LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA

Monday, May 5, 2025


The House met at 1:30 p.m.

The 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 only desire that which is in accordance with Thy will, that we may seek it with wisdom and know it with certainty and accomplish it perfectly for the glory and honour of Thy name and for the welfare of all our people. Amen.

      We acknowledge we are gathered on Treaty 1 territory and that Manitoba is located on the treaty territories and ancestral lands of the Anishinaabe, Anishininewuk, Dakota Oyate, Denesuline and Nehethowuk nations. We acknowledge Manitoba is located on the Homeland of the Red River Métis. We acknowledge northern Manitoba includes lands that were and are the ancestral lands of the Inuit. We respect the spirit and intent of treaties and treaty making and remain committed to working in partner­ship with First Nations, Inuit and Métis people in the spirit of truth, reconciliation and collaboration.

      Please be seated.

Point of Order

Mr. Greg Nesbitt (Riding Mountain): Hon­our­able Speaker, on a point of order.

The Speaker: The hon­our­able member for Riding Mountain, on a point of order.

Mr. Nesbitt: My choice of words for a recent ques­tion to the hon­our­able member–Minister of Finance (MLA Sala) in this House was inappropriate.

      This morning, I apologized in person to the hon­our­able minister, and this afternoon, I publicly apolo­gize to the minister and all hon­our­able members of this House for any unintended con­se­quences of the way my questions were worded.

      Thank you, Hon­our­able Speaker.

The Speaker: I would just point out that the member doesn't have a point of order, but we certainly, I'm sure, all ap­pre­ciate the member's apology.

ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS

Introduction of Bills

Bill 216–The Health System Gov­ern­ance and Accountability Amendment Act
(Plebiscite Before Permanent Emergency Room Closure)

The Speaker: The hon­our­able member for–been away for a week–the hon­our­able member for Radisson.

MLA Jelynn Dela Cruz (Radisson): I move, seconded by the MLA for Tuxedo, that Bill 216, The Health System Gov­ern­ance and Accountability Amend­ment Act (Plebiscite Before Permanent Emergency Room Closure); Loi modifiant la Loi sur la gouvernance et l'obligation redditionnelle au sein du système de santé (plébiscites sur la fermeture permanente de salles d'urgence), be now read a first time.

Motion presented.

MLA Dela Cruz: Hon­our­able Speaker, I rise today to intro­duce Bill 216, the health system gov­ern­ance and accountability act, plebiscite before permanent emer­gency room closure, which will require a plebiscite take place prior to the permanent closure of an emer­gency room.

      Manitobans deserve to have a say when it comes to whether or not emergency rooms close perma­nently. Hon­our­able Speaker, after the previous gov­ern­ment closed emergency rooms across the province without listening to the needs of Manitobans, this bill will ensure that they receive their rightful opportunity to have their voices heard.

The Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed]

      The motion is accordingly passed.

      Com­mit­tee reports–oh, the hon­our­able member for Brandon West.

Bill 232–The Victims of Impaired Drivers Com­memo­ra­tion Day Act
(Com­memo­ra­tion of Days, Weeks and Months Act Amended)

Mr. Wayne Balcaen (Brandon West): I move, second­ed by the MLA for Portage la Prairie, that Bill 232, The Victims of Impaired Drivers Com­memo­ra­tion Day Act (Com­memo­ra­tion of Days, Weeks and Months Act Amended), be now read a first time.

Motion presented.

Mr. Balcaen: I'm pleased to rise today and intro­duce Bill 232, The Victims of Impaired Drivers Com­memo­ra­tion Day Act, which will occur May 1 of each year.

      This bill commemorates the lives of the victims lost to the dangerous act that is impaired driving. This bill is in remembrance of Jordyn Reimer and all of those who have lost a life to impaired driving and to all the victims and their families.

      I look forward to the unanimous support of this legis­lation.

The Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed]

Committee Reports

Standing Committee on Justice


Second Report

Mr. Logan Oxenham (Chairperson): Hon­our­able Speaker, I wish to present the second report of the Standing Com­mit­tee on Justice.

Clerk (Mr. Rick Yarish): Your Standing Com­mit­tee on Justice–

Some Honourable Members: Dispense.

The Speaker: Dispense.

Your Standing Committee on Justice presents the following as its Second Report.

Meetings

Your Committee met on the following occasions in the Legislative Building:

·         April 24, 2025 (2nd Session – 43rd Legislature)

·         April 30, 2025 (2nd Session – 43rd Legislature)

Matters under Consideration

·         Bill (No. 9) – The Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Amendment Act (2)/Loi no 2 modifiant la Loi sur la réglementation des alcools, des jeux et du cannabis

·         Bill (No. 13) – The Minor Amendments and Corrections Act, 2025/Loi corrective de 2025

·         Bill (No. 32) – The Residential Tenancies Amend­ment Act (Measures to Address Unlawful Activities)/Loi modifiant la Loi sur la location à usage d'habitation (mesures concernant les activités illégales)

·         Bill (No. 35) – The Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation Amendment Act/Loi modifiant la Loi sur la Société d'assurance publique du Manitoba

·         Bill (No. 36) – The Drivers and Vehicles Amendment and Highway Traffic Amendment Act/Loi modifiant la Loi sur les conducteurs et les véhicules et le Code de la route

·         Bill (No. 43) – The Human Rights Code Amend­ment Act/Loi modifiant le Code des droits de la personne

Committee Membership

Committee Membership for the April 24, 2025 meeting:

·         Mr. Balcaen

·         Mr. Blashko

·         Mr. King

·         Mr. Oxenham

·         MLA Redhead

·         Hon. Mr. Wiebe

Your Committee elected Mr. Oxenham as the Chairperson.

Your Committee elected Mr. Blashko as the Vice-Chairperson.

Committee Membership for the April 30, 2025 meeting:

·         Mr. Balcaen

·         MLA Corbett

·         MLA Cross

·         MLA Dela Cruz

·         Mr. King

·         Hon. Mr. Wiebe

Your Committee elected MLA Dela Cruz as the Chairperson.

Your Committee elected MLA Corbett as the Vice‑Chairperson.

Resignations received during Committee proceedings for the April 30, 2025 meeting:

·         MLA Dela Cruz as Chairperson

·         Your Committee elected Mr. Oxenham as the new Chairperson.

·         MLA Corbett as Vice-Chairperson

·         Your Committee elected MLA Loiselle as the new Vice-Chairperson.

Substitutions received during Committee proceedings for the April 30, 2025 meeting:

·         Mr. Goertzen for Mr. King

·         Mr. King for Mr. Balcaen

·         Mr. Balcaen for Mr. Goertzen

·         Mr. Oxenham for MLA Dela Cruz

·         MLA Loiselle for MLA Corbett

·         Mr. Blashko for MLA Cross

Non-Committee Members Speaking on Record

Non-Committee Members speaking on record at the April 24, 2025 meeting:

·         Hon. Min. Asagwara

·         Hon. Min. Fontaine

·         Mr. Goertzen

·         Mr. Guenter

·         Hon. Min. Naylor

·         Mr. Schuler

·         Mrs. Stone

Non-Committee Members speaking on record at the April 30, 2025 meeting:

·         Hon. Min. Asagwara

·         Mrs. Hiebert

Public Presentations

Your Committee heard the following two presenta­tions on Bill (No. 9) – The Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Amendment Act (2)/Loi no 2 modifiant la Loi sur la réglementation des alcools, des jeux et du cannabis:

April 24, 2025 meeting

Keith Horn, Retail Cannabis Council of Manitoba

Sharon Clark, Big Buds Cannabis Sales

Your Committee heard the following two presenta­tions on Bill (No. 32) – The Residential Tenancies Amendment Act (Measures to Address Unlawful Activities)/Loi modifiant la Loi sur la location à usage d'habitation (mesures concernant les activités illégales):

April 24, 2025 meeting

David Grant, Private citizen

Sel Burrows, Point Powerline

Your Committee heard the following 59 presentations on Bill (No. 43) – The Human Rights Code Amendment Act/Loi modifiant le Code des droits de la personne:

April 24, 2025 meeting

Desirée Pappel, L'Association des éducatrices et éducateurs franco-manitoabains

Derek deVries, Park City Gospel Church

Christine Ronceray, Private citizen

Nick Klassen, Private citizen

Michael Sullivant, Pembina Valley Baptist Church

Joshua Shetter, Private citizen

Naomi Letkemann, Private citizen

Monica Wiebe, Private citizen

Candace Sabel, Private citizen

Tara Sheppard-Luangkhot, Organization for Peace, Equity and Nonviolence

Jennifer Friesen, Private citizen

David Grant, Private citizen

Karen Sharma, Manitoba Human Rights Commission

Don Woodstock, Private citizen

Kathy Harris, Private citizen

Caleb Clay, Private citizen

Helina Zegeye, Sunshine House

Barbara Bendera, Private citizen

Gina McKay, CUPE Manitoba

Kristine Barr, Private citizen

Charlie Eau, Trans Manitoba

Michaela Chotka, Private citizen

Fae Johnstone, Queer Momentum

Parker Morran, Private citizen

Jen Seguin, Private citizen

Rachamim Enoch Coad, Private citizen

Kai Solomon, Private citizen

Michael Shaw, Private citizen

April 30, 2025 meeting

Dayne Moyer, Private citizen

Lee Ramuscak, Private citizen

Dieth de Leon, Bahaghari Pride Manitoba

Lila Asher, Private citizen

Jackson Unger, Private citizen

Rhiannon Frost, Private citizen

Alevtin Pankov, Private citizen

Reece Malone, Private citizen

Ashlyn Noble, Private citizen

Lauren Bailey, Private citizen

Kai Zamora, Private citizen

Linda Karn, Private citizen

Raymond Lyttle, Private citizen

Emersyn Hildebrand, Private citizen

Nathan Martindale, Manitoba Teachers' Society

Moon Fast, Private citizen

Volin Thiessen, Private citizen

Lindsay Brown, Private citizen

Chris deBoer, Private citizen

Gloria Dignazio, Private citizen

Sandra Saint-Cyr, Private citizen

Rhonda Forbes, Private citizen

Alison Norberg, Private citizen

Noreen Stevens, Private citizen

Arlene Macklem, Manitoba Federation of Union Retirees

Mandalyn Unger, Private citizen

Erica McNabb, Private citizen

Aro van Dyck, Private citizen

Wren Robertson, Private citizen

Kate Kehler, Social Planning Council of Winnipeg

Andrew Kohan, Private citizen

Written Submissions

Your Committee received the following 423 written submissions on Bill (No. 43) – The Human Rights Code Amendment Act/Loi modifiant le Code des droits de la personne:

