LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ALBERTA Title: Wednesday, March 15, 1972 2:30 p.m. [The House met at 2:30 p.m.] PRAYERS [Mr. Speaker in the Chair] head: PRESENTING REPORTS BY STANDING AND SELECT COMMITTEES. MR. COOKSON: Mr. Speaker, as chairman of the Special Committee, I beg leave to table this report concerning the membership of the following Select Standing Committees: Privileges and Elections, Public Accounts, Private Bills, Law and Law Amendment, and Public Affairs. head: INTRODUCTION OF BILLS MR. PEACOCK: Mr. Speaker, I beg leave to introduce a bill, being

An Act respecting the Minister of Industry and Commerce. The purpose of this bill is to define the work of the department, which the name 'Industry and Commerce' properly indicates to business and public alike, and therefore serves to ensure a proper image and association. [Leave being granted, Bill No. 15 was read a first time.] MR. APPLEBY: Mr. Speaker, I beg leave to introduce a bill, being The Bee Act.

This act replaces the present Bee Diseases Act and it places greater emphasis on the consultative capacity of the apiculture field men, and it also removes some of the compulsory features of the present act. [Leave being granted, Bill No. 17 was read a first time.] DR. HORNER: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the hon. Mr. Getty, that Bill 17, The Bee Act, be placed on the Order Paper under "Government Bills and Orders." [The motion was carried without debate or dissent.] MR. COOKSON: Mr. Speaker, I beg leave to introduce a bill, being The Wildlife Amendment Act, 1972.

This amendment has to do with increasing the maximum fines due for errors committed under this act. I wish to submit this to the Assembly. Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 499

[Leave being granted, Bill No. 8 was read a first time.] MR. WARRACK: Mr. Speaker, I would like to move, seconded by the hon. Mr. Adair, that Bill 8, The Wildlife Amendment Act, 1972, be placed on the Order Paper under "Government Bills and Orders." [The motion was carried without debate or dissent.] head: INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS MR. HO LEM: Mr. Speaker, I beg leave to introduce to you and through you a group of grade seven students, 45 members strong from the Calgary Colonel Walker School. This school is in my constituency of Calgary McCall. Today they are accompanied by their teachers, Mr. Yeomans, Mrs.

Lan, and Mrs. Vasdar. Now the Colonel Walker School, each and every year for the past number of years, has been sending groups of students to visit this Legislature. May I, Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the members of this Legislature, offer them a warm welcome and congratulate them for the keen interest which they have shown in the governmental affairs of Alberta, and commend them for taking the time out from their classes to come all the way from Calgary to Edmonton. As I understand it, Mr. Speaker, some of them did get up at six o'clock this morning, and the boys are anxious to get back to a hockey game.

We hope that they win this one. It is my hope, Mr. Speaker, that they will return safely back to their homes and to their classes, freshly inspired and enthused and encouraged by this worthwhile visit to the Alberta Legislature. So that they may be more appropriately recognized, I would ask them to stand. MR. JAMISON: Mr. Speaker, I would like to introduce to you and through you to all 75 members of this provincial Legislature, 31 students from Brigadier Gault School, Canadian Forces Base, Griesbach. I would like, also, to congratulate Mrs.

Semenuk, their teacher, for including this visit in the education program of these young people. Will the students of Brigadier Gault now stand and be recognized by the members of this Legislature? MR. YOUNG: Mr. Speaker, on your behalf, I take pleasure in introducing to this House a group of students from your constituency of Edmonton Meadowlark. They are from the Sherwood School, 26 in all, and are with their teacher, Mr. Jack Repka, and a parent, Mrs. Wedman. I would ask them to stand and be recognized. head: FILING RETURNS AND TABLING REPORTS MR. YURKO: Mr.

Speaker, as per statutary requirements, I have pleasure in laying on the table today the annual report of the Department of the Environment. I would like to say at this time, Mr. Speaker, that this is the first report of the Department of the Environment that has been laid before this House for perusal. I would also like to suggest that it is the first report of a Department of the Environment in Canada. Furthermore, to my knowledge, Mr. Speaker, it is the first report of a Department of the Environment in the free world. I would also like to say, Mr.

Speaker, that the report, in keeping with the tradition of the Department of the Environment and its responsibilities, is printed on recycled paper. Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 500

MR. PEACOCK: Mr. Speaker, I should like to table the annual report of the Reasearch Council of Alberta for the year 1971, as required by this Assembly. MR. LEITCH: Mr. Speaker, I'd like to table two reports. The first is the annual report of the Alberta Racing Commission, and the second is the report of the Crimes Compensation Board. DR. HOHOL: Mr. Speaker I wish to table the 53rd annual report of the Workmen's Compensation Board of the Province of Alberta for the year ended December 31, 1970. DR. HORNER: Mr. Speaker, I'd like to table the annual report of The Department of Agriculture.

This includes two other annual reports that are required by the statutes, that of the Farm Purchase Credit Act and the Wheat Board Money Trust Act. DR. WARRACK: Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to submit to the Legislative Assembly herewith the report of the Advisory Committee on Wilderness Areas required to be submitted pursuant to

Section 2(9) of the Wilderness Areas Act. MR. DOWLING: Mr. Speaker, I would like to table copies of a new brochure put out by the Alberta Government Travel Bureau, called "Vacation Alberta". head: ORAL QUESTIONS Government Task Forces MR. STROM: Mr. Speaker, I'd like to direct a question to the hon. Premier. Before making your decision to pay the Conservative MLA caucus or task force committees, did you obtain the opinion of any members sitting in other Legislatures in other provinces or from HP's sitting in the federal House of Commons? MR. LOUGHEED: Mr.

Speaker, properly speaking of course the matter has been disposed of. I don't think it's in order, but I did review the matter unofficially with other Premiers. I noticed in particular the approaches that had been taken in the Province of Ontario, where a number of members on the government side are involved in various commissions, and where they have established a new system of legislative assistance, which is comparable to the parliamentary secretary arrangement in the federal House. And that was our approach. I would suggest, having answered the question, Mr.

Speaker, that any further questions will involve your ruling on the view that a matter that has been disposed of in the House is no longer open for business. Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 501

MR. STROM: Mr. Speaker, if I may just make this point on a point of order, it is my understanding that we have an item in the Throne Speech debate that refers to this, and I'm merely seeking information for my guidance relating to that particular item. I didn't realize, Sir, that it was disposed of. Now I am wondering, may I pursue a supplementary question, or are you wishing to make a ruling on it at this point in time? MR.

SPEAKER: Well, as I understand it, in the course of debate, members are not obliged to answer each other's questions, and I understand also that in the oral question period there is no debate permitted. As long as the questions avoid any suggestion of debate, it would be my opinion that they would be in order. MR. STROM: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm sure you'll appreciate that I try to abide within your rules and I certainly do not want to get into an area of debate. I would like to ask a supplementary question relating to the one that I just asked. I'm wondering whether the hon.

Premier could be a little more specific and give me some information as to whether or not he has discussed it with any of the members of parliament, and I would be interested in knowing whether it was with any specific members of parliament. MR. LOUGHEED: Mr. Speaker, I think I answered that question by saying that it was not discussed with members of parliament. It was a matter I discussed with the Prime Minister of Ontario, as well as with the previous Prime Minister of Ontario, Mr. Robarts. We had Some lengthy discussions about the subject. I'd be prepared if the hon.

Leader would like me to, to table a comparative approach with regard to this matter that is utilized at present in the Province of Ontario. MR. STROM: Yes, Mr. Speaker, we would be very interested in getting that information if we could, and I would like to ask a further supplementary question. I'm sure that all members of the Legislature appreciate the experiences of men who have been in legislative work for some time and in parliamentary work. I am wondering if the hon. Premier, by any chance, had any discussions with the Rt. Hon. John Diefenbaker on this particular item? MR. LOUGHEED: Mr.

Speaker, on this particular item — no. My discussions with Mr. Diefenbaker recently have been related to the Bill of Rights, not this particular matter. Coal Mining in the Canmore Corridor MR. HENDERSON: Mr. Speaker, I would like to direct a question to the hon. Minister of the Environment concerning a Return that was filed in this House earlier this week.

It is Return No. 122, and possibly just for the sake of information, it concerns a request for information and correspondence between the Department of Mines, the Department of the Environment, and the Department of Lands and Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 502

Forests with coal mining operators in the Canmore corridor relative to operational or land reclamation procedures. I would like to ask the Minister of the Environment if the Return that he tailed constitutes the only correspondence or directives between the departments as named in the Return, and the coal mining operators in the corridor. MR. YURKO: That is correct, Mr. Speaker. Hog Processing and Marketing MR. NOTLEY: Mr. Speaker, I would like to direct this question to the hon. Minister of Agriculture. It concerns the North American Integrated Food Processing Corporation plant proposed in Taber.

Several days ago when I asked the hon. minister another question relating to this plant he mentioned that a bond would be posted. I wonder if he would acquaint the Assembly with whether or not the department has decided what the amount of that bond would be. DR. HORNER: Well, Mr. Speaker, no, we haven't, because the entire project hasn't gone that far ahead. I did say, and I repeat again, that we intend to get a substantial guarantee from the operators that, in fact, any hogs will not be dumped on the domestic market. I might say, Mr.

Speaker, that this whole area is one in which we require the assistance of every member of this Legislature to determine how we can in fact develop a hog supply for the export market. MR. NOTLEY: A supplementary question, Mr. Speaker, on this matter. In view of the importance of ensuring that this oriental market does in fact exist, I wonder if the minister would outline to the Assembly what procedures his department has followed, and who in his department has been responsible for assessing the contracts that the promoters of the corporation claim to have in the Far East. DR. HORNER: Mr.

Speaker, we haven't assessed the specific contract that he has in the Far East. Certainly I have actual knowledge of other contracts that are available in the Pacific rim countries for pork, and as a matter of fact, for the information of the House, we are developing a pilot project in cooperation with the Hog Marketing Board, and we hope that this will give us some information and knowledge in relation to entering into bilateral agreements with the Japanese particularly, in relation to expanding our export market in that area. MR. NOTLEY: A supplementary question, Mr. Speaker.

Do I take it then that there has been no perusal by the Department of Agriculture of the alleged contracts that the Director of North American Integrated Food Processing Corporation claims to have? Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 503

DR. HORNER: Well, Mr. Speaker, no, I haven't seen the actual contract that he has. I would suggest to the hon. gentleman that he shouldn't make too much of a tempest in a tea pot about this, until in fact there is some actual activity with the entire project, and I would suggest to him and other hon. members of the Legislature in relation to the program or the project which has received a lot of publicity in the press, that in fact until the project is much nearer to being started that we should direct our attention to these other matters that are so, important in a general way in relation to export markets. MR.

NOTLEY: Mr. Speaker, a supplementary question. I wonder if the hon. minister would tell the House whether any steps have been taken, and what steps these have been if in fact they have been taken, to ascertain the financial standing of the principal involved in North American Food Processing. DR. HORNER: Mr.

