LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ALBERTA Title: Friday, March 3, 1972 2:30 p.m. [The House met at 2:30 p.m.] PRAYERS [Mr. Speaker in the Chair] head: INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS DR. PAPROSKI: Mr. Speaker, I beg leave to introduce teachers and students from Prince Rupert School who are located in the members' gallery. The principal is Mrs. Maher. The accompanying teacher is Mrs. MacMillan. It is a pleasure to see the teachers and students take an interest in the legislative process, and I'd like to acknowledge them and encourage them to continue their interest in this and other areas. MR.

BARTON: I rise on a point of privilege, and wish to introduce to you and the members of this Assembly a group of grade nine students from the Prairie River School in the Constituency of Lesser Slave Lake. They are seated in the Public gallery and accompanied by their teachers Mr. Dudley Kelso, Mr. Allan Crawford, and bus driver Ed Albertstine. MR. TRYNCHY: Mr. Speaker, I beg leave to introduce visitors from my constituency of Whitecourt. The students of Mayerthorpe High School are accompanied by their teacher Mrs. Connie Archer, the principal Mr. Stelter, and driver Mr. George. They are seated in both galleries.

Would they please rise and be recognized? DR. PAPROSKI: Mr. Speaker, I beg leave to introduce teachers and students from St. Catherine's School who are in the members' gallery. I would like them to rise and I again would like to acknowledge and encourage them to continue their interest in the legislative process. head: ORAL QUESTIONS Ottawa Office MR. STROM: Mr. Speaker, may I ask the hon. Premier, does Alberta still have an Ottawa office? MR. LOUGHEED: I would be pleased to refer that question to the hon. Minister of Federal and Intergovernmental Affairs.

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2- 2 ALBERTA HANSARD March 3rd 1972 MR. GETTY: Thank you. Mr. Speaker, in reply to the hon. Leader of the Opposition's question, yes, we still maintain an Ottawa office. At the present time, Mr. Speaker, we are assessing the value of the office and the type of individual that we might locate there to give us the best possible advantage of having that office. MR. FARRAN: As a supplementary question, Mr. Speaker, could I ask the hon. minister if he still maintains a Montreal office? MR. GETTY: Well, Mr.

Speaker, as I recall, the question of a Montreal office has been raised in the past and certainly in another session of this Legislature, and I know that the office had been established and then was discontinued. MR. STROM: Mr. Speaker, if I may address a supplementary question to the hon. the Premier, how many professional staff do we have in the Ottawa office at this time? MR. GETTY: I'm not sure exactly what information the hon. Leader of the Opposition would like, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to give him all that he requires. There are two people now in the Ottawa office. MR. STROM: Mr.

Speaker, if I may address another supplementary question, I am interested in the kind of services that they are providing, and I'm wondering what their professional status is, or their particular work. MR. GETTY: Mr. Speaker, there are two individuals in the office, two ladies, who were there when we assumed the administration of the Province of Alberta, and those ladies are doing everything possible to provide all the services they can, and they are doing a fine job. MR. STROM: May I address another supplementary question in regard to that information?

Is it the government's intention to reduce the staff still further? It is my understanding there were more staff than that at one time. MR. GETTY: Well, Mr. Speaker, we are making a complete assessment of the best possible way to provide the kind of services we would like to see provided in Ottawa, and whether it will mean adding staff or reducing staff, we haven't come to that decision, Mr. Speaker. MR. STROM: Mr. Speaker, is the government giving consideration to closing out any Alberta offices in any other place in the world, or are they giving consideration to the reduction of staff in other offices?

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March 3rd 1972 ALBERTA HANSARD 2- 3 MR. GETTY: Mr. Speaker, the government of Alberta is giving consideration to the whole matter of offices beyond the boundaries of the province. We are doing a full assessment of where they should be and the functions we would like them to carry out, and I'm sure that the hon. Leader of the Opposition will be getting lots of information in that regard as we continue through this Session. AGT - Edmonton Telephones Dispute MR. LUDWIG: Mr. Speaker, I'd like to direct a question to the hon. the Premier.

What is the present situation in regard to the Alberta Government Telephones and Edmonton Telephones dispute? MR. LOUGHEED: I would like to ask the hon. Minister of Telephones to respond to that question. MR. WERRY: Mr. Speaker, I would be pleased to provide the hon. member with the information that he requested. As he is aware, there was a mediation committee that was struck last July. That was a technical mediation committee. They submitted a report to the two parties to the dispute on the first of December, the day that it had been requested by.

Subsequent to the filing of that report by the mediation committee, both parties have set up a second mediation committee, comprised of three members of City Council and three members of the Executive Council, and both sides are now negotiating, hopefully, a settlement in the very near future in the whole area that has been under consideration in the last two or three years. MR. LUDWIG: Mr. Speaker, I would like to direct a supplementary question to the hon. the Premier. Does he still retain his position of permitting Edmonton Telephones to expand to the natural boundaries of the City of Edmonton? MR.

LOUGHEED: Mr. Speaker, I think the answer is, in effect, the same as that which we gave as to the status of the situation, and I'll rely upon the hon. minister if he desires to reply to the question in any further detail. MR. LUDWIG: The hon. Premier may have misunderstood my question. It was directed to him and I think only he can answer. Does the hon. the Premier still retain his previous position of permitting Edmonton Telephones to expand to the natural boundaries to displace AGT services in the City of Edmonton? I believe that is a straightforward question.

It is a proper question, and the Premier can deny it, but he passed the buck. I would like an answer. MR. LOUGHEED: I would like to enlighten the hon. Member from Calgary Mountain View so that he will be well aware that, with regard to statements that I make on these subjects they are matters of full and complete undertaking, and they will be dealt with in due course, and at the proper time. Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 15

2- 4 ALBERTA HANSARD March 3rd 1972 MR. LUDWIG: Mr. Speaker, on the point of clarification then, am I right to assume that the hon. the Premier is saying that he will stand by his undertaking to permit Edmonton Telephones to expand as he had undertaken— is that correct? MR. LOUGHEED: Mr. Speaker, I think it is quite clear that he can assume what he wants. I am clear about the statement; I am clear about the comment that I have made here, and he has received the information from the hon. minister. MR. WERRY: Mr. Speaker, for the enlightenment of the hon. member, I would just like to set the record clear.

There are seven distinct, separate recommendations in the telephone mediation committee report with respect to boundaries. In due time, each and every one of them will, in fact, receive consideration. Village Lake Louise MR. DIXON: I would like to ask the hon. Premier this question, Mr. Speaker. It's regarding the Lake Louise resort development. We have the hon. Minister of Industry announcing to the press, and all else who would listen, that he favours the program and wishes to proceed with it as soon as possible. Then, a couple of days ago, we had the hon. the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Mr.

Getty, saying that they would take a listening position, Mr. Speaker. I am wondering just what the stand is that the hon. Premier and his government take on this issue. MR. LOUGHEED: Mr. Speaker, I was pleased that the lights did go on as the hon. member stood on his feet. I think that question deals... MR. DIXON: On a point of order, it is during the question period; I have asked a serious question and I want a serious answer. I don't care if the lights go off or on. MR. LOUGHEED: Mr. Speaker, the matter involves the federal government as all hon. members are well aware, and I will ask the hon.

