Criminal justice system reform

In response to a 2016 report by the Macdonald–Laurier Institute that ranked Manitoba's criminal justice system as the worst in the country, Stefanson committed to a full review of the criminal justice system.^[25] The review showed that Manitoba had the highest adult incarceration rate among provinces, along with high violent crime and recidivism rates. The review also found significant delay in criminal matters moving through Manitoba's court system. To respond to the review, Stefanson released Manitoba's Criminal Justice System Modernization Strategy in March 2018.^[26] The plan included four essential components, including crime prevention; focusing resources on the most serious criminal cases; more effectively using restorative justice; and responsibly reintegrating offenders back into society.^[27] In 2019, Stefanson's successor as Minister of Justice announced that the strategy had resulted in significant reductions in time to disposition in Manitoba's provincial court and Court of Queen's Bench as well as a reduction in provincial custody counts.^[28]

In 2017, Stefanson collaborated with the Chief Justices of Manitoba's provincial court, Court of Queen's Bench, and Court of Appeal to request that the federal government change the Criminal Code to eliminate preliminary inquiries in the province.^[29] The letter proposed a four-year pilot project where preliminary inquiries would be eliminated for indictable offences carrying a sentence less than 10 years, and replaced with an out-of-court discovery process for offences carrying a sentence over 10 years.^[30] The goal of the proposed project was to reduce unreasonable court delays.^[31] It responded to the Supreme Court of Canada's decision in R v Jordan, which set time limits on criminal proceedings that could result in people accused of serious crimes, including murder, walking free due to unreasonable court delay. The federal government responded to calls for preliminary inquiry reform in 2018 with the introduction and passage of Bill C-75. The Bill restricts preliminary inquiries to only offences carrying a maximum sentence of 14 years or more.^[32] University of Ottawa law professor Allan Rock estimated the legislation would produce an 87 percent reduction in preliminary inquiries and help reduce court delay significantly.^[33] In a statement regarding the federal, provincial and territorial Justice Ministers meeting in April 2017, Stefanson expressed her support for mandatory minimum sentences for certain criminal offences. She stated, "anything less than a prison sentence for certain crimes is unjustifiable in Manitoba's view."^[34]

In October 2017, Stefanson established a committee of experts in family law to make recommendations on how to make the system more accessible and less adversarial for couples going through separation and divorce.^[35] In June 2018, Stefanson announced the committee's recommendations, which included establishing a three-year pilot project in Winnipeg to direct Winnipeg-based family matters to non-adversarial mediation outside of court; creating an administrative office to triage and find more appropriate ways to resolve disputes; and expanding information available to Manitobans about family law related issues.^[36] In March 2019, Stefanson's successor as Minister of Justice introduced The Family Law Modernization Act based on the findings of the committee. The law included changes that would allow separating couples to resolve child custody, support, and property matters without going to court.^[37] The provincial government eventually launched a Family Resolution Service to resolve matters earlier and outside the tradition court process.The government estimated the new service would save Manitoba families up to $41 million in court and legal fees.^[38]

In March 2018, Stefanson introduced legislation reinstating the Queen's Counsel designation for Manitoba lawyers who have served for at least 10 years and have demonstrated outstanding practice as a lawyer among other contributions. In October 2018, Stefanson's predecessor issued the first call for nominations for Queen's Counsel appointments. In June 2019, the Minister of Justice made the first Queen's Counsel appointments since the practice ended under the former NDP government in 2001.^[39][40]

Cannabis legalization

To prepare for the planned federal legalization of cannabis, Stefanson introduced The Cannabis Harm Prevention Act in March 2017. The Act created new cannabis-related driving offences that anticipated the eventual legalization of the drug, including granting police the ability to issue 24-hour driver's license suspensions if they believe a driver is under the influence of a drug or unable to safely operate a motor vehicle.^[41] In response to questions about the 2017 "420" protest on the Manitoba Legislature grounds, Stefanson stressed her concerns about the impact of cannabis on young people, saying of the protest "it does disturb me how many young people were out there today."^[42]

In December 2017, Stefanson introduced The Safe and Responsible Retailing of Cannabis Act, which established the framework for the regulation of cannabis retail sales in Manitoba. The Act established a private retail model, with retail licenses obtained from the newly renamed Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority.^[43] It required that all retailers source their cannabis supply from Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries.^[44] The Act also established 19 as the legal age to purchase cannabis in Manitoba, a decision endorsed by the Manitoba School Boards Association, as it would help keep cannabis out of schools and playgrounds.

