Manitoba Hansard — 1 March 2017 (Sitting 18, 41st Legislature, 2nd Session)

41-2-18

Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)

Second Session – Forty-First Legislature of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba DEBATES and PROCEEDINGS Official Report (Hansard) Published under the authority of The Honourable Myrna Driedger Speaker Vol. LXX No. 18 - 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 1, 2017 ISSN 0542-5492

MANITOBA LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Forty-First Legislature Member Constituency Political Affiliation ALLUM, James Fort Garry-Riverview NDP ALTEMEYER, Rob Wolseley NDP BINDLE, Kelly Thompson PC CLARKE, Eileen, Hon. Agassiz PC COX, Cathy, Hon. River East PC CULLEN, Cliff, Hon. Spruce Woods PC CURRY, Nic Kildonan PC DRIEDGER, Myrna, Hon. Charleswood PC EICHLER, Ralph, Hon. Lakeside PC EWASKO, Wayne Lac du Bonnet PC FIELDING, Scott, Hon. Kirkfield Park PC FLETCHER, Steven, Hon. Assiniboia PC FONTAINE, Nahanni St. Johns NDP FRIESEN, Cameron, Hon. Morden-Winkler PC GERRARD, Jon, Hon. River Heights Lib.

GOERTZEN, Kelvin, Hon. Steinbach PC GRAYDON, Clifford Emerson PC GUILLEMARD, Sarah Fort Richmond PC HELWER, Reg Brandon West PC ISLEIFSON, Len Brandon East PC JOHNSON, Derek Interlake PC JOHNSTON, Scott St. James PC KINEW, Wab Fort Rouge NDP KLASSEN, Judy Kewatinook Lib. LAGASSÉ, Bob Dawson Trail PC LAGIMODIERE, Alan Selkirk PC LAMOUREUX, Cindy Burrows Lib. LATHLIN, Amanda The Pas NDP LINDSEY, Tom Flin Flon NDP MALOWAY, Jim Elmwood NDP MARCELINO, Flor Logan NDP MARCELINO, Ted Tyndall Park NDP MARTIN, Shannon Morris PC MAYER, Colleen St. Vital PC MICHALESKI, Brad Dauphin PC MICKLEFIELD, Andrew, Hon.

Rossmere PC MORLEY-LECOMTE, Janice Seine River PC NESBITT, Greg Riding Mountain PC PALLISTER, Brian, Hon. Fort Whyte PC PEDERSEN, Blaine, Hon. Midland PC PIWNIUK, Doyle Arthur-Virden PC REYES, Jon St. Norbert PC SARAN, Mohinder The Maples Ind. SCHULER, Ron, Hon. St. Paul PC SELINGER, Greg St. Boniface NDP SMITH, Andrew Southdale PC SMOOK, Dennis La Verendrye PC SQUIRES, Rochelle, Hon. Riel PC STEFANSON, Heather, Hon. Tuxedo PC SWAN, Andrew Minto NDP TEITSMA, James Radisson PC WHARTON, Jeff Gimli PC WIEBE, Matt Concordia NDP WISHART, Ian, Hon.

Portage la Prairie PC WOWCHUK, Rick Swan River PC YAKIMOSKI, Blair Transcona PC Vacant Point Douglas

327 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA Wednesday, March 1, 2017 The House met at 1:30 p.m. Madam Speaker: O Eternal and Almighty God, from Whom all power and wisdom come, we are assembled here before Thee to frame such laws as may tend to the welfare and prosperity of our province. Grant, O merciful God, we pray Thee, that we may desire only that which is in accordance with Thy will, that we may seek it with wisdom and know it with cer tainty and accomplish it perfectly for the glory and honour of Thy name and for the welfare of all our people. Amen. Please be seated.

Speaker's Statement Madam Speaker: I have a statement for the House. I must inform the House that Kevin Chief, the honourable member for Point Douglas, has resigned his seat in the House effective January 9th, 2017. I am therefore tabling his resignation and my letter to the Lieutenant Gove rnor-in-Council advising of the vacancy created in the House membership. ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS Madam Speaker: Introduction of bills? COMMITTEE REPORTS Standing Committee on Legislative Affairs Second Report Mrs.

Sarah Guillemard (Chairperson): Madam Speaker, I wish to present the Second Report of the Standing Committee on Legislative Affairs. Clerk (Ms. Patricia Chaychuk): Your Standing Committee on Legislative Affairs– Some Honourable Members: Dispense. Madam Speaker: Dispense. Your Standing Committee on LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS presents the following as its Second Report.

Meetings Your Committee met on the following occasions in the Legislative Building: • December 14, 2015 (5th Session– 40th Legislature) • January 23, 2017 (2nd Session–41st Legislature) Matters under Consideration • Annual Report of the Children's Advocate for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2015 • Annual Report of the Children's Advocate for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016 Committee Membership Committee membership for the December 14, 2015 meeting: • Mrs. DRIEDGER • Hon. Ms. IRVIN-ROSS • Mr. JHA (Vice-Chairperson) • Hon. Mr. KOSTYSHYN • Hon. Ms. MARCELINO (Logan) • Mr. MARTIN • Mrs. MITCHELSON • Hon. Mr.

SARAN • Mr. SWAN • Mr. WIEBE (Chairperson) • Mr. WISHART Committee membership for the January 23, 2017 meeting: • Hon. Mr. FIELDING • Ms. FONTAINE • Mrs. GUILLEMARD (Chairperson) • Mr. KINEW • Mr. LAGASSÉ • Ms. LAMOUREUX • Mr. MARTIN • Ms. MORLEY-LECOMTE • Mr. SMITH • Mr. WIEBE • Mr. YAKIMOSKI Your Committee elected Mr. L AGASSÉ as the Vice-Chairperson at the January 23, 2017 meeting Official Speaking on Record at the December 14, 2015 meeting: • Darlene MacDonald, Children's Advocate Official Speaking on Record at the January 23, 2017 meeting:

328 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 1, 2017 • Darlene MacDonald, Children's Advocate Report Considered and Passed Your Committee considered and passed the following report as presented: • Annual Report of the Children's Advocate for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2015 Report Considered but not Passed Your Committee considered the following report but did not pass it: • Annual Report of the Children's Advocate for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016 Mrs. Guillemard: Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable member for St. Vital (Mrs. Mayer), that the report of the committee be received.

Motion agreed to. Standing Committee on Public Accounts Second Report Mr. Matt Wiebe (Chairperson): Madam Speaker, I wish to present the Second Report of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts. Clerk: Your Standing Committee on Public Accounts presents the following as its second report: Meetings– Some Honourable Members: Dispense. Madam Speaker: Dispense. Your Standing Committee on Public Accounts presents the following as its Second Report.

Meetings Your Committee met on the following occasions in the Legislative Building: • December 7, 2016 (2nd Session, 41st Legislature) Matters under Consideration • Auditor General's Report – Operations of the Office for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2015 • Auditor General's Report – Operations of the Office for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016 • Auditor General's Report – Follow-Up of Previously Issued Recommendations – dated May 2014 o

Section 2 – Mandatory Legislative Reviews o

Section 5 – Compliance with Oil and Gas Legislation o

Section 9 – Public Sector Compensation Disclosure Reporting o

Section 11 – Winnipeg Regional Health Authority – Administration of the Value-Added Policy o

Section 13 – Appointment Process to Agencies, Boards and Commissions o

Section 22 – Taxation Division, Audit Branch Committee Membership Committee Membershi p for the December 7, 2016 meeting: • Mr. ALLUM • Mr. BINDLE • Mr. HELWER (Vice-Chairperson) • Mr. JOHNSTON • Ms. LAMOUREUX • Mr. MALOWAY • Mrs. MAYER • Mr. MICHALESKI • Ms. MORLEY-LECOMTE • Mr. WIEBE (Chairperson) • Mr. YAKIMOSKI Substitutions received prior to committee proceedings on December 7, 2016: • Mr. ALLUM for Mr. MARCELINO • Ms. LAMOUREUX for Ms. KLASSEN Officials Speaking on Record at the December 7, 2016 meeting: • Mr.

Norm Ricard, Auditor General of Manitoba Agreements: Your Committee agreed to conclude consideration of the following Sections of the Auditor General's Report – Follow-Up of Previously Issued Recommendations – dated May 2014: o

Section 2 – Mandatory Legislative Reviews o

Section 5 – Compliance with Oil and Gas Legislation o

Section 9 – Public Sector Compensation Disclosure Reporting o

Section 11 – Winnipeg Regional Health Authority – Administration of the Value -Added Policy

March 1, 2017 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 329 o

Section 13 – Appointment Process to Agencies, Boards and Commissions o

Section 22 – Taxation Division, Audit Branch Reports Considered and Adopted: Your Committee has considered the following reports and has adopted the same as presented: • Auditor General's Report – Operations of the Office for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2015 • Auditor General's Report – Operations of the Office for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016 Reports Considered but not Passed: Your Committee has considered the following report but did not pass it: • Auditor General's Report – Follow-Up of Previously Issued Recommendations – dated May 2014 (

Section 2 – Mandatory Legislative Reviews,

Section 5 – Compliance with Oil and Gas Legislation,

Section 9 – Public Sector Compensation Disclosure Reporting,

Section 11 – Winnipeg Regional Health Authority – Administration of the Value-Added Policy,

Section 13 – Appointment P rocess to Agencies, Boards and Commissions,

Section 22 – Taxation Division, Audit Branch – concluded consideration of) Mr. Wiebe: Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable member for Brandon West (Mr. Helwer), that the report of the committee be received. Motion agreed to. Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development First Report Mr. Dennis Smook (Chairperson): Madam Speaker, I wish to present the First Report of the Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development. Clerk: Your Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development presents the following as its– Some Honourable Members: Dispense. Madam Speaker: Dispense.

Your Standing Committee on SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT presents the following as its First Report.

Meetings Your Committee met on the following occasions in the Legislative Building: • December 14, 2015 (5 th Session – 40th Legislature) • December 2, 2016 (2 nd Session – 41st Legislature) Matters under Consideration • Annual Report of the Manitoba Poverty Reduction and Social Inclusion Strategy (All Aboard) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2015 • Annual Report of the Manitoba Poverty Reduction and Social Inclusion Strategy (All Aboard) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016 Committee Membership Committee membership for the December 14, 2015 meeting: • Mrs. D RIEDGER • Hon. Ms. IRVIN-ROSS • Mr.

JHA (Chairperson) • Hon. Mr. KOSTYSHYN • Hon. Ms. MARCELINO (Logan) • Mr. MARTIN • Mrs. MITCHELSON • Hon. Mr. SARAN • Mr. SWAN • Mr. WIEBE (Vice-Chairperson) • Mr. WISHART Substitutions received during committee proceedings on December 14, 2015: • Mr. P EDERSEN for Mrs. DRIEDGER Committee membership for the December 2, 2016 meeting: • Mr. A LLUM • Mr. CURRY • Hon. Mr. FIELDING • Ms. FONTAINE • Ms. LAMOUREUX • Mr. LINDSEY • Mrs. MAYER • Hon. Mr. MICKLEFIELD

330 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 1, 2017 • Mr. SMOOK (Chairperson) • Hon. Ms. SQUIRES • Hon. Mr. WISHART Your Committee elected Mrs. M AYER as the Vice-Chairperson at the December 2, 2016 meeting Reports Considered and Passed Your Committee considered and passed the following reports as presented: • Annual Report of the Manitoba Poverty Reduction and Social Inclusion Strategy (All Aboard) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2015. • Annual Report of the Manitoba Poverty Reduction and Social Inclusion Strategy (All Aboard) for the f iscal year ending March 31, 2016 Mr.

