Manitoba Hansard — 94 ISSN 542 (Sitting 1, 35th Legislature, 5th Session)

35-5-1

Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)

Fifth Session- Thirty-Fifth Legislature of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba DEBATES and PROCEEDINGS (Hansard) Published under the llll thority of The Honourable Denis C. Rocon Spetdcer Vol. XLill No. 1- 1:30 p.m., Thursday, Aprll7, 1994 ISSN 0542-5492

NAME ASHfON, Steve BARRETf, Becky CARSTAIRS, Sharon CERllLI, Marianne CHOMIAK, Dave CUMMINGS, Glen, Hon. DACQUAY, Louise DERKACH, Leonard, Hon. DEWAR, Gregory DOER, Gary DOWNEY, James, Hon. DRIEDGER, Albert, Hon. DUCHARME, Gerry, Hon. E[)VVARDS,Paul ENNS, Harry, Hon. ERNST, fnn, Hon. EVANS,Clif EVANS, Leonard S. FILMON, Gary, Hon. FINDLAY, Glen, Hon. FRIESEN, Jean MANITOBA LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Thirty-Fifth Legislature Members, Constituencies and Political AffiHation CONSTITUENCY Thompson VVelimgton River Heights Radisson Kildonan Ste.Rose SemeRiver Robtm-Russeli Selkirk Concordia Arthur-Virden Stem bach Riel St.

James Lakeside Charleswood Interlake Brandon East Tuxedo Springfield VVolseley GAUDRY, Neil Gll.LESHAMMER, Harold, Hon. GRAY, Avis St. Boniface Mmnedosa Crescentwood Gimli HEL \VER, Edward R. HICKES, George KOVV ALSKI, Gary LAMO�.Kevm LATHLlN, Oscar LAURENDEAU, Marcel MACK.INTOSH,Gord MALOVVAY, fnn MANNESS, Clayton, Hon. MARTINDALE, Doug McALPINE, Gerry McCORMICK, Norma McCRAE, James, Hon. MciNTOSH, Lmda, Hon. MITCHELSON, Bonnie, Hon. ORCHARD, Donald, Hon. P ALLISTER, Brian PENNER, Jack PLOHMAN, John PRAZNlK, Darren, Hon. REID, Daryl REIMER, Jack RENDER, Shirley ROBINSON, Eric ROCAN, Denis, Hon.

ROSE, Bob SANTOS, Conrad SCHELLENBERG, Harry STEP ANSON, Eric, Hon. STORIE, Jerry SVEINSON, Ben VODREY, Rosemary, Hon. VVOVVCHUK, Rosano Pomt Douglas The Maples Inkster The Pas St. Norbert St. Johns Ebnwood Morris Burrows Sturgeon Creek Osborne Brandon VVest Assmiboia River East Pembma Portage Ia Prairie Emerson Dauphm Lac du Bonnet Transcona Niak:wa St. Vital Rupertsland Gladstone Turtle Mountam Broadway Rossmere Kirkfi.eld Parle FlinFlon La Verendrye Fort Garry Swan River PARTY.

NDP NDP Liberal NDP NDP PC PC PC NDP NDP PC PC PC Liberal PC PC NDP NDP PC PC NDP Liberal PC Liberal PC NDP Liberal Liberal NDP PC NDP NDP PC NDP PC Liberal PC PC PC PC PC PC NDP PC NDP PC PC NDP PC PC NDP NDP PC NDP PC PC NDP

1 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA Thursday, April7, 1994 The House met at 1:30 p.m. At 1:30 p.m., all members and guests standing, the Sergeant-at-Arms, carrying the Mace shoulder high and followed by the Speaker and the Clerks of the Legislative Assembly, entered the Chamber and proceeded along the west side. The Speaker took post on the east side of the Chamber, the Clerks took post on the west side of the Chamber and the Sergeant-at-Arms returned along the east side of the Chamber to the main entrance where he stood and awaited the arrival of His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor.

The Premier, members of the Executive Council, military and civil aides, and officers comprising the officer escort met in the Lieutenant-Governor's reception room. The Premier, members of the Executive Council, military and civil aides, and officer escort accompanied His Honour from the reception room to the Chamber in the following order: The civil aide on the right; the military aide on the left; the officer escort; the members of the Executive Council; the Premier; and then the Lieutenant-Governor.

