Manitoba Hansard — 15 March 2016 (Sitting 29B, 40th Legislature, 5th Session)

40-5-29b

Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)

Fifth Session - Fortieth Legislature of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba DEBATES and PROCEEDINGS Official Report (Hansard) Published under the authority of The Honourable Daryl Reid Speaker Vol. LXVIII No. 29B - 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 15, 2016 ISSN 0542-5492

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

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

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

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

1091 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA Tuesday, March 15, 2016 The House met at 1:30 p.m. Mr. Speaker: Good afternoon, everyone. Please be seated. ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS Mr. Speaker: Introduction of bills? Committee reports? Tabling of reports? Ministerial statements? MEMBERS' STATEMENTS J. Frank and Hazel Johnston–65th Anniversary Mrs. Heather Stefanson (Tuxedo): I'm very honoured to rise in the House today to congratulate an amazing couple who just reached an incredible milestone in their lives. On February 24th, Mr. J. Frank and Mrs. Hazel Johnston celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. Mr.

Speaker, the Johnstons' partnership embodies the true meaning of the phrase soul mates. After their marriage in 1951, they settled in St. James where they began a life that established them as pillars of the community in short order. They raised three children, Robyn, Scott and Donna , and have enjoyed watching their grandchildren grow and prosper. Recently, they have become proud great - grandparents to a new generation of their wonderful family. And I want to welcome the Johnstons in the gallery today. The Johnstons' dedication to their family is matched by their professional history and community involvement.

As I'm sure most in this House are aware, J. Frank enjoyed a very successful political career that spanned from 1964 through 1988. He began his career as an alderman for the then city of St. James, followed by his term in the successor city of St. James -Assiniboia. He was chosen as the city's deputy mayor in 1968 and chaired the urban renewal committee. This post saw him spearhead the development of the St. James Civic Centre. His interest in city politics led Mr. Johnston to pursue a seat at the provincial level where he was first elected as the Member for the Legislative Assembly for Sturgeon Creek in 1969.

During his role as MLA, J. Frank held several ministerial portfolios and was recognized as a passionate repre - sentative in legislative proceedings. Now, as the saying goes, Mr. Speaker, behind every great man there is an equally great woman. Truer words could not be spoken about Hazel Johnston. Besides being a dedicated mother to her three children and an avid community volunteer, Hazel partnered with her husband in developing their family business, JFJ Agency, in 1960. She was instrumental in the day-to-day operations of the business during J. Frank's political appointments.

To this day, she continues to work in the business with him and son Scott. Further, Mr. Speaker, I would be remiss not to mention that her dedication to an understanding–to and understanding of politics matches that of her husband's. She worked hand in hand with him to achieve his many election successes and contributed her knowledge, opinions and discussions of the political climate. Mr. Speaker, the Johnstons' dedication to family life, business, community and political involvement remain evident to this day. We should all aspire to work towards the impressive achievements they have accomplished.

I would like to ask that all members of the House join me in congratulating me the Johnstons on their 65th wedding anniversary, and wish them many more years of continued happiness and prosperity. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Recognizing Justin Papoff Hon. Melanie Wight (Minister of Children and Youth Opportunities): Mr. Speaker, the integrity of the young people in the province always amazes me. Sisler High student Justin Papoff is no exception. Justin made a splash in November last year when he and keynote speaker Spencer West spoke to 16,000 students and educators at the MTS Centre for We Day Manitoba.

Justin spoke about his work organizing charity drives for Siloam Mission, the Christmas Cheer Board and Winnipeg Harvest. But he wasn't content with just that–content being a word I doubt is even in his vocabulary. Justin began to deliver donations to these organizations. Seeing first -hand the effects of the cycle of poverty reinforced his desire to m ake a difference.

1092 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 15, 2016 Justin has a long list of accomplishments but foremost is his work with Free the Children. This organization uses an international development model to address issues of education, clean water and sanitation, health, agriculture and food security, and alternative incomes and livelihoods in eight different developing countries. Justin has been working with Free The Children for the past two years. As a community leader, Justin organizes local fundraisers, most recently selling rafiki chains to support building a school in Kenya.

He has also helped manage the creative aspects of Free The Children's local campaigns, designing posters and pledge sheets, as well as making a short film for the Adopt a Village fundraiser, We Are Silent. Justin has just come back from a trip to Ottawa, learning about human rights issues in Canada and around the world. At school, Justin is a model student. His history teacher Orysya Petryshyn tells me Justin is dedicated, diligent and has been a privilege to teach. On top of his extensive volun- teerism, Justin writes for his school paper and has been a featured columnist in the Winnipeg Free Press.

Justin's commitment to making the world a better place is impressive and so inspirational to people of all ages. He represents the many admirable young people in our province who see the import - ance of volunteerism and helping others, so today I pay tribute to him and them. Mr. Speaker, our future is in very good hands. Here, here. Budget 2016 Mr. Cameron Frie sen (Morden-Winkler): Mr. Speaker, it is the work of a sitting government to bring a budget. Indeed, this Finance Minister said that there would be a budget this spring.

He said that Manitobans would know what their plans were before they went into the election period. Indeed, the Finance Minister even spent $40,000 on very expensive public consultations where he asked them to bring their opinions in the preparation of the 2016 budget. But then, Mr. Speaker, he declined to actually deliver a budget to Ma nitobans. The NDP is hiding. What they have offered instead is not a budget but a phony financial report that doesn't follow the rules that a full budget would follow. It hides key information that a full budget would disclose.

But as much as the govern ment would try to hide from Manitobans, even they could not hide the fact that the deficit is now projected to be a record $773 million, up from their own projection of $422 million, up $351 million. No government has ever gotten it that wrong. It came as a surprise to all Manitobans. I imagine it came to a surprise to the colleagues of this Finance Minister. When the Finance Minister said that the deficit was stubborn and going in the wrong direction, we can say it was an understatement. But it is also a betrayal. Neither the Premier (Mr.

Selinger) nor the Finance Minister nor any members on that side gave Manitobans any idea, any indication of the size, the proportions of the disaster that they were perpetrating on Manitobans. They have jeopardized thi s province with their mis - management. Mr. Speaker, it is unprecedented and there is no excuse to which they can point. There is no flood this year. There is no declining federal transfer payment. There is no sudden drop in interest rates, no sudden loss in tax revenues. The only disaster is the NDP government itself.

Will they admit today that, simply, Manitobans don't believe anything they have to say and it's time for a better plan for a better Manitoba? Progressive Conservative Plan Mr. Dave Gaudreau (St. Norbert): Mr. Speaker, whether he'll admit it or not, the Leader of the Opposition has promised that he will make deep cuts. When you add up all the revenue cuts he's promised, they total more than $550 million a year. The fact is, deep cuts like this would have front– impact on front -line services like health and education.

And when they say it's not the case, the Conservatives simply aren't coming clean with Manitobans. They talk about eliminating waste, but all too often, just like under the Filmon government of the '90s, waste was code for cutting important services that families relied on in Manitoba. The Filmon government chose to cut investments in schools, hospitals and roads. For example, they cut or froze the education budget every yea r from 1993-94 to '97 -98. They fired 1,000 nurses. They fired 1,000 –or 700 teachers. And over three years they cut $480 million from the road budget.

The Leader of the Opposition was a senior minister in the Conservative government that made these cuts, and he must be held accountable for these decisions. Well, it seems he doesn't want to

March 15, 2016 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1093 stand up and take responsibility for his decisions, Mr. Speaker. He stands and claims that the best government of the time was the Filmon government, and he says it's the best government Manitobans have ever been blessed with. * (13:40) With his past behaviour being a predictor, where do you think the half a billion dollars will come from? Yesterday in the Legislature the Leader of the Opposition, repeatedly asked for his plan, and he wouldn't come clean with Manitobans.

Our team is ready to continue debating our record and our plan for health care, education, jobs, investments in roads, but if the members opposite want to critique us, then they need to answer as to what their own plan is because it just doesn't add up. Greatest Hits Mr.

Cliff Graydon (Emerson): I'd just like to do a summation of the Fifth Session of this 40th Legislature, and it started with: Never gonna tax you up, and we're never gonna weigh you down. / We're never gonna close ERs and desert you. / We're never gonna make you cry, and we're never gonna make you run dry. / Never gonna waste your time, and hurt you.

And it went on with: I had a million dollars, I wouldn't have to knock on doors. / If I had a million dollars, I wouldn't have to walk anymore. / If I had a million dollars, I could buy a new splash pad, or a park bench, or something in a store. / If I had a million dollars, I'd buy your love, love, love. Closing time was next: One last call to the hospital, but they wouldn't pick up the phone. / It's closing time. / You don't have to go home, you just can't stay here.

And then we went on to: Let me tell you how it will be. / There's one for you and 35 for the NDP. / 'Coz' they're the taxman. / Yeah, they're the taxman. / Should 8 per cent appear too small, / Be thankful they didn't take it all. / 'Coz' they're the taxman. / Yeah, they're the taxman. And then it was followed by: I've got a Tiger Dam by the tail, it's plain to see. / There won't be much left when you're done with me. / I'm falling in the polls and getting mighty frail. / It's plain to see, I've got a Tiger Dam by the tail. And looking forward, Mr.

Speaker: Rocking Brian walking down the street / And all his tea m going tweet, tweet, tweet. / Rocking Brian with his team, / Whoa, lead the way on the 19th day. Mr. Speaker: Just prior to oral questions, since that concludes members' statements, and I thank all honourable members for their members' statements. Introduction of Guests Mr. Speaker: We have guests in the gallery today, and I'd like to draw the attention of the honourable members to the public gallery where we have with us today from HBNI -ITV System out of Fairholme School, we have 18 grade 9 students, under the direction of Ms.

Evelyn Maendel, and this group is located in the constituency of the honourable member for Portage la Prairie (Mr. Wishart). On behalf of honourable members, we welcome you here today. And also seated in the public gallery today we have with us the family members of the honourable member for Radisson (Mr. Jha), we have his wife, Mrs. Raj Jha; his daughter-in-law, Mrs. Harmeet Jha; and his granddaughter, Ms. Ria Jha. On behalf of honourable members, we welcome you here this afternoon. ORAL QUESTIONS Provincial Sales Tax Future Increases Mr. Brian Pallister (Leader of the Official Opposition): Mr.

Speaker, as we approach an election and lift the House, I wanted to say a thank you, a special thank you, to all the people who wor k in our Assembly, the political staff from all parties, the Clerk's office, as well the interns, Sergeant - at-Arms, Chamber personnel, our pages, all of them contribute to making this a great place to work and good workplace for all of us. I also wanted to add a thanks to the Hansard staff, Leg. library staff, security services, maintenance, cafeterial staff as well, and the janitorial staff and many others, the accommodation services people as well.

We have the best Legislative Assembly, the most beautiful Legislative Assembly and what we do here isn't always beautiful, and we understand that. But the people who work here are, and we appreciate their work. I must finish with a question. I know that the Premier (Mr. Selinger) would like to respond to a question I've asked him a few times already: We know that he'll be raising the PST; will he be

1094 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 15, 2016 raising it to 9 per cent or to 10 per cent given the opportunity? Hon. Greg Selinger (Premier): Before I start, I'd like to join across the aisle with the Leader of the Opposition and I'm sure the member for River Heights (Mr. Gerrard), as well, in thanking all the members, all the legislative staff for the work they do. When you walk in the front door in the morning you see them there providing security. Y ou go in the hallways and you see them sparkling.

