LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA
Thursday, May 17, 2018
Madam Speaker: Good afternoon, everybody. Please be seated.
Madam Speaker: Oh, the honourable member for Flin Flon.
Mr. Tom Lindsey (Flin Flon): Madam Speaker, I rise on a matter of privilege.
Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Flin Flon, on a matter of privilege.
Mr. Tom Lindsey (Flin Flon): I raise this matter at the earliest opportunity after having taking sufficient time to have reviewed the facts and Hansard and the relevant materials that this is, in fact, the earliest opportunity I have to raise this matter of privilege.
It is clear that if any one member does not respect the rule of this House, the rules that structure our debates and give order to this Legislature, then the impacts–this impacts the ability of all members to pursue their duties. If the president of the Executive Council, the Premier (Mr. Pallister) of the province, does not respect the rulings of the Speaker, then this prevents all members from fulfilling their duties.
The Premier of the province clearly ignored and flouted a ruling of this Speaker yesterday in this House. He refused to come to order when so instructed. All members of this House, including the Premier, need to respect the rulings of this Speaker. When one member does not respect the ruling of the Speaker, then this undermines the confidence in the rules and traditions of this House that all members ought to have. This will undermine the trust and confidence that Manitobans place in our Legislature.
I move, seconded by the member from Fort Garry-Riverview (Mr. Allum), that the House request the Premier apologize to the Speaker and to all members for the disregard he showed to our House yesterday by his actions.
Madam Speaker: Before recognizing any other members to speak, I would remind the House that remarks at this time by honourable members are limited to strictly relevant comments about whether the alleged matter of privilege has been raised at the earliest opportunity and whether a prima facie case has been established.
A matter of privilege is a serious concern. I am going to take this matter under advisement to consult the authorities and will return to the House with a ruling.
Hon. Heather Stefanson (Minister of Justice and Attorney General): I move, seconded by the Minister for Crown Services, that Bill 30, The Statutes Correction and Minor Amendments Act, 2018; Loi corrective de 2018, be now read a first time.
Motion presented.
Mrs. Stefanson: As all members of the House know, this is a regular bill that's brought forward in the House. The bill corrects typographical, numbering and other drafting errors. It also makes minor amendments to various acts and repeals two municipal acts.
Thank you very much.
Madam Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed]
Mr. Matt Wiebe (Chairperson): I wish to present the Second Report of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts.
Deputy Clerk (Mr. Rick Yarish): Your Standing Committee on Public Accounts–
Some Honourable Members: Dispense.
Madam Speaker: Dispense.
Your Standing Committee on Public Accounts presents the following as its Second Report.
Meetings
Your Committee met on May 16, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. in Room 255 of the Legislative Building.
Matters under Consideration
· Auditor General's Report – Follow-Up of Recommendations–dated May 2016
o Managing Cyber Security Risk Related to Industrial Control Systems
· Auditor General's Report – Keeyask Process Costs and Adverse Effects Agreements with First Nations–dated September 2016
· Auditor General's Report – Follow-Up of Recommendations–dated March 2017
o Managing Cyber Security Risk Related to Industrial Control Systems
· Auditor General's Report – Follow-Up of Recommendations–dated March 2018
o Managing Cyber Security Risk Related to Industrial Control Systems
o Keeyask Process Costs and Adverse Effects Agreements with First Nations
Committee Membership
· Mr. Bindle
· Mr. Helwer (Vice-Chairperson)
· Mr. Johnston
· Ms. Klassen
· Mr. Maloway
· Mr. Marcelino
· Mrs. Mayer
· Mr. Michaleski
· Ms. Morley-Lecomte
· Mr. Wiebe (Chairperson)
· Mr. Yakimoski
Non-Committee Members Speaking on Record
· Mr. Allum
· Mr. Lindsey
Officials Speaking on Record:
· Mr. Norm Ricard, Auditor General of Manitoba
· Kelvin Shepherd, President and Chief Executive Officer, Manitoba Hydro
Agreements:
Your Committee agreed to conclude consideration of the following section of the Auditor General's Report–Follow-up of Recommendations–dated May 2016:
· Managing Cyber Security Risk Related to Industrial Control Systems
Your Committee agreed to conclude consideration of the following section of the Auditor General's Report–Follow-up of Recommendations – dated March 2017:
· Managing Cyber Security Risk Related to Industrial Control Systems
Your Committee agreed to conclude consideration of the following sections of the Auditor General's Report–Follow-up of Recommendations – dated March 2018:
· Managing Cyber Security Risk Related to Industrial Control Systems
· Keeyask Process Costs and Adverse Effects Agreements with First Nations
Reports Considered and Adopted:
Your Committee has considered the following report and has adopted the same as presented:
· Auditor General's Report–Keeyask Process Costs and Adverse Effects Agreements with First Nations–dated September 2016
Reports Considered but not Passed:
Your Committee has considered the following reports but did not pass them:
· Auditor General's Report – Follow-Up of Recommendations–dated May 2016 (Managing Cyber Security Risk Related to Industrial Control Systems–concluded consideration of)
· Auditor General's Report – Follow-Up of Recommendations – dated March 2017 (Managing Cyber Security Risk Related to Industrial Control Systems – concluded consideration of)
· Auditor General's Report – Follow-Up of Recommendations – dated March 2018 (Managing Cyber Security Risk Related to Industrial Control Systems–Keeyask Process Costs and Adverse Effects Agreements with First Nations–concluded consideration of)
Mr. Wiebe: I move, seconded by the honourable member for Brandon West (Mr. Helwer), that the report of the committee be received.
Motion agreed to.
Hon. Cameron Friesen (Minister of Finance): Madam Speaker, I rise today to table the 2018‑19 Revenue Estimates Supplementary Information for Legislative Review.
Hon. Rochelle Squires (Minister of Sustainable Development): I am pleased to table the Power Smart Annual Provincial Report for 2016-17.
Thank you.
Madam Speaker: The honourable Minister for Sport, Culture and Heritage, and I would indicate that the required 90 minutes notice prior to routine proceedings was provided in accordance with our rule 26(2).
Would the honourable minister please proceed with her statement.
Hon. Cathy Cox (Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage): I am proud to rise today in celebration of Vyshyvanka Day.
Held on the 'thirs' Thursday in May, Vyshyvanka Day is a beautiful tradition where Ukrainians all over the world don their embroidered shirts as a symbol of national pride and unity. Vyshyvankas are not just beautiful garments, but steeped in Ukrainian tradition and significance. Archeological research in Ukraine shows that the special embroidery depicted on vyshyvankas has existed since prehistoric times.
Canada and Manitoba both have very strong ties to Ukraine. Canada was the first Western country to recognize Ukraine's declaration of independence in 1991, and today Canada is one of 50 countries around the world to participate in Vyshyvanka Day. And by proudly wearing this unique attire, we highlight Ukrainian culture and pay tribute to past generations of Ukrainian immigrants and their important contributions in building a diverse and multicultural Canada.
Madam Speaker, here at home the settlement of Ukrainians is one of great historical significance to Manitoba. In the late 1800s, the first wave of Ukrainian immigrants arrived in our province, and now Manitoba is home to a large population of Ukrainian descent, my family included.
My Baba and Gigi immigrated to our wonderful province in 1905 and 1906, and I am honoured to wear my vyshyvanka today with very much pride. Our government is excited to support–to show their support for this symbolic initiative that raises awareness of the tremendous pride Ukrainians have in their culture.
Madam Speaker, I want to say bitaemo–sorry, apologize that–or welcome, to guests in the gallery from our Ukrainian community who've joined us here today. Please accept my best wishes, our best wishes, for continued prosperity and growth in the years to come. Happy Vyshyvanka Day.
Thank you, and dyakuyu.
Ms. Flor Marcelino (Logan): I thank the minister for her statement.
Vyshyvanka Day is an opportunity for Ukrainian-Canadian communities and the numerous Ukrainian communities around the world to stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine. Canada is one of 50 countries around the world in which Ukrainians take part in the international Vyshyvanka Day.
The vyshyvanka is the traditional attire for Ukrainian celebrations, worn by people regardless of their gender, social status and religious beliefs. The traditional vyshyvanka is a piece of artistic cultural expression. Masterful hands embroider colourful patterns and designs specific to the regions of Ukraine into the traditional white frock.
With the clothing's increasing popularity in contemporary fashion across the world, a day has been dedicated to the vyshyvanka to acknowledge the Ukrainian heritage these garments represent and promote Ukrainian cultural awareness worldwide. The artistry behind a traditional vyshyvanka was inspired by the power of protective symbols. Meanings behind the embroidered symbols and patterns range from circles that represent the sun and harmony, grape bunches that symbolize happiness and horses that symbolize aspiration.
Today is an opportunity for Ukrainians as well as their descendants and supporters to wear a vyshyvanka and show their Ukrainian pride.
Tonight at the Legislature at 6:30, the steps will be overtaken by people wearing their beautiful vyshyvanka designs, uniting to celebrate their identity, creating a sense of cultural pride and national solidarity. Everyone is invited at this flash mob this evening.
Dyakuyu.
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Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Madam Speaker, I join other members of the–oh, I better ask for leave to speak to the minister's statement.
Madam Speaker: Does the member have leave to speak to the statement? [Agreed]
Mr. Gerrard: Madam Speaker, I join other members of the Legislature in celebrating Vyshyvanka Day. It is an important day for people of Ukrainian origin. It is a colourful day with many colourful garments, and with symbols which are inspiring and meaningful and talk to optimism and hope for the future. The Ukrainian history for people who came from the Ukraine to Manitoba dates back well more than 100 years when many people came at the–in the early parts, in particular, of the 1900s and, to some extent, even in the late 1800s. Ukrainian people who have come to Manitoba have made a huge contribution to our province in virtually all areas of life, from agriculture to science to health care, you name it, and there are many Ukrainians who are involved.
We are very cognizant of the fact that the Holodomor occurred in the Ukraine and, of course, there are Ukrainians who have come to Canada since then. And it is one of the reasons why in Manitoba and Canada we are very strong in standing up for and with Ukraine, particularly since the independence of the Ukraine from the Soviet Union and in the years since, working with people, colleagues, friends in the Ukraine–in Ukraine–in those years and trying to do what we could in Manitoba and Canada with regard to the terrible actions of Russia in the last–
Madam Speaker: The member's time has expired.
Hon. Steven Fletcher (Assiniboia): Oh, okay. Madam Speaker, I was going to seek leave to speak to International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. I was wondering if I could ask leave to–
Madam Speaker: That is not the ministerial statement that has been made at this point. The ministerial statement the member is referring to has not been mentioned.
So I would then move on to the honourable Minister for Sustainable Development.
Hon. Rochelle Squires (Minister of Sustainable Development): I ask for leave to do a ministerial statement on the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.
Madam Speaker: Is there leave for the minister to present that statement? [Agreed]
Hon. Rochelle Squires (Minister responsible for the Status of Women): I am pleased to rise today to recognize International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. This important day was first recognized in 2004 to draw attention to the discrimination and violence experienced in the LGBTQ community. May 17th is now celebrated in more than 130 countries, and I am proud to rise in this Manitoba Legislature and acknowledge this day. It is important to note that while much progress has been made regarding human rights in Manitoba and Canada, there are 72 countries around the world where, if you love someone of the same sex, this would be considered a crime.
