Alberta Hansard — 10 November 1994, Afternoon sitting (13:30) (Legislature 23, Session 2)

19941110

Alberta — Debates (Hansard)

November 10, 1994 Alberta Hansard 3001 Legislative Assembly of Alberta Title: Thursday, November 10, 1994 1:30 p.m. Date: 94/1 1/10 [Mr. Speaker in the Chair] head: Prayers MR. SPEAKER: Would members please remain standing after the prayer today. Almighty God, from whom all thoughts of truth and peace proceed, kindle we pray Thee in the hearts of all men the true love of peace, and guide with Thy pure and peaceable wisdom those who take counsel for the nations of the Earth, that in tranquillity Thy kingdom may go forward till the Earth is filled with the knowledge of Thy love. Amen.

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them. Please be seated. head: Reading and Receiving Petitions MR. SPEAKER: The hon. Member for Clover Bar-Fort Saskatchewan. MRS. ABDURAHMAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I request that the petition I tabled on behalf of 374 Albertans regarding the closure of hospital beds be now read. Thank you. CLERK: We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Alberta to urge the Government that the hospital beds recently closed be made available again.

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Centre. MR. HENRY: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I would ask that two petitions that I've tabled in this Legislature be read and received, one on June 1 regarding sexual orientation and protec- tion against discrimination and the other in October regarding funding cuts to education. CLERK: We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Alberta to urge the Government not to apply

Section 33 of the Constitution Act, 1982 (the Notwithstanding Clause) to uphold the Individual's Rights Protection Act. We the undersigned petition the Legislative Assembly to urge the Government of Alberta to specifically plan their funding cuts to preserve education at the classroom level; and co-operatively consult with all stakeholders in education, determining cost savings in all administrative levels. MR. SPEAKER: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Mill Woods. DR. MASSEY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I respectfully request that the petition I presented on October 20 asking that the Grey Nuns remain an active treatment hospital now be read and received. CLERK: We the undersigned petition the Legislative Assembly of Alberta to urge the Government to maintain the Grey Nuns Hospital in Mill Woods as a Full-Service, Active Hospital and continue to serve the south-east end of Edmonton and surrounding area. MR. SPEAKER: The hon. Member for Lac La Biche-St. Paul. MR. LANGEVIN: Y es, Mr. Speaker. I would request that the petition I tabled yesterday re sexual orientation be now read and received.

CLERK: We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Alberta to urge the Government not to consider making sexual orientation a part of the Individual's Rights Protection Act. MR. SPEAKER: The hon. Member for Lethbridge-East. DR. NICOL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I request that the petition presented concerning the Alberta Children's hospital on the 1st of June be read and received. Thank you.

CLERK: We the undersigned petition the Legislative Assembly of Alberta to urge the Government to maintain the existing Alberta Children's Hospital in Calgary as a full service, active hospital which will continue to serve the children of southern Alberta. MR. SPEAKER: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Beverly- Belmont. MR. Y ANKOWSKY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise to request that the petition I presented on November 3 be now read and received. CLERK: We, the undersigned residents of Alberta ask the Legislative Assembly to urge the government to reconsider its plans to change benefits to seniors. MR. SPEAKER: The hon.

Member for West Y ellowhead. MR. V AN BINSBERGEN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I request that the petition presented on November 1 regarding improve- ments on Highway 40 south be now read and received. MR. SPEAKER: Apparently it's not at the Table, hon. member. The hon. Member for Sherwood Park. MR. COLLINGWOOD: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would ask that the petition I presented on November 2 with respect to kindergarten funding now be read and received.

CLERK: We the undersigned petition the Legislative Assembly to urge the Government of Alberta to provide quality kindergarten education for our children by maintaining a minimum of 400 hours of instruction per child per school year and that this right should be guaranteed by legislation. head: Notices of Motions MR. SPEAKER: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Centre.

3002 Alberta Hansard November 10, 1994 MR. HENRY: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I would like to give oral notice that after question period I would seek unanimous consent under Standing Order 40 to consider the following motion:

Be it resolved that the Legislative Assembly congratulate Alberta playwright Brad Fraser for his Genie nomination and wish him every success on Genie night, December 7, 1994. Thank you. head: Introduction of Bills MR. SPEAKER: The hon. Member for Three Hills-Airdrie. Bill 58 Advance Directives Act MS HALEY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I request leave to introduce Bill 58, the Advance Directives Act. Mr. Speaker, Bill 58 allows Albertans to prepare instructions about their own health and personal care treatments in anticipation of a time when they may become mentally incapacitated.

It allows them to choose proxies to act on their behalf and to be legally supported in having their decisions carried out by health care professionals. [Leave granted; Bill 58 read a first time] MR. DA Y: Mr. Speaker, I move that Bill 58, as just introduced, be now moved onto the Order Paper under Government Bills and Orders. [Motion carried] head: Tabling Returns and Reports MRS. McCLELLAN: Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to table with the Assembly today copies of the discussion paper Decisions about Tomorrow: Directives for Y our Health Care.

This accompanies Bill 58, Advance Directives Act, which was introduced today by my hon. colleague the MLA for Three Hills- Airdrie. It will serve as a basis for a full and informed public discussion on an individual's control in health care decisions. Additionally, Mr. Speaker, I am tabling the annual report of the Wild Rose Foundation for the period ended March 31, 1994. Copies of both documents will be circulated to all members. MR. JONSON: Mr. Speaker, I would like to table six copies of the responses to questions 216, 217, and 219. Further, Mr.

