LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Mr. Speaker: O Eternal and Almighty God, from Whom all power and wisdom come, we are assembled here before Thee to frame such laws as may tend to the welfare and prosperity of our province. Grant, O merciful God, we pray Thee, that we may desire only that which is in accordance with Thy will, that we may seek it with wisdom, know it with certainty and accomplish it perfectly for the glory and honour of Thy name and for the welfare of all our people. Amen.
Good afternoon, everyone. Please be seated.
Mr. Speaker: The honourable member for River Heights, on a matter of privilege.
Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Mr. Speaker, I rise on a matter of privilege.
As is the tradition in this House, a matter of privilege must be raised at the first possible occasion and it must state the reason that there's a prima facie case for a breach of privilege. And, in accordance with our rules, I will follow this matter of privilege with a motion. The matter of privilege I raise arises out of the debate in the House yesterday, and, as I needed to check Hansard and to confirm certain facts, today is the earliest possible time I could raise this matter of privilege.
My specific concern is that my ability to represent people in Manitoba who have concerns about the operation of the health-care system, and particularly our emergency rooms, is being impaired. Mr. Speaker, I believe in being courteous and in speaking in an appropriate manner in this House, but yesterday a reference was made to my use of a word, which I will spell out because of concern that it might be ruled unparliamentary. It is spelled s-m-u-g.
S-m-u-g is a word which in meaning is very similar to the word arrogant. To start with, I could reference the fact that the word arrogant or arrogance has been used on 142 different occasions in this Legislature in this session alone. It has never been ruled unparliamentary even when it was used, for example, on Wednesday, December 5th, 2012, at the beginning of this session, by the Premier (Mr. Selinger), in specific reference to the arrogance of the Leader of the Opposition.
So I make the case that the word s-m-u-g, which means very close to the same as arrogance, should not be considered unparliamentary and should be usable in this Legislature. To back up this claim, I will cite the debates of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario on May the 8th, 2013, when Mr. Tim Hudak said, and I quote: It is disappointing to the–see the same s-m-u-g disregard for taxpayers from the Finance Minister. And on that occasion, the Honourable Charles Sousa replied, and I quote: The only one being s-m-u-g is the Leader of the Opposition. In neither case was there ever a question of this word being unparliamentary.
I refer the House also to the words of the MP for Churchill, Niki Ashton, on Friday, May 24th, 2013, when she said, and I quote: Mr. Speaker, yesterday, as he was surrounded by reporters, Senator Duffy was asked whether he was planning to resign; his s‑m-u-g reply was simply, I am a senator. There was never any suggestion on this occasion that the word s-m-u-g was unparliamentary.
I think it is important that the House be respectful. I also believe it is important that members of the Legislature are not so censored from using regular English-language words like s-m-u-g. And I would, therefore, specifically ask for the Speaker to consider whether the word s-m-u-g is or is not parliamentary or unparliamentary.
I would also like to put my concerns about using the word s-m-u-g in context. We have had a minister of the Crown who has said repeatedly in this Chamber that the member for St. Paul (Mr. Schuler) has, and I quote, attacked First Nations day in and day out. End of quote. The implication of this phrase is that the member for St. Paul for some reason hates First Nations. First, I would say that the member from St. Paul, from what I've heard, is raising legitimate questions and is doing his best to ensure the First Nation in question receives the infrastructure it's been promised.
But my point here, Mr. Speaker, is that we should have a balance in how we approach what is said in this Legislature, that we need to be able to address issues, that we need to be able to talk about the government or one of its members as being happy, sad, cheerful, arrogant or s-m-u-g. But at the same time, we should be careful not to reference or imply hate for a group of people, because that would be wrong.
And, Mr. Speaker, on a final note, I would remind the Speaker that the–my use of the word s‑m‑u-g arose out of the Minister of Health's (Ms. Oswald) comment, and I quote, that was cheerful, which talked about me or possibly my question as being cheerful. I didn't challenge the minister and suggest her remark was somehow all–unparliamentary because it described an emotional characteristic about me or about my question.
Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the member for St. Paul (Mr. Schuler), that this matter be referred to a committee of this House.
Mr. Speaker: The honourable Government House Leader, on the same matter of privilege.
Hon. Jennifer Howard (Government House Leader): Mr. Speaker, clearly, there's no matter of privilege here. In fact, I think that what's happening here is a very disturbing precedent where a member is attempting to use a matter of privilege to challenge your authority–and I think that is very disturbing–and is using it to reflect on a Speaker. And I think that's a very disturbing development in this House.
I know the member for River Heights has been part of discussions with all House leaders about striving to maintain a better tone in this Chamber. I think we've all been striving to do that. And I think it's regrettable that now he's backtracking on that, but that's his choice to make, I suppose.
Mr. Speaker: Any further advice to the Chair on this matter of privilege?
As all members will know, I take matters of privilege and points of orders very seriously. I do recollect my caution to the honourable member for River Heights yesterday. And I say the word caution because I believe, if my recollection is correct, that's what it was. I do not recall indicating that I had ruled the word, the use of the word, as unparliamentary, because I think that would be inappropriate.
But Speakers, all Speakers, myself and Speakers of our past in the history of this province, have used words in different contexts, and members of the Assembly know that they can use words in different contexts. But Speakers are charged with the responsibility of ensuring decorum and respectful operations of the Assembly itself, and that is something that I have always tried to do with regard to the language.
* (13:40)
And any word, whether it be parliamentary, which it would be in this case, would have to–if it provokes disorder, Speakers can rule that certain phrases–and can offer cautions to all honourable members of the Assembly if words provoke disorder in the Assembly of which the Speaker is charged with ensuring that a decorum is maintained.
So I'm going to ensure that my comments that I made to the honourable member for River Heights yesterday as a caution were, indeed, what I had intended to do and I'm going to take this matter under advisement and bring back a ruling for the House on this to–just to ensure that the caution that I believe I had offered to the honourable members, all honourable members of the Assembly, was indeed what I had intended to do.
So I thank honourable members for their advice in this matter, and I will bring back a ruling for the House.
* * *
Mr. Speaker: Now–
ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS
Mr. Speaker: Seeing no bills–
East Selkirk Sewage Lagoon Site–Environmental Licence
Mr. Ian Wishart (Portage la Prairie): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.
And this is the background for this petition:
On August the 12th, 2013, Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship granted a licence for the construction of a sewage lagoon on the former CIL explosives plant site in East Selkirk.
This site is located 1,100 feet from the banks of the Red River.
Local residents are concerned that hydraulic pressure from the lagoon in instances of heavy rainfall could cause contaminants left over from the manufacturing of explosives at the site to flow into the Red River.
Upon review of the soil study conducted on the site, the Water Science and Management Branch of the Department of Conservation and Water Stewardship noted that effluent from the site could negatively affect aquatic life in the Red River and may result in increased risks of cancer in fish.
The chemical dinitrotoluene is present in the site at the former CIL explosives plant site and is a known carcinogen in fish and other aquatic species.
Soil testing done prior to the environmental licence being issued should have been done at a level consistent with the standards used by Environmental Protection Agency in the United States, where they have more experience with testing for contaminants at former explosives sites.
The Province of Manitoba has no available guidelines for the assessment of energetic compounds in the soil.
There are many other viable, non-contaminated sites in the area which would be better suited for the construction of the sewage lagoon.
We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:
To request the Minister of Conservation and Water Stewardship reconsider his decision to grant an environmental licence for the construction of the sewage lagoon at this site.
This petition is signed by L. Schade, D. Schade, H. Hoffman and many, many more fine Manitobans.
Mr. Speaker: In keeping with our rule 132(6), when petitions are read they are deemed to have been received by the House.
Mr. Wayne Ewasko (Lac du Bonnet): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly.
The background to this petition is as follows:
(1) On August 12th, 2013, Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship granted a licence for the construction of a sewage lagoon on the former CIL explosives plant site in East Selkirk.
(2) This site is located 1,100 feet from the banks of the Red River.
(3) Local residents are concerned that hydraulic pressure from the lagoon in instances of heavy rainfall could cause contaminants left over from the manufacturing of explosives at the site to flow into the Red River.
(4) Upon the review of a soil study conducted on the site, the Water Science and Management Branch of the Department of Conservation and Water Stewardship noted that effluent from the site could negatively affect aquatic life in the Red River and may result in increased risks of cancer in fish.
(5) The chemical dinitrotoluene is present in the soil at the former CIL explosives plant site and is a known carcinogen to fish and other aquatic species.
(6) Soil testing done prior to the environmental licence being issued should have been done at a level consistent with the standards used by the Environmental Protection Agency in the United States, where they have more experience with testing for contaminants at former explosives sites.
(7) The Province of Manitoba has no available guidelines for the assessment of energetic compounds in soil.
(8) There are many other viable, non‑contaminated sites in the area which would be better suited for the construction of a sewage lagoon.
We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:
To request that the Minister of Conservation and Water Stewardship reconsider his decision to grant an environmental licence for the construction of a sewage lagoon at this site.
This petition is signed by B. Auer, R. Baldwin, S. Miljkovic and many, many other fine Manitobans.
Mr. Speaker: Any further petitions? Seeing none, move on to–
Mr. Clarence Pettersen (Chairperson): Yes, I wish to present the Third Report of the Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development.
Clerk (Ms. Patricia Chaychuk): Your Standing Committee on Social–
Some Honourable Members: Dispense.
Mr. Speaker: Dispense? Dispense.
Your Standing Committee on SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT presents the following as its Third Report.
Meetings
Your Committee met on the following occasions in Room 255 of the Legislative Building:
· September 9, 2013
· September 10, 2013
Matters under Consideration
· Bill (No. 33) – The Municipal Modernization Act (Municipal Amalgamations)/Loi sur la modernisation des municipalités (fusions)
Committee Membership
Committee Membership for the September 9, 2013 meeting:
· Ms. Braun
· Mr. Briese
· Mr. Caldwell
· Mr. Ewasko
· Mr. Graydon
· Hon. Mr. Kostyshyn
· Hon. Mr. Lemieux
· Hon. Ms. Marcelino (Logan)
· Mr. Marcelino (Tyndall Park)
· Mr. Nevakshonoff
· Mr. Pedersen
Your Committee elected Ms. Braun as the Chairperson at the September 9, 2013 meeting.
Your Committee elected Mr. Marcelino (Tyndall Park) as the Vice-Chairperson at the September 9, 2013 meeting.
Committee Membership for the September 10, 2013 meeting:
· Hon. Mr. Bjornson
· Mr. Briese
· Hon. Mr. Chief
· Mr. Eichler
· Mr. Graydon
· Hon. Mr. Lemieux
· Hon. Mr. Mackintosh
· Mr. Nevakshonoff
· Mr. Pedersen
· Mr. Pettersen
· Ms. Wight
Your Committee elected Mr. Pettersen as the Chairperson at the September 10, 2013 meeting.
Your Committee elected Ms. Wight as the Vice‑Chairperson at the September 10, 2013 meeting.
Public Presentations
· Your Committee heard the following 61 presentations on Bill (No. 33) – The Municipal Modernization Act (Municipal Amalgamations)/Loi sur la modernisation des municipalités (fusions):
September 9, 2012 meeting
Doug Dobrowolski, Association of Manitoba Municipalities
Rick Pauls, The Amalgamated Municipalities of Killarney-Turtle Mountain
Debbie McMechan , Rural Municipality of Edward
Olive McKean, Rural Municipality of Miniota
Larry Oakden, Town of Hamiota
Cliff Kutzan, Rural Municipality of Grandview
Susan Stein, Town of Plum Coulee
Archie Heinrichs, Private Citizen
June Letkeman, Private Citizen
Steve Martens, Private Citizen
Lloyd Penner, Private Citizen
Wayne Reimer, Private Citizen
Jack Wiebe, Private Citizen
Rick Gamble, Village of Dunnottar
Philip Thordarson, Rural Municipality of Lakeview
Karin Boyd, Private Citizen
Tom Farrell, Private Citizen
Robert Campbell, Private Citizen
Ray Franzmann, Rural Municipality of Grey
David Sutherland, Private Citizen
Holly Krysko, Private Citizen
Phyllis Thordarson, Private Citizen
Melvin Klassen, Town of Altona
Kevin Ateah, Private Citizen
Joannie Halas, Private Citizen
Jim Pringle, Private Citizen
Kerry Knudson, Private Citizen
Charles Chappell, The Rural Municipality of Victoria Beach
Kathleen McKibbin, Private Citizen
Penny McMorris, Private Citizen
Mike Mason, Private Citizen
Brian Hodgson, Victoria Beach Cottage Owners Association
Ivan McMorris, Private Citizen
Garett Surcon, Private Citizen
Jennifer Sime, Private Citizen
Vic Janzen, Private Citizen
Brian Glowacki, Private Citizen
Joanne Gibson, Private Citizen
Bruce Ball, Private Citizen
September 10, 2012 meeting,
Alvin Zimmer, Shellmouth Boulton
Cindy Marzoff, Private Citizen
Lorna Keene, Private Citizen
Tom Teichroeb, Private Citizen
Bill Ashton, Rural Development Institute, Brandon
University
Denis Carter, Rural Municipality of Woodworth
Jeff McConnell, Town of Virden
Linda McMillan, Private Citizen
Bruce Morrison, Private Citizen
Neil Christoffersen, Rural Municipality of North Norfolk
Ron Pratt, Private Citizen
Robert Sharpe, Rural Municipality of Saskatchewan
Rudy Isaak, Private Citizen
David M. Sanders, Private Citizen
Liz Foster, Private Citizen
Mark McLearon, Private Citizen
Walter Kleinschmit, Private Citizen
Florence Eastwood, Private Citizen
Marjorie Birley, Private Citizen
David Lewis, Private Citizen
Lyle Lockhart, Private Citizen
Robert Lawler, Private Citizen
Written Submissions
Your Committee received the following 93 written submissions on Bill (No. 33) – The Municipal Modernization Act (Municipal Amalgamations)/Loi sur la modernisation des municipalités (fusions):
Pam Gordon, Private Citizen
Gordon Tomlin, Private Citizen
Jennifer Engbrecht, Private Citizen
Walter Tymchuk, Private Citizen
Glen and Sharon Torgerson, Private Citizens
Peter Ingram, Private Citizen
John R. Gow, Private Citizen
Ron and Sherill Zellis, Private Citizens
Dick and Elaine Archer, Private Citizens
Elizabeth Deacon, Private Citizen
Murray Davies and Doreen Stapleton, Rural Municipality of Harrison
Donna Thain, Private Citizen
Marjorie Birley, Private Citizen
Graham and Allison Bloomer, Private Citizens
Joyce Ramsay, Private Citizen
Fran Allary, Private Citizen
Sally Lawler, Private Citizen
Fred Taylor, Rural Municipality of Lawrence
Brad Coe, Rural Municipality of Cameron
Dennis Forbes, Rural Municipality of Dauphin
Beverley Underhill, Private Citizen
Bob Conibear, Rural Municipality of Argyle
Ab and Betty Hansford, Private Citizens
Liz and Kenn Olson, Private Citizens
E. Ross Yarnell, Private Citizen
Cathy Haining, Private Citizen
Mary Andres, Private Citizen
Jeannette and Marcel Charbonneau, Private Citizens
Frances and Jim Woolison, Private Citizens
Mo Tipples, Private Citizen
Bill McDonald, Private Citizen
Margaret Richardson, Private Citizen
Margaret McPherson, Private Citizen
D. Wayne and Barbara Leslie, Private Citizens
Patrick Hoger, Private Citizen
Phil Murray, Private Citizen
Jim and Carol Nowell, Private Citizens
Dianne Ungarian, Private Citizen
Eleanor and Ellert Wattis, Private Citizen
David and Constance Drybrough, Private Citizen
Dale Sawchuk, Village of Binscarth
Mary McIntosh, Private Citizen
K. Helmut Hesse, Private Citizen
Marlene Boyda, Private Citizen
Trish Richardson Mason, Private Citizen
Joan Irving, Private Citizen
Debra McKibbin, Private Citizen
Raymond Moreau, Private Citizen
Mona Yvon-Moreau, Private Citizen
Frances Krahn, Private Citizen
Bryan Purdy, Private Citizen
Deborah and Victor Ritchie, Private Citizens
Tim Flook, Private Citizen
Ron and Dawn Kirbyson, Private Citizens
Karen and Gordon Paul, Private Citizens
Bill Mitchell, Private Citizen
Diana E. Pennington, Private Citizen
Erik Reinart, Private Citizen
Deborah Covernton, Private Citizen
Terry and Dianne Boyce, Private Citizens
Del Sexsmith, Private Citizen
Rita and Lloyd Mymko, Private Citizens
Noreen Reid, Private Citizen
Ronald and Janet Smith, Private Citizens
Janet and Mike Sampson, Private Citizens
Josephine and Henry Dellapenta, Private Citizens
Margaret Ann Anderson, Private Citizen
Tim and Mary Louise Ryan, Private Citizen
Arne Lindell , Rural Municipality of Eriksdale
Karen Klisko, Private Citizen
Derek Klassen, Rural Municipality of Glenella
Eileen Clarke, Town of Gladstone
David B. McKibbin, Private Citizen
Keith Middelton, Private Citizen
Anne Middelton, Private Citizen
Gail Middelton, Private Citizen
Gregg Hanson, Private Citizen
Heather Anderson, Private Citizen
Jake Goertzen, Rural Municipality of Manitou
Ray Halas, Private Citizen
Frank and Theresa Nardella, Private Citizens
Ken Capelle, Private Citizen
Al and Susan Kotzer, Private Citizens
Barry Wowk, Rural Municipality of Silver Creek
Irene and Blair Waldvogel, Private Citizens
Richard Funk, Rural Municipality of Lansdowne
Laurel Howard, Private Citizen
Diane Kuculym, Private Citizen
Shelley Glenn, Rural Municipality of Strathclair
Thomas Mowbray, Rural Municipality of Roblin
Stan Herechuk, Private Citizen
Roy Ziprick, Private Citizen
Jim Brown, Rural Municipality of Blanshard
Bill Considered and Reported
· Bill (No. 33) – The Municipal Modernization Act (Municipal Amalgamations)/Loi sur la modernisation des municipalités (fusions)
Your Committee agreed to report this Bill, with the following amendments:
THAT Clause 3(5) of the Bill be replaced with the following:
Extension of deadline for plan
3(5) The minister may, by written order, extend the deadline under subsection (4) in respect of a municipality if he or she is satisfied of the following:
(a) the municipality's amalgamation presents significant complexities which cannot be adequately considered and addressed by the deadline;
(b) the municipality's ability to participate in preparing an amalgamation plan has been negatively affected as a result of a recent natural or other disaster, such as flooding.