Jeff Burnard, Private citizen

Annika Baer, Private citizen

David Krahn, Private citizen

Gary Driedger, Private citizen

Darryl Harder, Private citizen

Scott Ryman, Private citizen

Dawson Krahn, Private citizen

Cornelio Dyck, Private citizen

Caitlin Wall, Private citizen

Brayden Friesen, Private citizen

Mike McFarlane, Private citizen

Jorden Wall, Private citizen

John Krahn, Private citizen

Emily Baker, Private citizen

Vincent Elias, Private citizen

Steven McGillivary, Private citizen

Geoff Bergen, Private citizen

Braden Wall, Private citizen

Dylan Young, Private citizen

Raymond Garand, Private citizen

Rosalie Feener, Private citizen

Chas van Dyck, Private citizen

Jonathan Van Dyck, Private citizen

Joanne van Dyck, Private citizen

Leon Laidlaw, Private citizen

Raven Hebert-Lee, Private citizen

Lynne Granke, Private citizen

Megan Wray, Private citizen

Erik Thomson, University of Manitoba Faculty Association

Sarah Schira, Private citizen

Breanne Wall, Private citizen

Fraser Young, Private citizen

Doug Derksen, Private citizen

Katie Derksen, Private citizen

Miriam Robern, Private citizen

Brooke Reed, Private citizen

Kelly Hughes, Private citizen

Darlene Blatz, Private citizen

Sandra Schira, Private citizen

Lucy Delgado, Private citizen

Amanda Morris, Private citizen

Owen Toews, Private citizen

Maddi Reed, Private citizen

Robert Martens, Private citizen

Anny Chen, Private citizen

Morgan Schroeder, Private citizen

Emèt Eviatar, Private citizen

Hillary Siemens, Private citizen

Katie Leitch, Private citizen

Tara Forshaw, Private citizen

Leah Krahn, Private citizen

Leo Cortens, Private citizen

Kaitlyn Duthie-Kannikkatt, Private citizen

Joel Siemens, Private citizen

Heather Krahn, Private citizen

Jonathan Janzen, Private citizen

George Krahn, Private citizen

Sierra Krahn, Private citizen

Stokely Lindo, Private citizen

Chris Scott, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1505

Jason Hodson, Private citizen

Robert Lentowich, Private citizen

Victoria Hornblower, Private citizen

Sarah Borbridge, Private citizen

Joe Curnow, Private citizen

Melanie Janzen, Private citizen

Ellen Bees, Private citizen

Jeff Patteson, Private citizen

Kathleen Wilson, Private citizen

Jennifer Watt, Private citizen

Karlie Higgins, Private citizen

Fenton Litwiller, Private citizen

Raelene Hall, Private citizen

Mary Peladeau, Private citizen

Kathy Bergen, Private citizen

Shannon Moore, Private citizen

Lani Zastre, Private citizen

Joan Kirouac, Private citizen

Natalie Wiebe, Private citizen

Aimee Rice, Private citizen

Cale Gushulak, Private citizen

David Camfield, Private citizen

Shannon March, Private citizen

Elizabeth Matte, Private citizen

Cathy Pleskach, Private citizen

Timothy Giesbrecht, Private citizen

Wayne Serebrin, Private citizen

Greg McFarland, Private citizen

Gretchen Derige Cortens, Private citizen

Cherie Schellenberg, Private citizen

Sara Patteson, Private citizen

Sarah Leeson-Klym, Private citizen

Noah Schulz, Private citizen

Garry Schellenberg, Private citizen

Marley Pauls, Private citizen

Shane Thevenot, Private citizen

Marianne Shaibu, Private citizen

Joan Armstrong, Private citizen

Cameron Griffiths, Private citizen

Grace Carey, Private citizen

Emmanuella Shaibu, Private citizen

Elis Wautier, Private citizen

Jacklyn de Visser, Private citizen

Zacharie Montreuil, Private citizen

Anna Levin, Private citizen

Helene Bernardin, Private citizen

Caleb Mcneish, Private citizen

Louis Richard, Private citizen

Jacqueline Rados, Private citizen

Orvie Dingwall, Private citizen

Leyla Shahsavar, Private citizen

Alexis Miller, Private citizen

Mary Richard, Private citizen

Laurie McDougall, Private citizen

Sharon Vandenbosch, Private citizen

Kyle Ross, Private citizen

Andrew Single, Private citizen

Sherise Fleury, Private citizen

Cortney Pachet, Private citizen

Carla Gervais, Private citizen

Nicole Trottier, Private citizen

Robyn Dyck, Private citizen

Jo Turner, Private citizen

Jennifer Nembhard, Private citizen

Shauna Neault-Pawlychyn, Private citizen

Rosalie Madden, Private citizen

Vicenza Enns, Private citizen

Lindsay Kane, Private citizen

Mark Derksen, Private citizen

Elena Anciro, Private citizen

Isabelle Costanzo, Private citizen

Roan Regan, Private citizen

Amanda Mondaca, Private citizen

Carolynn Derksen, Private citizen

Gail Matheson, Private citizen

Gilbert Vielfaure, Private citizen

Victor Mondaca, Nahuen Consultation

Hunter Reynolds, Private citizen

Alexandra Altunbash, Private citizen

Kaitlyn Mitchell, Private citizen

Elyse LeBlanc, Private citizen

Stacy Cardigan Smith, Private citizen

Ashley Walklett, Private citizen

Luca Gheorghica, Poverty Awareness & Community Action

Barbara Cowan, Private citizen

Jill Carr, Private citizen

Miranda Hutlet, Private citizen

Ruth Baines, Private citizen

Lorraine Bisson, Private citizen

Jennifer Hancharyk, Private citizen

Jacques Lavack, Private citizen

Michael Van Damme, Private citizen

Harv Enns, Private citizen

Natalie Mark, Private citizen

Jean-Paul Hutlet, Private citizen

Erin Bergen, Private citizen

Dorothy Giesbrecht, Private citizen

Lise Lavack, Private citizen

Reginald Giesbrecht, Private citizen

Kay Maskiw-Connelly, Private citizen

Jen Gieg, Private citizen

Angela De Koninck, Private citizen

Donald De Koninck, Private citizen

Ivy Fraser, Private citizen

Kathleen McCandless, Private citizen

Alexander Gregovski, Private citizen

John Lamont, Private citizen

Denis Robert, Private citizen

Jane Gattinger, Private citizen

Erika Couto, Private citizen

Brittany Priest, Private citizen

Jennifer Demare, Private citizen

Gillian Moore, Private citizen

Kyle Coffey, Private citizen

George Gervais, Private citizen

Danielle Chammartin, Private citizen

Sara O'Leary, Private citizen

Tim Killoran, Private citizen

Derek Pena, Private citizen

Chantel Gueret, Private citizen

Erik Bonnefoy, Private citizen

Christine Musick, Private citizen

Kimberly Manaigre, Private citizen

Gareth Priest, Private citizen

Daniel Malo, Private citizen

Chantal Schriemer, Private citizen

Helene Tymchen, Private citizen

Meaghan Madden, Private citizen

Sabrina Abreu Schlickmann Gil, Private citizen

Sandra Hernandez, Private citizen

Anna Weier, Private citizen

Lisa Lavack, Private citizen

Rafael Jose Cardoso Gil, Private citizen

Kat Roberts, Private citizen

Lorraine Hackenschmidt, Private citizen

Amelia Valencia, Private citizen

Barbara Young, Private citizen

Eric Musick, Private citizen

Paulo Gonçalves de Arruda, Private citizen

Ashley Dupont, Private citizen

Kelly Smith, Private citizen

Cassandra Schroeder, Private citizen

Debra Schroeder, Private citizen

Madeline Dumont, Private citizen

Mikayla Patenaude, Private citizen

April Penner, Private citizen

Isabelle Froese, Private citizen

Colleen Giesbrecht, Private citizen

Sharon Webb, Private citizen

Nettie Kehler, Private citizen

Betty Hiebert, Private citizen

Mark Harder, Private citizen

Justin Jeanson, Private citizen

Kendra Fehr, Private citizen

Al Dyck, Private citizen

Jamie Fehr, Private citizen

Milton Garcia, Private citizen

Marina Doerksen, Private citizen

Massis Sarkes, Private citizen

Elizabeth Michnik, Private citizen

Anna Madden, Private citizen

Eva Krahn, Private citizen

Donald Michnik, Private citizen

Ruby Warren, Private citizen

Brendan Giesbrecht, Private citizen

Marcey Waldner, Private citizen

Carol Neufeld, Private citizen

Jordan Fehr, Private citizen

Rhonda Banman, Private citizen

Claudia Dyck, Private citizen

Catherine Hart, Private citizen

Jillian Freund, Private citizen

Bryan Sullivant, Private citizen

Elizabeth Heide, Private citizen

Sondra Sawatzky, Private citizen

Gustav Sawatzky, Private citizen

Margaret Wiebe, Private citizen

Viola Kraemer, Private citizen

Cassia Nelson, Private citizen

Tahlia Hiebert, Private citizen

Indira Pedersen, Private citizen

Julianna Dueck, Private citizen

Cheryl Enns, Private citizen

Brenda Kroeker, Private citizen

Robin Janz, Private citizen

Helena Peters, Private citizen

Nettie Freund, Private citizen

Helena Friesen, Private citizen

Naomi Bergeron, Private citizen

Amy Martens, Private citizen

Pam Reimer, Private citizen

Colleen Zacharias, Private citizen

Victoria Freund, Private citizen

Rhonda Rempel, Private citizen

Alana Knelsen, Private citizen

Alyssa Knelsen, Private citizen

Celine Castro, Private citizen

Julia Wall, Private citizen

Tammy Klassen, Private citizen

Danna McDonald, Private citizen

Inna Kraemer, Private citizen

Rachael Krahn, Private citizen

Nicole Winkler, Private citizen

Zachary Freund, Private citizen

Shirley Sawatzky, Private citizen

Nathan Unger, Private citizen

Adam Wiebe, Private citizen

David Betker, Private citizen

Linda Churchill, Private citizen

Tracy Friesen, Private citizen

Eva Guenter, Private citizen

Cynthia Klassen, Private citizen

Margie Loewen, Private citizen

Margaret Ketler, Private citizen

Jessica Dyck, Private citizen

Rebecca Waldner, Private citizen

Arev Melkon, Private citizen

Juan Friesen, Private citizen

Bob Hildebrandt, Private citizen

Elizabeth Hildebrandt, Private citizen

Daniel Laurence, Private citizen

Shayna Hart, Private citizen

Edward Brost, Private citizen

Aasher Kataria, Private citizen

Steven Freund, Private citizen

Chelsea Hoffman, Private citizen

Sarah Wall, Private citizen

Cornie Wall, Private citizen

Brendalee Reimer, Private citizen

Arthur Aidarkhanov, Private citizen

Jodi Janzen, Private citizen

Rachel Hiebert, Private citizen

Andrea Wiebe, Private citizen

Helene Engbrecht, Private citizen

Vikin Sarkes, Private citizen

Irene Bindi, Private citizen

Crystal Wall, Private citizen

Victor Mondaca, Private citizen

Ana Penner, Private citizen

Barbara Teichroeb, Private citizen

Wilhelm Zacharias, Private citizen

Randy Hiebert, Private citizen

Vanessa Rodas, Private citizen

Mabel Neufeld, Private citizen

Judy Betker, Private citizen

Esther Wiebe, Private citizen

Cheryl Pecus, Private citizen

Tanner Fehr, Private citizen

Brenda Peters, Private citizen

Donna Molberg, Private citizen

Jenna Dyck, Private citizen

Barb Neudorf, Private citizen

Justina Dyck, Private citizen

Richard Peters, Private citizen

Will Klassen, Private citizen

Anna Toews, Private citizen

Aaron Zacharias, Private citizen

Janelle Colbourne, Private citizen

Caleb Waldner, Private citizen

Jeremiah Dyck, Private citizen

Tammy Harder, Private citizen

Julie Wall, Private citizen

Peggy Peters, Private citizen

Curtis Hildebrand, Private citizen

Shirley Watt, Private citizen

Diane Falk, Private citizen

Sarah Broad, Private citizen

Melanie Hildebrand, Private citizen

Nicole Wiebe, Private citizen

Henry Giesbrecht, Private citizen

Lesley Dalrymple, Private citizen

Alex Watt, Private citizen

Patsy Penner, Private citizen

Carol Neisteter, Private citizen

Dorothy Giesbrecht, Private citizen

Jack Giesbrecht, Private citizen

Bonnie Friesen, Private citizen

Ron Neisteter, Private citizen

Charlotte McCrar, Private citizen

Jake Klassen, Private citizen

Sharon Schroeder, Private citizen

Abe Redekop, Private citizen

Myrna Giesbrecht, Private citizen

Sharon Nield, Private citizen

Esther Hoeppner, Private citizen

Pauline Mahmood, Private citizen

Carol Fehr, Private citizen

Linda Hildebrandt, Private citizen

Crystal Driedger, Private citizen

Pratima Manuel, Private citizen

Irene Letkeman, Private citizen

Dario Sidler, Private citizen

Brya Enns, Private citizen

Maria Neufeld, Private citizen

Marge Hoeppner, Private citizen

Brenda Wooley, Private citizen

Carolyn Klassen, Private citizen

Brent Wiebe, Private citizen

Mark Warms, Private citizen

Janice Thompson, Private citizen

Debbie Whyte, Private citizen

Lynn Giesbrecht, Private citizen

Jan Wollmann, Private citizen

Lorrine Penner, Private citizen

Mary Tarka, Private citizen

Nicole Thiessen, Private citizen

Jonathan Young, Private citizen

Stanley Neufeld, Private citizen

Lori Wiens, Private citizen

Bev Hamm, Private citizen

Jennifer Giesbrecht, Private citizen

Jake Peters, Private citizen

Kathy Bueckert, Private citizen

Abe Neufeld, Private citizen

Judy Penner, Private citizen

Judith Loszchuk, Private citizen

Bruce Wooley, Private citizen

Shauna Peters, Private citizen

L. Grant Morrison, Private citizen

Laura Hatfield, Private citizen

Tyler Jonah Pierce, Private citizen

Lex van Dyck, Private citizen

Kevin Rebeck, Manitoba Federation of Labour

Carey Richards, Private citizen

Chrystal Neault-Lount, Private citizen

Judy Walker, Private citizen

George Friesen, Private citizen

Mary Klassen, Private citizen

Mikayla Hunter, Private citizen

Caleb Martens, Private citizen

Cliff Wiebe, Private citizen

Cindy Schulz, Private citizen

Reynold Schulz, Private citizen

Davey Bonser, Private citizen

Teresa Hildebrand, Private citizen

Amanda Livingstone, Private citizen

Danielle Hart, Private citizen

Irma Syganiec, Private citizen

Kimbal Hyszka, Private citizen

Colleen Rogers, Private citizen

Lindsey Childs, Private citizen

Dan Saul, Private citizen

Liz Lylyk, Private citizen

Amber Vandenberg, Private citizen

Rosanne Loewen, Private citizen

Brett Kozak, Private citizen

Michael Lesperance, Private citizen

Alexis Lam, Private citizen

Elaine Burland, Private citizen

Raquel Driedger, Private citizen

Eliana Dueck, Private citizen

Keith Johnson, Private citizen

Feng Xu, Private citizen

Crystal Johnson, Private citizen

David Puranen, Private citizen

Leah McDonnell, Private citizen

Matthew Schiller, Private citizen

Paul Navidad, Private citizen

Darren Pawella, Private citizen

Logan Wall, Private citizen

Samantha Stevens, Private citizen

Joey Moore, Private citizen

Bills Considered and Reported

·         Bill (No. 9) – The Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Amendment Act (2)/Loi no 2 modifiant la Loi sur la réglementation des alcools, des jeux et du cannabis

Your Committee agreed to report this Bill without amendment.

·         Bill (No. 13) – The Minor Amendments and Corrections Act, 2025/Loi corrective de 2025

Your Committee agreed to report this Bill without amendment.

·         Bill (No. 32) – The Residential Tenancies Amend­ment Act (Measures to Address Unlawful Activities)/Loi modifiant la Loi sur la location à usage d'habitation (mesures concernant les activités illégales)

Your Committee agreed to report this Bill without amendment.

·         Bill (No. 35) – The Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation Amendment Act/Loi modifiant la Loi sur la Société d'assurance publique du Manitoba

Your Committee agreed to report this Bill without amendment.

·         Bill (No. 36) – The Drivers and Vehicles Amend­ment and Highway Traffic Amendment Act/Loi modifiant la Loi sur les conducteurs et les véhicules et le Code de la route

Your Committee agreed to report this Bill without amendment.

·         Bill (No. 43) – The Human Rights Code Amend­ment Act/Loi modifiant le Code des droits de la personne

Your Committee agreed to report this Bill without amendment.

Mr. Oxenham: Hon­our­able Speaker, I move, seconded by the hon­our­able member for Tuxedo (MLA Compton), that the report of the com­mit­tee be received.

Motion agreed to.

Standing Committee on Social
and Economic Development


Second Report

MLA Robert Loiselle (Chairperson): L'Hon­or­able Président, I wish to present the second report of the Standing Com­mit­tee on Social and Economic Dev­elop­ment.

Clerk: Your Standing Com­mit­tee on–

Some Honourable Members: Dispense.

The Speaker: Dispense.

Your Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development presents the following as its Second Report.

Meetings

Your Committee met on April 24, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in Room 255 of the Legislative Building.

Matters under Consideration

·         Bill (No. 7) – The Human Tissue Gift Amendment Act/Loi modifiant la Loi sur les dons de tissus humains

·         Bill (No. 33) – The Public Health Amendment Act/Loi modifiant la Loi sur la santé publique

·         Bill (No. 34) – The Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Motor Carrier Enforcement)/Loi modifiant le Code de la route (réglementation des transporteurs routiers)

·         Bill (No. 38) – The Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Traffic Safety Measures)/Loi modifiant le Code de la route (mesures de sécurité routière)

·         Bill (No. 41) – The Reporting of Supports for Child Survivors of Sexual Assault (Trained Health Professionals and Evidence Collection Kits) Amendment Act/Loi modifiant la Loi sur la présentation de rapports concernant les mesures de soutien destinées aux enfants survivants d'agression sexuelle (professionnels de la santé formés et trousses médicolégales)

Committee Membership

·         Hon. Min. Asagwara

·         Mrs. Cook

·         MLA Corbett

·         MLA Loiselle

·         MLA Maloway

·         Mr. Narth

Your Committee elected MLA Loiselle as the Chairperson.

Your Committee elected MLA Corbett as the Vice‑Chairperson.

Substitutions received during Committee proceedings:

·         Hon. Min. Naylor for Hon. Min. Asagwara

Public Presentations

Your Committee heard the following one presenta­tions on Bill (No. 33) – The Public Health Amendment Act/Loi modifiant la Loi sur la santé publique:

David Grant, Private Citizen

Your Committee heard the following three presentations on Bill (No. 38) – The Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Traffic Safety Measures)/Loi modifiant le Code de la route (mesures de sécurité routière):

Ewald Friesen, CAA Manitoba - Government Relations

David Grant, Private Citizen

Rick Rennie, Manitoba Federation of Labour

Your Committee heard the following one presentation on Bill (No. 41) – The Reporting of Supports for Child Survivors of Sexual Assault (Trained Health Professionals and Evidence Collection Kits) Amendment Act/Loi modifiant la Loi sur la présentation de rapports concernant les mesures de soutien destinées aux enfants survivants d'agression sexuelle (professionnels de la santé formés et trousses médicolégales):

Fernanda Vallejo, Latinas Manitoba Inc.

Written Submissions

Your Committee received the following one written submission on Bill (No. 34) – The Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Motor Carrier Enforcement)/Loi modifiant le Code de la route (réglementation des transporteurs routiers):

Kyle Ross, Manitoba Government and General Employees' Union

Your Committee received the following two written submissions on Bill (No. 38) – The Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Traffic Safety Measures)/Loi modifiant le Code de la route (mesures de sécurité routière):

Dave Elmore, Private Citizen

Bruce Henley, Heavy Equipment Aggregate Truckers Association Manitoba

Bills Considered and Reported

·         Bill (No. 7) – The Human Tissue Gift Amendment Act/Loi modifiant la Loi sur les dons de tissus humains

Your Committee agreed to report this Bill without amendment.

·         Bill (No. 33) – The Public Health Amendment Act/Loi modifiant la Loi sur la santé publique

Your Committee agreed to report this Bill without amendment.

·         Bill (No. 34) – The Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Motor Carrier Enforcement)/Loi modifiant le Code de la route (réglementation des transporteurs routiers)

Your Committee agreed to report this Bill without amendment.

·         Bill (No. 38) – The Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Traffic Safety Measures)/Loi modifiant le Code de la route (mesures de sécurité routière)

Your Committee agreed to report this Bill without amendment.

·         Bill (No. 41) – The Reporting of Supports for Child Survivors of Sexual Assault (Trained Health Professionals and Evidence Collection Kits) Amendment Act/Loi modifiant la Loi sur la présentation de rapports concernant les mesures de soutien destinées aux enfants survivants d'agression sexuelle (professionnels de la santé formés et trousses médicolégales)

Your Committee agreed to report this Bill without amendment.

MLA Loiselle: L'Honorable Président, I move, second­ed by the hon­our­able member for Radisson (MLA Dela Cruz), that the report of the com­mit­tee be received.

Motion agreed to.

* (13:40)

Tabling of Reports

Hon. Uzoma Asagwara (Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care): I'm pleased to table the Health, Seniors and Long‑Term Care 2025‑2026 Supple­ment to the Estimates of Expenditure.

The Speaker: No further tabling of reports?

Hon. Mike Moroz (Minister of Innovation and New Tech­no­lo­gy; Acting Minister of Advanced Edu­ca­tion and Training): It's my pleasure to table the 2025‑26 Sup­ple­ment to Estimates of Expenditure for Innovation and New Tech­no­lo­gy.

      Hon­our­able Speaker, it's my pleasure to table the 2025‑26 Sup­ple­ment to Estimates of Expenditure for Advanced Edu­ca­tion and Training.

Hon. Adrien Sala (Minister of Finance): I'm pleased to rise today and table the Supplements to the Estimates of Expenditure '25‑2026 for the De­part­ment of Finance; Public Service Com­mis­sion; Employee Pensions and Other Costs; and Enabling Ap­pro­priations, Tax Credits and Public Debt.

The Speaker: No further tablings?

Hon. Mike Moyes (Minister of Environment and Climate Change): Hon­our­able Speaker, I'm pleased to table the Sup­ple­ment to the Estimates of Expenditure 2025‑26.

Hon. Nellie Kennedy (Minister of Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism): Hon­our­able Speaker, I'm pleased to table the 2025‑26 Sup­ple­ment to the Estimates of Expenditure for Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism.

Hon. Nahanni Fontaine (Minister of Families): I'm pleased to table the 2025‑26 Sup­ple­ment to the Estimates of Expenditure for the De­part­ment of Families.

Hon. Tracy Schmidt (Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning): I'm pleased to table the Sup­ple­ment to the Estimates of Expenditure for Budget 2025 for the De­part­ment of Edu­ca­tion and Early Child­hood Learning.

Hon. Bernadette Smith (Minister of Housing, Addictions and Homelessness): I'm pleased to table Supplements to the Estimates of Expenditures for the Housing, Addictions, Homelessness de­part­ment for the fiscal year of '25‑26.

      Thank you.

Hon. Ron Kostyshyn (Minister of Agriculture): Hon­our­able Speaker, it's my pleasure to be tabling the 2025‑2026 sup­ple­ment of Estimates of Expenditures for Manitoba Agri­cul­ture.

Hon. Glen Simard (Minister of Municipal and Northern Relations): Hon­our­able Speaker, I'm pleased table the Sup­ple­ment to the Estimates Expenditure for the Munici­pal and Northern Relations De­part­ment for the fiscal year '25-26.

      Thank you.

Hon. Ian Bushie (Minister of Natural Resources and Indigenous Futures): I am pleased to table the 2025‑2026 Supplement to the Estimates of Expenditure for Natural Resources and Indigenous Futures.

Hon. Matt Wiebe (Minister of Justice and Attorney General): Hon­our­able Speaker, I'm pleased to table for Manitoba Justice the '25‑26 sup­ple­ment for the Estimates of Expenditure.

Hon. Malaya Marcelino (Minister of Labour and Immigration): Hon­our­able Speaker, I'm pleased to table the Sup­ple­ment to the Estimates of Expenditure 2025‑26 for Manitoba Labour and Immigration.

Hon. Jamie Moses (Minister of Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation): Hon­our­able Speaker, I'm pleased to table the Sup­ple­ment to the Estimates of Expenditure reports for Busi­ness, Mining, Trade and Job Creation for Budget 2025.

      Thank you.

Hon. Lisa Naylor (Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure): I'm pleased to table the 2025‑26 Sup­ple­ment to the Estimates of Expenditure for the De­part­ment of Trans­por­tation and Infra­structure.

Hon. Mintu Sandhu (Minister of Public Service Delivery): As the Minister of Public Service Delivery, I'm pleased to table the Sup­ple­ment to the Estimates of Expenditure for '25‑26.

      Thank you, Hon­our­able Speaker.

The Speaker: No further tablings?

Ministerial Statements

Red Dress Day

Hon. Nahanni Fontaine (Minister of Families): Today, we remember and honour the lives of MMIWG2S alongside their families and action change for our province.

      Manitoba is often described as ground zero for MMIWG2S. There are countless cases and even more broken hearts mourning the lives of sacred women, girls, two‑spirit and gender‑diverse relatives who are missing or murdered across our province. Their losses are felt across families, communities and generations.

      One year ago today, we announced the esta­blish­ment of an MMIWG2S Healing and Empowerment Endowment Fund with an initial investment of $15 million. In November, we announced, in partner­ship with Shoppers Drug Mart, another $10‑million donation towards the endowment fund, making it $25 million in less than one year. The endowment fund will exist in perpetuity, ensuring MMIWG2S families will have access to the vital supports to foster healing and empowerment for them­selves for years to come.

      This morning, I was honoured to announce five community partners, representing First Nations, Métis, Inuit and urban Indigenous populations across Manitoba, who will help deliver the first return of over $350,000 to MMIWG families this year.

      Our government's Mino'Ayaawag lkwewag provin­cial strategy, which translates into all women doing well, reflects our sacred commitment to support, pro­tect, empower and liberate Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit. Through Mino'Ayaawag Ikwewag, in the last 20 months, so far we have supported or established: the ANCR safe ride; over–almost $1 million to Tina's Safe Haven; Giganawe's [phonetic] Matriarch Circle support; the MMIWG2S mural; Fisher River Cree Nation healing space; Brandon 24‑7 safe space and transitional housing, called Franny's Place; Norway House healing gathering; Anne Oake Family Recovery Centre; Downtown Community Safety Part­ner­­ship Indigenous woman's unit; 2Spirit Manitoba; Tracia's Trust en­gage­ment; Infinity Women Secretariat; transitional housing support, North End woman's resource centre; MKO baby baskets program; February 14 Women's Memorial March in honour of MMIWG2S; Manitoba Moon Voices; Sagkeeng First Nation's memorial event for Tina Fontaine's 10‑year anniversary; MKO, monument installation; Andrews Street Family Centre; sunshine Two‑Spirit Powwow; and the Inuit family resource centre.

      My team and I are looking forward to sharing some in­cred­ibly exciting, innovative and trans­forma­tive initiatives that we have under way in the next months.

      To survivors and families: We see you. We believe you. We are walking this path with you. Let the red dresses hanging across our province today not only stir our hearts but move our hands and policy into meaningful action. And our gov­ern­ment is committed to do just that.

      Finally, Honourable Speaker, I would be remiss if I did not take a moment on this important Red Dress Day, and on the member for Fort Whyte's (Mr. Khan) first day in this House as Leader of the Official Op­posi­tion, to remind Manitobans, especially MMIWG2S families, that the new PC leader–who, let's be honest, barely secured his position–has yet to apologize for his role in the 2023 PC election campaign, a PC campaign that echoed Trump‑style tactics targeting Indigenous women murdered by a serial killer.

      And while he's been too busy thanking Donald Trump for the tariffs that are making Manitobans' lives more difficult and thanking Donald Trump for interfering in Canadian politics, he still hasn't found time to reach out to the families. He's not stood in this Chamber to apologize. He's not shown remorse. And let's not forget that he has also yet to apologize for his deplorable Trump‑style attacks on trans children.

      It's shameful, it's unacceptable, and Manitobans deserve better.

      Miigwech.

* (13:50)

Ms. Jodie Byram (Agassiz): Hon­our­able Speaker, today as Manitobans march downtown for their loved ones at this very moment, we stand with all those victimized by the terrible MMIWG2S crisis. The crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two‑spirit people has left anguish and irreparable wounds on our communities for decades.

      In just these last few years alone, Manitoba has sadly witnessed many Indigenous women and girls taken at the hands of domestic violence and systemic failures.

      Morgan Harris, Marcedes Myran, Rebecca Contois and Ashlee Shingoose, who were killed in 2022, deserved better.

      Amanda Clearwater, her small children Bethany, Jayven and Isabella Manoakeesick, as well as her 17‑year‑old cousin Myah‑Lee Gratton, were murder­ed last February by Amanda's boyfriend. They deserved better.

      Jessiah Young was murdered by her own grand­mother this January. She deserved to celebrate her third birthday this April 20th.

      Nadia Flett‑Carriere, killed in a murder‑suicide by her ex‑boyfriend just last week, also deserved better.

      These are just 10 of the many, many women and girls who deserved more than any words can say.

      These are families whose mother day–Mother's Day this month will not be celebrated the way it should be. Children without their mothers. Mothers without their daughters.

      Red Dress Day is a vow to not forget them, and to ensure that no woman or girl is left behind again.

      Let us all strive to do better, work together and protect Manitoba women and girls as they so deserve.

      Thank you, Honourable Speaker.

MLA Cindy Lamoureux (Tyndall Park): I ask for leave to respond to the minister's statement.

The Speaker: Does the hon­our­able member for Tyndall Park have leave? [Agreed]

MLA Lamoureux: Today, on Red Dress Day, we honour and remember the lives of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two‑spirit people.