You go up the stairs, you don't want to touch the rail because it's just been polished, and you see the work they do in keeping the place green. And it makes a huge difference. And the civility with which all the people that conduct themselves here, they could actually be a bit of an example from us for time to time, and I've never noticed any humour on the, sort of, the things you put on your computer screen. But we –on behalf of all the members of the Legi slature, I want to join and thank all the staff for the work they do.

And it's been such a positive experience; I'm looking forward to being back tomorrow and discussing more things in the Legislature. But to the answer to the question, Mr. Speaker, one of the great myths that the Leader of the Opposition likes to put out there is that somehow we've made the cost of living more onerous for the people of Manitoba, and I can report to him – I can report to him–that for an average family, taxes have gone dow n $4,600 since 1999. And that includes property tax credits, which have been very significant for families.

That includes additional support for seniors, not to mention zero taxes for small business. And all of those things have made a gigantic difference, and if the members opposite would just support our measures to provide more relief to middle -class and working families in our fiscal outlook, we could even make more progress for families in Manitoba. Mr. Pallister: Well, Mr. Speaker, it's no wonder our students are doing bad at math with leadership in our province doing that bad at math.

When we know that the average family in Winnipeg pays $4,000 a year more in PST and income tax than the average family in Regina, and the Premier doesn't think we have a problem, we have a real problem. I wanted to, though–I wanted, Mr.

Speaker, if I could, to say a thank you to the 15 members of our Chamber who will not be seeking re -election and can say to all of them that we are honoured to have had the chance to work with them, that we appreciate their commitment to democracy, that we appreciate the sacrifices that they and their family have made, that we realize that this has not been an easy time to serve in all respects. But it is true that, regardless of partisan stripe, we believe in this career and we believe in the importance of it, and we respect the people who do it. And so I thank all of you.

And, of course, I have to finish with a question, so I'll ask the Premier again: In the interests of transparency and accountability, we know that he is planning to raise the PST again; is he planning to raise it to 10 or 11? Mr. Selinger: Mr. Speaker, in an uncommon show of unity I will also extend my deep respects for the people that have served in the Legislature, including yourself, who are not at this time seeking office again. Some of you have been here 25 years, some of you, slightly less period of time.

All of you served with distinction, and I know the people in your constituencies deeply value th e contributions you've made to their quality of life. And we will keep Manitoba affordable, but we will do it by ensuring that we create more good jobs in Manitoba, more jobs and a stronger economy, which is something the Leader of the Opposition has no grasp of. His approach is to cut $500 million out of the budget. That means less nurses by the bedside, less teachers in the classroom, less daycare workers, less people working out in the communities looking after families.

Those people would be at risk and the services and quality of life of Manitobans would be at risk. It's unfortunate the Leader of the Opposition wants to return to a time when every day was a dark day in Manitoba. We look forward to building a prosperous future where all Manitobans have a sense of belonging. Whether they live in the North, whether they live in communities that are struggling, we want everybody in Manitoba to feel that this is their home and they have a sense of belonging regardless of who they are, Mr. Speaker. Mr.

Pallister: Well, the Premier should not confuse his own fear with that of Manitobans. Manitobans are optimistic people, and they know that change can bring improvements to their lives, and will. They also understand that paying $5,000 in additional broken-promise taxes, on top of the one of the highest tax burdens in the country because of the Premier's broken promises to them, it's not something that's helping them create jobs. The difference between us, of course, that we trust

March 15, 2016 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1095 Manitobans to do that, and the Premier does not and wants the credit for taking money off their table and spending it on their behalf. Now, I respect very much, Mr. Speaker, the fact that you have served as our Speaker. I have had the privilege of being in many Chambers over the ye ars, with many Speakers.

I consider you to be among the best I have ever had the chance–[interjection] * (13:50) And I would like to say, respectfully, to all members who are seeking re -election, that I wish them and their families the very best in the c oming campaign, of good health to all of you and to your families and to those who are volunteering to serve with you in your campaigns, a safe campaign for everyone.

Winston Churchill said at the bottom of all the tributes paid to democracy is the little person walking into the little booth with a little pencil making a little cross on a little bit of paper; nothing can possibly diminish the overwhelming importance of the point. And I honour all of you who are willing to go to the effort and time to make sure that Manitobans are free to have choices and options and to participate in an open democratic process such as we enjoy and should never take for granted in this province. Thank you to all of you. And I'd like the Premier to come clean on his intentions on the PST.

This is his last opportunity to do so. Mr. Selinger: And again, Mr. Speaker, I will support the comments of the Leader of the Opposition with respect to all those people that have presented themselves for office, those that are in incumbent seats, those that are coming into the political process for the first time. It's always a big decision. It requires the support of your family and your friends and, certainly, the support of the people around you in the community. And it's a big transition from private life to public life, and we all know the pros and cons of that.

So I congratulate everybody who is presenting themselves for office again, and I can assure them that this government and this political party will keep a focus on the priorities of Manitobans. What are those priorities? Making sure that people have access to good jobs; making sure people have access to training and education; making sure young people have the support to complete high school and start a post -secondary educatio n out of high school, whether a college or a university program or an apprenticeship program; ensuring that families have access to daycare–another 12,000 spaces, Mr.

Speaker; making sure we look after people in the communities with home care and no att empts to privatize it like the members of the opposition did the last time they were in office; and no desire to cut the property tax credits like the members did the last time they were in office; and no layoffs of nurses–over 1,000 nurses like the last t ime they were in office, or the dismissal of 700 teachers like the last time they were in office.

We will put forward a positive vision for Manitobans where everybody will have a sense of belonging in terms of their human rights, in terms of their identity, and we will do it by growing Manitoba as a place where all can live and work together. Provincial Sales Tax NDP Election Promise Mrs. Bonnie Mitchelson (River East): And time after time, we have heard this broken, divided NDP government say one thing, make a promise before an election, then betray Manitobans right after and break that promise. Mr. Speaker, the biggest betrayal of trust was in 2011 when they promised they wouldn't raise the PST.

They went door to door and made that promise. They called it a ridiculous suggestion. And then what happened? They broke their promise. The NDP betrayed Manitobans. Mr. Speaker, for the very last time today, I ask the question: How can anyone believe anything that this broken, divided NDP government says? Hon. Dave Chomiak (Minister of Mineral Resources): Mr. Speaker, as I said yesterday in this Chamber, I'm very proud to be part of a party that includes all Manitobans and leaves nobody out.

And it's ironic to me that the member who just asked the question, who'd been part of the Cabinet who said they would not privatize MTS, went ahead, privatized MTS, sold it to their friends –sold it to their friends –then that –thereby reducing the –their deficit. And now we have no cell service in rural Manitoba. Our rates of–telephone rates are amongst the highest in Canada, and I believe that after this election MTS will probably be bought out by one of the large telcos and th at will be directly a result of members opposite and their decision to sell off a Crown corporation.

Heaven forbid they come into office and they go after Hydro.

1096 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 15, 2016 Health-Care Services Government Record Mrs. Myrna Driedger (Charleswood): Mr. Speaker, this NDP government has a broken record on health care. The longest ER waits in Canada, the only province without a dedicated stroke unit, the worst doctor -retention rate in Canada, a nursing shortage that is more than double what it was in in 1999, and a PC H bed crisis that will become a catastrophe. Will the Minister of Health just admit that this is a broken government with a broken record that has lost the trust of every Manitoban? Hon.

Sharon Blady (Minister of Health): Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for the question. I can tell you, on this side of the House, we have spent 16 years investing in health care, and not a day goes by that I do not talk to my neighbours and find out how important it is that they have cancer home - care drug treatment, ho w important it is that they have access to a QuickCare clinic, that they have access to more doctors and nurses. I've heard so many stories from my neighbours about what life was like with doctors and nurses fleeing and how happy they are to see so many.

I 'm so proud to now find some of my own nursing students working in roles of medical leadership. So this election, yes, Manitobans do face a choice; they have a stark choice before them. They can continue with a team that has made a track record of inves ting, or a team that has got nothing but cuts to look forward to. PST Increase Apology Request Mr. Ron Schuler (St. Paul ): Mr. Speaker, during the illegal PST debate, hundreds of Manitobans gathered on the front steps of the Legislature asking the NDP to honour their promise to not raise the PST. The member for St. Norbert (Mr. Gaudreau) slid out the back door.

The member for Fort Garry - Riverview (Mr. Allum) slid out the side door. And the member for Fort Richmond (Ms. Irvin -Ross), well, she was nowhere to be seen. Will they now stand up and apol ogize for breaking their word to their constituents? Will they now say they are sorry about the illegal PST? Hon. Dave Chomiak (Minister of Mineral Resources): When I was door knocking on the weekend, as I said yesterday, I came across two women who wer e so thankful that we are providing free cancer -care drugs at home. And one of the reasons we're able to provide that, Mr.

Speaker, is because we're a government that cares for all people, not just certain segments of society. And the other thing I was v ery pleased to see on the door was how many seniors were thankful that for the first time in history, we've eliminated education taxes on about 98 per cent of seniors' homes. That's a huge difference. That's a huge difference; when we came into office, and I remember those–many of those same seniors worried about whether they could stay in their homes because they couldn't pay their taxes. Mr. Speaker, we've eliminated that.

I'm very proud of a party that looks after all Manitobans and includes all Mani tobans as part of Manitoba, not just a small set of elites. Government Fiscal Policies Impact on Jobs and Economy Mrs. Heather Stefanson (Tuxedo): Since the NDP PST hike, Manitoba has lost 9,300 private sector and self-employed jobs, the second worst record in Canada. And Manitoba is also down 6,600 jobs from this time last year and down 5,300 jobs in January, the second among–the second most among all provinces in Canada.

Clearly, this NDP tax -and-spend policies of the Selinger government have had a negative impact on jobs in our economy. Mr. Speaker, will they just admit that this is a broken government with a broken record that has lost the trust of all Manitobans? Hon. Kevin Chief (Minister of Jobs and the Economy): For the record, Manitoba did the best of any province for creating jobs last year. That's a fact, Mr. Speaker. Let's talk about loss, though. And the Leader of the Opposition s at around the Cabinet table, lost 30,000 people; say bye to Steinbach twice, Morden gone four times over, Winkler gone three times over.

Businesses were closing, storefronts going dark, Mr. Speaker. Buildings sat empty. And then his first promise when he's elected, comes in here and says let's cut $500 million.

March 15, 2016 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1097 The fact is you ask the member from Steinbach, the member from Tuxedo, have they asked: Is that the same plan the leader has for Manitobans going forward? The fact is, they don't want to ask their leader what that plan is because, Mr. Speaker, they know they would need a whole herd of wooden buffalos to hand out for all the bad ideas the Leader of the Opposition has. Manitoba NDP Status of Party Mr. Kelvin Goertzen (Steinbach): Mr. Speaker, you don't have to look much beyond this Chamber to see how broken this government is. The member for Dauphin (Mr.

Struthers), former Finance minister and an honourable man, he's not running. You look at the member for river –Seine River, form er Health minister, one of the longest serving in Canada, not running. * (14:00) Former member for–the member for Fort Rouge (Ms. Howard), one of the smartest members in this House on either side, not running. Yet the member for Thompson (Mr. Ashton), im mersed in scandal, sits in Cabinet on the front row. Mr.

Speaker, I wonder if the Premier would look at those members who are not running and acknowledge that he's broken his caucus, he's broken his party, he's broken the trust of Manitobans and he does not deserve to be the Premier after April 19th. Hon. Dave Chomiak (Minister of Mineral Resources): I don't really want to go too much down this road, Mr.

