LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA
Monday, November 28, 2022
Clerk (Ms. Patricia Chaychuk): It is my duty to inform the House that the Speaker is unavoidably absent. Therefore, in accordance with the statutes, I would ask the Deputy Speaker to please take the Chair.
Mr. Deputy Speaker (Andrew Micklefield): O Eternal and Almighty God, from Whom all power and wisdom come, we are assembled here before Thee to frame such laws as may tend to the welfare and prosperity of our province. Grant, O merciful God, we pray Thee, that we may desire only that which is in accordance with Thy will, that we may seek it with wisdom and know it with certainty and accomplish it perfectly for the glory and honour of Thy name and for the welfare of all our people. Amen.
We acknowledge we are gathered on Treaty 1 territory and that Manitoba is located on the treaty territories and ancestral lands of the Anishinaabeg, Anishininewuk, Dakota Oyate, Denesuline and Nehethowuk nations. We acknowledge Manitoba is located on the Homeland of the Red River Métis. We acknowledge northern Manitoba includes lands that were and are the ancestral lands of the Inuit. We respect the spirit and intent of treaties and treaty making and remain committed to working in partnership with First Nations, Inuit and Métis people in the spirit of truth, reconciliation and collaboration.
Good afternoon, everybody. Please be seated.
Mr. Obby Khan (Fort Whyte): I move, seconded by the member from Kildonan‑River East, that Bill 213, The Animal Care Amendment Act, now be read a first time.
Motion presented.
Mr. Khan: This bill amends The Animal Care Act to prohibit leaving a companion animal, such as a dog or a cat, in an unattended vehicle if the temperature in the vehicle is dangerously hot or cold for the animal. If the exterior temperature is more than 22°C or less than -10°C, it is presumed that the temperature inside the vehicle is dangerous for the animal. An officer is authorized to use force to enter a locked vehicle to remove an animal if they use the minimum necessary force, report the entry to an animal protection officer and remain with the animal until an animal protection officer arrives on the scene or provides instructions.
Mr. Deputy Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed]
Hon. Cameron Friesen (Minister of Finance): Mr. Deputy Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister for Indigenous Reconciliation and Northern Relations, that Bill 10, The Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Amendment Act (Social Responsibility Fee Repealed), be now read a first time.
Motion presented.
Mr. Friesen: Mr. Deputy Speaker, this bill amends The Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Act in order to repeal the social responsibility fee on cannabis retailers operating in Manitoba effective January 1st, 2023.
The social responsibility fee ensured that cannabis retailers contributed to the social costs associated with the legalization of cannabis, including increased health costs, public education and addiction services. After four years of legalization, the cannabis market is maturing. The regulatory costs to the province are well known, leading to the repealing of the social responsibility fee and the transition to a new taxation regime for the long term. Repealing the social responsibility fee will continue to reduce cannabis costs to consumers looking to switch from the illegal market.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, this initiative is another step toward our government's goal of supporting legal cannabis operators in their efforts to displace the illegal cannabis market in Manitoba.
Mr. Deputy Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?
Some Honourable Members: Agreed.
Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable minister of Sport, Culture–[interjection] Agreed and so ordered.
Hon. Andrew Smith (Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage): I move, seconded by the Minister of Natural Resources and Northern Development (Mr. Nesbitt), that The Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Amendment and Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corporation Amendment Act; la loi modifiant la loi sur la réglement des alcools, des jeux et du cannabis et la loi de Société manitobaine des alcools et des loteries, be now read a first time.
Mr. Deputy Speaker: It has been moved by the honourable Minister for Sport, Culture and Heritage, seconded by–can you–I didn't hear who you had as your seconder. It's not.
An Honourable Member: Minister of Natural Resources and Northern Development.
Mr. Deputy Speaker: –the honourable Minister of Natural Resources, that Bill 9, the liquor, gaming and cannabis control amendment act and Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corporation amendment act, be now read a first time.
Mr. Smith: This bill amends The Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Act and The Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corporation Act in order to enable existing liquor retailers to improve their product selection, expand local craft manufacturing opportunities and allow for enhanced security measures for the safety of patrons and staff of liquor retailers.
The current liquor retail framework is restrictive in nature and limits what products can be sold under different liquor licences. This bill will provide the opportunity for hotel beer vendors, rural liquor vendors and specialty wine stores in the province to carry a flexible assortment of liquor products to meet their business and their customer needs.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, our government is also committed to supporting Manitoba‑based businesses and local craft manufacturing industry. This bill will allow liquor–local liquor manufacturers to sell a broader assortment of products at their manufacturing location in whichever fashion suits their business needs.
Security measures to prevent theft are an important aspect of the retail environment, and liquor retail is no different. This bill will allow Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries to include enhanced security measures as a part of liquor retail agreements.
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Manitobans know how the price of fuel has risen, and trimming down a number of stops in different retailers will save Manitobans money and offer more choice when making a trip to a local retailer.
Ultimately, Mr. Deputy Speaker, this bill furthers our government's focus on reducing red tape for Manitoba businesses and allowing Manitobans more convenience and choice when they go shopping for liquor in this great province of Manitoba.
Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker.
Mr. Deputy Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed]
Ms. Amanda Lathlin (The Pas-Kameesak): I move, seconded by member for St. Johns (MLA Fontaine), that bill two-one-ten, The Employment Standards Code Amendment Act (Leave for Miscarriage or Stillbirth), now be read for a first time.
Mr. Deputy Speaker: It has been moved by the honourable member for The Pas-Kameesak, seconded by the honourable member for St. Johns, that Bill 210, The Employment Standards Code Amendment Act (Leave for Miscarriage or Stillbirth), be now read a first time.
Ms. Lathlin: Mr. Deputy Speaker, I am pleased to introduce bill two-one-ten, The Employment Standards Code Amendment Act (Leave for Miscarriage or Stillbirth). The unexpected loss can be emotionally trying on expectant and new parents. This bill would allow parents to take up to three days of paid leave following a miscarriage or stillbirth.
Currently, Manitobans who experience a miscarriage or still bird–stillbirth have to cut into their sick leave, lose part of their paycheque or risk their jobs just to take time off to heal.
I hope this Assembly will follow the lead of these other jurisdictions and unanimously support this bill.
Ekosi.
Mr. Deputy Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed]
MLA Nahanni Fontaine (St. Johns): I move, seconded by the member for Union Station (MLA Asagwara), that Bill 211, The Reciprocal Enforcement of Judgments Amendment Act, be now read a first time.
Motion presented.
MLA Fontaine: I am pleased to introduce Bill 211, The Reciprocal Enforcement of Judgments Amendment Act. Bill 211 ensures Manitobans' right to abortion services are even more strongly protected. Bill 211 prohibits the enforcement of a civil judgment of a court outside Manitoba, particularly US states with draconian laws on abortion, in respect of accessing abortion services here in Manitoba.
To be more specific, if a US citizen seeks out an abortion in Manitoba, Bill 211 protects the abortion provider from any US civil judgment.
Several states in the US have turned their–turned back the clock on bodily autonomy by overturning Roe v. Wade. We must ensure access to abortion services are available even to those outside our borders, and that in doing so, we protect our abortion providers.
I look forward to the unanimous support of Bill 211 in this House.
Mr. Deputy Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed]
MLA Nahanni Fontaine (St. Johns): I move, seconded by the member for The Pas-Kameesak (Ms. Lathlin), that Bill 212, The Regulated Health Professions Amendment Act, be now read a first time.
Motion presented.
MLA Fontaine: I'm pleased to introduce Bill 212, The Regulated Health Professions Amendment Act. Bill 212 aims to end the practice of forced sterilization in Manitoba.
For generations and up until today, Indigenous women, girls, two‑spirited and gender‑diverse relatives had been victims of forced sterilization. Forced sterilization violates control over our own bodies and is a breach of our human rights.
Bill 212 would require the college of a regulated health profession whose members manage labour or delivery of babies to include in its continuing competency program education and training to ensure no person experiences forced sterilization.
I look forward to the unanimous support of Bill 211 in this House.
Mr. Deputy Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed]
Introduction of Guests
Mr. Deputy Speaker: Before moving to committee reports I'd like to draw the attention of all members to the gallery where we have guests with us from River East Collegiate: 15 grade 9 students under the direction of Dennis Develnick.
We welcome you to the Manitoba Legislature and hope you have a great afternoon here. Welcome.
Mr. James Teitsma (Chairperson): Mr. Deputy Speaker, I wish to present the first report of the Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development.
Clerk (Ms. Patricia Chaychuk): Your Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development–
Some Honourable Members: Dispense.
Mr. Deputy Speaker: Dispense.
Your Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development presents the following as its First Report.
Meetings
Your Committee met on November 24, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. in Room 255 of the Legislative Building.
Matters under Consideration
· Bill (No. 4) – The Minimum Wage Adjustment Act, 2022 (Employment Standards Code Amended) / Loi de 2022 sur le rajustement du salaire minimum (modification du Code des normes d'emploi)
Committee Membership
· Hon. Mr. Helwer
· MLA Lindsey
· Ms. Morley-Lecomte
· Hon. Mr. Smith (Lagimodière)
· Mr. Teitsma
· Mr. Wasyliw
Your Committee elected Mr. Teitsma as the Chairperson.
Your Committee elected Ms. Morley-Lecomte as the Vice-Chairperson.
Public Presentations
Your Committee heard the following two presentations on Bill (No. 4) – The Minimum Wage Adjustment Act, 2022 (Employment Standards Code Amended) / Loi de 2022 sur le rajustement du salaire minimum (modification du Code des normes d'emploi):
Kevin Rebeck, Manitoba Federation of Labour
Niall Harney, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives Manitoba
Bills Considered and Reported
· Bill (No. 4) – The Minimum Wage Adjustment Act, 2022 (Employment Standards Code Amended) / Loi de 2022 sur le rajustement du salaire minimum (modification du Code des normes d'emploi)
Your Committee agreed to report this Bill without amendment.
Mr. Teitsma: Mr. Deputy Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable member for Seine River (Ms. Morley‑Lecomte), that the report of the committee be received.
Motion agreed to.
Mr. Deputy Speaker: Tabling of reports? Ministerial reports?
Hon. Doyle Piwniuk (Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure): Mr. Deputy Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the people of Swan Lake First Nation and all the great work they have done in their success for–in economic development within our province.
I've had the pleasure of meeting with this group on many occasions where there was always positive exchanges. That is why today I've acknowledged Swan Lake First Nation with the private member statement.
As the only First Nation community in my constituency of Turtle Mountain, I want to express my gratitude for the amazing work they do. Between the residential and commercial developments in their community, as well as their office expansion growth in Headingley and the business in Carberry, Manitoba, the people of Swan Lake First Nation are getting things done.
Economic development is one of my true passions, and it is an honour to have a community in my riding who dedicates their time in doing this work. I am happy to see that they take a regional approach in collaborating with both municipal and provincial levels of government to help improve the economy in our province, Mr. Deputy Speaker.
Our government's taken our relationship with Manitobans and Indigenous people very seriously. I'm pleased to meet with–I was with chief and council of Swan Lake First Nation on August 31st, when I attended the Swan Lake First Nation's Annual Pow Wow, which I was fortunate to participate in, and again on September 30th, for the proclaimed national day of truth and reconciliation.
We are working further plans with their Indigenous board members to ensure to continue to build a positive and collaborative working relationship between our government and the groups such as peoples of Swan Lake First Nation.
Madam–Mr. Deputy Speaker, we have a special guest in the gallery today, and I'm proud to introduce Mr.–Chief Jason Daniels, who's here with us today. Along he has his members of council, is Michael Esquash, Tina [phonetic] Scott, Roberta Morrissette and Leslie Hobson-Wilson, who's not here today because of–they're also in conferences around the province.
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Manitobans can learn a lot from this group, and they have great ideas when it comes to developing economically within our beautiful province of Manitoba. We hope to meet more Manitobans who share the vision of progressing Manitoba economy, just as the people of Swan Lake strive on a daily basis, Mr. Deputy Speaker.
MLA Uzoma Asagwara (Union Station): Deputy Speaker, under this PC government, there has been a myriad of challenges and concerns about cuts to health care in Manitoba. Our health‑care system is under pressure, and front‑line health‑care workers are bearing the weight of poor decisions made by this PC government.
Currently, two hundred–sorry, 2,400 nurse positions are vacant across the province and the use of agency nurses has surged to over $400 million per year. Nurses have been cut as were programs to attract and retain nurses here in Manitoba.
The shortage of front‑line workers due to these cuts by the PC government is neither fair to our health‑care staff, who work tirelessly to ensure functionality of our health‑care system, nor is it fair or considerate of the needs of Manitobans who have a right to access quality health care.
The PC government has also closed emergency rooms, urgent‑care centres, community clinics and other health infrastructure, making it difficult for Manitobans to access health care, especially for those living in northern Manitoba.
Since this government's very first budget, they've continuously underspent their commitments to improve health‑care facilities by tens of millions of dollars. Promises made but promises never kept by this government. Budgets for health care and infrastructure such as hospitals and other medical facilities have been underspent by a massive $816 million since 2016.
We need a government we can trust, one that does what they say, one that is attentive to front‑line health‑care workers and provides access to health care for all Manitobans regardless of where they live in our beautiful province. This is why the NDP will commit to investing in medical facilities, filling vacant positions and working to reverse the damage done to our health-care system by this callous PC government.
Thank you, Deputy Speaker.
Hon. Andrew Smith (Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage): Mr. Deputy Speaker, I rise today to recognize two extraordinary young athletes who reside in my constituency: Yohnatan–or Yoni–Elizarov and Ava Kemp, who are two and–upcoming world‑class figure skaters who have recently began taking the Canadian and international junior figure skating circuit by storm.
Both these skaters began their passion at a very young age. Yoni, who is now 18, was seven when he started skating and by age 10 developed a passion to take it to the competitive level. Ava, who is 14, started skating at three, competing at six and, by seven, was even regularly landing an axel, a very complex manoeuver.
The two of them have each sent–spent a decade working their way up in–to the many levels it takes to attain Canadian juniors. Yoni and Ava officially became a pairs figure skating team in June of 2021.
In February of 2022, at the Canadian Tire national figure skating championships in Calgary, they won the novice pair title after training together for only eight months.
The young pair was selected to proudly represent their country on the junior international grand prix circuit, where after training for little more than a year, they would go on to second place in Riga, Latvia, in September and fifth in Gudnas [phonetic]–I'll say that again–Gdańsk, Poland, in October of this year.
With those placements, they qualified for the junior international grand prix final in Turin, Italy, this December, which features the top six placed teams in the world, of which they ranked No. 5.
In 2023, they will be competing at the Canadian Tire national figure skating championships in Oshawa and, potentially, the I-C-S-U world junior figure skating championships taking place in Calgary this coming February. I am very proud of them and wish them the greatest of success.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, I ask all members of this House to join me in extending a very warm welcome to Yoni and Elena Elizarov and Ava and Lori Kemp, who are up here in the gallery today. Please join me.
MLA Nahanni Fontaine (St. Johns): The Premier's (Mrs. Stefanson) greatest hits, in no particular order: chose not to walk in the Pride parade; forgot to disclose $31 million in property sales; awarded $23 million to a company her family has a financial interest in; broke Elections Manitoba rules; voted against making Orange Shirt Day a statutory day here in Manitoba; voted against–several times–citizens' rights to access abortion health care without being harassed or intimidated by anti-choice protesters; attempted to mislead Manitobans by referring to a non-existent supervised consumption site in California; abandoned Manitoba's unsheltered relatives; regularly schedules press conferences during QP, avoiding accountability; refused to tell the anti-vax, white nationalist convoy to go home after they shut down the borders, blocked hospitals and continued to occupy downtown; when asked what mistakes her government made during the pandemic, she said I don't know, I don't have them all in front of me right now–there were lots of deadly mistakes made, Deputy Speaker, the consequences of which Manitobans are still dealing with today; instead of working collaboratively on community safety, the Premier took a side and undermined the Winnipeg chief of police by publicly criticizing him; chose to give–[interjection]
Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order.
