Manitoba Hansard — 5 December 2013 (Sitting 17B, 40th Legislature, 3rd Session)

40-3-17b

Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)

Third 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. LXVI No. 17B - 1:30 p.m., Thursday, December 5, 2013 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 BJORNSON, Peter, Hon. Gimli NDP BLADY, Sharon, Hon. Kirkfield Park NDP BRAUN, Erna, Hon. Rossmere NDP BRIESE, Stuart Agassiz PC CALDWELL, Drew Brandon East NDP CHIEF, Kevin, Hon. Point Douglas NDP CHOMIAK, Dave, Hon. Kildonan NDP CROTHERS, Deanne St.

James NDP CULLEN, Cliff Spruce Woods PC DEWAR, Gregory 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, Hon. Fort Rouge NDP IRVIN-ROSS, Kerri, Hon. Fort Richmond NDP JHA, Bidhu Radisson NDP KOSTYSHYN, Ron, Hon. Swan River 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 MELNICK, Christine Riel NDP MITCHELSON, Bonnie River East PC NEVAKSHONOFF, Tom Interlake NDP OSWALD, Theresa, Hon. Seine River NDP PALLISTER, Brian Fort Whyte PC PEDERSEN, Blaine Midland PC PETTERSEN, Clarence Flin Flon NDP REID, Daryl, Hon. Transcona NDP ROBINSON, Eric, Hon. Kewatinook NDP RONDEAU, Jim Assiniboia NDP ROWAT, Leanne Riding Mountain PC SARAN, Mohinder The Maples NDP SCHULER, Ron St. Paul PC SELBY, Erin, Hon. Southdale NDP SELINGER, Greg, Hon. St. Boniface NDP SMOOK, Dennis La Verendrye PC STEFANSON, Heather Tuxedo PC STRUTHERS, Stan, Hon.

Dauphin NDP SWAN, Andrew, Hon. Minto NDP WHITEHEAD, Frank The Pas NDP WIEBE, Matt Concordia NDP WIGHT, Melanie Burrows NDP WISHART, Ian Portage la Prairie PC Vacant Arthur-Virden Vacant Morris

665 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA Thursday, December 5, 2013 The House met at 1:30 p.m. Mr. Speaker: Good afternoon, everyone. Please be seated. ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS INTRODUCTION OF BILLS Bill 33–The Apprenticeship Employment Opportunities Act (Public Works Contracts) Hon. Theresa Oswald (Minister of Jobs and the Economy): I move, seconded by the Minister of Mineral Resources (Mr. Chomiak), that Bill 33, The Apprenticeship Employment Opportunities Act (Public Works Contracts);

Loi sur les occasions d'apprentissage en milieu de travail (marchés de travaux publics), be now read a first time. Motion presented. Ms. Oswald: The Province, of course, will be continuing to increase opportunities for apprentices, and this bill emphasizes the government's role in promoting skilled trades. This bill makes it a legal requirement, Mr. Speaker, that when contractors using trades are a warded Province of Manitoba public works contracts, they will be required to use apprentices. This will ensure good, high- skilled jobs right here in Manitoba. Mr.

Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed] Any further introduction of bills? PETITIONS Mr. Speaker: We'll move on to petitions. East Selkirk Sewage Lagoon Site– Environmental Licence Mrs. Heather Stefanson (Tuxedo): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. And the background to this petition is as follows:

(1) On August 12th, 2013, Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship granted a licence for the construction of a sewage lagoon on the former CIL explosives plant site in East Selkirk.

(2) This site is located 1,100 feet from the banks of the Red River.

(3) Local residents are concerned that hydr aulic pressure from the lagoon a nd instances of heavy rainfall could cause contaminants left over from the manufacturing of explosives at the site to flow into the Red River.

(4) Upon the review of a soil study conducted on the site, the Water Science and Management Branch of the Department of Conservation and Water Stewardship noted that effluent from the site could negatively affect aquatic life in the Red River and may result in increased risks of cancer in fish.

(5) The chemical dinitrotoluene is present in the soil at the former CIL explosives plant site and is a known carcinogen to fish and other aquatic species.

(6) Soil testing done prior to the environmenta l licence being issued should' ve been done at a level consistent with the standards used by the Environmental Protection Agency in the United States, where they have more experience with testing for contaminants at former explosives sites.

(7) The Province of Mani toba has no available guidelines for the assessment of energetic com - pounds in soil.

(8) There are many other viable, non - contaminated sites in the area which would be better suited for the construction of a sewage lagoon. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To request that the Minister of Conservation and Water Stewardship reconsider his decision to grant an environmental licence for the construction of a sewage lagoon at this site. And, Mr. Spea ker, t his petition is signed by A. Ward, E. Ward, K. Palmer and many, many other fine Manitobans. Mr. Speaker: In keeping with our rule 132(6), when petitions are read they are deemed to have been received by the House. Mrs.

Leanne Rowat (Riding Mountain ): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.

666 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA December 5, 2013 And these are the reasons for this petition: The background to this–oh, sorry. On August 12th, 2013, Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship granted a licence for th e construction of a sewage lagoon for the former CIL explosives plant site in East Selkirk. This site is located 1,100 feet from the banks of the Red River. Local residents are concerned that hydr aulic pressure from the lagoon a nd instances of heavy rainfall could cause contaminants left over from the manufacturing of explosives at the site to flow into the Red River.

Upon the review of a soil study conducted on the site, the Water Science and Management Branch of the Department of Conservation and Water Stewardship noted that effluent from the site could negatively affect aquatic life in the Red River and may result in increased risk of cancer in fish. The chemical dinitrotoluene is present in the soil at the former CIL explosives plant site –is a k nown carcinogen to–or fish and other aquatic species.

Soil testing done prior to the environmental licence being issued should have been done at a level consistent with the standards used by the Environmental Protection Agency in the United States, where they have more experience with testing for contaminants at former explosives sites. The Province of Manitoba has no available guidelines for the assessment of 'energenetic' compounds in soil. There are many other viable, non contaminated sites in the ar ea which could be better suited for the construction of a sewage lagoon.

We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To request that the Minister of Conservation and Water Stewardship reconsider his decision to grant an environmental li cence for the construction of a sewage lagoon at this site. This petition' s signed by J. Curtis, L. Kordalchuyk and R. Novakowski and many, many more Manitobans. Applied Behaviour Analysis Services Mrs. Bonnie Mitchelson (River East): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. And the background to this petition is as follows:

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

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

(3) School learning services has its first ever waiting list which started with two children. The waiting list is projected to keep growing and to be in excess of 20 children by September of 2013. Therefore, these children will go through the biggest transition of their lives without receiving ABA services that has helped other children achieve hu ge gains.

(4) The provincial government has adopted a policy to eliminate ABA services in schools by grade 5 despite the fact that these children have been diagnosed with autism which still requires therapy. These children are being denied necessary ABA services that will allow them to access the same educational opportunities as any other Manitoban.

(5) Waiting lists and denials of treatment are unacceptable. No child should be denied access to or eliminated from eligibility for ABA services if their need still exists. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To request that the Minister of Education consider making funding available to eliminate the current waiting list for ABA school -age services and to fund ABA services for individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. And this petition is signed by M. Cetkovski, S. Cetkovski, K. Resler and many, many other fine Manitobans.

December 5, 2013 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 667 Provincial Sales Tax Increase–Referendum Mr. Ralph Eichler (Lakeside): Good afternoon. I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. These are the reasons for this petition:

(1) The provincial government promised not to raise taxes in the last election. * (13:40)

(2) Through Bill 20, the provincial government wants to increase the retail sales tax, known as the PST, by one point without the required referendum.

(3) An increase to the PST is excessive taxation that will harm Manitoba families.

(4) Bill 20 strips Manitobans of their democratic right to determin e when major tax increases are necessary. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to not raise the PST without holding a provincial referendum. This petition is submitted on behalf of B. Jawoski, C. Klohn, L. Howard and many other fine Manitobans. Mount Agassiz Ski Area–Recreation Facility Mr. Stuart Briese (Agassiz): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.

And these are the reasons for this petition: For several decades, the Mount Agassiz ski area, home to the highest vertical between Thunder Bay and the Rocky Mountains, was a popular skiing and snowboarding destination for Manitobans and visitors alike. The operations of the Mount Agassiz ski area were very important to the local economy, not only creating jobs but also generating sales of goods and services at area businesses. In addition, a thriving rural economy generates tax revenue that will help pay for core provincial government services and infrastructure which bene - fits all Manitobans.

Although the ski facility closed in 2000, there remains strong interest in seeing it reopened, and Parks Canada is committed to conducting a feasibility study with respect to the Agassiz site and future opportunities for–in the area. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To request the appropriate ministers of the provincial government to consider outlining to Parks Canada the importance that a viable recreation facility in the Moun t Agassiz area would play in the local and provincial economies.

And to request that the appropriate ministers of the provincial government consider working with all stakeholders, including Parks Canada, to help develop a plan for a viable multiseason re creation facility in the Mount Agassiz area. This petition is signed by F. Houle, A. Gautron, E. Gautron and many, many other fine Manitobans. Provincial Road 433 Improvements Mr. Wayne Ewasko (Lac du Bonnet): I wish to present the following petition to t he Legislative Assembly. The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) Provincial Road 433, Lee River Road and Cape Coppermine Road, in the rural municipality of Lac du Bonnet has seen an increase in traffic volume in recent years.

(2) New subdivis ions have generated consi d- erable population growth, and the area has seen a significant increase in tourism due to the popularity of the Granite Hills Golf Course.

(3) This population growth has generated an increased tax base in the rural municipality.

(4) Lee River Road and Cape Coppermine Road were not originally built to handle the high volume of traffic they now accommodate. We petition the Legislative Assembly as follows: To request that the Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation recognize that Lee River Road and Cape Coppermine Road can no longer adequately serve both area residents and tourists, and as such consider making improvements to the road to reflect its current use. This petition is signed by M. Watt, P. Mandys, R. Levacque and many, many more fine Manitobans, Mr. Speaker.

668 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA December 5, 2013 COMMITTEE REPORTS Committee of the Whole Mr. Tom Nevakshonoff (Chairperson): Mr. Speaker, the Committee of the Whole has considered the following bill: Bill 47, The Budget Implementation and Tax Statutes Amendment Act, 2013, and reports the same without amendment. I move, seconded by the honourable member for Wolseley (Mr. Altemeyer), that the report of the committee be received. Mr. Speaker: It's been moved by the honourable member for the Interlake, seconded by the honour - able member for Wolseley, that the report of the committee be received.

Is that agreed? Some Honourable Members: Agreed. Some Honourable Members: No. Mr. Speaker: No? I hear a no. Voice Vote Mr. Speaker: All those in favour of receiving the report from the committee will please signify it by saying aye. Some Honourable Members: Aye. Mr. Speaker: All those opposed, please signify it by saying nay. Some Honourable Members: Nay. Mr. Speaker: Opinion of the Chair, the Ayes have it. Recorded Vote Mr. Kelvin Goertzen (Official Opposition House Leader): A recorded vote, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker: A recorded vote having been requested, call in the members. Order, please.

The question before the House is the report of the Committee of the Whole. All those in favour of the report –[interjection]–the report of the Committee shall be received. Division A RECORDED VOTE was taken, the result being as follows: Yeas Allan, Allum, Altemeyer, Ashton, Bjornson, Braun, Caldwell, Chief, Chomiak, Crothers, Dewar, Gaudreau, Gerrard, Howard, Irvin-Ross, Kostyshyn, Lemieux, Mackintosh, Maloway, Marcelino (Logan), Marcelino (Tyndall Park), Nevakshonoff, Oswald, Pettersen, Robinson, R ondeau, Saran, Selby, Struthers, Swan, Wiebe, Wight.

