Manitoba Hansard — 4 April 2019 (Sitting 34B, 41st Legislature, 4th Session)

41-4-34b

Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)

Fourth 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. LXXII No. 34B - 1:30 p.m., Thursday, April 4, 2019 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 Man. 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 Ind. 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 LAMONT, Dougald St. Boniface Lib. 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, Hon. St.

Vital PC MICHALESKI, Brad Dauphin PC MICKLEFIELD, Andrew 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 SMITH, Andrew Southdale PC SMITH, Bernadette Point Douglas NDP 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, Hon.

Gimli PC WIEBE, Matt Concordia NDP WISHART, Ian Portage la Prairie PC WOWCHUK, Rick Swan River PC YAKIMOSKI, Blair Transcona PC

1027 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA Thursday, April 4, 2019 The House met at 1:30 p.m. Madam Speaker: Good afternoon, everybody. Please be seated. ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS Introduction of bills? Committee reports? Tabling of Reports? Ministerial statements? MEMBERS' STATEMENTS Rangers Hockey Team Champions Hon. Heather Stefanson (Minister of Families): I am proud to rise in the House today to congratulate the AA bantam Rangers hockey team who recently claimed the 2019 city championships in their division.

The APHA Rangers hockey association has been operating for over 45 years and provides an elite hockey program in an environment that includes quality coaching, pride in self -improvement through hard work and discipline, and most importantly, fun. Coaches George Seidel and Brian Smith pushed their players every day to improve themselves and each have qualities and strengths their players admire in leaders. Manager Crystal Anderson kept every aspect of this team running smoothly. Thanks to you all for your help and support this hockey season.

The AA bantam Rangers team ended their 28-game season in third place with 16 wins, 11 losses and one tie. After a hard-fought first and second round in the playoffs, the Rangers beat the Twins in a nail- biter of a final game that Jason, Victoria and I, along with all the other parents and grandparents who are joining us today in the gallery, were honoured to attend. Hard work, t eam effort and their passion for excellence made the Rangers become the 2019 city champions of the AA Bantam Division.

I am honoured to have the coaches, players, including the team captain, my son Tommy Stefanson, and their family members as my guests in the gallery today. Madam Speaker, I ask that all members of the House join me in congratulating the Rangers on their victory and to wish them all the best in the future endeavours, on and off the ice. Go Rangers go. Madam Speaker: The honourable Ministe r of Families. Mrs. Stefanson: Madam Speaker, I ask for leave to include the names of the players and coaches in the gallery with us today in Hansard.

Madam Speaker: Is there leave to include those names in Hansard? [Agreed] AA Bantam Rangers: Andrew Caron, Jack Carswell, Keenan Courchaine, Evan Guercio and Tommy Stefanson, defence; David Balshaw, Colten Anderson, Riley Dudych, Maclean Fish, Ben Milne, Raf Padua, Tyson Penner, Zev Stem, Jesse Tye and Kai Williamson, forwards; Eli Koltek and Max Olson, goalies; George Seidel and Brian Smith, coaches; Crystal Anderson, team manager. Addictions Crisis Ms.

Flor Marcelino (Logan): Logan is a vibrant and diverse pocket of the city, home to high numbers of indigenous peoples and im migrants, but, unfortunately, it is also one of the poorest communities in Manitoba. Every day Logan residents see the effects of the mental health and addictions crisis gripping our province. They find used needles on the street and see rising violence and property crime. According to the Winnipeg police, the downtown area has seen violent crime increase almost 40 per cent in the last four years. Last month, a young teen, Jaime Adao, Jr., was killed in a meth-related home invasion.

He is already the second confirmed meth-related death this year. Jaime Jr.'s death mobilized the communities of Logan and around it to confront these issues and fight for justice. They are calling for more support from government in community safety programming. As well, mo re investments in harm reduction and treatment options are needed to address the root causes of the addictions crisis. The government needs to listen to the fears of Manitobans who no longer feel safe in their communities. We cannot

1028 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 4, 2019 allow another person to be hurt or killed because of inaction on the drug crisis. When will the government admit we are facing an addictions crisis and take immediate steps to address it? Thank you, Madam Speaker. NRG Athletes Therapy Fitness Inc. Mr. Nic Curry (Kildonan): Madam Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to recognize NRG Athletes Therapy Fitness and its founder, Scott Miller.

Scott Miller and his team at NRG Athletes Fitness Therapy can be found in the heart of Garden City on the second floor of the Seven Oaks Sportsplex in a state -of-the-art, 6,000 square foot, high-performance wellness, fitness and rehabilitation center. NRG athletes established in 2007 to provide quality physiotherapy, athletic therapy, massage therapy services, as well as high -performance strength training for a variety of sports and athletes. The team at NRG is committed to enriching the health and wellness of the community of Kildonan, regardless of age or ability.

In 2017, NRG partnered with the Seven Oaks School Division to provide on -site medical coverage for all high school athletic teams, as well as providing fitness boot camps for staff of the division, and is a major provider of athletic therapy, physiotherapy and massage therapy for the staff of Seven Oaks. NRG staff strive to help any person reach their personal fitness goals as well as share their knowledge on injury rehabilitation and preventative measures.

Most importantly for some of us, one of the many success stories and a local celebrity, Cody Glass, was selected sixth overall in the 2017 NHL draft for the Vegas Golden Knights: their first pick ever as an NHL team. He developed his skills on and off the ice at NRG for over three years and is one of hundreds of young athletes who increased their potential with the help of Scott Miller and his team at NRG.

We have seen great developments in recreational facilities at Garden City area, and the team at NRG have built a reputation of excellence in service for members of our community across Manitoba – develop a high standard of fitness and wellness. Congratulations to Scott Miller, his team at NRG athletes, including Ryan Singh, here in the gallery today. I ask all my colleagues to join me in thanking them for their service. Dalagita Ms. Cindy Lamoureux (Burrows): It gives me great excitement to rise today to recognize Dalagita, which in Tagalog means a young girl who is coming into age.

This year marks Dalagita's third year anniversary of empowering young women and girls in topics that they are passionate about. It is because of my Ate Judianne Jayme, who has joined us in the gallery, and her tireless efforts that we have Dalagita here in Manitoba. When asked about what inspired her to start Dalagita, Ate Judianne recalls a quote that said, be the woman you needed to be when you were younger. This led her vision for an organization where its members cherish unity and support each other throughout their success and accomplishments in life. This became the founding ideals that Dalagita stands for.

Since then Dalagita has empowered many young Filipina women and girls with a focus on Philippine heritage and untapped potential for leadership that makes a difference in our community. Each month, Madam Speaker, they hold master classes that provides our dalagitas the opportunity to connect and learn from community leaders and experts on topics ranging from mental health, public speaking, branding and women's participation in male-dominant fields.

Madam Speaker, all this preparation comes together for an annual celebration evening when our dalagitas get to showcase their amazing knowledge and skills that they've developed throughout their journey. This showcase creates scholarship opportunities, and it builds upon their personal and professional development. In closing, I would like to take this opportunity ask my colleagues to join me in thanking my Ate Judianne for her hard work, and congratulate Dalagita for its third-year anniversary. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Burrows. Ms.

Lamoureux: Madam Speaker, I woul d like to ask for leave to have the names of my guests in the gallery added to Hansard.

April 4, 2019 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1029 Madam Speaker: Is there leave to include those names in Hansard? [Agreed] Judianne Jayme, Louise Mangali, Mimi Aiello. Organ Donation Mr. Reg Helwer (Brandon West): Madam Speaker, I rise today to honour Logan Boulet and draw attention to Green Shirt Day on April 7th. Logan Boulet was one of the Humboldt Broncos killed in the tragic bush crash on April 6th last year. The summer before, Logan had decided to sign up to be an organ and tissue donor. Madam Speaker, we've all seen evidence of the Logan Boulet effect.

Indiv iduals signing up to be an organ and tissue donor, they skyrocketed after they learned of Logan's selfless act. I believe Canadians were all looking for some positive impact from the tragic crash. We found it in Logan's impact on organ and tissue donation. Madam Speaker, April 7th, Green Shirt Day, is a day dedicated to promoting organ donation awareness while honouring the Logan Boulet effect. I'm wearing my green shirt. I encourage all of my colleagues and all Manitobans to consider organ and tissue donation. Go to signupforlife.ca and become a donor.

You need your health card number, and please remember to discuss your wishes with your family and your loved ones, as they will be asked what you intended. * (13:40) Madam Speaker, we have seen the Logan Boulet effect in Manitoba. One year ago there were 22,902 Manitobans who had recorded their donation decision on signupforlife.ca. Today there are 34,820. Thank you to those Manitobans and their families. Thank you, also, to my colleagues who were on t he all-party task force on organ and tissue donations. Madam Speaker, as you know, this is very personal.

Our daughter Jessica has had two kidney transplants from living donors. My lovely wife, Aynsley, and one of our sons, Andrew, were the donors. She's doing very well with her loving husband, Nevin, and their almost sixth- month-old son, Keaton. Madam Speaker, not everyone has a living donor available, and that is why signupforlife.ca and Green Shirt Day is so important. We are close to NOTDAW, national organ and tissue donors awareness week, which runs from April 21st to 27th this year. There are many more planned–events planned for NOTDAW, but this Sunday please honour Logan Boulet and the Green Shirt Day.

Madam Speaker, I wonder if we could have a moment of silence to honour the Humboldt Broncos players, coaches, staff, bus driver, parents and, indeed, the truck driver, for forgiveness is the first step. Madam Speaker: Is there leave for a moment of silence? [Agreed] Please rise. A moment of silence was observed. Introduction of Guests Madam Speaker: Prior to oral questions, we have some guests in the gallery that I would like to introduce to you. Seated in the Speaker's Gallery we have with us today Mr. Clive Hinds, who is the mayor of Stonewall, and we welcome you to the Manitoba Legislature.

I have also been told that Janice Lukes, a city councillor for Waverley West, was going to be here, but I'm not sure that I see her. But we welcome her if she does arrive in our gallery. ORAL QUESTIONS Federal Funding for Addictions Provincial Spending Inquiry Mr. Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): We know that the addictions crisis is placing a tremendous toll on families across the province. This could be in the form of families who struggle watching a loved one in the throes of addiction.

This could be families who were being subject to crimes –property crimes or even personal crimes that are committed against these family members. And yet, in the face of this addictions crisis, I think we can all agree that this government's response has been underwhelming. I would table for you this document that we've obtained through FIPPA showing that the government has received $4.1 million, nearly $4.2 million, from the federal government, a one-time emergency payment to help tackle opioid, benzos and, of course, meth. This is to respond to

1030 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 4, 2019 the addictions crisis. We know that the needs in the community are real. We know that the resources are being provided to the government. I would ask the Premier: Why isn't he using this money to help stem the addictions crisis in Manitoba? Hon.

Brian Pallister (Premier): I'd ask the member opposite why he continues to use the horror of addictions as political fodder when he could actually be joining with us and others and throughout the community, throughout the country that are willing to face the challenges of dealing with a real problem, a complex problem that doesn't have instant solutions, as the member advocates. Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a supplementary question. Mr.

Kinew: Well, one of the important needs that our society has with respect to addictions is to call on this government to finally do something to respond to the addictions crisis that's taking place in Manitoba, and that is what I'm doing again today, Madam Speaker. So, again, I tabled the documents that show that the Premier received over $4 million from the federal government to fight meth back in December 2018.

