First 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. LXIX No. 47B - 1:30 p.m., Thursday, October 20, 2016 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 CHIEF, Kevin Point Douglas NDP 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 PC 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 PC 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 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 St. Vital PC MICHALESKI, Brad Dauphin PC MICKLEFIELD, Andrew, Hon. 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 NDP SCHULER, Ron, Hon. St. Paul PC SELINGER, Greg St. Boniface NDP SMITH, Andrew Southdale PC 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 Gimli PC WIEBE, Matt Concordia NDP WISHART, Ian, Hon. Portage la Prairie PC WOWCHUK, Rick Swan River PC YAKIMOSKI, Blair Transcona PC 2261 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA Thursday, October 20, 2016 The House met at 1:30 p.m. The lighting of the diyas represents victory of good over evil, lightness over dark, truth Madam Speaker: Please be seated. over falsehood and knowledge over ignorance. Its ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS significance and spiritual meaning is generally the awareness of inner light. Madam Speaker: Introduction of bills? Committee reports? The largest Diwali celebration in Winnipeg will be hosted by the Hindu Society of Manitoba on TABLING OF REPORTS Saturday, October 22nd at the RBC Convention Hon. Ron Schuler (Minister of Crown Services): Centre. The program will feature traditional and Madam Speaker, I am pleased to table the Manitoba modern dances representing the diversity of culture Centennial Centre Corporation Annual Report in India. I encourage all Manitobans, Madam 2015-16. Speaker, to participate in this vibrant celebration, which is expected to draw 5,000 attendees. I am pleased to table the Manitoba Centennial Centre Corporation First Quarter Report for Multicultural celebrations are integral to creating 2016-2017. social harmony and fostering dynamic communities. The social capital created allows all citizens to take Hon. Cathy Cox (Minister of Sustainable pride in enjoying their traditional celebrations while Development): I am pleased to table the Manitoba inviting their neighbours to engage in fellowship and Habitat Heritage Corporation Annual Report from cultural awareness. April 2015 to March 2016. Madam Speaker, I urge all members to take And I'm also pleased to table the Manitoba a moment to reflect and recognize how fortunate we Conservation and Water Stewardship Annual Report are to live in a place where we actively share and from April 2015 to March 2016. celebrate traditions from all over the globe. I am proud that Manitoba is a symbol of multiculturalism Madam Speaker: The required 90 minutes notice that unites family, friends and community. prior to routine proceedings was provided in accordance with rule 26(2). I encourage my colleagues to join me in welcoming some of the members of the Hindu MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS Society of Manitoba to the gallery: Dr. Raj Pandey, Diwali S. Dev Parbhaker, Bhadresh Bhatt, Ms. Sonia Sharma, Vinod Chaudhery and Ravi Chhibba. Hon. Rochelle Squires (Minister of Sport, Culture Welcome. and Heritage): Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize members of the South Asian community in Mr. Mohinder Saran (The Maples): Madam Manitoba as they celebrate their annual Diwali Mela, Speaker, this year's Diwali celebration, also known the Festival of Lights. as the Festival of Lights, will take place on October 22nd. Here in Manitoba, the Hindu Society of Diwali is a five-day Indian festival, which is Manitoba will hold Diwali Mela at the RBC observed by the Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains Convention Centre, which is open to the public. and also observed by the non-religious. Every year thousands of people attend the Mela, which showcases the best music, dance, food and The joyous theme of this annual celebration fashion that Indian culture has to offer. represents a period of renewal and inspires hope and Congratulations to the organizing committee of the optimism for a harmonious world. During Diwali, Hindu Society of Manitoba and all the volunteers for devotees pray and reflect on the meaning of life. what I know will be a superb event. People are encouraged to see the good in others, including enemies. It is also a time to reinforce one's Madam Speaker, Diwali is called the Festival of faith. Lights because the common practice is to light small 2262 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 20, 2016 oil lamps or candles and place them around the all over their houses. The lights are set out in place to home. These lights symbolize our journey pay tribute and to guide the goddess of wealth, from darkness to eternal light. Traditional Diwali Lakshmi, into homes. activities include cleaning the home, preparing The lights also bring awareness to inner light, special foods, making personal resolutions and and it symbolizes the good overruling the evil. When spending time in celebration with family and friends. I think about this I reflect on a story that I learnt Celebrations like Diwali help create vibrant when I was studying Hinduism at the University of communities here in Manitoba. Newcomers and Winnipeg: the legend of Lord Rama and his wife Sita long-time residents can enjoy their traditional returning to their kingdom in northern India from celebrations while non-Indo-Canadians can learn exile after defeating the demon king Ravana. about their neighbours' culture. It is truly a multi- I'd like to say Sat Sri Akal to our guests who are cultural society when we can share our customs and up in the gallery today and encourage all members to traditions with one other. get out and celebrate Diwali. It's a wonderful, Madam Speaker, Diwali is a time to express our fantastic festival. gratitude for what we have achieved in the past year Thank you, Madam Speaker. and to rekindle the spirit of hope for a better and brighter future. It teaches us to uphold the values of Madam Speaker: The honourable Minister of peace, harmony and understanding. Health, on a ministerial statement. I encourage all of us to adopt the messages of Multiple Sclerosis Day Diwali by giving thanks, seeking inner peace and Hon. Kelvin Goertzen (Minister of Health, being compassionate towards others. I wish everyone Seniors and Active Living): On a ministerial in Manitoba a happy Diwali. statement, Madam Speaker. Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise to recognize Multiple Sclerosis or MS Day Ms. Cindy Lamoureux (Burrows): Madam in Manitoba and the work of the Manitoba Division Speaker, I ask for leave to speak in response to the of the MS Society of Canada. The MS Society of ministerial statement. Canada provides support and services to people who are affected by MS or an MS allied disease. The MS Madam Speaker: Does the member have leave to Society provides services to patients, families, speak in response to the ministerial statement? friends, caregivers, health professionals, employers, Agreed? [Agreed] institutions and students. Ms. Lamoureux: Madam Speaker, I am delighted to In 2017, May 27th will be marked as World MS speak in the House today about Diwali, as it is one of Day, a particularly important day in Manitoba and my favourite festivals. In the past I've had the Canada, as Canada has the highest rate of MS in opportunity to celebrate Diwali here in Winnipeg the world: 3,500 Manitobans and 100,000 Canadians with my friends at the local gurdwaras, but one day I are estimated to be affected by this disease. hope to be able to celebrate in India. Unfortunately, There have been significant improvements of this year, I'm going to be just missing it during my treatment and medical supports for MS patients over trip to India. the last decade, and this is in no small part because of the advocacy, support and fundraising efforts of Diwali is celebrated by millions of people all the MS Society. across the world. This bright festival of Diwali, a five-day event, it falls between October and I would like to take a moment to recognize a few November every year. It marks the end of a harvest representatives from the Manitoba Division of the season and it also marks a time of the highest MS Society who join us here today: Erin Kuan, exchange of sweets. It is a special festival with big Llona Niemzyck, Signy Hansen, Shirley Atkins, feasts, lots of dancing and an opportunity to dress up Darell Hominuk, Ada Jane Okonkwo, and Lizelle and wear your new jewellery.