Speaker, but I suggest if he just taps the seat down from him and asks his leader why he quit Cabinet during the middle of the flood when he was last an MLA, why he went to Ottawa and quit the Harper government, why he ran for leadership of the Reform Party and is now back in Manitoba. And the number of candidates he ran against to– he ran against to bec ome leader was how many, Mr. Speaker? Zero. Ran against no one to become leader, and now wants to come back and give the same kind of government that he said was the greatest government in history of Manitoba. Mr.

Speaker, we may not be perfect, but heave n help us– Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Mr. Speaker: Order, please. Order. The honourable Minister of Mineral Resources, to conclude his answer. Mr. Chomiak: Yes, Mr. Speaker, heaven help us if that group of people who sat around the Cabinet table in the biggest scandal in the history of this province, where Judge Monnin said of the Conservative Party, he'd never seen more liars in his life. If those people get the reins of power again, Mr.

Speaker, it will not be an inclusive province; it will not be a province that cares for seniors and their taxes; it will not be a province that looks after patients or hires more doctors and nurses. In fact, it'll be a backwards step for this province to take if they should dare elect the Leader of the Opposition. Need for Child-Care Spaces Wait Times for Placement Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Mr. Speaker, Manitobans understand that there is an immense difference between 12,000, the number of child -care spaces actually needed in the province, and 2,000, the number by which that need grows each year.

Two thousand is the only number of spaces the Premier and his NDP government have committed to each year, but it is not enough because the list, the wait-list, just gets longer. People in Manitoba keep hoping for a solution to the long waits, but it is a solution which never comes under the NDP. Why has the Premier not committed to provide our families the actual level of child care that they need? Hon. Greg Selinger (Premier): Mr. Speaker, we've added 14,000 child- care spaces with those early childhood learning spaces; we've built a record number of daycares.

Every new school in Manitoba has a daycare put in; existing schools, we're renovating them, adding daycares into those schools. We've committed to 12,000 more. The members of the Opposition have voted against that consistently every time we brought in a budget for more daycare spaces. They voted against that. The member from River Heights is not supporting that as well. We brought in a pension plan for daycare workers, second pension plan in the country to acknowledge mostly women that work in the daycare field for the dedication and service they provide.

We've made sure that fees stay reasonable; we've made sure that the quality has improved. And

1098 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 15, 2016 those things are going to be put at risk when the opposition party, the Conservatives, say they're going to privatize daycare in Manitoba. What will that mean for Manitobans? That will mean lower quality daycare. That will mean higher fees. That will mean g reater instability as daycares open and close on a more frequent basis, and it'll mean lower wages and support, and probably no pension plan for the daycare workers. That is not a way forward, that is a day –way backward, when in the '90s they actually cut daycare spots in Manitoba, Mr. Speaker.

That is not progress. That's backwards and not looking forward. Mr. Gerrard: Mr. Speaker, Manitoba Liberals believe in affordable and self -sustaining daycare and early childhood education for all Manitobans. Manitobans cannot understand how this NDP government can think announcing their –that they will merely continue meeting only 17 per cent of what the province actually needs is something to be proud of. Will the NDP continue their navel -gazing approach to mainta ining the status quo, or will they commit to actually providing the number of daycare spaces Manitoba families need, as Liberals will do? Mr.

Selinger: Mr. Speaker, the political party that the member from River Heights represents at the provincial level, their top promise: get rid of over $400 million of revenues from the health and education levy. That's less money for health care. That's less money for education. That's less daycare spots. That's less daycare workers. That's higher fees. That's longer waiting lists. That will not move us forward. Privatizing Liquor & Lotteries, Mr. Speaker, that will just wipe out good jobs, people that are in the workforce paying taxes. That won't help.

That will reduce the revenues to the treasury that we see now where we take 2 per cent of that and put it back into social responsibility. The Liberal Party is going to create a world of greater misery for people, Mr. Speaker. Daycare is not part of that vision. They don't have the money to do it. They don't have the program to do it. I challenge him to support this political party and its strong vision for daycare in Manitoba. Mr. Gerrard: Mr. Speaker, Liberals are setting their own policies, not the misguided, misspoken dis - tortions of the Premier. Mr.

Speaker, it's a disturbing absence of logic, rampant in the NDP government, to believe that making Manitoba parents wait for up to two years to access the child -care spaces they need is some - how benefiting our economy. These hard- working Manitobans are being prevented from going back to work, from sustaining their own families, because the Premier has spent 16 and a half years in 17 per cent solutions which are never enough to meet the growing need. Why is the Premier continuing to fail Manitoba families' need to simply–by simply renewing, as he's doing, his same old commitments? Mr. Selinger: Mr.

Speaker, we've added daycare training spots at Red River College, the Université de Saint-Boniface. We've added over a hundred new daycare builds in Manitoba in terms of facilities. No longer are they in the church basements or the halls that–where they were before, the dank basements. They're now in brand new facilities in schools; they're free-standing new daycares. All of that has been done while the member from River Heights has consistently voted against it at every single budget. We've now made a commitment over the next seven years to add 12,000 spots, to do it in partnership with communities, Mr.

Speaker, to ensure that we have higher wages, to ensure that there's pensions for the workers, lower fees for parents and quality early childhood learning oppor - tunities that prepare young people for education, school and success in life. It's part of our plan, along with early childhood development and prevention and small er class sizes and career opportunities to make sure young people in Manitoba have a bright future.

And, again, I invite the member from River Heights to abandon the policy of the Liberal Party of privatizing liquor jobs, taking revenue out of the treasury and getting rid of the health and education levy. Over $400 million of revenue will 'disaspear.' There will be no money for daycare, Mr. Speaker. Come and join us for a better Manitoba, Mr. Speaker. Truth and Reconciliation Framework Paid Leave for Domestic Violence Victims Mr. Matt Wiebe (Concordia): I'm proud to be a part of the NDP because I know that everyone matters. We'll be heading out of the Legislature here today, Mr.

Speaker, on a high note with a clear plan laid out that's clearly on the side of Manitobans, from

March 15, 2016 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1099 first-in-Canada paid domestic leave for –leave for domestic violence victims to groundbreaking bill to lay out a path to reconciliation with indigenous peoples. Mr. Speaker, can the Government House Leader (Mr. Chomiak) please tell us a little bit more about the amazing things we will have accomplished this session? Hon. Dave Chomiak (Minister of Mineral Resources): Mr. Speaker, I'm very proud that, as we move things through this Chamber today, that we'll be able to say that we have made and we will make Manitoba a better place.

The first-of-its-kind truth and reconciliation framework will be put in place, that will start a process that hopefully over the days, months and years will build a better Manitoba; the first - of-its-kind domestic leave legislation ever in the country, that wi ll protect women and their families; and the first -of-its-kind protection orders and banning of guns for people under protection orders, and the bill in this Legislature will hopefully get royal assent tonight –today, which will make lives safer not just today, but into the future for the women of Manitoba. * (14:10) And I'm glad to be part of a movement and part of a Legislature that is passing these important bills today, and that is what's important about this Chamber, not the day -to-day politics.

That 's got its time. This is what's important. Mr. Speaker: Order, please. The honourable minister's time on this question has elapsed. Interlake Region Physician Retention Mr. Wayne Ewasko (Lac du Bonnet): Mr. Speaker, this is a broken- trust government. J ust yesterday, in the Interlake -Eastern Regional Health Authority, we have lost three doctors, two in Powerview-Pine Falls and one in Lac du Bonnet. How many others and where else? Mr.

Speaker, on behalf of the Lac du Bonnet constituents and all of Manito bans, we need to ask the Health Minister to stop the rhetoric and admit that her government is broken and can't be trusted. Hon. Sharon Blady (Minister of Health): I thank the member for the question. I know that our government has made steady progress in recruiting and retaining doctors every year, and we have seen a net increase of doctors in our province.

So I want to give my thoughts to the members of those communities and know that we are working with them, because I want to thank them for the times that I've had opportunity to meet with them, including at AMM, and it is because of the work that we are trying to do with those groups and that we are moving forward on that the creation of the rural physician recruitment advisory committee, together with AMM, is helping us move towards more and more solutions for communities. We've seen how communities in Swan River have been able to–like Swan River have been able to come up–group of young doctors.

We came up with a solution. We worked with them. We wil l continue to work. But one thing I can assure Manitobans is when members opposite talk about cutting half a billion dollars from the budget, that is not what brings doctors to this province to stay and to look after communities in the Interlake or anywhere else across the province. Riding Mountain Constituents Relationship with NDP Government Mrs. Leanne Rowat (Riding Mountain): Increasing the tax bracket for doctors is going to bring them to Manitoba? I think not, Mr. Speaker. Mr.

Speaker, t ime after time we have heard this broken, divided NDP government say one thing before an election, make a promise and then betray Manitobans. Remember the 12 women who were fired from their Crown Lands jobs in Minnedosa. Their unread emails of –requests mailed to the Premier (Mr. Selinger) were deleted without being read. Remember the young Manitobans who were turned away from the Russell hospital and faced to deliver their baby on a rural Saskatchewan highway with no help from this NDP government. What these Manitoba families remember most is this Manitoba government's NDP broken trust, Mr. Speaker.

How can anyone within this province, and especially the residents and constituents of Riding Mountain, believe anything this NDP government has to say? They're full of broken trust, broken faith, and they need to go. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

1100 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 15, 2016 Hon. Dave Chomiak (Minister of Mineral Resources): Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind the member opposite of things like, and perhaps she doesn't want to remember and I don't want to dwell on this, but things like Connie Curran, things like the Sinclair inquiry. But more positively, I have never seen 5,000 people at the Legislature except when mem - bers opposite sold MTS. I have never seen over 1,000 nurses at the province –at the Legislature except when they tried to close the hospital at Seven Oaks.

I have never seen several thousand people at the Legislature except when the Tories tried to privatize home care, the first of its kind in the country, the best home -care program in t he world, where it's studied by the Japanese. Members opposite wanted to privatize it. And what happened to Manitobans? They came out by the thousands to tell members opposite, don't take away our health care. Mining Exploration Permit Wait Times Mr. Cliff Cullen (Spruce Woods): A recent survey of the mining companies shows that Manitoba's dropped from No. 1 to No. 19 under the NDP.

Another survey shows Manitoba ranked last across Canada in terms of the permitting process. Mr. Speaker, I spoke to a Manitoba prospector just yesterday. He did have a MEAP loan approved but he has been waiting four years to get an exploration permit. Because of the NDP's inability to address the duty to consult, the NDP are facing at least two separate lawsuits. Mr. Spe aker, we are now attracting less than 2 per cent of exploration dollars across Canada, and also under the NDP we've had nine mine closures. This is clearly a broken government. Will the NDP just now admit they've lost the trust of Manitobans?

Hon. Dave Chomiak (Minister of Mineral Resources): This allows me to reannounce the fact, for the first time in history, we are promising 25 per cent sharing of revenue with First Nations on new mines. Because of what's happening in Flin Flon, we are increasing t he level of exploration and MEAP exploration finances that are going to go to that region. We are also looking at a tax structure in order to attract capital to that region, Mr. Speaker, and we're also looking to incentives to allow the companies and us t o work towards getting more exploration done. That's in Flin Flon. With respect to Thompson, Mr.

Speaker, we met with them at PDAC and we found out where we can put in additional resources to keep Thompson over – even greater than –keeping them open three m ore years than when they tried to shut down, and we were able to stop them.

So thank you for letting me announce those two things and to remind members opposite that, when we went to PDAC this year, they thought Manitoba was the most progressive in terms of going forward and having partnerships with First Nations through our interdepartmental committee that includes all the mining companies and First Nations sitting at one table, who have agreed together, for once, to go forward. Lake Manitoba Flood Promises to Flood Victims Mr. Stuart Briese (Agassiz): Mr.

