing, he should know that since January of 2016, in the province of Manitoba, nurse overtime is down 29 per cent. Madam Speaker, our plan is working. In the meantime, there are jobs for nurses, for all nurses who want to work. But I would remind him as well that when it comes to this specific issue, the CEO for St. Boniface clearly says that the shortages that they are experiencing are long -standing and they are addressing them. Madam Speaker: The time for oral questions has expired. PETITIONS Bill 16–Suggested Amendments Mr.

James Allum (Fort Garry-Riverview): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) Manitobans deserve a real plan to tackle climate change so that the natural wonders around us are protected.

October 4, 2018 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 3419

(2) The Premier's Bill 16, The Climate and Green Plan Implementation Act, will cost Manitoba families $300 more per year while offering no new programs or incentives to help people transition to low-carbon lifestyles. The carbon tax is doing little for the environment or Manitobans and inste ad being used for general government revenue, despite the Premier's promise to return all earnings of the carbon tax to Manitobans. The Premier's cuts and failure to act is costing Manitobans more for greener options such as public transit and hydro.

(5) The provincial government needs to be more open and transparent with Manitobans so they can better understand the financial repercussions of this bill and weigh in on how the provincial government can help the average Manitoban reduce their emissions.

(6) Revenue generated by the carbon tax should go back to Manitobans in new programs designed to help people adopt greener lifestyles, such as efficient and affordable transit, geothermal retrofitting, affordable hydro rates and home composing, but Bill 16 fails to mention any reinvestments. * (14:40)

(7) Bill 16 fails to mention waste reduction while the Minister of Sustainable Development even acknowledged that the best way to reduce methane in landfills is not to have it produced.

(8) Many large ' prolluters' are exempt with no mandating supports in Bill 16 to reduce their carbon footprint while leaving the average Manitoban to bear the costs.

(9) The Premier's Climate and Green Plan Implementation Act only serves to financially hinder Manitobans while doing little to help the environment.

(10) Manitobans need a provincial government that cares about the environment and prioritizes measures that ensures environmental protections now and for future generations to come. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to amend Bill 16 to include provisions and incentives to recycle revenue from the carbon tax back to Manitobans and include greater scientific evidence, including programs, policies, and measures to reduce waste in landfills. Madam Speaker, this petition is signed by many Manitobans.

Madam Speaker: In accordance with our rule 133(6), when petitions are read, they are deemed to be received by the House. Vimy Arena Hon. Steven Fletcher (Assiniboia): I'd like to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) The residents of St. James and other areas of Manitoba are concerned with the i ntention expressed by the provincial government to use the Vimy Arena site as a Manitoba Housing project.

(2) The Vimy Arena site is in the middle of a residential area near many schools, churches, community clubs and senior homes, and neither the provincial government nor the City of Winnipeg considered better suited locations in rural, semi -rural or industrial sites such as the St. Boniface industrial park, the 20,000 acres at CentrePort or existing properties such as th e Shriners Hospital or the old children's hospital on Wellington Crescent.

(3) The provincial government is exempt from any zoning requirements that would have existed if the land was owned by the City of Winnipeg. This exemption bypasses community input and due diligence and ignores bett er uses of land which would be consistent with a residential area.

(4) There are no standards that one would expect for a treatment centre. The Minister of Health, Seniors and Active Living has stated that the Department of Health had no role to play in t he land acquisition for this Manitoba Housing project for use as a drug addiction facility.

(5) The Manitoba Housing project initiated by the provincial government changes the fundamental nature of the community, i ncluding park and recreation uses, concer ns of the residents of St. James and others regarding public safety, property values and their way of life are not being properly addressed.

(6) The concerns of the residents of St. James are being ignored while obvious other locations in wealthier neighbourhoods, such as Tuxedo and River Heights, have not been considered for the Manitoba

3420 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 4, 2018 Housing project even though there are hundreds of acres of land available for development at Kapyong Barracks or parks like Heubach Park that share the same zoning as the Vimy Arena site.

(7) The Manitoba Housing project and the operation of a drug treatment centre fall s outside the statutory mandate of Manitoba Housing Renewal Corporation.

