Manitoba Hansard — Sitting 61B (43rd Legislature, 3rd Session)

43-3-61b

Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)

Third Session – Forty-Third Legislature of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba DEBATES and PROCEEDINGS Official Report (Hansard) Published under the authority of The Honourable Tom Lindsey Speaker Vol. LXXX No. 61B – 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 26, 2026 ISSN 0542-5492

MANITOBA LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Forty-Third Legislature Member Constituency Political Affiliation ASAGWARA, Uzoma, Hon. Union Station NDP BALCAEN, Wayne Brandon West PC BEREZA, Jeff Portage la Prairie PC BLASHKO, Tyler Lagimodière NDP BRAR, Diljeet Burrows NDP BUSHIE, Ian, Hon. Keewatinook NDP BYRAM, Jodie Agassiz PC CABLE, Renée, Hon. Southdale NDP CHEN, Jennifer Fort Richmond NDP COMPTON, Carla Tuxedo NDP COOK, Kathleen Roblin PC CORBETT, Shannon Transcona NDP CROSS, Billie Seine River NDP DELA CRUZ, Jelynn Radisson NDP DEVGAN, JD McPhillips NDP EWASKO, Wayne Lac du Bonnet PC FONTAINE, Nahanni, Hon. St.

Johns NDP GOERTZEN, Kelvin Steinbach PC GUENTER, Josh Borderland PC HIEBERT, Carrie Morden-Winkler PC JOHNSON, Derek Interlake-Gimli PC KENNEDY, Nellie, Hon. Assiniboia NDP KHAN, Obby Fort Whyte PC KINEW, Wab, Hon. Fort Rouge NDP KING, Trevor Lakeside PC KOSTYSHYN, Ron, Hon. Dauphin NDP LAGASSÉ, Bob Dawson Trail Ind. LAMOUREUX, Cindy Tyndall Park Lib. LINDSEY, Tom, Hon. Flin Flon NDP LOISELLE, Robert St. Boniface NDP MALOWAY, Jim Elmwood NDP MARCELINO, Malaya, Hon. Notre Dame NDP MOROZ, Mike, Hon. River Heights NDP MOSES, Jamie, Hon. St. Vital NDP MOYES, Mike, Hon.

Riel NDP NARTH, Konrad La Vérendrye PC NAYLOR, Lisa, Hon. Wolseley NDP NESBITT, Greg Riding Mountain PC OXENHAM, Logan Kirkfield Park NDP PANKRATZ, David Waverley NDP PERCHOTTE, Richard Selkirk PC PIWNIUK, Doyle Turtle Mountain PC REDHEAD, Eric Thompson NDP ROBBINS, Colleen Spruce Woods PC SALA, Adrien, Hon. St. James NDP SANDHU, Mintu, Hon. The Maples NDP SCHMIDT, Tracy, Hon. Rossmere NDP SCHOTT, Rachelle Kildonan-River East NDP SCHULER, Ron Springfield-Ritchot PC SIMARD, Glen, Hon. Brandon East NDP SMITH, Bernadette, Hon. Point Douglas NDP STONE, Lauren Midland PC WASYLIW, Mark Fort Garry Ind.

WHARTON, Jeff Red River North PC WIEBE, Matt, Hon. Concordia NDP WOWCHUK, Rick Swan River PC Vacant The Pas-Kameesak

2349 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA Tuesday, May 26, 2026 The House met at 1:30 p.m. The Speaker: Good afternoon, everyone. Please be seated. Introduction of Guests The Speaker: And just before we get started, there are some guests in the gallery that I'd like to introduce. Draw the attention of all honourable members to the public gallery where we have with us today Darcy Furber; Pam Furber; June Furber, Darcy's mom; Ron Oliver; Fran Oliver; Joe Furber; Emma Bradley. And they're guests of the honourable member for Kildonan-River East (Mrs. Schott).

And on behalf of all honourable members, we welcome you here today. ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS INTRODUCTION OF BILLS Bill 54–The Smoking and Vapour Products Control Amendment Act Hon. Uzoma Asagwara (Minister of Health, Seniors and Long- Term Care): I move, seconded by the Minister of Housing, Addictions and Homelessness (Ms. Smith), that Bill 54, The Smoking and Vapour Products Control Amendment Act, be now read a first time. Motion presented. MLA Asagwara: I'm pleased to introduce Bill 54, The Smoking and Vapour Products Control Amend- ment Act.

This bill is intended to create restrictions on the flavour –on the sale, rather, of flavoured vapour products that are appealing to children and are often a gateway to tobacco use. Proposed amendments will limit access to flavoured vapour products other than tobacco to age-restricted retailers in major urban areas prescribed in regulation. Thank you, Honourable Speaker. The Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed] The motion is accordingly passed. Committee reports? Tabling of reports? MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS Manitoba Chambers of Commerce Hon.

Jamie Moses (Minister of Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation): Honourable Speaker, today I rise to recognize Small Business Month and cele- brate the important chambers of commerce represent- ing Manitoba's multicultural and multilingual busi- ness sectors. Manitoba is truly fortunate to be home to a vibrant and diverse network of chambers that reflect the rich- ness of our communities.

These organizations bring together entrepreneurs, business leaders and pro- fessionals from a wide range of cultural and linguistic 'brackgrounds', creating spaces where ideas can be shared, partnerships can be built and opportunities can grow. Their work not only strengthens individual businesses but also contributes to the broader social and economic fabric of our province. These chambers play a critical role in supporting economic development in minority and under - represented communities.

They help break down bar- riers, both visible and invisible, foster mentorship and connections and create meaningful pathways to suc - cess, driving innovation, supporting entrepreneurship and contributing to the creation of good, sus tainable jobs across our province. Their impact extends far beyond business; it is felt in stronger, more connected communities and in more inclusive econ omy for all Manitobans. Importantly, these organizations also serve as advocates. They ensure that the voices of their mem - bers are heard in conversations about economic policy and development.

They bring forward unique per - spectives and lived experiences that help shape a more equitable and more responsive approach to growth. By doing so, they help to ensure that Manitoba's econ- omy works for everyone and that no community is left behind. Today, we are proud to welcome some of these outstanding organizations in the Chamber with us. We would like to recognize the Black Manitoba chamber of commerce, which champions Black -owned busi - nesses and promotes economic empowerment within the Black community.

2350 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 26, 2026 I also want to acknowledge the Manitoba Queer Chamber of Commerce, which supports 2SLGBTQ+ entrepreneurs and fosters inclusive economic participa- tion. The Indo- Canada Chamber of Commerce plays an important role in strengthening business ties and supporting entrepreneurs while advancing trade and investment opportunities.

The Punjabi Chamber of Commerce continues to play a key role in connecting and supporting Manitoba's Punjabi business community, while La Chambre de commerce francophone de Saint-Boniface strengthens and promotes francophonie economic development in Winnipeg. Each of these chambers represents a wealth of talent, resilience and ambition. Their leadership and dedication are helping to build a more inclusive, dynamic and prosperous Manitoba. Honourable Speaker, as our business community looks to the future, realizing diversity as our strength happens by working alongside these chambers.

So together we are investing in a stronger economy and building one Manitoba. I ask all members of this House to join me in recognizing all organizations that support small business during Small Business Month and through- out the year, including the invaluable contributions of cultural chambers of commerce, and in thanking them for the work they do every day to make Manitoba a better place to live, work and grow. Thank you very much. Mr.

Konrad Narth (La Vérendrye): Honourable Speaker, I am pleased to rise today in response to the minister's statement recognizing the important role chambers of commerce play in communities across Manitoba. From the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce to the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce and the many local chambers serving communities across our prov- ince, including the many cultural chambers we have with us in the gallery today, these organizations have long been a powerful voice for local businesses, entre- preneurs, workers and economic growth.

I especially want to recognize the new Piney Regional Chamber of Commerce, which represents communities, businesses and farmers in the southeast comer of Manitoba. Organizations like this help ensure rural Manitoba has a strong voice advocating for infrastructure, investment and opportunities that allow communities to grow and succeed. Honourable Speaker, this topic is also personal to me. I grew up attending chamber meetings with my grandparents and later with my parents.

I remember travelling to this Legislature as a young person and watching local business leaders advocate directly t o ministers for infrastructure projects and economic development opportunities that would ultimately help shape the future of our region. What chambers of commerce contribute often goes far beyond what people see publicly. They bring people together. They organize communities around common goals. They create partnerships between businesses, munici palities, volunteers and govern- ments.

And through that collaborative voice, they help deliver real results that strengthen Manitoba's econ- omy and communities for generations to come. At a time when Manitoba faces economic chal - lenges and increasing competition from other prov- inces and jurisdictions, organizations that advocate for business confidence, investment and economic oppor- tunity are more important than ever. At a time when we see Manitoba's economy struggling to grow under the increasing regulatory and tax burdens of this government, chambers are picking up the slack and championing economic growth in our communities.

I want to thank the volunteers, board members, staff and local business leaders across Manitoba who dedicate their time to chambers of commerce, and continue to work to build stronger communities and a stronger province. Thank you. * (13:40) MEMBERS' STATEMENTS Knights of Rizal Winnipeg

Chapter Hon. Malaya Marcelino (Minister of Labour and Immigration): Honourable Speaker, I rise to recog - nize the Knights of Rizal Winnipeg

Chapter as they mark an important milestone in 2026: the 75th anni - versary of Republic Act 646 and the 35th anniversary of the Winnipeg chapter. In Spanish, they are called Orden de Caballeros de Rizal. In Filipino, they are called Mga Maginoo ni Rizal. Maginoo [gentleman] in Filipino means some- one who is honourable, respectful and displays chivalry.

May 26, 2026 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2351 The Knights of Rizal are an internationally recog- nized order founded to honour the life and ideals of Dr. Jose Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines. At only 35 years old, Rizal was executed by firing squad in 1896. But in his brief and extraordinary life, Rizal inspired people to rise up together and become a nation. He travelled and studied in Europe and Asia. He was an ophthalmologist, social worker, farmer, social entrepreneur, public works engineer, town planner, school founder, scientist, novelist, poet.

His writing and death ultimately inspired Filipinos to fight for independence from hundreds of years of colonial rule. And Rizal's writing is foundational to the country's heritage and inspires many to this day. For 75 years, the Knights' organization world- wide has promoted education and community leader- ship. And here in Winnipeg, the Knights are commu- nity pillars. Together with the indomitable Ladies of Rizal, the Winnipeg

chapter has brought com munity together through charitable work, youth mentorship and cultural events. One of their cherished traditions is the annual Rizal Youth Recognition Awards, which has cele - brated young leaders in our community since the late 1990s. The Knights also share Filipino heritage in Manitoba, including through the installation of the Dr. Jose Rizal statue and Rizal park in Winnipeg. This monument stands as a lasting reminder of the impor - tance of education and civic responsibility. I want to recognize the many members, past and present, whose dedication has strengthened both the Filipino community and the city of Winnipeg as a whole. To the Knights of Rizal Winnipeg

Chapter and the Ladies of Rizal, thank you for 35 years of leadership, commitment to building community and uplifting future generations. I ask that my guests' names be included in Hansard. Thank you, Honourable Speaker. Mohammed Alli, Linda Alli, Jess Carlos, Arthur Domingo, John Gano, Aldrin Gragera, Kenn Green, Evelyn Green, Julie Javier, Clarita Nazario, Bernardo Pasco, Dolores Refvik, Vivian Santos, Ray Sator, Ronald Mervin Sison, Akio Utsunomiya. Eddy De Sousa Mr.

Jeff Wharton (Red River North): Honourable Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the remarkable career of Eddy De Sousa, who will be retiring this September after more than four decades of dedicated service to the people of Manitoba. I really thank Eddy for being able to get on his coffee break to join us today for this private member's statement, and I thank his employer for doing so. Also, he's joined today by his three daughters and his four grandchildren, and I see some colleagues up there as well. Welcome. Eddy began his career with the provincial govern- ment in 1983 at the Woodsworth Building.