Speaker, in 2011, just prior to the provincial election, this government broke a trust, made promises to people round the man-made flood at Lake Manitoba. They told the victims that they were going to be provided for, and then they broke that trust. After the election, many of those promises were ignored and forgotten. Why did the NDP government refuse to keep their word to the victims of the Lake Manitoba flood? Promises were made, promises were broken. Hon.

Steve Ashton (Minister responsible for Emergency Measures): I'd like to give a shout out to the member who is not running again, somebody who I've worked with in many previous roles, and to all the MLAs that aren't running again. I want to give a particular shout out with the Jha family here, to my spiritual brother, Bidhu Jha –sorry, Mr. Speaker, the member for Radisson (Mr. Jha), one of the most passionate MLAs I've ever seen. And, Mr. Speaker, as the member asked his question, I've been r eminded the last few days why, indeed, I am running in the next election.

I've watched members opposite talk about eliminating the East Side Road Authority, the way they would get rid of committee benefits agreements; I've watched them go after, time and t ime again, on initiatives we've taken in terms of flood mitigation. And I want to say to members of this Leg., and particularly the member for Steinbach (Mr. Goertzen): I'm running again because I want to see Manitoba, Mr. Speaker –[interjection] Maybe, once, the member for Steinbach might want to listen. I want to see Manitoba go forward, not back.

March 15, 2016 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1101 Hydro Construction Site Blockade Protester Confrontation Concerns Mr. Blaine Pedersen (Midland): Speaking of broken promises, Mr. Speaker, that was what we just heard. On Sunday, February 28th, there was a peaceful blockade at a Manitoba Hydro Bipole III con - struction site, and I recently spoke with a young woman who was part of that peaceful blocka de. She told me about a security guard on the scene who grabbed her arm and attempted to restrain her. She said she felt victimized and very uncomfortable in his presence.

There was also two Hydro trucks that began to back up towards her vehicle in a threatening manner, stopping a mere foot or so from her car's front bumper. She also spoke about a Manitoba Hydro site supervisor who verbally threatened to file a civil lawsuit. Mr. Speaker, why would this minister and this NDP government make a young woman feel victimized and fear for her safety? Hon. Eric Robinson (Minister responsible for Manitoba Hydro): As I've indicated to the member previously, if there is any wrongdoings of that nature, that ought to be reported to the legal authorities immediately.

And I would encourage him to forward that information, and I will work with him in proceeding and reporting that to the legal authorities where it belongs. Restorative Justice Court Construction in Brandon Mr. Cliff Graydon (Emerson): This broken, divided NDP government has made many, many promises. * (14:20) They promised not to raise taxes, they promised not to broaden taxes, they promised not to raise the PST, and on more than one occasion they promised to build facilities, only to renege on their promises.

How can the people of Brandon, Manitoba, trust this NDP government will keep their word and construct a restorative justice court for those with mental health issues? Hon. Drew Caldwell (Minister of Municipal Government): Well, Mr. Speaker, I'm always happy to talk about Brandon and the initiatives that we've undertaken in Brandon. Mr. Speaker, there has never been a time in Manitoba history where there's been so much provincial investment in my home community. I'll start with flood protection.

The dikes on 18th Street and on Kircaldy Drive which saved my community in 2014 from catastrophic floods, opposed by members opposite–opposed vigorously by members opposite. The construction of Assiniboine Community College on Bra ndon's North Hill, a transformative initiative for western Manitoba, the creation of the Len Evans Centre for Trades and Technology, the Manitoba Institute of Culinary Arts. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to speak to Brandon Regional Health Centre, the developmen t of the regional health centre, which was promised seven times over 11 years by members opposite, cancelled seven times.

We've built the Westman cancer treatment centre. We're going to continue to build in Brandon. Family Services Government Record Mr. Ian Wishart (Portage la Prairie): Manitoba's record in child welfare is not one to be proud of. With nearly 11,000 children in care, Manitoba knows it has a system in crisis, crisis like children in hotels, travel scandals and deaths of children in care have left many Manitobans with little trust of the system. Won't this minister just admit she's running a broken system in a broken government? Hon.

Kerri Irvin -Ross (Minister of Family Services): What I will say is that I am proud of the investments we have made to support families in Manitoba no matter where they live, whether they're northern, rural or urban. We are walking beside them providing them with supports that they need: good education, employment, housing, ensuring that we are addressing the issues of poverty. The members' opposite record, what did they do when it came to supporting families? They slashed millions of dollars from Family Services.

They did not support foster parents; they reduced that funding, and when a parent came to ask for support, they said that they were going to charge them. Shame on them. I will stand by our record anytime compared to their record, and people need to be very fearful of what will happen if they become government.

1102 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 15, 2016 Manitoba Hydro Transmission Line Minnesota Line Route Concerns Mr. Denn is Smook (La Verendrye) : Residents of Manitoba are tired of this broken NDP government not listening to them. This is especially true when it comes to the current route for the Minnesota - Manitoba hydro transmission line. After the three rounds of public meetings and a strong opposition to the current route, the NDP are still not listening to Manitobans.

Is this because, according to the minister, the selection of the route and the submission was made a long time ago, way before any of us? Why would the minister hold public meetings to decide the route when the decision was made a long time ago? Will the minister admit this is a broken NDP government that has lost the trust of all Manitobans? Hon. Greg Selinger (Premier): I do have to say, Mr. Speaker, the reason the Conservative Party never had any issues with Hydro is because they never did anything with Hydro. They mothballed it –they mothballed it.

We're building it with over $9 billion of export revenues, which will keep rates low for Manitobans a nd create jobs for Manitobans in the North, in the cities, in the south, where manu- facturing is going on. And the reason we're holding public hearings? So the people of Manitoba can make their voice heard on what's best for their community. And the members opposite –they don't support those things. Their job is to slice and dice Hydro and sell it off. That won't be a prosperous future. The rates are among the lowest in North America.

If they do with Hydro what they did with the telephone system, the rates will go from among the lowest in North America to among the highest, the pension plan will be stripped and people will lose their jobs. We're building for all Manitoba, including the people in the constituency of southeastern Manitoba. Mr. Speaker: Order, please. Time for oral questions has concluded. PETITIONS Mr. Speaker: It is now time for petitions. Manitoba Interlake–Request to Repair and Reopen Provincial Roads 415 and 416 Mr. Blaine Pedersen (Midland): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly.

These are the reasons for this petition:

(1) The Interlake region is an important trans - portation corridor for Manitoba but, unfortunately, is still dealing with serious underinvestm ent in infrastructure under this provincial government.

(2) Provincial roads 415 and 416 are vital to the region but have still not been repaired or reopened since sustaining damages during the 2010 flood.

(3) Residents and businesses in the Manitoba Interlake are seriously impacted and inconvenienced by having no adequate east -west travel routes over an area of 525 square miles.

(4) This lack of east -west travel routes is also a major public safety concern, as emergency response vehicles are impeded from arriving in a timely manner. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge that the provincial government repair and reopen the provincial roads 415 and 416 to allow adequate east-west travel in the Interlake. And this pet ition is signed by T. Griffith, J. Mosher, T. Goodman and many more fine Manitobans. Mr. Speaker: In keeping with our rule 132(6), when petitions are read, they are deemed to have been received by the House.

Provincial Trunk Highway 206 and Cedar Avenue in Oakbank–Pedestrian Safety Mr. Ron Schuler (St. Paul): Mr. Speaker, I wish to present the following petition. The background to this petition is as follows: Every day, hundreds of Manitoba children walk to school in Oakbank and must cross PTH 206 at the intersection with Cedar Avenue. There have been many dangerous incidents where drivers use the right shoulder to pass vehicles that have stopped at the traffic light waiting to turn left at this intersection.

(3) Law enforcement officials have iden tified this intersection as a hot spot of concern for the safety of schoolchildren, drivers and emergency responders. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge that the provincial government improve the safety at the pedestrian corridor at the

March 15, 2016 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1103 intersection of PTH 206 and Cedar Avenue in Oakbank by considering such steps as highlighting pavement markings to better indicate the location of the shoulders and crosswalk, as well as installing a lighted crosswalk structure. This is signed by S. Cann, V. Nolan, B. Tjadon and many, many other fine Manitobans. Thank you. Pioneer Road Mr. Reg Helwer (Brandon West): Mr. Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) Pioneer Road, which was once a regular country road, has now become a main thoroughfare by increasing truck traffic from the highways.

(2) The majority of the traffic runs to and from several businesses such as Richardson Pioneer elevator, Wheat City Seeds and Mazer's farm, including drivers wanting to avoid city traffic and the 18th Street bottleneck.

(3) Pioneer Road is a very rough road with potholes caused by the increased semitruck traffic and has no proper turning lanes, which creates a safety issue for vehicles turning off and on to the highway, such as the school bus.

(4) Pioneer Road is very dusty with large trucks, often tandem loads, RVs and farm equipment causing clouds of dust and flying stones that impairs visibility, posing further dangers to traffic which will only increase with the expansion of local businesses.

(5) Pioneer Road is, at present, a designated truck route and increased traffic will cause more deterioration and safety issues.

(6) The paving of Pioneer Road was discussed prior to the last election and traffic has increased greatly since that time. We petition the Legislative Ass embly of Manitoba as follows:

(1) To request that the Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation consider paving Pioneer Road. * (14:30)

(2) To request that the Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation consider constructing proper paved turning lanes on Pioneer Road. Signed by E. Tardiff, C. Miller, G. Tardiff and many other fine Manitobans. Mr. Speaker: Are there any other petitions? GRIEVANCES Mr. Speaker: Seeing none, we'll move on to grievances. The honourable member for Steinbach, on a grievance? Mr. Kelvin Goertzen (Steinbach): On a grievance, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as was the case yesterday and I'm sure it will be the case this afternoon and probably going into the evening, the NDP is going to be begging for more time.

They're going to be looking for a reprieve. Just a little bit more time, is what they're going to say. Not only have they had a traditional mandate of four years which is afforded to most governments when they're elected, this government also had an additional six months. They granted themselves an additional six months by postponing the election which was supposed to happen in the fall of last year 'til April 19th of this year, and yet they still want more time, Mr. Speaker, more time to correct the mistakes that they've made over the last 16 years. The Government House Leader (Mr.

Chomi ak) and others figure if they just had another hour, maybe just another two hours, they could fix all of the problems that they created and weren't able to fix over the last 16 years, Mr. Speaker. We've heard it from the Minister of Education who put out a press release, and, of course, a couple of days ago he put out one that got him into a little bit of trouble, but they continue to say, if we just had a little bit more time we would be able to do a few more things. What have they done with their time? W e've seen what they've done this particular mandate where they have increased taxes at record level.

That's what they did with their time this mandate. Now when we've given them, or when they've taken for them - selves, I would say, Mr. Speaker, an additiona l six months, they still couldn't find the time to bring in a budget, and instead we had something called an economic statement. Never before done in the history of Manitoba did they refuse to bring forward an actual budget. That's what they did with their extra time, and yet we still hear day after day that they'd like just a little bit more time.

1104 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 15, 2016 Now, we understand that there is important debate that happens on bills. We've always said we want to have a reasonable and respectful amount of time to debate bills, Mr. Speaker. In a normal afternoon, we only have about two hours to debate bills. That's not a lot of time to debate a bill that might be with us for an eternity or at least a generation. I would say that most Manitobans would say that two hours is n't a long time to debate a bill, and yet the government thinks it's too much time; we should rush and be through even faster.