(8) The provincial government does not have a co-ordinated plan for addiction t reatment in Manitoba as it currently underfunds treatment centres which are running far under capacity and potential.

(9) The community has been misled regarding the true intention of Manitoba Housing as land is being transferred for a 50 -bed facility eve n though the project clearly–is clearly outside of Manitoba Housing responsibility. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

(1) To urge the provincial government to take the necessary steps to ensure that the Vimy Arena site is not used for an addiction treatment facility.

(2) To urge the provincial government to take the necessary steps to ensure the preservation of public land along Sturgeon Creek for the purposes of park land and recreational activities for public use, including, as an important part of the Sturgeon Creek Greenway Trail and the Sturgeon Creek ecosystem , under the current designation of PR2, for the 255 Hamilton location at Vimy Arena site, and to maintain the land to be designated for parks and recreation, active neighbourhoods and communities.

Madam Speaker, this has been signed by Ryan Thompson [phonetic], Val McHale, Peter Harding [phonetic] and many other Manitobans. Seven Oaks General Hospital Emergency Room Mrs. Bernadette Smith (Point Douglas): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) The provincial gov ernment has announced the closures of three emergency rooms and an urgent-care centre in the city of Winnipeg, including closing down the emergency room at Seven Oaks General Hospital.

(2) The closures come on the heels of the closing of a nearby QuickCa re clinic, as well as cancelled plans for ACCESS centres and personal -care homes, such as Park Manor, and that would' ve provided important services for families and seniors in the area.

(3) The closures have left families and seniors in north Winnipeg wi thout any point s of contact with front-line health-care services and will result in them having to travel 20 minutes or more to St. Boniface emergency room or Health Sciences Centre's emergency room for emergency care.

(4) These cuts will place a heavy b urden on the many seniors who live in north Winnipeg and visit the emergency room frequently, especially for those who are unable to drive or are low income.

(5) The provincial government failed to consult with families and seniors in north Winnipeg regarding the clos ure of their emergency room or to consult with health officials and health -care workers at Seven Oaks to discuss how this closure would impact patient care in advance of the announcement. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to reverse the decision to close Seven Oaks General Hospital's emergency room so that families and seniors in north Winnipeg and the surrounding areas have timely access to quality health-care services.

Signed by Raj Sharma and many, many other Manitobans. MATTER OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE Mr. Dougald Lamont (Leader of the Second Opposition): I move, seconded by the MLA for Burrows, that under rule 38(1), the ordinary business of the House be set aside to discuss a matter of urgent public importance, namely the need for urgent attention to the health needs of individuals who may have been adversely impacted by the undue delay in reporting test results of contaminated sites in Winnipeg, and the urgent need to prevent further adverse impacts.

Madam Speaker: Before recognizing the honourable Leader of the Second Opposition, I should remind all members that under rule 38(2), the mover of the motion on a matter urgent public importance and one member from the other recognized parties in the House are allowed not more

October 4, 2018 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 3421 than 10 minutes to explain the urgency of debating the matter immediately. As stated in Beauchesne's, citation 390, urgency in this context means the urgency of immediate debate, not of the subject matter of the motion. In their remarks, members should focus exclusively on whether or not there is urgency of debate and whether or not the ordinary opportunities for debate will enable the House to consider the matter early enough to ensure that the public interest will not suffer. Mr. Lamont: Madam Speaker, I rise on a matter of urgent public importance.

It is my first opportunity to raise this very important issue since the health of many Winnipeggers could be compromised due to high levels of lead in the ground in their communities and sometimes in the air in their communities. This contamination is in our schoolyards, our parks and in our gardens.

I had hoped to rise on this issue yesterday, but was advised by the Clerk's office that, due to my not yet having taken my seat, I would not be able to provide notice and not be able to raise this important sooner than today, and I also r emind the House that rule 38(1) states that matters of urgent public importance must be raised after petitions. On July 17th, 2018, the day of the by -election in St. Boniface, the Pallister government released a report revealing soil test results in south St. Boniface showing elevated levels of lead and other metals, contradicting a report that was released the year before.

The government claimed that the report could not be released due to a legal blackout on announcements during elections. There are clearly exemptions to those announcements, Madam Speaker. For example, requests for proposals and requests for proposals were made during that by-election period. * (14:50) However, the Winnipeg Free Press, using freedom of information requests, showed that Minister Squires received the report from her deputy minister June 4th. The by-election wasn't called until two weeks later, June 19th.

