2nd-36th, Volume 10 - Routine Proceedings

VOL. XLVI No. 10 - 1:30 p.m., TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 1996

Tuesday, April 2, 1996

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA

Tuesday, April 2, 1996

The House met at 1:30 p.m.

PRAYERS

ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS

READING AND RECEIVING PETITIONS

Immigration Policy

Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Broadway (Mr. Santos). It complies with the rules and practices of the House (by leave). Is it the will of the House to have the petition read?

Some Honourable Members: Dispense.

Madam Speaker: Dispense.

WHEREAS Manitoba has been immeasurably enriched socially, economically and culturally by immigrants and their families, and;

WHEREAS it was for this reason that successive provincial and federal governments have encouraged immigration to Manitoba, and;

WHEREAS since 1993, the current federal Liberal government has reversed these policies by instituting a series of changes making immigration more difficult; and

WHEREAS the 1994 changes in quotas for family reunification class of immigrants were unfair and punitive; and

WHEREAS the fee increases for immigrants instituted in the 1995 federal Liberal budget are neither fair nor justifiable and border on racism, and;

WHEREAS the new $975 fee being imposed on adult immigrants is more than many immigrants make in their home country in an entire year, and will make it even more difficult for people from these countries to immigrate to Canada;

WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba may be pleased to request that the Government of Canada cancel these fee increases and instead institute policies that will encourage immigration to Manitoba.

Emergency Health Care Services--

Community Hospitals

Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Radisson (Ms. Cerilli). It complies with the rules and practices of the House. Is it the will of the House to have the petition read?

Some Honourable Members: Yes.

Madam Speaker: Yes. The Clerk will read.

Mr. Clerk (William Remnant): The petition of the undersigned citizens of the province of Manitoba humbly sheweth:

THAT on at least six occasions during the 1995 provincial election the Premier promised not to cut health care services; and

THAT following the election the Minister of Health promised that emergency services would not be reduced at community hospitals in Winnipeg; and

THAT the Minister of Health on October 6 announced that emergency services at these hospitals would be cut back immediately; and

THAT residents of Winnipeg and surrounding communities depend on emergency service at these community hospitals.

WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba go on record requesting the Premier to consider maintaining 24-hour access to emergency health care at community hospitals in Winnipeg as was promised in the 1995 general election.

Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Elmwood (Mr. Maloway). It complies with the rules and practices of the House. Is it the will of the House to have the petition read?

Some Honourable Members: Dispense.

Madam Speaker: Dispense.

THAT on at least six occasions during the 1995 provincial election the Premier promised not to cut health care services; and

THAT following the election the Minister of Health promised that emergency services would not be reduced at community hospitals in Winnipeg; and

THAT the Minister of Health on October 6 announced that emergency services at these hospitals would be cut back immediately; and

THAT residents of Winnipeg and surrounding communities depend on emergency service at these community hospitals.

PRESENTING REPORTS BY

STANDING AND SPECIAL COMMITTEES

Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections

First Report

Mr. Jack Penner (Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections): Madam Speaker, I would like to present the First Report of the Committee on Privileges and Elections.

Some Honourable Members: Dispense.

Madam Speaker: Dispense.

Your Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections presents the following as its First Report.

Your committee met in camera on January 11, 1996, at 10 a.m. and on January 25, 1996, at 8 a.m. in the board room of 1023-405 Broadway Avenue to consider the matter of the selection of persons suitable and available to be appointed as Ombudsman for the Province of Manitoba as referred to in subsections 2(1), 2(2) and 2(3) of The Ombudsman Act.

At the January 11, 1996, meeting, your committee elected Mr. Penner as chairperson and Mr. Helwer as vice-chairperson.

Also at the January 11, 1996, meeting, your committee accepted the resignations of Honourable Mr. Praznik, Honourable Mrs. Mitchelson, Honourable Mr. Pallister and Mr. Martindale as members of the committee and elected Honourable Mr. Cummings, Mr. Newman, Mr. Kowalski and Mr. Mackintosh to replace them.

Two hundred and eight (208) applications were received for the position of Ombudsman. On January 11, 1996, it was agreed that interviews be held with four candidates. Interviews were held on January 25, 1996.

