LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA

Monday, November 21, 2022


The House met at 1:30 p.m.

Deputy Clerk (Mr. Rick Yarish): It is my duty to inform the House that the Speaker is unavoidably absent. Therefore, in accordance with the statutes, I would ask the Deputy Speaker to please take the Chair.

Mr. Deputy Speaker (Andrew Micklefield): O Eternal and Almighty God, from Whom all power and wisdom come, we are assembled here before Thee to frame such laws as may tend to the welfare and prosperity of our province. Grant, O merciful God, we pray Thee, that we may desire only that which is in accordance with Thy will, that we may seek it with wisdom and know it with certainty and accomplish it perfectly for the glory and honour of Thy name and for the welfare of all our people. Amen.

      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 part­ner­ship with First Nations, Inuit and Métis people in the spirit of truth, recon­ciliation and col­lab­o­ration.

      Good afternoon, everybody. Please be seated.

ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS

Introduction of Bills

Bill 204–The Drivers and Vehicles Amendment Act
(Licence Plates for MMIWG2S Awareness)

Mrs. Bernadette Smith (Point Douglas): I wish to present the following bill 204, the drivers and vehicles amend­ment–[interjection]–oh, sorry.

      I move, seconded by the member from Keewatinook, that Bill 204, The Drivers and Vehicles Amend­ment Act, the plates for MMIWG2S awareness, now be read a first time.

Mr. Deputy Speaker: If I may, I don't believe the mem­ber for Keewatinook (Mr. Bushie) is in there–[interjection]–I'm sorry. Thank you–[interjection] Okay, then we're good to go.

      It has been moved by the hon­our­able member for Point Douglas, seconded by the hon­our­able member for Keewatinook, that Bill 204, The Drivers and Vehicles Amend­ment Act (Licence Plates for MMIWG2S Awareness), be now read a first time.

Mrs. Smith: I move, seconded by the member from Keewatinook, that Bill 204, The Drivers and Vehicles Amend­ment Act (Licence Plates for MMIWG2S Awareness), now be read a first time.

      It's clear that more needs to be done to protect Indigenous women, girls and two-spirited people here in Manitoba. This bill would allow for a specialty licence plate to be purchased that has a graphic of a red hand or a red dress, and the abbrevia­tions  MMIWG2S, meaning missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit. This licence plate would help to raise awareness, educate and possibly bring someone forward with infor­ma­tion that could bring someone's loved one home or possibly solve a case.

      The money collected will benefit the children left behind of these women and girls and two-spirited people who have been murdered or have gone missing in Manitoba.

      I look forward to the unanimous support of this House and showing the MMIWG2S families that we stand in solidarity with them here in this House.

      Miigwech.

MLA Uzoma Asagwara (Union Station): I move, seconded by the MLA for St. Johns, that Bill 205–[interjection]

Mr. Deputy Speaker: My apologies; that's my bad.

      The previous motion is in order. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? Agreed–the first reading motion for Bill 204 is in order. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed]

      Okay, we're good to go. Now we'll move on to  the hon­our­able member for Union Station. Thanks everyone for your gra­cious­­­ness here.

Bill 205–The Restricting Mandatory Overtime for Nurses Act
(Various Acts Amended)

MLA Uzoma Asagwara (Union Station): I move, seconded by the member for St. Johns (Ms. Fontaine), that Bill 205, The Restricting Mandatory Overtime for Nurses Act (Various Acts Amended), be now read a first time.

Motion presented.

MLA Asagwara: I'm proud to present to the House Bill 205, The Restricting Mandatory Overtime for Nurses Act.

      Prior to the pandemic, our health system strug­gled due to lack of capacity, exacerbated by the gov­ern­ment's unwillingness to address nurse vacancies. Sadly, COVID‑19 has only exposed and increased chal­lenges where these gaps exist. Staffing vacancies have led to employers relying on mandating overtime to levels that put both the employee and patient safety at risk.

      Bill 205 will end the practice of using mandatory overtime to fill vacancies and vacation, and allow nurses the right to refuse overtime and not be in breach of their duty of care.

      Thank you.

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed]

      The hon­our­able member for–the hon­our­able Leader for the Official Op­posi­tion.

Bill 206–The Louis Riel Act

Mr. Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): I move, seconded by the member for Keewatinook (Mr. Bushie), that Bill 206, The Louis Riel Act; Loi sur Louis Riel, be now read a first time.

Motion presented.

Mr. Kinew: Je suis très content de présenter ce projet de loi aujourd'hui, qui va reconnaître M. Riel comme le premier premier ministre du Manitoba.

Translation

I am very happy to intro­duce this bill today, which will recog­nize Mr. Riel as the first Premier of Manitoba.

English

      We all recog­nize Mr. Riel as father of Manitoba and as a father of Confederation. However we should also recog­nize that he carried a political title as the president of the legis­lative council of Assiniboia. Today, the Premier of Manitoba is known as the presi­dent of the Executive Council of Manitoba.

      Therefore, this bill would recog­nize Louis Riel as the first Premier of Manitoba.

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed]

Bill 207–The Criminal Property Forfeiture Amendment Act

Ms. Nahanni Fontaine (St. Johns): I move, seconded by the member for St. James (Mr. Sala), that Bill 207, The Criminal Property Forfeiture Amend­ment Act, be now read a first time.

Motion presented.

* (13:40)

Ms. Fontaine: I'm proud to intro­duce Bill 207 today, promoting safer and more inclusive com­mu­nities by directing monies obtained by criminal forfeiture to non-profit com­mu­nity organi­zations.

      Com­mu­nity organi­zations are on the front lines of the addiction crisis, mental health, harm reduction services, housing, gender-based violence, com­mu­nity patrol and safety and restorative justice. More often than not, this work is done with the bare minimum of fin­an­cial resources and rely heavily on volunteer labour.

      Bill 7 would see criminal forfeiture dollars re­direct­ed to those com­mu­nity agencies on the front lines and des­per­ate for resources.

      I look forward to the unanimous consent of the House on Bill 207.

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed]

      Com­mit­tee reports? Tabling of reports?

Ministerial Statements

Mr. Deputy Speaker: The hon­our­able Minister of Edu­ca­tion, and I would advise the House the required 90 minutes prior to routine proceedings was provided in accordance with rule 26(2).

      Would the hon­our­able minister please proceed with the statement.

Bullying Awareness and Pre­ven­tion Week

Hon. Wayne Ewasko (Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning): I am pleased to rise to­day to acknowledge that the week of November 13th to 19th had been proclaimed as bullying awareness and pre­vention week.

      Bullying occurs in many environments like in schools, online and in workplaces. Safe Canada's stat­is­tics state that 47 per cent of Canadian parents have at least one child that has been a victim of bullying. Around one third of the population has experienced bullying as a child and around one third of teenagers have been bullied recently.

      Those who deal with bullying and see its effects first-hand, such as students, teachers, parents and others in the community are instrumental in develop­ing solutions to this problem, Mr. Deputy Speaker. The Education and Early Childhood Learning Department would like to stress that all Manitoba school divisions must provide a safe and caring school environment that fosters and maintains respectful and responsible behaviours.

      In addition, school divisions are required to have policies that incorporate a continuum of supports, in­cluding positive and preventative approaches and strategies, as well as consequences corresponding to the nature, severity and frequency of the behaviours or infractions.

      Policies regarding disciplinary measures are to be established and enforced at the local school division level. These policies must include the school's proto­cols for notifying parents or guardians of a pupil who has become subject to a discipline or behaviour-management response or intervention.

      I would also like to take this opportunity to talk about Cool 2Be Kind, a campaign that our Premier (Mrs. Stefanson) and government has supported over the years. This campaign is an initiative with the Winnipeg Police Association that helps teach students in kindergarten to grade 8 the value of being kind to others and making positive choices in school and in life. Students and educators are invited to submit a Kindness project proposal for their school with the opportunity to receive funding in the amount of $500 to see their project come to life.

      I wanted to take this time to commend all those who have spoken out against bullying or taken action in any other way. I'd like to recognize the teachers for all that they do with this very important issue. It is through their efforts that we can stop bullying in our schools and create a safe and respectful environment in our classrooms, our schools and our com­mu­nities.

      Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker.

Mr. Nello Altomare (Transcona): National bullying awareness and prevention week aims to promote safer and healthier learning environments for all students. It  is important that all students, regardless of back­ground and identities, are able to attend school free from bullying and other forms of intimidation.

      We all know of situations when a child or children have become targets of bullies. Be it verbal, online, social media or physical forms of abuse, students and their families, caregivers can experience unbelievable amounts of stress due to these occurrences.

      When bullying occurs, this can lead to students missing classes as they become less confident and comfortable attending school. This is completely un­accept­able, Deputy Speaker. Bullying in all of its mani­festations should never be tolerated in our schools.

      Deputy Speaker, I would like to take this oppor­tunity to thank all of those working within our schools to eradicate bullying. Every adult working in our schools plays an important role in ensuring students feel safe, secure and supported while attending classes.

      I would also like to thank those students who go out of their way to ensure that they are doing their part as responsible citizens to ensure bullying does not take place in their learning environments. When all stake­holders–kids, families, staff, community mem­bers–work in partnership, safe, secure, support­ive learn­ing environments are the result.

      Thank you, Deputy Speaker.

Ms. Cindy Lamoureux (Tyndall Park): Mr. Deputy Speaker, I ask for leave to respond to the minister's statement.

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Does the member have leave to respond to the minister's statement? [Agreed]

Ms. Lamoureux: I rise this afternoon to speak to bully­ing awareness week.

      Yesterday was Transgender Day of Remembrance, which annually marks the murders of hundreds of trans­gender people around the world.

      It is important to recognize that trans and gender­variant people are among the highest percentage of persons who are bullied in schools and workplaces. In schools, over 50 per cent of children who report being bullied are 2SLGBTTQ and are four times more likely to commit suicide.

      Mr. Deputy Speaker, bullying can happen in any relationship. It can occur between friends, colleagues, family members, even strangers and can take place in many different contexts including face to face, behind one's back, over social media platforms, so forth. There are even times a bully will not realize their own actions, however, will leave a person feeling with­drawn, physically ill, unable to sleep and can even have a big effect on learning and further violence.

      If you're a victim, use the resources that we have here in Canada. If you're a bystander, speak up. And if you are a bully or think you may be a bully, re­consider your behaviour.

      Unfortunately, bullying takes place nearly every­where, even in these very Chambers. Every time some­one intentionally spreads inaccurate information about someone else–in other words, Mr. Deputy Speaker, a rumour–this is bullying.

      Every time someone puts someone else down to make themselves feel better, even in a form of heckling, this is bullying. Every time a person mumbles to their seatmate a mean comment or a personal cheap shot about another member, this is bullying.

      Mr. Deputy Speaker, regularly, MLAs bash one another for the way we may speak, what we may wear, what we might post on social media and these are just a few examples. And it's not to say we can't have these conversations, but they can be done in a respectful manner.

      Sticks and stones can break your bones but words can never hurt you is a myth. And as elected officials, we are leaders and, as such, we have a responsibility to set a better example.

      Thank you.

Mr. Deputy Speaker: The hon­our­able Minister of Mental Health and Com­mu­nity Wellness, and I would indicate to the House the required 90 minutes notice prior to routine proceedings was provided in accord­ance with rule 26(2).

      Would the hon­our­able minister please proceed with their statement.

Substance Use and Addictions Awareness Week

Hon. Sarah Guillemard (Minister of Mental Health and Community Wellness): I rise today to proclaim November 20th to the 26th as Manitoba's Substance Use and Addictions Awareness Week.

      Each year, Manitoba Substance Use and Addictions Awareness Week provides an opportunity for Manitobans to engage in meaningful discussions and explore solutions for addressing the harms that are caused by substance use and addictions.

      This year's theme, A Community of Caring, re­cognizes communities for their role in creating safe, healthy, respectful and supportive environments for individuals to thrive.

      The impact that addictions can have on individ­uals, families and communities is significant. Equally significant is creating opportunities to have meaning­ful discussions about prevention and treatment while working together to reduce stigma and promote recovery.

      That is why I'm pleased that so many Manitobans with diverse backgrounds will have the opportunity to gather and share perspectives and ideas this week: addictions workers, mental health workers, health-care professionals, researchers, policy makers, know­ledge keepers, as well as individuals who have lived and are living with the impacts of substance use and their families and supporters.

* (13:50)

      Our government recognizes that a strong mental health and addictions system is a key component of our health-care system.

      We know there are a number of harms associated with substance use, including the onset or the wor­sen­ing of mental health problems, family and inter­personal conflicts, physical health problems, over­doses and, sadly, death.

      That's why in February of this year, I was proud to announce our department's five-year road map, A Pathway to Mental Health and Community Wellness, that speaks to the areas that will be prioritized over the next five years.

      Key priorities for this first year include increasing capacity of mental health and addictions services and investing in core services across Manitoba. We have invested an additional $17.1 million into mental health and addiction services just this past year.

      We want everyone seeking treatment to have the opportunity to be healthy, so our government is making significant investments to increase and sup­port up to 1,000 new publicly funded treatment spaces.

      We understand that addressing the harms related to substance use and addictions cannot be done by one organization or one department alone. It requires a whole-of-government approach, working across de­part­ments, service delivery organizations and our valued community partners to ensure help is available to all who need it.

      I wish to thank all of the addictions service pro­viders across the province for your dedication and for the invaluable role that you play in Manitoba's health-care system.

      Thank you, as well, to all the guests who have joined me today in the gallery: Ela Partyka from the Mental Health and Addictions in Shared Health; from Tamarack Recovery we have Lisa Cowan; from the Aboriginal Council of Winnipeg, Executive Director Damon Johnson; and from the Behavioural Health Foundation, Marla Somersall.

      I believe that together we can make a difference and collectively shape a brighter future for Manitobans im­pacted by substance use and addictions.

      In honour of the Manitoba Substance Use and Addictions Awareness Week, I encourage all Manitobans to work together to raise awareness about substance use and addictions. Together we can find paths to restore lives and reunite families.

      Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker.

Mrs. Bernadette Smith (Point Douglas): This week is Manitoba Substance Use and Addictions Awareness Week.

Manitoba is in an overdose crisis. Last year alone, more than 400 Manitobans lost their lives due to an overdose, and this year we are on pace to break that horrible record.

This is not just numbers; these are actual human beings that are losing their lives here in our province of Manitoba, and their families and communities are being irreversibly impacted.

      It is beyond the time to address the addictions crisis here in Manitoba. Manitobans are struggling with addictions. They deserve support from this gov­ern­ment. But the PCs' approach continues to be ideo­logical and out of touch with the needs of Manitobans. The most obvious example of this is supervised con­sumption sites.

We all know that they save lives. The PCs refuse to allow them. The member from Rossmore [phonetic] recently summarized the government's position in oppo­sition to supervised con­sump­tion sites when he pro­posed, get people back to work, end of quote.

      What the member and the entire PC caucus have been unwilling to come to grips with is this: the supply of drugs is poisoning people and taking their lives here in Manitoba. Knowledge keeper Leslie Spillett was quoted in a CBC article last week saying that this gov­ern­ment, and I quote, has blood on their hands because of their lack of inaction.

It doesn't have to be that way. Overdose deaths are preventable, and if the right supports are put in place, if this gov­ern­ment would just listen to those 80 front-line workers or organi­zations who've sent letters.

      We recognize on this side of the House and are prepared to deal with this like the public health crisis it is. We will provide supervised con­sump­tion sites and accurate, up-to-date reporting, some­thing that this gov­ern­ment has refused to do. We will also reduce the stigma around substance use so that anyone struggling can feel confident in accessing supports and accessing anything available.

      How do we know this will work? Well, recently, like I said, over 80 front-line community organ­iza­tions signed an open letter calling on this government to address the opioid crisis and stop taking lives and that they're preventable. Their solutions included asking this government to provide more timely in­for­ma­tion, provide drug testing machines and establish safe consumption sites.

These are the organizations that are on the front lines dealing–and supporting people who are ex­peri­encing these struggles in their lives. They are united in their approach to this crisis, and it is critical that we listen to them and swiftly act on their advice.

      The choice here is clear: the government can support Manitobans by taking action, which will save lives. Or they can simply continue down their ideological path, which, tragically, will result in further loss of life. I urge this PC government to change course of action.

      Today I want to say thank you to all of those front-line workers and I want to send our support, our love. To all of those that are struggling, know that we are advocating for them and for those families who have lost their loved ones and are struggling to keep them alive. We will continue to advocate in this House for this PC gov­ern­ment to do the right thing and help prevent these deaths in our province.

      Miigwech.

Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Mr. Deputy Speaker, I ask leave to speak to the minister's statement.

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Is there leave for the member to speak to the minister's statement? [Agreed]

Mr. Gerrard: Let me first recog­nize those who have come during the gallery today. Thank you for being here and thank you for the work that you do each and every day on the front lines of the effort to help those who are suffering from substance use or addictions.

I speak today to call for much better action to help those with substance use and addictions.

      The action needs to be both in the area of pre­ven­tion and in the area of treatment. Too little is being done in Manitoba now to prevent substance use and addictions. We need to much more effectively address bullying, discrimination and harassment of children and adults, as the trauma associated with such actions can be a reason for substance use and addictions.

      As an example, I have recently heard very stressing stories of children with learning disabilities being targeted. This should not be happening, but it is here in Manitoba.

      We also need to address factors which may pro­mote substance use and addictions, including, as an example, exposure to lead. The Province hasn't moved to screen children between the ages of one and three to detect lead exposure and to mitigate its effects.

      Far too many in Manitoba are ex­per­iencing over­doses. Far too many have died. We need to do far better.

      Too little has been done to date to ensure quick access to addictions treatment when it is needed. As an example, as I have raised previously, this is not just about the number, but it is also about the quality of the care and the help that's provided. I have raised the need to ensure that individuals who are seen in RAAM clinics can get opioid agonist therapy as soon as possible, and where it is appropriate.

      Such OAT therapy is the standard of care and needs to be available quickly when an individual with an opioid addiction is ready to start, rather than too many, as is happening now, having to wait quite some time before being able to access the treatment. It is a fairly simple problem that the gov­ern­ment should solve, but they have not yet done so.

It is also clear that individuals need continued sup­port for some con­sid­erable length of time, par­ticularly in today's world where people may have received or taken more than one substance. And various organi­zations, including Morberg House and Two Ten Recovery have found that a multistep, many-month program is usually needed for long-term suc­cess. It is essential that we ensure that there's pro­vincial support for this length of time, which is so badly needed if success is to be achieved.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Merci. Miigwech.

