Mr. Brian Pallister (Portage la Prairie): A nonpolitical statement.

Madam Speaker: Does the honourable member for Portage la Prairie have leave to make a nonpolitical statement? [agreed]

Mr. Pallister: I am pleased to have the opportunity to tell the House about the Women's Health Day that was held on Saturday, April 12 in Portage la Prairie. It was the fourth annual Women's Health Day, and it was organized to educate women on a variety of health issues, including how to access information, education and support services to help them achieve a balance in their lives. Speakers and displays provided a wealth of information for women on a variety of topics, including physical, mental and financial help, family violence and educational opportunities. The goal of these health days is described by the organizers as empowering women to take charge of their personal health needs.

Women need an opportunity to reassess their goals and think about their future as well as to gain information from the speakers, displays and from others who have shared their experiences. This year's Health Day was attended very well, and it was thoroughly enjoyed by 139 people from 16 to 80 years of age.

The keynote speaker, Gordon Colledge from Lethbridge, Alberta, who is actually the first male speaker they have had in four years at the Women's Health Day, addressed the issue of changes and choices predominant in the lives of today's women. He encouraged them to accept and enjoy the changes in technology which are changing the way we live and to remember that when one door closes another opens, and if we stare at the closed door we will not be able to see the open one.

Mr. Colledge ended by challenging the women to rethink the old adage: if it ain't broke don't fix it, and to rather think, if it ain't broke, break it because it needs to be reassessed as everything that was solid and known is now changing.

Another interesting speaker was Victoria Jason, who is the author of Kabloona in the Yellow Kayak. She gave a slide presentation on kayaking in the Northwest Territories, told how she undertook the adventure as part of healing her heart condition. She urged her listeners to set a goal and assured them that they could overcome any odds if they were determined to reach their goal and believed in themselves.

Other topics dealt with during the sessions included dealing with menopause, parenting strategies for dealing with children having attention deficit disorder and others.

I would like to extend my personal congratulations to the women of Portage la Prairie and surrounding district for organizing such an important occasion. In particular, I would like to pay tribute to the chairman this year, and previous years I understand, Marian Switzer, who put a tremendous amount of work into this event, which all women who attended praised and benefited from. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

* (1420)

Ms. Diane McGifford (Osborne): Madam Speaker, I ask leave to make a nonpolitical statement.

Madam Speaker: Does the honourable member for Osborne have leave to make a nonpolitical statement? [agreed]

Ms. McGifford: Today, Kali Shiva AIDS Services based in Osborne Village was presented with the mayor's Volunteer Award for Human Services. Since 1987, Kali Shiva, a grassroots, community-based AIDS service organization has been providing care and support to persons living with HIV-AIDS and to their families. The original mandate was to provide care teams and the services necessary to allow individuals to die at home but with advances in care and treatment, AIDS is increasingly a chronic illness so that now Kali Shiva makes it possible for individuals to live in their homes and to maintain independence and dignity. I want to point out that at a time when living with AIDS often means ostracism and humiliation, Kali Shiva and its volunteers offer confidentiality and personal choices both to those infected and those affected.

Today, I would like to particularly recognize Bev Suek and Joe Taylor, residents of the Osborne constituency, who in 1987 founded Kali Shiva as a way of caring for their son, Brian Taylor, and who continue to develop the organization as a way of honouring Brian's life. Many individuals have worked creatively and dedicatively with Kali Shiva AIDS Services. All of these individuals, board members, service providers, trainers, lawyers and accountants, health care providers and sister agencies deserve our respect. Today, I want particularly to recognize Cindy Maines, Kali Shiva's inspiring, energetic and dedicated executive director. Everyone in the AIDS service community honours Cindy for her work.

In closing, I am sure that all members of this House join me in congratulating Kali Shiva AIDS Services on its award for human services. We trust, too, that Kali Shiva's doors will remain open after March 31, 1998.