At the main entrance, the military and civil aides, the officer escort, members of the Executive Council and the Premier halted and turned inward to allow th.e Lieutenant-Governor to advance to the head of the officer escort, where His Honour was met by the Mace. Acting Deputy Ser geant-at-Arms (Ga rry Clark): His Honour the Lieuten ant-Governor. The Lieutenant-Governor then, preceded by the Mace carried shoulder high, and followed on his left by the military aide and on his right by the civil aide, proc eeded along the west side of the Chamber to the throne.

The Prem ier proceeded along the east side and stood on the floor on the east side of the Chamber. The members of the Executive Council took their places. The military aide took up his position on the right of the throne and the civil aide took up his position on the west side of the Chamber. The officer escort was positioned to the left of the throne. The Lieutenant-Governor seated himself on the throne; the Mace made obeisance and retired to the east side of the Chamber.

The civil aide advanced from the position he had taken on the west side of the Chamber and, after the usual obeisance on each step, handed the Lieutenant-Governor the Speech from the Throne. The civil aide then retired, step by step, and took up his position on the west side of the Chamber. The Lieutenant-Governor seated the House. SPEECH FROM THE THRONE Ron. W. Yvon Dumont (Lieutenant-Governor of the Province of Manitoba): Mr. Speaker and mem bers of the Manitoba Legislature. I welcome you to the Fifth Sessi on of the Thirty-fifth Le gislat ure of the Province of Manitoba.

C'est pour moi un grand honneur d'agir en qualit� de repr�sentant de Ia Reine dans notre province. Je me rejouis ll l'idk de travailler en �troite collaboration avec les membres de cette Assemblk pour les llDDks ll veoir. [Translation] It is an honour for me to serve as the Queen's representative in our province. I look forward to working closely with the members of this House in the years to come. [English]

2 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 7, 1994 Canada is a nation in transition; everywhere, profound and rapid changes are reshaping our economy and our society. The effects can be seen across the country, in every province, in every community. Past generations built our country and our province with hard work, based on hope and on the promise of better opportunities for those who would follow. We who inherited that hope and that sense of promise now must face the questions of what we, ourse lves, can achieve, and what we can leave as our own legacy.

The defining chall enge for our gene rat ion , our most important responsibility to our own children, is to provide secu rity in our lives and theirs, and to build confidence in our future. For six years, my government has made this responsibility its fundamental guiding principle. My ministers have worlced hard to help revitalize our economic base, to renew the social programs which we all value so highly, and to place Manitoba's finances on a sound footing and keep them there.

That commitment to responsible government brought our province through the recession without the massive disruptions felt elsewhere, and it has positioned us well to adjust, to adapt and to confront change as a positive opportunity. My minis ters have also worlced hard to consult Manitobans on the many vital policy choices that will shape our future, to ensure our citizens have a full understa nding of those cho ices. Th at comm itmen t to accounta bility and citizen involveme nt is one mo re esse ntial key to confidence and solid public policy. Manitobans are much like other Canadians.

We want secure and satisfying jobs, not only for ourselves, but for everyone who is able to worlc and who values the dignity of employment. •

(1335) We want our chil dren to be taught the fundamentals and the new skills they will need in the next century. We want our health care system to be high quality, accessible and fair, and we want it to be protected as one of our most important assets. We want our cities and our rural communities, our farms and our businesses , all those who create jobs, to prosper and grow, and to do so in ways which are con sistent with the principles of sustainable developm ent. We want our streets and our neighbourhoods to be safe, day and night, for young and old alike.

We want our heritage as a multicultural province to be honoured and respected . We want our public business to be conducted with integrity, efficiency and accountability. We want our governments to be responsive and to work in partnerships with the community, lis ten ing to new ideas and ac ting to meet Manitobans' priorities.