The minister then changed her story on the dates and blamed her own staff, claiming she didn't know about the reports, even though her deputy minister and other staff had included her on emails. What we have yet to hear from this government is a plan to mitigate and correct this issue. The government should consider offering testing at no charge. One of the issues I've faced in questions from my constituents –we've had pregnant constituents who literally don't know whether it's safe to eat the food in their gardens.

There was a further revelation, Madam Speaker, that the previous NDP government sat on a report about extrem ely dangerous lead levels for years, though it took the current government a year to realize it. They replaced the report online a year ago. The levels of lead in neighbourhoods such as Weston were several times what was discovered in St. Boniface. And wha t's even more concerning is that, when we look at the historic reports into these levels, they were associated with smelters, as well as with auto wrecking and recycling, both of which could still be contaminating these neighbourhoods.

In the early 1980s , the report –well, the report into lead examined or blamed lead gasoline for much of the contamination. The report was partly paid for by one of the smelters involved, which raises the question of it being independent. So again, Madam Speaker, I believe this is to be an–this is an urgent issue. We have a long history – decades, in fact –of the government failing, and sometimes doing testing on lead knowing it's in the community and then failing to advise residents of Manitoba about what they should do.

There 's an urgent need right now to let Manitobans of –residents of these communities know what they can do to make themselves and their families safe. Hon. Kelvin Goertzen (Government House Leader): Again, you know, I would restate what I stated yesterday fo r the member. I know the member's relatively new and we're pleased to have him in the House. Matters of urgent public importance, of course, have certain criteria that need to be met. And not reflecting on the importance of the issue, Madam Speaker, does it rise to the level that it–there's no other opportunities for this matter to have been addressed?

Of course, he knows, having just completed question period, that there was opportunities to raise the issue during question period. He knows that there are debate times within the afternoon and there's opportunity to raise the issue in the context of debates often, Madam Speaker. So there are many opportunities for the member to raise the issue that he is raising. And, again, I won't reflect on the

3422 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 4, 2018 relative importance of it, but it certainly doesn't arise to the level of a matter of urgent public importance in terms of the ability to debate this at another time. Ms. Nahanni Fontaine (Official Opposition House Leader): I would like to just rise in respect of the member for St. Boniface's (Mr. Lamont) matter of public importance request to the House. I would suggest –'similary' to my colleague, the Government House Leader (Mr. Goertzen), I would also reiterate that the member for St. Boniface (Mr.

Lamont) has actually had now, in the last two days, four opportunities to raise matters that he deems of public importance. He did not do so today again, so– he did not raise it in QP. He had the opportunity to ask the question directly to the First Minister and chose not to. And also, I do just want to point out, Madam Speaker, that we've raised this with the Ombudsman and we know that the Ombudsman is presently investigating this present issue. So I would actually stand in concert with my colleague across the way. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Assiniboia, is the member seeking leave? Hon.

Steven Fletcher (Assiniboia): Yes, I'd like to ask leave to speak to this matter. Madam Speaker: Does the member have leave to comment on this? [Agreed] Mr. Fletcher: The leader of the second opposition party, I think, articulated quite well why he is raising the matter now and not yesterday. It's simply on the advice of the clerks. Due to some issues that, hopefully, we addressed last night at the rules committee, the member from St. Boniface was not able to take his seat until yesterday. And that led to a series of events that led to the member not being able to bring up this matter yesterday.

I would also point out that the matter is, again, a complex one, and a simple question–answer does not deal with the matter. It is a matter that is complex and has some serious issues implied. The issues that, I think, add to the leader's argument about urgency is if there was two weeks between when the minister found out about the report to the by -election to when it was eventually released, why not release it two weeks beforehand, and how many other reports have not been released? How many other Manitobans or contaminated sites is the government aware of that may be of great public interest?

Madam Speaker, contaminated sites is a problem across Canada. I've had the experience of dealing with Royal Oak Mines in Yellowknife and dozens of other contaminated sites across the North when I was a minister of the Crown f ederally, and in some cases urgency is very important to the safety –to the public safety. Madam Speaker, the member from St.

