LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Mr. Speaker: Good afternoon, everyone. Please be seated.
ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS
Mr. Speaker: Seeing no bills, we'll move on to petitions. No petitions? Move on to–
Hon. Andrew Swan (Minister of Justice and Attorney General): I'm pleased to table the following report: The Discriminatory Business Practices Act annual report for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2013.
Mr. Speaker: Any further tabling of reports? Then we'll move on to ministerial statements. Seeing no ministerial statements–
Introduction of Guests
Mr. Speaker: I have some guests prior–that I'd like to introduce prior to oral questions.
And I'd like to draw the attention of honourable members to the public gallery where we have with us today Travis Fredborg, the Manitoba junior men's golf champion, and Dana Todd, Manitoba junior women's golf champion, along with their family members. On behalf of honourable members, we welcome you here this afternoon.
And also, I believe, in the Speaker's Gallery–or we will have shortly with us–Bah Manjit Singh, senior vice-president, Shuomany Abali Dal, and a member of the SGPC, who is the guest of the honourable member for The Maples (Mr. Saran)–I'm sure will be joining us momentarily. So I'd like to welcome him as well to our public–Speaker's Gallery in a bit later.
Also, that will include–conclude the guests for introduction. So we'll move now to–
Investment Alternatives
Mr. Brian Pallister (Leader of the Official Opposition): Well, Mr. Speaker, we know that the bipole waste–west–route is 500 kilometres longer. We know it's 25 per cent less effective at delivering hydroelectric power and it costs a billion dollars more.
Steven Page once said if he had a million dollars he could buy your love. And I think the Premier should consider that with a billion dollars he might be able to buy a lot of love too.
I know he loves ribbon cuttings, and so let's consider for a second what we could do with a billion dollars. We could repave every provincial road, Mr. Speaker. We could eliminate child poverty, eliminate health-care waiting lists, lose the title murder capital of Canada, build a stronger, healthier and safer province.
With all the great things we could do with a billion dollars, why would we squander it on the bipole west route?
Hon. Greg Selinger (Premier): I know the Leader of the Opposition would not want to mislead the public in any way about capital spending being available for general purpose spending in the main budget; he knows that's not the case.
The reality is this. The bipole–[interjection] The reality is this, Mr. Speaker. It's very unlikely the bipole would ever be built on the east side given the opposition to it and the tremendous damage it would do to the potential for preserving the boreal forest as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
We do know that there's a well-advanced process of consultation on the west side. We do know that the Canadian economy is growing very strongly in western Canada. We do know that we have customers that are asking for a product to be delivered in terms of clean energy by a certain date. And we do know, Mr. Speaker, that the Manitoba economy requires more reliable transmission capacity in order to ensure that the existing two bipoles have backup power for a $62-billion economy in Manitoba.
If the leader had his way and shut down the bipole project, the Manitoba economy would be at risk.
Mr. Pallister: And if the Premier has his will–way, we'll be building bipole IV real soon because Bipole III won't work. It doesn't as effective as it would be on the east side; it's 25 per cent less effective. For the same money, no. For a billion dollars more, it's less effective. What sense does that make?
There's only one taxpayer's pocket, and the Premier tries to split hairs, but he knows that with a billion dollars in the hands of Manitobans, we could be a stronger province. He understands that we could flood proof the whole province. He understands and should understand we could reduce income taxes by 5 per cent for a 10-year period. We could eliminate the need for a PST hike. We could eliminate the impediment of red tape. We could reduce the municipal infrastructure deficit by a full 10 per cent. We could reduce the out-migration of enterprising Manitobans. We could create a more favourable tax climate and foster growth. In short, we could build a stronger province.
Why don't we put the route down the east side, take the billion dollars and do these wonderful things for a stronger Manitoba?
Mr. Selinger: Mr. Speaker, there is–a billion dollars of capital expenditure does not translate into programs and services on the general operating side.
What really happens, if the Leader of the Opposition has his way, we would run out of power by 2020. We would not have sufficient transmission capacity for the new generation that we'd need to build and the Manitoba economy would go into a nosedive with the higher market rates, which the leader is–has–his political party has supported from day one. We need to build transmission for additional reliability in Manitoba. When you have a $62-billion economy, a one-week reduction in transmission in Manitoba would cost you over a billion dollars a week.
They had an opportunity in 1997, when the two existing bipoles almost went down, to do something about it. They diverted their attention to privatizing the telephone system where we now have among the highest rates in the country.
Manitoba Hydro has among the lowest rates in the country, and by building it for export we will keep the lowest rates in the country and the lowest rates in North America, and to do that we need transmission.
Mr. Pallister: Well, of course, building an unnecessarily expensive bipole west line will force the rates up for Manitobans and they will pay higher hydro rates.
The Premier's doomsday scenario about Manitobans being in the dark doesn't worry any Manitobans. They're not in the dark. The only people in the dark are over there, Mr. Speaker, and they're proposing to waste a billion dollars on a route only they want to sell Manitobans on. But they don't want it researched; they don't want it looked at.
Let's appeal to their self-interest. This billion dollars could actually pay 192 NDP communications staff salaries for 80 years, Mr. Speaker. It could be their Cabinet salaries for 400 years and it could give that lazy political party a vote tax for 4,000 years, or we could raise the basic exemption to the average of the Canadian provinces for the next 20 years and leave money in the hands of working Manitobans and their families and we could eliminate the bipole surcharge that overcharges Manitobans for the next 20 years to come.
Instead of wasting the billion dollars, Mr. Speaker, why don't we do that?
Mr. Selinger: Mr. Speaker, the entire premise of the Leader of the Opposition's question is false; there is no guarantee.