We know that that was some months ago, four months ago, and I would table for consideration of the House this supplementary FIPPA whi ch shows that this government has spent zero dollars –zero dollars –related to that one-time injection of funding to fight the addictions crisis here in Manitoba. The personal and the human toll is clear. Why is this Premier refusing to act, and why is he not using the emergency resources he was specifically provided with to help fight addictions in Manitoba? Mr.

Pallister: Well, again, Madam Speaker, actions speak louder than words or vague references to simple solutions–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Pallister: –which the member continues to advocate. We actually have taken a number of steps, Madam Speaker.

We'll take more, as a matter of fact: $7-million investment in 75 -mental-health-bed consolidation and renovation project at Vic; crea tion of an illicit drug task force; working with the federal government and the municipal governments on discussions around other actions that we can take; $1.237 million investment in the creation of RAAM clinics–and the list goes on–doubling the number of women's treatment beds from 12 to 24 at the addictions foundation Manitoba Portage Avenue site. Madam Speaker, the member asked for action. We're acting. Why doesn't he get with the program?

Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a final supplementary. Mr. Kinew: So, again, the Premier's preface is that actions speak louder than words, so let us cut through the words that he just shared and look at his actions. One document says that he's received $4 million in emergency funding to fight the meth crisis, to fight the addictions crisis. The other document shows that they have spent zero dollars; zero of those funds have actually been marshalled to help families, to help police, to help addicts turn their lives around for the better.

Those are the Premier's actions and they are indefensible, which is why he refuses to answer the question. But I'll pose it for him again: Why has he refused to spend the dedicated money that he ha s been provided with to fight addictions in Manitoba? Mr. Pallister: Why does the member continue to advocate that a cold needle's better than a warm hand and a nice cup of coffee and getting people off drugs isn't better than getting drugs to people, Madam Speaker? Why is the member continuing to– [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr.

Pallister: –promote a simple one -size-fits-all solution to a complex social problem that every premier across this country and every leader in the Western world and ever y government has been dealing with, and we are–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Pallister: –dealing with that problem, investing millions and millions of additional dollars , Madam Speaker, specifically around the problem he raises. While he trie s to play political games, we're actually working to help address the problem. Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a new question.

April 4, 2019 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1031 CancerCare Funding Government Intention Mr. Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): Well, we'll just talk –chalk that up as a loss for the Premier. It's indefensible that they received $4 million in emergency federal funding to fight addictions and they have spent none of that money, Madam Speaker. [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Kinew: Again, I know that the backbenchers are very upset that in their communities that they currently represent, or hope to one day visit, that addictions are not being combatted by this government.

We know that there are also further challenges in health care; it's not just about addictions and mental health. We also know that CancerCare is a very real need. It actually provides an essential service and it does a good job of doing it. That's why it's been so concerning for Manitobans that this government has put CancerCare under review. Now, we know that they have been unsuccessful in trying to find a proponent to provide advice on how to cut CancerCare, but I would ask the Premier to commit today that they will not cut any funding towards CancerCare in Manitoba. Hon.

Brian Pallister (Premier): Of course not, Madam Speaker. We're investing over $400 million more this year alone than the NDP ever did in the entire time they were in government on health care to improve the system. But it's not just what you spend, is it?

It's getting more from what you spend, and that's why Shared Health initiatives, organizing better the top -heavy nature of our health- care system to trim it so we can enforce and support the front lines of our system, and that is exactly what we'll continue to do. * (13:50) We were left an incredible mess by the NDP who did not have the courage to clean it up, Madam Speaker, but we do and we will. Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official, on a supplementary question. Mr.

Kinew: Madam Speaker, when the Premier assumed office, CancerCare was one of the best rated health organizations in the country and provided excellent care to many of our families who needed those services. Now, in his time in office not only did he cut a new headquarters for CancerCare, but he actually cut $2.5 million from the actual operating funding of CancerCare itself. So that is his record: a $2.5-million cut to CancerCare. Now, even after they spent three quarters of a million dollars on a review of health which already included CancerCare, his Minister of Health is talking about finding efficiencies.

Efficiency is a direct quote from this minister. We know what it means when Conservatives look for efficiencies. So will the Premier simply put the issue to rest and commit not to cutting CancerCare funding in Manitoba? Mr. Pallister: Asked and answered. But let's talk about what happens when you don't look for efficiencies in government. Let's talk about a $1-billion deficit the year we came in, thanks to the NDP. Let's talk about $1 billion of interest charges – [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr.

Pallister: Let's talk about $1 billion of interest charges the NDP foisted–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Pallister: Let's talk about $1 billion of interest charges that the NDP ran up; $1 billion that's not available for health care, not one dollar. Madam Speaker, let's talk about that. While we're increasing the investments in health care, we're dealing–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. I would call the member for Point Douglas (Mrs. Smith) to order, please. Mr.

Pallister: While we're dealing with the mess that was left to us, Madam Speaker, the fiscal mess, the social mess, the economic mess, the members haven't produced a single idea. We're acting on the ideas they were given by experts they didn't have the guts to act on and we'll keeping acting on those –that advice. Madam Speaker: I know the topic of health care is one that is very passionate for everybody, but I would encourage members that we listen very carefully to questions and answers. And I need to be able to h ear, and I'm having a little bit of trouble now hearing some of the

1032 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 4, 2019 comments that are being put on the record. So I need to be able to hear that in order that I can properly carry out my role, so I would ask for everybody's co-operation, please. The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a final supplementary. Mr. Kinew: Madam Speaker, when CIHI reduced – or released their wait -time numbers last week, we saw that the wait times for many, many surgeries had skyrocketed under this Premier, including for knees, for hips and for cataracts.

Now, of course, there is one area where things still looked good, and that was on treatment for cancer patients. Now, I'm puzzled by this Premier's continued attention to trying to find efficiencies or review CancerCare or to lay the groundwork for cuts. It seems that he looks at those CIHI results and thinks to himself, well, there's one area where we haven't damaged health care yet, why don't we turn our attention to that, Madam Speaker. So, again, the reassura nce we're looking for is simple.

CancerCare provides excellent care and excellent service to Manitobans Will the Premier just agree to not review this program any further and commit that he will not cut a further $2.5 million from CancerCare in the future? Mr. Pallister: We've now taken the mismanage - ment–the concept of mismanagement to a new level with the member's comments, Madam Speaker, because they commissioned expert opinion, didn't act on it. Bad enough they ignored it, but now he's telling us not to commission it in the first place.

He's telling us that we can't do a better job here in Manitoba to deliver health care, and we can and we are. We're shortening wait times in MRIs, in CTs, in hips, and wait times are gradually moving down. But the member is working on the assumption that progress just happens, like budgets balance themselves, and we know that progress doesn't just happen through inaction and a lack of courage. Progress has to be worked at, and budgets don't balance themselves either, Madam Speaker, that takes work too. He and his former bromance partner in Ottawa need to understand that as well.

So the fact is, Madam Speaker, we're cleaning up a fiscal mess that left us with a billion -dollar debt service cost caused by the same kind of mismanagement that the member with no change and–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Pallister: –no capacity for change is now advocating we repeat. We will learn from the mistakes of the NDP, but we will not repeat them. Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Madam Speaker: Order. Premier's Insurance Licence MPI Conflict of Interest Inquiry Mr. Tom Lindsey (Flin Flon): We know the Premier has problems with disclosures under conflict of interest act.

He doesn't think those provisions apply to him. We saw that when he refused to follow the law that required him to disclose his corporate holdings. But here are the facts: the Premier is a licensed insurance agent and can sell accident insurance, and I table these documents. The MPI act states that –at

section 6.1–the corporation is authorized to sell accident insurance. The potential for conflict is real. Will the Premier recuse himself from all discussions of MPI insurance today? Hon. Brian Pallister (Premier): Never placed a general insurance contract in my entire life; haven't had an ownership in a general insurance company in over a quarter of a century. Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Madam Speaker: Order. The honourable member for Flin Flon, on a supplementary question. Mr. Lindsey: The facts, Madam Speaker, are clear.

The Premier receives money from his insurance agency, as the conflict of interest disclosures show, and the source of his money is his abil ity to sell accident insurance, as the Premier's licence shows. That is the very same type of insurance MPI is authorized to sell. There is a clear conflict and it goes to the heart of the Premier's failure to be open with Manitobans. [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Lindsey: Will the Premier tell this House if he has removed himself from all discussions regarding MPI?

April 4, 2019 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1033 Mr. Pallister: Well, we've got several members, Madam Speaker, that want to take this question. I'll just have to because the member needs to consult with a basic financial planner, and I'm not currently available, but I can give him some recommendations. He's confused, Madam Speaker, and I'm –I don't have adequate time in my response to clarify things for him. Suffice to say: ne ver placed a general insurance co ntract in my life, and more than a quarter of a century ago, did have shares in a general insurance company.

Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Flin Flon, on a final supplementary. Mr. Lindsey: Conflict of interest–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Lindsey: –legislation in this province may be old, but it is clear: when someone has a direct financial interest in a matter before the government, they should step aside. The Premier could have gotten rid of his insurance business, but he didn't. He could have let his insurance licence lapse, but he didn't. And he could have removed himself from discussions around MPI, but he hasn't, and he's still listed as a director of his company.

So will the Premier commit to removing himself from all discussions about MPI insurance offerings today? Mr. Pallister: Well, Madam Speaker, I did remove myself in 1992. So as far as the desperate tactic of the member from Flin Flon trying to become t he, you know, second member for Minto (Mr. Swan), what –the clear attempt to impugn integrity is going to fail because the member doesn't understand the basic difference between MPI and personal insurance, I guess. My company, the company that I was activ e in wasn't involved in MPI in any way, shape or form.

The company that I used to be involved in did do accident insurance, but it was for –not for cars, Madam Speaker. It was for people. Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Madam Speaker: Order. Order. Political Campaign Financing Government Position on Bill 232 Ms. Nahanni Fontaine (St. Johns): Elections should be a level playing field: equitable, fair and accessible to all Manitobans. [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. * (14:00) Ms. Fontaine: Since taking office, this Premier has systematically dismantled democracy in our province.

Bill 9 and Bill 26 remove the per -vote subsidy and raise the political donation to $5,000, favouring the wealthy and tilting the next election in his favour. Now Bill 16–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Ms. Fontaine: Now Bill 16 cuts an important rebate for candidates who don't have access to large sums of money, Madam Speaker. It's important to protect our democracy, but this morning this government voted against our Bill 232. Why does the Premier hate democracy so much? Hon.

Cliff Cullen (Minister of Justice and Attorney General): I do appreciate this question, and I will commit, Madam Speaker, that this government is standing up to the provinces–promises that we made, a commitment to Manitobans. In fact, we've brought forward legislation that would actually save Manitobans $3 million in terms of–$3 million that were going to be allocated to political parties. We believe that money should stay on the ki tchen tables for Manitobans, working for Manitobans. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for St. Johns, on a supplementary question. Ms.

Fontaine: Every Manitoba should have the opportunity to represent their community if they feel the desire to do so. People from marginalized and disenfranchised communities don't have the same access to networks as wealthy people do. Madam Speaker, the Premier's attack on democracy is targeting the voices of marginalized people before they can even make a decision to run for office. We know that the Premier relies on wealthy party insiders, which is why he increased the amount to $5,000 for the contribution limits, but elections shouldn't favour the wealthy.

1034 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 4, 2019 Our bill would have removed barriers for Manitobans to t hink about running for office, like low-income individuals and single moms. I don't understand why this Premier– Madam Speaker: The member's time has expired. Mr. Cullen: Let's talk about democracy. The actions of the NDP: misled Manitobans in terms of th e provincial sales tax; they've completely misled Manitobans. We are standing up for Manitobans. Let's talk about their ability to take money out of taxpayers' pockets in Manitoba.