      These red dresses–empty, haunting and symbolic–remind us of the deep grief felt by families and com­mu­nities, and the urgent need for justice, safety and systemic change.

      I want to thank the Minister of Families (MLA Fontaine) for her statement today. Words of remembrance are im­por­tant and they must be matched with meaningful actions.

      Honourable Speaker, as legislators, we have a responsibility to do more than just acknowledge this national crisis. We must support the families still searching for answers, invest in preventative supports and commit to fully implementing the Calls for Justice from the National Inquiry. This includes better access to housing, trauma‑informed health care, mental health supports and culturally appropriate services led by Indigenous communities.

      There are many Indigenous women and families who are still waiting for justice, for safety and for recognition. They deserve to know that their loved ones are not forgotten, and that their lives matter every day.

      Let us honour these lives with lasting change and ensure that the red dresses we see today are not only a symbol of loss, but also a call to action.

Members' Statements

Lapu Lapu Festival Tragedy

MLA Jelynn

Dela Cruz

 (Radisson): Hon­our­able Speaker, I request leave in advance to finish my member's statement on the Lapu Lapu Festival tragedy.

The Speaker: Does the hon­our­able member have leave to finish her statement? [Agreed]

MLA Dela Cruz: Rizza Pagkanlungan immigrated to Canada from the Philippines with her husband to be closer to her family.

      Kira Salim was a well‑respected teacher‑counsellor at Fraser River Middle School and New Westminster Secondary School.

      Jendhel May Sico was a loving aunt employed at a lumber distributor company.

      Maria Victoria "Vicky" Bjarnason was a beloved mother visiting her sons from the Philippines.

Richard Le was a realtor who died alongside his wife, Linh Hoang, and their five‑year‑old daughter, Katie Le. They are survived by their 16‑year‑old son who stayed home that day to study.

      Daniel Samper, Glitza Maria Caicedo and Glitza Daniela Samper immigrated to Canada from Colombia to escape violence, and Jenifer Darbellay was a creative and skillful artist.

      Many are still waiting for good news to come for their loved ones in critical care, including the two‑year‑old son of my family friend, a Manitoban.

      Honourable Speaker, on April 26, 2025, families and friends of the Filipino community gathered in Vancouver for the British Columbia's second annual Lapu Lapu Day Festival, a time meant to com­memorate and honour a Philippine national hero, Datu Lapu‑Lapu, who bravely resisted Spanish colonial rule and put an end to Ferdinand Magellan's tirade on our land.

      Across the diaspora, the Lapu Lapu Festival marks a time to celebrate our culture's historic resilience in times of injustice. This celebration was stolen by a tragic juxtaposition when a car sped into the crowd. Over 30 people were injured and 11 devastatingly lost their lives. The youngest life lost was only five; the oldest was 65.

      In our culture, we have a belief called kapwa [friend], Hon­our­able Speaker, a value rooted deeply into everything that we do that connects all of us in a profound way. Kapwa means that what happens to you, happens to me. It happens to all of us.

      Filipinos are told far too often that we are a resilient people because of how we have overcome the hardship that we have faced. We have seen count­less  waves of bloodshed, natural disaster, injustice and collective hurt. While resilience is something that  I,  and I know the member for Notre Dame (MLA Marcelino), minister for Labour and Immigration, hold with pride, I also understand that as a second‑generation Filipina immigrant whose blood­line has already seen so much, Hon­our­able Speaker, we should have–we should not have to keep enduring this hurt. This kind of violence and uprooting has no place in a country like Canada that our ancestors fought tooth and nail for us to call home.

      Because of this violence, shockwaves of grief, fear and reminders of past trauma have been sent through our communities in the Filipino diaspora, all the way back to our homeland in the Philippines. To our pamilya [family] out west, nandito po kaming lahat para sa inyo [we are all here for you]. Kahit lang–kahit dito lang po tayo sa Manitoba, hindi po kayo nag-iisa sa lungkot at luksa. [Even though we are here in Manitoba, you are not alone in sadness and grief.] We are right there with you in your sadness and in your grief.

      And to the first responders who acted promptly to the call of duty, the kababayans [countrymen] on the front lines who treated the victims, and the Filipino BC organizers who provided first aid and leadership amid the attack, thank you. Maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat. [Thank you very much to all of you.]

      Con­dol­ences, as well, to our elected counterparts out west: Mayor Ken Sim, Premier Eby, MLA Mable Elmore and all those also provi­ding support to their constituents.

      To our kapwa [friends] who are hurting right here in Manitoba, who are nervous for what comes next and whose minds are racing trying to find new ways to help: We see you. We are here for you. And com­mu­nity will get us out of this. Hon­our­able Speaker, com­mu­nity is the reason that the Filipino com­mu­nity is strong. Com­mu­nity is the source of our safety.

      For those wishing to offer monetary support, a trans­par­ent fund has been set up between Filipino British Columbia and United Way British Columbia at uwbc.ca/lapu. Hon­our­able Speaker, 100 per cent of these donations will help provide immediate assistance, counselling and trauma services and other critical sup­port as the community begins to heal.

      Hon­our­able Speaker, I ask for leave for a moment of silence immediately following my statement to commemorate the lives lost to this tragedy, those hurt and the pain and the grief of the friends and family affected.

The Speaker: Is there leave for a moment of silence? [Agreed]

A moment of silence was observed.

* (14:00)

The Speaker: Thank you.

Decorum in the Chamber and Public Apology

Mr. Obby Khan (Leader of the Official Opposition): Today, I have the honour of rising as the leader of His Majesty's official opposition to play a key role in leadership in our free and democratic electoral system. I am beyond honoured and humbled.

      Thank you.

      I also have an honour of serving here for the last three years. So often, I have looked up in the public gallery filled with students who are looking at us as mentors and examples of respectful behaviour, and on every occasion we have failed them with our behaviour that would not be tolerated in schools or in society. That tone changes today.

      Today, we hold this NDP government to account, and we will do that in a dignified way that reflects the views of Manitobans who have sent us a clear message: All elected officials must do better.

      We will ask tough questions because Manitobans deserve real answers. We will hold the NDP to account for their long list of broken promises. We will show Manitobans that there is a better path to unleashing our full economic potential, to making life more affordable, to holding criminals to account with  jail not bail policies and, once and for all, fixing health care with real action, not photo ops and empty announcements.

      Today, it is fitting that my first opportunity to address this House is on Red Dress Day, honouring the memories of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.

      I stand here today as the new leader of the PC Party and apologize to the families of Rebecca Contois, Morgan Harris, Marcedes Myran and Ashlee Shingoose and to all Manitobans for the harm that was caused by our previous campaign.

      As the new PC leader, this is now on me to carry and move forward, in humility, in humbleness and in kindness, in an unwavering love and belief that when we come together under one big tent, we are all better for it.

      Hon­our­able Speaker, a new day has begun.

      Thank you.

Infinity Women Secretariat

MLA Billie Cross (Seine River): Today, on Red Dress Day, I would like to recognize the non‑profit Infinity Women Secretariat. Through a grassroots movement, IWS has created programs that advocate for Red River Métis women, girls and 2SLGBTQ+ individuals through social, economic and political arenas.

      IWS offers many programs to help their com­mu­nity members through policies, programs and services that foster an understanding of the needs of women, girls and members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community through economic, social and mental health avenues.

      Their youth outreach program is dedicated to supporting and encouraging and inspiring Red River Métis women, girls and 2SLGBTQ individuals. They want to celebrate and embrace individual connections to their Métis identity through culture, outreach and empowerment programming.

      As part of the MMIWG2S advisory committee and in collaboration with the MMF, their Pey Key Way Ta Hin, Bring Me Home program offers a family support worker to help Red River Métis families, citizens and survivors by supporting and assisting them with finding their lost relatives and by bringing them home. This program is about providing families with closure and giving those that have been lost their voices back. It is about provi­ding families with an understanding of what happened to their missing loved ones and being able to bring them home.

      Where colonial systems attempt to suppress and erase the voices of Red River Métis women, girls and two‑spirit individuals, the IWS's work in supporting them and fostering connections between them is critical. It would not be possible with the hard work of the dedicated IWS board members, Frances Chartrand, Adrienne Carriere and spokeswoman Anita Campbell who is here with us today in the gallery.

      Honourable Speaker, women are sacred, and we must continue to uplift their voices, guarantee their pro­tection and show reverence for their lives.

      I ask my colleagues to please rise and join me in celebrating the work of the IWS.

Alfred "Bucky" Anderson

Mr. Richard Perchotte (Selkirk): It's not every day we get to celebrate someone who I have known for 35 years and whose leadership, creativity and heart have touched so many lives, but today, I am proud to do just that by recognizing Alfred "Bucky" Anderson.

      Joining online today is Minister Anderson, vice‑president of the Interlake region and Minister of Culture and Heritage with the Red River Métis govern­ment.

      Elected in 2010 as vice‑president of the Manitoba Métis Federation, Minister Anderson's leadership and commitment have earned him the continued trust of his community, being acclaimed in 2014, 2018 and again in 2022.

      Minister Anderson often says his mission is to instill pride among Red River Métis citizens and, quote, put a smile on your face, unquote. That mission came to life when he created the Métis Music Van, a unique initiative that has travelled throughout the Interlake, southeast and Winnipeg regions, promoting the vibrant culture and music of the Red River Métis.

      His efforts have been recognized with three separate awards in Selkirk, including the Selkirk Biz business excellence award and a community leader­ship award from Promoting Aboriginal Student Success. The impact of his work is also captured in a life‑sized mural titled, quote, The Beat Goes On, unquote, at Robinson and Main Street in Selkirk, where the Métis Music Van stands as a symbol of cultural pride and unity.

      Minister Anderson finds joy in watching the Métis community flourish. He continues to connect citizens in a meaningful way, sharing music, history and hope.

      Please join me in thanking Minister Alfred "Bucky" Anderson for his unwavering dedication, cultural leadership and the joy he brings to the communities across Manitoba.

      Thank you, Honourable Speaker.

Drag the Red

Hon. Bernadette Smith (Minister of Housing, Addictions and Homelessness): Today I want to recognize the incredible work of Drag the Red, who search the Red River for missing and murdered persons.

      Drag the Red is a grassroots organization that was started in 2014 after the discovery of 15‑year‑old Tina Fontaine in the Red River. It was co‑founded by myself and Kyle Kematch. We formed Drag the Red to search for others who were–have relatives who have gone missing or have been murdered, including our own siblings, Claudette Osborne‑Tyo and Amber Guiboche. Since then, Drag the Red volunteers con­tinue to search the Red River each and every year. This is preventative work, it gives families hope, supports community building and works collabora­tively with policing and many community organi­zations.

      MMIWG2S+ touches the lives of so, so many, and the heart work that they do is creating change. This is a heavy task that Drag the Red does and–but is unfortunately needed, and I'm pleased to know that there are folks who are out there looking for our relatives. Their continued dedication means the world to MMIWG2S families. For anyone who has faced the grief of losing a loved one, know that–know you are not alone.

      All of us have a part to play in supporting the community during hard times, and Drag the Red does just that important work to support those who are still searching for their loved ones.

      Organizers from Drag the Red have joined us today in the gallery, and I ask that the House join me in saying miigwech to the volunteers for their dedica­tion and commit­ment, each and every year.

      You have shown great strength in the face of tragedy and do so much to support the community. I am so grateful for your work in supporting MMIWG2S+ families in your efforts to bring our relatives home and to keep our community safe.

      We love you. Miigwech. Thank you for all of your work.

Jana Benzolock, Lilian Bonita, Mitch Bourbonniere, Raelyn Deboynton, Morgan Fontaine, Shawna Francois, Neale Gillespie, Cherish Harper, Caitlin Lima, Savanna McMannus, Tyna Moorfoot, Santana Roberts, Gina Smoke, Jill Wilson

Introduction of Guests

The Speaker: Prior to oral questions, there are several guests in the gallery I'd like to intro­duce.

      First I'll draw attention to–of all hon­our­able members to the public gallery where we have with us today pulmonary arterial hypertension patients Tanya Stinson, Cindy Hayman, Chrissy Wilder; and pul­monary arterial hypertension caregiver Rob [phonetic] Wilder, Dr. David Christensen, St. Boniface Hospital, who are guests of the hon­our­able member for Tuxedo (MLA Compton).

* (14:10)

      And we welcome you all here today.

      We have, seated in the public gallery, from École Saint‑Norbert, 40 grade 6 to grade 8 students under the direction of Chantelle Murray, and this group is located in the constituency of the hon­our­able member for Seine River (MLA Cross).

      We welcome you here today.

      And we have, seated in the public gallery, from Novell Design Build, custom home builders in Vancouver, BC, three guests: Laurel James, Angelito Camalang [phonetic] and Terran Camaclang.

      And we welcome you here today.

Speaker's Statement

The Speaker: And now, prior to oral questions, I have a statement for the House.

      I'd like to take a moment to clarify our practices of–for referencing guests in the gallery during debate. I've recently received questions from members on this matter, and I felt it is im­por­tant for all MLAs to understand what is acceptable.

      As the Speaker of this House, it is a pleasure to be able to welcome guests into our galleries so that they may witness the busi­ness of the Assembly first‑hand.

      While it is acceptable for members to applaud, wave at or reference guests in the gallery during pro­ceedings, such as during a member's statement, it is not acceptable to draw them into debate. The public gallery code of conduct spe­cific­ally directs visitors to refrain from making any interruption or disturbance during proceedings, so encouraging them to do so is both confusing and unfair. This is the most problematic when a member's making partisan statements. Many guests, including youth visiting as part of school groups, have conveyed feeling uncomfortable when such attention has been drawn to them. They are here as observers of our demo­cracy, not as props.

      I would also remind members that it is a long‑standing practice in our parlia­mentary system that comments must be made through the Chair and not directly to other members or to the galleries, as noted on page 610 of the third edition of House of Commons Procedure and Practice. To involve guests in our debates, then, is not only a breach of etiquette, but is also a breach of practice.

      I want you all to understand that if this occurs again, especially in more partisan moments, I may inter­rupt members and ask them to rephrase their demark–remarks and to stop involv­ing guests in the debate.

      I hope this statement clarifies this matter for the House, and I thank you all for your attention to this matter.

Oral Questions

Leader of the Official Opposition
New Leader Acknowledgements

Mr. Obby Khan (Leader of the Official Opposition): Hon­our­able Speaker, in this role as an MLA, there are a lot–there is a lot that unites us in this room. We see lots of joys and sad that we also ex­per­ience much tragedy. One of the first events I attended as Leader of the Op­posi­tion will forever stay with me.

      Last Tuesday, we were not NDP, Liberal or PC; we were Manitobans standing with the Filipino com­mu­nity to stand united after the Lapu Lapu tragedy in Vancouver. On the exact opposite side of the spectrum, last night we also stood united for entirely different purpose and saw the Jets tie up a win in its–in­cred­ible overtime action. Go, Jets, go.

      I have many serious questions for the Premier, but I want to take this first op­por­tun­ity to acknowledge all that unites us and allow him the op­por­tun­ity to respond.

Hon. Wab Kinew (Premier): On behalf of the Province of Manitoba, I want to take this op­por­tun­ity to extend my sincere con­dol­ences to everyone in British Columbia who is directly affected by the tragedy at the Lapu Lapu festival. I also want to extend those sympathies to members of the Filipino com­mu­nity in British Columbia, here in Manitoba, across Canada and around the world.

      What took place at that event betrays our ex­pect­a­tions. A gathering was not only turned into a dark, dark event, but we saw a celebration become the site of a loss of life. We stand together as Manitobans to support the survivors, their friends and their families.

      Hon­our­able Speaker, you can tell that I was at the game last night, too. I left a good chunk of my voice there, but I will always be able to say: go, Jets, go and we want the cup, we want the cup, we want the cup.

The Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a supplementary question.

Manitoba's Economy
GDP Growth Targets

Mr. Obby Khan (Leader of the Official Opposition): Hon­our­able Speaker, we agree that there's a lot that unites us, and our economy is one of them.

      Unfor­tunately for Manitobans, under this Premier, our province is dead last in GDP growth–I'll table that article here today–where declining agri­cul­tural exports are already contributing to this decline, and American and Chinese tariffs will worsen the situation.

      The Premier's approach on economic leadership is failing.

      Can the Premier tell us what his GDP growth targets are for this year?

Hon. Wab Kinew (Premier): Well, everyone in Canada knows that the biggest threat to our economy is Donald Trump. That's why we're all so puzzled at the Progressive Conservatives, who chose a new leader who thanks Donald Trump for his 25 per cent tariffs.

      Our strategy to grow our economy is to stand up to Donald Trump and to prevent the Progressive Conservatives from ever forming gov­ern­ment in Manitoba again. Only then will we be ensured that we're not going to have somebody who is worried about Donald Trump instead of worrying about you.

      We're fixing health care in Manitoba. We're making life more affordable.

      I also want to take this op­por­tun­ity to con­gratu­late Mark Carney on his election as Canada's Prime Minister and to wish him luck in his Oval Office meeting with Donald Trump tomorrow.

      We are going to keep building up this country by working together, not by sucking up to Donald Trump.

The Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a final sup­ple­mentary question.

Mr. Khan: Manitobans, you saw it right there. This Premier reverts back to his nature: bullying tactics. It's who he is.

      I asked a serious question, first day, Leader of the Op­posi­tion, about GDP in this province of Manitoba, and what does the Premier do? He attacks. He misleads Manitobans.

      The NDP–Manitobans should know, the NDP are using your taxpayer dollars to a–launch attack web­sites on me minutes after I won. They're using your taxpayer dollars to attack–[interjection]

The Speaker: Order.

Mr. Khan: Now when you want to talk about Donald Trump, there's a direct line between this Premier's history and Donald Trump.

      I'll ask the Premier again: What is his growth targets for GDP in this province? Manitobans have a right to know. It's not a joke. He can stop laughing and bullying and answer the question.

Mr. Kinew: Hon­our­able Speaker, these are the words of the member opposite, a direct quote here. How much of an influence does the 25 per cent tariff threat have? He goes on to say: Thank you. I would say thank you to Donald Trump.

      These are his words. The biggest threat to our economy, and everyone out there knows this, is the Trump tariff tax. At a time when busi­ness owners were asking for us to work together, at a time where Canadians were saying: we need to rally around the flag to stand up for this beautiful country that we love so much, the member for Fort Whyte thanked Donald Trump not once, but twice: I would say thank you, I would say thank you. Verbatim, direct quote.

      That's not how we build up our economy. We build up our economy by investing in you, the working people of Manitoba. We build up our economy by making busi­nesses more productive. But most im­por­tantly, we do it as Canadians protecting our national sovereignty and our national security each and every single day.

      I will never thank–

The Speaker: Member's time is expired.

      The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a new question.

Venture Capital Investment

Mr. Khan: Manitobans witnessed it there directly. I asked him a question about GDP, refuses to answer it.

      The Premier wants to attack, attack, attack.

      Why won't he go outside the House and repeat that attack where he's not protected by parlia­mentary privilege? He won't do it because he knows–he knows–he is misleading Manitobans. [interjection]

The Speaker: Order.

Mr. Khan: Venture Capital provides private financing to startups and companies that investors believe have growth potential. It's an im­por­tant measure of busi­ness con­fi­dence.

* (14:20)

      Can the Premier share the level of capital 'velture' invest­ments for Manitoba in 2022 and how it compares nationally with last year?

Mr. Kinew: I'd venture to say that capital is afraid of Donald Trump right now, which is why it's so puzzling that the member opposite would thank Donald Trump. Again, direct quotes, his words: I would say thank you. I would say thank you for the 25 per cent tariff threat.

      The tariff threat is a big risk. It's a source of uncertainty, so we, as your gov­ern­ment, are stepping up to deliver. How are we going to do that? We're going to build, build, build our Manitoba economy: new personal‑care homes that the PCs never built; new emergency rooms that the PCs closed; new highways in rural Manitoba across all the con­stit­uencies, none of which voted for the member opposite to become the new PC leader.

      But, im­por­tantly, we're going to work together with the premiers and the new Prime Minister to stand up to Donald Trump as one united team Canada. We're working for you; we're working for Canada; we will never thank Donald Trump, like the member opposite.

The Speaker: The hon­our­able Leader of the Official Op­posi­tion, on a sup­ple­mentary question.

Mr. Khan: Hon­our­able Speaker, the NDP are using your taxpayer dollars and have already been hit with copyright infringement, misappropriation of likeness, and defamation by false implication.

