Manitoba Hansard — 11 February 1988 (Sitting 1, 33rd Legislature, 3rd Session)

33-3-1

Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)

MG-8048 Third Seesion - Thirty-Third Legislature of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba DEBATES and PROCEEDINGS (HANSARD) 37 Elizabeth 11 Published under the authority of The Honourable Myma A. Phillips Speaker VOL. XXXVI No. 1 - 1:30 p.m. , THURSDAY, 11 FEBRUARY, 1988. ISSN 0542-5492 Printed by 1118 Office of the Queens Printer. Province ol Manitoba

MANITOBA LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Thirty- Third Legislature Membe,., Constituencies and Political AftHiation NAME CONSTITUENCY ASHTON, Sieve Thompson BAKER, Clarence Lac du Bonnet BIRT, ChariH T. Fort Garry BLAKE, David A. (0....) Minrledosa BROWN, Arnold Ahineland BUCKLASCHUK, Hon . John M. Gimli CARSTAIRS, Sharon River Heights CONNERY, Edward J. Portage la Prairie COWAN, Hon. Jay Churchill CUMMINGS, J. Glen Ste. Rose DERK.ACH, Len Roblin- Russell St. Boniface DOER, Hon. Gary Concordia DOLIN, Marty Kildonan DOWNEY, Jamea E. Arthur DRIEDGER, Albert Emerson DUCHARME, Gerry Aiel ENNS, Harry J.

Lakeside ERNST, Jim Charleswood EVANS, Hon. Leonard S. Brandon East FILMON, Gary Tuxedo FINDL.AY, Glen M. Virden HAMMOND, Gerrie Kirkfield Park HARAPIAK, Hon. Harry M. The Pas HARAPIAK, Hon. Leonard E. Swan River HARPER, Hon. Elijah Rupertsland HEMPHILL, Hon . Maurwen Logan JOHNSTON, J. Frank Sturgeon Creek KOSTYRA, Hon. Eugene Seven Oaks KOYNATS, Abe Niakwa LECUYER, Hon. G6rard Radisson MACKLING, Q.C., Hon. AI St. James MALOWAY, Jim Elm wood MANNESS, Clayton Morris McCRAE, JamH C. Brandon West MERCIER, Q.C., G.M.J. (Gerry) St.

Norbert MITCHELSON, Bonnle River East NORDMAN, Rurik (Ric) Assiniboia OLESON, CharloHe L. Gladstone ORCHARD, Donald W Pembina PANKRATZ, Helmut La Verendrye PARASIUK, Hon . Wilaon Transcona PAWLEY, Q.C., Hon . Howard A. Selkirk PENNER, Q.C., Hon. Roland Fort Rouge PHILLIPS, Hon . Myma A. Wolseley PLOHMAN, Hon . John Dauphin ROCAN, C. Denia Turtle Mountain ROCH, GiiiH (Gil) Springfiekl S.ANTOS, ConrMI Burrows SCHROEDER, Q.C., Hon. YICtor Rossmere SCOTT, Don lnkster SMITH, Harvey Ellice SMITH, Hon. Muriel Osborne STORIE, Hon . Jerry T. Flin Flon URUSKI, Hon. Bill Inter lake WALDING, D. JamH St.

Vital WASYLYCIA-LEIS, Hon. Judy St. Johns PARTY NDP NDP PC PC PC NDP LIBE RAL PC NDP PC PC NDP NDP PC PC PC PC PC NDP PC PC PC NDP NDP NDP NDP PC NDP PC NDP NDP NDP PC PC PC PC PC PC PC PC NDP NDP NDP NDP NDP PC PC NDP NDP NDP NDP NDP NDP NDP NDP NDP

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA Thursday, 11 February, 1988. Time - 1:30 p.m. At 1:30 p.m., the Sergeant-at-Arms, carrying the Mace -shoulder high and followed by the Speaker and the Clerks of the Legislative Assembly, entered the House. The Sergeant-at-Arms proceeded to the main entrance of the House, the Speaker took her post on the east side of the House, and the Clerks took their posts on the west side of the House, standing and awaiting the arrival of His Honour the Lieutenant Governor.