Despite federal legislation allowing Canadian adults to grow up to four cannabis plants at home, the Safe and Responsible Retailing of Cannabis Act prohibited individuals from home cultivation of cannabis.^[45] Manitoba and Quebec are the only provinces to prohibit home cultivation of cannabis.^[46] Stefanson defended the home grow prohibition as a means of keeping cannabis away from children and preventing diversion of supply into the black market.^[44] The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police had joined Stefanson and other Justice Ministers in calling for a national prohibition of home cultivation in April 2017.^[47] Cannabis advocates have since challenged both the Manitoba and Quebec home cultivation prohibitions in court as unconstitutional.^[46]

In March 2018, Stefanson announced The Impaired Driving Offences Act, which updated drug impaired driving provisions to complement pending federal legislation. Included in the Act were new administrative driver's license suspensions for impaired driving. She was joined by the Minister of Health, Seniors and Active Living who announced a provincial prohibition on smoking cannabis in outdoor public places.^[48]

Family law reform

In October 2017, Stefanson established a committee of experts in family law to make recommendations on how to make the system more accessible and less adversarial for couples going through separation and divorce.^[49] In June 2018, Stefanson announced the committee's recommendations, which included establishing a three-year pilot project in Winnipeg to direct Winnipeg-based family matters to non-adversarial mediation outside of court; creating an administrative office to triage and find more appropriate ways to resolve disputes; and expanding information available to Manitobans about family law related issues.^[50]

In March 2019, Stefanson's successor as Minister of Justice introduced The Family Law Modernization Act based on the findings of the committee.^[51] The law included changes that would allow separating couples to resolve child custody, support, and property matters without going to court.^[52] The provincial government eventually launched a Family Resolution Service to resolve matters earlier and outside the traditional court process.^[53] The government estimated the new service would save Manitoba families up to $41 million in court and legal fees.^[53]

Queen's Counsel Act

In March 2018, Stefanson introduced legislation reinstating the Queen's Counsel designation for Manitoba lawyers who have served for at least 10 years and have demonstrated outstanding practice as a lawyer among other contributions.^[54] In October 2018, Stefanson's predecessor issued the first call for nominations for Queen's Counsel appointments.^[55] In June 2019, the Minister of Justice made the first Queen's Counsel appointments since the practice ended under the former NDP government in 2001.^[56] 

Child and family services

In September 2018, Stefanson reported the first reduction in the number of children in Child and Family Services (CFS) care in 15 years, with a nine percent decrease in child apprehensions and an eight percent increase in family reunifications.^[58] Stefanson credited the government's emphasis on preventative measures as helping at-risk families avoid contact with the child welfare system. The number of children in CFS care decreased each year Stefanson was Minister of Families.^[59][60][61]

Stefanson made several changes to Manitoba's CFS system meant to reduce the number of children in care. In February 2019, she announced a new block funding or "single envelope" funding model for CFS authorities, which are responsible for child welfare agencies in various regions of the province.^[62] The new model ended the per-child funding model where CFS agencies would receive funding based on the number of children in care and the number of days they are in care, which the government said incentivized child apprehensions.

