Manitoba Hansard — 24 November 2016 (Sitting 4, 41st Legislature, 2nd Session)

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Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)

Second Session – Forty-First Legislature of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba DEBATES and PROCEEDINGS Official Report (Hansard) Published under the authority of The Honourable Myrna Driedger Speaker Vol. LXX No. 4 - 1:30 p.m., Thursday, November 24, 2016 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 CHIEF, Kevin Point Douglas NDP CLARKE, Eileen, Hon. Agassiz PC COX, Cathy, Hon. River East PC CULLEN, Cliff, Hon. Spruce Woods PC CURRY, Nic Kildonan PC DRIEDGER, Myrna, Hon. Charleswood PC EICHLER, Ralph, Hon. Lakeside PC EWASKO, Wayne Lac du Bonnet PC FIELDING, Scott, Hon. Kirkfield Park PC FLETCHER, Steven, Hon. Assiniboia PC FONTAINE, Nahanni St. Johns NDP FRIESEN, Cameron, Hon. Morden-Winkler PC GERRARD, Jon, Hon.

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

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

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

73 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA Thursday, November 24, 2016 The House met at 1:30 p.m. Madam Speaker: O Eternal and Almighty God, from Whom all power and wisdom come, we are assembled here before Thee to frame such laws as may tend to the welfare and prosperity of our province. Grant, O merciful God, we pray Thee, that we may desire only that which is in accordance with Thy will, that we may seek it with wisdom and know it with certainty and accomplish it perfectly for the glory and honour of Thy name and for the welfare of all our people. Amen. Please be seated.

ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS INTRODUCTION OF BILLS Bill 4–The Provincial Court Amendment Act Hon. Heather Stefanson (Minister of Justice and Attorney General): I move, seconded by the Minister of Health, Seniors and Active Living (Mr. Goertzen), that Bill 4, The Provincial Court Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la

Loi sur la Cour provinciale, be now read a first time. Motion presented. Mrs. Stefanson : Bill 4 is a step forward in our commitment to improve access to justice and reduce court delays, a commitment that we made in our recent Throne Speech. The proposed amendments in this bill will provide for a more effici ent administrative structure within the judicial justice of the peace program. We believe that this is an important step toward ensuring that we can be compliant with the Supreme Court ruling in the Jordan case. So we believe this is a very important bill. Thank you very much. Mrs.

Sarah Guillemard (Fort Richmond): Madam Speaker, I move, seconded– Madam Speaker: Oh, pardon me; sorry. I'm supposed to ask something else. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion by the Minister of Justice? Agreed? [Agreed] Bill 201–The Service and Therapy Animal Day Act Mrs. Sarah Guillemard (Fort Richmond): Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable member for Selkirk (Mr. Lagimodiere), that Bill 201, The Service and Therapy Animal Day Act;

Loi sur la Journée des animaux d'assistance et de zoothérapie, be now read for a first time. Motion presented. Mrs. Guillemard: Madam Speaker, whether it be for companionship, to inspire confidence or a life dedicated to service, protection and assistance, service and therapy animals play an essential role in the lives of those who depend on them.

These animals help those in need perform tasks, accomplish lifelong goals, embark on adventures, overcome debilitating mental illnesses and safeguard military security and police forces across the country and in the world, that is why I believe it is crucial–this is a crucial role and help that service and therapy animals provide in the lives of those who need their assistance deserves to be respected and honoured. Thank you. Madam Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? Agreed? [Agreed] Committee reports? TABLING OF REPORTS Hon.

Heather Stefanson (Minister of Justice and Attorney General): I am pleased to table the annual report of the Vehicle Impoundment Registry. MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS Madam Speaker: I would indicate that the required 90 minutes' notice prior to routine proceedings was provided in accordance with rule 26(2), so would the honourable Minister for Sport, Culture and Heritage please proceed with her ministerial statement. Teresa Collins–Francophone Affairs Appointment Hon. Rochelle Squires (Minister responsible for Francophone Affairs ): Earlier this year, this assembly unanimously adopted Bill 5– Projet de loi 5,

Loi sur l'appui à l'épanouissement de la

74 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA November 24, 2016 francophonie manitobaine , The Francophone Community Enhancement and Support Act. Ce projet de loi répond aux demandes de la communauté et reconnaît leur contribution à notre province, en plus de protéger les services en français offerts par le gouvernement et les entités publiques. Translation This bill responds to the needs of the community and acknowledges its contribution to our province, in addition to protecting the French- language services provided by the government and public bodies.

English Madam Speaker, as I said in introducing this bill, Le Manitoba a une population francophone dynamique qui a toujours contribué au développement de notre province. La francophonie manitobaine a beaucoup changé au fil des années et est beaucoup plus diverse qu'il y a vingt ans. Translation Manitoba has a dynamic Francophone population that has always contributed to the development of our province. Manitoba’s Francophone community has changed significantly over the years and is much more diverse now than it was twenty years ago.

English And how this bill protects the administrative structures and tools that have been put in place over several administrations. Today I am pleased to indicate to the House that we have taken another step in strengthening this structure with the appointment of a new executive director in the Francophone Affairs Secretariat. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to inform the House that effective December 1st, 2016, Ms. Teresa Collins will become the new executive director of the Francophone Affairs Secretariat. Ms.

Collins was selected through an independent competition conducted by the Civil Service Commission, which included representation from Société franco-manitobaine. Ms. Collins is returning to the Secretariat where she had previously serviced as a French -language services co -ordinator prior to her present role of director of the Translation Services branch within the government of Manitoba. Ms. Collins brings with her solid credentials in this field as a graduate of the University of London and the Université du Québec à Montréal.

As a proud member of the Franco- Manitoban community, I know that the government and the province will be well served by her dedication to working with the community. J’ai hâte de travailler avec M adame Collins au cours des prochains mois et années à venir. Merci beaucoup, Madame la Présidente. Translation I look forward to working with Ms. Collins in the coming months and years. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Mr. Greg Selinger (St.

Boniface): La présence française ici au Manitoba remonte à l a fondation de cette province en 1870, quand Louis Riel a garanti qu'en vertu de la Loi de 1870 sur le Manitoba , le français et l'ang lais occuperaient un statut égal dans les domaines législatif et judiciaire au sein de la province. Nous reconnaissons que la com munauté francophone ici au Manitoba fait

partie int égrale du patrimoine et de l'histoire de notre province. C'est pourquoi nous avons été heureux d'appuyer le projet de

loi sur l'appui à l'épanouissement de la francophonie manitobaine , qui off re un cadre nécessaire afin de favoriser l'épanouissement de la francophonie manitobaine et d’ assurer que le Manitoba continue de bé néficier d'une communauté francophone puissante et diversifiée. Nous félicitons la ministre d'avoir nommé les membres du Conseil consultatif en par tenariat avec la Société franco-manitobaine, et nous attendons avec impatience leurs recommandation s.

Et maintenant , avec la nou velle directrice Teresa Collins, on peut avancer cette initiative conjointe avec la SFM. * (13:40) Nous avons beaucoup progressé depuis les luttes passées pour les droits linguistiques francophones. Pourtant, il reste toujours du travail à faire. Pour assurer que la francophonie continue de s'épanouir et de grandir, il faut continuer d'investir dans les nombreux organismes culturels et éducatifs qui travaillent pour agrandir l'espace francophone et élargir les services bilingues.

November 24, 2016 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 75 Madame la présidente, à l'approche du 150e anniversaire du Manitoba, reconnaissons l'importance du français ici au Manit oba, et continuons de promouvoir la vision de Louis Riel : un Manitoba fort dans sa diversité et son bilinguisme. Merci. Translation The Francophone presence here in Manitoba goes back to the founding of this province in 1870 when Louis Riel guaranteed that, under The Manitoba Act of 1870, French and English would be given equal status in the province’s Legislature and courts.

Madam Speaker, as Manitoba’s 150th anniversary approaches, let us recognize the importance of French here in Manitoba, and continue to promote Louis Riel’s vision of a Manitoba that is strong in its diversity and bilingualism. Thank you. We recognize that the Francophone community here in Manitoba is an integral part of our province’s heritage and history.

This is why we were happy to support the proposed Francophone Community Enhancement and Support Act, which provides the framework for enhancing the vitality of Manitoba’s Francophone community and ensuring that Manitoba will continue to benefit from a strong and diverse Francophone community. We congratulate the minister on the appointments to the Advisory Council made in partnership with the Société franco-manitobaine, and we look forward to the Council’s recommendations. And now, with our new executive director, Teresa Collins, we will be able to move this initiative forward jointly with the SFM.

We have made considerable progress since the struggles of the past for Francophone language rights. But there is still work to do. To ensure that the Francophone community continues to flourish and grow, we must continue to invest in the many cultural and educational organizations that work to expand the Francophone presence and enhance French-language services. Ms. Cindy Lamoureux (Burrows): I ask for leave to speak in response to the ministerial statement. Madam Speaker: Does the member have leave to respond to the ministerial statement? [Agreed] Ms.

Lamoureux: I would first like to congratulate the new members of the Francophone Affairs Advisory Council as well as the new executiv e director Teresa Collins. I am certain this group of Manitobans will do a lot to encourage the francophone community around the province. Because of the historical role that the francophone community continues to play in building Manitoba to be the abundant province that it is today, our caucus was thrilled to be able to support the act.

We have a strong and proud Franco- Manitoban community, and it is our jobs here in the House to listen and help strengthen the francophone community and recognize the diversity that makes Manitoba the amazing province that we love. J’ai l'intention de continuer à étudier le français. Merci. Translation I intend to continue to study French. Thank you very much. MEMBERS' STATEMENTS Hindu Society of Manitoba Ms.

Janice Morley-Lecomte (Seine River): Madam Speaker, i t is with great pleasure that I address the House today about an organization that has been an integral part of the Seine River community for more than a decade. The Hindu Society of Manitoba became incorporated as a religious and charitable organization on December 9th , 1970. In 1979, the society opened their first temple on Ellice Avenue. In 1998, the temple development committee was appointed to spearhead a plan to construct a larger temple to meet the needs of this growing community.

This ultimately led to a mobilization amongst the entire community for this common goal and through the hard work and dedication of its members, the Hindu Temple and Dr. Raj Pandey Hindu Centre was opened on St. Anne's Road in 2005. This community building is 30,000 square feet and incorporates the temple, puja hall, four classrooms, the Academy of Hindu S tudies, a community kitchen and a gymnasium. I had the opportunity to take

part in celebrating the recent completion of the kalasha on the top of the temple which symbolizes the potentialities of life and growth. This was a truly memorable event. The Hindu Society is vibrant, welcoming, and eager to share their culture with everyone around them. In addition, this event would not have been possible

76 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA November 24, 2016 without the many volunteers and community members who dedicated countless hours to this endeavour. Now, Madam Speaker, I 'd like to ask all members to jo in me in congratulating the Hindu Society of Manitoba on the completion of their structure. Just TV Program Ms. Nahanni Fontaine (St. Johns ): I'm so honoured to acknowledge the phenomenal work of the Broadway Neighbourhood Centre's Just TV program, a community program mentoring youth in multimedia skills and creative expression through music and video creation.

Just TV understands supporting youth to explore the continent of possibilities each of their lives represent is the surest way of ensuring their empowerment and leadership. Just TV believes providing safe space to explore the myriad of youth's interests and passions has an immediate and tangible impact on young people's lives, on the lives of their families and community and in shaping Manitoba. In their 10 years, Just TV has seen over 150 youth graduate from the program.

