LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
The Speaker: Good afternoon, everyone. Please be seated.
Hon. Mike Moroz (Minister of Innovation and New Technology): I move, seconded by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change (MLA Moyes), that Bill 51, The Public Sector Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity Governance Act, be read a first time.
Motion presented.
MLA Moroz: Honourable Speaker, it's a pleasure to introduce Bill 51, The Public Sector Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity Governance Act. This bill is our government's first step to meeting the moment in an era of artificial intelligence and rapid technological change.
The bill will help us establish a regulatory framework for artificial intelligence in Manitoba as it pertains to the public sector and will take important steps towards building and enhancing public trust in cybersecurity systems, giving government the tools necessary to protect vulnerable populations.
I look forward to the public discourse that will follow.
The Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed]
The motion is accordingly passed.
Committee reports? Tabling of reports? Ministerial statements?
MLA Jennifer Chen (Fort Richmond): Honourable Speaker, today I rise to celebrate an exciting new addition to Fort Richmond: the recently opened Home Hardware, a locally owned business that shows the pride of Winnipeggers who chose to invest in the community they call home.
Home Hardware is a proudly Canadian company with a long and remarkable history. Founded in Ontario in 1964, it has grown into a dealer‑owned network of more than 1,000 independently operated stores across the country. For over six decades, it has supported local entrepreneurs and helped communities build, repair and grow together.
What makes this location especially meaningful is its ownership. The store is operated by EPLS Group, an Inuit family business founded by Don St. John and now led by his son Ryan. I had the pleasure of attending their grand opening, where many local community stakeholders came together to celebrate. The event was deeply memorable, as we experienced meaningful Inuit cultural traditions, including a prayer and Inuit throat singing, highlighting the rich heritage and values behind this business.
This Home Hardware is already becoming a true treasure for the community. It is more than just a store. It is a place where families come to find hardware, Christmas items, seasonal decor and everyday essentials. People from across Winnipeg have come and see and support this wonderful new store. It has quickly become a familiar and welcoming space where neighbours meet, families shop and the community comes together.
The new lumber centre has already received very positive feedback, and the garden centre is set to open this spring, just in time for the growing season.
In many ways, our government's work is about creating opportunities for communities to grow, while businesses like Home Hardware help turn those opportunities into spaces people are proud to call home.
I invite all my colleagues to join me in congratulating the owner and the dedicated team on this wonderful new store in Fort Richmond.
I'd like to add Ryan St. John, Tim Hothi and Mark Colley's names into Hansard.
Thank you, honourable Minister–Honourable Speaker.
Mrs. Lauren Stone (Midland): I am pleased to rise in the House today to recognize Martin Dewit, who is with us today in the gallery along with deputy fire chief of the Carman Dufferin Fire Department, Joey McElroy. Martin has recently retired from 35 years of serving as the Carman Dufferin Fire Department's public education officer.
Martin joined the fire department in 1990 as a volunteer firefighter and quickly discovered a passion for teaching children about fire safety, and school visits soon became one of the most meaningful aspects of his role.
He put great focus on making sure his presentations were very memorable for children and even created several original props that helped to keep the kids engaged. He has stated that talking about how to prevent fires is the easy part. It's making sure they can remember and know how to prevent them that's the hard part.
Over the past 35 years, Martin has shared his passion for fire safety with hundreds of students and residents through fire hall tours, reading during I Love to Read Month, fire extinguisher training, safety with seniors and even being outfitted in the Sparky outfit at countless community events. He had a unique way of connecting with people of all ages.
And some of his lessons will continue to be remembered by community members, such as: stop, drop and rock, or squish the fire out; don't feel a wooden door, because wood doesn't transfer heat, so there may still be a fire on the other side; have an escape plan; test your alarms; fire is a tool, not a toy.
So I would like to take this opportunity to thank Martin for his dedication and commitment to promoting fire safety in the Carman Dufferin area, wish him well in his retirement and to thank the entire Carman Dufferin Fire Department for all you do in keeping our communities safe.
I ask my colleagues to please stand in thanking and recognize Martin for his contributions.
MLA JD Devgan (McPhillips): Honourable Speaker, I rise today to recognize my constituent Paramveer Singh, the director and head coach of Wrestle With Skills.
Wrestle With Skills was founded just last year, on March 3, 2025, and recently celebrated its one‑year anniversary. In that short time, it has grown into a thriving non‑profit wrestling club serving young athletes across Winnipeg. The program brings together almost 40 participants in two age groups, ages six to 12 and ages 13 and up, who come together each week to train, learn and support one another.
Through freestyle and Greco‑Roman wrestling, as well as self‑defence and takedown wrestling, the program helps young people build strength, confidence and discipline both on and off the mat. Their mission is to empower athletes of all ages through teamwork, sportsmanship and a winning mindset.
And already, they are seeing incredible results. Six athletes from the club have been selected to compete at the Manitoba Games, and 15 have qualified for the provincial championships.
What makes this even more remarkable is that Paramveer and his fellow coaches run the entire program as volunteers. They give their time and energy to–time and energy simply because they believe in supporting young people and building a stronger community.
One of the best parts of representing McPhillips is getting to meet the community and community members who step up to support young people and create opportunities for them to succeed.
Today I ask all my colleagues to rise and join me in recognizing individuals such as Paramveer Singh and his team at Wrestle With Skills for the positive impact they are making in young lives across Manitoba.
Thank you, Honourable Speaker.
Mrs. Kathleen Cook (Roblin): I rise today to recognize an important milestone for a cherished community organization in west Winnipeg. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Charleswood Art Group, a collective that has been inspiring creativity and community since 1951.
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What began as a small gathering of passionate local artists meeting in a modest army hut at the corner of Laxdal and Roblin has grown into a vibrant and respected organization within Winnipeg's arts community. Over the decades, the group has met in several locations before settling at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in 2004, where members continue to gather every Monday to paint, share ideas and support one another in their artistic journeys.
Today, the Charleswood Art Group includes 50 members ranging from emerging artists to established professionals, working in a wide range of media. Many members are award‑winning artists whose work can be found in homes and businesses across Manitoba, Canada and beyond.
The group has demonstrated remarkable resilience as well. When the COVID‑19 pandemic coincided with their 70th anniversary, members adapted by meeting virtually and even hosting their annual exhibition entirely online to ensure their creative community continued to thrive.
Giving back is also central to the group's mission. Each year their spring show includes a silent auction supporting the CancerCare Manitoba art therapy program, helping bring healing and comfort through art.
I would also like to highlight their annual spring show and sale, taking place April 24 to 26 at Charleswood United Church. This much-anticipated event showcases the incredible talent of local artists and provides residents the opportunity to meet the creators behind the work and experience the richness of Winnipeg's local art scene.
On behalf of this House, I congratulate the Charleswood Art Group, many of whom join us in the gallery today, on this remarkable anniversary and wish them continued success in the years ahead.
Thank you.
Hon. Mike Moyes (Minister of Environment and Climate Change): I rise today to recognize the legacy of former Riel MLA Doreen Dodick, a woman whose commitment to public service left an indelible mark on the community of Riel.
Doreen served as the MLA for Riel from 1981 to 1986, during a period of significant growth and change in Manitoba.
Before entering elected office, she was already known as a dedicated organizer within the NDP, someone who strengthened the party at the grassroots level and helped build the foundation for future electoral success. Her determination was evident early on: she first ran in 1977, lost narrowly and came back four years later to win the seat in a hard‑fought rematch.
During her time in the Legislature, Doreen served as the government whip, a role that requires discipline, fairness and the ability to bring people together. She was respected for her steady presence, her commitment to her colleagues and her deep sense of responsibility to the people of Riel. She approached politics with a quiet strength, never seeking the spotlight, but always doing the work.
Born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, in 1932, Doreen moved to Manitoba as a young woman, married her husband John in 1952 and built a life rooted in community, family and service. After leaving the Legislature in 1986, she remained active in public life, supporting local campaigns and mentoring new voices, including my own.
One of the most meaningful recognitions of her impact came in 2013, when the City of Winnipeg named Demare-Dodick Park in her honour. The park stands as a tribute not only to her public service, but to her decades of community involvement, a place where families gather, children play and neighbours connect. It's a fitting legacy for someone who cared so deeply about building strong, vibrant communities.
Doreen Dodick was also part of a generation of women who helped open doors in Manitoba politics. She served at a time when few women sat in the Chamber, and her presence helped pave the way for the women who have come after her.
I ask my colleagues to please join me in honouring Doreen Dodick for her resilience, her dedication and her unwavering belief in the value of public service.
Introduction of Guests
The Speaker: Before moving on to oral questions, there's some guests in the gallery.
I'd like to draw attention of all honourable members to the public gallery where we have with us today Angie Spearing, Monica Bailey, Carol Michie, Dolores Kratsch, Joanne [phonetic] McKeever, Heather Thiessen, Robert Jordan, Lorie Cote, Marcia Hodge, Linda Rubell, Patricia Zacharias, who are guests of the honourable member for Roblin (Mrs. Cook).
On behalf of all honourable members, we welcome you here today.
And, of course, we've already been introduced to Doreen Doick [phonetic], the former member for Riel, who's joining us in the loge.
The Speaker: And now, before we proceed, I have a statement for the House, and I would ask for the attention of all honourable members.
Now that the Legislative Assembly is providing gavel to gavel, simultaneous interpretation of House proceedings from English to American Sign Language, ASL, I wanted to share some guidance on best practices when speaking in the House.
The ASL interpreters do their very best to ensure that the words you share with Manitobans in the House are accessible to sign language users watching proceedings. We have consulted with our interpretation staff on this and they have offered some suggestions to avoid circumstances that can lead to mistakes or omissions.
Reading too quickly: When reading from a document, either in debate or when making a House announcement, the natural tendency is to read quicker. This makes things more challenging for the interpreters and increases the likelihood of errors or omissions.
Disorder in the chamber: When there's a lot of yelling, heckling and cross talk in proceedings, this adds additional challenges for the interpreters, so less disorder would be helpful.
Speaking in a low volume: The interpreters rely on being able to hear what members are saying on the broadcast to be able to follow along and do their jobs. When members speak very softly, it presents a significant challenge for the interpreters. Speaking at a normal volume would be helpful.
Providing speaking notes that contain names or places: Whenever possible, if members could share speaking notes in advance that contain names or places–or, place names, that would be very helpful, as such names need to be spelled out each time as part of the interpretation.
In order to ensure that all Manitobans are able to receive and understand all words spoken in debate in the Chamber, I would encourage all members to heed this advice.
Thank you.
Mr. Obby Khan (Leader of the Official Opposition): We don't often agree in this Chamber, but there's one thing that we can agree on: prices are too high in Manitoba for families.
Cost of living far outpaces the salaries and nowhere is that more evident than under this NDP government's tax schemes. The property taxes alone in recent StatsCan consumer price index show that the price of property taxes has increased by 20 per cent under this NDP government, yet the Province wants to pass that blame on to cities and municipalities.
But let's be very clear on one thing: that 20 per cent increase on your property taxes is because of this NDP government, not because of cities, not because of municipalities and not because of school trustees; because of failures of this NDP government.
Will the Premier stand up and explain to Manitobans how we can possibly justify a 20 per cent increase on property taxes when families are barely getting by today?
Hon. Wab Kinew (Premier): I have to correct the member: I don't raise taxes, I cut them. I bring tax credit relief for you and your property tax.
But, Honourable Speaker, I would be remiss if I did not take a moment to thank Doreen Dodick for her years of service. At 94 years young, I will be a very, very proud person if I end up being half as sharp as her at a much younger age. Thank you for your service to the province of Manitoba.
What the member opposite fails to do when he comes tripping in here over his Alberta Liberal talking points is he fails to recognize that this is a dedicated tax he's talking about. Every single dollar he's talking about goes to Manitoba schools.
So perhaps he can tell us: Is it the school in Brandon he would like to cut? Is it the school in the Western School Division that he'd like to cut? Perhaps he wants to cut French Immersion.
Stand in your place now–I would say through you, the Chair–and tell us what part of the education–
The Speaker: Honourable member's time has expired.
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The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a supplementary question.
Mr. Khan: So the Premier is clearly lying and saying that's–the Premier is saying–
Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh.
The Speaker: Order, please. Order, please.
Stop the clock, please. [interjection] Order.
I would ask the honourable member to withdraw that comment.
Mr. Khan: I withdraw the comment.
The Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition.
Mr. Khan: The Premier is clearly calling StatsCan consumer index liars. It is clearly listed in there that Manitoba has a 20 per cent increase on their property taxes.
Will the Premier stand up today and say that Stats Canada is lying? No, he won't, because he knows those are the facts.
So when he talks about cuts, how about he stands up and funds school boards properly? How about he funds Manitobans properly?
Instead of touting a 1-and-a-half-cent savings on a gas tax and 2 cents on a litre of milk, why won't the Premier stand up and make real, tangible changes to make life more affordable for Manitobans?
So I ask–
The Speaker: The member's time has expired.
Mr. Kinew: I want to acknowledge that the member opposite withdrew his comment and in the process acknowledged that I'm telling the truth here, the truth that everybody knows that this is a dedicated tax that goes to our schools. When he stands up and tries to bring forward the questions written in another province, paid for by Manitoba PC donors, he ought to know that he's talking about making cuts to our schools. We say that's wrong.
Our focus has been on school nutrition. It's been on reading. It's been on writing. Today we see a great new bill talking about how we're going to use artificial intelligence to help, not hinder our students.
Perhaps the next departing PC MLA will help and not hinder this member by telling him hands off the schools. How about you cut your hateful policies instead?
The Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a final supplementary question.