Speaker, it's my pleasure to table this afternoon six copies of the government of Alberta implementation plan in response to Removing Barriers: An Action Plan for Aboriginal People with Disabilities. Finally, Mr. Speaker, I would like to table with the Assembly, given that next week is Education Week, documents outlining the Hunt for Success contest, which will form part of the activities of Education Week. Alberta school winners will receive computers and fax machines. This contest is being conducted in co-operation with six business partners here in Alberta. 1:40 MR. SPEAKER: The hon. Minister of Energy. MRS.

BLACK: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On behalf of the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, the hon. Premier, I am pleased to table six copies of responses to Motion 210. MR. DINNING: Mr. Speaker, I am providing the Assembly with the responses to Wr itten Question 235 and motions for returns 209, 245, 247, and 249. MR. SPEAKER: The hon. Minister of Environmental Protection. MR. LUND: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm pleased to file with the Assembly today the first report of the Natural Resources Conservation Board's activities for the years 1991 to 1993 and plans for 1994 through 1996.

Also, I'm pleased to table four copies of the 10th annual report for the Alberta Special Waste Management Corporation for the period 1993-94. Members, if they want their own copy, can contact my office. MR. SPEAKER: The hon. Minister of Advanced Education and Career Development. MR. ADY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to table four copies of the 1994 annual report of the Students Finance Board. MR. SPEAKER: The hon. Member for Bow Valley. DR. OBERG: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to table four copies of the following resolution: We, the Redcliff I.F.

Cox PAC and ECS urge the Legislature of the Province of Alberta to amend the Alberta School Act to mandate the right of access to fully f unded kindergarten programming to a minimum of 400 hours per child per school year. MR. SPEAKER: The hon. Member for Grande Prairie-Wapiti. MR. JACQUES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

On behalf of my colleague the minister of agriculture and Member for Grande Prairie-Smoky constituency I wish to table four copies of the following resolution passed by the Sunset House school parent advisory council: We, the Parent Advisory Council for Sunset House School, Sunset House, Alberta urge the Legislature of the Province of Alberta to amend the Alberta School Act to mandate the right of access to fully funded kindergarten programming to a minimum of 400 hours per child per school year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. MRS. HEWES: Mr.

Speaker, I beg leave to table four copies of a letter that I have sent today to the hon. Minister of Justice requesting that he pursue his inquiry into the activities of the Minister of Family and Social Services. MR. SPEAKER: The hon. Member for Calgary-North West. MR. BRUSEKER: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I'd like to table four copies of a letter that contains the following resolution: We, the Banff Trail parent advisory council urge the Legislature of the Province of Alberta to amend the Alberta School Act to mandate the right of access to fully funded kindergarten programming to a minimum of 400 hours per school year. MR. SPEAKER: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Avonmore.

November 10, 1994 Alberta Hansard 3003 MR. ZWOZDESKY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm tabling two documents in which the Premier of Alberta states that it is his agenda to diminish and eventually curtail all funding to the Alberta arts. These are provided courtesy of the Edmonton Journal and the Edmonton Sun on October 13. MR. SPEAKER: The hon. Member for Sherwood Park. MR. COLLINGWOOD: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

On behalf of the Jean Vanier Catholic school parent advisory council I'm tabling four copies of a resolution which reads as follows: We, the Jean Vanier Catholic School Kindergarten Parents' Associa- tion urge the Legislature of the Province of Alberta to amend the Alberta School Act to mandate the right of access to fully f unded Kindergarten programming to a minimum of 400 hours per child per school year. head: Introduction of Guests MR. SPEAKER: The hon. Member for Spruce Grove-Sturgeon- St. Albert. MRS. SOETAERT: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It's my pleasure to introduce to you and through you to members of the Assembly Josie Handfield, who is a grade 1 1 student from St. Thomas Aquinas school in Spruce Grove. She is doing work experience in my office, and we're very pleased and appreciate her help. With her today is my assistant Marilyn Van Hove, who is indispensable. I'd ask you to please give them a warm reception. MR. SPEAKER: The hon. Minister of Advanced Education and Career Development. MR. ADY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It's with pleasure that I introduce to you and to members of the Assembly the eight recipients of the 1994 outstanding adult learner awards. These eight students are extremely dedicated individuals from our four Alberta vocational colleges. Each college nominates two individu- als on the basis of academic achievement, accomplishment of a career goal, and leadership in assisting other students or institu- tional activities and organizations. I had the pleasure with other members of the Assembly today to host a luncheon with the recipients and their families, who are also seated in the gallery.

