Manitoba Hansard — 17 March 1978 (Sitting 2, 31st Legislature, 2nd Session)

31-2-2

Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)

THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA Friday, March 17, 1978 Time: 10:00 a.m. MR. SPEAKER, Hon. Harry E. Graham (Birtle-Russell): 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 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 with wisdom and 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 .

I would like to at this time welcome 65 students of Grade 9 standing from La Verendrye School under the direction of Mr. Harwood . This school is in the constituency of the Honourable Member for Portage Ia Prairie . On behalf of all the members we bid you welcome here today. Presenting Petitions . . . Reading and Receiving Petitions .. . Presenting Reports by Standing and Special Committees. MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS AND TABLING OF REPORTS MR. SPEAKER: The Honourable Attorney-General. HON. GERALD W .J. MERCIER , Attorney-General (Osborne): Mr.

Speaker, I wish to table a copy of each regulation filed under th e Regulation Act being regulatio ns 29/77 to 255/77 and regulations 1/7 8 to 18/78 all inclusive . Mr. Speaker , I also wish to table the Report of the Family Law Review Committee which I just recently received the final copy of. We expect to receive a further report from the committee dealing with other aspects and possible amendments to other minor Acts being the Devolution of Estates Act , The Dower Act and The Wills Act.

This report will be provided to all members of the public who made submissions to the Family Review Committee , being some 80 submissions. It will also be available through the Queen 's Printer 's office at a cost of $1 .00. 1 want to stress , Mr.

Speaker, that the government has just received the report and it is not being cons idered ; we've not made any decisions as to what amendments will be made but we are tabling the report and distributing it in the hopes that perhaps in the next three weeks there may be people who may wish to make further amendments to my office while we are in the process of drafting legislation . MR. SPEAKER: The Honourable Member of Northern Affairs . HON. KEN MacMASTER (Thompson): Mr. Speaker, I'd like to table the results of the ratification vote that was held in relationship to the Northern Flood Agreement.

The eligible voters were 3,681 . The total votes cast was 873 for a percentage voting of 24.6 percent. Those in favour were 564, which is 65 percent ; those opposed were 303, which is 35 percent. There were six spoiled ballots . Percentage-wise per reservation : Split Lake 58 percent, Cross Lake 57 percent, Nelson House 70 percent, Norway House 70 percent and York Landing 81 percent. Thank you . MR. SPEAKER: Has the Honourable Minister sufficient copies for the various parties in the House? MR. MacMASTER: Yes I have, Mr. Speaker . -(Interjection)- I didn't feel it was a waste, I thought maybe you ... MR.

SPEAKER: Order please. Notices of Motion . . . Introduction of Bills . Before we get into the question period I would like to apologize to all members of the House for a mistake that was made in the second Hansard of the proceedings of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts. Unfortunately it was an error of the Hansard branch which put Wednesday , February 29th on the various pages of that. It should be Wednesday, March 1st. ORAL QUESTIONS MR. SPEAKER: The Honourable Leader of the Opposition. MR. EDWARD SCHREYER (Rossmere): Mr. Speaker, may I begin the session by bidding you a St. Patrick's Day good morning .

My first question to the Premier obviously has to be relating to the subject which is a matter of preoccupation on many people 's minds, ~iven that unemployment in Canada and in Manitoba, in both jurisdictions, is the highest in approximately 39 years. Can the First Minister indicate if it is now a matter of official and high priority government policy to work on its own and in co-operation with the private sector, and in co-operation with the Government of Canada, to begin to re-stimulate the 5

Friday, March 17, 1978 economy here? MR. SPEAKER: The Honourable First Minister. HON. STERLING R. LYON (Charleswood): Mr. Speaker, with respect to my honourable friend's first comment I am sure that we would all wish to acknowledge the fact that this is St. Patrick's Day and to wish all of those who are Irish or partly Irish, or who wish they were Irish, and that encompasses most of the world , the very best of wishes on this notable day.

And if I may say, I have just received a telegram addressed to the House on behalf of the membership of the Irish Association of Manitoba: "W e wish you and your colleagues a very happy and fulfilling St. Patrick's Day."That is signed by the Board of Directors of the Irish Association of Manitoba . Now with respect, Mr. Speaker , to my honourable friend 's question about unemployment , naturally every government, every legislator in Canada and in this province shares the same concern about the figures that were released only at the beginning of this week.

The investment intentions, as we have had indications of them in Manitoba , however, Mr. Speaker , are increasin9.1n fact the figure that the Minister of Finan ce has indicated to me is an increased investment intent1on in Manitoba of approximately 6.5 percent. That's the Statistics Canada projection . Unemployment in Manitoba remains unacceptably hi9h. However, it is maintaining its position vis a-vis the rest of the country in that we still do have theth1rd lowest unemployment rate in the country , that is among provinces.

The actual number of people at work in Manitoba has increased significantly as between this month of 1978 and of 1977 with some 16,000 more persons being employed in Manitoba than was the case one year ago.

However , we all acknowledge that that is cold comfort to the person who is out of work, seeking employment in this province, and it will be the object of this government , I hope with the full support and co-operation of members of the opposition to ensure that those policies go forward and those programs go forward from this Legislature that will tend, as much as possible , as much as it is within the power of government to do so, to ameliorate the unemployment problem in Manitoba . MR. SPEAKER: The Honourable Leader of the Opposition with a supplementary. MR. SCHREYER: Mr.

Speaker , yes, I'll contain myself to one supplementary question and that is to ask the First Minister, and/or the Minister of Finance, to indicate if they can whether the consensus of opinio n that was arrived at, if any, at the most recent First Ministers' Conference and meeting of Ministers of Finance, whether the consensus was such that , in view of the circumstances that a policy of restimulation ought to be commenced, both by way of stimulation of the private sector in the intermediate and long run, and the use of government as an instrument to get job creation going in the immediate run .

Was such a consensus arrived at? MR. LYON: Mr. Speaker, in response to the supplementary of my honourable friend, the Leader of the Oppositio n, the communique that was issued from the First Ministers' Conference is self explanatory, and if my honourable friend wishes to have a copy I can certainly provide it for him.

There was consensus among all of the provincial premiers and the Prime Minister of Canada that the main vehicle for the provision of jobs and the growth in the economy in Canada would be the private sector , realizing as we all do that in this country, as indeed in the province, we live in a mixed economy . There were certain programs announced of a stimulative nature, particularly with reference to the eastern seaboard provinces. I have in mind the Bay of FundyTidal Power Project and so on, that had been under negotiation .

There is also concurrently negotiation going on, certainly between Manitoba and the Government of Canada , with respect to some reorientation of DREE money, in order that DREE moneys may be applied in what is now regarded as more meaningful ways in terms of project, tourist development and some industrial development within Manitoba and other provinces.