MLA Fontaine: –a shout-out to her son's hockey team rather than apologize to the–[interjection]
Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order.
MLA Fontaine: –family of Krystal Mousseau; abandoned–[interjection]
Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order.
MLA Fontaine: –Manitobans as the Health minister and Premier when she told us we're all on our own; has turned a blind eye to the lies and inconsistencies of her Kirkfield Park candidate, Kevin Klein.
The role of Premier, minister and MLA–
Mr. Deputy Speaker: The member's time has expired.
Some Honourable Members: Leave.
Some Honourable Members: No.
Mr. Deputy Speaker: Leave has been denied.
Mr. Len Isleifson (Brandon East): Each day that passes creates more opportunities for Manitoba's second largest city to grow and to prosper. People visit from all over the world. And while there are many things for them to see and do, experiencing the cuisine from our ever-growing, diverse culture is high on that list.
A few years ago, Ana Beltran and Helder Riano had a desire to share their authentic, handmade Latin cuisine with neighbours and friends. From far–or, from their home far in Colombia, each dish is–served at Sabor Latino is handmade with care and bursts with authentic Latin flavour that will be sure to satisfy everyone's taste buds.
If you're looking for an authentic Mexican food in Brandon, be sure to check out Mariachi Mexican Tacos and Cantina, where Carlos and his staff will serve up everything from steak tacos to quesadillas to a full Mexican platter.
You'll also find a great selection of authentic Mediterranean fusion cuisine at Babakadir shawarma restaurant. Chicken shawarma, beef shawarma and souvlaki are just some of the many flavour-filled items on the menu at this downtown restaurant.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, if it's Indian street food or an Indochinese menu you're after, then I recommend you stop by Chilli Chutney on 34th Street. Their weekday lunch and daily dinner buffets offer mild to medium spice levels or, if your taste is for something a little bit spicier, then order off the menu will be your best choice.
If you have already enjoyed one of the many amazing restaurants in Brandon and are ready to head home with a full belly and all your Christmas shopping done, stop by A Tea Love for a delicious Taiwanese-, Japanese‑ or Filipino-induced refreshing beverage. Enjoy the great hospitality from Adrian and Lovelia, as there are many options to choose from, but I do highly recommend the salted caramel milk tea.
These are just a few food and beverage establishments in Brandon, as there are too many great places to mention in just two minutes, so I invite all of my colleagues, and all of Manitobans, to spend some time in Brandon and to enjoy the great hospitality we have to offer.
Thank you.
Mr. Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): You know, many people compared Brian Pallister to a grinch, but even he held a virtual holiday open house. It's only the Stefanson government that has cancelled the Legislature's annual holiday open house.
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You know, this is the people's building, and at this festive time of year we really should be welcoming people in to celebrate the fact that we can all be together again. And yet, just like with everything else, the Stefanson government has decided to cut, and this time they've cut the people's Christmas celebration.
Now, if this sounds like the first act of a holiday movie, then rest assured, acts two and three will see the Manitoba NDP working hard to save Christmas and to fix health care.
Speaking of which, why did the Premier cut health care in Manitoba?
Hon. Heather Stefanson (Premier): Talk about a Leader of the Opposition that is completely out of touch with reality, Mr. Deputy Speaker.
This is a Leader of the Opposition that wants to shut Manitoba down, that wants to mask absolutely everyone out there, but yet wants to open the doors of the Manitoba Legislature wide for everyone.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, he speaks out of both sides of his mouth. But when it comes to the–to health care in our province, I know the Leader of the Opposition held a political stunt over the weekend–one of our hospitals. I wonder if he informed those individuals of what the dark days looked like during the Selinger government, because I can tell you what he is advocating for right now is just like Greg Selinger.
Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a follow-up question.
Mr. Kinew: It's remarkable to see Manitoba's Premier go full convoy in the answer there, but I don't think any of us are surprised. And I don't think any of us is surprised that, just like Brian Pallister, this Premier continues to cut health-care services in Manitoba.
You know why we rallied at the park, on public property, across from the Grace Hospital? Because people at Kirkfield Park are fed up with cuts to the Grace. And, of course, people in Manitoba are fed up with seeing nurse positions remaining vacant. They're fed up with seeing emergency rooms being closed, and they're fed up with the surgical and diagnostic backlog.
Will the Premier explain to the people of Manitoba how, in spite of their widespread opposition, she continues to cut the health care Manitobans rely on?
Mrs. Stefanson: Well, again, Mr. Deputy Speaker, the litany of false accusations is nothing new for the Leader of the Opposition and all members opposite.
I wonder if, at his political stunt in front of the Grace Hospital, Mr. Deputy Speaker, he also informed those in attendance–most of whom were his own colleagues that are sitting in the bench today–I wonder if he also informed them that back during the Selinger years, that the Grace Hospital had the worst emergency wait rooms in the country. And that wasn't after a pandemic.
Manitobans know one thing. They put Wab Kinew–or, sorry, the Leader of the Opposition and Greg Selinger is–Mr. Deputy Speaker, I apologize for that–the Leader of the Opposition is just like Greg Selinger. Manitobans don't want to go back to those dark days.
An Honourable Member: Are you going to [inaudible] unparliamentary behaviour?
Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh.
Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order, please. Order, please.
It is long-standing practice of this House that if a member inadvertently makes an error and owns it quickly, that it does not been–it is not required that it is drawn attention to. If members make errors and do not own them quickly, as we did just see was owned quickly, then the Speaker is obliged to call it out.
So, that's what will be happening going forward. And that is what has happened in the past as well.
The honourable member–the honourable Leader of the Official Opposition.
Mr. Kinew: You know, I know the Premier's jealous that the Manitoba NDP can have a rally and have people show up because no one would show up to a rally that they held. [interjection]
Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order.
Mr. Kinew: It's just like the fact that we were able to have our annual general convention this year–[interjection]
Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order.
Mr. Kinew: –whereas they were afraid to face–[interjection]
Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order.
Mr. Kinew: –their own PC Party members. And it's just like the fact that we were able to hold a fundraising dinner this fall and sadly, tragically, they even had to cut the PC's enchanted forest fundraiser, precious as that sounded.
But what Manitobans really care about–[interjection]
Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order.
Mr. Kinew: –is the fact that their health care is being cut time and time again. The Grace Hospital, ICU beds were cut, ICU nursing positions were cut, and now we see a refusal to invest in simple ideas like our proposal to expand clinic hours at the ACCESS right next to the Grace Hospital.
When will this PC government stop cutting–
Mr. Deputy Speaker: The member's time has expired.
Mrs. Stefanson: Well, Mr. Deputy Speaker, just like Greg Selinger, the Leader of the Opposition will continue to put ideology ahead of patient care. We will never do that in Manitoba.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, I wonder if the Leader of the Opposition, at his rally stunt on Saturday, also indicated the facts of the matter: that our government has invested more than $77 million into the Grace Hospital; $44 million into the emergency department alone. I wonder if those facts came out at the political stunt that the Leader of the Opposition and his members had on the front steps of the Grace Hospital.
While the Leader of the Opposition, members opposite, are busy playing politics–[interjection]
Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order.
Mrs. Stefanson: –with the lives of Manitobans, we will continue to get them the health care that they need. [interjection]
Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order.
The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a new question.
Mr. Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): Not only are the PC talking points worse than they've ever been, health care in Manitoba is worse than it's ever been under this Premier.
The residents of Eriksdale and surrounding communities are speaking out. They're sick of the cuts that the PCs are making to health care, and they're worried about the upcoming closure of their emergency room. They're concerned that, you know, these issues brought forward since September are now being manifested with a closure which this government will say is going to continue 'til December 15th. However, we haven't heard any concrete plans to ensure that services would resume at such time.
Will the Premier commit to the residents of Eriksdale and surrounding regions that that emergency room will, in fact, reopen on December 15th?
Hon. Heather Stefanson (Premier): Well, Mr. Deputy Speaker, I know the leader–or, the Minister of Health (Ms. Gordon) and regional health authorities have been working diligently to ensure that we can get those health‑care professionals into those communities as quickly as possible.
That's why we announced more than $200 million to invest in more than 2,000 more health‑care workers. That's doctors, that's nurses, that's health‑care professionals that will go into these communities, Mr. Deputy Speaker.
But I'll remind the member opposite, and I'll remind all Manitobans, that we don't want to go back to those dark days of the–it's Greg Selinger government, Mr. Deputy Speaker, where they closed almost 20 rural emergency departments in the province of Manitoba. We will continue to put the money in place to ensure that we get more human resources here in the province of Manitoba when it comes to health care.
Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a supplementary question.
Mr. Kinew: You know, Brian Pallister promised more doctors in 2016, and it was another PC broken promise.
But at that time, he said he would, quote, review programs, end quote, to attract more physicians to Manitoba. Of course, we all know what review means when it comes to this PC government. It means that they are going to cut, cut, cut.
In fact, in 2017, this government, with this Premier at the Cabinet table, cut $4.2 million from the program that was to help recruit physicians, family docs, to communities like Eriksdale. That contributed to the crisis that we are currently facing today.
In spite of whatever press release they want to kick out during an election year, that's the record of this government when it comes to health care.
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We need a firm commitment, one which escaped the grasp of the Premier in her first answer.
Will the Eriksdale ER reopen on December 15th?
Mrs. Stefanson: Well, the Leader of the Opposition should be aware of the fact that we have just come through a worldwide pandemic, Mr. Deputy Speaker, where it's been challenging, not just here in Manitoba, when it comes to human resources within our health-care system, but right across our country.
In fact, back under the Greg Selinger days, Mr. Deputy Speaker, the minister of the–Health even recognized that there were challenges at that time. And I will remind the Leader of the Opposition that that wasn't just after a pandemic.
She said, and I quote: but we recognize that physician recruitment and retention to rural hospitals isn't just an issue here in Manitoba. It's an issue across the country.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, this has been a long-standing issue that, I will tell you, we are working towards alleviating: $200 million; 2,000 more health-care professionals, when the Leader of the Opposition and the NDP did absolutely nothing back in those days.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Manitobans don't want to go back to those dark days again.
Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a final supplementary.
Mr. Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): The fact is simple: health care is worse in Manitoba today than it has ever been. Not only in Eriksdale; we also know that residents of the Cartwright and Roblin area are now going to have to travel further and further to get bloodwork and lab tests done.
This means longer travel times. This means health care getting further and further away from home. I'll table the letter which confirms the fact that this health-care service is being cut in another part of rural Manitoba.
We think that all these cuts are wrong. We know that folks in rural communities count on being able to have services like this in their communities. It's part of being able to attract young families to move to areas or to be able to fulfill the promise as retirement communities.
Will the Premier reverse this cut? Will bloodwork services be available for residents in Cartwright and Roblin going forward?
Hon. Heather Stefanson (Premier): And the–[interjection]
Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order, please.
Mrs. Stefanson: The Leader of the Opposition, if he wants to listen to the answer, Mr. Deputy Speaker, is that there is a human resource challenge within the health-care system, not just here in Manitoba but right across the country. And that is a result of a worldwide pandemic that we are all trying to work collectively to come through.
But I will remind the Leader of the Opposition that back in the dark days of the Selinger government, Mr. Deputy Speaker, the minister of Health said, and I quote: In the Virden ER, there were two doctors that have left to go to another jurisdiction within Manitoba. It means we cannot keep the ER open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We just don't have the staff there right now to do it.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, that was at a time before a worldwide pandemic. That was in 2014. They had the opportunity. The NDP had the opportunity to fix that at the time. They didn't.
Where they failed, we will deliver.
Mr. Nello Altomare (Transcona): The PC government's looming education funding review means more of the same for Manitoba classrooms. Years of cuts and underfunding have meant the Province's share of education has fallen from 62.4 per cent to 56.4 per cent. It has meant cuts to so many classrooms and impossible decisions for school divisions.
It's time for a new approach, Deputy Speaker.
Will the minister commit to properly fund our classrooms and stop the cuts in the coming education funding model?
Hon. Wayne Ewasko (Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning): Once again, my friend from Transcona stands up and not only puts false information on the record, Mr. Deputy Speaker, he continues to fear monger.
Not only are school divisions our education partners, but also parents and students across this great province of ours.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, $460 million more in education this year alone; that's far more than the NDP ever put towards education.
We're not going to take any lessons from the member opposite.
Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable member for Transcona, on a follow-up question.
Mr. Altomare: Evergreen School Division is consulting on next year's budget. They are asking residents which programs they should cut, including junior kindergarten, field trips, extracurricular, band programs or school fee subsidies. They're also considering cancelling special high school courses. All of this because of cuts and underfunding.
The education funding model needs to change track.
Will the minister commit to no more cuts today?
Mr. Ewasko: I listened to the member from Transcona get up once again–and the member knows, Mr. Deputy Speaker, that the funding model that was there previous for 20‑plus years is old, antiquated, confusing. Even him, as a former administrator, Mr. Deputy Speaker, couldn't figure it out. [interjection]
Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order.
Mr. Ewasko: But don't get me wrong; that's no surprise because we know that math is hard for the members of the NDP party, Mr. Deputy Speaker.
We know that we're funding $460 million more to education this year alone. We've got more good news coming towards education, Mr. Deputy Speaker.
We're not going to go back to the dark days of the Selinger and the member for Fort Rouge (Mr. Kinew) government, Mr. Deputy Speaker.
Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable member for Transcona, on a final supplementary.
Mr. Altomare: Evergreen School Division says the PC government's decisions to–put their local programming at risk. In their survey, they say, and I quote: As funding cuts continue, we will not have the means to continue to offer our usual slate of programming.
A lot is at stake, and Evergreen is not alone. With the coming education funding model, Deputy Speaker, will this government change track and commit to no more funding cuts for Manitoba schools?
Mr. Ewasko: Over the last few years since we've formed government, Mr. Deputy Speaker, we continue to increase funding to education. Matter of fact, Mr. Deputy Speaker, with many of the inputs that we have put in in regards to funding, we are now looking at the government of Manitoba funding around 75 per cent of overall education funding coming right from government.
That was–that's a far stretch from the miniscule amount of–[interjection]
Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order.
Mr. Ewasko: –dollars that the members–[interjection]
Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order.
Mr. Ewasko: –opposite used to put towards.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, parents and guardians out there want to see success for all students, no matter where they live, their cultural background or their personal circumstance. We're getting it done.
MLA Uzoma Asagwara (Union Station): Deputy Speaker, Lions Place has hundreds of seniors housing units. It keeps rent affordable for many seniors in downtown Winnipeg. These units should not be lost to private, out‑of‑province developers. We need these units preserved for the use of seniors now and for the future.
Will the minister intervene to save seniors housing at Lions Place?
Hon. Rochelle Squires (Minister of Families): I thank members opposite for that question. It is really unfortunate that that–the Lions Club did not inform the government of Manitoba of their decision before the decision was made. It was very difficult for the Province to come in and–on this private sale after the fact.
And so, what we are committed to doing, Mr. Deputy Speaker, is ensuring that all seniors in the province have a safe and affordable place to call home and that all seniors living at Lions Place will continue to have affordable rents. That is what our government is committed to, and that is what we're working towards addressing.
Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable member for Union Station, on a follow-up question.
MLA Asagwara: Deputy Speaker, one of the first acts of this government was to sell off hundreds of social housing units at 185 Smith in my constituency of Union Station. There are thousands of Manitobans on the waiting list for social housing.
The Lions Place mortgage was serviced by public funds. It's just wrong that it would be sold off now to an out‑of‑province corporation. These units need to be preserved for seniors in Manitoba.
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Will the minister intervene to save affordable seniors housing at Lions Place?