I would ask each recipient to please stand as I call their name and remain standing until I complete the list. From A VC Calgary, Mike Boccinfuso and Jeri Hale; from A VC Edmonton, Benita Ayarra-Farough and Debra Maze; from A VC Lac La Biche, John Bigstone and Roxanne Dubé; and from A VC Lesser Slave Lake, Vicky Anderson and Lenard Meek. I ask all members to give these students the traditional warm welcome and congratulations of the Assembly. MR. SPEAKER: The hon. Member for Clover Bar-Fort Saskatchewan. MRS. ABDURAHMAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It is with indeed a great deal of pleasure and pride that I'd like to introduce some very special guests today. We have 30 young students from the Holy Redeemer school. They're accompanied by their teacher Mr. Wayne Russell and five parents: Mrs. Joanna Stinson, Mrs. Lorelei Gamroth, Mrs. Lorraine Grahn, Mrs. Sandra Del Fabbro, and Mr. Bernard Tchir. Through you, Mr. Speaker, to the Assembly, I would ask them to rise and receive the traditional warm welcome of this House. MR. SPEAKER: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Strathcona. MR. ZARIWNY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It gives me great pleasure to introduce to you and through you to the members of this Assembly a grade 9 student from the Avalon junior high school, which is a school in my constituency. The student's name is Lisa Lam, and she's here today to learn all about MLAs. I'd ask that she rise and we give her a warm welcome. MR. SPEAKER: The hon. Member for Leduc. MR. KIRKLAND: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's my pleasure this afternoon to introduce to you and through you to the rest of the Assembly Dustin Mann.

Dustin is a grade 9 student from Caledonia Park school in Leduc, and he is job shadowing his MLA this afternoon and sharing his youthful exuberance and wisdom with the Liberal caucus. So I ask Dustin to stand and receive the warm welcome of the Assembly. MR. SPEAKER: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Mayfield. MR. WHITE: It's my pleasure today to introduce to you . . . [some applause] Thank you. A little bow. Thank you kindly. Let's not interrupt the proceedings here. Thank you very kindly, Mr. Speaker, for the opportunity to introduce two very important people in our society. These two people represent the Edmonton

chapter of the Retired Public Employees Society. This society represents some 5,000 retired employees of the civic and the provincial levels of government. I'd like to ask Pat Kenny, the president, and Simon Postma, the chairman of the Edmonton chapter, to please rise and receive the warm welcome of the House. MR. DA Y: Mr. Speaker, I'd like to introduce to you and to the Assembly a constituent visiting from Red Deer today. Cindy Barkman, along with many other full-time activities which keep her busy in Red Deer, spends much time volunteering her time working with the youth of Red Deer.

I would ask her to rise and receive the warm welcome of the Assembly. MR. SPEAKER: The hon. Minister of Advanced Education and Career Development. MR. ADY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On Monday last the Hon. Dianne Mirosh announced a research grant of 1 and a half million dollars from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council to our Faculty of Arts at the University of Alberta to produce an integrated history of women's writings on the British Isles. Today it is an honour for me to introduce to you and through you to the members Dr.

Pat Clements, the dean of the Faculty of Arts, who will direct the project in co-operation with other academics here and in Great Britain; also, Dr. Isobel Grundy of the department of English, and Dr. Juliet McMaster, also from the Department of English and who last year was the Molson prize winner in outstanding contributions to the social sciences and humanities. They're seated in the public gallery, and I'd ask them to rise and receive the warm welcome of this Assembly. MR. SPEAKER: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Whitemud.

3004 Alberta Hansard November 10, 1994 DR. PERCY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to intro- duce to you and through you to the Legislature a constituent of Edmonton-Manning, the wife, friend, and strong supporter of my colleague and friend the MLA from Edmonton-Manning. She is seated in the public gallery. If she would please rise and receive the warm welcome of the House. head: Oral Question Period 1:50 Quasi-autonomous Nongovernment Organizations MR. SPEAKER: The hon. Leader of the Opposition. [applause] MRS. HEWES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'll miss you too. Mr.

Speaker, Albertans are still very concerned about the potential abuse of power that flows from Bill 41, the Government Organization Act. This is an Alberta version of a British Thatcher model setting up what are called quangos; that's, quasi- autonomous nongovernment organizations. I table today excerpts of a study by the experienced charter eight group outlining the British experience with this type of system that paints a legacy of rampant patronage, a lack of public audit, and scrutiny by the Ombudsman. To the Minister of Labour my questions go.

Given that the British experience has led to over 5,000 such boards and 73,000 such appointments, will the minister now give his assur- ance that before any such board is set up it'll be brought to this Legislature? MR. DA Y: Mr. Speaker, as usual the interim leader's questions are formidable, which is why we applauded at such length. We were trying to use up some of her time there. I can assure you that I am familiar with the literature especially coming out of England on the development of quangos.

When you follow that literature, you will see that it really did develop into an entire layer, in many cases, of added bureaucracy that was beyond the reach of government to effectively control. Having learned from that experience, we were able to apply those lessons to Bill 41. MRS. HEWES: Well, then, Mr. Speaker, will the minister at the very least table for public information a list of the quangos that you intend to set up in Alberta, certainly before proclamation of the Bill? MR. DA Y: Mr.

Speaker, the list has been tabled, because the so- called quangos intended, anything intended from Bill 41 in fact, were laid out in the three-year business plans which were tabled about a year and a half ago. Bill 41 accommodates the achieve- ment of those business plans. They were made very public, and I might say, it was unprecedented in Canadian parliamentary history to see a government table a very specific three-year business plan. So they're there for the member to see. I don't know how she's missed them. MRS. HEWES: Mr.

Speaker, perhaps the minister would be kind enough simply to table the list for public perusal. Mr. Speaker, my last question to the minister is: will the minister then give to this House his commitment that he will not bring delegation of authority legislation to the House until there has been a full public hearing process and a consultation with Albertans? MR. DA Y: Mr.