Smook: Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable member for Emerson (Mr. Graydon), that the report of the committee be received. Motion agreed to. Madam Speaker: Tabling of reports? Ministerial statements? MEMBERS' STATEMENTS Ivan Grimolfson Mr. Jeff Wharton (Gimli): I rise in the House today to honour the late Mr. Ivan Grimolfson and the contributions he made to this province. Ivan was raised on the family farm in Hecla, in Manitoba's Interlake. His gra ndparents were among the first Icelandic immigrants to settle on the island at the end of the 19th century.

Ivan moved to Riverton as a young man, where he and his wife of 49 years, Kristine, lived and raised their family. Ivan was a fourth -generation comm ercial fisherman on Lake Winnipeg, and spent over 60 years working in some of the harshest conditions Manitoba has to offer. At six -foot-four, with thick grey hair, a long beard, piercing blue eyes and the hands of a giant, he was a man who exuded strength, stamina and rugged determination. To meet Ivan was –you feel you were standing before the descendants of Vikings.

Yet, it was his gentle demeanour, friendliness and unwavering commitment to family, friends and community for which he will most fondly be remembered. He was a long-time member of the Riverton Elks and spent many hours fundraising and helping with special events. He was on the board of the Gull Harbour authority, the Riverton Co- op, the Riverton Handi - Van, the seniors' resource and the Rive rton friendship centre. Ivan Grimolfson strongly believed that Riverton, Manitoba, was a great place to live. He did his part to ensure that the future would be bright for generations to come.

Heiðruð sé minning hans. [Honoured is his memory]. Honoured is his memory. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Gimli. Mr. Wharton: Madam Speaker, I ask leave to have the family members entered into Hansard.

Madam Speaker: Does the member have leave to have the names of the family members entered into Hansard? [Agreed] Kristine Grimolfson; Shara Selkirk; Darren Selkirk; Jenna Selkirk; Jane Selkirk; Chris Grimolfson; Terri Demman; Derek Grimolfson; Cindy Grimolfson; Kendra Grimolfson; Merilyn Baldwinson; Dennis Baldwinson; Michelle Baldwinson; Glenda Melsted; Cara Enns; Lucielle Gislason; Mylinda Gislason; Geraldine Selkirk; Keith Selkirk; Thorarinn Grimolfson; Aidan Grimolfson; Grimolfur Grimolfson Festival du Voyageur Mr. Greg Selinger (St.

Boniface): Madame la Présidente, a u cours de ses 48 ans, le Festival du Voyageur est devenu un point culminant des hivers manitobains. Ce festival célèbre non seulement l'histoire et la culture franco -manitobaines et métisses, mais sert également comme occasion de souligner l'incroyable tal ent qui existe dans notre province. De nos artistes à nos artisans et artisanes, le Manitoba a tant à offrir. Dans l'esprit du Festival du Voyageur et de la saison hivernale, le Centre scolaire Léo -Rémillard a tenu sa propre Soirée fléchée pour célébrer l e 10 e anniversaire de l'école.

Plus de 300 personnes se sont réunies pour déguster des repas canadiens-français traditionnels, alors que d'être diverties par les élèves de l'école Léo -Rémillard. Le fait que le Centre scolaire Léo -Rémillard fête son 10e anniversaire souligne les progrès réalisés au

March 1, 2017 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 331 cours des années dans la lutte pour les droits linguistiques francophones. Les enseignants et enseignantes comme ceux et celles du Centre scolaire Léo -Rémillard continue nt à jouer un rôle indispensable dans la promotion de notre patrimoine francophone. Au moment où nous célébrons ce 150 e anniversaire du Canada, les événements tels que la Soirée fléchée et le Festival du Voyageur contribuent à nous rappeler la vision de Louis Riel, et l'héritage du peuple mét is et canadien -français et indigène dans la fondation du Manitoba.

J'aimerais souligner le travail et dévouement des organisateurs, bénévoles, partenaires, et personnel du Festival du Voyageur et de la Soirée fléchée. Grâce à vous, le Festival continue à maintenir sa réputation comme étant le plus grand festival d'hiver dans l'Ouest, et le plus grand party de cuisine au Canada. Hého à une autre saiso n du Festival remplie de succès. Translation Madam Speaker, for the past 48 years, the Festival du Voyageur has been a high point of our Manitoba winters.

Not only does it celebrate the Franco-Manitoban and Metis history and culture, but it also provides an opportunity to showcase the unbelievable talent in our province. From our artists to our artisans, Manitoba has so much to offer. So in the spirit of the Festival du Voyageur and of the winter season, the Centre scolaire Léo-Rémillard held its own Soirée fléchée to celebrate its 10th anniversary. More than 300 people gathered to enjoy traditional French -Canadian meals and were entertained by the school's students.

The fact that the Centre scolaire Léo -Rémillard is celebrating its 10th anniversary highlights the progress achieved through the years in the struggle for French-language rights. Teachers such as those at the Centre scolaire Léo-Rémillard continue to play a key role in promoting our Francophone heritage. As we celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary, events such as the Soirée fléchée and the Festival du Voyageur remind us of Louis Ri el’s vision and the legacy of the Metis, French -Canadian and Indigenous peoples in the foundation of Manitoba.

I'd like to acknowledge the work and commitment of the organizers, volunteers, partners and staff of the Festival du Voyageur and of the Soirée fléchée. Thanks to you, the Festival is maintaining its reputation as the greatest winter festival in the West and the greatest kitchen party in Canada. Hého to another successful Festival season. Greendell Park Community Centre Hon. Rochelle Squires (Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage ): Madam Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to recognize Greendell Park Community Centre which is in the hub of community life in the heart of Riel.

Since Greendell opened in 1947, the centre continues to provide recreation services to youth, adults and seniors, and is a vibrant place of activity for families. Greendell is a non -profit organization that sees over 45,000 people access various activities, programs and services throughout the year. At the heart of the community centre is a dedicated group of volunteers and staff, many of whom have grown up in Riel and now build and cherish new memories where they watch their children enjoy the riches of the community.

Madam Speaker, one of the highlights of the year at Greendell is the annual Santa breakfast where I have had the pleasure of volunteering and meeting many great people. This event is generously supported by local businesses, where pancakes are served, dance- school students showcase their talent and families are entertained. Another highlight is the Winter Carnival that hosts one of the largest jam can curling tournaments in Winnipeg. The Winter Carnival is the main fundraising event of the year.

Madam Speaker, the community centre is also home to the Greendell Tiny Tots preschool program, and badminton, pickleball, square dancing and other fitness activities. Recently, Greendell invested in substantial renovations of the gym, kitchen and multi -purpose room. This could only be possible by the commitment, vision and dedication of the board of directors, volunteers and staff, and in partnership with the City of Winnipeg and the Prov ince of Manitoba.

Madam Speaker, as the MLA for Riel, I am proud to honour the contribution of Greendell Community Centre, which is an example of the great community spirit in Riel, and I thank them for being here today.

332 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 1, 2017 Organ and Tissue Donation Mr. Reg Helwer (Brandon West): Madam Speaker, I know that many of you have loved ones with serious health issues, and I thank the many of you who have reached out to help us, encourage us and pray for us as our daughter, Jessica Stobbe, has been on dialysis for the last 14 months. In June of 2010, Aynsley donated a kidney to Jessica. Unfortunately, Jessica's IgA Nephropathy eventually attacked the healthy kidney, so she found herself back on dialysis just before Christmas 2015.

Aynsley was our first hero, our first living kidney donor; one of our sons, Andrew, would become the second. Just under two weeks ago, Andrew underwent laparoscopic surgery to extract one of his kidneys with Drs. Nayak and McGregor. Dr. Koulack was the surgeon for Aynsley and Jessica in 2010 and he was again Jessica's transplant surgeon. Thank you to all the surgeons, operating room nurses and staff, and the nurses and staff on the wards. They work in a very challenging environment and we were able to see just a small part of their world.

Jessica's husband, Nevin, and I agree that we've seen enough hospitals for a while. Jessica is recovering in their home on the farm in Boissevain with regular trips to see the nephrologists in the kidney clinic at HSC as they adjust her medication. She is fortunate that she had living donors, but many do not. We don't have enough organ and tissue donors in Manitoba to meet the demand. Recently, a wealthy entrepreneur in Brazil buried his million -dollar car. Why waste such a car?

He said: we bury something much more valuable many times every day, the organs and tissues of those that have passed away that could help save many lives. Jessica has a new kidney thanks to Aynsley and Andrew. We would do anything to help our families. I encour age you and your friends to help others. Please, visit the website and sign up for life as a donor and tell your friends and loved ones. I have. We are working on many other ways to increase organ and tissue donors, but this is a start. Thank you to Aynsley, Andrew, and our family. Madam Speaker: Private members' statements, we have one more–no.

Introduction of Guests Madam Speaker: I would like to draw the attention of all honourable members to the Speaker's Gallery where we have with us today Jessica Stobbe, Andrew Helwer and Aynsley Helwer, who are the daughter, son and wife of the honourabl e member for Brandon West. On behalf of all honourable members, we welcome you here today. ORAL QUESTIONS Wages and Services Government Priorities Ms. Flor Marcelino (Leader of the Official Opposition): Madam Speaker, our caucus stands in solidarity with Manitoba workers whose wages may be frozen.

Members of our caucus will take a wage freeze, but the Premier believes he is entitled to a 20 per cent pay increase. The Premier believes that he is entitled to two months' vacation every year. The Premier seems to believe that the job of premier is a part-time job. The Premier believes Manitobans deserve to have their wages cut and frozen. He believes that Man itobans deserve to have their services cut. Why does the Premier believe that Manitobans do not deserve what he takes for himself? Hon.

Brian Pallister (Premier): Before I address the inaccuracies and falsehoods in the assertion of the member opposite, let me welcome everyone back to the Chamber, including our staff, pages and so on, members of the media, as well. Let me also offer our genuine condolences to the member for St. James (Mr. Johnston) on the passing of his father, J. Frank Johnston, a 19- year veteran of this place, and also our sincere condolences and prayers and thoughts to the member for St. Boniface (Mr. Selinger) on the passing of his brother recently.

This should serve to remind us all of the importance of families in our lives. And, my family being very important to me, I, as all members of this Chamber do, wrestle with the challenges of work-life balance. But I would want the people of Manitoba to know that I am totally focused on doing the job that I was hired to do. And, when I am focused and with a team of people who are focused, I tend to get results. I'll be measured by those results. Madam Speaker: The honourable interim Leader of the Official Opposition, on a supplementary question.

March 1, 2017 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 333 Ms. Marcelino: Since this Legislature has last met, we have seen how out of touch the Premier, is with Manitobans. The Premier takes a 20 per cent pay increase and then says he needs to spend two months a year in Costa Rica without using email. Don't worry, Madam Speaker, he assures us he's working while he's away. But Manitobans do not get this treatment. Instead, the Premier forces Manitobans to accept cuts to community clinics and personal -care homes. The Premier is threatening to cut Manitobans' paycheques by opening contracts and freezing the minimum wage.

And he is forcing our schools to move –to do more with less. When will the Premier realize that his focus should not be on himself, but the real priorities of Manitobans? * (13:50) Mr. Pallister: I appreciate a question from the member on priorities because we know that we inherited a province where, after a decade of decay, the services need to be repaired. And we are focused on repairing those services, Madam Speaker.

After a decade of debt, doubling of our debt and two credit rating downgrades, we are focused on fixing the finances of our province, and we have taken steps to do just that because we understand that Manitobans' future depends upon better management, better leadership, a more compassionate approach and a more long-term approach in terms of thinking about the future, not ignoring it. The member opposite and her colleagues took pride in calling themselves today's NDP, Madam Speaker, for good reason: because they want us all to forget about the pas t, and they themselves have forgotten about the future.

