LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA
Tuesday, December 3, 2024
The Speaker: Good afternoon, everyone.
Please be seated.
The Speaker: Introduction of bills?
MLA Carla Compton (Chairperson): Honourable Speaker, I wish to present the first report of the Standing Committee on Legislative Affairs.
The Speaker: Tabling of–oh.
Deputy Clerk (Mr. Tim Abbott): Your Standing Committee on Legislative Affairs–
Some Honourable Members: Dispense.
The Speaker: Dispense.
Your Standing Committee on Legislative Affairs presents the following as its First Report.
Meetings
Your Committee met on December 2, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. in Room 255 of the Legislative Building.
Matters under Consideration
Annual Report of Elections Manitoba for the year ending December 31, 2022
Annual Report of Elections Manitoba for the year ending December 31, 2023
Elections Manitoba Proposal: Vote Anywhere in Manitoba on Election Day at any Returning Office dated October 2024
Committee Membership
Mr. Balcaen
MLA Compton
MLA Cross
Hon. Min. Fontaine
Mr. Perchotte
Hon. Mr. Wiebe
Your Committee elected MLA Compton as the Chairperson.
Your Committee elected MLA Cross as the Vice‑Chairperson.
Non-Committee Members Speaking on Record
Mr. Jackson
Officials Speaking on Record
Shipra Verma, Chief Electoral Officer, Elections Manitoba
Motions
Your Committee agreed to the following motion:
Reports Considered and Passed
Your Committee considered and passed the following reports as presented:
Annual Report of Elections Manitoba for the year ending December 31, 2022
Annual Report of Elections Manitoba for the year ending December 31, 2023
MLA Compton: Honourable Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable member for Waverley (MLA Pankratz), that the report of the committee be received.
Motion agreed to.
The Speaker: Tabling of reports?
Hon. Nahanni Fontaine (Minister responsible for Accessibility): December 3 marks the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, a day to promote an understanding of disability issues and reiterate support for the dignity, rights and well‑being of persons with disabilities in Manitoba and around the world.
Today, one in three Manitobans has a disability, including mobility impairments, cognitive disabilities, mental health disorders or sensory differences. These disabilities can be permanent or temporary, visible or invisible. Manitobans may be born with a disability or develop one at any time throughout their life.
This year, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities falls during the annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender‑Based Violence. Women of all ages are more likely than men to have a disability, and people with disabilities are more likely to experience gender‑based violence.
Being aware of the impacts of accessibility barriers and ableism, along with the misogyny, homophobia, transphobia and racism on gender‑based violence, is part of the work all Manitobans can do as we move towards a future where everyone can be free of gender-based violence. This is the work that I'm proud to participate in with our Women and Gender Equity team and that we are acutely aware of and that we include in all of our gender‑based analysis.
Our government remains committed to removing barriers through the full implementation of The Accessibility for Manitobans Act, first introduced by our former NDP government in 2013. The regulations under the act serve as building blocks for making real, effective changes right across Manitoba.
In my time as Minister responsible for Accessibility, I have had the incredible honour of meeting so many Manitobans in the disabilities communities working to make our province more accessible, including parents and those that are on the front lines, that are so dedicated to making sure that we have the most equitable and inclusive province for everyone.
I'm motivated by the lifetime of work citizens with lived experience and their allies and support networks have been doing to identify and remove barriers. And to them I say a profound miigwech for all of your critical heart work.
I'm thankful for the insight offered by Manitoba's Accessibility Advisory Council as we identify where we can and must do better. And I deeply appreciate the work done by the team at the Manitoba Accessibility Office as they ensure government is a willing partner in collaborating, educating and supporting Manitobans as they identify, prevent and remove barriers.
And to my team, I say a profound miigwech for all of your incredible work that you do on behalf of our government and all of Manitobans. Miigwech.
We all have a sacred responsibility to ensure everyone is afforded equal opportunities in everything that our beautiful province has to offer. And I'm proud to be a part of a government taking that responsibility seriously.
Miigwech.
Introduction of Guests
The Speaker: Just before the response, I have some guests that will be leaving shortly, so I'd like to introduce.
We have seated in the public gallery from Walter Whyte School 12 grade 9 students under the direction of Bryan Ryz, and they're guests of the honourable member for Red River North (Mr. Wharton).
And we welcome you here today.
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Ms. Jodie Byram (Agassiz): I rise today to observe International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This day, which has been annually recognized since 1992, serves as an opportunity for us to learn more about disability issues, raise awareness and to stand for the rights of persons with disabilities.
The theme for this year is: Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future. This theme highlights that when it comes to decisions that affect their way of life, people with disabilities are entitled to not just participate but commandeer.
As a country with a past that excluded certain groups from the table, we must strive to have inclusion of persons with disabilities in all aspects of society. The work should not stop there; there needs to be an increase in the decision‑making process.
Living with an impairment should not be a burden. As a whole, we need to take the responsibility of cultivating a society that does not define someone by what they cannot do.
Yesterday, we had the opportunity to highlight a young lady who made a difference for all young women who are faced with boundaries and obstacles. We praised her for pushing against those odds, but we need to do our part and implement strategies that remove the boundaries and obstacles that interfere.
Persons with disabilities deserve to freely partake in the governing of their lives.
In 2023, the PCs while in government gave record funding to uplift Manitobans with intellectual disabilities and their families. This funding also gave direct-service workers an increase in their hourly wage, supporting not just persons with disabilities but the people that take their time to assist them.
By creating avenues for persons with disabilities to speak up and take part of conclusions that shape their lives, we foster a society that views people with disabilities as self‑determining individuals.
Finally, we observe today. I would like to say this closing remark: A disability is only disabling when it prevents someone from doing what they want or need to do.
Thank you, Honourable Speaker.
Hon. Nellie Kennedy (Minister of Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism): Honourable Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge a remarkable institution in our community, Singh Sabha Gurdwara, a Sikh place of worship that stands as a beacon of inclusivity, compassion and service.
The gurdwara is not just a place for prayer, but a hub where the values of selflessness and unity are practised every day.
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What makes this gurdwara truly special is its open door to people of all faiths and backgrounds. Every day of the week, the gurdwara welcomes all individuals, offering a warm, open space for reflection and community. There are no barriers to entry; it is a place where everyone is embraced. This welcoming spirit is at the heart of the Sikh faith, and it exemplifies the message of equality and unity.
One of the most touching features of this gurdwara is its langar, the free community kitchen that serves meals to all who come through its doors. The langar is open all day, offering a hot meal to anyone in need, without question or cost. It is a true reflection of the Sikh principles of selfless service and generosity.
I had the honour of visiting this gurdwara this past weekend, where all community members made me feel exceptionally welcomed.
This incredible service, known as seva, is made possible by the dedication of countless volunteers–community members who give their time and energy to help serve others. They are the backbone of the langar, working together to ensure that no one is turned away hungry.
In Assiniboia, we are lucky to have such a place, a model of kindness, a shining example of what it means to live by the values of service, quality and community.
I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Singh Sabha Gurdwara and its volunteers for their unwavering commitment to make our community a better place for all.
Honourable Speaker, I would ask my colleagues to join me in welcoming members from the Singh Sabha Gurdwara who are here with us today, and thank them for their incredible service.
MLA Bob Lagassé (Dawson Trail): Since 2016, I've had the honour of being in the House countless times and have highlighted the community and individuals from Dawson Trail that are true Dawson Trail heroes. Communities such as Lorette always rally together when there are needs and step up to better their communities and the residents.
In January 2023, the exciting news came out that the then‑PC government, federal government and municipality provided over $8 million in funding to build the new Taché community complex. October 29 was also a very special day, standing alongside folks who have worked tirelessly over the years to make this project come to fruition and break the ground was an accomplishment that many should be celebrating.
During Estimates, a member opposite had stated how I was applauding the current government for their announcement, and that is truly disappointment–disappointing. If there would have been any applause, it would not have been directed towards the NDP promising funds prior to the 2016 election that had never been budgeted for, and it certainly would not have been taking extra time to release the funds the PC government had already committed.
I would encourage the minister not to pat themselves on the back but rather clap for the community members and organizations that have supported the ongoing fundraising efforts that have been going on for countless years, to the previous and current council who have dedicated the hours of their time to ensure this project was successful.
So today, I ask all members to stand and applaud those who deserve the applause: all those community members and individuals who truly made this happen.
Hon. Mintu Sandhu (Minister of Public Service Delivery): Today, I rise to recognize the Filipino Music and Arts Association of Canada Inc., also known as FMAACI.
Ten years ago, Levy Abad and Ernesto Ofiaza founded FMAACI, a non‑profit organization here in Winnipeg.
On November 15, 2014, FMAACI hosted the first Filipino folk music festival. Since then, it has introduced programs celebrating culture and diversity while launching the Golden Tambuli Awards to thank individuals from our local communities who contribute to the preserving these traditions.
FMAACI focused on preserving Filipino heritage by strengthening our connection through music and arts programs for all ages.
Since their inception, FMAACI organized the first Filipino Canadian Folk Music Festival with performers from Home Routes, Winnipeg Folk Fest and other groups, funded by Arts, Culture and Sports in Community Fund.
This organism has raised $10,000 to create the Music and Arts Leadership Award in partnership with Seven Oaks Education and Winnipeg Foundation.
In the years following, FMAACI also hosted the Filipino Folk Music Festival alongside Philippine-Canadian Centre of Manitoba and the Filipino Seniors Group of Winnipeg.
The Filipino Music and Arts Association of Canada and organizations like them are important touchstones for understanding our province's history and are vital resources of our collective culture identity.
Please join me in recognizing members of the Filipino Music and Arts Association of Canada Inc., or better known as FMAACI.
Thank you, Honourable Speaker.
Ms. Jodie Byram (Agassiz): Today, I stand before you to address a pressing issue that impacts the lives of countless Manitobans: complete lack of funding and support from this NDP government in our flight against poverty–fight against poverty.
