LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
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, know it with certainty and accomplish it perfectly for the glory and honour of Thy name and for the welfare of all our people. Amen.
We acknowledge we are gathered on Treaty 1 territory and that Manitoba is located on the treaty territories and ancestral lands of the 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): Good morning, Honourable Speaker. Can you please call for the continuation of second reading of Bill 234, The Registered Landscape Architects Act; and, should Bill 234 pass second reading, can you immediately call for third reading Bill 301, The Westminster United Church Foundation Incorporation Amendment Act.
Miigwech.
The Speaker: It's been announced that we will now resume debate on second reading of Bill 234, The Registered Landscape Architects Act; followed, if we conclude that bill, by debate on Bill 301.
So now we'll move to debate–second reading debate on Bill 234, standing in the name of the honourable member for Brandon West (Mr. Balcaen), who has five minutes remaining.
The honourable Opposition House Leader.
Mr. Derek Johnson (Official Opposition House Leader): Could you please canvass the House for leave to not see the clock until all stages of Bill 234, The Registered Landscape Architects Act, including second reading, Committee of the Whole and concurrence and third reading have been completed?
The Speaker: Is there leave to not see the clock until all stages of Bill 234, including second reading, Committee of the Whole and concurrence and third reading have been completed?
Is there leave?
Some Honourable Members: Agreed.
An Honourable Member: Hold on, hold on.
The Speaker: So let's try that one more time.
Is there leave to not see the clock until all stages of Bill 234, including second reading, Committee of the Whole and concurrence and third reading have been completed?
Is there leave? [Agreed]
The Speaker: So now we will go to second reading of Bill 234, standing in the name of the honourable member for Brandon West.
Some Honourable Members: Question.
The Speaker: So the question before the House is second reading of Bill 234, The Registered Landscape Architects Act.
Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed]
The motion is accordingly passed.
As previously agreed, then, we will now go to Committee of the Whole.
Would the honourable deputy Speaker please take the Chair.
* (10:10)
The Deputy Chairperson (Rachelle Schott): Will the Committee of Supply–Committee of the Whole please come to order. As announced, the committee will now consider the following: Bill 234, The Registered Landscape Architects Act.
Does the bill's sponsor, the honourable member for Kirkfield Park, have an opening statement?
Mr. Logan Oxenham (Kirkfield Park): I do.
I would just like to thank the opposition for coming together on this fantastic piece of legislation that's been long overdue. I would like to recognize the folks from MALA that are here in the gallery with us today who have worked really hard. And, yes, again, this is very straightforward, non-political stuff, so very looking forward to passing this bill.
Thank you, Chair.
The Deputy Chairperson: We thank the member.
Do any other–does any other member wish to make an opening statement on Bill 234?
Mr. Derek Johnson (Interlake-Gimli): Yes, I just want to thank members opposite for picking up a bill that was designed by the PCs and brought forward. And it shows that everybody's in support of this bill and we can move it forward with agreement between all parties. And great work for picking up that bill and continuing its effort.
Thank you.
The Deputy Chairperson: We thank the member.
During the consideration of a bill, the enacting clause and the title are postponed until all other clauses have been considered in their proper order.
Also, if there is an agreement from the committee, the Chair will call clauses in blocks that conform to parts, with the understanding that we will stop at any particular clause or clauses where members may have comments, questions or amendments to propose.
Is this agreed? [Agreed]
Part 1–pass; part 2–pass; part 3–pass; part 4–pass; part 5–pass; part 6–pass–[interjection]–part 7–pass.
I'd like to ask all members, when you're not recognized, to refrain from interjecting. The clerks are here to participate and do their role.
Part 8–pass; enacting clause–pass; title–pass. Bill be reported.
* * *
The Deputy Chairperson: This concludes the business before the committee.
Committee rise.
Call in the Speaker.
IN SESSION
The Speaker: Order, please.
Mrs. Rachelle Schott (Deputy Chairperson): Honourable Speaker, the Committee of the Whole has considered the following: Bill 234, The Registered Landscape Architects Act, and reports the same without amendment.
I move, seconded by the honourable member for McPhillips (MLA Devgan), that the report of the committee be received.
Motion agreed to.
The Speaker: As previously agreed, then we'll go to concurrence and third reading of Bill 234.
Mr. Logan Oxenham (Kirkfield Park): I move–[interjection]–thank you. I move that Bill 234–[interjection]
Oh, I move–my apologies–seconded by the MLA for Tuxedo, that Bill 234, The Registered Landscape Architects Act, reported from the Committee of the Whole, be concurred in and be now read for a third time and passed.
Motion presented.