They're more interested about their pockets than the taxpayers of Manitoba. Look at the NDP vote tax. They took $780,000 out of the pockets of Manitobans. The Progressive Conservative Party never took a dime from Manitobans. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for St. Johns, on a final supplementary. Ms. Fontaine: To be clear, Madam Speaker, every single one of these members took the rebate, so they can't stand here. The Premier should not be able to use government advertising dollars to promote his political agenda. If he is planning on break– Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Madam Speaker: Order. Ms.

Fontaine: If the Premier is planning on breaking our fixed- date election laws and calling an early election, our bill would have set consistent advertising standards for all elections –Manitoba and ensured that the public money is put towards the right thing. Why did the Premier vote against our bill this morning? Hon. Brian Pallister (Premier): Who’s the NDP trying to serve, Madam Speaker? Themselves. In the last election, they claimed the marginalized and the poor were disadvantaged by the structure they put up and put in place and maintained for 17 years, and they're right.

Last election they got close to $1.2- million rebate. The Green Party got $11,000, and the NDP claims they care all about marginalized parties and candidates today, but they didn't have a clue about how to deal with this thing fairly. We do. Let's make sure that every party's on a level playing field. We're giving away $1.4 million. Madam Speaker, every political party has a chance to raise money if they go out and ask for it, and that's the way to raise it, not go to the taxpayer and expect that they should subsidize–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Pallister: –the way the NDP want it.

Madam Speaker, they didn't have the courage to stand by their convictions previously, but w e do, previously and now, and we'll continue to stand up– [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Pallister: –for a fairer system for Manitobans. Fixed Election Date Law Government Position Mr. Dougald Lamont (Leader of the Second Opposition): It is worth considering the Premier's assault on free and fair elections over the last three years in Manitoba. The Premier, as the NDP did before, changed election financing.

In this case they cut off public support for parties based on votes, while his own party continued to rake in over $1 million in what he himself called kickbacks. His words, not mine. The Premier jacked up the donation limit to $5,000, has increased tax breaks for donors and has changed ID requirements to make it harder for people to vot e. There is a fixed -election date law in this province, Madam Speaker, and there is a law that limits pre-election spending. If the Premier is really so confident he can win an election, why is he working so hard to rig the game? Hon.

Brian Pallister (Premier): Madam Speaker, the member has written on this topic and criticized us for taking the subsidy he now defends. So he's got to get his facts straight, or maybe just change his mind on this issue. I'm not sure which. He has decried the presence o f this subsidy and criticized me, personally, for accepting it. Yet today he says it's a great idea. So I'd like him to maybe clarify in his second

preamble where he's at on this issue. Does he want the NDP to get triple the subsidy that his party gets, and does he want to get 10 times as much as the Green Party? Because that's what this subsidy does.

April 4, 2019 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1035 Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Second Opposition, on a supplementary question. Mr. Lamont: In the

article the Premier refers to, I was just pointing out his hypocrisy, Madam Speaker. It's worth recalling why Manitoba and Canada have introduced fixed election–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Lamont: –dates. It is because leaving the timing of election call in the hands of an incumbent party was considered unfair. Having fixed election dates makes elections more competitive because all parties are able to fundraise and recruit candidates knowing that an election will be called at a specific time. Manitoba's fixed election dates are the f irst Tuesday in October and the third Tuesday in April.

Now, I know the Premier loves a good loophole, but if the Premier calls an election this spring or summer, can he explain how he is not breaking the fixed-date-election law? Mr. Pallister: Again, I gave–I didn't hear an explanation in his

preamble, Madam Speaker. He used to be against the subsidy that he's now for, and he didn't offer any explanation as to why. I get a sense he might like to continue with the existing program, because in the last election the Liberals got $351,727 as an assist to them on their advertising; and the Green Party –which apparently the Liberals are now competing with, in part thanks to their conduct in Ottawa, which the member supports–got $11,421. That would be about a thirtieth, a little bit less than a thirtieth, as much as the Green Party got. So the Green Party doesn't get anything out of this deal, but the Liberals do. Maybe that's why. Maybe the member can explain in this

preamble if that's why he's supporting c ontinuing with the status quo that he used to oppose. Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Second Opposition, on a final supplementary. Mr. Lamont: Another aspect of the fixed- date- election law is that it was –that it limited government advertising in the lead up to a campaign. I recall in 2007, the NDP government of Gary Doer spent weeks making expensive promises and running ads, and then Doer called an election in 2007, only hours after a major announcement and there's supposed to be a black-out on announcements as well. These, too, are all part of the law.

So is the Premier intent on breaking the rules and calling an election this year, at the risk of losing many of his caucus members and possibly government, because he knows that, if he follows the rules, he'll lose? Mr. Pallister: Well, the member's right on part– Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Madam Speaker: Order, please. Mr. Pallister: The member's quite accurate on part of his

preamble. The NDP did abuse those rules. They did announce the STARS helicopter the week before the election. They did announce construction on investors field a couple weeks before the election. They abused it. There was a birthing centre thing. Yes, lots of that abuse happened. It won't happen with this governm ent, so good for him for raising that memory. [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Pallister: However, Madam Speaker, I have a memory of things in politics too, and I remember Pearson and I remember Jean Chrétien. I remember Paul Martin. I remember t hem calling elections.

A lot of them called elections. One of them came here and threw a sandbag right in the middle of a flood in '97 and then went and called an election. So I know the Liberal history– Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Madam Speaker: Order. Order. * (14:10) Mr. Pallister: Well actually, he didn't throw it on the sandbag pile, he just threw it down on the ground, Madam Speaker. Well–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Order. Mr. Pallister: I want to give the member comfort. I want to give the member comfort, genuinely. We won't abuse the announcement rules.

We won't give any election in this province a chance to happen without a heads -up to him and his friends in the NDP. How's that? Midwife Training and Employment Request for Long-Term Plan Mrs. Bernadette Smith (Point Douglas): The Canadian Association of Midwives met with legislators today, and I am pleased that they have joined us–all of us here in the gallery today.

1036 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 4, 2019 They've raised a number of concerns. They are asking for a long- term plan from this government to meet the growing demands of midwifery in Manitoba. Can the minister update the House what steps he will take to ensure that there are more midwives in Manitoba? Hon. Cam eron Friesen (Minister of Health, Seniors and Active Living): I thank the member for the question. Many Manitobans rely on the services and prefer the services of midwifery and it's an effective model in Manitoba.

I know that even when it comes to some of the members in this Chamber, their–births in their families have been assisted by midwives. We know that when the NDP opened a birthing centre and promised 500 births there a year, we know the–that years after, the numbers of births have not reached anywhere near the levels. Actually, department officials said they have no idea where the NDP took those numbers from. Nevertheless, we remain committed to the model of midwifery in Manitoba. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Point Douglas, on a supplementary question. Mrs.

Smith: As the minister knows, Manitoba stopped taking new students into midwife training and the province will soon graduate its last class. The Canadian Association of Midwives are looking for a long-term plan to ensure that M anitoba's dressing– addressing the demand for the important service. But with no future training opportunities and very little job prospects, aspiring midwives will simply go elsewhere. Manitoba educators and these students have dedicated their time, reso urces into developing this – their much-needed skill set.

Will the minister commit today to a long -term plan that ensures that the needs of Manitobans are met with midwifery? Mr. Friesen: Well, Madam Speaker, the member for Point Douglas has a conundrum, because her question calls for planning and yet the bill that we have introduced in the Legislature –the most significant organization of our health- care system in arguably the last 30 years –she obstructs through procedural delays in this Legislature.

Madam Speaker, will the NDP –are they signalling today their desire to withdraw their obstruction and allow Bill 10 to pass and allow for the organization and planning of our health- care system? Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Madam Speaker: Order. The honourable member for Point Douglas, on a final supplementary. Mrs. Smith: And I hope the minister will answer the questions, because these are actually coming from the midwives that are here in our gallery today. They're asking for this government to put a plan in place that would address the needs of Manitobans.

But many requests for care are denied because there simply aren't enough midwives in this province. Now Manitoba is about to graduate 12 midwives, yet the Canadian Association of Midwives tells us that currently only two of them have jobs. I ask the minister: Will he prioritize employment of these midwives to keep them working right here in Manitoba where they are needed? Mr. Friesen: Madam Speaker, that member may not remember, she was not here at the time, but Manitobans have not forgotten the debacle that was the failed attempt after attempt of the former government to actually graduate midwives.

In some years in their programs, no midwives graduated; and I thank the member for–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Friesen: Portage la Prairie (Mr. Wishart) for his work when he was the minister to find a home and to be able to graduate a new class of midwives. We are calling for better provincial planning through our preventative serv ices planning model. They obstruct it. We want exactly this: the ability to plan obstetrics better, including midwifery in the province of Manitoba. Community Development Initiatives New Funding Model Announcement Mr.

Derek Johnson (Interlake): Since 2 016 our government has been working diligently to clean up the mess left behind by the 17 years of NDP mismanagement. This is especially true when it comes to community development funding. Previously, groups looking to apply for this funding had to nav igate seven different programs,

April 4, 2019 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1037 each with their own separate intakes, narrow project

definitions and unnecessary amount of red tape. Community organizations have been calling for a different, more efficient application process, increased flexibility and a consistent level of available funding. Can the Minister of Municipal Relations please tell the House how our government is supporting community development initiatives with the new model that meets– Madam Speaker: The member's time has expired. Hon. Jeff Wharton (Minister of Municipal Relations): I'd like to thank the member for Interlake for that question and the support from the member from River Heights as well, Madam Speaker.

I am pleased to put a few words on the record today, Madam Speaker, about –our government is streamlining community development programs to help support a broader range of community -led projects. Our new $7.9- million Building Sustainable Communities Program will transform and modernize grant funding with a focus on increasing community capacity and promoting sustainability for non -profit organizations. The modernized program will respond to local neighbourhood municipal and regional priorities in a better way than the NDP former government ever did, Madam Speaker.

And I can tell you, Madam Speaker, our government understands how best to support community development, and that's exactly what we are going to do. Madam Speaker, we're getting the job done. Methamphetamine Addiction Request for Government Action Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): In the summer of 2017 there was a dramatic upswing in metham - phetamine use in Winnipeg. It was a time to act. There were federal funds for mental health and addictions. It was an opportunity to launch a major campaign to reduce meth use and meth addiction.

But instead of listening to people on the front lines and in non- profit organizations acting, this government dragged its feet. The result has been a province-wide meth crisis and dramatic upswings in sexually transmitted diseases like syphilis. Why did this government delay acting as the crisis got worse and 'insped' –instead spent two years hunting for a pen to sign a funding agreement with the federal government? Hon.

Cameron Friesen (Minister of Health, Seniors and Active Living): Madam Speaker, that member knows that what this government has done is spend two years fighting for a fairer arrangement with the federal government in respect of a sustainable Ca nada Health Act when it comes to sustainable funding for all provinces. The federal government used to fund it 50 per cent. Then they funded it 25 per cent, and I can tell you that in the next 10 years–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr.

Friesen: –that differential, what we will lose in this province because of that member's party in Ottawa, will be $2 billion of funding. We fought, we will continue to fight, for a fair arrangement for health care for all Manitobans. [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. I have not recognized the member yet. The honourable member for River Heights, on a supplementary question. Mr. Gerrard: Thanks, Madam Speaker. In 2017 we had the equivalent of a two -alarm fire with a big spike in the use of meth.

