Manitoba Hansard — 15 May 2017 (Sitting 51, 41st Legislature, 2nd Session)

41-2-51

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. 51 - 1:30 p.m., Monday, May 15, 2017 ISSN 0542-5492

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

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

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

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

2029 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA Monday, May 15, 2017 The House met at 1:30 p.m. Madam Speaker: O Eternal and Almighty God, from Whom all power and wisdom come, we are assembled here before Thee to frame such laws as may tend to the welfare and prosperity of our province. Grant, O merciful God, we pray Thee, that we may desire only that which is in accordance with Thy will, that we may seek it with wisdom and know it with 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 Speaker's Statement Madam Speaker: I have a statement for the House. May 12th, 2017, marked the 147th anniversary of Manitoba joining Confederation as a province. In honour of this historic occasion, in today's Speaker's parade, the acting Sergeant -at-Arms carried the original Manitoba mace. Carved from the hub of a Red River cartwheel by a soldier of the Wolseley expedition, this mace made its first formal appearance on March 15th, 1871, at the first Legislature of Manitoba, that was held in the home of A.G.B. Bannatyne.

Included in the designs carved into the mace are the rose, the thist le, the harp and the fleur-de-lys. The Bannatyne home was destroyed by fire in December 1873; however, thankfully, the mace was saved. This mace was retired after 13 years of service and has a permanent home on display in the Speaker's Office. Today, it came out of retirement, after 133 years, for this celebration. This important historical artifact was used in today's Speaker's parade to pay tribute to our Manitoba history.

The original mace, as well as the Assembly's current mace, will also be on display in the Chamber in their respective cases during the Doors Open event on May 28th and 29th, 2017, and the public of Manitoba is encouraged to visit the Assembly Chamber on those days to see the maces first-hand. In additional to the original mace, the sta r- blanket mace cushion and the beautiful beaded mace runner that were gifted to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba by original peoples in 2010, are also on display today to help celebrate Manitoba Day and to honour Manitoba's Aboriginal heritage.

It also serves as a reminder that this Assembly Chamber and the Legislative Building are on Treaty 1 territory on the traditional lands of the Anishinabe and the homeland of the Metis people. I hope that adding the first mace to the cele - bration of Manitoba Da y will become an annual tradition. Thank you. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS Bill 33–The Minimum Wage Indexation Act (Employment Standards Code Amended) Hon. Cliff Cullen (Minister of Growth, Enterprise and Trade ): I move, seconded by the Minister of Finance (Mr.

Friesen), that Bill 33, The Minimum Wage Indexation Act (Employment Standards Code Amended), be now read a first time. Motion presented. Mr. Cullen: Madam Speaker, this bill establishes a mechanism to adju st Manitoba's minimum wage every October 1st based on the rate of inflation in the previous calendar year. We look forward to opposition members supporting this legislation. Thank you very much. Madam Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed] COMMITTEE REPORTS Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development Sixth Report Mr.

Scott Johnston (Chairperson): Madam Speaker, I wish to present the Sixth Report of the Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development. Clerk (Ms. Patricia Chaychuk): Your Standing Committee on Social and Economic– Some Honourable Members: Dispense. Madam Speaker: Dispense.

2030 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 15, 2017 Your Standing Committee on SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT presents the following as its Sixth Report. Meetings Your Committee met on May 11, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. in Room 255 of the Legislative Building. Matters under Consideration • Bill (No. 21) – The Fiscal Responsibility and Taxpayer Protection Act/Loi sur la responsabilité financière et la protection des contribuables • Bill (No. 22) – The Regulatory Accountability Act and Amendments to The Statutes and Regulations Act/Loi sur la responsabilisation en matière de réglementation et modifiant la

Loi sur les textes législatifs et réglementaires Committee Membership • Mr. A LLUM • Mr. CURRY • Hon. Mr. FIELDING • Hon. Mr. FRIESEN • Hon. Mr. GERRARD • Mr. JOHNSTON • Mr. LINDSEY • Ms. MARCELINO (Logan) • Hon. Mr. PEDERSEN • Mr. SMITH • Mr. YAKIMOSKI Your Committee elected Mr. JOHNSTON as the Chairperson. Your Committee elected Mr. YAKIMOSKI the Vice-Chairperson.

Public Presentations Your Committee heard the following presentation on Bill (No. 21) – The Fiscal Responsibility and Taxpayer Protection Act/Loi sur la responsabilité financière et la protection des contribuables: Jonathan Alward, Canadian Federation of Independent Business Your Committee heard the following three presentations on Bill (No. 22) – The Regulatory Accountability Act and Amendments to The Statutes and Regulations Act/Loi sur la responsabilisation en matière de réglementation et modifiant la

Loi sur les textes législatifs et réglementaires: Chris Goertzen , Association of Manitoba Municipalities Jonathan Alward, Canadian Federation of Independent Business James Battershill, Keystone Agricultural Producers Bills Considered and Reported • Bill (No. 21) – The Fiscal Responsibility and Taxpayer Protection Act/Loi sur la responsabilité financière et la protection des contribuables Your Committee agreed to report this Bill, with the following amendments, on a counted vote of 6 Yeas, 4 Nays: THAT Clause 8 of the Bill be amended (

a) in Clause 8(2) by striking out "or (5)," and substituting ", (5) or (5.1),"; (

b) by replacing Clauses 8(4) and (5) with the following: Full payment — no deficit 8(4) If the report under

section 7 for a fiscal year shows that the government did not incur a deficit, an amount withheld from a person under subsection (2) for that fiscal year is payable to the person for that fiscal year, without interest. Salary reduction — contravening deficit 8(5) If the report under

section 7 for a fiscal year shows that the government incurred a deficit in contravention of

section 4 or 5, the ministerial salary of a person to whom subsection (2) applied for that fiscal year is reduced by the amount withheld for that fiscal year under that subsection. Salary reduction — non-contravening deficit 8(5.1) If the report under

section 7 for a fiscal year to which

section 4 applies shows that the government incurred a deficit that does not exceed the baseline amount for t hat fiscal year, the ministerial salary of a person to whom subsection (2) applied for that fiscal year is reduced according to the following formula: Reduction = A × ($100,000,000 − B)/$100,000,000 In this formula, A is the amount withheld for that year u nder subsection (2); B is the lesser of $100,000,000 and the amount by which the baseline amount exceeds the deficit.

May 15, 2017 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2031 If the amount withheld for the fiscal year exceeds the salary reduction for that year, the excess is payable to the person for that fiscal year, without interest. (

c) in Clause 8(6) by striking out "or (5)" and substituting "or (5.1)". THAT Clause 8 of the Bill be amended by adding the following after Clause 8(9): Transitional — 20% of annual ministerial salary to be withheld for 2017-2018 8(10) Despite subsection (2), amounts totalling 20% of the annual ministerial salary are to be withheld under that subsection from the ministerial salary otherwise payable to a minister for the 2017- 2018 fiscal year. • Bill (No. 22) – The Regulatory Accountability Act and Amendments to The Statutes and Regulations Act/Loi sur la responsabilisation en matière de réglementation et modifiant la

Loi sur les textes législatifs et réglementaires Your Committee agreed to report this Bill, without amendment, on a counted vote of 7 Yeas, 3 Nays. Mr. Johnston: Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable member from Transcona, that the report of the committee be received. Motion agreed to. TABLING OF REPORTS Hon. Scott Fielding (Minister of Families): Madam Speaker, I am pleased to table the Supplementary Information for Legislative Review for the Department of Families, for the fiscal year ending March 31st, 2018.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS Madam Speaker: The honourable Minister for Sport, Culture and Her itage, and I would indicate that the required 90 minutes notice prior to routine proceedings was provided in accordance with rule 26(2). Would the honourable minister please proceed with her statement? Mother's Day Hon. Rochelle Squires (Minister responsible for the Status of Women): It is with pleasure that I rise in the House today to speak in honour of all our mothers–the role of mothering–in commemoration of Mother's Day, which was celebrated yesterday, on May 14th.

This past Sunday, many familie s across the province spent quality time honouring the role that their own mothers fulfill as nurturers, caregivers, leaders and role models. It is important to remember that mothers come in many forms. Families are so diverse and all those who play a m othering role are not necessarily biological mothers. They may be grandmothers, aunts, sisters, friends, stepmothers or mentors. Those who care give selflessly for the ones they love, embody the spirit of mothering and they deserve to be honoured.

Madam Speaker, it is equally important to acknowledge those for whom Mother's Day bring sadness. There are many of us who commemorate mother's day while working through grief and loss: the loss of our own mothers, the loss of children or the loss of the ability to have children. As mothers, we can feel the pain of other mothers who have experienced child loss. I would particularly like to acknowledge those mothers and caregivers who have experienced the pain and terror of having a missing or murdered chil d or loved one.

One must feel that a day like Mothe r's Day is impossible to endure, a nd yet, they continue to bravely–they continue bravely on. I believe that recognizing the countless, selfless acts of mothers and mothering is critical to acknowledging the value and status of women in our society. In addition to their roles as mothers, women do so much to lift up and care for their c ommunities, their organizations and their businesses.

They 'caretake' for the future: the future of their children, their family, their community and our province. * (13:40) Madam Speaker, in commemoration of this year's Mother's Day, I would like to put out a call to action. As we appreciate, honour and remember our mothers, let us also work to mobilize our energies to better–be better caretakers, to share the joy and responsibility of caretaking for our households, our families, our communities and our province together.

I'd like to acknowledge and welcome all the mothers who are here today in the gallery, and all the mothers who are watching these proceedings at home. Thank you very much, and thanks to all the mothers who joined us today.

2032 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 15, 2017 And I'd also like to ask for leave to enter their names into Hansard. Madam Speaker: Is there leave for the names to be entered into Hansard? [Agreed] Attending: Carole Bugg– Derek Johnson; Jenny Chudley–Sarah Guillemard; Laurel Robson Curry – Nic Curry; Lydia Ewasko –Wayne Ewasko; Hazel Fletcher–Steven Fletcher; Vera Helwer –Reg Helwer; Margaret Holliday –Sarah Guillemard's grandmother; Constance Mayer –Colleen Mayer; Mildred Smook –Dennis Smook; Annie Teitsma– James Teitsma; Gayle Wharton–Jeff Wharton.

Not attending: Grace Bindle –Kelly Bindle; Verna Cullen–Cliff Cullen; Anne Doell –Eileen Clarke ; Eleanor Eichler Grauff –Ralph Eichler ; Sharon Fielding–Scott Fielding ; Esther Friesen –Cameron Friesen; Claire Girardin –Jeff Wharton's mother -in law; Bernice Graydon– Cliff Graydon ; Doreen Isleifson–Len I sleifson; Hazel Johnston–Scott Johnston; Diane Lagass é–Bob Lagass é; Donelda Lagimodiere–Alan Lagimodiere ; Dianne Schellenberg–Bob Lagass é's mother-in-law; Diane Martin (deceased) –Shannon Martin; Diane McDonald (deceased) –Heather Stefanson; Olive Michaleski–Brad Michaleski ; Val Micklefield – Andrew Micklefield ; Georgette Morley –Janice Morley-Lecomte; Shirley Nesbitt–Greg Nesbitt; Jeanette Nurse –Rochelle Squires ; Anne Pallister (deceased)–Brian Pallister; Eva Pedersen (deceased)–Blaine Pedersen ; Janet Piwniuk –Doyle Piwniuk; Leticia Reyes–Jon Reyes; Kathleen Sawula (deceased)–Cathy Cox ; Wanda Schuler ( deceased)– Ron Schuler ; Diane Stefanson–Heather Stefanson's mother-in-law; Anne Wiens –Kelvin Goertzen ; Christina Wishart –Ian Wishart ; Olga Wowchuk – Rick Wowchuk.