Today, one of our government's employee groups, called We are All Valuable and Equal, or WAVE for short, hosted an event to commemorate this day. They invited community members to come and share their experiences in working together to follow the 2018 global theme, alliances in solidarity. I want to commend these leaders for planning and hosting this event and for creating a safe space for those in the LGBTQ community within our Manitoba public service. Initiatives such as this support our efforts to continually improve the services we provide to Manitoba's diverse population. It is important that we take some time today to remember those who came before and those who are still fighting for the rights of the LGBTQ community. No battle can be won in isolation. We all need to keep strengthening alliances, especially when we need to ensure safety, eliminate violence and campaign to change hearts and minds. There is still much work to be done.
Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr. Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): I wanted to take this time to highlight a constituent, Sam MacKinnon, who's with us here today. They are a writer and an activist, a great young person in the community, and yet, over the past few months they have shared with me that they face many obstacles in our society. They identify under the umbrella term non‑binary and they also use the pronoun they, and yet there are still too many times in our society where they are meant to feel left out or in some cases actively discriminated against.
We've raised the issue of government ID not having a non‑binary option in this House previously. So I wanted to mention this because I think it's fitting to reflect on our progress so far and yet the work left undone on this International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia.
We know that inclusion are values shared by people here in Manitoba and that the Manitoba Human Rights Code also, you know, the Canadian Charter, preserves our rights to live free of discrimination, now including freedom from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. And yet, there still are these barriers which remain.
Now, we know that many steps in this House have been taken–the addition of the gender‑neutral washrooms. We know that the NDP government passed the Human Rights Code prohibitions against sexual orientation and gender identity. We know that same‑sex marriage has moved on. But we believe that the next step should be The Vital Statistics Amendment Act, which would be bringing in non‑binary options on government identification. I believe this change will–
Madam Speaker: The member's time has expired.
An Honourable Member: I would ask for leave to conclude my statement.
Madam Speaker: Is there leave for the member to conclude his statement? [Agreed]
Mr. Kinew: So I believe this change will happen. The only questions left in my mind are when will it happen, and how will that change take place. So on this very important day of remembrance, commemoration and commitment, I wanted to honour Sam's work on behalf of themself and others and also to reaffirm our commitment to continue being good allies.
Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Yes, Madam Speaker, I rise to speak to the minister's statement and I ask leave to speak to the minister's statement.
Madam Speaker: Does the member have leave to speak to the ministerial statement? [Agreed]
Mr. Gerrard: It is important that we recognize today, as we are doing, a day to draw attention to homophobia, transphobia, biphobia, a day to dedicate ourselves to try to make our world a better place for all, including those in the LGBTQ community.
This is an important human rights issue. It is a challenge for people in the LGBT community, but increasingly we are recognizing the tremendous positive contributions that people in the LGBT community are making in many, many ways in our province, in our country and in the world.
I would like to pay a tribute to one of the leaders, Shandi Strong, of the transgender community. She has led an effort around the Pride Day to recognize a transgender community and their progress and their needs. She has read–led in having an annual recognition of the problems around the world, a recognition that I have been to in the last couple of years, and it is amazing the terrible things, quite frankly, that are still happening in too many countries.
We have a lot that we need to do. We can only imagine what it would be like if people who were born with a love for somebody in the opposite gender–
Madam Speaker: The member's time has expired.
Hon. Steven Fletcher (Assiniboia): I'd like to thank the minister–
Madam Speaker: Is the member seeking leave?
Mr. Fletcher: Yes, Madam Speaker, I'm seeking leave.
Madam Speaker: Is there leave for the member to respond to the ministerial statement? [Agreed]
* (13:50)
Mr. Fletcher: I'd like to–I'm pleased the minister made the statement that she did and all the other comments that have been made. The–I'm going to approach, then, from a different perspective, the roles that the LGBTQ2, the contributions they have made to our country, and on this International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, I like to make a personal observation and a professional observation.
First, on the personal level, it's–I'm very proud to be the nephew of Uncle Tom. Uncle Tom, Thomas Hobbs, is well known in the gardening community, has written many books, and he has been in a committed relationship for 40 years with his partner Brent. They're a wonderful couple.
In Ottawa, there are many people from various backgrounds that–including people of the various orientations that have been mentioned, that have done tremendous work for Canada in all the political parties. We may not agree on the policy issues, but–
Madam Speaker: The member's time has expired. Is the member asking for leave?
An Honourable Member: Yes.
Madam Speaker: Is there leave for the member to conclude his statement? [Agreed]
Leave has been granted the honourable member to conclude his statement.
Mr. Fletcher: The contribution every Canadian makes is substantial. We should judge people not on their sexual orientation or gender, but on the content of their character and how they help each other.
Madam Speaker, I also want to thank Donna Kurt, who was a dear friend of mine before my accident, and she's part of this community and she was a tremendous positive influence in my life.
Madam Speaker, I think every member of this House can give commensurate examples of great people from all backgrounds.
Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr. Jon Reyes (St. Norbert): Today I have the privilege as MLA for St. Norbert to recognize my constituent and very good friend of nine years, Mr. Ravi Ramberran, as a successful businessman and employer.
This government supports small businesses and owners such as Ravi who is currently the owner‑operator of three businesses: the Iles des Chênes hotel Crown Bar in Iles des Chênes, and in Winnipeg, the Four Crowns Inn at 1030 McPhillips St. and St. James Burger & Chip Co. on Ness Avenue.
Through these businesses, including St. James Burger & Chip Co., Ravi has been able to contribute to the local economy and create by employing 60 people in the community. The restaurant won the 2018 La Poutine Week competition.
I've heard of the experiences of many of my colleagues who have visited this better-than-average burger restaurant, and they are still raving about the great food and service they had. Trust me: just browsing through the menu will leave you drooling.
I am also grateful for the opportunity as the special envoy for military affairs to say thank you to my friend Ravi. Thank you, because through the hard work of Ravi and his staff, and the success of this restaurant, St. James Burger & Chip Co. has donated more than $4,000 in tips and donations to the St. James Legion. These funds are gratefully accepted as they provide support to the veterans and their families.
This upscale burger joint further demonstrates its appreciation for the military personnel who work and live in the neighbourhood through the names of some of their offerings, such as the 17 Wing everything burger, the Royal Canadian burger, the after-burner burger, the pre-flight cheeseburger and the perogy post-flight burger. And, of course, all of these include their famous chips.
Ravi himself doesn't have a military background but says that he was raised to support and shake hands with members of the military to show his appreciation of their service for our country, freedom and liberties.
Madam Speaker, today in the gallery, I would like to recognize Ravi Ramberran and his wife Samantha and general manager Sanjay Sewpaul. Thank you, Ravi.
Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr. Tom Lindsey (Flin Flon): I rise to recognize an important piece of history for our city, our province and our country. This week is the 99th anniversary of the start of the Winnipeg General Strike. This was a historic moment in our city. It was a moment when tens of thousands of workers from our city, newcomers, veterans, women, men joined together to demand respect for workers' rights. The entire world watched as a general strike enveloped our city.
The legacy was created by the brave actions of the strikers, of the union organizers and the families, friends–[interjection]
Madam Speaker: Order.
Mr. Lindsey: –and communities that supported them lives today. We know that the legacy of the strike is one of respect for organized labour, for the hard‑fought gains in working conditions, especially in safety, that those who came before us have left for us.
It is important each generation learn of the gains we have made because of the actions of the strikers and the importance of organized labour in helping build a fairer society for all.
Next week, Manitobans can remember the 1919–[interjection]
Madam Speaker: Order.
Mr. Lindsey: –General Strike by taking part in a two-hour bus tour of the important strike sites in Winnipeg related to the 1919 General Strike. The 1919 strike tour will go through the highlights of what happened in 1919, with a look at social and economic conditions that led to the strike. The tour reflects on how the echoes of the strike can still be heard in Winnipeg today.
As we move towards the 100th anniversary of the strike, I ask all members in joining me in ensuring all Manitobans know of the history and legacy of the brave men and women who participated in the General Strike of 1919, help celebrate their accomplishments and continue the struggle of workers the world over to achieve a fairer society for everyone.
Hon. Jeff Wharton (Minister of Municipal Relations): Madam Speaker, I'm pleased to rise in the House today to recognize the hard-working crew of the vessel MV Namao.
In August 1998, the Lake Winnipeg Research Consortium was founded to co-ordinate scientific research on Lake Winnipeg. ln 1999, the Lake Winnipeg Research Consortium and the Canadian Coast Guard agreed to operate the vessel and do a complete research survey of Lake Winnipeg. In 2000, the Namao was provided a permanent berth in the Gimli harbour and in 2005, ownership of the vessel was transferred from the department of fisheries, Canadian Coast Guard, to the Lake Winnipeg Research Consortium.
For the past 20 years, the consortium has worked to carry out scientific research that will provide invaluable information on the health of Lake Winnipeg. The Namao is the sole vessel of its kind operating on the lake–on Lake Winnipeg today, and it plays an enormous role in creating educational opportunities and research data of Lake Winnipeg.
In order to safely carry out their research, the Namao must have an experienced and dedicated crew. The crew was unable to join us here today as they prepare for a season ahead. However, I would like to take the opportunity to wish the fine men and women the best luck in this year's event.
I ask the members to join me in recognizing them and thanking them for their hard work and commitment to their community.
Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Madam Speaker: The honourable Minister of Municipal Relations.
Mr. Wharton: Madam Speaker, I ask leave to have the members of the crew entered into Hansard.
Madam Speaker: Is there leave to include those names in Hansard? [Agreed]
List of the Namao crew members: Walter Lea, captain; Caitlin Simpson, chief officer; Ryan Johnson, chief engineer and superintendent of vessel operations; Andreas Rodenberg, second engineer; Rhonda Thornsteinson, cook; Robert Domschky, deckhand; Bruce Moose, deckhand; Quentin Ladouceur, deckhand; Shelley Mishtak, deckhand. Lake Winnipeg Research Consortium: Dr. Al Kristofferson, managing director; Dr. Karen Scott, science and education co-ordinator.
Ms. Cindy Lamoureux (Burrows): Madam Speaker, I want to use this opportunity to talk about the bill that I brought forward earlier this week because it's going to be debated during second reading on May 22nd.
The bill is called The Intoxicated Persons Detention Amendment Act, Bill 229, and, in short, it helps protect our community and our police officers by redefining the term intoxication.
Between consultations with addiction service workers, persons who have dealt with addictions themselves and front-line health-care professionals, there is a common theme of support for revising the current legislation.
Madam Speaker, revising the legislation means redefining the term intoxication to extend to those under the influence of drugs.
I do not believe in incarceration and hard punishment for drug use. I do, however, believe in working collectively to take a responsible approach at keeping Manitobans safe from the evolving issues facing our communities today.
A very real example of this, Madam Speaker, is right now, when a person is strung out on drugs to the point of passing out in front of buildings, the police do not have the authority to detain them the way that they do have the authority to detain someone who has been drinking.
This act aims to protect our police officers, our front-line health-care workers and all Manitobans. Our current act has been in place since 1988, and as time progresses legislation needs updating.
* (14:00)
I want to welcome my colleagues to come and discuss with me any questions they may have before we debate the bill, that way we can do everything possible to have the bill passed to committee on May 22nd.
Thank you.
Hon. Cameron Friesen (Minister of Finance): Madam Speaker, I was pleased to attend last week's CPA Manitoba Member Recognition Gala honouring and recognizing the contributions of select chartered professional accountants to their profession and to the community.
