Manitoba Hansard — 29 October 2025 (Sitting 78, 43rd Legislature, 2nd Session)

43-2-78

Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)

Second Session – Forty-Third Legislature of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba DEBATES and PROCEEDINGS Official Report (Hansard) Published under the authority of The Honourable Tom Lindsey Speaker Vol. LXXIX No. 78 - 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, October 29, 2025 ISSN 0542-5492

MANITOBA LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Forty-Third Legislature Member Constituency Political Affiliation ASAGWARA, Uzoma, Hon. Union Station NDP BALCAEN, Wayne Brandon West PC BEREZA, Jeff Portage la Prairie PC BLASHKO, Tyler Lagimodière NDP BRAR, Diljeet Burrows NDP BUSHIE, Ian, Hon. Keewatinook NDP BYRAM, Jodie Agassiz PC CABLE, Renée, Hon. Southdale NDP CHEN, Jennifer Fort Richmond NDP COMPTON, Carla Tuxedo NDP COOK, Kathleen Roblin PC CORBETT, Shannon Transcona NDP CROSS, Billie Seine River NDP DELA CRUZ, Jelynn Radisson NDP DEVGAN, JD McPhillips NDP EWASKO, Wayne Lac du Bonnet PC FONTAINE, Nahanni, Hon. St.

Johns NDP GOERTZEN, Kelvin Steinbach PC GUENTER, Josh Borderland PC HIEBERT, Carrie Morden-Winkler PC JOHNSON, Derek Interlake-Gimli PC KENNEDY, Nellie, Hon. Assiniboia NDP KHAN, Obby Fort Whyte PC KINEW, Wab, Hon. Fort Rouge NDP KING, Trevor Lakeside PC KOSTYSHYN, Ron, Hon. Dauphin NDP LAGASSÉ, Bob Dawson Trail PC LAMOUREUX, Cindy Tyndall Park Lib. LATHLIN, Amanda The Pas-Kameesak NDP LINDSEY, Tom, Hon. Flin Flon NDP LOISELLE, Robert St. Boniface NDP MALOWAY, Jim Elmwood NDP MARCELINO, Malaya, Hon. Notre Dame NDP MOROZ, Mike, Hon. River Heights NDP MOSES, Jamie, Hon. St. Vital NDP MOYES, Mike, Hon.

Riel NDP NARTH, Konrad La Vérendrye PC NAYLOR, Lisa, Hon. Wolseley NDP NESBITT, Greg Riding Mountain PC OXENHAM, Logan Kirkfield Park NDP PANKRATZ, David Waverley NDP PERCHOTTE, Richard Selkirk PC PIWNIUK, Doyle Turtle Mountain PC REDHEAD, Eric Thompson NDP ROBBINS, Colleen Spruce Woods PC SALA, Adrien, Hon. St. James NDP SANDHU, Mintu, Hon. The Maples NDP SCHMIDT, Tracy, Hon. Rossmere NDP SCHOTT, Rachelle Kildonan-River East NDP SCHULER, Ron Springfield-Ritchot PC SIMARD, Glen, Hon. Brandon East NDP SMITH, Bernadette, Hon. Point Douglas NDP STONE, Lauren Midland PC WASYLIW, Mark Fort Garry Ind.

WHARTON, Jeff Red River North PC WIEBE, Matt, Hon. Concordia NDP WOWCHUK, Rick Swan River PC

3209 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA Wednesday, October 29, 2025 The House met at 1:30 p.m. The Speaker: O Eternal and Almighty God, from Whom all power and wisdom come, we are assembled here before Thee to frame such laws as may tend to the welfare and prosperity of our province. Grant, O merciful God, we pray Thee, that we may desire only that which is in accordance with Thy will, that we may seek it with wisdom, know it with certainty and accomplish it perfectly for the glory and honour of Thy name and for the welfare of all our people. Amen.

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

ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS The Speaker: Introduction of bills? COMMITTEE REPORTS Standing Committee on Public Accounts Seventh Report Mr. Kelvin Goertzen (Chairperson): Honourable Speaker, I wish to present the seventh report of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts. Clerk (Mr. Rick Yarish): Your Standing Committee on Public Accounts presents– Some Honourable Members: Dispense. The Speaker: Dispense. Your Standing Committee on Public Accounts presents the following as its Seventh Report. Meetings Your Committee met on October 28, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in the Chamber of the Legislative Building.

Matters under Consideration • Auditor General's Report – Physicians' Billings dated January 2021 • Auditor General 's Report – Automatic Vehicle Location Management Systems dated June 2021 • Auditor General 's Report – Follow Up of Previously Issued Recommendations dated February 2024 o Physicians' Billings o Automatic Vehicle Location Management Systems • Auditor General 's Report – Follow Up of Previously Issued Recommendations dated February 2025 o Physicians' Billings Committee Membership • Mr. Brar • MLA Chen • MLA Compton • MLA Dela Cruz • MLA Devgan • Mr. Ewasko • Mr.

Goertzen • MLA Lamoureux • MLA Maloway (Vice-Chairperson) • Mr. Oxenham • Mrs. Stone Your Committee elected Mr. Goertzen as the Chairperson. Substitutions received prior to Committee proceedings: • MLA Redhead for MLA Compton Officials Speaking on Record • Tyson Shtykalo, Auditor General • Ann Ulusoy, Secretary to Treasury Board • Sean Savage, Executive Director, Vehicle and Equipment Management Agency

3210 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 29, 2025 Reports Considered and Passed Your Committee considered and passed the following reports as presented: • Auditor General's Report – Physicians' Billings dated January 2021 • Auditor General 's Report – Automatic Vehicle Location Management Systems dated June 2021 Your Committee completed consideration of the following chapters as presented: • Auditor General 's Report – Follow Up of Previously Issued Recommendations dated February 2024 o Physicians' Billings o Automatic Vehicle Location Management Systems • Auditor General 's Report – Follow Up of Previously Issued Recommendations dated February 2025 o Physicians' Billings Mr.

Goertzen: Honourable Speaker, I move, seconded by the honour able member for Elmwood (MLA Maloway), that the report of the committee be received. Motion agreed to. The Speaker: The report is accordingly adopted. TABLING OF REPORTS Hon. Mike Moroz (Minister of Innovation and New Technology): Honourable Speaker, I 'm pleased to table the annual report for Research Manitoba for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025. The Speaker: Further tabling of reports? Hon.

Glen Simard (Minister of Municipal and Northern Relations): Honourable Speaker, I am pleased to table the report on the Statutory Review of Provincial Planning Legislation. The Speaker: No other tabling of reports? MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS Health Care Support Workers' Week Hon. Uzoma Asagwara (Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care): I'm sure folks have noticed you've got a number of people in the gallery here today. Just want to acknowledge we 've got some pretty excellent health -care workers here with us. If we can just take a minute to say, hey, everybody, thanks for being here.

Honourable Speaker, I 'm really proud to stand up today to announce that our govern ment has pro- claimed October 20 to 24 Health Care Support Workers' Week. These are folks who are invaluable to our health-care system. They work day in and day out to provide the highest quality of care to Manitobans across the province, and we can 't thank them enough for everything they do for Manitobans.

And thanking them is not enough, Hon ourable Speaker, which is why we regularly make a point of having meaningful conver sations, listening, working in true partnership to take the necessary actions to not only fix health care but to strengthen it for generations of Manitobans to come.

Now the critical work that is carried out by Manitoba's health -care support workers with dedi - cation and integrity and professionalism has a long legacy here in Manitoba, but we 're seeing, in more recent months and years under our govern ment, the opportunity that we have to innovate the way this care is being delivered; the ways in which we can partner to take new steps to strengthen health care for Manitobans.

And what we need to make sure we do –which I cannot thank them enough for getting to the table with us as a government–is making sure that they have fair deals in place so that they can feel confident and comfortable delivering the services that they do every day. For previous years –many years–they went with - out a fair deal, and we were proud to sit down and make sure that these folks got that deal so that they could focus on what they do best, and that is providing care to Manitobans.

For so many seniors in our province, health- care support workers are helping them to remain indepen- dent, allowing them to age with dignity, maintain community involvement and enjoy a quality of life that we all wish for our loved ones. And so by supporting–working with support workers, rather, we've taken many meaningful steps, including the 3,400 net-new health -care workers across the province, but that number includes almost 1,500 health-care aides. And we're investing in more training for these essential workers across the province.

We've spent and invested over $48 million in new funding for the training of front -line staff, but

October 29, 2025 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 3211 that includes 100 new health -care training seats in northern Manitoba. This will allow support workers to stay close to their homes and in their own commu - nities and to work and to train in the health -care centres that they are most familiar with and where that help is needed most. We recognize that Manitoba health -care support workers provide highest quality of care, comfort and safety, but we also recognize they do that in a unique way that should be championed, celebrated and uplifted each and every day.

They do this for our loved ones as they navigate new phases of life and as they navigate these chal - lenges that are ever-evolving across our province. So we want them to know that by listening with them, listening to them, working with them, that we're not only fixing health care for today but again, we 're innovating it for tomorrow. So it is our absolute pleasure as a govern ment to not only again say thank you to all support workers across this province but to recommit to doing the work in partnership, in col laboration to continue to move health care in the best direction poss ible for all Manitobans.

And, Honourable Speaker, I want to note that the leaders who support health-care support workers have been phenomenal partners. These are folks who are dedicated to building strong relationships with gov- ernment. And now that they have the oppor tunity to do just that, we are certainly not going to waste it. I'd ask all members of this House to join me in welcoming the many support workers and leaders who are here today as guests. Stand up, say thank you and congratulations on your week.

Jen Bamford, Holly Bealer, Katherine Calixterio, Holly Chaperone, Katarina da Costa, Dale Edmunds, Dolores Gasapos, Kim Grey, Vivienne Ho, Ronna Lich, Vilma Manangan, Gina McKay, Lee McLeod, Gigie Monton, Rosemarie Navidad, Francisco Ortiz, Eileen Peralta, May Quinto, Shelly Rougeau, Myralyn Samatra, Margaret Schroeder, Jennifer Tucay. * (13:40) The Speaker: The honourable–oh, sorry. The honour- able Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care.

MLA Asagwara: I have a long list of the names of the support workers who are here today, some of which had to leave a little early, but I would appreciate being able to make sure their names are recorded in Hansard. The Speaker: The member doesn 't have to ask for leave. As long as they' re attached, they will get included in Hansard. Mrs. Kathleen Cook (Roblin): I'm very pleased to rise today to recognize Health-Care Support Workers' Week in Manitoba.

It provides us with an opportunity to celebrate and express our deep gratitude to the thousands of health-care support workers who serve our province with compassion, dedication and resilience. In fact–and anybody's who's experienced health care in Manitoba, whose loved ones are currently going through health care knows that health- care support workers are the backbone of our health system. They work in different capacities, in settings all across the province: hospitals, personal -care homes, community clinics, in home care, providing essential care, comfort and support to Manitobans every single day.

Working as health- care aides, dietary aides, housekeepers, administrative staff, each plays a vital role in ensuring our health-care facilities run smoothly and that Manitobans receive quality care they deserve. These workers often go above and beyond, offering not only physical assist ance but also emo - tional support to patients and families during some of life's most challenging moments. Health-care Support Workers ' Week reminds us that quality health care depends on teamwork and that every member of that team deserves recognition and respect.

Acknowledging their contribution is, of course, very important, but government must also commit to supporting them through better working conditions, access to training and opportunities for career advancement within Manitoba's health-care system. As we celebrate and appreciate our health -care workers, I encourage all Manitobans to take a moment to thank a health-care support worker. Whether through a kind word, a thank-you or by sharing a story of how they've made a difference, let's all show our apprecia- tion for these dedicated professionals who go above and beyond for our health and well-being.

