Manitoba Hansard — 31 January 1974 (Sitting 1, 30th Legislature, 1st Session)

30-1-1

Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)

Legislative Assembly of Manitoba DEBATES and PROCEEDINGS Speaker The Honourable Peter Fox Vol. XXI No.l Printed by R. S. Evens-Queen's Printer for Province of MBl>itolo�

THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2:30 o'clock, Thursday, January 31, 1974 1 The Sergeant - at - Arms, carrying the Mace in the crook of his arm, followed by the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, Mr. J. R. Reeves, and the Deputy Clerk, Mr. Andrue J. Anstett, entered the House. SERGEANT - AT - ARMS: His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor. HON. HOWARD R.

PAWLEY (Attorney - General) (Selkirk): I am commanded by His Honour, the Lieutenant - Governor, to state that he does not see fit to declare the cause of the summoning of the present Legislature of this Province until a Speaker of this House shall have been chosen according to law. (His Honour the Lieutenant - Governor retires). MR . D. J. WALDING (St. Vital): Mr. Clerk it is required by the Crown that at this time we choose one of our members to occupy the Speaker's Chair before we can proceed with the business of the province.

It is an honour for me to put forward before this House the name of Peter Fox, the Member for Kildonan, to be the Speaker of this House for a second term. During the past two years that Mr. Fox has served the House his tact and fairness in the conduct of his duties, sometimes under trying conditions, have earned for him the respect of both sides of this House. He has shown fairness when required, humour when indicated, and impartiality at all times. I submit that the people of Manitoba have been well served by having Mr. Fox occupy the Speaker's Chair.

I therefore have pleasure in moving, seconded by the Honourable Member for Morris, that Peter Fox, Esq. , member for the electoral division of Kildonan, do take the Chair of this House as Speaker. MR . CLERK: Moved by the Honourable Member for St. Vital, seconded by the Honourable Member for Morris, that Peter Fox, Esq., Member for the Electoral Division of Kildonan, do take the Chair of this House as Speaker. MR . WARNER H. JORGENSON (Morris): Mr. Clerk, I have taken the trouble to go through the historical background of the motion that is now before the House. I find that it's a mixed bag.

I can't find in any precedent that has been established in this Chamber where there is any one particular tradition or one particular method of appointing a Speaker. I think that the method that has been chosen today perhaps will be about as fine a tradition as one could establish, and I want to deal with that a little later. But I would like to emphasize that the election of a chairman, or Speaker of this Assembly, carries with it a great deal more than the responsibility of simply supervising debates. A Speaker in a parliamentary government is the cornerstone of our democracy.

With him rests the responsibility for maintaining the rules, the traditions, the usages of our parliament; with him rests the ability of the members of this Chamber to conduct their business in a way that it;; conducive to proper con. duct of business. I fear, Sir, that there are occasions in this country, I fear that there are some inside the House as well as outside the House, who have the impression, because I suppose of the weight of influence being carried by the United States, that our system of government is very similar to theirs. Such is not the case. Our traditions are somewhat different.

In Canada it's a mistake to assume that one can be superimposed on the other •. The office {)f the Prime Minister or Premier in this country carries with it a great deal more responsibility and a great deal more than that of a President of the United States, taking into consideration their respective spheres of influence. In this country we do not have the checks and balances that is inherent in the American system written into our Constitution; our checks and balances rest right here in Parliament, right here in the Legislature.

For that reason it is important that the man who is chosen to assume the responsibility of Speaker in this Chamber is one who has those qualities that enables him to command the respect of members of all sides of the House. What safeguards then do we have for democracy? Sir, eternal vigilance is our safeguard; nothing more. Few people realize the extent to which our freedoms would be undermined simply by a majority vote in the Legislature or in Parliament.

A government supported by a majority could suspend the sittings of Parliament, have the minority members arrested, withdraw the safeguards of liberty, such as habeas corpus, deprive members of freedom of speech and establish virtually a dictatorship. And those words, Sir, are con tained in our own rule book, Beauchesne.