Speaker, again something that was unique in Canadian parliamentary experience was that at the beginning of this session, something that's never happened before, all the Bills intended to be tabled were in fact listed not just for the members of the opposition but for the public. That has never happened before. It was absolutely unprecedented, and at that particular time, before the session even started, Bill 57, the Delegated Administration Act, was talked about in some detail.

To continue with that, at that time and again today I reiterate that because concerns have been raised that particular Bill will be held till spring, with plenty of opportunity for input so that we can make it an even better Bill and satisfy the concerns of Albertans. As far as tabling the list of all groups or organizations that will be addressed by Bill 41, again I can say that that's been tabled. I don't know why their research staff has missed it. It's been very public and it has been tabled. MR. SPEAKER: The hon. Member for Redwater. Petitions MR. N. TA YLOR: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

On behalf of Albertans the opposition this year has presented petitions from over 180,000 Albertans who are willing to risk signing their names in opposition to the actions of their government. This usually silent majority has shown their dissatisfaction over cuts in education, health care, seniors' issues, and environmental concerns. This amount of public opposition is unprecedented in Alberta. Never has the public, you might say, appreciated an opposition more. To the Acting Premier: what does the govern- ment intend to do with these petitions? MR. DINNING: Well, Mr.

Speaker, as the government has continued to do, it will continue to listen and take the good advice and counsel of all Albertans as we move forward with the plan that we spelled out prior to the June 1993 election. We'll continue, as the Minister of Labour has just indicated on one particular Bill, to take the advice and the concerns of Albertans and do our very best to address those concerns as we go forward with the government's agenda. It is interesting to note, though, Mr. Speaker, that of those 180,000, perhaps less than 10 percent were willing to take out a Liberal membership to vote in Saturday's election.

MR. N. TA YLOR: As I say, Mr. Speaker: touchy, touchy. To the Acting Premier: will the government at least instruct the cabinet minister responsible in whatever area it is to write to these people and tell them why they're not willing to act on the changes that these people signed a petition for? MR. DINNING: Mr. Speaker, my colleagues throughout the cabinet and throughout the caucus are in constant communication with many of the people that were part of those petitions, indeed with Albertans across the province, some 2.75 million Albertans, on a regular basis.

We took the advice of many of those petition- ers as we considered the regional health authorities, as we considered the legislation brought forward by the Minister of Education, Bill 19, on the School Act, as my colleagues have brought forward legislation throughout this session since the middle of February. I believe this government has shown that we are more than willing, in fact inv iting input from Albertans and to take that advice and factor that into our plan. Mr.

Speaker, what Albertans voted for most of all on June 15 was a determined government taking action to get its financial house in order and to restructure the way that we deliver the business of government. Albertans know about restructuring.

November 10, 1994 Alberta Hansard 3005 They've been through it. In fact, Albertans doing business today are doing business very differently than they did 10 or 15 years ago, and they expect no less from their provincial government. MR. N. TA YLOR: Mr. Acting Premier, they didn't ask in the election for even a minuscule of what they got. Besides those petitions from th is side of the House, Mr. Speaker, there were over 26,000 Albertans who signed petitions for government members, which were sent in. What are you going to do about those? MR. DINNING: Mr.

Speaker, just as the Liberal MLAs have done, so too have Conservative members of the Legislature done their very best to respond to the concerns and issues raised by their constituents. They will continue to do that so that we will win back, earn, and continue to earn the trust of Albertans, to ensure, by staying with the plan that we spelled out before the 1993 election and all the plans that we've laid out since, that Albertans are looking for decisive, determined leadership to get our financial house in order, to restructure the way we do government.

I can say in partial reference to the hon. member's earlier lead- in to his question that Albertans knew prior to the June 15 election that we were going to reduce spending by some $2.7 billion and that we were going to restructure government, Mr. Speaker. We're doing exactly what we promised Albertans we would do. 2:00 Belmont Correctional Centre MR. GERMAIN: Y esterday, Mr. Speaker, the government began the privatization of prisons in this province by selling the Belmont Correctional facility at fire-sale prices. Now, this facility was sold to a numbered company with unknown shareholders.

Worse yet, the order in council allows it to be flipped perhaps for profit or flipped to yet another unknown secret buyer. My questions are directed to the minister of public works. Mr. Minister, will you stand up today and tell this Assembly and the people of Alberta who the underlying real buyers of this facility are? MR. THURBER: Mr.

Speaker, as facilities are declared surplus by this government for future use, they go through a process that is well known to the member, I'm sure, where we do put it on the market through an agreement that we have with the Alberta Real Estate Association, where it goes out through the multiple listing service. It's a very open system of selling things. There are appraisals done on it, and in this particular case we got what we asked for, what the asking price was. I'm very happy to see that that offer came in, and it indicates to me that maybe the market is picking up a little bit in Edmonton. MR.

GERMAIN: Will you confirm, Mr. Minister, that the Corrections Corporation of America or Wackenhut did not directly or indirectly have any

part in this purchase? MR. THURBER: Mr. Speaker, I repeat: it is a very open system that we go through, where we put it on the market at an appraised price. There was a legitimate offer on it, and it was sold at that offered market price. It's a very open process. MR. GERMAIN: Mr. Speaker, there are now only a few hours left in this session. Will the minister table the agreement and the appraisals in this House before the close of business today? MR. THURBER: I guess I'll have to repeat myself, Mr. Speaker. It's a very open system of selling surplus government property.