The Premier, Members of the Executive Council, Military and Civil Aides, and officers comprising the Officer Escort, met in the Lieutenant-Governor's reception room. The Premier, Members of the Executive Council, Military and Civil Aides accompanied His Honour from the reception room to the Chamber in the following order: The Civil Aide on the right; The Military Aide on the left; The Officer Escort; The Members of the Executive Council; The Premier; and then The Lieutenant-Governor.

At the Bar of the House, the Military and Civil Aides, the Officer Escort, Members of the Executive Council and the Premier halted and turned inwards to allow the Lieutenant-Governor to advance to the head of the Escort where His Honour was met by the Mace. DEPUTY SERGEANT -AT -ARMS, Mr. Roy MacGillivray: His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor. The Lieutenant-Governor then, preceded by the Mace carried shoulder high, and followed on his left by the Military Aide a;�d on his right by the Civil Aide, proceeded along the west side of the Chamber to the Throne.

The Premier proceeded along the east side and stood on the floor on the east side of the Chamber. The Members of the Executive Council took their places. The Military Aide took up his position on the right of the Throne and the Civil Aide took up his position on the west side of the Chamber. The Officer Escort was positioned to the left of the Throne. The Lieutenant-Governor seated himself on the Throne; the Mace made obeisance and retired to the east side of the Chamber. SPEE CH FROM THE THRONE HON. GEORGE JOHN SON, Lieutenant-Governor of the Province of Manitoba: Please be seated.

Madam Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Manitoba: 1 am pleased to welcome you to the Third Session of the Thirty- Third Legislature of the Province of Manitoba. This Session promises to be of vital interest to all Manitobans. Every member will have an opportunity to participate fully in addressing the 1 problems and promise which face our great province in 1988 and beyond . lt was less than a year ago that I presided at the Opening of the last Legislative Session which, as you know, was the first for me as Lieutenant-Gover nor.

I found the experience of my first year to be exciting and invigorating and I wish to express my gratitude to all members of the Assembly, as well as to the staff of this Chamber, for the assistance they have rendered in making this a most pleasurable experience for me. The imagination of all Canadians was captured recently, as the Olympic Torch made its way, kilometre by kilometre, across our great country.

They came from the cities, the towns and the farms of Canada - the young and the old, men and women, students amd workers - to hold high that flickering lamp, and with it, the Olympian dream of fostering better international understanding through the universal medium of youth's love of athletics. On behalf of all Manitobans, I salute those torchbearers and extend the best wishes of us all to the athletes for a successful and memorable Olympic Games and for a lifetime continuation of their dreams.

One of the great strengths of the people of Manitoba is that they have historically been able to imagine and shape their future, rather than be content merely to inherit one. The imagination and aspiration of Manitobans - their vision, if you will - is not limited to their own community, nor to their own province or even count ry. Theirs is a vision of a world of social justice, of peace, of overcoming poverty and alienation, of building a more truly humane future. Manitoba is not a province of people who are content but to dream. We are a people who turn our dreams into reality.

Like the Olympic athletes, we have not been afraid to roll up our sleeves to transform our vision into practical terms - to make the intangible a reality. Like the Olympic motto, "Citius, Altius, Fortius," - swifter, higher, stronger - Manitobans have continued to forge a province and a future upon their dreams and the dreams of their forebears.

Mon gouvernement continue de preter une oreille attentive aux aspirations et aux preoccupations de tous les Manitobains, et travaille en collaboration avec eux en vue d'arriver a de plus grandes realisations et a une croissance encore plus marquee. (English translation) My government has renewed its commitment to listening to the dreams and concerns of all Manitobans and to working in partnership with them to build upon our proud record of accomplishment and growth. Indeed, we have accomplished much by working together. Many effective steps have been taken.

More Manitobans than ever before are working at productive jobs. Our economic development has outpaced the Canadian average. Our health care, education and social service programs are among the best in the country, if not the world.

