Thursday, May 7, 1998
The House met at 1:30 p.m.
PRESENTING PETITIONS
Mining Reserve Fund
Mr. Jim Maloway (Elmwood): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of K. Moore, D.V. Boboski, C. Champagne and others praying that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba urge the Minister of Health (Mr. Praznik) to put an end to the centralization and privatization of Winnipeg hospitals food services.
Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Flin Flon (Mr. Jennissen). 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 mining is a billion dollar industry in Manitoba directly employing more than 4,300 people pumping more than $240 million in wages alone into the Manitoba economy; and
WHEREAS part of the mining taxes on operating mines goes into the Mining Reserve Fund; and
WHEREAS the Mining Reserve Fund was set up for the welfare and employment of persons residing in a mining community which may be adversely affected by the total or partial suspension or the closing down of mining operations attributable to the depletion of ore deposits; and
WHEREAS the provincial government has withdrawn $6 million from the Mining Reserve Fund and put this money into general revenue; and
WHEREAS many mining communities having contributed millions of dollars to the provincial economy for many years are now nearing the end of their known ore resources.
WHEREFORE YOUR PETITIONERS HUMBLY PRAY that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba may be pleased to request the Minister of Energy and Mines to consider immediately restoring the $6 million taken from the Mining Reserve Fund.