2nd-36th, Volume 27 - Routine Proceedings

VOL. XLVI No. 27 - 1:30 p.m., WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 1996

Wednesday, May 1, 1996

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA

Wednesday, May 1, 1996

The House met at 1:30 p.m.

PRAYERS

ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS

PRESENTING PETITIONS

Home Care Services

Ms. Jean Friesen (Wolseley): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Debra McNicholl, Diane Rodrigue, Diane Waterchuk and others requesting the Premier (Mr. Filmon) and the Minister of Health (Mr. McCrae) to consider reversing their plan to privatize home care services.

Ms. Marianne Cerilli (Radisson): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of E.N.D. Smalling, C. Panergo, J. Lillies and others requesting the Premier and the Minister of Health to consider reversing their plan to privatize home care services.

Mr. Gregory Dewar (Selkirk): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of J. Nicolson, W. Teichroeb, Helen Sawatsky and others requesting the Premier and the Minister of Health to consider reversing their plan to privatize home care services.

Mr. Conrad Santos (Broadway): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Elizabeth Smedts, Ian B. Fraser, Jason Paas and others requesting the Premier and the Minister of Health to consider reversing their plan to privatize home care services.

Mr. Jim Maloway (Elmwood): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Patricia Cameron, A.J. Murphy, K. Alix and others requesting the Premier and the Minister of Health to consider reversing their plan to privatize home care services.

Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Inkster): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Angel Busch, Bernice Ezirim, B. McGregor and others requesting the Premier and the Minister of Health consider reversing their plan to privatize home care services.

READING AND RECEIVING PETITIONS

Seasonal Camping Fees

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

An Honourable Member: Dispense.

Madam Speaker: Dispense.

WHEREAS seasonal camping has provided an affordable form of recreation for many Manitobans; and

WHEREAS the provincial government has announced increases in seasonal camping fees of up to 100 percent; and

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

WHEREAS this huge increase is far more than any cost-of-living increase; and

WHEREAS this increase will lead to many people being unable to afford seasonal camping.

WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly urge the provincial government not to increase seasonal camping fees by such a large amount.

Home Care Services

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?

An Honourable Member: Dispense.

Madam Speaker: Dispense.

THAT on December 16, 1995, a plan to privatize home care services was presented to Treasury Board; and

THAT this plan calls for the complete divestiture of all service delivery to nongovernment organizations, mainly private for-profit companies as well as the implementation of a user-pay system of home care; and

THAT previous cuts to the Home Care program have resulted in services being cut and people’s health being compromised; and

THAT thousands of caring front-line service providers will lose their jobs as a result of this change; and

THAT profit has no place in the provision of vital health services.

WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba may be pleased to request the Premier (Mr. Filmon) and the Minister of Health (Mr. McCrae) to consider reversing their plan to privatize home care services.

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

An Honourable Member: 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 services; and

THAT on December 16, 1995, a plan to privatize home care services was presented to Treasury Board; and

THAT previous cuts to the Home Care program have resulted in services being cut and people’s health being compromised; and

THAT thousands of caring front-line service providers will lose their jobs as a result of this change; and

THAT profit has no place in the provision of vital health services.

Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Burrows (Mr. Martindale). 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 services; and

THAT on December 16, 1995, a plan to privatize home care services was presented to Treasury Board; and

THAT previous cuts to the Home Care program have resulted in services being cut and people’s health being compromised; and

THAT thousands of caring front-line service providers will lose their jobs as a result of this change; and

THAT profit has no place in the provision of vital health services.

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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. Is it the will of the House to have the petition read?

An Honourable Member: Yes.

Madam Speaker: Yes? The Clerk will read.

Mr. Clerk: 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 services; and

THAT on December 16, 1995, a plan to privatize home care services was presented to Treasury Board; and

THAT previous cuts to the Home Care program have resulted in services being cut and people’s health being compromised; and

THAT thousands of caring front-line service providers will lose their jobs as a result of this change; and

THAT profit has no place in the provision of vital health services.

PRESENTING REPORTS BY

STANDING AND SPECIAL COMMITTEES

Committee of Supply

Mr. Marcel Laurendeau (Chairperson of Committees): Madam Speaker, the Committee of Supply has considered certain resolutions, directs me to report progress and asks leave to sit again.

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

Motion agreed to.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS

Provincial Flooding Update

Hon. Brian Pallister (Minister of Government Services): Madam Speaker, I have a statement for the House.

I rise in the House today to update all members on the serious flooding situation in our province. The Red River began to crest Monday night in Emerson and Letellier areas. It appears the heaviest flooding along the river will continue through today and tomorrow.