Ms. Flor Marcelino (Leader of the Official Opposition): On behalf of our NDP caucus, I would like to wish all Manitoba mothers a happy belated Mother's Day. While the role of mothers is not always properly recognized, we know that their sacrifices and contributions are immeasurable and invaluable. Mother's Day is an important opportunity not only t o honour and celebrate motherhood, but to speak up about the challenges facing mothers and the supports we must offer. More than ever before, women entering motherhood are faced with unique challenges.

While some mothers struggle to balance the demands of a full-time job with motherhood, other mothers face barriers finding stable employment. For single mothers, these challenges are even more pronounced. That's why investing in services like public child care and maternal health, and raising the minimum wage to a living wage is so important. So far, this government has failed to address the growing need for accessible and afford able childcare in this province. And, instead of investing in maternal health services, they've chosen a path of deep cuts.

On behalf of our NDP caucus, I would like to thank all m others for your love, sacrifice and hard work, and for being incredible models of love, compassion and kindness for the next generation. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Ms. Cindy Lamoureux (Burrows): Madam Speaker, I ask for leave to speak in response to the minister's statement. Madam Speaker: Does the member have leave to speak to the statement? [Agreed] Ms. Lamoureux: Today we rise to celebrate our moms. As times continue to change, so does the definition of a mother.

With that said, I want to thank all women who give birth, all trusted guardians who help raise, have the talks and provide a safe place to reside. Whether this person be verbally addressed as your mother or not, Mother's Day is a day to appreciate those we thank for where we are today. Madam Speaker, I think this is a great opportunity to thank those who foster, adopt, mentor and work with children and teenagers. Whether biological or not, we wouldn't be here without our moms. So, thank you, moms of my fellow MLA colleagues for being here today.

And although my mom, Cathy Lamoureux, couldn't be here in Winnipeg today, I wanted to give her a shout out. Now, Madam Speaker, I know that I'm not allowed to use props, so allow me to take a sip of my coffee and say, happy Mother's Day. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker: The honourable Minister of Growth, Enterprise and Trade, and I would indicate that the required 90 minutes notice prior to routine

May 15, 2017 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2033 proceedings was provided in accordance with our rule 26(2). Would the honourable minister please proceed with his statement. Minimum Wage Indexation Act Hon. Cliff Cullen (Minister of Growth, Enterprise and Trade): Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak to our government's plan to improve wages for working Manitobans. Today, I introduced t he minimum wage indexation act. This legislation provides a consistent and predictable way of indexing Manitoba's mini - mum wage with inflation through a fully transparent formula.

Several other provinces in Canada already use this method. With the proposed legislation, Manitoba's minimum wage will increase to $11.15 per hour on October 1 st, 2017. This will ensure Manitoba remains in the middle of all Canadian provinces for its minimum wage. For next year , and in the years ahead, adjustments to the minimum wage will be announced prior to April 1st to take effect on October 1st of each year. This bill will also ensure that in years of negative or no inflation, the minimum wage will not decrease. Madam Speaker, improving wages for working Manitobans is important to us.

We are also increasing the threshold when members start to pay tax, taking almost 3,000 Manitobans off the tax rolls. This government continues our government's work to ensure worki ng Manitobans are able to take home more of their hard- earned money, while providing predictability for businesses that generate growth and job creation in our economy. In line with other Canadian provinces, this legislation represents a balanced, common sense approach that reflects our commitment to workers, their families and to small business.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, and we look forward to the support of members opposite in passing this important legislation. Mr. Tom Lindsey (Flin Flon): Manitoba had a 17-year tradition of minimum wage increases that equitably reflected the interests of labour and business in Manitoba. After giving himself and his Cabinet a 20 per cent pay raise last year, this was the first year that the Premier (Mr. Pallister) refused to raise the minimum wage for hard - working Manitobans. This decision hurt Manitoba families and took more than $400 out of their pockets last year alone.

The provincial government has an obligation to do everything it can to help raise Manitobans out of poverty, and the freeze put on minimum wage increases was not the right strategy to do so. It only left minimum wage earners in Manitoba with less spending power, less disposable income, and it meant many of them had to spend more time working, more time away from their families, just to make ends meet. With the cuts to health care, education initiatives, the services and programs minimum wage earners depend on are becoming increasingly less accessible, less affordable or simply obsolete.

And to the government's legislation that would impose two- year wage freeze followed by a two -year wage cap on Manitoba public sector workers, it's clear that low-income minimum wage earners in Manitoba are not this government's priority. Madam Speaker, we need t o ensure no Manitoban is left behind, and that everyone who is working full -time is living above the poverty line. Our NDP team acted on that belief for 17 years. It's about time this Conservatives got on board. Fifteen cents will not cut it. Ms. Cindy Lamoureux (Burrows): Madam Speaker, I ask for leave to speak in response to the minister's statement.

Madam Speaker: Does the member have leave to speak to the statement? [Agreed] Ms. Lamoureux: In October, Manitobans were disappointed to hear that their minimum wage would not be increasing. This move by the provincial government disproportionally affected women, who make up 60 per cent of minimum wage earners as well as low-income families. Currently, a Manitoban who works full time for minimum wage earns less than $20,000 a year, which is $10,000 less than the low -income cut -off for a family of two.

For a single mother of one child, working full time, to earn a living above the poverty line, Manitoba would need to raise its minimum wage to $15.23 an hour.

2034 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 15, 2017 Manitoba's more than 30,000 minimum wage earners have found themselves $400 poorer this year due to inflation. Madam speaker, it's good to hear that this government is willing to look at raising minimum wage to inflation, yet it's important that M anitobans are receiving livable wages. If the government is looking to save money, they need to invest proactively to reduce future costs. Minimum wage is only a small piece of the puzzle. Thank you. MEMBERS' STATEMENTS Federal Response to Border Crossings Mr.

Kelly Bindle (Thompson): Madam Speaker, by only closely monitoring the situation at Emerson and elsewhere, the federal Liberal government's lack of desire to properly address illegal border crossings has left Canadian citizens to deal with the consequences, citizens like Abiodun "Abbey" Ogunbanwo. * (13:50) Originally from Nigeria, Abbey has been in Canada for 13 years, and after legally attaining his Canadian citizenship and getting married seven years ago, Abbey filed for family class sponsorship to bring his family Taiwo –his wife Taiwo and two stepchildren, Michael and Deborah from Nigeria to Canada so they may be reunited in Thompson where he works full time and is also a church pastor.

Abbey's family's application has been in the process for over 5 years. They have complied on time with every request, su pplied all information, had interviews, supplied DNA samples twice , and Abbey has spent significant resources on travel and lawyers and has continually been told to wait. After waiting close to a year , being told to call back again in a month, again in a month, again and again and getting the runaround from his local NDP MP Niki Ashton's office, Abbey's situation became more desperate as attacks, killings and bombings against Christians by the Fulani herdsmen in Nigeria increased.

Abbey contacted me a couple of months ago. He explained his situation, including how living apart from his family for over 6 years is hard on their relationship and how it's taking an emotional toll on him because his family's in danger. With help from the member of Assiniboia, we supplied Abbey with information on how to properly submit a petition to the House of Commons in Parliament a ssembled. Abbey prepared the docu - ments, obtained the proper amount of signatures and returned the completed petition.

With help from the member of Emerson, I forwarded the petition to federal Conservative Party MP Ted Falk's office hoping to have the petition read in the House of Commons, and I thank them for their co -operation in looking into the status of Abbey 's application and getting back to us right away. Abbey continues to be committed to bringing his family to Canada through proper channels . He has taken time off work to drive here overnight from Thompson to attend today's sitting. I hope everyone will join me– Madam Speaker: The member's time has expired. Mr.

Bindle: Madam Speaker, I request leave to have the text of the petition included in Hansard.

Madam Speaker: Does the member have leave to have the text of the petition included in Hansard? [Agreed] Petition to the House of Commons in P arliament assembled I, Abbeyodun (Abbey) Ogunbanwo, a citizen of Canada, resident of XXXXX, in the city of Thompson, in the province of Manitoba, Canada, at present working with the Canadian Mental Health Association as the Coordinator for the Thompson Homeless Shelter and a Church Pastor at Leaf Rapids under the umbrella of Thompson Pentecostal Assembly, draw the attention of the House of Commons in Parliament Assembled to the following: 1.

That I got married to my wife Taiwo Adekemi Ogunbanwo in Nigeria on October 21, 2010. 2. That, at present my wife and two children still reside in Lagos, Nigeria. 3.That in April 2012, I filed for a Family Class Sponsorship to bring my wife (Taiwo Adekemi Ogunbanwo) and my two children, son – Opeyemi Michael Ogunbanwo and daughter – Oyindamola Deborah Ogunbanwo to Canada. 4. That the said application was received on April12, 2012 by Immigration office in Canada and a file number XXXXX was issued to me as the applicant for sponsorship.

May 15, 2017 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2035 5. That my wife was invited for an interview on November 22, 2012 at the Ghana High Commission and to brought along some other documents, as per the letter requested. 6. That an application number XXXXX and file number XXXXX was issued to her application. 7. That the said interview took place in Accra, Ghana November 22, 2012. 8. That a letter of refusal to the application was received on November 27, 2012, and I was given the option to appeal the decision within 30 days . 9.

That an appeal was submitted on December 9, 2012 and that a hearing date for the appeal was set for March 19, 2015. 10. That after the appeal hearing with all supported evidence and documentation provided, a decision was made by the Judge and an approval letter was issued on April 13, 2015 for the I mmigration to proceed, and the application be processed. 11. That on June 5, 2015, a letter requesting the children and myself to go for a DNA testing was received. 12. That the result of the DNA testing was received by Immigration on June 20, 2015. 13.

That a letter was received from the Immigration office stating that the DNA test result is not sufficient enough proof for them to grant approval for the application and I was given another 30 days to provide more supporting documents to back up my claims, if I wanted to continue the process. 14. That myself and my wife submitted another set of Sworn Affidavit papers on November 25, 2015 stating all the fact all over again and sworn to in front of a judge. 15. That a letter was received from Immigration on August 16, 2016 requesting for another set of DNA testing for my children. 16.

That the DNA testing was done in August 18, 2016 at the prescribed hospital and 17. That since August, 2016, we have not heard back from the Immigration and are not allowed to make phone calls to their office as per the instruction on their website. Therefore, we petitioners call upon the House of Commons in Parliament Assembled to: 1. Please review the status of Mr. Abiodun Ogunbanwo's family immigration application, help to resolve this issue, and enable him to proceed with sponsoring his family into Canada. 2. Please help Mr.

Ogunbanwo reunite with my family because they have lived apart for well over 6 years and it is beginning to affect him, his wife, their relationship, their children, and he would really appreciate the support of his family around him given the type of work he is presently doing. 3. Please help reunite Mr. Ogunbanwo's family in Canada because his wife and two step children currently live in a crisis situation with killings and bombings taking place in Nigeria, and he fears for their lives because nobody knows where the Fulani Herdsmen will strike next. 4. Please ask the Minister of Immigration to allow Mr.

Abiodun Ogunbanwo to reunite with his family in Canada. The family is respectful of the immigration process and believe there's been an error in the red tape in Ghana or Canada. The undersigned vouch for Mr. Ogunbanwo's character. He is a leader in the community, he's a leader in the North, and he is clearly a man who is a great Canadian and so will his family members be, once they are allowed to enter the country. Winnipeg Police Half Marathon Mr. Andrew Swan (Minto): On May 7, more than 2,400 people took

part in the 13th annual Winnipeg police half marathon. Runners and walkers enjoyed the sun and mild temperatures, if not the stiff easterly wind, as they completed a five -kilometre course, the two -person relay or the entire signature 21.1-kilometre race. I finished the half marathon in just over one hour and 46 minutes. The Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage (Ms. Squires) and the member for Morris (Mr. Martin) also completed the half marathon. The member for Morris joins me a nd a small number of members–a small number of runners who' ve completed the race each and every year.