Nous voulons que notre contrib ution aux progres du Canada soit reconnue avec justesse, et nous voulons, avec toutes les provinces et toutes les regions, adopter les politiques et prendre les initiatives dont notre pays a besoin pour renforcer l'un it� nationale et pour placer le Ca nada en me illeur e pos ition �conomique a 1 'echelle mondiale. [Translation] We want our contrib ut ion to Cana da's advancement to be recognized fairly and we want to co-operate with all prov inces and regions in developing the policies and initiatives our country requires to streng then national unity and to compete more successfully in the global economy. [English] Few of these goals are new, but in today's cir cums tances none can be taken for granted.

Every one of these goals is legitimate and realistic and consistent with our value s and our traditions as a sharing community. Every one of them is worthy of our full commitment In a time of change and sca rce resour ce s, it is im per ative that we rededicate all our energies to ful filling them.

April?, 1994 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 3 Jobs and Economic Security Our top priority must continue to be jobs and eco nomic grow th: sec ure jobs and a sound economy to support those jobs and the public services Manitobans require. In 1993, Manitoba was strengthened by the net addition of approximately 6,000 new jobs in the private sector compared to the previous year. Our rate of job creation in 1993 was the third highest in Canada. As our recovery continues, current forecasts indicate that Manitoba's real economic growth in 1994 will exceed 3 percent, placing us in line with the national average.

At the same time, unemployment has remained at unacceptable levels in our province, across Canada and indeed throughout most of the developed world. As that trend has continued, those who have advocated quick fixes have lost more and more cre dibility, leaving a record of failure and de bt. Last yea r, following consu ltations with Manitobans, my gov ernment presented our Fra mew ork for Economic Growth, a co mp rehensive strategy aimed dir ectly at long-term job and wealth creation and which stress es the importance of strong public sector leadership, coupled with strong partnerships with the private sector.

The foundation of our prov ince's economic strategy is the principle of fiscal responsibility. Jobs and investment depend on a competitive eco nomic climate. In the past six years, my government has succeeded in making Manitoba sig nifica ntly more com petitive by keeping government expenditures in line and by freezing or reducing all major taxes. The provincial budget for 1994 will continue that record of responsibility, despite continuing constraints on federal transfers and the growing burden of federal oftloading. •

(1340) The most important source of new jobs in our economy and throughout North America is small business. Manitoba's small-business sector is particularly critical to our future growth. In the coming session, new initiatives will be announced to encourage small-business expansion and to buiJ.d on the successes of past initiatives such as Business Start, Rural Entrepreneur Assistance, Vtsion Capital, taxation incentives, Grow Bonds and the Rural Economic Development Initiative.

My ministers look forwa rd to the recommend ations of the Task Force on Capital Markets and the Advisory Panel on Business Regulations, both of which will focus further attention on the importance of small business to our economy. CareerStart, Partners with Youth, and the RED! initiatives for young people will also provide valuable worlt experience again in 1994. These programs created employment for over 4,000 young Manitobans last year. Trade means jobs, thousands of them, now and in the future. Since 1990, Manitoba's exports to the United States have increased by some 40 percent.

These expo rt gains have been broadly based: in key resource sectors, in manufacturing, and in strate gic, emerging sectors, such as information and teleco mmunication industries, health care products and agri-food proces sing. Last year, investment in manufacturing in this province grew by 35 percent, by far the best rate in Canada. My government is committed to reinforcing these important trends with an aggressive campaign, in co-operation with the private sector, other provinces and the federal gove rnment, to strengthen our export position in international marltets.

The Asia-Pacific region and Mexico offer major new opportunities, as do our traditional matk.ets in the United States and Europe. In 1993, Manitoba's exports to Mexico increased by more than 30 percent over the previous year. Manitoba will continue to press strongly for the elimination of trade barriers between Canadian provinces and for an end to artificial competition for new investment. For the past few yea rs Manitoba has co-chaired the Committee of Ministers of Internal Trade, the group charged with developing a comprehensive agreement to bring down trade barriers in this country.

The provinces have agreed to work toward a target date of June of this year for completion of such an

4 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 7, 1994 agreement. My government will report to the House as those nego tiations progress. Besides establishing a favourable climate for private se ctor exp ansion and job creation, governments can also play a positive role through direct capital investment In the current fiscal year, my ministers pro pose to enhance capital expenditures to historically high levels. The government of Manitoba is also an ent husiastic partner, with the federal and municipal governments, in the new national infrastructure program.