From there, he continued his work at the archives building before eventually becoming a familiar and trusted presence here at the Legislative Building. Over the years, Eddy has played an essential role in maintaining the spaces where democracy unfolds, ensuring that his historic institution continues to serve Manitobans with dignity and care. Eddy and I first met after the 2016 election. We all can appreciate that when a government changes and new members are elected, there's a lot to do. Eddy would jump into action, working with all members to settle into their new offices.

No job was too big or too small for Eddy. Whether it was moving furniture around the building, to hanging pictures to perfection, the words, no; or, I cannot do that were not in Eddy's vocabulary. Beyond his work, Eddy is known for proudly cheering for both the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Winnipeg Jets, but we know he really has a heart for the Toronto Maple Leafs. More importantly, he is a devoted family man and is looking forward to spend- ing more time with his grandchildren during retirement.

Honourable Speaker, on behalf of all members of this House, I extend our sincere gratitude to Eddy De Sousa for the–for his years of hard work, commit- ment and quiet dedication. We wish him a long, happy and well-deserved retirement. And I also ask for his family members to be entered into Hansard. Thank you. Please join me in thanking Eddy. Angela De Sousa, Jenny De Sousa, Julia De Sousa, Maddak De Sousa Pineda, Theo De Sousa Pineda, Banks Rondeau, Kinsley Rondeau.

2352 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 26, 2026 Introduction of Guests The Speaker: Order, please. Just before the next speaker, I would like to draw the attention of all honourable members to the public gallery where we have with us Jenny De Sousa, Angela De Sousa, Theo De Sousa Pineda, Maddak De Sousa Pineda, Julia De Sousa, Kinsley Rondeau, Banks Rondeau, and, of course, the popular Eddy De Sousa. We welcome you here today, and they're guests of the honourable member for Red River North (Mr. Wharton). And we do welcome you all here today.

Catholic Women's League Annual Convention MLA Jennifer Chen (Fort Richmond): Honourable Speaker, I rise to celebrate the 2026 Manitoba provin- cial Catholic women's league annual convention which will take place in Fort Richmond in June at Mary, Mother of the Church. This annual gathering creates sacred spaces where people come together in mutual support and under - standing. Importantly, the gathering showcases the profound dedication of the women who serve Fort Richmond with joyous hearts. The Catholic women's league calls its members to witness the love of God through active service and social justice.

Their host parish, Mary, Mother of the Church, began in 1979 and now serves over 2,000 diverse families, acting as a true anchor for our community. The Catholic women's league stands as a living testament to the power of grace in action, helping others to rise with renewed strength and clarity of heart. They guide countless individuals towards a deeper sense of purpose and meaning in their lives. They offer not only practical assistance, but also spiritual and emotional refuge, reminding us that no burden need be carried alone.

This spirit was on full display when I joined them for their moving Red Sand Project service. Together, we placed red sand into the pavement cracks as a reminder that we must never allow the marginalized victims of human trafficking to fall through the cracks of society. As they gather to break bread and strengthen their bonds this spring, I am reminded of Psalm 133:1: How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity. I ask my colleagues to join me, thanking the Catholic women's league for their unwavering dedica- tion, leadership and radiant service to Manitoba.

And I ask my guests' names be entered in Hansard. Thank you, Honourable Speaker. Julie Fernando, Bernadette Ferreira, Doris Ibhawa, Father Jean -Baptiste Nguyen, Maria Poworoznik, Kim Ranson, Deborah Woodbeck. Brady Oliveira and Alex Blumberg Mrs. Kathleen Cook (Roblin): I rise today to recog- nize two outstanding residents of the Roblin con- stituency whose unwavering compassion and selfless- ness have made a profound impact in our province and the lives of thousands of vulnerable animals: Winnipeg Blue Bombers running back Brady Oliveira and his partner, realtor and rescue advocate Alex Blumberg.

I had the distinct pleasure of meeting this inspiring couple at the Winnipeg Pet Rescue gala last fall. It was during our conversation there that I learned they were constituents of mine in Roblin, and I can truly attest to what lovely, down-to-earth people they are. While many in our community know Brady for his power on the football field as a CFL All -Star, especially now as he works hard in training camp for the upcoming season, he and Alex are equally well known as a local power couple for animal welfare.

For nearly two decades, Alex has dedicated her life to rescue work, volunteering globally and utilizing her platform to champion the voiceless. Brady joined this mission in 2020 after a life-changing moment rescuing his own dog, Nellie. Later that same year, Brady even made local headlines by pulling a woman and her dog from the dangerous currents of the Red River at Maple Grove Park.

From wading through freezing floodwaters to save animals in flooded Manitoba com munities to spending their winters organizing mass sterilization and vaccination clinics in remote villages abroad, Brady and Alex have consistently put themselves on the front lines of animal rescue. Their tireless, hands -on work balancing a high- stakes football season and a demanding real estate career while managing a revolving door of foster animals in their own home is the subject of the new original series, Must Love Dogs.

The docuseries shines a vital spotlight on the harsh realities, heart- break and beautiful triumphs of Manitoba's animal rescue community. * (13:50)

May 26, 2026 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2353 Brady and Alex have shown that true community leadership extends far beyond professional accolades. Their relentless dedication reminds us of the profound impact that compassion and hands -on service can have in our province. I ask all members of this House to join me in recognizing Roblin's own Brady Oliveira and Alex Blumberg for their extraordinary advocacy, leader - ship and their unwavering commitment to protecting vulnerable animals. Darcy Furber Mrs.

Rachelle Schott (Kildonan-River East): Honour- able Speaker, I rise today to recognize Darcy Furber, an incredible Kildonan-River East resident. I ask for the names of my guests to be entered into Hansard. I first heard about Darcy in a local community group forum, where another neighbour shared a post highlighting his incredible accomplishments on and off the golf course. Darcy lives with retinitis pigmentosa, an incurable eye disorder. Darcy began golfing at a young age, earning municipal and provincial titles before receiving a golf scholarship at–to the University of Southern Mississippi.

There he competed on their NCAA Division I golf team. After returning home to Winnipeg, his vision pro- gressively declined until he lost his sight completely, eventually no longer able to play. Darcy's brother, who also joins us in the gallery today, encouraged him to return to golf after 15 years away from the game. Honourable Speaker, after his comeback, there was no stopping Darcy. He is now an eight -time Manitoba Blind Golf champion–[interjection] There's more: a four-time Canadian Blind Golf champion and a World Blind Golf champion. [interjection] It's–this is a true story.

In 2025 alone, he won the Manitoban, Western Canadian, Canadian and World Blind Golf champion- ships. Let that sink in, Honourable Speaker: Manitoba, Canada and world champion all in the same year. Recently, Darcy was named the recipient of the Honouring Excellence, Achievement and Recognizing Togetherness award, otherwise known as HEART, from Manitoba's accessible sport com munity, and he was also recognized as Sport Manitoba Athlete of the Year. In 2024, he was inducted into the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame for his collective accomplishments.

Honourable Speaker, Darcy's story reminds us all that life might throw us curve balls or golf balls, in this case, but talent and passion can never be diminished. Please join me in celebrating him. Emma Bradley, Darcy Furber, Joe Furber, June Furber, Pam Furber, Fran Oliver, Ron Oliver. Introduction of Guests The Speaker: Prior to moving on, there's some more guests in the gallery. We have seated in the public gallery from Parkland school 11 grade 9 students under the direc - tion of Travis Friesen, and this group is located in the constituency of the honourable member for Swan River (Mr. Wowchuk).

We welcome you here today. Also seated in the public gallery, we have with us Kim Ranson, Doris Ibhawa, Deborah Wooddeck [phonetic], Bernadette Ferreira, Maria Poworoznik, Julie Fernando, Father Jean-Baptiste Nuygen [phonetic], who are guests of the honourable member for Fort Richmond (MLA Chen). And we welcome you here today. * * * The Speaker: And then more sad news. Unfor - tunately, another page is working her last shift today. We have Sehajveer Kaur Sidhu, who will be grad- uating from Maples Collegiate this June.

Throughout her high school experience, she has excelled in both athletics and academics while leading several initia - tives in her school and community, advocating for fellow students through student leadership. She is student co- chair with Seven Oaks School Division board of superintendents and trustees, where she has further projected student voice, ideas and initiatives.

Through a student advocacy club at her high school, she advocated for accessible menstrual pro- ducts within her school community, a project that has spanned over six months of surveys, awareness and logistics, and was awarded the community hero award by the Winnipeg Police Service. In addition, as president of the Maples Collegiate Sikh Heritage Com mittee for the past several years, she has made significant contributions as a young

2354 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 26, 2026 student in educating and fostering understanding during Sikh Heritage Month through events such as art displays, elementary and middle school workshops and other community initiatives. As she closes this crucial

chapter of her life and graduates this June, she hopes to carry her passion for public service and leadership into pursuing law in the United Kingdom at the University of Leicester. She will be taking a three-year leave from her current role as a serving member of the Canadian Armed Forces for the duration of her education. She hopes to obtain her Bachelor of Laws and then return to Canada to serve as a lawyer and become an officer in the Canadian Armed Forces. As she prepares for this new

chapter in her life, she is also deeply grateful for the experience she has gained as a page at the Legislature. One of her favourite moments in the Chamber was arriving for a shift and seeing Indigenous artifacts and art pieces permanently displayed. For her, it was a deeply significant moment, one she will always carry close to her heart. As a Sikh, and as someone whose ancestors experienced the loss of their home - land, the Sikh Empire, during colonization, she has grown up with an awareness of historical loss and its lasting impact.

That understanding has also been shaped by the ongoing pain within the Sikh com - munity, particularly from events such as the 1984 in India, where justice has yet to be fully realized. Because of this, she feels a profound connection to the experiences of Indigenous peoples of Canada, whose communities have endured generations of systemi c harm, the violation of fundamental human rights and policies that have been recognized as acts of cultural genocide.

She believes it is of the utmost importance that the contributions, history and culture of the Indigenous peoples of Turtle Island are acknowledged, recog - nized and respected, and that meaningful reconcilia - tion continues to be pursued with honesty and accountability, as this is their land. Seeing these histories and hardships being recognized within the Chamber is deeply meaningful to her; it serves as a reminder that truth can be acknowledged, and that justice, even if it is delayed, is possible.

It inspires her with the hope that one day her own community will also receive the recognition and justice it continues to seek. As a serving member of the Crown, her aim is to embody the Canadian Armed Forces Ethos: Trusted to Serve, while striving to bring oneness and unity wherever she goes, grounded in remembrance of the past and a daily commitment to truth and reconciliation. She would also like to express a heartfelt thank- you to many MLAs present in the Chamber today, who have been inspiring role models since she was 13 years old. They encouraged her to step into youth leadership, advocacy and government.

When she first entered this Chamber three years ago to perform at the first Turban Day at the Manitoba Legislature, she imagined what it would be like to work within these walls. Today, she stands here with gratitude, still amazed that she is living that reality. She would like to thank Rob and Dave for giving her this opportunity and being exceptional mentors and leaders throughout her time as page. She will always carry this Chamber with her, along with all that she has learned here.

She understands the impact of legislation can have on individuals' lives and hopes to uphold and protect the rights of all people. She hopes that in the future, she will make meaningful contributions to society while ha ving a positive impact on others' lives. She prays that God will always guide her and everyone present in this Chamber to serve, and she prays that this sacred Chamber continues to be blessed with prosperity. And we wish you all the best in your future. And I would be remiss if I didn't recognize that her parents have joined us in the public gallery.