Race Director Nick Paulet and his team ensure that the event is a complete success, even as runners in past y ears have faced snow, ice, gale- force winds and even perplexed deer along Wellington Crescent. I was delighted to attend the recent Manitoba Runners' Association Hall of Fame dinner where Nick was recognized as Manitoba's Race Director of the Year.

2036 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 15, 2017 The race raises money for research for the treatment and cure of brain cancer . Brain cancer has a survival rate of just 25 per cent and is the leading cause of cancer death among children. This race was dedicated to Jo Schiewe who lost her courageous battle with brain cancer last August. Her family was presented with the Canadian Cancer Society's highest honour, the national Medal of Courage, during a race-day ceremony. The police half marathon is a shining example of the way that the women and men of the Winnipeg Police Service give back to our community.

I com - mend Nick Paulet and all of the volunteers for putting on a tremendous event. I congratulate all racers who covered the course. The 14th annual Winnipeg police half marathon will take place on the first Sunday of May , 2018. I hope to see many colleagues running not from, but with, the police. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Jestoni Villanueva Mr. Nic Curry (Kildonan): I rise today to recognize Jestoni Villanueva for his outstanding achievements in high school track and field. He is accompanied here today by his family: mother, Edna; father, Tony; and sister, Angelica, otherwise known as his biggest fans.

Recently, his West Kildonan Collegiate Wolverine was named the Tire Recycle Urban High School Athlete of the Week for his performance in track and field. Jestoni first discovered a passion for track and field, in particular the long jump, as a student at Leila North middle school. He has been training ever since, and with the encouragement of coaches and family begun to establish himself as an elite athlete. Not to be underestimated at five foot five inches tall, Jestoni easily clears a distance of 20 feet, nearly four times his height.

This feat won him the Kildonan Peguis athletic conference junior boys indoor long- jump competition record. Complementary to this achievement, Jestoni placed third in the 60-metre sprint and helped bring his relay team to second place finish at the same conference. While an ambitious and accomplished young athlete, Jestoni exudes a sense of humility beyond his years. Wolverines coach, Mikki Grouette, says of Jestoni, we know that he' d learned a lot of his skill from excellent track clubs in the city, but doesn' t feel like he' s above the rest of us. H e trains with the leading athletes.

It is known that Jestoni is supportive, not just of teammates, but his com - petitors as well. Jestoni has taken the initiative to establish himself as a junior - and varsity-level representative for track and field sports . He continues to encourage those participating in track and field and hopes to one day to further promote the sport through coaching or running his own track and field club.

From a long jump record to winning gold and silver medals at high school indoor provincials to becoming a Boeing classic champion and leading hi s peers to similar achievements, Jestoni, a sophomore athlete, has accompanied much and will have much more in the future. Thank you, Madam Speaker. John Blatz Mr. Bob Lagassé (Dawson Trail): Madam Speaker, today, I am honoured to rise in the House and speak about John Blatz. John was a firm be liever in our democratic system and led by example, showing people that anyone who wants to be involved can get involved in the political system.

Throughout his career , he was very practical and understood how our political system worked and where people could make their voices heard. John had a very busy career in the political sphere. In the '80s, he sat on the Manitoba Lotteries board. He later sat on the Highway Traffic Board and was promoted to chairman of the Highway Traffic Board. He was also an active volunteer for politicians that he believe d in. To name a few: Bob Banman; Albert Driedger; the former–the current MLA for Steinbach; Jake Epp, former MP and federal Minister of Health ; the honourable Gary Filmon and our current Premier (Mr.

Pallister) in his leadership campaign. John's commitment and dedication were not qualities that went unnoticed. The honourable Gary Filmon once said John Blatz was one of the most loyal and dedicated supporters he had in the Steinbach area. I could always count on his leadership and commitment.

May 15, 2017 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2037 Madam Speaker, the passion and dedication John had was passed down to his daughter, Jenny Plett, and, as a result , has led to me sitting in the Legislative Assembly today. Jenny, through her dad's example, saw something in me and encouraged me to run. It is impor tant for us to remember that is an extreme privilege to be able to express our political choices and opinions in a democratic society, especially when we see countries all over the world where this isn't a possibility.

John has always been aware of this and always worked tirelessly for the causes he believed in. John passed away July 29th, 2014. I'd like to ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing John's dedication and spirit , as we ll as Jenny Plett, his daughter, and Margaret Blatz , his wife. Aqua Doves Mr. Tom Lindsey (Flin Flon): Today, I would like to recognize the Flin Flon Aqua Doves , the oldest and only synchronized swimming team in all of northern Manitoba, based out of Flin Flon.

Established not long after the community swimming pool was built in 1975, the Aqua Doves have a proud history of success in the Flin Flon constituency. Their first coach, Adrienne Bage, was a national-level coach who worked tirelessly to grow and promote the sport in the community. Thirty-five years on, the Aqua Doves continue to carry on the strong tradition of synchronized swimming in northern Mani toba. Every Saturday morning at 8 a.m. sharp, you'll find the Aqua Doves gathered on the pool deck for the practice and preparing their routines.

The program welcomes swimmers of all ages and abilities to promote fitness and fun. Recently, the Aqua Doves represented Fl in Flon in the Crocus Challenge in Winnipeg with great success. Their swimmers competed in both the recreational and competitive stream s, and several swimmers went on to compete in the Canadian prairie sync hronized swimming championship held in Winnipeg this past weekend.

It was a huge event, gathering swimmers from across the prairies, but the Aqua Doves held their own and did Flin Flon proud. * (14:00) Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize all the swimmers and coaching team of the Flin Flon Aqua Doves for their dedication and their commitment to the sport, and I wish them all the best in future competitions and another 35 years of success. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Introduction of Guests Madam Speaker: Prior to oral questions, I would like to draw the attention of all honourable members to the public gallery where we have with us today Paul and Rita Teitsma from High Level, Alberta, who are the brother and sister -in-law of the honourable member for Radis son (Mr. Teitsma), along with Dennis and Andie –Annie Teitsma, who are the parents of the honourable member for Radisson. And I have heard that Mr. Dennis Teitsma is 85 years old today, and on behalf of all honourable members we wish him a very happy birt hday and welcome all of you to the Manitoba Legislature.

ORAL QUESTIONS Government Accountability Performance Record Ms. Flor Marcelino (Leader of the Official Opposition): The Premier says the opposite of what he means. He says he wants to improve education, then makes class sizes bigger. He says he wants improvements to health care, then closes hospital emergency rooms. He says he wants protection for front-line workers, then eliminates jobs. The Premier speaks the opposite of what he means, so when he says he's giving governing his hundred per cent effort, we want to ask: Does he mean he's giving his efforts 97 per cent? Hon.

Brian Pallister (Premier): Well, Madam Speaker, we are a new government but we're a government that's demonstrated our integrity in every way. We are keeping our word to Manitobans. After a decade of debt, we're fixing the finances; after a decade of decay, repairing the services and, after a decade of decline, we're rebuilding the services for Manitobans and the economy at the same time. Madam Speaker: The honourable interim Leader of the Official Opposition, on a supplementary question.

2038 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 15, 2017 Ms. Marcelino: Last week the Premier wouldn't reveal how h e communicates, but it is clear that the biggest issue from the Premier is that he says one thing, then does the opposite. When he pressed on his–when pressed on his contradictions he goes on the attack. But here's a real test of his effectiveness: the Premier doesn't have a health deal with Ottawa; the Premier hasn't made a commitment to the plan to reduce climate change; the Premier doesn't have a plan to reduce poverty.

The Premier says he works very hard, but with so little delivered, we have to ask him: Does he agree maybe things would be better if he started working at governing? Mr. Pallister: Well, Madam Speaker, one thing we've done and will continue to do is to reach out to all members of the House and involve them in shared efforts. We think that teamwork works and we've seen how it doesn't work with the previous government. So here's an opportunity for the members: They could join with us and stand up for Manitobans who want better health care.

They could join with us and stand up for Manit obans who want a better Canada Pension Plan. They could stand with us and stand up for Manitoba's aerospace industry. They failed to do it on all three of those things so far, Madam Speaker. Here's their opportunity to join with a good government in standing up for Manitobans. Madam Speaker: The honourable interim Leader of the Official Opposition, on a final supplementary. Ms. Marcelino: The government doesn't just have a communications problem. There is simply no way to gloss over the decisions of the P remier. He says he will release reports; then he doesn't.

He says he will protect workers; then he doesn't. He says he will improve services, then cuts them. Madam Speaker, why should Manitobans believe what the Premier is saying? Mr. Pallister: Well, Madam Speaker, the previous administration had a chance. They took taxpayers' money–$300,000; they hired an international expert, Phillip Dunsky. He said, let's have a plan and implement a plan so Manitobans could pay less for hydro. And what did the previous government do, Madam Speaker? Well, they hid the report. And then they asked for advice from Dr.

David Peachey on improving wait times and reducing those wait times for Manitobans –paid $700,000 for that. And they had a chance to act on the reco m- mendations, but what did they do, Madam Speaker? They buried the report. Madam Speaker, they didn't implement these recommendations from international experts paid for by Manitoba taxpayers because they didn't have the courage to act. We do. Premier's Communication Methods Use of Private or Government Email Mr. Andrew Swan (Minto): Madam Speaker, late last week we learned that Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall admitted to using private email for government business.

At first, Premier Wall doubled down and said he would continue to use private email for government business. But within 24 hours, though, Premier Wall changed course and he confirmed that he will use only government email for government business. Will this Premier follow Premier Wall's lead, admit that he was wrong and confirm that he, too, will use only government email for government business? Hon.

Brian Pallister (Premier): I'll continue, Madam Speaker, and this government will continue, to be very concerned and act on the advice of experts, whether it's the ethics commissioner or–in the case of disclosing personal assets, or if it's the advice of the Ombudsman, as we have requested and the opposition agrees, so that we can find the best possible way to protect the integrity and confidentiality of all information. But the member speaks about correcting the record. He said last week –and the media picked up on this–that I have a company that I declared for the very first time.

He said that, and the media picked it all up, and, well, they took him at his word. But, Madam Speaker, that company, he asked me about a year ago. Now, how could it be that he would ask me about a new company a year ago? Madam Speaker, you see, the member has put false information on the record through the media, e mbarrassed the media in doing it, and I would think he should apologize to the media for making them make mistakes. Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Madam Speaker: Order.

May 15, 2017 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2039 The honourable member for Minto (Mr. Swan), on a supplementary question. Mr. Swan: I'll encourage the media to walk across to the Clerk's office and check the Premier's 2015 Conflict of Interest declaration. That should clear that up. Even before Premier Wall reversed his course on the use of private email, his office had confirmed that, in any case, all of Premier Wall's private emails were subject to freedom of information laws. These laws apply both to disclosure but also the protect ion of sensitive and confidential information.

This Premier has refused our freedom of information request, and it's been necessary for our caucus to apply to the Ombudsman's office. Will this Premier, who wants Manitobans to believe he's open and trans parent, admit this was wrong, notify the Ombudsman the information will be provided, and answer our freedom of information request? Mr. Pallister: Madam Speaker, the member for Minto mendaciously digs the hole deeper. And I know that he made up information about his own leader, so I expect that I shouldn't probably worry about him making up information about me.