So I would say that there is consensus first of all that the private sector is the main engine that is going to provide the recovery impetus that we are looking for; and secondly, that there is, as there always has been, a continuing role for government, provincial and federal, to play in this joint approach that all provinces and the federal government are taking to the national problem of unemployment. MR. SPEAKER: The Honourable Leader of the Opposition. MR. SCHREYER: Mr. Speaker, my next question is directed to the Minister of Finance -I should say theM inister reportin9 for Manitoba Hydro.

Given that the United States and Canada have agreed at the national level to mclude on the agenda of upcoming energy talks the establishment of a systematic study of the possibilities of the harnessing of several thousand megawatts of potential Canadian hydro electric sites as a possible means of diminishing dependency in the U.S. on Canad ian natural gas, can the Minister indicate, or takes as notice perhaps, whether Manitoba has yet been formally asked by the Government of Canada to make an input into this said study which is either about to commence or is already under way? MR.

SPEAKER: The Hono urable Minister of Finance . 6

Friday, March 17, 1978 HON. DONALD W. CRAIK (Riel): Mr. Speaker , in reply to the questions by the Leader of the Opposit ion, Manitoba has been actively pursuing directly negotiations in the United States with regard to power sales and, as the former First Minister is well aware, these areas are prime areas for diversity exchanges which are of greatest interest to Manitoba and that is a first order priority pursuit of the province. I expect that the greatest product ivity from research and input at this time is going to be in that area.

We are co-operating with the Federal Government through the utility rather than directly on these discussions from the Manitoba government. We have had discussions with the Federal Government and they will continue . We will participate in any of their undertakings . Our feeling is that the most productive way to move renewable resource power development though is going to be on the direct negotiation basis between Manitoba and the particular power interests in the mid-west and north mid-west U.S. MR.

SPEAKER: Before I allow any other questions I think I should bring to the members ' attention that after the proceedings are completed today the provincial photographer from Information Services will be taking official photographs in the Chamber . I would ask all members to keep that in mind. The Honourable Member for Fort Rouge. MR. LLOYD AXWORTHY: Thank you , Mr. Speaker . I would like to follow on the same question of unemployment and direct a question to the Minister responsible for education in the new Secretariat.

In light of the fact that unemployment falls most heavily upon young people, and particularly upon students, where it is estimated at a 20 percent unemployment rate, can the Minister indicate if his department is planning any special initiatives or programs to alleviate that very serious unemployment problem that students will be expecting when they leave school in a month's time? MR. SPEAKER: Before the Minister answers , may I suggest to members that questions of that nature may probably be better asked when the Estimates are discussed in the House. The Honourable Minister of Education , if he wants to answer.

HON. KEITH A. COSENS (Gimli): Mr. Speaker, we have considered that very serious question. We have made provision to try to meet some of the problems that we see ahead in that area and the details will come out more fully in the Estimates . I can assure the member that we have made provision in that area. MR. SPEAKER: The Honourable Member for Fort Rouge . MR. AXWORTHY: A supplementary, Mr. Speaker. I will await with some interest the debate on the Estimates; 1 hope it comes soon . But I would ask the Minister a very specific question .

In light of the unemployment figures can he indicate whether he is prepared to rescind the statement made by his department that they will be cutting substantially back on the summer employment programs that were previously in progress and restore tbose jobs that were available to students? MR. COSENS: Mr. Speaker, in reply to the question, as far as cutting back is concerned I would suggest that in some areas we are increasing the number of job offices and positions of that type and will, in fact , probably increase the number of job opportunities, hopefully through the work of these offices . MR.

SPEAKER: The Honourable Member for Fort Rouge with a final supplementary . MR. AXWORTHY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker . In light of the statement of theM inister then, could he indicate at this time how many job places will the provincial government be specifically providing this Spring for students who are leaving school? MR. COSENS: Mr. Speaker, I don't have those figures available at this time . I can find them and take it as notice. MR. SPEAKER: The Honourable Member for Inkster. MR. SIDNEY GREEN: Mr. Speaker, I would like to direct a question to whichever Minister is designated as Chairman of Management Committee.

Has the Management Committee of Cabinet received a request from the G reatWest Life Insurance Company that the public send a task force into the Great West to reduce the fat in that operation which has increased from 21 million in 1967 to 58 million in 1976? Has there been a request received from them to offer reciprocal assistance to that company which is trying to help this government so much? MR. SPEAKER: The Honourable First Minister. 7

Friday, March 17, 1978 MR. LYON: Mr. Speaker , 1 would not, of course, nor would my honourable fr i end the Member for Inkster want me to be in breach of the rules by answering a question over which neither he nor the Government of Manitoba has any administrative or other responsib ility .

In answer to his question , however , no such request has been received although I am certain that when we find out the value of the work when it is tabled by the co-chairman of the Task Force , we may find that that kind of a vehicle would be useful for various organizations , particularly for governments coming into office in succession from NDP governments . I suppose that maybe after the next election in Saskatchewan there may be some considerable demand for that kind of an exercise in that province . MR. SPEAKER: The Honourable Member for Inkster . MR. GREEN: Mr.

Speaker , I am surprised to hear the suggestion that Management Committee of Cabinet does not fall within the administrative responsibility of the government. I asked my honourable friend, with regard to Management Committee of Cabinet- I see that that function has now been usurped by a private task force and is no longer considered part of the administrative (Interjection)- I speak to the point of order . .. the administrative responsibilities of government. MR. SPEAKER: Order please. It is my understanding there was no point of order and if the Member for Inkster has a question, this is the time to ask it. MR.

GREEN: Mr. Speaker, I am glad that you are not ruling in favour of the First Minister who suggested that there is no administrative responsibility over Management Committee. Mr. Speaker , in view of my honourable friend's indication that he wishes to spur forward the private sector and since talk of a public task force to help Great West Life started , the stock of that corporation has gone up from $72.00 to $77.50. Wouldn't the honourable member consider that he could stimulate and help the private sector by giving them the kind of public expertise that is available to reduce their expenditures? MR.

SPEAKER: The Honourable Member for The Pas. MR. RONALD McBRYDE: Mr. Speaker , my question is to the Minister of Health and Social Development. I'd like to ask him what statistics the department provides to him in terms of the number of welfare recipients in the Province of Manitoba and whether or not he gets a regional breakdown as to welfare recipients in the various regions of Manitoba . MR. SPEAKER: The Honourable Minister of Health . HON. L.R. (Bud) SHERMAN (Fort Garry): Mr. Speaker , I'll have to take that question as notice .

