Manitoba Hansard — 22 March 2021 (Sitting 39, 42nd Legislature, 3rd Session)

42-3-39

Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)

Third Session – Forty-Second Legislature of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba DEBATES and PROCEEDINGS Official Report (Hansard) Published under the authority of The Honourable Myrna Driedger Speaker Vol. LXXV No. 39 - 1:30 p.m., Monday, March 22, 2021 ISSN 0542-5492

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

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

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

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

1807 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA Monday, March 22, 2021 The House met at 1:30 p.m. Madam Speaker: O Eternal and Almighty God, from Whom all power and wisdom come, we are assembled here before Thee to frame such laws as may tend to the welfare and prosperit y of our province. Grant, O merciful God, we pray Thee, that we may desire only that which is in accordance with Thy will, that we may seek it with wisdom and know it with certainty and accomplish it perfectly for the glory and honour of Thy name and for the welfare of all our people. Amen. Please be seated.

ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS Madam Speaker: Introduction of bills? Committee reports? TABLING OF REPORTS Hon. Derek Johnson (Minister of Municipal Relations): Madam Speaker, I am pleased today to table the 2019-20 Annual Report of the Office of the Fire Commissioner–report. Madam Speaker: And I have two reports to table. In accordance with

section 58.8(2) of The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and

section 48.14(2) of The Personal Health Information Act, I am tabling the 2020 annual report of–Information and Privacy Adjudicator. And also, in accordance with

section 19.5(2) of The Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Conflict of Interest Act, I am tabling the 2020 annual report of–Conflict of Interest Commissioner. MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS Madam Speaker: The honourable First Minister–and I would indicate that the required 90 minutes notice prior to routine proceedings was provided in accord- ance with our rule 26(2). Would the honourable First Minister please pro- ceed with his statement. Todd Miclash Hon. Brian Pallister (Premier): It's with a great deal of humility and, Madam Speaker, with a sense of honour that I speak today to you.

Today we are celebrating a person who has looked after this place since Howard Pawley was here. And that's a while ago, longer than the member for Elmwood (Mr. Maloway). It's incredible when you think about it, isn't it? Thirty-four years. The steward of this mag- nificent Legislature. I once said to him: It's the nicest Legislature in the country. He said: In the world–the steward. Since long before its centennial last year, Todd Miclash has carefully presided over not just the bricks and the mortar of this place, but the people who make it work, the people who work here as well.

He has been a gentleman to work with, for all of us, all members of this House. It can't be overstated what a person of integrity he is. He has been accom - modating to everyone. I have yet to hear a complaint about his conduct in the dealings he has had with other people in this building or elsewhere. And on behalf of the Legislative Assemblies of the past as well as our own, I offer him our sincere thanks and gratitude. Not many people understand how considerable a challenge it is every time that there is a change in government.

Of course, we don't anticipate that for a long time, but Todd won't be here to deal with that anyway. But when that happens, and it has happened on several occasions, that tr ansformation is an enormous job, as you can imagine, Madam Speaker. And he has met that challenge on several occasions. When our government was formed in '16–with a record number of new MLAs, I might add–Todd made space for everyone. When various provincial govern- ments have shuffled Cabinets, Todd Miclash has made space.

This isn't –there isn't an office in this entire building that Todd and his group have not emptied and filled again, dozens of times, I expect, during every Christmas open house, every time a film crew comes here, which is more frequently recently, every renovation. When the Golden Boy came down for refur - bishment, that was an historic time for Manitobans to share in this building, and part of it, the key symbol of it; Todd oversaw that. A tremendous amount of work, tremendous amount of change in short order, and dealt with it, and he did it all while carrying a pleasant demeanour that he does.

In every way possible, Todd Miclash has been part of the solution. He's never fixated on what can't be done. He always offers to help

1808 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 22, 2021 in doing what can be done, and then he follows through on it. The only time, I think, I've ever caught him without a smile was this past year when he had his mask on, Madam Speaker. And even then, with all of us being tested, with our collective spirit as people in Manitoba tested, you'd still be met with his friendly : how can I help you?

So I would like to ask everyone to join me in thanking Todd for his dedication, his commitment to his role, for preserving this Le gislature–and for Government House, we should mention as well, Madam Speaker –and for his outstanding character which he brought to work each and every day. Please join me in wishing Todd Miclash all the very, very best in his retirement as he continues to take that positive attitude he has had for so many years here on to the benefit of all he encounters. Mr.

Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): You know, not too many people who leave the Legislature do so still being loved, adored and admired, but Todd Miclash certainly will. And so that is a testament to his character and, of course, to the wonderful work that he's done here over the years. And as members and staff come and go, it certainly is reassuring to see that there has been one consist ent face here in the Legislature for some four decades now.

I'm looking at my notes here, and it says that he has served the Province of Manitoba for 37 years, but when you look at that youthful face up there, there's no way that that can be true, Madam Speaker. We all know him as the building manager, the facility manager on the grounds, and recently he announced his retirement.

This Friday, I believe, will be his last day, and so, on behalf of the official opposition and, of course, all my colleagues, everyone we work with, but, very importantly, all of the staff, interns and volunteers behind the scenes who Todd has helped so much over the years, we just want to extend our heartfelt congratulations to you on your well-deserved retirement and to thank you so much for all the good work that you've done in the service of the people of Manitoba.

Now, in the five years that I've been here now, I've certainly always seen Todd happy and smiling and willing to help, and it's always a pleasant encounter any time that you see him in the halls of the Legislature.

And just to peel back the curtain a little bit as to some things that go on in this place on some of those late -night sittings, as we're known to have from time to time, I don't think I'm breaking any confidence to say that Todd–for many of my colleagues from different party backgrounds, Todd has been one of the people who've allowed us to go see the Golden Boy up close , and has granted us an ability to see the true majesty that is this Manitoba Legislature. * (13:40) And so, in as much as there is a living memory of this place, Todd is it.

And he is the one who has helped convey it down through generations of MLAs, ministers, staff and elected officials. Now, I'm sure everyone is going to miss Todd from–being here on a regular basis, but I think that that is certainly a testament to his character, and I think that we all ought to just, you know, let him leave now so that he can enjoy, you know, the well-deserved time to enjoy what lies ahead in life, though some - thing tells me that he probably won't be gone from the Legislature for too long. And so, hopefully, he will drop by and visit us from time to time and keep those relationships going.

So, on behalf of everyone, to you, Todd, I want to wish you health, happiness and a great retirement and, once again, to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all that you've done for the great province of Manitoba. Mr. Dougald Lamont (St. Boniface): I ask for leave to speak in response to the minister's statement. Madam Speaker: Does the member have leave to respond to the ministerial statement? [Agreed] Mr. Lamont: I will be very brief.

I spoke with Todd last week and he asked me for a favour, one that everyone in this House could easily agree with: that when my turn to speak came up, that I sit down and say nothing. I will disappoint him and everyone else one last time, but it is a testament to his humility that he doesn't like to be the centre of attention. The Manitoba Legislature is an incredible b uild- ing and an incredible institution. But institutions are not defined by stone or brick or marble. They are defined by the humans who help run them and they are only as good and strong as the people who support them.

Todd is generous, kind, friendly, hard -working and helpful. He made a contribution to this institution,

March 22, 2021 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1809 just as surely as any of us can ever hope to, and that we could envy him as a leader as well as someone who worked here. I wish him a well -earned and restful retirement. Congratulations for making it over the wall, and a warm welcome to his replacement. Thank you. Madam Speaker: And I will be making a statement, but mine will come after members' statements. So, members' statements. MEMBERS' STATEMENTS Swistun Family Hon. Jeff Wharton (Minister of Crown Services): I rise in the House today to honour the Swistun family from East St.

Paul in recognition of their dedication and vision in the establishment of Silver Springs Park, now known as the Swistun Family Heritage Park. Swistun Bros. Ltd., Michael Swistun's father Bill and his brothers Don, Henry and Mike purchased the Silver Fox ranch in 1970. The Silver Fox subdivision was the start of the rehabilitation in 1984. For several decades the Swistun family worked to consolidate the ownership of the entire 168-acre site, rehabilitate the site into a parkland by excavating the ponds, sloping the pit banks, planting trees and con- structing walking paths.

William Swistun Sr. and Don Swistun Sr. had the option of walking away from the de pleted gravel pit; however, they invested their time and money to ensure the taxpayers of the RM of East St. Paul would not be left with an abandoned gravel pit. Madam Speaker, the Swistun family has worked hard to build a better community. Michael says, as a family, they didn't want the message to be lost that this isn't just a beautiful valley, this is something that was inspired and executed by a lot of work and investment.

I would like to ask my colleagues to join me in acknowledging Michael Swistun and his family, who are joining us virtually today, on this great accom - plishment. Thank you, Madam Speaker. World Water Day Mr. Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): Madam Speaker, water brings us into this world, water sustains us throughout our lives and, indeed, water–in the form of tears–will mark the end of our time here on earth. Truly, water is life. And today is World Water Day.

To mark the occasion, the Manitoba Legislature will be lit up blue in recognition of the Water Ambassadors of Canada and United Nations World Water Day. The water ambassadors have been delivering clean water to people in over 20 countries for two decades. Now, of course, there are many communities in Canada, including too many here in Manitoba, with long-term boil water advisories. Particularly shameful is that one of the communities from which Winnipeg draws its drinking water, Shoal Lake 40, has a boil water advisory. Madam Speaker, as Manitobans, we have a lot of water to appreciate.

The province is home to more than 100,000 lakes and rivers, and, in fact, surface water covers 16 per cent of our province: Lake Winnipeg, Lake Manitoba, Dauphin Lake, Paint Lake, Setting Lake, Pisew Falls, the Red, the Souris, the Nelson, the Assiniboine, to name a few. Every time we turn on a light, our power comes from hydro - electricity, and our largest city was born at the junction of two rivers. Water is essential. It is sacred and it must be protected, both for us and for the future generations. These are not political statements, Madam Speaker.

These are ideas that originate deep within many of our cultures, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous alike. I hope all Manitobans will join in celebrating World Water Day and protect this invaluable resource. Mni wiconi wakan, the sacred water of life. I also want to thank Fort Rouge constituent Peg Holt for bringing the suggestion to light the Legislature up blue tonight. I hope that you enjoy seeing the people's building honouring water. Manitoba Honour 150 Award Recipients Ms.

Janice Morley -Lecomte (Seine River): I am honoured to recognize five Seine River constituents who have been awarded the Manitoba 150 award. These individuals have been leaders in their pro- fession, volunteers in their community and humani - tarians. Paul Norris is a parent, volunteer and coach. Paul has volunteered with the United Way of Winnipeg for the past 11 years and has actively been involved in coaching Dakota soccer. To people who know him, he is known to give until he has nothing left, then give more.

1810 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 22, 2021 Dr. Katherine Kearns, a mother of two, along with a colleague, opened the Winnipeg Breastfeeding Centre. In her spare time, Dr. Kearns actively volunteers. She travels across Manitoba giving pres - entations on breastfeeding and monitors medical resident physicians and undergraduate medical students at her clinic. Ms. Edith Mulhall is a volunteer at the Never Alone Foundation. She has attended outings, delivered meals and crafted blankets for people affected by cancer. Edith says she has learned the value of time through the people she has met. Mr.