Minister of Federal and Intergovernmental Affairs to reply. MR. GETTY: Mr. Speaker, it is understandable the hon. Member may experience confusion now and then. I've noticed it in the past. Mr. Speaker, the hon. Minister of Industry was expressing a personal opinion, and every member on this side of the House, Mr. Speaker, is prepared to do that anytime. I was expressing the position of the Government of Alberta, and I think that was clear to the hon. Member. MR. HENDERSON: We have heard the personal opinion of the hon. Minister of Industry and Tourism. Would the hon.

Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs please care to give us his personal opinion on the Lake Louise project? Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 16

March 3rd 1972 ALBERTA HANSARD 2- 5 MR. NOTLEY: Does the government intend to make representation (this is to the hon. Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs) to the national parks branch about holding public hearings in Edmonton on this question, as well as in Calgary? MR. GETTY: The branch and the minister, Mr. Chretien, are holding the hearings that they wish to hold. If they feel, and we have discussed this, that a further hearing is necessary, then, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Chretien intends to hold one. We have not got into any confrontation with them, Mr. Speaker. It is something that Mr.

Chretien is well aware of, though. Unemployment Insurance - Provincial Civil Servants Workmen's Compensation Board Pensions MR. HENDERSON: I would like to direct two questions to the hon. Minister of Labour, Firstly, could he tell us whether the decision for the civil service of the province to be placed within the terms of the federal unemployment insurance legislation was an executive decision or was it a collective decision of the civil service?

Secondly, I would also like to ask the minister, as an unrelated question, whether the government is contemplating any changes in the rate of Compensation Board pensions that are now in effect? DR. HOHOL: In reply to the first question, the decision was that of the Executive Council with recommendations, of course, from the Civil Service Association, as is well known in the Province. In the case of the second question, the answer would be yes. Touche, Ross Inquiry MR. HENDERSON: I would like to direct a question to the hon. Provincial Treasurer.

I would appreciate if he would outline to the members of this House the reasons underlying the government's decision to commission the Touche, Ross Inquiry. MR. MINIELY: In answer to the hon. member's question, we all recognize that when a new administration assumes office it is necessary to be sure of your opening financial position. That is the major reason that our government commissioned the report of Touche, Ross & Co. MR. HENDERSON: Supplemental, Mr.

Speaker, do I gather, then, from that reply that the Treasurer felt that the information received from the Provincial Auditor was not accurate, or sufficient on which to base the judgments of the government? MR. MINIELY: Mr. Speaker, in reply to the hon. member's question, certainly this was not the case. The report of Touche, Ross & Co. was commissioned, and in due course it will be tabled for the information of the members of this Assembly. Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 17

2-6 ALBERTA HANSARD March 3rd 1972 MR. DIXON: I have a question for the hon. Provincial Treasurer. I wonder what the reason was behind having to go to Montreal to get someone to audit the books in Alberta. MR. MINIELY: Mr. Speaker, in reply to the hon. member's question, the firm of Touche, Ross & Co. had extensive experience in provincial reporting, having done a report for the Province of New Brunswick. That is the reason they were retained. Payout Periods on Government Loans MR. FARRAN: I would like to direct a question to the hon. Provincial Treasurer.

What are the expected payout periods for the Government of Alberta loans or contributions in respect to the Brazeau Dam, the Big Horn Dam, and the Alberta Resources Railway? I realize that this may require a rather lengthy reply because of the lengthy period involved, so if the minister would like to make this a Return, I have no objection. MR. MINIELY: Mr. Speaker, in reply to the hon. member, if he will put that question on the Order Paper with that amount of detail, I would be happy to answer him. Calgary Museum MR. LUDWIG: Mr. Speaker, I would like to direct this to the hon. Provincial Treasurer.

This is with regard to an announcement that there was going to be an $8 million gift made to Calgary for the purpose of constructing a museum, and I would like to get some details as to whether this is an outright gift or whether this will be a loan, the source of the revenue, etc. We saw the announcement, we don't criticize it, we just want to have some details as to what is taking place. MR. LOUGHEED: Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the hon. Minister of Culture, Youth and Recreation who is involved with that matter to answer and give the member the required information. MR. SCHMID: Mr.

Speaker, I would be pleased to provide an answer to this. The $8 million will be split into a number of payments as required when the building is underway. But no money is provided for it or is required during the 1972-73 fiscal period. It will be a capital expenditure, and the province will retain title to the building. It will lease the building for $1.00 per year to the Glenbow Foundation, and I am sure that the magnificent collection, of which only 10% can be seen now, will be an asset not only to the people involved in study and research, but to the general public especially of southern Alberta.

It might interest you that by moving into the new building, one building — the Court House in Calgary — will be made vacant, and I understand that the commercial value of that site alone is about one million dollars. Also, the provincial government will then save maintenance costs on the present Court House building, which I Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 18

March 3rd 1972 ALBERTA HANSARD 2- 7 understand presently run at approximately $45,000 per year because the Glenbow Foundation themselves or else the City of Calgary will look after maintenance of the new building. The new building will be situated in the development of the convention centre, and thereby give as many people as possible access in the downtown area of Calgary. MR. LUDWIG: Mr. Speaker, I wonder if the hon. minister could tell us when this idea first originated and if he could table any correspondence between, say, the Glenbow Foundation and his department concerning this matter? MR.

SCHMID: I would be happy to table any correspondence in this regard, but may I also inform the hon. member that the first time that I went down to Calgary was one week after I was sworn in, because concern was voiced about the conditions under which some of the most valuable collections were being stored. To give you one example, a forty-five thousand dollar painting is hanging on a wire mesh screen behind which is a dusty chamber; in the summer it's 100 degrees, in the winter it is probably 20 below in there; and above it is a fire sprinkler - and it is a forty-five thousand dollar painting. Alberta Hansard MR.

R. SPEAKER: Mr. Speaker, I would like to direct a question to the hon. Premier. I would like to know if the government has appointed a permanent executive director to look after the operation of Hansard. MR. HYNDMAN: Mr. Speaker, perhaps I might be allowed to handle that one. Certainly there has been no permanent appointment of executive director, as the honourable gentleman suggests, because the matter may receive discussion during the Session. Automobile Operators Licenses MR. BENOIT: Mr. Speaker, I would like to address a question to the hon. Minister of Highways.

What was the effective date for the increase in rates for automobile operators licenses? MR. COPITHORNE: Mr. Speaker, January 1. MR. BENOIT: Mr. Speaker, a supplementary question, if it was January 1st (was it February 1st? - all right), then there are some people who applied for and received five year licenses, sending in $10.00 and receiving $5.00 back, as of February 7th and 10th. MR. COPITHORNE: Mr.

Speaker, the reason for that procedure was that this actually was the starting year of the 5 year license period and consequently we have about 45% of the licenses coming due in this particular year; we are using a computer to select those to whom we are going to issue licenses for one, two, three and four years, so Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 19

2- 8 ALBERTA HANSARD March 3rd 1972 that the volume will be spread out over a longer period, and so that we don't have to hire extra help to process the normal amount of licenses that we have appearing in this one particular fifth year. MR. BENOIT: Mr. Speaker, I believe the minister misunderstood my question. I was referring to people who have applied for and received a license for five years, the full five year term. They have sent in $10.00 and have been refunded $5.00. Why would they have been refunded $5.00? MR.

COPITHORNE: The only reason that I can know that they would have been refunded $5.00 would be that they would get a license of a lesser amount than the five years. Other than that I have no explanation for it. Human Resources Research Council MR. CLARK: Mr. Speaker, I would like to put a question to the hon. minister who is responsible for the administration of the Human Resources Research Council, Miss Hunley.