Mr. Khan: I'll ask the Premier a simple question: Can the Premier tell this House how Manitoba families are supposed to afford an increase of hundreds of dollars on their property taxes while paying hundreds of dollars more on groceries under this NDP government? [interjection]
The Speaker: Order.
Mr. Khan: Will the Premier admit today that he has no plan to make life more affordable for Manitobans, and how does he expect them to pay for this increase of 20 per cent of property taxes and astronomically high grocery prices?
Mr. Kinew: Honourable Speaker, every single time that we've brought a budget into this Chamber, under the leadership of the best Finance Minister in the entire country, we have been laying out our plan year after year to make your life more affordable. So far, in the budgets that we've tabled, we've brought hundreds and hundreds of dollars of tax relief. And guess what you're going to see next Tuesday when we bring forward the next budget: hundreds and hundreds of dollars more in tax relief.
But the member opposite stands in his place and he criticizes our cut to the gas tax. He criticizes the fact that we froze the price of milk. Why does he do that? Because he is out of touch. He received $500,000 from Heather Stefanson right before he ran for office.
Put up your hand out there in rural Manitoba if you're getting 500 grand from Heather Stefanson. Put your hand up anywhere in Manitoba if you got 500 grand from–
The Speaker: Member's time has expired. [interjection]
Order. Order.
Stop the clock, please. The Speaker is standing. Stop the clock.
I'd remind members that when the Speaker stands up and says your time is up, that means it's time to quit talking and sit down.
Introduction of Guests
The Speaker: Also, before proceeding to the next question, there's some guests in the gallery that are about to leave.
We have seated in the public gallery from Windsor Park Collegiate 28 grade 9 students under the direction of Blondun [phonetic] Adeyemo. And this group is located in the constituency of the honourable member for Southdale (MLA Cable).
We welcome you all here today.
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The Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a new question.
Request for Government to Support
Resolution
Mr. Obby Khan (Leader of the Official Opposition): The NDP are proposing hundreds of dollars of tax relief, where on this side of the House, we're proposing thousands of dollars of tax relief for Manitoba families.
On this side of the House, we have put a reasonable plan forward to reduce the taxes paid by Manitoba families by over $3,000. Not hundreds of dollars like this Premier is saying.
The response from the other side of the aisle? We the NDP are saving you two cents on one litre of milk. And we the NDP are saving you–[interjection]
The Speaker: Order.
Mr. Khan: –one and a half cents at the pump. It's embarrassing. It's pathetic.
Why won't the Premier stand up and support the call for–[interjection]
The Speaker: Order, please. Stop the clock yet again.
Order, please. I would remind members that just a very few short minutes ago I talked to you about excessive heckling and how it makes it hard for the interpreters to hear and interpret; that makes it hard for me as the Speaker to hear what's being said.
So I would ask all members to please respect the interpreters, your Speaker and each other.
Mr. Khan: Our proposed tax plan will save minimum wage workers and families $3,000. These are not millionaires; these are families. These are moms, parents, grandparents and students–all going to benefit thousands of dollars.
Why is the Premier opposed to saving Manitoba families thousands of dollars instead of his measly two cents?
Hon. Wab Kinew (Premier): Honourable Speaker, with due respect for the member opposite, he doesn't know what it's like to struggle to put food on the table. That's why he makes fun of us freezing the price of milk. He doesn't know what it's like–[interjection]
The Speaker: Order.
Mr. Kinew: –to try and make a paycheque last until the next payday. That's why he criticizes us for the provincial gas tax.
In fact, all the members opposite support him even though the fact he got a $500,000 payout from Heather Stefanson–the worst premier in Manitoba history, for the record–and then decided to run for that terrible premier immediately thereafter. The average Manitoban out there isn't getting a $500,000 cheque from anybody. He's gotten multiple $500,000 cheques, not only from Heather Stefanson, but also from prominent PC donors.
What we're saying on this side of the House is we're for the blue collar, we're for the working class. If you want tax cuts for billionaires, vote for them. If you want tax relief for everybody else–
The Speaker: Member's time has expired.
Mr. Khan: The Premier doesn't know a thing about my life. [interjection]
The Speaker: Order, please.
Stop the clock again. The honourable member for Kildonan-River East (Mrs. Schott) needs to come to order.
Mr. Khan: The Premier doesn't know a thing about my life. He doesn't know that I came here as an immigrant family. He doesn't know that my parents arrived here with two suitcases and two kids. He doesn't know that I couldn't afford a pair of cleats to play football the very first time I ever stepped on the field. And yet he stands up here and insults me and attacks me and attacks Manitobans across–[interjection]
The Speaker: Order.
Mr. Khan: Our plan is to put $3,000 back in the hands of Manitoba families and he stands up here and attacks me and belittles me and bullies me.
He doesn't know a thing about how hard my life has been. I have worked and we have all worked for everything in our life, and that is why we are here today. Nothing has been handed to us–[interjection]
The Speaker: Order.
Mr. Khan: –Honourable Speaker, I simply ask the Premier: Why will he not help?[interjection]
The Speaker: Order.
Mr. Khan: He's laughing. He's literally laughing at me while I'm asking him to help Manitoba families.
Will the Premier vote–[interjection]
The Speaker: Order, stop the clock again.
The Honourable Minister of Families (MLA Fontaine) needs to come to order, and the rest of the government bench also needs to come to order.
Mr. Khan: I simply ask the Premier: Will he do the right thing and vote in favour of a resolution that will put $3,000 back in the hands of Manitoba families today?
It's a simple question: yes or no, Honourable Speaker?
Mr. Kinew: Honourable Speaker, the cost of living is on everyone's minds these days. That's why when the budget comes down next Tuesday, you're going to see tax relief for homeowners, you're going to see tax relief for renters, you're going to see help every single time you go to the grocery store and you're going to see a raft of measures to make the cost of living more affordable in Manitoba.
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That's the fundamental difference between us and them. Compare this response with that question. This is all about you and our government. When he gets up to talk, it's only about him.
Mr. Khan: Let's be clear: the only person getting a handout of $528,000 is this Premier's friend Richard Madan, who has brought in $0–[interjection]
The Speaker: Order.
Mr. Khan: –into the province of Manitoba.
Honourable Speaker, the Premier stands up and talks about millionaires benefiting from this. Of those population in Manitoba, only 0.6 per cent of Manitobans are earning over $200,000 a year, 0.6–99.4 per cent of Manitobans earn less than $200,000 and will benefit from the tax proposal that we brought forward.
So why won't the Premier support a bill or a resolution that supports 99.4 per cent of Manitobans by putting up to $3,000 back in their bank accounts?
Will the Premier do the right thing today and make life more affordable for Manitobans like he promised he would?
Mr. Kinew: Honourable Speaker, what you get on this side of the House is a serious government with a serious plan. Next Tuesday in the budget, you're going to see direct help to help you out when you go to the grocery store. You're going to see help paying the mortgage. You're going to see help when you have to meet rent.
The members opposite don't know what that's like, and that's why there's one question that undermines the entire fiscal case they're trying to make out: how much does it cost? The most obvious basic question in the history of politics, and it caught every single one of them off guard. None of them had an answer for how much this is going to cost.
Well, here's the thing about them. They don't understand money because they never had to earn it. The thing was handed to them on a silver spoon. We value your resources because everyone on this side had to earn it. More help coming next week–[interjection]
The Speaker: Order.
Mr. Kinew: –more help coming next year. We're helping you with the cost of living.
Mrs. Lauren Stone (Midland): Last year, Manitoba families were slammed with double-digit school tax increases and, clearly, this NDP did not learn their lesson, because Winnipeg school divisions have increased school taxes by up to 43 per cent since the NDP came into power.
The NDP removed the 2 per cent cap on school divisions, they eliminated the 50 per cent property tax rebate and they failed to fund school divisions to inflation. Instead of relief, this NDP is offering nothing but band-aid solutions while ripping away every single safeguard that protected Manitoba homeowners.
Why is this NDP doubling down on their tax policy that's impacting Manitoba families?
Hon. Adrien Sala (Minister of Finance): Honourable Speaker, after years of cuts to education, this government is finally funding education beyond inflation. We do that proudly.
While we do that and while education is finally funded adequately, we're also reducing the cost of education and property taxes for Manitobans. Starting with a $1,500 credit, this past tax time went up to $1,600, and Manitobans can look out in our upcoming budget; we're going to be providing even more relief to help reduce their cost of education and property taxes.
The Speaker: The honourable member for Midland, on a supplementary question.
Mrs. Stone: The figures tell a very different story, because since the NDP took office, 43 per cent increase in Louis Riel School Division, 38 per cent increase in Seven Oaks, 39 per cent increase in Pembina Trails last year alone, which is double-digit increases. This year, it's more of the same.
The NDP have not learned their lesson. They did not fix the problem. In fact, their affordability tax credit does not even cover the increases that Winnipeg families and homeowners are seeing this year. No guardrails, no discipline, no leadership: that's this NDP government.
Why, under this NDP, has Manitobans' biggest lifetime investment–their homes–being their biggest tax burden?
MLA Sala: It sounds like the members opposite are getting in a bargain on some really bad quality calculators, from what I'm hearing from members opposite. No idea where these numbers are coming from.
What we can say with confidence is that for years, education was cut under the members opposite. Finally, we're funding education properly under the leadership of the best Education Minister in the country. And while we properly fund education, finally, we're reducing the cost of education property taxes.
Again, I ask the member opposite, nine out of 10 individuals in her community are better off as a result of our measure.
What does she tell those individuals when she's out at the hockey game, at the grocery store? Will she support our measure? Will she support the work we're doing? Because almost everybody in her community–
The Speaker: Member's time has expired.
The honourable member for Midland, on a supplementary question.
Mrs. Stone: Perhaps the Finance Minister missed the memo, as these numbers came out this morning by City of Winnipeg finance chair and the Winnipeg tax and assessment division. This is not sustainable or affordable for working families in Winnipeg or across Manitoba.
The numbers are in and families in Southdale, Lagimodière, McPhillips, River East are all paying higher taxes since this NDP government came into office. Last year was sloppy planning; this year is deliberate. They cancelled the school tax limit. They eliminated the 50 per cent property tax rebate. They're not funding education properly. [interjection]
The Speaker: Order.
Mrs. Stone: This isn't an accident, Honourable Speaker. As of today, Manitobans are paying more, thanks to this NDP government. This is deliberate and Manitoba families are paying the price.
The Speaker: Member's time has expired.
MLA Sala: Honourable Speaker, we're lowering taxes while we clean up the PC mess.
Manitobans know we're taking action where it counts. Not only are we reducing their education property tax costs, but, of course, we're reducing their costs of fuel; we're reducing their costs of electricity; we're reducing costs almost across the board. That's the work that this team is doing.
What are Manitobans getting from the members opposite? Absolutely crazy proposals here that are either going to see us have a new billion-dollar hit to our deficit or more massive cuts to health care and everything else like we saw from them over seven and a half years.
They're reckless. They created a hole for Manitobans to climb out of. We're going to do the work of making life more affordable while we continue to manage the books responsibly.
Mr. Wayne Ewasko (Lac du Bonnet): Many Manitobans are experiencing double-digit tax increases, thanks to the funding–the education funding cuts by this NDP government.
Honourable Speaker, can the minister tell Manitobans, does the new funding model review team still exist?
Hon. Tracy Schmidt (Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning): I'm very grateful to the work of the Advisory Committee on school funding. And you know the feedback that we got, Honourable Speaker? The feedback that we got is that under the NDP government, schools in Manitoba are funded in the way that they're supposed to be.
The problem–the ultimate problem with Manitoba's school funding model under the previous government was the fact that they didn't fund schools. Honourable Speaker, 98 per cent guarantee. That's what they gave to schools, to students, to teachers. A guarantee to cut their funding.
We're doing things differently. We're working with our school division partners to address things like literacy, to address things like absenteeism, to make sure that every single student here in Manitoba feels safe and included.
The Speaker: Member's time is expired.
The honourable member for Lac du Bonnet, on a supplementary question.
Timeline for New Funding Model
Mr. Ewasko: Honourable Speaker, the largest education funding announcement was done by our government.
Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh.
Mr. Ewasko: Honourable Speaker–[interjection]–the old, antiquated funding model–
The Speaker: Order, please. Order, please. Stop the clock yet again.
The honourable member for Kildonan-River East (Mrs. Schott) needs to come to order. The interpreters won't be able to hear what's being said and neither will I.
Mr. Ewasko: Sage advice, Honourable Speaker.
The old antiquated funding model is now over 23 years old.
When will the government launch the K‑to‑12 funding model?
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MLA Schmidt: Clearly, the member from Lac du Bonnet has lost the plot in the same way that his leader has lost his caucus and in the same way that the PC Party have lost Manitoba voters. It's not just on education, Honourable Speaker. It's on health care, it's on affordability. The PCs are so out of touch.
Manitobans can trust and rely on the NDP government not only to fund education, but to fund health care and to fund families and to fund housing. This is a team that's getting stuff done on behalf of Manitobans, whether it comes to education or any other one of the important services that we offer to Manitobans.
Thank you very much.
The Speaker: The honourable member for Lac du Bonnet, on a final supplementary question.
Mr. Wayne Ewasko (Lac du Bonnet): Honourable Speaker, I didn't hear you due to the cheerleading by the MLA sitting next to me.
Honourable Speaker, a 43.1 per cent increase by Louis Riel School Division; 10.4 per cent increase by Beautiful Plains; 36.2 per cent by River East Transcona tax increases.
I don't think, Honourable Speaker, that the voters in River East, Kildonan, voted for a 36.2 per cent increase. Brandon Sun and the Winnipeg Free Press agree that it is time for a new Education minister.