If he wishes to proceed to build a bipole down the east side, it's almost certain that it would not only not get built but it would be more expensive. He only has to take a look at what happened when the government of Newfoundland tried to build transmission through the Gros Morne UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was stopped dead in its tracks and they had to reroute that. He only has to take a look at what happened when they tried to build transmission through Banff National Park. It was stopped dead in its tracks.
We have a clear plan to build Manitoba Hydro. The Leader of the Opposition, he says, has–says stop building Manitoba Hydro. We have a clear plan to build more transmission. He wants to stop building more transmission. When we run out of power and we don't have any transmission, that is the doomsday scenario for Manitoba. That is the vision of the Leader of the Opposition, stop everything in its tracks, just like he wanted to do on the floodway.
We're going to build the floodway. We're going to build Manitoba Hydro. We're going to build transmission. We're going to build a–
Mr. Speaker: Order, please. The First Minister's time has expired.
Route Selection Process
Mr. Ron Schuler (St. Paul): This Premier's (Mr. Selinger) idea of truth is a–before the last election, he went out and he committed to no PST increase. The first thing he did is he came into this House and he raised the PST, amongst other taxes. We need no lessons on truth from this Premier.
The Minister responsible for Manitoba Hydro said yesterday, and I re–and I quote: The report in the section that the member cites talks about the three options on the side of the province to consider the site, not talking about the overall east side or west side in that particular reference.
I ask the minister: Wasn't it the duty of the CEC to look at all sites? Wasn't it their duty to consider all the factors?
* (13:40)
Hon. Dave Chomiak (Minister charged with the administration of The Manitoba Hydro Act): Mr. Speaker, I think it's the duty of the member to read the entire report, because yesterday he cited page 35 and he cited a quotation on page 35 that addressed the sites A, B and C that were considered by the CEC. What he ought to consider is the entire report that said we ought to build, we should have a licence in order to build the bipole.
And why are we building the bipole? Because of reliability. And why do we need reliability? Because there was a storm in '97 and the lines were down. If there's another storm and we lose power, we could put the entire province at risk.
Further, Mr. Speaker, we are the only province–we are one of only three provinces that have hydroelectric power, and it's no coincidence that the three lowest costs for power in all the country are all the provinces have–that have hydro. We have hydro to build not only for the United States but for Canada as well.
Mr. Speaker: Order, please.
Mr. Schuler: Getting a lesson on reading from this minister who talks about oil mining–we need no lessons from him either.
Mr. Speaker, the CEC was very clear in their entire report–which I read and I recommend he does the same–and it said the site selection process was flawed by a combination of subjectivity, lack of clarity and false precision. However, they only had the option of one route that the bipole line could take and that was the west route which was forced upon them by this minister and the NDP government.
The question stands. Wouldn't it have been the duty of the CEC to be able to look at all routes and then come up with a recommendation, where they were only allowed to look at one route which was forced upon them by the NDP?
Mr. Chomiak: Mr. Speaker, the CEC made eight route adjustments. They had 28 criteria they were looking at, and there's three subroutes they were looking at. The member is so wrong that I'm not even going to bother dealing with the preamble.
But I want to tell you, Mr. Speaker, that we are going to run out of power in 2022. The members opposite have done everything in their power to stop Manitoba Hydro. Why? They did the same thing with MTS. They said MTS couldn't spend money on capital. MTS went to the private market to get capital. That's why we–that's why it's privatized. That's why it has higher rates than Manitoba Hydro. Look at the example. Look at the contrast: MTS, privatized, highest rates; Manitoba, publicly owned, lowest rates in the country, lowest rates going into the future and providing clean power. I'd rather have that than their [inaudible]
Mr. Schuler: I'm glad to see the NDP–I'm glad to see the backbench NDP, the clappers, will clap at any kind of a rant, because that's all that was, was a rant, and this is a very serious issue, Mr. Speaker.
And I'd like to point out to the minister that he might have given them all kinds of criteria but the east side was not one of them. So the CEC could never look at what the east-side route would look as compared to a west-side route, and the minister forced them to look at one criteria and that was the west side.
I will ask him again and then he can go on one of his silly rants again. Did the CEC not have the duty to look at both sides when they were making a recommendation, Mr. Speaker, or is he just going to stand up and do one of those silly rants which he seems to do all the time?
Mr. Chomiak: Mr. Speaker, there's nothing silly about providing for the future of Manitoba. There's nothing silly about doing a World Heritage Site on the east side of Lake Manitoba that'll be there for generations. There's nothing silly about providing for the lowest cost hydro in Canada. There's nothing silly about providing one hundred per cent clean, green energy not only for Manitoba but for Saskatchewan, for Minnesota and for Wisconsin.
What's silly is members opposite's position that they want to privatize, they want to go back to coal and oil and they forget to look at modern science that says climate change is here. We need Manitoba's clean energy. We need Manitoba Hydro. We need it for our children. We need it for the future. That's important.
Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh.
Mr. Speaker: Order, please. Order, please.
The honourable member for Arthur-Virden has the floor.
Environmental Review Process
Mr. Larry Maguire (Arthur-Virden): Well, Mr. Speaker, what's important is that we don't jeopardize the future of Manitoba while this minister's on his rant.
The Clean Environment Commission Bipole III report indicated the process for environmental review was flawed and stated in its opening that the commission would've been justifiable in rejecting the environmental impact statement and sending the proponent to start over. Even though the NDP have been told many times to enhance the review process, they haven't listened, Mr. Speaker, to these multiple calls for improvement.
So I ask the Minister of Conservation today: Will he fix the environmental review process as the Clean Environment Commission recommended once again in their Bipole III report?
Hon. Gord Mackintosh (Minister of Conservation and Water Stewardship): Well, Mr. Speaker, the overriding point I'm compelled to make is the Conservatives in government never did any environmental assessments of hydro projects. Why? Because they did no hydro projects. They don't do hydro.
Keeyask Project
Mr. Maguire: I guess that was a no answer.
