Around the legislature

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This article was published 06/04/2023 (1105 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Energy strategy on way: minister

MANITOBA’S finance minister said he expects the highly anticipated energy strategy will be available by summer.

Cliff Cullen said Wednesday the guiding document for the province’s energy policy, which was expected by the end of 2022, is tied to the integrated resource management plan being developed by Manitoba Hydro.

“From a government perspective, we want to make sure the strategy for Manitoba Hydro will work hand in hand with the energy strategy for the province of Manitoba.”

Cullen said the province continues to work with the consultant Dunsky Energy + Climate Advisors.

“Our goal is to have something available in the next couple of months,” the minister responsible for Manitoba Hydro said after question period.

In the chamber, the NDP unsuccessfully pressed the Progressive Conservative government to say when its overdue energy strategy would be unveiled.

“It’s critical for us to have an eye on that and develop a strategy to make sure we’re getting best value for the electricity we produce here in Manitoba,” Cullen said after question period.

“Companies and individuals are really interested in our green energy through Manitoba Hydro. It’s a really valuable resource for us and that’s why we’re attracting lots of interest around the world and companies coming to make investments in Manitoba because of our clean energy.”

Operating room delay highlighted

A delay in opening a fifth operating room at Concordia Hospital to handle more of the backlogged joint replacement surgeries in Manitoba was highlighted in the legislative assembly on Wednesday.

The province announced in March 2022 that the fifth orthopedic OR was expected to be in place by the end of that year, and that it would increase capacity by up to 1,000 surgeries per year.

In question period Wednesday, NDP Leader Wab Kinew asked the governing Progressive Conservatives when the added operating room would be up and running.

Premier Heather Stefanson didn’t provide a timeline but reminded Kinew her government will spend almost $8 billion on health care this year. “We recognize there is more work to do and we’re committing to get that done.”

Tories urged to drop licensing bill

DOCTORS and other health care professionals say a proposed law will make it tough to save the lives of people dealing with substance abuse disorder.

The front-line health workers have asked the minister of mental health and community wellness to scrap Bill 33 (the Addictions Services Act).

The two letters addressed to the minster, Janice Morley-Lecomte, are signed by more than two dozen physicians and other health professionals.

They ask that the bill be rescinded and for the community to be consulted.

“We are in the midst of an addiction health care crisis and people are dying as a result,” the letter signed by the doctors said. “Action is needed and the most impactful action will be evidence-based and community informed.”

The NDP announced on Monday it plans to delay the bill that would require supervised drug consumption sites, addiction centres with beds and withdrawal-management services to apply for a provincial licence.

In effect, that stops the bill from passing before the Oct. 3 election. If passed, the legislation would require Sunshine House to be licensed to operate its mobile overdose prevention site.

During question period Wednesday, when asked if she’d consider the requests to rescind the bill, the minister defended it.

The NDP’s announcement on Monday that it would block the bill was a “sad day,” Morley-Lecomte said.

“‘No’ to Bill 33 means ‘no’ to safety from the NDP,” she told the chamber.