Manitoba Hansard — 8 March 2016 (Sitting 25B, 40th Legislature, 5th Session)

40-5-25b

Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)

Fifth Session - Fortieth Legislature of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba DEBATES and PROCEEDINGS Official Report (Hansard) Published under the authority of The Honourable Daryl Reid Speaker Vol. LXVIII No. 25B - 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 8, 2016 ISSN 0542-5492

MANITOBA LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Fortieth Legislature Member Constituency Political Affiliation ALLAN, Nancy St. Vital NDP ALLUM, James, Hon. Fort Garry-Riverview NDP ALTEMEYER, Rob Wolseley NDP ASHTON, Steve, Hon. Thompson NDP BLADY, Sharon, Hon. Kirkfield Park NDP BRAUN, Erna, Hon. Rossmere NDP BRIESE, Stuart Agassiz PC CALDWELL, Drew, Hon. Brandon East NDP CHIEF, Kevin, Hon. Point Douglas NDP CHOMIAK, Dave, Hon. Kildonan NDP CROTHERS, Deanne, Hon. St. James NDP CULLEN, Cliff Spruce Woods PC DEWAR, Greg, Hon.

Selkirk NDP DRIEDGER, Myrna Charleswood PC EICHLER, Ralph Lakeside PC EWASKO, Wayne Lac du Bonnet PC FRIESEN, Cameron Morden-Winkler PC GAUDREAU, Dave St. Norbert NDP GERRARD, Jon, Hon. River Heights Liberal GOERTZEN, Kelvin Steinbach PC GRAYDON, Cliff Emerson PC HELWER, Reg Brandon West PC HOWARD, Jennifer Fort Rouge NDP IRVIN-ROSS, Kerri, Hon. Fort Richmond NDP JHA, Bidhu Radisson NDP KOSTYSHYN, Ron, Hon. Swan River NDP LATHLIN, Amanda The Pas NDP LEMIEUX, Ron, Hon. Dawson Trail NDP MACKINTOSH, Gord, Hon. St. Johns NDP MALOWAY, Jim Elmwood NDP MARCELINO, Flor, Hon.

Logan NDP MARCELINO, Ted Tyndall Park NDP MARTIN, Shannon Morris PC MELNICK, Christine Riel NDP MITCHELSON, Bonnie River East PC NEVAKSHONOFF, Thomas, Hon. Interlake NDP OSWALD, Theresa Seine River NDP PALLISTER, Brian Fort Whyte PC PEDERSEN, Blaine Midland PC PETTERSEN, Clarence Flin Flon NDP PIWNIUK, Doyle Arthur-Virden PC REID, Daryl, Hon. Transcona NDP ROBINSON, Eric, Hon. Kewatinook NDP RONDEAU, Jim Assiniboia NDP ROWAT, Leanne Riding Mountain PC SARAN, Mohinder, Hon. The Maples NDP SCHULER, Ron St. Paul PC SELINGER, Greg, Hon. St.

Boniface NDP SMOOK, Dennis La Verendrye PC STEFANSON, Heather Tuxedo PC STRUTHERS, Stan Dauphin NDP SWAN, Andrew Minto NDP WIEBE, Matt Concordia NDP WIGHT, Melanie, Hon. Burrows NDP WISHART, Ian Portage la Prairie PC Vacant Gimli – Vacant Southdale –

907 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA Tuesday, March 8, 2016 The House met at 1:30 p.m. Mr. Speaker: Good afternoon, everyone. Please be seated. ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS Mr. Speaker: Introduction of bills? Seeing no bills, we'll move on to committee reports. Mrs. Heather Stefanson (Tuxedo): Introduction of bills? Mr. Speaker: Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry if I missed you. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS Mr. Speaker: The honourable member –we'll revert back to introduction of bills. Bill 208–The Regulatory Accountability and Transparency Act Mrs. Heather Stefanson (Tuxedo): I move, seconded by the member for Morden- Winkler (Mr. Friesen), that Bill 208, The Regulatory Accountability and Transparency Act;

Loi sur la responsabilité et la transparence en matière réglementaire, be now read a first time. Motion presented. Mrs. Stefanson: We have heard from private and not-for-profit stakeholders all across this province who are concerned about the excessive red tape that impedes the ability for them to do work in Manitoba. This bill requires government to measure and determine the exact number of current regulations, an achievable reduction target and a timeline within which to achieve the reduction target.

Individual departmental plans must be created and publicized to outline their red- tape reduction plans and provide annual public updates outlining the progress in reaching the targets. Mr. Speaker, we believe that this bill will help address some of their concerns and we loo k forward to members opposite finally supporting us on this bill. Mr. Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed] Any further introduction of bills? COMMITTEE REPORTS Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development Third Report Mr. Speaker: Seeing none, we'll move on to committee reports. Mr.

Dave Gaudreau (Chairperson): Mr. Speaker, I wish to present the Third Report on the Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development. Deputy Clerk (Mr. Rick Yarish): Your Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development presents– Some Honourable Members: Dispense. Mr. Speaker: Dispense? Dispense. Your Standing Committee on SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT presents the following as its Third Report. Meetings Your Committee met on March 7, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. in Room 255 of the Legislative Building.

Matters under Consideration • Bill (No. 5) – The Surface Water Management Act (Amendments to Various Acts to Protect Lakes and Wetlands)/Loi sur la gestion des eaux de surf ace (modification de diverses lois visant la protection des lacs et des terres humides) • Bill (No. 13) – The Education Administration Amendment Act (First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education Policy Framework)/Loi modifiant la

Loi sur l'administration scolair e (cadre stratégique sur l'éducation et l'histoire des Premières nations, des Métis et des Inuits) • Bill (No. 15) – The Child and Family Services Amendment Act (Recognition of Customary Care of Indigenous Children)/Loi modifiant la

Loi sur les services à l'enfant et à la famille (reconnaissance des soins conformes aux traditions pour les enfants autochtones)

908 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 8, 2016 • Bill (No. 17) – The Manitoba Teachers' Society Act/Loi sur l'Association des enseignants du Manitoba • Bill (No. 18) – The Path to Reconciliation Act/Loi sur la réconciliation Committee Membership • Hon. Mr. ALLUM • Mr. BRIESE • Mr. GAUDREAU (Chairperson) • Mr. HELWER • Hon. Ms. IRVIN-ROSS • Hon. Ms. MARCELINO (Logan) • Mr. MARTIN • Hon. Mr. NEVAKSHONOFF • Hon. Mr. ROBINSON • Mr. WIEBE (Vice-Chairperson) • Mr. WISHART Substitution received prior to committee proceedings: • Mr. HELWER for Mr.

EWASKO Public Presentations Your Committee heard the following three presentations on Bill (No. 5) – The Surface Water Management Act (Amendments to Various Acts to Protect Lakes and Wetlands)/Loi sur la gestion des eaux de surface (modification de diverses lois visant la protection des lacs et des terres humides): Greg Bruce, Ducks Unlimited Canada James Battershill, Keystone Agricultural Producers Alexis Kanu, Lake Winnipeg Foundation Your Committee heard the following five presentations on Bill (No. 13) – The Education Administration Amendment Act (First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education Policy Fra mework)/Loi modifiant la

Loi sur l'administration scolaire (cadre stratégique sur l'éducation et l'histoire des Premières nations, des Métis et des Inuits): Sharon Parenteau, Manitoba Métis Federation James Wilson, Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba Aimée Craft, Private Citizen Siobhan Faulkner, Private Citizen Norm Gould, Manitoba Teachers' Society Your Committee heard the following seven presentations on Bill (No. 15) – The Child and Family Services Amendment Act (Recognition of Customary Care of Indigenous Children)/Loi modifiant la

Loi sur les services à l'enfant et à la famille (reconnaissance des soins conformes aux traditions pour les enfants autochtones): Billie Schibler and Judy Mayer (by leave), Métis Child and Family Services Authority Tara Petti, Southern Authority (Southern First Nations Network of Care) Brenda Watt and Bruce Unfreed on behalf of Ron Monias (by leave), First Nations of Northern Manitoba, Child and Family Services Authority Lore Mirwaldt, Q.C., Private Citizen Wallace McKay, Private Citizen Chief Chris Baker, Private Citizen Chief Jim Bear and Rhonda Kelly (by leave), South East Tribal Council Your Committee heard the following presentation on Bill (No. 17) – The Manitoba Teachers' Society Act/Loi sur l'Association des enseignants du Manitoba: Norm Gould, Manitoba Teachers' Society Your Committee heard the following two presentations on Bill (No. 18) – The Path to Reconciliation Act/Loi sur la réconciliation: Murray Sinclair, Private Citizen Aimée Craft, National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation Written Submissions Your Committee received the following written submission on Bill (No. 5) – The Surface Water Management Act (Amendments to Various Acts to Protect Lakes and Wetlands)/Loi sur la gestion des eaux de surface (modification de diverses lois visant la protection des lacs et des terres humides): Joe Masi, Association of Manitoba Municipalities Your Committee received the following two written submissions on Bill (No. 15) – The Child and Family Services Amendment Act (Recognition of Customary Care of Indigenous Children)/Loi modifiant la

Loi sur les services à l'enfant et à la famille (reconnaissance des soins conformes aux traditions pour les enfants autochtones): Marcel Balfour, Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Cora Morgan, First Nations Family Advocate Office Bills Considered and Reported • Bill (No. 5) – The Surface Water Management Act (Amendments to Various Acts to Protect

March 8, 2016 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 909 Lakes and Wetlands)/Loi sur la gestion des eaux de surface (modification de div erses lois visant la protection des lacs et des terres humides) Your Committee agreed to report this Bill without amendment. • Bill (No. 13) – The Education Administration Amendment Act (First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education Policy Framework)/Loi modifiant la

Loi sur l'administration scolaire (cadre stratégique sur l'éducation et l'histoire des Premières nations, des Métis et des Inuits) Your Committee agreed to report this Bill without amendment. • Bill (No. 15) – The Child and Family Services Amendment Act (Recognition of Customary Care of Indigenous Children)/Loi modifiant la

Loi sur les services à l'enfant et à la famille (reconnaissance des soins conformes aux traditions pour les enfants autochtones) Your Committee agreed to report this Bi ll without amendment. • Bill (No. 17) – The Manitoba Teachers' Society Act/Loi sur l'Association des enseignants du Manitoba Your Committee agreed to report this Bill without amendment. • Bill (No. 18) – The Path to Reconciliation Act/Loi sur la réconciliation Your Committee agreed to report this Bill, with the following amendments: THAT Clause 4 of the Bill be amended by renumbering clause (

a) as clause (a.1) and by adding the following as clause (a): (

a) is to be guided by the calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the principles set out in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; THAT Clause 4 of the Bill be amended by adding the following after clause (e): (

f) ensures that survivors of residential school abuses have a role to play in its development. Mr. Gaudreau : Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable member for Elmwood (Mr. Maloway), that the report of the committee be received. Motion agreed to. Mr. Speaker: Any further committee reports? Seeing none, we'll move on to tabling of reports. MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS International Women's Day Hon. Kerri Irvin -Ross (Minister of Family Services): Mr. Speaker, today, March 8th, marks International Women's Day in Manitoba and around the world.

On this day, people across the globe celebrate the hard -won collective progress made toward women's rights. Today is an opportunity to reflect on the status of women in society and reaffirm our commitments to advancing equality for women and preventing gender-based violence. 2016 is particularly important year to commemorate International Women's Day as we mark 100 years since some women in Manitoba gained the right to vote. To acknowledge this important milestone in women's suffrage, Manitoba declared January 2016 Women's Equality Month.

Other groups across the province have also commemorated this important occasion. Throughout our celebrations, we have also honoured the decades of work that continued after 1916 to promote equality for people of all genders, regardless of race, disability, employment or religion. These lessons from the past speak to us today. Mr. Speaker, March 8th is a day to connect our past with our future. International Women's Day emerged from women's organizing in the early 1900s, which led to improved working conditions in factories across North America and Europe.

