Manitoba Hansard — 21 April 2022 (Sitting 39, 42nd Legislature, 4th Session)

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Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)

Fourth Session – Forty-Second Legislature of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba DEBATES and PROCEEDINGS Official Report (Hansard) Published under the authority of The Honourable Myrna Driedger Speaker Vol. LXXVI No. 39 - 1:30 p.m., Thursday, April 21, 2022 ISSN 0542-5492

MANITOBA LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Forty-Second Legislature Member Constituency Political Affiliation ALTOMARE, Nello Transcona NDP ASAGWARA, Uzoma Union Station NDP BRAR, Diljeet Burrows NDP BUSHIE, Ian Keewatinook NDP CLARKE, Eileen, Hon. Agassiz PC COX, Cathy Kildonan-River East PC CULLEN, Cliff, Hon. Spruce Woods PC DRIEDGER, Myrna, Hon. Roblin PC EICHLER, Ralph Lakeside PC EWASKO, Wayne, Hon. Lac du Bonnet PC FIELDING, Scott, Hon. Kirkfield Park PC FONTAINE, Nahanni St. Johns NDP FRIESEN, Cameron, Hon. Morden-Winkler PC GERRARD, Jon, Hon. River Heights Lib. GOERTZEN, Kelvin, Hon. Steinbach PC GORDON, Audrey, Hon.

Southdale PC GUENTER, Josh Borderland PC GUILLEMARD, Sarah, Hon. Fort Richmond PC HELWER, Reg, Hon. Brandon West PC ISLEIFSON, Len Brandon East PC JOHNSON, Derek, Hon. Interlake-Gimli PC JOHNSTON, Scott, Hon. Assiniboia PC KHAN, Obby Fort Whyte PC KINEW, Wab Fort Rouge NDP LAGASSÉ, Bob Dawson Trail PC LAGIMODIERE, Alan, Hon. Selkirk PC LAMONT, Dougald St. Boniface Lib. LAMOUREUX, Cindy Tyndall Park Lib.

LATHLIN, Amanda The Pas-Kameesak NDP LINDSEY, Tom Flin Flon NDP MALOWAY, Jim Elmwood NDP MARCELINO, Malaya Notre Dame NDP MARTIN, Shannon McPhillips PC MICHALESKI, Brad Dauphin PC MICKLEFIELD, Andrew Rossmere PC MORLEY-LECOMTE, Janice Seine River PC MOSES, Jamie St. Vital NDP NAYLOR, Lisa Wolseley NDP NESBITT, Greg Riding Mountain PC PEDERSEN, Blaine Midland PC PIWNIUK, Doyle, Hon. Turtle Mountain PC REYES, Jon, Hon. Waverley PC SALA, Adrien St. James NDP SANDHU, Mintu The Maples NDP SCHULER, Ron Springfield-Ritchot PC SMITH, Andrew, Hon.

Lagimodière PC SMITH, Bernadette Point Douglas NDP SMOOK, Dennis La Vérendrye PC SQUIRES, Rochelle, Hon. Riel PC STEFANSON, Heather, Hon. Tuxedo PC TEITSMA, James Radisson PC WASYLIW, Mark Fort Garry NDP WHARTON, Jeff, Hon. Red River North PC WIEBE, Matt Concordia NDP WISHART, Ian Portage la Prairie PC WOWCHUK, Rick Swan River PC Vacant Thompson

1435 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA Thursday, April 21, 2022 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 prosper ity 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.

We acknowl edge we are gathered on Treaty 1 territory and that Manitoba is located on the treaty territories and ancestral lands of the Anishinaabeg, Anishininewuk, Dakota Oyate, Denesuline and Nehethowuk nations. We acknowl edge Manitoba is located on the Homeland of the Red River Métis. We acknowledge northern Manitoba includes lands that were and are the ancestral lands of the Inuit. We respect the spirit and intent of treaties and treaty making and remain committed to working in partner- ship with First Nations, Inuit and Métis people in the spirit of truth, reconciliation and collaboration.

Good afternoon, everybody. Please be seated. Introduction of–routine proceedings, introduction of bills. ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS INTRODUCTION OF BILLS Bill 35–The Commemoration of Days, Weeks and Months and Related Repeals and Amendments Act Hon. Kelvin Goertzen (Minister of Justice and Attorney General): I move, seconded by the Minister of Advanced Edu cation, Skills a nd Immigration (Mr. Reyes), that Bill 35, The Com memoration of Days, Weeks and Months and Related Repeals and Amendments Act, be now read for a first time. Motion presented. Mr.

Goertzen: Madam Speaker, members of this Assembly and previous Assemblies have done a good job of creating com memoration days or weeks to recognize a variety of different things. This bill consolidates into a single act the 36 statutes or parts thereof that recog nize occasions that are sig nificant and have importance to Manitobans. This will make it easier and more convenient for Manitobans to locate and identify the list of current awareness, recognition and commemoration days, as well as allow members to add others to them as they arise. The bill also creates a n ew recognition occasion: Manitoba Day.

Manitoba Day would be recognized on May 12th. This day has traditionally been–com - memorated the anniversary of the Manitoba day act, received royal assent and facilitated Manitoba's admission as the fifth province into Canada. This is an annual province-wide event celebrating Manitoba and its people. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed] Bill 233–The Engineering and Geoscientific Professions Amendment Act Mr. Ian Wishart (Portage la Prairie): I move, seconded by the member for Lakeside (Mr.

Eichler), that Bill 233, the engineering and geoscience professions amendment act, be now read for a first time. Madam Speaker: It has been moved by the honour - able member for Portage la Prairie, seconded by the honourable member for Lakeside, that Bill 233, The Engineering and Geoscientific Professions Amendment Act, be now read a first time. Mr. Wishart: With this act we'll be updating and modernizing of the engineers and geoscience act, catch it up to modern standards and be consistent across this country. Madam Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

Agreed? [Agreed] COMMITTEE REPORTS Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development Fourth Report Mr. Greg Nesbitt (Chairperson): Madam Speaker, I wish to present the fourth report of the Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development. Clerk (Ms. Patricia Chaychuk): Your Standing Committee on Social–

1436 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 21, 2022 Some Honourable Members: Dispense. Madam Speaker: Dispense. Your Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development presents the following as its Fourth Report. Meetings Your Committee met on April 20, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. in Room 254 of the Legislative Building.

Matters under Consideration • Bill (No. 31) – The Minor Amendments and Corrections Act, 2022/Loi corrective de 2022 • Bill (No. 32) – The Victims' Bill of Rights Amendment Act/Loi modifiant la Déclaration des droits des victimes • Bill (No. 205) – The Filipino Heritage Month Act/Loi sur le Mois du patrimoine philippin • Bill (No. 223) – The Ukrainian Heritage Month Act/Loi sur le Mois du patrimoine ukrainien • Bill (No. 227) – The Turban Day Act/Loi sur la Journée du turban Committee Membership As per the Sessional Order passed by the House on October 7, 2020, and subsequently amended, Rule 82(2) was waived for the April 20, 2022 meeting, reducing the membership to six Members (4 Government and 2 Official Opposition). • Mr.

B RAR • Mr. ISLEIFSON • MLA MARCELINO • Ms. MORLEY-LECOMTE • Mr. NESBITT • Mr. SMOOK Your Commi ttee elected Mr. NESBITT as the Chairperson. Your Committee elected Ms. MORLEY-LECOMTE as the Vice-Chairperson. Non-Committee Members Speaking on Record • Hon. Mr. GOERTZEN • Ms. LAMOUREUX • Mr.

WASYLIW Bills Considered and Reported • Bill (No. 31) – The Minor Amendments and Corrections Act, 2022 / Loi corrective de 2022 Your Committee agreed to report this Bill without amendment. • Bill (No. 32) – The Victims' Bill of Rights Amendment Act / Loi modifiant la Déclaration des droits des victimes Your Committee agreed to report this Bill without amendment. • Bill (No. 205) – The Filipino Heritage Month Act /

Loi sur le Mois du patrimoine philippin Your Committee agreed to report this Bill with the following amendment: THAT the

preamble of the Bill be amended by adding the following after the fourth paragraph: AND

WHEREAS recognizing the Filipino Community will provide opportunities to educate the public about the contributions of the community and increase public awareness of their role in enhancing Manitoba; • Bill (No. 223) – The Ukrainian Heritage Month Act /

Loi sur le Mois du patrimoine ukrainien Your Committee agreed to report this Bill without amendment. • Bill (No. 227) – The Turban Day Act /

Loi sur la Journée du turban Your Committee agreed to report this Bill without amendment. Mr. Nesbitt: Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable member for Seine River (Ms. Morley- Lecomte), that the report of the com mittee be received. Motion agreed to. TABLING OF REPORTS Hon. Scott Johnston (Minister of Seniors and Long-Term Care): Madam Speaker, I'm pleased to table the Supplementary Estimates for the Department of Seniors and Long-Term Care for 2022-23. Madam Speaker: Any further tablings? Hon.

Rochelle Squires (Minister of Families): Madam Speaker, I'm pleased to table the sup plement to the Estimates of expenditure for the Department of Families for the year 2022-23. Madam Speaker: The honour able Minister of Economic Development? Okay, the Minister of Environment, Climate and Parks.

April 21, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1437 Hon. Jeff Wharton (Minister of Environment, Climate and Parks): I am pleased to table the Supplementary Estimates for the Depart ment of Environment, Climate and Parks for the financial year 2021-22. Hon. Cliff Cullen (Minister of Economic Development, Investment and Trade): I'm pleased to table the sup plement to the Estimates of expenditure for the De partment of Economic Development, Investment and Trade for the financial year 2022-23. Madam Speaker: And I have two reports to table. In accordance with

section 28(1) of The Auditor General Act, I am tabling: the Auditor General's report titled Follow-up of Previously Issued Audit Recom - mendations, dated April 2022; and the Auditor General's report titled Manitoba's Imple mentation of The Path to Reconciliation Act, dated April 2022. MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS Madam Speaker: The honour able Minister of Health–and I would indicate that the required 90 minutes notice prior to routine proceedings was provided in accordance with our rule 26(2). Would the honour able mini ster please proceed with her statement. Daffodil Campaign Hon.

Audrey Gordon (Minister of Health): Good afternoon, Madam Speaker, and honourable members of the Legislative Assembly. I'm so pleased to rise today to acknowledge that the Canadian Cancer Society's annual Daffodil Campaign is currently taking place. Every April, the Canadian Cancer Society Daffodil Campaign raises funds to support and help people with cancer live their lives to the fullest and to raise awareness about the needs of Manit obans af - fected by cancer.

The daffodil that I'm wearing on my lapel, as well as members in the Assembly, is used for their cam - paign, as it is the first flower to bloom in the spring, serving as a symbol of strength, resilience, courage and hope for those living with cancer. * (13:40) Manitobans interested in supporting the cause can donate to the campaign, start their own fundraiser or join an existing fundraiser through the Canadian Cancer Society website.

In partnership with volunteer advocates and donors, the Canadian Cancer Society works to support cancer research, educates the public on making healthy choices for cancer prevention and supports the physical and mental health needs of those living with cancer and their loved ones by providing access to information specialists and a moderated online community. Madam Speaker, smoking, I'm told, is the leading cause of cancer.

The Department of Mental Health and Community Wellness recently launched a five - year roadmap titled A Pathway to Mental Healt h and Community Wellness that includes the development of a provincial tobacco and vape cessation and control strategy. And smoking, I'm told as well, kills more than 2,000 Manitobans every year, a very alarming number. Research shows that cigarette smoki ng harms nearly every organ of the body, causes many diseases and reduces the health of smokers in general. Smoking also increases the risk of 18 different types of cancers.

Quitting smoking lowers your risk for smoking- related diseases, such as lung cancer and heart disease, and can add years to an individual's life. And that is why our government supports the Canadian Cancer Society by providing $150,000 annually to operate the Smokers' Helpline, which is a free, confidential service offering support and in- formation about how to quit smoking, vaping and also able to access this by telephone, text and online. The goal of the program is to improve the overall health of Manitobans by reducing tobacco use in Manitoba.