I would like to know how many meetings were held between the hon. minister or representatives of Cabinet and the Council of the Human Resources Research Council, before the hon. minister made her recommendation to Cabinet to axe the Research Council? MISS HUNLEY: I presume that you are referring to the Advisory Council to the Research Council, and my answer is none. MR.

CLARK: I am referring to the Council of the Human Resources Research Council, of which you are the Chairman, and representatives of the Alberta School Trustees Association, the Alberta Teachers' Association, and the public at large are members, along with the Director of the Council. MISS HUNLEY: Mr. Speaker, in reply to the hon. member — none. Bow River Flood Control MR. WILSON: To the hon. the Premier, my question is, is it the intention of the provincial government to assist financially the City of Calgary in their Bow River flood control program? MR. LOUGHEED: The hon.

Minister of the Environment will respond to that question, Mr. Speaker. MR. YURKO: Mr. Speaker, my department has identified 24 sites where bank stabilization is necessary on the Bow River as it goes through Calgary. Several months ago the City of Calgary engaged Montreal Engineering to do a study in connection with one site. Montreal Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 20

March 3rd 1972 ALBERTA HANSARD 2-9 Engineering indicated that this, in fact, was a critical situation, and that as a result some action should be taken almost immediately. This matter has been considered since November by my department, and previous to November my department had entered into an agreement to finance 50% of the study. This commitment we are, in fact, going to maintain, and we are going to provide the City of Calgary with 50% of the funds that were required for conducting this study by Montreal Engineering.

The City of Calgary has subsequently requested that the provincial government supply 50% of the actual construction costs of this program. This we have taken under advisement, and as the budget is still not before this House I cannot say what, in fact, there is in this budget for this project; but I can say, in fact, that no monies have been provided to the City of Calgary with respect to 50% of the actual physical cost of this program.

I would also like to suggest that Calgary City Council did contact me to ask me what they should do as far as the program is concerned, and I suggested to the City of Calgary that they should, in fact, go ahead with the program and undertake the program at the earliest opportunity, and then make subsequent application to the province, and the application will be considered as to whether or not the province will supply any of the funding for the actual construction job. MR. WILSON: Will the government be making representation at the City of Calgary public hearing on the Bow River flood study? MR. YURKO: Mr.

Speaker, to my knowledge the City of Calgary has not asked my department to have a representative at this particular hearing. As of this moment in time we have no intention of appearing at the hearing unless, of course, we are asked. I think that's sufficient. MR. WILSON: Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the hon. minister if he does not think it would be wise to have an observer at least at the hearing. MR. YURKO: Yes, if the City of Calgary asks us to have an observer, we would be very, very pleased indeed to have two observers there. MR.

HO LEM: Is the hon. minister aware that there have been numerous previous studies into the Bow River flooding problem and that there have been recommendations made through the years? Is he familiar with these recommendations, and does he know whether these have been fully implemented? MR. YURKO: Mr. Speaker, it's now several months since I took over the Department of the Environment.

The Water Resources Division is a vast division, and I have to suggest to the Assembly that I have been working pretty hard and I have looked at a number of studies; and I can't remember how many dozens of studies I have examined in connection with flood control and bank stabilization, but I am prepared to give the hon. member a lecture in this area any time he has several hours of free time. Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 21

2- 10 ALBERTA HANSARD March 3rd 1972 MR. SPEAKER: Order please. The hon. member for Wetaskiwin-Leduc. MR. HENDERSON: I would like to ask the minister a very brief supplemental question. I am somewhat surprised, in view of all the past statements made by a number of the gentlemen seated opposite in this Assembly, as to why — the question, Mr. Speaker, is, why did the government feel once again it was necessary to go outside the Province of Alberta to Montreal to get an engineering firm to do a study in Alberta? Does he not believe there is sufficient engineering talent in the Province of Alberta? MR. YURKO: Mr.

Speaker, I'm pleased to answer the hon. member's question. I think I made it very clear, and I'm sure that the acoustics aren't what they should be in this building, but I think I made it clear that it was the City of Calgary that engaged Montreal Engineering to do the study, and not the provincial government. Homeowner Grants MR. HO LEM: Mr. Speaker I would like to direct a question to the hon. Minister of Municipal Affairs. It has been indicated by the hon. minister that the homeowner's grant of $75.00 will be discontinued. Is this true? MR. RUSSELL: (Reply inaudible) MR.

FOSTER: (Reply inaudible) Red Deer College MR. CLARK: Mr. Speaker, I would like to give a question to the hon. Minister of Advanced Education. I'd be very interested in knowing the status of the request that came to him from Red Deer sometime ago with regard to the appointment of an independent inquiry into the circumstances or state of affairs at the Red Deer College at this time. MR. FOSTER: Mr. Speaker, at the next meeting of the Executive Council I will receive their direction and make an announcement to this House at that point. MR. CLARK: Mr.

Speaker, as a supplementary question could I ask the hon. minister to get this to Executive Council first thing, whatever morning the Executive Council meets, because there is a great deal of concern in the minds of people in central Alberta as to not a great deal of leadership regarding the future of the College? MR. FOSTER: I share the hon. member's concern about the Red Deer College, as Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 22

March 3rd 1972 ALBERTA HANSARD 2- 11 it is in my constituency, representing as I do the City of Red Deer. I've been in touch with the Board, the faculty, and the students; I'm very personally aware of all the problems there, and I can assure the hon. member that I'll be dealing with this on a priority basis. Public Assistance MR. R. SPEAKER: I'd like to direct a question to the hon. Minister of Health and Social Development.

I'd like the hon. minister to comment on his policy position at this particular time as to whether public assistance, including both social allowances and social assistance; is a right or a privilege? MR. CRAWFORD: The philosophical nature of the question is something that I think I can match in spirit, and it goes with the philosophical atmosphere of the Throne Speech debate. I won't make any promise to do so, but I think it's a matter of such general application that it doesn't make itself easily answerable in the question period. MR. R. SPEAKER: Mr.

Speaker, I felt that this question was a very pertinent question at this time in the debate. I would ask the hon. Minister of Health and Social Development, considering his party's position with regards to his philosophic position — I think that the question of right or privilege is a very significant one, and I would ask the hon. minister to comment again and possibly be a little more direct with his answer. MR. CRAWFORD: Mr.

Speaker, I don't think I disagreed with hon. member in his statement that it's a matter of some import, but it is something that would allow for the possibility of debate; indeed the supplementary question was pointed in that way, and I suggest the answer for immediate purposes has already been given. Mrs. Leeferink (dec'

d) MR. LUDWIG: Mr. Speaker, I would like to address a question to the hon. Minister of Health and Social Development. It has to do with the Leeferink case in Calgary. I wonder if he could tell the House what the present situation is with regard to that case, whether his department is conducting any inquiry, and just to refresh his mind, it was a case of a lady who was found dead in Calgary. Now just to make sure he understands the question, yes, the lady was found dead the day after some children were removed from her custody by his department.

I wonder if he can enlighten us as to what the present situation is, whether he has done anything, and if there is any correspondence, any action on the issue right now. MR. CRAWFORD: Mr. Speaker, I really must correct the impression left with the the House by a portion of the hon. member's question. Mrs. Leeferink was not found dead shortly after the removal of certain children from her Day Care Centre. She was found dead some days later, about a week or more. And the circumstances, if you wish to hear them are these.