Will the Premier (Mr. Kinew) listen to the Brandon Sun and the Winnipeg Free Press editor and do a Cabinet–[interjection]
The Speaker: Order. Order.
Mr. Ewasko: –shuffle, Honourable Speaker?
The Speaker: Order.
It's only Tuesday. I don't think everybody's going to make it to the end of the week.
Hon. Tracy Schmidt (Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning): We know what the constituents of River East Transcona School Division did not vote for, and that's for any of the PC MLAs.
The fact of the matter is, Honourable Speaker, our government is funding education after eight years of our education sector being starved. Our government is working with our school division partners after eight years of the school divisions being disrespected and attacked by the previous government.
The fact of the matter is, education funding in Manitoba is at a historic rate, almost $2 billion, which is leading to the hiring, in partnership with our school division partners, of more than 832 new teachers here in Manitoba so that students can have the time with the trusted adults that they need. This–
The Speaker: Member's time is expired.
Mrs. Kathleen Cook (Roblin): What this minister is putting on the record stands in stark contrast to what the superintendent of Pembina Trails School Division is saying, which is that the funding provided by this NDP government is a de facto cut. By failing to fund education properly and reducing the property tax rebate, the NDP have chosen to add to the affordability crisis.
Pembina Trails will be collecting 11.6 per cent more from homeowners.
Why is this NDP government putting more and more of the burden of education funding on homeowners?
Hon. Tracy Schmidt (Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning): Honourable Speaker, the truth of the matter is, since our government has been elected, every single school division, including the Pembina Trails School Division, has received an increase to their funding, every single school division, every single year.
That's our record, Honourable Speaker, and we are proud of our record. And not only–what are we doing? We're cleaning up their mess, because while every single school division under our government has received an increase, the truth of the fact is, when it was–when they were in government, every single–[interjection]
The Speaker: Order.
MLA Schmidt: –school division received a cut, a 98 per cent guarantee.
The minister–the former minister–stood up and proudly bragged in the media about a 98 per cent. That is not a de facto cut; that is a cut.
We're doing things differently–
The Speaker: Member's time has expired.
The honourable member for Roblin, on a supplementary question.
Mrs. Cook: Homeowners in Charleswood will take the word of the superintendent of Pembina Trails School Division over the word of this NDP minister any day of the week. And that superintendent says that because of this NDP government's failure to properly fund education, it would result in cuts to programming or increases to local taxation.
Families in Pembina Trails are not better off under the NDP. They hide behind municipalities. They hide behind school trustees. But the NDP's failures are the reason that homeowners in Charleswood will once again face double-digit property tax increases. [interjection]
They heckle because they know I'm right. They know my constituents are in the gallery, and they don't want them to hear it.
MLA Schmidt: Again, Honourable Speaker, we are very grateful for our partnerships with school divisions. We're grateful for our partnership with the superintendent from Pembina Trails School Division, with the board chair, both of whom–[interjection]
The Speaker: Order, please. Stop the clock.
Order, please. Order, please.
Order.
The Leader of the Official Opposition (Mr. Khan) needs to come to order now.
An Honourable Member: What about these guys?
The Speaker: Order.
Both leaders need to stop hollering back and forth across, and they need to stop it right now.
MLA Schmidt: We're very grateful to our school division partners and our school board partners, especially those in Pembina Trails School Division: Superintendent Shelley Amos and Board Chair Cindy Nachtigall, both incredibly powerful, strong women, who I'm very proud to work beside, both of whom I was on the phone very recently sharing the excellent news that the new school that we're building in Waverley, Prairie Pointe school, is not only going to built for 675 kids, but it's going to be built for 800 kids, unlike the previous government, who liked to promise schools, not budget for schools, build them too small.
On this side of the House, we work with our school division partners. We're going to work with them on operational funding, we're going to work with them to build new schools, and we're going to work with them to put more child-care spaces into every single constituency here in Manitoba.
Mrs. Cook: Families are feeling the pressure. Groceries, gas, hydro rates, Pharmacare deductibles–all of these household items are going up under the NDP. And now because of this NDP government, homeowners in Charleswood are facing double-digit property tax increases. They are not better off under the NDP government's property tax plan.
Will the NDP stop hiding behind the City of Winnipeg, stop blaming school trustees and take responsibility for how they are making the affordability crisis worse for homeowners in the city of Winnipeg?
Hon. Adrien Sala (Minister of Finance): Honourable Speaker, after years of funding cuts to education, we are actually, finally, funding education the way it needs to be funded, beyond the rate of inflation.
And, again, while we do that important work of fixing the mess that they created, we're lowering the costs of those education property tax bills through our Homeowner Affordability Tax Credit. We know that Manitobans right now are feeling that pinch, and that's why this government continues to focus on doing everything we can to make life more affordable.
We are very excited to bring forward our budget. Next Tuesday, we're going to show Manitobans the next steps we're going to take to lower your costs.
MLA Jeff Bereza (Portage la Prairie): Families across Manitoba are facing rising costs, yet school divisions like Louis Riel continue to raise property taxes by almost 45 per cent just to maintain basic services.
Can the minister explain why they continue to leave school divisions no choice but to increase taxes? Does the MLA for Southdale believe families should be forced to pay more for this minister's failures?
Hon. Tracy Schmidt (Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning): Again, Manitobans know who they can trust when it comes to education, for many reasons, because of our record. And they only have to look across the aisle and look at the last eight years of the record of the opposition, that not only cut funding to school divisions but also picked fights with school divisions. Heck, they would have eliminated school boards altogether if we had left it up to them, Honourable Speaker.
Let's all remind ourselves about bill 64, the bill that I like to call possibly the worst bill in the history of Manitoba. Thank goodness Manitobans stood up and had the good sense to elect a government full of educators, Honourable Speaker. Manitobans understand and know who they can rely on when it comes to education funding and when it comes to promoting education in this province–not only education, but also access to child care.
The Speaker: Member's time has expired.
The honourable member for Portage la Prairie, on a supplementary question.
MLA Bereza: Manitobans are seeing education property tax go up almost 45 per cent in Louis Riel, despite repeated assurances that this would not happen. When school boards are forced to raise taxes to fill funding cap–gaps, it points to a systematic problem.
* (14:20)
Can the minister tell Manitobans, is their government's funding model that's failing, or are they saying local divisions are making wrong choices, and why?
MLA Schmidt: Honourable Speaker, I hope more members of the opposition get up and ask these questions, because it really shows their hand and it really is really revealing.
I hope Manitobans are watching, because this is what students in Manitoba are to the opposition. It's just dollars and cents. That's what it's about.
We haven't heard one question today about safety and security in schools. We haven't heard one question about mental health supports for students in schools. We haven't heard any questions about absenteeism and attendance. We haven't heard any questions about literacy. We haven't heard any questions about numeracy. We certainly haven't–hadn't heard any questions about the universal nutrition program, which they're on the record saying it was a bad idea.
This is what you get from the Manitoba PCs, Honourable Speaker. This is what they think about kids. It's dollars and cents.
On this side of the House, we understand that there is no better–
The Speaker: Member's time has expired.
MLA Bereza: It's about whether to eat or not eat. With continued tax increases in the divisions like Louis Riel, Manitobans are left wondering who is actually accountable for affordability and education funding.
If the minister refuses to take responsibility for property taxes going up under their watch, will the MLA for Southdale or Lagimodière stand up for their constituents so they don't have to choose whether to pay their taxes or feed their families?
MLA Schmidt: Honourable Speaker, we're standing up for Manitoba kids and we're standing up for Manitoba families by investing in education.
We know that the best health-care plan is a good education plan. We know that the best economic plan is a good education plan. And we also know that it was their team that cut and cut, and said that universal nutrition was a bad idea.
The member from Portage la Prairie stands up and has the guile to talk about feeding children in this province when he supports a party that said nutrition was a bad idea.
On this side of the House, we honour every single child with our universal nutrition program and we honour Nello Altomare with Nello's Law, making a universal nutrition program the law here in Manitoba forever and all time, and we do that for Manitoba kids–
The Speaker: Member's time has expired.
MLA Cindy Lamoureux (Tyndall Park): Honourable Speaker, earlier today, we had near 50 members from over 17 stakeholder groups who have indicated that they are in a crisis. They joined us today in the gallery for second reading of The Autism Strategy Act.
During debate, members of the NDP expressed support for necessary changes, yet when provided an opportunity to move the bill to committee, they said no. There will be a recorded vote this Thursday.
Will the minister support sending the bill to committee?
Hon. Nahanni Fontaine (Minister responsible for Accessibility): I want to say miigwech to the member opposite for bringing forward her bill. It's an important discussion that happened here this morning. And I also want to say miigwech to her for bringing folks into the Chamber. Any day that we can bring folks into the galleries to see democracy at hand is, I think, a good day. So I say miigwech to the member.
What I will say is our government, of course, supports all children. We know that every child matters in Manitoba, and every child should have the opportunity to thrive and have equal access to opportunities. We're already doing this work without legislation. Our department is working with educators, health-care providers, community, families–
The Speaker: Member's time has expired.
The honourable member for Tyndall Park, on a supplementary question.
MLA Lamoureux: Honourable Speaker, I met with the stakeholders following the debate this morning, and they shared how awful it is that this government is choosing to continue to silence them by not allowing this bill to be sent to committee.
Will the government do the right thing and allow the many stakeholders who helped create this legislation a chance to share their expertise?
MLA Fontaine: As minister responsible, I've met with families all across Manitoba since I was appointed in this role and since our good government took over from the failed PCs over there. And I've had the opportunity to listen to families talk about a series of concerns and issues that they're dealing with.
One of the things that we hear all the time about families that are aging and parents that are worried for their children. We hear from autistic Manitobans that they want jobs. We hear from autistic Manitobans about some of the issues that they're facing in the education system–that's why I'm really proud to work with the Minister of Education, the Minister of Health, as we tackle these issues and look at these concerns which, quite frankly, the members opposite–
The Speaker: Member's time has expired.
The honourable member for Tyndall Park, on a final supplementary question.
Removal of Gallery Guests
MLA Lamoureux: Honourable Speaker, following second reading of The Autism Strategy Act today, stakeholders from the gallery pointed out that it was unethical of the Families Minister to pull them out of the gallery while they were watching the debate without a stated purpose. This is while the Families Minister had the opportunity to participate in the debate and chose not to.
I would like to ask the minister why she felt it appropriate to escort guests out of the gallery during the debate instead of participating herself?
MLA Fontaine: Not that it's anybody's business, but actually to the honourable member, I was actually at a doctor's appointment all morning, so I wasn't here.
So I do want to say that we're really grateful to the families that we had an opportunity to chat with this morning. I was–
The Speaker: Order, please.
If we could get the clock stopped yet again, I would just remind the honourable member for Tyndall Park (MLA Lamoureux) that we're not allowed to indicate whether a member is present or absent. And also, the honourable Minister of Families (MLA Fontaine) can't indicate whether they themselves were present or absent.
MLA Fontaine: And to clarify, there was some discussion on me participating, so it was implied.
What I will share finally, Honourable Speaker, is that our government has invested $21.5 million to increase supports for autism, something that members opposite didn't do. There was a zero per cent increase to any–
The Speaker: And member's time has expired.
Introduction of Guests
The Speaker: And if I could get the clock stopped once more, there are some guests in the gallery that are going to be leaving right away, so I want to take the opportunity to introduce them.
We have seated in the public gallery from Windsor Park Collegiate, 35 grade 9 students under the direction of Biodun Ademeyo [phonetic], and this group is located in the constituency of the honourable member for Southdale (MLA Cable).
We welcome you here today.
Mrs. Rachelle Schott (Kildonan-River East): Honourable Speaker, under the previous failed PC government, Manitobans were left waiting too long for spine surgery, we–living in pain and uncertainty–sorry, I just want to move over here to cover his–
But our government is taking action. Just last week, we announced an important investment in surgical technology at Concordia Hospital, which means Manitobans that need spine surgery will have faster care and shorter recovery times.
Can the best Minister of Health in Canada please tell us a little bit more about this important investment?
Hon. Uzoma Asagwara (Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care): Great question from my dear friend and dear colleague from Kildonan-River East. Honourable Speaker, after eight years of surgical backlogs and sending patients out of province under the PCs, we are improving spine surgery right here in Manitoba.
Our $2.7-million investment in advanced surgical technology at Concordia Hospital means we're not only expanding capacity and reducing wait times, but we're also becoming a national leader in cutting-edge care, something all Manitobans can and should be proud of.
When it comes to health care, we cannot take our foot off the gas; more to do. We are going to keep working hard for all Manitobans.
Mr. Ron Schuler (Springfield-Ritchot): Seniors living on Summerview Lane and Rivergrove Drive in West Kildonan are shocked by their 36.2 per cent education tax increase.
* (14:30)
Why has the NDP member for Kildonan-River East so terribly failed the seniors living in Kildonan-River East?
Hon. Uzoma Asagwara (Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care): Honourable Speaker, I am amazed that that member got up to ask a question. It's been a long time since we've heard his voice ask a question in this House, but I'm always happy to talk about seniors.
Honourable Speaker, it wasn't that long ago that the PCs, including that member, blocked the independent office for the Seniors' Advocate legislation from coming forward–a shameful act–while we had seniors with us in the gallery.
I'm so thrilled to share with this House today that the independent office for the Seniors' Advocate is already hard at work for Manitobans. The advocate is working hard every day for Manitobans, establishing that office, bringing the concerns of seniors forward. And we're going to do everything we can moving forward to make sure that seniors have their needs met right across our great province.
The Speaker: The honourable member for Springfield-Ritchot on a final–on a supplementary question.