2 January 31 , 1974 (MR. JORGENSON cont'd) • • • • • It's for these reasons that prime ministers and leaders of opposition parties have periodically and repeatedly drawn attention to the basic freedom that we enjoy under our parliamentary system. It's for these reasons that members of parliament and members of the Legislature have been diligent and insistent in demanding freedom of speech, in requiring strict observance of rules and procedures, in emphasizing the importance of impartiality on the part of the Speaker.

It's for these reasons that citizens consider that no elected repre sentative can fulfill his trust to the people if he permits his freedom in parliament to be under mined or diminished. For just as we guard our rights and freedoms in this Legislature, we guard the rights and freedoms of minorities and indeed individuals, whether they be doctors, farmers, lawyers, labourers or barbers.

Sir, the practice in the House of Commons has been for the Prime Minister to move the motion and for the Leader of the Opposition to second it, and on that occasion members of the Legislature, through their leaders and the respective parties in the House, make some comments about the importance of the role of Speaker, to remind themselves of the import ance of that role. In Britain the system is a little bit different.

In Britain the backbenchers _move and second motions for the Speaker to take the Chair, and typical of the British tradition there's a reason for that and that reason is a very simple one: it's to remind the Speaker that he is to safeguard the rights of the individual members, so that he will not feel subservient to the Prime Minister or to the Premier who normally moves the motion. I think that that is a tradition that should be adopted by this Chamber. I would suggest if the First Minister is looking for traditions he has found one.

He has found one in the manner in which he allowed members of his backbench and a member of the Opposition to move and second this motion, which is a very important one, and that that tradition be carried on henceforth. I'll go even further, Sir, I'll go even further, Sir, and say that to spare the people who are here this afternoon listening to members reasserting their rights and proclaiming their freedom, that we call the session in the morning at 11 o'clock so that the election of the Speaker can take place at that time prior to the opening of the Legislature at 2:30.

Well then -- and I he ar the honourable members opposite, typical, who are a bit reluctant to hear these rights asserted, I assure you, Sir, that I do this because I think it should be done, not only to remind ourselves of those traditions but on each occasion that this parliament meets - and it's only about once every four years that we have the election of a Speaker -- it will also remind those new members or draw to the attention of those new members who come into this parliament -- and I want to welcome them here today -- what this place is intended to do and the importance of the role of the Speaker.

Sir, in past years there has been debate on the question of a permanent Speaker, and I don't want to go into that subject because I think it's more appropriate to deal with that on another occasion, such as if the government brings in some amendments to the Legislative Assembly Act, that can be properly dealt with at that time. Suffice it to say that I think it would be a bad tradition to establish in this country. Fine if you get a God - like person as a Speaker, but what happens if you get one that you can't get rid off?

And, Sir, I think that the British practice is the proper practice and I think, contrary to the opinions of many people that I hear, there is not such a thing as a permanent speakership in the House of Commons in Britain. He's there simply by tradition and by sufferance of the members, and as long as he carries on that responsibility in the way that the members want him to carry it on, regardless of his party affiliation he remains as Speaker, but he can be removed - let that be well known.

Well, Sir, there's been a tradition, and we're going to follow it here this afternoon, of members who move and second the motion, that tradition of dragging the Speaker reluctantly to the Chair, and that tradition has some meaning as well. There were days when the Speakers of the Parliaments of Great Britain had a very dangerous as well as an onerous responsibility such as in 1643 when King Charles I walked into the House of Commons demanding the arrest of five members with whom: he disagreed, and I recommend that period of history in Great Britain to the Minister of Agriculture.

And Speaker Lenthal, who was in the Chair at that time, gave a classic reply which is recorded in the pages of parliamentary history throughout the years and repeated from time to time, and I would like to quote those words right now. He said, "May it please Your Majesty, I have neither eyes to see nor tongue to speak in this place but as the House is pleased to direct me, whose servant I am here, and humbly beg Your Majesty's pardon that I cannot give any other answer than this to what Your Majesty is pleased to demand of me."