Poverty is not merely a statistic, it is a daily struggle for far too many in our province. The challenges faced by those living in poverty are complex and interwoven, touching upon critical issues such as food insecurity, substandard housing and restricted access to essential services.
Regrettably, the funding provided by the NDP government has not kept pace with reality. Numerous programs intended to be stopgaps are instead being relied on by many Manitobans on a regular basis. Harvest Manitoba has come forward with the staggering figure, in spite of all the empty words this NDP government releases, their first year in office saw a 30 per cent increase in food bank usage.
The Premier (Mr. Kinew) can make up whatever stories he wants to of a mom and dad at the gas pump, going to a hockey game, getting a Happy Meal, but the–
The Speaker: Order, please.
I'd just caution the member that some of her language about making up stories is very close to being unparliamentary, so choose your words carefully, please.
Ms. Byram: Thank you for your guidance. Thank you.
Manitobans are struggling more than ever and reaching out for help. He promised his gas tax holiday would generate lower grocery prices, but everyone knows what happened. It missed the mark in helping Manitobans–most vulnerable people.
The stark reality is that many families are unable to make ends meet, and the 'chasism' between the assistant offered and the realities of the rising cost of living continues to expand. We must ask ourselves, how can we expect meaningful progress in eradicating poverty when the resources allocated are grossly insufficient to meet the needs?
As we approach the holiday season, many will struggle just to put food on the table. The Premier's promises ring in a day late and a dollar short. He promised grocery relief a year ago and still hasn't delivered. And unfortunately, many Manitobans can't afford Christmas.
No one can afford to trust this Premier.
Hon. Tracy Schmidt (Minister of Environment and Climate Change): Honourable Speaker, today I wish–sorry, apologies. Today, I stand to wish the River East Collegiate Kodiaks varsity hockey team the very best as they prepare to represent Manitoba at the prestigious Saint Michael Mustangs Invitational Varsity Boys Hockey Tournament in Niagara Falls. From December 11 to 15, these exceptional student athletes will hit the ice and compete against 24 teams from Ontario, Pennsylvania and beyond.
Currently racks–ranked second in their league, the Kodiaks have already had an impressive season. This year is especially significant as the team prepares to host the Provincials and will bid farewell to 13 of their 19 members who will be graduating.
These young athletes have dedicated countless hours to training, competing and representing their school and our community with pride.
Team sports like hockey are much more than just games. They are the foundation upon which lifelong friendships are built, where teamwork, perseverance and leadership are fostered. These values prepare students not only for success on the ice but also for challenges in life beyond the rink.
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To the Kodiaks: this tournament is an opportunity to showcase your talents, grow as individuals and teammates, and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Compete with determination, integrity and pride, knowing that you carry the support and admiration of your school and the province with you.
We look forward to hearing about your victories, both on the scoreboard and in the personal growth you'll achieve during this incredible experience.
Honour the game, enjoy the journey and make Rossmere and Manitoba proud.
Best of luck, Kodiaks.
And Honourable Speaker, I'd like to ask for leave to include their names in Hansard.
Finn Bjornson, Brayden Boge, Devon Brown, Matias Brzuskiewicz, Sergey Butov, Ethan Elias, Nolan Fielding, Easton Gervais, Lian Hanzman, Ashton Kollar, Levi Minuk, Lorenzo Panadisz, Griffin Rarog, Brady Terletski, Timothy Thevenot, Eli Ulrich, Gavin Ulrich, Darvic Unrau, Reese Unrau.
Introduction of Guests
The Speaker: Before proceeding to oral questions, there's some guests which, unfortunately, I believe have already left the gallery but I would like to introduce them anyway.
We had with us today Jaswant Singh Sidhu, Mukhtiar Singh Chahal, Baldev Singh Turka, Sukhveer Kalkat, Gianna [phonetic] Amrit Singh, Harkaran Jhinger, Manjit Kaur Jhinger, Gurmeet Sandhu and Beant Kaur Sangha, and they were the guests of the honourable member for Assiniboia (MLA Kennedy). And we did wish to welcome them all here; unfortunately, they have left.
Further, I would like to draw the attention of all honourable members to the loge to my right, where we have with us today Jim Rondeau, former member for Assiniboia.
On behalf of all honourable members, we welcome you here today.
The Speaker: And now I have a statement. I would like to draw the attention of all honourable members to the Hansard desk at the back of the Chamber, as I have someone to introduce. And I am pleased to announce that Melanie Ferris has been hired as the Assembly's new Hansard director.
For those who are not familiar with this role, the Hansard director is one of the Assembly's senior managers, reporting directly to the Clerk, with the responsibility for four full‑time staff and 30 seasonal staff.
I know you are all familiar with the documents produced by Hansard, as we all rely on the transcripts on a daily basis. You may not realize, however, that our Hansard Branch is a remarkable operation staffed by dozens of experienced and extremely capable people.
Melanie has been hired to lead this impressive group. Yesterday was her first day on the job and this afternoon she is shadowing Derek Elaschuk, one of the senior audio technicians, to learn about how we record and process every word spoken on the record in this room.
Melanie is a proud member of the Long Plain First Nation and she brings a wealth of experience to this role, including a degree in English literature from Carleton University, many years of senior leadership experience, over 20 years of experience as a professional writer and editor, experience working with federal government, non-profit organizations and First Nations.
Over the last four years, Melanie served as the director of communications for Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak and the Southern Chiefs' Organization. Prior to that, she served in key roles with Macdonald Youth Services, the kidney foundation of Manitoba and the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network.
Please join me in welcoming Melanie Harris [phonetic] to her new role–Ferris.
Mr. Wayne Ewasko (Leader of the Official Opposition): Of course, on behalf of the PC team, Melanie, welcome to your new role and we, I'm sure, we'll be giving you lots to discuss down with the rest of your team.
The Premier (Mr. Kinew) is, again, trying to distract Manitobans from his planned program cuts and tax increases in his upcoming budget. When asked what can be done, he points to defence spending, which is out of his jurisdiction–well, or at least until he runs federally, Honourable Speaker.
However, Manitobans know the best defence–[interjection]
The Speaker: Order.
Mr. Ewasko: –is a strong offence.
I asked the Premier today: Will he recognize the need for enhanced interprovincial trade today and strike an all-party committee to pursue this agenda on behalf of all Manitobans, Honourable Speaker?
Hon. Uzoma Asagwara (Deputy Premier): On behalf of our entire NDP government, welcome Melanie. This is a really exciting day. We're thrilled to hear your extensive and incredible resumé; really wonderful to hear that read into the record in this Chamber. So, welcome to you.
Honourable Speaker, on this side of the House, we take very seriously the economic health of our province. After seven and a half years of a PC government–failed PC government–led by Heather Stefanson, by Brian Pallister, that saw failed approaches, not only economically, but on health care, education–key areas that directly impact the health of our economy long‑term in this province, we're taking a different approach.
We're going to work with our partners. We're going to invest in areas and make our economy strong for generations to come.
The Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a supplementary question.
Mr. Ewasko: Internal trade barriers dampen productivity, stifle competition and investment and can restrict labour mobility.
Honourable Speaker, under our previous government, led by Heather Stefanson and Brian Pallister, the New West Partnership Trade Agreement has shown that there is an appetite amongst provinces to work together.
A Queen's University study showed that the New West Partnership Trade Agreement increased productivity by approximately 2 per cent, Honourable Speaker. Threats of tariffs should be an invitation for Manitoba to take a leadership role in a way we can control.
Twenty-six per cent of Manitoba goods and services are sold in another province and territory, Honourable Speaker. Let's set a collective goal of 30 per cent to protect Manitoban workers and businesses in the face of the tariff threats.
Is the Premier prepared to set aside political one‑upmanship and work together with all parties to enhance interprovincial trade, Honourable Speaker?
MLA Asagwara: Our Premier is working very hard each and every day, on behalf of Manitobans, building great relationships with first ministers across the country. It's part of the reason why he's the most popular premier in the country. And he does that work with integrity.
But since the member opposite invoked the names that he never usually says in this House, let's talk about the failed record of the previous PC leaders, Heather Stefanson and Brian Pallister. Four provinces have presence in Washington, DC. That's Alberta, BC, Ontario, Québec and Saskatchewan.
You know who else used to have presence in Washington? Manitoba. We were on that list until shortly after the 2016 election when the PCs were elected, and guess what? They cut that office.
They did damage to that relationship. We're fixing that damage that was done.
The Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a final supplementary question.
Mr. Ewasko: Well, it's interesting that the Premier and the wannabe premier, who stands up today, has basically taken our recommendation that we did yesterday and now taking credit for looking at opening that trade office in Washington, Honourable Speaker.
The Economist suggests a 25 per cent tariff could cost every Manitoban in excess of $2,000 annually. However, Queen's University has determined that consumers pay an extra 8 to 15 per cent on the price of goods and services because of interprovincial trade barriers.
As noted in the NDP's Throne Speech, the impact of inflation and rising costs has hit Manitoba hard. So let's hit back together.
Will the Premier (Mr. Kinew) announce an all-party interprovincial trade task force today, or is he content with making Trump's tariffs someone else's problem to fix?
The Speaker: Order, please.
I would just remind members that members should be called by their constituency name or by their ministerial portfolio and not other made-up names.
MLA Asagwara: The member opposite continues to show Manitobans why they are sitting on that side of the House. They're focused on division and these personal, immature attacks. Our Premier and our government are focused on Manitobans.
We're focused on building relationships, which is why the Premier announced just today that our government will stand up a trade office–a trade office, rather, in Washington, DC, in the new year, restoring–Manitoba has what America needs, and a trade office in the heart of the capital will strengthen trade ties and protect Manitoba jobs as we work with the incoming Trump administration.
Those are the words of a real leader. Those are the words of Premier Kinew. Those are the words–
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The Speaker: Member's time is expired.