Women in Manitoba today continue to organize and work together within and across diverse movements, including those led by indigenous women, women of colour, women of disabilities and the LGBTTQ community, among others. They work on issues such as safety and violence prevention, education, human rights and child care. We are grateful for their passion and commitment to achieving equality in our province and beyond.

We in this House are committed to supporting these movements and working towards a Manitoba where women are safe, respected, are paid the same as male counterparts and have equal access to all the opportunities our great province offers. We commend everyone working for Manitobans today and the generations to come.

910 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 8, 2016 Thank you. Mrs. Myrna Driedger (Charleswood): Today is International Women's Day. It is a global day celebrating the economic, political, and social achievements of women past, present and future, while focusing on areas that require further attention. A few weeks ago we celebrated Manitoba being the first province in Canada to give women the vot e, and what a celebration that was. Our PC team feels extremely privileged to live in a world where progress has been made for women's equality. The PC team has a solid track record for advancing the rights of women, Mr.

Speaker, but there is much more we as a province need to do. We look forward to having the opportunity to further advance women's equality in Manitoba. According to the United Nations, a threshold of at least 30 per cent of female legislators is required to ensure that public policy reflec ts the needs of women, and we are extremely proud of the fact that we have 20 incredible and diverse female candidates on our roster for the upcoming provincial election. That's 35 per cent, Mr. Speaker. We are very proud of the efforts made by our leader, Mr.

Speaker, on advancing the equality of Aboriginal women's property rights, supporting women's issues in Manitobans and encouraging and advocating for all of our female candidates. It is because of our leader that we have the highest rates of female candidates in PC Manitoba history. We are proud and honoured to stand as a team that supports and encourages the involvement of women at every level. The list of failures on this NDP government on the status of women is extremely disappointing. And, particularly, last week, the Minister of Health (Ms. Blady) made an announcement that was pure hypocrisy.

To single out a candidate from another party who has profited off incredibly derogatory and offensive language and call for their resignation while their own party has a candidate who has done the very same thing is profoundly disappointing– profoundly disappointing. The actions of this NDP government on this issue speaks volumes on the double standard the NDP hold for their party compared to everyone e lse. Hateful comments that devalue and degrade women have no place in 2016. We must all stand against it. Mr. Speaker, it is clear that this government has many failures.

We've raised many of them this morning during a private member's debate and it is clear that they have failed women in many ways, and it is time that we stop, and a PC government will commit to doing much better for women and girls in Manitoba. Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): I ask leave to speak to the minister's statement. Mr. Sp eaker: Does the honourable member for River Heights have leave to speak to the ministerial statement? [Agreed] Mr. Gerrard: Mr.

Speaker, today being International Women's Day, it is important to recognize the achievements of the last 100 years and to refl ect on the fact that Manitoba was the first province where women –some women–had the right to vote 100 years ago.

It is with great pride that I stand here today because it was a Liberal government under the leadership of Premier Tobias Norris, then, and w ith the support of many, many people including, of course, notably, Nellie McClung, as well as many others, that that happened then. * (13:40) But it–there is still room for a lot of progress, and, clearly, as we stand today in a province with a very high level of intimate partner violence, we must dedicate ourselves to reducing family violence and taking all measures that we can to make sure that women in Manitoba feel secure, feel able to achieve the best that they can be and are involved in our society as much and as widely and as diversely as they possibly can be.

I note that on a global scale that girls who complete primary and secondary education are likely to earn more and have fewer unwanted pregnancies and break the cycle of poverty. We have too much poverty in Manitoba and that should be one of our goals is increasing the extent of education of women throughout our wonderful province. Secondly, I note that on a global scale that women's participation increases the probability of peace agreements lasting at least two years by 20 per cent and increases the probability of peace agreement lasting 15 years by 35 per cent. Mr.

Speaker that is a big difference and something that we should note, and it speaks to the importance

March 8, 2016 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 911 of evolving–involving women in political and world affairs and the important aspects they can contribute. Mr. Speaker, it is 2016, there has been lots of talk. It's time for urgent action to complete the work that has begun over the last 100 years and to do much better. Thank you. Mr. Speaker: Are there any further ministerial statements? MEMBERS' STATEMENTS Mr. Speaker: Seeing none, we'll move on to members' statements. Anniversary of Leadership Vote Mr. Cliff Cullen (Spruce Woods ): Mr.

Speaker, today marks the one -year anniversary of a rather interesting day in Manitoba's history. I would like to bring some attention to the event itself and the happenings leading up to the event. One year ago today a vote was held to determine who among three different members opposite should run this province of ours. For some time, and I am quoting a member opposite here, it had become, and I quote, increasingly difficult, unquote, for members opposite to do their job; they felt the Premier (Mr. Selinger) was not listening to their advice. I can imagine the frustration at a time like this.

It would be impossible to contribute to the province's well -being when your suggestions are being ignored. But for how long were these ministers finding it difficult to do their job? How long had members opposite been keeping quiet about the Premier not listening to them? It's concerning to think that this issue likely did not appear overnight. But there isn't any particular issue or single decision to blame for this debacle.

As the member from Fort Rouge made clear in the fall of 2014, the Premier refused to listen, and I quote, not just on the leadership vote, but also on a wide range of issues in our portfolios. Unquote. Mr. Speaker, I was under the impression that one of the main roles of Cabinet was to advise the Premier on issues relating to their portfolios. This NDP government doesn't seem to think so. Our province's best interests were being ignored. Calls for the Premier to resign were rampant among members opposite. These requests set off a chain of events, ending in a leadership vote that was held one year ago today. Mr.

Speaker, this is a clear sign of broken trust and a broken government. Thank you very much. Bill Turner Hon. Drew Caldwell (Minister of Municipal Government): Mr. Speaker, it's a privilege to rise in the Legislature today to honour Bill Turner, who's with us in the gallery along with his wife Joyce and brother George. On September 16th, 2015, capping off a 45- year career in radio, Bill hosted the CKLQ radio show Feedback for the final time. Mr.

Speaker, f or decades, every weekday morning, Bill interviewed live, on air, local politicians, entrepreneurs, artists, soldiers, farmers, teachers, professors; you name the profession, Bill interviewed someone connected to it. Bill has interviewed several prime ministers but those weren't his favourite interviews, and I didn't make the cut either. His all -time favourite interview, as he related to the Brandon Sun, was with Air Canada pilot Bob Pearson, who safely lande d a Boeing 767 without fuel at the decommissioned Gimli airport in 1983. That jet plane was nicknamed the Gimli Glider.

In reflecting on his career, Bill noted that the Internet, social media and other instant news and rumour mills have changed how radio is delivered and how journalism is done. What hasn't changed, however, is the relationship the listener has with the broadcaster and the need for responsible journalists to inform and engage the public. In his retirement, Bill is focusing on his hobbies of woodworking, playing music and building musical instruments. He's enjoying his freedom and he's now a regular listener on the other side of the airwaves of CKLQ Feedback.

Having dreamed of being a radio broadcaster since he was a teenager and having spent 45 years on radio, it can truly be said that Bill has been living the dream. It is his passion for radio broadcasting that has made him so good, so excellent, at informing and engaging the people of Brandon and of western Manitoba every weekday morning. Mr. Speaker, it was always a pleasure to be Bill's guest on CKLQ Feedback, and I would ask all members to join me today in celebrating the radio career of Bill Turner.

912 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 8, 2016 Thank you. Anniversary of Leadership Vote Mr. Blaine Pedersen (Midland): Mr. Speaker, I would like to use this time to pick up where my colleague left off. As my colleague before me acknowledged, today is the one -year anniversary of an important day in Manitoba politics. The leadership vote we were all so eagerly watching was held on this day in 2015. The outcome of this day brought forward absolutely zero change. It is safe to assume that the Premier (Mr.

Selinger) has carried on in his old ways, ignoring ministers, not allowing them to speak honestly in Cabinet, refusing to listen on leadership issues. The list goes on, and it doesn't get any better. It is a wonder that the Premier managed to hold on to his position, considering how he acted as a leader. But then again, winning by 33 votes doesn't show a lot of certainty. Winning by this narrow margin is far from comforting for Manitobans. Only 50 per cent of the delegates wanted to see the member from St. Boniface carry on as the Premier.

If there was this much uncertainty within the NDP's own members, it's easy to see why Manitobans across the province are fed up with this NDP government. Unfortunately, the leadership vote one year ago today did not solve anything. Members opposite are still storming out of caucus meetings and shouti ng at the Premier. It seems that bu siness is carrying on as usual on the other side of the House. This kind of turmoil among members opposite is not conducive to effective government. Mr. Speaker, let this day serve as a reminder to Manitobans of the way this NDP man has – government has managed our province.

A change for the better is coming for all Manitobans. Broken trust, broken government; a change for the better is coming. Child Daycare Funding Mr. Jim Maloway (Elmwood): Mr. Speaker, our NDP government knows how important child care is to the economic growth of our province and to well-being of our children and working families. In 1983, the NDP government passed The Community Child Day Care Standards Act. That momentous act made sure that daycare in Manitoba met high standards and it provided funding to ensure that children with special needs were taken care of.

By 1987, many daycare advocates said that Manitoba had the best system of training and daycare in North America. Mr. Speaker, i n 1991, Manitoba daycare took a giant step backward when the Conservative Filmon government drastically reduced daycare funding and dramatically restructured the system. By 1993, funding was way down, and spaces were capped. To top it off, the Manitoba Child Care Association and Family Day Care Association both lost their annual operating grants. In 2000, the new NDP government increased child-care funding by 18 per cent in their first budget.

Since then, the NDP governments have nearly doubled the number of high- quality, affordable spaces and worked steadfastly to improve our public child care that supports middle -class and hard-working Manitoba families, strengthens the economy and gives kids a strong start. Mr. Speaker, in Elmwood, as across the province, there's a steady demand for spaces.

I'm glad to say that since 2011, in Elmwood alone, our NDP government has provided over $1.3 million in funding for child- care spaces and child -care facility upgrades at wonderful centres like Bright Future Day Care, Brazier Street Nursery School, Can You Imagine Preschool Care and Education Centre, Care-a-Lot Child Care Centre, Munroe Early Childhood Education Centre, Elmwood Day Nursery and Poplar Avenue Kids Care. Mr. Speaker, this year we committed to eliminating the wait -list by adding 12,000 new spaces while supporting well paid and well trained child-care staff in the years ahead.

We have committed to a universally accessible child -care system for all Manitoba families who need it, because everyone matters. Thank you. Anniversary of Leadership Vote Mr. Stuart Briese (Agassiz): Mr. Speaker, as my colleagues just pointed out, today marks the one-year anniversary of a dark day in Manitoba politics: the infamous leadership vote. * (13:50) Exactly one year ago, Manitobans were on the edge of their seats, waiting to see if a new premier would be voted in or if business would carry on as usual with a P remier who had become more

March 8, 2016 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 913 concerned about remaining leader than necessarily doing things in the best interest of the province. That last bit is of c ourse a direct quote from members opposite. It is quotes like these, and there are plenty, that will certainly go down in the history books as playing a huge role in the end of this NDP government. But actions speak louder than words, and the actions of the five Cabinet ministers in the fall of 2014 were certainly heard loud and clear by the entire province.

To do their jobs, ministers needed to be able to speak up to the honesty in Cabinet –speak up honestly in Cabinet and disagree with the Premier (Mr. Se linger) at times, without fear that speaking their minds on some points would mean their voices are ignored on things that are important to Manitobans. Mr. Speaker, I think it's safe to say both sides of the House would agree on that statement. Certain member opposite said in these exact words last fall, when she felt there really was no way to go on, no way to continue to be in Cabinet with integrity.

After replacing these dissidents, it was decided that perhaps the best course of action for solving thi s dispute would be with the leadership vote at the NDP's annual convention. The vote was held on the final day of this convention, one year ago today. Such monumental moments in our province's history always will be remembered. Broken trust, broken government. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker: That concludes members' statements. Introduction of Guests Mr. Speaker: Just prior to oral questions, I have a number of guests I would like to introduce.