Your committee has agreed to make its report to the Lieutenant-Governor-in-Council with the unanimous recommendation that Mr. Barry Tuckett be appointed as Ombudsman for the Province of Manitoba.

Mr. Penner: I move, seconded by the honourable member for Morris (Mr. Pitura), that the report of the committee be received.

Motion agreed to.

Standing Committee on Rules of the House

First Report

Mr. Marcel Laurendeau (Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Rules of the House): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the First Report of the Standing Committee on Rules of the House.

Some Honourable Members: Dispense.

Madam Speaker: Dispense.

Your committee met on Thursday, February 22, 1996, at 10 a.m. and on Tuesday, March 12, 1996, at 1 p.m. in Room 255 of the Legislative Building to consider matters referred.

At the February 22, 1996, meeting, your committee elected Mr. Laurendeau as vice-chairperson.

At the February 22, 1996, meeting, your committee accepted the resignations of the Honourable Mr. McCrae, Hon. Mr. Downey, and Mr. Penner as members of the committee, and elected Mr. Helwer, Mr. Lamoureux and Mr. Sveinson to replace them.

At the March 12, 1996, meeting, your committee accepted the resignations of the Honourable Mrs. McIntosh and Ms. Barrett as members of the committee, and elected Mr. Radcliffe and Mr. Mackintosh to replace them.

Your committee has agreed to the following provisional changes to the rules, and recommends them to the House to come in force on the day following concurrence, and to be in effect until November 30, 1996:

1) THAT present Rule 2 be repealed and the following Rules substituted therefor:

Spring and Fall Sittings

“2 The House will normally sit in spring sittings and in fall sittings. The purpose of the spring sittings generally is to deal with the Throne Speech, Budget, Estimates, Finance Bills, and the introduction of legislation. The purpose of the fall sittings generally is to deal with legislation.

Duration of Spring Sittings

2(1) The spring sittings of the House will normally be twelve weeks or part thereof in duration and will conclude no later than the second Thursday in June.

Note: In the case of the spring sittings in 1996 the time used for the Throne Speech debate in November/December 1995 shall be deducted from the twelve weeks.

Duration of Fall Sittings

2(2)(a) The fall sittings of the House will normally be eight weeks or part thereof in duration and will conclude no later than the last Thursday in November.

(b) Notice of the commencement date for the fall sittings shall be provided to the House not later than the beginning of the second week of the spring sittings.

Extraordinary Circumstances

2(3) The House may deviate from the sessional calendar outlined in sub-rules 2(1) and 2(2)

(a) while the House is adjourned, if the Speaker is satisfied, after consultation with the government, that the public interest requires that the House should meet at an earlier time; or

(b) while the House is in spring or fall sittings, if a motion to exceed the concluding dates specified in sub-rules 2(1) and 2(2) is passed by the House.

2.1 That subject to the agreement of the House Leaders of the Government, the Official Opposition and other Recognized Opposition Parties, notwithstanding Rule 2, the Government may introduce at a Spring or Fall session business other than that referred to in Rule 2.

Daily Sittings

3 The House shall ordinarily meet each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday that is not a holiday.”

2) THAT present Rule 3 be repealed and the following Rule substituted therefor:

Hours of Sitting

“4(1) Subject to sub-rules 4(3) and (4), the House shall normally sit from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and at 5:30 p.m. the Speaker shall adjourn the House without question put.

During Throne Speech & Budget Debates

4(2) During debate of the motion for an Address in Reply to the Speech from the Throne and during debate of the motion for approval by the House in general of the budgetary policy of the Government, the House will sit on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and these Fridays will not be committee days.

Adjournment on Thursdays during Spring Sittings

4(3) During the spring sittings, after the Throne Speech Debate and Budget Debate are concluded, the Speaker will normally adjourn the Thursday sitting on Friday at 3 p.m. to accommodate the sittings of the Committee of Supply on Friday.

Private Members’ Business during Spring Sittings

4(4) During the spring sittings, the House will meet on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. to consider Private Members’ Business. The House will resume at 1:30 p.m. for Routine Proceedings and Government Business.

Note: See Appendix E for chart of sitting hours.”