An extension may be made subject to the terms and conditions specified by the minister.
THAT Clause 9 of the Bill be replaced with the following:
Exclusion – non‑contiguous municipalities
9(1) A municipality that is surrounded by land that is not part of the area of any municipality is not subject to this Act.
Exclusion – resort communities
9(2) A municipality that is subject to subsection 86(3) of The Municipal Act is not subject to this Act.
THAT Clause 12 of the Bill is amended by striking out Clauses 12(3) and (4).
Your committee voted to defeat Clause 14 of the Bill.
Mr. Pettersen: I move, seconded by the honourable member for St. Norbert (Mr. Gaudreau), that the report of the committee be received.
Mr. Speaker: It's been moved by the honourable member for Flin Flon, seconded by the honourable member for St. Norbert, that the report of the committee be received. Is that agreed?
Some Honourable Members: No.
Some Honourable Members: Agreed.
Mr. Speaker: I hear a no.
Voice Vote
Mr. Speaker: All those in favour of receiving the report will please signify by saying aye.
Some Honourable Members: Aye.
Mr. Speaker: All those opposed to receiving the report, please signify by saying nay.
Some Honourable Members: Nay.
Mr. Speaker: Opinion of the Chair, the Ayes have it.
Recorded Vote
Mr. Kelvin Goertzen (Official Opposition House Leader): Recorded vote, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker: Recorded vote having been requested, call in the members.
The question before the House–order, please. The question before the House is the receiving of the report.
Division
A RECORDED VOTE was taken, the result being as follows:
Yeas
Allan, Allum, Altemeyer, Bjornson, Blady, Braun, Caldwell, Chief, Chomiak, Dewar, Gaudreau, Howard, Irvin‑Ross, Jha, Kostyshyn, Lemieux, Mackintosh, Marcelino (Tyndall Park), Melnick, Nevakshonoff, Oswald, Pettersen, Robinson, Saran, Selby, Selinger, Struthers, Swan, Whitehead, Wiebe, Wight.
Nays
Briese, Cullen, Driedger, Eichler, Ewasko, Friesen, Goertzen, Graydon, Helwer, Mitchelson, Pallister, Pedersen, Schuler, Smook, Stefanson, Wishart.
* (13:50)
Clerk: Yeas 31, Nays 16.
Mr. Speaker: Will of the House to receive the report of the committee.
* * *
Mr. Speaker: Any further committee reports? Seeing none, we'll move on to–
Hon. Greg Selinger (Premier): Yes, Mr. Speaker, I have a statement for the House.
I rise today to commemorate the anniversary of the September 11th attacks. On this day 12 years ago, we watched in horror as almost 3,000 people were killed, countless others were wounded and our world was irrevocably changed. Among those who lost their lives was one of our own, a woman from Manitoba named Christine Egan.
Though more than a decade has passed since that September day, all of us in this Chamber still remember where we were the moment we heard the news. We still grieve for the innocent people whose futures were stolen from them by this terrible act of violence. Some of us may know families who were affected.
In our increasingly close-knit world, the people of Manhattan are now our neighbours. New York City is home to some of our friends. At the International Peace Garden, steel girders brought from the World Trade Center site have been reconstructed into a September 11th memorial as a reminder of the enormous human tragedy that took place.
Mr. Speaker, we must remember that though there are those who take lives, there are many, many more who work every single day to protect the lives of others. Firefighters, emergency responders, military, police and ordinary citizens risked their own safety that day to save others, and they continue to go above and beyond the call of duty to protect us at home. Today is a day to remember, but it is also a day to commemorate the efforts of those brave men and women.
I would like to ask for leave to observe a moment of silence to honour those who lost their lives on September 11th, 2001, and to offer our thoughts and prayers to the families who still grieve for them today.
Mr. Brian Pallister (Leader of the Official Opposition): Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark the 12th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks that impacted our closest neighbour and friend and the impacted the entire world in a profound way, and I also rise to honour the memory of the lives that were lost and grieve with the families and friends who lost someone they love.
A large and growing number of young Manitobans have grown up with no personal memory of what happened on September 11, 2001, and, as a result, I think it's important that we all take the necessary time to reflect on this great tragedy and to speak to a new generation of young Manitobans about September 11th, to remind them that on this day 12 years ago thousands of ordinary people went to work or boarded flights, going about their day, providing for their families from a broad range of ethnicities and faiths. These individuals were the victims of a cowardly terrorist attack perpetrated by hate mongers whose only focus was on destruction and the loss of life.
First responders rushed to the scene of the attacks as so many were fleeing, and in so doing many of them saved lives at the cost, ultimately, of their own. We also remember the courageous Americans who lost their lives on flight 93 protecting the lives of many more fellow citizens of the world.
In the years that have followed, families have had to pick up the pieces and carry on. Sons and daughters have had to grow up without their father and mother, and fathers and mothers are reaching into retirement age now without their children.
Today, as we talk to our youth and we pay tribute to the victims of 9/11, I would encourage parents and caregivers to take the time to hug their children a little bit tighter and remember that freedom is not free and to resolve to stand up for the values that we cherish as a country and a free and open society.
Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Mr. Speaker, I ask leave to speak to the Premier's (Mr. Selinger) statement.
Mr. Speaker: Is there leave for the honourable member for River Heights to speak to the ministerial statement? [Agreed]
Mr. Gerrard: Mr. Speaker, I remember vividly September the 11th of 2001, the shock of learning about what was happening to the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon and seeing the collapse of the World Trade Center and the devastation that that had and the impact on people in a very, very broad sense.
Mr. Speaker, I have been to the International Peace Garden on more than one occasion on previous September the 11ths to remember this tragedy and, in our own way in Manitoba, to commemorate and remember the tragedy but dedicate ourselves to making sure that we can find better solutions to the world in the future.
Today, as we consider what is happening in Syria with the recent use of chemical weapons–and we are in a situation where, once again, we need to figure out a solution. Hopefully, it can be a peaceful one, but, certainly, it has to be a solution that sends a message that we should not and ever be using chemical weapons, just as we should not and ever in the future be under–there should not or ever in the future be attacks like there were on the World Trade Center.
And so, in dedicating ourselves and working with other MLAs on this quest, I am here today to remember September the 11th and also to work with others in any way I can to make sure that we have a more peaceful future. Thank you.
Mr. Speaker: Is there leave of the House to observe a moment of silence? [Agreed]
Members, please rise.
A moment of silence was observed.
Mr. Speaker: Prior to oral questions, I have some guests that I would like to introduce, and also–starting first, of course, I'd like to draw the attention of honourable members to the Speaker's Gallery where we have six individuals who are serving on the Manitoba Legislative Internship Program for the year 2013-14, where they are seated.
In accordance with the established practice, three interns were assigned to the government caucus and three to the official opposition caucus. Their term of employment is 10 months, and they will be performing a variety of research and other tasks for private members. These interns commenced their assignments this week and will complete them in June.
They are, working with the government caucus, Ms. Natalie Copps of Carlton University, Mr. Brett Goldhawk of the University of Manitoba and Mr. Apwinder Sidhu of the University of Manitoba. Working with the caucus of the official opposition, Ms. Talitha Calder of McGill University, Mr. Bradley McClelland of Brandon University and Mr. Pieter Prinsloo of the University of Manitoba.
Professor Kelly Saunders is the new academic director for the program. The administration of the program on a day-to-day basis is carried out by our Clerk, our own Patricia Chaychuk. The caucus representatives are the–are on the internship administration committee are the member for Concordia (Mr. Wiebe) and the member for Spruce Woods (Mr. Cullen).
And I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of all honourable members to congratulate the interns on their appointment to the program and hope that they will have a very interesting and successful year with the Assembly, and welcome.
And also, in keeping with kind of the tradition we have had here this session, introducing our new pages. For the information of honourable members, we have this year Rory Churchill-Henry, who attends Kelvin High School and is in grade 12, and Cara McCaskill is a grade 11 student attending River East Collegiate.
* (14:00)
In the Speaker's Gallery, we have Cara's parents, Warren and Kelly McCaskill, and as well as her grandparents, Earl and Phyllis McCaskill.
And we'd like to welcome our new pages to the Assembly, and to your family members who are visiting here today.
And also seated in the public gallery, we have from Acadia junior high 27 grade 9 German students–exchange students under the direction of–and guests of the honourable Minister of Housing and Community Development (Ms. Irvin-Ross).
On behalf of honourable members, we welcome all of you here this afternoon.
Saskatchewan Comparison
Mr. Brian Pallister (Leader of the Official Opposition): Well, over the last five months, I'm pretty proud of the work that the opposition members have done in this House, Mr. Speaker. We've raised over 800 questions on 300 different issues of great importance to the people of Manitoba. And although I am disappointed in the government's unwillingness to answer even the most basic of questions, it doesn't surprise me; this is, after all, question period and not answer period. But what does surprise me is the lack of integrity in many of the responses.
The fact is that over this session the government has referenced the 1990s with the previous administration 683 times. Perhaps it's normal; perhaps it's normal for an old government to get tired out and arrogant, and this government certainly is. But Manitobans deserve better than a Premier content with repeating, day after day, erroneous talking points and turning and facing the past.
Could the Premier try a little harder with this one? The PST, which this government raised on July 1st, could the Premier tell us: What is the current rate of the PST and how much higher is it here in Manitoba than in Saskatchewan to our west?
Hon. Greg Selinger (Premier): Mr. Speaker, when Saskatchewan put out their budget this year, they ranked Manitoba as No. 1 for affordability in Canada. Our own calculations place us in the top three.
But, fundamentally, we've had a very interesting and long debate in this House this session about the future of Manitoba and the visions for Manitoba.
And the member opposite doesn't like referring to the '90s, but every policy that he has enunciated recently in the last three months has actually been as bad as the '90s or worse. He has said he wants to make indiscriminate cuts all across the board. At a time when we have more young people in schools and we've hired 153 more teachers in the K‑to‑3 area, he's talking about laying them off with indiscriminate cuts. At a time when we have over 2,000 more nurses in Manitoba and are training a record number of nurses, he talks about laying off and firing nurses. At a time when we're building $622 million of infrastructure to protect communities from floods–Lake St.–Lake Manitoba, Lake St. Martin, through the Assiniboine valley–make investments which will keep communities safe, he's saying these projects are superfluous, that they're not necessary–
Mr. Speaker: Order, please. The First Minister's time has expired.
Mr. Pallister: The Premier makes my point for me; that's 684 and counting. There he goes again, just reinforcing the point that he will simply repeat innocuous false talking points, more retro rhetoric, another daily dose of duplicity.
When the Premier was asked in the last election campaign, would he raise the PST, he replied it was nonsense. But what does Webster's say it is? Nonsense is this: words without meaning conveying no intelligible ideas. Now that the NDP Premier has broken his word and not only broadened the PST but now hiked it, I would say his promises are nonsense, Mr. Speaker, words without meaning.
I could ask him if he intends to raise the PST next year. I could ask him, but no one would take his answer seriously–no one–because it would be nonsense. His answer would be nonsense.
So I ask the Premier again, if he would like to speak factually on the record for a change: Would the Premier agree that he has established the value of his integrity for Manitobans at 1 per cent?
Mr. Selinger: Mr. Speaker, this is coming from a member who said he would never privatize the telephone system and then promptly went ahead and privatized it. This is coming from a member who perpetrated the largest electoral fraud in the history of Manitoba on the people of 90–on the people of Manitoba in the 1995 election where he tried to–election rigging.
Mr. Speaker, we saw the slowdown in the economy. We saw the recommendations coming in for another billion dollars required to protect the people of Manitoba from flooding. We saw the necessity to continue to build personal-care homes and schools in a growing province with a growing population–another 125,000 people have come to this province–and we made a choice to continue to build Manitoba for the future prosperity of Manitobans while we educate Manitobans for the skills and the jobs that are necessary. We do that for the best interests of Manitoba.