Robert Roehle, known to many as St. Norbert's unofficial mayor, has devoted his time and expertise to community and the agricultural industry. Mr. Roehle holds many titles and actively sits on the P embina Active Living board. Robert has been and remains a visionary and leader in his com - munity. Sharan Tappia, a mother of two, moved to Canada in 1996. She has volunteered for 24 years and helped raise money for such organizations as Siloam Mission and Manitoba Interfaith Immigration Council. As the founding president of Asian Women of Winnipeg, she has hosted events honoring women and celebrating culture.

Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to put the names of these great Manitobans on the record and congratulate them on all their successes and thank them for everything they do for our community. Thank you. Bourkevale Winter Wonderland and River Trail Mr. Adrien Sala (St. James): I'm honoured to acknowledge the contributions of a group of families in St. James for their efforts in creating the Bourkevale river trail and Winter Wonderland on the Assiniboine. This project is named after the Bourkevale Community Centre where many of these families volunteer and participate in programming.

The winter trail has existed for decades in our area. Seniors in the neighbourhood are always overjoyed at the sight of families creating trails and ice rinks on the river year after year. In recent years, local families have decided to connect their rinks and trails with one another, and this year the families are celebrating 25 years of their work on the river trails. The longest point of the trail is four and a half kilometres in one direction and back. The track has ice slides, sculptures, bonfire pits, shelters and benches.

Two sons of the families created a 12 -foot-tall ice - sculpture Christmas tree weighing over 800 pounds. One child did not want to do anything else for their birthday but play with other kids on the trails. And a young daughter, who is third ge neration in these endeavours, put on her skates for the first time after she saw so many kids from the community doing the same. * (13:50) Families in the area kayak and canoe on the river in summer and enjoy making the most of this untapped resource over the winter months.

As one of the family members involved has stated, the river has created a sense of connectedness within our com - munity. This is important always, but especially right now with the pandemic. These families are currently fundraising to ensure this project continues to delight the community for years to come, and they will be donating excess supplies and equipment from their fundraising efforts to the Bourkevale Community Centre. Madam Speaker, I am simply amazed by the work of the fami lies who have helped to create the Bourkevale river trail and Winter Wonderland.

May you all enjoy many more years together down the trails. And, Madam Speaker, I would like to request leave to state all of the family names who were involved in these projects for the record. Madam Speaker: Is there leave to include those names in Hansard? [Agreed] Thank you. Mr. Sala: Madam Speaker, the Central Trail families near the Bourkevale Community Centre include: the Dorbolos, the Dycks, the Roffeys, the Zubracks , the Nystroms, the Burchuks, the McLeods, the Lees and the Oughtons. Thank you very much. Charlie Clifford Mr.

Ian Wishart (Portage la Prairie): Today, I would like to recognize one of Portage la Prairie's long-time volunteers, Charlie Clifford, an H onour 150 recipient, who has been volunteering since he was in grade school. Charlie is a retired teacher and principal who has devoted himself tirelessly to advocating for and

March 22, 2021 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1811 improving the health, safety and well -being of his community through the Canadian Mental Health Association, the First Presbyterian Church, Habitat for Humanity, Sunset Palliative Care, Citizens on Patrol and many other organizations. Through the years, Charlie has positively im - pacted the citizens of our community, improving their quality of life by the many hours he has dedicated to volunteering and serving on the boards. He's always ready to provide a helping hand when needed and continues to give back on a daily basis.

A passionate sport enthusiast, Charlie also volun- teered at several large sporting events, including the World Junior Curling, Manitoba and Canadian senior games, and the Canada Winter Games. When Charlie suffered a stroke in 2010 while volunteering to rebuild houses in Texas, he learned to walk and talk ag ain with the help of family and community members. Charlie inspires stroke survivors today, serving as a chairperson with the Stroke Survivor Support Group.

Charlie Clifford is an outstanding individual dedicating his life to making his community a bett er place to live, work and play, helping people from all walks of life, young and old. He is humble about his service to others, quietly making a difference to many people in Portage la Prairie. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Speaker's Statement Madam Speaker: And I have a statement for the House. Today, on behalf of all of us who are privileged to work in this incredible Legislative Building, I would like to wish a fond farewell and happy retirement to our facility manager, Todd Miclash.

Todd has been with the Province of Manitoba for 37 years. He worked for three years at Red River College before arriving at the Manitoba Legislative Building in June 1986. I have reached out to numerous people, including Todd himself, in preparing this statement, and if one thing stands out from everyone I have spoken to, it is his willingness to always help. One of his former supervisors told me that he is a wonderful colleague to all the other facility managers and is always willing to mentor or support them however he can.

In speaking with Todd himself about all the projects and renovations he's overseen in his 34 years here, he told me that his favourite restoration project would have to be the work on the tower when the Golden Boy was removed and re-gilded in 2002. He also told me that his favourite movie shot in the building was Capote, with Philip Seymour Hoffman. Todd had a quick chance to speak with him when he was resting in the Chamber's lounge and Todd came in to fix the ice machine, as the noise was keeping Mr. Hoffman awake. The conversation started when Mr. Hoffman told him, You know, you could just unplug it.

Todd said Mr. Hoffman stayed in his Capote character the whole time he talked. A colleague of Todd's also told me about a time he w as stuck in a freight elevator with Eddy and a rather large bookcase. When they called another co-worker to help and reset the freight elevator, they ended up shooting past their destination. Todd was stuck in the elevator with Eddy for another half hour before they were rescued. Having a recording of their elevator conversation would be absolutely priceless. While I gathered information from people about Todd, I also want to share information, for Todd, about his time here.

You have served six Speakers, five premiers and four changes of government. You have worked through nine elections and 15 by-elections. There is no doubt what –that with each Cabinet shuffle comes a lot of moving, some stress and a number of challenges. Todd, you have overseen and survived 36 Cabinet shuffles while still maintaining your good nature. Last but not least, Todd, you have been the facility manager of this building for 12,344 days. It is now time for you to enjoy life with your wife, your three children and your gra ndchildren.

I under- stand you enjoy your time camping with the grand- children in the Whiteshell, playing poker with your high school buddies and cheering on the Winnipeg Jets–all things you can now do without having to set an alarm for the next morning. On a personal note, you have made events that my office held and projects that we have taken on so much easier with your help and that of your staff. You have never said no. If it is complicated, you find a way. Your knowledge, history and perhaps secrets of this building are unmatched and will be missed.

1812 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 22, 2021 The final question I had for Todd was what he would miss most about–pardon, let me start that again. The final question I had for Todd was what he would miss most as he retires. His answer was: the people in the building. Todd, I want you to know that, while you will miss the people, we, in turn, will miss you. You truly have been a pleasure to work with, and, on behalf on myself, all of my colleagues and all the Legislative Building occupants, we wish you health, happiness and relaxation in your retirement. Thank you for your years of service.

And I know that Todd is probably anxious to get back to work, so this part of the day is finished, so you and your staff–and I thank them all for being here to show their love and support for you. Thank you. ORAL QUESTIONS Early-Childhood Education Nursery Grants and Deregulation Mr. Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): And here I thought you were going to say that Todd would miss question period the m ost, Madam Speaker.

So, every parent wants to know that their kids are going to develop to their full potential, and Manitoba parents–to that goal –want affordable, accessible, high-quality child care in this province. And that includes school-age children. However, Bill 47, that this Premier has brought forward, does not mention child care for kids between the ages of six to 12. Bill 47 does not even mention them one time. Now, that has many parents and early -childhood educators and centre operators very concerned that the government may be planning to deregulate care in those age groups.

So, we know that with the bill the devils are in the details, Madam Speaker, and so I want to ask the Premier today: Does he, in fact, plan to deregulate school-age child care in Manitoba? Hon. Brian Pallister (Premier): I don't want the member to scare Manitobans who value child care, as this government does, so I'll just simply say, the NDP never ran on or said anything about blowing $10 billion on Manitoba Hydro in any of their campaign statements or a press release or anything like that, but it didn't stop them from doing it.

Madam Speaker, we have no intentions of doing anything but building more schools –20 new schools in the next decade, and all of them wil l have great child-care facilities in them. Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a supplementary question. Mr. Kinew: Madam Speaker, you know, that answer is not going to provide any reassurance to the parents and to the families who are worried about school-age child care not being included in Bill 47. And I can assure the First Minister that these questions aren't going to go away.

He has to tell us whether or not he does plan to follow up on his omission of kids aged six to 12 in Bill 47 by actually deregulating those age groups. We also know that there are hundreds more per year in fees that will be charges to nursery parents because of the cuts that his government has made. * (14:00) Will the Premier reverse the deci sion to cut the nursery school grant and stop raising nursery fees? Mr.

Pallister: Well, again, Madam Speaker, if I respond to every false rumour and misrepresentation of the member opposite, I won't have time to put good news on the record, like the good news that we're going to be building 20 brand- new schools for the students of Manitoba; like the good news that we're going to be strengthening our public education system and empowering parents to have an even greater role and opportunity for more input, for more consider - ation of their views, something that was badly missed under the previous administration for many, many years.

And the good news, Madam Speaker, continues with the fact that we will be making more resources available for education on the front line that will allow us to add to the number of teachers ' assistants, improve the quality of education, better services for high-need students that will assist our educators in that respect. Parents are concerned that their education system's been failing their children, Madam Speaker, and better education starts today. Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a new –on a final supple - mentary. Mr.

Kinew: Madam Speaker, again, that question was not about the $4.2 million th at this Premier has

March 22, 2021 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1813 cut from the education system this year, nor was that question about the further $3 million that he cut from teacher salaries and from clinician salaries across the province. I'm going to table a letter that illustrates exactly what the question was about. This is a letter directed to the Premier and to his minister, today, from parents in the child -care sector, from parents who have children in the nursery program. They are upset with years of frozen funding and zero commitments to increase operating grants.

They're upset that this government is cutting the nursery support program. At the end of the day, this is about early -childhood education, some of the most important years in a child's life. Will the Premier tell these parents tod ay that he plans to stop with the cuts, he will provide clarity on Bill 47 and that he will bring forward a–finally, a new approach that prioritizes early-childhood education in Manitoba? Mr.

Pallister: Well, Madam Speaker, I'm happy to have the opportunity to share with Manitobans that, in terms of our funding for those people who need that vulnerable support–or, for child care, our funding is $460 million higher than it ever was under any NDP government. I'm also pleased to say that, in terms of issues like child care, which the member's referenced in his

preamble, that we've created over 4,000 new positions for children to be cared for in a child -care environ- ment that's healthy and good and supportive to them, and we've also maintained the second lowes t child- care fees in the country of Canada. Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a new question. AgriStability Program Federal Changes Mr. Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): So, Madam Speaker, I can assure th e First Minister that parents will still be waiting for those answers on Bill 47 and on the cuts to nursery programs.

Now, we also know that farmers and producers, who are the backbone of the economy here in Manitoba, are still waiting for answers, when it comes to the member for Fort Whyte, on the AgriStability offer that the federal government has made. Again, the Keystone Agricultural Producers are strongly supportive of this initiative. The federal minister has clearly indicated that they are waiting for an answer from the Premier, and yet the Premier has simply refused this request up to now.

