Manitoba Hansard — 9 April 2019 (Sitting 36B, 41st Legislature, 4th Session)

41-4-36b

Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)

Fourth Session – Forty-First Legislature of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba DEBATES and PROCEEDINGS Official Report (Hansard) Published under the authority of The Honourable Myrna Driedger Speaker Vol. LXXII No. 36B - 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 9, 2019 ISSN 0542-5492

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

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

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

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

1109 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA Tuesday, April 9, 2019 The House met at 1:30 p.m. Madam Speaker: Good afternoon, everybody. Please be seated. ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS Madam Speaker: Introduction of bills? Committee reports? TABLING OF REPORTS Hon. Scott Fielding (Minister of Finance): Madam Speaker, it's my pleasure today to rise in the Assembly of Manitoba to table the Manitoba Finance Supplementary Information for Legislative Re view 2019-20 Department Expenditure Estimates. Hon.

Cliff Cullen (Minister of Justice and Attorney General): Madam Speaker, I'm pleased to table the Supplementary Information for Legislative Review, Departmental Expenditure Estimates report for the fiscal year 2019-20. MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS Madam Speaker: The honourable minister for Sport, Culture and Heritage, and I would indicate that the required 90 minutes notice prior to routine proceedings was provided in accordance with rule 26(2). Would the honourable minister please proceed with her statement. Battle of Vimy Ridge Hon.

Cathy Cox (Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage): Madam Speaker, I rise in the House today to reflect on the Battle of Vimy Ridge. The bravery, courage and sacrifices made by our soldiers in this battle played a vital role in the freedom that all of us enjoy today and often take for granted. Madam Speaker, on Easter Monday, April 9th, 1917, thousands of Canadians, many from our great province, stood tall at Vimy Ridge. Together, they captured more ground than any previous offensive in two and a half years of war.

And today, as we reflect on the Battle of Vimy Ridge, we remember those who gave their lives far from our shores. We pay tribute to the soldiers who fought a piv otal battle that has left an unforgettable mark on our history, and we thank every Canadian, past and present, who has answered the call to serve our country with selflessness and sacrifice. This event marked a turning point in the First World War and in the birth of our Canadian identity. Following Vimy Ridge, Canada was no longer a colony of the Commonwealth; it was a nation.

And, Madam Speaker, today at the Manitoba Legislature, from sunrise to sunset, the Canadian flag and the Manitoba flag are being flown at half -mast, marking the National Day of Remembrance of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. And we extend our deepest gratitude and sympathy to the families of the 11,285 Canadian soldiers inscribed on the walls of the Vimy memorial. Our government will ne ver forget –or, never forget our veterans who sacrificed so much for our country during that Great War.

And, Madam Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to rise for a moment of silence to recognize the national day of remembrance for the Battle of Vimy Ridge. Lest we forget. Madam Speaker: Would there be leave to hold a moment of silence after all members have spoken to this? [Agreed] Ms. Nahanni Fontaine (St. Johns): Over 100 years ago, 100,000 Canadian soldiers advanced on Vimy Ridge, helping to bring Allied fighters to victory. More than 10,000 soldiers were killed or wounded in the battle, with over 60,000 Canadians lost in the First World War.

We take today to h onour the triumphs and sacrifices of great soldiers who fought for our freedoms in the Battle of Vimy Ridge. Over the course of four days in April of 1917, four Canadian divisions worked together for the first time to capture this key battlefield. To tak e the ridge, Canadian soldiers had to fight through unimaginable conditions, snow, rain, mud slowing their progress. But they pushed through to make their advance, charging nests of machine guns and dugouts filled with enemy soldiers. Brigadier-General A. E. Ross declared after the war, and I quote: In those few moments –few

1110 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 9, 2019 minutes, I witnessed the birth of a nation. End quote. It was this historic win by our united Canadian soldiers that convinced Prime Minister Robert Borden to step out of Britain's sha dow and push for greater Canadian autonomy on the world stage. Madam Speaker, the Canadian national Vimy Ridge memorial was erected in France in 1936 to commemorate the 11,285 Canadian soldiers who lost their lives. I want to take a moment to remember th e sacrifice that these brave Canadians made on behalf of all of us across the country.

They fought to protect the Canadian society that we have today. Miigwech, Madam Speaker. Mr. Dougald Lamont (Leader of the Second Opposition): Today we rise to mark the anniversary of the attack on Vimy Ridge. It was a turning point in the First World War. I had two great uncles who fought there. One was Alfred Barrett, my grandfather's older brother on my mother's side. He was born in England, moved to Alberta where he worked as a butter-maker and signed up to fight with the Canadians. He died at Vimy, and for years his grave was unknown. His name is in the Book of Remembrance at Parliament Hill.

The other was Frank Bastin, my father's uncle; he was part of the crack troops of Canadians who swept through France in the last months of the war, and he fought at the Somme and survived Vimy. He wrote that, quote: The Canadian Corps moved to Vimy Ridge in October 1916 and remained there for over a year. We came to accep t soldiering as a permanent way of life, which, since the war seemed likely to last forever, could only end for the individual by being carried out on a stretcher or wrapped in a blanket and buried.

As April 9th approached, the drain on our transport to bring up ammunition for our guns affected our rations, so dry army biscuits and bully beef became acceptable fare. The unit he fought with was successful at Vimy. He said: Our advance was made with few casualties and we reached our objective without any difficulty. Our casualties later –came later from German shellfire. My platoon reached Farbus wood, which was the most advanced point of the attack, and we were able to look down on the flat expanse of the Douai plain.

Shortly after arrival, a small troop of the Canadian Dragoons rode forward, but they were wiped out in minutes. Men and horses lay scattered over a small clearing beside the wood. All the cavalrymen were dead except one, whom we carried to the dressing station. The scale of the death and destruction of the two world wars seems unimaginable today. We remember it, and in the midst of the horror of this wa r we need to recall the common humanity we all share, and we owe it to those who fought and died to ensure they did not fight and die in vain, but for a better world. Thank you.

Madam Speaker: Please rise for a moment of silence. A moment of silence was observed. MEMBERS' STATEMENTS Riverbank Erosion Repair at Columbus House Mr. Jim Maloway (Elmwood): Riverbank erosion has been a serious issue along the Red River and in the Elmwood area. In the 1990s, the Elmwood Cemetery had been so badly damaged by erosion that caskets were actually exposed. The riverbank was restored with the City and provincial funding. In 2011, the LaSalle Hotel shored up its property to stop the flood threat.

Today, the residents of Columbus house at 404 Desalaberry, with their 70 co-operative housing units, continue their long battle to save their riverbank property and protect their building from structural damage as the bank continues to give way. They are on City of Winnipeg-owned land, and although engineering studies have been done, we're now at a point where action is needed. The City is being asked to provide further funding to the city councillor's offer of $200,000 to limit the damage.

There are 70 affordable- housing units at risk here, and although the project w ill cost about $800,000 in total, $200,000 of that is being brought forward to the East Kildonan- Transcona Community Committee for its approval by Councillor Jason Schreyer. This project will need more partners, and residents are hopeful the Province can commit infrastructure funds do its part to help save these affordable-housing units, but the –but time is of the essence. Further serious damage can drive up the costs. T he current Minister of Infrastructure (Mr.

Schuler) has himself pointed out to resi dents that one big rainstorm would result in the whole bank

April 9, 2019 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1111 falling into the river. Let's do our part to prevent that from happening. Ron Helwer Hon. Cliff Cullen (Minister of Justice and Attorney General): I rise today to recognize an outstanding busine ss leader who has dedicated his life to improving Manitoba's agricultural sector. * (13:40) Ron Helwer was born and raised in Libau, Manitoba, and began his business career in 1952. He operated several tractor and bulk fuel dealerships until 1968, when he started Shur -Gro Farm Services in Brandon.

Shur-Gro is an independent agricultural retailer that provides fertilizer, seed and other agricultural products to farmers at 13 retail oper ations. As president of Shur -Gro, Ron has been an innovator and a staunch supporter of new agricultural technologies, and has helped improve productivity and profitability for farmers across our province. Last year marked the 50th anniversary of Shur -Gro Farm Services, and there is no indication that Ron is going to retire any time soon. Ron's family includes his wife Vera, his son, the member for Brandon West (Mr. Helwer), and daughters Sherry and Gail.

Madam Speaker, Ron is a lifetime member of the Brandon Chamber of Commerce, and I would like to congratulate him on his recent award as lifetime builder of the year in recognition of his extensive community and business activities. Ron has served on various community, provincial and national organizat ions too numerous to mention. Ron was inducted into Manitoba's Agricultural Hall of Fame in 2014 and was recently recognized with an honorary diploma from the Assiniboine Community College. He also currently serves as chairman of fundraising for the Kidney Foundation of Manitoba.

In closing, Madam Speaker, Ron Helwer is an outstanding Manitoban who has done much to strengthen our economy and improve the lives of farm families in our province, and he has employed hundreds of people, including many summer students such as myself. I ask all members of this House to wish Ron and the Helwer family all the best as they celebrate the 50th anniversary of Shur-Gro Farm Services. Joshua and Matthew Verhoog Mr. Dennis Smook (La Verendrye): Madam Speaker, we all kn ow the importance of agriculture to Manitoba. One in 10 jobs in Manitoba is directly related to or a spin off –agriculture.

It contributes billions of dollars to Manitoba's economy. In order to continue the legacy of farming in Manitoba, we need to encoura ge and recognize young farmers. One such way is with the Manitoba Outstanding Young Farmers award. This year I was honoured to have two of my constituents make it to the finals: Joshua and Matthew Verhoog from St. Labre, Manitoba. They operate Moonshadow Holsteins, a thousand- cow dairy farm that combines cutting -edge technology with old fashioned values and environmental stewardship. The farm was started by their parents, who quickly grew it to a three -hundred-cow operation.

In 2008, their parents left the farm to begin a mission project in the Ukraine to teach orphans life and farming skills. Since then, Matthew and Josh have grown the farm to a thousand-cow operation. Milk is the principal income but manure is reinvested into the land by drag- hose to li mit runoff and atmospheric loss of nitrogen. This, paired with vertical tillage turn, allows them to improve soil organic matter and grow more feed for cows at a lower cost. They grow 85 per cent of everything their cows consume.

These cows are happy and comfortable in a tunnel-ventilated insulated barn and deep sand- bedded free stalls. Having toured the farm on several occasions, I know they are caring and responsible farmers. They also know how important their workers are to them and invest in each team member at the farm. When they built their last shop, they also included a full -size gymnasium you would find in any new school, including a score board, for the community to use. This gym also serves as a hall for the community Christmas supper they co -sponsor. They are a part of the St. Labre 200.

They are a great asset to their community. Even though they placed second at the awards– Madam Speaker: The member's time has expired. Some Honourable Members: Leave. Madam Speaker: Is there leave to allow t he member to conclude his statement? [Agreed]

1112 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 9, 2019 Mr. Smook: To the community of St. Labre they are more than that. I would like to congratulate them for all they do for farming and the community of St. Labre. Thank you. Public Safety Meeting in St. Boniface Mr. Dougald Lamont (Leader of the Second Opposition): Madam Speaker, residents of St. Boniface are feeling a lot of fear as crime in our community grows. It has increased by 30 per cent as new crime statistics show.

