Mr. Conrad Santos (Broadway): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Rita Wiebe, Margaret Klatt, Angela Hoeppner and others praying that the Legislative Assembly request that the Minister of Health (Mr. Praznik) consider stopping the closure of the obstetrics program at Winnipeg's Grace Hospital.

Mr. George Hickes (Point Douglas): I beg to present the petition of D. Romaniuk, Mark Harris, George Sykes and others praying that the Legislative Assembly request that the Minister of Health (Mr. Praznik) consider stopping the closure of the obstetrics program at Winnipeg's Grace Hospital.

Ms. Rosann Wowchuk (Swan River): I beg to present the petition of Phil Delorme, Trina Wittmeier, Donalda Graham and others praying that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba request the Minister of Health (Mr. Praznik) to consider immediately establishing a mobile screening unit for mammograms to help women across the province detect breast cancer at the earliest possible opportunity.

Ms. MaryAnn Mihychuk (St. James): I beg to present the petition of Maryanne Romaniuk, Brenda Beck, Julie Harris and others praying that the Legislative Assembly request the Minister of Health (Mr. Praznik) consider stopping the closure of the obstetrics program at Winnipeg's Grace Hospital.

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: Dispense.

Madam Speaker: Dispense.

WHEREAS medical authorities have stated that breast cancer in Manitoba has reached almost epidemic proportions; and

WHEREAS yearly mammograms are recommended for women over 50, and perhaps younger if a woman feels she is at risk; and

WHEREAS while improved surgical procedures and better post-operative care do improve a woman's chances if she is diagnosed, early detection plays a vital role; and

WHEREAS Manitoba currently has only three centres where mammograms can be performed, those being Winnipeg, Brandon and Thompson; and

WHEREAS a trip to and from these centres for a mammogram can cost a woman upwards of $500 which is a prohibitive cost for some women; and

WHEREAS a number of other provinces have dealt with this problem by establishing mobile screening units; and

WHEREAS the provincial government has promised to take action on this serious issue.

WHEREFORE YOUR PETITIONERS HUMBLY PRAY that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba may be pleased to request the Minister of Health (Mr. Praznik) to consider immediately establishing a mobile screening unit for mammograms to help women across the province detect breast cancer at the earliest possible opportunity.

Mr. Jack Penner (Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Law Amendments): I would like to present the Fourth Report of the Committee on Law Amendments.

Madam Speaker: Dispense.

Your Standing Committee on Law Amendments presents the following as its Fourth Report.

Your committee met on Tuesday June 17, 1997, at 7 p.m. in Room 255 of the Legislative Building to consider bills referred.

At that meeting your committee elected Mr. Tweed as Vice-Chairperson.

Your committee heard representation on bills as follows:

Bill 9--The Public Utilities Board Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Loi sur la Régie des services publics

Mark O'Neill - Centra Gas Manitoba Inc.

Written Submissions:

Richard R. Perdue - CENGAS

Peter Budd - Bennett Jones Verchere

Bill 14--The Pension Benefits Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Loi sur les prestations de pension

John Doyle - Manitoba Federation of Labour

Bill 30--The Farm Practices Protection Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Loi sur la protection des pratiques agricoles

Dr. Jim Shapiro - St. Germain-Vermette Community Association

Your committee has considered:

Bill 5--The Mineral Exploration Incentive Program Repeal Act; Loi abrogeant la Loi sur le programme d'encouragement à l'exploration minière

Bill 14--The Pension Benefits Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Loi sur les prestations de pension

Bill 17--The Retail Businesses Holiday Closing Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Loi sur les jours fériés dans le commerce de détail

Bill 30--The Farm Practices Protection Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Loi sur la protection des pratiques agricoles

and has agreed to report the same without amendment.

Your committee has considered:

Bill 9--The Public Utilities Board Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Loi sur la Régie des services publics

and has agreed on a counted vote of 6 Yeas, 4 Nays to report the same without amendment.

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

Motion agreed to.