My ministers argued strongly for such a program for several years and, as a result, our province was among the first to sign a formal agree ment with the federal government and was the first to start implemen ting it.

The two-year Canada-Manitoba Infrastructure Woiks Agreement will direct $205 million toward a balanced set of projects which will create jobs and strengthen our economic base for long-term development Because expectations for the program and infrastructure develop ment needs have far exceeded available reso urces , my ministers have appreciated the co-operation they have rece ived from local government represen tatives in selecting priorities which will benefit all parts of our province.

My ministers remain fully supportive of the efforts of local governments to obtain a long-term federal commitment to assist in infrastructure renewa l. *

(1345) In addition to traditional projects, the new infrastructure program will support major strategic investments, such as the extension of natural gas service for home heating and industrial uses in rural Manitoba.

Major investments will also be made in information technology, the "electronic highway." Moo gouvemement a ete le premier a proposer le developpement enc ore plus pousse des infrastructures nationales de 1 'information qui peuvent contribuer a une decentralisation de l'activite economique et donner une orientation nouvelle au travail, a Ia vie et aux intera ctions des membres de notre societe dans l'avenir. [Transla tion] My government has led the call for the fur ther development of natio nal information infrastructure which can enable decentralization of economic activity and shape the way people work, live and interact in the future. [English] Improved links among air, truck and rail transportation will also be an important strategic focus for the infrastructure program as we woJi: with our partners to enhance the position of Wmnipeg International Airport as a key generator of jobs and economic growth.

Later this year, my government expects to enter into a new Winnipeg Development Agreement with the federal government and the city. Public consultation on the design of the new agreement will begin soon. All three partners believe that the principal focus of the new agreement should be the strengthening of Winnipeg's economic position. To complement the new Winnipeg agreement, my ministers will also work toward new or renewed agreements for rural and northern development, including initiatives to ensure the long-term viability of the Port of Churchill.

In this connection, my government is committed to woJi:ing closely with the private sector and other juri sdictions to streng then Manitoba's transportation sector. Transportation services are a central force in our economy, and transportation jobs remain vital to our province. My ministers have called on the federal government to ensure the maintenance of adequate rail freight and passenger se rvice in Manitoba and to introduce a new National Highways Policy to promote trade and tourism.

They are also woJi:ing closely with several states to the south of us to ensure that our highway links to the United States and Mexico are improved, and with other jurisdictions in support of im proved domestic and international air services . The completion of the lengthy and difficult round of GAIT negotia tions should improve the

April 7, 1994 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 5 long-tenn prospects and open new opportunities for farmers in Manitoba and across the country. My ministers will work closely with fann leaders to combat renewed agriculture trade harassment from south of the border and to design needed adjustments to safety-net programs to reflect the GA 1T changes. My government will focus our agri-food efforts to take advantage of new opportunities and work with industry in setting targets. For example, my government will work with participants in the pork industry to expand production, processing and exports.

This year, my government will also assist in a Manitoba Food Products campaign to improve aware ness and market made-in-Ma nitoba food products to consumers at home and abroad. My mi nisters will also wor k with rural communities on a variety of other initiatives based in part on the Rural Development Forum process . These efforts include a comprehensive review of The Municipal Act, targeted to ensuring that local government can operate more effectively and efficiently and will have the authority and tools necessary to foster sustainable growth.

My government's economic initiatives will focus on other resource development priorities as wel l. In forestry, a co-operative, federal-provincial management plan pr ovides a comprehensive 20-year strategy in support of the sustainable development of Manitoba's forest resources. In mining, changes to our province's tax policies and exploration incentives have made Manitoba one of the most attractive locations in Canada for mineral development inve stment. •

(1350) Mining claims and oil exploration have also increased dramatically in the past year. We are very encouraged by the recent opening of the gold mine in Lynn Lake and the significant potential of two new gold developments in the North. Last month, the largest single mining claim in Manitoba histor y was announced, which will beg in exploration for diamonds, gold and base metals in southeastern Manitoba.

