LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA
Monday, June 2, 2025
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 desire only 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, that Manitoba is located on the treaty territories and ancestral lands of the Anishinaabeg, 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.
Hon. Nahanni Fontaine (Government House Leader): Could you please canvass all members for leave to allow the House to consider today the remaining stages of Bill 47, specifically second reading, Committee of the Whole and concurrence and third reading; and for the House not to see the clock until all stages of Bill 47 have been completed.
The Speaker: Is there leave to consider Bill 47 under the provisions described by the honourable Government House Leader? Is there leave? [Agreed]
Introduction of bills? Committee reports? Tabling of reports?
Hon. Ian Bushie (Minister of Natural Resources and Indigenous Futures): The province continues to experience extreme wildfire danger. We are seeing rain in the forecast, but conditions continue to be very serious across Manitoba.
The fire in Lynn Lake was very active yesterday. Some abandoned derelict structures were lost. All major infrastructure is reported to be safe.
The Split Lake fire was also active. Staff continue to make dozer lines to protect the community. Control lines flared up, but reports show that the fire did not get into the community.
The fire near Jenpeg saw flare‑ups due to wind. The Manitoba Wildfire Service and the Office of the Fire Commissioner continue to monitor.
A new fire was reported in Grand Rapids yesterday. The local fire department has actioning–has actioned it. We hear the winds are favourable in this particular situation.
In Pukatawagan, the fire is being held east of the community.
In Sherridon, the fire is close to town, but good work is being done to protect the community.
We also hear that the defence against fires near Flin Flon and Wanless is holding.
Near Mopiming [phonetic]–Nopiming Provincial Park, the fire crossed Provincial Road 304 near Wallace Lake and near Bissett. Control lines are being established to better protect Bissett.
As we can see, the efforts to defend against these fires is enormous. It's incredibly reassuring to see one Manitoba coming together to get us through this. From outside the province, fresh legs are joining the fight from BC, Quebec and from the US, including aircraft. We are incredibly grateful for the assistance from all of our friends and neighbours.
We also want to highlight communities coming together to welcome evacuees. Most recently, Sagkeeng, Peguis and Red River College all have congregated shelter space coming online. This adds to the list of communities like Winnipeg, Portage la Prairie, Winkler, Thompson, Dauphin, The Pas, OCN, and NCN that are opening their doors to help in this enormous fight. We are also getting assistance from the Province of Ontario who will be welcoming evacuees over the course of this week.
The situation in Manitoba continues to be challenging, but we are seeing the all‑encompassing response coming together from businesses, community leadership and organizations from across the province and beyond. As one Manitoba, this is a truly heroic effort, and we are seeing positive trends–positive friends in all–in our overall response.
So let's continue to listen to the advice of local officials, let's work with our friends and neighbours. Let's continue to do our part and we'll get through this together. As one Manitoba, let's continue to have each other's backs.
Thank you, Honourable Speaker.
Mr. Rick Wowchuk (Swan River): I stand before you with a deep concern as we remain in a province‑wide emergency as we have 25 active wildfires.
As our emergency services do their part to suppress and control the fires, we must do our part. Human activity continues to impact the rate of the fires significantly. We must follow the fire bans, travel restrictions and evacuation notices. These are not just suggestions, but life‑saving warnings.
To those not directly affected, let us come together as the strong community we are and aid our neighbours, whether it's giving shelter, food or standing in solidarity.
Once again, we extend an earnest gratitude to the firefighters, air crew, volunteers, that are doing their best to manage these fires. Thank you.
For the people forced to leave their homes and those who have lost loved ones, we stand with you with open hearts and arms. You are not alone.
As wildfire season continues, it's more important than ever to prioritize safety, stay informed and stand strong together. By following emergency guidance and supporting one another, we can protect our communities and face the challenges ahead with resilience and unity.
Thank you.
The Speaker: Further ministerial statements?
Hon. Malaya Marcelino (Minister of Labour and Immigration): Honourable Speaker, I am proud to rise today to commemorate Philippine heritage month in the province of Manitoba and to acknowledge the contributions of the Filipino community to our province. I would also like to share with the Legislature some cherished hopes for the Filipino community.
* (13:40)
Yesterday, the Filipino community gathered at the Philippine-Canadian Centre of Manitoba on Keewatin Street for a flag-raising ceremony organized by the Philippine Heritage Council of Manitoba. Leaders from faith communities and the business community were present, as were members of arts, sports, culture and dance groups, members of professional organizations and fraternities, children from the Filipino bilingual program at Arthur E. Wright school, and many more. We gathered together to raise up the Canadian flag, the Manitoba flag and the Philippine flag early Sunday morning.
In addition to raising the three flags, there was a land acknowledgment sung by Ernesto Ofiaza that he set and played to guitar music and, in addition, a spoken land acknowledgment was translated into Filipino by Noel Lapuz. There was also discussion of the late Justice Murray Sinclair's Calls to Action for newcomers on the path to reconciliation, learning the history and legacy of residential schools and building relationships with Indigenous peoples in Canada.
This pride and cultivation of Filipino heritage complements our Canadian heritage, one hundred per cent. To me, part of the definition of a Canadian is someone that is committed to our universal health‑care system, as well as someone that is respectful and open to the cultivation of other folks' cultures too. As Immigration Minister, I have observed that folks who are proud of and have the opportunity to learn more about their own heritage make room and are open to understanding other peoples' cultures too. This is the Canadian way.
Many Filipino immigrants in Manitoba are proud to contribute to the fabric of this province. I will speak for myself as an immigrant who came to this country as a young child, that this province, this country has given my family everything that we have.
On this land, my parents were able to work to provide for multiple families they supported, we were able to access universal health care when we needed it, my brothers and sisters and I received an excellent public education. We live with the freedom to pursue our goals in life and give back to the communities that raised us. Many Filipino newcomers have expressed this same appreciation, pride and commitment to our province that we now call our forever home.
The Filipino community in Manitoba has been established here for about 75 years now and we are 100,000 Filipinos strong across this province. For many earlier generations, life and work were a difficult struggle. In general, newcomers and racialized folks–especially racialized, newcomer women–continue to struggle accessing good employment opportunities. They endure difficult working conditions and poor pay. But for many of the later Filipino generations, including me, on this land, because of this province, we have been able to live out the dreams that our parents and grandparents had for us.
We get the chance to live out their dreams. As the Minister of Families (MLA Fontaine) says to many young women: We are our grandmothers' dreams. So to honour our grandmothers, to honour Manitoba that has given us so much, our Filipino community in Manitoba will dare to dream even bigger dreams.
I am heartened by the leadership and community-mindedness present in many Filipino organizations that I have the privilege of working with, and many were present in the Legislature today. They are dreaming of giving back to their fellow Manitobans by building a personal‑care home, building homes and caring for the unsheltered, building a child‑care centre, building a state‑of‑the‑art community space with arts performance spaces, sports recreation spaces and more. Filipino youth are interested in academic research of Filipino studies at the university level, as well as the cultural community level.
In many ways, we are looking to the Jewish-, Italian- and Chinese‑Canadian communities, communities of colour that have been in Canada for hundreds of years, for their institutional and organizational capacity, their know‑how and to follow in their footsteps for building up Manitoba, too.
The Filipino community in Manitoba has come of age in many ways and we are ready to greet the coming years with this shared vision of a better Manitoba: one Manitoba.
I'd like to recognize the MLA for Radisson (MLA Dela Cruz) for her efforts as well as staff and volunteers in organizing today's event celebrating Filipino heritage at the Legislature and for bringing folks together from the Filipino community including: Asian Heritage Society of Manitoba, Philippine Nurses Association of Manitoba, Heritage Council of Manitoba, Pinays Manitoba, the Bulacan Association, Quezon Province Association, Friends of Filipino Immigrants, immigrant centre of Manitoba, Filipino Seniors Group, Manitoba Association of Filipino Teachers, Westman Filipino Community, 204, Mabuhay District, Bahaghari Pride, CKJS radio, Magdaragat Philippines Inc., Knights and Ladies of Rizal, and the ukulele club, part of the Filipino Music & Arts Association of Canada.
Thank you very much.
Maraming salamat po, at pagpalain tayong lahat ng Poong Maykapal. [Thank you very much, and may the Almighty God bless us all]. Thank you.
Mr. Konrad Narth (La Vérendrye): Honourable Speaker, today, I am honoured to recognize and celebrate June as Filipino Heritage Month, as well as Philippine Independence Day, which takes place on June 12.
First of all, I'd like to thank Magdaragat Inc. [phonetic] for the beautiful performances this morning in the Legislature.
Progressive Conservatives were proud to officially establish Filipino Heritage Month in 2022 to bring attention to the decades of vibrant culture, beautiful traditions and tremendous contributions that the community has brought to Manitoba.
More than 7 per cent of Manitobans are of Filipino heritage, and their influence can be seen not just in Winnipeg but across rural Manitoba as well. Their thriving Filipino populations continue to grow.
In eastern Manitoba, we have the South EastMan Filipino Association who do invaluable work to promote Pinoy culture and help newcomers embrace life in communities like Steinbach.
In my constituency of La Vérendrye and hometown of Vita, Filipino newcomers recently helped reopen the Catholic church, which had been shuttered for more than decades.
When you go to Westman, the Barrio Fiesta brings vibrant Filipino jubilation to Brandon.
Nearby, in Neepawa, hard‑working Filipino Manitobans have played a pivotal role in building up the local economy over the last decade, most notably through the HyLife pork processing plant.
And, of course, north, east, south and west, Filipino Manitobans have been at the front lines of helping to address our rural and urban health‑care staffing shortages since at least the 1950s.
These are just some of the many, many contributions that Filipino Manitobans continue to make to our great province in business, health care, community development and beyond.
I encourage all Manitobans to take some time this summer in Winnipeg to come to the Manitoba Filipino Street Festival, the Filipino pavilions at Folklorama and the many other cultural events throughout the year.
Happy Filipino Heritage Month and happy Philippine Independence Day.
Bumbayhay [phonetic].
MLA Cindy Lamoureux (Tyndall Park): Honourable Speaker, I ask for leave to respond to the minister's statement.
The Speaker: Does the honourable member for Tyndall Park have leave to respond? [Agreed]
MLA Lamoureux: Mabuhay. [Live.]
Honourable Speaker, I am very happy to rise this afternoon in celebration of Filipino Heritage Month.
I would like to begin by thanking the minister responsible for bringing forward today's statement, for organizing the event this afternoon here at the Legislature and for her remarks yesterday at the flag-raising ceremony at PCCM.
Manitoba is home to one of the oldest Filipino communities in Canada, dating back to our garment workers, and over the years, the community has played a vital role in every sector of our country, and as a nation, we have surpassed 1 million Filipinos.
I personally feel very blessed to have grown up in the Filipino community. I can reflect on very early years of school where my friends would share stories with me of the white sandy beaches and all the motorized bikes, which I still love to this day. They would even try to teach me Tagalog and convince me to visit. So, of course, as I got older, my love for the Philippines only grew. I've since been able to visit a handful of times, and it's true what they say: It is, in fact, more fun in the Philippines.
* (13:50)
Honourable Speaker, we are so fortunate here in Manitoba to have the Filipino community, as they have brought a–brought wealth of heritage, culture, kindness and hospitality to all sectors. They contribute to our diversity and they play huge roles in our social, economic and political actions.
I am thrilled and so grateful to hear that the minister has many plans to further build up the community. And I'm also very grateful to my friend from Radisson who continues to teach all of us here in the Chambers more and more about Filipino heritage.
Honourable Speaker, just before I wrap up, I want to thank those who have joined us here today in the gallery and earlier for all the performances. And in addition to the many of the events this month, I hope to see everyone at the Philippine Independence Ball on June 21 and two events right in Tyndall Park: the multicultural picnic on the 28th and the Filipino Canadian folk festival on 29th.
Thank you. Salamat po. [Thank you.]
Introduction of Guests
The Speaker: Prior to members' statements, there's some guests in the gallery that have to leave us shortly.
So first, I would like to introduce seated in the public gallery from Riverton Collegiate 32 grade 9 and 10 students under the direction of Daniel Wallach. And this group is located in the constituency of the honourable member for Interlake‑Gimli (Mr. Johnson).
And we welcome you here today.
And we have seated in the public gallery from École Regent Park 25 grade 6 students under the direction of Erith Thompson. And they are guests of the honourable member for Transcona (MLA Corbett).
And we welcome you here today.
MLA Jelynn Dela Cruz (Radisson): Before colonization, queerness in the Philippines was not hidden; it was honoured. The babaylan were spiritual leaders, healers and guides. Some were women, others were intersex or embodied both masculine and feminine energy–what we might now understand as queer or trans. They led with strength. They led with spirit. And they yielded power in their communities that nobody else could.
Colonization brought shame where there was once reverence. But as a bisexual Filipina, I can tell you our queerness endured. And today, we reclaim that legacy in a space that was not built for us.
Tagalog spoken
Dito po nagsisimula ang ating kuwento tungkol sa Bahaghari Pride Manitoba. Itinatag noong Marso 2024, ang Bahaghari ay isinilang mula sa lakas at sigla ng Pilipino‑Manitoban 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
Translation
This is where our story about Bahaghari Pride Manitoba starts. Established in March 2024, Bahghari was born from the strength and vitality of the Filipino‑Manitoban 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
English
A community that has always been here, but until now had no organization to truly represent them.
Tagalog spoken
Sa kabila ng higit 60 Filipino organizations sa Manitoba, wala ni isa para sa ating queer kababayan. Kaya sila mismo ang gumawa ng paraan.
Translation
Despite more than 60 Filipino organizations in Manitoba, there was not even one for our queer countrymen. So they made their own way.
English
Bahaghari means rainbow; isang salita, maraming kulay [one word, many colours], just like us.
Tagalog spoken Magkakaiba man tayo, iisa tayo sa diwa, sa pagmamahalan at sa laban para sa pagkakapantay‑pantay.
Translation
Although we are different, we are one in spirit, in love and in the fight for equality.
English
So, please, friends and colleagues, let's celebrate Bahaghari Pride Manitoba.
Tagalog spoken
Palakpakan po natin sila. Mabuhay ang Bahaghari. Mabuhay ang ating makulay na komunidad.
Translation
Let us applaud them. Long live Bahaghari. Long live our colourful community.
MLA Jeff Bereza (Portage la Prairie): Honourable Speaker, before I begin, I want to take a moment to recognize and thank the brave members of the Canadian Armed Forces, Canadian Red Cross and the countless emergency responders, volunteers and community organizations who have stepped up to help those affected by the wildfires across Manitoba.
Your compassion, dedication, swift action in supporting evacuees and protecting our communities has not gone unnoticed, and on behalf of our caucus and all of Manitobans, thank you.
As we wrap up this spring session, I want to reflect on what's been a meaningful few weeks.
It's been an honour to be part of this Progressive Conservative team, one that is focused on delivering results, standing up for Manitobans and holding the NDP government to account.
Throughout this session, we brought forward practical, forward‑looking ideas. We introduced Bill 227, The Free Trade and Mobility Within Canada Act, a bill to break barriers, attract workers and grow our economy. We also proposed targeted amendments like those in The Highway Traffic Amendment Act, to make our roads safer and more responsive to the needs of Manitobans.
Meanwhile, the NDP government has failed to deliver on its central promise of fixing health care. Emergency rooms remain overwhelmed, access is patchy across the province, and front‑line workers are still waiting for the support they promised. On top of that, the government has made life more expensive for families, increasing the education property tax and reversing the affordability progress we have made.
While this sloppy NDP government keeps making excuses, our PC team is offering solutions. Manitobans deserve better, and that's what they're seeing: a clear alternative–
The Speaker: Order, please. Order, please.
The member's time has expired.
MLA JD Devgan (McPhillips): Honourable Speaker, food is what brings us together. Whether it's at the dinner table with family or when we're out with friends, everyone enjoys coming together for a delicious meal.
The Grassmere Family Restaurant got its start 20 years ago, when Lina Cabungcal decided to sell her house and quit her job to pursue running a restaurant full-time. She had been cooking for years by that point, but decided it was finally time to pursue her passion. Opening the restaurant in October of 2005, Lina and her family have been serving our community ever since.
Their menu originally started with foods you'd expect, like burgers, fries and hearty breakfasts of bacon and eggs. However, they decided to introduce some Filipino favourites to their menu 10 years ago, offering delicious silog [fried rice and egg] breakfast platters, as well as popular Filipino street foods like kikiam and fish balls. Their food is so good, it was recognized as one of Canada's hidden gems in the book, Where We Ate: A Field Guide to Canada's Restaurants, Past and Present, by Gabby Peyton in 2023.
The family says their favourite thing about operating the restaurant is being able to connect with regulars. When they introduced Filipino food to their menu, the restaurant became a gathering place for the Filipino community in West St. Paul. Staff also enjoy seeing kids who frequent the restaurant grow into adulthood.
Thanks to the Cabungcal family for creating such a welcoming space for folks in McPhillips.
Lina, Mac and Charlie Cabungcal have joined us in the gallery today, and I ask that all my colleagues rise in recognizing their contributions to our community.
Thank you, Honourable Speaker.
Mr. Jeff Wharton (Red River North): Honourable Speaker, I rise in the House today to honour Elma Rauser–artist, photographer–who was named artist of the month by the RM of East St. Paul for the month of May.
An avid student of life and the world around her, Elma's passion is to re-create the sensations and details of scenes that she sees captured by camera or those moments in time when she encounters wildlife while on a hike in one of Manitoba's great provincial parks.
Born in southern Manitoba, Elma's first explorations in art came through sketching and illustrations, illustrating catalogues in her father's manufacturing business.
In later years, she painted with various mediums, from pastels, charcoal, watercolours, to acrylics, oils and photography. Her work can be seen in private collections throughout Canada, the US, Germany and Switzerland.
She participates in several local art associations and shows, and was the founding member of the Manitoba Art Expo. For the month of May, her work was displayed in the East St. Paul municipal office.
Elma's art works range from portraits of children and adults enjoying experiences in nature to the rusted as well–and well-used relics of days past, which she finds in abandoned farm fields and yards or lake beds.
Elma's strong connection to the outdoors and nature acts as fuel for her creative inspiration, gathering source photography and sketches. Her desire to capture a unique perspective often leads her to seek unusual vantage points, from waist-high snow to wading through a murky creek at dusk.
Honourable Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in honouring and recognizing Elma Rauser, her–who's also joined by her daughter Karin Fehr, here in the gallery today.
Thank you, Honourable Speaker.
* (14:00)
Hon. Mike Moroz (Minister of Innovation and New Technology): Honourable Speaker, I rise today in celebration of the newly formed River Heights interschool council, an initiative bringing together the voices of young people across our community.
In River Heights, we are fortunate to have four exceptional high schools filled with bright, engaged and passionate students who are already making their mark as leaders in their schools and communities.
Earlier this spring, students from Gray Academy, Grant Park High School, St. Mary's Academy and Kelvin High School gathered in this building for inaugural meeting. I was greatly impressed by their preparation, thoughtful questions and the robust conversations that took place.
Honourable Speaker, the idea behind this interschool student council is simple but powerful: to ensure that the voices of young people are heard and valued as we shape the future of our province. By connecting students directly with government, this council provides the opportunity to share their concerns, for them to offer innovative ideas and to work together on solutions for their schools and communities.
Today marked our last meeting of the year, and I am proud to see the current graduating student representatives passing the baton on to grade 11 students who will take up the work in the fall.
To our graduates: I wish you the best of luck as you embark on a new chapter. Each of you is already a promising leader with a bright future.
Young people have ideas; they have energy; they have compassion. And it's essential that we listen carefully to their voices as we work together to build a province for all Manitobans.
I look forward to continuing this work in the fall.
I'm pleased that members of the council have joined us in the gallery today. I ask that their names be entered into Hansard and that my colleagues join me in celebrating their work.
Daniel Bokser, Diana Bonakdar, Anureet Chaudhary, Matias Lastra, Nadia Lovallo, Salina Lupu, Sophia Moroz, Gaby Oficerov, Chinanuokum Oniyuke, Heitor Lopes Oshikava, Marie Sato, Zia Sigurdson, Roxy Silman, Emily Tapper.
Introduction of Guests
The Speaker: Prior to oral questions, a few things to take care of.
First, I would like to draw the attention of all honourable members to the public gallery, where we have with us today Darlene Simpson. Darlene was born and raised in a farm near Kennedy, Saskatchewan and worked across Canada as a nurse for almost 50 years.
Darlene ended her career at Bethseda [phonetic] hospital in Steinbach, and she is here today as the guest of our Clerk, Rick Yarish, who refers to Darlene as my second mom.
On behalf of all honourable members, we welcome you here today.
* * *
The Speaker: And then, the sad news continues. Legislative pages' last days. Bisman Rowanda [phonetic]–Randhawa: Bisman will be graduating from Maples Collegiate this June. She is set to attend the University of Toronto this fall as one of 15 national scholars on a full‑ride scholarship. She will be joining the social science program, with aspirations to pursue a bachelor's degree in public policy and international relations, ultimately paving her way to law school.
As she prepares to embark on this exciting new chapter, Bisman reflects upon her time as a page at the Manitoba Legislature. This experience gave her a profound understanding of how the provincial government functions and how its decisions shape society.
With a deep passion for youth and girls' empowerment, Bisman founded Maples4Women, her school's female empowerment group. Through this initiative, she has supported over 500 students and helped raise nearly $1,000. Maples4Women also connected girls with mentors across Manitoba and hosted political panels 'featural'–featuring trailblazing women in leadership, creating spaces for inspiration, dialogue and growth. These experiences further solidified Bisman's commitment to advocacy and public service.
Alongside leadership in her school's and student council, Bisman also serves on the Manitoba Student Advisory Council, is part of the Youth Parliament of Manitoba and is a 2025 youth ambassador general with Folklorama this summer. So she will continue to see you in the community.
As she graduates, Bisman extends heartfelt thanks to everyone at the Legislature who supported her throughout the year. She is especially grateful for those who offered mentorship, guidance and encouragement. Their kindness has left a lasting impression on her, and she will carry those lessons forward.
Bisman is deeply grateful to have experienced this once‑in‑a‑lifetime opportunity. She believes that allowing youth to be immersed within these spaces is vital to the continued success of Manitoba. She says, thank you for welcoming young people into this environment and showing us that our voices matter. This work will continue beyond these Chamber walls. We will keep listening, advocating and striving to uplift our communities wherever we go. This isn't a goodbye, just a see-you-later. Thank you for the past year.
And next we have Kathryn Sacher: Kathryn is a grade 11 student at Collège Jeanne‑Sauvé, set to graduate in 2026. With a strong passion for politics and public service, she plans to attend the University of Ottawa in the fall of 2026 to pursue a degree in political science.
Her time as a legislative page has been a rewarding and eye‑opening experience, giving her a deep understanding of how government operates. Through this role, she witnessed first‑hand how collaboration among elected officials can lead to meaningful, positive change for the people of Manitoba. Kathryn feels honoured to have had this opportunity and is especially grateful to the Members of the Legislative Assembly and staff who supported her throughout her experience.
As she enters her final year of high school, Kathryn is eager to continue making a positive impact with her school and community. She is especially proud to serve as premier of Alberta Girls' Parliament in the upcoming year, a historic role, as she is the first out‑of‑province participant ever elected to this position. Kathryn looks forward to embracing this opportunity and making the most of her final year of high school.
And now let's continue with the bad news: the 2025 intern farewells.
We are starting a new tradition today in the Assembly. As members know, for a number of years, we have been sharing with the House the annual page farewell comments. Today we are expanding that tradition by sharing farewell comments from our legislative interns.
These statements have been written by our interns, and it is my pleasure to read them in the House.
Joining the interns in the Speaker's Gallery today are the academic director of the intern program, Professor Kelly Saunders from Brandon University; and Andrea Norlock, administrative 'assistmant'–assistant for the program.
I will ask members to hold their applause until I have read all the comments for all six interns.
Selam Beyene: This internship has been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Selam to step into the world of politics and witness democracy in action. Her time in the Legislature has deepened her appreciation for the traditions, structure and procedures that guide this House.
For Selam, this experience brought her political science studies to life. Concepts that were once lived on the pages of textbooks became real throughout daily work, discussions and observation. She is truly grateful for the opportunity to meet so many respected and inspiring individuals from across Manitoba.
The friendships she has formed within the Legislature will stay with her, and the stories shared by MLAs, caucus members and Assembly staff have left a lasting impression. These lessons will continue to shape her path.
* (14:10)
Selam is excited to carry this experience into her future as she pursues a career in law, with the hopes of one day becoming a judge. She looks forward to bringing the same respect for fairness and process into the courtroom. Above all, Selam expresses her deepest gratitude for the kindness, guidance and support that she has received. The experience of being a legislative intern has made a meaningful and lasting impact on her life.
Next we have Madeline Blais: For Madeline, it feels as though just yesterday she was walking into the people's building, equally as nervous as she was excited. But for now, Madeline has to say goodbye.
This has been an incredible year for Madeline, as it was full of growth, learning and new experiences. Her time at the Legislature's not something she will soon forget as each day held something new.
She leaves with a deeper understanding and appreciation for the work that goes into running the Assembly and feels inspired by the many people who work so hard to keep this Chamber running smoothly. The skills and experience Madeline has gained throughout her time as an intern will follow her for the rest of the life. Working at the Legislature for the past nine months has been an absolute privilege and she would like to say thank you to everyone in caucus at the Assembly, as well as her fellow interns, for making this experience truly unforgettable.
Tawsha Bristol: 10 years ago, Tawsha returned to Manitoba to build a better life. Along the way, she forged a strong work ethic and expanded her capacity but her purpose never changed. After her sons, the internship has been the greatest honour and most impactful endeavour of her life.
Having had the privilege to engage with so many people in the Chamber, she served not only as a spoke in the wheel of the Assembly, but also a part of Manitoba's future. This experience has reaffirmed a powerful truth for her: teamwork really does make the dream work.
Tawsha leaves the people's House with a renewed commitment and is eager to return to serving the people of Manitoba.
She thanks her sons, Sydney, TJ and Anthony, for being the greatest measure of her strength and the brightest lights in her future. She is deeply grateful to her family for their unwavering support and to every staff member, guest and honorary member who shared this journey.
And, finally, she wishes her great-grandmother, Marilyn Ross, a joyous 92nd birthday.
Sabrina Kruger: Sabrina was–first learned of the Manitoba Legislative Internship Program in her second year of university and instantly knew that this–what's–what she wanted to do after graduation. Constant–looking for new ways to understand the world around her, the internship felt like the perfect opportunity to step away from the theory of it all and to see it in practice.
When you first sit down for your internship orientation, everyone tells you how chaotic and overwhelming the Legislature can be, especially when session is in full swing. For Sabrina, though, the energy and the pace of the building turned out to be just the thing she needed.
As interns prepare to clear out their desks and pack their suitcases for their study trip to the United Kingdom, Sabrina cannot express enough how this internship has been the immense pleasure of her–and privilege of her life. She feels so lucky to have worked alongside such talented, genuine and supportive people here in the Legislature, seeing first-hand the dedication and effort they give to keep the building running and serve its purpose.
Christina McKay: Christina is preparing to leave this internship program and begin her graduate studies at the University of Manitoba in the fall. As this year comes to a close, she is grateful for the crash course this internship has given her in governance and politics.
Her time in the Legislature has deepened her sense of civic pride and inspired a deeper appreciation of the traditions of the House and those who work behind the scenes to ensure their preservation. This experience has been unique. As someone with a grassroots background, Christina has learned a great deal about how the intersections of public interest and public policy come together.
All that she has learned will be applied to supporting her community as well as informing her upcoming education in public administration. She endeavours to read the paper every morning, tune in to question period more and visit the public gallery as much as possible once she leaves.
Christina wishes to express gratitude for–to all those she has encountered in the people's building.
Sylvia Ofori: Sylvie [phonetic]–Sylvia didn't know what to expect from this internship, but she is leaving with valuable lessons and memories she will never forget. She would like to thank all the Legislative Assembly staff, the Clerk's office for answering her countless questions and the Assembly's Digital Media branch for their support and for being a safe space to chat.
Sylvia is also grateful to the staff of both the NDP and PC caucuses for being so welcoming throughout the entire internship. Throughout her time here, Sylvia has learned a great deal from the conversations with staff and MLAs. Working at the Legislative Building has given her a deep appreciation for the importance of the work that takes place here.
She leaves with both sadness and excitement for what comes next. Her fear of uncertainty has melted away, replaced by the confidence she has gained in speaking with others and navigating a fast‑paced, ever‑changing environment. Sylvia looks forward to applying everything she learned as she pursues law school. Once again, she extends her heartfelt thanks to everyone she had the pleasure of meeting during this internship.
On behalf of all MLAs, caucus staff and Assembly staff, I would like to thank the six of you for your contributions to the democratic process in Manitoba and wish you all all the very best in the future.
Communication with Manitobans During
Wildfires
Mr. Obby Khan (Leader of the Official Opposition): Honourable Speaker, communication is vitally important to ensure safety of all Manitobans. Sadly, we saw earlier this year what can happen when communication is not possible, just like when TELUS outages of 911 services. Sadly, a Manitoban passed away because the family could not communicate with 911.
When it comes to the current state of emergency in the province and the growing fires, communication is even more vital. That is why there is the MECC.
Can the Premier (Mr. Kinew) update the Assembly on the status of MECC?
Hon. Uzoma Asagwara (Deputy Premier): I thank the Leader of the Opposition for that question.
Our government has been–as I think most–or, if not all, Manitobans are well aware–working across not only all appropriate channels in Manitoba, but working across jurisdictions, to ensure that messaging gets out to Manitoba communities as quickly as possible. Our teams, with EMO, with ministers in this Chamber, with the federal government, First Nations, are working, quite frankly, around the clock to ensure that we have up‑to-the-minute information that's being communicated to Manitobans.
Can't thank enough the folks working on the front lines of these wildfires: emergency response services, firefighters and all the teams who are keeping Manitobans safe.
The Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a supplementary question.
Mr. Khan: Honourable Speaker, I asked the Premier to update us on MECC. It's clear that they have no idea what that is.
So can they just stand up and tell us what MECC even stands for?
MLA Asagwara: Honourable Speaker, you know, we saw this, actually, I think last week or maybe the week before, where members on that side of the House would stand up and instead of thanking the folks who are keeping Manitobans safe and getting that accurate information out there, they would stand up and either criticize people, put information on the record that we found out was actually totally inaccurate. And then we would go out and correct the record for Manitobans.
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Now, during this time where folks are coming together, where we're working across jurisdictions to keep Manitobans safe, I would ask that members opposite do the same. Instead of trying to perpetuate information that is false, get on the side of Manitobans, get on the side of Canadians, and stand up in this House and be united as one Manitoba.
The Speaker: The Leader of the Official Opposition, on a new question.
Mr. Khan:
Honourable Speaker and Manitobans, you can see it right there. This Deputy Premier and no one on the NDP side even knows what MECC stands for.
In a state of emergency in this province, it stands for the Manitoba Emergency Coordination Centre. It is the focal point in emergency and disaster co‑ordination.
And this Deputy Premier and no one on that side of the House even knew what it stood for. It's embarrasing, it's shameful.
Manitobans are at risk because–[interjection]
The Speaker: Order.
Mr. Khan: –of this Deputy Premier and NDP government.
So what is the government doing to ensure accurate communication with impacted residents and those communities throughout marlin–Manitoba is being communicated properly?
MLA Asagwara: The Leader of the Opposition is so focused on division and so focused on negativity that he doesn't even understand that when we talk about the EMO, that is what we're talking about.
When we talk about the Minister of Northern Relations and Indigenous Futures (Mr. Bushie); MTI; EMO; when we talk about CAF, who's coming and bringing supports from Canada; when we talk about First Nations partners; when we talk about wildfire services; Saskatchewan, their government, including departments across their government. When we're talking about all partners coming together, that encompasses–again, in EMO–what he's talking about.
He's so focused on division he can't even get his act together as the leader. Do better on that side of the House. Maybe some member in the PC caucus can remind the Leader of the Opposition we are united as Manitobans–
The Speaker: Member's time has expired.
The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a supplementary question.
Mr. Obby Khan (Leader of the Official Opposition): Residents of Point Douglas left this building last week feeling like they weren't heard; that this government, this NDP government, wasn't listening to them.
Residents described the Premier (Mr. Kinew) as being more concerned with looking good than listening, and I quote from the residents: he was more concerned with defending Main Street Project than protecting our community. End quote.
Will the Premier put the fears to rest today of Point Douglas community members and publicly confirm that no injection site will be located at 200 Disraeli highway?
Hon. Uzoma Asagwara (Deputy Premier): Honourable Speaker, the only one stoking fear in this Chamber is the Leader of the Opposition, who spends his first set of questions trying to confuse Manitobans because he doesn't even bother to do his own research as the Leader of the Opposition party.
On this side of the House, we're spending our time making sure Manitobans have accurate information to keep them safe. We're making sure that we're listening to the residents of Point Douglas. The Premier took time during this really critical emergency to sit down with the constituents of Point Douglas and spend time with them. That is leadership, Honourable Speaker.
The Leader of the Opposition could take a note from the Premier, who continues–well is now, again, the most popular premier in the country, I might add–and understand that leadership is bringing people together, listening to voices and putting people's needs ahead of their own selfish–
The Speaker: Member's time has expired.
Order, please. I would ask the honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, he was quoting from something; was it a public document?
Mr. Khan: Yes, Honourable Speaker, it was the newspaper.
The Speaker: Thank you–[interjection]
Order.
The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a final supplementary question.
Mr. Khan: Like the Deputy Premier said, the Premier (Mr. Kinew) was clearly not listening to the residents of Point Douglas. They don't want this injection site in their community. They've been very vocal about it. They have a petition signed. They don't want it there, yet this Premier and this NDP government is forcing it through on residents in Point Douglas.
In a meeting with the Premier, it was also conveyed to the residents that the application to the federal government was nowhere near moving ahead, and that the Province was also nowhere near ready.
So if this is the message the Premier is saying to Point Douglas residents behind closed doors, will the Deputy Premier, or anyone on that side of the House, stand up and tell Manitobans and the residents of Point Douglas that this injection site is not happening at 200 Disraeli highway?
MLA Asagwara: You can tell just how little respect the Leader of the Opposition has for those who are struggling with addictions by the language that he uses.
An Honourable Member: Yup.
MLA Asagwara: The Leader of the Opposition–and he just said yup. I just want to–I want the House to know, want Manitobans to know that when I stated the Leader of the Opposition doesn't respect those struggling with addictions, his response was, yup. Honourable Speaker, that is disgraceful. That is disgusting.
The Leader of the Opposition spent years in opposition denying Manitobans who were struggling the resources they need to survive.
On this side of the House, we're putting their needs first, we're keeping Manitobans alive and we're investing in the resources to give them a chance at a life in this province they deserve, while on that side of the House, he says yup to saying they deserve disrespect.
Shame on him.
Mrs. Carrie Hiebert (Morden‑Winkler): Honourable Speaker–
Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh.
The Speaker: Order. Order.
The government bench needs to come to order.
Mrs. Hiebert: Honourable Speaker, on Wednesday, the Premier and ministers spoke at Point Douglas residents–not with them–in a private meeting. People felt deeply unheard.
If 200 Disraeli isn't moving forward, which Winnipeg neighbourhood will be forced to host the next drug injection site?
Hon. Uzoma Asagwara (Deputy Premier): Again, I have to say, it's really disappointing to see that member, who for some time I would've thought–and I think we thought on this side of the House–had more compassion than the Leader for the Opposition and members in that caucus. Being brand new, she has an opportunity.
And she's had enough time now to understand that language matters. And yet she stands up in this House and uses harmful, stigmatizing language that makes it harder for Manitobans to access care where and when they need it.
