DEBATES and PROCEEDINGS
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Fourth Session – Forty-First Legislature of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba DEBATES and PROCEEDINGS Official Report (Hansard) Published under the authority of The Honourable Myrna Driedger Speaker Vol. LXXII No. 23 - 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 12, 2019 ISSN 0542-5492 MANITOBA LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Forty-First Legislature Member Constituency Political Affiliation ALLUM, James Fort Garry-Riverview NDP ALTEMEYER, Rob Wolseley NDP BINDLE, Kelly Thompson PC CLARKE, Eileen, Hon. Agassiz PC COX, Cathy, Hon. River East PC CULLEN, Cliff, Hon. Spruce Woods PC CURRY, Nic Kildonan PC DRIEDGER, Myrna, Hon. Charleswood PC EICHLER, Ralph, Hon. Lakeside PC EWASKO, Wayne Lac du Bonnet PC FIELDING, Scott, Hon. Kirkfield Park PC FLETCHER, Steven, Hon. Assiniboia Man. FONTAINE, Nahanni St. Johns NDP FRIESEN, Cameron, Hon. Morden-Winkler PC GERRARD, Jon, Hon. River Heights Lib. GOERTZEN, Kelvin, Hon. Steinbach PC GRAYDON, Clifford Emerson Ind. GUILLEMARD, Sarah Fort Richmond PC HELWER, Reg Brandon West PC ISLEIFSON, Len Brandon East PC JOHNSON, Derek Interlake PC JOHNSTON, Scott St. James PC KINEW, Wab Fort Rouge NDP KLASSEN, Judy Kewatinook Lib. LAGASSÉ, Bob Dawson Trail PC LAGIMODIERE, Alan Selkirk PC LAMONT, Dougald St. Boniface Lib. LAMOUREUX, Cindy Burrows Lib. LATHLIN, Amanda The Pas NDP LINDSEY, Tom Flin Flon NDP MALOWAY, Jim Elmwood NDP MARCELINO, Flor Logan NDP MARCELINO, Ted Tyndall Park NDP MARTIN, Shannon Morris PC MAYER, Colleen, Hon. St. Vital PC MICHALESKI, Brad Dauphin PC MICKLEFIELD, Andrew Rossmere PC MORLEY-LECOMTE, Janice Seine River PC NESBITT, Greg Riding Mountain PC PALLISTER, Brian, Hon. Fort Whyte PC PEDERSEN, Blaine, Hon. Midland PC PIWNIUK, Doyle Arthur-Virden PC REYES, Jon St. Norbert PC SARAN, Mohinder The Maples Ind. SCHULER, Ron, Hon. St. Paul PC SMITH, Andrew Southdale PC SMITH, Bernadette Point Douglas NDP SMOOK, Dennis La Verendrye PC SQUIRES, Rochelle, Hon. Riel PC STEFANSON, Heather, Hon. Tuxedo PC SWAN, Andrew Minto NDP TEITSMA, James Radisson PC WHARTON, Jeff, Hon. Gimli PC WIEBE, Matt Concordia NDP WISHART, Ian Portage la Prairie PC WOWCHUK, Rick Swan River PC YAKIMOSKI, Blair Transcona PC 615 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA Tuesday, March 12, 2019 The House met at 1:30 p.m. Statistics Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Loi sur les statistiques de l'état civil, be now read a first time. Madam Speaker: O Eternal and Almighty God, from Whom all power and wisdom come, we are Motion presented. assembled here before Thee to frame such laws as may tend to the welfare and prosperity of our Mr. Kinew: Once again I rise to introduce province. Grant, O merciful God, we pray Thee, that Bill 220, a bill that would provide a gender-neutral we may desire only that which is in accordance with identification option for non-binary Manitobans on Thy will, that we may seek it with wisdom and know their government-issued IDs, like a birth certificate. it with certainty and accomplish it perfectly for the glory and honour of Thy name and for the welfare of Bill 220 was brought forward by a constituent all our people. Amen. who recognized this gap in ensuring Manitoba is an inclusive place. I am very happy to bring this Please be seated. forward for consideration by the House. ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS Thank you. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS Madam Speaker: Is it the pleasure to–of the House Bill 9–The Family Law Modernization Act to adopt the motion? Agreed? [Agreed] Hon. Cliff Cullen (Minister of Justice and Committee reports? Tabling of reports? Attorney General): I move, seconded by the Ministerial statements? Minister of Finance (Mr. Fielding), that Bill 9, The Family Law Modernization Act, be now read a first MEMBERS' STATEMENTS time. Ruthanne Dyck Motion presented. Mr. Cullen: Madam Speaker, Bill 9 is the first-in- Mr. Jon Reyes (St. Norbert): Madam Speaker, Canada legislation that will move most family today, I have the honour of recognizing law disputes outside of the traditional court-based Mrs. Ruthanne Dyck, the principal at École process. They will do this by expanding the South Pointe School in the St. Norbert constituency, administrative authority of the Maintenance who was recently selected as one of Canada's Enforcement Program and the child support service. 30 Outstanding Principals for 2019 by The Bill 9 also creates a new dispute resolution service Learning Partnership, a Canadian charity focused pilot project to assist Manitoba families in resolving on excellence in education and professional their disputes. development. Ruthanne has 29 years of experience as an Madam Speaker, I'm proud to be joined in educator. She holds a master's degree in educational the gallery by stakeholders from Legal Help leadership and administration from the University of Centre, Mediation Services Winnipeg, North Forge Manitoba and is certified as a life coach by the Technology Exchange and the private bar for Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching. introduction of this legislation. Thank you very much. With the support of a team of more than 60 teachers and 24 educational assistants, Ruthanne Madam Speaker: Is it the pleasure to adopt the helped guide the construction of the dual-track motion? Agreed? [Agreed] South Pointe School before and after transitioning Bill 220–The Vital Statistics Amendment Act 875 culturally diverse kindergarten-to-grade 8 students into the new building in January of 2017. Mr. Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): I move, seconded by the member for Prior to South Pointe School, her previous St. Johns (Ms. Fontaine), that Bill 220, The Vital roles included vice-principal at Chancellor school, 616 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 12, 2019 principal at Laidlaw School and principal at Whyte or Health Sciences Centre. This will be especially Ridge Elementary school. hard for our seniors who have frequent health-care needs but limited access to transportation. Her own continued educational development, plus her desire for the success of students and Manitobans in our health-care system have teachers in the classroom and the community has experienced enough cuts. This government needs to resulted in South Pointe's positive, progressive start listening to us and stop the closure of Seven environment, inspiring children to learn every Oaks. day. Ruthanne visits classrooms daily, connect with students and mentoring staff to provide a Rogers Hometown Hockey meaningful, inclusive, curiosity-based education, all Hon. Cameron Friesen (Minister of Health, while also overseeing the school's administration. Seniors and Active Living): Madam Speaker, I rise Ruthanne has summed up her philosophy on her today to recognize a Rogers Hometown Hockey own success this way: If I am truly outstanding, it's event that took place in my constituency, in the city because I have been shaped and influenced, inspired of Winkler on March the 2nd and 3rd. and challenged and supported by all the people I've Rogers Hometown Hockey festival is a free, worked with my entire career. jam-packed weekend celebration for hockey fans of Today we are honoured to have in the gallery all ages. It highlighted the best of Winkler and École South Pointe School's principal, Ruthanne its deep hockey roots, including local NHL players Dyck, her husband, Barry Dyck, and her award like Eddie Belfour, Eric Fehr, Dustin Penner and nominator, South Pointe vice-principal Glenys others from southern Manitoba. MacLeod. * (13:40) Madam Speaker, I believe I speak for all This year's event built on the successes of the St. Norbert constituents and all Manitobans in first time the event was held in Winkler, back in saying thank you, Ruthanne, for inspiring everyone 2008. Festivities included a viewing of the Stanley within the school and our community to achieve Cup and musical performances by local artists and the greatest possible outcomes today and in the Juno winners The Color, as well as Doc Walker. future. The TV broadcast to follow showed segments Health-Care Services highlighting the deep Mennonite roots of Winkler, Mr. Ted Marcelino (Tyndall Park): Madam the long-standing friendly rivalry between Morden Speaker, last week the Pallister government released and Winkler, and even a tour of The Ens Heritage their budget and left Manitobans fearful about the Homestead in Chortitz, a well-preserved farm future of their already strained health-care system. that demonstrates how Mennonites from Russia organized early settlements in southern Manitoba. The health-care overhaul has led to unbelievably high wait times, nursing shortages, cancelled This event culminated in an outdoor viewing surgeries and bed closures. After underspending by party at -25° and the broadcast was hosted by icons a quarter of a million dollars this past year, Ron Maclean and Tara Slone. I was delighted to take Budget 2019 plans to cut $120 million more from the part in the event, and I remind the House it was no health-care budget. coincidence that, with the support of the city of Winkler and us cheering, the Jets won the game 5-2 Given the increase in wait times and staff against the Columbus Blue Jackets. shortages, we need more nurses to keep ERs open, but at Seven Oaks hospital, the Premier Madam Speaker, I'd like to take this opportunity (Mr. Pallister) has allowed nurse vacancies to rise to highlight Roger's Hometown Hockey for shining a 34 per cent, putting patient care at risk. light on the city of Winkler and commend local residents and organizers who took part in making North Winnipeg health care will be further hurt this event a lasting success. We know how positive and damaged this summer when the government events like this are in the community and how lasting proceeds with the closure of the Seven Oaks ER. those memories will be for young people in the city This will leave residents without access to and across the entire province.