We welcome you here today, and– * (14:00) ORAL QUESTIONS Basic Personal Income Tax Rate Call for Exemption Increase Mr. Obby Khan (Leader of the Official Opposition): Everyone has now seen the true colours of this Premier (Mr. Kinew). He is not a serious Premier, and he's all about picking winners and losers: unions versus non- unions, big grocery store chains versus local restaurants, sending millions of dollars to Trump versus supporting local, opening a drug consumption 'fite' versus opening a recovery and 'addrictions' treat- ment site.

On this side of the House, we are serious and we are ready to work with the NDP to help all Manitobans. Instead of helping all Manitobans, the Premier wants to make personal attacks, laugh and bark.

May 26, 2026 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2355 Why will this Kinew government not listen to our call to increase your basic personal exemption to $30,000, giving your family back up to $3,000 a year? Hon. Uzoma Asagwara (Deputy Premier): Honour- able Speaker, I don't know about you but I am feeling so hopeful about Manitoba's future. Sehajveer, congratulations on everything you've accomplished in your young age; we wish you all the best on your journey. You are going to continue to make a huge impact no matter where you go and I just want to say congratulations to your family.

My goodness, you must be so, so proud. Thank you for raising the next generation of leadership in Manitoba in such a beautiful way. Congratulations. Honourable Speaker, you know, we've put together why it is the PCs have been getting in the way of passing BITSA, and it's something that the Premier (Mr. Kinew) has raised recently. It's the fact that they don't want to close the bare trust loophole. That's a loophole that benefits the PCs after selling their head- quarters to what should be the Leader of the Opposition.

So, Honourable Speaker, are they going to get onside with– The Speaker: Member's time has expired. The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition on a supplementary question. Passage of BITSA Legislation Late-Night Legislative Sitting Mr. Obby Khan (Leader of the Official Opposition): Wow. What a terrible answer. I'm asking this Premier about raising the basic personal exemption, and they have nothing to say about that. This is not a serious government. A premier that laughs and barks in this Chamber is not serious. On top of not being serious, he's not even listen- ing to you.

We've heard from Manitoba Nurses Union, Manitoba Teachers' Society, association of Allied Healthcare Professionals, Manitoba Heavy Construction Association and many other associations that this Kinew government is not listening. Not only do the NDP not want to listen to you, the NDP don't even want to work. The NDP voted against passing their own budget bill last night because they would have to work late into the night. Why is the NDP so afraid of hard work, so much so that they refuse to sit late–[interjection] The Speaker: Order. Mr. Khan: –to vote on their own budget bill? Hon.

Uzoma Asagwara (Deputy Premier): Honour- able Speaker, nobody believes the Leader of the Opposition, and you want to know why? Because on this side of the House we're focused on making life more affordable for Manitobans. On that side of the House there is a leader who got a $500,000 cheque to be a candidate for the PCs while Manitobans were struggling, Manitoba businesses were struggling. Honourable Speaker, that's their record. They have a former premier who forgot about $31 million, just forgot that she had $31 million to claim.

We're focused on passing a law that's going to make life more affordable, take the PST off all groceries. They're getting in the way of that because that same law is going to close a loophole that benefits the sale of their PC headquarters. They need to get onside with Manitobans, get onside with affordability and pass BITSA today. The Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a final supplementary question. Basic Personal Income Tax Rate Call for Exemption Increase Mr. Obby Khan (Leader of the Official Opposition): There you have it.

There's the proof: more personal attacks, nothing about working together, nothing about listening to Manitobans. It's an absolute shame. And the facts don't lie. The Premier is offering you pennies, where we, on this side of the House, are offering you thousands of dollars back of your hard- earned money. When the time came to debate this last night, to vote on it, to sit late into the evening, what did the NDP say? No. They did not want to work late into the evening to make your life more affordable. The NDP don't even believe in their own budget. Why should Manitobans?

Will the Premier admit yesterday that he was wrong? Will he agree to work with–[interjection] The Speaker: Order. Mr. Khan: –our PC caucus? Will he finally listen to Manitobans to make life more affordable–[interjection] The Speaker: Order. Mr. Khan: –by supporting our call for an increase to your basic personal exemption so you and your family can get back $3,000 of your hard-earned money?

2356 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 26, 2026 Hon. Uzoma Asagwara (Deputy Premier): Honour- able Speaker, you've just heard the Leader of the Opposition accidentally say what Manitobans and this side of the House already know: BITSA makes life more affordable for Manitobans. So why are they playing games? Why is the Leader of the Opposition playing games? Honourable Speaker, he's playing games because they sold the PC headquarters to the person who's actually supposed to be the leader of the opposition in the PC Party and that this BITSA bill closes the bare trust loophole.

That money that they want to get on the backs of Manitobans–that's unacceptable. BITSA closes that loophole, makes life more affordable for Manitobans, takes the PST off groceries. They need to get out of the way, stop putting their interests ahead of Manitobans' and support BITSA today. The Speaker: Order, please. If I could get the clock stopped. Introduction of Guests The Speaker: We have some guests in the gallery who have to leave before we're done here.

So we have seated in the public gallery 22 guests from Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure under the direction of railway crossing safety technologist Melanie Spencer. And this group is located in the constituency of the honourable member for Union Station (MLA Asagwara). We welcome you all here today. * * * The Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a new question. Nurse Practitioners–Billing for Services Concern for Health Transfer Payments to Manitoba Mr.

Obby Khan (Leader of the Official Opposition): Health-care experts have been sounding the alarms for months, but this Kinew government refuses to listen. Manitobans are waiting longer than ever for surgeries and procedures. Manitobans are waiting longer than ever in ER departments. Wait times today at St. Boniface were 14 hours; Grace, 10 hours and the Health Sciences Centre, over nine hours. Front -line workers are being assaulted at work and afraid to go to work. For the first time in the history of this province, three hospitals are greylisted under any government.

And now we have learned that because this Kinew government has refused to properly work with nurse practitioners, some Manitobans are actually being billed for health-care services that should be publicly covered under the Canada Health Act. This issue was raised over a month ago, and yet there's been no action from this Premier (Mr. Kinew) or Health Minister. The federal government has man- datory mechanisms for violations of the Canada Health Act, meaning that this Kinew government will forgo health transfer payments. Why is the Premier– The Speaker: Honourable member's time is expired. Hon.

Uzoma Asagwara (Minister of Health, Seniors and Long -Term Care): Honourable Speaker, you know, our government was the only government in many years to actually sit down and meet with nurse practitioners in this building. I met with nurse practitioners very early on after becoming the Health Minister, and they made that really clear. Subsequent failed Health ministers under the PCs didn't bother to meet with them ever. And the Leader of the Opposition was around the Cabinet table when Manitoba was fined for violating the Canada Health Act.

It is our government that got those dollars, 350,000 of them, returned to our prov- ince for supporting public health care. We believe in public health care. We're going to protect the Canada Health Act. We're going to make health care better for all Manitobans and fix the damage that the PCs, including the leader, did to Manitobans' services. The Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a supplementary question. Mr. Khan: The Health Minister can live in the past all they want. We're talking about right now.

It's been over a month, and there's been no action by this NDP government or Health Minister. Manitobans are tired of the smoke and mirrors by this NDP. When serious problems arise in health care, the government responds in the exact same way they are today: denying it, deflecting, living in the past and hope Manitobans stop paying attention. The issue surrounding nurse practitioners has now been public for over a month, yet this govern- ment has done nothing. That's not leadership; that's negligence.

May 26, 2026 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2357 The federal government has clear, mandatory provisions under the health- care act, and this NDP government is recklessly putting Manitobans' health transfer payments at risk. Why is this government so obsessed with optics and political theatre instead of delivering real results for Manitoban patients and health-care workers? MLA Asagwara: Honourable Speaker, political theatre and optics–that's what the Leader of the Opposition is all about. This is a leader who has gotten in the way of passing BITSA in this House to make life more affordable for Manitobans.

This is a Leader of the Opposition who wants to protect the funds that are the sale of the PC headquarters and not allow this bill to close the bare trust loophole. That is why the Leader of the Opposition and the PCs have not gotten onside and supported BITSA. We care about Manitobans. We're investing in fixing health care. We're investing in the front lines. And we're always going to protect the Canada Health Act.

Why don't they get on the side of Manitobans, support BITSA today and let us do the work of fixing the mess they made to health care? * (14:10) The Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a final supplementary question. Health-Care System Government Management Record Mr. Obby Khan (Leader of the Official Opposition): It's really a shame: yet more personal attacks now from the Health Minister. I'm asking serious questions about health care. Will the Minister of Health stop with the games, stop with the personal attacks and answer the simple question?

The biggest problem facing this Kinew gov- ernment is that Manitobans no longer trust anything they have to say. The Premier (Mr. Kinew) and Health Minister claimed they hired 231 net new paramedics, but the union came out and released and said they actually have a net loss of 34 paramedics. Now the same thing is happening in nursing. Nurses on the front lines and unions representing them say that the nurses are nowhere to be seen that this NDP failing government claims to have hired. Manitobans don't need more spin. They don't need more exaggerated an nouncements. They need real results.

So I ask the Premier: Why won't his NDP govern- ment come clean about what is really happening on the front lines and admit what everyone knows, is that health care is worse under this NDP government? Hon. Uzoma Asagwara (Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care): Honourable Speaker, yes, of course, accountability would feel like a personal attack to the Leader of the Op position, right?

Of course, asking the Leader of the Op position to be accountable to his decisions around the Cabinet table to cut health car e, cut services and fire hundreds of nurses, of course, to the Leader of the Opposition that would feel like a personal attack. On this side of the House, Hon ourable Speaker, we take the respon sibility of fixing the damage they did to health care very seriously. We take very seriously the responsi bility of making life more affordable for Manitobans.

That's why we've been asking the opposi tion and the Op position House Leader to get onside with Manitobans, pass BITSA so we can continue doing the work of making life more affordable and fixing the damage they did to health care. He needs to get onside with Manitobans, with our government, today. Health-Care Wait Times Increase Concerns Mrs.

Kathleen Cook (Roblin): One thing that Manitoba health-care workers and patients can all agree on is that this NDP gov ernment has fallen woefully short of every meaningless election promise they made, and not only have they broken their promises to Manitobans, they have allowed things to get so much worse under their watch. ER wait times are at record highs. In fact, the new median wait time under this NDP gov ernment has doubled. It takes twice as long now to see a doctor in the ER under the NDP as it did under the previous PC government.

How much higher are ER wait times going to get under this minister's watch? Hon. Uzoma Asagwara (Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care): Honourable Speaker, I don't think Manitobans would call a commitment to search the 'landfull' a meaningless commitment. I don't think Manitobans would think it's meaningless to invest in women's health care instead of cutting and attacking it like the PCs did for seven and a half years. I don't think Manitobans would think that meaningless action is action to protect trans vul nerable youth in Manitoba.

2358 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 26, 2026 Those are all promises that we made to Manitobans. Those are all commitments we're delivering on for Manitobans, and those are all commit ments that the member for Roblin are calling meaningless to Manitobans. I think Manitobans would wholeheartedly disagree with that member. The Speaker: The honourable member for Roblin, on a supplementary question. Mrs. Cook: I'll tell the minister what's meaningless: What's meaningless is promising to hire 200 para - medics and falling dismally short of that.

It's promising to lower ER wait times and, instead, allowing them to double. It's promising to lower diagnos tic wait times and, instead, allowing them to quadruple. In the last year alone, wait times for a CT scan at the Grace have more than quadrupled to 46 weeks today. The wait time for an ultrasound at St. B is now 35 weeks, almost quadruple what it was a year ago, and the wait time for an MRI at HSC has more than quadrupled to an astounding 53 weeks. That's just in the last year. Why is it that the longer the NDP are in charge, the longer Manitobans have to wait to access diagnos- tic tests?