I would ask that that member would stand up on her second question and apologize, and start using the language that experts say should be used: supervised consumption site. Show some compassion. Do better than your Leader of the Opposition, who's already a failure.
Contract with Duffy's Taxi–Conflict of
Interest Inquiry
Mr. Josh Guenter (Borderland): The Minister of Public Service Delivery signed an almost $1.8-million contract with Duffy's Taxi. Shares in Duffy's and financing for two taxicabs have been listed on the member's conflict of interest filing.
Did the minister recuse himself from these discussions, and why was this conflict never filed with the Ethics Commissioner?
Hon. Mintu Sandhu (Minister of Public Service Delivery): I want to thank–to the member for the question.
I wasn't even the minister when this contract was signed.
Thank you, Honourable Speaker.
Mrs. Kathleen Cook (Roblin): A couple of weeks ago, a 14-year-old girl was stabbed in Charleswood by two other teenagers who were then arrested and released.
The minister's bail reform plan is a sham. His plan to keep machetes out of the hands of youth has failed. Violent crime is getting worse in our communities under the NDP, not better.
What specific steps is this minister taking to make sure that these two suspects don't hurt somebody else?
Hon. Matt Wiebe (Minister of Justice and Attorney General): You know who says that our bail reform measures are working? It's the National Police Federation. You know who says that our machete policies are having a real effect? It's the Winnipeg Police Service. And you know who says that violent crime is actually, for the first time in a very long time, starting to trend downwards? It's the statistics released by the City of Winnipeg.
These members opposite have no leg to stand on.
Mr. Wayne Balcaen (Brandon West): It's Saturday in Brandon, Manitoba, where–
Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh.
The Speaker: Order.
Mr. Balcaen: –two very different crimes have occurred, but the results are the same. A man armed with a crowbar was arrested after assault ended in a head injury. That evening, a woman was arrested with a large quantity of drugs for sale. Both were released back into the community.
This NDP government is not tough on violent crime and is certainly not tough on drug trafficking.
Can the failed Minister of Justice let Manitobans know what crimes will actually keep people behind bars?
Hon. Matt Wiebe (Minister of Justice and Attorney General): The–you know, these are serious times in this province, and these are serious issues the member opposite brings up. And yet, he asks them in unserious ways.
Manitobans know they want a real response because, under the members opposite, crime continued to go up year over year over year.
And under our government, we've started to turn the corner. We know that there's more work to do, but we're going to work with the National Police Federation, we're going to work with the WPS, we're going to listen to law enforcement. We're not going to cut them like members opposite did.
* (14:30)
More officers on the street now; less under the PCs. That's our record, and that's their record, Honourable Speaker.
MLA Cindy Lamoureux (Tyndall Park): Nova Scotia has announced that, as of last month, all residents age 65 and older are eligible to receive the shingles vaccine free of charge, allocating $26.9 million for this initiative in their 2025-26 budget.
Given that Manitoba currently does not publicly fund this shingles vaccine, can the Minister of Health explain why our province cannot commit to a similar program to protect our seniors from this preventable and painful disease?
Hon. Uzoma Asagwara (Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care): I thank the member for that really important question. Our government is actively taking a look at what we can do on the shingles vaccine front for seniors in this province.
I do want to take this opportunity, since we are seeing increased cases of measles in Manitoba, particularly with little ones, to let Manitobans know that it is so important to be up to speed with measles vaccine information. Go and get yourselves, your loved ones–as–particularly our little ones–vaccinated to protect them and communities. We're seeing outbreaks in regions of the province that we really don't want to be seeing them.
It's also really important that, if you've been asked to isolate, that you follow those public health orders to the letter. If you have any questions talk to your primary care providers, doctors, nurse practitioner or pharmacist to get answers as quickly as you possibly can. Let's keep each other safe.
The Speaker: The honourable member for Tyndall Park, on a supplementary question.
Request for Cost-Benefit Analysis
MLA Lamoureux: Honourable Speaker, shingles can lead to severe complications, which can result in prolonged pain and increased health-care utilization.
The National Institute on Aging reports that shingles costs the Canadian health-care system approximately $68 million annually, much of which could be mitigated through vaccination.
Has the Manitoba government conducted a cost-benefit analysis on publicly funding the shingles vaccine and, if so, what were the findings?
MLA Asagwara: Yes, really appreciate that question from the member for Tyndall Park. I think it shows that she understands our government takes very seriously data and evidence and information.
Whereas members on that side of the House didn't even believe in the COVID vaccine, on this side of the House we believe in vaccinating ourselves and the public to keep each other face–safe.
Honourable Speaker, we are taking a good look at not only the evidence in terms of the impact on the system, but our government is also taking–[interjection]
The Speaker: Order.
MLA Asagwara: –a look at more recent research that's come out.
I want to reassure the member that we're working with local organizations as well to understand, from their perspective, what impacts of that kind of public-health decision-making would be. We're going to keep listening to the experts and working with our partners.
The Speaker: The honourable member for Tyndall Park, on a final supplementary question.
Impact of Cost on Vaccination Rate
MLA Lamoureux: The National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommends the shingles vaccine for individuals aged 50 and older. To be properly protected, people should receive two doses of the vaccine. Currently, only 39 per cent of Canadians in this age group have received at least one dose. For those who haven't, the cost is often the main barrier.
Considering that out-of-pocket expenses for the vaccine can range from $150 to $190 per dose, what steps is the Manitoba government making to increase vaccination rates among older adults here in Manitoba?
MLA Asagwara: Yes, certainly appreciate that question. I do think it's really important for the member to know that our government has taken many steps to make life more affordable for seniors in this province.
Our Budget '25-26 brought forward by the best Finance Minister in the country shows Manitobans have 25 ways to save, and many of those ways to save benefit seniors across this great province of ours.
And so when it comes to vaccines, certainly we continue to look at emerging evidence in this area. We are taking some steps in terms of vaccines that will be available in long-term care and personal-care-home settings.
And, Honourable Speaker, I have to say, Manitobans can trust that this is a government that believes in science, believes in vaccines. For seven and a half years they had members on that side of the House who would use a scarf as a mask.
Mr. Diljeet Brar (Burrows): Honourable Speaker, our government recently put forward Bill 47, the fair trade in Canada act. This legislation is focused on breaking down interprovincial trade barriers so that we can effectively respond to the threat of Trump's tariff.
Can our hard-working and brilliant Minister of Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation please share with the House why Bill 47 is so important and what it will help us achieve?
Hon. Jamie Moses (Minister of Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation): Well, I want to thank my colleague for that incredible question. It's such a topical subject right now, interprovincial trade.
And that's why we're so excited about Bill 47 and what it means for Manitobans, not only for helping us Trump-proof our economy, but also for positioning us to be a leader for those nation-building projects.
Now, we've been hearing from business communities and from politicians from all sides about what Bill 47 means and how excited they are. Manitoba Chambers of Commerce has called this a clear win. It is–it's a clear win for Manitobans, it's a clear win for businesses, it's a clear win for Canadians.
And so we are very excited about moving Bill 47 ahead and making sure that all members from all sides of the House can come together and ensure that this bill moves–
The Speaker: Member's time has expired.
Mr. Wayne Ewasko (Lac du Bonnet): Honourable Speaker, multiple school divisions are once again facing cyber attacks. And what does this Education Minister have? No plans besides cutting school divisions.
This Education Minister said in January, and I quote: Unfortunately, there's really no guarantee of data protection these days. End quote.
So I'd like to ask the Minister of Innovation and New Technology: Does he agree with the Education Minister?
Hon. Mike Moroz (Minister of Innovation and New Technology): Honourable Speaker, I want to thank the member opposite for showing interest in protecting Manitobans from cyber threats.
I'd also like to thank the member for Fort Rouge (Mr. Kinew) for having the foresight to create this department and entrusting me to be the first Minister of Innovation and New Technology.
While these breaches are serious, there is much work that we need to do, and we're working in close tandem with all stakeholders to make sure that Manitobans' data is protected.
MLA Bob Lagassé (Dawson Trail): The first thing this NDP government did was slash the school that was planned for Ste. Anne, Manitoba. And eventually the NDP decided that, yes, it's a good idea.
So I ask the minister: Will the original timeline of 2027 placed in our original thing happen for these students, or will it be delayed further?
Hon. Tracy Schmidt (Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning): I thank you, the member opposite, for finally asking a question to the Minister of Education on education. That's a novel concept, apparently, for the critic.
I am so proud of our announcement to build the school in Ste. Anne, alongside 10 other schools across our beautiful province. We are going to build schools in the member's constituency. We're also going to build schools in the member for Radisson's (MLA Dela Cruz) constituency; the member for Waverley (MLA Pankratz)–there he is; we're going to build schools for the member for Brandon East (Mr. Simard).
We are building schools right across this great province, alongside our Minister of Finance (MLA Sala), who's delivered us a beautiful budget in which we are going to build, build, build this beautiful–
The Speaker: Member's time has expired.
MLA Carla Compton (Tuxedo): Honourable Speaker, providing Manitobans with reliable, efficient and predictable services is key to delivering health care successfully.
Under the previous government, service disruptions were regular, communication was infrequent and oversight was non-existent. The PC government created chaos in our health-care system, but our government is working hard to repair the damage and ensure that Manitobans get the care they need, when they need it, close to home.
Can the Minister of Health please share with the House details of the recent Dynacare contract and how it will benefit Manitobans across our province?
Hon. Uzoma Asagwara (Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care): Honourable Speaker, when it comes to health care, we are putting Manitobans first.
Last week, we renewed our contract with Dynacare to deliver much-needed lab services to Manitobans, and we've improved on the contract by adding performance indicators and quality control measures, something that the previous government completely overlooked. And we ensured that that cost doesn't make any additional burden on the pockets of Manitobans.
As Tom Brodbeck put it this weekend, and I quote: What the Premier (Mr. Kinew) and Health Minister have done is what any responsible government should do: they made a decision based on results. This is what good governance looks like. End quote.
Honourable Speaker, Manitobans didn't have that for seven and a half years–[interjection]
The Speaker: Order.
MLA Asagwara: –they've got it today.
Let's keep working together to make health care better for all Manitobans.
* (14:40)
Mrs. Lauren Stone (Midland): Manitobans are confused as a result of the botched, sloppy tax rollout by this minister. Manitobans are missing their tax rebates, they're paying higher taxes as a result of this NDP, and now municipalities are having to clean up the mess.
I table the 2024 and 2025 tax assessments from yet another hard-working family that are paying an additional $1,000 on their education property tax bill this year.
Will this minister stand up, reinstate the 50 per cent education property tax credit for everyone?
Hon. Adrien Sala (Minister of Finance): Honourable Speaker, our team is proud to be doing the work of lowering costs for Manitobans. That's why our last budget brought in a new $1,600 homeowner affordability tax credit that will reduce the costs of education property taxes.
In terms of partnerships with municipalities and ensuring dollars end up in Manitobans' pockets, we're proud to be working through recent issues that came forward last week, and we're doing that, of course, with the basis of ensuring Manitobans get those savings that they deserve that our government brought forward to lower their costs.
That's in addition, of course, to 24 other things we brought forward in Budget 2025 to save Manitobans money.
Mr. Trevor King (Lakeside): Honourable Speaker, in November, the Minister of Infrastructure told this House that the intersections of highways 8 and 67 was not an immediate safety concern for her, despite multiple letters from the RM, emergency services and the MLA for Selkirk.
Honourable Speaker, on May 21, an 18-year-old man from my constituency died in a collision at this intersection. And now the minister talks about safety upgrades.
Honourable Speaker, why does it take a 'tragedgy' like–tragedy like this to push the minister to act?
Hon. Lisa Naylor (Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure): As I've stated in this House several times, it is always very sad when there is any kind of fatality or tragic event on the highway infrastructure in this province.
We are always assessing the safety concerns, and priorities do have to get made based on what are the most dangerous intersections, what does the data show us on the most dangerous intersections.
The previous government didn't undertake any kind of an assessment like this. I'm aware of projects that were greenlighted just because the minister was–had friends he wanted to give road to.
We're using data. We are using–the committees that we have stood up, the new safety unit that we have assessing–
The Speaker: Member's time has expired.
Mr. Derek Johnson (Interlake-Gimli): Honourable Speaker, Manitobans had confidence that they–when they called for help, someone would answer. But that confidence has been shaken, to say the least.
Will the minister commit to the Switzer family a full, independent public inquiry into Manitoba's entire 911 communication system?
Hon. Mike Moroz (Minister of Innovation and New Technology): Honourable Speaker, thank you for that.
First, it pains me to have to remind members opposite that, in fact, at the core of these cheap political shots is, in fact, a family who lost a loved one to a tragedy. Dean Switzer was failed, and his memory deserves respect.
We have been in regular contact with the Switzer family. We've been working diligently in consult with the federal government, who has authority over this particular matter, to make sure that we'll get the answers we need to ensure that this never happens again.
Mr. Konrad Narth (La Vérendrye): Honourable Speaker, I've now asked multiple times about the non-potable licence for the Woodridge community well.
Over the last year, the two Winnipeg ministers responsible have shown that they don't know the difference between drinking water and that for agriculture uses.
So today, Honourable Speaker, I'd like to ask the Agriculture Minister if he could take a moment to educate his colleagues and commit today to reinstating the much-needed water source for Woodridge?
Hon. Mike Moyes (Minister of Environment and Climate Change): During this emergency time, I just actually want to take a moment to–just to uplift and thank our Parks and Trails Division within the–within my department of Environment and Climate Change. They've just been working so very hard day in and day out in collaboration with the Wildfire Service and the Emergency Management Organization, and I just really want to give them a shout‑out.
And I'm happy to answer the question about the water from the members opposite in my following answers.
MLA Jeff Bereza (Portage la Prairie): Honourable Speaker, Manitoba businesses are left holding the bag as this NDP government has increased their taxes dramatically by removing the business rebate for education property tax. At this economic uncertainty, what are they doing? This government's first thought was to increase those taxes. One business shared that their education property tax has gone up by 90 per cent.
Will the Premier (Mr. Kinew) reinstate the rebate for small property business today, yes or no?
Hon. Adrien Sala (Minister of Finance): Honourable Speaker, this team supports small businesses and medium businesses in Manitoba, and that's why we reduced the payroll taxes in Manitoba. That's also why we brought in a $10-million security rebate program to support businesses even further, because we know those are the kind of costs that can hold them back, and we want to make sure that small and medium businesses in Manitoba can focus on what they do best, which is providing great services for Manitobans, creating jobs and growing our local economy.
That's the kind of work our team is going to focus on. Manitoban businesses know they can count on this team to support them and get the job done.
Ms. Jodie Byram (Agassiz): Municipal staff are now doing the heavy lifting from this government's sloppy rebate rollout. Now they're incurring serious staffing costs, trying to make sure Manitobans get what they are entitled to.
Will the minister of municipal relations commit today to compensate municipalities for those extra costs that they are forcing on them?
Hon. Glen Simard (Minister of Municipal and Northern Relations): Minister of Municipal and Northern Relations will commit to continue to collaborate with our partners all across the province. That's clear.
The MMA, the AMM, the AMBM: all of these organizations are key to the functioning of a province. For seven and a half years, they dealt with a government that ignored them, closed the door, forced upon–all sorts of different things upon them.
Finally, it's 4 a.m.; do you know where your government is? There for you.
Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh.
The Speaker: Order.
Mrs. Lauren Stone (Midland): We are hearing from municipalities across the province that they're being told by this minister to reach out to ratepayers to sign a self-declaration form in order to get the rebates. Municipalities are now having to clean up the mess left by this minister. Many of these small municipalities do not have the resources to be able to do this.
Can the minister of municipal affairs stand up and tell us what he is doing to assist municipalities and what they are trying to clean up the mess left by this sloppy NDP minister?
Hon. Adrien Sala (Minister of Finance): We know, after years of Manitobans experience–a government that was raising costs on them, that it was important that we did the work of making life more affordable. That's why we brought in our $1,500 education property tax rebate with our first budget, and that's why we lifted that up to $1,600 in our recent budget.
In terms of the challenges we've seen in getting those dollars into Manitobans' pockets, we are working as a partner with municipalities to make sure that Manitobans get that rebate that they deserve. And I know my colleague and our team are going to continue to work positively with municipalities to make sure that Manitobans get that credit, as they deserve.
Mr. Greg Nesbitt (Riding Mountain): Honourable Speaker, private members' legislation to establish a Manitoba Parks licence plate received royal assent a year ago.
Will the minister update the House on the reason for the delay and when it is expected the public sale of these plates will begin?
Hon. Mike Moyes (Minister of Environment and Climate Change): Yes, we're really excited about this–about the licence plate, to be perfectly honest. My department continues to work on it; we're working in collaboration with MPI.
Unfortunately, there's processes that need to be followed, unlike what the member opposite tried to do with creating different contests to get everyone excited but not following the process.
* (14:50)
We're following that process. We're going to deliver shortly.
Mr. Rick Wowchuk (Swan River): Fire crews are working incredible hours, and their dedication is unmatched. We're thankful for them.
Can the minister explain why I'm still hearing from recently retired experts that want to come back and help and can't get an answer from his department despite the minister reassuring they could work?
Hon. Ian Bushie (Minister of Natural Resources and Indigenous Futures): It truly is all hands on deck when it comes time to the firefighting situation here in Manitoba. So we have engaged municipalities; we have engaged current civil servants; we have engaged retired civil servants. We have those conversations each and every day. We really rely on their expertise, what they bring to the table, what they had for best practices, what the solutions are going forward.
We truly are in extreme situation, and I encourage everybody to be able to come to the table, be part of the discussion, be part of the solutions, and we'll get through this together.
Mrs. Kathleen Cook (Roblin): A student at the U of M has had to resort to the courts after a two-time convicted sex offender snuck into her on-campus residence and assaulted her as she slept last October. Since then, the NDP government has been completely silent on efforts to ensure students are safe on campus.
What specific steps is the Minister of Advanced Education taking to ensure this never happens again?
Hon. Mike Moroz (Acting Minister of Advanced Education and Training): Honourable Speaker, I want to thank the member opposite for this important question.
Student safety on campus is the most important priority for our government and for post-secondary institutions. This is serious incident our government has taken extremely seriously. When this occurred, we were in constant communication with the institution and worked with them to act swiftly to protect all students including those living on campus. We intend to continue to do so.
MLA Jeff Bereza (Portage la Prairie): Honourable Speaker, I want to welcome the residents of Oak Tree Towers that are watching with us today. In two days, residents of Oak Tree Towers fear they will lose their on-site security guards.
Honourable Speaker, the minister has the opportunity to reassure those people today and commit that security guards will be on site next week, next month and next year–yes or no?
Hon. Bernadette Smith (Minister of Housing, Addictions and Homelessness): I want to assure those members at Oak Tree Towers that they have a government who's listening; 2021, those members were knocking on members opposite's door asking for support. They finally have a government who's listening. We have invested over $5 million. We've put in security cameras; we've put in card access; we've put in some security.
I was just in conversation with Mayor Knox today. We're going to continue to collaborate, listen to the members, unlike members opposite, who continue to fearmonger. I invite them to get on board and collaborate for the residents of Oak Tree Towers, who we will continue to support.
Safety and security is our No. 1 priority on this side of the House.
MLA Bob Lagassé (Dawson Trail): The intersections of the 12 and 210 are dangerous. There have been multiple fatal collisions, yet this government is refusing to actually listen to the area residents and local council.
Why is this minister imposing a complicated closure plan instead of working with the residents on a workable solution?
Hon. Lisa Naylor (Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure): Honourable Speaker, this intersection was one of the first intersections that was brought to my attention when I became a minister. I know the member opposite has raised concerns about it, as have many other community members.
We have actioned this intersection. We have had our engineers and consultants do multiple consultations in the community. Design plans are–you know, the design is complete as far as I understand. Work will be beginning.
So I'm not sure what the member wants, but I think what he wants is the past seven years for all the cuts and all the losses to that department to have gone away so this work could have been done three years ago, like it should have been.
Mr. Trevor King (Lakeside): Honourable Speaker, this Municipal and Northern Relations Minister continues to say he's listening, but yet AMM's made it clear that they want no part in cleaning up the Province's mistakes.
Why is this government continuing to off‑load the administrative burden and political fallout of its sloppy education tax rebate and antiquated funding model onto municipalities?
Hon. Glen Simard (Minister of Municipal and Northern Relations): Listen, the AMM, they see us as a partner–good faith partner and honest broker–and they continue to engage with us because they see the value of the one Manitoba growth fund. They see the increases to each municipality–2 per cent, plus 2 per cent, plus 2 per cent–every single year.
It was zero, zero, zero, zero, zero, zero, zero under the failed Stefanson‑Pallister governments.
Finally, they have a partner. Finally, they have someone–when they pick up the phone, there's an answer. And that's us; that's this government.
Mr. Wayne Balcaen (Brandon West): Early this morning, the Winnipeg Police Service responded to a multiple–mass stabbing. Five people were taken to hospital, three in critical condition.
So are Manitobans really as safe as claimed under this failed Justice Minister?
Hon. Matt Wiebe (Minister of Justice and Attorney General): You know, Honourable Speaker, this government's taking action on public safety in a way that has not been done in this province for a very long time, because under the members opposite, when the community came and they said we need to do something about edged weapons, about long‑bladed weapons in our city and safety for everyone in this city and across the province, the previous government and these members opposite, they shut their doors. They wouldn't listen.
We acted, Honourable Speaker. We made the changes. It was supported by community. It's supported by law enforcement. It's supported by everyone in Manitoba except the members opposite.
I don't know what it's going to take for–to get them on board, but maybe if we continue to make this province safer, maybe–maybe–they'll start to figure it out and come–
The Speaker: Member's time has expired.
Mr. Konrad Narth (La Vérendrye): Since I didn't get an answer from the Environment Minister or the Agriculture Minister in my last question, and the community of Woodridge hasn't gotten an answer from this government at all, I'd like to ask again.
When will this government respond to the community of Woodridge–who was just evacuated as a result of a wildfire–why, during that wildfire, their community well was padlocked and they didn't have access to community water?
Thank you, Honourable Speaker.
Hon. Uzoma Asagwara (Deputy Premier): Honourable Speaker, our Minister for Environment is doing a fantastic job. I just want to say, on the record, he's doing a great job. He's doing what did not happen for seven and a half years: he is working directly with municipalities, he is looking at the evidence and his department has been foundational–fundamental to all of us working together during this state of emergency.
We are going to continue to work with all partners to take the necessary steps to keep Manitobans safe. That is the No. 1 priority.
I would encourage members opposite to get on board of team Manitoba, team Canada, team Australia, team United States; everyone's coming together to keep Manitobans safe. I encourage them to join that spirit. Let's move forward and get through this state of emergency united as one province, one Manitoba.
The Speaker: Order, please.
The time for oral questions has expired.
The Speaker: And I have a statement for the House.
As the House is expected to adjourn later today for our summer break, I'm encouraging all members to remove contents from their desks today. I would also encourage folks to recycle as much material as possible–
Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh.
The Speaker: Order, please. Order, please.
I would also encourage folks to recycle as much material as possible. However, the 'blig'–big blue bins inside the Chamber are designated for recycling copies of Hansard only as these can be reused by Hansard and the Legislative Library. Any other material you would like to recycle may be placed in the larger recycling containers in the message rooms located just outside the Chamber.
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Thank you, and I would remind members that when the Speaker is standing and speaking, he's supposed to be heard in silence.
Petitions? Grievances?
Hon. Nahanni Fontaine (Government House Leader): Honourable Speaker, I'd like to table the specified government bills for the Second Session of the 43rd Legislature.
And then, Honourable Speaker, can you please call second reading of Bill 47, followed by consideration by the Committee of the Whole and then concurrence and third reading, followed by concurrence and third reading of bills 44, 7, 33, 41, 3, 4, 14, 15, 27, 28, 37, 22, 11, 21, 10, 25, 26, 5, 9, 13, 32, 35, 36, 43, 38, 34, 24, 29, 6, 16, 18, 19, 20 and 39.
The Speaker: So it has been announced that we will do debate on second reading of Bill 47, followed by the Committee of the Whole report followed by concurrence and third reading of Bill 47, then specified bills and concurrence and third reading of said bills, and those bills are 44, 7, 33, 41, 3, 4, 14, 15, 27, 28, 37, 22, 11, 21, 10, 25, 26, 5, 9, 13, 32, 35, 36, 43, 38, 34, 24, 29, 6, 16, 18, 19, 20 and 39.
The Speaker: So we will now proceed to debate, second reading, Bill 47, the fair trade in Canada, internal trade mutual recognition act and amendments to the commemoration of days, weeks, months act, buy Manitoba, Canadian day. The honourable member–standing in the honourable member for Dawson Trail, who has nine minutes remaining.
MLA Bob Lagassé (Dawson Trail): I will close my remarks on this debate. Thank you for the opportunity to speak to it.
The Speaker: No other members?
Is the House ready for the question?
Some Honourable Members: Question.
The Speaker: Question before the House is second reading of Bill 47, The Fair Trade in Canada (Internal Trade Mutual Recognition) Act and Amendments to The Commemoration of Days, Weeks and Months Act (Buy Manitoba, Buy Canadian Day).
Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed]
The motion is accordingly passed.
We will now resolve into Committee of the Whole to consider Bill 47.
The Deputy Speaker, please take the Chair.
The Chairperson (Tyler Blashko): Will the Committee of the Whole please come to order.
As announced, this committee will now consider the following: Bill 47, The Fair Trade in Canada (Internal Trade Mutual Recognition) Act and Amendments to the Commemoration of Days, Weeks and Months Act (Buy Manitoba, Buy Canadian Day).
Does the minister responsible for Bill 47 have an opening statement?
Does the critic from the official opposition have an opening statement?
Mrs. Lauren Stone (Midland): I just wanted to put a couple more words on the record as we are at a critical point in Canadian history, where we have an opportunity for provinces across the country to work together to remove interprovincial trade barriers and embrace labour mobility across our country.
As we all know, interprovincial trade barriers has been a long‑standing issue and challenge within this country, where it is often easier to do business south or overseas as opposed to doing business across provincial jurisdictions within our own country.
And it is because of challenges like exceptions and provinces placing protectionist measures within their own provinces and industries, which is why we have gone to the point today where Canada's in the predicament that it is in, as I had mentioned, easier to do business south of the border than across our own country.
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And in comments that I've made in this House quite regularly, I have encouraged the minister and the government to work across provincial jurisdictions to negotiate the removal of those exceptions that do limit our ability to grow our economy here in Manitoba and across Canada as a whole, as well as that limit the ability for much‑needed skilled workers and employees to move across provincial borders.
So it is a critical moment here in history, and we do have this opportunity to break down those barriers, but it does take the will of all leaders across our great country to do that important work. We cannot let this pass us by. Again, I'll reiterate that we are at a point in time in history where if this doesn't get done with the right commitment, the true belief in removing interprovincial trade barriers, then Canada will be in the same situation that we have been for decades and decades with those barriers across our country.
Our party and our team, including myself, wholeheartedly support the removal of interprovincial trade barriers. We support free trade; we know how important this is.
Premiers in the past, such as Brian Pallister, have paved the way for the removal of internal trade barriers by signing the New West Partnership that has created a road map for other provinces to get on board and to move forward on this important path in history, and it is because of that work that we are here today.
I want to commend provincial leaders such as Premier Tim Houston, who started legislation–the first premier in Canada to introduce legislation for reciprocating provinces to remove internal trade barriers. And now we are at a point here today, Manitoba being one of the last to bring forward legislation like this by a provincial government.
But we are here today to discuss that, moving that forward, so we can stand alongside our provincial premiers across the country and commit to removing interprovincial trade barriers, to take ownership and to take hold of this once‑in‑a‑historical‑moment chance to get this done.
So with that said, Chairperson, I would like to conclude my remarks and move into the clause‑by‑clause amendments.
Thank you.
The Chairperson: We thank the member.
During the consideration of a bill, the preamble, the enacting clause and the title are postponed until all other clauses have been considered in their proper order.
Also, if there is agreement from the committee, the Chair will call clauses in blocks that conform to pages, with the understanding that we will stop at any particular clause, or clauses, where members have–may have comments, questions or amendments to propose.
Is that agreed? [Agreed]
Clause 1–pass.
Shall clause 2 and 3 pass?
Some Honourable Members: Pass.
An Honourable Member: No.
The Chairperson: I hear a no.
The honourable–sorry, shall clause 2 pass?
Some Honourable Members: Pass.
An Honourable Member: No.
The Chairperson: No?
Mrs. Stone: I have an amendment.
I move, seconded by the member for Interlake‑Gimli (Mr. Johnson),
THAT Clause 2 of the Bill be amended by striking out "(Buy Manitoba, Buy Canadian Day)" and substituting "(Buy Manitoba, Buy Canadian Week)".
The Chairperson: It has been moved by the honourable member for Midland (Mrs. Stone), and seconded by the member for Interlake‑Gimli,
That the fair trade in Canada–oh, sorry.
THAT Clause 2 of the Bill be amended by striking out "(Buy Manitoba, Buy Canadian Day)" and substituting–with–"(Buy Manitoba, Buy Canadian Week)".
This motion is in order.
The floor is open for questions.
Is the committee ready for the question?
An Honourable Member: Question.
The Chairperson: The honourable member for Midland.
Mrs. Stone: I just wanted to put a couple words on the record as to why we're bringing this amendment forward to expand it to a week.
Oftentimes, June 1 can fall on a Sunday where many small businesses are not actually open. Many small businesses, many including in my constituency and across rural Manitoba, but also in cities like the city of Winnipeg and city of Brandon are closed on Sundays.
And for the spirit of this bill to encourage buy local, buy Manitoba, buy Canadian, we felt that was important to expand that recognition, that awareness and that encouragement to a week, giving local businesses that full opportunity to embrace this very important week moving forward so that, in the event that June 1, like as–what happened this year 'falled' on a Sunday, then it expands it out to that whole week.
So that's the intent of this amendment.
The Chairperson: Is the committee ready for the question?
Some Honourable Members: Question.
The Chairperson: Shall the amendment pass?
Some Honourable Members: Agreed.
Some Honourable Members: No.
The Chairperson: I hear a no.
Voice Vote
The Chairperson: All those in favour, please say aye.
Some Honourable Members: Aye.
The Chairperson: All those against, please say nay.
Some Honourable Members: Nay.
The Chairperson: In my opinion, the Nays have it.
The amendment is accordingly defeated.
* * *
The Chairperson: Clause 2–pass.
Shall clause 3 pass?
Some Honourable Members: Pass.
Mr. Derek Johnson (Official Opposition House Leader): Clause 2, on division, please.
The Chairperson: Clause 2 passes on division.
Clause 3–pass.
Shall schedule A, clauses 1 through 3 pass?
Some Honourable Members: Pass.
Some Honourable Members: No.
The Chairperson: I hear a no.
Schedule A, clause 1–pass; schedule A, clause 2–pass.
Shall schedule A, clause 3 pass?
Some Honourable Members: Pass.
An Honourable Member: No.
The Chairperson: The honourable member for Midland (Mrs. Stone).
Mrs. Stone: I have an amendment.
I move, seconded by the member for Interlake-Gimli (Mr. Johnson),
THAT Schedule A to the Bill (The Fair Trade in Canada (Internal Trade Mutual Recognition) Act) be amended by replacing Clause 3 with the following:
Non-application
This act does not apply to the 'provinsion' of goods or services by Manitoba Hydro or Efficiency Manitoba Inc.
The Chairperson: Is there leave to have the amendment included as written?
An Honourable Member: Agreed.
The Chairperson: We can have it reread.
Mrs. Stone: That schedule A to the bill, The Fair Trade in Canada (Internal Trade Mutual Recognition) Act, be amended by replacing clause 3 with the following: This act does not apply to the provision of goods or services by Manitoba Hydro or Efficiency Manitoba Inc. [interjection]
Okay. I move, seconded–
The Chairperson: Sorry, the honourable member for Midland (Mrs. Stone).
Mrs. Stone: I move, seconded by the member for Gimli,
THAT Schedule A to the Bill (The Fair Trade in Canada (Internal Trade Mutual Recognition) Act) be amended by replacing Clause 3 with the following:
Non-application
3 This Act does not apply to the provision of goods or services by Manitoba Hydro or Efficiency Manitoba Inc.
The Chairperson: The amendment is in order. It is–sorry, it has been moved by the honourable member for Midland,
THAT Schedule A to the Bill (The Fair Trade in Canada (Internal Trade Mutual Recognition) Act) be amended by replacing Clause 3 with the following:
Non-application
This act does not apply to the provision of goods or services by Manitoba Hydro or Efficiency Manitoba Inc.
This amendment is in order.
The floor is open for questions.
Mrs. Stone: I wanted to, again, put just a couple words on the record as it relates to the importance of bringing this amendment forward.
Liberalized alcohol is a key plank in removing interprovincial trade barriers. A lot of work has been done on the past, and as we're at a critical point in history where Manitoba has an opportunity to not only take a lead and be a leading voice in removing exceptions and removing internal trade barriers along with the commitment with other provinces across the country, as free trade goes both ways, we felt that it was very important to–or, to include MBLL, Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries, as well as Manitoba Public Insurance, in the act for reciprocal jurisdictions.
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The last thing that we would want as a province is to be a province that is adding in exceptions when other provinces are removing them. Exceptions are what defeats the purpose of free trade to begin with. Ontario has already committed to removing exceptions and is a very comprehensive bill; Manitobans–Manitoba's is not–Bill 47 is not as a result of these exceptions that the minister has included in this bill.
So it is important that we continue to remove those exceptions, that we continue to allow for the free flow of goods and services regardless of where they're coming from or regardless of Crown corporation, but in particular with MBLL and MPI, as those Crown corporations also like to, or also want to, export–do business with other provinces and with free trade, vice versa from other provinces into Manitoba.
So it's important that Manitoba does not exclude them within this particular act and does not create exceptions for those industries here in Manitoba that are so critical and are such key planks of interprovincial trade.
The Chairperson: Is the committee ready for the question?
An Honourable Member: Question.
The Chairperson: Shall the amendment pass?
An Honourable Member: Agreed.
Some Honourable Members: No.
The Chairperson: I hear a no.
Voice Vote
The Chairperson: All those in favour, please say aye.
Some Honourable Members: Aye.
The Chairperson: All those opposed, please say nay.
Some Honourable Members: Nay.
The Chairperson: In my opinion, the Nays have it.
Mr. Johnson: On division, please.
The Chairperson: The amendment is defeated, on division.
* * *
The Chairperson: Schedule A, clause 3–pass; schedule A, clauses 4 and 5–pass; schedule A, clause 6–pass; schedule A, clause 7–pass; schedule A, clauses 8 and 9–pass; schedule B, clauses 1 and 2–pass; schedule B, clause 3–pass; preamble–pass; enacting clause–pass; title–pass. Bill be reported.
That concludes the business before the committee.
The hour being 3:22, what is the will of the committee?
Some Honourable Members: Rise.
The Chairperson: Committee rise. Call in the Speaker.
IN SESSION
Mr. Tyler
(Chairperson): Honourable Speaker, The Committee of the Whole has considered the following: Bill 47, the fair trade in Canada, internal trade mutual recognition, act and amendments to the commemoration of days, weeks and months act, buy Manitoba, buy Canadian, and reports the same without amendment.
I move, seconded by the honourable member for Transcona (MLA Corbett), that the report of the committee be received.
Motion agreed to.
The Speaker: The honourable member for Lagimodière (Mr. Blashko)–[interjection] Oh, the honourable member for–the honourable Minister of Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation.
Hon. Jamie Moses (Minister of Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation): I move, seconded by the Minister of Agriculture (Mr. Kostyshyn), that Bill 47, The Fair Trade in Canada (Internal Trade Mutual Recognition) Act and Amendments to the Commemoration of Days, Weeks and Months Act (Buy Manitoba, Buy Canadian Day), reported from the Committee of the Whole, be concurred in and be now read a third time and passed.