Mr. Speaker, last July 6th–that's 2012–the minister received Hydro's environmental impact statement, and applications for the participant status in Keeyask's environmental review ended on February the 15th. Surely he knew that his NDP government was supporting a flawed process.
So I ask the minister: Before the Keeyask public consultations begin, will he fix the review system, or, in spite of his knowledge of a flawed process, does he still intend to ram the Keeyask process–or review, pardon me, through as well?
Mr. Mackintosh: Well, Mr. Speaker, last June, the Premier (Mr. Selinger) and I announced TomorrowNow-Manitoba's Green Plan, and in there we said that the environmental assessment process should be reviewed and consultations should begin by 2015. We opened that up for public debate and responses. Despite hundreds of responses, I never heard a peep from the member that just asked the question.
But, Mr. Speaker, as a result of the continued interest in this–and I think there's a compelling case to be made for strengthening our environmental assessment process–we're going to move that up and begin that work this winter. But we're not waiting for then; we announced just last week enhancements to the environmental assessment process as well.
Mr. Maguire: Well, Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Conservation is still reneging on his responsibilities by continuing to ignore all of these previous recommendations for the process of change. He talks about change, but there's no implementation. He just makes excuses for why he hasn't done it already. Last November 16th the minister indicated–initiated, rather, the CEC review of the Keeyask project.
Is he still going to let the Keeyask CEC hearings proceed until his flawed–under his flawed process, or will he now implement the CEC's recommendations directed to him from the Bipole III report?
Mr. Mackintosh: So the CEC said we should talk–listen to environmental assessment practitioners, and we'll do that. We'll begin that process in the months ahead.
But in the meantime we will look for other improvements to the environmental assessment regime under current regulations that last week–and I'm pleased to advise the House–that we announced that we would be bringing in state-of-the-art online registry services for environmental assessment in Manitoba. It will be equal to any offered in this country.
And, as well, for subscribers, we introduced last week an automatic email notification because there have been concerns about the publication of environmental assessment applications in the past. So we're moving ahead already.
Sexual Abuse Case Concern
Mrs. Leanne Rowat (Riding Mountain): Yesterday in question period the Minister of Family Services confirmed that she only learned of a serious incidence of sexual abuse because of a media report. This young person cried out for help but was ignored by the agency charged with his safety.
In November 2010 the minister said, we are changing The Child and Family Services Act to reinforce the principle that child safety is paramount when determining the best interests of a child. Three years have gone by and nothing has changed.
Mr. Speaker, why did the minister only become aware of such a serious breach of child safety through the media?
Hon. Jennifer Howard (Minister of Family Services and Labour): My understanding is that the allegations that were made that the agency didn't act appropriately were made in court on Friday. I became aware of those allegations on Sunday. I asked for the branch to work with the authority to work–to interview the agency and discover what had happened, discover if there was truth to these allegations, and if–because they're very serious allegations–and if there were truth to those serious allegations that we needed to take action to make sure that we–that the agency knew that they had a responsibility to take those allegations seriously.
So Friday, allegations made; Sunday, I'm aware; Monday, we act.
* (13:50)
Mrs. Rowat: Mr. Speaker, the minister said yesterday, and I quote: It's our expectation that every agency has a responsibility under the law to take sexual abuse very seriously. Well, this did not happen. This situation has many alleged victims who did not receive the safety and support the minister is obligated by law to provide. Obviously, the minister was kept in the dark.
Who in the southern authority knew of this horrendous situation, when did they find out and what did they do about it?
Ms. Howard: As I said previously, when these allegations were made and I became aware of them, we immediately asked the branch to work with the southern authority. I am informed that the southern authority has started those interviews with the agency, with the staff where these allegations are made. They are going to complete those interviews. We're going to get the facts in this situation, and we'll be able to take appropriate action when we have those facts.
The allegation that a child-welfare worker would knowingly ignore a claim of sexual abuse is extremely serious. The law is very clear that anyone who has knowledge of a child being harmed has a responsibility to report and to act.
If that has happened, we want to know about it and we want to act to make sure that it doesn't happen again, and that's exactly the work that is ongoing, Mr. Speaker.
Mrs. Rowat: Mr. Speaker, in 2010 the Premier (Mr. Selinger) of this province said, and I quote: We have to provide resources at the community level for families and children to be able to–healthy lives.
Mr. Speaker, this government and this minister let down this family, and now we have several alleged victims of sexual assault. Obviously, the minister and this government failed to protect these children.
I ask the minister: If she didn't know of this situation, who in her department did and what did they do about it? Mr. Speaker, we have the busiest child-welfare system in the country, and she can't control her department and ensure that children are safe?
Ms. Howard: Well, Mr. Speaker, we've spoken before about the resources that we have put in place to ensure that there are resources at the community level. We've put in place new resources so that social workers have the best tools in place so that they can help children and families. We've put in place a new system to help recognize when families are struggling and get help to them as soon as possible so we don’t have to have a situation where more children are apprehended.
These allegations that have been made are extremely serious. We acted as soon as we were aware of them, and that action is ongoing. We will find out what happened in this situation, and we'll take the appropriate action if it is true that this has happened. But right now what we have to do is find out what happened, what actions were taken and what we can do to fix the situation, and that's what we're–
Mr. Speaker: Order, please. The minister's time has expired.
Relocation
Mrs. Bonnie Mitchelson (River East): But it's my understanding that charges were laid several months ago. This was the child that was in the care of Child and Family Services off and on.
Mr. Speaker, the southern authority was in a state of chaos back in October of 2012. The department took the unprecedented step of moving the deputy of Family Services into the southern authority as the administrator.
What was going on that was so terribly wrong that that unprecedented step had to be taken?