      The Premier can simply step outside and repeat the words he's saying, but you know who's afraid of this NDP? Everybody. Venture capital is afraid of this NDP. Venture capital invest­ments–[interjection]

The Speaker: Order.

Mr. Khan: –in Manitoba in 2023 were $46 million–fifth strongest in Canada. In the first year under the NDP, venture capital is $2 million–a 96 per cent drop under this NDP and this Premier. I'll table the data so the Premier can actually read it.

      Will the Premier wake up to the fact that his policies are not growing our economy? What is he going to do to increase our economy?

Mr. Kinew: The economic horse pulls the social cart. That's why our gov­ern­ment has been working hard, not only to build, build, build our prov­incial economy and to invest in the next gen­era­tion of workers–that's you and the kids in school across Manitoba today–but we've also been working with the other premiers and the Prime Minister at the federal level to stand up to Donald Trump.

      Donald Trump is in the media over this weekend talking seriously about the possi­bility of a military–of invasion in Canada. He says it's not likely, but he's still talking about it.

      How could somebody claiming to lead a legit­imate political party in Canada thank a person like that? Again, the direct quotes: I would say thank you. I would say thank you. These are the words that the member opposite said. How could he support Donald Trump? If you want to stand for Manitoba's economy, you have to stand against Donald Trump.

      We stand for our economy. He stands with Donald Trump.

The Speaker: The hon­our­able Leader of the Official Op­posi­tion, on a final sup­ple­mentary question.

Mr. Khan: Oh, Hon­our­able Speaker. The law, the Premier's favourite quote: the economic horse pulls the social cart.

      What did the president of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce say? What did the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce say? The economic horse is pulling the social cart, and the social cart is getting heavier and heavier and heavier under this NDP.

      The question is simple: Can the Premier stop bullying? Can the Premier answer a question so Manitobans can be assured that their economy is safe? What is this Premier going to do to grow our economy here in the province of Manitoba?

Mr. Kinew: I'm going to stand up to Donald Trump and I'm going to stand up for Canada because I love this beautiful country. Even if you didn't have the political IQ to prevent yourself from saying, I would say thank you to Donald Trump, would your patriotism not kick into gear? Would you not have the good sense to say, let me not thank the existential threat to Canada's economy right now? Apparently not.

      I guess we know there is a clear division when we're talking about our visions for the future of the economy. On this side of the House, we're feeding the economic horse. We're making it strong. We're investing $3.7 billion into building up the infra­structure to power the economy for tomorrow.

      At the same time we're investing in you, the youth, the next gen­era­tion, because the best economic plan is an edu­ca­tion plan, and we're standing up to Donald Trump and we're saying: Canada is not for sale. Canada will never–

The Speaker: The member's time has expired.

Crown Timber Dues in ManitobaRequest to Align with Neighbouring Provinces

Mr. Konrad Narth (La Vérendrye): Two weeks ago, I asked the con­ser­va­tion minister why his de­part­ment wasn't reducing Crown timber dues, even though Ontario had cut theirs to one‑third of Manitoba, driving our loggers out of business.

      Since the minister wasn't able to answer my question then, the logging industry is concerned that this gov­ern­ment is out of touch, and are scared for their future.

      Will the minister commit today to align timber dues with our neighbouring province and put hundreds of loggers back to work?

Hon. Ian Bushie (Minister of Natural Resources and Indigenous Futures): There are loggers working all across Manitoba. They're working in part­ner­ship with Indigenous com­mu­nities; they're working in part­ner­­ship with the industry, some­thing that members oppo­site had no idea, had no concept of wanting to support in any fashion or way what­so­ever.

      But as we stand up that industry here in Manitoba, we do it in a good way, in a good way that brings every­body to the table, that brings industry, that brings Indigenous com­mu­nities to the table, that brings benefit to not only Manitoba, but not–all of Canada, and we're doing that in a right way, some­thing members opposite never done in all of their years.

The Speaker: The honourable member for La Vérendrye, on a supplementary question.

Mr. Narth: Well, Honourable Speaker, well, we knew we had a Premier (Mr. Kinew) that still thinks he's campaigning, the Health Minister listening to our health-care system crumble, an Edu­ca­tion Minister that hasn't built a school, but now we've got a con­ser­va­tion minister that is taxing building supplies on new homes out of the market.

      How can this gov­ern­ment tell Manitobans that they are breaking down inter­national trade barriers and strengthening our economy when they have just created new trade barriers as a result of this minister's inaction?

Mr. Bushie: As we break down those trade barriers, that member opposite stands with their newly elected leader and thanks Trump for the tariffs. Thanks that–creating those barriers, building those walls and creating that hardship for Manitoba and hardship for the logging industry here in Manitoba.

      We're going to break down those barriers. We're going to do that in support. We're going to do that when we have revenue sharing, some­thing that was unheard of under the PC gov­ern­ment. We're bringing that forward in a very concrete way for the benefit of all Manitobans, Indigenous com­mu­nities and industry all across this great province.

First Nations Along Eastern Lake Winnipeg
Licence for Forestry-Based Business

Mr. Konrad Narth (La Vérendrye): Okay. Hon­our­able Speaker, if the minister is unwilling to sit down with neighbouring–[interjection]

The Speaker: Order.

Mr. Narth: –provinces to create a stan­dard­ized fee structure to promote interprovincial trade, there is another solution: Hollow Water First Nation, along with three other First Nations on the east side of Lake Winnipeg, had been awarded a licence under the previous PC gov­ern­ment to operate a forestry-based busi­ness, formally–formerly managed by Tembec, which would provide hundreds of good jobs.

      Will the minister commit to provi­ding support and assist­ance for this Indigenous-led venture to strengthen our economy?

Hon. Ian Bushie (Minister of Natural Resources and Indigenous Futures): For the member to talk about Hollow Water, probably having never visited Hollow Water in the first place, is shameful. I'm a member of that First Nation, and I've spoken with leadership all across the east side of Lake Winnipeg.

      And knowing full well that they had the doors locked from those members opposite. They did not open the doors; they did not open the com­muni­cation; they stood there and they talked about creating things. They built those things on Etch A Sketch. What happens when you do that? You shake those details out and they disappear. That's exactly how they plan; that is exactly how they govern, and they did nothing for timber industry all across Manitoba.

The Speaker: Order, please.

      Just to remind the hon­our­able member for La Vérendrye (Mr. Narth) to use the minister's correct title in the future. There is no con­ser­va­tion minister.

Interprovincial Trade and Labour Mobility
Request to Remove Barriers in Manitoba

Mrs. Lauren Stone (Midland): In a public docu­ment, the Montreal Economic In­sti­tute noted that Manitoba will be one of the largest beneficiaries of eliminating interprovincial trade barriers. Other pro­vinces are moving well ahead, and all Manitobans would benefit.

      Bill 227 would remove trade and labour mobility barriers between Manitoba and other provinces. Where other provinces are already ahead of Manitoba, Manitoba is falling behind.

      Will the NDP support Bill 227 today and support the free flow of goods, services and labour? Yes or no?

Hon. Adrien Sala (Minister of Finance): Hon­our­able Speaker, this team is doing very im­por­tant work reducing interprovincial trade barriers, and that work continues under the in­cred­ible leadership of my colleague, Minister Moses–or, sorry, the minister respon­si­ble for busi­ness, mining, jobs, trade and–we also, of course, have great leadership from our Premier (Mr. Kinew) on this file.

* (14:30)

      There are a number of other really im­por­tant things we're doing, like a $3.7‑billion capital plan, a payroll tax cut to make Manitoba even more investible and, of course, other really im­por­tant invest­ments we're making to grow our economy here in Manitoba.

      You know, that's very different from what the members opposite did over the many years they were in gov­ern­ment, when they failed to do that work of growing our economy and, of course, what's not going to help grow an economy? Tariffs on Canadian goods from Mr. Trump, which we know the member oppo­site, the leadership–leader is supporting.

The Speaker: The honourable member for Midland, on a supplementary question.

Mrs. Stone: Hon­our­able Speaker, there was no answer to the question that was provided. It was a simple yes or no question.

      Prime Minister Carney has vowed that, from a federal level, we will have free internal trade by Canada Day. Ontario, Nova Scotia and PEI are all moving ahead and Manitoba is being left behind. We're asking a simple question for the NDP to make a legis­lative commit­ment to removing interprovincial trade barriers.

      Eighteen months of no talk–all talk and no action by this NDP. At what date can Manitobans expect fast-tracked licensing and certification require­ments to increase labour mobility to Manitoba?

MLA Sala: Hon­our­able Speaker, this team is doing the work to protect jobs and protect our economy here in Manitoba.

      We are working to reduce interprovincial trade barriers. We brought forward a huge $3.7-billion capital plan that is going to see us build, build, build 11 schools, three personal-care homes. We're going to get the NEWPCC facility built which they never got done to ensure Manitoba's economic engine in Winnipeg continues growing, and we're going to keep making im­por­tant invest­ments to support busi­nesses so they can keep growing in Manitoba.

      This team is doing the im­por­tant work. Our last budget is going to help to unlock economic potential in Manitoba. That work continues; Manitobans can continue to rely on this team to grow our economy and protect jobs here in our province.

The Speaker: The honourable member for Midland, on a final sup­ple­mentary question.

Mrs. Stone: Hon­our­able Speaker, we are talking about a free trade bill here in Manitoba that other provinces have already moved ahead in. When this NDP had an op­por­tun­ity support it, it was the Minister of Agri­cul­ture (Mr. Kostyshyn) that actually spoke it out at a time of US and China tariffs.

      Prime Minister Carney advises that he is com­mitted to removing all federal exemptions under the Canada Free Trade Agree­ment. The PM has said removing barriers to the free movement of workers, goods and services would increase Canada's economy by $250 billion; that's $6,000 back in the pockets of Canadians.

      Will this minister follow Ontario, Nova Scotia and PEI and commit to eliminating all prov­incial exemptions by Canada Day, yes or no?

MLA Sala: Again, Hon­our­able Speaker, you know what will not help to grow our economy here in Manitoba? Tariffs from Donald Trump, right? And here we have the Leader of the Op­posi­tion who is on record thanking President Trump for those tariffs. That's obviously not the right forward.

      Our team will always stand against Donald Trump and his tariffs and we'll always fight for Canada and Manitoba.

      You know, I'll say briefly, I'm happy–over the last week, I was meeting with investors, credit-rating agencies who, I'm very happy to report, are very, very sup­port­ive of our budget, of the work we're doing; they think our work is credible and they see us as building a stronger Manitoba.

Hudson Bay Archives
Auditor General Recommendations

Mr. Richard Perchotte (Selkirk): The Premier's (Mr. Kinew) expressed an interest in Hudson Bay archives. What recom­men­dations has the minister imple­mented from the Auditor General that would protect and preserve Manitoba's archives?

Hon. Nellie Kennedy (Minister of Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism): Hon­our­able Speaker, I can honestly say that our gov­ern­ment is committed to the historical value of all that we have in Manitoba. Our gov­ern­ment stands behind making sure that we have the ability and the wherewithal to be able to preserve the history within our province.

      Thank you.

The Speaker: The honourable member for Selkirk, on a supplementary question.

Mr. Perchotte: Hon­our­able Speaker, the Auditor General's report found over a dozen instances where the HVAC system and other con­di­tions were insuf­ficient for record storage. How many such incidents have occurred since the report was done in February of 2024?

MLA Kennedy: Hon­our­able Speaker, we take these things very serially with the–seriously in this side of the House. We recog­nize the importance of ensuring that all of our archives and our history within our province are managed in a way that keeps things safe, and to ensure that we have the ability to enjoy these records for years to come.

      Thank you.

The Speaker: The hon­our­able member for Selkirk, on a final sup­ple­mentary question.

Mr. Perchotte: Hon­our­able Speaker, the question is about what has the minister done to protect and preserve these critical archives.

      Why is the minister refusing to engage with this vital aspect of our shared history? Manitobans deserve to know.

MLA Kennedy: Hon­our­able Speaker, it's interesting coming from that side of the House where we have, you know, the new official Leader of the Op­posi­tion thanking Trump for tariffs.

      On this side of the House, we actually care about our history and how we support Manitobans. We support First Nations and ensuring that artifacts are here and that Manitobans are able to be sure that we are taking care of our ancestors and the people that have come before us.

      Thank you.

Death of Myah Gratton
Status of Family Services Report

Ms. Jodie Byram (Agassiz): On February 11, 2024, Myah‑Lee Gratton was murdered despite reaching out to her case worker to express her fears for her safety and plea for help. The minister and Premier (Mr. Kinew) made different promises to Manitobans about what would be released and when.

      Why has the minister still refused to release this report?

Hon. Nahanni Fontaine (Minister of Families): Again, I want to put on the official record, on behalf of myself as the minister respon­si­ble–and the Premier has said it many times as well–in behalf of our whole NDP caucus: you know, what happened was an absolute tragedy, and it's some­thing that's going to go down in Manitoba history as one of the worst acts of intimate partner violence, parti­cularly involv­ing children.

      And that remains true to this day, that we stand with the families. We actually went out to Carman on the year anniversary and had the op­por­tun­ity to hear from family members and from com­mu­nity talk about every single one of them and the love that they had–

The Speaker: Member's time has expired.

      The hon­our­able member for Agassiz, on a sup­ple­mentary question.

Ms. Byram: A grieving mother should not have to turn to the courts for answers. Juliette Hastings deserves justice for her daughter.

      Will this Premier today apologize for his gov­ern­ment's failure to protect Myah‑Lee and commit to working together for the safety of all Manitobans?

MLA Fontaine: If the member opposite had cared to do a little bit more research instead of trying to make a political football out of this or get some political points out of what is a really, really in­cred­ibly heart­breaking and serious tragedy, she would know that the mother does have a report. We did release some of the report, as was her lawyer. So her lawyer does have that report.

The Speaker: The hon­our­able member for Agassiz, on a final sup­ple­mentary question.

Ms. Byram: The Premier said last year that he'd be willing to launch a public inquiry.

      When can Manitobans expect that public inquiry into the systemic failures that led to Myah-Lee's death?

MLA Fontaine: The member opposite also knows–because I had her in my office when we shared our $20-million Mino'Ayaawag Ikwewag strategy, which a huge component of that, as I shared with her, is about helping to support women tackling intimate partner violence, which includes access to shelter, 24‑7 drop-in safe spaces and transitional housing.

      We're doing that work. Our gov­ern­ment invested $20 million towards ensuring that Indigenous women, girls, two-spirit and gender-diverse folks have the supports and the safety net that they need to ensure their safety and that they're able to–

The Speaker: Member's time has expired.

Uni­ver­sal Screening for Learning Disabilities
Timeline for Standing Com­mit­tee for Bill 225

MLA Cindy Lamoureux (Tyndall Park): On March 26, I intro­duced Bill 225, uni­ver­sal screening for learning dis­abil­ities. On April 11, two weeks later, the gov­ern­ment issued a news release celebrating their commit­ment to uni­ver­sal screening for learning dis­abil­ities. And on April 15, I was thrilled to see Bill 225 pass second reading with unanimous support.

* (14:40)

      Hon­our­able Speaker, the next step is com­mit­tee. Many Manitobans have already signed up to present at com­mit­tee.

      Will the minister share with the House here this afternoon when Bill 225 will go to com­mit­tee?

Hon. Tracy Schmidt (Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning): I thank the member opposite for that very im­por­tant question. I will make a small correction for the record and that is that our gov­ern­ment did more than just express a commit­ment to the early uni­ver­sal screener tools that we have intro­duced; in fact, we've issued a policy directive, and it is some­thing that we're really exciting to be rolling out in the fall in schools across Manitoba.

      The intro­duce it–the intro­duction of these uni­ver­sal early screening tools are going to ensure that all Manitobans, including our earliest learners, receive the supports that they need at the earliest possible inter­ven­tion. We're very, very proud of that an­nounce­ment. I look forward to working with the member opposite–

The Speaker: Member's time has expired.

      The hon­our­able member for Tyndall Park, on a sup­ple­mentary question.

Resources for Specialists and Schools

MLA Lamoureux: Identifying learning dis­abil­ities through uni­ver­sal screening is just the first step. We also need teachers, reading specialists and speech-language pathologists who are trained and resourced to support students.

      It was shared in a letter from a Dyslexia Canada outreach co‑ordinator that the heartbreaking reality is that even highly engaged families cannot replace the role of an adequately supported school system.

      Does this government agree that provi­ding a uni­ver­sal screening program for students will help educators and specialists respond with a more con­sistent and evidence-based strategy that children require?

MLA Schmidt: Again, thank you to the member oppo­site for this im­por­tant question, for allowing the opportunity for this im­por­tant discussion in this Chamber.

      And, again, I think it's im­por­tant to note some­thing that's different from Bill two-two–225 that separates from what the an­nounce­ment that our government was very proud to make earlier last month, and that's that our uni­ver­sal screening tools are not just there to help identify students with disabilities. And, again, I very much applaud the member opposite for her work with Dyslexia Canada and the folks that work at Dyslexia Canada for the excellent advocacy that they do.

      But our uni­ver­sal screening tools here in Manitoba are to–are designed for all children and to identify all the barriers that they might be facing when they're struggling with literacy, not just learning disabilities. So we also agree that it's very im­por­tant–

The Speaker: Member's time has expired.

      The hon­our­able member for Tyndall Park, on a final sup­ple­mentary question.

Accountability for Literacy Outcomes


Systemic Barriers for Marginalized Communities

MLA Cindy Lamoureux (Tyndall Park): Hon­our­able Speaker, there's no accountability in the govern­ment's announcement. Literacy out­comes in Manitoba are not simply about an individual effort; they are shaped by poverty, language barriers, race and disability. Many parents want to help but cannot take on the role of a trained reading instructor.

      Literacy is not just an at-home responsibility; it is a public right.

      How is the gov­ern­ment ensuring that its approach to literacy, whether through policy, legis­lation or curriculum, acknowledges and addresses the systemic barriers students and families are facing, especially those from marginalized com­mu­nities?

Hon. Tracy Schmidt (Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning): Again, thank the member opposite for the question, and I think that it's true that the member and I probably agree on more than we disagree on this im­por­tant topic. And I would argue that probably most members of this Chamber really want the best for children and we want the best for–to improve the literacy out­comes here in Manitoba.

      That's why our government was so proud, for a second year in a row, to finally restore proper, healthy funding to schools: $170 million, Hon­our­able Speaker, over two years, in this province. We've also annual­ized the $30-million uni­ver­sal nutrition program, which hopefully will be protected into law later this afternoon, to ensure that all children across Manitoba, spe­cific­ally the children in the most need, receive the–

The Speaker: Member's time has expired.

Threats to Canada's Economy
Manitoba's Response

Mr. Logan Oxenham (Kirkfield Park): Hon­our­able Speaker, the MLA for Fort Whyte has been silent for months on issues that matter to Manitobans, but he has been clear on one thing: how thankful he is to Donald Trump for his tariffs on Manitoba busi­nesses.

      In fact, he said: So, how much of an influence did the 25 per cent tariff threat have on that? I would say a lot. And I would say thank you; I would say thank you, he's gone now.

      So does the minister for economic dev­elop­ment, invest­ment and trade have a different approach to Trump's tariffs and threats to our sovereignty?

Hon. Jamie Moses (Minister of Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation): Hon­our­able Speaker, let's be clear: we will never become the 51st state, and that is very clear, despite the musings of members oppo­site, like the MLA for Borderland.

      We will not give EV rebates to Elon Musk, like the MLA for Midland wants. And we will never thank Donald Trump for his tariffs, like the MLA for Fort Whyte suggests.

      Now, if the MLA for Fort Whyte had stood up for Manitoba busi­nesses instead of thanking Donald Trump, maybe he would have actually won the PC leadership race with more votes.

      Now–but I tell members opposite: instead of trying to outcompete them­selves to see who can grovel over Donald Trump the most, our gov­ern­ment, instead, is going to support Manitoba busi­nesses, support grow­ing more good jobs here in our province and doing it as part of our team Canada approach–

The Speaker: Member's time has expired.

Homeless Encampments in Winnipeg
Concern for Gov­ern­ment's Housing Strategy

Mrs. Kathleen Cook (Roblin): Hon­our­able Speaker, the minister and the Premier (Mr. Kinew) have cer-tainly spent a lot of time talking about their strategy for ending encampments and getting people into housing.

      To date, how many people have been housed through this process?