Motion presented.
Mr. Moses: In this really pivotal moment for our province and for our country, it's important that we take steps to work together, to unite, to strengthen our economy. This bill does just that.
Bill 47 works across party lines, works across 'ideolology' to make sure we focus on growing our economy; focus on strengthening up business opportunities and make sure that we not only diversify away from United States, not only Trump‑proof our economy, but strengthen businesses, strengthen our province and strengthen our country.
So, happy to be moving Bill 47 forward, and I look forward to all the great opportunities that Manitoba businesses will have to do even more business right across our great and beautiful country.
Thank you.
The Speaker: So the question before the House–are there any members wishing to speak to the motion?
Mrs. Lauren Stone (Midland): I am pleased again to rise in the House today, in these chambers, to talk about a very important piece of legislation and a critical moment in not just Manitoba's history, but also in Canada's history.
For years and for decades, Canadians and provinces–premiers, alike–have attempted to remove interprovincial trade barriers and embrace labour mobility. Unfortunately, over time, as provinces added exceptions and included various protectionist measures for their own provincial industries, internal trade barriers continued to add on and pile on, thus putting Canada in the predicament that we are in today.
As exceptions and measures are added by provinces, it makes it more difficult to do trade among provincial borders. This is what we are trying to stop today. This is what we are trying to avoid.
And Canadian leaders have come across the country in the wake of tariffs from the US, as well as China, to help break down those barriers. So we are at a critical moment here in Manitoba and Canada, for our premiers, provincial governments and legislators across the country to truly commit to taking down those interprovincial trade barriers.
You know, we're often asked: What are interprovincial trade barriers and what does that mean? Well, interprovincial trade barriers are restrictions, regulations and red tape that make it more difficult to do business within our own country, as opposed to doing business down south.
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I have worked in the agriculture and manufacturing industries for most of my career and have seen first‑hand the challenges that we face when trying to ship products, goods and people across provincial borders, where it is often easier to do business south of the border or overseas in foreign markets than it is to do business within our own country.
And that's why interprovincial trade is so critical, and removing these barriers are so critical. In the wake of Donald Trump's tariffs and tariffs from China, there is now a renewed commitment–an important renewed commitment–to break down these barriers once and for all.
But it won't take just one province or one leader in order to do this; it will take the commitment from every province across Canada. And I talk a lot about exceptions, because exceptions are what has been created in the past when leaders have committed to removing interprovincial trade barriers but then have added various exceptions within legislation, like we've seen with the bill that this minister has brought forward with exempting Crown corporations.
And it's those types of exceptions and exemptions that create barriers. They create barriers and they show the rest of the country that Manitoba is not looking to work together.
Now, there are other parts of the bill that are incredibly important, such as reciprocity with other provinces, but I do want to caution this member again and the minister again, as I did when I put my comments on for second reading within debate, to encourage him to not go down that same path that many leaders before him went down; to encourage this minister to work with those other provinces, those reciprocating jurisdictions; to truly, once and for all, break down those barriers.
My colleague, during his remarks during second reading, said it very eloquently: that in order to get this done, leaders across the country really, truly need to believe in free trade. They really, truly need to believe in removing internal trade barriers in order to get this done, in order to make though–that commitment to stand up for Canada, to stand up for provinces as one united country in order to allow us and to allow us to embrace business within Canada across provincial jurisdictions.
It's unfortunate that this NDP government, although they had ample time to bring forth legislation, waited until days before the final days of session to ram this bill forward.
You know, as I've mentioned previously in my remarks, this bill is better than nothing. It could have been so much better; it could have been so much stronger. Manitoba really, truly could have made a stand and took a lead, similar to what Premier Houston in Nova Scotia did, similar to what Premier Doug Ford did in Ontario, with the commitment to remove these barriers from their provinces with reciprocating jurisdictions.
And in fact, Premier Doug Ford went as far to say he will remove all exceptions and exemptions within the province of Ontario. This was a huge commitment.
As I've mentioned, those exemptions add layers of red tape and bureaucracy and regulation that essentially defeat the entire purpose of free trade to begin with and is what has created the 'predictament' that Canada is in. So for Premier Doug Ford to make that very strong commitment and be a leader for Canada: I truly commend him and the Province of Ontario for taking that important step.
And as I've mentioned previously, I commend Premier Tim Houston from Nova Scotia for starting Canada down this path, for being the first province in Canada to introduce and pass legislation to remove interprovincial trade barriers and commit to working with reciprocal jurisdictions who have similar pieces of legislation.
From Premier Tim Houston, we saw Prince Edward Island bring in their legislation. We saw British Columbia bring in theirs, and then we eventually saw Manitoba, through our team, in Bill 227, bring forward the free trade and labour mobility within Canada act two months ago now–almost two months ago now.
So as I've mentioned, the NDP have had ample time to bring forward legislation of this nature and they've refused to. You know, we gave them the opportunity in question period back in early March. We asked if they had an intention or when they would be bringing in legislation similar to Nova Scotia and PEI, and again they refused.
We then brought in our own bill, Bill 227, as a result of their inaction and, unfortunately, the NDP government voted against that.
So here we are on the final day of session, where the NDP is trying to ram through what should be one of their top bills, one of their most important bills of this legislative session. So it is unfortunate that they waited 'til, you know, the hours of the day–final hours of the day to bring this forward.
Bill 47–this should have bill–been bill No. 1.
Donald Trump was elected back in November. He announced his intention to implement tariffs at that time. You know, we also saw during his swearing in, then inauguration, back in January, he again committed. He said that these tariffs were coming.
Canada has been dealing with tariffs from China for many, many years now. These tariffs should not have been a surprise to this NDP government, yet they held off. Even during budget debate, we saw this minister say that we weren't going to talk in hypotheticals about tariffs.
We–my colleagues and I asked during Hydro committee what their plan was to deal with the tariffs coming from the United States. Again, they said they weren't going to talk in hypotheticals. And then hypotheticals became reality, and this is a reality that Manitobans and Manitoba businesses have now been dealing with for many months now, with that uncertainty.
However, like I said, that uncertainty has brought forward a pivotal and critical moment in Manitoba and Canadian history to truly take a stand and truly stand up for Canada, for the goods and services that we produce and manufacture here in Canada. We have some incredible industries that have relied heavily and continue to rely heavily on trade despite the tariffs that are ongoing, many businesses that are swallowing those costs because of contracts, because of customers, because of the integration of trade with the US, with China, with overseas markets, that we have so relied on for many years.
And like I said, it's often easier to do business outside of our country than it is within our own country, and that needs to be changed. We need to change that for consumers; it will lower costs for consumers. I believe the number that CFIB, the Canadian federation for independent business, put out was $500 billion, and so those are huge numbers. That's putting $1,500 back in every pocket across Canada.
Manitoba is one of the jurisdictions that could significantly benefit from the removal of interprovincial trade barriers. Now, although Manitoba does have–has opened its borders in a lot of different ways, and Brian Pallister truly started that work with the signing of the New West Partnership. And my colleague, the MLA for Springfield-Ritchot, spoke extensively about the history of when that took place, when BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan signed that New West Partnership.
And, unfortunately, the NDP at the time, here in Manitoba, chose not to. Under the leadership of Greg Selinger and Gary Doer, they chose not to be at the table. Unfortunately, their ideology got in the way of truly benefiting Manitoba, removing those trade barriers with western Canada, which would have been so critical for Manitoba.
But then blue skies emerged, and the PCs were elected, and Brian Pallister signed the New West Partnership in a historical moment for Manitoba and for Canada. [interjection]
And I know the members are heckling me, but this was a critical moment, and this government and this NDP government are now talking about how the New West Partnership did serve a purpose for the add-on to this legislation now.
Some of the work that Brian Pallister also did at the time was liberalize alcohol, giving other provinces shelf space here in Manitoba. And we're still waiting for some of those other provinces to provide those same benefits to Manitoba brewers, to Manitoba distillers, that we've given other provinces. And that's where my colleague, the MLA for Steinbach, spoke extensively about the needing to believe. It might be difficult for people now. It might be difficult for businesses now if other provinces aren't doing the same thing, but it will benefit in the long run.
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Free trade only works when you have the corresponding or reciprocal jurisdictions providing the same level of support, assurances, regulation, restrictions as we have here in Manitoba. They might look a little bit different, but the intent needs to be there.
And that intent is to be able to move goods and products and people freely between provinces. And this is where we are at this critical moment here in Manitoba, in this pivotal moment, where we have an opportunity to be at the table with other provincial leaders. It's unfortunate that it is so late in the game–as I've mentioned, the NDP have had months to bring forward legislation and instead they're ramming it through, likely as a result of mounting national pressure from their colleagues in other provinces who have been disappointed that Manitoba has not moved ahead on legislation.
It's disappointing that we could have had a very comprehensive bill passed back on April 16 when Bill 227, the free trade and labour mobility within Canada act, was introduced. And then, you know, we wouldn't be two months delayed compared to other provinces; we would already be at that table. Manitoba would already be able to show that true commitment into removing interprovincial trade barriers.
As I've mentioned numerous times in this House, including debate on this bill, including remarks on Bill 227 as well as in question period, our team–our PC team–fully supports free trade and working across the country to remove trade barriers. And, in fact, we did take action on our commitment to free trade. This is something that our party truly stands for. This is something that I myself and my colleagues truly believe in.
We want Manitoba to be a leader in free trade. We want Manitoba to have that strong commitment, along with other provincial jurisdictions, to finally get this done. We'd like to see those other provinces remove their exceptions; we'd like to see Manitoba remove its exemptions, and I know–so Manitoba has a single exemption, nurse practitioners, and I understand it is a complex issue. I understand that there'll hopefully be some work and some negotiation going on across the country to look at some standardization across various provinces on that.
And so I do encourage the minister and the NDP government, when they are in those conversations with other provinces, to be a leading voice for all provinces to remove those exemptions that other provinces as well as Manitoba currently has, and to negotiate for some standardization on nurse practitioners.
As I said, I know it's a complex issue and it's not going to be done overnight, but it's commitments like that where Manitoba can truly take the lead, follow in Ontario's footsteps by removing those exemptions and truly embracing and believing in free trade and labour mobility within Canada.
Industry, business leaders and Manitobans across the province have been calling for the removal of internal trade barriers for decades. You know, this goes back far beyond what we're talking about now. Premiers have made commitments before. Unfortunately, you know, a lot of work has been done other the years: as I mentioned, Brian Pallister and the work that he did with liberalizing alcohol and signing on to the New West Partnership.
But certainly, right now, in response to mounting pressure from governments like the US, like China, like overseas, that–things that are truly out of our 'contrual'–out of our control. And so we have to look at the things that are in our control.
We can't control what Donald Trump does down in the US or what he says, but we can certainly control how we respond as Canada. And we can certainly control our own legislation here and working within our own country, supporting our own country, ensuring that we are supporting the goods and the services that are produced and grown and manufactured here in Canada; and supporting the people that want to work across provincial jurisdictions for the best–betterment of their families, their pocketbooks, but also to help and assist with provinces that have shortages in certain professions.
We know that Manitoba does have a shortage of skilled workers in various areas: doctors, nurses, veterinarians, welders, various other Red Seal and skilled trade professions where Manitoba could benefit from that free flow of people into our province.
These barriers, as I've mentioned time and time again, have impeded market access on goods and services while limiting workers' ability to easily cross provincial borders for employment.
And so, what are some of those barriers? I spoke a little bit about them, about kind of red tape and regulation that gets layered on by each individual province as they look to protect their own industries, their own provinces, which defeats the whole purpose of free trade within Canada. But it's differing provincial regulations that do make it incredibly difficult for businesses to export their goods across the country.
In addition, differing certifications and licensing requirements across provinces do limit the mobility of workers. It's a significant amount of red tape if an employee or a profession has to get a certification that's totally different in one province and then if they look to come to Manitoba, a completely different process here in Manitoba–different timelines, different restrictions, different requirements. That makes it very difficult for skilled workers to move freely across provincial jurisdictions.
One of the other key critical barriers that I hope is being worked on at the national level is trucking regulations and trucking restrictions. We know that it's very difficult to truck across the country. Every province has its own time frames, timelines as to when truckers can be on the road. There's various weight restrictions where you often see truckers stopped at a provincial border checking their weight, checking tire pressures amongst a host of other things in order to be able to cross onto another provincial jurisdiction highway.
And so it's those types of restrictions that, again, make it increasingly difficult to do business across Canada.
So we are at a critical time here in Manitoba. We're at a time where we can enshrine Manitoba's commitment to removing trade barriers and embracing labour mobility with reciprocating jurisdictions in Canada. And although this has been a long-standing issue, this bill is certainly timely, because we have seen that renewed commitment from premiers and provinces and legislatures across the country.
And this is not the time to pass this up. This is a time to be standing alongside our other provinces and supporting Canada and supporting the goods and the products that we produce here in Manitoba, that we manufacture here in Manitoba. And this is a critical moment, as I've mentioned, a critical moment in history.
Several provinces, as mentioned, have already begun this province, and quite a long time ago–quite a number of weeks ago. The NDP have had ample time to bring legislation like this forward over the past number of months but had failed to make any meaningful commitments. Instead of voting on a free trade bill weeks ago, almost two months ago now, the NDP stalled and then voted it down.
So the minister has talked about responding to the call of free trade, yet he could have responded well before today rather than ramming through legislation during the last day of session. So, as a result, Manitoba is behind other provinces like Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI and Ontario.
So now we have another free trade bill before us, and there are some key and critical differences between the two bills that have been brought forward. And, you know, although we support the intent of this bill, I do want to call out some of the differences that have been created. And it is unfortunate that this NDP voted down some of our amendments.
So one of the amendments that we had brought forward was to expand the buy Canada, buy local commemorative day being June 1 to a week. Many small businesses, including many small businesses across rural Manitoba but also within the city of Winnipeg and the city of Brandon, are closed on Sundays. And every so often, June 1 does fall on a Sunday, as it did this year. And so many of those businesses would not have been able to take in the full intent and the meaning of the bill and getting that support from local people to buy their products and to support their businesses if they are closed on June 1.
It was a very friendly amendment to expand that out to a week. I'm not sure why the NDP voted down supporting local Manitoba businesses and buy Canadian and buy local where we could have celebrated that for an entire week, the whole first week of June, and encouraged that awareness.
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However, the NDP voted it down, which is a–really unfortunate. So, unfortunately, we'll have to go to those small businesses that are sometimes closed on a Sunday and tell them that the NDP didn't want to support them for more days during the week. So it was a friendly amendment, and it's unfortunate that the NDP had voted that down.
The NDP also voted down our amendment by taking out Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries and Manitoba Public Insurance from this bill, so the NDP have created a exemption. They've created exceptions for the Crown corporations, which, as I mentioned earlier in my remarks, defeats the entire purpose of free trade. And it really does send a message to other provinces in Canada that they don't truly believe in this path forward, that they're not truly committed to removing all of those barriers across Canada.
As I mentioned, Ontario made a very strong commitment to removing all of their exemptions. Nova Scotia's bill was very comprehensive. And, in fact, just this weekend in The Globe and Mail, the Montreal Economic Institute indicated that Manitoba's bill was not as comprehensive as the other provinces. So that is a think tank that was quoted in The Globe and Mail this weekend that essentially said what we have been saying all along about Bill 47, that it is not as comprehensive.
The NDP, unfortunately, has created more barriers by exempting Crown corporations from free trade and labour mobility within Canada and reciprocating provinces. This is incredibly disappointing. As I mentioned, there has been a lot of work done on liberalization of alcohol, so by including Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries, it sends a message, at a time when all premiers are trying to commit to removing barriers for alcohol, that Manitoba is actually taking a step backwards.
In addition, it also includes Manitoba Public Insurance, which is unfortunate. I would think that MPI would want the ability to sell into other provinces and then vice versa with other provinces into Manitoba as that is how free trade works. So that is certainly a economic-growth and economic-development disadvantage that this government has created for one of their own Crown corporations that they oversee.
In addition, this free trade–fair trade bill, Bill 47, exempts all labour mobility acts from their reciprocity rules. So Manitoba has a number of regulated professions, and I understand many of them, many of those self-regulated professions, have their own reciprocity across the country.
However–and I recognize that health-care professions, specifically LPNs, are exempt under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement, CFTA–but the needs for standardization or some kind of harmonization continues to be very critical. So I'll reiterate again for the minister who will be at the table through those negotiations to work along with those other provinces to begin removing some of those exemptions and to work towards some kind of harmonization nationally.
So as we've seen between Bill 47 that we are now discussing today versus Bill 227 that was brought forward two months ago, the NDP has continued to maintain regulatory burdens and hoops for industries. It maintains protected sectors and does little to address key labour mobility issues or Manitoba consumer choices.
Again, I want to reiterate comments that my colleague, the MLA for Steinbach, has said, is that in order for premiers across the country to get this done at this pivotal and historical moment in Manitoba history and Canadian history, those leaders who are at the negotiating table really, truly need to believe in free trade. They fully, truly need to want to embrace it for their provinces.
As we've seen time and time again, as provinces create their own regulations, red tape, exemptions and restrictions to protect their own industries, that's exactly what creates interprovincial trade barriers. This is exactly what we are trying to remove.
So I encourage the minister, the Premier (Mr. Kinew) and all those members that are sitting around the negotiating table with other provincial jurisdictions to work towards that commitment, to look at the standardization, the harmonization with reciprocating jurisdictions–with all jurisdictions within Canada–so we can once and truly remove these interprovincial trade barriers that Canada and Manitoba has faced for so many years.
Many 'analysises', including RBC, has shown internal trade barrier costs are greater for small provinces; small provinces like the Maritime provinces, but also provinces like Manitoba. And it's provinces like ours that could experience the largest gains in GDP per capita and employment with the removal of non-geographic trade barriers.
The last time–just for a bit of history–the last time that our country, Canada, dealt with Donald Trump and tariffs was back in 2017. And it was through the renegotiation of NAFTA that, at that time, there was a commitment from premiers and provinces to tear down interprovincial trade barriers.
However, as has been the case time and time again, that layering effect of regulations and exemptions and exceptions and protection of industries was created. As each province tried to protect themselves from another province's competition, thus interfering in the entire purpose of free trade. This is the whole purpose and the whole intent on removing interprovincial trade barriers once and for all.
So we have dealt with this before. We have seen that commitment from premiers in the past, going back to, you know, long before 2017 but certainly in the wake of Trump's tariffs in 2017, and the renegotiation of NAFTA. And we 'sauress'–we're now in the exact same place that we were at that point in time.
Here we are, again, talking about removing interprovincial trade barriers in the wake of tariffs, for standing up for our own country, our own province, our own communities; the goods and services that are manufactured and produced here in Manitoba and Canada. And we're in the exact same predicament.
So, as Canada, unfortunately, we have not learned our lesson from the past, and that's not even that long ago; it was 2017. Less than 10 years ago we were talking about this exact same thing.
So, again, it takes commitment, it takes a true belief in wanting to tear down interprovincial trade barriers and embrace labour mobility within Canada. This is something that our industries need. This is something our businesses need; it's something consumers need and our province and our country need.
So as I mentioned over the past number of weeks, in various remarks on free trade, we don't want Manitobans nor the rest of the country to have to wait any longer. They have waited long enough for this NDP to take action and bring forward legislation.
The commitment from Prime Minister Carney for July 1 and starting the path of removing trade barriers is coming up very fast; we're only four weeks away from that. Reciprocation is a key step to making that national statement and to work with other provinces who also implement jurisdiction reciprocity.
So this bill is better than nothing. We support the intent of free trade and look forward to working across party lines.
Thank you, Honourable Speaker.
Mr. Konrad Narth (La Vérendrye): Thank you, Honourable Speaker, for the opportunity to speak to Bill 47 and to interprovincial free trade in our great country of Canada.
It again, as I said when I had an opportunity to speak to both Bill 47 and 227, that it's concerning that this government wasn't able to bring this piece of legislation, or a piece of legislation similar to it, forward much earlier in the session.
As my colleague from Midland had expressed, we all knew that the need for breaking down interprovincial trade barriers is something that was going to be facing each province in this country.
I guess it shouldn't be surprising to Manitobans; hopefully the media, as well, recognizes that this isn't surprising. It's not surprising for the socialist NDP government to not prioritize the economy or trade within our province.
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But now what we're faced with is this socialist NDP government going out and saying that it's actually the Progressive Conservatives that are holding up this legislation when, in fact, we, the Progressive Conservative Party and our caucus, were the ones who had the foresight to bring it forward.
The member from Midland had brought this forward long before the socialist NDP government had even thought that this was something that would be of importance to our province and the people of Manitoba and the greater benefit of our country as we are facing trade restrictions, trade limitations, as the result of tariffs with the United States, significantly from China when we speak about agriculture products. And we know that we need to do better at expanding our interprovincial economies in the province.
Many people don't realize how far spread trade barriers are within the country of Canada. When we talk about trade barriers, we think of the tariffs that are highlighted on the 6 o'clock news between Canada and the United States. But the reach is far more broad than that. We see it's the mobility of labour, it's regulation and it's red tape. But we know that the Manitoba NDP, the socialist NDP, they are the strongest advocates for increasing regulation and red tape out of any government, I think, in the entire country. And that's why we've seen, under the extensive leadership, previously, of the NDP, and now, again, our economy is struggling.
There's no need for the Manitoba economy to struggle with all the great opportunity that we have in this great province. But what we do need is we need government to get out of the way. They need to get out of the way of the great people that have built this province and continue to build this province and develop it into the future.
But, unfortunately, their track record doesn't show that. It hasn't shown that in the past, and again now, more–it's more important to come up with a long list of legislation increasing regulation instead of coming up with a bill, like Bill 47, which at least sends a signal to Canadians and, of course, Manitobans, that we are open for business and we view the importance of the economy in our province. But we haven't done that.
We–after my colleague, the member from Midland, had brought forward Bill 227, the socialist NDP just–they sat on their hands and discussed and debated why we shouldn't pass Bill 227. And then weeks later, when time is nearly run out, but the Premier (Mr. Kinew)–who loves to see a favourable image of himself in the media and from others across the country–saw that this is now a favourable direction to be headed as a province. It's been favourable for other leaders across the country, and it's the popular thing to do. And, of course, the Kinew government, they want to be popular amongst the people; they don't want to be popular amongst policy–[interjection]
So–and the cheering that we hear from across the aisle is a prime example of that. It's all about theatrics and it's all about public perception and it has nothing to with the policy. And this piece of legislation is a prime example of that.
We had Bill 227, which was actually a free trade bill that was brought forward by the member from Midland. Instead, as I said, the socialists sat again on their hands, thinking about, you know, what we can be celebrating to attract media attention in the province or what we could be additionally regulating. And during that time is when they realized that maybe they should be doing something that recognizes and strengthens our position in trading with other Canadians.
So they bring forward Bill 47. Well, what does Bill 47 change from Bill 227? It changes the name to fair trade, which is concerning because we either have free trade or we don't have free trade. It's really–there shouldn't be a grey area in regards to free trade. It's something that we've battled the last 40 years quite extensively in Canadian-US-Mexico trade, is interpretation of free trade and what exemptions will be included.
So, of course, the NDP don't want to be, you know, truly at the forefront of unleashing the capacity of our economy through true interprovincial free trade, so they call it fair trade. What does fair trade do? Or what does a fair trade bill set out to do? Well, it sets out to include exclusions from this legislation. And you may ask, what are the exclusions that it includes? Well, protectionism for the unions is what's at the forefront of the difference in Bill 47.
Crown corporations, like MBLL, which is in the business of selling alcohol to Manitobans, they're concerned about possibly true free trade diluting the feasibility of it. For who? For the unions? Or is it actually for Manitobans, because it sure doesn't seem that if you exclude something that is traded across the entire country from great companies, breweries, that provide tremendous quality in their products not only in Manitoba but across our great country, it now potentially excludes the great alcohol producers–the brewers and distillers in Manitoba–from accessing other markets because we want to exclude, now, MBLL from free trade.
That's concerning. What that means for Manitoba consumers is that you're going to be paying more. What that means for our producers–our brewers and distillers–is that they may not be able to access markets elsewhere in Canada.
So like I said, I think we need to address the–all parts of this legislation at face value for what they are and the rationale that has driven that decision. And it's clear to see that it doesn't have the best interest of Manitobans and Canadians. There's a lot of great producers of all types of products across our great country. They should have access to the Manitoba market, and we, as Manitobans, should have access to the Canadian market as a whole.
What else does it exclude? It excludes Crown corporation Manitoba Hydro. Like, realistically, this is a Crown corporation that its operations are licensed through the government, through the department. You need an environmental licence to be able to set up a generation station. You need government approval to be able to enter into any operations to produce electricity in the province. So what would be–what are we protecting when we're now setting up exclusions?
In my opinion, and I think in many economists' opinion, what you're doing is now setting up an exclusion that other provinces are going to be able to be reciprocal on. So now we're not able–we're closed for reciprocal trade in our Crown corporations, and now, you know, as a reciprocal measure, neighbouring provinces across our great country may be forced to do the same, or they'll look at this piece of legislation and our view and stance on interprovincial free trade as not genuine.
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Then the third exclusion: Manitoba Public Insurance. Again, we want a robust, profitable public insurance available in our province. Now we're shutting the doors to being able to do business elsewhere. We've had that opportunity in the past, we should expand that opportunity, we should be proud of the tremendous accomplishments that we've had through our public insurance company in Manitoba.
Saskatchewan, our neighbouring province, has a very similar public insurance company and they do business across the country. We can go to a broker right here in Manitoba and purchase SGI policies for different coverage. They provide some home insurance, they provide equipment coverage, things that are outside of the Autopac passenger vehicle coverage that is covered by Manitoba Public Insurance.
So essentially, right now, SGI is competing with Manitoba. So either we're going to tell a great trading partner, Saskatchewan, that we're no longer interested in you doing business in our province, or else we're just harming Manitobans, the ability for our public insurance company to be additionally profitable and not allowing for Manitoba Public Insurance to also compete in other jurisdictions outside of our province, similar to the SGI in Saskatchewan being able to broaden the scope of their business.
So these are concerning, definitely concerning measures that have been brought forward under Bill 47. And I think, is this genuine, on the intent of the bill. I think that's going to go a long way. We see that provinces across our country are signing deals and publicly recognizing that they are fully committed to interprovincial free trade. And Manitoba right now, our Premier (Mr. Kinew) isn't able to do the same. And he's blaming it on the Progressive Conservatives not willing to bring forward interprovincial trade legislation, which is completely bizarre. And I hope many Manitobans are able to be tuned in to this broadcast and see exactly what goes on in the Legislature.
I also welcome the media to pay closer attention to what has gone on in debate of legislation, and that it was the Progressive Conservatives that had the foresight to draft legislation to–that would eliminate interprovincial trade barriers in our country. And not just broaden trade, but truly a free trade piece of legislation, unlike that that's been brought forward by the socialist NDP government.
And I think it's important to recognize that, you know, Manitobans shouldn't take the socialists serious when we're talking about building the economy and broadening the scope of our trade. You know, this is a government that views new regulation as something of greater importance than actually expanding the capacity of our economy.
So I'd like to tie this in to what exactly interprovincial trade barriers are, and how little this bill, Bill 47, does to eliminate that. And maybe I'll touch on that first.
The bill that's been brought forward, like I said, is a watered down version of the Progressive Conservative Bill 227. This is 227 lite, and that's why instead of 227 it's 47; it's a fraction of what our bill was.
And the reason for that is that if you look through Bill 47 and study the details, what is it? It's nothing. It's a signal to the media which tries their best to inform the public that the government is interested in breaking down trade barriers in our province; that they would like to expand fair trade, according to the socialists' interpretation of interprovincial trade, but I'd like to consider it free trade. So it's a willingness to entertain free trade in the country.
Without actual action by the socialists here today, it means very little and does very little. It essentially can–it may achieve nothing at all. So, of course, we support Bill 47. You know, we brought forward Bill 227 because we passionately support free trade across the country. That's why it was a desire of the previous PC government to enter into the New West Partnership with our neighbouring western provinces, to expand trade to–throughout the western Canada, but a tremendous stumbling block was definitely Quebec and Ontario.
Well, now the socialist Kinew government, they go to Ontario and they shake hands with Doug Ford and they think that now Manitobans going to–Manitoba's going to be able to rock its way through trade with Ontario and Quebec, which have been two of the most protectionist provinces in the country. And why have they been?
They are the two largest economies in the country, so you'd be naive to think that bringing forward–waving above your head as socialist Kinew government plans to do come tomorrow morning, that you've got a piece of paper, Bill 47. We've said in the Manitoba Legislature that we're going to break down interprovincial trade barriers–well, some of them, but not all of them, of course. We have the unions that we have to still protect, so other than protecting the unions in our Crown corporations, we support free trade.
Well, what is free trade today versus what free trade may be tomorrow for the socialists are two very different things because, of course, if it doesn't include some socialist underlying sentiment, then they may not be favourable.
So if you don't recognize something in a certain way, well then, the socialist Kinew government, they may exclude that segment of the economy, and that's really concerning because, like I had said earlier, without a true buy-in of our government–which, I'd say right now under the current leadership, I'm probably most skeptical on–but also skeptical and knowing the importance that there needs to be that same buy-in from each and every province across the country.
So why I bring this up is not because of my lack of support for a piece of legislation like Bill 47, which is to address interprovincial trade barriers, it's because we need to also see the action from this Premier (Mr. Kinew) and this government. If you don't have one without the other, essentially it's nothing other than the words on the paper.
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So I hope that this government gets serious. I know–I'm confident that they wouldn't get serious on their own. And we saw that they wouldn't get serious on their own because they didn't pass Bill 227 when they had the opportunity to be at the forefront of leading the country in legislation to break down interprovincial trade barriers.
So obviously, they're not serious now, but like I said, they are very passionate about protecting a certain public image. So as far as the work goes, you know, typical to any socialist, they're really allergic to the work. And that's concerning.
But, hopefully, the pressure and the influence from other peers across the country will be enough to pressure the Kinew government into actually seeing this through, allowing true free trade across the country, because if provinces like Ontario and Quebec are able to sign on, that's going to have tremendous influence over Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the rest of western Canada. And I think it's important, but I–like I said, don't be naive. We truly are the small player at a big game and we need to be mindful of that.
So, you know, like I said, we can be waving the bill in excitement tomorrow morning across the country, but we need to make sure that we have capable and efficient negotiators at the table representing Manitoba to, you know, extreme power–economic power–in Ontario and Quebec. And then we've got the western strength in Alberta. So we've got very economically rich and diverse provinces across our country that aren't going to be playing as favourable as we may think if we aren't fair on our end.
So, you know, like I said, Manitoba has everything to gain. We truly have everything to gain. We've got tremendous opportunity here that needs to be unleashed, and we haven't done it in–you know, in years. So the only time that we had actually made steps forward in increasing our economic position in this province was under the previous PC government, under the direction of Brian Pallister who truly had the foresight of breaking down at least western Canadian trade barriers.
Other than that, unfortunately, we've had years and years of socialist NDP government that did everything that they could to suffocate economic growth in our country. And we'd seen that. We'd seen that they were more concerned about turning down projects in the rich resource areas of our province than they were to actually trade freely with the rest of our great country.
And that's, like I said, concerning because we've got the most to gain from true free trade in Canada. But we're not going to be taken serious by, like I said, those economic powerhouses in eastern Canada and our further neighbours to the west with oil resource when we're wanting to set up some sort of artificial exemptions from this piece of legislation.
I think that it was poorly drafted and poorly considered to be a piece of legislation of strength, to move our economy forward in Manitoba. What we would need it to do is we need it to adopt a true free trade bill that had no exemptions and we could tell the rest of Canada that our doors are wide open. Then it would be up to the ministers of the departments that set licensing for operating business to whether or not, you know, having our Crown corporations diluted in any way would be of value or hinderance on our position as Manitobans.
But like I said, protecting a Crown corporation like MBLL which, unfortunately, the majority of representatives–of MLAs representing the NDP government are from in cities of Manitoba or the largest city, Winnipeg. And they don't understand that the majority of liquor is sold privately in the province of Manitoba. The majority, the strong majority, of liquor is sold privately.
So right now we're setting up barriers and just setting ourselves up for reciprocal barriers from other provinces. We've got a lot of good breweries and distillers, wineries across our great country that want to access our market. And at the same time, like I said, Manitoba is always in the best position. We've got many great breweries and distilleries and–not so much into wineries in Manitoba because of our climate, but we've got a lot of great players in that market that would love to expand and access markets in our greatest populated provinces of Ontario and Quebec, and right now they're excluded from that.
So I don't see what we're protecting other than the sale of some liquor in our largest city, other than that we're artificially protecting the unions. And it's not. All of those union workers are going to be able to still do the same job for the same union, and we're only going to strengthen our economy.
But it's a good way for the socialists to signal to their most loyalist supporters that they're there for them, and this is a signal to say: we don't care about the economy, but, you know, we're going to be dependent on you, the great unions, for your support in that upcoming election, so here is a signal to show you that we've thought about you; you're top of mind.
So as Manitobans watch, I hope they're mindful that the socialists aren't truly interested in bringing–
The Speaker: Member's time has expired.
Mr. Obby Khan (Leader of the Official Opposition): It's an honour to stand in this House and put some words on the record on just another failure of this NDP government. And we're going to talk about how we got to this position and where we're at, and Manitobans can make up their mind.
They can make up their mind who put Manitobans first. Was it a NDP government that introduced 46 bills prior to getting to what most Canadians, Manitobans, would say is one of the most pressing matters in Canada, in Manitoba right now, and that's free trade? It's curious to know what were the 46 other bills that this NDP government and Government House Leader (MLA Fontaine) thought were more important. So it's important to clear the air, and Manitobans can decide for themselves what this NDP government's real agenda is.
Like my colleagues have all stood up and spoken about, what does this bill actually do other than maybe signal this is the direction that they maybe or maybe not want to go to support businesses, but not really? Half measured, watered down, signal virtuing, like the NDP love to do.
But in the meantime, and while they're sending out all these flares on signals, they have killed the economic horse that this Premier (Mr. Kinew) and NDP like to talk about so much.
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Over and over again, Manitobans heard falsely, misleading, from this NDP Premier, that they're going to stimulate our economy, that they're going to grow the economy, they're going to feed the economic horse that's going to pull the social cart. And meanwhile they have murdered it–[interjection]
An Honourable Member: Horse is dead.
Mr. Khan: Horse is dead. Horse is gone–[interjection]–yes; I mean the way it's going under this NDP government, probably.
So let's get to some facts here: we're at the point now where every other province has free trade legislation passed, and not this NDP–
An Honourable Member: Every one.
Mr. Khan: Every single one. Making deals, MOUs. Not this Premier. Not this NDP government.
Why? Because they thought it was more important to pass 46 other bills before this one; because they missed the deadline. Because they don't understand how legislation works, they are now forcing Manitobans into this position right now where this Bill 47, if it was so important to have free trade in Canada, they would have brought forward sooner.
But now, because of them, it could get pushed until the fall of 2026–a year and a half after every other province; this bill could take that long to pass. There's no requirement to pass it now. There's no law that says they pass it now.
You know, the only people that can pass this right now are the members sitting on this side of the House–the PC caucus. We are the only ones that can pass this bill, not the NDP–let's get that very clear, because their Government House Leader (MLA Fontaine) missed the specified date; because they introduced 46 bills that were more important than this Bill 47.
So it could sit until the fall of 2026, or we, on this side of the House, can put Manitobans first. And we are putting Manitobans first. We are going to pass this bill, not because it's good legislation–actually, it's terrible legislation. Now that I have unlimited time I look forward to speaking for hours and hours and hours on end on how terrible this legislation is and how incompetent the Government House Leader was to miss the deadline.