January 31, 1974 3 (MR. JORGENSON cont'

d) Sir, those words are symbolic of the responsibility that a Speaker assumes when he accepts the Chair. As a matter of fact, here in Manitoba we have our own tradition, we have our own history, and again it is cause for a Speaker to be dragged reluctantly to the Chair. That occurred a hundred years ago in 1873, when the charter for the City of Winnipeg had been refused by the Legislature at that time and during those turbulent years there were people who had the ability to express themselves perhaps far more forcefully than they do today.

A group of irate citizens descended upon the Legislature for the purpose of tarring and feathering the Attorney-General. Well they couldn't find the Attorney - General so they seized the offend ing Speaker and tarred him -- they couldn't find any feathers. Come to think of it, you know, the situation is very similar today.

It would be difficult to find honourable gentlemen opposite in their offices carrying on such tremendous responsibilities that they have which carries them to all corners of the globe, and a couple of years ago the government paid the farmers to gas two million chickens so there's a shortage of feathers as well. Sir, I'd like to quote some of the statements made by parliamentarians in the House of Commons. During the year 1953 when Prime Minister St.

Laurent was Prime Minister and he moved the motion, he had this to say: "The holder of this office must possess good judgmentta conciliatory attitude, and a thorough knowledge not only of parliamentary proced ure but of all matters that come before the House. Another very essenti al quality is a sense of responsibility toward the Canadian people, for this office is one of the cornerstones of democracy in this country." The Honourable George Drew had this to say on the same occasion: "We all welcome the tradition that has been established in this House of the impartiality of the Speaker.

In great part the conduct of debate and the manner in which business of the people is conducted are measured by the judgment and understanding displayed by the Speaker. It would not be desirable in avoiding too rugged debate to prevent that free cut and thrust of discussion which is an essential to the parliamentary exchange of ideas." And Mr. Coldwell, a great parliamentarian, a gentle and kindly man, had this to say: "It seems to me that the Speaker of the House is a guardian of the privileges of the House and of those of individual members. I would hope that Mr.

Speaker will always re member that the fortunes of the government must not take precedent over the rights of individual members or other parties in the House." In 1953 he said this: "The Speaker of the House is no mere chairman elected for the convenient supervision of debate. He is a champion of the Legislature against the Executive. He is the custodian of rights and liberties acquired in a long history. He is one of the main pillars of our constitution." Sir, the Speaker that was being elected to the Chair at that time was Rene Beaudoin.

It was a short three years later that that same gentle, kindly man, a man who had great respect for the Chair, . strolled out to the centre of the Chamber shaking his fist in anger at the Speaker. It's an indication, Sir, of how members of this House and parliamentarians in the free world will guard their rights. It's an indication, Sir, of how strongly we feel about the preservation of those rights.

Any Speaker who assumes that responsibility assumes an onerous task; and I hope that in the coming parliament of the Legislature of this province that we all can live up to the expectations that the people of this province would like us to live up to.

4 January 31 , 1974 MR . GORDON E . JOHNSTON (Portage la Prairie): Mr. Clerk and Honourable Members, it is not my intention to delay unduly tne proceedings but I feel that a few words should be spoken at this time on behalf of our group, It is our intention of course to concur with the motion. We have great respect for Mr. Fox and we hope to give him the co- operation that he needs to make this House work effectively; and we look again to him for just and honourable and fair decisions.

But I would like to take a moment to remind members on all sides of the House and all three parties, that from time to time, and my experience only goes back to 1962, but from time to time there has been lip service and in some cases agreement and words of acquiescence were given that this House should look towards the day when it has a permanent speaker, I would like to remind my honourable friends opposite and members of this side, a former Speaker, who supported the idea, I believe, and others who have supported this thought, and I would like to request the government that in the course of the Session that we are now in that some recommendation or some decision be given to the Rules and Elections Committee, perhaps, to really thoroughly go into this idea and for once and for all solve it and be done with it -- whether it•s to go ahead and proceed with the idea of a permanent speaker or to carry on in the tradition that we have done in the past.