The department took certain action, which, in the belief of the departmental officials acting on that occasion, thought would be in Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 23

2- 12 ALBERTA HANSARD March 3rd 1972 the best interests of the children. I contacted a number of the parents by telephone and ascertained that they were satisfied with Mrs. Leeferink's care. I then directed that the children be returned to the Day Care Centre provided that the parents in question gave their consent, knowing that an apprehension had taken place. And it was after that that Mrs. Leeferink lost her life; I believe the implication was by suicide. There were many factors in her life that were such that could have caused her some mental torment.

Admittedly this could have been one of them, but this would not have been, in the best opinion that I can arrive at, the motivating cause which resulted in her very untimely end. The hearing was later held in regard to whether or not the children had, in fact, been neglected. The judge upheld the parents and my judgment, in saying that no neglect had taken place, or at least not sufficient for the act to have been utilized in the way that it was. And I adopt, of course, the finding of the court made in that case. Recreation Grants DR. BUCK: Mr.

Speaker, I would like to address a question to the hon. member from Redwater-Andrew, the Minister without Portfolio for Rural Development. And I would like to know if the hon. minister can tell me how large the recreation grant was from the Department of Agriculture Economics Branch to: (1) the town of Andrew (2) the town of Smoky Lake, if he can remember those off the top of his head. MR. TOPOLNISKY: Mr. Speaker, in reply to the question, the grants proposed are $45,000. Alberta Bill of Rights MR. BENOIT: Mr. Speaker, I'd like to introduce a question to the Premier. Is it the hon.

Premier's intention to take Bill No. 1 through Committee of the Whole Assembly during this session, even though he does not intend to give it third reading? MR. LOUGHEED: Mr. Speaker, yes it is. Perhaps I wasn't sufficiently clear on that. We propose to go through to a clause by clause review of Bill No. 1 during the present spring session but to hold it at that point, so that if organizations or groups want to submit ideas during the course of the summer recess as to possible changes, when we reconvene for the fall sitting it will still be possible to make amendments on a clause by clause basis.

Night Sittings MR. TAYLOR: Mr. Speaker, may I ask the hon. Government House Leader if it is the intention of the government to call night sittings next week? Or has it yet been decided? MR. HYNDMAN: The hon. gentleman knows that the House does normally sit on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings and at this point in time it is the intention of the government to proceed with night sittings starting on Monday night, and every day thereafter as the rules provide. Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 24

March 3rd 1972 ALBERTA HANSARD 2- 13 Alberta Bill of Rights (cont) MR. HENDERSON: A question supplemental to the one on the Human Rights Bill. Do I gather from the Prime Minister's words that the House is not going to have the opportunity itself to receive public submissions on the Bill - that these are going to go to Executive Council, not to the House? MR. LOUGHEED: Mr.

Speaker, yes that's quite right and we won't follow the British Columbia practice of referring to this office as Prime Minister, but I think our thought on that would be that the references and submissions would go to the government during the course of the summer so that we can evaluate them in relation to legislation, and then at that time when we come back and reconvene and have the benefit of those views, if there are any particular ones that the hon. member would like tabled, we'll certainly be prepared to consider that. Hog Processing and Marketing MR. WYSE: Mr. Speaker, a question to the hon.

Minister of Agriculture. Has the provincial government approved the construction of a $25 million hog processing plant at Taber? DR. HORNER: In reply to the hon. member's question, the provincial government hasn't approved construction of any hog plant anywhere. We have laid down certain conditions in relation to our views, in relation to the establishment of such a plant and for the benefit of the House I can enumerate them very quickly.

(1) That the area of primary production be retained for the individual farmers of Alberta.

(2) For forward contract production we must have a guarantee from the company that it will not be dumped on our ordinary domestic market.

(3) The company involved can have only a minimal research unit. MR. WYSE: Does this mean that you disapprove of the plan? DR. HORNER: It doesn't mean that at all. Very frankly I approve of these people getting involved in the processing and marketing end of the business, but not primary production which is retained for the farmers of Alberta. MR. NOTLEY: If I may direct a supplementary question to the hon. Minister of Agriculture, when he talks about production by Alberta farmers, does he mean production at large or production under contract? DR. HORNER: I mean any kind of production.

I mean the primary producing of agricultural goods in Alberta. It's going to he retained for the individual farmers in Alberta. Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 25

2- 14 ALBERTA HANSARD March 3rd 1972 MR. NOTLEY: Just a further supplementary question, Mr. Speaker. Would the hon. minister, in that case, inform the House as to the mechanics, because it's my understanding that the policy of the Alberta Hog Marketing Board is such that the owner's identification is removed from the teletype tape. Now, how would forward contracting work under those circumstances? DR. HORNER: I'd like to know why the hon. member, Mr.

Speaker, is talking about forward contracting, as no definitive process of forward contracting has been worked out as yet, and the instructions that I gave to the people who were interested in the Taber plant was that they had to sit down with the Hog Marketing Board and come up with a satisfactory contract that was suitable to the producers of Alberta through their Hog Marketing Board. MR. NOTLEY: A further supplementary question, Mr. Speaker. Would the hon. minister clarify somewhat what he means by the statement about a minimal reasearch unit? For example, what is regarded as minimal?

Is it possible that production could be carried on under the auspices of research? DR. HORNER: Absolutely not, Mr. Speaker. MR. STROM: Mr. Speaker, a question to the hon. Minister of Agriculture. I noticed that my hon. colleague said Taber. In any of the discussions that the hon. minister has had with the group, have there been any suggestions made as to the location of this particular plant? DR. HORNER: Well, Mr. Speaker, I can assure the hon.

Leader of the Opposition that I've had a lot of suggestions, but it is not my decision to locate the site of the plant, and representations have come from Bow Island, Taber, Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, and a number of other centres. MR. NOTLEY: Mr. Speaker, a further supplementary question to the Minister. The people making this proposal argued that their hogs will suit the oriental market. Has the government explored the possibility of capturing this oriental market for all the hog producers of Alberta?

It's my understanding for example, that existing processing plants in the province, with a slight increase in storage facilities, would be able to produce an extra one million carcasses a year. DR. HORNER: Now, Mr. Speaker, that is the objective of our department, to explore the Pacific market in depth. We intend to do that. This is just one of the factors that is involved. The plant that's been referred to is that of North American Integrated Food Products.

We would hope that, as we develop our marketing strategy and the programs that we put before this Legislature, that we can expand the marketing opportunities for our farmers in that export market. Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 26

March 3rd 1972 ALBERTA HANSARD 2- 15 MR. HENDERSON: Mr. Speaker, I wonder if the hon. minister would mind outlining to the members whether the company involved is a foreign company or a Canadian company. DR. HORNER: Mr. Speaker, I'd be delighted. I haven't any knowledge as to what their capitalization is as yet. This is something that they'll have to put before us as well. I do know that there are some Canadians, some representatives of Alberta and some representatives of Saskatchewan, involved in the company. I might say that the question that the hon.

Member is indirectly trying to get at is the question of foreign investment, and the government has already announced in the Throne Speech their intentions in that area. MR. HENDERSON: All I ask is who are the principal interests in the company? Are they Canadian or are they non-Canadian? That is a simple question; all I would like is a simple answer, not a run-around. DR. HORNER: As I said earlier, they haven't put before me their corporate structure; I also tried to intimate even to my hon. friends, very clearly, that there are both outside and inside people involved. MR. NOTLEY: Mr.