You know who didn't miss the deadline? The member for Midland (Mrs. Stone). The MLA from Midland didn't miss it. And where is she from? Where is she from, Honourable Speaker?
Some Honourable Members: Midland.
Mr. Khan: Oh, she sits on this side of the House. From Midland, on this side of the House, putting Manitobans first. She is from Midland, I did say that. But she's putting Manitobans first.
Brought it forward, and the NDP talked about non-partisan: we want to do what's best for Manitobans. No, they don't. They had the opportunity to pass this a month and a half ago, and they didn't do it. They had the opportunity to bring an amendment forward to change that bill so we would pass it, and they didn't do it.
Why didn't they do it? Because they actually don't care about doing what's right for Manitobans. They care more about political games and scoring points than they do about what's right for Manitobans, about putting Manitobans first.
We are in a time of economic crisis in this country. Every other province has stepped up except for this one under the leadership of this Premier and NDP government. But who stepped up? The PC members on this side of the House. We stepped up to support this bill.
Now at times where Canada, Manitoba's being attacked by Trump's tariffs, we need to stand shoulder to shoulder in support of growing Canada, in support of energy transmission, in support of pipelines, in support of making it easier for Canadians to do interprovincial trade, businesses across provincial barriers.
But along with business there also goes certifications, staff, labour mobility, people. People have to work. What did the NDP do in their Bill 47? They took that out–another sign that they don't actually care about people or Manitobans. They took it out. No labour mobility. We don't need that. We're going to get rid of that.
So we're going to water down the legislation that we put forward late, after the deadline when the member for Midland (Mrs. Stone)–yes, from Midland–put forward Bill 227, a stronger bill that takes into account labour mobility and certifications. NDP voted against it.
Now, another very interesting point, a very important matter that Manitobans, maybe everyone on that side of the House, should be aware of. Honourable Speaker, Manitobans: there's only one party in this province that has voted against interprovincial trade barriers coming down and free trade, and who was that? The NDP, this Premier (Mr. Kinew), are the only ones that have voted against free trade in Canada, against taking down interprovincial trade barriers, against labour mobility–recognition from other provinces.
The only ones voted against it are these NDP. It's shameful; it's embarrassing. Manitobans need to be made aware of these facts. You can go back and look at Hansard, you can read the news, you can watch the news, you can even listen to this Premier and anyone that side of the House talk; they voted against free trade.
An Honourable Member: Why would they do that?
Mr. Khan: Why would they do that? Why would they do that, is a great–my colleague from Steinbach asked that question. Why would they do that? Because they're playing political games. They care more about the photo op than they do about actually doing the hard work. The member from Midland had already done the hard work and brought it forward; other provinces had already done it and brought it forward. And this Premier and NDP are more concerned with taking pictures, smiling, but not doing any of the work.
Well, the truth is catching up to them. Manitobans are seeing it for what it is–what this NDP is–and it's all just smoke and mirrors. They have no intent of supporting businesses or growth or our economy here. They have no intent of feeding the horse they've already killed. They have no intent on making Manitoba better. If they did, they would support labour mobility; if they did, they would look at legislation that other provinces have done and say: What has other provinces doing? How can we do what–take what they're doing and make it better?
Instead, what they do is they take it and they make it worse–worse. I don't understand. It is crazy. It is crazy what they are doing here, and don't take my word for it.
An Honourable Member: Whose should we take?
Mr. Khan: You know what you should take? Let's look at The Globe and Mail; Nicolas Van Praet, on–just this weekend, wrote that, and I quote: Manitoba has also tabled legislation, but it's not as comprehensive as that as other provinces, according to the Montreal Economic Institute, an independent think tank that advocates for free market principles. End quote.
Weakest legislation, not as comprehensive. I mean, I guess if you set your target so low, Honourable Speaker, you can never miss, and somehow the NDP are still missing. Somehow their target is so low, they're the last province out the gate with any sort of legislation, and they can't even get that right.
They have a guaranteed, specified date that if they introduce a bill by it will pass–they missed that date. So they can't get the date right, and–oh, it happens; you miss a date, yes. Two years in a row, they've missed that date.
Two years in a row, this NDP removed the rights of Manitobans to come and speak to bills. Last year, they did it with the BITSA bill, the budget bill. They stapled on five more bills onto that–sloppy work by this Minister of Finance (MLA Sala) on that side, missed the deadline, staple it to the back, let's get it through. Manitobans, you don't get a say under this NDP.
So you'd think they would've learned their lesson–no. Fast-forward to this year.
An Honourable Member: What'd they do?
Mr. Khan: They did it again.
An Honourable Member: No.
Mr. Khan: Yes. They did it again. But what did they do this time? Instead of putting it in the budget bill, what did they do? They put it up against the best interests of Manitobans because they don't actually care about Manitobans.
This bill could have been to–could have passed as late as November of 2026. We on this side of the House passed it. We on this side of the House are here to work for Manitobans. We will do what's best for Manitobans. We're not playing political games like they are.
If they were playing political games–if they weren't playing political games, they would've supported the Bill 227 from the member from–
Some Honourable Members: Midland.
Mr. Khan: –Midland. Just take that one. Put an amendment on that one, and we would've passed it a month and a half ago–negotiated in good faith; it's democracy.
An Honourable Member: Six weeks ago.
Mr. Khan: Six weeks ago–I just heard a member from opposite way–six weeks ago. It's so interesting that a member opposite who says that it's six weeks ago that they–that they was introduced. Even they know it was six weeks ago. Even they know that it was prior to the specified date, and yet they still don't introduce it.
* (16:40)
Honourable Speaker, it is absolutely embarrassing what this NDP government has done and what they're forcing Manitobans into.
Now, on this side of the House, we support Manitobans. On this side of the House, we support businesses. On this side of the House, we support families. On this side of the House, we support a free market, not like these guys opposite.
When it was called for amendments at the amendment stage, what did they do? No, they voted them down.
An Honourable Member: One day instead of a week.
Mr. Khan: One–they voted it down. They voted down the one day instead of a week too–wow. To recognize this historic moment of provinces coming together, the NDP proposed one day to celebrate that, one day to recognize it.
On this side of the House, all we said is let's stretch it for a week; let's have a week to celebrate how amazing Manitoba is.
An Honourable Member: What if it lands on a Sunday?
Mr. Khan: What if it lands on a Sunday; how do you celebrate that, right? Let's do a week.
What did they do? Voted against it. It just tells you that they don't actually care about you; they care more about partisan politics.
If we cared about that, we would've voted against it. It's simple. We could have held it back until 2026–November, fall. Instead we said, no, we're going to put Manitobans first. We're going to vote in favour of this. We're going to bring some amendments forward, which they shot down. Because they don't actually care about making this better. If they cared about making it better, they would've accepted the labour mobility clauses. They don't want it. Every other province has it; not these lazy socialists. Not these NDP. Not the ones that want to copy, cheat, make it worse legislation and go forward.
An Honourable Member: They don't even cheat well.
Mr. Khan: You know, they don't even cheat right, you're right. You are right.
And to be clear again, Honourable Speaker, there's only one party in here that voted against free trade, and that is the NDP. That is this Premier (Mr. Kinew) who voted against free trade in this country. Every other province is on board; this Premier is not.
It is really sad that this is the state we are in right now, but thank God you have members on this side of the House that are going to put Manitobans first. We will always put Manitobans first.
If you look over at the history of the PC Party in Manitoba, you say, well, how come no one's ever talked about free trade before?
An Honourable Member: We have.
Mr. Khan: We have, right? Well, let's go back in history and see when we have put Manitobans first, versus how many times the NDP–spoiler alert, Manitoba; it's zero for the NDP. Zero legislation on free trade and removing interprovincial trade barriers. It's still zero, even this one they put forward. It's a slap in the face. It's embarrassing.
In 2016, the previous PC government designed the New West Partnership Trade Agreement. BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan and, Honourable Speaker, Manitoba. Under–Manitoba, right here, under the PC government–previous PC government: $750 billion of access to markets, 2016. Well, that was a one-time thing. No, it wasn't: 2017, the Canada Free Trade Agreement–another agreement signed by the PCs.
Well, how many were signed by the NDP during that time? None–none. I mean, they literally could not care less about doing what's best for Manitobans. It simply boils down to the fact that this bill is moving forward not because of anything the NDP have done. Not because of this Premier. Actually, it's going forward only because of the members on this side of the House, because we believe in Manitobans. We believe in businesses.
The Government House Leader (MLA Fontaine), the member from St. Johns, once again missed the deadline. They don't care about you. They had 46 other bills that were more important than this bill–46. It's embarrassing that they've done this to you. It's embarrassing that they don't care about you.
But you have a team on this side of the House that will fight for you, that will always have your best interests at mind, that will support your businesses and a free market, that will take down trade barriers on this side of the House.
Manitobans, you have a lot to think about–actually, you don't actually have a lot to think about. The horse is dead; they've killed the economic horse, sad enough. They don't care about you, it's clear. They care about signal virtuing and looking like they're doing something but not actually doing anything. I mean, I can go on and on and on.
And it's actually sad. It's actually embarrassing. It's actually really concerning for Manitobans. You have a government who voted against–NDP government who voted against free trade. Why? Not because of the–anything ideological–different or the bill wasn't good; because of political games. This NDP government is playing games with your future, the future of your family, of your kids, for your parents and your grandparents, your communities. This NDP is playing games with that.
They could have passed this months ago. They could've introduced it as one of their first 46 bills and had it passed. And yet they chose to leave it to the very last second. And it's only passing because members on this side of the House, your PC elected members, believe in you, believe in supporting Manitobans, doing what's best for Manitobans, putting you first. Whether you live in rural Manitoba, whether you live in the city, we are putting you first. That is what is important to take away from here.
This legislation–we'll see what the NDP do going forward. If past history is any indication of what they're going to do going forward, it's going to be a whole lot of nothing. And, actually, it's going to be recessive and go backwards. And they're not going to do anything.
Just like they falsely claimed they're going to fix the health care, health care is worse under this NDP government. Just like they falsely claimed that they're going to decrease crime rates in this province, it's worse under this NDP government. Just like they said that they're going to get rid of encampments and solve the homeless crisis and the drug addictions; it's worse. And now they're proposing–they're going to go ahead, they've already gone ahead with a drug-injection site in Point Douglas.
The Speaker: Order, please.
I would ask the honourable member to please keep his comments relevant to the bill we're discussing here today.
Mr. Khan: On that–on those notes, you know, it's important to note that–[interjection] On all the notes that are said in this building. It's important to really look at what is being done and what is being said in this building.
If–it's clear; it's simple. If the NDP government and this Premier (Mr. Kinew) actually cared about putting Manitobans first, about growing our economy, about removing trade barriers, about making free trade a real reality in Manitoba, they would have introduced this earlier. They would've had stronger legislation. They would've supported labour mobility. They would've supported local businesses. They would've supported growing our economy instead of what the–is reported in The Globe and Mail as weakest legislation in Canada.
That sums it all up right there. It sums up this NDP government, this Premier, this Government House Leader (MLA Fontaine). Once again, this NDP government has taken away your right to come speak to committee at this, to come to the people's building, like we all call it–I mean, their signal virtuing is actually doing. They don't want you to come speak. They don't want to hear what you have to say. Just like the residents from Point Douglas said last week. The Premier doesn't actually care about what you're saying. Just smiles.
Manitobans, it is on you, going forward, to look at what your government is actually doing for you or not doing for you.
I think the evidence is pretty clear that without members on this side of the House, without members like the member from Midland, this would not be going forward today. Without members from Interlake-Gimli or Winkler, Morden, Steinbach–try to go through everyone–Springfield-Ritchot, Brandon West, Lakeside, La Vérendrye, Borderland–without members supporting you on this side–the member for Agassiz (Ms. Byram), Riding Mountain, member from Swan River, Dawson Trail, the member from Fort Whyte, Roblin–Roblin–Roblin–see the MLA, the member from Lac du Bonnet. Without members on this side of the House, this bill would not be happening today. [interjection] Red River North, the member from Red River North.
An Honourable Member: Soon members from Brandon East.
* (16:50)
Mr. Khan: And members–and soon, members from Brandon East and Waverley, and Tuxedo and Lagimodière.
Honourable Speaker, it is evidence–
The Speaker: Order, please.
While I recognize the Leader of the Official Opposition (Mr. Khan) is having great fun listing all his members, I would ask him to please keep his comments relevant to the bill.
Mr. Khan: Thank you, Honourable Speaker, for your guidance on that.
I wasn't only mentioning members on our side of the House. I was also mentioning members on the other side of the House, because it's important that we work together to make Manitoba better, to actually work for Manitobans.
So on that, Honourable Speaker, I will leave it with a few last comments. And those comments would be: this legislation passing today, Bill 47, to remove interprovincial trade barriers and free trade is only happening because members on this side of the House will support it; because members on this side of the House are putting Manitobans first.
Members on that side of the House? The NDP Government House Leader (MLA Fontaine), the Premier (Mr. Kinew) missed the deadline. The NDP government introduced 46 bills that were more important. The only people in this Chamber to vote against free trade and removing interprovincial trade barriers was the NDP members. That is facts. That is where it's at, today.
On this side of the House, we will always do what's best for Manitobans and we will put Manitobans first. We won't play political games with your future like the NDP is doing. Now it's time for Manitobans to recognize what's happening here in the Chamber, for the truth to get out there and expose this NDP government for what it really is. And what it really is, is simply smoke and mirrors; members who don't want to do their work–lazy socialists.
Manitobans, we will always have your back.
Thank you, Honourable Speaker.
The Speaker: If there are no more speakers, is the House ready for the question?
Some Honourable Members: Question.
The Speaker: So the question before the House is concurrence and third reading of Bill 47, The Fair Trade in Canada (Internal Trade Mutual Recognition) Act and Amendments to The Commemoration of Days, Weeks and Months Act, buy Manitoba, buy Canadian.
Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed]
Recorded Vote
Mr. Derek Johnson (Official Opposition House Leader): Yes, respectfully, can we ask for a recorded vote, please?
The Speaker: A recorded has been requested. Please call in the members.
* (17:50)
Order, please.
The one hour provided for the ringing of the division bells has expired. I am directing that the bells be turned off and that the House proceed to the vote.
So the question before the House is concurrence and third reading of Bill 47, The Fair Trade in Canada (Internal Trade Mutual Recognition) Act and Amendments to The Commemoration of Days, Weeks and Months Act, buy Manitoba, buy Canada day.
Division
A RECORDED VOTE was taken, the result being as follows:
Ayes
Asagwara, Balcaen, Blashko, Brar, Bushie, Byram, Chen, Compton, Cook, Corbett, Cross, Dela Cruz, Devgan, Ewasko, Fontaine, Goertzen, Guenter, Hiebert, Johnson, Kennedy, Khan, Kinew, King, Kostyshyn, Lagassé, Lamoureux, Lathlin, Loiselle, Maloway, Marcelino, Moroz, Moses, Moyes, Narth, Naylor, Nesbitt, Oxenham, Pankratz, Piwniuk, Redhead, Sala, Sandhu, Schmidt, Schott, Schuler, Simard, Smith, Stone, Wasyliw, Wharton, Wiebe, Wowchuk.
Clerk (Mr. Rick Yarish): Ayes 52, Nays 0.
The Speaker: The motion is accordingly passed.
* * *
The Speaker: So now, the time being past 4 p.m., I'm now interrupting debate to put the question on the remaining concurrence and third reading motions on the specified bills without further debate or amendment, except for the debate provisions allowed under rule 2(16). For each such bill, the minister, critic from the official opposition and each independent member may speak for a maximum of 10 minutes per bill.
The House will not adjourn until all applicable questions have been put and royal assent has been granted. In accordance with our rules and matters of privilege, matters of privilege and points of order are deferred until after these actions have been concluded.
We will now consider the bills in the order announced by the honourable Government House Leader.
Hon. Nahanni Fontaine (Minister responsible for Women and Gender Equity): I move, seconded by the Minister of Housing, Addictions and Homelessness (Ms. Smith), that Bill 44, The Matriarch Circle Act and Amendments to The Commemoration of Days, Weeks and Months Act (Ribbon Skirt Day), reported from the Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development, be concurred in and now read for a third time and passed.
Motion presented.
* (18:00)
MLA Fontaine: I just want to take two minutes to just put a couple of words on the record in respect of the Matriarch Circle and commemoration of days, weeks, months act, ribbon skirt day, here in Manitoba.
First and foremost I want to say miigwech to the Matriarch Circle for all of their wisdom and dedication and kindness and generosity and, ultimately, their love that they're pouring into the work that our government is doing on this side of the House.
I want to point out for the Chamber, for members in the Chamber here–I'm not sure if people really recognize the historical importance of Bill 44 in establishing a Matriarch Circle in law. This has never been done in Manitoba history, and it's certainly never been done across Canada. And so I'm really proud to be the minister responsible that is a part of a government and a part of an incredible team led by Indigenous women, decolonizing colonial spaces. And that's what Bill 44 is doing.
And it also sets a path for other jurisdictions across the country to follow suit and do government in a different way, in a decolonizing way, in a way that centres Indigenous women, girls and two‑spirited individuals doing the work of dismantling and addressing the historic and continual harms that are perpetrated against our bodies and our very lives. So I encourage folks to take up that same path in decolonizing those colonizing spaces.
And I just want to reflect on–I know that the member for Agassiz (Ms. Byram) has brought forward concerns and even amendments about the Matriarch Circle reporting to the Assembly, you know, six months after any given year. And the language that the member for Agassiz used was that the Matriarch Circle needs to be held accountable by this Assembly.
I just want to have it on the official record: the Matriarch Circle is not to be held accountable by this Assembly, and certainly not by members opposite that constructed their whole political campaign on the murders of Indigenous women by a serial killer that were in a landfill. They are not to be held accountable.
In fact, it is the reverse. It is members in this Legislative Assembly that are accountable to the Matriarch Circle and to all of the matriarchs that we represent in and outside this building and in this Chamber.
I ask the member for Agassiz and every single member opposite to decolonize their thinking. I suspect that that's going to be incredibly difficult, but I would ask them to decolonize their thinking in respect of Indigenous peoples' rights, but more particularly in respect of the issues that face Indigenous women, girls and two‑spirited.
Again, it is not for the Matriarch Circle to be held accountable by this Assembly. It is this Assembly from today onwards for the next couple of hundred years to be accountable to matriarchs in our province.
Finally, I dedicate Bill 44 to the next generation of little matriarchs, to the little–the generation of little matriarchs that are being born, that are in schools right now, being fed by our universal school nutrition program, that are being lifted up by the work that our government is doing. This bill is for them. This bill is to ensure that they know that they are loved, they are sacred, they are valued and that they deserve everything good in this province and across our territories from coast to coast to coast.
And, ultimately, I dedicate this bill to the newest little Fontaine matriarch that just made her way into this little world at 1 a.m. this morning, of which I am going to get out of here in a couple of minutes to go visit for the first time.
Miigwech.
Ms. Jodie Byram (Agassiz): I do want to get a few words on the record in relation to Bill 44, The Matriarch Circle Act and Amendments to The Commemoration of Days, Weeks and Months Act and Ribbon Skirt Day.
And this–essentially, what it does is it repeals the Women's Advisory Council that I know we–was in place here in the Province of Manitoba for quite a number of years, and I do want to commend the work that was done with that council and also those individuals that were part of that council, and, you know, responsible for reporting to the minister responsible at the time with maybe new initiatives, programs and so on, and commend them for their work.
It's important work that committees like this are–perform across our province. And replacing it with the Matriarch Circle, hopefully that sort of–that work will continue and raising awareness and, you know, providing different initiatives in relation to women issues and all gender issues.
And the–and I know the minister did make reference to the fact that I brought forward an amendment. And I did because, you know, essentially, the work is going to be somewhat the same, but the fact that there's no accountability and transparency with reporting. This is public funding. This is funds that taxpayers are going to be paying for, essentially. And we want to know where those dollars are going. We want that accountability. We want that transparency. So I do feel that it's an important part of legislation to have that process and that reporting mechanism be part of legislation and hold this NDP accountable for the work that they are doing.
And I do feel that it's important to have that in place so we can all be made aware of the work that is going on behind the scenes, the progress, the initiatives and what the Matriarch Circle is doing. So, yes, I do feel that amendment was an important part. The government did not–obviously they turned that amendment down. And I believe the member opposite spoke to that.
I do want to take a moment and speak on the Ribbon Skirt Day. I do feel this is an important part–or important. I know this was brought forward, I believe, federally last year, recognized last year. And this brings us in line with the federal legislation. And I do understand the importance of the ribbon skirt. It's recognizing the special day, but it's also, you know, providing a cultural learning experience, and it speaks to individuals and some of the life that they have lived through, maybe some of the trauma. It tells a story, really, for individuals. I do think that's important to recognize.
So, and I want to, also, as I thanked the past members of the Women's Advisory Council, I do want to thank those that have been elected to be–not elected but appointed to be part of the Matriarch Circle. I hope that they are able to do some of the–continue on with some of the great work, and, you know, provide some of their own initiatives in moving forward. And I want to thank them for their contributions. And, again, like I said, it's important work. And, again, thank you for the work that they do. I look forward to seeing what transpires through this committee.
Thank you, Honourable Speaker.
The Speaker: Seeing no other members wishing to speak, is the House ready for the question?
Some Honourable Members: Question.
The Speaker: So the question before the House is concurrence and third reading of Bill 44, The Matriarch Circle Act and Amendments to The Commemoration of Days, Weeks and Months Act (Ribbon Skirt Day).
Is the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed]
The motion is accordingly passed.
The Speaker: We will now move on to the next bill, the–Bill 7, The Human Tissue Gift Amendment Act.
Hon. Uzoma Asagwara (Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care): I move, seconded by the Minister of Education, that Bill 7, The Human Tissue Gift Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Loi sur les dons de tissus humains, reported from the Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development, be concurred in and now read for a third time and passed.
Motion presented.
* (18:10)
MLA Asagwara: I'm pleased to rise for a third reading of Bill 7. This bill will reflect our modern health‑care system by updating the list of human tissue gift agencies.
This bill will also ensure the act applies to placentas and other birth tissue. An update to the act will provide consistency with current organ and tissue processes in Manitoba.
Thank you, Honourable Speaker.
Mrs. Kathleen Cook (Roblin): I'm pleased to rise on third reading of Bill 7, The Human Tissue Gift Amendment Act, which updates the list of human tissue gift agencies and updates the act to ensure the act applies to birth tissue that can be donated, which is something that I learned just recently was even a possibility.
And we know how important organ and tissue donation is. We've talked a lot in this House about things like Green Shirt Day that honours the legacy of Logan Boulet, a young hockey player who selflessly gave the gift of life through organ donation following the tragic Humboldt Broncos bus crash in 2018.
In that case, he had spoken with his family about his decision to become an organ donor and because of that courageous choice, he saved six lives. His story touched hearts across the country and inspired what is now known as the Logan Boulet Effect, a surge in Canadians registering as organ donors in his memory. As news spread of the organ donation by this young hockey player, it is estimated that almost 150,000 people registered to become organ donors in the days and weeks that followed.
To date, that's the largest number of Canadians registering to become organ donors in Canadian history. And in Canada, almost 90 per cent of Canadians say that they support organ donation, but only 32 per cent have actually registered their intent to donate. Although donation rates have improved over the last 10 years, there is more to be done, as approximately 250 Canadians die annually waiting for an organ transplant.
Becoming an organ or a tissue donor is one of the most meaningful decisions you can make. One donor can save up to eight lives and improve the lives of 75 more through tissue donation. And spreading awareness is so important.
And tissue donation doesn't necessarily get the same high profile that organ donation does. Tissue donation often comes from live donors, but it can dramatically improve people's lives.
So some of the examples of tissues that can be donated that are addressed in this bill, and how tissue transplants help and heal. For example, corneas can be donated and restore one's vision; heart valves can replace an infant's defective heart valves; skin grafts for severely burned patients; bone grafts can save a limb that might otherwise be amputated; and birth tissues, such as placentas and umbilical cords, can aid in healing wounds. Updates to the legislation proposed today will add these to the list of tissues included in the act.
And I think it's important to note, Honourable Speaker, that just as with organ donation, people who are interested in tissue donation can sign up to donate at signupforlife.ca.
In Manitoba, tissue donations are managed by Tissue Bank Manitoba, which is co‑ordinated through Shared Health. But this wasn't always the case and that's one of the reasons the act needs to be updated. Tissue Bank Manitoba merged with the Misericordia Eye Bank back in 2021. And for decades prior to that, in Manitoba, the Lions Eye Bank used to co‑ordinate donations of eye tissue.
And Tissue Bank Manitoba is an award-winning entity, actually, recognized by MTF Biologics, one of the largest tissue banks in the world, recognizing technical achievements and best practices in tissue recovery and performance.
In addition to the Emerald Award of Excellence in 2020, which Tissue Bank Manitoba won for the second time in four years, the organization also received four best practice awards for its quality of work involving the recovery of life-saving and life-enhancing tissues.
And on behalf of all of my colleagues on this side of the House, I'd like to thank all of the medical professionals and staff at Tissue Bank Manitoba for all of their work to improve lives for Manitobans across the province. And, of course, I'd like to thank the families of all of those who have donated organs and tissue in Manitoba. You're–you've made a incredible difference in hundreds of Manitobans' lives.
And finally, I'd just like to encourage all Manitobans to sign up to become organ and tissue donors at signupforlife.ca.
The Speaker: Seeing no further speakers, is the House ready for the question?
Some Honourable Members: Question.
The Speaker: The question before the House is bill–concurrence and third reading of Bill 7, The Human Tissue Gift Amendment Act.
Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed]
The motion is accordingly passed.
The Speaker: We will now move on to Bill 33, The Public Health Amendment Act.
Hon. Uzoma Asagwara (Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care): I move, seconded by the Minister of Justice (Mr. Wiebe), that Bill 33, The Public Health Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Loi sur la santé publique, reported from the Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development, be concurred in and–be concurred in, rather, and be now read for a third time and passed.
Motion presented.
MLA Asagwara: I'm pleased to rise for the third reading of Bill 33. This bill will ensure that persons who present a threat to the public and the public health and well-being are not detained in correctional facilities. It will also set out that a court order to detain a person in custody must now be made by a Provincial Court judge rather than a justice of the peace.
This legislation ensures that all Manitobans, especially those who are otherwise more vulnerable, are receiving dignified care in appropriate health-care facilities. Our government is committed to a progressive health care approach throughout Manitoba, and this legislation supports us in doing just that.
Thank you.
Mrs. Kathleen Cook (Roblin): I'm pleased to rise again on Bill 33, to speak to third reading. I think Manitobans were horrified last year when a Manitoban was jailed for having tuberculosis. That's a situation that should never have happened and can never happen again in Manitoba. And if this bill will prevent that, we are obviously in full support of that.
Just one part of the bill that I hope the government is cognizant of is the change to requiring a hearing in front of a Provincial Court judge rather than a justice of the peace. While I understand the intent–the minister has explained it to me in detail–I just want to be–I think Manitobans want to be assured that this isn't going to result in unnecessary delays. These hearings have to happen in a timely manner, and I'm just hopeful that by requiring them to happen in front of a Provincial Court judge, instead of a justice of the peace, that that does not cause unnecessary delays that would impact Manitoba patients.
And with that, we are ready to pass this bill.
Thank you.
The Speaker: Seeing no further speakers, is the House ready for the question?
Some Honourable Members: Question.
The Speaker: So the question before the House is concurrence and third reading of Bill 33, The Public Health Amendment Act.
* (18:20)
Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed]
The motion is passed.
The Speaker: So now we'll move on to Bill 41, The Reporting of Supports For Child Survivors of Sexual Assault (Trained Health Professionals and Evidence Collection Kits) Amendment Act.
Hon. Uzoma Asagwara (Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care): I move, seconded by the MLA for The Pas-Kameesak, that Bill 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), reported from the Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development, be concurred in and be now read for a third time and passed.
Motion presented.
MLA Asagwara: First, I want to start by thanking the MLA for The Pas-Kameesak for her years of advocacy and her tireless commitment to ensuring that children, youth, girls, women in the North have improved access to sexual assault care, to primary care and the services that they deserve in their own communities. It is a direct result of her advocacy and her leadership and her amplifying the voices and lived experiences of these folks in northern communities and rural communities, that our government has been able to take some very real steps in the right direction to enhance this care for Manitobans, including ensuring that we have more sexual assault-care providers in the North.
We have many nurses now who are trained in this area of expertise. We have nurses who are training in this area of expertise as it pertains to pediatric and youth care. And so I want to thank her for her efforts in this area.
I also want to acknowledge and thank all of those folks across our province, all of those nurses, physicians, care providers, experts and researchers, who have been working directly with our government to move this area of health care across the province in the right direction.
I want to thank the survivors. Some folks also may identify themselves as warriors in this space, folks with lived experiences who have been working with us directly to ensure that we provide more comprehensive services in a culturally appropriate way. We recognize, Honourable Speaker, that there's still a lot of work to do in this area, but we've made strides in a better direction as a direct result of these experts and advocates across Manitoba. And we're going to continue to work with each and every one of them to ensure that Manitoba no longer falls behind, and this legislation is a big part of that.
Rising for a third time to read Bill 41, the reporting of supports for child sexual survivors–child survivors, rather, of sexual assault amendment–trained health professionals and evidence collection kits–act, is an important step for our province. This bill will require the minister to report annually to the Assembly on the number of children under 15 years of age assessed by specifically trained health professionals as opposed to reporting on the inventory numbers of sexual assault evidence kits.
This legislation and the amendments and the work that was done to strengthen this law, again, is a direct result of the experts on the ground who've been doing this care for a long time who asked our government to listen. We are going to continue to listen to these folks, work in partnership and move Manitoba in the right direction.
Fundamentally, our government is also committed to ensuring that we see less incidence of sexual violence and violence in all shapes and forms against vulnerable people. We want for women, girls, two-spirited, gender-diverse folks and all Manitobans to be safer. And that is why we're working across government to not only enact legislation like this but to take steps to ensure that communities are safer across the board. Women and girls, gen-diverse Manitobans, no matter where they live, deserve to be protected, safe, dignified and have a journey in Manitoba that honours who they are authentically.
And so our government is going to keep doing the work after Bill 41 is passed, working directly with survivors, working with the experts. And I hope that as we do this work we moving forward, all members of this House will continue to support additional pieces of legislation that our government will bring forward to strengthen this area of health care for Manitobans.
Thank you.
Mrs. Kathleen Cook (Roblin): I'm pleased to rise and put a few more words on the record with respect to Bill 41 at third reading.
I, too, want to echo just one of the comments the minister made in terms of thanking the front‑line health‑care professionals who do this work every day. It's gruelling work, and nurses who are trained to perform sexual assault examinations, they do it with care, they do it with compassion. It's got to be one of the toughest nursing jobs out there, and particularly when they are sometimes dealing with pediatric sexual assault survivors, so I just want to thank them for the work that they do every day.
And while this bill will pass today, there is a lot more work to do to expand access to timely sexual assault nurse exams in communities across the province. Ideally, no sexual assault victim, no matter their gender or age, should have to wait for any length of time to get that exam. It can be retraumatizing, as we all know.
So I think there's a lot more work to do beyond what can just be done in legislation. I hope the government is cognizant of that and working towards that. And I'd like to thank the staff at Health Sciences Centre, Ka Ni Kanichihk clinic, Toba Centre, where this incredible and important work is taking place.
Thank you.
The Speaker: Is the House ready for the question?
An Honourable Member: Question.
The Speaker: Question before the House is concurrence and third reading of Bill 41, The Reporting of Supports for Child Survivors of Sexual Assault (Trained Health Professionals and Evidence Collection Kits) Amendment Act.
Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed]
The motion is accordingly passed.
The Speaker: We will now move on to Bill 3, The City of Winnipeg Charter Amendment and Planning Amendment Act.
Hon. Glen Simard (Minister of Municipal and Northern Relations): I move, seconded by the Minister for Labour and Immigration, that Bill 3, The City of Winnipeg Charter Amendment and Planning Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Charte de la ville de Winnipeg et la Loi sur l'aménagement du territoire, as reported from the standing committee of the Legislature affairs, be concurred in and now be read a third time and passed.
The Speaker: It has been moved by the honourable Minister of Municipal and Northern Relations, seconded by the honourable Minister of Labour and Immigration (MLA Marcelino), that Bill 3, The City of Winnipeg Charter Amendment and Planning Amendment Act, reported from the Standing Committee on Legislative Affairs, be concurred in and be now read a third time and passed.
Mr. Simard: Honourable Speaker, I am pleased to once again rise for third reading of Bill 3. This bill amends The City of Winnipeg Charter and The Planning Act to reduce the frequency of delays to local zoning amendments by establishing higher and more reasonable thresholds for items being referred to the Municipal Board.
I am very happy to see this legislation move through the approval process. This bill is a priority for the government of Manitoba, and these changes to The City of Winnipeg Charter and The Planning Act deliver on our government's commitment to speeding up the planning approval timelines while making sure local voices are respected.
Reducing the frequency of delays to local zoning amendments and speeding up development approvals process will make it easier for municipalities to build new housing faster and address housing shortages.
We have been listening to stakeholders. The input we received from mayors, reeves and many local elected officials has helped shape this legislation in a way that resets the relationship between the province and municipalities.
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Increasing the threshold for public appeals balances local decision-making autonomy with the value of public participation in the land use planning process. This bill brings a balanced approach that respects the voices of Manitobans and addresses many municipalities' goals of growing their communities.
To close, this bill delivers on our government's commitment to work in collaboration with municipalities, to expedite approval timeline and ensure a holistic and balanced approach to land use planning process. Bill 3, as will as–as well as Bill 4, are the first of other potential changes arising from the government's commitment to speeding up planning approval timelines while making sure that local voices are respected.
Merci.
Mr. Trevor King (Lakeside): Honourable Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to stand in the Chamber today to put a few words on record in regards to Bill 3.
Honourable Speaker, it's something that municipalities have been asking for, for a long time. It dates back to when I was on–12 years I spent on council in the RM of Woodlands. We found that many, many of these projects were getting held up at the municipal board, and they still are; many of them are backed up, we're seeing.
So this is an opportunity that our team supports, going back to, again, the municipalities have been asking for it, and the AMM for a number of years, to make projects maybe move forward a little quicker, whether it be housing, concerning part of it is for the residents.
But, you know, sometimes it only takes those few not-in-my-backyard residents to kill a project, and legislation like this will avoid those issues.
It's being raised from a hundred–from 25 to 300. I think the City of Winnipeg originally had asked for 150 names, but the Province chose to go with the 300, the NDP government did. So it will certainly slow down some of those municipal board hearings and it's going to save municipalities a ton of money, not having to go through these hearings.
On the topic, the AMM–great people for our municipal councils that represent them, advocating to the Province on their needs–I just want to congratulate and put on record is Kathy Valentino, Joe Masi, Laurent Tétrault, Marvin Plett and Jeff Browaty, just this weekend being elected to the FCM board. So some great representation of some great municipal representatives that will represent our municipalities at the national level.
And, of course, our own mayor of Winnipeg here, Scott Gillingham, is also on the mayors' board. So I just want to make note of that for–to congratulate them for those elected positions.
This is definitely going to facilitate some new housing developments and meet the growing demand for housing in Winnipeg and, of course, across our province, and it's important. We need to find a balance with individual property rights and the quality of life in our communities and local control. So, again, our–we support local autonomy.
These grassroots people that are working on the front lines of municipalities, they're quite capable of making decisions. I've worked with a number of them over the years, and people elect them there for a reason, to direct their communities and put them in the direction that they need to go, so local autonomy is most definitely important. Public has to have their say and be able to voice their objections; we know that. And they need to know they're being heard by their elected representatives, at any level. Our public needs to know that.