Mr. Oxenham: This is such a great joy to just stand here today and just to, you know, acknowledge the great work of Manitoba's landscape architects who have worked diligently, who have worked across political lines to really bring forth legislation that works for everybody and that especially acknowledges the good work that landscape architects do.
And it's just such an honour to be in this position to move the bill forward.
I'd like to thank the opposition, as well, for not speaking the bill out today and doing the smart thing and choosing to acknowledge the folks that have worked for close to 40 years, I think, on this legislation.
So I thank you again, Honourable Speaker. Thank you to the Chamber. Thank you to the good folks of MALA, and that's all I have to say.
Thanks.
* (10:20)
The Speaker: Further speakers?
Mr. Wayne Balcaen (Brandon West): I'd like to take the opportunity to thank the member for Kirkfield Park (Mr. Oxenham) for bringing this bill back to the floor, a bill that was initially introduced by our PC government at the time and introduced at that time by the MLA for Turtle Mountain, and I would like to thank my colleague for bringing that bill forward at the time and having the foresight to see the need for this bill within Manitoba, mirroring many other provinces across Canada to have this.
So it's important to recognize the work done by registered landscape architects and the work that is done in a professional nature. And I think that's the important part here, is this really continues to professionalize this association and the work that they do–not that it wasn't already, but now it codifies that profession within the Manitoba laws.
And fantastic to see, again, the foresight that was there several years back by the member for Turtle Mountain (Mr. Piwniuk), who I know has a passion himself for landscaping and for making sure that his properties, the properties that he works on, are beautified. And I know I've seen that work myself. So congratulations to him for bringing that forward. And, again, we're happy to support this bill from our side of the House.
I think, when I left off my last presentation, Honourable Speaker, I was talking about the beautification that the city of Brandon goes through every year.
When we look at the beautification that's done along the major routes–and a couple of them are certainly provincial areas, but many of them are City of Brandon areas as well–and I know that they've had greenhouse staff that work year-round preparing for the landscaping and the beautification of Brandon. And if you look at 18th Street–and it runs north-south from the Trans-Canada Highway–it goes all the way down, if you follow it, down to the border and, again, to the International Peace Gardens, which, again, is a beautiful landscaped area that I know landscape architects from both Manitoba and North Dakota take part in making sure it's such a beautiful place. But when you drive down 18th Street and you enter Brandon, you'll see the floral displays and you'll see the beautiful, beautiful landscaping.
As you're heading south, if you look to the right, it's just a little bit better, a little bit nicer on the west side of Brandon as you drive down that street. It's very beautiful in Brandon West.
So we appreciate the work that is done by the City of Brandon but also by the Province of Manitoba when you look at any of these streets: Victoria Avenue, Richmond Avenue, 1st Street, 18th Street, all being provincial roadways within the city of Brandon, and you look at how gorgeous it is.
What I think is really important is that we're celebrating this bill. We're going to see it pass today and we're celebrating this bill after one of the most recognizable weekends that happens in Canada–in Manitoba–and, for us, that is the May long weekend. And we know that much work gets done after the May long weekend, but leading up to it, we get to see the beautification that happens under the work that has been done the previous years as the flora continues to expand within Manitoba.
And many people would have had the opportunity this very weekend to enjoy the provincial parks and different areas that they go camping, whether it's private camping spots, whether it's provincial or whether it's federal. I know that a great deal of work gets done in those areas by registered landscape architects. And having this bill in place, celebrating it immediately following the May long weekend, is really a tribute to this bill and to all of the hard work that is done by these incredible individuals that undertake that work, that make sure that these spots are not only beautiful, but let's look at the technical side too, that there's proper drainage, that they work within the parameters that are set up by either the Province or the City or the municipalities, the RMs, to make sure that they comply with local regulations.
And that's what being a professional is all about. And, again, this bill codifies that profession by making sure that these individuals are not only recognized for the work that they're doing, but now have that label within Manitoba to be recognized as registered landscape architects.
With this bill, the Manitoba Association of Landscape Architects becomes the profession's regulatory body and a governing council is established which–with public representatives, and only registered members can use the title registered landscape architect. And I think that's the important part that we need to look at here, because many businesses, whether they're small-size, medium- or large-size landscape businesses, can now have that title and have that professional designation within their business, within their governing body. But with that becomes the ability to make sure that the work being done is kept up to the standards that individuals expect and that individuals want within this regulatory framework, but within this profession, no different than any other profession that we have out in Manitoba, across Canada, across North America, even. When you become a registered professional, you have oversight by that governing body and making sure that you do the work that's intended to be done.