We have not, Madam Speaker. We'll build a stronger future. We're on a road to recovery in Manitoba right now. Madam Speaker: The honourable interim Leader of the Official Opposition, on a final supplementary. Ms. Marcelino: Over the past few months we have seen the priorities of the Premier. He takes trips to Costa Rica and makes inflammatory comments for which he will not apol ogize. He takes a 20 per cent pay increase and then threatens workers with pay cuts and unpaid days off.

He makes a billion -dollar cut to our health- care system and then refuses to actually reveal his plans by presenting a budget to the people of Manitoba . The Premier, Madam Speaker, seems to think that he has a part-time job. Manitobans deserve better. They deserve a government that will invest in important services rather than cuts. Will the Premier reverse his course and stop these damaging cuts? Mr. Pallister: I know that the member and her colleagues are still grieving, Madam Speaker, and that they refuse to accept the verdict rendered by the people of Manitoba quite justifiably this past spring.

Manitobans deserve better; in that, she is right. In the rest of her assertion, she is wrong. Manitobans are getting better now. Madam Speaker, what Manitobans had to deal with was a descent into mediocrity under the previous government: 10th in social services; first in poverty; 10th in health- care access a nd delivery; 10th in educational outcomes; first in tax hikes. Manitobans saw what the short -term thinking of the members opposite, what the willingness to divide and to be divided looked like. They saw it, Madam Speaker; they are not seeing it now.

Wha t they see is the united and focused group determined to put us back on a road to recovery, and that is where we're going, with or without the members opposite. Madam Speaker: The honourable interim Leader of the Official Opposition, on a new question. Health-Care Services Funding Cut Concerns Ms. Flor Marcelino (Leader of the Official Opposition): This government is more focused on cutting our health- care system than making it stronger.

The government pretends that the health-care system is the most important priority, but then, for partisan political reasons, makes deep cuts to health -care services that Manitobans rely on. Manitobans have made it clear that health care is their No. 1 priority. But rather than listening to the priorities of Manitobans, the Premier is out of touch. He is unreachable for two months in Costa Rica each year. Will the Premier reverse these damaging cuts to our health-care system? Hon. Brian Pallister (Premier): Well, actually, Madam Speaker, reversing the previous

334 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 1, 2017 government's failures in health care is a monumental challenge and we're prepared to accept the facing up to that challenge. That's exactly what we're going to do. We're doing that, of course, by working diligently on behalf of all Manitobans to encourage the federal government to partner, as was the original design in terms of support of health care. Members opposite would be wise to take some steps, some measurable steps to demonstrate that they understand the importance of fighting for that partnership.

We're fighting on behalf of Manitobans to see a sustainable health -care system. Members opposite shouldn't sit quietly by and do nothing while we try to repair the damages they created to our health system, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker: The honourable interim Leader of the Official Opposition, on a supplementary question. Ms. Marcelino: The Premier has decided to keep Manitobans in the dark. Rather than presenting a budget so that all Manitobans can see what is in store, he has refused to make it public.

He has refused to make public the reviews of government in health-care system, which have cost millions of dollars. He refuses to tell Manitobans what cuts he has planned for our health-care sector. What we do know now is not good: cuts to CancerCare, cuts to clinics across Manitoba and in the North, cuts to personal -care homes across the province. Will the Premier stop hiding and actually tell Manitobans what other cuts he has planned for our health-care system? Mr.

Pallister: The restoration of quality health care in our province is a significant priority for this team of people, Madam Speaker, in part, at least, because of the significant deterioration that occurred under the NDP over 17 years. The member speaks about transp arency in respect of a study that the previous government never did, that it failed to do. It failed to even examine the frailties of its system.

Madam Speaker, we have, frankly, a system that we have to repair, because what has happened under the previous administration is that, with two credit ratings, we're now exporting a school and a hospital every year in just the additional transfers -out of money from Manitoba to happy moneylenders in Toronto and New York City, because of what the members opposite did, which was think solely about one day as opposed to the reality of creating sustainable health care moving forward. We're about sustaining health care moving forward.

We're going to work in partnership with our union leaders and members to make sure t hat we have a system that delivers on the promise of better service at the front line, less red tape, less ambiguity and less overlap and duplication. Madam Speaker, that progress is being made. It wasn't made for 17 years under the previous government. Madam Speaker: The honourable interim Leader of the Official Opposition, on a final supplementary. Ms. Marcelino: Manitobans rely on their health-care system. But the Premier is causing uncertainty by refusing to reveal his plans for cuts.

And he is doing real damage to the health -care system by cancelling projects like CancerCare, community clinics in St. Boniface and St. Vital. Those investments are the real priorities of Manitobans. But the Premier is out of touch with those priorities. He seems mo re concerned with vacations and pay raises for himself than making real investments in health care. When will the Premier realize that he needs to put the needs of Manitobans before himself? Mr.

Pallister: Proud to do that, Madam Speaker; relish the responsibilities that were given to me and my colleagues by the people of Manitoba; ready to face up to the challenges. We're doing that. We're doing that today by setting an example of a proper tone at the top. We are demonstrating the courage of our conv ictions with our behaviour and with our decisions every day. I want to congratulate, if I might, Madam Speaker, two members of the Chamber, on recent weddings: the member for Wolseley (Mr. Altemeyer) was just married, and also the member for Southdale (Mr. Smith).

And I think we should congratulate both of them on that undertaking. Madam Speaker, just as an example–just as an example–the three provinces to the west of us have a total number of bargaining–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Pallister: –a total number of bargaining units of less than 20, fewer than 20. And so they spend, naturally, as a consequence, less money and time and

March 1, 2017 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 335 effort in respect of the bargaining process. It's more respectfully conducted, and relationships are enhanced by it. However, in the Winnipeg RHA alone, we have over 160 different bargaining units today. Now, we're working with union leaders to find a way to make sure the system works better. We just don't need that old, antiquated system to continue any longer, because it steals services away from f ront- line workers and the people they provide services to. We're fighting for them, Madam Speaker. Health-Care Services Funding Cut Concerns Mr.

Matt Wiebe (Concordia): Madam Speaker, a billion dollars in health -care cuts, cuts to capital projects like CancerCare, cuts to local clinics like in St. Vital and shuttering QuickCare clinics, like in the community of St. Boniface. These are services that Manitobans count on, that they need. And the need for these projects is not going away. Manitobans feel betrayed by a premier who promised to build health care in this province, not to cut it. He promised to protect our front -line services. Instead, he misled and he disappointed Manitobans. Will this Premier (Mr.

Pallis ter) stand in his place and apologize? * (14:00) Hon. Kelvin Goertzen (Minister of Health , Seniors and Active Living ): What Manitobans know, clearly, is that over the last 17 years the former government made promises, promises that they never planned to keep, promises that they never actually put any money aside for to fulfill, Madam Speaker. Now, perhaps the members opposite want to redefine the definition of compassion.

But compassion is not telling people that they're going to get a project that you never ever intended to do; that you never planned for; that you never put any money away and that you lied to them about, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker: Order, please. Order. I would just caution members on the use of the word lie in the House. The other word that is taking a little bit of a chance, in terms of language that's acceptable, is the word falsehood.

So I would just encourage all members –we're here for the first day, and if we could just be a little bit more aware of those two words that ar e really not words that should be used in this House. They do tend to be inflammatory. Mr. Wiebe: Madam Speaker, ultimately these cuts hurt families, and yet this government has presented no evidence as to why these projects have to be cancelled. Instead of actually reviewing the projects and assessing the need, they just shut down the projects across the board.

Communities were counting on these investments and the minister has yet to offer any real solutions for these communities. Will the minister at least stand and acknowledge that these cuts are going to mean less services for families and less access for care for seniors? Mr. Goertzen: Well, Madam Speaker, for 17 years the former government made promises, said that these projects were coming, said that money had been put aside, sometimes even made ground-breaking ceremonies four or five years ago, and still nothing happened. They made promises. They made commitments.

They raised false hopes for communities knowing that they would never come through. We're being honest with communities. We're working with communities. We're looking to the future, not just for tomorrow, but five years, 10 years–making sure that the sustainable health-care system for the children today and their children, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Concordia, on a final supplementary. Mr. Wiebe: Madam Speaker, make no mistake, this minister had a choice. He had a choice either to invest in the health -care system, to build on our health-care services, or to cut that system.

This minister chose to cut services for families and he needs to take responsibility for the damage that he's created. He's damaged programs that Manitobans count on–even to the crucial CancerCare program. Will this minister just take responsibility and apologize to the people of Manitoba for the real damage that his cuts are causing? Mr. Goertzen : Well, Madam Speaker, we –we're proud to invest in the health- care system. I'm glad to have announced the new MRI for Brandon, in no small part from the two wonderful MLAs from Brandon.

336 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 1, 2017 Proud that we're moving forward with capital in Dauphin–great MLA in Dauphin, Madam Speaker. And we're even moving forward with a good plan in Flin Flon –and I won't speak to the MLA for Flin Flon–but we'r e working in every part of Manitoba, Madam Speaker. Northern Manitoba Health-Care Cuts Ms. Amanda Lathlin (The Pas): Access to health care in the North is difficult. The previous government made important investments in health care in northern Manitoba. But the attitude of this government is different.

It has cancelled a clinic for The Pas; it has cancelled a clinic for Thompson; it's put the future of northern health care in jeopardy and hurt families who need it, including mine. Will this minister r everse these cuts and start making real investment in northern health care? Hon. Kelvin Goertzen (Minister of Health , Seniors and Active Living ): Well, and my friend opposite, she says that the former government –she's incorrect when she says the former government made investments. It made false promises.

Madam Speaker, they made all sorts of false promises without actually have any plans or any means to be able to fulfill those promises. I don't think that that served anyone well in the communities that may have been looking for projects that we're happy to continue to have discussions with, Madam Speaker. But we're going to do so on an honest basis knowing that the health -care system in the south, and in the north, and in Winnipeg, and in the east and the west of Manitoba has to be sustainable today and tomorrow. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for The Pas, on a supplementary question. Ms.

Lathlin: Families in The Pas and Thompson need improvements to primary health care plus greater access to specialists. And these new clinics would have gone a long way to meeting their needs. Madam Speaker, we now learn that this government is forcing northern RH A to cut $6 million from its budget. This will hit northern families hard. Will this minister reverse these damaging cuts and actually invest in health care for northern Manitobans? Mr.

Goertzen : Well, and Madam Speaker, I outlined earlier some of the in vestments we continue to make and will continue to make throughout Manitoba in health care, and many of them are in the North, and I reference those as well. But we also recognize that the sustainability of health care, not just for today, not just for those who need it today, but those who need it in five and 10 years from now, is important. We also know that we need a partnership, a partnership with the federal government –a partnership that is slowly being eroded each and every year.

And I would hope tha t the members opposite would stand up and speak with us as we look for a real partnership in Ottawa so that Manitobans can get the partnership they were promised when their last federal election happened, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker: The honourable membe r for The Pas, on a final supplementary. Ms. Lathlin: Not only is this government cutting community clinics for northerners, we have just learned that the government is forcing millions of dollars of cuts on the northern RHA: cuts to services like home care and mental health. I would like to table this letter from the CEO.

Will this minister recognize that the cuts to health they are engaging will hurt northern seniors and families? Mr. Goertzen : Well, Madam Speaker, the greatest harm that came to health care was over the last 17 years when reckless spending and overexpenditures resulted in increasing deficits each and every year, which resulted in the increasing debt of Manitoba each and every year. That increasing debt was money that can't go to fund things that many people would like to see in the province of Manitoba. Now we have to correct that course, Madam Speaker, and ensure that health care is sustainable for the future.

If she's looking for reasons why it's so difficult, she can certainly look to Ottawa and the difficulty we have in getting a real partnership, but she doesn't have to look far from her to realize that much of the money that was squandered over the last number of years can't go to health care because of the former government, Madam Speaker.