So it's–we're certainly going to see this legislation save some money, reduce some red tape, bureaucracy, hopefully, and some of that NIMBYism. We also want to protect the character of some neighbourhoods while we grow this housing supply and there needs to be some local controls and input.
Honourable Speaker, theoretically–it's a hard one to get out this time of day–someone could be building an office tower next to your backyard, and you'd need to find 300 more people to object in order to get the–get a hearing on that matter. So a little bit of a concern for the people that don't want things, and maybe they have good arguments; but on the other hand, it gives our municipal governments a little bit of their own control and making things move forward and make decisions in their community.
So having said that, Honourable Speaker, our team will support this legislation, as in the past we know municipalities and the AMM have been asking for it.
Thank you.
The Speaker: Is the House ready for the question?
Some Honourable Members: Question.
The Speaker: The question before the House is concurrence and third reading of Bill 3, The City of Winnipeg Charter Amendment and Planning Amendment Act.
Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed]
The motion is accordingly passed.
The Speaker: We'll now move on to Bill 4, The Planning Amendment Act.
Hon. Glen Simard (Minister of Municipal and Northern Relations): I move, seconded by the Minister for Labour and Immigration, that Bill 4, The Planning Amendment Act; Loi sur l'aménagement du territoire, as reported from the Standing Committee on Legislative Affairs, be concurred and now be read a third time and passed.
Motion presented.
Mr. Simard: Honourable Speaker, I am pleased to once again rise for the third reading of Bill 4. This legislation amends The Planning Act to deliver on our government's commitment to give current member municipalities of Capital Planning Region the choice to remain or withdraw from the planning region.
I'm very happy to see this legislation move through the approval process. Our government understands that the very best way to build communities across the province is to bring willing partners together to help them develop a co‑ordinated and sustain a long-term vision for the region.
This bill marks an important reset in the relationship among the municipalities in the Capital Region. Voluntary membership means that municipalities have a voice and a choice at the table. We have been listening to stakeholders. The feedback we received from local municipalities and the Association of Manitoba Municipalities played an important role in shaping this legislation.
Key features of the Bill 4 include allowing current member municipalities to voluntarily withdraw from the Capital Planning Region by passing and submitting a council resolution to the minister. This withdrawal window opens upon royal assent and remains open until the next general election in October 2026, enabling new municipalities to join the Capital Planning Region at any time, provided that they hold a public hearing, including giving notice, pass a council resolution and submit it to the minister. It also provides future withdrawal opportunities during the 10-year review of the regional plan. When the Capital Planning Region initiates a review, member municipalities will have 180 days to hold a public hearing, including giving notice, pass a council resolution and notify the minister if they wish to withdraw.
Finally, Bill 4 extends the deadline for the Capital Planning Region board to adopt a regional by plan–by–a regional plan bylaw to January 1, 2027, or a later date set by regulation by the minister. A renewed Capital Planning Region board will help to reset and reshape regional planning based on choices made by local leadership.
By working together, Capital Region municipalities, Indigenous partners and the Province can clearly focus on key shared priorities such as transportation improvements, water and waste water investments, more affordable housing and safeguarding the health of our waterways for current and future generations.
Regional planning must be both flexible and adaptable to regional needs as well as local needs. It must ensure it effectively addresses broader shared priorities through co‑ordination, cost sharing when possible.
In closing, Bill 4 reflects our government's commitment to listening to municipal leaders and respecting local autonomy by making membership in Capital Planning Region voluntary.
Thank you et merci, Monsieur le Président [thank you, Mr. Speaker].
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Mr. Trevor King (Lakeside): Once again, a pleasure to stand here in the Chamber on our last day of session to put some words on the record about Bill 4.
We all know, Honourable Speaker, the NDP government has brought this forward just to neutralize last summer's municipal uproar of the grassroots activism and related to the Metro Region's Plan20-50 and membership in the Metro Region.
So the binding nature of Plan20-50 on member communities threatens local control, and seeming Winnipeg veto power on the Metro Region's plans has created quite a bit of controversy. So many municipalities have expressed their concern, and some did not support the new Metro Region's plans.
Now, this legislation would allow current members of the Metro Region to opt in or opt out of this–of the Plan20-50, the regional plan. We know that a new plan is needed and that the Metro Region municipalities–that they can all support. This legislation allows municipalities to opt out but provides still no plan. There's no vision or improvements to the Metro Region for economic development or more local control.
Now, saying that again, this–we do support this legislation because we support local autonomy in our–and decision making in our communities, in our municipal councils, so–but, again, this legislation appears to be just a rushed, knee-jerk reactionary response by our Premier (Mr. Kinew) and our NDP government. It doesn't appear to have any significant consultation with residents and municipalities on these changes to the Metro Region, which is important. The consultation is important. We need more of that consultation from the residents to the councils, all the way up.
So as with most things about our NDP government here, this legislation seems to be ill thought out, lacks any consideration, consultation or planning and will do nothing to improve economic developments and urban development plans. Solutions have to be found in consultation with Winnipeg and our surrounding municipalities. This legislation just appears to be the minister and the Premier imposing their will on our municipalities.
We need a more consultive approach with the public and our municipalities. Regional planning can have many benefits, and to the–to that point, the–this legislation prepares for municipalities to work together on regional plans, it would be a positive.
So there's a great deal more work and investments that needs to happen at the provincial level to ensure regional water and infrastructure plans can be developed for the benefit of our local economies. Flood management jobs for hard-working Manitobans.
We all know, so far, we've seen very little from the NDP and nothing in their Throne Speech that indicates that they have a plan for municipal regions or regional projects. They just continue to cut programs like our Green Team funding, our BSC funding, arts, culture and sport. The municipalities are getting less this year than last year when you do the math.
Premier keeps talking about belt tightening and has not delivered any new funds for municipalities for regional projects. So, Honourable Speaker, mayors, reeves and councils, they want to see more dollars for local and regional infrastructure projects from the Province, and instead this government is recycling old money that he just cut last spring.
So, again, our team here realizes the importance of local autonomy and decision making, so we support this legislation because our–it's what our municipalities are asking for. Some were asking to opt out of it, and some aren't sure whether they want to be in it. There's some concerns with that on the timeline; next fall 2026 comes around with another municipal election.
We've got great people at that municipal level that are governing our local councils, and some of them are giving it some real tough thought because of this type of legislation or what's being put upon them that they–these good people may not run again. So it's definitely concerning. On the other hand, we addressed the concerns of the people that have concerns with the plan.
So, Honourable Speaker, with that, I'm happy to have put some words on record and we will be supporting this bill, moving forward.
Thank you.
The Speaker: Seeing no further speakers, is the House ready for the question?
Some Honourable Members: Question.
The Speaker: Question before the House is concurrence and third 'reaning'–reading of Bill 4, The Planning Amendment Act.
Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed]
The Speaker: Now moving on to Bill 14, The Insurance Amendment Act.
Hon. Adrien Sala (Minister of Finance): I move, seconded by the Minister of Justice (Mr. Wiebe), that Bill 14, The Insurance Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Loi sur les assurances, reported from the Standing Committee on Legislative Affairs, be concurred in and be now read for a third time and passed.
Motion presented.
MLA Sala: Honourable Speaker, I'm very pleased to rise for the third reading of Bill 14, The Insurance Amendment Act. The amendments introduced by our government will modernize sections of the existing legislation, aligning them with other Manitoba legislation and those in other jurisdictions.
The Insurance Agents' and Adjustors' Licensing Appeal Board is one of Manitoba's agencies, boards and commissions. The mandate of this board is clear: to hear licensing appeals of decisions made by the Insurance Council of Manitoba.
Honourable Speaker, our government understands the importance of this board to ensuring fairness and accountability within Manitoba's insurance industry. And we know that, for years, the members opposite failed to support and protect the individuals who've committed their time and expertise to this important board.
The current legislation leaves board members vulnerable to legal action, even when acting in good faith, while fulfilling their responsibilities. In addition, the co‑ordinator of appeals, a public servant, is similarly unprotected under the existing legislation.
Think about that for a moment. Our public servants could be targeted while fulfilling their duties and responsibilities in good faith. That does not make any sense. But it's a new day, and I'm extremely proud of the amendments being brought forward by our government. We're introducing an immunity provision to protect our civil servants and with this bill, we're making it easier for appellants to receive information and correspondence in the way that best suits their needs by allowing them to choose their preferred communication method and expanding that to include the revolutionary advancement of email.
With this bill, we're also placing a limit on the amount of funds that can be held inside of accounts of universal life insurance contracts to make these accounts–or, to ensure these accounts can no longer be vulnerable to exploitation by a wealthy few, because, Honourable Speaker, on this side of the House, we believe that life insurance contracts should be used as intended: to provide security and peace of mind for families at a moment when they need it most.
These amendments put the priorities of all Manitobans first, and I'm pleased to present this bill for the House's consideration.
The Speaker: No further debate? Is the House ready–the honourable member for Midland.
Mrs. Lauren Stone (Midland): I appreciate the opportunity and time today to rise to put a few words on the record on Bill 14, The Insurance Amendment Act, today during third reading.
First and foremost, I want to reiterate that it's important to emphasize that the protection of the public is of the utmost importance. The insurance industry is highly regulated, both at the provincial as well as at the federal levels to ensure that insurance companies and agents are able to meet their financial obligations to their customers. Customers, policyholders, they put their trust and their faith in insurance companies to provide important coverage during times of need. Insurance protects us and our families from financial risk and helps cover costs if something unexpected happens.
The changes that have been brought forward in this bill today–it affects very, very few policies which are held by institutional investor hedge funds and very sophisticated investors, not generally the average policyholder–or, not the everyday life insurance policies that we often see and experience here in Manitoba. But this does close a potential loophole for some bad actors that could invest high amounts into side accounts. So this does leave Manitoba open to abuse.
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So this legislation does place limits on that, further protecting the public, which is incredibly critical. Allows for email notifications of appeal hearings: this is a housekeeping matter and brings the act up to date. It's 2025 and most of us use email as our primary method of communication.
And the last is protection from liability of appeal board members when acting in good faith. This is, again, another obvious change and matches what other provinces are doing in different areas. As mentioned, the insurance industry is already very highly regulated at both provincial and federal levels, and it's important that the public is protected–that is of the utmost importance.
And with that being said, Honourable Speaker, I will conclude those remarks and look forward to passing Bill 14.
Thank you.
The Speaker: Is the House ready for the question?
An Honourable Member: Question.
The Speaker: The question before the House is concurrence and third reading of Bill 14, The Insurance Amendment Act.
Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed]
The Speaker: We will now move on to Bill 15, The Real Estate Services Amendment Act. Is–the honourable Minister of Finance.
Hon. Adrien Sala (Minister of Finance): I move, seconded by the Minister of Agriculture (Mr. Kostyshyn), that Bill 15, The Real Estate Services Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Loi sur les services immobiliers, reported from the Standing Committee on Legislative Affairs, be concurred in and be now read for a third time and passed.
Motion presented.
MLA Sala: I'm pleased to rise for the third reading of Bill 15, the Real Estate Services Act, which governs the regulation of the real estate brokerage and property management industries in Manitoba and is administered by the Manitoba Securities Commission and is part of the Manitoba Financial Services Agency.
On January 1, 2022, the former government updated the regulatory framework for these industries and the Real Estate Services Act replaced the former Real Estate Brokers Act. Fortunately, the legislation put forward by the previous PC government undermines the Securities Commission's ability to perform some basic public interest functions and does leave Manitoba's real estate market vulnerable to some fraud and abuse.
The existing legislation, again, introduced by the former government, does not give the Securities Commission the authority to freeze bank accounts held by individuals or companies that are obligated to register under the act but have failed to do so.
On this side of the House, our government believes that integrity and accountability must be at the heart of Manitoba's real estate sector. That means taking action against those who undermine the public trust while supporting and rewarding the professionals who follow the rules and serve Manitobans with honesty and care.
Honourable Speaker, our government also believes in fairness, and because all people and businesses should be treated equally under the law, we are amending the current legislation to impose a two-year limitation period on prosecutions. This is a reasonable and fair approach; it's common in other jurisdictions.
So, Honourable Speaker, our government is committed to modernizing our financial legislation because our–for our economy to grow and succeed, we need a modern regulatory system. With this legislation, we're stepping up to the task and we're putting the interests of Manitobans first.
Honourable Speaker, I'm very pleased to present this bill for the House's consideration.
Mrs. Lauren Stone (Midland): Again, I'm pleased to rise in the House to put a few words on the record as it relates to Bill 15, The Real Estate Services Act.
Before going into some of the specific contents of the bill, I'd like to recognize all the real estate professionals and agents in the province that contribute to our economy, support buyers and sellers with their market knowledge and expertise and provide other services to their clients.
As mentioned in the previous bill, real estate services are also very highly regulated here in Manitoba through the Manitoba Securities Commission, which protects investors from scams and fraud. The changes to this bill, they're fairly minor amendments and seem to predominately focus on those bad actors.
This bill will allow the Securities Commission to freeze the assets of persons who are required to be registered under The Real Estate Brokers Act, but who have contravened the act or are currently not registered persons. So this bill does appear to close some of those potential loopholes that may allow those unregistered persons to carry on activities that would have otherwise led to freezings of assets of a registered party. Again, it is of the utmost importance to protect the public interest and current or future investors in this province.
There have been many changes to real estate services in Manitoba over the years. Further changes were made in 2022 by the former PC government, who introduced a host of a–new regulatory frameworks for Manitoba's real estate industry, providing consumers with enhanced protections while modernizing and streamlining business for industry professionals. The legislation did close a number of loopholes to enhance public protection. This included fines for misconduct, requiring written service agreements between brokerages and homebuyers or sellers prior to providing services, which ensured all parties would be fully informed of what service would be provided or carried out on, and the act enhanced the ability to take action against persons carrying on unregistered activities.
So this last point is where these minor amendments in this bill are being brought forward by the minister to close yet another loophole on persons engaging in those unregistered activities by allowing the commission to freeze those assets.
So, as mentioned, it closes a loophole. It is minor amendments, but important to protect the public further from investment fraud, scams within the real 'estrate'–real estate industry and services industry.
So with those brief comments, Honourable Speaker, we look forward to passing this bill.
Thank you.
The Speaker: Is the House ready for the question?
Some Honourable Members: Question.
The Speaker: Question before the House, then, is concurrence and third reading of Bill 15, The Real Estate Services Amendment Act.
Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed]
The motion is accordingly passed.
The Speaker: Next is Bill 27, The Income Tax Amendment Act.
Hon. Adrien Sala (Minister of Finance): I move, seconded by the Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning, that Bill 27, The Income Tax Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Loi de l'impôt sur le revenue, reported from the Standing Committee on Legislative Affairs, be concurred in and be now read for a third time and passed.
Motion presented.
MLA Sala: I'm very pleased to rise for the third reading of Bill 27, The Income Tax Amendment Act.
Our government is committed to building one Manitoba, and we're proud to be home to a vibrant printing and publishing sector that adds cultural, economic and creative value to our province.
To continue driving economic growth, Honourable Speaker, the tax changes introduced by our government in Bill 27 will make the Cultural Industries Printing Tax Credit permanent so that it will continue to support the printing and publishing industry here in Manitoba.
The Cultural Industries Printing Tax Credit offers a refundable tax credit to Manitoba printers equal to 35 per cent on salary or wages paid to Manitoba employees employed in their book printing divisions. This is one of the many ways our government is stepping up to support this vital sector to the economic challenges created by Trump's tariff tax, because that's what Manitobans deserve: elected officials who stand up for industry, listen to its needs and make decisions that support growth and long-term success.
That's also why our government has made other important changes with bill–Budget '25 that will increase economic certainty and drive investment while improving productivity. We announced the largest capital investment in Manitoba's history, and Manitobans can count on us to follow through, make smart, strategic investments and stand with Manitoba businesses every step of the way.
That's what this amendment is about: supporting Manitoba's printing, publishing industry; putting more Manitobans to work; and making sure that when Manitobans pack up at the end of the work day, they're heading home with more money in their pocket.
Honourable Speaker, I am very pleased to present this bill for the House's consideration.
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Mrs. Lauren Stone (Midland): I appreciate the opportunity and time today to rise to put a few words on the record on Bill 27, The Income Tax Amendment Act. Again, this bill that's been brought forward by the minister makes some minor amendments and adjustments, but most notably within this piece of legislation is making the Cultural Industries Printing Tax Credit permanent in Budget 2025.
We know that the printing industry here in Manitoba plays a vital role within Manitoba's cultural sector. The Cultural Industries Printing Tax Credit supports both local cultural groups as well as Manitoba's authors and publishers. Small businesses in Manitoba where the business is printing, assembling or binding books have been able to claim the Cultural Industries Printing Tax Credit in the past. Currently, they can apply for a 35 per cent refundable credit on salary and wages paid to Manitoba employees who are employed within the printer's book printing division.
The former PC government supported the Cultural Industries Printing Tax Credit and reviewed the tax credit regularly throughout their time in office; and in cases where the tax credit was set to expire between 2016 and 2020, the former PC government renewed it in those instances. The annual maximum tax credit that can be claimed is $1.1 million per corporation.
It is in–vitally important to support our small businesses in Manitoba as small businesses are the backbone of our economy, especially right now during the current state of global trade and the current global environment. It continues and is vitally critical to support our small businesses across our communities in Manitoba and across our province as a whole.
So–as our team on this side of the House, we support the Cultural Industries Printing Tax Credit and we support making it permanent.
And with those brief comments, Honourable Speaker, I look forward to passing this bill.
Thank you.
The Speaker: Seeing no further speakers, is the House ready for the question?
Some Honourable Members: Question.
The Speaker: So the question before the House is concurrence and third reading of Bill 27, The Income Tax Amendment Act.
Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed]
The motion is accordingly passed.
The Speaker: Moving on now to Bill 28, The Manitoba Hydro Amendment Act.
Hon. Adrien Sala (Minister responsible for Manitoba Hydro): I move, seconded by the Minister for Housing, Addictions and Homelessness, that Bill 28, The Manitoba Hydro Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Loi sur l'Hydro-Manitoba, reported from the Standing Committee on Legislative Affairs, be concurred in and be now read for a third time and passed.
Motion presented.
MLA Sala: I'm very pleased to rise for the third reading of Bill 28, The Manitoba Hydro Amendment Act. This is a key piece of legislation that helps to implement our affordable energy plan, which we released late last year and is critical to building Manitoba's energy future.
It's been said many times that Manitoba Hydro is our crown jewel, and it's true. Our green baseload power has driven our economy and helped build our province. However, one of the biggest hindrances to building up our province has been the first come, first served basis through which new projects are energized. This approach fails to consider the potential benefits to Manitobans of new projects, whether in terms of job creation or economic diversification or provincial revenue generation.
Honourable Speaker, the amendments to this legislation will end this ineffective approach. The regulation-making authority in this bill enables flexibility and the timely allocation of energy in alignment with the province's economic, environmental and social priorities.
Honourable Speaker, late last year our government released our energy plan, and it's a blueprint for our energy future. That plan included a commitment to end the first come, first serve approach currently in place. That plan also speaks to our commitment to geothermal energy, to rebuilding and refurbishing Hydro's infrastructure, to strengthening energy codes for homes and buildings, to developing EV charging stations and to create faster hookups when new homes are built.
The affordable energy plan also included a historic commitment to create 600 megawatts of Indigenous-owned wind generation. As members of this House know well, the previous government did not build a single megawatt of new energy when they were in office.
Honourable Speaker, I'm very pleased that our government has brought forward a powerful vision for our energy future and I'm very pleased to present this bill for the House's consideration as we move forward to implement our vision.
Mrs. Lauren Stone (Midland): Honourable Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to rise today to put a few words on the record on Bill 28, The Manitoba Hydro Amendment Act. First and foremost, I want to put on the record that Manitoba Hydro should be prioritizing grid connections to help grow our economy. Their mandate is to deliver safe, reliable services at a fair price to customers.
I am, however, Honourable Speaker, very skeptical of this NDP government bringing forth legislation to decide who gets electricity and when, so I remain skeptical and concerned when this minister brings forward a bill that makes significant changes to give himself and his Cabinet colleagues sweeping powers on who gets hydro capacity and who does not. This means that major projects that could bring billions of dollars to the provincial economy could be pushed off the list if they do not ideologically align with this minister's ideological whim of the day.
So although the intent of the legislation could be to advance economic development, which I do fully support the principle of, the legislation, as it is currently written, gives the minister and his Cabinet those sweeping powers that can be easily exploited by political will, political ideology and favouritism to how–whoever has direct access to this minister.
If this minister really did, and this government really did want to prioritize economic development projects, they would have left that ability within Manitoba Hydro as an independent corporation and not given himself and his Cabinet the sweeping powers to decide who gets a grid connection and who doesn't.
So with those comments, Honourable Speaker, I do want to speak to the importance of economic development and some of the challenges that do currently exist within the existing system, as Manitoba does currently operate on a first come, first serve basis. This does mean that major economic development projects could be delayed if they are not first in the queue.
But timely hookups are critical to businesses investing, sometimes very significant dollars–hundreds of millions of dollars–in the province through either greenfields or expansions. So businesses do need certainty that they will be connected to a grid if they are looking to invest major amounts of dollars here in Manitoba. And Manitoba's GDP should not be delayed as a result of government bureaucracy.
However, this issue goes beyond Hydro's current directive of a first come, first serve. The reality is, Manitoba Hydro is short on energy capacity; we heard this from the former CEO, Jay Grewal. We hear a lack of timely connections being a key issue within Manitoba as it relates to residential developments, as it relates to small businesses and it relates to industrial power users that are looking to either expand their facilities and their industrial operations into the grid.
However, that goes beyond the first come, first service model that currently exists within Manitoba that actually lends itself to deeper, deeper challenges within the system that Manitoba Hydro currently has, beyond first come, first serve. It leads to bureaucratic challenges that we are not getting the timely hookups that Manitoba and Manitoba businesses do need.
So, as you can see, Honourable Speaker, the issues with connections to the grid go much deeper than that first come, first serve system that Manitoba Hydro currently operates under. And there are many additional concerns with this bill and how this minister is giving himself the power to direct Hydro as to what projects the independent Crown corporation must prioritize, and he is enshrining that into law so that when he does interfere, it does supersede the Manitoba Hydro board.
So, like I said, if this government truly wanted to give Manitoba Hydro the ability to prioritize economic grid–development projects for grid connections, then they would have left that within the Manitoba Hydro corporation, not giving himself and his Cabinet colleagues those sweeping powers.
* (19:10)
So with the way that this piece of legislation is currently written, despite the minister's many, many comments regarding the independence of Hydro, it undermines that independence of Manitoba Hydro.
Now, in addition, there is a key gap within this bill that the minister has brought forward: there's no appeal process. So if a development project doesn't align with this minister's ideological whim of the day, then there's no ability for that project proponent to appeal if they get pushed further down the list, despite whether they're an important economic development project or a major investment coming to Manitoba. There is no mechanism for that appeal.
So, again, this is particularly concerning, as it gives the minister, again, sweeping powers to pick and choose winners and losers with no recourse for those, quote, selected losers, that the minister has decided on.
We have seen this NDP continue to mismanage Manitoba Hydro since they've been elected; 18 months now, and they continue to mismanage Manitoba Hydro's finances. So any sort of legislation and bill that this minister brings forward that gives him the ability to interfere with Manitoba Hydro is of deep concern for us, on our side of the House, and should be a concern for all Manitobans. As I mentioned, the minister is picking and choosing winners and losers as it relates to project proponents for our timely grid connections, and that should also be of significant concern for Manitobans.
They seem to be making major policy whims–policy decisions as it relates to Manitoba Hydro on a whim. So, again, giving the minister and Cabinet sweeping powers over Manitoba Hydro should, again, be a significant concern for Manitobans.
This minister and this NDP government do not seem to have a grasp on Manitoba Hydro's needs. We've seen a lot of flip-flops between this minister and this Premier (Mr. Kinew). The Premier says one thing one day and says something else another day. First, the Premier said that we didn't need additional capacity and then fired former CEO Jay Grewal for indicating that was as such. The Premier then said that he wanted to export more Manitoba Hydro energy to the US, and then he turned around and cancelled those contracts without any ability to make up that lost revenue in the meantime, while then announcing a project that had no cost implications or cost structure attached to it.
So, as you can see, Honourable Speaker, whenever this NDP government starts talking Manitoba Hydro, they say one thing and do another thing, contradict themselves a month later. So any bill that this NDP government brings forward as it relates to Manitoba Hydro, our PC team is going to be skeptical over.
In addition, we'll continue to be concerned and skeptical when this minister is giving himself and his Cabinet colleagues sweeping powers, interfering and bypassing Manitoba Hydro as it relates to picking winners and losers as who they plan to prioritize for a great connection into the Manitoba Hydro grid, for project proponents, based on their ideological–ideology and their ideological whim for the day.
So with that being said, Honourable Speaker, I will conclude my remarks on this bill.
Thank you very much.
The Speaker: Is the House ready for the question?
Some Honourable Members: Question.
The Speaker: The question before the House is concurrence and third reading of Bill 28, The Manitoba Hydro Amendment Act.
Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?
Some Honourable Members: Agreed.
Some Honourable Members: No.
The Speaker: I hear a no.
Voice Vote
The Speaker: All those in the House in favour of the motion, please say aye.
Some Honourable Members: Aye.
The Speaker: All those opposed, please say nay.
Some Honourable Members: Nay.
The Speaker: In my opinion, the Ayes have it.
Recorded Vote
Mr. Derek Johnson (Official Opposition House Leader): A recorded vote, please, Honourable Speaker.
The Speaker: A recorded vote has been called. Please call in the members.
* (20:10)
The time for the ringing of the division bells has come to an end. I would ask that they be shut off now, please.
So the question before the House is third reading and concurrence of Bill 28, The Manitoba Hydro Amendment Act.
Division
A RECORDED VOTE was taken, the result being as follows:
Ayes
Asagwara, Blashko, Brar, Bushie, Chen, Compton, Corbett, Cross, Dela Cruz, Devgan, Fontaine, Kennedy, Kostyshyn, Lathlin, Loiselle, Maloway, Marcelino, Moroz, Moses, Moyes, Naylor, Oxenham, Pankratz, Redhead, Sala, Sandhu, Schmidt, Schott, Simard, Smith, Wasyliw, Wiebe.
Nays
Balcaen, Byram, Cook, Ewasko, Goertzen, Guenter, Hiebert, Johnson, Khan, King, Lagassé, Lamoureux, Narth, Nesbitt, Piwniuk, Schuler, Stone, Wharton, Wowchuk.
Deputy Clerk (Mr. Tim Abbott): Ayes 32, Nays 19.
The Speaker: The motion is accordingly passed.
The Speaker: So now we will move on to Bill 37, the Manitoba financial services authority act and amendments to various acts–various other acts.
Hon. Adrien Sala (Minister of Finance): I move, seconded by the Minister of Health, that Bill 37, The Manitoba Financial Services Authority Act and Amendments to Various Other Acts; Loi sur l'Autorité des services financiers du Manitoba et modifiant diverses autres lois, reported from the Standing Committee on Legislative Affairs, be concurred in and be now read for a third time and passed.
Motion presented.
MLA Sala: I'm very pleased to rise for the third reading of Bill 37, The Manitoba Financial Services Authority Act and Amendments to Various Other Acts.
This bill will modernize financial regulation in Manitoba by making the Manitoba Financial Services Agency a board-governed, statutory corporation that operates at arm's length from government. This change will strengthen public trust by ensuring regulatory decisions are fully made at arm's length and will bring Manitoba in line with national standards with fairness, transparency, accountability and financial oversight.
* (20:20)
Honourable Speaker, Manitobans are navigating a financial landscape that is more complex and fraught with uncertainty than ever before. Manitobans now have more options than ever when it comes to financial services: banks, brokers, mutual fund dealers and a growing number of online fintech companies. These providers offer a wide range of products, some of which carry significant risk, and sadly, some offers are outright scams that leave hard-working and trusting Manitobans vulnerable to fraud.
So we're stepping up to modernize this legislation, protect Manitobans and effectively bring Manitoba into the 21st century, something that the previous government failed to do. Honourable Speaker, the amendments to this legislation will bring Manitoba in line with other provinces who'd taken the steps we are proposing today many years ago. As the world evolves, we have a responsibility to the good people of Manitoba to make sure that our province evolves with it.
And with that, Honourable Speaker, I'm very pleased to present this bill for the House's consideration.
Mrs. Lauren Stone (Midland): Thank you, Honourable Speaker–
Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh.
The Speaker: Order, please. Order, please.
I would remind some long-standing members of this Assembly that–not to pound on the desk because it's very hard on our people at work for Hansard.
Mrs. Stone: I appreciate the opportunity to rise to put a few words on the record as it relates to Bill 37, The Financial Services Act.
First and foremost, I do want to say that there has been a significant amount of consolidation within the financial services sector over the past number of years. So what this bill does is it does establish a new financial authority that replaces the regulatory and adjudicative functions that is currently carried out by the Manitoba Securities Commission.
This bill sets to expand the authority's oversight over The Insurance Act, and Credit Unions and Caisses Populaires Act, in addition to the existing oversight of The Securities Act, Real Estate Services Act, Mortgage Brokers Act and Commodity Futures Act.
In a nutshell, this extensive bill serves as a consolidation bill of the regulated financial services sector. Under the 'precee'–previous PC government, some consolidation was done of various financial regulators within the province to bring them under a single roof within the Manitoba Securities Commission to create some synergies and harmonization in addition to the sharing of resources in areas of financial, pension and securities' regulations.
So Bill 37 that has been brought forward by this minister seems to follow the next logical step in terms of consolidation with the implementation of this act. The minister does need to better explain how this act will better protect Manitobans. He has been very unclear to date on how this act will better protect the public from fraud, scams and financial irregularities. So it remains to be seen who the minister has actually consulted with on this piece–this expense–extensive piece of legislation.
However, as I mentioned, over the past number of years, a significant amount of work has gone on within the financial services sector in terms of regulation, both across the country, as well as here within the province of Manitoba.
So with that said, Honourable Speaker, there are still some unanswered questions as it relates to this piece of legislation. There continues to be some unanswered questions as it relates to this piece of legislation as we are in third reading of this debate. However, as I mentioned, it is important to consolidate within the financial services sector. It's important to create some standardization, some harmonization across the sectors and the services that do make up the financial services industry and sector.
And so, with that said, our–on our side of the House, we do support consolidation, we support harmonization and we look forward to passing the bill with what this minister has brought forward.
So thank you very much, Honourable Speaker.
The Speaker: Seeing no further speakers, is the House ready for the question?
Some Honourable Members: Question.
The Speaker: The question before the House is concurrence and third reading of Bill 37, The Manitoba Financial Services Authority Act and Amendments to Various Other Acts.
Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed]
The motion is accordingly passed.
The Speaker: We'll now move on to Bill 22, The Environment Amendment and Waste Reduction and Prevention Amendment Act.
Hon. Mike Moyes (Minister of Environment and Climate Change): I move, seconded by the honourable Minister of Public Service Delivery (MLA Sandhu), that Bill 22, The Environment Amendment and Waste Reduction and Prevention Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Loi sur l'environnement et la Loi sur la réduction du volume et de la production des déchets, reported from the Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development, be concurred in and be now read for a third time and passed.
Motion presented.
MLA Moyes: It's my pleasure to stand for the third reading of Bill 22, that amends our environmental legislation to protect Manitobans and our environment.
The Environment Act and The Waste Reduction and Prevention Act are the backbone of environmental protection in our province. They have helped us preserve the natural beauty of Manitoba, safeguard public health and maintain our high quality of life. However, these statutes have not been substantively updated since their inception.
Bill 22 changes that by introducing measures that will enhance reporting and transparency so that Manitobans are informed when environmental incidents occur; strengthen enforcement capabilities so that those who violate environmental laws face real consequences; hold polluters accountable and deter would-be polluters; modernize the manner in which environmental assessment proposals and abatement hearings are communicated to the public to increase engagement; stream–and it will also streamline landfill levy payments to reduce administrative burdens for landfill owners and to improve government's efficiency.
Honourable Speaker, this bill shows that this government takes its responsibility to protect the environment and hold polluters accountable seriously. When an environmental incident occurs, Manitobans have a right to know how it affects them and their communities. Manitoba's current system for notifying the public of environmental incidents is inadequate.
Bill 22 introduces measures that will modernize public reporting. Through this bill, when a release or imminent release occurs, proponents will be required to proactively notify government and local authorities. This will include notifying Indigenous communities and municipalities so they understand what potential impacts may occur to those living in their community and make informed decisions.
Bill 22 will also strengthen our enforcement capabilities within our legislation. This will ensure that Manitoba can hold polluters accountable when they violate environmental law.
Bill 22 modernizes how notices of environmental assessment received by the government and abatement project proposals reviewed by the Clean Environment Commission are communicated to the public so that they can participate in these important processes. Amending our legislation to allow for these hearings to be communicated through modern means such as social media will promote increased public engagement.
Lastly, Bill 22 will reduce the administrative burden associated with the waste reduction and recycling support levy. Right now, over 100 landfill operators pay disposal levies to government on nearly 150 landfills across Manitoba. Reporting and remitting the levies is an administrative burden on both municipalities and government. This bill streamlines the process by changing the levy collection from two semi-annual payments to one annual payment.
Honourable Speaker, this bill aligns with the broader environmental commitments we made in the Throne Speech that emphasized protecting Manitoba's environment and public health.
As such, I'm pleased to present Bill 22 for third reading, and I'm seeking all-party support for this important bill.
Thank you. Merci. Miigwech.
Mr. Greg Nesbitt (Riding Mountain): Honourable Speaker, our environment is too important to be treated carelessly. The health of our rivers, lakes and communities depends on strong action and leadership. Manitobans deserve a government that focuses on prevention over penalties, one that invests in infrastructure to stop disasters before they happen.
Two major sewage spills into the Red River occurred in November 2023 and February 2024. However, the NDP, who usually when in government put forward a whole host of environmental legislation, obviously weren't in a rush to introduce a bill that would strengthen environmental law and enforcement here in Manitoba. In fact, Honourable Speaker, it has taken the government 18 months to get an environmental bill to third reading here tonight.
* (20:30)
The purpose of Bill 22 is to improve public notification, strengthen enforcement and streamline administrative procedures. However, regulations, which will be written after the bill receives royal assent, will define what types of releases must be reported. We will be watching closely to see the details contained in the regulations.
Our PC Party supports protecting our environment and we will be supporting this legislation.
Thank you, Honourable Speaker.
The Speaker: Seeing no further speakers, is the House ready for the question?
Some Honourable Members: Question.
The Speaker: The question before the House is concurrence and third reading of Bill 22, The Environment Amendment and Waste Reduction and Prevention Amendment Act.
Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed]
The motion is accordingly passed.
The Speaker: We will now move on to Bill 11, The Oil and Gas Amendment Act.
Hon. Jamie Moses (Minister of Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation): I move, seconded by the Minister of Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism (MLA Kennedy), that Bill 11, The Oil and Gas Amendment Act, reported from the Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development and subsequently amended, be concurred in and now read for a third time and passed.
Motion presented.
Mr. Moses: So Bill 11, The Oil and Gas Amendment Act, the purpose of this bill is to ensure that we have a secure and stable, reliable supply of fuel products into Manitoba.
So, right now, there is no requirement for pipeline licensees to notify government in case of a shutdown. And so this bill, Bill 11, ensures that pipeline operators in Manitoba who are bringing in oil and gas products into our province for Manitobans to use, have now or will require to notify the government in case of shutdown.
These are situations where first, if a pipeline operator finds an anomaly that could impact the safe operation of a pipeline, that pipeline needs to be shutdown immediately. Then the operator must provide the notification to the minister within 24 hours of a shutdown.