And, Madam Speaker, the Canadian Ca ncer Society also operates Talk Tobacco in Manitoba, a free and confidential service for Indigenous people that offers culturally appropriate cessation support by telephone, text and, again, online as well. In addition, our government provides $75,000 an- nually for the transportation program, Wheels of Hope, that helps patients across Manitoba receive access to transportation services in order to attend their cancer treatment appointments. It is important that our government support those living with cancer and take actions to prevent the dis- ease.

Sadly, in 2021, 6,900 Manitobans were diag- nosed with cancer and 2,900 died of the disease. I'd like to extend my gratitude to the Canadian Cancer Society for their continuous support to people affected by cancer.

1438 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 21, 2022 In honour of the Daffodil Campaign, I encourage all Manitobans to work together to raise awareness about the challenges of living with cancer and to work together to improve the quality of life of people affected with this disease. Thank you, Madam Speaker. MLA Uzoma Asagwara (Union Station): Madam Speaker, every April, the Canadian Cancer Society's Daffodil Campaign offers hope and unites people from all walks of life to take action in supporting those battling cancer. The Daffodil Campaign wa s first launched in Canada more than 70 years ago.

This campaign raises vital funds to save lives and improves the quality of life for those affected by cancer. A key part to this effort is supporting the work– the world -leading work of cancer researchers in Canada to transform cancer care, a patient's quality of life and cancer survivorship. It's so im portant to bol- ster and strengthen our existing research and innova - tion sector to accelerate the development of advanced science in prevention, detection and the treatment of cancer.

This is why it's so important to not only invest in strong, publicly funded education systems here in our province, but ensure that, as legis lators, we support the world-class academics, scholars and researchers in our province who conduct such integral research. Comprehensive cancer care starts with timely ac- cess that is acces sible. Unfor tunately, one of the PC government's first acts was to cancel a significant expansion of CancerCare here in our pr ovince. We were also disappointed that the PC government cut two CancerCare outpatient sites, at Concordia and Seven Oaks, in 2020.

Patients deserve cancer care close to home, but, unfortunately, Madam Speaker, this PC government is not delivering. On behalf of my colleagues, I'd like to thank the Canadian Cancer Society and health -care pro fes- sionals for working tirelessly to save lives. To those battling cancer, know that we stand with you and we will continue to fight for strong health care here in Manitoba. Thank you. Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Madam Speaker, I ask leave to speak in response to the minister's statement. Madam Speaker: Does the member have leave to respond to the ministerial statement? [Agreed] Mr.

Gerrard: Madam Speak er, cancer can be a tragic, challenging and difficult disease which too often still ends in death from the cancer. The good news is that there is more hope than ever with existing and new treatments that deliver longer and longer sur- vival and increasingly higher and higher rates of cure. In Canada, much thanks is due to the Canadian Cancer Society and its efforts, including the Daffodil Campaign every year.

When I began my internship and residency to be a pediatrician in 1971 at the University of Minnesota, there was no evidence that a child with acute lympho- blastic leukemia could be cured. It was considered a death sentence. By the time I left my time as a physician, looking after children with blood problems and cancer, to enter politics in 1993, 75 to 80 per cent of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia were being cured. Today, the rates of im provement and cure from treatment of all cancers have improved–some dramat- ically, some less so.

One of the most difficult cancers to treat is and has been lung cancer. The gov ernment of Manitoba should be doing much more to prevent lung cancer by reducing radon levels in homes, as well as in reducing smoking. The lifetime risk for lung cancer for those who are both smokers and who are exposed to radon is one person in three: very high, and much higher than somebody who is just a smoker only. This is why we need to be very active in reducing both.

My experience in Minneapolis working with in- dividuals who were at the leading edge of the research and treatment of cancer in children showed me how important it is to have research and the clinical trials to test new options. It made a huge difference in the treatment of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and in –is making a big difference in more difficult to treat cancers like lung cancer. The Daffodil Campaign raises awareness and funds to prevent cancer and to improve the lives and the outcomes for those who develop cancer.

Thank you to the Canadian Cancer Society for all you do to help in this endeavour and to help Manitobans and Canadians in this respect. Yazidi New Year Hon. Andrew Smith (Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage): Madam Speaker, I rise today to

April 21, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1439 recognize and celebrate the Yazidi New Year, Eîda Charšama Sôhr. [Red Wednesday Festival.] On this day, the Yazidi people observe the new year, the coming of spring and the ever -renewing cycle of rebirth. A traditional activity for Yazidis is painting and cracking eggs representing the beginning of life. I'd like to take this opportunity to share in this celebration as Manitobans transition into the spring season, even if the weather sometimes disagrees.

As you know, Madam Speaker, the Yazidi people have experienced significant hardship and persecution in their homeland in recent years. Beginning in the mid-2010s, the Islamic State, also known as ISIS, began a –carry out a horrific genocide against the Yazidis in the Sinjar area of Iraq. The Yazidi people were targeted, killed and exiled from their 'acestral' land in upper Mesopotamia. According to the United Nations, more than 5,000 Yazidis have been killed by ISIS, with an additional 4,200 to 10,800 kidnapped or held captive.

That is why, Madam Speaker, I commend the Yazidi Association of Manitoba and Operation Ezra for their leadership in providing support for Yazidi refugees. Their efforts to protect, preserve and cele- brate Yazidi heritage in this province, even through difficult circumstances, is admirable.

With great pride, we can say that Manitoba is home to one of the largest Yazidi communities in the country and often affectionately referred to as the Yazidi capital of Canada. * (13:50) Madam Speaker, their stories and heritage de- monstrate great perseverance and the capacity of hu - man spirit to continue on and work to overcome terrible adversary –adversity. We all recognize the strength and courage of all who have made the difficult journey to establish a new home here in our province. Celebratory days such as these are important reminders of how Manitoba's cultural diversity en - riches all of us.

As artists, activists, educators and business owners, Yazidi Manitobans have expanded and deepened our province's cultural mosaic, con- tributed to growing our province and making it a very special place it is today. Last night, I was honoured to join the Yazidi com- munity in their new year celebrations with my col - league, the Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Immigration (Mr. Reyes), as we listened to the beautiful sounds of rich and unique music of the culture and faith and enjoyed the great feast, of which included tashreeb [broth-soaked bread] and, of course, taking

part in the traditional cracking of eggs. I'd like to thank the Yazidi Association of Manitoba for hosting this amazing event and a special thank you to all the volunteers in their great efforts in bringing us all together to celebrate Yazidi New Year. Madam Speaker, I encourage all Manitobans to reach out to their friends in the Yazidi community and wish them a bountiful new year. Madam Speaker : And I would indicate that the required 90 minutes notice prior to routine proceed- ings has been provided in accordance with our rule 26(2). Mr.

Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): You know, Madam Speaker, yesterday evening, I had the immense privilege of being able to join members of the Yazidi com munity to celebrate Yazidi New Year and Easter, as I've had the privilege of doing a couple times in the past. And I have to tell you that from the moment–even before I entered, just walking up t o the door, the hospitality and the happiness and the celebratory mood was absolutely amazing. I was made to feel as though I was practically an extended member of the community and, you know, ushered in and shown a great meal and a great time.

And as I watched people rejoice and smile and laugh and joke around and shake hands and hug each other, it really hit home that this is the type of cultural celebration, this is the type of family gathering that so many of us in Manitoba have been missing out on these last few years. And as I sat there with some of my colleagues from across the aisle and community members, it was really nice to see the range of the Yazidi com munity here in Manitoba.

You have those families that have been here for decades, folks who went to school and, you know, put down roots and have founded success- ful businesses here in the com munity, and you have those members of the com munity who have arrived more recently. And yet, through it all, you see a tre - mendous sense of fel lowship and a cultural resur - gence, if I can call it that, Madam Speaker. Again, the festivities include some amazing dishes. I wasn't allowed to leave until I tried many des- serts, I have to say.

And, of course, once we finished our meals, my colleagues from Lagimodière and Waverley and I helped to stack some chairs to make

1440 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 21, 2022 room for a dance floor. Now, of course, I didn't burden anybody with having to watch me dance, but I'm just trying to give you an idea of what the celebration entails. Now, we know that the Yazidi people have been through terrible things over the past number of years: war crimes and a genocide, persecuted by ISIS in their homeland.

But it's also been quite some thing to watch the Yazidi Association of Manitoba, along with partners like the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg, Shaarey Zedek synagogue and the Mennonite Central Committee, pull together Operation Ezra and to ensure that many folks can relocate here.

So, as we stand at this inflection point in Manitoba history where we are so cognizant and wel- coming of the return of normal life and cognizant of the shared sacrifices that we've been through these past few years, I look at the Yazidi com munity and say, well, they've been through quite a lot, and I'm sure their rejoicing of their new year and their Easter means all the more significance. So with that, happy new year, happy Easter to the Yazidi community of Manitoba and around the world. Ms. Cindy Lamoureux (Tyndall Park): Madam Speaker, I ask for leave to speak in respons e to the minister's statement.

Madam Speaker: Does the member have leave to respond to the ministerial statement? [Agreed] Ms. Lamoureux: The Yazidi New Year, which is know as Ser Sal, recognizes the beginning of the new year. It's celebrated on the third Wednesday in April, which is also considered Red Wednesday. The day commemorates Tawsi Melek, which is the peacock angel and supreme Yazidi deity that first came to Earth to restore calm and to spread his peacock colours throughout the world.

Madam Speaker, that's in part why this is a very colourful celebration and, traditionally, it is a time where people in the community gather together to connect with their friends, neighbours, relatives and loved ones. When people gather for Yazidi New Year, the y share meals together, sometimes big feasts. They spend time praying with one another and asking for forgiveness. They decorate eggs and place dried egg shells and a red rose above the doors to their homes. They do big spring cleanups. They share stories about what they are grateful for and how they can make our community a more peaceful place.

Here in Winnipeg, there have been gatherings where the Yazidi New Year is celebrated and has been organized with local initiatives like Operation Ezra. Operation Ezra is a Jewish community initiative for the rescue and resettlement of Yazidi refugees. Madam Speaker, I am grateful we have a growing Yazidi community here in Manitoba that prioritizes relationships and human connection, and works to make our community a more cultural and peaceful place. Thank you, Madam Speaker. MEMBERS' STATEMENTS Student Voice Club Hon.

Sarah Guillemard (Minister of Mental Health and Community Wellness): Madam Speaker, I have often stated that we have a lot to learn from our yout h, especially when it comes to caring for others. One particular group of youth in Fort Richmond who demonstrate a heart for the com- munity is Bairdmore elementary school's Student Voice club. I was contacted last month by the school's teacher-librarian Alison Bodner and school counsellor Sarah Hampton, asking for some assistance with an idea for a fundraiser.

The students had expressed concerns for the Ukrainians who were fleeing the violence of war and they wanted to find a way to help out. They decided to create ribbon pins in the colours of the Ukrainian flag and to sell them to raise funds for the families who will be arriving in Manitoba over the next few months. I was happy to purchase enough pins for every member in the Chamber this morning, each one made with careful thought by the hands of students. It was a special treat to visit with the students at their school and to learn about their efforts to welcome and support the newcomers.

In addition to the ribbon pins, the students are hoping to organize a food and clothing drive to support Ukrainian refugees. Madam Speaker, I'd like to take this opportunity to express my deep appreciation for the caring leader- ship shown by these students and their teachers. I know that the families from Ukraine w ill feel welcomed and loved because of the actions of com - munity members just like them. Joining us today in the gallery are three members of the Student Voice group: Imani Oyugi, Biftu Mohamed and Timothy Bueckert, along with school

April 21, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1441 counsellor Sarah Hamp ton and teacher -librarian Alison Bodner. I'm so very proud of each member of your group for turning your kindness into action. I'd like to ask all members of the Chamber to join me in thanking the members of Bairdmore Student Voice group for their efforts.