The staff of Just TV, like Laura, Addison, Paul, Naomii, Jason, Terence, Kayla–of course Spatch –mentor youth to create music and videos from start to finish as a creative expression and a testament of their life journeys. Just TV youth have produced music and videos highlighting being in CFS care, youth suicide, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, mental health, while always creating positive and connecting messages for their peers that they are not alone. I've had the honour of working with Just TV on a couple of video projects and was absolutely in awe of the sheer talent of their youth.

Like Erica Daniels, from Sagkeeng First Nation, who thrived in video producing and has tr avelled to different parts of the world, filming, and now mentors other young women. In fact, Erica just returned from Standing Rock. Or Tesfa, who has only been in Canada for three years and who has worked so hard, taking full advantage of the program, that he is now a Just TV apprentice and recently recognized by the RCMP for a banner video he produced for them. Tonight, Just TV is hosting their 9th annual showcase at the West End Cultural Centre featuring all of the amazing work of the youth alongside live performances.

I encourage everyone to attend and see their success first -hand. Please join me in acknowledging their success and their youth. Crohn's and Colitis Awareness Month Mr. Jeff Wharton (Gimli): I rise in the House today to recognise Cro hn's and Colitis Awareness Month, which is marked every November in Canada. Crohn's and colitis–Chron's disease and ulcerative colitis are diseases that inflame the lining of the gastrointestinal tract and disrupt the body's ability to digest food, absorb nutrition and eliminate waste in a healthy manner.

Crohn's is believed to be caused by a genetic tendency and a trigger in the environment. Evidence of this genetic tie is very apparent in very close family friends of ours. Mom and both daughters have been experiencing a number of surgeries, medications and other forms of care to help with everyday activities that we take for granted. Their courage and strength is to be commended. Madam Speaker, it is important for people with Crohn's and colitis to man age the risks associated with their disease.

We know that those suffering with the disease for more than 10 years have a risk of colon cancer and should be screened regularly. For those who have Crohn's and colitis, the message is clear: be proactive, be informed and get screened. Today, one in every 150 Canadians live with Crohn's or colitis. Although they are somewhat manageable with medications, the rate has unfortunately doubled since 1995 and is today, in Canada, one of the highest in the world. This number is staggering and is further evident –evidence that there is work to be done to find a cure.

Madam Speaker, it is important that we recognise the hard work of the –done by the Crohn's and colitis in Canada on outreach, awareness, support and funding research. With Manitobans' generosity behind these efforts, I am confident that one day these diseases will be cured. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Jim Prentice Hon. Heather Stefanson (Minister of Justice and Attorney General): It's with a heavy heart that I rise today in this House on behalf of my husband Jason and my children Victoria and Tommy, to pay tribute to Jim Prentice, whose life was recently and tragically cut short. While many Canadians knew

November 24, 2016 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 77 Jim as a dedicated public servant, we had the privilege of knowing him as a colleague and a friend. Over the years, we watched Jim's federal political career expand through senior Cabinet portfolios, eventually moving to provincial politics as Premier of Alberta. I know that he b rought his tireless work ethic to the position of senior executive vice-president and vice -chairman of CIBC, where Jason had the opportunity to work with him very closely.

I also had the pleasure of working with Jim in his role as the federal Minister of the Environment while I served as the official opposition critic for the environment here in Manitoba. He always gave sound advice and supported me in my political roles. His wife Karen, his children Christina, Cassia and Kate, his sons -in-law John and Ryan and to his grandchildren Jack and Caeleigh, you have lost a remarkable husband, father and grandfather. Our deepest condolences go out to you all.

Jim will forever be remembered in our hearts for his unparalleled public service, his fondness for the outdoors and his genuine love for his family, his province and his country. But mostly he will be remembered by us as a true friend. In that spirit, I would like to share with the House a toast that Jim wrote in our camp guest book during one of his last visits with our family: Old wine to drink, old books to read, old logs to burn, old friends to trust. Goodbye, old friend. We will miss you. Thank you. * (13:50) Improvements in Brain Health Hon.

Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Madam Speaker, today I reach out to all who've been affected by brain and mental health issues, either directly or indirectly. There is hope. Our Manitoba Liberal brain health report concludes we can do better. Whether it's the fentanyl crisis, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, dementia or a learning disorder in a child, using multimodal approaches can help. Multimodal approaches were pioneered elsewhere.

In cancer, radiation therapy, surgery and various chemotherapies are used together; in heart disease, a careful analysis of risk factors had led to reducing many at once to achieve the greatest benefit. We need to similarly optimize brain health. For dementia, research shows addressing multiple risk factors at a time can reduce the incidence of dementia and even enable indi viduals with the dementia to improve and return to work. Advances in preventing depression through dietary and psychotherapeutic approaches are emerging.

In Scotland where multiple sclerosis is frequent, as it is in Manitoba, they are trying to drastically reduce its incidence, an approach which they estimate may save up to 19- fold the money invested. While Manitoba staggers forward with the highest infant mortality rate in Canada, other jurisdictions are moving forward with measures to improve brain he alth to reduce infant mortality and to give us healthier babies while dramatically reducing the number of children in neonatal intensive care units and saving dollars.

Other nutritional interventions are improving children's learning and school grades and reducing violence. It sounds magical, but the evidence keeps rolling on. The time to act is now. I urge all MLAs to read our Liberal report and to collectively work together to improve the brain health of our province, to decrease sadness, to save doll ars and to improve our gross domestic product at the same time. Introduction of Guests Madam Speaker: Prior to oral questions, we have some guests in the gallery that I would like to introduce to you.

We have seated in the public gallery from Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology, 23 English-language students under the direction of Patricia Culleton-Koebel, and this group is located in the constituency of the honourable member for Fort Garry-Riverview (Mr. Allum). And also, I would like to draw your attention to members in the public gallery where we have with us today from the Hindu Society of Manitoba: Mrs. Sonia Sharma, Mr . Rajneesh Sharma, Mr. Dinesh Sharma, Mr. Raji Sharma, Mrs. Hasmita Trivedi, Mr. Rajinder Goyal, Mr.

Paul Sharma and Swatanter Dev Parbhaker, who are the guests of the honourable member for Seine River (Ms. Morley-Lecomte).

78 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA November 24, 2016 And on behalf of all members here in the Legislature, we welcome all of you to our Manitoba Legislature. ORAL QUESTIONS Front-Line Workers and Services Government Election Promise Ms. Flor Marcelino (Leader of the Official Opposition): The government's Throne Speech was nothing more than an agenda of cuts to front -line workers and privatization of front-line services. This government campaigned on the promise to protect front-line workers, but the Premier's real plan is clear from his Throne Speech. He wants to cut jobs and slash front -line wages.

Instead of growing the economy, the Premier wants to reach into the wallets of Manitoba's workers and take money from them. Will the Premier admit that he has broken his pledge to front -line workers? Will he apologize for the harm he has done? Hon. Brian Pallister (Premier): Well, I thank the member for the question. But I must observe, Madam Speaker, that the simple repetition of erroneous information does not make it any closer to truth, and so I would encourage the member to deal with the real issues we face as a province and to join in participating as part of the team that will address those things.

We have finances to fix. We have services to strengthen. We have an economy to rebuild, and we will embrace the challenge of doing so on this side of the House with or without the help of the members opposite. Madam Sp eaker: The honourable interim Leader of the Official Opposition, on a supplementary question. Ms. Marcelino: It is disappointing to see the Premier avoid responsibility for his actions. The government made up its so- called efficiencies and is now gunning for his real target through cuts to jobs and wages of front-line staff.

We now know the government inflated the deficit numbers by over $150 million for partisan purposes. The Premier has manufactured fake crisis after crisis in order to launch an ideological attack on Manitoba's front-line workers and the services they provide. Why did the Premier break his election pledge to front-line workers? Will he apologize for the harm he has done? Mr. Pallister: Madam Speaker, apologies are warranted from some in this House, but hardly on this side.

And the fact of the matter is that, Madam Speaker, it was not imaginary when credit rating agencies–respected credit rating agencies –reduced our credit rating not once but twice as a consequence of the overspe nding and wasteful practices of the previous administration. This takes tens of millions of dollars away from front -line services, and the very important front -line services are provided by front-line workers.

So if there's an apology warranted, Madam Speaker, and I believe there is, I would encourage the member opposite to provide it to the people of Manitoba and the front -line civil servants who provide those services to us. Madam Speaker: The honourable interim Leader of the Official Opposition, on a final supplementary. Ms. Marcelino: Cuts to wages and jobs undermine our front -line workers and the important services they deliver. The Premier is asking our front -line workers to do more wit h less and breaking his election promises in the process.

So far this government has stripped Manitobans of bargaining rights and threatened the very services that he clearly and publicly promised to protect. The Premier has ignored Manitoba workers and families in favour of a small, privileged minority to advance a plan that could stall the economy, worsen poverty and take jobs away from Manitobans. It's clear the Premier planned all along to cut front-line services. Will he just admit that his promise to protect front-line workers was written in disappearing ink? Mr.

Pallister: Promises in disappearing ink, Madam Speaker, such as the previous administration made to the people of Manitoba that they would not raise their taxes when they went to their doors and they knocked–they said to the people of Manitoba, we will not increase your taxes on your home, but did; on your benefits at work–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Order. Mr. Pallister: –on your benefits at work, but did; and on numerous hundreds of other times. Those are broken promises.

November 24, 2016 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 79 Madam Speaker, we'll keep our promises to Manitobans. We ran on a commitment to fix the finances of our province, and we will work together in partnership with those who work within government services and those across our province, it appears, with the absence of participation by the members of the NDP. We–I would like to compliment the members of the Liberal caucus for participating in our prebudget consultations. I think this is an important thing for us to do together.

I don't think that the members opposite need to repeat the same desperate fear -mongering lines that got them where they are, but if they choose to, they may as well continue because it got them to the rump position they're in today, Madam Speaker. Collective Bargaining Process Proposed Legislation Mr.

Andrew Swan (Minto): This spring, the Progressive Conservatives wanted Manitobans to believe they would protect workers, including front-line worker s, yet at its earliest opportunity this government ignored the protests of Manitoba workers and pushed their labour bill that'll make it harder for workers to be represented by a union. Their next move was to interfere with an ongoing labour negotiation and provoke an unnecessary strike that affected tens of thousands of students and their families.

Now the Premier says he'll impose legislation which will impair collective bargaining and reach into the wallets of front-line workers. Can the Premier ju st 'tellp' Manitobans today why he's broken his promise to protect workers and, above all, front-line workers? Hon.

Brian Pallister (Premier): Madam Speaker, what we've done already is given Manitoba workers the right to a secret ballot, something that's enjoyed by two thirds of Canadian workers all across the country. * (14:00) To protect Manitobans, front -line workers and all Manitoba taxpayers we're also going to be making sure that they have a say in whether or not they wish to pay higher taxes on Manitoba's major taxes, as opposed to the previous administration, which promised they would not raise those taxes and then took away the right by going to court.