We have with us in the public gallery today from Green Valley School in Grunthal, Manitoba, we have five students under the direction of Mme. Robidoux. And this–these folks are the guests of the honourable Minister of Family Services (Ms. Irvin-Ross). On behalf of honourable members, we welcome you here this afternoon. And also seated in the public gallery, we have from HBNI- ITV System out of Fairholme School, we have 18 grade 9 students under the direction of Ms. Evelyn Maendel, and this group is located in the constituency of the honourable member for Portage La Prairie (Mr. Wishart).

And also seated in the public gallery this afternoon, we have with us from Laidlaw School, we have 17 grade 5 students under the direction of John Matas, and this group is located in the constituency of the honourable member for Tuxed o (Mrs. Stefanson). On behalf of all honourable members, we welcome all of you here this afternoon. ORAL QUESTIONS Government Spending Tax Increases Mr. Brian Pallister (Leader of the Official Opposition): Mr. Speaker, we know that we have a Premier in Manitoba who has the reputation of being the $6- million man. Every day since the member for St. Boniface (Mr.

Selinger) assumed the role of Premier in our province, he has actually added $6 million to our provincial debt, spent $6 million more than he ha s brought in with some of Canada's highest taxes and most rapidly increasing taxes under his management. He has also doubled our provincial debt during his time as Premier, and he has seen our first credit rating decline in three decades as well. But to the amazement of all Manitobans, in January alone, he and his colleagues made over 100 new promises.

And today, they're not releasing a budget so that Manitobans will not know how those promises will be kept, or if in fact they will be kept at all. The only way that they could be kept, Mr. Speaker, is if taxes were raised. So would the Premier admit today that the real reason for no-budget day today is so he can hide his agenda for higher taxes on Manitobans? Hon. Greg Selinger (Premier): Mr.

Speaker, the economic outlook which will be presented very soon this afternoon will be a roadmap and a down payment on the Throne Speech, a Throne Speech which promises to continue to grow the economy: good jobs for young people at a time when young people need those opportunities, education funding so they can get a college or a university or a trade beginning in high school and be able to have that bridge to the future; investments in health care to ensure that our parents are looked after and people with chronic disease get the support they need in their communities; additional daycare places so that young families can have safe, quality daycare in the non-profit sector with wages and pensions for the

914 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 8, 2016 people that work there while they go enter into the labour market and take the good jobs. What is the Leader of the Opposition promising? Cuts, a half a billion dollars of cuts. Will he come clean today and table his program for cuts? How many less teachers will be in the classroom? How many less nurses will be at the bedside? How many daycares will he privatize, Mr. Speaker? Let him put his plan on the table. Tomorrow is an Opposition Day. Table it today, table it tomorrow, come clean for Manitobans, Mr. Speaker. Mr.

Pallister: Well, the Premier's ang er is a mere fraction of the anger Manitobans feel at not being able to see the real agenda for the future of our province. The Premier claims today he's announcing a road map, but a lot of people have jumped out of the orange van that he's driving, Mr. Speaker. They don't want to go along with his road map. He refers to a down payment but doesn't refer to the payments that will follow, the payments that our children and grandchildren and us as we're older will be expected to make, aren't enunciated in today's fantasy financial document.

Now, the Premier has also indicated through his massive communications staff that he will be now putting money back in the pockets of Manitobans. This is interesting, for, in the past few years, he's been doing absolute ly nothing but taking money out of the pockets of Manitobans, $5,000, in fact, in just broken-promise taxes has come out of every family's pocket. So would the Premier admit that this is a nickel-back plan: $5,000 out and a nickel back in? Mr. Selinger: Our infrastructure program created nearly 10,000 jobs last year, 10,000 jobs. And that puts wages in the pockets of Manitobans.

That puts food on the table. That puts fuel in the tank of their cars and automobiles. That allows them to pay their mortgages. When people are working, they're doing well in Manitoba. The Leader of the Opposition: no commitment to the minimum wage, no commitment to job creation, a half a billion dollars of cuts. When will he come clean with Manitobans and put his plan for cutting a half a billion out of the budget on the table? Tell us which teachers he's going to lay off. Tell us which nurses he's going to fire. Tell us which schools he won't build. Tell us which daycares he will not fund.

Tell us which people will lose their jobs. And when they lose their jobs, nothing will be going into their pockets, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Pallister: And when they lose their jobs, pensions would be going in their pockets, Mr. Speaker. But the real concern I have is for Manitobans' future–for Manitobans' future –a future under a government that keeps its promises. The difference between the Premier and our plan for a better Manitoba is we believe in keeping promises and he believes in making them.

Unsubstantiated, unpriced, vague, generalizations and false attacks are not an agenda to inspire confidence in Manitobans, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Selinger –I'm sorry, Mr. Speaker–the member for St. Boniface (Mr. Selinger) has claimed that he'll protect Manitobans' interests when he is the one that's eroded their confidence and faith in the trust that they should feel fo r their own government by breaking virtually every major promise that he ran on last time.

He and his candidates all went to the doors, they knocked and they looked Manitobans in the eye and they promised them no new tax hikes and followed it up with the l argest tax hikes in Canada, bar none. So protecting front -line services, Manitobans would be right to doubt that. Will the Premier admit that his plan involves protecting nothing but his job and certainly places Manitoba's interests last and his own first? Mr. Selinger: Mr. Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition's read out that statement so many times I'm surprised it's not smudged up from all the sweat he's got on the paper there. Mr.

Speaker, t he Conference Board of Canada came out with their econom ic forecast today. They said, fuelling economic growth in Manitoba will be the construction sector, as the provincial government continues to roll out its large infrastructure program. In addition, major Manitoba Hydro projects and a rebound in housing sta rts will boost growth in the construction sector by 4.4 per cent this year and nearly 10 per cent in 2017. That's our plan: Grow the economy, create good jobs, provide green energy to our neighbours so that they can reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

What is the Leader of the Opposition promising? A ban on building Hydro for exports, a cut in

March 8, 2016 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 915 infrastructure programs, a cut in education funding, a cut in health-care funding, a privatization of daycare. Mr. Speaker, that puts people on the unemployment rolls, no income in their pocket, no future. * (14:00) It's a dark day if the Leader of the Opposition gets his plan in place in Manitoba, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a new question. Budget 2016 Tabling Expectation Mr. Brian Pallister (Leader of the Official Opposition): I don't mind sweating if it's working for Manitobans, Mr. Speaker.

The Premier's sweating about losing his position, that's all he's worried about. I'm worried about Manitobans losing ground. I'm worried about Manitobans falling behind their neighbours. I'm worried about Manitobans working harder and getting less for it. I'm working–I'm very concerned, and our team is very concerned, that Manitobans deserve better, and they're not getting it from that Premier. But maybe the real reason –maybe the budget is ready or maybe it's not; we won't know. But I expect, Mr.

Speaker, that the Premier was distracted last year, anniversary, of course, the rebellion a year ago when he was really sweating. And the fact of the matter is, he has had distractions. He had that leadership problem. He had all that time he needed to negotiate payouts to his former friends. He needed to deal with replacement ministers of questionable experience. So maybe that's the reason he wasn't able to get a budget done today. I want to give him the benefit of the doubt.

I want to give him a chance to explain to Manitobans why a full year after the rebellion and the leadership contest, where he hung on by the skin of his teeth, he wasn't able to produce a budget. Tell Manitobans the honest reason. Hon. Greg Selinger (Premier): We have spent the last year focusing on growing the economy of Manitoba. That's what we focused on. We weren't sweating because we were in Costa Rica. We were working hard for the people of Manitoba, Mr. Speaker.

And that's why we've created over 9,000 jobs with our infrastructure program, a plan the Leader of the Opposition plans to cancel, plans to cancel before we've built flood prote ction for communities. That's his plan for rural Manitoba: no flood protection. What's his plan for health care? Less nurses at the bedside. What's his plan for education? Less teachers in the classroom. What's his plan for daycare? Privatization. What's h is plan for child welfare? Privatization. Has he consulted anybody on that? Not a word of it. He sits at the beach dreaming up plans to cut the services of Manitobans.

That is not a future. That is a dark day in Manitoba, and we will not allow it to happen. Mr. Pallister: What's the Premier's plan for the future of Manitoba? Tenth on wait times, the worst wait times in Canada. What's his plan for the future of Manitoba students? Tenth in educational outcomes, 10th in science, 10th in math, 10th in lit eracy. What's his plan for the future of Manitoba children living in poverty? The most children, depending on food banks, the most children in care. That's his plan. Seventeen years of miserable failure, Mr. Speaker, and now he talks about new plans.

We broke all our old promises, he tells Manitobans, but I'm sorry, and I have new ones now. Well, I don't think –while the Premier –while we were working on this side, really reaching out, they were having phony budget consultations which resulted in a phony budget. Mr. Speaker, the Premier was distracted. He had a lot of things on his mind. Maybe he'd like to admit that he was spending a lot of time in port in the last year and didn't have time to do a budget. Mr. Selinger: Well, Mr. Speaker, you know, no amount of suntan lotion can cover up that bad performance.

The reality is this –the reality is this: best job creation in the record–in the country last year; one of the lowest unemployment rates, partly –a good, large measure, in part, because of the inv estments in infrastructure, over 9,000 jobs; partnerships with the private sector to train people; partnerships with the non-profit sector to provide services Manitobans need; growing Hydro in northern Manitoba, over 1,300 people working in the North right now.

916 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 8, 2016 The leader's plan for Hydro: cut exports. There's 1,300 jobs gone. The leader's plan for health care: less nurses at the bedside. More jobs gone there. They did 1,000 in the '90s, why would they stop now? What about the classrooms? They eliminate d 700 teaching positions in the '90s, and what's his promise today? I won't cut any teachers, but school divisions might. They will because he will be giving them less funding.

That's how he plays it: I won't do it; I'll just take the funding away from the m and they'll have to do it because I will be giving them less resources. Private daycare, private social welfare, laying off people: no future for Manitoba. Mr. Pallister: Mr. Speaker, a significant majority of his own members don't believe a word out of his mouth, so I don't think that Manitobans are going to believe it either. The Premier's had his distractions. He had a member organize a partisan protest rally using independent-thinking civil servants and deny it, and then he knew about it and covered it up for a full year.

He did nothing about that. He had a member as Deputy Premier calling volunteers at a women's shelter fundraiser do -good, ignorant white people, and he did nothing about it. He said not a word about it. He had a member giving contracts to his buddy, a party donor, millions of dollars without tender, and covering it up. And he did nothing about that either. He took Jets tickets and reprimanded his colleagues, but I guess he was above reproach himself, Mr. Speaker. And then he went to an indigenous community where they're really looking for opportunities and he tried to trade votes for jobs.

He's kept everybody in Manitoba working harder and getting less, including the members of his own caucus, many of whom have totally given up on him, and, Mr. Speaker, I think Manitobans are ready to do that too. Will the Premier admit that his agenda is nothing more than selfish? Mr. Selinger: Mr. Speaker, the height of selfishness came when the Leader of the Opposition served in the government in the '90s. He sold off the telephone system and enriched his cronies. He has not yet declared today how much money he made off privatizing the telephone system.

He ri gged the election in 1995 and used the indigenous community to split the vote so that he could retain his government. That is the height of selfishness, and we have never yet seen an apology for that by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Speaker. Our pl an takes the Throne Speech with a five-year vision for Manitoba and lays it out with a down payment this year: 2,000 more daycare spots so families can work; investments in education so young people can start at college, university or trades program right while they're in high school; more investment in health care to ensure that we have the doctors.