Speaker, a supplementary question. We understand that this Pacific market is available. Would the hon. minister reveal what objective evidence his department has that, in fact, North American Food Processing does have markets in the Far East? And secondly, I would like a little more specific indication of what the government plans to do, or how they plan to protect individual hog producers in the event that this market dries up. DR. HORNER: The number 2 condition that I set out for these people, Mr.

Speaker, was that we would want some monetary guarantee that in fact these hogs wouldn't go out to the domestic market. Secondly, the whole area of marketing, as I intimated earlier, is under an active attack by our department, and we expect to expand the market for hogs to a far greater degree than that which North American Integrated Foods suggests. MR. SPEAKER: Order. May I remind hon. Members that the time for the question period as provided by the rules will expire at 3:20? Farm Purchase Loans MR. LUDWIG: Yes, Mr. Speaker, I'd like to direct a question to the hon. Minister of Agriculture.

What is the present interest rate, charged on farm purchase loans, for purchasing land in the Province of Alberta? DR. HORNER: Mr. Speaker, the hon. member should have known that. He was part of the government that set it at 7% and raised it from the Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 27

2- 16 ALBERTA HANSARD March 3rd 1972 original 5%. I'm sure that I can assure the hon. member that we're trying to adjust all of the mistakes that the former government made. MR. LUDWIG: I suggest, Mr. Speaker, to the hon. Minister of the Run-around, Minister of Agriculture, I beg your pardon, Sir — are there any plans or intentions on your part, in your department, to increase the rates at the present time to accredited purchasers? DR. HORNER: Mr.

Speaker, if the hon. member will just retain his patience over the period of the next few weeks, we will be putting before him and the rest of the Legislature a variety of programs which are going to increase the productivity and marketing ability of farmers in Alberta. Coal Mining in the Canmore Corridor MR. DIXON Mr. Speaker, I know that the question period is just about over, but all I'll require is a no or a yes answer because the people are quite concerned in this matter.

Last summer, when a permit was issued to Canmore Mines for the development of a strip mining operation in Canmore, the Premier, the present member for that constituency, the Minister of Highways, and the Minister of the Environment, Mr. Yurko, expressed alarm and dismay. Is the hon. minister planning to close down the operation? MR. YURKO: Mr. Speaker, is the hon. gentleman directing the question at me? He didn't refer to any particular minister. MR. SPEAKER: Order, please. Since the question period is now over, perhaps we could start with that one on another occasion.

ORDERS OF THE DAY Motion to Adjourn on a Matter of Urgency - Grain Export MR. TAYLOR: Mr. Speaker, I beg leave to move the adjournment of the Assembly, seconded by the hon.

Member for Macleod, for the purpose of discussing a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely, the grave anxiety and concern of Alberta farmers in regard to the possible loss of more overseas markets and the drastic reduction in the export of grain through the Vancouver port, because of an insufficient number of boxcars and locomotives, and inefficient handling of grain at the port, with the prayer that the Alberta Government, in cooperation with the Canadian Government, the Alberta Legislature, Unifarm and other farm organizations, the railways, and the grain companies will take immediate steps to pinpoint all major causes and secure more boats, cars, and locomotives at once, and effect more efficient handling of grain for export in order to enable us to meet our overseas commitments.

MR. HYNDMAN: Without getting into the question as to whether we are dealing with a definite matter of public importance, I submit the only Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 28

March 3rd 1972 ALBERTA HANSARD 2- 17 question before you, Sir, at this point is whether there is the required urgency under Rule 23 of our rules, and I submit to you, Sir, that that urgency is not there particularly because we are now entering on a debate on the Speech from the Throne. MR. SPEAKER: Order, please.

I don't believe that the matter is debatable at this point but I have considered the request for leave rather briefly; just to digress for a moment, I wonder, althouqh the rules do not require it, whether hon. members might perhaps be able to submit questions of this kind a little bit before the opening of the afternoon sitting, so that I might have a little more time to consider the question before having to deal with it. There is no question that the point which has been raised by the hon.

Member for Drumheller is a very important point which is of concern to all of the people of Alberta, but in my opinion it is a continuing matter, it is a matter which could perhaps which probably cannot be dealt with by the Government of Alberta, by legislative or other action, and in my opinion the request for leave does not come within the requirements of Rule 23. MR. TAYLOR: Losing markets is not urgent? MR.

SPEAKER: My understanding is that there are two aspects to a question of this kind; one of them is the question of urgency, and on that question as I understand it, there is no appeal provided under our rules since that, as I believe is stated in Beauchesne, is not considered to be a point of order. MR. TAYLOR: May I refer you to Rule 100 in Beauchesne which states that Mr. Speaker's responsibility is to determine if the motion is in order, and if the motion is in order, then the Assembly decides whether or not the member has the permission to adjourn the debate.

I think there are six items under this rule in Beauchesne, and Item 6 of Rule 100 on page 90 indicates that the responsibility of the Speaker is only to determine whether the motion is in order. The Assembly will have to determine the balance of the items. DR. HORNER: Mr. Speaker, my understanding is that you have ruled that the motion is in fact out of order. MR. SPEAKER: That is in fact so, and it is my understanding that once a Speaker has made a ruling, he no longer has any say with regard to that ruling; the ruling belongs to the House and I must therefore leave it to the House. MR. TAYLOR: Mr.

Speaker, and I say this with respect, you have permitted an hon. member on the other side to make a comment in regard to a point of order, and then you gave your decision before hearing our side. I am submitting that the responsibility of the Speaker is determined if the motion is in order, and if it is in order, then it must be put to the House under Beauchesne Rule 100. It is not an understanding, it is settled clearly in Beauchesne. The House decides on the question of propriety and desirability. Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 29

2- 18 ALBERTA HANSARD March 3rd 1972 MR. SPEAKER I regret that, regardless of the process by which my ruling was arrived at, I no longer have any jurisdiction over that ruling, and I must leave it to the House. Canadian Curling Championship MR. NOTLEY: Mr. Speaker, I am perhaps rather an unusual source to raise something that I think will unite the House, but I suggest that the point that I would like to bring to the attention of the House today will do just that. I am referring to the Alberta Rink which will be representing our province in the Canadian Curling Championship playoffs in St. John's, Newfoundland.

That rink comes from my constituency and is composed of Mervin, Melvin and Terry Watchorn and Jim Fox. Mr. Speaker, I am sure that the hon. members of this Assembly will join with me in asking you to convey to the Watchorn Rink our very best wishes as they represent Alberta in the Canadian Briar playoffs. MR. SPEAKER: I take it that the House agrees unanimously with the suggestion of the hon. Member for Spirit River-Fairview and I shall follow the instructions of the House. head: THRONE SPEECH DEBATE MR. TRYNCHY: Mr. Speaker, I beg to move, seconded by the hon. Member for Calgary McKnight, Mr.

Lee, that a humble address be presented to his Honour, The Honourable J.W. Grant MacEwan, Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Alberta: "We, Her Majesty's loyal subjects, the Legislative Assembly, now assembled beg leave to thank Your Honour for the gracious speech Your Honour has been pleased to address to us at the opening of this present Session." Mr. Speaker, as we start the first session of the 17th Legislature, let me extend my congratulations to you, not simply for the honour that has been done you for your selection as the Speaker, but also for the way you have earned that honour.