MLA Asagwara: Manitobans, do you think–or, Honourable Speaker, I don't think Manitobans believe it's meaningless that, under the PCs, we were the worst jurisdiction in all of Canada to be able to see a primary-care provider, a doctor. And now we are lead- ing Canada in Manitobans being able to see a doctor. Nine out of 10 Manitobans can see a doctor in this province. I don't think Manitobans believe that it's meaning- less that we are reopening the ERs that were closed by the PC caucus when they were in government.

Honourable Speaker, I don't think Manitobans believe it's meaningless that we have over 4,000 net - new health -care workers, over 1,400 of them being nurses. And I don't think that Manitobans believe it's meaningless that over 7,000 hip and knee surgeries are being done– The Speaker: Honourable member's time has expired. Stop the clock, please. Stop the clock, please. Introduction of Guests The Speaker: We have some more guests in the gallery that have to leave right away.

We have, seated in the public gallery, 22 guests from Manitoba Transportation and Infra structure, under the direction of Railway Crossing Safety Technologist Melanie Spencer. And this group is located in the constituency of the honourable member for Union Station. And we welcome you all here today, too. Nurse Vacancy Rates Parkland and Northern Manitoba Mrs. Kathleen Cook (Roblin): We know that the longer the NDP are in charge, the worse things get for health-care workers and patients alike. Nursing vacancies in the North and the Parkland have soared.

There's a 73 per cent vacancy rate in Thompson, prompting a state of emergency from the Northern Health Region. On top of dire staffing shortages in Dauphin and Swan River, last week this minister couldn't even answer when I ask them what the current vacancy levels are at those regional centres. If they claim to have hired so many health -care workers, why are vacancies in the North and in Prairie Mountain at crisis levels? Hon.

Uzoma Asagwara (Minister of Health, Seniors and Long- Term Care): Honourable Speaker, Manitobans know that the government they can trust to invest in their health care and make it better is this NDP government. They know that. They know that if you want to see cuts, chaos, closures and disrespect of health-care workers, just look to the PC caucus; just look to the member for Roblin, who was advising Heather Stefanson t o fire nurses and cut services across health care.

Just look to the members opposite who represent rural Manitobans but allowed for a PC government to cut rural health -care services for seven and a half years. Their record on health care is shameful, and we are doing the work of fixing the damage that they did. But I will take no lessons from a member on that side of the House who was advising–[interjection] The Speaker: Order. MLA Asagwara: –Heather Stefanson to treat nurses, doctors and health- care workers with the utmost contempt and disrespect. The Speaker: Member's time has expired.

May 26, 2026 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2359 Portage Regional Health Centre Request for MRI Services MLA Jeff Bereza (Portage la Prairie): With the new Portage hospital that was built on time by our PC government and now delayed opening by this NDP government, we have been bringing forward petitions with thousands of signatures from all over Manitoba for more than two years, requesting MRI services at the new facility. Under this NDP watch, wait times for diagnostic services are at an all- time high and people in Manitoba are waiting months and months for appointments, if they can get them at all.

Why does this NDP Health Minister continue to punish by not putting an MRI in the new Portage regional health facility? Hon. Uzoma Asagwara (Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care): Honourable Speaker, I had the distinct pleasure and privilege of being in Portage la Prairie just last week to announce that for the first time ever in that community's history, they are going to have breast health services, including mammo- graphy care, right in Portage la Prairie, at the new hospital.

And Honourable Speaker, that step was taken in partnership: in partnership with the Portage hospital foundation, in partnership–[interjection] The Speaker: Order. MLA Asagwara: –with Mayor Knox, in partnership with advocates like the Pink Ladies–who are awesome, by the way. Honourable Speaker, we work together to get things done for Manitobans, particularly Manitoba women. The member for Portage la Prairie would do himself a favour and just work with our government instead of being against all the good things happening in– The Speaker: Member's time has expired.

The honourable member for Portage la Prairie, on a supplementary question. Diagnostic Services for Portage la Prairie Fundraising Contributions by Organizations MLA Jeff Bereza (Portage la Prairie): Speaking of the issue of breast care, this would not –have never come up by the NDP government until our MLA for Roblin made it a priority to reduce the age of testing.

Portage hospital foundation and the Pink Lady snowmobile club contributed three quarters of a million dollars to make mammography services a reality in Portage la Prairie. * (14:20) My question is: Without this three-quarters-of-a- million-dollar contribution, would the new mammo- graphy services still be going ahead today? Hon. Uzoma Asagwara (Minister of Health, Seniors and Long -Term Care): Oh, my gosh, Honour able Speaker, what a telling question from the member for Portage la Prairie: Oh, no, the govern ment's working too well with partners. Oh, no, God forbid the govern- ment work with community advocates.

Honourable Speaker, how embar rassing for the member for Portage la Prairie. He wants to give credit to his critic instead of giving credit to Jenny, who is a breast cancer survivor, who lives in the community of Portage la Prairie and works there; i nstead of giving credit to the Pink Ladies; instead of giving credit to the foundation; instead of giving credit to Dr. Nostedt, who was the advocate that I met with who brought forward the need for mammography–[interjection] The Speaker: Order. MLA Asagwara: –services. We work with partners. We listen to women. Shame on you. Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh.

The Speaker: Order. Order. MLA Bereza: If this NDP gov ernment is willing to take three quarters of a million dollars from the great Portage hospital foundation for the much- needed mammography unit, does this mean that Manitobans can expect it will also take the generous gift of $5 million th at has been offered by the Portage foundation, which has been set aside for a new MRI in the Portage regional health facility to help reduce the out-of-control wait times for diag nostic services by this failed NDP government? Will they take the– The Speaker: Member's time has expired.

MLA Asagwara: Honourable Speaker, we work with our partners. We listen and work with experts. We work with com munity. We listen to women. We are investing in making sure that we have the health-care services at every corner of this province for now – [interjection] The Speaker: Order.

2360 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 26, 2026 MLA Asagwara: –and in the future. Honourable Speaker, it's–the member's approach is an embarrassing one. It is one that is clearly rooted in what the approach is of his entire caucus, and that is division. For him to be opposed to us working with our partners, it's embarrassing and it's unbecoming. We're going to continue to work with the founda- tion, with the experts, with all of our partners, to make sure that we are moving health care in a sus tainable and an appropriate direction for all Manitobans.

I want to thank the experts in Manitoba who we're working with, and we're going to keep enhancing– The Speaker: The hon ourable member's time has expired. Just–[interjection]–order, please. Stop the clock. In a previous answer, we need to always be cautious that we're directing our comments through the Chair. So I would just caution the honour able minister on that. Health-Care Wait Times Increase Concerns Mrs. Lauren Stone (Midland): Manitobans are waiting longer than ever under the NDP to get the care that they desperately need.

Wait times for critical diagnos- tic tests have doubled, tripled and quadrupled since just last year. Health -care delays have caused the tragic deaths of six Manitobans and hospi tals across rural Manitoba continue to be closed with little to no notice to residents. Manitoba is trending in the wrong direction when it comes to access to health care. So why has health care gotten so much worse under this minister's watch? Hon.

Uzoma Asagwara (Minister of Health, Seniors and Long -Term Care): Honourable Speaker, we recognize as a government, there's a lot of work to do to fix the damage the PCs did to health care, parti - cularly in rural communities. You know, the former govern ment, including when the Leader of the Opposition, who continues to heckle me, was around the Cabinet table, they cut the rural physician recruitment and retention fund; millions of dollars dedicated to retaining and recruiting doctors to rural com munities across Manitoba and northern communities.

We've restored that fund, and we stood up capacity so that we can work directly with rural communities to recruit the health -care pro fessionals that they desperately need. Now, again, we know there's a lot more work to do. We're taking steps in the right direction, but we're going to keep at this work and stay committed because that's the leadership and the commitment that Manitobans deserve. They didn't have it for seven and a half years under the PCs. The Speaker: The honourable member for Midland, on a supplementary question. Carman Memorial Hospital Timeline for Return of Surgical Services Mrs.

Lauren Stone (Midland): If this minister believes they are taking the steps in the right direction, then Manitobans are going to be waiting longer and longer, because that is the trend that is happening under this NDP's watch. Hospitals across rural Manitoba continue to be closed with little to no notice to residents. Southern Manitoba families are tired of being ignored by the NDP government. The Carman Memorial Hospital is frequently closed. Surgeries have been suspended indefinitely because of an ant infestation that hap- pened in 2024, another shocking example of a health- care system that is falling apart.

So what is the NDP's plan for the Carman Memorial Hospital and what is the timeline for returned surgical access and surgical surgeries? Hon. Uzoma Asagwara (Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care): I welcome that question from the member opposite. I'm surprised it actually took her this long to ask the question. This has been in the Daily Mail, it's been in the New York Times. There've been a lot of people covering this ant issue. It's a serious pro blem that is being actively addressed.

We've ensured that all Manitobans who need those surgeries are getting the surgeries that they need while this is being rectified. I do want to let her know, this is actually an issue that predates our government, but we're taking the necessary steps with our partners to address it in a meaningful and very serious way, while also adding capacity to rural communities, including her ow n, to hire, train and retain the health-care workers of today and tomorrow. The Speaker: The honourable member for Midland, on a final supplementary question. Mrs.

Stone: Unfortunately for my constituents, I have had to ask this question again because when I asked it last week, this minister did not give an answer.

May 26, 2026 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2361 So I'll ask the minister very clearly if they can provide the timelines for when surgical services will return to Carman Memorial Hospital. MLA Asagwara: Yes, I want to reassure the member and her constituents and Manitobans that everyone is working as quickly as they possibly can to address this issue. It is an issue that unfortunately has reared its head before. It's a serious issue, quite frankly, Honour- able Speaker. So that work is being done to ensure that this is addressed for the long term.

We're also making sure that folks can get their surgeries and the care they need still in a timely manner, appropriately. I want to thank Dr. Buchel, who's the province's lead for surgery, for working with our partners across the province to make sure people are getting care as quickly as possible, and for working with us to ensure that we're recruiting and retaining the surgeons and clinicians that we need to deliver this service across more rural communities. Brandon Regional Health Centre Staff Vacancy Levels Mr.

Wayne Balcaen (Brandon West): Last fall, under this NDP minister's watch, the Brandon Regional Health Centre was unable to provide surgical services for a 24-hour period. This didn't appear to alarm any- one on the NDP benches because Brandon is just a novel tour destination to travel to once or twice a year. To my constituents, though, my loved ones, my friends–[interjection] The Speaker: Order. Mr. Balcaen: –and my neighbours, it's home. Last fall should have been the straw that broke the camel's back. So why has the minister done nothing to address this staffing crisis at Brandon Regional Health Centre? Hon.

Uzoma Asagwara (Minister of Health, Seniors and Long- Term Care): The member's wrong. He would be welcome. It's easy. Send me an email. Give me a call. Ask about it. Happy to provide those answers. We have successfully recruited and retained doctors, nurses, health- care aides, allied health -care professionals, paramedics. In fact, we were just there recently announcing 32 training seats for paramedics. They're going to serve his community.

So we're fixing the damage that his caucus did to health care, including in rural Manitoba, including in Brandon, and we're investing in making sure that we've got more capacity there moving forward. The Speaker: The honourable member for Brandon West, on a supplementary question. Mr. Balcaen: The emails did get sent; they went completely unanswered by the NDP caucus. I've spoken with staff at the Brandon Regional Health Centre who give it their all each and every day. These rock stars aren't asking for praise or recognition or even more money. What they're asking for is a little bit of help.

They're asking for coverage so they ca n rest and recover and reverse the burnout that they're already experiencing. The emergency department is in a crisis of their own right now with a 60 per cent vacancy rate with no relief in sight. Why has this minister continually ignored the health-care needs of Manitobans' second largest city? * (14:30) MLA Asagwara: The member is just simply incorrect. We have a number of us –right?–our entire caucus, really, has spent time in Brandon, has spent time at the hospital. We've communicated with doctors.