3) THAT present Rule 19 be revised to read:

Daily Routine

“19(1) The ordinary daily routine of business in the House shall be as follows:

Presenting Petitions

Reading and Receiving Petitions

Presenting Reports by Standing and Special Committees

Ministerial Statements and Tabling of Reports

Notices of Motion

Introduction of Bills

Oral Questions

Members’ Statements

Grievances

Order after Routine Business

19(2) The order of business for the consideration by the House, day by day, after the daily routine shall be as follows:

Government Business

Orders for Return and Addresses for Papers

Committee of the Whole House, for consideration of Bills

Report Stage, Bills reported from Committees

Government Bills - Third Readings, Second Readings

Government Motions

Opposition Day Motions

Private Members’ Business

(10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Thursdays during spring sittings and 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. each Monday to Thursday during fall sittings.)

Monday

Private Members’ Resolutions

Private Bills

Public Bills by Private Members

Orders for Returns and Addresses for Papers referred for debate

Tuesday

Private Bills

Public Bills by Private Members

Private Members’ Resolutions

Orders for Returns and Addresses for Papers referred for debate

Wednesday

Orders for Returns and Addresses for Papers referred for debate

Private Members’ Resolutions

Private Bills

Public Bills by Private Members

Thursday

Public Bills by Private Members

Private Bills

Private Members’ Resolutions

Orders for Returns and Addresses for Papers referred for debate

Two Separate Periods

19(3) Private Members’ Business on Thursdays during the spring sittings shall consist of two separate periods, each one considering a different category of Private Members’ Business.

Business To Be Considered

19(4) At the first Private Members’ Business period on the first Thursday during the spring sittings the business scheduled by sub-rule (2) to be taken up on Mondays shall be considered; during the second period on the same Thursday the business scheduled by sub-rule (2) to be taken up on Tuesdays shall be considered; during the first period on the second Thursday, the business scheduled by sub-rule (2) to be taken up on Wednesdays shall be considered; and, during the second period on the second Thursday the business scheduled by sub-rule (2) to be taken up on Thursdays shall be considered.

Rotational Sequence

19(5) For the remaining Thursdays during the spring sittings the rotational sequence established by sub-rule (4) shall be followed.

Tabling Documents

19(6) A member presenting a report to the House shall do so by stating that he is “tabling” a document.

Announcements or statements of policy by Ministers of the Crown

19(7) A Minister of the Crown may make an announcement or statement of government policy at the time in the ordinary daily routine of business appointed for ministerial statements and tabling of reports, and a spokesman for each of the parties in opposition to the government may make a brief comment with respect to the announcement or statement and the comments shall be limited to the facts which it is deemed necessary to make known to the House and should not be designed to provoke debate at that time. Copies of the announcements or statements shall be made available to leaders of parties and the Speaker at the time the announcement or statement is made.

Question Period

19(8) The time allowed for question period prior to the calling of the Orders of the Day shall not exceed 40 minutes.

Members’ Statements - Five Statements Per Day, Statements Two Minutes in Length

19(9)(a) On each sitting day, up to five members may be recognized to make a Members’ Statement on any matter.

(b) Each statement shall be no more than two minutes in duration.

Restrictions on Scope of Members’ Statements used by Ministers of the Crown

19(10) A Minister of the Crown may not use the time allotted for Members’ Statements to comment on government policy or ministerial or departmental action.

Member to Speak Only Once on Grievance - Grievance not to be raised during Throne Speech and Budget Debates

19(11)(a) A Member may not raise or speak to a grievance on more than one occasion during a session of the Assembly.

(b) Grievances shall not be considered while the motion for an Address in Reply to the Speech from the Throne or while the motion for approval by the House in general of the budgetary policy of the Government are on the Orders of the Day for consideration by the House.

Grievances 15 Minutes Each, with No Restriction on Subject Matter

19(12)(a) Each member is entitled to speak for no longer than 15 minutes on a grievance.

(b) There shall be no restriction on the subject matter raised in a grievance.

No Limit on Number of Grievances

19(13) There is no restriction on the number of grievances that may be raised on any given day.

Debate Terminated Same Day

(19)(14) Any grievance is terminated when the House adjourns and shall not be continued or resumed at the next or any subsequent sitting of the House.

4) THAT the following new Rule and heading be added immediately after present Rule 19:

Number of Opposition Days

19.1(1) In each session there shall be up to 3 sitting days to be known as Opposition Days, but not more than 2 such days shall be scheduled in either the spring or the fall sittings.