It goes out through an agreement that we have with the Alberta Real Estate Association, where there are appraisals done on it, and in this case the offer in fact was at or above the appraised value. Charitable Donation Tax Credit Incentives MR. DOERKSEN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On Tuesday of this week we debated Motion 519 which urged the government to improve the fund-raising climate for charitable organizations in Alberta by providing tax credit incentives for donations. During the debate the advantages of the provision of tax credits were clearly articulated and demonstrated.

In a free vote supported by members on both sides of this House, that motion was approved. I have one question to the Treasurer. AN HON. MEMBER: One? MR. DOERKSEN: Just one. Will the Treasurer now commit to this Assembly and to the people of Alberta that he will give serious consideration to adopting those provisions in his budget in the new year? MR. DINNING: Mr. Speaker, the short answer is yes.

How- ever, I would remind the hon. member that the motion was amended, and the motion in fact read: urge the government to improve the fund-raising climate for charitable organizations in Alberta by providing further tax credit incentives for donations. In the government's plan of ensuring that there is balance in our plan, we must ensure that we do not uneven the level playing field that now exists. So I will take to heart especially the notion of further tax credit donations. MR. SPEAKER: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Whitemud. Provincial Tax Regime DR. PERCY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

This government has created a tax system that is neither fair nor efficient. It's created a tax jungle. Funding responsibility has been downloaded to local governments. Individuals are subject to user fee after user fee. We now have a province where policing and fire services differ between municipalities depending on the richness of the local tax base. We have a province where you pay more if you want more than just basic education or health care. Just ask the parents who want more than 200 hours of kindergarten for their children. My questions are to the Provincial Treasurer.

How can you say that you haven't raised taxes when the evidence is clear that you've downloaded almost a half billion dollars of new taxes onto local governments and onto individual Albertans? MR. DINNING: That's unadulterated gobbledygook. Mr. Speaker, the fact is that this government has taken action to get its financial house in order by changing the way that we do business. What we're saying is that if we're going to live within the taxpayers' means, we're going to do what needs to be done and then ask others to do things if they still need to be done at all.

I would say to the hon. member that he ought to look the mayors and the reeves and the municipalities in this province square in the eye and ask them if their employees have taken the same 5 percent rollback that 100 percent of the employees of the provincial government have taken. It's a shame that the hon. member across the way doesn't pay tribute, doesn't give credit to

3006 Alberta Hansard November 10, 1994 Alberta government public servants who have taken a 5 percent rollback, while in municipalities across this province less than 10 percent of the employees have taken that 5 percent rollback. Everybody must do their share, Mr. Speaker. DR. PERCY: Mr. Speaker, obviously a touchy nerve over there. How can the Treasurer claim that the creation of a tax jungle in this province with local governments offering an array of services at different prices for different people depending on how much they can pay – there's not fairness. There's not a sense of equity in this system.

How can you call that a fair tax system for Albertans? MR. DINNING: I will make no such claim. The only claim I will make today in response to the question, Mr. Speaker, is that this government has helped to create an environment where the private sector has created 72,000 new jobs since D ecember of 1992. DR. PERCY: Obviously the words "fairness" and "equitable" are alien to the Treasurer. Mr.

Speaker, how can the Treasurer claim that this government has streamlined its services, when all it's done is download, off- load services onto local government and onto individual Albertans through user fees and higher taxes at the local level? MR. DINNING: It's not download ing if the rest of the public sector takes the same kind of change-the-way-they-do-business approach that the provincial government has taken, that I see universities and colleges taking, that I see hospitals taking. Mr.

Speaker, we don't need a lecture from any Liberal on fairness and equity when I see the federal Liberal Minister of Finance imposing 20 percent more debt on this country in the next three years. That's unfair. That's inequitable. I think it's intolerable that the member across the way would preach anything about fairness and equity when his Liberal brethren are imposing nothing but unfairness and inequity on all Canadians. MR. SPEAKER: The hon. Member for Bow Valley. Brooks Wildlife Centre DR. OBERG: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Brooks Wildlife Centre, more commonly known as the Brooks pheasant hatchery, is very important to my constitu ents as well as all of southern Alberta. The minister on a number of occasions has said that the government of Alberta will be privatizing this facility. To the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development: could you please explain what process there is in place for selling the Brooks Wildlife Centre? MR. SPEAKER: The hon. Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development. MR. PASZKOWSKI: Thank you very much. Certainly it's a very timely question that the hon.

Member for Bow Valley has asked, because we are now in the process of moving the facility from government hands into the operations of private enterprise, which is part of our three-year plan and part of our long-term commitment. 2:10 First of all, our privatization committee, which involved public works, Alberta agriculture, Justice, and the environment, was structured. They put together a proposal that was advertised in the papers in Calgary, Edmonton, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, and Brooks.

The people who are interested in purchasing the facility are asked now to submit their names to this committee, and then a package will be submitted back to them identifying how the proposals should be submitted. The interested parties will then submit a proposal or a tender, and that's the process that is in place now. MR. SPEAKER: Supplemental question. DR. OBERG: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Since the government has been losing money on this operation, why on earth would any private facility or private purchaser buy the Brooks pheasant hatchery? SOME HON. MEMBERS: Good question. MR.