Now, Madam Speaker, this is standing up in a real way for workers and for their famil ies– [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Pallister: –to protect their income levels in their own homes. This is how we protect front -line workers. The previous administration demonstrated how they put those workers at risk. Madam Speaker: The honour able member for Minto, on a supplementary question. Mr. Swan: Well, Madam Speaker, this Premier needs to learn the difference between a negotiator and a dictator. It's a constitutional right –it is a constitutional right–in this country for workers to bargain collectively.

Section 2(d)–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Swan: –of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects the right of employees–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Swan: –to associate for the purpose of meaningfully pursuing collective workplace goals. The Supreme Court has noticed –has noted this right means that employees are entitled to have real input into their workplaces, free from their employers, and there must be a meaningful process of collective bargaining. The Supreme Court has overturned laws passed by other right -wing governm ents that have impaired workers' rights.

Will the minister table for the House today any legal opinion she may have regarding this proposed legislation? Mr. Pallister: We are dedicated to a partnership approach, a teamwork approach. I'll be working with, and all my colleagues are working with, our union leaders in this province. We'll continue to do that.

But I want to encourage the member who refers to me as a dictator that he also should remember he also referred to the man in front of him, the former leader of his party, as a dictator, and he needs to remember to restrain his language and show respect for the people in this Chamber more frequently than he seems able to do. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Minto, on a final supplementary.

80 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA November 24, 2016 Mr. Swan: It's the second time I've asked that question–the Minister of Justice (Mrs. Stefanson)–and it is very clear there is no such opinion. And it's also clear the Premier's pledge to front-line workers is not worth the paper it's written on. He was not telling the truth when he said he'd protect their jobs and the services that Manitobans count on. He wants to reach into the wallets of our front-line workers and off-load his problems onto the backs of workers.

Again, this proposed legislativ e attack on front-line workers may not be lawful, and it will not include any meaningful consultation with Manitoba workers. When will this legislation be tabled so the front-line workers of our province know exactly what it is this Premier has in store for them? Madam Speaker: I would just indicate to members that when we're making comments in the House, that indicating or using the words not telling the truth is not acceptable language to be used here, and I would ask the member to withdraw those words. Mr. Swan: I do withdraw that. Madam Speaker: Thank you. Mr.

Pallister: I appreciate the member withdrawing the comment.

The sentiment, of course, remains, and the fact of the matter is that the member opposite, when he was given the opportunity to st and up for the people of his own riding and the people of Manitoba who refused to do so, he supported a PST hike which he himself promised people they wouldn't have to endure in his own riding, went to the doors of the people in his riding, looked them right in the eye, promised them he wouldn't raise their taxes, raised their taxes, and then, when it turned out that –then when it turned out, Madam Speaker, that the polling results were going south and that the people of Manitoba resented that kind of behaviour, he jumped ship on his own people.

He organized a rebellion. He decided to label the member for St. Boniface (Mr. Selinger), his former leader–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order Mr. Pallister: –as something–as someone unfit to lead. Madam Speaker, I didn't agree with him then. I don't agree with his comments now. I don't think his own colleagues do either. Health-Care Services Wait Time Task Force Mr. Matt Wiebe (Concordia): Madam Speaker, this government didn't say a whole lot during the campaign, but one thing they did promise was to have a–within their first 100 days to have a wait-time-reduction task force.

More– Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Mr. Wiebe: Two hundred days and two throne speeches later, all talk and no a ction, Madam Speaker. The Health Minister tries to blame the federal government once again, but, clearly, this isn't a priority for him. Or maybe he's just waiting for KPMG to talk about their cuts before he actually talks to the front-line workers about wait times. Will the Health Minister just admit that he broke his promise to develop a wait -time task force within the first 100 days? Hon.

Kelvin Goertzen (Minister of Health , Seniors and Active Living ): Madam Speaker, unlike things in the health- care system, there are some things in this House that are worth the wait, and the member is going to see the results of this in a few days. Well before he's home for Christmas, having a nice turkey dinner with his family, the wait -times task force will be announced, Madam Speaker. Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Madam Speaker: Ready? The honourable member for Concordia, on a supplementary question. Privatization Concerns Mr. Wiebe: I guess you call that the wait time for the wait-times task force.

During the campaign, while making it clear that there were no sacred cows, this government also promised to protect front -line workers. Now we –the more we learn about this health care review, it seems to be a cover to squeeze out and freeze out front -line workers.

November 24, 2016 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 81 This Health Minister warned KPMG that they would have to sell the cuts that they're making to the, quote, numerous and diverse groups working within and across the health -care system that will be impacted by the recommendations made. His review says nothing about listening to labour. And the Premier (Mr. Pallister) has refused to clearly define who a front-line worker is. Will the minister admit that he's broken his promise to front-line workers and admit that this– Madam Speaker: The member's time has expired. Mr.

Goertzen: Madam Speaker, this is the member who tried to scare individuals during a election campaign about losing their cancer drugs. He tried to besmirch KPMG as an organization, a well-respected organization in Manitoba. He said we weren't going to listen to Manitobans. Yesterday I was pleased to announce the survey process of the KPMG report, and yesterday alone, we got more than 1,000 answers from Manitobans. Manitobans are listening. Why aren't you, sir? Madam Speaker: I would just remind members that when we're making comments that all comments be directed through the Chair.

The honourable member for Concordia, on a final supplementary. Mr. Wiebe: Six months in, we've already seen the Health Minister take dangerous steps towards privatization of health care, despite a promise to protect public services that Manitobans count on. Both the minister and Premier mused about privatization. This summer the minister travelled to Saskatchewan to see how they're implementing two-tier diagnostic testing. The minister failed to direct KPMG to maintain a user free public health -care system at all costs.

Now we know what kind of recommendations they'll come back with: the same that they had for home care and health care in the '90s. He's launched a partisan attack on ACCESS centres, QuickCare clinics, the Birth Centre, Madam Speaker. I ask this minister: Will he just come clean about his plan to privatize and Americanize our health-care system? Mr. Goertzen: Madam Speaker, I don't know why this member doesn't like Saskatchewan, doesn't like other parts of Canada. We are committed to working with provinces and the federal government. I want to update him.

I indicated to him that went to Ottawa on the weekend and asked the federal government for a number of different initiatives. One was to work with China on restricting the importation of fentanyl from–into Canada, and I was pleased to learn today that an MOU has been signed between the Minister of Public Safety of Canada and the government of China to work on exactly that. We're working with the federal government to get things done. He should get on board, Madam Speaker. * (14:10) Child Poverty Rates Reduction Plan Ms. Nahanni Fontaine (St.

Johns ): A report released by Campaign 2000 says Manitoba has the second highest rate of child poverty in Canada, which affects nearly one in three children. Manitoba children need this government to set real targets and timelines to address poverty and make life affordable for every Manitoban. It's baffling as to why this government has refused to raise the minimum wage and why their Throne Speech completely ignored children living in poverty. Will this government bring in a comprehensive reduction plan that raises the minimum wage to a living allowance and increases benefits to end the poverty? Hon.

Scott Fielding (Minister of Families ): I very much appreciate the question. I know there was a report that came out. While the government will be reviewing the report, I can tell you that, in opposition, this government fought extensively for things like the Rent Assist program until the dying days of the late –of the last administration where they threw it in at the very last minute. Those are concrete actions that this government has taken to address things like poverty. We're going to continue to do more things to help the lowest income Manitobans succeed. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for St.

Johns, on a supplementary question. Persons with Disabilities Accessibility Standards Ms. Nahanni Fontaine (St. Johns ): This Throne Speech ignores persons with physical disabilities who are advocating for a more accessible province.

82 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA November 24, 2016 Our government passed legislation when– which laid out a vision for a barrier -free Manitoba that allows all Manitobans the same opportunities. We were making steady progress on those promises, including requiring all public and private organizations to remove barriers to accessible customer service. Will this government continue our progress and invest real dollars to advance the accessibility legislation and set standards for all workplaces so that everyone can work? Hon.

Scott Fielding (Minister of Families): That legislation that she has spoke of is something that was endorsed by this –in opposition–this government as well. We're well on our track in terms of the standards, in terms of the accessibility that's a part of it. We were working with people like the Manitoba Association of School Trus tees. We're looking–working with people like the Association of Manitoba Municipalities to make this a reality. We're committed to this legislation. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for St. Johns, on a final supplementary. Income Assistance Increase Request Ms. Nahanni Fontaine (St.

Johns): Make Poverty History is demanding that the government raises the EIA rates to at least 75 per cent of the poverty line– not even the 100 per cent –which would alieve a reliance on EIA and free up resources from buy ing the basic needs. It means people could have the time, the energy and the money to get training, to find jobs and to achieve financial independence. Our government raised the EI rates before, and this government should take up that torch and be a leader for all Manitobans.

Will the minister build on our progress and raise the EIA basic needs benefit to at least 75 per cent of the poverty line? Hon. Scott Fielding (Minister of Families): Ensuring poverty is something that we all can embrace in this House. The unfortunate thing is we saw under the previous administration things like food banks spike in terms of what the NDP are. We also know that in terms of the rate of poverty, doubled under the previous administration. We also know that this government has made a priority of investments in things like housing, which we think will help things.

We also know that this government invested in things like Rent Assist that gives more people m ore money to do everyday items, which is extremely important for those people. So we're proud of our record. We encourage the NDP to joining us on our budgets and our Throne Speech that lay out a groundwork for these types of items. Affordable Tuition Rates Future Increase Concerns Mr. Wab Kinew (Fort Rouge): Affordable tuition is an investment in the future of our province. That's because affordable tuition is an incentive for more people to get a post-secondary education.

Now, post-secondary students have been telling me since the election that they're concerned that the Premier (Mr. Pallister) will raise tuition rates, and he seemed to confirm as much in a scrum after the Throne Speech with a reporter from The Manitoban, the University of Manitoba student newspaper. So on behalf of the current and future students of post-secondary institutions in this province, I'd like to ask the Premier: How much does he plan to raise tuition by? Hon. Ian Wishart (Minister of Education and Training): It's a pleasure to rise and I appreciate the question from the member.

I'm certain all students in Manitoba are looking forward to a good education, and we're very pleased that the University of Manitoba has been able to settle its strike and those students are now back at school. I know it was very disruptive not only for the students but for their families, and we certainly all heard very much about that. We are working very constructively with the post-secondary institutions to make sure that we can put in place a sustainable education system in this province. Madam Speaker: Order, please. The honourable member for Fort Rouge, on a supplementary question. Indexed to Inflation Mr.

Kinew: Yes, the students at the University of Manitoba are back in class this week, and I agree that they are probably, many of them at least, pleased that

November 24, 2016 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 83 they were able to salvage this term, but that's why these comments from the Premier are so poorly timed: welcome back to class; boom, here's a tuition raise. Will the Premier reconsider those comments about raising tuition and commit that next year's post-secondary tuition will be tied to the rate of inflation? Hon. Brian Pallister (Premier): I'd point out to the member who, again, peacocks for students and does so at his own expense, Madam Speaker, that the comments in respect to tuition are his, not mine.

And I would make a point of saying that we increased the funding last year for educati on and training by almost $44 million. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Fort Rouge, on a final supplementary. Mr. Kinew: Question? Okay. Thank you, Madam Speaker. I apologize. I wasn't sure whether you were done speaking or not. Keeping tuition affordable is the best way to minimize student debt. Right now, many millennials are being crippled by student debt when they graduate from post -secondary. It's forcing them to delay life decisions, and it narrows their vision of the future.