We said we'd have 200 more doctors in Manitoba; we got 220. We said we'd have 1,000 more nurses; we have 1,000 more nurses. What do they plan to do? Lay of f nurses, fire teachers, cut daycare and privatize it. A dark, dark future for the future of Manitoba. And where's their fiscal plan for the future of the province? Mr. Speaker: Order, please. NDP Fiscal Management Impact on Employment Mrs. Heather Stefanson (Tuxedo): The only person that should be apologizing in this Chamber, Mr. Speaker, is this Premier (Mr. Selinger), who broke a whole bunch of promises to Manitobans after the last election. Mr.

Speaker, I hoped that the NDP government would change their mind and do the right thing and table a budget for all Manitobans to see. Instead they will introduce a phony financial forecast, keeping Manitobans in the dark about the harsh realities of the last 17 years of NDP mismanagement. Mr. Speaker, will the minister just admit that his mismanagement has caused a decline of 6,600 jobs in Manitoba in the last year alone? Hon. Greg Dewar (Minister of Finance): I'll have the rare privilege and honour of presenting the government's fiscal outlook, hope fully within the next hour.

And as I said, that will build upon the fine work of our government, the government that has one of the lowest unemployment rates in Canada, a government that has the –created 10,000 jobs last year, which was a record, a government that the Conference Board of Canada just put out today–said, Mr. Speaker, that our economy will be one of the fastest growing economies in Canada in the next couple of years.

March 8, 2016 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 917 Contrast that to the members of the opposition. We know the Leader of the Opposition, when he's not in Costa Rica, he's drafting up a secret plan to fire nurses, to fire teachers, to kill our infrastructure plan, to kill Hydro. We reject that plan. Mrs. Stefanson: What we are, Mr. Speaker, is developing a plan to clean up the mess of the last 17 years of this NDP government. Mr. Speaker, the facts speak for themselves: 6,600 job losses over the last year, 5,300 job losses in the last month alone. And this is nothing to be proud of.

Manitobans, more than ever, deserve to know: What is the NDP government planning to hide from Manitobans in their phony financial forecast? How can Manitobans trust anything that they say? * (14:10) Mr. Dewar: Again, Mr. Speaker, I'll have a chance to present that plan to Manitobans in the next short time–period of time. As I said, we –a plan that created 10,000 jobs last year, a plan that has the second lowest unemployment rate in Canada, a plan that has some of the strongest economic growth in Canada. But I would ask that member, and she can answer the question in her next response, Mr.

Speaker, of what exactly is their plan. People have asked me; they know our plan. They know our plan to grow the economy; they know our plan to have one of the lowest unemployments. The y want to know: What is the Leader of the Opposition's plan? Is it half a billion dollars in cuts? Is it a plan to fire teachers? Is it a plan to fire nurses? Is it a plan to kill our child- care program? Is it a plan to shut down Hydro? Is it a plan to kill our infrastructure program? I'm eager to hear that. Mrs. Stefanson: It's a plan to clean up the fiscal mismanagement of this NDP government, Mr. Speaker. Mr.

Speaker, broken promises, broken trust from an NDP government that can't manage government finances, and now they want to hide the dismal truth from Manitobans about how has –the state of the finances are in the province really are. Will the minister just admit that the NDP fiscal mismanagement has cost Manitobans more than 6,600 jobs in the last year and 5,300 in the last month alone, Mr. Speaker? Mr. Dewar: I'll repeat again, as I stated, our plan is to grow the economy. Second lowest unemployment rate in Canada, some of the strongest job growth, Mr. Speaker.

The Conference Board of Canada said Manitoba will be one of the nation–one of the leaders when it comes to economic growth. The Bank of Montreal–excuse me, the Royal Bank of Canada, as well, just made that projection. We're proud of our plan. We're proud of our record when it comes to growing our economy. Mr. Speaker, again, contrast that to the Leader of the Opposition who wants to fire nurses; they want to fire teachers; they want to kill our Hydro plan; they want to kill our infrastructure plan.

Contrast that to the Leader of the Liberal Party, who wants to fire 855 liquor workers and give tax breaks to the big banks, who made $35 billion in profits. I say shame on them. Government Spending Record Impact on Manitobans Mr. Cameron Friesen (Morden-Winkler): Mr. Speaker, shame on a government that, after 17 years, only has misinformation and fear. Shame on them. Mr. Speaker, in 2015, when Moody's downgraded Manitoba's credit rating, the first downgrade in 30 years, they issued a caution.

They said that Manitoba's credit ratin g could face further downward pressure in the event of further erosion of its fiscal position leading to the substantial increase in deficits, debt beyond the existing plan. Mr. Speaker, the opinion of international bond rating agencies affects the cost of borrowing for Manitoba. The NDP took no action in the face of these cautions to alter their course. The warnings were not heeded. Manitobans will pay the price. Why did the Finance Minister not listen to the experts when they warned the NDP to avoid e xactly this situation? Hon.

Greg Dewar (Minister of Finance): I'll remind this member and I'll remind the House when we came into office Moody's –the Leader of the Opposition was part of the stewardship of our economy. The rating–Moody's ranked Manitoba at a Aa3, Mr. Speaker. We improved that ranking to Aa1; now we're at Aa2. Mr. Speaker, both Dominion bond rating agency and Standard & Poor's maintain our high ranking,

918 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 8, 2016 and our ranking with Moody's is still one of the highest that they have and in the world. Our plan, Mr. Speaker, is to grow the economy. Our plan is to have one of the lowest unemployment rates in Canada, and we're succeeding. Mr. Friesen: Mr. Speaker, the Finance Minister has not succeeded and he said it so himself. He said the deficit is still not going in the right direction. Mr. Speaker, I remind the House that the latest financial numbers show that government spending is up, again, $139 milli on.

The deficit projection is revised 30 per cent higher, going in the wrong direction, and all –after all this time the NDP has decided that it's in their best interest to hide any further news from Manitobans. But it's not in the best interest of Manitoba ns, who deserve nothing less than a full budget. What are they hiding? What is their secret agenda? They've hid it in the past; they will hide it again. Will the Finance Minister admit that this path he is on is a path that leads to escalating debt payments, crippling debt and less money in the hands of hard-working Manitoba families? Mr. Dewar : Again, Mr.

Speaker, the member will see our plan in the next hour and a half, presumably, a plan that builds upon the great work that we've done over the last number of years, a plan that put more money back to Manitoba families. The member knows we brought in a tax cut for seniors in terms of their education. We brought in a tax cut for small business. We now have –we are the first and only province who have com pletely eliminated the small -business tax. It was 8 per cent under the–when the Leader of the Opposition was in government; now it's zero.

The corporate tax rate was 17 per cent, the highest in Canada under the Leader of the Opposition, now it's 12 per cent, one of the lowest in Canada. We're still going to continue to grow our economy, Mr. Speaker. We want to have the lowest unemployment in Canada. That is our goal. Mr. Friesen: I'm so pleased the Finance Minister wants to talk about taxes. Manitobans pay the highest taxes of any Canadian jurisdiction, the highest west of Quebec. Now the Premier's (Mr. Selinger) new ad absurdly states that he wants to leave a little more money in the pockets of Manitobans. Mr.

Speaker, that is nonsense, it is ridiculous. The NDP promised they had a plan to eliminate the deficit. Did they do it? No. The NDP promised they had a plan to not raise taxes. Did they do it? No. The NDP promised that they had a plan to drive down the number of kids in care. Did they do it? No. They broke their word on all their fundamental promises and Manitobans do not believe them anymore. Why would Manitobans believe him today? Mr. Dewar: Mr. Speaker, we made a commitment to Manitobans to be–to provide them with a very robust economic update –outlook and you'll see that in the next short period of time.

I'll remind the member when his own leader served in the House of Commons he was the chair of the finance committee, Mr. Speaker. The decision was made that the Harper government, presumably at the–on the advice of the Leader of the Opposition, to in that year table economic statement which is what we're going to be doing today. NDP Leadership Campaign Elections Manitoba Investigation Mr. Kelvin Goertzen (Steinbach): Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the member for Dauphin (Mr.

Struthers) in recounting the leadership issues a year ago said this: We tried our best to make sure our party knew some of the shady decisions that had been made. At almost the same moment that the member for Dauphin was making those comments, news was breaking that the Commissioner of Elections was again launching another invest igation against this Premier this time for using civil servants for partisan purposes. Mr. Speaker, this isn't a question of the member for Dauphin's integrity. His integrity is fully intact. This is a question about the Premier : Why can the Premier just not stay out of scandal? Hon.

Dave Chomiak (Minister of Mineral Resources): It is a bit odd that the member is taking a complaint that was made to an independent body and already trying, accusing and hanging someone, Mr. Speaker, which is normal for members opposite. But I want to remind members opposite that the worst taint and the worst scandal in the history of Manitoba, even worse than the Roblin scandal that toppled the government in 1919 or the early century, was the vote -rigging scandal when, unfortunately, the Leader of the Opposition was in a Cabinet that actually, literally tried to fix an election. Something

March 8, 2016 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 919 that maybe happens in third- world countries, maybe Costa Rica, maybe other places, Mr. Speaker, but I never thought in this –in my lifetime that we would have a vote -rigging scandal i n the province of Manitoba, and it's deplorable that members opposite accuse anyone, would have the temerity– Mr. Speaker: Order, please. The honourable minister's time on this question has elapsed. Mr. Goertzen: Actually, Mr. Speaker, the comments weren't from me, they're from the member for Dauphin (Mr. Struthers).

And the member, of course, was a senior member of the Cabinet and he said yesterday, he said that what he was trying to do was trying to avoid electoral disaster. Now that's something that's political, but he also said that he was trying to ensure that party members knew of the shady decisions that were happening within the NDP; that's not about politics, that's about integrity. And it's not our integrity that was called into question. It wasn' t the member for Dauphin's integrity that was called into question. It was about the integrity of the Premier (Mr. Selinger), Mr. Speaker.

And perhaps the Premier would actually like to respond since it was his integrity that was called into question. Which shady decisions were being referred to by the member for Dauphin that happened last year? And how many have happened since, Mr. Speaker? Mr. Chomiak: I need not remind members opposite it was Judge Monnin who said, and this is something, Mr. S peaker, never in his lifetime has he seen so many liars –so many liars as he has from members opposite with regard to the vote-rigging scandal. Mr. Speaker, for people fire integrity questions back and forth in this Chamber on a regular basis.

But you know , I was proud of this House yesterday when we passed bills that dealt with TRC and reconciliation. I was proud of this House yesterday when we passed bills that dealt with First Nations families and providing care. * (14:20) I was proud of this House when we passed bills with relations to the Teachers' Society. I was proud of this House and the integrity we had to put forward the agenda of Manitobans and get away from the petty accusatory politics that we're seeing from members opposite. Mr. Goertzen: Mr.

Speaker, in the time that I've been elected, I've made far less accusations about the government than they've made about themselves in the last year. Mr. Speaker, Manitobans have had enough of the endless scandal. We've had enough of the endless scandal. I believe that many NDP members have had enough of the endless s candal. The member for Dauphin said yesterday what most Manitobans already know, that there are shady decisions, that there are questions of integrity with this NDP government. The question that I have about the Premier , Mr. Speaker, it isn't why it is that Manitobans believe what they believe.

We know why they believe it. We know why the member for Dauphin believes it. We know why the member for Seine River (Ms. Oswald) believes it. We know why the member for Fort Rouge (Ms. Howard) believes it. They all know that Manitobans have lost trust with this Premier. What I want to k now is: Why hasn't the Premier figured out yet that he's lost the trust of Manitobans, Mr. Speaker? Mr. Chomiak: Mr. Speaker, I'm tempted to call members opposite the know -it-all party.

They seem to know it all, except when you listen to the member from Seine River and she talked about the heart transplant that she was able to provide in terms of the budget; when you hear it from the member, my colleague from Fort Rouge, when she talked about the compassionate caring of this government; when you heard it from the speakers last night, like Murray Sinclair who came here and said that is good legislation we're bringing forward; when you hear it from people in my constituency who get the senior citizens rebate. Mr. Speaker, this government has tried to care and provide for Manitobans.