Hon. Bernadette Smith (Minister of Housing, Addictions and Homelessness): For seven and a half years under that gov­ern­ment, they sold off housing, they didn't support people. It takes minutes, seconds, to sell off housing.

      We've continually supported people. We've con­tinually taken off the boards that that previous failed gov­ern­ment put up. We're not going to continue to take lessons–or any lessons, for that fact–from any members opposite. We will continue to support people, to put people into housing that they boarded up. These folks are continuing to thrive in their housing. They're–these folks that are supporting them are, you know, so thankful that they finally have a gov­ern­ment that is supporting them.

      So I want to lift them up and say, thank you for the work that they're doing.

The Speaker: The hon­our­able member for Roblin, on a sup­ple­mentary question.

Mrs. Cook: Hon­our­able Speaker, that was a really simple question. The minister should have had the answer at her fingertips.

      The minister has expressed that progress is being made, but Marion Willis of St. Boniface Street Links told the media that there are more encampments right now than ever before.

      Can the minister tell us how many people are living in encampments right now in Winnipeg?

Ms. Smith: Well, for the–first, Heather Stefanson and the member for Fort Whyte (Mr. Khan) worked to sell homes out from underneath them. They sold hundreds of homes on Smith Street–over 300 units. Those put people into tents. That's what created encampments in this province.

      So members opposite can stand by those folks across the street when, in fact, they're the ones that put folks into encampments, were okay going outside this building and seeing people in bus shacks. They sold off–now the Leader of the Op­posi­tion, you know, is following in those footsteps. They thanked Donald Trump for the tariffs that's going to make building housing here in Manitoba even more expensive.

      We're going to continue–

The Speaker: Member's time has expired.

      The hon­our­able member for Roblin, on a final sup­ple­mentary question.

Mrs. Cook: Hon­our­able Speaker, another simple question and yet again, no answers from this minister. It seems today is partisan political attack day. There's no actual answers coming from members opposite.

      Media is now reporting that encampments are being reoccupied, despite the minister's previous claim that encampments would be cleared and would stay that way.   

      Why has this minister failed to uphold her own plan that was supposed to help keep sites cleared as residents expected?

Ms. Smith: And I know that member and members across the way are really jealous about our strategy, Your Way Home, and getting people housed with the supports that they need.

      Unlike members opposite, we're actually getting folks housed with the supports. Right now they're delaying a bill, Bill 12, that will actually support social housing. Those folks, you know, they want to sell off housing. We're not going to do that.

* (14:50)

      So what I say to members across the way: Get out of the way, allow Bill 12 to pass. Protect taxpayers' money and allow us to protect social housing.

      What is so hard about that? Quit delaying Bill 12. Allow us to protect that housing and get folks out of encampments, and help us do that work instead of delaying it–

The Speaker: Member's time is expired.

      And just before we move to the next question, I have to remind the hon­our­able member for Kirkfield Park (Mr. Oxenham) to please use the correct title for–ministerial title or con­stit­uency when he's asking questions.

Brandon Health Centre–Assault of ER Nurse


Release of Alleged Perpetrator–Bail System Concerns

Mr. Wayne Balcaen (Brandon West): Health-care workers at Manitoba's hospitals are under siege. And recently, a nurse at Brandon regional hospital's emergency room was spat on, put in a chokehold and nearly stabbed in the neck with a needle. These kinds of assaults are all too common now under this NDP gov­ern­ment.

      Here's some­thing else that's all too common under this NDP gov­ern­ment: the alleged perpetrator was released.

      When will this Justice Minister put an end to his catch-and-release bail system and start protecting Manitoba nurses?

Hon. Uzoma Asagwara (Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care): Hon­our­able Speaker, I want to be very clear: violence, harassment, harming our health-care workers is entirely unacceptable.

      Health-care workers deserve to be safe at their jobs. They should show up, provide care–quality care to Manitobans–and go home safe at the end of the day.

      Our gov­ern­ment has taken real steps to ensure that nurses and all health-care workers are safer, including at Brandon Regional Health Centre, where we've esta­blished in­sti­tutional safety officers despite the fact that, under the previous failed PC adminis­tration, they didn't do that for years, even though they could.

      On that side of the House, they want to weaken health care. The member for Fort Whyte (Mr. Khan) thanks Donald Trump for tariffs and wants an American-style private, for-profit health-care system.

      We won't take that approach. We're investing in making health care stronger and keeping health-care workers safe.

The Speaker: Member's time is expired.

      The honourable member for Brandon West, on a supplementary question.

Mr. Balcaen: Another direct question that was not answered. The question was about protecting Manitoba nurses and the release on bail.

      Hon­our­able Speaker, this failure to address the safety of health-care workers comes hand in hand with the Justice Minister's failure to address violent offenders. BPS chief Tyler Bates confirmed to media that the man they arrested had a record of violence against those trying to help, and I quote: This isn't the first time he has assaulted a service-care provider. End quote.

      How many other repeat offenders is this minister releasing under his failed bail plan?

MLA Asagwara: Hon­our­able Speaker, I want to thank our Minister of Justice (Mr. Wiebe) for the tireless work that he is doing to make Manitoba, including our health-care system, safer for all Manitobans.

      And I want to be very clear: After seven and a half years of the failed PCs doing nothing to keep health-care workers safer, we know that the steps we've taken aren't enough, which is why the Justice Minister and myself work very closely together to take very serious steps, like ensuring that over 100 in­sti­tutional safety officers will be across our sites across this great province of ours.

      That is all the while members opposite, including the leader for the op­posi­tion, thank Donald Trump for the tariffs that make lives harder for health-care workers and threaten to priva­tize, if they have the chance, our health-care system. That's–[interjection]

The Speaker: Member's time is expired.

Mr. Balcaen: This Justice Minister has had nearly two years to address serious work­place violence issues at all Manitoba hospitals.–[interjection]

The Speaker: Order, please. Order, please.

      I stand corrected. Time for oral questions had expired.

Petitions

Phoenix School

Mrs. Kathleen Cook (Roblin): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly.

      The background to this petition is as follows:

      Phoenix School, a kindergarten to grade 5 school located in Headingley, has experienced consistent enrolment growth over the last several years. Enrolment is expected to reach 275 students in the next two years.

      Because the school is now over capacity, the school division has had to install portable classrooms on site as of fall 2024.

      For several consecutive years, the top capital priority of the St. James‑Assiniboia School Division has been the renovation and expansion of Phoenix School.

      In 2022, the Phoenix School expansion and reno­vation project was approved to proceed to the design phase. The project included, among other amenities, a new gymnasium, two new classrooms, a multi-purpose room and room for 74 child‑care spaces.

      In June 2024, the school division received notice from the provincial government that the project has been deferred. There is no guarantee if, or when, the project will move forward.

      There are currently hundreds of children on a wait‑list for child care in Headingley. The daycare operator in Phoenix School has been told that they will continue to have space within the school for the 2024‑2025 school year only, that further expansion of child‑care space within the school is not possible and that space may be reduced moving forward due to the shortage of classrooms. If new space is not constructed as planned, many families may be left without child care.

      It is critical that the expansion and renovation of Phoenix School proceed as planned in order to support the needs of students, teachers and families in the growing community of Headingley.

      We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

      To urge the provincial government to proceed with the planned renovation and expansion of Phoenix School without further delay.

      And this petition is signed by Emma Filion, Joe Filion, Jamie Peterson and many, many other Manitobans.

Little Mountain Park

MLA Cindy Lamoureux (Tyndall Park): Hon­our­able Speaker, I wish to present the following petition.

      The back­ground to this petition is as follows:

      (1) The Manitoba Highways de­part­ment has expressed a desire to have the CentrePort Canada Way to Chief Peguis Trail extension developed to follow Klimpke Road with a termination point on the CentrePort Canada Way.

      (2) The proposed path would eliminate a portion of Little Mountain Park, which abuts Klimpke Road, private residences and the neighbouring Little Mountain SportsPlex.

      (3) Although located in the RM of Rosser, Little Mountain Park is one of Winnipeg's valuable green spaces, located within the Perimeter Highway boundary, and is the only sig­ni­fi­cant green space in the north­western sector of the city.

      (4) Little Mountain Park has been provi­ded recreational op­por­tun­ities and natural habitat for local wildlife since it was esta­blished in 1965. It contains a tall grass prairie ecosystem and an ecologically sensitive land, complete with flora and fauna, and is a destination for tourists from all over.

      (5) The impact of the growing industrial port and the resultant redirected traffic through this area would not only disrupt access to the nearby Sportsplex and golf course with an additional heavy traffic, but would also pose environ­mental threats and disrupt local wildlife in the nearby Little Mountain Park.

      (6) The Province of Manitoba has a stated respon­si­bility to protect the environ­ment and green spaces for the benefit of all Manitobans with policy and legis­lation that support economic dev­elop­ment, invest­ment, trade and natural resources and the con­ser­va­tion of species and ecosystems to conserve these precious resources for future gen­era­tions.

      (7) The encroachment of the proposed highway must be considered a threat to the Little Mountain Park designated ecosystem.

      (8) An earlier proposal utilized a different route that followed the existing old Sturgeon Road foot­print, circumventing Little Mountain Park and the Sportsplex, while still providing suitable access to the industrial area, with a termination point between Mollard Road and Jefferson Avenue.

      We petition the Legis­lative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

      (1) To urge the prov­incial gov­ern­ment to recog­nize Little Mountain Park as an at‑risk ecosystem and as a potential ecosystem preservation zone.

      To urge the prov­incial gov­ern­ment to recog­nize the impact of the proposed route on Little Mountain Park, The Players Course, the neighbouring Little Mountain Sportsplex and the citizens and tourists who use and visit them; and

      (3) To urge the prov­incial gov­ern­ment to seek an alter­nate route that would avoid the area while still providing adequate ingress and egress to the CentrePort Canada Way, such as the old Sturgeon Road route, and avoid expropriating land un­neces­sarily.

* (15:00)

      This petition has been signed by many Manitobans.

      Thank you.

Op­posi­tion to Releasing Repeat Offenders

Mr. Obby Khan (Leader of the Official Opposition): I wish to present the following petition.

      To the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, the background to this petition is as follows:

      (1) Kellie Verwey, a beloved young woman from Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, was tragically killed in a car crash caused by a repeat violent offender with a long criminal history.

      (2) Despite repeated violations of his bail conditions, the officer was free–apologize, Hon­our­able Speaker. The offender was free to roam the streets–okay, let's try it again. The offender was free to roam the streets and to ultimately claim Kellie's life. The tragedy was entirely preventable.

      (3) While the Criminal Code falls under federal jurisdiction, provinces have been given the respon­sibility for the administration of justice, allowing for meaningful provincial action on bail reform to ensure public safety.

      (4) Other provinces have taken proactive steps to strengthen bail enforcement, but Manitoba has not used all the available tools to address the issue effectively.

      (5) The provincial government has the ability and the responsibility to advocate for and implement measures that protect its citizens by ensuring that repeat violent offenders are not released into our communities without proper safeguards.

      (6) Immediate action is required to close gaps in the justice system that allow dangerous criminals to remain free, which puts innocent Manitobans at risk.

      We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

      (1) To urge the provincial government to make immediate and decisive action on bail reform to address serious deficits in enforcement by utilizing all available provincial mechanisms to strengthen warrant enforcement, increasing bail supervision and opposing release of offenders, thus ensuring the repeat violent offenders are held accountable and the public safety is prioritized over leniency; and

      (2) To urge the provincial government to lobby the federal government to immediately repeal pro­visions of the Criminal Code that allow for continued victimization of law-abiding Manitobans while granting repeat offenders additional rights.

       Hon­our­able Speaker, this petition was signed by Margaret Nelissen. Nielsen [phonetic]. Nielsen [phonetic]. Nelson [phonetic].

Some Honourable Members: Nielsen [phonetic].

Mr. Khan: Nielsen [phonetic], Mark Nielsen [phonetic] and Brayden Twist.

      Thank you, Hon­our­able Speaker.

Death of Jordyn Reimer–Judicial Review Request

Mr. Wayne Balcaen (Brandon West): I wish to present the following petition.

      To the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, the background to this petition is as follows:

      (1)  On May 1, 2022, Jordyn Reimer, 24 years of age, was killed by an impaired driver while she was acting as a designated driver.

      (2) There are two people legally culpable for her death: the impaired driver and the accomplice. The driver was charged, but the second criminal, the accomplice, has not been held accountable.

      (3) A concerned citizen took the keys from the impaired driver earlier in the evening to ensure he could not drive impaired. The accomplice retrieved the keys from the citizen under false pretenses and knowingly provided the impaired driver with access to the vehicle.

      (4) The Winnipeg Police Service, WPS, in­vesti­gation provided adequate evidence to meet the charging standard and recom­mended charges be laid against the accomplice. The Crown prosecutor declined to prosecute the accomplice.

      (5) The family of Jordyn Reimer has called for the prosecution of the accomplice and that the decision not to prosecute be reviewed in­de­pen­dently.

      (6) As recently as 2022, there is precedent to refer criminal files of decisions to not proceed with prosecution to extra‑prov­incial de­part­ments of justice for review. This was done in the Peter Nygård file, which ultimately led to a reversal of the decision to not prosecute, and charges were laid.

      (7) An out-of-province review is supported by MADD Canada, MADD Manitoba and by Manitobans.

      (8) The family has exhausted every avenue within the existing system, and, in the absence of a prescribed process when a disagreement exists on charging standards, the only option is to request an in­de­pen­dent out-of-province review.

      (9) In December 2024, the WPS reported an alarm­ing number of impaired drivers in the holiday Check Stop program. Extending criminal culpability beyond the driver to those who engage in overt actions to facilitate impaired driving will save lives.

      (10) Manitobans deserve to have con­fi­dence in the prov­incial gov­ern­ment and justice systems to make decisions that achieve true justice for victims and their families.

      We petition the Legis­lative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

      To urge the prov­incial gov­ern­ment to order an out-of-province review of the prosecutor's decision to not prosecute the accomplice in the death of Jordyn Reimer.

      Hon­our­able Speaker, this petition was signed by Dave Taylor, Derek Bengco, Richard Perscona [phonetic] and many, many other fine Manitobans.

Removal of Federal Carbon Tax

MLA Jeff Bereza (Portage la Prairie): Hon­our­able Speaker, I wish to present the following petition.

      The back­ground to this petition is as follows:

      (1)  The federal gov­ern­ment has mandated a con­sump­tion‑based carbon tax, with the stated goal of financially pressuring Canadians to make decisions to reduce their carbon emissions.

      (2)  Manitoba Hydro estimates that, even with a high‑efficiency furnace, the carbon tax is costing the average family over $200 annually, even more for those with older furnaces.

      (3)  Home heating in Manitoba is not a choice or a decision for Manitobans to make; it is a necessity of life, with an average of almost 200 days below 0°C annually.

      (4)  The federal gov­ern­ment has selectively removed the carbon tax off of home heating oil in the Atlantic provinces of Canada, but has indicated they have no in­ten­tion to provide the same relief to Manitobans heating their homes.

* (15:10)

      (5)  Manitoba Hydro indicates that natural gas heating is one of the most affordable options available to Manitobans, and it can be cost prohibited–'hibitive'–for households to 'replece'–to replace their heating source.

      (6)  Premiers across Canada, including the Atlantic provinces that benefit from this decision, have collectively sent a letter to the federal gov­ern­ment calling on it to extend the carbon tax exemption to all forms of home heating, with the exception of Manitoba.

      (7)  Manitoba is one of the only provinces–sorry, Manitoba is one of the only prov­incial juris­dic­tions to have not agreed with the stance that all Canadians' home heating bills should be exempt from carbon tax.

      (8)  Prov­incial leadership in other juris­dic­tions have already committed to removing the federal carbon tax from home heating bills.

      We petition the legis­lative of–Legis­lative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

      To urge the prov­incial gov­ern­ment to remove the federal carbon tax on home heating bills for all Manitobans to provide them much‑needed relief.

      This is signed by Nhan Amore [phonetic], Lu Saito, Debbie Spencer and many, many more Manitobans.

      Thank you, Hon­our­able Speaker.

Provincial Road 352

Ms. Jodie Byram (Agassiz): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.

      The background to this petition is as follows:

      (1) The Provincial Road 352 is an 87.5-kilometre route where it begins at Provincial Trunk Highway 5, PTH 5, near Birnie, Manitoba, and terminates at PTH 34 near Arizona, Manitoba, intersecting with the Trans‑Canada Highway.

      (2) The route is gravel for most of its length, with two paved sections: one from PTH 5 to Birnie; and the other from PTH 16 to Arden.

      (3) PR 352 has had considerable amount of deterioration over the years with little to no regular road maintenance and has seen ruts and damage to the gravel sections, those of which are featured online at CAA's worst roads.

      (4) The promotion of PR 352 weight restriction to an RTAC classification of 140,000 lbs weight restriction has caused further damage, as the route was only built to accommodate the original 80,000 lbs and has not seen upgrades to accommodate the increase. The 1.5‑mile stretch on PR 352 from the community of Birnie is the main access off PTH 5 to the community.

      (5) Residents in the area were advised these weight increases to PR 352 were due to commerce movement, although there is no commerce in Birnie.

      (6) Within this stretch, there is a bridge that is damaged structurally and rests only five feet above the creek, causing it to sit in the water and deteriorate. With increased agriculture traffic, such as heavier trucks hauling grain and livestock, the bridge may not have the capacity to sustain further neglect.

      (7) Community members have reached out and have spoken to civil servants. The issue must be resolved before it becomes a bigger problem, some­one gets injured or an accident happens.

      We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

      (1) To urge the provincial government to meet RTAC road designation by providing upgrades and regular road maintenance to Provincial Road 352 in Manitoba, specifically the 1.5-mile stretch from Birnie to Provincial Trunk Highway 5, and ensure the road remains paved with asphalt and not reduced to gravel.

      (2) To urge the provincial government to reduce load weights on PR 352 until the upgrades can be completed.

      (3) To urge the provincial government to replace or repair the bridge located on 1.5-mile stretch from Birnie to PTH 5 and to provide an integrity assessment.

      This petition has been signed by Melissa Rossnagel, Rob Waddell, Melanie Beck and many, many more Manitobans.

      Thank you.

Removal of Federal Carbon Tax

Mr. Wayne Ewasko (Lac du Bonnet): Hon­our­able Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly.

      And the back­ground to this petition is as follows:

      (1)  The federal gov­ern­ment has mandated a con­sump­tion‑based carbon tax, with the stated goal of financially pressuring Canadians to make decisions to reduce their carbon emissions.

      (2)  Manitoba Hydro estimates that, even with a high‑efficiency furnace, the carbon tax is costing the average family over $200 annually, even more for those with older furnaces.

      (3)  Home heating in Manitoba is not a choice or a decision for Manitobans to make; it is a necessity of life, with an average of almost 200 days below 0°C annually.

      (4)  The federal gov­ern­ment has selectively removed the carbon tax off of home heating oil in the Atlantic provinces of Canada, but has indicated they have no in­ten­tion to provide the same relief to Manitobans heating their homes.

      (5)  Manitoba Hydro indicates that natural gas heating is one of the most affordable options available to Manitobans, and it can be cost prohibitive for households to replace their heating source.

      (6)  Premiers across Canada, including in the Atlantic provinces that benefit from this decision, have collectively sent a letter to the federal gov­ern­ment, calling on it to extend the carbon tax exemption to all forms of home heating, with the exception of Manitoba.

      (7)  Manitoba is one of the only prov­incial juris­dic­tions to have not agreed with the stance that all Canadians' home heating bills should be exempt from the carbon tax.

      (8)  Prov­incial leadership in other juris­dic­tions have already committed to removing the federal carbon tax from home heating bills.

      We petition the Legis­lative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

      To urge the prov­incial gov­ern­ment to remove the federal carbon tax on home heating bills for all Manitobans to provide them much‑needed relief.

      This petition, Hon­our­able Speaker, is signed by Sue Antymis, Lex Antymis, Terry Neplyk and many, many more fine Manitobans.

Op­posi­tion to Releasing Repeat Offenders

Mr. Kelvin Goertzen (Steinbach): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislature.

      The background to this petition is as follows:

      (1) Kellie Verwey, a beloved young woman from Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, was tragically killed in a car crash caused by a repeat offender with a long criminal history.

      (2) Despite repeated violations of his bail con­ditions, the offender was free to roam the streets and to ultimately claim Kellie's life. The tragedy was entirely preventable.

