Pallister government is slow on mine exploration permits

On Monday March 11, I asked in Question Period about the long wait times for mining exploration permits. Compared to Saskatchewan which manages permits in a timely fashion Manitoba is very slow. When Dougald Lamont and I were in northern Manitoba in February we heard a lot about these delays which have resulted in a number of mining companies deciding not to do any exploration in Manitoba. We were told the delays in issues permits were due to the Pallister government laying off people in the mines branch. I asked about this in Question Period. My question and the Minister's answer are below: As you can see Minister Pedersen was pretending to want to be a Member of Parliament instead of attending to the critical issues which the Manitoba government needs to deal with.

Mining Exploration - Permit Wait Times

Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Madam Speaker, when it comes to mining, permits for exploration need to be processed promptly, and environmental and indigenous issues need to be handled carefully and thoroughly. The government is getting it all wrong.

A recent indictment of the government's performance, which I table, showed that 44 per cent of mining companies say the current Manitoba government rarely meets its own deadlines, and 30 per cent say permits or licences for exploration work will take 24 months or more.

Are these long days–delays due to the fact that that the Pallister government has laid off so many people in its Mines Branch?

Hon. Blaine Pedersen (Minister of Growth, Enterprise and Trade): Perhaps the member, the Liberal member, can explain, then, why Ottawa is pursuing Bill C-69, which will in effect stop any mining, any energy project across this country?

Why is this member continuing to support the federal Liberals on Bill C-69?

Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): And why doesn't the minister decide to run to be a Member of Parliament?

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Manitoba School Boards have contributed much innovation and advancement of education in Manitoba

On Thursday March 25, in Question Period, I asked the Premier why he is getitng rid of school boards when they have contributed to much to the improvement of education in Manitoba. My question and the Premier's response are below (from Hansard). Manitoba Education System Elimination of Boards and Divisions Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Madam Speaker, Manitoba school boards have been an incredible source of new ideas and innovation. The White Horse Plains school board brought in audio and video links to Hutterite schools. The Seine River School Division piloted Roots of Empathy, to help kids learn empathy, and also Kids at Play: half-day kindergarten, half-day early-childhood education. The Seven Oaks School Division brought in Met schools. And there are many, many more examples. Why is the Premier getting rid of school boards when they've done so well at listening to parents, at ...

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