Nays Briese, Cullen, Driedger, Eichler, Ewasko, Friesen, Goertzen, Graydon, Helwer, Mitchelson, Pallister, Pedersen, Rowat, Schuler, Smook, Stefanson, Wishart. Clerk (Ms. Patricia Chaychuk): Yeas 32, Nays 17. Mr. Speaker: The report of the committee shall accordingly be received. * * * Mr. Speaker: Any other further committee reports? TABLING OF REPORTS Mr. Speaker: Seeing none, we'll move on to tabling of reports. Hon. James Allum (Minister of Education and Advanced Learning): Mr. Speaker, I'd like to table the Manitoba Text Book Bureau annual report for 2012-2013. Mr. Speaker: Any further tabling of reports?

Mr. Allum: Mr. Speaker, I'd like to table the financial statements for Assiniboine Co mmunity College for the years ended June 30th, 2013 and 2012. Mr. Speaker: Any further tabling of reports? Hon. Ron Lemieux (Minister of Tourism, Culture, Heritage, Sport and Consumer Protection): Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to table the Manitoba Lotteries second-quarter report. Mr. Speaker: Further tabling of reports? Mr. Lemieux: Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to table the Manitoba Liquor Control Commission quarterly financial report. Mr. Speaker: Are there any further tablings of reports? Mr. Allum: Thank you for your indulgence, Mr.

Speaker. I table the annual financial report for Red River College, 2012-2013. Mr. Speaker: Before I close that off, is there any further tabling of reports? None? Okay.

December 5, 2013 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 669 MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS Mr. Speaker: We'll move on to minis terial statements. National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women Hon. Kerri Irvin -Ross (Minister responsible for the Status of Women): Mr. Speaker, I rise in this honourable House today to honour the memory of all women who have died as a result of violence in our province, our country and beyond. Tomorrow, December 6th, is Canada's National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women.

On this day we remember all women and girls who are murdered or experience violence by par tners, family members and strangers throughout our province and country. Also, on this day we recommit to take action against all forms of violence against women and girls in our society until our streets, our homes and communities are safe. It is a sad reality that we must have days such as December 6th to acknowledge this gender -based violence. Tomorrow in Manitoba, candlelight vigils, memorial services and other events are being held throughout the province.

But we also know that violence against women is a serious national and global issue. Across the world women and girls still face alarming rates of violence. This is a serious social problem that negatively impacts us all: women, men, children, neighbourhoods, workplaces and communities. We must al l work together in addressing the gender inequalities that are at the heart of all gender-based violence. We know that even the smallest actions by an individual can make a difference. For example, we can make a difference when we speak out against bullyi ng, harassment, discrimination of any kind.

We can make a difference when we raise strong, compassionate children. We can make a difference when we fight for women's equality and economic security. We can make a difference when men, as fathers, friends, decision makers and community and opinion leaders, provide positive role models for young men and boys based on healthy models of masculinity, and, finally, we can make a difference when we stand as allies for women and organizations who are working to end all forms of gender violence.

Tomorrow morning I will attend the sunrise memorial held at the Legislative Building hosted by the Manitoba Women's Advisory Council and do just that. Sadly, this year we commemorate 11 women that died as a result of violence. I and other Manitobans will state our intentions to speak out against violence, that physical, sexual, verbal, emotional, economic and any other form of abuse are not to be tolerated. Through this demonstration, we will convey that violence again st women is never justifiable under any circumstance. Each of us has a role to play.

I encourage all Manitobans to let December 6 not only be a day for reflection and remembrance but a day for everyone to do their

part in ending violence against women from now on. Tomorrow and every day, let us all become aware, educate ourselves and others, encourage kindness, support and understanding and teach our children that violence will not be tolerated. Mr. Speaker, I would ask that, following the statements of my colleagues, we observe a moment of silence to honour their memories here today. Thank you. Mrs. Leanne Rowat (Riding Mountain): December 6th, the anniversary of the tragic massacre at École polytechnique in Montreal, marks Canada's National Day of Rememb rance and Action on Violence against Women.

This horrific event remains etched in the memories of all Canadians, and each year on December 6th we remember the 14 women who tragically lost their lives for no other reason than the fact that they were women. Today I rise in this House to recognize this day of remembrance that is also called White Ribbon Day in order to acknowledge the impact of gender - based violence. I want to remind all of us today that we must take the necessary steps to protect women and to address the structural discrimination that continues to make women the primary target of violence.

Here in Manitoba violence against women is especially prevalent. It is disheartening that our province has the highest sexual assault rates and nearly double the rate of violence against women, in particular as compared to the rest of Canada. This must change. Women must be better protected. Of those who tragically were not protected, we want to remember the women and girls who have been caused pain, who live in fear, who have suffered and who have died because of gender -based violence committed against them. We also remember the families of these women and girls who live daily with their own pain and loss.

670 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA December 5, 2013 Today we continue to see the violence against women, against men, against girls and against boys. And for this reason, December 6th is not just about the Montreal massacre; it's about all Canadians who continue to be affected by gender-based violence and is a day of action to do something about it. We must care to work to get –toward ending violence due to gender holistically even while we never forget those who have suffered because of it. Violence against women and all gender -based acts of violence are complex problems.

We can only end this kind of v iolence if we work together to also tackle the things that perpetuate it, such as lack of access to education, affordable housing, child care, health care, and by ensuring equal pay for equal work and equal representation. I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the organizations here with us today and any organizations such–and organizations like The Women's Resource Centre in Brandon, the YWCA in Brandon, North End Women's Centre in Winnipeg and the Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata family violence counselling program .

The work that incredible organizations like these do across Manitoba to address issues of gender- based violence give me great hope and inspiration that a better future can be created if we all consider it our individual and collective responsibility to act to end gender -based violence, whether it's raising our children to be good role models, getting involved in our community by supporting shelters and women's organizations or knowing the warning signs of domestic violence. Together w e all have a role to play in ending violence against women and girls.

We need to exercise leadership and continue to work in partnership with key stakeholders in this province to prevent violence against women. Today we should remember all of those who have been and continue to be victims of violence, tragically, many at the hands of those whom they should be able to trust, and work towards a world that will be free of violence against women. Thank you. * (14:20) Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): I ask leave to speak to the minister's statement. Mr. Speaker: Is there leave for the honourable member for River Heights to have –to speak to the ministerial statement? [Agreed] Mr.

Gerrard: Mr. Speaker, tomorrow I will join others at the sunrise memorial to r emember what happened at the Montreal massacre, to get together to see what we can do to remember that tomorrow is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women and to look at what we can do not just tomorrow but in the next year and in the years ahead. There were 11 women who have died who will – we will particularly remember tomorrow. That is 11 too many.

Indeed, as we all know, the statistics sadly show that we have too much violence against women in Manitoba, particularly in compar ison with other provinces, and we need to change this. We need to move beyond just speaking about the problem. We need to act. We need to mobilize people around this province so that, in fact, we can make a difference. We need just not to speak out, we need to have a provincial plan in which we can all work together and effectively implement change in this province. We have been having these memorials for many years. We have been speaking for many years.

It is time to have a provincial plan and to have an effective one which makes a difference, which addresses the basic cause of the violence and moves beyond just, you know, not tolerating violence, as we have said, but moves beyond, looking at how, in fact, we reduce it, how, in fact, we eliminate it. Be cause we have had too much, we have had more than we should have had, and that must change. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker: Is there leave of the House to observe a moment of silence? [Agreed] Please rise for a moment. A moment of silence was observed. Mr. Speaker: A ny further ministerial statements?

Seeing none– Introduction of Guests Mr. Speaker: Prior to oral questions, I'd like to draw the attention of all honourable members to the public gallery where we have quite a number of guests with us this afternoon. First, starting with the public gallery where we have members of the Korean War veterans unit No. 17, along with member from the Korean communities–members from the Korean community,

December 5, 2013 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 671 who are the guests of the honourable member for St. Norbert (Mr. Gaudreau). And also in the public gallery where we have with us members from the Manitoba Provincial Rifle Association, who are the guests of the honourable member for Concordia (Mr. Wiebe). And also in the public gallery we have with us staff and students from George Waters Middle School who participated in the Philanthropic Sharks program, who are the guests of the honourable member for St. James (Ms. Crothers). And also in the public gallery today we have with us T.

Howard Mains, co- president of TACTIX, who is the guest of the honourable member for Lakeside (Mr. Eichler). And also in the public gallery we have with us today from the University of Manitoba Program for Newcomers, 22 adult EAL students under the direction of Ms. Lauren Joyc e. This group is located in the constituency of the honourable Minister of Family Services (Ms. Irvin-Ross). On behalf of all honourable members, we welcome all of you here this afternoon. ORAL QUESTIONS PST Increase–Committee Presentations Legality of Increase Mr.

Brian Pallister (Leader of the Official Opposition): Thank you to our Korean vets, Mr. Speaker. What have we seen this session? We've seen a reaffirmation of a government that's willing to put itself above the law and above the people of the province, people who care deeply about not only themselves but their neighbours, people who are courageous enough to come forward and oppose a bill that broke a promise to them. Paulo Cordeiro said at the committee hearings – none of which the Premier (Mr.

Selinger) was able to attend–I've come here today to stand up against an injustice the NDP government is trying to perpetrate against all Manitobans. How can you break the law by raising the PST without a referendum? How can you say that you will not raise taxes during an election, only to do so soon after? On behalf of Paulo and many, many other Manitobans who believe they've been disrespected by this government, I have to ask the Premier and, through him, all NDP members opposite: When was it that they began to believe that they were above the law and above the people of Manitoba? Hon.

Jennifer Howard (Acting Premier): Well, none of us believes that we're above the people of Manitoba. All of us go out and talk to our constituents, listen to what they have to tell us. And what I will say to the member opposite is we have learned a lot this session. We've learned a lot about his style of leadership. What we've learned is that he does not believe in a plan to invest in Manitoba's core infrastructure. He doesn't believe in a plan to do things like bring Highway 75 to interstate standards, to invest in highways that are the economic engines of this province, like Highway 6 and 9, Highway 10.

He doesn't believe in investing today for a future in which all of our kids can live in Manitoba, can get a good job, could raise a family here. We know that that kind of investment has made some difficult choices. We understand that. Sometimes you make a tough choice because you believe in a future that's going to be better for your kids and better for future generations. Mr. Speaker: Order, please. The minister's time has expired. PST Increase NDP Election Promise Mr.

Brian Pallister (Leader of the Official Opposition): I'm not impressed with the government's indiffe rence to the truth, and I'm certainly not impressed with the government's willingness to disrespect Manitobans and to break their pledge to Manitobans. Glen Melnyk said, our province deserves better. The law was put in place for a PST increase referendum to allow for a clean, clear, sober second thought, a stopgap for out -of-control politicians to spend their way out of mismanagement, basically a bill to protect you from yourselves. It's funny –well, it's not funny.

It's ironic at best that you want to legislate everything else to protect Manitobans but you ignore this most important piece of legislation. So I speak t o the members opposite directly and ask them–I tell them it's not too late, and I ask them to listen to Manitobans. They still have a choice to respect the law. They still have a choice to stand up with the people of Manitoba.