And I can tell the member opposite, in the 1990s, when he was in that government–and I know that he doesn't like to go back there–I know he doesn't like to go back there, but he's unwilling to change those policies–people were leaving Manitoba.
Mr. Speaker: Order, please. First Minister's time has expired.
The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, with a final supplementary.
Mr. Pallister: Six hundred and eight-eight and counting, Mr. Speaker. Manitobans wouldn't even get in a taxi driven by a guy who spent half his time looking in the rear-view mirror. This Premier can't build the future of this province in the '90s. He's just got to get over it.
The Premier just wants more money to spend on ribbon cuttings and self-promotional tours. When he jacked up the PST last year and this, he did not think about the impact it would have on seniors; he wanted a raise. He didn't think about the cost to struggling families, just wanted a raise. He didn't think about the cost to Manitoba's small-business community as he exported jobs across borders elsewhere; he just wanted a raise.
He jacked up fees and taxes by a record amount last year and then he broke the record again this year, back-to-back years. He never thought about the incomes he would cut for seniors, working families, small-business people. He did all this, he says, to build a better future for our province, but he did it for one reason.
And will he admit today he did it because he just wanted a raise?
Mr. Selinger: Mr. Speaker, it was just a few months ago that the Leader of the Opposition said that what he wanted to do was to put a chill on all public services in Manitoba. He wanted to administer a policy of tough love, and he was directly replicating the policies that he followed in the '90s.
Those thousand nurses that were fired–those thousand nurses that were fired–in the 1990s, remember the experience they had. The 700 teachers, the 700 teachers that lost their jobs, don't forget that.
The 153 new teachers that we have hired in the last two years appreciate the opportunity to educate young Manitobans. The over 3,100 new nurses that we've trained and hired in Manitoba are making a gigantic difference. The 562 doctors that we have in Manitoba–not the loss of 230 doctors–are making a tremendous contribution to this province.
And, by the way, the lowest taxes for small business, zero, right here in Manitoba.
Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh.
Mr. Speaker: Order, please.
Seems like honourable members are excited and in good spirits today, which I am happy to see, but I'm asking for your co‑operation. The level, again, is rising a little bit, so would you please keep the level down so I can hear both the questions and the answers, please.
Project Update
Mr. Ron Schuler (St. Paul): Under this NDP government and the NDP member for Kildonan, $7 million was spent for a Keeyask cultural centre at the TCN First Nation, a cultural centre that doesn't exist. Of that $7 million, $125,000 was used to buy furniture and equipment, including display cabinets, comfortable chairs and seating for about 40.
I would like to ask the NDP member for Kildonan: Can he tell us where's the $7 million, or where's the Keeyask Centre, or where's all that furniture?
Hon. Dave Chomiak (Minister charged with the administration of The Manitoba Hydro Act): Mr. Speaker, I'm very happy to indicate that I just finished a meeting with nine First Nation leaders. We spent a couple of hours talking about consultations and working with First Nations in order–in terms of mining, in terms of dealing with consultations ahead of actually doing the projects.
And I said it was really unfortunate that I had to go back into the Chamber and hear the member from St. Paul attack TCN and Fox Lake, who are responsible for those funds.
An Honourable Member: Point of order.
Point of Order
Mr. Speaker: The honourable Official Opposition House Leader, on a point of order.
Mr. Kelvin Goertzen (Official Opposition House Leader): I think the exact language that once again the member's put on the record has already been taken under advisement by yourself. We're trying to create a workful–or a respectful workplace. He continues to talk about having people being attacked, which is not only respectful, it's not true, Mr. Speaker. But I would ask you to respect the fact that we're trying to create a respectful workplace and also respect the fact that you've not ruled on this issue.
* (14:10)
Mr. Speaker: Honourable Government House Leader, on the same point of order.
Hon. Jennifer Howard (Government House Leader): I think that you've given us good advice and good cautions in terms of keeping our environment respectful while also allowing for vigorous debate, and I think that's what the member for Kildonan was doing.
Mr. Speaker: I'm going to recess the House and the bells will ring for one minute to encourage members to return to the Assembly. And I'm inviting the House leaders to my office right now, please.
The House recessed at 2:10 p.m.
____________
The House resumed at 2:33 p.m.
Mr. Speaker: Order, please.
On the point of order raised by the Official Opposition House Leader, I would like to indicate to honourable members that the tone that is being used in the House here is disconcerting; it's worrying to me. And I'm going to ask the honourable minister to–of Innovation, Energy and Mines to please pick and choose his words very carefully.
There are matters in this House that I have taken under advisement as points of order and now matters of privilege today, and I'm going to ask for the co‑operation of the honourable member for St. Paul and the honourable Minister of Innovation, Energy and Mines to please not stray into those areas that I have yet to rule on and to give me the opportunity to bring back those rulings for the House. And then, of course, they belong to the House after that point.
* * *
Mr. Speaker: Now I believe we'll resume question period, and I believe the honourable Minister of Innovation, Energy and Mines was concluding his response.
Mr. Chomiak: Mr. Speaker, I will withdraw the word attack.
I just feel very sad that First Nations who have the responsibility in giving funds to carry out projects are indirectly, through me, accused of not carrying out those projects, are somehow not participating in those projects. And I find that, as a result of a meeting I had with chiefs, very sad. And I feel sad for the people of the province that we have to treat these issues like that.
Mr. Schuler: Well, Mr. Speaker, very sad hydro ratepayers who have been faced with the highest rate increase in the history of Manitoba Hydro, First Nation families, their children–who are also sad–all have a question for this Minister responsible for Manitoba Hydro.
Where is the $7 million for the Keeyask Centre? Or where is the Keeyask Centre? Or, better yet, maybe he could tell us: Where is the $125,000 worth of furniture that was spent and so far nobody has a clue where that furniture is?
Mr. Chomiak: As I've said on many, many occasions, Mr. Speaker–and I provided the member with the phone number of the chief and council of that community, the chief and council responsible for that funding, responsible for that activity. Please, he could phone that community; he could solve it in a minute. All he has to do is pick up the phone. Instead he's trying to make a political football and try to direct something that is not necessarily that way.
And I would urge him, for the sake of the future of hydro and how we deal with First Nations–we're trying to deal with First Nations in a respectful fashion. Please deal in a respectful fashion.
Mr. Speaker: The honourable member for St. Paul, with a final supplementary.
Mr. Schuler: Absolutely, Mr. Speaker, and when First Nations come to my office–men, women, young people–and sit in my office and, in tears–in tears–tell me some of the stuff that's going on and the problems they're having with accountability between Manitoba Hydro and money that's spent, I treat them respectfully.
And I would like this minister to know they–they–have placed these questions in my trust and care and have asked that I stand up and ask this Minister responsible for Manitoba Hydro: Where is the $7 million, or where is the Keeyask Centre, or even, at least, could he tell this House where the $125,000 worth of furniture might be? Those are their questions.
Mr. Chomiak: Mr. Speaker, when the chief provides the member for St. Paul with an invitation to attend the opening and the groundbreaking for the Keeyask Centre, he can ask the chief directly when he's up in that community.
I'd also like to table, Mr. Speaker, part of the annual report for Manitoba Hydro. It points out something very significant, that the cost for a monthly residential person in Manitoba across the province since we equalized it for hydro is lower today than it was 20 years ago. How many things are lower now today than 20 years ago, except Manitoba Hydro, which bodes well for the future. If we keep building and if we keep working with the people around in those communities, we can continue to have the lowest rates in North America and clean, green energy, and I'll table those stats.
Northgate Lease Agreement
Mrs. Bonnie Mitchelson (River East): Mr. Speaker, yesterday, in concurrence, I asked the Minister of Immigration when the lease was signed for the space that's been sitting empty at Northgate Shopping Centre that was supposed to be a provincial nominee application centre. She's had time to go back to her staff and ask some questions and get the answers.
Can she tell us today: What is the length of the lease and when was it signed?
Hon. Christine Melnick (Minister of Immigration and Multiculturalism): Well, Mr. Speaker, as I explained to the member yesterday, the department in this government that deals with properties belonging to the provincial government and leases is the Department of MIT, and they are the ones who do the negotiation; they are the ones who sign the leases; they are the ones who deal with properties. I explained this to the member opposite yesterday. Unfortunately, she didn't quite understand that connection yesterday. I'm sorry if she doesn't today.
The focus of the Department of Immigration and Multiculturalism is to continue to bring people from around the world to the province of Manitoba into nominee programs, and I was saddened, when the federal government moved to unilaterally cancel the settlement services annex, that members opposite chose not to stand with the 125,000 newcomers, with the employers who are hiring the newcomers. Instead of dealing with the issues around immigration that we are–
Mr. Speaker: Order, please. The minister's time has expired.
* (14:40)
Mrs. Mitchelson: Well, Mr. Speaker, obviously, the minister doesn't understand that MIT doesn't go out and lease space without direction from a specific department within government. Doesn't she get it? Doesn't she understand? How long has she been a minister?
Mr. Speaker, when did she direct MIT to negotiate a lease in the Northgate Shopping Centre, a lease with a space that sits vacant and has been vacant for months–maybe years, we don't know. When did she order the lease to be negotiated and how long did she order that lease to be negotiated for?
Ms. Melnick: Mr. Speaker, I was very clear about the timeline.
During the 2011 provincial election, the New Democratic Party agreed and announced that we would provide more services for newcomers in northeast Winnipeg. That was very clear.
When the federal government determined that they would unilaterally withdraw from the settlement services annex, we looked at the way that we could best provide services to the people in northeast Winnipeg. We decided to co-locate with an English acquired language program that is being offered on Jefferson so that we could continue to brought–to provide during this very difficult time–and it is–has been a difficult time–that we could live up to our commitment to the newcomers in northeast Winnipeg and provide services through co-location. It takes–
Mr. Speaker: Order, please. The minister's time has expired.
Mrs. Mitchelson: But I'm asking a minister responsible for a department to just give some very basic, simple answers.
Mr. Speaker, Manitoba taxpayers want to know: When was the lease signed, and if the government made a decision many months ago to enter into some other type of agreement, why is that space still sitting there vacant and gutted and why are the taxpayers on the hook for the mismanagement of this minister when that space should have been let go long ago if it wasn't going to be used?
Ms. Melnick: Mr. Speaker, I took under advisement the questions from members op–the question from the member opposite. She doesn't seem to want to talk to the appropriate department. I'm not sure why. We were very clear–I was very clear yesterday that I would take this under advisement; I am doing so–[interjection]
Mr. Speaker, I think you just adjourned the House for a few minutes to talk about respect in this House. I'm attempting to answer the question that has been put forward. I would appreciate being listened to.
Again, I've 'takened' it under advisement and I will get back to the member. But, most appropriately, she should go to MIT for the answers to the questions that she is seeking.
Mr. Speaker: I want to caution the honourable Minister of Immigration and Multiculturalism. While I did, indeed, recess the House, the discussions we had are private between myself and the House leaders and I would caution the honourable minister not to reflect on the decisions that the Speaker has made, please.
Now, the honourable member for Portage la Prairie.
Environmental Concerns
Mr. Ian Wishart (Portage la Prairie): Today we read petitions on behalf of the residents of East Selkirk, petitions on which they have obtained over a thousand signatures.
We share their concerns over a permit granted by the Minister of Conservation and Water Stewardship to build a sewage lagoon on a site that is not only too close to the Red River but is also located on a former CIL explosives manufacturing site. As such, the site has been known to have residues of dinitrotoluene, a known carginogen.
Can the minister explain why approval would ever be granted for what–such a risky site?
Hon. Gord Mackintosh (Minister of Conservation and Water Stewardship): Well, a preliminary point, Mr. Speaker. It was just last December that the federal government, in the House of Commons of all places, announced to Canada that, and I quote: We have cleaned up Lake Winnipeg. End of quote. Conservatives may believe that, but on this side of the House we know that there's a lot of work yet to be done in terms of waste water upgrades, and that's why we've been focusing efforts–on efforts in the Red River Valley and far beyond.
But, Mr. Speaker, when it comes to this particular application for an environmental act licence, my understanding is that, as a result of the technical and engineering and scientific reviews, a licence was issued by the environmental assessment process in the department, and that was, in large part, also responding to concerns about septic breaches and sewage in–
Mr. Speaker: Order, please. The minister's time has expired.
Mr. Wishart: The minister may be worried about nutrient loading, but he has now introduced carcinogens into the mix.
Mr. Speaker, even though Manitoba has no standards related to dinitrotoluene levels in the soil, that does not in fact mean there is no risk to the environment. In fact, experts in the US have indicated they are not aware of any other site in the US being used for such sewage treatment purposes.
Can the minister explain to this House and Manitobans why the technical advisory committee, upon whose recommendation the minister depends, was not even aware that this–of this site's history?
Mr. Mackintosh: Well, first of all, there were so many factual inaccuracies with the–in that preamble, Mr. Speaker.
First of all, the decision was made by technical experts as a result of sampling of the site and, indeed, as a result of public concern. My understanding was 126 additional analyses were done and there was no detectable finding of what the member alleges.
But that is from the department, Mr. Speaker; this can be appealed, and it can be appealed to the minister. We understand why people in the vicinity of waste water treatment lagoons would have concerns, and they brought those concerns forward. And if they have concerns they want to further pursue, an appeal process is in place and is safeguarded in the environmental act. That is a process that in Manitoba we should be proud of, and I trust, then, that the residents will take advantage of that appeal process.
Mr. Wishart: In the gallery today is a delegation from the community of East Selkirk. They are here to deliver the message to this minister that using this site as a sewage lagoon is an unacceptable risk to Lake Winnipeg and to Manitobans. Today is the last day for appealing the ill-conceived decision to place a lagoon on a contaminated brown site so close to the Red River.
Will the Minister of Conservation commit to meeting with this delegation after question period, then, to hear their concerns with regard to the use of this site as a sewage lagoon?
Mr. Mackintosh: I always welcome advice and information from Manitobans and, indeed, I proactively will seek it out in addition to meeting. But we also understand that the phosphorus loading into the Red River and, ultimately, into Lake Winnipeg is a very serious issue, that waste water treatment upgrades like this municipality has proposed is very important.
At the same time, we know we have to get it right, which is why I understand that the technical experts concluded that 48 licensing conditions should attach to this, and they were particularly concerned, of course, about the history of the site, which they were well aware of, and additional testing was done due to public concern.
But at the same time, we have to remember that sewage pooling in ditches, breaches of septic tanks and sewage runoff into the Red River and, indeed, boil-water advisories in this community also cannot be accepted by members in this House.
Mr. Speaker: Order, please. The minister's time has expired.
Referendum Request
Mr. Cliff Graydon (Emerson): Mr. Speaker, I'd like to thank the Minister of Conservation for agreeing to meet with the people today that are in the gallery.
Mr. Speaker, more new numbers are out on the Manitoba economy, meaning more new numbers for the government to avoid. New housing starts are down nearly 60 per cent in the month of August and consumers are spending less and less money in the economy.
Mr. Speaker, why has this spenDP government failed Manitoba economy, and when will they reverse their illegal PST increase?
Hon. Stan Struthers (Minister of Finance): Well, let me help the member for Emerson out a little bit in terms of housing starts, Mr. Speaker. In 2013–so far in 2013, Manitoba urban-area housing, contrary to what he just indicated, increased 27.4 per cent. Not only that, but that's the best record amongst all Canadian provinces. Nationally, the country experienced a 15.8 per cent decline.