And so, it's a pretty simple question, Madam Speaker: Does the Premier support the federal government's AgriStability changes, yes or no? Hon. Brian Pallister (Premier): Madam Speaker, as a member of this Legislature who grew up on a farm, I understand which end of the cow to feed. I don't know that the member does, but I'm happy to give him instruction on that. I do also understand the NDP record on agri - culture, and I'm happy to give him–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr.

Pallister: –a little bit of a preliminary history lesson if he'd be interested in knowing the background on how the NDP government disrespected the agri - cultural families of our pr ovince for the entire time they were in government.

I'm–but I am not surprised to see him endorse a federal carbon tax that will multiply the burden on Manitoba farm families amazingly, that he is defending the record of the NDP on creating a 40 per cent higher hydro rate, that he actually supports the record of the NDP government on consolidating– against their will–rural Manitoba municipalities, that he actually opposed our efforts to work with Indigenous leadership and end the dangerous and archaic practice of night hunting.

You know, week after week, the member keeps stacking up positions that demonstrate clearly to the farm families of this province how little he truly understands or cares about them. Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a supplementary question. Mr. Kinew: Again I'll provide clarity to the Premier's answer. I'll table these documents that demonstrate a missing piece of the conversation on the AgriStability program.

So, again, this RFP, Madam Speaker, is a partner- ship between the Conservative premiers in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, and actually what they're looking to do is to potentially privatize the delivery of a program to replace AgriStability. So, again, I table the RFP for the P remier, and perhaps he would like to explain to farmers and producers in Manitoba why it is that he's doing all of this under cover.

1814 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 22, 2021 Why is he being secretive? Why is he not providing an answer to the federal minister who's been asking about AgriStability? And what does he, in fact, intend to do with this important farm insurance program? Mr. Pallister: Well, I won't go into fantasyland with the member, though he likes to reside there all too often, Madam Speaker.

I'll only say that there are valid reasons why, in the three most productive agricultural provinces in the country of Canada, every single government, every single agriculture minister, is very, very concerned about the direction that the Ontario- led federal ag department is wanting to go. We're very concerned about their focus on short- term optics at the expense of strengthening sustainable agriculture in our country, and we're very concerned that this rush to appear to be doing something is not the right approach to take when it comes to supporting Manitoba family farms.

Agriculture's a vital and critical part of our economy. It's been a growing contributor to the recovery of our economy after years of neglect under the NDP government previous, and it's going to continue to be a key part going forward with the right programs designed in the right way and the support of Saskatchewan and Alberta as we move forward as partners in developing our ag economy, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a final supplementary. Manitoba Bridge Grant Program Request to Include Beef Producers Mr.

Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): Madam Speaker, it doesn't make any sense as to why the First Minister would conceal this information from the ag industry. Why wouldn't they consult? Why wouldn't they speak to people? Again, they're conducting all of these deals behind the scenes, in the shadow of darkness, Madam Speaker. And, again, the reasons are very clear. We've been hearing about it from producers right across the province, including in southwestern Manitoba. You look at the beef industry, producers are 'faying'–facing higher input costs and they're not getting as good prices at market.

We've made a simple proposal to the Finance Minister and to this Premier that he make the Bridge Grant program accessible to beef producers. There is unused money left in the program. It could easily go out into the community to help the beef producers. Will the Premier commit today to expanding the Bridge Grant program to allow ag producers, cattle producers to be qualified? Hon. Brian Pallister (Premier): That's the problem with the NDP: they already spent that money 18 times, Madam Speaker.

The fact of the matter is they're very happy to make promises, and the member's very happy to pretend that he's–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Pallister: –Santa Claus , and the –everybody in rural Manitoba knows that–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Pallister: –Madam Speaker. The embarrassment of the member should be that there's nothing new with you- know-who, that he's simply repeating the failed strategies of the past, trying to buy farmers with promises of program spending. And they've just gone through a couple of the best years in their history. It's just the wrong approach to take.

He doesn't know Manitoba farm families; he hasn't got a clue about what motivates them. What motivates them is, yes, to make a profit, and yes, to make sure they have a sustainable economic platform in which they can see their children employed closer to home. And that's what they get with this government, and they never got it with the NDP.

Inclusive Education Curriculum Request for Government Support MLA Uzoma Asagwara (Union Station): Madam Speaker, last week o ur Education Minister used a quote from the Manitoba Association of Parent Councils to push this government's regressive approach to curriculum on, and I quote, sensitive content. End quote. What this government calls sensitive content means raising awar eness about Indigenous history, about the effects of colonization, overdose awareness, anti-racism education, or lessons on human sexuality, gender identity and consent. * (14:10)

March 22, 2021 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1815 Madam Speaker, MAPC has apologized for their outdated statement. They've taken it off their website and have said they support a progressive curriculum. I'll table it for the minister today. Will the minister get up and apologize for his attempts to undermine inclusive and progressive education in Manitoba? Hon. Cliff Cullen (Minister of Education): Well, Madam Speaker, I'm not sure where the member opposite is getting the information from. Clearly, what–we've had a policy in place on this particular topic for years.

In fact, it was the same policy under the NDP. Madam Speaker, all we're doing is we're putting that policy into legislation. [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. The honourable member for Union Station, on a supplementary question. MLA Asagwara: Madam Speaker, the minister's approach did absolutely nothing but sow anxiety amongst teachers, who are rightly concerned that Bill 64 is a regressive approach to inhibit their ability to teach inclusive lessons.

Instead of using this opportunity to actually work towards a more progressive curriculum, this act reinforces the Province's past approach to sensitive content in schools. Manitobans know how important these subjects are to personal and professional success later on in life, and we know a more progressive approach is necessary. Will the minister stand up and commit to supporting a progressive curriculum for all Manitoba students today? Mr. Cullen: Well, Madam Speaker, you know, the policy hasn't changed. The policy is now imple - mented through Bill 64.

I will say we had close to 40,000 submissions through the K-to-12 review. We are not done consulting with Manitobans. We will continue to consult with Manitobans when it comes to sensitive content. We have laid that out very clearly. There's a lot of work to do on this front and so many other fronts when it comes to education. We will continue to engage in–Manitobans. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Union Station, on a final supplementary. MLA Asagwara: Madam Speaker, we recognize that one ideal place for these conversations is in the home.

However, the reality is that, for many reasons, there are some cases where it's simply not happening. The parent maybe doesn't feel comfortable or knowledg- eable on certain topics. This doesn't make these topics less essential to learn about. In fact, it speaks to the historical gaps in our education system and the need for a more progressive and inclusive curriculum. These subjects are important lessons for all Manitoban students to learn, and they'll not only gain important knowledge but also valuable lessons in empathy, in acceptance and in tolerance.

Will the minister stand in his place today and commit to a more progressive and inclusive cur - riculum, yes or no? Mr. Cullen: Well, Madam Speaker, we've clearly said that we are going to address curriculum and we're going to engage Manitobans in terms of new cur - riculum development. Madam Speaker, this bill puts in legislation what was previously policy. What it does, it reinforces what happens in practice and supports parental choice relating to their childre n's education. It requires notifying parents when physical health education curriculum is being delivered.

And, it also requires the education authority to have a respect for human diversity policy, to promote a safe and inclusive 'vironment.' Madam Speaker, more work to do. Climate Change Government Position Ms. Lisa Naylor (Wolseley): Climate change is real, and we must act to avoid disaster. Unfortunately, Conservatives do not agree. This weekend, the federal party voted down a resolution to recognize that climate change is real and that action must be taken. This is a party – [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Ms. Naylor: –not fit to govern, Madam Speaker. Climate change is an existential crisis.

It must be acknowledged, real targets must be set and real action must be taken. And leaders must speak out when this reality is questioned.

1816 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 22, 2021 Will the minister condemn any group or party that does not acknowledge the reality of human- caused climate change? [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Hon. Sarah Guillemard (Minister of Conservation and Climate): I appreciate the question from the member opposite. Climate change is real. Our government has initiated multiple projects that address climate change–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mrs. Guillemard: We are not all about words; we are about actions.

And I would welcome the member to put her party's record on climate change against our govern- ment's record any day. [interjection] Madam Speaker: Whoops. The honourable member for Wolseley , on a supplementary question. Ms. Naylor: Madam Speaker, the minister's actions are no different than the beliefs of her federal Conservative cousins. Asked by the press why her government wasn't setting meaningful targets nor taking aggressive action, here is the word salad delivered by the Minister of Conservation: So, those actual emissions that are collected are not necessarily the concern.

The concern is we're following a trajectory that's going to get us to really dangerous levels. Are they going to be climbing at a rate that's just absolutely going to be detrimental or faster to us? This is nonsensical, and it's irresponsible as anything coming from the federal party. Why is the minister standing in the way of real progress in addressing climate change? Mrs. Guillemard: And the member will know that those comments were made specific to our carbon savings account, something she's probably not familiar with because her government never had one.

In fact, I will point out that the OAG report on the previous NDP government's climate action high- lighted that the Province conducted no economic or scientific analysis in setting the 2008 or the 2015 targets. Madam Speaker, they're all words. We're about action. Thank you. Madam Speaker: The honour able member for Wolseley, on a final supplementary. Ms. Naylor: This government delivered ancient PPE, and now this government's looking back on ancient climate policies instead of taking any responsibility for the last five years.

This minister tells lo cal reporters that she has found the balance on climate change, that she has balanced the positions on both sides of this issue. So, to get that straight, Madam Speaker, on one side we have science, and we have people that know that climate change is an 'exidential'–existential threat that requires immediate action. On the other side, we have climate deniers–those who will not acknowledge that climate change is real. There is no balancing these– Madam Speaker: The member's time has expired. Mrs. Guillemard: I'm really happy to hear that the member opposite has discovered science.

Maybe she can help educate her fellow members. If my focus was solely on scoring political points–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mrs. Guillemard: –then our record would be a slam dunk, but the focus should be, rightly, on slowing climate change for the sake of our planet. I am positive that the member opposite can agree with me on that point. Post-Secondary Education Funding Concerns Mr. Jamie Moses (St.

Vital): The Pallister government continues to cut post -secondary insti - tutions, and they are using the pandemic as –to sneak in requirements for their funding. * (14:20) The so -called transitionary support is actually made up of funding cut from base budgets from our institutions then partially returned, but with strings attached. It's clear that, from the beginning, this funding is a –the funding model change from this government, but even in places like Alberta, they are backing off, announcing that they would pare back implementation due to difficulties from institutions.

March 22, 2021 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1817 Now, I asked the minister, Madam Speaker: How much funding does he intend to be contingent on artificial topics? Will it be 10 per cent, 20 per cent or will it be whatever– Madam Speaker: The member's time has expired. Hon. Wayne Ewasko (Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Immigration): I thank the member opposite for the question. It is–it's interesting that the member stands today to talk about funding. Madam Speaker, $1 billio n in post-secondary education, this year alone, to all our post-secondary institution partners.