Thureday, 11 February, 1988 We have fulfilled many dreams, but there is much more to do to convert new challenges into new achievements. By working together, we have come a great distance. That spirit of cooperation will continue to carry our province into the next century, and will turn our challenges into opportunities for us and for our children. During this legislative Session, my government will bring before you a set of legislative proposals which are responsive to the wishes and concerns of Manitobans.

Since the last Session we have listened carefully to Manltobans as they shared with us their hopes and creative ideas for the future. les Manitobains veulent que la societe dans laquelle ils vivent se fonde sur les qualites tradltionnelles qu'on leur reconnait : la bienveillance, la competence et la compassion. lis nous demandent d'etre a la recherche de l'excellence dans tout ce que nous faisons, et se disent nettement en faveur de !'elaboration d'un nouveau programme concret, qui repondra aux besoins actuels, tout en nous permettant d'entrer de plein pied dans les annees 1990. (Engliah tranalation) Manitobans want their society to be built upon their best traditions as a caring, competent, compassionate province.

They tell us that we must strive for excellence in all that we do. They have spoken strongly in favour of a new a�:�enda for action which will meet the needs of .today and carry us into the 1990's.

Our agenda must include: more employment opportunities and creative job training that will ensure Manitobans have the jobs and skills which will be so necessary in the rapidly evolving future; maintaining and improving our health and education services; working with rural Manitobans to cope with the continuing crisis facing sections of our agricultural community; ensuring equitable treatment and fair opportunities for all regions of our province; protecting all Manitobans from unfair and arbitrary practices in the marketplace; playing a constructive and, where necessary, forceful role in fighting for fair treatment for Manitoba by the Federal Government; and defending the long-term interests of Manitobans against the serious, negative consequences of the Canada-United States trade deal.

One of my government's highest priorities in this Session will be to address the Implications of the Canada-United States trade deal that was signed on January 2.

We will continue to study this complex, far reaching arrangement to ensure, as far as possible, that all Manltobans understand the impact it will have on the economy of Manitoba and on the freedom of Manitobans to shape their own future and that of their children. les membres de I' Assemblee auront la possibilite de discuter des merites de I' accord commercial et mon gouvernement profitera entre autres de cette occasion afin de veiller a ce que les Manitobains puissant disposer 2 de toute I' information necessaire pour se faire une idee sur !'accord en question. (Engliah tranalation) There will be an opportunity for members to debate the merits of the trade deal, and my government will use that and other opportunities to ensure that Manitobans obtain the information they need to judge the deal.

My government will continue to seek the views of Manitobans on this important issue. A resolution will be brought before this House and referred to a Committee of the legislature to ensure that all members have an opportunity for thorough study and debate. lt is our belief that the Canada-United States Trade Agreement Is a poor one which should not be approved by Parliament. Our principal reasons for opposing the deal are these: First, the major objective -to shelter Canadian exporters from "the rising tide of U.S. protectionism" -was not met.

The Government of Canada failed to attain a set of jointly agreed rules covering unfair trade practices which would have pre-empted the present rules of both countries. However, the agreement states only that the two parties will attempt to negotiate such rules over the next five years. Once we have approved the deal, we will have given up all of our bargaining power. In the meantime, the agreement only creates a panel for settling disputes on trade remedy actions, a panel which only has the power to rule on whether the United States law was applied correctly.

Second, the investment provisions require Canada to limit severely our right to review U.S. takeovers of Canadian firms, while the ability of the United States to harass, block or interfere with Canadians trying to invest In the United Stetes remains intact. Not only is this provision unbalanced, but it has nothing to do with trade and does not belong in a trade treaty. lt is also binding on future generations of Canadians.

Third, the energy provisions give the United States far-reaching rights of access to Canadian nonrenewable energy resources, but the deal does nothing to prevent the United States from launching countervail, anti dumping or safeguard protectionist actions against our energy exports, including hydro-electricity. Again, this was a very significant concession for which Canada received nothing in return.