Bairdmore Student Voice group: Biftu Mohamed Ahmed, Anami Arora, Parizaadh Brar, Timothy Bueckert, Jaap Deol, Rachneet Gabria, Markus Ho, Chloe Johnson, Bhagat Kaur, Ved Lad, Sourav Mandal, Presley McPhee, Zeshan Mian, Aveena Naso, Samuel Ogunbekun, Kingsley Okolie, Michelle Onyelonu, Imani Oyugi, Miuri Silva, Avesch Syed, Newthya Thenuwara, Esther Uwacu, Abeeha Zia Madam Speaker: The honourable member for The Pas-Kameesak (Ms. Lathlin). The member needs to unmute. Brandi Woodhouse Ms.

Amanda Lathlin (The Pas -Kameesak): I'm excited today to recognize the accomplishments of Brandi Woodhouse, a young Indigenous entre - preneur. Brandi is Anishinaabe Ikwe and hails from Pinaymootang First Nation, where she owns and operates her business, RezGal Lashes Inc. When salons closed due to the pandemic in 2020, Brandi stocked up on eyelashes for herself.

Realizing that she can use her skills and passion for others, Brandi started to–started her own business in summer 2020 with the goal of providing a high-quality, afford- able and assessable brand that young Indigenous girls everywhere can relate to and feel pride for. Brandi decided very intentionally on the name RezGal Lashes because she wanted to change the narrative of what it means to grow up on a reserve by making the term RezGal something that woman and girls can be proud of and feel empowered by.

Being an Indigenous woman often means overcoming obstacles and breaking cycles that are greatly 'mistunderstood' as she hopes bringing awareness to these issues and become a role model for Indigenous girls all over Canada. * (14:00) Since she started her business, Brandi has not only received orders from across Manitoba, but also from all over Canada and around the world. Brandi has also just been chosen as the recipient for the Oscar Lathlin Memorial Award at the keep the fires burning celebration with Ka Ni Kanichihk.

The most important message Brandi wants to share is this: I hope that RezGal inspires young girls and women living on a First Nation that have dreams of starting a business, whether it be in cosmetics, art or culinary arts, that you can do it. Don't let these barriers that we face limit our drive and determination of becoming successful business owners. I find that I become stronger when other w omen encourage and build me up, and that's the key to helping young busi- ness women with encouragement and support. Please join me in congratulating Brandi, who's in the gallery with us today. Thank you.

Winnipeg Trails Hon. Audrey Gordon (Minister of Health): I rise today to recognize Winnipeg Trails, a non- profit organization dedicated to promoting active and sustainable transportation in our city. When the pandemic hit, Winnipeg Trails leapt into action and worked tirelessly on new initiatives to help Winnipeggers get outdoors and stay active. In a few weeks, the team had mapped out a network of temporary bike routes across the city. They lent out spare bikes to help those who relied on public trans - portation to get around during the pandemic.

By collaborating with organizations based in the inner city, Winnipeg Trails provided bikes to over 150 newcomer and Indigenous women in the area, empowering them with increased mobility and opportunity. When kids went back to school in 2020, Winnipeg Trails started the School Loops project to encourage children and families to explore their neighbourhoods on foot or by bike. They created 41 circular trails connecting schools together and marked them with colourful signage, like the Green Owl and Orange Eagl e trails in my constituency of Southdale.

Protecting the environment is a high priority for Winnipeg Trails. For example, they started the Future Forests project to plant 150,000 trees throughout Winnipeg, which our government was pleased to sup- port thr ough the Building Sustainable Communities grant program. Executive director Anders Swanson could not be here today, but we do have three outstanding members of the Winnipeg Trails team here with us in the gallery.

1442 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 21, 2022 I ask members to please join me in wel coming Simon Pensanto [phonetic], Marlow Wilson and Mihiret Kumbi to the Manitoba Legislature, and to thank them for all that Winnipeg Trails staff and volunteers do in making Winnipeg a more active and vibrant city. Thank you. Defunding Russian War Effort Mr. Mark Wasyliw (Fort Garry): Every day that Russia's assault on Ukraine continues, innocent people are losing their lives as more and more parts of this beautiful country are being destroyed.

While we must do everything possible to help those Ukrainians who are fleeing the war, we must also get serious about defunding the Russian war machine. Profits from companies and assets in Manitoba should not be used directly or indirectly to fund the war in Ukraine. There are many actions the Manitoba government should look at to prevent this. One way is to look at establishing a beneficial ownership registry for property to ensure that those who purchase prop- erty through a corporation, trust or partnership cannot remain anonymous.

BC has already implemen ted this and Ontario is currently considering a bill which would create a land- owner transparency plan. This government should also explore our corporate rules surrounding bene - ficial ownership and increase transparency by making the information publicly available. Manitoba should also look at a strategy with the federal government to replace Russian trade goods with Manitoba trade goods. We mine lithium, cad- mium and palladium in Manitoba and could replace Russia as a supplier for companies in our province and throughout the world.

It makes sense that government could help companies in our province to find alterna- tive suppliers for many other goods. While defunding Russia's war machine is crucial, we must also focus on helping Ukraine's economy, which has been devastated by war. One way to do this is to see if any of our pension funds or Crown cor - porations hold sovereign Ukrainian debt. We should consider ways to help Ukraine, including forgiving this debt.

In addition, we need to support reconstruc - tion efforts in Ukraine, and should look at significant pledges like building a school to help replace over 300 schools that have already been destroyed. Madam Speaker, there are many actions this gov- ernment can take to help Ukraine defend itself against this violent aggressor. I'm calling on the government to back up their words with actions today. L'Union nationale métisse Saint-Joseph Mr. Dougald Lamont (St.

Boniface): Madame la Présidente, cette semaine, des représentants de l'union nationale métisse de Saint -Joseph sont à Rome avec Monseigneur Albert LeGatt pour rencontrer le Pape au sujet de la réconciliation. Depuis la découverte de tombes d'enfants au pensionnat de Kamloops, les Canadiens ont été forcés d'affronter la réalité de leur histoire, d'une manière qui exige une réponse.

Je tiens à saluer le travail de Monseigneur LeGatt, qui a été un leader de l'Église catholique, qui a abordé ces injustices historiques avec un esprit ouvert, un coeur ouvert, une humilité et un véritable engagement en faveur de la justice et de la réconciliation. Sa sympathie à l'égard des parents des Premières nations qui ont perdu leurs enfants était aussi motivée par sa propre expérience personnelle, que l'un de ses premiers souvenirs d'enfance en Saskatchewan était le décès d'un petit frère ou d'une soeur.

Monseigneur LeGatt a aussi travaillé en partenariat et, je dirais, en amitié avec Phil Fontaine, à qui tous les Canadiens sont redevables d'avoir été une force motrice pour révéler la vérité sur les pensionnats, et en faveur de la justice pour les Premières nations, ce qui n'a pas encore été fait. Paulette Duguay est la présidente et Justin Johnson est le vice -président de l'Union nationale métisse Saint-Joseph.

On peut cependant retracer ses origines au 24 septembre 1884 à Batoche, lorsqu'à l'Église Saint-Antoine de Padoue, après la messe du dimanche, Gabriel Dumont, Louis Riel et d'autres patriotes métis de l'époque fondèrent l'Association Saint-Joseph–le nom du patron ayant été choisi par Louis Riel lui-même.

Au nom des Libéraux du Manitoba et en tant que député provincial de Saint-Boniface, nous offrons nos meilleurs vœux et notre soutien à Monseigneur LeGatt, à Madame Duguay et Monsieur Johnson alors que nous travaillons à la réconciliation, à la justice, au part–à une meilleure compréhension et à la réparation des torts du passé. Merci. Translation Madam Speaker, representatives of the Union nationale métisse Saint-Joseph are in Rome this week

April 21, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1443 with the Archbishop Albert LeGatt in order to meet with the Pope in regards to reconciliation. Since the discovery of children's graves at the Kamloops residential school, Canadians have been forced to face the reality of their history, in a way that requires a response. I want to praise the work of Archbishop LeGat t, who has been a leader in the Catholic Church in tackling these historical injustices with an open mind, an open heart, with humility and a real commitment to justice and reconciliation.

His empathy for First Nations parents who lost their children was also born of his own personal ex per- ience, as one of his earliest childhood memories in Saskatchewan was of the death of a younger brother or a sister. Archbishop LeGatt also worked in partnership–and I dare say, in friendship–with Phil Fontaine, to who m we are all indebted for being the driving force behind the efforts to reveal the truth about residential schools and to get justice for First Nations–which has not yet happened. Paulette Duguay is president of the Union nationale métisse Saint- Joseph, an d Justin Johnson is vice-president.

The origins of the union date all the way back to September 24, 1884, in Batoche, when Gabriel Dumont, Louis Riel and other patriots, upon exiting Sunday mass at the St. Antoine de Padoue church, decided to establish the Association Saint - Joseph–with Louis Riel himself choosing the name of the patron saint. On behalf of the Manitoba's Liberals, and as the MLA for St. Boniface, we offer our best wishes and our support to Archbishop LeGatt, to Mrs. Duguay and to Mr. Johnson, as we work towards reconciliation, justice and a better under standing and redeeming of past wrongs. Thank you.

ORAL QUESTIONS Plans for Education Funding Staffing Level Concerns Mr. Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): We know that the Premier was fully behind Brian Pallister's bill 64. She seconded it, and I'm sure, before seconding it–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Kinew: –she read every

article of the bill and carefully considered the impacts it would have on the education system and agreed, mistaken as she was, that she thought bill 64 was the way to go. So, yesterday, I guess they had an announcement regarding education, but we know what their plan is when it comes to schools in Manitoba. It's to cut, cut, cut. There are fewer–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Kinew: –teachers working in com munities like Winnipeg and Brandon and Swan River because of this government's cuts to education. Will the Premier stop cutting edu cation right now? Hon.

Heather Stefanson (Premier): Well, I think the important thing here, Madam Speaker, is that we have a plan, unlike the members opposite that have no plan about the education of our children in the future. Leader of the Opposition likes to put false infor- mation on the record. He continues that day in and day out in this Chamber, Madam Speaker. The fact of the matter is that we are investing more than $1 billion more in education in the province of Manitoba than the NDP ever did.

We will continue to invest in 'qualer'–betty–better quality care–or, better quality education for our children, and that's what the education plan is all about. We recog nize, Madam Speaker, that –after listening to people within the com munities–that bill 64 was not some thing we wanted to go forward with. So we made the right decision by listening to our constituents and pulled that bill from the Chamber. Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a supplementary question. Mr. Kinew: You'll notice what the Premier did there.

She caught herself when she was saying care and then changed the same talking point to be about schools. That's because they have the same talking points when it comes to health care as they do with education, because they want to do the same thing to health care that they did to edu cation, Madam Speaker: cut, cut, cut. * (14:10) They've never met a depart ment in gov ernment that they didn't want to cut, Madam Speaker. But we're saying, enough is enough. Bill 64 is not a plan. Cutting teachers in schools is not a plan.

1444 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 21, 2022 To the parents and students in the Seven Oaks School Division, in the Brandon School Division, in Kelsey, in Swan River, who have fewer teachers in the classroom today, how does this gov ernment justify their cuts of schools? Mrs. Stefanson: Well, again, the Leader of the Opposition likes to put false infor mation on the record. We are investing more than $1 billion in edu- cation more than the NDP ever did when they were in power, Madam Speaker.

And let me just say to the Leader of the Opposition, we can provide better care for Manitobans, along the same –at the same time provi - ding better education for our children. But again, Madam Speaker, we have a plan, unlike the Leader of the Op position and members opposite. We have a plan. And let me just read a quote. It said: If you want to go somewhere fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. And I view the shift in policy of the Province as we'd like to go far and we'd like to go together. Madam Speaker, who said that? Brian O'Leary, Seven Oaks superintendent.

Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a final supplementary. Mr. Kinew: Yes, Madam Speaker, let's talk about Seven Oaks School Division, whe re under this gov - ernment, there are eight fewer teachers and 20 fewer educational assistants this year. Why don't we talk about the Brandon School Division, where there were 10 full -time teaching positions cut? Why don't we talk about Borderland? Why don't we talk about Kelsey?