But, Madam Speaker, here's a quote f rom last year's Estimates: Why did the Premier disclose his shares in Pallister Investments 22 in November 20th, 2013? That's his question, so when the member makes things up he should get a little more clever, or maybe better idea, Madam Speaker, don't make things up and embarrass yourself in front of your colleagues, the people of this Chamber and the people of Manitoba. Madam Speaker: I would just indicate that the word mendacious is a word that has not been acceptable, as it is considered to be an unparliamentary word.

So I just would urge caution in the use of such language in the House. Mr. Swan: I thought maybe the Premier would rise to apologize, but that doesn't seem to be one of his abilities. It's very surprising that the Premier is so unwilling– Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Swan: –to provide a clear answer to this question. Maybe he doesn't use email, as he told the media a few months ago, or maybe he uses a number of private email accounts, as he told me in Estimates just a week ago.

Privacy commissioners in British Columbia and Nova Scotia have recently spoken about the requirement for government business to be conducted by government email. Premier Wall in Saskatchewan has acknowledged that he was wrong and will change his practice. Will this Premier admit that he was wrong and confirm that he, too, will use only government communication devices and government email for government business? [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. * (14:10) Mr. Pallister: Just because Gord Mackintosh writes a book about a rebellion within the NDP doesn't mean it just happened, Madam Speaker.

And just because the member says that I just registered a company he knows that was registered four and a half years ago, doesn't mean it was registered recently. Madam Speaker, the member for Minto chooses–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Pallister: The member for Minto chooses to put false information on the record, discredits himself in the process, embarrasses the media who repeat his misleading statements and does us no favours here in terms of his conduct. He's becoming the whopper king of this place, Madam Speaker. Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Madam Speaker: Order.

Minimum Wage Poverty Reduction Mr. Tom Lindsey (Flin Flon): The Premier took a 20 per cent pay increase last year and froze minimum wage, depriving working Manitobans of roughly $400. The Premier said raising the minimum wage, according to him, does not reduce poverty. Madam Speaker, the previous government's total increases to minimum wage were more than double the rate of inflation.

2040 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 15, 2017 Will the Minister for Growth, Enterprise and Trade commit to matching or exceeding that? Hon. Cliff Cullen (Minister of Growth, Enterprise and Trade ): We know the previous NDP government certainly took their direction from union bosses. We've taken another approach to that. We've actually gone out and consulted with Manitobans in terms of the minimum wage. And as a result of the discussion with Manitobans–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr.

Cullen : –and across Manitoba, we're putting forward what we think is a consistent and predictable method in dealing with minimum wage going forward. And we believe this will be positive for Manitobans and certainly positive for Manitoba' s business community. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Flin Flon, on a supplementary question. Mr. Lindsey: Full-time workers in this province should not have to live in poverty, and that's why the minimum wage needs a significant increase. But this government froze minimum wage increases while giving themselves a raise. This government is delaying when it could act.

Will the Minister of Growth, Enterprise and Trade commit to a plan that moves low -income workers toward a living wage? Mr. Cullen : Well, Madam Speaker, you know, I thought maybe the member opposite was going to buy into this. I think there's been a lot of people that asked for the indexing. Clearly, this provides certainty for Manitoba workers, and I think this is a positive thing. I know –I recognize there's about 5 per cent of employees in Manitoba are in minimum wage. We're certainly look ing forward to getting more Manitobans back to work.

In fact, Madam Speaker, as part of creating a positive relationship, positive partnerships, creating a positive foundation for growth, our government, in conjunction with Manitobans, has created over 6,000 jobs since January 1st. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Flin Flon, on a final supplementary. Mr. Lindsey: We know this government failed to include a comprehensive plan to fight poverty in their budget. We also know that raising the minimum wage is one of the best ways to fight poverty by directly increasing the incomes of those who need it the most. But it's still only a stepping stone.

Will this government finally show some real ambition and commit to working towards a minimum wage that can truly be called a living wage? Mr. Cullen: I think Manitobans will agree with our balanced approach to minimum wage and how we're going to deal with it going forward. Clearly, if and when the opposition get back into government, they can take whatever opportunity they want to take in terms of moving forward on that. We're committed to getting Manitobans back to work. And we're committed to positive partners – partnerships to do that. And we also believe in education.

We put more money into education than ever before to get more Manitobans up and above the minimum–poverty wage, Madam Speaker. This is what we're going to do. We're going to create more jobs for Manitobans and get more Manitobans back to work. Premier's Holding Company Conflict of Interest Concerns Mr. James Allum (Fort Garry -Riverview): The Premier of Manitoba has made it abundantly clear that he has no respect for the Province's conflict of interest laws.

He knows the public trust in this institution, the Legislature, in the office tha t he holds, is essential and that he needs to respond honestly and forthrightly about real or perceived conflicts of interest. When asked last week about a holding company, he said, quite –and I quote –frankly, it's none of your business. Unquote. I want to give the Premier the opportunity today to retract that statement and apologize to the people of Manitoba. Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Madam Speaker: Order. Hon.

Brian Pallister (Premier): I really encourage the member to listen to the qu estions from his own colleagues when they're asked, Madam Speaker, and I also encourage him to listen to the answers when they're given. I've already answered that question. And I have previously said, and I'll say again, that the member opposite knew that I had declared fully

May 15, 2017 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2041 all my assets in 2013 in respect of the question he asked. Madam Speaker, I've gone over and above the recommendations of the conflict of interest com - missioner. I have exceeded those requirements and the advice he's given me. I've disclosed more assets than he advised me I needed to disclose. I have done my very best to make sure that these assets are declared. And I'll continue to go above and beyond the requirements while we look at ways to make sure that we amend this legislation to make it work better than it ever did under the previous administration.

Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Fort Garry-Riverview, on a supplementary question. Mr. Allum: Again, the Premier is making it abundantly clear that he has no respect for the people of Manitoba. Conflict of interest laws sustain political confidence in the institutions of government and in the highest office that he holds. When he–this holding c ompany suddenly – suddenly–out of nowhere, appeared on his conflict of interest laws he said– Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Allum: –he said, Madam Speaker, that, frankly– [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr.

Allum: –it was none of our business. So will he do us all a favour today: Will he tell us, what does Pallister holding company No. 22 actually do? Mr. Pallister: I recognize the member may have put a good deal of time into the preparation of the questions he now reads, Madam Speaker, but the fact is, this has been answered. If he would choose, as members of the public can, to review the Estimates debates from las t year, he'd see a detailed explanation on this very question by me. He'd also hear this quote, if he was to choose to read it, from the member for Minto (Mr.

Swan), which–who asked me this question, and a fair question, a year ago, Madam Speaker: Why di d the Premier disclose his shares in Pallister Investments in–on November 20th, 2013? And if he was to read that quote from his colleague and speak to his colleague about it, what he would find out is that there's nothing new here, that this has all been previously declared and, quite frankly, that it goes above and beyond what the conflict of interest commissioner advised that I needed to disclose.

I am perfectly willing to the let the member read Hansard or review all the filed documents that I have filed, just as I could, if I had the slightest interest, review his, as well. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Fort Garry-Riverview, on a final supplementary. Mr. Allum: Well, Madam Speaker, as usual the Premier doesn't answer a direct question. The question was: What does Pallister Investments 22 actually do? The people of Manitoba need to know whether the Premier of Manitoba is in a conflict of interest when he holds the Premier's office on the one hand, and has several business interests.

So the question is for him now is: Does this holding company do business in Manitoba and what, precisely, does it do? Answer the question. Mr. Pallister: Madam Speaker, it's a holding company. It holds. That's what it does. It holds. It holds the retained earni ngs of 40 years of work. That's what it does. That's what a holding company does. And in answer to the previous member's questions, which I answered fully, I explained to him what I'll explain to you, Madam Speaker. I take the advice and recommendations of the conflict of interest commissioner in all my disclosures.

And, in fact, I listen to the advice and then I go beyond it and disclose more items than I am required. This is one of the items which I am not required to disclose. The members ask for ope nness. I give them openness and they try to score cheap political points with it and misrepresent the facts. * (14:20) That's what they do, Madam Speaker. That's not what I do. That's not what we do.

2042 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 15, 2017 Efficiency Manitoba Act Request to Withdraw Mr. Ted Marcelino (Tyndall Park): Last Thursday, May the 11th, there was a standing committee session on Legislative Affairs, and it started around 6:00 and ended around 12:00. I have a lot of respect for the member for Assiniboia (Mr. Fletcher) for saying that Bill 19, which is The Efficiency Manitoba Act, should go back to the drawing board. Why can't the Minister for Crown Services listen to his own caucus and withdraw Bill 19? Hon.

Ron Schuler (Minister of Crown Services): And what we have discovered is, under NDP mismanagement we now have a bipole -Keeyask levy. It's an NDP levy of disrespect that generations are going to pay for. Bill 19 and Bill 20 will protect Manitoba ratepayers today and going into the future. Madam S peaker: The honourable member for Tyndall Park, on a supplementary question. Mr. Marcelino : We think Bill 19, which is The Efficiency Manitoba Act, is a bad idea, and it turns out the member for Assiniboia thinks so too. He filibustered it on Thursday, Ma y the 11th, from 6:00 'til 12:00 on clause 1.

Can the Minister for Crown Services address the concerns–not mine–but of the member for Assiniboia regarding this bill? Mr. Schuler: Well, Madam Speaker, some time ago, the previous government –in fact, it wa s September of 2014–retained a highly regarded individual by the name of Phillip Dunsky to the tune of $300,000. They got a report. They did not have the courage to follow the report, which is something that we are going to do. In fact, they never even had the courage to present it to Manitobans, to release it, something else we have the courage to do.

We have the courage on both Bill 19 and Bill 20 to protect Manitoba ratepayers today and in the future. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Tyndall Park, on a final supplementary. Mr. Marcelino: I think I'm not getting through the Minister for Crown Services. I'll try the Premier. Will the Premier instruct the Minister for Crown Services to withdraw Bill 19? Hon. Brian Pallister (Premier): Well, th is must be a new position of the NDP, Madam Speaker, because the previous position was that there be an arm's-length agency from Manitoba Hydro to help Manitobans to use less hydro and pay less for hydro.

That was their previous position. They then commissioned Phillip Dunsky to give them advice, paid $300,000 for the advice and then covered up the report and did not act on it. Their new position is that the report is wrong, but our position is that the international expert, Phillip Dunsky, offered good advice which the taxpayers of Manitoba paid for, and so we will trust in the expert advice which the NDP refuses to listen to, Madam Speaker. Response to Community Tragedies Establishment of Crisis Protocol Ms. Judy Klassen (Kewatinook): When a tragedy strikes in an area, the whole community suffers.

In our area we come together. Literally, we stop our world to help those family members who are most affected by the tragedy. We come together in grief and comfort one another by our presence. Madam Speaker, such a tragedy struck the community of Little Grand Rapids this past weekend. A young mother was taken from us far too soon. The community is in a state of shock, a state of sadness. They need our support. I would like to be able to tell this community members that support is coming from our provincial government. Will the minister tell me what mental health or crisis supports are being dispatched? Hon.

Kelvin Goertzen (Minister of Health , Seniors and Active Living): I very much appreciate the member asking this question and, certainly, on behalf of all members of this colleague we –of this Legislature, we extend our condolences to the families who are impacted, to all the residents of the community. Madam Speaker, it was a tragedy that all of us learned about on the weekend. Certainly, in discussions with my department, if there are resources that can be deployed that are needed within the community, we stand by willing to offer assistance, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: The honourabl e member for Kewatinook, on a supplementary question. Ms. Klassen: Just six months ago, there was another terrible incident in which a school bus carrying 25 children tipped over in one of my riding's reserves. I heard from the Minister of Education within the first couple of hours. I was able to contact my chiefs to try and ascertain which community.