* (15:20)

      (3) The Criminal Code falls under the federal juris­dic­tion; provinces have been given the respon­sibility for the administration of justice, allowing for meaningful provincial action on bail reform to ensure public safety.

      (4) Other provinces have taken proactive steps to strengthen bail enforcement, but Manitoba has not used all of the available tools to address this issue effectively.

      (5) The provincial government has the ability and the responsibility to advocate for and implement measures that protect its citizens by ensuring that repeat violent offenders are not released into our communities without proper safeguards.

      (6) Immediate action is required to close gaps in the justice system that allows dangerous offenders to remain free, which puts innocent Manitobans at risk.

      We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

      (1) To urge the provincial government to take immediate and decisive action on bail reform to address serious deficits in enforcement by utilizing all available provincial mechanisms to strengthen warrant enforcement, increasing bail supervision and opposing release of offenders, thus ensuring that repeat violent offenders are held accountable and that public safety is prioritized over leniency; and

      (2) To urge the provincial government to lobby the federal government to immediately repeal pro­visions of the Criminal Code that allow for the continued victimization of law-abiding Manitobans while granting repeat offenders additional rights.

      And, Hon­our­able Speaker, this petition is signed by Kaytlin Wilson, Tye Finlanson [phonetic], Aaron Stieger [phonetic] and many other Manitobans.

      Thank you.

Funding Crime Cost Mitigation for Small Business

Mr. Josh Guenter (Borderland): I wish to present the following petition.

      To the Legis­lative Assembly of Manitoba, the back­ground to this petition is as follows:

      (1) Small busi­nesses are vital in supporting their local economy and the prov­incial gov­ern­ment has a respon­si­bility to act and support them.

      (2) The recent increase in vigilantism shows that Manitobans do not trust this prov­incial gov­ern­ment to fulfill its respon­si­bility.

      (3) More than half–54 per cent–of small busi­nesses in Manitoba are impacted by crime. Property damage, theft, littering and public intoxication are some of the crimes that affect most busi­nesses, according to the Canadian Federation of In­de­pen­dent Busi­ness. There has been a 44 per cent increase in shoplifting incidents over the last year.

      (4) In order to combat this rise of crime, small busi­nesses try, unaided, to implement various out-of-pocket security measures and safety training for their staff and they face increasing costs when they incur property damage or theft.

      (5) Vandalism, break-ins and other senseless acts cannot be accepted as a cost of doing busi­ness for businesses through­out Manitoba, and the prov­incial gov­ern­ment must do more to ease the burdens small businesses are carrying with its catch-and-release justice system.

      (6) Failing to support small busi­nesses is failing the Manitoba economy, failing Manitoba families and failing Manitobans' dreams.

      (7) The security rebate program, in place for homeowners and small busi­nesses, does not cover the real costs impacting busi­nesses, such as vandalism, property damage and repairs.

      We urge the Legis­lative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

      To urge the prov­incial government to support Manitoba small businesses through specific funding to reimburse the expenses and insurance deductibles that they incur as a result of crime.

      This petition has been signed by many, many Manitobans.

Morden Waste Water Project

Mrs. Carrie Hiebert (Morden-Winkler): Hon­our­able Speaker, I wish to present the following petition.

      To the Legis­lative Assembly of Manitoba, the back­ground of this petition is as follows:

      (1) Between 2011 and 2021, Morden's population grew by an impressive 27 per cent, outpacing the national average by 16 per cent, according to the Statistics Canada.

      (2) While growth is welcome and encouraged, Morden has long faced a critical need for infra­structure upgrades to meet current demands and support future development.

      Morden's–(3) Morden's waste water system has operated beyond capacity for years, prompting the Province in 2019 to halt property subdivisions due to insufficient waste–winter waste water storage.

      (4) As of 2024, after exploring all options, the City announced in July that the estimated cost for critical infrastructure upgrades has risen from 70 million to 88 million to 108 million.

      (5) These revised estimates leave Morden with a significant funding shortfall of 13 to 33 million dollars.

      (6) Despite efforts to address the gap, including plans to raise utility fees for residents and businesses, such increases that have been delayed since 2017 due to the lack of an approved capital project, taxation is not enough.

      (7) The lack of waste water capacity has severely impacted economic activity and growth in Morden and surrounding communities. Without much‑needed waste water infrastructure investments, growth and economic development will be hindered in all of southern Manitoba.

      We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

      (1) To urge the provincial government to take immediate action and recognize the critical need of this waste water project for economic growth and environ­mental sustainability by committing to advocating and working with the federal government to close the gap with additional funding for Morden's waste water treatment system.

      (2) To urge the provincial government to ensure all levels of government and regulatory bodies will expedite necessary funding and approvals necessary to advance the Morden waste water project with no further delay and ensure no hindrance to growth and economic development for Morden and southern Manitoba.

      This petition has been signed by Fred E. Krause, Ed Zacharias and Elisabeth Wolfe and many, many other Manitobans.

      Thank you.

MRI Machine for Portage Regional Health Facility

Mr. Derek Johnson (Interlake-Gimli): I wish to present the following petition.

      To the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, the background to this petition is as follows:

      (1) Thanks to the investment made under the previous PC provincial government as part of the clinical and preventative services plan, construction for the new Portage regional health facility is well under way. The facility and surrounding community would greatly benefit from added diagnostic machinery and equipment, but specifically the addition of an MRI machine.

      (2) An MRI machine is a non‑invasive medical imaging technique that uses a magnetic field and computer‑generated radio waves to create detailed images of organs and tissues in the human body. It is used for disease detection, diagnosis and treatment monitoring.

Mr. Tyler Blashko, Deputy Speaker, in the Chair

      (3) Portage la Prairie is centrally located in Manitoba and is on the No. 1 Highway in the Southern Health/Santé Sud Health Authority. Currently there is only one MRI machine in the regional health authority.

      (4) An MRI machine located in the Portage regional health facility will reduce transportation costs for patients as well as reduce the burden on stretcher service and ambulance use. It will bring care closer to home and reduce wait times for MRI scans across the province.

* (15:30)

      (5) Located around Portage la Prairie are the Dakota Tipi, Dakota Plains, Sandy Bay and Long Plain First Nations reserves. Indigenous peoples in Canada disproportionately face barriers in access to services and medical care. An MRI machine located in the Portage regional health facility will bring care closer to their home communities and provide greater access to diagnostic testing.

      (6) Located in close proximity to the new Portage regional health facility is the Southport airport. This aerodrome is–has a runway length that is more than adequate to support medical air ambulance services. This would provide the opportunity to transport patients by air from more remote communities to access MRI imaging services.

      (7) The average wait times for Manitobans to receive an MRI scan is currently six to eight months. Having an MRI machine in the Portage regional health facility will help reduce these wait times for patients and provide better care sooner.

      We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

      To urge the provincial government to support the investment and placement of an MRI machine in the Portage regional health facility in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba.

      This petition is signed by Robert Hofer, Kurt Burnes, Ryan Person and many, many other fine Manitobans.

Construct New Personal-Care Home–Stonewall

Mr. Trevor King (Lakeside): I wish to present the following petition to the Legis­lative Assembly of Manitoba.

      The back­ground to this petition is as follows:

      The gov­ern­ment of Manitoba funded the design for a new personal-care home in Stonewall to address the critical need for additional home-care spaces in the com­mu­nity and surrounding areas.

      (2) The com­mu­nity has committed to raise $10 million in funding for this project, demon­strating strong local support and readiness to proceed with construction.

      (3) Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority is ex­per­iencing a critical shortage of personal-care-home beds.

      (4) Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Author­ity has the lowest number of personal-care-home beds per capita, with a shortfall of approximately 400 beds.

      (5) Despite these approvals, the gov­ern­ment has made no mention of the construction of the Stonewall personal-care home, leaving many seniors and their families without access to adequate personal-care services in the region.

      (6) The delay in commencing construction exacer­­bates existing challenges in provi­ding timely and appropriate care for aging residents, forcing some to seek services far from their families and their commu­nity.

      (7) Investing in the timely construction of this personal-care home will provide essential services to a growing senior popu­la­tion, support the local economy and demon­strate the gov­ern­ment's commit­ment to the well-being of Manitobans.

      We petition the Legis­lative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

      To urge the prov­incial gov­ern­ment to imme­diately restore funding and com­mence construction on the personal-care home in Stonewall, ensuring that this essential project proceeds without further delay.

      This petition has been signed by Lauren Briggs, Frank Seidel, Gloria Kilgallen and many, many Manitobans.

      Thank you, hon­our­able Speaker.

Green Valley School Expansion

Mr. Konrad Narth (La Vérendrye): Hon­our­able Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legis­lative Assembly of Manitoba.

      The back­ground to this petition is as follows:

      (1) The residents of La Vérendrye and other areas around Manitoba are extremely frustrated and concerned by the prov­incial gov­ern­ment's decision to cancel the school expansion project for Green Valley School in Grunthal.

      (2) In 2021, the PC prov­incial gov­ern­ment com­mitted funding to expand Green Valley School for a gymnasium and classrooms.

      (3) The school is so crowded that three mobile classrooms were added to alleviate overcrowding in classrooms.

      (4) In order for construction to begin, the school removed all three portable classrooms, leaving Green Valley in a further critical state of overcrowding.

      (5) As a result of overcrowding, parents are choosing to homeschool their children due to safety concerns and the challenges associated with over­crowding.

      (6) The current Premier of Manitoba and the Minister of Edu­ca­tion and Early Child­hood Learning have said they are committed to investing in edu­ca­tion.

      (7) The concerns of residents of La Vérendrye and the surrounding area are being ignored by the prov­incial gov­ern­ment.

      (8) The lack of space in the school is affecting quality of edu­ca­tion and extracurricular activities for students.

      (9) The minister and Premier have a duty to respond to the edu­ca­tional needs of children and youth identified by rural com­mu­nities.

      We petition the Legis­lative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

      (1) To urge the Minister of Edu­ca­tion and Early Child­hood Learning to imme­diately bring back the three portable classrooms to help alleviate the stress and overcrowding classrooms.

      (2) To urge the prov­incial gov­ern­ment to reinstate the expansion project for Green Valley School.

      This petition has been signed by Kitana McDougal, Frank Wasarberg [phonetic], Gabrielle Friesen and many, many other Manitobans.

MRI Machine for Portage Regional Health Authority

Mr. Greg Nesbitt (Riding Mountain): Hon­our­able Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.

      The background to this petition is as follows:

* (15:40)

      (1) Thanks to the investment made under the previous PC government as part of the clinical and preventative services plan, construction for the new Portage regional health facility is well under way. The facility and surrounding community would greatly benefit from added diagnostic machinery and equip­ment, but specifically the addition of an MRI machine.

      (2) An MRI machine is a non-invasive medical imaging technique that uses a magnetic field and computer-generated radio waves to create detailed images of organs and tissues in the human body. It is used for disease detection, diagnosis and treatment monitoring.

      (3) Portage la Prairie is centrally located in Manitoba and is on the No. 1 Highway in the Southern Health/Santé Sud Health Authority. Currently there is only one MRI machine in the RHA.

      (4) An MRI machine located in the Portage regional health facility will reduce transportation costs for patients as well as reduce the burden on stretcher service and ambulance use. It will bring care closer to home and reduce wait times for MRI scans across the province.

      (5) Located around Portage la Prairie are the Dakota Tipi, Dakota Plains, Sandy Bay and Long Plain First Nations reserves. Indigenous peoples in Canada disproportionately face barriers in access to services and medical care. An MRI machine located in the Portage regional health facility will bring care closer to their home communities and provide greater access to diagnostic testing.

      (6) Located in close proximity to the new Portage regional health facility is the Southport airport. This aerodrome has a runway length that is more than adequate to support medical air ambulance services. This would provide the opportunity to transport patients by air from more remote communities to access MRI imaging services.

      (7) The average wait times for Manitobans to receive an MRI scan is currently six to eight months. Having an MRI machine in the Portage regional health facility will help reduce these wait times for patients and provide better care sooner.

      We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

      To urge the provincial government to support the investment and placement of an MRI machine in the Portage regional health facility in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba.

      Hon­our­able Speaker, this petition has been signed by many, many, many fine Manitobans.

      Thank you.

Construct New Vocational High School–Neepawa

Mr. Richard Perchotte (Selkirk): I wish to present the following petition to the Legis­lative Assembly of Manitoba.

      These are the reasons for this petition:

      (1) The Beautiful Plains School Division is among the fastest growing school divisions in Manitoba and began planning for a new high school in Neepawa in 2019 to address the division's rapid popu­la­tion growth.

      (2) Current schools in Neepawa are over capacity as they were built for 300 students, resulting in the use of nine portables and the need for 10 additional portables within the next two years.

      (3) Neepawa serves as a key agri­cul­tural and com­mercial hub in western Manitoba and is facing significant shortages in skilled trades and an overextended ap­prentice­ship program.

      (4) The Neepawa region is in urgent need of a new vocational high school to support both students and the local economy.

      (5) On March 24, 2023, the previous Progressive Conservative prov­incial gov­ern­ment announced the construction of a new vocational high school in Neepawa with a targeted opening date of September 2027.

      (6) Since that an­nounce­ment, the current prov­incial gov­ern­ment has not provided updates or time­lines for proceeding with the project, leaving the commu­nity without a clear path forward.

      (7) This delay in action has made overcrowded classrooms worse, forced the use of makeshift teaching spaces and created hallway edu­ca­tion, all of which lowers the quality of edu­ca­tion for students and threatens future growth in the Neepawa region.

      We petition the Legis­lative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

      (1) To urge the prov­incial gov­ern­ment to imme­diately proceed with the construction of the new vocational high school in Neepawa and provide clear timelines for its completion.

      (2) To urge the prov­incial gov­ern­ment to ensure the new school supports the local economy by meeting the demand for skilled trades training, apprentice­ship programs and adult learning op­por­tun­ities.

      (3) To urge the prov­incial gov­ern­ment to address overcrowding in all Neepawa schools by ensuring adequate and permanent classroom space and facilities are built to accommodate current and future students.

      Hon­our­able Deputy Speaker, this petition has been signed by Rick Rivers, Luke Lovenjak, Marcel Lemire and many other Manitobans.

Funding for Outlet Channels Project

Mr. Doyle Piwniuk (Turtle Mountain): I wish to present the following petition.

      To the Legis­lative Assembly of Manitoba, the back­ground of this petition is as follows:

      (1) Since 1958, the prov­incial–Province of Manitoba has known about the potential increase in Lake Manitoba water levels due to the operation of the Portage Diversion and the necessary of increasing the outflows from Lake Manitoba at these times.

      (2) The Province of Manitoba commissioned studies into the control of Lake Manitoba water levels in 1958, 1973, 1978 and 2003, in addition with studies conducted after the devastating 2011 Lake Manitoba flood. In all of these studies, the residents around Lake Manitoba made it known that they were not pleased with the way Lake Manitoba levels were being managed.

      (3) The level of Lake Manitoba is regulated to be between 810.5 to 812.5 feet above sea level. In 13 of the last 18 years, lake levels have increased this range.

      (4)  In 2011, Lake Manitoba levels reached 817 feet above sea level. On May 31, 2011, record‑high water levels combined with northwest winds gusting to nearly 100 kilometres per hour caused levels to approach over 820 feet above sea level, which resulted in un­pre­cedented flooding and widespread damage to areas around Lake Manitoba and Lake St. Martin. Previously, the lakefront properties found them­selves three kilometres offshore.

      (5) In 2011, over 7,100 people were evacuated due to Lake Manitoba, Lake St. Martin flooding, including over 4,000 First Nations residents. Many people did not return to their homes until years later.

      (6)  Flooding on Lake Manitoba and Lake St. Martin is well‑known and documented occurrence. It has, for gen­era­tions, cost Manitobans billions of dollars of compensation, lawsuits, lost agri­cul­tural productivity, lost economic activity and flood recovery products–projects, all which have taken an incalcul­able social and emotional toll on its victims.

* (15:50)

      We petition the Legis­lative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

      To urge the prov­incial gov­ern­ment to reverse its decision to cut the funding for Lake Manitoba, Lake St. Martin's outlet channels project and to imme­diately take steps to expedite this completion.

      This has been signed by Scott Sambrook, Judy Swanson and Cindy Branum and many other Manitobans.

The Deputy Speaker: Seeing no further–the hon­our­able member for Midland.

Carbon Tax and Rising Food Prices

Mrs. Lauren Stone (Midland): Hon­our­able Speaker, I wish to present the following petition.

      The back­ground to this petition is as follows:

      (1) In 2022, according to Statistics Canada, there was an 11.4 per cent increase in food prices.

      (2) Staple food products such as baked goods, margarine and other oils, dairy products and eggs have seen some of the largest price increases.

      (3) Agri­cul­ture and the agri‑food sectors con­tribute close to 10 per cent of Manitoba's GDP.

      (4) There are increased costs added at every step of the process for Manitoba's agri­cul­ture producers. In order to make 18 cents from one bread loaf worth of wheat, farmers are paying carbon tax at every stage of production to grow the crop and get it to market.

      (5) Grain drying, fertilizer and chemical production, mushroom farming, hog operations, the cost of heat­ing a livestock barn, machine shops and utility buildings are all examples of how the carbon tax on natural gas and other fuels cost farmers and consumers more each year.

      (6) In food production there are currently no viable alternatives to natural gas and propane. The carbon tax takes money away from farmers, making them less profitable and hindering rural agri­cul­tural producers' ability to invest in upgrades and improve efficiency while reducing emissions.

      (7) The prov­incial gov­ern­ment neglected farmers in the six‑month fuel tax holiday until the op­posi­tion critic and local stake­holder groups called for their inclusion.

      (8) Other prov­incial juris­dic­tions and leaders have taken action on calling on the federal gov­ern­ment to remove the punishing carbon tax and/or stop collecting the carbon tax altogether.

      We petition the Legis­lative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

      To urge the prov­incial gov­ern­ment to call on the federal gov­ern­ment to remove the punishing carbon tax on natural gas and other fuels and farm inputs for Manitoba agri­cul­ture producers and the agri‑food sector to decrease the costs of putting food on the table for Manitoba consumers.

      This is signed by Lisa Malcolm, Arthur Malcolm, Adam Malcolm and many, many more Manitobans.

MRI Machine for Portage Regional Health Facility

Mr. Jeff Wharton (Red River North): Hon­our­able Speaker, I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.

      The background to this petition is as follows:

      (1) Thanks to the investment made under the previous PC provincial government as part of the clinical and preventative service plan, construction of the new Portage regional health facility is well under way. The facility and surrounding community would greatly benefit from the added diagnostic machinery and equipment, but 'significally' the addition of an MRI machine.

      (2) An MRI machine is a non‑invasive medical and imaging technique that uses a magnetic field and a computer‑generated radio waves to create detailed images of organs and tissues in the human body.

      (3) Portage la Prairie is centrally located in Manitoba and is on Highway No. 1 in Southern Health/Santé Sud Health Authority. Currently there is only one MRI machine in the RHA.

      (4) An MRI machine located in the Portage regional health facility will reduce transportation costs for patients as well as reduce the burden on stretcher service and ambulance use. It will bring care closer to home and reduce wait times for MRI scans across the province.

      (5) Located around Portage la Prairie are the Dakota Tipi, Dakota Plains, Sandy Bay and Long Plain First Nations reserves. Indigenous peoples in Canada disproportionately face barriers in access to services and medical care. An MRI machine located in the Portage regional health facility will bring care closer to their home communities and provide greater access to diagnostic imaging.

      (6) Located in close proximity to the new Portage regional health facility is the Southport airport. This aerodrome has a runway length that is more than adequate to support medical air ambulance services. This would provide the opportunity to transport patients by air from more remote communities to access MRI imaging services.

      (7) The average wait times for Manitobans to receive an MRI scan is currently six to eight months. Having an MRI machine in the Portage regional health facility will help reduce wait times for patients and provider care sooner.

      Hon­our­able Speaker, we petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

      To urge the provincial government to support the investment and placement of an MRI machine in the Portage regional health facility in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba.

      This petition is signed by Norma Einarson, Steve Einarson and many, many, many more fine Manitobans.

Provincial Road 352

Mr. Rick Wowchuk (Swan River): I wish to present the following petition.

      To the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, the background to this petition is as follows:

      (1) Provincial Road 352, PR 352, is an 87.5‑kilometre–54.4‑mile–route where it begins at Provincial Trunk Highway 5, PTH 5, near Birnie, Manitoba, and terminates at PTH 34 near Arizona, Manitoba, intersecting with the Trans‑Canada Highway.