Boniface raised the issue of lead, but there are other that –now lead is bad enough that we all –or some of us may recall the issue in Michigan during the last presidential election in the United States where lead found in the pipes and wasn't disclosed as led to lead–no pun intended–has led to a huge public health crisis there. And to say that there is some sort of rule to not tell the public about critical– Madam Speaker: Order, please. I would ask the member again to be speaking about the urgency of debating this today and not getting into the content of actually debating the issue.

So he needs to focus on why this is important t o debate now and avoid talking about the actual content of the MUPI. So he needs to focus why is it urgent to discuss this now. Mr. Fletcher: Thank you, Madam Speaker. The urgency is what other chemicals and contaminates are in the soil? What is the government not telling us, the public? What are the remediation measures? What is the public health risk? Why didn't the government disclose this public health issue immediately? Is there other public health issues that we don't know about? How is this issue going to be dealt with in an appropriate manner?

That's an urgent issue. If the lead contamination is at a elevated level – at specific level –it can be a massively important issue, or if there's other toxins, Madam Speaker, immediacy goes to the –you know, I–this is not the case in St. Boniface and I'm not –but there are instances where there is, in other places in Canada and around the world, where there–the contamination may be nuclear or cyanide or, you know, there's a lot of– * (15:00) Madam Speaker: Order, please.

The member is straying off topic again in terms of we're talking about the urgency, the need for this debate to happen here right now related to a Manitoba issue and not related to the broader issue of

October 4, 2018 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 3423 contamination around the world. So I would ask the member to please zero in, make his point, so that we can move on with this debate. Mr. Fletcher: I raise those issues as examples of where action was taken immediately or action was not taken immediately. And when it's not taken immediately, p eople die, often–may be not right away, but in time –prematurely. That seems like an immediate thing. There's–Madam Speaker, there's also the issue of why the report wasn't released immediately, and that's an urgent issue.

Another urgent issue is: can the government confirm that they have not disclosed further information? That's an urgent issue. It's urgent to know what the levels are. Is the testing been done adequately? I'm not debating any point. I'm not making any case. I'm just asking the questions that we need to know on an urgent basis. And if the member from St. Boniface would like to raise this, I would hope that the House would, in principle, agree that it is an urgent public health issue that was not immediately disclosed, and we have to wonder why. And it's also urgent for peace of mind for the people of St.

Boniface and everyone else that (

a) that St. Boniface is–the land is safe or blocked off and it's going to be remediated and (

b) to all Manitobans, that there's no other surprises in this area. Madam Speaker, it's immediate–it's an issue of immediate importance because we don't have all the information. And not having all the information immediately on something like this can cause panic, distress and even death, either immediately or, again, in time. We need to know. We have a report.

It's–and the member–the elected member from the area would like to discuss the issue, and, on principle, this place should do it immediately because there are accountability issues in this as well for the min ister, for the government and for public health professionals. So, Madam Speaker, immediately, I think, is appropriate, and hopefully the House will, in the spirit of transparency, accountability, immediately deal with this matter of urgent public importance. And I would like to thank the member for St. Boniface (Mr. Lamont) for bringing this to our attention immediately.

Madam Speaker: I thank the honourable members for their advice to the Chair on the motion proposed by the honourable leader of the se cond opposition party for a matter of urgent public importance. The 90 minutes notice prior to the start of routine proceedings required by law 38(1) was provided, and I thank–[interjection]–rule 38(1) was provided, and I thank the honourable member for that. Under our rules and practices, the subject matter requiring urgent consideration must be so pressing that the public interest will suffer if the matter is not given immediate attention.

There must also be no other reasonable opportunities to raise the matter. I have listened very carefully to the arguments put forward. Although the subject matters of reporting test results of contaminated sites in Winnipeg and the need to prevent further adverse effects are issues that many Manitobans are likely concerned with, I do not believe the public interest will suffer if the issue is not debated today.

I would also note that there are other opportunities available to raise concerns regarding this issue, such as asking questions in oral question period and the procedures of members' statements and grievances. In addition, there is a requirement in our rules that this afternoon the House is obligated to complete consideration of the second reading of designated government bills, and this must be a priority for the House over other business, according to the rules. Therefore, with the greatest of respect, I rule this motion out of order as a matt er of urgent public importance. * * * Madam Speaker: Grievances?

