Manitoba Hansard — Sitting 18 (40th Legislature, 5th Session)

40-5-18

Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)

Fifth Session - Fortieth Legislature of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba DEBATES and PROCEEDINGS Official Report (Hansard) Published under the authority of The Honourable Daryl Reid Speaker Vol. LXVIII No. 18 - 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, February 24, 2016 ISSN 0542-5492

MANITOBA LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Fortieth Legislature Member Constituency Political Affiliation ALLAN, Nancy St. Vital NDP ALLUM, James, Hon. Fort Garry-Riverview NDP ALTEMEYER, Rob Wolseley NDP ASHTON, Steve, Hon. Thompson NDP BLADY, Sharon, Hon. Kirkfield Park NDP BRAUN, Erna, Hon. Rossmere NDP BRIESE, Stuart Agassiz PC CALDWELL, Drew, Hon. Brandon East NDP CHIEF, Kevin, Hon. Point Douglas NDP CHOMIAK, Dave, Hon. Kildonan NDP CROTHERS, Deanne, Hon. St. James NDP CULLEN, Cliff Spruce Woods PC DEWAR, Greg, Hon.

Selkirk NDP DRIEDGER, Myrna Charleswood PC EICHLER, Ralph Lakeside PC EWASKO, Wayne Lac du Bonnet PC FRIESEN, Cameron Morden-Winkler PC GAUDREAU, Dave St. Norbert NDP GERRARD, Jon, Hon. River Heights Liberal GOERTZEN, Kelvin Steinbach PC GRAYDON, Cliff Emerson PC HELWER, Reg Brandon West PC HOWARD, Jennifer Fort Rouge NDP IRVIN-ROSS, Kerri, Hon. Fort Richmond NDP JHA, Bidhu Radisson NDP KOSTYSHYN, Ron, Hon. Swan River NDP LATHLIN, Amanda The Pas NDP LEMIEUX, Ron, Hon. Dawson Trail NDP MACKINTOSH, Gord, Hon. St. Johns NDP MALOWAY, Jim Elmwood NDP MARCELINO, Flor, Hon.

Logan NDP MARCELINO, Ted Tyndall Park NDP MARTIN, Shannon Morris PC MELNICK, Christine Riel NDP MITCHELSON, Bonnie River East PC NEVAKSHONOFF, Thomas, Hon. Interlake NDP OSWALD, Theresa Seine River NDP PALLISTER, Brian Fort Whyte PC PEDERSEN, Blaine Midland PC PETTERSEN, Clarence Flin Flon NDP PIWNIUK, Doyle Arthur-Virden PC REID, Daryl, Hon. Transcona NDP ROBINSON, Eric, Hon. Kewatinook NDP RONDEAU, Jim Assiniboia NDP ROWAT, Leanne Riding Mountain PC SARAN, Mohinder, Hon. The Maples NDP SCHULER, Ron St. Paul PC SELINGER, Greg, Hon. St.

Boniface NDP SMOOK, Dennis La Verendrye PC STEFANSON, Heather Tuxedo PC STRUTHERS, Stan Dauphin NDP SWAN, Andrew Minto NDP WIEBE, Matt Concordia NDP WIGHT, Melanie, Hon. Burrows NDP WISHART, Ian Portage la Prairie PC Vacant Gimli – Vacant Southdale –

529 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA Wednesday, February 24, 2016 The House met at 1:30 p.m. Mr. Speaker: O Eternal and Almighty God, from Whom all power and wisdom come, we are assembled here before Thee to fr ame such laws as may tend to the welfare and prosperity of our province. Grant, O merciful God, we pray Thee, that we may desire only that which is in accordance with Thy will, that we may seek it with wisdom and know it with certainty and accomplish it pe rfectly for the glory and honour of Thy name and for the welfare of all our people. Amen. Good afternoon, everyone. Please be seated.

ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS Mr. Speaker: Introduction of bills? COMMITTEE REPORTS Mr. Speaker: Seeing no bills, we'll move on to committee reports. Standing Committee on Legislative Affairs Second Report Mr. Matt Wiebe (Chairperson): Mr. Speaker, I wish to present the Second Report of the Standing Committee on Legislative Affairs. Clerk (Ms. Patricia Chaychuk): Your Standing Committee on Legislative Affairs presents the following– An Honourable Member: Dispense. Mr. Speaker: Dispense? Dispense. Your Standing Committee on LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS presents the following as its Second Report.

Meetings Your Committee me t on the following occasions in the Legislative Building: • December 16, 2014 (4 th Session – 40th Legislature) • December 14, 2015 (5 th Session – 40th Legislature) Matters under Consideration • Annual Report of the Children's Advocate for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2014 • Annual Report of the Children's Advocate for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2015 Committee Membership Committee membership for the December 16, 2014 meeting: • Hon. Mr. A LLUM • Hon. Mr. CHOMIAK • Mr. EWASKO • Mr. MARTIN • Hon. Ms. IRVIN-ROSS • Hon. Ms. MARCELINO (Logan) • Mr.

MARCELINO (Tyndall Park) (Vice-Chairperson) • Mr. NEVAKSHONOFF (Chairperson) • Mr. PIWNIUK • Mr. SARAN • Mr. WISHART Committee membership for the December 14, 2015 meeting: • Mrs. D RIEDGER • Hon. Ms. IRVIN-ROSS • Mr. JHA • Hon. Mr. KOSTYSHYN • Hon. Ms. MARCELINO (Logan) • Mr. MARTIN • Mrs. MITCHELSON • Hon. Mr. SARAN • Mr. SWAN • Mr. WIEBE • Mr. WISHART Your Committee elected Mr. W IEBE as the Chairperson at the December 14, 2015 meeting Your Committee elected Mr. J HA as the Vice-Chairperson at the December 14, 2015 meeting Substitutions received during committee proceedings on December 14, 2015: • Mr.

PEDERSEN for Mrs. DRIEDGER Official Speaking on Record at the December 16, 2014 meeting: • Darlene MacDonald, Children's Advocate

530 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA February 24, 2016 Official Speaking on Record at the December 14, 2015 meeting: • Darlene MacDonald, Children's Advocate Report Considered and Passed Your Committee considered and passed the following report as presented: • Annual Report of the Children's Advocate for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2014 Report Considered but not Passed Your Committee considered the following report but did not pass it: Annual Report of the Children's Advocate for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2015 Mr. Wiebe: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable member for Radisson (Mr.

Jha), that the report of the committee be received. Motion agreed to. Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development First Report Mr. Bidhu Jha (Chairperson): Mr. Speaker, I wish to present the First Report of the Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development. Clerk (Ms. Patricia Chaychuk): Your Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development– An Honourable Member: Dispense. Mr. Speaker: Dispense? Dispense. Your Standing Committee on SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEV ELOPMENT presents the following as its First Report.

Meetings Your Committee met on the following occasions in the Legislative Building: • December 19, 2014 (4 th Session – 40th Legislature) • December 14, 2015 (5 th Session – 40th Legislature) Matters under Consideration • Annual Report of the Manitoba Poverty Reduction and Social Inclusion Strategy (All Aboard) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2014 • Annual Report of the Manitoba Poverty Reduction and Social Inclusion Strategy (All Aboard) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2015 Committee Membership Committee membership for the December 19, 2014 meeting: • Ms. A LLAN (Chairperson) • Mr.

ALTEMEYER (Vice-Chairperson) • Hon. Ms. CROTHERS • Mrs. DRIEDGER • Ms. HOWARD • Hon. Ms. IRVIN-ROSS • Mr. MARTIN • Mrs. MITCHELSON • Mr. SARAN • Hon. Ms. WIGHT • Mr. WISHART Committee membership for the December 14, 2015 meeting: • Mrs. D RIEDGER • Hon. Ms. IRVIN-ROSS • Mr. JHA • Hon. Mr. KOSTYSHYN • Hon. Ms. MARCELINO (Logan) • Mr. MARTIN • Mrs. MITCHELSON • Hon. Mr. SARAN • Mr. SWAN • Mr. WIEBE • Mr. WISHART Your Committee elected Mr. J HA as the Chairperson at the December 14, 2015 meeting Your Committee elected Mr.

W IEBE as the Vice-Chairperson at the December 14, 2015 meeting Substitutions received during committee proceedings on December 14, 2015: • Mr. PEDERSEN for Mrs. DRIEDGER Report Considered and Passed Your Committee considered and passed the following report as presented: • Annual Report of the Manitoba Poverty Reduction and Social Inclusion Strategy (All Aboard) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2014.

February 24, 2016 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 531 Report Considered but not Passed Your Committee considered the following report but did not pass it: • Annual Report of the Manitoba Poverty Reduction and Social Inclusion Strategy (All Aboard) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2015. Mr. Jha: I move, seconded by the honourable member from Seine River, that the report of the committee be received. Motion agreed to. Standing Committee on Legislative Affairs Third Report Mr. Ted Marcelino (Chairperson): Mr. Speaker, I wish to present the Third Report of t he Standing Committee on Legislative Affairs.

Clerk (Ms. Patricia Chaychuk): Your Standing Committee on Legislative Affairs– An Honourable Member: Dispense. Mr. Speaker: Dispense? Dispense. Your Standing Committee on Legislative Affairs presents the following as its Third Report.

Meetings Your Committee met on the following occasions in the Legislative Building: • June 13, 2012 (1st Session – 40th Legislature) • June 17, 2013 (2nd Session – 40th Legislature • January 9, 2014 (3rd Session – 40th Legislature) • January 14, 2015 (4th Session – 40th Legislature) • December 16, 2015 (5 th Session – 40th Legislature) Matters under Consideration • Annual Report of Elections Manitoba for the year ending December 31, 2011 including the conduct of the 40 th Provincial General Election October 4, 2011 • Annual Report of Elections Manitoba for the year ending December 31, 2012 including the conduct of the Fort Whyte by-election September 4, 2012 • Permanent Voters List Study – Report dated June 2013 • Annual Report of Elections Manitoba for the year ending December 31, 2013 • Annual Report of Elections Manitoba for the year ending December 31, 2014 including the conduct of the 2014 Arthur -Virden and Morris by-elections Committee Membership Committee membership for the June 13, 2012 meeting: • Mr.

D EWAR • Mr. EWASKO • Mr. GAUDREAU (Vice-Chairperson) • Mr. GOERTZEN • Hon. Ms. HOWARD • Mr. MARCELINO • Mr. MCFADYEN • Mr. NEVAKSHONOFF (Chairperson) • Mr. SCHULER • Hon. Mr. SELINGER • Hon. Mr. SWAN Committee membership for the June 17, 2013 meeting: • Ms. BRAUN • Mr. DEWAR • Mr. GRAYDON • Mr. HELWER • Hon. Ms. HOWARD • Hon. Ms. IRVIN-ROSS • Mr. JHA (Vice-Chairperson) • Mr. NEVAKSHONOFF (Chairperson) • Mr. PALLISTER • Mr. PEDERSEN • Hon. Mr. SELINGER Committee membership for the January 9, 2014 meeting: • Hon. Mr. C HOMIAK • Mr. CULLEN • Mr. DEWAR • Mr. GOERTZEN • Mr. HELWER • Mr. PEDERSEN • Mr.

SARAN (Vice-Chairperson) • Hon. Mr. SELINGER • Hon. Mr. SWAN • Mr. WIEBE • Ms. WIGHT (Chairperson)

532 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA February 24, 2016 Committee membership for the January 14, 2015 meeting: • Hon. Ms. BRAUN • Hon. Mr. CALDWELL • Hon. Mr. CHOMIAK • Mr. CULLEN • Mr. EWASKO • Mr. GOERTZEN • Mr. MALOWAY • Mr. NEVAKSHONOFF (Chairperson) • Mr. SARAN (Vice-Chairperson) • Mrs. STEFANSON • Hon. Mr. SELINGER Committee membership for the December 16, 2015 meeting: • Hon. Mr. A LLUM • Hon. Mr. CHOMIAK • Mr. CULLEN • Mr. EICHLER • Mr. GOERTZEN • Hon. Ms. IRVIN-ROSS • Ms. LATHLIN • Hon. Mr. LEMIEUX • Mr. MARCELINO • Mr. PEDERSEN • Hon. Mr. SELINGER Your Committee elected Mr.