Well, I would say as I said at the last session, Mr. Speaker, and I said it on the record and I'll say it on the record again, when we've talked to the government about the passage of bills. And I would remind the government that we actually wanted them to come back sooner than they did for this session prior to the election. We were certainly willing to sit several weeks before, which would have given them more time, but we said to them when it came to bills that they needed to decide what they were going to prioritize.

Whichever bill they would call first within a day, we would have those two hours and more than likely that bill would pass. For example, with a bill like Bill 6, which is sponsored by the Premier (Mr. Selinger), I had the opportunity to have a briefing with him several weeks ago and I said to the Premier at that time that we would certainly be prepared to see that bill pass, and, if he wanted it passed, he should call it early in the session because that bill hadn't yet received second reading, it would have to go to committee and it would have to have third reading all within 12 days.

So we offered him that opportunity. I offered him personally my assurance that if he would call that bill early in the session, there would be time to get through the different legislative processes that it has to go through to pass, and yet days passed and they never called that bill as a priority bill for debate, Mr. Speaker, even though they said it was such a priority. When it comes to a bill like Bill 33, which is the bill that I'm responsible for, I've had opportunity to speak to the Law Society, Mr. Speaker, about this particular bill.

I've give them my assurance that there are many things, in fact, most things within the bill which we think are positive but we need a couple of days to debate it. It's a complete reform of the family law act, and that two days, which would amount to actually four hours, would not be an unreasonable amount of time to debate that bill, and yet the government never called that bill as a first order of priority. There are other bills, education bills, which we were prepared to debate and see pass i n this Legislature, and yet they were never called as a priority.

And yet the Education Minister puts out a news release saying that somehow they are being stopped when they were never prioritized by their own caucus. There's a bill on water surface, Mr. Speaker, which we have said that we support and we are prepared to see passed if the government would prioritize it, and, in fact, a few days ago, we went on the record and asked them to call it first in the afternoon, and then they refused to call it first and refused, then, to have it pass. So, clearly, that wasn't a priority.

And yet we're going to hear from this govern- ment, through news releases or other mechanisms, that they just wish there was more time, that we had more time to do things, and yet t hey've revealed themselves what their priorities are or what they're aren't. Now, I recognize what is going on here, and I know that many others do. When I talk to different groups in Manitoba, Mr. Speaker, they understand that the government is just try ing to play a political game with bills and they want to have some –a little bit of politics about bills.

I think that's unfortunate, on bills that are as important as some of these bills are, to play politics. Now, I'm glad, and I made the assurance, as I've made the assurance of the government many times before, that the truth and reconciliation bill, we would've liked to have seen it debated last week. We asked for it to be called after the minister of Aboriginal affairs suggested it be called. We asked that it be called. We wanted it debated. We were going to pass it this afternoon. We believe it needs to be passed.

We know there are speeches that members, important speeches, are going to make this afternoon, because they are their last speeches, and that makes sense, Mr. Speaker. And we honour those speeches because it's something important in the life cycle of a Legislature. But for this government to now say that they just didn't have enough time, well, they set their own priorities, and by not call ing bills as priorities, they've indicated, which are either not priority bills for them or bills that they just simply want to play politics with instead of actually having passed,

March 15, 2016 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1105 Mr. Speaker. So we'll hear the government again say, just give us a little bit more time, we just need a bit more time, even though they're only weeks from facing the electorate. I would say that after 16 years, after four and a half months, this government is out of time. I believe that Manitobans feel it's high time that they actually be called to account for an election.

And that is not only something that's important for Manitobans, it's not only something that is vital for Manitobans, it's something that they really want, to be able to express their concerns about this government. We've heard the government itself express concerns about itself and some very, very important and valid concerns, even this morning we heard. But it's going to be going to the people soon; the people of Manitoba are going to have their voice. So, when this government gets up at some point, either today or in the future, and say, oh, if we only had a little bit more time, that is no excuse, Mr.

Speaker. They've had more time than any other government in Manitoba memory to do things, not only in this particular term but in the life cycle of their govern - ment. Sixteen years they've had time, and we've seen what they've done with it. They've increased the debt in the province of Manitoba. They've brought in the highest tax increases in the history of our province on Manitobans. They've failed on issues like child welfare. They have failed on issues in terms of having the kind of infrastructure that Manitoba really needs. They've failed time and time again, and yet they want more time.

And so we'll hear again, Mr. Speaker, where the government is going to beg for just a little bit more time. If they'd only had a few more minutes, if they only had another hour, if they only had this, if they only had that. Well, they've had everything that a government could hope for. They've had a majority government. They had the opportunity in terms of calling bills in the priority that they wanted to. They showed what their priorities were, they showed what their priorities were not by ensuring that bills would be prioritized. Even when we said and when I said to the Premier (Mr.

Selinger), ensure that a bill like Bill 6 gets brought forward early in the session and we'll make sure that it gets passed, they didn't do that. They decided not to make that a priority. So we're going to hear this government beg for just a little bit more time. I say that Manitobans are saying to them, April 19th can't come soon enough. They are out of time, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker: Are there any further grievances? ORDERS OF THE DAY (Continued) GOVERNMENT BUSINESS (Continued) Mr. Speaker: Seeing none, we'll move on to orders of the day, government business. Hon.

Dave Chomiak (Government House Leader): Yes, Mr. Speaker, we will be calling report stage amendments, concurrence and third reading on Bill 18, Bill 15 and Bill 33, then concurrence and third reading on Bill 5 and Bill 13. After that, second reading on Bill 6 and, finally, concurrence and third reading on Bill 7 and Bill 2. * (14:40) Mr. Speaker: Be–it's been announced that we'll be calling bills in the following order, starting with report stage amendments and concurrence and third reading on Bill 18, Bill 15 and Bill 33, and then concurrence and third reading on Bill 5 and Bill 13.

And then after that, on second reading of Bill 6, and then finally, concurrence and third reading of Bill 7 and Bill 2. That's for information of the House. We'll start now by calling Bill 18. REPORT STAGE AMENDMENTS Bill 18–The Path to Reconciliation Act Mr. Speaker: We'll call Bill 18, The Path to Reconciliation Act. Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): I rise, Mr. Speaker, on a report stage amendment . I move, seconded by the Minister of Aboriginal and Northern Affairs (Mr. Robinson), THAT Bill 18 be amended in Clause 5(2) by adding the following at the end: The minister must also arrange for the report, or a

summary of it, to be translated into the languages of Cree, Dakota, Dene, Inuktitut, Michif, Ojibway and Oji- Cree, and make each translation available to the public. Mr. Speaker: It's been moved by the honourable member for River Heights, seconded by the honourable Minister of Aboriginal and Nort hern Affairs, THAT Bill 18 be amended in Clause 5(2) by adding the following at the end:

1106 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 15, 2016 The minister must also arrange for the report, or a

summary of it, to be translated into the languages of Cree, Dakota, Dene, Inuktitut, Michif, Ojibway and Oji- Cree, and make each translation available to the public. Amendment is in order. Any debate on this matter? Mr. Gerrard: Mr. Speaker, the Bil l 18 is to be translated into the various languages, and so this provides that there will be a follow -up on the annual report that at the minimum that the

summary also be translated into these languages, indigenous languages, to Manitoba, which are impor tant, and this will be important in terms of a follow -up to all those who are affected in terms of reconciliation, and I think will be an important step forward in achieving the reconciliation that we aim to achieve. Mr. Speaker: Any further debate on this matter? Is the House ready for the question? Some Honourable Members: Question. Mr. Speaker: Question is –for the House is the amendment proposed by the honourable member for River Heights to Bill 18.

Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the amendment? [Agreed] CONCURRENCE AND THIRD READINGS– AMENDED BILLS Bill 18–The Path to Reconciliation Act Mr. Speaker: Now move on to report stage amendments–oh, pardon me –concurrence and third reading of Bill 18, The Path to Reconciliation Act. Hon. Dave Chomiak (Government House Leader): Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Aboriginal and Northern Affairs (Mr. Robinson), that Bill 18, The Path to Reconciliation Act;

Loi sur la reconciliation, as amended and reported from the Standing Commit tee on Social and Economic Development, be concurred in and be now read a third time and passed. Encore une fois, Monsieur le Président. [One more time, Mr. Speaker.] Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Aboriginal and Northern Affairs, that Bill 18, The Path to Reconciliation Act;

Loi sur la reconciliation, as amended and reported from the Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development and subsequently amended, be concurred in and be now read for a third time and passed. Motion presented. Mr. Speaker: Any debate on this matter? Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Mr. Speaker, I want to say briefly this is an important and historic occasion that we'r e moving forward on the path to reconciliation, and I want to give credit to the Minister for Aboriginal and Northern Affairs for showing leadership in this area.

I think it is historic because it moves forward on what the results of the Truth and Reconci liation Commission were. We heard Justice Sinclair pre- senting at the committee stage and he presented well with a deep understanding that he has of this issue.

It is important, in addition, that when I asked at the second reading of the Minister for Aboriginal and Northern Affairs whether this was a reconciliation not just with respect to the residential schools but also with regard to the '60s scoop and the more recent apprehension of many Aboriginal children from their families and the CFS system, and the minister said, yes, absolutely we want to move forward, and I applaud the minister for that. There is yet much more to do before the work is done.

This is just setting the path, and I look forward to working with others in this Chamber and continuing that work in the days and weeks and months and years ahead. So thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I look forward to this being passed and becoming law very quickly. Just very briefly, I also want to recognize the members who are not contesting the election. I want to recognize the works that they have all done here and wish them well in their future careers and thank them for all the contributions here.

I want to thank the Speaker in particular, as one who is leaving, for his valiant service here over many years and his impartiality as he –in his work as Speaker. I want to thank the clerks and the staff, the House leaders, and all the other staff of the Legislative Assembly and, of course, particularly my own staff who really made my job possible here. It is difficult enough without that and my staff have been extraordinary. I want to thank the Hansard staff, the Library staff, the security and the Human Resources staff and so many more.

March 15, 2016 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1107 Thank you, Mr. Speaker, with those few words, I will sit down and let others speak. Mr. Speaker: Any further debate? Mr. Stan Struthers (Dauphin): Mr. Speaker, it is my belief that in this House, there's a lot of very talented, very committed Manitobans who have put their names forward to represent our neighbours and our friends and our communities. So I'm going to ask for a favour right off the hop.

My wife, Michelle, and my son, Alex, were looking for parking and couldn't get here in time to be introduced by the Speaker, so I want to introduce them; they're in the galler y up above, looking down on us. My favour to you– [interjection]–yes, I think she's parked the car; that's a nice offer from the member for Morden -Winkler (Mr. Friesen)–my favour that I'm asking of you is to keep a secret because my son's supposed to be in school this afternoon, and there's a lot of his old man in him. So he's here instead of being where he's supposed to be.

Well, I am thrilled that my boy is here, and I'm thrilled that Michelle's here. And I'm thrilled that I get a chance to make a final sp eech in this Legislature here. * (14:50) I love coming to work as an MLA. I have always loved it. I knew that I would love it even before I tossed my name in the hat back in 1995. I'm very proud to have served the people of the Dauphin constituency for 21 years, every community within that. Yes, I've earned these grey hairs; I'm proud of my grey hair because I've earned every one of them in more ways than one.

I'm very proud of being the longest -serving MLA in the history of the Dauphin constituency, and I want every single person in Manitoba to know that I am very proud to have served 17 years in a government that had, at the core of its being, the wishes of all Manitobans. Mr. Speaker, I don't care what side of the House you're on, I don't care if you 're in the media or where you're at, if you're going to take a run at our government, I'm going to take a run back at you. What we did we should all on our side of the House be damn proud of the things that we did on behalf of the people of Manitoba.