PASZKOWSKI: Again a good question. For once I agree with the Liberals. It is a good question. AN HON. MEMBER: They got something right. MR. PASZKOWSKI: They got something right, yes. The process that the government had been operating, the pheasant hatchery, was exclusively hatching pheasants. Obvi- ously, this is a golden opportunity to expand the horizons of the operation to fit in well with the diversification of our economy. Private enterprise can do this,

whereas government can't do this effectively. So by diversifying, by utilizing opportunities that are there through this facility, private enterprise can actually share a profit in this. Government has indicated that they're not going to be in the business of competing against business. That is indeed left for private enterprise to do, and that's the process that we feel private enterprise can well fulfill. MR. SPEAKER: Supplemental. DR. OBERG: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The public release program for pheasants is an extremely important program for our area. How will this sale affect that program? MR.

PASZKOWSKI: Part of the package that will be sent back to the interested parties will indeed identify some of the stipula- tions that will be placed there. One of those stipulations will be that the commitments as far as hatch and release are concerned must be fulfilled and that pheasant hatching must be part of the existing facility and ongoing facility. Indeed, the existing programs will carry on, perhaps even be enhanced in the future. So this is a golden opportunity for expansion of the whole process within the province of Alberta. MR. SPEAKER: The hon. Member for Calgary-North West. St.

Michael's Hospital MR. BRUSEKER: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Regional health authorities are trying their best to bring in the regionalization of health care, but unfortunately their hands are tied. Recent events in both Lethbridge and Brooks show that board members are not being allowed to do their job. In fact, it seems the only way that board members can show their accountability is to quit that job. My first question is to the Mini ster of Health. Why is the

November 10, 1994 Alberta Hansard 3007 minister forcing the Chinook regional authority to proceed with a $70 million renovation on St. Michael's in Lethbridge when the department of public works' study shows that the regional hospital could be renovated for only $25 million? MRS. McCLELLAN: Mr. Speaker, the regional hospital board and the St. Michael's hospital board came together over a period of months a year ago to resolve some outstanding issues between regional hospital services delivery and St. Michael's.

Through a community process, through two duly-elected boards' recommen- dations, a decision was made that there should be a geriatric care centre operated by St. Michael's and that the regional hospital would carry out the surgical side, the acute side of things. I respect very much the contribution that the boards and the community made to that process, and at that time advised my colleague the Minister of Public Works, Supply and Services that they had reached that conclusion and that they s hould proceed with planning or re-scoping the project to meet the needs of the community that were defined.

Now, some months ago there was a decision made by this government not to proceed with capital building projects until the regional health authorities had an opportunity to form, to review all of their needs, and to come back to me with advice. That process is under way, and they have not come back to me with their advice on this project. MR. SPEAKER: Supplemental question. MR. BRUSEKER: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, then, following up on the direction that's been given, is it true, as stated by the chairman of the Chinook regional health authority, that the St.

Michael's project became a priority because the minister directed that it become a priority? MRS. McCLELLAN: I would hate to challenge the hon. member's direct quotation, but I would like to see it from the chairman, because I had a conversation with the chairman of that very regional health authority yesterday and I did not quite have the same understanding. Mr. Speaker, I was asked if the St. Michael's project was approved. I said that, yes, it was, and it went into planning.

But I also stated that I expected that the regional health authority in its discussions and deliberations would ensure that the projects that are in progress or in fact planned still meet the needs of the community. I want to remind hon. members that the St. Michael's project is not simply a long-term care facility. It is a geriatric centre for referral, for outreach, and for assistance for all of southern Alberta, not just for the Lethbridge region. This is for all of southern Alberta, including Medicine Hat. Mr.

Speaker, I really believe that the decisions and the advice should come from the communities, and I have not received from the regional health authority a decision that that project should be changed, or if it should be, how, or if it should pro ceed. I was asked some questions. Those were my answers, and I stand on that. MR. BRUSEKER: Mr. Speaker, 300 people heard it last Thursday night at the meeting at the El Rancho motel in Lethbridge.

My final supplementary to the minister: how does the minister then answer concerns raised by the regional authority member from Brooks who resigned his position because he is not allowed and the board is not allowed to carry out their mandate? MRS. McCLELLAN: Mr. Speaker, I can only say that any board member of any regional health authority has the right to have an opinion or to express themselves. I think it was clearly outlined when the regional health authorities were formed and the boards were appointed what their mandate was.

I do not think in any way that this minister or this government has inhibited their activities as they were laid out at the outset. MR. SPEAKER: The hon. Member for Calgary-Currie. School Board Amalgamations MRS. BURGENER: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The process of regionalization and amalgamation of school boards is for the most

part completed. Having reduced the number of boards to approximately 57 represents a significant effort. It required tremendous political leadership and resolve from all parties involved, including our school boards and stakeholders. It also required a spirit of commitment and co-operation, and all parties involved are to be commended. However, the issue of representa- tion on school boards as they are now constituted requires clarification for the public. Specifically in Calgary where the Roman Catholic separate school district . . . MR. SPEAKER: Question, hon. member. The

preamble is getting too lengthy. MRS. BURGENER: Mr. Speaker, specifically in Calgary where they have joined in amalgamation with the Catholic school districts of Airdrie . . . MR. SPEAKER: Order please. Please cut to the question. MRS. BURGENER: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. How will these school communities be provided with effective representation under this new amalgamation? To the Minister of Education. MR. JONSON: Mr.