Speaker, I can assure the hon. member that steps have been taken and are being taken to ascertain the financial standing of the people involved in this undertaking and that as I've said earlier, in my view, there are some serious roadblocks that the project has to get over before it's going to be established, and I have no further information at this time that I can provide to the hon. gentleman. MR. NOTLEY: A supplementary question, Mr. Speaker .. MR. SPEAKER: I would suggest to the hon. member that perhaps this would be the last supplementary on that topic. MR. NOTLEY: Mr.

Speaker, I wonder if the Minister of Agriculture would tell the House whether he has any evidence at all that the promoter of this project has had any difficulty with similar operations anywhere else in the world. DR. HORNER: Not to my knowledge, Mr. Speaker. That may well be, and when we get the final reports in I will be able to ascertain that a little better. Just to clear it up, Mr. Speaker, for the benefit of all members, and particularly for the benefit of some of the constituents of the hon. member, the provincial government is not involved in this project in any way, in a financial situation or otherwise.

What we are involved in is trying to protect the hog industry in Alberta and to make sure that the primary production remains in the hands of the farmers of Alberta. MR. SPEAKER: The hon. Member for Calgary North Hill followed by the hon. Leader of the Opposition. Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 504

Senior Citizens Accommodation MR. FARRAN: Mr. Speaker, I would like to put a question to the hon. Minister of Municipal Affairs. Is the Alberta Housing Corporation now changing its policy and building more bachelor units, under public housing, to meet the demands of our senior citizens? MR. RUSSELL: Mr. Speaker, with respect to senior citizens accommodation that is built as a result of requests received from various municipalities or non-profit organizations, the policy of the board to date has been to accept the recommendations and proposals as set forth by the proposing body.

Insofar as a lodge accommodation or units initiated by departments of the provincial government are concerned, then again the same kind of study is made. The important feature that is undergoing active review at this moment is the rental premium structure that should be applied to this type of accommodation. That is under very active study at the present time. Hog Processing and Marketing (cont) MR. STROM: Mr. Speaker, I would like to direct my question to the hon. Minister of Agriculture.

I'm wondering if there are any meetings slated with the North American Food Processors in regard to their proposed plant within the near future. DR. HORNER: No, Mr. Speaker. As a matter of fact I directed that any further negotiations should be carried on by the Alberta Hog Marketing Producers Board in relation to the entire matter. MR. STROM: Another supplementary question to the hon. Minister of Agriculture and I'm sure that he can have some appreciation for my interest in this question. I am wondering if he is aware of any decision having been made as to location.

I ask it because some other hon. members seem to infer that there is a decision made on location, so I'm wondering if he would care to comment? DR. HORNER: Again, Mr. Speaker, I must reiterate that this is a speculative project and as a matter of fact hasn't got off the ground as yet, and I would say to all hon. members as I said earlier, that the problems we have in getting our product into the export markets are really the problems we should be putting our attention to. In relation to the site of the plant, I have no knowledge that they have definitely picked a site or otherwise, and I think it was the hon.

Member for Spirit River-Fairview that suggested it was going to be Taber. MR. SPEAKER: Is there a supplementary? Followed by the hon. Member for Lloydminster and the hon. Member for Edmonton Kingsway. MR. NOTLEY: A question to the hon. Minister of Agriculture relating to this plant, Mr. Speaker. Is the hon. minister aware that a plant Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 505

controlled or owned by the director of North American Food Products was repossessed by the Government of the Philippines? DR. HORNER: I am aware of that rumour, Mr. Speaker. We are trying to get some definite information and as I said earlier, I've been trying to caution the hon. gentleman not to create a tempest in a teapot until, in fact, he got some tea in the pot. MR. NOTLEY: Mr. Speaker, a supplementary on that.

Will the hon. minister assure the House that in ascertaining this information that he will in fact contact the government of the Philippines and will fully acquaint the House with what ever information he receives? DR. HORNER: Well, Mr. Speaker, surely I've answered that question. I've said that we are getting all the information we possibly can from a variety of sources, including the foreign service, and that when we receive that information, we will have to make a judgment as to what in fact should be tabled, if any, in relation to the status of the project at that time. Livestock Transportation MR. J.

MILLER: Mr. Speaker, I would like to direct my question to the hon. Minister of Agriculture. I feel it has emergency. What can be done to impress upon the railways the need for greater efficiency in livestock transportation ? I refer specifically to the situation in Lloydminster, where yesterday the livestock market handled 2,028 head of cattle and another big run is expected today. It is necessary that double-decker livestock cars be available ... MR. SPEAKER: Would the hon. member state his question please? MR. J. MILLER: Some of these cattle go to eastern Canada. When can we get these cars? DR. HORNER: Mr.

Speaker, I appreciate very much the hon. member from Lloydminster bringing this to my attention. My colleague, the Minister of Industry, and myself will be making representations to both the major railways in an attempt to improve the transportation system in the Lloydminster area. MR. SPEAKER: The hon. member for Edmonton Kingsway followed by the hon. member for Pincher Creek-Crowsnest. Trucking Rate

Schedule DR. PAPROSKI: I would like to direct thi s question to the hon. Minister of Highways, Clarence Copithorne. Has the trucking industry completed its negotiation with the Highway Traffic Board with regard to a new trucking schedule? Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 506

MR. COPITHORNE: Yes, Mr. Speaker, the negotiations and hearings have been completed and there has been a general increase of about 6.4% on all trucking rates. Treasury Branch Loans - Income Tax Rebates MR. DRAIN: Mr. Speaker, my question is to the hon. Provincial Treasurer, and I am wondering if he has now been able to determine whether it is possible under Treasury Branch legislation to deal effectively with the matter of income tax rebates, and thereby assist those who require this help? MR. MINIELY: Mr.

Speaker, in reply to the question from the hon. member, I would say, first of all, that I met with the Treasury Branches and that they have had meetings all morning with the Unemployment Insurance Commission, and it appears as though they will be taking applications today for loans to assist citizens who have their cheques coming late. In other words, they will take applications in that aspect. MR. DRAIN: Mr. Speaker, I was referring to T4 Income Tax rebates. MR. MINIELY: Mr. Speaker, the reason we are doing something on unemployment insurance is that there is a social problem.

But in the case of income tax rebates, it is very difficult to distinguish between those that apply to the wealthy, and those that apply to the people who have problems. MR. SPEAKER: The hon. member for Lethbridge West followed by the hon. member for Camrose. Nelson Basin Water Study MR. GRUENWALD: Mr. Speaker, I would like to direct a question to the Minister of the Environment. Could you tell us, sir, what is the status of the Saskatchewan Nelson basin water study at this time? How far has is progressed? How do you intend to handle this study once it is completed? MR. YURKO: Mr.

Speaker, the various ministers responsible for this matter got together last fall and reviewed the entire matter, and the actual study is completed at this point in time and the main report is being put together. The

summary report is expected to be published sometime in late spring, and the main report which is associated with some twelve feet of data will be available sometime next fall. In connection with

Section 9 of the terms of reference, the Saskatchewan Nelson River Board will terminate as of December 31, 1972. Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 507

Bill C7 -

An Act to Amend the Explosives Act (Federal) MR. STROMBERG: Mr. Speaker, a question to the Hon. Minister of Land and Forests. Does the minister plan any submissions to the federal Minister of Energy, Mines, and Resources in respect to Bill C-7? Mr. Speaker, I would like to provide the hon. minister with a copy of a report from Ottawa referring to this Bill C-7. I would like to also table the copy. MR. SPEAKER: Is the hon. member asking a question? The hon. member for Lethbridge East, followed by the hon. member for Drumheller. ....hon. minister until he answers the question. DR.

WARRACK: The question was with reference to Bill C-7 that is before the Parliament of Canada at this time. Bill C-7 is

an act to amend the Explosives Act of the federal parliament, and that act proposes to bring under the definition of explosives, such things as firecrackers and ammunition that is used for sporting purposes. And this being the case, it's of great concern, when the sportsmen of this province discover that this change is contemplated; I want to have the opportunity to discuss it with the sportsmen of Alberta, and if their concern is reflected with mine, I would feel that I would want to do as the hon. member from Camrose suggests, and make that representation. Commercial Signs on Highways MR. ANDERSON: Mr.

Speaker, I would like to direct a question to the hon. Minister of Highways. Is it the minister's planning to permit signs to be erected on numbered highways indicating business premises that are located a short distance off the highway? MR. COPITHORNE: Mr. Speaker, in regard to signing on highways and businesses, we're doing a review of the general procedure of highway signing. But it will generally not be the indicating of businesses just off the highway, but there will be some review coming in the next year in the regards to highways signs. Surface Rights Legislation MR. TAYLOR: Mr.

Speaker, may I direct a question to the hon. Premier? Is the government prepared to amend the surface rights legislation at this session to provide for a renegotiation of existing agreements to provide periodic reviews of annual compensation for oil and gas well locations on farms? MR. LOUGHEED: Mr. Speaker, I think that matter can be more properly dealt with when the Hon.

Minister of Agriculture presents the piece of legislation to this Legislature that deals with this specific matter, and in the course of debate with regard to it, I am sure that the Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 508

Hon. Minister of Agriculture will answer the matters that have been raised by the hon. member. Perhaps the hon. Minister of Agriculture would like to expand on that answer. DR. HORNER: Mr. Speaker, I could expand briefly and say that this is one of the problem areas in surface rights and I am sure the hon. member appreciates that when you start to go back and look at private contracts that have been signed between individuals over a number of years, that we're in an area that is going to take some looking into.

I would say to the hon. members though that we intend to put in the new legislation, allowing for reviews of the whole matter, but whether or not any legislation can be passed is a real question. MR. TAYLOR: Supplementary question to the hon. Minister of Agriculture. In view of the difficulties in interfering with contracts that have already been made by farms and farmers and land companies and CPR and oil companies, would the hon. minister recommend to the hon. Premier that a legislative committee be set up to work during the session without pay to review this? DR. HORNER: Well, Mr.

Speaker, we intend, when we bring in the new surface rights legislation, to refer that legislation to the Standing Committee of this House on Law and Law Amendments for their perusal, and to hear representations from various interested parties. MR. SPEAKER: The hon. member for Calgary North Hill followed by the hon. member for Little Bow. Development Control Bylaw (Calgary) MR. FARRAN: Mr. Speaker, a question to the hon. Minister of Muncipal Affairs.

Are you keeping a watchful eye on the position in Calgary, where the Development Control Bylaw is being appealed to the courts, and where they have no valid zoning bylaw to fall back upon, if the Development Control Bylaw is declared invalid? And have you been in touch with the Mayor of Calgary? MR. RUSSELL: Mr. Speaker, with respect to that matter, it's a very serious matter facing the City of Calgary, and the problems go back some two years. I've been in touch with two of the solicitors that are involved in the present appeal which is before the courts.

I've also had a brief conversation on an informal basis with the Mayor of Calgary and there's no doubt that it is a very serious situation. We're looking at it as closely as we can, but it appears that Calgary will certainly have to take some very quick initiative to overcome this apparent gap. Communal Property Act MR. R. SPEAKER: Mr. Speaker, a question to the Minister of Municipal Affairs. Could he advise the House at this time if the Communal Property Act is valid and in affect? Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 509

MR. RUSSELL: Mr. Speaker, I think I answered that question before. Of course the Communal Property Act is in effect: it hasn't been repealed. And the hon. member is well aware, it's going to be the subject of a special committee of the Legislature to review the entire appropriateness of that legislation during the next few months. What is in a state of suspension, and I think this is well known throughout the province, is the Communal Properties Board, which is appointed under the act. At present, the positions on that board are all vacant. MR. NOTLEY: A supplementary question, Mr. Speaker, on this.