March 1, 2017 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 337 Provincial Nominee Program New Application Fee Ms. Nahanni Fontaine (St. Johns ): The Premier (Mr. Pallister) has implemented regressive and unnecessary changes to Manitoba's successful Provincial Nominee Program, including a costly $500 application fee. Manitoba's PNP has long been praised by the business community for attracting skilled newcomers to our province who put down roots and grow our economy. PNP has some of the highest retention and employment rates in Canada.

Does th e Pr emier really believe that his new PNP $500 application fee will actually attract skilled workers to Manitoba? Hon. Ian Wishart (Minister of Education and Training): It's a pleasure to rise today to answer the member's question. The PNP program in Manitoba continues to be one of the more successful programs when it comes to immigration across this country. We absolutely accept that. In fact, we're very proud to be part of that and part –proud to be part of a government that actually designed the program.

But we heard from people involved in the program that they found the long waiting lists very disrespectful and very disruptive of their lives. So we changed the program to make sure that it will improve, and we can improve it and we can get rid of the very long waiting lists that I'm surprised this member wants to defend. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for St. Johns, on a supplementary question. Premier's Comments Ms.

Fontaine: Well, speaking of disrespectful, the last time we were in the House, the Premier used disrespectful language, accusing newcomers of relying on welfare and insinuating that they were a burden on Manitoba. Provincial nominees have balked at this accusation, citing Manitoba's PNP 85 per cent employment rate and extremely low rates of social insistence.

On a cultural level, nominees have told us that working is a point of pride for them and the few who can't work are supported by family and community. * (14:10) Can the Premier prove his accusations are, indeed, true, and where are he getting these so-called facts from? Mr. Wishart : The member's actually misleading members of the House. We certainly know that people that come under the Provincial Nominee Program do find jobs in our marketplace, and I –[interjection]–absolutely. And we do know that very often they are underemployed because they're not connected with jobs that are equivalent to their skill levels.

So what we're trying to do with the changes in the program that we are proposing, that we will make sure that they actually find the type of employment that is appropriate and they will start their business careers and their employment careers here in Manitoba at an appropriate level with the skills that they have. That is very respectful of those people. Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Madam Speaker: Oh. I would just like to caution the House to be careful with some of the flippant remarks that sometimes get thrown across the way.

It is not creating a very respectful environment and does tend to be inflammatory, and I would ask all members for their co-operation, please. The honourable member for St. Johns, on a final supplementary. New Application Fee Ms. Fontaine: The Premier has a responsibility to position Manitoba as a welcoming and supportive province to both skilled workers, their families and newcomers as a whole, who will grow our province and economy. Instead, the Premier has made it exponentially harder for people to choose and gain access to Manitoba which has a direct, negative consequence to our economy.

Will the Premier immediately rescind the discriminatory $500 application PNP fee and reverse the criteria changes so that Manitoba can continue to attract and keep skilled newcomers to our province? Mr. Wishart: On this side o f the House we're –I am very proud to be part of a government that supports newcomers of–in this province whether they come of the Provincial Nominee Program, whether they come here as refugees. We have made many –[interjection]–we have met many changes Pr ovincial Nominee Program to make it work better and to be much more respectful

338 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 1, 2017 of the applicants in that program like that , something the previous government, frankly, allowed to go on and on with the long waiting lists. And we are also working very ha rd with the –[interjection]– we are working very hard with the refugee programs to make sure that in Manitoba we are a welcoming province and respect refugees. Mental Health Funding Request for Action Plan Ms. Judy Klassen (Kewatinook): As a gesture of leadership, our Liberal caucus will take the wage freeze.

A couple of months ago I joined northern leaders in a press conference to talk about Manitoba suicide crisis. This is a silent but deadly emergency. Manitoba has the second highes t youth suicide in Canada. There is federal money on the table, but this government is stalling. Premier, how many more suicides will this government allow on their watch before they sign the health-care accord? Hon.

Kelvin Goertzen (Minister of Heal th, Seniors and Active Living ): The member raises a significant point about the need to have full support from Ottawa and to have a real partnership as so many of these issues are across jurisdictions, and we understand that and we recognize that. We want to work with Ottawa. We want to be a partner with Ottawa. But it really requires two people, two parties to have a partnership, and right now we're hearing silence from the federal government. There isn't a willingness to have a discussion, the negotiation that was promised during the previous election.

I hope that the member, if she stands with us in solidarity on the wage freeze, will also stand with us in solidarity in calling on Ottawa to be a real partner to address these very serious concerns that s he's raised, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Kewatinook, on a supplementary question. Ms. Klassen: This government accuses the federal government of slashing funding, and yet that's exactly what they have done to services here in Manitoba. Manitoba–Madam Speaker, this government promised Manitobans that they would develop a mental health and addictions strategy.

We need that plan on the table today. But, once again, we see this government stalling as we are told not to even expect a draft of this until the end of the year, nearly two years into this government's mandate. When will this government take the mental health care crisis seriously, sign the health -care accord and come up with an action plan for Manitobans? Mr. Goertzen: Well, Madam Speaker, I'm glad that the member has raised the fact that we are developing a mental health and addictions strategy, and that that is already well under way in terms of seeking the individuals who will perform that review.

And so I am pleased to see that that is happening. I'm sure that she will be pleased to see that that is proceeding as well. But she does raise a good point about the fact that we need a true partnership, that there are serious things that are happening, and not just in the North, but certainly in the North as well, Madam Speaker. But to have that partnership requires federal government to come to the table and have a discussion. We've asked for that discussion to happen at the level of the premiers. I'm sure that she would join us in calling for that discussion to happen not any later than today.

Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Kewatinook, on a final supplementary. Ms. Klassen: I would go to Ottawa today. Please provide me with the plan so that I know what I'm asking for. Madam Speaker, The Premier (Mr. Pallister) talks about his support for mental and brain health, and yet, in an interview last Saturday, the Premier referred to mental health as a token category. Brain health needs full support. It is not a token category. All those who suffer from brain health issues need active support, including the funding. This funding for mental health is on the table.

Will the Premier include this funding and a plan of action in his upcoming budget? Mr. Goertzen: Well, Madam Speaker, I would hate to not have the member here in the Chamber for the days ahead if she was off in Ottawa, but I'm happy to provide her with that plan. The plan would be to call for the Prime Minister to have a discussion with the premiers to have a real partnership in health care. Right now in Manitoba, there's 19 per cent –only 9 per cent of the funding comes from Ottawa to pay for the health -care needs of Manitobans, and that'll

March 1, 2017 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 339 continue to slide every year. There was a promise by the previous federal Liberal government to have that at 25 per cent, Madam Speaker. So I offer the member that plan: to go to Ottawa, to speak to the Prime Minister, to seek 25 per cent. She would be joining us then. But I'd miss her here if she was gone to Ottawa tomorrow. New West Partnership Benefits to Manitoba Mr. Cliff Graydon (Emerson): Madam Speaker, the New West Partnership is an important trade agreement that greatly benefits our province.

This agreement reduces barriers to interprovincial trade, harmonizes regulations with our western neighbours and diversifies markets with support and job creation and economic growth. These benefits of promoting interprovincial trade with our western neighbours will benefit many businesses in the constituency of Emerson and southern Manitoba: Conquest Homes, for instance, Pioneer Meat, Bridge Ro ad construction, Grandeur Housing. Unfortunately, the previous NDP administration stood idle to trade opportunities for the province, holding back economic growth and putting Manitoba jobs at risk.

Could the minister of growth, entrepreneur and trade ple ase inform the House of the New West Partnership Agreement and the benefits to Manitoba? Hon. Cliff Cullen (Minister of Growth, Enterprise and Trade ): I appreciate the member from Emerson's question today. Clearly, we believe the New West Partnership i s a great deal for Manitobans, and we look forward to the enabling legislation being debated this afternoon. We recognize the concept of partnerships is foreign to the previous government. We firmly believe that positive partnerships will lead to prosperit y for Manitobans and for Manitoba's new government.

Clearly, goods and services will be traded more easily under the New West Partnership by reducing these trade barriers. As we move to build the –rebuild the economy, the New West Partnership will allow n ew opportunities, new investment, grow the economy, create jobs here in Manitoba–this, Madam Speaker, on the way for us to grow Manitoba's economy and be Canada's most improved province. * (14:20) Crown Services Layoffs Cabinet Ministers' Salaries Mr.

James Allum (Fort Garry-Riverview): Today we learned, a mere 20 minutes before we came into the session for the first time after months and months, that the Premier (Mr. Pallister), along with every single Cabinet minister,will lock in the raise they gave t hemselves while at the same time planning to cut the jobs, services and programs that Manitobans rely on.

Now, the Minister of Crown Services went overboard in the last session, saying he would not interfere in the affairs of Crown Services, and yet we know that 900 jobs at Manitoba Hydro will be lost and 15 per cent of jobs will be lost at other Crown corporations. Will he give back his 20 per cent raise for violating his mandate letter not to interfere with Crown corporations in Manitoba? Hon.

Ron Sc huler (Minister of Crown Services): Well, Madam Speaker, I'd like to thank the member for that question, because the previous NDP government, of which he was a member, took front-line dollars and put it into Manitoba Hydro vice-presidents. In fact, our government got a Manitoba Hydro that had 11 vice-presidents. Under our government's leadership, that's been reduced by three. Our government is going to take money–our government's priority is to take money from vice -presidents and put it back into front -line services. We will repair the finances of this province. Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh.

Madam Speaker: Order. Order. Order, please. The honourable member for Fort Garry-Riverview, on a supplementary question. Mr. Allum: Well, thank you, Madam Speaker, you have to wait to have aske d the question for the Premier to complete his comedy show on the other side of the House. I would ask for a little bit more respect when we get up to ask questions on this side of the House.

Now, the question here –well, Madam Speaker, this is a Premier who gave himself a 20 per cent raise, took two months off while in Costa Rica, and at the same time is asking Manitobans to buckle down, lose their jobs and not have the services and programs that they rely on.

340 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 1, 2017 So I'm asking him now –I'm asking the Premier (Mr. Pallister): Will you take a 20 per cent cut in your salary for not doing the job and violating the mandate letter he sent out to the Crown Services Minister and every other? Madam Speaker: Just a reminder to members of the House that questions are to be directed through the Chair and not directly to members of the government whom the –who the member is trying to ask a question of.

So, rather than referring to somebody as you, could the mem bers in opposition please remember to direct your questions in a third -party manner through the Chair. Please. Mr. Schuler: Well, Madam Speaker, under our hard-working and diligent Premier , we have now reduced the vice- presidents at Manitoba Hydro by three. And, in fact, Madam Speaker, we got an endorsement. And I would like to read that endorsement publicly–comes out of the Hansard–in which it says: Re–we reduced–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Schuler: –the number of vice-presidents and put more of those resources back to the front lines.

Who gave us that endorsement? The former premier of Manitoba, Gary Doer. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Fort Garry-Riverview, on a final supplementary. Mr. Allum: This side of the House will ta ke a wage freeze if that's what is required to stand in solidarity with workers across this province –with workers across this province –to stand in solidarity – [interjection]–Madam Speaker, I think I have the floor here– Madam Speaker: Order. Mr.

Allum: –to stand in solidarity with workers across the province who are –whose jobs are under attack by a government that simply doesn't care about them, doesn't care about their families and doesn't care about their communities. So I am asking the Premier today: W ill he step aside from the 20 per cent increase in salary that he's given himself and do what's right for Manitobans and make the same sacrifices as every other Manitoban that he's asking to do? Mr. Schuler: Well, and again, Madam Speaker, our government has reduced 11 vice- presidents at Manitoba Hydro by three.

We are taking dollars from the top and putting them back down to where the services are most needed, and that's at the front line. But we have another endorsement, Madam Speaker, and I'd like to read this endorsement: There were more vice -presidents than virtually any corporation in this city or this province. We have no apologies. By the way, saving millions of dollars of taxpayers' money, who gave us that endorsement? Former NDP Hydro minister Dave Chomiak. Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Madam Speaker: Order. Order. Manitoba Hydro Vice-President Layoffs Mr.