And just to further caution the members to use constituency name or ministerial title in this case. The Premier is the Premier, not Premier his‑name. It's the Kinew government, but–okay?
The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a new question.
Mr. Wayne Ewasko (Leader of the Official Opposition): Well, once again, Honourable Speaker, they don't follow the rules very well.
When the NDP were last in office, they undertook the great Christmas clawback, Honourable Speaker. Prior to Christmas, the NDP wrote to 122 not-for-profits and demanded they return 25 per cent of their provincial funding to help the NDP balance their books. These were organizations geared to providing vital services for youth, persons with disabilities, newcomers, Indigenous people, just to name a few.
Now the Kinew NDP are up to the same old blame game. Despite their $900‑million increase they received from the feds, they are eliminating and gutting funding mid‑year for services that you, Manitobans, depend on.
Of the dozens of organizations that deliver employment training and support through the labour transfer agreement, can the Premier share the criteria, whose funding was eliminated, whose was slashed and whose was unchanged, Honourable Speaker?
Hon. Uzoma Asagwara (Deputy Premier): Honourable Speaker, on this side of the House, our priority is making sure that the services that Manitobans count on, the organizations who provide quality care, direct services to Manitobans every day, have the resources they need to do that work.
Now we know that the federal government has been making some decisions in terms of flowing or not flowing resources to community organizations and services. Our government is listening to those organizations and working with them to identify what those needs are and the gaps that are being created by the federal government.
Honourable Speaker, it's important to note that we believe in investing in these services, not cutting them for seven and a half years like the previous government did. And we're going to continue to work with our partners across the province to make our health–our province healthier for all Manitobans.
The Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a supplementary question.
Mr. Ewasko: Well, Honourable Speaker, what the Deputy Premier just stated is absolutely false. Manitobans are struggling to pay for their groceries, car payments, saving for retirement and their child's education.
Against this backdrop of cost-of-living crisis, what did the NDP do? They cut $20 million from the very programs and services our province depends on to deliver employment training and support. Not only are the recipients of these programs left in the cold, but so are dozens of staff who got the pink slip courtesy of this Premier. I table the document today.
Honourable Speaker, how many staff people were laid off through this sudden and unilateral reduction?
MLA Asagwara: Honourable Speaker, we have made significant investments as a government to support front-line services that deliver the resources Manitobans count on each and every day. We've been working with all levels of government to make sure that these services have their needs met.
Now, the federal government has made choices. They've made decisions that we know are impacting organizations across the province, and we're listening to those organizations and we're working with them.
But I want to talk about an area that was cut for seven and a half years by the previous government year over year. Hundreds of nurses fired from the front lines of our health-care system by that member opposite. Where was his voice then, when the failed minister of Health and premier of the day were firing nurses from the front lines? Will he stand up in his place and say sorry to those nurses today?
The Speaker: Member's time is expired.
The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a final supplementary question.
Mr. Ewasko: Honourable Speaker, I encourage the Deputy Premier to turn around and talk to the minister sitting behind her and take a look at the date of the letter. June 26, 2024, is when the letter was sent; $20‑million provincial cut.
In these instances, it is marginalized whose–Manitobans who sought out these employment training services. People–
The Speaker: Order, please.
I would just remind the honourable Leader of the Official Opposition that proper pronouns are required. So please correct yourself and proceed.
Mr. Ewasko: Honourable Speaker, do you want me to start over?
The Speaker: No.
Mr. Ewasko: No. Carry on. Wow.
Anyways, they are told to complain to–[interjection]
The Speaker: Order.
Mr. Ewasko: –the federal minister. [interjection]
The Speaker: Order.
Mr. Ewasko: It's unfortunate that the member for St. Johns (MLA Fontaine) constantly heckles and bullies her way throughout this Chamber, Honourable Speaker. And let me put that on the record, again.
So I ask the Premier (Mr. Kinew) to show some compassion to the–[interjection]
The Speaker: Order, please. I would ask the members of the government bench to come to order. The Speaker has already asked the member to not use the wrong pronouns. We don't need other members screaming across the way.
The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, to finish your question.
Mr. Ewasko: So employees and clients of EDGE careers, Immigrant Centre Manitoba, Osborne Village Resource Centre, reaching out–Reaching E-Quality Employment Services, to name a few–$900 million in transfers from the federal government, Honourable Speaker.
Will the Premier stand today, give 2 per cent of that $900 million, so that these important programs in our communities can continue serving Manitobans who'd need it the most?
MLA Asagwara: You know, Honourable Speaker, I'm not surprised. I'm not surprised that that member opposite stands up and, you know, tries to point the finger and cast blame in the wrong places.
On this side of the House, we're working for all Manitobans–[interjection]
The Speaker: Order, please.
The Leader of the Official Opposition will come to order. [interjection]
The Leader of the Opposition, come to order.
MLA Asagwara: You know, Honourable Speaker, I'm going to speak to Manitobans. I'm going to speak specifically to kids who that member opposite attacked in their last campaign. I'm going to talk to the trans kids who that member doesn't respect. And we see that because that member continues to do things in this House like misgender me when I stand up and not do the basic thing like apologize.
And I want all Manitobans to know, especially kids, that you deserve respect in every place you step into, and that you deserve–
The Speaker: Member's time has expired. [interjection]
Order, please.
The honourable member for Kildonan-River East (Mrs. Schott) will come to order and quit screaming across the aisle. [interjection]
Order, please.
Ms. Jodie Byram (Agassiz): Honourable Speaker, over 30 years, Samaritan House Ministries in Brandon has assisted hundreds of people every month through their food bank, resource centre, safe and warm shelter, training centre and second-stage housing for women and children fleeing domestic abuse. They have worked hard to make a positive difference in Westman region.
This government has cut their funding. I table their public notice.
Staff and clients are unsure about their future, and instead of prioritizing the funding to Samaritan House, this minister sent them a form letter. Thirty years of programming at risk, and all they got from this government was, we wish you and your organization all the best.
With this–will this minister do more than wish them well and provide them the funding needed to deliver these–
The Speaker: Member's time has expired.
Hon. Nahanni Fontaine (Minister of Families): I want to thank Samaritan House for all of the good work that they've been doing for so many years, serving the most vulnerable and marginalized of Manitobans. Their work is critical in supporting folks where they're at and ensuring that folks are safe and that they have the supports that they need.
I'm really proud of our government, that we have stepped up since forming government and really are cleaning up the mess that the former failed PC government–it's quite interesting that now members stand up with these erroneous questions, questioning whether or not our government is committed to supports for those that are on the front line.
That is what we do. That is what the–
The Speaker: Member's time has expired.
The honourable member for Agassiz, on a supplementary question.
Ms. Byram: Program staff and clients are facing cuts and unemployment, all thanks to this NDP.
As one client shared, quote: My daughter, Angel, took the program, then her daughter, Raeven, took the program. Now, both are employed. It was great program, and they learned a lot.
Food bank usage has never been higher. Child poverty is rising. Manitobans are struggling like never before.
Now more than ever, government–this government needs to assist the unemployed and underemployed with an opportunity to succeed. These organizations need a partner.
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This NDP government has received $900 million through federal transfers. Where are these transfers going if not to serve our most vulnerable?
MLA Fontaine: In fact, that is what we're doing; we're fixing the mess that members opposite left after seven and a half years of austerity and cut after cut after cut.
I mean, it's the pure audacity of members opposite to stand up in this House today and all of a sudden they care about vulnerable and marginalized Manitobans? They didn't care about them in their whole seven and a half years that they were in their failed government. They didn't even know where they were. What is a marginalized or vulnerable Manitoban? Pick yourself up by your bootstraps and do better: that was the message that members opposite gave day in and day out while they were failing Manitobans and in their failed government.
The Speaker: The honourable member for Agassiz, on a final supplementary question.
Ms. Byram: For 35 years Reaching E-Quality Employment Services has been working with persons with disabilities and health conditions to secure meaningful employment. With the stroke of a pen, this government has ended vital programming.
Effective September 30, REES no longer offers Manitobans employment assistance services. Staff has been laid off and clients have been abandoned, all because this NDP government does not see these organizations and their staff as a priority.
As we head into the Christmas holidays, can the minister share how many organizations are going to be hit with these funding cuts to services, programming and unemployment?
MLA Fontaine: Again, it's really disappointing that the member is choosing to get up and put false information on the record and really try to create an atmosphere of fear.
Again, it is pure audacity of any single member opposite to get up and try to feign that they actually care about those that are struggling or those that are on the front lines or those that work with the most marginalized and vulnerable of Manitobans, when after year after year after year, all they did was cut, cut, cut, with contempt and callousness. That was the record of their seven and a half years in their failed government.
Shame on them.
The Speaker: Member's time has expired.
Mrs. Lauren Stone (Midland): Earlier this year, the NDP decided to increase taxes on tens of thousands of property owners in Manitoba, collecting $148 million in new taxes.
Last week, a new housing market outlook from RE/MAX predicted the average house price in Winnipeg will fit–hit $456,238 next year. This is a 5 per cent increase from 2024. I table that for the House.
What is the minister's plan as property assessment values increase and, as a result, more middle-class Manitobans will be paying for his tax grabs?
Hon. Adrien Sala (Minister of Finance): You know what we did earlier this year? We cut taxes for Manitobans, and we're proud of it.
When we came in, what did we do right away? We brought in a fuel tax holiday, something they didn't do in seven and a half years.
What did they do? Seven and a half years, every single day, they charged fuel tax on Manitobans.
What did we do when we came in? We brought that relief in so that every single time Manitobans go to the pump, they're saving money.
And what did we do with our recent Throne Speech? We announced a hydro rate freeze, action on making groceries cheaper.
Finally Manitobans have a government that actually care about their interest. We're going to keep fighting every single day.
Mrs. Stone: These new figures show that more Manitobans will be worse off under the NDP's affordability tax credit that they would have been under the PC's property tax rebate.