      (2) The route is gravel for most of its length, with two paved sections: one for PTH 5 to Birnie; and the other from PTH 16 to Arden.

      (3) The PR 352 has had considerable amount of deterioration over the years with little to no regular road maintenance and has seen ruts and damage to the gravel sections, those which are featured online at CAA's worst roads.

* (16:00)

      (4) The promotion of PR 352 weight restriction to an RTAC classification of 140,000 lbs weight restriction has caused further damage, as the route was only built to accommodate the original 80,000 lbs and has not seen upgrades to accommodate the increase. The 1.5‑mile stretch of PR 352 from the community of Birnie to the main access of PTH 5 to the community.

      (5) Residents in the area were advised these weight increases to PR 352 were due to commerce move­ment, although there is no commerce in Birnie.

      (6) Within this stretch, there is a bridge that is damaged structurally and rests only five feet above the creek, causing it to sit in the water and deteriorate. With increased agricultural traffic, such as heavier trucks hauling grain and livestock, the bridge may not have the capacity to sustain further neglect.

      (7) Community members have reached out, and I have spoken to civil servants. The issue must be resolved before it becomes a bigger problem, some­one gets injured or an accident happens.

      We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

      (1) To urge the provincial government to meet RTAC road designation by providing upgrades and regular road maintenance to Provincial Road 352 in Manitoba, specifically the 1.5‑mile stretch from Birnie to Provincial Trunk Highway 5, and ensure the road remains paved with asphalt and not reduced to gravel.

      (2) To urge the provincial government to reduce load weights on PR 352 until the upgrades can be completed; and

      (3) To urge the provincial government to replace or repair the bridge located on the 1.5‑mile stretch from Birnie to PTH 5 and to provide an integrity assessment.

      This petition has been signed by Nathan White, Rebecca White, Andrea Lenton and many, many other Manitobans.

The Deputy Speaker: Seeing no further petitions, grievances?

      Orders of the day.

      The hon­our­able Minister of Edu­ca­tion, on House–[interjection]

ORDERS OF THE DAY

GOVERNMENT BUSINESS

House Business

The Deputy Speaker: The hon­our­able Minister of Edu­ca­tion, on House busi­ness.

Hon. Tracy Schmidt (Acting Gov­ern­ment House Leader): I would like to announce that the Standing Com­mit­tee on Social and Economic Dev­elop­ment will meet on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at 6 p.m. to consider the following: Bill 21, The Protecting Youth in Sports Act; Bill 24, The Workers Compensation Amend­ment Act; Bill 29, The Work­place Safety and Health Amend­ment Act; Bill 44, The Matriarch Circle Act and Amend­ments to The Com­memo­ra­tion of Days, Weeks and Months Act (Ribbon Skirt Day).

The Deputy Speaker: It has been announced that the Standing Com­mit­tee on Social and Economic Dev­elop­ment will meet on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at 6 p.m. to consider the following: Bill 21, The Protecting Youth in Sports Act; Bill 24, The Workers Compensation Amend­ment Act; Bill 29, The Work­place Safety and Health Amend­ment Act; and Bill 44, the matriarch circle and amend­ments to com­memo­ra­tion of days, weeks and months act, ribbon skirt day.

* * *

MLA Schmidt: Can you please call third reading of the following bills: Bill 17, The Public Schools Amend­ment Act (Nutrition Equality for Lasting Learning Out­comes); followed by Bill 31, The Property Controls for Grocery Stores and Supermarkets Act (Various Acts Amended).

The Deputy Speaker: It has been announced that we will be doing concurrence and third reading on Bill 17, The Public Schools Amend­ment Act (Nutrition Equality for Lasting Learning Out­comes); followed by Bill 31, The Property Controls for Grocery Stores and Supermarkets Act (Various Acts Amended).

Concurrence and Third Readings

Bill 17–The Public Schools Amendment Act
(Nutrition Equality for Lasting Learning Outcomes)

Hon. Tracy Schmidt (Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning): I move, seconded by the Minister for Agri­cul­ture, that Bill 17, The Public Schools Amend­ment Act (Nutrition Equality for Lasting Learning Out­comes); Loi modifiant la Loi sur les écoles publiques (équité alimentaire pour un apprentissage durable), reported from the Standing Com­mit­tee on Social and Economic Dev­elop­ment, be concurred in and now read for a third time and passed.

Motion presented.

MLA Schmidt: It is a privilege to rise today on what is really a beautiful day in so many ways. The sun is shining down upon us today as we honour and recog­nize Red Dress Day. It's a very im­por­tant day here in Manitoba to honour and recog­nize the families and the survivors and the folks that we are still missing from the MMIWG2S+ com­mu­nity. But the sun is shining down on all of us today as we do that im­por­tant work.

      We're also very excited about the Winnipeg Jets having moved on to the next round of the playoffs, and to add to this beautiful day, we are also entering into the third reading of Bill 17, also known as Nello's Law, a historic piece of legis­lation.

      Bill 17 will codify our gov­ern­ment's uni­ver­sal nutri­tion program into law. This program, the uni­ver­sal nutrition program, was the vision of our dear friend and colleague, the late Nello Altomare. Many of us in this Chamber have had the great privilege and op­por­tun­ity to get up in this House and put words on the record about Nello's leadership and his vision on this issue. But, again, we know that Nello's work–all of his work, including his leadership on intro­ducing the univer­sal nutrition program here in Manitoba, was guided by the principle that every child matters and that no child should have to learn on an empty stomach.

      I've been reflecting a lot about the out­comes that we're seeing from the uni­ver­sal nutrition program, and I know that myself, as Minister of Edu­ca­tion and Early Child­hood Learning, and also as the MLA for Rossmere, just had a great week, as all of the members of this House did, visiting our con­stit­uencies and hearing from con­stit­uents and educators and students and families about the impacts of the uni­ver­sal nutri­tion program.

      And, you know, hon­our­able Deputy Speaker, the uni­ver­sal nutrition program, again, intro­duced under the leadership of our–of the great Nello Altomare, is a lot–is about a lot more than just feeding kids; it really creates a com­mu­nity. I had the great privilege of visiting with a student last week from Seven Oaks School Division who talked about the impact that the uni­ver­sal nutrition program was having not just on her and her family, but on her entire school com­mu­nity. And, again, it goes much further than just the impact that that child–the im­por­tant impact that that child experiences on the day when they are fed when they are hungry.

* (16:10)

      There are so many other amazing impacts when it comes to the uni­ver­sal nutrition program. There's the impact of volunteering. That's what this student talked about. This was a grade 6 student, if my memory serves me correctly, and she talked not only about the great benefit that she received, and, again, being fed when she was showing up at school hungry, but the great privilege and really the amazing life skills and em­ploy­ment skills that this student was receiving by being a student volunteer in her school's uni­ver­sal nutrition program.

      And this is a theme that we're hearing from schools and from students across the province, is what they are getting from this program, not just from the food that they are being nourished by, but, again, by the volun­teering skills, the food pre­par­ation skills, the cooking skills. This child talked about how she learned how to make lasagna and learned how to make chicken noodle soup from scratch. These are skills that will serve this young person for the rest of her life, and she is already building an impressive résumé at a very, very young age.

      She also talked about the impact on her family. Her school, under the leadership of the Seven Oaks School Division, was able to use some of their school nutrition pro­gram­ming to put together spring break hampers, recog­nizing that hunger doesn't go away when the school bell rings. This school was able to use some of their additional school nutrition program funding to put together spring break hampers that they were able to send students home with over the spring break so that students and their families could be nourished over that week away from school.

      So, again, the impacts of Nello's Law, the uni­ver­sal nutrition program, are just countless, hon­our­able Deputy Speaker. The positive impact is–absolutely been in­cred­ible to hear. We're hearing not only about those skills that I just talked about that students are receiving in helping to serve their school com­mu­nity, but we're also hearing about, very im­por­tantly, increased attendance and better en­gage­ment.

      And, again, we're hearing this from folks across the province. My colleagues sitting in this Chamber would certainly agree that these are the impacts that they're seeing in their com­mu­nities. We're hearing from divisions across the province: Park West School Division; Mystery Lake; Frontier School Division; Portage la Prairie School Division; Hanover School Division and including many of the metro city of Winnipeg school divisions.

      And the theme that we're hearing is consistent, and that is that students are showing up where they hadn't shown up before; they're showing up on time, and they are better engaged and ready to learn.

      I think also about the impacts on children's mental health, and, again, I'm reflecting about–on this student that I met last week from Seven Oaks School Division. This week, hon­our­able Deputy Speaker, is also–today is the first day of Mental Health Week, so I think not only about the value that students get, some of that–we've talked about the increases in attendance, the fact that they're learning life skills; they're serving their com­mu­nity.

      But I also think about what the students have shared about the universality of our school nutrition program and what that means to reducing the stigma and the shame that might come from a non‑uni­ver­sal school nutrition program. That was the way that school nutrition programs were delivered here in the province prior to Nello's leadership, the $30-million school nutrition program intro­duced under the leadership of Nello Altomare and our Premier (Mr. Kinew).

      Previous to that it was the com­mu­nity–com­mu­nity organi­zations that were stepping up in times of need and doing the best they could with their volun­teers and their donors. But often in those cases these programs were not offered universally. Students had to sign up; they had to put up their hand and ask for that nutrition to be provided in the school. And we know the stigma that that can create for students, and, in fact, the stigma and the shame can sometimes pre­vent students from putting up their hand and getting that nutrition.

      So under the leadership of Nello Altomare and our NDP gov­ern­ment, no student will have to put up their hand. This uni­ver­sal nutrition program is exactly that: it's uni­ver­sal; it's open for all students, and we know that that will not only have a benefit to their physical health but also their mental health.

      So the results that I'm sharing with the Chamber today, hon­our­able Deputy Speaker, really high­light what Nello knew already, and that's that food is not only essential for a student's health and well-being but also for their success in the classroom. That's why our NDP gov­ern­ment talks about the uni­ver­sal nutrition program as a–creating generational change here in the province of Manitoba.

      Our Manitoba uni­ver­sal nutrition program was the first of its kind in Canada and inspired the federal gov­ern­ment to follow suit and fund a national school food program. So not only has Nello's leadership made a difference for kids in Manitoba, but, in fact, for kids all across our great country.

      Nello led the way intro­ducing the program, and our NDP team is very proud to continue on that legacy in his honour.

      By making the uni­ver­sal nutrition program the law here in Manitoba, at the heart of our nutrition program are four principles: access, accommodation, equality and quality, and guided by those four principles, schools will be required to respond to the needs of their local com­mu­nity and use food that is locally sourced wherever possible.

      Unfor­tunately, hon­our­able Deputy Speaker, despite all of these clear benefits, benefits that we're already seeing, despite these positive results that we're hearing and already seeing across our province, impacting the lives of students here in Manitoba, unfor­tunately, there are members of this House that oppose the uni­ver­sal nutrition program and oppose feeding kids.

      Our NDP gov­ern­ment will never allow Nello's Law and Nello's good work to be undone, and we will never allow this House to take away food from hungry kids. That's why Nello's Law stipulates that Cabinet members will be subject to a 20 per cent cut in min­is­terial salary if a bill is passed to reduce or repeal the legal obligation to provide every child's right a free nutrition program.

      I also want to thank MFL president Kevin Rebeck, who presented at com­mit­tee and spoke in favour of Bill 17 and reminded the members of the com­mit­tee why it is so im­por­tant to protect Nello's Law and the uni­ver­sal nutrition program from any future gov­ern­ment who might not believe in feeding hungry children.

      Finally, hon­our­able Deputy Speaker, I want to extend and put on the record the sincere gratitude of our gov­ern­ment to the many in­cred­ible com­mu­nity partners that helped feed hungry kids across our province. We would like to thank the Child Nutrition Council of Manitoba; we would like to thank Harvest Manitoba; Breakfast Club of Canada, our federal partners for stepping up with funding. We would like to thank all of Manitoba school divisions, com­mu­nity organi­zations, all of the many educators, the volunteers, the school chefs, again, the student volunteers, so many of which I've had the chance to meet and thank for their in­cred­ible work.

      We thank all of you for partnering with our gov­ern­ment in the most noble of work, which is feeding our youngest Manitobans and creating the success that we all seek to see here in Manitoba.

      I'd like to speak briefly to the students here in Manitoba: we want you to dream big, and big dreams require strong minds, and strong minds require good nutrition.

      So our gov­ern­ment's commit­ment to you, students of Manitoba, is if you can show up with your big dreams, our NDP gov­ern­ment will always be there to help feed your mind, feed your tummy, make sure your tummy's full and make sure that every child here in Manitoba can reach their full potential.

      Thank you, hon­our­able Speaker. Merci, miigwech and every child matters.

Mr. Wayne Ewasko (Lac du Bonnet): It gives me–I'm honoured, actually, to stand and put a few words on the record today on Bill 17, The Public Schools Amend­ment Act (Nutrition Equality for Lasting Learning Out­comes), and I ap­pre­ciate some of the words that the Minister of Edu­ca­tion and Early Childhood Learning (MLA Schmidt) puts on the record today, and it's nice to know that she put a few more words on the record as well today.

      I mean, we, on this side of the House, of course, contrary to the rhetoric that the minister would put on the record, absolutely feel that children should not be going to school hungry. And there's many factors to why children might go to school hungry, and, you know, we recog­nize the importance of the good nutrition and, definitely, it leads to the success in the classroom, and, matter of fact, it leads to success and not only in the classroom, but through­out life, hon­our­able Deputy Speaker.

* (16:20)

      I mean, the minister–I'm glad that she listened to people at the various, you know, com­mit­tees and even to myself, putting a few words on the record, that she actually, today, for third reading spoke longer today on third reading than the Premier (Mr. Kinew) did on his own budget.

The Speaker in the Chair

      So, that's good to hear that, you know, the minister also decided to put on the record some of the organi­zations that she had consulted with as well. I know during question period on a few of the edu­ca­tion bills, we had asked those questions on the Q & A part of bill debate during second reading, and she couldn't answer those questions.

      But we did find out the evening of com­mit­tee why some of those questions weren't answered, and basic­ally it was the fact that just that morning, the morning of com­mit­tee, she took it upon herself to finally consult with people. And that was good. You know, better late than never. And we'll see how some of the infor­ma­tion that came forward from com­mit­tee gets imple­mented in some of the other bills.

      I know on Bill 17, for example, there wasn't a whole lot of amend­ments brought forward. There were a couple pre­sen­ta­tions, you know, that came and spoke at com­mit­tee. We know that in regards to Bill 17 and the other bills that were being discussed at com­mit­tee that night–I mean, that's part of the demo­cratic pro­cess. Here in Manitoba, one of very few provinces in Canada that has–that gives the public the ability to come and present at com­mit­tee. So you go through the first reading, second reading and, of course, you know, during second reading, you have the op­por­tun­ity to do a Q & A segment and then debate the bill, and then take it–then it passes to com­mit­tee.

      Again, you know, since we're talking about bills passing to com­mit­tee, I mean, I take a look back to April 8, 2025. I know that the–

An Honourable Member: Seine River.

Mr. Ewasko: –the member for Seine River (MLA Cross) has a few words that she'd like to put on the record, so when I'm done she'll have the op­por­tun­ity. So that's good.

      So if I look back to second reading debate on Bill 17, we're talking April 8, 2025. And if the public–I know there's many people watching from home, you know, and the gallery as well here, but I'm not able to bring the people into the gallery into the debate, so I won't.

      So again, April 8, 2025, when we were discussing Bill 17, it actually passed. And so if you take a look in Hansard, Hon­our­able Speaker, because I know that, you know, once session is done, no doubt you reflect on the day's proceedings and you go back and you read various different things that had happened through­out the day, because of course, myself as the former interim Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party took some of your advice to heart on a daily basis.

      And since we are here speaking about Bill 17, third reading, on nutrition, I would like to take also this op­por­tun­ity to con­gratu­late the MLA for Fort Whyte, our new Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party, the MLA for Fort Whyte, to be our leader.

      And I think, Hon­our­able Speaker, much like when we start talk about debates on Bill 17 and various other things that we do in this great Chamber of ours, I think it does–you know, he set the tone today, talking about decorum when we saw the Premier (Mr. Kinew) and his front bench, and some of the ones that are in the third bench from the NDP side who are trying to jockey for position during that Cabinet shuffle that's coming up. They're trying to be like some of the members of the front bench. [interjection]

      And the member for Seine River, again, Hon­our­able Speaker, I don't know why they feel that they want to interrupt me. There will be lots of time to put some words on the record in regards to Bill 17, and I understand that the member for Seine River also was a teacher, you know, much like myself, and–but obviously a little different.

      And I know that probably the member for Seine River is probably, you know, I don't know, feeling maybe a little anxious, especially when we're talking about Bill 17 where possibly not only the member for Seine River, but other members on the other–on the NDP's side–felt strongly that maybe that they would be having a bit of a Cabinet shuffle and had the opportun­ity to bring forward, you know, Bill 17 and some of the other bills that were coming forward.

      So anyways, Hon­our­able Speaker, where I was going with the reading from Hansard and that, and I know that, you know, the Edu­ca­tion Minister herself was talking about infor­ma­tion, putting stuff on the record again today, but she failed to say that, actually, second reading of Bill 17 actually passed.

      The–and matter of fact, I'm reading from April 8, 2025, Hansard, 1132, you declared the motion carried. Ayes 49, nays 0. I mean, so we're talking about–this was a bill that no one stood in the way of.

      We all feel, and I do believe all sides of the House, even though the Minister of Edu­ca­tion and other people on the NDP gov­ern­ment benches want to create this narrative out there that is false, is absolutely false, and puts infor­ma­tion out into the universe and out into Hansard about people not being in favour of feeding children, and I think that's just wrong.

      But that just seems to be the narrative, as we heard in question period today again, on the divisive tactics, the bullying tactics, and, again, examples of the toxic environ­ment that we have here in the Manitoba Legislature. It's unfor­tunate that the members for–on the NDP gov­ern­ment side, and the Kinew gov­ern­ment, just can't help them­selves. They just can't seem to be able to stand up and answer some questions, and simple questions, much like some of the questions that I had asked on Bill 17, The Public Schools Amend­ment Act.

      You know, things like a simple question. This is question, Q & A sort of 101, where, you know, an op­position, or a member within the Chamber, asks a question in regards to, you know, as simple as who did you consult with bringing forward this bill? And at the time, and I–it's nice to know that the minister had changed her tune and was able to actually sit down with some organi­zations or people. She even referenced, you know, just to sort of give some evidence that I actually do listen to the minister and what she's saying, what she's putting on the record, about the grade 6 student from Seven Oaks School Division talking about how nutritional snacks or foods are helped, you know, move forward in the edu­ca­tion sphere. But not only within the–within edu­ca­tion within the school day, but also, you know, helping to go out and then do some of that volunteering, Hon­our­able Speaker.

      So again, I mean, the minister has–had started sort of down the path of talking about stats, and we know that, usually, math is a little more difficult for the Kinew gov­ern­ment. And so when they start talking about stats, they start talking about economics, they start talking about anything math-related, numeracy-related, they falter at times.

* (16:30)

      But I, too, would like to extend a con­gratu­la­tions and thank them for the hard work that they've done over the years, the Child Nutrition Council of Manitoba, for working with not only schools, school divisions, but also com­mu­nity organi­zations.

      You know, the Edu­ca­tion Minister talks about how–and then continuously pats them­selves on the back, her and her Premier (Mr. Kinew)–about creating the–and to quote from her, the uni­ver­sal nutrition program here in Manitoba. And it really, Hon­our­able Speaker, it's sort of interesting that the minister would stand up in the Chamber and put misinformation on the record in regards to that the–that she's trying to say that the federal gov­ern­ment followed the Kinew government's lead, which we know, really, those of us that actually had a finger on the pulse on edu­ca­tion, not only in Manitoba but across this great country of ours, is that we started having those con­ver­sa­tions with the federal gov­ern­ment to try to incorporate and put in a uni­ver­sal, or a national school food program.

      And that–those con­ver­sa­tions started back in, I'd say in the summer, July of 2022, when the–at the time, former Member of Parliament who was a minister, Karina Gould at the time, was the minister talking about how this would potentially roll out across Canada and then be divided up.

      And it's interesting that when the minister was asked the question about federal dollars, she said that there was absolutely zero dollars in the uni­ver­sal child nutrition program, which is actually false, because Manitoba and other provinces have signed on to take part of the billions of dollars that the federal gov­ern­ment had put in.