MARCELINO as the Chairperson at the December 16, 2015 meeting Your Committee elected Ms. L ATHLIN as the Vice-Chairperson at the December 16, 2015 meeting Officials speaking on the record at the June 13, 2012 meeting: • Ms. Shipra Verma, Deputy Chief Electoral Officer Officials speaking on the record at the June 17, 2013 meeting: • Ms. Shipra Verma, Deputy Chief Electoral Officer Officials speaking on the record at the January 9, 2014 meeting: • Ms. Shipra Verma, Chief Electoral Officer Officials speaking on the record at the January 14, 2015 meeting: • Ms.

Shipra Verma, Chief Electoral Officer Officials speaking on the record at the December 16, 2015 meeting: • Ms.

Shipra Verma, Chief Electoral Officer Report Considered and Passed Your Committee considered and passed the following reports as presented: • Annual Report of Elections Manitoba for the year ending December 31, 2011 including t he conduct of the 40 th Provincial General Election October 4, 2011 • Annual Report of Elections Manitoba for the year ending December 31, 2012 including the conduct of the Fort Whyte by -election September 4, 2012 • Permanent Voters List Study – Report dated June 2013 • Annual Report of Elections Manitoba for the year ending December 31, 2013 Reports Considered but not Passed Your Committee considered the following reports but did not pass them: • Annual Report of Elections Manitoba for the year ending December 31 , 2014 including the conduct of the 2014 Arthur -Virden and Morris by-elections Mr.

Marcelino: I move, seconded by the honourable member for Minto (Mr. Swan), that the report of the committee be received. Motion agreed to. Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development Second Report Mr. Matt Wiebe (Vice-Chairperson): I wish to present the Second Report of the Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development. Clerk (Ms. Patricia Chaychuk): Your Standing Committee on Social and Economic– An Honourable Member: Dispense. Mr. Speaker: Dispense? Dispense. Your Standing Committee on SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT presents the following as its Second Report.

February 24, 2016 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 533 Meetings Your Committee met on February 17, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. in Room 255 of the Legislative Building. Matters under Consideration • Bill (No. 2) – The Public Schools Amendment Act (Small Classes for K to 3) / Loi modifiant la

Loi sur les écoles publiques (faible effectif des classes) • Bill (No. 7) – The Public Schools Amendment Act (Protecting Child Care Space in Schools) / Loi modifiant la

Loi sur les écoles publiques (superficie réservée aux garderies dans les écoles) Committee Membership • Hon. Mr. A LLUM • Hon. Ms. CROTHERS • Mr. EWASKO • Mr. GAUDREAU • Mr. MARTIN • Hon. Mr. NAVAKSHONOFF • Mr. PEDERSEN • Mr. RONDEAU • Mr. SCHULER • Mr. WIEBE (Vice-Chairperson) • Hon. Ms. WIGHT Your Committee elected Mr. GAUDREAU as the Chairperson Public Presentations Your Committee heard the following six presentations on Bill (No. 2) – The Public Schools Amendment Act (Small Classes for K to 3)/Loi modifiant la

Loi sur les écoles publiques (faible effectif des classes): Norm Gould, Manitoba Teachers’ Society Barbara Cerilli, Private Citizen Tracey Wylie, Private Citizen Deenie Lefko-Halas, Private Citizen Maggie Cox, Parent Council, Greenway School Joe Halas, Private Citizen Your Committee heard the following five presentations on Bill (No. 7) – The Public Schools Amendment Act (Protecting Child Care Space in Schools) / Loi modifiant la

Loi sur les écoles publiques (superficie réservée aux garderies dans les écoles): Josh Watt, Manitoba School Boards Association Pat Wege, Manitoba Childcare Association Kim Perring, On The Move Incorporated Brianne Goertzen, Private Citizen Susan Prentice, Private Citizen Written Submissions Your Committee received the following written submission on Bill (No. 2) – The Public Schools Amendment Act (Small Classes for K to 3) / Loi modifiant la

Loi sur les écoles publiques (faible effectif des classes): Rachelle Ladd, Private Citizen Your Committee received the following three written submissions on Bill (No. 7) – The Public Schools Amendment Act (Protecting Child Care Space in Schools) / Loi modifiant la

Loi sur les écoles publiques (superficie réservée aux garderies dans les écoles): David Hay, Sugar-N-Spice Kiddie Haven, Inc. Mihaela Mujcinovic, Private Citizen Lori Schroen, CUPE Local 1543 Bills Considered and Reported • Bill (No. 2) – The Public Schools Amendment Act (Small Classes for K to 3) / Loi modifiant la

Loi sur les écoles publiques (faible effectif des classes) Your Committee agreed to report this Bill without amendment. • Bill (No. 7) – The Public Schools Amendment Act (Protecting Child Care Space in Schools) / Loi modifiant la

Loi sur les écoles publiques (superficie réservée aux garderies dans les écoles) Your Committee agreed to report this Bill without amendment. Mr. Wiebe: I move, seconded by the honourable member for Radisson (Mr. Jha), that the report of the committee be received. Motion agreed to. Mr. Speaker: Any further committee reports? Standing Committee on Justice First Report Ms. Jennifer Howard (Chairperson): I wish to present the First Report of the Standing Committee on Justice.

534 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA February 24, 2016 Clerk (Ms. Patricia Chaychuk): Your Standing Committee on Justice presents the following– An Honourable Member: Dispense. Mr. Speaker: Dispense? Dispense. Your Standing Committee on JUSTICE presents the following as its First Report. Meetings Your Committee met on February 18, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. in Room 255 of the Legislative Building.

Matters under Consideration • Bill (No. 8) – The Employment Standards Code Amendment Act (Leave for Victims of Domestic Violence, Leave for Serious Injury or Illness and Extension of Compassionate Care Le ave) / Loi modifiant le Code des normes d'emploi (congé pour les victimes de violence familiale, congé en cas de blessure ou de maladie grave et prolongation du congé de soignant) • Bill (No. 11) – The Domestic Violence and Stalking Amendment Act / Loi modif iant la

Loi sur la violence familiale et le harcèlement criminel • Bill (No. 33) – The Family Law Reform Act (Putting Children First) /

Loi sur la réforme du droit de la famille (mesures pour le mieux -être des enfants) • Bill (No. 300) – The Mount Carmel Clini c Amendment Act / Loi modifiant la

Loi sur la « Mount Carmel Clinic » Committee Membership • Hon. Ms. B RAUN • Hon. Mr. CHOMIAK • Mr. GOERTZEN • Mr. GRAYDON • Ms. HOWARD • Hon. Mr. MACKINTOSH • Hon. Ms. MARCELINO (Logan) • Mr. MARCELINO (Tyndall Park) • Mr. SMOOK • Mr. SWAN • Mr. WISHART Your Committee elected Ms. HOWARD as the Chairperson Your Committee elected Mr. MARCELINO (Tyndall Park) as the Vice-Chairperson Motions Your Committee agreed to the following motion: • That this committee recommends that the fees paid with respect to Bill (No. 300) – The Mount Carmel Clinic Amendment Act / Loi modifiant la

Loi sur la « Mount Carmel Clinic », be refunded, less the cost of printing.

Public Presentations Your Committee heard the following … presentations on Bill (No. 8) – The Employment Standards Code Amendment Act (Leave for Victims of Domestic Violence, Leave for Serious Injury or Illness and Extension of Compassionate Care Leave) / Loi modifiant le Code des normes d'emploi (congé pour les victimes de violence familiale , congé en cas de blessure ou de maladie grave et prolongation du congé de soignant): Kevin Rebeck, Manitoba Federation of Labour Charlene Matheson, Private Citizen Barbara Byers, Canadian Labour Congress Michelle Gawronsky, Manitoba Government and General Employees Union William S.

Gardner, Manitoba Employers Council Gloria Kelly, The Public Service Alliance of Canada Dave Sauer, Private Citizen Charlotte Cameron, Winnipeg Labour Council Carmen Neufeld, Private Citizen Gina Smoke, UNIFOR Leanne Sookram, Private Citizen Carmen LeDarney, Private Citizen Pamela McLeod, Willow Place Beatrice Bruske, United Food and Commercial Workers Your Committee heard the following two presentations on Bill (No. 11) – The Domestic Violence and Stalking Amendment Act / Loi modifiant la

Loi sur la violence familiale et le harcèlement criminel: Jane Ursel, Private Citizen Kim Storeshaw, A Woman's Place NorWest Co- op Community Health Your Committee heard the following tw o presentations on Bill (No. 33) – The Family Law Reform Act (Putting Children First) /

Loi sur la

February 24, 2016 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 535 réforme du droit de la famille (mesures pour le mieux-être des enfants): Lawrence Pinsky, Manitoba Bar Association Trent Tait, Private Citizen Your Committee heard the following presentation on Bill (No. 300) – The Mount Carmel Clinic Amendment Act / Loi modifiant la

Loi sur la « Mount Carmel Clinic »: Chad Smith, Mount Carmel Clinic Written Submissions Your Committee received the following two written submissions on Bill (No. 11) – The Domestic Violence and Stalking Amendment Act / Loi modifiant la

Loi sur la violence familiale et le harcèlement criminel: Maddie Laberge, Private Citizen Trudy L. Lavallee, Ikwe Widdjiitiwin, Inc. Your Committee received the following written submission on Bill (No. 33) – The Family Law Reform Act (Putting Children First) /

Loi sur la réforme du droit de la famille (mesures pour le mieux-être des enfants): Nicholas Bala, Faculty of Law – Queen’s University Bills Considered and Reported • Bill (No. 8) – The Employment Standards Code Amendment Act (Leave for Victims of Domestic Violence, Leave for Serious Injury or Illness and Extension of Compassionate Care Leave) / Loi modifiant le Code des normes d'emploi (congé pour les victimes de violence familiale, congé en cas de blessure ou de maladie grave et prolongation du congé de soignant) Your Committee agreed to report this Bill without amendment. • Bill (No. 11) – The Domestic V iolence and Stalking Amendment Act / Loi modifiant la

Loi sur la violence familiale et le harcèlement criminel Your Committee agreed to report this Bill without amendment. • Bill (No. 33) – The Family Law Reform Act (Putting Children First) /

Loi sur la réfo rme du droit de la famille (mesures pour le mieux -être des enfants) Your Committee agreed to report this Bill, with the following amendments: THAT Clause 5(2) of

Schedule A of the Bill be amended by striking out ", unless it is someone " and substituting " unless he or she conducted an earlier evaluation of them or is someone". THAT Clause 6 of

Schedule A of the Bill and the centred heading before the Clause be replaced with the following: DISPUTE RESOLUTION Dispute resolution by the parties 6 The parties to a dispute must act in a way that strives (

a) to minimize conflict; (

b) to promote co-operation; (

c) to meet the best interests of any child involved in the dispute; and (

d) to the extent the parties consider it appropriate to do so, to resolve the dispute by reaching an agreement through negotiation or another dispute resolution process. THAT Clause 33(2) of

Schedule A of the Bill be replaced with the following: Person in loco parentis may apply 33(2) A person in loco parentis to a child may also apply for (

a) custody of the child, if there is leave of the court; or (

b) access to the child; if the child's parents are notified of the application. THAT Clause 40(4) of

Schedule A of the Bill be replaced with the following: Variation of order for access 40(4) The court may, on application, vary or terminate an order for access if the court is satisfied that the child's needs or circumstances have changed since the original order was made or last varied. The provisions of this

section apply in rela tion to that application. • Bill (No. 300) – The Mount Carmel Clinic Amendment Act / Loi modifiant la

Loi sur la « Mount Carmel Clinic »

536 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA February 24, 2016 Your Committee agreed to report this Bill without amendment. Ms. Howard: I move, seconded by the honourable member for Minto (Mr. Swan), that the report of the committee be received. Motion agreed to. Mr. Speaker: Any further committee reports? Seeing none, we'll move on to tabling of reports. Ministerial statements? MEMBERS' STATEMENTS Pink Shirt Day Mr. Wayne Ewasko (Lac du Bonnet): Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to mark the significance of Pink Shirt Day and the impact it has had in raising awareness about bullying in Manitoba.