ORDERS OF THE DAY (Continued) GOVERNMENT BUSINESS House Business Hon. Kelvin Goertzen (Government House Leader): Madam Speaker, on a matter of House business. I am seeking leave of the House so that when we get to second readings of designated bills – presumably after 4 p.m.–that the question period that ministers partake in happen immediately after the minister responsible has given their remarks on second reading. Madam Speaker: Is there leave of the House for the question period of designated bills to take place after the minister has spoken at second reading instead of

3424 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 4, 2018 after all applicable members have spoken? Agreed? [Agreed] Point of Order Mr. Greg Nesbitt (Riding Mountain): On a point of order. Madam Speaker: On a point of order. Mr. Nesbitt: Madam Speaker, I'm rising to indicate that I have a potential conflict of interest in a portion of Bill 8. The conflict arises because I own a corporation that operates two community newspapers in Manitoba. This legislation may or may not result in a financial change for my corporation.

However, out of an abundance of caution, I will withdraw from the House when Bill 8 comes up for further discussion and will not participate in any voting on second or third readings. Madam Speaker: I recognize and thank the member for Riding Mountain for bringing that up. I would indicate it is not a point of order, but I thank him for advising the House on the conflict of interest declaration he has just put forward. House Business Madam Speaker: The honourable Government House Leader –oh, the honourable Official Opposition House Leader. Ms.

Nahanni Fontaine (Official Opposition House Leader): Pursuant to rule 33(8), I am announcing that the private members' resolution to be considered on the next Thursday of private members' business will be one previously put forward by the honourable member for Fort Garry -Riverview (Mr. Allum). The title of the resolution is Restore Public Transit Funding for Municipalities.

Madam Speaker: Pursuant to rule 33(8), it has been announced that the private member's resolution to be considered on the next Thursday of private members' business will be one previously put forward by the honourable member for Fort Garry -Riverview. The title of the resolution is Restore Public Transit Funding for Municipalities. * * * Mr. Goertzen : Would you please call for second reading, Bill 34, The Budget Implementation and Tax Statutes– An Honourable Member: Madam Speaker, on a–on a point of order. Point of Order Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Assiniboia, on a point of order. Hon.

Steven Fletcher (Assiniboia): On–it is my understanding, and I'm sure you'll correct me that if there are other members that have resolutions to be presented, that they should be brought forward first before other resolutions go into their second reading or continue into their second hour. So I just would like to ask the Speaker if there could be some assurance that the private member's resolution that I've brought forward will be dealt with some time in this session. Thank you. Madam Speaker: I would point out to the member that he does not have a point of order.

A–private member's resolutions for independents are dealt with on Tuesdays and not Thursdays, so in order for him to bring forward a private member's resolution, he would need to speak to the Government House Leader. So the member does not have a point of order. * * * Mr. Goertzen : Could you please call for second reading of a –Bill 34, The Budget Implementation and Tax Statutes Amendment Act, 2018.

And if we are fortunate enough to have that concluded, then the following bills in the following order: No. 8, 12, 16, 24 and 27. * (15:10) Madam Speaker: It has been announced that the House will consider the following business this afternoon: second reading of Bill 34; second reading debate of Bill 8; and second readings of bills 12, 16, 24 and 27. SECOND READINGS Bill 34–The Budget Implementation and Tax Statutes Amendment Act, 2018 Madam Speaker: So to start with, then, we will go to Bill 34, The Budget Implementation and Tax Statutes Amendment Act, 2018. Hon.

Scott Fielding (Minister of Finance): I move, seconded by the Minister of Families (Mrs. Stefanson), that the Bill 34, The Budget Implementation and Tax Statutes Amendment Act, 2018, be now read a second time and be referred to Committee of the Whole.

October 4, 2018 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 3425 Her Honour, l ieutenant governor general has been advised of the bill and is tabled in the message attached. Madam Speaker: It has been moved by the honourable Minister of Finance (Mr. Fielding), seconded by the honourable Minister of Families (Mrs. Stefanson), that Bill 34, The B udget Implementation and Tax Statutes Amendment Act, 2018, be now read a second time and be referred to Committee of the Whole. Her Honour the Lieutenant -Governor has advised of the bill and the message is tabled. Mr.