We know that a Speaker is appointed by right of government and perforce this person is a supporter of government, and this is only natural and it's the way it has been in the past, But I speak to my honourable friend the Premier who prides himself on being a progressive person, and no pun was intended there, that this idea should be discussed thoroughly in com mittee and settled once and for all; whether it1s empty words that were spoken in the past by members on this side and that side of the House or whether we really mean what we meant when those ideas were discussed, So, Mr.

Clerk, with no more to say, I say that our group concur with the motion, MR . CLERK: Are you ready for the question? I declare the motion carried in the affirmative and Honourable Peter Fox, Esq., Member for the Electoral Division of Kildonan, duly elected to the Chair of this House, MR . SPEAKER: Honourable members of the Thirtieth Legislature, I am not unmindful of the honour which you have conferred on me today in electing me to the highest office within the gift of the Assembly, that of your Speaker and your servant.

It will be my aim and duty to uphold the principles and traditions of the House and secure for each member the right to express his or her opinions within the limits necessary to preserve decorum; to recognize the rights and privileges of the honourable members, the political groups and the House itself; to facilitate the transaction of the public business in an orderly manner, and above all to seek to be fair and impartial in the decisions you entrust to me. If these are your objectives, and I believe they are, I ask your patience and co-operation in approaching them.

I deeply appreci ate your actions in elevating me to the Speaker's Chair. With your assistance I hope to fulfill this commitment with dignity and honour, Thank you. May it please your Honour: The Legislative Assembly have elected me as their Speaker though I am but little able to fulfill the important duties assigned to me.

If in the performance of these duties I should at any time fall into error, I pray that the fault may be imputed to me and not to the Assembly, whose servant I am, and who through me, the better to enable them to discharge their duties to their Queen and Country, hereby humbly claim all their undoubted rights and privileges, especially that they may have freedom of speech in their debates, access to Your Honour's person at all reasonable times, and that their proceedings may receive from Your Honour the most favourable consideration, MR . PAWLEY: Mr.

Speaker, I am commanded by His Honour the Lieutenant- Governor to declare to you that he freely confides in the duty and attachment of the Assembly to Her Majesty's person and Government, and not doubting that their proceedings will be conducted with wisdom, temper and prudence, he grants, and upon all occasions will recognize and allow their constitutional rights. I am commanded also to assure you that the Assembly shall have ready access to His Honour upon all reasonable occasions, and that their proceedings, as well as your words and actions, will constantly receive from him the most favourable construction.

January 31, 1974 5 THRONE SPEECH HONOURABLE WILLIAM JOHN McKEAG (Lieutenant-Governor, of the Province of Manitoba): Mr. Speaker andMembers ofthe Legislative Assembly of the Province of Manitoba: I have pleasure in Welcoming you to the First Session of the Thirtieth Legislature of the Province of Maliitoba. As this session inaugurates a new Parliament, I am sure that the people of the province can look forward with confidence to the constructive efforts of all members of the Legislature in advancing the prosperity of Manitoba citizens. 1973 was the highest growth year in Manitoba •s economic history.

My ministers inform me that many new records, even after discounting for the effects of inflation, were set in agriculture, manufacturing, mining, tourism, employment and other important indices of activity. Last year's forecasted increase of $500 million in gross provincial product was in fact exceeded with Manitoba's gross value of production rising to $5 billion. It is expected that 1974 will be a year of continued momentum in economic growth.

Manufacturing, the largest sector of economic activity in our province, advanced strongly .in 1973, Total factory shipments were in excess of $1.3 billion, an increase in ex cess of 21% over the previous year. In addition, 900 persons obtained employment as a direct result of the expansion or creation of manufacturing plants throughout the province, and my ministers inform me that 31 manufacturing plants were under construction in this period.

In recognition of the different problems confronting small business and the role small firms play in the provincial economy, my government will continue to provide financing and management service support to small firms as requested. My government reaffirms its policy of encouraging a fair regional distribution of industry and job opportunities in rural Manitoba, even though this may require from tim:e to .time public sector equity financing under conditions of higher risk. The issues raised at the recent federal-provincial conference on energy will remain a priority concern throughout the next several months.