It also really–again, I've said it–it codifies the work that's being done within the Manitoba Legislature. But it really puts the mark on the education that each of these individuals go through. Whether it's through their training here in Manitoba or other provinces or other countries, it brings it forward and makes sure that the profession remains strong–pardon me–and that the profession is seen exactly as that. And we've talked about that, or I've talked about that a couple of times here. But I think that's the hallmark of this legislation, is making sure that there's the professionalism brought behind it. And, having that professional title, having that ability to put your stamp, if you will, on it and saying that you're a professional registered landscape architect, it sets the tone. And it sets the tone for all of the businesses that have registered landscape architects within their staffing component.
Being able to offer that very professional service, being able to provide what individuals in Manitoba and many other provinces want to make sure that they have, when they're seeking out that landscape work that's being done, that proper drainage, that beautification of their property or of their business–and many people go to these businesses when they're either beautifying their property or their business because it adds value. It adds that curb appeal. It adds that wow factor.
And knowing that we now have, or will have, at the end of the day, passed this bill, knowing that we brought it forward, and, again, knowing that the member for Turtle Mountain (Mr. Piwniuk) had the foresight many years ago to bring this bill forward, I'm happy to see it come to final votes today and move forward.
* (10:30)
I would like to thank him once more and our PC Party for having the ability to see where this needed to go many years ago, and I'm happy to congratulate those in the–
The Speaker: The honourable member's time has expired.
Anyone else?
Mrs. Lauren Stone (Midland): I rise today to speak to Bill 234 and to recognize the important role that landscape architects play in communities across Manitoba. I want to thank the folks that have joined us in the gallery today as well as those who have joined us online, and I think it's fairly safe to say that this bill is a long time coming.
I do want to give credit to previous colleagues that saw the importance of bringing legislation like this forward, first starting with the MLA for Turtle Mountain and then the former MLA for Brandon East, Len Isleifson, who saw, as my colleague the MLA for Brandon West mentioned, the foresight in bringing a piece of legislation like this forward.
So, as my colleague previous stated, our PC team, we want to see this bill passed. We do recognize the importance of it. One of the reasons why we've expedited this this morning is to then see this legislation truly come to fruition, because, as mentioned, this is a long time coming, and, certainly, we would have liked to see this pass in previous years. Unfortunately, the NDP did stall this the last time that it came forward, but we certainly don't want to see that happen today.
And also want to recognize many of my PC colleagues that are here on our side of the House in support of this bill and want to see the passage. It's unfortunate that members opposite have not put up any speakers to speak to the importance of this bill.
But I do want to thank the MLA for Kirkfield Park for bringing this, again, forward. As he mentioned in his opening remarks, this is a non-partisan bill; it's something that both sides of the House want to see the passage of. So I do want to thank him and commend him for bringing this forward, for working with us. I also want to thank MALA and the landscape architects for working on–with both sides of the House–on ensuring that this legislation does come to pass.
So, as we know, landscape architects help shape all of our communities, the places where Manitobans live, work, gather and raise families, and their work impacts everything from parks and public spaces to flood mitigation, urban development, recreational areas and environmental planning. They help design safer communities, they help create accessible green spaces, they contribute sustainably and to environmental stewardship.
And in a province like Manitoba, where weather is very unpredictable, where we go through periods of droughts, where we go through periods of flooding, we need significant water management and infrastructure, which are deeply connected, so landscape architects can provide that expertise and real value to businesses, urban developments, municipal planning. And many of them work with our local RMs, many of the RMs that folks on our side of the table work with every single day, to ensure that various infrastructure projects and major urban development projects are both sustainable as well as accessible.
And so, although landscape architects often work quietly behind the scenes, their work is visible, very visible, in nearly every community across our province. And whether that is a revitalization of downtown streets, a community park, perhaps a trail system or planning around drainage and green infrastructure, their profession contributes to quality of life for Manitobans.
My colleague, the MLA for Brandon West, spoke about curb appeal and how important that is for local businesses. Curb appeal often draws customers in for our local businesses, and how important that aspect is to the overall branding and how customers and clients see a business is that curb appeal. And that landscape component can contribute to a significant part of that local business' overall brand and marketing.
Landscape architects also contribute economically, not only in the direct jobs and wages, but the indirect jobs as well. This profession supports development, construction, municipal growth, tourism, recreation and community investment. In many ways, landscape architects are a part of the broader economic system and the broader economic ecosystem that helps build stronger and more attractive communities.
So what this bill does is it really codifies the important work that is already being done, but ensures that professions and the profession remain strong. And as my colleague mentioned, this is really the hallmark of this legislation: to ensure that professional, highly skilled individuals can put their stamp on it and say that they're a registered landscape architect, as is the case with so many other highly skilled professions that we have here in the province and in other jurisdictions and across the country. So this bill really does codify that important work that is already being done.