So I would ask the member for Emerson, try to get it right.
* (14:50)
Mr. Graydon: Well, Mr. Speaker, Stats Canada normally does get it right. If the minister was paying attention to the question, he would've understood it was August.
Now, the minister's answer is lost in the echo coming from the bottom of the barrel. A 60 per cent decrease in new housing starts, piled on with a lower participation rate, less people employed in the economy, less people looking for work in Manitoba, means the economy is rapidly going downhill, and there's no stopping it.
Mr. Speaker, when will the spenDP government stop failing Manitobans, start listening to them for a change, call the referendum?
Mr. Struthers: Well, we can talk about Stats Canada, which is what I quoted.
We can talk about the Royal Bank, Mr. Speaker, which says that housing trends in the affordability report, Manitoba is second best in terms of affordability when it comes to condominiums, third best in standard two-storey and fifth best in detached bungalows. That was RBC.
Mr. Speaker, the Conference Board of Canada says that our real GDP growth is increasing by 1 and a half per cent above the Canadian average.
He can pick any third-party validator he likes and they'll say Manitoba is on the right track.
Mr. Graydon: And I'm sure, Mr. Speaker, with the highest inflation rate in Canada, we should be proud of that too.
The economy is struggling and all the minister has is old news and bad spin. A 60 per cent drop in housing starts mean more people leaving the economy. A lower participation rate means less people active in the economy. Fewer people employed in the economy means less people in the economy. NDP in this province means more taxes, less people, less money in the–in our pockets.
Mr. Speaker, when will this minister and this government stop failing Manitobans, call a referendum, let the people decide on their high-tax policy?
Mr. Struthers: Well, Mr. Speaker, again, the Conference Board of Canada disputes exactly what the member for Emerson just put on the record. The Conference Board of Canada said very good things about our employment rate. They said that we have the third lowest at 5.2 per cent, the third lowest unemployment rates in the country.
People are working in Manitoba, and this government is committed to growing our economy so that more people work, so that we can keep our retail sales going up as they are, Mr. Speaker, so that we can have revenues that then get reinvested into–
Mr. Speaker: Order, please. Order, please. I know I've cautioned the House several times here today, and I just very clearly heard the honourable member for Emerson, who has just posed the question, commenting across the floor, and I'm going to ask for his co-operation to contain himself to allow the answers to be placed in the Assembly to the questions that he himself has posed.
The honourable Minister of Finance, to conclude his remarks.
Mr. Struthers: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. And I will point out the biggest threat to our economy in Manitoba is the Leader of the Official Opposition (Mr. Pallister), who would cut by $550 million indiscriminately across the board to health care and to education and to infrastructure needs of this province. Manitoba families can see right through that crazy stream–or scheme.
Dwayne Friesen
Mr. Cameron Friesen (Morden-Winkler): 'Manito'–Mr. Speaker, I think it's clear the biggest threat to Manitoba is this government.
Mr. Speaker, last Friday, Dwayne Friesen was injured in a workplace accident in Arborg. His arm was broken in two places, and he was rushed to the Arborg and District Health Centre where his arm was immobilized and initial care was provided. It was determined that surgery was required, so Dwayne was transferred to Health Sciences Centre to have surgery performed. That was Friday. On Wednesday, the surgery was performed. Dwayne was admitted to hospital and waited five days for urgent surgery.
My question for the Minister of Health: How come Dwayne Friesen had to wait so long for urgent health care?
Hon. Theresa Oswald (Minister of Health): I thank the member for the question. He has my commitment that I'll investigate immediately. When somebody is waiting for surgery that they need urgently, they should not have to wait that long.
Mr. Friesen: Well, Mr. Speaker, Dwayne Friesen's a young man. He lives in Arborg. He works for a manufacturing company. He has a wife and four small children, including a newborn baby.
And he was admitted to HSC and he was told that his injury was serious and would require urgent surgery which he would receive in one to two days. It was up to him whether or not he stayed at hospital to await a surgical procedure. He stayed because it was made clear to him that if he left he'd go back to the bottom of the queue when he returned.
So he went on the pre-surgery fast and was prepped Saturday, but no surgery. Fasted and prepped again Sunday, no surgery. And this went on and on until Wednesday when the operation finally took place.
Mr. Speaker, I ask the minister again: Is this the new Manitoba standard for OR wait times?
Ms. Oswald: Mr. Speaker, I would begin by saying, of course, it is not.
I will continue by saying that the member has my commitment that we will investigate these–this situation as presented. There have been situations in the past where we've done such an investigation and found different facts to be true. But if the facts are as presented, the circumstances that the member has put forward not only regarding the injury but regarding the family circumstances and the hardship that must have been caused to that family, that's not acceptable and he has my commitment that I'll investigate without delay.
Mr. Friesen: I'm sure Mr. Friesen would be very, very disappointed to hear this minister cast aspersions on the veracity of his claims.
In any case, Dwayne Friesen's wife gave birth to their new daughter on Monday in Arborg, and Dwayne went to hospital that same Friday. His workplace accident occurred Friday. So he left his wife, three small children and a newborn infant on that day until he came home for surgery that next Wednesday. He's sharing his story today because he feels like the system must do–must be able to do better at providing care.
Mr. Speaker, 12,725 people received orthopedic surgery in the WRHA last year.
My question for this Minister of Health: What level of confidence should the next 12,725 people have? Can they receive better care than this?
Ms. Oswald: Again, I'll say to the member very clearly that the circumstances that he's described require immediate review and he has my commitment to do that.
I was not casting aspersions on the gentleman, Mr.–the gentleman that the member opposite does cite. What I was questioning, Mr. Speaker, is the fact that there have been times when information's been brought forward that hasn't been accurate.
August 19th, the member said that the Selkirk QuickCare Clinic was closed–in this Chamber he said that. It was not true.
On July 30th, he said in this House that the epilepsy clinic at HSC was closed for 13 weeks. It was not true. That clinic was not closed.
On August 26th, he said in this House that Manitoba only had seven locum physicians. That is not true. He said that Saskatchewan had over 82. That is not true.
So if the member is questioning my questioning of his questions, that is why.
Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh.
Mr. Speaker: Order, please. Order.
The honourable Member for River Heights has the floor.
Prevention Initiatives
Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Mr. Speaker, since 1996, Manitoba has officially had a diabetes epidemic.
I table today a graph from this government's own data showing the number of Manitobans with diabetes steadily escalating upwards, from just 50,000 when this government came to power to just about 100,000 today. This is the equivalent of a city of Brandon, full of people, developing diabetes while this government has been in power. The straight line shows that there has been no impact by any of the NDP government's list of programs on the diabetes epidemic.
I ask the Premier: Why is it that his government has been so unsuccessful in addressing the diabetes epidemic in our province?
Hon. Greg Selinger (Premier): First of all, I thank the member for the question. It is a very important issue, diabetes, not only in Manitoba. Across the developed world, this is a scourge that is hurting many, many communities, many individuals and many families, which is why we increased the physical activity requirements in our public schools–there has been an increase of over 10 per cent–which is exactly why we've gone from a handful of community gardens in northern Manitoba to over 900 now, which is why we implemented the Prenatal Benefit to ensure young expectant mothers get off to a good start with good nutrition.
It is an important issue. We will have to keep working on it. Physical activity, access to good nutrition, proper health care from the earliest days of starting a family and continuing support at the community level to help people be mobilized physically and to work in groups and to do things together.
We see this, actually, quite a bit in Manitoba now, Mr. Speaker. You can go to just about any mall in the wintertime in Winnipeg and see seniors out there walking and doing things together. An active‑living program is one of the keys to fighting diabetes.
* (15:00)
Minister of Health
Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Mr. Speaker, I now table a second graph that so shows what should be expected if effective measures had been put in place when this government came to power in 1999. In this model, measures to reduce diabetes gradually improved so that the number of people with diabetes starts to plateau and then decline.
We are not seeing this type of graph in reality today, because the Minister of Health (Ms. Oswald) has not done her job to prevent diabetes in our province.
I ask the Premier: When is he going to shuffle his Cabinet and have a more effective minister of Health?
Hon. Greg Selinger (Premier): Again, Mr. Speaker, diabetes is best dealt with through prevention so that people don't get it. Type 2 diabetes can be eradicated through lifestyle choices, and we have to support people to have a healthy lifestyle. We're doing that with changes in the curriculum in our public schools; we're doing that with active promotions of seniors' activities; we're doing that with workplace health and safety programs. All of these measures are intended to reduce the amount of type 2 diabetes in the province of Manitoba.
We want to keep people moving. We're investing very significantly in our park system to allow people outdoor opportunities, recreation opportunities.
Again, all of these measures that we've put in place have been voted against. People have wanted to cut these measures on the other side of the House, including the member from River Heights.
Mr. Gerrard: I table a third graph from this model with the number of people in whom diabetes could have been prevented if effective measures had been taken when this government initially came to power. It shows slow initial progress in the number of cases prevented but then gains momentum so that after 14 years, today, about 30,000 people are prevented from developing diabetes. Think of it, Mr. Speaker, 30,000 people in Manitoba who might be healthy today without diabetes.
When will the Premier admit his government has failed not only these 30,000 Manitobans but all Manitobans, and when will he find a new minister of Health who can properly prioritize and address the diabetes epidemic?
Mr. Speaker: Order, please. The minister–member's time has expired.
Mr. Selinger: Again, Mr. Speaker, the member opposite was a member of the federal Cabinet that cut health transfers by 39 per cent. And that–those cuts and transfers and the freezing of support to First Nations communities around Manitoba left a lot of communities very much at high risk. We're working with all these communities.
First and foremost, we're promoting healthy living activities at the schools level before children develop lifestyles which lead to type 2 diabetes. Secondly, we're promoting recreation programs. We're particularly focusing on the activities of young people between 3:30 and 8 o'clock at night, after school, so that they're doing active living activities. They're learning, they're involved in things that'll allow them to be successful in school, and that includes physical activity as well. We sponsor many summer activity programs and we have actually invested very heavily in recreation facilities, community clubs, playing fields, activity centres all across this province of Manitoba.
And every single member on the other side of the House has said that those investments are not worth the money. They have said–
Mr. Speaker: Order, please. The honourable First Minister's time has expired.
West Winnipeg
Ms. Sharon Blady (Kirkfield Park): As many members of this Chamber know, I always take pleasure in the opportunities that I've had to talk about my community, how my community supports each other, how we work together and how we invest in each other.
And members on this side of the House know how important community-centred infrastructure is to families, young people and seniors as spaces to socialize, stay active and feel connected to their neighbourhoods. Community spaces provide opportunities for long-term recreational and wellness benefits and help to shape community spirit and engagement.
I ask the Minister of Local Government if he could update the House on how Budget 2013 and the Manitoba Building and Renewal Plan is investing in long-term beneficial infrastructure spending for communities throughout west Winnipeg.
Hon. Ron Lemieux (Minister of Local Government): I'm really pleased today to make another announcement, joined by my colleagues the MLA for Kirkfield Park, MLA for St. James, MLA for Wolseley and Minister of Healthy Living and Seniors, MLA for Assiniboine.
This particular project, Mr. Speaker, talks specifically to Westwood Community Church and also the St. James Village improvement zone, investments that this government is truly proud of, investing and working with communities and working with volunteer organizations to make Manitoba a better place.
Now, I know members opposite and the Leader of the Opposition feel that these kind of projects are useless and these infrastructure projects don't mean a lot. Quite frankly, Mr. Speaker, yes, we can chew gum and walk at the same time. We can build $40‑million projects. We can build medium-size projects. We can invest in smaller projects in Manitoba to make this province a better place for all Manitobans.
Flood Recovery Program
Mr. Stuart Briese (Agassiz): Mr. Speaker, at a packed hall in Langruth in June 2011, the Minister of Finance told ranchers there would be a comprehensive multi-year flood recovery program. He also said if two years go by and nothing has happened, he wanted to know about it. Well, those two years have gone by, and those ranchers have still received nothing in a multi-year program.
They are now being refused wet-acre crop insurance for 2012, 2013.
When will the minister reassess the situation and keep the promises he made? Why can these farmers not at least get the wet-acres crop insurance coverage?
Hon. Stan Struthers (Minister of Finance): Well, Mr. Speaker, I remember the meeting at Langruth and I remember a lot of farmers and a lot of people coming to that meeting. I appreciated the opportunity to speak with them, and I appreciated the attendance of the member for Agassiz.
We made some commitments at that meeting that we've followed through on, including 1 and a quarter billion dollars in terms of mitigation and compensation to people to help them in their time of need, including dealing with the cork in the bottle up at the northeast end of Lake Manitoba into Lake St. Martin. We've dealt with that. We're dealing with it. We made some very important commitments to some very important people who are facing very stressful times, and we've come through on those commitments.
Mr. Speaker: Time for oral questions has expired.
It's time for–
Bob Chipman
Mrs. Heather Stefanson (Tuxedo): Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak of a remarkable Manitoban, Mr. Bob Chipman, who passed away after a courageous battle with cancer.
Mr. Chipman was a founder of Megill-Stephenson, a diversified Manitoba company employing more than 800 people with business interests in the automotive, real estate, construction, sports and entertainment, and financial services industries. A tenacious believer in the potential of our province, Mr. Chipman contributed to the cultural and social fabric of Manitoba far beyond measure, and for this we are very grateful.
I personally had the opportunity to speak with Mr. Chipman on several occasions. He had a keen interest in politics and always had the best interests of Manitoba at heart. I enjoyed those chats and will miss his wit and his sound judgment on issues facing our community.
Born in Calgary in 1926, Mr. Chipman moved to Winnipeg and later graduated from St. Paul's High School. He was predeceased by his wife, Sheila, of 61 years. The couple had four children: Susan, Stephen, Jeoffrey and Mark, all of whom have moved on to successful careers in their own right.
Mr. Chipman gave endlessly of his time to various community organizations and causes, including the United Way, The Winnipeg Foundation, the Winnipeg Art Gallery and Manitoba Theatre Centre, among many others.
Mr. Chipman's life and legacy stand–extend far beyond his business and community interests. Above all, he was a devoted family man whose legacy will live on through his children and grandchildren, whom he cared for deeply.
In summation, I think it is worth repeating the words of a statement released by True North concerning the passing of Mr. Chipman. To me, it is worth ensuring that these words remain forever in the public record of the Province of Manitoba. I quote: Mr. Chipman will be remembered as a pillar upon which many of the principles of True North are founded, including honesty, integrity and hard work. End quote.
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my husband, Jason, and the Stefanson and McDonald families, and, indeed, all members of this House and our community, I'd like to offer sincere condolences to the Chipman family for the loss of their father, grandfather and friend to many in our community. He will be missed, but his legacy will live on.
Thank you.
Filipino Street Festival
Ms. Melanie Wight (Burrows): Mr. Speaker, the Filipino Street Festival took place at the end of August. For a second year, the festival took the streets of Garden City by storm. Both years, I was very glad to connect with the community and to learn more about the beautiful culture of Filipino Manitobans.