The conference of First Ministers reached a consensus that for the months of February and March voluntary price restraints and the federal export tax will continue. Most of the longer-term issues, however, have not yet been resolved and consequently a large amount of uncertainty still surrounds. the subject of energy. Further meetings of ministers will be held and my government will do its share to contribute to a new national policy to cope with this Canada-wide problem.

Our desire that there be a rational basis for determining price levels and for the allocation of windfall gains will underlie our representa tions to other governments in Canada and will also determine our actions within the jurisdic tion of Manitoba.

Although the question of oil policy necessarily requires priority consideration in the present circumstances, my government will also urge that an examination of the best means of large scale substitution of renewable energy in place of depleting energy resources be commenced systematically in 1974 as a matter of national priority and with a sense of obligation to a not so distant future. In the meantime Manitoba Hydro is proceeding on a major scale to harness the renewable energy of the Nelson River, consistent with long-term objectives and responsibilities.

Expanded production and improved prices made 1973 a record year for Manitoba agri culture far above any previous year. Gross value of farm production reached an estimated $1.2 billion, nearly double that of the previous record set in 1972. In 1973 the province assumed all of the administration costs of the Manitoba Crop Insurance Corporation, thus enabling all of the federal contribution to be applied to premiums. In response Manitoba farmers took out approximately $60 million in crop insurance, a substantial increase over past years.

A land lease program through the Manitoba Agricultural Credit Corporation has been introduced. It provides young farmers and those operating on a smaller basis with an opportun ity to start or enlarge farming operations with the land required for operation without having to

6 January 31, 1974 (THRONE SPEECH cont•d.) . • . . . incur large capital costs to purchase land. The farm diversification program and livestock production incentive program are being well utilized and there is continuing interest in the operation of these programs. The two programs to assist farms and municipalities in sewer and water installation costs are also coming into increased use.

To date some 7, 000 applications for grants and technical assistance have been received relative to farm operations and 23 communities have received formal offers for financial as sistance totalling approximately $3 million in grants and $7 million i'l loans. You will be asked to improve amendments to The Crop Insurance Act to permit a wider range of crops to be insured and to approve as well certain amendments to The Agricultural Credit Corporation Act.

To enhance the stay option opportunities, increased emphasis will be placed on promoting the production of crops that support the livestock industry and of special crops for processing and export. In this connection you will be asked to approve funds for an intensive program to improve the livestock carrying capacity of Crown grazing lands. My government reports that the Legal Aid Program to provide legal aid to needy citizens of Manitoba has been significantly extended.

Plans are being developed to provide additional legal aid clinics that will relate to a number of smaller communities in rural and northern Manitoba by way of pilot projects. Wives who have been legally separated or divorced from their husbands and who have found great difficulty in having Court maintenance orders enforced have historically found it necessary to obtain public assistance in order to maintain themselves and their children. In an attempt to solve this problem, a staff of enforcement officers was established in the Winnipeg Family Court.

This enforcement program will now be expanded to give it wider geographical application. In furtherance of the policy of decentralization of government services, my government informs me that a report has been requested on the feasibility of establishing a Land Titles District for northern Manitoba. Provision will be made in the estimates to continue to assist all those who wish to secure post-secondary education or vocational training, whether they are adults whose earlier oppor tunities were limited, or whether they are persons who wish to retrain or upgrade their qualifications.

Child development services through the Department of Education are being extended so that the delivery of specialized services to handicapped children in smaller com munities will become more readily available. Computer access is being installed in a number of secondary schools in our province in order to relate this pervasive modern technology to school administration and to the needs of 0 education and vocational training in an age of growing computerization. An obligation of all responsible government must be to protect those low income families who are most vulnerable to the effects of inflation.

In order to reduce some of the hardship on these families, there will be an indexing of all social allowances to increase automatically with the consumer price index. At the same time the work incentives program, which can encourage social allowance recipients to seek employment, is experiencing success and will be pursued with vigor in the future. The care which we as a society collectively provide for those unfortunate persons who cannot care for themselves is a basic expression of the humanity and progress of our society.