* (14:00)

Introduction of Guests

Mr. Deputy Speaker: We have some guests with us today.

      I would like to draw the attention of all members to the public gallery. We have guests from Gordon Bell High School; 20 students ages 16 through 21–you guys are welcome to stand if you'd like to–under the direction of Mark Dewar. This group is located in the con­stit­uency of the hon­our­able member for Wolseley (Ms. Naylor).

      We welcome you to the Legislature.

Members' Statements

Assiniboine Com­mu­nity College Nursing Program

Mr. Dennis Smook (La Vérendrye): Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to visit Providence univer­sity college located in Otterburne, Manitoba, which happens to be located in the constituency of La Vérendrye.

      I was there to celebrate the opening of the rural rotating site for the practical nursing program, which is being offered by Assiniboine Community College, at Providence university college.

      It was an honour to meet with many of the 20 stu­dents enrolled in this program, who come from communities in southeastern Manitoba such as Kleefeld, La Broquerie, Mitchell and New Bothwell, just to name a few.

      They all had interesting stories, but the two things that were clear for many of them was that offering this program close to where many of them live made it possible for them to be able to enrol, as there were many reasons, from travel costs to the availability of child care and to the time away from home, that all must be considered if they would have taken this course in Winnipeg.

      The second thing for many of them was that they would like to find jobs close to home, in local hos­pitals like Ste. Anne, St. Pierre-Jolys, Steinbach and Vita, since many of them have established roots in the communities where they live.

      The credits that are received from this two-year practical nursing program can be used to further their edu­ca­tion, and with another two years of study they can become RNs.

      This program is part of our gov­ern­ment's com­mitment to add 400 new nursing spots. This will not only help add nurses to our health-care system, but will give rural Manitobans the opportunity to enhance their lives.

      I would like to thank Assiniboine Community College, Providence university college and our pro­vin­cial government for working together and offering these programs in rural areas of the province.

      Thank you.

Manitoba Theatre for Young People

MLA Uzoma Asagwara (Union Station): Deputy Speaker, the Manitoba Theatre for Young People has been creating and presenting professional theatre pro­ductions for children and families since 1982. It is the second largest theatre company in Canada to produce and present work exclusively for children and youth, and the only theater doing so in Manitoba; and the largest centre for recreational theatre education for children in the country.

      MTYP has grown to become one of the most respected professional theatre companies in Canada for children and youth. Located at The Forks, MTYP also plays a key role in the development and delivery of theatre-in-education programs that concentrate on using theatre as an educational tool to illustrate and express ideas about social issues.

      The company also operates a theatre school where over 1,500 children and teens learn the art and craft of theatre and related disciplines, and hosts Native Youth Theatre, which offers free classes in theatre and re­lated disciplines to Winnipeg's Indigenous youth.

      I was recently at MTYP, not for a play or pro­duc­tion but for my first in-person citizenship ceremony as the MLA for Union Station. Highlighting just how dynamic and welcoming their space is and the creative ways they foster relationship building and memory making in our communities.

      As this year marks their 40th anniversary, it's important we celebrate their hard work and dedication that they have shown in hosting and presenting 347 productions since 1982.

      In celebration of MTYP's 40th birthday, they put a call out on social media and other platforms asking folks to share their own MTYP stories. You can read these stories and submit your own on their website. And, good grief, A Charlie Brown Double Bill runs on the MTYP Mainstage from December 2nd to 23rd. Make sure to get your tickets.

      We're joined today by MTYP's general manager, Debra Zoerb; artistic director, Pablo Felices-Luna; and Greg Klassen, Sarah Flynn, Louise Pujo, Vern Thiessen and Suzanne Munroe.

      Please join me in congratulating the Manitoba Theatre for Young people on 40 years of connecting children to the joy of theatre.

      Thank you. Con­gratu­la­tions.

Scleroderma Awareness

Hon. Alan Lagimodiere (Minister of Indigenous Reconciliation and Northern Relations): Today I bring awareness of scleroderma, a complicated, ag­gressive autoimmune disease, and to acknowledge the bravery of individuals who live with scleroderma.

      There is no known cause of scleroderma and no two cases will present alike, making diagnosis dif­ficult and the need for many specialists to be involved in the diagnosis and treatment. Each person's journey living with scleroderma is unique.

      Women are affected five to six times more than men.

      Scleroderma refers to all types of sclerosis, both skin changes and changes to other tissues and organs of the body. Raynaud's, stiffness in hands, joint pain, fatigue, trouble sleeping are all early symptoms.

      Systemic sclerosis causes the most severe out­comes.

      As scleroderma progresses, it leads to an overproduction of collagen in connective tissue. Scleroderma is cruel, and since connective tissue is everywhere in the body, no organ is immune from the devastating effects of scleroderma.

      Advancing stages of scleroderma result in dam­age to the heart and lungs, circulatory problems, high blood pressure, shortness of breath, heart failure, kidney failure and digestive problems and malnutri­tion. This leads to a significant decrease in quality of life and life expectancy.

      No cure is available, so symptomatic treatments are employed to help cope with daily functions and try to slow the progression.

      Life-altering decisions for individuals and their families need to be made as conditions develop and evolve. Those diagnosed know the road is not easy, but choose to not let scleroderma define who they are. They should be admired for their courage to live each day doing the things they love despite the obstacles they face.

      I ask my colleagues to please rise and recognize those living with scleroderma, including my wife Judy and members of Scleroderma Manitoba. Thank you for your ongoing work and your support.

      I now table their names for Hansard.

Scleroderma Manitoba: Jo-Ann Lapointe McKenzie, president; Helen Goertzen, past secretary; Crystal Smith, member at large; Debbie Robitaille, member at large; Linda Cassell, support group team member; Judith Lagimodiere

Northern Manitoba in Throne Speech

Mr. Eric Redhead (Thompson): On November 15th, the government shared their Speech from the Throne in the Legislature. The speech doubled down on the poor decisions and neglect of northern communities. Unfortunately, northern Manitoba received very little attention in the Throne Speech, just as it has received very little attention over the past several years.

      The provincial government has offered far too little attention and support across the board for many years, and the Throne Speech is proof of that. The Throne Speech is meant to lay out priorities of govern during the legislative session, and it is obvious that the government has no interest in prior­itizing northern Manitoba families.

      There is a mountain of issues affecting northern Manitoba that should have been addressed. The vacan­cy rate of northern highway maintenance sits at 40 per cent. The Throne Speech made no commitment to address that.

      The emergency room at Thompson General Hospital is running at half vacant. The PCs have not addressed this. Our foot-care clinic closed four years ago and the Throne Speech mentioned nothing of re­storing that pre­ven­tative service in Thompson.

      This provincial government cut support programs like Communities Economic Development Fund, which help businesses. They also cut support for com­munities that are dealing with mine slowdowns or shutdowns.

      By this government's own admission, thousands of jobs are being lost. This slowed the development of northern communities by so much, and many are struggling just to get by while costs are skyrocketing.

      Northern Manitoba has been left to struggle for so long that communities need desperate attention now to address the issues that have arisen over the past several years. Northern Manitoba deserves attention of this government, and the longer the government goes without investing significantly in the North, northern families and communities will continue to struggle to make ends meet.

      Thank you.

Fall Fundraisers and Banquets

Mr. James Teitsma (Radisson): Earlier this month I attended the Alpha House fundraiser gala and I was joined by the Minister of Families (Ms. Squires) as well as the PC candidate for Kirkfield Park, Kevin Klein.

* (14:10)

      Alpha House is a safe place for women that are seeking to rebuild their lives after leaving an abusive environment. They provide secure housing along with a structured program of counselling and workshops. Ultimately, their goal is to help those who come to them break the cycle of violence, build their self-confidence and move on to in­de­pen­dent living and to flourish as examples to themselves, their children and other women.

      There were two keynote speakers that evening, one of whom was a young woman who shared her own story of abuse at the hands of her partner–not just physical abuse, but emotional and financial as well. The other speaker was Kevin Klein himself, who shared his family's tragic story that resulted in the murder of his mother by her husband.

      A few weeks ago, I also attended the YFC Fall Banquet. YFC believes that each young person, what­ever their background, beliefs or situation, has hope, potential and purpose. They believe in them so that these young people can believe in themselves.

      Tomorrow, I hope to attend the Adult & Teen Challenge fall banquet. Adult & Teen Challenge seeks to provide individuals, families and communities free­dom from life-controlling addictions. They oper­ate a holistic model of recovery that involves body, mind and spirit of those who attend their programs.

      I'm happy to support all these organizations not just by purchasing tickets to their fundraising events, but also by donating to their causes. And while it's always nice to have a meal served to you, I think it's even better to be the one doing the serving, especially when you're able to give to those in need in our city.

      So I want to encourage all of my MLA colleagues on all sides of this House to take time this holiday season to help out at Salvation Army or Siloam Mission or Agape Table or at one of the other great organ­izations who help the hurting in our city.

      Being generous with our time and talents and trea­­sure helps us set a good example to our communities and our province.

Oral Questions

Health-Care System
Capital Spending

Mr. Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): Manitobans don't believe the PCs when it comes to health care. They might make an­nounce­ments, but we all know that they don't get the job done.

      Just take, for example, health-care infra­structure. This is the budget for hospitals and for clinics. Here are the facts: the PCs promised to spend $294 million on health-care infra­structure, but the PCs underspent that amount by $150 million. That's more than half.

      That's what the PCs do.

      Will the Premier (Mrs. Stefanson) tell the House why her gov­ern­ment refuses to spend more than half of the budget for health-care capital?

Hon. Cliff Cullen (Deputy Premier): I will say to members opposite that our commit­ment to the health of Manitobans has never been higher. In terms of health-care budget, we've allocated over $1 billion more than the NDP ever did during their time in office.

      Mr. Deputy Speaker, we recog­nize that addic­tions and mental health are im­por­tant for Manitobans. That's why we've created a separate de­part­ment to deal with that. We also recog­nize the health of seniors is im­por­tant. That's why we've created a De­part­ment of Health–of Seniors to look after seniors.

      Mr. Deputy Speaker, I will assure Manitobans our commit­ment to the health of Manitobans has never been higher.

Mr. Deputy Speaker: The hon­our­able Leader of the Official Op­posi­tion, on a supplementary question.

Mr. Kinew: Well, the commit­ment just is not matched by action, which leads you to under–I guess–stand, where the PCs are coming from. There's an election next year and now they want to come out with all these an­nounce­ments. But let's see what actually happens when they make an an­nounce­ment.

      Again, I'll table the docu­ments produced by this gov­ern­ment. It shows that even though they an­noun­ced spending of $290 million, more than $150 million of that never actually made it out the door. Those are invest­ments that should be made to help Manitobans better be able to access health care in their com­mu­nities–com­mu­nities in the Interlake, com­mu­nities in Westman, com­mu­nities in the Parkland region.

      Now, this is why projects get delayed or sometimes even cancelled, like what happened to CancerCare. It's because of choices made by the PCs at the Cabinet table.

      Will the Premier tell the House why her gov­ern­ment refused to spend $150 million on health-care capital?

Mr. Cullen: Well, Mr. Deputy Speaker, we made commit­ments to over $800 million for redevelop­ments for hospitals in rural Manitoba.

      We've got work going on in Neepawa, work will be under way in Brandon and Portage la Prairie in the near future. We're currently–major under­taking in the emergency area around St. Boniface Hospital, that work is under way. And there's been recent upgrades at the Grace Hospital as well.

      So when it comes to capital invest­ments, we've heard what Manitobans have said and we're delivering on what Manitobans have asked us to deliver on.

Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a final supplementary.

Mr. Kinew: A commit­ment without action is just an an­nounce­ment. And that's all the PCs ever do.

      And if you need the historical context, here it is, be­cause this is not the first year that this has taken place. Just like Brian Pallister, this Premier refuses to invest–[interjection]

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order.

Mr. Kinew: –in health-care cuts.

      In 2017, for example, Mr. Pallister–whose name they can't say anymore, by the way–promised to invest $360 million in health-care capital. [interjection]

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order.

Mr. Kinew: What did he end up spending? Well, these docu­ments, which I'll table today, show that he didn't even spend half.

      Once again, now the Premier is trying to mislead–[interjection]

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order.

Mr. Kinew: –Manitobans. They're making an­nounce­ments that they know full well they will not be fol­low­ing through on.

      Why did the Premier cut $150 million from health capital spending?

Mr. Cullen: Well, Mr. Deputy Speaker, we made another commit­ment in our Throne Speech just this past week of ad­di­tional invest­ments for the–for Winnipeg and area.

      Let me just remind the member what we have done in the last couple of years: $32 million for 23 beds in Steinbach's hospital; $64 million for 24 beds, Boundary Trails; $31 million, work under way at Selkirk Regional Health Centre; $5 million for a new ER in Dauphin; $11 million for beds at the Lakeshore general hospital in Ashern.

      That is just some of the capital invest­ments that we've made in Manitoba and we're going to continue to make here in Manitoba for Manitobans.

Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a new question.

Personal-Care Homes
Number of Beds Available

Mr. Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): These an­nounce­ments were made in previous throne speeches, and then nothing ever happened.

      The docu­ments that I tabled show that every single year, whether it was under Brian Pallister or whether it's under the Stefanson gov­ern­ment, this gov­ern­ment announces things in health care and then they just don't build them.

      We saw it in personal-care homes as well. When we talk about personal-care-home beds, in 2016, they went out and promised 1,200 new beds.

      Here we are, six years later. Did they build even one? No, they did not. In fact, we lost 216 beds from the personal-care-home system.

      They make an­nounce­ments; not only do they not fulfill them, but often they move things in the com­pletely wrong direction.

      Will the Premier (Mrs. Stefanson) tell this House why she cut the number of personal-care-home beds in Manitoba?

Hon. Scott Johnston (Minister of Seniors and Long-Term Care): The Leader of the Op­posi­tion is incorrect. This gov­ern­ment is committed to ensuring that the needs of Manitobans are met.

      With personal-care-home facilities, we have ini­tiated our seniors strategy. We have talked to stake­holders, we have talked to seniors, we have talked to all of the people who are interested in exactly–[interjection]

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order.

Mr. Johnston: –supporting seniors in this province.

      And you've got to plan to do this, Mr. Deputy Speaker. You can't just do it off the seat of your pants and create programs that are flawed, which the–[interjection]

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order.

Mr. Johnston: –NDP did for home care. We're pur­suing it–

Mr. Deputy Speaker: The member's time has expired.

      The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a supplementary question.

Mr. Kinew: They broke their promise to build 1,200 beds and, in fact, cut 216 personal-care-home beds for the system. We had this argument last week, and the case was settled. Even the Minister of Health (Ms. Gordon) would not deny the fact that they cut 216 personal-care-home beds.

* (14:20)

      Now, we know one of the reasons that's con­tri­bu­ted to the loss of personal-care-home beds is the fact that they've put an arbitrary cap on the funding per bed in the long-term‑care system.

      All of us looked at the ex­per­ience of seniors in long-term care during the pandemic and I thought we'd all agreed to do better.

      Well, apparently, not this PC Cabinet, because they continue to be part of an organi­zation that not only broke the promise of 1,200 new beds but actually reduced the number of long-term beds by more than 200 in our province.

      Why did the Premier cut the number of personal-care-home beds in Manitoba?

Mr. Johnston: As I'd indicated to the House on sever­al occasions, this gov­ern­ment has under­taken a sen­iors strategy and part of that seniors strategy is to accom­modate the needs of the people of Manitoba.

      It is very clear that the people of Manitoba have indicated that they want support so they can age at home, and this gov­ern­ment is going to present a seniors strategy which will ac­com­modate that.

      As well, Mr. Deputy Speaker, we have made a commit­ment that we are going to ensure that the needs of Manitobans are met with personal-care homes and the seniors strategy. When I bring it forward, I'm sure that the Leader of the Op­posi­tion will be the first one to stand up to–

Mr. Deputy Speaker: The member's time has expired.

      The hon­our­able Leader of the Official Op­posi­tion, on a final sup­ple­mentary.

Mr. Kinew: I just want to show, for the record, that after raising this issue for a couple of days now, neither the Health Minister nor the Seniors Minister can deny the fact that they broke the 1,200‑bed promise and cut beds by 216.

      We all know that there are invest­ments needed. [interjection]

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order.

Mr. Kinew: These invest­ments are sorely needed in Lac du Bonnet–[interjection]

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order.

Mr. Kinew: –which has never seen the invest­ment of personal-care-home beds that the PCs–[interjection]

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order.

Mr. Kinew: –have made to the Minister for Edu­ca­tion. And he continues to try to heckle because he knows he's not going to get anywhere–[interjection]

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order.

Mr. Kinew: –raising this issue at the PC Cabinet table.

      The same is true in Radisson. The same is true in Rossmere. There are invest­ments needed, and yet things continue to move in the wrong direction.

      Why did the Premier cut the number of personal-care-home beds by more than 200 in Manitoba?

Mr. Johnston: I would correct the member.

      We–this gov­ern­ment has initiated over 500 new care beds in the province of Manitoba, and, Mr. Deputy Speaker, as I had indicated, that's only the begin­ning.

      And I'm–again, I remind–I'll be reminding the Leader of the Op­posi­tion, when we present our seniors strategy and we bring forward further support for the people of Manitoba, I'll be looking for him to stand up and support us.

Health-Care System
Priva­tiza­tion Concerns

MLA Uzoma Asagwara (Union Station): Deputy Speaker, Manitobans want public health care that works for Manitobans.

      Brian Pallister cut health care, and so did the current Premier (Mrs. Stefanson) when she was minister of Health.

      The college of nurses reports hundreds less regis­tered nurses in our province. As a result, this gov­ern­ment has already deeply expanded private health, spend­ing $40 million per year on private, for-profit agencies. It's the wrong approach and one that erodes our public health system. [interjection]

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order.

MLA Asagwara: Will the minister reconsider and abandon their plans for private health in Manitoba?

Hon. Audrey Gordon (Minister of Health): I can see that the member for Union Station is continuing the narrative that their leader has set for fake news and fear mongering, Mr. Deputy Speaker.

      But I'm going to table, for the member's review, an article–[interjection]

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order.

Ms. Gordon: –out today: Use of private clinics is not the end of public health care. And in that article, it states, once again, as I've said before, that the mem­bers opposite rely on fear mongering.

      But here in the article, it says: That is not exactly what she said. Stefanson said the Province plans to build more capacity in the system in part–

Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh.

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order.