It means paying off student debt instead of taking out loans to start a business or to buy a home. Scholarships will only have a fraction of the impact on student debt, but keeping tuition affordable does. That's why it was disappointing to hear nothing about affordable tuition in the Throne Speech. Will the Premier acknowledge the oversight and commit to keeping tuition tied to inflation next year? Mr. Pallister: Madam Speaker, we're committed as government to making sure the barriers to post-secondary education and training are low and kept low.

The member's concern about student debt is one I share and certainly have experienced. And I also would say that we also have a concern about the students' debt in terms of their proportional ownership of the debt that the NDP created for them in our province. We're also aware of the circumstances facing many rural and northern students who have other costs that concern them as well besides tuition: travel costs and so on.

This is why we've contribute d–we will design and have designed and we'll implement a plan that will double, effectively, the amount of money available from scholarships and bursaries to our post -secondary education students because we believe very strongly that these barriers must be kept low and student debt must be kept low as well. Addiction Services Access to Treatment Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Madam Speaker, the forefront of brain health concerns is the fentanyl overdose crisis. It is devastating to see young people overdosing and dying, including young pregnant mothers.

It hurts, it jars and it's hard to comprehend. There have been young Manitobans who recognized their addiction and tried to change, but found the system didn't respond quickly enough when a perso n needs help. One of the most critical steps, as we say in our brain health report, is ensuring that when a person calls for help for treatment that the treatment and help they need must be there at that time, not later. What steps is the minister taking to ensure that the health and treatment is there when Manitobans need it? * (14:20) Hon.

Kelvin Goertzen (Minister of Health , Seniors and Active Living ): Madam Speaker, I appreciate the question from the member. I know he brings it forward with the same heart that all members have about this issue. We've all heard too many stories of young people, but not just young people, people from all areas of Manitoba and all walks of society who've been impacted by fentanyl, by carfentanil, by opiates generally, and sometimes the improper prescribing of them, not just on the illicit side. So that is why we've been working not just provincially but also nationally.

And I'm pleased to say we've had some success nationally in some of the efforts that were announced today and we expect there'll be future efforts announced by the federal government in the coming days that will help with this problem, and we'll continue to take action in Manitoba as well, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for River Heights, on a supplementary question.

84 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA November 24, 2016 Brain and Mental Health Service Improvements Needed Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Madam Speaker, the government is consumed with saving money and growing the economy, but has not sufficiently considered investing in preventing brain health issues. Such actions can [inaudible] long-term savings to our economy and, indeed, grow our GDP. The Conference Board of Canada has estimated that preventing depression and anxiety a lone could improve Canada's GDP by $50 billion. On a per capita basis, this has the potential to increase Manitoba's GDP by $1.8 billion.

When it has been shown that improving mental health can give such big GDP gains, why is the government not putting more focus on improving the brain and mental health of our citizens? Hon. Kelvin Goertzen (Minister of Health , Seniors and Active Living): I will acknowledge that the addictions services treatment that we have inherited as a government isn't where I'd like it to be, and I don't think it is where most Manitobans would like it to be. It didn't have a good co- ordinated system under the previous government.

We've been hearing from many experts, and we listen to experts, Madam Speaker, that you need to have the co -ordination of mental health and addictions together. It is why we have committed to realign the system to ensure that those two silos are broken down and that the mental health and the addiction side are brought together. The member will hear more about that before he is having turkey dinner with his family at Christmastime, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for River Heights, on a final supplementary. Mental Health Services Support for Bill 200 Hon.

Jon Gerrard (River Height s): Madam Speaker, yesterday many people came to the Legislature to support Bill 200 to end bullying and discrimination against those who are of large physical size. It is fair to say that up to 10 per cent of depression and anxiety may be related to the bullying and discrimination that occur 'agonst' –against those who are of large physical size. Bill 200 will provide protection for such individuals from harassment, bullying and discrimination, will reduce anxiety and depression and can help increase our GDP. Will the Premier (Mr.

Pallister) support Bill 200 and help enable its quick passage to enable Manitobans who are now being harassed and discriminated against to leave happier, healthier and more productive lives? Hon. Kelvin Goertzen (Minister of Health , Seniors and Active Living ): Madam Speaker, I want to thank the member for River Heights for bringing forward the private member's bill and his idea. We have certainly seen in past years, for many years, that private members' bills are duly considered in this House. Many of them are adopted, others inform different policy directions of the government.

But regardless of how they proceed in the Legislature, they're always, I think, well respected and well received. And I appreciate the fact that this member has put the effort into bringing forward this particular private member's bill. There is a process for private members' bills, a well -respected process in this House. It'll proceed through that process, and we'll give it due consideration, Madam Speaker. Justice of the Peace Legislation Backlog Reduction Plan Mrs. Colleen Mayer (St. Vital): In the Speech from the Throne, our government is setting a new course for Manitoba.

After the NDP decade of debt, we are focused on fixing our finances. After the NDP decade of decay, we are focused on repairing our services. After the NDP decade of decline, we are focused on rebuilding our economy. Madam Speaker, can the Minister of Justice please tell this House about our government's plan to repair our services and what measures we're taking to increase the efficiency of our court system? Hon. Heather Stefanson (Minister of Justice and Attorney General): I want to thank the member for St. Vital for that very good question.

Now, Bill 4 introduces a senior judicial justice of the peace program and represents an important step forward and a commitment to improve access to justice and reduce court backlogs, a commitment that

November 24, 2016 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 85 was made in our recent Throne Speech just three days ago. We believe that this is an important step forward. We hope that all members of the House support this important piece if legislation because it goes towards making sure that our communities are safer for all Manitobans. Wilderness and Water Protection Government Intention Mr. Rob Altemeyer (Wolseley): Can the Premier (Mr. Pallister) please explain why his minister apparently has no mandate to protect Manitoba's waterways and wilderness areas? Hon.

Cathy Cox (Minister of Sustainable Development): I'd like to tha nk the member opposite. You know, I think that Manitobans would feel very differently about what the member opposite said. I've travelled widely, thousands of miles this recent–this summer, and, you know, everywhere from Churchill, Norway House, Spruce W oods, Duck Mountain, Turtle Mountain, all over, and, you know, I've heard from individuals, individuals first-hand–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mrs. Cox : –who have told me it's the first time a minister has ever been there. They said in the past they just drove right by.

Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Madam Speaker: Order, please. The honourable member for Wolseley, on a supplementary question. Mr. Altemeyer: The minister's reply is very concerning. Not only was there zero mention of protecting wilderness areas in the mandate letter that came from her Premier, not only was this the first Throne Speech in over 20 years to not mention anything about protecting additional wilderness areas in Manitoba, we've now learned that the existing environmental strategy for the government, called TomorrowNow, is no longer available on the government's website.

Where is the evidence this government has any intention of doing more for Manitoba's wild spaces? Mrs. Cox : I'd like to thank the member opposite again for that question. It's an interesting question. He talks about forests and protected spaces, and I'd just like to say that in the 17 years that they were government they increased protected spaces by 3 per cent. So, thank you. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Wolseley, on a final supplementary. Mr. Altemeyer: Well, the minister continues to refuse to answer the question in this Chamber. What is her plan for Manitoba's wilderness?

We're used to seeing that, but that's not good enough for Manitobans, and it's certainly not good enough for future generations who are going to live here. We're very proud that, working in partnership with local First N ations communities, we brought over – close to 40 new protected areas into existence in this province in our time in office. Can the minister promise today she's going to match that in the years ahead? Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Madam Speaker: Order, order. I haven't recognized the minister yet.

I would just indicate that with the heckling that's going on, what is happening is that you're burning time in question period for questions and for answers, and if you really want to hear questions and answers and get your full 40 minutes I think we need to take the time to be listening to all of that. The honourable Minister of Sustainable Development. Mrs. Cox : Again, I'd like to thank the member opposite and thank you, Madam Speaker. They had 17 year s to get it done, Madam Speaker.

You know, they've reduced the conservation budget by $17 million in the past three years. * (14:30) So I'd like to know how much they really care about the environment. They're more interested in media attention than environmental protection. Manitoba Hydro Financial Status Mr. Ted Marcelino (Tyndall Park): Just a few weeks ago, the minister for Crown corporations repeatedly said that Manitoba Hydro is bankrupt. And he kept on repeating a number, which is $25 billion.

86 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA November 24, 2016 Now, will he finally do the right thing and say that the Hydro corporation, which is our crown jewel, is not bankrupt, and will he apologize to the corporation? Hon. Ron Schuler (Minister of Crown Services): It's great to have a question again from the member opposite. And I would like to point out to the House that under their administration the debt in Manitoba Hydro is going to go from $12 billion to $25 billion. Under our government, we will fix and repair the finances of Manitoba and once again make Manitoba Hydro a jewel in the crown of Manitoba.

Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Tyndall Park, on a supplementary question. Mr. Marcelino: I thank the minister for the answer, I think. The untendered contract that the minister for Crown c orporations gave to the Boston Consulting Group was $4.2 million. And I took a chance at reading all the pages of the report. And nowhere does it show the number that just –I mean, the minister kept on repeating, which is $25 billion. I want– Madam Speaker: The member's time has expired. Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Madam Speaker: Order, please. Order.

I would just like to remind everybody that the efforts to improve decorum in this Chamber has been somewhat lacking today and has been accelerating during this week, and I really think that is a disservice to all of us, and it's a disservice to the public. And I would ask that everybody, you know, when everybody's asking a question or answering, I think they would like to be heard. So I would just ask the–everybody to just be conscientious about that. I think we need to make some more headway in having a respectful work environment. The honourable Minister for Crown Services, to respond. Mr.

Schuler: I'm glad that the member opposite read the Boston report, because on page 5 it lays it out very clearly, and I quote: "The magnitude of project risks and their impact on the company's financial health should have been provided more weight and consideration in the evaluation." We saw a decade of debt, Madam Speaker, and under our government we were elected to fix the finances of Manitoba, and I'd like to report to this House that's exactly what we are doing. Madam Speaker: The time for oral questions has expired. Petitions? ORDERS OF THE DAY GOVERNMENT BUSINESS House Business Mr.

Jim Maloway (Official Opposition House Leader): On House business, pursuant to rule 38(8), I'm announcing that the private member's resolution to be considered next Thursday will be one put forward by the honourable member for Flin Flon (Mr. Lindsey). The title of the resolution is Port of Churchill. Madam Speaker: It has been announced by the Official Opposition House Leader that the private member's resolution to be considered next Thursday will be one put forward by the honourable me mber for Flin Flon . The title of the resolution is Port of Churchill.

THRONE SPEECH (Third Day of Debate) Madam Speaker: Resuming debate on the proposed motion of the honourable member for Fort Richmond (Mrs. Guillemard) and the amendment and subamendment thereto, standing in the name of the honourable member for the Interlake, who has 15 minutes remaining. Mr. Derek Johnson (Interlake): Madam Speaker, I just want to remind everybody where I was – $160 million spent on vote -buying agreements mere weeks before the election totalled more than the previous six years comb ined for agreements of $153 million. Madam Speaker, this is what our Throne Speech is about.