672 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA December 5, 2013 And to the Premier (Mr. Sel inger), who should have a crisis of confidence in forcing his own members to vote against their promises to the people of Manitoba, I'd have to ask him: Does he not have a crisis of confidence in breaking his solemn vow to the people of this province? Hon. Jennifer Howard (Acting Premier): I know that what the member opposite would like to see happen is to force our government to make the same bad choices that he made when he had the opportunity. That is what this debate is about, Mr. Speaker.

He would like to force us to make the choices that he just recently doubled down on. He would like us to make the choices to cut funding for health care, to lay off nurses, to cut funding for education, to fire teachers. We know that in just this session he has told us that he believes that two -tier health care is a better way to do things. I understand that those are the choices that he would like to force upon Manitobans. We have decided to take a different route, not an easy route, not an easy decision.

But we bel ieve that investments today in that critical core infrastructure is going to mean good jobs today and good jobs tomorrow so that our kids can stay here, can raise their families here, can enjoy– Mr. Speaker: Order, please. The honourable minister's time has expired. Legislative Session Government Performance Record Mr. Brian Pallister (Leader of the Official Opposition): Zero jobs growth over the last year, the worst record in Canada, Mr. Speaker, and this government is not interested in the facts. They cannot be trusted.

They say one thing and they do another. * (14:30) The Health Minister says she wants transparency but hides the facts on STARS' shutdown. The Education Minister says he wants safe schools but isn't interested in knowing about the incide nts of drugs in the schools themselves. The Infrastructure Minister says it's his top priority, but 27 per cent of the budget of Infrastructure for the last four years was spent on other departments.

The Finance Minister cries crocodile tears about one decision their Cabinet had to make –not a tough one, an easy one for them –that resulted and is resulting in millions of tough decisions at the kitchen tables of Manitobans every month. And the Jobs Minister says, in the face of Canada's worst wage and jobs numbers, that Manitobans should just cheer up, don't worry and be happy. So I have to ask the Premier: When he has his Cabinet meetings, does he turn the lights on or just leave them off? Hon.

Jennifer Howard (Acting Premier): That was a question dripping with respect, as always, from the Leader of the Opposition. I think we can disagree. I think we can try to do it respectfully, but let's talk just about what we've seen from the Leader of the Opposition, what kind of leadership that we have seen from him this session. He had an opportunity this session to stand up, to stand with Evan Wiens, who we all know is a courageous leader when it comes to fighting against bullying. But, no, he stood by his five MLAs that endorsed the candidate who said that Evan Wi ens made it up, that it was a staged prop.

And then when the MLA for Emerson restated that, after the incident happened, that he stood by that candidate, we have not seen any leadership from the Leader of the Opposition to take those members to task. This is a Leader of the Opposition who has said he believes that two-tier health care is something that Manitobans need. We have made tough– Mr. Speaker: Order, please. The honourable minister's time has expired. The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a new question. Mr. Pallister: Evan Wiens didn't make it up, Mr. Speaker, and this government can't be trusted.

They raised the PST despite telling Manitobans that it would be nonsense to believe they w ould. They treat Manitobans like P.T. Barnum treated his customers – or was it PST Barnum? They have 175 ribbon cuttings. They do an historic vote -buying tour to try selling Manitobans on the idea that the PST's in their best interests, and nobody's buying. The tour doesn't work. Manitobans aren't buying it. No sale. So then they trot out excuses instead. They say, well, it's the federal government's fault. Transfer dependency is at record levels in this province, but we are going to blame the federal gov ernment. No

December 5, 2013 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 673 sale. And then they blame the flood, and more dollars came in to this government this year than went out because of the flood. No sale. Would this government and this Premier (Mr. Selinger) stop blaming everyone else and finally accept resp onsibility and admit that their high-spending problem is creating a high -tax problem for the people of our province? Ms. Howard: Well, this government has accepted responsibility.

We accept responsibility when we face the future and make the difficult cho ices today that we believe are going to mean economic growth today and tomorrow, that are going to mean good jobs today and tomorrow. We sat down before this session started. I was fortunate to be able to sit down with economic leaders in our province and listen to them, and what they told us is that investing in critical core infrastructure like Highway 75, like upgrading the southwest Perimeter Highway, in –making those investments meant that Manitoba would be in good shape economically today and into the future.

And so we took a difficult choice to be able to make those investments without jeopardizing health care and education. We take responsibility every day we've been in government. That's not always easy. Sometimes it means difficult choices, but we believe that we are standing to make a better Manitoba for– Mr. Speaker: Order, please. The minister's time has expired. Mr. Pallister: But this government didn't make a difficult decision; it made a lazy, selfish decision. It gave itself a 17 per ce nt raise.

It gave itself 17 per cent more revenue before the next two years is up, the highest raise, the highest increase in taxes of any Canadian province, and even without the PST, Mr. Speaker, it would be the second highest raise in Canada. Meanwhile, cross-the-board cuts at Manitoba's kitchen tables are occurring as a result. That's not a difficult decision; that's a lazy, selfish decision. This government goes back to the '90s to try to distract attention from its own record, an i nde- fensible record.

After 14 years, this government is bottom of the barrel: social services, child poverty, last; public safety, violent crime, last; health care, last; waits for treatment, ER closures, ambulance waits, wage growth, job creation, inflation, last. Now, what this government is looking for is so impossible for them to believe, they're looking for an improvement, and they got it yesterday when they found out that education, we're ninth. When you're bottom in everything else, I guess ninth looks good. Is this Premier satisfied with his education performance, or is he going to aim a little bit higher? Ms.

Howard: I think, as the Premier has said, as the Minister of Education has said, nobody is satisfied with those results. Nobody thinks it's acceptable. But I tell you what will not work, Mr. Speaker. What will not work is taking money from the classrooms, taking money from teachers to spend on other priorities. What we believe we need to do is be able to invest in growing the economy while we protect those services, while we make sure that we have the ability to improve our schools so that our kids have a better chance. That is what we're about.

We don't have to go back to the '90s to see what the members opposite would do. When they ha d a chance to put forward their plan, their plan looked very much like it did in the last millennium. Their plan is still deep cuts across the board to the things that matter to Manitobans. Layoffs and firing staff, that is a plan that did not work in the no-growth '90s; it's a plan that will not work today. We have a plan that means difficult choices, we understand that, but it is a plan that we believe– Mr. Speaker: Order, please. The honourable minister's time has expired. PST Increase Manitobans' Right to Vote Mr.

Brian Pallister (Leader of the Official Opposition): Back to the '90s and disrespecting Manitobans today, Mr. Speaker. Every other provincial government faces these challenges. No other provincial government's jacking up their PST. Only this lazy government is doing that, and it's an agenda of disrespect. Local governments deserve respect; they get arrogance from this government. Flood victims deserve respect; they get broken promises from this government. Residents of Morris deserve the ir democratic rights, and they get ribbon cuttings over their right to vote.

Manitobans were promised no new taxes, and they deserve respect, but what they got was new taxes.

674 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA December 5, 2013 Now, how does the Premier (Mr. Selinger) defend his jacking up of the PST? He f ails to listen, he snaps his fingers and he takes away Manitobans' right to vote. Now, this Premier promised no PST hike, so which word better describes this govern- ment's agenda: Is it disrespect or is it nonsense or is it both? Hon.

Jennifer Howard (Acting Premier ): I think what best describes what we are trying to achieve is a Manitoba where our kids can live, can get good jobs, can raise a family; a Manitoba where our parents can get good home care, have access to personal-care homes; a Manitoba where our kids can go and have early childhood education and get the best possible chance in life. We are doing that. We are not perfect. It does not mean easy choices. It means difficult choices.

That's why all of us, I believe, run for election, because we k now there will be days when we'll be faced with a tough decision, and we have faced those days and we will continue to. I believe Manitobans are far, far more optimistic than members opposite. I believe they want a province where we look after each other while at the same time investing in the future so we can have a strong economy so our kids can have good jobs and live here. And that's the Manitoba we'll bid–we'll build together. PST Increase Request to Reverse Mrs. Myrna Driedger (Charleswood): Mr.

Speaker, a few days ago, there was a letter to the editor to the Premier, and it was from a senior named Shirley Evans. And she said to this Premier, have a heart. Since you have been elected at –as our Premier, there has been nothing but trouble in Manitoba. Raising the PST to 8 per cent has brought a lot of hardship on a lot of people, especially the seniors. You give all your employees raises, but I see we get nothing. All you keep doing is taxing us to death. If you were any kind of a human being, you w ould not just think of yourself.

Think about all the pensioners who live on a mere thousand dollars a month. So I would like to ask this Premier if he's prepared to have a heart and do the right thing today, show these seniors that he's on their side and indeed listening, and will he stop the PST hike? Hon. Jennifer Howard (Minister of Finance): We're absolutely on the side of seniors and other people who live on fixed incomes.

We're on their side when we stood–when we were in opposition and we stood opposed to what the Leader of the Opposition wanted to do by privatizing parts of home care, selling off part of the home -care system, something that failed because they couldn't find anybody in the private sector who could deliver home care better than the public system was delivering. But that didn't stop them from trying. * (14:40) And it hasn't stopped the Leader of the Opposition from, just in the last few days, doubling down on his belief in a two -tier, American health-care system.

If he will check Han sard of December 2nd, he'll find himself referring to the American-style US health -care system as a better way to do things. I believe he's alone in that. Mrs. Driedger: Mr. Speaker, the Finance Minister has just made a lot of statements that are absolute nonsense, and she's trying to deflect from their record and their promises. I want to finish reading Shirley Evans' letter to the Premier. She said, I find that you are a very selfish person who only thinks of himself, so if you have a heart in your bod y, you will think of the people of Manitoba.

We are the ones who put you there and we are the ones who will take you down; remember that. So please drop the PST hike. They promised Manitobans not to raise the PST. They broke the promise. Will they now listen to Shirley Evans and a lot of other Manitobans and do what they said they were going to do, not raise taxes? Will they stop the PST hike today? Ms. Howard: And I know when I talked to many people in my constituency, many folks who are seniors, one of the things that they're concerned about is what's going to happen for their grandkids. Are their grandchildren going to be able to stay here?

Are they going to be able to graduate and get a good job and live here and raise a family here? I know that that's what they're concerned about. And I believe that by making these kinds of investments in core infrastructure and doing that without robbing health care and education, I believe that means we will have a Manitoba where we can have a strong economy, whe re we can have future

December 5, 2013 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 675 generations have the good life that we have enjoyed in this province and at the same we can continue to have a province where we care about each other, where we look after each other, where we don't try to sell off parts of home care, where we don't believe those who have the most money should get the best health care. That's the Manitoba we stand for. Lake Manitoba Flooding

(2011) Housing for Evacuees Mr. Ian Wishart (Portage la Prairie): Mr. Speaker, since 2011, over 2,000 people ha ve been displaced by the Lake Manitoba flood. Many are still living in temporary accommodations or staying with family and friends. This is two years and eight months later. Last September, the Minister of Aboriginal and Northern Affairs (Mr. Robinson) said progress was being made on re-establishing these communities. What progress? How soon can these displaced persons expect to have somewhere to call home? Hon. Steve Ashton (Minister responsible for Emergency Measures): Mr.

Speaker, it–indeed, one of the biggest challenges facing people of the Lake St. Martin area, particularly First Nations, has been the chronic flooding that they've experienced, not just in 2011 but impacts of water on those com - munities that go back decades. Now, one of the reasons for that, Mr. Speaker, is that we're–there were–never was the construction of an artificial outlet from Lake St. Martin.