Mr. Schuler: Since becoming an MLA, the NDP member for Kildonan-River East has betrayed the families living on McIor [phonetic] Avenue–[interjection]
The Speaker: Order.
Mr. Schuler: –and Morningmead Walk. They must now pay a 36.2 per cent education tax increase. This is crushing families.
Will the MLA for Kildonan-River East now show up in her constituency for once and deal with this crushing tax?
Hon. Wab Kinew (Premier): So I know that the member opposite is new here, only having been in his chair for some 20 years or so, but the rules of this House will tell you that, you know, you cannot pose a question to the member for Kildonan-River East. Those should be posed to us.
Now, when it comes to questions of rules and decorum, though, I am very disappointed to have to share what the Leader of the Opposition said earlier this question period. It will be a matter of privilege in a few moments, but during some of the heckling exchanges that you interrupted earlier, he was shouting at the Minister of Health, accusing them of being terrible. But the part that's really offensive is that immediately following that, he said, and I quote directly, whatever you are. End quote.
So that is clearly a reference to–[interjection]
The Speaker: Order.
Mr. Kinew: –their gender. And so, again, I would ask the member to stand in his place and–[interjection]
The Speaker: Order.
Mr. Kinew: –apologize for the good of the Chamber.
Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh.
The Speaker: Order. Order. Order.
This whole place needs to come to order today.
Time for oral questions has expired.
An Honourable Member: Matter of privilege.
The Speaker: The honourable Government House Leader, on a matter of privilege.
Hon. Nahanni Fontaine (Government House Leader): It's unfortunate that I have to rise as the Government House Leader to once again draw attention to the so-called Leader of the Opposition's behaviour.
But as the Premier (Mr. Kinew) just noted, during the member for Roblin's (Mrs. Cook) series of questions, the member for Fort Whyte (Mr. Khan), the so-called Leader of the Opposition, yelled at the member for Union Station, our Health Minister, our Deputy Premier (MLA Asagwara), and I quote, you are a terrible person, end quote, and went on to say, and I quote, whatever you are, end quote.
In addition, as if that wasn't enough, coming–[interjection]
The Speaker: Order.
MLA Fontaine: –from the Leader of the Opposition–as if that wasn't enough–he then turned to the Premier and, like a childhood bully, asked the Premier to–let's take it outside.
Honourable Speaker, it is so unfortunate to have to get up on a matter of privilege once again for such childish, unserious behaviours from the member for Fort Whyte. Day in and day out, he shows Manitobans that he is completely inept and does not have the capacity to be any type of leader in Manitoba, let alone the Leader of the Opposition and, God forbid, ever thinking that he could be the premier of our beautiful province.
I raise this matter of privilege because that is, in fact, a threat from one member to two members in our caucus. That is indeed a threat to the Premier and the Deputy Premier of our province from this member. I guess those of us on this side are probably not surprised that the so-called Leader of the Opposition would highlight once again his transphobia and his anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism against members in our caucus.
But, again, I remind the House and all Manitobans that this is the member that was the face of a targeted attack against children, against trans children, some of the most vulnerable and marginalized of our province and he was the face of all of that hate and vitriol and transphobia.
Has he learned in the last two and a half years? Today he's shown that he's learned absolutely zero, nothing.
So, Honourable Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Justice (Mr. Wiebe) that this matter be referred to a committee of this House.
The Speaker: Before recognizing any other member to speak to this matter of privilege, I would remind all members to keep their comments relevant to the matter of privilege being raised and I would ask all members to remain quiet other than the one speaking, because I need to hear what everyone is saying.
Mr. Derek Johnson (Official Opposition House Leader): On this matter of privilege, obviously it's not factual to start off with, but there was no rules stated that were breached. It's obviously a dispute of the facts.
The decorum by this NDP government was so deplorable today, I would challenge anybody to hear what was said in this Chamber. And you have called to order five times, and that–including the member for Kildonan-River East (Mrs. Schott)–probably the only thing you'll be able to hear in any of the recordings in this Chamber is her–[interjection]
The Speaker: Order.
Mr. Johnson: –is her yelling while our critic was up trying–[interjection]
The Speaker: Order, please.
I've asked members to remain silent while someone is speaking about a matter of privilege. So I would caution members to please follow that advice and I would ask the member to keep his comments relevant to the matter of privilege.
Mr. Johnson: Obviously, you had to call the NDP to order again. This is just embarrassing. They should be embarrassed of what's going on here today. The NDP should stand up and apologize to the students that were attending here today when we're trying to ask questions about things that matter to them. They should apologize for their behaviour in this Chamber and they should be embarrassed about it–and all the ones that were watching as well here today. [interjection]
It's fine for them to keep going? Okay. A more deplorable behaviour being shown here right now by the minister. So this is not a matter of privilege.
And I would like to also comment on when somebody says say something outside, then they can be charged with slander. MLAs in here, particularly the Premier, has a protection in here. But when you say something outside, outside of these Chambers, then they will be held liable. And that is what our leader had said.
Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh.
The Speaker: Order.
An Honourable Member: Point of order.
Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh.
The Speaker: Order. Order.
Before we hear any points of order, I have to make some kind of decision on the matter of privilege. And if there's no other members wishing to speak to that matter of privilege, I will take it under advisement.
Point of Order
Hon. Wab Kinew (Premier): In the response to the matter of privilege in which he, the Opposition House Leader, inaccurately cited that no rule was being referred to, which of course was a mistake on his part, because this is a matter of privilege, not a point of order, he did reflect on the Chair.
There was some crosstalk going on and he said, I guess it's okay for them. It is up for you, as the Speaker, to decide on whether heckling needs–
The Speaker: Order, please.
I would just remind the First Minister that as I've taken the matter of privilege under advisement, it would be against the rules to reference that matter until such time as I've ruled on it.
* (14:40)
Mr. Kinew: The point is he is reflecting on the Chair; it's a violation of the rules. That's a point of order.
Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh.
The Speaker: Order, please. Order, please. Order, please. Order.
The member does raise an important point. I believe that there's been a lot of that taking place today, all the way around. I will take this point of order under advisement also.
* * *
The Speaker: But I would caution all members that what's taking place in the Chamber today cannot continue, and it will be my role to ensure that it does not continue. It's a role that I take very seriously and going forward I guess we'll see more serious consequences.
So that, it–concludes that for now.
The Speaker: So now we're on to petitions.
Mr. Obby Khan (Leader of the Official Opposition): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.
The background to this petition is as follows:
(1) Thanks to the investments made under the previous PC provincial government as part of the clinical and preventative service 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.
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, diagnoses and treatment monitoring.
(3) Portage la Prairie is centrally located in Manitoba and is on the No. 1 Highway in the Southern Health/Saint Sud Health Authority. Currently there is only one MRI machine in the RHA.
(4) An MRI machine located in Portage regional health facility will reduce transportation costs for patients as well as reduce the burden on stretcher service and ambulance use. It will bring care closer to home and reduce wait times for MRI scans across the province.
(5) Located around Portage la Prairie are the Dakota Tipi, Dakota Plains, Sandy Bay and Long Plain First Nations reserves. Indigenous people in Canada disproportionately face barriers in access to services and medical care. An MRI machine located in the Portage regional health facility will bring care closer to their home communities and provide greater access to diagnostic testing.
(6) Located in close proximity to the new Portage regional health facility is the Southport airport. This aerodrome has a runway length that is more adequate–more than adequate to support medical air ambulance services. This would provide the opportunity to transport patients by air from more remote communities to access MRI imaging services.
(7) The average wait time 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.
Honourable Speaker, this petition was signed by Jim Stanley, Bob Jackson and Cheryl Rosling and many, many other Manitobans.
Point of Order
(Continued)
The Speaker: Order, please.
I need to point out a small error that I made previously and that was that I should have given the Opposition House Leader the opportunity to respond to the point of order and I did not do that.
If he wishes to respond I will recognize him now to do so.
Mr. Derek Johnson (Official Opposition House Leader): Yes. I appreciate that.
The Premier (Mr. Kinew) comments on the colour of my skin and then scurries out of here. My comments–[interjection]
The Speaker: Order, please.
Once again, we're not allowed to comment on whether someone is present or not present.
Mr. Johnson: Yes. I apologize for that and I retract my statement of whether if he was here or not. But the Premier commented on the colour of my skin and then scurried.
My comments about this point–
The Speaker: Order.
I just cautioned you about recognizing whether someone was here or not, and then you repeat the same comment over again.
Mr. Johnson: Yes. I didn't say that he left the Chamber, Honourable Speaker. I just said that he scurried and I apologize if you inferred that. I'm sorry.
The decorum needs to improve in this Chamber, Honourable Speaker. And that lies only with us, like, as legislatures. The NDP benches today called order five times. I want to thank you for that but this can't continue and I really feel that we need to escalate this quicker than it has been.
And I would support you, as the Opposition House Leader, for that and I think if–when you review the comments from today I think you will hear that the member for Kildonan-River East (Mrs. Schott) was so disrespectful today in this, and I want to thank you for–and wait for your ruling on this.
Thank you, Honourable Speaker.
The Speaker: Thank the member for his comments and, once again, I'll just reiterate that the matter is taken under advisement so members cannot comment on it.
* * *
The Speaker: Further petitions?
MRI Machine for Portage Regional Health Facility
Mr. Derek Johnson (Interlake-Gimli): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.
The background to this petition is as follows:
(1) 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 'fility'–facility is surrounding–and the 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 is used–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 number highway in the Southern Health/Santé Sud Health Authority. Currently there is only one MRI machine in the regional health authority.
An MRI machine located in the Portage regional health facility will reduce transportation costs for patients as well as reduce the burden on stretcher service and ambulance use. It will bring care closer to home and reduce wait times for MRI scans across the province.
(5) Located around Portage la Prairie are the Dakota Tipi, Dakota Plains, Sandy Bay and Long Plain First Nations reserves. Indigenous peoples in Canada disproportionately face barriers in access to services and medical care. An MRI machine located in the Portage regional health facility will bring care closer to home communities and provide greater access to diagnostic testing.
* (14:50)
(6) Located in close proximity to the new Portage regional health facility is the Southport airport. This aerodrome has a runway length that is more than adequate to support medical air ambulance services. This would provide the opportunity to transport patients by air from a more remote communities to access MRI imaging services.
(7) The average wait time 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.
Mr. Tyler Blashko, Deputy Speaker, in the Chair
This petition has been signed by Margaret Ferris, Brian Doherty, Elaine Dickenson and many, many other fine Manitobans.
Mr. Kelvin Goertzen (Steinbach): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.
And the background to this petition is as follows:
(1) Thanks to the investment made under the previous PC provincial government as part of the clinical and preventative services plan, construction for 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 RHA.
(4) An MRI machine located in the Portage regional health facility will reduce transportation costs for patients as well as reduce the burden on stretcher service and ambulance use. It will bring care closer to home and reduce wait times for MRI scans across the province.
(5) Located around Portage la Prairie are the Dakota Tipi, Dakota Plains, Sandy Bay and Long Plain First Nations reserves. Indigenous peoples in Canada disproportionately face barriers in access to services and medical care. An MRI machine located in the Portage regional health facility will bring care closer to their home communities and provide greater access to diagnostic testing.
(6) Located in close proximity to the new Portage regional health facility is the Southport airport. This aerodrome has a runway length that is more than adequate to support medical air ambulance services. This would provide the opportunity to transport patients by air from more remote communities to access MRI imaging services.
The average wait time 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.
And this petition is signed by Susan Bailey, Wendy Gretsinger, Kathy Ward and many other fine Manitobans.
Mrs. Kathleen Cook (Roblin): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.
The background to this petition is as follows:
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.
Because the school is now over capacity, the school division has had to install portable classrooms on site as of fall 2024.
For several consecutive years, the top capital priority of the St. James‑Assiniboia School Division has been the renovation and expansion of Phoenix School.
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.
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.
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.
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 many, many Manitobans.
Mr. Ron Schuler (Springfield-Ritchot): 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.
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(3) Portage la Prairie is centrally located in Manitoba and is on the No. 1 Highway in the Southern Health/Santé Sud Health Authority. Currently there is only one MRI machine in the RHA.
(4) An MRI machine located in the Portage regional health facility will reduce transportation costs for patients as well as reduce the burden on stretcher service and ambulance use. It will bring care closer to home and reduce wait times for MRI scans across the province.
(5) Located around Portage la Prairie are the Dakota Tipi, Dakota Plains, Sandy Bay and Long Plain First Nations reserves. Indigenous peoples in Canada disproportionately face barriers in access to services and medical care. An MRI machine located in the Portage regional health facility will bring care closer to their home communities and provide greater access to diagnostic testing.
(6) Located in close proximity to the new Portage regional health facility is the Southport airport. This aerodrome has a runway length that is more than adequate to support medical air ambulance services. This would provide the opportunity to transport patients by air from more remote communities to access MRI imaging services.
(7) The average wait times for Manitobans to receive an MRI scan is currently six to eight months. Having an MRI machine in the Portage regional health facility will help reduce these wait times for patients and provide better care sooner.
We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:
To urge the provincial government to support the investment and placement of an MRI machine in the Portage regional health facility in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba.
And this is signed by Jessica Dyck, Darius Stevens, Michael [phonetic] London and many other Manitobans.
Thank you.
Mrs. Lauren Stone (Midland): Honourable Speaker, I wish to present the following petition.
To the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, the background to this petition is as follows:
(1) The provincial government's decision to cancel the Education Property Tax Credit and the property tax offset grant has enabled and encouraged school divisions to introduce massive tax increases.
(2) These massive increases have been felt by all Manitobans and compounded by arbitrary and punitive changes to the education property tax rebate, and those changes have made many Manitobans ineligible to receive the $1,500 rebate.