Pink Shirt Day was started in 2007 by a Nova Scotia student, Travis Price, and his friends who organized a high school protest to wear pink in solidarity with a grade 9 boy who was being bullied for wearing a pink shirt. Travis and his peers headed off to a clothing store and purchased 50 pink shirts and distributed them to fellow st udents. Since then, the movement has taken off across the country and is widely understood to be a day about what each of us can do to raise awareness and what each of us can do to challenge bullying.

Across the province, students, teachers and even members of this Legislature have painted the town pink to draw attention to the need to stand up to and end bullying against any student for any reason, Mr. Speaker. Although Pink Shirt Day is a testament to how far we have come in terms of working together t o raise awareness about the impact of bullying, there is more work to be done. Everyone has an obligation to do their part to contribute to a society free of bullying because no one deserves to be bullied.

On this Pink Shirt Day, I want to encourage all Manitobans to stand up to end bullying and especially not to be a bystander. Thank you. * (13:40) Celebrating 100 Years of Women's Right to Vote Hon. Sharon Blady (Minister of Health): Mr. Speaker, I'm so lucky to stand in this Chamber surrounded by some truly exceptional female politicians. These women who come to the House with so many unique life experiences all bring an important and valuable perspective to the work that the Legislative Assembly does. Our presence here is a reflection of how far the fight for women's rights has come in the last 100 years.

In 1916, Nellie McClung and her fellow advocates led Manitoba's suffrage movement to victory, ushering in a new era of participation and equality. Now in 2016, my female colleagues and I are persons able to vote and build policy that makes life better for Manitoba families. Of course, total equality is slow moving. First Nations people were not given the vote in Manitoba until 1952 and people with disabilities were either denied the vote or had no guaranteed access to a polling station until the 1990s. These dates are astonishingly recent. And there is still more to do, across the country and all over the world.

Even in this Chamber only 20 per cent of us are women, despite excellent role models like former member for St. James Bonnie Korzeniowski, who joins us in the Chamber today. Women still face very real challenges in achieving representation in government. Gender inequality within families, inequitable division of labour within households and cultural attitudes about gender roles are still limiting the amount of women in government. We need to implement the changes that will allow women to participate fully in public life.

Prime Minister Trudeau's cabinet was a single–signal to the country that the prejudices which Nellie faced no longer represent our shared Canadian values. Here in Manitoba, with Nellie McClung as inspiration, we have so many strong, fearless women who don't hesitate to question the status quo, take on leadership roles and champion change. Let's draw on our heritage as leaders in women's suffrage to take the next steps forward towards equality for women and for all. Care for Seniors Mr. Cliff Graydon (Emerson): Mr.

Speaker, today I would like to address the Assembly on the dismal care for seniors and the mistreatment of seniors by this NDP government. With dementia and Alzheimer's on the rise, there is a pressing need to increase long -term-care beds. Too many seniors are on a lengthy wait -list

February 24, 2016 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 537 for proper long- term facilities while their family members and friends are required to help them. Some seniors are so in need for care that they're forced to rely on staying in hospitals, trying–tying up valuable hospital space better served for urgent care patients. This Selinger government likes to claim that they've increased the number of care beds in Manitoba but we know that is a lie. While they have built facilities, they have decommissioned just as many. This– Mr.

Speaker: I know it's been a while since this House has come together, and perhaps members' memories are slipping a little bit with respect to the rules of this place, and I can understand that. I'm sometimes affected by that myself. But I want to caution the honourable member for Emerson (Mr. Graydon) when he's reading out his statement please pick and choose your words very carefully to make sure we remain within the parliamentary traditions and language of this Assembly. So I'm cautioning the honourable member to please follow the rules of the House.

The honourable member for Emerson, to conclude his member's statement. Mr. Graydon: Thank you for that, Mr. Speaker. While they have built facilities, they've decommissioned just as many. The minister will claim otherwise but as we've recently seen i n ads published by the Selinger NDP, they cannot get their own statistics straight. There has been a rise– Mr.

Speaker: I know I have cautioned the House the last time it sat, with respect to the use of a member of this Assembly in relation to a politic al party, and it's always been our tradition in this House to use the name of an individual if it's in reference to an era. And so I'm asking the honourable member to please– to pick and choose again. I cautioned him pick and choose your words very carefull y and in keeping with the rules and practices of this Assembly. So the honourable member for Emerson, to please quickly conclude your member's statement. Mr. Graydon: Thank you again, Mr.

Speaker, and I'll do the best I can. They are strangers to the tr uth. There has been a rise in elder abuse which can be linked to an increase in dementia and Alzheimer's. And on the Conservative side of the House, we've tried to protect seniors by putting forward Bill 213, The Seniors' Rights and Elder Abuse Protecti on Act. We acknowledge the right of seniors to have care and protection. We want to ensure safety for all Manitobans of all ages but this NDP government didn't agree. They voted against giving seniors care and protection.

Seniors in Manitoba deserve so much more than what this government is doing for them. The NDP preaches about being advocates for social injustices but they cause–they are the cause of many. The government has done nothing but distort the truth to Manitobans. Manitobans don't believe this government anymore with good reason. This NDP government likes to talk a huge game, but when you look at the table, it's completely bare. For too long, seniors have been mistreated by this government. That needs to change. I say shame on the Minister o f Healthy Living and Seniors (Ms. Crothers). I say shame on this government.

We believe seniors should– Mr. Speaker: Order, please. The honourable member's time for this member's statement has elapsed. Pink Shirt Day Ms. Nancy Allan (St. Vital): Mr. Speak er, today many of us are wearing pink in the House to recognize Pink Shirt Day. The motto for Pink Shirt Day is Kindness Is One Size Fits All. I'm pleased to see so many of our members have shown their colours and taken a stand against bullying, demonstrating the kind of kindness that Pink Shirt Day is all about. However, there are still too many people with too many stories of discrimination, harassment, and violence in their lives.

I am proud of our team of NDP MLAs from all walks of life who took a stand and passed Bill 18, the safe and inclusive schools act, to fight bullying in our schools and to ensure that every student has a safe place to learn. One of the most important things this legislation does is it give all students the right to start anti-bullying clubs such as gay -straight alliances. These alliances help promote safe, welcoming schools that allow students to feel included and supported regardless of ethnic, cultural or sexual

538 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA February 24, 2016 identity. It's critical our schools are safe, caring and accepted places where students can feel respected. I'd like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Red Cross for all the work that they have done here in this province around Pink Shirt Day. I'd like to give a super shout -out to Rebecca Ulrich who is the mover and shaker behind Pink Shirt Day, and I know every year our Minister of Education goes out and does events with them and is wearing his pink shirt today, and I'd like to thank everyone who has worked to make Pink Shirt Day a reality.

Thank you for your efforts. Days like this remind us that true kindness never goes out of style. Provincial Budget 2016 Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Why is there no budget? Mr. Speaker, this is the question that must be asked today. The NDP government in Manitoba has been unable to balance the provincial budget for seven years in a row. Is the government not bringing in a budget today because they woul d have to admit for the eighth time in a row that they are unable to balance the budget? This NDP government hasn't even been able to get within $100 million of a balanced budget in seven years.

Admitting you can't get closer than this to your target should be rather embarrassing for an experienced government. Is the NDP government not bringing in a budget to avoid embarrassment? Perhaps they're concerned that the wool they've pulled over Manitobans' eyes has gotten threadbare. While claiming to enha nce services, this NDP has actually been making big cuts to Conservation, to Water Stewardship, to Agriculture, to research. Did the NDP not bring in a budget because they need to hide their deep-cut deception? Further, this NDP government has raised taxe s budget after budget.

Are we not seeing a budget today because the NDP didn't want to let people know where they were going to raise taxes this year? Just recently, the NDP government spent plenty of tax dollars consulting with Manitobans across the province about what might be in a budget. From what we see now, it was an impressive waste of money and people's time. Or perhaps the consultation will show up as a budget because the NDP were actually using it to inform their campaign promises. Maybe it was for all these reasons. We may never know, but Manitobans will judge the lack of a budget on April 19th. Mr.

Speaker, it's time to have an accountable government. It's time for a Liberal government. Mr. Speaker: That concludes members' statements, and just–[interjection] Order, please. Introduction of Guests Mr. Speaker: Just prior to oral questions, I'd like to draw the attention of honourable members to the public gallery where we have with us this afternoon from Twin Rivers Country School, we have 10 grades 6 to 9 students under the direction of Ms. Krista Friesen, and this group is located in the constituency of the honourable member for La Verendrye (Mr. Smook).

On behalf of all honourable members, we welcome you here this afternoon. * (13:50) ORAL QUESTIONS Election Date 2016 Official Announcement Request Mr. Brian Pallister (Leader of the Official Opposition): I'd like to welcome back all our colleagues, Mr. Speaker, and, in particular, I would like to offer my congratulations to you and t hanks to you on behalf of our party for your great work over many years and on your decision to not seek re-election, Sir. We appreciate the work that you've done here very much and–[interjection] In addition, Mr.

Speaker, if I might just take a moment and say a thank you to the member for St. Johns (Mr. Mackintosh) for his great service over a long period of time for his constituents and for the people of this province. And I will add, I guess, i n the interest of time as well, our thanks as well to the member for Fort Rouge (Ms. Howard) for her service here, and wish her best of luck. I mentioned to her earlier that Esther and I had the chance to raise our children for much of their early years in Ottawa. It's a great–it's nothing like Winnipeg.

It's not as good as Winnipeg, but it's a great city, and we wish you the best to you and your family. And my friend from Flin Flon, as well, to say to you all the best in the future.

February 24, 2016 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 539 And to all of you, thank you very much for your service, good health and the best to your families as you embark on new challenges in your lives. My first question, Mr. Speaker, is: When will the Premier go to the Lieutenant Governor and call the election, specifically? Hon. Greg Selinger (Premier): I thank the Leader of the Opposition for that. I'm sure we'll announce the date well within the regulatory requirements. But I do want to say, Mr. Speaker, you've announced very recently your decision not to seek office again.

I want to acknowledge your service since September 11th, 1990: the work you did on graduated driver's licences; the work you did in workers' compensat ion to give better protection, presumptive protection for people, particularly front lines and responders; the work you've done on the transportation division for the Province of Manitoba and the broad consultations you did on that to help us formulate a transportation plan, which is strongly reflected in the infrastructure program that we've been rolling out over the last several years in this province; and, of course, your most recent service to us as the Speaker of the House.

I know you have family mem bers here today, and I do want to take the opportunity to thank you very much for all the service you've provided and to thank your family, as well, for supporting you through those interesting and challenging 26 years of service you've provided to the people of Manitoba and the people of Transcona. So I'd like just to give you a round of applause again, Mr. Speaker. [Applause] And while I'm on the feet, we have seen the member for Fort Rouge (Ms. Howard) make a career decision.

I want to thank that mem ber for her tremendous service to the people of Fort Rouge but also to the people of Manitoba in many roles: minister of Labour and minister of Family Services; minister of Finance and Treasury Board; and minister responsible for disabilities and all the w ork that's been done there, including path- breaking legislation which makes the difference every single day. And, of course, the member for St. Johns (Mr.

Mackintosh) and all the work he's done over the many years: House leader; Minister of Justice once, twice, redux, of course, and as he says, a chance to sort of square the circle on all those justice issues including restorative justice, but also minister for Family Services and Conservation, and our TomorrowNow plan which laid the foundation for the work we're doing on climate change. And, as you know, Mr. Speaker, I've already answered the first question, so I await the second one. Pre-Election Budget Tabling Timeline Mr.

Brian Pallister (Leader of the Official Opposition): The Premier has repeated ly, as has his Finance Minister, promised in months past that they would be presenting a full budget for the people of Manitoba prior to the election. There appears to be some backsliding there, not inconsistent with the Premier's previous unwillingness to keep his promises to people of Manitoba. We know that the budget would be done. It would be prepared now, and it would be strange to keep it from the people of Manitoba prior to an election. It would be another example of a deceptive practice by this government, Mr.

Speaker, that has nothing to do with being forthright, accountable or transparent and has everything to do with hiding figures from Manitobans that they deserve to see. Other provinces, New Brunswick, BC, Ontario, tomorrow, are all putti ng budgets forward. Most provinces prior then–prior to the election date, most provinces in this country will have tabled a budget for their people to see, yet Manitobans are being kept in the dark by this Premier. I'd like the Premier to explain to Mani tobans why it is that he would hide the facts from Manitobans prior to this upcoming provincial election. Hon.