I believe that my department is able to supply that information on a regular basis but I'll check and report to the honourable member next week. MR. SPEAKER: The Honourable Member for The Pas with a supplementary . MR. McBRYDE: A supplementary to the same Minister , Mr. Speaker . I wonder if theM inister might make available to the Legislature the statistics in terms of welfare recipients and the total amount of taxpayers ' money that's now having to go into welfare , so that we can keep track or keep record so we can see the progress being made by the government opposite in the ir programs . MR. SHERMAN: Mr.

Speaker , the honou rable member may wanttodiscussthatwith me during the consideration of my department Estimates . MR. SPEAKER: The Honourable Member for Elmwood . MR. RUSSELL DO ERN: Mr. Speaker , I'd like to direct a question to the Minister of Health . Could he indicate whether the Manitoba Fire Code , the 1 to 15 ratio is being complied with at the Brandon Mental Hospital and the Selkirk Menta l Hospital? MR. SPEAKER: The Honourable Min ister of Health . MR. SHERMAN: Mr. Speaker , it's certainly the responsibility of those institutions to comply with that code . MR. DOERN: Mr.

Speaker , I would ask the Minister that if there is a violation of the code as there was at Portage and maybe at those other institutions , is theM inister considering lifting the freeze at Brandon and at Selkirk to insure that they are meeting the fire code requirements and also the level of patient-care requirements? MR. SHERMAN: Mr. Speaker , the honourable member full well knows that with respect to institutions of that kind the meeting of requirements such as those under the Fire Code is the first-line responsibility of the administration and calls for allocation of staff- available staff- in order to 8

Friday, March 17, 1978 maintain that ratio. At the Manitoba School at Portage which currently has a higher staff to patient ratio than at any time in the last two years; has a higher staff to patient ratio during January and February of this year than was the case when my honourable friends opposite were in office, that there has been since this government assumed office , always been sufficient staff to maintain the 1 to 15 ratio but it is up to the administration to allocate the staff and the shifts accordingly . MR. DOERN: A final supplem entary , Mr. Speaker .

The Minister apparently lost or did not act upon a report from senior administrators at Portage. Does he have any similar reports for the Brandon and Selkirk hospitals on his desk or has he had any pleas from senior administrators for action from those institutions? MR. SHERMAN: Mr. Speaker , with respect to one who loses and one who fails to act I would think that the honourable member would be particularly sensitive in rising in his place and putting questions of that kind . The report to which he refers was acted upon on January 14th by me.

I would return the question and ask the honourable member what he did for four years . .. MR. SPEAKER: Order. Order please. I want to bring to the members' attention that the Question Period is designed -(1 nterjections)- Order please. I want to bring to the members' attention that the Question Period is designed for the members of the Opposition and all members of the House to ask questions of the Ministry . It is not a period when the Ministry can ask questions of other members of the House . The Honourable Member for Transcona . MR. WILSON PARASIUK: Mr.

Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister responsible for Hydro. Was the Government of Manitoba consulted and did it approve of Manitoba Hydro appealing the Public Utilities Board's jurisdiction to review Hydro rates? MR. SPEAKER: The Honourable Minister of Finance. MR. CRAIK: Mr. Speaker, the decision by Hydro to appeal the Public Utilities Board's rates or the jurisdiction- not necessarily the rates but the jurisdiction- and the member perhaps might ... I'd have to read the record to see exactly what his question was.

The decision by Manitoba Hydro to appeal the right of Public Utilities Board- not necessarily the rate structure opposed but the right of the Public Utilities Board- was a decision made by Manitoba Hydro and made by them alone . MR. SPEAKER: The Honourable Member for Transcona with a supplementary. MR. PARASIUK: What is theM inister's position on this matter? Does he agree that Hydro should be appealing the Public Utilities Board's jurisdiction to review Hydro rates? MR. CRAIK: Well, Mr.

Speaker, first of all it's referred to in yesterday's Throne Speech that this would be dealt with in the Legislature by way of legislation; and secondly, the issue is now before the courts as well . MR. PARASIUK: Does theM inister have any figures on what this Hydro appeal will cost either the payers of hydro utility fees or the taxpayers of Manitoba in terms of legal costs? MR. CRAIK: Mr. Speaker , I trust that we will have the matter dealt with in the Legislature before there is any substantial cost on the part of either the Utilities Board or Hydro. MR. SPEAKER: The Honourable Member for St. Boniface . MR.

LAURENT L. DESJARDINS: Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Honourable Minister of Finance . Recently the Federal Government announced that the funding of Social Services would be changed and they announced a block funding. Now is that money turned over to Manitoba with any strings attached or must it be spent on Social Services? -(Interjection)- I wouldn't doubt that a damn bit. MR. SPEAKER: The Honourable Minister of Health. MR. DESJARDINS: I asked the Minister of Finance, Mr. Speaker . MR. SPEAKER: Order please. Order please.

Before the Minister replies I want to point out to members of the Assembly that when they ask a question they can ask it of any particular Minister of the Crown but there is no obligation on the part of any minister to reply to any member's question. If some other Minister wants to reply I see nothing wrong with that. 9

Friday, March 17, 1978 MR. SHERMAN: Mr. Speaker , perhaps with the indulgence of the Member for St. Boniface who seems to be engaging in some of the more fractious aspects of St. Patrick's Day early, I might answer that question rather than my colleague since I represented the Province ar the most recent conference on block funding in the social services field . The answer to the honourable member's question is that there are strings attached in a sense, Mr.

Speaker, in that the provinces have to file information with the Federal Government , data and information with respect to the social services programming being carried out , which is a justification for the block fundin g supplied . In other words the block funding is not carte blanche, it can't be spent in areas other than social services. MR. DESJARDINS: Now , my question to the same Minister I imagine because he will answer it anyway. Is it the intention of the government to provide at least the same amount of money that they receive from the Federal Government for social services funding? MR.

SPEAKER: I would suggest to the honourable member that questions of that nature could be better dealt with when the Estimates are before the House and I would suggest that it would be an abuse of the Question Period if we spend much of our time asking questions that can properly be handled with the Estimates . The Honourable Minister of Health. MR. SHERMAN: I defer to your ruling , Mr. Speaker . MR.

DESJARDINS: Well, may I ask theM inister of Health then if recently there has been any non confrontation discuss ions with the MMA, and if so has the Manitoba Health Services Commission participated in these meeti ngs? MR. SHERMAN: Mr. Speaker , confrontation discussion with the MMA ended on October 11, 1977. MR. SPEAKER: The Honourable Member for Burrows . The Honourable Member for St. Boniface has had two supplementary questions. The Honourable Member for St. Boniface on a point of order . MR. DESJARDINS: Mr.