(3) Secondary property owners are subject to taxation without representation as they are ineligible to vote for trustees who set the rates; yet, second‑property owners are still required to pay full education taxes in their division.
(4) Additionally, families can only claim the reduced Education Property Tax Credit on their primary residence.
(5) These increases and the revocation of rebates were done with no consultation, pushing–punishing Manitobans who maintain family cabins by tying education taxation to assessed property values.
We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:
To urge the provincial government to remove education funding and taxation from property taxes and find a fair and equitable way to fund education in Manitoba.
This is signed by Tom Axworthy, Sandra Cooley, Garth Cooley and many, many more Manitobans.
Mr. Wayne Balcaen (Brandon West): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.
The background to this petition is as follows:
(1) Thanks to the investment made under the previous PC provincial government as part of the clinical and preventative services plan, construction of 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 RHA.
(4) An MRI machine located in the Portage regional health facility will reduce transportation costs for patients as well as reduce the burden on stretcher service and ambulance use. It will bring care closer to home and reduce wait times for MRI scans across the province.
(5) Located around Portage la Prairie are the Dakota Tipi, Dakota Plains, Sandy Bay and Long Plain First Nations reserves. Indigenous peoples in Canada disproportionately face barriers in access to services and medical care. An MRI machine located in the Portage regional health facility will bring care closer to their home communities and provide greater access to diagnostic testing.
(6) Located in close proximity to the new Portage regional health facility is the Southport airport. This aerodrome has a runway length that is more than adequate to support medical air ambulance services. This would provide the opportunity to transport patients by air from more remote communities to access MRI imaging services.
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(7) The average wait time 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 those 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 petition was signed by Conrad Hofer, Kathrina Hofer, Lenny [phonetic] Gross and many, many other fine Manitobans.
MLA Jeff Bereza (Portage la Prairie): I wish to present the following petition.
The background of this petition is as follows:
(1) Thanks to the investment made under the previous PC provincial government as part of the clinical and preventative services plan, construction for the new Portage regional health facility is well under way. The facility and surrounding community would greatly benefit from added diagnostic machinery and equipment, but specifically the addition of an MRI machine.
(2) An MRI machine is a non-invasive medical imaging technique that uses a magnetic field and a computer-generated radio wave to create detailed images of organs and tissues in the human body. It is used for disease detection, diagnosis and treatment monitoring.
(3) Portage la Prairie is centrally located in Manitoba and is on No. 1 Highway in the Southern Health/Santé Sud Health Authority. Currently there is only one MRI machine in the RHA.
(4) An MRI machine located in the Portage regional health facility will reduce transportation costs for patients as well as reduce the burden on stretcher service and ambulance use. It will bring care closer to home and reduce wait times for MRI scans across the province.
(5) Located around Portage la Prairie are the Dakota Tipi, Dakota Plains, Sandy Bay and Long Plain First Nations reserves. Indigenous peoples in Canada disproportionately face barriers in access to services and medical care. An MRI machine located in the Portage regional health facility will bring care closer to their home communities and provide greater access to diagnostic testing.
(6) Located in close proximity to the new Portage regional health facility is the Southport airport. This aerodrome has a runway length that is more than adequate to support medical air ambulance services. This would provide the opportunity to transport patients by air from more remote communities to access MRI imaging services.
(7) The average wait time 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 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 Sheena Helgeson, Roberta Mirza, Ashley Minton and many, many more Manitobans.
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) Children with disabilities often require child care beyond the age of 12. Children with disabilities aged 12 to 17 face a gap in publicly available care programs.
(2) The current adolescent-care service model creates undue hardship on caregivers.
(3) While developing children may be entering into extracurricular activities, school clubs or spending time with friends independently, children with disabilities have reduced opportunities for social and recreational opportunities due to the lack of spaces.
(4) The current self-managed adolescent-care models place additional workloads onto already stressed families, requiring parents to seek all alternative options and prove their need for care.
(5) The current adolescent-care system, as part of overall respite and support available to families, is failing families of children with disabilities, as identified in the Manitoba Advocate for Children and Youth's Bridging the Gaps report.
(6) To date, none of the nine recommendations it contains have completed beyond 50 per cent.
(7) The recommendations in this report touch on many of the issues facing families, with adolescent care being but a small component of their overall needs.
We petition the legislative of Manitoba as follows:
(1) To urge the provincial government to fully implement recommendations in the Bridging the Gaps report.
(2) To urge the provincial government to immediately implement official policies and procedures that are more respectful and collaborative, which also minimize harm faced by families seeking help from the Children's disABILITY Services.
(3) To urge the Minister of Families to arrange for a full review of employment supports provided by Children's disABILITY Services for children with disabilities aged 12 to 17, including direct consultation with impacted families and to explore a full spectrum of options to support families, empowering them to choose solutions that best fit their needs.
This petition has been signed by Reanne Casey, Arthur Daigneault and Warim [phonetic] MD.
Thank you, honourable Deputy Speaker.
Mr. Wayne Ewasko (Lac du Bonnet): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.
And the background to this petition is as follows:
(1) Kellie Verwey, a beloved young woman from Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, was tragically killed in a car crash caused by a repeat violent offender with a long criminal history.
(2) Despite repeated violations of his bail conditions, the offender was free to roam the streets and to ultimately claim Kellie's life. This tragedy was entirely preventable.
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(3) While the Criminal Code falls under federal jurisdiction, provinces have been given the responsibility for the administration of justice, allowing for meaningful provincial action on bail reform to ensure public safety.
(4) Other provinces have taken proactive steps to strengthen bail enforcement, but Manitoba has not used all the available tools to address this issue effectively.
(5) The provincial government has the ability and the responsibility to advocate for and implement measures that protect its citizens by ensuring that repeat violent offenders are not released into our communities without proper safeguards.
(6) Immediate action is required to close gaps in the justice system that allow dangerous criminals to remain free, which puts innocent Manitobans at risk.
We petition this Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:
(1) To urge the provincial government to take immediate and decisive action on bail reform to address serious deficits in enforcement by utilizing all available provincial mechanisms to strengthen warrant enforcement, increasing bail supervision and opposing release of offenders, thus ensuring that repeat violent offenders are held accountable and that public safety is prioritized over leniency; and
(2) To urge the provincial government to lobby the federal government to immediately repeal provisions of the Criminal Code that allow for the continued victimization of law-abiding Manitobans while granting repeat offenders additional rights.
This petition is signed by Shadow Gladue, Dustin Beaulieu, Cindy Lavallee and many other fine Manitobans.
Mr. Josh Guenter (Borderland): Honourable Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.
The background to this petition is as follows:
(1) 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; and
(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 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; and
(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 Sarah Bueckert, Judy Peters, Mary Reimer and many, many Manitobans.
Mrs. Carrie Hiebert (Morden-Winkler): Honourable Deputy Speaker, I wish to present the following petition.
To the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba:
The background of 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.
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 teaching certification.
(3) These amendments eliminate 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 moved senior years credit requirements in an approved teachable major or minor; early/middle years credit requirement in an approved teachable major or 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 facility of education and business partners were not consulted about the changes.
(6) The removal of subject-specific requirements undermines the education quality in Manitoba schools by permitting teachers to enter the classroom without significant 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 Regulations 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 alternate measures that uphold rigorous subject-area standards, which are critical to providing quality education to all Manitoba students.
This petition is signed by Kesha Patel, Niral Patel and Oma [phonetic]–Omo [phonetic]–Om Patel and many, many other Manitobans
Thank you.
Mr. Trevor King (Lakeside): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.
And these are the reasons for this petition:
(1) Persons struggling with mental health as their sole condition may access medical assistance in dying unless Parliament intervenes.
(2) Suicidality is often a symptom of mental illness, and suicide is the second leading cause of death for Canadians between the age of 10 and 19.
(3) There have been reports of the unsolicited introduction of medical assistance in dying to non-seeking persons, including Canadian veterans, as a solution for their medical and mental health issues.
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(4) Legal and medical experts are deeply concerned that permitting Canadians suffering from depression and other mental illness 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.
This petition has been signed by Rhonda Cameron, Doug Bottrell and David Allen Robertson and many, many, many Manitobans.
Thank you.
Mr. Konrad Narth (La Vérendrye): I wish to fall–I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.
The background to this petition is as follows:
(1) Provincial Road 210, PR 210, is a 117.3 kilometre–72.8 mile–highway in the Eastman region of Manitoba that connects the towns and communities of Woodridge, Marchand, La Broquerie, Ste. Anne, Landmark, Linden, Île des Chênes and St. Adolphe.
(2) A significant portion of PR 210 also runs through the constituency of La Vérendrye.
(3) PR 210 is a significant commuting route for Eastman families and is also notably used by those in the agriculture, tourism, trade and commerce industries.
(4) The condition of PR 210 from Woodridge to Highway 12 is in an unacceptable state of disrepair.
(5) The planned pavement upgrade was promised more than 20 years ago when it was constructed with a flat surface suitable for pavement, but has yet to be completed.
(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; and
(2) To urge the provincial government to include the stretch of Provincial Road 210 from Woodridge to Highway 12 in its reconstruction plans.
This petition has been signed by Tom Martens, Jenny Johannson [phonetic], Cornelia Jackson and many, many other Manitobans.
Mr. Greg Nesbitt (Riding Mountain): 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 body. It is used for disease detection, diagnosis and treatment monitoring.
(3) Portage la Prairie is centrally located in Manitoba and is on the No. 1 Highway in the Southern Health/Santé Sud Health Authority. Currently there is only one MRI machine in the RHA.
(4) An MRI machine located in the Porjeech [phonetic] regional health facility will reduce transportation costs for patients as well as reduce the burden on stretcher service and ambulance use. It will bring care closer to home and reduce wait times for MRI scans across the province.
(5) Located around Portage la Prairie are the Dakota Tipi, Dakota Plains, Sandy Bay and Long Plain First Nations reserves. Indigenous peoples in Canada disproportionately face barriers in access to services and medical care. An MRI machine located in the Portage regional health facility will bring care closer to their home communities and provide greater access to diagnostic testing.
(6) Located in close proximity to the new Portage regional health facility is the Southport airport. This aerodrome has a runway length that is more than adequate to support medical air ambulance services. This would provide the opportunity to transport patients by air from more remote communities to access MRI imaging services.
(7) The average wait time 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.
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This petition has been signed by Lynn Booker, Fred Roe, Greg Askin and many, many other fine Manitobans.
Thank you.
Mrs. Colleen Robbins (Spruce Woods): Honourable Deputy Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.
The background to this petition is as follows:
(1) Provincial trunk 34, PTH 34, is a two-lane provincial primary highway that runs from the US border where it meets from the 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 and 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.
The–(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 in the Assiniboine–on the Assiniboine River.
We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:
To urge the provincial government to address conditions of Provincial Trunk Highway 34, making the necessary upgrades to RTAC standard and to resurface the road once the bridge has been completed.
This petition has been signed by Pamela Cavers, Brenda [phonetic]–or Brent Gardner and Elaine Popplestone and many, many other Manitobans.
Mr. Rick Wowchuk (Swan River): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.
These are the reasons for the petition:
(1) Upgrading Provincial Road 482 will accelerate economic development as it will enhance connectivity, facilitate efficient transportation and promote economic growth in the region.
(2) Economic development will be further enhanced as improved road infrastructure attracts businesses, encourages investment and creates job opportunities.
(3) Roads meeting the Roads and Transportation Association of Canada, RTAC, standards improve both safety and efficiency, as they can handle heavier loads, reducing the number of trips required for goods transportation.
(4) Safer roads further benefit both communities and commercial vehicles, minimizing accidents and damage.
(5) Upgrading to RTAC standards ensures resilience to challenges caused by climate change, such as thawing and flooding, which negatively impact road conditions.
The Speaker in the Chair
(6) Efficient transportation networks contribute to Manitoba's economic competitiveness, as upgraded roads support interprovincial and international goods movement, benefiting both trade and commerce.
We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:
To urge the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure to take the necessary steps to upgrade Provincial Road 482 to meet RTAC standards.
This petition has been signed by Roderick Kevinako [phonetic], Nicole Cena, Clint Dushka and many, many other Manitobans.
Mr. Jeff Wharton (Red River North): I wish to present the following–[interjection] Thank you. I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.
The background to this petition is as follows:
(1) Kellie Verwey, a beloved young woman from Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, was tragically killed in a car crash caused by a repeat violent offender with a long criminal history.
(2) Despite repeated violations of his bail conditions, the offender was free to roam the streets and to ultimately claim Kellie's life. This tragedy was entirely preventable.
(3) While the Criminal Code falls under federal jurisdiction, provinces have been given the responsibility for the administration of justice, allowing for meaningful provincial action on bail reform to ensure public safety.
(4) Other provinces have taken proactive steps to strengthen bail enforcement, but Manitoba has not used all the available tools to address this issue effectively.
(5) The provincial government has the ability and the responsibility to advocate for and implement measures that protect its citizens by ensuring that repeat violent offenders are not released into our communities without proper safeguards.
(6) Immediate action is required to close gaps in the justice system that allow dangerous criminals to remain free, which puts innocent Manitobans at risk.
We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:
(1) To urge the provincial government to take immediate and decisive action on bail reform to address serious deficits in enforcement by utilizing all available provincial mechanisms to strengthen warrant enforcement, increasing bail supervision and opposing release of offenders, thus ensuring that repeat violent offenders are held accountable and the public safety is prioritized; and
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(2) To urge the provincial government to lobby the federal government to immediately repeal provisions of the Criminal Code that allow the continued victimization of law‑abiding Manitobans while granting repeat offenders additional rights.