Why don't we talk about Swan River, where this year there are fewer teachers in the classroom because of the cuts to edu - cation funding that this government has made? You pay more and you get less with the PCs, Madam Speaker. Fewer teachers in the classroom, less one-on-one time with your kids. Our plan is clear: invest– Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Kinew: –in education so kids will succeed. Why doesn't the government finally catch up and admit that their cuts to schools are plain wrong? Mrs.

Stefanson: Well, the only thing and the person who's plain wrong is the Leader of the Opposi tion, once again, Madam Speaker. More than $327 million more in just two years to the edu cation budget –a 17 per cent increase in that budget just in the last two years alone, Madam Speaker. But the Leader of the Op position wants to talk about teachers. Well, I've got another quote for him, Madam Speaker: It's gratifying to see that the ex ten- sive con sultation under taken by t he com mission is finally reflected in the gov ernment's planning.

It's clear that MTS, along with other education stake - holders and, indeed, thousands of private citizens committed to public education, have been heard. And who was that? James Bedf ord, the head of Manitoba Teachers' Society. Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a new question. St. Boniface ER Services Beds and Staffing Levels Mr. Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): These are the facts: 28 fewer teachers and edu cational assistants in Seven Oaks; fewer teachers in Brandon; fewer teachers in Swan River and in Kelsey. There are fewer teachers working in the classroom.

That's a fact. There are also fewer –they can't contest it, by the way, I would point out –there are also fewer beds in the hospital system in Manitoba right now. An emergency room doctor said on Wednesday that 47 out of the 55 ER beds at St. B were full of people waiting to get into a ward. We know that one patient had waited 162 hours in the emergency room. It's unacceptable, and it's because of the cuts that they made to acute care, starting in 2017. Will the Premier begin by acknowl edging that there is a crisis in our hospitals, particularly at sites like St. Boniface? Hon.

Heather Stefanson (Premier): Well, Madam Speaker, I know that Manitobans don't go–want to go back to the dark days of the NDP gov ernment, with skyrocketing wait -lists in our ERs even without a pandemic. Manitobans don't want to go back to those days. What they want is a plan to get Manitobans the care when they need it, including in St. Boniface Hospital.

April 21, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1445 That's why, in Budget 2022, Madam Speaker, our government is investing more than $100 million to redevelop the St. Boniface Hospital emergency room. This investment will triple the size of its ER. It will reduce wait times. It will improve patient flow and provide more room for clinical staff to work in St. Boniface Hospital. The question is, there is a budget before this Chamber today, Madam Speaker. Will the NDP sup- port it or not? [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Order. Order.

The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a supplementary question. Mr. Kinew: We are going to stand with the people of Manitoba and vote against the terrible PC budget, Madam Speaker. Reason why we're going to do that is because the budget that the Premier's bringing in is going to cut health care much it –the same way that they have every year since taking office. Even prior to the pandemic, St. Bon iface emer- gency room was often put on diversion, meaning they did not have the capability to accept patients showing up on their doorstep. That happened when the member for Steinbach (Mr.

Goertzen) was the Health minister. That happened when the member for Morden-Winkler (Mr. Friesen) was the Health minister. It continued when the Premier was the Health minister, and unfor- tunately, it continues to this day. St. Boniface emergency room is in crisis. Ahead of making a substantive invest ment to solve the crisis, will the Premier simply admit that our hospital has a problem? Mrs. Stefanson: Well, the Leader of the Op position has just said that he's –you know, that he will vote against a $100- million investment in St.

Boniface Hospital, the very hospital that he's talking about emergency room wait times, Madam Speaker. We remember what those emergency – [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mrs. Stefanson: –wait times were in the dark days of the previous NDP gov ernment, Madam Speaker. Manitobans don't w ant to go back there again. [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a final supplementary. Mr. Kinew: Madam Speaker, who could believe this government when it comes to health care? How many times have they made announcements about the St. Boniface emergency room?

They have announced it in budgets. They have announced it in election campaigns. And yet, still, people get turned away from St. Boniface emergency room, waiting longer and longer. So, I predict that we'll be here next year listening to another budget in which they make another an- nouncement about St. Boniface emergency room, and yet nothing happens to improve care. What actually does happen? People wait longer. People are waiting longer for surgeries; people are waiting longer in emergency rooms than ever before, Madam Speaker.

The PC health -care cuts have de - livered some of the worst health outcomes anywhere in Canada over the past six years. Will the Premier simply admit that they wer e wrong? Mrs. Stefanson: Well, Madam Speaker, yesterday, the Leader of the Opposition indicated to Manitobans that he would put his own ideology ahead of patient care and the province of Manitoba. We say that's wrong.

He said and indicated that he would fire dozens of nurses, preventing thousands of Manitobans from getting the much-needed health care that they deserve, Madam Speaker, just because of his own ideology. [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mrs. Stefanson: Again, we think that's wrong, Madam Speaker. We have a plan to deliver better health care to Manitobans–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mrs. Stefanson: –closer to home, Madam Speaker. That's why, in the St.

Boniface Hospital alone, we are investing in this budget more than $100 mil lion to ensure that Manitobans get the health care that they need when they need it. Availability of Health-Care Beds Request to End Patient Transfers MLA Uzoma Asagwara (Union Station): Madam– [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order.

1446 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 21, 2022 MLA Asagwara: –Speaker, over 300 Manitobans have been transferred away from their homes, many of them hundreds of kilometres away. Yesterday, we learned that there are still nearly 70 such patients that want to return home but can't because there's no bed for them. * (14:20) This government cut beds. There are 124 fewer beds in our hospitals than four years ago. Health care is simply not there for those who need it. Will the minister end those transfers and bring these patients home today? Hon.

Audrey Gordon (Minister of Health): I thank the member opposite for the question. What I would like the member to do is to speak with the Leader of the Op position and members of their caucus to ask that they all vote in favour of a Health budget in Budget 2022 that will add $7.2 billion to the health system–$1 billion more than their government ever invested in health care. That will help, Madam Speaker, to bring more care beds, more staff, more supports, more ambulances, more paramedics. Will they vote for or will they v ote against the budget?

Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Union Station, on a supplementary question. MLA Asagwara: Madam Speaker, nearly 70 patients are waiting right now. Some of them have been away from their homes and their com munities fo r many months. They want to return, but they can't because there's 124 fewer beds in our hospitals. There are fewer PCH beds, and though this gov ernment pro- mised 1,200 of them, there's a net loss. David Matear, who is now co-lead for the health incident command, said in November, and I quote, that he completely understands the frustration. Quite simply, we just don't have the beds.

End quote. Madam Speaker, the solution is more beds. Why won't the minister restore the beds that they cut and bring these patients home today? Ms. Gordon: Madam Speaker, I want to just remind the member opposite that Budget 2022 also aims to add $30 million to add 28 addi tional beds to our intensive-care units, beds that Manitobans need in their time of care. So this would raise our bed baseline up to 100 from the current 72.

Will the member for Union Station talk to the Leader of the Opposition and members of their caucus to please encourage them to support Manitobans by voting in favour of our budget? [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Order. Order. Order. The honourable member for Union Station, on a final supplementary. MLA Asagwara: Madam Speaker, the facts are that PC cuts hurt Manitobans. There's fewer hospital beds, fewer personal-care-home beds mean less care avail- able close to home for those who need it when they need it. [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order.

MLA Asagwara: Yesterday, the Province doubled down saying that inter -region transfers, and I quote, very much remain a strategy that will be utilized. End quote. Madam Speaker, we need a new strategy and a new plan, one that restores the beds that were cut by this government and builds personal-care-home beds for the future. Why won't the minister restore the beds that they cut, and when will these 70 Manitobans finally be able to come home? Ms. Gordon: I'm pleased to respond to the member opposite's question. Those beds need to be staffed.

They need to be staffed by nurses, allied health professionals, phys - icians. That is why our budget adds $19.5 million to add 259 additional nurse training seats that will lead to our plan to increase seats by 400; $11.6 million to add the next phase, permanently, Madam Speaker, expanding seats in Manitoba; $4.3 million was also announced for 37 additional nurse training seats in the North. Will the members opposite vote in favour of more staff so that we can have more beds for individuals that are waiting? [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Order. Education System Pandemic Recovery Mr.

Nello Altomare (Transcona): Yesterday, this government had a real op portunity to restart the relationship with teachers and families and com mu- nities. They failed, Madam Speaker.

April 21, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1447 The Minister of Education last year called opposi- tion to bill 64 fear mongering, special interest groups. He strongly supported bill 64 and broke trust with teachers, families, com munities across the province. The minister thinks he can wave a wand and make bill 64 ideology disappear, but instead he needs to repair the damage. Will he start today by reversing his government's cuts to K-to-12 education? Hon.

Wayne Ewasko (Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning): Madam Speaker, today is a great day for Manitoba students and Manitobans in general because of the an nouncement yesterday made on the K to 12 Education Action Plan. We have been –Madam Speaker, we have been working with our edu cation partners. We have been listening to 25,000-plus Manitobans, which is how we developed the K -to-12 action plan, which is a road map to student success. I strongly recom mend the Leader of the Op position and my friend from Transcona to read the action plan.

Madam Speaker: The honour able member for – [interjection] Order. The honourable member for Tr anscona, on a supplementary question. Mr. Altomare: It's evident that this minister wasn't paying attention to my first question, but the auditor 'genewal' was, and he stated, in page 35 of his report, and I quote and table it at the same time: the gov ern- ment had not yet initiated pandemic recovery efforts, and only 15 per cent of school leadership, Madam Speaker, believe that the government is taking appro- priate action to address long- term impacts of pan - demic. There's a crisis of confidence in this government.

They tried to ram through bill 64, Madam Speaker, instead of focusing on student recovery. The minister has to repair the damage. Will he stop the cuts and give our kids 'se' support they need? Mr. Ewasko: Madam Speaker, unfortunately there is so much misinformation and fear mongering in that question, I don't have enough time even if you give me leave to run and the 20 minutes left in question period. [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr.

Ewasko: Madam Speaker, during COVID, over the two years, the pandemic that hit not only Manitoba but Canada and the world, we had spent more on COVID recovery efforts–of over $250 million into our education system alone. And then he talks about cuts. Cuts? Three hundred and twenty -seven million more dollars to education over the last two years – that's over 17.2 per cent– Madam Speaker: The member's time has expired. The honourable member for Transcona, on a final supplementary. Mr.

Altomare: I want to remind the minister that school divisions are making impossible choices right now with human resources, not only cutting teachers but cutting programs like psychology, reading re - covery, speech language in Brandon School Division. And this is why, Madam Speaker, senior school leadership doesn't trust this government to help them respond to the pandemic. When they were struggling to meet the need, this government tried to jam through bill 64. And that's a big shame on this government. Instead of focusing on kids, they're focusing on a failed bill.

Will the minister finally stop cuts and provide our kids the support they need to recover from these past two and a half years? * (14:30) Mr. Ewasko: Madam Speaker –and it's unfortunate again that my friend from Transcona continues to put misinformation and continues to use his leader's self- serving talking points. It's unfor tunate because, you know what, my friend from Transcona is better than that. I will correct the record, though, Madam Speaker. In Brandon School–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Ewasko: –Division alone, the–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr.

Ewasko: –Brandon School Division saw 11.4 per cent increase in funding for the past two years, Madam Speaker, which excludes the General Support Grant. An increase also does not take into account the–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Ewasko: –$6.1 million provided for Safe Schools funding.

1448 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 21, 2022 Madam Speaker, we're not going to take any lessons from the NDP. That is more money, not less. [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Order. Order. I'm coming very close to asking specific members to be very, very careful with their heckling and their level of heckling, and I'm going to ask for co-operation from all members. And so–you want your constituency names in Hansard? Keep it up, because I don't think your con- stituents want to know that you have been called out in this House for misbehaving and for bad heckling.