Throughout a life of distinguished service to Alberta it would be very hard to find a man better qualified to serve in your high office. You live in the capital and you have worked in the countryside, and you have always been an active student of law and legislatures. In your church, family, professional, and public life you have earned a reputation for being both firm and fair, and I know this whole House holds you in that confidence and high respect.

Let me also extend congratulations to the others who sit here for the first time, and there are many of us, as well as to those who were sucessful in seeking re-election on August 30, 1971. Naturally we hope that in elections to come, there will be a much higher proportion of members re-elected, especially on this side of the House. I would also extend congratulations to our newly elected member, the hon. Member for Stettler. I want to extend congratulations to those members who have accepted Cabinet responsibilites, and especially to the hon. Premier.

The election was more than just a personal victory for the hon. Peter Lougheed, it was proof of what a man with determination and drive, with an able team, can do in Alberta, and now those same qualities of leadership are being applied to the business of government. Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 30

March 3rd 1972 ALBERTA HANSARD 2- 19 Mr. Speaker, some moments in life take on a very special meaning, I believe the present moment to be such a one, not only for myself, but also for my family and for my fellow citizens of the Whitecourt constituency, whatever their political affiliation. It is a great honour to me and to the Whitecourt constituency to be invited to move this address in reply to the Speech from the Throne. At this time I want to thank the hon. Premier for that privilege.

Apart from the personal honour, it seems particularly appropriate that this opportunity should be given to the representative of the Whitecourt constituency, because in a sense we are a pocket edition of the whole Province of Alberta. Within our boundaries are old districts with settled traditions and brand new towns, people who have lived long lives in one place and others who have moved in the day before yesterday. Many of Alberta's rich resources can be found in the Whitecourt constituency.

We have agriculture, oil, gas, timber and water, and like the province our communities are formed by people whose ancestors came from many parts of the globe. It is perhaps fitting that a new member, from a new constituency, be the first to speak in the Legislature after the election of a new government. The voters, on August 30th, changed more than the government. Anyone who looks down the ranks of new ministers and new MLA's in this government can see that we have elected a new generation of Albertans to conduct our affairs.

Most of us respect what has been done in the past in this province, particularly under Mr. Manning, but we realize that times change and you can't run a government in the '70's and '80's with men and methods of the '50's and '60's. The big change is a change in attitude. Changes will be viewed, but not just for the sake of change. They will be viewed with optimism, new opportunities and a sense of challenge. We had become an inward-looking province, living at home with our shades pulled down.

Now we are an outward looking province, seeking new markets, welcoming new ideas, recognizing there are concerns we have to resolve in Ottawa and elsewhere. We used to be a complacent province, living off our natural resources and making believe that everyone in Alberta was comfortable and well off. Now we are a concerned province, ready to face the fact that our natural resources can't carry us forever, and ready to recognize that life is not all that great, even in Alberta, if you are old, disabled, or poor.

We used to be a traditional province which accepted changes slowly — now we have to be a leader among provinces. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to hear that we will be an open government; we will have written reports of daily proceedings that will enable Albertans to have an up-to-date report on matters affecting people in all parts of Alberta, and that are dealt with by their MLA's. We will have public sessions, open to TV and radio. Let the public see the work their elected members are doing and if they are worthy of continued support.

I am glad to see that the Legislative Assembly will be called into session twice a year. For the first time in the history of Alberta we will have a regular fall session, so that matters of importance can be dealt with more effectively, and Albertans can be served in a more efficient manner. Mr. Speaker, there is one major change which I think it is appropriate to mention now, and that is the change in the function of the MLA's. It has changed in two ways; first, we have more to do.

Sometimes some of us think we have too much to do, but the fact is that many of the responsibilities that used to be carried by the ministers, civil servants, or outside advisers are now assigned to government MLA's, which is where they ought to be. Our government has set up five task forces of government MLA's to study critical areas and report back and recommend changes in the new and modern directions of government policy, which were so strongly voiced in the last election campaign. Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 31

2- 20 ALBERTA HANSARD March 3rd 1972 The second change in our role is perhaps even more important. I am here as a supporter of the government, but first of all I am here as a supporter of the people of Whitecourt, and if the government goes against the people of Whitecourt in my constituency, then I go against the government. This is what I call democracy. Premier Lougheed is, perhaps, the only leader in this country who had the courage to declare the principle of people before party.

He has already proven in many ways that he intends to honour that commitment, and I can speak for the members on this side of the House that we intend to honour it too. Changing the government in Alberta is a little like passing a family farm from a father to a son. The son has more energy and more knowledge of the modern world, but if he is wise he will make his changes carefully, reviewing what was done before him, finding out why it was done, making sure that each change is an improvement.

He knows he has to make certain fundamental changes if his unit is to prosper, but he also knows that his responsibilities are too important to play around with — too much is at stake. A sensible farmer wouldn't switch from growing wheat to growing grapefruit, not if he wanted to stay in business, and this government has shown equal good sense in making changes in an orderly and deliberate way. There have already been several important changes in direction by the new Government.

The Department of Federal and Intergovernmental Affairs to ensure Alberta of getting its fair share from Ottawa has been placed under the leadership of the hon. Mr. Getty. A Department of Advanced Education has been formulated to be responsible for all educational programs and vocational and technical institutions, colleges and universities. The Department of Labour has been changed to Manpower and Labour, with the minister in charge of our new priority employment program to ensure employment to many employables during the winter slack period, and also the student flow into the work force in the summer months.

What the hon. Premier promised in the campaign was new directions for Alberta, and we see that clearly in the reorganization of the Department of Agriculture to emphasize finding new markets for what we produce. We see it in the emphasis on incentives and investment in Alberta industry; our financing system is under review as part of a program to help the average Albertan to invest in Alberta, and where new markets are being sought in Scandinavia and across the Pacific.

We see it in a new direction in the clear commitment of the matter of highest priority to relieve financial pressure on those senior citizens whose work has built this province, and in the determination to act now to help the disabled and those people with problems of mental health. We see it in the active, yet firm, stand Alberta takes today towards Ottawa. This province isn't going to be pushed around. Mr. Speaker, as you know, my constituency of Whitecourt is in rural Alberta. People used to think of rural areas as being places where nothing changed very much, where everything was stable.

That was never the case, and it's not the case today. In fact, changes affecting our communities are probably more serious than those affecting cities, if only because we are not so used to sudden change. The changes in Whitecourt are of two kinds. The first kind of change is welcome; that is the sudden movement in of new people, new jobs, even whole new towns. The new town of Whitecourt itself is only ten years old and it acquired formal town status only a few months ago, and Fox Creek has grown to a population of over 1500 people in the last five years.

That is a welcome change, although I'm not satisfied that the government has paid enough attention to helping those communities diversify and dig deep roots. The other kind of change is not welcome at all, and that is the change brought about by uncertainty in agriculture. It has forced some people off farms and forced many young people who have counted Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 32

March 3rd 1972 ALBERTA HANSARD 2- 21 on a good and useful career in farming to wonder if they will have to leave the rural life they love so much. It could mean the destruction of the economy and the way of life that has been the backbone of Canada. Most of the people I represent are very pleased that the Hon. Dr. Horner is the man in charge of our agricultural policy; he knows our problems and we know he is sincere about solving them. But we need more than just a good man in charge of agriculture; we need a recognition that the problems of rural Alberta are every bit as serious as the problems of the cities.

They might even be more serious because the trend has been for the cities to grow, and this has not been the trend outside the cities. I am pleased that the government has established a cabinet level committee to look into the problem of rural development, because this is one of those questions which Alberta has to face because no one else is facing it. If we don't work out programs to strengthen the family farm and diversify industry into smaller communities, then no one will. Mr.