Instead of listening to people and acting to decrease meth use and reduce the size of the epidemic, the government procrastinated while there's been an increase in syphilis, an increase in violence in our hospitals, an increase in violence in our streets, including homicides and suicides and increased vandalism. It's now the equivalent of a five-alarm fire. When it raised the PST, Madam Speaker, the Premier (Mr. Pallister) whipped out his pen and spent $180,000 in ads. Why has this government refused, for two years, to run meth-prevention ads?

Because they're afraid to admit Manitoba has a meth problem. * (14:20) Mr. Friesen: Madam Speaker, that member knows it's the worst -kept secret that Manitoba has a problem when it comes to illicit drugs; everyone is acknowledging that.

1038 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 4, 2019 What no one is doing is pretending that any of this were simple; otherwise, we would not have had a parliamentary committee from Ottawa yesterday here spending their time listening, a broad coalition of members of that assembly who came t o learn about methamphetamines and what can be done. And one thing was made clear yesterday, expert after expert: none of this is easy. All of this will take time and engagement and collaboration is important. Will that member also collaborate and engage, or does he just want to point fingers?

Madam Speaker: The honourable member for River Heights, on a final supplementary. Mr. Gerrard: Two years ago when meth use and the meth epidemic took off, vigorous action could have reduced or stopped the epidemic before it became the major problem it is today. In its government, the budget –the government increased spending to help for the Premier's Executive Council and on government advertising, but reduced funding to the alcohol foundation of Manitoba, refused to fund non- profits like Morberg House and virtually froze education funding.

Indeed, we hear the alcohol foundation has had to cut back severely on counsellors and youth outreach, the very areas where there could have been prevention. Why, at a time wh en meth use is spreading, is this government making access to AFM's education in schools even harder? Mr. Friesen: The member is wrong in his

preamble. There is no jurisdiction in Canada or abroad that has seen that through any effective means of policy implementation that somehow this could have been avoided. We are dealing with the same things that Western Australia is seeing. We're dealing with the same things with –the Midwest states are seeing. It doesn't mean that inaction is the –is a path forward, and that's why this Province and this government has taken strong action. As a matter of fact, just today we indicated as well that we're making it easier to access two drugs to fight alcohol addiction.

This was a specific recommendation of the VIRGO repor t. Today when people go to a RAAM clinic it will be easier to get the medications that they need. This is only one of the ways in which our government continues to take action. Introduction of Guests Madam Speaker: Prior to continuing with oral questions, the person that I was introducing earlier I see is now in our gallery, so I would like to welcome her. We have with us Janice Lukes, the city councillor for Waverley West, and we welcome you to the Manitoba Legislature. Chinese Embargo on Canola Manitoba Government Update Mr.

Ted Marcelino (Tyndall Park): We are deeply concerned by the actions of the Chinese government regarding the loss of market access for Manitoba's canola. Can the minister please update us on the Province's effort in this regard? Hon. Ralph Eichler (Minister of Agriculture): I thank the member for the question. Canola is the home product of the province of Manitoba, one that we're very proud of and, of course, it's 'catched' on right across Canada. Manitoba contributes a large part of the canola to the Chinese government and people. We send –spend over $350 million worth of products.

We called on the federal government to set up a task force in order to ensure our science- based technology is, in fact, in place. The test that was put forward was one that was by our CFIA. Those tests were very clear. Our –there was no pest in that product, and, certainly, we call on the Chinese government and the federal government to make sure our tests are available in–on an orderly basis. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Tyndall Park, on a supplementary question. Mr.

Marcelino: The side of the House, the NDP side of the House, we have written the federal International Trade Minister and the federal Agrifood Minister on this matter, and we support efforts to send a delegation to China. Now, if this unfortunate situation drags on, what plans does the minister have to mitigate the impacts of market disruption to our producers? Hon. Brian Pallister (Premier): This minister's done a commendable job of standing up for farm families in this province and I thank him for his work.

April 4, 2019 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1039 Madam Speaker, standing up for farm families is what this government will do. Yesterday, the leader of the opposition stood in his pla ce and said that the Trudeau carbon tax wasn't high enough and he wanted it to be even higher. What he fails to understand is that the carbon tax being elevated above the federal levels will add insult to injury when it comes to the agricultural industry a nd to family farms. [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr.

Pallister: The member opposite and his party want a higher carbon tax that will hurt farm families in this province, but it will hurt all families in this province, Madam Speaker. [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Pallister: Manitoba mothers who drive their kids to soccer won't –will not be defended by the members opposite; they'll be defended by the members on this side of the House. Manitoba seniors who want to heat their homes will be defended by these members too.

Nurses driving to work, teachers going to teach their children, and, Madam Speaker, especially those in small businesses and on family farms who will be negatively impacted by the NDP and the Liberals' positions on this is sue understand who's standing up for them. It's the members on this side of the House. Madam Speaker: The time for oral questions has expired. Speaker's Ruling Madam Speaker: I have a ruling for the House. Following the prayer on Ma rch 15th, 2019, the honourable member for Concordia (Mr. Wiebe) raised a matter of privilege regarding comments made by the Premier (Mr.

Pallister) indicating an intention to ignore the provisions in The Elections Act regarding the fixed election date. He contended that this infringes on the privileges of members and concluded his remarks by moving, and I quote, that this matter be referred to an all -party committee immediately, end quote. I took the matter of privilege under advisement in order to consul t the procedural authorities.

As the House knows, in order for the matter raised to be ruled in order as a prima facie case of privilege, members must demonstrate both that the issue has been raised at the earliest opportunity and also provide sufficient evidence that the privileges of the House have been breached. In his remarks on this matter, the honourable member for Concordia did not address the condition of timeliness. Accordingly, I would rule that this condition was not met by the member.

Regarding the second condition of whether a prima facie case has been made, I must indicate that it has been ruled a number of times by Manitoba Speakers that comments made outside the House cannot form the basis for a prima facie case of privilege. Beauchesne's citation 31(3) advises that statements made outside the House by a member may not be used as a basis for a question of privilege. Further, on page 620 of the third edition of House of Commons practice and procedure, Bosc and Gagnon state that the Speaker has no authority to rule on statements made outside of the House by one member against another.

Accordingly, I must rule that a prima facie case of a breach of privilege has not been demonstrated in this matter. Ms. Nahanni Fontaine (Official Opposition House Leader): Respectfully, I challenge your ruling. Madam Speaker: The ruling of the Speaker has been challenged. Voice Vote Madam Speaker: All those in favour of the ruling, please say yea. Some Honourable Members: Yea. Madam Speaker: All those opposed, please say nay. Some Honourable Members: Nay. Madam Speaker: In my opinion, the Yeas have it. Recorded Vote Ms. Fontaine: A recorded vote, please.

Madam Speaker: A recorded vote having been called, call in the members. Order, please. The one hour provided for the ringing of the division bells has expired. I am therefore directing that the division bells be turned off and the House proceed to the vote. The question before the House is shall the ruling of the Chair be sustained. * (15:30)

1040 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 4, 2019 Division A RECORDED VOTE was taken, the result being as follows: Yeas Bindle, Clarke, Cullen, Curry, Eichler, Ewasko, Friesen, Gerrard, Goertzen, Graydon, Guillemard, Helwer, Isleifson, Johnson, Johnston, Klassen, Lagassé, Lagimodiere, Lamont, Lamoureux, Martin, Mayer, Michaleski, Micklefield, Morley- Lecomte, Nesbitt, Pallister, Pedersen, Piwniuk, Reyes, Smith (Southdale), Smook, Squires, Stefanson, Teitsma, Wharton, Wishart, Wowchuk, Yakimoski.

Nays Allum, Altemeyer, Kinew, Maloway, Marcelino (Logan), Marcelino (Ty ndall Park), Smith (Point Douglas), Swan, Wiebe. Clerk (Ms. Patricia Chaychuk): Yeas 39, Nays 9. Madam Speaker: The ruling of the Chair has been sustained. Point of Order Ms. Judy Klassen (Kewatinook): Point of order, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker: Order, please. The honourable member for Kewatinook, on a point of order. Ms. Klassen: I'd just like to clarify for the Minister of Infrastructure (Mr.

Schuler) and to put on the record that Shoal Lake 40 First Nation is in the riding of La Verendrye, and is not even my most southern riding neighbour, which is Lac du Bonnet. Maybe the minister also needs to know that those ridings are currently held by PCs. However, I am very grateful that the Trudeau government easily came to the table for my people and built that Shoal Lake 40 First Nation road. Megwetch. Madam Speaker: Order. Order, please. I would thank the member for the information she has put on the record, but I would also indicate that it is not a point of order but instead a dispute over the facts.

PETITIONS Madam Speaker: Moving forward with petitions. Daylight Saving Time Mr. Cliff Graydon (Emerson): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. And the background to this petition is as follows:

(1) The loss of sleep associated with the beginning of daylight savings time has serious con- sequences for physical and mental health and has been linked to the increases in traffic accidents and workplace injuries.

(2) According to Manitoba Public Insurance news release, collision data collected in 2014 showed that there was a 20 per cent increase in collisions on Manitoba roadways following spring daylight savings time change when compared to all other Mondays in 2014.

(3) Daylight savings time is associated with a decrease in productivity the day after the clocks are turned forward–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Graydon: –with no corresponding increase in productivity when clocks are turned back.

(4) There is no conclusive evidence that daylight saving time is effective in reducing energy consumption. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the government to amend The Official Time Act to abolish daylight saving time in Manitoba effective November 4, 2019, resulti ng in Manitoba remaining on Central Standard Time throughout the year and in perpetuity. And this petition has been signed by Tyler Dyck, Marc Hall, Kurt Cormier and many, many more fine Manitobans.

Madam Speaker: In accordance with our rule 133(6), when petitions are read, they are deemed to be received by the House. Addictions Services– Brandon and Western Manitoba Mrs. Bernadette Smith (Point Douglas): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly.

April 4, 2019 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1041 The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) Addictions are a health and social problem that requires co-ordinated responses from the health- care, social services, education and justice systems.

(2) It is well known that the number of people addicted to alcohol, drugs a nd other substances is on the rise in Manitoba, with a notable increase in use of methamphetamine and opioids: two highly addictive and very destructive drugs.

(3) Between April 2015 and April 2018, drug abuse and alcohol abuse were two of the top three risk factors identified by the community mobilization Westman HUB when dealing with persons with acutely elevated risk.

(4) Recent Brandon Police Service annual reports show a steady increase in calls for service for crimes against property and person.

(5) In Brandon and west Manitoba –western Manitoba, individuals seeking treatment for –seeking addictions treatment, and the families trying to help them, do not have local access to the services or supports that they need.

(6) There is no publicly available, centralized list of addictions facilities in Manitoba. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

(1) To request that the provincial government consider establishing a cross -departmental team to provide leadership on a culturally appropriate, co-ordinated response to the growing addictions crisis in our province that includes an aggressive, widespread education campaign on the dangers of using methamphetamine and opioids, along with addictions education for front -line medical staf f in health-care facilities.

(2) To request that the provincial government consider providing additional addictions services in Brandon and western Manitoba across the curriculum–or, continuum of care, including acute response, detoxification, long- term rehabilitation, transitional housing and support for managing co-occurring disorders.

(3) To request that the Minister of Health, Seniors and Active Living consider establishing a publicly available inventory of all addictions facilities in Manitoba.

