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. 35 - 1:30 p.m., Monday, March 15, 2021 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, Hon. 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, Hon. 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, Hon. 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 1607 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA Monday, March 15, 2021 The House met at 1:30 p.m. about when and how often union representatives attempt to influence government. Madam Speaker: O Eternal and Almighty God, from Whom all power and wisdom come, we are assembled Madam Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to here before Thee to frame such laws as may tend to adopt the motion? Agreed? [Agreed] the welfare and prosperity of our province. Grant, O Committee reports? merciful God, we pray Thee, that we may desire only that which is in accordance with Thy will, that we may TABLING OF REPORTS seek it with wisdom and know it with certainty and Hon. Ralph Eichler (Minister of Economic accomplish it perfectly for the glory and honour of Development and Jobs): I'm pleased to table the Thy name and for the welfare of all our people. Amen. CEDF quarterly financial statements. Please be seated. Good afternoon, everybody. MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS Madam Speaker: The honourable Minister INTRODUCTION OF BILLS of Agriculture and Resource Development (Mr. Pedersen)–and I would indicate that the required Bill 221–The Public Health Amendment Act 90 minutes notice prior to routine proceedings was (Banning Cosmetic Eye Tattooing provided in accordance with our rule 26(2). and Eye Jewellery) Would the honourable minister please proceed Mr. Scott Johnston (Assiniboia): I move, seconded with the statement. by the honourable member from Riding Mountain, that Bill 221, The Public Health Amendment Act Canadian Agricultural Safety Week (Banning Cosmetic Eye Tattooing and Eye Hon. Blaine Pedersen (Minister of Agriculture and Jewellery), be read for a first time. Resource Development): I rise in the House today to Motion presented. bring attention to the farmers and agricultural workers who risk their lives to produce food that is enjoyed by Mr. Johnston: Madam Speaker, basically, this bill Manitobans, Canadians and people around the world. represents a preventative measure as per information received from the Manitoba optometrists association. The visibility and importance of our food supply The bill is designed to ensure that the safety of chain has been heightened by–in all facets of society Manitobans who are seeking tattoos and implanted during this global pandemic, which is why, now more jewelry are met. than ever, we must continue to bring attention to the significance of providing healthy and safe workplaces Thank you, Madam Speaker. to reduce the risk of injury. Madam Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to For more than a decade, the Canadian adopt the motion? Agreed? [Agreed] Agricultural Safety Association, or CASA, has been Bill 222–The Lobbyists Registration raising awareness about safety on Canadian farms Amendment Act through the Canadian Agricultural Safety Week campaign. This year, the theme of Lead an AgSafe Mr. James Teitsma (Radisson): I move, seconded Canada is–as part of our three-year farm safety by the honourable member for Lagimodière campaign called Safe & Strong Farms, aims to (Mr. Smith), that Bill 222, The Lobbyists Registration empower farmers, farm families and farming Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Loi sur l'inscription communities to build, grow and lead the agricultural des lobbyistes, be now read a first time. industry in safety and sustainability. Motion presented. The government of Manitoba is pleased to Mr. Teitsma: This bill will improve transparency, in promote a week-long annual event that continues to the public interest and the interest of union members, inspire all of us to reflect on the importance of safety 1608 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA March 15, 2021 and ensure safe workspaces across the agricultural Madam Speaker: The honourable member for River industry. Heights, wishing leave? On behalf of the Manitoba government and Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Yes, I'm asking Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development leave to speak to the minister's statement. Department, it is my honour to proclaim March 14th to the 20th, 2021, as Canadian agricultural farm safety Madam Speaker: Does the honourable member have week here in Manitoba. leave to respond to the ministerial statement? [Agreed] I ask all of my colleagues in the Manitoba Legislature to raise awareness of this important issue. Mr. Gerrard: Canadian Agricultural Safety Week is a very important week. It's a week to acknowledge the Thank you, Madam Speaker. important work that farmers in Manitoba to–do, the help they provide, the food they provide, and to reflect Mr. Diljeet Brar (Burrows): I am honoured to be on efforts to improve farm safety in our province. saying a few words today to acknowledge the importance of the Canadian Agricultural Safety From the number of older farmers in Manitoba, it Week. sure looks to be a safe occupation, but when you look a little closer, a 2017 report in Manitoba says, and I My colleagues and I acknowledge that folks who quote, the most dangerous work in Manitoba is in the work in the agricultural sector face significant agricultural sector. Agriculture has had more deaths in physical and mental health challenges, which have the past decade than any other sector. Between 2006 now been compounded due to the pandemic. Since and 2015, 48 deaths occurred in the agricultural they are such an essential part of the economy and sector. people's lives, they often put aside their own health concerns to keep Canadians fed. * (13:40) Many Canadians who work in agriculture are There are much more than just deaths impacting breaking the stigma around mental health by speaking health in the agricultural sector. The impact of using out, which we hope will translate into better safety and chemicals, including pesticides, the impact of stress sustainability for the agriculture sector. on mental health is widespread from surveys and farmers. This has been exacerbated for some farmers, The Canadian Agricultural Safety Association who are farming on Crown lands, this year by the says that many injuries today are related to using changes in the government policies. machinery. Reports estimate that roughly 85 people die each year while working, and roughly 70 per cent We have to be aware of the–what's happening of these tragic fatalities are due to machinery. Though with COVID-19 and the fact that in Ontario, migrant the industry itself is one of the most hazardous in the workers were at increased risk of getting COVID-19. country, basic safety for farmers continues to be I looked at the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy for overlooked. an assessment of health in our agricultural community, and I was not able to find it. But, clearly, It is important that we continue to raise public it is– awareness about safety and ensure that government consults farmers for feedback and advice on what can Madam Speaker: The member's time has expired. be done to make the agriculture sector safer. MEMBERS' STATEMENTS My colleagues and I thank everyone who works in the agricultural sector in Manitoba and across Manitoba Honour 150 Award Recipients Canada. Thank you for putting food on of our tables Hon. Scott Fielding (Minister of Finance): Madam and for the immense contributions to our communities Speaker, today I wish to put the spotlight of two and our economy. Our province simply cannot run Kirkfield Park constituents recently recognized as without you. honorary 150 recipients, Linda Smiley and Logan Thank you, Madam Speaker. Oxenham. These award recipients are recognized 150 Manitobans from across the province who stand An Honourable Member: Madam Speaker, I ask out for their roles in making Manitoba such an leave to speak to– amazing province. March 15, 2021 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 1609 Nominated by people in their own communities In February 2021, Time magazine said the in 2020, these 150 individuals range from repre- protests were a turning point for India's democracy.