Speaker, I am very pleased to see in the Throne Speech mention of an Agricultural Development Fund of $50 million to cover all areas of agricultural credit, with special programs for the young farmer and the small farmer. Marketing will be stressed very strongly and the Department of Industry will join the Department of Agriculture to assure the farmers of every possible market that is available throughout the world. The change of administration of the Surface Rights Act from the Department of Mines and Minerals to the Department of Agriculture will, I am sure, be a welcome by all farmers.

There are other special problems in Whitecourt that I want to raise today. The one problem that I wish to mention is industrial development. We must create a more diversified and better provincial economy, by giving more emphasis for new development in the smaller centres of Alberta. Whitecourt in itself could be called the Gateway to the North. We must be ready to take advantage of that area. We must provide a provincial park in the Whitecourt area to take care of the expansion in tourism by the people coming from Banff and Jasper on to Whitecourt and then north to Alaska.

Truly, this gives us the Gateway to the North. We see the need for extension and improvement of Alberta highways, with more emphasis upon rural development and the grid road system. And speaking of roads, everytime we have a wet year, and as you know last year, 1971, was quite a wet year, we have to travel from Whitecourt to Carvel Corner and then back to Jasper if we want to get across. We need more roads that connect Highways 43 and 16 to be able to allow people to move back and forth.

We must have roads that lead from our parks and from Edmonton into Whitecourt and up to the north to take care of the tourist trade. I am sure the hon. Member for Barrhead would welcome a road from Swan Hills to Whitecourt to make sure that the people can get across to our parks without having to travel to Edmonton and then back again. I have outlined some of the problems in my constituency but there are many more, and I hope to be able to bring them before the House during this session in the weeks ahead.

We in the Whitecourt Constituency have been called the 'forgotten corner' for too long to suit me, and when things arise that concern the Whitecourt constituency you will hear me loud and clear. This being an historic moment for Alberta, with a new government in control after 36 years of Social Credit administration and the first Progressive Conservative government in the history of Alberta, Mr. Speaker, I want to say to the hon. members on both sides of the House just why I feel we are on the threshold of great things to come in the years ahead.

I would like to mention just two items from the Throne Speech which I believe to be outstanding topics. Our Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 33

2- 22 ALBERTA HANSARD March 3rd 1972 government is to start a new approach by presenting to the Legislature a series of new direction papers so that the members and also the public can have first hand information on policy positions or any alternatives which may form government policies in the future. With this approach, the public will have a better understanding of any issue that will be brought before the House, and will therefore have ample opportunity to respond to their elected MLA's and to the government as to their feelings on any issue.

It is in this way that we can truly have open government and involvement by every Albertan that so desires. A second point. MLA's will have a reasonable opportunity to propose public bills requested by their constituents, and if they are constructive and in line with the new directions of this government they may be debated and passed and be part of government policy, a policy which was frowned on by the former administration. Mr. Speaker, the Speech from the Throne clearly underlines the commitment of this government to plan change carefully in new and modern directions in Alberta life.

Now considering that this government has been in office barely six months, following a government that had been in office 36 years, the action that has been taken already is clear proof of the sincerity of how these changes will be developed. It has been a great privilege for me and for the people of the Whitecourt Constituency to be invited to move this reply. Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank you. MR. LEE: Mr. Speaker, it is a very distinct privilege for me, representing the citizens of Calgary McKnight, to second the motion thanking His Honour for the Speech from the Throne.

At the outset, I wish to pay tribute to a past member of this Legislature. Jack Robertson was a member of the Legislature for only a short time before his untimely death and did not have an opportunity to sit in this Assembly. But through his short term of office and through his many years of service in the Stettler area, he has left an imprint on all those he served. We have mourned his passing and now we honour his memory.

And I want to express my personal tribute to former members of the Legislative Assembly, many of whom are not present today, many who have completed their years of service, for their very considerable contribution to our province and to its people over past sessions and over past decades. But in August of last year, the people of Alberta were seeking new directions and new initiatives for their province, and so they elected the first Progressive Conservative government ever to serve in the Province of Alberta, to express in operational terms that progress which they were seeking for themselves and for Alberta.

The hon. member for Whitecourt, in moving for acceptance of the Speech, has commented most effectively on various areas of this document, and I, too, want to reflect on many dimensions of the speech and its implications for Alberta and for my own constituency of Calgary McKnight. But first, I want to go back to last fall and examine the record of our new government at its outset.

In the first few months of office, the members of the new administration, and especially those who are Members of the Executive Council, have faced a number of demanding conditions - demanding, because immediately our cabinet must evaluate the policies, procedures, and personnel they have inherited from the former government. They must evaluate in such a way that they will not bring a disservice upon those people under government employ or upon the citizens of the province at large.

They had to deal with a number of individual concerns where people had been unable in past Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 34

March 3rd 1972 ALBERTA HANSARD 2- 23 years to gain a respondent hearing, but with a change in government, their efforts were immediately renewed with the new government. Our new cabinet ministers had to cope with emergent conditions which may have been postponed for a number of months during the conducting of an election campaign, but were immediately thrust upon the members of the new government. Add to this the regular day-to-day administration of their departments, and it's a massive task indeed that the members of our Executive Council have undertaken.

I personally applaud our Premier and our ministers for the superlative job that they've done in these first few months of office, and commend them for the very responsible legislative changes which they now bring to the Legislative Assembly But I must add at this point that, in order to facilitate proper blends of progressive reform and at the same time advance in a responsible manner, our Executive Council has called upon the assistance of other members of this government.

Early in September five task forces, as mentioned by the Member for Whitecourt, were established to assist the Premier and his ministers in the formulation of policy and legislative change in those areas which were determined to be of major concern to our province. My greatest honour in my early exposure to political activity has been my appointment by the Premier as the chairman of one of these task forces, that of Manpower Training and Retraining, established to consider policies in a number of areas. I want to mention briefly just a few of these.

We are considering training in industry, administrative structures for training, continuing education at all levels, winter programs of employment, training and retraining, apprenticeship and tradesmen's qualifications, vocational rehabilitation of the disabled and the disadvantaged, coordinative training programs with the federal government, and statutes relating to training and retraining, manpower research, vocational counselling, financial assistance and sponsorship activities; this is a wide scope of study which is reflected in all of our five task forces.

Now during the past few months there have been pressures and demands from members of opposition parties for immediate initiation of legislation in platform areas presented in last August's election campaign, demands for actions which may prove premature at this point in time. The task forces have been able to evaluate the most responsible development and timing of the implementation of new policy and new legislation, and only after adequate consultation with those people affected by these policies, and citizens and groups throughout the province.

Now at this point, let's look at some of the specific accomplishments of our young administration, in those first few months of office, culminating in the Throne Speech yesterday, and most certainly advancing on in further sessions of this Assembly. I'm personally delighted to note the immediate program priorities of this new government, reflecting the attitude that people and their development must come first, and then through them the development of our province, its economy and its industry. Specifically, I want to mention some of these areas.

First, the relief for those citizens over 65 from Medicare premiums, drug costs and optional health service expenses, acceleration of new senior citizen accomodations and elimination of annual driving tests for those people over 70 years of age, have provided a long-awaited emphasis on many of the needs of our senior citizens.