This petition is signed by Christine Verwey, Heather Fowler, Shianne Lake and many, many more Manitobans.
Thank you.
The Speaker: No further petitions?
Orders of the day, government–oh, grievances. Why do I always forget grievances?
Grievances?
Hon. Nahanni Fontaine (Government House Leader): Honourable Speaker, can you please call the start of second reading of Bill 36, The Child and Family Services Amendment Act; followed by the start of second reading of Bill 33, The Planning Amendment and City of Winnipeg Charter Amendment Act.
The Speaker: It is now–it has been announced that we will now go to second reading of bill 33, The Child and Family Services Amendment Act; followed by the beginning of second reading of Bill 33, The Planning Amendment and City of Winnipeg Charter Amendment Act.
The Speaker: So we will now go to second reading, Bill 36.
Hon. Nahanni Fontaine (Minister of Families): I move, seconded by the Minister for Municipal and Northern Relations, that Bill 36, The Child and Family Services Amendment Act, be now read a second time and be referred to a committee of this House.
Motion presented.
MLA Fontaine: As part of our sacred and collective responsibility, this government is committed to working in true partnership with Indigenous governments and communities.
Our partnership includes restoring jurisdiction over Child and Family Services back to the nations' families and community, where it rightly belongs. Bill 36 amends The Child and Family Services Act as part of that continued commitment, remaining aligned with Indigenous jurisdiction as well as current child welfare practice, all while ensuring we are working together to keep children and youth in care safe.
It advances my priority as Minister of Families to return the care of children and youth to their families and communities and to do so in a way that respects Indigenous law and governance. It also affirms the rights of Indigenous peoples to exercise jurisdiction in relation to Child and Family Services. Importantly, Bill 36 responds directly to recommendations from Indigenous leaders as well as from our Child and Family Services partners, authorities and agencies. Bill 36 expands the provincial definition of Indigenous law to include those laws developed under self‑government agreements that have been legislatively ratified by Manitoba.
This is an important act of recognition. It respects nations whose path towards jurisdiction travels alongside rather than directly within the federal legislative framework. This means First Nations in Manitoba have a better avenue to move to draw down jurisdiction under provincial law, and as part of our commitment to supporting the various paths towards returning Child and Family Services to nations and communities where they belong.
This recognized Indigenous jurisdiction over CFS is inherent, and therefore exists outside of the federal legislative framework of bill C‑92.
These amendments will provide clear recognition of Indigenous laws and smoother transitions once Indigenous service providers assume responsibility over the care of their children. Bill 36 adds provisions to create a new ability for the statutory director to respond to requests from Indigenous service providers delivering services under Indigenous law seeking termination of a provincial orders of supervision or guardianship of a child when Indigenous law applies.
This means instead of having to go to court on a case-by-case basis for every child under children in care, once a nation assumes jurisdiction, the statutory director will be able to terminate those orders by agreement. This avoids an expensive and administratively burdensome court process and creates a clear, efficient transition of responsibility from provincial agencies to Indigenous law providers operating under Indigenous law.
Notification of the terminated orders is required to be sent to all involved, including the provincial CFS agency that is named in the order being terminated, the court, the parents of the child and the child if they are 12 years of age or older. This is a necessary change that respects inherent jurisdiction while ensuring provincial orders are not transferred into Indigenous service systems where they do not align with Indigenous laws. Oversight is maintained through continued roles for the statutory director, courts and the Manitoba Advocate for Children and Youth as appropriate.
Bill 36 also expands eligibility for support past the age of majority to include those who are receiving services through voluntary agreements like kinship or customary-care agreements and temporary orders. This means a provincial CFS agency does not need to be the legal guardian of a minor for them to continue to receive supports when they turn 18. This change fills an identified gap with how youth connected to Child and Family Services can access continued supports, helping to preserve access to supports as young adults transition out of the Child and Family Services system.
This is part of our government's commitment to ensure we can all support young people aging out of care and families can continue to access supports while they continue to care for their children. We know youth transitioning out of care are at an important and vulnerable period in their lives. We have recognized the importance of supporting these Manitobans across government, including naming youth transitioning out of care as one of our target groups supported by our Pathways Forward, our government's new poverty reduction strategy.
These amendments and the expanded care they provide will help support outcomes for youth–young adults transitioning out of care by creating stable legislative access to supports at critical life stages.
I want to say miigwech to everyone who's contributed their knowledge and leadership to this work. We have engaged broadly Indigenous rights holders and our system partners on these amendments. We've heard clearly these changes are consistent with our ongoing discussions with rights holders and through other established advisory forums. They continue to support our direction towards supporting nations on their path towards jurisdiction.
Feedback through these engagements reaffirm the proposed amendments are supportive of existing direction, including alignment with previous legislative changes. We know this journey is ongoing. We expect to continue making changes as we listen, learn and work alongside Indigenous partners to support the full realization of Indigenous jurisdiction over Child and Family Services in Manitoba.
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I look forward to further discussion on Bill 36 and ask the House for its full support on this really important piece of legislation.
Miigwech.
The Speaker: A question period of up to 15 minutes will be held. Questions may be addressed to the minister by any opposition or independent member in the following sequence: first question by the official opposition critic or designate; subsequent questions asked by critics or designates from other recognized opposition parties; subsequent questions asked by each independent member; remaining questions asked by any opposition members. And no question or answer shall exceed 45 seconds.
The floor is now open for questions.
Ms. Jodie Byram (Agassiz): I would like to ask the minister, just for some clarity, how will transfers of children from provincial care to Indigenous systems be co-ordinated, and what documentation and procedural standards will be required in doing so?
Hon. Nahanni Fontaine (Minister of Families): Yes. When rights holders draw down jurisdiction–first off, let me just also clarify that right now as we speak, for the last many years, authorities are working. So you've got the Northern Authority, the southern authority, the general authority, and the Métis authority. They're all working together right now, for many years, to ensure that once a child enters the system, that that child is going to the correct authority. So if you're from a northern community, you would go to a northern agency.
So there's a lot of work going on right now to ensure that children are actually going to the authority and the agency that best connects with their home community. So that work's been going on for a lot of years now.
The Speaker: Member's time has expired.
MLA Jeff Bereza (Portage la Prairie): What reporting requirements or auditing mechanisms will be in place to track outcomes for children transferred under an Indigenous text?
MLA Fontaine: I'm not sure what the member means by Indigenous text, but what I can share–and I know that it's really difficult for–we've had this conversation for a couple of years now, now that I've been in this role. And I understand that it's hard for members opposite to wrap their head around what Indigenous governance looks like in respect of child welfare.
And I've said many times in this Chamber that when Indigenous governing bodies assert jurisdiction, it is their Indigenous law, and their Indigenous law has precedent over federal law and provincial laws. And so Indigenous, or IGBs as they're called, will have their own standards and their own procedures–
The Speaker: Member's time has expired.
Ms. Byram: Can the minister explain what accountability measures exist if an Indigenous service provider fails to meet agreed-upon standards for child welfare?
MLA Fontaine: I'm not sure if the member is talking about right now, in the current provincial system, or if, once again, members are asking about once First Nations draw down child welfare.
I know that members opposite are fixated on this idea that Indigenous peoples can't–don't have the capacity or can't care for their children, but I would disabuse that once again–because I seem to do a lot of that, having to disabuse what they bring forward–once IGBs draw down jurisdiction, they will have their own rules and procedures. They will have their own accountability mechanisms that community members will be able to access.
The Speaker: Member's time has expired.
Ms. Byram: Can the minister explain what happens if the provincial authority identifies a gap in care after the transfer?
MLA Fontaine: Once again, once IGBs draw down jurisdiction, authorities will have no role in IGBs and in the way that their Indigenous law is prescribed for child welfare.
I can't be more clear, and I'm going to try and do it again: Indigenous law takes precedent over federal law and provincial law. It is the equivalent of me saying to the US, hey, show me your accountability and what are you doing in child welfare? That is what we're talking about. IGB's law is paramount over federal and provincial law.
The Speaker: The time has expired.
Ms. Byram: Expanding care to age 21 is positive, but how will the government ensure continuity of housing, education, mental health supports for youth transitioning under the Indigenous jurisdiction?
MLA Fontaine: Well, the good thing about our government and our Cabinet is that we all work together. We all genuinely really like each other and consider each other family and we work together, not only in respect of ensuring that folks that are aging out of care have access to housing and mental health supports, addiction supports, going to school, getting a job.
You know, I want to point out that not every child that's aging out of care is going to be going down that pipeline to a myriad of other issues. There are folks that are aging out of care that are doing really well, going on to university.
Luckily, we all work together and we're ensuring that those Manitobans have the supports that they need.
Ms. Byram: What are the potential costs to the provincial government once Bill 36 is implemented?
MLA Fontaine: You know, one of the things that members opposite did when they were in their failed government was they starved different programs and services. They starved education, they starved the health care, they cut all kinds of things, because as my colleague, the Minister of Education said in one of our QP answers, members opposite only care about money.
And so, the member for Agassiz asking a question on what it's going to cost to care for children, to ensure that children aging out of care have the supports that they need, of course, that's going to cost money to the government. And I'm really proud that since we've been–I've been minister, we've put in $40 million into the system to ensure that–
The Speaker: The time is expired.
If there are no further questions, the floor is open for debate.
Ms. Jodie Byram (Agassiz): I am pleased to stand here in this Chamber and put a few words on the record and be able to speak to Bill 36, The Child and Family Services Amendment Act.
The legislation proposes several amendments to Manitoba's Child and Family Services framework, such as the expansion of the definition of Indigenous law to include Child and Family Services legislation enacted by an Indigenous governing body under a self-governance agreement that's been recognized in Manitoba law.
This bill proposes that when an Indigenous law applies to a child, the provincial director may terminate an agency's guardianship or supervision if the Indigenous service provider seeks that termination. In addition, Bill 36 also expands eligibility for care and maintenance to include young adults under the age of 21 who received care through additional arrangements.
Finally, there are consequential amendments to three other acts to support the implementation of these, and these are some significant changes. Representing an important shift in how child welfare may be delivered in Manitoba, raising important questions about how provincial systems will work alongside Indigenous governments and service providers.
I understand Indigenous families, communities and leaders have long called for greater jurisdiction over the well-being of their children, and the importance of keeping children connected to their culture, their language and, of course, their communities, all of which are a very fundamental part of any child's well-being and success in life.
We understand and we all know that strong families and strong communities are the foundation of a healthy society. No child should ever have to grow up disconnected from their culture, their traditions or their family supports when alternatives are possible.
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The reality is that Indigenous children have been disproportionately represented in child welfare systems for decades. And this is not a new issue, and it is one that governments across the country have been grappling for for many years. The intent of legislation doesn't mean that we should ignore the details of how legislation will be implemented. In fact, when it comes to the well-being of children, details matter enormously.
Children in the welfare system are among the most vulnerable individuals in our province. They rely on adults, they rely on institutions, they rely on governments to ensure their safety, stability and, of course, their future. So when legislation proposes major structural changes to the system responsible for protecting them, we do have some questions, and we must look at some of those implications carefully. We must ensure that there is accountability and that there is some oversight that can remain strong.
Bill 36 would allow the provincial director to terminate an agency's guardianship or supervision order of an Indigenous service provider who seeks termination because an Indigenous law applies to the child. It means responsibility for the care and protection of that child would move from the provincial system to an Indigenous service provider operating under Indigenous law. It also raises some operational questions, such as: How will these transfers be coordinated? What documentation and procedural standards will be required? What timelines will be given for the transfer of responsibility? How will the parties that are involved ensure continuity of care during such a transition?
And I just want to remind all members that these are–aren't just abstract questions, but they're real questions that I feel should be answered, and to ensure that no child here in our province falls through the cracks during a transfer from provincial care to Indigenous-care systems.
We know every member of the House here wants to see each child be safe and supported and succeed, and I believe every member of this House understands that transitions between systems can be very complex, especially when it comes to government systems.
And I believe that's why detailed implementation plans are very essential in this process. And that's why it's important for government to provide clear guidelines so that everyone involved, including the child welfare agencies, the Indigenous service providers, the front-line workers, the families, understand their roles and responsibilities, all while ensuring the health and the well-being of all the children involved. And I just want to say that clarity is not a barrier, but it's part of what can build a successful plan, and being clear on some of these transition processes is key.
The other important part of the bill is the expansion of care and maintenance, supporting young adults up to the age of 21. We know that youth aging out of the child welfare system often face enormous challenges as they transition into adulthood. Many lack stable housing, many struggle to access education and employment opportunities and there's many that have struggled with mental health challenges and, again, are very vulnerable to exploitation.
Without adequate support systems, these young people can fall into cycles of poverty, homelessness or involvement with the justice system. Extending support to age 21 recognizes that the transition to adulthood just doesn't happen just on someone's 18th birthday, and this can be very critical. These are very pivotal times in a young person's life, where they might find themselves needing additional support, needing help finding houses, accessing education and counselling services, and all of which will make an important impact on a young person's life. There's evidence that providing supports to at-risk youth can reduce involvement in crime and, of course, provide and improve long-term outcomes.
The expansion of care to age 21 raises some important questions, specifically: What supports will be available to youth under this extension? Will housing supports be an absolute guarantee? Will educational funding and training opportunities be accessible to all? And will the mental health services be readily available? And how will the government ensure continuity of these services if youth move between provincial and Indigenous child welfare systems?
These are questions; these are not criticisms, but they are real questions about how we can work together to make this go smoothly and effectively.