This minister picked an obscure tax 'threshodel' out of thin air without considering any future forecasts.
Looking at the 2025 RE/MAX housing market outlook year over year shows average house sale in 2023 was $402,000, in 2024 it was $434,000 and 2025 predictions are $456,000. I table that for the House.
Does the minister plan to adjust his property tax grab to 2025 forecasts to allow more middle-class Manitobans to access his rebate?
MLA Sala: Honourable Speaker, we're doing that important work of making life more affordable.
And that's very different than what Manitobans had for the last seven and a half years when they had a government that applied a fuel tax every single day they were in government. They increased costs for renters–so Manitobans who are facing the greatest challenges, they raised taxes on renters by $175. They raised costs for farmers in Manitoba, increasing their costs of Crown leases. They did this work every single day, because they were not attuned to the realities Manitobans are facing.
Finally, Manitobans have a government that actually understands their challenges. We're going to keep doing that work, because we're showing up for Manitobans every single day.
Mrs. Stone: With average home prices increasing to record levels and assessed values increasing to record levels, this means more Manitobans will be paying higher property taxes, not what the NDP have claimed.
When the minister announced this tax grab, the CBC reported that homes over $437,000 would be worse off under the NDP plan, with Manitobans in Winnipeg's newest suburban areas paying more taxes. That's homeowners in Lagimodière, Southdale, McPhillips, Seine River–[interjection]
The Speaker: Order.
Mrs. Stone: –and Waverley, to name a few. I table that article for the minister. Now we see from RE/MAX figures the average home price is soaring to $500,000.
Will this minister commit today to returning to the PC's phase-out of education property taxes, or will he continue–
The Speaker: Member's time has expired.
MLA Sala: Honourable Speaker, what I can tell you we're not going to do is take lessons from the members opposite. They have a dismal record–a very dismal record–for seven and a half years of failing to respond to the affordability challenges Manitobans were facing.
What's our record again? What did we do right after we got in? We brought in a fuel tax holiday that we saw, just recently, a Stats Canada report that showed our fuel tax holiday is driving inflation down.
We are doing big things, making life more affordable for Manitobans in every corner of the province. Manitobans know that what's–that's what they can expect from us. And again, we are fighting every single day to make life more affordable for Manitobans.
Mrs. Kathleen Cook (Roblin): Just like the rest of Manitoba, Winnipeg is in a cost-of-living crisis.
Yesterday, the mayor's office released a poll regarding proposed tax increases in our city. Just 10 per cent of Winnipeggers polled preferred higher taxes over increased funding from the Province. Winnipeg is in a desperate budget crunch, and if the NDP doesn't step up, Winnipeggers will be paying higher taxes.
Members opposite can deny it all they want, but that is an NDP tax hike.
Does the NDP recognize that its failure to act on municipal funding forces these tax increases onto Winnipeg families, essentially making them an indirect tax hike imposed by this NDP government?
Hon. Glen Simard (Minister of Municipal and Northern Relations): Great pleasure to stand up here in the House and talk about how we're building this province. We're building it brick by brick.
I have 40 municipalities, they know they can count on the Manitoba GRO fund–$42 million for infrastructure projects; the one Manitoba growth and renewal program for municipalities; 2 per cent escalator every year for municipalities.
And a willing partner, a good-faith government that will work with them–a 'bresh' of 'fress' air. Building the province brick by brick.
Straw houses over there.
Mrs. Cook: The City has proposed all kinds of unnecessary and unfair lifestyle taxes to try and make ends meet at city hall. Taxes on food delivery, parking, vehicle registration, alcohol and huge property tax hikes.
This after the NDP hiked property taxes and income taxes in their last budget and refused to fight for Manitoba families on the carbon tax.
If the NDP refuses to offer a sustainable, predictable funding model to the City of Winnipeg, they will be leaving residents to bear the brunt of more fees and higher taxes. Winnipeggers can't afford an even higher tax burden.
Why is the NDP forcing their bad budgeting on Winnipeg residents?
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Mr. Simard: Who cut transit buses to the city of Winnipeg? Brian Pallister. They said that name earlier before. That was the stick builder, right? Build his province out of sticks and–problem–fighting the feds all the time.
We are a good-faith government brick by brick: all women doing well, public safety strategy, more nurses and doctors, 21 new ways to save, protecting Crown land rent, fixing the sold‑off Manitoba housing, buying more, building more, you know, investing in municipalities last year and again this year, historic labour legislation–
The Speaker: Member's time is expired.
Mrs. Cook: Mayor Gillingham's polling shows that Winnipeggers overwhelmingly oppose new taxes and favour provincial revenue sharing instead. The NDP government is showing a pattern of forcing other layers of government to own these unpopular tax grabs instead of stepping up as a government themselves.
We saw the same approach with school taxes, which shot up as high as 17 per cent this year. Now the NDP hopes that piling more taxes on Winnipeggers will cover up for their broken promises to the City of Winnipeg.
Why is this NDP government refusing to step in and make sure Winnipeg residents aren't burdened by additional taxes?
Mr. Simard: We're investing in NEWPCC to protect Lake Winnipeg: another brick. We're investing in a critical mineral strategy for this province: another brick. Historic investments in post‑secondary, Brandon University, Assiniboine college: another brick. Track My Plow; half a billion dollars for infrastructure: another brick; a new Public Service minister who is investing in Vital Statistics so that people can get the information they need. And that's what this government does.
City of Winnipeg, you have a collaborator.
We are builders; everybody knows it. We can keep going on. Sport, Culture and Heritage, historic investment–
The Speaker: Member's time is expired.
Mrs. Carrie Hiebert (Morden-Winkler): Honourable Speaker, I have asked this government about the needs of my constituents. I am concerned that we cannot get a straight answer. The City of Morden is actively seeking improvements to their waste water system and, in fact, as of now, growth in this area–in the area is at a standstill.
Will the new minister remove the roadblocks that the City of Morden's experiencing today?
Hon. Glen Simard (Minister of Municipal and Northern Relations): Hey, we'll keep building; that's what this government does. And I was very–and I was, you know, very happy to meet with the mayor of Morden and talk about the waste water treatment work that's going on there. Happy to meet with the mayor of Winkler. Happy to meet with the mayor of Brandon. Happy to meet with the mayor of Winnipeg. And the theme is the same: we weren't getting help before; can you please help us? We weren't getting help before with these straw‑house builders. Can you please help us?
Because that's what this government is doing. And when we talk about one Manitoba growth and renewal program, when we talk about $42 million into Manitoba GRO, when we talk about 2 per cent every single year, those are going to communities like Winkler–
The Speaker: Member's time is expired.
The honourable member for Morden‑Winkler, on a supplementary question.
Mrs. Hiebert: As of May of this year, the shortfall between the cost of upgrades to the waste water system in Morden and the available grants and funding was between 13 and 33 million dollars.
When will this minister sit down with municipal leaders and take action to complete this needed waste water project?
Mr. Simard: Straight answer: We invested more money into Water Services Board. We're meeting with these municipal leaders as an honest broker where they couldn't get meetings before. They're, like, shocked by the fact that they can actually talk to someone in government.
And, you know, they want to ignore the years of zeroes like it was nothing. Let's use an analogy: you dug them a hole; we gave them a ladder and you were just throwing them a shovel.
We are here to build this province. We are not here to ignore the stakeholders. We are here to give them their 2 per cent year after year, invest in policing, invest in waste water. That is clear. That's what we're doing. We're feeding kids. Another brick. We're your builders.
The Speaker: Member's time has expired.
The honourable member for Morden-Winkler, on a final supplementary question.
Mrs. Hiebert: This is not a partisan issues. This is a Manitoba community that wants to grow, wants to give Manitobans an opportunity to build their best life. My constituents expect the government to work with municipal leaders and take real action. Right now, houses can't be built and businesses can't expand, because the government talks but won't act.
Will the minister commit today to coming to the table with funding and solutions to remove this roadblock and build this facility today?
Mr. Simard: Listen. We are builders, and I'll tell you what we're hearing. We're hearing the same thing you're hearing: help our communities grow.
That's why we have the Manitoba GRO program, $42 million. That's why we invested in the Water Services Board. That's why we're good partners with the federal government. We're not starting fights. We're not doing what the straw builders and the stick builders did. How can you build a province when you're fighting with the people you're supposed to be working with?
We pull on the rope together. We are rowing this province in the direction of prosperity, and we will continue to invest in the people of this province.
And it's really clear: the best resource–
The Speaker: Member's time has expired.
MLA Billie Cross (Seine River): Yesterday, the Premier (Mr. Kinew) gave all PC members of this House the opportunity to say the names of the murder victims and apologize to their families and all Manitobans for their shameful election campaign.
Their own former deputy premier, Rochelle Squires, has said that: I know that it took many people by surprise, myself included, who are really just so ashamed of that ad campaign.
Sadly, members opposite continue to stand firm against Indigenous murder victims. They still refuse to apologize or say the names of the murder victims they campaigned against.
Can the Minister of Families remind the House why it's so important to continue denouncing the members opposite until they apologize for their hateful campaign?
Hon. Nahanni Fontaine (Minister of Families): Miigwech for that question from my amazing colleague.
During the election, every single member opposite fought to keep the bodies of Indigenous women murdered by a serial killer in a landfill forever. We will never forget that, and we will never let Manitobans forget what they did.
Last week, the member for Turtle Mountain (Mr. Piwniuk) said, and I quote, it's in the past, get over it. End quote. That was literally 15 months ago that the election was held.
Yesterday, we watched as members laughed and smirked and were dismissive in their body language at really executing their anti-Indigenous-women campaign, even just here in the Chamber. They still haven't apologized to the families of these murder victims–
The Speaker: Member's time has expired.
Mr. Konrad Narth (La Vérendrye): Manitoba businesses don't often need help. In fact, they're usually the ones providing the help and building our economy. But right now, Manitoba businesses need the support of this government when it comes to recruiting and 'rintaining' skilled workers from outside Manitoba.