Ms. Gordon: –by using–[interjection]

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order.

Ms. Gordon: –more private providers–[interjection]

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. [interjection]

      Order. Can you pause the clocks, please.

      And–okay, you cannot–a member cannot refer to an–a sitting member of this Chamber, including the Premier, by their last name, including if they're quoting from another source.

      So, that was the point that I wanted to get clarity on. And that rule, apparently, does include if you're quoting from another source. So, friendly reminder to all parties.

      The hon­our­able member for Union Station–and if we can restart the clock, that would be great as well. [interjection]

      Order, please. I've given the floor to the hon­our­able member for Union Station. I believe the time was within seconds of finishing, if it–not already over, so we'll proceed as I previously announced.

MLA Asagwara: Deputy Speaker, the current Premier sat on Treasury Board as she cut and privatized out­patient physio­therapy and occupational therapy. She also contracted out medical aviation, an approach that means slower planes and less reliable service.

      That's what the PC approach means. Their reli­ance on private health has not made things better. In fact, things have gotten much worse under their watch. A new approach is needed.

      Will the minister abandon their plans for private health in Manitoba?

Ms. Gordon: I'll just finish this one sentence in the quote: The NDP, when it was in gov­ern­ment, used the same blend of private and public health care; it's not new.

      Mr. Deputy Speaker, our gov­ern­ment is com­mitted to strengthening the public health system. That is why I'm so pleased that our gov­ern­ment announced $200 million–the largest single invest­ment in our public health system in the province's history–to bring online 2,000 ad­di­tional health pro­fes­sionals.

      That is bolstering the public health system. That is strengthening the health system right here in Manitoba.

Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable member for Union Station, on a final supplementary.

MLA Asagwara: Manitobans do not believe a single word that comes out of that minister's mouth when it comes to their health care. [interjection]

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order.

MLA Asagwara: And why is that? It's because–[interjection]

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order.

MLA Asagwara: –wait times are at a record high at emergency rooms. It's because Manitobans cannot get timely access to primary care in their com­mu­nities.

      Manitoba has lost hundreds of registered nurses because of the PCs' cuts. Meanwhile, this gov­ern­ment is spending $40 million per year on private, for-profit agencies. Simply put: their approach has meant things have gotten worse, not better.

      Will the minister change paths and abandon their plan for private health and invest in public health care in Manitoba, and will she do so today?

Ms. Gordon: We're still digging out of the dark days of the NDP, Mr. Deputy Speaker.

      I would like to ask the member for Union Station: Has the member asked the NDP why they didn't do what they needed to do in 17 years to help inter­nationally educated nurses to gain licensure in this province, Mr. Deputy Speaker?

      They're asking us what we are doing to help nurses. Well, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Ms. Sigua was an–is an internationally educated nurse who received her edu­ca­tion in the Philippines. In 2013, under the dark days of the NDP, she applied to the CRNM for registration. What did the NDP do? They sent her packing.

      That is why–

Mr. Deputy Speaker: The minister's time has expired.

PC Party Candidate for Kirkfield Park
Concerns Regarding Peter Nygård Connection

Ms. Nahanni Fontaine (St. Johns): Kevin Klein is the PC candidate for Kirkfield Park.

      Klein has stated he worked for Peter Nygård in 2012 and 2014. And he says he stopped working for Nygård after that. Those are the statements that Klein has made to the public.

* (14:30)

      But new infor­ma­tion 'showns' that Klein worked as a public relations executive for Nygård in 2015. That's according to new court docu­ments I table today.

      Will the Premier (Mrs. Stefanson) tell the House why her candidate in Kirkfield Park has not been honest with Manitobans about his time with Peter Nygård?

Hon. Jeff Wharton (Minister of Environment, Climate and Parks): Certainly, working with Mr. Klein in Kirkfield Park has been an ultimate joy, Mr. Deputy Speaker. We know that Kevin is getting out to every single door in Kirkfield Park. We're there to help Mr. Klein.

      And I can tell the members opposite that it's going to be a really chilly night come election day in Kirkfield Park for the NDP.

Ms. Fontaine: New infor­ma­tion is coming out about Kevin Klein's relationship with Peter Nygård. Not only did Klein work with Nygård in 2015, he is listed as an investor, as a private sector partner, with Peter Nygård in 2016.

      I'll table the docu­ments for the Premier to examine. Klein has been lying to Manitobans about when he worked for Peter Nygård.

      Does the Premier think it's okay for Kevin Klein to mislead Manitobans about when he worked with Peter Nygård? [interjection]

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order, please.

Mr. Wharton: Certainly, if the member from St. Johns wants to learn a little bit more about misleading, she can look to her left, Mr. Deputy Speaker, and ask that question of her leader.

      We know that Mr. Klein is continuing to work out in Kirkfield Park, Mr. Deputy Speaker. We know there's a host of volunteers–as a matter of fact, I'm looking forward to getting out there again on Wednesday with my wife to knock on those doors in Kirkfield Park.

      We know the work it takes to serve Manitobans. We're going to get that work right.

Mr. Deputy Speaker: The hon­our­able member for St. Johns, on a final sup­ple­mentary.

Ms. Fontaine: Kevin Klein wants to be the MLA for Kirkfield Park, and voters are being asked–

Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh.

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. Order.

Ms. Fontaine: Voters are being asked to judge Klein on his statements.

      Klein said he stopped working for Nygård in 2014, but court docu­ments show he worked as a pub­lic relations executive for Nygård in 2015. Klein is 'listin' as a private sector partner in 2016. That means Klein was not only an employee but also an investor with Peter Nygård. Those are the facts.

      Will the Premier tell the House if she thinks–[interjection]

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order.

Ms. Fontaine: –it's okay for her candidate to lie to Manitobans in seeking a job to be the MLA for Kirkfield Park?

Mr. Deputy Speaker: The member's time has expired.

Mr. Wharton: Certainly, we know Mr. Klein's record when it comes to serving Manitobans as a city counsellor.

      We know that his goals and values are very shared with this side of the House, Mr. Deputy Speaker, un­like members opposite. We know that he's focused on affordability. He's focused on crime. He's a great volunteer in his com­mu­nity and will make the next MLA for Kirkfield Park.

      He will continue to carry the message that our gov­ern­ment is working for Manitobans, not the NDP.

Manitoba Municipalities
Operating Funding

Mr. Matt Wiebe (Concordia): Mr. Speaker, over the past several years, a lot of things have changed. We've had two failed PC premiers, we've ex­per­ienced a global pandemic and we've seen a major cost-of-living crisis.

      However, one thing has remained the same: for the seventh straight budget, the PCs have frozen fund­ing for munici­palities across this province. That is a cut.

      These cuts have made it harder for munici­palities to deliver on the services and pro­gram­ming that their residents and their ratepayers rely on.

      So, will the minister simply do the right thing and–[interjection]

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order.

Mr. Wiebe: –commit to ending the funding freeze to munici­palities today?

Hon. Derek Johnson (Acting Minister of Municipal Relations): My first op­por­tun­ity to rise on behalf of the Minister for Munici­pal Relations.

      I want to thank all of the elected officials that put their name forward in this last election. Whether you're acclaimed or you went through the voting process, it's your service that you do to the grassroots for Manitobans that we ap­pre­ciate on this side of the House.

      And I want to thank them all for their hard work.

Mr. Wiebe: For seven budgets in a row, the PCs have frozen operating funding for Manitoba's munici­pali­ties. That is a fact.

      This freeze means that munici­palities have to tackle those 2022 issues with–such as high inflation and the COVID‑19 pandemic–with 2016 dollars. Munici­palities have been forced to cut services and cut back in many ways.

      The PCs–they could make things right by ending the operating funding freeze.

      Will the minister simply commit to working with munici­palities and ending the freeze today?

Mr. Johnson: As you're well aware, we had our Throne Speech the other day, and I want to give a personal thanks to Kam Blight and Denys Volkov that attended here, and their words of encouragement and satisfaction from the Throne Speech.

      That never, ever happened with an NDP gov­ern­ment. They were displeased with them. Forced amal­ga­mation, you name it, the NDP fought munici­palities all the way. And it's nice to see support from our leadership, from AMM in this Chamber at the Throne Speech.

Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable member for Concordia, on a final supplementary.

Mr. Wiebe: I would encourage the minister to spend some time with munici­palities over the next couple of days at their convention, because what he'll hear is that munici­palities across–[interjection]

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order.

Mr. Wiebe: –this province are united on one thing, and that is that the PC gov­ern­ment needs to end the operating funding freeze.

      Munici­palities have been calling for an end to this freeze over the past seven budgets, and yet this minister and others have refused to listen. Munici­palities are dealing with 2022 issues with 2016 dollars. It's time for the PCs to do the right thing and start to listen to Manitoba munici­palities.

      Will the minister simply commit to sitting down, working with munici­palities at ending the munici­pal funding freeze today?

Mr. Johnson: Yes, what the member forgets to recall in this House: his party–his party–called the munici­pal leaders of this province howling coyotes after their forced amalgamation. They have zero respect for AMM and the members of their board.

      On this side of the House, we respect the AMM. We thank them for all their hard work. They ap­pre­ciate the un­pre­cedented invest­ments through Building Sus­tain­able Com­mu­nities. Just this past year, this spring, we had $15‑million invest­ment in potholes from the years of underfunding from the NDP gov­ern­ment. [interjection]

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. [interjection] Order. [interjection] Order.

Safe Con­sump­tion Sites
Gov­ern­ment Position

Mrs. Bernadette Smith (Point Douglas): Just yester­day, the Minister of Mental Health and Com­mu­nity Wellness advocated for Alberta's approach to ad­dic­tions treatment, which has managed to cut over­dose deaths by almost half.

      Yet, one key detail the minister failed to mention is that Alberta's approach included safe con­sump­tion sites–five of them, in fact. Calgary, Alberta, Grand Prairie, Lethbridge and Red Deer all have safe con­sump­tion sites. The minister knows this.

      So, will the minister–why–can the minister tell us today why she's trying to deliberately mislead Manitobans about safe con­sump­tion sites?

* (14:40)

Hon. Sarah Guillemard (Minister of Mental Health and Community Wellness): If the member opposite had actually written–or read the reports that are recently released by Alberta, they have stated a number of unintended con­se­quences for these opened con­sump­tion sites. And two have closed so far. I don't know what the others are going to face in future, but they have decided to move towards a recovery-oriented system of care.

      We are learning from the mistakes of other juris­dic­tions. We are going to invest with what we know works and saves lives.

Mr. Deputy Speaker: I'm going to ask the clerks to stop the clock, please.

      I need to caution the member who used language that insinuated there was a deliberate intent to mis­lead, and that is actually unparliamentary, and so I'm–I need to caution the member on that parti­cular point.

      The member does have the floor, and if we could restart the clocks, that would be great.

      The honourable member for Point Douglas.

Mrs. Smith: The minister can justify or can't justify her position on safe con­sump­tion sites.

      On one hand, she's advocating against them, despite 80 front-line organi­zations calling on her gov­ern­ment. These are organi­zations that are working on the front lines supporting and know exactly what's needed to save lives, but yet they won't listen.

      The minister is ignoring key facts that have made Alberta's approach suc­cess­ful and has allowed them to nearly cut overdose deaths in half.

      Can the minister explain why she refuses to admit that safe con­sump­tion sites will save lives, and invest here in Manitoba?

Mrs. Guillemard: It's not surprising that the member opposite can't even apologize for unparliamentary language used in this House, con­sid­ering some of the comments that she also made during a min­is­terial state­ment, when she claims that blood is on the hands of gov­ern­ments.

      I'm wondering how much account­ability she will take personally for the 17 years that the NDP gov­ern­ment did not open a RAAM clinic, neither did they open any supervised con­sump­tion sites. How much blood is on the NDP's hands?

Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable member for Point Douglas, on a final supplementary.

Mrs. Smith: The minister is taking an ideological approach to safe con­sump­tion sites.

      Eighty front-line organi­zations–[interjection]

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order.

Mrs. Smith: –have called on this minister to invest in safe con­sump­tion sites. They save lives. They're pro­ven. Alberta is even doing it. [interjection]

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order.

Mrs. Smith: And this minister says that she's looking to Alberta, so why doesn't this minister want to sup­port safe con­sump­tion sites?

      We're on track to beat last year's overdose deaths in this province. These are preventable deaths, yet this minister refuses to do anything.

      Will the minister finally listen to the experts and open a safe con­sump­tion site here in Manitoba and help save lives?

Mrs. Guillemard: And the only people who are talking about ideology are the members opposite.

      Our gov­ern­ment has made every decision based in data. I would encourage the member opposite to read the 2022–[interjection]

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order.

Mrs. Guillemard: –Lancet com­mis­sion report–[interjection]

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order.

Mrs. Guillemard: –where they state that the research on supervised drug con­sump­tion sites is methodo­logically weak, and there is no evidence that accessing a site lowers an individual's risk of fatal overdose–[interjection]

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order.

Mrs. Guillemard: –over time or that sites lower com­mu­nity overdose rates. Those are the numbers and that's the data we're seeing in Alberta and other juris­dic­tions. Even BC is now announcing they're in­vesting in treatment and recovery.

      Thank you. [interjection]

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order.

Sick Leave for Manitoba's Workforce
Request for Expanded Coverage

Mr. Dougald Lamont (St. Boniface): We're hearing from nurses that HSC and St. Boniface are over­flowing with cases of COVID, RSV and the flu. People are missing work in droves, either caring for them­selves or a loved one.

      We need to make sure masks are being worn by people who work with at-risk and vul­ner­able folks, child-care centres, seniors' residences, hospitals and clinics; and we also need adequate paid prov­incial sick leave so people can pay their bills when they can't work.

      Two years ago, we were the only party that held up a sick pay bill the NDP and PCs want fast-tracked because the coverage was terrible and the Province was putting in nothing. They still are.

      If this gov­ern­ment is going to let COVID spread unchecked, as they seem to want to do, they need to step up to make sure that sick Manitobans can pay their bills.

      Will the Premier (Mrs. Stefanson) expand sick day coverage with extra days in compensation for workers?

Hon. Reg Helwer (Minister of Labour, Consumer Protection and Government Services): We were the first province–among the first provinces that intro­duced sick days that people could take leave, and worked with the health sector to make sure that that was available to them as well as the other public sectors in Manitoba.

      We're there for our front-line staff. And I know the minister's been working hard with them to make sure that we have all the proper supports in place, Mr. Deputy Speaker.

Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable member for St. Boniface, on a follow-up question.

Long-Term Pandemic Costs for Busi­ness Sector
Requests for Supports for Small Operators

Mr. Dougald Lamont (St. Boniface): Still on the topic of economic supports, we're also hearing that many long–local, long-time Manitoba busi­nesses are struggling badly or folding because they're still carry­ing pandemic costs. KUB Bakery's just closed, or is closing, and then so did Quest Musique. These are local in­sti­tutions that have served our com­mu­nity and supported employees' families for decades.

      We're hearing from other busi­nesses that the situa­tion is worse now than it was during the pan­demic, and the western lumber retail association told us that independents in Manitoba are being scooped up by equity companies from outside the province. That's not going to work for our long-term future.

      We need targeted relief for in­de­pen­dently owned Manitoba busi­nesses. What new measures this–is this gov­ern­ment plan­ning to intro­duce to ensure that in­de­pen­dent Manitoba busi­nesses stay afloat and stay Manitoban?

Hon. Cliff Cullen (Minister of Economic Development, Investment and Trade): Our gov­ern­ment is committed to supporting Manitoba's small busi­nesses. We were there to support them to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars through the–COVID. We recog­nize there's still busi­ness challenges out there related to supply chain and other issues, and we're going to continue to support the small-busi­ness sector.

      I do point to a recent report from the Canadian Federation of In­de­pen­dent Busi­ness looking at the average debt of small businesses by province. According to this report, Manitoba small busi­nesses had the lowest debt, in terms of comparing them to other juris­dic­tions. We think that's partially because of the support that we provided to small busi­ness.

Children with Learning Disabilities
Arrowsmith Program for Students

Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Mr. Deputy Speaker, as Maggie Macintosh has so eloquently described, Manitoba schools are failing children with learning dis­abil­ities. Far too many–for too many, there is not access to effective learning approaches, and these children are falling through the cracks.

      To add to this, too many elementary students are failing to meet Manitoba's reading goals by age three–by grade 3. One approach which has been widely and suc­cess­fully used for children with learning dis­abil­ities is the Arrowsmith, as I table.

      When will the Minister of Edu­ca­tion act to ensure that the Arrowsmith Program is publicly available to Manitoba students with learning dis­abil­ities who need it?

Hon. Wayne Ewasko (Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning): I'd like to thank the mem­ber from River Heights for the question in regards to talking about–speaking about any type of advancements or increasing literacy and numeracy rates here in this great province of ours.

      As the member knows, and all members through­out the–this House, we embarked on a K‑to‑12 com­mis­sion–the first one on edu­ca­tion, Mr. Deputy Speaker, since 1959; far long overdue.

      Unfor­tunately, unlike the NDP, for 17 years of the dark days, we've come forward with a plan, Mr. Deputy Speaker, a living, breathing docu­ment: the K‑to‑12 action plan, which we have partnered with our edu­ca­tion partners all across this great province–

Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable minister's time has expired. [interjection]

      The hon­our­able–[interjection]

      Time has expired. That means the time has expired.

Mining and Mineral Exploration
Permitting and Regula­tory Improvements

Mr. Rick Wowchuk (Swan River): Natural Resources Canada's reported exploration expenditure in­ten­tions for 2022 at $154.6 million, an increase of 28 per cent over last year.

      Can the Minister of Natural Resources and Northern Dev­elop­ment explain what this gov­ern­ment has done to ensure our gov­ern­ment is prepared for this un­pre­cedented level of invest­ment in mining exploration in the province of Manitoba?

Hon. Greg Nesbitt (Minister of Natural Resources and Northern Development): I'd like to thank the hon­our­able member from Swan River for that great question.

* (14:50)

      Mr. Deputy Speaker, our Premier (Mrs. Stefanson) has signified that our gov­ern­ment is focusing on the enormous op­por­tun­ities we have in the mining sector here in Manitoba, which is why, last week, our gov­ern­ment invested an ad­di­tional $5 million to support mineral exploration and mining in Manitoba. This ad­di­tional financial invest­ment will reduce application backlogs and further enhance timely decisions on permit applications.