Ms. Squires: Member opposite knows full well that it was their government that let the Smith building vacate and remain empty–derelict. It was a vacant building for years under their government. They did nothing to address that vacant building in downtown Winnipeg.
Our government is committed to ensuring that seniors have affordable housing. That is why we signed on to the National Housing Strategy, Mr. Deputy Speaker. And that is why we've built 745 new units of social and affordable housing since we took office–something I would like to remind members opposite that they voted against each and every time.
Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable member for Union Station, with a final supplementary.
MLA Asagwara: Deputy Speaker, I encourage the minister to watch a video on my social media right now where a resident of Lions Place was displaced from 185 Smith after they sold it, and now he's terrified he's about to lose his housing again due to this government's inaction. [interjection]
Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order.
MLA Asagwara: We need housing in Manitoba now and well into the future. Ultimately, we're going to lose hundreds of seniors housing units downtown because they're so–because they're going to be sold off, rather, to a private, out-of-province corporation.
The mortgage at Lions Place was serviced by public money. It must remain a public benefit.
Will the minister take action today to save housing at Lions Place for hundreds of seniors?
Ms. Squires: Well, Mr. Deputy Speaker, I thought that it was a real low when the NDP told cancer patients that they would not be receiving their cancer medication. I thought that was as low as they could go.
Today, we see a new low with them fear mongering among seniors. Our government is committed to ensuring that all–[interjection]
Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order.
Ms. Squires: –seniors have a safe and affordable place to live in this province, including ensuring that all the residents at Lions Place–[interjection]
Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order.
Ms. Squires: –continue to achieve safe and affordable rents and that they have a place–[interjection]
Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order.
Ms. Squires: –to rent now and well into the future.
We are committed to ensuring and addressing the needs of all seniors in this province, particularly those on a fixed income who are experiencing lower incomes that need those safe–or, those affordable rents. We are committed to getting the job done, Mr. Deputy Speaker.
MLA Nahanni Fontaine (St. Johns): No one believes any of what you just said.
There are–[interjection]
Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order.
MLA Fontaine: –still so many unanswered questions–[interjection]
Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order.
MLA Fontaine: –surrounding Winnipeg's real estate and capital construction–[interjection]
Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order.
MLA Fontaine: –scandals.
New information shed some light into the findings of the RCMP's Project Dioxide criminal investigation. The investigation found Winnipeg Fire Paramedic land swap records shredded and property values altered. No charges would–laid.
The RCMP has stated, and I quote, should a 'whistleblair'–blower/informant come forward with information, this matter could be reviewed for further action.
Will the Premier (Mrs. Stefanson) do the right thing and call a public inquiry today?
Hon. Cliff Cullen (Minister of Economic Development, Investment and Trade): Well, Mr. Deputy Speaker, appreciate the question again from the members opposite.
I think the members opposite should recognize there's a process under way through the court system as we speak. We are allowing that particular process to unfold as it rightfully should.
Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable member for St. Johns, on a follow-up question.
MLA Fontaine: Project Dioxide discovered that land swap documents were shredded, property values were altered and a City worker was pressured into claiming different parcels of land were equal in value.
Newly elected Winnipeg mayor, Scott Gillingham, has called for accountability, saying, and I quote, what we need to do for the sake of the people of Winnipeg is get to the truth of matters, change what needs to be changed, recoup what can be recouped for the taxpayers, end quote. Yet, the Premier still refuses to call a public inquiry.
Will the Premier do the right thing by Winnipeggers and finally call a public inquiry?
Mr. Cullen: Well, Mr. Deputy Speaker, we will do the right thing.
There's a process under way. The courts are going through a process now in respect of the situation that's unfolding. The–history is–has done the same thing in other cases, allowing the system to evolve. Once that system evolves–and, again, once other information becomes to light, those particular processes are evolved and they go through the court system, then decisions will be made subsequent to that time.
Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable member for St. Johns, on a final supplementary.
MLA Fontaine: That's a shameful response from the Deputy Premier.
Project Dioxide led that the RCMP to consider charges such as breach of trust by a public officer, municipal corruption, fraud over $5,000 and a payment of secret commissions. While charges weren't laid, the RCMP did not rule them out in the future as more information could shed new light.
A public inquiry could provide this information to the RCMP and to Winnipeggers and ensure responsible parties are held accountable. The Premier (Mrs. Stefanson) should do the right thing by Winnipeg taxpayers, who are on the hook for all of these scandals.
Will the Premier actually have some courage, stand up in the House today and call a public inquiry into the City of Winnipeg's real estate and capital–
Mr. Deputy Speaker: Member's time has expired.
Mr. Cullen: Well, Mr. Deputy Speaker, what is shameful is members opposite wanting us, as government, to interfere with a civil lawsuit. That is not on the go.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, the process is playing out, as it has in the past. This is the right way for this to proceed.
The Premier has spoken before. The Minister of Justice (Mr. Goertzen) has said we will certainly monitor the situation. As other information becomes available, we'll certainly monitor the situation as it develops.
Mr. Matt Wiebe (Concordia): Mr. Deputy Speaker, I wanted to start by congratulating the Association of Manitoba Municipalities on a fantastic, successful fall convention.
And while there was lively debate on a variety of issues on the floor of that convention, there was one thing that everyone agreed on. That is: that the PCs should end the municipal funding freeze.
For seven straight budgets, Mr. Deputy Speaker–Mr. Speaker, costs have continued to increase for those municipalities, but the PCs maintain the funding freeze.
We've been clear: we would end the funding freeze if we were to be able to form government.
Will the minister simply get on board and commit to municipalities that she will end the municipal–
Mr. Deputy Speaker: The member's time has expired.
Hon. Eileen Clarke (Minister of Municipal Relations): I appreciate the opportunity to put a few words in here today.
Listening to the member opposite, you'd think he actually knows Manitoba municipalities. Well, let's go back. Let's have a little history lesson.
Do they remember the 60-plus municipalities that they totally eliminated in 2014? Oh, my goodness. And they are standing up here pretending they represent 'municipala'?
It's an absolute joke.
Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh.
Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. Order. Order. Order.
The honourable member for Concordia, on a follow-up question.
Mr. Wiebe: Seven budgets in a row. That is the record of this PC government and their continued funding freeze to our municipalities.
If they want to show to municipalities that they want to be partners, it's time to end that funding freeze. They are stretched–municipalities are stretched further and further as they try to deliver those programs and services that Manitobans count on, yet this PC government continues to show they are not listening. The minister herself admitted all costs have gone up, but she wouldn't commit to ending the funding freeze.
Will she simply do that for the House here today?
Ms. Clarke: I've had the privilege of working with or for Manitoba municipalities for, believe, 16 years now, and the one thing that I have learned is what's really important to municipalities is trust; they need to trust their government.
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Well, I heard last week how much they trust this opposition. They don't; absolutely don't. They didn't now, they didn't then.
However, we are working with those municipalities, and we have the trust of 137 municipalities. [interjection]
Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. Order. Order.
Just a comment to all members to please direct comments through the Chair.
Mr. Wiebe: Mr. Deputy Speaker, over the past seven years, Manitobans have experienced two failed premiers, a global pandemic and now a cost-of-living crisis. And they've done so at every turn without the support of the PCs, who have frozen the operating funding for municipalities for seven straight budgets.
Local representatives were committed to representing their ratepayers at the convention. And they came with a variety of different issues but they were clear to this government, and if the minister was listening, she would have heard it. We certainly heard it. We will end the municipal funding freeze.
Will the minister simply agree to do the same?
Ms. Clarke: It's very clear, the member of the 'oppitition' have really no clear understanding of how a government actually works–when budgets are done, when funding is done–and it would be a horror if it–they ever thought they were going to have the power to do so.
We are working with municipalities. All my colleagues are working with municipalities because we represent all municipalities: whether it's health care, education, justice, you name it; we work with municipalities on all issues and they were very pleased with every ministerial meeting they had last week.
Mr. Dougald Lamont (St. Boniface): Madam–Mr. Deputy Speaker, this morning I attended a Manitoba law society hearing where Peter Nygård's lawyer, Jay Prober, pleaded guilty to professional misconduct for the way he publicly attacked the characters of Nygård survivors.
I won't repeat his false statements here, but women were being punished for coming forward and sending a clear message to anyone who might want justice that survivors are the ones to be put on trial so Peter Nygård won't be. And in Manitoba, it worked.
I've been asked by more than 40 Nygård survivors who are watching these proceedings right now to ask: Will the Manitoba government now reopen the investigations into Nygård in Manitoba, even if it means reassigning them to police or Crowns from outside of the province?
Hon. Cliff Cullen (Acting Minister of Justice and Attorney General): I hope the member opposite will recognize the role the Prosecution Branch plays, obviously the judiciary play. Certainly us, as from a government perspective, we appreciate the significant differences and we appreciate the roles that each are responsible for.
Currently, that process is unfolding around this set of circumstances and we will allow that particular process to play out.
Mr. Dougald Lamont (St. Boniface): This government's Throne Speech talked to pursuing those who have preyed on others and chosen a life outside the law, of violence against women and girls and of their efforts to find and apprehend the most violent criminals who are responsible for committing the most heinous crimes in our communities.
That is what Peter Nygård is facing prosecution for in New York by the FBI and in Toronto and Montreal, but not here in Manitoba, where he has faced the same accusations.
On behalf of more than 40 Nygård survivors who are watching these proceedings, I ask: Will the PC government call a public inquiry into the police–Winnipeg Police Service and Manitoba Justice for their handling of the Nygård investigations and prosecutions?
Hon. Cliff Cullen (Acting Minister of Justice and Attorney General): Mr. Deputy Speaker, I'd just reiterate that there's a process under way in respect of this particular situation. We will not be interfering with that process. We will allow that process to unfold.
Certainly, in respect of our Throne Speech just recently, we have made commitments to–and, certainly, enforcing the law and making sure that we get those offenders off of the streets by assigning individuals for warrants that are outstanding and making sure those individuals that are responsible for crimes in Manitoba get off the streets.
Mr. Lamont: Mr. Deputy Speaker, in exchange for Mr. Prober's guilty plea, the Manitoba law society agreed to drop a charge that his unacceptable comments may have affected how the public and authorities considered the case. It sent a clear signal that survivors shouldn't be taken seriously when they should.
Nygård is facing both civil and criminal justice in Toronto and Montreal and New York. One of the places survivors have no chance for criminal justice is Manitoba, where he got a start, after over 40 years of allegations of violent crime often swept under the carpet.
On behalf of survivors, I ask the Premier (Mrs. Stefanson) and Justice minder again–minister again: Will you reopen and reassign the Nygård investigation and call a public inquiry into the Winnipeg Police Service and Manitoba Justice's handling of the Nygård cases?
Hon. Rochelle Squires (Minister responsible for the Status of Women): Of course, the member opposite does know that there is a process, and that process will play out in the province of Manitoba.
And the Manitoba government is committed to holding offenders to account. We're also committed to working with survivors and lifting up anyone who has experienced domestic violence. That is why we've increased our funding significantly to all our shelters in the province of Manitoba. That is why we have signed onto the national framework on ending gender-based violence, so that we can get results for women and girls and vulnerable Manitobans experiencing any kind of intimate partner violence, sexual assault or harassment in this province.
By investing in proactive and preventative measures, by ensuring that the supports are there when people need them and by ensuring that the laws are in there–and that is why we passed, recently, Clare's Law and other bills to support women survivors who have been preyed upon by–
Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable minister's time has expired.
Mr. Rick Wowchuk (Swan River): Mr. Deputy Speaker, Manitobans value the extensive network of recreational trails that run through all areas of this beautiful province.
Can the Minister of Environment, Climate and Parks explain what this government is doing to ensure that off-road vehicle trails are properly maintained and safe for current and future Manitobans?
Hon. Jeff Wharton (Minister of Environment, Climate and Parks): I'd like to thank the member from Swan River for that great question.
Last week, I was pleased to introduce the off-road vehicle trails safety maintenance act. This bill will ensure Manitobans have access to safe and reliable off-road vehicle trails. This will be accomplished by the–supporting and empowering the hard-working organizations and clubs that currently maintain and groom over 13,000 kilometres of trails we have right here in Manitoba.
Snoman and ATV Manitoba will provide with additional tools and resources allowing them to increase education, develop new trails, maintain and expand existing trails, improve signage and repair damaged land and trails, which will help protect our environment.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, our government is committed to working with these organizations to ensure the sport is needed to Manitobans with safe and sustainable trails for years to come.
Ms. Lisa Naylor (Wolseley): Workers who support adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities are not being supported by this government. Wage increases promised in the budget for this sector should have brought these workers well above minimum wage, but now the minimum wage has increased, so disability support professional wages are no longer competitive.
Minimum wage should lift workers up, including those with negotiated wage increases, rather than erase these increases altogether.
When will the minister pay disability support professionals a fair wage?
Hon. Rochelle Squires (Minister responsible for Accessibility): In this year's budget, we had an extra $26 million for the sector for people who are living with disabilities and people who are working in that sector.
And I want to take the opportunity to say thank you to each and every person who went to work throughout the pandemic to care for our vulnerable Manitobans. We greatly appreciate their efforts in going to work every day. And we also did increase the budget.
And I'd like to ask the member opposite on why she voted against money for the sector for people with disabilities. It was their government that voted it down. Shame on them.
Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable member for Wolseley, on a follow-up question.
Ms. Naylor: Workers who support adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities do incredibly important work, and they deserve to be compensated fairly. A lack of a fair wage has led to major issues with recruitment and retention. There's already a major labour shortage in this field, and it will get worse.
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The gap between minimum wage and starting starting salary for disability support professionals is now much smaller than it was.
Will the minister do the right thing and pay disability support professionals the wage they deserve?
Ms. Squires: Of course, our government is committed to building this sector and to ensuring that this sector remains vibrant by attracting talent and keeping that talent working in this sector to care for Manitobans' most vulnerable people. And I can assure the members opposite that, once again, in upcoming budget, there will be more dollars for people working with individuals with disabilities.
So, I have to ask: Will the members opposite finally do the right thing and vote in favour of a budget that will have more money for people with disabilities?
Mr. Deputy Speaker: The time for oral questions has expired.
Mr. Deputy Speaker: And if I could have the attention of the House, this afternoon, we're having condolence motions.
This is a unique function of the Legislature, and I do have a statement explaining how this will work. So–it's unfamiliar to us, so I do encourage you just to listen up for a page or–it's not a full page, even, to explain how the afternoon's going to work.
In accordance with the agreement reached in the House on November 24th, 2022, and with a letter I received from the Government House Leader (Mr. Goertzen) on November 25th, 2022, the House will now consider condolence motions for deceased members of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.
As agreed to by the House, for each motion, 10 minutes of speaking time will be allocated to members from the deceased member's political party; five minutes of speaking time will be allocated to members from another political party; five minutes of speaking time will be allocated to independent members.
Within those speaking time allocations, the parties or independent members may assign as many members as they wish to speak.
As the conclusion–sorry, at the conclusion of the speeches, the Speaker shall put the question and ask members to signify their approval of the motion by rising in their places to observe a moment of silence.
If I can just sort of offer a commentary as I was reviewing this, so there's–that 10 minutes is not per member, it is per party, for the party that the deceased member was associated with, and then five minutes total per party for other parties.
As requested by the Government House Leader, I will call condolence motions for these former members in the following order: MLA Peter George Dyck, MLA Alan Brian Ransom–[interjection] I can keep going? Yes? MLA William "Bill" Alexander Blaikie, MLA Martin Dolin, MLA Eugene Kostera [phonetic], MLA–Kostyra, my apologies–MLA Jean René Allard.
* * *
An Honourable Member: On House business.
Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable member for–the honourable Opposition House Leader, on House business.
MLA Nahanni Fontaine (Official Opposition House Leader): I apologize to do this at this particular moment. I think that there was a miscommunication somewhere along the way, and I appreciate you clarifying that it was actually 10 minutes per party, or for the totality of the party.