Ted Marcelino (Tyndall Park): Madam Speaker, the government's plan to cut 900 jobs from Manitoba Hydro doesn't make sense. Cutting 900 good-paying jobs will hurt 900 families. Will the minister for Crown Services please explain why he interfered in the removal of –what, eight vice-presidents from Manitoba Hydro? Was it – did he direct that? Hon.

Ron Schuler (Minister of Crown Services): Well, Madam Speaker, our government inherited a situation where we had so much bureaucracy at the top that we decided to indicate to our Crowns that we wanted to see a reduction at that high level, particularly in Manitoba Hydro where there were 11 vice-presidents; we've already reduced that by three. We are going to take money from the vice-president positions and put it back where it belongs: into front -line services.

That's what Manitobans elected this government to do: to fix the finances of th is province, to fix the finances for the Crown corporations, and that's exactly what this government's going to do. Madam Speaker: The time for oral questions has expired. PETITIONS Bell's Purchase of MTS Mr. Jim Maloway (Elmwood): Madam Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. The background of the petition is as follows: Manitoba telephone system is currently a fourth cellular carrier used by Manitobans , along with the big national three carriers: Telus, Rogers and Bell.

March 1, 2017 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 341 In Toronto, with only the big three national companies controlling the market, the average five-gigabyte unlimited monthly cellular package is $117 as compared to Winnipeg, where MTS charges $66 for the same package. Losing MTS will mean less competition and will result in higher costs to all cellphone packages in the province.

We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government do all that i s possible to prevent the Bell takeover of MTS and preserve a more competitive cellphone market so that cellular bills for Manitobans do not increase unnecessarily. And t his petition is signed by many fine Manitobans. Madam Speaker: In accordance with our rule 133(6), when petitions are read they are deemed to be received by the House. MATTER OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Madam Speaker, I move –on a MUPI –seconded by the member for Kewatinook (Ms.

Klassen), that under rule 31 the ordinary business of the House be set aside to discuss a matter of urgent public importance, namely, the lack of attention being paid by the Manitoba government to mental and brain health, and to home care, and the urgent need for the Province to act to ensure the federal funding of $40 million toward these issues is not lost due to this government's inaction.

Madam Speaker: Before recognizing the honourable member for River Heights, I should remind all members that under rule 33(2), the mover of a motion on a matter of 'urgic' public importance and one member from the other recognized parties in the House are allowed not more than 10 minutes to explain the urgency of debating the matter immediately. * (14:30) As stated in Beauchesne's citation 390, urgency in this context means the urgency of immediate debate, not of the subject matter of the motion.

In their remarks, members should focus exclusively on whether or not there is urgency of debate and whether or not the ordinary opportunit es for debate will enable the House to consider the matter early enough to ensure that the public interest will not suffer. Mr. Gerrard: Madam Speaker, the government has been very slow to present a plan to address mental and brain health in Manitoba an d to address home - care needs.

And, indeed, in contrast to other provinces, this government has failed to reach an accord with the federal government so that money for mental and brain health and for home care can flow to Manitoba. Indeed, this is of urgent importance because we expect an imminent federal budget and we want to make sure that that money is present in the federal budget for Manitoba. Indeed, Madam Speaker, on this past Saturday, the Premier (Mr. Pallister) referred, on CBC's The House, to mental and brain health and to home care as token categories.

Manitoba Liberals object to the categorization of brain and mental health and home care as token categories. It speaks to a dismissal of these areas as less important and less deserving of attention to other areas. And it is, in part, for this reason that it is urgent we have a debate today. Let me summarize some of the events surrounding brain and mental health. In the provincial election of April 2016, the Conservatives, who are now the gove rnment, promised to develop a comprehensive mental health and addiction strategy.

The Conservatives had 17 years in opposition to put together a plan for mental and brain health in our province, but failed miserably in this effort. Finally, after almost a full year in office, the Conservative government has tendered a contract to have an independent person or company develop such a strategy for them when they failed to do it themselves. The deliverable now is a draft of a strategy which is not due until Dec ember 31st, 2017, which will be almost half the government's four-year mandate.

If the government takes half its mandate to get to step 1, many Manitobans are very concerned about this delay and about the lack of priority on brain and mental health care g iven by the government. This lack of priorizing brain and mental health as important issues has been further reinforced by the Premier's dismissal on Saturday of brain and mental health as a token category. In home care, Liberals hear from many, daily, about this issue in Manitoba's home-care delivery. For example, one major concern is the lack of adequate home care in many rural areas

342 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 1, 2017 and in many First Nation and Metis communities. Home care should've been a priority for this government, but it has not been. In contrast to the Conservative government of Manitoba, the federal Liberal government has put a priority on ensuring mental and brain health and home care are addressed. The federal government has signed agreements with Prince Edward Island, Sa skatchewan, Nunavut, Yukon, Northwest Territories, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador and, most recently, British Columbia.

We are due to have a federal budget and a provincial budget soon, and it's imperative that decisions be made ab out the support and a plan for mental and brain health and home care, and that is why this is such a critical and urgent need. The Conference Board report of last year says that depression and anxiety add $50-billion costs and loss of GDP to the Canadian economy. This, for Manitoba, is more than a $1- billion cost to the Manitoba economy. By not addressing these concerns immediately, we will have costs added to our economy and costs to our health- care system, which we can no longer afford to delay.

This is another reason why this is an urgent matter and needs to be debated today. Surely, the Premier (Mr. Pallister) should never be dismissing mental and brain health as token when it is so important to the health of Manitobans, when addressing this properly c an prevent problems and reduce health -care costs and addressing this issue well can result in such a big gain for our economy. Madam Speaker, the issues in mental and brain health are urgent and pressing. They include addictions, such as with fentanyl and the fentanyl addiction crisis. They include suicides. They include depression and anxiety.

They include learning and behavioural disorders, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorders and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and many more. Mental and br ain health conditions, indeed, the optimization of brain health, is just as important as addressing physical health disorders and in optimizing physical health. And yet this government, in its first budget, significantly underspent on brain and mental he alth, compared to physical health. Brain and mental health are not token categories. It's time this Premier stopped dismissing them as token categories.

We real –need a real plan for mental and brain health now, not at the end of this year or half way through the Premier's mandate. Why was the Premier not ready, after his party was in opposition for 17 years to deliver a plan immediately for brain and mental health, instead of waiting for half way through his mandate? Madam Speaker, we have a very urgent matter that needs to be debated today: the lack of support from this government for brain and mental health.

The issue is urgent and vital because when it is addressed it will improve the brain and mental health of Manitobans; it will save overall health-care dollars by preventing mental and physical sickness; and it will improve our economy through increased productivity. Madam Speaker, we need this today –debate today because the decisions on budgets at the federal and provincial levels are coming very, very quickly, and that's why we are calling for this debate today. I hope that we're all –be all -party support for our matter of urgent public importance to be debated today. Thank you. Merci. Miigwech.

Introduction of Guests Madam Speaker: I would like to draw the attention of all members to recognize a guest that we have here. With us today is Gerry McAlpine, the former MLA for Sturgeon Creek, who is sitting in the loge to my right, and we'd like to welcome him here today. * * * Hon. Andrew Micklefield (Government House Leader): It's a privilege to make some remarks in response to this alleged matter of urgent public importance. We do not believe that this is a matter of urgent public importance for a variety of reasons. You know, our government is focused on ensuring front-line health-care services.

We want to make sure that they're sustainable today and secure for tomorrow. After the NDP decade of debt, decay, decline, Manitobans saw our debt double in a few short years. Tax hikes for families, all the while our front- line results in health care fell not to the middle of the pack, not to towards the bottom, but, sadly, 10th out of 10.

March 1, 2017 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 343 So now we're confronted with a Liberal federal government that's turning away from its responsibility to partner with Manitoba families to sustain and secure front -line health services. So the federal government partnership, already at historic lows regarding its shared costs, continues to decline. Our Premier (Mr. Pallister) has made repeated requests for real dialogue with the federal government on the need for partnership, so we have had opportunity to speak about these matters and we will continue to do so.

On today's notice paper, however, I'd like to draw attention that there is a government r esolution that speaks to this very matter. And I'd also like to draw attention to rule 38(5)(d), and I'll read it for all of us: The motion shall not anticipate a matter that is –that has previously been appointed for consideration by the House. I would certainly argue that this is such a matter–we have that in black and white on today's Order Paper –or with reference to which a notice of motion has previously been given and not withdrawn. So we don't feel that this is a matter of urgent public importanc e.

We look forward to a robust debate tomorrow on some of these very issues, and we certainly want to acknowledge the federal government is falling terribly short and does need to step up. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Mr. Jim Maloway (Official Opposition House Leader): In relation to the MUPI call by the – or requested by the member for River Heights (Mr. Gerrard), you instructed us before that we were to discuss the urgency of debate, not to be making political speeches on the subject matter of the resolution. And there is a –as the Government House Leader (Mr.

Micklefield) just pointed out –there is a government resolution on this very topic, on health care, on the notice paper for tomorrow, and I believe I just heard the Government House Leader indicate that he was preparing to call that resolution tomorrow afternoon about this time. So–and, certainly, that resolution is certainly more expansive and all -encompassing than the member's resolution, and it better deals with the health-care issue than just this particular resolution does.

The member and all the members here will have all the time they need to debate this resolution tomorrow afternoon. * (14:40) Madam Speaker: There are –order, please. Order, please. There are two conditions to be satisfied for this matter to proceed. The first condition has been met, in that I did receive the proper notice from the honourable member of this motion. The second condition is that debate on the matter is urgent and that there is no other reasonable opportunity to raise the matter.

I thank the honourable members for their advice to the Chair on whether the motion proposed by the honourable member for River Heights should be debated today. I would note that the notice required by rule 36(1) was provided. Under our rules and practices the subject matter requiring urgent consideration must be so pressing that the public interest will suffer if the matter is not given immediate attention. There must also be no other reasonable opportunities to raise the matter.

I do not doubt that this matter is one that is of serious concern to all members of this House, as all forms of health care are a key concern of Manitobans and of this Legislature. However, I have listened very carefu lly to the arguments put forward and I was not persuaded that the ordinary business of the House should be set aside to deal with this issue today. I would note that there are other avenues for members to raise this issue, including questions in question period and raising the item under member statements and also grievances.

Therefore, with the greatest of respect, I rule the motion out of order as a matter of urgent public importance. Grievances? ORDERS OF THE DAY GOVERNMENT BUSINESS Hon. Andrew Mick lefield (Government House Leader): Madam Speaker, I'd like to call Bill 7, The New West Partnership Trade Agreement Implementation Act, for debate and second reading. Madam Speaker: It has been announced that we will consider second reading of Bill 7 this afternoon, The New West Partnership Trade Agreement Implementation Act (Various Acts Amended). So we will go to Bill 7, The New West Partnership Trade Agreement Implementation Act.

344 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 1, 2017 SECOND READINGS Bill 7–The New West Partnership Trade Agreement Implementation Act (Various Acts Amended) Hon. Cliff Cullen (Minister of Growth, Enterprise and Trade ): Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Justice (Mrs. Stefanson), that Bill 7, The New West Partnership Trade Agreement Implementation Act, be now read a second time and referred to a committee of this House. Motion presented. Mr.

Cullen: Madam Speaker, it's indeed a pleasure to kick off this portion of the session with a very important piece of legislation pertaining to our New West Partnership Agreement. Obviously, this particular legislation and this particular endeavour has been a lengthy discussion, not only certainly in the Chamber, but certainly discussions amongst other provinces as well. And certainly Manitoba, I will say, from the –at the forefront of our discussions, is a trading province. We certainly rely on trade for prosperity here in Manitoba.