So, I'm going to give fair warning to all. Provincial Park Fees in Manitoba Revenue to US-Based Company Ms. Lisa Naylor (Wolseley): Thank you, Madam Speaker. I'm looking forward to a quiet set of questions. This PC government continues to make it harder to enjoy Manitoba's parks. Rather than investing in parks, they're sending, now, over $1 mill ion of Manitoba's money to a Texas-based company. The docu ment which I table shows that in 2020-21, Manitoba sent over $566,000 out of the country.

But this year, another half million is being sent to Texas yet again, all so Manitobans can just get a little peek into our parks. This is wrong. Will the minister commit to reversing course and stop forcing Manitobans to send $1 million out of the country? Hon. Jeff Wharton (Minister of Environment, Climate and Parks): Certainly, our gov ernment is very pleased of the investments we continue to make in parks after 17 years of complete neglect, Madam Speaker. We know that there is a very, very large mess in our parks to clean up.

Madam Speaker, we're com - mitted to cleaning up that mess, and that's exa ctly what we're going to do. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Wolseley, on a supplementary question. Ms. Naylor: Madam Speaker, it's sad that Manitobans who want to enjoy our local parks have their money sent out of the country to a Texas -based company. And to make matters worse, Manitobans are still struggling with the disastrous park reservation system. In two years–just two years–regular families paid over $1 million in fees to an out-of-country company so they could just enter a park in Manitoba.

That is a huge amount of money the PC government is forcing Manitobans to pay. Will the minister stop forcing Manitobans to pay over $1 million to enjoy our parks? Mr. Wharton: Well, again, Madam Speaker, I appre- ciate the op portunity to hig hlight the non- work that the NDP did for 17 years in our parks. We know, under the NDP: cut, cut, cut to our parks, Madam Speaker, in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. As a matter of fact, they even forgot to cut the grass in our provincial parks.

We are making historic investments in our parks to the tune of $20 million in our parks endowment fund alone, that will fund new projects that were left behind under the NDP. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Wolseley, on a final supplementary. Ms. Naylor: Madam Speaker, we are six years going into seven years of this government. I know that's in- credibly depressing to hear, but I'm–just need to high- light it. This is–it's about time, maybe about time for this government to tart–start taking responsibility.

The cost to go to a park jumped ten times more when the PC government hired a Texas company, and so in 2021 alone, Manitobans paid over $566,000 to see their parks. Now it's over $1 million. I'm sure many Manitobans who tried to reserve campsites this year would rather see that money in - vested in fixing the Province's disastrous reservation system. The minister needs to stop forcing Manitobans to pay $1 million to a Texas company to– Madam Speaker: The member's time has expired. Mr.

Wharton: Again, I would like to highlight the great work by our de partment this year to, again – trying to clean up a mess left by the NDP when it comes to parks reservations. Madam Speaker, we know that there were going to be continued issues with that system. We are com- mitted to fixing that system. There will be a new system in the works by 2023. We know the mess they left behind. We also know, Madam Speaker, that all of our sites have been

April 21, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1449 booked for 2022 season. Manitobans are ready, we just need some warmer weather. Northern Manitoba Highways and Roads Maintenance and Repair–Budget 2022 Mr. Ian Bushie (Keewatinook): Madam Speaker, every year this PC gov ernment breaks its promises regarding infra structure. They've cut the highways budget by over 36 pe r cent and, since taking office, the infrastructure budget has been underspent by mil- lions and millions of dollars each year. These cuts have real impacts on Manitobans across the province, parti cularly in northern Manitoba.

Northerners rely upon highways to access health care, shop for groceries and so much more. However, Budget 2022 froze highway maintenance and repair. Will this gov ernment commit to ending this freeze today? Hon. Reg Helwer (Acting Minister of Transportation and Infrastructur e): Well, again, the opposition loves to put false infor mation on the record. And our government is committed, in 2021, to spending $1.5 billion over three years, minimum of $500 million in capital investment, throughout '22-23. There's the truth , Madam Speaker. They can't handle it.

Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Keewatinook, on a supplementary question. Mr. Bushie: The truth is, over 5,300 Manitobans have signed a petition calling for upgrades to Highway 6. Highway 6 is the only route from Winnipeg to Thompson, is the main route from Winnipeg to The Pas, Flin Flon and many, many other northern com - munities. However, the highway continues to see multiple fatal accidents every year due to challenging conditions, which only gets worse in the winter. Budget 2022 froze maintenance and repair for these highways. This is not an acceptable response.

Will the minister reverse course and end the freeze on highway maintenance and repairs today? Mr. Helwer: I repeat: $1.5 billion over th ree years. That's the investment that we're making. Six–since 2016, has –our gov ernment has made investments across the province, including PTH 6. Our government will continue to invest $9 million in upgrade projects along the northern parts of PTH this– PTH 6 this year. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Keewatinook, on a final supplementary. Mr. Bushie: Well, Madam Speaker, where are these upgrades?

Community members are still calling today for road upgrades, rest areas and more frequent passing lanes to help reduce accidents. Northern Manitobans want to see increased invest ments in the highways they rely upon, not a freeze to maintenance and repairs. Unfortunately, Budget 2022 continues down this government's path of freezing and cutt ing infra- structure spending. This issue is bigger than money; it's about increasing safety on Manitoba's highways for Manitobans. Will the minister commit to doing so today by ending this freeze today? Mr. Helwer: Well, Madam Speaker, $9 million in the budget this year.

The member has the op portunity to do the right thing. Will he vote for the budget and support that $9 million to be spent on PTH 6, Madam Speaker? Housing for Ukrainian Refugees Request for Rent Assist Program Mr. Dougald Lamont (St. Boniface): Yesterday, I received a letter, which I table, from a non -profit volunteer agency that wants to house Ukrainian refugees. They wrote, and I quote: What's happening now with this gov ernment is a complete disaster, to be frank.

They have supports which are convoluted and rely heavily on non- profits and private donors to do all the work while they sit back and get the credit for it. All the volunteer agencies I've spoken to date all share the same sentiment: we have to act because the government isn't. We have refugees with no place to live and agencies with apartments but no way to pay for it. * (14:40) Will the Premier (Mrs. Stefanson) commit to a Rent Assist program for Ukrainian and other refugees for a safe welcome to Manitoba? Hon.

Jon Reyes (Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Immigration): Let me assure that –the member that we are ready to welcome as many Ukrainian citizens as possible once the federal gov - ernment brings them to Canada.

1450 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 21, 2022 I understand we have a backlog at the federal level when it comes to processing the permanent 'resi' backlog applications, as the majority of the 'corresponsence' that I receive in my office and that I hear from my fellow colleagues is that delay is at the federal level. Madam Speak er, we are ready to welcome many Ukrainian nationals, refugees.

That's why Budget 2022 offers $5 million in new comer support programs in investing in newcomers when they come here so that they can get sufficient jobs and have the support that they need w hen they come to our province. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for St. Boniface, on a supplementary question. Mr. Lamont: If the minister doesn't realize that settlement is his job and a provincial responsibility, I don't know why he has it.

The letter reads, quote: We currently have vacant suites and an overwhelming influx of refugees want - ing ac commodations, but we're a non- profit and there's only so much loss we can actually take. End quote. Refugees, especially women with young children, arriving only with –are arriving only with clothes on their back. The risk of 'expotation' for vul nerable women and children is exponentially higher, as we've seen in the UK, where the UN Refugee Agency warned that single men w ere preying on Ukrainian refugees who ended up homeless.

The people who are coming to Manitoba are flee- ing mass murder and mass destruction, and they need a safe harbour and a roof over their house in Manitoba. Will this gov ernment provide temporary R ent Assist to help house refugees, and when– Madam Speaker: The member's time is expired. Mr. Reyes: Madam Speaker, when the first arrivals come to Manitoba, we'll be ready.

That is why one action item from Budget 2022 is the creation of a central recept ion centre near the Winnipeg inter national airport to help Ukrainian citizens with intake services, temporary accommoda- tions and meals, access to co -ordinated health- care services through Manitoba Health, and registration, orientation and referral services on language training, workforce and settlement needs through Manitoba Start. We also announced a–$5 million in Budget 2022 for settlement services for new comers, including Ukrainian citizens in Manitoba. We have a plan. We are ready, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: The honourable member for River Heights, on a final supplementary. Constituent Health Concern Access to Rehabilitation Care Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Madam Speaker, yesterday I asked about the availability of rehab for a gen tleman who had his leg amputated. Sadly, his experience is not unique. Shay-la MacLean also had a leg amputated, and instead of a focus on rehab, her pain and health con- cerns were initially dismissed.

Jeff Carpenter, who had parts of both his legs amputated, described being beyond frustrated at having to wait at least 21 weeks to get an occupational therapist to help him. As I table, he said of the health- care system for which the minister is respon sible: Nobody has a clue what's going on. I ask the 'ministoer' to explain why such a basic item of care as rehabilitation following an amputation is being so poorly looked after in Manitoba? Hon. Audrey Gordon (Minister of Health): I thank the member for River Heights for bringing this to my attention.

I will certainly have discussions with the Winnipeg Regional Health Author ity as well as the facility leads to investigate each case in specifics. Unfortunately, due to The Personal Health Information Act, I cannot discuss the specifics of an individual's health status, or the health services they will receive, in the Chamber, but happy to look into each and every case the member has brought forward. K-to-12 Education System New Action Plan Announcement Mr.

Josh Guenter (Borderland): Madam Speaker, yesterday the Minister of Edu cation announced the K to 12 Education Action Plan, and the response from stakeholders has been swift and it has been positive. This five-year plan is the result of extensive consulta- tion and lays the framework to advance student suc- cess in col laboration with our education sector partners. Can the minister briefly inform the House of this exciting announcement?

April 21, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1451 Hon. Wayne Ewasko (Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning): I'd like to thank my col- league from Borderland for that great question, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I was honoured to announce our government's action plan yesterday. I'd like to thank Principal Loewen, school staff and students for hosting us at École Templeton, one of our gov ern- ment's 22 new schools.

I'd also like to thank–Madam Speaker, I'd like to thank the commission for all their hard work, all our education partners for their extensive consultation and who gave perspective towards our action plan. Lastly, I'd like to thank our over -25,000 Manitobans who participated in the consultation process. I invite all Manitobans to take a look at the action plan, Madam Speaker. It's available on the gov ern- ment website. I strongly encourage– Madam Speaker: The member's time has expired. [interjection] Order. Post-Secondary Education Tuition Costs for the Year Mr. Jamie Moses (St.

Vital): Madam Speaker, this year's budget leaves Manitoba students behind. There's been a big increase to tuition fees this y ear because the PC government's cuts to universities and colleges is doing lasting damage to students and uni - versities and colleges. Will the minister tell Manitoba students and parents how much more they will be paying for college and university this year? Hon.

Jon Reyes (Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Immigration): Madam Speaker, as out - lined in Budget 2022, we are delivering on the Skills, Talent and Knowledge Strategy by ensuring that more students have access to affordable post -secondary education and employment once they graduate. That is why our gov ernment is investing in pro - grams such as the Manitoba Scholarship and Bursary Initiative to provide more than $33 million in bursaries for students accessing post-secondary insti- tutions in Manitoba.

Madam Speaker, we have a plan for students to get world -class post -secondary edu cation and good jobs in Manitoba once they graduate, unlike the all - talk-no-action NDP. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for St. Vital, on a supplementary question. Mr. Moses: The PC government intends to collect an additional–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Moses: –$35 million from Manitoba students this year. Tuition fees collected have nearly doubled since they came into o ffice. That means higher and higher costs for Manitoba students. That's not enough for this minister.

Now he wants to start charging yet higher levels of tuition for some students, depending on what they study. That's simply not the right approach. Will the minister reverse course and will he tell Manitoba students and parents how much more they will be paying for college and university this year? Mr. Reyes: Madam Speaker, we on this side of the House will always fight for our post-secondary sector throughout the province. We continue to invest $1 billion in post - secondary edu cation and engage with our post - secondary partners, including presidents, students and faculty unions.