Yesterday morning, accompanied by the honourable First Minister (Mr. Filmon), the Minister of Natural Resources (Mr. Driedger) and the Minister of Highways (Mr. Findlay), we conducted a land tour of some of the most affected areas including the communities of Emerson, St. Jean, Morris, Ste. Agathe, Ste. Adolphe and the Red River Floodway inlet.

Although I have spoken before about the awesome power of nature, yesterday I was more impressed by the awesome power of community spirit. Throughout our tour we heard about and witnessed the contribution of literally hundreds of volunteers who have taken time away from their work, their schools and families to assist in flood preparations.

Madam Speaker, while it is sometimes easy to help out a relative or friend, many of the volunteers are helping out Manitobans whom they have never met. That demonstrates the true definition of volunteerism. I personally want to thank the schools, churches, community groups, small businesses and individuals who have donated their time and strength to this effort. While much of the flood operation has been centred around building sandbag dikes to protect communities and private property, many Manitobans have found other ways to assist the victims, and potential victims as well, of this disaster.

We have all heard about willing people that donated their boats, trucks, farm equipment to aid the operation. We have seen people like RCMP Sergeant John Fleming risk his own life by rescuing an Emerson woman who was almost swept away by the Red River. We have witnessed many others who have helped rescue people, livestock and personal possessions. These are actions we might refer to as above the call of duty but to those willing to accept that call, we thank you.

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I would also like to mention the crew of about 70 army reservists from Winnipeg, Portage la Prairie and Brandon who have helped in sandbagging and other flood fighting activities. This is a force that we rely on through virtually every major natural disaster in the province, and I thank them for their professionalism and dedicated support.

There are others, who by virtue of their jobs or positions, are placed in a position of responsibility during these times. I refer to the mayors, reeves, municipal councils and their staff, as well as federal and provincial officials and their staff.

Madam Speaker, time after time in visiting these communities we hear about how much more prepared and co-ordinated this flood operation is in comparison with the flood of 1979. The credit must go to local authorities who with the assistance of the Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization, Natural Resources, Highways, Agriculture and other departments, have well-engineered emergency plans and a capable group of people to see those plans carried out.

I might add that earlier today I, along with representatives of Scouts Canada, signed a proclamation declaring May 5 to 11 Emergency Preparedness Week. The theme for this year is: plan for emergencies today, and I can truly say the value of preparedness has been demonstrated over the past few weeks.

But the task at hand is not over. As I mentioned, flood waters have begun cresting and will remain at their highest levels over the next few days. I encourage all Manitobans to offer their assistance to the local communities affected by flooding. Municipal officials co-ordinating the local flood effort and potential volunteers should contact those offices to find out ways in which they can help.

I want to remind all Manitobans to exercise extreme caution in the flood-affected areas. We have had several reports of sightseers interfering with emergency operations at hand and potentially endangering their lives or the lives of the workers onsite. I ask all Manitobans to use their good judgment and common sense during this period. We have thus far managed to escape loss of life. That is how I wish this operation and all of us wish this operation to end.

Madam Speaker, I continue to be impressed by the massive volunteer effort in fighting the 1996 flood. I want to assure those who have contributed to this point that their initiative has given us all a greater sense of confidence that our efforts will succeed in saving the lives, homes and personal property of Manitobans. Thank you.

Mr. Stan Struthers (Dauphin): I appreciate the updates that we have been getting from the Minister of Government Services having to do with the great flood of Manitoba in 1996. I want to thank him again today for bringing this information to us.

I also want to agree with many of the things that the minister has said. I want to join, on behalf of us on this side of the House, in recognizing the tremendous contribution of volunteers who have played so active a role in defending Manitobans, their lives and their possessions against the ravages of Mother Nature.

I want to join with the minister in particularly mentioning Sergeant John Fleming. It is sort of the Manitoba spirit, I think, that gets people motivated to put their own life and limb in danger in helping out fellow Manitobans in their time of need. I think Sergeant Fleming is a great personification of the spirit that Manitobans have when it comes to co-operating together in facing the disasters that we do from time to time come across.

I also want to pay attention to the army reservists who have joined in the battle. Their co-operation and their work in this is very much appreciated, I am sure, by those directly affected. It is good to know that Manitobans can come together in a time of need and work together to battle the problems that we face every now and then.

That leads me, however, to some more of the challenges that are coming up into the future. I would encourage the minister to include the Lake Manitoba, Portage diversion, Interlake area in the updates that we get from his department. We would be very interested to know the situation in that part of the province.

I would also like to point out that the next challenge that faces the people in these areas is going to be getting the crop in at a decent time. The seeding in these areas will in all likelihood be backed up to a point where we will be at a disaster area level there as well. So I am just pointing that out, that is going to be the next challenge we face.

I want to, again, make sure we recognize the volunteers, not only for the sandbagging and the work they are doing right now, but the planning that is going to take place, has taken place, and will take place in case we go through this again at some point in the future.