Greg Selinger (Premier): Mr. Speaker, we indicated 20 days ago that we'd be providing a fiscal update and outlook for the province of Manitoba. It'll be very thorough. It'll give the people the numbers of how we've costed our Throne Speech commitments and how we will keep the economy growing: one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, of the best job creation rate in the country, a very significant program to continue to provide stimulus at a time when the Canadian economy is slowing down and the global economy is slowing down as well. We'll provide that all in the Legislature.

I do point out that the Leader of the Opposition has a very vigorous program of cuts to services,

540 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA February 24, 2016 privatization. He's not in any way being accountable for that. He's not demonstrating how he will make sure that we protect the core services of Manitobans. We know that program of cuts is a risky program for Manitoba. We know his program to reduce the PST will end our ability to provide good quality infrastructure, including flood protection for Manitoba, Mr. Speaker. So we'd look forward to him being accountable for the reckless decisions he's making on behalf of the people of Manitoba. Mr.

Pallister: The Premier speaks about the national economy slowing down; he's been slowing down the economy in Manitoba since he became Premier, Mr. Speaker. The reality is quite different from what he puts forward, and, of course, the Premier now says that he wants to put forward a fantasy budget. Heard of fantasy football and fantasy hockey even, but I haven't heard of a fantasy budget 'til this day. The Premier is going to put a fantasy budget before the people of Manitoba tha t's going to cause them to question again his willingness to keep his promises to them.

Now, the fact of the matter is that this Premier has been hiding information from Manitobans by way of blacking out reports, not making information available, forcing citizens to go through a freedom of information process when the information should be there for them to see. That's why we have an open government agenda for the future of this province because that's a closed government over there– [interjection] Thank you. Does the Premier not understand that we just received our first credit downgrade in 30 years because of his secrecy, and why would he add to it by hiding the budget from Manitobans? Mr.

Selinger: Mr. Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition held a privat e press conference today to make–a private press conference that was not open – that was not open–to the public, very similar to his private conventions, very similar to his private leadership race. He has not come clean to the people of Manitoba about his risky program to cuts to core services. He has talked about two- tier health care, something we need to take a look at. He has not disclosed how he's going to deal with two-tier health care. He has talked about privatizing social services and daycare in Manitoba.

He has not indicated in any way how he's going to enact those brutal policies, which will crank up fees for Manitobans, reduce wages and provide less quality services. He's indicated he's going to Uber the taxi service, Mr. Speaker, in Manitoba. He has in no way been clear about how he's going to do that. His risky program of cuts, his risky program of privatization will only put Manitoba in a tailspin and take the economy down. We– Mr. Speaker: Order, please. The honourable First Minister's time on this question has elapsed. The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a new question.

Tax Increases Government Promises Mr. Brian Pallister (Leader of the Official Opposition): Well, now we've got the Premier fantasizing about our agenda. You know, he's got a fantasy budget in mind for Manitobans; he hasn't –he claims he knows a lot about our agenda, but he won't show Manitobans his own agenda, Mr. Speaker, and that's just too bad. That's really too bad, you know. So his agenda has 113 pronouncements, Mr. Speaker, 113 promises just in January alone, six or so a day, 113 of them. But he's not going to tell Manitobans what that's going to cost.

He's not going to show them what tha t's going to work out to for them because he's not going to put a budget on the table. Now, we all know, and Manitobans all know, somebody has to pay for this Premier's promises. Most Manitobans don't take his promises seriously anymore, but if he was to keep some of those promises, he would, of course, have to hike taxes. Why doesn't the Premier tell Manitobans today which tax hikes he will invoke on an already overtaxed population so that he can try to get himself, as the member for Fort Rouge (Ms.

Howard) quite accurately said, re -elected, because that's his first and only concern? * (14:00) Hon. Greg Selinger (Premier): Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the question from the member opposite. Twenty days ago we said we'd provide a fiscal update and outlook on Manitoba. We'll show how the Throne Speech commitments and the subsequent

February 24, 2016 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 541 announcements are going to be costed out. It's a five- to seven -year vision in certain areas like daycare, very important that Manitobans have greater access to daycare spo ts, good quality daycare with good wages and the opportunity to have a career in that system with a pension plan; quality education and experiences for young people to prepare them for school with accountability to a board of parent governors. Those are the commitments we are making to the people of Manitoba.

We will demonstrate how we're going to achieve them in our March 8th update and outlook. But we won't see from the members opposite is the classic wolf -in-sheep's-clothing position that the Leader of the Opposition is presenting every single day. He–every single day he denies that he made a commitment to two-tier health care in Manitoba. He prevaricates on whether or not he's going to continue with a program of privatizing daycare, which he's already said he's going to do, Mr. Speaker. Mr.

Speaker, his infrastructure announcement does not have sufficient money to provide for flood protection for communities and to keep the economy going. His reckless– Mr. Speaker: Order, please. The honourable lead – First Minister's time on this question has elapsed. Mr. Pallister: Well, serious problems in this province as a result of an incompetent government over the last close to two decades, and the Premier puts forward a fantasy plan to solve those problems and attacks an agenda for change that's real and well costed.

That's a shame, kind of embarrassing for the members opposite, and I think it's part of the reason so many of them aren't running again, quite frankly. Now, the Premier spoke and he used the word commitment a moment ago. Now, just five years ago the Premier ran on a commitment that he would not raise taxes in this province–none, he said–followed it up with the biggest tax hikes in Manitoba modern history. Now he wants Manitobans, having broken all those promises, he says I've got more; wait for more, he says. But he won't even put a budget on the table to give verification or support to the promises he's making.

I expect the vast majority of his caucus doesn't even have any idea about a fraction o f those hundred and thirteen or fifteen announcements that he made in January, and they don't take them seriously. Why would Manitobans take them seriously? I want to know this, Mr. Speaker, since the Premier called the proposal that he would hike the PST ridiculous and absurd and nonsense and went ahead and did it, then I have to ask him: Which taxes will he raise to pay for his ridiculous and absurd promises just made in the last few weeks? Mr. Selinger: Mr.

Speaker, I appreciate the question from the Leader of the Opposition. This is an individual that promised solemnly that he would never privatize the telephone system and then promptly went ahead and did it, kept people up into the wee hours of the morning at committee, forced the bill through the House, promptly went ahead and privatized the telephone system. Many of his friends and colleagues benefited from that in terms of the shares they bought which appreciated later on. Manitobans are still paying for it with among the highest telephone rates in the country. Mr.

Speaker, this is a gentleman that has not even come clean on that even to this day, many decades later. He's never acknowledged that he broke that promise. He's never acknowledged what the impact is on Manitobans. Every time a person picks up their cellphone bill and sees the price on it, he knows that's the result of the privatization promise that he broke when he was a member of this House. We made a difficult decision to move forward to stimulate the economy on flood protection, on infrastructure building, on creating good jobs for Manitobans.

We have seen the results of that with one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country and with one of the best job- creation rates in the country. Mr. Pallister: The Premier's right on one thing, Mr. Speaker, and that is that this election is about trust; it is about who you can trust. The Premier went to the people of Manitoba in the last election.

He promised them solemnly, as did all his candidates, knocked on the doors of the people of the city of Winnipeg and all over the province, looked people in the eye and said we will not raise your taxes, and then they knew at the time that they intended to and they did–and they did. And they want to make this election about trust? Make it about trust, Mr. Speaker, because that is what it's about–that is what it's about.

The Premier wants to go back 20 years in the past; I'm going to go back five and ask him: If he can promise the people of Manitoba solemnly that it's ridiculous and absurd t hat he wouldn't raise taxes

542 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA February 24, 2016 five years ago, why–why–should any common-sense Manitoban believe a single thing he promises now? Mr. Selinger: Mr. Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition asks why anybody would believe him when he privatized the telephone system and he said he wouldn't do it. The Leader of the Opposition asks why would anybody trust him when he's on CJOB talking about two- tier health care, a system that we need to take a look at in Manitoba, and then goes into abject denial that he even mentioned it. Mr.

Speaker, this is a political party led by the Leader of the Opposition that says they want to privatize daycare in Manitoba and then runs away from it as fast as you can go. This is a member opposite who says that he wants to privatize the social services, including the child- welfare system. Did he consult anybody when he wanted to do that? Did he talk to anybody in the community? No. He says that he's going to do it, and then he goes into his wolf-in-sheep's-clothing approach and hides away from the people of Manitoba. I know he's under tight management by his officials not to say too much, Mr. Speaker.

You know what? It's going to seep out anyway. We know the truth. He's a risky proposition for the economy and for the people of Manitoba. Pre-Election Budget Financial Accountability Mr. Cameron Friesen (Morden-Winkler): Mr. Speaker, it's a fundamental responsibility of a sitting government to demonstrate financial accountability to voters by delivering a budget; only the NDP government has decided they just don't want to. And, Mr. Speaker, on April the 30th last year, this Finance Minister clearly stated there will be another budget before the next election. Well, now we hear he has no budget to table.

He has no comprehensive disclosure financial ly that he wants to make to Manitobans. And he has no plausible explanation as to why that is the case. My question for the Finance Minister: What is he hiding? Hon. Greg Dewar (Minister of Finance): I just want to thank my critic across the way for the question. As well, Mr. Speaker, I want to just congratulate you on your announcement that you won't be seeking re -election as well and my other colleagues in this House. Mr.

Speaker, we've –we made an announcement last month that on March the 8th we'll be presenting to this House and to Manitobans a robust financial update, economic update, that'll provide a clear contrast between this government and the opposition party. We'll show to Manitobans that we are dedicated and committed to continue to invest in education, health care, of course, infrastructure. It'll contrast to the Leader of the Opposition who wants to fire 1,000 nurses, who laid off 700 teachers. It'll contrast to the Liberal leader who– Mr. Speaker: Order, please.

The honourable minister's time on this question has elapsed. Mr. Friesen: Mr. Speaker, Manitobans deserve a full, comprehensive report, and he promised them a drive-by financial snapshot. It just won't do. Mr. Speaker, the second quarter financial update revealed that the NDP has once again failed to stick to their budget. The deficit projection is now up 30 per cent over what was planned, and spending is projected to be $139 million more than what was budgeted.

Now, just after the Public Accounts were released and the NDP deficit was ballooning a million bucks over planned spending, the Finance Minister said, I wasn't clear whether I'd bring a budget or not. Will the Finance Minister admit that as his financial underperformance has continued to become known, his enthusiasm to be accountable to Manitobans has increasingly waned? Will he admit that by not presenting a full budget he's failing to be accountable to Manitobans? Mr. Dewar : Well, Mr. Speaker, I reject what the member has put forward.

I'll remind the member that the Har per Conservative government, which the Leader of the Opposition said he was a very proud member of, they presented a fiscal update. In fact, they didn't even produce a fiscal update inside the House of Commons; they went outside the House of Commons to do that. The Ontario government, as well, provided the residents of Ontario a fiscal update. We're not exactly sure what Saskatchewan's going to do. They may or they may not have a budget. They may or may not have a fiscal update.

They're likely not even going to have a legislative session before the next–before the next election.

February 24, 2016 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 543 As I said, we'll be presenting the update on March the 8th. It'll provide a clear contrast between this government and the opposition party. Again, we're committed to health care, education, infrastructure. They are, Mr. Speaker, want to return to balance immediately, presumably. They want to, in order to do that, they're going to fire nurses, they're going to fire teachers. The Liberal Party– Mr. Speaker: Order, please. The honour able minister's time on this question has elapsed. Mr. Friesen: Mr.

Speaker, the minister should realize that the idiom, no news is good news, does not apply when you're the Finance Minister for the Province of Manitoba. Listen, Mr. Speaker, no governme nt hides good news. If it was good news, they would deliver it. But once again, for this NDP government, the news is not good. Deficit is up. Spending is up. So what does the NDP government do? They announce that they won't disclose financial information for Manitobans. * (14:10) Mr. Speaker, it's not accountable, it's not accessible, it's not acceptable.