Speaker, when the Airdrie and Cochrane Catholic school districts were considering the question of amal- gamation, alternatives were outlined which would have had them join neighbouring jurisdictions of similar size. However, in the course of discussions they expressed a preference for joining with the Calgary separate school district, and it was pointed out to them at that time that they should be clear that in that arrangement they would not have the guarantee of trustees located in each of those jurisdictions.

They indicated that they were quite interested in joining with the Calgary separate school district and they fully recognized that they would not have guaranteed wards or electoral divisions comprising only Airdrie and Cochrane. 2:20 MR. SPEAKER: Supplemental question. MRS. BURGENER: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the same minister: how can a resident of Cochrane or Airdrie run in the municipal elections in the fall of '95? MR. JONSON: Mr. Speaker, of course it's very important to have the ability to vote for your school trustees, for your repre- sentatives in a jurisdiction.

The Calgary separate school district, as is appropriate, has indicated to these two jurisdictions that in due course the electoral division of the Calgary Catholic school

3008 Alberta Hansard November 10, 1994 district will indicate the electoral division of the Calgary Catholic school district in which each of those jurisdictions will be able to vote. MR. SPEAKER: Final supplemental. MRS. BURGENER: Y es. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. How will the voting take place if the citizens and residents of Airdrie and Cochrane are in one municipal district and the elections are taking place in the city of Calgary? How will they vote? MR. JONSON: Well, Mr.

Speaker, the approach which is common across the province will be used, and that is that local governments usually co-operate and use the structure and the facilities set up by the municipal government in the area. They set the polls up there. That would be the case in Airdrie and Cochrane. I would hope and I think there will be that continued co-operation, where the site of the polling in the October '95 municipal elections will be the same for municipal councillors, school board members, and so forth. MR. SPEAKER: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Manning. Mental Health Services MR. SEKULIC: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Last week I came across the views of one Albertan in his letter to the editor. He wrote: What profit does a balanced budget gain if the human being is deprived of service and compassion from the authorities who make political decisions. A growing number of Albertans familiar with the quality of care offered by Alberta Hospital Edmonton would share this concern. To the Minister of Health: why would the minister compromise the care of Albertans suffering from mental illness by promoting their discharge from a five-time internationally accredited facility into the community without first setting standards for care?

MRS. McCLELLAN: Well, Mr. Speaker, I have a bit of difficulty understanding the member's question in its entirety, because we have set a process in place by appointing a Provincial Mental Health Board, which has prepared a three-year business plan for the delivery of provincial mental health services. Mr. Speaker, the minister is certainly taking the advice of a group who traveled this province and held several meetings with people from the Canadian Mental Health Association on the fact that all mental health patients do not have to be institutionalized.

Mental health patients can lead very healthy and productive lives in the community. Certainly what I am promoting is that the mental health system that is co-ordinated and developed in this province by our Provincial Mental Health Board includes that community support that allows mental health patients to lead healthy and productive lives. It is time that we understood clearly that all people with mental illness do not have to be institutional- ized. MR. SPEAKER: Supplemental question. MR. SEKULIC: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The minister speaks of theory. I'm speaking of practice.

Can the minister then tell Albertans what measures are in place to ensure that core standards are being monitored and maintained in an increasingly privatized system, particularly in this time of transition? MRS. McCLELLAN: Again, Mr. Speaker, there is very little substance to gather in that question. The first question alluded to the minister: how could the minister promote community living for mental health patients? I think I explained that. We do have a process of delivering services for mental health in this province.

One is from the mental health hospitals, and they make the decisions on whether they should discharge patients, and I believe they are in the best position to do that. They have professionals on their staff. It is also their responsibility to ensure, if a person needs community support when they do leave that institution, that they have that support, and I am confident they do that. I am also confident that those professionals are not discharging people from those hospitals without the appropriate treatment available. MR. SPEAKER: Final Supplemental? The hon. Member for Calgary-McCall. Government Downsizing MR.

SOHAL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. One of the commit- ments that the Premier made in June of 1993 was to streamline the government and have less bureaucracy and less government. My question is to the Acting Premier. What steps has the government taken to fulfill this commitment? MR. DINNING: Mr. Speaker, I think it's appropriate the hon. member would raise that question near the end of this sitting, as this has indeed been an historic year in the province of Alberta.

We promised in December of 1992 and brought forward a budget in May of 1993 that spelled out a four-year spending plan, and I can assure the hon. member that he can tell his constituents that we are on track this year to reduce our real rate of spending, not the way the Liberals in Ottawa do it but the real spending that this government has reduced by 12.6 percent, a drop of almost $1.7 billion in our operating and in our capital spending over a period of two years. Mr.

Speaker, I'd also advise the hon. member, knowing his interest in, you know, is this a streamlined, a reduced size of government, that while the number of ministers and departments have dropped from 27 to 17, we've also seen the number of full- time equivalent positions drop from 33,000 positions, when the Member for Calgary-Elbow became the Premier of the province of Alberta, to about 29,000 today. We believe we can do it less expensively and do it with good people working in better systems and probably a reduced number of people, Mr. Speaker, and we're delivering what we promised we would deliver to Albertans.

MR. SOHAL: My supplementary question is to the Minister of Education. As the minister has downsized the number of school boards from 141 to 57, what reciprocal downsizing has the minister done in the Education department? MR. JONSON: Mr. Speaker, the Department of Education will be reduced by a full 20 percent in terms of its budgetary expendi- ture.