Hon. Jennifer Howard (Minister of Family Services and Labour): Well, as I recall at the time, it was clear that what had happened is that there had been a situation where the number of board members that were required to ensure that the authority was being governed had fallen under the three that were required by law to maintain quorum. The CEO of the southern authority wrote to me and explained that, in her opinion, the way to ensure the safety of children was for us to immediately move to appoint an administrator. The person who was immediately available and the best qualified to do that was the deputy minister.
When the–when a senior official from a child-welfare authority writes to me and asks me to act in order to ensure the safety of children because the governance of that agency is not in a state that it can do that job, I'm going to take action immediately and I'm going to take it with the people that are available to me, and that's why the deputy was sent in.
Government Knowledge
Mrs. Bonnie Mitchelson (River East): Mr. Speaker, in order for a case to come before the courts, there are allegations. There are allegations in this circumstance that happened many months ago.
Mr. Speaker, did anyone in the authority have any information on what was happening to this terrible–in this terrible situation, or did they all have their heads buried in the sand?
Hon. Jennifer Howard (Minister of Family Services and Labour): As I said before, Mr. Speaker, my understanding that the allegation that was made that there were complaints made to the agency that were not acted upon, that allegation was made on Friday publicly. That allegation was made in an open court setting.
When we became aware of that, what we did was to contact the southern authority to ask them to begin an investigation with the agency to find out what happened. That investigation is ongoing. As we understand those allegations, as we understand what happened, we'll be able to take action to remedy the situation. That is our plan and that's how we will go forward.
Mrs. Mitchelson: Well, and again, allegations of extreme sexual abuse had happened in order for this case to even come before the courts, and it may have only got to the courts on Friday, but those allegations were there for some time previous to that. Mr. Speaker, the minister's own deputy was in charge of the authority that was responsible for the agency where these allegations occurred.
What did the deputy know, and did he not pass that on to the minister? Where's the chain of responsibility and accountability for the vulnerable children that are under her watch under law?
Ms. Howard: Well, again, Mr. Speaker, I will repeat that the allegation was made on Friday that action–[interjection] The allegation was made on Friday that action that should have been taken by the agency wasn't taken. That is the allegation that is under review by the southern authority with the agency to find out what happened, what actions were taken by the agency.
If the appropriate actions weren't taken, we want to know that because we want to make sure that they understand their responsibilities and they're acting seriously. The allegation that an agency would know about sexual abuse, would have complaints about that and would deliberately not act is a very serious allegation. We're taking it seriously. We're getting to the bottom of it so we can take appropriate action.
Housing for Evacuees
Mrs. Heather Stefanson (Tuxedo): Well, the fact of the matter is, Mr. Speaker, that the department has known, and her department has known for more than seven months about these allegations and that–the minister doesn't seem to know anything about this. She's not–is she not in charge of her department?
Mr. Speaker, in 2011 this NDP government flooded families out of their homes in Lake St. Martin First Nation. Two years later these families are still out of their homes with no end in sight. The Minister of Aboriginal and Northern Affairs himself said, and I quote, these families have been out of their homes for far too long, end quote.
Some of these families have been living at Misty Lake Lodge, which we learned yesterday will be forced out of business in this province as a result of this government's mismanagement of the 2011 flood.
What is the minister doing to ensure that these families have a home to go to today?
Hon. Eric Robinson (Minister of Aboriginal and Northern Affairs): I'm grateful for the question from the member.
First of all, let me explain that we have working groups working with each of the four nations that are located on the east side of the Fairford control structure. We have a working group working with the Pinaymootang First Nation, the Lake St. Martin First Nation, Little Saskatchewan First Nation and the Dauphin River First Nation.
These issues are very complex and, as a matter of fact, relating to this issue, I will be talking with the federal Minister of Aboriginal Affairs later on today.
Mrs. Stefanson: Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Aboriginal and Northern Affairs said, and I quote, two years is totally unacceptable for over 2,000 people that are still out of their homes, and that was some time ago. We agree. These families are still out of their homes as a result of this government's mismanagement of the 2011 flood, and two years later they are still out of their homes.
Now it seems, with the closing of Misty Lake Lodge, that these families will be forced to move yet again.
What is the NDP government doing to ensure that these families will be back in their new permanent homes so they don't need to be uprooted again unnecessarily?
* (14:00)
Mr. Robinson: Well, it's a little more–let me say, Mr. Speaker, that it's a little more complex than the way the member is describing. We've been working with the–[interjection] I don't think anybody likes the idea of two years for people to be out of their homes. We don't feel good about it and I'm sure the people don't feel good about it. The federal government doesn't feel good about it. Nobody feels good about it, but that's the way it's worked out, unfortunately, and if the member would listen, I'll explain what we've been doing.
We've been working closely with the First Nations leadership and the federal government to get the people back to their homes and to rebuild communities on higher ground. That's what we've been doing.
But there's a lot of factors to consider here, Mr. Speaker, including the consideration of the RM of Grahamdale, among other issues, and the First Nations leadership and–
Mr. Speaker: Order, please. The minister's time has expired.
Mrs. Stefanson: Mr. Speaker, and with respect, I have been listening to what this minister has been saying, and what he has been saying repeatedly is that they have been out of their homes for too long. We agree. But the fact is that actions speak louder than words, and we see this government not taking the actions necessary to get these people back in their homes.
Mr. Speaker, when will they ensure that there will be a place for these people to go? If there is no place for them to go, they will be homeless at the end of August.
Mr. Robinson: Well, I think that the member is confusing two issues here.
First of all, she's talking about the Misty Lake Lodge, which have indicated that they're going to be shutting their doors on the 1st of September. That's another issue and I can't comment on that because–[interjection] Mr. Speaker, I'm trying to answer a question for the benefit of these members who rarely ask a question of Aboriginal interest. But I'm glad that they're finally joining us in feeling that Aboriginal people are a part of the province of Manitoba.