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Mr. Speaker, those who know me know that the Filipino community has a special place in my heart. I want Filipino immigrants to continue to settle here and spread their rich culture with Manitobans, strengthening our multiculturalism. I feel so fortunate to have many friends in the community who have taught me about their country and culture. It is my hope that every Manitoban has this opportunity. The family-friendly and free street festival is the perfect place to start.
Mr. Speaker, the street festival is dubbed one of the biggest and most exciting local Filipino events of the year, and with good reason. This year a talented marching band, entertaining dance groups, colourful floats and local Filipino celebrities paraded down McPhillips Street, ending at Garden City Shopping Centre. After opening ceremonies, ethnic dance performances took place both inside and outside of the mall. I just love experiencing the dancing and the walking alongside the performers in the parade. Throw delicious Filipino food into the mix and I can't imagine a better way to bring the summer near to a close.
Thank you to all of the organizers, performers, volunteers and attendees for another successful festival. I look forward to seeing you all again through the year at community events and at the third annual Manitoba Filipino Street Festival next year. I invite all Manitobans to attend next August to gain a better appreciation of Filipino culture and to learn what all the buzz is about in northwest Winnipeg.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and mabuhay.
Manitoba Rate Payers–Tataskweyak Cree Nation
Mr. Ron Schuler (St. Paul): Mr. Speaker, today I had the opportunity to get up in this Legislature and ask some questions on behalf of Manitoba Hydro ratepayers, men and women who have been faced with one of the highest rate increases in the history of this province.
Mr. Speaker, I was also given the opportunity to get up and ask questions on behalf of the TCN First Nation, families, children, who are looking forward to some of the programming that was committed to them by Manitoba Hydro and this NDP government.
Mr. Speaker, $7 million was spent on the Keeyask TCN community centre which, to date, has not been built. In fact, there seems to be no accounting for the $7 million that was spent; neither is there any way to find out where the tee–the Keeyask community centre might be. And, even when I asked, of the $125,000 that was spent on furniture, today, once again, we got no answers on where the furniture might even be.
And further to this, a commitment was made to the TCN First Nation for a sewer and water system. I have raised in this House before that there is actually sewer backing up–feces and urine backing up in bathtubs of families' homes where children are expected to take baths, where families are supposed to live in these homes. And, Mr. Speaker, after $3 million was spent, after ribbons were cut on both the Keeyask Centre and the sewer and water system–and I've tabled pictures showing MLAs opposite, New Democratic members of the NDP caucus, they were there for the ribbon-cutting ceremonies–and in all of it, none of it has yet to be done.
Hydro ratepayers, TCN First Nations families, are all asking this NDP government, where is their accountability? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
South Osborne Biz Sidewalk Festival
Mr. James Allum (Fort Garry-Riverview): Mr. Speaker, author and activist Jane Jacobs once said that streets in cities serve many purposes besides carrying vehicles, and city sidewalks, the pedestrian parts of the streets, serve many purposes besides carrying pedestrians.
Today I rise to recognize an event that puts South Osborne sidewalks to several great uses when a third annual South Osborne sidewalk festival was held Saturday, August 24th. Organized by the Osborne South Business Improvement Zone, this event brought out South Osborne residents as well as visitors from across the city to meet local merchants, enjoy live entertainment and celebrate what the South Osborne area has to offer.
The Osborne South BIZ is a proactive group of businesses that working together to make the community a wonderful place to live, work and visit. Led by a volunteer board and marketing committee, BIZ initiatives enhance the South Osborne neighbourhood through the graffiti removal, flower planters, additional lighting, safety improvements and more. The BIZ's annual sidewalk festival is a wonderful way to showcase the area while marketing local merchants and amenities.
The event was a huge success. BIZ organizers estimate that between two and three thousand people came to the festival to enjoy the multitude of activities taking place on the sidewalk. With merchant giveaways, travelling entertainers, a petting zoo and more, there really was something for everyone. A horse-drawn wagon also offered rides for those looking to rest tired feet. My own office held an open house, which gave us a chance to meet many of our neighbours.
Community revitalization is a collective effort that involves input, creativity and hard work from many different contributors.
The Osborne South BIZ marketing committee, the BIZ board under the direction of President Jane Wilson and Executive Director Dennis Fletcher, are to be commended for the active role they take in the ongoing process of community renewal in the South Osborne area.
Congratulations on its successful festival and thank you to the BIZ for all of your hard work.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Health Care Delivery and Accessibility
Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on the shocking and disappointing state of the current approach to health‑care delivery and accessibility in Manitoba. The government's responsibility to implement the necessary preventative health and social services that promote positive and healthy development has not been realized in 14 years. Manitobans have a right to feel confident and safe when accessing medical services in our province.
Our current Minister of Health (Ms. Oswald) was appointed seven years ago this month, three years after Dorothy Madden died while awaiting care in one of our emergency rooms. There were already numerous reports available to the minister by this time indicating that the situation in Manitoba's emergency rooms needed to be sorted out quickly. Yet, two years later, Brian Sinclair was left to die in an emergency room while waiting a shockingly unacceptable amount of time for care.
I've raised concerns on the prominent nutritional deficiencies in our population such as vitamin D and long-chain omega 3 fatty acids. We not only have evidence that addressing these deficiencies, specifically in infants, would benefit several areas of health such as bones, teeth, cognitive development and behaviour, but also that it's not been accomplished in any impactful way under the current scattering of NDP programs.
Nutritional deficiencies have not decreased in 14 years of this government's watch and we now have twice as many Manitobans with diabetes as we did 14 years ago. The rate of diabetes in Manitoba continues to escalate. Studies have shown it's possible to reduce the incidents of diabetes by 60 per cent for those at risk. This can be done through the implementation of effective measures, but we need a co-ordinated effort of community programs throughout the province to result in successful healthy outcomes.
In response to these inefficiencies we've heard four ministers, including the Premier (Mr. Selinger), provide the excuse that they and their efforts are not perfect eight times in the House since Thursday. Not perfect is not a phrase Manitobans ever want to hear when their loved ones die while waiting for care in our emergency rooms. Manitobans have no confidence in the Minister of Health and it's time for her to resign and for the Premier to find an effective replacement who can get our health care on track.
Mr. Speaker: I believe that concludes members' statements.
We'll now move on with grievances. Any grievances? Seeing none, orders of the day.
House Business
Hon. Jennifer Howard (Government House Leader): On House business. I'm going to ask for leave that, if notice of one or more report stage amendments is filed today in accordance with rule 138, that copies of those amendments are to be distributed in the House tomorrow morning during private members' business, that the bill is to be listed under report stage amendments in tomorrow's Order Paper and that the House sit until 7 p.m. tomorrow.
Mr. Speaker: Is there leave that, if notice of one or more report stage amendments is filed today in accordance with rule 138, copies of the amendments are to be distributed in the House tomorrow morning during private members' business. The bill is to be listed under report stage amendments in tomorrow's Order Paper. The House is to sit until 7 p.m. tomorrow.
Is there leave? [Agreed]
Ms. Howard: I'd ask leave to move the sessional order.
Mr. Speaker: Is there leave to move to sessional order?
Some Honourable Members: Leave.
Mr. Speaker: To bring in the sessional order, pardon me. Is there leave? [Agreed]
Ms. Howard: I move, seconded by the Minister of Finance (Mr. Struthers), that the following sessional orders apply to the second and third sessions of the 40th Legislature despite any other rule or practice of this House. As sessional order is many pages, I would ask for leave of the House that it be entered in Hansard as read. All members have been provided a copy of it.
Mr. Speaker: Is there leave of the House to permit the sessional orders, dated September the 11th of 2013, to be entered into the trans–proceedings of today's sitting?
Mr. Kelvin Goertzen (Official Opposition House Leader): Let me ask for a five-minute recess just to review the document.
Mr. Speaker: Is there leave of the House to recess for five minutes to allow for a review of the document? [Agreed]
Good, thank you, it's agreed and we'll ring the bells for one minute to remind honourable members to return to the Assembly.
The House recessed at 3:19 p.m.
____________
The House resumed at 3:32 p.m.
Mr. Speaker: Order, please. Order, please. We'll call the House back into session.
In case I had neglected to mention prior to the short recess, the sessional orders dated September the 11th, 2013, moved by the honourable Government House Leader, was seconded by the honourable Minister of Finance (Mr. Struthers). I just want the record to reflect that.
And is there leave to have the sessional orders included in today's transcript of today's proceedings? [Agreed]
THAT the following Sessional Orders apply to the 2nd and 3rd Sessions of the 40th Legislature despite any other rule or practice of this House:
Definitions
1. The following definitions apply in these Sessional Orders.
“2013 Supply Bills” means the following bills:
The Appropriation Act, 2013
The Loan Act, 2013
“2014 Budget and Supply Bills” means the following bills:
The Interim Appropriation Act, 2014
The Budget Implementation and Tax Statutes Amendment Act, 2014
The Appropriation Act, 2014
The Loan Act, 2014
“non-specified 2nd Session Bill” means a Bill, other than a specified 2nd Session Bill, that was introduced by the government in the 2nd Session of the 40th Legislature before August 1, 2013.
“reinstated Bill” means a government bill introduced in the 2nd Session of the 40th Legislature and reinstated in accordance with these Sessional Orders in the 3rd Session of the 40th Legislature.
“specified 2nd Session Bills” means the following Bills (limited to 10 government bills and 7 private and non-government bills by agreement with the Opposition) selected by the government for enactment at the current sitting of the Legislature:
Bill 2 –The Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Respect for the Safety of Emergency and Enforcement Personnel)
Bill 10 – The Correctional Services Amendment Act
Bill 18 – The Public Schools Amendment Act (Safe and Inclusive Schools)
Bill 21 – The Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Impoundment of Vehicles – Ignition Interlock Program)
Bill 23 – The Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Increased Sanctions for Street Racing)
Bill 31 – The Workplace Safety and Health Amendment Act
Bill 33 – The Municipal Modernization Act (Municipal Amalgamations)
Bill 34 – The Property Registry Statutes Amendment Act
Bill 37 – The Emergency Measures Amendment Act
Bill 40 – The Residential Tenancies Amendment Act
Bill 204 – The Manitoba Human Trafficking Awareness Day Act
Bill 208 – The Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Act
Bill 209 – The Special Olympics Awareness Week Act
Bill 211 – The Personal Information Protection and Identity Theft Prevention Act
Bill 300 – The Brandon Area Foundation Incorporation Amendment Act
Bill 301 – The Jewish Foundation of Manitoba Amendment Act
Bill 302 – Les Fransiscaines Missionaires de Marie Incorporation Amendment Act
“specified 3rd Session Bill” means a Bill introduced by the government on or before May 1, 2014 in the 3rd Session of the 40th Legislature, other than
(a) the 2014 Budget and Supply Bills; and
(b) any Bill that the Government House Leader announces in the House is not to be included as a specified 3rd Session Bill for the purpose of these Sessional Orders.
Spring/summer sitting of 2nd Session (to end in September, 2013)
September 2013 adjournment date
2. The spring and summer sitting of the 2nd Session is to be adjourned by the Speaker, without a motion for adjournment, on the first of the following days that the Concurrence and Third Reading Stage has been concluded on all the specified 2nd Session Bills:
(a) Friday, September 13, 2013;
(b) Monday, September 16, 2013.
The adjournment is to take place at the conclusion of business on that day, but only after Royal Assent has been given to all specified 2nd Session Bills that have had Concurrence and Third Reading agreed to. Unless the House is recalled in accordance with Subrule 2(2), the House then stands adjourned until the commencement of the 3rd Session of the 40th Legislature.
Committee Stage on specified 2nd Session Bills
3. If a Committee considering a specified 2nd Session Bill has not completed clause‑by-clause consideration of the Bill by midnight on a day that fewer than 20 presenters are registered, for all Bills under consideration by the Committee, at the time that the Committee is scheduled to begin meeting that day, the following rules apply:
(a) Notwithstanding Subrule 92(6), the Committee must sit beyond midnight to continue hearing presentations, if any, and to consider the Bills clause by clause.
(b) At 1:00 a.m., if presentations are still being heard, the Chair must interrupt the proceedings and commence clause-by-clause consideration of the Bills.
(c) At 2:00 a.m., any member of the Committee who wishes to move an amendment to a Bill after that time must file 20 copies of the amendment with the Clerk of the Committee, and the Clerk must distribute the amendment to the members of the Committee. After that time, an amendment may be moved only if copies of it were filed with the Clerk and distributed as required by this rule.
(d) At 3:00 a.m., the Chair of the Committee must interrupt the proceedings and, without further debate or amendment (other than an amendment distributed as required by rule (c)), put every question necessary to complete clause-by-clause consideration of the Bills under consideration.
(e) The Committee must report the Bills to the House at its next sitting. In the event that the Committee fails to report the Bills at that sitting, the Bills are deemed to be reported to the House, as amended by the Committee (if applicable), and the report is deemed to be received by the House at that sitting.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013 — Completion of Business of Supply
4. The House must, if necessary, sit beyond the usual adjournment hour on Wednesday, September 11, 2013, to conclude the business of supply for the 2013-2014 fiscal year as follows by 5:30 p.m. on that day:
(a) By 4:00 p.m. on that day, the question on the concurrence motion in the Committee of Supply must be put, the committee's report must be presented to and received by the House, and the question on the concurrence motion in the House must be put.
(b) By 5:30 p.m. on that day, all stages for the passage of the 2013 Supply Bills (including all related motions, committee stage and all three readings, but not including royal assent) must be completed.
If the House or a committee of the House has not concluded any item or stage described above by the required hour, the Speaker or chairperson, as the case may be, must interrupt the proceedings at that time and, without seeing the clock, put all questions necessary to dispose of the required items without further debate or amendment.
Royal Assent of the 2013 Supply Bills must take place before the House is adjourned on that day. If the House is not adjourned before 6:00 p.m., a Committee may sit after 6:00 p.m. concurrently with the House.
Thursday, September 12, 2013 — Completion of 2nd Reading of non-specified 2nd Session Bills
5. At 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 12, 2013, the Speaker must interrupt the proceedings and, without seeing the clock, put all questions necessary to conclude, without further debate or amendment, the Second Reading stage of all non-specified 2nd Session Bills then at that stage.
Friday, September 13, 2013 — Report Stage and Concurrence and Third Reading of specified 2nd Session Bills
6. If the Committee Stage has been concluded on all specified 2nd Session Bills, and the last of those Bills to be reported by a Committee to the House is reported on or before Thursday, September 12, 2013,
(a) the House is to meet at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, September 13, 2013, beginning with Routine Proceedings, and must not be adjourned before completing the matters to be completed on that day under these Sessional Orders;
(b) despite Subrules 138(4) and (6), if a specified 2nd Session Bill is reported back to the House on Thursday, September 12, 2013,
(i) notice of any amendment to the Bill to be moved at Report Stage must be filed with the Clerk by 4:00 p.m. on that day together with copies of the amendment for distribution in the House that day, and
(ii) the Bill is deemed to be at Report State on Friday, September 13, 2013 during that day’s Orders of the Day;
(c) at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, September 13, 2013, the Speaker must interrupt the proceedings and, without seeing the clock, take all steps necessary to conclude, in accordance with the following rules, Report Stage on all the specified 2nd Session Bills that are then at that stage:
(i) if a motion for a Report Stage amendment was previously moved, the Speaker must put the question necessary to dispose of the motion without further debate or amendment,
(ii) the Speaker must allow each motion for a Report Stage amendment for which notice was given in accordance with Subrule 138(6) or these Sessional Orders to be moved and, immediately after the motion has been moved and spoken to by the mover of the motion, the Speaker must put the question necessary to dispose of the motion without further debate or amendment, and
(iii) Subrule 138(7) does not apply.