      Mr. Deputy Speaker, while the NDP and their leader have committed to leaving our resources in the ground, our gov­ern­ment has a plan that will benefit all Manitobans moving forward. Under this gov­ern­ment and our Premier, we will continue to col­lab­o­rate with industry and First Nations to develop Manitoba as a top destination–

Mr. Deputy Speaker: The hon­our­able minister's time has expired.

Edu­ca­tion System
Funding Concerns

Mr. Nello Altomare (Transcona): When it comes to our classrooms, our kids are not getting what they need.

      Over the last three years, the Province's core oper­ating funding–or the day-to-day school operations–has been cut by $36 million. The Province's share of edu­ca­tion has fallen from 62.4 per cent to 56.4 per cent.

      That means hard choices for schools and less sup­port for our kids.

      Will the minister change his approach and stop making cuts to edu­ca­tion?

Hon. Wayne Ewasko (Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning): Mr. Deputy Speaker, in school year of '22-23, which is–we are within right now, we have increased funding by more than $460 million.

Mr. Altomare: The Throne Speech was a missed op­por­tun­ity. It should have communicated nor more cuts to edu­ca­tion. Instead, it's more of the same.

      The Province's share of the cost of edu­ca­tion con­tinues to drop. Brandon was forced to cut 10 teaching positions. They even cut speech language pathology–[interjection]

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order.

Mr. Altomare: –psychology and reading recovery. Seven Oaks had to cut 28 educators.

      I'll ask again: When will the minister stop the cuts to our schools?

Mr. Ewasko: I ap­pre­ciate the question from the mem­ber from Transcona, because it gives me an op­por­tun­ity to stand up and put some factual infor­ma­tion on the record.

      Unfor­tunately, the member continues to go along the veins of fear mongering all over this great pro­vince of ours, Mr. Deputy Speaker.

      So, if the member would take a actual look at the FRAME report, it actually shows that, Mr. Deputy Speaker, when it takes into con­sid­era­tion some of the transfers that we have made over the last couple years, the funding to our public edu­ca­tion is over 75 per cent coming from the gov­ern­ment.

      There's more good news to come, Mr. Deputy Speaker. On top of the $460 million–

Mr. Deputy Speaker: The hon­our­able minister's time has expired.

Mr. Altomare: The Winnipeg School Divison was forced to cut programs such as all-day kindergarten. Seven Oaks announced a cut to 28 educators; Brandon, 11. The result is less supports for students in class.

      We need a different approach, focused on what kids need in the classroom.

      Will the minister finally change your approach and commit to stop making these cuts that are harming our kids in their classrooms?

Mr. Ewasko: Again, the member stands up in his place, and instead of apologizing, doubles down on the misinformation, Mr. Deputy Speaker.

      So, this year–Seven Oaks School Division has received 9.7 per cent increase over the last two years, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Brandon School Division re­ceived 12.1 per cent funding over the last two years. And River East Transcona has received 12.2 per cent increase over the last two years.

      Mr. Deputy Speaker, I know, and the–[interjection]

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order.

Mr. Ewasko: –member knows, that these school divi­sions are hiring. They're got signs and they've got postings all over the place.

      So that counter–his fear mongering is counter­intuitive to the success–

Mr. Deputy Speaker: The hon­our­able minister's time has expired.

      Well, the time for oral questions has ended.

Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh.

Mr. Deputy Speaker: We'll have another one tomorrow.

Petitions

Dis­abil­ity Services

Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): I wish to present the following petition to the Legis­lative Assembly.

      The back­ground to this petition is as follows:

      Currently, adults with specific or non-specific dis­abil­ities, or a combination of dis­abil­ities, such as ADHD, autism, dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, auditory or lan­guage processing disorders and/or non-verbal learn­ing dis­abil­ities, will be denied access to services under the Province of Manitoba's com­mu­nity living and disability services, if their IQ is above 80.

      People with these or other borderline cognitive functioning issues also have extremely low adaptive skills and are not able to live in­de­pen­dently without supports.

      Recently, it's become widely recog­nized that ac­cess to CLDS should not be based solely on IQ, which is only a measure of a person's ability to answer ques­tions verbally or in writing in relation to mathematics, science or material which is read.

      Very often, persons with specific or non‑specific dis­abil­ities or a combination of those dis­abil­ities have specific needs related to their executive function for support when they are adults or are transitioning to adulthood, which are not necessarily connected to their IQ.

      Executive function is the learned ability to do the normal activities of life, including being organized, being able to plan and to carry out plans and adapt to changing con­di­tions.

      Those who have major defects in executive func­tion have a learning dis­abil­ity requiring assist­ance under CLDS to be able to make a con­tri­bu­tion to society and to be self‑sustaining.

      Provision of CLDS services to individuals with specific or non‑specific dis­abil­ities or a combination of those dis­abil­ities or executive function dis­abil­ity, would free them from being dependent on Em­ploy­ment and Income Assist­ance and have the potential to make an im­por­tant change in the person's life.

      Newfoundland and Labrador have now recog­nized that access to services should be based on the nature of the dis­abil­ity and the person's need, rather than on IQ.

      We petition the Legis­lative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

      To urge the prov­incial gov­ern­ment to change the require­ments for accessing com­mu­nity living and dis­abil­ity services so that these require­ments are based on the needs of individuals with specific or non-specific dis­abil­ities, including executive function or a combination of dis­abil­ities, rather than solely on the basis of their IQ.

      Signed by Christine Zimmerman, Andrea McCrea, Chris Zapototsky and many others.

Hearing Aids

Ms. Cindy Lamoureux (Tyndall Park): I present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly.

      The background to this petition is as follows:

      (1) A hearing aid is a battery-powered electronic device designed to improve an individual's ability to perceive sound. Worn in or behind a person's ear, they make some sounds louder, helping people hear better when it's quiet and when it's noisy.

      (2) People who suffer hearing loss, whether due to aging, illness, employment or accident, not only lose the ability to communicate effectively with friends, family or colleagues, they can also experience unemployment, social isolation and struggles with men­tal health.

      (3) Hearing loss can also impact the safety of an individual with hearing loss, as it affects the ability to hear cars coming, safety alarms, call 911, et cetera.

      (4) A global commission on the state of the research for dementia care and prevention released an update consensus report in July 2020, identifying 12 key risk factors for dementia and cognitive decline. The strongest risk factor that was indicated was hearing loss. It was calculated that up to 8 per cent of the total number of dementia cases could potentially be avoided with management of hearing loss.

      (5) Hearing aids are therefore essential to the mental health and well-being of Manitobans, espe­cially to those at significant risk of dementia, Alzheimer's, a disorder of the brain affecting cog­ni­tion in the ever-growing senior population.

* (15:00)

      (6) Audiologists are health-care professionals who help patients decide which kind of hearing aid will work best for them, based on the type of hearing loss, patient's age and ability to manage small devices, lifestyle and ability to afford.

      (7) The cost of hearing aids can be prohibitive to many Manitobans, depending on the income and circumstances. Hearing aids cost on average $995 to $4,000 per ear, and many professionals say the hearing aids only work at their best for five years.

      (8) Manitoba residents under the age of 18 who  require a hearing aid, as prescribed by an 'otilargologist' or audiologist, will receive either an 80 per cent reimbursement from Manitoba Health of a fixed amount for an analog device, up to a maximum of $500 per ear, or 80 per cent of a fixed amount for a digital or analog programmable device, up to a max­imum of $1,800. However, this reimbursement is not available to Manitobans who need the device who are over the age of 18, which will result in financial hardship for many young people entering the work­force, students and families. In addition, seniors representing 14.3 per cent of Manitoba's population are not eligible for reimbursement, despite being the group most likely in need of a hearing aid.

      (9) Most insurance companies only provide a minimal partial cost of a hearing aid, and many Manitobans, especially retired persons, old‑age pen­sioners and other low‑income earners do not have access to health insurance plans.

      (10) The Province of Quebec's hearing devices program covers all costs related to hearing aids and assistive listening devices, including the purchase, repair and replacement.

      (11) Alberta offers subsidies to all seniors 65 and over and low‑income adults age 18 to 64 once every five years.

      (12) New Brunswick provides coverage for the purchase and maintenance not covered by other agencies or private health insurance plans, as well as assistance for those whom the purchase would cause financial hardship.

      (13) Manitobans over age 18 are only eligible for  support for hearing aids if they are receiving Employment and Income Assist­ance, and the re­imbursement only provides a maximum of $500 an ear.

      We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

      (1) To urge the provincial government to consider hearing loss as a medical treatment under Manitoba Health. And,

      (2) To urge the provincial government to provide income‑based coverage for hearing aids to all who need them, as hearing has been proven to be essential to Manitobans' cognitive, mental and social health and well-being.

      This petition has been signed by many Manitobans.

      Thank you.

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Are there any other petitions?

ORDERS OF THE DAY

GOVERNMENT BUSINESS

Hon. Cliff Cullen (Acting Gov­ern­ment House Leader): Would you resume debate on the Throne Speech?

Throne Speech


(Fourth Day of Debate)

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Okay, it has been announced by the hon­our­able Acting Gov­ern­ment House Leader that debate on the Throne Speech will resume.

      So we will resume the adjourned debate on the proposed motion of the hon­our­able member for Borderland (Mr. Guenter), and amend­ments thereto, standing in the name of the member for Wolseley, who has three minutes remaining.

Ms. Lisa Naylor (Wolseley): On Friday, I was speak­ing about new data from the Canadian In­sti­tute for Health Infor­ma­tion that shows that the pandemic has taken a sig­ni­fi­cant toll on the mental health of children and youth, with hospitalizations for children aged 10 to 17 with eating disorders increasing by nearly 60 per cent since March 2020. Manitoba's services for children and youth mental health cannot keep up with this increase.

      There was nothing in the Throne Speech about children and youth mental health or about eating dis­orders. More pre­ven­tion and early inter­ven­tion ser­vices are required locally in the urban com­mu­nity, but especially in rural and northern Manitoba.

      And finally, in my last couple of minutes, I want to speak about what was missing from the Throne Speech about climate.

      The PCs' climate plan is and has been embarras­sing. Six years in office and the most notable thing they've done regarding climate change is fight the carbon levy and let our CO2 emissions increase by 10 per cent. That was just between 2016 and 2020.

      There was only one reference to Manitoba's GHG emissions in the entire Throne Speech, and it provided no details on how the PCs plan to reduce Manitoba's emissions.

      The PC gov­ern­ment refuses to show leadership. Instead, they blame the federal gov­ern­ment and released a plan that doesn't include any meaning­ful targets, timetables or any plans to meet the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's ob­ject­ives. They didn't even follow their own plan or legis­lation on climate change.

      The climate and green plan imple­men­ta­tion act states that the minister is to reduce–produce a report annually. There was no report released for three years until we raised a matter of privilege in this House and they were compelled to release it.

      Instead of working with and for Manitobans to fight climate change, the PC gov­ern­ment has spent millions of taxpayer dollars and two years of fighting with the federal gov­ern­ment in court.

      When the PC gov­ern­ment lost that fight, within his written decision Justice Mosley questioned the effectiveness of Manitoba's plan. The PCs have done little and flip‑flopped when it comes to climate action. This creates uncertainty for Manitobans and wastes precious time that we could be spending fighting climate change.

      The minister also refuses to release his parks priva­tiza­tion plan. We asked for that again last week. They're probably intending to keep it hidden until after Manitobans go to the polls next year.

Mr. Brad Michaleski, Acting Speaker, in the Chair

      For all these reasons and more, the PCs continue to disappoint Manitobans. To turn this around, I urge the gov­ern­ment to adopt all amend­ments intro­duced by the Leader of the Official Op­posi­tion (Mr. Kinew) last week.

      Thank you.

Hon. Jeff Wharton (Minister of Environment, Climate and Parks): Certainly a privilege and an honour to stand up in the House today to talk about our gov­ern­ment's Throne Speech and some highlights from that Throne Speech, put it on the record. Of course, we just heard members opposite, some fiction. Well, it's time to put facts on the record, Acting Deputy Speaker.

      First and foremost, though, I just wanted to ensure that I put on the record how thankful I am to serve the con­stit­uents of Red River North, which include the munici­palities of East St. Paul and St. Clements. Mr. Acting Deputy Speaker, certainly, truly an honour to continue to advocate for their concerns, the munici­palities' concerns and the con­stit­uents' concerns on a regular basis, and we'll continue to do that, as it's truly an honour.

      Our Throne Speech, Acting Deputy Speaker, our gov­ern­ment has committed to ensuring that we make com­mu­nities safer, help families make ends meet, strengthen the health-care system and address diag­nos­tic backlogs, make Manitoba more competitive, build stronger com­mu­nities, invest environ­mental pro­­tec­tion and con­ser­va­tion, and advance recon­cilia­tion. And that's exactly what our gov­ern­ment has been doing and will continue to do as we move forward through '23.

      A couple of areas I'd like to touch on and get on the record, Mr. Acting Deputy Speaker, again, is helping make com­mu­nities safer. Our gov­ern­ment will work col­lab­o­ratively with all police agencies along all levels of gov­ern­ment to ensure com­mu­nities are safe and resources are made available. We will continue to focus our efforts on underlying issues such as homelessness, addictions and mental health, by provi­ding increased support to front-line law en­force­ment officers.

      For the first time in more than two decades, our gov­ern­ment properly addressed the funding and modern­ization of our shelters, Mr. Acting Deputy Speaker, with a recent an­nounce­ment of $15 million.

      Violence against women and girls, and missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls continue to be a priority for this gov­ern­ment and we plan to update the gender-based violence framework in the coming months.

      We recently announced more than $3.2 million to invest in the intensive bail supervision and high-risk warrant units to ensure that the most violent criminals do not remain on our streets.

      Mr. Acting Deputy Speaker, helping families make ends meet–a real focus for our gov­ern­ment–aims to make Manitoba more affordable for families, despite the rising cost of living.

      We intro­duced new taxation measures and an $87-million family affordability package to help damp­en the impact on all Manitobans and Manitoba families. Families with children under the age of 18 with a household income of $175,000 will receive a cheque for $250 for the first child and another $200 for each ad­di­tional child in the home.

      Eligible seniors will receive $300 senior afford­ability cheque, Mr. Acting Deputy Speaker.

      We'll be raising the minimum wage in Manitoba to $15 an hour.

* (15:10)

      In 2023, the edu­ca­tion property tax rebate will provide further assist­ance, as it will include an–and an increase for resi­den­tial and farm property to 50 per cent from 37.5 in 2022. This increase–the average rebate from $581 in 2022 to $774 in fiscal 2023.

      In 2023–pardon me. Manitoba Public Insurance has also, Mr. Acting Deputy Speaker, issued rebates which average $700 over the past two years, and more an­nounce­ments to come in the weeks ahead.

      Strengthening our health care. We are solution focused, Mr. Acting Deputy Speaker, and open to new ideas and innovation as we work with front-line health-care workers to make sig­ni­fi­cant and long-lasting changes for the betterment of our health-care system. We continue to call on the Canadian federal gov­ern­ment to restore our fair share of health-care fund­ing, so that this may be put towards building a stronger health-care system for all Manitobans.

      We have committed to recruiting, training and re­taining nurses and health-care pro­fes­sionals in this province with an aggressive $200 million multi-year health human 'resourshes'–resources initiative. We con­tinue to address the surgical and diag­nos­tic back­logs and the surgical and diag­nos­tic backlogs task force continues to make noticeable progress through innovation and ideas.

      We continue to further invest­ment in health-care facilities as we recog­nize the critical importance that modern health-care facilities have on the system and the ability to provide the best possible care to all Manitobans.

      Mr. Acting Deputy Speaker, mental health and addictions are another primary concern for our gov­ern­ment, as we work to provide increased support and services for those who are struggling with addictions. Plans for the ad­di­tional 1,000 addictions treatment spaces and more support for suicide pre­ven­tion in Manitoba are already in the works. We will build on our existing five-year road map for mental health, as we complete and implement a prov­incially co‑ordinated strategy for suicide pre­ven­tion focused on youth and at-risk com­mu­nities.

      Turning to edu­ca­tion, Mr. Acting Deputy Speaker, our gov­ern­ment understands the importance of afford­able–affordability, access, high-quality early child edu­ca­tion, especially in rural areas in Manitoba. A recent invest­ment of $70 million will fund up to 17 new facilities and create more than 1,200 new day­care spaces.

      We are focused on strengthening the sector as we encourage more individuals to pursue a career in early years edu­ca­tion by supporting increased wages in the new year. We're on track to deliver $1.6 billion in four-year funding guarantee agree­ment, Mr. Acting Deputy Speaker. Our gov­ern­ment will be creating a teacher registry and an in­de­pen­dent body to improve teacher trans­par­ency and account­ability in K-to-12 schools.

      We will continue to strengthen our col­lab­o­ration with post-secondary in­sti­tutions, and continue to fos­ter strategies which aim to address labour shortages right here in Manitoba.

      Mr. Acting Deputy Speaker, we are also launch­ing a new income-support program to address the unique needs of people with severe and prolonged dis­abil­ities.

      And, Mr. Acting Deputy Speaker: Environ­ment, Climate and Parks. Had the pleasure of working in this de­part­ment and I certainly ap­pre­ciate the Premier's (Mrs. Stefanson) con­fi­dence in the abilities that we have in the de­part­ment, and again, working with her and the rest of our colleagues to ensure our parks are sus­tain­able, our climate and environ­mental issues are addressed, and that's exactly what this gov­ern­ment is doing.

      To secure Manitoba's water future in advance, our environ­mental, economic and com­mu­nity priorities, our action plan based on our water strategy an­nounce­ment just last week, Mr. Acting Deputy Speaker, recently, again, will be–framework will be set to roll out in the spring of 2023. In the coming months, our gov­ern­ment will be announcing a long-term strategic capital invest­ment plan in our prov­incial parks.

      This builds off our other great initiatives our gov­ern­ment has done to strengthen our prov­incially own­ed parks system. Prov­incial parks' new registration system, that the NDP left to lag for 17 years, will be replaced. This dysfunctional system essentially, Mr. Deputy Speaker, will be gone, with a new system that'll help the ex­per­ience while booking your families for the summer in yurts, campsites through­out this great province as we, again, embark on improving and enhancing those services available to Manitobans and Manitoba families; investing $1.1 million this year to support 64 park en­hance­ment projects across the pro­vince, through the parks endowment fund; partnering with Trails Manitoba to invest nearly $1 million this year to support recreational trail projects across our great province.

      A trail strategy and action plan to enhance and sup­port a high-quality network of ac­ces­si­ble trails will be announced very soon.