This government has tried to share resources in the province of Manitoba. And members opposite, who are measuring curtains and talking like they're going to be government, ought to pay attention to what the voters say. We care for what the voters say and what people want. I'll stand by that any day. That's why we're New Democrats. OCN First Nation Manitoba Hydro Contract Mr. Ralph Eichler (Lakeside): Mr. Speaker, in a letter to the Minister responsible for Manitoba Hydro, Chief Michael Constant wrote, and I quote: I

920 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 8, 2016 clearly understood support would be given to us if we, OCN nation, would support the Premier in the election process. End of quote. Today we found out from a member from the NDP government that some of these shady decisions have been made by this government. Is this one of those shady decisions? Hon. Eric Robinson (Minister responsible for Manitoba Hydro): Let me repeat that this matter is not new, Mr. Speaker. I responded to this question earlier in this session and I stand by what I said earlier. Mr. Eichler: Mr.

Speaker, we tried our best to make sure our party knew of some of the shady decisions that had been made. That is what a member of this Assembly said about the operations of his own government. Chief Constant described in exchange for his work on Bipole III transmission line, they would support the First Minister's re -election bid for his election race. Was this or was it not one of those shady descriptions described as a member of this House? Mr. Robinson : No, Mr. Speaker, that is not accurate. Mr. Eichler: Mr. Speaker, the NDP have broken the trust of Manitobans and they are clearly a broken government.

I'll give the minister another opportunity to set the record straight. I hope he'll take advantage of that opportunity today. Did the First Minister promise jobs on a hydro project in exchange for support for the leadership bid? Mr. Robinson: Mr. Speaker, no. Mr. Speaker: Any further questions? Science and Technology Budgets Government Funding Record Hon. Jon Gerrard (River H eights): Mr. Speaker, science and technology are rapidly changing areas of development offering endless opportunities for Manitoba. And, for this reason, it's vital to invest in science and research and in innovation.

And yet, since 2012, the total budget for what was the Manitoba Research and Innovation Fund, the Manitoba Health Research Council and the Manitoba Centres of Excellence Fund and, of course, is now Research Manitoba, that budget has been cut from $20 million down to $17 million. Mr. Speaker, w hy has the Premier cut $3 million, or 15 per cent, from the funding of science research and innovation? Hon. Greg Selinger (Premier): Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for the question on innovation.

It is an important part of our future agenda, which is why we've increased the Research and Development Tax Credit 20 per cent with refundability, one of the best in the country; the small-business enterprise tax credit, up to 45 per cent refundable for people that invest in local activities that create jobs in their communities, one of the best in the country. We funded the accelerator programs down in the Exchange District. We work with the technology centre that works on transportation at the University of Manitoba.

We just funded a 'plairie'–prairie c limate change adaptation centre at the University of Winnipeg to deal with issues of drought and floods in the prairie region. State-of-the-art centre there, Mr. Speaker, with highly qualified scientists that will be working on that. Mr. Speaker, we just funded the Churchill Marine Observatory in northern Manitoba along with the federal government to take a look at the impact of global warming on ice and formations of ice and what that will mean with respect to transportation going thr ough there and how we'll protect the environment on that.

We think innovation is an important part of the future, and I would only hope that the member from River Heights will support that by voting for the economic outlook that we're putting in front of the Legislature. Mr. Gerrard: In the last three years, the Premier has also cut the funding for the Industrial Technology Centre by 19 per cent. Science, innovation and research are so critical to the future of our province, and yet the Premier has cut, cut and slashed instead of investing in the future.

Why has the Premier been so intent on cutting the science, innovation and research which paves the way for the development of future products, services and businesses, as well as a new knowledge base which we so much need for the years ahead? Mr. Selinger: The government of Manitoba funds The Eureka Project, $300,000 a year, a three -year

March 8, 2016 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 921 agreement; the Manitoba Technology Accelerator, $300,000 a year, a three -year agreement; Innovate Manitoba, $300,000 a year, Mr. Speaker; Startup Winnipeg, $100,000 a year. Mr. Speaker, if the member from River Heights is truly interested in innovation, why is he cutting $471 million from the health and education levy? That's $471 million less to educate people, less to provide innovative solutions in health care. That would be the single biggest hit on innovation and job creation in the history of the province. Mr. Gerrard: Mr.

Speaker, the combined budgets for science, innovation and business development, and for t he Industrial Technology Centre, were $22.4 million three years ago, and they were reduced to $19.6 million in this last year, a 12-and-a-half-per-cent cut. I ask the Premier: Is he planning to continue cutting one of the budget lines most important in our future this coming year, or will his mini budget even give us enough detail to know? Mr. Selinger: Mr. Speaker, the member from River Heights is getting up and asking a question about investments and innovation and technology, and we are committed to doing that.

A very innovative technology company called SkipTheDishes has just received a job-creation grant. They're planning to create over 500 jobs in Manitoba on a very advanced software algorithm that will provide rapid delivery of food into midwestern communities all over North America, Mr. Speaker. Five hundred jobs right here in Manitoba. The people that owned that company moved to Manitoba from another jurisdiction to the west of us because they thaw–saw this as the place to do business.

I think, if the member opposite does not repudiate his political party's desire to reduce the health and edu cation levy by $471 million, Mr. Speaker, we will not have those innovative opportunities, and we will not have those jobs in Manitoba, and we will not have the training that allows the people to do those good jobs in 'Manimatoba'. So I say to the river –member from River Heights: Reverse that commitment to eliminate the health and education levy for $471 million. Economic and Fiscal Outlook Presentation of Plan Mr. Dave Gaudreau (St.

Norbert): Our NDP government is making steady progress for the working and middle class. We know that the members opposite speak against things that matter to people, like sick notes. They speak against things that matter to people, like one-metre bike legislation. And they speak about things like privatizing child care in Manitoba on this, the international day for women. We know why they don't want to talk about their own plan: because it's a terrible plan for Manitobans.

Can the Minister of Finance please inform the House about our plan to keep Manitoba affordable and keep our economy steady and growing? * (14:30) Hon. Greg Dewar (Minister of Finance): I want to thank the member for St. Norbert for that excellent question, Mr. Speaker, because today, following question period, I'll have the great privilege and honour to present our government's economic and fiscal outlook. Our government is putting forward a smart plan that moves Manitoba forward. We're making record investments in infrastructure that creates new jobs; 10,000 jobs last year, Mr.

Speaker, which was a record, the second lowest unemployment rate in Canada. But, Mr. Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition is committed to reckless cuts to education and heal th care. These cuts will lead to crumbling infrastructure, job losses that'll hurt hard-working Manitobans. And the Liberal leader, Mr. Speaker, the Liberal leader wants to fire 800 liquor workers, put them on the unemployment run–line and give tax breaks to the big banks. Mr. Speaker, we reject their plan. Manitobans reject their plans. Hydro Transmission Line Farmland Acquisition Mr. Blaine Pedersen (Midland): Mr.

Speaker, speaking of shady deals, we know the Premier (Mr. Selinger) and his Cabinet did a secret order-in-council deal to expropriate over 100 farm families for the west-side waste line of Bipole III.

922 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 8, 2016 But my question is really to the Agriculture Minister: Why would he defend this decision of Cabinet when he was part of Cabinet an d was part of this secret expropriation deal? Where was the Agriculture Minister when he should have been standing up for hard-working Manitoba families? Hon. Ron Kostyshyn (Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development ): It's always a privilege for me to stand up and speak about the great things that agriculture brings to the province of Manitoba. It's very appropriate that International Women's Day is officially today.

And I want the members from all sides of the House to acknowledge the hard-working farm women when we have –that we have in agriculture society today. Mr. Speaker, I think one of the things that members opposite tend to forget what agriculture brings to the economy in the province of Manitoba: 2014 the sector brought in a total of $13.4 billion of international trade from this province alone, from all sectors, and agriculture was 25 per cent of that, adding up $3.4 billion.

And that is only a start where we, this side of the House, seize opportunities of economic growth, and Manitoba Hydro is one of those major links towards supporting farmers– Mr. Speaker: Order, please. The honourable minister's time on this question has elapsed. Mr. Pedersen: Mr. Speaker, it makes my point. Why would this Agriculture Minister expropriate hard-working Manitoba farm women? Why would the Agriculture Minister pick on women, 'discrimin' against women in the farmland education tax rebate that is shutting out women from applying for that rebate?

Where is this Cabinet minister when it comes to secret deals to expropriate hard -working Manitoba farm families? Where is this minister when it comes to standing up for Manitobans? Mr. Kostyshyn: We talk about the school tax credit. When the members opposite were in government, the poor accounting skills on their part should be accounting for the fact they were at zero. This side of the House today is at 80 per cent, so, yes, let's talk about the mathematical, the financial commitment with this side of the House. And, quite ironically, Mr.

Speaker, the critic for Midland says to the Carman Valley Leader that the Conservatives don't care about rural issues because they won't win the next election. So this is what it's all about, Mr. Speaker. It's not about sticking up for agriculture. It's a political point that they're trying to make some opportunities to win some political points. That's the sad reality. That's all they care about, is political wins. Not this side of the House–sticks up for agriculture producers and farm families. Mr. Speaker: Time for oral questions has expired. PETITIONS Mr. Speaker: It is now time for petitions.

Manitoba Interlake–Request to Repair and Reopen Provincial Roads 415 and 416 Mr. Blaine Pedersen (Midland): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. These are the reasons for this petition:

(1) The Interlake region is an important trans - portation corridor for Manitoba but, unfortunately, is still dealing with serious underinvestm ent in infrastructure under this provincial government.

(2) Provincial roads 415 and 416 are vital to the region but have still not been repaired or reopened since sustaining damages during the 2010 flood.

(3) Residents and businesses in the Manitoba Interlake are seriously impacted and inconvenienced by having no adequate east -west travel routes over an area of 525 square miles.

(4) This lack of east -west travel routes is also a major public safety concern, as emergency response vehicles are impeded from arriving in a timely manner. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge that the provincial government repair and reopen the provincial roads 415 and 416 to allow adequate east-west travel in the Interlake. And this pet ition is signed by D. Voth, R. Willetts and J. Klement and many more fine Manitobans. Mr. Speaker: In keeping with our rule 132(6), when petitions are read they are deemed to have been received by the House.

March 8, 2016 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 923 Further petitions? Budget 2016 Mr. Ian Wishart (Portage la Prairie): Mr. Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. And these–this is the background of this petition:

(1) On April 30th, 2015, the Finance Minister clearly stated: There will be another budget before the next election.

(2) The provincial government conducted budget consultations with Manitobans at significant taxpayer expense with the clear understandin g there would be another budget before the next election.

(3) Just two days after the Public Accounts for the fiscal year 2014-2015 were released, showing the provincial government's deficit had ballooned by an additional $100 million more than budgeted, the Finance Minister stated: I'm sorry I wasn't clear, but the fact of the matter is we're weighing our options as to whether or not we will introduce a budget prior to the election.

(4) After months of misleading Manitobans, on February 4th, 2016, the provincial government finally admitted they would withhold the budget.

(5) Manitobans deserve to have access to complete information regarding true state of the provincial government's financial mismanagement.

(6) The budget has been prepared by the provincial government is hiding it and the facts from Manitobans instead of being transparent and accountable. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to keep its promise to the people of Manitoba and immediately bring forward the completed budget they are withholding from public scrutiny. This petition is signed by P. Harms, L. Hildebrant, J. Rempel and many, many more fine Manitobans. Mr. Dennis Smook (La Verendrye): Mr. Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) On April 30th, 2015, the Finance Minister clearly st ated: There will be another budget before the next election.

(2) The provincial government conducted budget consultations with Manitobans at significant taxpayer expense with the clear understanding there would be another budget before the next election.

(3) Just two days after the Public Accounts for fiscal year 2014 -2015 were released, showing the provincial government's deficit had ballooned by an additional $100 million more than budgeted, the Finance Minister stated: I'm sorry I wasn't clear, but the fact of the matter is we're weighing our options as to whether or not to introduce a budget prior to the election.