Fielding: Well, thank you, Madam Spea ker, it's a pleasure to speak on Bill 34, the budget implementation and tax statue amendment act, 2018. As we focus on fiscal management, our government has continued to listen to Manitobans so that our priorities and suggestions inform government direction and decisions. Based on the evidence and advice from experts, the public service stakeholders, and the public, we are taking concrete actions now. We are ensuring that the provincial tax measures and supports continue to meet the intended outcomes in a fiscally responsible manner without compromising their effectiveness.

Our ongoing review of tax credits resulted in phasing out of tax credits that were not meeting their intended objectives, Madam Speaker. The extension of others in the cultural industry and further review is under way as well as introduction of new credits.

As announced in Budget 2016, the bill includes aligning the education property tax credit whether the property tax credits to apply on school taxes imposed on the residency of proper ty, and eliminating a $250 deductible, eliminating the process of applying–Manitoba Finance for the school tax reduction which generally simplifies the whole process for homeowners. Mr.

Doyle Piwniuk, Deputy Speaker, in the Chair Streamlining the admin istration–calculation of primary caregiver tax credits by replacing the process of applying to government to reapply or reapprove with the registration only as requires and also has changed –charged the credit a flat fourteen hundred annual credit, eliminat ing unnecessary paperwork and red tape.

Establishing a new and unique refundable child- care tax credit to assist corporations and non- profit businesses with the creation of new child-care spaces in the workplace for the benefit of employers and the community, increasing the amount of business income eligible for the small busi ness deduction from 450 to 500 thousand effectively of January 1st, 2018, aligning Manitoba with other provinces and territories. The extension of Manitoba book publishing tax credit and the cultural industry –of print tax credit by one year to December 31st, 2019, while the government completes a review of these credits.

Bill 34 also phases out the credit union's special tax deduction over five years that was done by other provinces like Saskatchewan, PEI, and Quebec, as well as the federal government, recognizing the maturity of the sector since the deduction was first established way back in 1972. At the same time, we are also eliminating the credit union profit tax introduced by t he previous NDP –the previous government, effective 2019, which is partially offset by the five year phase- out of the special deduction for credit unions.

The bill eliminates the rental housing construction tax credit that was not fully meeting its intended objectives, but extends the deadline to complete a rental housing project to ensure existing projects benefit and still can be accredited for corporations that apply. Based on the numbers of considerations and deliberations on the federal legalization o f cannabis, Bill 34 also introduces a retail sales tax exemption for non-medical cannabis, once cannabis is legalized on October 17th.

This will ensure that prices are low as possible so that we can eliminate the illicit black market as soon as possible, w hile protecting vulnerable populations, in particular, youth. Changes are also being made to exempt fertilizer storage bins used in farming and drill bits designed for use in oil drilling rigs for the retail–from the retail sales tax. Based on the requ est from the Manitoba Chiropractors' Association, the bill also introduces legislation that allows chiropractors to provide their services through a corporation, like other self-regulated professions, like doctors and dentists and others.

Finally, the bill also makes several technical and administrative amendments to tax statues that are required to ensure Manitoba tax system is fair, efficient and enforceable.

3426 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 4, 2018 I recommend Bill 34 to members of the House, representing as it does the steps we are taking to fix our finances, repair important vital services for Manitobans and rebuilding the economy. Thank you. Questions Mr. Deputy Speaker: A question period up to 15 minutes will be held.

Questions may be addressed to the minister by any member of the following sequence: First question by the official opposition critic or designate, second by the second opposition party and 'subequent' questions be asked by each independent member, the remaining questions asked by any opposition members and no questions or answers shall exceed 45 seconds. Mr. Matt Wiebe (Concordia): A new minister in the chair and I know that he has a lot on his plate, I'm sure, and a lot to answer for here. So we'll start with an easy one: Why did his government delay BITSA and hide it from Manitobans for months? Hon.