In view of the fact that there are no members on the board, how then are members of the Hutterian Brethren to purchase land if the government has not fulfilled their statutory obligation of having a board? MR. RUSSELL: Mr. Speaker, again a Hutterite or a member of any religious order or belief can purchase land as an individual with no restrictions. At the present time, for the next few months, they cannot purchase land on a communal property basis, in other words, to add to, or establish a colony. That is the kind of activity that is in suspension for the next few months.

The Hutterian Brethren, their lawyers, their real estate agents are all well aware of those facts. MR. R. SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr. Speaker. Is the hon. minister indicating to us that a group that wishes to live communally could purchase property outside of the act? MR. RUSSELL: As far as I understand, Mr. Speaker, as long as there's no requirement for any purchase or rental of land to come before the Communal Property Board, then the normal procedures follow.

Only those aspects which must be processed through the board will be delayed for a period of a few months while the Legislature considers the legislation. MR. SPEAKER: The hon. Member for Calgary North Hill, followed by the hon. Member for Olds-Didsbury. School Act - Possible Amendment re Teachers' Right to Strike MR. CLARK: Mr.

Speaker, I'd like to direct a question to the Minister of Education and ask him if a meeting was held in December, 1971, between representatives of the Alberta Teachers' Association, the Alberta School Trustees' Association, and officials of the Department of Education, the purpose of their meeting being for joint consideration of proposed legislation for this session of the Legislature relating to the School Act? MR. HYNDMAN: Yes, Mr.

Speaker, I wasn't at the meeting but, and I believe it's been the custom in previous years, departmental officials in my department together with members of the ATA and the ASTA did, I Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 510

believe, meet in December to discuss and review possibilities of changes in the School Act. MR. CLARK: A supplementary question, Mr. Speaker. Did officials of the Department of Education present possible legislation on behalf of the Department of Education to that meeting? MR. HYNDMAN: Mr. Speaker, they certainly didn't present legislation on behalf of the minister or the government. I wasn't aware of the direct discussions, but certainly all the parts of the act were looked into and discussed between the three parties. MR. CLARK: Mr. Speaker, a supplementary question.

In the course of that meeting was a proposal put forward by officials of the Department of Education that would mean the loss of a right to strike as far as teachers are concerned in this province? MR. HYNDMAN: I don't believe any specific proposal of that kind was presented, Mr. Speaker, certainly not with the endorsement of the government. Perhaps the hon. Minister of Labour might like to comment in that regard as to the present situation. MR. CLARK: Mr. Speaker, one last supplementary question.

Does the Minister of Education propose to make amendments to the School Act which would, in fact, result in teachers in this province in this province losing the right to strike? MR. HINMAN: Certainly not, Mr. Speaker. MR. SPEAKER: The hon. Member for Calgary McCall, followed by the hon. Member for Stony Plain, and the hon. Member for Calgary Bow, if we can remember that. Alberta Racing Commission MR. HO LEM: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I must apologize that my spring today is not quite as good as it should be. I would like to direct my question to the hon. Attorney General.

In view of the fact that you've tabled the report of the Alberta Racing Commission for last year, and also inasmuch as there was a review conducted last fall regarding the affairs of the racing commission, what are the proposals for 1972? MR. LEITCH: I wonder if the hon. member could be a little more specific in his question. Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 511

MR. HO LEM: Yes, supplementary, Mr. Speaker. In view of the rising cost and the inflationary trends, will there be more benefits accruing to horse owners as well as horsemen? MR. LEITCH: I gather, Mr. Speaker, that the hon. member would like me to debate the economics of the horse industry in the Province of Alberta. I know of no provincial government involvement that is planned that would alter the economics of the racing industry in the coming year. MR. HO LEM: Mr. Speaker, will there be a change in any of the makeup of the membership of the commission? MR. LEITCH: That is a matter, Mr.

Speaker, that I have under consideration, and in due time will make an announcement. MR. HO LEM: There are only six weeks left. Will this be announced so that this can be incorporated before the 1972 season starts? MR. LEITCH: I don't know, Mr. Speaker, what I can add to my last answer, which was that the matter is under consideration, and when a decision has been made there will be a prompt announcement. Dairy Farming MR. PURDY: Mr. Speaker, a question to the hon. Minister of Agriculture. Is there any legislation forthcoming to aid dairy farmers in Alberta, and if so, what areas will be involved in the province?

DR. HORNER: As I announced previously before this action started, this government is developing a dairy policy to take advantage of the opportunities for marketing that there are in the dairy industry in Alberta. We’re hopeful that the milk market sharing plan will be approved by our producers. The final vote is on March 27. If it is approved we'll have it in effect by April 1st and on that day we would hope to have the regulations covering the additional dairy loans that will be available up to $6,000 for upgrading the dairy plant, in the area of bulk tanks dairy equipment, sewer and water or milk houses.

And in addition to that, we intend, as of April 1st to expand the guaranteed livestock loan for dairy cattle to all of Alberta. MR. SPEAKER: The hon. Member for Calgary Bow. Village Lake Louise MR. WILSON: Mr. Speaker, I have a question of the hon. the Premier. Mr. Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 512

Premier, inasmuch as the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and the Minister of Industry have made statements regarding Village Lake Louise outside of this House that were not exactly in harmony, and then again, today, we see a statement made by the hon. Member from Calgary Buffalo. MR. SPEAKER: Has the hon. member a question? MR. WILSON: Could you advise, Sir, what is your stand on the Village Lake Louise situation? MR. LOUGHEED: Mr. Speaker, I think our position is well known on that matter, and our position is this.

We feel very strongly that this is a matter in which the public should be given an opportunity to present their views before a branch of a federal department. They have done that. The government had some ten observers from six departments there. The observations that they are going to make will be consolidated and presented to the administration for review and consideration. At that time we will be in touch with the federal authorities at a government to government level.

We will work out an arrangement, so before any final decision is made by the federal government, there will be some input from the provincial administration. MR. WILSON: A supplementary question, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Premier, this issue is of grave concern to several Albertans, as I'm sure you are aware, and also Canadians, and we're wondering which hon. minister we might take as speaking closest to the government's opinion? MR. LOUGHEED: Mr. Speaker, I think that's a very reasonable question.

The answer to it is that, because we feel very strongly, and have done since the very start of our administration, that it's important that we deal on a government to government basis, not as in the past has been the case of a junior government relationship with Ottawa -- This is a matter that has been one of a federal initiative taken by federal authorities, sponsored by the federal authority within the national parks. We recognize the Alberta interest, because it is within the province of Alberta. For that reason though, it is on a government to government basis.

The responsible minister after the Executive Council, and the government team in the Legislature have reached a conclusion, will be the spokesman, the hon. Minister of Federal and Intergovernmental Affairs. MR. WILSON: Supplementary question, Mr. Speaker. MR. SPEAKER: I wonder if, since the oral question period is just about running out, the hon. member might put his question in writing so he may get full detail. The hon. member for Clover Bar followed by the hon. member for Vegreville. Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 513

Restricted Hunting Areas DR. BUCK: Mr. Speaker, I would like a question of the Minister of Lands and Forests. In view of the fact that there is a restricted hunting area just south of Sherwood Park, where you can use only shotgun slugs and bow and arrow, is there any intention or review being done into extending this area further around the City of Edmonton? DR. WARRACK: Mr. Speaker, there's no such review as described by the hon. member from Clover Bar, but the review that is under way at the present time is to check the legal status with respect to the whole matter of prohibiting hunting.

School Act - Labour Act Contradiction MR. BATIUK: Mr. Speaker, I'd like to direct this question to either the hon. minister of Education or the hon. minister of Labour. I know that

Section 66 of the School Act says that the school board shall announce the opening day of school. Yet the Labour Act states that all working conditions are negotiable. Is there a possibility that there will be an amendment of this Act to rectify it? It is sections of acts such as this that have created incidents like that in Bow Valley. DR. HOHOL: Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Education and I have worked closely on several aspects of both acts that affect the teaching enterprise.

Without specifically addressing myself to this particular question, several areas of amendments will be forthcoming in both the Labour Act and the School Act. MR. SPEAKER: The hon. member from North Hill followed by the hon. member from Kingsway. Ombudsman - Workman's Compensation Board MR. FARRAN: Mr. Speaker, a question to the hon. minister of Labour. Is it true that over the past year or so the Ombudsman has some difficulty in gaining access to Workmen's Compensation Board files? DR. HOHOL: Mr. Speaker, this is true; there has been some difficulty in this area.

On reviewing the circumstances it seemed to me that this had to do in particular with the different kind of reading of the same legislation in the Ombudsman Act. There is a working plan at the present time, and further we will refine this both in legislation and in formal arrangements so that it will work really well. Multi-Culturalism DR. PAPROSKI: Mr. Speaker, I'd like to direct this question to the hon. minister of Youth, Culture and Recreation.

What is his department doing for multi-culturalism in this province, which is a significant Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 514

concern for the various ethnic groups in this province? MR. SCHMID: The Alberta Government has called a Cultural Heritage Conference for next June 16, 17 and 18, Mr. Speaker, at which we will try to ascertain the desires of the people of Alberta regarding multi- culturalism. Government Publicity Releases MR. SPEAKER: The hon. member for Vermilion-Viking and I think that may end the question period. MR. COOPER: Mr. Speaker, I have two questions for the hon. Premier. Mr.

Premier, in view of the fact that a new Public Affairs Committee has been appointed to handle all news releases and that is under the guidance of the Executive Council, my questions are, will all weekly newspapers receive all publicity releases? And secondly, will all members of the Legislature receive the news releases? MR. LOUGHEED: Yes, Mr. Speaker. It will be called the Bureau of Public Affairs, and I'm very pleased to respond in the affirmative to both of the questions asked by the hon. member.

Certainly it is the intention of the bureau to assure that every news release is sent to every weekly newspaper in Alberta, so there can be the fullest possible dissemination of government information. And secondly, it is our intention, certainly when the House is in Session, to have these news releases distributed to the members of the Legislature, and perhaps we should give some consideration of doing that on a year-round basis. And we will certainly do so. MR. COOPER: Thank you very much. MR. SPEAKER: The time allotted for the question period has expired.

ORDERS OF THE DAY head: MINISTERIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS Position Paper - Grain; Alberta Grain Commission DR. HORNER: Mr. Speaker, it gives me a great deal of pleasure to place before this legislature, the first position paper in relation to a new direction for Alberta. And I would briefly like to outline the position this province is taking in relation to grain in Alberta. In the province of Alberta there are some 60,000 grain producers as evidenced by the number of delivered permit books issued by the Canadian Wheat Board.