Distribution of Opposition Days

19.1(2) Opposition Days shall be distributed among the Recognized Opposition Parties in proportion to their membership on the opposition side of the House.

Government House Leader to Announce

19.1(3) After consultation with the Recognized Opposition Parties, the Government House Leader, from time to time, will announce the date or dates which are to be designated Opposition Days.

Two Sitting Days Notice

19.1(4) In accordance with sub-rule 51(1)(d) and notwithstanding sub-rule 55(2), two sitting days notice of an Opposition Day Motion, filed with the Clerk by a member of a Recognized Opposition Party, shall be printed in the Order Paper.

If more than one notice

19.1(5) If more than one notice of an Opposition Day Motion is received, the Speaker shall select one for debate, taking into consideration the order in which they were received.

Time Limit

19.1(6) During debate of an Opposition Day Motion no member shall speak longer than ten minutes.

Not for Second or Third Reading

19.1(7) No motion under this Rule shall be for Second or Third Reading of a Bill.

Not a non-confidence motion

19.1(8) No motion under this Rule shall be a motion of non-confidence in the government.

Not during Throne Speech or Budget Debates

19.1(9) No sitting day shall be designated an Opposition Day during consideration of the motion for an Address in Reply to the Speech from the Throne or the motion to approve in general the budgetary policy of the Government.

Only one per week

19.1(10) Only one Opposition Day may be designated during any week the House meets.

First item of business

19.1(11) A motion to be debated on an Opposition Day shall be considered as the first item of business under Orders of the Day.

Debate limited to one sitting day

19.1(12) Debate on an Opposition Day Motion shall be limited to one sitting day; thirty minutes before the ordinary time of daily adjournment the Speaker shall interrupt the proceedings and forthwith put every question necessary to dispose of the motion and any amendments thereto.”

5) THAT present sub-rule 21(1) be repealed and the following substituted therefor:

Orders not taken up

“21 Subject to Rule 63.9, questions, notices of motions by members, and orders not taken up or proceeded with when called, may be allowed to stand and retain their precedence; otherwise they shall be removed from the Order Paper.”

6) THAT present sub-rule 21(2) be repealed.

7) THAT present sub-rule 21(3) be repealed.

8) THAT present Rule 22 be repealed.

9) THAT present Rule 22.1 be repealed.

10) THAT present Rule 61 be revised and added as a sub-rule to Rule 23:

Amendments to Budget Motion

“23(3) Only one amendment and one sub-amendment may be accepted to the motion for approval by the House in general of the budgetary policy of the Government.”

11) THAT present sub-rules 23(3), (4) and (5) be renumbered as sub-rules 23(4), (5), and (6).

12) THAT present Rule 26.1(1) be repealed.

13) THAT present sub-rule 26.1(2) become new sub-rule 19(8).

14) THAT present sub-rule 26.1(3) become new sub-rule 19(14).

15) THAT present sub-rule 27(1) be revised to read:

Setting aside ordinary business of the House

“27(1) After Grievances in the routine business of the House and before the Orders of the Day, any member may move to set aside the ordinary business of the House to discuss a matter of urgent public importance, of which he has given prior notice to the Speaker not less than ninety minutes prior to the sitting of the House.”

16) THAT present sub-rule 27(3) be revised to read:

Procedure on Motion

“27(3) After any explanation made under sub-rule (2), the Speaker shall rule on whether or not the motion under sub-rule (1) is in order and of urgent public importance, and if he rules in favour of the motion, he will then put the question “Shall the debate proceed?” to a vote of the House. Notwithstanding sub-rule 5(1), the ruling of the Chair shall not be subject to appeal.”

17) THAT present sub-rule 27(4) be revised to read:

Idem

“27(4) If the House determines by its vote to set aside the normal business of the House to discuss a matter of urgent public importance, each member who wishes to speak in the discussion shall be limited to ten minutes. The debate on the matter of urgent public importance shall not exceed two hours in duration. On conclusion of the debate the House shall proceed to Orders of the Day.”

18) THAT present sub-rule 21(4) be repealed and replaced by the following sub-rule to be added to Rule 27:

Business not to Stand Over

“27(6) Any debate on a motion made under sub-rule 27(1) is terminated when the time allotted for the debate has expired, or when the House adjourns on the day of the debate prior to the expiration of the two hour time limit, and shall not be continued or resumed at the next or any subsequent sitting of the House.”