Residents are rightly p roud because there are many strong community groups who work hard to advocate for their neighbourhoods, but they're frustrated because of what they see as a lack of provincial action. It simply isn't happening because, while our streets become more dangero us, the government is cutting funding to municipalities and therefore cutting funding to police services and community programming. When this government makes cuts to health care, they are making it harder to break the cycle of addiction and to get addic ts off the street and into recovery. St.

Boniface is an extraordinary community, but I have been hearing, since my campaign there last summer, of concerns with meth, community safety and crime. We need a practical, effective strategy to deal with mental health, addictions and crime, and we haven't been seeing it from this government. We know there are people camping in parks. We know that people are leaving needles in public places and we know that crime was up significantly. I do want to recognize the good work being done by community members. Marion Willis of Morberg House and St.

Boniface Street Links have been important advocates, and the Norwood biz has been phenomenal in understanding the problem and proposing progressive solutions to make our community safer. There is a public safety meeting tonight at the Norwood Community Centre, 87 Walmer St., from 7 to 9 p.m. I hope members of the community will join us to voice their concerns and that the Province will step up to do its part. St. Norbert Collegiate Celtics Mr. Jon Reyes (St. Norbert): I'm honoured today to recognize the St. Norbert Collegiate's junior varsity girls basketball team.

Just a few weeks ago, this team accomplished something amazing in any sport: they had a perfect season. They won 25 regular season and tournament games in their league this year. Since they were assembled as a group last fall, each of these young women has developed her own individual skills through a lot of practice and commitment, and they all combined their own on- and off-court strengths to become a solid team. On March 9th of this year, they won the 2018-2019 Manitoba High School Athletic Association's junior varsity girls provincial basketball championship.

These grade 9 and 10 students successfully a dded just the fifth provincial basketball title to St. Norbert Collegiate's trophy case since the first one, which was earned nearly 50 years ago. They also made history with this being St. Norbert's first junior varsity girls title, and not only did they have perfect season and win the championship, but they also won four other junior varsity girls tournaments along the way: the Elmwood Giants tournament; the Collѐge Lorette Collegiate Tournament; the Linden Christian School tournament; and their own Ce ltic Classic Tournament. As the MLA for St.

Norbert, I know the students, teachers and staff at St. Norbert Collegiate and all their families are very proud of the entire team, which was led by co -captains Hannah Olagbodi, Fatima Ibrahim and Mercy Lasu. Together with their teammates Ava, Brianne, Sophia, Tanesha, Rachael, Charlize, Sam, Posi and Katrina, and with the guidance of Coaches Barelli, Morris and Hocking, they have all been great inspirations amongst themselves and throughout their school community. Be proud, Celtic nation.

I ask that my colleagues in the House today join me in congratulating this team of outstanding young women and their coaches on their history -making season. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for St. Norbert. Mr. Reyes: I ask to have the names of the team members, coaches and school principal present in the gallery today added to Hansard. Madam Speaker: Is there leave to include those names in Hansard? [Agreed]

April 9, 2019 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1113 St. Norbert Collegiate Celtics: Fatima Ibrahim, Hannah Olagbodi, Mercy Lasu, co- captains; Ava Bernier, Sophia Johnston, Racheal Oni, Brianne Ouskun-Chornoby, Tanesha Ouskun, Samantha Shemeluk, Posi Sogeke, Charlize Stansel, Katrina Stefaniuk; Raffaele Borelli, Lisa Hocking, Quinn Morris, coaches. St. Norbert Collegiate principal Chris Zun. Introduction of Guests Madam Speaker: Prior to oral questions, we have some guests in the gallery that I would like to introduce to you.

Seated in the public gallery from Selkirk Junior High we have 60 grade 9 students under the direction of Joan Cooney, and this group is located in the constituency of the honourable member for Selkirk (Mr. Lagimodiere). We also have in the public gallery the former MLA for Gimli, Mr. Ed Helwer. And we welcome all of you to the Manitoba Legislature. ORAL QUESTIONS Manitoba Hydro Rate Increase Mr. Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): Madam Speaker, life is getting more expensive in Manitoba and the Premier is a big part of the reason why.

We know that the board that he appointed to Hydro initially –before, of course, they stormed out on him–were championing an 8 per cent increase to hydro rates in Manitoba and, of course, the Premier himself was cheerleading that 8 per cent rate increase. Now, more recently, in November , Hydro asked for another 3 and a half per cent rate increase, Madam Speaker .

They predicted that if they were awarded that 3 and a half per cent rate increase that they would generate a net income of $31 million. * (13:50) However, Madam Speaker, accord ing to these documents, which I will table for the Premier to review today –and ask that he not throw them on the floor–that 3 and a half per cent rate increase would now generate over $115 million. So it seems, perhaps, there's not the need for quite such an aggressive rate increase

schedule by Manitoba Hydro. I would ask the Premier whether he agrees that Manitoba Hydro doesn't need to raise rates as quickly on Manitoba bill payers. Hon. Brian Pallister (Premier): First of all, I wouldn't want t he member misunderstanding, Madam Speaker. I just like my space clear here so I can focus on the sometimes coherent questioning of members opposite, and I've done this for 20 years and I'm not going to stop.

It means no disrespect to the work done to prepare the documents, but I would want that to be clear: I very often will peruse documents after, but that's where I store them in the question period. On the question–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Pallister: –and I'll continue to. On the question the member raises, Madam Speaker: where was the concern for Manitobans paying hydro rates when the NDP were making ridiculous investments without asking Manitobans for permission? Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a supplementary question. Mr.

Kinew: See, this is the problem when the Premier doesn’t care enough about a topic to read the document and he just throws them on the floor: on the one hand it shows that he doesn't care, but he actually does himself a disservice, because what the documents are talking about are Manitoba Hydro's current financial situation right now, as of this moment, and what those documents–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr.

Kinew: –show as–is that if Manitoba Hydro is allowed to raise the cost of people's bills right across the province by 3 and a half per cent this year, then they'll–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Kinew: –make a profit of more than $115 million. Just a few short months ago Hydro said they only needed to clear $30 million. Now that they're going to make $115 million, doesn't the Premier agree that Manitobans should get a break on their hydro bills and that Hydro should propose a lower rate increase? [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order, please. Order, please.

There is increasing heckling already and we're barely into oral questions.

1114 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 9, 2019 I would call the honourable member for Thompson (Mr. Bindle) to order, please. Mr. Pallister: Thanks, Madam Speaker. I welcome any question from that member on caring. The fact is that the NDP government that we inherited this mess from could care less about Manitobans when it came to hydro. They invested billions of dollars in boondoggle projects that had nothing to do with helping Manitobans pa y lower rates and everything to do with causing Manitobans to pay higher rates. Madam Speaker, they created a massive mess. We're committed to cleaning it up.

Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a final supplementary. Mr. Kinew: Premier can get as mad as he wants, but the documents that he threw on the floor show that if Hydro increases rates by 3 and a half per cent this year, they will generate a net surplus of $115 million. That's $115 million just a few months after Hydro said they only need $31 million in order to be sustainable this year. Now, I know that the member–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Kinew: –for Brandon West (Mr. Helwer) is raising his voice here in the Chamber, but will he raise his voice in caucus?

But we know he speaks up in here because he doesn’t have the courage to stand up against the Premier in the caucus room, Madam Speaker. Indeed, somebody on the government side ought to stand up for Manitobans and demand that the Premier tell the House today: Does he agree that Manitoba Hydro should simply ask for less money from the people of –Manitobans so the average family can get some help getting by. Mr. Pallister: Appreciate any question from the member on anger management, Madam Speaker, and as far as referencing members on our side of the House for their courage, I appreciate his use of the word.

It's applicable to all the members on this side of the House who have the courage to clean up the massive mess he and his party created. The fact of the matter is that this member has had the opportunity on several occasions to stand up and defend Manitobans' ability to afford to make progress in their lives, and he's failed at every occasion. He wants a higher PST on every householder in t he province. He wants a carbon tax to be applied to people who drive to work, commute to work, drive their kids to school, drive their kids to sports events and everyone else, Madam Speaker.

This member has one solution for every challenge: it's higher taxes, Madam Speaker. We don't agree. We'll clean up the mess they've created, Madam Speaker. It's a massive mess; we're up to the challenge and we have the courage too. Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a new question. City of Winnipeg Road Repair Request Mr.

Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): Okay, so several times I asked for the Premier to not increase hydro bills on the people of Manitoba, and he can take his answers in this direction or that direction , but, of course, it stands out very clearly–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Kinew: –that not once did he commit that the people of Manitoba –hydro–should not have to pay unaffordable hydro bills, Madam Speaker, and so that is a very clear answer and we'll just leave that on the record.

We know that the Premier's approach to picking fights with other levels of government has also resulted in many, many potholes across the city of Winnipeg and now that the snow is melting–although we got a little bit more today –that we know that the pothole situation is getting worse. Will the Premier stand up today, commit to renewing his relationship with the City of Winnipeg and investing in fixing roads in our fair city? Hon.

Brian Pallister (Premier): Again, the member refuses to apologize on behalf of the NDP for creating the massive Hydro mess, and the member failed to stand up against Ottawa when they tried to make things worse for Manitobans by raising taxes on small business, and the member failed to speak up when Ottawa tried to rush the legalization of cannabis, when Ottawa tried to threaten us here in this province, by removing funding for Low Carbon Economy Fund. Frankly, Madam Speaker, until recent days the member's had a big bromance going with Justin Trudeau. Now he's trying to create a separation on that relationship.

But we have a good relationship with the Prime Minister. We tell him the truth when

April 9, 2019 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1115 we disagree with him. We don't just acquiesce to everything he says, like the member opposite. Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a supplementary question. Mr. Kinew: Oh, quite an impressive list of topics that the Premier is able to rattle off, though, of course, he can't mention the one issue that I asked him about, which is fixing the streets in the city of Winnipeg, Madam Speaker.

We all know that every member in here, whether they live in the city or whether they commute into the city, are being confronted with more and more potholes this year as the snow recedes. You can drive down any street in the city of Winnipeg, whether it's Ness or St. James or Stafford or Pembina, and you will see that there are more and more potholes this year. We know the reason why, of course: because this Premier and his govern ment are cutting funding to fix roads, both–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Kinew: –inside the city and on highways across the province.

So it's a simple question: Will the Premier put aside his fights with the mayor, with the Prime Minister, and get down to business to fix roads for people in the city of Winnipeg and highways for all Manitobans? Mr. Pallister: Course, our government has exceeded the NDP commitment to fixing roads that they made in 15 of 17 years they were in government. But I take it as a personal compliment and as a compliment to our government's hard work and to this caucus's hard work, the member has to come up with city issues to attack us on. Perhaps he's looking to apply for the mayor's job and the mayor for his.