(4) After months of misleading Manitobans, on February 4th, 2016, the provincial government finally admitted they would withhold the budget.

(5) Manitobans deserve to have access to complete information regarding the true state of the provincial government's fiscal mismanagement.

(6) The budget has been prepared, but the provincial government is hiding it and the facts from Manitobans instead of being transparent and accountable. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: * (14:40) To urge the provincial government keep its promise to the people, to Manitoba and immediately bring forward the completed budget they are withholding from public scrutiny. This petition is signed by S. Yatsko, S. Maxymowich, H. Mark and many more fine Manitobans. Minnesota-Manitoba Transmission Line Route–Information Request Mrs.

Myrna Driedger (Charleswood): I wish to present the fo llowing petition to the Legislative Assembly. The background to this petition is as follows: The Minnesota -Manitoba transmission line is a 500-kilovolt alternating-current transmission line set to be located in southeastern Manitoba that will cross into the US border south of Piney, Manitoba.

924 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 8, 2016 The line has an in- service date of 2020 and will run approximately 150 kilometres with tower heights expected to reach between 40 to 60 metres and be located every four to five hundred metres. The preferred route designated for the line will see hydro towers coming in close proximity to the community of La Broquerie and many other communities in Manitoba's southeast rather than an alternate route that was also considered.

The alternate route would have seen the line run further east, avoid densely populated areas and eventually terminate at the same spot at the US border. The Progressive Conservative caucus has repeatedly asked for information about the routing of the line and its proximity to densely populat ed areas and has yet to receive any response. Landowners all across Manitoba are concerned about the impact hydro line routing could have on their land values.

We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the Minister responsible for Manitoba Hydro to immediately provide a written explanation to all members of the Legislative Assembly regarding what cri teria were used and the reasons for selecting the preferred routing for the Minnesota-Manitoba transmission line, including whether or not this routing represented the least intrusive option to residents of Taché, Springfield, Ste. Anne, Stuartburn, Piney and La Broquerie. And this is signed by J. Gibson, M. Vondeobaude, H. Lyss and many others, Mr. Speaker. Budget 2016 Mrs.

Bonnie Mitchelson (River East): Mr. Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. And the background to this petition is as follows: On April 30, 2015, the Finance Minister clearly stated, and I quote: There will be another budget before the next election. End of quote.

(2) The provincial government conducted budget consultations with Manitobans at significant taxpayers' expense with the clear understanding that there would be another budget before the next election.

(3) Just two days after the provincial–after the Public Accounts for the fiscal year 2014- 2015 were released, showing the provincial government's deficit had ballooned by an additional $100 million more than budgeted, the Finance Minister stated, and I quote: I'm sorry I wasn't clear, but the fact of the matter is we're weighing our options as to whether or not to introduce a budget prior to the next election. End of quote.

(4) After months of misleading Manitobans, on February 4, 2016, the provincia l government finally admitted they would withhold the budget.

(5) Manitobans deserve to have access to complete information regarding the true state of the provincial government's fiscal management; and

(6) The budget has been prepared, but the provincial government is hiding it and the facts from Manitobans instead of being transparent and accountable. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to keep its promise to the people of Manitoba and immediately bring forward the completed budget they are withholding from public scrutiny. And, Mr. Speaker, this petition is signed by C. McDougall, C. Thiessen, S. Fis her and many, many other fine Manitobans. Provincial Trunk Highway 206 and Cedar Avenue in Oakbank–Pedestrian Safety Mr. Ron Schuler (St. Paul): Mr.

Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) Every day, hundreds of Manitoba children walk to school in Oakbank and must cross PTH 206 at the intersection with Cedar Avenue.

(2) There have been many dangerous incidents where drivers use the right shoulder to pass vehicles that have stopped at the traffic light waiting to turn left at this intersection.

(3) Law enforcement officials have identified this intersection as a hotspot of concern for the safety of schoolchildren, drivers and emergency responders.

March 8, 2016 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 925 We petition th e Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge that the provincial government improve the safety at the pedestrian corridor at the intersection of PTH 206 and Cedar Avenue in Oakbank by considering such steps as highlighting pavement markings to better indicate the location of the shoulders and crosswalk, as well as installing a lighted crosswalk structure. This is signed by R. Remillard, K. Lemoine, J. Levy and many, many other fine Manitobans. Applied Behavioural Analysis Services Mr.

Wayne E wasko (Lac du Bonnet): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) The provincial government broke a commitment to support families of children with a diagnosis of autism spect rum disorder, including timely diagnoses and access to necessary treatment such as applied behavioural analysis, also known as ABA services.

(2) The provincial government did not follow its own policy statement on autism services which notes the importa nce of early intervention and ABA therapy for children with autism.

(3) The preschool waiting list for ABA services has reached its highest level ever with at least 68 children waiting for services. That number is expected to exceed 148 children by Septe mber 2016 despite commitments to reduce the waiting list and provide timely access to services.

(4) The current provincial government policy now imposed on the ABA service provider will decrease the scientifically proven, empirically based and locally proven program and force children to go to school at age five before they are ready, thus not allowing them full access to ABA services promised as they wait on their wait-list.

(5) Waiting lists, forced decrease in service and denials of treatment are unacceptable. No child should be denied access to or age out of eligibility for ABA services. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To request that the ministers of Family Services, Education and Advanced Learning and Health consider making funding available to address the current waiting list for ABA services. This petition is signed by F. Spence, P. Jundt, C. Pruden and many more fine Manitobans, Mr. Speaker. Community-Based Brain Injury Services and Supports Mrs.

Leanne Rowat (Riding Mountain): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. And the background to this petition is as follows: Brain Injury Canada, cited at braininjurycanada.ca/acquired-brain-injury/, estimates that 50,000 Canadians sustain brain injuries each year, over 1 million Canadians live with the effects of an acquired brain injury, 30 per cent of all traumatic brain injuries are sustained by children and youth, and approximately 50 per cent of brain injuries come from falls and motor vehicle collisions.

Studies conducted by Manitoba Health in 2003 and in 2006 and the Brandon Regional Health Authority in 2008 identified the need for community-based brain injury services. These studies recommended that Manitoba adopt the Saskatchewan model of brain injury services. * (14:50) The treatment and coverage for Manitobans who suffer brain injuries varies greatly, resulting in huge inadequacies depending upon whether a person suffers the injury at work, in a mo tor vehicle accident, through assault or from medical issues such as a stroke, aneurysm or anoxia due to cardiac arrest or other medical reasons.

Although inpatient services including acute care, short- and longer term rehabilitation are available throughout the province, brain injury patients who are discharged from hospital often experience discontinuation or great reduction of services which result in significant financial and emotional burdens being placed on family and friends. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to develop and evolve community based brain injury services that include but are not limited to: case management services, known also as service navigation; safe and

926 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 8, 2016 accessible housi ng in the community; proctor or coach type assistance for community reintegration programs; improved access to community based rehabilitation services; and improve transportation, especially for those people living in rural Manitoba. To urge the provinc ial government to encompass financial and emotional supports for families and other caregivers in the model that is developed. This petition is signed by J. Ledoux, J. Kingdon, D. Carter and many more fine Manitobans. Budget 2016 Mr. Cliff Cullen (Spruce Woods): Mr.

Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) On April 30, 2015, the Finance Minister clearly stated, and I quote: There will be another budget before the next election. End quote.

(2) The provincial government conducted budget consultations with Manitobans at significant taxpayer expense with the clear understanding there would be another budget before the next election.

(3) Just two days after the Public Accounts for fiscal year 2014 -2015 were released, showing the provincial government's deficit had ballooned by an additional $100 million more than budgeted, the Finance Minister stated, and I quote: I'm sorry I wasn't clear, but the fact of t he matter is we're weighing our options as to whether or not to introduce a budget prior to the election. End quote.

(4) Months after –after months of misleading Manitobans, on February 4, 2016, the provincial government finally admitted they would withhold the budget.

(5) Manitobans deserve to have access to complete information regarding the true state of the provincial government's fiscal mismanagement.

(6) The budget has been prepared, but the provincial government is hiding it and the facts from Manitobans instead of being transparent and accountable. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government keep its promise to the people to–of Manitoba and immediately bring forward the completed budget they are withholding from public scrutiny. This petition is signed by F. Wayte, R. Hunt, E. Drinkwater and many other fine Manitobans. Mr. Doyle Piwniuk (Arthur-Virden): Mr. Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. The background to this petition is follows:

(1) On April 30, 2015, the Finance Minister clearly stated, there will be another budget before the next election.

(2) The provincial government conducted budget consultations with Manitobans, at significant taxpayers' expense, with the clear understanding there would be another budget before the next election.

(3) Just two months after the Public Accounts the fiscal year 2014-2015 were released showing the provincial government's deficit had ballooned by additional $100 million more than budgeted, the Finance Minister stated, I'm sorry I wasn't clear, but in fact of the matter is whether weighing our options as whether or not to introduce a budget prior to the election.

(4) After months of misleading Manitobans, on February 4, 2016, the provincial government finally admitted they would withhold the budget.

(5) Manitobans deserve to have access to complete information regarding the true estate of the provincial government's financial mismanagement; and

(6) The budget has been prepared, but the provincial government is hiding it, and the facts, from Manitoba instead of being transparent and accountable. We petit ion the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to keep its promise to the people of Manitoba and immediately bring forward a complete budget they were withholding from public scrutiny. And this petition signed by J. Dunfield, L. Dunfield, J. Cochrane and many fine Manitobans. Mr. Cameron Friesen (Morden-Winkler): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly.

March 8, 2016 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 927 The background to this petition is as follows: On April 30, 2015, the Finance Minister clearly stated: There will be another budget before the next election.

(2) The provincial government conducted budget consultations with Manitobans, at significant taxpayer expense, with the clear understanding there would be another budget before the next election.

(3) Just two days after the Public Accounts for fiscal year 2014 -2015 were released, showing the provincial government's deficit had ballooned by an additional $100 million more than budgeted, the Finance Minister stated: I'm sorry I wasn't clear, but the fact of the matter is we're weighing our options as to whether or not to introduce a budget prior to the election.

(4) After months of misleading Manitobans, on February 4, 2016, the provincial gove rnment finally admitted they would withhold the budget.

(5) Manitobans deserve to have access to complete information regarding the true state of the provincial government's fiscal mismanagement.

(6) The budget has been prepared, but the provincial gov ernment is hiding it, and the facts, from Manitobans instead of being transparent and accountable. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to keep its promise to the people of Manitoba and immediatel y bring forward the completed budget they are withholding from public scrutiny. And this petition is signed by B. Grawberger, H. Grawberger and B. Smith and many other fine Manitobans. Mr. Cliff Graydon (Emerson): Mr. Speaker, I wish to present the f ollowing petition to the Legislative Assembly. And this is the background to this petition:

(1) On April 30th, 2015, the Finance Minister clearly stated there would be another budget before the next election.

(2) The provincial government conducted budget consultations with Manitobans, at significant taxpayers' expense, with the clear understanding there would be another budget before the next election.

(3) Just two days after the Public Accounts for fiscal year 2014 -2015 were released, showing the provincial government's deficit had ballooned by an additional $100 million more than budgeted, the Finance Minister stated: I'm sorry I wasn't clear, but the fact of the matter is we're weighing our options as to whether or not to introduce a budget prior to the election.

(4) After months of misleading Manitobans, on February 14–on February 4th, excuse me –2016, the provincial government finally admitted they would withhold the budget.

(5) Manitobans deserve to have access to complete information regarding the true state of the provincial government's fiscal mismanagement.

(6) The budget has been prepared, but the provincial government is hiding it, and the facts, from Manitobans instead of being transparent and accountable. * (15:00) We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government keep its promise to the people to Manitoba and immediately bring forward the completed budget they are withholding from public scrutiny. And this petition is signed by S. Bow man, S. Parago, C. Dick and many, many more fine Manitobans. Minnesota-Manitoba Transmission Line Route–Information Request Mr.