19) THAT present sub-rules 33(1) and 33(2) be revised to read:

Speeches Limited to Thirty Minutes

“33(1) Subject to sub-rule (2), and unless otherwise specified, no member shall speak for more than thirty minutes in any debate, except

(a) the Leader of the Government;

(b) the Leader of the Opposition;

(c) the Leaders of other Recognized Opposition Parties;

(d) a Minister moving a government order;

(e) a member making a motion of “no confidence of the Government”, or

(f) the Minister replying thereto.

33(2) The Leader of the Government, the Leader of the Opposition or a Leader of a Recognized Opposition Party may each designate one member to speak in a debate for such time as he desires and that member may speak in that debate for such period as he desires if

(a) the Leader of the Government, the Leader of the Opposition or the Leader of the Recognized Opposition Party or that member on his behalf has given prior notice of the designation to the Speaker; and

(b) the Leader of the Government, the Leader of the Opposition or the Leader of the Recognized Opposition Party on whose behalf that member is to speak, whoever has given the notice, has not previously spoken in the debate for more than 30 minutes;

and if the member designated speaks in the debate, the Leader of the Government, the Leader of the Opposition or the Leader of the Recognized Opposition Party, on whose behalf that member has spoken, whoever has given notice of the designation, shall not speak in that debate for more than 30 minutes.”

20) THAT present sub-rule 33(3) be revised to read:

Speeches during Private Members’ Business

“33(3) Notwithstanding sub-rules (1) and (2), speeches during Private Members’ Business or during debate on a private member’s order called by the government pursuant to sub-rule 20(2) shall be limited to fifteen minutes.”

21) THAT present sub-rule 37(3) be revised to read:

Limitation

“37(3) This Rule does not apply to a debate on a motion for an Address in Reply to the Speech from the Throne or debate on a motion to approve in general the budgetary policy of the Government.”

22) THAT the following new paragraph be added to present Rule 51(1):

“51(1)(d) Notwithstanding other provisions of this rule, two sitting days notice are required for a motion to be debated on an Opposition Day.”

23) THAT the following new Rule be added immediately after present Rule 51:

Issue of Special Order Paper

“51.1(1) Where the government, in the period prior to the first session of a Legislature, during a prorogation or when the House stands adjourned, has advised the Speaker that any government measure or measures should have immediate consideration by the House, the Speaker, notwithstanding sub-rule 51(2), shall cause notice of any such measure or measures to be printed in a Special Order Paper to be published and circulated three days prior to the opening or resumption of such session.

If Speaker unable to act

51.2(2) In the event the Speaker is unable to act owing to illness or other cause, the Deputy Speaker shall act for him or her for the purposes of this Rule. In the unavoidable absence of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker or when the office of Speaker is vacant, the Clerk shall perform the duties of the Speaker under this Rule.”

24) THAT present Rule 60 be revised to read:

Withdrawing motions

“60 Notwithstanding Rule 89(3), a member who has made a motion may withdraw it with the unanimous consent of the House.”

25) THAT the following new sub-rule be added immediately after present Rule 64(1):

Quorum in the Committee of the Whole

“64(2) The presence of at least ten members in a Committee of the Whole House is necessary to constitute a meeting of the Committee, for the exercise of its powers.”

26) THAT the following sub-rule be added to present Rule 64:

Committee of Supply Hours

“64.2 The Committee of Supply shall normally sit during the spring sittings on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays after Routine Proceedings, and shall sit on Fridays from 9 a.m. to 12 noon and from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. The sitting hours on Fridays may be varied by unanimous consent of the Committee of Supply, or a section thereof.”

27) THAT present Rule 64.1(1) be revised to read:

Time Limit

“64.1(1) In accordance with Rule 65, not more than 240 hours shall be allowed for consideration of ways and means and supply resolutions respecting main, interim, capital and supplementary supply estimates and for the consideration in Committee of the Whole of the relevant Supply Bills.”

28) THAT the following be added as a new Rule 65:

Completion of the budgetary process

“65 Notwithstanding Rule 89, the budgetary process, including consideration of ways and means and supply resolutions respecting interim, main, capital and supplementary estimates and consideration of all stages of interim, main, capital and supplementary supply bills, shall normally be completed not later than the final day of the spring sittings.”