I want to put on the record again that in the 2011 flood, one of the most significant accomplishments was the fact that an emergency outlet was built, something went– that might normally take six to seven years, it was built in three months. That provides the long- term mitigation. But what the Minister of Aboriginal and Northern Affairs has been doing, he's been working very closely with the federal government. One of the key issues was that there was not the homes for those people to return to. We have made significant progress.

The federal government has been engaged, First Nations engaged, and we fully anticipate, Mr. Speaker, in t he new year they will be going back, not only to flood– Mr. Speaker: Order, please. The honourable minister's time has expired. Mr. Wishart: Mr. Speaker, it seems this government cannot get anything done in a timely manner. They can get an emergency channel done in a hurry, but they can't get these people returned to their communities. Moving forward, rebuilding programs or implementing flood mitigation seems to take forever for this government.

The only thing that didn't take for ever was the government's push to illegally raise the PST. I think this fact tells them – tells us an awful lot about their priorities. When will this–these displaced families be back in their homes? By Christmas? Mr. Ashton: I want to put on the record that one of the key elements of the tough decision we made to raise the 1 cent on the dollar was that we needed to follow up on the Manitoba model. What is the Manitoba model, Mr. Speaker? You know, in the 1960s it was called–we had a premier then that put in place a sales tax and built the floodway.

And I want to put on the record that every one of the MLAs on this side stood to vote for a budget, vote for the Throne Speech, that will put in place, yes, 1 cent on the dollar, and the first priority is to protect Lake Manitoba and Lake St. Martin. Those members opposite voted against that. They have no credibility when it comes to talking about floods. PST Increase Impact on Families Mr. Dennis Smook (La Verendrye): I'd like to also remind the members opposi te they're the ones that went door to door and promised no tax increases. The Christmas season is here and families are out buying presents.

This year, however, their hard-earned dollars buy a lot less; inflation is three times the national average, the PST is 14 per cent higher. Families that were struggling before the tax increase are struggling even more. They have to make tough decisions at this time of year while the NDP takes presents out from under their tree. Mr. Speaker, why is this NDP governme nt punishing Manitoba families during the Christmas season with their illegal PST hike? Hon. Jennifer Howard (Minister of Finance): Well, it is the Christmas season and is a time for families to come together and to celebrate.

And it's also a time when we know many families face challenges with loved ones who are sick or need health care. And in this province, we believe that you should not get access to health care more quickly because you have more money. That is in stark contrast to

676 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA December 5, 2013 what the Leader of the Opposition went on the radio and said when he was asked, should it be the case that if you have $200 you could get an ultrasound more quickly in Manitoba? He said, that's the kind of system I think Manitobans need. I believe, Mr. Speaker, with respect, he is wrong. I believe that kind of approach to health care would be extremely punishing for families in Manitoba. Mr. Smook: Under Manitobans' Christmas tree this year is the illegally raised PST, record -high inflation and less presents.

Under the NDP Christmas tree, however, is a million -dollar vote tax, more money for their pet projects, more orange ribbon than they know what to do with. The things that families need now cost more than ever. This government is hurting Manitoba families in this province at the most important time of the year. The NDP is more worried about their gifts to themselves than the people of Manitoba. Mr. Speaker, when will this government start helping families by reversing the PST increase? Ms. Howard: I'd like to as k the member opposite which one of these projects would he cancel then, or maybe all of them.

Is it the– Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Mr. Speaker: Order, please. The honourable Minister of Finance, to continue. Ms. Howard: Mr. Speaker, perhaps it is Highway 75 that they don't believe in. Perhaps it is Highway 6 that they don't believe in. Perhaps it is Highway 9 that they don't want to see improved. Perhaps the upgrades to Highway 10 is what they would like to cancel or maybe upgrading the southwest Pe rimeter Highway. These aren't anybody's pet projects, Mr. Speaker.

These are investments in the core critical infrastructure of Manitoba that we have heard from economic leaders in this province will make a tremendous difference not only today but to the future economic growth of this province, Manitoba. And that will mean that families can have confidence that when their kids graduate, they can stay here, they can get a good job here, they can have a good quality of life here. That's what we are trying t o accomplish. PST Increase NDP Election Promise Mr. Wayne Ewasko (Lac du Bonnet): Mr. Speaker, during the 2011 election, the Premier (Mr.

Selinger) went door to door and promised the people of this province no new taxes. He called the idea of a PST hike nonsense. Kevin Shumilak believed him. He thought this government was telling the truth. He needs to live within his means each and every day, Mr. Speaker, yet the government that he voted for believes that they don't have to. Why does this Premier beli eve he is above the law, or is he just going to call that idea nonsense too? * (14:50) Hon.

Jennifer Howard (Minister of Finance): Well, one of the things that I don't recall the members opposite campaigning on in the last election was their commitment to bring in a two- tier health-care system. I don't recall hearing about that in the election. I don't recall hearing about that when the Leader of the Opposition was running for the leadership. But it did not take very long, Mr. Speaker, to see the true colours of the Leader of the Opposition.

It did not take very long for him to say clearly on the radio, when asked, do you support a system where if you have $200 you could get an ultrasound more quickly in this province, he said, yes, that's something that we need. When we got into the debate about that just recently, just this week, Mr. Speaker, he was talking about the need to be open to these ideas, to be open to the idea of an US American -style health -care system, two-tier health care. He said he thoug ht that that was a better way of doing things. I wonder if the thousands and millions of families in the US that have gone– Mr.

Speaker: Order, please. The honourable minister's time has expired. Mr. Ewasko: Door to door, and 57 spenDP candidates lied to Manitobans at the door, Mr. Speaker, in the last election. Chris Dsovza believed the Premier too. He's a resident of Point Douglas. He believed this government when they said they would not raise taxes, when they said that the very idea of a PST hike was nonsense. The best indicator of future

December 5, 2013 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 677 performance is past behaviour, and this government lied to Manitobans before and they will lie to Manitobans again. How can Chris Dsovza, Kevin Shumilak and many, many other fine Manitobans believe this NDP government, trust them when they say no more tax hikes? Ms. Howard: Well, let's look at the past performance when the Leader of the Opposition had his opportunity at the Cabinet table. What are the kinds of things that he advocated for? He advocated for se lling off part of the home -care system, privatizing it, bringing in fees for home care.

In fact, under–when he was in the government, under that government, this province was being penalized by the federal government for allowing two- tier health care under the Canada Health Act. Is that something they've disavowed? No. Is that something they campaigned on? No. But you'd better believe that it's something they are absolutely – absolutely–committed to. They have said so. They've said so this week. They've said so last week. It is something that they believe in, and we on this side of the House will continue to stand against that kind of health -care system.

Charging families to get faster access to health care? That's not a Manitoba value. Education System–Performance Results Government Improvement Plans Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Mr. Speaker, the legislative sitting will end today. It has been a year of broken NDP promises. I want to focus my questions today on the poor performance of the NDP government, starting with education. We are seeing declining student performance in mathematics, in reading and in science to the extent that even the Premier (Mr.

Selinger) and his Minister of Education acknowledged on Tuesday that this government has unaccept ably harmed the young people of our province. The NDP plans to improve education have, in fact, been a disaster. I ask–Mr. Speaker, I ask the government: What measures will the government now take to immediately address this epic failure? Hon. James Allu m (Minister of Education and Advanced Learning): I thank the member for the question. As I said in the House the other day, and it's been reflected several times, we do find the results unacceptable.

We took them very, very seriously, and we're going to work on making improvements in the system. We want to make sure that we get back to the basic skills that kids need so they can do well, succeed in math and reading, writing and science. And one of the things, one of the steps we've taken, Mr. Speaker, is to reduce class sizes so that there's more one -on-one time between a teacher and a student, so that they can have an opportunity to begin to understand concepts more closely, so–and that's so the student can begin to evolve, grow and develop as a fine and outstanding citizen of the province.

That's what our position is on this side of the House. I doubt the– Mr. Speaker: Order, please. The honourable minister's time has expired. Manufacturing Industry Saskatchewan Comparison Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Hei ghts): Mr. Speaker, no government which has failed for 14 years should be given another chance. I now raise another example of poor performance in relation to our manufacturing centre. This time, for the first time in history, manufacturing in Saskatchewan grew so that Saskatchewan's manufacturing output is now greater than that of Manitoba.

For decades, Manitoba and manufacturing here has been at the centre of who we are. But under the NDP management, even J.R. Richardson, our Manitoba company, chose to i nvest in a company in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, rather than in our province. Why has the NDP government so let manufacturing slip here in our province? Hon. Theresa Oswald (Minister of Jobs and the Economy): I can provide for the member a fact, actually, which might be useful in this conversation, I would think, and, in fact, manufacturing capital investment in Manitoba is above the national average. We know that we have innovations here in Manitoba.

The Composites Innovation Centre just celebrated their 1 0-year anniversary and they are indeed, in fact, showing imagination and innovation in the aerospace industry and in a variety of industries, in bioscience, leaders in the nation.

678 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA December 5, 2013 We know that we want to continue to invite people to come to Manitoba, make that investment. But I would say to the member, of course, that manufacturing capital investment, above the national average. Middle-Class Manitobans Effects of Government Policies Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Mr. Speaker, 14 years of doing poorly doesn't make –doesn't compensate, doesn't address what needs to be done now. In Manitoba today, Mr.

Speaker, two-income and single-parent families in our province are losing ground, and because they and others in the middle class are losing ground, our tax base is threatened. Indeed, the poor performance of the NDP govern- ment has created a vicious cycle in which the middle class are continually burdened with new NDP cuts and yet their incomes are falling further behind. When will the NDP end the vicious cycle they started by attacking the middle class in our province? Hon.

Theresa Oswald (Minister of Jobs and the Economy): I find that question to be a titch ironic coming from the former federal Cabinet minister that cut the health and social transfer to people. Really? Mr. Speaker, we know that we can continue to invest in our EIA program and, indeed, to continue to invest in programs that have supports that are portable.

The most important thing that we can prov ide for those individuals that have been disadvantaged or under-represented in our workforce is to provide them with opportunities to acquire essential skills and further their skills and invite them into the workforce, Mr. Speaker, and it's on that level I would send a special love note to the Conservatives to speak to Minister Kenney about his ill -advised changes with the Canada Jobs Grant. Northern Manitoba Highways Upgrade Announcement Mr. Tom Nevakshonoff (Interlake): Mr.

Speaker, we know that when i t comes to improvements to infrastructure, the Leader of the Opposition does not have a plan, unless, of course, doing nothing can be called planning. This do- nothing style of planning was certainly evident in my riding, the Interlake, when he sat as a mem ber of Cabinet in the Gary Filmon government. We saw virtually no improvements to highways whatsoever in this region in the final dark decade of the 20th century. In contrast, this NDP government has set the bar to a new level on the building front. Mr.

Speaker, c an the Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation inform the Assembly of an important announcement made this morning in regard to our $5.5- billion plan to improve core infrastructure? Hon. Steve Ashton (Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation): Mr. Speaker, first of all, I want to thank the member for the Interlake, the member for The Pas (Mr. Whitehead), the member for Flin Flon (Mr. Pettersen) and the member of Swan River for their strong advocacy for the need to improve Highwa y 6. And I'm –was very pleased to join with the Premier (Mr.

Selinger) to announce $225 million for Highway 6, 373 and 374 that will bring Highway 6 to national highway standards and finish surfacing to Cross Lake and Norway House. * (15:00) Manitobans sa id they wanted to see results for their 1 cent on the dollar. They're seeing the results, Mr.