Many have reached out about their concerns and the fact that they feel unheard by this government. Some started the process to find staff a year ago and are no closer to filling the positions.
Can the minister explain to those Manitobans why her government MPNP draws seem to be tied to her question about her portfolio?
Hon. Malaya Marcelino (Minister of Labour and Immigration): Members opposite don't have a leg to stand on when it comes to immigration in this province.
The previous Immigration ministers didn't even know the difference between a tourist or a permanent resident. All they did to the Immigration department was cut, cut, cut and more cuts. And at the end of the day, they couldn't even fulfill their processing that was given to us by the federal government, and they left over 2,100 files that could have been newcomer families here in Manitoba.
* (14:30)
So it was a shameful record, and they don't have a leg to stand on when it comes to immigration in this province.
The Speaker: The honourable member for La Vérendrye, on a supplementary question.
Mr. Narth: I'll provide a more specific question to the minister.
Some doctors have reached out to me with concerns about filling specific support and administrative positions. They know that the services Manitobans rely on require a full team of support staff. They have found the potential professional staff and are willing to support the immigration process, but have been unanswered or completely denied.
Unfortunately, they know that this government is no ally to business or that those that are trying to provide the services to Manitobans.
Why is this government not meeting with these groups to meet the needs for immigration needed to grow the health-care capacity?
Hon. Uzoma Asagwara (Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care): Honourable Speaker, our government did something historic. We set up, for the first time ever in our province's history, a recruitment and retention office that is dedicated to working with municipalities, with doctors, with anyone who is committed to making sure we have more people on the front lines.
Seven and a half years of services being cut across the health-care system, people fleeing Manitoba because of a harmful PC failed government–our recruitment and retention office has successfully been recruiting folks into the health-care system, working in partnership with doctors and folks across the health-care system. We're going to keep doing that work to the benefit of all Manitobans.
Mr. Narth: Honourable Speaker, one thing for certain is that Manitobans have never witnessed a government so intent on division, hate, partisanship, other than this Kinew government. They are so loyal to their socialist ideology.
This government says one things and does another. I–[interjection]
The Speaker: Order.
Mr. Narth: –have heard from doctors that are worried about their ability to practise, being impaired and limited.
They have been unable to recruit people with the right skill set domestically and try to avail themselves to our Provincial Nominee Program. Instead, they've got nothing but red tape and roadblocks.
Can the minister commit today to prioritizing draws related to such high-needed skilled labour and working with these–
The Speaker: Member's time has expired.
MLA Marcelino: Members opposite are living in an alternative universe if this is what they think is going on here in Manitoba.
This is a government that is going to be fulfilling the highest number of newcomers, that we're going to be fulfilling our federal allotment this year by the end of December. That's over 9,500 newcomer families in our province, and this is going to be a history, record-setting number for our province.
Just in two weeks, we were able to open rural strategic initiatives, enabling communities like Brandon and also west-central Manitoba municipalities like Russell so that they can provide their own immigration needs for their own communities–
The Speaker: Member's time has expired.
Mr. Grant Jackson (Spruce Woods): This Throne Speech that just passed by the NDP government was an abject failure for Brandon and for rural Manitoba.
The Throne Speech failed to mention the Park Community Centre that the member for Brandon East (Mr. Simard) campaigned on, failed to mention Brandon University, failed to mention the Keystone Centre, failed to mention Assiniboine college, failed to mention the Westman centennial auditorium, failed to mention the sportsplex and only mentioned rural Manitoba as a whole three times.
So where has the member for Brandon East been, and why is this government failing the Wheat City and all of rural western Manitoba?
Hon. Wab Kinew (Premier): You know, the people of Brandon and the Westman are so delighted that they have a such a great servant in the form of minister Smooth. In fact, the only thing smoother than this minister–
The Speaker: Order, please. Once again, I have to caution members to use the constituency name or the ministerial title.
Mr. Kinew: The only thing smoother than this minister is 18th Street in Brandon that goes right in front of his office, thanks to the repairs of this government.
The years of cuts under the PCs are over. They cut health care. They cut roads. They even cut the Christmas party at the Legislature.
But the PC war on Christmas is over because for the second year in the row, we're inviting you, the people, back to your building. This Saturday, it's the holiday open house. Please join us for the festivities.
The Speaker: The time for oral questions has expired.
The Speaker: And I have a ruling for the House.
Order, please.
Following the delivery of the Speech from the Throne by Her Honour the Lieutenant Governor and the introduction of Bill 1 on November 19, 2024, the honourable member for Springfield-Ritchot (Mr. Schuler) raised a matter of privilege alleging that he and several of his colleagues had been denied office space in the Legislative Building since September 23, 2024. He further alleged that, in limiting access to and removing confidential materials from his office space, his privileges as a member had been breached. The member concluded his remarks by moving that this matter be referred to the Standing Committee on Justice for review.
The honourable Government House Leader (MLA Fontaine) and the honourable member for Fort Garry (Mr. Wasyliw) spoke to the matter before I took it under advisement.
As the House knows, for a matter of privilege to be ruled a prima facie case, the member must demonstrate that the issue has been raised at the earliest opportunity while also providing sufficient evidence that the privileges of the House have been breached.
On the condition of timeliness, in his submission, the member alleged that some of the specific incidents he referred to occurred while the House was not sitting in the November break week. Accordingly, he stated that the first day of session was the first available time that he could rise on this matter. Despite the fact that some of the events in question occurred prior to the break week, given that a key event described by the member occurred when the House was not sitting, I would generally agree with his assessment and I am therefore ruling that the member met the test of timeliness.
Regarding the second condition of whether a prima facie case was demonstrated, the member for Springfield-Ritchot (Mr. Schuler) made two allegations in his submission: (1) Since September 23, 2024, he and several colleagues had been without office space in this building; (2) On Wednesday, November 13, 2024, documents and files were removed from opposition office spaces and were not returned to the affected MLAs or given to their caucus offices, but instead were moved to another office in the building.
The member further alleged that it had been reported that staff from the NDP caucus were present to oversee this removal of confidential files. The member also stated that he found it unacceptable that much of the communication about these office moves had not come from an officer of this House or from an official, but rather from the NDP caucus director. The member concluded that not having an office space in the building and the alleged breach of confidentiality impacted his ability to properly participate in this House and to fully and properly represent the citizens of Springfield-Ritchot.
As Speaker of this House, I find these allegations concerning. However, there are three problems with the member's submission.
First, there is the matter of jurisdiction. In his conclusion, the member stated that, seeing as this House has sole authority over its own affairs and that we have not delegated that authority to the NDP caucus director, I suggest that we send this to the appropriate body to get to the bottom of what went wrong and establish firm rules protecting opposition confidentiality files and the allocation of office space.
* (14:40)
In his conclusion, the member stated that: Seeing as this House has sole authority over its own affairs and that we have not delegate–that authority to the NDP caucus director, I suggest that we send this to the appropriate body to get to the bottom of what went wrong and establish firm rules protecting opposition confidentiality files and the allocation of office space.
To support this suggestion, the member cited Bosc and Gagnon on page 59 of the third edition of House of Commons Procedure and Practice, which states that the rights and powers of the House as a collectivity include the exclusive right to regulate its own internal affairs, including its debates, proceedings and facilities.
It is important to note, however, that Manitoba is one of only three jurisdictions in Canada where the Speaker does not have authority over the entire Legislative Precinct. According to the–accordingly, the Assembly does not have the authority to assign office space in the Legislative Building nor to delegate that authority. Other than the Chamber, committee rooms and Assembly offices, the facilities of the Legislature are under the management of the government of the day. I reference this because the way the member characterized this arrangement was inaccurate, and I believe it is important to clarify this for the House.
Second, there is a problem with the member's account of the two House of Commons Speaker's rulings he referenced. He cited a ruling from 1999, stating that Speaker Parent ruled that picketers preventing MPs from accessing their offices on sitting days was a prima facie case of contempt of the House. However, that was not an accurate description of that event or the Speaker's decision. In reviewing that ruling, I learned that while the matter did relate to picket lines set up by members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada which blocked access to Parliament Hill and its buildings, the findings of a breach of contempt related specifically to the fact that one of the MPs was assaulted when trying to reach his office.
The member also cited a 1991 ruling regarding an incident when an independent Member of Parliament had his office and its contents moved without his consent, noting that Speaker Fraser expressed how important it is that legal counsel oversaw the moving of those files and could not attest to their security and confidentiality. Again, the member did not relate the whole story here. In his ruling, Speaker Fraser stated that while the member might have had a valid complaint, it was an administrative matter and not a question of privilege. Speaker Fraser also noted that there was more to the story than what had been shared by the member.
Speaker Fraser's last point brings me to the third problem with the member's submission. The member spoke at some length about his allegations, but he provided no specific evidence regarding the circumstances he described. For example, stating that it was reported that the NDP caucus staff were present when files were moved does not amount to proof of that action. This creates a challenge for me as your Speaker in making a determination of facts in this case. If opposition members' files and documents were actually moved by NDP caucus staff, that could be problematic.
However–[interjection]
Order, please.
However, the member presented no proof as to who moved the files and documents. Therefore, I find that the member did not provide sufficient evidence to demonstrate that his privileges have been breached.
Accordingly, while I find this entire situation concerning, from a procedural perspective and considering all of the information I have shared with the House, I must rule that the prima facie case of privilege was not established in this matter.
I will conclude by noting that, while this situation did not meet the test of a valid matter of privilege, it remains a concern. If the caucuses are interested in having a discussion about how office space is allocated in this building, as your Speaker, I would be open to participating in such a conversation.
Thank you for your attention to this ruling.
Mr. Derek Johnson (Official Opposition House Leader): Yes, with all due respect, Honourable Speaker, I would challenge the Speaker's ruling.
The Speaker: The ruling of the Speaker has been challenged.