First of all, we have to deal and make sure that the First Nations leadership are happy with the location, and there's a number of other areas, including land selection, on the part of Lake St. Martin. And we have purchased land on the north side of the Highway 513. At the same time, we have lake–Little Saskatchewan First Nation who have selected land that they own on the–in the RM of Grahamdale, and that has to be converted to reserve status by the federal government.
So it's not as easy as it may sound, Mr. Speaker. In fact, there's a lot of difficult issues that we have to work through, and my government–our government has done a good job in doing that, in my view.
Therapeutic Resources
Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Mr. Speaker, we recently heard of an 18-year-old male in the care of Child and Family Services who was sexually abused as a child and, presumably due to insufficient prevention intervention, became in turn an abuser.
This cycle of abuse was identified in the 1987 report of Sigurdson and Reid, who said that between the ages of 15 and 16 the victim, without appropriate counselling treatment, often emerged as a perpetrator. The report added, and I quote, therapy resources for abused children are glaringly inadequate.
I ask the minister: Why are therapy resources for children and families still deficient so that the cycle of abuse continues time and time again?
Hon. Greg Selinger (Premier): I thank the Leader of the Liberal Party for the question. It is an important issue, providing therapeutic resources to people that have been the victims of sexual abuse so that they can properly deal with that and not in turn become perpetrators themselves.
Resources have been put in place, Mr. Speaker. We have put resources in place not only for therapeutic work but preventive work as well. The overall budget in the department of child and family services, in the child-welfare area, has actually doubled.
Resources are in place. Issues are large, and more resources will be committed as appropriate to work exactly with these kinds of issues, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Gerrard: Mr. Speaker, the government has known for at least 26 years that if a child who is abused doesn't receive appropriate therapy, he or she may in turn become an abuser. The government, knowing about this problem, as Sigurdson and Reid pointed out, has the responsibility to intervene and to act to break the cycle and to prevent future abuse.
The only reason we know of this case is that the abuser himself came forward, and surely the government shouldn't expect a victim of abuse to recognize and report when they themselves are repeating the cycle.
How will this minister or the Premier change the government's passive approach to one of active and conscious programming to break this cycle of abuse right away?
Mr. Selinger: It is an important question, Mr. Speaker, and that is one of the reasons we put resources available to Tracia's Trust to deal with the victims of sexual abuse. We put additional resources in place for men that have been the victims of sexual abuse. These resources make a difference when people are trying to deal with the abuse that they've experienced, and in turn we want to help them address those issues of abuse without themselves becoming perpetrators in the future and continuing the cycle of abuse throughout the system and throughout our communities. That's why Tracia's Trust was put in place. That's why we put additional therapeutic resources in place.
And I only repeat, once again, these questions are important, but it's also important the leader of the opposition Liberal Party and the leader of the Progressive Conservative Party actually support resources in the budget when we put these resources available in the Legislature and ask for the money to do the job that is necessary. We will continue to take a forward-looking approach on this; members opposite always vote against it.
Mr. Gerrard: Mr. Speaker, the cycle of abuse continues. On the 18th day of this emergency sitting, our child-welfare system continues to be in a state of emergency.
The Premier, who has a Ph.D. in social policy from the London School of Economics–not, of course, an economic degree–should at least be expected to get the social issues right even if he's failing on the economic ones. After almost 14 years of his government, we still struggle with an increasing number of children being taken into care because the government hasn't been able or hasn't acted to break the cycle of abuse.
I ask the Premier what immediate actions he will take today to ensure the child-welfare system breaks this cycle so that those who are abused are helped so they do not in turn become abusers.
Mr. Selinger: Mr. Speaker, we have made several very specific commitments to stop the cycle of violence.
First of all, we've made very significant investments in early childhood development in Manitoba, and there were some excellent news reports this weekend about the abecedarian approach we're taking in the inner city with families where significant improvements have been made. And they've seen not only improved scores in education and in IQ tests but also improved scores in terms of how children get along.
In our public school system, we have put new instruments in place that teach children how to resolve conflict without 'resol'–victimizing each other, and we're already getting good results on this, Mr. Speaker. We're seeing a reduction in–of violent conflict in classrooms and on the playgrounds. We are doing that in the child-welfare system as well.
As I mentioned, we have Tracia's Trust. We're doing that with our After School Leaders program. We're doing that with our Right to Play program, which we just announced last week in two First Nations communities in Manitoba, Fisher River as well as another very significant community that wants to participate with us in that.
And all of these investments are intended to help young people–
Mr. Speaker: Order, please. The First Minister's time has expired.
Program Launch
Ms. Melanie Wight (Burrows): I was just out on doorsteps on Saturday and one of the things that came up are, what are we doing to reach out to our youngest children in our communities early in order to help the kids reach their full potential?
So I would like to ask the Minister of Children and Youth Opportunities to tell us about a dialogue that was just launched with the government and the United Way on this.
Hon. Kevin Chief (Minister of Children and Youth Opportunities): I'm very proud to let all members of the House know–and, of course, I'm always seeking advice from everyone in the community, including members opposite–that we launched the Starting Early, Starting Strong public dialogue in early childhood development. We launched it in partnership with many of our partners over the years, of course, one being the United Way, who hosted the event, health professionals, teachers, educators, academics, our Aboriginal leaders, non-profit organizations, of course, our community members, Winnipeg Poverty Reduction Council. Actually, in fact, we got a big endorsement from Dave Angus of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce on our approach in early childhood development.
We also announced $4.5 million into the Healthy Baby program. It serves thousands of women all throughout the province.
We continue to invest in early childhood development. They're incredibly effective programs, and the Starting Early, Starting Strong public dialogue will help us improve on those programs year after year after year.