Where they're – where they got it wrong, we're getting it right. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for St. Vital, on a supplementary question. Mr. Moses: Core operating funding will once again be cut for post -secondary institutions this coming year. At Brandon University, their budget –teaching positions for next year is more than $1 million less than what they were projecting this year, and I'll table the documents to show that. These are hard choices by our post -secondary institutions, leaving positions vacant and defunding areas that deserve support.

And this government is implementing a variable tuition-based model in each area of study, will–that will only make our institutions and post-secondaries worse. Why is this government causing so much damage to our post-secondary institutions? Mr. Ewasko: We are here to clean up the damage from the previous NDP government, Madam Speaker. We know that the previ ous year was unpreced - ented.

We're working closely with our post-secondary partners and working on moving forward with many great initiatives to ensure that student success in this province is well balanced, keeping tuitions low, with also our programs–increasing the quality of programs here in this province. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for St. Vital, on a final supplementary. Mr. Moses: After cutting hundreds of nursing positions across the province–50 nursing seats at Red River College last yea r–the Premier (Mr.

Pallister) went on to say he wanted institutions to be more open and open more nursing spaces, which–we need more nurses. Now, this is a contradictory approach. Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Mr. Moses: This is a contradictory appr oach. At Brandon University– Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Moses: –amongst the positions cut for funding this year are nursing positions cut and psychiatric nursing positions cut, and I'll table the 'dudget'–budget documents to show that. Once again, this government says one thing and does the other, Madam Speaker.

Why is this government undermining our post - secondary institutions? Mr. Ewasko: I bring the member's attention to the fact that that's a microphone in front of him, not a megaphone, Madam Speaker. We can all hear him in here. Madam Speaker, we're working closely with students, student groups, faculty, post -secondary leaders to make Manitoba's post-secondary education here in this province one of the best in the world. I just wish the member would go and do some homework and just stop fear -mongering Manitoba students, in addition to their parents. Thank you. Justice System Systemic Inequality Ms.

Nahanni Fontaine (St. Johns): Peter Nygard has been given accommodations that no other Manitoban in a provincial correctional facility has been given. He has a phone in his cell that he has access to for 16 hours a day, a TV, a chair, two mattresses and a special diet, Madam Speaker. Now, while Mr. Nygard has unf ettered access to his own phone for 16 hours a day, the rest of Manitobans currently housed in correctional facilities have to spend $3 each time they make a phone call for 15 minutes. This Pallister government continues to enforce barriers for Manitobans living in correctional facilities.

Will the minister tell us today why Mr. Nygard is getting special treatment? Hon. Cameron Friesen (Minister of Justice and Attorney General): I thank the member for the question. Mr. Nygard is getting no special tr eatment from Manitoba Corrections.

1818 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 22, 2021 Madam Speaker: The honourable member for St. Johns, on a supplementary question. Ms. Fontaine: It's clear that this government priori - tizes rich, powerful, white men over addressing systemic barriers and inequities in o ur correctional facilities, Madam Speaker. Most Manitobans living in correctional facilities have little to no income. John Hutton from the John Howard Society, and I –he says, and I quote: Those who are lucky enough to have a job inside the correctional facility as a trustee would be paid six hours–$6 a day, or two phone calls. End quote.

We know how important the ability to connect with family, friends and communities are to create community supports for someone who is transitioning out of the correctional facility. Will the minister commit today to reducing barriers and allow for free access to phones for all Manitobans living within correctional facilities? Mr. Friesen: Madam Speaker, words matter and the member should understand that it's an atroc ious allegation that she just made. I would ask her to review Hansard when it comes out tomorrow. I would accept her apology when it comes. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for St.

Johns, on a final supplementary. Ms. Fontaine: Indigenous, Black and people -of- colour Manitobans have vastly different experience in correctional facilities than the one that's being currently experienced by Peter Nygard. William Ahmo, an Indigenous man, recently died after an incident with correctional officers at Headingley, and before that incident, he had told his family that people living in Manitoba correctional facilities are treated as less than human.

So while Nygard gets a phone, a TV, mattresses, cells–a cell that's large enough to house three people, Manitobans that are currently housed there that are not white and rich are being discriminated against, Madam Speaker. Will the minister commit to addressing systemic inequities in Manitoba's justice system in a meaning- ful way today? [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Friesen: Madam Speaker, the member's premise is preposterous. It is regrettable. I would think that the Leader of the Opposition would want to speak to her about the quality of that question.

Madam Speaker, she is reflecting on all Justice officials, all Corrections officials. She's calling all of those people who work hard on behalf of Manitobans racists. It's not true. Establishment of Parent Advisory Councils Participation of Marginalized Communities Mr. Dougald Lamont (St. Boniface) : I hope all members will take the opportunity to read John Wiens' assessment of the Pallister government's wrecking ball–taking a wrecking ball to the public education system.

This government's claim that it will somehow empower parents, when Bill 64 ma kes it absolutely clear that parent councils will be powerless, is a terrible manipulation, but there's a deeper problem. When I was involved with the parent council at my children's elementary school, we met others in the Winnipeg School Division. One school might be fundraising for a school trip to somewhere else in Canada, but another in inner -city Winnipeg was fundraising to buy a washer or dryer just so students could have clean clothes.

Now, the Premier wants to dismiss poverty but ignores that both parents working full time may not be able to make ends meet. How are parents who are refugees or who can't speak English or who are working 60 hours a week– how are they supposed to be part of a parent council and engage and defend their children's– Madam Speaker: The member's time has expired. Hon. Brian Pallister (Premier): A great many Manitoba parents who are heroic in their behaviour make the decision to back their kids in their pursuit of a better life through education.

A great number of Mani toba parents, including parents who raised people in this Chamber and have for generations, made sacrifices to make sure they were involved in their children's education, read to their children, made the sacrifice of learning them - selves, of going back, in many cases, to additional training, becoming lifelong learners; they led by example. Manitoba parents do that now all across this province. * (14:30) The member belittles Manitoba's parents, but at least, Madam Speaker, as opposed to the NDP –who

March 22, 2021 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1819 spend a ll their time talking about trustees and the rights of superintendents–at least the member's got it right because he's now talking about parents. Good for him. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for St. Boniface, on a supplementary question. Mr. Lamont: Now, the government again wants to brush off children in poverty and say that it's not an excuse, but let's set aside for a moment that for 30 years the NDP and PCs have trapped tens of thousands of people in poverty by freezing EI rates at 1986 levels. We all know–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order.

Mr. Lamont: –that there are 10,000 children in the care of CFS. [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Lamont: They go to school too. You would be poor, too, if the Manitoba government took your family's land, took you from your family and then took $90,000 in Children's Special Allowances that was yours. [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Lamont: Who is going to advocate for these children: the foster parents, the government? Did anyone in this government consider this so- called reform will once again harm the most vulner - able children in Manitoba? Mr.

Pallister: Well, I appreciate the member raising the issue of addressing Indigenous property rights. That's why we have tens of thousands of acres of treaty land entitlement in the hands of First Nations now, where there was nothing done under the previous administration. But it's interesting, Madam Speaker. He claims that the reforms we're proposing to empower parents and give them a gre ater opportunity for involvement somehow lack the opportunity for the influence, when in–the reality of the situation is those opportunities weren't there in the past, not to the degree they will be now.

So he can't have it both ways. He says, on the one hand, that the parents aren't capable of using these opportunities for additional input, for gathering information; on the other hand, he says it's toothless reform. Madam Speaker, it's neither of those things. It's an opportunity to give parents more of a say, more input, more knowledge themselves about how their children are being educated, and to be heard in a way that the previous administration refused to listen and that the member apparently is unwilling to address and support. And that's unfortunate, Madam Speaker, because these are positive changes.

Setting of Student Union Fees Government Interference Concerns Ms. Cindy Lamoureux (Tyndall Park): As was brought to the minister's attention last week, in most cases, student union fees are approved by a board of governors. For example, as part of the UMSU act, U of M student fees must be approved by their board of governors. It's not enough for the minister to claim that the existing definition of a board within the legislation is going to protect democratically set student fees.

Madam Speaker, what assurances, besides tweets and emails, can student unions and associations expect to receive from the minister to protect them from any government interference and to protect democratically set student fees? Hon. Wayne Ewasko (Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Immigration): I'd like to thank the member for the question. I'd like to read, for the member, from the Manitoba alliance post -secondary students: We presented to the minister with an amendment to Bill 33, which he agrees would be beneficial to bring forward some clarity.

His team is working on clarified wording and will provide an update. We thank the minister for his collaboration and commitment to protect the autonomy of student unions. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Manitoba's Protein Industry Government Investment Mr. Rick Wowchuk (Swan River): As you know, last week, we acknowledged Ag Awareness Day, a day to celebrate one of Manitoba's leading industries and a key economic driver. One of today's strengths in the agriculture industry is protein. Would the Minister of Agriculture and Resource Development provide an update on the advancements

1820 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 22, 2021 the Manitoba government has made, and continues to make, in positioning itself as a global leader in sustainable animal and plant protein? Hon. Blaine Pedersen (Minister of Agriculture and Resource Development): I thank the member for that important question. Just one of Manitoba's many strengths is our protein industry, and we are on track to be a global leader in the protein industry. Manitoba held its second annual Protein Summit in late February with–attracting over 650 participants from over 30 countries.

There's been over $680 million in protein investments in Manitoba, which has created 600 new jobs since 2019. However, to be a global leader in sustainable animal and plant protein, we know it cannot be done alone. Thanks to the Manitoba Protein Consortium and our innovative stakeholders, Manitoba is pos - itioned to become the Silicon Valley of plant and animal protein. Immigrant Integration Program Future Funding Plans Ms.

Malaya Marcelino (Notre Dame): Madam Speaker, last week I asked the minister for an update on the yearly funding for the Manitoba Immigrant Integration Program, and he completely evaded my question. This important program provides valuable supports and works to ensure that newcomers don't fall through the cracks of our immigration system. However, 17 service provider agencies still have not received any confirmation on their status in the new fiscal year. I am giving the minister another opportunity to tell us today: Will he commit to maintaining funding for the Manitoba Immigrant Integration Program, yes or no?

Hon. Wayne Ewasko (Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Immigration): I thank the member for their question. As the member knows that, settlement services is in the department of the Canadian federal govern- ment, and we want the member of the –the sitting member to tune in shortly after April 7th or on April 7th, budget day, for some good news coming to Manitobans, Madam Speaker. An Honourable Member: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I suggest that the minister– Madam Speaker: Order. Order. The honourable member for Notre Dame, on a supplementary question. Ms.

Marcelino: I suggest that the member –that the minister also considers tuning into the needs of these newcomer families. The Pallister government instituted a regressive head tax on newcomers in this province. It's really shameful. In justifying this, the Pallister government said that they would put the funds towards the Manitoba Immigrant Integration Program to support the most vulnerable newcomers. The minister's annual report says that the program is funded for three years, yet here we are 11 days from the end of the fiscal year, and there is still no word whether this funding will continue.

The head tax continues but supports for immigration are uncertain. Why is the minister charging this unfair head tax while cutting immigrant programming? Mr. Ewasko: Well, Madam Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to stand up and speak to the shameful record of the previous NDP government in regards to immi- gration. Under the previous NDP government, the wait-list for getting approval was well over two years. I know that when we formed government, we were under three years –we were under one year. Madam Speaker, I'm proud to report today, we're at 60 days. Madam Speaker: The time for oral questions has expired.