Speaker , I understand that no Minister has to reply to the question , but if so they should not reply to another question they should just sit down like many of them do. My question was: Has there been any meetings - I guess he's saying that they haven't had a meeting since October 11th - Is that is that what my friend said? MR. BEN HANUSCHAK: Mr. Speaker, I wish to direct my question to the Minister without Portfolio , the one who was described yesterday as being responsible for the Task Force.

Is it his intention, as indicated in the Throne Speech , to table the recommendations of the Task Force as prepared by the various sub committees or an edited version thereof by himself or someone else? MR. SPEAKER: The Honourable Minister responsible for the Task Force. HON. SIDNEY SPIVAK (River Heights): Mr. Speaker , it is the intention of the Task Force to table the Task Force Report. MR. SPEAKER: The Honourable Leader of the Opposition . MR. SCHREYER: Mr.

Speaker, my question is to the Minister of Health and I have too much respect for the rules, Sir, to ask a question that would relate back to the Minister of Health 's gratuitous reference to staffing at the Portage Home. I just say bluntly, Sir, that he is quite inaccurate in his figures and I intend to prove it. My question to the Minister of Health is: can the Minister indicate or confirm whether he has received a petition signed by some two orthreethousand people requesting that he attempt, at least attempt, to take some action with respect to the matter of one Dr. Carlos Huerto? MR.

SPEAKER: The Honourable Minister of Health . MR. SHERMAN: Mr. Speaker, I have not accepted that particular petition, the one referred to by the Honourable the Leader of the Oppositio n. I have received a request to receive that petition but I have responded to the group in question by advising them that that question comes under the jurisdiction and authority of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba and should not include or imply the involvement or intrusion of the Minister .

With respect to the first part of the Honourable Leader of the Opposition's question I would only say to him that I have the figures in front of me on staff-to-patient ratio at the Manitoba School for the past two years and my original statement stands , Sir . MR. SCHREYER: Well so does mine , Sir , and we will have that out one of these days. Mr. Speaker, my question now is simply necessitated. Would the Minister of Health repeat please that he said he wouldn't accept a petition from a body of citizens?

He may not be able to do anything about it but is he refusing to accept a petition asking for redress of grievance . 10

Friday, March 17, 1978 MR. SHERMAN: Mr. Speaker, the group in question is certainly entitled to petition me, to approach me, to correspond w1th. me~ but my 1nd1cat1on to them 1s that I would not accept the petition requesting my mtervent1on 1n the dispute. I am prepared to read their correspondence , 1 have responded 1n that manner to them , that I cannot accept and act upon their petition to me to intervene in the dispute . MR. SCHREYER: Mr.

Speaker, I am not faulting the Minister for the moment, I confess I don't know the full details of the matter but I would like to ask the Minister of Health if he will undertake to consult either with the Attorney-General or with the Premier of the province to ascertain what , if anything, could appropriately be done at least to investigate the allegation which I understand is now being made by the doctor himself , that there has been some basic miscarriage of due process . 1 am asking for an undertaking that it will be at least looked at by your department or by that of the Attorney General. MR.

SHERMAN: Yes, Mr. Speaker, I can give my honourable friend that undertaking. MR. SPEAKER: The Honourable Membe r for Ste. Rose. MR. PETE ADAM: Thank you very much , Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Agriculture and I ask him in view of the fact that livestock producers have rejected any referendum, a checkoff on beef only two or three years ago, my question is: could he advise if he will be introducing legislation for a checkoff before having a democratic referendum or will he be railroading this type of legislation through the House? MR. SPEAKER: Order please.

I want to advise the member that questions of that nature have been dealt with in the Throne Speech that was delivered in this Chamber yesterday . The Honourable Member for Selkirk. The Honourable Member for Ste. Rose with another question. MR. ADAM: Point of privilege. It is in the Throne Speech but it doesn't indicate whether there will be a referendum. I am asking the Minister if he is going to have a democratic referendum in view of the fact that they have rejected this . Or does he intend to railroad it through . MR. SPEAKER: The Honourable Minister of Agriculture . HON. JAMES E. DOWNEY (Arthur): Mr.

Speaker, because of the little bit of time left to answer that question I would like to refer to it a little more fully in the future . I would also like to say that the agricultural railroad train stopped on October 11th, that it is the first opportunity for the people of the Province of Manitoba to have something acted upon which they themselves wanted and not forced down their throat by the opposition members across the House. MR. SPEAKER: Before I recognize the Member for Selkirk may I point out that there are five minutes left for the Question Period . MR. GREEN: A point of order . Mr.

Speaker, I hope that when you are calculating the question period, the time, that you are not including the time that was taken with the introduction and ministerial statements because that is not a part of the question period. I, with respect, say that there is probably ten minutes rather than five minutes . MR. SPEAKER: If the Member for Inkster checked his watch closely, we started the question period at 10:07. The Honourable Member for Selkirk . MR. HOWARD PAWLEY: ... recent efforts in Switzerland to obtain the prosecution of Zingre and company. MR. SPEAKER: The Honourable Attorney-General. MR. MERCIER: Mr.

Speaker, I have met with Mr. MacGregor after his return to the province from Switzerland . The status of this matter that is being referred to in Switzerland, is that an appeal has been filed with the Canton of Thurgau and the prosecutor. A diplomatic note has been served by the Department of External Affairs on the Swiss federal officials and their Department of Justice . There is no time limit for a response from Switzerland with respect to the appeal and as soon as a decision has been made I will bring that matter to the attention of the Legislature . MR. SPEAKER: The Honourable Member for Selkirk . MR.

PAWLEY: A supplementary to the Attorney-General. Does the appeal relate to the issue of costs or to the suggestion by the Swiss prosecutor that the case itself was dubious? 11

Friday, March 17, 1978 mr. MERCIER: The appeal relates to both matters , Mr. Speaker. MR. SPEAKER: The Honourable Member for Inkster. MR. GREEN: Mr. Speaker , I would like to direct a quest ion to the Minister of Northern Affairs respecting the ratification of the Northern Flood Committee Ag reement. I would like to ask the Minister whether the Government of Manitoba cont inued to utilize and had the benefit of the advice of the solicitor acting for Manitoba Hydro who was engaged in four years of negotiations with respect to trying to get a clear agreement.

After October 11th when they made the agreement ambiguous , did the Manitoba Government retain and continue to receive the benef it of the solicitor , W. Steward Martin , who was advising Manitoba Hydro with respect to that agreement? MR. SPEAKER: The Honourable Minister of Northern Affairs . MR. MacMASTER: Mr. Speaker , I have difficulty , as lots of us do, when the Member for Inkster rises to speak. We wonder whether it is a question or a statement. He has inferred that something was made ambiguous.