Actually, I want to take this moment to thank the doctors and nurses at Brandon Regional Health Centre for their advice and their input in terms of what we can do with their regional health author ity to better support them. Their suggestions have been put into action. As a result, we have more folks working on the front lines, and as a result, for the first time, we have medical doctors being trained in Brandon. We have medical doctors training in Brandon that are going to serve rural Manitoba and the Westman.

So we are going to do the work of listening to our partners and our friends in Brandon, making the investments for now and for the future– The Speaker: Member's time has expired. The honourable member for Brandon West, on a final supplementary question. Mr. Balcaen: The longer the NDP are in power, the worse things get for staff at the Brandon Regional Health Centre. It has been seven months and no one from the NDP has made ERs or surgical capacity a priority here in Brandon. Unfortunately, staff are working short on every single shift caring for patients, but no one from this government is caring for that staff.

ER doctors are

2362 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 26, 2026 expected to take emergency room patients, take care of them, while still obligated to respond to the wards when a code is called, pulling double or even triple duty. Why does the minister expect staff and patients at BRHC to bear the burdens of this minister's lack of accountability? MLA Asagwara: Honourable Speaker, in addition to the fact that we have medical residents who are training in Brandon for the first time ever in this province–it's about 20 of them, actually, who are training there now –we've got cross -trained lab technologists who are also training.

We've dedicated rural seats for folks from Brandon so that they can train, get their education and go back and serve their communities. Honourable Speaker, we're doing the work that should have been done for seven and a half years. We're recruiting doctors and training doctors in Brandon. We're recruiting and training health- care providers of all kinds in Brandon. But we know there's much more work to do. The most serious threat to health care in Brandon and the Westman is every single member on that side of the House.

Budget Implementation Act Call for the Passage of Bill 53 MLA JD Devgan (McPhillips): Honourable Speaker, Manitobans are clear. They're looking for relief at the grocery store. They're looking for relief on their prop- erty taxes. They're looking with help on the cost of living. So I'm hoping the Finance Minister can tell us why the members opposite are doing everything in their power, day in and day out, bending over back- wards, yapping away, preventing Manitobans from getting that relief. Hon. Adrien Sala (Minister of Finance): I want to thank my amazing colleague for the question.

Manitobans know that if the members opposite actually cared about affordability, they would stop blocking BITSA and pass it today. Pass the PST off groceries. Pass the $1,700 Home- owners Affordability Tax Credit to help Manitobans with the cost of owning a home. Pass relief for renters and working families instead of blocking these savings with political games, Honourable Speaker. The members opposite want Manitobans to forget what happened under their watch. Inflation hit record highs. Gas prices skyrocketed. And instead of lower - ing costs, they were busy finding new ways to hike hydro rates on Manitobans.

So why don't the members opposite get out of the way and let the government do what Manitobans elected us to do– The Speaker: Member's time has expired. Association for Community Living Funding for Employment and Housing Supports Mr. Wayne Ewasko (Lac du Bonnet): Well, Honour- able Speaker, yesterday this group, the government side, didn't want to work past 5 o'clock, so they denied leave, as usual. So, Honourable Speaker, can the Minister of Families (MLA Fontaine) explain how Association for Community Living organizations are expected to do more with less under this Kinew government? Hon.

Nahanni Fontaine (Minister responsible for Accessibility): The member for Lac du Bonnet knows that that's not accurate, and we've increased our budget to support those community groups. What I will say is accurate, for the record, is that members opposite are getting up, day in and day out, to waste everybody's time and to delay Manitobans getting the affordability measures that we are putting in place for them, to help families, to help Manitobans, to help seniors–[interjection] The Speaker: Order.

MLA Fontaine: –to help youth to be able to take youth–transit for free, to help the most low income get free child care. That's what the members opposite are doing, day in and day out, while they're collecting their $100,000 salary. [interjection] The Speaker: Order. The honourable member for Lac du Bonnet, on a supplementary question. Mr.

Ewasko: Association for Community Living organizations, who support our community members living with disabilities, are now being forced by this minister to sell their group homes, shut down sup- portive employment options and to stop taking new community members who require the support that they so desperately need, all due to the reduced

May 26, 2026 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2363 financial commitment by this minister and the Kinew government. I'm asking the Minister of Families to stand up today, apologize to Association for Community Living organizations, clients and families. MLA Fontaine: Again, tragically, the member for Lac du Bonnet is putting erroneous facts on–in the Chamber here today. We are supporting community organizations. We're supporting Manitoba families and Manitobans with disabilities at record levels. That is the fact that the member opposite does not want to put forward here.

But what's also a fact is that the Manitoba PCs don't care about Manitoba families. They don't care about individuals. They don't care about homeowners. They don't care about seniors. They don't care about renters. They don't care about the most low -income Manitobans that need free child care. They don't care about youth who have the opportunity to get free transit. They don't care about anybody but themselves. And so– The Speaker: Member's time has expired. The honourable member for Lac du Bonnet, on a final supplementary question. Mr.

Ewasko: Honourable Speaker, I have a con- stituent who is an adult who needs additional supports. He has benefited from working with supportive employ- ment options. Unfortunately, his parents have passed away, and now that organization is being told by this Minister of Families, the minister in charge of Accessibility, that the organization, which is there to support com mu- nity, should not take any more clients. Can the minister speak to that family and com- munity watching today and tell them why? MLA Fontaine: It's unfortunate that the member for Lac du Bonnet continues to put erroneous facts on the record.

The reality is–[interjection] The Speaker: Order. MLA Fontaine: –is that Budget 2026 includes more than $18.6-million increased funding for Community Living disABILITY Services. That's the fact. Now, I know that the member for Lac du Bonnet continues to get up. What–nobody knows why he's even still here. We're all waiting for him to acknowledge his resignation and that he's not running again. But before he decides to not run again, I would suggest to him to talk to his colleagues and support BITSA today. Stop standing in the way– The Speaker: Member's time has expired.

Neepawa Health Centre Request for CT Scanner Ms. Jodie Byram (Agassiz): The NDP can be critical of petitions, which is odd, because not only are these direct calls from–action for Manitobans, but we've seen, if we repeat a call to action enough, the NDP occasionally act. Many Manitobans petitioned for 'mammogracies'– mammography services in Portage and, eventually, this minister caved and listened. Same when it came to lowering the breast cancer screening age, though Manitobans demand more. Now Manitobans are petitioning for a CT scanner in the Neepawa hospital. Why does this government refuse to listen to them?

Hon. Uzoma Asagwara (Minister of Health, Seniors and Long -Term Care): Honourable Speaker, our government is doing the work of listening to Manitobans. I want to be really clear: we listen to Manitobans. We work with Manitoba experts and front-line providers. I think it's strange that, on that side of the House, you see MLAs who want to give each other credit for the advocacy and the voices of Manitobans. That's the wrong focus. That's the wrong approach. We sit down with Manitoba families. We sit down with front-line providers. We sit down with experts.

And we jointly make decisions in how to strengthen and improve health care. That's the approach we're going to continue to take. * (14:40) That's not the approach we saw for seven and a half years, and we're fixing the damage that they caused as a result of that. The Speaker: The honourable member for Agassiz, on a supplementary question. Ms. Byram: In Prairie Mountain Health, CT services are only provided in Brandon, Dauphin, Swan River, with week-long waits for needed diagnostic. This–the time is right to bring these needed–this needed access to our region.

2364 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 26, 2026 It's an hour and a half to Dauphin and it's an hour to Brandon–only if there are good roads –and Swan River is over three hours away. Why is the minister opposed to reasonable access to services for my constituents? MLA Asagwara: Honourable Speaker, our govern- ment is taking the approach that no matter where you live in Manitoba, you should have access to the services you need as close to home as possible. And that means that we have to work with our experts and our partners to stand up the human resource workforce that is needed to deliver those services.

That member can ask members in her own caucus why they didn't bother to plan for the human resource workforce of Manitoba for seven and a half years. And, in fact, they did the opposite. They fired health- care workers, they cut the services that Manitoban s count on, and they fired the people that were neces - sary to develop those plans. We are doing the work of making sure that we're training the right number of Manitobans for health care. We are training more Manitobans now for health-care jobs in this province than we ever have before– The Speaker: Member's time is expired.

The honourable member for Agassiz, on a final supplementary question. Ms. Byram: According to this government's own data, over 2,500 residents are waiting for a CT scan right now in my region, almost 24,000 in all of Manitoba. And, somehow, this minister argues a new CT scanner would not be used. Yet this minister is refusing to listen to our residents, our local council, our local doctors who say the service would improve health care across the region. No hospital in Winnipeg is without a CT scanner. Why does this minister have different services – standards for their constituents than my own?

MLA Asagwara: Honourable Speaker, I want to be really clear about something. The member opposite is asking about a hospital that was designed under the previous PC government. The member opposite, like the member for Portage la Prairie (MLA Bereza), stands up in this H ouse and asks us repeatedly to please do the thing that we didn't do for seven and a half years when we had govern ment, please do the work that we refused to do for our own constituents – [interjection] The Speaker: Order. MLA Asagwara: –for seven and a half years. And you know what, Honourable Speaker? We will.

We will do the work you refused to do for seven and a half years. We will listen to health-care workers. We will listen to Manitobans. We will invest in health care because that's what Manitobans deserve and didn't have for seven and a half years under all of you. Shame on you. The Speaker: Order, please. Order, please. Order, please. I would just once again remind members to make sure they're always directing their questions and answers through the Chair and not directly across to one another. The time for oral questions has expired. PETITIONS Programs for Adolescents with Disabilities Mr.

Obby Khan (Leader of the Official Opposition): All right. Honourable Speaker–[interjection]–oh, thank you. Thank you. Honourable Speaker, I wish to present the following petition. To the Legis lative Assembly of Manitoba, the background to this petition is as follows:

(1) Children with dis abilities often require child care beyond the age of 12. Children with dis abilities aged 12 to 17 face a gap in publicly available care programs.

(2) The adolescent –the current adolescent -care service model creates undue hardship on caregivers.

(3) While developing children may be entering into extracurricular activities, school clubs or spend- ing time with friends in dependently, children with disabilities have reduced opportunities for such social and recreational opportunities due to the lack of spaces.

(4) The current self -managed adolescent -care models place additional workloads onto already stressed families, requiring parents to seek all alterna- tive options and prove their need for care. Mr. Tyler Blashko, Deputy Speaker, in the Chair

May 26, 2026 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2365

(5) The current adolescent-care system, as part of overall respite and support available to families, is failing families of children with dis abilities, as identified in the Manitoba Advocate for Children and Youth's Bridging the Gaps report.

(6) To date, none of the nine recommendations it contains have been completed beyond 50 per cent.

(7) The recommendations in this report touch on many of the issues facing families, with adolescent care being but a small component of their overall needs. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial gov ernment to fully implement recommendations in the Bridging the Gaps report.

(2) To urge the provincial gov ernment to imme- diately implement official policies and procedures that are more respectful and collaborative, which also minimize harm faced by families seeking help from children disability services; and

(3) To urge the Minister of Families to arrange for a full review of em ployment supports provided by Children's dis ABILITY Services for children with disabilities aged 12 to 17, including direct consul ta- tion with impacted families and to explore a full spectrum of options to support families, em powering them to choose solutions that best fit their needs. This petition has been signed by Cheryl Luke, Lisa Vandepoele and Stephanie Labourne [phonetic]– Lambourne and many, many other Manitobans. Education Property Taxes Mrs. Lauren Stone (Midland): Honourable Speaker, I wish to present the following petition.

To the Legis lative Assembly of Manitoba, the background to this petition is as follows:

(1) The provincial government's decision to cancel the Education Property Tax Credit and the property tax offset grant has enabled and encouraged school divisions to introduce massive tax increases.