And I do want to acknowledge the professionals in this field, many who are in the gallery or virtual with us today, who do take incredible pride in their work and who have dedicated years and years to education, training and service. And, again, I just want to reiterate and thank MALA for their continued advocacy over the past number of years to see this bill come to fruition.
So, as mentioned, this is why our PC team supports this bill. Looking forward to expediting the process this morning so that those who have joined us today can see its passage and recognize the advocacy of MALA on working across both sides of the House as my colleague, the MLA for Kirkfield Park.
And earlier in my comments, I mentioned this is a non‑political issue. This is something that the landscape architects want to see; they want to see it come to fruition.
Again, I just want to give a call‑out to the work that was done previously on a bill like this, starting with the MLA for Turtle Mountain, and then taken forward from the former MLA for Brandon East, Len Isleifson. So, as mentioned earlier, it's taken some time, but we are finally here, and we look forward to seeing this bill passed and look forward to seeing it move through the remaining stages of the Legislature.
So, again, thank you to all for ensuring that this bill has come forward today and all the work that has been done. We recognize your profession and the important contributions that all the landscape architects make to our communities, both rural as well as urban. As mentioned, many landscape architects work with rural municipalities on development projects, on infrastructure, on drainage. But as most Manitobans would see and know them as, is providing the beautification of our cities and communities that truly draw people to want to live in Winnipeg, across our rural communities and in Manitoba. We have a beautiful province and landscape architects certainly help show that beauty that exists, but through highly professional skill, professional designs, environmental planning, as I had mentioned, accessibility, sustainability into the future, so that when our children are grown up, they can continue to have a beautiful community, beautiful city and beautiful place and province to live and work and raise their own family.
So, again, thank you to all those landscape architects that are here today and have joined virtually. And thank you for the important work that you all do in ensuring our communities and our province are a great and beautiful place to live, work and raise our families.
Thank you, Honourable Speaker.
Mr. Josh Guenter (Borderland): I appreciate the opportunity to rise this morning to put just a few words on the record on Bill 234, the landscape architects act and–The Registered Landscape Architects Act.
* (10:40)
And I, too, want to acknowledge–and I know per the rules of the House, we're not to engage the gallery, but I do, through you, Honourable Speaker, want to thank our guests, the guests joining us today from the Manitoba association of landscape architecture, who I had the–some of whom I had the privilege of meeting with some time ago and who also met with members of this Legislative Assembly as well, including our caucus, and had the opportunity to talk about what it is that they do for our great province–frankly, a beautiful province, incredibly blessed with a really wonderful natural heritage.
So, and, you know, as has been said by my colleagues this morning as well that, you know, it's our landscape architects that are in some respects the unsung heroes of all the beautiful green spaces we see in our–across our province and across Winnipeg. They're the ones that do the work and–behind the scenes, and certainly we all benefit from that. The public benefits from that. And I think it just gets taken for granted, but there were people involved in these projects, and often those are the landscape architects of our province.
So I thank them for the work that they do, I thank them for taking the time to meet with me and with our colleagues, with my colleagues, and I thank them for their advocacy. You know, as has been said, this has been an effort that has been many years in the making, and there have been previous efforts.
And I also want to thank the MLA for Kirkfield Park for bringing forward this bill and I also want to acknowledge the work of my colleague on the PC side of the House, the MLA for Turtle Mountain, for previously bringing this bill to this Chamber. And so anyway, yes, so it's, you know, it's one of those things that sometimes you'll read about in the media or columnists will complain about the lack of–or about bitter partisanship and the inability for parties to work together. And sometimes you hear that from constituents as well and Manitobans. But I think the reality is that there are often opportunities for parties to work together, and, you know, that actually does happen more often, I think, than not and–where you have the government and the opposition come together and work on legislation.
And so that's a good thing, and that is–you know, we all have a role to play here to bring our concerns forward to this Legislative Assembly. And our job is really not about us as legislators; it is about the concerns of constituents that we represent, the concerns of Manitobans. So we bring those here. And, of course, across the province there's a diversity of views on many issues. And the way our system allows us to resolve those issues is through this forum, this democratic process. And we have a vigorous debate, and, you know, things can become very partisan, but then there are times such as this issue, such as Bill 234, where we can see that, hey, this is a bill that is good for Manitoba, and we can all support it regardless of our political affiliation. And so certainly, that's what we're doing here today, and I'm happy to see that this bill will pass this morning and happy to support it, support its passage into law.
But I did just want to say, you know, I think it's worth pointing out some of the work that landscape architects do. You know, it's an $80‑million industry, I understand, within Manitoba, some 200 individuals employed within that industry. And when we're thinking about landscape architects, you know, we're thinking about landscape architects, not general landscapers and the folks that do the work of landscaping. This is a highly specialized, highly skilled competency field that we're talking about today.