(4) To request that the Minister of Health, Seniors and Active Living consider providing supports for the families of people struggling with addictions, including counselling, patient navigation and advocacy, and direct access to free 'naloxalone'. Signed by Geri Kerr, Kristin Friesen, Ann Cooper and many, many other Manitobans. * (15:40) Mr. Andrew Swan (Minto): Madam Speaker, I would ask for leave to be able to read into the record the petition submitted by the member for Flin Flon (Mr. Lindsey) based on what his constituents have provided to him.

Madam Speaker: Is there leave for the member for Minto to read the petition for the member from Flin Flon? [Agreed] Mr. Swan: Thanks, Madam Speaker. Flin Flon General Hospital Obstetric Services Mr. Swan: The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) Access to quality health care is a fundamental right of all Manitobans, no matter where they live.

(2) The Premier has slashed budgets and cancelled projects for northern communities, making it harder for families to get the primary health care they need.

(3) T he budget of the northern regional health authority has been slashed by over $6 million, which has negatively affected–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Swan: –doctor retention programs and the northern patient transport program.

(4) With limi ted services in the North, the Premier is forcing families and seniors to travel further for the health care they need.

(5) On November 6th, 2018, the northern regional health authority announced that obstetric delivery services at the Flin Flon General Hospital would be suspended, with no discussion regarding when they will be reinstated.

(6) The result of this decision is that mothers in Flin Flon and the surrounding area will have to travel at least an hour and a half to The Pas, creating unnecessary risk for mothers and babies.

(7) The people of Flin Flon are concerned for the health and safety of mothers -to-be and their babies,

1042 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 4, 2019 including the extra physical and financial stress that will be placed upon them by this decision of the provincial government.

(8) There's been no commitment from this provincial government that mothers and their escorts who have to travel to The Pas will be covered by the northern patient transport program.

(9) Flin Flon General Hospital is a regional hub that serves several communities on both sides of the Manitoba-Saskatchewan border.

(10) Because this provincial government has refused to invest in much- needed health -care services in The Pas, the hospital in The Pas may not be able to handle the extra workload creat ed by this decision. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to reinstate obstetric delivery services at Flin Flon General Hospital and work with the government of Saskatchewan and the federal government to ensure obstetric services continue to be available on a regional basis.

And, Madam Speaker, this petition is signed by Connie Murray, Patsy Matchett, Tim Smith and many other Manitobans. Thank you. Mr. Matt Wiebe (Concordia): Likewise, I would like to ask leave of the House to present the petition brought forward by the member for St. Johns (Ms. Fontaine) on behalf of her constituents, if I could, quickly in the House. Madam Speaker: Is there leave for the member of Concordia to present the petition for the member for St. Johns? [Agreed] Dog Overpopulation in Northern Communities Mr. Wiebe: I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly.

And the background to this petition is as follows:

(1) Many Manitobans are deeply concerned about the safety of northern, isolated communities in the province owing to an exploding overpopulation rate of dogs.

(2) The current overpopulation of dogs is increasing alarmingly–sorry–is increasingly alarming to front -line rescuers wh o witness the severe, difficult and heartbreaking conditions experienced by northern dogs, including starvation, extreme weather conditions, attacks by wild animals and acts of animal cruelty.

(3) As a result of the –of non-existent veterinary services in most, if not all, northern communities, dogs are not adequately cared for, to no fault of the communities or their members.

(4) Roaming dogs are often sick, injured and alone, with no one to advocate for their care, and Manitoba's animal welfare organ izations are often the only ones sounding out the alarm in this present crisis.

(5) Time and time again, front -line rescuers witness northern families who, with no access to veterinary care, watch their beloved dog perish from injuries and diseases which would be easily preventable with better access to veterinary services.

(6) This present crisis poses a serious and immediate risk to citizens, in particular children, in northern communities, with the threat of pack maulings.

(7) Many Manitobans and fr ont-line rescuers are currently lobbying for stronger animal welfare laws alongside provincial regulations for animal rescue organizations in partnership with adequate veterinary services and education for northern communities.

(8) Currently, vaccination rates for owned dogs in Winnipeg is 70 per cent, while in northern isolated communities the rate is less than 5 per cent as a direct result of this current lack of access to veterinary services. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

(1) To urge the provincial government to imme - diately commit to addressing the overpopulation of dogs in Manitoba, more specifically in northern communities, by humanely removing and re -homing unwanted dogs.

(2) To urge the provincial government, i n partnership with animal welfare agencies, the Manitoba Veterinary Medical Association, the MVMA, front -line rescues and the federal government to immediately develop a provincial strategy to spay and neuter dogs, while providing access to veterinary serv ices for owned dogs in northern communities, ensuring the safety of communities and their citizens.

April 4, 2019 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1043 And this petition is signed by many Manitobans. Madam Speaker: Grievances? ORDERS OF THE DAY (Continued) GOVERNMENT BUSINESS Hon. Kelvin Goertzen (Government House Leader): Madam Speaker, could you please call for continuation of second reading of Bill 16, The Budget Implementation Tax Statutes Amendment Act, 2019, sponsored by the Minister of Finance (Mr. Fielding). Madam Speaker: It has been ann ounced that the House will resume debate on second reading of Bill 16.

DEBATE ON SECOND READINGS Bill 16–The Budget Implementation and Tax Statutes Amendment Act, 2019 Madam Speaker: So I will call second reading, Bill 16, The Budget Implementation and Tax Statutes Amendment Act, 2019, standing in the name of the honourable member for Tyndall Park (Mr. Marcelino), who has 13 minutes remaining. Mr. Ted Marcelino (Tyndall Park): Thirteen minutes won't be enough for me. An Honourable Member: It'll be enough for us. Mr. Marcelino: And the member from somewhere said 13 minutes is enough for him.

Madam Speaker, let me start off by saying that I am very thankful that at least in these Chambers, we are allowed to enunciate our problems and seek solutions from this government. And with the symbolism that we have here –the mace–and the ceremonies that we follow, and the prayers that we say, prior to starting the day's session. My real concern, always, is that some of the ministers –not all–some of the ministers don't give us any answers. And sometimes we need to have a one -on-one approach to the ministers who are here, serving us, supposedly.

And the emphasis is on supposedly, because I don't see them doing their job the way that some of the ministe rs do. Most of them are very good at deflection, obfuscation and downright –I won't say, saying falsity–but, near that. Meaning, we are sometimes mislead by the words that are used. And those words that are used to deflect the questions that are asked worry me because they have other words that they could've used. And they usefully have a way of blaming 17 years of the previous government,

whereas they have been in government for the last 1,000 days. * (15:50) And the 1,000 days started sometime in April of 2016, and 2016 was a very good year for them. And it was bad for the province, because some of us now– especially those who voted Conservative –are now regretting their decision. And they're saying now that we didn't know. We didn't know that they would do that. And the blame is, of course, regarding the cuts to the health -care system and the cuts to the social services that Manitobans have come to rely on. Let's take mental health, for example.

There is a crisis response centre at 817 Bannatyne. I have t aken some patients there, especially those who are having breakdowns. And some of them were very adamant about the kind and level of service that they received. Those folks who are attending to the patients at that centre have been very, very good. But sti ll there is that lack of trust in the sense that some of them have to wait for 11 weeks before they could get anything by way of treatment for their psychosis or sometimes their serious anxieties and depression.

And, as one who is ageing and as one who has recognized that our society is getting a little bit older, this government seems to be unprepared to face up to the change in the demographics of our society. And it seems like they are painting us all as if we were all healthy human beings with the sam e amount of money in our pockets that we really do not need the health-care system. And that's a falsehood. That's a myth. There was a day when I went –actually, it was a night that I went to the emergency room of the Health Sciences Centre and I just sat in one corner near the washroom.

And I was just observing what's happening. I wanted to see it for myself, what's happening at the ER of the Health Sciences Centre. And, when you enter it from the William gate – William Avenue door, there's a long hallway and you are met by a security officer. And then the desk of the triage nurse is right there, and they are very helpful. And those guys who are the first persons who will take care of you, from the security officer to the triage nurse, were very competent, very professional in the way that they performed their jobs. And there was one thing that I said that maybe got to some of them.

I said I hope that you are paid

1044 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 4, 2019 well. And somebody blurted out –the triage nurse herself, she said, no, we're not, our wages have been frozen. And I said, why, why don't you complain? And they said, sometimes complaining really doesn't work. And I said, maybe write a letter or something to the Health Minister. And they were very adamant about saying, oh, we are afraid. And when fear was expressed, we are afraid –we are afraid of what? Of getting fired–of getting fired. And I said, no, no, no, you cannot be fired for complaining. You're allowed to do that.

And they said, that's the sense, that's the sense of what we are in. And a s I observed, the many number –there were about 50 when I was there, patients. And this is about 11 p.m. at the emergency room of the Health Sciences Centre. And some of them have minor ailments, and they were attended to and they left. But some had more serious concerns about their health. And there was one woman who was there, just bawling out in pain, and there was nothing that could be done. So, when the Health Minister, and even the Premier (Mr.

Pallister), says that there are improvements in the wait times at the Health Sciences Centre and everywhere else, it's not really that true. It is not true. It is a myth; it is a propaganda note that they have, that wait times are getting shorter. And they have a word for it. They call it medium, medium wait ti mes. And I don't even understand what that means, and I don't think anybody understands that. What is medium wait times?

And, when I am trying to at least understand what's happening, I heard the whirly bird coming in, and those are the STARS air ambulance, the red helicopter that I usually see land at the rooftop. And those are the same services that the previous government started, and they are saving lives. And I feel proud that I was part of that era or period of time when we had the foresight, when we had that sense that we needed a helicopter flying all the way from the rural areas of Selkirk and Steinbach and Ste. Anne and outside the Perimeter that brings those who need emergency service to the Health Sciences Centre.

And the Health Sciences Centre as well as the St. Boniface centre are among the best in the world. And I feel proud that I was part of that government that provided enough money to renovate those hospitals and even Seven Oaks General Hospital. And the main contention that we have is that we need to provide the universal health -care system that we promised our people, the universal health -care system t hat we promised our people whenever we speak about health care. And I'm just amazed at the gall, and I cringe in disbelief that the health -care system that we have is under attack.

And it's not something that I will let go. I will defend the health - care system for as long as I can and for as long as I live. * (16:00) Why? Because it's the only thing that separates us from the rest of the world. We are the only country that has this style of providing services to our citizens at no cost, no matter how weal thy or how poor you are. And that's, I think, the idea. We are living the dream of some folks who are living in the Third World or even in the US, and we are living this in Manitoba. Ms. Cindy Lamoureux (Burrows): You know, it's nice to be able to stand up and speak on this bill.

I know time has just been flying by and we've gone through a few different money bills, so to say. And, when I think about it, it's almost been three years, I think, April 19th will mark three years since being elected and, yes , time is just really going by fast. Although it does seem like, you know, we'll see, we'll see. I am having a lot of fun. I know the member from the other side is asking and I'm learning a lot and I've been able to meet with so many people and so many or ganizations and groups. It's been a wonderful experience.

And, you know, on that note, I really should, I should say thank you to my constituents, it's because of them that I have the honour of being here today and, you know, just really, really enjoying the job and learning a lot and getting to know all of my colleagues and all the party platforms; it's been a great experience. You know, one of the biggest highlights is actually going into the schools, going to Sisler High School and Maples Collegiate and getting to know the students, and trying to encourage young people to get involved.

And I know with some news yesterday, my colleague from Kildonan, the second youngest MLA in the House right now, I –he's not going to be running again. And, you know, tha t's a decision he had to make, a personal decision, and I think that he'll be missed in the House.

