Ms. Becky Barrett (Wellington): Madam Speaker, Mrs. Elizabeth Jessen of Sanford has had to wait 18 months for reconstructive hip surgery which she desperately needs. While she waits, she is in extreme pain and is taking many painkillers which can have very serious deleterious side-effects, and she is in danger, frankly, of becoming addicted to these painkillers. She also may be in a wheelchair before she is even able to have her surgery.
Her doctor calls this situation atrocious and says does the doctor--who is, by the way, the only doctor in Manitoba who is authorized to perform this surgery. He has had to close his clinic in Winnipeg until he can reduce the waiting list that has grown beyond 18 months. Dr. Sekundiak has only been practising for a year and a half, and he says his staff, after a year and a half, are becoming burned out because of the intolerable situation that he and his patients and his staff have been put in by this government.
I am calling on the Minister of Health (Mr. Praznik), the government, the Premier (Mr. Filmon), the Treasury Board and whoever else over there is prepared to take a look at this situation and the others that we have raised today and actually do something, instead of blaming the doctors, the patients, a government that was last in power 10 years ago, or the gods, and will actually take some personal responsibility for the situation that is facing not only Mrs. Jessen, but hundreds and thousands of Manitobans in this province today, because this government refuses to undertake its basic responsibility, which is to provide for the health and well-being of all of its citizens.
Mrs. Myrna Driedger (Charleswood): Madam Speaker, this past weekend I had the pleasure of attending the opening ceremonies of the Royal Canadian Legion's 37th Dominion Convention. As the daughter of a veteran of the Royal Canadian Air Force, attending this event was an honour for me. This was a very special event, as the very first Dominion Convention was held right here in Winnipeg. The Royal Canadian Legion has a long tradition of providing support and services to our veterans. The legion recognizes the sacrifices these veterans have made on our behalf.
Madam Speaker, Manitobans hold our veterans in the highest of regard, and we owe them a debt of honour for the freedom we enjoy as a nation today. Canada's 500,000 legionnaires are helping to carry on the fine tradition of the Royal Canadian Legion. Their work extends far beyond their military ties. The 1,600 legions across Canada are well known for supporting a wide variety of activities for Canadians young and old alike. Whether it is sponsoring a local youth team, supporting cadet camps or offering their services at community events, the men and women of the Royal Canadian Legion contribute immensely to the fabric of Canadian culture. In short, they help make Canada the best country in the world.
Madam Speaker, I am sure that all members of this House will join me in thanking members of the legion for their dedication to our nation. I hope they have enjoyed the time they have spent in Winnipeg for their convention. Thank you.
Mr. Steve Ashton (Thompson): Madam Speaker, if ever there was any doubt that after 10 years of Tory government our health care system is in neglect, we saw it earlier today when we brought to this House case after case after case of waiting lists and delays and inadequate health care. I say to the Minister of Health, we now see why he and the Premier (Mr. Filmon) were unwilling to attend a CBC forum earlier this year, because they cannot face the people of Manitoba on their record in terms of health care.
I want to say, Madam Speaker, that I want to note for the record and I want to note to the Minister of Health that virtually all of these cases have been documented in writing to the minister, and I have letters myself to the minister going back to November from last year that have remained unanswered. That is one of the reasons we have so many difficulties in our health care system. When we raise problems, the Minister of Health cannot even respond to our letters, let alone deal with the concerns.
I say, Madam Speaker, it is obvious that this government has run out of steam when it comes to health care. It is obvious that all they talk about in terms of plans is meaningless, because every time they have had plans in the past and reports, they have ignored action on that. I say to this government, after 10 years, after 10 long years, we need a government in this province that is going to reform our health care system and deal with waiting lists and patients' concerns. We need a New Democratic Party government that is committed to health care. Thank you.
Mr. Marcel Laurendeau (St. Norbert): It is a pleasure to rise today in response to yet another initiative by our province in participating to better the lives of the children in Manitoba. Madam Speaker, next month the National Child Benefit will expand the child tax benefit for all lower income families with children. This will help ensure that families with lower incomes do not face a disincentive when entering the workforce.
Our government believes that parents and families find the greatest form of social security in having a job. It is with this in mind that we are pleased to participate in this federal-provincial initiative that ensures that parents find the transition to workplace rewarding and financially beneficial.
Madam Speaker, this initiative is only one piece of the puzzle. While our province believes that we need to ensure that there is an incentive to find employment, we also realize that we need to foster an environment that ensures that jobs are available.
Manitoba is working. So today in Manitoba lower income families have a new employment incentive, and they have access to a job market that is one of the best in the country and better than it has been in over two decades. Ultimately, all Manitobans will benefit, but it will be of particular benefit to the young Manitobans, to our children, by providing families with the means of financial security, the means to healthy relationships through programs like BabyFirst, the educational tools through the EarlyStart program, and the child care resources through enhanced daycare. This government has again proven its commitment to the well-being of Manitoba's children.
Let me say, Madam Speaker, this government has proven that the old-think of the NDP does not work and that we will proceed into the future.
Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Inkster): Madam Speaker, I did want to stand up to recognize some disappointment, I believe, that the public has with respect to the Gaming Commission. I think that the Gaming Commission--when I hear comments that the chairperson has put on the record, I would suggest that maybe we are using the wrong mechanism in order to really evaluate what the public thinks about the VLT issue and that maybe it is time that we start allowing the public to determine whether or not they want the VLTs removed from their local communities.
I am not advocating that VLTs be banned from the province. What I am advocating is a responsible government policy dealing with VLTs, and what I see is not anything near being close to being responsible to the public with respect to the VLTs. I know first-hand in the sense of in 1996--[interjection] No, I do not play them. Back in '96, I had an extensive survey done inside the constituency, and one of the questions I had asked was regarding the reallocation of VLTs, removal of VLTs, and a majority, a clear majority did support that need. That is why I am very disappointed with the mechanisms that are currently being used today in order to deal with the issue of VLTs.
* (1430)
I would suggest to the government that they rethink the direction that they are taking the province of Manitoba on the whole issue of gambling and start focusing more on the benefits of tourism, promotion of tourism, as opposed to the revenue generation. Thank you.