I'm not sure. Madam Speaker, one thing I know for certain is that the City of Winnipeg has one of the most generous funding arrangements in Canada. They have the largest percentage of unencumbered, no-restricted, no -strings-attached opportunities to– [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Pallister: –spend money, Madam Speaker. They can spend money on potholes if they like. They can spend money on funding Hooters sojourns, if they wish. Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a final supplementary. Mr.

Kinew: Madam Speaker, there is one aspect of what the Premier is saying that makes sense, and that is that there's a lot more people in the city of Winnipeg who say that this side of the House is standing up for the issues that they care about.

Now, we know that there's very concrete examples of the Premier's cuts: when he cuts the budget for roads, when he cuts the budget for highways, when he cuts the transfers to the City of Winnipeg, that created a $40- million pothole in the City of Winnipeg's budget and the impact is that the road repairs in our fair city are going to be falling further and further behind. * (14:00) It's pothole season and the Premier is failing to do the job. He's not getting the job done.

So I would ask him simply: Will the Premier commit to a reset in the relationship with the mayor of the city of Winnipeg, and will he commit to repairing more of Winnipeg's streets as well as highways across the province? Mr. Pallister: Obvious to me the member wants to take over from the mayor, Madam Speaker. I will let the mayor take on his responsibilities, and I encourage him to do so. The member spoke about doing the will of the people of Winnipeg, Madam Speaker. I see a poll just out today says that the majority of NDP supporters in the city of Winnipeg support a lower PST.

I also note, Madam Speaker, that we are united on this side of the House in another cause that is supported by a majority of Winnipeggers, which is a lower carbon tax as well. So I would note that the member opposite seems to want to stand in a minority position, wants to gouge the people of Winnipeg with a higher PST, wants to gouge the people of Winnipeg with a higher carbon tax and wants to pretend that he's got unanimity with Ottawa on that one and that he agrees with the mayor on everything. Madam Speaker, we'll stand up for Manitobans' best interests on this side of the House.

The member can decide, maybe later, to correct his position of not doing so on every major issue. Ad Campaign–Nurses Apology Request Mrs. Bernadette Smith (Point Douglas): I've got up in this House a few times now and asked the

1116 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 9, 2019 minister to apologize for the social media advertising campaign for so–for Manitoba nurses, one that was – [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mrs. Smith: –demeaning and insulting to Manitoba women and Manitoba nurses. The minister continues to dodge the question by referencing the removal of the ad campaign, and a hundred-character tweet to–is not an apology. So I'll give the minister again another oppor - tunity to stand up and apologize to Manitoba nurses and women in this province. Hon.

Cameron Friesen (Minister of Health, Seniors and Active Living): Madam Speaker, the member needs to take her virtual reality goggles off and look in the real world. As soon as we saw those ads, took one look, knew it reflected in no way, shape or form the views of this government, apologized to every nurse without qualification if they took any offence to the ads. The m ember needs to move on. I assure her Manitobans have. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Point Douglas, on a supplementary question. Concordia and Seven Oaks Hospitals Request to Retain ER Services Mrs.

Bernadette Smith (Point Douglas): I'm actually asking on behalf of nurses who call us and ask us to get this minister to actually apologize in the House because they deserve it. This morning in this House we had an hour of hearing how little priority this government has around health care. The member, actually, from Radisson, did not even stand up for his constituents of northeast Winnipeg who will face the consequences of Concordia's ER. When asked if he supported the closure of Seven Oaks and Concordia's ER, he simply dodged the question.

Will the minister today commit to keeping Seven Oaks and Concordia ERs open? Hon. Cameron Friesen (Minister of Health, Seniors and Active Living): This government remains focused on health care. We know it's important to Manitobans. It's important to this government. It's why we did things like add additional in-patient beds at Health Sciences Centre. It's why we hired new nurses at Health Sciences Centre and St. Boniface Hospital recently. It's why we just reinvested $5.3 million to buy additional hip, knee and cataract surgeries for Manitobans who are on the wait -list.

It's why we have the highest number of doctors retained, second highest number in 10 years in this province. This government is focused on getting better health care sooner. They say go back to the olden days of being last. We say no way. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Point Douglas, on a final supplementary. Mrs. Smith: All this government's actions are doing is creating a valley of despair and straight chaos in our front-line medical health-care system. Front-line workers are already facing extreme demands of mandatory overtime and overcrowded ERs.

We have already seen existing emergency rooms, including Seven Oaks', being forced to pull out overcapacity beds. Face it, patients are facing the highest ER wait times here in over two years. Will the Premier (Mr. Pallister) take his hand out of the –his head out of the Cost a Rican sand and actually take a look and commit to keeping Concordia and Seven Oaks ERs open? Mr. Friesen: Madam Speaker, it's exactly that kind of

preamble that has Manitobans understanding that that party is more and more irrelevant. Madam Speaker, l et's be clear. That member says that we need better results. The plan that this government is bringing for health- care transformation is one that is based on evidence and will get better results. And what do they do? They stall the bill that is the back bone of this transformation, the transformation–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order, please. Order. I'm going to ask the member for Point Douglas and the member for Morris (Mr. Martin) to please come to order.

There has been some heckling that has been going on today already, and I would ask both of them to please come to order. The honourable minister, to please conclude his statement. Mr. Friesen: That member and her party used procedural methods to block exactly the bill that is designed to get better results for Manitobans. The evidence says it. Manitobans have said it. We will get that better result. We will get better health care sooner. Why don't they get on board?

April 9, 2019 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1117 Safe Consumption Site Request for Government Support Ms. Nahanni Fontaine (St. Johns): Nothing perfectly illustrates how little this Premier cares about the meth crisis and the families who are currently facing it than a tossed report that experts and concerned Manitobans took the time and effort to produce, Madam Speaker. The Premier can't deny the findings of this study conducted by his own government departments and local organizations just because it doesn't feed into his archaic views.

I'm hoping the Premier got a chance to pick up the report he tossed and actually read it. Will the Premier apologize for dismissing his own experts' report and finally listen to them, and will he support the creation of a safe consumption site today? Hon. Cameron Friesen (Minister of Health, Seniors and Active Living): I would believe that the member's

preamble demonstrated clearly that she's never read this paper. This paper reflects that there were 35 users of drugs who were canvassed in three separate meetings–three meetings –in which there was a café-approach to take qualitative measurements and ask them what they'd like to see. Some said recliners; some said couches; some said snacks. But one thing is clear: the report made clear this is no definitive report that would provide any basis to move forward. Why doesn't the member read the report? Madam Speaker: The honourable member for St. Johns, on a supplementary question. Ms.

Fontaine: Madam Speaker, I –it is mind - blowing how disrespectful a nd condescending the Minister of Health is to people who are actually living with the meth crisis and attempting to navigate it, including folks from Sunshine House who, I would suggest, he actually get down there and visit and talk with people in a real humble and genuine way, which, clearly, he does not know.

Experts, Madam Speaker, at the forefront of this crisis, including the Department of Health, the WRHA, Addictions Foundation of Manitoba and local non- profits identified that a safe consumption site could help reduce the likelihood of overdose deaths and the spread of blood-borne illnesses. Will the Premier apologize for dismissing– Madam Speaker: The member's time has expired. Mr. Friesen: Madam Speaker, if the member had read the report she w ould know that it was a small group discussion survey.

It was conversations drawing on imagined versus real experiences because they said there was no real experience to draw on in Winnipeg. So it was highly speculative. Also, I notice that the publisher s themselves said: overrepresentation of some organizations and no participation from others. This is no authoritative document from which forward trends and important policy can be implemented. * (14:10) Maybe the member should read the report before she reflects on the report. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for St. Johns, on a final supplementary. Ms.

Fontaine: Actually, Madam Speaker, I've actually lived through it with my mom, my own mother dying of a heroin overdose at the age of 42 on the st reets of Downtown Eastside when there were no safe consumption sites.

And not a day goes by that I don't look at my sons and think what it would have been like to have a grandmother for them had InSight been in place at that time, which is not far from w hat Manitobans are going through at this very second, trying to navigate their family members who are struggling with meth and who are dying and who–I remind this House again, we are talking about children in many cases. And while they refuse to–ignore a nd continue to ignore report after report after report because of the Premier's archaic views, people are– Madam Speaker: The member's time has expired. Hon.

Brian Pallister (Premier): I'm sorry for the member's poignant experience, Madam Speaker, sincerely. She misrepresents my views. If anything is archaic it's ignoring the actual report she's citing from. The report doesn't recommend injection sites for meth at all. In fact, it shar es the experiences of those who may be using opioids or meth. It says on page 25, for example, we need nicer furniture; on page 25: meet with friends, be high, engage in things that people like to do when they're high; on page 26 it recommends that there b e a house doctor so that people can get safe drugs into their system.

This is what the report says. It's not a report. It's a selection

1118 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 9, 2019 of requests from people who want to get high using meth. Madam Speaker–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. I'd call the honourable– Mr. Pallister: –Madam Speaker, if the member would like to consult with a half dozen other reports, she might find consistency in this: safe injection sites for fentanyl, perhaps; perhaps for the heroin she references; no one's recomm ending safe injection sites be set up for meth. Now, we're doing everything we can to make this place safer, this community safer, and to work hard on this issue.

Madam Speaker: The member's time has expired. Meth and IV Drug Use Harm Reduction Policy Mr. Dougald Lamont (Leader of the Second Opposition): I was in Brandon recently and visited the Seventh Street health access clinic. It's an amazing facility that provides community resources, everything from kitchen and laundry facilities to tax preparation, job search and public health, and one of the things they do very well is harm reduction. Now, let's be clear: harm reduction is not about saying it's okay for somebody to use dangerous drugs.

It's –because we all know that it's dangerous for people to be putting poison in their bodies, but that does not mean we should deny their humanity or do nothing to lessen their suffering. Harm reduction is about disease and death reduction. And I spoke with a nurse at the clinic who told me she packed a metre of gauze into an infection in a user's arm because they'd used tap water to clean a needle. A nursing student told me a single harm reduction kit from the clinic costs about $1.25 and it can prevent a case of endocarditis, which is an infection of the hea rt which can cost $8 million to treat.

The fact that harm reduction saves lives should be enough. It can also present –prevent massive health-care costs. Will the Premier and the Health Minister make Manitoba harm reduction a priority? Hon. Brian Pallister (Premier): We have and we continue to, Madam Speaker, and the very site the member toured is one where a RAAM clinic is installed, so congratulations to our minister and our government for actually acting to make sure that the appropriate facilities are there besides having munchies available. The fact remains that we have doubled the number of women's treatment beds.

We have made investments in RAAM clinics, significant invest - ments. We're the first jurisdiction in Canada to sanction the use of ol anzapine by paras to treat agitated patients. We're making major efforts and taking major steps. So the member from St. Johns trying to make this into a partisan issue is just, frankly, despicable, Madam Speaker, and doesn't work to help achieve the resu lts that we all want to achieve in this province. And we should be working together on this, not trying to score political points as the member opposite is committed to doing.

Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Second Opposition, on a supplementary question. Public Awareness Campaign Mr. Lamont: There's also been a huge spike in cases of STIs and blood- borne diseases associated with meth use. I toured the J.C. Wilt laboratory last week where their Manitoba doctors and researchers are doing incredible work that's having impacts all around the world, especially in HIV which also has impacts in Canada.

They're concerned because we're seeing an increase in STIs, and as they put it, thos e STIs can power HIV transmission, and there's also concern that people are contracting HIV because they are using meth. The measures this government has put in place don't scratch the surface of what is actually required. This government somehow found money to advertise the PST and for a Jets Whiteout party. Will this government commit to immediately launching a public awareness campaign on the dangers of meth and IV drug use? Mr.

Pallister: That's in the curriculum right now in the high schools, but it's worth considering action, beefing it up, I suppose, Madam Speaker. But the member, again, misses the point. The point is we're making millions of dollars of additional investment on this issue. We continue to. We're open–the ideas others present. We prefer they be presented in the spirit of co- operation and in a constructive manner, Madam Speaker. That doesn't

April 9, 2019 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1119 appear to be happening with some of the members here. But I do appreciate the member's comments and suggestions, and we continue to act re sponsively and responsibly in respect of giving people the chance not just to get drugs, Madam Speaker, as some would advocate, but to get off drugs. Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Second Opposition, on a final supplementary. Stabilization Units Mr. Lamont: Madam Speaker, our constituents are telling us they're frightened by drug- fuelled violence in our communities.

We're losing lives, we're losing souls to drugs in our communities across Manitoba. Some of the violence is being driven by gangs. Some of the property crime is being driven by people with addictions. But the waiting lists for treatment are – take months and, for many, treatment is catch and release.

Will this government use some of the $40 million a year they're going to be gettin g from the federal government especially for mental health care and home care to create stabilization units in Winnipeg and Brandon to get people with addictions off the street and safe so they can get treatment and not be a danger to themselves and others? Mr. Pallister: Well, Madam Speaker, we've taken a number of progressive steps. We're working with a tripartite study group right now and look for even more ideas. We're–we believe very strongly that a warm hand and a warm cup of coffee is better than a cold needle.

And we do believe that a road to recovery is what people deserve and what they want, not a treadmill to tragedy. So I would say we'll continue to work very diligently on these issues, and I would encourage the member, if he has progressive and constructive ideas, to bring them forward. Education System Funding Concerns Mr. Matt Wiebe (Concordia): Small class sizes matter; that's what parents think, that's what the experts say and that's what teachers told this Pallister government at the summit that they had on literacy and numeracy last year.

Yet the Minister of Education is so eager to wield the scissors that he's not even waiting for his own K -to-12 review of the education system. He's already cutting funding for dozens of school divisions by millions of dollars every year. For many school divisions it means less teachers, less educational assistants and less support staff and it means larger class sizes. Why is this minister so focused on cutting support in the classroom for Manitoba children? Hon.

Kelvin Goertzen (Minister of Education and Training): Madam Speaker, the member is patently wrong when he speaks about the funding for the class size initiative. That class size initiative funding remains in place, but we've given the option to the school divisions to use it either to lower class sizes or in a way that they feel would be better to get results for their students. We're trying to give autonomy to the school divisions. I don't know why he hates school divisions so much, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Concordia, on a supplementary question. Mr.

Wiebe: Madam Speaker, the minister knows that funding for K -to-12 schools isn't keeping up with inflation, let alone with the enrolment growth that we've seen in this province. Dozens of school divisions have seen their funding cut year after year. It means hard choices for many. It means less teachers and less classroom supports. Before the election, the Pallister government said it supported small class sizes, but apparently not now. And this is just the beginning. Like all the reviews, the Pallister government intends to use the education review for further cuts.

Why is the minister focused on less support in the classroom for Manitoba children? Mr. Goertzen: The member's patently wrong again, Madam Speaker. Of course, there is more funding in the K-to-12 system than there ever has been. There's $26 million more than there eve r was under the NDP, every year. So there is clearly more resources in the system. When it comes to the class size initiative funding, that funding remains in place. We've just given the authority to the local school divisions to decide how they want to use it.

Do they want to use it to lower class sizes, or do they want to use it in some other way that they feel is

1120 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 9, 2019 more appropriate? It's about giving them that choice, Madam Speaker. * (14:20) Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Concordia, on a final supplementary. Mr. Wiebe: Madam Speaker, teachers, parents are all asking this government to just make the investment that it takes to make sure that our class sizes are not getting bigger, as they are now under this government. There are thousands of additional students that are coming into the Manitoba school system and yet this minister continues to cut funding.

Inflation continues to rise and yet this minister continues to cut funding. Why is this minister so solely focused on cuts to the education system rather than supporting students and parents in the education system in Manitoba? Mr. Goertzen: Of course , the member is wrong. There is more funding in the K -to-12 system than there's every been before. There is more money per capita because we're building seven new schools. So there is certainly investment into the system. But it's not just about that, Madam Speaker. When my son comes home from school, I don't ask him how much the government spent on him today.

I ask him what he learnt in school. And that is what we're focused on: what our young people are learning in school, not how much money is being spent on them; because, ultimately, it's about results and that is what the K -to-12 review is about: getting results. Economic Growth Action Plan New Economic Development Office Mr. Kelly Bindle (Thompson): Madam Speaker, our government was elected in 2016 with a mandate to rebuild our economy. This includes a commitment to making Manitoba a more attractive place for businesses to invest in and grow. Last week the Premier (Mr.

Pallister) and the Minister of Growth, Enterprise and Trade announced the next step in our focused approach to supporting economic development here in Manitoba. Can the minister please share the details of this important announcement with the House? Hon. Blaine Pedersen (Minister of Growth, Enterprise and Trade): I thank the member for the question. Our government is listening to advice that we received from representatives of business, industry, economic development organizations, indigenous groups and academia as we work to build a stronger Manitoba.

Last week we announced that we are estab - lishing a new Economic Development Office that will deliver on our mandate to grow the economy right across the province, and we're very happy to announce that Philip Houde will be the new chief executive officer whose experience in private industry will prove to be invaluable. Manitobans entrusted our government to help rebuild the province's economy and that's exactly what we are doing. Roseau River First Nation Flood Protection Inquiry Ms. Judy Klassen (Kewatinook): Water is a huge issue in all our communities.

Every time there's a major flood south of Winnipeg, Roseau River is flooded. That community always seems to be caught in a state of recovery. However, they do have a great vision for their First Nation and are proactively planning for its realization. It's our job here to help them realize their vision. Can the minister tell us what he is doing to protect Roseau River First Nation, or will he, again, deflect me to the federal government? Hon. Ron Schuler (Minister of Infrastructure): Well, Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the member for that timely question.

Yesterday, myself and the Department of Manitoba Infrastructure visited the Roseau River First Nation. We had very good conversations with them. They are very pleased with the help that they're getting from INAC, who they report to. There are some issues t hat have to be dealt with and we will support them in their approach to asking for the appropriate money from the federal government. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Kewatinook, on a supplementary question. Little Grand Rapids Sewer-Water Supply Department Funding Commitment Inquiry Ms.

Judy Klassen (Kewatinook): Going door to door in Little Grand Rapids this past winter road season was awesome. It was nice to see the water treatment plant up and running, and it was especially

April 9, 2019 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1121 nice to hear that people will no longer be scared to drink their water. It was also nice to see the work beginning for trenching to replace the old sewer pipes. I had asked the minister to address this issue. Residents had to live for over a decade knowi ng sewer water was leaking into their lake. Can the minister tell us how much dollars did her department give to Little Grand Rapids to finally fix this issue? Hon. Eileen Clarke (Minister of Indigenous and Northern Relations): I thank the member oppos ite for the question.

And I'd like to point out that our government is taking great strides in working not only with the First Nations in northern and all across Manitoba, but also northern affairs communities, and just recently a decision was made to work with water services board of Manitoba to ensure that our First Nations get clean drinking water, they get waste -water disposal and there's also great projects with solid waste. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Kewatinook, on a final supplementary. Lake Winnipeg Fishery Request for Deadline Extension Ms.

Judy Klassen (Kewatinook): We all know Lake Winnipeg is suffering, and oddly enough this government is pushing through with their own unknown real agenda regarding quotas and fishnet mesh sizes. We'd all like to know what their true intent is. But for now, a 30-day window for fishers to get together and talk is very upsetting. It is simply not enough time for such a big decision–discussions and decisions. Will the minister extend this 30 -day window for the fishers of our province? Hon.

Rochelle Squires (Minister of Sustainable Development): It is a real honour to work with the fishers in Manitoba with my colleagues from Gimli and Interlake on this very important issue. And I would also like to remind the member for Kewatinook what her own colleague had said just a few short mo nths ago. I'll read Hansard and then table it: It would be reasonable, as to–as some have suggested, to limit the size of smaller nets now to protect the younger walleye and sauger. I'm wondering if the member opposite no longer agrees with the member for River Heights (Mr. Gerrard).

Insurance Brokers of Manitoba Meeting Regarding Online Services Mr. Tom Lindsey (Flin Flon): The purpose of the lobbying registration act is clear. The law states clearly that it is desirable that the public be able to know who is attempting to influence government. On important questions regarding the future of Manitoba Public Insurance and the services they offer, Manitobans deserve to know who's attempting to influence government. Has the Minister of Crown Service s met with representatives of the insurance brokers of Manitoba regarding online services and, if so, how many times? Hon.

Colleen Mayer (Minister of Crown Services): I–in regards to this question, I can tell the House that many individuals come and talk to me on a time basis about their concerns across the province, whether that is their Autopac insurance, whether that's their Liquor & Lotteries concerns, whether that's their MCCC –NCCC concerns as well, Madam Speaker. My door is open. Us on this side of the House are open to listen, like we always have, to Manitobans. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Flin Flon, on a supplementary question. Mr.

Lindsey: Media reports have indicated that the Insurance Brokers Association of Manitoba have the ear of senior levels of government, including the Premier. The purpose of the lobbying– Lobbyists Registration Act is to ensure that the public, the people of Manitoba are aware who is attempting to influence the government. Manitobans deserve to know who is the Premier listening to. Has the Premier met with representatives of the insurance brokers of Manitoba regarding online services and, if so, how many times? Mrs.

Mayer: I can assure the member that we listen to all Manitobans regardless of whether they're small-business owners, the –my neighbour down the street, a business owner that's either in rural or urban Manitoba. We are listening. We have–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Order. Mrs. Mayer: I might suggest, Madam Speaker, that members opposite actually start listening today. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Flin Flon, on a final supplementary.

1122 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 9, 2019 Mr. Lindsey: Listening, eh? We need to move to online and some of the key decisions with our government friends have been on our ability to move more of our transactions online, and our customers are demanding it. That, Madam Speaker, is the president and CEO of MPI, who said that on October 15th, 2018. Does the Minister of Crown Services agree with the president of MPI? * (14:30) Hon. Brian Pallister (Premier): Finally, a question from the member I really enjoy, Madam Speaker.