Fourth, the government procurement provisions, which the Federal Government promised would be very broad in scope and therefore valuable to Manitoba turned out to be quite narrow and almost insignificant: Fifth, in return for very large concessions to the United States, especially in the areas of investment and energy, Canada receives very limited economic benefits. My government is fearful for the future of the family farm, already hard pressed by slumping world prices and increasing business input costs. The effects of the trade deal will be felt very acutely in this sector.

Our farmers stand to lose a huge share of the Canadian market for processed foods, chicken, turkey and eggs, among others. Manitoba magazine publishers, filmmakers, writers, performers and artists all stand to lose from a "notwithstanding clause" which will enable Americans

Thureday, 11 February, 1988 to retaliate against Canada if the United States disapproves of Canadian efforts to safeguard our cultural industries. The Government of Manitoba, in partnership with the cultural community, believes that this deal will have significant impacts on Canadian culture, our cultural sovereignty and our national identi ty. The fight against this trade deal is a fight between our future and about protection of our identity as a land, as a culture, and as a province. CONTINUING EMPLOYMENT GROWTH Manitoba's economy recorded a fifth year of post recession expansion in 1987.

As some forecasters have noted, the province continues to "have the best growth record in Western Canada," and over the entire 1981 to 1987 period, growth in output, investment and incomes has exceeded the national average. A spirit of cooperation, evident throughout our province's history, has inspired recent achievements, contributing to the greater security of Manitobans now and for their future.

Construction projects - renewable resource development and the expansion and redevelopment of Manitoba's urban environment - continue to be a major source of growth, with employment in the construction industry in 1987 reaching its highest level in a decade. Total nonagricultural employment increased by 10,000 or 2.1 percent in 1987, while the economy-wide unemployment rate declined to 7.4 percent. Youth unemployment also declined somewhat during the year and remained the second lowest among the provinces.

When a national recession struck several years ago, Manitobans did not wait for someone else to solve the problem for them. Through imaginative and innovative approaches to the problem, Manitoba became a bellwether for all of Canada. First among these approaches was the Jobs Fund. Successful initiatives like Careerstart, Jobs and Training, Youth Business Start and the Community Assets Program created and maintained thousands of jobs and showed the country that dreams can be fulfilled when a government and its citizens work cooperatively toward shared goals.

Ensuring the fullest opportunity for employment for Manitobans will continue to be a cornerstone of my government's policies and programs. L'emploi a ete notre plus grand defi et le demeure toujours. Tant qu'il y aura des Manitobains qui voudront travailler sans toutefois pouvoir trouver d'emploi, nous ferons tout notre possible pour repondre a la demande. (English translation) Unemployment among our young people remains unacceptably high. Despite our ongoing leadership there is more to be done. Our young people should have a fairer share of opportunities within our economy.

Despite gains made in the last decade by Manitoba working women, there remains serious inequities in their income levels. Our province is a leading light in Canada in attempting to remedy this obvious unfair situation, and members will be asked to support specific action to continue that leadership through the development of pay equity. My government will also continue its cooperative approach with business to keep our economy vibrant 3 and growing.

The owners of Manitoba's businesses, both large and small, have played an integral role in promoting the employment and economic well-being of our province and that role must continue. As an indication of the healthy economic climate in Manitoba, my government is pleased to report that the number of small businesses increased to more than 40,000 by the middle of 1987 - a substantial growth during this administration. My government will continue its efforts to further strengthen our vibrant small business sector which provides much of the employment and economic diversity of our province.

Members will be asked to support an Employment Standards Code to facilitate improved relationships between employers and employees.

Mon gouvernement reconnait toujours !'importance de la nouvelle technologie pour la croissance economique a long terme de notre prov.ince; il continuera a soutenir les entreprises du Manitoba par le truchement de programmes techniques efficaces. (English translation) My government continues to reco gnize the importance that new technologies play In the long-term economic development of our province, and will continue to support Manitoba's businesses through its effective technology programs. The government and people of Manitoba have long believed in the social and economic worth of Manitoba's Crown corporations.