So certainly when we're talking about applying this accreditation or this licence to landscape architects, you know, it's not like we're excluding the larger industry that employs many more Manitobans of the general landscapers, the folks that may come and do the work on your–create a lawn for you and plant some trees and things like that. So I think that's an important distinction.
We're not creating barriers to entry; we're not doing anything like that. This is simply about recognizing people, recognizing a field, professionals who have invested significant amount of time and resources into getting their education, you know, and it's worth talking–mentioning as well that University of Manitoba has Canada's oldest accredited master of landscape architecture program right here in Manitoba. We have a very robust landscape architecture program right here in Manitoba thanks to the University of Manitoba.
So that deserves a shout‑out, and I think it's only fitting that Manitoba is going to be adopting a law like this, certainly after BC, Alberta and Ontario have already adopted name act legislation, and I think it only makes sense that Manitoba does the same. Landscape architects have been involved in the creation of many of the beautiful green spaces we see in Manitoba, such as the creation of the Assiniboine Park in 1904, the Riding Mountain National Park in 1933, Birds Hill Provincial Park in 1964, and The Forks historic site in 1989, to mention just a few. So we all, again, benefit from these green spaces, and I just think it's fitting that here this morning, we have an opportunity to thank, to recognize and to properly thank the folks who are behind many of these wonderful projects, who, again, are the unsung heroes of our public spaces and helped to beautify, you know, our concrete jungles.
And I will just say–and I don't have much time left–but I will just say I, you know, as a student–a university student living in Ottawa, I got so sick. I talk about the concrete jungle. I got so sick of living in a concrete jungle, and I guess coming from the country–I'm a country boy. You know, you can take the boy out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the boy, and certainly that was the case for me.
And it got to the point where–and Ottawa is a beautiful city, it really is, but, you know, I got so tired of walking on concrete and just seeing concrete everywhere that I would go to Major's Hill Park and deliberately walk on the grass, not walk on the concrete, because I just wanted to feel grass under my feet. I didn't want to be walking on concrete. And, you know, that's a credit to our landscape architects who make that available. To–there are so many–we talk about mental health, and there are so many benefits to just getting outside and breathing in fresh air and enjoying the beautiful green space that's made available. And it's landscape architects who harness all of those attributes, and they really make it come together in a really beautiful symphony.
And so Manitoba has got some of those latent attributes that are just, you know, ready for the–ripe for the picking, and it's landscape architects who take all those elements, and make them come together in a really beautiful way. And they've done that time and again.
And, Honourable Speaker, I just appreciate the opportunity to stand this morning, put a few words on this important bill and to support it as a way of recognizing and thanking those folks who do this important work.
So, with that, thank you very much.
Introduction of Guests
The Speaker: Order, please.
There's some guests in the gallery I'd like to introduce before we do anything else. We have seated in the public gallery, from St. Gerard School, 45 grade 4 and 5 students under the direction of Heather Pollock.
This group is located in the constituency of the honourable member for Concordia (Mr. Wiebe). And we welcome you all here today.
* (10:50)
* * *
Mr. Greg Nesbitt (Riding Mountain): I want to acknowledge the important work that landscape architects and landscape professionals do across our province. Their work often goes unnoticed by the public, but it shapes the spaces Manitobans use every single day, from public parks and recreation areas to community developments, trails, campuses, streetscapes and environmental restoration projects.
I also want to specifically recognize the landscape professionals who work within Manitoba parks and across our public service. These individuals help preserve and enhance some of Manitoba's most valued natural spaces. They contribute to trail planning, accessibility improvements, conservation initiatives, campground design and public recreation infrastructure that families across this province enjoy every year. Their expertise matters, and their work deserves respect.
I believe all members can agree that landscape architecture is a legitimate and valuable profession that contributes meaningful to public safety, environmental planning and community development.
There is certainly merit in recognizing professional standards and ensuring that Manitobans can have confidence in the qualifications of individuals using professional titles. I also recognize that many other provinces, including Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia, already have self‑governing frameworks for this profession.
In many respects, Bill 234 reflects a broader national trend towards professional recognition within the field of landscape architecture. We want to support professional excellence; we want to support public confidence; and we want to support Manitoba's skilled workforce.
We also need to ensure that regulatory frameworks remain practical, efficient and mindful of economic realities facing Manitobans today. Families are dealing with affordability pressures; municipalities are managing tight budgets; businesses and developers are facing rising costs across virtually every sector.
So, whenever government introduces a new statutory regulatory structure, it is reasonable to ask important questions about cost, implementation and long-term impacts. For example, we have asked how this framework will operate in practice.
We also asked if it will support labour mobility and help attract skilled professionals to Manitoba. We know it will create pathways for young Manitobans entering the profession.