I'm asking leave of the House if it's possible that we have several speakers, or a couple of more speakers, particularly for our dear friend Bill Blaikie and certainly, Eugene Kostyra, who I believe both sets of families are in the gallery.
I would ask just the indulgence of the House. We do have a couple of speakers for each of those different family members.
Mr. Deputy Speaker: So, I'd like to ask the honourable Opposition House Leader if there's a certain amount of time that they have in mind, maybe a number of minutes or if they could propose something a little more specific.
MLA Fontaine: Again, I apologize for raising this at this last moment.
I–we would ask for 10‑minute speeches. Again, Deputy Speaker, we don't have many members per individual or per our former colleagues. We're just asking for a little bit of indulgence today. [interjection]
Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable Opposition House Leader.
MLA Fontaine: Deputy Speaker, just to be clear, we're asking for 10 minutes per speech.
Mr. Deputy Speaker: Okay. So I'm going to attempt to put this leave question to the House and I'm going to try to be accurate as I understand the question.
First of all, by way of preamble, the agreement that I've been given specifies 10 minutes for the party of deceased member and five minutes for other parties that the deceased member was not a part of.
The honourable Opposition House Leader is asking, I believe, for 10 minutes per speech, and I understand the honourable Opposition House Leader has indicated that that is–there will be some reasonableness, that there won't be a full roster of speeches. So–and that is for the two–former NDP–for Eugene Kostyra and Bill Blaikie.
That is the leave request, and I put that to the House. Is there leave for that request, for 10-minute speeches for any member speaking to those two deceased MLAs?
Is there leave for that request?
Some Honourable Members: Agreed.
An Honourable Member: No. [interjection]
Mr. Deputy Speaker: Okay, I'm going to offer the House a recess. I would ask that the recess be kept less than 10 minutes and if we can do it in five, that would be better.
So, we will recess and allow House leaders to discuss.
The House recessed at 2:47 p.m.
____________
The House resumed at 2:52 p.m.
Mr. Deputy Speaker: Okay. It appears the recess has ended. I'm calling the House back from that recess.
And the honourable Opposition House Leader, on House Business.
MLA Nahanni Fontaine (Official Opposition House Leader): And I appreciate the indulgence here and everybody's co‑operation for this afternoon.
I'm asking the House if there is leave that the movers of each of the motions would have up until 10 minutes for their speech and that every other member speech afterwards would be up to five minutes.
Mr. Deputy Speaker: Okay. So the leave request–and I invite correction if I misrepresent this–is that the mover for any condolence motion would have up to 10 minutes and that other speakers to any condolence motion would have up to five minutes each speech.
Is there leave for that leave–for that request? [Agreed]
Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Just a bit of clarification, is there an unlimited number of speakers who are going to be allowed five minutes? Is that it?
Mr. Deputy Speaker: Well, I mean, of course, it's an unlimited number. There's only the people in the room, and it seems to me that there is a respectful understanding that this is a serious matter and I don't think it's going to be taken advantage of. [interjection] The leave has already been granted.
The honourable member for River Heights, is there anything else that–[interjection] Okay. Okay.
Mr. Deputy Speaker: So, we will now proceed to the condolence motion for Peter George Dyck, and I would invite the honourable First Minister to move that motion.
Hon. Heather Stefanson (Premier): I move, seconded by the Minister of Finance (Mr. Friesen), that this House convey to the family of the late Peter George Dyck, who served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, its sincere sympathy in their bereavement and its appreciation of his devotion to duty and a useful life of active community and public service, and that–Madam Speaker?–or should that be Mr. Deputy?–[interjection]–okay–and that Madam Speaker be requested to forward a copy of this resolution to the family.
Motion presented.
Mrs. Stefanson: I'm honoured to stand before the House today and put a few words on the record with respect to the life and legacy of Peter George Dyck, who remains at the forefront of our thoughts here today.
As the former MLA for Pembina, we recognize and honour his contributions to his community and to Manitoba through politics, through service, through music and through his faith that was very important to him, as we all know.
I had the honour of sitting in the Chamber with Peter George Dyck. He was already elected when I was elected in a by-election in 2000. And I can tell you that he was very helpful to me as a new elected member of this Chamber.
And as he was–at one point in time, he was the chair of our caucus, as well, and was very helpful, I think, to all members, particularly new ones who got to know him. And I just want his family to know what he meant to all of our caucus and how much he was able to help out during those times.
I can also remember in–we were in opposition at the time, Mr. Deputy Speaker, and I remember those times after heated debates on the floor of the–of this Chamber, that we would rally together. I think, back in those days, we sat until 6 p.m., it wasn't 5 p.m. at that time.
But at 6 p.m. we gathered back in our caucus and we had what was called, to Peter George Dyck, our debriefing for the day. And we very much learned a lot from each other, I think, during those times, and learned a lot about each other during those times, that you wouldn't normally learn on the floor of the Chamber. And so I certainly cherish those days, Mr. Deputy Speaker.
I can also recall that there was one issue that Peter George Dyck would never, ever let go, and that was day in and day out, he would bring forward the No. 1 issue for his community, and that was Tabor Home, Mr. Deputy Speaker. He was relentless at advocating for his constituents and his community for Tabor Home.
And each and every day in this Chamber, he reminded us and he reminded the government at the time the importance of making sure that that home got built for the residents within those communities, those seniors within the community. And I'm glad that it finally got built, Mr. Deputy Speaker, and certainly, Peter George Dyck is the reasoning behind that for his perseverance on that No. 1 issue within his area.
There were other issues that he was very passionate about, and he spoke often passionately about various issues: health care, education, other areas in this Chamber. And he spoke very eloquently about–and passionately about those issues.
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I can tell you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, that he also cared very deeply for the No. 1 issue in his life–or the No. 1 thing in his life, and that was family. And, certainly, I want to say to Irene today, his wife; I want to say to Patrick and Shannon and Becky; and I want to say to all of his grandchildren, who he was so close to and were with him right down to the end, Mr. Deputy Speaker, he loved them dearly and he enjoyed the times that he had to be able to spend with his wife, with his kids and with his grandchildren. Family meant absolutely everything to him. Family, his community, his faith; those were things that were very, very dear to him.
And so, I know there's a number of my colleagues that would like to speak today, who had the opportunity to sit with him in this Manitoba Chamber. I feel so honoured to have been given that opportunity, Mr. Deputy Speaker, and I just want to extend my deepest condolences on behalf of Jason and my family, and the entire Stefanson family, because I know Eric Stefanson also sat with him in the Chamber as well. And so, on behalf of all of us, we send our deepest condolences for the loss of their husband, their father, their grandfather and most importantly, to all of us, a friend.
Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker.
Mr. Matt Wiebe (Concordia): I'm honoured to rise on behalf of the official opposition to offer our condolences to the family, to the friends, to the community that he served, of Peter George Dyck.
I was pleased to serve with Peter for a short period of time when I was first elected and got to know him a little bit during that time. And there's no question, Peter was the kind of legislator, I think, that all Manitobans would hope that we all bring to this place.
I'd like to just start by reading a few of the words of Peter's–one of Peter's contemporaries here in this Chamber and that would be Dave Chomiak, who said this upon Peter's passing. Dave said, Peter was the kind of person that made the Legislature a better place. I very much enjoyed his thoughts on faith and humour. We always could talk honestly and in a non‑partisan fashion. He was a good and a kind soul. I wish his family peace in knowing that he is in a better place and did his part to make this place a bit better.
Peter George Dyck served this Legislature from 1995 until 2011, serving the constituency of Pembina. He grew up Winkler, on his family farm, and attended Mennonite Brethren Bible College here in Winnipeg.
His colleagues knew him as a man of faith and a man who put his family first and was very proud of his family. He also loved music, playing piano and trumpet and singing in his church and school choirs. Later in life, he would teach music and band part‑time in his local high school.
Peter was also active in local civic issues. He served as a board member and chairperson of his local credit union. He also served as a board member and as a chair of the Garden Valley School Division. He worked actively with the Winkler Bible Camp and served as a choir director, council member and moderator of the Winkler Mennonite Brethren Church.
In the later years of his life, Peter had a rare disorder that ultimately took his life. He passed away on Sunday, January 5th, 2020, at the age of 73–much too early–surrounded by his family.
Peter was one of the few folks in here that could transcend the partisan back and forth. Not to say that he wasn't a political person and somebody who could partake in that back and forth, but he was somebody who, at the end of the day, could have an honest conversation with his colleagues, and that was with members on all sides of this Chamber.
I was just a brand new MLA at that time, coming into this Chamber and only overlapping with Peter for a very brief time. But there was a different tone, I would suggest, in that Legislature and it was not least of which because of Peter and the way that he conducted himself.
Again, lots of heckling, lots of political barbs being traded here in question period and other times. But Peter often would take the time to chat with us on the opposition benches–sorry–on the government benches from the opposition benches–and at that time, he would, as Dave so–put it so well–talk about what really mattered–family, faith–and sometimes sprinkle it in with a little bit of humour.
Peter was a beloved member of this Chamber. I know he was beloved in his own community and I appreciate the opportunity that we all have to rise today, put a few words on the record to thank his family for supporting him as he did his important work. I do believe that he left this place a better place, and I hope that his brand of politics and type of way that he conducted himself is one that we all hold ourselves to in the future.
So, on behalf of the official opposition, I wish to once again offer his family condolences and to his entire community, and thank them for allowing us to have Peter here in this Chamber for a brief period of time.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Hon. Cameron Friesen (Minister of Finance): Mr. Deputy Speaker, it's an honour to rise and put a few comments on the record to recognize former MLA for Pembina, Peter George Dyck, my predecessor in the Manitoba Legislature, my friend; a friend of so many.
It is a very unique privilege that the Legislature affords members to be able to acknowledge and pay respects to former members. I wanted to make sure I had the opportunity just to put a few words on the record, standing in the same Chamber where Peter used to be for so many years–16 years he served in this place.
So, today, Irene, Becky and John, Pat and Jenn, Shannon and Rob, your families, I know some of you are joining us virtually. I know you would have liked to have been here. Pat just sent me a note to say they're really sick. He said we were not going to come to the Legislature today, and we thank you for that. But we know that you're with us in spirit.
It's a bittersweet thing to be an MLA and to know an MLA because I remember hearing stories from Peter first-hand about some of the cost of being an MLA, of the hallmark events he missed. I actually believe there was a story he told me–I'm not sure I'm completely right–I think he may have missed a graduation ceremony for one of the children. It could have been Shannon. If that's wrong, then I apologize.
But I remember him saying how he had missed some very significant events because at times, votes were tight and House leaders were not releasing members to be absent from a vote. And that is part of the tyranny of a caucus and the discipline that is necessary to carry on that work. But for rural members especially, you feel that distance between home and here, and Peter felt it.
I won't say much in my time because I know others want to speak. A few things: he and I had a few things in common. As the member for Concordia (Mr. Wiebe) said, both of us musicians; both of us former band directors; both of us with some facility on a trumpet–I think his was better; both of us vocalists.
I think that Peter used to say he had taught high school band to Loreena McKennitt. And he used to joke, he said, I taught Loreena everything she knew. And then he talked about Loreena and these–her bright red hair and her pigtails, sitting right in the front of the class because I think she played the flute–and of course, has gone on to be one of Canada's top stars, a Juno award winner. What a thing to boast.
Peter was always in opposition. It is a rare and difficult assignment to be a member of the Assembly but to always be in opposition. It is a different kind of a challenge of being–than being in government. So, he did it well. He had various critic roles, but he was a long-time caucus chair.
Back home, he was visible in the community. He used to joke with me and he used to say, well, I'm in opposition so I go to every funeral. I don't know if Peter went to every funeral, but he went to a lot of funerals. But it was a way for him to be able to make contact with the community. He used to tell me, you know, he says, Winkler does not appreciate, he says, if I show up and door-knock at houses. But he says, the difference in some rural communities is you must be at everything. And he was. He was so visible.
Everyone knew him. They all knew that really dark suntan of Peter George Dyck. It was June or it was November or it was March, and he had that suntan. And at his funeral, his family even talked about that suntan that just went with Peter everywhere he went. But also what went with him was is smile, his energy, his encouragement.
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In that very little time, he gave me two pieces of advice. When I was thinking about running for office, I said, should I go out and do a public administration master's degree? He said, are you kidding? He says, you just got one, he says, just by working for another elected official. Run for office now.
The second piece of advice, as I sat and the last time I saw him, at his bedside at the Buhler Active Living Centre in the supportive housing units, which were later named after him, he looked up from his bedside and he said, Cam, I'm going to give you another piece of advice: Anything that you need to do, anything that is on your list to do, do not wait; do it.
And it came from a very real place where Peter was saying he had years stolen from him. He got sick too early. He left the family that was so beloved to him too early.
Peter, we are endeavouring to seize that advice. You've left a huge hole. Your memory lives on. You have beautiful grandchildren. And we miss you today. I miss you many times.
Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Mr. Deputy Speaker, I rise to extend condolences to the family and to the friends of Peter George Dyck on behalf of myself and on behalf of our Liberal MLAs.
Peter served as the MLA for Pembina, the Morden‑Winkler area of Manitoba, from 1995 to 2011. He was fortunate that he had the first several years while he was a part of the member of the government and then, for the rest of his time, he was in the opposition.
In 1995, his opponent was Dr. Walter Hoeppner, a fine physician who worked with the people in the Morden‑Winkler area for many years. At the beginning, it looked like it might even be a close race, but in the end, Peter Dyck won handily.
He was particularly interested in his community and he worked closely to advance issues, in particular in relationship to seniors. One of his first speeches in the Legislature was on the need to pay attention to Alzheimer's disease. He was participating in the third annual Memory Walk and, as he commented in his speech, this is the disease that seems to know no barriers; it can strike any of us.
In addition to talking about Alzheimer's disease and other issues of seniors, he talked frequently about the need for additional personal‑care‑home spaces in Morden, and he read many petitions calling for the new Tabor Home, which was finally completed in 2017.
He was also very interested in the development of the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre in Morden with the largest collection of marine reptile fossils in Canada. Speaking on November 30th, 2010, he mentioned that the discovery of a massive xiphactinus jaw bone with a partial mosasaur flipper wedged between its upper and lower jaw as if the mosasaur had been caught by the xiphactinus.
He also marched with others on the National Day of Mourning to remember those who've been injured, become ill and lost their lives due to workplace conditions. And he spoke for his caring for workers in his speech in the Legislature.
Over the years, he was particularly critical when he was in opposition of a number of the NDP initiatives, including the construction of the hydro line around the west side of Manitoba and the fact that under the NDP, the province of Manitoba was seen as the crime capital of Canada.
He also very much liked to go to Mexico in the winter. He enjoyed life; it showed it. We will miss his presence here and his ability to contribute to the issues of the day.
Conclude by extending condolences once more to the family and friends.
Thank you. Merci. Miigwech.
Mr. Deputy Speaker: I will now recognize the honourable member for Midland (Mr. Pedersen), who is virtual.
If the honourable member could turn their mic on. And I'm just looking at the screen. I just–if I could ask that member to also bring their microphone down. There we go.
The honourable member for Midland, please go ahead.
Mr. Blaine Pedersen (Midland): Just a few short words about Peter George Dyck.
Others in the Chamber have already mentioned many of his accomplishments, but when I was first elected in 2007, Peter George was a mentor for those of us who were new members at that time.
As caucus chair, he kept us informed of what was happening in both the caucus matters and the business that was happening in the Chamber. It was a big help to us.
Peter George Dyck worked very hard representing the Pembina constituency, that–Morden-Winkler, RM of Stanley, RM of Pembina and Manitou areas, working for the needs of those fast-growing communities, as was mentioned by a number of other speakers here.
He was always very proud of his–achievements of his communities. He was very proud of his farm. And he–most of all, he was very proud of his family.