In order to bring Manitoba's Crown corporations into the 1990's and to ensure that they will function more effectively and efficiently, the Assembly passed The Crown Accountability Act at the last Session of the Legislature. Many of the aspects of the legislation, which places a great emphasis on public accountability, will come into effect this Session. For the first time, all commercial Crown corporations covered by this legislation will appear before a standing committee of this House.

In addition, in 1988, MTS, M PlC, Hydro and the Manitoba Liquor Control Commission will hold public accountability sessions to permit Manitobans to deal directly with the management and boards of those corporations on matters of service. My government has also appointed an Autopac Review Commission to determine the most appropriate ways to ensure the availability of continuing low-cost, high-quality automobile insurance to Manitoba drivers on a self sustaining basis. These and other legislated measures will ensure that our Crown corporations will better deliver services for all Manitobans.

MEETING THE CHALL ENGE OF HEALTH CARE Through the pioneering efforts of social democrats, we enjoy a health care system of which Canadians are justly proud and which is the envy of other countries around the world. In Manitoba, the torch of universal health care has been held high. Manitobans have built the most comprehensive health service system in the nation, including such initiatives as ensuring of personal care homes, the introduction of Pharmacare, continuing care, and dental health programs for children.

Thursday, 11 February, 1918 My government has provided sound, innovative leadership in the past and will continue to do so in the future. Manitoba is not alone in facing major pressures to our health care system. All across the country, and indeed around the world, there are new challenges to health care which cannot be Ignored.

These challenges include: an aging population; an Increase in long-term chronic illness; new health hazards and diseases such as AIDS and Alzheimer's; rapid technological advances that are costly and often raise fundamental ethical questions having to do with the prolongation and termination of life; the increasing scale and organizational complexity of the health care system itself.

To meet successfully these and other challenges, my government intends to preserve the system which social democrats have created, and to build upon those achievements to make an even stronger health care system which is more responsive to changing circumstances and to new needs and ideas.

Pour donner une nouvelle orientation aux services de sante, il taut que le gouvernement assume un role de veritable chef de file et que tous les partenaires dans ce domaine s'engagent a long terme; ainsi, nous pourrons ensemble amlaeliorer le systeme et permettre aux generations a venir d'en beneficier. (Eftilliah tranalation) Developing new directions in health care will require strong government leadership and long-term commitment by all partners in health care if we are to improve the system for the benefit of future generations. My government's approach is one of cooperation, participation and action.

This is in sharp contrast to the approach taken by many other provinces, where a crisis mentality in health care has been fueled by harsh budgetary measures, program cutbacks, the introduction of user and deterrent fees and, in some cases, the Introduction of privatized health care. My government rejects that path.

Instead, we are committed to a public sector approach to the funding and delivery of health care and to pursuing solutions to our problems in ways which are fair and consistent with our tradition of preserving access to comprehensive health care services for all Manitobans -not just for those able to pay.

Among the specific initiatives to be undertaken by my government are: an expanded focus on health prevention and promotion, particularly on encouraging healthier lifestyles; a broadened and accelerated AIDS education program; legislation to regulate smoking in public places; a variety of initiatives to improve the availability of health services in rural and Northern Manitoba; a range of initiatives to shift the emphasis of health care from large in-patient institutional programs to community-based ser vices, 4 including expanding community health programs, further development of community health centres and alternatives to in-patient hospital services; improvements in the coordination of mental health services to ensure a better balance between institutional and community-based care; measures to strengthen health research.

My government is seeking to establish a new partnership in planning for health services development in Manitoba. This will bring together all segments of the health care system into a collaborative planning process that is designed to improve overall health services coordination and to facilitate the implementation of improvements to the system. My government is also hopeful that a new partnership with the Federal Government can be forged.