Voice Vote
The Speaker: All those in the House in favour of the ruling, please say aye.
Some Honourable Members: Aye.
The Speaker: All those opposed, please say nay.
Some Honourable Members: Nay.
The Speaker: In my opinion, the Ayes have it.
Recorded Vote
Mr. Johnson: Yes, a recorded vote, please.
The Speaker: A recorded vote has been called for.
Please call in the members.
Order, please.
The one hour for the ringing of the bells has expired, so I would request that the bells be turned off and the House proceed to the vote.
The question before the House is: Shall the ruling of the Speaker be sustained?
Division
A RECORDED VOTE was taken, the result being as follows:
Ayes
Asagwara, Blashko, Brar, Bushie, Cable, Chen, Compton, Cross, Dela Cruz, Devgan, Fontaine, Kennedy, Kostyshyn, Loiselle, Marcelino, Moroz, Moses, Moyes, Naylor, Oxenham, Pankratz, Redhead, Sala, Sandhu, Schmidt, Schott, Simard, Wiebe.
Nays
Balcaen, Bereza, Byram, Cook, Ewasko, Goertzen, Guenter, Hiebert, Jackson, Johnson, Khan, King, Narth, Nesbitt, Perchotte, Schuler, Stone, Wasyliw, Wharton, Wowchuk.
Clerk (Mr. Rick Yarish): Ayes 28, Nays 20.
The Speaker: The ruling of the Chair is accordingly sustained.
* * *
An Honourable Member: Honourable Speaker, on House business.
The Speaker: The honourable member for Fort Garry, on House business.
Mr. Mark Wasyliw (Fort Garry): I table today a request for inquiry into a conflict of interest allegation against the Premier (Mr. Kinew). This isn't in the normal form. The commissioner's website is–had technical glitches all day today, and he's given me express permission today to table this inquiry request in this form in this manner today.
* (15:50)
Mr. Wayne Ewasko (Leader of the Official Opposition): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly.
The background to this petition is as follows:
(1) Ensuring that teachers have a robust background in the subjects they teach is essential for maintaining high‑quality education and fostering well‑rounded learning experiences for all Manitobans–students.
(2) The recent amendments by the Province of Manitoba to the Teaching Certificates and Qualifications Regulation under The Education Administration Act have significantly lowered the standards for subject‑area expertise required for teacher certification.
(3) These amendments eliminated all subject‑area requirements for teacher certification, including major and minor teachable subjects and subject‑specific requirements for early/middle years streams.
(4) Specifically, the amendments removed: senior years credit requirements in an approved teachable major and minor; early/middle years credit requirements in an approved teachable major and minor; and early/middle years credit requirements for specific subjects, including: math; physical or biological science; English or French; and history and/or geography.
(5) Key stakeholders, such as parents, post‑secondary educators outside the faculties of education and business partners were not consulted about the changes.
(6) The removal of subject‑specific requirements undermines the educational quality in Manitoba schools by permitting teachers to enter the classroom without sufficient training in core academic areas, thereby compromising the education that Manitoba students receive.
We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:
(1) To urge the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning to reverse recent amendments to the Teaching Certificates and Qualifications Regulation that weaken subject‑area requirements for teacher certification and to reinstate teachable majors and minors and early/middle years requirements which are essential for ensuring teachers have strong knowledge in core subject areas.
(2) To urge the provincial government to address teacher shortages through alternative measures that uphold rigorous subject‑area standards, which are critical for providing quality education to all Manitoba students.
This petition is signed by Jampel Madit, Jonathan Araya, Kalkidan Begashaw and many, many more fine Manitobans, Honourable Speaker.
House Business
Hon. Nahanni Fontaine (Government House Leader): House business, Honourable Speaker.
The Speaker: The honourable Government House Leader, on House business.
MLA Fontaine: I would like to announce the Standing Committee on Legislative Affairs will meet on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at 1 p.m. to consider the Annual Report of the Manitoba Advocate for Children and Youth, for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024.
The Speaker: It has been announced that the Standing Committee on Legislative Affairs will meet on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at 1 p.m. to consider the Annual Report of the Manitoba Advocate for Children and Youth, for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024.
Mr. Rick Wowchuk (Swan River): Honourable Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly.
To the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, the background to this petition is as follows:
(1) Provincial Road 275, PR 275, known as Ditch Road, intersects with PR 588, serving rural areas west of the town of Swan River, and is a heavily used travel corridor linking Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
Mr. Tyler Blashko, Deputy Speaker, in the Chair
The highway curves on entry into the town of Swan River and terminates at PTH 10A, the town's north bypass.
(2) The Swan River Valley is a highly productive agricultural area, and PR 275 is used by farmers to move heavy machinery and equipment as well as transport seed grain and fertilizer to many farmers located within reach of the highway.
(3) It is also frequented by families, people shopping at businesses along the route and school buses to transport rural students into the town of Swan River for school.
(4) Due to only having patchwork and minor repairs, the highway has 'deteriated' and is covered with large potholes, posing a significant threat to vehicles and passengers.
(5) The roadway and shoulders on PR 275 are extremely narrow, leaving large ditches that have not been properly cared for, which has caused poor drainage. The Town of Swan River and the Municipality of Swan Valley West have inquired with MTI for a drainage solution over the past several years. This ditch is not graded properly and is full of bulrush, willows and cattails.
(6) The solution brought forward is to decrease maximum speed limits on the road and to undertake a full rehabilitation of the highway and to reroute the stream through what is now existing farmland, under CN rail line and the PTH 10A bypass, as well as through several hundred meters of an existing slough into the Swan River.
(7) Numerous meetings held with Swan Valley West and Town of Swan River with the provincial government have not moved forward. It was agreed in 2022 that MTI was to complete a hydraulic investigation of the capacity of PR 275/2nd Avenue ditch.
* (16:00)
The municipalities have not seen the results of this investigation.
We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:
(1) To urge the provincial government to address the much-needed rehabilitation of Provincial Road 275 to ensure public safety.
(2) To urge the provincial government to provide the results of the MTI investigation to the town and municipality and provide immediate funding for the repairs to PR 275.
(3) To urge the provincial government to address drainage issues on PR 275 and create permanent solutions so that flooding can be avoided.
This has been signed by Bill Hunt, Morris Witow, Brad Stewart and many, many other Manitobans.
The Deputy Speaker: The honourable member for Fort Garry (Mr. Wasyliw). Fort Whyte. Apologies.
Mr. Obby Khan (Fort Whyte): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.
These are the reasons for this petition:
(1) Persons struggling with mental health as their sole condition may access medical assistance in dying unless Parliament intervenes.
(2) 'Suicidity' is often a symptom of mental illness, and suicide is the second leading cause of death for Canadians between the ages of 10 and 19.
(3) There have been reports of the unsolicited introduction of medical assistance in dying to non-seeking persons, including Canadian veterans, as a solution for their medical and mental health issues.
(4) Legal and medical experts are deeply concerned that permitting Canadians suffering from depression and other mental illnesses to access euthanasia would undermine suicide prevention efforts and risk normalizing suicide as a solution for those suffering from mental illness.
(5) The federal government is bound by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms to advance and protect the life, liberty and security of its citizens.
(6) Manitobans consider it a priority to ensure that adequate supports are in place for the mental health of all Canadians.
(7) Vulnerable Manitobans must be given suicide prevention counselling instead of suicide assistance.
(8) The federal government should focus on increasing mental health supports to provinces and improve access to these supports, instead of offering medical assistance in dying for those with mental illness.
We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:
(1) To urge the provincial government to lobby the federal government to stop the expansion of medical assistance in dying to those for whom mental illness is the sole condition.
(2) To urge the provincial government to lobby the federal government to protect Canadians struggling with mental illness by facilitating treatment, recovery and medical assistance in living, not death.
Honourable Speaker, this petition was signed by many, many Manitobans.
Mr. Mark Wasyliw (Fort Garry): I wish to present the following petition.
The background to this petition is as follows:
(1) Neurodivergent persons who struggle, and struggle to learn literacy skills, including reading, reading comprehension, spelling, written expression and math, in public schools deserve to be taught these skills too.
Marin, an autistic adult with learning disabilities–dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia–faced significant challenges in learning literacy skills in Manitoba's public schools. Marin's teachers were trained in and expected to teach balanced literacy–whole word, 1996.
(3) Successive provincial governments, via the ministry of Education, failed to provide proper literacy instruction that has been known for a century to learning-disabled students. Marin was also repeatedly incorrectly diagnosed until a private diagnosis in 2024. Many students have been lost to suicide due to similar trauma that Marin experienced from public education and public health in this province. Marin did not get an IEP, as she is intelligent and non-violent.
(4) Marin's rights under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms were violated. The Manitoba public school system denied her the right to proper diagnosis and literacy instruction due to the policies and curriculums of various ministers of Education. The provincial government and appointed bodies have defied Supreme Court of Canada rulings.
(5) Marin's Principle, embodied in the request below, was created by her and her family because of perpetual and systemic harm caused by the province's public education and public health systems.
We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:
(1) To urge the provincial government, including associated service providers, to adopt Marin's Principle and to comply with Supreme Court of Canada judgments, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Human Rights Code;
(2) To urge the provincial government to ensure provincial public classroom teachers are fully trained in knowledge and approaches explicitly created for students with learning disabilities with no restriction to a single program or product;
(3) To urge the provincial government to commit to funding for private literacy services for children at their parents' discretion for all who are currently learning-disabled, diagnosed or suspected, with no penalty of discontinued instruction in public school so they can become functionally literate and gain knowledge and skills like their peers;
(4) To urge the provincial government to commit funding for private counselling so each learning disabled adult, diagnosed/suspected, has their choice of therapist to help overcome education trauma due to adverse provincial curriculum and policies for private literacy instruction at their discretion to become functionally literate and for access to evidence-aligned senior year classes that were missed so that they can graduate with the education that they have always had a right to receive; and
(5) To urge the provincial government to provide compensation for harm and loss of income for Manitobans with learning disabilities who remain functionally illiterate, level 2, after the age of 18.