Peter George loved to visit, and Tuesday night rib night became a bit of a tradition for many of us in our caucus. And of course, Peter George was always there and always making sure that everyone was included.
I did visit Peter George when he was in hospital, not long before he passed away. And even though he was facing health difficulties, he was upbeat and positive. We had a great visit reminiscing about our time together in the Legislature, of our agricultural roots that bonded us together.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, to Irene and family, always know the positive influence that Peter George had on me and on everyone he met throughout his life. Peter George is a life well lived. May he rest in peace.
Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker.
Mr. Ron Schuler (Springfield-Ritchot): It is, indeed, an honour to stand today and speak about one of my colleagues who I had a opportunity to serve with–Peter George Dyck was elected in 1995, I was elected in 1999.
And Peter George Dyck was always an individual you could go to and seek advice. He was very important in caucus. He would tell us what it was like to be in government, what took place and why decisions were made.
And to his family, I would say to them, Peter George Dyck was always a gentleman. He was a very loving husband to Irene. I know that. We were at dinners often together, and they were just a beautiful couple.
And I would say he always spoke with a smile on his face when he spoke about his children, but he spoke with an incredibly big smile when he spoke about his grandchildren. He loved his family. He loved to talk about the family. And those that are listening here today, this is a unique opportunity as a Legislature where we get to honour individuals who served and have passed away, so I hope some of you have an opportunity to listen to this because he really did speak about his family, especially his grandchildren, with the biggest smile.
Peter George Dyck loved to laugh. He was a lot of fun. Fact, someone mentioned and stole my story, and that was the Tuesday rib night at the Norwood Hotel. It was an honour to be included in those from time to time. It was a great deal. For some reason, that seems to–has fallen away, I don't even know if it's a thing anymore, but Peter George Dyck, we would get there and we would have that one side room, and we would have just a great time, laugh uproariously, talk about the day's events and who said what and what happened where. And Peter George Dyck loved those moments.
One of my colleagues mentioned that he always seemed to be tanned because he loved being outside. And for those of you who don't know him, he loved to walk. So, he would tell us sometimes that he would walk early in the morning and he would tell us the whole path that he had walked. One time, the Minister of Justice (Mr. Goertzen)–the member for Steinbach–and I had supper with him, and he said, oh, yes, this morning I walked, you know, I went across the Midtown Bridge and then I walked there and I walked down River and I walked here and then I walked there. And I looked at the member for Steinbach and I said, I don't know about you, but man, I feel exhausted already just listening to everywhere Peter George Dyck walked.
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So Peter George actually was always outside and that's why he always looked tanned. He loved going to Mexico. He loved being there and he loved being outside on the farm. He was very much a outdoors person.
The last time I had the opportunity to speak to Peter George Dyck, he had come back after he had retired. And he came back, and one of the things I noticed, he didn't look as tired anymore and was very relaxed and all the rest of it. So I went up to him and I said, you know, you look strangely familiar. I think your father used to serve with me in caucus. And he laughed and laughed and laughed. And he said, you know what, retirement's been really good. He said, you just get rid of all of those stresses of being in office.
And I'm sure if he lost 10 years, I have a feeling Irene probably lost 15 years. She finally had Peter George back at home and could spend more time with him. And Peter George will always be fondly remembered as a gentleman, as a leader, as an individual that you could go to. He was always a positive force in our caucus, and I believe, as others have mentioned, he was a positive force here in this Chamber.
And I'd like to say to the family, I for one–and I know many of us who served with him–miss him dearly. Our condolences to you, Irene and your family.
Mr. Deputy Speaker: Just by way of reminder, I'm about to put the question to the House, and unlike other times in this House where, when the question is asked, we say, agreed, members who will support the motion will do so by standing and then we'll have a moment of silence.
So, is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?
A moment of silence was observed.
Mr. Deputy Speaker: Just on a point of clarity, I know these are not familiar regular rules that we're working with this afternoon, but members from the party of the deceased member will speak first. It's not an alternating of members, so we'll have–my notes say three government members and then any opposition members who wish to speak and then the independent member. So, it doesn't rotate, which is normally how it's done here.
Mr. Deputy Speaker: But we will move now to the condolence motion for Alan Brian Ransom, and I recognize the honourable Deputy Premier to move that motion.
Hon. Cliff Cullen (Deputy Premier): I move, seconded by the member for Brandon West (Mr. Helwer), that this House convey to the family of the late Alan Brian Ransom, who served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, its sincere sympathy in their bereavement and its appreciation of his devotion to duty in a useful life of active community and public service, and that Madam Speaker be requested to forward a copy of this resolution to the family.
Motion presented.
Mr. Cullen: It's an honour for me to speak about Alan Brian Ransom and his contribution to Manitoba.
Mr. Ransom was an extraordinary individual who–we would like to honour him here today in the Chamber. When you search his name in Google, the first page you are met with is the Manitoba Historical Society webpage, which lists Mr. Ransom as a, and I quote, memorable Manitoban. This is, indeed, a testament to this individual and the recognition of his contribution to our province.
Mr. Ransom was born at Boissevain, and from there attended the University of Manitoba and the University Alberta, and worked as a resource manager and a farmer before he entered into politics.
Mr. Ransom was elected to the Manitoba government in the 1977 general election. He served the seats and the ridings of Souris-Killarney and Turtle Mountain in the southwest region of Manitoba. His portfolio contained the minister of mines, resources and the environment. He would later go on to become the minister of Natural Resources and the chairman of the Treasury Board. In 1981, he became the minister of Finance and then was re‑elected in the 1981 general election.
Once Brian finished his political service, he continued to offer his skills and leadership to Manitoba Hydro, where he served as chair of the board. And he also served at the Fort Whyte Nature Centre, where he became a trustee and also worked as a consultant.
Mr. Dennis Smook, Acting Speaker, in the Chair
In recognition of his community service, he received the Queen Elizabeth silver jubilee medal. And, Mr. Deputy Speaker, this medal is awarded by the Governor General of Canada to those who have made outstanding and exemplary contributions to their communities or to Canada as a whole.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, we recognize the contribution that Mr. Ransom provided to Manitoba over his years. We extend our deepest condolences to the family of Mr. Ransom for their loss, and we just want to thank and acknowledge family and friends of Brian who also gave their time of him, and we appreciate all that he has done in his service to Manitoba.
Thank you.
The Acting Speaker (Dennis Smook): The honourable minister of Infrastructure–or, sorry, Transportation and Infrastructure.
Hon. Doyle Piwniuk (Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure): I just wanted to put a few words on about–on the honourable Alan Brian Ransom, who was actually the MLA for Turtle Mountain, my predecessor and, I guess, my predecessor to the–also to the Deputy Premier.
He actually was born, again, in Boissevain, which–where my office is actually located, as–my constituency office. And I remember I was able–I had been fortunate to meet Brian's brothers, Don and Bill, and had a lot of conversations when I first ran as the MLA for Arthur-Virden, which represented the Boissevain area at the time. And I remember hearing a lot of different stories that they shared with me when it–regarding their brother who served from 1977 to 1986.
I know in his days as a MLA, when he first got elected, he became minister in the Lyon–I guess, Sterling Lyon government, and then he also got re-elected again in 1981 with the–and was serving as the minister of Finance. And he actually ran in 1983 for leadership for the party and ran against Gary Filmon and came in second, and he should be commended for that.
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I know my wife, who actually worked in Boissevain as a recreation director right after she finished university, phys. ed degree. But she remembers actually, when she went to Kildonan East school division she–her marching band actually play–supported–like, the band actually was at one of the events that Brian Ransom, it was this leadership event that he was hosting. And I remember she told me the story, that she actually was in the band which actually played for the candidates.
So, again, I just wanted to put a few words on the record how–to thank him for the contribution to the province, but also to Turtle Mountain for the southwest region, Mr. Deputy Chair.
So, I'm going to pass it on to my colleague.
Mr. Ron Schuler (Springfield-Ritchot): Again, what an honour to get up and speak about someone who has had such a impact on the history of the province of Manitoba.
I took out my first membership in 1981 in the PC Party of Manitoba as a new student at the University of Manitoba, there was a table. And soon after that I met Brian Ransom.
We went through the provincial election; he was the minister–Finance at the time. And he was very impressive. He was thin and he was tall, and had a very serious way about him and had incredible inner strength. So, when you met him, you automatically knew there was an individual who took what he did serious.
He did well for the province of Manitoba. At that time, economics in Manitoba were such that they were tough, tough times, which we all understand right now. Canada was just going into a bit of a recession, and he was the individual who was responsible for the books of Manitoba.
So I met him and had the opportunity to speak to him at different events, and then he made the courageous decision that he was going to run for leader of the PC Party of Manitoba. And the team came up with an inner slogan: they called him straight as an arrow. In fact, we ended up using that as part of our leadership campaign.
And, to the family–I don't know how many of them are able to be online and watch–but we had these little gold pins, and it was an arrow. And I looked for it today and yesterday and I couldn't find mine, I was going to put it on. If I do find it, I should actually send it to the family, because it was Brian Ransom: Straight as an Arrow, and that was his slogan.
So, he tapped me and–on the shoulder, and he said, would you be my youth organizer? Said, I'd really love it if you would be my youth organizer. And I, with a group of other individuals, young people, we went and organized; and what a experience of a lifetime.
We would often drive–so, we have a campaign vehicle that was rented, and I would drive the candidate out to meetings when he would speak, as would the other candidates; then I would stay and help scrutineer, because that was still delegate selection time, and then I would be the dedicated scrutineer from the campaign–me, who had just been party member for very short time.
And we would then wait for the results to be announced, and then we'd get the vehicle and we'd drive back to Winnipeg. I would drop them off and park the vehicle, and I'd take my vehicle home. I'd often get home sometimes 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning. There was one morning I got up and I decided probably the best way to pass my exam that morning–this comes from the former minister of Infrastructure–I drove to university while I was studying with my textbook on the seat next to me.
And–but that's what we did. And I learned to love Brian Ransom. He was just an amazing individual. I was able to work with great individuals on that campaign: Gerrie Hammond, who ended up becoming the MLA for Kirkfield Park; Barb Switzer [phonetic], Olive MacPhail, Adele Chornoby [phonetic] and others, and we ran an amazing campaign. I was so proud being part of that team.
Came just a little short; I think it was just within about 50 votes of winning. It was a–heavily contested, very exciting. And Gary Filmon ended up winning, went on two elections later to become premier, and the rest is history. But Brian Pallister then served the government and then also went on to become, I believe, chair of Manitoba Hydro and did a lot of work in the province.
So, to an individual who had a big impact on a very young Ron Schuler–a very young member for Springfield-Ritchot, I apologize–he had a big impact on me, and hearing his death certainly saddened me because I know that I lost a mentor, lost an individual who was a good friend and Manitoba lost a great Manitoban.
So, to his family on behalf of myself and my family, on behalf of the individuals that I represent here in this Chamber, our condolences to you and your loved ones.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
MLA Nahanni Fontaine (St. Johns): I'm pleased to put on a couple of words on the record in respect of Alan Brian Ransom.
I do want to say miigwech to the member for Springfield-Ritchot (Mr. Schuler). I actually enjoyed listening to his relationship with Alan Brian Ransom. And Mr. Ransom was born in Boissevain. He was educated at the University of Manitoba and University of Alberta. He worked as a resource manager and a farmer before entering public life.
He was first elected to the Manitoba Legislative Assembly in 1977, representing the then-named rural riding of Souris-Killarney. He served in Sterling Lyon's Progressive Conservative government, where he was appointed minister of mines, resources and environment. And then, as minister of Natural Resources and chairman of the Treasury Board.
In 1981 he served as the minister of Finance. He continued to serve in the riding of Turtle Mountain and ran in the PC leadership selection, of which Mr. Gary Filmon ultimately won.
He did not seek re-election in 1986. He served as the chairman for Manitoba Hydro under Gary Filmon's government.
Acting Deputy Speaker, I just wanted to share in my short minutes here, as I was doing a little bit of research, there were some condolences that were on the Winnipeg Free Press's website from their Passages section.
And I just wanted to just share one for sure, maybe possibly two, that–because I thought that it was important to put these on the record as well: Brian and my mother, Gerrie Hammond, were MLAs together in the 1980s. Mom was a big fan of Brian's, and she worked tirelessly on his leadership campaign. Mom died close to 30 years ago. I was going through a box of photos and came across one with Mom, Brian, Charlotte Oleson–who was the MLA for Gladstone, who died in 2017–all with big smiles. Despite a lot of work, I remember them having a good time together and great friendships.
And I wanted to put that on the record because, of course, I did not know Mr. Ransom, but for those folks that did know him and for–certainly, for members opposite that did know him–you know, one of the things about this Chamber is that you become, you know, not only colleagues, but friends, and I would suggest family with your colleagues.
And so, on behalf of the NDP caucus, I offer our sincere condolences and our respect and regards to Alan Brian Ransom's family and certainly to all of those colleagues that he worked with, including the colleagues that are here in the Chamber.
Miigwech.
Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Mr. Deputy Speaker, I rise to extend condolences to the family and to the friends of Brian Ransom on behalf of myself and the Liberal MLAs.
Brian was born in Boissevain. He attended the University of Manitoba and the University of Alberta in Edmonton. It was while he was at the University of Alberta that he did research and wrote a thesis on the reproductive biology of white-tailed deer in Manitoba.
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His research on white-tailed deer was conducted in the Whiteshell, in the Turtle Mountain and in the Duck Mountain. He made significant observations on the impact and of cold temperatures on the reproduction of whitetail deer. I talk about this because it shows a side of Brian Ransom; he got into and was very interested in wildlife.
He was, in time, elected in 1977 in the riding which was then Souris-Killarney. He was a straight shooter, as is evident from his comments in the Legislature.
When he was the minister responsible for the environment, he was asked about pollution arising from agricultural feedlots.
And when asked about this pollution, he said as follows, and I quote: Mr. Speaker, as the honourable member knows, the regulation prohibits any discharge of waste from feedlots into streams, and the regulation has been in effect since 1973. That is, four years under the NDP. And there are, he says, I would venture, thousands of operations in Manitoba that are in violation of that regulation.
He didn't mince words.
He went on, then, to discuss the specific issue and the specific location, and that it was being investigated and there wasn't significant evidence that the pollution was from the feedlot.
December the 6th of 1977, he was asked, in another question, does the minister intend that ministerial responsibility on his part will mean that he agrees with every word that is contained in a professional opinion of a person operating within his department? And Brian Random replied: Mr. Speaker, I think the honourable member well knows the answer to that question.
He fought hard for the people in Boissevain and the surrounding communities. When, under the NDP, the land titles office in Boissevain was threatened with closure, he spoke out frequently and forcefully against this.
I quote one example: Mr. Speaker, the office will be closing a week from today if the government does not make a decision to reverse the earlier decision. Can the First Minister simply advise the House whether he's looked at the facts and has decided to proceed with the original decision, or whether, in fact, he is going to reverse that decision so that five full-time jobs and two part-time jobs will not be removed from Boissevain and southwestern Manitoba for doubtful savings?
He put it on the line. Premier–then Howard Pawley–replied, and after circling around the question for a while, he concluded: I understand there's little alternative but to close the land titles office in Boissevain.
It's an example of who Brian Ransom was. He spoke clearly and forcefully. He knew what he wanted, and it is an honour that we have him representing as an MLA his area. It's an honour to have known of him and about him and his work not only here within the Legislature, but with Manitoba Hydro and elsewhere.
So, with those words, I close, extending condolences.
Merci. Miigwech. Thank you.
The Acting Speaker (Dennis Smook): Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt this motion? Would the honourable members please rise and remain standing to indicate their support for this motion.
A moment of silence was observed.
The Acting Speaker (Dennis Smook): We will now move on to our next condolence motion for William "Bill" Alexander Blaikie.