      We will continue to make sig­ni­fi­cant invest­ments to achieve our environ­mental goals such as: $167‑million invest­ment in the second phase of the upgrade at the North End treatment plant, which should have done, Mr.–which should have been done, Acting Deputy Speaker, 15 years ago. We are getting it done.

      We continue to pursue further emissions reduc­tions across all sectors of the economy and we will do our share to help Canada meet its inter­national obliga­tions. A com­pre­hen­sive prov­incial adaptation strategy will reduce the impact of extreme climate events such as floods, droughts, wildfires and more.

      And working with stake­holders, we will modern­ize the waste diversion and recycling framework to divert more materials from our landfills and create new busi­ness and job op­por­tun­ities within that circu­lar economy.

      Manitobans, Mr. Acting Deputy Speaker, have great op­por­tun­ity and under the leadership of Premier–our Premier and our gov­ern­ment and our col­leagues, we will get the job done.

      I ap­pre­ciate the op­por­tun­ity to put some facts on the record and, again, I'd like to thank the fine folks at Red River North for allowing me the op­por­tun­ity to advocate for them and help move Manitoba forward.

      Thank you.

Mr. Nello Altomare (Transcona): Thank you, Assist­ant Deputy Speaker, for the op­por­tun­ity to put some words on record regarding the Throne Speech of the Fifth session of the 42nd Manitoba Legislature.

      I don't say that lightly, Assist­ant Deputy Speaker, because I do want to thank the con­stit­uents of Transcona and the con­stit­uency of Transcona for allow­ing me to be their repre­sen­tative here inside this august Chamber. It's not some­thing that we–all MLAs–take lightly. It is some­thing that is very ser­ious. This is–we are their voice here and I continue to be privileged to do that.

      I want to thank the con­stit­uents, as well. They've been very sup­port­ive these past number of years. And I do believe that we, as a con­stit­uency office as well, have been responding to the needs of our con­stit­uents and provi­ding the service that they–services that they require whenever they're dealing with the levels of gov­ern­ment. And that's some­thing that we take very seriously.

      These past couple of months, certainly, half of this year has seen kind of a return, Assist­ant Deputy Speaker, to some very im­por­tant com­mu­nity events that my con­stit­uency was known for, not the least of which is the restoration of the 2747 steam engine taking place by the Transcona Museum, that is right now working on building a shelter for that parti­cular steam engine.

      That was put in place on the corner of Kildare and Plessis there in 1960. And one of the really kind of cool things about that is that my dad was actually involved in moving that engine to that place where it rests right now. So, being kind of involved in helping the museum esta­blish a shelter for that is indeed an honour; and we're certainly going to support that a hundred per cent.

      I also would be remiss if I didn't mention the work of the Transcona Legion in getting us back and doing some things together but in a safe way as well, be­cause you'll notice that when we do get together we are taking the necessary precautions. For example, if we're ill, we're not attending. We're wearing masks if we're in large communal settings that are indoors.

      I do want to thank the Legion and the members for doing things like No Stone Left Alone that was taken care of by one of the members in early November of this year; and also back to a regular Remembrance Day ceremony that included com­mu­nity, one that was well attended and one that was greatly ap­pre­ciated by my 'constits'.

      Now, as you know, Assist­ant Deputy Speaker, Transcona is unique; very much a small town within a big city and still maintains a lot of that mentality, where people know each other and care about each other. And we have many multigenerational families that have been living there for four gen­era­tions and, as a matter of fact, they continue to live, work, raise their families and want to maintain those same roots.

* (15:20)

      I will say, though, Assist­ant Deputy Speaker, is that this part of Winnipeg, the northeast and Transcona has taken it–taken a lot of hits since 2016, since this gov­ern­ment was elected. And, you know, there are a number of really key gov­ern­ment services that have been cut and have disappeared. This, despite the fact that we're one of the fastest growing areas of the city.

      And we have had sig­ni­fi­cant cuts to, for example, the ER at Concordia Hospital, which is acutely felt on a daily basis. This was done before capacity was even increased at the other ERs. Why would anybody engage in that type of manage­ment of these really precious resources without increasing capacity in other areas? That is one question that we receive on a daily basis. The result, of course, is even before the pandemic, wait times that were putting a lot of stress on the com­mu­nity's health care.

      But one of the biggest things that certainly, we've been impacted in northeast Winnipeg, Assist­ant Deputy Speaker, is personal-care-home space. We do know that northeast Winnipeg and Transcona has the lowest per-capita PCH space in the city. As a matter of fact, a former premier stood in front of one of our PCHs in 2016 and announced 1,200 PCH beds.

      And what have we had? As a matter of fact, we had a plan ready to go, ready to go, and then the WRHA in 2016 said with our plan–said, you know, you need to take it back, redo it so that it reflects more of a pod-model approach. Our com­mu­nity did that, went back, brought it forward. What happened? One of the first things cut.

      So, at this point, Assist­ant Deputy Speaker, in Transcona, many families don't have the op­por­tun­ity to have their loved one age in place. That is some­thing that we've been working for and advocating for since before 10 years. And we have gotten to a point where we have a plan ready to go, but it is not being acted upon. And this is some­thing that is really, really quite–you–hit the com­mu­nity quite hard, especially when it comes to their loved ones and where they want to have them age.

      So here, we have another decision that was made before and there was a cut to the IV clinic out of ACCESS Transcona. That IV clinic was serving residents in the northeast in a very efficient manner. So what happens now is that even when you're trying to get service of this parti­cular IV clinic that was in ACCESS Transcona, what ends up happening is that if you don't have the necessary supplies, you have to travel from further.

      What it results in is delay in treatment. And what, then, can subsequently happen is that they begin to then miss their ap­point­ments and have them re­scheduled. And these are the type of things that have really impacted.

      So we have still yet to see that IV clinic at ACCESS Transcona reinstated. And what that does, when that clinic, hopefully, will get reinstated, it results in more efficient care, Deputy Speaker. And these are the type of things that our residents, our con­stit­uents are waiting for.

      But what was parti­cularly difficult to really un­der­stand, Assist­ant Deputy Speaker, was the removal of CancerCare from Concordia Hospital; an absolute gem of a facility, and one that really had world-class treatment, care close to home for the residents of northeast Winnipeg.

      It was–what was really unique about that Concordia Hospital clinic was proximity, not only in the neigh­bourhood but also the physical act of actually getting into your chair there at chemotherapy. What was unique about Concordia, Assist­ant Deputy Speaker, is that you can walk from the parking thing–which was literally right across from the treatment centre–without having to go through larger distances like you do at St. Boniface and at the McDermot station. You know, and what that does is, of course, it reduces stress.

      And so these are some of the things that, when these decisions are made, these are the day-to-day impacts it has on the residents of northeast Winnipeg. And that is some­thing that, you know, we saw as an absolute jewel, one that really served our com­mu­nity well and we would like to see reinstated.

      We also continue to hear regarding child-care space in northeast Winnipeg and in Transcona, and the lack of that space. I know many of us receive com­muni­cation regarding this. We know that we have many, many of our con­stit­uents that have children that age out of these wait-lists that don't have access to high-quality licensed child care in the com­mu­nity. And this is some­thing that we have to have an actual plan that results in some capital expansion in fastest growing area of the city, right in the northeast, with zero plan to deal with how we're going to knock down those wait-lists that are now hundreds deep at certain child-care facilities in the con­stit­uency of Transcona.

      And the good thing about these licensed facilities, Assist­ant Deputy Speaker, is that they provide high-quality licensed care, one that has–that is staffed by people that know what they're doing, especially when it comes to early child­hood edu­ca­tion.

      So what we've witnessed in our part of the city is a steady decrease and decline in some of these very im­por­tant areas in the health-care sector and the edu­ca­tion sector and in the child-care sector, Assist­ant Deputy Speaker.

      And what we're seeing is, right now, you know, a parti­cular strategy that's in place where you start a fire, you watch the flames lick the house, you cover your ears when people start to scream, Assist­ant Deputy Speaker, and then you wait until the house is almost reduced to ashes. You then bring a bucket of water and say you're doing more than ever. Call a press conference. Gloat that you're doing more than you've ever done before and hope that people forget that you're the people that caused the chaos in the first place.

      And so what we have is we have this carrying on right now to the point where we get–we don't even know what we're going to get from this gov­ern­ment when it comes to an­nounce­ments. Because there doesn't seem to be any kind of co‑ordination or strategy that's going to deal with the real issues that are affecting com­mu­nities.

      In our con­stit­uency, of course, it's health care, it's edu­ca­tion and it's child care.

      Adult edu­ca­tion is another area where this current gov­ern­ment has failed to invest and take actions that, as a matter of fact, have kind of held back progress, Assist­ant Deputy Speaker. Their repeal of The Adult Literacy Act has actively made out­comes worse at a time when employers are actively seeking skilled em­ployees to fill many, many positions. And this is an area that is really an op­por­tun­ity that we need to take because we know that we're in a labour crisis right now where employers are looking for skilled em­ployees. And we have people that are ready to go when it comes to lining up for adult edu­ca­tion, and people are demanding it more than ever. It's time that we have a strategy for this.

      The other piece that's unique about Transcona, Assist­ant Deputy Speaker, is that we also have  a  world-class trans­por­tation facility by the name of New Flyer Industries, where its products can be found in cities through­out North America. San Francisco Bayr [phonetic] area, they're also in places like Houston, Texas. They're in eastern Canada. And you'll–begin­ning to see–at least in my area–you see some of these buses being test driven through­out the–through­out our neighbourhood.

      And this is a tech­no­lo­gy that helps in the fight against climate change. And–but when we look at this gov­ern­ment's climate plan, we see some­thing that is really quite lacking. Six years in office, and the most notable thing, Assist­ant Deputy Speaker, is that when it comes to climate change, is that they fought the carbon tax.

      And there was only one reference to greenhouse gases, Assist­ant Deputy Speaker, in the entire Throne Speech. And it provides no details on how the PCs plan to reduce Manitoban's greenhouse gas emissions.

* (15:30)

      We also seen a refusal of any kind of leadership on this file and they blame the federal gov­ern­ment for whatever things come to these targets. And–but we have yet to see any kind of timetable or any kind of intergovernmental co‑operation when it comes to climate change with Manitoba and the federal gov­ern­ment. It's time that we see that and time that that happens now because we are missing an op­por­tun­ity.

      So, instead of working with and for Manitobans to fight climate changes, gov­ern­ment has spent mil­lions of taxpayer money on federal court lawsuit to try and strike down the carbon tax.

      And now after two years, the PCs' loss, with, you know, the Justice Mosley himself questioning the effectiveness of the plan that was put forward and this lack of action on climate change, creates uncertainty for Manitobans and wastes precious time that could have been spent putting forward meaningful climate change mitigation strategies, Assist­ant Deputy Speaker.

      Deputy Speaker, as I begin to approach the end of my time and comments regarding the gov­ern­ment's Throne Speech, I would like to reflect on the news last Friday of the out-migration the province of Manitoba has ex­per­ienced in the past year.

      And I want to take a moment to speak directly to all the young Manitobans who are con­sid­ering making a choice to leave our beautiful province. We know that this PC gov­ern­ment has made it difficult to live in Manitoba with the minimum wage that isn't a living wage and raising the cost of your tuition. The PCs have trampled on op­por­tun­ities this province once had and was once known as the Manitoba advantage.

      The Manitoba NDP will make it our core priority to undo the PC attacks on young people and build our province so young people will want to stay here in­stead of move away.

      Ten thousand people moving out of Manitoba is unacceptable, Assist­ant Deputy Speaker. We have to do our very best to keep our citizens right here in Manitoba, making this province the great province that it is. And we will support post-secondaries by provi­ding funding ability so that young people can get a world-class edu­ca­tion right here in Manitoba.

      There is also that unique union skills training centres that every young person who wants or even wants to learn a trade or be part of a trade can take advantage of. We know we have the carpenters union, right at the foot of the Nairn Overpass, has a wonder­ful training facility that can use ever more support to keep and help train our own trades­people right here in this province.

      And, finally, we will support a public health-care system and end the PC march to priva­tiza­tion. And we'll make sure our public schools have the modern curriculum that prepares our children for the future.

      And with those few words, Assist­ant Deputy Speaker, again, I'd like to thank the con­stit­uents of Transcona for allowing me this op­por­tun­ity and plat­form to speak here. It is indeed a privilege and one that every member I know in this House takes seriously.

      Thank you for the time.

Mr. Shannon Martin (McPhillips): It's always a pleasure, Mr. Deputy Speaker, to be part of the demo­cratic process. I echo some comments made by my colleague, the member for Transcona (Mr. Altomare), who did indicate, yes, indeed, it is a privilege for all of us as individuals to represent our con­stit­uencies. In my case, I want to thank the good people from McPhillips for sending me here to be their repre­sen­tative in this House of demo­cracy.

      Mr. Deputy Speaker, and while we in the–here in this House seem to be, on occasion, we get tied up in, for lack of a better word, nonsense and mudslinging and un­neces­sary rhetoric, that's all well and good but it does make us more aware, again and echoing the last member's words, that privilege.

      Earlier this year, Mr. Speaker, I had the op­por­tun­ity to travel to Poland and Ukraine and I think now as I think back to my experiences meeting with the NGOs, the non-gov­ern­ment organi­zations, that were helping refugees and meeting with refugees them­selves, again, the privilege that we have here, that the most challenging part of our day is simply mud­slinging and standing up to speak, as opposed to where currently millions of Ukrainians are without power as missiles land near a crucial nuclear generating station. And obviously, in these winter months, that lack of power is even more sig­ni­fi­cant.

      I'm also left wondering as I depart, Mr. Deputy Speaker–as I departed Ukraine, I'm often left wonder­ing about a young woman, Illeana, I met, who was actually travelling from Poland, at the border when I was crossing over into Ukraine, and she was also travelling and crossing over into Ukraine, with two young children in tow. And so I struck up a con­ver­sa­tion and, fortunately, I had a friend and colleague with me, Marian, who was multilingual, so he was able to provide the translation services.

      But this young woman explained to us, you know, the reason she was travelling back to Ukraine, back to the, you know, obviously, a war‑impacted country, Mr. Deputy Speaker, with her two children in tow, was to visit her husband and the father of her children, because we're–as many of us are aware, men between the ages, I think, of 18 and 60–my numbers might be slightly off–are not allowed to leave Ukraine; they're necessary, obviously, for the fight against the Russian aggressors. And, I, as I said, I'm often–often wonder, my mind wonders–wanders to Illeana and her two young children and wonder how they are doing and, more im­por­tantly, how her husband is doing with the war effort.

      Mr. Deputy Speaker, we've all thanked–we thank our–obviously, we all have thanked and spoken about our con­stit­uencies and, more im­por­tantly, we have thanked our families. We have–many of our members have shared very personal stories of their families' involvement in their lives and their political lives and their lives as a whole. My friend and colleague, the member for Selkirk (Mr. Lagimodiere), in his mem­ber's statement earlier, obviously shared a very poig­nant situation with his own family life. And it's those con­ver­sa­tions, and I think, to my colleague, the mem­ber for The Pas-Kinny-Tooiynak [phonetic], who has also shared a number of very personal stories in–to deal with her family and the situation when it comes to mental health services.

      And I think the sharing of these stories between MLAs is im­por­tant because it allows us to see each other as individuals and as humans on this same jour­ney, Mr. Deputy Speaker. And while we–obviously, we will always have our political differences, I have no doubt, and I don't think any member in this House has any doubt that at the end of the day, we all want and want to achieve that same thing, you know: a quality edu­ca­tion, good em­ploy­ment, safety, clean drinking water. These are necessities, and these are requirements and these are needs that we all want for our families and com­mu­nities; and oftentimes, the differences that we gauge in this House are dif­fer­ences in–essentially, in the path that we get there, but I have no doubt that we all want to follow that path.

      Mr. Deputy Speaker, there's a lot in this Throne Speech. The key that struck we–myself that I'm going to touch base on primarily is that–in the efforts that our gov­ern­ment is making in relation to mental health. Mental health, and I've spoken about it on a number of occasions, is an issue near and dear to myself during the last, actually, during the last year. I've had two individuals, two friends of mine, around my age, who have succumbed to their mental health in terms of ending their lives, which is the final solution. And, unfor­tunately, is a solution that some people make that deter­min­ation that life, for their loved ones, for their family, for their co-workers, the people around them, that their lives would simply be better off if you weren't a part of it.

      And it's always a tragedy when an individual makes that choice. And it is not for lack of caring; it is not for lack of the resources. In some instances, it simply is an issue of mental health, Mr. Deputy Speaker. And it's always a challenge. And it's a chal­lenge for anyone who deals with it, and I have no doubt that there's members in all sides of this House–and, again, many of them have shared those stories of their own challenges. But, again, as we've all noted, if I come into this Chamber, and I have a cast on my arm, you can clearly see, you know, what is wrong and the injury. However, many of us and many Manitobans have, for lack of better terminology, in­ternal injuries in terms of mental health.

      And we need to look at–and the reason why I'm very proud of my colleague, the minister, and the record $58-million invest­ment that the minister's de­part­ment has put in to im­prove­ mental health services is because of the connectivity of mental health ser­vices when it comes to Manitoba as a whole, Mr. Deputy Speaker. We need to take a look at, you know, how mental health services impact the edu­ca­tion system.

* (15:40)

      There was a time, Mr. Deputy Speaker, back in the day, we'd refer to children as simply problem children in class, you know, the troublemakers, for lack of a better terminology; the ones that may end up in detention and that. And now, years later, we realize that there are op­por­tun­ities and there need to be more op­por­tun­ities to ensure that those individuals and those students have the mental health services avail­able to them so that they can achieve their edu­ca­tional potential, as well as ensuring that the resources they see–they need are ap­pro­priate for them, for their edu­ca­tional journey.

      But also that the services are there to support the educators that surround them, because we cannot ex­pect our educators and our teachers to fulfill that role, Mr. Deputy Speaker. It is a role, and–while many teachers do indeed provide and do a tre­men­dous role in terms of intervening and being part of their students' lives, we, as a gov­ern­ment, have done and continue to need to do more when it comes to provi­ding those mental health services for our students.

      And we talked about the economy and the cor­relation to mental health services. I had the op­por­tun­ity in a previous life, Mr. Speaker, to work for a non-profit that helped people with dis­abil­ities find em­ploy­ment. Some of those individuals, there was physical dis­abil­ities, but there was also individuals with mental health dis­abil­ities.