(2) These massive increases have been felt by all Manitobans and compounded by arbitrary and puni - tive changes to the education property tax rebate, and those changes have made many Manitobans ineligible to receive the $1,500 rebate.

(3) Secondary property owners are subject to taxation without representation as they are ineligible to vote for trustees who set the rates; yet, second property owners are still required to pay full education taxes in their division.

(4) Additionally, families can only claim the reduced Edu cation Property Tax Credit on their primary residence.

(5) These increases and the revocation of rebates were done with no consultation, punishing Manitobans who maintain family cabins by tying education taxa - tion to assessed property values. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial gov ernment to remove education funding and taxation from property taxes and find a fair and equitable way to fund education in Manitoba. This is signed by Dan Gibson, Bill Hurtig, Brenda Hearson and many, many more Manitobans. * (14:50) Programs for Adolescents with Disabilities Mr.

Derek Johnson (Interlake-Gimli): Honourable Deputy Speaker, I wish to present the following petition. To the Legis lative Assembly of Manitoba, the background to this petition is as follows:

(1) Children with dis abilities often require child care beyond the age of 12. Children with dis abilities aged 12 to 17 face a gap in publicly available care programs.

(2) The current adolescent -care service model creates undue hardship on caregivers.

(3) While developing children may be entering into extracurricular activities, school clubs or spend- ing time with friends in dependently, children with disabilities have reduced opportunities for such social and recreational opportunities due to the lack of spaces.

(4) The current self -managed adolescent -care models place additional workloads onto already stressed families, requiring parents to seek all alterna- tive options and prove their need for care.

(5) The current adolescent-care system, as part of overall respite and support available to families, is failing families of children with dis abilities, as identified in the Manitoba Advocate for Children and Youth's Bridging the Gaps report.

(6) To date, none of the nine recom mendation– 'nec'–recommendations it contains have been completed beyond 50 per cent.

2366 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 26, 2026

(7) The recommendations in this report touch on many of the issues facing families, with adolescent care being but a small component of their overall needs. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

(1) To urge the provincial gov ernment to fully implement recommendations in the Bridging the Gaps report.

(2) To urge the provincial gov ernment to imme- diately implement official policies and procedures that are more respectful and collaborative, which also minimize harm faced by families seeking help from Children disABILITY Services.

(3) To urge the Minister of Families to arrange for a full review of em ployment supports provided by Children's dis ABILITY Services for children with disabilities aged 12 to 17, including direct consul ta- tion with impacted families and to explore a full spectrum of options to support families, em powering them to choose solutions that best fit their needs. This petition was signed by Laurie Keith, Krissie Hlady, Amy Thompson and many, many other fine Manitobans. Thank you, honourable Deputy Speaker. Green Valley School Expansion Mr. Konrad Narth (La Vérendrye): I wish to present the following petition.

To the Legis lative Assembly of Manitoba, the background to this petition is as follows:

(1) The residents of La Vérendrye and other areas around Manitoba are extremely frustrated and con- cerned by the provincial gov ernment's decision to cancel the school expansion project for Green Valley School in Grunthal.

(2) In 2021, the PC provincial gov ernment committed funding to expand Green Valley School for a new gymnasium and classrooms.

(3) The school is so crowded that three mobile classrooms were added to alleviate overcrowding in classrooms.

(4) In order for construction to begin, the school removed all three portable classrooms, leaving Green Valley in a further critical state of overcrowding.

(5) As a result of overcrowding, parents are choosing to home-school their children due to safety concerns and the challenges associated with over - crowding.

(6) The current Premier of Manitoba and the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning have said they are committed to investing in education.

(7) The concerns of residents of La Vérendrye and the surrounding area are being ignored by the prov- incial government.

(8) The lack of space in the school is affecting the quality of education and extracurricular activities for students.

(9) Minister and Premier have a duty to respond to the educational needs of children and youth identified by rural communities. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

(1) To urge the Minister of Edu cation and Early Childhood Learning to imme diately bring back the three portable classrooms to help alleviate the stress and overcrowding classrooms; and

(2) To urge the provincial government to reinstate the expansion project for Green Valley School. This petition has been signed by Nicole Regey, Katharina Gutierrez and Bernie Forez [phonetic]. Thank you, honourable Speaker. Placement Vetting for Elderly Persons Housing Mr. Rick Wowchuk (Swan River): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) Manitoba Housing will be placing homeless people and people with multi-layered mental illnesses and addictions into what has always been known as seniors housing.

(2) Manitoba Housing is placing people in elderly persons housing, EPH, buildings without vetting them.

(3) There is no minimum age limit stated on the Manitoba Housing information page for elderly persons housing buildings. * (15:00)

(4) The tenant service co -ordinator and/or the building manager of elderly persons housing build- ings should be given the right to deny applicants based on their first -hand knowledge of the applicant being homeless, having multi -layered mental illnesses

May 26, 2026 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2367 and/or addictions, or any other reason that they are aware of that could cause potential harm to the residents.

(5) Proper vetting should include a criminal record check, a vulnerable persons record check and the consent of tenant service co -ordinator and/or the building manager of the elderly persons housing building. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

(1) To urge the Minister of Housing, Addictions and Homelessness to use seniors housing for it –for what it was intended: the seniors.

(2) To urge the Minister of Housing, Addictions and Homelessness to require a minimum age of 55 years for residence in all elderly persons housing, EPH, buildings.

(3) To urge the Minister of Housing, Addictions and Homelessness to engage in proper vetting of all applications of people desiring to live in elderly persons housing buildings. This petition has been signed by Naomi Nemez, Peyton Corder, Jenna Machan and many other fine Manitobans. MRI Machine for Portage Regional Health Facility Mr. Jeff Wharton (Red River North): I wish to present the following–[interjection] Do you want me to stand up? I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) Thanks to the investment made under the previous PC provincial government as part of the clinical and preventative services plan, construction for the new Portage regional health facility is well under way. The facility and surrounding community would greatly benefit from added diagnostic machinery and equipment, but specifically the addi - tion of an MRI machine.

(2) An MRI machine is a non -invasive medical imaging technique that uses a magnetic field and computer-generated radio waves to create detailed images of organs and tissues in the human body. It is used for disease detection, diagnosis and treatment monitoring.

(3) Portage la Prairie is centrally located in Manitoba and is on the No. 1 Highway in the Southern Health or Santé Sud Health Authority. Currently there is only one MRI machine in the RHA.

(4) An MRI machine located in the Portage regional health facility will reduce transportation costs for patients as well as reduce the burden on stretcher services and ambulance use. It will bring care closer to home and reduce wait times for MRI scans across the province.

(5) Located around Portage la Prairie are the Dakota Tipi, Dakota Plains, Sandy Bay and Long Plain First Nations reserves. Indigenous peoples in Canada disproportionately face barriers in access to services and medical care. An MRI machine located in the Portage regional health facility will bring care closer to their home communities and provide greater access to diagnostic testing.

(6) Located in close proximity to the new Portage regional health facility is the Southport airport. This aerodrome has a runway length that is more than adequate to support medical air ambulance services. This would provide the opportunity to transport patients by air from more remote communities to access MRI imaging services.

(7) The average wait time for Manitobans to receive an MRI scan is currently six to eight months. Having an MRI machine in the Portage regional health facility will reduce–will help reduce these wait times for patients and provide better care sooner. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to support the investment and placement of an MRI machine in Portage regional health facility in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. This petition is signed by Brenda Isbister, Bryce Moar, Kail Sissons and many, many more Manitobans. Thank you, honourable Deputy Speaker.

Programs for Adolescents with Disabilities Mr. Greg Nesbitt (Riding Mountain): I wish to present the following petition to the Legis lative Assembly of Manitoba. The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) Children with dis abilities often require child care beyond the age of 12. Children with dis abilities aged 12 to 17 face a gap in publicly available care programs.

2368 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 26, 2026

(2) The current adolescent -care service model creates undue hardship on caregivers.

(3) While developing children may be entering into extracurricular activities, school clubs or spend- ing time with friends in dependently, children with disabilities have reduced opportunities for such social and recreational opportunities due to the lack of spaces.

(4) The current self -managed adolescent -care models place additional workloads onto already stressed families, requiring parents to seek all alterna- tive options and prove their need for care.

(5) The current adolescent-care system, as part of the overall respite and support available to families, is failing families of children with disabilities, as identi- fied in the Manitoba Advocate for Children and Youth's Bridging the Gaps report.

(6) To date, none of the nine recommendations it contains have been completed beyond 50 per cent.

(7) The recommendations in this report touch on many of the issues facing families, with adolescent care being but a small component of their overall needs. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

(1) To urge the provincial gov ernment to fully implement recommendations in the Bridging the Gaps report.

(2) To urge the provincial gov ernment to imme- diately implement official policies and procedures that are more respectful and collaborative, which also minimize harm done by families seeking help from Children's disABILITY Services.

(3) To urge the Minister of Families to arrange for a full review of em ployment supports provided by Children's dis ABILITY Services for children with disabilities aged 12 to 17, including direct consul ta- tion with impacted families and to explore a full spectrum of options to support families, em powering them to choose solutions that best fit their needs. Honourable Deputy Speaker, this petition has been signed by Kim Urias, Dana Mingo, Carla Genik and many, many more fine Manitobans. Thank you. * (15:10) Medical Assistance in Dying Mr. Josh Guenter (Borderland): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. These are the reasons for this petition:

(1) Persons struggling with mental health as their sole condition may access medical assistance in dying unless Parliament intervenes.

(2) Suicidality is often a symptom of mental illness, and suicide is the second leading cause of death for Canadians between the age of 10 and 19.

(3) There have been reports of the unsolicited introduction of medical assistance in dying to non-seeking persons, including Canadian veterans, as a solution for their medical and mental health issues.

(4) Legal and medical experts are deeply con - cerned that permitting Canadians suffering from depression and other mental illnesses to access euthanasia would under mine suicide pre vention efforts and risk normalizing suicide as a solution for those suffering from mental illness.

(5) The federal gov ernment is bound by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms to advance and protect the life, liberty and security of its citizens.

(6) Manitobans consider it a priority to ensure that adequate supports are in place for the mental health of all Canadians.

(7) Vulnerable Manitobans must be given suicide prevention counselling instead of suicide assist ance; and

(8) The federal gov ernment should focus on increasing mental health supports to provinces and improve access to these supports, instead of offering medical assistance in dying for those with mental illness. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

(1) To urge the provincial gov ernment to lobby the federal gov ernment to stop the expansion of medical assistance in dying to those for whom mental illness is the sole condition; and

(2) To urge the provincial gov ernment to lobby the federal government to protect Canadians struggling with mental illness by facilitating treatment, recovery and medical assistance in living, not death. This petition has been signed by many, many Manitobans. Phoenix School Mrs. Kathleen Cook (Roblin): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.

May 26, 2026 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2369 The background to this petition is as follows: Phoenix School, a kindergarten to grade 5 school located in Headingley, has experienced consistent enrolment growth over the last several years. Enrolment is expected to reach 275 students in the next two years. Because the school is now over capacity, the school division has had to install portable classrooms on site as of fall 2024. For several consecutive years, the top capital priority of the St. James -Assiniboia School Division has been the renovation and expansion of Phoenix School.

In 2022, the Phoenix School expansion and renovation project was approved to proceed to the design phase. The project included, among other amenities, a new gymnasium, two new classrooms, a multi-purpose room and room for 74 child-care spaces. In June 2024, the school division received notice from the provincial government that the project has been deferred. There is no guarantee if, or when, the project will move forward. There are currently hundreds of children on a wait-list for child care in Headingley.

The daycare operator in Phoenix School has been told that they will continue to have space within the school for the 2024-2025 school year only, that further expansion of child-care space within the school is not possible and that space may be reduced moving forward due to the shortage of classrooms. If new space is not con- structed as planned, many families may be left without child care. It is critical that the expansion and renovation of Phoenix School proceed as planned in order to support the needs of students, teachers and families in the growing community of Headingley.