Well , we have satisfied ourselves, with the help of the Attorney-General's office and all parties that were involved , that the agreement is now in good shape and that all parties- I believe that's what his question was- that were previously involved have been consulted and were involved before the agreement was signed . MR. SPEAKER: The Honourable Member for Inkster . MR. GREEN: Mr. Speaker, I want to assure my honourable friend that I will continue to cause him and his colleagues difficulty . I asked the honourable member : WasW.

Steward Martin , who was the lawyerforManitobaHydro, consulted after the magic day, October 11th, with respect to the agreement that was signed by the Government of Manitoba with the Northern Flood Committee, the lawyer who had been acting for two and a half to three years on that question? MR. SPEAKER: The Honourable Minister of Northern Affairs . MR. MacMASTER: The Member for Inkster , Mr. Speaker , gives himself too much credit. He is not creating any difficulty for anybody . All parties that were previously involved in the relationship over the last four years were involved . That should answer his question.

MR. GREEN: Mr. Speaker, so that there is no misunderstanding, because professional integrity is involved here. You are saying that W. Steward Martin, solicitor for Manitoba, was involved in the new clause that was drafted for the Conservative administration. MR. MERCIER: He was consulted . MR. SPEAKER: The Honourable Member for Church ill. MR. JAY COWAN: Mr. Speaker , I would like to address a question to the Honourable Minister for what's left of Northern Affairs . Could he please indicate to this House what year the Churchill Pre Fab plant began operation? MR.

SPEAKER: The Honourable Minister of Northe rn Affairs . MR. KEN MacMASTER: I wou ld hope that he wou ld know it, but the records that I hav e checked back to 1974, that's when the participa tion by the feds and the prov incial government really got involved , and that's when the figures were calcu l ated, the $6.4 mill ion that have gone into that particular operation . MR. SPEAKER: The Honourable Member for Chu rch ill. MR. COWAN: Mr. Speaker , a supplementary . My sources indicate 1972 but that will be decided at a later date , what the actual date is.

Could he please indicate to us, the House, the approximate number of man years of employment that have been created by the Churchill Pre-Fab plant? MR. SPEAKER: Order please. May I suggest to the Member for Churchill that questions of that nature are far better raised when we deal with the Estimates of the department. Does the Honourable Member for Churchill have a question of another nature? MR. COWAN: Yes, Mr. Speaker .

I would like to ask the Honourable Minister of Northern Affairs, in that case. if Manpower training subsidies were included in the recent bid to the Northwest Territories from the Churchill Pre-Fab Plant? 12

Friday, March 17, 1978 MR. MacMASTER: No they were not. In preparation of that tender we involved the people in Churchill, the management of the plant in Churchill , and they helped us prepare the tender . MR. SPEAKER: The Honourable Member for Churchill with a final question. MR. COWAN: Yes, Mr. Speaker . Is the Honourable Minister of Northern Affairs trying to cast responsibility for the rejection on the bid on the people of Churchill and not take it under his ministerial duty? MR. SPEAKER: Order please. I suggest to the Member for Churchill that questions of that nature are better not asked in this Chamber.

The Honourable Member for St. Vital. MR. D. JAMES WALDING: Thank you, Mr. Speaker . My question is for the Honourable Minister of Health. Can he tell the House whether the Manitoba School for the Deaf has been subject to the government's hiring freeze? MR. SPEAKER: The Honourable Mini ster of Health . MR. SHERMAN: Mr. Speaker, the government's hiring freeze applied right across the whole spectrum of the public service in this province, so the correct technical answer to his question would be yes. If he is asking me whether that has had a serious effect or impact, I have not had that conveyed to me. MR.

WALDING: A supplementary , Mr. Speaker. Can theM inistertell the House whether that freeze is still in effect at the School for the Deaf? MR. SHERMAN: The government's restraint program , which includes restraint in hiring , is still in effect generally across the spectrum, Mr. Speaker . MR. SPEAKER: The Honourable Member for St. Vital with a final supplementary. MR. WALDING: A final supplementary , Mr. Speaker, and the Minister might want to take it as notice . Can he tell the House if •'"'ere is a shortage of qualified teaching personnel at the School for the Deaf? MR. SHERMAN: Mr.

Speaker, -::>such information or suggestion has been conveyed to me so my answer to that question is that ;an't tell the House that, I have no knowledge of that. MR. SPEAKER: Order please. May I suggest to all members that the time for questioning has expired. At this point we would like to move on with the Orders of the Day, Consideration of the Speech of His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor . THRONE SPEECH DEBATE MR. SPEAKER: The Honourable Member for Crescentwood . MR. WARREN STEEN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

May I join the First Minister and the Leader of the Opposition in wishing you and all members of this Assembly a happy St. Patrick 's Day. 1 would also, Mr. Speaker, like to congratulate you on the resumption of your duties of your high office and I know that you will continue in the manner that you established last Fall during our special session, that of dignity and impartiality in presiding over the affairs of this Legislative Assembly. At this time, Mr.

Speaker, I would also like to say a word about my deskmate, the Member for Radisson, who, as of yesterday , became the Chairman of theCommitteeoftheHouse and the Deputy Speaker. I have known the Member for Radisson for a number of years and some years ago we had the privilege and pleasure of serving together on the Winnipeg Enterprises' Board of Directors . I know from his experience, both serving as a citizen member of boards and commissions and from his business and practical experience, that he will make an excellent Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the Committee . The Member for Radisson, Mr.

Speaker, as you and many others do know, has a broad experience as a football official and as a football official I am sure most times he had great difficulty in satisfying coaches from two sides of the field . I am sure that as Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the Committee he is going to find equal difficulty in pleasing members from both sides of the House. I know that in the game of football , Mr. Speaker , that if a person speaks back to the head football off ici al or talks too often , he can assess a 25 yard penalty for tal king . I don't know how he will handle that problem in this Chamber though. Mr.

Speaker , I would like at this time to say a word of thanks to the First Minister and his colleagues of the Executive Council for granting me this opportunity to move the Speech from the Throne . It was some ten years ago, Mr. Speaker , on March 8th to be exact, 1968, that another member of my family had the same opportunity to participate in the first day of the Throne Speech. At that time my older brother who was at that time the Member for St. Matthews, was the seconder of the Throne 13

Friday, March 17, 1978 Speech , and the mover on that particular occasion happened to be my colleague and good friend , the Member for Virden. Those of you who were present ten years ago and witn essed the Member for Virden as he moved the Throne Speech on that particular occasion , may recall that the Member for Virden , at that time , placed a small block of cheese on each desk, as well as a small bottle of oil from the Virden oil fields . My friend, the Member for St. Boniface at that time, thoughtthatthe Member for Virden was placing a small container of navy rum on each desk. As we all know, Mr.