29) THAT the following be added as a new Rule 65(6.1):

Quorum not required during Friday sittings

“65(6.1) Notwithstanding sub-rule 64(2), when the Committee of Supply is sitting on a Friday, there is no requirement to maintain a quorum.”

30) THAT present sub-rule 65(7.3) be revised to read:

Voting to be completed

“65(7.3) Where, pursuant to sub-rule (7.1), a formal vote has been commenced before the normal adjournment hour but has not been completed by that hour, notwithstanding rule 64.2, the conduct of the vote shall not be interrupted and shall be continued until it is completed whether or not those proceedings continue after the normal adjournment hour.”

31) THAT present sub-rule 65(8) be repealed.

32) THAT present sub-rule 65(9) be repealed and the following sub-rule substituted therefor:

Sitting on Fridays

“65(9) Where the Committee of Supply, or a section of the Committee of Supply, is sitting on a Friday during the spring sittings,

(a) the Chairperson or Deputy Chairperson of the Committee shall proceed to put motions as the course of the business of the Committee dictates but shall not accept

(I) any vote that defeats a motion approving an item in the estimates of the government, or

(ii) any vote that passes a motion varying an item in the estimates of the government;

(b) where two members demand that a formal vote be taken, the Chairperson or Deputy Chairperson of the Committee shall defer the vote on the motion until the next sitting of the Committee of Supply in the Chamber; and

(c) the estimates of a new department may be introduced on a Friday during the spring sittings.”

33) THAT present rule 65(11) be repealed and the following Rule substituted therefor:

Business after Committee of Supply Rises on a Friday

“65(11) Where the Committee of Supply sits on a Friday during the spring sittings, and after the Committee rises, any motion except a motion to adjourn the House or a concurrence motion provided for by Rule 65.2 is out of order.”

34) THAT present sub-rule 65(13) be repealed.

35) THAT present paragraph 65.1(4)(b) be revised to read:

Extended sitting hours

“65.1(4)(b) in the afternoon, from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.; and”

36) THAT present sub-rule 65(1) be repealed and the following sub-rules substituted therefor:

Speeches - 10 minutes

“66(1) Except as provided in sub-rule (2), speeches in Committee of Supply, including those of Ministers, shall be restricted to 10 minutes.

Minister’s and Critic’s opening addresses

66(2) The address of a Minister introducing the estimates of a department and the corresponding opening address of the critic from any Recognized Opposition Party, shall be restricted to 30 minutes.”

37) THAT the following new Rule be added immediately after present Rule 69:

Committee Days

“69(1)(a) Standing and Special Committees may meet as scheduled by the Government House Leader during fall sittings on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 12 noon and from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. These hours may be varied by unanimous consent of the committee.

69(1)(b) In addition, committees may meet at other times as scheduled by the Government House Leader.”

38) THAT present sub-rule 74(4) be revised to read:

Idem

“74(4) Concurrence by a private member will be debated during Private Members’ Business.”

39) THAT present Rule 82 be repealed and the following Rule substituted therefor:

Application of Chapter

“82 Except where a provision of Chapter XIV (Private Bills) is inconsistent with a provision of this Chapter, and unless otherwise specified, this Chapter applies to all Bills, whether Public or Private.”

40) THAT present sub-rule 87(1) be repealed and the following Rules substituted therefor:

Spring timetable for government bills

“87 All government bills are to be introduced, read a first time, printed, distributed and moved for Second Reading not later than the last day of the spring sittings of that Session.

88(1) Every Bill shall receive three separate readings, on different days, before being passed.

88(2) By leave of the House, a Bill may be read twice or thrice, or advanced two or more stages in one day.

88(3) Every Bill shall be read twice in the House before being referred to a Committee or amended.

88(4) Every Bill, after having been read a second time, shall stand referred a Committee and all petitions before the House, for or against the Bill, shall stand referred to that Committee.”

41) THAT the following new Rule be added following present Rule 87:

Fall timetable for government bills

“89(1) Notwithstanding Rule 65 and subject to sub-rules (2) and (3), all government bills will normally receive a vote on Third Reading not later than the last day of the fall sitting of that session.