And this has been signed by many Manitobans.
MLA Jeff Bereza (Portage la Prairie): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly.
The background to this petition as is follows:
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(1) Thanks to the investment made under the previous PC provincial government as part of the clinical and preventative services plan, construction for the new Portage regional health facility is well under way. The facility and surrounding community would greatly benefit from an added diagnostic machinery and equipment, but specifically the addition of an MRI machine.
(2) An MRI machine is a non-invasive medical imaging technique that uses a magnetic field and a computer-generated radio waves to create detailed images of organs and tissues in the human body. It is used for disease detection, diagnosis and treatment warning.
(3) Portage la Prairie is centrally located in Manitoba and is on Highway No. 1 in the Southern Health/Santé Sud Health Authority. Currently there is only one MRI machine in that RHA.
(4) An MRI machine located in the Portage regional health facility will reduce transportation costs for patients as well as reduce the burden on stretcher services and ambulance use. It will bring care closer to home and reduce long waits for MRI scans across the province.
(5) Located around Portage la Prairie are Dakota Tipi, Dakota Plains, Sandy Bay and Long Plain First Nations. Indigenous peoples in Canada disproportionately face barriers in access to service and medical care. An MRI machine located in the Portage regional health facility will bring care closer to their homes, to their home communities and provide greater access to diagnostic testing.
(6) Located in close proximity to the new Portage regional health facility is the Southport airport. The aerodrome has a runway length that is more than adequate to support medical air ambulance services. This would provide the opportunity to transport patients by air from the more–from more remote communities to access MRI imaging services.
(7) The average wait times for Manitobans to receive an MRI scan is currently six to eight months. Having an MRI machine in the Portage regional health facility will help reduce these wait times for patients and provide better care sooner.
We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:
To urge the provincial government to support the investment and placement of an MRI machine in the Portage regional health facility in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba.
This is signed by Jo-Anne Inglis, Fran Davis, Shay Unrau and many more Manitobans.
Thank you so much. Thank you.
Ms. Jodie Byram (Agassiz): I wish to present the following petition.
To the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, the background to this petition is as follows:
(1) Provincial Trunk Highway 34, PTH 34, is a two-lane provincial primary highway that runs from the US border where it meets with ND 20 to PTH 16 at the town of Gladstone.
(2) PTH 34 runs north-south in the south-central region of the province. It is the main highway for the towns of Crystal City, Pilot Mound and Holland, serving as a main corridor for semi-trailers, farm equipment, daily drivers and local school-bus routes.
(3) A new bridge is currently being constructed over the Assiniboine River at PTH 34, north of Holland, in the RM of Victoria. The bridge serves as an important north-south link over the Assiniboine River between the Trans-Canada Highway and PTH 2.
(4) The deterioration of PTH 34 has raised major concerns due to its narrow shoulders and numerous deep potholes that pose serious safety risks considering farmers often need to use the highway to transport heavy equipment.
(5) Construction of a new bridge in accordance–current design codes and the RTAC standard, located on PTH 34 crossing the Assiniboine River, will support trade and commerce and improve public safety in the area and also accommodate flood events on the Assiniboine River.
We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:
To urge the provincial government to address the conditions of Provincial Trunk Highway 34, making the necessary upgrades to RTAC standard and to resurface the road once the new bridge has been completed.
This petition has been signed by Esther Penner, Krista Giesbrecht and Peter Zenz.
Mrs. Carrie Hiebert (Morden-Winkler): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly.
The background of this petition reads as follows:
Between 2021 and–sorry, 2021–sorry, 2011 and 2021, Morden's population grew by an impressive 27 per cent, outpacing the national average by 16 per cent, according to Statistics Canada.
(2) While growth is welcome and encouraged, Morden has long faced the critical need for infrastructure upgrades to meet demands and support future development.
(3) Morden's waste water system has operated beyond capacity for years, prompting the Province in 2019 to halt property to subdivisions due to insufficient 'winnder'–winter waste water storage.
As of 2024, after exploring all options, the City announced in July that the estimated cost for critical infrastructure upgrades has risen from $70 million to eighty-eight to possibly $108 million.
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(5) These revised estimates leave Morden with a significant funding shortfall of 13 to 33 million dollars.
(6) Despite efforts to address the gap, including plans to raise utility fees for residents and businesses, such increases that have been delayed since 2017 due to the lack of approval of capital projects, taxation is not enough.
(7) The lack of waste water capacity has severely impacted economic activity and growth in Morden and surrounding communities. Without much-needed waste water infrastructure investments, growth and economic development will be hindered in all of southern Manitoba.
We petition the Legislative Assembly as follows:
(1) To urge the provincial government to take immediate action and recognize the critical need of this waste water project for economic growth and environmental stability by committing to advocating and working with the federal government to close the gap with additional funding for Morden's waste water treatment system.
(2) To urge the provincial government to ensure all levels of government and regulatory bodies will expedite necessary funding and approvals necessary for advancing the Morden waste water project with no further delays and ensure no hinderance of growth and economic development for the–Morden and southern Manitoba.
This petition was signed by Scott Beattie, Josh Ginter and Rick Sawatzky and many other Manitobans.
Thank you.
Mr. Kelvin Goertzen (Steinbach): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.
And these are the reasons for the petition:
(1) Persons struggling with mental health as their sole condition may access medical assistance in dying unless Parliament intervenes.
(2) Suicidality is often a symptom of mental illness, and suicide is the second leading cause of death for Canadians between the age of 20 and 19.
(3) There have been reports of the unsolicited introduction of medical assistance in dying to non‑seeking persons, including Canadian veterans, as a solution for their medical and mental health issues.
(4) The legal and medical experts are deeply concerned that permitting Canadians suffering from depression and other mental illnesses to access euthanasia would undermine suicide prevention efforts and risk normalizing suicide as a solution for those suffering from mental illness.
(5) The federal government is bound by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms to advance and protect the life, liberty and security of its citizens.
(6) Manitobans consider it a priority to ensure that adequate supports are in place for the mental health of all Canadians.
(7) Vulnerable Manitobans must be given suicide prevention counselling instead of suicide assistance.
(8) The federal government should focus on increasing mental health supports to provinces and improve access to those supports, instead of offering medical assistance in dying for those with mental illness.
We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:
(1) To urge the provincial government to lobby the federal government to stop the expansion of medical assistance in dying to those for whom mental illness is the sole condition; and
(2) To urge the provincial government to lobby the federal government to protect Canadians struggling with mental illness by facilitating treatment, recovery and medical assistance in living, not death.
And honourable Deputy Speaker, this petition is signed by Jonathan Janzen, Bernie Dueck, Edwin Birdsell and many other fine Manitobans.
Mr. Josh Guenter (Borderland): Honourable Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly.
To the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, the background to this petition is as follows:
(1) The federal government has mandated a consumption‑based carbon tax, with the stated goal of financially pressuring Canadians to make decisions to reduce their carbon emissions.
(2) Manitoba Hydro estimates that, even with a high‑efficiency furnace, the carbon tax is costing the average family over $200 annually, even more for those with older furnaces.
(3) Home heating in Manitoba is not a choice or a decision for Manitobans to make; it is a necessity of life, with an average of almost 200 days below 0°C annually.
(4) The federal government has selectively removed the carbon tax off home–off of home heating oil in the Atlantic provinces of Canada, but has indicated they have no intention to provide the same relief to Manitobans heating their homes.
(5) Manitoba Hydro indicates that natural gas heating is one of the most affordable options available to Manitobans, and it can be cost prohibitive for households to replace their heating source.
(6) Premiers across Canada, including in the Atlantic provinces that benefit from this decision, have collectively sent a letter to the federal government, calling on it to extend the carbon tax exemption to all forms of home heating, with the exception of Manitoba.
(7) Manitoba is one of the only provincial jurisdictions to have not agreed with the stance that all Canadians' home heating bills should be exempt from the carbon tax.
(8) Provincial leadership in other jurisdictions have already committed to removing the federal carbon tax from home heating bills.
We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:
To urge the provincial government to remove the federal carbon tax on home heating bills for all Manitobans to provide them with–to provide them much‑needed relief.
This petition has been signed by many, many Manitobans.
Mr. Grant Jackson (Spruce Woods): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.
To the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, the background to this petition is as follows:
(1) Ensuring that teachers have a robust background in the subjects they teach is essential for maintaining high-quality education and fostering well-rounded learning experiences for all Manitoba students.
(2) The recent amendments by the Province of Manitoba to the Teaching Certificates and Qualifications Regulation under The Education Administration Act have significantly lowered the standards for subject-area expertise required for teacher certification.
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(3) These amendments eliminated all subject-area requirements for teacher certification, including major and minor teachable subjects and subject-specific requirements for early and middle years streams.
(4) Specifically, the amendments removed: senior years credit requirements in an approved teachable major and minor; early and middle years credit requirements in an approved teachable major and minor; and early and middle years credit requirements for specific subjects, including: math; physical or biological science; English or French; and history and/or geography.
(5) Key stakeholders, such as parents, post-secondary educators outside the faculties of education and business partners were not consulted about the changes.
(6) The removal of subject-specific requirements undermines the educational quality in Manitoba schools by permitting teachers to enter the classroom without sufficient training in core academic areas, thereby compromising the education that Manitoba students receive.
We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:
(1) To urge the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning to reverse recent amendments to the Teaching Certificates and Qualifications Regulation that weaken subject-area requirements for teacher certification and to reinstate teachable majors and minors and early and middle years requirements which are essential for ensuring teachers have strong knowledge in core subject areas; and
(2) To urge the provincial government to address teacher shortages through alternative measures that uphold rigorous subject-area standards, which are critical for providing quality education to all Manitoba students.