Last year these farmers seeded over 14 million acres to the major grains and oil seeds and produced 472 million bushels of grain, including 240 million bushels of barley, and production of cereal grains, coarse grains and oil seeds, of course, presents no great problems to our producers. During the 1970-71 crop year Alberta farmers delivered 253 million bushels of grain and oil seeds to their country elevators. This included 107 million bushels Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 515

of wheat, and 107 million bushels of barley. It is estimated that there were six and three-quarter million tons of grain fed to livestock and poultry in the province during that crop year. The grain handling plant in Alberta comprises some 1574 licensed country elevators having a total capacity of nearly 132 million bushels, three inland terminal elevators, with a capacity of 7.6 million bushels, eight mill elevators with a capacity of 2.9 million bushels, two oil seed processing plants, one distillery, 108 non- quota feed mills and 69 seed cleaning plants.

By and large the industry is in a relatively healthy state, yet nevertheless plagued by instability in inputs and price. Production problems, as I noted earlier, are well under control, and indeed it is true that production of all feed crops could be increased in this province almost at will. The pressing problem is one of marketing Alberta grain, and it is reflected in a great instability of the price of coarse grains sold in the province to feed lots, feed mills, and other off-quota buyers. The price fluctuates with the changes in the supply of feed grain.

When the grain fails to move off farms through Canadian Wheat Board channels, that cuts off the producer's income, and the price paid by users in Alberta naturally drops. The farmers are forced to obtain income by selling at depressed prices. This is by no means a novel situation. Indeed it has been allowed to go on for far too long. The government - this government is determined to take steps to minimize the adverse effects of such a situation. Many things contribute to the buildup of a surplus. A year or two ago the cause was the inappropriate pricing mechanism used by the Wheat Board.

This has been changed by some rather courageous action on the part of that Board, and the sales of barley on their books now show a dramatic increase. Today the reason lies more in the inadequate rail and elevator facilities. When there are insufficient rail cars to carry the farmers grain to the export points, grain piles up on the farm, and can only move to mills within the province. At the extreme, this situation leads to depressed prices. Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 516

As a government we must have a say in how railway rolling stock is to be used to the greatest advantage. We also insist that the proper type of rail care be dedicated to the movement of Alberta grain. When the terminals at the Pacific Coast are not capable of taking in, cleaning, storing and loading to ocean vessels in an orderly way, the grain cannot be unloaded from the boxcars, which in turn cannot be recycled to take more grain from the country elevators. This works right back to the farm, and the producers turn to local feed mills for their sales opportunities. Again the tendency is to sell at depressed prices. We intend to play a

part in ensuring that coast terminals are adequate and are used in an optimum manner. When facilities exist that are not used, farmers' opportunities to market grain are lost, thus the waste of space, cleaning machinery in the Canadian Government terminal elevators at Lethbridge, Calgary, Edmonton and Prince Rupert contribute to the downward tendency of off-quota grain prices by denying our farmers the opportunity to market their grain through these channels.

This is not a new situation, but this government cannot any longer stand passively by and let these facilities operate far below their potential while Alberta farmers suffer the consequences. In addition, the question of the optimum use of the 69 seed cleaning plants in Alberta must be looked at. When acts of God such as snow slides and mud slides effectively halt the flow of grain to world markets, the effect is felt all the way back to the Alberta farm. We can no longer tolerate the inadequacies of the choice of routing.

We are not satisfied that all of the resources have been used and are being used at their optimum. Nor are we convinced that the fault lies in too many plants in the country. Indeed we believe that without the number and the spacing of the country elevators that exist today, the number of boxcars that are loaded in the country would be fewer than they are. We would agree that a certain amount of rationalization is needed, but this must be on a gradual basis, not precipitated in the way some experts wish.

There are other barriers to the efficient use of elevator plants that contribute to the problem and eventually tend to depress prices paid to grain growers. For instance there is the railway 'stock off' charge which frequently makes it prohibitive to do the sensible thing, that is to clean and dry the grain in the production area so that when it arrives at the export point it is already in export condition. Many of the things included in this document and that I have said so far, apply to wheat and rapeseed, just as much as they do to grains.

One item that does, pertain more to coarse grains though, is the iniquitous pricing by the Canadian Wheat Board of Alberta coarse grains. The banning of the initial payment for oats and barley at Thunder Bay discriminates most unfairly against Alberta farmers, especially those coarse grain producers in the northern half of the province. This situation has been permitted to go on for far to long and I'd say, Mr. Speaker, it's a matter of several cents a bushel to the farmers in Alberta.

In effect Alberta farmers get much less from the board's pooling operation then their counterparts do in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. In as much as the wheat board is involved in the merchandising of Alberta oats and barley, through enabling legislation passed by the previous government of this province, we intend to make sure that our farmers are no longer discriminated against by this most inappropriate pricing method. Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 517

The situation is especially bad during pool periods that don't end in a final payment. It makes our producers turn to non-board outlets sooner than farmers in other provinces. The grain marketing problem is a most intricate one; there are wheels within wheels and more wheels within those. In order to have no more delay, I am today announcing the establishment under the Department of Agriculture Act of the Alberta Grain Commission.

This body has been given a wide ranging terms of reference, aimed at developing a pricing mechanism for feed grains and thus eliminating the great swings in the price of off-quota grains and eliminating the man made barriers to the free and fast flowing movement of Alberta grains, and generally improving the market opportunities and prices for Alberta farmers. The chairman of the Alberta Grain Commission will be John W. Channon; we are very fortunate, we feel, in obtaining a man of Mr. Channon's capability to chair the Alberta Grain Commission.

Briefly, he has had a long history of work with the grain trade, both in a private way, with the Winnipeg Grain Commission, with the Federal Government and we are very pleased in Alberta that he is coming to us with his vast knowledge of the grain business and his contacts in that industry. The vice chairman of the commission will be the hon. Member for Smoky River, Mr. Marvin Moore. The additional members of that Commission are as follows: Mr. David Berntson from Foremost, Mr. Allan Hodge from Lacombe, Mr. Art Rendfleisch from Edmonton, Mr. Gunner Lindquist from Mellowdale, Mr. Joe Ference from Elk Point, Mr.

Constantine Yurko from Hairy Hill, Mr. Wilbur Wood from Bassano. These commissoners will develop programs to carry out the wishes of the government; they will do the necessary liaison work with the industry in Alberta, and I have given the chairman the instruction to contact the industry as soon as possible to set up an advisory committee that would advise the new commission; they will also have the responsibility of liaison with the other commissions that had been or are being set up in the other prairie provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

We expect that they will have a major input into federal grain agencies such as the Grains Council and the Canadian Wheat Board and in general will look after all of the things that are the best interests of Alberta grain producers. MR. STROM: Mr. Speaker, in just commenting very briefly on the announcement that the hon. minister has just made, I want to say first of all that I consider it a very excellent review of the situation that exists at the present time, and in no way do I want to suggest that I disagree with any of the points that he has made.

Certainly everyone recognizes that in our province and in fact in other provinces of Canada, our farmers have done an excellent job of producing many, many agricultural commodities and for quite some time it has been very evident that emphasis needs to be placed in the area of marketing, so that as far as we are concerned on this side of the House we do not take issue with any suggestions that may be made relative to improving marketing facilities or the whole general area of marketing of agricultural products. I am very interested to hear of the government's intention to set up a grain commission.

I am very pleased to hear the hon. minister give us the names of the proposed commission, and I have to say that some of the names that are given, Mr. Speaker, are of more than just a passing interest to me. It may be of interest to this House to know that one of the members named to that commission happens to have been my Conservative MLA opponent at the last election in 1971, and I hope, Mr. Speaker, that the criteria of being a member of the commission is not related to their service to the Conservative Party, or to any connection that they may have had in that particular area.

And I am not suggesting at this point in time that the hon. Minister Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 518

of Agriculture would ever give consideration to those points of view. But I would have to say this, that setting up the commission is no guarantee, Mr. Speaker, that we are going to solve the problem of marketing, in spite of the very able manner in which the hon. Minister of Agriculture was able to outline to this House the problems that we are facing at the present time. And I say it is one matter to be able to name the problems that exist, but it is a far cry from being able to come up with the solution. But, in closing, I would like to say Mr.

Speaker, that we on this side of the House agree with placing an emphasis on marketing, and I'm very happy to see that they are following our lead in this manner, because we did appoint the marketing commissioner and made it very clear that we intended to expand this very necessary function. And, of course, that we too are just as concerned as the members on the other side of the House, in improving the lot of the people on family farms, and so we have no hesitation in supporting anything that will be of assistance to the farmers of this province. Jasper - Hakone Sistership Agreement MR. DOWLING: Mr.

Speaker, I am very pleased to announce that the following cablegram was received today from our Tokyo office from Mr. Iimura, our man in Tokyo, Japan. The cable reads as follows: I attended the town Assembly of Hakone today. A resolution of a sister city affiliation with Jasper has unanimously been passed. Please inform Mr. Dowling of the above as well as the Jasper people. In making this announcement, Mr.

Speaker, I would just like to say that a great deal of the initial work and the ground work that went in to establishing this sistership came from, naturally, the people of Jasper, the Chamber of Commerce, its president and its past president, and the general manager of Jasper Park Lodge. So I think they are to be congratulated as well as the people who took

part in the trade mission from Alberta last October. I am really pleased with this announcement, Mr. Speaker, because it is the first such sistership that has been formed between Alberta and any community in Japan. It is, in my view, a start to excellent trade relations, industrial relations, with all of the countries of the Pacific rim. It reflects, in my view, the excellence of the trade mission to Japan in October of 1971. And very interestingly, Mr. Speaker, Hakone National Park is an area of 58 and a half square miles, and last December it had its twenty five millionth visitor for the year 1971.

Thank you very much. Notice of Motion re Select Standing Committees MR. HYNDMAN: Mr. Speaker, on a procedural matter, I would like to ask leave of the House to refer to Notices of Motion briefly to give notice in respect of the report tabled by the hon. Member for Lacombe, Mr. Cookson. MR. SPEAKER: Does the hon. member have leave of the House? HON. MEMBERS: Agreed. Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 519

MR. HYNDMAN: Mr. Speaker, I give notice that tomorrow, Thursday, I will move, seconded by the hon. member, Dr. Horner, that the report of the Special Committee to decide upon the MLA's to serve on Select Standing Committees tabled today by the hon. Member for Lacombe, be received and concurred in. head: THRONE SPEECH DEBATE MR. DOWLING: Mr. Speaker, may I join the other members of this Assembly in congratulating you on your election as the first officer of this House. As you described in your acceptance address, the role of a Speaker has historically not been characterized by the benign tolerance of the state.

But you have, however, already demonstrated your intention to retain your head, regardless of the circumstances. And I have no doubt that our proceedings will reflect the dignity of the example you have established in the conduct of our business. May I also, Mr. Speaker, be permitted to compliment the other officers of this House, and all of those who contributed in such a meaningful way to the opening of the Legislature. I am certain that the impression of that day will serve to remind each of us of our privilege and obligation in sitting as members of the 17th Alberta Legislature.