Through appreciation, respect and truly listening to their concerns and the solutions that they bring

3212 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 29, 2025 forward, we can continue to build a stronger, more compassionate health care for Manitoba. Thank you. MLA Cindy Lamoureux (Tyndall Park): I ask for leave to respond to the minister's statement. The Speaker: Does the honour able member for Tyndall Park have leave to respond? [Agreed] Leave has been granted. MLA Lamoureux: October 20 to 24, 2025, was Health Care Support Workers' Week.

It was created for us to recognize the valuable role of health -care support workers in delivering quality health care and to say thank you to all health- care support workers across our province. Health-care support workers sustain our health-care system; providing comfort, compassion and essential care to patients and their families, and for that they deserve our deepest gratitude. They are dedicated, professional and valuable members of health-care teams that care for Manitobans in hospitals, long- term-care homes and other com - munity facilities.

Each and every one of them make a difference in countless ways as they deliver day-to-day services that often go unseen but not unnoticed. From keeping facilities clean and safe, to assisting patients with dignity, supporting clinical teams, sterilizing and maintaining equipment, cooking and serving meals, laundry, providing recreational activities and more, our health- care support workers do it all. Among the many words used to describe the impacts that health-care support workers make, we often hear the words compassion, kindness, unwavering dedi - cation, genuine concern and empathy.

All of these, while combined, demonstrates how health-care support workers truly make a dif ference by going above and beyond. Thank you for your dedication, strength and kindness. Our communities are healthier, safer and stronger because of all of you, and thank you for joining us today in the gallery. The Speaker: No further ministerial statements? MEMBERS' STATEMENTS Chris Eccles MLA JD Devgan (McPhillips): Honourable Speaker, few things capture the excitement of a Winnipeg Jets game quite like the sound of the organ ringing through the Canada Life Centre.

That sound is brought to you by my constituent, Chris Eccles, who is the live organist for the Winnipeg Jets. Chris brings music, rhythm and a whole lot of fun to every home game, helping keep both fans and players fuelled by passion. Whether he's playing the classic charge or a fun riff to get the crowd going, Chris plays a huge

part in creating an unforgettable game day atmosphere that every Jets fan loves. Chris is a classically trained pianist who also plays a keyboard in several local rock bands. He first got his start with the Manitoba Moose, playing during playoff runs before moving up to the Jets in 2017. And like any true hockey fan, he's got a game day ritual. Back in his first season, he brought a peanut butter sandwich to a game the Jets won, so now he brings one to every home game. After the final buzzer sounds, Chris brings that same energy into the classroom.

A proud Métis educator and a graduate from the U of W, Chris continues to inspire and uplift his elementary school students every day, some of whom who have joined here today. Chris also volunteers with local charities and con- tinues to share his love of music across Winnipeg. Whether on the ice, in the com munity or in the classroom, Chris is proof that music and a great sense of fun can bring people together. I ask all my colleagues to join me in celebrating Chris for keeping Jets fans fired up and making McPhillips proud. Go, Jets, go. Cycling with Sarah Mr.

Jeff Wharton (Red River North): Honourable Speaker, I rise in the House today to recognize Cycling with Sarah, from the RM of East St. Paul. As founder, Sarah Gravelle-Mackenzie, cycling is a passion along with co-founder Rose McDonald. It's become very much a year -round commitment. The original group started in East St. Paul just three years ago with 18 members. Now, with satellite groups established in south Winnipeg and West St. Paul, members will reach 97 ladies next year. The cycling club is committed to physical and mental well- being of senior women and supporting each other at all times.

October 29, 2025 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 3213 Sarah and Rose are Liv Canada ambassadors and recently the Cycling with Sarah group was chosen by Liv, in the community builder category, to be featured in a video that has been entered into the 2026 New Zealand big bike film festival. Honourable Speaker, supporting community is important to all Cycling with Sarah members, like participating in the annual East St. Paul Day Parade, volunteering for the mobile ski library put on by the non-profit Winnipeg Trails at East St. Paul, and flurry days in February.

They support other great causes throughout the year as well, including donating to Willow Place in Winnipeg and Nova House in Selkirk. They also put together supplies for Manitoba Shoebox Project which supports women at risk of becoming homeless. Honourable Speaker, I ask my colleagues today to recog nize Sarah Gravelle- Mackenzie, along with Rose McDonald, Kelly Wilson, Lorraine Dewar, Elizabeth Drew, Michelle Kurlycki [phonetic] , Katherine White and Lisa Ehmann, who is joining us here today in the gallery. Thank you, Honourable Speaker.

Point of Order MLA David Pankratz (Waverley): Just on a point of order, Honourable Speaker. The Speaker: The honourable member for Waverley, on a point of order. MLA Pankratz: Yesterday during debate on Bill 50, unfortunately, the Premier (Mr. Kinew) was discussing a personal experience of his father–his own father not having the right to vote here in Canada. And during that conversation, there was an interjection wherein the member for– The Speaker: Order, please. It's a rule of this House that when the Speaker has taken a matter under advisement, you can't talk about it.

So the honour able member would be out of line bringing that up. An Honourable Member: I would just like to table the documents that show what was said in– * (13:50) The Speaker: Honourable member for Waverley, you can't table a docu ment that may be out of line with what I've just said. MLA Pankratz: Thank you, Honourable Speaker, for the guidance. I tried to table this. I will take your guidance. From the words that were said in Hansard, I will keep those to myself. Thank you. Hurricane Melissa Hon.

Jamie Moses (Minister of Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation): Honourable Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to acknowledge the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa on the people of Jamaica and the wider Caribbean community. Like many Canadians, I've had the heartbreak of watching in disbelief the impacts of Hurricane Melissa, head -on the destruction of com munities, homes, uplifting roofs and tarring roofs off of impor- tant buildings and key infra structure.

These scenes were not just distant hea dlines, but they represented real lives and real impact of real communities, and we want to send our hearts out to all those impacted by the devasting hurricane. You know, the storm was so impactful that it was actually the single largest storm to hit Jamaica in the 174 years of recorded history, and winds exceeded 295 kilometres, leaving a wake of destruction in its path. You know, there 's power concerns and flood- water surges that are still ongoing, and casualties remain unknown and so we 're very concerned with ongoing situation.

Now, despite these challenges, we know the resilience of the Jamaican people and the Caribbean community is so strong. Shelters are being prepared and active, local authorities are working tirelessly to support com munities and ' interlational' partners are mobilizing to provide support. In Canada, that support runs deep, and we have a rich and vibrant Jamaican and Caribbean diaspora right here in Manitoba. And so I want to thank, in particular, honourable consul Dr. Lois Stewart-Archer as well as the Jamaican Association of Manitoba for bringing people together and supporting community.

So on behalf of the Province of Manitoba, I want to thank their leadership for the com munity here in Manitoba in the face of this of this tragedy. Now the motto of Jamaica is: Out of Many, One People. And it's times like these that we know Jamaica truly demonstrates that they are one people. Thank you, Honourable Speaker.

3214 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 29, 2025 Eastern Manitoba Concert Association Mr. Wayne Ewasko (Lac du Bonnet): Honourable Speaker, since 1973, the Eastern Manitoba Concert Association, EMCA, has played a vital role in bringing exceptional music performances to the Eastman region. The organization is passionate about showcasing a diverse range of concerts featuring both established and emerging artists. With a strong commitment to artistic excellence and community connection, EMCA remains an important part of the cultural life in the LGD of Pinawa and Lac du Bonnet constituency.

One key contribution of EMCA is its ability to foster community spirit. By organizing various live performances, the association encourages residents to come together and enjoy shared experiences. Concerts featuring local talent not only entertain but also create pride among community members. The support from the board, including President Lori Evenden, and dedicated volunteers ensures that each event runs smoothly, making attendees feel welcomed and valued. Additionally, the EMCA promotes cultural diversity by introducing audiences to different musical genres and styles.

From classical to folk, the range of performances enrich the local cultural landscape. Each concert becomes an opportunity for residents to learn about and celebrate different traditions. EMCA also has a positive impact on the local economy. By attracting visitors from outside the area, concerts stimulate spending at local businesses, such as restaurants and shops. This boost to the economy creates job opportunities for residents and highl ights the importance of supporting local. The Eastern Manitoba Concert Association is essential for the Lac du Bonnet constituency.

Supporting EMCA is an investment in a vibrant community, ensuring that music and culture continue to thrive for generations to come. I ask all colleagues to join me in congratulating the EMCA, who are watching online, and I wish to include the names of the board members in Hansard. Thank you, Honourable Speaker. Tammy Adolph, Liz Brasier, Marla Buchholz, Libby Crust, Lori Evenden, Rich Hamon, Caron Hare, Jen Hart, Linda Kuhn, Amanda Nash, Jen Pollack, Caty Shantz, Gail Shillinglaw, John Tait, Wendy Tod, Alanna Wilcox.

Universal Screening for Learning Disabilities MLA Cindy Lamoureux (Tyndall Park): Manitoba is in a literacy crisis with some of the lowest literacy rates in Canada. Bill 225 could help thousands of children across our province. After the bill was introduced, the government quickly issued their own directive that falls short, according to stakeholders and presenters. It does not legis late changes; it's basically a recom mendation. It does not ensure that parents and guardians are made aware of the findings, and it does not ensure that school boards act on the findings or use an evidence-based model.

Yet this government refuses to call Bill 225 for a vote as they send mixed messages to Manitobans by sending it to com mittee. Hon ourable Speaker, why send it to com mittee, sit through nearly six hours of heartfelt testimony, only for us to learn that no matter what Manitobans had to say, the minister, with her several-page pre -prepared closing statement, had already made up her mind. This completely defeats the purpose of com mit- tee. What the government did was insulting; it was noticed and it was painfully anti-democratic.

The opposition is willing to work across party lines, but this government needs to do the same. Stakeholders, presenters, even card- carrying NDP members have contacted me wanting this bill to pass. Members of this NDP government have told me they want this bill to pass. However, this government is playing games. We saw this with Keira's Law and we are seeing it again with universal screening. Honourable Speaker, I am appealing again to this government to work across party lines and practise democracy. If there are any amendments or changes to the legislation, we can work together to include them.

We need to call this bill for a vote before it dies on the Order Paper on November 6. Introduction of Guests The Speaker: Before–order, please. Before we get to question period, there are some guests in the gallery that have to leave soon, so I'd like to draw the attention of all hon ourable mem- bers to the public gallery where we have with us today health-care support workers for Health Care Support Workers' Week, who are the guests of the Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care (MLA Asagwara).

October 29, 2025 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 3215 And on behalf of all honour able members, we wel - come you here today. And further, seated in the public gallery, we have from the Harm Reduction Peer Advocacy group, members who are guests of the honour able member for Point Douglas (Ms. Smith), and we welcome you here today as well. ORAL QUESTIONS Megaprojects for Manitoba Building Costs and Construction Timeline Mr. Obby Khan (Leader of the Official Opposition): Honourable Speaker, Manitobans are asking them - selves one question: What is this Premier hiding?

The Premier has set a new standard for lack of transparency and accountability. The Premier and his failed Finance Minister get a D - when it comes to accountability and transparency in a C.D. Howe report. The Premier is refusing to debate the budget imple - mentation act. He's refusing to call Estimates to this House so that they can answer the questions on their irrespon- sible spending, and he's introducing legis lation late that he knows has no chance of passing, to block us from asking him questions on his account ability and transparency.

So I'll ask the Premier a simple question: If he wants to be accountable and trans parent to all Manitobans, what are the three megaprojects that he is claiming to have in the works? Hon. Wab Kinew (Premier): Honourable Speaker, I want to table these documents for the House. And I want to call attention to the fact that we're working hard for you, people across Manitoba: 17,000 more jobs since we took office; 3,400 new health-care workers. The only thing that hasn't gone up is gas prices because we cut the gas tax, saving you money each and every single day.