After a decade of debt we are focused on fixing our finances. Getting Manitoba back on track after 17 years of mismanagement is the direction this government is on the road to. Our Throne Speech is proof of that, Madam Speaker. This government will reintroduce a legislation to eliminate the unnecessary duplicate administrative body known as the NDP's East Side Road Authority. Reducing red tape is part

November 24, 2016 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 87 of our government's plan to grow our provincial economy. Our government is committed to making Manitoba the most improved province for regulatory accountability by 2020. Our Red Tape Reduction Task Force– I still favour orange tape reduction task force, as one of our honourable members alluded to–nevertheless, the task force will consult with external stakeholders, 'identifor'–identify regulatory barriers and develop options to eliminate them. Our government is committed to ensuring value for money as we rebuild our provincial infrastructure.

We will implement a return on investment test to prioritize government's investments in highways, bridges, water management infrastructure, as well as social and cultural projects. We have 'expediated' the release of our list of plans, strategic investments for the 2017- 18 season. This allows the construction industry to plan for another season of building, grading, paving, repairing and improvements to our roads and highways, thus further allowing us to get bette r prices for the next season's work. After a decade of decline we are focused on rebuilding our economy.

Along with our federal partners, our government will continue to engage indigenous communities from the east side of Manitoba and Shoal Lake with the ultimate goals of building roads and ensuring the communities actually benefit from that training and capacity building. We're excited to break ground on the road to Shoal Lake and are confident that Manitoba Infrastructure can deliver the project in a professional way, securing good value for money and working collaboratively with the local communities.

We will 'applow' –apply these principles of inclusion and meaningful engagement with indigenous communities as we move ahead with the Lake St. Martin-Lake Manitoba flood outlet channel. This is the largest construction project undertaken in our province since the expansion of the floodway a near decade ago. This pr oject is essential for the indigenous communities in my constituency and everyone who lives around the shores of Lake Manitoba. * (14:40) After a decade of decay, we are focused on repairing our services.

Manitoba needs innovative solutions to improve home and primary health care so it can match other countries which have overcome similar problems, getting better results while keeping their spending under control. Manitobans are tired of paying more and getting less. It's a myth that Canada has the best health-care system in the world. It's even more so of a myth that Manitoba has the best health care in Canada. After 17 years of NDP decay, we've spent near the most per capita on health care, more than the majority of other provinces.

What's worse, Madam Speaker, is while we do this, we've gotten poorer outcomes for our patients under the previous government. While our spending is near the top, our systems is near the bottom of national rankings. So there is no question, Madam Speaker, that when we need to become more efficient and start getting better service as better value for taxpayers' money. The work done by our health -care professionals is excellent, but the system in which it's delivered needs to be improved. While the federal health-care budget has ballooned to historic heights, our province is paying historical highs as well.

To what avail, you may say, Madam Speaker? After 17 years of NDP rule, we successfully have gotten the longest wait times in emergency rooms in Canada. Other countries, not to mention provinces, are spending less per capita as a percentage of GDP because they have done a better job of co-ordinating health care. A comprehensive assessment of Manitoba's entire health -care system has begun via the health sustainability and innovation review. This exercise will identify opportunities for the elimination of waste and inefficiency.

We will recommend measures to improve the effectiveness and responsiveness of the entire health system, including core government, the r egional health authorities, as well as Diagnostic Services Manitoba, CancerCare Manitoba and the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba. To review, we will also make recommendations on how to make health -care costs more sustainable over the long term while s etting out expectations for better results in the program and services provided to Manitobans.

88 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA November 24, 2016 The review will measure Manitobans' spending on health against three criteria: (1) whether services are being implemented and delivered at a reasonable cost; (2 ) whether the provisions of services is achieving expected outcomes; and (3) whether the results achieved represent value for the money expended. The previous government has left us with a mess, Madam Speaker.

With this Throne Speech, our government is se tting a new course for Manitoba, a course that will lead to economic opportunity, improvements to front-line services and that will put Manitoba back on a responsible fiscal track. When the great people of Manitoba need to put our province back on course, they elect a Progressive Conservative government. And that's what they did with conviction on April 19th, Madam Speaker –you heard it, conviction. Our Health Minister and our new Progressive Conservative government is having ongoing talks with the feder al government about health spending.

This is an opportunity to set health care on a new course and to move from the bottom of the barrel compared to other provinces and countries. This government will put health care back on the right track. This Throne Speech addresses these issues, Madam Speaker. We are committed to making Manitoba Canada's most improved province, making Manitoban families safer and stronger. I have spoken on freedom for the fishers in Manitoba. I was able to share my stories of my firs t and last day of commercial fishing. I was able to put on record the hardships that the fishers must endure to earn a living.

Every single day they risk their lives to earn very little money and potentially lose a substantial sum of money. The member fo r Gimli (Mr. Wharton) has brought this very important issue forward. This is our team at work. Our government is listening to Manitobans, and we will govern for all Manitobans. We will fight for changes that will result in a stronger, safer and more prosperous province. On September 29th of this year, I was graciously asked to present the 2016 Interlake Award of Distinction , supplied by the Interlake Tourism Association.

This award recognizes exceptional attributes in community leadership, service, marketing, product development or partnerships for an individual business or an organization in the Interlake that realizes distinction as a high -quality tourism destination. The winner is committed to the excellence of the Interlake and Manitoba's tourism industry.

This year's winner was the Arborg and District Multicultural Heritage Village with a dedicated group of volunteers seeing a common vision of a working heritage village that portrays insights into multicultural history of the Interlake, and being situated on 12.9 acres alongside the Icelandic River is one of many tourism destinations not only in the Interlake riding, but in Manitoba as a whole. Madam Speaker, o ur government will celebrate the 150th anniversary in confederation–a –special events and activities taking place throughout the province during 2017.

It will be destinations, like I just mentioned, that will bring people to visit Manitoba in this exciting year. Manitoba's rich cultural and linguistic diversity, unique geographic landscapes and tourism destinations with unmatched commitment to volunteerism will be on display to not only our nation, but to the world. We are moving forward on tourism, after all, we are the land of 100,000 lakes. Our government is committed to making Manitoba t he most improved province for regulatory accountability by 2020.

A red tape re duction task force who will consult with external stakeholders, identify regulatory barriers and develop options to eliminate them. Our new Progressive Conservative government will also table legislation in the new year to create regulatory accountability. Our government is committed to ensuring value for money as we rebuild our provincial infrastructure and will implement a return-on-investment test to prioritize government investments in highways, bridges, water management infrastructure, as well as social and cultural projects. As you can see, we live in a time of great changes and challenges.

For an innovative government like ours this also means new opportunities. Sometimes this requires the courage to take bold decisions and seize these opportunities. Success is the result of ambition, courage and action, Madam Speaker. Ambition to make a meaningful difference in the world, courage to take the bold decisions when needed and action to get the tangible results. This is not something we have seen in the past 17 years, Madam Speaker, hard work will give us the

November 24, 2016 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 89 focus and strength to imagine and build a better future for the hard-working people of Manitoba. Madam Speaker, I ch ose to run because I am committed to a positive change for the people of the Interlake and Manitoba as a whole. This Throne Speech delivers this positive change for all of Manitoba. We have made commitments to protect front-line services while eliminating wasteful government spending and putting Manitoba back on a responsible fiscal track.

We recognize the need for a plan to return the province to fiscal balance to avoid further downgrades to the province's credit rating. This Throne Speech pursues measure s which will responsibly restore Manitoba to a fiscal balance in eight years. Our provincial growth should not be strangled by red tape and excessive tax. Our Throne Speech includes no new taxes or tax increases and will not draw from the Fiscal Stabilization Fund. We will index the basic personal exemption as of January 1st, 2017. Our seniors will experience continued education tax relief through the seniors' school tax rebate.

We have committed to making Manitoba the most improved province in Canada. Quite frankly, Madam Speaker, Manitoban's were tired of paying more and getting less. This Throne Speech addresses those concerns. Manitoba is the home of hope, a diverse and special place with potential for greatness. I would like to thank our ent ire PC team for the hard work that is being put into this plan to make Manitoba thrive again. Thank you Madam Speaker. * (14:50) Mr. Kevin Chief (Point Douglas): Glad to put a few words on the record about the Throne Speech and the amendment to it.

I do got to say, listening to members opposite, they spend more time talking about our record than they do about their own Throne Speech, so I'll continue that trend. I 'm proud to talk about the former government's record. In fact, we had a government that was proud to stand with business owners, proud to stand with labour leaders, with training institutions, with young people, with our seniors, with our elders. And, Madam Speaker, it's because of them Manitoba did the best of any province for creating new jobs.

It's because of them that last year, in Winnipeg, had the best job creation rate in more than two decades. It's because of them that the number of new people working in Manitoba was the best of any province in Canada last year. It's because of them that we had the second best record in the country for new private sector jobs last year. It's because of them that we consistently had one of the lowest unemployment rates in the entire nation. You know, Madam Speaker, I don't expect members opposite to take my word for it.

So I will give them some validators that validated the job creation record, the economic performance of the former government. Conference Board o f Canada says Manitoba's economy will keep humming over the next two years when we were in government. Now, who is the Conference Board of Canada? They're researchers. They conduct meetings and conferences, and they provide expert information on economic performance in our country for more than 70 years. The Bank of Canada said that Manitoba would have one of the top performing provinces for 2016 and 2017. Now, who's the Bank of Canada?

It's, again, an economic research team made up of dozens of the country's foremost financial analysts, economic forecasters and fiscal policy experts. That's what they said about our government's record. TD Economics says that Manitoba will be one of the top three performing economies over the next three years. Well, who are TD Economics? It's an organization whose expertise is recognized and relied upon by tens of thousands and investors and policy-makers around the globe.

The reason that we had such a strong job creation, one of the strong economic performing–and that's what these validators are saying –it's because there was always a government that stood with business owners, that stood with labour lea ders, that stood with training institutions and that stood with young people and our seniors. Well, Madam Speaker, I do got to say times have changed, that Manitoba families are worried.

In a Throne Speech, for the first time in 17 years, people who work hard every day, but many of them continue to make less money than other people, are minimum wage earners, were–continue to be ignored. Mr. Doyle Piwniuk, Deputy Speaker, in the Chair

90 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA November 24, 2016 So the only government, one of the only governments in the entire nation, that hasn't said anything about minimum wage, first time in 17 years. Now, members opposite should know. They represent, without question, minimum wage earners. Now, let me tell you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, who they are, often. They're often single pa rents, they're often women and they're often working full time. What do –what does the research say about minimum wage workers? What does the science say? What does the data say?

It says that if you increase the minimum wage, it helps lift people out of poverty. Not guessing; that's what the science and the data says. It reduces the need for social services. And people who make minimum wage ultimately end up spending more, which then 'helpens' strengthen our economy. So let me give you a Point Douglas exa mple, and each one of those members opposite would have a very similar story about a minimum wage worker. In fact, those minimum wage workers, they asked them, they went to their homes and said, yes, we'll support you.

And I'm sure members opposite, particularly the ones that sit in the backbench, probably do support minimum wage and they want to increase minimum wage. And they have to make sure that they push that front bench to let them know that they made commitments to minimum wage workers, young people like Shayna and her little son Joseph. She worked a minimum wage job this summer, trying to make a better life for herself and for her son. She worked all summer at a sport rec cultural camp, trying to make life a little bit better for low-income kids in the neighbourhood that I represent. She did a great job.