Manitobans deserve to have access to full financial information regarding the true extent of this NDP government's financial mismanagement. What is he hiding from Manitobans, and will he do the right thing and commit to bring a budget? Mr. Dewar: The member is prejudging what we're going to be releasing here in the House on March the 8th. Mr. Speaker, as I said, it's going to be a very robust update.

It's going to provide, again, a contrast between this government and the opposition, a government that believes in investing the economy versus cutting jobs like the opposition want to do, and giving tax cuts to the corporate elite like the Liberal Party wants to do, fire 800 liquor workers. We reject that. We know the Leader of the Opposition, when he's not in Costa Rica he's here plotting how he's going to fire another 1,000 nurses, fire another 700 teachers. We reject that. Children in Care Numbers Counting Method Change Mr.

Ian Wishart (Portage la Prairie): On February 10th the Minister responsible for Child and Family Services decided to change the way the department counts the number of children in its care. The minister was concerned about the way children are being counted here in Manitoba. In reality, this NDP government is more concerned about, and I quote, unfairly being compared to other provinces. What are they trying to hide? Can the minister explain to this House how her method of counting children under her care is unfair, and how changing the method will benefit any of the children here in Manitoba? Hon.

Kerri Irvin -Ross (Minister of Family Services): What is important to this side of the House and this government is ensuring that we are providing adequate supports to families so they can raise their children at home in their communities in a safe environment that does not privatize the services that they need. What we have done, we are planning to count the children in a similar way that other jurisdictions count. We are not trying to hide numbers; every child will be accounted for. We're going to continue to make those investments.

We are not going to make risky cuts that slash rates to foster parents, that take children that are 16 and 17 years old off the record, put them in the streets. We're going to be there with the families every day in this province. Mr. Wishart: I'm pretty sure this minister said she didn't want to count voluntary placements at all. The minister has been quoted as saying Saskatchewan does not count children that are in voluntary placements; that would mean that children like Tina Fontaine would not be counted by this government when they are responsible for their care, or lack of care in her case.

And I would table documentation from Saskatchewan Ministry of Social Services that states very clearly that voluntary placements are included in the children -in-care category. The minis ter and this government may not like showing their dramatic failure on the CFS file, but misleading Manitoba on the number of children in care does nothing to help those children. When is this minister going to do her job and focus on helping the children in care, and not spend time spinning numbers? Ms. Irvin -Ross: Every day we focus on providing good quality care for families and children in this

544 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA February 24, 2016 province whether it's through building better housing, whether it's developing and growing a strong economy, providing jobs, providing good strong education. That makes a difference. We are accounting for all children that are in care. We are not backing away from our responsibilities. We have constantly increased the percentage of the money that we put in t o support agencies in the front -line services. There is no doubt in my mind that every worker in the authorities and the agencies work every day to focus on the best interest of children.

We will continue to do that. We will not put in place risky policies and cuts that are going to take away opportunities for families to grow and be supported. Mr. Wishart: Mr. Speaker, instead they have put policies in place that led us to be No. 1 on child poverty in Canada, really proud. One of this NDP government's m ost colossal failures is their handling of Child and Family Services portfolio. Since 2006 the number of children in care has more than doubled.

We have had multiple disasters with children in hotels, repeated administrative problems with the authorities, unauthorized travel scandals, and, of course, the Phoenix Sinclair inquiry. Desperate times lead to desperate measures like playing games with public numbers, more NDP math. Is this minister ready to apologize to the children in CFS publicly, maybe a nother TV ad, for their handling and mishandling of children in care? Ms. Irvin-Ross: I need to make sure that this House knows that every child in Manitoba that is in care is being counted. What's important is our record.

Our record of devolving the system to First Nations and Metis leaders, ensuring that we have–providing culturally appropriate care for their children, making sure that we're going one step further to customary care, making sure that we have an opportunity for kids in care to go and live with their family members under kinship care. Looking and preventing children coming into care is a major priority of this government through multiple departments and multiple agencies.

We're going to continue to support families in this province and ensure that they get the support that they need and their children can stay at home with t hem in a loving, caring environment. Aboriginal Students Graduation Rates Mr. Wayne Ewasko (Lac du Bonnet): Mr. Speaker, the success of all students is essential for building a strong province here in Manitoba. Just last month the Auditor General reported that only 55 per cent of Aboriginal students graduate from high school compared to non- Aboriginal students and this gap is widening.

That's a decrease of 2 per cent since 2010, obviously getting worse than better. Will the minister apologize today for his government hiding these statistics from Manitoba? Hon. James Allum (Minister of Education and Advanced Learning): I thank the member for the question. Of course, we on this side of the House are the party of reconciliation and the government of reconciliation. That's why we'll–we are tabling a First Nations, Metis and Inuit education policy to provide additional supports for those children so that they can be successful in our school system, just as every other child should be successful.

In our educati on funding announcement, we announced new supports for the Aboriginal academic achievement award, new transition funding for kids coming off reserve into the public education system. Mr. Speaker, on this side of the House, we stand with First Nations, we stand with Metis, and we stand with Inuit children. And it takes some temerity for this member to stand up, who's never once asked a question about indigenous education until today. Shame on him. Mr. Ewasko: I know, Mr.

Speaker, I know that the NDP govern ment has been going through some media training and they're attempting to show some compassion, but this minister is obviously showing his angry side today again. Mr. Speaker, the Auditor General himself says, and I quote: That is the lack of leadership t o guide governmental departments in achieving educational outcomes for K -to-12 Aboriginal students set out in the Aboriginal Education and Employment Action Plan. Mr. Speaker, I ask the Minister of Education: When the AG mentions the lack of leadership, is the AG speaking about the minister, the Premier (Mr.

Selinger) or both?

February 24, 2016 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 545 Mr. Allum: Well, Mr. Speaker, as I just finished saying, we believe in providing supports for indigenous children so they are successful in our public education system. But when the leader of the–when the opposition critic talks about leadership, he might look at the federal government and 10 years of the Harper government, which abandoned indigenous people in this country and in this province. They wouldn't call an inquiry into mi ssing and murdered indigenous women, even though that's happening and the Premier (Mr.

Selinger) will be chairing a very important conference on that tomorrow, Mr. Speaker. We're the party of reconciliation. We're the government of reconciliation. We stand on that record, and I'm ashamed of the member for getting up and talking about this question today. Mr. Ewasko: Holy smokes, Mr. Speaker, it looks like we're getting a bag of Snickers bars for this session. Mr. Speaker, under the Selinger government, only 55 per cent of Aboriginal students graduate from high school, which is a 2 per cent decrease from 2010. We know that the Auditor General himself blames the lack of leadership.

We now know why the Education Minister and his government has been hiding these stats for years. How can Manitobans possibly trust this broken-promise government? What else is this Minister of Education hiding? Mr. Allum: But, Mr. Speaker, the member's quite wrong as usual. We're not hiding anything. And, in fact, we've posted information on indigenous outcomes before the Auditor General came out, and we'll continue to be data driven in our department. But let's remember the Truth and Reconciliation Commission said that indigenous outcomes across this country were lagging.

And, in fact, Manitoba's actually doing better than they –we are in –than they are in Saskatchewan or Alberta when it comes to outcomes for indigenous children. * (14:20) Of course, Mr. Speaker, we can do better. Of course, we need to work together on it. But we're not going to take lessons from the opposition who supported Mr. Harper all these years and who continually abandon indigenous people in this country. The fact of the matter is the Leader of the Opposition won't be Harper-light; if he ever gets into government, he'll be Harper on steroids. NDP Leadership Race Chief of Staff Investigation Mr.

Kelvin Goertzen (Steinbach): Mr. Speaker, the Premier hired a union activist, Heather Grant-Jury, as his chief of staff solely to help him survive the leadership, and then after that as a reward he appointed her to the board of Manitoba Public Insurance. Now his former chief of staff is being investigated for money that's gone missing from her employer. She's now gone from the union, she's gone from MPI and she is apparently gone from the many, many positions she held within the NDP. This is an example of problems that happen when you use taxpayers' dollars to reward your friends, and the member for Thompson (Mr.

Ashton) can provide other examples. Mr. Speaker, since the Premier is on a bit of an apology tour, would he today apologize for using taxpayers' dollars to help him survive the leadership and then to reward his friends? Hon. Dave Chomiak (Minister of Mineral Resources): I thank the member for Steinbach who came up through the offices of the opposition leadership to his job, and does a fine job, Mr. Speaker, or the member for –the member who was a previous researcher who ended up working and being in this Legislature.

An individual who has had some difficulties in a separate job and separate occupation and has been investigated but has worked for the government, you can't drag that person through the mud for something that they did in terms of their job, and then say because they were hired by the govern ment, by implication there's something wrong with them. Mr. Speaker, basic human kindness, basic human justice, basic human understanding would say these are two different things. Notwithstanding they want to make this a political football, I think it's below the level of the member for Steinbach– Mr. Speaker: Order, please.

The honourable minister's time on this question has elapsed. Mr. Goertzen: I'm hopeful that the member will use basic common sense, Mr. Speaker. Now, it seems that the Premier's ap ology tour has ended. His former chief of staff, who is now

546 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA February 24, 2016 under investigation for missing funds, had access to many government files. Now, I understand that when the Premier brought Ms. Grant -Jury into his office, he told his staff that she was just he re to get him through the leadership crisis. So it's possible that she didn't actually work on any government jobs. She may have just been doing leadership stuff for the Premier.

But he does have a responsibility to tell us whether or not he's investigated any files that she had access to and whether or not there was anything that was inappropriate that was done on the files that he allowed her to have access to because he hired her as his chief of staff to save his leadership. Mr. Chomiak: Mr.

Speaker, I think it's below members of this Chamber to make allegations of anyone who is investigated on their private job of which there –and what there –of which there is an ongoing investigation that has nothing to relate to their personality, nothing that relates to criminal activities, but is a dispute in terms of their private job, works for a government and then is smeared by the member for Steinbach by allegations that (

a) access to information or something untoward has been done on something that happened perhaps when they were privately employed. By that count, Mr. Speaker, everybody who is responsible for the terrible funding scandal of the 1990s when the Conservative campaign tried to run First Nation candidates and which the judge said he'd never seen more liars in his life than the Conservative Party, most of those members shouldn't be sitting there based on that member's accusation. Mr. Goertzen: Well, the NDP removed Ms. Grant-Jury from all sorts of positions, so presumably they must have had some concerns as well, Mr.

Speaker, but maybe not the member for Kildonan (Mr. Chomiak). Now, Mr. Speaker, the former chief of staff to the Premier is under investigation, and there was a good deal of government money, taxpayers' money, that went to the unio n to the training centre where there is now, apparently, missing funds. Now, union spokesperson Blake Crothers said that there's nothing to see here, that none of the money is missing, and Mr. Crothers said to the Premier that he shouldn't worry, that there was no government money that is missing. But, apparently, there is an audit that is being done but hasn't been completed.

Can the Premier , who hasn't proven to be a particularly good defender of public money, can he provide any evidence, perhaps an audit that shows that no government money, no taxpayers' money is missing because of these very, very serious allegations? Mr. Chomiak: Mr. Speaker, I understand that there's no connection whatsoever between government funding and the activities of that particular individual. By definition, Mr.

Speaker, what the member for Steinbach is saying is the Leader of the Opposition, because he was part of a Cabinet–it was found to be responsible for the worst vote -rigging scandal in the history of Manitoba and criminal charges should have been laid –by implication that member, the member for Fort Whyte (Mr. Pallister), is not capable of being leader beca use he was in a Cabinet that was found to be improperly doing a scandal. Is he saying that? Is he saying his own leader is incapable of leading his party? Now, maybe it's because his leader had no competition for leadership.

Maybe that's why as the leader had no guests invited to his throne speech, Mr. Speaker. Maybe that's why he's hiding now with the new Mulroney assistant that he has to keep him below in the public expectation. I think it's deplorable to smear people by virtue of that. Doing that implicates his own– Mr. Speaker: Order, please. The honourable minister's time on this question has elapsed. Pre-Election Budget Government Transparency Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Mr.

Speaker, the NDP have been found to be one of the most closed and least transparent governments in Canada, as we've seen recently in published reports and in reports from the Auditor General and the Ombudsman. The N DP have hidden cut after cut after cut. And their fiscal update won't come out until the final week of this sitting, so Manitobans may not even know where the cuts are going to be because we're not even going to get a budget. I ask the Premier: Did he decide not to table a budget because he was afraid to tell Manitobans at the–about the cuts he will be making to jobs and services? Hon.