(d) at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, September 13, 2013, or immediately after Report Stage on all the specified 2nd Session Bills then at that stage has been concluded, the Speaker must interrupt the proceedings and, without seeing the clock, take all steps necessary to conclude Concurrence and Third Reading on
(i) each specified 2nd Session Bill for which a Concurrence and Third Reading motion has previously been moved, and
(ii) each specified 2nd Session Bill for which a Concurrence and Third Reading motion may then be moved under Subrule 138(14), if the Bill’s sponsor or the Government House Leader moves it;
(e) in the case of a Bill referred to in subclause (d)(i), the Speaker must put all questions necessary to dispose of the motion without further debate or amendment; and
(f) in the case of a Bill referred to in subclause (d)(ii), the Speaker must allow the motion to be moved. Immediately after it is moved, the Speaker must put the question necessary to dispose of the motion without debate or amendment.
Monday, September 16, 2013 – additional sitting day if needed
7. If the House is not adjourned under Sessional Order 2 on September 13, 2013, the House must meet on Monday, September 16, 2013.
If a Committee reports a specified 2nd Session Bill back to the House on that day, despite Subrules 138(4) and (6),
(a) notice of any amendment to the Bill to be moved at Report Stage must be filed with the Clerk by 12:00 noon on that day together with copies of the amendment for distribution in the House immediately after the Committee reports; and
(b) the Bill is deemed to be at Report Stage during that day’s Orders of the Day.
Clauses (c) to (f) of Sessional Order 6 apply with necessary changes to the sitting of the House on September 16. The references to “3:00 p.m.” and “6:30 p.m.” shall be read as references to “7:00 p.m.” and “10:30 p.m.”, respectively, and the references to “Friday, September 13” are to be read as references to “Monday, September 16”.
Intersessional and other Committee Hearings
Committee Stage on non-specified 2nd Session Bills
8. Committee Stage on all non-specified 2nd Session Bills (other than Bill 47 – The Budget Implementation and Tax Statutes Amendment Act, 2013) must be completed in sufficient time for the Committees considering the Bills to report them to the House no later than Wednesday, November 13, 2013. But no Committee is to meet on October 18, 19, 20, 25, 26 or 27, 2013. If a Committee considering such a Bill has not completed clause-by-clause consideration of the Bill by midnight on a day that fewer than 20 presenters are registered, for all Bills under consideration by the Committee, at the time that the Committee is scheduled to begin meeting that day, the following rules apply:
(a) Notwithstanding Subrule 92(6), the Committee must sit beyond midnight to continue hearing presentations, if any, and to consider the Bills clause by clause.
(b) At 1:00 a.m., if presentations are still being heard, the Chair must interrupt the proceedings and commence clause-by-clause consideration of the Bills.
(c) At 2:00 a.m., any member of the Committee who wishes to move an amendment to a Bill after that time must file 20 copies of the amendment with the Clerk of the Committee, and the Clerk must distribute the amendment to the members of the Committee. After that time, an amendment may be moved only if copies of it were filed with the Clerk and distributed as required by this rule.
(d) At 3:00 a.m., the Chair of the Committee must interrupt the proceedings and, without further debate or amendment (other than an amendment distributed as required by rule (c)), put every question necessary to complete clause-by-clause consideration of the Bills under consideration.
(e) The Committee must report the Bills to the House at its next sitting. In the event that the Committee fails to report the Bills at that sitting, the Bills are deemed to be reported to the House, as amended by the Committee (if applicable), and the report is deemed to be received by the House at that sitting.
Notwithstanding Subrules 4(6) and 92(8), the Government House Leader may call meetings of one or more Standing Committees by providing five days’ written notice of those meetings to the Clerk of the Assembly.
Committee hearings on annual reports of Crown corporations
9. The Government House Leader must call five meetings of the Standing Committee on Crown Corporations (one for each of the following Crown corporations) to be held before November 12, 2013, to consider their annual reports and other reports that have been tabled and are currently awaiting consideration by the Committee:
The Workers Compensation Board
The Liquor Control Commission
The Manitoba Lotteries Corporation
The Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation
The Manitoba Hydro-Electric Board
Meetings of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts
10. The Government House Leader is to call at least 10 meetings of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts to be held within 12 months after the day this Sessional Order is adopted by the House.
Fall sitting of the 3rd Session of the 40th Legislature (November 12 to December 5, 2013)
Commencement of 3rd Session and reinstatement of 2nd Session Bills
11. Subject to Subrule 2(2), the 3rd Session of the 40th Legislature is to begin on Tuesday, November 12, 2013, with a Speech from the Throne. On the commencement of the 3rd Session, all the non-specified 2nd Session Bills that were not given royal assent during the 2nd Session are reinstated as Bills of the 3rd Session at the stage they were at when the 2nd session was prorogued. Except with the agreement of the Official Opposition House Leader, a specified 3rd Session Bill is not to be called for Second Reading before the Concurrence and Third Reading stage has been concluded on all of the reinstated Bills.
Wednesday, December 4, 2013 – Conclusion of Committee Stage on Bill 47
12. If Committee Stage on Bill 47 – The Budget Implementation and Tax Statutes Amendment Act, 2013 has not been concluded by 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 4, 2013,
(a) the Speaker must interrupt the proceedings, if necessary, to allow the House to be resolved into Committee of the Whole to consider that Bill;
(b) copies of each amendment to be moved during clause-by-clause consideration of the Bill must be filed with the Clerk before 4:00 p.m. on that day and distributed to members before the commencement of clause-by-clause consideration;
(c) the chairperson of the Committee must, without seeing the clock, put all questions necessary to dispose of the required items and conclude Committee Stage on that Bill without further debate or amendment, other than an amendment distributed in accordance with clause (b).
Conclusion of Throne Speech debate
13. If the motion for the Address in Reply to the Speech from the Throne for the 3rd Session of the 40th Legislature has not proceeded to a vote before Thursday, December 5, 2013, then that day is to be considered the eighth and final day of debate. At 3:30 p.m. on that day, despite Subrules 45(3) and (4), the Speaker must interrupt the proceedings and, without seeing the clock, put every question necessary to dispose of
(a) any outstanding amendment or sub‑amendment to the main motion for the Address in Reply to the Speech from the Throne; and
(b) the main motion for the Address in Reply to the Speech from the Throne.
Thursday, December 5, 2013 – Report Stage and Concurrence and Third Reading on reinstated Bills
14. At 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 5, 2013, or immediately after disposing of the main motion for the Address in Reply to the Speech from the Throne under Sessional Order 13, the Speaker must interrupt the proceedings and, without seeing the clock, take all steps necessary to conclude Report Stage on all the reinstated Bills that are then at that stage.
If a motion for a Report Stage amendment was previously moved, the Speaker must put the question necessary to dispose of the motion without further debate or amendment.
The Speaker must allow each motion for a Report Stage amendment for which notice was given in accordance with Subrule 138(6) to be moved. Immediately after the motion has been moved and spoken to by the mover of the motion, the Speaker must put the question necessary to dispose of the motion without further debate or amendment.
Subrule 138(7) does not apply.
15. At 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 5, 2013, or immediately after Report Stage on the reinstated Bills then at that stage has been concluded, the Speaker must interrupt the proceedings and, without seeing the clock, take all steps necessary to conclude Concurrence and Third Reading on
(a) each reinstated Bill for which a Concurrence and Third Reading motion has previously been moved; and
(b) each reinstated Bill for which a Concurrence and Third Reading motion may then be moved under Subrule 138(14), if the sponsor of the Bill or the Government House Leader moves it.
In the case of a Bill referred to in clause (a), the Speaker must put all questions necessary to dispose of the motion without further debate or amendment.
In the case of a Bill referred to in clause (b), the Speaker must allow the motion to be moved. Immediately after it is moved, the Speaker must put the question necessary to dispose of the motion without debate or amendment.
Royal Assent of all bills that have had Concurrence and Third Reading agreed to must take place before the House is adjourned on that day.
At the conclusion of business on that day, the Speaker must adjourn the House without a motion for adjournment.
Spring sitting of 3rd Session of 40th Legislature (March 6 to June 12, 2014, or to June 20, 2014 if necessary)
Thursday, March 6, 2014 – 3rd Session to resume
16. Subject to Subrule 2(2), the House is to resume its sittings of the 3rd Session of the 40th Legislature on Thursday, March 6, 2014.
Thursday, March 27, 2014 – completion of Business of Interim Supply
17. The House must, if necessary, sit beyond the usual adjournment hour on Thursday, March 27, 2014, to conclude the business of interim supply for the 2014-15 fiscal year as follows by 6:00 p.m. on that day:
(a) By 4:00 p.m. on that day, all questions on resolutions respecting interim supply in the Committee of Supply must be put, and the Committee's report must be presented to and received by the House.
(b) By 6:00 p.m. on that day, all stages for the passage of The Interim Appropriation Act, 2014 (including all related motions and all three readings, but not including royal assent) must be completed.
If the Committee of Supply, the Committee of the Whole, or the House has not concluded any item or stage described above by the required hour, the chairperson or the Speaker, as the case may be, must interrupt the proceedings at that time and, without seeing the clock, put all questions necessary to dispose of the required items without further debate or amendment.
Royal Assent of The Interim Appropriation Act, 2014 must take place before the House adjourns on that day.
Spring Break and Constituency Week – House not to meet
18. There are to be no meetings of the House or any Committee of the House during the following weeks:
(a) the week of March 31 to April 4, 2014 (Spring Break);
(b) the week of May 5 to 9, 2014 (Constituency Week).
Thursday, May 22, 2014 – Completion of Second Reading on specified 3rd Session Bills
19. At 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 22, 2014, the Speaker must interrupt the proceedings and, without seeing the clock, put all questions necessary to conclude, without further debate or amendment, the Second Reading stage of all of specified 3rd Session Bills then at that stage.
Committee Stage on specified 3rd Session Bills
20. Committee Stage on all specified 3rd Session Bills must be completed in sufficient time for the Committees considering the Bills to report them to the House on or before Thursday, June 12, 2014. If a Committee considering such a Bill has not completed clause-by-clause consideration of the Bill by midnight on a day that fewer than 20 presenters are registered, for all Bills under consideration by the Committee, at the time that the Committee is scheduled to begin meeting that day, the following rules apply:
(a) Notwithstanding Subrule 92(6), the Committee must sit beyond midnight to continue hearing presentations, if any, and to consider the Bills clause by clause.
(b) At 1:00 a.m., if presentations are still being heard, the Chair must interrupt the proceedings and commence clause-by-clause consideration of the Bills.
(c) At 2:00 a.m., any member of the Committee who wishes to move an amendment to a Bill after that time must file 20 copies of the amendment with the Clerk of the Committee, and the Clerk must distribute the amendment to the members of the Committee. After that time, an amendment may be moved only if copies of it were filed with the Clerk and distributed as required by this rule.
(d) At 3:00 a.m., the Chair of the Committee must interrupt the proceedings and, without further debate or amendment (other than an amendment distributed as required by rule (c)), put every question necessary to complete clause-by-clause consideration of the Bills under consideration.
(e) The Committee must report the Bills to the House at its next sitting. In the event that the Committee fails to report the Bills at that sitting, the Bills are deemed to be reported to the House, as amended by the Committee (if applicable), and the report is deemed to be received by the House at that sitting.
Thursday, June 12, 2014 – Completion of Business of Supply for 2014-15
21. The House must, if necessary, sit beyond the usual adjournment hour on Thursday, June 12, 2014, to conclude the business of supply for the 2014-2015 fiscal year as follows by 6:00 p.m. on that day:
(a) By 4:00 p.m. on that day, the question on the concurrence motion in the Committee of Supply must be put, the committee's report must be presented to and received by the House, and the question on the concurrence motion in the House must be put.
(b) By 6:00 p.m. on that day, all stages for the passage of the 2014 Budget and Supply Bills other than The Interim Appropriation Act, 2014 (including all related motions, committee stage and all three readings, but not including royal assent) must be completed.
If the House or a committee of the House has not concluded any item or stage described above by the required hour, the Speaker or chairperson, as the case may be, must interrupt the proceedings at that time and, without seeing the clock, put all questions necessary to dispose of the required items without further debate or amendment.
Royal Assent of the 2014 Budget and Supply Bills (other than The Interim Appropriation Act, 2014) must take place before the House is adjourned on that day.
June 2014 adjournment date
22. If at the time that the House is adjourned on Thursday, June 12, 2014, the Concurrence and Third Reading Stage has not been concluded on all the specified 3rd Session Bill, or Royal Assent has not been given to all the specified 3rd Session Bill that have had Concurrence and Third Reading agreed to,
(a) Subrule 2(1) does not apply to the adjournment on that day; and
(b) the House is to be adjourned by the Speaker, without a motion for adjournment, at the conclusion of business on any day of the following week that the Concurrence and Third Reading stage on all the specified 3rd Session Bills has been concluded and Royal Assent has been given to those that have had Concurrence and Third Reading agreed to.
When the House is adjourned in accordance with clause (b), it stands adjourned to the call of the Speaker, subject to being recalled in accordance with Subrule 2(2).
Usual adjournment hour during the week of June 16 to 20, 2014
23. If, because of Sessional Order 22, the House is meeting during the week of June 16 to 20, 2014, for the purpose of Subrule 4(4), the usual adjournment hour on Monday to Thursday of that week is 9:00 p.m. instead of 5:00 p.m.
House to meet on Friday, June 20, 2014, if necessary
24. If the spring 2014 sitting is not adjourned on June 12, 2014, in accordance with Subrule 2(1) or on or before Thursday, June 19, 2014, in accordance with Sessional Order 22, the House is to meet at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, June 20, 2014, beginning with Routine Proceedings, and must not be adjourned before completing the matters to be completed on that day under these Sessional Orders.
Friday, June 20, 2014 –Report Stage and Concurrence and Third Reading on specified 3rd Session Bills
25. At 12:00 noon on Friday, June 20, 2014, the Speaker must interrupt the proceedings and, without seeing the clock, take all steps necessary to conclude Report Stage on all the specified 3rd Session Bills that are then at that stage.
If a motion for a Report Stage amendment was previously moved, the Speaker must put the question necessary to dispose of the motion without further debate or amendment.
The Speaker must allow each motion for a Report Stage amendment for which notice was given in accordance with Subrule 138(6) to be moved. Immediately after the motion has been moved and spoken to by the mover of the motion, the Speaker must put the question necessary to dispose of the motion without further debate or amendment.
Subrule 138(7) does not apply.
26. At 12:30 p.m. on Friday, June 20, 2014, or immediately after Report Stage on the specified 3rd Session Bills then at that stage has been concluded, the Speaker must interrupt the proceedings and, without seeing the clock, take all steps necessary to conclude Concurrence and Third Reading on
(a) each specified 3rd Session Bill for which a Concurrence and Third Reading motion has previously been moved; and
(b) each specified 3rd Session Bill for which a Concurrence and Third Reading motion may then be moved under Subrule 138(14), if the minister responsible for the Bill moves it.