This fall, now, she's in a training program, working hard to become a social worker. The message that this government continues to send to people like Shayna is the work that she's doing doesn't matter, because they fail to mention, in the first time in 17 years, how important Shayna and her son are to Manitoba's economy. The list goes on of people who are concerned, that have felt ignore. Lifelong public servants feel threatened from the message th ey continue to hear from this government.

The Finance Minister actually stood up at a press conference and he proudly said he wants to cut 112 jobs from lifelong servant –public servants. Now, who are these people that the Finance Minister's talking about? They could be the resource co-ordinators that make up our Home Care program in Manitoba, of course a very important service and resource for Manitoba families. It could be the patient co -ordinator at the Health Sciences Centre. It could be a community s afety officer up in Thompson, Manitoba. These are the kinds of jobs that potentially this Finance Minister could be cutting.

Now we've just recently heard the Minister of Infrastructure (Mr. Pedersen), he wants to cut 20 per cent from the Infrastructur e budget. That's $126 million. These economic forecasters will tell you an investment in infrastructure helps grow the economy, so who is he talking about? You can't cut $126 million and expect not to affect some jobs. Is he talking about those heavy equipment operators, Mr. Deputy Speaker? Is he talking about highway safety officers? Is he talking about a disaster management co -ordinator?

These are the kinds of jobs that will be affected by cuts to infrastructure, cuts to the public service. These are people, why they feel worried and feel threatened – these are families. And over and over again, workers, when they heard the Throne Speech, they feel completely left out. They heard things about wage cuts and freezes, job losses. And over and over again, Ma nitoba workers have said the same thing about this government, is that there is no dialogue. Now, again we heard the members opposite often talk about our record more than they have about their own Throne Speech.

Well, what do the headlines say about our record versus the headlines we're starting to read now? Manitoba, an economic elite, was a headline when we were in government; job numbers up nationally; strongest growth is in Manitoba; construction business booming in Manitoba; province economic growth ahead of the national average; strength in diversity; major projects boost construction job growth; construction workers needed; job prospects in Winnipeg looking up. That–those were the headlines that we consistently saw. What are we consistently seeing now? Layoffs come out of nowhere, says a town's mayor.

It's pretty heartbreaking, a worker says, after he and others received layoff notices. Region coming apart at the seams, Manitoba to cut 112 jobs, infrastructure promise lacks concrete plan. That's how their jobs plan, their economic plan, is being

November 24, 2016 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 91 described, and that's why Manitoba families are worried. And that's why when they hear a Throne Speech like we just heard, of course they're going to be worried. There's nothing there to alleviate that concern. * (15:00) So we're seeing a trend, Mr. Deputy Speaker –a trend that ignores minimum wage workers, that threatens lifelong public servants, and a trend that workers continue to be left out. The other trend that we're seeing now –I know the Finance Ministe r would have to know about trends.

This isn't about a month or two months, but we're at six months now; we're pushing seven months –Stats Canada, not the member for Point Douglas (Mr. Chief) or Fort Garry, but Stats Canada said that in the last six months since this government's been elected, there's been 12,000 and counting full-time job losses. Now, that's the trend that we're seeing. Now, when you take that trend and then you match it up with the Premier's (Mr. Pallister) record, and I do want to remind people the Premier does have a record.

He did sit around the Cabinet table and he had a record that including freezing minimum wage seven different times. So this isn't the first time that the Premier has ignored minimum wage workers. He has done that in the past, and that's why you can see why families are starting to worry, that in one budget–and this is important for members opposite – in one budget, when he sat around the Cabinet table, cut 56 organizations in one budget, and those organizations re presented programs and initiatives that supported our most vulnerable families all throughout Manitoba.

They included family resource centres, youth agencies, community centres. In one budget they wiped out the funding to every friendship centre in Manitoba –friendship centres, gone. So you take the member for Dauphin (Mr. Michaleski), he should go and talk to the good folks at the friendship centre and ask them, are they worried? I bet you they're worried, or the member from Swan River, or the member for Thompson (Mr. Bindle). These are important programs and initiatives that this Premier actually cut back in the day, wiped it out. Why are friendship centres so important?

Well, indigenous people from all over Manitoba move into cities and move into to wns and they want to have a place where they can find belonging. And we know that if we don't provide young people something positive to belong to, someone will seek them out and get them involved in something negative. I remember when my friendship cent re was cut. That's a vital service. In fact, in 1999, when New Democrats got elected, the first commitment they made was to reinstate funding to friendship centres all throughout Manitoba. They didn't stop there. They didn't stop there. They decided to invest in a snitch line.

They decided to invest in a snitch line, an attempt to embarrass, shame and stigmatize some of the poorest people in our province and they campaigned on it. They were proud of investing in that snitch line. That was a record that this Premier had back when he sat around the Cabinet table– An Honourable Member: We were talking about today. Mr. Chief: Exactly, so let's talk about current things today. Let's talk about Point Douglas. Let's talk about Point Douglas and the Merchants Hotel and what we saw at the Merchants Hotel.

Let's talk about when a former government stands with businesses and labour leaders and training institutions and non-profits and youth and our elders, what can happen. Well, Mr. Deputy Speaker, I don't expect you to know what the Merchants Hotel is. You're not from the North End, but I'll explain it to you. It's a hotel that has always had a lot of challenges. There was violence there, lots of heavy drinking, lots of challenges.

And a group of people from the neighbourhood decided to come together, business owners, young people, our seniors, our elders, our training institutions, the good folks at the friendship centre, all decided to come to gether and approached the government and said: We need to close this place.

Now, as a young boy growing up, me and my friends, we'd go get a Safeway cart, we'd take it out there, and on Friday evenings our parents used to party pretty hard, and we used t o go to each others' home and collect beer bottles and we would put empty beer bottles in the Safeway cart every Saturday morning and we'd push it to the Merchants Hotel because you'd get 10 cents a bottle and we'd get a few extra bucks and we could go buy candy. That's–that was the Merchants Hotel that I grew up with.

92 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA November 24, 2016 But now my children, my three young boys, won't be taking beer bottles to the Merchants Hotel; they'll be taking books. And I guarantee you that in every single riding in this province we have a place where the community has come together and they have made it a better place to live, for children, for young people, for seniors. Now, that's not all that happened and that's not all that's happening at the Merchants Hotel. It's called Merchants Corner now.

When the government stood with members of the community, including law enforcement, we saw a 30 per cent reduction in property crime. We saw a 27 per cent reduction in violent crime. So it's had enormous impacts. But, most importantly, whe n you have a government that stands with people, that when a Throne Speech can represent the values of people, it sends a strong message that no matter who you are or where you come from you should be able to say you're proud of who you are; you're proud of where you live; you're proud of your hometown; you're proud of your home province.

And everybody, no matter who they are or where they live, should have the opportunity to give back. So, when you have a Throne Speech that decides to exclude our minimum wage workers, when you have a Throne Speech that threatens public servants, when you have a Throne Speech that continues to ignore Manitoba workers, it's a Throne Speech that of course people are going to be concerned about. Now, I do want to say, Mr. De puty Speaker, that I want to talk a little bit about our young demographic and what that means to Manitoba.

And one of the things that we saw in our time in government, and ofte n highlighted in throne speeches, was what happens when you invest in young people. And, if you look at places like in Steinbach, at Valeant they can invest anywhere in the country. They decided to 'veste' in Manitoba. And Shaw Communications decided to invest here in Manitoba and est ablish 500 brand new jobs here; i n fact, it was in the Premier's (Mr. Pallister) own riding.

Canada Goose, with an international brand, not only established roots here but continued to expand here with hundreds of jobs, probably going to be over 1,000 jobs by the time they're done. And you ask these businesses, and the Minister for Growth, Enterprise and Trade or the Finance Minister could ask those businesses, why did you establish in Manitoba? And they'll tell them, because Manitoba is and was, in our time, an affordable place to do business.

They also said they liked the fact that the demographic was young, tha t there was a young workforce, but they also said they were always proud to work with a government that would invest in training of that workforce. V ery little, I don't even know if anything, was mentioned about training young indigenous people, training our new Canadian, our immigrant, our refugee population. We didn't hear that in the Throne Speech. But this is what these companies did. This is what they said. So you take a place like Canada Goose, they opened a second location. That's over 300 jobs.

You talk to the good folks at Shaw Communications that decided to put 500 jobs in the Premier's own riding, and they said that they did research and they collected the data. A nd they didn't want to just put 500 jobs anywhere in the nation unless they knew they were going to have success. So they told us that the reason they invested in Manitoba is because when you have a government that stands with businesses to train that work force, that workforce stays with those companies longer, t hat Manitoba workers are more loyal to those companies here than anywhere else in the nation.

And so , when you hear a Throne Speech that makes no mention of any of these kinds of things, right, it tells young people, sends a message to young people. And, of course , you're going to get young people worried about their future.

Now, I do want to end with a–on a high note and remind the members opposite what they inherited from the previous government, that Winnipeg was among the world's top seven intelligent communities; that Winnipeg's population grew at one of the fastest rates in the country between July of 2014 and 2015; that here's what Julia Deans of –the CEO of Futurpreneur had to say: I go all across the country.

I don't think there is another community that is as mutually supportive and connected as a place like Winnipeg. * (15:10) Our downtown, a record amount of people going to school in our core area, a record amount of people working and starting businesses in our downtown, and now a record amount of people that want to live in our downtown comes with a government, a former government, that stood with business leaders, that stood with labour leaders, that stood with training

November 24, 2016 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 93 institutions, that stood with young people, our seniors and our elders. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Hon. Cameron Friesen (Minister of Finance): I'm pleased to have this opportunity to rise and to respond to the Speech from the Throne delivered earlier this week. And I would like to proceed exactly from the point where the member for Point Douglas (Mr. Chief) left off, because I think it's a perfect transition that the member of Point Douglas has given us.

He said he wanted to end on a note where he would talk about what we have inherited as a province and as a government, and I think I would like to fill in the blanks that he strategically tried to leave out. What we inherited, Mr. Deputy Speaker, indeed, is something that was described even just this morning at the Conference Board of Canada western

Canada business update meeting that I had a chance to address, in that room, what we inherited was described by those key members of our community as a mess by the business community, by those that he professed to be helping. And they said over and over to us last night at a ministers meeting sponsored by the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, they said today, at the Conference Board of Canada report, they have been saying to us since we were elected in April, what you've inherited is a mess.

And what you've inherited will take time to clean up, and we've heard that what you've inherited–we trust you to do that work and accomplish what you're setting out to do. So, let no one in this Chamber and let no one in this province be fooled by what the member for Point Douglas was attempting to convey. He said at one point about his government's standing with businesses–I think that if that member would want to convey outside of this room that his party was somehow the one that business community could depend on to stand with them, I think it would be a very difficult sell.

I would tell him that when he sits in the seat in his Legislature, he had better get a seat belt for the next four years, because the road ahead for him will be blisteringly fast as this government begins to have effect, as the good work that we will do takes effect, as that message is conveyed t o the business community, to the commercial industry, to sectors across this province and to outside of this province.

As we work to reconcile the conditions here, to address trade barriers, to take down disadvantages that have existed and have been unaddressed by our predecessors, as we do all of that good work– An Honourable Member: Name them. Mr. Friesen : And I will name those things in my speech. I guarantee you, and the Minister for Growth, Enterprise and Trade would guarantee you, and our caucus of 40 members would guarantee you, it will have effect.