My government will therefore introduce additional major developments for the care and treat ment of the mentally retarded and the mentally ill. New programs will be introduced for the delivery of community-based mental health services. My government has previously indicated its objective to improve the dental care avail able to our children in this province, to alleviate the burden of purchasing vital prescription drugs for persons of all ages suff ering from chronic illness, and to extend home care services as a partial substitute for institutional care.

Detailed studies have now been undertaken in these areas and in the coming year my government will inaugurate programs which will set out toward these important goals. I am informed that in the year past the Government of Canada gave a commitment to introduce legislation which woul!l enable provinces to secure minority equity ownership in chartered banks. My ministers will await the proposed legislation and will assess the de sirable form of provincial equity participation in banking ventures or alternatives thereof.

In the interim, my government is preparing legislation to enable the establishment of treasury branches, in the event that the changes to The Federal Bank Act do not provide adequate scope for public equity involvement in banking operations.

January 31, 1974 (THRONE SPEECH cont•d. ) 7 Public interest concerning the development of our mineral resources is a matter which has already been given serious attention by the government. Past development has been left almost exclusively to the private sector and my ministers advise that the wealth created by the exploitation of these resources has not resulted in sufficient benefits accruing to the general public. For these reasons my ministers have given greater emphasis to public participation in the mineral resources development field.

Measures taken have included the creation of a public corporation to participate in the activity of mineral exploration, both as an exclusive public venture and in joint participation with private sector companies; an increase in the royalties payable for utilization of the mineral resources; and a more stringent attitude towards disposing of resource leases to private interests. As a result of further studies relative to these questions, my ministers will be seeking approval of the Legislature for further government participation consistent with directions already taken.

In past and recent years wild fur harvesting has provided limited benefits for our trappers. Concerning this matter, my ministers inform me that they expect to finalize an agreement in the near future with the Government of Canada. Under the agreement, the pro gram would provide these persons with an increased financial return together with improved living and working conditions.

In 1970, Manitoba undertook to proceed more rapidly with a system of northern highways that would provide northern residents with the benefits of a highway system directly connecting Grand Rapids, Thompson and Lynn Lake with the road network to the south. In November 1973, with the completion of the highway between Thompson and Lynn Lake, that phase of the northern highway system was completed. The second challenge of this northern highway policy, namely the further extension of pioneer roads, is already well under way.

I am informed regretfully that accidents and Highway Traffic Act convictions for the past year have substantially increased. Examination of ways in which to reduce-this pattern is under way and my ministers hope to report progress in reversing this trend. Changes in drivers' licensing, which will align us with a number of other Canadian provinces in a uniform driver licensing system of seven categories, will be introduced in 1974. The program of driver testing is being expanded to include the northern communities of Leaf Rapids, Norway House, Moose Lake and Berens River.

In northe rn Manitoba, my government will continue its aggressive developmental policy. Emphasis will be placed on employment and training; efforts to bring about a greater degree of equalization in the cost of living; increased participation in local government; and improved community services and facilities. It is expected that assistance for local economic develop ment and improvements in transportation and modern communications will re duce the isolation of northern communities and increase the living standards of northern residents.

You will be asked to consider amendments to The Workmen's Compensation Act to increase coverage to injured workmen and to provide for increases in pensions to those affected by accidents in industry. My government is also beginning consideration of a plan which will provide for accident and sickness insurance for all our people. A proposal for control and accountability of private pension plans will be introduced which will involve consideration for portable pensions for Manitobans. You will be asked to consider certain changes to The Civil Service Act.

Amendments to The Legislative Assembly Act including measures intended to assist elected persons and appointed public servants in identifying and avoiding possible conflicts of interest will be brough t forward. My ministers have informed me that the universal automobile insurance which was implemented by my government on November 1, 1971, has proved to be ben eficial to the residents of Manitoba. To improve upon the payment of compensation to victims of automobile accidents and to set up better procedures, you will be asked to approve certain amendments to The Automobile Insurance Act.

My government proposes to complement the Crown operated automobile insurance plan by offering additional options to the public of Manitoba to purchase general insurance to suit their needs. To that end you will be asked to consider legislation authorizing the public under writing of other classes of insurance.