Mr. Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): I move, seconded by the member for Transcona (Mr. Altomare), that this House convey to the family of the wait–of the late William Alexander Blaikie, who served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, its sincere sympathy in their bereavement and its appreciation of his devotion to duty in a useful life of active community and public service, and that Madam Speaker be requested to forward a copy of this resolution to the family.
Motion presented.
Mr. Kinew: I want to tell you about one of the first times that I spoke to Mr. Blaikie and the last time that I spoke to Mr. Blaikie. To begin, though, I want to, of course, acknowledge a few of his many, many achievements.
He was a long‑time Member of Parliament who represented Transcona for so long that I believe the riding was actually called Birds Hill‑Transcona when he was first elected. He was the Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons. He served as parliamentary lieutenant to Jack Layton, and in the process was named to the King's Privy Council.
He was long recognized as the dean of the federal Parliament and, in fact, was voted the best parliamentarian on one occasion, in a vote that was held by all his colleagues across all parties.
He also served in this Chamber and, during that time, became a minister of the Crown for the Province of Manitoba. And I can say that he had the unique distinction of introducing me to haggis. My view of haggis is that haggis is an acquired taste, so you might as well acquire it at a Transcona NDP Robbie Burns fundraising dinner, of which he held many over the years.
My first memorable interaction with Mr. Blaikie was following the death of Jack Layton. I was working as a journalist at the time and I interviewed him on a street corner in downtown Winnipeg. And Mr. Blaikie told me, through tears, about how much he grieved the loss of Jack Layton, along with so many other Canadians. And at this time–at that time, rather, Mr. Blaikie said that he believed Jack Layton would be a Moses‑like figure to the NDP, somebody who led his people out of the political wilderness but would not live to see the promised land.
And it was in that interaction that I really caught a glimpse of some features of Mr. Blaikie that I would see over and over again; that he was a loyal family member and friend, that he was a committed New Democrat and that he was a deeply faithful person.
Now, you reflect on his career and those things came up so many times. He was, of course, somebody who was a progressive, who came out of the Social Gospel tradition. He was also somebody who doted on his family and who never wavered in his loyalty to the blue-collar, middle-class people of Transcona and people like them across the country.
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Some of his important political victories included pushing for the creation of The Canada Health Act. The presiding federal Health minister at the time said that he engaged in guerilla‑like warfare in the House to push the government of the day to adopt the Canada Health Act. Speaking about it later, Mr. Blaikie said, quote, we won the big battle, creating a system in which provinces would be penalized if they allowed extra billing and user fees for medically necessary services. End quote.
In the end, what he ensured is that the good people of Transcona and others like them across the country would not have to pay for health care.
It should also be said that he was a tireless advocate for the working class. Mr. Blaikie recognized early on that the era of globalization would be bad for working people. In parliamentary debate, in writing, even at protests in the street, he warned that jobs would be lost, that local democracy would be undermined and that the wages of the average worker would be impacted.
You can now see that he was a prophet in this respect because political leaders from all partisan persuasions are now rushing to catch up with their condemnation of the era of globalization.
And importantly, while Mr. Blaikie did attend protests and he did engage in activism in the name of the blue-collar workers, he also tried to steer young progressives towards engaging in electoral politics. He said simply, and I quote: As long as you're not willing to do that unexciting, plodding work of electoral politics, the global corporate guys have you right where they want you. End quote.
He also came by this political engagement honestly. It's said that he started to watch town council debates when he was only 12 years old. He explained, and I quote: I liked to watch the arguing. And I'm still doing that. No growth there at all. End quote.
Self-deprecating humour aside, his motivation on these issues came from his faith. Another quote here: I came out of Emmanuel having found the prophetic tradition within the Bible, a tradition of challenging the ruling elite. End quote.
I also want to say that Mr. Blaikie loved the outdoors, loved being on a canoe, loved paddling; spending time in backwoods country with friends from political life or with the family that he cherished so deeply.
I knew Mr. Blaikie perhaps best of all through his children.
You have Daniel, not only a unionized electrician and a university degree holder but, of course, a parliamentarian himself that we work with closely and is today one of the most prominent voices of the middle–or the working class in the House of Commons.
Rebecca, somebody that I've spoken to since before I was a partisan, and she long encouraged me to put my money where my mouth was, to get in the game.
You have Tessa, who does amazing work in the inner city as the CEO of Siloam Mission and to whom I owe a tremendous debt because she ran my 2017 leadership campaign as a campaign manager.
And, of course, we have Jessica, who joins us in the gallery today, who's somebody that I really enjoyed the pleasure to get to know these past many years at family and community and political functions here in Winnipeg.
So, the Blaikie kids are progressive royalty, and yet each and every one of them have earned their place through their talent and hard work and dedication, and I would say that that should be no surprise, seeing as they follow in the footsteps of a father who came from a family of rail workers and yet earned his own place of respect on the yard of the CNR.
And so, if we reflect on their well-being and their success as well as those of his grandkids Robert, Owen, Noah and Emmett, then I think perhaps that is one of the finest ways we can take a measure of the man that was Bill Blaikie.
Brenda, I wanted to save some of my final words for you at this time. You shared 50 years of marriage with Bill, and you did so much of the heavy lifting, I'm sure, while he was away on Parliament Hill. You also carried out what I believe to be one of the most sacred acts that a human being can fulfill, which is to support somebody and care for them in their final days.
And so for that, I want to say thank you and acknowledge your own pain and grieving that you're going through. For all those of us who feel as though we were lucky to know Bill, I'm sure if Bill were on the floor of the Chamber today, he would say, no, no, no; I am lucky to know Brenda.
My colleague from Transcona and I had the great honour on a late afternoon this past summer to spend a bit of time with Brenda and Bill. And we talked about politics and family and Transcona; stuff that Bill liked.
And I'll always remember some of the advice that he gave to us on that day. I'll remember the feelings and thoughts that Brenda shared. And, of course, I think I will keep those just to us who were there at this time, but I just wanted to share that, to let you know that I was affected by that interaction.
A few short weeks later, Mr. Blaikie left us. His family, in true Blaikie fashion, carried on with strength, a balance of good humour and stoicism and, of course, great speeches at a funeral that was attended by three former premiers, by members of Parliament–current and former, from many different parties–and, of course, tons and tons of people from Transcona.
As has been the custom of Anishinabe people since time immemorial, we do not say goodbye. We only say, see you again. And so, to Mr. Blaikie, I would say, we will see you again. And, in the meantime, we will honour you by listening to your cherished instructions as they pertain to family, politics and faith.
Miigwech.
Mr. Matt Wiebe (Concordia): I appreciate the opportunity to rise here today to offer my personal condolences to the family of Bill; to Brenda, who is joining us here today; Jessica; of course, to Daniel and to Rebecca and Tessa.
It's hard to put into words what Bill has meant to me personally, what he's meant to our community, what he's meant to our party and, indeed, what he's meant to this country.
Bill was the Member of Parliament for the first 30 years of my life. He was my Member of Parliament. He was my political idol. He was my hero. He was a mentor and he became a friend.
Mr. Andrew Micklefield, Deputy Speaker, in the Chair
He was also a giant of the Social Gospel movement, and I believe he was an important link between those who went before him, like Stanley Knowles and Tommy Douglas and some of those who came after, myself included, who have our own unique faith traditions that guide us in our political life.
Everything I have I owe to Bill. Some of my first volunteer work was working on his leadership campaign. Some of the most important connections that I made were because of Bill and because of the group of people that he brought together around him. He gave me opportunity, Mr. Deputy Speaker, but he gave so many that opportunity.
That was what was so important about what Bill did. He plugged people into the political world; people who otherwise wouldn't, you know, give a second thought sometimes.
He brought those very complex issues right down to the working people of Transcona, Elmwood, East Kildonan and across this country. He never backed down on his beliefs but he talked about them in a common-sense way and a way that everybody can understand. Everybody could understand how we want to support our brothers and sisters.
He was a compass; a north star for our party. The NDP's often called the conscience of the–of Parliament. Bill Blaikie was our conscience. He was our north star. He was there for those big decisions in Parliament that talked about free trade, environmental justice, the Canada Health Act.
But sometimes it's the small things that really make a big difference. I was just recently at a community gathering; about 50, 60, maybe 70 people in a room in the community of Chalmers, where people had come together: neighbourhood organizers, average people, residents. Folks came together in that room for the annual general meeting and gathering of the Chalmers Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation. We were there to talk about how we can make our neighbourhood better.
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I had to share at that time that it was Bill Blaikie who fought for Neighbourhoods Alive! to be implemented in the community of Elmwood, and it was–we were gathered there because of him, and we were brought together because of his work.
Also cherish the friendship that I had with Bill. We both shared a love of the outdoors, many afternoons chopping wood at the lake. The train ride back from Malachi, one of my favourite experiences of my entire life. The train stops in the middle of the bush and two, you know, two guys get on the train, you know, probably not smelling too good–I can't even imagine what folks thought of us when we got on, threw our knapsacks up top, and rode back to Transcona.
I've heard it said never meet your heroes. Well, that's not the case with Bill. He was every bit as much an honourable man as he was an honourable member. And no bigger testament to this fact is the legacy of his children. I've had the pleasure of friendship with his kids at different points. They're all successful and they've all shown that he put his family first, and that's something–a lesson that I think all of us can learn.
So, in my short time here, just once again, my condolences to Brenda, to Rebecca, to Jessica, to Daniel and Tessa, to the grandkids, to the whole family. Thank you for letting me be a part of your dad's life, and thank you for this opportunity to honour him here in this place.
Mr. Nello Altomare (Transcona): It is indeed a privilege that, on behalf of the constituents of Transcona, I'm able here–to stand here today to bring our condolences to the family of Bill, to say how much we appreciated Bill.
Deputy Speaker, I will–I got the first–I met Bill firstly in 1979–grade 10 student at Transcona Collegiate. Came to our class as a candidate in Winnipeg, Transcona. Winnipeg Birds Hill–that's what it was called. There wasn't a Transcona in there, I don't think, if I remember correctly. And that inspired, you know, a life of following politics until very late in my career, in my time here.
I will also say that I've known his wife Brenda longer, actually–since 1973. And I know I'm aging myself, but I was a paperboy–I had the privilege of being Brenda's paperboy as a 10-year-old delivering the Free Press to her house on Ravelston Avenue West.
As you can see, the connections in a small town are deep and many. With Bill, there are many family connections that I didn't realize until, of course, later on when I met my wife. One of my wife's cousins is Richard Greenaway, one of Bill's long-time buddies from way back, causing trouble when they were teenagers, right up until–[interjection]–still causing trouble, and just some great friends. And again, like I said earlier, cousin to my wife.
One of my wife's best friends, Sharon McLaughlin, long-time Transcona resident, also worked with Bill not only here in Winnipeg at the constit office at the corner of Nairn and Panet Road, right next to The Burger Factory that had the biggest onion rings, and Bill would remind me about that. I used to love those.
But with Sharon, of course, in that friendship with my wife, reconnected and–with Bill and I, along with many others, had the privilege of being married by Bill. Officiated at not only my wedding to my wife, but also the member for Concordia (Mr. Wiebe) had the privilege of having Bill officiate at his wedding. And just what an honour that is to have that happen.
I remember–Bill, as you know, was a tall guy, kind of big. And what I remember at the wedding there at Transcona Memorial United Church is this guy that's about six-six; he's got his Birkenstocks on and that's all I saw. Standing there trying to say the words properly and he said, don't worry, Nello, you've got it. And we did, and we're still together.
And as I said earlier, the connections are many and they run deep. And with Bill, it was always about family, faith, politics and get involved. And one of the final acts of his political life, and we took great pride in this in the Transcona NDP, is that he was chair of the election planning committee in 2019, bringing together a group of individuals and a group of people to form a team that would eventually see us elected in 2019.
Not only is that a privilege, but I also, Deputy Speaker, didn't want to let Bill down. And so, we worked doubly hard to ensure that that was going to happen, not only with his guidance, but also his practical advice.
I will say, of the many accolades that we can list, and they are many, I can say that the ones he would be most proud of is the fact that he was a regular guy, a dad and a grandpa. I will say to his grandsons Owen, Emmet, Noah and Robert how much your grandpa loved you and enjoyed the time he spent with you.
And with that, Deputy Speaker, on behalf of the constituents of Transcona, our condolences and thank you for the time.
Mr. Adrien Sala (St. James): Grateful to have a chance to put a few words here on the record today in honour of Bill Blaikie.
I want to start by offering some words of condolences to Bill's family, to his wife Brenda, who's here with us today; to his four children, Rebecca, Jessica, Daniel and Tessa; and I'd also like to offer my condolences to all their grandchildren and all the little ones and the entire extended family and clan. My deepest condolences to you and the family.
I didn't have a chance to get to know Bill personally. I did have a chance to have conversations with him on a few occasions. I do have a cherished memory of being able to have a sit-down dinner with him when I was in Ottawa as one of the two provincial representatives for the federal NDP.
I had a chance to get to know Bill a little bit at that dinner and to spend time with his daughter Rebecca, who is a personal friend of mine. And greatly enjoyed that opportunity, and I have fond memories of that dinner and getting to–a chance to see Bill in that environment–relaxed, joking and just seeing the incredible guy he is and he was.
And, of course, although I didn't get a chance to get to know him personally, I did know Bill, of course, as a lion of our party, somebody who had just an unmeasurable influence on–not only on our NDP family, but also on Canada overall.
I've long admired Bill's work as a legislator, and of course his reputation and his record speaks for itself. He was first elected in 1979 and served as the–he's the longest serving–continuously serving–CCF or NDP MP in Canadian history. That's an incredible feat. That was 29 years that he served in that role, served his constituents in Transcona and served Canadians.
Of course, we know that he served also as a House leader, Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons and that he was personal friends with NDP icons like Tommy Douglas and Stanley Knowles and, in fact, officiated at their respective funerals.
I know Bill as somebody who was also always an incredible champion for social causes, somebody who spent his entire life fighting against overreach of corporate interests, fighting for the little guy and ensuring especially that the voice of labour was present in Parliament.
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And Bill did an incredible job championing the interests of working people in his community, serving his constituents and, again, just generally serving the interests of working Canadians in every single corner of this country.
You know, I just want to briefly talk about my connection not to Bill, but also to a member of Bill's family: his daughter Rebecca, who is a close friend of mine. And while I didn't get a chance to get to know Bill personally, I did have that great fortune of getting to know his daughter Rebecca, and it was actually through my relationship to her that I ended up coming into the NDP universe myself. Through a friendship–through our friendship, Rebecca connected me with the Manitoba NDP, and so I'm grateful through Rebecca and ultimately, up to Bill, for my own connection to this party that now goes back many years.
So, I am grateful for that connection to Rebecca, and I'm grateful for those opportunities to have met Bill, to have seen him as a person, and I'm just so proud of what he did, again, not only for our party but how he represented our party on a national stage and fought for the interests of the little guy.
So with that, I'd like to, again, share condolences with Rebecca, with the Blaikie clan, and just, again, reaffirm, I think, what we're hearing throughout this House today, which is that he will leave an incredible legacy behind.
Thank you.
Hon. Reg Helwer (Minister of Labour, Consumer Protection and Government Services): I'm very pleased today to rise to speak about Bill Blaikie, the late Bill Blaikie.
I met Mr. Blaikie in Ottawa. I was part of an organization, the Canadian Association of Agri-Retailers, who regularly had lobby weeks in Ottawa. And we would do a lot of planning and development of who we would meet with and research on who we were meeting with. And having met with people like Stanley Knowles and Tommy Douglas through Brandon University and listened to them speak and had discussions with them, was quite thrilled that I'd be meeting with Mr. Blaikie. I had been very privileged with many of the people I've been able to meet with, and this was no exception.
