DEBATES and PROCEEDINGS
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Third Session – Forty-Second Legislature of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba DEBATES and PROCEEDINGS Official Report (Hansard) Published under the authority of The Honourable Myrna Driedger Speaker Vol. LXXV No. 18B - 1:30 p.m., Thursday, November 19, 2020 ISSN 0542-5492 MANITOBA LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Forty-Second Legislature Member Constituency Political Affiliation ADAMS, Danielle Thompson NDP ALTOMARE, Nello Transcona NDP ASAGWARA, Uzoma Union Station NDP BRAR, Diljeet Burrows NDP BUSHIE, Ian Keewatinook NDP CLARKE, Eileen, Hon. Agassiz PC COX, Cathy, Hon. Kildonan-River East PC CULLEN, Cliff, Hon. Spruce Woods PC DRIEDGER, Myrna, Hon. Roblin PC EICHLER, Ralph, Hon. Lakeside PC EWASKO, Wayne Lac du Bonnet PC FIELDING, Scott, Hon. Kirkfield Park PC FONTAINE, Nahanni St. Johns NDP FRIESEN, Cameron, Hon. Morden-Winkler PC GERRARD, Jon, Hon. River Heights Lib. GOERTZEN, Kelvin, Hon. Steinbach PC GORDON, Audrey Southdale PC GUENTER, Josh Borderland PC GUILLEMARD, Sarah, Hon. Fort Richmond PC HELWER, Reg, Hon. Brandon West PC ISLEIFSON, Len Brandon East PC JOHNSON, Derek Interlake-Gimli PC JOHNSTON, Scott Assiniboia PC KINEW, Wab Fort Rouge NDP LAGASSÉ, Bob Dawson Trail PC LAGIMODIERE, Alan Selkirk PC LAMONT, Dougald St. Boniface Lib. LAMOUREUX, Cindy Tyndall Park Lib. LATHLIN, Amanda The Pas-Kameesak NDP LINDSEY, Tom Flin Flon NDP MALOWAY, Jim Elmwood NDP MARCELINO, Malaya Notre Dame NDP MARTIN, Shannon McPhillips PC MICHALESKI, Brad Dauphin PC MICKLEFIELD, Andrew Rossmere PC MORLEY-LECOMTE, Janice Seine River PC MOSES, Jamie St. Vital NDP NAYLOR, Lisa Wolseley NDP NESBITT, Greg Riding Mountain PC PALLISTER, Brian, Hon. Fort Whyte PC PEDERSEN, Blaine, Hon. Midland PC PIWNIUK, Doyle Turtle Mountain PC REYES, Jon Waverley PC SALA, Adrien St. James NDP SANDHU, Mintu The Maples NDP SCHULER, Ron, Hon. Springfield-Ritchot PC SMITH, Andrew Lagimodière PC SMITH, Bernadette Point Douglas NDP SMOOK, Dennis La Vérendrye PC SQUIRES, Rochelle, Hon. Riel PC STEFANSON, Heather, Hon. Tuxedo PC TEITSMA, James Radisson PC WASYLIW, Mark Fort Garry NDP WHARTON, Jeff, Hon. Red River North PC WIEBE, Matt Concordia NDP WISHART, Ian Portage la Prairie PC WOWCHUK, Rick Swan River PC 871 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA Thursday, November 19, 2020 The House met at 1:30 p.m. the Royal Flying Corps in the Royal Air Force in the First World War. Madam Speaker: Good afternoon, everybody. Please be seated. In November of 1931, at the age of 17, John Kent became the youngest licensed pilot in Canadian ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS history. This feat was echoed in 1933, as John Kent INTRODUCTION OF BILLS became the youngest commercial pilot in Canada as well. Bill 216–The Public Health Amendment Act (2) In 1933, he was selected as a candidate for the Mr. Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Royal Air Force for a six-year duration and was asked Opposition): I move, seconded by the member for to make his way to London. It was a painful parting Union Station (MLA Asagwara), that Bill 216, for John Kent and his mother, as he had been her sole The Public Health Amendment Act (2); Loi no 2 family member during the four long years his father modifiant la Loi sur la santé publique, be now read a was away during World War I. Four years later, in first time. October 1937, he was posted to the Experimental Motion presented. Section of the Royal Aircraft Establishment at Farnborough for test pilot duties and was among the Mr. Kinew: Madam Speaker, this bill will streamline best pilots in the entire Royal Air Force. public health in Manitoba by removing political interference. After his time at Farnborough and with the Second World War having just begun, John Kent was When passed into law, this bill will ensure that posted to the–Royal Air Force Northolt as commander elected officials cannot interfere with the orders of with the newly formed No. 303 Polish Squadron. He public health officers and give Manitobans confidence also learned the Polish phrases for all the procedures that the rules are coming from the public health involved in take-off, flying and landing, in fact experts themselves. writing them down on his own knee pads in order to have them as a handy reference. This amused the I look forward to this bill receiving the unanimous Polish pilots considerably, and for his efforts, they consent of the House. named him "Kentowski". Madam Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to No. 303 Polish Squadron became the highest adopt the motion? Agreed? [Agreed] scoring of all squadrons in the Battle of Britain, destroying 127 aircrafts in six weeks while only losing Committee reports? eight of their own pilots. TABLING OF REPORTS In February 1941, Commander John Kent learned Madam Speaker: And I have a report to table. I'm he was to be awarded the Virtuti Militari. This pleased to table