This petition has been signed by Brandon Christopher, Doris Wolf, Aeleniyi Ife and many other fine Manitobans.
Mr. Trevor King (Lakeside): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly.
To the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, the background to this petition is as follows:
(1) Ensuring that teachers have a robust background in the subjects they teach is essential for maintaining high-quality education and fostering well-rounded learning experience for all Manitoba students.
(2) The recent amendments by the Province of Manitoba to the Teaching Certificates and Qualifications Regulation under The Education Administration Act have significantly lowered the standards for subject-area expertise required for teacher certification.
(3) These amendments eliminated all subject-area requirements for teacher certification, including major and minor teachable subjects and subject-specific requirements for early-to-middle-years streams.
(4) Specifically, the amendments removed are senior years credit requirements in an approved teachable major and minor; early-to-middle years credit requirements in an approved teachable major and minor; and early-to-middle years credit requirements for specific subjects, including: math; physical or biological science; English or French; and history and/or geography.
(5) Key stakeholders, such as parents, post-secondary educators outside the faculties of education and business partners were not consulted about the changes.
(6) The removal of subject-specific requirements undermines the educational quality in Manitoba schools by permitting teachers to enter the classroom without sufficient training in core academic areas, thereby compromising the education that Manitoba students receive.
We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:
(1) To urge the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning to reverse recent amendments to the Teaching Certificates and Qualifications Regulation that weaken subject-area requirements for teacher certification and to reinstate teachable majors and minors and early-to-middle years requirements which are essential for ensuring teachers have strong knowledge in core subject areas.
(2) To urge the provincial government to address teacher shortages through alternate–alternative measures that uphold rigorous subject-area standards, which are critical for providing quality education to all Manitoba students.
This petition is signed by Makaila Lawrin, Alex Emslie and many, many Manitobans.
Thank you, Honourable Speaker.
Mrs. Lauren Stone (Midland): Honourable Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly.
The background to this petition is as follows:
(1) The federal government has mandated a consumption‑based carbon tax, with the stated goal of financially pressuring Canadians to make decisions to reduce their carbon emissions.
(2) Manitoba Hydro estimates that, even with a high‑efficiency furnace, the carbon tax is costing the average family over $200 annually, even more for those with older furnaces.
(3) Home heating in Manitoba is not a choice or a decision for Manitobans to make; it is a necessity of life, with an average of almost 200 days below 0°C annually.
(4) The federal government has selectively removed the carbon tax off of home heating oil in the Atlantic provinces of Canada, but has indicated they have no intention to provide the same relief to Manitobans heating their homes.
(5) Manitoba Hydro indicates the natural gas heating is one of the most affordable options available to Manitobans, and it can be cost prohibitive for households to replace their heating source.
(6) Premiers across Canada, including in the Atlantic provinces that benefit from this decision, have collectively sent a letter to the federal government, calling on it to extend the carbon tax exemption to all forms of home heating, with the exception of Manitoba.
(7) Manitoba is one of the only provincial jurisdictions to have not agreed with the stance that all Canadians' home heating bills should be exempt from the carbon tax.
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(8) Provincial leadership in other jurisdictions have already committed to removing the federal carbon tax from home heating bills.
We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:
To urge the provincial government to remove the federal carbon tax on home heating bills for all Manitobans to provide them much‑needed relief.
This has been signed by George Martins, Yvonne Wirth, Brad Weedmark and many, many more fine Manitobans.
Mr. Konrad Narth (La Vérendrye): Honourable Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly.
To the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, the background to this petition is as follows:
(1) Provincial Road 210, PR 210, is a 117.3-kilometre, or 72.8-mile, highway in the Eastman region of Manitoba that connects the towns and communities of Woodridge, Marchand, La Broquerie, Ste. Anne, Landmark, Linden, Île des Chênes and St. Adolphe.
(2) A significant portion of PR 210 also runs through the constituency of La Vérendrye.
(3) PR 210 is a significant commuting route for Eastman families and is also notably used by those in the agriculture, tourism, trade and commerce industries.
(4) The condition of PR 210 from Woodridge to Highway 12 is in an unacceptable state of disrepair.
(5) The planned pavement upgrade was promised more than 20 years ago when it was constructed with a flat surface suitable for pavement but has yet to be completed.
(6) The condition of PR 210 from Woodridge to Highway 12 is in such bad shape that firefighters, police and paramedic services are severely delayed when responding to emergencies.
(7) The Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure as well as the Premier have a duty to respond to infrastructure needs identified by rural communities.
We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:
(1) To urge the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure to prioritize the reconstruction of Provincial Road 210.
(2) To urge the provincial government to include the stretch of Provincial Road 210 from Woodridge to Highway 12 in its reconstruction plans.
This petition has been signed by Chuck Klassen, Bern Friesen [phonetic] and Kelly Mundor [phonetic] and many, many other Manitobans.
Mr. Wayne Balcaen (Brandon West): Honourable Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly.
To the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, the background to this petition is as follows:
(1) Due to evolving scientific evidence, the Canadian Cancer Society, CCS, is now urging all provinces and territories to lower the starting age for breast screening to 40.
(2) Based off 2023 treatment standards, it is estimated that screening women annually for breast cancer starting at age 40 will save the Canadian health-care system $460 million annually.
(3) After non-melanoma skin cancers, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among Canadian women. One in eight Canadian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime, and one in 36 will die from it. This is 30,500 diagnoses and 5,500 deaths every year, and 84 diagnoses and 15 deaths every day.
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(4) Early detection of breast cancer will lead to better outcomes in patients, with better odds of survival and less severe cases. Women in their 40s who have access to mammograms have a 44 per cent lower mortality rate from breast cancer than those who don't receive screening.
(5) Every other province and territory in Canada has already lowered the breast cancer screening age, or announced their intention to do so. Other provinces in Canada have already commenced the work of expanding screening programs and hiring additional technologists into their public health-care system.
(6) Manitoba is currently behind the rest of the country and has no formal plan to increase its screening capacity or lower the breast cancer screening age.
(7) Lowering the breast cancer screening age to 40 in Manitoba will reduce long-term costs to the health-care system because cancers that are caught early are typically less complicated to treat.
We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:
To urge the provincial government to immediately put forward a plan to increase breast cancer screening capacity and lower the breast cancer screening age to 40.
This petition is signed by Carol Lee, Flora [phonetic] Hill, Marilyn Knox and many, many other fine Manitobans.
Mrs. Kathleen Cook (Roblin): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly.
The background to this petition is as follows:
(1) Phoenix School, a kindergarten to grade 5 school located in Headingley, has experienced consistent enrolment growth over the last several years. Enrolment is expected to reach 275 students in the next two years.
(2) Because the school is now over capacity, the school division has had to install portable classrooms on site as of fall 2024.
(3) For several consecutive years, the top capital priority of the St. James-Assiniboia School Division has been the renovation and expansion of Phoenix School.
(4) In 2022, the Phoenix School expansion and renovation project was approved to proceed to the design phase. The project included, among other amenities, a new gymnasium, two new classrooms, a multi-purpose room and room for 74 child‑care spaces.
(5) In June 2024, the school division received notice from the provincial government that the project has been deferred. There is no guarantee if, or when, the project will move forward.
(6) There are currently hundreds of children on a wait-list for child care in Headingley. The daycare operator in Phoenix School has been told that they will continue to have space within the school for the 2024‑2025 school year only, that further expansion of child‑care space within the school is not possible and that space may be reduced moving forward due to the shortage of classrooms. If new space is not constructed as planned, many families may be left without child care.
(7) It is critical that the expansion and renovation of Phoenix School proceed as planned in order to support the needs of students, teachers and families in the growing community of Headingley.
We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:
To urge the provincial government to proceed with the planned renovation and expansion of Phoenix School without further delay.
And this petition is signed by Margo Price, Lenora Bisson, Shawn O'Flaherty and many, many other Manitobans.
Mr. Greg Nesbitt (Riding Mountain): Honourable Deputy Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.
The background to this petition is as follows:
(1) Thanks to the investment made under the previous PC provincial government as part of the clinical and preventative services plan, construction for the new Portage regional health facility is well under way. The facility and surrounding community would greatly benefit from added diagnostic machinery and equipment, but specifically the addition of an MRI machine.
(2) An MRI machine is a non-invasive medical imaging technique that uses a magnetic field and computer-generated radio waves to create detailed images of organs and tissues in the human body. It is used for disease detection, diagnosis and treatment monitoring.
(3) Portage la Prairie is centrally located in Manitoba and is on the No. 1 Highway in the Southern Health/Santé Sud Health Authority. Currently, there is only one MRI machine in the regional health authority.
(4) An MRI machine located in the Portage regional health facility will reduce transportation costs for patients as well as reduce the burden on stretcher service and ambulance use. It will bring care closer to home and reduce wait times for MRI scans across the province.
(5) Located around Portage la Prairie are the Dakota Tipi, Dakota Plains, Sandy Bay and Long Plain First Nation reserves. Indigenous peoples in Canada disproportionately face barriers in access to services and medical care. An MRI machine located in the Portage regional health facility will bring care closer to their home communities and provide greater access to diagnostic testing.
(6) Located in close proximity to the new Portage–
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The Deputy Speaker: Order, please.
Seeing as the petition was not completed, the member will have to complete the petition at–on another sitting day.
The hour being 5 p.m., the House is now adjourned and stands adjourned until 1:30 p.m. tomorrow.
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA
Tuesday, December 3, 2024
CONTENTS
Standing Committee on Legislative Affairs
International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Filipino Music and Arts Association of Canada
River East Collegiate Kodiaks Hockey Team
Interprovincial Trade Barriers
Organizations Offering Employment Training
Community Service Organizations
Increase in Average Home Prices
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women
Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program
Throne Speech–Western Manitoba
Supports for Manitobans with Learning Disabilities
MRI Machine for Portage Regional Health Facility
MRI Machine for Portage Regional Health Facility