Speaker, to the point –and I want to say this one more time, and we'll be s aying this time and time again –they are going to, in the upcoming construction season, they're going to see, they're going to feel, with the amount of asphalt we're laying down they're going to be able to smell the difference from their 1 cent on the dollar. Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Mr. Speaker: Order. Arborg Business Community Small-Business Development Mr. Cliff Graydon (Emerson): Well, Mr. Speaker, this is from a minister that no one believes at all. This is the one that knocked on the doors and said, we won't raise the PST.

Well, let's talk about what they haven't done. Pro-Fab, a manufacturing company in Arborg, is moving 25 jobs to the United States. Some of the employees will be moving with the job to Tennessee, while the rest will be unemployed. In the last two years a hundred jobs have left from that very same company to t he United States thanks to the NDP government. Their MLA, the member for the Interlake, blamed these businesses for not building in the right

December 5, 2013 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 679 place. Now, along with his government, the member for Interlake (Mr. Nevakshonoff) has provided these employees with a terrible Christmas present: a 14 per cent PST hike, no jobs, no services to their employer. Mr. Speaker, does this government believe that Manitoba is the wrong place to build small businesses? Hon. Theresa Oswald (Minister of Jobs and the Economy): Well, not at all, Mr. Speaker. Indeed, we know that Manitoba, in fact, has the third lowest unemployment rate in the nation. We know, Mr.

Speaker, that over the same period last year we have seen an increase of 8,300 more jobs, and those jobs a re in the private sector. We know that we are seeing Manitoba, on economic indicators, rank above the national average: private sector employment, building permits, exports to the US. Mr. Speaker, I have listened to this member's negativity now for a month. It's enough to make Cindy Lou Who quake in her nightgown. Mr. Graydon: Really, Mr. Speaker? She thinks that her spin doctors got way better numbers than the Statistics Canada. Try again, Ms. Minister.

The minister lost 143 jobs on her first day, and for 30 days after. She lost 25 more jobs the other day because she refused to pave a road to these businesses and because her high- tax agenda makes these businesses uncompetitive. It's clear that the government believes that these businesses shouldn't have been built in Arborg, shouldn't have been built in Manitoba. When will this spenDP government learn it's much easier to keep the jobs and the businesses that we have than it is to replace them? Mr. Speaker, when will the spenDP government stop discoura ging small businesses in this province?

Will they call that referendum today, reverse their PST hike? Ms. Oswald: Well, yes, Mr. Speaker, I will reiterate–for the three -hundredth time –that, in fact, the numbers I'm providing to him are from Stats Canada. Furthermore, I'd reiterate for the member, in his own riding, Mr. Speaker, the unemployment rate at present sits at 3.1 per cent in his own riding, which is in stark contrast to when members opposite were in power last. The unemployment rate was at 7.6 on average, skyrocketing to 10.3 per cent in June of '93. Mr.

Speaker, I'm more inclined to believe the individual who says, we have communities across this province who are firing on all cylinders, where the population growth, according to Stats Canada, exceeds 20 per cent on the last five years. That was the member from Morden-Winkler. Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Mr. Speaker: Order. The honourable member for River East has the floor. Tax Increases Impact on Manitobans Mrs. Bonnie Mitchelson (River East): Well, but Manitoba families will be handed a Christmas present from this NDP government. Mr.

Speaker, on Christmas morning they'll wake up to a lump of coal in their stockings. As a direct result of a government –[interjection] Members of the NDP government may think that this is funny, but Manitoba families who were lied to by this government before the last election when they were told that there were going to be no tax increases aren't going to be laughing on Christmas morning. Mr. Speaker, what does this government have to say to Manitoba families who were misled by this government before the last election? What do they say? Hon. Jennifer Howard (Minister of Finance): What we will say, Mr.

Speaker –what we do say is that when things get difficult, when there are difficult choices to be made, we aren't going to throw up our hands and say, you're on your own. We got elected, we got into this job because we knew there woul d be difficult choices to make, and we accept that responsibility. We won't leave Manitobans on their own to wrestle with those choices by themselves.

We will take the responsibility to make difficult choices even when they're unpopular in the short term, because we believe that we can build a province with a strong and growing economy, where our kids can work and raise a family, and we can do that while investing in health care, while investing in education, while making sure that our parents have health care, while making sure that our parents have a hospital, have a personal -care home that will look after them. We believe that's the kind of Manitoba that all Manitobans are proud to call home, and that's the Manitoba we'll continue to build.

680 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA December 5, 2013 Mr. Speaker: Order, please. Time for oral questions has expired. MEMBERS' STATEMENTS Mr. Speaker: It's time for members' statements. Emergency Room Closures Mr. Cliff Graydon (Emerson): Mr. Speaker, a lot was made about my last end -of-session member's statement, and I want to assure this House that I won't be singing again. And because I had 56 critics, what I'm going to do is give them the opportunity to put music to these lyrics. Here, however, is the NDP plan for closing emergency rooms in the province. Here's the Minister of Health's (Ms.

Selby) rendition of Closing Time, says: Closing time, / another ER closure and we don't know where to go. / Closing time, / the roads are all covered with snow and the helicopter is stuck on the ground. / Closing time, / one last call to the hospital, but they won't pick up the phone . / Closing time, / you don't have to go home, but you can't stay here. / I know where I want to get health care, / I know where I want to get health care, / I know where I want to get health care. / Here at home.

Closing time, / the NDP closed another ER and we just don't know where to go. / Closing time, / the ER won't be open until the PST is nine or 10. / So gather up your scrubs and tools and move it to the exits. / I hope you've found somewhere to go. / Closing time, / more taxes for less services, / just the NDP plan. / Yeah, I know where I want to get health care, / I know where I want to get health care, / I know where I want to get health care . / Right here at home.

Closing time, / time for you to go back on the highway to where you came from. / Closing time, / every new tax increase comes with more service cuts. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Korean War Veterans Association Unit No. 17 Mr. Dave Gaudreau (St. Norbert): This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Korean War ceasefire, an important event that affected our country and many others. Today, in the gallery, we are honoured to have the Korean War Veterans Association Unit No. 17, along in attendance with Won Jae, publisher of The Korean Times.

The Korean War lasted three years and almost 27,000 Canadian men and women served. During this time, 1,588 were wounded and 516 Canadians were killed, including 37 Manitobans who gave up their lives to stop this war of aggr ession. In the Manitoba Room, across from this Chamber, there's a book containing the names of those 516. This is one of five books of remembrance that commemorate Canadians who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Mr. Speaker, I would like to share a recent quote from Harry Lee, president of Winnipeg Korean Seniors Association, who's here with us today. Mr.

Lee showed Korean veterans his appreciation at the recent gathering by stating, this reality of liberation would be impossible without someone like you volunteering to sacrifice your own life to defend the South Korean territory. Mr. Lee also spoke about his boyhood at the front lines of war. He said without the sacrifice of Canadian soldiers, he would've grown up starving, sleeping on a mud floor instead of a warm bed, living without basic human rights under a regressive regime. Instead, South Korea is now a democracy and an economic powerhouse. * (15:10) Mr.

Speaker, I was honoured to bring greetings recently at the veterans' reception o f the screening of The Front Line, a movie commemorating the Korean War veterans. This war is often referred to as the forgotten war. However, this event was an opportunity to reflect on the impact of the Korean War through the perspective of film. We are recognizing Korean and Canadian people's gratitude and appreciation for the sacrifices of veterans in defending the freedom of Korea, which still impacts families today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Bothwell Cheese Mr. Kelvin Goertzen (Steinbach): Mr.

Speak er, I am pleased to advise the members of this Legislative Assembly that Bothwell Cheese is back on top of the cheese world. Bothwell Cheese, located in New Bothwell, Manitoba, recently took first place at the 86th annual British Empire Cheese Show for its marble cheddar cheese. It is the seventh time in eight years that Bothwell Cheese has won this distinguished award. In addition to winning the top prize for its marble cheese, Bothwell Cheese also won first place in the American-style category for its Monterey Jack

December 5, 2013 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 681 cheese, and second place for smoked parmesan, a new line of cheese for the company. New Bothwell cheese began in 1936 and for the majority of its existence was a co -operative. Today, Bothwell Cheese is a modern, state-of-the-art cheese-making company, but still maintains close connections with the community it calls home and local farmers who provide milk. While Bothwell Cheese has long been a local success, it is now well known nationally for its high quality and taste, and the most recent round of awards are proof of this. Mr.

Speaker, I would also like to congratulate all of the employees of New Bothwell cheese and all of the retailers and restaurants who purchase and sell this high -quality cheese. A special thanks to Bothwell Ch eese president and CEO, Ivan Belonovic. On behalf of myself and my family who have strong connections to Bothwell Cheese, and all the members of this Assembly, we congratulate everyone at Bothwell Cheese who have shown they are among the best cheese makers in the world. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Philanthropic Sharks Program Ms. Deanne Crothers (St. James): Mr.

Speaker, I would like to congratulate some exceptional students from George Waters Middle School who take

part in the school's Philanthropic Sharks program. Through fundraisers, donation drives and awareness events, this program has helped students at George Waters make an impact on the world over the last five years. The Philanthropic Sharks program uses an open format that allows any student in the school to participate. They come and go depending on the event the group is planning and the interests the student has. On average, 30 students participate in the club at any given time. The projects the Philanthropic Sharks choose to work on are completely up to the students.

Every event the group plans or cause they support begins as their idea. These students are empowered to find what they are passionate about and work with staff to make their dreams a reality. It could be something simple like handing out free cookies on antibullying day to brighten someone's afternoon. It could be collecting donations for the Make a Wish Foundation, Winnipeg Harvest, the Terry Fox Foundation or Koats for Kids. Last year the Sharks partnered with neighbouring St. James Collegiate to host a mini We Day.

This event celebrated the achievements of the school's student groups and promoted local social programs with guest speakers from the United Way, Red Cross, Winnipeg Harvest and the Winnipeg Jets Mr. Speaker, these students perfectly embody their school philosophy: get involved, stand up for others, be a philanthropist. They are creative individuals who when inspired by a moral cause take action into their own hands to help others. I would also like to acknowledge the support and leadership of Principal Andrew Mead who is absolutely committed to the students of George Waters.

He consistently finds new opportunities for his students to experience the world and enrich their life perspective. Thank you very much to the Philanthropic Sharks for increasing kindness in St. James. I also ask leave to table the students' names, Mr. Speaker, so that they may appear in Hansard. Thank you very much. Mr. Speaker: Is there leave of the House for the names of the individuals mentioned in the member's statement to be included in today's Hansard? Some Honourable Members: Leave. Mr. Speaker: Leave has been granted.

Philanthropic Sharks (Students): Briana Ehramntraut, Bostyn Evans, Mouna Zeid, Mary McPherson, Torey Eidse, Tina Williams, Aman Saini, Jaide Williams, Camisha Pruden, MacKenzie McLeod, Jayna Dodd, Gwenyth De Guzman, Meghan Fast, Amalie Herath, Ayoub Moustarszak, Zachary Caithness, Jennifer Lansang, Ellaine Capistrano, Francesca Allora, Jared Salvador, Adiam Negash Philanthropic Sharks (Staff): Myriame Orloff, Glynis Zubec, Cara Harland, Kiara Solomon, Shelley Riddell, Jaine Martin, Dina Coutris Manitoba Provincial Rifle Association Mr. Matt Wiebe (Concordia): Mr.