When you get up to make your swan song, you know, you think of some of the things that have happened over 21 years, just in this Chamber. I can remember clear as a bell in 1995, after the '95 election, standing in the seat just over there, just on the other side, that's the one, on the other side of the member for Riding Mountain (Mrs. Rowat), and we came into this House very first day and it happened to be in the middle of national forestry week. And it was a day when the Natural Resources minister, it wa s Albert Driedger at the time, put in – [interjection]–yes, give Albert some love, that's good.

Albert Driedger had on every single desk a nice little seedling, and it wasn't just little cheap seedlings, Albert used to give us nice potted seedlings that we c ould then transfer onto our front yards. Well I walk in and this took me by surprise. I wasn't expecting to have to get up and make my first comments in the House on that day. But I walked in, I looked at the seedling and I started asking some of my colle agues what this meant because I was the Natural Resources critic, and somebody said, well, you're going to have to respond.

The minister's going to make a statement, and you're going to respond to that statement. Well, I was a little panicked, but Gary Doer and my colleagues were, I think, even more panicked, and they started sending me notes. Within about two and a half minutes I had like a stack of notes in front of me to help guide me through what I was going to say. This is the very, I was actually the very first person to speak on behalf of the NDP after the '95 election in this House, and so they were, I think they were kind of worried about what I might say. So I listened to Albert speak, and then I got up.

And I was kind of nervous, and I looked dow n in front of me and in front of me was Clif Evans. Clif Evans turns his seat around, he looks up at me and he pops out all of his 'fralse' teeth and gives me a great big smile. That kind of broke the ice for me. And I said, you know, in this House, we hav e to have good strategies. We have to have a good plan for forestry, and if the Conservatives every come up with one, I'll support it, and I sat down. So I was little partisan right off the beginning, but you know what, I am a little partisan. We all should be.

We come from where we think; we come from our philosophies. And there's nothing wrong with my philosophy being different than somebody else's. And you can bet within the NDP our philosophies are pretty much the same, and you can bet in the Tory Part y and in the Liberal Party. And that's good for Manitobans, they get a choice. They're going to have a choice on April 19th, and they'll make their choice on that day. But a strong democracy depends on us thinking through our

1108 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 15, 2016 positions, communicating them well and standing behind them. And that's what I think I've done for 21 years in this building. I think I have been an absolutely lucky Manitoban to be a part of a subset of Manitobans that get to say they've been elected to represent their neighbours. Not every Manitoban can say that. Not every Manitoban gets to do that in this building and in their constituencies and all around the province, and sometimes at meetings outside of Manitoba.

I very much think I'm a lucky guy for that, and I've got to say, and I don't want this to sound like, you know, Mr. Smith Goes To Washington, but sometimes I go out of my way to walk right up that grand staircase, right up between those two bison. Every morning when I turn off of Portage Avenue and I –was that Memorial Boulevard I turn into, and I look and I see the building, and I see the Golden Boy on the dome and then the shoulders of that building and I think, I'm part of that. I'm very lucky to be part of that.

There's no other job–I mean, I wanted to play centre wi th the Toronto Maple Leafs back when I was a kid, and that would have been a pretty cool job, too, back when–back in the days when the Leafs had a team and they used to hoist the Stanley Cup, I thought that was–I thought that's what I wanted to be when I grew up. But I also wanted to be a teacher and all the rest of it, but, in the back of my mind, I always wanted to be an elected official. And I've lived that dream, and I work in a Chamber like this, a building and a Chamber like this so jam packed full of history, jam packed full of lessons.

When I was first here, we were in opposition, and then I was a backbencher. That meant I had a lot of time to do House duty and listen to speeches and lay back in my chair and look at all the things that you can see above us right now. And I would see the name Alfred or Manu, and then I would go and look them up and learn about the traditions of this place and the –and kind of things that we need to do as elected officials because it's an important job. I also have been very lucky to represent Dauphin. I'm a little biased, but I think that's the best constituency of the 57.

I know I'm not going to get a lot of love on that one, a lot of support, maybe, but I understand that. The reason I'm lucky, the reason that I think Dauphin is a great riding is because it's full of people. It's just a little –yes, Riding Mountain's just a little south of God's country, but the –it is –my constituency is full of people living in communities who step up. And it doesn't matter what the ir politics are. It doesn't matter if they're New Democrats or Liberals or Conservatives. They step up for the good of their neighbours and their communities, and they've made my job so easy.

And we've done a lot of things in every community that I represe nt. I will miss that for sure. I have–I'm standing on the shoulders of people who went before me. We have a tradition of winning in Dauphin. Forty-four of the last 47 years have been represented by New Democrats in Dauphin. There was four years there whe re the–Jim Galbraith in the Sterling Lyon days became the MLA, but between Peter Burtniak and John Plowman and myself, 44 of 47 years. I do think that is something to be proud of. And do you know what else we have? We have a very good candidate in this next election. Her name is Darcy Scheller.

Darcy's a very good candidate. She's been working hard. She understands how important it is to elect New Democrats, and Darcy's going to give it her best shot. And, when I talk about people whose shoulders that I stand upon, the very first name that pops into my mind is Fred Zaplitny. Fred Zaplitny was the Member of Parliament back in the '40s and '50s. Fred was with the CCF. Fred energized a whole constituency within my constituency. At the time, there was a lot of guys like me, white Anglo- Saxon protestants that represented the Dauphin area and excluded the Ukrainian population.

It was in their best interests to exclude the Ukrainian population because they weren't going to come out and vote for them. But Fred w ent out onto farm site after farm site, and he spoke with people in Ukrainian and energized them to come to the polls, included them – inclusion, which is at the base of, I think, the principals of the New Democratic Party. Fred got those people to come out, and, if he hadn't done that, I dare say, we wouldn't be holding the seat 44 out of 47 years.

But he did that and I am one of the beneficiaries of it, and I'll always be grateful for that. * (15:00) There's two more people that I want to mention locally and I hope they're listening right now. One is Rosalie Pshebylo. That's Pshebylo with a P at the beginning, for those folks in Hansard. The –Rosalie and I have worked together for a long time, since 1998. And I remember, well, there's one story that sums up Rosalie. There's a woman from Roblin whose husband had passed away; she was elderly, and she'd gone –she'd had a disagreement with

March 15, 2016 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1109 Veterans Affairs and she went to the Member of Parliament and he didn't do anything for her, so she came to us. Well, you give Rosalie an issue like this and she sinks her teeth into it and she gets results. She got results for this woman. It ended up being like a $14,000 or so lump sum and then a certain amount of money every month. The woman wanted to share it with Rosalie; s he wanted to bring Rosalie flowers. Rosalie said oh I can't do that.

The next time we were in Roblin, this woman phoned up and said come have lunch with me, so Rosalie did and the woman made a nice lunch and sandwiches and soup to say thank you for the work Rosalie had done. That's what politics is all about. It wasn't me, it wasn't anybody in here, it wasn't the Premier, it wasn't–it was Rosalie Pshebylo doing that kind of work on behalf of our democracy out there. I've also been very lucky to have Pat Maksymchuk as my constituency assistant in Dauphin. Pat and Bill are a great couple, the kind of couple that'll give the shirt off their backs to help you.

Much like what Rosalie had done, Pat digs into things and gets stuff done for my constituents, and I want to say very publicly: thanks, Pat. As I said, I believe our government in over 17 years has made life much better for Manitobans. And part of the way we did that was that we were connected to Manitobans. We –when I say we, I include people like former Premier Gary Doer. Gary always understood what the people of Manitoba were thinking and he always wanted to be connected with that.

You know, I sometimes didn't look forward to going to Cabinet on Wednesday morning; you had to have your ducks lined up to face Gary Doer at 9 o'clock in the morning. But I always knew no matter what went on at Cabinet, I always knew that Gary thought things through politically and that he was there to protect the Cabinet and the government, and that things that we were doing, we have good policy discussions, but he knew his primary role was to understand the politics of it, to understand how this impacted Manitoba families. And he wasn't going to let you do something that ran counter to that.

I want people to absolutely unde rstand that I think that's essential when it comes to governing. I was surrounded–well, not just 17 years, but all 21 years, I think, by MLAs; all of us, but particularly the MLAs that I shared caucus time with, people who I think represent Manitobans, understand we need to be connected with Manitobans. And I want to very much underscore that we had staff, all the MLAs, all the Cabinet ministers, the Premier, we had staff that understood that too.

We have and have had a talented group of people, New Democ rats, people who believed that we were going to build a society based on cooperation, a society where those with the greatest, that people with –that give according to their ability and receive according to their need, people who live that daily, inject tha t into the policy discussions, inject that into how we communicate our stands, our policies. And I want to say we had chief of staffs like Bob Dewar, Michael Balagus, Liam Martin, people who under stood that and were honest and forthright with us.

I can remember being told by chiefs of staff, you want to do what? That was their job. If I was coming up with something that didn't fit in or maybe I hadn't thought through, there were staff that would say, Stan, how about this? We had people in Cab com who knew how to communicate policy, who knew how to communicate what –who could take a budget and dominate the airwaves for two or three weeks. It must have been frustrating on the other side of the House trying to deal with that. Well, I want you to know you were up against some very talented people, very talented.

You go down to room 14, issues management and discussions of policy, there were people down there who could slice and dice and parse and come up with good ideas, and then we'd translate that into our gov ernment policy and then we would com - municate the daylights out of it. See, we understood that we're not a think tank, we're not a left -of-centre think tank in this building. There's nothing wrong with think tanks left of centre, right of centre. That's not us; we govern. We make decisions that impact people's lives. We can draw from think tanks.

We can draw from people with ideas, but we –the buck stops with us. We make the decisions that impact people's families. The other thing I think we got right is that we used all the connections that we could. We were in the mall; we were in the shopping centres; we were all over the province, MLAs listening to people, and then taking that information back to caucus meetings. We didn't say we weren't going to look at a poll; I don't say we should govern by polls.

But it would be absolutely wrong to thing that we can't use a poll as a tool, or a focus group as a tool, to make better decisions on policy, on government stance,

1110 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 15, 2016 and ensure that we're connected to Manitobans because, in my mind, if you say that we're not going to do polls, that we're not going to listen to them, you're further disconnecting yourself from the people that we claim to represent, and we're a representative democracy in here. The most important thing is that you're connected to people back home, and then you reflect that in the decisions that we make here. Now how did we do this for–I think successfully for that many years? Something I refer to as pro - gressive incrementalism.

Progressive becaus e it is based on the ideals, based on the principles of our party, building a society based on co- operation as opposed to a world where it's dominated by com - petition and dog- eat-dog, step on somebody to get ahead. I like our principles much better. It's t he reason I joined the party. We were progressive; we didn't bite off more than we could chew. There were people who thought we could spend more political capital all the time; but we were smart in our decision making. And, as a result, I think we moved the goal posts in Manitoba quite a darn bit.

Now we had 17 years to do it, and I'm very proud of what we've accomplished in those 17 years, but I think it's hard just to superficially count the things we've done because I think we–and we should be proud of this on our side of the House –we fundamentally changed Manitoba. We fundamentally changed Manitoba for the better. The things that we believe in, Manitobans believe in. The key to our success was that we were patient; we worked with Manitobans; we took our cues from Manitobans.

We moved things forward in such a way that we didn't tick off too many people, and we were able to string together four election victories. That counts for something. That means that people like the Premier (Mr. Selinger) and the Cabinet and the caucus and all our staff and our volunteers and our party did a lot of good work to maintain that confidence of the people of Manitoba. We should be proud of that. * (15:10) We have–we didn't mind being populist either; I'd rather be populist than technocratic.