I have only one brief remark to make regarding the speeches that I have heard from the members of the opposition. It relates to an address given by the hon. member from Hanna-Oyen where he suggested that the Minister without Portfolio would probably just come in and sit around and do nothing. Well I would like to inform the hon. member that last weekend, on one of my few weekends home, I happened to catch my wife on the ladder washing windows; so I took her place and as I was washing windows and she was holding the ladder for me, I said, "Honey, we've got to stop meeting this way." So I have no doubt, Mr.

Speaker, that none of the four of us at least, and I am sure none the other members of this side, will become fat and sassy. Mr. Speaker, I have placed on the desk of every member a copy of Vacation Alberta, 1972, a full page publication prepared by our Travel Bureau. The opening narrative reads, "Take a long look at a lot of country". "Alberta sits smack in the friendly west of Canada"; it doesn't say where western hospitality began, but this is where it began. "Second province inland from the Pacific Ocean, the brightest blue sky you will ever see, and everywhere the wild rose".

It is through the window of this publication that I am invite you to the view of the department for which I have the responsibility to report. If we are to guage the effectiveness of budgetary funds in the development of tourism, it would seem appropriate to remind ourselves of the many phenomena that contribute so much to tourism in our province. The publication describes Alberta as a land of contrast, a land of surprises: our western hospitality is just as famous as our mountains.

"In our national parks, visitors should listen to the silence and talk to the animals." And "it's good for your soul and great for your camera." It also says, there is fascinating history to be discovered wherever you travel in Alberta. In the latter part of the book the copy invites travellers to discover their own special place in Alberta. A place for quiet contemplation and self renewal, places where being alone isn't lonely, places where you can say; no one in the whole wide world has ever been here before. And you're Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 520

probably right. It adds the unusual suggestion to "hurry clowly". It is this last suggestion which really describes the kind of vacation experience we would like to recommend and develop for the people of Alberta and the thousands of Canadians and visitors from other countries. I know that it is apparent to every member of this House, how significant tourism is to our province and how significant it could become. Its importance has many dimensions that can be expressed in forms of dollars, enjoyment, social benefits, etc. which have an influence on every Albertan and every Alberta community.

It contributes directly and indirectly to the general provincial revenues. It employs people from every economic sector and age level. And it penetrates even into the remote areas of our province. Mr. Speaker, may I compliment the former administration on their initiative in launching some useful and imaginative tourist programs. I have to admit in saying this, however, that I am sure the loyal opposition at that time had a great deal to do with the stimulation of the former government in introducing those programs.

It is our intention to expand these endeavours that are good, and to add additional new activities which we believe will satisfy our objectives. One program we have decided to continue and improve is an extensive visitor information centre program. This venture is aimed directly at ensuring that every area of our province is recognized and promoted. We have a serious problem, in that many visitors entering Alberta have little knowledge of all the excellent vacation areas and facilities we have at our disposal.

We expect this summer to have in operation up to 15 visitor centres supplemented by several mobile information units travelling into various communities. We want to ensure that Albertans and their guests receive the kind of information they need. Our problem, therefore, is one of communication. We believe our approach will more distinctly inform the potential visitor and assist in planning vacations. Needless to say, we appreciate the support of local communities in working with the staffs of our centres. Mr. Speaker, I referred to local communities.

I want to pay particular recognition to the importance of such help and support which is given to tourism by individual citizens in such communities and by their Chambers of Commerce, tourist committees, and the private sector of our province. It would be impossible for the industry to achieve its true potential without the considerable involvement and contribution of time, money, and ideas which is made by those at the basic roots of Alberta.

We expect to continue a strong program of financial support to the tourist zones representing the hundreds of cities, towns, villages, and the private sector in Alberta's tourist industry, through a program of contributing grants. Several modifications to the previous program have been made.

Through close discussion with travel zone representatives in Alberta, we have developed a cooperative scheme which we expect will increase interest and involvement in tourism at the very grass roots of the communities to increase our financial support, so that some of the less developed zones can at last obtain fulltime professional management, and, as part of the reorganization of the travel bureau, to add a full time member of the staff to work in a continuing role with the tourist zone organizations, the Travel Industry Association of Alberta and the private sector of Alberta's tourist industry in dealing with development and promotional programs.

The tourist business today, Mr. Speaker, is of such importance as a contributor to our economy, that it requires an increasing degree of professional management. This is one of our major objectives in assisting in the development of professionals in a Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 521

widespread zone system in Alberta. We also believe that in order to strengthen this industry, a more extensive educational program must be established in our technical and advanced educational institutes, beyond the scope of that already under way at the Northern and Southern Alberta Institutes of Technology. Educational authorities must develop special three and four year programs in specific courses in tourism, including those offering a broad knowledge of many segments of our tourist industry, and some special programs such as hospitality training.

They should offer programs in parks and recreational planning, hotel and hotel management, restaurant and food services. I must say at this point, Mr. Speaker, I was very critical at one of the meetings I attended not too long ago, sponsored by the Canadian Restaurant Association. I told them their food was terrible, there was never ice in the water and all sorts of interesting things. Since that time, I haven't been to a restaurant in Edmonton where I haven't had ice in my water, and I have had a tremendous number of invitations to dine out. We are also interested, Mr.

Speaker, in large scale resort development and management, lake and beach resort development. These must also be added to our courses in our advanced educational schools. Commercial campground operations and management, these must also be included. As well, encouragement should also be given to our young people to look at tourism as a career opportunity, as an alternative to some other academic direction. As the Premier has stated, tourism has as significant a growth potential, certainly in terms of job opportunities, as any industry in the Province of Alberta and our economic sector.

In terms of new job creation of a meaningful nature for our young people, one of the most effective views for us to concentrate on will be in the travel and tourist industry. This means a high degree of the closest type of cooperation between the travel industry and our government. We expect to give a great deal of attention to this responsibility and opportunity. Our young people today are not prepared to find themselves in work situations! where there isn't a sense of accomplishment or fulfilment. And if we don't meet that challenge, Mr.

Speaker, the strains and stresses on our society will be very, very difficult to handle in terms of traditional values. We believe that tourism and the opportunities it can bring will be recognized by our young citizens as a place for them, where their ideas, their creativity, and their ambitions can be significantly fulfilled. In addition to the extension of education programs for those entering the tourism industry in the future, we believe that there must be new educational programs established for those now in the massive work force.

Alberta's tourist industry has the responsibility for hosting millions of visitors each year. We have long been proud of our reputation for western hospitality, and all know how well it is received by visitors.

However, we are finding justification for reemphasizing the need and the importance of such hospitality, and to bring the importance of this right to the heart of the people in the front line, to the taxi drivers, the waitress and the waiter, service station employees, receptionists, the hotel front desk personnel, motel operators, bank clerks, theatre staff, ticket takers, even drug store clerks and druggists, and dozens of other occupations.

We know that the tourist's reason for coming to Alberta for the first time is predominantly for the scenery, and there are statistics to prove this. 75% of the people visiting the national parks of Alberta come for the scenery. Their reason for coming a second time, in my view, Mr. Speaker, is because of the hospitality which they've received during their first visit. First impressions are definitely the lasting impressions. I refer to the many visitors who come into Alberta each year, and the economic benefits which accrue to Alberta's tourist industry as a result of such visitations.

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Previous estimates suggest that tourism accounted for about $335 million in tourist revenues during 1971 in Alberta. This makes it Alberta's third largest industry, and it is growing at the rate, according to our research, of about seven to eight percent each year. Interesting enough, Mr. Speaker, it is the second largest contributor to the economy on the federal scene, and it's continuing to grow. It is my view, Mr. Speaker, that our growth in this province in the tourist industry has been below what it should be, and it should be at the order of 12%.

We expect to be able to define more clearly exactly what the position of tourism in our province will be when tabulation on the extensive travel research program conducted during 1971 are finally compiled and verified. However, there are some critical problems of which we are already aware, and to which we intend to direct our attention during the next few years, and which will receive specific attention in our 1972-73 program. One of these is the balance of payments on tourism which presently exists.

In 1971, Albertans, for example, spent an estimated $151 million on vacation travel, but only $32 million of this was spent in Alberta. This outflow, combined with out of province travel for personal and business reasons by Albertans, resulted in a provincial deficit balance on travel spending, or a net loss of economic wealth from this province. The deficit on travel has been growing at an alarming rate during the last three years to a loss position in 1970 of some $79 million, and we believe that if something isn't done it will continue to grow. This is not to say that Alberta's travel industry is unhealthy.

Far from it, it is in a very healthy state indeed. However, Albertans' inclinations to travel outside their own province is losing our province significant economic wealth which we would otherwise enjoy. It is not the intent of the government to suggest that Albertans halt travelling outside the province, as we believe such travelling is a healthy experience and does much to broaden the understanding of other parts of Canada, and other countries and their people and their cultures. But we must do more to encourage Albertans to see their own province and spend more time in discovering its many attributes.

In addition to Albertans travelling outside the province, Mr. Speaker, Alberta has been losing its share of non-resident visitors in greater numbers each year, particularly from markets which have been traditionally sources of visitors for Alberta for many years. In addition, levels of visitors from major US markets have seen no demonstrable increase for several years. In order to combat these problems and bring controlled development to the marketing of tourism, we expect to undertake a number of activities.

(1) Our first one will be a thorough reorganization of the Alberta Government Travel Bureau, with the addition of several senior staff in specific areas of need, relative to marketing, counselling, planning, and development. And in several of these areas we will enlist the private sector.

(2) Clear cut objectives for travel bureau development and promotional programs will be spelled out, utilizing input from the private sector of Alberta's tourist industry.

(3) All publications produced by the Bureau have undergone and will continue to undergo revision and upgrading to ensure that Alberta is competing well in the market place, and providing the type of information that is needed by travellers and holiday planners.

(4) Strong emphasis will be placed on the packaging of many new types of vacation opportunities. Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 523

(5) Farm vacation programs will be given special assistance to provide secondary income opportunities for our farming community and broaden the base of our tourist industry. Mr. Speaker, it was interesting this morning, members of the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Culture, Youth and Recreation, and a representative from my branch attended a meeting on farm vacations, and we are under way. It's a tremendous opportunity for rural Alberta to participate in the tourist industry and we're doing everything we can to promote it.

(6) New competitive advertising budgets in future years will be increased to make Alberta competitive in the market place.

(7) An increased level of travel research and marketing analysis will be undertaken to ensure continual monitoring of the success of our programs, and to review new development opportunities to determine their effectiveness relative to cost.

(8) Closer relations will be established with the federal office of tourism and their two branches, the Travel Industry Branch and the Canadian Government Travel Bureau, to ensure that federal promotional dollars and development dollars give proper balance to Alberta's tourism interests, and that a better share of a significant dollar spent on behalf of Canada's tourist industry directly relates to and supports Alberta.

(9) We expect that new policies will be forthcoming in the months ahead, relative to tourism implications for our provincial parks, highway campsites, and historic sites.

(10) New regulations will be formulated for commercial campgrounds and trailer parks, which will clearly establish that such facilities in our province will be second to none in Canada in standards of quality and services offered. We expect to formulate these standards in cooperation with present operators of such facilities and their users, to ensure that standards are realistic and yet far reaching enough to fulfill demands for several years to come.