My ministers will continue to assist and encourage exploration, dev elopment and production in the mining and petroleum industries and will actively pursue new projects, including those related to a vanadium- titanium deposit, a kaolin deposit, and two new world-cl ass nickel deposits. Each of these important sectors is essential for security and stability in our economy and for new job creation in the years ahead.

They are also essential for ge nerating the financial resources we must have to pursue our social policy priorities and to protect the social programs which themselves are so important to our economy and to our quality of life. Manitoba will host the 1994 Western Premiers' Conference in mid-May in Gimli. One of the most important priorities for that conference will be an exte nsion of co-operative initiatives by the western and territorial governments to improve services and reduce duplication and overlap. Similar efforts to improve the efficiency of government are underway on a national basis.

Within the province's own jurisdiction, my government has instituted a service management improvement ini tiative, building on the capabilities and dedication of our public service. This initiative, building on the ideas of civil servants themselves, will enhance service and reduce the costs of government The western Premie rs are also expect ed to discuss such issues as the federal government's decision to reduce tobacco taxation, a policy which my ministers continue to believe was ill-advised and inappropriate, and which they will continue to oppose.

Personal and Community Security Manitobans place a high value on the safety and security of their homes and families. They have every right to do so, and every right to expect their government to .take a strong stand against those whose actions threaten public safety and make some Manitobans afraid to venture onto our stree ts. This year, my government will help address yo uth crime and violence by acting on a compr ehensive, nine-point plan whi ch was developed through an extensive consultation

6 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April 7, 1994 process. That plan includes the establishment of wilderness and boot camps for young offenders. My ministers will also continue to press the federal government to toughen the Young Offenders Act and include stron ge r links to parental responsibility. In addition, my government will bring forward legislative amendments making young offenders more responsible for their actions by denying drivers' licences to individuals under the age of 18 who have had any convictions.

Manitoba has been a Canadian leader in advocating aggressive action to combat stalking and in offering further protection for victims. My ministers will build on their efforts by increasing emphasis on maintenance enforcement and by introducing further measures to compel delinquent parents to honour their responsibilities. As well, my ministers will continue to challenge the federal government to increase its role in interprovincial enforcement Judici al accounta bilit y is as essent ial as legislative accountability.

Members will also be asked to consider changes affecting The Provincial Court Act at this session. Social justice and our traditional values of sharing and fairness require that our most vulnerable citizens be protected through income support and social services. The social safety net which federal and provincial governments have developed over the years is one of the most important distinguishing features of our Canadian way of life.

At the same time, there is a growing recognition in our province and across the country that some of the component programs are flawed and can increase the vulnerability and dependency of people instead of helping them overcome their difficulties. A key step in mending our social safety net must be a shift in focus to ward programs that incorporate skills and workplace training for Manitobans on welfare, initiatives that can provide vita l tools to aid in the drive for financial independence and self-esteem. My government will introduce a major set of welfare-to-work initiatives.

These initiatives will strengthen incentives to work, remove some disincentives, and increase wo:dc expectations and economic independence for employable welfare recipients, whil e maintaining basic income supports for the most vulnerable Manitobans. This summer , in co-ope ration with the fe deral gov ernment, my ministers plan to begin pilot projects across Manitoba aimed at providing increased job and training opportunities. •

(1355) One of the first pilots will focus on single mothers. Many of Manitoba's single parents are young. Some have no high school education and little training. For these reasons, they are seriously disadvantaged in the job ma:dcet. Under the new pilot project, their participation in the workforce will be assisted through new, more effective, community-based approaches. We also plan to work with the fede ral government to develop other major pilot projects designed to test promising options.

Developing new ideas in consultation with the private sector and community organizations will be a major task of a Partnership to Independence Forum to be held in early May. En cette Anree internationale de Ia famille, moo gouv ernement confirme !'importance de Ia responsa bi li tcS fami liale et renouvelle son engagement envers le famille.

Pour mettre 1 'accent sur cette responsabilit6, ainsi que sur la prevention et !'intervention precoce, nous adopterons des m6thodes nouvelles au sein des services a 1' enfant et a la famille. [Translation] In this International Year of the Family, my government renews its commitment to supporting the fami ly and to the importance of family responsibility.