Our government continues to provide high quality education and skills for graduates to succeed in the labour market. And, Madam Speaker, I want to share with you a quote: Manitoba universities are 'astonishly' success- ful, grads are employed at high levels and at good income levels. Who said that, Madam Speaker? Dr. Peter Miller, president of the Uni versity of Winnipeg faculty association. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker: The time for oral questions has expired. Speaker's Ruling Madam Speaker: And I have a ruling for the House. [interjection] I have a ruling for the House.

Just a reminder to members that they shouldn't be leaving their seats. The hon ourable member for Fort Garry (Mr. Wasyliw)–I would just remind members that when I have made an an nouncement that there is a ruling to be presented, a member should remain in their seat.

1452 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 21, 2022 * (14:50) Prior to routine proceedings on Thursday, April 7, 2022, the honourable Official Opposition House Leader (Ms. Fontaine) raised a matter of privilege regarding the honourable First Ministe r organizing events outside of the House that, on several occa - sions, coincided with oral questions. The Official Opposition House Leader claimed these actions served to avoid accountability and that this lack of participation in question period makes it harder to keep the government accountable.

At the conclusion of their remarks, the Official Opposition House Leader moved, and I quote, "that the matter of the Premier's (Mrs. Stefanson) failure to participate in question period be condemned, and that this matter be referred to a standing committee of this House for review." The honourable Government House Leader (Mr. Goertzen) also offered contributions to the Chair, and noted that it is up to the discretion of the gov - ernment to decide which minister w ill answer a question.

He further noted that, from time to time, ministers, including the First Minister, have duties that need to be attended to outside of the Chamber. The honourable member for River Heights (Mr. Gerrard) shared the observation that, i n his experience, there have been occasions when premiers were not in attendance during oral questions for one reason or another. He also opined that such an absence is not determined by a matter of privilege or a point of order. I took the matter under a dvisement in order to consult the procedural authorities.

There are two conditions that must be satisfied in order for a matter raised to be ruled in order as a prima facie case of privilege: was the issue raised at the earliest op portunity, and was s ufficient evidence provided to support the member's claim that their privileges or the privileges of the House were breached?

On the first issue of whether the issue was raised at the earliest opportunity, it is difficult to make a determination that time liness was met, as the honourable Official Opposition House Leader referred to this non -participation in oral questions happening on several occasions, but did not identify any specific dates. Therefore, it is difficult to assess whether the test of timeliness has been met, and I am unable to do so.

On the second issue, whether sufficient evidence was provided, I must advise the House that a lack of participation in oral questions by the First Minister or any minister is not a violation of the privileges of the House or of individual members. Beauchesne's sixth edition, citation 31(2) advises that the failure of a minister to answer a question may not be raised as a question of privilege. In addition, as noted in Beauchesne citation 31(4), the absence of a minister, such as from a committee studying Estimates, would be a grievance but not a question of privilege.

Further, as Bosc and Gagnon explain on page 127 of the third edition of House of Commons Procedure and Practice, although there is a collective privilege of the House regarding the authority of the House to maintain the attendance and service of its members, it refers to the privilege of exemption from jury duty and exemption from being summoned to appear as a witness.

Bosc and Gagnon further state on page 127: "The Standing Orders of the House of Commons provide that every Member is bound to attend the sittings of the House unless otherwise occupied with parliamen- tary activities or functions or on public or official business. Because the House sits during prime work - ing hours, scheduling conflicts with other parliamen- tary or official commitments (for example committee meetings) may prevent Members from being present in the Chamber. In practice, considerable leniency is exercised in this regard.

Indeed, the Chair has often discouraged any references to the absences of any individual Member." End quote. On the issue of the operations of oral questions, questions are technically put to the government as a whole, and it is the prerogative of the government to decide which minister will answer the questions. Additionally, each ministerial portfolio has through order-in-council assignments a listing of first and second acting ministers who can answer questions or act if the minister responsible is not able to do so.

With this statutory provision in place, it should be possible to receive information and answers to questions even in the absence of the minister responsible. I therefore rule that, although this issue may be considered discourteous by som e honourable members, there is no prima facie case of a breach of parliamentary privilege. * * * Madam Speaker: Petitions?

April 21, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1453 ORDERS OF THE DAY GOVERNMENT BUSINESS Madam Speaker: If there are no petitions, we will then move into orders of the day, gov ernment busi- ness. Hon. Kelvin Goertzen (Government House Leader): Madam Speaker, could you please resume debate on the budget. BUDGET DEBATE (Fourth Day of Debate) Madam Speaker: Resuming debate on the proposed motion of the honour able Minister of Finance (Mr. Friesen), and the amendment and subamendment thereto. Debate is open.

MLA Tom Lindsey (Flin Flon): It doesn't really give me a lot of pleasure to stand up and talk about this budget. Really, the budget book itself should probably be referred to as a book of fiction, as most of this gov- ernment's budgets have been books of fiction because they like to talk about big numbers that they're going to commit, but then they fail to actually spend those dollars on the programs and things that they talk about.

We know–we just heard from the member from Keewatinook about infra structure spending and how this government has frozen that funding and failed to live up to the commitments in previous budgets as to how much money gets spent on roads. We know that there's some 5,000-plus citizens of the North that have signed a petition wanting this gov ernment to pay at - tention to what's wrong, particularly with Highway 6. But it's not just Highway 6.

Highway 6 is the main route of transportation, but many of us also travel on Highway 60, which is in worse shape, which has multiple logging trucks and other large vehicles as it is a main transportation route for things going to The Pas, things going to Flin Flon. Mr.

Dennis Smook, Acting Speaker, in the Chair The shoulders of that road are in such a sorry state that you'll find those big trucks, at best, hogging the centre line, and at best–or at worst, many times over the centre line because they're afraid if the trailer catches one of those torn-up edges where there are no real shoulders, that it will lead to them having an accident. Now, Mr. Deputy Speaker, you've heard me talk in this Chamber about snowplow operators.

Once again, this government has failed to supply, to hire, to train, to ensure that there's sufficient operators to maintain these roads in a safe condition after a snow- storm. I can personally attest to the storm we had last week that wasn't anywhere close to being as bad as what the forecast was, so I waited an extra day before I attempted to drive to Flin Flon just in the interest of making sure that my wife and I could safely travel on that road. Unfortunately, when we started out, even the Perimeter wasn't properly plowed. And this was more than 24 hours after the last snow flake fell.

Then we turned onto Highway 6, Mr. Deputy Speaker, and it should've still been closed because it was not safe to drive on. And yet, nary a snowplow was seen. Some stretches were just straight blare ice: no salt, no sand, no plow. Unless someb ody thinks that this is just me raising this, there's an entire Facebook page devoted to people reporting on the condi tions of Highway 6. And one of the posts asked, why isn't this road plowed?

And somebody directed that person to contact their MLA –the M LA for the Interlake – because, clearly, he doesn't care that his own con stit- uents can't travel on a highway because it's not main- tained safely. He ignores them. He ignores their con- cerns, just like the rest of his government. He doesn't care as long as he gets his paycheque, doesn't matter if the road is safe to travel on. That member from the Interlake should be ashamed and should answer to his constituents why he does not ensure that their roads are maintained safely, but he does not. * (15:00) Mr.

Deputy Speaker, I had an issue brought to my attention from some of my far northern com munities that depend on winter roads. Now, this year in parti - cular the winter roads were extremely late in opening. But the problem wasn't actually with the winter road, the problem was residents couldn't get to the winter road because the year-round road is not being properly looked after. In fact, at the time, it was under water.

So, I contacted the minister's office, and, a few days later, one of his assistants got a hold of the assist- ant to the manager of the northern region, and he told me that, yes, we know about that, but it's going to require a lot of work because there's a creek there. And my question to him was, so? If it requires work, is there a plan to do the work? And the answer

1454 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 21, 2022 was, no, there is no plan to fix highway–I think it was 393, 394. It's an extension from 391 that runs into Lynn Lake and actually carries on –goes to the Saskatchewan border. And off that road goes the winter road to Tadoule, Brochet and Lac Brochet.

So, while those com munities depend heavily on the winter road to get supplies in–particularly to get diesel fuel in, because some of them are still running on diesel, they don't have hydro power yet–in fact, we saw Tadoule L ake that was short from last year because the winter-road season, again, was extremely short. It's down to being open for a few weeks at best– generally less than a month, now, which doesn't give them sufficient time to lay in the supply of diesel fuel that they need to keep the community going.

They had Calm Air flying 45 -gallon drums of diesel fuel in trying to keep the lights on–trying to keep the essential services running. And we've asked the government in the past what their plan is for winter roa ds, and the answer is, they don't have a plan. They have no plan to do anything, even though it is their responsibility to maintain those roads in an operable condition, to allow those northern Manitobans to have access. But they don't. This gov ernment doesn't include that in their budget. They don't include repairs to any of these roads in the North in their budgets.

But even if they did, like I said earlier, their budgets are works of fiction because de partment after depart ment after department doesn't spend the money that's actually budgeted there. Let's talk about northern health care. Now, as we pointed out earlier in the week, the Minister of Health (Ms. Gordon) doesn't really know where the Northern Health Region is and doesn't have an understanding of the needs of northern people to access health care. Can you imagine, Mr.

Deputy Speaker, a hospital anywhere else in this province that months, months, and months and months, patients don't have access to hot water, staff doesn't have access to hot water? And now we heard the minister–I believe it was yesterday– said, well, hopefully, the plumbers will fix it in May. She doesn't know. She doesn't care because it's just people in the North, so this gov ernment doesn't care about those people –not one little bit, which is shameful. It is completely shameful that they continue to ignore the needs of northern Manitobans in their budget and in their day-to-day operations.

We know that it's not just the Thompson hospital that's in trouble. Leaf Rapids Health Centre–they just shut it down for weeks because there's a shortage of nurses. But there were nurses scheduled to go there, but because this gov ernment is so short everywhere else, they took those agency nurses and moved them somewhere else because people at Leaf Rapids didn't matter. So we asked, well, okay, if the place has got to be shut down, can we get a second ambulance on stand- by? Because it's several hours over bad roads, so that ambulance would be gone about eight hours if it takes a person from there to Thompson.

And the answer we got was, well, no, we can't assign a second ambulance there because we don't have any. Because this government has starved every portion of this province for resources so bad that there are no ambulances. And we see that even in the city of Winnipeg now, Mr. Deputy Speaker, that –how many hours was it –28 hours that there was no ambulances available in the city.

So we know that there's been starvation of resources, even though, in budget after budget, this government talks about how much money –and we listen to minister after minister stand up and spew out these meaningless numbers when they have no inten- tion of actually spending the budgeted amounts, so that at the end of the day they can stan d up and say, look at us, we balanced the budget. Oh, you don't have health care? Well, that's too bad, we balanced the budget. Oh, you don't have a safe road to drive on? Well, gee, that's too bad, we balanced the budget.

This government cares about mon ey, but they do not care about people. So we know that, going forward for the next year, they talk about the number. They talk about how much money they're going to spend. So we focused a little bit on infrastructure and a little bit on edu cation–not education yet, we'll get there–a little bit on health care, and about how they're underfunding all of those. We know that, from things that we've heard, that schools in the North are also starved for funding.

Speaking with people in author ity position s at the Flin Flon School Division, they were trying to decide how to rearrange their resources so that they wouldn't have to actually lay off teachers, but it meant changes in busing schedules and changes in start times and stop times that meant parents were left scrambling to try and find daycare for their kids. Madam Speaker in the Chair Speaking of which, the funding levels for parti - cularly things like the Kiddie Korner Day Care in

April 21, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1455 Flin Flon, the major child-care resource that's attached to the Flin Flon School Division, had their funding frozen year after year after year. They've got an - nouncements out now, Madam Speaker, asking for donations–donations of food, donations of anything they can think of to try and get by to supply a service to Flin Flon parents because this gov ernment won't properly fund them.

So they can talk all they want about their big numbers, but the reality is, parti cularly for people in northern Manitoba, we know that cut, cut, cut –every time we turn around there's less service. Let's talk about northern patient transportation. It costs people more money to come to Winnipeg because Calm Air cut the flight schedule. Did the government say okay, well, we can help because you have to spend a week in Winnipeg now? No, they did not. They would not increase that fund- ing.