Second, if the pipeline operator plans to shut down or finds an anomaly that could result in a shutdown in a–at a later date or happen soon, then that shutdown would interrupt the supply of refined oil products into the province of Manitoba that would need to proceed with approval of the minister.
And so the third is if a pipeline anomaly is found that doesn't impact the safe and reliable supply of oil products into Manitoba, then there is no change there if it doesn't interrupt that supply.
We worked with industry in consultation to form this bill and we heard their feedback as well, and we made amendments during–following the committee stage to make sure that this bill is going to not only ensure the safe and reliable supply of oil products but also meets the needs of current industry, who are oil producers in the province.
And so we put forward this bill for third reading and I look forward to all members of the House supporting this.
Thank you.
Mr. Ron Schuler (Springfield-Ritchot): Bill 11, in its previous form, went to committee, and it was very interesting to hear individuals from the industry come forward and give presentations. It's a bit of a warning to all ministers, so many of them who are new, that it's very important to reach out directly and it's unadvisable to assume that everything they had to say before the legislation was tabled had been said. So they came forward and they had some very serious concerns.
After committee, the member for Riding Mountain (Mr. Nesbitt) came forward with some amendments to the bill, and I'd like to thank him personally for the work and effort that he put into this. He does represent an area in that quadrant of the province where there is a lot of oil development and oil drilling, and it is important for Manitoba; it brings in very good revenues.
So the member for Riding Mountain brought forward some very important amendments. Those amendments basically were adopted by the government and they were passed to make this bill amenable and it basically spoke to the concerns that industry had raised at committee.
So I'd like to thank the member again, from Riding Mountain, for the work he did on this, and the minister for having looked at those amendments and having accepted them, and they were passed, and we would like to see this bill move on, seeing as the industry, at this point in time, has now indicated that they find this bill acceptable.
The Speaker: Seeing no further speakers, is the House ready for the question?
Some Honourable Members: Question.
The Speaker: Question before the House is concurrence and third reading of Bill 11, The Oil and Gas Amendment Act.
Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed]
The motion is accordingly passed.
The Speaker: We will now move on to Bill 21, Protecting Youth in Sports Act.
Hon. Nellie Kennedy (Minister of Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism): I move, seconded by the honourable Minister of Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation (Mr. Moses), that Bill 21, The Protecting Youth in Sports Act; Loi sur la protection des jeunes sportifs, reported from the Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development, be concurred in and be now read for a third time and passed.
Motion presented.
MLA Kennedy: I am pleased to once again speak in the House about Bill 21, The Protecting Youth in Sports Act. We all know how important it is to keep kids safe and our government is committed to supporting a culture for safety for youth across Manitoba's amateur sport system.
This bill supports a safer sports environment for athletes by requiring sports organizations to adopt universal safe sport policies and training. Additionally, all coaches will need to complete courses on how to create a safe and positive environment for young athletes.
This bill is the result of significant collaboration with Sport Manitoba and stakeholders in the sector. Sport Manitoba will continue to be instrumental in leading safe sport environments for the benefit of all young athletes, coaches, parents and other sport participants once this bill is passed.
This framework is being built to address and ultimately prevent maltreatment in sport. Our government is committed to supporting a safe and equitable sport system where every child knows they have the right to play. This bill also supports a broader approach across government to increase safety for kids in school and their communities.
With this I ask that my colleagues on all sides of the House support this bill to 'strengshen'–strengthen the safety of youth in sport.
Thank you, Honourable Speaker.
MLA Bob Lagassé (Dawson Trail): I'd like to just put a few words on the record regarding Bill 21. This is an incredibly important bill and our side completely supports it. Just have a few concerns still as stated in the last debate about the amendment that was not passed.
I genuinely believe this amendment would have actually strengthened the bill and put more security in place for youth that are playing in sports and in the case of any allegations that would come up it would add another layer of protection. With that said, I am also very thankful that the leader of our party had the foresight to start this with Sport Manitoba and I'm thankful that he got this moving.
With those few words I would like to see this vote move on.
Thank you.
The Speaker: Seeing no further speakers, is the House ready for the question?
* (20:40)
Some Honourable Members: Question.
The Speaker: So the question before the House is concurrence and third reading of Bill 21, The Protecting Youth in Sports Act.
Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed]
The motion is accordingly passed.
The Speaker: We'll now move on to Bill 10, The Residential Tenancies Amendment Act (2).
Hon. Mintu Sandhu (Minister of Public Service Delivery): I move, seconded by the honourable Minister for Environment and Climate Change, that Bill 10, The Residential Tenancies Amendment Act (2), reported from the Standing Committee on Legislative Affairs, be concurred in and be now read for the third time and passed.
Motion presented.
MLA Sandhu: I'm very pleased to rise today for the third reading of Bill 10, The Residential Tenancies Amendment Act. The recent events in Winnipeg have seen tenants forced to leave their rental building due to safety orders beyond their control.
Currently, The Residential Tenancies Act offers limited protection in such cases, only requiring landlords to return prorated rent and deposits.
Our government is committed to making life more affordable for renters by strengthening protection with new laws. This will attend–amend the act to requiring landlords to compensate displaced tenants for moving costs and monthly rent up to an amount prescribed in the regulations. The Residential Tenancies Branch will have the authority to provide emergency funds to tenants and recover from–costs from the landlords. Landlords must now prove they took all reasonable steps to prevent the condition that led to the order.
This bill represents the first step in our government's commitment and my mandate to review The Residential Tenancies Act to strengthen renters' rights and protect affordable housing in the province.
Thank you, Honourable Speaker.
Mr. Josh Guenter (Borderland): I rise just briefly to register a few concerns with Bill 10, The Residential Tenancies Amendment Act. Of course, it's important to strike a balance between landlords and tenants to ensure that the interests of landlords are balanced, they're protected, but also that tenants, those who rent and are often, you know, among the most vulnerable Manitobans, that they also–their interests are also protected and that they have a place to stay that is affordable and that is also safe and up to code.
However, the bill will send a chill through the rental investment sector because of the additional financial burden that's placed on building owners. Of course, fewer rental units being constructed because of these additional financial obligations means that there will be–fewer units means less competition, and less competition ultimately drives up rental prices.
So when we're trying to strike that balance between landlords and renters, you know, we have a couple of concerns, and they have been echoed by a written submission by the Professional Property Managers Association who registered several concerns, among them a disproportionate burden on landlords. The bill imposes financial and legal penalties on landlords without assurance that it appropriately assesses fault or recognizes real world challenges in property management. Not all vacate orders result from negligence, and delays resolving issues can stem from slow municipal inspections or permitting processes, supply chain disruptions and contractor shortages during peak seasons. Even proactive landlords may be penalized unless they meet an undefined and subjective reasonable steps standard.
And then they also register a concern around the reduction in housing availability. Instead of encouraging safe and affordable housing, Bill 10 risks removing rental stock from the market. Properties with vacate orders will become difficult or impossible to sell, and investors will be reluctant to take on assets with hidden legal liabilities. The result is reduced housing availability and increased pressure on rental prices.
And then they also register a concern around macroeconomic impact. Basic economics shows that reducing supply drives up prices. The bill discourages investment, complicates operations and limits landlords' ability to reinvest in housing, thereby making rental housing more expensive, not more affordable.
And they go on to register a few more concerns, and I raise them here because I know that not all members of this House take the time to read the written submissions at committee. However, I think the Professional Property Managers Association submitted a very worthwhile examination of Bill 10. And so I register those concerns, I certainly share those concerns and, again, urge the government to find that right balance between protecting the interests of landlords as well as the interests of tenants.
So with that, I yield my time.
The Speaker: Seeing no further speakers, is the House ready for the question?
Some Honourable Members: Question.
The Speaker: Question before the House is concurrence and third reading of Bill 10, The Residential Tenancies Amendment Act (2).
Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed]
The motion is accordingly passed.
Recorded Vote
Hon. Nahanni Fontaine (Government House Leader): Honourable Speaker, a recorded vote, please.
The Speaker: A recorded vote has been called.
Please call in the members.
* (21:40)
The one hour provided for the ringing of the division bells has expired. I am therefore directing that the bells be turned off and the House proceed to the vote.
The question before the House is concurrence and third reading of Bill 10, The Residential Tenancies Amendment Act (2).
Division
A RECORDED VOTE was taken, the result being as follows:
Ayes
Asagwara, Balcaen, Blashko, Brar, Bushie, Byram, Chen, Compton, Cook, Corbett, Cross, Dela Cruz, Devgan, Ewasko, Fontaine, Goertzen, Guenter, Hiebert, Johnson, Kennedy, Khan, Kinew, King, Kostyshyn, Lagassé, Lamoureux, Lathlin, Loiselle, Maloway, Marcelino, Moroz, Moses, Moyes, Narth, Naylor, Nesbitt, Oxenham, Pankratz, Piwniuk, Redhead, Sala, Sandhu, Schmidt, Schott, Schuler, Simard, Smith, Stone, Wasyliw, Wharton, Wiebe, Wowchuk.
* (21:50)
Deputy Clerk (Mr. Tim Abbott): Ayes 52, Nays 0.
The Speaker: The motion is accordingly passed.
The Speaker: The next bill we'll be discussing is Bill 25, The Public-Private Partnerships Transparency and Accountability Act.
Hon. Mintu Sandhu (Minister of Public Service Delivery): I move, seconded by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change (MLA Moyes), that Bill 25, The Public-Private Partnerships Transparency and Accountability Act, as amended and reported from the Standing Committee on Legislative Affairs, be concurred in and be now read for the third time and passed.
Motion presented.
MLA Sandhu: I'm very pleased to rise today for the third reading of Bill 25, The Public-Private Partnerships Transparency and Accountability Act.
This will introduce a progressive approach to transparency and accountability oversight of P3 agreements. Honourable Speaker, this bill will also enhance transparency and accountability processes when a public sector entity uses a public-private partnership procurement model for a major capital project.
This bill will ensure that the benefits are evaluated and made public to keep the government accountable. Our government respects local governments and their decision making. Honourable Speaker, the cities and the municipalities are exempt from this legislation unless the government–Manitoba government provides $20 million or more in the funding toward a project which is being procured using P3 models.
Manitoba hope–Manitobans hope for that a major capital project will be delivered on time, on budget. By introducing this bill, my department is committing to meeting this mandate. Our government is committed to ensuring that public sector assets are always owned by the people of Manitoba.
I'm proud that this bill will improve transparency in government procurement and I look forward to it receiving the unanimous support of this Assembly.
Thank you, Honourable Speaker.
Mr. Josh Guenter (Borderland): Appreciate the opportunity to put a few words on the record. And, of course, it is 5 to 10, so I think we're all feeling a little looser.
But I just want to say I think it's important that we protect the interests of taxpayers and so–[interjection]
Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to put just a few words on the record.
It's important to protect the interests of Manitoba taxpayers, and so I think–and I thank the minister and his staff for their work on this legislation.
We have a few concerns that the bill basically bubble-wraps P3 projects in regulation and ensures that they won't get off the ground, and so that's a concern. The unnecessary red tape will make public projects slower and more costly. The bill is somewhat restrictive, we feel, and will essentially make it impossible for P3 projects to exist, as I said. So those are our concerns, among others.
And, with that, I yield my time.
Thank you, Speaker.
The Speaker: Is the House ready for the question?
Some Honourable Members: Question.
The Speaker: So the question before the House is concurrence and third reading of Bill 25, The Public-Private Partnerships Transparency and Accountability Act.
Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed]
The motion is accordingly passed.
The Speaker: We will now move on to Bill 26, The Vital Statistics Amendment Act.
Hon. Mintu Sandhu (Minister of Public Service Delivery): I move, seconded by the honourable Minister for Transportation and Infrastructure, that Bill 26, The Vital Statistics Amendment Act, reported from the Standing Committee on Legislative Affairs, be concurred in and now read for a third time and passed.
Motion presented.
MLA Sandhu: I'm very pleased to rise today to speak to the third reading of Bill 26, The Vital Statistics Amendment Act.
This bill makes important changes to how Manitobans can amend their sex designation on official documents. Notably, it removes the requirement for a supporting letter from the health-care professional for applicants age 18 years and older. With these amendments, Manitoba will now align with other provinces that no longer require a supporting letter from a health-care professional under their respective legislation.
The amendment also updates the act with gender-neutral language, reflecting our government's commitment to inclusion and respect for all identities. This bill represents the government's commitment to support the rights of the gender-diverse person and to advocate for the right of self-expression and identification for all Manitobans.
I am proud of this bill that advances equity, inclusion and respect for personal identity. I urge everyone in the Chamber to support this bill.
Thank you, Honourable Speaker.
The Speaker: There are no other members wishing to speak to the bill?
Then the question before the House is concurrence and third reading of Bill 26, The Vital Statistics Amendment Act.
Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed]
The motion is accordingly passed.
The Speaker: Now move on to Bill 5, The Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Impaired Driving Measures).
Hon. Matt Wiebe (Minister of Justice and Attorney General): I move, seconded by the Minister for Transportation and Infrastructure, that Bill 5, The Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Impaired Driving Measures), as amended and reported from the Standing Committee on Justice, be concurred in and now read for a third time and passed.
Motion presented.
* (22:00)
Mr. Wiebe: I'm pleased to rise today to put some words on the record in support of the legislation that will make our roads safer.
Since assuming the role of Minister of Justice, I've been clear: we will work with victims, we will work with communities and we will work with law enforcement to strengthen our province's approach to impaired driving. Honourable Speaker, that is exactly what we have been doing.
Last year, we passed legislation closing a loophole that would've allowed impaired drivers to delay installation of ignition interlock devices. We've partnered with law enforcement and MPI to expand the enforcement of impaired driving laws.
And this year, working side by side with MADD Canada, who fully supports this bill, we are debating legislation that will ensure Manitoba has some of the strongest penalties in the country for impaired driving offences causing death or bodily harm. We know that action is needed because too many people continue to make dangerous and irresponsible decisions to get behind the wheel when drunk or high.
Mr.–Honourable Speaker, 10 per cent of fatal collisions in Manitoba in 2023 included impaired driving as a contributing factor. According to MPI, 15 people died and 118 people were injured in 2024 by impaired driving. Fifteen people did not come home to their families last year due to the consequences of impaired driving; 115 people were injured and some of those injuries were, no doubt, life-changing.
When we look at the previous five years, these numbers look even more startling: 91 deaths and 350 injuries. That's 91 families shattered, 91 futures that were stolen and 91 communities grieving the devastating consequences of preventable choices.
It's unacceptable, Honourable Speaker. Impaired driving shatters families and it ends lives. It's not simply a bad decision; it's a reckless act that endangers everyone.
Despite our existing laws, despite public education and awareness that has been done in recent years, some drivers continue to take risks, disregarding both the law and the safety of others.
This bill will make amendments to The Highway Traffic Act to impose new and stricter licensing consequences on drivers convicted of an impaired operation-related offence or a refusal offence that causes or results in bodily harm or death.
This bill sends a clear message: impaired driving causing death or injury will not be tolerated. We are imposing a new zero per cent BAC restriction on–for seven years after a first conviction for this type of offence. A second conviction now results in a lifetime licence suspension and a separate lifetime zero per cent BAC prohibition.
The bill will also introduce sanctions for breaching the zero per cent alcohol prohibition, which will mirror the current immediate roadside prohibition regime sanctions imposed upon drivers that blow a WARN on an approved screening device. This includes the following: licence suspension starting at three days for the first breach, and escalating for each subsequent breach–15, 30 and 60 days; vehicle impoundment for three days after the first breach, and then increasing for each subsequent breach to seven days and then 30 days; referral to Addictions Foundation of Manitoba for a driver assessment following a second breach within a 10-year period; and an ignition interlock imposed following a third breach.
We are showing that there are real consequences and serious consequences in Manitoba for choosing to drink and drive.
I was so proud to introduce this bill, Honourable Speaker, alongside Tanya Hansen Pratt, who is the national president of MADD Canada. Tanya has done unbelievably incredible work to advocate for victims of impaired driving and to champion new initiatives and legislation that will make a real difference in people's lives.
I want to read into the record one more time for–some words that she shared about Bill 5 on the day that it was introduced. She said, quote: MADD Canada congratulates the Manitoba government for the steps being taken to prevent impaired driving. Despite the progress that has been made, hundreds of people are killed and thousands more are injured every year in alcohol- and drug-related crashes. It is important that those who cause the most harm are held accountable and given sanctions to prevent them from driving impaired again, including lengthy driving bans and zero tolerance.
Alongside MADD, Honourable Speaker, we also introduced this bill with strong support from law enforcement. Inspector Michael Gagliardi, the chair of the Manitoba Association of Chiefs of Police in the traffic safety committee, said the following regarding Bill 5: The MACP is committed to enforcing the law when it comes to impaired drivers. We are hopeful that these new amendments will be a useful deterrent for those who choose to get behind the wheel when impaired.
Each year, we pull over thousands of vehicles. And, unfortunately, we do see repeat offenders. Increasing the driver's licence prohibition is sending a very strong message to all Manitobans. We hope, for the safety of everyone, that these new amendments save lives. End quote, Honourable Speaker.
It couldn't be any more clear than that. Mothers Against Drunk Driving and law enforcement in this province support this bill. They see the value in it and they see the value that it will bring when it comes to strengthening our deterrents of impaired driving.
I hope that all members reflect on their words and take them to heart as they see the value in them as well. Impaired driving continues to be a scourge on our society and poses an extremely serious road safety concern. The consequences are tragic for the victims, for the families and, as we know, also for entire communities.
That's exactly why we brought this legislation forward, but we're not stopping there, Honourable Speaker. I'm committed to bringing forward new measures, including legislation every year to continually reinforce our approach to tackling impaired driving.
Under previous NDP governments, we were recognized as a leader in Canada when it came to this issue. But, subsequently, we have fallen behind. But we're going to continue to work to be leaders once again, shoulder to shoulder with MADD, with police, with MPI and with communities who have suffered at the hands of impaired drivers.
Driving is a privilege in Manitoba, Honourable Speaker. When a driver ignores basic safety rules and kills or seriously injures another person because they choose to drive impaired, they have demonstrated that they cannot responsibly consume alcohol and drive. So let's pass this bill. Let's take impaired drivers off the road, because we all use the roads in this province and–in some way, either as drivers, as pedestrians, as cyclists–and, of course, we all benefit when Manitoba's roads are safer.
So this shouldn't be a partisan issue; this should be one we can all come together on. It should unite us all to make our roads safer and to hold those who selfishly choose to drink and–or, drink or get high and drive accountable. I urge all members to join with us in supporting this bill.
Thank you, Honourable Speaker.
Mr. Wayne Balcaen (Brandon West): Gives me great pride to stand up and talk to Bill 5 in the House today and talk about our concerns from this side of the House. I think it's important to recognize that this bill does not bring Manitoba into one of the strongest legislations in the country, as the minister just put on the record. Matter of fact, we're far from it.
There was an opportunity in this House and an opportunity within all of us as legislatures to bring some meaningful legislation forward on impaired driving and to make sure that we were tough on impaired drivers, make sure that we actually held impaired drivers to a higher count. This very Justice Minister said he wanted to extend the olive branch out to me and make sure that this was a non-partisan issue.
I guess the olive branch only extends so far, Honourable Speaker, because when amendments were brought forward–amendments that would make this the toughest laws in the country, that would have real and genuine impact on impaired drivers but also on the victims of impaired driving, the family of those victims and the communities that those victims come from–the answer was simply no.
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We brought forward these amendments. They would have been amendments that made us the very top of the provinces when it came to this. But, again, the partisan sword came out and I got stabbed in the back, so to speak.
As a result, Honourable Speaker, it left numerous people that presented at committee very disillusioned about the ramifications of this bill.
The minister was asked many times by the Reimer family and by other presenters, including myself, how many times in the past 30 years was an individual charged twice for killing somebody while operating a motor vehicle while impaired. We still haven't received an answer, and I'm sure that answer is zero.
So, yes, Honourable Speaker, this legislation is window dressing when it comes to the impacts on impaired driving for people that cause death or significant grievous bodily harm to individuals.
And it's sad, because we had amendments that were brought forward in consultation with victims, with families of victims and people that have lost loved ones–that are actually the experts in this area of grief and of loss and of what penalties should be imposed on people.
And when the minister spoke to this, he said that it was disproportionate to have somebody lose their licence to give up a life for another person, and that struck chords with the individuals who've lost loved ones, who have lost family members because of impaired driving.
Statistics showed this year that 785 per cent increase in drug-impaired driving since last year under this minister's watch. That should be the catalyst to bring forward some serious and effective legislation that will combat impaired driving, and not just bring stuff forward that will get press and that will get photo ops, but something that be impactful and meaningful for the victims.
The Reimer family, unfortunately, twice have been shut down. They won't see justice for Jordyn under our resolution and they certainly won't see justice for Jordyn under this legislation. We think about the Verwey family that suffered the same fate, losing their daughter to an impaired driver.
To me, it's disproportionate not to remove somebody's licence for the rest of their life, because driving in Canada is a privilege. It is not a right.
With that, Honourable Speaker, I'm hoping that in the future, when we bring forward amendments or bring forward legislation, it's impactful and it is–it will move Manitoba forward to become a leader in impaired driving legislation and ensure that we look after the victims that give so much, that have given a life to make sure that legislation should be brought forward that is impactful and meaningful and has clear denunciation.
Thank you, Honourable Speaker.
The Speaker: If there are no further speakers, is the House ready for the question?
Some Honourable Members: Question.
The Speaker: So the question before the House is concurrence and third reading of Bill 5, The Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Impaired Driving Measures).
Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed]
Recorded Vote
Mr. Derek Johnson (Official Opposition House Leader): Recorded vote, please.
The Speaker: A recorded vote has been called for.
Call in the members.
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Order, please.
The one hour provided for the ringing of the division bells has expired. I'm directing that the bells be turned off and the House proceed to the vote.
The question before the House is concurrence and third reading of Bill 5, The Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Impaired Driving Measures).
Division
A RECORDED VOTE was taken, the result being as follows:
Ayes
Asagwara, Balcaen, Blashko, Brar, Bushie, Byram, Chen, Compton, Cook, Corbett, Cross, Dela Cruz, Devgan, Ewasko, Fontaine, Goertzen, Guenter, Hiebert, Johnson, Kennedy, Khan, Kinew, King, Kostyshyn, Lagassé, Lamoureux, Lathlin, Loiselle, Maloway, Marcelino, Moroz, Moses, Moyes, Narth, Naylor, Nesbitt, Oxenham, Pankratz, Piwniuk, Redhead, Sala, Sandhu, Schmidt, Schott, Schuler, Simard, Smith, Stone, Wasyliw, Wharton, Wiebe, Wowchuk.
Clerk (Mr. Rick Yarish): Ayes 52, Nays 0.
The Speaker: I declare the motion passed.
The Speaker: We will now proceed to Bill 9, the liquor, gaming and cannabis control act (2).
Hon. Matt Wiebe (Minister of Justice and Attorney General): I move, seconded by the Minister for Natural Resources and Indigenous Futures–that bill 9–The Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Act, being reported from–sorry, let me try that again–that Bill 9, The Liquor, Gaming And Cannabis Control Amendment Act (2), reported from the Standing Committee on Justice, be concurred in and now read for a third time and passed.
Motion presented.
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Mr. Wiebe: I'm pleased to put a few words on the record at third reading on Bill 9.
Bill 9 is about ensuring that cannabis stays out of the hands of our youth by allowing its sale in urban areas to be limited to only age-restricted retail locations. Numerous studies have suggested that early exposure to cannabis can affect brain development, cognitive function and mental health, and adolescents are particularly vulnerable due to their developing brains.
We need to keep cannabis products out of sight and out of reach of young people, and that's what this bill aims to do. It will help keep youth, employees and business owners safe.
In recent years, Winnipeg has experienced significant growth in the number of licensed cannabis retailers. Winnipeg and other urban areas are now well-served by existing cannabis retail stores. Introducing more locations that are not age restricted invites greater access for young people under the legal age of 19.
The amendment would prohibit controlled access cannabis licences from being issued in the city of Winnipeg and other urban centres. Controlled access stores will continue to be permitted in rural and northern areas, ensuring that Manitobans throughout the province have sufficient access to legal cannabis products and that existing stores will be grandfathered in.
Our government is continuing to ensure sufficient availability of legal cannabis to reduce the illicit market, while responding to industry concerns about the prevalence of cannabis retailers in the city and public concerns about underage access to cannabis.
So, Honourable Speaker, let's pass this bill. Let's keep our young people safe from the risks associated with premature exposure to cannabis products.
Thank you, Honourable Speaker.
Mr. Trevor King (Lakeside): Thank you, Honourable Speaker, and I want to thank you for the opportunity to put a few words on record in regards to the liquor, gaming and cannabis control amendment act and express some concerns that we have with this bill, the legislation, that I as the critic have and our team here, and concerns from our consumers and business people here in Manitoba–quite concerned that this bill could result in less consumer choice, less competition in our marketplace and it could reduce business opportunities for small businesses in Manitoba in a legal regulated market.
Honourable Speaker, this is coming at a critical time for businesses. They're being impacted by US tariffs, inflation, foodflation and a epidemic of retail crime here in our province. This is–businesses need the options to keep afloat nowadays, so we see there's a bit of a threat to that.
The NDP claim that they're doing this to keep businesses close to schools like 7-Elevens and convenience stores from exposing minors to cannabis, but yet it comes at the same time that they're planning lethal drug injection sites in our city's neighbourhoods.
Where businesses locate and what kind of businesses are operating and selling cannabis should be decided locally by municipalities through their own zoning and urban planning bylaws. This legislation will allow the minister and the liquor gaming control act to discriminate against some business owners and pick the winners and losers based on their own biases.
Many convenience stores are owned by newer Canadians that have come to Manitoba to invest in our province, and the NDP are telling them that they will 'discrimin' again–discriminate against their convenience store and restaurant operations, prohibiting them from competing in the cannabis retail business with other business owners and licensees.
Honourable Speaker, this bill seems to be inflexible in that it shuts down any future licences and does not contemplate the future closure of some of the existing licensees and businesses. We feel that reducing the number of legal licences issued for controlled access stores could result in more people going to the unregulated and unsafe black market supply for 'cannis'.
So those are some of the concerns we have, Honourable Speaker. There's many, many more. I could go on later, but I don't think that we need to do that. I think I've stated our position where we are with this particular bill.
So with that, thank you for the opportunity to put some words on the record.
Thank you.
The Speaker: Seeing no further speakers, is the House ready for the question?
Some Honourable Members: Question.
The Speaker: So the question before the House is concurrence and third reading of Bill 9, The Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Amendment Act (2).
Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?
Some Honourable Members: Agreed.
Some Honourable Members: No.
The Speaker: I hear a no.
Voice Vote
The Speaker: All those in the Chamber in favour of the motion, please say aye.
Some Honourable Members: Aye.
The Speaker: All those opposed, please say nay.
Some Honourable Members: Nay.
The Speaker: In my opinion, the Ayes have it.
Recorded Vote
Mr. Derek Johnson (Official Opposition House Leader): Recorded vote, please.
The Speaker: A recorded vote has been called.
Please call in the members.
* (00:20)
Order, please.
The one-hour time limit for the ringing of the division bells has expired. Therefore, I'm asking that the bells be turned off and we proceed to the vote.
The question before the House is concurrence and third reading of Bill 9, The Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Amendment Act (2).
Division
A RECORDED VOTE was taken, the result being as follows:
Ayes
Asagwara, Blashko, Brar, Bushie, Chen, Compton, Corbett, Cross, Dela Cruz, Devgan, Fontaine, Kennedy, Kinew, Kostyshyn, Lamoureux, Lathlin, Loiselle, Maloway, Marcelino, Moroz, Moses, Moyes, Naylor, Oxenham, Pankratz, Redhead, Sala, Sandhu, Schmidt, Schott, Simard, Smith, Wiebe.
Nays
Balcaen, Byram, Cook, Ewasko, Goertzen, Guenter, Hiebert, Johnson, Khan, King, Narth, Nesbitt, Piwniuk, Schuler, Stone, Wharton, Wowchuk.
Clerk (Mr. Rick Yarish): Ayes 33, Nays 17.
The Speaker: The motion is accordingly passed.
* (00:30)
The Speaker: We will now move on to concurrence and third reading of Bill 13, The Minor Amendments and Corrections Act, 2025.
Hon. Matt Wiebe (Minister of Justice and Attorney General): I move, seconded by the honourable Minister of Families (MLA Fontaine), that Bill 13, The Minor Amendments and Corrections Act, 2025, reported from the Standing Committee on Justice, be concurred in and now read for a third time and passed.
Motion presented.
Mr. Wiebe: As all members of this Chamber are likely aware, the minor amendments and corrections act, also known as MACA, is an annual omnibus bill that is used for correcting typographical, numbering and minor drafting and translation errors, and making other minor amendments to statutes. The amendments proposed in MACA will provide additional clarity and consistency across Manitoba's statute book.
Thank you, Honourable Speaker.
The Speaker: If there are no other speakers, is the House ready for the question?
Some Honourable Members: Question.
The Speaker: The question before the House is concurrence and third reading of Bill 13, The Minor Amendments and Corrections Act, 2025.
All those in favour, please say aye–oh, sorry.
Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed]
The motion is accordingly passed.
Mr. Derek Johnson (Official Opposition House Leader): Is there willing–will to call it unanimous?
The Speaker: The will of the House to call it unanimous? [Agreed]
The motion is accordingly passed unanimously.
The Speaker: We will now move on to Bill 32, The Residential Tenancies Amendment Act (Measures to Address Unlawful Activities).
Hon. Matt Wiebe (Minister of Justice and Attorney General): I move, seconded by the Minister responsible for the–Public Service Delivery, that Bill 32, The Residential Tenancies Amendment Act (Measures to Address Unlawful Activities), reported from the Standing Committee on Justice, be concurred in and now read for a third time and passed.
Motion presented.
Mr. Wiebe: I'm pleased to rise today to put a few words on the record in support of this legislation that will make our communities safer. Since our government came to power in 2023, we've heard from Manitobans who are struggling with the effects of serious offences in their rental complexes and in their neighbourhoods.
The previous government's years of cuts and freezes to police funding and turning a blind eye to public safety concerns over the past seven years have left many residents dealing with the effects of drug trafficking, human trafficking and other crimes.
Manitoba's Public Safety Investigations Unit, or the PSIU, exists to investigate those concerns from tenants or community members, but these investigations are sometimes bogged down due to limitations within the current legislation. This bill aims to bolster public safety by removing ambiguities in the law surrounding five-day eviction notices for unlawful activity, including drug and human trafficking, and making residential complexes safer for Manitobans.
The current process requires the director designated under the safer communities and neighbours act to apply to the Court of King's Bench for a public safety order. But the PSIU rarely uses these public safety orders, as they require a lengthy court process and, instead, investigators provide their files to landlords to support a five-day eviction notice for unlawful activity.
When residents who have been served with this five-day notice to vacate do not leave a property, the landlord must apply to the Residential Tenancies Branch, but this activity must pose a–quote–immediate risk to health or to safety.
As such, in certain cases, the RTB hearing officers may agree that drug trafficking is occurring, but that does not pose an immediate risk to health or safety, and then they will deny the order.
In a decision from August '24, the RTB denied an order of possession, despite video surveillance provided by the PSIU, revealing 78 persons entering, 82 exiting and 13 knocking but not entering over a four‑day period at one residence. The trained investigators with the PSIU, mostly police officers, former police officers with drug-related investigations experience, stated that this is strongly suggestive of drug trafficking. But the RTB hearing officer found that it didn't necessarily contribute to an immediate risk to health or safety.
And we've found that this happens much too often.
Honourable Speaker, our government believes that trafficking in drugs or human beings is always a risk to public safety. That's why we're changing the law with Bill 32.
Under Bill 32, amendments will streamline the process for five-day evictions that the–they require posing significant, rather than immediate, risks to health or safety, and that a landlord can provide on balance of probability that these crimes are taking place, they are automatically considered a significant risk to safety and an order of possession can be granted.
The amendments will outline the type of information the RTB may consider, including evidence or information from a PSIU investigator–PSIU investigators who have previously made written reports, but now it will be made clear that they can provide evidence at hearings while still protecting the confidentiality of investigative techniques and identities of informants.
Honourable Speaker, the previous process to remove these criminal elements was just too difficult. The trained investigators at the PSIU often didn't get their say, and lengthy court proceedings bogged down the process.
Everyone deserves to feel safe in their home, Honourable Speaker. Most people are simply trying to live their lives, and the presence of criminal elements in their building or neighbourhood can be a source of constant fear for them, disrupting their lives. Children and young people, especially vulnerable–who are especially vulnerable to this type of presence, increases their risks of witnessing violence, substance abuse and criminal behaviour and the likelihood of youth being influenced or pressured into drug experimentation, which can have devastating effects on their future.
By addressing these problems with tenants swiftly, communities can maintain safety, promoting a more positive living environment where residents can engage with each other without fear or apprehension.
Honourable Speaker, these amendments align with our commitment to get tough on crime and the root causes of crime. They also fulfill a key commitment from our government's public safety strategy to make it easier to evict drug traffickers. So let's pass this bill. Let's help Manitobans feel safer in their homes, protect children from criminal influence and help foster stronger and more vibrant communities.
Thank you, Honourable Speaker.
Mr. Wayne Balcaen (Brandon West): Just to put a few clarifying remarks on the record regarding this bill.
The Residential Tenancies Act really did need some extra teeth, particularly when it comes to people living in a residence and causing harm to those that also reside there.
We've brought this forward many times within our caucus, and I believe the member from Portage la Prairie has spoken quite often about Oak Tree Towers and how they have issues there with tenants that are into drug trafficking and causing problems for the other tenants, that just deserve to be in a safe spot in their own home and that's simply not happening under this NDP government. They're very vulnerable individuals that can watch–these sort of activities will cause conflict for the rest of the building. There's issues within these large complexes where one or two individuals will wreak havoc for the entire place.
* (00:40)
So I agree: toughening up legislation on tenants, especially drug dealers. But one of the questions that we asked and never got an answer for is, why wouldn't we create a repository of chronic offenders so that they won't be back under another different tenancy agreement in another building to cause the same issues once again.
And this is an ongoing problem, because these individuals will jump from one residence to another to another and continue to cause havoc, so without having a repository and having a place where individuals can be marked or placed on this repository, and then landlords can look at them and say, you know what, this is not somebody for my building; that would have been moving this further and making it a reliable piece of legislation.
So with those words on the record, thank you very much.
The Speaker: Seeing no further speakers, is the House ready for the question?
Some Honourable Members: Question.
The Speaker: Question before the House is concurrence and third reading of Bill 32, The Residential Tenancies Amendment Act (Measures to Address Unlawful Activities).
Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed]
The motion is accordingly passed.
The Speaker: We will now move on to Bill 35, The Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation Amendment Act.
Hon. Matt Wiebe (Minister responsible for the Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation): I move, seconded by the Minister for Infrastructure and Transportation, that Bill 35, The Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation Amendment Act, reported from the Standing Committee on Justice, be concurred in and now read for a third time and passed.
Motion presented.
Mr. Wiebe: This bill supports businesses and, specifically, those companies that access basic Autopac as fleet customers, those with 10 or more registered vehicles under basic Autopac with MPI. The amendments in this bill are aimed at streamlining the process of ensuring fleet vehicles–ensuring that blanket policies will be able to be used in the future.
Upfront rebates provided–provide immediate cost relief, helping companies reinvest savings into vehicle maintenance, safety programs and overall fleet efficiency. Instead of waiting for a lengthy reimbursement process, businesses can access funds when they need them, improving cash flow and financial planning.
Honourable Speaker, let's pass this bill and continue to make MPI more efficient and customer-focused.