April 4, 2019 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1045 And–but, you know, Madam Speaker, we're here to talk about the bill today and I think one of the things that we should first talk about are these ambulance fees. And, you know, I'm still hearing a lot of complaints from my constituents when I go door-to-door, people are –they're scared to get hurt, they're scared to call an ambulance. You know, I can reflect upon my own expe - rience. A few years ago –gosh, this must be more about five years ago now –I was actually riding a scooter on the street and a car drove into me, totalled the scooter.

I went flying over the dash of the car. I was actually in physio three times a week for about a year. And I remember after, like, my helmet was scraped up along the side, and I remember laying on the road and then some people helped bring me to the sidewalk, and my first thought was, don't call an ambulance, I don't want to pay for the ambulance fees. After something like that happens, and I come from a–I'm in a very comfortable position if anyone is going to have to pay for an ambulance fee, and I did not feel comfortable doing that. And that's really saying something, Madam Speaker.

And, you know, when I talk to my constitue nts I still hear stories about this. I know one story that really resonates in my mind and I've talked about in the House before, is an elderly woman. I was door knocking, and I think this was just after the election, Madam Speaker, and she came out of her house and took the step down and that was her biggest concern, these ambulance fees, because at that very doorstep she'd actually fallen the winter prior and her neighbour called the ambulance for her.

So she went in the ambulance, went to the hospital, which wasn't too far away, and then a couple weeks later got this bill for $525. And, Madam Speaker, she couldn't afford it. Just simply put, it's not an option for her, a senior who's living on lower income. When they received this bill, a bill that she didn't even call the ambulance but I am glad she went in the ambulance, it's really disheartening. And we know things are not getting better enough.

And we do know this because if you compare to other provinces, you know, ambulance fees are still disproportionately high for seniors in Manitoba in comparison to other jurisdictions which have reduced fees for seniors, and, in some cases, zero fees for ambulances. You know, I've been in contact with the long term care association of Manitoba. They've actually come to the Legislative building before and our caucus has met with them on several occasions; I've seen members of other caucuses actually attend their events as well.

And one of the–you know what, let me side note a little bit here, I want to talk abou t the Long Term Care Association a little bit. And, you know, what they are–and this comes directly from their website – the Long Term and Continuing Care Association of Manitoba is a membership -based, not -for-profit organization since 1959. They’re incorporated under companies act of Manitoba and have recognized bylaws; their volunteer membership direction to overall governance of the association, while full-time professional staff manage the daily administration.

It's interesting, Madam Speaker, prior to entering politics, I worked for the long term care association of Manitoba, so I admit I have a little bit of a bias, but they're a not -for-profit organization that really helps in the placement of senior citizens. And, you know, this is why I talk so much in the House about how personal -care homes are not the only answer. And I don't know how else to explain this to the government: we do need personal -care homes, yes. I agree with that, but we also need supportive housing homes. We need retirement homes. We need hospices. We need more home care.

We need services like home repairs to keep seniors in their homes, if that's where they want to belong. Sometimes it's as little as installing a rail– maybe it's outside of the bathtub, or maybe it's down the stairs–so that seniors can remain in their homes longer, Madam Speaker. And, oftentimes, seniors want to remain in their homes. That's usually where they've established their lives, maybe where their friends and their family live. Why are we making them –evict from their homes just because of these tedious little things that could change the well-being of their situation?

Madam Speaker, just to get back on track, talking about the long- term care association. You know, their mission statement is: We advance the delivery of quality long- term and continuing care services and resources through advocacy and education for those who serve. Objectives of the association are to advocate on and respond effectively to industry issues, such as relevant legislation, policy and funding; actively

1046 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 4, 2019 support the provision of the best possible care and services; enhance the profile of its members as providers of service excellence for seniors in Manitoba; educate the public and serve as a voice on behalf of the seniors care and service sector; provide educational opportunities for members; facilitate timely communications and networking opportunities; liaison with like -minded associations across Canada.

You know, the message from the president–she's explaining how it is my pleasure to present her report, and she talks about how LTCAM, the long term care association, will be celebrating 60 years in 2019. Madam Speaker, that is truly something that they should be proud of. I know many groups who have worked with the long term care association. You know, they have a lot of exhibitors that come to their conference every single year.

Some of their exhi bitors are: 3M health Canada, age and opportunity support services for older adults, Actionmarguerite, Adaptive Clothing Store and Reliable Home Care Agency, ALS Society of Manitoba, Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, Ambient Activity Technologies, Invacare Canada, Manitoba Institute for Patient Safety, Meals on Wheels, Medical Mart, MediSystem Pharmacy, Minuk Denture Clinic, MPI, Momentum Healthware, Ashley's Adaptive Apparel, Associated Health Systems, Azores Furniture, Barik Medical, Canada Revenue Agency, C anada Vigilance Program, Canadian Footwear.

There's even more , Madam Speaker : Canadian Health Care Products, Canopy Growth Corporation, Cardinal Health Canada, CardioMed Supplies incorporation, CARF Canada, CBI Home Health, Complete Purchasing Services, Connect Hearing, Crestline Coach, deluxe 'payroam'–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order, please. Ms.

Lamoureux: –Desjardins Financial Security Investments, diverse Canada, 'eclassical' insurance, Ever-Care Contract Furnishings, Extendicare purchasing par tner network, global upholstery, Gluten-Free Food Program, GOJO Canada, Gordon Food Service, Guldmann Care -Lift Solutions, HearingLife, Hippo CMMS, Home Care Assistance, National Industrial Communications. * (16:10) And I even have some more, Madam Speaker: Northland Health -Care Products, Nutra Services, Palliative Manitoba, Panasonic Canada, 'parkison' Canada, Protelec Checkmate, Quality Life Services, RANA Respiratory Care Group, Reliable Mobility, Revera, The Waverley and Rosewood, Rexall Health Solutions, Riverwood Square, Robertson College, Ruban Insurance, SAFE Work Manitoba, Serrano Medical Solutions, SFI Medical Equipment Solutions, Shaftsbury Park Retirement Residence, Shaw Direct Satellite TV, Span Medical Products Canada, Sun Life Financial, Sur e Step, Surge Learning, Sysco, Tache Pharmacy, The Stevens Company, Troy Life & Fire Safety, Unity Connected Solutions, Victoria Lifeline, Wesclean, WestCare Health Supplies.

Madam Speaker, those are just some of the exhibitors with the Long Term Care As sociation of Manitoba. I know some of the members want me to repeat that list and, you know what, if I have time at the end, I will definitely go back to that list. I'll keep it on the side. And, Madam Speaker, just to stay on track here, I'm talking abo ut ambulance fees and I wanted to compare it to some other provinces.

You know, so here in Manitoba, and I'm reading off Transportation Options Network for Seniors, Manitoba, the provincial statement, 340,000 or the pre -existing base fee set by service provider, whichever is lower, three hundred and forty –sorry, it's $340; I should correct that. I accidentally said 340,000, but it's $340. And the City of Winnipeg website statement is $529 subsidized as of January 1st. The provincial budget recently sta ted ambulance costs would be – [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order, please. Order.

I'm having a difficult time hearing this member in debate, and there is loud conversations on both sides of the House, so I would ask members, please, there is somebody t hat is trying to put forward debate on a bill, and I would ask for everybody's co-operation, please. If you're going to have conversations, if you could lower the volume of those conversations. Ms. Lamoureux: Thank you, Madam Speaker, and, you know, I thi nk that what I'm putting on the record is fairly important and I would appreciate if my colleagues paid attention. I know some of my colleagues on my right -hand side, they're really

April 4, 2019 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1047 intent in listening to this and –we'll see, yes –so I'll continue. I'll tell the member from Elmwood a little bit more here. In Ontario, Madam Speaker, the Costco payment charge is $45 if you are a resident and have a valid Ontario health card. In comparison, Madam Speaker, $45–a person here in Manitoba could save $250 if we s tarted that in Ontario or if your ambulance cost is fully covered if a physician deems your ambulance service medically necessary. That would also be incredibly helpful here.

Also fully covered, if you are receiving certain home-care services; approved f or this exemption would be living in long- term care home or special care of residents or psychiatric patients. That seems very reasonable, Madam Speaker. At this point, that would be a long ways to go for Manitoba. In Quebec, ambulance costs are free, and for those who–for those who are 65 and older residents of Quebec. Madam Speaker, why don't we have that here? Seniors have contributed so much to our economy. They really shouldn't have to worry about paying an unexpected ambulance fee.

If Quebec can have it so 65- plus ambulance fees are free, why can't Manitoba? In British Columbia, it's $80 flat fee for ground or air ambulance fee. Madam Speaker, that would be so incredible to have in Manitoba. Think about those residents living up north when they need to commute those long distances. Air or ground ambulance fees – $80 flat. In Alberta, it's $65–sorry –it's 65 -plus have free ambulance under coverage for seniors program. Again, all these other provinces really invest in their seniors. What's wrong with Manitoba? Why aren't we investing in our seniors more?

In Saskatchewan, if you are 65 years of age or older, the Senior Citizens Ambulance Assistance Program caps fees at $275 per ambulance trip with the province. Now, I don't like that one as much, but it's still better than Manitoba, Madam Speaker. And in Nova Sc otia, most Nova Scotians with a valid health card, it would cost $146.55. In New Brunswick, any resident of New Brunswick will pay a flat rate of $130.60–still better than Manitoba. In Newfoundland and Labrador, residents will pay $155, and in Prince E dward Island, residents 65-plus are free and residents–everyone else under 65 will pay $150.

You know, Madam Speaker, it's very telling when we can compare and contrast all the different ambulance fees throughout the country, and it's really disappointing and discouraging when you realize Manitoba is the worst. How come this is still happening? This government has the opportunity to make ambulance fees–something for our health care. Health should be the No. 1 priority. This government can make that better and they're choosing not to. You know, I also want to talk a little bit about my Status of W oman critic role.

It's so –it's no surprise, unfortunately, that there's no money, additional money going towards women. Here we are–or at least the government's saying that they want to help women. But it's one thing to say something and another thing to a ctually do it. They need to put their money where their mouth is, Madam Speaker. And, when I think about women, I think about people like Donna Keating. Donna Keating was a multi -sport athlete. It was speed skating that she excelled at most. Seven was clearly the lucky number for the former kindergarten and phys. ed. teacher.

In between 1962 and 1972, Keating won seven Manitoba speed skating championships before parlaying those wins into seven Canadian championships. Along the way, she set seven Manitoba records in the intermediate and junior categories. And also set a whopping 13 Canadian records in the senior, intermediate, junior and juvenile categories. She also represented Manitoba at the first Canada Winter Games held in Quebec City in 1967 and won a bronze medal in the 3,000 mile. Internationally, Donna Keating represented Canada at the 1972 Olympic Winter Games in Japan. Speed skating runs in Keating's family.

Her late father, Donald Grant 'McKennon' –McCannell–sorry, Madam Speaker –was inducted i nto the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame in 2001 as a builder in speed skating and her sister, Doreen, was inducted in 1995. It really is in the family. Sort of like politics is really in my family. You know, my father is a federal politician, my uncle is

1048 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 4, 2019 a–[interjection] Oh, I have some members asking who my father is. You know, he's the Member of Parliament from Winnipeg North. And, you know, I have an uncle who is involved in politics too, in Saskatchewan, actually. He was the leader of the Saskatchewan Liberal Party for quite a while. But, you know, getting back to my notes here, Donna Keating was also an accomplished squash, field hockey, and ringette player. She's also given back to sport as an active coach and clinician.