Speaker, our honourable friend , the Member for Virden , has changed his soc ial habits a litt le since then. Mr. Speaker , it is the normal practice for a member of this Chamber to speak about his or her constituency during the Throne Speech Debate . Some two years ago I dealt with the Constituency of Crescentwood in some detail. Since then the Constituency of Crescentwood has found its way into the newspapers on a regular basis, so I feel that I needn't relate the story of Crescentwood today.

Yesterday afternoon we heard the Throne Speech read by His Honour the Lietuenant-Governor which outlined a series of measures designed to strengthen Manitoba's economy and to ensure continued government restraint as a means of restoring consumer and investor confidence in our province . Last October 11th when the Progressive Conservatives were elected with a clear mandate from the people of this province, they were elected, in my opinion, on a mandate to bring government in this province back under fiscal control.

We began with a provincial deficit that was five times greater than we had anticipated on current account. We began with a system of taxation, . Mr. Speaker , that was not competitive with the tax systems of our neighbouring provinces. We have, in the few short months that the Progressive Conservative Party has been the government of this province, instituted firm controls on spending .

We have established a special task force on government organization and economy using the skills and knowledge of members of both the private and the public sector , in an effort to find more efficient methods of operation of every aspect of government and every Crown agency within our province . Mr. Speaker , at our special session held last Fall we began the task of bringing Manitoba's taxes back into line .

We abolished the Succession Duty ; we abolished the Gift Tax; effective this past January 1st, as a beginning- and I note that as a beginning- both the personal income tax and the small business corporate income tax rates have been reduced by two points. I believe , Mr. Speaker, that most Manitobans have applauded these policies of spending restraint and tax reductions as we pursue our efforts to get the affairs of this province back into proper perspective .

Inflationary pressures are still with us despite our government's policies of spending restraint and an equal willingness by all levels of government to apply restraint is necessary in order to control inflation . Over the next few years, Mr. Speaker , the forecasting skill by governments as to the precise time to move from fiscal stimulation to neutrality, from neutrality back to restraint , from restraint to neutrality and from neutrality to stimulation and so on, will be the only way that we will have a sense of orderly growth without unnecessary inflationary pressures. I ask, Mr.

Speaker, how else can governments reduce the burden of taxation on its people . It is unrealistic to expect any significant reductions in the major welfare programs. Such reductions would create real hardships for the beneficiaries and would be politically unacceptable, and socially undesirable . Some useful economies could no doubt be made by the elimination of abuses but would not have a major effect on any government program . I have no doubt, Mr.

Speaker, that the real economies could be achieved by zero-based budgeting and by having each government activity reviewed periodically and its continuance permitted only if it could be justified on a vigorous cost-benefit study . I believe, Mr. Speaker, that the present Task Force Report which the Minister responsible said would be presented to the House shortly will be of great interest to all Manitobans as this is likely the first time in the history of Manitoba that we have had an in-depth study into each department and each aspect of government in this particular prov ince.

Hopefully our 9overnment and governments of the future will learn from this particular Task Force and that they wtll continue at various times in the future taking a good hard look into the operation of government and seeing whether the programs are updated , current and needed by the people. Mr. Speaker , our Premier and his colleagues of the Executive Council have over the past few months been working long hours each and every day in preparation of this year's Estimates trying to review all aspects of government in anticipation for this particular session that we are in at this time .

I think that the Premier and his colleagues deserve to be congratulated for the hours of work that they have put in in trying to be prepared for this particular session in the few short months that they have been in office so that we in the Province of Manitoba can benefit from their skills . Mr. Speaker, in the Throne Speech Debate there was some reference made to national unity.ltwas referred to as a united Canada in the Throne Speech . Like most members of this Legislature I am a Canadian first and a Manitoban second and I do believe that in one Canada we are better off than with a divided Canada . Mr.

Speaker , I believe that through sports and athletics we can achieve much in regard to national unity. The Canada Games, our national finals, our playdowns , whether they be in hockey, curling or any other sport, do bring Canadians together ; do bring Canadians together so that they can understand one another better and appreciate their fellow Canadians from various provinces . Canada 's greatest single sporting event, the Grey Cup , which is watched either in person or on television by more than 7,000,000 Canadians is the climax to a great season of Canadian football.

Teams from nine major Canadian urban centres participate from late June and through to the last 14

Friday, March 17, 1978 Sunday in November giving Canadians a Canadian game of football to be entertained by for several months of the year . Just think , Mr. Speaker, how great it would be for Manitobans , and particularly Winnipeggers, if our Winnipeg Jets were members of the National Hockey League along with their World Hockey associates, the two other Canad ian teams from Edmonton and Quebec City .

If we had a Canadian division of the Nati onal Hockey League comprised of teams from such urban centres as Quebec City , Montreal , To ronto , Winnipeg, Edmonton and Vancouver, I believe that such a sporting activity commencing in the fall and finishing up in the spring would do much for Canadian pride and our national unity .

I believe that our winters here, particularly in Manitoba, are cold enough and that if we were blessed by a National Hockey League franchise and we could participate against the other teams from the cities that I have menti oned , that hockey in Canada would be better off and that we, as Canadians , would be better off as a result of that particular sporting activity. Mr. Speaker, in spite of the reductions of provincial expenditures in the next fiscal year, I am personally pleased that our government has proposed to recommend a $12.2 million of new capital expenditures on health facilities .

The expansion of the Manitoba Cance r Treatment and Research Foundation to be funded by the province and the Canadian Cancer Society and the Manitoba Cancer Foundation is in my opinion a most worthwhile expenditure. During my 14 years associated with the life insurance industry, I have had several death claims from amongst my policyholders . Most of the deceased were under 40 years of age and the majority of the deceased have died as a result of cancer with a few deaths as a result of heart failure .

Each and every one of us knows someone who is suffering from cancer or have had a loved one pass on as a result of cancer , so I'm a strong supporter in the field of research into that crippling disease known as cancer . Also mentioned in the Throne Speech , Mr. Speaker, was the capital program for upgrading of the Care units at the Health Science Centre along with the general upgrading of health facilities throughout the province , particularly to meet the fire code requirements. Hopefully as this work is done over the next number of months, Mr.

Speaker, members of both sides of the House will stop quarrelling over the Portage Home squabble as to whether the fire requirements at the Portage Home meet the standards or don't meet the standards, and hopefully the standards will be met and the staff shortages will be met. Today Manitoba enjoys the reputation of having one of the world's finest open heart surgery units at the St. Boniface Hospital.