Will smaller firms and independent practitioners be able to navigate the system without excessive administrative burden? And how can government ensure that the regulatory structure remains efficient and responsive rather than overly bureaucratic? Those are fair questions, not because anyone doubts the value of the profession, but because we want Manitoba to remain competitive, accessible and welcoming to skilled professionals.
One thing I think is important to emphasize is that Manitoba already benefits from highly capable landscape professionals who operate with strong ethical standards and deep expertise. We see that expertise reflected in projects across our province. We see it in the design of public gathering spaces and active transportation corridors. We see it in environmental rehabilitation and flood mitigation planning. We see it in tourism and recreation infrastructure that helps community attract visitors and investment. And we certainly see it in the ongoing work being done throughout our Manitoba parks, where landscape professionals help balance conservation, recreation, tourism and accessibility and environmental sustainability in ways that benefit all Manitobans. That work has real value.
In many communities, thoughtfully designed public spaces improve quality of life, encourage tourism, support economic development and strengthen community pride.
Whether it is a revitalized downtown green space, an accessible trail system, a restored waterfront area or recreational infrastructure that attracts families and visitors, these projects have long‑term economic and social benefits for communities both large and small. Landscape architects and related professionals play a meaningful role in achieving these outcomes.
I also appreciate that title protection can help provide clarity for consumers and clients seeking professional services. Manitobans deserve confidence that individuals using certain professional designations have met recognized standards of education and practice.
At the same time, Honourable Speaker, we should remain mindful that regulation should always be proportionate and carefully administered. Government should continue working closely with the profession, educational institutions, municipalities, Indigenous communities and industry stakeholders to ensure the system remains accessible and practical, especially for younger professionals entering the field and for practitioners relocating from other provinces. Labour and mobility will be particularly important moving forward.
If Manitoba wants to attract and retain skilled professionals, we need systems that are efficient, transparent and fair. Young professionals graduating from universities and colleges should see Manitoba as a place where they can build a career and contribute to growing communities. Similarly, experienced professionals moving from other provinces should be able to transition into Manitoba's workforce without unnecessary delays or duplication. I would encourage the government and the future regulatory body to place a strong emphasis on fairness, transparency and labour mobility.
There is also an opportunity here to view landscape architecture not simply through a regulatory lens, but through an economic and environmental lens as well. Good landscape design contributes to stronger communities; it contributes to climate resilience; it contributes to tourism and recreation; it contributes to public health and accessibility and contributes to environmental sustainability and long‑term planning.
And increasingly, it contributes to how communities prepare for environmental challenges and population growth. Those are important considerations for Manitoba's future.
As our province continues to grow and develop, skilled professionals in planning, design and environmental stewardship will continue to play an important role. That includes the many talented professionals already serving Manitobans in both the private and public sectors. It is important to recognize the collaborative nature of this work. Landscape architects often work alongside engineers, planners, architects, environmental scientists, Indigenous knowledge holders, municipalities and community organizations. Good outcomes are often the result of collaboration and shared expertise.
Honourable Speaker, I want to reiterate our respect for the profession and for the individuals who have worked to advance this field in Manitoba. The professionals who design and maintain public spaces, parks, trails, recreational areas and environmental projects contribute greatly to our communities and to our province as a whole. And again, I particularly want to recognize those working within Manitoba Parks whose efforts help preserve the beauty, accessibility and sustainability of Manitoba's natural spaces for future generations.
I personally appreciate the work of the professionals involved in this field. And I appreciate the opportunity to place these comments on the record today.
Thank you, Honourable Speaker.
The Speaker: The honourable member for Swan River (Mr. Wowchuk)–[interjection]
Order, please.
The honourable Government House Leader.
Hon. Nahanni Fontaine (Government House Leader): Yes, Honourable Speaker. Please canvass the House to not see the clock until we finish debate and vote on the private member's resolution scheduled for this morning, brought forward and championed by the member for Kildonan‑River East (Mrs. Schott), the National Strategy for Silver Alerts.
The Speaker: Is there leave to not see the clock until we've finished debate on the private member's resolution as described by the honourable Government House Leader?
Some Honourable Members: Agreed.
An Honourable Member: No.
The Speaker: I hear a no. Leave has been denied.
So now we'll resume debate on Bill 234.
The honourable Government House Leader.
MLA Fontaine: No, no, to speak to the bill.
The Speaker: The honourable Government House Leader.
Hon. Nahanni Fontaine (Minister of Families): It's an honour to get up and speak to bill 300. I'm going to keep my comments very, very short because we do have guests in the gallery, and as riveting as these comments had been–have been this morning, I'm sure that the members of the Manitoba association for landscape architects have a lot of work that they need to get to today, rather than sit here and listen to members debate the bill that we're all going to support this morning.