A number of Morden-Winkler constituents were among those receiving awards this year. The Early Achievement Award goes to individuals who demonstrate an ongoing commitment and excellence in their profession, community or other volunteer involvement. Within the first 10 years of membership, Kenton Doerksen, CPA, CGA, of Winkler, Manitoba, was among the six individuals to receive the award.
The title of Fellow CPA is bestowed on chartered professional accountants who have rendered exceptional services to the profession and whose achievements to their careers or the community have earned them distinction and brought honour to the profession. Madam Speaker, among the recipients of this award was Robert Friesen, FCPA, FCGA, resident of Morden, partner at Gislason Targownik Peters, and also my older brother.
Madam Speaker, also, Gary Hannaford was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, and many members of this Assembly will remember the work of Mr. Hannaford and CPA Manitoba to assist this Legislature in bringing accountants in Manitoba together under one designation. Mr. Hannaford was diplomatic and kept his remarks short because of a certain hockey game, but spoke about his pride in the profession, the challenge of long hours and time away from the family, excitement he still feels to go to work on Monday morning and the importance of giving back to the community.
To all recipients, congratulations on your awards and your new titles, and especially to my brother Robert, your community, your family, your friends and your profession celebrate this accomplishment with you.
Introduction of Guests
Madam Speaker: Prior to oral questions, we have some guests that I would like to introduce to you.
Seated in the loge to my right we have the former MLA for Inkster, Sid Green, visiting us today, and we'd like to welcome him back to the Manitoba Legislature.
And I would like to draw the attention of all honourable members to the Speaker's Gallery where we have with us today the 2018 summer Legislative Building tour guides, Ruth Ormiston, Deanna Smith, Clair Normandeau and Grace Ma, along with Vanessa Gregg who is the director of the Legislative Assembly tour program, and on behalf of all honourable members, we welcome you here today.
Also seated in the public gallery from Grand Rapids School we have 12 high school students under the direction of Dawn Pangman, and this group is located in the constituency of the honourable member for Swan River (Mr. Wowchuk), and we'd like to welcome all of you to the Manitoba Legislature.
VIRGO Report Recommendations
Mr. Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): Now that some of the media scrutiny over the government's version-control challenge on their VIRGO report has begun to pass, I'm hoping that we can perhaps get some answers on the substance of the report.
Now, one of the crucial findings that they made is that the provincial government–recommendations, rather–is that the provincial government ought to increase the level of investment directed towards mental health and addictions supports in our province. In particular, they sketched out a multi-year plan with specific targets in terms of increases to funding for mental health and addictions, all towards a goal of increasing the percentage of health-care dollars spent in this area.
So I'd ask the Premier: Will he commit today to increasing the overall investment in mental health and addictions funding in the Department of Health?
Hon. Brian Pallister (Premier): Well, as you know, Madam Speaker, we have increased our focused investments in the Health portfolio to the tune of well over half a billion dollars in just two budgets. That's the most investment ever made in the history of Manitoba in Health, generally. And I think that what we have seen over the past week is a restatement of our commitment to remain focused on the important issues of mental health and addictions in our province.
Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a supplementary question.
Mr. Kinew: One of the key areas of focus in the report, in addition to harm reduction, which we've debated at length this week, was the importance of housing, towards a mental health and addictions housing. Basically, the report argues that where people do not have adequate housing and they are battling mental health issues or addictions issues, then that lack of housing can cause them to spiral into even greater states of mental illness or challenges with their addictions. The report says there is a strong business case to be made towards investments in social housing to help mental health and addictions. In fact, the report says that housing is a social determinant of mental health.
So I'd ask the Premier today: Will he commit to new investments in social housing towards a goal of approving mental health and combating addictions in the province of Manitoba?
Mr. Pallister: Well, Madam Speaker, rather than committing to do that, I'd encourage the member to review the budget documents for our first two budgets in which our increases in that respect are very significant. In fact, our global budget for family services increased by a full 13 per cent, despite the fact we inherited a massive fiscal mess from the previous administration.
We continue to focus our investments in the areas of greatest vulnerability for Manitobans: health and education, social services as well. And so I would encourage the member to simply view the facts and the facts are these: we will continue to stand up for the most vulnerable Manitobans in every way.
Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a final supplementary.
Mr. Kinew: Another key area of focus in the report is adding additional supports for children and youth across the province to help increase access to mental health services and also to decrease addictions amongst young people in our province. I think that everyone in the province, people across so many communities have personal stories about young people in our families who have been impacted by mental health, who've watched their friends be negatively impacted by this.
What the VIRGO report recommends is that new specific interventions be made on behalf of young people in our province towards the goal of ameliorating mental health and well-being in our province.
I would ask the Premier: Will he commit today to new programs to help young people in our province have better access to mental health services, front-line services and, again, to combat addictions in the province of Manitoba?
Mr. Pallister: The evidence speaks in a profound and sincere way to our commitment as a government to address these vulnerable people's needs and we will continue to do so. The evidence of the previous government, however, speaks plainly to their ability to do so and also speaks to their inattentiveness to the sustainability of such services.
Madam Speaker, when we know that the growth in our provincial debt, for example, to a debt burden to be serviced and carried forward to our children and grandchildren, rose by a full $10 million a day in the last five years of the NDP administration. We understand that that inattentiveness does have a price both in terms of its inability–the previous administration's I'm referring to–to focus on the needs of vulnerable people, but also on its inability to get its spending under control so that it could achieve results that were sustainable in the longer term for our children and grandchildren to come.
Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a new question.
Accessibility Inquiry
Mr. Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): We know that children who require inclusion support services are some of the most vulnerable in our province. Now, these are children who are entering daycare; these are children who are entering child-care centres and they need help. Their needs are different amongst this group, but we recognize that they're important. Some of these children may need help learning how to walk. Some of these children may need help learning how to speak. Some children may need help learning how to participate in groups, and we know that play-based learning is so important to daycare and child care these days.
So helping children with mobility issues, with speech and cognitive challenges and related issues should be a core function of government. It's a strong obligation for the government to intervene here. That's why we're so concerned that we haven't received a straight answer as of yet from the minister on the health of this program.
So I would ask the Premier himself: Will he commit today that every child who needs inclusion support services in Manitoba will get it?
Hon. Brian Pallister (Premier): Well, in the face of unprecedented fiscal challenges, this government has risen to the challenge of continuing and strengthening investments on behalf of the most vulnerable in our province to the tune, this year's budget alone, of $4.8 million in inclusion supports, to the tune of, over the next two years, $10.6 million.
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These specific commitments, however, should not cause us to lose sight of the larger achievements that we must focus on and, at the same time, of reducing our deficits so that we can get at our provincial debt so that we can reduce our interest service obligations, which have risen for the first time in Manitoba history, thanks to the NDP, to over a billion dollars this year. A billion dollars, Madam Speaker, I would emphasize, none of which can go to the types of programs that the NDP suggests on a regular basis we should invest in, most of which we already are.
Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a supplementary question.
Mr. Kinew: The number the Premier quotes is less than what was spent in this program last year. Now, the reason for our concern with respect to this service is obvious. We know that last year the government attempted to limit the number of children who would be able to access these kinds of inclusion supports, and in the interim since they reversed that decision, thankfully, the concern we now have is that they've initiated a review, and often we know that with this government a review presages cuts.
However, also drawing attention to this issue is the fact that there appears to be an internal wait-list that has been created, and that brings to mind the question as to whether or not every child who needs these sorts of services will be able to access them in the province of Manitoba.
So I'd ask the Premier again: Will he commit explicitly that every young person who needs inclusion support services in the province of Manitoba will be able to access them?
Mr. Pallister: I, Madam Speaker, can explain it to the member but cannot understand it for the member. I will repeat that the additional funds that we are putting towards inclusion support–additional, that would mean incremental, that would mean over and above previous years–is $4.8 million this year, $10.6 million over the next two.
I would also repeat for the member that we are investing this year alone in–a quarter of a billion dollars more in our budget than the NDP ever did in Child and Family Services. That in spite of accepting the challenge they never accepted of getting our spending under control and making it sustainable so these kinds of programs and these kinds of commitments are not paid for with the credit cards of the very children we're trying to help, Madam Speaker.
Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a final supplementary.
Mr. Kinew: You know, Madam Speaker, it's a simple question. Will the Premier commit that every child who needs inclusion support services in Manitoba–will they be able to access those inclusion supports? So it is a little concerning that the Premier will not just say so unequivocally.
Now, again, the numbers that he cites are less than what was spent under the program last year, and we are very concerned that it appears as though there is a wait-list for this inclusion support program being created internal to government. Again, if there are children waiting for these services, that means that there are children who won't be able to access them. Potentially, not only would those children go without those services, but they may not even be able to access a daycare placement after all if they don't have the necessary supports in order to ensure their proper success in a program 'las' 'thite'–like that.
So I would ask the Premier again: Will he commit unequivocally today that every young person in Manitoba who needs inclusion supports will be able to get them?
Mr. Pallister: Well, the dull repetition of false statements, Madam Speaker, doesn't give them any more an element of truth than they had when they were first stated.
The fact is that the incremental support that I referred to in the two previous responses is there for these programs that the member is referencing. That the fact is, of course, that we're investing over half a billion dollars more in health care this year, and so his myth of cuts reference he continues to make is just that, Madam Speaker. It's a myth of cuts. And, frankly, if this was Truthtown, the member wouldn't be an inhabitant. [interjection]
Madam Speaker: Order.
I'd just like to caution members on language in the House that it is important that we stay away from provocative language that might tend to cause disruption in the House. So I would just encourage everybody to be careful with the words that they choose to use.
Funding Support for Services
Mr. Andrew Swan (Minto): Madam Speaker, I was hoping the Premier might apologize for once.
The Health Minister received the VIRGO report in March. Both that report–[interjection]
Madam Speaker: Order.
Mr. Swan: –and the final report recommended new investments in mental health and addictions spending, yet even as that report sat on his desk, this Health Minister defended a budget with absolutely zero new investments in supports for mental health and addictions. At the same time as this government is receiving millions and millions of dollars in additional funding from the federal government, in the Premier's (Mr. Pallister) words, more work–more money than ever in the history of Manitoba, should be targeted for those areas.
How can the minister defend zero net new investments in mental health and addictions services?
Hon. Kelvin Goertzen (Minister of Health, Seniors and Active Living): Madam Speaker, of course the member continues to attack both the report and the author of the report. We're disappointed in that. We continue to hear in Manitoba many in the community–both in the addictions community and the mental health community–speak very highly of Dr. Rush and the report that he has produced, Bonnie Bricker being one that I cited yesterday. There are more who've come out today to talk about how enthusiastic and optimistic they are because of the report and the way and the path forward, Madam Speaker.
I share their optimism. I'm sorry that the member opposite is living in doom and gloom, Madam Speaker.
Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Minto, on a supplementary question.
Mr. Swan: Well, Madam Speaker, that's what comes from looking at a budget that contains absolutely zero new investments for addictions services and mental health services in Manitoba.
The VIRGO report recommends an increased focus on prevention supports. The report says that allocating 8 per cent of the mental health and addiction budget to prevention services is necessary, and it should be no surprise, because that's the same recommendation the Peachey report made.
The minister had VIRGO's recommendation since March–[interjection]
Madam Speaker: Order.
Mr. Swan: He had Peachey's recommendation for more than a year. But, when the budget was presented, this minister had absolutely zero to show for it.
How can Manitobans trust a minister with no new investments and no new ideas on preventing people from addictions and mental health issues?