As a person who has followed with great interest the activities and the achievements of the Kinsmen Club of Winnipeg as they proceed to construct a building to be used by the Reh-Fit people, I am sure all of us, Mr. Speaker, welcome the news that our government will be recommending budgetary initiatives through the Manitoba Health Services Commission to expand this world-famous open heart surgery unit. Mr. Speaker, as an urban member and a former City of Winnipeg councillor, I am pleased to read in the Throne Speech that amendments will be introduced to the City of Winnipeg Act during this particular session.

I believe it's time that we tried to put a stop to the games played at City Hall between the Mayor and the power group known as the ICEC; and perhaps now that we've got a reduced council that some of the rules that the City of Winnipeg Council operate under can be refined. I've been on record in this particular Chamber, both last year, Mr. Speaker, and the year before, when the Mayor of the City of Winnipeg was not a relative of mine, by saying that I thought that the government of the day was trying to reduce the powers of the Mayor- at that time it was Mr.

Juba and that I had though this was a step in the wrong direction. I think that if we're going to have a strong city , it starts at City Hall with a Mayor that has the powers to be a strong Mayor; and if we in this Legislature create such a position, hopefully the electors of Manitoba and the City of Ninnipeg in particular, will elect such a person to fill that office . It was also good news, Mr. Speaker , to see in the Throne Speech that our government is going to carry out one of its pledges from the election campaign, the reduction in education property taxes for low and middle income senior citizens.

This is welcome news particularly in the older sections of the City of Winnipeg. Mr. Speaker, the future development of fitness and amateur sports programs are a concern to many Manitobans and in particular to myself. By the establishment of a committee of knowledgeable citizens to study the role of government in the development , funding and operation of sport in our province, it is my hope that we will see a single department handling all aspects of sport in the future, community recreation, cultural affairs related to the community development and activities.

I think that as Manitobans have longer and greater leisure hours made available to them that their activity and recreation is going to increase, and that governments in Manitoba in the future as in the past will have to pay greater attention to the recreational needs of its citizens. I believe that we can get the best mileage out of recreation if we have all aspects of recreation and sport combined in the one single department. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to comment briefly about our government in general and governments in ' general in Canada and throughout the free world.

In Canada we are reminded of government every day. Government parades itself before you. It is 15

Friday, March 17, 1978 not content to be the servant but will be the master. Government wraps us around like a combination secur ity blanket and straitjacket. It's the most constant reality in our daily lives. The government determ ines far too often how much we will be paid and how long we will work . It takes its cut from our wages before we see them and everything we buy with what wages are left are both taxed and supervised by government. Yes, Mr.

Speaker , we are born in a government hospital, we are educated in government schoole, and eventually if we live long enough we will retire on a government pension and the government will pay our last medical bill. So we are serviced by government from the cradle to the grave. Instead I believe , Mr. Speaker , that Manitobans as well as most Canadians realize that big government , with its high taxes and lavish spend ing, must be brought under control before it's too late. I believe that that's the mandate that our government was elected on last October 11th. In closing , Mr.

Speaker , it is my pleasure to move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Portage Ia Prairie , that a Humble Address be presented to His Honour, the Lieutenant-Governor , as follows: We, Her Majesty 's dutiful and loyal subjects , the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba in session assembled , humbly thank Your Honour for the gracious speech which Your Honour has been pleased to address us at the Opening of the present session . MR. SPEAKER : The Honourable Member for Portage Ia Prairie . MR. LLOYD G. HYDE: Thank you , Mr. Speaker.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our Premier and the Executive Council for the honour they gave bestowed upon me today, that of being asked to second the Address to the Reply to the Throne Speech . I would like also, Mr. Speaker , to congratulate you on your appointment as Speaker of the House. I know that your impartiality and fairness will be of great benefit to this House and to the people of Manitoba and I certainly wish you well. I trust , Mr. Speaker , that I will make a constructive contribution to this House and that I will conduct myself accord ing to the rules .

I have the honour to represent the historic constituency of Portage Ia Prairie which was the first settlement west of the Red River . It was also a short-lived republic in 1867 when a fast-talking and vicious man named John Spence moved to Portage from Fort Garry , took the village by storm and had himself elected as president. Portage Ia Prairie has produced many men who have played an important role in the political history of Manitoba and indeed Canada . There have been prominent MLAs, MPs, and yes, even a Prime Minister from our area. It is now my pleasure , Mr.

Speaker , to serve my constituency under the leadership of Sterling Lyon , yet another Portager . Mr. Speaker , besides producing famous men Portage is well known for its agricultural production . This constituency is unique in that it is made up of a major urban area including the village of McGregor and hamlets of Rossendale , Bagot, Edward and Beaver, as well as one of the finest agricultural areas in Manitoba .

McGregor , at the western boundaries of the constituency , has a population of 900 people and presently has its own hospital , a new sports complex and a residential area that is expanding with the times . The total trading area of my constituency is 30,000-plus and is served by the main lines of the CN and CP railroads . The Trans Canada Highway has four lanes between Winnipeg and Brandon making the Portage constituency easily accessible from both east and west. The economy of this constituency depended upon mixed farming , the growing of coarse grain and the raising of cattle and other livestock .

As time went on, Mr. Speaker , the trend towards a larger unit materialized resulting in larger herds of beef cattle , purebred and commercial, and more efficient dairy farms and operations. Specialization also began in the growing of crops such as sugar beets, peas, sunflowers , rapeseed and grass seeds. As a result of the Campbell Soup Company locating in Portage many farmers turned to vegetable growing . Crops such as carrots, onions, celery and asparagus also led to further processing industries. There is the Western Process and Cold Storage plants for example as well as the B.C.

Pea Growers and McAIIisters Pea and Seed Cleaners , the Portage Mushroom Farm established as a direct result of the Campbell Soup Company . We are fortunate , Mr. Speaker , in southern Manitoba to have the most suitable conditions for the production of vegetables . In Portage Ia Prairie we have an excellent adequate frost-free period for virtually all crops along with excellent heat units . The soil is of the texture that lends itself to mechanization . There are some 40,000 to 50,000 irrigative acres in our area.

The statistics for 1976 showed that Manitoba produced between 40,000 and 45,000 acres of vegetables for processing and the fresh market at a farm gate value in excess of $20 million . The forest, nursery and sod trade had sales of $9 million . By far the greatest volume was produced in the rural area. Being labour intensive the opportunity to work was afforded to many rural people . Many of these were native. This has assisted the rural economy and slowed the move to the larger centres .