So I do want to just say, you know, there's been a lot of back and forth about who brought this bill, who didn't bring this bill, all of this stuff. I just want to say for the record that none of that really matters, Honourable Speaker. What matters is the work of MALA, that they've been doing for many, many years to bring forward this legislation and this particular recognition of the good work that they do.
* (11:00)
And so, on behalf of our caucus and the member for Kirkland [phonetic] P–we want to just say miigwech to them for all of their hard labour and their expertise. And I would really encourage the Manitoba PCs to not delay with more debate here and allow–[interjection]
The Speaker: Order.
MLA Fontaine: –allow the members to get to their very important work that they are doing.
Miigwech.
Mr. Rick Wowchuk (Swan River): I just want to put a few words on the record here and acknowledge the great work of our landscape architects, have some personal experiences to share.
So the–anyway, it's important to recognize the contributions that landscape architects and landscape professionals make throughout our province. Their work influences the appearance, function and accessibility of many public spaces that Manitobans rely on every day.
Whether it's in our parks or walking trails, community gathering spaces, playgrounds, urban green spaces or recreational developments, these professionals help shape environments that are both functional and welcoming. And up in the Duck Mountains, we see many, many examples of where landscape architects work to create these trails and beautiful areas that people can share with families on a daily basis and enjoy the bounties that nature has to offer.
I also want to acknowledge the professionals working within Manitoba parks and throughout the provincial public service. Their efforts help maintain and improve some of the most beautiful, environmentally significant places in our province.
Manitobans benefit from their expertise when they visit campgrounds, hiking trails, beaches, picnic areas and recreational facilities throughout our park system. And in this lovely province, we have no shortage of these. And we thank the landscape architects on a lot of things that they have done to design and to bring these things forward.
I also want to mention their work contributes not only to recreational tourism but also conservation, accessibility and environmental stewardship.
At this time, I also want to mention about the, for example, the 9/11 monument at the International Peace Garden.
And the past president of the International Peace Garden and a professor at the U of M, Charlie Thompson, worked with his students at U of M. And they worked with students from North Dakota State to bring this monument and this educational, you know, display where people can go and honour people who had fallen in the 9/11 catastrophe.
And they worked together; it shows where two nations can come together and work for a common cause for humanity.
And also I recall many times when my cohort, Shawn Stankewich–he was a co-coach with me–and we coached Envirothon. And a lot of times, we would bring forth–they would be–the students would be posed with a question in the Envirothon competition, and they would have to come up with a well-designed answer. And Shawn, having that background in landscape architect, on many occasions would be able to contribute so much.
Mrs. Rachelle Schott, Acting Speaker, in the Chair
And this was where he was handing his knowledge down to the future generation that was stimulating their interest in landscape architect and seeing the importance and how these, you know, these architects are so important in in the overall scape of things.
I believe members from all sides can agree landscape architect is an important profession with growing relevance in modern community planning and environmental management. As Manitoba continues to grow and evolve, thoughtful design and long-term planning will only become more important.
We are seeing increased attention paid to climate resilience, flood mitigation, accessibility, sustainable infrastructure and community development. As we go across Manitoba, we see many times in each community, where landscape architects played a role in the design of one of these great features. Landscape professionals are often directly involved in all of those areas. As this legislation moves forward, I hope the government will continue listening to the stakeholders, ensuring the system remains accessible, efficient and supportive of growth and opportunity within the profession.
In closing, I again want to recognize the work of Manitoba's landscape professionals, including those serving Manitobans through Manitoba Parks and throughout communities across our province. I just also want to give a shout‑out–I know when we brought this legislation forward and there was ministerial changes, and our member from Turtle Mountain was very involved in the peace gardens and really wanted to see this come to fruition, and today it is. We are moving this legislation forward. You know, Len Isleifson was able to bring it forth. We're seeing a lot more co-operation today from us on this side of the House to make sure that this bill goes forward swiftly and the efforts help create safer, more accessible, more sustainable and welcoming public spaces for everyone.
Thank you, honourable Speaker.
The Acting Speaker (Rachelle Schott): Seeing no further speakers, is the House ready for the question?
Some Honourable Members: Question.
The Acting Speaker (Rachelle Schott): The question before the House is concurrence and third reading of Bill 234, The Registered Landscape Architects Act.
Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed]
The motion is accordingly passed.
The member for Interlake-Gimli (Mr. Johnson)–oh, the opposition–Official Opposition House Leader.
Mr. Derek Johnson (Official Opposition House Leader): Is there will of the House to consider it unanimous?