New approaches will be introduced in Child and Family Serv ices to emphasize that responsibility, as well as early intervention and prevention. [English] A key goal of the current national review of labour market development and training is to streamline existing programming, to improve

April 7' 1994 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 7 co-ordination, and to eliminate duplication and overlap. In line with those goals, my ministers will be wor king with their federal counterpa rts to initiate a one-stop, single-window Centre for Employment Development. Building a secure future for our children and our province requires a solid educational foundation. My ministers are worldng closely with parents and professionals in the field to make sure our children receive the educ ation they need to com pete successfully in today's very competitive world.

An important part of that consult atio n will be a Par ents' Fo rum on Education, which will recognize the integral role of parents in all aspects of their children's development. The forum will provide parents with a further opportunity for direct input in designing my gov er nment's blueprint for education. My ministers believe Manitobans want their children's education to be more closely related to the rapidly changing demands of the job market.

To that end, they believe consideration should be given to the establishment of a province-wide system of uniform standards of achievement, and benchmadcs in the core subjects of language arts, mathema tics, sc ience and social stu dies. Cur ri culum development will be guided by standards to be established, and actions will be taken to improve the relevance and quality of teacher training and to enhance certification requirements. Effective learning environments will be created by addressing school violence.

In addition to refining Manitoba's blueprint for education from kindergarten through high school, my government will also strengthen key elements of our province's post-secondary education system by implementing important recommendations contained in the recent report of the University Review Commission chaired by former Premier Duff Roblin. The role of commu nity colleges will be enhanced through increased capacity and more cou rses linke d to labour market dem and. Universities will be challenged to streamline and make more focused choices.

Apprenticeship will be revitalized and updated to meet curre nt industry needs and standards. Rebuilding will be based on direct linkages with Workforce 2000 and youth initiatives, and restructuring secto ral committees, to focus on priority sectors of the provincial economy as well as high-demand occupational needs and trades. To ensure that all Manitobans have comparable access to educa tion: my government will take immediate action to expand distance education opportunities. By September 1994, several more school divisions will be in a position to offer distance education services.

By the fall of next year, it is expected that a province-wide system involving inter active televisi on, video conferencing and library access will be in place. The pace of change has taught us that education and training cannot be focused solely on children and young adults. Job security and our economic competitiv eness depend on a commitment to lifelong learning. This co mmitment is the responsibility not only of go vernment but of everyone with an interest in Manitoba's future. My ministers will initiate special measures to make training options more accessible, relevant and effective for women.

The government will also continue its efforts to encourage women's entry into nontr aditional fields of study and occupations. •

(1400) Our health care system remains the largest and, in many ways, our most important social program. One of the fundamental values that unites us as Manitobans is our commitment to the health and well-being of our citizens. Manitobans want to protect and preserve medicare, but they also want a more responsive system that empha sizes prevention and a better balance of community based and institutional services. Replacing high-cost institutional beds with expanded numbers of personal-care-home beds is a major priority. Bringing health care closer to home means better care.

Expansion of commu nity-based health, including support services for seniors in Wmnipeg and self-managed home care in rural and northern Manitoba, will be confirmed this year. To help

8 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April7, 1994 ensure that Manitobans receive the long-tenn care they need, my government will establish an Appeal Panel on Home Care and an Advisory Committee on Continuing Care. These new groups will help improve the ope ration of these important services, as well as access to them.

Health care options for women will be increased with the implementation of regulated midwifery and enhanced breast cancer and cervical cancer scree ning. n est prevu d'�tendre et de perfectionner les projets pilotes de soins prenataux a domicile et d' aiguillage en matiere de soins post-partum pour les femmes a risque Bev�. Ces projets pilotes, mis sur pied dans les collectivi�s rurales et le Nord, ont en effet rempo� un grand succes.

Moo gouvemement continuera aussi a renforcer les services de sant� mentale offerts au sein des communaut�s. [Translation ] Th e successful pilot pro jects for high- risk , antenatal home care and postpartum referrals will be expanded and enhanced in rural and northern communities. My government will also continue to improve community-based mental health services. [English] The overall organization of the health care system will be improved as well. The streamlined drug programs information network will be implemented as soon as possible, as the initial step toward develop ing an integrated Smart Health System.