Manitoba fresh vegetables are shipped to many distant markets from Los Angeles and Vancouver in the west to Toronto and Montreal in the east and south to Minneapolis and further in some instances . Processed vegetables are shipped to many foreign countries. Campbell Soups are continually increasing the volume of product processed through their plant. There are many opportunities to develop new enterprises , the pickling and the brining industry could be lucrative . Research is being conducted at the University of Manitoba on dehydration. 16

Friday, March 17, 1978 The federal and provincial governments have acknowledged the value of the processing industry and have established the Products Testing Laboratory in Portage Ia Prairie. Manitoba and the prairies are far from being self-sufficient in fresh vegetables .

Manitoba has the growing conditions and expertise to greatly expand the produc tion and processing of vegetables in Manitoba, but to achieve this success we must provide an economical climate that allows us to be competitive, greater co-operation with all government departments , continued and expanded marketing research' better production and processing research. Most import ant is an adequate and reliable work force, tariff protection from distressed selling, tax incentives for expansion, local production sold at lower prices than imports .

It is therefore in the interest of all consumers of Manitoba that we assist and encourage the expansion of a horticultural industry in Manitoba. The City of Portage Ia Prairie established an industrial park in 1970 situated in the northeast section. A big name in the field of communication, Phillips Cables Limited, completed the $5 million plant there in 1975. Berkley and Company (Canada) Limited completed a 25,000 square foot plant in 1976 built at a cost of $600,000.00.

The new plant is manufacturing and distributing coast-to-coast the Berkley qual ity of fishing tackle and related marine and cordage products including poly-braid ski tow rope . Construction is well underway on a $14 million of the McCain Food Limited. This plant will process frozen french fries and dehydrated potato chips and will likely in the future expand its operations to include the processing of other vegetables. They will require 6,000 acres of potatoes in 1978 increasing to 12,000 acres in 1979. The McCain plant will be a tremendous boost to the potato production in this province .

Just recently completed is a $4 million addition to the popular and well established Portage Co-op Shopping Centre . The expansion got underway in September of 1976 and reached completion last summer . Major renovations to the existing building were completed in the fall of 1977. The major face-lift and expansion at the Co-op Shopping Centre was initiated to give Portage and trading area shoppers a complete modern convenient, one-stop shopping complex. Two local service clubs and a Canada Works Project contributed funds for a $100,000 Adult Rehabilitation Centre on Saskatchewan Avenue in downtown Portage .

This building which will open in April is equipped to give handicapped people training in their working skills . Cable TV, Mr. Speaker, will soon be available to the Portage residents through a company composed of local businessmen. The Prairie Institute opened its doors during the past year. This testing station serves the whole Province of Manitoba. A new modern Public Safety Building will be opening in July containing the RCMP offices to serve the area of Portage and district. New library facilities will be made available to local residents in the near future.

A new $4.1 million water plant will be opened in mid-s ummer . It will be known as the Albert Barrett Water Plant, so named in memory of a late alderman who faithfully served on the city council for 30 years . Mr. Minister in January of this year a new wing of Lions Manor was officially opened making an additional 50 beds available. We have a new modern seven storey senior citizen home known as the Oak Tree Towers . Also the Rotary housing with 50 units and a new Odd Fellows Towers. The west end of Portage, Mr.

Minister, is now a hive of construction activity as work begins on a multi-million dollar air-conditioned shopping complex which will have parking facilities for 1,500 cars. The Province of Manitoba employees, some 1,100 people in Portage Ia Prairie and district, include, Mr. Minister, the Manitoba School, new provincial building , Agassiz Centre and Manitoba Telephones, Manitoba Hydro, Autopac Claims Centre and the Women's Jail. The Canadian Forces Base at Southport also employs many local residents. There is also the federally operated Agricultural Experimental Station employing some 23 persons.

The recently opened new curling rink on the western outskirts of the city has been claimed as second to none in Manitoba. It has eight sheets of artificial ice, a pleasant dining area and a beautiful lounge on the second floor. Our hockey arena has artificial ice and is heated. Island Park has long been renowned for its beautiful setting and also its flowers and trees surrounded by man-made Crescent Lake. Recreation facilities available on the island include a nine hole grass green golf course, ball diamonds, tennis courts, camping facilities and picnic areas.

The fair grounds, race track and covered grandstand are also located there. The Portage Fair is one of the oldest agricultural fairs in this province dating back to 1872 and the Board is presently undergoing a rebuildin g program replacing all the old livestock barns. Efforts are being made to attract the tourist dollars in Manitoba. We in the Portage area are fortunate to have the famous Delta marshes 15 miles north of the city. Delta marsh is considered as one of the two main flyways left in North America that the waterfowl use, thus sportsmen from all points of the continent bring tourist dollars to the area.

The Delta Waterfowl Research Station attracts many American and Canadian researchers gathering interesting and valuable information about our wildlife . The beach area of the Delta marshes has been part of every Portager's heritage dating back to the early 1900s. Another interest for the tourists visiting our area is the Fort La Reine Museum located at the eastern entrance to Portage Ia Prairie. Located on a two-acre site this pioneer village contains many interesting buildings and displays pertaining to the early settlers of the area. Mr. Speaker, in this

summary of the history of my constituency you can see we've come a long way in our development. Portage is progressing and the potential is there for even more growth in the future . However, we will require a road system connecting the new Industrial Park to the Perimeter 17

Friday, March 17, 1978 surrounding the city in order that we can eliminate the heavy truck traffic through the streets of Portage , and in the near future we should consider improving the general appearance of Saskatchewan Avenue in downtown Portage . Mr. Speaker , I am pleased with the content of the Throne Speech when you conside r the restrain t program that this province must undertake. It gives me great pleasure , Sir, to second the Resolution and the Reply to the Speech to the Throne which was ably delivered by the Member for Crescentwood . MR.

SPEAKER: You have heard the mot ion by the Member for Crescentwood seconded by the Member for Portage . The Honourable Leader of the Opposition . MR. SCHREYER : Mr. Speaker , I move seconded by the Honourable the Member for St. Boniface that the debate be adjourned . MOTION presented and carried. MR. SPEAKER: The Honourable Government House Leader . HON. WARNER H. JORGENSON (Morris): Mr. Speaker , I see the camera up there , I wonder if it is your intention to have that photograph taken at this time .

I think there was some indication there was going to be a picture taken of the Assembly and I wonder , in order to ensure that we have a maximum number of members in here if you would undertake to have the bells rung for just a moment. MR. SPEAKER: Can you adjourn first? MR. JORGENSON: Yes, I'll move the adjournment but I wondered to expedite the procedure if we would have the bells rung. I move, seconded by the Minister of Highways that the House do now adjourn . MOTION presented and carried and the House adjourned until 2:30 p.m. Monday . 18

Document details

Collection	Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	31-2-2
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	31st 2nd hansardpdf 2.pdf
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	af533d29569759309c080e862944130bd4079e8a

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