Speaker, today, I'm very excited to recognize the Manitoba Provincial Rifle Association. The MPRA is a non-profit amateur sports organization. The rifle association is the sport governing body for rifle shooting in Manitoba, representing and serving target shooters throughout the province. The MPRA's

682 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA December 5, 2013 enthusiastic membership loves the sport, and they help promote and encourage target shooting as a safe, recreational and competitive sport. The MPRA has a rich history in our province. The association was formed in 1872 and annual rifl e competitions began in 1873. The Hudson's Bay Company presented the first sterling silver trophy, which is still in use today, demonstrating the association's rich history in Manitoba.

This past summer, members of the Manitoba Provincial Rifle Association competed in the Shooting Federation of Canada national matches held in Beachburg, Ontario. After a week of intense competition, athletes from Winnipeg and Brandon brought home several medals, displaying the competitive talent of our Manitoba shooting as so- ciation. Overall, the MPRA members returned with nine medals, including three gold. I'm very excited to announce that Falcon Lake's Megan Imrie, a long-time member of the association, will also be representing Canada at the next Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. Mr.

Speaker, one of the elite marksmen and members of the MPRA is Henry Gerow, who has won countless provincial titles, national champion - ships and international gold medals. He's regarded as one of Manitoba's best marksmen to ever compete in the small-bore rifle category. He has now joined the province's most elite athletes of all time in the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame. The MPRA small -bore committee is excited about developing a new high- performance training and coaching program.

Hopefully, they will continue to develop excellent Manitoba competitors that will represent Manitoba in the competitions not only across the country, but across the world. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker: Grievances? Seeing no grievances, I'd like to remind honourable members that since the Assembly will be recessing today until the new year, and particularly because we will have our Youth Parliament meeting here in the Chamber later this month, I'm asking that all members empty the contents of thei r desk before leaving today.

I encourage members to use the blue bins on either side of the Chamber here to recycle their Hansards and any copies of bills or other papers, and any other material you have that you wish to recycle can be placed also in the l arger blue bins in the two message rooms. I thank honourable members for their co-operation. ORDERS OF THE DAY (Continued) GOVERNMENT BUSINESS Hon. Andrew Swan (Government House Leader): Mr. Speaker, could you please call for third reading, Bill 2. CONCURRENCE AND THIRD READINGS Bill 2–The Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Safety of Workers in Highway Construction Zones) Mr.

Speaker: I will now call, under concurrence and third readings, that Bill 2, The Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Safety of Workers in Highway Construction Zones), as amended in the committee. Is there any debate? Hon. Andrew Swan (Government House Leader): Yes, Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Labour and Immigration (Ms.

Braun), that Bill 2, The Highway Traffic Ame ndment Act (Safety of Workers in Highway Construction Zones) ; Loi modifiant le Code de la route (sécurité des travailleurs dans les zones de construction), as amended and reported from the Standing Committee on Human Resources, be concurred in and be now read for a third time and passed. Motion presented. Hon. Erna Braun (Minister of Labour and Immigration): Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise for third reading on the highway traffic amendment act. This bill is an integral piece of Manitoba's five-year plan for workplace injury and illness prevention.

It brings in enhanced enforcement tools and clear requirements to help keep serve–workers and motorists in construction zones safe. We believe this bill will help Manitoba continue building on the significant progress we've made in reducing workplace injuries and illnesses to date. * (15:20) I would like to thank industry, labour and members of the public who have provided input into the development of this bill. Their contributions are greatly appreciated and we look forward to continuing to work together to improve the safety of Manitoba roads. In particular, I want to thank the

December 5, 2013 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 683 family of Brittany Murray. They have pushed for many of the changes that we are making today. They have been through so much. Thank you to the family. When you enter a construction zone, you are entering someone's workplace. Every person who is working on our roads is someone's mother, father, son or daughter. Every family deserves to have their loved ones come home from work safe. In 2005, we increased the fine for speeding in a construction zone. This legislation will double fines for speeding in a construction zone compared to speeding elsewhere.

We've heard from families and from workers that we need better , clearer signs on our roads. These proposals would also allow for clear signage indicating when reduced limits are in effect, what they are and when they end. Bill 2 will also enable the creation of regulations that will clarify the plans for road constru ction sites and the kinds of traffic control devices that should be used in specific circumstances. But legislation is not our only route to making construction zones safer for workers and for drivers.

Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health will be stepping up enforcement measures to ensure that worker safety standards are maintained at the highest level during construction. The Premier (Mr. Selinger) has been outlining our major commitment to building core infrastructure in Manitoba. We are going to have a lot more workers on the roads over the next five years; these women and men deserve a safe workplace as they help, as they build to help our province for, to build our province for the future. But it still baffles me, Mr. Speaker, that this bill almost di dn't make it.

If not for the efforts of members of the public, the family, industry and labour, I do not know that these measures would have been in place for the next construction season. Thankfully, that is not the case. What is clear to me is that we are a government committed to making workplaces safer and to protect every day hard -working Manitobans. Our members opposite have voted repeatedly against rules that would make work safer for Manitoba families. In 2002, they voted against safer workplaces f or workers and their families, saying the new rules would punish business.

In 2010, when our govern- ment increased fines for serious violations of The Workplace Safety and Health Act, the members opposite voted against it, calling the fines nothing more than red tape, regulation and bureaucracy. Just two months ago the members opposite pressed for changes that would increase proposed speed limits from 40k to 60k for cars passing emergency vehicles and emergency staff in residential areas. Mr. Speaker, our commitment is clear. It is to keep Manitobans safe. We are committed to ensuring Manitoba workplaces become among the safest in the country.

After all, as we've said many times over, we want our fathers, our mothers, our sons and daughters to come home saf e after the end of their workday, and we will continue to enhance safety for workers as we have with Bill 2. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mrs. Leanne Rowat (Riding Mountain): It's a pleasure to put some words on the record with regard to Bill 2, The Highway T raffic Amendment Act (Safety of Workers in Highway Construction Zones). Mr.

Speaker, a lot of these employees that work in construction zones are our brothers, sisters, husbands, wives, and all deserve, as was shared at committee the other night, that the y deserve to be respected and deserve to be protected and deserve to return to their families without worry or fear of injury or death. I believe the presentations at com - mittee were very well done; I think the individuals who presented provided us with va rious scenarios of why workplace safety along highways is important and critical.

I appreciated the comments in discussion with Charlene Harrison, the mother of Brittany Murray, who lost her life in a construction zone when an individual is travelling fas ter than was safely warranted in that area. And I believe that Charlene, through this bill, did find, and will find, some closure with regard to the painful loss of her daughter. And I look at Charlene Harrison, and I realize that she's – she looks, and is l ikely, younger than I am, Mr.

Speaker, and it just really brought home to me how difficult this would be to live with knowing that your child died in a senseless accident on –in highway construction. I listened to the words of the minister, and I again am concerned that they're playing politics with this, and I thought of that at committee that night. When I was looking back at Charlene and her family and I thought, you know, we had never indicated we would not pass Bill 2. There's an agreement within the H ouse that was in place and, Mr.

Speaker, and even before they even had an opportunity to discuss that, they were indicating to the media that we would not support this bill, and I found that extremely

684 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA December 5, 2013 distressing and very, very disappointing because they were playing politics with Charlene Harrison and her family. And I think that is just outrageous, because this family had been just –had just gone through a court case where, as Charlene has indicated, was very disrespectful to the family, in their eyes. And then to have government play a game with the decision of Bill 2 is totally inappropriate.

So I just wanted to put that on the record, because I think it's very, very important that we respect all Manitobans and actually reflect on the decisions we make to ensure that we are not disrespecting families who have gone through something as horrible as the Murray family have. So this bill does have a number of things in it that will provide assurances that families who have family members working in construct ion zones will have protection. The speed limits will be reduced. Fines will be increased, you know, Mr. Speaker.

But we really had some serious concerns with the liability, and that was addressed by the minister and I appreciated that, because municipal ities don't want to see a tragedy happen, such as Brittany Murray's situation. They want to be assured that whoever is responsible for the signage and the processes involved in ensuring that that work area is safe, that they know exactly who is responsible for that

section of highway. That's a very legitimate concern. And I asked the minister and I asked in the briefing for that information, and they indicated they'd get back to me. It took a week–it took a week, but we got the answers. And, during that period of time, they played the politics. What we want to make sure is all Manitobans are protected. We want to ensure that legislation that goes forward doesn't create more liability for one municipality over another. And, Mr.

Speaker, and I believe tha t once we receive the information and clarification that we believe that municipalities would be fine with Bill 2 and moving forward. Mr. Speaker, the reason that this bill has come forward is because of accidents that have happened, such as Brittany Murr ay's situation. And others that presented–a few citizens who work for MIT – indicated that they are very concerned about their workplace and the safety there with, so I believe that that provided some very solid information and solid background to support t his.

They also indicated that there has to be some teeth to this, and that, you know, that if they are going to enforce it, to do so. Because they have said that, you know, in the past, there have–things have been brought forward with regard to workplace s afety that hasn't materialized, hasn't provided the necessary supports or the resources in place to make that happen. In other words, they want this to be more than words from a government, more than spin from the 192 spinners.

They would like to ensure that this is actually going to provide the supports that is indicated by this government. * (15:30) So, in closing, I believe that Bill 2 is a step in the right direction. It's unfortunate that it was introduced so late in this session, and I just feel tha t it would've respected the family if we would've had the opportunity to have all the answers upfront with regard to concerns listed. But, Mr. Speaker, in the end, Bill 2 will pass.

Charlene Hamilton –Harrison and the Murray family will get an opportunity t o realize that there will be safeguards in place so that Brittany's death through this accident are not in vain, and I believe that we look forward to this government taking action with regard to Bill 2. Thank you. Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Mr.

Speaker, I rise to speak to Bill 2, and I want to first of all recognize the family, the relatives of Brittany Murray, who came to present at the committee stage and to pour out their hearts about their loss of Brittany Murray and, at the same time, to recognize that in such a situation it is important to make changes which will prevent such problems in the future. And it is in the spirit of preventing such problems in the future that all MLAs here have worked together to enable this piece of legislatio n to pass. And I think that it is important for the member for Rossmere (Ms.

Braun) to recognize that there were exceptions made with this legislation which have enabled it to speed up and to get passed. I want to make a couple of comments. We also heard at the committee stage of concerns that the legislation was a bit rushed, that there weren't some details there which should've been there with regard to barriers, with regard to the use of buzz strips or rumble strips and so on. And we've been assured, w e think, by the minister that these details may be compensated for by what is put in the regulations.

And we look forward to seeing those regulations, and, hopefully, they will reflect the comments that have been made.

December 5, 2013 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 685 It was also commented at the committee stage that the fines which were there were somewhat out of line to other provinces. And we want this–fines to be high enough so they send a strong message, but we would prefer that the signage be so clear and so loud and so in people's face that people will always recognize when there's a construction zone, and they will slow down in the future, and we won't have these accidents. That would be a far better result.

We don't want people to be saying that this NDP is just jacking up fines because they're running short of money. Now, I don't think that's true, but there would be a lot of people who would be saying that, right? And the important thing here is that we prevent the accidents and that we are not, you know, seen as just money grabbing, you know, here in this province. I think that it's worth thanking all members for their support in getting this bill which will pass and become law today, which is a good thing. I would caution the member for Rossmere (Ms.

Braun) just one last time in terms of trying to take some snipes. Sometimes I have to be a bit of an honest broker here. You know, you can complain about some things which might've slowed down this a little bit, but it would be very easy for people to stand up and rail against your party because you wouldn't allow a measure this morning which supports soldiers to pass– Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Mr. Gerrard: –or a measure this morning which was designed to help the poorest in our province. Mr. Speaker, I've obviously got people roused up a little bit.