(11) We also expect to look closely at the present legislation affecting the food service industry in our province. Our purpose is to ensure quality products and service for reasonable prices, which will encourage investment in the food service industry to meet the demands of today's more discriminating travellers. Part of this program, of course, will dovetail with the present examination of the province's liquor laws. Mr. Speaker, it seems a shame to me that we have the best food products in the world and can serve them the worst.

(12) One of the most important areas of concern to which we intend to address ourselves is in the master planning approach to the developing of new tourist facilities in the province. No longer can we continue to allow unplanned, helter skelter development of tourist facilities of all types, from commercial development to publicly funded facilities. You, no doubt, will recognize the benefit of having a comprehensive long range plan on which to base development of the province's recreational resources.

Such a plan would be to the benefit of both entrepreneurs and conservationists, and would take into account effective multiple use of land and water resources, diversification of the economy through regional expansion of the recreational tourist industry, identification of viable investment opportunities for the private sector, coordination of visitor facilities, regionally and provincially, financing and employment training requirements, transportation, and related infra-structure requirements. Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 524

The government will also want to be in a position to establish a policy framework which will coordinate programs of various government agencies and of industry, in order to control and measure the growth of this industry and its impact upon the provincial economy. We believe that along with such master planning should come a close examination of the development of tourism in several areas of the province which have long seemed to have been forgotten in the interests of focusing on the major cities and the national parks.

Some of these areas have excellent natural facilities which could be developed to serve Albertans and visitors, with natural attractions as well as man-made attractions, such as the northern part of the province, including the Peace River country. Two-thirds of our province, Mr. Speaker, is located above Edmonton. The north eastern lakeland country, east and west central Alberta, the south east Cypress Hills area, and the extensive area running full length along the eastern watershed of the Canadian Rockies. This is a subject dear to my heart. And, Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the hon.

Minister of Highways for having suggested that we send him our priorities regarding highways so he can develop programs over the next number of years which can facilitate most of those priorities. Mr. Speaker, utilizing the scenic forestry trunk road as a road specifically developed for tourists is one of my objectives, making full use of the excellent natural facilities along that road, running from the Crowsnest area north to the city of Grande Prairie.

I do not see this road as a highly developed roadway, developed for high speed travel -- but one which when fully developed will discourage speeds over 40 miles an hour, and would limit commercial tourist development to areas immediately adjacent to established communities and visitor service centres.

And I would envision an extensive, interpretive, and educational program established along this road so that families of Albertans and visitors could have a better opportunity to learn about the natural environment which we are so blessed to have without having to face the continual crowded conditions in our national parks. And this does a great deal for our National Park system, Mr. Speaker, of which I am very proud.

I believe that unless the provincial government is ready and willing to undertake this type of thing — this type of road development — eventually we will have a condition where the federal authorities will suggest that they close the gates because there are too many people inside. So we must protect our national parks, Mr. Speaker. In discussing transportation arteries I have become increasingly concerned about the policies for highway development, particularly in regard to bypasses, and I again compliment the hon Minister of Highways for the number of excellent discussions we have had in this regard.

In my estimation the bypassing of service communities in Alberta must be reviewed extensively. I have seen the effects which bypasses have had on town growth, on economics and small business stimulation, and particularly on tourism. The recent study in Edson, for example, indicated that the Edmonton-Jasper Highway No. 16, which goes right through the centre of Edson, is a most positive influence on the economy of that community. The study showed that 70% of the business done by those businesses established along that route was as a result of the transient traffic.

One block off the highway it was 50%, and two blocks off, 25% . Let us reconsider our policies and be more sensitive to the needs of our communities and the benefits that travellers can bring to those communities. We should be building, in my view, with due respect to my very good friend the hon. Minister of Highways, people highways, not car and truck highways but highways for people. It should be recognized that the factors Alberta must deal with in attracting visitors and encouraging residents to vaction in their Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 525

province are significantly different from the factors that condition the promotional activities of our major provinces. To be specific, Alberta has five key markets for visiting vacationers - two are in the neighbouring provinces of British Columbia and Saskatchewan, the other three are Ontario, California and the east and west north central states. These last three are separated from Alberta and from each other by considerable distances and in contrast to British Columbia's key markets, Alberta and the Pacific states, are relatively closer and certainly not as dispersed.

As a matter of interest, in 1971 nearly 60% of Albertans who took a vacation visited B.C.. Ontario and Quebec draw their major volume of visitors from each other and from the multi-million population concentration in the eastern United States less than a few hundred miles from their borders. Manitoba goes straight south into Minnesota, Illinois and Wisconsin.

In addition to the problems of market dispersion, distance, and our lack of proximity to the major population concentrations, and in part because of these problems, Alberta is not as well known by United States citizens and by Canadians as is British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec. Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia can rely on 50% to 60% of their residents, who take a vacation, to spend all or part of their vacation in their own province, thus providing a solid base for that province's travel industry. By contrast, in 1970 only 33% of the vacation trips taken by Albertans involved one or more nights in Alberta.

This can be attributed to factors such as; (1) better developed and more diversified tourist attractions and facilities in other provinces; (2) the climate, attraction and proximity of vacation spots in the interior of B.C.; (3) well developed cottage communities in Ontario and Quebec. Mr. Speaker, if Alberta has a different set of factors to deal with than those that concern the other major provinces, it follows that Alberta's marketing approach must also be very different. The approach must not only recognize the differences, it must also over- come the disadvantages that face Alberta.

Given the dispersion of markets and in a number of markets a low level penetration and awareness, we plan to concentrate our efforts on key markets rather than spread our resources over a wide number of possible markets. This year, for example, our efforts are concentrated in Ontario, California, British Columbia and Saskatchewan, and only a touch is made in the east and west central states in a minor way. The quality of our promotional effort, our literature, advertising, publicity, will reach and has reached new high standards.

We believe we must make it easier for people to come Alberta and this involves explaining clearly to the consumer how to get here, informing the travel trade on how to send people to Alberta and in creating package tours. The bureau will do everything it can to encourage the establishment of additional direct airline flights between Alberta and major United States population centres, particularly California and the mid-west United States, and in addition we plan to extend our efforts in assisting and promoting the packaging of vacations.

We have had several discussions with some of the major airlines regarding the establishment of routes into and out of the cities of Edmonton and Calgary, and some headway I believe, Mr. Speaker, is being made. Although much of the bureau's efforts will be directed to increasing the volume of visitors to Alberta, a substantial amount of the effort will be devoted to encouraging visitors to increase the length of their stay. It is easier and less expensive to achieve an increase of say 10% in revenues in this way than by increasing the volume of visitors by 10%.

This point emphasises strongly the need for excellent visitor information services at all entry points to Alberta, and will be a Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 526

key reason for the Travel Bureau's establishment this year of over 100 trained travel counsellors in visitor service centres in B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan and the State of Montana. Where possible and appropriate, the Bureau plans to engage in cooperative promotional efforts with the private sector. I agree with the hon. member from Highwood when he says that the private sector is deeply involved in the travel industry, but I don't agree at all when he says it should be left to private industry. I believe, Mr.

Speaker, that the government has a very important role to play, and that is to act as a catalyst, a stimulus, to bring about further tourist development, sensible tourist development. The objective in enlisting the aid of the private sector being, of course, to maximize the impact and the exposure, to use maximum efficiency in promotional and other efforts. The activities in the bureau will be planned well in advance and be constantly reviewed, to ensure that the efforts directed in a particular market are coordinated as to timing, message, and audience.

Planning of our programs will now move to 12 or 18 months in advance of their actually happening. We have already begun our work programs for 1973, and are looking very seriously at our 1974 and '75 programs. So there again, I differ with the hon. member from Highwood. He said that planning was impossible. Wo government can begin to exist without sensible planning. We also feel, Mr. Speaker, it is desirable to increase the volume of visitors in the shoulder months. The shoulder months are May and early June, and September and early October.

However, considerable work needs to be done in developing new attractions, events and other programs before we can expect to see any significant results. Recent interest in winter vacations has also proven very promising, and I must say at this point, Mr. Speaker, one of the things I won't have time to discuss in detail but I would like to state briefly - I believe very strongly in the development of the ethnic cultures in this province to the point where we can capitalize on them to a great degree.

For example, there are 67,000 or 68,000 natives of Germany living in the City of Edmonton, and something like 67,000 people of French origin. Well, I was fortunate enough to be invited to the Oktoberfest both in Edmonton and Calgary, and with my hon. friend the Minister of Culture, Youth and Recreation, we attended the Oktoberfest in Calgary. There were a number of things that particularly fascinated me, Mr. Speaker. I'll tell you about the first one last. The one that really fascinated me was the fact that the Calgary people had engaged four major hands from the City of Munich.

They had brought them over at a cost of something like $90,000, and they were playing their hearts out. They were drinking beer and having a great time. There is nothing wrong, Mr. Speaker, in my view, in combining this effort that Calgary puts forth with a similar effort in Edmonton, a similar effort in Vancouver, and combining that with an effort in Kitchener, Ontario, where they have the major Octoberfest in Canada. And surely then, we will be in a position to penetrate the market of Germany, where we have a tremendous number of very active people in the travel industry.

We have a lot of people that are interested in travelling. Surely this has got to be one of the routes we must travel. I must say that the last thing that impressed me the most, or the first thing that impressed me the best — whichever way you want to say it — was one of the councillors from the City of Munich; she was delightful. Horst thought she was very nice too! Our overall objective in the tourist industry, Mr. Speaker, is to increase travel spending in Alberta over the next ten years at an Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 527

average growth rate of 18% a year, which is substantially, as you know, above present trends. Alberta can expect strong competition in her efforts to increase market shares. At this point I would like to say that when our trade mission was in Japan last October, we were competing with Hawaii to try to bring skiers to Alberta as opposed to their trying to bring skiers to the State of Hawaii. So the competition is fierce. It is one of the most competitive fields in the world.

The realization of the improvements in penetration and potential growth will be dependant on many factors, the more important being a sustained efficient program of promotion in key markets, the expansion of air service to key market areas, and the expansion and development of tourist attractions and facilities in Alberta to accomodate and satisfy the demands of visitors and Albertans. In this respect, my colleague, the hon. Minister of Industry and Commerce, will shortly table for your consideration a new bill designed to provide capital assistance in the form of low interest, long term loans.

These funds will offer assistance to all categories of tourist facilities and for all season use. We believe that in relation to our projected industry growth, this new source of capital funds will permit the industry to keep pace with demand. It will also stimulate the imagination and creative capability of the private sector. If we achieve our objectives by 1980, vacation travel could represent one billion, two hundred and one million dollars annually in Alberta travel economy with significant direct revenues to our government.

This would also improve our balance of payments on travel spending, moving from a deficit position of $79 million in 1970 to a forecast surplus in 1980 of $74 million. With this background in mind we have developed within our budget limitations, some programs for 1972 which make a beginning towards fulfilling the principles I have outlined. The one billion travel goal in revenues in Alberta by 1980 is not going to come if we wait for it to happen. We will need dramatic increases in our travel facilities and accomodation.

