Thursday, September 19, 1996

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA

Thursday, September 19, 1996

The House met at 1:30 p.m.

PRAYERS

ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS

PRESENTING PETITIONS

Rail Line Abandonment

Ms. Rosann Wowchuk (Swan River): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Candice Lasuik, Lloyd Debruin, Ron Highmoor and others requesting the Legislative Assembly to request the Minister of Transportation (Mr. Findlay) and federal Minister of Transportation to ensure that the communities currently using the Cowan Sub and Erwood Sub be able to continue shipping their grains to market.

READING AND RECEIVING PETITIONS

Seasonal Camping Fees

Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Dauphin (Mr. Struthers). 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 provincial parks have provided affordable and accessible recreation for many Manitobans and tourists; and

THAT the provincial government has ended one-day passes, eliminated passes for seniors and made other changes that discourage people from using our parks; and

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

THAT these increases far exceed any cost-of-living increases; and

THAT increases in camping and entrance fees make park usage unaffordable for many Manitobans and will discourage tourists from using our provincial parks;

WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba urge the provincial government to review camping fees in line with cost-of-living increases and return to daily entrance permits to encourage the continued use and enjoyment of Manitoba's provincial parks.

Rail Line Abandonment

Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Swan River (Ms. Wowchuk). 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:

WHEREAS rail access is vital for the shipment of grain and other farm commodities in rural communities; and

WHEREAS the proclamation of the Canada Transportation Act on July 1, 1996, gives railways the ability to abandon lines throughout Canada with minimum notice; and

WHEREAS on July 2, 1996, Canadian National announced that it plans to abandon four rail lines in Manitoba including the lines from Dauphin to Minitonas and Swan River to Birch River; and

WHEREAS the abandonment of these lines would put the future of grain elevators at Birch River, Bowsman, Ethelbert and Fork River amongst others at great risk; and

WHEREAS the federal government sold CN without any conditions other than the headquarters of CN remain in Montreal; and

WHEREAS the loss of these rail lines will have a major negative effect upon the overall provincial economy; and

WHEREAS the provincial government has not made any plans to cover the costs of upgrading roads in the areas where rail lines are threatened with abandonment; and

WHEREAS the federal government has not committed any money from the Western Grain Transportation Adjustment Fund to upgrading roads in communities where rail lines are being abandoned.

WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba may be pleased to request the Minister of Transportation and the federal Minister of Transport to ensure that the communities currently using the Cowan Sub and the Erwood Sub are able to continue shipping their grain to markets.

TABLING OF REPORTS

Hon. Rosemary Vodrey (Minister of Justice and Attorney General): Madam Speaker, I am pleased to table the Twenty-fifth Annual Report of the Law Reform Commission and also the Tenth Annual Report, '95-96, of The Manitoba Law Foundation.

Hon. Harold Gilleshammer (Minister of Culture, Heritage and Citizenship): Madam Speaker, I am pleased to table the Annual Report, 1995-96, for the Manitoba Arts Council as well as the Annual Report for the Manitoba Liquor Control Commission.

Introduction of Guests

Madam Speaker: Prior to Oral Questions, I would like to draw the attention of all honourable members to the public gallery where we have with us this afternoon Mr. Mark Minenko, former member for Seven Oaks from 1988 to 1990.

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

* (1335)