The members opposite, in between paying fines and owning themselves every time they show up into the Chamber, continue to show up in question period without a hot clue about what's going on in Manitoba. * (14:00) Here's the thing. We know that they're trying to practise politics with a smile and focus on health care and the economy now. Well, you know what we say to that? You know what we say to that? Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. The Speaker: Order. Mr. Kinew: Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

The Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a supplementary question. [interjection] Order. Mr. Khan: Very simple question: What are the three megaprojects the Premier is talking about? Or does he not have them? Is he just trying to distract Manitobans from the fact that health care is worse under his leadership, crime is at record highs and our economy in Manitoba is ranked dead last in Canada? Why is he being so secretive with the details? What are the projects? Who's going to fund the projects? Where are they going to be?

Has he consulted with his Indigenous Crown corporation that he talks about? The only thing the Premier has said is that they're going to be in the energy space. So let's start with a simple question maybe the Premier will actually answer: Where is the Premier going to find the energy to power these megaprojects when Manitoba Hydro itself says they run the risk of power shortages in the next four years? Mr. Kinew: You know, I love talking about energy because there's a renewed energy in Manitoba ever since the people showed the PC government the door.

And the PCs, of course, they didn't build–never mind a megawatt, 'nember' –never mind a kilowatt, never mind a single watt–they didn't build one calorie of energy. You can get one of those fancy little spoons, dip it in a bowl of sugar and there's more energy in that little, tiny decorative spoon than they built during their entire time in gov ernment. Look at them right now: there's no energy in the opposi tion benches. So we'll take no lessons from them. Instead, we'll take all our lessons from you, the great people of Manitoba. Let's work together and keep powering the future.

The Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a final supplementary question. Mr. Khan: Will this Premier take his job seriously? Will he actually answer a question from Manitobans? It's a complete joke on that side of the House. He thinks every question we ask is supposed to be answered with a passive-aggressive smile, with a back- handed joke, with insulting members and Manitobans– serious questions on the future of this province.

3216 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 29, 2025 When Manitoba Hydro says there's not going to be enough energy in this province in the next four years, he's waving his magic wand–[interjection] The Speaker: Order. Mr. Khan: –over three megaprojects. So I ask him again: What are those three mega- projects? Who's going to pay for them? And when are they going to be built? Mr. Kinew: Honourable Speaker, immediately upon taking government, we recognized that the era of not building anything under the PCs needed to come to an end. During the member's time in office, the building crane was an endangered species.

Now with us in office, the building crane –they're everywhere, just like birds, like seagulls, like pigeons; they're every- where in Manitoba. We're building 600 megawatts of wind with Indigenous partners to put people to work in commu- nities all over the province, including on reserves. We're building highways, bridges. We're connecting people across Manitoba. They only thing that they ever connected with was an intimacy coach paid for by their questionable practices on the PC Party side of things. Well, we're focused on you. We're focused on your jobs. We're focused on the economy.

Let's keep building up this great province again. The Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a new question. Government Spending Public Sector Salaries Mr. Obby Khan (Leader of the Official Opposition): The only hot air coming out of this Chamber is out of that Premier's mouth, Honourable Speaker. Spend, spend, spend–that's the NDP government right now.

The Premier and his failing Finance 'maninsee'–Minister are spending so much money that the Canadian Taxpayers Federation says, and I quote: Sounding the alarm over what is, it calls, frankly ridiculous surge in six- figure public sector salaries, urging the Province to rein in its payroll spending amid ballooning debt and deficit projections. End quote. I'll table that

article for the Premier to read. Once again, another organization blowing the whistle on this failed Finance Minister and Premier. So the question for the Premier, if he'll finally take one seriously and answer: Will the Premier listen to the Canadian Taxpayers Federation and rein in his payroll spending? Hon. Wab Kinew (Premier): You know, we're here each and every day, building up our economy, standing up to Donald Trump and declaring that we will never be the 51st state. At the same time, we're investing in health care, we're investing in education.

But I get a kick out of the members opposite when they come in here and ask questions that are about throwing shade at themselves. The first set of questions about the C.D. Howe report was about their time in gov ernment. The question that he just asked about big govern ment handouts–well, who got the biggest govern ment handout of all, $500,000 from Heather Stefanson. I'll table who got that handout right here: it's the member for Fort Whyte, the Leader of the PC Party who's lined up at the trough more than anyone else in the province's history. Mr.

Khan: Honourable Speaker, the Premier might want to live in the past, but Manitobans are living in the present, when food prices are at the highest price they've ever been in this province under this NDP. This Premier is handing out six -figure salaries to his best friends–because he's got the looks; $400,000 to his friend in Washington, DC, with zero trade deals done. And now, a record number of six-figure salaries have been handed out by this Premier: $5.1 billion under this Premier to his friends. Six-figure digits that you, Manitobans, are paying for.

So I'm going to ask the Premier a question again: Will the Premier listen to the experts' advice and rein in his spending on out-of-control government salaries when Manitobans can't even pay for food at the grocery stores? Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. The Speaker: Order, please. Order, please. I'd just call the govern ment bench to be a little quieter so that I can actually hear the questions that are being asked. Mr. Kinew: The member opposite got $500,000 during the height of COVID, when inflation was 8 per cent. That's more than any figure he just cited.

He got a bigger government handout than anyone else in the entire province.

October 29, 2025 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 3217 But that's not all. The person who advised him on his leadership campaign, the person who created the worst ads in Manitoba history, who guided each and every one of these members to the opposition benches. Do you know how much she got? She got $3 million. I'll table the documents for the House. The members opposite are living in a glass house which was built by their insider friends with gov ern- ment money, your money. The PC Party of Manitoba– there's way too much corruption.

Let's leave them in the dustbin of history, let's keep working together to build up Manitoba, fixing health care and making life more affordable. Mr. Khan: We have figured it out. We know why this Premier is failing finances and why the Finance Minister has a D-. He thinks that $5.1 billion to pay to his friends in public salaries is less than $500,000. Newsflash, Premier: $5.1 billion is more than $500,000. The Premier promised that he's going to fix bail– failed. Grocery prices are higher now under this Premier. Health care is worse under this Premier.

And now the deficit is reaching $4 billion under this failed Premier. Will the Premier rein in his spending, his out- of- control spending, on the backs of Manitoban tax- payers so that they could afford to live in Manitoba? The Speaker: Order, please. I would just remind the honour able member to make sure you're always directing your comments and questions through the Chair and not directly across to members opposite. Mr. Kinew: The leader of the PCs racked up a $2-billion deficit in a losing election campaign. Since taking office, we've cut that in half.

At the same time, we've rooted out corruption on their side of the House. The member for Red River North (Mr. Wharton), found guilty by all of his peers. Guilty, guilty, guilty. Had to pay a big fine this week: $10,000. Where's the money coming from? Are they still living off the proceeds of their time in office? Again, they've got donations –I'll table the list of donations to the leader's PC leadership campaign. Suspiciously like the Sio Silica imbroglio. I'll table the member of Turtle Mountain's disclosure here – again, the very same people from the Sio Silica report.

He launched a busi ness with them during this legis - lative session, and the list goes on and on and on. Party donor after party donor receiving money from the 'forter' PC government. * (14:10) I'll keep tabling every single day you want to keep raising. Too much corruption on their– The Speaker: Member's time has expired. School Divisions in Manitoba Timeline for Child-Care Spaces Mr. Wayne Ewasko (Lac du Bonnet): In 2023, our government laid the groundwork on 42 projects through the school division child- care stream, Honourable Speaker; 42 projects, 3,200 child- care spaces.

That's over 2,600 age-seven-and-under spaces. When is this Education Minister going to move on all of those spaces that families in Manitoba des - perately need? Hon. Tracy Schmidt (Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning): Thank you to the member opposite for the question. It gives me great pleasure to stand in this House and talk about what is a very im portant issue for all Manitobans, and that's access to high- quality, affordable child care.

And that's some thing our gov- ernment has delivered on, making true $10- a-day child care available here for every Manitoba parent, on every single day of the year. And just this morning, Honourable Speaker, myself and my colleague, the member for Lagimodière (Mr. Blashko), got to visit one of the brand new schools here in Manitoba, École Sage Creek School in the DSFM, and we also visited the in credible child- care spaces that they have at that school. We are building child-care spaces in every single one of the 11 schools that we will be building, thanks to– The Speaker: Member's time has expired.

The honourable member for Lac du Bonnet, on a supplementary question. Mr. Ewasko: Once again, Hon ourable Speaker, the minister stands up and embarrasses herself by not answering the question. Matter of fact, I'm surprised a spokesperson didn't come through the doors and give her the talking points. Honourable Speaker, I'm talking, I'm asking questions–[interjection] The Speaker: Order.

3218 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 29, 2025 Mr. Ewasko: –asked specifically for Sunrise School Division and Whiteshell school division. We're looking at over three–[interjection] The Speaker: Order, please. The honourable member for Kildonan-River East (Mrs. Schott) will come to order. Mr. Ewasko: Besides the heckling coming from the Health Minister, I'd like to ask the Education Minister: On behalf of Sunrise School Division and Whiteshell school division, when can they expect the shovels to hit the ground for their over 360 child-care spaces that the community desperately needs?

MLA Schmidt: Our govern ment was elected on a mandate to provide easy, accessible, flexible, afford- able child care for Manitobans, and that's what we are doing. We are building child- care spaces in part ner- ship with school divisions, in part nership with post - secondary institutions, in partnership with our health- care institutions. We're building them in corner–every corner of this province. In fact, I think perhaps this might be our child- care plan, Hon ourable Speaker–might be one of the megaprojects that our Premier (Mr. Kinew) is talking about.

We have so many projects in Manitoba that you can definitely qualify our child- care plan, the NDP government's child-care plan, as one of our many, three, four, five, maybe 10, megaprojects coming to Manitoba at a–[interjection] Sometimes– Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Daycares in Souris, Manitoba Funding for Child-Care Spaces Mrs. Colleen Robbins (Spruce Woods): Well, I've been–thank you, Honourable Speaker–I've been meeting with daycares since –in my riding, and Souris day- care was approved under the PC govern ment for 104 spaces. They were told they were cancelled.

Then they just received a new letter; it was something about procurement. But they wouldn't get their 60 per cent funding because they will not fund after – before-and-after-school programs. I'm going to ask this failed minister: Why are you not funding before-and-after-school programs? Hon. Tracy Schmidt (Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning): And is the case often, when members opposite get up, they are incorrect in the facts that they're putting here on the record today. We are absolutely building child- care spaces in Souris.

Had the member opposite taken any time to give my office a call, we absolutely could've had this question. She knows absolutely what the mix-up was. She's trying to mislead the House and she's tried to mislead her constituents. That's very unfortunate. That is why the members, Hon ourable Speaker, of Spruce Woods–the constituents of Spruce Woods– were really looking and hoping for change. But don't you worry, Spruce Woods. We're coming 2027.

You're going to have a great NDP candidate to vote for that's going to represent your interests, whether that's child care, whether that's education–[interjection] The Speaker: Order. MLA Schmidt: –health care, highways. We're coming. Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. The Speaker: Order, please. I would just remind the member for Spruce Woods before she asks her next question to make sure you're always directing the questions through the Chair. Mrs. Robbins: You maybe should let Souris know, because I just met with them this week–[interjection] The Speaker: Order, please.

I just cautioned the member about directing her comments through the Chair. Please make sure you direct comments, questions, through the Chair. And the honourable member that's talking should be quiet while the Speaker is standing. Mrs. Robbins: Sorry about that, minister –or, Honourable Speaker. Souris has 110 on a waiting list right now. They have no idea when this –projects can be–go –to start. I went to Rivers. They're looking at a new daycare. We have a daycare crisis and they're not getting any answers from this government.