I've said enough, I think, at the moment, and I just want to thank all members for getting this measure to this stage and, hopefully, with royal assent later today. Mr. Kelvin Goertzen (Steinbach): Mr. Speak er, I just want to say a few words after the honest broker from River Heights and I appreciated some of his comments. First of all, on this bill, I think all of us have expressed our sympathy to the family of Brittany Murray and I've had an opportunity to speak to members of that family as well.

I think all of us – well, I was going to say, we all recognize how difficult it must be, but I suspect few do know the difficulty of the situation that they are going through. I think it's almost impossible to put ou rselves into their shoes, so for that reason I'm glad that this bill is moving forward. But I would say that I don't think– I don't think–this bill would be moving forward today if it wasn't for the member for Riding Mountain (Mrs. Rowat) and I want to com mend her and thank her for her comments on this.

The member for Riding Mountain, earlier on, had a few questions about the bill and brought them to the minister and to the department, and it took about a week for her to get the responses to those questions. And, once she got the responses to the questions that she had, she came to me and she said, how do we ensure that this bill get passed this session? I said, well, I'll take a look at it, and the difficulty was that the government had signed and structured a deal that didn't allow any legislation to come forward and be passed this session that weren't part of the last session.

I double -checked the agreement that was signed by the government. It wasn't signed in disappearing ink, even though they might think it was. The member –the Minister of Finance (Ms. Howard) put her –signed on an agreement that said that there shall not be any new legislation introduced and passed in this session. That was her signature on that agreement. But I said to the member for R iding Mountain who asked whether or not there were things that could be changed, I said, let me look at it over the weekend.

And so we did, and I came forward with three suggestions to the government about how we could move outside of that agreement to have the bill passed, and the government selected the one option of swapping out a different piece of legislation. So I'm glad that they chose that option and managed to get around the agreement that the government actually signed, and I appreciate the member for Riding Mountain doing that and making it a priority, because if she hadn't I don't think that this bill would have passed.

And I'm glad that we could move past the agreement that the government House leader –the former government House leader had actually signed on to. Now, there was a juxtaposition, and I'm glad the member for River Heights (Mr. Gerrard) brought if forward, that we actually had a bill this morning that I believe that if it was in place and if money was raised through the sale of lice nce plates for veterans, it could possibly save a life, that money.

It could–and if the member for the Interlake says, if it saved even one–or Lakeside, sorry, the –I wouldn't want –think that such common sense would come from the member for the Interlake, but the –as the member for Lakeside (Mr. Eichler) said, if it even saved one life– if it even saved one life–would it not be worth it?

686 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA December 5, 2013 And I asked the Government House Leader , you know, why don't we at least move this forward because it might save a life? Well, no, we don't want to work outside the agreement, I suppose, wouldn't want to do that, wouldn't want to do that. And yet we showed, and I want to commend the member for Riding Mountain (Mrs. Rowat), that sometimes, you know, it's better to take the high road and to look for something, to do something, that it's going to be helpful and it's going to be beneficial.

Even though the government put forward an agreement that wouldn't allow it to happen, I commend the member for Riding Mountain who said, let's find a way, and we did find a way. I only wish it would have been an example for the government this morning when they decided not to do the exact same thing, to perhaps save a life of a veteran. And maybe they still have time to reflect on that before the House adjourns today. Thank you very much. Mr. Speaker: Any further debate on Bill 2? House is ready for the question? An Honourable Member: Question. Mr.

Speaker: Question before the House is concurrence and third reading of Bill 2, The Highway Tra ffic Amendment Act (Safety of Workers in Highway Construction Zones), as amended. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed] Mr. Kelvin Goertzen (Official Opposition House Leader): Is it the will of the House to make it unanimous? Mr. Speaker: Is there will of the House to let the record reflect that the passage of Bill 2 was unanimous? [Agreed] * (15:40) * * * Mr. Swan: Mr.

Speaker, on House business, could you please call for third readings of the following bills: Bill 22, Bill 27, Bill 41, Bill 42, Bill 43, Bill 45, Bill 36, Bill 38, Bill 46, Bill 6, Bill 7, Bill 47, and Bill 20. Mr. Speaker: So, as announced, we'll be calling bills in the following order, starting with Bill 22, followed by bills 27, 41, 42, 43, 45, 36, 38, 46, Bill 6, Bill 7, Bill 47, and then finally Bill 20. So we'll start by calling Bill 22, The Planning Amendment Act (Subdivision Approval), as amended. Bill 22–The Planning Amendment Act (Subdivision Approval) Hon. Andrew Swan (Government House Leader): Mr.

Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister for Municipal Government (Mr. Struthers) , that Bill 22, The Planning Amendment Act (Subdivision Approval); Loi modifiant la

Loi sur l'aménagement du territoire (approbation de lotissements) , as amended and reported from the Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development, be concurred in and be now read for a third time and passed. Motion presented. Hon. Stan Struthers (Minister of Municipal Government): Mr. Speaker, it's a pleasure to stand in third readin g and speak a little bit about The Planning Amendment Act, Bill 22. This bill amends The Planning Act to shorten the process a rural municipality needs to go through to approve minor subdivisions.

The amendments further expedite the process by making the municipal decision on a minor subdivision the final decision. The act is also amended to provide a legal mechanism to ensure areas of significant interest, such as sensitive riparian areas, will be protected now and into the future through a development agreement signed by the land owner and a government authority. Our government is committed to modernizing how we do municipal planning because good planning helps grow our economy and create good jobs.

Municipalities and subdivision applicants asked us to make the process shorter, and this amendment shows that we're listening. Bill 22 will reduce the initial processing time for simple, one -lot subdivision applications by about half. By implementing best practices and streamlining the review process for single-lot sub - divisions, we are reducing red tape for muni - cipalities, planning districts and land owners. That sounds great, too, Mr. Speaker. There is no need for simple subdivisions, such as basic farmyard splits, to go through the same review process as complex subdivisions.

This amendment reduces the workload on municipalities, planning districts, and the Department of Municipal Government, giving them time to focus on their many pressing priorities.

December 5, 2013 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 687 But, Mr. Speaker, this doesn't mean we are walking away from the process. A single -lot subdivision would be eligible for the shortened process only if it meets the following criteria: It is consistent with the provincially approved development plan, no new public road is created and no change is made to access on a provincial road or provincial trunk highway. Mr. Speaker, c onsultation is an important part of this legislation.

The Association of Manitoba Municipalities, along with all government depart - ments and agencies involved with reviewing subdivisions, sit on a joint technical advisory committee to make sure this shortened approval process is implemented properly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I recommend this bill to the House. Mr. Blaine Pedersen (Midland): Mr. Speaker, Bill 22, it's –this bill is interesting, to say the least, as a government that –that talks about cutting regulations takes a minor, minor step towards cutting regulations for municipalities.

This only –this bill only addresses existing subdivisions within a municipality in a residential subdivision. It does not address if a farmyard wants to be subdivided out of an existing quarter section. Apparently, municipalities don't know best as to what they should be doing, according to this government. So, while this bill is a small s tep towards lessening regulations, they could have done much better had they actually waited for the report that the AMM was part of and government was part of; however, they decided to introduce the bill prior to the report being issued.

So, if they had w aited, perhaps it could have even been a more extensive bill in terms of actually cutting regulations for municipalities. So, you know, we understand their dislike for AMM and their–so, having said that, this bill does, is one small step towards reducing regulations. They could have done much better, and perhaps knowing how this government acts in small incremental steps, perhaps when they do see the report come in, they can actually address the existing problems that are out there with the regulations that municipalities deal with each and every day. So, with that, Mr.

Speaker, we'll look forward to passing of Bill 22. Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Mr. Speaker, I rise to support this measure which gives additional authority to municipalities, and, a ppropriately so, under these circumstances. I believe that this is a worthwhile measure and look forward to being implemented shortly. Mr. Speaker: Any further debate on Bill 22? House ready for the question. Some Honourable Members: Question. Mr. Spea ker: Question before the House is concurrence and third reading of Bill 22, The Planning Amendment Act (Subdivision Approval), as amended.

Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed] Bill 27–The Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Charter Bus Service) Mr. Speaker: Now proceed to call Bill 27, The Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Charter Bus Service), as amended. Hon. Andrew Swan (Minister of Justice and Attorney General): I move, seconded by the Minister of Finance (Ms.

Howard), that Bill 27, The Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Charter Bus Service); Loi modifiant le Code de la route (services d'autobus nolisés ), reported from the Standing Committee on Human Resources and subsequently amended, be concurred in and be now read for a third time and passed. Motion presented. Mr. Swan: Well, thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, and I'll be quite happy to give way to the Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation (Mr.

Ashton), but I just did want to put a few words on the record about the, certainly of the challenges with respect to maintaining bus service in a very large and very dynamic province. And we know that, of course, although fewer people may be taking bus services these days, continues to be an extremely important mode of transportation. And certainly one thing that I've learned is that many departments in government rely upon reliable bus service to be able to move things back and forth.

I know, within the Department of Health, the health authority relies upon the bus service to transport a lot of information, samples, a lot of important things, and certainly we want to see that that continues. As well, I know within the Justice Department often documents are sent using

688 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA December 5, 2013 bus service, and I know that other government departments always require useful bus service. But, of course, beyond that, we know that it's people in Manitoba in rural areas, especially in northern areas, that count on having bus service to allow them atte nd medical appointments, to visit family, to do any business they may need to do in larger centres. And, certainly, I know that it has been a challenge for the past couple of years in maintaining chartered bus service and other bus services within the province of Manitoba.

And I know that the minister has been working very hard on making sure that we get the right balance to allow charter bus companies to continue to operate at a reasonable profit, but also open up the field to allow some other smaller operators who are very keen and very excited to be providing service in certain areas. And it is the kind of balance that can sometimes be a challenge for government, but I believe that this bill meets that balance very, very well. * (15:50) Now, of course, we know that things have changed in the province of Manitoba.

Once upon a time, of course, you could take a train to just about any small community you could want. We know that passenger train service, especially in western Canada, fell away as more and mo re people began driving, and we know that that suffered. And we know the passenger train service, frankly, in the west continues to suffer, and I know that we'll hopefully have some better alternatives one day. In terms of bus service, of course, that the n became the next way for people to move back and forth.

Certainly, the improvement of roads across this province–a process which, I may add, continues today–and the advent of more and more people having cars meant that fewer people were able to –or fewer people needed bus service. But we know that it's still a very vital and important service for people to be able to take the bus to get them around to various activities. And, you know, of course, different provinces went in different ways.

I know the prov ince of Saskatchewan actually has a government -owned bus service, STC, the Saskatchewan Transportation Company, and perhaps the government could have possibly–could possibly have been done some time ago in the province of Manitoba. Maybe having a publicly owned bus company was a missed opportunity, but we can't turn the clock back now.

But, certainly, we know that being able to have bus service across the province, to allow people to have the ability, again, to get to medical appointments, to visit love d ones, to do business in various centres, is very important to the province of Manitoba and to Manitoba residents. I'll certainly be interested to hear what the opposition have to say, and I'll also be very interested to hear what the Minister of Infrastructure has to say on this very important bill. Mr. Ralph Eichler (Lakeside): Mr. Speaker, I want to put a few things on the record.

As we know, in this House I did bring an amendment forward on this particular piece of legislation, and we heard loud and clear not only from the member from Brandon East, his people that were here–the mayor presented on this particular bill–and they said very clearly that they did not support the bill in the way it was written. And also, the member from Seine River had people there, as well, that talked about the bill, and they also said that they were assured by the member from Seine River that they would bring amendments forward on this bill. It was a small amendment, but it didn't go far enough.