The forecast is that we will need something like a 300% increase in our accomodation facilities within the next 10 years. New air routes must be established into our province, dozens of new package tours, package vacations, changes in the degree of professionalism which Albertans take to tourist development and promotion, plus increased investment and money and personnel by our government, and more particularly, the private sector. I believe we can make it happen if we want to make it happen, Mr.

Speaker, and I look forward to the views of the members of the House in the year ahead as we strive to reach these economic and social goals. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. MR. SPEAKER: The hon. member for Edmonton Calder. MR. CHAMBERS: Mr. Speaker, first of all I wish to congratulate you on your election as Speaker of this Assembly. Through past association I am aware that you continually demonstrate sound and impartial judgment, and therefore, it comes as no surprise to me to see the skill and poise which you have already shown in your new role. Mr.

Speaker, I take a great deal of pride in being a part of this Assembly; deliberating on the proposals of a government that recognizes the need for new directions, if the lives of Albertans are to continue to prosper. And I take a great deal of pride in being Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 528

the representative in this Assembly of the people of the constituency of Edmonton Calder. At the risk of inviting the exasperation of our local newspaper scribes, I am, like the speakers before me, going to discuss my constituency. After all, the people of that constituency are my reason for being here, and they come first. Calder is situated in the north-west

section of Edmonton. It includes some of the oldest districts in the city where roots are deep and sentiments are strong. But it also encompasses brand new areas and brand new people, many of them young and just starting out on new careers and new responsibilities. The area is primarily residential, but we do have an industrial part on the west side, and the area is influenced by the CNR and NAR yards along the southern boundary where trains have been puffing and panting and shunting and hooting and so on since the first years of this century.

There was a time when the hooting of the old steam whistle in the distant dark was a sort of a comforting sound, but now with modern progress, the people of Calder are up against quite a different sound sensation. I am talking about the situation produced by the CNR's construction of a hump yard adjacent to residences in my constituency. The hump consists of an artificial hill down which railway cars roll. They brake by the use of retarder shoes, and are then diverted by computer control into the desired train makeup.

The retarder shoes generate a high frequency squeal which carries for at least two miles and affects hundreds of residences in the area. The whine of a jet plane has nothing on this particular form of noise pollution, which has been going on since the opening of the hump last August, and which has resulted in appreciable human discomfort and loss of property value. While the railway is working to solve the problem, it may be that the only real solution, in a situation like this, is not to build such a facility in a residential area in the first place.

In this regard, what especially concerns me is that the municipality has apparently no say as to whether or not such a railway facility is constructed. The all-powerful Federal Transportation Commission, from whose decision there seems to be no instrument for appeal, is apparently not even required to obtain the approval of the province, or of a local municipality before authorizing such projects. As a member of this Assembly, I'm deeply concerned that any board or commission should have this kind of power over the lifestyle of our people.

It is these people of the Calder constituency that I'd like to discuss now, because they're a very remarkable group, belonging as they do, to eight of the most active community leagues in Edmonton. Youth from the area have continually excelled in inter- city sports, despite the fact the constituency has long been short- changed in recreational facilities. Furthermore, my constituents have shown considerable initiative in this area. Community leagues representing a large portion of the constituency, along with the Northgate Lions Club, last year raised some $15,000 toward the building of artificial ice facilities.

Recent federal Winter Works grants permitted the City Parks and Recreation Department to commence the construction of a covered arena, and I'm sure that the dedicated pressure of Calder constituents was instrumental in having it built in the Onion Park area of the constituency. However, we still need additional covered ice rinks for our youngest age group. These aspiring young hockey players are denied sufficient ice time at an age when playing time is of paramount importance.

The Calder constituency is also without sufficient swimming facilities, with the majority of the residences too remotely situated from any public pool. Mr. Speaker, it may be argued that many of these problems fall under local municipal jurisdiction. That is quite true. However, I Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 529

believe that the provincial government has a significant role to play through cooperation with the municipality in achieving social goals. As MLA for Edmonton Calder, I plan to represent the viewpoint of my constituents and to support or oppose legislation on the basis of the best interest of my constituency. Mr. Speaker, as I have already mentioned, my constituency is made up of old areas and new, and a similar mix of people as regards age, background, and profession. Many senior citizens live there, not only in private dwellings, but in three lodges and two nursing homes.

Most of these people live on fixed incomes and many depend solely upon the old age pension. With the continuing inflation of past years, their standard of living has been constantly eroded and their plight has continued to be neglected. For this reason I am most pleased that this government assigns a high priority to correcting past injustices, and to improving the lot of our senior people. The removal of Medicare premium payments, and the high cost of drugs and optional health services, is a significant step in the right direction.

I'm also pleased that our citizens over seventy need no longer suffer the indignity of an automatic annual driver's test. In my constituency, public transportation to and from at least one of our senior citizens lodges, has been and is, a significant problem. Our senior citizens commonly do not drive cars; instead they rely on public transportation. In planning construction of future homes, it is imperative that sites be chosen, not only to allow our senior people good access to public transportation, but to situate them as closely as possible to areas in which they have lived most of their lives.

I feel also, that our senior citizens' homes should be located in the centres of communities so that they can continue to contribute to the culture of the community, and along with young and old be a vital part of activities rather than 'has-beens' relegated to the outskirts. I consider myself fortunate in having made the acquaintance of many of the senior citizens of my constituency and counting them as my friends. I have spent many enjoyable hours with them, hearing first-hand the human history of Alberta. These are the people who pioneered this country.

These are the people who have experienced the hardships, the triumphs, and the will to build. I am concerned that much of the rich unrecorded history of this province will pass with them. I wish to see increased emphasis on obtaining the assistance of our senior citizens in recording for posterity this first hand history of the opening of the west. Mr. Speaker, as a consulting engineer and a businessman, I'm pleased to have the opportunity to work on the government task force and new incentives for individual Albertans.

A significant part of our efforts to date have been directed toward assisting in the drafting of new legislation to be known as the Alberta Opportunity Fund Act. It is most important to develop a broader based Alberta economy, less dependent on oil and gas, subject in greater degree to other industries. Oil and gas have been and will continue to be of major importance to our province. Nevertheless, we were talking about a finite wasting asset which will ultimately return diminishing revenue to the people of Alberta.

Some estimates indicate that between 50% and 85% of conventional oil has been found in this province. While I think that the latter percentage is pessimistic, it is obvious that the easy oil has been discovered, and future finds will be more difficult, which will result in higher exploration costs. Furthermore, we may have reached the peak of conventional oil Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 530

reserves, and these reserves nay he expected to decline steadily in the future, particularly as the market demand rises. Recent approval by this government of the Syncrude tar sands project is a most gratifying step. Increasing development of our vast heavy oil deposits will he required to meet an ever-increasing market demand and offset the decline in conventional oil production. We in Alberta are probably most fortunate in having what is probably the world's largest oil reserve in our Athabasca tar sands.

With escalating oil energy consumption, the day is not far off when there will be a large demand for this oil. Tar sands development can handle a continually increasing revenue for the people of Alberta, not only directly through royalties, but also indirectly, through the large employment payroll and related construction and manufacturing activity which will be associated with this development. However, for Alberta to grow and prosper, our economy must become more diversified.

Manufacturing and secondary industries tend to be more labour intensified than the large capital projects common to oil and gas development. Also, I believe, that greater industrial development is important to our smaller communities throughout Alberta, in order to offset the trend of declining population trends in our rural centres. Many people prefer life in smaller communities to our larger cities, and they should have the opportunity of making that choice, choosing the quality of life and lifestyle that suits them best. My last point with regard to industry concerns a point of philosophy.

There is a trend to bigness in industry today. The big companies are getting bigger and the small companies are either disappearing or merging with bigger companies. While big business is a vital part of our free enterprise society, I believe that the small firm and the entrepreneur have much to contribute to Alberta, and must be encouraged. There are many Albertans who do not choose to work for large corporations. They want to be self-employed or to operate a small business.

I wholeheartedly endorse the policy of this Conservative government to create a climate whereby the imaginative independent person has an opportunity to control his or her economic destiny in Alberta in the years ahead. Moreover, the high standard of living prevalent in North America today is the consequence of individual enterprise, operating in a free enterprise society.

An examination of most of our large industries, petroleum, mining, automobile, appliances and so on, will reveal that each had its beginning in an individual with an idea, and that that individual was willing to make the effort to take the risk to make his idea work. Mr. Speaker, we must ensure that Alberta provides a reasonable balance in our free enterprise system to create the productive climate necessary to individual enterprise. It is no longer reasonable to separate the cost of the plant and the cost of the necessary pollution control equipment in so far as the economics of an industry are concerned.

Should the cost estimate of a producing plant complete with adequate pollution control equipment indicate non-economic production, then in my view, that plant should not be built. Furthermore, under this new government I expect never again to see a situation where the people of Alberta entice a foreign owned mill into the province by subsidizing its pollution control facilities. And this, Mr. Speaker, when the plant product will be competing for markets with Canadian owned mills, whose shareholders have underwritten their own pollution control equipment.

In my view, foreign capital can greatly help this province to grow and prosper. However, foreign industries must never be given a competitive advantage over Canadian owned enterprises, and certainly not at the taxpayer's expense. Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 531

To return to the matter of pollution, Mr. Speaker, I would caution against over-reaction to pollution dangers. Frequently the sensationalists cry "wolf" on the basis of inadequate information. The indiscriminate recriminations and accusations can cause a backlash that injures the cause of those truly interested and capable of preserving our environment. It is very easy now to shrug our shoulders at the mercury scare of the past few years. Improved technology produced sophisticated measuring equipment which allowed us to measure traces of mercury in flesh for the first time.

We found it in fish, we reacted violently and verbally, reporting yet another and another body of water inhabited by mercury-polluted fish. When we finally found that only a few industries were allowing mercury to enter waterways, that most of the fish in question contained a natural level of mercury, a condition that has probably existed through the ages, we shrug. In the meantine Canadian fishermen had suffered economic injury and Canadian people were deprived of a valuable food product because as a society we over-reacted. The very existence of humanity entails a certain base level of pollution.

As long as there are people, there will be some pollution. Our job, as I see it, is to ensure that pollution is reduced to the absolute minimum reasonably attainable, preserving a healthful environment for ourselves and for our descendants. I am confident that the measures already introduced by our Minister of the Environment, and measures proposed for the future, will attain this goal. Mr. Speaker, I'm excited about being a part of this government. For the first time in many years we are looking in new directions, accepting new challenges, formulating new initiatives and new priorities.

We're looking at the people of this province, and formulating programs that will benefit all of them, offer them greater economic stability, greater opportunities and a more rewarding quality of life. It is the people, Mr. Speaker, who will challenge every member in this Assembly to give his best effort, and I for one, accept that challenge. Thank you. MR. HENDERSON: Mr. Speaker, it's certainly an honour and a privilege to have this opportunity of rising in my place and joining with previous speakers in contributing to the debate on the Throne Speech. Before doing so, Mr.

Speaker, I would also like to join with those who have spoken previously in tendering my congratulations to you on your appointment as Speaker of this Assembly. I certainly appreciate, Mr. Speaker, that your job is a difficult one and at times it's probably one of looking for consolations more than congratulations. I would, Mr. Speaker, like particularly to congratulate all of the new members of this Assembly, as well as offer a general word of congratulation to all those who were returned in the August 30th election. I would also, Mr.