So, as we spent time in Ottawa, we learned that the closer that your office is to the Prime Minister, the more you're seen to have influence, respect and tenure. So we met with Mr. Blaikie in his Centre Block office not far from the Prime Minister, who was the honourable Jean Chrétien at the time. So, obviously, someone who had both influence, respect and, of course, tenure that we've heard about today.
So, we were waiting for Mr. Blaikie in his outer office, and we know that members of Parliament and senators are busy. They run between meetings between the Parliament. And so, when Mr. Blaikie came into the office, he didn't as much enter the office as he kind of exploded into the office and looked at us and said, why am I meeting with you? I don't usually meet with groups like you. Well, come on in. And waved us into his inner office. And that was how we met Bill.
So, we had a great discussion. He gave us some very good guidance, some very good advice about an environmental issue we were facing. And I think we got him to write a letter of support, as well, to the minister. But what was obvious in our time with him was how much he cared. And while we were an unusual group for him to meet with, he did take the time and he did listen, and he did work on our behalf.
Thank you, Mr. Blaikie. He has had an impact–small one–on my life, but it's all been part of that very privileged ability that I found to be able to meet with individuals like Mr. Blaikie and the contributions he's made to Canada.
Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker.
Mr. James Teitsma (Radisson): Mr. Bill Blaikie was my MP for more than half of my entire life, an astonishing life of service that stretched over three decades in length.
My first–very first memory of Mr. Bill Blaikie was meeting him when I was a small-for-my-size eight‑year‑old, and he came to our school. And I met him in the front lobby as he walked in–he was kicking snow of off of his shoes and he was wearing that giant fur coat, and I probably didn't get up to his hip, honestly, in terms of my size. Just an absolute bear of a man.
Immediately, I was intimidated and he could tell, and he gave me a little mischievous wink with a glint in his eye and set me at ease. And, yes, I just have this memory of him being incredibly gentle while at the same time obviously powerful. And that's what every man should strive to be.
I think–when I think of my more recent memories with Mr. Bill Blaikie, it's as I entered a life of public service and decided to run in an area that he at one time represented. Then I got to speak with him. I got to meet him at events and he was open with me, he was willing to give me advice and counsel and share his opinions with me, and he always did it in a way that was very kind and gentle.
I especially remember seeing him at Remembrance Day ceremonies, one after the other. He would always make time for our veterans. He would always make time to honour those who had paid the ultimate price and sacrifice. And he would always set a very good example for our community that remembrance is important and that showing respect for those who served not only in public office, as he and I do and other members of this Chamber, but who served in a military role, to show them the respect that they were due.
I think his legislative accomplishments were many, and some were mentioned here, but I think when he was in this Chamber as a minister of Conservation, getting provincial parks created and recognized–I believe there was five provincial parks in one year flat–quite a remarkable accomplishment.
Now all that said, I think we probably all agree in this Chamber that those accomplishments were many and significant, but the ones in which he took the greatest pride–and the ones which I think are, in a way, going to have the most lasting impact–is that of his children, of his family, of his love for his grandchildren and for his four children and his love for his wife; the example that that set for everyone around them, that they could see the priority that he placed on his relationship with his wife and with his children, and then later with his grandchildren.
I attended his funeral. Each of his children spoke at the funeral. Each of them played a role as we worked our way through the liturgy, and it was clear that Mr. Bill Blaikie has a tremendous legacy in his children, and something to be truly, truly grateful for.
The other thing I want to mention is that his life of service was rooted in his faith in God. And mine is the same, and I know there's other members in this Chamber that would take the same approach, that would measure themselves to a standard higher than themselves or the laws of this land, but to a perfect standard.
And his politics were governed by that commitment, which I believe he had tattooed on himself, which surprised me to learn. But it was the phrase, love your neighbour. Love your neighbour: that was important enough to Bill to have it tattooed on himself. Made me think maybe I should consider the same.
And just the ability for him to live a life of selfless service and the example that that gave of putting the interests of others ahead of himself, of obeying the golden rule to do to others as you would have them do to you; that, I think, is the example that he set for me, he set for his children.
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I'm ever so grateful to have known him and to have had him serve as my MP and to see him serve here as an MLA, and to be a great father, a great husband and a wonderful grandfather. That's his legacy.
Thank you.
Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Mr. Deputy Speaker, I rise to extend condolences to the family and to friends who are here on behalf of myself and of Manitoba Liberals.
I'm going to speak particularly about Bill Blaikie's role in environmental issues. When, in 1984, he was appointed the NDP environment critic in the Parliament, he opposed some of the budget cuts and he was very strongly critical of the then-environment minister, Suzanne Blais-Grenier. And he said specifically, it's clear that she doesn't think about the environment; she thinks about the deficit.
Bill Blaikie's attention to environmental matters was throughout his life. He and I worked together when there was a proposal for a hog plant, OlyWest hog plant, in the Transcona area. And with our efforts and those of many, many others, that hog plant proposal was defeated. It was eventually moved to Neepawa, where the hog plant has been incredibly successful. But it has been out of Winnipeg and out of Transcona.
When he was elected the MLA in Elmwood, he became the minister of Conservation. And one of his big achievements was creating five new provincial parks. I think no other environment minister has produced so many new provincial parks in such a short time. These included Nueltin Lake Provincial Park, Colvin Lake Provincial Park, Birch Island Provincial Park, Little Limestone provincial park and Fisher Bay Provincial Park.
And for this effort, Bill Blaikie received the Nature Manitoba prairie caucus award, a recognition of his interest in his concern for the environment.
Now, the MLA for St. Boniface is unfortunately not able to be here right now, but he left me some comments which I will read on behalf of the MLA for St. Boniface.
He says in these comments that he first met Bill Blaikie in 1990 in Ottawa, attending a national student conference when he met with a number of MPs, including Dorothy Doppie [phonetic], Jake Epp, Ron Duhamel and others. And of these, the MLA for St. Boniface was struck that Blaikie was the least like a professional politician. He was an imposing figure with an even more imposing beard, but he was very humble and forthright about his positions and about the challenges of dealing with the government at the time.
Now, the MLA for St. Boniface was at the St. Andrews Society on Saturday night where there was a tribute to Bill Blaikie as a past president, as a moving force in the liberalization of the St. Andrews Society, bringing in women members for the first time. And the MLA comment–for St. Boniface comments that he knows that Bill Blaikie was proud of his Scottish heritage, and the Blaikies are affiliated with a group who are part of Clan Lamont, apparently.
There is much more that the MLA for St. Boniface mentions. He says Bill Blaikie did a good job of role modelling what it meant to be a Christian in a post-Christendom context, embracing pluralism but not seeing that that is diminishing one's faith.
And so, the MLA for St. Boniface extends to Mr. Blaikie's family, friends, colleagues, former constituents and, of course, the New Democratic Party, on behalf of himself and of all Manitoba Liberals, his deepest condolences in the time of grief, and knowing that he will live on in the hearts of many Manitobans forever.
Merci. Miigwech. Thank you.
Mr. Deputy Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? Would honourable members please rise and remain standing to indicate their support for their motion.
A moment of silence was observed.
Mr. Deputy Speaker: We will now move to the condolence motion for Martin Dolin.
I recognize the honourable Leader of the Official Opposition–[interjection]–oh, okay, great. That's–I recognize the honourable member for Elmwood to move that motion.
Mr. Jim Maloway (Elmwood): Mr. Deputy Speaker, I move, seconded by the member for Fort Rouge (Mr. Kinew), that the House convey to the family of the late Martin Dolin, who served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, its sincere sympathy in their bereavement and its appreciation of his devotion to duty in a useful life of active community and public service, and that Madam Speaker be requested to forward a copy of this resolution to the family.
Motion presented.
Mr. Maloway: Today, we honour Martin "Marty" Dolin, who led a life of dedicated service to the people of Manitoba.
Marty was born in New York City, in the Bronx, in 1939. He came to Canada in 1967, first moving to Nova Scotia and later settling in Winnipeg.
He led a life of public service and aiding others in need. He devoted his life to supporting refugees and newcomers to Canada, defending human rights.
Before moving to Winnipeg, he had run for the NDP in this 1972 federal election and in the 1974 provincial election in Halifax. He was first elected to the Manitoba Legislature in the 1985 by-election in the Kildonan riding to succeed his late wife, Mary Beth, who died after a battle with breast cancer at the age of 49.
Mary Beth was first elected in 1981, served as the Labour minister under the Howard Pawley government from 1982 to 1985, until she left due to her fight with breast cancer. Marty successfully ran for the Kildonan constituency in 1985 following his wife's death, and he was re-elected in the 1986 election but lost his seat in 1988.
Now, in the 1986 to 1988 period, in only two short years, Marty Dolin was the driver behind the formation of the one-thirteen social club which consisted of Thompson MLA Steve Ashton, the–who was the caucus chair at the time; Ellice MLA Harvey Smith, the NDP whip; myself and also–and together we initiated several successful legislative initiatives.
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The biggest one, by far, was to do a first in North America: to change the human–Manitoba Human Rights Code to add sexual orientation to the list of characteristics upon which it is forbidden to discriminate against. Took three votes in the caucus over several months to achieve success, and it was a testament to Marty's tenacious approach that such a major change was successfully achieved.
And Attorney General Roland Penner introduced the human rights changes on May 29, 1987. The legislation, when it passed this House, was proclaimed on December the 10th, 1987, the first in North America.
Now, the social club, the–as I mentioned, the one‑thirteen social club was also responsible for the introduction of MLA allowances which, at that time, started at $10,000. Nothing like we have today, but was a vast improvement over what we had at that time, which was $3,000 under the Sterling Lyon government. Before that we had zero as MLAs.
Marty was personally responsible for the introduction of the Manitoba 'hydropond' program, which existed for a number of years. I don't think it exists now, but it was–did last quite a few years.
While Marty and the one-thirteen social club claimed some victories, we had some losses, as well. On a hot Friday afternoon in June of 1986, we passed a caucus motion to ban mosquito fogging. But by Monday, just three days later, the premier intervened and mosquito fogging resumed, so we lost that one. Marty said at the time that he didn't really like mosquitoes, either, but he would vote with the majority.
And in the summer of 1987, Marty was helping me build my dock on the river, and neither one of us had ever built a dock before. So, when it came time to bolt the four-by-eight–there was four four-by-eight pieces together, Marty decided that muffler clamps would do the trick.
So, off we went to Canadian Tire where we bought enough muffler clamps to do the job. And once we got the four docks in the water and tied them together with the muffler clamps, we soon found out that the muffler clamps broke very easily. So, after all of this work and effort, we had to take it all apart and get professional advice.
So, Marty was a larger-than-life politician and person, and he had many stories to tell. One of my favourites was when he was asked by several youth members to give them advice on fundraising, as Marty had been a fundraiser during the 1981 election. The meeting was over very quickly when Marty gave his advice as follows: No. 1, find out who has the money, and No. 2, go and ask them for it. Evidently, his shortest meeting ever.
Marty was the only MLA who managed to get press coverage, I think, almost every speech he made while he was here in this House.
The–Marty passed away in February of 2018 at the age of 78, and the Manitoba NDP offer our deepest condolences to his family, as well as all who were close to and have mourned the loss of Martin "Marty" Dolin.
Mr. Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): I want to acknowledge the words that my colleague from Elmwood put on the record, and enjoyed hearing some of those stories about their legislative priorities in the day.
I had the opportunity to attend Mr. Dolin's funeral in 2018, and the reason why I did so is because party member after party member in the Manitoba NDP reached out to me at the time of his passing to explain about the important work that he had done to help them, about the principal policy positions that he had taken and the immense contributions that he had made to the Manitoba NDP.
So, of course I obliged and I had the time that day to listen to many other people who came up and shared their personal experiences with me.
Suffice it to say that Marty Dolin had a tremendous impact on folks and the progressive movement in Manitoba. A good chunk of that happened during his time as MLA, but a ton of that also happened in his life of service in the community after his time here in the Chamber. And, certainly, he did a lot to advance progressive causes in Manitoba, I think particularly around immigration being one of the highlights there.
Now, I do want to acknowledge Mary Beth Dolin, as well, and her service. It's tragic that she passed away and she is commemorated through an award that is given out to firefighters. But I also want to say that she is commemorated in the Manitoba NDP by a special fund which supports women to be elected into provincial office. And so, over the years, her legacy has continued and she has had the opportunity to continue to support the progressive movement to this day, many years after her tragic passing.
Of course, Marty, who ran for office after her passing, also served in the Pawley government and together, I think, over those years that spanned their two–well, the two of them serving multiple terms in the Legislature, they were part of a Pawley government that was a government of conscience.
That was the government that enshrined French language rights in Manitoba. As we just heard from my colleague, that was the government that enshrined LGBT rights in Manitoba. And time and time again, on issues of economic justice and on social justice, that government did the right thing, even when it wasn't the easy thing.
And so, in reading up on Mr. Dolin's contributions, I am grateful for the work that they did and for the opportunity to have learned about this government that did so many socially progressive things when I was just a child in this province.
Of course, we know that after politics, Marty Dolin just did a lot of work with immigration. He was a leader with the Manitoba multi‑faith immigration–or Interfaith Immigration Council, rather, and did a ton to make newcomers not only feel welcome in the province, but to ensure that they had the proper supports so that they might succeed.
Now, there were many employment opportunities, housing opportunities that were also realized during this time and, of course, Mr. Dolin also served on the Social Planning Council and was a published author as well.
Now, for all this life of service, he was given the diamond jubilee medal in 2012 and was honoured with many accolades during his time.
I've had the pleasure of meeting some of his descendants; children and grandchildren. And so, to all of them, as well as to his countless friends, I just wanted to say that we mourn Mr. Dolin's loss and we send you our condolences.
Mr. Brad Michaleski (Dauphin): It's an honour to stand and extend condolences to friends and family of Marty Dolin and acknowledge individuals who served in this House and chose a life to serve the public and the community and many, many others.
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Martin Dolin, who served the constituency of Kildonan, was born in New York City and became heavily involved in the civil rights movement at a very young age. In 1967, he moved to Canada and settled in Nova Scotia, and later he would move to Winnipeg.
He was known for his larger-than-life personality and was first elected in a by-election in October 1985. He was re-elected to office twice, and those who knew him described him as impassioned and fearless, and also that he had compassion for absolutely everyone.
Following his political career, Marty became involved with refugees and new Canadians as a member of the Canadian Council for Refugees and Social Planning Council for the City of Winnipeg. Further, he was a member of the Interfaith Immigration Council, and often helped newcomers find shelter at Welcome Place.
In recognition of this service, he received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, we honour Martin Dolin and the legacy he left behind in Manitoba.
Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Mr. Deputy Speaker, I rise to talk about Marty Dolin who was born in New York, came to Canada in 1967 in opposition to the Vietnam War and spoke for all his life with a strong Bronx accent.
He served as the MLA for Kildonan from 1985 to 1988, and is best known for his work with and for immigrants to Manitoba. He was a character and a force to be reckoned with. I met Marty on many, many occasions, and he was already to–always ready to contribute his ideas to improve life for recent immigrants to Manitoba.
He served as the executive director for Welcome Place, now the Manitoba Interfaith Immigration Council, from 1990 to 2011. He was also very active as a member of the Canadian Council for Refugees and Social Planning Council.
Wayne Helgason, who worked closely with Marty Dolin at the Social Planning Council, called Marty a real scrapper with no fear. Wayne said he could dissect policy weaknesses with razor precision, revealing bias and inequality in its application.
His inspired leadership was well displayed as the long-standing chair of the Committee for the Elimination of Racism and Discrimination at the Social Planning Council of Winnipeg.
Wayne remembers Marty as an engaging board member of the Social Planning Council. He, of course, focused on immigration. Wayne said, as well, that Marty had a mind like a trap. He knew details, data and policy challenges and was ready to confront anyone who thought he wasn't doing enough to welcome refugees to Manitoba, including governments of whatever stripe.