And trade is fundamental to our prosperity in Manitoba and we, as a government, view that we should be taking every endeavour that we can to promote trade, to allow trade to happen, whether it be to our neighbours to the west or whether it be our neighbours to the north and the east. We certainly believe trade is important and certainly the business community will tell you that, and we are listening to them as well, and certainly when good things happen in the business community, good things will happen for Manitobans.

We believe this is a –one of the key pillars of our foundation, in terms of growing the economy here in Manitoba and we think it is the right thing to do. Clearly, our neighbours to the west, who have been involved in the partnership agreement for many years, believe this is a strategic opportunity for them, and they certainly embraced us coming into their partnership wholeheartedly. So we are very excited to bring forward the enabling legislation to allow this legislation to move forward and, in fact, to confirm our intent to enter into the New West Partnership as of January 1st.

In terms of the explanatory note, this partnership was a trade agreement betw een British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan. This bill amends three acts so that Manitoba can join the agreement as well as participate in other future domestic trade agreements. The Proceedings Against the Crown Act is amended to enable orders made against the government of Manitoba under a domestic trade agreement to be enforced as a court order. Further, The Consumer Protection Act and The Prearranged Funeral Services Act are amended to ensure that the provisions of those acts will not constitute barriers to trade.

And, quite frankly, Madam Speaker, that is the intent of the New West Partnership Trade Agreement is to eliminate as much as possible the barriers to doing trade with our neighbours to the west. We certainly have signalled that to our c ounterparts. We've also signalled that, certainly, to other jurisdictions across Canada. And having this agreement come into effect January 1st is very important. Obviously, there's some amendments that I want to get into a little more detail in terms of w hat the context is in this particular legislation.

This amendment is necessary to provide that the order for monetary penalty or cost order issued by a panel on the domestic trade agreements may be filed with the Court of Queen's Bench in Manitoba and would be enforceable as an order for the payment of money made by the court against the Crown. This means that if a private individual or a business can successfully prove to a panel that a measure has contravened a domestic trade agreement, they may be awarded a cost order to recover reasonable costs incurred to bring a complaint.

Madam Speaker, as a background, if a dispute resolution panel finds that a government measure contravenes this agreement, they will issue a report requiring changes to that measure within a certain period of time. If the government does not change the measures or changes it in a way that is still not compliant, a compliance panel could award a monetary penalty against that particular government. A similar provision exists under t he agreement on internal trade which currently exists between provinces and territories and the federal government.

In the unlikely event of a penalty being awarded against Manitoba, the level of the monetary penalties could be up to a maximum of $5 mill ion under the New West Partnership Trade Agreement. Madam Speaker, this amendment also simplifies the act by amending it to allow for a general reference for any similar awards under domestic trade agreements. What this does, this will allow for

March 1, 2017 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 345 possible future domestic trade agreements to then be added by regulation. For instance, this would greatly assist in adding the –what is proposed as the Canadian free trade agreement which, for all intents and purposes, will probably replace the agreement on internal trade. And, certainly, the existing agreement has similar dispute resolution provisions. Just as a note, Madam Speaker, I do want to say that Manitoba has taken a very ambitious stance in terms of our negotiations with the new Canadian free trade agr eement.

We have encouraged our neighbours and provinces and territories –and, certainly, the federal government –to come to the table and being as open as possible to the trading of goods and services around our nation. We look forward to having that particular agreement ratified by the premiers and the federal government in the very near future, and at that time we could bring that particular domestic trade agreement under this legislation as well.

In keeping with our commitment to honour our obligations under domestic trade agreements, I would note that there has never been any domestic trade dispute panel regarding a Manitoba measure. Madam Speaker, that –I think that speaks volumes for Manitobans–Manitoba's reputation, and we certainly don't see that ch anging.

Clearly, if we have positive consultations, positive dialogues with our neighbours, we believe that we can get over any outstanding issues that may exist. * (14:50) We are certainly fully supportive of efforts to open internal trade, and I am ple ased to say that we will continue doing our part to ensure compliance with our obligations. We expect all other parties to domestic trade agreements to do the same and ensuring a strong and enforceable dispute settlement system will help ensure that result.

This, in effect, Madam Speaker, act as a–acts as a deterrent, acts as a stick, if you will, to keep provinces in line. As part of joining the New West Partnership Trade Agreement, Manitoba also agreed to change two additional acts to remove residency requirements so that businesses are treated in the same fashion in all four provinces. These changes do not, however, diminish protections under the existing acts. And there's two acts that are going to be changed under this particular amendment.

First of all, The Prearranged Funeral Services Act: this act is being amended to remove a requirement to maintain an establishment in Manitoba to be a funeral director. The remaining provisions of The Prearranged Funeral Services Act must continue to be followed, which will ensure that consumers who purchase pre -arranged funeral service plans in Manitoba continue to be protected. So, in essence, what it does, it takes out that residency requirement, that you actually have a residence here in Manitoba. The second act that is amended under this proposal is The Consumer Protection Act.

This act is being amended to replace the requirement that every collection agency maintain an account in Manitoba with an account in accordance with the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation Act. Madam Speaker, this will ensure that the requirement to hold monies in a trust account is maintained, however, no longer requires that this account be held in Manitoba. So, under this provision, there still is certainty around the collection and maintaining of any monies, and also under the parameters of the Canadian deposit insurance act. So we believe what it does, it reduces those residency issues.

And, again, this will put us in line with our neighbours to the west are doing. In fact, both of these changes to these specific acts will now put us in line with what's transpiring in the western provinces. Madam Speaker, with the introduction of this bill, Manitoba is demonstrating its further leadership on internal trade by joining the New West Partnership Trade Agreement.

As we promised Manitobans during the campaign, we have moved quickly to join this agreement, further eliminating trade barriers in the West, enhancing the opportunities for Manitoba businesses and ensuring a strong message is sent that Manitoba is, in fact, open for business. Madam Speaker, we're hearing already this agreement bearing fruit. I was just at a meeting of the Electrical Association of Manitoba just last week.

After a presentation, I had a president of an –a company, an apparel company in Manitoba, come up to me and said, you know, the New West Partnership is–looks like it's starting to pay dividends already. A conversation with Brian Gibson, president of MWG Apparel Corp ., attended that meeting, and he said: We have been trying for years to get into the Saskatchewan Crown corporations market. We

346 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 1, 2017 haven't been successful to this point in time until just recently. And, actually, they just received their first contract with Saskatchewan energy. And clearly they're optimistic –obviously, that will help create jobs and do business for his company here in Manitoba. And they're clearly optimistic they can do more in the future with other agencies to the west. So good things are happening out of this agreement already. Another point of contact in this one is in regard in terms of understanding what regulations are being brought forward by other jurisdictions.

Those in business that want to trade goods and services with our neighbours to the west recognize that we do have different regulations, and obviously different regulations can be a burden to trading goods and services. So the sooner we can get regulations compatible, it will be easier to do business across those borders. So part of the provision of the New West Partnership actually asks individual provinces, when they are making changes to regulation, that they supply those particular changes to their neighbours.

And we've seen this happen already in terms of some of the regulations that are being proposed to the west. So the provinces will supply us regulation. That provides our departments with an opportunity to review their regulations, have a look at our regulations and see how they can be made more compatible. And by bringing these standards closer together it makes it easier for trade –goods and services to occur. So this is a very key important piece of this particular legislation.

I will say, Madam Speaker, that business owners, community leaders, chambers of commerce from across Manitoba have long been calling our province and our government to pursue new opportunities for growth and to reduce trade barriers. Certainly, joining the New West Partnership will bring these advantages. We're clearly looking forward to working with British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan to expand opportunities and certainly support stronger economies right across western Canada. Clearly, there are advantages to the New West Partnership, and I just want to outline a few of these now, Madam Speaker.

Clearly, this agreement will provide stronger and more uniform coverage of procurement across our provinces. The New West Partnership Trade Agreement involves a comprehensive coverage of all government entities and coverage of more contracts, thereby opening up more opportunities for Manitobans. I did mention the regulator y reconciliation process involves closer co -operation without large administrative overhead. Clearly, this is a step in the right direction to reduce red tape and eliminate unnecessary conversation, if you will. So we certainly look forward to that.

This–the partnership also calls on reconciliation of all standards and regulations, as I did mention. And, clearly, if we can eliminate those differences in standards. Madam Speaker: [inaudible] I have to start over because I forgot to put my own mic on. Just, if everybody could please take their conversations either to the loges or to the back of the room. I'm having trouble hearing the minister in his debate, and I'm sure it makes it a little difficult for the minister to get his points across, too, if ther e's all this noise flying. So I'd appreciate everybody's support in this. Thank you. Mr.

Cullen: Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. I know it's been a long two months; everybody's trying to have a chance to get together and catch up on everybody else h as been up to, so I certainly understand and appreciate some of the conversations here today and certainly looking forward to the next several months as we debate some important legislation. In terms of the New West Partnership, we have unified corporate registration and, clearly, this is an advantage to the business community.

You know, once they sign up in Manitoba they will automatically be signed up in other jurisdictions to the west, thereby eliminating duplication of that particular process. That p articular process will come in–be involved at a later date and time. Obviously, we have some systems we have to work out between jurisdictions, but I think that is clearly a step in the right direction. We also –under this agreement we'll have full and fr ee registration reciprocity for temporary inter- and in provincial –intraprovincial vehicle

March 1, 2017 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 347 operations. Clearly, we understand the importance of trucking within not just Manitoba, but certainly across the provinces to the west where we do a lot of trade. So, clearly, this is a step in the right direction for the transportation industry and we look–looking forward to the comments from the industry on that. And I did talk about the dispute settlement. Obviously, there's strong monetary penalties in place which I think will deter any province from undertaking anything that is non- compliant, and I think those provisions are fundamental to moving forward.

And I think you'll also see as time goes forward, under the Canadian free trade agreements, those also consider stronger penalties in that regard as well. So, firmly, other provinces believe that is a step in the right direction as well. There is an accessible bid protest mechanism allowing suppliers to challenge procurements undertaken by a public entity as we ll, another important provision under this particular partnership. * (15:00) And, also, I just should mention, too, there's stronger disciplines on business subsidies.

The agreement prohibits governments from providing business subsidies that offer a competitive advantage over distorted investment decisions. Again, I think, another–a key provision. Madam Speaker, I know there's others that want to get involved in debate on Bill 7. We think it's an important piece of our foundation moving forward in terms of growing the economy. We, clearly, as a government, feel we are on the road to recovery. We are interested in getting the foundation right, and this is a key part of that foundation.

We are looking forward to working with our partners, whether they be partners to the west, to the east or to the north, our partners in business, our partners in labour as we grow the economy and put people back to work in Manitoba. This is a positive step forward for Manitobans. It's something that Manitobans have asked us for, and this new government is delivering on what we said we'd do during the campaign. Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Questions Madam Speaker: A question period of up to 15 minutes will be held.

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

James Allum (Fort Garry -Riverview): Can the minister tell us: What guarantees will the government give Manitobans that human rights, environmental protections and public services won't be injured by the northwest–New West Partnership? Hon. Cliff Cullen (Minister of Growth, Enterprise and Trade ): I thank the question from the new critic, and I certainly want to acknowledge the previous–my previous critic from Point Douglas who has moved on as the vice -president over at the Business Council of Manitoba.

So I certainly wanted to wish him success as he goes down another path on a new ven ture, so I appreciate the work with him over the past several months and wish him all the best in that regard. Clearly, when we talk about environmental regulations and whatnot, those sort of things still fall under the jurisdiction of the individual province. Obviously, there's rules and regulations pertaining to the environment that still have to be adhered to within the respective provinces, so those issues will be dealt with by individual– Madam Speaker: The member's time has expired. Mr.