In the case of a Bill referred to in clause (a), the Speaker must put all questions necessary to dispose of the motion without further debate or amendment.
In the case of a Bill referred to in clause (b), the Speaker must allow the motion to be moved. Immediately after it is moved, the Speaker must put the question necessary to dispose of the motion without debate or amendment.
Royal Assent of all bills that have had Concurrence and Third Reading agreed to must take place before the House adjourns on that day.
At the conclusion of business on that day, the Speaker must adjourn the House without a motion for adjournment.
Bill 41 not to proceed without amendments as agreed to by House Leaders
27. Notwithstanding any other Sessional Order or any rule or practice of the House, the question on Concurrence and Third Reading of Bill 41 – The Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Enhancing Safety Regulation of Heavy Motor Vehicles) must not be put unless the Official Opposition House Leader notifies the House that it has been amended in Committee as agreed to by the Government House Leader and the Official Opposition House Leader.
General Provisions
Priority of actions to be taken
28. Where
(a) these Sessional Orders require the Speaker or a chairperson to take any action at a specified time; and
(b) at the specified time, a point of order or a matter of privilege has been raised and is under consideration by the House or committee;
the point of order or matter of privilege is to be set aside, and no other point of order or matter of privilege may be raised, until the required action has been taken and all matters relating to the required action have been resolved.
Interruption of proceedings
29. Where these Sessional Orders require the Speaker or a chairperson to interrupt proceedings to take any action, the interruption is to take place and the action is to be taken whether or not the Orders of the Day have been called.
No deferral of vote
Subrule 14(4) does not apply to a division to be taken on a question required to be put under these Sessional Orders.
Mr. Speaker: Now is it the will of the House to adopt the sessional orders? [Agreed]
* * *
Ms. Howard: Mr. Speaker, would you resolve into Committee of Supply.
Mr. Speaker: We'll now resolve into the Committee of Supply.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, will you please take the Chair.
Mr. Chairperson (Tom Nevakshonoff): Will the Committee of Supply, please come to order.
The committee has before it for consideration the motion concurring in all Supply resolutions relating to the Estimates of Expenditure for the fiscal year ending March 31st, 2014.
On September the 9th, 2013, the Official Opposition House Leader (Mr. Goertzen) tabled the following list of ministers of the Crown who may be called for concurrent questioning in debate on the concurrence motion: Justice; Immigration and Multiculturalism; Children and Youth Opportunities; Energy, Mines and Innovation; Culture, Heritage and Tourism; and Health.
The floor is now open for questions.
The question before the committee is the motion moved by the Government House Leader (Ms. Howard), that the Committee of Supply concur in all Supply resolutions relating to the Estimates of Expenditure for the fiscal year ending March 31st, 2014, which have been adopted at this session by a section of the Committee of Supply or by–correction.
I'll read it again–that the Committee of Supply concur in all Supply resolutions relating the Estimates of Expenditure for the fiscal year ending March 31st, 2014, which have been adopted at this session, whether by a section of the Committee of Supply or by the full committee.
Shall the motion pass?
Some Honourable Members: Pass.
Some Honourable Members: No.
Mr. Chairperson: I hear a no.
Voice Vote
Mr. Chairperson: All those in favour of the motion, will please say aye.
Some Honourable Members: Aye.
Mr. Chairperson: All those opposed to the motion, will please say nay.
Some Honourable Members: Nay.
Mr. Chairperson: In my opinion, the Ayes have it.
Mr. Kelvin Goertzen (Official Opposition House Leader): On division, Mr. Chairperson.
Mr. Chairperson: On division.
Resolution is accordingly passed on division.
* * *
Mr. Chairperson: Committee rise. Call in the Speaker.
Committee Report
Mr. Tom Nevakshonoff (Chairperson): Mr. Speaker, the Committee of Supply has adopted a motion regarding concurrence in Supply.
I move, seconded by the honourable member for Fort-Garry Riverview (Mr. Allum), that the report of the committee be received.
Motion presented.
Mr. Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to receive the report?
Some Honourable Members: Agreed.
An Honourable Member: No.
Mr. Speaker: I hear a no.
Voice Vote
Mr. Speaker: All those in favour of receiving the report, will please signify by saying aye.
Some Honourable Members: Aye.
Mr. Speaker: All those opposed to receiving the report, will please signify by saying nay.
Some Honourable Members: Nay.
Mr. Speaker: Opinion of the Chair, the Ayes have it.
Mr. Kelvin Goertzen (Official Opposition House Leader): On division.
Mr. Speaker: On division.
Hon. Jennifer Howard (Government House Leader): I move, seconded by the Minister of Finance (Mr. Struthers), that this House concur in the report of the Committee of Supply respecting concurrence in all Supply resolutions relating to the Estimates of Expenditure for the fiscal year ending March 31st, 2014.
Motion presented.
Mr. Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?
Some Honourable Members: Agreed.
Some Honourable Members: No.
Mr. Speaker: I hear a no.
Voice Vote
Mr. Speaker: All those in favour of adopting the motion, will please signify by saying aye.
Some Honourable Members: Aye.
Mr. Speaker: All those opposed to the motion, please signify by saying nay.
Some Honourable Members: Nay.
Mr. Speaker: Opinion of the Chair, the Ayes have it.
Mr. Kelvin Goertzen (Official Opposition House Leader): On division.
Mr. Speaker: On division.
* * *
* (15:40)
Hon. Stan Struthers (Minister of Finance): I move, seconded by the Minister of Family Services and Labour (Ms. Howard),
THAT there be granted out of the Consolidated Fund for capital purposes, the sum of $2,952,495,000 for the fiscal year ending March 31st, 2014.
Motion presented.
Mr. Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?
Some Honourable Members: Agreed.
Some Honourable Members: No.
Mr. Speaker: I hear a no.
Voice Vote
Mr. Speaker: All those in favour of adopting the motion, please signify by saying aye.
Some Honourable Members: Aye.
Mr. Speaker: All those opposed to the motion, please signify by saying nay.
Some Honourable Members: Nay.
Mr. Speaker: In the opinion of the Chair, the Ayes have it.
Mr. Goertzen: On division.
Mr. Speaker: On division.
* * *
Mr. Struthers: I move, seconded by the Minister of Family Services and Labour (Ms. Howard),
THAT there be granted to Her Majesty for the public service of the Province for the fiscal year ending March 31st, 2014, out of the Consolidated Fund, the sum of $11,850,818,000 as set out in Part A - Operating Expenditure, and $695,695,000 as set out in Part B - Capital Investment, of the Estimates.
Motion presented.
Mr. Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?
Some Honourable Members: Agreed.
Some Honourable Members: No.
Mr. Speaker: I hear a no.
Voice Vote
Mr. Speaker: All those in favour of the motion, please signify by saying aye.
Some Honourable Members: Aye.
Mr. Speaker: All those opposed to the motion, please signify by saying nay.
Some Honourable Members: Nay.
Mr. Speaker: In my opinion, the Ayes have it.
Mr. Goertzen: On division.
Mr. Speaker: On division.
Bill 49–The Appropriation Act, 2013
Hon. Stan Struthers (Minister of Finance): I move, seconded by the Minister of Family Services and Labour (Ms. Howard), that Bill 49, The Appropriation Act, 2013, be now read a first time and be ordered for second reading immediately.
Motion presented.
Mr. Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?
Some Honourable Members: Agreed.
Some Honourable Members: No.
Mr. Speaker: I hear a no.
Voice Vote
Mr. Speaker: All those in favour of the motion will please signify by saying aye.
Some Honourable Members: Aye.
Mr. Speaker: All those opposed to the motion, please signify by saying nay.
Some Honourable Members: Nay.
Mr. Speaker: In the opinion of the Chair, the Ayes have it.
Mr. Kelvin Goertzen (Official Opposition House Leader): On division.
Mr. Speaker: On division.
Bill 49–The Appropriation Act, 2013
Hon. Stan Struthers (Minister of Finance): I move, seconded by the Minister of Justice (Mr. Swan), that Bill 49, The Appropriation Act, 2013, be now read a second time and be referred to a Committee of the Whole.
Motion presented.
Mr. Speaker: Is there any debate?
Mrs. Myrna Driedger (Charleswood): I do have some comments to put on the record in regards to The Appropriation Act, Bill 49, just to reiterate some of the concerns we've been expressing over the last year.
And I would indicate that we do have a very serious concern as a caucus about the level of spending by the NDP and the level of increasing their spending well beyond what they're taking in. And when we see what that is causing and what that is creating, it does raise a lot of serious concern because it is going to affect future generations in having to pay for some of this spending by the NDP right now. Many people in Manitoba have labelled this NDP government spending addicts, and we certainly see that year over year over year, they tend to be spending more than what they're taking in. In fact, they've increased spending every year by an average of 4.8 per cent, while revenues have only grown by 4.5 per cent. This means that spending is outgrowing revenue by about $44 million a year. That should cause some concern for the government because, in our own homes, if we did that year after year, at some point something hits the wall.
We certainly heard that from a number of speakers that came to speak to Bill 20, related to the PST, where a lot of people were talking about having to make tough decisions in their homes about how much money they could spend and how careful they had to be with their spending and how they had to budget. But we don't see this same level of concern being taken by the NDP. Instead of looking very responsibly at their spending, instead they overspend and overspend and overspend. And what they've done because of that is they have doubled the debt in Manitoba.
And by doubling the debt–they haven't had any major issues with the inflation rates, what they are today, but if the inflation rates or, I should say, when the inflation rate does go up, we are certainly going to feel the pain of those debt dollars that the NDP have foisted on Manitobans.
* (15:50)
And this year alone, despite all of the money that this NDP government is raking in with the increased taxes, increased fees, the huge amount of federal dollars that are coming to this government, despite all of that, this government is still looking at running a structural deficit of over $500 million, and that's probably if they're lucky. It could end up being hundreds of million more. And, unless they get their spending under control, it is going to be millions and millions more. So right now, despite all that money coming in, they're still choosing to run a structural deficit. A year ago, it was a billion; now it's half a billion. These are huge dollars.
How can a government in–with good conscience foist something like this on Manitobans and not expect that there is going to be a lot of paying for this at some point? So, they've doubled the debt. They're running deficits. They're increasing taxes. And, in the case of the PST, they have raised the PST by the largest amount in a quarter of a century. That is significant. And that they did without a mandate from Manitobans. They did that after promising that they weren't going to do that.
So we've seen the largest tax hike in a quarter of a century in the last couple of years with what the NDP did with the PST. Last year, they expanded it to a number of products and services. And this year, then, they increased it again by 1 per cent. What that has done is created a slush fund for them, Mr. Speaker, and we see that with all the ribbon cuttings and the announcements that are going on. We've seen them change what their definition of–is of critical infrastructure. And now, we're seeing this spending spree going on. And if we look at what they're doing and where they're doing it, it is obvious that what they've done is set up a slush fund in order to buy votes for the next election.
And then on top of that, in the budget, they are looking at a vote tax. And, you know, in asking the Minister of Finance (Mr. Struthers) the other day, you know, have they taken the vote tax, have they already got that into the NDP bank account, he wouldn't answer the question. But certainly, looking at $5,000 per MLA, NDP MLA, each year until the next election. They're well set. They don't even have to do any fundraising because they're going to have enough money to go out there and not even have to worry about fundraising in the next election. So they've taken a very, very lazy, unethical way out of having to raise money.
And, when we look at inflation now with what the NDP have done with all their increasing taxes and fees and the fact that we've got, also, the highest income–we pay the highest income taxes west of Québec, the inflation rates are now trending upwards and showing that Manitoba has the largest inflation rate in Canada. And now we're seeing at least about a three-month trend, and I doubt that's going to change. On top of all of that, they've gutted the balanced budget legislation, and there's no longer any taxpayer protection. The Premier (Mr. Selinger) has not given any assurances that he will not increase the PST any further down the road.
So, really, what Manitobans do need to do is fear what is going to be coming down the road from this government. It's not a government that can be trusted. We've seen that. It's not a government that knows how to manage money very well. We've seen that. They have not been good stewards of money that isn't theirs. It belongs to Manitobans; it's taxpayers' money. The more we hear comments coming from members opposite about going out and delivering cheques from themselves. They for–they've lost sight of who they're here representing. And it's not the NDP that they're representing. They're supposed to be representing the people of Manitoba. But they've lost all sight of that.
So, with all of this spending, on top of all of that, we've seen an assault on democracy where people's rights for a referendum have been denied them. We've seen bullying by the government. And we've seen Manitobans not getting the bang for the buck with all of the money that the NDP is looking at spending. They always like to blame somebody else, and we know that they have certainly looked at, you know, at the past administration. I think today the Premier made a good point in terms of what the federal government did in the '90s in terms of stopping transfer payments to Manitoba and how much it hurt Manitobans. I know Gary Doer acknowledged that in the past. And today I would note that the Premier today indicated how much that affected health care, and, indeed, it does have a huge effect looking at what the federal Liberals did.
But I would just point out that Manitoba receives more federal support today per capita than any other western province. So, despite all of that, we see a government that still wants more and more money, and they don't seem to have a good handle on how to properly manage it.
So, Mr. Speaker, it's very hard to support spending by this government when they're not treating that money responsibly.
Thank you.
Mr. Speaker: Any further debate?
Is the House ready for the question?
Some Honourable Members: Question.
Mr. Speaker: It's been moved by the honourable Minister of Finance, seconded by the honourable Minister of Justice (Mr. Swan), that Bill 49, The Appropriation Act, 2013, be now read for a second time and be referred to a committee of this House.
Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?
Some Honourable Members: Agreed.
Some Honourable Members: No.
Mr. Speaker: I hear a no.
Voice Vote
Mr. Speaker: All those in favour of the motion, please signify by saying aye.
Some Honourable Members: Aye.
Mr. Speaker: All those opposed to the motion, please signify by saying nay.
Some Honourable Members: Nay.
Mr. Speaker: Opinion of the Chair, the Ayes have it.
Mr. Kelvin Goertzen (Official Opposition House Leader): On division.
Mr. Speaker: On division.
INTRODUCTION OF BILLS
Hon. Stan Struthers (Minister of Finance): I move, seconded by the Minister of Justice (Mr. Swan), that Bill 50, The Loan Act, 2013, be now read a first time and be ordered for second reading immediately.
Motion presented.
Mr. Speaker: Pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?
Some Honourable Members: Agreed.
Some Honourable Members: No.
Mr. Speaker: I hear a no.
Voice Vote
Mr. Speaker: All those in favour of the motion, will please signify by saying aye.
Some Honourable Members: Aye.
Mr. Speaker: All those opposed to the motion, will please signify by saying nay.
Some Honourable Members: Nay.
Mr. Speaker: Opinion of the Chair, the Ayes have it.
Mr. Kelvin Goertzen (Official Opposition House Leader): On division.
Mr. Speaker: On division.
* (16:00)
SECOND READINGS
Bill 50–The Loan Act, 2013
Hon. Stan Struthers (Minister of Finance): I move, seconded by the Minister of Justice, that Bill 50, The Loan Act, 2013, be now read a second time and be referred to Committee of the Whole.
Motion presented.