Speaker, say a word of very sincere congratulations to the hon. gentlemen who have now occupied the offices of Minister or Minister Without Portfolio in the 'now' government. I can say on the basis of some limited experience that they have a very exciting and challenging time ahead of them, and I guess I should add, Mr. Speaker, from time to time I certainly will do my best to make the situation a bit more challenging and to be a little entertaining now and then! Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 532

Mr. Speaker, in listening to the Throne Speech on the opening day and subsequent debates to it, particularly when it comes to the contribution from the hon. gentlemen seated opposite, I at times get. the feeling I'm sort of improperly listening in on a meeting of the Lougheed Party mutual admiration society, because as the hon. Minister for Cardston pointed out, they certainly have come highly recommended by themselves. And I hope, Mr. Speaker, that the hon. gentlemen seated opposite won't mind a few suggestions on my part as to how they might improve their performance, and it might even add to their lustre.

I think one of the general themes running through the speeches, Mr. Speaker, coming from the opposite side, is that Utopia is less than five years away, and I am sure the people of Alberta are noinn to be pleased to hear it. But I think that when one views the performance of the government to date, it leaves some grounds for scepticism as far as all the glowing commitments we have heard. The Throne Speech, I suggest, Mr. Speaker, is really a continuation of the election campaign that we witnessed last summer -- lots of style, lots of promise -- but very little substance. And I suggest Mr.

Speaker, that maybe the hon. members seated opposite, and particularly those in the Cabinet, should realize the election is over, people are looking for results, and progress within this province. Just style alone isn't enough. And of course, in a style, Mr. Speaker, I suggest that the performance of the government and some of its members, contrasts very strongly with what was held out and promised to us. One of the matters of style I think that should be discussed is the question of 'open government', a subject which the members seated opposite are fond of talking to themselves about. And certainly, Mr.

Speaker, the Hansard and TV, I think are generally welcomed by the people of the Province of Alberta, and while I don't think it is of any particular consequence to them as far as bread and butter issues are concerned, I must admit it's a good piece of window dressing as far as the government is concerned. But if that's all that is meant by 'open government', Mr.

Speaker, I suggest that this government is in for some difficulties, because as I said, some of the actions and statements of the members of the present government in the ten, days that this House has been in session contrast very sharply with what they are talking about. And on the question of 'open government', I recall that within three days of the opening of this session, Mr. Speaker, a rather straight-forward, simple question was asked of the Minister of Agriculture by a member on this side. The hon.

Member for Macleod asked him too give the House a simple explanation as to why they had eliminated the Horned Cattle Trust Fund. And what do we get, Mr. Speaker? We get a great deal of arm waving because this government has decided. We have held a little meeting within our caucus and we've decided. This is policy. It's out of order to ask a question, Mr. Speaker, as to whether a simple explanation was in order or not. We're not to be questioned. We now have a Premier and 47 backbenchers to make all these decisions -- there's no need for questioning or any public consultation. I must say, Mr.

Speaker, that it contrasts very sharply with the stock talk and statements, the propaganda that we have heard so much about with this government of its style of 'open government'. And then we come, Mr. Speaker, to the simple matter of trying to get a Return from the Minister of the Environment on reports of the Environment Conservation Board. And what do we hear there? He says these are a group of civil servants who are there to advise the government and the government is going to exercise its own judgment as to what information should be made available to the members of this Assembly and to the public.

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And, Mr. Speaker, if the Minister of the Environment views the Environment Conservation Authority as just another group of civil servants, they might as well cut them off the payroll and save the taxpayers some money. Because certainly the concept bn which the authority was set up goes way beyond that. They were there to keep the public informed, to provide an opportunity for public input, in far greater detail then members of this Assembly can usually provide on environmental matters, and to prepare reports on subjects of their own initiative or upon request of the government, submit them to the government, and eventually table a

summary of their reports in this House. So I'm at a loss to understand the attitude of the hon. minister that this is just another group of civil servants and he will think about whether we are going to get the report or not. Also, Mr. Speaker, when I look at the question of style I have to think again of the performance of the hon. Minister of the Environment, lots of rhetoric, lots of bombast. When it comes down to what he's actually done I have to say once again, Mr. Speaker, his performance contrasts very sharply with his style.

And just one small item we heard before the election campaign, a great to-do from the now hon. Minister of the Environment about the fact that coal mining operations should be shut down in the Canmore corridor, which was desecrating the corridor of the mountains and so on and so forth. Then, after the election and then in this House also, Mr.

Speaker, we have heard him, or at least the way I interpreted his statements, I haven't read the transcript, that he tried to lead the members of this House to believe that the government had taken some real initiative and was going to shut down some of these operations and stop some coal mining and had done this and done that.

They made some changes in what was going on, and so I put a question on the Order Paper asking for copies of correspondence and reports between the three principal departments of the government concerned, the Department of the Environment, Department of Mines and Minerals, and Department of Lands and Forests; asking for correspondence with the coal mining operators in the corridor outlining what the government had done to back up all this style we have heard so much about or witnessed so much of. And what do I get back on return yesterday, Mr. Speaker?

I made a point of asking the hon. minister the question as to whether this constituted the only correspondence since the government took office and the operators in the corridor and what do I get? It's a copy of a memorandum dated August 28th from a civil servant in the department, and it's to a gentleman with Canmore Mines, and I think since it's a matter of public information and the members haven't seen it yet, that I should read it out to you to demonstrate the tremendous initiatives that this government in the form of the hon.

Minister of the Environment has taken in backing up its many irresponsible election promises and the statements he's made since then. What do we read? It's to an H. G. Stevenson, Agent, Canmore Mines Ltd., and it's from Mr. Thiessen, Director in Interdepartmental Planning. Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 534

Dear Sir: Re: Reclamation I recently discussed your mining and subsequent reclamation operations with Mr. Nick Horstmann of Nick's Landscaping here in Edmonton. Mr. Horstmann, who is a Horticulturist and who has travelled extensively in parts of Europe as well as Canada and United States viewing reclamation procedures, would he interested in viewing your operations and discussing your plans with you. I am sure that you would find many useful ideas in discussions with Mr. Horstmann.

I can also assure you that initially he is not proposing to charge you consulting fees, etc., but is keenly interested in your operations and would like to discuss them further with you. If you are interested in persuing this, I am enclosing Mr. Horstmann's address in order that you might correspond directly with him on this subject or invite him to attend your operations. I trust that this is agreeable with you. Yours very truly, H. W. Thiessen, Director. So much for accomplishments as opposed to style and image, Mr. Speaker.

I think the hon. member went out of his way during the election campaign to make a number of irresponsible statements on this issue and I must say that I'm finally pleased to see that some of his colleagues on the front bench have got through to him with a little bit of common sense in this area.

I particularly welcome the contribution of the previous speaker in that regard and I'm sure it must be enlightening to the hon. minister to know that industry, although far from perfect, has a good record of accomplishment with this government in the past, and I am confident they will in the future, in spite of the stylish operations and performance of the Minister of the Environment, which I don't think could do any particular credit to his particular government. Then, Mr. Speaker, we come the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs. And once again, we get lots of style, Mr.

Speaker; he stood in his place during this debate and said that he's 'going to demand' that Albertans get this or that out of the federal government. He's going to put the Alberta point across; he's going to do this or do that. Then, I certainly hope he can, Mr. Speaker. I think he's going to find that there are not as many nitwits in Ottawa as he expected even though they are Liberals, but I wish him every success in his undertaking. Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 535

But, Mr. Speaker, he was asked during question periods here in the later part of last week and the first part of this week, to state what the government' s position was on matters that they discussed with one or two cabinet ministers in Ottawa, I believe Mr. Marchand and Mr. Pepin, amongst others. And what do we get, Mr. Speaker? We get a statement about a poker game. That one doesn't stand up and play your cards on this subject publicly before you get too far into the game. Well, Mr. Speaker, if the hon. minister doesn't realize this I don't think the Premier should have him on the front bench.

But I think, hopefully, that somebody should get through to him that we're not talking about a poker game with a bunch of the Conservative caucus members in some back room of the Legislature, we're talking about items that are of vital importance to the people of the Province of Alberta. And surely, Mr. Speaker, the people of Alberta are entitled to know just what position this government is taking on many of the items of major importance to them in their dealings with Ottawa.

I can understand some of the details may be held back, but to hear the minister stand up and say, "It's all right boys, we're in the saddle, we're looking after your interests", gives a very paternalistic pitch about the big job he's going to do; don't worry, we'll take care of you, and then hopefully, by the grace of God, everything will come out alright, that what's been done is in the best interests of the people of Alberta. And I think, Mr.

Speaker, at a time in the history of this country and this province, when constitutional issues are of such great significance to us, that surely to goodness it behooves the government and the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs to stand up in his place in this House and state explicitly and directly what the basic position of the government is on a great many of these issues. We just witnessed the hon. Minister of Agriculture make an announcement here under Orders of the Day, about an appointment of a commission and so on. We hear a great deal about government policy, priorities, new directions. Surely, Mr.

Speaker, the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs shouldn't be treating these matters as if to say it was a Conservative Party poker game. It certainly goes far beyond that. Then, Mr. Speaker, we come to the subject of style and public hearings. And I am certainly going to be interested in hearing a policy statement from the Premier as to how he determines when we should have public hearings on a particular issue. We asked him if he was going to hold public hearings on the Human Rights Legislation, something which he says is of fundamental basic importance to each and every individual in this province.

And what do we get, public hearings and open government? No, the Executive Council is going to receive representations from the public. Presumably in camera, because if they aren't going to do it in camera, then I don't know why they don't have the House do it.

But no, the Cabinet is going to receive representations on human rights legislation, and the cabinet in its wisdom I presume is going to decide what to tell the other 47 backbenchers on the other side of the House and the other members of this assembly about what the submissions have been after they have presumably filtered out what they don't think we should hear. I submit, Mr.

Speaker, that if we're going to use the question of hearings, logically and realistically in this House, certainly any submissions from the public on the question of the Bill of Human Rights should be made before the members of this Assembly, not before a cabinet committee. Next, Mr. Speaker, I find it difficult to follow the government's reason on the question of hearings on the matter of oil and gas royalties. In fact, it is not only confusing; I think it's disturbing, Mr. Speaker.

Certainly, if anything is required within the oil and gas industry to provide economic stability in this province, it's a need for the industry to know where they're going. Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 536

And if we are going to witness a performance out of this government that corresponds to the indecision that the federal government went through in trying to make up its mind on what to do with depletion allowance and income tax laws, which caused industry to hold up and wait and see what was going to happen, that will affect the people of this province, the economy of this province. Certainly indecision on the part of the provincial government on this vital issue is going to affect the economy and the people of this Province.

Industries are not going to move forward with any development or investment plan when they don't know what kind of a return they can expect to get out of their investment because of the fact that government hasn't clearly stated or made up its mind on royalties. Now, on the question of hearings, Mr. Speaker. I can only say that I think the Premier has to be extremely naive to suggest to the people of this province that representatives of the oil companies are going to stand up in this Assembly, before the members in this As