Phannacare claims will be settled more expeditiously, with faster cash flows and less paperwor k. The effective use of compu ter networks and technology will improve service access, discourage abuse and aid important he alth research. My ministers will also continue to be active in forging new, co-operative partnerships with users and the full range of health care professionals. Environmental Security Our province's history and geography help explain Manitoba ns' commitment to environmental security.

Our ancestors respected nature and understood, better than some who followed, the importance of our resource endowm ent. It is not surpris ing, then, that Manitoba has led all provinces in establishing and advocating the principles of sustainable development, and in encouraging environmental co-operation both in Canada and across North America. As a result, we were also the province which worked most actively for an environmental side agreement under the North American Free Trade Agreement.

My government felt those efforts, coupled with our position as Canada's centre of ex cellence for sustainable development, made us the best possible choice to be the head quarters location for the North American Commission on Environmental Cooperation. Regrettably, despite strong support from a wide range of leaders in our community and elsewhere on the continent, the federal government chos e another locatio n. Disappointing as it is, that decision will in no way lessen my government' s comm itm ent to sustainable development and environmental protection.

Later in the session, my ministers plan to introduce a major new sustainable development act, the first of its kind in North America. The act is being developed through the Manitoba Round Table on Environment and the Economy and may well be a model for other jurisdictions in Canada and the United States. My ministers will also introduce a discu'ssion paper on a proposed new contaminated sites liability act.

The paper will propose a legislated comprehensive approach to the cleanup of contaminated sites, and would authorize the Oean Environment Commission to apportion liability for site cleanup based on the degrees of responsi bility of the parties involve d. The paper has been developed in consultation with a broad-based advisory committee on a set of principles endorsed unanimously last year by the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment. During the current fiscal year, my ministers will release their third biennial State of the

April 7, 1994 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 9 Envi ronment Rep or t as requ ired by the Environment Act State of environment reporting is a new and emerging field, and is recognized as a valuable way of providing public infonnation on the environment as a whole. Manitoba is one of only four provinces which have reported to date. My government will also continue to develop its pa rtnerships with in du stry and municipal governments to provide recycling opportunities to 75 percent of Manitoba househ olds within the next three ye ars.

This year, a city-wide recycling program, funded by industry and operated by municipal government, will begin in Winnipeg. The pro gram will be ex tended to other communities throughout this year and next These initiatives are part of a made-in-Manitoba system that is based on a strong commitment from industry and that will fundamentally change the way our province deals with waste from the plant to the store shelf to the home and, ultimately, to disposal. More dedications to the Endangered Spaces Program will be made in the coming months.

My government will continue as well to work in partnership with the aboriginal community to resolve longstanding treaty entitlements. It will also im plement resource co-man agement agreements to provide communities with a more direct role in the day-to-day management of the resources which are essential to their livelihoods. Securing Our Future In a time of rapid change, people often seek guidance from their past experience to apply proven and positive lessons from those who came before.

In June of this year, Manitobans will join other Canadians in comme morating the 50th anniversary of D-Day, the be ginning of the end of the war in Europe and the fine st hour for a great many men and women from across our country who fought for their families and their birthright. Later in the ye ar, we will rem ember the courage ous stand taken by Louis Riel in defence of his ideals, and then in 1995 we will all join in celebrating our 125th anniversary as a province. These events serve to remind us, again, of bow much we owe to the work, the commitment and the responsibility of those who built Manitoba.

They established the path we now follow, and we owe it to them to continue on that path. As we know, there can be no guarantees for our generation or any other. No indi vidu al, no province, no coun try is im mune to globa l competition and new technologies and the stresses of change and the consequences and costs of past decisions which have burdened us all with an onerous debt.

Manitobans are fortunate to have established a path to long-tenn security which has spared us the severe adju stments faced by many of our nei ghb ours and which has strengthened our resolve to conserve our resources, to safeguard our services and secure our foundation for the future. We have learned much from ourproudhistory of achievement. Generations of our ancestors native born and drawn to the promise of Manitoba from around the world-have worked hard to build our community.