In fact, they've throttled back what they spend on northern patient transportation because they don't care that you have to drive from Lynn Lake to Thompson and spend the night in a hotel to get health care. This gov ernment should be ashamed of them - selves. And they stand up now and their new talking point–I'm sure they've got it stamped on every page – is, why won't the NDP support our budget? * (15:10) The reason we won't support your budget is be - cause it's completely meaningless.

It's because it's a bad budget that's designed to hurt Manitobans, and that's exactly what every one of your budgets have done since 2016, is hurt Manitobans, and it's time for that change to happen and the next election can't come soon enough. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Hon. Cliff Cullen (Minister of Economic Development, Investment and Trade): I do 'appreesh' the op portunity to put a few words on the record today about our budge t and all the increases and funding, pretty well right across the board for each and every department of Manitoba.

And I think Manitobans will be happy when they have the oppor- tunity to read this particular budget. I–off the top, Madam Speaker, I do want to thank the good folks of Spruce Woods constituency. Certainly, I just want to acknowl edge the challenges that we've been through together over the last two years as we continue our fight against COVID and the pandemic here in Manitoba. It's c ertainly been a challenging time. I think Manitobans are looking forward to spring arriving, and with spring arriving, some optimism and hope - fully some optimism that COVID is slowly getting behind us.

I will also say, if they have an opportunity to look at this budget, there is plenty of oppor tunity for optimism in this budget going forward and I'm excited to support this particular budget. Madam Speaker, I would like to talk a little bit about the de partment, and the new De partment of Economic Development, Investment and Trade. And I think it's very im portant to recog nize, and our Premier (Mrs.

Stefanson) has stated this and our gov- ernment has stated it, economic dev elopment and recovery is critical to Manitoba, it's critical to the investments in Manitoba, it's in–critical to the bottom line of Manitoba to generate income. And for us to generate income, then we have the money to pay for the social services, including health care, edu cation and other family services that Manitobans come to expect. So it's critical that we develop our economy. To that end, we've created a new department and with a focus on economic dev elopment. We've also, this year, added investment.

And, clearly, investment in Manitoba has to be key for economic recovery here in Manitoba. And I'll talk a little bit more about the investment component in a few minutes. The other issue and component of economic dev- elopment that maybe had been lost a little bit is the trade component. We are clearly a trad ing province and we rely on trade, and Manitobans rely on trade for the economy and for providing jobs, so our new focus on trade within this new department. So, Madam Speaker, in terms of our focus about economic development, I will say we have created an economic dev elopment com mittee of Cabinet.

That particular Cabinet will be chaired by the Premier (Mrs. Stefanson), I–happy to serve as the deputy chair for that committee, and we will be engaging other de- partments across our gov ernment. And the concept here is to have–making sure that we have the ability to respond quickly for economic development oppor- tunities that we have in front of us. The committee of Cabinet will be supported by a brand new Economic Dev elopment Secretariat, and I'm happy that we brought on Michael Swistun to support that, and Tracey Maconachie, a former deputy minister, to assist in that role.

So we're excited about bringing people on to that secretariat, supported by not only people within government but people external to government as well. So we think this will be a great

1456 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 21, 2022 mechanism to foster economic dev elopment here in Manitoba. Madam Speaker, I do also want to mention our partners in economic development here in Manitoba. We have a number of key departments–pardon me– key partners that we're working closely with that we fund, and we want to make sure that we're working closely with them to make sure that we capture all the opportunities that are there. And I'm speaking of the Economic Development Winnipeg, certainly they have fairly mature in their activities around economic dev elopment.

We're sup- porting them and working closely with them. We also support the Com munities Economic Dev elopment Fund. A lot of that is in regard to economic opportun- ities in northern Manitoba. We are also supporting rural Manitoba economic development corporation. In fact, this year we have expanded their budget by somewhere in the neigh- bourhood of 35 per cent, funding them to the tune of $1 million this year. We continue to work with the World Trade Centre here in Winnipeg on some of the trade and training initiatives. And last, and certainly not least, I do want to men- tion North Forge Techno logy Exchange.

Obviously, great things happening in that particular sector and we've got some great entrepreneurs working with other entrepreneurs in terms of mentorship programs. So, $6 million–over $6 million going to our part- ners in economic development, and we look forward to working closely with them as we build on economic development here in Manitoba. Madam Speaker, I do want to talk a little more about some of the investments we are making on the economic development file. And we have announced the launching of a new venture capital fund.

This year's budget, we've set aside $50 million for that venture capital fund, and we're excited. Next week, we'll providing Manitobans more information about how that fund will work, and we're excited about it. It's been some thing that we've talked about for years, and this gov ernment is de - livering on that venture capital fund. This will provide tremendous opportunities for businesses in Manitoba, and we look forward to having that fund up and running in the coming months. Madam Speaker, in relation to this, we've also made the Small Business Venture Capital Tax Credit permanent.

We've also expanded it to support the venture capital funds as well. This is a very substantial signal to the busi ness com munity that we want to work with them, partner with them, to grow busi ness in Manitoba. And when we business in Manitoba, we create jobs for Manitobans. Madam Speaker, we know we can't do this alone. We're also looking to inject some money into our immigration program to attract newcomers to our pro- vince. We know busi ness com munity is calling on that, and we're responding to that as well. We've had a real focus on the tax 'competinives' here in Manitoba.

We've certainly made a lot of positive changes over the last few years. We recognize there's more work to do. We will be calling on the business com munity and others to provide us even more direction in terms of how we become even more competitive as a province. We reduced the payroll tax, and that has positive implications for close to a thou- sand businesses, taking probably 200 busi nesses, or close to that, completely off the payroll tax roll. Madam Speaker, we also have signalled a lot of other investments in terms of our workforce develop- ment. We know this is key as we continue with economic growth.

We recog nize the challenges that businesses face in this regard and it's certainly coming from all sectors of our economy. We have to be focused on making sure that our workers are skilled, they're trained for the jobs that are here today and the jobs that will be there tomorrow. Madam Speaker, to that end, we've–investing in sector council development and workforce develop- ment to the tune of almost $30 million in this year's budget. We've also provided other t raining and financial assistance to the tune of $76 million–ob- viously critical for getting people trained in Manitoba.

And just this past week, we announced the first intake for the $10 million for funds that will come to the Manitoba Job Grant to addre ss workforce training needs. Again, critical infrastructure there to make sure Manitobans have every op portunity to work here in our great province. Madam Speaker, we also continue on our effort to reduce red tape in Manitoba. We think that's critica l for the business community to be successful, and just reading that Canadian Federation of Independent Business recognizes our great work in terms of re - ducing red tape here in Manitoba.

And we were going to continue to focus on reducing red tape for small businesses. It's clearly critical for them to recover from COVID, as we more forward.

April 21, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1457 * (15:20) So we will continue to do that and working with the business community to make sure those issues are addressed. Madam Speaker, great work in eco nomic dev- elopment here. I just want to touch on a couple of other issues that I know many people here in my con- stituency of Spruce Woods want to hear as well. And health care is certainly a priority for our gov- ernment.

Additional invest ments in h ealth care in Manitoba this year: $7.2 billion going into health care, record investments in health care, and we are going to continue to rebuild health care here in Manitoba. We recognize the pandemic has created backlogs when it comes to surgical and diag nostic wait times. That's why we've committed in this budget $110 million to that. And, Madam Speaker, we've even committed over $600 million in this budget for contingencies, and, hopefully, we can find those services for Manitobans.

Manitobans als o want to hear about our infra - structure invest ments–again, record invest ments in infrastructure: $2.4 billion, and, im portantly to, certainly, people in my region is the infra structure investment in Manitoba highways: $1.5 billion over the next th ree years, a commit ment of over $500 million in each of the next three years to address infrastructure. Manitoba–Madam Speaker, great invest ments in this particular budget for Manitobans. We, certainly, on this side, are very sup portive of this budget going forward. I certainly thank the –all the work of the Minister of Finance (Mr.

Friesen) and the previous minister of Finance put into this particular budget. And I was happy with a number of my colleagues and the minister this morning to partake i n a dis - cussion at the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, and it was certainly reassuring hearing their analysis of our budget as well. And it was very favourably received through the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, and we will continue working with our partners at the Chambers, whether it be the Winnipeg chamber or Manitoba chambers or other busi ness organizations as well.

And I certainly want to recog - nize the Busi ness Council for their advice that they have provided our government on a number of areas, including, in parti cular, the venture capital initiative that we're undertaking. So, Madam Speaker, yes, we do have more work to do. We recog nize that. But this budget, I think, is very balanced. It's very supportive of Manitobans and Manitoba families. And, certainly, when you look at the affordability component in there, we have taken great strides in the last six years and there'll be more opportunities for making great strides in the years ahead.

So with that, Madam Speaker, just a few words from my perspective on this budget. I thank you for the opportunity, and I certainly thank the Minister of Finance for–and his department for all the great work on this budget. Thank you. Ms. Cindy Lamoureux (Tyndall Park): I'm glad to have the opportunity to rise this afternoon and speak in response to the budget. And going to cover a wide array of topics in this response, Madam Speaker.

But I think, first and foremost, what I want to talk about is Ukraine and how I believe that, as provincial politicians, we have a huge responsibility and we need to be more aggressive in doing more and–much, much more to help with refugees who have already began arriving in Manitoba. And that's a mistake the minis - ter made earlier today in question period: he' s not even aware that Ukrainian refugees and displaced Ukrainians have already begun arriving here in Manitoba.

Madam Speaker, it's heartbreaking, the war that's going on right now, and our Ukrainian popula tion is continuing to grow, and that is why we have this responsibility to go forward and do everything in our abilities to help, and this includes making the transi - tion smoother. You know, I still receive emails to this day, and this war has been ongoing, Madam Speaker, of people wondering how they can come to Manitoba. Are people allowed to just buy a plane ticket and land here and then figure out the logistics? There needs to be clarification.

We need to talk about post -secondary education, and we've been asking about this in question period. But those who are displaced from Ukraine who hap- pen to be students, (1) will their education be recog- nized here in Manitoba; and (2) are they going to be able to continue on with their education, recognizing that people who are coming from Ukraine, all they have are the clothes on their back. They don't neces - sarily have the funds to begin education and paying

1458 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 21, 2022 for post -secondary edu cation, especially at inter - national rates, Madam Speaker. These are the conversations we should be having because they are provincial, not federal. I'm so sick of this provincial government continuously blaming the federal government for immigration backlogs. They have a role to play, too, Madam Speaker. We can also talk about child care. We know that we need spots for child care in Manitoba, and this is before the war in Ukraine. What's going to happen now, Madam Speaker?

And with the pandemic sort of releasing and people heading back into their work- places, we need to ensure that parents who want to go back to work have places for their children to receive child care. And we can talk about housing units. Again, this has been talked about in question period, Madam Speaker. Those who are coming to Manitoba, are there housing accommodations set up for them? Are there–whether it's Rent Assist programs and, in my opinion, it should just be free housing for refugees coming into Manitoba.

We know that we have buildings that –some of them need some fixing up, Madam Speaker, but we have facilities in place . We have houses –we have empty houses here in Manitoba that could house refu- gees, yet none of these conver sations are happening. And again, it's a role of this prov incial government. Housing is a provincial topic. Another thing we can be doing is lining up displaced individuals from Ukraine with jobs here in Manitoba. Let's make sure that when people arrive in Manitoba their skills are lined up with jobs in demand.

We want to ensure that people can continue to pursue their dreams and contribute to the economy in the best way that they can and they know how to and they want to, Madam Speaker. And talking about refugees, that sort of leads into the Provincial Nominee Program, and I always like to give a very small history of the Prov incial Nominee Program. When it was first intro duced, it was under the Filmon government and it was actually a terrific pro- gram. I want to give credit to that. Provincial Nominee Program ran suc cessfully for many years.