Populism is– it's being connected–I don't mean Donald Trump populism; I reject that absolutely, completely–but we have been connected to Manitobans. We understood what they wanted, and for the –and, as much as we could, we gave it to them. There are two challenges that I do want to address. One, I think–I'm very worried about the degradation of political parties. Politicians take a bad rap; I think political parties do too. And what we have to remember is how essential political

partie s are to the future of our democracy here in Manitoba. The other thing that I'm worried about is the diminishing authority of MLAs. And I've sat on this side of the House, in opposition. I sat way over at the back there, in the backbench, and I sat 11 year s in government; now I'm back here in the backbench. I want to say, clearly, that each of those moves served me well in terms of what I can contribute to this place. I learned a lot of things over there in opposition, and I saw a lot of very good examples of how to be a good politician.

And I wasn't happy sitting way at the back there in the backbench, I'll admit. But, again, I learned a lot sitting in that backbench, watching people who knew what they were doing. And I had a blast as a Cabinet minister; I really felt part of a team and the things that we were doing. Alfred is up above the –above you there, Mr. Speaker, up on the wall, Alfred the Great. He was a king of England. He was king of Wessex. He developed a system that was based on confidence. It was based on a mandate and receiving that mandate from people.

Mostly, he was–you know, he would go off to battle and he'd throw out his policies, and he got consent from his warriors by them rattling their weapons. Pretty rudimentary, but it's a system tha t we have here in Manitoba. I don't want anybody out there swinging axes and things, but it's consent. And you don't get to govern without consent. And you don't just get consent at the time of the election. Consent has–means something in between elections . And, if you don't have that consent –not–confidence is the word I'm thinking of. If you don't have that confidence, then you don't get to govern.

Political parties have a huge role to play in terms of what they do. I do think, though, when you think of p olitical parties, that no individual–premier, minister, caucus member–none of us are bigger than our political parties –absolutely none of us. And, when you start to think that you're somebody bigger than a political party, I think it starts to unravel. We've had a tough time in our party the last little while, and I want to say to the Premier , I want to say very directly to the Premier, that I regret that he and his family had to go through what they went through. It was not easy on the Premier.

It was not easy on anyone. There were people who sacrificed. There were people who got caught in some crossfire. There were elected people that I believe were mistreated. There were staffers, some of them in the

March 15, 2016 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1111 gallery today, who were mistreated. But I want to– I want it to be very clear: the Premier (Mr. Selinger) did–should not have had to undergone what the Premier underwent. I think there's a way to deal with this. And I think this is a lesson not just for New Democrats but for other parties too.

I think–I thin k–there'll be a lot of talk about an election over the next little while, but I think we have to sit down and talk about a mechanism that we can put in place based on what they do in Australia with spill votes, based on what they do in the British conserva tive party. We don't need to be putting people through what we've put ourselves through. It's time to move on. I want to talk about the people that I've met along the way. I want to say that people who put their names forward on each side of this House a re very good people, and they get involved for all the right reasons.

I remember dealing with one Jim Downey. Jim made a swan song speech here that I think is one of the best that I've heard, you know, next to, you know, my friends from Fort Rouge and Seine River last week. And what he–what I learned was that you could come in here and you can duke it out and you can go at it, and then it's just like water off a duck with Jim. He'd talked to me in the hallway, and it's like nothing ever happened in here. But you knew Jim Downey was a partisan guy who was going to stand up for his principles and he was going to go out and fight you in the next election.

There's nothing wrong with that. I encourage it. I want to briefly mention Terry and Lester Vopni because those two gentlemen sold me my first NDP membership, got me involved in this. I have no regrets. I want to talk very quickly about six people who I've got to know very well over the last little while. And we've been called a number of things. I like to refer to us–every now and then, in our offices down there, a six-pack of Rebel IPA comes in through the doors, and I want to say that it is a six -pack, not an eight-pack or a 10-pack or a two-four.

But there's six people who I will have an undying respect for, trust, love, which is one of the reasons why I'm so optimistic about the future of our party. I think there will always be people like the six of us who will stand up and sacrifice, not sit back, not be wallflowers. But, when our party needed us, we were there. I'll never forget that. Michelle and Alex, I've introduced you to before, were my –one of my proudest days was introducing a budget in 2012, and you got to see Alex standing right up here. My mom was with him, Michelle was–is in the audience.

Alex gave his Juan Perón kind of a wave when he was introduced. Back and forth between here and Dauphin, it –all of our family sacrificed. I also contend that all of our families benefit. Three and a half hours back and forth to Dauphin, Michelle and I solved a lot of the world's problems. You'd look in the rear -view mirror, and there's Alex sitting in his car seat with the cat, snoozing. You know, they made a contribution too, Michelle and Alex did. I couldn't do what I do without Michelle and Alex. I couldn 't do what I do without my mom and dad, who taught me how to grow up.

Dad taught me how to stand up for myself and think for myself. My mom taught me how to be compassionate, how–what community means; we, not me, Mom would say. But most of all, I want to e nd my speaking time in this Legislature by saying a few things about my grandfather, Stan Paul. I introduced you to Stan Paul back when I made my maiden speech. I reintroduced you to Stan Paul when I did the budget speech. He has the most impact on me than anybody else in my life. He was a bridge builder. He had a truck and a Caterpillar. He built bridges in the Swan River Valley. He connected families to each other.

He connected communities with each other. He connected the Swan River Valley to the rest of the world. There was no other guy like him. He always had a twinkle in his eye. He always said nice things about people, and the measuring stick that I use to determine whether or not I've done a good job is whether or not my grandfather would be proud of me. And I end my career by affirming that my grandfather would be proud of the work that I've done as an MLA. I want to wish all of you good luck in the upcoming election, and for one last time, Mr. Speaker, I want to say thank you. * (15:20) Hon.

Gord Mackintosh (Minister of Justice and Attorney General): So today's my last speech. It's not as if these walls need to hear my voice anymore. Actually, maybe I should have a caveat on that; I do want a caveat on that. I know former Mayor Juba, he did come back, he stood in the loges and got in an argument with the minister for Public Works at the time over a washroom in a park. I believe the Sergeant-at-Arms, who was quite frail, and I think he was around 80 years old, was sent over to get

1112 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 15, 2016 Mayor Juba out of here. I think the story goes, it's Joe Borowski thought there was a rather awkward moment and intervened and got him out. So I do reserve the right to come back and give a speech from over there, Mr. Speaker, and I know the Sergeant-at-Arms will ha ve something to do about that. I want to reflect back on the fact that I've actually been hanging around this place for, I think it's about 39 years. I was first introduced to the Legislature from up there.

I was hired one summer as an information officer with Elections Manitoba, and the deputy clerk of the House, his name was Andy Anstett, known to many in this Chamber. He insisted that all of the students attend question period during the Schreyer government every day. So we sat up there and we became in deed students of politics, Mr. Speaker. Well, then, it was a few years later, and I came back into this Chamber, sitting down there as a deputy clerk. We did about four years at the table. That was so long ago, Mr.

Speaker; actually a few days after I cam e in here, Bob Wilson was thrown out of the House for–because he was convicted under the Criminal Code. And you know how they say that things, you know, the pendulum swings, and things go in waves. That was so long ago, Mr. Speaker, Conservatives in those days sold pot. That's how long ago that was. I don't know if the pendulum will swing again. I don't see that coming. During those years, Mr. Speaker, I had the experience of being in here during what has been called the French language crisis, and I got to sleep in the Chamber, on the loge.

And I know people are saying, what do you mean, sleep? You know, people sleeping in the Chamber? Actually I remember a Cabinet minister in the Filmon government sleeping on the front bench–we don't do that. Maybe the second bench. But that was so intense of an experience, I – during–as soon as the French language crisis was over, I got in my car, and I drove, I believe, to New Orleans. And I was walking down the street, and so a little fella came up to me, and he said, I know where you got your shoes.

And I had got them in Duluth when I visited my sister, Elizabeth [phonetic], and I'm pretty sure I paid duty on them, but –I said, what do you mean? He said, I know where you got your shoes. Give me a dollar and I'll tell you where I got your shoes. So, by then, there was a number of tourists that were gathered around me, and I thought, jeez, well, I might as well go for it. So I gave him a buck, and he says, there's a sucker born every minute. You got your shoes on your feet, and you're right here in New Orleans. So I drove back home and went back to work.

So I say to the members of the table, I understand the pressures that you're under, I know how you carry this stuff home at night. It's not an easy job, but I really –I share, I empathize with you, but I do commend you for your effort. It's so important. You make this place work, actually. So thank you very much. And, of course, I came back, just to test the clerks, working for Elijah Harper one day, and that didn't go too badly. But –so I know that there will be some that are questioning now whether the member for Thompson (Mr.

Ashton) is, in fact, the dean of the House after these old man stories that I'm telling you. I want to just assure the House, that when it comes to l ongevity in this Chamber, I believe the member for Thompson served in this House with Roblin, and I don't mean Duff, Mr. Speaker. I think we're reminded on a regular basis of how transitory and how temporary our existence is in this Chamber, and I think no more so than the fact that we have this little tag on our desk.

And, you know, when the pages go by, the thing ruffles away in there, and sometimes I come in and it's halfway out and think it's a metaphor, maybe that's the message I got. But –I'm going to keep this, I'll keep it as a bookmark, but it does remind us that each and every day is so important that we can't let any of this great opportunity ever go to waste. I know it's been 23 years for me as an elected person, but I swear it's been six or sev en years. The time is fleeting, but the opportunity is even so much more so unless we are indeed pledged to work so hard.

Every–I remember walking to the Conservation office on the third floor, walking up those 88 steps, and every day, Mr. Speaker, I think–well, I'm out of shape–but how lucky I am to be here and I just have always thanked for –you know, given thanks for another day here. So 23 years has gone by; I can't believe it. I–first of all, I want to pay tribute, though, to some very important people in my life. My father died, and I

March 15, 2016 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1113 have said this to the House before, when I was two years old and, sometimes I've actually wondered if it hasn't been that much different for my own family. This is a very compelling cause, obviously, and it's a vortex; it draws you in. I've been a lawyer. I can tell you that draws you in, too, but this has a 24- 7 presence. And so, to organize things in our family, Margy [phonetic] found this huge wall calendar, and she found all these secret, colour -coded markers.

And what she did was, she had all the dates on there and, every month, she dutifully erased it and put out all of the commitments that all five of us had. It was a mess. It didn't look like the kitchens in those magazines, you know, but it worked. And I think it really helped move things along so that we were–yes, there was moments, you know, I didn't see that on the calendar, Gord, you're going to have to take the bus to Duck Bay, you know. So I think that, as much as politics is compelling for the member, it entraps the whole family. And the young children don't get a choice; this becomes their life.

I know that our family, the kids have met some that would never –people they've never would have met otherwise. And they've been to places. So I know it has enriched them, but, at the same time, I think there's been some burdens, absolutely. I want to just say that I have always tried to make time for family, and I've always thought it was the No. 1 priority, aside from health. And, if you don't get that right, nothing else is going to work. But, you know, it has a way of–sometimes, when I was with family, I felt I was with them maybe in body only.

I drove the older two kids to Gordon Bell school on the way to the Legislature for several years and, one day, I pulle d up behind the school and stopped and no one got out of the vehicle. And I turned around and there was nobody in the back seat. And I suspect, Mr. School, they were home in bed, sleeping because the school year was over. I think I got away with it, at least until now. I want to give thanks to the family. They're all here. Margy [phonetic] and my sister, Charlotte [phonetic], and Dorothy [phonetic] and Gordie [phonetic] and Kotel [phonetic] . And thank you so much for all your support.