      And I actually, at the time, when Karina Gould, the Member of Parliament, the minister–was the minister, I actually enjoyed working with her. Worked on many different initiatives to try to bring, again, early child­hood edu­ca­tion in–you know, and that's actually the–my predecessor within that file, Rochelle Squires, who had the Early Child­hood Learning component, had originally signed the Canada-Manitoba agree­ment.

      And then we basically–I inherited, when Premier Stefanson had then amalgamated the two de­part­ments, Edu­ca­tion and Early Child­hood Learning. And so that's when I had the privilege and the honour of becoming the Edu­ca­tion and Early Child­hood Learning minister of the time, and then that's when the con­ver­sa­tions started going and started coming on with the national food program.

      And so on–when we talk about Bill 17, The Public Schools Amend­ment Act, the minister's also bringing forward this bill, and, again, we're going to see the bill pass through third reading today, and that's if, you know, members like, you know, the member for Seine River (MLA Cross), who wants to put some words on the record. And I don't know, sometimes I even think the member for Elmwood (MLA Maloway) wants to put some words on the record again. And I think he holds some form of record nationally for putting words on the record.

      And so he–I don't know if he's going to stand up today to put a few words on the record or not on Bill 17 or others, but I always like listening to the member for Elmwood get up and speak at times, because, you know, he's ex­per­ienced. He's got that knowledge, both here at the prov­incial level, but also at the federal level.

      So I think it's, again, nice to have that co-col­lab­o­ration across the aisle. And that's why, again, we saw the different, you know, the line of answering, or the non-answers that we saw, coming from the Kinew gov­ern­ment today on the fact that they just couldn't help them­selves, Hon­our­able Speaker.

      They just–the NDP ministers, either they were not prepared in regards to their own portfolios or, like we had witnessed today–and I'm not sure if the public cameras caught it–but again, talking about media being in the media gallery, seeing what happens when the cameras are off and the microphones are off. I  know that some of the ministers were strongly encouraged when we could visibly see that they were struggling answering some of the most basic questions during QP today, that they were handed their talking points on trying to attack our–

The Speaker: Order, please.

      I would ask the member to please keep his comments relevant to the bill.

Mr. Ewasko: So, you know, much like here in the Chamber, again, whether it's QP or whatever else, we talk about nutrition. We're talking about how im­por­tant nutrition is. Bill 17 that we're debating this after­noon in third reading, we're going to see it pass through third reading and become law sometime, I guess, early June. We'll see if there's other bills that are going to be brought forward. I know the Edu­ca­tion Minister had quite a bit to say, but I just want to reiterate: a lot of the infor­ma­tion that the Edu­ca­tion Minister continuously puts on the record has some holes in it, Hon­our­able Speaker.

      So, again, on this side of the House, on our side of the House, Progressive Conservative op­posi­tion party, are absolutely in favour of feeding kids, making sure that students are going to school on a full stomach. And for those students, and myself as a guidance counsellor, and I–a former guidance coun­sellor, I know that some of the educators on the NDP side had some­thing to do with working in student services a little bit as well. So they know first-hand on  how, you know, students function or maybe don't even function as well at school.

      And, again, a lot of it was that stigma. Like, you know, the Edu­ca­tion Minister mentioned a couple times the stigma of trying to get up and potentially even ask for food if they're coming to school hungry. And I think there has to be that wrap-around service, and that's why when the original–the council for food nutrition here in Manitoba, I mean, we–the Child Nutrition Council of Manitoba–we actually had more than doubled the money to them, and they sat with status quo under the former NDP gov­ern­ment, under Gary Doer and Greg Selinger.

      And, again, you know, we know that Greg Selinger was the role model or the mentor to the now-Premier, the MLA for Fort Rouge, the Premier (Mr. Kinew). And so I don't quite understand why that those dollars were frozen under the NDP gov­ern­ment, but we had then went and more than doubled the funding to the council for the children–the Child Nutrition Council of Manitoba.

      As we move forward, this bill–I mean, we take a look at the funding that was given in edu­ca­tion last year. We see the funding that was given to edu­ca­tion this year. Hon­our­able Speaker, we're seeing an ab­solute reduction, a cut to edu­ca­tion in this province, and it's–I think that is going to be more detrimental in the long run, in students' abilities to learn numeracy, literacy, science, the arts, moving forward, various different things.

* (16:40)

      We know that what's happening is because of the reduction in the school funding and, again, the Edu­ca­tion Minister patting herself on the back for some school funding, and yes, there's definitely funding that is going to a nutrition program here in the province–but I think what's going to happen over the next year or two once we start to see the reports come out from the various schools and the school divisions, is that she's going to see that the program that they actually had launched here in Manitoba is not uni­ver­sal at all.

      We know that the–during the big an­nounce­ment when the Premier, the MLA for Fort Rouge–we know how he really enjoys those photo ops and those ribbon-cutting op­por­tun­ities–and he sat at a student's desk with this plate of a sandwich, and there was some fruit and veggies and I think there was a milk carton off to the side; there was at least a juice box, I'm sure. And, you know, he had–he was smirking, as he usually does, and the photographers were clicking pictures.

      Well, Hon­our­able Speaker, I think that was a little bit dis­ingen­uous because I really don't think that all students across this great province of ours are sitting down today, in this uni­ver­sal nutrition program–are sitting down to that plate with a sandwich, fruit, veggies and a juice box or a milk carton–I know not in the various many, many, many schools that I've spoken to and seen. Absolutely, is there snacks? Absolutely. Is there some schools that are provi­ding higher quality or higher, you know, sort of lunches or breakfast? Absolutely, there are. But it's not uni­ver­sal.

      We take a look at the dollars that this actually breaks down to, Hon­our­able Speaker. The 2023–that's the latest publicly available data has Manitoba at just under–well, about 220,000 students. You know, we've got approximately the 700 schools, give or take. We talk about the $30 million that the Edu­ca­tion Minister continuously pats herself on the back for. And, again, we want to see kids go to school–children go to school and learn. And for those students that show up and they're hungry, it's good to have that op­por­tun­ity to be able to go and either get a snack or maybe even some­thing better than that.

      But we take a look at what the basic math tells us. And the basic math tells us that it works out to about $136 per student per year. So, in the '24-25 school year, that's 193 school days. So the Kinew gov­ern­ment, Hon­our­able Speaker–I know you–I know you're probably pretty good at math, and I'm not putting you into this debate, but that works out to about 70 cents per student per day, and you know as well as I know that–I don't know where this Kinew gov­ern­ment is shopping.

      We know that they're not shopping that way for them­selves because we've seen the Premier (Mr. Kinew) talk on more than one occasion about his salads that he purchases for himself that range from $13 to $17 for his own office, and I'm not sure if he's using Skip the Dishes or he's actually going out himself and picking these salads up. But we're talking $13 to $16 for a salad. When we're talking Bill 17, we're talking The Public Schools Amend­ment Act, about the amount of dollars or cents. They're not even dollars; they're cents that are going per student, and that's 70 cents.

      Now, Hon­our­able Speaker, we're going to go one step farther to talk about the dollars and cents that are being used on the children nutrition council–or, sorry, the uni­ver­sal nutrition program here in Manitoba. What we're seeing is, is that that's not even taking into account the people that actually have to do the work to prepare, to then transport, to potentially put in the infra­structure for, like, the kitchens or the freezers or the fridges and all those types of things.

      So you know what, I've had the pleasure of putting a few words on the record. I think we've come to the agree­ment that all sides of the House: we want to make sure that children are going to school and fed; and those that are not being fed, that there's op­por­tun­ities for them to get some food.

      Because we on this side of the House, the PC Party and the op­posi­tion for now–another year and a half, two years to go on that, and I think today was a great start showing Manitobans that we're ready to go, we're gov­ern­ment‑in‑waiting, not like the divisive tactics of the Kinew gov­ern­ment.

      We, on our side of the House, absolutely feel that kids can concentrate better with their bellies full, Honour­able Speaker, and that's why we're moving Bill 30 past third reading unless, of course, again, mem­bers of the NDP want to stand up and try to hold this bill up again. I don't know why they'd want to do that.

      But we're going to see this bill go forward through third reading and receive royal assent and just watch for the minister to come forward with her reports on how this is benefitting students in this great province of ours universally.

      Thank you, Hon­our­able Speaker.

The Speaker: Seeing no further questions or no further people wishing to debate, is the House ready for the question?

An Honourable Member: Question.

The Speaker: So the question before the House is concurrence and third reading of Bill 17, The Public Schools Amend­ment Act (Nutrition Equality for Lasting Learning Out­comes).

      Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed]

      The motion is accordingly passed.

Bill 31–The Property Controls for Grocery Stores and Supermarkets Act
(Various Acts Amended)

Hon. Mintu Sandhu (Minister of Public Service Delivery): I move, seconded by the hon­our­able Minister for Environ­ment and Climate Change, that Bill 31, The Property Controls for Grocery Stores and Supermarkets Act (Various Acts Amended), reported from the Standing Com­mit­tee on Justice, be concurred in and be now read for the third time and passed.

Motion presented.

MLA Sandhu: I'm so proud to be standing in the House on third reading of Bill 31, The Property Controls for Grocery Stores and Supermarkets Act.

      Our gov­ern­ment promised in the Throne Speech to end property control that limits competition in the grocery sector. Hon­our­able Speaker, this bill does that by amending The Law of Property Act, The Real Property Act and The Munici­pal Board Act.

      This will stop the use of property controls in owner­ship and the leasing agree­ment in the grocery sector to increase competition and stabilize the grocery prices.

      New property control cannot be created and exist­ing control–property controls are cancelled unless the holder registers it within six months after the bill passes.

      Hon­our­able Speaker, a property control cannot–can be reported to the Municipal Board who will decide whether the property control is in the public interest or should be cancelled.

      More competition is–in the grocery industry is expected to increase access to healthy food and make life more affordable for all Manitobans. This is just one of many actions our gov­ern­ment has taken to lower costs for families.

      I look forward to this bill receiving the unanimous support of this House.

      Thank you, Hon­our­able Speaker.

Hon. Nahanni Fontaine (Government House Leader): On House busi­ness.

The Speaker: The hon­our­able Gov­ern­ment House Leader, on House busi­ness.

* (16:50)

MLA Fontaine: Is there leave to include a list of names of guests in the Hansard 'transcipt' for today's sitting, with the names to appear after the members' statement made by the Minister of Housing, Addictions and Homelessness (Ms. Smith)?

The Speaker: Is there leave to include a list of names of guests in the Hansard transcript for today's sitting, with the names to appear after the members' statement made by the Minister of Housing, Addictions and Homelessness?

      Is there leave? [Agreed]

      Leave has been granted.

The Speaker: The–now we're–speakers to Bill 31.

Mr. Josh Guenter (Borderland): It's a pleasure to have the op­por­tun­ity to rise today and to speak on this legis­lation, to be in the people's House and be doing the people's busi­ness with the PC team, which is a team that is united under a new leader.

      And we're ready to serve and to provide that alter­na­tive for hope and optimism and change, and that alter­na­tive to the dismal NDP record that we've seen in the last two years. And I'm going to talk about their dismal record–[interjection]–I'm going to talk about their dismal record and will have some fun doing that.

      But we're here today to debate Bill 31, The Property Controls for Grocery Stores and Supermarkets Act, and as I said in my previous remarks in–during second reading that the bill is, notionally, a reasonable bill and one that our PC team will be supporting. However, our broader concern is that I don't think it is going to have any impact at all, and we can talk about that.

      The bill is aimed at big grocery stores and properties 2,000 square feet or larger, and it does not apply to small convenience stores like the 7-Elevens and other small grocery stores. There's a loophole, essentially, is what it is, that allows for the registration of restrictive covenants by busi­nesses that hold them, that currently have them, and busi­nesses have six months from the date that Bill 31 becomes law to register those restrictive covenants.

      So, essentially, every busi­ness that relies on those agree­ments is going to make sure that they're registered, so they're going to use that back door in this legis­lation and therefore, I think, nullify the whole point, the effect of this legis­lation.

      I think it's interesting, as well, when you look at some of the reaction to this legis­lation, and I quote from a CBC article that was published on November 20, 2024, where Uni­ver­sity of Guelph pro­fessor of food economics Mike von Massow said: scrapping restrictive covenants for grocers isn't going to drop grocery prices to levels seen prior to sky­rocketing inflation. His quote is: there's no real evidence that these property controls are making a sig­ni­fi­cant difference in a lot of places.

      Locally, we have a great quote from local business­­man, Munther Zeid, who said if the Premier (Mr. Kinew) wants to truly look into making groceries cheaper, the Province needs to look at wholesale costs. Zeid said he even invited the Premier to call him so that ideas of  how to bring prices down can be shared. There's no competition in the wholesale side to force prices down, he added. On the retail side, we cut our margins to try to be more competitive, but there's only so low  that you can go. And again, that's from local businessman, Munther Zeid.

      And it's interesting that he talks about wholesale costs because that is an area that this gov­ern­ment could be working on. And wholesale costs–that goes into interprovincial trade, talking about finding new markets and–finding new markets for Manitoba grocers to be able to buy from more cheaply and thereby lower the cost of groceries.

      This Premier (Mr. Kinew) certainly has been travelling; he's been leaving the province to go on trips, on all-expense paid, taxpayer-funded trips–all‑inclusive, taxpayer-funded trips to Washington, DC. And he's made not one trip–he's made not one trip to Washington, DC, but two.

      And I think the members opposite may be sur­prised to hear me say this, you know, because they're stuck in their own little echo chamber over there, but the Premier went not once, not twice to Washington, DC, but he came back with zero jobs and zero deals for Manitobans.

      And so there's nothing that grocers, that those mom-and-pop operations in our operations–in our com­mu­nities all across this province–can look to, to say this is what the Premier brought back. And that's unfor­tunate. It's unfor­tunate to make those trips, and I think it speaks to what this gov­ern­ment is all about, which is showmanship and no substance.

      But it's interesting, though, that–and I think this is really im­por­tant, too, because as I mentioned to the Minister of Families (MLA Fontaine) that we were going to be talking about her and her gov­ern­ment's record here, and how that un­em­ploy­ment has risen from 4 per cent to six–over 6 per cent this year–in their time in office. And that we also found out, and this is in the Winnipeg Free Press, that Manitoba trails prov­incial peers in 2024 GDP growth. That's devastating.

      So, GDP growth: way down; un­em­ploy­ment rate: way up; inflation: way up; food costs: way up. That's the record of this gov­ern­ment. Not only that, but 50,000 Manitobans rely on food banks every single month. That's a concern–50,000 Manitobans. There's only 1.3 million of us in this province. Fifty thousand. That's the record of this gov­ern­ment. That's the record of this gov­ern­ment.

      So when you look at this article, Manitoba–and again, the headline: Manitoba trails prov­incial peers in 2024 GDP growth. How did we get here? Manitoba's GDP growth lagged behind all other Canadian provinces in 2024. The keystone province logged a 1.1 per cent increase in its gross domestic product, falling short of the 1.6 per cent national average.

      And as our leader, the leader of His Majesty's loyal op­posi­tion, said in his line of questioning today, and unfor­tunately we didn't get an answer, but he quoted Loren Remillard, president of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, who said we need a concerted focus around economic dev­elop­ment, Remillard said. The economic horse is not getting the attention it needs, while the social cart is getting heavier and heavier.

      And unfor­tunately–unfor­tunately, that horse is Manitobans. That horse is Manitoba moms and dads, many of whom got up early this morning and went to work, and they're working hard to pay down their mortgages, to put their children through school, and they're working hard to get ahead and try to pay their taxes and pay the bills, and unfor­tunately this NDP gov­ern­ment is making life more difficult and is doing absolutely nothing to bring down grocery prices.

      So while we support Bill 31, unfor­tunately, it will be of none effect, and I thank you, Speaker.

The Speaker: Is the House ready for the question?

An Honourable Member: Question.

The Speaker: The question is concurrence and third reading of Bill 31, The Property Controls for Grocery Stores and Supermarkets Act (Various Acts Amended).

      Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed]

The Speaker: The motion is accordingly passed.

Mr. Konrad Narth (La Vérendrye): Hon­our­able Speaker, could we have a quorum count?

The Speaker: Just for the member's edu­ca­tion, there's no point asking for a quorum count, because we need to ring the bells for a minute, in which case we would run out of time.

Hon. Nahanni Fontaine (Government House Leader): Oh, boy. Is there leave to call it 5 p.m., Hon­our­able Speaker?

The Speaker: Is there leave to call it 5 p.m.? [Agreed]

      Leave has been granted.

      Order.

      The hour being 5 p.m., this House is adjourned and stands adjourned until 10 a.m. tomorrow.


 

 


LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA

Monday, May 5, 2025

CONTENTS


Vol. 48

ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS

Introduction of Bills

Bill 216–The Health System Governance and Accountability Amendment Act (Plebiscite Before Permanent Emergency Room Closure)

Dela Cruz  1625

Bill 232–The Victims of Impaired Drivers Commemoration Day Act (Commemoration of Days, Weeks and Months Act Amended)

Balcaen  1625

Committee Reports

Standing Committee on Justice

Second Report

Oxenham   1626

Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development

Second Report

Loiselle  1632

Tabling of Reports

Asagwara  1633

Moroz  1634

Sala  1634

Moyes 1634

Kennedy  1634

Fontaine  1634

Schmidt 1634

Smith  1634

Kostyshyn  1634

Simard  1634

Bushie  1634

Wiebe  1634

Marcelino  1634

Moses 1634

Naylor 1634

Sandhu  1634

Ministerial Statements

Red Dress Day

Fontaine  1634

Byram   1635

Lamoureux  1636

Members' Statements

Lapu Lapu Festival Tragedy

Dela Cruz  1636

Decorum in the Chamber and Public Apology

Khan  1637

Infinity Women Secretariat

Cross 1637

Alfred "Bucky" Anderson

Perchotte  1638

Drag the Red

Smith  1638

Speaker's Statement

Lindsey  1639

Oral Questions

Leader of the Official Opposition

Khan  1640

Kinew   1640

Manitoba's Economy

Khan  1640

Kinew   1640

Crown Timber Dues in Manitoba

Narth  1642

Bushie  1642

First Nations Along Eastern Lake Winnipeg

Narth  1643

Bushie  1643

Interprovincial Trade and Labour Mobility

Stone  1643

Sala  1643

Hudson Bay Archives

Perchotte  1644

Kennedy  1644

Death of Myah Gratton

Byram   1645

Fontaine  1645

Universal Screening for Learning Disabilities

Lamoureux  1645

Schmidt 1645

Accountability for Literacy Outcomes

Lamoureux  1646

Schmidt 1646

Threats to Canada's Economy

Oxenham   1646

Moses 1646

Homeless Encampments in Winnipeg

Cook  1647

Smith  1647

Brandon Health Centre–Assault of ER Nurse

Balcaen  1648

Asagwara  1648

Petitions

Phoenix School

Cook  1648

Little Mountain Park

Lamoureux  1649

Opposition to Releasing Repeat Offenders

Khan  1650

Death of Jordyn Reimer–Judicial Review Request

Balcaen  1650

Removal of Federal Carbon Tax

Bereza  1651

Provincial Road 352

Byram   1651

Removal of Federal Carbon Tax

Ewasko  1652

Opposition to Releasing Repeat Offenders

Goertzen  1653

Funding Crime Cost Mitigation for Small Business

Guenter 1653

Morden Waste Water Project

Hiebert 1654

MRI Machine for Portage Regional Health Facility

Johnson  1654

Construct New Personal-Care Home–Stonewall

King  1655

Green Valley School Expansion

Narth  1655

MRI Machine for Portage Regional Health Authority

Nesbitt 1656

Construct New Vocational High School–Neepawa

Perchotte  1656

Funding for Outlet Channels Project

Piwniuk  1657

Carbon Tax and Rising Food Prices

Stone  1657

MRI Machine for Portage Regional Health Facility

Wharton  1658

Provincial Road 352

Wowchuk  1659

ORDERS OF THE DAY

GOVERNMENT BUSINESS

Concurrence and Third Readings

Bill 17–The Public Schools Amendment Act (Nutrition Equality for Lasting Learning Outcomes)

Schmidt 1660

Ewasko  1662

Bill 31–The Property Controls for Grocery Stores and Supermarkets Act (Various Acts Amended)

Sandhu  1666

Guenter 1667