So if this minister says that I should know some- thing, I don't know because they don't know either. I would like to ask her today, when do you suspect to–[interjection] The Speaker: Order, please. Order, please. I would caution the member that saying things like trying to mislead is dangerously –I'm sorry, it wasn't that member; it was the minister. Trying – saying things like inten tionally misleading, trying to mislead, are very close to being unparliamentary.

October 29, 2025 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 3219 So I just caution the member to choose her words carefully. Mrs. Robbins: I just want to ask this minister: When will the projects begin in Souris? MLA Schmidt: The member opposite is right, that Manitobans were –[interjection] Yes. They're applauding–Honourable Speaker– The Speaker: The honourable Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning. MLA Schmidt: And the member opposite is right about something, and that's the fact–[interjection] The Speaker: Order, please. I would caution the opposi tion bench to calm themselves down now.

MLA Schmidt: The member opposite is right about something, and that's that Manitobans were absolutely left in a child-care crisis after seven years of absolute neglect under the PC government. And I have some questions for the member oppo- site, Honourable Speaker. I have some questions for the member for Spruce Woods, what she would like to ask her leader– The Speaker: Member's time has expired. [interjection] Order, please. Phoenix School Expansion Request to Re-establish Project Mrs.

Kathleen Cook (Roblin): One of the first things this NDP govern ment did after forming govern ment was cancel the Phoenix School renovation and expan- sion project that was already underway in Headingley. With a new gym, two new classrooms, a multipurpose room, it would have offered some relief for students and teachers who are currently crammed into an aging building in the adjoining portable classrooms. I've asked this question many times on behalf of concerned residents in Headingley and the minister has yet to explain why they cancelled this project.

When will the NDP uncancel the Phoenix School expansion and renovation project? Hon. Tracy Schmidt (Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning): It is the case that your NDP gov ernment, Manitoba, is building schools in every single corner of this province. Just this September, Hon ourable Speaker, we have opened three new schools just this September. This morning, we were at a college in Sage Creek in DSFM.

We've opened another school in Sage Creek for Louis Riel School Division, and we had the great pleasure of visiting Parkhill School in Steinbach. * (14:20) That's true that also, Hon ourable Speaker, in Budget 2025, we've announced four more schools for this year in Waverley, in West Kildonan, in Radisson and in Brandon.

We know the need is great after seven and a half years of a gov ernment who couldn't find a school here in Manitoba, a failed minister who didn't know how to budget properly for a school, who would just like to announce them and show up for the ribbon cutting– The Speaker: Member's time has expired. Mrs. Cook: Can't wait to show the minister's answer to my constituents in Headingley, who will no doubt notice that the word Headingley did not cross the minister's lips there. If she ever wants to come out and see Phoenix School in Headingley, I would be happy to show her where it is.

It is, in fact, the No. 1 capital priority of the St. James-Assiniboia School Division; I know she's heard of them. The project also included 74 child -care spaces. There are hundreds of children on a wait-list for child care in Headingley. It is an issue that I hear about all the time in my con stituency office; I know all of us do. People rely on child care to get back to work. So again, I ask the minister: When will the NDP uncancel the Phoenix School expansion and reno- vation project?

MLA Schmidt: Well, Honourable Speaker, I'm not sure that uncancel is a word, but regardless, I'd love to–I appreciate the opportunity to answer a question, finally, on education. I'm so glad to see that the PCs have finally woken up and realized that there's some- thing called education here in Manitoba. I'm so happy to get to talk to it. Let's talk about the numbers: 100. That's the number–that's the percentage of school divisions that received budget increases under our New Democratic government.

Let's talk about some more numbers: 100–100 per cent of students in Manitoba have access to a universal school nutrition program, something the members opposite said was a bad idea. Honourable Speaker, 170. That's how many millions of dollars we have increased the budget. Let's talk about another number: 64. That was the number of the only idea that the PCs–

3220 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 29, 2025 The Speaker: Member's time has expired. Temporary Detention of Intoxicated Individuals Proposed Amendments to Bill 48 MLA Jeff Bereza (Portage la Prairie): The Minister of Housing, Addictions and Homelessness needs to be clear with Manitobans. She went to the media yester- day and tried to scare Manitobans that our proposed amendments would impact ongoing sobering sites. But this is not true. The restrictions are only on new protective-care centres. Will the minister correct the record today and withdraw her erroneous comments? Hon.

Bernadette Smith (Minister of Housing, Addictions and Homelessness): What I will say to that member is, I don't know why that member is – well, supported at stage 1, stage 2, come to committee and say it's a great bill, wants to support it. Even members on that side said this should have happened a long time ago. Comes to this House and now is saying that they don't want to support it. Are they supporting it? Not supporting it? Manitobans have been clear: they want to keep Manitobans safe. This is going to help keep Manitobans safe.

This is a pro tective-care centre, where they're going to receive care, they're going to make sure that they get the supports that they need. That member needs to get on board and help support Manitobans. The Speaker: Order, please. Stop the clock, please. Introduction of Guests The Speaker: Just need to interrupt QP for a minute just to acknowledge some students that are in the public gallery. We have, seated in the public gallery, from Westgate Mennonite Collegiate, 25 grade 9 students under the direction of Jeremy Siemens.

And this group is located in the con stituency of the honour able member for Wolseley (MLA Naylor). We welcome you here today. Community Consultations for Bill 48 MLA Bereza: As I said before and I've said over and over, no content in Bill 48. Honourable Speaker, 190 Disraeli Fwy. is across the street from a high school and nearby daycares. The com munity was quite clear at com mittee that they have concerns and have not been consulted, but they've been cut off.

Individuals can't admit themselves to a protective-care site, so a central location serves to only amplify potential for harm when individuals who are still intoxicated and are required to be released. Why did this minister refuse to consult with those constituents? Ms. Smith: Just last week, the PC leader told reporters, and I quote: the PCs are in favour of holding people up to 72 hours that are suffering in the grips of meth psychosis. Even the member for Red River North (Mr. Wharton) said that the former PC govern ment should have acted to protect people in meth psychosis.

And he told the com mittee, and I quote: this is not a partisan issue. Action needs to be taken, and we all agree we need to get it right and it need s to happen quickly. Should've happened probably a long time ago. So why aren't members getting on board? This is about protecting members, protecting Manitobans and protecting those who are in meth psychosis. This is about getting people the resources they need. These members– The Speaker: Member's time has expired.

Protection from Radon Exposure Request for Government Plan MLA Cindy Lamoureux (Tyndall Park): Honour- able Speaker, last week, the Manitoba radon network hosted a symposium here in Winnipeg with a focus on developing a five -year action plan for Manitoba to protect residents from radon, which has been found to be present at dangerously high levels in 43 per cent of Manitoba homes. This is the highest in Canada, and it is the second leading cause of lung cancer, affecting thousands of Manitobans.

For decades, this issue has fallen on deaf ears, despite available knowledge and previous advocacy by many organizations. What is this government's action plan for radon? Hon. Uzoma Asagwara (Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care): Yes, I really appreciate that question from the member for Tyndall Park. I'll admit, I'm a nurse; I've worked in health care a long time, but it's only in recent years that I've had the opportunity to learn about radon and the impacts of it. Early on in our administration and early on in my role as Health Minister, I had many conversations about the impacts of radon.

I talked to doctors about this and

October 29, 2025 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 3221 have been exploring the ways in which we can make sure that, first and foremost, Manitobans are informed about the effects, what to look out for and what tools are available to them to keep themselves safer. So we recognize there's more work to do in this space. We're going to keep working with local experts. And I'd be more than happy to keep the member for Tyndall Park up to speed on how we do that work.

Mitigation Requirement for Home Renovations MLA Lamoureux: Honourable Speaker, radon is an invisible, odourless and tasteless radioactive gas that is naturally present in the environment and comes from the breakdown of uranium and soil and rock. While diluted outdoors, it can accumulate to dangerous levels in enclosed spaces like homes, making it the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. Newly built homes are better insulated than older homes and are therefore often at greater risk of having high levels of radon.

Will this government follow what Ontario and BC have already done and act to include radon mitigation as mandatory for major renovations or new homes in Manitoba's building code? MLA Asagwara: You know, again, a very reasonable question being brought forward by the member for Tyndall Park. It would be great to see any member of the PC caucus take the same approach. But what I will say is that I think the member recognizes that this is an issue that actually crosses different portfolios, right?

So the good thing about our government is that, unlike the previous govern ment, we actually talk to one another across the caucus and Cabinet table. We work together to the benefit of all Manitobans. So this is some thing, on the medical side, we're exploring, making sure, again, the infor mation gets out to Manitobans. But it's some thing across the departments of Health, Environment and Climate Change–you know, there's ways in which we recog- nize we need to partner across departments to do work in this space while working with the experts and making sure we're keeping Manitobans informed.

More work to do in this space. Of course we're going to look at other jurisdictions– The Speaker: Member's time has expired. Subsidy for Testing and Mitigation MLA Lamoureux: Testing for radon can be expensive. In the presence of –if the presence of radon is con - firmed, the installation of a radon mitigation system in a home can cost $3,000 or more. Unfortunately, many Manitobans cannot afford to do either, forcing them to live at higher risk of lung cancer. Does the government have a plan to subsidize radon testing and mitigation for Manitobans who need it? MLA Asagwara: That's a really great question.

What I can tell the member–she's raised a few really impor- tant points. The rates of lung cancer, which are–unfor- tunately, we're seeing increasing, are a direct result also of radon-related issues, amongst a whole host of other things. * (14:30) And we have been working with and meeting with CancerCare Manitoba to find ways to ensure that more Manitobans, in parti cular those who we know are not getting access to screening in a timely manner, have the infor mation, have the resources, have the accessibility to testing and screening so that we can improve the health outcomes of those who are affected.

Ultimately we want more Manitobans to hear those four magic words: you are cancer free. We also want to do the work to do everything we can to keep people safe in advance and to be proactive and preven- tative. The Speaker: Member's time has expired. Constitutional Questions Amendment Act Limits to the Notwithstanding Clause MLA David Pankratz (Waverley): I want to thank the opposition for cutting their allotment of questions short. I know they were keen to get to my question here today. So this week the MLA from Red River North put together enough money to pay his dues for breaking the law, $10,000.

He broke the law, our Constitution, dismissed democracy. And, unlike the MLA from Red River North, we know that, as elected representatives, we have a duty to protect demo cracy and the rights of Manitobans, and that's why we can't wait to pass Bill 50 to protect human rights in Manitoba for generations to come. Can the Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care please tell the House more about this impor tant bill?

3222 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 29, 2025 Hon. Uzoma Asagwara (Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care): I thank my colleague for that very, very important question. Honourable Speaker, yesterday in this Chamber, the member for Red River North (Mr. Wharton) said waah, waah to mock the fact that just one–[interjection] The Speaker: Order, please. Once again, I have to remind–[interjection] Order. I have to remind members that they can't reference things that are taken under advisement.

MLA Asagwara: Honourable Speaker, yesterday in this House, and today in this House, we continue to see members of the PC caucus exemplify exactly why Bill 50 is needed. This law that has been brought forward by our govern ment would limit future gov - ernments' ability to use the notwithstanding clause and ensure that the rights and freedoms of Manitobans are protected.

The despicable outburst that we saw and the despicable behaviour we continue to see today, including while I asked this question, exemplify that we must do everything we can to protect democracy and protect Manitobans from any future govern ment that might behave half as badly as the PCs continue to. The Speaker: Member's time has expired. Crime at Transit Locations Public Safety Concerns Mr. Wayne Balcaen (Brandon West): Youth crime is skyrocketing under this NDP government. Monday afternoon, a youth shot a transit operator following a dispute and he's still at large, and I'll table that press release.