We will grow this economy, and it–the we that I speak of is not 12 ministers or 40 members or one Premier, it is all of us, harnessed together as Manitobans, not pointing fingers, but doing the hard work that has been undone until now. So, I do not accept that argument put forward by the member for Point Douglas.

And just before I make comments on the Throne Speech, I have to address at least what that member said about even something so central to our platform as one initiative to reduce senior management within government, senior management that has grown at an expression four times that of the overall civil service. And he spent a lot of his time describing what he said was going to be –well, who should be worried– who should be worried about a senior management reduction strategy? He said, who should be taking down notes? Who should be worried? I'm reading from a news release by the NDP government, November 19th, '99.

It is a preliminary response outline to Deloitte and Touche. It is a financial management and accountability review announcement, and in this announcement, and I'm quoting from the second page, it says, a careful review of all vacant positions and a senior management position re duction strategy in keeping with election commitments. An Honourable Member: Did you say reduction strategy? Mr. Friesen: So it's a reduction strategy by the NDP as soon as they took office. Mr.

Deputy Speaker, the hypocrisy of that member for Point Dougla s stand in his place today and try to scare workers when his government did the exact same thing. When they did it, they said it was prudent fiscal management. When we do it, they say it's scary. It is not a defensible position that he can take. On the s ame subject, he made reference to pauses in what–in sector wage increases. Mr. Deputy Speaker, I am reading from the 2010 Manitoba NDP budget. I'm in a

section called managing government spending. Now, just –because they never did it, it doesn't mean they didn't write it down on paper.

94 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA November 24, 2016 They take–they took great enthusiasm in trying to communicate to Manitobans, in 2010, that they were going to reduce spending in government departments to focus on priorities. They said they were going to limit the average inc rease of government core departments. And they said they were going to negotiate a pause in public sector wage increases: 2010 NDP government document. And, indeed, of all the things that the NDP said they would do and didn't do, they actually did receive from labour, in 2010, wage pauses.

Now, every day in this House the NDP members get up and they throw their hands up in the air and they say the sky is falling because there's a possibility of a wage freeze. But, in their own document, in 2010, one of their commuter –communicators crafted, on the instruction of a minister, on instruction of a premier, on instruction of a caucus and Cabinet, an instruction to say, negotiate a pause in public sector wage increases. So I throw the words of the member for Point Douglas (Mr. Chief) right back at him. Who was supposed to be afraid in 2010? Was it a WRHA worker?

Was it the heavy construction industry operator that he just referenced five minutes ago? Was it a disaster co-ordinator? Who was supposed to be afraid? Well, they said in 2010, no one was to be afraid. This was a normal course of action that governments undertake from time to time in order to focus on fiscal prudent management. That's what they said in 2010. It suits their purposes to say something else now, and so they will say something else now. But do not be fooled by the words of the member for Point Douglas.

He's clearly –he has an advantage now to somehow claim that the situation is perilous, but six years ago it wasn't perilous. Six years ago, he said business as usual; now he says be very afraid. Madam–Mr.

Deputy Speaker, it simply is an argument that you could shoot a thousand holes through, and I would love to continue to do so, but in the short time that's available to me–and I do want to highlight a few things that I see in the Throne Speech that will serve all Manitobans –but I should also mention, on the subject of flip- flopping, this Throne Speech talked about strengthening–strengthening– our innovative approaches to drive good decision making around infrastructure investments. We don't take an ideological view; we take a results -driven view. Now, this group across the aisle, they took an ideological view.

And just yesterday, even between the first set of questions in question period and t he second set of questions, they could not even line up the questions so they remained consistent. Their interim Leader of the Opposition got up yesterday in question period and said, public -public partnerships are an effective way of making investments i n Manitoba. Indeed, when they brought the legislation in a few years ago–[interjection] Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. Mr. Friesen: –it's exactly what they said.

No sooner had the interim Leader of the Opposition sat down, having delivered that message three times, that the member for Fort Garry-Riverview (Mr. Allum) stands up –I guess he didn't hear his interim leader, or I guess he didn't heed what she was saying, or maybe there was another rebellion forming in their ranks –but what he said is, and I quote: P3s are a back -loaded, high interest credit card, and the real winners are big investors who make profits. * (15:20) Now who is inaccurate? Who on that side is not following orders? Is it the interim Leader of the Opposition?

Is it the member for Fort Garry-Riverview? Two sets of questions directly located, neither one of them lining up in any real way. They are taking advantage of an opportunity, they think, to create and agitate and suggest that somehow this is unsafe. The membe r for Fort Garry -Riverview went even so far as to say we have the best legislation in Manitoba on P3s. What he declined to say is that we have the only legislation on P3s in all of Canada. So you must ask yourself –and the member for Minto (Mr. Swan) is clapping because he thinks he's somehow that far ahead.

He thinks that he is boldly going where no other provincial jurisdiction has deemed valuable to go . So what the member for Minto should perhaps ask himself, is truly, really, based on his own record, is he that far ahead or is he that far behind? If the NDP government had been truly interested in innovation in considering the value of P3s, not in every instance, not as an ideological reflexive solution to everything, because I would be the fir st

November 24, 2016 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 95 to suggest it wouldn't make sense, it would not represent good value for money–if you're about to go and create a daycare space, I couldn't imagine you'd be able to achieve the scale where a P3 approach would help; it would probably hinder. But it would show me that these members on the other side don't actually–haven't actually done the work to understand what these approaches can create in terms of advantages to government.

It can create a number of advantages when the analysis is done right, when the facts are properly understood, when there is sufficient scale of a project so as to attract the number of bids necessary to get a good competitive process going. But then, again, what would they know about a good competitive process? So that also is fo reign in their lexicon. But, Mr. Deputy Speaker, regardless of how they flip-flop in their question period strategy or lack thereof, we understand that P3s are underutilized. How do we know? There's been none done here.

The P3 legislation that the NDP brought was not a P3 piece of legislation designed to enhance and contemplate where these could be useful; they were designed to create a wall. They're about creating walls just like the US President- designate right now. He's talked about creating walls, and perhaps he's backing away a bit from that language now.

But the NDP was all about creating walls: walls to trade, walls to investment, walls to access the capital, walls to co -operation with their federal cousins, walls to the New West Partnership an d, of course, walls to P3s and other ideas innovative that other jurisdictions were contemplating, but they could not have been bothered to, or they were advised by their friends, that that is not an avenue that would be–that they'd have any appetite for. So, Mr. Deputy Speaker, to come back to the Throne Speech, this is a tremendous document that provides a path forward for Manitoba. I actually heard my Premier (Mr.

Pallister) describe it on Monday as a blueprint for hope for Manitobans, and this province needs an injection of hope. And it is our new government along with the many partners who are bringing on side who are bringing that hope back to Manitoba. I've heard colleagues say, and the Premier say, this is the home of hope. And so this is a Throne Speech that goes far to indicate what paths we will go down as a new government in order to fix our finances and repair our services and rebuild our economy, and that is exactly the job description that was on the table.

It was the one for which we applied and it was the one for which we were hired. And we are honoured and delighted to have the opportunity in these next few years to have Manitobans test us in our resolve to do exactly what've said we will set out to do. Results matter, Mr. Deputy Speaker. It is not just about inputs; it is not just about ribbon cuttings; it is not just about language. It is about results. It is about value for money; it is about return on investment. That is hard work. It means careful consideration.

It means asking impor tant questions about what government is doing, how it is doing it, with whom it is doing the work. It is looking for areas to innovate and create change. It's looking at existing operations, always with a critical eye to say where are there inefficiencies? Where is there waste? Where is there duplication? Where is there overlap? And now our colleagues across the way would suggest that that's a very scary process. They would say bringing in outside help is outrageous. They would say, oh, you know, what are you doing asking questions about program delivery?

But I'm reading from a document from November the 19th, 1999, from the new NDP government at that time, and what did they do? Well, they advertised to Manitobans that they were immediately taking ste ps in response to a fiscal situation reported in an interim report by an outsider–outside contractor who had been, I believe, hired by the member for St. Boniface (Mr. Selinger), along with the Health minister at the time, Dave Chomiak –we can say that name now because he's no longer in the Legislature –and these individuals, Mr. Dave Chomiak–that's correct, Mr.

Dave Chomiak, yes, and these individuals had seen that government and Manitobans would be well resourced by drawing in a contractor with experti se, with knowledge of systems, with experience in 'examinating'–examining systems for strengths and weaknesses. And that's what they did. When they did it, they thought it was a great idea. This government's doing it and they say it's a very, very scary process. And it's absurd to think, Mr. Deputy Speaker, that we should for a minute think that they can have it both ways. This speech goes a long way down the road of identifying what we will do next.

I think about where the speech went in terms of about talking about investments in housing, investments in terms of driving down the deficit, investments in our children,

96 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA November 24, 2016 investments in education, investments in training– the very things that the member for Point Douglas (Mr. Chief) got up and said they weren't in the speech. He's wrong; they were in the speech, but then you would have had to actually listen or read the speech to understand what's in it. So I do invite him again to read the speech. I would want to say from my vantage point as the Finance Minister, that we have embarked on the largest and most robust prebudget consultative process in this province.

I remember when I was the Finance critic asking the minister of Finance at the time to answer for the fact that he had billed the province for $40,000 of expenses pertaining to a prebudget consultation process that did not, in fact, lead to a budget. And, in this case, I would suggest to all colleagues in this House that we're getting good value for the money, because I want to declare in this House right now that our prebudget consultative process will lead to the delivery of a budget in Manitoba, and more to follow after that. But the fact is it's –the process itself, in and of itself, is not important.

What is important is the demonstration of the willingness of this government to listen to Manitobans, to all groups, to groups across this province, all sectors, all parts, north, 'eath'–east, south and west. We have done that listening in in-person meetings, online tools, a portal for civil servants to give us feedback. We are bringing important changes in terms of a red tape reduction. We are building our economy. We are training young people. We are opening the North through an exciting new northern strategy. All these things, Mr.

Deputy Speaker, contained in the speech –we are looking forward to assembling and going through all the data that we have collected, the viewpoints, a diverse –those people who came to these meetings to present, and forming a budget that will put Manitoba further down the path of the goals that we all share: to grow this economy, to make sure that our young people stay here. Oh, and speaking of times from the past, it's wonderful to see a former colleague come to the Legislature.

I know that we cannot comment as to the presence and absence of members, but I think that the rules will be lax about me commenting on the presence of a former member joining us in the loge this afternoon. * (15:30) So, just to sum up, Mr. Deputy Speaker, I know that we should never regret to say that we are only here as members in this House because of those families who support us. Each one of us has one, and we are thankful for our families who allow us to do this work.

We are thankful for the constituency staff that we have that do such good work in that interface position between each of us and our community. We are thankful for the constituency staff that we have that do such good work in that interface position between each of us and our community. We are thankful for the opportunity that our voters give us and we take that very seriously on all sides of this Chamber. And I am thankful for a Throne Speech brought by our Lieutenant Governor that puts us further down the path towards making Manitoba the most improved province in all of Canada. Introduction of Guests Mr.

Deputy Speaker: Before I continue, I just want to acknowledge that Jim Rondeau, the former member for Assiniboia, is here with us today. I want to thank you for coming in. * * * Mr. Deputy Speaker: We'll continue –the honourable member for Burrows. Ms. Cindy Lamoureux (Burrows): You know, time is flying by. It was nearly six months ago that I responded to the first Throne Speech, and now I get to respond to the second. I want to begin by saying how grateful I am for this opportunity to continue serving Manitobans.