Greg Selinger (Premier): Mr. Speaker, we've made it very clear on February 4th that we'd provide

February 24, 2016 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 547 a fiscal update and outl ook for the people of Manitoba. It will be a thorough update. It'll have departmental spending identified within it. It'll give an indication of what our program is to grow the economy and to keep one of the lower unemployment rates in the country and one of the best job creation records. It'll project out over the next few years to let people know where we're taking the economy and how we're fulfilling some of the very significant commitments we made in our Throne Speech.

We have a very solid plan to keep Manitoba on a steady course of economic growth, low unemployment and job creation. We have a plan to increase the opportunities for families to have access to quality, non- profit, well paid daycare with well trained staff and safe children in a good learning environment, Mr. Speaker. We will continue to reduce class sizes so the young people can get off to a good start in school.

And we'll have very significant investments in training, apprenticeship, college and university programs, all of which are at risk if the leader of the Liberal Party is able to impose on the member from River Heights her plan to eliminate the health and education levy: $471 million will disappear in a single year. That's close to $2 billion over– Mr. Speaker: Order, please. The honourable First Minister's time on this question has elapsed. Mr. Gerrard: Mr. Speaker, Liberals will create a positive situation for entrepreneurs who will then create jobs and wealth and improve government revenue.

I don't see what the problem is. It's likely that the NDP will not release a budget because they don't want to let Manitobans know where they will be cutting. Over the last few years we've been seeing big cuts in funding and jobs in Conservation, in Agriculture, in Aboriginal an d Northern Affairs and in research. Where will the Premier cut this year, or did he choose not to deliver a budget because he wanted to hide details of what he is cutting from the services provided to Manitobans? Mr. Selinger: Appreciate the question fr om the member opposite.

He will know that we've added over 300 teachers to the public school system, not the 700 that were laid off when the Leader of the Opposition was last in government, Mr. Speaker. He will see that we've more than fulfilled our election promise on health care with over 220 more doctors working in Manitoban now, and a graduate –and a record number of people graduating from the medical school. All of those things are in our budget. The member opposite, his political party is promising to eliminate the health and education levy; that's $471 million every single year.

How can the member from River Heights possibly get up here and ask a question about cuts when the single biggest tax cut in the history of Manitoba is being proposed by the Liberal Party of Manitoba, $471 million eliminated from health and education? That means less nurses by the bedside, less doctors in the community, less teachers in the classroom, less daycare workers in the neighbourhoods. That means severe hardship for the families of Manitoba. * (14:30) Mr. Gerrard: Mr.

Speaker, as I've said, Liberals will create a positive situation for entrepreneurs who'll create jobs and wealth and improve government revenue so services can be preserved. Mr. Speaker, unfortunately the Premier appears to be far more impressionable than Manitobans would like. He's clearly been influenced by the Stephen Harper playbook. His NDP government has decided on numerous occasions to avoid accountability and transparency and this is reflected in his decision to avoid tabling a budget.

Why has the Premier chosen this page from the Stephen Harper playbook to avoid accountability and transparency to Manitobans at this critical time? Mr. Selinger: We will provide a clear road map to a future of prosperity in Manitoba. His plan to eliminate the health and education levy gives a tax break to the big banks. How did they do last year, Mr. Speaker? Thirty-five billion dollars profits; why do they need a tax cut from the Liberal Party of Manitoba? Why do the largest corporations in Manitoba need a tax cut which will take money out of health and education?

How does privatizing liquor make life safer and better for Manitobans? Higher prices, lower social res ponsibility, lower wages for the people there and less quality of service. The program for the Liberal Party of Manitoba makes no sense fiscally. It makes no sense in terms of policy. The member from River Heights knows that. When will he separate himse lf from the makes-no-sense policies of the Liberal Party? Mr. Speaker: Time for oral questions has elapsed.

548 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA February 24, 2016 Introduction of Guests Mr. Speaker: And just prior to petitions I'd like to draw the attention of honourable members to the loge to my right where we have Ms. Bonnie Korzeniowski, the former member for St. James. On behalf of honourable members, we welcome you here this afternoon. PETITIONS Mr. Speaker: Now we'll move on to petitions. Provincial Trunk Highway 206 and Cedar Avenue in Oakbank–Pedestrian Safety Mr. Ron Schuler (St. Paul): Mr. Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) Every day, hundreds of Manitoba children walk to school in Oakbank a nd must cross PTH 206 at the intersection with Cedar Avenue.

(2) There have been many dangerous incidents where drivers use the right shoulder to pass vehicles that have stopped at the traffic light waiting to turn left at this intersection.

(3) Law enfo rcement officials have identified this intersection as a hot spot of concern for the safety of schoolchildren, drivers and emergency responders. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

(1) To urge that the provincial government improve the safety at the pedestrian corridor at the intersection of PTH 206 and Cedar Avenue in Oakbank by considering such steps as highlighting pavement markings to better indicate the location of the shoulders and crosswalk, as well as installing a lighted crosswalk structure. This is signed by S. Welsh, G. Korell, J. Tulford and many, many other fine Manitobans. Mr. Speaker: In keeping with our rule 132(6), when petitions are read they are deemed to have been received by the House. Applied Behavioural Analysis Services Mr. Ralph Eichler (Lakeside): Mr.

Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. The background to this petition is as follows: The provincial government broke a commitment to support famili es of children with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, including timely diagnosis and access to necessary treatment such as applied behavioural analysis, also known as ABA services. The provincial government did not follow its own policy statement o n autism services, which notes the importance of early intervention of ABA for children with autism.

School learning services has a highest ever waiting list which started with 45 children. The waiting list is projected to keep growing and to be excess of 80 children by September of 2016. Therefore, these children go through the biggest transition of their lives without receiving ABA services that has helped other children achieve huge gains. The provincial government has adopted a policy to eliminate AB A services in schools by grade 5, despite the fact that these children have been diagnosed with autism which still requires therapy.

These children are being denied necessary ABA services that will allow them access to the same educational opportunities as other Manitoba children. The current provincial government policy now imposed on ABA service providers will now decrease the scientifically proven, empirically based and local proven five -year program to a consultive model that will allow for over 200 c hildren wait-list and only a small portion of children to access these new services. Waiting lists, decreased services and denials of treatment of our –are unacceptable.

No child should be deemed access or eliminated from eligibility for ABA services if th eir diagnosis still remains and their need still exists. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To request the Minister of Education and Advanced Learning consider making funding available to eliminate the current waiting list for ABA school -age services, maintain the current successful program and fund true ABA services for individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder until they reach age 21.

February 24, 2016 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 549 This petition is submitted on behalf of G. Mercier, K. Koop, D. Roncadin and many other fine Manitobans. Manitoba Interlake–Request to Repair and Reopen Provincial Roads 415 and 416 Mr. Blaine Pedersen (Midland): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. These are the reasons for this petition: The Interlake region is an important trans - portation corridor for Manitoba but, unfortunately, is still dealing with serious underinvestment in infrastructure under this provincial government.

Provincial roads 415 and 416 are vital to the region but have sti ll not been repaired or reopened since sustaining damages during the 2010 flood. Residents and businesses in Manitoba Interlake are seriously impacted and inconvenienced by having no adequate east -west travel routes over an area of 525 square miles. This lack of east -west travel routes is also a major public safety concern, as emergency response vehicles are impeded from arriving in a timely manner.

We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge that the provincial government repair and reopen the provincial roads 415 and 416 to allow adequate east-west travel in the Interlake. And this petition is signed by J. Mankewich, D. Johnson, J. Johnson and many more fine Manitobans. Proposed Lac du Bonnet Marina– Request for Research into Benefits and Costs Mr. Wayne Ewasko (Lac du Bonnet): Mr. Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. And these are the reasons for this petition:

(1) Lac du Bonnet is a recreational area with great natural beauty.

(2) The Winnipeg River is one of the greatest distinguishing cultural and recreational resources in that area.

(3) Manitoba marinas increase recreational access and increase the desirability of properties in their host communities.

(4) The people of Lac du Bonnet overwhelm - ingly support a public harbourfront marina in Lac du Bonnet. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to consider collaborating with all–with other levels of government to res earch the economic benefits and construction costs of a marina in Lac du Bonnet. This petition is signed by R. St. Hilaire, B. St. Hilaire, T. Scott and many more fine Manitobans, Mr. Speaker. Minnesota-Manitoba Transmission Line Route– Information Request Mr. Doyle Piwniuk (Arthur-Virden): Mr. Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) The Minnesota-Manitoba transmission line is a 500- kilowatt alternative -current tr ansmission line set to locate southeastern Manitoba and will cross the US border south of Piney, Manitoba.

(2) The line has an in -service date of 2020 and run approximately 150 kilowatts with tower heights expected to reach between 40 to 60 metres and located every 400 to 500 metres.

(3) The preferred route designated to this line will see hydro towers come across approximately to the community of La Broquerie and many other communities in Manitoba southeast rather than the alternative route that was also considered. * (14:40)

(4) The alternative route was –has seen that the line run further east, avoiding densely populated areas and alternately terminate at the same spot at the US border. And (5) the Progressive Conservative caucus was repeatedly asked f or information about the routing of this line and its proximity to densely populated areas and has yet to be received any response. And (6) landowners across Manitoba are concerned about the impact hydro line routing could have on their land values. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

550 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA February 24, 2016 To urge the Minister responsible for Manitoba Hydro to immediately provide a written explanation to all members of the Legislative Assembly regarding the criteria that was used and the reasons for selecting the preferred routing of the Minnesota-Manitoba transmission line, including whether or not this routing represents at least intrusive options to residents of Taché, Springfield, Ste. Anne, Stuartburn, Piney and La Broquerie. And this petition is signed by W. Chabot, J. Schultz-Jeffery, R. Stelmack and many other fine Manitobans.

Applied Behavioural Analysis Services Mr. Ian Wishart (Portage la Prairie): Mr. Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. And these are the reasons for the petition:

(1) The provincial government broke a commitment to support families of children with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, including timely diagnosis and access to necessary treatment such as applied behavioural analysis, also known as ABA services.

(2) The provincial government did not follow its own policy statement on autism services which notes the importance of early intervention and ABA therapy for children with autism.

(3) The preschool waiting list for ABA services has reached its highest level ever with at least 68 children waiting for services. That number is expected to exceed 148 children by September 2016 despite commitments to reduce the waiting list and to provide timely access to services.

(4) The current provincial government policy now imposed on the APA service provider will decrease the scientifically proven, empirically based and locally proven program and force children to go to school at age five before they are ready, and thus not allowing them full access to ABA services promised them as they wait on their wait-list.

(5) Waiting lists, forced decrease in service and denials of treatment are unacceptable. No children should be denied access to or age out of eligibility for ABA services. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To request that the ministers of Family Services, Education and Advanced Learning, and Health consider making funding available to address the current waiting list for ABA services. And this petition is signed by M. Funk, S. Seibel, C. Peters and many, many more fine Manitobans. Minnesota-Manitoba Transmission Line Route– Information Request Mr.

Cliff Cullen (Spruce Woods): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) The Minnesota-Manitoba transmission line is a 500- kilovolt alternating -current transmission line set to be located in southeastern Manitoba that will cross into the US border south of Piney, Manitoba.

(2) The line has an in -service date of 2020 and will run approximately 150 kilometres with tower heights expected to reach between 20 and 60 metres and be located every four to five hundred metres.

(3) The preferred route designated for the line will see hydro towers come in close proximity to the community of La Broquerie and many other communities in Manitoba's southeast rather than an alternate route that was also considered.

(4) The alternate route would have seen the line run furt her east, avoid densely populated areas and eventually terminate at the same spot at the US border.

(5) The Progressive Conservative caucus has repeatedly asked for information about the routing of the line and its proximity to densely populated areas, and has yet to receive any response.

(6) Landowners all across Manitoba are concerned about the impact hydro line routing could have on land values. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the Minister responsible for Manitoba Hydro to immediately provide a written explanation to all members of the Legislative Assembly regarding what criteria were used and the reasons for selecting the preferred routing for the Minnesota-Manitoba transmission line, including whether or not t his routing represented the least intrusive option to residents of Taché, Springfield, Ste. Anne, Stuartburn, Piney and La Broquerie.