The Acting Speaker (Rachelle Schott): Is there will of the House to consider it unanimous? [Agreed]
The motion is accordingly passed unanimously.
The Acting Speaker (Rachelle Schott): As previously–the hour being past 11 a.m., as previously arranged, we will resume debate on resolution No. 7, the National Strategy for Silver Alerts, standing in the name of the honourable member for Springfield-Ritchot (Mr. Schuler), who has six minutes remaining. [interjection]
Is there leave of the House to have debate resume in the name of the honourable member for Red River North? [interjection]
Is there leave of the House to have the debate remain in the name of the honourable member for Springfield-Ritchot, who has six minutes remaining?
Some Honourable Members: No.
The Acting Speaker (Rachelle Schott): Leave has been denied.
The honourable member has now lost the right to speak to the resolution.
The floor is open for debate.
Mr. Jeff Wharton (Red River North): It is a privilege to stand up today to speak to this private member's resolution, the National Strategy for Silver Alerts. Just wanted to put a few words on the record, and I'll make that brief, because this is another important area for us to move forward with collectively today in this House.
I rise to speak to the strengthening of the silver alert system and improving the tools available to help locate vulnerable Manitobans when they go missing. At its heart, the issue is about public safety, compassion and timely action. When a vulnerable senior or person living with dementia or an individual experiencing cognitive decline goes missing, every moment matters. Families experience unimaginable fear and uncertainty, and communities instinctively want to help.
* (11:10)
The silver alert system recognizes that reality. It is based on the straightforward principle: When someone vulnerable disappears, information should be shared quickly, clearly and effectively, so the public can assist in locating them safely. Canadians already understand the importance of the emergency alert systems. We have seen how AMBER Alert mobiles–mobilizes communities and captures public attention almost immediately. People stop what they're doing, they check the information, they stay alert, and, in many cases, that awareness helps bring children home safely.
Mr. Diljeet Brar, Acting Speaker, in the Chair
The same sense of urgency should apply when vulnerable adults go missing. Honourable Speaker, Manitoba has already shown leadership in this area. In 2017, former Brandon MLA, Len Isleifson, introduced amendments to The Missing Persons Act that helped establish a silver alert framework here in our province. That was an important and forward-thinking step. It acknowledged that vulnerable Manitobans require additional protection, and that public awareness can play a critical role during a missing person situation. It reflected careful thinking about both public safety and community responsibility. It also reflected an understanding that government should not wait for a tragedy before taking action.
Good public policy is about preparing systems and supports before emergencies happen. Manitobans, again, have already demonstrated leadership through the work of our former colleague. Now, there is an opportunity to continue building on that progress. There is an opportunity to modernize systems, improve co-ordination and ensure information reaches the public as quickly and effectively as possible when vulnerable individuals go missing.
Because, at the end of the day, honourable deputy Speaker, the issue is not really about technology or bureaucracy. It's about people. It's about families waiting anxiously for news. It's about communities coming together to help. And it's about doing everything reasonably possible to bring vulnerable Manitobans home safe.
Honourable deputy Speaker, with those few words, I hope that we can move forward quickly today at some point. We need to get–move forward with this issue.
You know, we know that the work that we did in 2017 through our colleague, Len Isleifson, was great. It was a great start. We were leaders here in Manitoba. We know we have to continue to ensure that we continue to go forward with being leaders in this area.
We know–I know personally from being–having a grandparent in Alzheimer's care, it was difficult for us as a family because he needed support every day. Grandma wasn't in a position to take care of him and give him the supports that he needed. So we needed to make sure that if something happened and he ended up going missing–because he did actually leave the facility–he was at Deer Lodge Centre for quite some time. And we were–of course, when we were visiting, we'd have a good time. But, you know, the bottom line is that he needed to make sure that–we needed to make sure that his safety and the security of him–and, again, folks around him–was in place.
And, really, going through with this type of resolution is something that, again, just broadens the awareness we need to have when we're dealing with vulnerable Manitobans.
So, with those few words on the record, again, honourable deputy Speaker, I'm happy to share some personal experiences with the House today, as I have, and I look forward to moving forward with this resolution.
Thank you, honourable deputy Speaker.
The Acting Speaker (Diljeet Brar): Any other members wishing to speak?
Seeing no members wishing to speak, is the House ready for the question?
Some Honourable Members: Question.
The Acting Speaker (Diljeet Brar): It is–is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the resolution? Agreed? [Agreed]
The resolution is accordingly passed.
Hon. Nahanni Fontaine (Government House Leader): Is it the will of the House to call it 12?
The Acting Speaker (Diljeet Brar): Is it the will of the House to call it 12? [Agreed]
The hour being 12 p.m., this House is recessed and stands recessed 'til 1:30 p.m.
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
CONTENTS