I have been thriving and I've been having just the most incredible experience in getting to know the people of Burrows. The community has welcomed me with open arms, and for this I'm eternally grateful and incredibly motivated to make Burrows proud. Mr. Deputy Speaker, my parents have been extremely supportive of my choice in career and they never forget to tell me how proud of me they are. I know I can rant to my mother and not feel guilty as if I'm talking about myself too much because she always want to hear about what's going on in my life. And then there's my father, my pops.

He's taught me more than anyone can fathom. He holds me accountable, and even though he is extremely busy, he always makes time for me. I'm also grateful for my friends. I'm sure they don't appreciate that I always bail early on our nights

November 24, 2016 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 97 out, but they've never doubted my abilities, and I'm very lucky to have them. Since being elected, I've also been able to get to know some of my colleagues here in the House, and I've had a privilege to learn more about them, whether it's through reading their books, whether it's their likes and their dislikes or whether it 's the exchange of candies –and we had a really good one here in today's session. In doing this, I have come to take comfort in coming to work.

I am reminded that politicians are only human, and even though we don't always see eye to eye on everything, I am very sincere when I say that I appreciate all members in this House. Mr. Deputy Speaker, I've learned a lot these past seven months, whether it be legislative protocol or issues that affect Manitobans across the board. When I run into old friends, the question that I usually get asked is what has surprised you the most? And honestly it isn't the job that surprised me, it's the facts about Manitoba. It's how there are so many reserves up North with no running water.

It's how seniors are being prescribed me dications that are hurting them. It's how long Provincial Nominee applicants are having to put their lives on hold, and it's how there are children who want to attend school but still aren't. I'm astounded by how lives are so profoundly impacted in such extreme ways. My perspective and knowledge of Manitoba has been extremely broadened. My father has told me that I'm often too hard on myself, and I always respond by saying I have to be if I want to be accomplished. To be honest, I don't know how accurate my response is, but I know that it works for me.

I want to encourage the members of this House to do the same, and I say it with a sincere and a happy heart, but challenge yourself, ask yourself what you have done to better people here in Manitoba. Ask your self what you could be doing to make your constituency stronger. Mr. Deputy Speaker, I recently read Master of My Fate, written by Linda McIntosh and the member from Assiniboia –what an eye -opener. And I can say because of the book I have formed some new thoughts on important medical issues, as well as a deeper appreciation for those struggling with end-of-life decisions.

This book helps me further understand my friend from Assiniboia and this makes me want to pick his brain, which he already knows I fully intend to do. It motivates me to learn as much as I can. It galvanizes me to have the important talks, the controversial debates, a nd it sparks my passion in politics. I'd like to quote a sentence from the book: The fact is that there is no such thing as a bad seat in the House. Mr. Deputy Speaker, when I read that, I take pride and I acknowledge that this means I can make a difference. I can make t he lives of Manitobans better, and I plan to continue doing this.

Since being elected, I have attended countless events. I can't mention all of them, but I do want to talk about a few. Back in June I participated and celebrated many graduations. In July, many of us celebrated Canada's 149th birthday. On this day, my father and I co-hosted a Canada Day celebration for the community. It was a great success. Throughout the summer months that seem oh so far away now, I danced in the Manitoba Filipino Street Festival. I observed Mela Teeyan Da, and I ate a lot of food and enjoyed all the Folklorama pavilions.

The biggest highlight of my summer, and this was not easy– An Honourable Member: Mr. Deputy Speaker. Point of Order Mr. Deputy Speaker: Government House Leader. Hon. Andrew Mi cklefield (Government House Leader): I'd just like to raise the point of relevance. I appreciate the anecdotes about dancing and coming home early from nights out with one's friends, but I believe it's a Throne Speech debate, and I'm wanting to know how it pertains to the Throne Speech. Mr. Deputy Speaker: On that point of order, there's no point of order.

Yes, just –there's a Throne Speech and there's a wide base of relevance when it comes to the Throne Speech, so I want the member for Burrows (Ms. Lamoureux) to continue. * * * Ms. Lamoureux: Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. The biggest highlight of my summer, and this was not easy to decipher, was when I experienced riding with the BC Sikh Motorcycle Club here in Winnipeg. This group rode across the country raising money for cancer awareness. It was an honour to share the road with them. More recently, I celebrated Lord Nelson School and the opening of their new gym.

You know, the songs that the students sang still makes me smile.

98 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA November 24, 2016 My father and I co -hosted another event, our first annual fall lunch at the Maples Community Centre, where we had some very unique entertainment. Everyone is invited next year. I also went to a lot of football games, and through this I had the opportunity to participate in coin tosses, in talk shows, and, of course, I got to binge on junk food like tacos in a bag and watch the game.

More recently, I celebrated Diwali, I think five times this year, and I was able to attend the First Nations caring society annual dinner, wher e I was amazed by the incredible talent and paintings. Now, I will switch gears a little bit and transition here. Mr. Deputy Speaker, the Throne Speech yesterday encompassed a wide array of issues. While it is understandable that the government is devoting time to very specific issues, the government must keep in mind that they have to follow through with action. If no action takes place, Manitobans will get what they need in other ways.

We witness signs of this in recent UMFA strikes and again on the 28th with Nelson House. My colleagues from River Heights, Kewatinook and myself have divvied up the critic roles and have started discovering some underlying interests. This is one part of the job that assures me I'm in the right career. I love when I learn s tatistics about Manitoba that truly shock me. I don't always like the statistics, but it reminds me why I pursued politics and why I will continue to advocate for Manitobans. As a member of the third party, I have the responsibility of holding the gover nment accountable.

Allow me to begin by discussing how the Throne Speech did not adequately discuss issues and concerns of seniors. Mr. Deputy Speaker, a troubling trend is that many seniors are forced out of their homes despite the fact that the reason th at push seniors to leave home are completely preventable. Mr.

Deputy Speaker, I would like to put forward some recommendations that were raised at the forum that I co- hosted with my colleague from River Heights this past weekend: No. 1, we need to enhance possibility for home care under a model that is efficiently financed, perhaps multidisciplinary type models; No. 2, we need to consider training seminars for those who are not health- care aides but would like to take care of their loved ones out of the comfort of their homes for as long as possible; and, No. 3, we need to put in more effort to keep senior couples together.

It is not fair to separate a happily married couple. It will take a toll on their relationship, on their emotions, on their mental health as well as on their finances. Mr. Deputy Speaker, I mentioned on Tuesday the recommendations that derived from the forum. Interestingly, there was a collective sediment of agreement among seniors on the idea of protesting government-funding-prescribed-medication reviews. If I were the government, I would consider this to be of emergence. Mr. Deputy Speaker, the government also omitted discussing a key election promise they made.

During the election, the government campaigned on the promise that th ey would cut ambulance fees by 50 per cent. Manitobans were receptive of this. They thought that, at last, ambulance fees' invoices would not overwhelm their budget expenses. However, once elected, this government stated that they would start by cutting them by 5 per cent. * (15:40) A couple short months ago, we were made aware that that 5 pe r cent decrease hadn't yet taken effect. It's a prime example of the government saying something and doing nothing.

It is also worrisome and, frankly, baffling that the ambulance fee reduction was not brought up in the Throne Speech. Nonetheless, from the recent inaction on this issue, one thing is certain: Manitobans were misled. Has the government forgotten about it, or did they change their minds? It cannot be stre ssed enough that promises of this nature should have been made immediately by the government. Mr. Deputy Speaker, you know I'm going to raise this: the Provincial Nominee Program.

Four sentences, four sentences in the Throne Speech dedicated to the Provincial Nominee Program, four sentences that, I may mention, raise many, many red flags. We heard the government make a commitment in dealing with the backlog, but this is barely a scratch on the surface and means nothing without details and set goals. It is telling of how the government fails to comprehend the value and significance of the Provincial Nominee Program. I must reiterate that the program was, is and will continue to be one of the prime engines of the province's economy.

I find it strange that the government emphasizes the need to achieve economic growth, but they do not tap into the Provincial Nominee Program and use it to its fullest potential.

November 24, 2016 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 99 In order for the program to operate in its optimum capacity for economic growth, it must be administered properly. The government, so far, has not given the Provincial Nominee Program the attention that it needs. Last session, the government has, on record, promised and committed to processing 4,000 applications during a certain time period. However, according to a FIPPA I submitted, the government broke their commitment. The government can only go so far in blaming the previous administration for mismanagement.

They have now been in power for more than seven months, and it is time that the government began intensifying the work that they said they were going to do on immigration. I've reached out to the minister, and I've insisted that I be part of the discussions around immigration, and he told me that, historically, we don't do that. Well, Mr. Deputy Speaker, times are changing. We've also heard the government claiming that they spoke and consulted with Manitobans. I would like to know whether the government understands the personal and subjective experience of these applicants.

I have personally heard t hese stories and experiences of constituents who put their lives on hold for more than three years, three years, Mr. Deputy Speaker, of uncertainty, of anxiety, of confusion, resulting from two words: application pending. Mr. Deputy Speaker, although t he Provincial Nominee Program is an economic program, it is also an emotional trial. Families who are separated by thousands and thousands of miles have the opportunity to be reunited here in Manitoba under the program.

However, given the outstanding problems of backlog and the lack of detailed responses on application statuses, families are left wondering how long will it be before they see their mothers, their titos, their katchias [phonetic] and so forth. Manitobans are counting on us as elected representatives, and we need to do something about this problem, which is another reason why the decorum in this House has to get better. Mr. Deputy Speaker, I also like to hold the government accountable regarding their goals for our criminal justice system.

The Macdonald -Laurier report, released this fall, indicated that the Manitoba justice system ranked the lowest among the provinces. The report indicated that administration of justice offences are the key contributor to the backlog of our court system. I have heard that some offenders on probation would like to be incarcerated because they find the conditions to bail too restrictive. That being said, the conditions in the Remand Centre are just as, if not worse. So offenders are being put in a hard place , between the two, and this affects their ability to come and transition back into society.

This is very recent news to me, but should be further explored. Attention must also be given to the Remand Centre. It is overwhelmed by such an intake and has yet to be alleviated. The government must take the initiative of establishing programs that will reintegrate offenders into the community properly post-incarceration. Many of the offenders I've spoken with talked about odds being stacked against them. Whether it be the criminal record, the little to no education, difficulty finding employment are just some of the factors that contribute to offenders being pulled back into a criminal lifestyle.

I believe in second chances. I believe that crime prevention can be achieved through social intervention. The government must assist in the re-integration process by working with communities to establish programs that meet this objective. We also have to consider the mental health. Alternatives to conventional methods like imprisonment, detention and custody must be developed and established in order to appropriately deal with persons with mental health issues adequately. Madam–or Mr.

Deputy Speaker, last week, our caucus released a report on brain health, and we articulated just how brain health can affect our justice system and poverty here in the province. Allow me to quote from it: Those with brain health issues from learning disabilities to traumatic brain injury to depression and schizophrenia are

Document details

Collection	Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	41-2-4
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	41st 2nd hansardpdf 4.pdf
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	d0c24ad66ce87305db00b4899a25f49fa0fcaafc

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