In January 2020, Stefanson announced that the province would end the controversial practice of birth alerts, where CFS agencies warn hospitals about the history of a pregnant mother considered "high risk."^[63] Indigenous leadership had called for an end to the practice.^[64] Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Grand Chief Garrison Settee expressed excitement at the news, telling media "we applaud the province for listening to us."^[63] In June 2020, Stefanson announced the official end of birth alerts along with an investment of $400,000 to double the capacity of the Mothering Project, a program to support vulnerable mothers and their children operated by Mount Carmel Clinic.^[65] Stefanson had previously invested $400,000 to launch Granny's House, a two-story home in North Point Douglas that provides short-term respite for parents otherwise at-risk of CFS contact.^[66]

Housing

In June 2019, Stefanson signed onto the National Housing Strategy with the federal government.^[67] The 10-year agreement with the federal government promised to invest almost $450.8 million to expand and repair social and community housing in the province.^[67] The strategy was cost shared by both levels of government, with Manitoba contributing $225.4 million to the agreement.^[67]

In January 2020, Stefanson released Shared Priorities – Sustainable Progress: A 12-Month Action Plan for Manitoba Families.^[68] The action plan included a commitment to increase private and community-based delivery of social housing while repairing existing housing stock.^[68] Housing advocates criticized the plan as a cost cutting measure.^[69] In July 2020, Stefanson announced a $31 million investment in repairs to Manitoba Housing properties, estimated to make over 800 otherwise vacant units ready for new tenants.^[70]

Stefanson announced several home ownership programs throughout her time as Minister of Families. In August 2020, she announced a $3 million for Habitat for Humanity to support its home building program over three years.^[71] She later announced $2 million to provide down payment assistance to first-time homebuyers and help build houses for First Nations families through a partnership between the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and the Manitoba Real Estate Association.^[72]

COVID-19 pandemic response

Stefanson was Minister of Families during most of the first year of the global COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic required significant changes to the delivery of social services provided by her department, including childcare, CFS, homelessness, and disability services.

The Manitoba government announced the closure of childcare centres on March 17, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.^[73] Two days later, Stefanson announced $27.6 million in support to help childcare centres serve the children of frontline workers, including an $18 million grant program administered by the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce and Manitoba Chambers of Commerce to help early childhood educators offer childcare services at home or in the community.^[74] In August 2020, Stefanson announced the government would repurpose some of the funds as part of a $22 million investment intended to expand choices in childcare.^[75][76]

For children in the Manitoba CFS system, Stefanson extended supports and services to all young adults who would otherwise age out of the system during the pandemic.^[77] Stefanson also announced a partnership with telecommunications firm TELUS to support children in CFS, with the donating 120 tablets with data plans to the province.^[78] Emergency placement shelters operated by Winnipeg Child and Family Services received the majority of the tablets, helping children reconnect with family, friends, teachers, and other supports.^[78]

To reduce the spread of COVID-19 among Manitoba's homelessness population, Stefanson announced $1.2 million to add 140 shelter beds by repurposing a vacant Manitoba Housing building and expanding capacity at the Salvation Army and Siloam Mission shelters.^[79] She extended funding for homeless shelters again in June^[80] and September,^[81] including by expanding available space at the Main Street Project shelter in Winnipeg.^[81]

To help low-income Manitobans with disabilities, Stefanson joined Premier Brian Pallister to announce $4.6 million for the Disability Economic Support Program.^[82] The program provided a $200 one-time cheque to 23,000 Manitobans receiving Employment and Income Assistance benefits under the disability category.^[82] Stefanson also announced measures to improve staffing in disability services agencies, including $6 million to help with overtime costs, replacement staff, and sick leave as part of a broader $10 million Pandemic Staffing Support Benefit.^[83] She later announced a one-time $5 wage top up for workers in the disability services and other critical frontline positions as part of the $35 million Caregiver Wage Support Program.^[84] Stefanson also announced a partnership with Manitoba Possible and Red River College to increase staffing in disability services agencies during the pandemic.^[85]

In June 2020, Stefanson announced $2.5 million for a Home Nutrition and Learning Program pilot project.^[86] The province worked with community organizations to 2,500 families with packages of healthy foods, including recipes and learning activities developed by the Child Nutrition Council of Manitoba.