89(2) Where a committee agrees to not report a bill, the bill cannot proceed to the remaining stages of the legislative process.

89(3) The government, notwithstanding Rule 60, may withdraw a bill, at any stage, by a Minister of the Crown rising in his or her seat and informing the House of the withdrawal.”

42) THAT the following be added as Appendix E:

APPENDIX E

SPRING SITTINGS

Monday to Thursday: 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. Routine Proceedings & Committee of Supply

Thursday: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Private Members’ Business

Friday (Committee Day): 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Committee of Supply*

10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Routine Proceedings and Government Business (only during Throne Speech debate and Budget Debate)

1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Committee of Supply*

* Committee of Supply normally commences after Throne Speech and Budget Debates conclude

FALL SITTINGS

Monday to Thursday: 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Routine Proceedings & Legislation

4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Private Members’ Business

Friday: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Committees may be scheduled

1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Committees may be scheduled

Your committee agreed to defer consideration of changes to the practise of Private Member’s Business to a future time.

Your committee agreed to authorize the Clerk’s Office to incorporate gender neutral language in the revised rules.

Your committee agreed that the staff of the Clerk’s Office be authorized to prepare and renumber a new version of the rule book.

Your committee agreed that the staff of the Clerk’s Office be authorized to produce revised rules incorporating all of the amendments and additions to be available when the report of the committee is adopted.

Mr. Laurendeau: Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable member for Morris (Mr. Pitura), that the report of the committee be received.

Motion agreed to.

* (1335)

MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS

Ford World Curling Championship

Hon. Jim Ernst (Minister responsible for Sport): I have a statement for the House, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, I am honoured to rise before the House today and join Manitobans in extending the congratulations of government members to Jeff Stoughton and his rink from the Charleswood Curling Club on winning the Canadian and World Curling Championships.

As the member for Charleswood and as Minister responsible for Sport, I can say I am especially proud of these gentlemen who represented their community, their city, their province, their country and their sport with so much class and dignity. For anyone who had an opportunity to witness any of the competitions, it was quite evident that the Stoughton rink clearly had the ability to maintain Manitoba’s high curling regard at the global level. They may in fact have been the best rink we have ever had represent us at the World’s, and there have been many. On and off the ice, they also demonstrated they were quality individuals worthy of being ambassadors of the province in such a high profile event.

As they add their names alongside those Manitobans who, through success at the international level, have given our province a rich and historic curling heritage, I would ask all members to join me in saluting skip Jeff Stoughton, third Ken Tresoor, second Gary Vandenberghe, lead Steve Gould, fifth Darryl Gunnlaugson and coach Norm Gould on a well-earned, well-deserved World Men’s Curling Championship and on behalf of all Manitobans thank them for the pride, distinction and recognition they have brought to our province.

Mr. Gary Doer (Leader of the Opposition): Madam Speaker, I would like to respond to the minister’s statement and join with him and with all members of this House in congratulating the Stoughton rink from the Charleswood Curling Club, the Manitoba representative, on their international championship that they won over the weekend. As the minister has indicated in his statement, it is a very, very high-quality curling team and they performed--as the minister has indicated--with dignity and grace and did exceptionally well in the tournament.

Curling, of course, is a very proud sport for Manitobans. Last year, we had two national champions and I believe two world champions from the province of Manitoba. If I recall correctly, the Stoughton victory at the Canadian championship I believe was the 25th or 26th time that Manitoba has won the Canadian championship in the history of the competition here in Canada. I know that the rink--winning the international championship just adds to the many distinctions that Manitoba curlers have provided for us and all Manitobans in terms of this international win.

I know there are members in this House who curl. I even know there are members of this House that have curled in the Manitoba bonspiels, and I know that they will have a lot of competition ahead of them with the excellent curling that we see here in the province of Manitoba.

Congratulations to all members of the Stoughton rink. Thank you.

Introduction of Guests

Madam Speaker: Prior to Oral Questions I would like to draw the attention of all honourable members to the loge to my right, where we have with us today Mr. Chuck Strahl, the member of Parliament for Fraser Valley East, and also to the loge to my left where we have with us this afternoon Ben Hanuschak, former Speaker and member for Burrows.

On behalf of all honourable members, I welcome you this afternoon.