Thank you, Honourable Speaker.
Mr. Wayne Balcaen (Brandon West): Just a couple words on this bill.
From information that we're hearing from people that have fleets, they're concerned that there's more restrictions on coverage that they're able to get under this bill. Also, the amount of coverage is reduced, causing more red tape for companies to go through and, again, making further issues for these companies.
Thank you.
The Speaker: Seeing no further speakers, 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 35, The Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation Amendment Act.
Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed]
The motion is accordingly passed.
The Speaker: We'll now move on to Bill 36, The Drivers and Vehicles Amendment and Highway Traffic Amendment Act.
Hon. Matt Wiebe (Minister responsible for the Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation): I move, seconded by the minister responsible for Infrastructure and Transportation, that Bill 36, The Drivers and Vehicles Amendment and Highway Traffic Amendment Act, reported from the Standing Committee on Justice, be concurred in and now read for a third time and passed.
Motion presented.
Mr. Wiebe: Pleased to rise to put a few words on the record in support of the legislation that will improve road safety and consumer protection with MPI.
A Manitoba certificate of inspection, commonly known as a safety, issued by–is issued by a certified mechanic, is a document that Manitobans count on to assure them that a used vehicle that they're purchasing has passed a rigorous safety inspection and is suitable for the road.
Unfortunately, safeties presented to MPI have been revealed to be false or misleading or not issued by qualified mechanics, which puts Manitobans at risk on the road.
This bill will build on previous legislation and build–give MPI the authority to issue tickets to other persons who authorize, permit or consent to the insurance issuance of a fraudulent certificate, or one issued by a person who is not a qualified mechanic.
Likewise, MPI has been developing a tool to verify the validity of a driver's licence online after legislation created it in 2022, which it intends to make available to stakeholders, such as car rental companies, trucking companies and the City of Winnipeg once it becomes available later this year.
However, the tool currently lacks the ability to disclose the class or stage of the licence being searched. So this new legislation will add this feature–this to its features, making it much more useful.
As well, this bill–in this bill, sometimes youth under the age of 18 don't have a parent or guardian who is able to provide consent that is required, such as which–when they wish to obtain a driver's licence or register a vehicle in Manitoba. The Drivers and Vehicles Act currently implies both parents are needed to provide approval but this amendment will clarify that only one needs to sign, which will help keep us in line with other provinces.
And, finally, when an individual is convicted of an impaired driving offence or is issued some types of roadside licence suspension by a police officer, they must complete an impaired driver's assessment and possible additional programming through Shared Health. The legislation is not clear, however, about the fact that these people may not become licensed again until they complete this requirement.
So the amendment will clarify which–will clarify that, which will help keep unsafe drivers off the road until they've completed their requirements.
With that, Honourable Speaker, I look for unanimous support of this bill here this evening.
Thank you, Honourable Speaker.
Mr. Wayne Balcaen (Brandon West): Just a few words on this bill as well.
Medical reports that are required must have a doctor, a physician sign them off. We've seen under this NDP government that health care is in a crisis; nothing is getting done and there's no additional doctors or staff out there. So this is going to cause unnecessary delays for individuals trying to get their licence back and trying to get a medical appointment. It's also going to cause more issues within the medical system, causing more delays and more jams.
As far as the impaired driving assessment, this is the same. There's a number of experts that aren't able to make these assessments done due to time constraints due to the number of professionals that are lacking within the system. And, therefore, again delaying a driver's assessment is needlessly delaying a person's licence.
These are great ideas if you have the people in place to actually do the work that is required to make sure that a person meets these standards. [interjection]
The Speaker: Order, please.
Mr. Balcaen: A third point, having an individual parent speak about a child's driver licence or ability to get one is also good, except the fact that there's oftentimes disharmony within the household. Sometimes parents will use the children as a pawn and, therefore, children are often left unguided and don't know who to turn to, and difficulties will arise if neither parent wants to co‑operate with the system.
* (00:50)
Our last concern is regarding the database and every database is subject to data breaches. And we've seen that continually under this government; a number of data breaches, whether it's in the school division or other government facilities. So we want to make sure that there is strict conditions put on who can use these and how this is going to be able to be brought forward for ensuring there is no data breach.
Thank you.
The Speaker: Is the House ready for the question?
Some Honourable Members: Question.
The Speaker: Question before the House is concurrence and third reading of Bill 36–[interjection]
Order, please.
The question before the House is concurrence and third reading of Bill 36, The Drivers and Vehicles Amendment and Highway Traffic Amendment Act.
Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed]
The motion is accordingly passed.
The Speaker: We'll now move on to Bill 43, The Human Rights Code Amendment Act.
Hon. Matt Wiebe (Minister of Justice and Attorney General): I move, seconded by the Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care (MLA Asagwara), that Bill 43, The Human Rights Code Amendment Act, reported from the Standing Committee on Justice, be concurred in and be now read a third time and passed.
Motion presented.
Mr. Wiebe: I'm so pleased to rise today to put some words on the record in support of this important legislation that will increase human rights protections for more Manitobans by adding gender expression as a protected characteristic under The Human Rights Code.
Honourable Speaker, The Human Rights Code exists to give individuals protections under the law from discrimination in the workplace, when seeking employment or housing or other services available to the public and when signing contracts. The Human Rights Code currently protects Manitobans from discrimination over a number of characteristics, including but not limited to: age, sex, family status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability and gender identity.
Manitoba has always been a leader when it comes to human rights, but, under the previous government, we have fallen behind. Because, while we do have protections for gender identity in the code, gender expression is not yet covered, and that's what this bill aims to do.
So what is gender expression, Honourable Speaker? Well, gender expression is distinct from gender identity, which refers to a person's deeply felt internal and individual 'experence'–sorry, experience of gender. Gender expression refers to how a person presents and communicates that gender. It can include behaviour or outward appearance, such as dress, hair, makeup, body language and voice.
The fact is, is that no one should ever face discrimination in the workplace, when seeking housing, health-care services or in public spaces because of how they express their gender, and that's exactly why we have introduced this important legislation.
Now, you may wonder, why do Manitobans needs these protections put into law? Well, firstly, eight other provinces and two territories already protect gender expression under their respective human rights legislation. But, secondly, Honourable Speaker, I would recommend anyone who did not see this bill through the committee stage watch the many hours of footage available to hear from gender-diverse people directly as to why these changes matter to them.
When listening to trans and gender-diverse people, and when they get up and tell their stories, it's filled with a history of discrimination, of vulnerability, and it makes it abundantly clear why Manitoba needs this bill and why we must pass it here tonight, Honourable Speaker: to give them the protections that they need and that they deserve.
This amendment is an important step in protecting vulnerable individuals, especially youth, from discrimination in their daily lives. It's Pride month, after all, Honourable Speaker, a time when members of the 2SLGBTQIA community and their allies come together to celebrate their diversity, to celebrate love and to advocate for one another.
And I can think of a–no better time to pass this bill than the day after Winnipeg held their annual Pride parade, which was a resounding success and a great day for all of us. Our government wants the message to the LGBTQ community to be this: We have your back. We are adding human rights into law to protect more individuals from discrimination and to reinforce that we are caring and we are a welcoming province.
We stand for equality, Honourable Speaker, and we stand together as Manitobans against hate, against bigotry. And we want to ensure that everyone, no matter how they express themselves, is treated with the respect and dignity that they deserve.
We are one Manitoba, Honourable Speaker, so let's pass this bill, let's give people the protections that will allow them to live their fullest and freest and most authentic lives. Let's live up to our status as friendly Manitoba and let's be a place where everyone is included and is loved.
Thank you, Honourable Speaker.
Mr. Wayne Balcaen (Brandon West): First and foremost, we one hundred per cent believe in human rights for everybody and protecting human rights for everybody, above all else.
Two words under this bill, gender expression; but one word gives it some angst, and that's the threshold. The concern about Bill 43 is the threshold to file a complaint against someone under The Human Rights Code. That is not defined in Bill 43, Honourable Speaker.
What is the threshold? Is it a limit? Is it a measuring system by which someone can file a public complaint against you? Is it intent? What is the message that is being sought under this bill? Is it repeated, continual? How many times–[interjection]
The Speaker: Order.
Mr. Balcaen: How many times must this happen? Is it deliberate? What constitutes deliberacy? And is it an accident? What constitutes an accident? What if somebody misgenders or mispronouns somebody by accident?
We've asked the Justice Minister dozens of times to define the threshold, but he refuses to answer that. And at committee, we had the human rights commissioner there. And at the end, when questions ran out, there was a request for–[interjection]
The Speaker: Order, please.
The honourable First Minister needs to come to order.
Mr. Balcaen: At committee, there was a request for leave to allow the commissioner to answer a few more questions or even one more question. That question was going to be, again, what is the threshold. But that was denied by this Minister of Justice (Mr. Wiebe). This Minister of Justice did not want to answer himself, nor would he allow time for the commissioner to answer this question.
Vagueness in the legislation leaves open to having a complaint filed against an individual. And it can take–and it's been shown, it can two, three years or longer for a ruling to be handed down by the Human Rights Commission. I know, as the former chief of police, that I was named in a human rights complaint because of something that people under my supervision had allegedly done.
* (01:00)
It took three years for that complaint to go through and three years that it held over my head: the decision that I knew was right by our officers, but it still hung over ahead and made a person think about what had to happen or what could happen to them based on this frivolous complaint that was made against me.
I must also say, Honourable Speaker, that at the committee, there was absolute deplorable conduct by the members of the NDP when anybody brought forward a concern that was against what they had proposed in this bill. People were bringing their constitutional rights forward to talk about their concerns and what they felt mattered.
And at that time, they were ridiculed, they were bullied, they were ignored and members spent more time on their phones than they did listening to the presentations that each of these individuals brought forward and their concerns. It shows that the NDP have a low threshold for anybody who had contrary opinions on this, Honourable Speaker.
So with that stated, we all agree and support human rights for everyone, full stop. So if we agree on that, it's also time that we start looking at a number of other areas that need to be concentrated on as well, within our legislative process.
Thank you, Honourable Speaker.
The Speaker: Is the House ready for the question?
Some Honourable Members: Question.
The Speaker: Question before the House is concurrence and third reading of Bill 43, The Human Rights Code Amendment Act.
Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?
Some Honourable Members: Agreed.
Some Honourable Members: No.
The Speaker: I hear a no.
Voice Vote
The Speaker: All those in the House in favour of the motion, please say aye.
Some Honourable Members: Aye.
The Speaker: All those opposed, please say nay.
Some Honourable Members: Nay.
The Speaker: In my opinion, the Ayes have it. [interjection]
Order.
Recorded Vote
Hon. Nahanni Fontaine (Government House Leader): A recorded vote, Honourable Speaker.
The Speaker: A recorded vote has been called.
Please call in the members. [interjection]
* (02:00)
Order, please.
The one hour for the ringing of the division bells has expired. Therefore, I'm asking that they be shut off.
However, prior to conducting the vote, I have a request for all members of this Chamber. A goodly portion of Manitoba is evacuated, and I would request that we show respect for all of them. If we can't show respect for each other, let's at least respect Manitobans as we finish off our business here today.
All those in the House–the question before the House is concurrence and third reading of Bill 43, The Human Rights Code Amendment Act.
Division
A RECORDED VOTE was taken, the result being as follows:
Ayes
Asagwara, Blashko, Brar, Bushie, Chen, Compton, Corbett, Cross, Dela Cruz, Devgan, Fontaine, Kennedy, Kinew, Kostyshyn, Lamoureux, Lathlin, Loiselle, Maloway, Marcelino, Moroz, Moses, Moyes, Naylor, Oxenham, Pankratz, Redhead, Sala, Sandhu, Schmidt, Schott, Simard, Smith, Wiebe.
Nays
Balcaen, Byram, Cook, Ewasko, Goertzen, Guenter, Hiebert, Johnson, Khan, King, Narth, Nesbitt, Piwniuk, Schuler, Stone, Wowchuk.
Clerk (Mr. Rick Yarish): Ayes 33, Nays 16.
The Speaker: I declare the motion carried.
The Speaker: We will now move on to Bill 38, The Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Traffic Safety Measures).
Hon. Lisa Naylor (Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure): I move, seconded by the Minister of Justice (Mr. Wiebe), that Bill 38, The Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Traffic Safety Measures), reported from the Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development, be concurred in and be now read for a third time and passed.
Motion presented.
MLA Naylor: I'm pleased to rise today for third reading of Bill 38, The Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Traffic Safety Measures).
This bill supports our government's commitment to safety and aims to improve the safety of all road users. It clarifies the ability for tow truck operators to place cones to create a safe work zone and makes clear rules so drivers understand when and how it is safe to pass snowplows and cyclists.
I was pleased to hear during debate on second reading that all parties are supportive of this importive–important legislation. And I would like to thank all those who supported the bill through written submissions and presentations at committee stage.
I look forward to the passage of this bill, as we are working to have the one-metre rule for passing cyclists set in law in time for optimal cycling season.
We will also continue to consult with industry to complete the regulatory work needed for the tow truck and winter maintenance vehicle operator provisions of this bill in time for the first snowfall when these operators are at their busiest.
Thank you.
Mr. Konrad Narth (La Vérendrye): Thank you, Honourable Speaker, for the opportunity to speak to Bill 38 tonight–or, early morning.
* (02:10)
Bill 38 sets out–I realize that the minister's intent of the bill is–has set out to increase safety for motorists on our roadways, as well as for cyclists on our streets. And we support that, us as the Progressive Conservative Party and our caucus supports increased road safety.
We've heard from tow truck drivers the importance of being able to use traffic control devices on the highway when providing roadside assistance. This is something that the tow truck industry has asked for and they've made mention to the government, and I know the minister–we've heard that through the committee process; CAA came forward to make a presentation on the importance of that for their tow truck drivers.
And I know that first-hand. I've–my father owns a tow truck company. As a 72-year-old man that's still out in snowstorms rescuing vehicles in less than ideal road conditions without the support of law enforcement many times, many times a tow truck is the first on scene. I definitely realize the importance–[interjection]
The Speaker: Order, please.
The honourable Minister of Education, come to order now.
Mr. Narth: Like I say, I definitely realize the importance of increasing safety for tow truck drivers as they, many times, are the first on scene and providing, you know, what sometimes are life-saving services. They're the ones there, together with first responders, clearing the scenes on a highway.
So like I say, myself and our PC team definitely realize the importance.
The unfortunate thing is, as we've seen and I've spoken to earlier today, is the socialist NDP have to be the most disingenuous group of representatives that any Manitoban could ever have. And what I mean by that is they bring forward legislation like this, but also others, that are completely set in virtue signalling.
So–and what I mean by virtue signalling is the definition of virtue signalling, that you give the impression that you're doing what's right, that you're representing in the right behaviour. And that, in fact, isn't the case.
Like I say, it's completely disingenuous. You bring forward legislation that has outlines of traffic control devices for tow truck operators, which is important, but you don't include anything else in it. I don't know if the bill could've had less detail than it already does, but I'd assume that the minister tried her hardest to bring forward a bill that addresses four different areas that doesn't include even four pages.
And that's why I feel that the socialist NDP are the most disingenuous group of representatives–[interjection]
The Speaker: Order, please. [interjection] Order, please.
The Speaker is standing and you'll find that my patience is very limited tonight, so you can come to order or you won't be happy.
Mr. Narth: To highlight what I mean by this bill being disingenuous and the intent being disingenuous is the section establishing setback requirements and also outlining passing requirements of snow-plowing equipment in the winter–completely subjective. Basically, all that this legislation does is–it's like I say, a virtue signal.
It's telling Manitobans that this socialist NDP government is concerned about road safety. But then they bring forward legislation that says you can only pass when it's safe. It doesn't outline what safety is. The closest that they get to outlining what the bill actually expects of law enforcement and Manitobans are the setback requirements and the speeds that support that–those setback requirements. Other than that, no details; no details all the way through this entire piece of legislation.
Further to that, the fourth part of this virtue-signalling, disingenuous piece of legislation talks about a one-metre distance when passing a bike or powered bicycle–doesn't hold any responsibility to the driver. And I think many Manitobans realize that it's important to protect the safety of everyone sharing the roadway, and cyclists do share the roadway with motor vehicles.
But it's a shared roadway. And that responsibility for safety should be shared. Unfortunately, this bill does not include that. This bill mentions that the motorist must maintain one-metre distance when passing a bike or power-assisted bicycle. And I think every Manitoban that's driven the streets of a city in our great province has come upon the scenario where they're in a slowed traffic situation and a cyclist comes up beside them because they're able to fit through areas that a motor vehicle isn't able to, and they come within close contact of the motor vehicle.
As much as that is dangerous for the cyclist, it's also dangerous for the motorist. And this piece of legislation puts that responsibility on the motorist, which I think most Manitobans would agree that if we share a roadway, we should share the responsibility.
So like I say, myself and our PC caucus, we support increasing safety on our roadways. We've spoken to increase safety on our roadways. We've brought forward amendments. My colleague has brought forward amendments to increase impaired driving, to increase the safety of our roadways, which has been voted down by the disingenuous socialist NDP government.
And I think that Manitobans need to see that, deep into the hours of the last day of the Legislature, at the tail end, we were debating legislation which does very little to protect the safety of motorists on our highway, cyclists on our roadway. They had plenty of time to bring forward valuable legislation that does something to protect the safety of motorists and cyclists. And we would support that.
I'm not saying that we don't support Bill 38. I think a step forward in protecting the safety of all Manitobans is important. Unfortunately, this government has brought forward disingenuous legislation.
Thank you, Honourable Speaker.
The Speaker: Seeing no further speakers, is the House ready for the question?
Some Honourable Members: Question.
The Speaker: Question before the House is concurrence and third reading of Bill 38, The Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Traffic Safety Measures).
Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed]
* (02:20)
The motion is accordingly passed.
Recorded Vote
Mr. Derek Johnson (Official Opposition House Leader): A recorded vote, please.
The Speaker: A recorded vote has been called.
Please call in the members.
* (03:20)
Order, please.
The one-hour time limit provided for the ringing of the division bells has expired. I'm directing the bells be turned off and the House proceed to the vote.
The question before us is bill–concurrence and third reading of Bill 38, The Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Traffic Safety Measures).
Division
A RECORDED VOTE was taken, the result being as follows:
Ayes
Asagwara, Balcaen, Blashko, Brar, Bushie, Byram, Chen, Compton, Cook, Corbett, Cross, Dela Cruz, Devgan, Ewasko, Fontaine, Goertzen, Guenter, Hiebert, Johnson, Khan, Kinew, King, Kostyshyn, Lamoureux, Loiselle, Maloway, Marcelino, Moroz, Moyes, Narth, Naylor, Nesbitt, Oxenham, Pankratz, Piwniuk, Redhead, Sala, Sandhu, Schmidt, Schott, Schuler, Simard, Smith, Stone, Wiebe, Wowchuk.
Clerk (Mr. Rick Yarish): Ayes 46, Nays 0.
The Speaker: The motion is accordingly passed.
The Speaker: We will now move on to concurrence and third reading of Bill 34, The Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Motor Carrier Enforcement).
Hon. Lisa Naylor (Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure): I move, seconded by the Minister of Public Service Delivery (MLA Sandhu), that Bill 34, The Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Motor Carrier Enforcement), reported from the Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development, be concurred in and be now read for a third time and passed.
Motion presented.
MLA Naylor: I am pleased to speak today for the third reading of Bill 34, The Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Motor Carrier Enforcement).
This bill makes important amendments that will help keep our dedicated motor carrier enforcement officers safe while they are working to ensure the safety of commercial vehicles driving on Manitoba roads.
Safe commercial vehicles not only contribute to road safety for all users but also ensure that our critical infrastructure is protected from unnecessary damage.
I was pleased to hear during debate on second reading and at committee that all parties are supportive of this bill. I would like to thank our industry and public safety stakeholders who helped in the development of the bill and others who have showed their support for the bill to date. I look forward to seeing this important bill passed into law.
Thank you.
Mr. Konrad Narth (La Vérendrye): Thank you, Honourable Speaker, for the opportunity to speak to Bill 34 this evening.
Some Honourable Members: This morning.
Mr. Narth: This morning, sorry. Sorry, this morning, yes. Thank you for the opportunity.
This legislation, again, similar to Bill 38, has the intention of increasing safety of our roadways by enabling enforcement officers to have additional authority and therefore be able to keep our roads safe by having additional resources when they are faced with criminal activity. I think that we all can agree the importance of that additional authority and resources for the officers.
Some concern that I have and that our PC caucus has on this legislation is that it doesn't go far enough in some areas and in other areas may unfortunately be punishing strong, safe operators from functioning within the industry.
So what we've seen across all of Canada is that safety of commercial vehicles and commercial transport is something that is changing regularly. We see additional challenges on maintaining the safety of our roadways.
This piece of legislation is something that plays to the discussion that we've had on Bill 47, interprovincial trade barriers, and breaking down the regulation, the difference in regulation from one jurisdiction to another. I don't think that this legislation had considered that. And I'm hoping that the minister is going to amend and expand on the need for uniform safety across all provinces.
I think there is some clarity that's needed as far as the training of officers which are now being given increased authority and the resources to act on the additional authority. So like I've said in Bill 38, we on this side of the House support increased safety of our roadways and I support the intent of this legislation.
* (03:30)
Unfortunately, it doesn't quite go far enough in some areas and I'm concerned of the additional regulations that may unintentionally punish safe operators. But I'm hopeful that the minister is going to be able to make amendments and changes to improve this legislation in the future.
So, with that being said, I look forward to the vote.
Thank you, Honourable Speaker.
The Speaker: Is the House ready for the question?
Some Honourable Members: Question.
The Speaker: Question before the House is concurrence and third reading of Bill 34, The Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Motor Carrier Enforcement).
Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed]
Recorded Vote
Mr. Derek Johnson (Official Opposition House Leader): Recorded vote, please.
The Speaker: A recorded vote has been called. Please call in the members.
* (04:30)
Order, please.
The one hour provided for the ringing of the division bells has expired, therefore I'm requesting they be shut off and the House proceed to the vote.
The question before the House is concurrence and third reading of Bill 34, The Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Motor Carrier Enforcement).
Division
A RECORDED VOTE was taken, the result being as follows:
Ayes
Asagwara, Balcaen, Blashko, Brar, Bushie, Byram, Chen, Compton, Cook, Corbett, Cross, Dela Cruz, Devgan, Ewasko, Fontaine, Goertzen, Guenter, Hiebert, Johnson, Kennedy, Khan, Kinew, King, Kostyshyn, Lamoureux, Loiselle, Maloway, Marcelino, Moroz, Moses, Moyes, Narth, Naylor, Nesbitt, Oxenham, Pankratz, Redhead, Sala, Sandhu, Schmidt, Schott, Simard, Smith, Stone, Wiebe, Wowchuk.
Clerk (Mr. Rick Yarish): Ayes 46, Nays 0.
The Speaker: The motion is accordingly passed.
The Speaker: We will now move on to concurrence and third reading of Bill 24, The Workers Compensation Amendment Act.
Hon. Malaya Marcelino (Minister responsible for the Workers Compensation Board): Honourable Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister for Municipal and Northern Relations, that Bill 24, The Workers Compensation Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Loi sur les accidents du travail, reported from the Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development and subsequently amended, be concurred in and be now read for a third time and passed.
Motion presented.
MLA Marcelino: Honourable Speaker, I am very happy to see this important piece of legislation move through the approval process. Expanding the eligibility for the lump sum fatality benefit is a small step that our government is taking to ensure that families, regardless of their family structure, are taken care of while they deal with the loss of their loved one.
I want to thank everyone who shared their stories and provided input into this bill, and I want to again recognize those who have lost a loved one in the workplace and acknowledge your grief and courage.
I look forward to the passage of this bill.
Thank you, Honourable Speaker.
Mr. Konrad Narth (La Vérendrye): Thank you for the opportunity to speak this morning to Bill 24, and I'd like to thank the Minister of Labour and Immigration who's brought this bill forward. I'd like to thank her for being more than accommodating in bill briefing and being able to answer–her and her department to answer any questions that I did have. I truly appreciate that.
I can see that this piece of legislation was brought forward using common sense. It was a gap in legislation and I can stand here today and say that I appreciate the minister working at representing the families of those who've lost loved ones and have discovered the gap in the legislation prior.
It does have some gap that does bring concern to me and our side of the House. It definitely adds value to previous legislation, as now we're able to include the estate of someone who has unfortunately lost their life and–on the job, and is entitled to a lump sum payment.
The concern that I had brought forward during second reading and during committee is that it also extends past the estate, so now it's the spouse or common-law partner but also would include another person determined by the Workers Compensation Board.
I wasn't able to get clear confirmation on who that would all include, and I think it opens up this legislation to be scrutinized by the legal system and potentially families that would need to have this lump sum payment extended past the estate and to someone else determined by the Workers Compensation Board.
Other than that, I can see that it fills a void in previous legislation. Again, I'd like to thank the minister for bringing it forward.
Thank you, Honourable Speaker.
The Speaker: Is the House ready for the question?
An Honourable Member: Question.
The Speaker: The question before the House is concurrence and third reading of Bill 24, The Workers Compensation Amendment Act.
Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed]
* (04:40)
We will now–the honourable Opposition House Leader.
Recorded Vote
Mr. Derek Johnson (Official Opposition House Leader): On a recorded vote, please.
The Speaker: A recorded vote has been called for. Call in the members.
* (05:40)
Order, please.
The one hour provided for the ringing of the division bells has expired. I'm directing that the bells be turned off and the House proceed to the vote.
The question before the House is concurrence and third reading of Bill 24, The Workers Compensation Amendment Act.
Division
A RECORDED VOTE was taken, the result being as follows:
Ayes
Asagwara, Balcaen, Blashko, Brar, Bushie, Byram, Chen, Compton, Cook, Corbett, Cross, Dela Cruz, Devgan, Ewasko, Fontaine, Goertzen, Guenter, Hiebert, Johnson, Kennedy, Khan, Kinew, King, Kostyshyn, Lamoureux, Loiselle, Maloway, Marcelino, Moroz, Moses, Moyes, Narth, Naylor, Nesbitt, Oxenham, Pankratz, Redhead, Sala, Sandhu, Schmidt, Schott, Simard, Smith, Stone, Wiebe, Wowchuk.
Clerk (Mr. Rick Yarish): Ayes 46, Nays 0.
The Speaker: I declare the motion accordingly passed.
The Speaker: We will now move on to Bill 29, concurrence and third reading of The Workplace Safety and Health Amendment Act.
French spoken
Hon. Malaya Marcelino (Minister of Labour and Immigration): Honorable Président, je propose avec l'appui du ministre des Municipalités et du Nord (M. Simard), propose l'approbation, la troisième lecture et l'adoption du Projet de loi 29, Loi modifiant la Loi sur la sécurité et l'hygiène du travail; The Workplace Safety and Health Amendment Act, dont a fait rapport le Comité permanent du développement social et économique.
Translation
Honourable Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Municipal and Northern Relations (Mr. Simard), that Bill 29, The Workplace Safety and Health Amendment Act, reported from the Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development, be concurred in and be now read for a third time and passed.
Motion presented.
MLA Marcelino: L'Honorable Président [Honourable Speaker], I am pleased to rise for the third reading of this bill.
This bill follows the work of The Workplace Safety and Health Act review committee, which undertook a legislated five‑year review of the act, from 2022 to 2024.
With this bill, Manitoba's workplace safety laws are modernized in a number of ways and this bill also introduces stricter enforcement tools for bad actors. And most significantly, this bill will make Manitoba a leader in recognizing the importance of psychological safe workplaces by embedding the 2013 CSA standard definition on workplace psychological health and safety.
Importantly, I'd like to recognize the member from Waverley for his work, ensuring that workers, like those of first responders–making sure that their voices would be heard in this Legislature in the contemplation of this bill.
Merci, L'Honorable Président. [Thank you, Honourable Speaker.]
Mr. Konrad Narth (La Vérendrye): Thank you for the opportunity to speak to Bill 29 this morning.
The purpose of this legislation–I can appreciate expanding protection for employees to include psychological workplace and additional regulation for, as the minister just noted, bad actors in the workforce.
My only concern is the signal that–or message that this may send to employers as they make a decision on setting up business and their operations in Manitoba. The legislation now is quite in‑depth, potentially subjective. It isn't clearly outlined who determines a psychologically safe workplace.
We on this side of the House, and I think entire Legislature, can appreciate the importance of everyone going to work both physically and mentally safe. Additionally, when employers are looking at expanding into a workforce in Manitoba or relocating, it may concern them that an employer may be ordered to put in place a medical surveillance program. Again, with very little detail on exactly what that could include and the implications that it could have for the employer, I'm concerned that it may scare off potential investment into our province.
On this side of the House, and like I said, I think all of us appreciate the importance of safe workplaces, but we need to be mindful of the importance of strengthening our economy and attracting investment in our province.
So with that, I look forward to the vote.
Thank you, Honourable Speaker.
The Speaker: Is the House ready for the question?
Some Honourable Members: Question.
The Speaker: And the question before us is concurrence and third reading of Bill 29, The Workplace Safety and Health Amendment Act.
Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed]
Recorded Vote
Mr. Derek Johnson (Official Opposition House Leader): Recorded vote, please.
* (05:50)
The Speaker: A recorded vote has been requested. Call in the members.
Order, please.
The one hour provided for the ringing of the division bells has expired. I'm directing that the bells be turned off and the House proceed to the vote.
The question before the House is concurrence and third reading of Bill 29, The Workplace Safety and Health Amendment Act.
* (06:50)
Division
A RECORDED VOTE was taken, the result being as follows:
Ayes
Asagwara, Balcaen, Blashko, Brar, Bushie, Byram, Chen, Compton, Cook, Corbett, Cross, Dela Cruz, Devgan, Ewasko, Fontaine, Goertzen, Guenter, Hiebert, Johnson, Kennedy, Khan, Kinew, King, Kostyshyn, Lamoureux, Loiselle, Maloway, Marcelino, Moroz, Moses, Moyes, Narth, Naylor, Nesbitt, Oxenham, Pankratz, Redhead, Sala, Sandhu, Schmidt, Schott, Simard, Smith, Stone, Wiebe, Wowchuk.
Clerk (Mr. Rick Yarish): Ayes 46, Nays 0.
The Speaker: I declare the motion carried.
The Speaker: We will now move to concurrence and third reading of Bill 6, The Public Schools Amendment Act.
French spoken
Hon. Tracy Schmidt (Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning): Honorable le Président, je propose, avec l'appui de le ministre des Ressources naturelles et des Futurités autochtones (M. Bushie) l'approbation, la troisième lecture et l'adoption du Projet de loi 6, Loi modifiant la Loi sur les écoles publiques; The Public Schools Amendment Act, dont a fait rapport le Comité permanent du développement social et économique.
Translation
Honourable Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Natural Resources and Indigenous Futures (Mr. Bushie), that Bill 6, The Public Schools Amendment Act, reported from the Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development, be concurred in and be now read for a third time and passed.
Motion presented.
MLA Schmidt: What a privilege it is to rise on this beautiful morning to put a few words on the record about Bill 6.
Ultimately, Bill 6 is another step in our government's path towards truth and reconciliation. The national day of truth and reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day, takes place on September 30. Orange Shirt Day is very important as a means of honouring the survivors, remembering those that were lost, of honouring the teachings.
And it's a specifically important day for young folks here in Manitoba so that they can learn, so that they can heal and that so they can commit to doing better for Manitoba going forward.
Our government, Honourable Speaker, was the government that made Orange Shirt Day a stat holiday here in Manitoba. It's because of this new statutory holiday honouring Orange Shirt Day that we have put forward bill fix–Bill 6–pardon me.
Historically the day to count enrolment at public and independent schools was September 30, which now coincides with Orange Shirt Day. Bill 6 changes the date to the first Wednesday in October, a date that was chosen in consultation with school divisions. This change to the enrolment date is just one small way that we are listening to the education sector, we are supporting their work and we are advancing reconciliation here in Manitoba.
In all of my work as minister, I am guided by the principle that every child matters.
Miigwech. Merci. Thank you very much.
Mr. Wayne Ewasko (Lac du Bonnet): Good morning, Honourable Speaker. It gives me great pleasure to be able to stand this morning and put a few words on the record on Bill 6.
So I'd like to thank the minister for bringing forward Bill 6, but first, Honourable Speaker, I'd like to just give thoughts and prayers not only to you and to your constituents, but to many–to all Manitobans and those elected representatives that are going through the wildfires that we have in this province today and for the past few weeks, and it looks like into the near future as well. So definitely all the best to all those firefighters, volunteers and different organizations that are working hard to keep families safe.
So, Honourable Speaker, Bill 6. Well, you know, so when you look at Bill 6 and you take a look through the bill, it is–it's specifically The Public Schools Amendment Act, and as you can see, when it comes into force– and that's what brings this morning so important–that it says coming into force–this act comes into force on July 1, 2025. And so you could not have that in the bill unless you do some proper planning.
And so I want to commend the Education Minister, the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning for bringing forward this bill prior to the deadline so that it could pass and then, you know, of course if there was something really egregious with the bill or something along those lines then, of course, we would select it and hold it over to the fall.
But we're not doing that with Bill 6, of course, so the minister had the opportunity to say, well, you know, because you brought this bill before the deadline in March that it was going to probably pass on our last day of sitting, which of course has turned into June 3, 2025.
But, of course, our team, our Progressive Conservative team, even prior to our previous government, we're committed to advancing and supporting, of course, truth and reconciliation with many of the things that we brought forward in education.
So I'm happy to see that the Education Minister has continued that way of thinking, that way of doing things, and I look forward to passing this bill in a few seconds and seeing that this date, which is going to be the first Wednesday of October, which is actually going to be October 1 of this year where schools will be taking a look at these administrative changes to this bill. So we don't have any major issues with this bill of course, Honourable Speaker.
So with those few words I encourage expedited passage on this, and I look forward to seeing the Lieutenant Governor put their stamp on this bill.
Thank you, Honourable Speaker.
The Speaker: Is the House ready for the question?
Some Honourable Members: Question.
The Speaker: The question before the House is concurrence and third reading of Bill 6, The Public Schools Amendment Act.
Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed]
* (07:00)
The Speaker: Next we'll move on to Bill 16, The Municipal Councils and School Boards Elections Amendment and Public Schools Amendment Act.
French spoken
Hon. Tracy Schmidt (Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning): Je propose, avec l'appui de la ministre des Familles (DAL Fontaine), l'approbation, la troisième lecture et l'adoption du Projet de loi 16, Loi modifiant la Loi sur les élections municipales et scolaires et la Loi sur les écoles publiques; The Municipal Councils and School Boards Elections Amendment and Public Schools Amendment Act, dont a fait rapport le Comité permanent du développement social et économique. Merci.
Translation
I move, seconded by the Minister of Families (MLA Fontaine), that Bill 16, The Municipal Councils and School Boards Elections Amendment and Public Schools Amendment Act, reported from the Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development, be concurred in and be now read for a third time and passed.
Thank you.
Motion presented.
MLA Schmidt: Bill 16 rights a historical wrong. Currently, thousands of Manitobans living on reserve in Manitoba today are unable to vote or run in school board elections. That's wrong.
All Manitobans have a right and a responsibility to be engaged in their education of their children. Many children living on reserve attend schools off‑reserve and are impacted by the decisions of those school boards. And we know that all Manitobans care about education because it impacts all of us.
This bill will come into force upon royal assent, which means that First Nations Manitobans will have the opportunity to vote and stand for election in the 2026 general trustee elections.
I'm just–put a few quick words on the Speaker–on the record, Mr.–Honourable Speaker–it's been a long night.
In closing, I want to thank the many, many Manitobans who reached out to our office and to our government to express their deep concerns about this historic inequity. We are a listening government. We are taking swift action to correct this, which no doubt has been a historical injustice. Our government will always stand up for and protect our democratic process and our freedom to participate in it. We believe in equality for all Manitobans. We are one Manitoba.