The fact of the matter is the member is now attacking this government for list ening; guilty as charged, I guess, Madam Speaker. Yes, we're listening. The NDP government that we took over from that created such an incredible mess, failed to listen. They failed to listen to Manitobans who were opposed to billions of dollars of money being wasted with Hydro boondoggles. They failed to listen to Manitobans when they shut down, without any consultation or forewarning, a third–a full third –of Manitoba's municipalities. They failed to listen to Manitobans when they raised the PST.

They failed to listen to Manitobans when they took away the right for Manitobans to vote on it. Madam Speaker, they even failed to listen to each other and staged a rebellion so they could all not listen to each other together. Madam Speaker: The time for oral q uestions has expired. PETITIONS Daylight Saving Time Mr. Cliff Graydon (Emerson): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly.

And the background to this petition is as follows: The loss of sleep associated with the beginning of daylight saving time has serious consequences for physical and mental health and has been linked to increases in traffic accidents and workplace injuries.

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

(3) Daylight saving time is assoc iated with a decrease in productivity in the day after clocks are turned forward with corresponding increase in–with no corresponding increase in productivity when clocks are turned back.

(4) There is no conclusive evidence that daylight saving time is effective in reducing energy consumption. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to amend The Official Time Act to abolish daylight saving time in Manitoba effective November 4, 201 9, resulting in Manitoba remaining on Central Standard Time throughout the year and in perpetuity. And this petition has been signed by Warren Giesbrecht, Jeremy Giesbrecht, Mark Harder and many, many more fine Manitobans.

Madam Speaker: Before we proceed with all these petitions, I would remind all members that when reading out the end part of the petition it is not allowed to add a whole bunch of extra words in there, as the member just did. It's fine to say many Manitobans, but to add in many, many more fine Manitobans, I would ask that that practice please stop because that's been going on for a while now and I've reminded members numerous times. So I would ask for everybody's co-operation, please. The honourable –in accordance with our rule 133(6), when petitions are read they are deemed to be received by the House.

Early Learning and Child-Care Programs Ms. Judy Klassen (Kewatinook): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. The background to the petition is as follows: Early learning–

(1) Early learning and child- care programs in Manitoba require increased funding to stabilize and support a system that is in jeopardy.

(2) Licensed, not -for-profit early learning and child-care programs have received no new operating funding in over three years while the cost of living has continued to increase annually.

(3) High -quality licensed child care has a lasting, positive impact on children's development, is a fundamental need for Manitoba families and contributes to a strong economy.

(4) The financial viability of these programs is in jeopardy if they cannot meet the fiscal responsibility

April 9, 2019 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1123 of achieving a balanced budget, as all operating expenses continue to increase.

(5) The workforce shortage of trained early childhood e ducators has continued to increase; quality child care is dependent on a workforce that is skilled and adequately renumerated.

(6) Accessible, affordable and quality early learning and child- care programs must be available to all children and families in Manitoba. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to increase funding for licensed, not -for-profit child-care programs in recognition of the importance of early learning and child care in Manitoba, which will also improve quality and stability in the workforce. This has been signed by many Manitobans. Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): I wish to present the following petition to the Manitoba Legislature.

The background to this petition is as follows: Early learning and child -care programs in Manitoba require increased funding to stabilize and support a system that is in jeopardy. Licensed, not -for-profit early learning and child-care programs have received no new operating funding in over three years, while the cost of living has continued to increase annually. High-quality licensed child care has a lasting, positive impact on children's development, is a fundamental need for Manitoba families and contributes to a strong economy.

The financial viability of these programs is in jeopardy if they cannot meet the fiscal responsibility of achieving a balanced budget, as all operating expenses continue to increase. The workforce shortage of trained ea rly child - hood educators has continued to increase; quality child care is dependent on a workforce that is skilled and adequately remunerated. Accessible, affordable and quality early learning and child- care programs must be available to all children and families in Manitoba.

We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to increase funding for licensed, not -for-profit child -care programs in recognition of the importance of early learning and child care in Manitoba, which will also improve quality and stability in the workforce. Signed by Dennis Hunt, Bob Cey, Travis Mosset and many others. Ms. Cindy Lamoureux (Burrows): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. The background to the petition is as follows:

(1) Early learning and child- care programs in Manitoba require increased funding to stabilize and support a system that is in jeopardy.

(2) Licensed, not -for-profit early learning and child-care programs have received no new operating funding in over three years, while the cost of living has continued to increase annually.

(3) High -quality licensed child care has a lasting, positive impact on children's development, is a fundamental need for Manitoba fami lies and contributes to a strong economy.

(4) The financial viability of these programs is in jeopardy if they cannot meet the fiscal responsibility of achieving a balanced budget, as all operating expenses continue to increase.

(5) The workforce shorta ge of trained early childhood educators has continued to increase; quality child care is dependent on a workforce that is skilled and adequately renumerated.

(6) Accessible, affordable and quality early learning and child- care programs must be available to all children and families in Manitoba. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to increase funding for licensed, not -for-profit child -care programs in recognition of the importance of early learning and child care in Manitoba, which will also improve quality and stability in the workforce. This petition is signed by many, many Manitobans. Mr. James Allum (Fort Garry-Riverview): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly.

1124 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 9, 2019 The background to this petition is as follows: Early learning and child -care programs in Manitoba require increased funding to stabilize and support a system that is in jeopardy.

(2) Licensed, not -for-profit early learning and child-care programs have received no new operating funding in over three years, while the cost of living has continued to increase annually.

(3) High-quality licensed child care has a lasting, positive impact on children's development, is a fundamental need for Manitoba fam ilies and contributes to a strong economy.

(4) The financial viability of these programs is in jeopardy if they cannot meet the fiscal responsibility of achieving a balanced budget, as all operating expenses continue to increase.

(5) The workforce short age of trained early childhood educators has continued to increase; quality child care is dependent on a workforce that is skilled and adequately remunerated.

(6) Accessible, affordable and quality early learning and child- care programs must be available to all children and families in Manitoba. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to increase funding for licensed, not -for-profit child-care programs in recognition of the importance of early lear ning and child care in Manitoba, which will also improve quality and stability in the workforce. And, Madam Speaker, this petition is signed by Laurie Bleeks, Deborah Jones, Danielle Carriere and many other Manitobans. Mr.

Rob Altemeyer (Wolseley): Yes, Madam Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) Early learning and child- care programs in Manitoba require increased funding to stabilize and support a system that is in jeopardy.

(2) Licensed, not -for-profit early learning and child-care programs have received no new operating funding in over three years, while the cost of living has continued to increase annually.

(3) High -quality licensed child care has a lasting, positive impact on children's development, is a fundamental need for Manitoba families and contributes to a strong economy.

(4) The financial viability of these programs is in jeopardy if they cannot meet the fiscal responsibility of achieving a balanced budget, as all operating expenses continue to increase.

(5) The workforce shortage of trained early childhood educators has continued to increase; quality child care is dependent on a workforce that is skilled and adequately remunerated.

(6) Accessible, affordable and quality early learning and child- care programs must be available to all children and families in Manitoba. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to increase funding for licensed, not -for-profit child-care programs in recognition of the importance of early learning and child care in Manitoba, which will also improve quality and stability in the workforce. Madam Speaker, this petition was signed by Eden Metnik, Arturo Scrotur [phonetic] and Kurt Bhullar and many other fine Manitobans. Mr.

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

(1) Early learnin g and child- care programs in Manitoba require increased funding to stabilize and support a system that is in jeopardy.

(2) Licensed, not -for-profit early learning and child-care programs have received no new operating funding in over three years, while t he cost of living has continued to increase annually.

(3) High-quality licensed child care has a lasting, positive impact on children's development, is a fundamental need for Manitoba families and contributes to a strong economy.

(4) The financial viability of these programs is in jeopardy if they cannot meet the fiscal responsibility of achieving a balanced budget, as all operating expenses continue to increase.

(5) The workforce shortage of trained, early childhood educators has continued to increase . Quality child care is dependent on a workforce that is skilled and adequately remunerated.

April 9, 2019 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1125

(6) Accessible, affordable and quality early learning and child- care programs must be available to all children and families in Manitoba. We petition the Legisla tive Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to increase funding for licensed, not -for-profit child-care programs in recognition of the importance of early learning and child care in Manitoba, which will also improve quality an d stability in the workforce. This petition is signed by Jennifer Dennis, Parker Suth, Charlene McGlinchey and many other Manitobans. Flin Flon General Hospital Obstetric Services Mr.

Tom Lindsey (Flin Flon): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. The background to this petition is as follows:

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

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

(3) The budget of the northern regional health authority has been slashed by over $6 million, which has negatively affected doctor retention programs and the Northern Patient Transportation Program.

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

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

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

(7) The people of Flin Flon are concerned for safety of mothers -to-be, including the extra physical and financial stress that this government is expecting them to take on.

(8) There has been no commitment from this government that mothers and their escorts who have to travel to The Pas will be covered by the Northern Patient Transportation Program.

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

(10) Because this government has refused to invest in much -needed health -care services in The Pas, the hospital in The Pas may not be able to handle the extra workload caused by this decision. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to reinstate obstetric delivery services at Flin Flon General Hospital and work with the government of Saskatchewan and the federal go vernment to ensure services continue to be available. And this petition, Madam Speaker, has been signed by Jessie H. Campbell, Linda Asmus and Sandra Simms, and many other Manitobans.

Early Learning and Child-Care Programs Ms. Flor Marcelino (Logan): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) Early learning and child- care programs in Manitoba require increased funding to stabilize and support a system that is in jeopardy.

(2) Licensed, not -for-profit early learning and child-care programs have received no new operating funding in over three years, while the cost of living has continued to increase annually.

(3) High -quality licensed child care has a lasting, positive impact on children's development, is a fundamental need for Manitoba families and contributes to a strong economy.

(4) The financial viability of these programs are in jeopardy if they cannot meet the fiscal responsibility of achieving a balanc ed budget, as all operating expenses continue to increase.

(5) The workforce shortage of trained early childhood educators has continued to increase; quality child care is dependent on a workforce that is skilled and adequately remunerated.

(6) Accessibl e, affordable and quality early learning and child- care programs must be available to all children and families in Manitoba.

1126 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 9, 2019 We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to increase funding for licensed, not -for-profit child -care programs in recognition of the importance of early learning and child care in Manitoba, which will also improve quality and stability in the workforce. Signed by:

(1) Stacey Woods,

(2) Kathy Chow [phonetic],

(3) Marion DeJong and many, many more Manitobans. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Mr. Ted Marcelino (Tyndall Park): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. And the petition –the background to this petition is as follows:

(1) Early learning and child -care programs in Manitoba require increased funding to stabilize and support a system that is in jeopardy.

(2) Licensed, not -for-profit early learning and child-care programs have received no new operating funding in over three years, while the cost of living has continued to increase annually.

(3) High-quality licensed child care has a lasting, positive impact on children's development, is a fundamental need for Manitoba families and contributes to a strong economy.