PETITIONS Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Thompson (Ms. Adams). Does the honourable member for Thompson have a petition? The honourable member for Union Station (MLA Asagwara)? The honourable member for River Heights. Cochlear Implant Program Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights ): Yes, Madam Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. The background to this petition is as follows: People who suffer hearing loss due to aging, illness, employment or accident not only lose the ability to commu nicate effectively with friends,

March 22, 2021 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1821 relatives or colleagues; they also can experience un - employment, social isolation and struggles with mental health. A cochlear implant is a life -changing electronic device that allows deaf people to receive and process sounds and speech, and also can partially restore hearing in people who have severe hearing loss and who do not benefit from conventional hearing aids.

A processor behind the ear captures and processes sound signals which are transmitted to a receiver implanted into the skull that relays the information on to the inner ear, the cochlea. * (14:40) The tech nology has been available since 1989 through the Central Speech and Hearing Clinic founded in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The Surgical Hearing Implant program be gan implanting patients in the fall of 2011 and marked the completion of 250 cochlear implant surgeries in Manitoba in the summer of 2018.

The program has implanted about 60 devices during the summer of 2018, as it's only able to implement about 40 to 45 devices per year. There are no upfront costs to Manitoba residents who proceed with cochlear implant surgery, as Manitoba Health covers the surgical procedure, internal implant and the first external sound processor. Newfoundland and Manitoba have the highest estimated implantation costs of all provinces. Alberta has one of the best programs with Alberta aids for daily living and their cost share means the patient pays only approximately $500 out of pocket.

Assistive Devices Program in Ontario covers 75 per cent of the cost, up to a maximum amount of $5,444, for a cochlear implant replacement speech processor. The BC Adult Cochlear Implant Program offers subsidized replacements to aging sound processors through the Sound Processor Replacement program. This provincially funded program is available to those cochlear implant recipients whose sound processors have reached six to seven years old. The cochlear implant is a lifelong commitment. However, as the technology changes over time, parts and software beco me no longer functional or available.

The cost of upgrading a cochlear implant in Manitoba of approximately $11,000 is much more expensive than in other provinces, as adult patients are responsible for the upgrade costs of their sound pro- cessor. In Manitoba, pediatric patients, under 18 years of age, are eligible for funding assistance through the Cochlear Implant Speech Processor Replacement Program, which provides up to 80 per cent of the replacement costs associated with a device upgrade.

It is unreasonable that this technology is inaccess- ible to many citizens of Manitoba who must choose between hearing and deafness due to financial constraints because the costs of maintaining the equipment are prohibitive for low -income earners or those on a fixed i ncome, such as old age pension or Employment and Income Assistance.

We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to provide financing for upgrades to the cochlear implant covered under medicare, or prov ide funding assistance through the Cochlear Implant Speech Processor Replacement Program to assist with the replacement costs associated with a device upgrade. Signed by Wendy Leggett, Margaret Robson, Lorraine Bedard -Janssens and many other Manitobans. Thank you. Merci. Miigwech. Ms. Cindy Lamoureux (Tyndall Park): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly.

The background to this petition is as follows: People who suffer hearing loss due to aging, illness, employment or accident not only lose the ability to communicate effectively with friends, relatives or colleagues; they also can experience unemployment, social isolation and struggles with mental health. A cochlear implant is a life -changing electronic device that allows deaf people to receive and process sounds and speech, and also can partially restore hearing in people who have severe hearing loss and who do not benefit from conventional hearing aids.

A processor behind the ear captures and processes sound signals which are transmitted to a receiver implanted into the skull that relays the information to the inner ear. The technology has been available since 1989 through the Central Speech and Hearing Clinic founded in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The Surgical Hearing Implant program began implanting patients in the fall of 2011 and marked the completion of 250 cochlear implant surgeries in Manitoba in the summer of 2018. The program has implanted about

1822 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 22, 2021 60 devices since the summer of 2018, as it is only able to implant about 40 to 45 devices per year. There are no upfront costs to Manitoba residents who proceed with cochlear implant surgery, as Manitoba Health covers the surgical procedure, internal implant and the first external sound processor. Newfoundland and Manitoba have the highest estimated implantation costs of all provinces. Alberta has one of the best programs with Alberta aids for daily living, and their cost share means the patient pays only approximately $500 out of pocket.

Assistive Devices Program in Ontari o covers 75 per cent of the cost, up to a maximum amount of $5,444, for a cochlear implant replacement speech processor. The BC Adult Cochlear Implant Program offers subsidies, replacements to aging sound processors through the Sound Processor Replacement program. This provincially funded program is available to those cochlear implant recipients whose sound processors have reached six to seven years old. The cochlear implant is a lifelong commitment. However, as the technology changes over time, parts and software become no longer functional or available.

The cost of upgrading the cochlear implant in Manitoba of approximately $11,000 is much more expensive than other provinces, as adult patients are responsible for the upgrade costs of their sound processor. In Manitoba, pediatric patients are eligible for funding assistance through the Cochlear Implant Speech Processor Replacement Program, which provides up to 80 per cent of the replacement costs associated with a device upgrade.

It is unreasonable that this technology is inaccessible to many citizens of Manitoba who must choose between hearing and deafness due to financial constraints because the costs of maintaining the equipment are prohibitive for low -income earners or those on a fixed income, such a s old age pension or Employment and Income Assistance.

We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to provide financing for upgrades to the cochlear implant covered under medicare, or provide funding assistance through the Cochlear Implant Speech Processor Replacement Program to assist with the replacement costs associated with a device upgrade. This petition has been signed by many Manitobans. Diagnostic Testing Accessibility Mr. Jim Maloway (Elmwood): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. The background of this petition is as follows:

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

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

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

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

(5) COVID-19 emergency rules have resulted in long outdoor lineups, putting vulnerable residents at further risk in extreme weather, be it hot or cold. Moreover, these long lineups ha ve resulted in longer wait times for services and poorer service in general.

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

Madam Speaker: The honourable member for St. Vital (Mr. Moses)? The honourable member for St. Vital? The honourable member for St. James.

March 22, 2021 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1823 Public Child-Care Grants Mr. Adrien Sala (St. James): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. The background to this petition is as follows: The pandemic has further emp hasized the need for quality, affordable and accessible child care and has demonstrated that the government has failed to ensure child care is accessible to all Manitoban families. * (14:50)

(2) Over 90 per cent of Manitoba children receive child care through non-profit, licensed centres, and yet funding has been frozen since 2016. These cuts have resulted in many early childhood educators leaving the sector. While child -care centres have faced increased costs associated with lost parent fees due to COVID-19 closures and spent thousands on PPE, when open, to keep kids safe, the provincial govern - ment has provided no additional financial support.

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

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

(6) The provincial government passed bill 34, the budget implementation and tax statues amendment act, which removed the cap on child- care fees for private sector businesses. We petition the Legislative Ass embly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to reverse changes to the nursery school grants and to end the freeze on child -care operating grants while com - mitting to keeping public child care public, affordable and accessible for all Manitoban families. This petition has been signed by many Manitobans. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for The Maples (Mr. Sandhu)?

The honourable member for Fort Garry (Mr. Wasyliw)? Honourable member for Fort Garry, on a petition? The honoura ble member for Concordia (Mr. Wiebe)? Madam Speaker: Grievances. Are there any grievances? If not, orders of the day. ORDERS OF THE DAY GOVERNMENT BUSINESS Hon. Kelvin Goertzen (Government House Leader): I am going to seek leave for a small change to the Sessional Order. So I am seeking leave to amend the Sessional Order passed by this House on March 15th, 2021, by deleting item 5 and replacing it with the following: 5. On March 22nd, 2021, the House will consider Interim Supply.

Once concurrence and third reading of the interim appropriation act passes, the Government House Leader may call second readings of bills which may be considered specified. At 4:55 p.m., the Speaker will interrupt debate on bills to allow for royal assent of interim appropriation act –of the interim appropriation act, with the House to not see the clock until royal assent is granted. Madam Speaker: Is there leave to amend the Sessional Order passed by this House on March 15th, 2021, by deleting item No. 5 and replacing it with the following: 5. On March 22nd, 2021, the House will consider Interim Supply.

Once concurrence and third reading of the interim appropriation act passes, the Government House Leader may call second readings of bills which may be considered specified. At 4:55 p.m., the Speaker will interrupt debate on bills to allow for royal assent of the interim appropriation act, with the House to not see the clock until royal assent is granted. [Agreed] Mr. Goertzen: Pursuant to that, could you please call Interim Supply, and, following that, if there's time, bills 63 and 51 for debate?

Madam Speaker: Is has been announced that the House will now consider Interim Supply this afternoon, and if there's time after that, to address bills 63 and 51.

1824 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 22, 2021 I will therefore now call Interim Supply. Messages Hon. Scott Fielding (Minister of Finance): I have a message from Her Honour the Lieutenant Governor, which I would like to table. Madam Speaker: Please stand for the reading of the message. To the Speaker of the Legislat ive Assembly, I have been informed of a proposed bill, The Interim Appropriation Act, 2021, which will provide interim authority to make expenditures from the Consolidated Fund effective April 1st, 2021, pending approval of the appropriation act, 2021.

The bill also provides for payments to develop or acquire inventory and against certain liabilities accrued and unpaid as of March 31st, 2021. The bill will also provide a portion of commitment authority for future years. I recommend the proposed bill to the Legislative Assembly. Please be seated. The House will now resolve into Committee of Supply to consider the resolutions respecting the Interim Supply bill. Mr. Deputy Speaker, please take the chair. COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY Interim Supply Mr. Chairpe rson (Doyle Piwniuk): Will the Committee of Supply please come to order.

We have before us the–for us–our consideration for resolution respecting the Interim Supply bill. The first resolution, pertaining to part A, Operating Expenditures, for the Interim Supply, reads as follows: RESOLVED that there be granted to Her Majesty, for the fiscal year ending March 31st, 2022, as a sum not exceeding $11,772,882,000, being 75 per cent of the total amount set out in the 2020 Estimates, including Supplementary Estimates, for the purposes set out for part A, Operating Expenditures, for those Estimates. Does the minister have opening comments? No.

Does the official opposition Finance critic have any opening comments? No. The floor is open for questions. Is ther e any questions? Okay, the honourable member for Fort Garry. Mr. Mark Wasyliw (Fort Garry): I'm wondering if the minister can tell us: So, last spring, he appropriated $1 billion, and then he came back two more times, $577 million and another more rec ent $450 million, so a little over $2 billion. I'm wondering if the minister can tell us how much of that $2 billion has gone unspent? Hon.

Scott Fielding (Minister of Finance): The reason why there was three budgetary bills: the first one, of course, was the expenditures on COVID relief. The second bill was related to monies that were flowing out, so through the safe start agreement we got monies–as an example, $106 million that had to flow out through 'numicipalities,' so we needed a second budgetary bill. The third appropriation was to enhance some of the support programs that were in place. And so all that money –and potentially more – would be spent by year end. Mr.