You know, Madam Speaker, I have quite a few different biographies here of some pretty incredible women. But I think that I want to jump to one. Because not only are women phenomenal in the area of sport, but we also exceed in politics. And I'd like to take a moment to highlight some very special Manitoba Liberal women, starting with Sharon Carstairs. The member from – [interjection] Yes–is right. So if Sharon Carstairs was born–[interjection] The candidate for Kildonan, I should say–[interjection] Oh, McPhillips is saying, Sharon Carstairs. I'm going to go ahead and talk about Sharon Carstairs.

You know, she was born in Halifax in 1942 and then educated in Dalhousie, Saskatchewan, or Dalhousie University, Smith College, at the University of Calgary and Georgetown University. Carstairs was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba in 1968– 1986. After the 1988 general election, the Liberal Party became the official opposition with Sharon Carstairs becoming the first woman to lead an official opposition party in the Canadian legislature. In 1994, she was appointed to represent Manitoba in the Senate of Canada where she served until 2011 and in 2017 Carstairs was appointed to the Order of Canada.

You know, Madam Speaker, Sharon Carstairs did so much–[interjection] * (16:20) Madam Speaker: Order. Ms. Lamoureux: She really, really focused on palliative care here in the province of Manitoba. I know when I go and I talk with different care homes in different facilities, everyone knows who Sharon Carstairs is, and it's because of a ll the work she put in with palliative care and her status in politics. You know, I'm a little bit biased, too, with Sharon Carstairs, because she's a personal friend of my family's. I actually grew up going to her cottage.

I used to spend my weekends on the swing set at her cottage. And the baby blanket that I was carried home in from the hospital was a gift she actually gave my parents. And I still have that baby blanket to this day. Don't use it, but it's a really nice keepsake for me, Madam Speaker. And, you know, I've read– I would encourage all the colleagues–all my colleagues in this House, she has a book called Not One of the Boys, and it is really inspiring. I remember I read it for a second time just before getting elected, and it's that kick in the butt that you really need to push hard and fight for what you believe in.

You know, I want to talk about my colleague, Judy Klassen, as well. You know, she's our party's first female First Nation leader, and she ousted the long-time– Madam Speaker: Order, please. Order, please. I think the member just realized that she actually referred to a member by her name, and we are to be referring to members by their constituency. So I would just urge the member –maybe she wants to correct herself in moving forward. Ms. Lamoureux: I apologize. I meant to say my colleague from Kewatinook.

And, you know, she ousted the long- time NDP incumbent and Cabinet minister Eric Robinson with 49 per cent of the vote to his 39 per cent in the last provincial election. H er–my colleague from Kewatinook and her husband, Jason, they have six children, Madam Speaker. I know the member from Radisson, I believe it was yesterday, was saying he has five or six children– An Honourable Member: Six. Ms. Lamoureux: Six children, as well. And–wow, I haven't even gotten to No. 1.

She –you know, my colleague from Kewatinook, she grew up in a remote, fly -in northern reserve, and has spent over 10 years working and living in an urban area and completing post-secondary education. You know, I've heard her say in the past, and–for Manitoba to succeed, we have to bring many northern communities out of the Third World and onto a level playing field with the rest of Canada. The member from Kewatinook believes it her duty to help as many people as she can, because she was helped by many people in order to become who she is today.

I am so proud to call the member from Kewatinook my friend and my colleague, and I'm

April 4, 2019 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1049 honoured to be able to work alongside of her every single day. And you know, Madam Speaker, I also want to talk about Hannah Guenther -Wexler. You know, I made a member statement on her, actually, not too long ago. And she's a young Manitoba Liberal and she works out of our caucus and is studying political science at the University of Manitoba. And this week, she's actually a delegate for Daughters of the Vote in Ottawa. So, if you go on social media, you'll see all of her photos. She's having a ton of fun. And what a great experience for a young person.

You know, I have a lot of women in my life I look up to, and –whether it's my Ate Judianne , who was here in the House earlier, or my own mother. You know, Madam Speaker, I was telling the member from Transcona earlier how I always love talking to my mom because I can go on and on and on all about myself and I never feel like I'm boring her. I think she genuinely enjoys when I tell her what's going on in my life. And you don't get that with many people, but with your mother, you do. And it feels really good. Any time I want to talk, I can go to my mom. You know, I want to get back to some grassroots politics.

And, you know, what's really important at the end of the day is we need to take care of each other. We need to stand up for each other and be here for each other. And I love my community. The reason I love my community is because it feels like a family. It's where I grew up, it's where I went to school, it's where all my friends and my family reside, Madam Speaker. And it's because of groups and organizations like the NorWest C o-op tha t I really, really enjoy– Madam Speaker: Order, please. Order, please.

I know the member's putting a number of comments on the record, but the bill that is being debated today is the budget implementation bill, and I would urge her to zero in on comments specific to that legislation and be relevant in terms of the content she's putting forward. Ms. Lamoureux: I apologize, Madam Speaker. Sometimes I get really into it and passionate about what I'm speaking about, and I can ramble off a bit. I know my colleagues in the House, they can relate to that, some more than others. Also, my father, he is good at filibust ering; you should see him talk, it is incredible.

But, sorry, I'm going to stick to the topic of the budget. And in talking about the budget and the bill, Madam Speaker, there is a lot of cuts and a lot of rumours that we're worried about happening with NorWest Co-op. We've heard of other co- ops being cut, and we need to protect this one. NorWest community –co-op community health focuses on engaging out community in co -operative health and wellness.

As the only health -care co - operative in Manitoba, NorWest Co-op is committed to working with individuals who access our programs and services, our neighbours, other health- care providers, and our partners to offer a variety of programs and services. You know, their dedicated team delivers community -based servic es and pro - grams in primary health where we desperately need funds, Madam Speaker. In community development, again, we need more resources; in counselling and support services where we know funds are actually being cut. In early learning and child care.

E ligible individuals throughout Winnipeg can access services in the areas of family violence, immigrant and refugee matters, substance abuse during pregnancy, nursing, foot care and indigenous issues. You know, some of the community partners are Citizenship and Immigration Canada. The Community Food Centres Canada, which we need to be encouraging Manitobans to be getting involved in, we need more volunteers because we don't have the funding for it, Madam Speaker.

Employment and Social Development Canada, Investors Group, the Lawson Foundation, Local Investment Towards Employment, Manitoba children and youth oppor - tunities, Manitoba education and training, and Urban Green Team, just to continue on, these are community partners, this is what helps the NorWes t Co-op and the food centre stay up and running because we need more money from this government to go there.

Manitoba family services and housing, Manitoba housing and community development, Manitoba Housing Authority, Manitoba Justice, McConnell Foundation, RBC Foundation, Red River Co-op, United Way of Winnipeg, Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, and The Winnipeg Foundation. You know, I really, really like the NorWest Co-op, and I'd encourage all my colleagues to go and check out the facility, it's on T yndall Street there, right behind where the old Sobeys on Keewatin was. They're an incredible group of people and volunteers

1050 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 4, 2019 doing everything they can with the resources that they have. And, you know, I don't have too much time left, but I did want to take an opportunity to talk a little bit more about seniors and immigration here in our province. You know, I have emails and they're really starting to compile from seniors who live in my constituency who have a lot of concerns, Madam Speaker. And, you know, one person–and I'm reading his email verbatim here. You ask what could you do to better the lives of seniors? What about an increase in pensions?

Many of them are only living above–or are barely living above the poverty line. They are worried about food, Madam Speaker: cheapest cuts of meat and vegetables, and they need to be able to eat healthy. And, you know, I hear this issue too when I go and I talk to high school students. High school students are concerned that it's cheaper to get a poutine than it is to get a salad. Madam Speaker, how are we supposed to be encouraging people to eat healthier when it's cheaper and more affordable to eat unhealthy?

You know, continuing on, Madam Speaker, another email that I have is –we need to be talking about senior picture ID discounts. Again, these ambulance fees; seniors are very –they really want to pursue this topic. Recreation fees –I've talked about that a lot in this House, you know, the daily – what are they called, the day programs for seniors. This government has jacked up the price more than double, completely unaffordable. How are we supposed to get seniors to continue to stay active and using their minds and socializing when they can no longer afford to go to the programs that were once in place.

We need to talk about transportation and insurance coverage. * (16:30) And, you know, Madam Speaker, I've got lots of emails here that I'm actually just going to peruse through, but, I guess, in my last minute in–and half, I do want to use it because I need to t ake every opportunity I can to talk about immigration in this House because this government doesn't even talk about it. They never even mention the word immigration. It's not mentioned in the budget. It's not mentioned in their Throne Speeches.

It is the m ost disheartening thing when it comes across that this government is taking full advantage of immigrants here in Manitoba. They're charging them this $500 head tax when they're already taking advantage of them. You know how much it costs to be an international student? It's almost five times more than being a student who resides here in Manitoba. What about those who sacrifice everything to immigrate to Manitoba, still waiting over three years to find out status updates.

And I know that for a fact, because I still get constituents coming to my weekly McDonald's every Monday night from 6 to 8, voicing their concerns that they are still waiting for their application to be approved or declined; hopefully approved, Madam Speaker. And then once they get approved and they want to immigrate here, they have to pay more money because this government implemented it.

And this government likes to say that they implemented $500–or that fee, that head tax, because they're going to put it towards reducing the wait times, but then on the other hand, this government says there are no more wait times. So where is the money actually going, and why are they charging new immigrants, people who contribute to our economy and to our society, Madam Speaker? Why is this government taking advantage of them coming to Manitoba? You know, Madam Speaker, I want to go on and on– Madam Speaker: The member's time has expired. Mr.

Jim Maloway (Elmwood): Well, I am very pleased to follow a very exciting speech from the member, and I have to say at the outset that Bill 16, the budget implementation and tax statutes act –or amendment act, 2019, it's got to be a record, I think, for–in terms of time and debat e in this House. As a matter of fact, the budget was brought down on, I believe, March 7. This government actually interrupted the budget to debate the BITSA bill, Bill 16. So, clearly, there's something kind of going on with this government.

Something's just not quite right over there, and this is a strange experience, you know, for the last three years, watching this government, you know, with its vastly reduced number of Cabinet ministers, and Cabinet ministers over there that are still kind of learning the ropes that –we saw one yesterday; was totally confused about what his role was in terms of the introduction of the bill. And a totally different approach, I guess, to government that we've seen in the past: You know, they–rather than consult in the old days of the

April 4, 2019 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1051 Gary Filmon government, if he wanted to, you know, close a hospital like Concordia overnight, just closing it overnight, he would at least announce it and consult with the various stakeholders. And in that particular case, you know, he ran for cover in, like, two months and backtracked very quickly because he found it was not a very popular thing to do. But, of course, this government has got a different approach. And their approach is basically, don't consult with anybody. I don't even t hink they consult with their own caucus; I'd bet on that.

And, basically, out of the Premier's office comes these announcements, and they basically have it all worked out in advance. They make the announcement. They plow ahead and just do what they feel has to be done. Now, so things have been a little strange around here now for three years, but they started to get really strange back last fall. And then the Premier over Christmas holidays made a remark about, well, maybe he wouldn't wait for the election after all and he might call it, you know, upwards of a year and a half early. And what did we see in January?

We saw a flurry of founding meetings when, I think, the other parties were, you know, just getting the process done to have these annual –the annu al meetings –the founding meetings set up. That's what normal parties would do. You know, every 10 years, there's redistribution at the federal, provincial and civic –in the civic level, too, and the– Madam Speaker: The honourable member from Rossmere–are yo u–is the member rising on a point of order? Point of Order Mr. Andrew Micklefield (Rossmere): Point of order. Madam Speaker: Point of order, then. Mr.