Dr. Lynn Stevenson Long-Term Care Review

In February 2021, Stefanson announced that the Manitoba government would implement all recommendations of Dr. Lynn Stevenson's review of long-term care.^[89] The review examined the COVID-19 outbreak at the Maples Long Term Care facility that resulted in 56 deaths. As Premier, Stefanson later announced $15 million to implement the Stevenson review recommendations, which included enhancing infection prevention and control, hiring 200 full-time housekeeping staff, and improving information technology to better support patient care.^[90]

Budget 2021 investments

In April 2021, Stefanson joined Minister of Finance Scott Fielding to announce $1.2 billion for the COVID-19 pandemic response.^[91] The funding included $350 million for additional health system costs to prepare for a third wave of COVID-19 and $100 million for a vaccine program across the province.^[92] Moreover, $300 million was set aside as COVID-19 contingency for unbudgeted expenses. The budget also included $50 million to address the backlog in surgeries and diagnostic tests that had accumulated during the pandemic.^[93]

Budget 2021 included $6.98 billion for health care, an increase of $156 million from the previous year. New health care investments included $23 million for cancer treatments, $2.7 million to expand dialysis treatment, and $9.3 million to expand personal care homes in the municipalities of Steinbach and Carman.^[94]

COVID-19 third wave

During Manitoba's third-wave of COVID-19, Stefanson claimed on May 18, 2021, that Manitoba's health system could handle an additional 50 patients in the ICU for a total of 170. However, later that day, she announced ICU beds were at capacity and two patients had been sent to Thunder Bay for treatment. Shared Health had been aware that the healthcare system was unable to handle 170 patients, and on May 7, chief nursing officer Lanette Siragusa called a previous exercise showing capacity at 173 ICU beds a "paper exercise" that "did not reflect the reality of Manitoba's capacity."

On May 13, Shared Health CEO Adam Topp attended a meeting regarding Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and ICU capacity. However, Stefanson claims she was not aware of this meeting, and didn't know about the out-of-province transfer until after the decision was made. In total, Manitoba transferred 57 COVID-19 patients out of the province during the third wave, 12 of whom died while being treated out of province.

One of the individuals who died was 31-year-old Krystal Mousseau, a mother of two from Ebb and Flow First Nation in Manitoba.^[95] Her death prompted criticism from Wab Kinew, the Leader of the Opposition, who questioned whether Mousseau had been appropriately cleared for medical transport.^[96] Dr. John Younes, Manitoba's Chief Medical Examiner, declined to call an inquest into the death.^[97] On March 1, 2021, Younes wrote to Kinew stating that a "carefully considered medical decision was made to move patients out of province to make room for incoming patients who would otherwise not survive."^[97] He added that it is not the role of an inquest to "second guess complex medical decisions, particularly those made under horrific circumstances."^[97] Kinew later requested that the Premier to call an inquiry into the death.^[98]

Vaccine rollout

In January 2021, Stefanson announced a four-stage immunization plan that outlined a strategy to expand Manitoba's immunization campaign to priority groups and then to all Manitobans based on age.^[99] The plan was based on guidelines developed by the National Advisory Committee on Immunization and was informed by 27 physicians on Manitoba's vaccine medical advisory table. Stefanson was criticized for a slow rollout of the vaccine, which she attributed to a lack of supply from the federal government.^[100] On May 5, 2021, Stefanson announced that the province had administered 500,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.^[101] Ten days later, she reported that 50 percent of all Manitoba adults had received at least one dose of the vaccine.^[101]

The #ProtectMB COVID-19 Immunization Plan included setting up vaccine clinics in several areas, including supersites, focussed immunization teams, and pop-up community clinics.^[102] By April 2022, 1.1 million Manitobans were fully vaccinated representing 82 per cent of those eligible.

Medical leave

On May 21, 2021, the province announced Stefanson would be taking a medical leave to undergo a necessary procedure recommended by her physician.^[103] Kelvin Goertzen acted as interim Health Minister in her absence. Stefanson resumed her duties virtually in late June and gave her first in-person interview with media on July 8, 2021.^[104] She did not provide details as to the nature of her medical procedure. She later told media she had undergone a hysterectomy on the recommendation of her doctor after putting it off for more than a year.^[105]