Wasyliw: So just to clarify with the minister, all $2 billion are going to be spent by March 31st? Or will there be a significant amount unspent by March 31st of this year, and how much will be unspent by March 31st, 2021? Mr. Fielding: Yes. We're on track to have somewhere around a $2- billion deficit. We'll be bringing the Q3 report out later that gives your estimates in terms of where we'll land the year, for the most part, but obviously we wouldn't ask for additional appro- priation bill–which we all voted in this House last week–if we didn't anticipate spending that money. * (15:00) Mr.

Wasyliw: I'm wondering if the minister can tell us how much of the close to $900 million in the rainy day fund has gone unspent, and will all of it be spent before March 31st, 2021? Mr. Fielding: Well, we won't make the same mistakes that the NDP made of draining the rainy day fund. Thank goodness we had the foresight to have additional monies as of March. There was a time where we couldn't access the capital markets like every other provincial govern - ment. That has changed. We use a combination of using things like the rainy day fund, debt financing, as well as revenues we bring in from the government.

March 22, 2021 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1825 We have committed to tap into the rainy day fund before the end of the fiscal year. Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): To the minister, as of Septemb er 30th, the federal government had contributed an extra $648 million to the Province, above what had been committed earlier. Can the minister tell us whether there have been additional funds come in from the federal government since September 30th? Mr. Fielding: Yes, it was an important agreement that was established through the premiers, as well as through the federal government.

All governments establish some additional money through the Safe Restart agreements, and so Premier –our Premier (Mr. Pallister) negotiated that with the Prime Minister. Those are the monies that are involved in that–of all–I'll refer them to our Q2 mid -year report that identifies that, within the monies that have been appropriated or received from the federal government in respect to that. I can tell the member that that money, and more, will be spent. We've allocated probably about $3.2 billion over the next few years to address COVID types of relief.

So the money that the federal govern- ment got agreement with the Province we spent and much, much more. The money from the federal government repre - sents about 20 per cent of the money that we'd spent. The Treasury of the provincial government will take on 80 per cent of the additional supports related to COVID in terms of health, education and supports for business and individuals. Mr. Wasyliw: I'm wondering if the minister can tell us how many Manitoba businesses have closed or ceased operations in the past year? Mr.

Fielding: I can tell you that our government has taken the lead in providing supports for small businesses. In fact, there has been 32,000 individual payments that have given out –that have been allocated with different businesses. There's about 125,000 businesses, so I'll let the member do the math. Roughly 28 per cent of businesses in the province of Manitoba got some sort of support from the provincial government. That includes also the Bridge protection program. The Leader of the Opposition was completely wrong when he identified the fact that there's monies that is left over; there isn't.

We've allocated initially $200 million, that's gone to $215 million, as –just as an example. Over 15,000 businesses got supports. Mr. Gerrard: I note that the Minister of Finance (Mr. Fielding) and the provincial government received considerably over $2 billion from the federal government in equalization transfers. How much of that money was spent on the provision of health care? Mr. Fielding: Well, we're tracking, as mentioned. In terms of what the mid -tier report talks a bout, there's also monies that was appropriated. I believe it was $633 million.

There is a section–I'm just looking at the mid-year report right here and believe it is on page 414. So it identifies all our expenditures, in terms of things like a different–additional appropriations for the Department of Health. So we're more than on track. In fact, we're spending over $638 million more on things like PPE, vaccine readiness, you name it; that's been a part of the pandemic response so far. Mr.

Wasyliw: I'm wondering if the minister can tell us, there's a number of federal programs that require matching funds from the Province, and the Province has not matched those funds and has undersubscribed those programs. I'm wondering if the minister can give us a dollar value of how much federal money is not coming to Manitoba because this government hasn't chosen to provide the matching funding? Mr. Fielding: Well, member's completely wrong. As indicated, the Province has allocated over $3.2 billion to pandemic supports.

That includes about $1.8 billion this year as well as other things like capital infrastructure improvements that helps the economy. As mentioned, the federal supports have been important agreements that have been established with the federal government. I'll refer you again to the mid- year report, that it kind of identifies what money has been associated, as a per–as per the mid-year report, and it looks like it's $648 million. It is set out right here. I can tell you, again, we're investing with the federal dollars that's there, that's 20 per cent to the money that's being spent.

And so we anticipate spending all that money and more. Mr. Gerrard: Just further exploring the, you know, counterpart of federal and provincial dollars, there's been, for example, a recent announcement of a inter -

section improvement at Highway 1 and Highway 16.

1826 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 22, 2021 Can the minister tell us whether there's any federal money involved in that project? Mr. Fielding: That comes from the provincial Treasury. That was part of the $500- million com- mitment to infrastructure investments. So that's made up of things like waste -water projects as well as federal–or, rather, I'm sorry, provincial restart monies to help pave roads and get the economy booming again. So that isn't related to the federal dollars, that's provincial Treasury dollar money.

At the end of the day, we do get money from the federal government that goes into Treasury, and some things have earmarks or some things have strings attached, I guess I would call it. That is not one of them. Mr. Wasyliw: I have no further questions in this section. Mr. Chairperson: Does the honourable member for River Heights have any more questions? The honourable member for Fort–River Heights, can you put on your mic? Mr. Gerrard: I'm sorry. I have no further questions in this section. Mr.

Chairperson: Okay, if there's no further questions, shall the resolution pass? [Agreed] The s econd resolution pertaining to part B, Capital Investments, for Interim Supply reads as follows: RESOLVED th at there be granted to Her Majesty, for the fiscal year ending March 31st, 2022, a sum not exceeding $649,989,000 being 90 per cent of the total amount set out in the 2020 Estimates, including Supplementary Estimates, for the purposes set out in part B, Ca pital Investments, of those Estimates. Does the Minister of Finance (Mr. Fielding) have an opening comment?

Does the official opposition Finance critic have any opening comments? Does the honourable–okay, does–the floor is open for questions. Any questions? If there's no questions, is the committee ready for the question? Shall the resolution pass? [Agreed] So we'll go on to the third resolution pertaining to

part C, Loans and Guarantees, for Interim Supply reads as follows: 'reser'–'resor'– RESOLVED–sorry–that there be granted to Her Majesty, for a fiscal year ending March 31st, 2022, a sum not exceeding $332,532,000 being 90 per cent of total amount set out in the 2020 Estimates, including Supplementary Estimates, for the purpose set out in

part C, Loans and Guarantees, for those Estimates–of those Estimates. Does the Minister of Finance have any opening comments? Does the official opposition Finance critic have any opening comments? The floor is open for questions. Any questions? Is the committe e ready for the question? [interjection] Oh, sorry, there's a question from the member from River Heights. Mr. Gerrard: I wonder if the minister could give us a further breakdown of exactly what those several hundred million dollars of expenses will be related to this request for Supply? Mr.

Fielding: So this is an estimate of what expenditures will have up to the 90 per cent of what we had spent last year. So we'll be identifying in the budget, obviously, where the expenditures will be going. This just provides additional appropriation or money through Interim Supply to address any needs of the government if we don't pass this, whether it be in operating or capital. Obviously, civil servants wouldn't get paid on the part A. Part B is in terms of some of the capital projects that we've got commitments, maybe it's a two- or three-year types of initiatives in terms of road construction projects.

Part C is kind of more related to loans. That's kind of related to the MASC loans or student loans that go forth. And part D is kind of related to things such as other reporting entities, which, you know, is things like Manitoba Hydro, where you need–you borrow money, as well as other universities and what have you, for projects like Keeyask and other things. So that's kind of the breakdown of the financials. It goes to about 90 per cent, very consistent with other years, for kind of the capital-related component.

The operating component provides funding up to 75 per cent of the appropriated dollars from last year that will pay the operating so, again, we can pay civil servants. * (15:10) So hopefully that identifies that from the member. Mr. Chairperson: Any further questions?

March 22, 2021 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1827 Mr. Gerrard: Yes, one further question. Just an estimate of how long we can go befor e there would need to be a budget passed or further Supply: Will this take us 'til the end of May or the end of June, or what particular date? Mr. Fielding: Great question. This takes us to the end of December, so it's consistent with the interim appro- priation act that we passed last year.

So, again, it provides funding for, you know, A through D in operating, kind of the capital com - ponent, the loans and stuff –and again, that's for student aid and MASC -type of funding loan–farm lending–and part D is o perating–or, rather, capital dollars for other reporting entities like Hydro. So that will go all the way to December. Mr. Chairperson: Is there any further questions? Mr. Gerrard: Just to clarify, then, we should not have to have another Supply, provi ded the budget is passed by the end of –well, early December when we would wind up in the fall session. Mr.

Fielding: Well, what this–this is just a reminder for the member. So this is interim appropriation. So obviously once the budget comes out it identi fies where the spending dollars are. This just allows the government to operate from now until December, again, operating dollars, the capital dollars that are there. The budget will come out on the 7th. This will–interim appropriation is the funding source for the government interim –until the appropriation act gets passed later on in the year. Mr. Chairperson: Okay, if there no further questions, is the committee ready for the question?

Shall the resolution pass? [Agreed] So now we'll go to the fourth resolution pertaining to part D, Capital Investments By Other Reporting Entities for Interim Supply reads as follows: RESOLVED that there be granted to Her Majesty, for the fiscal year ending March 31st, 2022, a sum not exceeding $2,005,097,000 being 90 per cent of total amount set out in 2020 Estimates, including Supplementary Estimates, for the purpose set out in part D, Capital Investments by the Other Reporting Entities, of those Estimates. Does the minister have any opening comments? No.

Does the official opposition Finance critic have any opening comments? The floor is open for questions. Any questions? No questions? Shall the resolution pass? [Agreed] That concludes business before the committee. Committee rise. Call in the Speaker. IN SESSION Committee Report Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Arthur-Virden. Mr. Doyle Piwniuk (Chairperson): Madam Speaker, the Committee of Supply has considered and adopted four resolutions respecting Interim Supply. I move, seconded by the membe r for Dawson Trail (Mr. Lagassé), that the report of the committee be received. Motion agreed to.

Interim Supply Motion Hon. Scott Fielding (Minister of Finance): I move, seconded by the Minister of Justice (Mr. Friesen), that there be granted to Her Majesty on account of Certain Expenditures of the Public Service for the fiscal year ending March 31st, 2022, out of the Consolidated Fund, for the purposes set out in the 2020 Estimates, including Supplementary Estimates, sums not excluding 11 billion–[interjection] – exceeding?

Sorry–just–I'll repeat that again, Madam Speaker–sums not exceeding $11,772,882,000, being 75 per cent of the total amount voted as set out in part A, Operating Expenditures, of the Estimates; $649,989,000, being 90 per cent of the total amount voted as set out in part –[interjection]–apologize, Madam Speaker, just start again here. Rookie mistake.