Legality
Mr. Cliff Graydon (Emerson): Mr. Speaker, in Thursday's Winnipeg Free Press, Sean Roberts, a government employee with Manitoba Liquor Mart, explains that he's now in a position where he has to defend this government's decision to raise the illegal PST on hard-working Manitobans.
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Mr. Speaker, why is this government forcing their employees to defend their illegal actions?
Hon. Stan Struthers (Minister of Finance): Well, Mr. Speaker, it was very clear that we followed the same process that has been followed year after year after year after year after year in presenting budgets and in making sure that all that very pertinent information is sent out to every vendor in this province. We did all of the routine kinds of things that is done every year. And when it comes to budgets, we went over and above that by mailing out and contacting 38,000 in addition to the vendors to make sure they understood exactly what was to happen on July 1st.
We're going to collect the revenue and we're going to invest it in infrastructure in this province, Mr. Speaker, because Manitoba families depend on us to do that.
Mr. Graydon: Mr. Speaker, this government's illegal actions are affecting their employees, and each and every one of them now have to defend the fact that this government lied. Sean Roberts is one of these employees who's had to defend this decision to each and every taxpayer he comes in contact with.
Mr. Speaker, how many government employees, outside of their 192 communicators, employed to defend their illegal actions?
Mr. Struthers: What's worrying employees of the government, Mr. Speaker, is when the Leader of the Opposition gets up and says he's going to put a chill on hiring in the civil service–a chill.
But Manitoba families, and Manitoba families whose incomes depend on the government, what they worry about is when the Leader of the Opposition gets up and says he's going to cut across the board, Mr. Speaker, indiscriminate cuts to every single department, $550-million worth of cuts across the board to every department. That's what Manitoba families are worried about.
Mr. Graydon: Mr. Speaker, what worries Manitobans is 83 per cent of Manitobans believe that the government should reduce their spending before they start taxing other people.
Mr. Speaker, the article Mr. Roberts wrote is actually a paid advertisement which is bought and paid for out of the government's illegal actions account. The NDP is now employing front-line government employees to defend their illegal actions. This is on top of their 192 communicators which are also being used to defend every other illegal action.
Mr. Speaker, when will this government do the right thing, call a referendum and stop their employees from defending this illegal action?
Mr. Struthers: Bit of a crazy supposition on the part of the member for Emerson (Mr. Graydon), Mr. Speaker. He gets up and talks about this government and why we're not cutting. We announced we were going to amalgamate 11 RHAs down to five, and he complained about that. We announced that we're going to merge two Crown corporations in the last budget; he got up and complained about that. We have taken on measures to find in-year savings of $128 million, and he complained about that. This is typical opposition; they want it both ways. Well, you know what? They can't have it both ways.
I'm going to remind every Manitoba, every Manitoba family, over and over again what their leader has said, and that is that they're going to cut $550 million out of health care–
Mr. Speaker: Order, please. The minister's time has expired.
Time for oral questions has expired.
Introduction of Guests
Mr. Speaker: And before I move on to the next order of business today, I want to direct honourable members' attention to the Speaker's Gallery where we have the guests with us that were introduced earlier today. I'd like to, on behalf of all honourable members, welcome you here this afternoon.
Order of Manitoba
Mr. Brian Pallister (Leader of the Official Opposition): Yesterday, I had the great honour and privilege of attending the Order of Manitoba investiture ceremonies held at the Legislative Assembly, and it gives me great pleasure, on behalf of our party, to extend congratulations to the 13 new members who were inducted into that order for outstanding achievements: David Chartrand, Dr. Francis Doyle, Olga Fuga, Helen Granger Young, George Nicholos Heshka, Dr. Tse Li Luk, Diane Redsky, H. Sanford–Sandy–Riley, Dr. Allan Ronald, Richard J. Scott, Ray St. Germain, Miriam Toews and Eleanor Woitowicz.
The order, established in 1999, is the highest honour in the province of Manitoba, and this award pays tribute to Manitobans who exemplify the highest civic virtues and whose excellence in achievements have benefited the social, cultural and economic well-being of the province and its residents. The order recognizes people in all sectors of Manitoba's society. Their contributions are varied, yet they have all enriched the lives of others and made a difference to this province.
Mr. Speaker, this year's recipients came from a diversity of fields, including medicine, education, culture, photography, Aboriginal rights, music, literature, law, and politics. I'm delighted to offer my congratulations to so many notable Manitobans who've made such important and diverse contributions to Manitoba society.
We're truly honoured to have so many outstanding recipients, and it's a proud moment for all of those who've been recognized and their families for their efforts at making Manitoba an even greater province.
Mr. Speaker, I'd like to ask all members of the House to rise and congratulate the 13 newest recipients of the Order of Manitoba. All of these Manitobans have made significant contributions toward the betterment of our society and of our province, and I know we would all like to congratulate them for this well-deserved recognition.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Travis Fredborg and Dana Todd
Mr. Gregory Dewar (Selkirk): Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Travis Fredborg and Dana Todd who won the 2013 Men's and Women's junior curling–Junior Golf Championship held at Selkirk and Elmhurst earlier this month, and they join us here in the gallery.
Mr. Speaker, both of these young people have been very successful golfers for several years, winning tournaments in Manitoba and across the country. Last year both of these individuals were runners-up in this championship, and that's positive proof that with dedication and hard work you can achieve anything.
Mr. Speaker, I had the chance to join them over lunch with the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, the Minister for Sport, and I'm very impressed with these two young athletes. We were able to present them with a Star Blanket. They're both eligible to play in the Canada Summer Games, but Dana is going down to Oklahoma to attend golf on a golf scholarship, and Travis Fredborg is from–a student at the Selkirk high school, and he will be going to Québec to represent our province at the Summer Canada Games. And he hopes to continue his golfing either at university or college.