And this bill is about s afety, and the safety part of it that I brought forward in my amendment, I have to take the minister at his word. He said he's going to put those into regulation. Whether or not he does or not–this is the same government that also said they would not raise taxes in the last election. But we certainly saw that this government can't be trusted. So, with that, we know that whatever the government says, they may or may not do. So, having said that, we can't support this bill in its entirety. Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Mr. Speaker, just a few words on this piece of legislation.

I think it's been recognized for some time that there needed to be some adjustments that would serve people better in Manitoba in terms of bus service. And it is right that there should be some changes, but, clearly, with the changes that have been brought in, there are, as people raised at committee, some major concerns that service will actually be better, some major concerns that companies in Manitoba will be disadvantaged as a result of the way that this bill has been put forward. And certainly, if this bill passes, as

December 5, 2013 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 689 we expect today, we will need to watch things very, very closely and bring up concerns and be ready to listen to people and, if needed, be ready to make some fur ther changes, because I'm quite concerned about some of the things that were said at committee and some of the potential fallout as a result of this bill. Thank you. Hon. Jennifer Howard (Minister of Finance): Mr. Speaker, I want to also rise and talk a li ttle bit about this bill, and I want to just reflect on the commitment of the Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation (Mr.

Ashton) on resolving what has been a very challenging issue. Members will remember that this issue really began when Greyhound decided to pull back from servicing many communities that, for whom, really, bus service was their link to many other communities. We know that, I think, as the Attorney General (Mr. Swan) had mentioned, buses in Manitoba – they're not only used for people to go and visit other communities, but they are also used in large measure for people to go and be able to get the kind of health-care services that they need.

We know that those buses are often used for children who are going to visit parents who have be en separated and divorced and live in different communities. I know, as the former minister of Family Services, the bus system would sometimes be used for children who are in foster care in one community who wanted to make visits back to their family to tr y to mend some of that relationship. They also used those buses.

In my own life, growing up in Brandon, I travelled many, many, many times on the Greyhound bus to Winnipeg, and it was, at that time, you could get up and you could get on the bus at 6:30 in the morning, you'd come into the city, do the business that you had to do and catch the 7 p.m. bus back to Brandon. And that was just what you did, because you had to come into the city and go to meetings or do whatever kinds of things that you had to do. And it was always a very good service and it was an affordable way –if you didn't have a car, it was an affordable way to get around.

So I think that the minister has worked very hard to find some solutions to this problem. * * * Ms. Howard: The other thing I'm going to say and, hopefully, no one will challenge me on relevance, but I just wanted to share with the House the sad news that I just received by BlackBerry that Nelson Mandela has passed away today. And I was recently– had the tremendous opportunity to travel in South Africa, and I feel very fortunate that I was there when he was still alive.

And part of that journey was to go and visit Robben Island, which is –was where Nelson Mandela was, of course, imprisoned, and we got to see the cell where h e lived for many, many years; 27 years he was in prison with nothing but a mat and a table and a bucket. And we also got to see the limestone quarry where he and other political prisoners of the time, who became leaders in the movement to free South Africa from apartheid–they worked together in this quarry. They cut –came to call it the university of the movement.

And many of the problems he's had in later life, in terms of breathing problems and vision problems, were because of the work that he had to do in that quarry. So I know we're going to get on with the business of the democracy that we get to be custodians of, all of us in this House, but I thought it would just be appropriate to–for the Chamber to know that today we lost a tremendous champion of freedom and democracy in Nelson Mandela, and I know we all feel that loss.

And I know we all would want to extend our sympathy to all the citizens of that country who, I'm sure, will be in mourning today, as well as his family. Thank you very much. Point of Order Mr. Speaker: The honourable member– An Honourable Member: Yes, on a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker: On a point of order, the honourable member for River Heights. Mr. Gerrard: I want to thank the Minister of Finance for bringing up the sa d passing of Nelson Mandela. This is–he has certainly made an incredible contribution to the whole world and particularly, of course, to his own country of South Africa.

And I would wonder if there would be leave for everybody to rise to have a moment of s ilence on the passing of Nelson Mandela. Mr. Speaker: Official Opposition House Leader, on the same point of order. Mr. Kelvin Goertzen (Official Opposition House Leader): Yes, Mr. Speaker, I also appreciate the Minister of Finance raising the issue, and I certainly would never call her on relevance on something so important, because that is important. It's important to us, all of us who, in many ways, rely on others in the world to also defend democracy and to defend rights in countries that we don't have as much involvement

690 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA December 5, 2013 in, so we all share in the passing of Mr. Mandela. I would also support the call for the member for River Heights (Mr. Gerrard) for a moment of silence in recognition of that. Mr. Speaker: Is there leave of the House to observe a moment of silence? [Agreed] * (16:00) A moment of silence was observed. * * * Hon. Steve Ashton (Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation): Thank you, Mr.

Speaker, and I was planning on speaking on this bill, but I do want to add my words of condole nce to people of South Africa and, I think, people throughout the world who will be mourning the passage of a tremendous figure of inspiration and history. I had the opportunity on a personal visit to visit South Africa very shortly after the fall of apa rtheid. I–it was always my dream, Mr. Speaker, to go to South Africa for the end of apartheid.

I never thought I'd see it in my lifetime, and what struck me about that visit, and certainly any of the contacts that I had with many people who were involved w ith the anti - apartheid movement, the sense of reconciliation I saw in South Africa that moved to a Rainbow Nation, respecting the rights of all its citizens, the progress from probably one of the worst forms of institutional racism that we will have seen a nywhere in the world, to a model –I can't say enough about how much that was very much the legacy of Nelson Mandela. And I also was struck by how much it is a model.

Some members may know I'm very proud to point to the degree to which I've certainly been inspired by Mahatma Gandhi and Gandhian principles and particularly Gandhi's view of the world that stressed the transformative element of non-violence. And what's striking to my mind is will we ever see someone like Nelson Mandela, who, after 28 years in a South African jail could come out and see a non-violent transformation of South Africa in an incredible spirit of reconciliation. I –Mr.

Speaker, I'm sure we will have other great figures in history–Gandhis and Mandelas–in the future, but few will leave the kind of impact that they did. So I'm very proud to stand today and reflect on his passage. * * * Mr. Ashton: But, of course, Mr. Speaker, I'm sure Nelson Mandela would've been the first to expect to hear in our Chamber that we would have vigorous debates. South Africa's pretty vigorous when it comes to debates, a very lively political circum - stance.

And what does strike me about this Legislature–I'm trying to recall–I've had a few sessions–I'm trying to recall a few sessions that would've actually result ed in this many sitting days, this much debate. I'm trying to recall, actually, when we actually first introduced this bill. It's some time ago. I know it's been on the Order Paper for a significant period of time. And I think that one of things that we should be reflecting on as we wrap up this portion of the session, this rather unique element of this session, that we –it's the end of one session and it's also been the beginning of another.

I would like to suggest in a lot of ways, Mr. Speaker, that if I could sum up what this bill and other bills in this session reflect, in terms of our highways and how many of the issues we've debated, I think it's probably the end of the beginning, the end of the beginning in the sense we've had a debate in this Legislature on bills such as this. We've had a debate on funding issues, budgets, throne speeches. And when I say the end of the beginning, I've very proud of a lot of the work we've done on our infrastructure over the last number of years. And I don't think people realize just how far we've come.

In 1999, when we took office, our capital spending on our highway system was less than a hundred million dollars. It was as low as $85 million. Now, early on in our mandate I can tell you what we did. We recognized that had to change, and we immediately increased that. But, Mr. Speaker –and you know this very well –we also understood we had to have a plan. There was no plan. A plan, a long- term plan, might've been the next year or the year after. So we put in place Man itoba Vision 2020. And, Mr. Speaker, you chaired that process.

We had significant involvement from stakeholders, and I remember when you delivered the report of a four – recommending a $4- billion, 10 -year investment in our highway infrastructure. I'm sure there were maybe some people in this building who probably fell out of their chair when they got the report. But I can tell you one thing: We not only adopted that recommendation–and the member for Dawson Trail (Mr. Lemieux) was the minister at that time –we've exceeded it. Every single year we have put in place our highway plan, and how does that work out?

The last three years this government –and this is prior to this session of this year –has invested more money

December 5, 2013 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 691 than the Conservatives invested in the entire time they were in office; three years beat their 10 years. That speaks volumes. Not the talk, Mr. Speaker, but the actual walk on infrastructure. So what was significant about this session, Mr. Speaker, and with this particular– Point of Order Mr. Speaker: The honourable member for Lakeside, on a point of order. Mr. Ralph Eichler (Lakeside): Yes, I would like to ask the Minister of MIT to be relevant to the bus bill; that's what we're talking about. That really has nothing to do with what we're talking about today.

If he wants to talk about something else, let him do that another time. Mr. Speaker: The honourable Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation, on the same point of order? Mr. Ashton : On the same point of order, Mr. Speaker, I can't think of anything more relevant than talking about the highway system that our buses have to operate under. And I know the members are sensitive about the 1990s. You know, we don't want to go back to 1990s any more than they do–been there, done that.

But I think it's absolutely relevant, and I'm more than pleased to speak not only about the immediate impacts of Bill 27 but the historic investments we're making on our highway system. Mr. Speaker: I thank the honourable members for their advice on the point of orde r raised by the honourable member for Lakeside. Normally, it's –my practice, as your Speaker, is to permit a bit of latitude when individual members are debating matters before the Assembly.

So I will take the advice of the honourable member for Lakeside and listen very carefully to what honourable members are saying with respect to the debate on this particular bill, and I would ask the honourable Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation to follow along in keeping with the spirit of the bill under consideration here this afternoon, and we'll let matters unfold as they will. And, in that regard, I thank the honourable member. He does have a point of order, and I'll be watching very closely. * * * Mr. Ashton: Indeed, Bill 27 is a very important bill.

It talks about the charter bus industry, and I was talking about the fact that if you want to have improved safety in terms of charter buses, which is a major provision to this bill, you have to have a government t hat's going to invest in our highway system. And I know, Mr. Speaker –you know, I find it interesting the member opposite, the member for Lakeside, I thought he was actually going to get up on a point of order and congratulate this government for the inve stments on Highway 6. You know, he actually represented much of the southern portion of Highway 6–still represents part of it.

You know what, when you're investing the biggest single investment on that portion of Highway 6 since it was constructed in the 1950s, you'd think the member for Lakeside would be standing up and being part of the hallelujah chorus. But, Mr. Speaker, I'm digressing. I am digressing and, you know, the member mumbled something in his comments about the gas tax. One of the things we did early on in or mandate –we actually had to bring the gas tax accountability act in because the Conservatives, when they were in government, spent less on highways than they raised on the gas tax.

We're spending double what we raise on the gas tax, and mark my word–and I want the member opposite, the member for Lakeside to be–to note this down–we are going to guarantee that people are going to see the difference on highways like Highway 6, with–a part of a highway which he actually supposedly represents– An Honourable Member: And so do buses. Mr. Ashton : –and the buses will definitely benefit from that. And I want to stress as well, by the way, that what's interesting is the way the members opposite – we saw it earlier today, you know –have they no shame?

You know, they vote against –well, we know they don't. They vote against the investment that we're putting in our highway system, but then they come in with a straight face and they bring in petitions asking for us to do more on the highway system, Mr. Spea ker

Document details

Collection	Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	40-3-17b
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	40th 3rd hansardpdf 17b.pdf
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	cd62cfd693a5ce1a1d7b2bb6ee12c8663ad5f991

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