Micklefield: Madam Speaker, on relevance, I believe I hear the member talking about the nomination meetings and processes while we're discussing the BITSA. I'm confused as to how those two things relate to each other. Madam Speaker: The honourable opposition party– the honourable Official Opposition House Leader. Ms.

Nahanni Fontaine (Official Opposition House Leader): Madam Speaker, to be clear, I think that the member is talking about very relevant facts in respect to the discussion of debate in BITSA considering that this Premier embeds in this BITSA pretty egregious legislation in respect of our right to democracy and to fair and equitable elections. So it is very accurate, very telling, and very relevant to the discussion this afternoon.

Madam Speaker: I would encourage the member to keep his remarks relevant and points of order are not to be used for debate, so I would just encourage relevancy and encourage the member to connect the dots in terms of where he's going with his remarks. * * * Mr. Maloway: You know , I think when I started making my comments, you know, unlike almost every other speaker that I've listened to for half -hour speeches here, I did reference Bill 16.

I did reference, you know, even read out what it actually was –The Budget Implementation a nd Tax Statutes Amendment Act, 2019–I didn't hear that before, but I mention that, and so I do again, and maybe the member didn't hear that and I just want to make certain that–and I know he'll be up on another point of order shortly on relevance– Madam Speaker: Order, please. Order. I just urge a bit of caution to the member that he shouldn't be going too far to reflect on the Speaker and the Speaker's comments and ruling, so I would just urge some caution there to the member. Mr.

Maloway: And there are a number of measures in this bill, and I'll give you just one of many examples, but one of them is making the film and video production tax credit permanent.

And, you know, a year ago this government was looking at axing this credit to the extent that mem bers on this side were visited by people in the industry that were terrified that this measure was going to be –a tax credit was going to be taken away, and I remember meeting with at least, I think, three different companies involved in this tax credit to the point where we actually advised these people to drive to Winkler and meet with the Finance Minister down in Winkler at his constituency office in an effort to get this government to change its mind and make this tax credit permanent.

So here we have, in Bill 16, The Budget Implementation and Tax Statutes Amendment Act, 2019, we have something that we actually helped get put in there from the efforts of the people affected a year ago who knocked on our door and asked for our support in trying to get the Finance Minister to change his mind.

1052 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 4, 2019 But, you know, there's other aspects to this bill, too, that have prompted the government to want to accelerate the process here and get the BITSA bill dealt with as early as possible, notwithstanding the fact that they're actually calling it pretty much every day. And, of course, one of the things they want to do here is they want to eliminate the reimbursement of election expenses, something that has been part of Manitoba law for quite a number of years now, since back to the Howard Pawley days and, you know, no one has complained.

There's been no complaints about this system and how it works in the public. This has basically been a non -issue for many, many years until now, until this government and this Premier (Mr. Pallister) has decided to make this an issue. * (16:40) And so it's very interesting that they would put this in the BITSA bill and they would put in–put that–juxtapose that with some of the other measures that I've mentioned. But, as I was mentioning before, the government is–has clearly signalled that it wants to get into an election campaign. They want to get into an election campaign a year, a year and a half earlier.

So what are the reasons? What could the reasons be? Because nobody has actually been dealing what –with what the actual reasons are here. Now, there has been the suggestion that the economy is going to get bad by the end of the year. There have been a number of bank reports. Financial institution reports have suggested that the economy is not going to be growing as strongly as it has in the last few years, and that that would be a reason for any government to look at perhaps having an election a little bit earlier because, you know, who wants to try to govern when the economy is slowi ng down?

Your numbers are not going to work out as good. But, Madam Speaker, there's a more funda - mental reason why this government wants to have an election, and that is that there is a plan afoot, according to WRHA sources, to close hospitals –to close rural hospitals. I guess they can't close any more in Winnipeg because there were six ERs and now they're going to be down to three. Well, you can't really go any lower than three, but –well, you never know. Don't count on it. So what they are looking at , we are told, is they're looking at the rural areas, right? And, you know, I –that's exactly what it's all about.

And – because in the rural areas, we have a number of cases with hospitals that are within maybe 10 to 20 miles of one another. I can think of one at the top of my head, here. And I'm sure there's a lot more that are in close proximity to one another. And so they would think that it might make some sense to close some of these hospitals and maybe turn them into long-term-care facilities. And, well, you know, that would fit in with their promise to have these –the 1,200 I think it is –beds they want to set up in long -term-care facilities. So they would solve that problem.

And they would– well, they would solve that by closing down all these rural hospitals. And, of course, he wouldn't want to start doing that now because their polling numbers will start falling to the ground and they'll end up–be another one-term government, like the Sterling Lyon government. So the idea would be to call an election now–call the election now, try to win a second mandate. Then they will have four years –four years to close these hospitals. And, of course, people are going to be upset. There are going to be people out there with their mobs with pitchforks hunting down their MLAs.

And, of course, they will have –they'll shut them down right away and they'll have three, three and a half, four years. By then, they hope that people will forget what they actually have done and that they will get themselves through to a new day. Now, in the meantime, there are other concerns that we have over here about what they would do with a new mandate as far as Hydro is concerned. I mean, you know, that's a long- term plan of theirs, too, to sell off Hydro or get more private involvement in Hydro.

Now, you know, another observation that has been made is that, with the ER closures, they are planning to close Concordia on–it's been now for a year. They put it off, by the way. It's been two years now since they announced. They decided they couldn't do it in the first year, so they put it off until June of this year. Now, what has happened recently? Well, we've been told that rather than June the 6th, now it's going to June 26th. All right, well, that's interesting why they would–why they'd want to do that.

So they –the whole idea here I gather is that they want to get these ERs closed, but once they're closed there's going to

April 4, 2019 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1053 be a reaction against that and people are going to, you know–people already know how stupid an idea it was, but even they are going to figure that out, you know, over time. And the public are going to be once again arming themselves with pitchforks and going after the government. So this is kind of like the last opportunity for them to pull the plug, precipitate an election. What the pretext is going be I don't know. Maybe they're going to call it because they don't like my speech on BITSA.

You know, like, maybe we just made too long speeches, too many speeches on BITSA, and we ground the parliament to a dead stop and now they have to go out and call an election. You know, they got 40 members over there. Forty members, and I know when they came here they're all excited, they came here, they're going to run things, they got a big mandate, they got 40 members, they wanted their proportionate share of the mailing budget, and proportionate share of this and proportionate share of the front -row seats like we would have got like one person in the front row.

And that's how they actually thought, or maybe that's how the boss told them it was going be when they won. Well, it's been just– the dream has just blown to bit, blown itself to bits because now they come here and they find out they got to listen to me for 40 minutes at a time and it never seems to end. And I'm sure they're complaining to the boss, like, you got me here under false pretenses. I think, you know, some of them are probably going to be leaving, some of them are changing constituents.

There's one more here today that' s going to run in a safer seat I guess, I mean, we don't know what's going on, we just know what we see on their website there. There's a nomination here and a nomination there. So the thing is that this is –some of this –you now, the Sterling Lyon government I think is a really good example of, you know, what not to do when you're in government. And, you know, they came in– they came into power, and you know, people think, well, Sterling Lyon, he must have been unpopular going into the election, right.

Well, nobody calls an election when they're unpopular and neither did Sterling Lyon. Sterling Lyon went through his four years and he called the election when he was, like, 10 per cent ahead, but he didn't have a read for what was really going on in the province, okay. And that may be happening here right now too. And all of a sudden, a couple weeks into the campaign, the whole campaign fell apart and next thing you know Howard Pawley was the Premier. And, you know, that can happen in elections when you think t hat you're smarter than everybody else, you know, and that you've got all the answers.

So, you know, no one in their right mind would close ERs, like, seriously. You know, Concordia ER, they're closing Seven Oaks–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Maloway: ER. Like, that is not–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Maloway: –something that you want to be campaigning on, like, in election. So, on that basis I got to say, well, you know, like let's –why don't we have the election, right? If that's what you want to do, and you want to– Madam Speaker: Order, please. Order.

I would ask the member again to try to bring back his comments to the relevance of the BITSA bill and speak specifically to the content of that. And I would urge him to please do that. And I'm also going to urge members that are trying to heckle his speech down, if they could just bring it down so that we can all hear the comments that are being made, please. Mr. Maloway: And, you know, that reminds me of just another little piece of information here that I did want to speak about. Because, you know, as part of the bill, of course, is the reduction in the PST from 8 per cent to 7 effective July the 1st.

And, you know, they've got ads up right now, they're advertising the PST, it doesn't seem to be getting much of a response from people. * (16:50) But you know something, I have a building in my constituency, it's called the centennial Columbus housing co-op from–and this building is just on the other side of the Louise Bridge and it's had a riverbank issue. The riverbank has been collapsing for the last 10 years into the river.

Now, if you were to ask the people who live in that seniors home, whether they would want to have their PST reduced by 1 per cent, or their riverbank fixed, I think–I'm pretty sure they would. I could

1054 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 4, 2019 bring them all down here, if you want. You can ask them yourselves. And they'll be bringing their pitchforks. But, you know, they would rather see the PST money, I'm sure, spent to save their riverbank and shore it up. You know, I explained yesterday how the Minister of Infrastructure (Mr. Schuler) like, literally fell in the hole last year when he was over there. And I want to tell him that hole is even bigger now.

And, like I said yesterday, he had a b etter appreciation than some others around here about what the problem really is, because he said, you know, all you're going to need is a huge rainstorm and the rest of the bank is going to be gone. So how does it make sense to not spend the money to shore up the problem? How does it make sense to do that and give people this 1 per cent reduction? They would probably like to keep their riverbank, or get the riverbank fixed, rather than have the 1 per cent. Now let's deal with Concordia –the Concordia ER, again.

If you were to canvass –you know, the government will talk about they want to have a vote and a plebiscite and so on. Well, yes, let's go have a plebiscite, folks. You know, let's ask the people in northeast Winnipeg, do they want to close down their ER, or do they want their 1 per cent rebate? You know, you've got one choice here. You can't have both, I mean, our people up in northeast –I know in my constituency, I'm sure they would like to have both of them. But, if they were given a choice: one or the other, which one would they pick.

Well, I have to tell you that I'm pretty sure that they will pick the option of keeping their ER. But I'm prepared to be –you know, I could be wrong. So I would suggest to the government, why don't we try it? Why don't we have a little referendum here? You know, you're big– you guys are big on referendums, you know. Your answer to everything is: well, let's have a referendum. Right? You know –well, let's have one. Let's have one. Let's have one –ask the Premier (Mr. Pallister), go up to 204, knock on the door. See if he answers it. Right? And ask him: the member for Elmwood would like to have a referendum.

See what he says about that. A referendum asking people whether they want their 1 per cent PST or they want their ER closed. Be very interesting to see how that is going to work out. And, in matter of fact, if the Premier doesn't want to do a referendum, I'll do one myself and save hi m– and I can probably, you know, shop–he talks about shopping. Manitobans are smart shoppers. I'll bet you I can run my referendum cheaper than they can. Right? And then we can talk about red tape and efficiency. I won't have any red tape here, you know? And, if he wants to do that, then we can do that too.

So, you know, the government is –a

Document details

Collection	Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	41-4-34b
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	41st 4th hansardpdf 34b.pdf
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	cec64d53b5e4ae3fb41be3f6b60ee5ab281c672d

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