February 24, 2016 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 551 This petition is signed by G. Giesbrecht, G. Benitez, D. Rudy and many other fine Manitobans. Mr. Dennis Smook (La Verendrye): Mr. Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) The Minnesota-Manitoba transmission line is a 500- kilovolt alternating -current transmission line set to be located in southeastern Manitoba that will cross into the US border south of Piney, Manitoba.

(2) The line has an in -service date of 2020 and will run approximately 150 kilometres with tower heights expected to reach between 40 and 60 metres and be located every four to five hundred metres.

(3) The preferred route designated for the line will see hydro towers come in close proximity to the community of La Broquerie and many other communities in Manitoba's southeast rather than an alternate route that was also considered.

(4) The alternate route would have seen the line run further east, avoid densely populated areas and eventually terminate at the same spot at the US border.

(5) The Progressive Conservative caucus has repeatedly asked for information about the routing of the line and its proximity to densely populated areas and has yet to receive any response.

(6) Landowners all across Manitoba are concerned about the impact hydro line routing could have on land values. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the Minister responsible for Manitoba Hydro to immediately provide a written explanation to all members of the Legislative Assembly regarding what criteria were used and the reasons for selecting the preferr ed routing for the Minnesota-Manitoba transmission line, including whether or not this routing represented the least intrusive option to residents of Taché, Springfield, Ste. Anne, Stuartburn, Piney and La Broquerie.

This petition is signed by M. Tellier, F. Yelinek, F. Clihcke and many more fine Manitobans. Mr. Speaker: That concludes petitions. And then now move on to grievances. ORDERS OF THE DAY GOVERNMENT BUSINESS Mr. Speaker: Seeing no grievances, we move on to orders of the day, government business. Hon. Dave Chomiak (Government House Leader): Mr. Speaker, I'd like to call for second reading of the following bills: Bill 13, Bill 15 and Bill 3. And after that, we'd like to call debate on second reading of Bill 4, then second reading on bills 5, 6 and 17. Mr.

Speaker: As has been announced, we'll be calling bills in the following order, starting with second readings of Bill 13, Bill 15 followed by Bill 3. And then we'll move on to debate on second readings of Bill 4 followed by second readings of Bill 5, Bill 6 and Bill 17. SECOND READINGS Bill 13–The Education Administration Amendment Act (First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education Policy Framework) Mr. Speaker: We'll now proceed to call for second reading, Bill 13. Hon. James Allum (Minister of Education and Advanced Learning): Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Aboriginal and Northern Affairs (Mr.

Robinson), that Bill 13, The Education Administration Amendment Act (First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education Policy Framework), be now read a second time and be referred to a committee of this House. Her Honour the Lieutenant Governor has been advised of the bill, and I table the message. Mr.

Speaker: It's been moved by the honourable Minister of Education, seconded by the honourabl e Minister of Aboriginal and Norther n Affairs, that Bill 13, The Education Administration Amendment Act (First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education Policy Framework), be now read for a second time and be referred to a committee of this House. And the messag e from Her Honour the Lieutenant Governor has been tabled. * (14:50) Mr. Allum: Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to speak today to Bill 13, an important piece of legislation that puts in place a First Nations, Metis and Inuit

552 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA February 24, 2016 education policy framework to make sure that all of our schools and all our students learn about our shared history with indigenous Manitobans. The NDP and our government is listening to the call for reconciliation, and this policy framework is one small but significant part of our plan to m ake sure that indigenous perspectives are in our classrooms and on our curriculum.

I'm pleased to report that the draft policy framework, available on the Education website, has been developed in consultation with indigenous elders, Metis and Inuit leade rship, teachers and education experts. Our educators are working hard to get this right, because we know that we need to do more to make sure that all students learn about the histories, values, knowledge and culture of Manitoba's indigenous peoples. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission gave a call to action that I feel strongly, as Education Minister, we need to heed.

TRC made clear–the TRC made clear that indigenous peoples and children across the country have been wronged and have not gotten the appropriate supports they deserve. We are working hard to do our part here in Manitoba. This framework is also an important part of our strategy to make sure that indigenous students get the education supports they need to succeed. New Democrats believe that all students deserve to get a high-quality education and the skills they need to get a good job here in Manitoba.

We are following the recommendation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and we'll be more transparent about academic achievement for indigenous students. The TRC was also clear that the achievement gap for indigenous Canadians is a nationwide problem. Manitoba's indigenous students graduate 55 per cent of the time, which, quite simply, is not good enough. Alberta's indigenous graduat ion rate is 43 per cent and Saskatchewan's is a mere 32 per cent. We all need to do better, provincially and nationally.

While the results may show that some of our efforts are working, we know that we need to do more to make sure that First Nations, Metis and Inuit children in our public schools are getting the supports they need to succeed. I find it unfortunate that the Conservatives would rather leave some children behind and make reckless cuts to education. The Opposition Leader and his Conservatives only represent wealthy and well-connected insiders and big business. They don't seem to care about whether First Nation, Metis or Inuit children are given the chance to succeed.

Conservatives' plan to cut education means that teachers will be fired, classes will be larger and indigenous students will not get the supports they need to succeed. We know that's what we–he would do because that's what he did the last time. Families remember having to fight just to be allowed to keep their community scoop–school open, while kids went without proper supplies and teachers struggled with larger and larger classrooms. When our NDP government rose in this Legislature to offer a historic apology for the '60s scoop, the Opposition Leader couldn't be bothered to say anything.

That action alone shows just how little Conservatives care about reconciliation. They're out of touch with the realities of our province and have no interest in reconciliation or in addressing the challenges of our First Peoples. Unlike the Conservatives, we're committed to working with First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples to make sure that all children in our schools get the best education possible. For example, we know that many First Nation students will enter into the provincial school system at some point, particularly those that come from First Nations that do not offer high school programming.

These children can often face issues adjusting to life away from home. Chronic federal underfunding means that despite the tireless efforts of Manitoba teachers, they often struggle to provide the support that some students need. We need to do our part to help these students when they come into our schools. That's why we're providing new funding to help First Nation students transition from First Nation schools into Manitoba schools. This is just one example of how we're acting to make sure indigenous students also see steady progress and get the skills they need to get good jobs.

We're also increasing the Aboriginal Academic Achievement Grant to over $9 million in order to support indigenous students with literacy, numeracy and culturally appropriate learning. We also increased funding for the Martin Aboriginal Education Initiative to $375,000 in order to incorporate traditional languages and targeted supports. We know that these investments are only a start. We want every student in Manitoba to have the opportunity to excel, and we are committed to

February 24, 2016 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 553 working with teachers, parents, schools and First Nation partners to see this happen. Mr. Speaker, this bill is a very importa nt part of our plan to move Manitoba forward in the spirit of reconciliation. Enshrining this policy framework into law makes clear that all of our students need to learn about our shared history with indigenous Manitobans.

The NDP and our government will continue to work with First Nation, Metis and Inuit peoples in the spirit of reconciliation and we call on the Conservatives to drop their extreme ideological opposition to reconciliation and support this bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker: Are there any questions of the mover of this motion? Mr. Wayne Ewasko (Lac du Bonnet): Mr. Speaker, to the Education Minister, what exactly does policy framework mean and who develops it? Mr. Allum: Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from Lac du Bonnet for the question.

The First Nation –[interjection]–oh, well, he is my friend whether –through high waters and low, Mr. Speaker. The First Nation meeting in Inuit education policy framework and, in fact, my friend has actually been briefed on this matter, is our attempt to work with indigenous peoples, with First Nation, Metis and Inuit peoples, to work with indigenous educators, to work with experts in the field and to work with students themselves in order that we can ensure that those children get a first-rate education as we would want for any child in our education system. The member knows that the framework is online.

If he needs to know what it is, he can visit the–visit it on the website. Of course, we gave him a copy as well. He will find in that a v ery comprehensive and complete approach to ensuring successful outcomes for indigenous students in our public education system. Mr. Ewasko: Mr. Speaker, I'm not quite sure if the minister exactly answered that question. Yes, I do have a copy of the draft framework. Will there be changes made to the curriculum, Mr. Speaker? Mr.

Allum: Well, the member knows that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommended quite strongly to provincial governments all across Canada that changes to the curricu lum to ensure and highlight the treaty relationship, the terrible consequences of residential schools, the intergenerational impact of intergenerational schools, also need to be highlighted in curriculum. In fact, in Manitoba we were already doing that. And we're placing that in the framework but the difference is that we're expanding it, enhancing it.

It will now include subjects related to the '60s scoop on the one hand, to Freedom Road on the other, and so there will be changes to the curriculum to enhance outcomes for indigenous children and so that all children, indigenous and non-indigenous, understand the very important relationship between us both. Mr. Ewasko: To the minister: How will teachers be guided and supported with these sensitive issues, Mr. Speaker? Mr. Allum: Mr.

Speaker, again, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission indicated that not only do we need to work on enhancing curriculum, making sure there are targeted supports for First Nation children coming off reserve, ensuring that there are supports for Inuit and Metis children in their particular environments, but it also suggested that we needed to enhance teacher training in this regard as well. We're doing just that already in the teacher training program, which the member well knows there's three credit hours devoted to indigenous perspectives. We'll continue to work on that.

We met with the deans of education to talk about these very kind of important subjects. They were very responsive. It was a very good dialogue, and the membe r will know that either pre -service teachers or teachers currently teaching in our classrooms today will have access to increased supports to ensure that they can provide the best education possible. Mr. Ewasko: What First Nations, Metis, or Inuit groups or organizations are we consulting with to ensure that the framework is established by the 2016 school year, and will those groups also be consulted to ensure it's updated every three years? Mr. Allum: Mr.

Speaker, I'm pleased to say that there was an extensive consultation done, both in the development of the draft framework and in the development of the legislation. The department itself has done extensive consultations within the education community. * (15:00)

554 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA February 24, 2016 And, Mr. Speaker, if the member, as I know he did, looked at the policy framework he would note that the consultations have occurred with: elders; the education director advisory council; the Advanced Education Training and Literacy Aboriginal Advisory Council; as well as education stakeholders like MTS and MSPA; First Nation, Metis and Inuit education partners; MFNERC; and the Western and Northern Canadian Protocol; First Nation, Metis and Inuit Education Council.

So the framework has been developed in very, very extensive consultation with all of our partners in the education system, Mr. Speaker. And, of course, as the–as it's renewed every three years, consultation dialogue–the heart of reconciliation –will certainly occur as long as this government's in power. Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Yes, I –just following that up, I wonder if the minister would table some of the consultation documents and the inputs that was received. Mr. Allum: Well, Mr.

Speaker, that input, that consultation is reflected in the framework itself, and I invite the member for River Heights to go online – although, I know, I think we've given it to him as well–but to go online, have a look at the framework, the essence of consultation is frankly reflected in the document itself. He needs to read it very clo sely, come to terms with what it is that we're –what we're working on, the things we're going to be doing to produce–to promote better outcomes for indigenous children in our education system. And I hope with that we'll have his support on this bill. Mr.

Gerrard: Yes, I would ask the minister whether he would tell us in a little bit more detail the process for establishing the curriculum moving forward, what sort of partnerships with individuals in the First Nation, Metis and Inuit community are present and will be used in terms of building the curriculum and making sure that it's relevant and appropriate and substantial for First Nation, Metis and Inuit people. Mr. Allum: Well, I thank the member for River Heights for that question. As I just indicated to the member from Lac du Bonnet, the consultations have been quite extensive in this regard.

As I that said that – there have been consultations with elders, with the Aboriginal Education Directorate Advisory Council, the Advanced Education Training and Li teracy Aboriginal Advisory Council, as well as Education stakeholders like MGS, MSBA, First Nation, Metis and Inuit education partners, as well as others.

And then in my own office, we've met with Fred Ford and Rachel Duchen– Dutton of the Manitoba Inuit Association; the deans of education at the U of M, U of W, Brandon University and UCM; Daman Johnson of the Aboriginal Council of Winnipeg; the Treaty Relations Commissioner of Manitoba Jamie Wilson, I refer to him as the big Jamie, Mr.