8 January 31 , 1974 (THRON E SPEECH cont'

d) My governmen t will continue the constr uction of regionally decentralized accommodation in 1974-75 by building office accommodation for the public service at Portage la Prairie, Dauphin and Thompson. New correctional institutions will be built at Brandon and The Pas to replace existing obsolete facilities. Last year the people of Manitoba continued to make increasing use of their provincial parks and recreation areas. Continuation of the Accelerated Winter Works Program to supple ment the regular budget was necessary to meet this demand.

Under this program, development and upgrading of wayside parks, campgrounds, sports facilities and other major developments in provincial parks are belng carried out. The program to permit senior citizens free entry into provincial parks will be continued in 1974. My government is launching a $2, 300, 000 Park Facilities Development Program, includ ing a pilot project whereby the department will share the cost with municipal governments in the development of regional parks for Local residents.

The new Convention Centre under construction in downtown Winnipeg has already gener ated huge complementary structures and, after becoming operational late in 1974, will bring in an estimated 40,000 visitors or 160, 000 visitor days per year.· The province has made a grant towards the capital construction cost of the centre in anticipation of significant business activity and employment it will generate.

The concept of a Sports Directorate to provide assistance to amateur sports associations in .coordinating amateur sport activities in the province, along with the sums required to assist Manitoba amateur sports programming, will be placed before you for your consideration. May 2, 1974 will see the opening of the new addition to the Museum of Man and Nature for the "Nons uch" which was a gift to the people of Manitoba from the Hudson's Bay Company. This historic company, now headquartered in western Canada, has also arranged for the trans fer of its World recognized archives.

The Manitoba Archives building is being greatly upgraded to accommodate these priceless documents. In line with my government's wish to help preserve the cultural inheritance of people, grants in aid, both program and capital, have been awarded toward multicultural activities and events. Measures will be proposed to provide a more effective means of preserving historic buildings, sites and artifacts. Cette fondation travaillera en �troite collaboration avec le gouvernement fe'd�ral dans le cadre de son "Programme des lieux et parcours priviltfgi�s". Le Centre Culture!

Franco-Manitobain est maintenant ouvert et constitue un foyer important de la culture francophone dans notre province. Son co1tt a lt� partag� conjointement par les gouvernements provincial et ftd�ral. Notre gouvernement, dans le but de contribuer a 1 'unite' nationale du Canada, continuera d'appuyer les activit6s et les programmes des organismes culturels franco-manitobains.

You will be asked to approve the continuation of efforts to provide rental housing for low and moderate income families and senior citizens throughout the province, and the continu ance of efforts \o extend clean, warm and safe shelter in remote communities. You will be asked to vote funds to allow my government to make grants of $300 to first-time homeowners and annual subsidies scaled up to $300 per year to help families buy homes. Special provision of grants and subsidies, with a limit of $500 will be made in the northern region to allow for the higher cost of housing.

I am informed that my government is pursuing the spirit of cooperation which devel oped among the four western provinces following the first Western Premiers' Conference which took place in Winnipeg in Manitoba, 1973, and at the Western Economic Opportunities Confer ence held in Calgary in July.

While it was hoped that the Government of Canada would respond more specifically at that conference to the concrete policy recommendations put forward by the western prov inces in respect of agriculture, trans portation, industrial development and financial institutions, my ministers wish to acknowledge that some progress is being made. My ministers reaffirm that it is essential for all three levels of government to consult regularly on major municipal problems.

Accordingly, my government has joined representa tives of the City of Winnipeg in proposing that the third national Tri-level Conference be held in Winnipeg during 1974.

January 31, 1974 9 (THRONE SPEECH cont•d.) In this, Winnipeg's centennial year, my government wishes to recognize the contribu tion to the province of its capital city. Accordingly, my government will ask for this Assembly's approval of financial participation in marking that event. Mes ministres constatent que la nouvelle ville de Winnipeg a fait des progres considerables dans la fusion et 1 'egalisation de ses services et a us si dans la planification du d�veloppement urbain. Vous serez appel�s a approuver certaines modifications a la

Loi sur la ville de Winnipeg, qui visent a rendre encore plus efficaces son gouvernement et son administration. My government is aware of the critical importance of urban transportation in enhanc ing the quality of life enjoyed by Manitoba's urban residents. My government last year announced its support for innovation in public transit and stands ready to work with the govern ments of urban areas to plan, finance and facilitate the development of energy conserving, efficient and integrated multiple - form urban transportation systems.