Through its reduced commitment to less than equal sharing of health care funding, the Federal Government has breached the partnership with the provinces and the Canadian people that was the foundation of our health care system. You will be asked to support a resolution which seeks a united voice on behalf of all Manitobans to call upon the Federal Government to live up to its historical responsibilities to provide adequate funding to preserve the Canadian health care system as a strong and vital public service available to all Canadians regardless of their ability to pay.

Manitoba has now been joined by other provinces in pressing the Federal Government to establish a National Health Incentives Fund that would facilitate the process of change and innovation. The response to date has been silence. My government, however, believes the challenge to find creative and Innovative solutions to today's health care problems cannot wait on the Federal Government. Therefore, you will be asked to support legislation to encourage the development of new directions in the provincial health care system.

BUILDING RURAL MANITOBA Many Manitoba farmers continue to experience difficult economic times due largely to the international grain wars in combination with the massive export subsidies of the United States and the European Common Market. My government is pleased that farm income losses will be partially offset by payments from the Western Grain Stabilization Program and the Special Grains Program. The assistance provided by these programs clearly points to the need to revamp federal income support programs so they more adequately protect farmers from income declines experienced over the last three years.

Measures will be Introduced by my government during the Session to establish a Stabilization Plan for the feedlot sector of Manitoba's beef industry. My government has concentrated its efforts on younger and beginning farmers with emphasis on farm management upgrading and special financial assistance programs. In response to the need to further assist farmers in the most acute financial difficulty, my government introduced The Family Farm Protection Act to mediate

Thuraday, 11 February, 1988 settlements between farmers and lenders. The Manitoba Mediation Board is now fully operational and is working actively with farmers and lenders to sustain the viability of many hundreds of younger and beginning farm families. The action of the board, when combined with special Manitoba Agricultural Credit Corporation programs and farm management assistance, is proving to be a successful combination to minimize the loss of many farm families from rural Manitoba.

Recognizing the special circumstances of Manitoba farm families, my government will extend the special School Farm Tax Assistance Program introduced last year. Despite the prompt, responsive actions of this government there are still problems facing many of our farm families. My government will continue to implement programs and policies which will enhance the growth and diversity of agriculture so this tremendously important industry can continue to play its vital role in the expansion of the Manitoba economy.

Assistance in revitalizing our communities will be continued through the Manitoba Community Places Program, now in its second ye ar. Non-profit organizations, such as day care associations, senior citizen groups, ethnocultural communities, and recreation associations are adding to the quality of life in their communities through the use of lottery funds for Capital projects. In cooperation with Brandon University, the special needs and concerns of rural communities will be addressed specifically through creation of a rural development institute.

Changes to the Manitoba Telephone System will also enhance the quality of rural life in our province. Les efforts de revitalisation des collect ivites augmenteront grace aux projets que ce gouvernement appuie dans les domaines de la culture et du patrimoine. Nous contlnuons de vouloir entretenir chez les Manitobains ce sens aigu d'appartenance, et de vouloir l'ancrer davantage. (English translation) Community revitalization will also be reinforced through this goverment's support of cultural and heritage initiatives.

We continue to be committed to preserving and strengthening Manitobans' keenly felt sense of place and belonging. My government eagerly awaits the report of the Manitoba Task Force on Multiculturalism which has provided an additional vehicle for groups and individuals to express their views and opinions. The task force report will assist in the development of a multicultural policy which will provide direction for the continued enrichment of social, economic and cultural quality into the next decade and beyond.

My government will also continue to deliver on its promise of an enhanced quality for those with lower incomes. Manitobans have long rejected the approach of blaming the poor and the disadvantaged for their unfortunate circumstances. Instead, we have offered compassionate social programs to assist in improving employability and opportunities for employment. You will be asked to consider legislation which will further help to narrow the disparities in our society. My government will intensify its efforts to bring greater fairness and equity across the province.

Members will 5 be asked to support initiatives to protect Manitoba consumers, including strengthening consumer protection through a Business Practices Act and amendments to The Consumer Protection Act. The responsibilities of the Rentalsman will also be increased, and proposed amendments will ensure more equitable resolution of disputes between landlords and tenants. Security of tenure and security from abrupt and dramatic rent increases is a basic tenant right in the Province of Manitoba and will remain so. Landlords, in their turn, require a clear definition of both their rights and their responsibilities.