May 15, 2017 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2043 I also received updates from the minister's office, for which I was very grateful. And I let my chiefs know. We must work together, especially in the face of tragedy. Will the minister responsible tell me if the government is establishing formal protocols when it comes to responding to tragedies in any community? Mr.

Goertzen : Of course, there are a number of different ways that the government can help c om- munities when there is a disaster, whether that is a natural disaster or something that comes as a result of human intervention or something, in this particular circumstance, it comes in another way. Madam Speaker, there are multiple parts of government that are certainly willing to reach out when it comes to mental health, which is a part of my department.

Certainly, we have resources that can be mobilized and can be utilized to help those who need it in the community to recover from an issue that ob viously is very devastating for all those in the community. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Kewatinook, on a final supplementary. Ms. Klassen: As a mother, I can't imagine what that mother is going through, but I do know that I can show up and demonstrate love and compassion. It was Mother's Day yesterday. We need to work together so that every Manitoban feels cared for in the wake of a tragedy. Will the Premier (Mr.

Pallister) ensure that when a tragedy strikes in a community, that the MLA who represents that area is included in planning and that he or she receives updates so that they may provide assurance that help is on the way? Mr. Goertzen : Madam Speaker, I think when tragedy occurs in Manitoba, it's been my experience in Manitoba and my experience in this Legislature, that it is more than just the MLA who comes together. I've seen instances many times when all MLAs, regardless of political affiliation, regardless of which area they represent, they have come together to offer support in any way that they possibly can.

And I can assure the member, I would be happy to ensure that there's an opportunity for me to meet with her this afternoon, and with the appropriate officials, to discuss the situation and to help in the best way we can, Madam Speaker. Minimum Wage Legislation Indexed to Rate of Inflation Mr. James Teitsma (Radisson): With the fast - changing business competitive landscape and a market that's constantly moving, Manitoba business owners value predictability. That's why it's important for our government to create an environment that promotes stability and predictability.

That's why I was so pleased that the Minister of Growth, Enterprise and Trade just a few moments ago introduced legislation to adjust minimum wage increases to inflation. Can the minister please explain how this change to minimum wages help provide predictability to businesses? Hon. Cliff Cullen (Minister of Growth, Enterprise and Trade ): I do appreciate the question from the member. Clearly, after consulting with Manitobans, we believe we have legislation and a formula that provides consistent and predictable indexing of minimum wage going for ward based on Manitoba's consumer price index.

We also recognize that many other provinces are doing it, including Saskatchewan and British Columbia. This legislation will take effect, if agreed to by the opposition, October 1st of this year, increasing to $11.15 per hour. We believe this allows employees the security of purchasing power in their salary. * (14:30) We think it's the right thing to do. Many Manitobans also believe it's the right thing to do. We hope members opposite think it's the right thing to do as well. Hog Industry Expansion Lake Winnipeg Phosphorus Levels Mr. Rob Altemeyer (Wolseley): Recently, a very thoughtful and reasonable

article appeared – [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Altemeyer: –in the newspapers addressing a very serious issue. The

article came from Alexis Kanu from the Lake Winnipeg Foundation, who has significant concerns about the way the government's moving forward with deregulating important water protections in Manitoba. W hat she writes is, the

2044 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 15, 2017 government of Manitoba must provide its citizens with robust evidence to demonstrate that increased manure application to agricultural fields will not result–will not increase phosphorus loading to Lake Winnipeg. Could someone from the government please provide the evidence supporting their position? Hon. Cathy Cox (Minister of Sustainable Development): I'd like to thank the member opposite for that question. Ensuring that, you know, we have safe drinking water in the province of Manitoba is extremely important to this side of the Legislature over here.

We are not reducing the number of testing that we do to ensure that we have water quality in the province of Manitoba. We will continue to ensure we have amongst the highest water -quality testing in Manitoba. And I would just like to address the statement that the member made in his private member's statement last week when he talked about removing the prohibition on manure spreading in winter. That is absolutely not true, Madam Speaker. The member opposite knows that he was wrong in that assertion, and he should really apologize to the Legislature today. Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Madam Speaker: Order.

The honourable member for Wolseley, on a supplementary question. Mr. Altemeyer: Well, Madam Speaker, the minister's accusation is inaccurate again. It is in her very own bill where it says they are removing that provision from legislation. They have claimed they are going to keep it under regulation, but Cabinet can remove that regulation at any point in time any Wednesday morning when they meet.

I think Manitobans like Alexis Kanu, like the Lake Winnipeg Foundation, like anyone in Manitoba who depends on clean water either for their livestock operation, for their personal enjoyment or for drinking deserves a straightforward answer from this minister. Where is the evidence that expanding the hog industry and weakening water protection laws is not going to result in more pollution in our waterways? Mrs. Cox : We are not going to take the disrespectful, ideological plan that the members opposite were taking.

We are taking a climate–I mean a science- based approach, Madam Speaker, one that was mentioned here by the University of Manitoba Expert Panel Review of M easures to Protect Lake Winnipeg, that was actually commissioned by former government and they chose to just throw underneath the table and just totally disregard. They know, in fact, that the information provided in this review and commissioned by this g roup at the University of Manitoba indicates that it is a science -based approach that we should take, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Wolseley, on a final supplementary. Mr.

Altemeyer: Madam Speaker, I had hoped in this day and ag e that protecting water would not be an ideological issue. And I will applaud–despite her, you know, attacks on me today–I will applaud the minister for at least mentioning–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Altemeyer: –for mentioning the word science. I was very proud to attend the March for Science rally that happened a few weeks ago; she wasn't there. But I'll read another

section from the very good letter from Alexis Kanu. She says, after all, without evidence we can't be assured that appropri ate measures are in place to enable the hog industry to expand without also increasing the amount of phosphorus loading to Lake Winnipeg. She's not saying don't expand the industry; she's saying show us the evidence you can do that safely without destroying Lake Winnipeg. Will the minister please answer the question? Mrs. Cox : Again, thank you so much for the question. We will continue to ensure that we have manure management plans, Madam Speaker.

And I think the member opposite knows the importance of having a plan, or at least he should know how important it is to have a plan. We will continue to ensure that we have soil testing and construction permits and that we still have amongst the highest testing and manure management plans throughout the countr y, Madam Speaker, so the member opposite is wrong.

May 15, 2017 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2045 We also met with the Hog Watch on Friday afternoon. We had a very good discussion with them and we are going to work together. This is a Province that believes in listening to Manitobans, and the members opposite should get on board. Northern Health Authority Operating Budget Inquiry Mr. Tom Lindsey (Flin Flon): The northern regional health authority serves over 74,000 northern Manitobans.

The minister has made deep cuts to the RHA, including making it less affordable for people to accompany patients travelling to Winnipeg, cancelling major capital projects in Th e Pas and Thompson and cutting non -insured services. These cuts mean families in the North, especially those with mental illness, physical disability, will lose the quality of care they depend on. Will the minister explain what his $6 million in cuts to the NHRA will mean for seniors and persons with disabilities who rely on services like home care? Hon.

Kelvin Goertzen (Minister of Health , Seniors and Active Living ): Madam Speaker, the member's incorrect. In fact, the northern regional health authority will get a higher budget this year than they had last year. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Flin Flon, on a supplementary question. Mr. Lindsey: The northern regional health authority has announced that they were ordered to cut $6 million from their operating budget. There's been several memos that have been publicly released that talked about cutting $6 million from their operating budget.

Is this minister te lling us today that that $6-million cut is not happening and that he is, in fact, increasing the budget for the Northern Health Region? Mr. Goertzen: Well, Madam Speaker, I've indicated that the northern regional health authority, in addition to all health authorities, will see a slight increase in their budget this year. The only decrease that I've heard more recently is from the member for Concordia (Mr. Wiebe), who asked that we cut the Dauphin ER last week. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for F lin Flon, on a final supplementary. Mr.

Lindsey: I'm more than happy to hear that the operating budget for the Northern Health Region is going to be increased, and I'm more than happy to be able to report that to my constituents, that all the stories they 've heard about $6 million in savings from the NHRA are not going to come to pass, and that includes things like potential cuts to Northern Patient Transfer.

So, the minister can clear up a lot of confusion today by clarifying that, in fact, the Northern Patient Transfer will continue as it has, making sure that people who are patients, as well as their escorts, will continue to be– Madam Speaker: The member's time has expired. Mr. Goertzen: Well, Madam Speaker, as I told the member last week, there's been no change to the Northern Patient Transfer policy for the last 22 years. Road and Bridge Projects New Infrastructure Spending Mr.

Shannon Martin (Morris): Madam Speaker, the Minister of Indigenous and Municipal Relations, along with the Association of Manitoba Municipalities, recently announced applications for the municipal road and bridge projects are now being accepted through our new online, single -window intake process. Roads, bridges and other transportation infrastructure can deliver long -term economic benefits and 'susport' the sustainable growth of our Manitoba communities.

Can the Minister of Indigenous and Municipal Relations please update the House on this new approach to infrastructure funding will benefit municipalities? * (14:40) Hon. Eileen Clarke (Minister of Indigenous and Municipal Relations): I thank the member for that question. Our government's commitment to invest in strategic infrastructure is continuing, and that includes major investments that will benefit rural communities.

In addition to the $747 million that Manitoba Infrastructure has budgeted for roads, highways, bridges and flood protection outside of Winnipeg, the Pro vince is making an additional $14 million available directly to municipalities for local road and bridge projects. Applications are being accepted

2046 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 15, 2017 online through our government's new, streamlined, single-window intake. Madam Speaker, our government made c om- mitments to ensure that our infrastructure spending is strategic, delivers value for Manitoba taxpayers and helps contribute to a growing economy. And, with these investments– Madam Speaker: The member's time has expired. Sturgeon Fish Numbers Population Protection Hon.

Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Madam Speaker, lake sturgeon are rather amazing fish, and they seem to enjoy what's called tail-walking; that is, standing on their tails above the water and walking backwards. Now, they were drastically overfished in the late 1800s and early 1900s, and it's taken them more than a hundred years to start recovering in parts of Manitoba. But we want to make sure that there's no regression of this recovery. I ask the minister: Wha t is she doing to make sure that we're looking after our sturgeon and that they will continue to recover? Hon.

Cathy Cox (Minister of Sustainable Development): I would really like to thank the member opposite for that question. We have actually put mo re money into our fish and wildlife side of our department to ensure that we do have a sustainable big -game population and a good fish population as well. So we are doing that. It's very important to us on this side of the House. And we know that angling is a big source of revenue, and we want to make sure that we protect all of the fish, not only the sturgeon that the member opposite talks about.

So, we are working on this and we want to –we're on the road to recovery, Madam Speaker, unlike the members op posite when they were in government. Madam Speaker: The time for oral questions has expired. PETITIONS Taxi Industry Regulation Mr. Jim Maloway (Elmwood): Madam Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. The background of the petition is as follows:

(1) The taxi industry in Winnipeg provides an important service to all Manitobans.

(2) The taxi industry is regulated to ensure there are both the provision of taxi service and a fair and affordable fare structure.

(3) Regulations have been put in place that has made Winnipeg a leader in protecting the safety of taxi drivers through the installation of shields and cameras.

(4) The regulated taxi system also has significant measures in place to protect passengers, including a stringent complaint system.

(5) The provincial government has moved to bring in legislation through Bill 30 that will transfer jurisdiction to the City of Winnipeg in order to bring in so-called ride-sharing services like Uber.

(6) There we re no consultations with the taxi industry prior to the introduction of this bill.

(7) The introduction of this bill jeopardizes safety, taxi service, and also puts consumers at risk, as well as the livelihood of hundreds of Manitobans– [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order, please. Mr. Maloway: –many of whom have invested their life savings into the industry.