Reg Helwer (Brandon West): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) The Minnesota-Manitoba transmission line is a 500- kilovolt alternating -current transmission line set to be located in southeastern Manitoba that will cross into the US border south of Piney, Manitoba.

(2) The line has an in-service date of 2020 and will run approximately 150 kilometres with tower heights expected to reach between 40 to 50 metres and be located every four to five hundred metres.

(3) The preferred route designated for the line will see hydro towers come in close proximity to the community of La Broquerie and many other

928 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 8, 2016 communities in Manitoba's southeast rather than an alternate route that was also considered.

(4) The alternate route would have seen the line run further east, avoid densely populated a reas and eventually terminate at the same spot at the US border.

(5) The Progressive Conservative caucus has repeatedly asked for information about the routing of the line and its proximity dense–to densely populated areas and has yet to receive any response.

(6) Landowners all across Manitoba are concerned about the impact hydro line routing could have on land values. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the Minister responsible for Manitoba Hydro to immediately provide a written explanation to all members of the Legislative Assembly regarding what criteria were used and the reasons for selecting the preferred route for the Minnesota-Manitoba transmission line, including whether or not this routing represented the least intrusive option to the residents of Taché, Springfield, Ste. Anne, Stuartburn, Piney and La Broquerie. Signed by T.

Pow, J. Arnold, M. Juce and 'maymy'–many other fine Manitobans. Budget 2016 Mr. Ralph Eichler (Lakeside): I wish to present the following petition to Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) April 30th, 2015, the Finance Minister clearly stated: There will be another budget before the next election.

(2) The provincial government conducted budget consultations with Manitobans at significant taxpayer expense with the clear understanding there would be another budget before the next election.

(3) Just three days after the Public Accounts for physical year 2014-2015 were released, showing the provincial government's deficit had ballooned by an additional $100 million more than budgeted, the Finance Minister stated: I'm sorry I wasn't clear, but the fact of the matter is we're weighing our options as to whether or not to introduce a budget prior to the election.

(4) After months of misleading Manitobans, on February 4, 2016, provincial government finally admitted they would withhold the budget.

(5) Manitobans deserve to have access to complete information regarding the true state of the provincial government's physical management.

(6) The budget has been prepared, but the provincial government is hiding it, and the facts that– from Manitobans, instead of being transparent and accountable. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government keep its promise to the people of Manitoba and immediately bring forward a completed budget they are withholding from public scrutiny. And this petition is submitted on b ehalf of B. DeBaets, M. Martens, N. Desrochers and many other fine Manitobans. Mr. Speaker: That concludes petitions. MATTER OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE Mr.

Cameron Friesen (Morden-Winkler): Mr. Speaker, in accordance with rule 36(1), I move, seconded by the member for Tuxedo (Mrs. Stefanson), that the regularly scheduled business of the House be set aside to discuss a matter of urgent public importance; namely, the provincial government's refusal to table a budget as previously promised. Motion presented. Mr.

Speaker: The honourable member for Morden– just before I get to the honourable member, I just want to indicate that those wishing to speak to this, including the member for Morden- Winkler, has 10 minutes to explain the urgency of this ma tter, as do other members that will be recognized by the Chair. Mr. Friesen: Mr. Speaker, this is an urgent matter that I bring before the House this afternoon; namely, that the provincial government has refused to table a budget, and Manitobans deserve nothing less than a full budget at this time. Mr.

Speaker, it was almost a year ago in the last provincial budget that the Finance Minister said there would be another budget before the next election. He indicated that Manitobans would know their full plan before they went into the election.

March 8, 2016 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 929 On the day that Public Accounts were released last fall, showing a deficit that was $100 million greater than budgeted in the last year, the Finance Minister said, again, there would be a budget. However, he started to waver after that time when he told people that, we were weighing our options as to whether or not to introduce a budget prior to the election. Mr. Speaker, if the NDP were serious about Manitoba's finances, they would table a full budget today with real accountability in this Legislature. Mr.

Speaker, the NDP are trying to avoid a full accounting of the expensive promises that they have taken weeks and weeks in January to make. These promises undoubtedly have consequences for Manitobans. These promi ses obviously come with the promise of higher taxes for Manitobans and more debt for future generations. Indeed, the Finance Minister even conducted public consultation meetings on the budget. He invited Manitobans to come and present. He indicated that the NDP wanted to hear their ideas and their views so that they could build a strong budget that focuses on what matters most to Manitobans.

That was the commitment of the NDP. And yet, that commitment was then followed up by a major breach and they did not bring a budget after all. They were happy to receive the publicity; they were not happy to do the work of government to bring a budget. Mr. Speaker, i t is simply unacceptable to Manitobans that the NDP would conduct bogus consultation meetings that did n ot produce a budget. It is additionally unacceptable to all taxpayers that this self -promotional consultation road show cost over $40,000. Mr. Speaker, in the month of January alone, the NDP held 113 announcements.

The govern- ment used government resour ces to identify these priorities, I assume they calculated the cost of these expenditures, they staged the public announcements. All of this was done on the taxpayers' dollar. Yet when the time comes to provide a financial accounting to indicate how woul d–they would pay for any of these things, they take a pass. They decline to comment. They decline to provide a full accounting to Manitobans. It is without precedent in the province of Manitoba for a sitting government to offer up a fiscal update in the place of a full budget. Why?

This NDP government with its record of self-promotional tendencies surely would not miss an opportunity to take credit. Obviously, if it was good news that they had to share, they would be sharing it. * (15:10) Mr. Speaker, i nstead, undoubtedly, Manitobans are expecting further bad news, further confirmation of the unsustainability of the high- spend, high- tax, high-debt path chosen by this NDP. What the NDP is arrogantly choosing not to disclose is what taxes will undoubtedly follow that pay for all of this spending. Manitobans deserve to know the truth.

Now, in the Throne Speech just last November, the NDP announced $6.6 billion of new spending priorities. The NDP are clearly trying to buy Manitobans off before the election but are refusing to tell them what the cost would be. It is a fraud, Mr. Speaker. The NDP want all of the benefits of making budgetary commitments in publicly staged events, but they do not want the responsibility that comes with it, the responsibility of a sitting government to table a budget. No legislated debate, no details, no accountability for Manitobans. Mr. Speaker, if you care, you care about results.

The financial record shows that this NDP government does not get results. They do not meet their financial targets. Chronic deficits have piled Manitoba's debt up to new heights. That debt now sits at $36 billion. In just the past eight years, the NDP has doubled the provincial debt. They have drained the Fiscal Stabilization Account. They will spend almost $900 million this year just to service that debt. And those numbers will only get more as Manitoba's debt rises. Mr. Speaker, the NDP promised to balance the budget in 2014 without raising taxes.

Within weeks of making those pronouncements, the NDP extended the PST, first of all raise–or, first of all, widening the retail sales tax and then finally applying the biggest tax hike in modern history in Manitoba, raising the PST to 8 per cent, 'broking' –breaking their fundamental pledge to taxpay ers before the election and actually breaking the laws that were in place to protect Manitobans' right to vote on such measures. Mr. Speaker, Manitobans now pay $500 million every year more in new taxes compared to just six years ago.

And yet, even with t hese record -high revenues, the government cannot balance the books, even though they said they would do it. Because of this NDP propensity for overspending, they are

930 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 8, 2016 hungry for revenue, and therefore the government fails to address even the most basic, the most fundamental fiscal issues. Mr. Speaker, the NDP has the least competitive basic personal exemption of any province west of Nova Scotia. The NDP does not index tax brackets. They've remained unchanged for almost 10 years, even though incomes rise due to inflation. It's bracket creep. It's essentially an NDP tax loophole used to glean even more money from unsuspecting taxpayers.

Manitobans, young people, moneylenders, all of these, seniors on fixed incomes, marginal income earners, they are all watching for cues that the NDP is heading in the right direction. And they are getting no such cues. As a result of the unfairness of the tax system, the average Manitoba family pays more than $3,300 more each year in taxes than the same family living in Saskatchewan. Mr. Speaker, it's a structural deficit. The government has shown they cannot or will not take control of the situation. It is spiralling out of control. And that's why I call for the urgent focus of this Chamber on this matter today.

Mr. Speaker, the second quarter financial results show that the NDP cannot or will not meet its own spending targets. These are the targets that they themselves set out. What does the report show us? That the government deficit is revised 30 per cent higher than t he target, that the deficit is now projected to be $100 million over their own target. And it reveals that the NDP has overspent its planned budget once again by $139 million. This is not a solid fiscal track record. Trust has been betrayed.

Manitobans a re consequentially suspicious of this government's activities, deeply mistrustful of any new promises that are being made. This is not a government that can ask for leniency in financial matters. Manitobans need to scrutinize more closely and not less clos ely the financial management of this NDP government. It is a broken government with a broken financial record. Mr. Speaker, I said earlier in the Chamber how Moody's downgraded Manitoba's rating but warned that if there wasn't a willingness and demonstrable progress in going in a new direction, further downgrades would happen.

I would submit that we are at that place now where the real threat looms of further downgrades. Mr. Speaker, it comes to this, the government instead of leading, instead of being transparent, they are hiding, they are hiding from Manitobans; they are hiding the bad news from Manitobans. I would add that the NDP keeps changing its targets to avoid meeting their targets. They have–at this point in time they need to produce a budget. Manitobans deserve to know what the government is planning for the future. Mr. Speaker, the way for the government to be accountable is to bring a budget, not a fiscal snapshot.

This is not a budget; it is a fantasy budget. It is not budget day; it is no budget day. And Manitobans deserve nothing less than a full and comprehensive budget that details where this government will once again overspend. Accountability matters, trust matters. The budget is about trust, and the NDP has broken the trust of all Manitobans. It's why we call for an urgent debate on this matter today. Mr. Speaker: The honourable Government House Leader, on the matter of urgent public importance. Hon.

Dave Chomiak (Government House Leader): Notwithstanding the veiled attempt of the member opposite to make this an issue, Mr. Speaker, it's not even close to being a matter of urgent public importance according to the rules of this Legislature, according to The Financial Administration Act, and according to the practice of this Chamber. W e are waiting for federal budget in order to determine the kind of revenues, which is a tradition, that Manitoba will be receiving. Members opposite love, they love Saskatchewan so much I'm surprised that they don't have little Brad Wall posters on their desks, Mr. Speaker.

But Saskatchewan just introduced a economic update; it was 13 pages. Members will soon find out that our fiscal update is 10 times that. And, you know, the Leader of the Opposition, you know, there's a thing that, members talked about arrogance and I don't want to go there, Mr. Speaker, but you know they're not even at the polls and they're already acting in a fashion that scares me. They scare me. When the Leader of the Opposition was on the federal Finance Committee, Mr. Speaker, he chaired the financial Finance Committee, and what did the Harper government of which he was a part did?

They brought a fiscal update. They brought a fiscal update, and now that we're here, we're ready, we want to

March 8, 2016 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 931 bring that the member's got his speech all ready, we have the fiscal update all printed and ready to go, and members opposite, what are they doing? They're blocking it. They're blocking it. Why are they blocking it, Mr. Speaker? I suggest that there's a touch –I don't want to be cynical, but I suspect there's a touch of politics in what they're doing. You know, members opposite have not offered one single positive reason, one single part of their platform in the question periods that we've been going through.

You know, during this session, we h eard an agricultural question, one measly agricultural question. You know, Mr. Speaker, they're hiding, they're hiding the reality of what the Leader of the Opposition said today. He said he would fix the $6 million in deficit we're paying every day. Tha t would be job one. Well job one means no jobs for Manitoba. Job one for member opposite means less nurses for Manitoba. Job one for members opposite is meaning cutting the incentive that the country needs, that the province needs, that everyone recognizes in this country we need to build jobs to build the economy.