      In large number–I believe the number's about one in six Manitobans, Mr. Deputy Speaker–have a men­tal health issue, self-identify as having a mental health issue and a dis­abil­ity. But that is not to say that they cannot be part of our economy. We've heard many people talk, obviously, about the labour shortage, we see it first-hand, and that.

      But we need to ensure that individuals that are ex­per­iencing mental health issues and that, that is part and parcel of that need to provide them with those services, so that they can become that holistic in­dividual, so that they can, you know, if need be, return to work. And a lot of us find, a lot of individuals find fulfillment in the work that they do, Mr. Speaker. And I know a lot of us in the House find fulfillment in the work that we do.

      In terms of health care, Mr. Deputy Speaker, we've seen, you know, obviously, record invest­ments in health care. We–seen the inclusion of mental health services within the health-care system. But again, we need to look at, again, that correlation in the linkages between ensuring ap­pro­priate and expanded mental health services and, obviously, the necessity and that path to proper general well-being of health.

      Obviously, take, for example, 'pershon' who is going through, say, a depression, Mr. Speaker, may, as a result, stop taking care of them­selves, may stop taking, you know, maybe their other medi­cations that they need to maintain other aspects of their health and may find them­selves suddenly relying on the health-care system. Where, if they had those services, if they had the ap­pro­priate counselling services and those mental health services, they may have not gotten to that stage.

      And the other comment, obviously, when it comes to the issue of mental health, obviously, is the issue of justice. We see and we all saw the news this weekend: the Colorado Springs LGBTQ nightclub shooting. I believe, at last reports, I think there was five persons killed and 25 injured. My comment is not to excuse, obviously, the horrendous actions of the individual that perpetuated this crime, but to indicate that hate itself is borne out of a mental health issue, Mr. Deputy Speaker, and perhaps, if this individual had had the services available, that tragedy might not have happened.

      Closer to home, we see just–again, just today it's being reported in the news at Sioux Valley Dakota First Nation, a young woman was murdered and an individual has been charged with first-degree murder, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Obviously, there'll be issues tied to, obviously, the issue of colonialism and the impact that that had on the individual that 'perpretuated' the crime, but we also need to look, again, at those mental health services that may or may not have been available and will need to be available–be made available to individuals that continue on, within that com­mu­nity, to heal from this event, to understand why this event at Sioux Valley Dakota First Nation oc­curred and, more im­por­tantly, how do they, as a com­mu­nity, help address that.

      And part of that, Mr. Speaker, is when we rise in the House and we talk about mental health and we talk about services available, I think it's incumbent upon us as individuals to recog­nize–and it's a bit of a cliché when we say, you know, there is no one single path, and there really isn't; there are any number of paths towards improved mental health out­comes, Mr. Deputy Speaker. There's obviously–in Manitoba, we pre­domi­nantly see, you know, the westernized view when it comes to mental health, but that is not the only path forward.

      We are very blessed as a province to have a sig­nificant number of new­comers, as well as the original inhabitants, who bring with them their own per­spectives and their own solutions when it comes to addressing mental health issues within their com­mu­nities. Because there are–and there is, I think, a neces­sity on all of us to take a look at some unique ap­proaches, approaches that may not generally fit with our own world view, Mr. Deputy Speaker, but that may fit and be more ap­pro­priate to the situation at hand.

      And these are the things that I think we collectively need to look at, Mr. Deputy Speaker.

      But in conclusion, Mr. Deputy Speaker, I just simply want to encourage all of us as legis­lators to do our jobs when it comes to­–obviously, for an op­posi­tion, obviously your role is to hold the gov­ern­ment accountable, and for our government, our role, ob­viously, is to ensure that the blueprint that we're putting forward today, the blueprint, the Throne Speech that my Premier (Mrs. Stefanson) has brought forward to this House, is fulfilled.

      That the commit­ments that we're making to Manitoba on the issues of improving safety within com­­mu­nities; on the issues we're talking about, ensuring safety in the classrooms and a teacher–some teacher account­ability, Mr. Deputy Speaker. We can­not allow simply titles of individuals–and previously, we had it with the–you know, individuals would, you know–and not to obviously slander all religious figures, but there was a time where the title priest simply granted you immunity from any con­se­quences.

      And, obviously, those times have changed, and we've seen some of the results of that blindness that we have to author­ity. And the same goes with teachers and that–and this is not to suggest that it's an epidemic, but to suggest that we need to focus on individual and not title when it comes to protecting our children.

      But as a gov­ern­ment, we need to ensure that we're following through, that we're working with teachers and students and parents to make sure that this hap­pens in an expedited manner and in a manner that does exactly what it sets out to do: protect the children while provi­ding those necessary edu­ca­tional out­comes, Mr. Deputy Speaker.

      And so, to my colleagues, Mr. Deputy Speaker, I want to thank everyone for their continued support, for their support and involvement, obviously, in this demo­cratic process. I know it's never an easy thing, that we all have our good days and our bad days; but I have no doubt that, thanks to the Throne Speech that's being put forward and debated today, that brighter days will continue here in Manitoba.

      And with those brief comments, I thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Mr. Deputy Speaker, I begin by thanking the people of River Heights who have supported me and who have allow­ed me to represent them for quite a number of years.

      In my discussion of the Throne Speech, I will begin with the need to advance recon­ciliation. Of the seven themes in the Throne Speech which are listed on page 3, the very last is Advancing Recon­ciliation. It should not be last; it should be at the top of the list.

      As well, each of the other themes has a dedi­cated section within the Throne Speech. But following the discussion of the sixth theme, Helping Build Stronger Com­mu­nities, the section on advancing reconciliation is completely missing.

      Is it missing because the PC gov­ern­ment is not really concerned about recon­ciliation? Perhaps. But certainly, somewhere in the process of writing the Throne Speech, this section went missing. Discussion of recon­ciliation is a serious matter, and the Premier (Mrs. Stefanson) should have had the respect to in­clude a full section on it in the Throne Speech.

      Advancing recon­ciliation should be and must be a top issue in Manitoba today, and not the last one. Too often, our province has suffered because the cur­rent gov­ern­ment failed to adequately consider talking to and working with First Nation, Métis or Inuit people.

* (15:50)

      The Province needs to start by returning the money taken from the children who were in the care of Child and Family Services. It's more than $300 million taken by NDP and PC gov­ern­ments from the most vul­ner­able children in our society, and it wasn't even mentioned in the Throne Speech.

      A good example of the needless delay of a vital pro­ject was the PC gov­ern­ment's handling of the out­let from Lake Manitoba to Lake St. Martin so that water from Lake Manitoba can flow on to Lake Winnipeg when a major 'throd'–flood is threatened on Lake Manitoba.

      Because the PCs failed to work adequately with First Nations com­mu­nity, the project has suffered much extra delay. As Bill Gallagher em­pha­sized in a recent talk at a mining convention in Winnipeg, par­tnering with First Nation, Métis and Inuit people is essential if we're to develop Manitoba's mining resources.

Mr. Andrew Micklefield, Deputy Speaker, in the Chair

      And this approach applies so much more in other areas of Manitoba, as the Lake Manitoba to Lake St. Martin channel demonstrates. Building the chan­nel has been delayed because the province sub­mit­ted inaccurate and incomplete infor­ma­tion, and also be­cause the province failed to adequately consult with four affected First Nations.

      We should have had, in the Throne Speech, an assessment of where we stand with regard to the re­com­men­dations of the Truth and Recon­ciliation Commis­sion and the com­mis­sion of missing and mur­der­ed women–Indigenous women and girls.

      We should also have had progress on clarifying the con­sul­ta­tion process and a vision for the future of a better part­ner­ship with Indigenous people, including a commit­ment to addressing the many years of flooding on Peguis, the need for a 'perment' bridge for year-round access to Norway House and improved road maintenance and snow clearing, for example, on Prov­incial Road 513 to Dauphin River.

      Health care: in the past several years, physicians and other health-care pro­fes­sionals and patients have described aspects of health care in Manitoba as fail­ing, a disgrace, chaotic, an unbelievable mess, a dysfunctional shambling beast and in a state of dys­func­tion never before seen in most of our lifetimes. Health care remains a major issue, with daily concerns being raised to me and many other MLAs about long waits and care which should be much better.

      The response of the PCs has been to admit they can't run an excellent public sector health-care system and to call for more priva­tiza­tion of health care in Manitoba. This PC approach is a direct result of the failure of PCs to manage health care in Manitoba well, from human resources to pre­ven­tive health care to maintenance of hospital facilities, and much more.

      There has been a failure in accountability, a fail­ure to get wait times as short as they should be, a fail­ure to adequately address mental health care, a failure to adequately support addictions treatment, a failure to support home care and a failure to support seniors. Manitoba Liberals have called on numer­ous occasions for accountability to be a fun­da­mental principle in the delivery of health care in our province. Neither NDP nor PCs have supported our efforts.

      Today, we're seeing a lot of burnout, nurses leav­ing, mandatory overtime causing a lot of anguish and problems and un­neces­sary inter­ference with family life. The gov­ern­ment needs to apologize. They have mismanaged things very badly, and in order to get things back on track, it needs to start with an apology and a recog­nition of all the bad mistakes that have been made.

      Home care is critical, and yet it's not getting the attention it needs.

      Seniors are im­por­tant, but we don't have a seniors' advocate. We should have one.

      Pre­ven­tion is a very im­por­tant part of the pro­vision of health care, yet NDP and PC gov­ern­ments have largely failed when it comes to pre­ven­tion; parti­cularly, as an example, the pre­ven­tion of diabetes. The number of people with diabetes keeps increasing at a rate which is far too fast.

      Pre­ven­tion of lung cancer by decreasing the ex­posure of Manitobans to the radioactive gas radon has been sadly neglected for too many years by NDP and PC gov­ern­ments. Too many people are dying from lung cancer and too many non-smokers are dying as a result of radon exposure. And yet, the province has not acted vigorously to create better awareness and to sup­port mitigation efforts in the one-quarter of Manitoba homes which have high radon levels.

      Exposure to lead remains a big problem in our province. It can cause learning and behavioural pro­blems in children and may lead to various mental health issues in adults. Yet, we are still not screening children age one to three, as we need to do and is being done in many other juris­dic­tions.

      This gov­ern­ment has failed to respect nurses by–and should have acted sooner to prevent and provide coverage for burnout. The gov­ern­ment has failed to develop a coherent and com­pre­hen­sive strategy to address the excess overtime of nursing staff. The gov­ern­ment has failed to address–strengthen hospital capacity, which has resulted in a critical shortage of bed space and excessive wait times for patients.

      The gov­ern­ment has failed to sufficiently address the dire need to strengthen the recruitment of health-care pro­fes­sionals, including physicians and nurses. The gov­ern­ment has failed to develop a com­pre­hen­sive retention plan and to ensure equitable health-care delivery in rural and northern com­mu­nities. The gov­ern­ment has failed to reinstate full and proper health-care coverage for inter­national students. And it should have recog­nized the dis­propor­tion­ate impact of inflation on living costs for students.

      The gov­ern­ment should be pushing the federal gov­­ern­ment to fund health care on an equitable basis, which would give Manitoba more money.

      The gov­ern­ment has failed to recog­nize hearing loss is in critical and we should be supporting hearing aids.

      Gov­ern­ment has failed to ensure that full and uni­ver­sal coverage is available for individuals accessing opioid agonist treatment, the standard of care. And they failed to ensure that people without ap­pro­priate health-care coverage are able to access timely treat­ment for opioid addictions. There is much that is short of what it should be.

      Climate change: the Throne Speech is deficient in attention to climate change. Our province relies pri­marily on hydroelectric power to produce electricity. Today, as a province, we collectively spend between 4 and 5 billion dollars annually to purchase gasoline and diesel fuel from out of province to power motor vehicles here. One of the fun­da­mentals of growing a prov­incial economy is to replace imports from other juris­dic­tions with products made in Manitoba. We should be moving aggressively to replace these im­ports with made-in-Manitoba renewable electricity. To–other provinces which pre­domi­nantly use hydro­electric power are doing this.

      In the second quarter of this year, British Columbia had more than 16 per cent of new vehicles as electric vehicles. Quebec had more than 12 per cent, but Manitoba had only 2.2 per cent. We are far behind where we should be. The prov­incial gov­ern­ment needs to be in the lead with ensuring there are many more electrical vehicle charging stations in our pro­vince, that the purchase of electric vehicles is sup­ported and that we're making major progress in moving our fleet of vehicles in this direction.

      Biodiversity and ecological corridors: the Throne Speech makes no mention of biodiversity, its im­portance and how the gov­ern­ment is going to address this im­por­tant issue. I would have expected, for ex­ample, a mention of ecological corridors. Manitoba Liberals have been working with others to look at the stewardship of the wildlife corridor along the Little Saskatchewan River as it runs from Riding Mountain National Park to the Assiniboine River. We need to em­pha­size such ecological corridors. The federal gov­ern­ment has announced its support for this effort and to have and maintain ecological corridors. It's time the province steps up.

      Talking of the environ­ment, the PCs say that water is our most valuable resource and every drop counts. And yet, they've failed to stop one of the most urgent threats to the groundwater in southeastern Manitoba. The dev­elop­ment of sand mines going down into the aquifers and the potential pollution of the aquifers, which have some of the best water in our province.

      On energy efficiency, I note Manitoba ranks near the bottom of all provinces on energy efficiently on a recent energy–Efficiency Canada scorecard.

      Crime: the violent crime severity index has gone up under the PCs. Crime has got worse, because the PCs are doing a poor job. Under the PCs, the violent crime severity index has increased from 126 in 2015 all the way up to 160 in the latest figures from 2021. This is a big increase, which shows that the actions of the PCs to date have increased rather than decreased crime.

* (16:00)

      It must be noted that the figure for Manitoba is 73 per cent higher than in the rest of Canada. Similarly, under the PCs, the homicide rate has in­creased from 3.5 for 100,000 popu­la­tion to 4.4 per 100,000 popu­la­tion in 2021; a big and sub­stan­tial increase. The latest numbers for Winnipeg are even worse, at 5.4 per 100,000.

      For comparison, the homicide rate in Canada as a whole was just over 2 per 100,000. The rate for Manitoba is more than twice for that of Canada, and for Winnipeg, it is more than two and a half times the rate for Canada.

      These are not acceptable numbers. The PCs are doing an awful job.

      The approach in the Throne Speech could've been taken from the throne speech in the 1990s or the early 2000s. The headline in the Free Press after this Throne Speech was that the PCs have adopted an archaic approach to crime. It's true; the results of the increased crime under the PCs show how ineffectual they are in addressing crime. Tom Brodbeck says, the Tories pay lip service to those root causes, but they show little under­­standing of them. We should've seen much better than this in the Throne Speech.

      For those ex­per­iencing homelessness, there's a fail­ure of the promise–Province to read the report on those ex­per­iencing homelessness in Winnipeg. More than half of those ex­per­iencing homeless have been in the care of Child and Family Services. The CFS sys­tem needs to be overhauled so it is no longer a pathway to homelessness. This is terrible. And worse, it's not even mentioned in the Throne Speech.

      It is also mentioned in the recent report that the most common age that people first ex­per­ienced home­lessness was age 18. The gov­ern­ment needs to much better address the transition to adulthood. I've pointed out to the gov­ern­ment not only the gaps in transition for those in CFS care, but the gaps for many with ADHD, autism and learning dis­abil­ities. This needs to be addressed.

      To prevent homelessness among our seniors, the gov­ern­ment needs to do much better in addressing housing for seniors. For starters, the gov­ern­ment should be working with people at Lions Place to make sure that it's looked after by a non-profit organi­zation which is ex­per­ienced in looking after seniors. Why has this gov­ern­ment failed to act? It is perplexing, and it is putting the lives and futures of seniors at risk.

      Affordability: Manitoba has become less afford­able. We see this in the dramatic increase in the use of food banks in Manitoba. At Winnipeg Harvest, there has been a 98 per cent increase in food bank use from 2019 to October 2022. This is a mark of shame on a prov­incial PC gov­ern­ment. They have failed miser­ably to address this major problem.

      There's been an adequate–an inadequate response to poverty in Manitoba. There have been tax breaks for those who are well off, but little for those on low incomes.

      In the economy, there are many small busi­nesses who are suffering, who are on a critical knife edge of whether they will survive or not. And yet, the gov­ern­ment has stood back and let things happen without supporting small busi­ness at this very critical juncture, at this very critical point of time. We have seen pro­minent busi­nesses fail, and I'm being told that there will be many more if there's no prov­incial action.

      On immigration: while the gov­ern­ment has been very sup­port­ive of refugees from Ukraine, they've dropped the ball with regard to refugees from Afghanistan. To date, the prov­incial gov­ern­ment has been of little help in supporting those trying to escape from a terrible situation in Afghanistan and to come to Manitoba. There are many with critical skills which we badly need here. We should be doing more.

      In edu­ca­tion: there is excellent article in today's Free Press. Maggie Macintosh points out that the evi­dence shows that too many Manitoba children are missing out on effective reading instruction and are there­fore becoming ineffective at reading, such a basic and im­por­tant skill. Indeed, a number of Manitoba elementary students who fail to meet Manitobans' reading goals by grade 3 is far too high.

      In parti­cular, children with learning dis­abil­ities are suffering because they are not receiving the sup­ports they need. I raised this in question period earlier today. Action is needed to help those with learning dis­abil­ities. We recently held a forum in River Heights which brought together experts, those with reading dis­abil­ities and learning dis­abil­ities and their family members. It's abundantly clear that change is needed to better support children and adults with learning dis­abil­ities, and yet, this is not mentioned in the Throne Speech.

      In agri­cul­ture: we hear from the gov­ern­ment that it is going to increase insurance coverage. That tells me that the risk for people in agri­cul­ture is going up. But the gov­ern­ment could be acting to decrease risk. As an example, it's well known that tile drainage decreases risk. Ontario has a far higher proportion of its agri­cul­tural land in tile drainage, and that's partly because they've recog­nized that it decreases risk and increases yields.

      There should have been a mention of the im­portance of working with farmers on climate change to reduce nitrous oxide and methane production, and to help us address the warming climate.

      Looking at the Throne Speech as a whole, it is not good enough for Manitoba and for Manitobans. It should have been much better.

      The PCs have been in gov­ern­ment for six and a half years. Their track record is poor. We have a health-care system which is in big trouble, with major staff shortages, with problems in accessing quickly emergency services. On crime, we have rising crime rates over the last six years. On climate change, we have little progress and we lag far behind where we should be. On recon­ciliation, the gov­ern­ment is not taking some of the basic steps that it should be.

