Mr. Frank Pitura (Morris): Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to inform members this afternoon about a new organization that is trying to put together a partnership, the Farm and Food Interpretive Centre in Carman, Manitoba. The group consists of agricultural producers and professionals, industrial representatives, educators and local development groups that are strongly committed to sharing the agricultural story with consumers. Due to this commitment, they are forming a nonprofit charitable corporation called the Farm and Food Interpretive Centre. The group is currently fundraising so they can do a feasibility study which will determine if such a facility is viable. I believe that such an organization could be viable and is an innovative idea.
The benefits of agriculture are far-reaching. Everybody is touched in some way by the Canadian agricultural industry. However, a majority of consumers still take agricultural production for granted because of their removal from the process. As a result, these consumers have little understanding or appreciation of the agricultural industry. It is the intention of the Farm and Food Interpretive Centre to share with the consumer the fascinating and ever-changing farm-to-food story.
I urge agricultural producers, industrial representatives and local development groups to become involved at the interpretive centre at Carman. The creation of this centre will provide an outlet for industry to demonstrate how agricultural production is the hand that feeds the world.
Madam Speaker: Order, please. I am experiencing difficulty hearing the honourable member for Morris.
Mr. Pitura: The centre hopes to become a showcase of responsible progress. It will encourage the brightest minds to meet and surpass a high set of standards and industry challenges by generating public awareness of the agricultural process. The centre will also provide opportunities for growth through consumers and legislators. Also, it will foster a climate of understanding between industry and government. Finally, the interpretive centre could generate tourism and economic activity for the province while creating employment opportunities. Thank you.
Mr. Gerard Jennissen (Flin Flon): Madam Speaker, the condition of many northern roads is well known as the worst in this province. As was noted by Mr. Chris Mitchell of the Leaf Rapids Chamber of Commerce in the Manitoba Chamber of Commerce's publication, quote: The highway system north of Grand Rapids is one of the worst in North America. Residents of northern Manitoba are not asking for multilane highways or high-speed rail systems but simply regular maintenance and upgrading. Our lives both physically and economically depend absolutely on the Sherridon subdivision and the solitary road north from the city of Thompson. The northern part of the province will become a vacant lot if our transportation system is not developed to make better use of our northern resources and maintain our sovereignty in Canada's north.
Despite such eloquent pleas, these requests are continually ignored by this government. The results are, regrettably, often tragic. There have been dozens of major accidents and many, many deaths over the past five years on PR 391. In the last two weeks alone, there have been two serious road accidents near Leaf Rapids and Lynn Lake, both of which clearly were related to the terrible road conditions. Fortunately, in the most recent accidents no one was killed.
Manitoba, particularly northern Manitoba, needs a commitment from this government for a transportation infrastructure policy which recognizes the importance of safe roads and railways. However, there is no reason to believe this will ever be accepted by this current government. Northerners are not asking for tolls on roads. They want this government to recognize that the North can only continue to deliver wealth to the south in terms of hydro, tourism, mining and forestry if there is a basic, decent transportation infrastructure in place for these important economic activities. Northerners are losing patience, Madam Speaker. They are tired of being treated like second-class citizens. Thank you.
Mr. David Newman (Riel): Madam Speaker, I am pleased to rise to appeal to other provinces to co-operate and collaborate with Manitoba in developing trade opportunities. As borders drop throughout the world, it is critical that Canada adapt to global competition. In this new global realm we must forge partnerships with our fellow provinces in a unified approach to create greater opportunities for us all.
The benefits of co-operation and infiltration into the global economy are already well realized right here in Manitoba. We are in the midst of one of the greatest periods of expansion we have ever seen in many areas of western Canada. By freezing or reducing all major tax rates for nine consecutive budgets, Manitoba has moved from being one of the highest taxed to one of the lowest taxed provinces in Canada. In addition, more Manitobans are working. Last year Manitoba had the largest total capital investment in our history, almost $4 billion, and for the first time, last year our exports to the rest of the world exceeded our exports to the rest of Canada.
We are no longer hewers of wood and drawers of water. Manitoba's exports are highly diversified with no one sector dominating. Our province has some of the most advanced telecommunications technology in the continent and among the lowest telephone rates. We are exporting more agricultural products to more world markets than ever before, and we are working to strengthen our position as a North American international transportation and distribution centre through such initiatives as Winnport and the mid-Canada trade corridor.
Manitoba is a province built and sustained by trade. We as the government of this province are acutely aware of the importance of trade for the future of all Manitobans and indeed for all Canadians. In the context of a very competitive and fiscally responsible economic environment that our government has promoted through our policies in trade and investment efforts, we will continue to forge closer business and trade links so that we can further sell on the world stage. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Ms. Becky Barrett (Wellington): Madam Speaker, on Monday night, October 7, almost 300 people attended a meeting to establish a Neighbourhood Watch in Brooklands. They represented all parts of the community, young people, seniors and working people. They came out to voice their concerns over the rising tide of crime being committed against themselves and their property. They recognized by their attendance at the Neighbourhood Watch meeting that we all have a responsibility to make our communities havens of safety, not prisons of fearful residents.
While all those who attended the meeting on Monday are to be commended for their commitment to Brooklands, particular congratulations must be given to Pat Steinke who provided the drive and energy which mobilized the community to such an extent. The residents again have shown why Brooklands is such a vibrant neighbourhood. I hope all members will join with me in congratulating them on a successful Neighbourhood Watch meeting. Thank you.
Mr. Gary Kowalski (The Maples): On Tuesday night I attended the monthly meeting of our youth justice committee. Amongst the correspondence we received was a manual from the Department of Justice, and I have to compliment the Department of Justice on this manual. It is titled The Manitoba Justice Committee, A Resource and Orientation Manual. This manual was generated through the formation of the Provincial Council on Youth Crime. Looking through this manual and having been involved in justice committees for more than five years, this is a long-awaited document. It is excellent.
For someone who is a newcomer to a justice committee or who is trying to start a justice committee, this is an invaluable asset. It talks about such things as how to start a justice committee, a justice committee at work, maintaining the justice committee and program options.
As a Justice critic, of course, any time the government does something good, the tendency is to say they should have done it sooner or they should do more of it, but I will leave those thoughts aside and be more positive and say, I hope this continues, this type of work, working with justice committees. There are over 700 members of justice committees in Manitoba. They need all the support and help they can get from the government, and I hope this is just the start of many good things to come. Thank you.