Hundreds and thousands of immigrants came to Manitoba under the program with no wait times, with no head taxes, nothing like that. And it's because of the Prov incial Nominee Program that our province is the great province it is today. You think our Filipino community would be what it is today without the Provincial Nominee Program? Not a chance. Our Indo- Canadian community–not a chance. And that's why this government has a respon- sibility to make the program what it once was: a stronger program that allowed more individuals to come to Manitoba in a smoother process.

And I, wholly, I want to recognize–I don't want to give all the credit to the Conservatives when they first introduced it under the Filmon gov ernment, because then the NDP came into power, Madam Speaker, and, frankly, they destroyed the program. Wait -lists were up to five, six years. I remember when I first got elected in these Chambers, over six years ago, learning about how people had been waiting to hear back from immigration Manitoba on whether or not their application would be received and accepted.

Imagine being, for the sake of this argument, Madam Speaker, in the Philippines, applying to the program: five years later saying, well, how should I plan my life accordingly, how do I plan to move ahead when their application is on hold, over and over and over again? Madam Speaker, it was a mess, and so then this government gets elected, and we had some fun protests. I remember sleeping on the floor of the Manitoba Legislature. It was a wonderful experience. And those wait-lists got cut down, and that's awe - some. I want to give the gov ernment credit for spe - cifically that: cutting down that wait-list.

But with that, they decided to bring in this $500 head tax, and it's not justifiable, Madam Speaker. It is–they are ripping people off, quite frank- ly. It's not fair. We know that their program ran suc - cessfully in the past without the head tax. It's a cash grab, and I think that this government needs to revisit that and completely remove it. Madam Speaker, about a week and a half ago, almost two weeks ago now, MP Rechie Valdez–she's the first Filipina MP. She came down to Winnipeg, and she came and she sat with me at my weekly McDonald's, which was awesome.

She got to meet some of my constituents in the heart of Tyndall Park and then we went over to PCCM, the Filipino commu- nity centre, where we had a big round-table discussion with probably about 30 or 40 different people in the community and we talked about immigration, in- cluding Provincial Nominee Program. We talked about applying for jobs that are in demand and that are still relevant online. There's a big

April 21, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1459 mishap happening where people in different countries will go online to apply for the Provincial Nominee Program and say, hey, look, this job is in dem and. They will apply under that job, only to find out, when their application is finally being processed, that job is no longer in demand. This isn't lining up, Madam Speaker. It's –there are many, many cracks in the system. * (15:30) I also want to talk a bout accreditation of educa- tion in jobs.

Madam Speaker, a lot of people who are choosing to come to Manitoba, they have a great edu- cation and they were working in their field of passion and that they have gone to school for back in different countries. And allow me to share an example. A lot of the health-care workers here in Manitoba are people who are qualified to practise health care here in Manitoba. They started in a different country. They went to school for years and years. They practise–some people practised for 20, 30 years, they had full - fledged careers, Madam Speaker, and then they come to Manitoba and it's not recognized.

So instead some of them go back to school and some of them decide to work at other places. And, man, like, I just think about how badly we could have used, and we still need, these health- care workers especially through the pandemic. So educa tion and job experience needs to be better recognized. Madam Speaker, we need to ensure that certifi - cates are not being wast ed.

If specific files for what - ever reason are not going through, we know that Manitoba is given a certain amount of certificates every single year for Prov incial Nominee Program, and I'm curious how many of those certificates end up being completely processed. And Manitoba has a role to play with inter - national students, ensuring affordability and ac com- modations–talk about this in a bit more detail shortly. So with all of these needs, why was Immigration Pathways decreased by over half a million, fr om 7.576 to 7.060 million?

And the Fair Registration Practices Office, it was reduced from 513 to 480–478, Madam Speaker. It doesn't make any sense. With the high demand of immigration coming to Manitoba, why are these programs being cut right now? I also want to use this oppor tunity to talk a little bit about infrastructure. And I mentioned the PCCM, so we'll start with that. They have a very small space for storage, Madam Speaker, and as a result they're facing limitations in their abilities.

So if this govern- ment were to invest in PCCM, their ability to host parties and cultural events would be enhanced, and, most importantly, our Filipino community, which has now exceeded over a million people in Canada, would benefit from this. I've also t alked a lot about the Komagata Maru Park and how when the area first began being de - veloped in 2016 the initial development plan implied that the residents of Kaur Umber Trail would have a recreation area named Komagata Maru. However, once residents began moving in, they were surprised to discover that there were no plans for the park.

I strongly believe that the City has a big respon- sibility and role to play in this, but I am hopeful, because of the sig nificance of the Komagata Maru, that this Pro vince will take some initiative and help contribute, whether that be through the De part- ment of Sport, Culture and Heritage or through the Department of Infra structure, to this park and to the community.

Lastly, I'm hoping this government will consider Tyndall Park Com munity Centre, very much in the heart of Tyndall Park constituency, Madam Speaker, and is a very popular com munity centre in high de - mand used every day by different sport groups. I know every time I walk in, sometimes you see jerseys for hockey teams, sometimes you see a–soccer balls, whatever it may be. It's used by cultural groups as well as justice groups.

Lately, when I go there it's because I'm joining Bear Clan northwest, a wonderful group; and the second one is 204 Neighbourhood Watch, who go around to different areas, but whenever they come to Tyndall they allow for me to join in with them. But these groups, they patrol the area and they pick up paraphernalia and they help out children. They provide snacks to people. And, more im portantly, Madam Speaker, they really assist in the everyday activities. I've been with them where they are unshovelling fire hydrants in case there was a fire and we needed quick access to the fire hydrant.

They also shovel people's driveways, especially for seniors who need to be able to get in and out of their homes. They've even cut grass in the summer. So these groups are much more than just patrol groups. They go out of their way to service the com - munity, and one of the sings that they do whenever I go walking with them is they educate me on the com- munity needs. And one of these needs is reconcilia -

1460 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 21, 2022 tion. I continue to learn how there needs to be a com- mitment to working in partnership with First Nations, and especially to sharing re source revenue, and this budget fails to address this. Madam Speaker, at 1:30 today the Auditor General released a report, and because we were in question period, until now, I didn't have the opportun- ity to read the whole report. But I did read the pr ess release and I'm tabling it now. I'm just going to read a couple of lines from the press release from the Auditor General that came out, again, today, Madam Speaker.

The title of the press release: The Government of Manitoba has not fulfilled its commitments to reconciliation. The audit found the gov ernment has not developed a strategy for recon ciliation, which is required under the act. Without a strategy, efforts towards recon ciliation are hampered, ultimately lacking focus and vision. In addition, the audit found reconciliation efforts were lacking cross -government co -ordination and there was no direction given to the de partments.

The act requires each Cabinet minister to promote meas - ures to advance recon ciliation through the work o f their department and across Canada. Of the five de- partments examined in the audit, only the Minister of Indigenous Reconciliation and Northern Relations (Mr. Lagimodiere) had any signi ficant mention of actions to advance reconciliation in their most recent mandate letter. Madam Speaker, this is a perfect example. Recon- ciliation is a responsibility all of us have, not just one department inside of the Manitoba Legislature. Madam Speaker, I want to pivot a little bit.

Back on November 22nd in 2016, we started to call for a seniors advocate here in the province of Manitoba, and we've spoken about it in many different contexts: response to Throne Speeches, budget responses, question periods, members' statements –whatever it may be. And, you know, I think it is starting to pay off, because recently, the NDP decided to support it, which is absolutely fantastic. It warms my heart. But now we need this gov ernment to support it, and they are talking about it more. They're talking about senior st rategies, and so I think we're making progress.

So I really want to continue to encourage those who have reached out to us: keep pushing, keep reaching out to your MLAs. It's really, really im por- tant. We've seen how helpful and productive the seniors adv ocate can be. We talk about how this extends much beyond the pandemic with the long - term care facilities, ensuring people are in the facil - ities that best suit their needs. It's often lost between the lines that personal -care homes are not the only long-term care facility. We also have sup portive housing homes; we have retirement homes, and these all need to be part of the conversation.

And I know home care has become an enormous issue. And in addition to home care, Madam Speaker: home repairs. Home repairs for seniors is actually something that I've been learning a lot about, specific- ally over this pandemic. I've learnt about seniors who cannot leave or enter their homes because they need a ramp, and so they are feeling isolated, and senior isolation is up more than ever. I've learned about seniors who are having trouble having a shower during the day because they don't have a bar in their shower to hold onto.

These little, tiny home repairs –small invest ments, Madam Speaker–will enable seniors to remain into their homes ultimately five, 10 more years. But instead, this government won't help fund any of these small home repairs, which leaves many people here in Manitoba with their hands tied. And they are then forced to leave their homes and go into housing, whether it's unit or long-term care facilities that, in the long run, are much, much more expensive. So we do need to do some thing at a prov incial level, because, again, housing–prov incial issue; seniors–we have a de partment.

They like to brag about, it's just for seniors. So, let's make it so seniors can remain in their homes, Madam Speaker. They deserve better. And our students here in Manitoba, they deserve better, too. I want to thank everyone for –everyone in the education, Madam Speaker–education system. It's not just teachers, but teachers are right up there, but it's everyone who works in our school, who works in the de partments–for their in credible work and how adaptable they have been through out the entire pandemic.

We've heard about people and teachers having to pay for school supplies out of the –their own money because this gov ernment isn't giving them enough resources. We've heard about the need for child nutrition meals and how evidently children do much, much better in school when their bellies are full. And we do have a responsibility to ensure that children in Manitoba are being well-nourished.

April 21, 2022 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1461 If we talk about high schools. We can talk about how students have had to sacrifice graduations through the pandemic. Some have had to postpone travelling, going to post-secondary, Madam Speaker. And what has this gov ernment done? Not a lot. If anything, they've deterred people from going to post- secondary. We can talk about when this gov ernment first came into power, they got rid of the tuition rebates. Madam Speaker, these tuition rebates were often a form of revenue for students when they graduate to put a down payment on their first house.

And we know the housing market's only going up. These tuition rebates were often used to be able to pay for a vehicle once they graduate post -secondary school, Madam Speaker. These rebates were extremely important, and it's a form of incentive to encourage students to stay here in the province. * (15:40) And we got to talk about health care for inter - national students. This govern ment has decided to charge inter national students for health care, as if international students aren't already paying enough for their school fees. Madam Speaker, it's absolutely ridiculous. It is completely uncalled for.

We need to be grateful for our inter national students and every - thing that they contribute to our economy, not be charging them more. It's completely backwards. We can talk about faculty retention –and I'm not even going to waste my time on bill 64, Madam Speaker, but I'm noticing my time, and I do want to share a couple of thoughts. I want to talk about MAPSS.

MAPSS is a student group, Madam Speaker, and they have been trying and trying to get a meeting with the ministe r responsible for Edu cation–for post -secondary education and propose an idea they have that would actually save this gov ernment money, except the minister won't even have the courtesy to get back to them. What is happening? These are post -secondary students and student groups, and the minister responsi ble won't even respond to them? And I want to talk about the Canadian Federation of Students, too.

They were kind enough to actually provide me with some of their thoughts, and they share–this is about the budget, Madam Speaker. And they talk about how –$15 million in gov ernment funds, while the Department of Advanced Education, Skills and Immigration receives a total budget of $1.6 billion. Why do students continue to see no return on investments? There's no plan for inter national student health care. See, they're passionate about it too, Madam Speaker. Inter national students continue to be ex- cluded from publicly funded, barrier-free health care.

Private, for-profit health insurance coverage results in high upfront costs to individuals, fails to ac com- modate for emergency care and denies coverage to those with pre-existing conditions. Talk about the lack of on- campus mental health supports–students continue to take on heavy academic loads and rising tuition in the middle of the pandemic, Madam Speaker. And many students work from the front–on the front lines or in precarious jobs, so acces- sible and on- campus mental heal

Document details

Collection	Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	42-4-39
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	42nd 4th hansardpdf 39.pdf
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	f1e262c84017c50de630cf18cb2eb42e70a57601

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