Mr. Denis Rocan (Gladstone): This afternoon I would like to pay special tribute to the older citizens of Manitoba. As we celebrate the International Year of Older Persons, we have too much to recognize and to thank our seniors for. June is also Seniors Month in Manitoba. Our forefathers came from many different countries. They brought with them a pioneer spirit, a strong desire to make a better home for their children and a deep commitment to their new homeland. They brought traditions and cultures that added much to the Manitoba mosaic. Our province is a richer place because of their contributions to our culture, history and moral values.

Today's seniors continue to be a vibrant, active segment of our society. Without their continued willingness to help others through their volunteerism, many services and organizations could not continue. During the month of June, there will be a number of celebrations honouring our seniors. For example, this morning I attended the Carman Seniors Day at the Carman community centre along with the Minister responsible for Seniors (Mr. Reimer) and my colleague the honourable member for Pembina (Mr. Dyck).

Also coming up is the Manitoba Society of Seniors 55 Plus Games which takes place June 15, 16 and 17 in Carman.

I hope that everyone in this House will take the time to attend events such as these and acknowledge the contributions of older Manitobans. We benefit from the wisdom and knowledge that years of experience have given them. Too often we forget how much we owe to our seniors. They have earned our respect and gratitude and should be recognized and honoured not just for the month of June but each and every day. A special thank you to our recycled teenagers.

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Mr. Steve Ashton (Thompson): Madam Speaker, last week my colleague the member for Osborne (Ms. McGifford) raised a very important issue in this House and again raised it in Question Period yesterday, and that is in regard to screening for cervical cancer, and more specifically a need for a registry. I want to put on the record my thanks to–

Madam Speaker: Order, please. I am having difficulty hearing the honourable member for Thompson. I wonder if those members having private conversations would do so quietly in the loge or outside the Chamber.

Mr. Ashton: I want to commend our critic for the Status of Women in raising this important issue and note that there appears to be some sign now from the government that we are going to see some action on this very important issue.

I have a personal stake in this, Madam Speaker, because I would like to put on the record on behalf of the Braun family in Wabowden, who lost a sister, a daughter and a mother to a circumstance in which a test was conducted, precancerous signs were identified, and due to the negligence of the physician and the hospital involved she was not informed of that and died tragically. That led to a lawsuit by the family, a recent settlement that I think clearly confirms what happened. What I want to put on the record is that no one else should ever have to go through that again.

I am disappointed it took the government this long, several years, to respond to it, and like so many other areas of health care, they seem to have waited until the dying days of their mandate. But if, later on this week, the efforts of families such as the Braun family, the efforts of our critic and our caucus, and indeed the many physicians and medical people throughout the province lead to the establishment of what we really need, a cervical screening program and a registry, it will be a very important day for Manitoba women. Thank you.

Mr. Marcel Laurendeau (St. Norbert): Madam Speaker, my government remains committed to promoting environmental education and protection, and in particular conveying this message to our young people. Recently I presented I cole St. Avila with a cheque of $10,800 from the province's Sustainable Development Innovations Fund. I cole St. Avila will use the funds to plant mature trees and perennials on the school property. School children will be involved in this project and will adopt a tree to care and to study.

The Sustainable Development Innovations Fund provides financial assistance for the development, implementation and promotion of innovative environmental projects delivered by community groups, industry and government. The fund encourages the creation of partnerships to make a contribution to improving our environment, economy, health and community well-being.

Madam Speaker, this grant represents a positive partnership between the government and an important community facility. Through sustainable development practices, we meet present-day needs while ensuring that our decisions will make it possible for future generations to meet their needs too. This funding will allow young children to learn about the merits of environmental responsibility while giving them a sense that they have contributed something worthwhile and lasting to the place they call home.

I wish to commend Madame Painchaud, the principal of St. Avila, the staff and students of St. Avila for the initiative they have shown in undertaking this project. Their efforts will help beautify our community while teaching students about the importance of protecting and enhancing the environment. Thank you.

Ms. Rosann Wowchuk (Swan River): Madam Speaker, on May 27, 28 and 29, the third annual Manitoba Envirothon was held at Canadian Forces Base at Shilo. Envirothon is a high school study program culminating in a competition where participating teams of high school students demonstrate their knowledge of forests, aquatics, soils, wildlife and environmental issues. This year's team was fire management. The environmental approach is learning, fostering teams and providing an opportunity for students from different jurisdictions to meet and exchange information and share environmental concerns.

This year, there were 11 schools that participated. The Arthur Meighen High School from Portage la Prairie; Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School, Brandon; Ed Schreyer School of Beausejour; Fort Richmond Collegiate in Winnipeg; Gimli High School; Maples Collegiate; W.C. Miller Collegiate from Altona; Pembina Valley Conservation District Environmental Youth Group; Powerview School from Powerview; Shaftesbury High School of Winnipeg; and the Swan Valley Regional Secondary School.

I am very pleased to announce that it was the Swan Valley Regional Secondary School students who took first place in the competition. These students will be going on to the international competition, and they will be competing in California on July 27 and August 1, 1999, at an event hosted by the California Envirothon Committee at Humboldt State University at Arcata, California.

I want to extend my best wishes to Kari Goodman, Kristin McCrea, Crystal Barker, Gayle Russell, Vera Teleford and Chris Hunt who were the team members on this and also to the teachers Mr. Rick Wowchuk, Serge Richer and assistant Ryan Creighton who supported this team. I want to wish them all the very best luck in the next level of competition.

Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Inkster): I wanted to take this opportunity just to appeal to the Minister of Health (Mr. Stefanson), who was given the partial blessing of this Chamber in passing the essential services legislation. Now all it requires is Royal Assent. I appeal to the Minister of Health not to bring in Royal Assent for that particular bill, at least until the mediation has been dealt with. I think that is a fair request, and I would appeal to the Minister of Health to give it due consideration. Thank you.