(8) The proposed legislation also puts the regulated framework at risk and could lead to issues such as what has been seen in other jurisdictions, including differential pricing, not providing service to some areas of the city, and significant risks in terms of traffic–or, taxi driver and passenger safety. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to withdraw its plans to deregulate the taxi industry, including withdrawing Bill 30. And this petition is signed by many Manitobans.

Madam Speaker: In accordance with our rule 133(6), when petitions are read, they are deemed to be received by the House. St. Boniface QuickCare Clinic Mr. Greg Selinger (St. Boniface): Madam Speaker, I would like to present the following petition to the Legislature.

May 15, 2017 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2047 And t he background to this petition is as follows: QuickCare clinics support the health-care system by offering important front -line health-care services that help seniors and families. The six QuickCare cl inics in Winnipeg are accessible, located within communities and have extended hours so that families and seniors can access high-quality primary health care quickly and close to home.

QuickCare clinics are staffed by registered nurses and nurse practitio ners who are able to diagnose and treat non- urgent-care needs as well as perform procedures and interpret diagnostic tests. The bilingual St. Boniface QuickCare clinic actively offers an essential health -care service in French to Winnipeg's Franco-Manitoban community. Having access to bilingual services is essential to ensuring the ongoing vitality of the Franco- Manitoban community.

The fran cophone community support and enhancement act and the Francophone Affairs Advisory Council outline a process for consultation on matters which impact the vitality and develop - ment of the francophone community. The provincial government has announced, without consultation, the closing of the St. Boniface QuickCare clinic on January 27, 2017, leaving St. Boniface seniors and families without access to community health care.

We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provinci al government to both recognize the importance of bilingual health -care services in Manitoba and reverse their decision to close the St. Boniface QuickCare clinic. Signed by many , many Manitobans, Madam Speaker. Thank you. Taxi Industry Regulation Mr. Te d Marcelino (Tyndall Park): Madam Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) The taxi industry in Winnipeg provides an important service to all Manitobans.

(2) The taxi industry is regulated to ensure there are both the provision of taxi service and a fair and affordable fare structure.

(3) Regulations have been put in place that has made Winnipeg a leader in protecting the safety of taxi drivers through the installation of shields and cameras.

(4) The regulated taxi system also has significant measures in place to protect passengers, including a stringent complaint system.

(5) The provincial government has moved to bring in legislation through Bill 30 that will transfer jurisdiction to the City of Winnipeg in order to bring in so-called ride-sharing services like Uber.

(6) There were no consultations with the taxi industry prior to the introduction of this bill.

(7) The introduction of this bill jeopardizes safety, taxi service, and also puts consumers at risk, as well as the livelihood of hundreds of Manitobans, many of whom have invested their life savings into the industry.

(8) The proposed legislation also puts the regulated framework at risk an d could lead to issues such as what has been seen in other jurisdictions, including differential pricing, not providing service to some areas of the city, and significant risks in terms of taxi driver and passenger safety. We petition the Legislative Ass embly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to withdraw its plans to deregulate the taxi industry, including withdrawing Bill 30. This petition was signed by many Manitobans. Kelvin High School Gymnasium and Wellness Centre Mr.

Andrew Swan (Minto): Madam Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) Manitobans recognize how important it is to provide young people with quality learning spaces to succeed in school.

(2) Sport, recreation and the spaces to engage in them are critical to the health and welfare of all students. * (14:50)

2048 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 15, 2017

(3) All forms of educational infrastructure, including gymnasiums and recreation centres in general, represent an incredible value -for-money investment, whereby the return is improved physical and psychological health and wellness.

(4) Kelvin High School is one of the largest high schools in the province, with over 1,200 students.

(5) Kelvin High School spe nt several years raising almost $1.2 million towards the construction of a new gymnasium and wellness centre.

(6) Some Kelvin students currently have to pay to use outside facilities to obtain their mandatory physical education credit.

(7) The provincia l government, in a regressive and short -sighted move, cancelled funding for the Kelvin gym and wellness centre for political reasons, despite the extensive community support, fund- raising and engagement.

(8) It is wasteful and disrespectful to the dedicated efforts of staff–or students, staff and the community in general to simply lay their goals aside without consultation. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to recognize the need for excellent recreation facilities in all Manitoba schools, to reverse this regressive cut and to provide Kelvin High School with the funding necessary to complete a new gymnasium and wellness centre. This petition, Madam Speaker, is signed by many Manitobans. Thank you. Taxi Industry Regulation Ms.

Flor Marcelino (Leader of the Official Opposition): Madam Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) The taxi industry in Winnipeg provides an important service to all Manitobans.

(2) The taxi industry is regulated to ensure there are both the provision of taxi service and a fair and affordable fare structure.

(3) Regulations have been put in plac e that has made Winnipeg a leader in protecting the safety of taxi drivers through the installation of shields and cameras.

(4) The regulated taxi system also has significant measures in place to protect passengers, including a stringent complaint system.

(5) The provincial government has moved to bring in legislation through Bill 30 that will transfer jurisdiction to the City of Winnipeg in order to bring in so-called ride-sharing services like Uber.

(6) There were no consultations with the taxi industry prior to the introduction of this bill.

(7) The introduction of this bill jeopardizes safety, taxi service, and also puts consumers at risk, as well as the livelihood of hundreds of Manitobans, many of whom have invested their life savings into the industry.

(8) The proposed legislation also puts the regulated framework at risk and could lead to issues such as what has been seen in other jurisdictions, including differential pricing, not providing service to some areas of the city, and significant risks in terms of taxi driver and passenger safety. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to withdraw its plans to deregulate the taxi industry, including withdrawing Bill 30. Signed by many, many Manitobans. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker: Grievances? ORDERS OF THE DAY GOVERNMENT BUSINESS Hon.

Andrew Micklefield (Government House Leader): Madam Speaker, I'm seeking leave to alter the Estimates sequence as follows, just for today: Agriculture in room 254, Education and Training in room 255 and Indigenous and Municipal Relations in the Chamber. Madam Speaker: Is there leave of the House to alter the Estimates sequence as follows, for today only: Agriculture in room 254, Education and Training in room 255 and Indigenous and Municipal Relations in the Chamber? Is that agreed? An Honourable Member: No.

May 15, 2017 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2049 Madam Speaker: Leave has been denied. Mr. Micklefield : Madam Speaker, I'm seeking leave to alter the Estimates sequence as follows, for today only: Agriculture in room 254, Education and Training in room 255 and Sustainable Development right here in the Chamber. Madam Speaker: Is there leave of the House to alter the Estimates sequence as follows, for today only: Agriculture in room 254, Education and Training in room 255 and Sustainable Development in the Chamber? Is that agreed? An Honourable Member: Yes. An Honourable Member: No.

Madam Speaker: Leave has been denied. Mr. Micklefield: Madam Speaker, I'm seeking leave to alter the Estimates sequence as follows, for today only: Sustainable Development in room 254, Education and Training in room 255 and Families here in the Chamber. Madam Speaker: Is there leave of the House to alter the Estimates sequence as follows, for today only: Sustainable Development in room 254, Education and Training in room 255 and Families here in the Chamber? Is that agreed? An Honourable Member: Yes. An Honourable Member: No. Madam Speaker: Leave has been denied. Mr.

Micklefield : Madam Speaker, I am seeking leave to alter the Estimates sequence as follows, for today only: Sport, Culture and Heritage in room 254, Education and Training in room 255 and Families right here in the Chamber. Madam Speaker: Is there leave of the House to alter the Estimates sequence as follows for today only: Sport, Culture and Heritage in room 254, Education and Training in room 255 and Families in the Chamber? Is that agreed? An Honourable Member: Yes. An Honourable Member: No. Madam Speaker: Leave has been denied. Mr.

Micklefield : Madam Speaker, I am seeking leave for today only for the Committee of Supply to meet in one

section in room 255 to consider the Department of Education and Training while the House considers Bill 33 for second reading today in the Chamber. [interjection] That would be two leave requests. Okay, let me start again, Madam Speaker, for clarity, if I may. I am seeking leave for today only for the Committee of Supply to meet in one

section in room 255 to consider the Department of Education and Training while the House considers legislation. Madam Speaker, I am seeking leave to proceed today to second reading of Bill 33, The Minimum Wage Indexation Act. Madam Speaker: First of all, is there leave of the House for today only for the Committee of Supply to meet in one

section in room 255 to consider the Department of Education and Training while the House considers legislation? And then is there leave of the House to proceed today to second–[interjection]–oh. I will r evert back to, then, just the first one: Is there leave of the House for today only for the Committee of Supply to meet in one section, room 255, to consider the Department of Education and Training while the House considers legislation? [Agreed] Is there leave of the House to proceed today to second reading of Bill 33, The Minimum Wage Indexation Act? [Agreed] House Business Mr.

Micklefield : Madam Speaker, a moment, if I may, to shuffle through the papers and reach my committee announcement scripts for this afternoon. On House business, I would like to announce that the Standing Committee on Private Bills will meet on Thursday, May 18th, 2017, at 6 p.m., to consider the following: Bill 215, The Civil Service Amendment Act (Employment Preference for Reservists with Active Service).

Madam Speaker: It has been announced that the Standing Committee on Private Bills will meet on Thursday, May 18th, 2017, at 6 p.m., to consider the following: Bill 215, The Civil Service Amendment Act (Employment Preference f or Reservists with Active Service).

2050 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 15, 2017 Mr. Micklefield: On House business, I would like to announce that the Standing Committee on Legislative Affairs will meet on Thursday, May 18th, 2017, at 6 p.m., to consider the following: Bill 9, The Advocate for Chi ldren and Youth Act; and Bill 11, The Community Child Care Standards Amendment Act (Staff Qualifications and Training).

Madam Speaker: It has been announced that the Standing Committee on Legislative Affairs will meet on Thursday, May 18, 2017, at 6 p.m., to consider the following: Bill 9, The Advocate for Children and Youth Act; Bill 11, The Community Child Care Standards Amendment Act (Staff Qualifications and Training). Mr. Micklefield : So, in accordance with what has been previously agreed, the Committ ee of Supply can proceed in room 255, and we will consider Bill 33 here in the Chamber. Madam Speaker: As agreed upon, the

section of Supply will continue now in room 255. SECOND READINGS Bill 33–The Minimum Wage Indexation Act (Employment Standards Code Amended) Madam Speaker: And in the Chamber we will move to second reading of Bill 33, The Minimum Wage Indexation Act. Hon. Cliff Cullen (Minister of Growth, Enterprise and Trade ): I move, seconded by the Minister of Infrastructure (Mr. Pedersen), that Bill 33, The Minimum Wage Indexation Act (Employment Standards Code Amended), be now read a second time and referred to a committee of this House. Motion presented. * (15:00) Mr.

C ullen: I appreciate the opportunity to debate Bill 33 today. Certainly, this is a relatively a unique concept, and just introducing a bill today and then having the opportunity to debate the bill today, I sense maybe there is some urgency on the opposit ion benches to move this bill through. And certainly would like to see that come to fruition, and we can move on to committee and get some more input from Manitobans on Bill 33. Clearly, Madam Speaker, our government is moving in a new direction in terms of how we're approaching minimum wage.

I know in the past under the previous NDP government they certainly took direction from union bosses and made changes to the minimum wage in that regard. Madam Speaker, we have taken the opportunity over the last s everal months to consult with Manitobans. And, obviously, we are also using the Labour Management Review Committee as a mech - anism for that consultation. That, of course, is only one component of consultations with Manitobans. We also undertook a very co mprehensive discussion with Manitobans during our prebudget consultations.

