Mr. Peter Dyck (Pembina): Madam Speaker, "intellectually inconsistent." This comment made by the Leader of the official opposition last week in reference to his party's support during the budget vote says it all.

Our government's 1999 budget continues our plan for strengthening Manitoba's economic foundation in a sustainable manner, a strong foundation that ensures that the next century can be Manitoba's century. Through strategic tax cuts, increased spending on health care and education and balancing the budget for five consecutive years, our government has shown something sorely lacking in the members opposite, and that is ideas.

Yet now, as the NDP prepare for an election some time this year, they vote for our budget. Such action is almost unheard of. I would argue that their voting against the last 10 budgets while voting for this budget is intellectually inconsistent, that their raising of 16 taxes and creation of five new taxes during the 1980s while last week voting for tax cuts is intellectually inconsistent, that their voting against balanced budget legislation and taxpayer protection while the member for Brandon East (Mr. L. Evans) said during his recent budget address, "Nobody wants to be burdened by debt" is intellectually inconsistent.

Mr. Gerard Jennissen (Flin Flon): I rise today to congratulate the staff, students and principal of West Lynn Heights elementary school in Lynn Lake. Three years ago, 16 older students formed the peacekeepers patrol to stop violence among students. Now some two dozen students monitor the schoolyard during recesses and watch for disputes. Principal Jim Clark notes that fights and serious disputes have greatly dropped in numbers over the past three years, thanks to the peacekeepers.

The example of the volunteer work by the students themselves proves once again that, by working together, communities can do much to improve safety. This story is a good-news story that deserves wider knowledge. Lynn Lake is a community with a long history of community work. The peacekeeper patrol is just one more example of how the community pulls together at Lynn Lake. I am sure that other communities and schools will soon adopt, if they have not already, the proactive, common-sense measures put in place in West Lynn Heights School. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr. David Faurschou (Portage la Prairie): Madam Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to rise in the House and inform all honourable members that this week, May 17-23, has been proclaimed as North American Occupational Safety and Health Week.

The theme of the week is Occupational Safety and Health: Partners Together in Safety. The week is a co-operative effort between Canada, the United States and Mexico. The objectives of the North American Occupational Safety and Health Week are threefold: (1) to increase employees, employers and public awareness of the benefits of investing in occupational safety and health; (2) to raise awareness of the role and contribution of safety and health professionals; (3) to reduce workplace injuries and illness by encouraging new safety- and health-related activities.

Canada will be focusing its campaign on young workers ages 15 through 29. The Province of Manitoba, through the Department of Labour under the auspices of the Honourable Mike Radcliffe, is committed to and looks forward to working as a partner in reducing the number of workplace accidents and illnesses. Everyone has a role to play in achieving these objectives. The effectiveness of the safety and health activities is dependent upon the collective strength of the partners working to establish and maintain the workplace environment.

The theme of the North American Occupational Safety and Health Week underscores the importance of partnerships in today's workplace. By working together, we can achieve healthy working conditions, encouraging healthy employee activities and reduce financial costs of unsafe, unhealthy working environments.

Mr. Daryl Reid (Transcona): Last year my family and I had the opportunity to attend the Transcona Collegiate drama production of Anne of Green Gables. We came away from that play extremely impressed with the high skill level of our young student actors, the professionalism of the entire production cast and crew and their ability to push and pull audiences' emotions.

On April 23 of this year, my family and I attended the Transcona Collegiate production of Grease and were thrilled at the way these young people immersed themselves in a 1950s era's music. It was very obvious by the choreography that they thoroughly enjoyed acting as much as the audience enjoyed watching. The play even included a vintage 1940 Plymouth convertible restored by a community parent. Some of these students were even rehearsing for another play starting just two weeks later.

This past Friday, my family and I had the opportunity to attend the successful Transcona Collegiate drama production of Dracula. This exceptional performance was eight months in the making and involved many students, parents and teachers. The production made very effective use of actors with impeccable timing and skill, great makeup, costumes and sets, subdued lighting, a thick fog blanket and eerie music that would send shivers up your spine.

Madam Speaker, I have always been very proud of our young Transcona people and their enthusiasm for their school and their community, and what these three drama productions have clearly demonstrated is the very obvious respect and admiration these young performers have for their teachers and for each other.

It is clear that the performing arts are an integral part of the Transcona Collegiate, their curriculum, and allows each student the opportunity to learn more about themselves and their abilities through interaction with each other. Considering the high quality of the play, the acting and the stage production, the cost of the tickets is an unbeatable bargain. My congratulations to the producer/teacher, Gary Matwichuk, and to all of the actors, crew and families, who for eight months poured their hearts into making this production one to be remembered. I recommend this performance to everyone.

Mr. Marcel Laurendeau (St. Norbert): On Tuesday night, my colleague the honourable Minister of Culture, Heritage and Citizenship (Mrs. Vodrey) presented the 1999 Prix Heritage Awards to recognize outstanding contributions to Manitoba heritage.

I am proud to stand in the House today and name this year's recipients so their names will be entered in the permanent record.

The award for Distinguished Services Volunteer Award for Individuals was presented to Bill and Shirley Loewen, St. Norbert constituents, for their generosity and commitment to the preservation of our French and Metis history. Thanks to their effort, the St. Norbert Orphanage seminary building and the Trappist Monastery guest house have beautifully been rehabilitated, and a Riel and Ritchot mural now graces the constituency as the gateway to Winnipeg.

The Distinguished Service Volunteer Award for Organizations was awarded to the Western Canada Aviation Museum volunteers for their dedicated work in developing this fine museum. These volunteers have contributed the equivalent of 240 years of full-time work.

Sharon Reilly of the Manitoba Museum of Man and Nature was awarded the Distinguished Service Vocational Award for her work as curator of history and technology. Ms. Reilly has contributed to the cultural traditions of Manitobans of all social classes and backgrounds.

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Le Centre du patrimoine, a project of La Societe historique de Saint-Boniface, received the Project Award for building an archival facility in which to store important Francophone and Metis historical information.

Finally, the Education and Communication Award was presented to Jean Oscar Guiboche for his promotion and preservation of the heritage of the aboriginal peoples, the voyageurs and Manitoba explorers.

I commend the 1999 Prix Award winners for their dedication to our province's history. Through their efforts, a lasting legacy has been created which will enrich Manitoba for years to come.

Thank you, Madam Speaker.