      This Throne Speech should have been far better than it was. It's too bad. We will not support it. We don't believe this reaches a standard Throne Speech which is worthy of Manitobans, and we will vote against it.

      Thank you. Merci. Miigwech.

Mr. Deputy Speaker: My speaking order indicates the virtual member, the Minister of Finance (Mr. Friesen) would be next. Is that incorrect? I do not see a signal from the minister–no. Okay, that's fine.

      It is the gov­ern­ment's turn. I will recog­nize the hon­our­able Minister for Mental Health and Community Wellness.

Hon. Sarah Guillemard (Minister of Mental Health and Community Wellness): I'm happy to rise and share a few words on the record about the Throne Speech that was presented by our leader and the Premier (Mrs. Stefanson) of this province.

      It's always an interesting time when Throne Speech are presented, that we get a glimpse into the next steps that the gov­ern­ment is taking. And that's after a whole year of learning of the areas that are needed to be invested in, the areas that need to be addressed or even expanded on.

      And, certainly, that's what this Throne Speech has done, Mr. Deputy Speaker. It is a–reflective of a lis­ten­ing gov­ern­ment that wants to help Manitobans and to take action and to get the job done. And these are key components and messages that our Premier has shared with the Cabinet and caucus: that we will continue to listen; we will continue to take action; we will continue to get the job done.

* (16:10)

      Mr. Deputy Speaker, I did want to spend a little bit of time commenting on–there's been a lot of shared views within media outlets based on, you know, op­posi­tion inter­pre­ta­tion of various comments made in the Throne Speech. And I found it interesting that one issue that the members opposite really take issue with is looking at how we can address how to reduce crime within our downtown areas to provide safety for the com­mu­nity, the very com­mu­nity that the members opposite claim to care about and want them to feel safe but, clearly, none of their actions led to that safety.

      So what I found interesting, Mr. Deputy Speaker, is that, you know, when our gov­ern­ment focuses and mentions that we will be increasing law en­force­ment officers to help us to create a safety net within the down­town and other areas of the city to provide the responses that Manitobans have been asking us to provide, to provide the responses in a moment of crisis or a moment of need, and it's decried by members opposite that they feel that that is not a place to invest money and not a place to increase the services that we have to provide safety for Manitobans.

      Now, we can go down the ideological roots and, you know, try to unpack as to why they would have such a large outcry for one–that one parti­cular area, but I would suggest that the members opposite maybe read over BC's new plan.

      And I will make note that BC is actually a gov­ern­ment run by an NDP party. Premier Eby, he's the new premier and I'll say con­gratu­la­tions to him. He was newly sworn in on Friday, and on Sunday he released an interesting plan. It's called the Safer Commu­nities Action Plan. And I'll just note that the Throne Speech was presented on November 15th of 2022, and the Safer Com­mu­nities Action Plan was then presented on November 20th, about five days after the release of our Throne Speech plan.

      And within the Safer Com­mu­nities Action Plan, one of the bullets and main focuses is entitled: Everyone deserves to feel safe in their com­mu­nity.

       And underneath this title–and we agree with that statement, absolutely–underneath that parti­cular title, there are some bullet points or some sentences, and one of them says, in order to get the safe com­mu­nity they're going to step up en­force­ment in order to keep people who commit repeat violent crimes off of the streets. And in that same sentence, it says, they're going to be strengthening and investing in inter­ven­tion services to provide support and treatment they need.

      Mr. Deputy Speaker, the members opposite liter­al­ly lit their hair on fire when they heard that we were increasing law en­force­ment officers to help and ad­dress the root causes of some of the crime that is happening.

      Now, I'm not sure what kind of ex­per­ience mem­bers opposite have within substance use disorders and addictions realms. Now, not all people who are on substances or intoxicated have violent tendencies. In fact, many of them do not. They are not capable, really, of doing violent crimes, but there are a subset who absolutely are more prone to violence, and that makes the com­mu­nity less safe.

      And I'm not talking about, you know, the people that the members want to really hone in on, those visitors to downtown, although they can be threat­ening to them as well, or the people coming to work downtown–they certainly can pose a threat.

      The most sig­ni­fi­cant threat is to the other people, the other vul­ner­able popu­la­tion, who are unhoused and living on the streets. They are the recipients of these violent tendencies. So, BC recognizes this. BC now has a plan to move forward that–to take repeat violent criminals off of the streets but also to ensure that they are treated for, whether it's just addictions issues or if it's a co-occurring mental health issue. And that's their approach.

      So I'm now wondering that this may not be an ideo­logical argument that members opposite are trying to stage here, but rather just an uneducated stance. And so, I would encourage them to do some more reading.

      Mr. Deputy Speaker, we announced in our Throne Speech, as well, 1,000 new publicly funded treatment spaces. This is an in­cred­ible an­nounce­ment recog­nizing the need that those who seek treatment can and should have those services available to them. And we need to invest in the truth that there is hope for every single person who has a substance-use disorder, that they have the ability, and we will give them the tools, to recover, to no longer be dependent on substances and to restore their relationship with family.

      Mr. Deputy Speaker, I can't tell how heart-wrenching it is to meet with families and individuals who are dependent on substances, who lament the loss of family, of friends, of their special com­mu­nity, that they would love to have that restored, but they realize that it's the substances and the addictions that they're dealing with that really prevent that.

      And many of these people who are dealing with substance-use disorder started off with having strug­gles with mental health and were not able to access the services they needed to address the root causes and turned to self-medicating so that they didn't have to be in pain anymore. And this is such a huge component of what we need to be discussing. When we're talking about people who have substance-use disorders, they've been in pain and they are trying to medicate them­­selves out of pain.

      There is a better way, and we need to prove it by the invest­ments that we are making in treatment and recovery. We need to believe on their behalf that they can once again get back to health and restore those relationships that they absolutely would love to be reconnected to.

      With those few words on the record, I want to thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I want to thank my colleagues for sharing from their perspective–some very personal perspectives from their lives and their experiences here and in the com­mu­nity. My most cherished times in this House is not only sharing from my own personal, lived ex­per­ience in various aspects but also hearing from members opposite, and of all parties, some of the lessons that they've learned through adversity and through struggles and then the hope that they can offer to those who might find them­selves in dark times–that the dark times absolutely do present them­selves, but there is hope and there is light.

      Just one day at a time. Keep holding on. And there is help available to you, and we would love for you to reach the level of health that we all are entitled to and deserve.

      Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker.

Mr. Ian Bushie (Keewatinook): I also would like to begin by thanking my con­stit­uents and my family for their support in a rather difficult few years being in this position.

      And it's difficult for a number of different rea­sons. Obviously, the pandemic is a big part of that, but it's also been difficult because of just the con­stit­uency itself–the geographic makeup of the con­stit­uency and the divide that's in this con­stit­uency.

      A lot of my con­stit­uents never really felt a part of the prov­incial process, and more so–and I think a lot of that is a little bit of a misconception in the fact that, you know, maybe because they reside in a First Nation com­mu­nity on-reserve, so federal respon­si­bility is some­­thing that's been regularly kind of ingrained in the com­mu­nities. So they never really felt a part of the prov­incial process, but they are.

      And, in looking at the Throne Speech now and a couple different budgets, a few different Throne Speeches, I can see where those concerns legitimately come from, because that prov­incial process does not include them.

* (16:20)

      So this Throne Speech does not include Indigenous com­mu­nities to the degree that it has to. And that's just really unfor­tunate. The gov­ern­ment, time and time again, across all de­part­ments, say they're going to take an all-of-gov­ern­ment approach to Indigenous issues. And it's clearly not the case because it's clearly just a silo that they go in.

      And all issues in regards to First Nation, Indigenous com­mu­nities are referred to one de­part­ment, when really, they encompass every­thing. So, in looking–when I was listening to the Throne Speech, I had to take a double take: say, did I hear that right, or did I not hear that? And the one thing I clearly did not hear is the concerns of Indigenous com­mu­nities in there.

      In fact, it was very disheartening–is the first re­fer­ence to Indigenous recon­ciliation was in the same para­graph where the Throne Speech acknowl­edged the predecessor, Brian Pallister. So, is that the thought process, then? Is that the thinking, then, that this Throne Speech really had towards Indigenous people was that thought process of the predecessor Brian Pallister?

      And I know members opposite don't want to hear that name said over and over, but the impacts are here today. Those impacts are being felt across Manitoba, across Indigenous com­mu­nities every single day. So, when we talked–and you hear many, many times, and I just said it a little while ago, about the all-of-gov­ern­ment approach–then, really do that. I heard talk about con­ser­va­tion, you know, and it was more about en­force­ment, you know.

      Night hunting, illegal hunting, kind of giving them more tools to enforce, rather than–to work col­lab­o­ratively with people, col­lab­o­ratively with First Nation com­mu­nities. And that's really what con­­servation should be trying to do. And instead, taking it upon en­force­ment, knowing that most First Nation Indigenous com­mu­nities don't have that financial abil­ity to fight that. But again, taking the fact that, and using that against the com­mu­nities is shameful.

      So, in regards to the con­ser­va­tion component in First Nation com­mu­nities, Indigenous com­mu­nities in the Throne Speech–that was not there. There was also no mention of fishing. There was also no mention about com­mercial fishing, hunting part­ner­ships and those kind of things that need to exist if you really want to have a recon­ciliation approach to First Nation com­mu­nities.

      And that didn't exist there. Instead, it's about cater­ing to somebody else, catering to some­thing else. And trying to now enforce and punish Indigenous com­­mu­nities for making a living, for hunting, fishing for sustenance. And that's just very unfor­tunate.

      Another reference in there that was missing in there, the gov­ern­ment talked a large part about health, health care. But again, no reference to First Nation and Indigenous com­mu­nities in regards to health care. They will not use the word crisis when it comes to health care. They will not use the word crisis when it comes to First Nation com­mu­nities. And that is clearly what is happening, it's clearly what is existing today.

      I was fortunate enough to be able to take part in dis­cussions with leadership and com­mu­nity members in Island Lake com­mu­nities. And they're going through a crisis; they're going through a health crisis. They're going through a mental health, addictions, a suicide crisis. And what do they ask for, what have they been asking for for a long, long time now? They've been asking for a hospital facility that can help, kind of head off a lot of these concerns, to be proactive.

      Fifteen thousand people live in that area. Where in Manitoba, let alone Canada, do you have a popu­la­tion of 15,000 people and no health-care facility? Island Lake. That's where that is. And why is that? Because this gov­ern­ment looks at it as federal respon­si­bility. But yet, members in those com­mu­nities have a Manitoba health card, so there is an absolute respon­si­bility from this gov­ern­ment to play a role in health care for First Nation com­mu­nities, because they are Manitobans.

      And that was glaringly, again, missing out of this Throne Speech. There was so many things that this Throne Speech could've taken on and could've ad­dressed, and at least give some kind of inspiration that they're working towards some­thing positive, but didn't do that. Health care is one, con­ser­va­tion is one, infra­structure is another.

      Again, no mention of the channel project. No men­­tion of the $60‑million cost overrun on the chan­nel project. No mention and no–even a hint of the fact that a lot of that is due because they did not consult with First Nation com­mu­nities, and instead now try and put the blame off to somebody else.

      But again, another thing: Brian Pallister–maybe that's what they're trying to not–trying to avoid, that con­­ver­sa­tion to say, hey, he said he was going to get that done. And there's only one person missing out of that group now, is him.

      So, was he just doing it all on his own? I don't think so. There's a number of members opposite, members of Cabinet, that were all part of those dis­cussions also. And somehow, now, they're trying to drop off all these items, drop off all these issues that need to be addressed, and instead try and deflect that to a failed premier in Brian Pallister.

      And we all know how he was. We all know the rhetoric; we all know the racist comments. But at the same time, Mr. Deputy Speaker, this Throne Speech is still–has Brian Pallister's print all over it, because that hasn't changed.

      And again, I cite the fact that page 3 of that Throne Speech refers to my predecessor and then goes on to say this is the mandate that was laid out by the predecessor and the mandate that they're still con­tinuing on today. So, that is clearly still Brian Pallister's agenda.

      So, as much as the members opposite want to try and get away from that narrative and not talk about that past, it's not the past anymore; that's still their present and it's still something they're dealing with today.

      Mr. Deputy Speaker, when this Throne Speech had so much op­por­tun­ity to reach out, to have those en­gage­ments with com­mu­nities, to really, kind of, for Indigenous people, put forth a real sense of recon­ciliation; but instead took it as an op­por­tun­ity to ignore it or fight against it. There is a number of dif­ferent things and a number of different issues that go across all of gov­ern­ment, across every min­is­terial de­part­ment, but again have been avoided.

      And instead, trying to create almost a division, like there's a second tier: well, we're going to have a general Manitoba discussion here, then we'll have a First Nation/Indigenous discussion over here. Well, it also intertwines with each other, and that's some­thing this gov­ern­ment avoids on a regular basis. And they need to have those discussions, they need to have those interactions and have that inclusion of everybody.

      Don't be fooled when this gov­ern­ment says that's federal respon­si­bility, because that's not the case. Like I said, Manitobans and health, they have–First Nations com­mu­nities, they all have a Manitoba health card, so they are Manitobans, so there is absolute respon­si­bility here. But they're also part of society here in Manitoba and, again, being ignored, being pushed off as second, third-class, fourth-class citizens because of where you live and where you reside. And this pan­demic really kind of exasperated a lot of that and you've seen a lot of those gaps existed that this gov­ern­ment didn't try close, tried to make bigger.

      So, Mr. Deputy Speaker, when we raise all these issues, and First Nation com­mu­nities raise these issues, then all of a sudden it looks like, oh, they're troublemakers, they're trying to stir up a bunch of issues, call Ottawa. Here, I'm going to write a letter for you to Ottawa, and that's the extent this gov­ern­ment thinks they can do. And that's not it. When there is a suicide crisis in northern Manitoba, this gov­ern­ment just writes a letter to Ottawa and says, this is what we're going to do.

      Well, why not just be a part of the solution? Don't create a delay, don't create the problem to be bigger, don't kick it down the road to somebody else; actually be part of the solution. Look past those barriers, look past that boundary, look past that reserve line and really, let's work towards a solution that benefits us all. Because it's some­thing that, overall, will benefit everybody. Because if you head off issues now, you deal with situations now, that helps you down the road.

      Pre­ven­tative. That's some­thing this gov­ern­ment has not done for a long time: be pre­ven­tative. Instead, it's always being reactive. Being reactive to situation that arise of the day. Being reactive to a crisis, even though they will never acknowl­edge the word crisis. Never acknowl­edge the word 'crise' when it comes to a pandemic, the addictions crisis, the health-care crisis, crisis in the hospitals. Will never be acknowl­edged, but it is.

* (16:30)

      And you're not just putting your head in the sand and just trying to avoid that. Let's hit it head on. And the Throne Speech had a chance to do that.

      And a lot of things that this gov­ern­ment says as a way to kind of deflect and get them­selves out of it, they say, well, did you not know there was a world­wide pandemic on? We all did. But did you? Did you know there was a worldwide pandemic on? Because you use it as an excuse when you were short-funding things. When you were cutting things, that was the excuse. When you were failing, that was your excuse.

      But then, when you want to take advantage of it, you say, oh great, we're coming out of this in a posi­tive way. Well no, you ultimately did less for less and you see that. You see that in hospitals, you see that in the schools.

      And Mr. Deputy Speaker, when it comes to the schools in our com­mu­nities, there's these big invest­ments and big an­nounce­ments that are being made, but they're not actually making it there. They're not actually making it to the bedside, to the classroom, to the com­mu­nity, to the road. They're not making it there, because it is just an an­nounce­ment. And time and time again, it just–there's these grand an­nounce­ments, but you know what, you're just making up for a cut you did, and at the end of the day, it's net less–it's a net loss.

      So if you say, we're going to announce, you know, X number of dollars for some­thing but you cut way more than that previously, I don't know. You think Manitobans are going to be fooled by that and they're not. Manitobans are smart, Manitobans can see what's going on.

      And Manitobans were very disappointed in this Throne Speech because it had an op­por­tun­ity to deal with so many things. Instead, this gov­ern­ment just had that specific tunnel vision; we're going to deal with one issue; we're going to deal with two issues. There's so many issues in Manitoba. We need to deal with them all.

      Crime is not the only issue. Health is not the only issues. Edu­ca­tion not the only issue. Indigenous not the only issue. But you need to be able to deal with them all in a truly all-of-gov­ern­ment approach. And that's some­thing that's not existed here because of just dealing in those silos, dealing in those little de­part­ments, to say that's not my respon­si­bility, that's this person's respon­si­bility.

      They do that within them­selves, let alone doing that out to pawn it off to munici­pal gov­ern­ments, federal gov­ern­ment. They're not dealing with it them­selves because they're not problem solvers in that way. They don't want to be problem solvers in that way, because that means they're going to have to take respon­si­bility.

      And this Throne Speech failed to take respon­si­bility. It failed to address the needs of Manitobans. It just came to be the base; the PC Party base says, this is the narrative we have to have and that's what we're going to do. And again, tunnel vision. And tunnel vision is not what's needed here in Manitoba. We need to open up to all of Manitoba so everybody can benefit and everybody can be better off.

      Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker.

Hon. Scott Johnston (Minister of Seniors and Long-Term Care): Thank you–[interjection]

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order.

Mr. Johnston: Obviously a crowd favourite, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Thank you.

      Mr. Deputy Speaker, as Minister of Seniors and Long-Term Care, it is my pleasure to be here today to address the Throne Speech. I am so proud to be part of a gov­ern­ment as we continue to stand in the best interests of Manitobans. Our gov­ern­ment has always and will continue to recog­nize the challenges Manitobans face and will continue to address these challenges.

      I would like to take this op­por­tun­ity here today to recog­nize and express my deepest ap­pre­cia­tion for the con­stit­uents of Assiniboia for continuing to give me the op­por­tun­ity to represent them in this Manitoba Legislature, such a place of honour.

      Mr. Speaker, since being elected to the con­stit­uency of Assiniboia, I have been humbled and hon­our­ed to represent this wonderful riding. And I'm very fortunate; I'm one of the few elected repre­sen­tatives to this Legislature who's been able to represent two out­standing con­stit­uencies.

      I was first elected in 2016 to the con­stit­uency of Assiniboia and that's the con­stit­uency where I grew up as a child. And I know that the current member from St. James is also, too, certainly someone who is part of the com­mu­nity. He lives just down the street from the house I grew up in and where my mom continues to live, and I see him and his children on a regular basis.