Now is not the time to slash and cut; now is not the time for a Conservative government; but they're afraid to show their agenda. The Leader of the Opposition has already said he will slash $500 million out of the budget, Mr. Speaker. He's already said they want to privatize daycare. He's already been part of a government that came and said, well, we won't touch MTS, but then they sold off the Crown corporation in order to pay off the deficit and then use the money so they could show a balanced budget.

And not only that, they ran with different books. * (15:20) So I know why they're afraid of dealing with a fiscal update. They are afraid of the truth. They are afraid for us to present in this House the financial status of the province. They are afraid, Mr. Speaker, to offer what their platform actually is, which is a platform of, to use the phrase of a former premier, acute protracted restraint. How many times did we hear that in this Legislature? Acute protracted restraint.

That was code; that was Tory code for, like the former government years, the laying off of 1,500 nurses, the cancelling of programs, the closure –the attempted closure of my local hospital–the attempted closure of my local hospital. They were going to close Grace. They closed Misericordia Hospital. They closed the largest hospital in the history of the province of Manitoba, and now they say trust them. Trust that group of pe ople, Mr. Speaker? And they're saying that it's urgent public importance to block our fiscal update.

They are using a tactic to block our ability to provide the people of Manitoba with the fiscal framework. The leader –our Minister of Finance (Mr. Dewar) is ready. We're ready to proceed, and they're using a tactical maneuver which, by the way, is not valid. It's not urgent in any sense of the word. We're here, ready to do our financial update that provides for the information, and, besides, we just had new rules in place. We intend to come back if we're re-elected. We'll bring the budget in.

After the federal budget, we will do that, and we will be following the regular calendar that we have all agreed to, where there'll have to be a budget and there'll have to be a certain number of dates applied to it. The members know that. The members know we've agreed to rule changes. The members know that's coming. The members know that the former Harper government did what we're doing. Members know that Saskatchewan d id what they're doing. Members know we have a fiscal update. They're afraid. They're playing politics –pure politics.

We're here, ready to debate the fiscal update of the province, and they're using tactics. How often have we heard so many slow petitions –14 petitions, slowly read into the Chamber, followed–and the matter was of such urgent public importance they had to call it after having 14 slow speeches in the Legislature. Mr. Speaker, they are not acting like a proper opposition. I fear how they will act as a government. We want to present an update to the province's fiscal situation today. We will present it today. We'll ask for extra hours if we have to.

We'll stay here because we want to present –we want to present a financial update to the Province before certain automatic dates kick in. And, it is not only our right, Mr. Speaker; it's our duty to do that, and I suggest to members opposite, failure to do their duty, failure to provide this information to the public will be indicative – be indicative of the harsh, and I daresay, acute protracted restraint orientation –I used to say mean and lean, but following advice from my colleagues, I'm just going to say their tendency toward acute

932 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 8, 2016 protracted restraint–no, really their tendency to hide their true agenda. We're prepared to put it on the record what our financial situation is. They want to talk about motions. They want to stretch it out, Mr. Speaker. They want to debate motions while their leader goes about saying that he knows how to do things better. Mr. Speaker, better? Better? Leaner and meaner; that is the credo of members opposite. They want to cut half -a-billion dollars from the budget. They want to privatize daycare; they've already said so. They want to lay off nurses.

And you know, they had a speech from the Throne, by invitation, in a closed room. Their leader was elected in a closed room, the only one running, and they're talking about democracy when we're here today, ready to present our fiscal update, and they're bringing in j urisdictional motions. They're bringing in administrative slowdown. They brought in 14 petitions before they decided that a matter of urgent public importance was to table this motion. I daresay it's not a matter of urgent public importance, particularly because we are ready to table our economic and fiscal outlook.

We think it's important that we have time to debate this in this Chamber and not get caught up in little slowdown procedures of the members opposite because they want to do things their way. Mr. Speaker, they have an opposition day tomorrow. They have a couple opposition days. We give it to them, their opposition days. They know we have a session coming after the election– An Honourable Member: In the rules. Mr. Chomiak: –in the rules, Mr. Speaker, that'll allow for a budget. They know we haven't heard from the federal government. They know how significant those issues are with relation to a budget.

They will get today the most update, robust, proper accounting of the fiscal and economic outlook of the province of Manitoba. They'll get it today. We want it debated today. Their motion is not a matter of urgent public importance; it's an attempt after 14 petitions to try to slow down this House to try to prevent our ability to provide the informa tion to the public. I'm going to close my comments by tabling for the House, Mr.

Speaker, three copies that'll be delivered to all members of the Manitoba economic and fiscal outlook dated March 2016, I'm going to table it in the House for all members to review, and it'll be divided to all members so even though they're trying to stall it and block it Manitobans will have a chance to look at what is the fiscal and economic update of the province of Manitoba despite their attempt to block it, and I think we should be proud of that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker: Order please. Is the honourable member for River Heights rising to speak to the matter of urgent public importance? Hon.

Jon Gerrard (River Heights): I have a brief comment on the matter of urgent– Mr. Speaker: One moment please. I'm asking a question of the honourable member, are you rising to speak to the matter of urgent public importance? Mr. Gerrard: Yes. Mr. Speaker: Then the honourable member will leave–leave of the House. Does the honourable member for River Heights have leave to speak to the MUPI? Some Honourable Members: Leave. Mr. Speaker: Leave has been granted. Mr. Gerrard: Mr. Speaker, there should have been a proper budget, of that there is no question. The NDP have had more than enough time to produce it.

In not producing a budget, the NDP are shortchanging Manitobans. The lack of a proper budget is indeed a matter of urgent public importance. That's all I have to say. Thank you. Mr. Speaker: On the matter of urgent public importance, I want to thank all honourable members for their advice to the Chair on whether the motion of the proposed–on the motion proposed by the honourable member for Morden- Winkler (Mr. Friesen) should be debated today.

I would note that the notice required by rule 36(1), as provided under our rules and practices, the subject matter requiring urgent consideration must be so pressing that the public interest will suffer if the matter is not given immediate attention. There must also be no other reasonable opportunities to raise the matter. I do not doubt that this matter is one that is of keen concern to all members of the House as

March 8, 2016 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 933 consideration of budgets is a key function of this Legislature. However, I have listened very carefully to the a rguments put forward and I was not persuaded that the ordinary business of the House should be set aside to deal with this issue today. I would note that there are other avenues for members to raise this issue, including questions -in- question period and t he–raising the item under members' statements and also grievances. I must also note that this motion anticipates debate on another motion on the Order Paper. Our rule 36(5)(

d) states that a motion to bring forward a matter of urgent public importance "shall not anticipate a matter that has previously been appointed for consideration by the House". End of quotations. There is currently an opposition day motion with a very similar content to this motion listed on the Order Paper in the name of the honourable member for Morden- Winkler (Mr. Friesen). Therefore, with the greatest of respect, I rule that the motion out of order as a matter of urgent public importance. GRIEVANCES Mr. Speaker: Grievances, the honourable member for Spruce Woods on a grievance. Mr.

Cliff Cullen (Spruce Woods ): I somewhat regret that I have to rise today to grieve over the NDP government's refusal to table a budget, especially when they previously promised all Manitobans that they would do that. * (15:30) As you made your comments there, it is contingent on a government to bring forward a budget. It's one of the most fundamental and most important documents that a government could bring forward, and, really, the budget represents to all Manitobans where their tax money is going and how it's going to be spent.

And many Manitobans were under the belief that this NDP government was going to bring a budget forward. And then, at the last minute, they decide they're going to put forward some kind of an economic fiscal statement. A nd, clearly, that's nothing close to what a budget would be, Mr. Acting Speaker–Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we all got invited to the consultation that the government was hosting last fall. I know I got a letter from the government asking me to go to Brandon. So, well, I better take the opportunity to go to Brandon and see what the Minister of Finance (Mr. Dewar) had to say.

I could offer my views in terms of what the budget should look like. And there was other members from western Manitoba that –at that ev ent. There was probably 24 to 28 other members of the community there to hear what the minister had to say. And, I think, the interesting part was they all said the opportunity to provide input to the Minister of Finance, and, I think, we were all there with the understanding that we were going to give input into a budget. You know, the NDP have had–well, they've had four and a half years in government; they should know how to put together a budget.

I know there's been tu rmoil over there in the NDP caucus, with members retiring and some internal turmoil, and maybe that's taken their eye off the ball here. Maybe that's why their eye is not on the fiscal ball, and they haven't been able to put together a budget for Manitobans, Mr. Speaker. That's just–that's one thing that could possibly lead to why they haven't produced a budget. But, to get back to the consultation, and we know that the government spent over $40,000 in this consultation process last fall, Mr. Speaker, tryi ng to engage Manitobans.

Unfortunately, they appear that they're not listening to what Manitobans said. Now, at the event in Brandon, for instance, Mr. Speaker, there was people from the school board there. And, clearly, they wanted to have an input in– to terms of what the school budget would look like. Obviously, that has a very significant impact in terms of what they're going to have to raise for local taxes to operate the school districts. So, if this particular economic fiscal outlet doesn't provide the sort of framework for school taxes, then where are we at?

And that's really the intent of a budget, is to provide that framework so that those sort of groups can make those decisions. And, certainly, the school board members that were there raised, I think, very valid issues, very valid questions around where the government was headed in terms of education and trying to get some input in terms of what their budget would look like as well. And, you know, Mr. Speaker, we also recognize health care being a very substantial expenditure within the budget.

There –we also had some health - care professionals there, and they were asking the same questions in terms of where the provincial

934 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 8, 2016 budget was headed. And there was, unfortunately, very few answers there at that particular time, but at least the opportunity was there to share some advice in terms of health care moving forward. There was also municipal people there from a few different municipalities in that particular area of the province. And, clearly, pr ovincial budget has a very significant impact on municipal budgets as well, especially when it comes to some infrastructure financing.

So they were trying to get a sense in terms of where the NDP was going on that, and they also had suggestions in terms of what might work better for them in terms of delivering a provincial budget. So those types of people were there, but there was also people from the community in the child and family services community. And there was a lot of questions raised from people in those communities, too, in terms of what the provincial budget was going to look like and some ways that the Province could enhance delivery of some of those services to that particular community.

So all those people there, again, were there under the guise that they were–this was a consultation, that the government was actually going to be listening to them and then provide some kind of a document in terms of budget. But, Mr. Speaker, it's not there. And I would suggest to you, Mr. Speaker, the – many Manitobans are looking forward to what the NDP is going to do with the provincial sales tax. You know, we saw, after the last election, they went door to door during the campaign, said they weren't going to raise provincial sales tax or any other major taxes. But they did just that after the election.

In fact, they raised the provincial sales tax to 8 per cent, and they also expanded sales tax, provincial sales tax, to a number of goods and services that wer e previously not taxed under the provincial sales tax. So it's been a huge tax grab for them. But we know, prior to the announcement of the 8 per cent, this government here and the Cabinet actually considered raising the provincial sales tax to 9 per cent. Now, Mr.

Speaker, I would say this economic and fiscal outlook probably doesn't talk about sales tax, but if the government is thinking about raising our provincial sales tax, that is the sort of signal that would be sent in the actual budget document. And that is really what Manitobans are looking for. They are looking for a government that is open and transparent, and this government doesn't have a very good track record in that regard.

This election, which is coming very, very close, Manitobans dese rve the right to know what the financial state of our province is, and that is probably one of the most important and fundamental things that a government should be producing. For some reason, Mr. Speaker, this government has chosen not to deliver an open and transparent document in a budget. Mr. Speaker, we're wondering why that is. Clearly, this government is hiding something behind this economic outlook, and why would Manitobans be nervous about not seeing a provincial budget? Well, if we look at the track record of this NDP government, Mr.

Speaker, it's not very overwhelming–we'll put it that way. You know, we look at their track reco

Document details

Collection	Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	40-5-25b
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	40th 5th hansardpdf 25b.pdf
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	f676da8e852a36453e3d498cf35923645cf03fe3

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