Mr. Goertzen: Well, it would be difficult, I think, for Manitobans to trust the member for Minto, who was quoting a report that he spent two days disparaging, Madam Speaker. He's suggesting that we follow a report that for two days he tried to discredit. He's suggesting that we follow a report that, for two days, he's–didn't–said that the author of the report didn't have any credibility.
So Manitobans would have a difficult time believing anything that the member for Minto says. I am also having a difficult time believing anything the member for Minto says, Madam Speaker.
Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Minto, on a final supplementary.
Mr. Swan: Well, unfortunately for this minister, one look at the Health budget shows that this minister and this government have no credibility when it comes to dealing with mental health and addictions.
This minister has been told that it's necessary to allocate 8 per cent of that part of the budget on prevention. He knew that, and yet there is absolutely nothing contained in the budget dealing with prevention.
I've asked this minister questions in question period. I've asked him questions in Estimates. Others have asked questions. This minister has said nothing about prevention. He doesn't understand it's the best investment in preventing people from getting into crisis with the substance abuse and mental health.
Why won't this minister do anything to prevent these problems in this province?
Mr. Goertzen: Well, the member for Minto's problem isn't with the questions that he asks, it's that he doesn't actually listen to the answers, Madam Speaker.
We've already said, and we've announced more recently, an additional investment of over $1 million, Madam Speaker, into the addictions side of the department. We've announced the RAAM clinics; they are the rapid access to addiction medication clinics. There will be five in Manitoba: two in Winnipeg, one in Brandon and two in other locations outside of those two communities. Those have been not only recommended by Dr. Rush, who he doesn't support, they were in the VIRGO report. I know he doesn't support the VIRGO report either, but they are going to be a significant addition to the addictions system.
The only thing that the member opposite did when it came to those clinics is vote against the funding for them, Madam Speaker.
Accessibility for Low-Income Students
Mr. Matt Wiebe (Concordia): Madam Speaker, the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives released a study yesterday into the impacts of rising tuition, especially on low-income students.
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Their study shows that provinces that significantly increased their tuition saw participation fall compared to those with the means to pay. A thousand-dollar increase, in their study, Madam Speaker, showed that it was–resulted in a 17 per cent decline in enrolment.
The Pallister government, Madam Speaker, has made its priorities crystal clear on this. They're focused on the bottom line at the expense of low‑income students.
Will the minister reverse course on his cuts to post-secondary education and ensure it remains accessible for low-income students?
Hon. Ian Wishart (Minister of Education and Training): I thank the member for the question.
He certainly makes the point for us that our focus for scholarships and bursaries in this province needs to be those with–that are in the greatest need, and that is what we have done. In fact, we have taken what was a $4-million program under the previous government and made it into a $20-million program under our government. That's an increase of over five times, Madam Speaker. I think the member should be pleased with that.
Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Concordia, on a supplementary question.
Mr. Wiebe: Madam Speaker, we know that tuition will rise by $1,000 in just a few short years because of this Pallister government's actions.
The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives finds that without substantial offsetting bursaries, participation among low-income students will decline. Yet, as we revealed in the Estimates process, in the words of this Education Minister, the Pallister government has, in fact, cut its funding to bursaries since coming into office.
So I ask again: Why is the Pallister government denying accessibility for low-income students?
Mr. Wishart: This government is pleased to make sure that tuition in Manitoba remains the lowest in western Canada and continues to be the second lowest all across Canada.
The member said that we should be substantially increasing our scholarships and bursaries. We've done so. I don't know why he doesn't like that.
Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Concordia, on a final supplementary.
Mr. Wiebe: Madam Speaker, the CCPA study shows that the growth in tuition fees will see decreasing participation for low-income students. Even bursaries might not be enough, they say, because of the sticker shock of these high tuition rates, which can be discouraging.
But the Pallister government is, in fact, heading in the exact opposite direction. Tuition is going through the roof and their funding for bursaries has actually declined, despite the–[interjection]
Madam Speaker: Order.
Mr. Wiebe: –advice of their own KPMG report.
So I ask again: Why is this minister–[interjection]
Madam Speaker: Order.
Mr. Wiebe: –denying low-income students with access to post-secondary education?
Mr. Wishart: As I have said in my answer to previous questions, we have increased support to scholarships and bursaries to Manitoba students, particularly focused on those that are low-income students. We've also expanded programs in the college program, something that the previous government had completely ignored for the last 10 years.
Madam Speaker, I think we've done quite a lot already for Manitoba students in post-secondary and we will continue to do so.
Government Intention
Mr. Rob Altemeyer (Wolseley): Here's a radical concept: social housing money should stay in social housing. I wonder if the government can follow that logic. Let's try it again. Social housing money should stay in social housing, which houses our most vulnerable citizens.
And yet this Minister of Families would have us believe that the $16 million his government is going to earn from selling off 300 units of social housing is going to go where again?
Hon. Scott Fielding (Minister of Families): I am very happy that the proponent of the 185 Smith has committed to investing in housing here in the province of Manitoba. It's an important investment.
We've, as a province, have also looked at the Rent Assist program, and since coming to office, by the end of next–this fiscal year you're going to have over 3,300 more people supported in the Rent Assist program.
The proceeds of the sale of 185 Smith will help and has helped over 600 people last year, an additional 600 people, be supported in the province of Manitoba as we go forward.
Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Wolseley, on a supplementary question.
Mr. Altemeyer: I think all Manitobans are cringing that that answer cost us 20 per cent more in a salary increase for the minister.
The plain truth of the matter is, Madam Speaker, according to this minister's own government, his own department and the FIPPAs, which we have provided to him on multiple occasions–[interjection]
Madam Speaker: Order.
Mr. Altemeyer: –I know they don't want to hear this, but they're going to have to listen; it's called democracy–there are no new social housing units in Manitoba under this government, zero since they came to office. And yet we have lost 300 social housing units because of this minister's decision.
You know what you could do with $16 million? Well, people like John Creighton, who live at Fred Tipping Place–
Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh.
Madam Speaker: Order. Order.
I am having increasing difficulty hearing members when they are asking questions or when answers are being given, and I would ask for everybody's co-operation. We've got some guests in the gallery that are going to be touring people through this building through the summer, and I think they would probably learn a lot more if the behaviour in this Chamber was a little bit more respectful as people are trying to do their jobs.
The honourable member for Wolseley, to conclude his question.
Mr. Altemeyer: I thank you very much for that needed intervention, Madam Speaker.
With $16 million, people at Fred Tipping Place, who've seen their rent go up from 25 to 30 per cent–$1,000 a year–16,000 units would not have that rent increase.
What about that idea for this minister?
Mr. Fielding: I can tell you that the state of Manitoba Housing, in terms of some of the deferred maintenance–close to $500 million left as deferred maintenance.
Madam Speaker, 185 Smith is a crowning example of NDP incompetence when it comes to housing. This building would take close to $20 million of maintenance. That was something the NDP government forgot to do when they were in office. That's why we've made decisions. We've made decisions in terms of the assets, in terms of the sales.
We're supporting a number of people. We are increasing the amount of housing that has been created–[interjection]
Madam Speaker: Order.
Mr. Fielding: –over 487 new units. Over 42 per cent of those, social housing. We're investing in things like the Rent Assist program. Close to 3,300 more people are supported; 79 people more in the Wolseley area will be supported. That's the exact number of people–of the members on his executive that wanted him to resign.
Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Wolseley, on a final supplementary.
Mr. Altemeyer: Well, unfortunately for this minister, I'm not going anywhere just yet.
Interesting that he mentions the–[interjection]
Madam Speaker: Order.
Mr. Altemeyer: –Old Grace Housing Co-op. Well–[interjection]
Madam Speaker: I shouldn't have to stand this often after just asking for everybody's co-operation, so I would certainly ask for everybody's co-operation. I'm having a incredibly harder time hearing members when they are standing to ask questions and to give answers. And I would ask everybody–because I'm hearing it from both sides of this House–I would ask for everybody's co-operation because, throughout the whole oral questions, there is–there are words flying from all over. So I would ask for everybody's co‑operation, please, if we could show some respect for each other and to allow members to be heard–all members to be heard–when they are standing.
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Mr. Altemeyer: The Old Grace Housing Co-op, Madam Speaker, paid for, started, initiated by the NDP government. The U commons project which the minister gladly tabled–nice little colour photograph of the sod turning–I attended that. It was in the summer of 2015 when the minister wasn't even an MLA.
The numbers he is claiming are false. They are phony. They are consistent with this government's policy, I'll give him that.
How about the seniors at Lions Place paying $2,000 more per year because he is not making up for the lost subsidy to that building? What about that idea for the proceeds from 185 Smith? [interjection]
Madam Speaker: Order, please.
Hon. Brian Pallister (Premier): I think the member needs to listen to his board.
Paid for, started and initiated by the NDP? Madam Speaker, the taxpayers of Manitoba provided us with the honour of making decisions about how to allocate their funds. The NDP didn't–[interjection]
Madam Speaker: Order.
Mr. Pallister: –buy a single thing, Madam Speaker, that Manitobans didn't pay for. The member referenced earlier the allocation of money, money taken from hard-working–[interjection]
Madam Speaker: Order.
Mr. Pallister: –Manitobans.
The difference between these two organizations–political organizations–is quite in evidence, Madam Speaker, repeatedly, and never more in evidence than in that preamble. And the difference is that we respect the work that Manitobans do to get the money on their kitchen tables, and we propose to leave more on those kitchen tables, not put more in the hands of the member for Wolseley so that he can falsely claim that he did something good with the money the NDP spent.
Madam Speaker, it isn't their money. It never was. It isn't ours. It belongs to Manitobans.
We respect that trust. They have no idea over there.
Traditional Hunting Practice
Ms. Judy Klassen (Kewatinook): I fully object to the First Minister's use of the word sport in reference to night hunting when it comes to my people.
When my people find slain carcasses of our precious food sources on our traditional lands, we are horrified. Our hunters try to make amends with our four-legged relations by proceeding to do our traditional ceremonial practices.
If this government did allegedly extensively consult with my people, can the First Minister share with us what this traditional hunting practice is?
Hon. Brian Pallister (Premier): I recently had the chance to speak with another Manitoban I have great respect for, Madam Speaker, who is indigenous and who happens to have strong views on the issue of killing animals at night using the tool of a spotlight. And her comment was that it is not hunting, it is not respectful and neither is it spiritual. I agree with her, Madam Speaker.
Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Kewatinook, on a supplementary question.
Access to Traditional Lands
Ms. Judy Klassen (Kewatinook): I am still waiting for that list of leaders that the government met with that I had asked for Monday. Many people are, minister.
It is, once again, the indigenous people of Manitoba who will pay the price. Did the PCs ever once consider making day hunting safer for my people? Our conservation officers always treat our hunters like we're the enemy, as if we're nothing but rampant poachers. How come this government didn't mandate for farmers who are on our traditional lands to allow for us to come and collect wildlife on those rented lands? Why not impose upon them the way they impose upon us?
Hon. Brian Pallister (Premier): That's a terrible comment, Madam Speaker, and disrespectful.
What would the member say to indigenous men and women who work in our conservation department who are trying to enforce the laws of our province? Would she say these things about those people? She shouldn't say them about any of the people in our government's employ who are doing their jobs, Madam Speaker. It's disrespectful. I'm disappointed in the comments of the member.
I would simply say this: people have lost their lives and been injured as a consequence of this dangerous practice that's been outlawed in other provinces. The member knows that. Would the member not rise in her place if there was another accident next week? Would she not rise in her place and condemn this government for not taking action, Madam Speaker? Sure, she would. And she'd be right to.
