Mr. Doug Martindale (Burrows): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Carrie Nelson, Nicholas McLellan, L. McLellan and others requesting that the Legislative Assembly urge the Minister of Family Services (Mrs. Mitchelson) to consider withdrawing Bill 36 and replacing it with improved legislation which provides for a guaranteed annual income that allows people to have adequate food, clothing, housing, child care and health care, that this annual income increase as prices increase and that this new legislation also provide for the creation of real jobs, with the goal of creating full employment so that individuals on social assistance can find safe, meaningful work of their own choosing that allows them to meet their needs and the needs of their families.

Ms. MaryAnn Mihychuk (St. James): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Paul Chorney, Roger Geeves, Ernie Strauss requesting the Premier (Mr. Filmon) withdraw Bill 67 and not sell the Manitoba Telephone System to private interests.

Mr. Gord Mackintosh (St. Johns): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Gerri Unwin, Mary Grabowski and Jerry Olfman requesting that the Premier withdraw Bill 67 and not sell the Manitoba Telephone System to private interests.

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?

An Honourable Member: No.

Madam Speaker: Dispense.

THAT in 1976 Canada signed the United Nations Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights which recognized the right of everyone to make a living by work which is freely chosen, recognized the right of everyone to an adequate standard of living, including adequate food, clothing and housing, recognized the right of everyone to enjoy a high standard of physical and mental health, and provided for the widest possible protection and assistance to the family; and

THAT poor children and adults in Canada continue to die at a higher rate and earlier age than people with adequate incomes; and

THAT Bill 36, The Social Allowances Amendment Act, will create even greater poverty among the poor in Manitoba by eliminating government responsibility to ensure that everyone who lacks adequate food, clothing, housing and health care has these needs met; and

THAT the bill proposes to punish people by cutting them off from social assistance or reducing their benefits if they fail to meet employment expectations; and

WHEREFORE YOUR PETITIONERS HUMBLY PRAY that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba urge the Minister of Family Services to consider withdrawing Bill 36 and replacing it with improved legislation which provides for a guaranteed annual income that allows people to have adequate food, clothing, housing, child care and health care and that this annual income increases as prices increase and that this new legislation also provides for the creation of real jobs with the goal of creating full employment so that individuals on social assistance can find safe, meaningful work of their own choosing that allows them to meet their needs and the needs of their families.

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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?

Some Honourable Members: Yes.

Madam Speaker: The Clerk will read.

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

WHEREAS the provincial government has refused to provide a long-term funding commitment to the Farm and Rural Stress Line, thereby ensuring its demise; and

WHEREAS the Farm and Rural Stress Line serves a recognized need in rural and remote communities in the province and is supported by individuals and organizations such as the Canadian Mental Health Association, the Keystone Agricultural Producers, the National Farmers Union and the Manitoba Women's Institute; and

WHEREAS the Farm and Rural Stress Line is a cost-effective, preventative, community-centred health care service such as promised by the Conservatives during the 1995 provincial election; and

WHEREAS the provincial government funds a similar line in the city of Winnipeg with an annual grant of $400,000, creating a double standard between services in urban areas and those in rural Manitoba.

WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba request that the Minister of Health consider continuing to fund the Farm and Rural Stress Line on a yearly basis.

Madam Speaker: I am pleased to table the Annual Report of the Chief Electoral Officer on The Elections Finances Act.

Hon. Harry Enns (Minister of Agriculture): Madam Speaker, I am pleased to table the report of the Agricultural Producers' Organization Certification Agency.