Number one , is $11,772,882,000, being 75 per cent of the total amount voted as set out in part A, Operating Expenditures, of those Esti mates; $649,989,000, being 90 per cent of the total amount voted, as set out in part B, Capital Investments, of those Estimates; $332,532,000, being 90 per cent of the total amount voted, as set out in

part C, Loans and Guarantees, of those Estimates; $2,005,097,000, being 90 per cent of the total amount voted, as set out in part D, Capital Investments by Other Reporting Entities, of those Estimates. Madam Speaker: It has been moved by the honourable Minister of Finance, seconded by the honourable Minister of Justice, that there be granted to Her Majesty on account of Certain Expenditures of the Public Service for the fiscal year ending

1828 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 22, 2021 March 31st, 2022, out of the Consolidated Fund, for the purposes set out in the 2020 Estimates, including Supplementary Estimates, sums not exceeding $11,772,882,000, being 75 per cent of the total amount to be voted as set out in part A, Operating Expenditures, of those Estimates; and $649,989,000, being 90 per cent of the total amount to be voted as set out in part B, Capital Investments, of those Estimates; $332,532,000, being 90 per cent of the total amount to be voted as set out in

part C, Loans and Guarantees, of those Estimates; and $2,005,097,000, being 90 per cent of the total amount to be voted as set out in part D, Capital Investments by Other Reporting Entities, of those Estimates. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed] INTRODUCTION OF BILLS Bill 70–The Interim Appropriation Act, 2021 Hon. Scott Fielding (Minister of Finance): I move, seconded by the Minister of Justice (Mr. Friesen), that Bill 70, The Interim Appropriation Act, 2021, be now read a first time and be ordered for second reading immediately.

Motion agreed to. * (15:20) SECOND READINGS Bill 70–The Interim Appropriation Act, 2021 Hon. Scott Fielding (Minister of Finance): I move, second by the Minister of J ustice, that Bill 70, The Interim Appropriation Act, 2021, be now read a second time and be referred to the Committee of the Whole. Motion presented. Mr. Fielding: I'll making some fairly brief comments here, as well as trying to explain a bit more in terms of the financing of it, and then I'll make some comments as well to the committee–whole.

Bill 70, The Interim Appropriation Act, 2021, provides interim spending authority for the 2021- 22 fiscal year, pending approval of the 2021 appropriation act. The amount of interim operating expenditure authority requested is $11,772,882,000. The authority represents 75 per cent of the sums included in part A, Operating Expenditures of the 2020-21 Estimates of expenditure and includes the Supplementary Estimates of expenditure in 2021-22. The amount of interim capital investment spend- ing authority requested is $649,989,000.

The authority represents 90 per cent of the sums included in part B, Capital Investments, for the 2021- 22 Estimates of expenditure. The amounts of loan and guarantee –guaranteed authority represents is $332,532,000. The authority represents 90 per cent of the sums included in

part C, Loans and Guarant ees, for the 2020- 21 Estimates of expenditure. And the amount of capital investments provided as loans to other reporting entities is $2,005,097,000– authority represents 90 per cent of the sum included in part D, other reporting entities, capital investments, in the 2020-21 Estimates of expenditures. The amount of expenditures that are authorized for developing of acquiring inventory for subsequent years is $200 million. The amount of payments for long-term liabilities is $88 million. The amount of future commitment authority including in the Interim Supply bill is $2,635,097,000.

The authority provides for the commitment of expenditures to ensure the completion of projects are fulfilled, contracts initiated but not completed during the fiscal year ending March 31st, 2022. When Bill 70 reaches the committee stage, I can provide a bit more further comments. Madam Speaker: Do members have any questions on the bill? An Honourable Member: Yes, Madam Speaker. Questions Madam Speaker: A question period of up to 15 minutes will be held.

Questions may be addressed to the minister by any member in the following sequence: first question by the official opposition critic or designate; subsequent questions asked by critics or designates from other recognized opposition parties; subsequent questions asked by each independent member; remaining questions asked by any opposition members. And no question or answer shall exceed 45 seconds. Mr.

Mark Wasyliw (Fort Garry): I'm wondering if the minister can tell us that we now have four approved vaccines in Canada, and the government's saying that everybody in Manitoba will get a dose of the vaccine by May 18th: Given that we obviously are now awash in vaccines, is the minister planning to cancel the $7.2 -million non -refundable cheque to

March 22, 2021 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1829 Providence Therapeutics, and, if not, why not? Why are we spending that money when we obviously aren't going to get value from it? Hon. Scott Fielding (Minister of Finance): Our government's not going to make the mistake that the NDP is suggesting in terms of not being prepared. We obviously know the variants is here. We know that there potentially could be a third or fourth wave.

We're hopeful that we're through the bulk of the pandemic, but to have that technology and the research here, available to do things as maybe boosters, shots that would address some variant of the pandemic, we think makes a lot of sense for Manitobans. Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): My question to the minister is follow -up from one earlier on. In the mid-term report, the money from the federal govern - ment was $648 million.

The minister said that this was 20 per cent of the extra expenditures, but in that same mid-year report, it says that the extra expenditures – total expenditure change on page 9 was $1.456 billion; the $648 million is actually 40–about 45 per cent, not just 20 per cent. Would the minister agree with that correction? Mr. Fielding: No, I don't, unfortunately. So if you look at the mid -year report with –it identifies in this fiscal year, as of the mid-term report, is that we made about $1.8 billion of expenditures for things like health, education, supports for people as well as businesses.

The reason why the number of expendi - tures goes to 1.4 is because there's some savings in other departments; that monies was not spent. The $3.2 billion represents additional expenditures that go into other years, whether that be things like capital expenditures which we committed over a two -year period. So the money that was negotiated by our Premier (Mr. Pallister) with the other premiers, with the Prime Minister and the federal government is very much needed, but only represents about 20 per cent of our spend of the 3.2. Mr.

Wasyliw: I'm wondering, given that female workers have been disproportionately hit by the COVID recession, what specific programs is this government putting in place to make sure that they get back to work and have meaningful work when they get there? Mr. Fielding: We know that some sectors, as well as women, as well as youth, were hit hard by the pandemic; some people call it a K -shaped recovery. We know that if you look at the report that came out last Friday, that 16,200 Manitobans returned back to the workforce. Of that 16,000, about 75 per cent of that was women –12,300, in fact .

Since 2021, there's about 16,100 women have found jobs; this is almost 3 times the number of men, that's respect to that. If you look at some of the sector -specific supports that we have in terms of the Risk Recognition Program, there's 80,000 Manitobans that got some sort of direct support, and of that, the vast majority went to sectors– Madam Speaker: The member's time has expired. Mr. Gerrard: Yes, just an extension of that.

The –a lot of small businesses in particular, in areas like the travel industry, the hospitality industry and the arts and culture sector which were really badly affected, what is the minister planning in terms of restart in these sectors? Mr. Fielding: Of course, this bill deals with monies that we're appropriating for next year , so we're going to identify our plan for the 2021 year, obviously, in the budget that does come up.

But just to answer some of the questions for the member, there was also a senior support; there's 123,000 seniors that got a cheque to deal with pandemic -related support, so the 200 and– 240-some-odd thousand Manitobans that got it. We also provided direct supports to 32,000 individual businesses. Some were women-owned as well as individual direct supports of 360,000 Manitobans. A good portion was for women. Mr.

Wasyliw: Was the–as the minister has already mentioned youth unemployment is some of the worst in Canada, so I'm wondering if he can indicate what specific support or programming he's going to put in place to ensure Manitoba's youth get back to work? Mr. Fielding: Well, that is an important question, and I can say again we'll be introducing our budget fairly soon that will identify some. We do like a lot of the wage subsidy programs, so I will identify as we are talking about last year's; this is–give appropriation for next year. Total student jobs created last year by the provincial government was 9,628.

We had a student job online matching tool that provided 604 hires. We had a student wage subsidy that provided positions for 4,992 different sectors; that was–dollar estimates was around $24 million. Non- profit summer students, again, there was about 954,000; fall -winter STEP programs, there's about 172 students that were involved in this. The summer STEP programs– * (15:30) Madam Speaker: The member's time has expired.

1830 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 22, 2021 Mr. Gerrard: To the Finance Minister, the rate of unemployment among Indigenous peoples continues to be higher than the provincial average. So what is the minister's plan, in terms of ensuring that First Nation and Métis businesses do well and that the unemployment in the Indigenous community falls? Mr. Fielding: We're very proud of the fact that, although still way too high, the unemployment rate is the second lowest in the country. So we think that is important. We know that labour force showed that the total job edged up by over 16,000, or part of that.

Some, of course, were Indigenous, some were other ethnic backgrounds, as well as different sectors that really picked up. So we think that although much, much more work needs to happen, that is a part of it. We do provide – again, over 32,000 individual businesses got supports from the government during this time period, as well as direct supports to Manitobans; 360,000 Manitobans of the 1.1 that are in the work area got direct supports. That's about 33 per cent. A large number were Indigenous families, as well as youth. Mr.

Wasyliw: We've been calling for sector-specific supports since October, and it was good to see the minister finally, a week ago, giving some supports to the tourism sector. But I'm wondering why it took so long and will he commit today to providing sector-specific support for the hospitality industries, the arts and sports sectors? Mr. Fielding: If you look at what the Parliamentary Budget Office said, that Ma nitoba's supports was second highest–second or third highest in the country– lots of supports that are there. I identified that over 32,000 businesses got supports.

We're very happy to work with the hospitality sector, an $8-million support for them to make sure they're getting through to the other side of the pandemic as well as they're able to look into some other programs. For instance, there's 300-some hotels that got the Bridge Grant program, which is upwards of 15,000. So, again, 32,000 individual businesses of 125,000, 28 per cent of all businesses, got some sort of direct support from our government during the pandemic. Mr.

Gerrard: To the Finance Minister, there's a lot of Manitobans who are quite concerned about the future of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and I wonder if the Finance Minister's been any discussions with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers about the future of the team and the football league? Mr. Fielding: Yes, there's been ongoing discussions with people from public health, as well as one of our ministers, the minister of legislative and –legislative affairs, in terms of what the summer will look like. Businesses, as well as festivals and carnivals and major sporting events, need to know what the summer will look like.

A lot of that is dictated, of course, by the virus and what's going on with the variants and other aspects of it. So we are working closely with all these sectors, including the Blue Bombers. Mr. Wasyliw: Well, we know this minister wasn't prepared for the second wave and he had n o plan for businesses during that period of time. We're now talking about a potential third wave, and if we go into a third restrictive lockdown, does the minister have some type of plan in place to support businesses and the economy in a third wave? Mr.

Fielding: Well, if the member doesn't think that providing direct supports to over 32,000 individual payments to businesses isn't being prepared and providing lots of financial supports, I'm not quite sure what is. The Parliamentary Budget Office has sug gested that Manitoba is second or third highest of all supports to individuals and businesses that are there. There is lot of supports. I encourage the member to stay tuned for a budget on the 7th of April that will put together our plan to support people, to make sure Manitobans are protected, as well as a road map to the future post- pandemic. Mr.

Gerrard: To the minister, I would know that the government was very concerned about situation in the North–had a save–or a Look North program and so on. But, as it happened, the North has been dispropor - tionately affected economically. And so I'm just wondering what the minister plans for northern Manitoba, in terms of the next little while and how he's going to help those in northern Manitoba come out of the COVID pandemic doing well. Mr. Fielding: I'll ask the member to stay tuned for a budget on the 7th.