Manitobans are duly proud of the efforts of their government to ensure access to suitable, affordable housing for all. Over the past five years, more than $300 million has been committed for housing development. Manitoba has, on a per-capita basis, one of the highest levels of non-profit housing in Canada. My government will continue its efforts on behalf of the homeless in our province. Manitobans enjoy one of the finest natural environments in North America.

My government is committed to a continuation of its strong policies for conservation and sound management of our environment and our abundant natural resources. My government was pleased to receive the Report of the National Task Force on Environment and Economy late last year. Chaired by my Minister of Environment, the task force is a joint industry government approach to foster and promote environmentally sound economic development in this country. Continued prosperity will depend on integrating economic and environmental development and on the cooperation of all Canadians.

My government also plans to develop a Northern Economic Strategy to reaffirm Manitoba's commitment to the development of the North and to ensure that Northerners share fully in that development. Support for aboriginal people of this province In their desire for recognition of Treaty and aboriginal rights and self-government will be effectively continued. In my government's view, a fundamental part of a true democracy is equality of opportunity. In the field of education, this means equality of access to the best we can afford in programs and institut ions.

My government is proud of our ACCESS programs which have contributed much to assisting many Manitobans in gaining entry to post-secondary training and educational opportunities, and thus to employment opportunities. FEDERAL-PROVINCIAL RELATIONS The past year witnessed some of the most significant, wide-ranging and intensive national policy debates in recent Canadian history. The national agenda focused not only on the Canada-U.S. Trade Agreement, but also on the Constitution, regional economic development, agriculture, transportation, health care, higher education, tax reform and child care, among other issues.

Those same issues remain top priorities in 1988. Policy debates are an inevitable and ongoing characteristic of intergovernmental relations in Canada. In fact, they are essential to ensuring better national policies which are sensitive to regional needs. However,

Thursday, 11 February, 1988 my government wishes to reaffirm its determination that legitimate policy differences not be allowed to interfere with its efforts to maintain and strengthen co operative relations with the Federal Government and other provinces in the coming year. Fair and balanced regional development was established as a joint national goal by the federal, provincial and territorial governments in 1985. Since that time, unfortunate ly, the lack of progress toward that goal has been a major disappointment to my government and to others across the country.

In the last year, the authority for initiating regional development policies has been fragmented within the Federal Government through the creation of various new agencies and the reorganization of others. At the same time, the potential value of future regional development efforts is being called into question by the Canada-U.S. trade deal. Repeated and welcome assurances have been given that Manitoba will receive an equitable share of federal economic development support in the future. Manitobans will continue to watch carefully for solid evidence that those assurances will be met.

In the interest of fairness, my government will continue to press for an end to the erosion of participation by the Federal Government in such crucial areas as health care and higher education funding. My First Minister and Minister of Finance will persevere as well in their discussions at the federal level for a more meaningful reform of the taxation system. My government has acknowledged the recent initiatives taken by the Federal Government to improve child care across the country.

However, the degree of additional support and the way it is to be distributed will not do enough to increase the number of spaces available and will fall far short of the needs of working parents. My government will continue to press for improvements in the federal proposals in upcoming meetings with the Government of Canada. Later in the Session, my government expects to introduce in the Assembly a resolution proposing adoption of the amendments agreed to by the First Ministers last June as part of the 1987 Constitutional Accord.

The House of Commons and three of the ten Provincial Legislative Assemblies have approved the Accord up to now, and another Legislature is reviewing it at this time. My government believes that the Constitutional Accord has much to commend it. At the same time, my government will respect its commitment to the people of Manitoba to conduct meaningful public hearings on the Accord, and to assess very carefully the opinions voiced in the course of those hearings. During debate in the Assembly and elsewhere, my government will also be advancing its priorities for further reform of the Canadian Constitution.