the following report: The Annual decoration is Poland's highest military award, as well Report of the Manitoba Advocate for Children and as the oldest military decoration in Europe. Youth for the fiscal year ending March 31st, 2020. Please join me in recognizing Winnipeg-born Ministerial statements? flying colonel John Kent and his Polish flying comrades for dedicating their lives to service in the MEMBERS' STATEMENTS military in their work and sacrifice to protect our John Kent freedom. Mr. Shannon Martin (McPhillips): Today, I am Thank you, Madam Speaker. speaking in honour of flying colonel John Kent, who was born in Winnipeg on June 23rd, 1914. John Kent BITSA Legislation began flying when he was only 15 years old under the Mr. Mark Wasyliw (Fort Garry): Madam Speaker, guidance of Konrad Johannesson, who had flown with on November 5th, my colleagues and I remained in 872 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA November 19, 2020 the legislative session until early the next morning, IREUSE2 is a luxury, eco-sustainable cutlery voting against the passage of Bill 2, The Budget brand specializing in on-the-go luxury cutlery sets. Implementation and Tax Statutes Amendment Act, or This rookie Manitoba company was honoured to be BITSA. part of one of North America's biggest sporting championships, as their cutlery sets were part of a BITSA grants millions of dollars to wealthy $20,000 swag bag at Super Bowl LIV. This private businesses for child care, which will lead to opportunity was a dream come true for Nikki and her less affordable and inaccessible care for Manitoba fledging brand. families. This favouritism of the private sector disadvantages the non-profit centres that have policies IREUSE2 began a few years ago as Nikki and and standards in place for accessible child care. her husband, Jamie, were winding down their 24– 25-year career in fast food takeout business. The Through BITSA, the Pallister government raised waste produced in the industry startled them as they Manitoba Hydro rates nearly 3 per cent without going became more conscious of the packaging, napkins and through the Public Utilities Board, which is the plastic cutlery. common practice. This independent oversight from the PUB protects Manitobans from skyrocketing In the final years of business, they switched to hydro rates. reusable containers, and in September 2019, they retired, only to forge another path. With their growing BITSA also allows the Pallister government to concern for the environment and the fact that they dictate budgets for democratically elected school weren't ready to stop and settle down, the couple boards. This overrides the voters of Manitoba and thus jumped into reusable cutlery, but with an upscale flair, imposes a budget that doesn't reflect the values of giving a functional option that eliminates waste. local communities. Madam Speaker, focusing their attention online to BITSA also strips autonomy from regional health resource customers, they created a website and then authorities and post-secondary institutions. Student reached out to social media influencers. A chef in unions work collaboratively with administrators to California did a giveaway with an IREUSE2 set: ensure the needs of all students are heard, including publicity. This led to one of the chef's followers those who are marginalized and vulnerable, and buying a set and taking it to a party. Through these BITSA threatens this bargaining process. chains of events, the product got into the hands of the organizers of the Super Bowl LIV, and the rest was This omnibus bill negatively impacts several history. other acts here in Manitoba. This is shameful of the Pallister government. BITSA weakens the autonomy Nikki says that she enjoys–what she enjoys most of institutions and allows for this Cabinet to take away about the business is the fact that IREUSE2 is making the voices of Manitobans. an impact on the way people think about using plastic utensils. Madam Speaker, during one of the most challenging times we will ever face as a province, this I would like to ask my colleagues to join me in government proves just how out of touch they are acknowledging Nikki Buchannon on this great when it comes to representing Manitobans. accomplishment. Thank you, Madam Speaker. My colleagues and I will continue to advocate for referendum processes when it comes to changes with Pandemic's Impact on the Homeless Manitoba Hydro and advocate against detrimental Ms. Danielle Adams (Thompson): Madam Speaker, changes to health care, education and child care. this pandemic has hit all Manitobans hard, but it has Thank you. affected some Manitobans more than others. IREUSE2 The homeless population in particular has been negatively impacted by this pandemic, with many Hon. Jeff Wharton (Minister of Crown Services): shelters having to lower their capacity in order to Madam Speaker, I rise in the House today to honour adhere to social distancing guidelines, meaning there Nikki Buchannon from East St.