Mrs. Myrna Driedger (Charleswood): Well, Mr. Speaker, the numbers in this bill certainly do raise a lot of red flags for us and a lot of concern. The–what this bill will do, it gives government borrowing authority and it indicates that the number we're looking at here is 3.7–well, almost, like, $3.8 billion. That is a significant amount of money. This government, again, through its spending addiction, has doubled the debt in Manitoba already. They are running billion- or half-a-billion-dollar deficits. They are borrowing significant amounts of money and at some point this is really going to hit Manitobans hard, and when we see interest rates go up it is going to even be more critical and more profound. And then what we also see this government doing is draining the Fiscal Stabilization Fund, our emergency fund, to go towards paying some of their debts.
Mr. Speaker, this is a sign of totally uncontrolled spending by a government that really, really has definitely and decidedly making–made a sharp left turn. They forgot that they are to be good stewards of the money. We are not seeing that. We are not seeing the bang for the buck for all of this money that is being spent, and we are seeing a government way over the top in its spending. And they do need to learn how to rein it in, because they are spending our children's future and they don't seem to be concerned about that. We are definitely concerned and we would just ask this government to do a much better job of managing the finances of this province because, like that one man in committee said the other day, he said, all I've got left in my pocket is lint and the government is soon going to be taking that. The purses and pockets of Manitobans can't take any more hits like this, and we certainly cannot support the government going out and borrowing money at these levels; that's irresponsible. Thank you.
Mr. Speaker: Is there any further debate? House ready for the question?
Some Honourable Members: Question.
Mr. Speaker: It's been moved by the honourable Minister of Finance, seconded by the honourable minister of Justice, that Bill 50, The Loan Act, 2013, be now read a second time and be referred to a Committee of the Whole.
Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?
Some Honourable Members: No.
Some Honourable Members: Agreed.
Mr. Speaker: I hear a no.
Voice Vote
Mr. Speaker: All those in favour of the motion, please signify by saying aye.
Some Honourable Members: Aye.
Mr. Speaker: All those opposed to the motion, please signify by saying nay.
Some Honourable Members: Nay.
Mr. Speaker: In the opinion of the Chair, the Ayes have it.
Mr. Kelvin Goertzen (Official Opposition House Leader): On division, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker: On division.
* * *
Mr. Speaker: We'll now resolve into the Committee of the Whole to consider and report on Bill 49, The Appropriation Act, 2013, and Bill 50, The Loan Act, 2013, for concurrence and third reading.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, please take the Chair.
Mr. Chairperson (Tom Nevakshonoff): Order. The Committee of the Whole will come to order to consider the following bills: Bill 49, The Appropriation Act, 2013, and Bill 50, The Loan Act, 2013.
In accordance with rule 76(3), as the 100 hours allotted for the consideration of Supply has expired, there will be no debate on these bills in this committee. During the consideration of these bills, the table of contents, the enacting clauses and the titles are postponed until all other clauses have been considered in their proper order.
Also, if there is agreement from the committee, I will call clauses in blocks that conform to pages.
Is that agreed? [Agreed]
The first bill for consideration is Bill 49, The Appropriation Act, 2013.
Mr. Chairperson: Shall clause 1 pass?
Some Honourable Members: Yes.
Some Honourable Members: No.
Mr. Chairperson: I hear a no.
Voice Vote
Mr. Chairperson: All those in favour of the motion will signify so by saying aye.
Some Honourable Members: Aye.
Mr. Chairperson: All those opposed, by saying nay.
Some Honourable Members: Nay.
Mr. Chairperson: In my opinion, the Ayes have it.
The clause is accordingly passed.
* * *
Mr. Chairperson: Shall clauses 2 through 5 pass?
Some Honourable Members: Yes.
Some Honourable Members: No.
Mr. Chairperson: I hear a no.
Voice Vote
Mr. Chairperson: All those in favour of passing clauses 2 through 5, shall say aye.
Some Honourable Members: Aye.
Mr. Chairperson: All those opposed, say nay.
Some Honourable Members: Nay.
Mr. Chairperson: In my opinion, the Ayes have it.
Clauses 2 through 5 are accordingly passed.
* * *
Mr. Chairperson: Shall clauses 6 and 7 pass?
Some Honourable Members: Yes.
Some Honourable Members: No.
Mr. Chairperson: I hear a no.
Voice Vote
Mr. Chairperson: All those in favour of passing clauses 6 and 7, please say aye.
Some Honourable Members: Aye.
Mr. Chairperson: All those opposed, say nay.
Some Honourable Members: Nay.
Mr. Chairperson: In my opinion, the Ayes have it.
Clauses 6 and 7 are accordingly passed.
* * *
Mr. Chairperson: Schedule–pass.
Shall the enacting clause pass?
Some Honourable Members: Yes.
Some Honourable Members: No.
Mr. Chairperson: I hear a no.
Voice Vote
Mr. Chairperson: All those in favour of passing the enacting clause, please say aye.
Some Honourable Members: Aye.
Mr. Chairperson: All those opposed, nay.
Some Honourable Members: Nay.
Mr. Chairperson: In my opinion, the Ayes have it.
The enacting clause is accordingly passed.
* * *
Mr. Chairperson: Title–pass.
Shall the bill be reported?
Some Honourable Members: Yes.
Some Honourable Members: No.
Mr. Chairperson: I hear a no.
Voice Vote
Mr. Chairperson: All those in favour of reporting the bill, please say aye.
Some Honourable Members: Aye.
Mr. Chairperson: All those opposed, nay.
Some Honourable Members: Nay.
Mr. Chairperson: In my opinion, the Ayes have it.
Mr. Kelvin Goertzen (Official Opposition House Leader): On division.
Mr. Chairperson: The bill will be reported on division.
* * *
Mr. Chairperson: The last bill for consideration is Bill 50, The Loan Act, 2013.
Mr. Chairperson: Shall clauses 1 and 2 pass?
Some Honourable Members: Yes.
Some Honourable Members: No.
Mr. Chairperson: I hear a no.
Voice Vote
Mr. Chairperson: All those in favour of passing clauses 1 and 2, signify so by saying aye.
Some Honourable Members: Aye.
Mr. Chairperson: All those opposed, say nay.
Some Honourable Members: Nay.
Mr. Chairperson: In my opinion, the Ayes have it.
Clauses 1 and 2 are accordingly passed.
* * *
Mr. Chairperson: Shall clauses 3 through 5 pass?
Some Honourable Members: Yes.
Some Honourable Members: No.
Mr. Chairperson: I hear a no.
Voice Vote
Mr. Chairperson: All those in favour of passing clauses 3 through 5, say aye.
Some Honourable Members: Aye.
Mr. Chairperson: All those opposed, say nay.
Some Honourable Members: Nay.
Mr. Chairperson: In my opinion, the Ayes have it.
Clauses 3 through 5 are accordingly passed.
* * *
Mr. Chairperson: Shall clauses 6 and 7 pass?
Some Honourable Members: Yes.
Some Honourable Members: No.
Mr. Chairperson: I hear a no.
Voice Vote
Mr. Chairperson: All those in favour of passing clauses 6 and 7, say aye.
Some Honourable Members: Aye.
Mr. Chairperson: Al those opposed, say nay.
Some Honourable Members: Nay.
Mr. Chairperson: In my opinion, the Ayes have it.
Clauses 6 and 7 are accordingly passed.
* * *
Mr. Chairperson: Shall the schedule be passed?
Some Honourable Members: Yes.
Some Honourable Members: No.
Mr. Chairperson: I hear a no.
Voice Vote
Mr. Chairperson: All those in favour of passing the schedule, say aye.
Some Honourable Members: Aye.
Mr. Chairperson: All those opposed, say nay.
Some Honourable Members: Nay.
Mr. Chairperson: In my opinion, the Ayes have it.
The schedule is accordingly passed.
* * *
Mr. Chairperson: Shall the enacting clause pass?
Some Honourable Members: Yes.
Some Honourable Members: No.
Mr. Chairperson: I hear a no.
Voice Vote
Mr. Chairperson: All those in favour of passing the enacting clause, say aye.
Some Honourable Members: Aye.
Mr. Chairperson: All those opposed, say nay.
Some Honourable Members: Nay.
Mr. Chairperson: In my opinion, the Ayes have it.
The enacting clause is accordingly passed.
* * *
Mr. Chairperson: Title–pass.
Shall the bill be reported?
Some Honourable Members: Yes.
Some Honourable Members: No.
Mr. Chairperson: I hear a no.
Voice Vote
Mr. Chairperson: All those in favour of reporting the bill, say aye.
Some Honourable Members: Aye.
Mr. Chairperson: All those opposed, say nay.
Some Honourable Members: Nay.
Mr. Chairperson: In my opinion, the Ayes have it.
Mr. Kelvin Goertzen (Official Opposition House Leader): On division.
Mr. Chairperson: On division. The bill will be reported on division.
* * *
Mr. Chairperson: That concludes the business before us.
Committee rise. Call in the Speaker.
* (16:10)
IN SESSION
Committee Report
Mr. Tom Nevakshonoff (Chairperson): Mr. Speaker, the Committee of the Whole has considered the following bills: Bill 49, The Appropriation Act, 2013, and Bill 50, The Loan Act, 2013, and reports the same without amendment.
I move, seconded by the honourable member for St. Norbert (Mr. Gaudreau), that the report of the committee be received.
Motion presented.
Mr. Speaker: Is that agreed?
Some Honourable Members: No.
Some Honourable Members: Agreed.
Mr. Speaker: I hear a no.
Voice Vote
Mr. Speaker: All those in favour of receiving the report of the committee will please signify by aye.
Some Honourable Members: Aye.
Mr. Speaker: All those opposed to receiving the report will please signify by saying nay.
Some Honourable Members: Nay.
Mr. Speaker: In the opinion of the Chair, the Ayes have it.
Mr. Kelvin Goertzen (Official Opposition House Leader): On division.
Mr. Speaker: On division.
Bill 50–The Loan Act, 2013
Hon. Jennifer Howard (Government House Leader): I move, seconded by the Minister of Finance (Mr. Struthers), that Bill 50, The Loan Act, 2013; Loi d'emprunt de 2013, be reported from the Committee of the Whole, be concurred in and be now read for a third time and passed.
Motion presented.
Mr. Speaker: Is there any debate?
An Honourable Member: Question.
Mr. Speaker: Question. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?
Some Honourable Members: Agreed.
Some Honourable Members: No.
Mr. Speaker: I hear a no.
Voice Vote
Mr. Speaker: All those in favour of adopting the motion will please signify by saying aye.
Some Honourable Members: Aye.
Mr. Speaker: All those opposed to the motion will please signify by saying nay.
Some Honourable Members: Nay.
Mr. Speaker: Opinion of the Chair, the Ayes have it.
Recorded Vote
Mr. Kelvin Goertzen (Official Opposition House Leader): Recorded vote, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker: Recorded vote having been requested, call in the members.
Order, please.
It's been moved by the honourable Minister of Finance (Mr. Struthers), seconded by the honourable Minister of Justice (Mr. Swan), that Bill 50, The Loan Act, 2013, reported from the Committee of the Whole, be concurred in and now read for a third time and passed.
Division
A RECORDED VOTE was taken, the result being as follows:
Yeas
Allan, Allum, Altemeyer, Bjornson, Braun, Caldwell, Chief, Chomiak, Crothers, Dewar, Gaudreau, Howard, Irvin‑Ross, Jha, Kostyshyn, Lemieux, Mackintosh, Maloway, Marcelino (Tyndall Park), Melnick, Nevakshonoff, Oswald, Pettersen, Rondeau, Saran, Selby, Selinger, Struthers, Swan, Whitehead, Wiebe, Wight.
Nays
Briese, Cullen, Driedger, Eichler, Ewasko, Friesen, Gerrard, Goertzen, Graydon, Helwer, Mitchelson, Pallister, Pedersen, Schuler, Smook, Stefanson, Wishart.
Clerk (Ms. Patricia Chaychuk): Yeas 32, Nays 17.
Mr. Speaker: The motion is accordingly carried.
Bill 49–The Appropriation Act, 2013
Hon. Jennifer Howard (Government House Leader): Maybe if I do this well, I'll get a hug too.
I move–by the Official Opposition House Leader (Mr. Goertzen) maybe–
I move, seconded by the Minister of Finance (Mr. Struthers), that Bill 49, The Appropriation Act, 2013; Loi de 2013 portant affectation de crédits, reported from the Committee of the Whole be concurred in and be now read for a third time and passed.
Mr. Speaker: It's been moved by the honourable–order, please.
Motion presented.
Mr. Speaker: House ready for the question?
You've heard–just heard the motion a moment ago. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?
Some Honourable Members: No.
Some Honourable Members: Agreed.
Mr. Speaker: I hear a no.
Voice Vote
Mr. Speaker: All those in favour of the motion, will please signify by saying aye.
Some Honourable Members: Aye.
Mr. Speaker: All those opposed to the motion, please signify by saying nay.
Some Honourable Members: Nay.
Mr. Speaker: Opinion of the Chair, the Ayes have it.
* * *
Mr. Kelvin Goertzen (Official Opposition House Leader): Recorded vote, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker: Recorded vote having been requested, call in the members.
* (16:30)
Division
A RECORDED VOTE was taken, the result being as follows:
Yeas
Allan, Allum, Altemeyer, Bjornson, Braun, Caldwell, Chief, Chomiak, Crothers, Dewar, Gaudreau, Howard, Irvin‑Ross, Jha, Kostyshyn, Lemieux, Mackintosh, Maloway, Marcelino (Tyndall Park), Melnick, Nevakshonoff, Oswald, Pettersen, Rondeau, Saran, Selby, Selinger, Struthers, Swan, Whitehead, Wiebe, Wight.
Nays
Briese, Cullen, Driedger, Eichler, Ewasko, Friesen, Gerrard, Goertzen, Graydon, Helwer, Mitchelson, Pallister, Pedersen, Schuler, Smook, Stefanson, Wishart.
Clerk (Ms. Patricia Chaychuk): Yeas 32, Nays 17.
Mr. Speaker: The motion is accordingly carried.
* * *
Hon. Jennifer Howard (Government House Leader): We're ready for royal assent. Perhaps we'll give leave to prepare the Chamber for royal assent.
Mr. Speaker: All right, is there leave of the House, we'll prepare for the royal assent and his arrival of His Honour? [Agreed]
Deputy Sergeant-at-Arms (Mr. Ray Gislason): His Honour the Lieutenant Governor.
His Honour Philip S. Lee, Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Manitoba, having entered the House and being seated on the throne, Mr. Speaker addressed His Honour the Lieutenant Governor in the following words:
Mr. Speaker: Your Honour:
The Legislative Assembly of Manitoba asks Your Honour to accept the following bills:
Clerk (Ms. Patricia Chaychuk):
Bill 49–The Appropriation Act, 2013; Loi de 2013 portant affectation de crédits
Bill 50–The Loan Act, 2013; Loi d'emprunt de 2013
In Her Majesty's name, the Lieutenant Governor thanks the Legislative Assembly and assents to these bills.
His Honour was then pleased to retire.
Mr. Speaker: Please be seated.
* (16:40)
Hon. Jennifer Howard (Government House Leader): Would you canvass the House to see if there is will to call it 5 o'clock?
Mr. Speaker: Is it the will of the House to call it 5 o'clock? [Agreed]
The hour being 5 p.m., this House is adjourned and stands adjourned until 10 a.m. tomorrow morning.