In this regard, my Ministers were pleased by the undertaking given by all provincial Premiers last summer to propose that constitutional provisions for regional development be addressed as part of the next round of formal constitutional discussions. My government is also eager to participate in a reopened process of consultation aimed at achieving long-overdue constitutional reform in the area of aboriginal self-government rights. 6 BUDGET ADDRESS AND PUBLIC AC COUNTS My government has remained faithful to its commitment to consulting with Manitobans in the development of our Budget and Estimates of Expenditures.

The priorities of creating jobs, fairness, and maintenance of our proud record of provision of vital public health services have been continued and will be reflected in the proceedings of the Chamber. Estimates of Revenues and Public Accounts will also be presented for the inspection of all members. My government has set out a clear agenda for this Legislative Session which addresses the priority concerns of Manitobans. They have told us that we must continue to work in partnership to build upon the progress of the past years.

Now more than ever before, we must draw together as Manitobans in addressing common needs and objectives. My government has set clear goals and has reaffirmed its commitment to working in partnership � with all Manitobans into the coming decade. In closing, I pray Divine Providence may guide you and enlighten you in your deliberations and your decisions. May God bless the Queen and our Country. (GOD SAVE THE QUEEN WAS SUNG) The Civil Aide advanced and, after obeisance, received the Speech from the Lieutenant-Governor and retired to the west side of the Chamber.

The Mace then made obeisance before the Lieutenant-Governor and preceded His Honour along the east side of the Chamber to the Bar of the House, accompanied by the Premier and the Aides. The Premier returned to his seat in the Chamber. The Speaker proceeded to the Chair after the Lieutenant-Governor had passed the Bar of the House. The Sergeant-at-Arms proceeded to the Speaker who was standing before the Chair. The Mace made obeisance and returned to the Table. , MADAM SPEAKER, Hon. M.

Phillips: 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, 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 Speaker bowed to the members and seated the House.) INTRODUCTION OF BILLS HON. H. PAWLEY introduced, by leave, B•ll No. 1,

An Act respecting the Administration of Oaths of Office;

Loi sur la prestation des serments d'entree en fonction.

Thuraday, 11 February, 1988 HOUSE BUSINESS MADAM SPEAKER: I wish to inform the House that in order to prevent mistakes, I have obtained a copy of the Address of His Honour, which was read. I am further pleased to inform the House that Mr. James E. Diack has been appointed Sergeant-at-Arms for the Third Session of the Thirty- Third legislature.

I am also pleased to inform the House that the following Pages have been appointed for this Session of the legislature: Sara Harris from Fort Richmond Collegiate; Katriel Eskin from Joseph Wolinsky School; Leanne Fisher from lac du Bonnet Senior High; Kelly Tye from Murdoch MacKay Collegiat e; Phillip Fenez from Glenlawn Collegiate; lrene Howard from Vincent Massey Collegiate. The Honourable First Minister. HON. H.

PAWLEY: Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the Honourable Minister of Labour, that the Votes and Proceedings of the House be printed, having first been perused by the Speaker, the Speaker to appoint the printing thereof , and that no person but such as the Speaker shall appoint do presume to print the same. MOTION presented and carried. 7 HON. H. PAWLEY: Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Municipal Affairs, that the speech of His Honour the lieutenant-Governor be takf"l into consideration tomorrow. MOTION presented and carried. HON. H.

PAWLEY: Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for lnkster, that this House do now adjourn. MADAM SPEAKER: Before putting the question, may I inform all present that a receiving line composed of the lieutenant-Governor, the Premier and the Speaker will form shortly in Room 200, in the north end of the building, and that refreshments will be served in Room 254 in the south end of the building, in five. minutes time. lt has been moved by the Honourable First Minister, seconded by the Honourable Member for lnkster, that the House do now adjourn.

MOTION presented and carried and the House adjourned and stands adjourned until 10:00 a.m. tomorrow. (Friday)

Document details

Collection	Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	33-3-1
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	33rd 3rd hansardpdf 1.pdf
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	c79f2f283745d54e03d479492cae56395478fd59

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