Non -r enewable energy depletion rates and cost give added impetus to this objective. In order to encourage creative urban development in this, Winnipeg's centennial year, and to ensure that the potential social, economic and environmental benefits of an urban transportation system are realized, my government will ask you to approve substantial funds for public transit systems.

You will be asked to supply funds for a general increase in civil service salaries and in health service costs, These requirements and the entire estimates of expenditure for the public service of the province for the next fiscal year as well as the Public Accounts for the last fiscal year will all be submitted for your consideration. In leaving you I pray that you may have the guidance of Divine Providence and reason in your deliberations! Que Dieu btlnisse la Reine et notre pays • . . • . . continued on next page

10 January 31 , 1974 MR . SPEAKER: 0 Eternal and Almighty God, from whom all power and wisdom come, we are assembled here before Thee to frame such laws as may tend to the welfare and prosper ity 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 with wisdom, know it with certainty, and accomplish it perfectly, for the glory and honour of Thy Name and for the welfare of all our people. Amen. The Honourable First Minister. BILL NO. 1 HON. EDWARD SCHREYER (Premier) (Rossmere) introduced Bill No, 1,

an Act respect ing the Administration of Oaths of Office. MR . SPEAKER: I wish to inform the House that in order to prevent mistakes I have ob tained a copy of the Address of His Honour as read. I should also like to inform the House that Ragnar Gislason has been appointed Sergeant-at-Arms for the First Session of the Thirtieth Legislature. The Honourable First Minister. MR . SCHREYER: Mr.

Speaker, I move, seconded by the Honourable the Minister of Labour, that the Votes and Proceedings of the House be printed, having first been perused by the Speaker; and that he do appoint the printing thereof, and that no person but such as he shall appoint, do presume to print same. MOTION presented and carried, MR . SCHRYER: Mr.

Speaker, I move, seconded by the Honourable the House Leader, that the Standing Committees of this House for the present session be appointed for the follow ing purposes: Privileges and Elections; Public Accounts; Public Utilities and Natural Resources; Agriculture; Municipal Affairs; Law Amendments; Private Bills; Industrial Rela tions; Statutory Regulations and Orders; Economic Develo pment; which several committees shall be empowered to examin e and enquire into all such matters and things as may be re ferred to them by this House, and to report from time to time their observations and opinions thereon, with power to send for persons, papers and documents and examine witnesses under oath, MOTION presented and carried.

MR . SPEAKER: The Honourable First Minister. MR . SCHREYER: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Honourable the Attorney General, that during the present session of the Legislature William Jenkins, Esq., Member for the Electoral Division of Logan, be Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the Committee of the House. MOTION presented and carried. MR . SCHREYER: Mr.

Speaker, I move, seconded by the Honourable the Minister of Agriculture, that a committee of seven persons be appointed to prepare and report,. with all convenient speed, a list of members to compose the standing committees ordered by this House, and that such committee shall be composed as follows: The Honourable Messrs. Green, Hanuschak, Paulley (Transcona); Messrs. Jenkins, Johnston (Portage la Prairie), Jorgenson and Sherman, MOTION presented and carried. MR. SCHREYER: Mr.

Speaker, I move, seconded by the Honourable Minister of Health and Social Development, that the speech of His Honour be taken into consideration tomorrow, MOTION passed, MR . SCHREYER: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Honourable the Minister of Tourism, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, that the House do now adjourn, MR . SPEAKER presented the motion and after a voice vote declared the motion carried and the House adjourned until 10:00 a. m. Friday morning.

Document details

Collection	Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	30-1-1
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	30th 1st hansardpdf 1.pdf
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	a54e07055900195958a9b5ea01db3c00060bc5bd

Source file is stored in the law ingest library (pdf).