Allum: Can the minister identify what concrete commitments the government will make to pursue a national trade agreement? Mr. Cullen: I do appreciate the question. It's a very good question. And sometimes the dynamics will be, what does the New West Partnership offer versus what a national agreement would offer? The member probably recognizes that the premiers undertook a review of the existing Agreement on Internal Trade about two years ago, and there has been some–quite a bit of dialogue back and forth between provinces, territories and the federal government on what a new agreement would look like.

We believe we, as Manitoba, have t aken the most ambitious view in terms of what the new true – trade agreement will look like. Mr. Allum: The minister's welcome to continue his answer as we go forward here.

348 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 1, 2017 I do want to ask him, though, if we are pursuing a national free trade agreement–for lack of a better word–then doesn't it stand to reason that the New West Partnership would be rendered redundant if not obsolete in the future? Mr. Cullen: I appreciate that question and it's a very valid question. If every province and every jurisdicti on took the most ambitious trade agreement going forward, it could be possible the New West Partnership would be obsolete, as you say. However, not every other jurisdiction is as ambitious as what Manitoba is.

Manitoba took the most ambitious in terms of f ree trade agreements; not every province has stepped up to the plate. There's going to be certain issues that, under the new Canadian Free Trade Agreement, are still going to need some further discussion, further agreements. So we're not to a point where t hey're a level playing field. Ms. Judy Klassen (Kewatinook): Fourteen million was promised during the election campaign. Can the minister tell us if this was fulfilled? Mr. Cullen : I have to seek clarification on that question. Ms.

Klassen: During the elections we heard that this agreement would benefit us –14–or expend–that the government would expend 14 million in producing this agreement. So I'm just wondering if that was–has been fulfilled? Mr. Cullen : I'm still not sure I understand the question. Whether there was money spent in terms of getting this agreement together, a lot of this was obviously done by staff internally in terms of their discussions with our provinces to the west.

Clearly, our other provinces who have been in this agree ment for some time now have a pretty clear understanding of how the agreement works and the framework was in place. It was just a matter of how we, as a province, would fit in, in terms of what the existing agreement was and what some of those differences were. So it was more of a matter of our staff, who are experts in this field, discussing with other provinces those particular differences. So, in terms of the cost, there is a minimal cost to the province. Mr.

Allum: I'm wondering, in light of our conversation and discussion just a few minutes ago around a national free trade agreement versus a balkanized agreement that the government is entering into in the New West Partnership, wouldn't it make more sense for the government to commit itself to working on a national trade deal rather than this isolated, regional, balkanized deal that they're putting forward today? Mr. Cullen: Actually, we've been working diligently on both fronts in this regard, and relative to the New West Partnership Agreement, I t hink it's about 62 pages in that agreement.

So, obviously, there's a lot of things discussed within that agreement in the context of the four provinces. We look at the new Canadian Free Trade Agreement, it's over 300 pages, and the new Canadian Free Trade Agreement is not near what is in the New West Partnership. If we were to a point where every jurisdiction in Canada was open and there was no barriers to trade, there was no differences in trade, yes, there would be an obsolete New West Partnership. Ultimately, we'd like to get to that point but that depends on what other jurisdictions will be in terms of their discussions on trade. Mr.

Allum: And so I just heard the minister say, Madam Speaker, that lots of energy has been put into the New West Partnership Trade Agreement. Additional significant efforts have been put into a national free trade agreement, and we're loosely calling it that because I don't know if that's the name of it or not. And yet the government spent almost no time on the Port of Churchill. Wouldn't it be better to facilitate trade relationships for the government to focus on ensuring the sustainability of the Port of Churchill? Mr. Cullen : I appreciate the member's comments.

Certainly, there's a lot of moving parts in northern Manitoba that we're working on–working on those as well. And certainly we think, as a government, we can walk and chew gum at the same time. So we're obviously interested in creating a positive framework for trade because Manitoba is a trading province. We rely on trade, absolutely we do, and if we can come up with some kind of a business plan for the Port of Churchill, which we've been looking for for four years now, we would do that.

In fact, we're still attempting to do that, in terms of not just the Port of Churchill but all of northern Manitoba, and how the Port of Churchill would fit in to economic development for northern Manitoba, indeed all of Manitoba.

March 1, 2017 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 349 Mr. Allum: That doesn't really answer the question because here we are in the House t oday, a government year into its mandate, and nothing of substance, nothing concrete, has happened with the Port of Churchill, which, by the way, went down under this government's watch. * (15:10) So I'm asking the minister, instead of getting us involved in regional, balkanized trade agreements, shouldn't he focus on the real trade that matters by focusing on the Port of Churchill, or on CentrePort and other trade-related activities that can only create jobs for Manitobans? Mr.

Cullen : Well, I understan d the member's political slant on this, calling this a balkanized agreement. I mean, talk to people like Brian Gibson, who says I just got a contract from Saskatchewan because–he thinks because of the New West Partnership. So here we are creating jobs unde r the New West Partnership. And I look at the Port of Churchill and the situation that the previous government left it in. I mean, here we are as a new government dealing with lawsuits that came about as a result of their action–or lack of action–relative to the Port of Churchill. Mr.

Allum: I remind the minister that when we left government the Port of Churchill was open, and while he's in government as the minister, the Port of Churchill is closed. And I know that he wants to be able to walk and chew gum; he might want –at the same time, he might want to set the bar just a little bit higher. So I ask him: Has he consulted with rural municipalities and school divisions and other public bodies that may well be affected by this kind of trade agreement? Mr. Cullen: Well, Madam Speaker–and the member could have a look at the entire agreement and–I think it's 62 pages in terms of the agreement.

He, I think, will recognize there's certain thresholds that have to be met before, you know, provisions for tendering can–have to take place. So I think i t's something that he can have a look at. We haven’t had any negative feedback from municipalities or school divisions in terms of the provisions in the New West Partnership. Mr. Allum: Good piece of collaboration going on along our bench right here, right now, and appreciate that. I wonder if the minister could tell us what kind of protections are built into this agreement for workers here in Manitoba. Mr.

Cullen : Well, let me say, Madam Speaker, again, we believe this is key to helping us grow the economy. Manitoba believes on trading goods and services. We are a trading province. This framework will help us trade with our partners to the west. Clearly, we do a lot of business with our partners to the west. This–by allowing business to happen, goods and services to trade back and forth –making–reducing the regulatory burden, we will create jobs. That's what it's about. That is worker protection at its finest. Mr.

Allum: I fail to understand how a 60- page– 62-page trade agreement does nothing more tha n create more regulation, create more red tape in –quite opposite to what the minister is suggesting. If you go on the New West Partnership website, you won't find any information about the agreement at all. Will the minister commit today to publishing an annual report on the results of the new –north–New West Partnership? Mr. Cullen : I appreciate the comments –question from the member opposite. I guess, if he's really interested in creating red tape and bureaucracy, then we could put together another annual report.

Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Kewatinook. An Honourable Member: Well that's unworthy– Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Kewatinook. Ms. Klassen: That's fine. Thank you, I just wanted to clarify my questions. Under the bet ter plan, better Manitoba, the value-for-money review, it states that $14 million will be saved from the New West Partnership, and that's what I would like clarified. Has that been realized? Thank you, Madam Speaker. Mr. Cullen : I appreciate the clarification on that question. We just signed onto this agreement January 1st. Obviously, we've heard evidence of some positive

350 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 1, 2017 things happen in terms of Manitoba businesses being allowed to do business. They attribute that to the New West Partnership. I would suggest it's too early to reflect on the actual $14 million, but we certainly look forward to hearing more success stories, you know, as this agreement unfolds. And there's a lot of work to do between jurisdictions, but I think it will be–we'll prove successful in the end. Mr. Allum: I think it's my turn now, and my apologies to my colleague for getting up there.

It sounds like the $14- million savings is one of those alternative facts we've heard so much about, since the minister's not able to verify it. But this is why we're asking him, Madam Speaker, if the minister would just commit today to publishing an annual report so Manitobans can see the results that he's bragging about. Mr. Cullen: I certainly appreciate the opportunity to respond to that question. And we know previous governments had the ability to spend money. They did spend money, but they were never focused on outcomes or results.

And I will tell the members opposite that this government is interested in strategic investment of money with a focus on results, and that is the mandate of our government. Mr. Allum: Well, Madam Speaker, the minister says he's going to focus on results, and yet he's going to make sure that no one in Manitoba knows what those results are. So it's a very simple proposition, and I think that he could accept this and should stand in his place today and give Manitobans the assurance that a year from now he will publish a report on the New West Partnership th at will outline the successes and the failures.

Could he do that and make that assurance to us today? Mr. Cullen: Clearly, we're focused on growing the economy here. We believe this is an important measure as we move to recover the economy and build the economy here in Manitoba. This is part of our vision of the road to recovery. And we think good things are happening. We're hearing good things are happening already, and I know we're only two 'mints' into this particular agreement. So we –obviously looking– we're going to be monitoring this agreement, monitoring success of this agreement, and we're going to be speaking to Manitobans.

We will be consulting with Manitobans, and we'll be looking forward to the feedback that Manitobans give us. And we just think this is a great agreement, the right step forward for Manitoba. Madam Speaker: The time for this question period has ended. The floor is open for further debate. Debate Mr. James Allum (Fort Garry -Riverview): Madam Speaker, I should say that I'm, of course, pleased to be back in the House with all members of the Legislature.

I know that all of us have been busy during our time outside the Chamber, but it's good to get back in here and to debate the issues that are critical to the people of Manitoba. I know you yourself, Madam Speaker, were quite busy during the time in the House. I attended a number of events that were organized by you to promote women's place in politics, which surely should be in my opinion not merely 50 per cent but more than 50 per cent, and so I give you great credit for your leadership on that particular file.

It's a matter of utmost importance, and as a father of a couple of daughters who are quite interested in politics, I can say that your leadership makes a difference to them as well. I also want to, of course, acknowledge our fantastic table officers who do extraordinary work on our behalf, both when we're in session and when we're out of session. I had the privilege of being elected twice, and I've gotten to know them all v ery well. And I appreciate them greatly and thank them for the services that they provide us each and every day, as well as the good comradeship and the friendship that they show us.

Today, of course, I'm obliged to talk about the New West Partnership T rade Agreement Implementation Act that the minister has brought forward, and he was quite right to acknowledge the absence of the former critic for jobs and the economy. I can't always remember what the minister's title is. It's growth, something and something. [interjection] Well, good. At least –I was just testing the House to see how well they knew what that stood for. I notice the minister didn't answer me right off the bat, so there you go.

But I do want to acknowledge my friend from Point Douglas, as we know, Kevin Chief, a good friend of all of ours and a leader in his own right in his community for his people and, I dare say, for Manitobans. I know we on this side of the House will miss him very much. I'm sure the minister won't miss him as much jus t because the member, Mr. Chief, had an excellent ability to communicate his ideas, to ask hard questions, but he always did it in a most

March 1, 2017 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 351 collaborative and collegial manner. And I suppose, Madam Speaker, it's fair to say we might miss that most of all about him. * (15:20) But I know that he's gone to take care of his very young family, and those of us with a family in politics know just how difficult it is when the kids are so young, as all that. Mine are growing up, so they don't cause me all that much g rief anymore, but I know his family is very, very young. And so it makes sense for me, as a dad, and I know as many other of us in the House would want to put family first at all times.

And, indeed, he's gone on to a good, new job, as well. We're certainly going to miss him, but we wish him well in his future endeavours. I know that my friend from –the former member from Point Douglas was also skeptical about the New West Partnership. He, like all members of our caucus, believed that we needed to focus our attention on removing trade barriers regionally from this country, for promoting trade from north to south, from east to west to all parts of Canada because, in fact, Madam Speaker, we're all Canadians here.