Three hundred and twenty- five violent crimes at transit locations last year, which is a historic high according to the Winnipeg Police Service. Things are only getting worse under this Justice Minister. When will this minister bring forward a real safety plan for Manitobans? Hon. Matt Wiebe (Minister of Justice and Attorney General): Well, we have a real safety plan. It's called the Public Safety Strategy that the member opposite should read up.

He should also be truthful in the House about the facts, which show very clearly that, of course, in 2022, under the previous govern ment, youth crime was up by 43 per cent; a knife crime happened every six hours; there was a 40 per cent jump in shoplifting; and crime was up by 26 per cent. Our investments are starting to move the needle. We've seen youth crime come down, we've seen attacks with long-bladed weapons come down. It's all because of the actions of this government. The mem- bers opposite don't have a leg to stand on. I want to thank our law enforcement.

We're going to continue to work with them, support their work, and we're going to continue to make our streets safer. Change to Apprenticeship Ratio Call to Reverse Decision Mr. Josh Guenter (Borderland): This NDP govern- ment falsely claims to be a listening gov ernment, yet they fail to listen to Manitoba's construction industry leaders, who are saying that this NDP govern ment is choking our economy and limiting oppor tunities for Manitobans.

This NDP govern ment has shut out effectively 80 per cent of Manitoba's construction industry from building our schools, hospitals and highways, and yesterday we learned that, for the first time in six years, there are fewer apprentice registrations and apprentices in Manitoba because of this NDP govern- ment's imposition of a one -to-one journeyperson-to- apprentice ratio. Will they reverse their disastrous decisions? Hon.

Jamie Moses (Minister of Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation): I'm glad to have the opportunity to talk about the in credible opportunities that young Manitobans have to work in our skilled trades. This is a wonderful profession that'll help you go through the ap prenticeship program, get your certification, become a journeyperson, earn a good- paying job for yourselves, for your family and support us growing our economy right here in Manitoba. We're happy to know that our certification numbers are actually increasing.

We've got more women in trade; in fact, a 35 per cent increase of women certified in apprenticeships this year. That's a terrific record for our government. Now, we want to make sure that every apprentice who goes through the program both has high- quality training and that they can go to work safely and return home safely. That's why we are initiating the programs we are. That's why we're supporting– The Speaker: Member's time has expired.

October 29, 2025 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 3223 Temporary Detention of Intoxicated Individuals Request to Withdraw Bill 48 Mr. Mark Wasyliw (Fort Garry): Manitoba is in the middle of a mental health and addiction crisis. The Premier has no money for the Mental Health Crisis Response Centre, which is dangerously understaffed, but he does have money for prison beds, and that's what Bill 48 does. It adds 20 solitary confinement cells for Manitobans having mental health crises while using drugs. They've committed no crime. They suffer from a men tal health psychosis and use drugs to cope.

This Premier's solution is to lock them up in a windowless cell for 72 hours. Mental health crisis centre has been overwhelmed by patient walk-ins. There are Manitobans who want help who can't get it. Instead, the Premier's response is to jail Manitobans who don't want help and to force taxpayers to pay for it. Will the Premier withdraw his cruel, mean - spirited and ineffective Bill 48 today? Hon. Wab Kinew (Premier): The meth crisis has taken lives; it's causing chaos in our streets, and we're taking action to stamp it out. There's a lot of irresponsible comments being made about this.

What we're talking about is a health- care response to people who are experiencing addictions. The members opposite have brought forward some amendments that are irresponsible them selves. They would not give the latitude for the existing 24-hour facility that we have to help people who are suffering through alcohol addiction as well as other drugs.

While this is some thing that the members opposite want to tsk and heckle their way through, we're taking real action, listening to the health -care providers, listening to the com munity members and, most importantly, listening to you, the families who have seen too many of your loved ones suffer. The Speaker: The honourable member for Fort Garry, on a supplementary question. Mr. Wasyliw: Jail beds are not therapeutic beds, and Manitoba is going to trial in November from the widespread use of solitary confinement in correctional facilities.

Experts say solitary confinement makes people who are suffering mental health psychosis worse. The current policy in Manitoba is to only let inmates out of cells for 30 minutes a day. That doesn't comply with the United Nations rules on the treatment of prisoners. Yet this Premier, in Bill 48, is proposing to treat people who haven't committed a crime worse than they treat our inmates. Under Bill 48, people will be locked up in a cell for 72 hours w ithout any time out of the cell. Solitary confinement has been described as psychological torture.

In Canada, you can't force someone to get treatment when they don't consent. Why is this Premier– The Speaker: Member's time has expired. Mr. Kinew:

Section 1 of the Constitu tion says that everyone's rights are subject to the reasonable limits that can be placed on them by a democratic process. The reality that everyone who is criticizing the approach that we're taking choose to ignore to their own political benefit is this: The alternative to Bill 48 is to have somebody high on meth swinging a machete or swinging their fists in front of grandma or in front of a toddler on their way home from daycare or in front of your kids on their way home from school. We've seen enough chaos in our streets. We've seen enough shenanigans from the opposition.

Let's take action to stamp out meth addiction in this province. It starts with Bill 48. The Speaker: The time for oral questions has expired. Speaker's Ruling The Speaker: And I have a ruling for the House. I have a ruling for the House. The honourable First Minister– Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. * (14:40) The Speaker: The Speaker is still standing. On October 28, 2025, the honourable member for Red River North (Mr. Wharton) raised a point of order regarding comments made by the honour able First Minister during a response to a question during the question period on second reading of Bill 50.

The honourable First Minister had accused the member for Red River North of saying "Waah, waah," as a heckle. The honourable member for Red River North disputed this comment and asked that the hon ourable First Minister table the Hansard showing the comments. The honourable Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care (MLA Asagwara) also spoke to the matter before I took it under advisement.

3224 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 29, 2025 Points of order are to be used to draw the attention of the Speaker to a perceived breach of rules of the– or practice of the House or to raise concerns about unparliamentary language. At no time during his submission did the honourable member for Red River North (Mr. Wharton) state that a rule or a practice had been broken. Instead, the member used his time to dispute comments put on the record by the honourable First Minister. It is well esta blished among procedural author - ities that disputes over facts are matters of debate and not points of order.

Furthermore, on page 639 of third edition of House of Commons Procedure and Practice, Bosc and Gagnon state, "a Member may not direct remarks to the House or engage in debate by raising a matter under the guise of a point of order." I would therefore rule that the member does not have a point of order. Now, I have more to say on this matter. As I said, I would in the –as I said I would in the House when I took this under advisement, I took time to investigate further and I've reviewed public footage from our broadcast cameras in the Chamber.

In this footage, the comment in question was clearly audible as a heckle during the hon ourable First Minister's response. I would also like to say that I clearly heard the heckle by the member for Red River North in the House yesterday. If members do not want comments spoken off the record to be repeated on the record, I would suggest you do not make them at all. Just because the Hansard transcript may not include comments made off the record does not mean that they are not heard. Further, the member for Red River North was not the only member heckling yesterday afternoon.

The behaviour on display from both sides of this Chamber was quite frankly disgraceful. Multiple members from both sides were again hollering back and forth, in particular, the member for Lac du Bonnet (Mr. Ewasko) and the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning (MLA Schmidt). I was lenient yesterday, perhaps too lenient. I will not be so lenient today. This has to stop. We have to show the people of Manitoba that we are better than this. And further, earlier today, the member for Waverley (MLA Pankratz), in his attempt to table a document, was speaking about a member –a matter taken under advisement.

So to clarify for the House, any member is allowed to table a document in the House. Earlier, the member of Waverley attempted to table a docu ment related to the matter under ad visement and he was speaking to the matter under ad visement as he did that. I didn't allow that tabling because the member was referencing the matter under advisement, but the document could, in fact, be tabled. I have one more thing to say: I see members, on both sides, getting upset because maybe somebody goes long and the Speaker doesn't stand up right away and stop them, and that happens on both sides.

Do members have any idea why that may happen from time to time? I'll tell you why: because when I'm trying to listen and pay attention when somebody's heckling and heckling and heckling, then I don't always get the timing right because it all is dependent on me paying attention to that stopwatch and pressing the start and stop button. But if I'm constantly jumping up to call people to order or calling people to order, or listening to see if I have to call people to order, then sometimes that timing is off.

So I would ask all members to be respectful of the Speaker attempting to do the Speaker's job and the Speaker certainly doesn't get it right all the time. Thank you. MATTER OF PRIVILEGE Mr. Kelvin Goertzen (Steinbach): Honourable Speaker, on a matter of privilege. The Speaker: The honourable member for Steinbach, on a matter of privilege. Mr. Goertzen: The Speaker knows, and members of this House know, that a matter of privilege must meet two tests: the first test is timeliness, that it's raised at the earliest op portunity, and the second that it is a prima facie case of a breach of the rules.

On the issue of timeliness, Hon ourable Speaker, I submit to you that this is the earliest op portunity because what I'm about to discuss and to submit to you is an infraction of our rules. It happened just before you issued your ruling on the point of order, and of course I wouldn't have wanted to inter rupt you on providing your guidance on the point of order. Prior to you standing or, as you stood, I should say, you called members to order and you signified to the House that you had a ruling for the House.

October 29, 2025 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 3225 Now, there are a lot of different rules and traditions of this House, and I would submit, having been here for a long time–some might say too long–that some of those practices have fallen into either disuse or perhaps not adhered to in the way that they should. I remember a former member of the Legislature, member for Portage, David Faurschou, raising, I believe, it was a point of order, about how members weren't bowing as they were either crossing the floor in the centre of the Assembly or leaving the House.

And at that time the Speaker of the day, who pro- bably was–well, it might have been Daryl Reid, but I'm not sure, but the previous Speaker reminded members of the House that those are the sort of things that are important, that tradition are important, that it's showing respect not just to you as the Speaker, but to the mace and the represen tative of the monarchy. Those are the sort of reminders that we all need. We have seen other sort of things fall into disuse, and one of them, I would say, is that when the Speaker is standing often members are not paying attention.

Most significantly at the end of the day, as you leave the Chamber, I often see members either s ort of milling around, or some will actually just leave the Chamber when they should be standing in some what attention as you leave the Chamber, along with the mace. What I witnessed today, though, from the First Minister, was

an act of disrespect that I don't believe in my two decades that I've seen before. Not, as I mentioned, that I haven't seen people not properly adhere to the fact that you're standing and they should be standing or sitting in their place–[interjection] Well, maybe the– The Speaker: Order. Mr. Goertzen: –it may be that the Minister of Justice (Mr. Wiebe) wants to respond to this matter of privilege and he'll have the opportunity as our rules allow. But the issue is about the rules.

So when the Speaker is standing, as I understand it, and you'll certainly correct me if I'm wrong, that members should then be standing and waiting for you to either depart the House or to provide the infor ma- tion that you're going to be providing to the House. In this circumstance, when you stood and indicated you had a ruling for the House, the Premier (Mr. Kinew) started to leave the Chamber. In fact, you then, I think Hansard would prove this out–[interjection] The Speaker: Order. * (14:50) Mr.

Goertzen: I recognize the Minister of Education has difficulty sometimes controlling her outbursts, but I would ask that in this circumstance–that is, I provide this matter of privilege –that that member tries to control themselves, at least until they have the oppor- tunity to respond. So the issue, then, is the Premier was leaving the House. You, as the Speaker, spe cifically said–asked the Premier to come– The Speaker: Order, please. As the member indicated, he's been here for a while and does understand the rules. So I'm sure he understands that we can't comment on whether a member's present or not present.

Mr. Goertzen: And I'm certainly not commenting on the current member's presence or not presence. But you called the Premier to order. And he ignored that order. It was specifically ignored. In fact, I saw the Premier –and videotapes would probably show this–sort of hesitate and look back at you and continued on his way. That, to me, is a breach of the privilege of this House. And it's a breach because all members have to be treated the same.