Mr. Speaker, I've had the opportunity to golf with Travis, and we played together in the Selkirk Pro-Am. He easily beat me. In fact, he also beat our pro, but achieving such a high level of play, of course, is a difficult process. It takes many hours of practice.
These two young athletes are excellent role models for other people, and I want to ask all members in this Chamber to join me in congratulating them and wishing the best of luck in their future endeavours.
Celebrating Philippine Independence
Mr. Larry Maguire (Arthur-Virden): Mr. Speaker, every year since June 12, 1898, Philippine communities around the world celebrate the great–the gift of freedom, the independence of the Philippine Islands from the colonial rule of Spain. This year marks their 115th anniversary. June 12th holds a special place in the hearts of many Manitobans and was celebrated June 8th to the 15th with Philippine Heritage Week. This year's theme was Celebrating Our Families.
Mr. Speaker, I along with my colleagues from Emerson, Portage la Prairie, and River East were honoured to attend the Philippine Independence Ball hosted by the Philippine Heritage Council of Manitoba on Friday, February 14th, in the Skyview Ballroom at the Marlborough Hotel. The entertainment for the evening included a cultural dance by members from the Magdaragat Philippines, Inc., and a solo rendition by Yvonne Dandan and a AKA Aypilipino in Ballet by Micaela Claro. It was an enjoyable evening for all who attended. I would like to congratulate the organizers for an excellent celebratory evening.
The Philippine Heritage Council of Manitoba, Inc. is a non-profit, cultural group of representatives from over 35 member organizations and individuals within the Philippine Canadian community in Winnipeg. They work actively to commemorate and celebrate the Philippines' independence.
Mr. Speaker, the Philippine community started in Manitoba with the immigration of four nurses coming to Winnipeg to work at the Misericordia Hospital in 1959. Now, after 54 years, there are more than 65,000 Filipinos living in Manitoba.
Mr. Speaker, as the MLA for Arthur-Virden, I wish to take this opportunity to welcome the Filipinos now living and working in Arthur-Virden, and to thank all Filipinos for choosing to make Manitoba your home and for the many contributions that you and your families make to our province every day.
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First Nation and Metis Graduates in Swan River
Hon. Ron Kostyshyn (Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives): Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and it's a great honour to recognize a number of individuals from the Swan River constituency and outside the area. With the school year over, now is when we recognize our students with successes and wish them all the best in their future. This year, I was particularly proud of the number of First Nation Metis graduates in Swan River constituency. Across our constituency we celebrated a success of over 120 graduating students from different communities. Examples such as Grand Rapids, Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation, Easterville, Chemawawin Cree Nation, Pine Creek First Nation, Duck Bay, Camperville, Sapotaweyak Cree Nation, Pelican Rapids, Barrows, Crane River, O-Chi-Chak-Ko-Sipi First Nation, Winnipegosis and Swan River Valley area.
Our young people have much potential, Mr. Speaker. These are students who have proven that they can make accomplishments, anything that they put their minds to doing. Many of these students will go on further with their education at post-secondary institutions throughout Manitoba including the University of Manitoba, University of Winnipeg, University College of the North. The Swan Valley Adult Education and Swan River Friendship Centre adult education programs also had 16 First Nation and Metis graduates this year, proving that learning is indeed a lifetime long pursuit.
Education is a foundation of our society. By working to get an education, these students are helping to build not just their home communities but all of Manitoba. Of course, we should remember the differences that support from different family members and family makes–it takes a village to raise a child, and I would like to thank all the friends, the families and teachers and, as well, the chiefs, the councils, community leaders, who have helped and supported these students along their way.
On behalf of all honourable members, I congratulate these students on their success. I look forward to where they will be and make a continue in innovative paths in their individual choices of life.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Vintage Cruisers Car Club
Mr. Ian Wishart (Portage la Prairie): The Vintage Cruisers Car Club held its 32nd annual event Sunday, June 9th in the Island Park in the community of Portage la Prairie. All of the members are not only involved in the community through the car club but are also involved with many other charities and other volunteer organizations. They feel it's their opportunity to give the public a chance to see the magnificent cars and for them to give back to the community through the monies raised.
Many charities have been fortunate to have been helped by the kindness of this group. The Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, Central Plains Cancer Care and the Salvation Food–Salvation Army Food Bank are a few. All of the money that was made at this annual event goes to charities as another fine example of the generosity of the organization.
This year, a thousand dollars was donated to the Alzheimer Society; as well, an annual bursary of $500 that is given to the graduating auto shop student at the local high school of Portage Collegiate. Salvation Army benefited from food donations and Central Plains Cancer Care from the food sale revenues.
The cars come from all over the province with the focus on cars from rural areas as well as the Bond-Slaves Motorcycle Club bringing motorcycles to the show.
It's really an enjoyable event not just for the owners of the car but for the people that come to look at them, to remember them and enjoy them as well. Some of the vehicles go back as far as 1915 and have been restored to their original condition.
Mr. Speaker, I would ask all honourable members to join me in showing their appreciation to the Vintage Cruisers Car Club as they continue to help people in need and bring back great memories of the vintage vehicles that were driven down Manitoba roads so very long ago.
Mr. Speaker: Grievances. Seeing none–
(Continued)
House Business
Hon. Jennifer Howard (Government House Leader): There are a number of questions outstanding from the business deferred from last week's Committee of Supply that must be dealt with before the House can deal with other business such as Interim Supply.
In order to get to Interim Supply today, is there leave of the House to agree that following the first recorded vote on a deferred question in Supply today, there be no further ringing of the bells today on the remainder of those deferred questions? So we would have the call of members to the Chamber for the first vote. Once members are assembled, we'd move through the remainder votes. That may allow for us to begin the Interim Supply process today.
Would you canvass the House to see if there's leave to do that?
Mr. Speaker: Is there a leave of the House to agree that following the first recorded vote on a deferred question in Supply today that there be no further ringing of the bells today on the remainder of those deferred questions? Is leave granted?