(4) The financial viability of these programs is in jeopardy if they cannot meet the fiscal responsibility of achieving a balanced budget, as all operating expenses continue to increase.

(5) The workforce shortage of trained early childhood educators has continued to increase; quality child care is dependent on a workforce that is skilled and adequately remunerated.

(6) Accessible, affordable and quality early learning and child- care programs must be available to all children and families in Manitoba. We petition the Legislative Asse mbly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to increase funding for licensed, not -for-profit child-care programs in recognition of the importance of early learning and child care in Manitoba, which will also improve quality and stabilit y in the workforce. This petition was signed by Gaylene Guilbault, Ian McLeod and Cherry Custodio and many more. Addictions Services– Brandon and Western Manitoba Mrs.

Bernadette Smith (Point Douglas): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. The background to this petition is as follows:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(3) To request that the Minister of Health, Seniors and Active Living consider establishing a

April 9, 2019 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1127 publicly av ailable inventory of all addictions facilities in Manitoba.

(4) To request that the Minister of Health, Seniors and Active Living consider providing supports for the families of people struggling with addictions, including counselling, patient navigation and advocacy, and direct access to free 'naloxalone.' And this is signed by Andrea Allingham, Cindy Maher, Debbie Barklay and many, many other Manitobans. Early Learning and Child-Care Programs Mr. Matt Wiebe (Concordia): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) Early learning and child- care programs in Manitoba require increased funding to stabilize and support a system that is in jeopardy.

(2) Licensed, not -for-profit early learning and child-care programs have received no new operating funding in over three years, while the cost of living has continued to increase annually.

(3) High-quality licensed child care has a lasting, positive impact on children' s development, is a fundamental need for Manitoba families and contributes to a strong economy.

(4) The financial viability of these programs is in jeopardy if they cannot meet the fiscal responsibility of achieving a balanced budget, as all operating expenses continue to increase.

(5) The workforce shortage of trained early childhood educators has continued to increase; quality child care is dependent on a workforce that is skilled and adequately renumerated –renumerated– we'll leave it at that. [interjection] I should start again. No. 6–my apologies, Madam Speaker.

(6) Accessible, affordable and quality early learning and child- care programs must be available to all children and families in Manitoba. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to increase funding for licensed, not -for-profit child-care programs in recognition of the importance of early learning and child care in Manitoba, which will also improve quality and stability in the workforce. And this petition, Madam Speaker is signed by Justin Dyck, Richard Genie [phonetic], Adam Olson and many other Manitobans. Mr.

Dougald Lamont (Leader of the Second Opposition): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. The background to the petition is as follows:

(1) Early learning and child- care programs in Manitoba require increased funding to stabilize and support a system that is in jeopardy.

(2) Licensed, not -for-profit early learning and child-care programs have received no new operating funding in over three years, while the cost of living has continued to increase annually.

(3) High-quality licensed child care has a lasting, positive impact on children's development, is a fundamental need for Manitoba families and contributes to a strong economy.

(4) The financial viability of these programs is in jeopardy if they cannot meet the fiscal responsibility of achieving a balanced budget, as all operating expenses continue to increase.

(5) Th e workforce shortage of trained early childhood educators has continued to increase; quality child care is dependent on a workforce that is skilled and adequately remunerated.

(6) Accessible, affordable and quality early learning and child- care programs m ust be available to all children and families in Manitoba. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to increase funding for licensed, not -for-profit child-care programs in recognition of the importance of early learning and child care in Manitoba, which will also improve quality and stability in the workforce. Signed Nathalia Polischuk, Nicole Welwood, Michelle Clark and many others. Ms. Nahanni Fontaine (St. Johns): I wish to present the followin g petition to the Legislative Assembly. The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) Early learning and child- care programs in Manitoba require increased funding to stabilize and support a system that is in jeopardy.

1128 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 9, 2019

(2) Licensed, not -for-profit early learning child - care programs have received no new operating funding in over three years, while the cost of living has continued to increase annually.

(3) High-quality licensed child care has a lasting, positive impact on children's development, is a fundamental need for Manitoba families and contributes to a strong economy.

(4) The financial viability of these programs is in jeopardy if they cannot meet the fiscal responsibility of achieving a balanced budget, as all operating expenses continue to increase.

(5) The workforce shortage of trained early childhood educators has continued to increase; quality child care is dependent on a workforce that is skilled and adequately remunerated.

(6) Accessible, affordable and quality early learning and c hild-care programs must be available to all children and families in Manitoba. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to increase funding for licensed, not -for-profit child - care programs in recognit ion of the importance of early learning and child care in Manitoba, which will also improve quality and stability in the workforce. Signed by Anthony Foster, Priscilla Jobrun [phonetic] and Nicole Armstrong, with many other Manitobans. Madam Speaker: Grievances?

ORDERS OF THE DAY (Continued) GOVERNMENT BUSINESS House Business Hon. Kelvin Goertzen (Government House Leader): On House business. Madam Speaker: On House business. Mr. Goertzen: Pursuant to rule 33(7), I am announcing that the private member 's resolution to be considered on the next Tuesday of private members' business will be the one put forward by the honourable member for Dauphin (Mr. Michaleski). The title of the resolution is Livestock Education.

Madam Speaker: It has been announced tha t, pursuant to rule 33(7), the private member's resolution to be considered on the next Tuesday of private members' business will be one put forward by the honourable member for Dauphin. The title of the resolution is Livestock Education. * * * Mr. Goertzen: Madam Speaker, will you please call for debate The Budget Implementation and Tax Statutes Amendment Act, Bill 16? Madam Speaker: It has been announced that the House will resume second reading debate of Bill 16 this afternoon.

DEBATE ON SECOND READINGS Bill 16–The Budget Implementation and Tax Statutes Amendment Act, 2019 Madam Speaker: So, Bill 16, The Budget Implementation and Tax Statutes Amendment Act, 2019, standing in the name of honourable member for Elmwood, who has four minutes remaining. Mr.

Jim Maloway (Elmwood): I think, you know, we have seen governments come and go in this province, and there's certain things that governments do and certain things they don't do, and I have to say that this has got to be one of the strangest governments that I have ever experie nced just in a number of ways, but certainly with their proposal to close three of the six ERs in Winnipeg. And people in the constituency don't seem to understand it either. As a matter of fact, it's been an issue, now, in my area for two years –coming up two years now.

And people are wondering why this is happening, and they think it's a very hare -brained idea just to start with. I mean, people just find it unbelievable that government would do this. And now we find the government is running headlong into an early election call which will be roughly one and a half years before their mandate – actually, the real mandate, it's like five years, but they have the fixed election date, and that would give them somewhat less than that. So people are wondering why they're doing this, right? And so, obviously, there's a plan here.

I mean, this government certainly just are not–I hope they're just not making it up as they go along, although I wonder. But there has to be a plan here, and so the suggestion that's being made by people in the know as far as the health care is concerned is that this government is looking at closing down rural hospitals. We're not talking about just ERs in the rural areas, but they're talking about shutting down entire hospitals, wher e you have situations like – without mentioning names, but there's a number of

April 9, 2019 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1129 hospitals that are within 10 miles, 20 miles of one another, and it would be political dynamite for them to do these things without –they'd have to do– you have to do it at the begi nning of a mandate, I guess that would be the argument. Mr.

Doyle Piwniuk, Deputy Speaker, in the Chair So what I'm being told is they have to rush this election through right now while the economy is still okay, because it's getting worse, and they hav e to – they have numbers that are presentable, and so they have to get it done now because with a new mandate they can proceed to close these hospitals and do further draconian health-care cuts, and they will have enough time to recover.

Right now, with only one and a half years to go before–18 months to go before the mandate runs out, they start cutting down–shutting these rural hospitals today, they don't have enough time to recover. So they have to go for a new mandate now, try to save as many of their 40 seats as they have now, and then immediately start cutting down–executing the plan to cut these rural hospitals and have these big cuts to the health -care system so that, after a year or two, people will start to forget. They've got –we'll have a four-year–the four-year cycle to try to recover.

And that's what I think is really behind all this current election speculation that's going on here, because I just don't –they're planning to–Concordia ER's going to close in June–you know, June 6th–now they say the end of June. But they're trying to get the election out of the way before that –actually, before that closure happens, but certainly, to hide the fact that all these– Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable member's time is up. * (15:20) Ms. Judy Klassen (Kewatinook): I just wanted to read a couple of the articles from the MHCA

article that we were all emailed, just in case it ended up on the floors in the PC offices. So this one is by Chris, and it's titled City's Budget Culture of Dependency: Relying on provincial funding priorities takes toll on critical street repairs. And we can all still vividly recall that picture of the Handi -Transit bus there and how it looked when it was first in that pothole. You know, it was quite unfortunate, and we were quite fortunate that there wasn't a serious injury resulting from that. And it is micro-printed, so bear with me.

So, "two weeks ago, a handi -transit bus bottomed out big time just off Point Drive. It was a sad scene." The bus nose -dived in 'wight' have be en a pothole, clearly now a sinkhole. "Sadder still was the irony: the van was owned by Vital Transit. For 30 years, the company's website says, it 'has brought' –and I quote –'safe, reliable and affordable transportation options to the people in Manitoba.'' End quote. "Could there have been a more poignant, maddening metaphor for Winnipeg's street repair woes this year? "Safe. Reliable. "Our transportation choices should all be safe and reliable.

But that also depends on our streets being safe and reliable. "We know how to do the 'affordable' part. Council in 2013 and '14 implemented a tax hike to raise rates 2% every year to increase local and regional street repair budgets annually. The tax hikes funded the strategy to get out of the $3- billion infrastructure investment hole we are in. "But that, too, came to a halt in the proverbial pothole this year. "Why?

The City of Winnipeg overly dependent on other levels of government for financial help to repair or build infrastructure learned weeks before it released its 2019 budget the province would not renew a five- year roads funding agreement. That agreement committed to flow $250 million from 2014 to '18. "Further, the city says the province owes it $40 million still from the last year of the fiv e-year deal. The province says it's all paid up. "Winnipeggers know what happened next: City Council chose to whack $40 million from 2019's street budget and a stunning $174 million from planned street work, 2019-24.

"We argue it is the wrong way to de al with the dilemma. We said find that 0.788% out of the total $2.5- billion revenues –reserves, surpluses, external authorities and operations –to restore" some of that cut–"some of the cut this year." Instead, 'myer' –"Mayor Brian Bowman and Council opte d to 'accept the new reality' and to cancel all planned significant repairs – 53 neighbourhood streets and 11 lanes.

1130 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 9, 2019 Accept this as a new –as the new reality? "That should be unacceptable to every Winnipegger. "It should also be unacceptable that the pr ovince walk away from a $40 -million liability (unless it factually demonstrates otherwise) and decline to renew a multi-year funding agreement. "As columnist Carl DeGurse, in this newspaper, so pointedly stated: 'none of the current provincial and municipal politicians campaigned on a promise to make roads worse. Not one said: 'Vote for me and I'll eliminate the budget for residential road repair.