And I will conclude my remarks there.
Merci. Miigwech. Thank you very much.
Mr. Wayne Ewasko (Lac du Bonnet): Again, good morning, and gives me an opportunity to put a few words on the record this morning on Bill 16. So I would like to, again, thank the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning (MLA Schmidt) for bringing forward Bill 16, again, continuing the good work of the previous Progressive Conservative government.
Taking a look at The Municipal Councils and School Boards Elections Amendment and Public Schools Amendment Act, Honourable Speaker, we on this side of the House, of course, know that putting your name on a ballot and being able to participate in the democratic way right here in this great province of ours and, of course, running for office is a noble calling. And free and fair elections are a significant characteristic of our healthy democracy here in Manitoba, and the voting public needs to have confidence that election processes are fair and transparent.
As I've shared many times in this Chamber, I, at–prior to the redrawing of the boundaries in 2019, I had the pleasure of serving also a few First Nations communities. And, of course, being a long‑time teacher in the school divisions of Agassiz and then Sunrise School Division partnered with those First Nations communities when–especially on and off the reserve, when they would attend the schools off the reserve as well.
And so I think when we're talking about voting, especially when it comes to your child's education, I think it's very important to have that say. And so voting, of course, as we've said earlier, is a democratic right and a way for citizens for participate in public decision making.
Of course, First Nations peoples have always been politically active, and we see that growing and growing on a daily basis, and deeply engaged in the democratic process. Their voices are strong and their votes are powerful tools to influence the future of the First Nations, their families and the lands that they call home.
Our PC team also continues to support advancements in truth and reconciliation, and what I did want to share, what I appreciated that the minister had put in Bill 16, was basically on page 1 in some of the whereases, and right off the bat, the first whereas is assented to, and I quote: Whereas a strong public school system is a fundamental element of a democratic society; and whereas democratic local school divisions and districts play an important role in providing public education that is responsive to local needs and conditions; and whereas parents have a right and a responsibility to be knowledgeable about and participate in the education of their children.
Very important points, and I'm glad that the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning had again continued the good work of our previous PC government, but also put her own stamp on this. And with those few words, Honourable Speaker, I encourage, once again, quick passage of Bill 16 through third reading and on to royal assent.
Thank you, Honourable Speaker.
The Speaker: Is the House ready for the question?
Some Honourable Members: Question.
The Speaker: The question before the House is concurrence and third reading of Bill 16, The Municipal Councils and School Boards Elections Amendment and Public Schools Amendment Act.
Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed]
The bill is accordingly passed.
The Speaker: We'll now move on to concurrence and third reading of Bill 18, The Public Schools Amendment Act (Indigenous Languages of Instruction).
French spoken
Hon. Tracy Schmidt (Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning): Honorable le Président, je propose, avec l'appui de le Premier ministre (M. Kinew), l'approbation, la troisième lecture et l'adoption du Projet de loi 18, Loi modifiant la Loi sur les écoles publiques (enseignement en langues autochtones); The Public Schools Amendment Act (Indigenous Languages of Instruction), dont a fait rapport le Comité permanent du développement social et économique. Merci.
Translation
Honourable Speaker, I move, seconded by the Premier (Mr. Kinew), that Bill 18, The Public Schools Amendment Act (Indigenous Languages of Instruction), reported from the Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development, be concurred in and be now read for a third time and passed.
Thank you.
Motion presented.
MLA Schmidt: Honourable Speaker, revitalizing Indigenous languages in Manitoba is a priority for our Premier and for our government.
We know that Manitoba is a place where Indigenous languages were spoken and taught freely as the first languages of this land that we now call Manitoba.
We also know that schools were a place where Indigenous peoples had their languages taken away. That's why Bill 18 is so very important as it is one step we are taking to bring Indigenous languages back to the classroom and to revitalize Indigenous languages across our beautiful province.
Today only French and English may be taught as languages of primary instruction in schools. Bill 18 seeks to change that by allowing for Indigenous language immersion, connecting students to their culture, their community and their ancestors.
We know that the more time students are exposed to a language during classroom instruction, the more they develop their language skills, which in turn supports learning more broadly.
Our government is working hard to support and expand Indigenous‑language programs here in Manitoba. This bill is but one step we are taking to support that work.
This bill also proposes an amendment to The Public Schools Act to require that at least two of the members of the language advisory committee have expertise respecting the teaching of Indigenous languages.
The department will continue to engage with our partners, as well as the sector, to clearly communicate and implement these changes.
Merci. Miigwech. Mahseecho. Ekosi.
* (07:10)
Mr. Wayne Ewasko (Lac du Bonnet): I appreciate the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning (MLA Schmidt), again, for bringing forward Bill 18, which, again, much like I've stated in the previous two bills when I've had the pleasure of standing up this fine morning and put a few words on the record is the continuous–continuation of the good work that we were doing in the Progressive Conservative government and especially when we start talking about The Public Schools Amendment Act (Indigenous Languages of Instruction).
I would like to start off by, once again, as I said–I stated in second reading, congratulating Jackie Connell, the new Deputy Minister of Indigenous Excellence in Education. Had the pleasure of working with Jackie for a little bit of time through the education process, and it's nice to see that the Minister of Education–I'm assuming it was her predecessor, of course, who brought Jackie on because I know that they worked quite closely together previously when Nello was still teaching, as well, but I do appreciate them bringing Jackie on.
Again, just a bit of a reminder that in 2022, it was our PC government that funded two new programs, and it's nice to see that this is going to build upon that and grow it, and the two new programs were going to help to increase the number of proficient Indigenous‑language speakers and the number of Indigenous‑language translators in Manitoba. And so there were two separate programs that were happening back then.
We know that within Canada there's over 70 distinct Indigenous languages that are currently spoken by First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples in Canada. We, of course, are proud to stand with First Nations communities and trying to advance truth and reconciliation and be partners within that.
From the NDP's budget of 2024, we saw funding was frozen for Indigenous Excellence in their 2024 budget, and the funding increase made this time is simply playing a little bit of catch-up. And we know that there was many things that were, again, started off under the Progressive Conservative government. I know that I had the pleasure of working with First Nations communities and many of the partners throughout Manitoba on developing and bringing forward Mamàhtawisiwin policy which is a holistic approach to Indigenous Excellence in Education, helping Manitoba educators to incorporate Indigenous languages, cultures and identities into their teaching and practices.
And so, of course, we also launched the Treaty Education for All plan in 2023 to offer all teachers, school staff and students educational resources about the original spirit and intent of the treaties. Again, I know that back in the same year that we worked quite closely with the Manitoba Museum Land and Language project, and we distributed over 3,000 books, bilingual English and Anishinaabe, to 37 school divisions and 71 First Nations schools.
And so, once again, I look forward to seeing the hard work of not only our Progressive Conservative government but now the continuation of that work through this Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister to see that Bill 18 will continue on, will get passed within the next few minutes this fine morning June 3, 2025, and so I encourage everyone to, again, support Bill 18 and let's move it on to royal assent.
Thank you, Honourable Speaker.
The Speaker: Is the House ready for the question?
Some Honourable Members: Question.
The Speaker: The question before the House is concurrence and third reading of Bill 18, The Public Schools Amendment Act (Indigenous Languages of Instruction).
Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed]
The Speaker: We will now move on to concurrence and third reading of Bill 19, The Public Schools Amendment Act (Safe Schools).
Hon. Tracy Schmidt (Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning): I move, seconded by the Minister of Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism (MLA Kennedy), that Bill 19, The Public Schools Amendment Act (Safe Schools); Loi modifiant la Loi sur les écoles publiques (milieu scolaire sûr), reported from the Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development, be concurred in and now read for a third time and passed.
Thank you.
The Speaker: And, just for clarification, the previous motion was accordingly passed.
So, moved by the honourable Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning (MLA Schmidt), seconded by the honourable Minister of Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism (MLA Kennedy), that Bill 19, The Public Schools Amendment Act (Safe Schools), reported from the Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development, be concurred in and be now read a third time and passed.
MLA Schmidt: The safety of Manitobans and Manitoba students are our government's top priority. That's why we've introduced Bill 19, which will amend The Public Schools Act and enshrine in legislation requirements for all school division staff and volunteers to complete approved sexual abuse prevention programs. This legislation will also require that all coaches and sport volunteers complete approved sport‑focused abuse prevention programs and requires that the training is renewed at least once every four years.
Bill 19 also requires school divisions and districts to develop policies to identify appropriate and inappropriate interactions between students and staff on and off school property. This will include supportive processes for students and their families to report inappropriate, concerning interactions that have taken place. This legislation will require that these policies are actively communicated and shared with families at the beginning of every school year.
I also want to note that this bill complements Bill 21, introduced by our incredible Minister of Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism (MLA Kennedy), which will strengthen preventative training and abuse‑reporting processes so that all of our young athletes here in Manitoba are protected wherever they might engage in sport, whether it's inside or outside of the school system. Together, these two bills will enhance the protections for Manitoba children and families.
Our government is continuing this great work. We're working across government to ensure that our legislation, our policies and our supports are meeting the needs of Manitoba families, that we're protecting our youth and that we will continue to do this good work on behalf of Manitoba's children, youth and families.
Thank you very much. Merci. Miigwech.
Mr. Wayne Ewasko (Lac du Bonnet): Once again, to everyone watching this morning, good morning to all of you.
And, again, gives me an opportunity to put a few words on the record in regards to Bill 19, The Public Schools Amendment Act (Safe Schools). And even though I appreciate the Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister for putting a few words on the record, again, as usual, the NDP government under the Kinew government, of course, fails to give a little bit more of a history lesson.
But that's okay. I'll take a few minutes this morning and put a few words on the record in regards to how the former PC government had actually worked on making sure that we were protecting kids, not only in schools, but also in the communities, especially when you start working with various partners, which the Education Minister failed to introduce. But I'll do a little bit of that for her.
Of course, a few years ago, since the member mentioned her predecessor, Nello Altomare, when he was the Education critic, we worked quite closely on Respect in School and Respect in Sport with another couple colleagues of mine within the PC government. But then not only did we work with Nello, we also worked with the members from St. James and also St. Vital, working towards making sure that some of the things that were happening were in the early 2000s and that seemed to continue on through the 2000s would not happen again.
* (07:20)
Now this is not–today's legislation that we're passing, Bill 19, is not necessarily a silver bullet, but what it does do, it starts to mandate education for all those involved that will be coaching or working with youth in this great province of ours, making sure that not only the people that are forefront and either coaching or working directly with students or youth, but it's also to try to educate the bystander as well, so that they can acknowledge any flags–or red flags, I should say, that they might have to be reporting.
So again, we worked with the Canadian Centre for Child Protection quite closely, with the PC government and also with the Respect Group and Sheldon Kennedy to bring forward a couple programs that were mandated to schools, and that was Commit to Kids and also Respect in School and Respect in Sport.
We also worked quite closely with Sport Manitoba and all of their–of course, they're an umbrella agency who has the provincial sport; they're the official sport body of all the sports in this great province of ours–worked quite closely with them to make sure that we were getting the legislation right and then all the programming.
So we do know that every student in this great province of ours deserves to feel safe and respected in school and, of course, in their community, and providing a safe and caring school environment that fosters and maintains respectful and responsible behaviours is a top priority for all Manitoba school divisions.
And so I really don't think that this is a partisan issue whatsoever. This is something that I don't think it matters what political stripe you are. This is–when we talk about safety of our youth and our students, whether that's in sports, at school, within the community or just anywhere in this great country of ours, we do feel that they do deserve to feel safe and go out and do what they need to do within their community, extracurricular activities, without having a second thought.
So with that, Honourable Speaker, it–thank you very much for the opportunity to put a few words on the record this morning, and again, we're passing Bill 19 today, Tuesday, June 3, 2025. It's going to come into royal assent when the Lieutenant Governor comes and puts her stamp on it, of course. And why is it passing today, June 3, is because it was brought forward prior to the deadline, and that way we were able to pass it, bring it into law, and then get it moving as quickly as the minister can, after royal assent.
So, with those few words, Honourable Speaker, thank you for the opportunity this morning.
The Speaker: Seeing no further speakers, is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed]
The motion is accordingly passed.
The Speaker: We will now move on to Bill 20, The Community Child Care Standards Amendment and Education Administration Amendment Act.
Hon. Tracy Schmidt (Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning): I move, seconded by the Minister of Housing, Addictions and Homelessness (Ms. Smith), that Bill 20, The Community Child Care Standards Amendment and Education Administration Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Loi sur la garde d'enfants et la Loi sur l'administration scolaire, reported from the Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development, be concurred in and now read for a third time and passed.
Thank you.
Motion presented.
MLA Schmidt: Since being elected, our government has prioritized the educational experience and success of students across Manitoba. Our government understands the importance of truth‑telling in our education system, and we are committed to advancing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action and the work and the legacy of the late honourable Justice and Senator Murray Sinclair.
That's why we brought forward Bill 20, to establish a First Nations, Inuit and Métis policy framework for both the K‑to‑12 and the early learning and child‑care sectors.
Bill 20 will continue the work of the department's existing education policy framework, Mamàhtawisiwin and will ensure that it continues to be renewed.
Extending these policy frameworks into the early learning and child‑care sector strengthens our commitment to Indigenous education and demonstrates our understanding of the role that child care plays in educating children.
And, Honourable Speaker, during this session, I had the great privilege and honour of introducing and this House had the privilege of passing Bill 17, Nello's Law, and today while I rise to speak on third reading of Bill 20, I want to speak about another one of our colleagues that left us too soon, and that was the MLA–the former MLA–for Thompson, Danielle Adams.
Now, I never had the privilege of working with the MLA for Thompson, Danielle Adams, but I know many of my colleagues in this room did, and it was very recently during a very exciting announcement that we got to make as government about the new wage grid that we provided for early childhood educators providing many early childhood educators, many women, many BIPOC women here in our province, with a living wage, a wage that respects the work that they do in the early childhood education sector.
But at that announcement, I was reminded by our Premier (Mr. Kinew), who worked very closely with Danielle, about how child care was such a passion of hers, one of her many passions. She had many, many passions that she shared in this Chamber, but one of her passions and one of her visions for Manitoba was to improve the state of child care here in Manitoba. So today, while I speak about Bill 20, I would like us all to think about and reflect on our colleague Danielle.
So, Honourable Speaker, our government is very proud to continue on her work, to continue on our partnerships with First Nations, Metis and Inuit leadership in our province, to ensure the prosperity of Indigenous languages and cultures for many years to come while ensuring the next generation of Manitoban children are aware of our history and our province and our country and of the work of the great former MLA for Thompson, Danielle Adams.
Miigwech. Merci. Thank you very much.
Mr. Wayne Ewasko (Lac du Bonnet): Again, good morning to everyone who's tuning in this morning, listening to the debate on third reading of our bills this morning.
Honourable Speaker, June 3, 2025, so of course, we're debating Bill 20, third reading. You know, of course, we've gone through the democratic process here in Manitoba, which, of course, the Bill 20 was brought forward in first reading, went through second reading, went to committee, you know, listened to a few people come in and do some presentations and that, and then here we are, third reading, debating today, again, passing on to royal assent.
Again, why, Honourable Speaker? Well, first of all, it continues the good work of our previous PC government, and I know that the Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister put forward a few words on that it continues the good work of the policy framework Mamàhtawisiwin: The Wonder We Are Born With.
And moving forward on, again, the important work on truth and reconciliation and making sure that our children and youth in this great province of ours continue on with respecting and remembering, of course, language, culture and the ways of knowing and being not only Indigenous students or peoples, but also everyone in this great province of ours, because, Honourable Speaker, you don't know what you don't know at times, and the more education, of course, the better.
* (07:30)
And so with this bill, we're going to see Mamàhtawisiwin continue on into the early childhood education, which, again, was something that we are working on and talking with the early childhood education association of Manitoba, of course, with Jodie Kehl and her organization; of course, all the great early childhood educators and child‑care assistants in this great province of ours.
We know that, you know, when we're building child-care spaces, which the NDP government, during Budget 2025, we've seen a reannounced list of early childhood education spaces. I know that there's many communities that are upset with this government for the time being, but we assure them that it is going to probably move forward, because that's typical Kinew government to try to basically take some of the good work and then repackage it as their own. And so the NDP, the Kinew government, had inherited well over 50 per cent of the pathway to 23,000 new spaces in this great province of ours.
But, with that, you also have to make sure that you have the staff. And so it's encouraging to see that the Kinew government and this Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning (MLA Schmidt) had continued to make sure that the availability to the scholarship program for making sure that students could get their training in early childhood education.
And so when we see that Mamàhtawisiwin is going to then be carried forward into early childhood education and the minister is alluding to creating a brand new document, I'm assuming it's going to have a great deal of the Mamàhtawisiwin components within it and they will just do what the NDP do–they'll put a different cover on it and they'll rename it. But the heart of it, the soul of it, will still be the same, and I think that's the main point, is that everyone in Manitoba is getting that education and working towards truth and reconciliation.
And, with those few words, again, Honourable Speaker, I look forward to passing the bill on to royal assent, and looking forward to seeing the Lieutenant Governor here in this wonderful Chamber within the next few minutes.
Thank you, Honourable Speaker.
The Speaker: The House ready for the question?
Some Honourable Members: Question.
The Speaker: The question before the House is concurrence and third reading of Bill 20, The Community Child Care Standards Amendment and Education Administration Amendment Act.
Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed]
The motion is accordingly passed.
The Speaker: We will now move on to Bill 39, The Public Schools Amendment Act (Campaign Financing for School Trustees).
French spoken
Hon. Tracy Schmidt (Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning): Honorable le Président, je propose, avec l'appui de le ministre d'Environnement et changement climatique (DAL Moyes), l'approbation, la troisième lecture et l'adoption du Projet de loi 39, Loi modifiant la Loi sur les écoles publiques (Financement des campagnes électorales pour les élections scolaires); The Public Schools Amendment Act (Campaign Financing for School Trustees), dont a fait rapport le Comité permanent du développement social et économique. Merci.
Translation
Honourable Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change (MLA Moyes), that Bill 39, The Public Schools Amendment Act (Campaign Financing for School Trustees), reported from the Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development, be concurred in and be now read for a third time and passed.
Thank you.
Motion presented.
MLA Schmidt: Honourable Speaker, would you believe it that there are currently no rules for campaign financing for school trustee elections in Manitoba? This leaves our elections vulnerable and our government is stepping up to take action.
On this side of the House, we know that school trustee campaign financing rules are important to prevent third‑party interference, to make elections more fair and transparent and to level the playing field and open up opportunities for Manitobans to run.
These changes also will bring us in line with other provinces who have already legislated school trustee campaign financing rules.
Bill 39 establishes clear definitions of campaign expenses and the campaign period, and each candidate will have to register before soliciting or accepting contributions.
Importantly, Bill 39 also makes it so that only individuals who normally reside in Manitoba may make contributions to a candidate. This change protects our elections from outside actors who don't have skin in the Manitoba game.
Honourable Speaker, this bill is an important step to promote fairness, transparency and accountability, ensuring that school boards reflect the needs and aspirations of the families and communities that they are elected to serve, and that our democracy is protected.
Honourable Speaker, the recent findings of the Ethics Commissioner's report have cast a long shadow over the PCs' commitment to democratic principles and to the ethical governance of our great province. That report proved what Manitobans knew back in 2023, in October: that the PCs lacked the moral authority to govern our great province.
But it's a new chapter in Manitoba's political history, one that will be defined by integrity, transparency, diversity, inclusivity, hope, love and a sincere and steadfast commitment to democratic principles–new democratic principles. Let us hold our leaders to account. Let us demand ethical governance, ethical leadership in service to each and every single Manitoban.
And to every Manitoban in this beautiful province, I wish you a very happy Pride for the month of June.
Mr. Wayne Ewasko (Lac du Bonnet): Well, we were doing so well this morning, Honourable Speaker, when we start talking about tone and various different things, and it gives me an opportunity this–[interjection]
The Speaker: Order.
Mr. Ewasko: –gives me an opportunity, Honourable Speaker, this morning to put a few words on the record on Bill 39, The Public Schools Amendment Act (Campaign Financing for School Trustees).
And it seems that the Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister, the Tim Hortons cup that she's got on her 'dek'–desk this morning obviously is kicking in, because the waking up and the tone, of course, has changed.
I'm not sure if it's been the long work evening into early morning, Honourable Speaker, but definitely the tone has changed this morning, and so it's interesting that the bill that the minister brought forward, Bill 39, has that word amendment in the bill–The Public Schools Amendment Act. Because when we were going through second reading, when we were going through the question and answer time, the minister failed to be able to put on the record who she consulted with on this bill, and she assured that–she assured us that she had consulted with many Manitobans.
But actually in reality, Honourable Speaker, we actually found out the day of committee that she decided to call in the–some of the presenters, some of the organizations that brought forward some well‑thought‑out amendments to Bill 39.
And she didn't pre‑consult with anybody. She actually had a bit of a sit down and maybe coffee and maybe some donuts or something with these organizations the morning of the committee, Honourable Speaker, and gave them all false hope that she was absolutely, possibly going to listen to them.
* (07:40)
And so then as we saw and heard from many presenters at committee, examples of–you know, we had the Manitoba Federation of Labour, we had the Manitoba Federation of Union Retirees, we had the Community Education Development Association. We also had Just Elections and we had Social Planning Council of Winnipeg.
And then we had a couple other private citizens, and they brought forward some very well-thought‑out amendments to Bill 39 to strengthen it, because on our side of the Chamber, Honourable Speaker, we are–we totally believe in free and fair elections, and that is, again, is central to a healthy democracy in this great province of ours.
And so, when we start talking about rules and laws for trustee elections or any elections, Honourable Speaker, we feel that it's–that it is very important that the public needs to have that confidence that the election process is fair and transparent.
And so, on one hand, we are supportive of this bill coming forward, but on the other hand, there were some very well‑thought‑out amendments, and so, showing to Manitobans, once again, that our Progressive Conservative team was listening, not only to the many Manitobans that reach out–reached out to myself and a lot of my colleagues prior to committee and prior to, of course, bringing forward report stage amendments, but also those that came on committee night, practised their democratic right to come to the people's building to have that conversation in the committee room so that they could have their minutes and share their concerns or thoughts with the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning (MLA Schmidt).
And so that evening–excuse me, Honourable Speaker–that evening it almost sounded like the Education Minister was listening to these presenters, but as we saw, as things had moved along throughout the following, you know, month, month and a half, we saw that, once again, not really listening, but pretending that they're listening, the Kinew government, but then not hearing.
And that means that there's no actions, and we've heard that from many partners and stakeholders all across this great province, that this government–and we've heard as most recently as residents of Point Douglas, where this Kinew government's just not listening. And when it comes to Bill 39, that was another example.
So one of the amendments that the–at committee that was brought forward, and I decided to bring forward to the report stage amendment time here in the Leg. just last week, Honourable Speaker–so the minister really had no rationale for the numbers that she was plucking out of the air, and she really couldn't even answer anybody at committee.
But so one of them was to–we want to see fair elections, especially at the school board level, and so the minister stands, even today, and professes to be this saviour of democratic rights and that and freedoms, but in fact what she's doing with her bill is actually trying to make sure that only the more wealthy can actually get elected and to try to look to see if the donations are quite high, Honourable Speaker. So not actually looking for many donors at smaller levels, but just a few larger donors to push that trustee over the finish line.
So we brought forward an amendment, again brought forward by committee presentations, on reducing a $1,500 contribution down to $750 because more people could possibly afford the $750 as opposed to the $1,500.
But what did this minister do and her Kinew government? They voted it down. They didn't even let that amendment go through, and that was an amendment brought forward by those hard‑working citizens that came to committee.
Another amendment that we brought forward, Honourable Speaker, was trying to reduce the amount of money that the candidate could bring forward from $7,500 to $6,000.
Now, I have no idea why the minister picked $7,500, because we know that in Elections Manitoba for our own campaigns, an individual can only donate up to $6,000.
So the minister again had no rationale for why $7,500, and then when the committee–the committee actually, the members of the committee, the public, wanted to bring forward even lower thresholds for that, but this minister stuck to her guns and wants to see only the most wealthy individuals campaign as a school trustee.
And so what they did was–the Kinew government voted down our amendment to lower that threshold for a candidate to be able to fund their own campaign from $7,500 to $6,000; they voted that down. That should be very–speaking very loud and clear to Manitobans that this minister and her boss, the Kinew government, has no thoughts about making sure that they're trying to level this playing field. They're just out there trying to play and try to score some form of political points, and this has backfired on them, because this is not going the way that they had thought this one up.
And then we brought forward another amendment in regards to bank accounts and making sure that, you know, the candidate had a specific bank account with a credit union or bank, and made sure that all those funds would go into one account and then be able to show transparency and accountability to Manitobans, especially those that would be voting for those school trustees.
So, with that, Honourable Speaker, of course, we, on this side of the House, are looking forward to seeing a more fair, equitable and accountable school trustee election in the next go‑around, but it's unfortunate that this minister couldn't see the forest for the trees and listen to the presenters who came out and our amendment.
Thank you, Honourable Speaker.
The Speaker: Seeing no further speakers, is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed]
The motion is accordingly passed.
Mr. Derek Johnson (Official Opposition House Leader): Respectfully, Honourable Speaker, I would like to ask to see if there's will of the House to call it unanimous.
The Speaker: Is it the will of the House to call the vote unanimous? [Agreed]
The vote is accordingly recorded as unanimous.
* * *
The Speaker: At this point in time, we will prepare the Chamber for the Lieutenant Governor to enter and assent to the bills that have been passed.
* (07:50)
Sergeant-at-Arms (Dave Shuttleworth): Her Honour the Lieutenant Governor.
Her Honour Anita R. Neville, Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Manitoba, having entered the House and being seated on the throne, The Honourable Speaker addressed Her Honour the Lieutenant Governor in the following words:
The Speaker: Your Honour:
At this sitting, the Legislative Assembly has passed certain bills that I ask Your Honour to give assent to.
Clerk Assistant (Ms. Vanessa Gregg):
Bill 2 – The Provincial Court Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Loi sur la Cour provinciale
Bill 3 – The City of Winnipeg Charter Amendment and Planning Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Charte de la ville de Winnipeg et la Loi sur l'aménagement du territoire
Bill 4 – The Planning Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Loi sur l'aménagement du territoire
Bill 5 – The Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Impaired Driving Measures); Loi modifiant le Code de la route (mesures en cas d'infractions de conduite avec facultés affaiblies)
Bill 6 – The Public Schools Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Loi sur les écoles publiques
Bill 7 – The Human Tissue Gift Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Loi sur les dons de tissus humains
Bill 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 10 – The Residential Tenancies Amendment Act (2); Loi no 2 modifiant la Loi sur la location à usage d'habitation
Bill 11 – The Oil and Gas Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Loi sur le pétrole et le gaz naturel
Bill 13 – The Minor Amendments and Corrections Act, 2025; Loi corrective de 2025
Bill 14 – The Insurance Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Loi sur les assurances
Bill 15 – The Real Estate Services Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Loi sur les services immobiliers
Bill 16 – The Municipal Councils and School Boards Elections Amendment and Public Schools Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Loi sur les élections municipales et scolaires et la Loi sur les écoles publiques
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)
Bill 18 – The Public Schools Amendment Act (Indigenous Languages of Instruction); Loi modifiant la Loi sur les écoles publiques (enseignement en langue autochtone)
Bill 19 – The Public Schools Amendment Act (Safe Schools); Loi modifiant la Loi sur les écoles publiques (milieu scolaire sûr)
Bill 20 – The Community Child Care Standards Amendment and Education Administration Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Loi sur la garde d'enfants et la Loi sur l'administration scolaire
* (08:00)
Bill 21 – The Protecting Youth in Sports Act; Loi sur la protection des jeunes sportifs
Bill 22 – The Environment Amendment and Waste Reduction and Prevention Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Loi sur l'environnement et la Loi sur la réduction du volume et de la production des déchets
Bill 24 – The Workers Compensation Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Loi sur les accidents du travail
Bill 25 – The Public-Private Partnerships Transparency and Accountability Act; Loi sur la transparence et la responsabilité en matière de partenariats public-privé
Bill 26 – The Vital Statistics Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Loi sur les statistiques de l'état civil
Bill 27 – The Income Tax Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Loi–sur–l'impôt sur le revenue
Bill 28 – The Manitoba Hydro Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Loi sur l'Hydro‑Manitoba
Bill 29 – The Workplace Safety and Health Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Loi sur la sécurité et l'hygiène du travail
Bill 31 – The Property Controls for Grocery Stores and Supermarkets Act (Various Acts Amended); Loi sur les instruments de contrôle de biens‑fonds visant des épiceries et des supermarchés (modification de diverses lois)
Bill 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 33 – The Public Health Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Loi sur la santé publique
Bill 34 – The Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Motor Carrier Enforcement); Loi modifiant le Code de la route (réglementation des transporteurs routiers)
Bill 35 – The Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Loi sur la Société d'assurance publique du Manitoba
Bill 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 37 – The Manitoba Financial Services Authority Act and Amendments to Various Other Acts; Loi sur l'Autorité des services financiers du Manitoba et modifiant diverses autres lois
Bill 38 – The Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Traffic Safety Measures); Loi modifiant le Code de la route (mesures de sécurité routière)
Bill 39 – The Public Schools Amendment Act (Campaign Financing for School Trustees); Loi modifiant la Loi sur les écoles publiques (financement des campagnes électorales pour les élections scolaires)
Bill 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)
Bill 42 – The Buy Canadian Act (Government Purchases Act Amendment–Amended); Loi sur l'achat au Canada (modification de la Loi sur les achats du gouvernement)
Bill 43 – The Human Rights Code Amendment Act; Loi modifiant le Code des droits de la personne
Bill 44 – The Matriarch Circle Act and Amendments to The Commemoration of Days, Weeks and Months Act (Ribbon Skirt Day); Loi sur le Cercle des matriarches et modification de la Loi sur les journées, les semaines et les mois commémoratifs (Journée de la jupe à rubans)
Bill 47 – The Fair Trade in Canada (Internal Trade Mutual Recognition) Act and Amendments to The Commemoration of Days, Weeks and Months Act (Buy Manitoba, Buy Canadian Day); Loi sur le commerce équitable au Canada (reconnaissance mutuelle en matière de commerce intérieur) et modification de la Loi sur les journées, les semaines et les mois commémoratifs (Journée « Achetons manitobain, achetons canadien »)
Bill 232 – The Victims of Impaired Drivers Commemoration Day Act (Commemoration of Days, Weeks and Months Act Amended); Loi sur la Journée de commémoration des victimes de conducteurs aux facultés affaiblies (modification de la Loi sur les journées, les semaines et les mois commémoratifs)
Clerk (Mr. Rick Yarish): In His Majesty's name, Her Honour assents to these bills.
Her Honour was then pleased to retire.
O Canada was sung.
God Save the King was sung.
* * *
* (08:10)
The Speaker: Just before we rise, I would once again remind members, if you have not already done so, remove the contents of your desk before you leave the Chamber.
The hour being somewhat past 5 p.m., this House is adjourned and stands adjourned until Wednesday, October 1, 2025, or to the call of the Speaker.
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA
Monday, June 2, 2025
CONTENTS
River Heights Interschool Council
Manitoba Emergency Coordination Centre
Minister of Public Service Delivery
Youth Stabbed in Charleswood Area
Drug Trafficking and Violent Crime
Cyber Security for School Divisions
Intersection of Highways 8 and 67
Education Property Taxes for Small Business
Wildfires Currently Burning in Manitoba
Highway 12 and 210 Intersection Closure
Concurrence and Third Readings
Bill 7–The Human Tissue Gift Amendment Act
Bill 33–The Public Health Amendment Act
Bill 3–The City of Winnipeg Charter Amendment and Planning Amendment Act
Bill 4–The Planning Amendment Act
Bill 14–The Insurance Amendment Act
Bill 15–The Real Estate Services Amendment Act
Bill 27–The Income Tax Amendment Act
Bill 28–The Manitoba Hydro Amendment Act
Bill 37–The Manitoba Financial Services Authority Act and Amendments to Various Other Acts
Bill 22–The Environment Amendment and Waste Reduction and Prevention Amendment Act
Bill 11–The Oil and Gas Amendment Act
Bill 21–The Protecting Youth in Sports Act
Bill 10–The Residential Tenancies Amendment Act (2)
Bill 25–The Public-Private Partnerships Transparency and Accountability Act
Bill 26–The Vital Statistics Amendment Act
Bill 5–The Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Impaired Driving Measures)
Bill 9–The Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Amendment Act (2)
Bill 13–The Minor Amendments and Corrections Act, 2025
Bill 32–The Residential Tenancies Amendment Act (Measures to Address Unlawful Activities)
Bill 35–The Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation Amendment Act
Bill 36–The Drivers and Vehicles Amendment and Highway Traffic Amendment Act
Bill 43–The Human Rights Code Amendment Act
Bill 38–The Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Traffic Safety Measures)
Bill 34–The Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Motor Carrier Enforcement)
Bill 24–The Workers Compensation Amendment Act
Bill 29–The Workplace Safety and Health Amendment Act
Bill 6–The Public Schools Amendment Act
Bill 18–The Public Schools Amendment Act (Indigenous Languages of Instruction)
Bill 19–The Public Schools Amendment Act (Safe Schools)
Bill 20–The Community Child Care Standards Amendment and Education Administration Amendment Act
Bill 39–The Public Schools Amendment Act (Campaign Financing for School Trustees)
Bill 2 – The Provincial Court Amendment Act
Bill 3 – The City of Winnipeg Charter Amendment and Planning Amendment Act
Bill 4 – The Planning Amendment Act
Bill 5 – The Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Impaired Driving Measures)
Bill 6 – The Public Schools Amendment Act
Bill 7 – The Human Tissue Gift Amendment Act
Bill 9 – The Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Amendment Act (2)
Bill 10 – The Residential Tenancies Amendment Act (2)
Bill 11 – The Oil and Gas Amendment Act
Bill 13 – The Minor Amendments and Corrections Act, 2025
Bill 14 – The Insurance Amendment Act
Bill 15 – The Real Estate Services Amendment Act
Bill 17 – The Public Schools Amendment Act (Nutrition Equality for Lasting Learning Outcomes)
Bill 18 – The Public Schools Amendment Act (Indigenous Languages of Instruction)
Bill 19 – The Public Schools Amendment Act (Safe Schools)
Bill 20 – The Community Child Care Standards Amendment and Education Administration Amendment Act
Bill 21 – The Protecting Youth in Sports Act
Bill 22 – The Environment Amendment and Waste Reduction and Prevention Amendment Act
Bill 24 – The Workers Compensation Amendment Act
Bill 25 – The Public-Private Partnerships Transparency and Accountability Act
Bill 26 – The Vital Statistics Amendment Act
Bill 27 – The Income Tax Amendment Act
Bill 28 – The Manitoba Hydro Amendment Act
Bill 29 – The Workplace Safety and Health Amendment Act
Bill 31 – The Property Controls for Grocery Stores and Supermarkets Act (Various Acts Amended)
Bill 32 – The Residential Tenancies Amendment Act (Measures to Address Unlawful Activities)
Bill 33 – The Public Health Amendment Act
Bill 34 – The Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Motor Carrier Enforcement)
Bill 35 – The Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation Amendment Act
Bill 36 – The Drivers and Vehicles Amendment and Highway Traffic Amendment Act
Bill 37 – The Manitoba Financial Services Authority Act and Amendments to Various Other Acts
Bill 38 – The Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Traffic Safety Measures)
Bill 39 – The Public Schools Amendment Act (Campaign Financing for School Trustees)
Bill 42 – The Buy Canadian Act (Government Purchases Act Amended)
Bill 43 – The Human Rights Code Amendment Act