Some Honourable Members: No.
Some Honourable Members: Yes.
Mr. Speaker: I hear a no, so leave has been denied.
Ms. Howard: Okay, Mr. Speaker, we'll move into Committee of Supply.
Mr. Speaker: We'll now resolve into the Committee of Supply as listed in today's Order Paper.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, will you please take the Chair.
Mr. Chairperson (Tom Nevakshonoff): Order. Will the Committee of Supply please come to order.
In accordance with the agreement reached in the House on July 10th, 2013, the committee will now continue voting on motions and accompanying resolutions deferred from sittings of the Committee of Supply last week.
HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Mr. Chairperson (Tom Nevakshonoff): The next question before the committee is the deferred resolution 30.1: RESOLVED that there be granted to Her Majesty a sum not exceeding $1,803,000 for Housing and Community Development, Administration, for the fiscal year ending March 31st, 2014.
Shall the resolution pass?
Some Honourable Members: Pass.
Mr. Chairperson: The resolution is accordingly passed. [interjection]
Put the question again: Shall the resolution pass?
Resolution agreed to.
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Mr. Chairperson: The next question before the committee is the motion moved by the honourable member for St. Paul (Mr. Schuler) during the Estimates of the Department of Innovation, Energy and Mines,
THAT 'litem'–line item 18.1.(a) be reduced to $1.08.
A recorded vote having been requested, call in the members.
All sections in Chamber for a recorded vote.
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Recorded Vote
Mr. Chairperson: Order, please. The one hour provided for the ringing of the division bells has expired. I'm directing that the bells be turned off and the committee proceed to the vote.
The question before the committee is the motion moved by the honourable member for St. Paul,
THAT line item 18.1.(a) the minister's salary be reduced to $1.08.
A COUNT-OUT VOTE was taken, the result being as follows: Yeas 16, Nays 31.
Mr. Chairperson: The motion is accordingly defeated.
Mr. Chairperson (Tom Nevakshonoff): The next question before the committee is the deferred resolution 18.1: RESOLVED that there be granted to Her Majesty a sum not exceeding $765,000 for Innovation, Energy and Mines, Administration and Finance, for the fiscal year ending March 31st, 2014.
Resolution agreed to.
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Report
Mr. Rob Altemeyer (Chairperson of the section of the Committee of Supply meeting in room 255): Mr. Chairperson, in accordance with the agreement reached in the House on July 10th, 2013, I am reporting the following motions and resolutions deferred from our sitting on July 11th, 2013, in room 255.
During the consideration of resolution 10.1 from the Estimates of the Department of Entrepreneurship, Training and Trade, the honourable member for Emerson (Mr. Graydon) moved
THAT the line item 10.1.(a) be reduced to $1.08.
This motion was defeated on a voice vote, and subsequently two members requested a recorded vote. The accompanying resolution 10.1 was also deferred for a vote.
During the consideration of resolution 11.1 from the Estimates of the Department of Immigration and Multiculturalism, the honourable member for River East (Mrs. Mitchelson) moved
THAT line item 11.1.(a) minister's salary be reduced to $1.08.
This motion was defeated on a voice vote, and subsequently two members requested a recorded vote. The accompanying resolution 11.1 was also deferred for a vote.
During the consideration of resolution 20.1 from the Estimates of the department and–Children and Youth Opportunities, the honourable member for La Verendrye (Mr. Smook) moved
THAT line item 20.1.(a) the minister's salary be reduced to $1.08.
This motion was defeated on a voice vote, and subsequently two members requested a voice vote–a recorded vote, rather. Sorry. The accompanying resolution 20.1 was also deferred for a vote.
Mr. Chairperson, that concludes my report.
Mr. Chairperson: Thank the member for Wolseley (Mr. Altemeyer).
* * *
Mr. Chairperson: The next question before the committee is the motion moved by the honourable member for Emerson (Mr. Graydon). During the Estimates of the Department of Entrepreneurship, Training and Trade
THAT line item 10.1.(a) be reduced to $1.08.
A recorded vote having been requested by two members, call in the members.
All sections in Chamber for recorded vote.
Recorded Vote
Mr. Chairperson: Order, please. Question before the committee is the following motion, moved by the honourable member for Emerson,
THAT line item 10.a bracket–10.1.(a) be reduced to $1.08.
A COUNT-OUT VOTE was taken, the result being as follows: Yeas 15, Nays 29.
Mr. Chairperson: The motion is accordingly defeated.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP, TRAINING AND TRADE
Mr. Chairperson (Tom Nevakshonoff): The next question before the committee is the deferred resolution 10.1: RESOLVED that there be granted to Her Majesty a sum not exceeding $5,168,000 for Entrepreneurship, Training and Trade, Administration and Finance, for the fiscal year ending March 31st, 2014.
Resolution agreed to.
* * *
Mr. Chairperson: Next question before the committee is the motion moved by the honourable member for River East (Mrs. Mitchelson), during the Estimates of the Department of Immigration and Multiculturalism,
THAT line item 11.1.(a) minister's salary be reduced to $1.08.
A forded–a recorded vote having been requested by two members, call in the members.
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All sections in Chamber for recorded vote.
Recorded Vote
Mr. Chairperson: Order, please.
The question before the committee is the following motion moved by the honourable member for River East,
THAT line item 11.1.(a) minister's salary be reduced to $1.08.
A COUNT-OUT VOTE was taken, the result being as follows: Yeas 15, Nays 32
Mr. Chairperson: The motion is accordingly defeated.
* * *
Mr. Chairperson: The hour being after 5 p.m., committee rise.
Call in the Speaker.
Mr. Speaker: The hour being past 5 p.m., this House is adjourned and stands adjourned until 1:30 p.m. tomorrow afternoon.