So I ask her for co-operation and support in communicating a message of safety, in communicating a message of safety and respect to the people of this province so that we can protect all people in this province from unsafe practices that are not and should never be called hunting because they are simply the killing of innocent animals, Madam Speaker.
Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Kewatinook, on a final supplementary.
Changes to Language Used in Bill
Ms. Judy Klassen (Kewatinook): Systemic racism permeates everything around indigenous people. When it comes to the bill, my people will not even have the freedom of choice. This PC government is yet again imposing policy on us without properly consulting us. I'm the MLA for 14 First Nations. My leaders, especially my people, did not even hear of such a bill in the works other than what little I knew about this sinister's–minister's intentions.
The heavy‑handed imposition must go both ways, minister. I demand that you change–that this government change in Bill 29 every instant of the word may with must.
Will this minister commit to doing so?
Hon. Brian Pallister (Premier): Well, the member is well within her rights to assert her belief that night hunting is fair, safe and reasonable. I do not agree, this government does not agree, nor do the indigenous elders we've heard from in a series of consultations province-wide, nor does the Manitoba Metis Federation agree. So she has her right to disagree. She does not have the right to condemn civil servants who are doing their jobs, however, Madam Speaker, and that's what she's done, and I am disappointed she–and I would ask her if she wouldn't reconsider her comments and perhaps act appropriately after today's session.
New Board Appointed
Mr. Reg Helwer (Brandon West): The NDP waffled in their position to establish a demand‑side management agency separate from Manitoba Hydro. They pretended to like the idea, but we know they're very, very good at pretending, but, again, they failed to execute.
Unlike the former government, we on this side of the House have honoured the recommendation from the Public Utilities Board two hundred–2014 NFAT review, and we are proud to honour our election promise to establish Efficiency Manitoba.
Can the Minister of Crown Services inform this House about today's exciting announcement?
Hon. Cliff Cullen (Minister of Crown Services): I want to thank my colleague for that question.
Unlike the members opposite, we are following through on our promise made to Manitobans. Today I was joined by the Minister of Sustainable Development (Ms. Squires) where we announced the brand‑new board for Efficiency Manitoba. With the board now in place, Efficiency Manitoba can now hire a new CEO, establish the stakeholder advisory committee and do what the NDP failed to do.
Madam Speaker, we are changing power smart to power smarter. Efficiency Manitoba will be smaller, will cost less and will deliver positive results to Manitobans.
Bursary Funding Concerns
Ms. Flor Marcelino (Logan): Madam Speaker, the Pallister government has cut its bursary funding for post‑secondary students. A CCPA study shows that in other jurisdictions a $1,000 increase in tuition led to significant decline in low‑income students' participation. Those hit hardest by rising tuition are newcomers and indigenous Manitobans, yet the minister doesn't seem to care. He's only focused on the bottom line.
Why is the minister giving up on those who need our support the most?
Hon. Ian Wishart (Minister of Education and Training): I thank the member for the question. I know we had one earlier today that sounded very, very similar, and I know that neither member wanted to hear in Estimates about the $20 million of Manitoba scholarships and bursaries that we have made accessible to Manitoba students based on need. Neither one of them wanted to hear about it, but I can tell you, students are very happy to hear about it.
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Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Logan, on a supplementary question.
Ms. Marcelino: Maybe the minister would want to explain why $5 million less for bursaries in the last two years is in the budget.
Madam Speaker, the minister is hiking tuition. He's cutting his support for bursaries. He's also cutting $1 million from ACCESS programs across the province of Manitoba. These programs help increase the participation of newcomers and indigenous Manitobans in important fields like social work and education. But this isn't a priority for this minister.
Why is the minister focused only on the bottom line at the expense of those who need our help the most?
Mr. Wishart: I know the member tried some of this line of questions during the Estimates period, and I can explain it to her again; I can't really understand it for her. But what we have done is move dollars from the ACCESS program, which was spot dollars, to a longer term program that is focused on making accessibility to all students, based on need, far more prevalent across the province for all institutions instead of just a few.
So general access for all students based on need is improved under what we have done, not the way they had done it before.
Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Logan, on a final supplementary.
Ms. Marcelino: The minister is involved in a shell game as he moves programs around to cover up his cuts. But his funding for bursaries has been cut. His funding to the ACCESS program has been cut. It will be indigenous Manitobans and newcomers who bear the brunt of the minister's actions.
Why is the minister only focused on the bottom line with no room for those who need our help the most?
Mr. Wishart: I know our government has been very pleased to improve access to Manitoba students through a Manitoba Scholarship and Bursary Initiative. Four million is a lot less than $20 million. We have done a lot more for Manitobans.
Functionality Inquiry
Mr. Tom Lindsey (Flin Flon): Our air ambulances in Manitoba are front-line-care services. These are essential services that Manitobans across the province rely on–[interjection]
Madam Speaker: Order.
Mr. Lindsey: –especially in rural and northern areas. That's why it's so important that these services are available when families need them. We know the government has staffing difficulties with Southern Air Ambulance in the past.
Can the minister please confirm Southern Air Ambulance is fully functional today?
Hon. Brian Pallister (Premier): We'll make sure that we deliver on our commitments to have better services for Manitobans needing health care, Madam Speaker.
I'd encourage, through you, Madam Speaker, all of our staff, our friends in the Chamber today to enjoy the Victoria Day long weekend, and for those so inclined to enjoy and celebrate in the nuptials–well-publicized nuptials–that will be occurring this weekend.
Also, I would encourage all Manitobans, Madam Speaker, through you, to imbibe carefully and respectfully and to never, ever drive drunk. We want to have more Manitobans at the end of the weekend safe in this beautiful province together than we have–and, unfortunately, there has been on occasion in the past, a little too much celebration and of a dangerous nature on this weekend. So we would encourage all Manitobans in that respect–[interjection]
Madam Speaker: Order.
Mr. Pallister: Madam Speaker, I wish you all the best for this celebration this weekend.
Madam Speaker: The time for oral questions has expired.
Hon. Steven Fletcher (Assiniboia): Madam Speaker, on a point of order.
Point of Order
Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Assiniboia, on a point of order.
Mr. Fletcher: Madam Speaker, the decorum in this place is important. You've tried to do everything you can. In the 13 years that I've been in Parliament, I have not heckled, not once. The–not once–and if other members don't want to follow that example, that's their prerogative.
But today I heard and saw something I have not seen before, and that was a male member of the governing party condescendingly sh, sh, shooing one of the female members in the opposition not once, not twice, but at least three times.
And, in my view, it may not be a word, but it's condescending and rude and disrespectful to everyone else. If we let that kind of behaviour go, well then there's no point in trying to enforce any kind of behaviour.
Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Concordia, on the same point of order.
Mr. Matt Wiebe (Concordia): Yes, on the same point of order. Thank you very much, Madam Speaker.
And I believe the matter that's being raised by the member for Assiniboia is a serious one. It is one that all members of this Chamber have undertaken to take seriously and to give proper consideration to. I know in the past there has been an opportunity to review audio or video from proceedings and to review Hansard and to properly capture what exactly transpired.
And I will, just as a comment, say that it was especially loud in this question period and it was very difficult for, I think, a lot of members to hear what was happening. But I think it is important that we respect everyone in this Chamber and show them the due respect that they deserve as honourable members.
So I hope that we'll review this and get to the bottom of it. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Madam Speaker: I would indicate that I can't rule on something that I didn't hear or that I didn't see.
But the issue that is being raised generally about decorum is relevant because all through the week there has been an escalation of heckling in the House, of increasing noise in the House. And it is very hard–and I've been finding it this week becoming more difficult to hear members. And when I stand to ask for order, I shouldn't have to, as soon as I sit down, hear the comments coming from members immediately again. That is very disrespectful not only to each other, but to this Chair. And by the Chair, I mean this institution. So that when I ask for order, it's far broader than just, you know, the respect for each other. It's respect for the institution that we are here to represent.
So I think perhaps if members could, you know, take away from this that we need to do a better job. I think it was an effort early on when we all first started that there would be a bigger effort to try to treat people more respectfully in this House, and I think we were doing a good job for a while. But there seems to be some deterioration, and I would ask for everybody's co-operation. I think it shows us as better politicians to the public when we can respond here in a better manner than sometimes we have.
And I think civility is extremely important. We are role models. There are lots of students that come to this building. There are, you know, around 400 people that watch this on the website and perhaps even more. So I think it's important that we demonstrate better behaviour. And perhaps when we come back in the next few weeks, we could reach that point.
So I would indicate that on this I can't rule that there was a point of order, but I do indicate that we do have an issue here that we have to, I think, strive to do better.
Point of Order
Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Kewatinook, on a point of order?
Ms. Judy Klassen (Kewatinook): On a point of order, Madam Speaker.
Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Kewatinook, on a point of order.
Ms. Klassen: I would like to ask for a moment of silence, on behalf of my northern communities, for the family of the young indigenous woman who was found deceased yesterday. I haven't asked specifically to share her name, so I will not share her name, but our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with that family.
Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Madam Speaker: Is there leave of the House for a moment of silence as per the request? [Agreed]
Please stand and we will have a moment of silence.
A moment of silence was observed.
Madam Speaker: I also have a statement for the House.
For all information of members–for the information of all members, the Western Canada Youth Parliament will be using the Chamber this weekend, and I would suggest that all honourable members remove the contents of their desks today.
I would further encourage members to recycle as much of the material as possible. The blue bins here in the Chamber are designated for recycling of Hansard only. Any other material you would like to recycle may be placed in the larger recycling containers in the message rooms located just outside of the Chamber.
Thank you very much.
Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Assiniboia, on a petition.
Hon. Steven Fletcher (Assiniboia): Yes, Madam Speaker, I'd like to present the following petition to the Assembly–[interjection]
Madam Speaker: Order.
Mr. Fletcher: The background to this petition is as follows:
Number one–[interjection]
Madam Speaker: Order.
Mr. Fletcher: The residents of St. James and other areas of Manitoba are concerned with the intention expressed by the provincial government to use the Vimy Arena site as a Manitoba Housing project.
(2) The Vimy Arena site is in the middle of a residential area near many schools, churches, community clubs–[interjection]
Madam Speaker: Order.
Mr. Fletcher: –and seniors homes, and neither the provincial government nor the City of Winnipeg has considered better suited locations in rural, semi-rural or industrial locations such as the St. Boniface industrial park, the 20,000 acres at CentrePort or–you know what, Madam Speaker, I'm not going to finish this. It's no point. I can't even hear myself think–[interjection]
Madam Speaker: Order, please.
Mr. Fletcher: –I pass on this opportunity. You can take that.
Madam Speaker: The member has indicated that because of the noise level in the room that he is not able to complete his petition. Any other petitions? [interjection]
Order, please. As the member has started his petition, I would ask that he please continue reading his petition and I would ask that the room bring down the level of noise so that the member that is reading the petition, any of the members, can actually hear themselves as they're reading the petitions, because the noise level tends to go very, very high as soon as the House rises and petitions are read, and it is very difficult and distracting to read a petition.
So I would ask for everybody's co-operation and I would ask the member for Assiniboia to pick up where he left off.
Mr. Fletcher: Thank you, Madam Speaker.
The Vimy Arena site is in the middle of a residential area near many schools, churches, community clubs and seniors homes, and neither the provincial government nor the City of Winnipeg considered better suited locations in rural, semi-rural or industrial locations such as the St. Boniface industrial park, the 20,000 acres at CentrePort or existing properties such as the Shriners Hospital or the old Children's Hospital on Wellington Crescent.