I've said this before in a different context, but the Premier, the First Minister in the House is the Premier of the province, but they're not the Premier of the House, because every member in this House has individual responsibilities, and every member of this House has individual authority, and every member of this House has individual rights.

What the Premier did in that particular circum - stance, I believe, was not only disrespectful to you as the Speaker–and I would hope that you would opine on that in your ruling–but I think disrespectful to all members of the House, because his individual author- ity is certainly greater than members generally in this House outside of the House. As chair of Executive Council, as a member of the Executive Council, his authority is greater outside of the House. It is not greater inside the House, and he has to act in the same responsible member, as all of us do. So, Mr.

Speaker–or sorry, Honourable Speaker, I hope that you'll reflect upon this matter of privilege, and for that reason I move, seconded by the member for Fort Whyte (Mr. Khan), that this matter be referred to a committee of the House.

3226 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 29, 2025 The Speaker: Before recognizing any other member to speak to the matter of privilege, I will remind members again that comments must be relevant to the matter of privilege that's been raised. MLA David Pankratz (Waverley): So I ap preciate the member for Steinbach (Mr. Goertzen). I also ap - preciate his institutional knowledge of this space. He is bringing forward a matter of privilege. Obviously, this is a distraction from the failed point of order that they have made. They're trying to put new things on the record and to distract from it.

Ultimately, when I looked around this Chamber, as the Deputy House Leader, I did not see anything amiss, and so this would not be a matter of privilege, and if any- thing, it would be a matter of the order of the Chamber itself. So I, you know, I obviously, again, respect the member for Steinbach for his institutional knowledge, but in this case this is not a matter of privilege. Thank you. The Speaker: At this point, I do believe I will take this matter under ad visement because matters of privilege are very im portant matters, and I want to make sure that the rulings are always done correctly.

Sometimes, even with less serious matters, I take it under advise ment because they do set a precedent for the future. So that matter will be taken under advisement. * * * Mr. Derek Johnson (Official Opposition House Leader): On House business. The Speaker: The hon ourable Op position House Leader, on House business. Mr. Johnson: Honourable Speaker, is there leave to call Bill 225 for third reading and not recognize the clock until all members that wish to, have spoken, bringing Bill 225, The Public Schools Amendment Act (Universal Screening for Learning Dis abilities), to a vote today.

The Speaker: Is there leave for the House not to see the clock until all members who wish to speak have spoken to Bill 225, The Public Schools Amendment Act? Is there leave? Some Honourable Members: Agreed. Some Honourable Members: No. The Speaker: Leave has been denied. PETITIONS Opposition to Releasing Repeat Offenders Mr. Wayne Balcaen (Brandon West): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) Kellie Verwey, a beloved young woman from Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, was tragically killed in a car crash caused by a repeat violent offender with a long criminal history.

(2) Despite repeated violations of his bail conditions, the offender was free to roam the streets and to ultimately claim Kellie's life. This tragedy was entirely preventable.

(3) While the Criminal Code falls under federal jurisdiction, provinces have been given the respon- sibility for the administration of justice, allowing for meaningful provincial action on bail reform to ensure public safety.

(4) Other provinces have taken proactive steps to strengthen bail enforcement, but Manitoba has not used all available tools to address this issue effectively.

(5) The provincial government has the ability and the responsibility to advocate for and implement measures that protect its citizens by ensuring that repeat violent offenders are not released into our communities without proper safeguards.

(6) Immediate action is required to close gaps in the justice system that allow dangerous criminals to remain free, which puts innocent Manitobans at risk. Mr. Tyler Blashko, Deputy Speaker, in the Chair We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

(1) To urge the provincial government to take immediate–pardon me –and decisive action on bail reform to address serious deficits in enforcement by utilizing all available provincial mechanisms to strengthen warrant enforcement, increasing bail supervision and opposing release of offenders, thus ensuring that repeat violent offenders are held accountable and that public safety is prioritized over leniency; and * (15:00)

(2) To urge the provincial government to lobby the federal government to immediately repeal pro - visions of the Criminal Code that allow for the continued victimization of law -abiding Manitobans

October 29, 2025 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 3227 while guaranteeing –or sorry, while granting repeat offenders additional rights. And, hon ourable Speaker –honourable Deputy Speaker, this petition was signed by Larsen Nelson, Kim Skoc, Carla Dawn Smith and many, many other fine Manitobans. Thank you, honourable Deputy Speaker. MRI Machine for Portage Regional Health Facility MLA Jeff Bereza (Portage la Prairie): Honourable Deputy Speaker, I wish to present the following petition. The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) Thanks to the investment made under the previous PC provincial government as part of the clinical and preventative services plan, construction for the new Portage regional health facility is well under way. The facility and surrounding community would greatly benefit from added diagnostic machinery and equipment, but specifically the addition of an MRI machine.

(2) An MRI machine is a non -invasive medical imaging technique that uses a magnetic field and a computer-generated radio waves to create detailed images of organs and tissues in the human body. It is used for disease detection, diagnosis and treatment monitoring.

(3) Portage la Prairie is centrally located in Manitoba and is on Highway No. 1 in the Southern Health/Santé Sud Health Authority. Currently there is only one MRI machine in the RHA.

(4) An MRI machine located in the Portage regional health facility will reduce transportation costs for patients as well as reduce the burden on stretcher service and ambulance use. It will bring care closer to home and reduce wait times for MRI scans across the province.

(5) Located around Portage la Prairie are the Dakota Tipi, Dakota Plains, Sandy Bay and Long Plain First Nations reserves. Indigenous peoples in Canada disproportionately face barriers in access to services and medical care. An MRI machine located in the Portage regional health facility will bring care closer to their home communities and provide greater access to diagnostic testing.

(6) Located in close proximity to the new Portage regional health facility is the Southport airport. This aerodrome has a runway length that is more than adequate to support medical air ambulance services. This would provide the opportunity to transport patients by air from more remote communities to access MRI imaging services.

(7) The average wait times for Manitobans to receive an MRI scan is currently six to eight months. Having an MRI machine in the Portage regional health facility will help reduce these wait times for patients and provide better care sooner. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to support the investment and placement of an MRI machine in the Portage la Prairie regional health facility in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. This is signed by Lyle Henderson, Tricia MacDonald, Barry Lusk and many, many, many more Manitobans. Thank you, honourable Deputy Speaker.

The Deputy Speaker: Before we move on to the next petition, I'll just remind all members that you can name three names at the end of your petition, and two manys. Rural Community Policing Services Ms. Jodie Byram (Agassiz): I wish to present the following petition to the Legis lative Assembly of Manitoba. The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) All Manitobans deserve to feel safe in their homes and communities.

(2) Throughout Manitoba, rural communities are seeing dramatic increases in criminal activities targeting individuals and property, which has eroded their sense of safety.

(3) Though com munities pay taxes for RCMP coverage, many have lost local policing as RCMP detachments consolidate. This situation is unacceptable to com munities who expect a level of service and police protection.

(4) The lack of com munity policing has led to many Manitobans losing faith in the rule of law and the availability of emergency services when they are needed.

(5) The provincial gov ernment has a responsi - bility to act and ensure that com munities receive adequate service and coverage from police resources.

3228 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 29, 2025 We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial gov ernment to imme - diately work with the RCMP to restore rural commu- nity policing and provide adequate resources to protect Manitoba communities. This petition is signed by Shawn Purkess, Tyson Walker and Sheila Smith and many, many more Manitobans. Headingley–Highway 1 Pedestrian Upgrades Mrs. Kathleen Cook (Roblin): I wish to present the following petition to the Legis lative Assembly of Manitoba. The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) Highway 1 through the RM of Headingley is increasingly busy with vehicular traffic. As a major truck and transportation route that runs through both commercial and resi dential areas, safety is of para - mount importance.

(2) There are many local businesses and homes in this area, meaning that motorists must safely share the roadway with cyclists and pedestrians.

(3) The stretch of Highway 1 westbound from Dodds Road to Bobiche Street does not have a service road, nor does it have a shoulder. Instead, Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure has recently installed a curb on this stretch, which is unique compared to the rest of Highway 1 through Headingley.

(4) The department's decision to forgo a shoulder or turning lane forces cyclists and pedestrians on to the actual lane of traffic, presenting a serious safety hazard.

(5) Residents have reported challenges safely navigating this stretch of highway while cycling or walking to nearby homes and busi nesses. Some residents fear that it is only a matter of time until a pedestrian or cyclist is seriously injured or killed. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial gov ernment to install a sidewalk or shoulder with a turning lane to facilitate safe pedestrian and cyclist traffic along Highway 1 westbound from Dodds Road to Bobiche Street.

And this petition is signed by Joshua Saunders, Brenda Skotniczny, Ed Skotniczny and many, many other Manitobans. Opposition to Releasing Repeat Offenders Mr. Wayne Ewasko (Lac du Bonnet): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. * (15:10) And the background to this petition is as follows:

(1) Kellie Verwey, a beloved young woman from Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, was tragically killed in a car crash caused by a repeat violent offender with a long criminal history.

(2) Despite repeated violations of his bail conditions, the offender was free to roam the streets and to ultimately claim Kellie's life. This tragedy was entirely preventable.

(3) While the Criminal Code falls under federal jurisdiction, provinces have been given the respon- sibility for the administration of justice, allowing for meaningful provincial action on bail reform to ensure public safety.

(4) Other provinces have taken proactive steps to strengthen bail enforcement, but Manitoba has not used all of the available tools to address this issue effectively.

(5) The provincial government has the ability and the responsibility to advocate for and implement measures that protect its citizens by ensuring that repeat violent offenders are not released into our communities without proper safeguards.

(6) Immediate action is required to close gaps in the justice system that allow dangerous criminals to remain free, which puts innocent Manitobans at risk. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

(1) To urge the provincial government to take immediate and decisive action on bail reform to address serious deficits in enforcement by utilizing all available provincial mechanisms to strengthen warrant enforcement, increasing bail supervision and opposing release of offenders, thus ensuring that repeat violent offenders are held accountable and that public safety is prioritized over leniency; and

(2) To urge the provincial government to lobby the federal government to immediately repeal pro - visions of the Criminal Code that allow for the continued victimization of law -abiding Manitobans while granting repeat offenders additional rights.

October 29, 2025 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 3229 Honourable Deputy Speaker, this petition is signed by Kelly Drew, Delnora Rice, Heather Kerr and many, many other Manitobans. Thank you, honourable Deputy Speaker. MRI Machine for Portage Regional Health Facility Mr. Kelvin Goertzen (Steinbach): Honourable Deputy Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. And the background to this petition is as follows:

(1) Thanks to the investment made under the previous PC provincial government as part of the clinical and preventative services plan, construction for a new Portage regional health facility is well under way. The facility and surrounding community would greatly benefit from added diagnostic machinery and equipment, but specifically the addition of an MRI machine.

(2) An MRI machine is a non -invasive medical imaging technique that uses a magnetic field and computer-generated radio waves to create detailed images of organs and tissues in the human body. It is used for disease detection, diagnosis and treatment monitoring. Mrs. Rachelle Schott, Acting Speaker, in the Chair

(3) Portage la Prairie is centrally located in Manitoba and is on the No. 1 Highway in the Southern Health/Santé Sud Health Authority. Currently there is only one MRI machine in the RHA.

(4) An MRI machine located in the Portage regional health facility will reduce transportation costs for patients as well as reduce the burden on stretcher service and ambulance use. It'll bring care closer to home and reduce wait times for MRI scans across the province.

(5) Located around Portage la Prairie are the Dakota Tipi, Dakota Plains, Sandy Bay and Long Plain First Nations reserves. Indigenous peoples in Canada disproportionately face barriers in access to services and medical care. An MRI machine located in the Portage regional health facility will bring care closer to their home communities and provide greater access to diagnostic testing.