We do think it's important –and there's a reason why the Golden Boy faces the North–that we think prosperity is there. We've obviously done things like, provide things like mining support–that we're working

March 22, 2021 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1831 with the Chamber of Commerce, as well as mayors and reeves, to make sure that's there. There is some positive, I guess, points I would suggest in terms of what mining may look like. You might reference one of the newspapers –local news- papers–this weekend had talked about potential for further development that happens in North. So we truly think that's something that is important and can have a major development impact on the North. Mr. Wasyliw: Now, this minister's well aware that the retail sector has been one of the hardest hit sectors.

And over the course of the pandemic, it's changed buying patterns to the point where people are now shopping online. People are creatures of habit and may stay shopping online. What is the minister planning to do to get con- sumer confidence again, and so– getting Manitobans to walk into Manitoban stores and shop locally? Mr. Fielding: A good question. Number 1, when the retail sector needed supports, we did provide them through the bridge program. That's just one of the programs that were available.

I think it's upwards of 2,800 retail business got support in one way or the other from the Bridge Grant –up to $15,000. I think the real answer is to making sure that we are beating the pandemic, and the people that are feeling safe and confident and go out can do that. I think it's part of having the right health safety measures to allow people to go in and shop locally.

There have been local investments –I'll give you two examples of that: buy local program, where there's been finances that been established, as well as a program for things like SkipTheDishes rebate program for local restaurants that are there to provide some supports. But we're going to continue to do s uch in the budget coming forward. Mr. Gerrard: Yes, one of the announcements that the government made last fall was a virtual education hub that it was investing in, and I'd like an update from the Finance Minister in terms of how that investment worked out, and what are the plans for the coming year.

Hopefully all kids will be back in school in September. Does that mean that virtual education hub will continue, or will it be shut down? Mr. Fielding: Well, I'd like to say that, you know, the pandemic would end, but I don't think that is the case, at least right now. We want to make sure people are supported, so I think you will see additional dollars that will be appropriated to the education system. We did invest about $185 million to the education system. We're on track to have that money appropriated by year end, and in future I think there will be some additional dollars.

I believe the member may be talking about the virtual centres that will be there, although the Education Minister would have fa r greater detail in respect to that. We do see– some of the things that we've learned in the pandemic is something that we would go forward. And, as such, I think it's important to make these investments in these areas. But I will have him stay tuned unti l the 7th of April to have–make announcements on those types of things. Mr. Wasyliw: Manitoba small businesses have been complaining about unfair competition from e-commerce giants like Amazon.

Saskatchewan has recently brought in an e-commerce tax to address that inequality. I'm wondering if the minister would commit to bringing in a similar tax in Manitoba to make things fair for small business, or would he reject that idea? Mr. Fielding: Well, I would say that our government is really take a focal point of making life more affordable for individuals in terms of cutting PST, in terms of a whole bunch of different tax measures–the basic personal exemption, things like the payroll tax– to make life a little bit more affordable for businesses as well as consumers.

We think it's good for business to do as such. So those are things that are in place. Our government, for the most part, looks to reduce tax in so many different ways. With that being said, we do want to look at the local marketplace to make sure that there–people do buy locally. The member is right, we did make some further investments in things like a shop local campaign and others, which we'd like to build upon. Madam Speaker: The time for this question period is over.

1832 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 22, 2021 Debate Madam Speaker: Are there any members wishing to speak in debate? Mr. Mark Wasyliw (Fort Garry): I'm just going to put some brief comments on the record. Obviously–I think it should be obvious to this government–if it isn't, we're all in a lot of trouble–that COVID has revealed how unequal Manitoba is and we've seen how different people have been able to respond to this pandemic and this recession very differently, depending on their life circumstances. * (15:40) Fortunately, for a segment of Manitoba, this hasn't threatened their livelihood.

It's certainly been inconvenient, it's certainly been stressful, it's certainly been difficult but they've been quite easily able to adapt. But we know from COVID data that marginalized and racialized communities were dispropo rtionately susceptible, not only to catching the virus but also have higher rates of mortality. And we also know that many of these marginalized and racialized com - munities were more vulnerable and less established in the workforce.

Youth, newcomers, female workers all lost their jobs at disproportionate rates and in the sectors of the economy that they had a higher prevalence tended to be hit even harder. We know that these communities need the most help in the eventual recovery and we also see that we have some significant gaps in our social safety net.

We know that this government didn't do any planning and were completely unprepared for the second wave, that we have the second highest mortality rate per capita in the country and, sadly, and it gives me no pleasure to say this, this government's woeful neglect has cost the lives of many Manitobans that could be with us here today if this government had the foresight and the vision to have prepared for the second wave. But it didn't just go to the health aspects of it. It also went to the economy.

This minister has told me in Estimates that he did not prepare for the second wave or the second lockdown, that they didn't have a plan, they didn't have any business supports and they were sort of–and it was quite obvious, I think, to any observers that it was just making up as the government went along and were just reacting and lurching to the complaints that were coming from the community. And they didn't ever get ahead of it. And there are many, many businesses across Manitoba that are no longer in operation today because of that failed leadership.

There are many businesses that are on the brink of collapse in Manitoba today because of that failed leadership. And this was completely foreseeable. Everybody knew that this was coming. Other jurisdictions with maybe a little bit more foresight, like BC, were getting ahead of this and not us, sadly. And this government did very little consultation throughout the pandemic and, when they did, they did even less li stening and they rolled out some very inadequate programs that left many Manitobans behind. So my concern is that we haven't heard of any economic recovery plan and it hasn't been rolled out.

I could hear from the minister that whatever type of plan they're cobbling together may be in the budget, but this is really not a time for sort of a political exercise. This is a time where the minister needs to show leadership and roll out a plan immediately, give a blueprint for the Manitoban economy so we know where we're going with this and not worry about whether or not he's stepping on his lead on budget night. Unfortunately, everything with this government is crass and political and often ends up being quite vulgar, and it looks like this is no exception.

Certainly, Manitobans deserve to have some straight talk and say, you know, here's our plan, this is what we intend to do. But we're not getting that. And it is–I will give the government recognition when it's due. We have been calling for sector-specific support since October. They brought in the first sector support last week. There's no explanation about why the calls from the small business community were ignored until now –why, given all the time that had passed and all the conversations and all the discussion in the media, that they're only doing it now. But, you know, better late than never.

But what we haven't heard today is any supports to the hospitality industry, the arts and sports sectors, how we're going to get retail confidence back in Manitoba. Consumer confidence is a fickle thing and once it's gone, once people change their buying patterns, if they've moved online, even when there's no pandemic, they'll stay online because that just is easier and simpler for them. And that will mean ongoing hard times for our Manitoba small businesses and will continue to be a drag on our economy.

March 22, 2021 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1833 And we've heard no leadership and no direction from this minister about how he's going to re-establish consumer confidence, and how he's going to safely get Manitobans back into local Manitoban shops. We know from the pandemic that some indus - tries, especially large multinational tech com panies like Amazon, have literally been making out like bandits, and this government doesn't have any plan to level the playing field.

You have a phenomenon in Canada and in Manitoba especially called showrooming, where people will walk into a local Manitoba -owned business, take a look at what goods are on sale; they will speak to the clerk; they'll get educated about all the different options and what's a good or bad product and then they promptly go home and they buy it online. And the reason why they can get it cheaper online is that these big companies don't have to run brick - and-mortar stores; they don't have to have employees; they have a fraction of the overhead costs, and they have a competitive advantage.

But they are not paying for the environmental costs of shipping in these products into Manitoba. It would pay a huge environmental cost. They are not paying taxes in Manitoba, and they are not paying to support the health care and the roads and everything else. Some forward-thinking provinces have started to clamp down on this. In Quebec and in Saskatchewan, where they're bringing in e -commerce taxes in order that their sm all business community has a fighting chance, and we've seen with this government that they don't have a commitment to small business.

They pay lip service to it, but when it's time to actually show up and do something, they're missing in action. And by not leveling the playing field when it comes to e -commerce, and by basically subsidizing large, you know, multinationals like Amazon that have horrible environmental and labour practices, they're shipping jobs out of this province, and that is going to prolong the recession. It will–don't–won't do anything for the recovery, and it's specifically going to hurt the people who have been hurt: the youth and female and newcomer employees that have been so hurt by the crisis.

In addition, another concern we have is that there is all indications that we may be entering into a third wave, and if it is severe, there could be yet more tighter restrictions, further lockdown provisions, more businesses being required to shut down in order to protect us again. This gov ernment seems incapable of learning from the past. This–they are terrible students. They do not see how disastrous the second wave was, both from a public health point of view, but also from an economic point of view, and say, you know what? We've learned from it; we're going to get ready this time.

Even if we don't have to put a plan in place, we're going to make sure that one's there. Nothing like this. And, again, if we go into a more restrictive lockdown a third time, I'm hearing from small businesses that that will be the–that will be it for them. That will be the final blow, that they're teetering right now. They're hoping to just hang on, hang on, hang on, and maybe they can survive. But if they get another restrictive lockdown, that'll be it for th eir business.

And this government has no urgency, and they haven't had any urgency, either from a public health point of view, or from an economic point of view, throughout this whole past year. It is frightening how passive and disengaged this government has been with the actual pain and the hurt that Manitobans have been experiencing this year. It's mind -boggling and sad if it didn't have such horrible consequences for Manitobans. And, you know, we've seen this government run the highest deficit in Ma nitoba's history, and they didn't do it responsively.

They borrowed money, which taxpayers will now have to pay back, and what did they do with it? They cut taxes on the wealthiest Manitobans, the ones who have been least hurt by the pandemic, and that was a huge subsidy for the already comfortable and well -off in Manitoba and didn't do anything for our economy. And we will have to pay the interest and everything back on this borrowed money to basically give handouts to wealthy cam - paign donors. It's not right. We've seen them throw money out the door, wasting on PPE, millions upon–tens of millions of dollars.

They're also now wasting and doubling down on the $7.2- million non-refundable payment for the Providence Therapeutics, a vaccine that will never come. * (15:50) We don't need it. On May 18th, they tell us, we're all going to be vaccinated, and Canada is going to be absolutely in –awash with vaccines. I suspect the federal government's going to have to turn around and

1834 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 22, 2021 either donate or sell the hundreds of millions of doses that we'll have acquired to other countries that don't have it yet. There's not going to be any shortage after the summer, and we will absolutely not need this done at all. This is a huge waste of money. That's $7.2 million that they' re literally throwing out the window, that they're giving to a connected Conservative insider – which is concerning in itself. You know, this government has to stop rewarding its friends and start helping Manitobans.

They could take that $7 million that they're literally throwing out the window and that would wipe out the entire deficit for the Pembina Trails School Division. That school division could hire its 19 teachers that it needs to keep up with enrolment. They don't have to expand class sizes for high school. They can hire back the teachers that do English as additional language, and we can keep librarian-teachers in our schools. None of these things have to happen. And the money's right there, and it's about values and

Document details

Collection	Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	42-3-39
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	42nd 3rd hansardpdf 39.pdf
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	c6346f79328349aeacdede674d6ece80731bd8a4

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