(3) The provincial government is exempt from any zoning requirements that would have existed if the land was owned by the City of Winnipeg. This exemption bypasses community input and due diligence and ignores better uses for the land which would have been consistent with a residential area.
(4) There are no standards that one would expect for a treatment centre. The Minister of Health, Seniors and Active Living has stated that the Department of Health had no role to play in the land acquisition for the Manitoba Housing project for use of a drug addiction facility.
The Manitoba Housing project initiated by the provincial government changes the fundamental nature of the community. Including parks and recreation uses, concerning the residents of St. James and others regarding public safety, property values and their way of life are not being properly addressed.
(6) The concerns of the residents of St. James are being ignored while obvious other locations in wealthier neighbourhoods, such as Tuxedo and River Heights, have not been considered for the Manitoba Housing project, even though there are hundreds of acres of land available for development at Kapyong Barracks or parks like Heubach Park that share the same zoning as Vimy Arena site.
(7) The Manitoba Housing project and the operation of a drug treatment centre fall outside the statutory mandate of the Manitoba Housing renewal corporation.
(8) The provincial government does not have a co-ordinated plan for addiction treatment in Manitoba as it currently underfunds treatment centres which are running under capacity and potential.
(9) The community has been misled regarding the true intention of the Manitoba Housing–the–as land is being transferred for a 50-bed facility even though the project clearly falls outside of Manitoba Housing responsibility.
We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:
(1) To urge the provincial government to take the necessary steps to ensure the Vimy Arena site is not used for an addiction treatment facility.
And (2) to urge the provincial government to take the necessary steps to ensure preservation of public land along Sturgeon Creek for the purposes of park land and recreational activities for public use, including being an important component of the Sturgeon Creek Greenway Trail and the Sturgeon Creek ecosystem under the current designation of PR2 for the 255 Hamilton Ave. location at the Vimy Arena site, and to maintain land to continue to be designated for parks and recreation activities in communities.
This has been signed Brian Ross, Tami Eklund, Daryl Raou [phonetic] and many others, Madam Speaker.
Madam Speaker: In accordance with our rule 133(6), when petitions are read they are deemed to be received by the House.
Further petitions, the honourable member for River Heights.
Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Madam Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly:
The background to this petition is as follows:
(1) The provision of laboratory services to medical clinics and physicians' offices has been historically and continues to be a private sector service.
(2) It's vitally important that there be competition in laboratory services to allow medical clinics to seek solutions from more than one provider to control costs and to improve service for health professionals and patients.
(3) Under the present provincial government, Dynacare, an Ontario-based subsidiary of a U.S. company, has acquired Unicity labs, resulting in a monopoly situation for the provision of laboratory services in medical clinics and physicians' offices.
The creation of this monopoly has resulted in the closure of many laboratories by Dynacare in and around the city of Winnipeg. Since the acquisition of Unicity labs, Dynacare has engaged in anti‑competitive activities where it has changed the collection schedules of patients' specimens and charged some medical offices for collection services.
(5) These closures have created a situation where a great number of patients are less well served, having to travel significant distances in some cases, waiting considerable periods of time and sometimes being denied or having to leave without obtaining lab services. This situation is particularly critical for patients requiring fasting blood draws as they may experience complications that could be life‑threatening based on their individual health situations.
(6) Furthermore, Dynacare has instructed that all STAT's patients, patients with suspicious internal infections, be directed to its King Edward location. This creates unnecessary obstacles for the patients who are required to travel to that lab, rather than simply completing the test in their doctor's office. This new directive by Dynacare presents a direct risk to patients' health in the interest of higher profits. This has further resulted in patients opting to visit emergency rooms rather than traveling twice, which increases cost to the health-care system.
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(7) Medical clinics and physicians' offices service thousands of patients in their communities and have structured their offices to provide a one‑stop service, acting as a health-care front line that takes off some of the load from emergency rooms. The creation of this monopoly has been problematic to many medical clinics and physicians, hampering their ability to provide high quality and complete service to their patients due to closures of so many laboratories.
We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:
(1) To urge the provincial government to request Dynacare to reopen the closed laboratories or allow Diagnostic Services of Manitoba to freely open labs in clinics which formerly housed labs that have been shut down by Dynacare.
(2) To urge the provincial government to ensure high-quality lab services for patients and a level playing field and competition in the provision of laboratory services to medical offices.
(3) To urge the provincial government to address this matter immediately in the interest of better, patient-focused care and improved support for health professionals.
Signed by Jodi Robertson, Barb Trawon, Erin Rezensall and many others.
Ms. Nahanni Fontaine (St. Johns): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly.
These are the reasons for the–this petition:
(1) Tina Fontaine was murdered at the age of 15 years, and her body was found in the Red River on August 17, 2014.
(2) Tina Fontaine was robbed of her loving family and the Anishinabe community of Sagkeeng First Nation.
(3) Tina Fontaine was failed by multiple systems which did not protect her as they intervened in her life.
(4) Tina Fontaine was further failed by systems meant to seek and pursue justice for her murder.
(5) Tina Fontaine's murder galvanized Canada on the issue of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls, MMIWG, as she quickly became our collective daughter and the symbol of MMIWG across Canada.
(6) Manitoba has failed to fully implement the recommendations of numerous reports and recommendations meant to improve and protect the lives of indigenous peoples and children, including the Manitoba Aboriginal Justice Inquiry, the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples and the Phoenix Sinclair inquiry.
We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:
(1) To urge the Premier of Manitoba and the Minister of Justice to immediately call a public inquiry into the systems that had a role in life–a role in the life and death of Tina Fontaine, as well as the function of the administration of justice after her death.
(2) To urge that the terms of reference of a public inquiry be jointly–be developed jointly with the caregivers of Tina Fontaine and/or the agent appointed by them.
Signed by many Manitobans.
Madam Speaker: Grievances?
House Business
Ms. Nahanni Fontaine (Official Opposition House Leader): Oh–pursuant to rule 33(8), I am announcing that the private member's resolution to be considered on the next Thursday of private members' business will be one put forward by the honourable member for Logan (Ms. Marcelino). The title of the resolution is Protecting Manitoba's Lakes, Rivers and Communities.
Madam Speaker: It has been announced that pursuant to rule 33(8), the private member's resolution to be considered on the next Thursday of private members' business will be one put forward by the honourable member for Logan. The title of the resolution is Protecting Manitoba's Lakes, Rivers and Communities.
* * *
Hon. Cliff Cullen (Government House Leader): Would you call Committee of Supply?
Madam Speaker: It has been announced that the House will consider Estimates this afternoon. The House will now resolve itself into Committee of Supply.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, please take the chair.
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Mr. Chairperson (Dennis Smook): Will the Committee of Supply please come to order. This section of the Committee of Supply will now resume consideration of the Estimates for Department of Families.
As previous agreed, questioning for this department will proceed in a global manner.
The floor is now open for questions.
Mr. Andrew Swan (Minto): Mr. Chairperson, we're prepared to move on with voting on the various motions with this department's Estimates.
Mr. Chairperson: Resolution 9.2: RESOLVED that there be granted to Her Majesty a sum not exceeding $556,258,000 for Families, Community Service Delivery, for the fiscal year ending March 31st, 2019.
Resolution agreed to.
Resolution 9.3: RESOLVED that there be granted to Her Majesty a sum not exceeding $860,069,000 for Families, Community Programs and Corporate Services, for the fiscal year ending March 31st, 2019.
Resolution agreed to.
Resolution 9.4: RESOLVED that there be granted to Her Majesty a sum not exceeding $523,045,000 for Families, Child and Family Services, for the fiscal year ending March 31st, 2019.
Resolution agreed to.
Resolution 9.5: RESOLVED that there be granted to Her Majesty a sum not exceeding $115,964,000 for Families, Housing, for the fiscal year ending March 31st, 2019.
Resolution agreed to.
Resolution 9.6: RESOLVED that there be granted to Her Majesty a sum not exceeding $1,361,000 for Families, Costs Related to Capital Assets, for the fiscal year ending March 31st, 2019.
Resolution agreed to.
Resolution 9.7: RESOLVED that there be granted to Her Majesty a sum not exceeding $754,000 for Families, Capital Assets, for the fiscal year ending March 31st, 2019.
Resolution agreed to.
The last item to be considered for Estimates of this department is item 9.1.(a), the minister's salary, contained in resolution 9.1.
At this point, we request the minister's staff leave the table for the consideration of this last item.
The floor is open for questions.
Mr. Tom Lindsey (Flin Flon): I wish to make a motion that line item nine point–I move that line item 9.1.(a) be amended so that the Minister of Families' salary is reduced to $33,600.
Motion presented.
Mr. Chairperson: The motion is in order.
Are there any questions or comments on the motion?
Is the committee ready for the question?
An Honourable Member: Question.
Mr. Chairperson: Shall the motion pass?
Some Honourable Members: Yes.
Some Honourable Members: No.
Mr. Chairperson: I hear a no.
Voice Vote
Mr. Chairperson: All those in favour of the motion, please say aye.
Some Honourable Members: Aye.
Mr. Chairperson: All those opposed to the motion, please say nay.
Some Honourable Members: Nay.
Mr. Chairperson: In my opinion, the Ayes have it–[interjection]–the Nays have it. [interjection]
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My apologies for that. In my opinion, the Nays have it.
Mr. Swan: Yes, well, we'd like a recorded vote, Mr. Chairperson.
Mr. Chairperson: A formal vote has been requested by the member for Minto (Mr. Swan). This section of the Committee of Supply will now recess to allow this matter to be reported and for the members to proceed to the Chamber for the vote.
The committee recessed at 3:21 p.m.
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The committee resumed at 4:33 p.m.
Mr. Chairperson: Will the Committee of Supply please come to order. This section of the Committee of Supply will now resume consideration of the last item, resolution 9.1, of the Estimates for the Department of Families.
Are there any questions? Seeing's none, I will now put the question.
Resolution 9.1: RESOLVED that there be granted to Her Majesty a sum not exceeding $9,112,000 for Families, Administration and Finance, for the fiscal year ending March 31st, 2019.
Resolution agreed to.
This completes the Estimates of the Department of Families.
Mr. Chairperson (Dennis Smook): The next set of Estimates to be considered by this section of the Committee of Supply is for the Department of Justice.
Mr. Andrew Swan (Minto): Mr. Chair, I'd just ask for a very brief recess just so the critic can attend.
Mr. Chairperson: Is there will? [Agreed]
We will have a brief recess to allow the critic to get here.
The committee recessed at 4:35 p.m.
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The committee resumed at 4:36 p.m.
Mr. Chairperson: Will the Committee of Supply please come to order. This section of the Committee of Supply will now consider the Estimates of the Department of Justice.
Hon. Heather Stefanson (Minister of Justice and Attorney General): Good afternoon, everyone. It's an honour and privilege as Minister of Justice and Attorney General to introduce the 2018-19 Budgetary Estimates for Manitoba Justice.