(6) Located in close proximity to the new Portage regional health facility is Southport airport. This aerodrome has a runway length that is more than adequate to support medical air ambulance services. This would provide the opportunity to transport patients by air from more remote communities to access MRI imaging services.

(7) The average wait times for Manitobans to receive an MRI scan is currently six to eight months. Having an MRI machine in the Portage regional health facility will help to reduce these wait times for patients and provide better care sooner. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to support the investment and placement of an MRI machine in the Portage regional health facility in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. And, honourable acting Speaker, this petition is signed by Joanne Gagnon, Bev Aymont, Angela Caslor and many other fine Manitobans.

Support for Border Communities Mr. Josh Guenter (Borderland): Honourable Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) Illegal border crossings into Manitoba have increased 14 per cent in 2024, raising signi ficant public safety and security concerns, parti cularly in border communities.

(2) Changes to the Canada-US Safe Third Country Agreement have driven migrants deeper into hiding to avoid apprehension, making law enforce ment efforts more difficult.

(3) Border patrol officials believe that criminal organizations are involved in smuggling operations at the border, posing serious security threats to Manitoba.

(4) Human smuggling networks are abandoning vulnerable migrants, including families, in isolated and dangerous locations, exposing them to severe risks, especially during Manitoba's harsh winters.

(5) Border com munities are preparing for a possible surge in illegal border crossings, which could overwhelm local resources and emergency search-and-rescue services.

(6) Despite these challenges, there has been little communication or support from the provincial and federal gov ernments regarding their plans to assist border com munities, leaving them under -resourced and unprepared to manage this escalating crisis.

3230 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 29, 2025 We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

(1) To urge the provincial gov ernment to lobby the federal gov ernment to develop and implement a comprehensive plan to assist border communities in managing the rise in illegal border crossings into Manitoba; and

(2) To urge the provincial gov ernment to work closely with the federal and local authorities to ensure adequate resources, including funding and support for emergency services, are available to protect local communities; and that imme diate measures be taken to dismantle and destroy all human smuggling net - works operating in Manitoba. This petition has been signed by Sarah Bueckert, Mary Reimer, Judy Peters and many, many, many, many, many, many, many Manitobans. * (15:20) Morden Waste Water Project Mrs.

Carrie Hiebert (Morden-Winkler): Honour- able deputy Chair –Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) Between 2011 and 2021, Morden's population grew by an impressive 27 per cent, outpacing the national average by 16 per cent, according to Statistics Canada.

(2) While growth is welcome and encouraged, Morden has along faced a critical need for infra - structure upgrades to meet current demands and sup- port future development.

(3) Morden's waste water system has operated beyond capacity for years, prompting the Province in 2019 to halt property subdivisions due insufficient – due to insufficient water waste water storage.

(4) As of 2024, after exploring all options, the city announced in July that the estimated cost for critical infrastructure upgrades has risen from $70 million to $88 million and now $108 million.

(5) These revised estimates leave Morden with a significant funding shortfall of 13 to 33 million dollars.

(6) Despite efforts to address the gap, including plans to raise utility fees for residents and businesses, such increases that have been delayed since 2017 due to the lack of approval–approved capital project, taxation is not enough.

(7) The lack of waste water capacity has severely impacted economic activity and growth in Morden and the surrounding communities. Without much-needed waste water infrastructure investments, growth and economic development will be hindered in all of southern Manitoba. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

(1) To urge the provincial government to take immediate action and recognize the critical need of this waste water project for economic growth and environmental sustainability by committing to advo - cating and working with the federal government to close the gap with additional funding for Morden's waste water treatment system.

(2) To urge the provincial government to ensure all levels of government and regulatory bodies will expedite necessary funding and approvals necessary to advance the Morden waste water project with no further delays and ensure no hindrance to growth and economic development for Morden and southern Manitoba. This petition has been signed by Abe I. Friesen, Tammy Hendrickx, Christine Thompson and many, many other Manitobans. Thank you. Provincial Trunk Highway 34 Mrs. Colleen Robbins (Spruce Woods): Honourable deputy Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) Provincial Trunk Highway 34 (PTH 34) is a two-lane provincial primary highway that runs from the US border where it meets with ND 20 to PTH 16 at the town of Gladstone.

(2) PTH 34 runs north-south in the south-central region of the province. It is the main highway for the towns of Crystal City, Pilot Mound and Holland, serving as a main corridor for semi -trailers, farm equipment, daily drivers and local school bus routes.

(3) A new bridge is currently being constructed over the Assiniboine River at PTH 34, north of Holland in the RM of Victoria. The bridge serves as an impor tant north -south link over the Assiniboine River between the Trans -Canada Highway and PTH 2.

October 29, 2025 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 3231

(4) The 'deteriation' of the PTH 34 has raised many concerns due to its narrow shoulders and numer ous deep potholes that pose serious safety risks consid - ering farmers often need to use the highway to transport their heavy equip ment–to transport heavy equipment.

(5) Construction of a new bridge in accordance– current design codes and the RTAC standard, located on PTH 34 crossing the Assiniboine River, will support trade and commerce and improve public safety in the area, and also accommodate flood events on the Assiniboine River. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to address the conditions of Provincial Trunk Highway 34, making the necessary upgrades to RTAC standard and to resurface the road once the new bridge has been completed.

This has been signed by John Taylor, Jim Hills, Donna Hills and many, many more Manitobans. Opposition to Releasing Repeat Offenders Mr. Obby Khan (Leader of the Official Opposition): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) Kellie Verwey, a beloved young woman from Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, was tragically killed in a car crash caused by a repeat violent offender with a long criminal history.

(2) Despite repeated violations of his bail conditions, the offender was free to roam the streets and to ultimately claim Kellie's life. This tragedy was entirely preventable.

(3) While the Criminal Code falls under federal jurisdiction, provinces have been given the respon- sibility for the administration of justice, allowing for meaningful provincial action on bail reform to ensure public safety.

(4) Other provinces have taken proactive steps to strengthen bail reform–bail enforcement, but Manitoba has not used all the available tools to address this issue effectively.

(5) The provincial government has the ability and the responsibility to advocate for and implement measures that protect its citizens by ensuring that repeat violent offenders are not released into our communities without proper safeguards.

(6) Immediate action is required to close gaps in the justice system that allow dangerous criminals to remain free, which puts innocent Manitobans at risk. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: * (15:30)

(1) To urge the provincial government to take immediate and decisive action on bail reform to address serious deficits in enforcement by utilizing all available provincial mechanisms to strengthen warrant enforcement, increasing bail supervision and opposing release of offenders, thus ensuring that repeat violent offenders are held accountable and that public safety is prioritized over leniency; and

(2) To urge the provincial government to lobby the federal government to immediately repeal provisions of the Criminal Code that allow for continued victimization of law -abiding Manitobans while granting repeat offenders additional rights. This petition has been signed by many Manitobans such as Dana Kulba, Chris Huston, Willie –or Wiley [phonetic] Burnett and many, many, many other Manitobans. Elm Creek School Gymnasium Mrs. Lauren Stone (Midland): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) All Manitoba students deserve access to appropriate physical education facilities, not only as a part of their education, but as a part of living an active and healthy life.

(2) The current gymnasium at the Elm Creek School is insufficient for the needs of the student population. Physical education classes are over - crowded, and there is insufficient space for whole school assemblies and events.

(3) The current gym structure is aging and show- ing the impact of years of usage. Parents have significant safety concerns of the physical space and the aging electrical systems.

(4) Uneven and heaving floors pose a safety risk for students participating in physical education classes or sports.

3232 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 29, 2025

(5) The existing ventilation system was designed to meet old standards for a smaller student population and poses serious risks for students.

(6) The current facility is the only option avail - able to students and, should it become inoperable, students at Elm Creek School would be deprived of physical education spaces.

(7) The government has a responsibility to make funds available to replace this aging infrastructure and provide appropriate activity and recreation activities to students in Elm Creek. Mr. Tyler Blashko, Deputy Speaker, in the Chair We urge the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the government of Manitoba to immediately work with the Prairie Rose School Division to begin the process of replacing the gymnasium facilities at the Elm Creek School, in consultation with parents and the community. This is signed by Veronica Dheilley, Krista Major, Dean Hager and many, many more Manitobans.

Support for Border Communities Mr. Doyle Piwniuk (Turtle Mountain): I wish to present the following petition to the Legis lative Assembly of Manitoba. The background of this petition is as follows:

(1) Illegal border crossing into Manitoba has increased by 14 per cent in 2024, raising signi fi- cantly–significant public safety and security concerns, particularly in border communities.

(2) Changes to the Canada-US Safe Third Country Agreement have been–driven migrants deeper into hiding to avoid apprehension, making law enforce - ment efforts more difficult.

(3) Border patrol officers believe that the criminal organizations, including Mexican cartels, are involved in smuggling operations at border–at the border, posing serious security threatens to Manitoba.

(4) Human smuggling networks are abandoning vulnerable migrants, including families, in isolated and dangerous locations, exposing them to the severe risks, especially during Manitoba's harsh winters.

(5) Border com munities are preparing for a possible surge in illegal border crossing, which could overwhelm local resources and emergency search-and-rescue services.

(6) Despite these challenging –challenges, there have been little com munication or support from the provincial and federal governments regarding the plans to assist border com munities, leaving them under-resourced and unprepared to manage these escalating crisis. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

(1) To urge the provincial gov ernment to lobby the federal gov ernment to develop and implement a comprehensive plan to assist border communities in managing the rise in illegal border crossings into Manitoba.

(2) The urge the provincial gov ernment to work closely with federal and local author ities to ensure adequate resources, including funding and support for emergency services, are available to protect local communities; and the immediate measures to be taken to dismantle and destroy all human smuggling net - works operating in Manitoba. This has been signed by Chance Horn, Dwight Barre, Dirk Michkul [phonetic] and many other Manitobans. Provincial Road 210 Mr. Konrad Narth (La Vérendrye): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) Provincial Road 210, PR 210, is a 117.3 kilometre–72.8 mile–highway in the Eastman region of Manitoba that connects the towns and communities of Woodridge, Marchand, La Broquerie, Ste. Anne, Landmark, Linden, Île des Chênes and St. Adolphe.

(2) A significant portion of PR 210 also runs through the constituency of La Vérendrye.

(3) PR 210 is a significant commuting route for Eastman families and is also notably used by those in the agriculture, tourism, trade and commerce industries.

(4) The condition of PR 210 from Woodridge to Highway 12 is in an unacceptable state of disrepair.

(5) The planned pavement upgrade was promised more than 20 years ago when it was constructed with a flat surface suitable for pavement but has yet to be completed.

October 29, 2025 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 3233

(6) The condition of PR 210 from Woodridge to Highway 12 is in such bad shape that firefighters, police and paramedic services are severely delayed when responding to emergencies. * (15:40)

(7) The Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure as well as the Premier have a duty to respond to infrastructure needs identified by rural communities. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

(1) To urge the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure to prioritize the reconstruction of Provincial Road 210; and

(2) To urge the provincial government to include the stretch of Provincial Road 210 from Woodridge to Highway 12 in its reconstruction plans. This petition has been signed by Smokin-Joe and many, many other Manitobans. Provincial Road 247–Request for Pave Upgrade Mr. Richard Perchotte (Selkirk): Good afternoon, honourable Deputy Speaker. I wish to present the following petition to the Legis lative Assembly of Manitoba. The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) La Salle is the largest urban centre in the RM of Macdonald. With a popula tion of over 2,600, the com munity members are active in esta blishing facilities and infrastructure that will meet the needs of a rapidly growing urban centre.

(2) La Salle is one of Manitoba's fastest growing communities, having grown over 60 per cent since 2016, and is an attractive place for commuters who work within the Winnipeg city limits.