During the previous government, the number of children in CFS was declining and that didn't happen by accident; it happened because of the efforts of the PC team who were made to strengthen the prevention programs. We supported families; we improved collaboration in communities because the ultimate goal should always be to keep families together whenever it is safe and possible to do so. I feel the focus should be on prevention, early intervention and, of course, family support.
When removal from a home environment is necessary to ensure safety, we must also ensure that the system responsible for protecting the child–the child operates with strong oversight and accountability. It brings me to one of the key areas where Bill 36 requires further clarity, which is accountability frameworks.
If Indigenous child welfare laws are recognized and applied within Manitoba, how will outcomes be monitored? What reporting requirements will be in place? Will there be any auditing mechanisms to ensure that there are some standards that are being met? And what happens if there's–concerns arise about the well-being of a child under a particular jurisdiction?
These, again, are not questions that are undermining any authority, but they are ensuring that every child here in the province of Manitoba, regardless of which system providers–which provides their care, that they benefit from strong protections, mechanisms that are in place to protect them. And, again, that comes down to accountability that protects children, transparency, which builds trust in a system and oversight that ensures systems can improve over time.
We must also ensure that legislation includes appropriate reporting requirements and accountability mechanisms. So, again, like I mentioned, that children are not left disadvantaged by the gaps in enforcement. If a child's safety is at risk, what authority will the Province retain to intervene? And how will provincial responsibilities interact with Indigenous jurisdiction? And what happens if the–if there is a gap in when the transfers are occurring?
Those are some very unique questions to this. But they are questions that, you know, there may need to be some clarity put on.
If multiple Indigenous governments develop their own child welfare legislation, each with unique provisions, how will service providers co-ordinate between them? And this–some practical considerations about how to ensure the system functions effectively for children and families. Indigenous communities have the knowledge, the cultural understanding and the leadership necessary to support children.
At the same time, we must ensure that strong frameworks exist to maintain accountability, transparency across the entire system. Every child in Manitoba deserves safety, stability and opportunity. They deserve a system that protects them. They deserve a system that supports them as they grow into adulthood and they deserve leaders in this Legislature who are willing to ask difficult questions that are necessary to ensure that legislation works in their best interests.
It represents an opportunity–Bill 36 represents an opportunity to strengthen Indigenous jurisdiction and improve supports for young people leaving care. But it also requires careful implementation, thoughtful oversight and ongoing collaboration.
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Our team here on this side of the House will always continue to advocate for those very principles because we all know that protecting the children is not a partisan issue; it is a responsibility shared by all of us here in this Chamber and as elected officials in our province of Manitoba.
Thank you.
The Speaker: Are there no other members wishing to debate?
In that case then, is the House ready for the question?
Some Honourable Members: Question.
The Speaker: So the question before the House is second reading on Bill 36, The Child and Family Services Amendment Act.
Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed]
The motion is accordingly passed.
Hon. Glen Simard (Minister of Municipal and Northern Relations): I move, seconded by the Minister of Natural Resources and Indigenous Futures (Mr. Bushie), that Bill 33, The Planning Amendment and City of Winnipeg Charter Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Loi sur l'aménagement du territoire et la Charte de la ville de Winnipeg, be now read a second time and be referred to a committee of this House.
Motion presented.
Mr. Simard: Honourable Speaker, I am moving that this bill be brought to–forward because it delivers on our government's Throne Speech commitment to respect the freedom and autonomy of municipalities and–through implementing the recommendations of the independent review of the previous government's bill 37.
We heard municipalities loud and clear: they want to build and keep growing. But the top-down, heavy-handed approach was not working. In fact, it delayed projects in these communities. When municipalities said there was room for improvement, we listened. We're making good on our commitment to continue resetting the framework.
Bill 33 follows the same spirit of last session's bills 3 and 4, which strengthened municipal autonomy and reduced red tape. Today's bill makes changes in four key areas.
First, it significantly rescopes the authority of the Municipal Board as an appeal body. The ability of the board to overturn council decisions on public objections will be removed, ensuring municipalities will have the final say on decisions regarding zoning and land use bylaws after considering the board's recommendations. This legislation will ensure the board will have consistent timelines for these appeals, having to complete reviews in 120 days and remove delays to impactful projects to support growing communities.
Effectively, we are replacing the ability to conduct a de novo hearing with an administrative review based on the existing public record of a municipality. The public maintains the ability to object to zoning bylaws or amendments of a secondary plan, and the board must publish its recommendations online for everyone to see. The bill also removes the specific authority for the Municipal Board to assign costs against municipalities for unreasonable delays with planning appeals.
Second, Bill 33 seeks to improve the regional planning board model further by putting power back in the hands of municipalities. We continue to untangle the mess left behind by Pallister-era legislation that forced Capital Region municipalities into the WMR. As per the independent review of their government's bill 37, the PCs took a heavy-handed, down–top-down approach to regional planning, causing distrust and resentment.
Today's bill, along with the work we have done thus far, further resets the regional planning board model. Specifically, we are removing a planning region's powers to expropriate and enforce compliance through the courts. Consensus is the key to our approach in regional planning. So, moving forward, all members of a regional plan must agree on a date when their plan comes into effect rather than be forced into immediate implementation.
Members of the CPR are reacting positively to these changes and others, finally feeling heard and that their autonomy is, as municipal councils, is being respected.
Third, Bill 33 responds to municipal calls to expedite housing development. Like Winnipeg, other municipalities are growing and want to leverage federal dollars to accelerate housing delivery. This will reduce red tape, speed up the approval of minor subdivisions in already built properties, making them into duplexes and townhouses and preserve a local council's autonomy. This enables municipalities to build up rather than to build out, densifying their communities and getting more Manitobans into homes faster.
And fourth, Bill 33 will fix a legislative gap regarding livestock operations of supply‑managed industries, which are dairy, poultry and egg farming. It proposes that municipalities be given the ability to approve minor livestock expansion from supply‑managed industries by no more than 15 per cent in animal units without a new conditional use approval.
This one‑time increase for farm operations must conform with the municipality's bylaws and provincial regulations as farmers respond to quota increases and check improvements in the sector. This respects a local council's autonomy and grows the rural economy.
In conclusion, Bill 33 demonstrates our government's commitment to continuing to advance smart, strategic and significant improvements through the Manitoba's land use planning action. The proposed changes are based on extensive consultations, including recommendations from the independent Braid report, which engaged more than 250 participants from over 95 municipalities, industry and professional stakeholders and the public. And most importantly, it upholds and strengthens the autonomy of Manitoba's municipalities, fixes the previous government's mishandling of regional planning and reduces red tape that supports positive outcomes.
Thank you.
The Speaker: A question period of up to 15 minutes will be held. Questions may be addressed to the minister by any opposition or independent member in the following sequence: first question by the official opposition critic or designate; subsequent questions asked by critics or designates from other recognized opposition parties; subsequent questions asked by each independent member; remaining questions asked by any opposition member. And no question or answer shall exceed 45 seconds.
The floor is now open for questions.
Mr. Trevor King (Lakeside): Well, I'll ask the minister, the Braid report identified a number of issues related to provincial review, co-ordination and planning capacity, and I think he mentioned in his preamble there that it was 14 out of the 19. Why were those recommendations not–all of the recommendations not included in the legislation?
Hon. Glen Simard (Minister of Municipal and Northern Relations): I'd like to thank the member from Lakeside for the question. It's an important question and it just demonstrates the work necessary to untangle the mess that happened prior.
So we are coming with real key amendments that will make an immediate impact. And when you have a committed government who's committed to all of the recommendations and have already an action plan in place for public viewing, I think it shows a clear and demonstrable action from a government that listens to its stakeholders.
Mr. Josh Guenter (Borderland): Municipalities have raised concerns about the length and complexity of planning approvals. How will the timelines introduced in Bill 33 improve those processes in practice?
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Mr. Simard: Another great question. I think it highlights why this is such an important bill. We have heard the frustration from municipalities who said that the Pallister‑era regulations and processes were put in place, it just slowed things down. And the–specifically removing the de novo requirements will show that the Municipal Board's authority will be to review whether municipalities followed the proper procedures rather than relitigate the decisions made by a mature level of government.
So, we trust our governments. We trust local autonomy, and the Municipal Board will make recommendations, assuring that sober second thought to make sure that they follow–
The Speaker: Time is expired
Mr. Rick Wowchuk (Swan River): Several rural municipalities have raised concerns about the administrative burden associated with the planning and the development approvals. Does Bill 33 reduce that burden, and if so, can the minister tell me how?
Mr. Simard: Yes, so in my previous response, I think this is the day that municipalities have been waiting for to be able to speed up the processes, to be able to get work done, then continue to build their communities.
Having a–the Municipal Board have–re‑begin, relitigate problems, starting from new, on appeals. That just slowed everything down; it burdened the Municipal Board with work that, frankly, was already done by a local government. And the Municipal Board now is free to be able to move more quickly on these approvals and reviews of decisions that they've made, and they can do it more quickly while they're just looking at the processes but not hearing new evidence.
Mr. King: Honourable Speaker, municipal leaders have called for more predictability and clarity in the planning decisions. Just want to ask the minister: How does this legislation improve certainty for municipalities and the developers?
Mr. Simard: Yes, so I think what it continues to do is build on what we've been communicating to them, not only in legislations in bills 3 and 4, but also in Bill 33, but most importantly in our budgets. You know, we've–our government has been very steady in the type of supports that it's been giving to municipalities; they know they can count on us as an honest broker and partner in being able to build up this province and build up these communities that make Manitoba such a great place to live.
And by continuing to provide them the confidence to make decisions and confidence to be treated as a mature, elected level of government and have open and honest conversations with them about their future, we can move on things more quickly–on things such as policing, land development and densification of their communities and being able to remove–
The Speaker: Member's time has expired.
Mr. Guenter: The Braid review highlighted the need for improved co‑ordination between provincial departments involved in planning reviews. How does Bill 33 address that issue?
Mr. Simard: Yes, I would say one of the greatest examples is the co‑ordination between housing approvals and the Ministry of Housing. You know, we've had changes to expand minor subdivision processes to include multi‑unit developments. We know that there is a cry and a need for affordable housing across Manitoba. This speeds us up and that's a–working between two departments.
Particularly proud of the fact that we are able to work with Agriculture to extend the livestock operation rights to supply–manage industries. Whereas if, for example, you have a barn whose had equipment take up a lot of space, that equipment has been modernized and there's more space available, they'll be able to add to their production–
The Speaker: Member's time is expired.
Mr. Wowchuk: Municipalities have raised concerns about financial pressures related to infrastructure development servicing. How does Bill 33 support municipalities in addressing the challenges they may encounter?
Mr. Simard: Yes, the biggest challenge for municipalities when doing development is time, and what this bill does, and along with Bill 4 and Bill 3, is it reduced the number of minutes, hours, days, weeks, months that would take place and prolong these large projects.
So, we know that the faster that we can make these projects a reality for municipalities, the less costs it will be on them. And, of course, being really strong partners through our Manitoba GROW program, through our predictable operating items that we–percentages that we give to municipalities and work with them on these large projects, such as we've done with the RSR and the Brandon project, Boissevain, Morden‑Winkler, as we continue to work through these projects in a quick–
The Speaker: Time has expired.
Mr. King: The minister indicated that planning delays can increase the cost of development and housing. How does Bill 33 contribute to improving affordability for Manitobans?
Mr. Simard: Another great question, because what this does, it helps us build more quickly, more rapidly, more responsibly, and we provide more units for folks to live in, more developments in communities where they can maybe have access to public transit, building the roads, the infrastructure necessary to have these.
Imagine being someone who–born and raised in Ste. Agathe or Ile des Chênes and being able to take transit right to the U of M. I think that would be a great thing. So being able to build those things more efficiently, more rapidly, will keep municipalities thriving, keep kids at home, build families, have more population, more taxation base. So I think all of that–
The Speaker: Member's time has expired.
Mr. Wowchuk: Yes, municipalities also express concern about reductions to programs such as Building Sustainable Communities and Green Team.
How does the government intend to support municipalities in meeting planning and infrastructure needs in light of those reductions?
Mr. Simard: I have to reject that premise of that question. Our government continues to invest in municipalities across Manitoba. We are maintaining Green Team levels to post–or pre-pandemic levels, where there was obviously a quick spike up pre-election time. And we actually have the wildly successful Manitoba GROW program where, you know, I get to go through communities all over Manitoba to talk about the great work we've been doing.
Whether it's in Portage la Prairie, $5 million for a fieldhouse; whether it's any of the dozens of communities that have new fire infrastructure; or, you know, heading out to Grandview, winner of Kraft Hockeyville, 50K, we showed up with close to $2 million.
Mr. King: Has the government conducted an assessment of the current workload and capacity of the Municipal Board to determine whether additional staffing and funding will be required?
Mr. Simard: Yes, that's another great question, and what makes it great is that we're committed to making this work, so we're not going to gut the public service like our opposition did. We're actually going to fund it and put people in place to make sure we can execute.
And that's–you know, we heard some of the rhetoric in question period where it's saying government grows, government grows. Well, who do you think makes part of these organizations that do the planning, do the support for municipalities to make this happen? And as we continue to invest in operating costs in municipalities–2 per cent, 2 per cent, 2 per cent–and the one Manitoba GROW fund, that all contributes to making things happen more quickly.
And the most important thing that we can do for the Municipal Board is make their workloads something that they can actually do, not by overburdening them–
The Speaker: Member's time has expired.
Mr. Wowchuk: I just want to go back to the Green Team, because in the past couple years, seen more Green Team cuts than we've ever seen, and a number of the community projects and students who they were employing did not get the opportunity to work.
So can the minister assure he's, you know, touting about the Green Team funding; and when our various Green Team members do not get funding, will he commit to meeting with those leaders from those different organizations who have concerns this coming spring?