I want to start today by informing this committee that we are keeping our promises as a government. Budget 2018 invests in front-line services while at the same time investing and re-aligning resources to ensure we are producing real results for Manitobans. Budget 2018 invests over $655 million in Manitoba Justice with an increase of $11.5 million over last year. This additional investment includes $6.8 million more for community and First Nations policing and a $2.5-million investment in Custody Corrections. We're also investing strategically and re-aligning resources to produce real results for Manitobans. In March, many stakeholders and staff joined me at the Onashowewin Justice Circle to announce our Criminal Justice System Modernization Strategy. This strategy is designed to build safer communities and ensure timely access to justice for Manitobans. It has four key pillars including crime prevention, targeted resources for the most serious criminal cases, more effective use of restorative justice and responsible re-integration of offenders back into society after leaving custody.
I am proud to say that Budget 2018 makes strategic investments in each of these four areas, beginning with crime prevention. We know that community mobilization programs that bring together police, school divisions and other social supports are effective at preventing crime in our communities. That is why we're making a $250,000 investment in these programs across Manitoba, with a specific focus on getting at-risk youth on a path towards healthy, stable and crime‑free lives.
I recently joined my colleague, the Minister of Health, as well as RCMP Assistant Commissioner Scott Kolody to announce $50,000 of this funding for the Headway Program that helps troubled youth in the Steinbach and surrounding region. And just this week, I joined the member for Selkirk to announce $50,000 for the Selkirk Team for At Risk Teens, which helps prevent crime in that region of Manitoba. I look forward to visiting many more communities in the coming months, as we take action to prevent crime in Manitoba, after many years of trending in the wrong direction.
We also know that more effective use of indigenous-based restorative justice programs can get people the help they need earlier, addressing the root causes of criminal behaviour before it escalates. That is why Budget 2018 invests in restorative justice including continued funding of $400,000 for MKO First Nations Justice Strategy; $270,000 for Onashowewin Justice Circle, $243,000 for Southern Chiefs' Organization Restorative Justice Program, $120,000 for the Hall of Water Community Holistic Healing Circle and many, many other programs.
But, before I discuss our further investments, it is important to note that we have already implemented several key pillars of our Criminal Justice System Modernization Strategy and we're already seeing results from those reforms. Changes to Crown policies and procedures have ensured that Manitoba prosecutors are considering delay at every stage of a prosecution. We have also increased the number of criminal matters proceeding by way of direct indictment, avoiding timely and costly preliminary inquiries that slow down our court system. This approach will continue as we await passage of the recent federal bill C-75 which will restrict the use of preliminary inquiries only to those matters carrying a sentence of life in prison.
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In short, resources are now focused on prosecuting serious violent cases in a timely way. The number of matters at risk of being stayed due to delay in Manitoba continues to decrease as a result of these and other necessary reforms to respond to the Supreme Court of Canada's decision in a Crown v. Jordan.
Last year our government made another important change that will make our community safer over the long term while reducing our incarceration rates. The Responsible Reintegration Initiative, which was established through realignment of resources previously associated with three specialized probation units is helping break cycles of crime in our communities. The community social service and job training supports afforded to inmates selected for participation in this initiative is helping them reject the choices that led to their incarceration.
And, by offering inmates a form of provincial parole as a reward for good behaviour while in custody, we are reducing incarceration and improving safety for our correctional–in our correctional facilities.
As of April 2018, we have a total adult correctional population of 2,143. That is down from 2,535 at the same time last year. This is below previous incarceration trends in Manitoba and means that our facilities are safer for everyone involved.
The total number of youth in custody is also down and is now significantly under the capacity of our two youth facilities. We now have 155 youth in custody. This is compared with 213 youth in custody last year.
Recent changes in our correctional facilities have also resulted in a reduction in overtime, which has long been a primary cost-driver in custody corrections.
In fact, Budget 2018 includes a reduction of 1.491 million related to overtime costs in the Community Safety Division.
But, while we've made significant progress, we need to keep the momentum going, especially when it comes to reducing crime in our communities. That is why Budget 2018 invests $363,000 in a specialized strategic innovation unit which will report directly to the minister and deputy minister on the status of key priorities.
After many years with some of the highest violent crime rates in the country under the NDP, this unit will be engaging in a comprehensive review of policing in Manitoba to ensure that police agencies are working together effectively to reduce crime throughout our province.
I am proud to say that this unit will include Greg Burnett as a policing specialist. He is a widely respected policing expert and the former superintendent of Uniform Operations with the Winnipeg Police Service.
We also want to ensure that our provincial court is improving access to justice for Manitobans. It has been five years since a strategic planning session was held for the provincial court. That is why Budget 2018 commits one-time funding in the amount of $30,000 for strategic planning to support the court in its efforts to provide effective and efficient service. This includes ensuring that criminal cases are dealt with in a timely way.
With regard to matters heard by the Court of Queen's Bench, Manitoba Justice remains firmly committed to establishing meaningful family law reform that will make the system less adversarial and less costly for Manitoba families.
Last year we assembled a team of legal experts and community leaders spearheaded by respected Thompson Dorfman Sweatman attorney Allan Fineblit to engage in consultations and to report back to our government on a new administrative model for family law. I look forward to releasing their report to Manitobans and beginning the legislative work necessary to enact their recommendations.
Finally, I want to make it clear that our government has been a national leader in protecting the public health and safety of Manitobans as we deal with the consequences of the federal government's decision to legalize cannabis.
The legislation currently being considered by this House will keep cannabis off school grounds, prohibit consumption in outdoor public places and impose tough provincial sanctions on drug-impaired drivers.
I was honoured to act as co-chair along with Alberta Attorney General Kathleen Ganley of a working group on cannabis that reported back to the council of the federation with our concerns about cannabis. We will continue to advocate for more legal clarity and enforcement resources from the federal government as we manage the significant public policy change in our country.
We have repeatedly stated that we have serious concerns about the federal government moving forward on the legalization of cannabis without having the necessary safety tools in place for our police officers. We will continue to advocate for the public health and safety of all Manitobans when it comes to cannabis legalization.
But 'behore'–before we hear from my honourable critic and start the questioning, I'd like to close on a lighter note. It has become a tradition that the minister responsible for the Vital Statistics Agency report to this committee about the most popular baby names in Manitoba over the previous year.
I am happy to report that Liam for boys and Olivia for girls were, once again, the most popular names in 2017, and I begin this year's Estimates process fully confident that the investments we have made will ensure that they grow up in safer communities with a justice system that they can be proud of.
Thank you.
Mr. Chairperson: We thank the minister for those comments.
Does the official opposition critic have any opening comments?
Ms. Nahanni Fontaine (St. Johns): Miigwech to the minister for her opening statement, and, certainly, miigwech in acknowledgement of all of her staff, who, I know, do very, very good work, and who work extremely hard in the Department of Justice.
Obviously, I'm looking forward to sitting down together and having our one-on-one time, along with all of our colleagues, to discuss justice issues here in Manitoba. Although it is a limited time, I think, in respect of what's available for us to be sitting down together, I am, certainly–particularly interested in speaking with the minister about the criminal justice system and, certainly, how it impacts on families and youth across our province.
I guess I have to say, unfortunately, we've also seen how this minister's cuts to prevention programs and community organizations and restorative justice has actually hurt our most vulnerable citizens, and actually our most, I would suggest, our most marginalized citizens, who already face systemic issues on a myriad of different fronts.
And this just goes to further compound those issues and those constraints that they have on their lives. We know, and we've brought it up several times, that the minister has cut important restorative justice programs.
We know that she cut the Restorative Resolutions program, which connected individuals and provided a memes–a means of resolution to those that they've harmed and to mediate a better solution, which, as an indigenous woman and as somebody who is actually one of the founders of Onashowewin, who the minister spoke about earlier and sat on the board for many, many years, and actually taught restorative justice at university, knows first-hand really the transformative opportunities that restorative justice has in the lives, or the potential that it has in the lives of individuals that participate in restorative justice–both that have harmed and those who have been harmed.
And so it is somewhat confusing that the minister does talk about, in her new–again, as the minister's well aware that I've mentioned a couple of times in question period–kind of scant strategy, and how one of the pillars of that is restorative justice.
So, on the one hand, kind of touting restorative justice as one of the pillars of their scant new strategy, but, on the other side, cutting the program–so the–they–really, they are one–they are the antithesis to one another.
So–and I think that in some respects, it's short‑sighted to cut restorative justice programs. They end up costing the government less in the long run, because when you're able to offer people an opportunity to sit in a good way, in a safe way, in a healthy way–again, both those that have harmed and those that have been harmed–I would suggest that those are actually lasting moments of change, rather than punitive measures that are, you know, somewhat traditionally used in Western justice, you know, paradigms and practices.
So, you know, I know that we'll have a little bit of discussion on that, and I hope that the minister will, you know, eventually come to understand and see the benefits of really supporting and investing in restorative justice, not only here in the city, of course, across the province.
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And I know that the minister mentioned MKO, who, the minister should know, you know, has been one of the long-standing restorative justice programs in Manitoba and has certainly been a leader in restorative justice for Manitoba. And I know that when I was the director of justice for Southern Chiefs' Organization, when I was moved into that position, I actually met with–who became my counterpart, Charlene Lafreniere, who had been working in MKO restorative justice, and learned a lot and modelled a lot of the SCO program based on the MKO program because they had been doing it, obviously, for a couple more years than I.
So I do actually want to just take a moment and lift up those individuals, those community justice workers in MKO and SCO and Onashowewin and, you know, mediation services, all of those folks that do really, really, really good work. They don't necessarily have the, you know, the–all the resources and supports that they need, but they certainly go above and beyond. And so I do really want to just take that moment to lift them up and say miigwech.
I–you know, we've also watched, as the minister knows and actually as every member in this room right now knows, that we've watched in the last several months really the devastation that is caused by what we are facing in a serious drug epidemic right now, and I know that the minister is aware of that, first, by the arrival of fentanyl and then carfentanil and then, you know, very swiftly, by the rise in crystal meth use and seeing first-hand the devastating consequences of that and actually the loss of life that I know that all of us have read in the paper or have actually known individuals in our own communities or in our families that have actually lost their lives. And, certainly, I think that we can all agree that these drugs have taken a tremendous toll on families and communities and alongside, you know, both the RCMP and the Winnipeg city police and the Brandon city police and DOPS, so all of our policing institutions across Manitoba, and then front‑line workers dealing with the–this epidemic and seeing just the devastating toll that it is taking. So, again, I will also use this moment just to, you know, personally say miigwech to everybody that's on the front lines, you know, paramedics, police, front-line-service community organizations and workers that are trying in some way to deal with and address the issue of this, you know, drug epidemic that we're all kind of faced with right now.
And I particularly want to make note of Brandon and the agency that the community of Brandon has in respect of addressing this issue and trying to draw attention to this issue. And I think that that's something everybody in this–all of our colleagues can appreciate how much that they've been working towards bringing more information and actually more resources.
So, you know, of course, in the context of what is a drug epidemic here in Manitoba, I would suggest that, you know, I would respectfully suggest that the Minister of Justice actually failed to consult with the Health Minister on his VIRGO report and, you know, to take an in-depth look at the addiction and mental health systems in Manitoba and what infrastructure we need across Manitoba, not only in Winnipeg, but to deal with this issue in a very serious and robust way and comprehensive way. And, certainly, I think it's no surprise that it's particularly alarming when we see that the VIRGO report was doctored to take out a very key recommendation in respect of a safe-injection site or a safe-consumption site. And I think most experts, if not all, would suggest that that is certainly a good way and a needed way to deal–and just one way, obviously, but to deal with this drug epidemic that we're facing.