We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to proceed with the planned renovation and expansion of Phoenix School without further delay. And this petition is signed by Taylor McMillan, Kelli Leveque, Jasmin Spence and many, many other Manitobans. Intersection of PTH 75 and PR 305 Mr. Ron Schuler (Springfield-Ritchot): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) The intersection of Provincial Trunk Highway 75, PTH 75, and Provincial Road 305, PR 305, at Ste. Agathe, has become an increasingly dangerous for motorists and pedestrians.

(2) Over the past seven years there have been at least 20 accidents at this location, resulting in injuries and fatalities.

(3) This intersection is heavily used by commu- nity members, commuters and commercial traffic, making safety improvements critical.

(4) Immediate action is needed to mitigate accidents and prevent further loss of life.

(5) An in -service road safety review was completed in 2022, which included recommended improvements but no action plan.

(6) Immediate action and implementation on the maintenance issues and short -term strategies identi - fied in the 2022 study are needed.

(7) Development of an action plan with timelines for the medium-term strategies identified in the 2022 study is required.

(8) Installation of traffic lights or a controlled signal system will make the intersection safer.

(9) Additional strategies, such as reduced speed limits approaching the intersection and the addition of rumble strips to alert drivers of the upcoming intersection, will save lives.

(10) Construction of dedicated turning lanes to reduce collision risk and other traffic calming designs will help reduce collisions, injuries and fatalities at the intersection. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

(1) To urge the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure to undertake safety improvements at the intersection of PTH 75 and PR 305 at Ste. Agathe.

(2) To urge the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure to priorize measures that will reduce accidents and fatalities, including, but not limited to those outlined in the 2022 in- service road safety review. This is signed by Tyler Wallace, Sammir Ahmed, Rahul Pasad [phonetic] and many, many other Manitobans.

2370 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 26, 2026 Mr. Kelvin Goertzen (Steinbach): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) The intersection of Provincial Trunk Highway 75, PTH 75, and Provincial Road 305, PR 305, at Ste. Agathe, has become increasingly dangerous for motorists and pedestrians.

(2) Over the past seven years, there have been at least 20 accidents at this location, resulting in injuries and fatalities. * (15:20)

(3) The intersection is heavily used by community members, commuters and commercial traffic, making safety improvements critical.

(4) Immediate action is needed to mitigate accidents and prevent further loss of life.

(5) An in -service road safety review was completed in 2022, which included recommended improvements but no action plan.

(6) Immediate action and implementation of the maintenance issues and the short -term strategies identified in the 2022 study are needed.

(7) Development of an action plan with timelines for the medium-term strategies identified in the 2022 study is required.

(8) Installation of traffic lights or a controlled signal system will make the intersection safer.

(9) Additional strategies, such as reduced speed limits approaching the intersection and the addition of rumble strips to alert drivers of the upcoming intersection, will save lives.

(10) Construction of dedicated turning lanes to reduce collision risk and other traffic calming designs will reduce collisions, injuries and fatalities at the intersection. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

(1) To urge the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure to undertake safety improvements at the intersection of PTH 75 and PR 305 at Ste. Agathe, and

(2) To urge the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure to prioritize measures that will reduce accidents and fatalities, including but not limited to those outlined in the 2022 in-service road safety review. And, Honourable Deputy Speaker, this petition is signed by Karine Koop, Josh Koop, Natalie Gradine [phonetic] and many, many other fine Manitobans. Programs for Adolescents with Disabilities Ms. Jodie Byram (Agassiz): I wish to present the following petition to the Legis lative Assembly of Manitoba. The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) Children with dis abilities often require child care beyond the age of 12. Children with dis abilities aged 12 to 17 face a gap in publicly available care programs.

(2) The current adolescent -care service model creates undue hardship on caregivers.

(3) While developing children may be entering into extracurricular activities, school clubs or spend- ing time with friends in dependently, children with disabilities have reduced opportunities for such social and recreational opportunities due to the lack of spaces.

(4) The current self -managed adolescent -care models place additional workloads onto already stressed families, requiring parents to seek all alterna- tive options and to prove their need for care.

(5) The current adolescent-care system, as part of overall respite and support available to families, is failing families of children with disabilities, as identi- fied in the Manitoba Advocate for Children and Youth's Bridging the Gaps report.

(6) To date, none of the nine recommendations it contains have been completed beyond 50 per cent.

(7) The recommendations in this report touch on many of the issues facing families, with adolescent care being but a small component of their overall needs. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

(1) To urge the provincial gov ernment to fully implement recommendations in the Bridging the Gaps report.

(2) To urge the provincial gov ernment to imme- diately implement official policies and procedures that are more respectful and collaborative, which also minimize harm faced by families seeking help from Children's disABILITY Services.

(3) To urge the Minister of Families to arrange for a full review of em ployment supports provided by Children's dis ABILITY Services for children with

May 26, 2026 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2371 disabilities aged 12 to 17, including direct consul ta- tion with impacted families and to explore a full spectrum of options to support families, em powering them to choose solutions that best fit their needs. This petition has been signed by Cory Sanderson, Nicole Gretchen and Michele Gauthier. Opposition to Releasing Repeat Offenders Mr. Trevor King (Lakeside): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. And the background to this petition is as follows:

(1) Kellie Verwey, a beloved young woman from Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, was tragically killed in a car crash caused by a repeat violent offender with a long criminal history.

(2) Despite repeated violations of his bail conditions, the offender was free to roam the streets and to ultimately claim Kellie's life, and this tragedy was entirely preventable.

(3) While the Criminal Code falls under federal jurisdiction, provinces have been given the respon- sibility for the administration of justice, allowing for meaningful provincial action on bail reform to ensure public safety.

(4) Other provinces have taken proactive steps to strengthen bail enforcement, but Manitoba has not used all the available tools to address this issue effectively.

(5) Provincial government has the ability and the responsibility to advocate for and implement measures that protect its citizens by ensuring that repeat violent offenders are not released into our communities without proper safeguards.

(6) Immediate action is required close gaps in the justice system that allow dangerous criminals to remain free, which puts innocent Manitobans at risk. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

(1) To urge the provincial government to take immediate and decisive action on bail reform to address serious deficits in enforcement by utilizing all available provincial mechanisms to strengthen warrant enforcement, increasing bail supervision and opposing release of offenders, thus ensuring that repeat violent offenders are held accountable and that public safety is prioritized over leniency; and

(2) To urge the provincial government to lobby the federal government to immediately repeal provisions of the Criminal Code that allow for the continued victimization of law -abiding Manitobans while granting repeat offenders additional rights. And this petition has been signed by Kevin Wishart, Regina Lopratto, Jace Mynott and many other fine Manitobans. MLA Jeff Bereza (Portage la Prairie): Honourable Speaker, I wish to present the following petition. The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) Kellie Verwey, a beloved young woman from Portage la Prairie, was tragically killed in a car crash caused by a repeat violent offender with a long criminal history.

(2) Despite repeated violations of his bail conditions, the offender was free to roam the streets and to ultimately claim Kellie's life. This tragedy was entirely preventable. * (15:30)

(3) While the Criminal Code falls under federal jurisdiction, provinces have been given the respon- sibility for the administration of justice, allowing for meaningful provincial action on bail reform to ensure public safety.

(4) Other provinces have taken proactive steps to strengthen bail enforcement, but Manitoba has not used all the available tools to address this issue effectively.

(5) The provincial government has the ability and the responsibility to advocate for and implement measures that protect its citizens by ensuring that repeat violent offenders are not released into our communities without the proper safeguards.

(6) Immediate action is required to close gaps in this justice system that allow dangerous criminals to remain free, which puts innocent Manitobans at risk. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to make –to take immediate and decisive action on bail reform to address serious deficits in enforcement by utilizing all available provincial mechanisms to strengthen warrant enforcement, increasing bail supervision and opposing release of offenders, thus ensuring that repeat violent offenders are held accountable and the public safety is prioritized over leniency; and

2372 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 26, 2026

(2) To urge the provincial government to lobby the federal government to immediately repeal provisions of the Criminal Code that allow for the continued victimization of law -abiding Manitobans while granting repeat offenders additional rights. This is signed by Jamie O'Brien, Karen O'Brien, Dale Kirton and many, many more wonderful Manitobans. Thank you. Education Property Taxes Mr. Wayne Ewasko (Lac du Bonnet): I wish to present the following petition to the Legis lative Assembly of Manitoba. And the background to this petition is as follows:

(1) The prov incial gov ernment's decision to cancel the Edu cation Property Tax Credit and the property tax offset grant has enabled and encouraged school divisions to introduce massive tax increases.

(2) These massive increases have been felt by all Manitobans and, compounded by arbitrary and punitive changes to the education property tax rebate, have made many Manitobans ineligible.

(3) Residents of the rural municipality of Victoria Beach are currently subject to a 26.6 per cent increase on their 2025 property tax bills as they fall within the catchment of the Lord Selkirk School Division.

(4) Victoria Beach residents are paying a disproportionate rate per pupil, totalling almost $300,000 in taxes collected per student in the RM.

(5) Secondary property owners are subject to taxation without representation as they are ineligible to vote for trustees who set the rate but are still required to pay.

(6) Additionally, families can only claim the reduced education property tax rebate on their primary residence.

(7) These increases and the revocation of rebates were done suddenly and with no consul tation, punishing Manitobans who maintain family cabins by tying taxation to property values. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial gov ernment to imme - diately reverse these unfair and punishing tax policy changes and restore education property tax rebates for all Manitobans. This petition is signed by Jerzy Zielinski, Rob Dryden, Jocelyn Keith and many, many more fine Manitobans. School-Supported Lunch Programs in Brandon Mr.

Wayne Balcaen (Brandon West): Honourable Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, and the back- ground to this petition is as follows:

(1) Parent councils across the Brandon School Division have united as the Brandon Parent Council Collaborative to collectively advocate for safer, more sustainable lunch pro gramming and to change the legislation to be equitable and inclusive for a ll students.

(2) Parent -led lunch programs have historically operated under a model that is no longer reflective of current societal and family realities, with most households having all adults working outside of the home.

(3) The geographic expansion of school catchment areas, combined with school-of-choice enrolment has increased the need for accessible, school -supported lunch programs for all students, not just those classified as bus students.

(4) Students are increasingly dependent on school for midday nutrition, supervision and emotional stability, making the lunch period a vital part of the school day that impacts safety, readiness to learn and overall well-being.

(5) There is widespread willingness among edu- cational assistants to support lunch programs if formalized through the Brandon School Division. The Speaker in the Chair We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

(1) To urge the provincial gov ernment to acknowledge lunch program ming as a core com - ponent of the school day, deserving of proper planning, staffing and oversight by the school division, not volunteers, parent-led councils; and

(2) To urge the provincial government to change school policies so that they are equitable for all students, not just those classified as bus students.

(3) To urge the provincial government to change school policies to designate the 60 minutes in the middle of each day as a period of education, not child care.

May 26, 2026 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2373 And, Honourable Speaker, this petition was signed by Marilyn Jago, Jason Young, Himanshu Shah and many, many other fine Manitobans. MRI Machine for Portage Regional Health Facility The Speaker: The member for Turtle Mountain. And I would ask, does the member have a headset yet? Mr. Doyle Piwniuk (Turtle Mountain): Yes, I do. The Speaker: Okay, then the honourable member for Turtle Mountain. Mr. Piwniuk: Yes, I've always had a headset; I'm not quite sure why it's not working on this technolo gy here, so.

I–Honourable Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legis lative Assembly of Manitoba. * (15:40) The background of this petition is as follows:

(1) Thanks to the investment made under the previous PC provincial government as part of the clinical and preventative services plan, construction for this new Portage regional health facility is well under way. The facility and the surrounding commu- nity would greatly benefit from added diagnostic machinery and equipment, but specifically a addition to an MRI machine.