Mr. Simard: Not only will I commit to meeting with them, I've already met with them and made sure that every single municipality in Manitoba received Green Team funding last year. Every single accredited camp that applied for Green Team funding received funding last year.
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That's what a stable, predictable, honest broker with a stakeholder looks like and we will continue to invest in the future of this province. The Green Team projects, the Green Team workforce are essential to growing Manitoba but they want stability, they want predictability, not up-and-down, at-the-whim-of-election-cycles projects that the PCs would go with.
Mr. Guenter: The Municipal Board is expected to review records and issue recommendations within 120 days. What operational changes are being implemented to ensure that those timelines are achievable?
Mr. Simard: I think actually re‑scoping the authority of the Municipal Board is a really important part to do that. In every household, you assign tasks to members of that household. I know I got my boys take the garbage out or cut the grass or shovel so that I could spend the time on the computer filing my taxes.
So doing things together, working together and making sure that everyone has a role, everyone has a defined task does a really great job in making sure that things are done expeditiously and expediently. And that's what the Braid report recommended, and that's what we're doing.
Mr. King: Honourable Speaker, I want to ask what technology or digital tools will be implemented to support the Municipal Board in reviewing planning records and issuing recommendations within the timelines established in Bill 33.
Mr. Simard: That is a great question. I know that, just recently, we have upgraded the assessment software that the department uses to make sure that all properties are properly assessed.
You know, we are investing in the public service. We're investing in infrastructure within our government; we see that in places like Infrastructure and Transportation. A shout-out to the Minister Naylor who, you know, opened up a new–
The Speaker: Order, please. Order, please.
I'd just remind the honourable minister that we're not supposed to use people's names; either their constituency name or their ministerial title.
Mr. Simard: Yes, I'm two for two on that one, Honourable Speaker, where the last two times I spoke, I've had, you know, such great relationships with my colleagues, whether it be across the aisle or in my own caucus. It's really hard for me to not reference them by name, so I apologize for that.
But I just–put the right tools in the hands of the people who know how to do the work. That's what we've been doing as a government. That's what we'll continue to do, whether it's the proper law enforcement tools in the city of Brandon for the critical response unit or fire trucks across Manitoba to make sure that we can respond to wildfires.
The Speaker: Time has expired.
Mr. Wowchuk: Okay, yes. Has the government conducted an assessment of the current workload and capacity of the Municipal Board to determine whether additional staffing or funding will be required?
Mr. Simard: Simple answer: yes. And they were overburdened by a Pallister‑era‑mandated over scope on their tasks, and that's why we're doing this.
We're making sure that the Municipal Board can execute in the timelines that we've defined, that were defined not only by our government but in consultation with over 94 municipalities and 250 stakeholders. This is what they want, this is what we are going to deliver and this is what we are going to do together.
Thank you.
The Speaker: The time for questions has expired.
The Speaker: The floor is open for debate.
Mr. Trevor King (Lakeside): I'm pleased to rise today to speak to Bill 33, the planning amendment and the City of Winnipeg charter amendment act. At the outset, I think it is important for all members of this House to recognize that while planning legislation can appear technical or procedural, it is in fact some of the most consequential work that we undertake here as legislators.
Planning is not simply about applications, timelines or administrative processes. It's about communities. It is about growth. It's about shaping the future of Manitoba in very real and tangible ways. Every subdivision that is improved, every home that is built, every business that opens its doors, every piece of infrastructure that supports a growing community: all those outcomes are shaped by the planning framework that we establish right here in the Legislature. So when we debate Bill 33, we're not just debating process; we're debating how Manitoba grows and how municipalities are empowered to guide that growth.
I want to begin by acknowledging that this bill does not–does take some steps in the right direction. It reflects, at least in part, the feedback that has been provided by stakeholders across Manitoba and it attempts to address concerns around delays, predictability and clarity in the planning process. Those are valid concerns and they have been raised constantly, consistently by municipalities, developers and community stakeholders.
However, it is equally important to recognize that Bill 33 does not fully respond to the scope of issues that have been identified through the Braid review of Manitoba's planning framework. That report was not simply a collection of minor procedural suggestions; it was a comprehensive examination of how the system is functioning in practice.
The Braid report makes it clear that Manitoba's planning framework is fundamentally sound, the principles are strong, the legislative foundation is appropriate and the overall direction is correct. But it also makes clear that implementation has been uneven and that significant challenges exist in terms of capacity, co‑ordination and resources.
That distinction is critical, Honourable Speaker, because what it tells us is that the issue is not simply what is written in legislation, but how that legislation is carried out in practice.
Bill 33 focuses heavily on timelines and procedural adjustments. It seeks to create more defined timelines for decisions and to streamline certain aspects of the Municipal Board's role. On the surface, that may appear to be a reasonable response to concerns about delays, but timelines alone do not create efficiency. Timelines without adequate resources can create pressure, and pressure can lead to rushed decisions, increased risk and unintended consequences.
This brings me to what I believe is one of the most important questions that must be asked in relation to this bill: What capacity exists within the Municipal Board to meet these new expectations? The bill places additional responsibilities on the board. It expects faster reviews, more defined timelines and, in some cases, a shift towards record-based decisions rather than full hearings.
These are significant changes. They represent not just the procedural adjustments, but an increased workload at a higher level of expectation.
So I'd ask the minister directly: What did the KPMG report say about the capacity of the Municipal Board? What did it say about staffing levels, workload pressures and the board's ability to meet tighter timelines? And perhaps most importantly, what steps is the government taking to ensure that the board has the resources it needs to fulfill these new responsibilities?
Because if we're asking more of an institution, we must also provide more support. That means additional staffing, additional funding and the tools necessary to manage increased demands. Without those supports, timelines become unrealistic expectations rather than achievable goals.
Honourable Speaker, I want to turn now to municipalities themselves because they are at the centre of this entire discussion.
Municipalities are where planning happens in practice. They're where applications are reviewed, where public hearings are held and where decisions are made that shape communities for years and even decades to come. The work of municipal councils, reeves, mayors, CAOs and municipal staff is critical to the success of our planning system.
And it's not easy work. Requires balancing competing interests, interpreting complex legislation and making decisions that can have long-lasting impact on a community's development. It requires time, expertise and resources.
The Braid report makes it clear that many municipalities, particularly smaller and rural ones, are operating with limited capacity. They do not always have access to the planning expertise, administrative support or technical resources that the system assumes. Yet at the same time, we continue to add expectations. We continue to ask municipalities to meet tighter timelines, to produce more documentation, to navigate increasingly complex processes.
There is a fundamental disconnect there. We are asking more but we are not necessarily providing more. I often think about municipalities in practical terms. The small business is asked to increase its output, improve its timelines and expand its services. It cannot do so without additional resources. It needs more staff, better tools and greater capacity.
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The same principle applies to municipalities. If we want municipalities to grow, if we want them to support development, if we want them to plan effectively for the future, then we must ensure that they have the resources to do so. That includes funding, training and access to expertise. Without that support, we are not strengthening municipalities; we are stretching them.
Honourable Speaker, I also want to take a moment to recognize the role of the Association of Manitoba Municipalities in this process. AMM and its members have been actively engaged in the Braid review, providing value input–valuable input and sharing their experiences. That engagement is critical because it ensures that policy decisions are informed by those who are directly affected by them.
I want to thank AMM, as well as many municipal leaders and staff who contributed to the process. Their willingness to participate, to provide feedback and to highlight both strengths and weaknesses in the system is what allows us to improve, because effective policy is not developed in isolation; it is developed through consultation, collaboration and a willingness to listen.
Honourable Speaker, it is also important to recognize what this bill does not do. While it addresses certain procedural aspects of the planning system, it does not address many of the broader recommendations contained in the Braid report. It does not fully address issues related to capacity building, digital planning systems or interdepartmental co-ordination. These are not minor issues. They are central to the effective functioning of the planning system.
This bill represents a step forward, but it is not a comprehensive solution, and we must be clear about that. Because Manitobans, and particularly municipalities, deserve more than incremental change. They deserve a planning system that works efficiently, transparently and consistently. They deserve a system that is supported by adequate resources and reflects the realities of how planning occurs on the ground.
Honourable Speaker, there is a broader principle at play here, and that is the principle of continuous improvement. No system is perfect. No piece of legislation is without its limitations. But what matters is that we are willing to learn, to adapt and to improve over time. The Braid report provides a road map for that improvement. It identifies challenges, it proposes solutions and outlines a path forward. The question now is whether we will follow that path.
Bill 33 takes a step in that direction, but it leaves many important issues unaddressed. It is therefore essential that this bill be viewed not as a final solution but as part of an ongoing process of reform. As this bill proceeds to committee, it will be important to hear from stakeholders, to gather additional input and to consider whether further amendments or future initiatives are necessary to fully address the challenges that have been identified.
Because planning is not just about process: it is about outcomes; it is about creating communities where people want to live, work and invest; it's about ensuring that Manitoba remains competitive, attractive, capable of supporting growth.
Honourable Speaker, I'll conclude by reiterating what–that while Bill 3–33 does take some positive steps, it does not go far enough to fully address the issues identified in the Braid report. There are significant questions that remain, particularly regarding capacity, resources and the implementation.
If we are serious about improving Manitoba's planning system, we must go beyond timelines and procedural changes: we must invest in the institutions and the people who are responsible for making that system work, we must support municipalities, we must strengthen the Municipal Board and we must ensure that the system we create is not only well designed on paper but effective in practice.
Because at the end of the day, planning is about the future of our province, and it is our responsibility to ensure that we are building a system that allows that future to be as strong, as resilient and as prosperous as possible.
Honourable Speaker, if I may, I'd like to take a few further moments to expand on an issue that I believe is increasingly important in the context of municipal planning, and that is the growing need to actively confront and correct misinformation and to encourage Manitobans to take a sober, thoughtful look at the facts before forming conclusions.
Planning decisions do not happen in isolation. They happen in communities, in public forums and in conversations around council tables, community halls and, increasingly now, online. In those spaces information moves quickly, but not always accurately. We have all seen situations where a proposal was brought forward and within a short period of time a narrative begins to form. Sometimes that narrative is grounded in fact, but other times it is shaped by incomplete information, misunderstanding or, in some cases, deliberate misrepresentation of what is actually being proposed.
That is where the challenge begins. Once misinformation takes hold, it can be very difficult to unwind. It spreads quickly, creates concern and can harden positions before the full picture is even understood. That is not good for communities and it is not good for planning. Planning, at its core, should be a rational and balanced process. It should be based on evidence, on facts and on a clear understanding of both the opportunities and the trade-offs involved in any given decision.
When misinformation enters the equation that balance is disrupted, decisions become more difficult, conversations become more polarized and the ability to find reasonable, workable solutions becomes more limited.
This is not about shutting down debate. Healthy debate is essential. Communities should have the opportunity to ask questions, to raise concerns and to engage in the planning process, but that engagement must be grounded in accurate information, must be grounded in a clear understanding of what is actually being proposed, what the rules are and what the implications truly are. That is why there is a responsibility, not just on municipalities, but on all of us, to ensure that information is communicated clearly and accurately.
It is also why there is a responsibility on individuals to take a moment to pause and to take what I would call a sober second look at the facts. That means asking simple but important questions: What is actually being proposed? What does the legislation actually say? What are the real impacts, not just the perceived ones? Too often decisions are shaped by first impressions, by headlines or by YouTube and TikTok. While that is understandable in a fast-moving world, it is not the best way to approach decisions that have long-term consequences for our communities.
Taking that second look means stepping back and reviewing the facts. It means listening to different perspectives. It means recognizing that complex issues rarely have simple answers. Ultimately it means making an informed decision based on a full and accurate understanding of the situation. That is what responsible planning requires and that is what strong communities deserve.
Good planning decisions are not made in haste; they are made on the basis of incomplete information–they are not made on incomplete information; they are made through careful consideration, through open dialogue and through a shared commitment to doing what is best for our communities. That, Honourable Speaker, requires clarity, requires honesty and it requires all of us to take that sober second look.
I want to thank you, Honourable Speaker, for the opportunity to get up and speak on this bill today. I want to thank our municipal officials for their service and wish them the best of luck in the upcoming fall election here. They're all people that care about their communities and I wish them all the best of luck, the ones that are putting their name on the ballot this coming fall.
Thank you, Honourable Speaker.
The Speaker: No further speakers?
Is the House ready for the question?
Some Honourable Members: Question.
The Speaker: The question before the House then is second reading of Bill 33, The Planning Amendment and City of Winnipeg Charter Amendment Act.
Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed]
The motion is accordingly passed.
* * *
MLA David Pankratz (Deputy Government House Leader): Is it the will of the House to see the clock as 5 p.m.?
The Speaker: Is it the will of the House to see the clock as 5 p.m.? [Agreed]
The House–the hour being 5 p.m., the House is adjourned and stands adjourned until 1:30 p.m. tomorrow.
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
CONTENTS
Bill 51–The Public Sector Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity Governance Act
Home Hardware Opening in Fort Richmond
Charleswood Art Group 75th Anniversary
Basic Personal Tax Rate–Exemption Increase
School Division Property Tax Increase
Advanced Spinal Surgical Capacity
MRI Machine for Portage Regional Health Facility
MRI Machine for Portage Regional Health Facility
MRI Machine for Portage Regional Health Facility
Programs for Adolescents with Disabilities
Opposition to Releasing Repeat Offenders
MRI Machine for Portage Regional Health Facility
Opposition to Releasing Repeat Offenders
Bill 36–The Child and Family Services Amendment Act
Bill 33–The Planning Amendment and City of Winnipeg Charter Amendment Act