I know we certainly had some feedback in terms of where Manitobans wanted us to go in terms of minimum wage. And, clearly, part of that discussion and ongoing discussion with Manitobans is that we want to get as many Manitobans back to work as we can. Mr. Doyle Piwniuk, Deputy Speaker, in the Chair And, clearly, we believe, as a government, in positive partnerships. And we firmly believe those positive partnerships will lead to pro sperity for Manitobans.

They –that will lead to prosperity for individual Manitobans, and it will lead to prosperity for the business communities in Manitoba and, ultimately, it will lead to prosperity for us as a government. And I think many Manitobans rec - ognize that for us as a province to get ourselves out of the financial situation that we're in, we want to make sure we have as many Manitobans in the workforce as possible. Mr. Deputy Speaker, we have seen some very positive numbers come out of the bus iness com - munity. We've noted that small business in Manitoba is the most optimistic anywhere in Canada.

And, quite frankly, we want to harness that optimism and put Manitobans back to work. And the numbers are reflective of that, Mr. Deputy Speaker. We h ave seen, since January 1st of this year, 6,000 jobs increased–number of people working has increased by 6,000 since January 1st of this year. And we obviously believe that is a step in the right direction. Clearly, there is more work ahead. But Manitobans have told us consistently that our role as a government is to make sure that we create the foundation for economic growth here in Manitoba. And we certainly are taking steps to do that.

Clearly, we've outlined the red tape reduction strategy, and we're going to be moving that forward

May 15, 2017 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2051 as we progress, and that's going to be a work- in-progress across every department within govern- ment and across a broad range of government, and obviously all the sectors in Manitoba, as well. So we certainly look forward to that under - taking. We've had some very positive discussions with Manitobans about that red tape and how that is going to open up opportunities for Manitobans to get back to work. And that's really what it's about at the end of the day, Mr. Deputy Speaker. And we're excited about that.

In fact, what we've seen so far is that Manitoba now has the lowest unemployment rate of any province in Manitoba. We believe that's part of creating the right framework for economic growth here in Manitoba. Clearly, this legislation in Bill 33 brings in the concept of indexing. And indexing, we believe, will provide certainty. It will provide certainty for Manitoba business and it will also provide certainty for Manitoba employees.

Clearly, by tying the indexing of minimum wage to Manitoba's consumer price index, we will be guaranteeing employees that they would not be losing buying power as a result of inflation. I think this is a key component of indexing minimum wage. Clearly, when we look around the country, a number of other jurisdictions are using indexing, and I point out to you Saskatchewan and the province of British Columbia are using a similar model to what we use.

Saskatchewan are looking at a slightly different index model where they're tying in the consumer price inde x as well as minimum –I'm sorry–as a wage group, as well, so it's a little more of a complicated and a little more nuanced formula. We're using a straight consumer price index relative to Manitoba. So the minimum wage will be indexed from the standing point of $11 an hour from last year. It will be indexed, changing on October 1st of this year, and it will go up 15 cents based on the formula from that consumer price index. Just for the sake of clar ity, Mr.

Deputy Speaker, the formula will be applied to the $11 base, and then there will be a roundup to the nearest five cents; that's how the formula ended up at $11.15. Going forward, the index will be based on the actual figure, whatever that figure t urns out to be, without the rounding up to the next 5-cent increment. There's also provisions in this particular legislation that will protect minimum wage in the event that there's deflation, so the provisions of the legislation will maintain the minimu m wage at the existing level even if there is a period of deflation in a given year.

So that, clearly, protects workers and also sets predictability for the business community as well. The other part of the certainty around here and the predictability ar ound having an established formula for minimum wage is that people will know in advance of the October 1st each year what that particular wage rate will be because the consumer price index will be calculated early in the new year.

We will, as a government, be able to indicate to Manitobans what that particular index will result in prior to April 1st of each year, so that certainly 'glives' the predictability to the business community and also to workers around Manitoba and certainly to their families. The other thing I think we have to make sure that Manitobans realize that, as a government, we want to make sure that Manitobans keep as much money in their pockets as possible, especially low-income earners, and to do this, Mr. Deputy Speaker, we are increas ing the threshold where Manitobans begin to pay tax.

We know we're a long way behind the Canadian average in terms of that threshold, and we're a really long way behind our neighbours in Saskatchewan in terms of that index and where we start paying income tax. So our government is moving to increase that threshold where Manitobans pay income tax and, certainly, this year alone, there'll be close to 3,000 Manitobans taken off the tax roll directly. That, clearly, will have implications for low -income Manitobans and, clearly, it is a step in the right direction. Do we have more work to do, Mr. Deputy Speaker?

Indeed, indeed we do, but we're prepared to carry that out, even in the face of tough financial times, a tough financial deficit position. We certainly want to make sure Manitobans keep as much money at their kitchen table as possible. So these are some of the provisions that we have included in the legislation, and we're excited about that. We are certainly excited about having the discussion going forward on this. Hopefully, the opposition members will agree that we should get this particular legislation to committee. We will get some more input from Manitobans.

2052 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 15, 2017 * (15:10) And I do appreciate, and I want to thank the Labour Management Review Commi ttee for their work on this. I realize that they did not reach a consensus, but that comes with the territory, but we do appreciate their work on this endeavour as well. Certainly, both groups did look at the indexing formula. I think there was, you know, some con- sensus that an indexing formula could work here in Manitoba, and we concur with that –those comments as well. So I don't want to take up too much more time. We think this is a step forward for Manitoba.

We're excited about having a discussion–fu rther discussions with Manitobans about this particular legislation. This –just to indicate, Mr. Deputy Speaker, should put us sort of mid -range with other provinces as well in terms of where we're at in terms of the minimum wage. So we're optimistic the opposition members will pass this legislation and we can move on and have a further discussion with Manitobans. Thank you very much. Questions Mr. Deputy Speaker: A question period up to 15 minutes will be held.

Questions may be addressed in–to the ministry –minister or the member in the following sequence: first question by the official opposition critic or designate; subsequent questions asked by each independent member; remaining questions asked by any opposition member and no question or answer shall exceed 45 seconds. Mr. James Allum (Fort Garry-Riverview): Could the minister tell us today outside the Manitoba Labour Board who else he consulted on this bill? Hon. Cliff Cullen (Minister of Growth, Enterprise and Trade ): I do appreciate the question from the member opposite.

Just for clarification, it was the Labour Management Review Committee that we tasked to have a discussion about this particular legislation. Certainly, the department will supply that particular committee with information relative to history in Manitoba and also history and–relative to other jurisdictions in Manitoba so that they can take that information and put information–make recommendations back to government.

So it was the Labour Management Revi ew Committee that did the review and, as well, I talked about the budgetary process we went through over the last number of months prior to bringing in the budget and, certainly, there was –I think close to 20,000 submissions from Manitobans– Mr. Deputy Sp eaker: The honourable member's time–minister's time is up. Mr. Derek Johnson (Interlake): Can you explain the benefits of knowing what the index is going to be on April 1st and then not adjusting it 'til October, or does that benefit both employees and businesses? Mr. Cullen : I do appreciate that question.

We believe this particular legislation as it's laid out will provide that certainty and that clarity that Manitobans are looking for, certainly the Manitoba businesses are looking for. By having the c onsumer price index calculated prior to the April 1st when we can make the calculations to the minimum wage, and, of course, the minimum wage will be effective October 1st, but we can signal to Manitobans by April 1st via legislation what that particular n ew rate in terms of minimum wage will be effective October 1st.

So it really speaks to the clarity and it speaks to the certainty around what the minimum wage will be going forward. Mr. Chairperson: Honourable minister's time is up. Mr. Andrew Swan (Minto): This bill would provide for an increase in the minimum wage based on the consumer price index if Cabinet decided to allow that to happen, yet this government has a bill before the House that would increase tuition by the consumer price index plus 5 per cent per year.

Why is this minister promoting a bill which will make it harder and harder for students and leave them falling farther and farther behind to work to earn money for tuition? Mr. Cullen : I do appreciate the question from the member. Clearly, we believe that education certainly is a way out of poverty for many Manitobans. Clearly, we're –we've committed to funding education. We've also committed to making sure that low-income Manitobans especially have the opportunity for advanced education, and we think that's very critical.

So we're certainly –actually allowing more money, putting more money in more Manitobans' hands to make sure they have the ability to go to post-secondary education, and we think that's very important for Manitoba . We think that's very important to put Manitobans back to work, and we

May 15, 2017 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2053 think that's really important for Manitoba's economy and it's really important for Manitoba's government. Hon. Ron Schuler (Minister of Crown Services): I have two quick questions. I just want to ask the minister: This would be on top of the adjustment– Mr. Deputy Speaker: Okay, sorry. Sorry. Honour–order. Just want to remind everybody it's not like your typical question period when it comes to introduce – have a bill. Because it's a minister's bill, it all has to be done by the opposition, and we just –government bills are questioned by the opposition. Sorry.

Mr. Allum: No one knows why the Minister of Crown Services just got up there, but I suppose there's some explanation. Could the Minister of Growth, Enterprise and Trade tell us why it's taken him so long to raise the minimum wage for so little? Mr. Cullen: I know, previously in the previous NDP government, they didn't really like to consult with Manitobans. Clearly they took their direction from union bosses. I guess that process wouldn't take long. We took a different approach.

We decided that we were going to consult with Manitobans, clearly, through the prebudgetary process; we posted 20,000 submissions to that. We're excited about engaging with Manitobans. We engaged the Labour Management Review Committee. They obviously took some time to review what other jurisdictions were doing in terms of minimum wage, and looking at different indexing and certainly different indexing methodology as well. So these things are not taken lightly. I know previous governments took some things lightly. We also have the view in terms of trying to put Manitobans back to work.

And there's a lot of things that come into play in that regard. A nd the other, I think, important piece of this, Mr. Deputy Speaker, is keeping more money in Manitobans'– Mr. Deputy Speaker: Honourable minister's time is up. Mr. Swan: Now, we know that in the year 2016, there was no increase in the minimum wage in Manitoba. So why wouldn't the bill the minister's brought forward actually include, effectively, a double increase for 2017 to reflect a difference in the consumer price index over the last two years? Mr. Cullen: I appreciate the member's comments.

We think this process will provide certainty that Manitobans are looking for. Certainly, the certainty from the business perspective, the certainty from the employers–employees' perspective, as well. And this–even with this change in the index and the formula, w ith $11 as the base figure, we're still going to be middle of the road in terms of minimum wage relative to other jurisdictions. So we think this will achieve some positive outcomes. It also obviously protects the –any inflation rises and increase– Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable minister's time is up. Mr.

Allum: My friend's question from Minto was a good one, and I think the minister owes Manitobans, especially those earning minimum wage, an explanation. Why is it not retroactive back a year when he r efused to raise the minimum wage last year? Mr. Cullen: I think we could ask Manitobans why the previous government failed to raise the threshold where they started to pay income tax. That was something that was never addressed under the NDP government. I know–I would assume the NDP –and this isn't just my take on it– but they always loved a tax, and they never really addressed the fundamental issues about poverty.

We came into government, we had the highest poverty rates of anywhere in the country. There is work to do. Minimum wage is just one tool in the toolbox to address that. By allowing the–Manitobans to keep more in their pockets, putting more Manitobans back to work and providing proper education to enhance outcomes– Mr. Deputy Speaker: Honourable minister's time is up. Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): The minister has said that his approach is a middling approach, a middle of the road or something like that. I understand that the government's theme was to aim higher. What happened to the government's theme?

Is the minister retreating from what the goal was earlier on? * (15:20) An Honourable Member: It says higher.

2054 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 15, 2017 Mr. Cullen : Well, I appreciate the member's question, and I would say this government is aiming higher. Manitobans have created 6,000 jobs since January 1st of this year. Manitoba now has the lowest unemployment rate of any jurisdiction in Canada. We believe we're on the right track. We have to create the right foundation for economic growth to put more Manitobans back to work. It's a step in the right direction. We've got a positive optim ism in the business community.