I want to pay trib ute to the strong people of St. Johns. First of all, I would not be here today without the wisdom and support over the years of Judy Wasylycia-Leis. Those are, you know, those are small-big shoes to fill, eh? What a tremendous person, very important in my life. She taught me so many lessons, Mr. Speaker. But I've been struck by how many just truly genuine and earnest people I have been honoured to meet in the constituency. I can't believe I've been let into so many peoples' lives. I can't believe the suppor t that they have given me, time after time, and been so respectful.

I just have loved that work as an MLA. And I think, quite frankly–and I'm from a small town, Fort Francis –I always loved that, you know, being from a small town and knowing people –and it a ctually made my part of Winnipeg more like a small town, because I got to know people, and you had to get to know people. But it was an honour and a privilege. I want to just thank staff.

Paul [phonetic] and Dominique [phonetic] are here, today, from the community office, and they've done this amazing job while I'm here, doing the policy stuff and all that, and they've been doing the work with–you know, the cases that come in the door. So thank you so much, Paul [phonetic] and Dominique [phonetic] and Daria [phonetic] as well. I want to, as well, just talk a bit about the members in this Chamber. I think we all know that exaggerated partisanship can get in the way of our service. This is a hard time to make that speech, because partisanship is part of the election season; I get that.

But I know that, you know, we all conscientiously represent real Manitobans, and we can't let anything get in the way of that. We have to recognize that all of us, from –no matter where we are in this Chamber, represent people that have real concerns that must be addressed.

The House is, in fact, a great, noble effort to convene representatives with diverse backgrounds and from diverse communities, each with a great life experience for a great purpose. * (15:30) I've always insisted to political staff, and I think sometimes to their bewilderment, that they must treat all MLA issues, constituent concerns, local issues the same. All MLAs are on an equal footing when they come for help.

I also want to say that I've learned that kindness is apolitical, and I thank members on all sides of the House for the support over the years and the camaraderie that I think gives us all strength in this Chamber to attend to the greater good. I want to thank, in particular, the political staff that have made sure that I stay out of trouble as much

1114 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 15, 2016 as they could do. Felix Meza is here and he's been with me since 2006, and I don't know how he's done that, but I want to say that he is the most amazing political adviser, a great polit ical nose, and I want to thank you so much, Felix. Bev Nagamori has been with me for all 17 years at the front desk, and she's away, maybe it's therapy; she's away for a couple of weeks, just been tremendous as well. And I think all of you in this Chamber have got to know Bev over the years, and she was here many, many years before, worked with Vic and Rosemary before me.

I want to, as well, thank– Rory is here. He's relatively new with the political staff, and just tremendous. Thank you so much, Rory, f or all the work that you've been doing. To come in now and just really give it has been really inspiring, quite frankly. I want to say something about civil servants. You know, they get badmouthed way too often, and I'm sick and tired of that, quite frankly.

I say that even though the public does not hold them in high esteem, I sympathize, I empathize because I'm a lawyer–no; I sympathize because –I sympathize because I'm a politician, and I know that those who- do-you-trust polls have consistently rated politicians near the bottom and–with car sales people and now telemarketers, apparently. And some people would say that should make politicians feel real bad. I think, given their standing, that would make car sales people and telemarketers feel really bad, Mr. Speaker.

We have an image problem, eh folks, and I think that the heckling in this Chamber is a big part of the problem, but there are other parts of that. But I really believe that we've got to do better and it's going to take more. It's not up to the Speaker, I don't think, to do that. I think you, Mr. Speaker, have tried consistently to bring the volume down and the rude remarks that we too often send from the benches here. It's up to all of us and our caucuses and individually, I think.

The fir st speech that I ever gave on election night, I made a passing commitment that I would never heckle, and I got this hearty –the biggest round of applause of everything that was in my speech, so I had to not heckle. I was compelled to comply, and I just want to share this with you. It hasn't been as much fun as I thought it would be. I'm holding it all inside, Mr. Speaker. And, in fact, as many of you know, I had to come down and actually share some thoughts with Premier Filmon during the MTS debate because I couldn't yell it across, you know. That's how it had to go. I think we all have to work on that.

I just want to talk about some of the heroes and the people that have inspired me, and I think we should all celebrate. I think in politics you never can be sure if you're being followed or being chased. I know for sure that I've been chased a lot, Mr. Speaker, and I think it's always –it's been important to listen to those who have been chasing. I think that's what makes all the difference. You know, people are really insightful about what needs have to be addressed, and as long as you keep listening, government can be in touch and can be effective and can make change.

I first of all–I have the greatest respect for the environmentalists. I was at a federal -provincial- territorial meeting; I was shocked to hear some of my counterparts badmouth environmentalists. I think these are–I call them the servants of –loyal servants of Her Majesty –Mother Earth, that is. They are so critical to the future of our very existence. I would think there –everyone in this House has to celebrate those parents extraordinaire, foster parents.

You know, I –after–I just can't believe how people open their hearts and their homes for children in need and, to me, that is a force that is so critical to our well-being. I've been inspired by the leaders of the multi - cultural organizations that strengthen communities and, therefore, strengthen the province, the com - munity of volunteers that come out and help to strengthen local neighborhoods, the–Reverend Harry Lehotsky was another great inspiring individual and Sel Burrows.

I mean, these two individuals have changed neighborhoods, and I think that the whole country should be looking at the work of those two leaders. I celebrate all of thos e brave Manitobans that came down here, particularly during the standing committee hearings on same sex rights and benefits, Mr. Speaker. They shared their most, their deepest concerns, their fears, their hopes and aspirations. And, I think, with their stories, they changed the Manitoba public and acceptance so that those rights could be enshrined in law, in this province. I think of the strong Manitobans that are survivors of wrongful death, Mr.

Speaker, of homicide, impaired driving, of workplace fatalit ies;

March 15, 2016 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1115 they have changed me absolutely. Compelling lessons about how the justice system has to change to ensure that it was not revictimizing those who have been–actually, potentially disabled for life. I think of those who have been exploited but have got out of that and now are helping others. I think of persons with disabilities and the lessons that I was able to learn, particularly in that portfolio who have taught without talking. So, as I move to a conclusion here, I want to just focus on a couple of themes.

First of all, it's absolutely a truth that children need, from even one adult, to know that they are special and not excess baggage. And I think that those who work to make this province better for children, I would say to them, you redeem us as adults because what adults do–or can't do for children is absolutely horrifying. But they do help redeem us as adults, and that, I think, my friends is the highest calling, those who work for children. And I commend them. I think as politicians we spend a lot of money. I think about –well, hundreds of thousands of dollars telling people what we do.

I think sometimes we should be a little more generous and give away to those who have advocated and worked for change, and let them take credit. I know that somet imes we have to show how we're different from other parties, and we have to show that we're moving and listening. But I don't think that legislators just doing their job should be robbing those who have been advocates and agents for change by taking credit from them. So we, I think, have to do a better job to celebrate the contributions that really give us the ideas. And I think of ideas from my own neighborhood.

A guy up the street that says: Hey, how come we have to go and get our own jackets for the citizen patrol? Why don't you do some–why don't you buy centrally and save a lot of money, you know, create this sense of identity for citizen patrols? Well, that led to MPI then taking on the citizen patrol movement and buying jackets and radios and giving training.

But that's just a guy up the street, Dietrich Lessen [phonetic]. * (15:40) So, I think–by the way, I would say that any contributions of mine are really theirs over the years, but I'm not going to refund my pay but –so I, as others, made a tough decision, and I would never wish the decision -making process of moving on on anyone. I wouldn't wish getting defeated on anyone either. Those are all, though, the realities of serving in public office.

I think it was recently Dalton McGuinty –and I think he was quoting LBJ, and he said that as much as it's hard –or, politics is like a hammo ck; it's hard getting into but it's even harder getting out of. And I think, Mr. Speaker, that that is true. But I did feel a bit better when a couple of weeks ago, I ran into the trade minister from Saskatchewan Jeremy Harrison and he said to me, you've been in Cabinet for 17 years? How did you do that? Oh, okay, there's a little vindication there.

You know, maybe some things, you know, has happened– some things have happened to my body, not just the– you know, the size of it or the colour of my hair. But it is a high –there are high expectations and there are pressures, I'm sure, on the human body, on the human psyche over the years, but I loved every bit of it. And I've always felt I've been living the dream and I can say that today, Mr. Speaker. There ar e a couple of regrets, perhaps, I could tease out for my remarks. We have a new federal government, Mr.

Speaker, and I've been able to pinch hit for some ministers at FPT meetings in the last several weeks, and I am –there's fresh air and I'm very optimistic. I think there's a new willingness to work with the provinces that –in a way that we haven't seen for a long time. I–but I was walking down Sparks Street in Ottawa and Cameron MacIntosh from CBC was coming the other way. I said, what are you doing here? And he said, oh, they've been calling in CBC reporters from across the country because there's so much more work to do in Ottawa. Ministers are giving interviews.

You can actually quantitatively measure the difference in the approach, Mr. Speaker. But I t hink, too, the welcoming of the Syrian refugees to Canada has reminded Canadians who we are. It has said once again to the world that we are the welcoming people; we are the welcoming place. Yes. I just heard that the Red Cross line that is there for Mani tobans that want to help with Syrian settlement has received about 1,500 calls, and that's who we are, Mr. Speaker.

It's amazing 26,000 Syrians have settled in Canada and, in fact, I think about 72 per cent of the Syrians coming to Manitoba already have permanent housing. So, that's a great

1116 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 15, 2016 success, and that's not about government; that is about Canadians and Manitobans. So, I –you know, we seek social and economic justice, Mr. Speaker. We seek ways to do that. We want to make sure that the change that we can help to usher in is going to last longer than next fiscal year. I've always believed that the reason we are here–and, in fact, not just as politicians, but as human beings–is to help those in need, to help others, to help those that need someone on their side.

I've been very blessed by both the –from the appointment of the two premiers I have worked for, to have portfolios that I think have a moral and ethical dimension, Mr. Speaker. I always felt there was a compelling cause at hand, a high purpose. I never felt I had a job; I always felt I had a role. And it's up to others to remark on any accomplishments – and I know the opposition would say that would take someone with a vivid imagination. I know the people on my side would say, well, Gord, I know there 's five-point plans and 10-point plans and some slogans and you're wandering with a teapot again. But, Mr.

Speaker, I said in my first speech back in 1994, and I'll just quote: The principle of responding to the voices of people without power and privilege and empowering them is a principle for all time. We often feel that problems are not ours, that they are someone else's. But I often say, if a neighbour has a problem, so do we. We are all in it together. That statement, I think, is my

interpretation of the essence of our party. So, Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, I pray that I have, even in some small way, given life to that principle. Thank you. It's been a great honour. Hon. Ron Lemieux (Minister of Tourism, Culture, Heritage, Sport and Consumer Prot ection): Well, thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, and that's actually how I started off my speech in December 7th, 1999, by thanking the Speaker and all my newly elected colleagues in this beautiful building. I was not going to say –or make very many comments, Mr.

Speaker, and my wife texted me and said, you should use this opportunity, if nothing else, to thank all of your colleagues and everyone in this Chamber for 17 years of service, who I know many were elected in 1999, an

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Collection	Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	40-5-29b
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	40th 5th hansardpdf 29b.pdf
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	c8f7e100db13e88acea6f3b9f732732f09fd62b7

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