(3) Prov incial Road 247 is frequently used by buses, parents and new drivers, as it is the fastest and most direct route for Sanford Collegiate students from La Salle to get to and from school.

(4) La Salle and Prov incial Road 247 can be dangerous to travel, as it is located in a well-developed agricultural area, leading semi -trucks, large farm equipment and machinery to use the narrow roadway.

(5) Most recently, in 2020, 17- year-old Chloe Boyle lost her life travelling down the road to school, tragically losing control on the loose gravel. Previously, there were several collisions that occurred on Provincial Road 247, causing damages and non-fatal injuries.

(6) Due to the active nature of this roadway, it is needing more maintenance to deal with loose gravel and large potholes caused by the daily wear and tear by drivers and equipment, leading to dangerous driving conditions, especially in wintertime.

(7) There are local online groups with over 2,000 members dedicated to inquiring about the road- way con ditions of Provincial Road 247 and 330, posting consistently and asking for updates or sharing issues that are happening that may affect families and their young drivers. Honourable Deputy Speaker, we petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

(1) To urge the provincial government to assist in paving Provincial Road 247 to La Salle from Manitoba Highway 3;

(2) To urge the provincial gov ernment to ensure the safety of local residents and young drivers who use Provincial Road 247 from La Salle so that they have a safe way to access education year-round. Honourable Deputy Speaker, this petition has been signed by Rick Rivers, Marcel Lemire, Janet Lemire and many more fine Manitobans. Thank you, honourable Deputy Speaker. Medical Assistance in Dying Mr. Greg Nesbitt (Riding Mountain): Honourable Deputy Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. These are the reasons for this petition:

(1) Persons struggling with mental health as their sole condition may access medical assistance in dying unless Parliament intervenes.

(2) Suicidality is often a symptom of mental ill- ness, and suicide is the second leading cause of death for Canadians between the age of 10 and 19.

(3) There have been reports of the unsolicited introduction of medical assist ance in dying to non-seeking persons, including Canadian veterans, as a solution for their medical and mental health issues.

(4) Legal and medical experts are deeply concerned that permitting Canadians suffering from depression and other mental illnesses to access euthanasia would undermine suicide pre vention efforts and risk

3234 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 29, 2025 normalizing suicide as a solution for those suffering from mental illness.

(5) The federal gov ernment is bound by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms to advance and protect the life, liberty and security of its citizens.

(6) Manitobans consider it a priority to ensure that adequate supports are in place for the mental health of all Canadians.

(7) Vulnerable Manitobans must be given suicide prevention counselling instead of suicide assistance. * (15:50)

(8) The federal gov ernment should focus on increasing mental health supports to provinces and improve access to these supports, instead of offering medical assistance in dying for those with mental illness. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

(1) To urge the provincial gov ernment to lobby the federal gov ernment to stop the expansion of medical assistance in dying to those for whom mental illness is the sole condition.

(2) To urge the provincial gov ernment to lobby the federal government to protect Canadians struggling with mental illness by facilitating treatment, recovery and medical assistance in living, not death. Honourable Deputy Speaker, this petition has been signed by many, many, many Manitobans. Thank you. Provincial Trunk Highway 45 Mr. Rick Wowchuk (Swan River): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. These are the reasons for this petition:

(1) Upgrading Provincial Trunk Highway 45 will accelerate economic development as it will enhance connectivity, facilitate efficient transportation and promote economic growth of the region.

(2) Economic development will be further enhanced as improved road infrastructure attracts business, encourages investment and creates job opportunities.

(3) Roads meeting the Roads and Transportation Association of Canada, RTAC, standards improve both safety and efficiency, as they can handle heavier loads, reducing the number of trips required for goods transportation.

(4) Safer roads further benefit both commuters and commercial vehicles, minimizing accidents and damage.

(5) Upgrading to RTAC standards ensures resilience to challenges caused by climate change, such as thawing and flooding, which negatively impact road conditions.

(6) Efficient transportation networks contribute to Manitoba's economic competitiveness, as upgraded roads support interprovincial and international goods movement, benefiting both trade and commerce. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure to take the necessary steps to upgrade Provincial Trunk Highway 45 from Russell to Provincial Trunk Highway 10 to meet RTAC standards. This petition has been signed by Brad Mazur, Angie Mazur, Nellie Nychuk and many, many, many, many other Manitobans.

The Deputy Speaker: Before we move on to the next petition, I will again remind members you get three names at the end of your petition and two manys. MRI Machine for Portage Regional Health Facility Mr. Jeff Wharton (Red River North): Deputy hon- ourable Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) Thanks to the investment made under the previous PC provincial government as part of the clinical and preventative services plan, construction for the new Portage regional health facility is well under way. The facility and surrounding community would greatly benefit from added diagnostic machinery and equipment, but specifically the addition of an MRI machine.

(2) An MRI machine is a non- evasive medical imaging technique that uses a magnetic field and a computer-generated radio wave to create detailed images of organs and tissues in the human body. It is used for disease detection, diagnosis and treatment monitoring.

(3) Portage la Prairie is centrally located in Manitoba and is on the No. 1 Highway in the Southern Health/Santé Sud Health Authority. Currently there is only one MRI machine in the RHA.

October 29, 2025 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 3235

(4) An MRI machine located in the Portage regional health facility will reduce the transportation costs for patients as well as reduce the burden on stretcher services and ambulance use. It will bring care closer to home and reduce wait times for MRI scans across the province.

(5) Located around Portage la Prairie are the Dakota Tipi, Dakota Plains, Sandy Bay and Long Plain First Nations reserves. Indigenous peoples in Canada disproportionately face barriers in access to services and medical care. An MRI machine located in the Portage regional health facility will bring care closer to their home communities and provide greater access to diagnostic testing.

(6) Located in close proximity to the new Portage regional health facility is the Southport airport. This aerodrome has a runway length that is more than adequate to support medical air ambulance services. This would provide the opportunity to transport patients by air from more remote communities to access MRI imaging services.

(7) The average wait times for Manitobans to receive an MRI scan is currently six to eight months. Having an MRI machine in the Portage regional health facility will help reduce these wait times for patients and provide better care sooner. Honourable Deputy Speaker, we petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to support the investment and placement of an MRI machine in the Portage regional health facility in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. This petition is signed by Danny Fletcher, Braden Mansell, Jenny Spinski [phonetic] and many, many more Manitobans. Thank you.

Provincial Trunk Highway 34 Mr. Derek Johnson (Interlake-Gimli): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. The background to this petition is as follows:

(1) Provincial Trunk Highway 34, PTH 34, is a two-lane provincial primary highway that runs from the US border where it meets with North Dakota 20 to PTH 16 at the town of Gladstone. * (16:00)

(2) PTH 34 runs north-south in the south-central region of the province. It is the main highway for the towns of Crystal City, Pilot Mound and Holland, serving as a main corridor for semi -trailers, farm equipment, daily drivers and local school bus routes.

(3) A new bridge is currently being constructed over the Assiniboine River at PTH 34, north of Holland, in the RM of Victoria. The bridge serves as an important north-south link over the Assiniboine River between the Trans -Canada Highway and Provincial Trunk Highway 2. The deterioration of Provincial Trunk Highway 34 has raised major concerns due to its narrow shoulders and numerous deep potholes that pose serious safety risks considering farmers often need to use highways to transport heavy equipment.

(5) Construction of a new bridge in accordance current design codes and the RTAC standard, located on Provincial Trunk Highway 34 crossing at the Assiniboine River, will support trade and commerce and improve public safety in the area, and also accommodate flood events on the Assiniboine River. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows: To urge the provincial government to address the conditions of Provincial Trunk Highway 34, making the necessary upgrades to RTAC standard and to resurface the road once the new bridge has been completed.

This petition has been signed by Gerald Samatsky [phonetic], Ray [phonetic] Tataryn, Dylan Quilty and many, many other fine Manitobans. The Deputy Speaker: Seeing no further petitions. GRIEVANCES Mr. Derek Johnson (Interlake-Gimli): I rise today with a heavy heart and deep frustration on behalf of my constituents in Interlake -Gimli and rural Manitobans across the province. I rise to speak for families who lie awake at night wondering if help will come if they call 911.

I rise to speak for people who watch their communities fall further behind while this govern ment turns a blind eye, focusing instead on flashy announce ments and photo ops in NDP-held constituencies. The other day I spoke of a tragedy that unfolded in my constituency. A man lost his life after his wife and friends, doing everything they could to save him, dialed 911 again and again. Twenty- two attempts all

3236 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 29, 2025 failed. Help was only dispatched after they managed to reach a local RCMP officer directly. This wasn't a tragedy caused by inaction in the moment; it was a tragedy caused by years of systemic neglect of telecommunications, oversight of co-ordination between systems of basic infra structure that's sup - posed to keep people safe. And that neglect lies squarely with this government. And what was the response? Silence, excuses, empty rhetoric. The Premier (Mr.

Kinew) and his Cabinet can find time for press events and photo ops, but not for delivering the core services Manitobans depend on to survive. This government cannot answer a simple question with a simple answer. Let's talk about the so -called listening tour. It's been 18 months since the Minister of Health toured the province, promising to hear directly from Manitobans. Where is that report? Where is the action plan? Where is the accountability? It seems the only result on the tour was a few more social media posts. What we haven't seen is anything tangible. No funding, no strategy, no solutions.

Rural Manitobans deserve more than to be used as backdrops for campaign-style consultations. They deserve a government that listens and acts. Let's not forget the history. The NDP like to call themselves defenders of public health care, but rural Manitobans all know better. During their last time in government, they closed nearly 20 rural ERs and hospitals. Our physician- to-patient ratio lag ged far, far behind the national average. Rural com munities bore the brunt of those decisions and paid the price. And here we are again, hon ourable Deputy Speaker. E.M.

Crowe hospital in Eriksdale, which is in my constituency of Interlake -Gimli, is only open two days per week at maximum. That means it's closed minimum of 261 days per year. The Lakeshore hospital in Ashern was closed for 105 days last year. Even more troubling, both hospitals were closed at the same time on numerous occasions. That means people had nowhere to go in an emergency. The gov- ernment's solution: a new ER in Eriksdale, but every- one, nurses, doctors and the com munity, knows the issue isn't the building; it's staffing. So why promise a new ER? Because it's an easy promise.

It looks good in a press release. It can be delayed and deflected, but it doesn't solve the problem. Let's be honest: this govern ment doesn't want to fix rural health care. They want to manage optics. They want to announce instead of act. They'd rather rely on signage than on solutions. This govern ment has realized it can't control people. It can't force doctors and nurses to stay in rural Manitoba without addressing the burnout and their lack of support. It can't build trust with rural Manitobans while ignoring their lived realities.

And now we see something even more dangerous: a government that's trying to gaslight Manitobans into thinking things are better. They say services are improving. They roll out ads and slogans to push this narrative, but rural Manitobans know the truth. When people call 911, no one answers. That's not better. When ERs are closed for months, that's not better. When ambulances are delayed, staff are overworked and trust is broken, that is not better. Reality is not what the Premier says it is. Reality is what Manitobans live every day. Ask yourself, are you saving money? Are you better off?

Do you feel safer, healthier and more supported today than you did before? These are not rhetorical questions; t hey're lived experiences. Only Manitobans can answer them honestly. If you want a clear example of how this govern - ment's words don't match reality, just look at the Manitoba Nurses Union. They were promised respect, staffing and investment. What they got was burnout, empty promises and continued crisis. They, like so many others, were sold a bill of goods. * (16:10) Honourable Speaker, rural Manitobans deserve better. They deserve

Document details

Collection	Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	43-2-78
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	43rd 2nd hansardpdf 78.pdf
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	fa3e6a89d30c4f9f43faf95436b5f6c7660612e8

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