There's more time–more opportunity for Manitobans to get to work than ever before, and we're committed to doing that. Mr. Swan: I want to go back to the question my friend from Fort Garry-Riverview asked. The minister talks with different tools, but not all tools are created equal. The indexing of the brackets actually only gives a low income person about $10 benefit each year, while a 25 -cent increase in the minimum wage results in approximately a $400 benefit for that same person.

So, again, will the minister agree to amend the bill to provide effectively a catch-up for October 1st, 2017, or is that amendment that my New Democratic colleagues and I will have to bring to try and get fairness for low-income people? Mr. Cullen: I will agree with the member's premise that we have some catching up to do in so many different areas. And one of them is the basic personal exemption. We are so far behind the Canadian average that we have a lot of work to do. I know the NDP neve r wanted to address it. They wanted to make sure that they were taxing low-income Manitobans as much as possible.

We've taken a completely different approach. We want to leave more money in Manitobans' pockets, especially those at the low end of the spectr um. So that's why we're increasing the threshold where Manitobans start to pay income tax. And we're going to be indexing that as we move forward. That's a concept foreign to the previous government. Mr. Tom Lindsey (Flin Flon): Does this government pla n to introduce different classes of employees that may get paid different levels of minimum wage? Mr. Cullen: I think I understand the premise of the question.

Currently, there is tiers in –tiered minimum wages already in existence, and you will know tha t, whether it be security guards and/or certain con - struction levels. We are not doing anything additional to what exists at this point in time. Mr. Swan: In preparing to introduce this bill, does the minister have any research or is he relying on any studies or any comments by anybody to suggest that the current minimum wage in Manitoba is a living wage? Mr. Cullen : I'm not sure I understood what the member was seeking. There was–maybe the member could just clarify the question. Mr. Swan: Yes.

Does the member believe the current minimum wage in Manitoba is a living wage for low-income Manitobans? Mr. Cullen: I appreciate the question. Clearly, you know, we –when we looked at this legislation, we looked at what other jurisdictions were doing. We recognize that some political parties have a different view in terms of where they want to get to over the course of time, and, clearly, we've taken the approach that we –we're looking at having the indexation there based on the $11 table, if you will–or base rate –indexing it to inflation going forward.

We still think that will provide Manitoba – those that are actually on minimum wage in Manitoba, which are about 5 per cent of the work force, will still– Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable minister's time is up. Mr. Allum: Mr. Deputy Speaker, there was a consensus across the House about when bills would be introduced and how they would proceed throug h the House. Why did the minister take so long to introduce this bill? Mr. Cullen : Well, I recognize that the members opposite don't always believe in consultation. We firmly do believe in consultation.

But it looks to me like there might be a willingness on behalf of opposition members to maybe move this legislation through the House and through the process, get it into committee stage. We– obviously, we have it here today; it's been introduced–second reading today. I think we could, you know, if membe rs are in agreement, we could move this to committee and finalize the debate. And,

May 15, 2017 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2055 if members are excited about this legislation, we could have it passed here in the next couple of weeks. Mr. Swan: Well, I'm glad the member has put on the record that different political parties have a different view of what minimum wage should be, and that's why for 17 years the minimum wage was raised each year, moving people closer and closer to a living wage. And I know the member for Midland (Mr. Pedersen) is unhappy w ith that, and I suppose he'll be supporting this bill as it is. We think it could be improved.

Could the minister, then –because he wasn't really responsive to the questions I asked–could the minister give us his view, then, of what a living wage is for Ma nitobans and whether that's a worthy goal for minimum wage policy? Mr. Cullen: I guess in terms of the premise of the member's question, you know, if his view was that increasing the minimum wage year after year would get people out of poverty, then we should have low poverty rates in Manitoba. Well, quite frankly, after 17 years, exactly the opposite is true: highest poverty rates in Canada, less people were working at the time.

We're trying to get Manitobans back to work. We're trying to create the fou ndation to get Manitobans back to work and this is just one piece of the puzzle to get Manitobans back to work, and we're looking forward to continuing that foundation to get the facts right, get the foundation right and get Manitobans back to work. Mr. Deputy Speaker: The time for question period has now expired. Debate Mr. Deputy Speaker: Now is time for debate. Any speakers? Mr.

James Allum (Fort Garry -Riverview): This bill, The Minimum Wage Indexation Act, has many, many problems with it that we'r e going to articulate during the course of the afternoon, I'm sure, and will be said again and again when we get to the committee stage, and then will be said again and again over the years to come. The minister ended the Q & A by saying he wants to get Manitobans back to work, but, Mr. Deputy Speaker, they were working under our government, and one thing has become patently clear, is that jobs are now deeply in question as a result of the austerity agenda taken by the Premier (Mr.

Pallister), supported b y the Minister of Finance (Mr. Friesen), supported by the Minister of Growth, Enterprise and Trade (Mr. Cullen), supported by the Minister of Infrastructure (Mr. Pedersen). In fact, supported by the whole front bench of this particular government. [interjection] Now, I hear a member already–I've only been up for a minute –already starting to heckle as he talks about the number of jobs being created. He fails to mention that Manitoba has already lost 14,000 full-time jobs. If he wants to brag about 6,000 part-time jobs that've been created, be my guest.

We're on the–on record of supporting full-time jobs with full benefits and full wages for Manitobans. Now, I have to say, Mr. Deputy Speaker, that there are any number of disappointments – [interjection] I see another member now talking across the floor, not having the respect.

We're here into debate; we'd like the respect to be able to debate these issues without having to deal with the kind of heckling and the kind of talk that shows such a lack of respect for the people of Manitoba, especially those who make the least in our society, and it troubles me greatly for members of the government side to think that a debate over the minimum wage is a laughing matter and is a joke.

It might be a joke for them; it might be a joke for their buddies and their business cronies; but it isn't a joke for people making the least amount in our society who need our support in this Legislature to make sure that they have the same security and the same opportunity at life as everybody else.

That's what we stand for on this side of the House: a fair, more just, more equitable, more inclusive Manitoba for every Manitoban, not just doing what the business community tells us to do time after time. * (15:30) Now, I want to say, to begin, that we are incredibly disappointed by the introduction of this bill at this late date, at this late hour, with only a few days left in this session. I think it needs to be said that this is something which wasn't announced in the Budget 2016, certa inly should have been introduced in Budget 2017.

And so it leaves a lot to be desired and a lot of explanation on the part of the Minister of Growth, Enterprise and Trade to explain to this House why that announcement wasn't made on budget day, on the day it should have been

2056 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 15, 2017 announced, rather than a month later, after the fact, and leaving Manitobans uncertain and unsure what the future holds when it comes to raising the minimum wage in Manitoba and ensuring that all Manitobans have a fair and equal chan ce for a good life that I think we would all agree in this House is what we're here to do, day in and day out. Now, it's not so much that it just wasn't intro - duced on budget day as egregious of an oversight – and I don't really think it was an oversight, frankly. As egregious as that was, they could've done this.

They could've raised the minimum wage. The government could've raised the minimum wage without introducing it into legislation like this. But since they have done it in legislation, we have to ask the question, why wasn't it introduced earlier when every other bill came forward with the government's agenda? Suddenly this is the outlier, suddenly this is the one that's sort of introduced at the 11th hour, and we have to ask ourself, well, why would the government do that? Why would the government do that?

And the sad, sad reality, the only conclusion we can draw is that the government's playing politics with the interests of those who earn the least in our society, and I would suggest to members opposite that's never a good thing to do. You don't want to be on that side of an issue. You want to be sure that you're here doing right by the people of Manitoba , those who elected you and especially those earning minimum wage.

And it comes as a colossal disappointment to us– comes as a colossal disappointment to us –that this should be left until the eleven th hour, asking us to make–the official opposition to mak e way for this piece of government legislation when there's a whole other lineup of legislation that we actually haven't got to. There are Estimates that need to be taken care of, and suddenly –suddenly–out of nowhere, be it comes this piece of legislatio n. That is a colossal disappointment to us and shouldn't happen in this House, and it disappoints me that the Government House Leader (Mr.

Micklefield) would allow that to happen and allow his Premier (Mr. Pallister) and his Finance Minister and his Minis ter of Growth, Enterprise and Trade (Mr. Cullen) play politics, play a hyper -partisan politics –[interjection] And I can hear from the heckling as I speak that it is a hyper - partisan political issue for the government.

It's not about doing right by the people who earn the least in our society, but, in fact, it's a hyper -partisan political maneuver to take attention off the fact that the Premier's in colossal trouble with his own explanations, or lack thereof, about the way in which he communicates, about the way in which he puts – records his conflicts of interest forms and about his seeming inability to be straight and clear with the people of Manitoba.

So we have a hyper -partisan political practice introduced into the House today to take attention off the Premier's unbelievable series of explanations about the issues that I just identified. And to try to make –try to put, in some manner, that New Democrats will be standing in the way of an increase to the minimum wage, when from day one when this House first convened after the last election and every day thereafter, every member of this caucus has got up and asked a question of the government side, when are you going to raise the minimum wage? And we never got an answer.

And then, suddenly, out of the blue, out of nowhere it just appears today. And that, I have to say, is an incredible and colossal disappointment. [interjection] And I hear the Minister of Crown Services (Mr. Schuler) also unable to concentrate on his own job, and here he is in the House heckling about kinds of issues which on this side of the House we take very, very seriously because it goes to the very core of who and what we are, and it speaks volumes at the same time about the government and who they are and they–and who they've decide d to represent over the next four years.

It won't be the people of Manitoba. It certainly won't be those earning the least in our society. Their obligation, and it appears their whole goal, is to make sure that the business community is happy and everybody else needs to suffer. And that shouldn't happen in 2017, Mr. Deputy Speaker.

Now, I want to say that this bill starts in the most terrible way, and it does so because, prior to this introduction of the bill at the eleventh hour as we head toward breaking on the 1st of June, the government had already –at least, the Cabinet had already given themselves a huge raise, and they did it before any other action was taken.

In fact, I think it was the first thing they did, was to give each member of Cabinet, and the other half member, a considerable raise, 20 per cent increase across the board, thousands upon thousands of dollars into their own personal pockets, and that, for the past 13 months, they've said to people earning the minimum wage, those who earn the lea st in our society, wait, get –stay–wait in line; don't be in a hurry. We've already got our raise as Cabinet;

May 15, 2017 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2057 we've already got our raise, says the Premier (Mr. Pallister), but you, who earn the least, you're going to have to wait until the eleventh hour. I don't think that's what Manitobans wanted. I don't think that's what Manitobans voted for in the last election. I don't think it's the cover –government that they want, and, frankly, Mr. Deputy Speaker, I think it offends Manitobans' sense of fairness and fair play.

And so I have to say that, while we're glad to see some little increase in the minimum wage, it seems a colossal indictment of this government and what their priorities and who they govern for to have actually ensured a raise of 20 per cent for the Premier and every other Cabinet minister, while making people who earn the least in our society wait almost 13 months for what is –can only be described as a modest, modest increase to the minimum wage.

So I want to get on to that, because, as the House well knows, every year that we were in government over four elections –that is, re -elected by the people of Manitoba, not once, not twice, not three times, but four times, and, over the course of 17 years in government–we increased the minimum wage b y a minimum of 25 cents every year on the way to creating a living wage for Manitobans. Prior to the last election, we put it on record that we would, in fact, be proceeding to raise the minimum wage by 50

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Collection	Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	41-2-51
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	41st 2nd hansardpdf 51.pdf
Language	en
Format	pdf
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