      So, although we don't agree with each other philo­sophically, I do wish him well in repre­sen­ting such a great con­stit­uency.

      I've been fortunate. I have raised two children with my wife in Assiniboia, and I'm certainly pleased to be part of that con­stit­uency which, due to the bound­ary change, I was fortunate enough to be given the nomination from my–the people of–con­stit­uency of the PC association and very fortunate to be elected to represent that area.

      My mother, in fact, still resides in our family home in St. James-Assiniboia and certainly, it's an area that's near and dear to our hearts.

      Since coming into office, Premier Heather Stefanson and our gov­ern­ment have continued to support the people–[interjection]

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order, please.

      I'd just remind the hon­our­able minister of my earlier comment about referring to any member by their surname, which is not allowed by the rules. One must refer to the member by their portfolio or their con­stit­uency, and I'm sure it's an honest mistake, as it's not the first time today. But it is my duty to inform the minister that that's incorrect.

Mr. Johnston: Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, and I do ap­pre­ciate your guidance. And I should know better after being in the House for as long as I have, so I do apologize.

      Our gov­ern­ment has created the De­part­ment of Seniors and Long-Term Care, which further commits to seniors and the caregivers of this province. And it was really an honour to be appointed by the Premier (Mrs. Stefanson) to this new and very im­por­tant portfolio.

      Our Premier recog­nized that health care needed to be expanded and, as minister, I'm thrilled to be able to address the priorities given to implement seniors' ini­tiatives such as the Stevenson review, which was brought forward by the Premier when she was minis­ter of Health.

      As a gov­ern­ment, we are proud to say that we will be imple­men­ting all 17 recom­men­dations of the Stevenson review. The majority of these recom­men­dations have been completed; however, we are con­tinuing to work towards imple­men­ting all 17. And some of those 17 recom­men­dations–im­por­tant recom­men­dations–has been to increase the ratio of staffing for our seniors, which we continue to proceed with on an ongoing basis.

      Mr. Speaker, our gov­ern­ment has committed to esta­blish­ing a seniors strategy which will enhance the lives of Manitobans. I'm sure that members of the House have heard me say many occasions that we are working diligently to esta­blish the seniors strategy, and I'm very much looking forward to presenting that to the House.

      I know the member–or, the Leader of the Opposition is very keen on supporting a number of initiatives that we will be bringing forward. So I look forward to the support of the op­posi­tion when we work together to satisfy the needs of seniors in Manitoba.

      As minister, I have certainly been very fortunate to meet and discuss with many stake­holders to help address the needs and concerns that seniors have.

* (16:40)

      They are such passionate people, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I know that all people who have agendas working towards the good people of Manitoba are passionate but, you know, I'm always humbled and impressed by how passionate these organi­zations and these people are to enhance the lives of seniors. It's frankly encouraging and motivating.

      On top of this, we have reached out through Engage Manitoba and reached over 10,000–had 10,000 responses to the questionnaires that we had put forward to Manitobans on how to enhance seniors' lives, and those responses are being put together as we speak in the dev­elop­ment of the seniors strategy.

      And I was fortunate to be able to visit many com­munities in Manitoba, Selkirk and Dauphin and Brandon, Steinbach and others, just to name a few.

      And, Mr. Speaker, I'd like to recog­nize and–or, Mr. Deputy Speaker, I'd like to recog­nize and com­mend the member from Portage la Prairie. The mem­ber from Portage la Prairie stepped in and was very, very helpful to me when I wasn't able to travel due to an injury I sustained which didn't allow me to fly. And the member from Portage la Prairie really walked in there for me and dealt with and engaged with the people of northern Manitoba, and I wanted to thank him publicly.

      Mr. Deputy Speaker, the Throne Speech has made it clear that seniors are definitely top of mind. It has recog­nized the need to enhance care for seniors, and this gov­ern­ment will continue to do that through commentary in the Throne Speech. Our gov­ern­ment is committed to seniors of Manitoba and is committed to improving long-term-care needs, which was identi­fied in the Throne Speech.

      As Minister of Seniors and Long-Term Care, I recog­nize that the baby boom popu­la­tion is sig­nifi­cantly increasing in age, and we need to be respon­sive to this. We need to be proactive, not reactive, and that's ultimately what the seniors strategy is going to accom­plish. We have good people working tre­men­dously hard to address the future of this demo­gra­phic scenario.

      I'm also pleased with the major health initiatives that have been prominent in the Throne Speech. The $200‑million invest­ment in recruitment, training and retention is a major commit­ment towards the needs of Manitobans, and as well, certainly, the seniors will be–have an advantage because of that initiative.

      Over the past several months, my de­part­ment of long-term care and seniors, in col­lab­o­ration with other departments across the gov­ern­ment, has come forward with a number of initiatives that have impacted the lives of seniors in Manitoba, Deputy Speaker, to strengthen our health care and to help make their ends meet.

      In April, just two months after our de­part­ment was created, we committed $15 million in the initial funding to support and implement the 17 recom­men­dations of the Stevenson review, including infectious controls, housekeeping and health-care aides. This ini­tiative was funded and provided to strengthen health care, to enhance the capacity of long-term-care facilities across this province.

      And, in addition, Mr. Deputy Speaker, funding: this gov­ern­ment provided another $16 million to ex­pand staffing and training in personal-care homes to ful­fill further recom­men­dations of the Stevenson report. And I would point out that the op­posi­tion–the op­posi­tion NDP and the op­posi­tion Liberals–voted against this.

      But we continue to meet the challenges. In spite of fear mongering, we intend to meet the challenges.

      Mr. Speaker, that is a total of $31 million that we've invested to strengthen health care in our personal-care homes.

      Mr. Deputy Speaker, we've worked jointly with the Health De­part­ment, investing much further sup­port by imple­men­ting the cochlear implant external sound re­place­ments. We've worked with the Department of Health and invested $1.3 million, working with the Alzheimer Society to expand the First Link program; $3.4 million to invest tuition sup­port for uncertified health care, to enhance their skills and to provide needed help to the service industry of seniors.

      Mr. Deputy Speaker, it's been my pleasure to speak on behalf of the Throne Speech and to indicate the initiatives that I am taking, as minister, to fuller support–fully–more fully support the seniors of Manitoba. And, again, I look forward to bringing for­ward our seniors strategy with all of the initiatives that we've heard from Manitobans that we can do.

      And I have listened to the op­posi­tion, and I think that there's a number of initiatives that we're bringing forward where we're in sync. So, I look forward to their support as we bring forward.

      So, I fully support this Throne Speech and I'm proud of our gov­ern­ment to implement it.

      Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker.

Mr. Jamie Moses (St. Vital): I'm really happy to have this op­por­tun­ity to speak to the Throne Speech; I think Throne Speech that kind of disappointed a lot of Manitobans who hoped, certainly, for a better, brighter vision of what Manitoba could be.

      Certainly, that wasn't on display with this Throne Speech, but I know that a lot of folks on our side who are excited about bringing forward a more positive, more hopeful, more ambitious vision for what Manitoba could be. And I know that those are the things that we are striving to do, because that's, frankly, what we are hearing from Manitobans, Mr. Deputy Speaker.

      But before I go into my specific comments on the Throne Speech, I'd like to take a minute, since this is the first chance I've had to speak since the last munici­pal election here that we've had, to thank and con­gratu­late the good people of St. Vital, of southeast Winnipeg, of all Winnipeg, of all the munici­palities across the province, who partici­pated in munici­pal elections by either just voting them­selves, being en­gaged, volunteering or even putting their names on the ballot them­selves.

      Obviously, as us being elected officials, we know the challenge of running and being on the ballot as part of the demo­cracy, and so I want to thank all those people for do that–doing that, that hard work, to represent their values and try to represent their com­mu­nity in a larger way.

      And I also want to con­gratu­late those people, spe­cific­ally in southeast Winnipeg, who won, and of course, that's city councillor, Brian Mayes; so, con­gratu­la­tions to him for–on his re-election.

      And con­gratu­la­tions, as well, to many of the school trustees in the Louis Riel School Division, and that includes: Cindy Turner and Francine Champagne of Louis Riel School Division, in Ward 1; in Ward 2, Irene Nordheim and Chris Sigurdson, con­gratu­la­tions to them; Ward 3, Sandy Nemeth, Darlene Gerrior, Ryan Palmquist, con­gratu­la­tions; as well as Ward 4, Chipalo Simunyola and Pamela Kowaluk [phonetic]. Con­gratu­la­tions to all of those school trustees who were elected and are now working in our school divi­sion to make sure that we can serve and deliver on the goal of educating all of the young people in our com­mu­nities.

      And so, with that, you know, I think it's im­por­tant to recog­nize, you know, the con­tri­bu­tions that those folks are making, especially, you know, with school trustees, you know, given the history of that role and that discussion around that role the past few years, spe­cific­ally with bill 64 intro­duced by this gov­ern­ment, a bill that was obviously disastrous.

      Obviously, well–many, many long descriptions about the follies of bill 64, and I think a lot of Manitobans heard those problems with it and spoke up, raised their voices and clearly described why that bill needed to be removed and, you know, it was ultimately, you know, abandoned. The failed plan was abandoned by this gov­ern­ment.

* (16:50)

      So, you know, since the school trustee role was threatened in that bill, I just wanted to take a minute there to spe­cific­ally con­gratu­late school trustees who are now putting their name forward.

      Mr. Deputy Speaker, I'd like to move on to the Throne Speech and think about, you know, on a broader sense, the purpose of having a Throne Speech. The purpose of the Throne Speech is clearly to lay out a gov­ern­ment's vision for Manitoba for the future.

      And when we looked at the Throne Speech, we looked at the words, the text, the messages the gov­ern­ment's trying to send through this Throne Speech, we're left pretty disappointed, pretty confused about what the goal and the objective of this gov­ern­ment is.

      Quite frankly, we see the challenges. People of Manitoba see the challenges; we're paying attention. We're paying attention to the world and the challenges around us.

      And those challenges start with a crumbling and a crisis in our health-care system. Those challenges extend to affordability crisis, where people are strug­gling to pay for their grocery bills and struggling to pay to move around our province, where there's a gas bill. And, you know, a crisis that people are facing in terms of mental health challenges, and trying to access those services.

      And people are trying to–also facing a crisis when it comes to affordability around edu­ca­tion, post-secondary edu­ca­tion, and being able to access those services to enhance their own lives, and educate them­selves and better their own future. It's a struggle to be able to afford and access those things in Manitoba.

      When we look at all those challenges, Mr. Deputy Speaker, and not even including the challenges that we've faced–we've seen obvious as a result of the pan­demic, such as the challenges around personal-home cares; challenges around accessing critical health services at a time–in a timely fashion; accessing sur­gical–surgeries that might be critical to your quality of life. All challenges that were exacerbated as a course through­out the pandemic.

      Those challenges that we all see and we all are clearly aware of don't have solutions for them in this Throne Speech. The gov­ern­ment doesn't offer those type of solutions for the problems Manitobans are facing.

      And all of those challenges that Manitobans are facing doesn't even mention the fact that we're in a critical climate crisis. A climate crisis that impacts us all, regardless of our political ideology, regardless of where we fit on the political spectrum; the climate crisis impacts us all. And is there anything in this Throne Speech that will adequately address that major crisis, or any of the other crises I've mentioned? Not really, Mr. Deputy Speaker.

      Manitobans are left wanting more. And, quite frankly, they're asking them­selves, has this gov­ern­ment learned anything over the past seven years? Have they learned anything from their time in gov­ern­ment, to bring forward a more thoughtful, a more ap­pro­priate, a more effective Throne Speech this year? I think the answer is quite clearly no.

      We're seeing in this Throne Speech approaches that perhaps might've worked in the–not even the 2000s, maybe not even the '90s, maybe in the 1980s, where they're looking for a policing-forward approach as a way to tackle homelessness and mental health crises. And it's right here in the Throne Speech.

      It says, the gov­ern­ment will continue to tackle the underlying issues of homelessness, addictions and men­tal health by provi­ding increased supports for front-line law en­force­ment officers, through tech­no­logy, specialized training and increased police pre­sence and supports for more officers.

      That's how they're going to tackle the issue of home­lessness, addiction and mental health. That's their plan; by more police, more police officers, in­crease a police presence with tech­no­lo­gy–so I'm assuming that's some sort of a camera system where they can watch what's happening through­out the pro­vince. That's their plan for dealing with home­lessness, addiction and mental health.

      That is just out of this world. It's out of this world. You know, I could ask, you know, high school stu­dents, I could ask elementary students about how you would deal with people who don't have houses, don't have a place to stay. I could ask them about, you know, how to deal with challenges of mental health. I could ask them about how you deal with challenges around addiction. And I bet you they could come up with a dozen better answers than more police. Because that's not a solution to that problem. It's not a solution to that problem. Police play an im­por­tant role, but it's not necessarily the solution for mental health, addic­tions and homelessness.

      And so, for the gov­ern­ment to propose that as their solution to these problems is ridiculous and, quite frankly, it's insulting to the intelligence of Manitobans who know that's not the right approach. It's an approach that maybe you could have sold to Manitobans maybe 40, 50 years ago. But in–today, in 2022, after this gov­ern­ment has been in power for seven years, they obviously haven't learned any les­sons and are put forwarding–putting forward this awful and atrocious plan.

      And, Mr. Deputy Speaker, when we look at these issues, we look to see, you know, what can we be doing? What can we be doing to address homelessness?

      And people often say, well, you know, what would we do, what is our plan? Well, we've addressed our plan: we're going to work with partners, we're going to work with agencies to find houses for the homeless people, for people who are challenged when it comes to finding housing in Manitoba here. We've outlined our plan to address this, to reduce and elim­inate chronic homelessness in Manitoba.

      We've clearly laid out our plan. We know it's effective because it's been done in other juris­dic­tions. We know it can work here, too, if we work together and bring these solution-focused people around the table and actually work to solve this problem. None of that involves more policing and increased police presence, as was offered up in this Throne Speech.

      So, we're serious about these issues, we're serious about our solutions to these issues and we know that we can do it. We look forward to continuing to com­muni­cate these plans and these–how we're going to be  able to solve these critical issues with more Manitobans in the coming weeks and months as we get closer and closer to the election, whether it is in October of 2023 or whether it's sooner.

      And so, I will move on to a few other areas where, in this Throne Speech, it's been clear that this gov­ern­ment has failed. And I'd like to begin, Mr. Deputy Speaker, by addressing a critical issue which I think doesn't get as much light shined on it as other issues, and that is the challenges that people face at getting adult edu­ca­tion and adult literacy programs.

      You know, this past June, I was very fortunate to attend the graduation ceremony for the St. Vital Adult Learning Centre, where I was really lucky to witness and just get a chance to chat with those graduates, hear some of their experiences and actually present a scholar­ship to one of those individuals. She was, you know, a very wonderful young woman who graduated from the St. Vital Adult Learning Centre and, obviously, you know, overcame some challenges in her life and is very, very proud, and I think the whole com­mu­nity is proud of her accom­plish­ment in her graduation.

      And that's a success story, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Unquestionably, it's a success story that, you know, we all ex­per­ienced. But we need more of those. We need more 'suxtess'–success stories just like that.

      Now, that young woman is planning to use the scholar­ship funds to further her edu­ca­tion this year, which I know she has already began in this past September. And through that process, she is going to now put herself in a better position through her edu­ca­tion, through her improving her chances to get–you know, get a good‑paying job right here in Manitoba.

      And that's exactly what we want. We want to move people from a situation where they, you know, are looking to improve them­selves to where they've already done it, they've already been able to access that and they've now achieved–passed a goal and are looking to achieve even more.

      That happens because this person had the drive, had the intelligence, had the skill, had the know-how and the want to do this. They just needed a–perhaps a little help with some supports that the St. Vital Adult Learning Centre was able to provide through some of their wraparound supports.

      Now, why can't we do this more? Why can't we do this more, where we address some of the chal­lenges that people face in getting more edu­ca­tion to improve their lives and their families' lives? And this is exactly what we need to be doing when it comes to adult learning and adult edu­ca­tion in our province.

      Mr. Deputy Speaker, it is well documented by, you know, renowned expert Jim Silver, who–

Mr. Deputy Speaker: When this matter is again be­fore the House, the hon­our­able member for St. James–sorry, for St. Vital (Mr. Moses), will have seven minutes remaining.

      The hour being 5 p.m. this House is adjourned and stands adjourned until tomorrow afternoon at 1:30 p.m.

      Have a good evening, everybody.


 


LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA

Monday, November 21, 2022

CONTENTS


Vol. 5

ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS

Introduction of Bills

Bill 204–The Drivers and Vehicles Amendment Act (Licence Plates for MMIWG2S Awareness)

B. Smith  107

Bill 205–The Restricting Mandatory Overtime for Nurses Act (Various Acts Amended)

Asagwara  108

Bill 206–The Louis Riel Act

Kinew   108

Bill 207–The Criminal Property Forfeiture Amendment Act

Fontaine  108

Ministerial Statements

Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week

Ewasko  109

Altomare  109

Lamoureux  109

Substance Use and Addictions Awareness Week

Guillemard  110

B. Smith  111

Gerrard  112

Members' Statements

Assiniboine Community College Nursing Program

Smook  112

Manitoba Theatre for Young People

Asagwara  113

Scleroderma Awareness

Lagimodiere  113

Northern Manitoba in Throne Speech

Redhead  114

Fall Fundraisers and Banquets

Teitsma  114

Oral Questions

Health-Care System

Kinew   115

Cullen  115

Personal-Care Homes

Kinew   116

Johnston  116

Health-Care System

Asagwara  117

Gordon  117

PC Party Candidate for Kirkfield Park

Fontaine  118

Wharton  119

Manitoba Municipalities

Wiebe  119

Johnson  120

Safe Consumption Sites

B. Smith  120

Guillemard  120

Sick Leave for Manitoba's Workforce

Lamont 121

Helwer 122

Long-Term Pandemic Costs for Business Sector

Lamont 122

Cullen  122

Children with Learning Disabilities

Gerrard  122

Ewasko  122

Mining and Mineral Exploration

Wowchuk  123

Nesbitt 123

Education System

Altomare  123

Ewasko  123

Petitions

Disability Services

Gerrard  124

Hearing Aids

Lamoureux  124

ORDERS OF THE DAY

GOVERNMENT BUSINESS

Throne Speech

(Fourth Day of Debate)

Naylor 126

Wharton  126

Altomare  128

Martin  131

Gerrard  134

Guillemard  137

Bushie  139

Johnston  142

Moses 144