I do want to remind the minister, though, that he needs to sit with the federal people and end the squabble that has played a part in slowing down the reaction to this year's flood. It is not good enough to simply point the finger in the direction of the federal government in terms of compensation to R.M.s from last year. The R.M.s that have complained to us that they have not been compensated for last year, have not been able to move forward as quickly as they would like in fighting the flood of this year.

Having said all that, I would like to thank the minister again for presenting this information to the House.

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Manitoba HydroBonds

Hon. Eric Stefanson (Minister of Finance): Madam Speaker, I have a brief ministerial statement for the House.

I would like to take this opportunity to announce that once again Manitobans will have the opportunity to invest in their province when HydroBonds Series V go on sale on May 21. HydroBonds are being reintroduced to replace Series III, which will mature in June. Manitobans have long prided themselves on being self-sustaining by investing in the future of their own province. They understand that by funding the generation and supply of Manitoba's hydroelectric power they provide themselves with financial benefits and ensure a successful economic future for Manitoba's most important natural resource.

Series V of Manitoba Hydro Savings Bonds will be available for a five-year term and will be a solid addition to any investment portfolio. HydroBonds, together with the Builder Bonds, have a proven track record, raising more than $2.2 billion for the province, and have generated $350 million in interest payments exclusively to Manitobans.

Today, they continue to benefit the province by allowing us to meet more of our borrowing needs right here in Manitoba. The terms and conditions will be the same as for last year's Builder Bonds. To ensure that all Manitobans have a chance to take advantage of this investment opportunity, the bonds will be issued in denominations as low as $100.

Madam Speaker, I would like also to take this opportunity to thank Manitobans for the support they have shown through past contributions and to encourage continued investment in the future of our province.

Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr. Leonard Evans (Brandon East): I thank the honourable minister for the statement and, of course, welcome the fact that Manitobans will have an opportunity to invest in this great asset, Manitoba Hydro, a publicly operated, publicly owned utility. Manitobans know a good investment when they see one.

I cannot help but think, Madam Speaker, that one of the reasons the Manitoba Hydro utility is in such good shape today is the fact that it does obtain considerable revenues, which goes back, in large measure, to the important investment made in Limestone under the previous government. Manitobans today are benefiting from the foresight and the courage of those who were in government some years ago, in the previous administration, who went ahead with the Limestone project.

In conclusion, Madam Speaker, I also am very pleased to note that we have among the lowest utility rates in the country, and I say that is because of the historical development, and let us hope that, all together in this House, we will ensure that the publicly owned and publicly operated utility, Manitoba Hydro, will remain that way for many years to come.

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TABLING OF REPORTS

Hon. Rosemary Vodrey (Minister of Justice and Attorney General): I am pleased to table the report and the recommendations of the Judicial Compensation Committee .

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

Bill 13--The Highway Traffic Amendment Act

Hon. Glen Findlay (Minister of Highways and Transportation): I move, seconded by the Minister of Rural Development (Mr. Derkach), that leave be given to introduce Bill 13, The Highway Traffic Amendment (Lighting on Agricultural Equipment) Act (Loi modifiant le Code de la route) (éclairage de l'équipement agricole), and that the same be now received and read a first time.

Motion agreed to.

Bill 14--The Manitoba Trading Corporation Amendment Act

Hon. James Downey (Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism): Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Finance (Mr. Stefanson), that leave be given to introduce Bill 14, The Manitoba Trading Corporation Amendment Act (Loi modifiant la Loi sur la Société commerciale du Manitoba), and that the same be now received and read a first time.

Motion agreed to.

Bill 15--The Tourism and Recreation Amendment Act

Hon. James Downey (Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism): Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Natural Resources (Mr. Driedger), that leave be given to introduce Bill 15, The Tourism and Recreation Amendment Act (Loi modifiant la Loi sur le tourisme et les loisirs), and that the same be now received and read a first time.

Motion agreed to.

Bill 16--The Charleswood Bridge Facilitation Act

Hon. Jack Reimer (Minister of Urban Affairs): Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs (Mr. Ernst), that leave be given to introduce Bill 16, The Charleswood Bridge Facilitation Act (Loi facilitant l'application de l'entente sur le pont Charleswood), and that the same be now received and read a first time.

Motion agreed to.

Introduction of Guests

Madam Speaker: Prior to Oral Questions, I would like to draw all honourable members' attention, firstly, to the Speaker's Gallery, where we have with us today the Honourable Ralph Klein, Premier of the Province of Alberta.

Also, seated in the loge to my left, we have David Orlikow, the former MLA for St. Johns.

Seated in the public gallery we have 20 seniors from Kimberley Grace Seniors under the direction of Lloyd Lovell. This seniors' residence is located in the constituency of the honourable member for Elmwood (Mr. Maloway).

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

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