They fashioned the essential consensus that unites our province, based on hope, on optimism, on ambition, on caring for our fellow citizens and on the other values that we share. That consensus is still strong among the women and men of Manitoba, and my government hopes that it will be reflected throughout all of the procee dings of this Legislative Assembly. In the course of this session, my ministers will lay before this Legislature a number of specific proposals for review.

Members will also be asked to consider estimates for the requirements for the public services of the province for the current fiscal ye ar, as well as the most recent Public Accounts. Je vous laisse maintenant aux nombreuses tAches que vous allez etre appeles a accomplir fid�lement. Que Ia divine Providence vous eclaire au coors des de lib erat i ons necessaires a I' executi on de ces tAches. I leave you now to the faithful perfonn ance of your many duties and trust that, in meeting them, you may benefit from the guidance of Di vine Providence in all your deliberations.

10 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA April?, 1994 •

(1410) The civil aide advanced and, after obeisance, receit•ed the speech fro m the Lieutenant-Governor and retired to the west side of the Chamber. The Mace then mad e obeisan ce before the Lieutenant-Governor and preceded him along the east side of the Chamber to the main entrance, accompanied by the Pr emier, the aides and the officer escort. All members and guests stood. God Save the Queen was sung. The Speaker proceeded to the Chair after His Honour retired from the House. The Premier proceeded to his seat in the Chamber. The Sergeant-at-Arms procee ded to the Speaker who was standing before the Chair.

The Mace made obeisance and returned to the table. Mr. Speaker: 0 Eternal and Almighty God, from Whom all pow er and wisdom come. We are assembled here before Thee to frame such laws as may tend to the welfare and prosperity of our province. Grant, 0 Merciful God, we pray Thee, that we may desire only that which is in accordance with Thy Will, that we may seek it wit h wisdom, know it with cer ta inty and accomplish it perfectly, for the Glory and Honour of Thy Name and for th e welfare of all our people. Amen. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS Blll 1-An Act respecting the Administration of Oaths of Office Bon.

Gary Filmon (Premier): Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism (Mr. Downey), that Bill I,

An Act respecting the Administration of Oaths of Office;

Loi sur Ia prestation des sennents d'entree en fonction, be introduced and that the same be now received and read a first time. Motion agreed to. House Business Mr. Speaker: I wish to infonn the House that in order to prevent mistakes, I have received a copy of the Address of His Honour which was read. I am pleased to introduce to the House the six young people who have been selected to serve as Pages at this session.

They are, beginning at my right : Anthony Augustine, from the Agassiz School Division No. 13; Shannon Summerfield, from the Assiniboine School Division No. 3; Jean LaFrance, from the Red River School Division No. 17; Joanne Jacyk, from the St. Boniface School Division No. 4; Norman Young, from the St. Boniface Scho ol Division No 4; and Karla Hinojosa, from the Winnipeg School Division No. 1. Mr. Filmon: I move, seconded by the honourable Minister of Environment (Mr.

Cummings), that the Votes and Proceedings of the House be printed, having first been perused by the Speaker, and that the Speaker do appoint the printing thereof, and that no person but such as the Speaker shall appoint do presume to print th e same. Motion agreed to. Mr. Filmon: I move, seconded by the honourable Minister of Justice (Mrs. Vodrey), that the speech of His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor be taken into consideration tomorrow. Motion agreed to. Mr. Filmon: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Leader of th e Opposition (Mr. Doer), that the House do now adjourn. Mr.

Speaker: Before putting the motion to the House, may I inform all present that a receiving line composed of Their Honours, the Lieutenant Governor and Mrs . Dumont, the Premier and Mrs . Ftlmon, and the Speaker and Mrs. Rocan will form shortly in Room 200 at the north end of the building and that refreshments will be served in Room 254 at the south end of the building in five minutes time. Motion agreed to and the House adjourned and stands adjourned unti1 10 a.m. tomorrow (Friday).

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA Thursday, April 7, 1994 CONTENTS Speech from the Throne Jobs and Economic Security 3 Personal and Community Security 5 Environmental Security 8 Securing our Future 9 Introduction of Bills Bill!, Administration of Oaths of Office Filmon 10

Document details

Collection	Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	35-5-1
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	35th 5th hansardpdf 1.pdf
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	6d53d4c6040f1e29801b8e1c596de6ce4a35a13c

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