Secondly, initial grants of $700,000 to aid the mentally retarded announced in December of 1971, and provisions in the Throne Speech yesterday for handicapped children, provide only the beginning of the reforms and Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 35

2- 24 ALBERTA HANSARD March 3rd 1972 initiatives that are required in the whole area of mental health, so long given lowest priority here in Alberta. Thirdly, the protection of human rights, often seen as a rather abstract area until one's livelihood or one's freedom is threatened, finally will receive the legislative attention it requires through a new Alberta Bill of Rights and other measures to protect the individual. And probably affecting more Albertans than any other single action were those early initiatives and present legislative attention in the area of manpower employment and development.

Last fall, our province was faced with the prospect of an unprecedented rate of winter unemployment, precipitated in part by policies outside our borders, but also by the failure of our past government to provide a framework within which unemployment could not cripple the individual progress of our citizens and our province. And so, the Priority Employment Program was developed by the new government to deal with this emergent situation, involving initial allocations of $10 million of new funds. This project had a dual thrust.

The first was the initiation of programs of immediate employment - projects within government which could be advanced through the winter months. This was achieved to a great extent with the very extensive cooperation of the private sector of our province. But it is the second aspect of the PEP innovation which is the one which mirrors a new developmental approach within manpower policy, and that is the Priority Employment Training program. In November of last year, post secondary institutions throughout Alberta were asked to develop short-term courses of training for our unemployed Albertans.

And our institutions responded in a most creditable manner, to the extent that in early January approximately 3,300 unemployed Albertans were enrolled in over 160 courses of training and retraining throughout the province. Now, with any new program, and most certainly when it's a crash program, there are going to be difficulties which must be ironed out, and this has been the case with the PEP program.

But, at the very least, this must be a very positive form of social assistance — a fresh approach, in which we present the opportunity for an individual to gain upgrading and retraining at the point when unemployment is at its annual peak. And next year, the priority employment program won't be a crash program, but an experienced venture based on an evaluation of this year's pilot project, its effectiveness and its impact.

In past years, research conducted by government has often operated only on a philosophical plane, but the announcement of two innovations, by the extensive development of research activities within government departments, to establish operational research must be applauded.

And I want to mention these two: first, was the announcement in January by our Minister of Advanced Education of an evaluative study on the effectiveness of the PEP program, so that in future presentations of this undertaking, guarantees can be established that particular courses will be established to really serve the skill requirements, both short term and long term, of our province and our unemployed.

Secondly, complementary to this study, was the announcement by our Minister of Labour of the implementation of research capacities within his department, so that in the development of our manpower potential in Alberta, we can progress in an integrated manner with advancements in industry, advanced education, and in line with merging societal changes reflected in increased leisure time, shorter work weeks and more emphasis on the family and community.

The reorganization of the Alberta Manpower and Labour Department really ties it all together, presents a more positive developmental approach to our labour force at all levels. Too often in the past, the needs of the individual have been subordinated to the needs of industry, particular agencies of government, and federal policies as Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 36

March 3rd 1972 ALBERTA HANSARD 2-25 reflected, often with questionable accuracy, by the Canada Manpower Corporation. But, in order to initiate effectively new directions in manpower development, coordinations are also required with other government departments, and the Cabinet Committee on Education will provide this coordination from early childhood all the way through to post-secondary and lifelong education.

Too often in the past we have separated training and retraining of our manpower from the total educational system in such a way that development really often occurred in a haphazard, sometimes piecemeal, manner. Because I believe that ultimately the educational system is really the delivery system for the personal advancement of all individuals in Alberta, because educational development probably affects more than any other phase of government, the total development of the individual.

And this is why I am happy to see coordinated activities, such as this committee, at the Executive Council level to provide a more comprehensive treatment of education. At this point I want to tell you about my home constituency of Calgary-McKnight and some of the needs and the concerns of my particular constituents. Here we have a blend of seven communities with a wide diversity of age, social-economic and cultural groups, as with many other areas of the province.

Living in an urban constituency, the people of Calgary McKnight share with other city dwellers those concerns relating to transportation, pollution, the burden of property tax, the nature of city planning and so on. The early initiatives in providing for senior citizens, in manpower and employment, and in other areas relating to individual rights protection, have had already a considerable impact on the McKnight Constituency.

Specifically though, three recent announcements of impact for the City of Calgary are: first a $5.5 million grant for the construction of a remand centre; secondly, an $8 million capital grant for construction of a Southern Alberta Glenbow Museum; thirdly, a $5.1 million special warrant to cover the outstanding costs of the Blackfoot Trail. These three events reflect our government's considerable emphasis on the needs and development of our cities, one of which my constituency is part.

But even more specifically, our area of the city has experienced accelerated growth, and in some instances without adequate prior considerations to recreational development, health and social development services, and the personnel needed to direct these activities. And although many of the considerations here are generally of a local jurisdiction, our government can play a role in serving these needs within my area, and so we look to extended initiatives in the following areas.

(1) Early childhood learning experiences have become a major educational development, especially in urban areas, to the extent that those families and those communities which cannot provide this service are finding that their children, upon entering the total school setting, find themselves at a real disadvantage. And because of this new societal emphasis, I urge our government to extend educational services to the age five level, perhaps exercisable at a local option, but certainly provided for in the general Foundation Program.

(2) Any area experiencing rapid, sometimes sprawling growth, often finds that health and social services facilities have not been adequately provided for. My constituency is one of those in which the decentralization and regionalization of these activities to the community level have become a crucial requirement.

(3) Recreational assistance is another area in which we look for early developments. More leisure time and more emphasis on Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 37

2- 26 ALBERTA HANSARD March 3rd 1972 community-based activities necessitate policy direction in such dimensions as dual use of school and community facilities, and in continuing and adult education, so that when individuals and families find themselves with the reward of more hours together, then they can really benefit with their community and their neighbours in all areas of leisure time enjoyment.

As I said, many of these are the responsibility and the jurisdiction of the local authority, but the provincial level can also play an extensive role in this development through cooperative fundings, through initiation of cooperative pilot innovations, and research support which individual communities cannot or are not willing to provide on their own, but which could be on a cooperative basis initiated by a provincial-municipal coordination. In the coming weeks I plan to bring resolutions before this Assembly in these areas. Mr.

Speaker, we all sense in Alberta that there are some exciting new initatives in store for our province and its people, initatives which will be spearheaded by a fresh, dedicated government. I am proud to be part of this government, and I and the people of Calgary McKnight are proud at this point to second the motion thanking His Honour for the Throne Speech. Thank you Mr. Speaker. MR. STROM: Mr. Speaker, I beg leave to adjourn the debate. MR. SPEAKER: The hon. Leader of the Opposition has asked leave to adjourn the debate. Do you all agree? HON. MEMBERS: Agreed. MR.

SPEAKER: May I at this juncture acknowledge the kind remarks of the hon. Member for Whitecourt, which I think are undeserved as far as I'm concerned, and I would also like to remedy my omission of yesterday, a rather glaring one, for not having thanked the hon. Premier and the hon. Leader of the Opposition for moving and seconding my nomination. MR. LOUGHEED: Mr. Speaker, I move that the House now stands adjourned until Monday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock. MR. SPEAKER: The hon. Premier has moved adjournment until Monday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock. Do you all agree? HON. MEMBERS: Agreed. MR.

SPEAKER: The House stands adjourned. [The House rose at 4:07 p.m.] Alternate page number, consecutive for the 17th Legislature, 1st Session: page 38