Speaker; President Chartrand and Minister Joan Ledoux of the Manitoba Metis Federation; Grand Chief Nepinak, Dennis White Bird and Louis Harper from the Assembly of Manitoba Chief –Chiefs; Grand Chief Sheila North Wilson from MKO; and Grand Chief Terry Nelson, along with Dolores Day and Lorne Keeper from the Southern Chiefs' Organization. So I –just to suggest to the member that we've done very extensive consultations on the framework, on developing the curriculum, on continuing to ensure indigenous children get the supports they need so that they can be successful learners. Mr.

Ewasko: So is that–the curriculum that you're developing is that going to be mandatory across all K-to-12 grades? And what types of checks and balances is the minister putting in place to make sure that it is actually getting implemented? Mr. Allum: Well, I think the member knows that the Truth and Reconciliation was very prescriptive on this manner –matter. There had to be mandatory elements of whether it's the treaty relationship, whether it's residential schools, whether it's just really, Mr.

Speaker, and the hi storian in me needs to say this, whether this is the history and culture of indigenous peoples going back over multiple generations in this part of the continent. So I would say to the member that, of course, there will be elements that will be mandatory. But, in the first instance, in the spirit of reconciliation, we know and expect that educators across Manitoba will embrace this bill, embrace the framework and do the work of reconciliation that needs to be done in our communities. Mr.

Ewasko: And being an educator myself, during a few years of this NDP government's rule, I've often seen a lot of talk and not a whole lot of action, Mr. Speaker. So, in regards to this curriculum and he's saying how, you know, in the spirit of reconciliation I see a lot of possible intent on getting something done, but then dropping the ball as they continue to roll it out. So I'm not having a whole lot

February 24, 2016 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 555 of faith in this government, and I ask the minister if he has heard of the curriculum document, Integrating Aboriginal Perspectives into the curriculum? Mr. Allum: Well, gee, Mr. Speaker, I'm disappointed to hear that the member doesn't have any faith in this government when it comes to these issues. In fact, this side of the House are leaders when it comes to the spir it of reconciliation and whether –and when it comes to the acts of reconciliation. Not so long ago the Premier (Mr.

Selinger) stood up and apologized for the '60 scoop and, in fact, the Leader of the Opposition didn't stand up and offer his same apology for that particular and terrible event in our own collective history. So, Mr. Speaker, I can assure the member that he ought to have confidence in what we're doing in the sense that not only will it be built into school division planning, but also into school division reporting as well.

We'll be holding a very tight rein on this matter when it comes to ensuring that both the spirit and intent of reconciliation between indigenous and non- indigenous peoples in Manitoba is taken to the ultimate limit in order to ensure there's peace in our time. Mr. Ewasko: Since the minister failed to answer my question, I'll ask him again: Integrating Aboriginal Perspectives into the curriculum is a curriculum document which was delivered to the K -to-12 secondary–or education world, and just wondering if has read the document. Mr. Allum: Well, Mr.

Speaker, I'm not exactly sure what the member's question is in all of that. That was a little unclear to me. I want to remind him what we're talking about here is the First Nation, Metis and Inuit education framework, which will enhance the relationships between indigenous and non- indigenous peoples going forward because we'll begin the process of education right from the very early years, right on through the K-to-12 system. And I'll also remind him, as well, that our post-secondary institutions have also been leaders when it comes to indigenous education.

Not so long ago–I think it was in December –all of our institutions in addition to the school boards signed the indigenous education blueprint, which showed their good faith in ensuring that the spirit and intent of reconciliation is followed in this –and followed in this province from cradle all the way through to career. Mr. Ewasko: The document I'm speaking about was actually published in 2003 and, as you know, I'm hoping that this intent does move forward.

But being an educator within the education system that this government is–has had the reins on, that particular document has actually had the Cellophane on the curriculum document for many, many years, and with no guidelines or implications to any teachers or any advice on how to deliver the document. It basically was printed, put out there as–in Cellophane.

And so with that, I would like to know that – what's the minister's budgetary item in the so -called budget that they're not going to table, but some sort of draft financial statement that they're going to put, for the implementation of this framework document? Mr. Allum: It's interesting that the member seems to have no indication of what we're doing in terms of our investments in indigenous education. In fact, at the beginning of January, we had a very comprehensive education announcement from not only kindergarten all the way through to our post-secondary institutions. Within that there was, Mr.

Speaker, a considerable increase to the Aboriginal Academic Achievement Grant, over $9 million now. As I told the member during question period, and perhaps he wasn't listening, $500,000 has been dedicated to transitional services for kids coming off reserve into the public education system, $375,000 being invested in the Martin education initiative, which has shown to have good outcomes in other places. Mr. Speaker, we not only walk the walk, we talk the talk on this side of the House. Every time that we've put forward these kinds of investments, the members voted against it. Mr.

Ewasko: So I straightforwardly asked what the budget line number or item wa s going to be on this framework. I know that there is no technical budget, and the minister stands up and says that there is a budget or there isn't a budget, and maybe he should have a sidebar conversation with the Minister of Finance (Mr. Dewar) to find out exactly what that is or what he should be staying. * (15:10) So, Mr. Speaker, what I'd like to ask the minister is if he could be clearer on that point, on– specifically, could the implementation of this bill, Bill 13, working with the framework commit tee and

556 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA February 24, 2016 the various organizations, making sure that the framework is established by the 2016 school year and making sure that it's updated every three years, what's the allotted estimated budget for this process? Mr. Allum: This side of the House and this government has made incredible investments in education in the K -to-12 sector, in the post-secondary sector as well. We want to be sure that kids get a great education here in Manitoba, and that includes indigenous education. That's why we're–have put together this framework.

That's why we're making sure that indigenous students feel comfortable, included and have the kind of supports they need. That's why I referred to the academic achievement award that's upwards over $9 million. That's why I referred to the $500,000 for transition services. That's why I referred to the $375,000 to support the Martin Aboriginal indigenous education achievement process. But, Mr. Speaker, really, what does it matter for this member? Every time we do these kinds of investments, he votes against it. The member from Steinbach votes against it. In fact, the member from Fort Whyte votes against it.

They don't support any of this stuff. Let's be honest about that. Mr. Speaker: Time for questions on this second reading of this bill has elapsed. Is there any further debate? Mr. Ewasko: Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise today and put a few words on the record regarding Bill 13, The Education Administration Amendment Act (First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education Policy Framework).

I know that the minister stood up and crowed a little bit, patted himself on the back for coming forward with this bill and standing on his soapbox and pretending that he's an advocate and a voice of reason for our Aboriginal educati on and for our Manitoba students. And what I see, Mr. Speaker, is, again, a whole lot of talk and not a whole lot of action. And results – when we talk about results, I know that the minister feels that he doesn't care about results. Well, when you don't care about results, you actually don't show that you're actually caring.

He talks about the Triple A, the Aboriginal Academic Achievement Grant, and, you know, I just can look back in January's Auditor General's report on the Triple A, and, basically, the Auditor General says that there are gaps in the department's support for the delivery of the Aboriginal education initiatives in school divisions. How–the department allocated 33 per cent of its 2014-15 Triple A funding to six divisions, with plans that it considered noncompliant, with stated requirements, Mr. Speaker.

So, to me, this is showing that, again, as the Auditor General, as I mentioned in question period today, stated that there does–that there seems to be a lack of leadership on the governme nt side when it comes to Aboriginal education and for making sure that we've got our checks and balances and the results are getting accomplished.

Before I go further into this bill, I would like to just mention that because it is February and it was I Love to Read Month, I had the pleasure of, as many of my colleagues on this side of the House, had the pleasure of going around to various K-to-12 institutions around the province and doing – and reading to the various youth I Love to Read Month. I had t he pleasure of going to a few schools in my own constituency, and all within the school division that I had taught in just –it's coming up to five years ago already, Mr. Speaker. How time flies when we're having fun.

But the days of opposition is shortly coming to an end here before April 19th, and then we'll be – we've got a lot of work to do yet, Mr. Speaker, but it's something that we're definitely looking forward to. And I know that many Manitobans are going around the province. I know that many Manitoba ns are also tired of the NDP way of, you know, paying more and getting less for their hard- earned tax dollars, and they're looking for a change. And that is encouraging.

But, again, I'm hesitant to, and I often tell people that we cannot become complacent and we have to continue working hard and delivering a new plan, a new plan for this great province of ours in regards to education, health care and many other of the streams within the government's purview. I know that the hard work of teachers and the students and our administration, parents being involved in the education world, I know that they're also looking for a change, because, Mr. Speaker, I know that within the last 16, 17 years of NDP government, it is time for a change.

And we've seen the tired ways of this government. They're no longer working as a team, as an effective unit. And you need to have that effective team and cohesion within the group to be able to work, especially in this great

February 24, 2016 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 557 province of ours in Manitoba. And there's obviously a lot of work that has to be done. What First Nations and Metis and Inuit groups and organizations that have been consulted on this framework, Mr. Speaker? We–I asked a few questions just a few minutes ago in regards to some of the budget and some of the consultations, and I know the member from River Heights had also asked for some evidence in regards to how those consultation processes had happened and asked for some anecdotal notes from those meetings.

And I know the minister stood up and basically said, well, read the framework document, read the framework document. Well, we know, you know, being involved in various other sectors within the province, we've seen plans come forward, draft plans come forwar d, and then they've had public consultations, and within those public consultations, you know, they take down the notes and then they go back, and sometimes that draft document comes back to the groups that they've actually had consultations with, and sometimes it hasn't, Mr. Speaker.

And so I think what the member from River Heights was basically asking was how do we know that this government is actually listening to what those people have had to say. We won't actually know. We'll just see a framework document, and we're–and what are we supposed to do? We're supposed to take the minister at his word for saying, well, believe me, this is what people wanted and asked for and we put it into the framework document? Well, we know how that's worked in the past for Manitobans, Mr. Speaker.

We just can rewind the clock a mere four and a half years ago in regards to the 2011 election when this Minister of Education and 56 of his friends on the NDP side went door to door and, basically, asking people for their support and their vote in the 2011 election. And they promised, he promised, as well as many of his other colleagues, promised to not raise taxes, not raise the PST. And the Premier (Mr.

Selinger) is on record on even that, you know, maybe one of his so- called candid or in camera type of media consultations, as they were saying earlier today, that a confidential and invite-only media press or whatever else–it was sort of interesting today. And so the Premier actually mentioned that it was ludicrous to think tha t his government was going to raise taxes. And we know for a fact that in a mere six short months after the election, they actually went and they expanded the PST on various goods and services that each and every hard-working Manitoban cannot do without. But they didn't stop there.

They didn't bring in enough money that –in 2012–to cover their spending addiction, Mr. Speaker. What they ended up doing was they went –in 2013 they decided to ignore the legislation that basically had Manitobans vote on any type of a provincial sales tax increase, and they decided to do away with that, ignore it.

They kyboshed it, and by doing so they went ahead and raised the PST by 1 point or, actually, 14 per cent. * (15:20) And I know to them, the NDP MLAs and their Cabinet ministers and the Premier , they felt that that 14 per cent increase or that 1 point on the PST was not going to–not too many people was going to see, but is actually hurting people right in their back pocket. And, with that, we've committed, as the Progressive Conservative Party, and after the April 19th upcoming provincial election that we're going to roll back the PST to 7 per cent within the first term.

Now, back to Bill 13, in regards to The Education Administration Amendment Act, we know that they'v e had 16 years of –16 and going on 17 years of failed policies under this current government. And, as I've mentioned many times before, we've seen the evidence of their talking without any type of action and any type of accountability and transparency on exactly some of the things that they've promising to deliver.

Earlier this year, as I mentioned in question period today, the –Manitoba's Auditor General released a scathing report of the Selinger government's record on graduation rates among our Aboriginal population. The report found that only 55 per cent of Aboriginals are graduating from high school, nowhere near the rate among non-Aboriginals, Mr. Speaker. That's a 2 per cent decrease since 2010. Not only is this a problem and how it's getting worse , it has been on the steady decline. So I don't quite understand when the minister stands up once again, as he did a mere 11, 12 mi

Document details

Collection	Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	40-5-18
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	40th 5th hansardpdf 18.pdf
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	c32919aab643d7860b5292717dcad42810655013

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