That will ensure roads in dire need of repair will crumble even more. Can I count on your support?' "Further, DeGurse pointed out, every budget has elasticity–city expenditures overall rose." The City gave a generous increase to other programs; the Pallister government cut the PST, taking $30 million out of the –taking $30 million out of annual tax revenues. It's about choices. "All Winnipeg MLAs and city councillors should be held to account. "'Let's Make a Deal!' is a dysfunctional and ultimately 'disappointing' way to maintaining public infrastructure.

"There will always be a need for cost -share infrastructure agreements between governments – major, multimillion-dollar projects like the Waverley underpass exceed municipal financing capacity. "But an overdependence on the agendas of other levels of government for basic maintenance of streets and roads simply s ets the city up for more 'new reality' thinking. "This is the monumental frustration: Winnipeg is home to 750,000 people, and more than 54% of Manitoba's registered voters. That should mean something.

"As some have said, we should be tired of the 'Oliver Twist' scenario playing out every year: Winnipeg, cap in hand, on the steps of Broadway. "There's got to be a better way for Manitoba's biggest city, the heart of its economy, to provide the standard of services expected of a major, modern Canadian metropolis. "Crumbling streets hurt economic growth because everything rides on a road, eventually. People to jobs, goods to market.

"All citizens, whether they cycle, walk or use a walker or a wheelchair, need their lanes, paths, sidewalks and Active Transportation routes working for them. (The AT budget, too, was cut.) Handi -vans should not have to be equipped with an off -road drive train and roll bars. "Winnipeg and all municipalities need a structural change to the way they raise revenues, and to the way cost-shared funding agreements for major infrastructure projects are scoped.

"That 'new deal' needs to be open for municipalities new sources of raising revenues, and to recognize expenses not now reflected" in cost - sharing agreements, "such as the life -cycle maintenance of major projects. "Municipalities draw only 8 cents of every tax dollar raised, but they own 80% of public infrastructure. Provincial and federal governments have more 'muscle' to raise revenues. Cost -sharing should recognize that fact. "And it is NOT an option to not fund critical repairs to neighbourhood streets.

"Winnipeggers can't continue to be metaphorical casualties in political wars over how we fix our roads." That

article was by Cliff –Chris, who is the president of the Manitoba heavy construction. The next one is by Scott Gillingham, and it's titled: Winnipeg's Infrastructure Needs Strategic, Long-Term Funding for Manitoba. "It has been 15 months since Winnipeg City Council adopted its 2018 capital budget and yet a dispute over $40 million in outstanding provincial roads funding for the year drags on. "The funding shortfall stems from a decision made by the provincial government to not honour the final year of a five -year, $250- million roads commitment to the city.

Not only is the ongoing back and forth between the city and province sapping time and resources on both Main Street and Broadway, it appears the public is growing increasingly indifferent to the fight. "Notwithstanding the waning public interest, I remain steadfast in my position that the province still owes the City of Winnipeg $40 million. At the time of this writing, the provincia l government has not provided the City with a reconciliation that supports its position that the $250 -million commitment

April 9, 2019 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1131 has been fulfilled completely. As a city councillor elected to serve the residents of Winnipeg," I'm reluctant to 'acqueeze' "to the province on this matter without evidence to substantiate their claim. * (15:30) "At this point however, Winnipeg taxpayers are being forced to cover the province's outstanding bill." Council faced a difficult decision –"difficult choice in how to address this $40- million provincial roads funding shortfall.

During the preparation of the City of Winnipeg's 2019 budget, council could have chosen to increase property taxes by 7 per cent or to fill the gap with long -term debt. Instead, City Council sought a balanced approach that will cover the $40 million by spreading the costs over the 2019 and 2020 budget years. "Unfortunately, this results in a substantial reduction to the local street renewal program.

And that means all 2019 expenditures in the local streets program will go only to industrial road reconstructions and the thin bituminous overlay (TBO)"–for short–"projects, plus the engineering for the residential streets the department had been preparing for reconstruction this year. "However, the situation does not end at this point." The table –"the recently tabled federal budget contains a commitment to double the gas tax funding available to municipalities in 2019.

This funding would flow directly from Ottawa to the City of Winnipeg," and that could mean "just over $40 million may be available this year for roads and other infrastructure projects." Due to the budget timing and political unrest in Ottawa, it would be premature to presume the federal dollar–these federal dollars and to amend the City's 2019 budget at this time. "However, subject to the passing of the federal budget and a review of funding details, council and city administration will work diligently to administer any funds made available.

I want these federal funds used to restore the 2019 local street renewal program. "In the meantime, the city will continue to press the province to provide an irrefutable reconciliation to substantiate its claim that it has honoured that $250-million funding commitment." And, if unwilling to provide that information, it should pay the City the $40 million outstanding. "The province recently unveiled its 2019 Budget.

As part of any budget package, the government tables supplementary documents which contain the statements and charts that expand upon t he thinking of the government and help explain the choices it made when producing the budget being presented. "The opening sentence under the heading on 'Funding of Municipalities' labels grants to munic - ipalities as a 'material expense' for the Province of Manitoba. The descriptor, while factual, is very telling in its placement and should not be glossed over.

It appears to signal the way the present provincial governmental views the City of Winnipeg and all other Manitoba municipalities. To a government sprinting to balance its budget, eliminate the deficit and reduce the PST (all laudable and important goals), it would seem that the financial support of municipalities is primarily a hurdle to be cleared or expense line to be manipulated. "But when the day arrives that the province's trio of fiscal goals is finally achieved, what comes next?

Citizens will wake up the following morning in municipalities that are still struggling under growing infrastructure deficits, with limited options to raise revenues and no long- term plan that provides provincial funding certainty. "It is time for a pivot in the relationship between the provincial government and its municipalities. It is time for a strategic, long -term, predictable, growth-oriented funding model to be developed. This would benefit the province, municipalities, industry stakeholders and taxpayers by providing greater fiscal certainty and the opportunity for increased collaboration.

And such a model could help the province avoid future –further disput es with its municipalities like the one going on with the City of Winnipeg over $40 million." So that was by Scott Gillingham, who is a chair of the Finance Committee from St. James. So these couple of articles that I've read point out–have some good points to it, Deputy Speaker; No. 1 is that Winnipeg is the hub of our province, and we do need that infrastructure spending within the community. And I've repeatedly heard the PC government saying, oh, we're trying to save money now for our children's future, but nope.

Any pothole that exists today will only be more expensive to fix and fill in the upcoming years. And so that's where I take offence, because it is –it will be our children that are going to be fixing those infrastructure spending deficits.

1132 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 9, 2019 The other

part is, you know, every time the federal government says they are going to commit to our province with some extra dollars, you know, the first thing that goes is –that's how they make their cuts. That's what they base their cuts on. And so it's always hard to brag about things that are going on in the province, knowing that as soon as the PCs get wind of it, the first thing they're going to do is slash those budgets to those good hard-working groups that are actually making change in our communities.

You know, it's so unveiled that the Province, the current provincial government, really wants to keep us within the status quo, and never –it seems to not want our province to succeed, doesn't want our people to succeed. So the other issue I ha ve with the BITSA bill isn't just the removal of the, you know –it's regarding the election rebate. So, when –with the removal of that election rebate, paired together with the per-vote subsidy removal, the increased requirements for voting, along with the i ncreased amount of donation limits, as well as the Premier (Mr.

Pallister) toying with the idea of calling an election –an early election–which, you know, the 'manitoberals' – Manitoba Liberals are very excited about. We're getting some great responses at our doors. They're–people are excited because they're tired of all the cuts to the province and, you know, we can't wait to get the PCs out, so bring it on. You're seeing a very clear effort, though, from the government, to exclude people from being able to participate in democracy. You know, they've been talking about earning people's support. I would argue that the per-vote subsidy was exactly that.

While Manitobans may not have the money to donate directly to parties, they did have the ability to support those parties at the polls. Now, Pallister government has made those votes count for less and less, which really limits the ability for everyone to participate meaningfully. The problem is that the parties that–like, the – Pallister's support in the interests of the concentration of wealth often at the expense of everyone else.

So, when they increase donation limits, they're making it so that smaller numbers of people who have the disposable income to give $5,000 donations to political parties support their interests can have much more –who support their interests can have much more influence in our systems, while the majority of Manitobans are only able to participate at the polls. They've made these votes count for less and less every year since taking power.

One of the ideas is – one of the major threats to democracy is the perception, and far too often the reality, that politicians can be bought, particularly by wealthy donors to parties and candidates. One way to address that is to ban political donations. This would be very effective at ensuring that no party has a leg up over the other–another. * (15:40) I want to also take a moment to talk about the 2016 campaign, and how I got elected. You know, it was me and a couple of my community members driving around in my vehicle going through ice –on melting ice roads.

I was able to connect with voters in our North because I had worked hard and got that 10 per cent that I would be reimbursed for. You know, without that kind of support, I may have not been able to run. The people in my community also don't have $5,000 to donate to a political party. That's completely unrealistic for a lot of the struggling people in my riding. Federally, it came out recently that Churchill–Keewatinook Aski, the federal riding, which my provincial riding directly sits in Keewatinook, is the poorest of the poor of all ridings. And so it's really difficult to try and get financial support.

And, you know, I don't ask for financial support form my people because I know that they're not in a position to do it when I'm sitting at their kitchen table, if they even have a kitchen table, or even if they have chairs or even if they have space to put a kitchen, never mind, because we're so overcrowded. You know, we transform our kitchens, our living rooms into bedrooms just to accommodate families. It seems that every time we manage to bre ak through some glass ceilings, there's always policies that are enacted that literally prevent us from being at that table. We would like to take part.

We would like the knowledge of what the political system to be – what it means to be taught in our educat ion system. Similarly to financial literacy–we would like for that to be part of Manitoba curriculum so that many more indigenous people–and, indeed, anyone in Manitoba– would be able to participate in this supposedly democratic system. You know, we've got to keep it democratic.

April 9, 2019 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1133 Our northern students deserve the same access to education as any other Manitobans. And for many years, this has not been the case. From our early child care and on to kindergarten to grade 12 and onward to university, students are continuously being left behind–systems that don't consider their need. So I always hear the ministers talk about improving results, improving results, but what does he mean by that? The results are still getting worse? So, you know, where's the plan? Where's the plan to back this up?

And that's another good point about the councillor's article. We need to make sure that there's a strategic plan. You can't just say, oh, I want a hospital and I want my people to work in it. You know, that doesn't really me an anything. So are you actively helping people become those nurses, doctors–and not just those big title jobs but, you know, I have a lot of respect for every person that holds a job, and–including the –our staff here that have to, you know, pick up things off the floor when we're too immature to respectfully leave them on the desk where they could also pick it up from.

So it's very frustrating. This government con - tinues to ignore the North, and particularly our northern reserves. I haven't even addressed the issue of infrastructure on our First Nations. I keep asking this government to authorize or to give us the list of the infrastructure projects under Canada's strategic infrastructure program. You know, they would have only had to pay 25 cents to every dollar; Canada was willing to pay 75 for every dollar that they spent and–75 per cent –and a quarter –sorry, excuse me. And still we're hearing nothing. You know, we need that infrastructure in our communities.