He provided an environment where it was unacceptable to not strive for high principles with respect to the treatment of newcomers to Manitoba. He showed disgust for any right-of-centre, anti-immigration attitudes or policies and any hidden racism.
He showed up all over the place, usually in his jeans, and always ready to roll up his sleeves and help.
On behalf of the Manitoba Liberals, I extend condolences to the family and friends of Marty Dolin.
Thank you. Merci. Miigwech.
Mr. Deputy Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? Would honourable members please rise and remain standing to indicate their support for the motion.
A moment of silence was observed.
Mr. Deputy Speaker: We will now proceed to the condolence motion for Eugene Kostyra. I recognize the honourable Official Opposition Leader.
Mr. Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): I move, seconded by the member for Flin Flon (MLA Lindsey), that this House convey to the family of the late Eugene Kostyra, who served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, its sincere sympathy in their bereavement and its appreciation of his devotion to duty and the useful life of active community and public service, and that Madam Speaker be requested to forward a copy of this resolution to the family.
Motion presented.
Mr. Kinew: I have to begin by acknowledging Jeri, who is here with us today, and for being so patient this afternoon. She's been here since the start of question period, along with her sister Judie, and so hopefully these words of tribute to Eugene, who meant so very much to us and to this movement, are fitting. And thank you so much for joining us here today.
Eugene Kostyra was a remarkable Manitoban. He is somebody who came from a very humble origin story, if we were telling the superhero movie of his life. He's somebody who had to work at a young age. He had to drop out of high school to work as a clerk and to work as a journeyman electrician.
And yet, in spite of the fact that he had to quit school early to put food on the table, he rose not only to become an elected member of this Chamber, but he actually made it to Cabinet and he actually served as the minister of Finance.
Along the way he was a trade unionist to the core. He served, perhaps most notably, with CUPE and is still remembered so fondly by labour leaders and labour activists from all walks of life.
In somewhat of a fitting note, I'll also put on the record that Eugene supported Bill Blaikie in the 2003 federal leadership campaign, and so it's kind of a fitting happenstance that we're paying tribute to the two of them here today.
I wanted to include in the first part of my remarks here today a remarkable story that has been handed down as NDP lore to the young generations of people like me, and I really love because it just tells you who Eugene Kostyra was.
So, the story goes that in one of the many important meetings that takes place in these hallowed halls, there was a group of, you know, really important people, some VIPs getting together. And of course, you know, one of them took the initiative with a ton of gusto to say, well, before we get down to business, why don't we go around the table and just introduce ourselves and talk a bit about the accolades that we've accomplished along the way.
And so, of course that–these being VIPs, they all jumped at the chance to share a little about who they were. And so, they went around the table, and this person had studied at this Ivy League school, and this person had a distinguished career overseas, and this other person was in a very valorized position at a high-ranking societal establishment.
And so, it went around this table person to person, each of them singing their own praises. And then, of course, they got little, old Eugene Kostyra at the end of the table, and when his turn came he said, well, my name's Eugene and I'm a high school dropout. Can we get this meeting started?
And I just love that because, for those who knew Eugene, that's who he was–straight-up, common sense, the smartest person in the room no matter where he went. And yet he never had an air about him that suggested that he was more important, or suggested that, even though he served as minister of Finance, that he should somehow not have the time to listen to the those around him.
* (16:50)
I have to say that I had the immense pleasure of getting to know him. As I got my start in politics here as a new MLA, he was one of those party lions who helped to steer and advise and provide some insight as to how this place works.
He was also encouraging in the decision to run for the leadership of the Manitoba NDP and, you know, when I confessed that I had some doubts as to whether the members of the, you know, party establishment, if you will, would support me, Eugene said, without hesitation, well, I'm a member of the old guard, and I'll support you.
And it was that sort of just directness and that sort of straight-up advice that he always had. And he backed it up with action. Not only did he give advice and encouragement, but he showed up and he put in the work to organize and to strategize, and he really helped us not just in that leadership but also in the lead up to the 2019 election campaign.
And for him, that's just what he did. How many election campaigns over the years did he serve that kind of role in? How many different local campaigns did he help organize and strategize and execute?
In fact, one of the last conversations–the last conversation that I had with Eugene was on the phone, and at this time, the Gimli hospital was slated for a closure, temporary closure. And he said, you know, you have to get on this issue, and not just this issue. When rural facilities close, you have to jump on those issues and speak to people in those parts of Manitoba.
And so, I was actually thinking about Eugene earlier today in question period when we raised a few issues in the Interlake and in the Westman, because his advice continues to ring loudly as we jump on those issues. And of course, his, you know, family, when I shared this with them earlier, they said, health care in rural Manitoba? How about health care in all of Manitoba? Let's go. So, certainly, that political bug is something that they all come by naturally.
I also want to put a few words on the record which are not my own but come from somebody who served in very serious–very senior ranks in past NDP governments, and she will probably be furious that I shared these words on the record here because she does like to keep a low profile.
But I was really moved by the words of Anna Rothney, a dear friend and somebody that Eugene mentored, that she put on her Instagram after he passed away. And she said, Eugene–and I quote here: Eugene always focused on the 95 per cent of things we have in common as progressives and blew past the small differences that can feel so huge in the moment. He was always working to grow the House. End quote.
She carried on her tribute by also listing Eugene's lessons as being: work hard, start from yes and figure out how to get it done from there, and of course, don't let perfect become the enemy of the better.
And so, you have this person who emerged from humble beginnings to move our province in concrete, tangible ways forward for working people in Manitoba, and he did so by having a very common sense, pragmatic attitude.
And I have to tell you, as we prepare for the next election, one of the things that I've noticed is that business leaders are reaching out, people who had some of the biggest companies in our province, people who are very influential.
And one of the things that I have noticed coming up in those conversations time and time again is that they are nearly universal in their praise of Gary Doer, but they're almost always universal in their praise of Eugene Kostyra. People in the senior ranks of the business community, not just the union community, knew that if they had an issue that needed to get attended to, that they should call Eugene.
And so, that is something that's been eye-opening for me, that even though Eugene was as partisan as the rest of us, his work carried on such that it influenced people from all walks of life, so long as they were Manitobans and they wanted to get something done for the people of our great province.
And so, I'm happy that Jeri and her sister Judie were able to join us here today, because Eugene served in this Chamber and did a lot of good here, but he also served behind the scenes in the halls of this place. And he did so many momentous things during that time.
One of them, of course, is that he was instrumental in getting the downtown arena built–Canada Life Centre, as we call it to this day. And how many of us, as Manitobans, would love to be honoured at a Jets game. Well, I think that would be pretty widespread. And so, it was a very nice moment during last hockey season for us to sit with Jeri there at Canada Life, the arena, to see Eugene Kostyra honoured by the Winnipeg Jets for his role in bringing NHL hockey back to Manitoba.
And so, they gave him the jersey, they honoured that jersey, they put up a presentation on the Jumbotron and they explained to the hockey fans in the building just a bit about who Eugene Kostyra was and how all those of us who cheered go Jets go owe something to Eugene.
So, to Ryan, to Tabitha, to the grandkids, TJ and Peyton, and all of Eugene's many, many friends and family, we are forever grateful that you shared Eugene with us. We send you our deepest condolences, and we say thank you to Eugene himself.
Mr. Matt Wiebe (Acting Official Opposition House Leader): Mr. Deputy Speaker, I'd just like to seek leave of the House to not see the clock until we complete the condolence motion for Mr. Eugene Kostyra.
Mr. Deputy Speaker: Is there leave of the House to not see the clock until the condolence motion for Mr. Eugene Kostyra has been completed? [Agreed]
MLA Tom Lindsey (Flin Flon): I acknowledge Mr. Kostyra's widow in the House with us today. And I'll tell you upfront that I never had the honour or privilege of meeting Mr. Kostyra, but when I was getting ready to speak today, certainly someone that I wish I'd known. Both of us had similar backgrounds coming out of the house of labour to land up in the party of labour.
And I look at the accomplishments that Mr. Kostyra made when he was a part of the Howard Pawley government, things like the right to refuse that I'm sure he had a big part in making sure got passed, things that I used in my former life as a health and safety representative to protect people, to keep people from getting hurt, to keep people alive.
So, so many Manitobans don't realize where a lot of those things came from and where a lot of the effort to get laws like that passed that made such a meaningful difference in the lives of Manitobans. So, we really owe Mr. Kostyra a debt of gratitude, and also, I'm sure, his family we owe a debt of gratitude, because I know how much time it takes to be a politician, to represent the people.
I want to recognize that, while Mr. Kostyra may not have graduated from high school in the traditional way, he went back later and got his GED and was actually honoured by his high school, St. John's High School, with an honourary degree recognizing the huge contribution that he made to the province of Manitoba.
Now, it was at a time when not everybody did graduate from high school because work had to be done, money had to be made. But clearly Mr. Kostyra was more than capable as he became a union official, a high‑ranking member of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, and then moved through various ministries within the government and becoming the Finance minister.
Clearly, he was a man to be reckoned with. He was a man that knew what was right and what was wrong, and made it his goal to make sure that what was right was actually done. When you look at the accomplishments that took place during that area–that era, it really was a remarkable achievement.
I don't have enough time to go through all the accomplishments that Mr. Kostyra was a part of, but certainly he was a driving force in a lot of those things.
* (17:00)
And I'm sure that he was a driving force within CUPE. And he went back to becoming a union advocate once he was done in the Legislature here. And I want to hope that some day following a similar path, coming out of a union and becoming an MLA, that I can continue to give back to Manitobans as Mr. Kostyra did.
It's certainly a lofty goal for me to achieve, to follow in the footsteps of people like him that made so many contributions, not just in this Chamber but in his work as a labour representative and as a Manitoban who cared, who cared about fellow Manitobans, who cared about making life better, not for himself and I'm sure, in many cases, not necessarily for his family, who put up with a lot of time without him there. But he was dedicated to making life better for hard-working Manitobans and all Manitobans in pretty much everything he did.
I want to acknowledge that when Mr. Kostyra was no longer an MLA, he did go back to being involved with the Canadian Union of Public Employees, becoming a regional director for the Manitoba division and executive assistant to the former national president. Those in themselves are no small achievements. So, the recognition needs to go on for everything that he was involved in.
Certainly, the fact that he went on to become an adviser to premier Gary Doer and an adviser to future premier Wab Kinew is something that should be acknowledged.
Mr. Deputy Speaker: The member's time has expired.
Mr. Shannon Martin (McPhillips): Eugene was known as a loving, caring, passionate individual. His passion for those less fortunate drove him to pursue a career in politics and labour, as my colleagues across the way have noted.
Eugene grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and attended school at Ralph Brown elementary school and Isaac Newton junior high. In his early adult life, Eugene worked as a clerk typist and journeyman electrician. He would go on to be involved in Manitoba trade union movement before he entered politics.
Eugene held office starting in 1981. He would go on to be named minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs, minister of Culture, Heritage and Recreation and minister of Urban Affairs, among other significant titles he would hold throughout his distinguished career.
His portfolio encompassed Manitoba Housing, where he established the province's first rent controls. He would then go on to hold the other official titles in office including minister of Industry, Trade and Technology.
Eugene was in office from 1981 until 1988. However, his passion and his drive kept him an active member of his party even after his time in office concluded. Outside the realm of politics, Eugene was a family man and enjoyed to share his love of music. He would often investigate bands in the history of music genres with friends and was known to go on road trips to catch a concert during his retirement.
For Eugene, family time involved camping trips to the Canadian coasts. Not only was Eugene known for his love of music and family, he was an avid traveler. Eugene traveled abroad, visiting many countries including South Africa, Poland, Ireland, Uganda, Australia and more. Mazatlán will always be a place, I understand, that he will love.
His charisma and charm allowed him to make friends anywhere he went. It was well known that he met–made friends in the outback of Australia. Further, Eugene was known to love hosting parties and events. At home, he would arrange infamous bocce ball tournaments, dinner parties and more and always made people feel welcome and warm.
Eugene was beloved by many in his life, and his legacy is honoured today here in this House. We on this side of the House, and indeed all members, would like to thank him for the positive impact he has had in Manitoba as a public service–as a public servant and recognize his passion and care for all those around him.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, our time in this House will all conclude and our time on this earth will all conclude, and it's my hope that through these recognitions, that we are able to honour these individuals who have made such a contribution to democracy here in the province.
Thank you.
Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Mr. Deputy Speaker, I rise to put a few words on the record in regard to Eugene Kostyra. And I also want to extend condolences, on behalf of Manitoba Liberals, to the family and to friends of Eugene Kostyra.
I first had an opportunity to meet Eugene Kostyra in the 1980s when I was providing care for children with blood problems and cancer. I was doing research and was with the Children's Hospital Research Foundation.
I was impressed at his ability to bring people together to have a useful discussion, and on that occasion, as I recall, it was focused on the business opportunities in the health sector. That is not the privatization of health care but what there are in terms of the opportunities for building companies to provide test kits and all sorts of other materials for use in the health care generally.
Eugene Kostyra was born in 1947. He was elected in 1981 and served as an MLA 'til 1988. He was very quickly recognized as somebody of great promise. He was named minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs, minister of Culture, Heritage and Recreation, minister of Urban Affairs and in time, then, minister of Industry, Trade and Technology and also the responsibility for the Manitoba Lotteries Foundation. And then in 1986, he was promoted to Finance minister.
I think it was when he was minister of Industry, Trade and Technology or possibly Finance minister that I had met him.
I'm going to refer to his speech that he gave when he was first elected in 1981. He was representing the constituency of Seven Oaks, an area of which he was very proud. He had contributed significantly and worked within the Canadian Union of Public Employees, and he mentioned that specifically.
He was very concerned at the time about people paying high rents. There were low vacant–low vacancy rates. He was concerned about educational opportunities and job opportunities for young people. And he was concerned about the impact of the high interest rates on working people. And he was concerned about the dignity and respect which should be expressed for Indigenous people in our province.
He mentioned, specifically, his support for the designation of The Pas Court House and Community Building as a historic site, noting that there had been no historic sites designated under the previous government. He argued strongly that it was irresponsible for the previous government, the PC government, to authorize a 50 per cent increase in transit fares and he spoke very forcefully for the importance of having transit which was affordable to all.
He spoke in support of the Core Area Initiative, one that he worked and contributed to over a number of years, a partnership between the provincial government, the federal government and the municipal government.
In his career, after he served as a member of the Legislature, he played a particularly important role in the government of Gary Doer, heading the province's Community and Economic Development Committee of Cabinet. And as a member of the Legislature during that period, it was quite clear that Eugene Kostyra was the mastermind behind a whole lot of the–
Mr. Deputy Speaker: The honourable member's time has expired.
Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? And would honourable members please rise and remain standing to indicate their support for the motion.
A moment of silence was observed.
Mr. Deputy Speaker: The hour being 5 p.m., this House is adjourned–past 5 p.m., this House is adjourned and stands adjourned until tomorrow morning at 10 a.m.
Have a good evening, everybody.
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA
Monday, November 28, 2022
CONTENTS
Bill 213–The Animal Care Amendment Act
Bill 10–The Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Amendment Act (Social Responsibility Fee Repealed)
Bill 210–The Employment Standards Code Amendment Act (Leave for Miscarriage or Stillbirth)
Bill 211–The Reciprocal Enforcement of Judgments Amendment Act
Bill 212–The Regulated Health Professions Amendment Act
Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development
Yohnatan Elizarov and Ava Kemp
Brandon Food and Beverage Establishments
Health-Care Services in Eriksdale
Cartwright and Carman, Manitoba
Winnipeg Fire-Paramedic Station Land Swap
Peter Nygård Assault Allegations
Handling of Peter Nygård Investigation
Off-Road Trails Safety and Maintenance
William "Bill" Alexander Blaikie