(2) An MRI machine is a non -invasive medical imaging technique that is used–uses a magnetic field and computer -generated radio waves to create detailed images of organs and tissues in the human body. It is used for the die –disease detection, diagnosis and treatment monitoring.

(3) Portage la Prairie is centrally located in Manitoba and is on the No. 1 Highway in the Southern Health/Santé Sud Health Authority. Currently there is only one MRI machine in that RHA.

(4) And an MRI machine located in the Portage regional health facility will reduce transportation costs for patients as well as reduce the burden of stretcher services and ambulance use. It will bring care closer to home and reduce wait times for MRI scans across the province.

(5) Located around Portage la Prairie are the Dakota Tipi, Dakota Plains, Sandy Bay and Long Plain First Nations reserves. Indigenous peoples in Canada 'disproportally' face barriers of access to services and medical care. An MRI machine located in the Portage regional health facility will bring care closer to their home communities and provide greater access to diagnostic testing.

(6) Located in close proximity to the new Portage regional health facility is the airport–south–Southport airport. This aerodrome has a runway length that is more than adequate to support medical air ambulance services. This would provide the opportunity to transport patients by air from more remote commu - nities to access MRI imaging services.

(7) The average wait times in Manitobans to receive an MRI scan is currently six to eight months. Having the MRI machine in the Portage regional health facility will help reduce these wait times for patients and provide better care sooner. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to support the investment and placement of an MRI machine in the Portage regional health facility in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. This has been signed by Kathy Twiss, Judith Jeffries and David Jeffries and many, many other fine Manitobans. Thank you, Honourable Speaker.

The Speaker: No further petitions? The–grievances? ORDERS OF THE DAY (Continued) GOVERNMENT BUSINESS Hon. Nahanni Fontaine (Government House Leader): Can you please call all stages of Bill 53. DEBATE ON SECOND READINGS Bill 53–The Budget Implementation and Tax Statutes Amendment Act, 2026 The Speaker: It has been announced that we will now resume debate on the reasoned amendment to second reading of Bill 53, The Budget Imple mentation and Tax Statutes Amend ment Act, 2026, standing in the name of the honourable member for Turtle Mountain, who has three minutes remaining. Mr.

Doyle Piwniuk (Turtle Mountain): Honourable Speaker, it's my honour to bring forward, to talk about the reasonable amend ment fill–Bill 53, The Budget Implementation Tax Statutes Amendment Act, 2026.

2374 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 26, 2026 Like I said before, like summering –summarize that I had yesterday about, you know, the reason why we're putting this foreward is the –basically, this House has not receives satisfactory evidence or assurance that this bill provided real and meaningful affordability measures that Manitobans des perately needed. And I used many of examples of what we're facing right now, especially with our youth. Our youth is the ones that are going to be most impacted by not providing better tax relief when it comes to people who are just starting out.

Right now, many– we have one of the highest education systems in Canada, and right now, Manitoba is probably up there with the rest of the provinces. But with an educated population and more of a – growing economies of other places of this country and the tax burden that these young people face here, it shows that. I remember back in the '90s, you know, one of the concerns that I remember the Filmon government was concerned about is the brain drain. That was one of the things that they wanted to address in one of the elections that they had is because so many young people were moving out of the province.

We saw that with Saskatchewan. I remember, early 2000s, I used to do a course there. It was called a strategic coaching program. And I remember, in Regina, that's where I actually attended this coaching program. And, for every quarter, we would go to Regina. And, back that time, it was really depressing there because so many people, so many young people were leaving the province. The population was decreasing. The population of Saskatchewan was under– well under a million people and shrinking. And that was the impact in those days, and I believe it was an NDP government.

And the fact is, I – Saskatchewan was really concerned about the amount of people that were leaving the province of a long- time Saskatchewan NDP government, that down – when Brad Wall came in as the new Saskatchewan Party, they really did a lot of opportunities to compete with Alberta and reducing the taxes, much like we did when we came into government, as the PC Party came into government back in 2016. So many people were leaving Saskatchewan to go to Alberta, but now Saskatchewan is a place that a lot of people are moving back to, especially from Alberta. Young people are going back there.

You see that in the cities and Regina, is –the smaller cities ar ound Saskatchewan. And, right now, I'm really concerned with this not having affordability for young people to have some tax relief, and especially the amendment that we put forward of $30,000 personal exemption that you put $3,000 more in people's pockets. Thank you, Honourable Speaker. The Speaker: The hon ourable member's time has expired. Mr.

Trevor King (Lakeside): Thank you for the opportunity to rise today to speak to Bill 53, The Budget Implementation and Tax Statutes Amendment Act, 2026, and, of course, the reasoned amendment brought forward by my good friend and colleague from Red River North. The budget implementation and tax statues amendment act–because this House has not received satisfactory evidence or assurance that this bill provides real and meaningful affordability measures that Manitobans desperately need. And, Honourable Speaker, I want to begin with just one simple point with this. Manitobans are hurting.

Families are under pressure. Seniors are under pressure. Young people trying to buy a first home are under pressure. Renters are under pressure. And small businesses are under pressure. Everywhere we go in this province, Manitobans are telling us the same thing: life costs more; their government is doing less. That is the context in which we are debating this legislation here today, because this bill is not simply a technical tax statute amended– amendment bill.

It is the implementation vehicle for a budget that claims to address affordability while con- tinuing to take more money out of the pockets of Manitobans through rising taxes, bracket creep, school taxes, fuel costs, hydro increases and debt -fuelled spending. That is why this bill deserves more than a rushed process. It deserves some scrutiny, deserves some input. And, of course, Manitobans, Honourable Speaker, deserve honesty. The government wants Manitobans to believe that Bill 53 is an affordability bill. But Manitobans know the difference between meaningful relief and political marketing.

The government boasts about removing PST from certain prepared grocery items and increasing tax credits by small amounts years down the road. Meanwhile, education property taxes continue to rise, hydro rates continue to rise, MPI costs continue to rise, fuel costs continue to rise, housing costs continue

May 26, 2026 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2375 to rise, income taxes quietly continue to rise because the government cancelled indexation. * (15:50) This government is taking hundreds of dollars away from families while offering pennies back at the checkout line. This is not affordability; it's –this is misdirection. The Premier (Mr. Kinew) has spent months talking about pennies on snack foods and rotisserie chickens while families are watching hun - dreds and thousands of dollars disappear from their household budgets every year.

Taking tax off of junk food, non- healthy foods– when we're in a world here of diabetes and all this and we're taking tax off of junk food, why can't we make healthy food more affordable? Families don't –they don't build financial security on a cheaper bottl e of pop. They build security through lower taxes, stronger paycheques, affordable utilities, affordable housing and confidence into the future. This legislation doesn't provide that at all. Honourable Speaker, one of the most troubling aspects of this government's record is its cancellation of indexation on tax brackets and the basic personal amount.

It matters because inflation pushes workers into higher taxation even when their purchasing power isn't improving, and that is called bracket creep. It is a hidden tax hike. Manitobans know exactly what it feels like. People receive small raises just to keep up with inflation, and the government is taking more of it. The NDP promised during their election cam - paign that they would index tax brackets. They promised affordability. They promised a middle-class tax cut. Instead, they cancelled indexation and quietly increased the tax burden on working Manitobans.

This is not an affordability plan; it's a tax increase disguised through inflation. And every year this continues, Manitobans will fall further behind. Honourable Speaker, our caucus has put forward a serious proposal, a meaningful proposal, a proposal that would provide real affordability relief right now, immediately. We have called on this government to significantly increase the basic personal amount . Ultimately, we believe Manitoba should move toward a $30,000 basic personal amount, which would be one of the highest in Canada.

Even a meaningful first step would make a tremendous difference, because unlike this government's tiny targeted tax tweak, increasing the basic personal amount would help every working Manitoban. It would mean up to $1,535 more per year for individuals, more than $3,000 annually for two- income households. Honourable Speaker, that's real money. That's groceries. It's rent. It's child care. It is fuel. It's winter clothing for the kids. It's mortgage relief. It's putting their kids into activities –hockey, baseball, curling, soccer, dance, whatever it may be. It's something families would actually feel.

When Manitobans have more money in their pockets, they spend it in their communities or they be volunteering or donating to their charities and organi zations. It supports local businesses, supports jobs, stimulates the economy. It's not only good social policy; it's good economic policy. Now, let's compare our proposal with what's actually on Bill 53. The government is increasing the Homeowners Affordability Tax Credit from $1,600 to $1,700, but Manitobans don't receive that increase until 2028–2028, Honourable Speaker. Families are struggling now. They're struggling today.

Seniors are struggling now, and young families are struggling now. Meanwhile, assessment values continue climbing every year. The government is collecting dramatically more in education property taxes while pretending a delayed $100 increase somehow solves affordability. Revenues from education property taxes have exploded. Forecast revenues have gone from roughly $667 million to just a few years ago –from–up–just a few years ago, to nearly $1.1 billion now. That's an increase of over $400 million annually. Where's that money coming from? It is coming from Manitoba homeowners, taxpayers.

It's coming from seniors, from working families, from people on fixed incomes, from Manitobans who are already stretched thin and to the limit. This government wants applause because it may give back a small fraction years later. Honourable Speaker, I believe that Manitobans are a lot smarter than that. The government has built much of its affordability messaging around removing PST from certain grocery-related items. But even this measure has significant problems. First, most groceries were already PST exempt. Second, the savings for many families will be minuscule.

Third, the legislation creates unfairness within the food industry itself. We have already heard concerns raised by Restaurants Canada, and their argument is simple and reasonable. If identical prepared food is sold in a grocery store, it becomes PST exempt. If the exact same meal is sold in a restaurant, PST still applies. That creates unequal treatment between competitors. It distorts the marketplace and it unfairly disadvantages restaurants, one of Manitoba's largest employers. Restaurants support over 42,000 jobs right here in this

2376 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 26, 2026 province. Many of those jobs are held by young Manitobans. Many are entry level opportunities. Many are family -owned local businesses already operating on razor thin margins. Public policy should not pick winners and losers, but that is exactly what this NDP government is doing. We also have to talk about the fiscal picture behind this legislation. The government forecasts another deficit approaching half a billion dollars. Manitobans have heard these projections before, and this Finance Minister has repeatedly missed his own targets by massive amounts.

Last year's projected deficit nearly doubled. The government has added billions to Manitoba's debt in less than three years. And what do Manitobans have to show for it, Honourable Speaker? Longer ER wait times, rising taxes, rising hydro bills, rising costs of living, a stagnating economy and reduced private capital invest- ment. Debt matters. Interest costs matter because every dollar spent servicing debt is a dollar that cannot go toward health care, education, infrastructure or tax relief. And this government spending trajectory is unsustainable.

Another major concern with this budget, this legislation, is the lack of a serious economic growth strategy. Where is the long-term-growth plan? Where's the mining strategy? Where's the exploration strategy? Where are the incentives for business investment? Where are the payroll tax reforms? Where are the measures to support entrepreneurs and job creators? We see very little in this budget. Instead, private capital investment is declining.

Businesses are expressing their concern, stakeholders are expressing their disappointment and Manitoba risks falling further behind other provinces competing for workers, investment and opportunity. If we want stronger public services, we need a stronger economy to support those services. Government can't tax and borrow its way to prosperity. * (16:00) Bill 53 also contains provisions related to the Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology. Manitobans deserve some answers. This government allowed MITT to deteriorate into crisis. Now it wants new powers to appoint administrators and redistribute assets.

This raises some serious concerns about the future of post-secondary education and trades training right here in our province. At a

Document details

Collection	Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	43-3-61b
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	43rd 3rd hansardpdf 61b.pdf
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	c45eb269e572c8535421098c255c50284a5263bf

Source file is stored in the law ingest library (pdf).