So this BITSA bill, Mr. Deputy Speaker, we won't allow it to stand. I know the Premier (Mr. Pallister) has only one thing on his mind: calling an early election, which we're–we'll be very grateful for. A lot of Manitobans will be. At least Manitobans will be given the opportunity to get rid of this government in the same fashion as the last. It's interesting, though; they have only taken three years to get Manitobans as equally mad as them as the last guys in government took 17. So, with that, I'd like to say thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak. Megwetch. Hon.

Steven Fletcher (Assiniboia): I'm glad to have the opportunity to speak to this bill. This is the same bill that the government did not introduce until August of last year. So, I congratulate the government for at least in troducing the bill in regular session. But it does show and demonstrate that the last year was a–the extension was a farce. The government was less than forthright in the reasons why they didn't bring forward the bill, and that is, unfortunately, a theme t hat we will see time and time again as we discuss this legislation.

First of all, I want to –I'm a bit loath to say this, but it is true: the opposition parties have done a very good job in critiquing the budget this year. They are outnumbered, outgunned, outresourced, but they were able to bring to the attention of Manitobans the style that this government has: threats, bullying, falsehoods. They try to say, oh, the government is going to shut down, Trump style. The president of Manitoba declares govern ment shutdown.

Unfortunately for the government, and more unfortunately for Manitobans, and especially for the people who work hard and–every day and don't know the 'intercracies' of parliamentary process, they were scared because they were bullied, threat ened. When the president of Manitoba makes a Trump -like threat, people take – some people take it seriously. Unfortunately, the government has been watching too much American TV. They should watch more CBC rather than Fox or CNN. CBC, Fox–very different. But at least with Canadian content you would know you're in a parliamentary system. You–there aren't any presidents.

You're – you have a caucus, a civil service and the entire political system is designed so there cannot be an American-type shutdown. No, either the government doesn't know that, or they believe that they are in some sort of republic, the Spence republic perhaps. That's a great Canadian film board skit about the Spence republic. * (15:50) Mr. Chair, let's talk about the content of this legislation. The government –the centrepiece is the–a reduction in the PST, which is fine. However, nothing has been done on the structural deficit. The government has borrowed at least $5 billion in this budget.

The budget documents reveal that there's a $53-billion liability line. Some of it is offset through assets and payments and pension funds, but the pension funds are underfunded by billions. The

1134 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 9, 2019 Hydro–there's $23 billion still to come on to the books. This is not a good situation. The government hasn't done anything to make it better, unfortunately. Real Conservatives would have dealt with the structural deficit, deal with the assets the government has, maybe liquidate them. But, no, what they do is – in my own riding, they transfer land worth millions of dollars for $1 for 99 years. To who?

Well, to the guy who did an excellent job fundraising at the PC Party fundraising dinner not once, but twice, and once was from Nashville during a hockey game – playoff hockey game. It was–[interjection]–yes. And then there's a sweetheart land deal with the same group, same individual. That's how the government treats your assets. And what about all the other places in Manitoba, like the Children's Hospital on Wellington Crescent – empty, valuable, empty. Or how about t he facility where the addiction centre–or, addiction foundation on Magnus? The previous government put it in, renovated it.

There's 160- odd beds. They say it's full. Okay, well, then why is there 130 beds empty? Well, there's no funding. Oh, there's no funding for – oh, that's the addiction–all we hear about in Winnipeg are issues around housing and addiction. And the government has a whole facility –previous government built it –good to go, no money. We have–I'll come back to that later. We have–the governme nt, with Hydro, not only do they fight with the board and end up having the entire Manitoba Hydro board resign, they have let go of the–their own picks for Hydro.

Let's see here, the– Liquor & Lotteries and Manitoba Public Insurance sees the wrecking ball coming, so they got legal advice to see if they can be protected from the Premier's office–or president's office, Premier's office. Oh, Trump? No, we're in Canada. Yes, the Crown corporation boards matter. Because the government doesn't recognize that, it c auses huge grief. We have sole-source contracting; the Minister of Infrastructure (Mr. Schuler) and his predecessor were caught red-handed with a sole source contract. They say that is not what Conservatives do.

It's against a partnership agreement, the New West Partnership, it's against the internal trade arrangements in Canada, but they did it. They denied it. Then they said, oh, it was a departmental decision. And then, no, it was our–oh, we just forgot about Treasury Board. What's Treasury Board? Well, we told them that at committee. You didn't go through the process, buddy; got to go through the process. No, we did. No, you didn't. You got caught. Just say you made a mistake, but no, and they refused to even admit that.

So how can we have any faith in the government on contracting anything when they do exactly the opposite of what they say and they award sole-source contracting? It wasn't for–like they said. Well, first it was for indigenous reasons. Well, no, it turned out. Then they used, well, i t was an emergency. Oh, really? No. Eventually the minister –not in here, but out in the hallway –admitted that it was a big fiasco of their own. Election financing is in the bill. Now, this is a bit rich: r -i-c-h. The government increases the limit to $5,000. Who has $5,000 to donate? An Honourable Member: The rich Conservatives.

Mr. Fletcher: The–to donate. Well, somebody suggests it is the rich Conservatives. Well, I don't know about that, and I don't think there are a lot of rich Conservatives. However, one person who's done very well, and we have to congratulate–there's nothing wrong with this. Our president –Premier–president–Premier– president–I–he has done well in life, but he donated $1,688 in 2016. That wasn't even the $3,000 limit. In 2017–wait for it–no, $2,250.

So if the president –Premier–president–Premier of the province can't afford to pay the max–or now the new max, not even half the new maximum –who can afford to contribute $5,000? It's not the Premier (Mr. Pallister). Who is it, and who would? Maybe the Premier doesn't believe in his cause. That's possible. Maybe the Premier's disillusioned with himself. That might be possible. Or maybe he wants to use other people's money to advance his own agenda. Other people's money: that's the taxpaye r when you're the president – Premier–president–Premier. And, Madam Speaker–or, Mr.

Speaker, we have a Conservative government creating a corporation called Efficiency Manitoba. Now, I went and wasn't able to dispute or debate this when I was in the Conser vative caucus, so I took the first opportunity and brought it up at a Legislative committee on a dreary summer evening, saying–pointing out the inefficiencies of the new

April 9, 2019 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1135 Crown corporation, including the demand- side management, which is just as bad as supply -side management in this context. * (16:00) And I find myself outside the caucus. Okay, that's fine. Because the job of an MLA, who's not in the executive, is to critique the government, in government or in opposition. That's the job. I wish all MLAs would do their job. There was a flicker of 'oh' when the opposition did stand up to the super-majority government on interim supply, to hold them to account and to demonstrate what kind of government this is.

Not the people –actually, the MLAs are pretty good, as individuals. But the president –Premier has issues. We have the issue of –so with Efficiency Manitoba, so this is going to add more cost to natural gas, electricity, transportation and drinkable water. So, aquifers, lakes, rivers. Maybe they're pla nning to put a price on water. But it was over -the-top, last week, when everyone in Winnipeg got a 12- page insert introducing Efficiency Manitoba. And this insert just talked about electric light bulbs. Light bulbs. Twelve pages of light bulbs.

That is Eff iciency Manitoba; and I thought, wow, what a waste of time and money, and what a stupid thing to do. And they did it publicly. And I –it doesn't matter where you are on the political spectrum. You look at that and you think, wow, that is a waste. There's no question it's–no, if you want to advertise light bulbs, let the light bulb companies do it. But here's an idea– light bulb over the head–just cut your losses and don't do the creation of the new Crown corporation. So I thought that was –now, I thought that was really bad.

But I will table tomorrow what I got –my office showed me yesterday; they–we got a letter and maybe you got a letter from Efficiency Manitoba, got it at the office, and in it was a sticker, saying, Efficiency Manitoba. There was no lett er. There was an envelope. So they mailed a letter with a circle - sized sticker. That is their idea of efficiency. Oh, gee. The fact that the government has undermined and– Mr. Speaker, I appreciate that people have to communicate. And I'm glad to see the government caucus communicate. But can they communicate in a way that doesn't interrupt the debate?

Fact is, this is probably the most communication I've seen in a government caucus. I hope they don't get into trouble for talking to each other. Mr. Speaker , the carbon tax. What a classic story of hypocrisy. Instead of letting the federal government do what the federal government does: they have the taxing power. I don't think it's a good public policy. But no, rather than stand on principle, the Premier (Mr. Pallister) said, no, we're going to introduce our own carbon tax. And we're going to introduce it at 250 times what even Ottawa wants.

And he lists off all the benefits of a carbon tax, and then he introduces a piece of legislation where a legal–pardon me–a legal opinion saying that Ottawa has the ability to introduce the tax, which is probably correct. But he didn't stand on principle; he tried to have it both ways and he failed. He flip -flopped on the first day of this session. He criticized me and , quite frankly, I was the only one in this place to speak out against the carbon tax and, in fact, the only politician in Manitoba to speak out against the carbon tax–the made-in-Manitoba plan.

Even the Conservative MPs, they didn't say anything on the re cord. They had– they said nothing on the record against the Pallister carbon tax, so where's their principle? But the point is–[interjection] Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. I just want to remind the member that if you're going to–member of the Pallister government but not to go to a Pallister carbon tax, so just distinguish between the –like, actually, as a government, Pallister government, but not to put the Premier's name in front of anything else. Mr.

Fletcher: The president's carbon tax is something that was bad public policy when it was introduced in the Manitoba context for all sorts of reasons, but the Premier, for 18 months – [interjection] Yes, and by the way, that person who spoke out on Efficiency Manitoba, we're going to kick him out –we're going to kick him out of the caucus, okay. And I'd like to thank the president of Manitoba for doing that because the freedom it has allowed me has been tremendous.

The –so when we have this issue of a Premier–president –really a Premier but thinks he's president –flip-flop on a public policy issue like this, it demonstrates that there is no principle–just saw the train coming down the tracks from the left and right and from his provincial colleagues in Ontario, Saskatchewan, soon to be Alberta, New Brunswick.

1136 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 9, 2019 So, in the budget planning, all of a sudden the government has a huge hole –$350 million that they had planned to receive from the carbon tax, but then they flip-flopped and then where did–like, what goes on–like, what's next? Well, the government decided to borrow a lot of money to cover it up, and then they decide to just pretend it never happened and take exactly the opposite point of view on everything dealing with that tax. So now they've undermined all the Conservative provinces.

They've undermined the people who support a carbon tax; they've undermined the people who are against the carbon tax, and they've lost complete credibility on the environment in the process. No matter where they are, they seem to screw it up. * (16:10) We've talked about t he sole -source contracting, the Vimy Arena. You know, you can't just use the assets of Manitoba as a piggy bank or in–or for quid quo pro or for whatever. You need–you're

Document details

Collection	Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	41-4-36b
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	41st 4th hansardpdf 36b.pdf
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	f987c3c2c105281d32ff01fe10e1d83f6538befe

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