I know the member–former member from Point Dou glas felt uncomfortable with joining in a regional, balkanized trade agreement that really doesn't promote the well -being of Canadians from coast to coast to coast, but, in fact, seems to have one benefit in mind, and that's to benefit the elite few who can afford to make bids and entertain potential contracts in other provinces.

But for the vast majority of Manitobans who are focused on creating good jobs or having a good job, supporting their family, making sure they can pay their mortgage, making sure they can put bread on the table, making sure that they have sufficient funds in order to send their kids to college or university, ensure that their children have the opportunity for a job in the future, something like the New West Partnership Trade Agreement is obscure, in fact, lacks meaning, and we would suggest could potentially compromise those opportunities for Manitobans and particularly for young Manitobans in the future.

I asked the minister about whether he consulted with rural municipalities, with school divisions, with other public bodies who may find themselves wanting to promote their own areas, their own communities, their own neighbourhoods, their own towns and what not, and then find themselves compromised by this particular kind of agreement, hamstrung over this kind of agreement that will force them into making deals they may not want to make in the best interests of their community because the government has quickly –and rather haphazardly – jumped into agreement which they really, really don't understand the implications of.

I said to the –asked the minister about providing an annual report because this has been something that, in my five years in the Chamber, has b een something of –something quite disappointing to me. Because the member –the government, when they were in opposition this was –this partnership – this trade agreement was a big deal to them, and now that they're in government it's a huge deal to them.

But, yet, if you go on the New West Partnership website, you learn absolutely nothing about what this deal has accomplished over –since it was signed in 2009, or really came into effect in the years immediately following that. You can look in vain for an annual report that tells us how much –how many jobs is being created or, conversely, how many jobs had been lost. There's no indication in any kind of report about the amount of economic activity that's taken place under this agreement or, conversely, how little e conomic activity has been undertaken as a result of this agreement.

There's no annual report to say who the winners have been. There's no annual report to say who has lost out in this. And so the–at its origins, and its very beginning, Madam Speaker, the agreement fails the fundamental test of transparency and accountability and openness, which this is the government that made a big deal about how they were going to be so open and transparent and accountable.

And yet the only thing they've accomplished is for the minister to put his signature he –on an agreement he doesn't actually understand or the implications of it that he doesn't understand and, yet, at the same time, is not able to report on the activities of that agreement prior to putting his signature on it so that Manitobans are left to wonder, well, just what's the point of this? What does it accomplish? What has it accomplished?

It might be helpful to put some evidence on the table, to put some information on the table, to give us the kind of st atistics and information and data that it can all help us to understand whether or not there's actually any kind of value to it. Mr. Doyle Piwniuk, Deputy Speaker, in the Chair And, in fact, what we've learned–what one learns as a citizen who, if I was a citizen just to go on the website and to check out what's happened, what I would find, Mr. Acting Deputy Speaker –I welcome

352 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 1, 2017 you to the Chair, as well–what you would find is that in the –since 2009 when the agreement was signed and then thereafter, what you'll find is after seven, eight years of activity, three press releases. Now, that suggests to me that there hasn't been a whole lot of activity under this agreement because it's in the nature of trading partnerships to talk and talk loudly about the accomplishments, about the good things that might have occurred to the various jurisdictions that are signatories to the agreement. But, in fact, you won't find it there, Mr.

Acting Deputy Speaker. In fact, you won't find any information about that agreement a t all. Sure, there's a slide about the perceived benefits but anybody with a–able to put a couple of sentences together can write that kind of thing. But on the substantive details of the agreement, on the things that has resulted–that have resulted from i t are not transparent, are not open and are simply not available to the people of Manitoba.

So, in that first instance, in that most important sense of a government that pretends to be interested in openness and accountability and transparency, this agreement, and the government's decision to jump into it right away, fails a fundamental test of governing in the 21st century.

So we're going to continue to ask the minister to produce an annual report on the benefits to Manitobans, on what has resulted from the province's participation, so that Manitobans can actually judge for themselves what the results would be, rather than relying on answers from the minister that are simply not going to be forthcoming. As he himself indicated in the–at the end of the question and answer period, that he's going to engage in secret conversations, report secretly and otherwise keep most things about that agreement a great big secret from the people of Manitoba.

And that –that's a terrible shame and not the kind of governing that we would expect from a government only a year into its mandate and 'alraily'–already failing the test of 'opency'–openness, transparency and accountability. But then, Mr. Deputy Speaker, you also have to reflect on why this agreement is so importa nt to the government side and question their priorities when it comes to governing on behalf of all of the people of Manitoba.

In the 2011 election campaign, and I'll never forget this, the now -government identified five priorities, and you–one of them was signing the New West Partnership, but it didn't include a priority around health care. It didn't include a priority around education. It didn't include a priority around child care. It certainly doesn't include any priorities about ensuring sustainable work for working families in this province. It didn't include any priorities around climate change or addressing that most incred ibly important issue in our time.

There was no priority around reconciliation, of responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, of promoting indigenous affairs in this province. * (15:30) In fact, all of those things, in 2011, and, again, I might add, in the last election campaign, were put to the side, ignored, not acknowledged, all in favour of an agreement, which no one actually knows what it's actually ever accomplished.

Now, this is a government that gets really excited about this agreement , notwithstanding the kind of Perry Como routine we got from the minister earlier when we were having a little trouble hearing what he was saying. That's from Second City TV, by the way. If it's not Seinfeld, it's SCTV, you know.

But it's quite interestin g to me that the government, as the first order of business in a new session, or continuing on as first of order business as we return to session, puts this agreement front and centre, at the very time every other agreement of national importance, they've either been late to sign on to or not sign on to at all. None of us on this side of the House will forget the fiasco related to the Canadian pension plan national agreement several months ago when the Minister of Finance (Mr.

Friesen), I think, went to Vancouver, found that every other government in Canada was interested in improving and enhancing the CPP; he didn't know what to do. He stepped out from the media part of the program, did a disappearing act, came back to Manitoba, had to ask the Premier (M r. Pallister) what he should do, realizing they'd made a classic mistake in not being onside with the Canadian pension plan. Then the Finance Minister tried to act like a New Democrat and tried to provide additional suggestions. He got a letter from the –from, I think, maybe the Prime Minister.

The Finance Minister, he waved around with the Finance Minister saying, yes, we'll look at some of these things in the future, but could you sign the document? And, finally, finally, finally, the Finance Minister sig ned on to enhancing and expanding the Canadian pension plan with every other government in Canada, and yet, really, made a number of errors along the way, including showing

March 1, 2017 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 353 that he was, at that point, anyway, not up to governing. But then we have not only that example, we have the actually ridiculous spectacle, then, of the Premier (Mr. Pallister) heading to a all- premiers conference on climate change. And he goes there and he says, well, I –until I get a health accord, I'm not signing on to the climate change accord.

Now, I don't think any of us on this side of the House think that the climate change accord is the be- all and end -all, but we know that it's part of the evolutionary progress toward ensuring some kind of climate sustainability and stability in our time; much more work needs to be done in that regard. But here it is that they've brought this first piece of business, the New West Partnership, to our attention; they haven't even been able to sign the national climate change accord.

And that kind of disconnect suggests to me that it's a government, again, just like with the CPP, doesn't have its priorities in order, is not prepared to govern on behalf of all of the people of Manitoba in an inclusive way to make sure that everyone has opportunity, but, in fact, always works to put its own self-interests above those of ordinary Manitobans, and that it's a classic example with the CPP, which benefits all Manitobans.

It's a classic example with the climate change accord, which benefits all Manitobans, and yet, here we have them trumpeting the New West Partnership, but not being able to be engaged in the critical issues of our time. And so the Premier , then, engages in this game of chicken with the Prime Minister, and the Health Minister says, I'm not sig ning the climate change accord 'til I get some agreement on health care. Well, how's that worked out for them? It hasn't worked out very well at all either because they're not signatories to that agreement either.

Now, the members from the Liberal –small Liberal caucus here think that, you know, Manitobans should get on board with whatever the Prime Minister wants to, even though it's a significant cut to health care. The –on the other hand, the Conservative government puts on a big show about wanting their fair share and, meantime, making cuts and important cuts to other levels of governments, to other school boards here in Manitoba, offloading their problems onto others while at the same time asking the federal government to step up.

And so you have thi s very strange combination of the government pushing us desperately to be involved in the New West Partnership over five years, yet they couldn't get their act together on the CPP and haven't got their act together on a national climate change accord or a national health -care accord either.

And so you have to ask yourself, what's wrong with the priorities of this government that put an obscure trade agreement forward as their first priority, most important priority, when the health care and the– and climate change and protection for seniors in those later years in life all get shunted off to the side? I would suggest to you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, that this is a government whose priorities do not match those of Manitobans, that, in fact, it's a government that's already one year into a mandate out of touch with Manitobans.

And there's no greater example than that than the bit of Broadway we saw earlier today –Broadway, not Broadway Manitoba, but Broadway New York–where the Premier gathers the media together 20 minutes before question period on the first day back into session, gathers together to make a big spectacle about how he's going to–has beat everyone over the head to freeze their salaries when, of course, New Democrats are never in this business for mo ney anyways, so it really inconsequential to us what the Premier says he's going to do.

But then he doesn't actually address the real issue, which is that he gave himself and the chosen 12 and a half a raise, and they locked it in beforehand while asking everyone else to suffer the indignity of austerity that the Finance Minister is preparing for this province in the weeks and months ahead.

And so we have a government that is not only out of touch with the needs of ordinary Manitobans, with working Manitobans when it comes to health care, when it comes to education, when it comes to child care, when it comes to labour relations, when it comes to climate change, when it comes to reconciliation, when it comes to immigration, the government has lost touch with the people of Manitoba on all of these questions, all to focus their attention on an agreement for which we have no information, no data, no statistics on what it's actually accomplished before Manitoba was a signatory to this agreement.

And so they –a government has gone in, Mr. Deputy Speaker, with blinders on unsure what the implications will be for working families across

354 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 1, 2017 this province, unsure what the benefits will be for working families across this province, and unsure of what potential pratfalls there could be in the future for working men and women and working families across this province in the future. And I think that suggests a government, Mr. Deputy Speaker, not only as I said out of touch with the priorities of Manitobans, but, in fact, is focused on what we call elite accommodation in political science, making sure that e lites are taken care of and forget what everybody else gets.

Maybe there might be some trickle down, but, you know, this was identified as voodoo economics 25, 30 years ago. It hasn't changed. This is the same kind of routine.

We've seen this movie before and it results in hardships for Manitobans, hardships for Manitoba families that I can tell you we're going to stand up here and oppose every single day because what we want is a Manitoba that's more equitable, a Manitoba that's fair, a Manitoba that's more inclusive for every single person, and not simply give in to this elite accommodation that's happening on the other side to give into a very small fraction of business interests without actually knowing what the implications could be for Manitoba into the future.

And I think that is a great, great shame. * (15:40) But I want to speak about one other point, and then I'm going to give some opportunity for others to say something. You know, I didn't grow up in Manitoba; I moved here about 20 years ago. And one thing that people know about me, I think, most of all, is I wear the maple leaf on my sleeve and on my heart and on my head and everywhere else, and maybe a little overboard in that regard. I'll admit to that.

A good example of that would be that when I'm in my hockey pool, I'll only choose Canadians, no matter that–if that means I'm going down to defeat or otherwise–usually, it does mean that. But the point is that I am –I'm a proud Manitoban, even though I didn't grow up here. I'm a proud Ontarian because that's where I did grow up. I have family all across the country, friends all 'acoss' the country. So I can say I'm proud of their areas of the country. But I'm a proud Canadian, first and foremost. And I don't believe for a

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Collection	Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	41-2-18
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	41st 2nd hansardpdf 18.pdf
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	cda2e8495d428602df54f925a14eaf43707dbd15

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