Finally–I only have a minute left–I do want to just say that today's been a very difficult day, and early this morning I received a call from chief of police, Danny Smyth, that the body of April Carpenter had been found yesterday in the Red River, and so the colleague–my colleague from Point Douglas and I have been dealing with that ever this–since this morning. And we've been with the family, and it is always so disheartening when we lose another one of our women, and it really makes it acutely–one acutely aware of just how unsafe our women are and how much work has to be done. And so I just–I put that on the record as well.
Mr. Chairperson: We thank the critic from the Official Opposition for those remarks.
Under Manitoba practice, debate on the minister's salary is the last item considered for a department in the Committee of Supply. Accordingly, we shall now defer consideration of line item 4.1.(a) contained in resolution 4.1.
At this time, we invite the minister's staff to join us at the table, and we ask that the minister introduce the staff in attendance.
Mrs. Stefanson: Yes, I'd just like to introduce our staff from the Department of Justice. I have with me today David Wright, who is the Deputy Minister of Justice and Deputy Attorney General. As well, I have Maria Campos, who's the assistant deputy minister for Administration and Finance. We have Greg Graceffo, who's the associate deputy minister of Community Safety, as well as Suzanne Gervais, acting assistant deputy minister of Courts. I think that's it.
Mr. Chairperson: Does the committee wish to proceed through Estimates of this department chronologically or have a global discussion?
Ms. Fontaine: A global discussion, please.
Mr. Chairperson: Thank you. All in favour? Agreed? [Agreed]
It is agreed that questioning for this department will proceed in a global manner with all resolutions being passed once questioning has concluded. The floor is now open for questions.
Ms. Fontaine: Can the minister advise whether or not an internal policy to track the objectives of her criminal justice modernization strategy has been established?
Mrs. Stefanson: I want to thank the member for that question. And, of course, putting together our–I want to thank the department for all the work they have done in putting together–helping put together this Criminal Justice System Modernization Strategy. It's–I think it's very comprehensive and we look forward to rolling it out. And much of it–many aspects of it have already been implemented, and we're starting to see some positive results as a result of some of the things that have taken place so far. Part of that is accountability measures and we have committed to reporting on those publicly, I believe, on an annual basis, as well, and so we look forward to moving forward on that front.
Ms. Fontaine: The minister just noted that they have already–or she and her department have already started to see some positive results. Would she kindly share what some of those itemized positive results are?
Mr. Chairperson: The hour being 5 p.m., committee rise.
Mr. Chairperson (Doyle Piwniuk): Will the Committee of Supply please come to order?
Report
Mr. Dennis Smook (Chairperson of the section of the Committee of Supply meeting in room 255): Mr. Chairperson, in the section of Committee of Supply, meeting in room 255, considering the Estimates of the Department of Families, the honourable member for Flin Flon (Mr. Lindsey), moved the following motion: that line item 9.1.(a) be amended so that the Minister of Families' salary be reduced to $33,600.
Mr. Chairperson, this motion was defeated on a voice vote. Subsequently, two members requested that a counted vote be taken on this matter.
Mr. Chairperson: A request of a vote–[interjection] A recorded vote has been requested. Call in the members.
All sections in Chamber for recorded vote.
Recorded Vote
Mr. Chairperson: The one hour provided to ringing of the division bells has expired. I am now therefore directing the bells to be turned off and we proceed with the vote.
In the section of the Committee of Supply meeting in room 255, considering the Estimates for the Department of Families, the honourable member for Flin Flon moved that line item 9.1.(a) be amended so that the Minister of Families' salary be reduced to $33,600.
This motion was defeated in a voice vote; subsequent, two members requested a formal vote on this matter.
The question before the committee, then, is the motion from the honourable member from Flin Flon.
A COUNT-OUT VOTE was taken, the result being as follows: Yeas 12, Nays 34.
Mr. Chairperson: The motion is accordingly defeated.
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Mr. Chairperson: This section of Committee of Supply will now continue the consideration for the departmental estimates.
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This section of Committee of Supply will now resume consideration of the department for Sustainable Development.
At this time, we invite the ministerial and opposition staff to enter the Chamber.
I'll get the minister to introduce her staff as they're getting to their seats.
Hon. Rochelle Squires (Minister of Sustainable Development): Sure.
It is my honour and privilege to, once again, introduce to this Chamber, Rob Olson, the Deputy Minister for Sustainable Development. I also have with me Matt Wiebe, the assistant deputy minister of Crown Lands and Finance–not the other Matt Wiebe, although I'd be more than happy to introduce him, but. And I have Beth Ulrich, who is the executive director of the Status of Women, joining me today.
Mr. Chairperson: I just want to remind the minister not to use the person's name, but the–the honourable member for–from Point Douglas–
Mrs. Bernadette Smith (Point Douglas): Miigwech.
Mr. Chairperson: –staff member, but I guess they're not in the present right now.
So, as previously agreed, the questioning for the department will proceed in a global manner.
The floor is now open for questions.
The honourable member for Point Douglas.
Mrs. Smith: So, on November 20th, 2017, the government issued a press release announcing that the Family Violence Prevention Program will be transitioned to the Status of Women secretariat. Can the minister advise us whether the transition has actually occurred?
* (16:40)
Ms. Squires: I thank the member for the question. And before I answer her question, I do want to state that my heart goes out to the family of April Carpenter and to the entire community that would be grieving her loss, and wanted to express my deepest condolences to her family.
The member had asked me about the Family Violence Prevention Program and its transition from the Department of Families into the Manitoba Status of Women. And, as the member would know, this occurred in November. We announced it in–November 17th and began the transition right away.
We had felt that, by moving the Family Violence Prevention Program over into the Manitoba Status of Women Secretariat, that there would be not just synergies to be found within the staff from both of those areas, but there would just be a lot more compatibility and some work that could be complemented, and that the people that work in Manitoba Status of Women and, of course, their focus on a lot of the same initiatives that the Family Violence Prevention Program staff are working on in regards to the elimination of gender-based violence, that it would be, you know, a good enhancement of the program to have everyone working together towards the same goals and the same outcomes. So we were really pleased to facilitate this.
The–I can assure the member that, as of November 17th, my executive director has been taking a responsibility for the Family Violence Prevention Program and has been working with all of the stakeholders in that program.
The physical move of staff occurred on January 3rd. It was a transition process for the month of November and December, moving things over and getting things set up, where people's offices are going to be, computers, telephones, physical, you know, information and documents and the files that they actively have. So all that transferring occurred over the month of December, and on January 3rd, it was executed fully.
So the staff are all now working together in the Status of Women department area, and certainly they're–as predicted, we thought that there would be some good outcomes and some good synergies. I have talked to all the staff myself and there, certainly, seems to be a very optimistic, positive attitude about the move.
I was also pleased to spend two mornings thus far with the family violence consortium, and that is the group of stakeholders that represent all the 10 provincial emergency women's shelters, the four residential second-stage programs, and the nine women resource centres that are part of the Family Violence Prevention Program.
So I met with them shortly after the transfer had occurred and then, again–they meet quarterly, so I've attended two–both of those meetings that have occurred since November 17th, and had really good, positive feedback from them and identified some areas to modernize the program with all of the stakeholders. A lot of that has been driven by the front-line workers. They are at the front line of preventing domestic violence and working on really challenging issues of intimate partner violence. And so I really do appreciate the opportunity to listen to them and hear first-hand what they think we could do to better support women and families that are fleeing domestic violence or are looking for supports as they're dealing with gender-based violence of any form of it.
And so, by and large, I think the service providers, the front-line workers, who are involved as well as the staff are very pleased with the transition that has occurred thus far. We do think that they'll still be some work that needs to occur on a go‑forward basis to ensure the synergies are enhanced, and we're looking forward to completing that work and for positive outcomes for women and Manitoba.
Mrs. Smith: Miigwech for sending condolences to the family; I'm sure they'll appreciate that.
Can the minister advise whether this transfer of responsibility included any transfers of staff? I know you did mention that everything has been moved over or full–or FTE positions from the Department of Families to the Status of Women Secretariat.
Ms. Squires: Thanks. I can confirm for the member that all the Family Violence Prevention Program staff have transferred over. And no one was left behind in the Families Department; they're all now in the new department.
Mrs. Smith: On page 51 of the Manitoba Sustainable Development report, the Manitoba Status of Women's secretariat Estimates of Expenditures report a reduction of one FTE equivalent from the Professional/Technical salary line, along with the reduction of Employee Benefits.
When compared to 2017-2018 expenditures, can the minister account for this position loss? What was the position's responsibility and why was it eliminated?
* (16:50)
Ms. Squires: So we had one vacant policy analyst position that was reduced. It had been vacant for a while.
And what we found, as predicted when we had the amalgamation of Family Violence Prevention Program staff and Manitoba Status of Women staff working on preventing family violence, there were a lot of efficiencies–or, a lot of synergies to be found. We've now got more people working in collaboration on the prevention of family violence and the elimination of gender-based violence. And so this one policy analyst that had been vacant for a while was reduced.
Mrs. Smith: So one extra staff position eliminated.
Can the minister please tell us how her government plans for her secretariat to take on this important responsibility with fewer staff than in the previous year?
Ms. Squires: We're actually going from four FTEs in violence prevention to 12. So that is an increase, for all intents and purposes, and we are in the process of hiring another assistant director of the family violence program to enhance the complement and to continue the focused effort from this area on prevention of domestic violence and family violence and all forms of gender‑based violence.
Our government does take this issue very seriously. We've had a strong commitment to the elimination of family violence. We know that our province has the highest rate of sexual violence in the country. Sometimes it's not exactly the highest, according to the statistics, but we also know that the statistics are highly unreliable because not a lot of women are reporting to police or even receiving counselling when they are–when they've experienced sexual trauma, and so that is an area of strong focus for our government.
And I was very pleased last month to partner with the Minister of Municipal Relations (Mr. Wharton) and to focus our–some of the Community Development funding envelope, specifically the Neighbourhoods Alive! program, to place an emphasis on applications that support women in vulnerable situations and enable women's empowerment. So not only are we finding the synergies in bringing Status of Women and Family Violence Prevention Program together, because our government is a team and we're working together in collaboration, minister–the Minister of Municipal Relations and I were able to partner on this and identify women and families who have experienced sexual trauma as being a key priority. And therefore the Neighbourhoods Alive! funding announcement will certainly give families who are dealing with–or the organizations that support families and women and girls who are dealing with violence a priority in their application. So we're really excited about that, and I look forward to further collaboration with the Minister of Municipal Relations.
That's one example where our government has worked together and really brought down the silos in thinking about how we handle violence against women. We know that it is across–it's pervasive throughout all of society and therefore we want the solution to be pervasive throughout all of government. And that's why we are working in partnership. We're reducing the silos. I still work with the Minister of Families (Mr. Fielding) on a variety of initiatives and–in family violence prevention and–because we certainly do believe that the situation in Manitoba, in having the highest rates of sexual violence, having so many families experiencing domestic violence, we know that it's needing a greater collaborative approach. I think as long as family violence–
Mr. Chairperson: The hour being 5 p.m., committee rise.
Call in the Speaker.
IN SESSION
Mr. Deputy Speaker (Doyle Piwniuk): The hour being 5 p.m., the House is now adjourned and stands adjourned until 10 a.m. on Tuesday.
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA
Thursday, May 17, 2018
CONTENTS
Bill 30–The Statutes Correction and Minor Amendments Act, 2018
Standing Committee on Public Accounts
F. Marcelino
International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia
Intoxicated Persons Detention Amendment Act
Professional Accountants Awards Gala
Indigenous Community Consultations
F. Marcelino
B. Smith