Scott Fielding (Minister of Finance): Our government did not delay the bill. There was more information that was needed from the federal government. That was an agreement that was made by our House leaders with a requirement to –part of the agreements between the opposition as well as the government is that information would be shared on BITSA in summer and I can report that that was done on time. Mr. Tom Lindsey (Flin Flon): So could the shiny, new minister explain to us why the government refused to present any estimate of revenues from impending legalization and sale of cannabis to Manitobans? Mr.

Fielding : The government, of course, will be going with all other governments across Canada into a new venture, in terms of cannabis sales. We, of course, don't know what the costs and revenues are. We, of course, through our budget process, will be asking not just municipalities but our departments to track and monitor what costs are associated with this new venture that government is engaged in by the federal government. Mr. Wiebe: Well, the r eality is, Mr. Speaker, that the government has denied compiling estimates of revenue in advance of the legalization of cannabis.

Will the minister indicate today if his department has prepared any documentation or any estimate of potential revenue from the sale of cannabis? Mr. Fielding : A part of budget process 2019–of course we're going to be reviewing what costs and revenues are associated. That is a normal course of business that government does throughout the budgetary process, as well as setting budgets, and so that work is going on. We're not finalized. We don't know if the –this has not been legalized.

It will be legalized in the next few weeks and we'll have a better indication of what costs and revenues are associated to, but what I can confirm to people–this is not going to be a huge windfall for government. There is substantial costs that are associated with this and, you know, we look forward to the introduction of it, to tracking and monitoring both. Mr. Wiebe: Well, maybe, in fact, Mr. Speaker, it is a shiny, new minister, because it was his predecessor who said that there was no estimate, no study had been done, no scenarios had been examined or possible revenue.

There was no possible way, in fact, that the government could know. But, in fact , now we learn that the minister does have that information, that his department has done that work. So I ask: Will the minister present that information to the House and present it to Manitobans so that we can see clearly what this government expects to bring in, in revenue from legalization of marijuana? * (15:20) Mr. Fielding: That is not what I said. What I said was a part of Budget 2019. We're evaluating what costs will be associated to it.

I can be very clear on the fact that this is not going to be a money-maker for the government for a number of years. This is a new venture that people across the country are going into. So somehow to project what exact costs and what exact –or what exact costs and what exact revenues are out there would be foolhardy . We need to evaluate this and make sure we're doing this in a steadfast way, and that's exactly what we'll be doing in the budget '19. Hon. Steven Fletcher (Assiniboia): The government claims that cannabis was the delay. The minister talks about exact f igures.

But yesterday we just learned that the government is not going to have the carbon tax and is forgoing, presumably, transfers from the federal government. So that's over $300 million each year. How can we possibly have a public–a accurate, exact bud get implementation bill when the revenue that they had planned on has been totally blown? The government has been busted, and

October 4, 2018 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 3427 now we're going to have a busted budget implementation bill. Why and how– Mr. Deputy Speaker: The member's time is up. Mr. Fielding: That is inaccurate. What we can say, a part of Budget 2018, of course, there was revenues that were booked in. This –the bill was, of course, delayed until December. If you look in the report of Q1, which is included in the Public Accounts, that lays everything out in terms of our financials, and I can tell you that we are on track. Mr.

Dougald Lamont (Leader of the Second Opposition): When it comes to the child -care tax credit, it would appear that for not -for-profit corporations to qualify, they have to have at least 74 spaces in Winnipeg and 52 outside of Winnipeg to be eligible, with a utilization rate of 87 per cent, and they're allowed to charge the maximum daily fee. What's the rationale for this, because it would appear to do nothing for those who need affordable child care, Mr. Deputy Speaker? Mr. Fielding: I can speak with some authority, and this is–I was involved in the dedication of this. This is a program that will be effective.

It provides $10,000 refundable tax credit to corporati ons and non-profits that are involved in a workplace to develop a space. There was a similar program that was done at the federal level; was unsuccessful because the credit was associated with any expenditures that were supposedly to be with building a per mit. What our program does effectively, it adds spaces to corporations. And I can tell you that we've had a lot of interest, in fact, a very lot of interest in terms of

Document details

Collection	Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	41-3-73b
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	41st 3rd hansardpdf 73b.pdf
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	ba59001eee6c8e14de01519adf00c53b74dd0655

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