Further, in terms of staffing for Alberta Education, the number of full-time equivalent staff by the end of our business plan – in fact, they're just about there now – is at 1971 levels, and that, I would like to remind hon. members, was a time when there was about three-fifths of the current student population. MR. SOHAL: Mr. Speaker, my last supplementary question is to the Minister of Family and Social Services. Since June of 1993

November 10, 1994 Alberta Hansard 3009 the number of welfare cases has dropped from 94,000 to 50,000, a decrease of 48 percent. Have the bureaucrats in the department decreased proportionately? MR. CARDINAL: Thank you very much. That's a very interesting question, Mr. Speaker. Y es, the welfare caseload has dropped by 48 percent, equivalent to $300 million, an additional $150 million saving for the federal government. But one of the biggest problems we had in the past was that there was always too high of a caseload for the frontline workers, and that is exactly how we've dealt with the issue.

What has happened is that when we started 18 months ago, we had over 5,000 staff. Today, after 18 months of reforms, we still have over 5,000 staff. Only 5 percent are management. The balance are frontline workers. What we have done basically is redirect the workload of the staff, and it's a process, I believe, that's supported by most Albertans. What I have to say is very important: the only opposition I've had in this process is from some of the socialist Liberals opposite. MR. SPEAKER: The hon. Member for Clover Bar-Fort Saskatchewan. 2:30 Y oung Offenders MRS. ABDURAHMAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The two reports released by the government task force on the Y oung Offenders Act are filled with contradictions. The report on changes to the Y oung Offenders Act recommends limiting the use of legal aid. Y et the report on the administration of justice recommends expanding legal aid. One must wonder how reports by the same task force, which cost Albertans $65,000, can be so contradictory. My question is to the Minister of Justice. Which of the conflicting recommendations from his government's task force will he act on: limit or expand legal aid? MR.

EV ANS: Well, of course, the reports have been out for a short period of time, so I presume, Mr. Speaker, that the hon. member opposite hasn't had the time frame to very carefully review the recommendations. What the report of the task force said was that we should be using our legal aid funds much more effectively. In other words, for those serious crimes, yes, we should be focusing on those and legal aid should be available to them but that legal aid should not be available to each and every offence that may be before the courts. It's a matter of focus.

It's a matter of using the funds that are available much more effec- tively. MRS. ABDURAHMAN: Mr. Speaker, one has to ask indeed if they're the same author of these two reports. Mr. Speaker, a supplementary to the Minister of Justice: will the minister commit to publicly sharing a detailed budget explain- ing the $65,000 spent by the government task force while the Liberal report cost less than $1 1,000, and that budget was published with our report? MR. EV ANS: Mr. Speaker, I've seen a preliminary breakdown of the budget.

As the hon. member opposite is aware, this process, the task force, was commissioned by the hon. Premier. I presume that the hon. Premier and/or the chairman of the task force, the hon. Member for Calgary-Fish Creek, will in fact be giving a detailed accounting of the moneys that were spent. As I recall, in excess of $40,000 of that budget was used for advertising so that Albertans would have an opportunity to attend the 16 various meetings in various parts of Alberta where these issues were debated, discussed, and an Alberta position developed. And do you know what, Mr. Speaker?

I understand from the Member for Calgary-Fish Creek that a number of Liberal members attended those meetings. They were at each and every one of those 16 locations, so that advertising must have been very effective. MRS. ABDURAHMAN: Mr. Speaker, the question was: will he table a detailed budget? Beginning and end. MR. EV ANS: And the answer was, Mr. Speaker, that this was a group that was put together by the Premier, that I have a preliminary report on the budget, and I quite expect that either the Premier or the chair of the ta sk force will be supplying that information.

This is a government open and accountable to the people of Alberta. MR. SPEAKER: The hon. Member for Calgary-Montrose. Advanced Education Tuition Fees MR. PHAM: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question today is to the minister of advanced education. My constituents have told me that the government should not allow tuition to increase at all in the coming years for several reasons. First, we need to ensure that the institutions restructure and change, not just replace a reduction in grants with an increase in tuition. Second, it is not a good idea to increase the debt level of the students.

How are you going to respond to these concerns, Mr. Minister? MR. ADY: Mr. Speaker, the hon. member raises an interesting point. The Directions document outlines among other things the fact that tuitions would be allowed to increase no more than $215 annually until the tuition would reach 30 percent of the operating cost of a given institution. That does achieve the department's goals of providing fairness and predictability and quality and affordability for both the student and the taxpayer.

But I state very clearly in the document, and I'd just like to quote one point: The financing of program costs, including tuition and other fees, will be determined through a coordinated program and student support review process. Increases in tuition cannot be a substitute for realizing operational efficiencies or for becoming more effective in delivering quality learning opportunities. I'm confident that the institutions will respond to these challenges. MR. PHAM: My supplemental question to the same minister: can you tell us what the maximum amount of that is per student under this tuition policy? MR. ADY: Mr.

Speaker, I have been asked a similar question, and I suppose the reason for it coming back is that it revolves around the change of that level of remission. Let me just say that the purpose of the province's remission program is to ensure that students' debt loads remain at manageable levels. Remission is not paid on Canada student loans, only on provincial student loans. It is paid on Alberta st udent loans when the total of the federal and provincial assistance loans by 1997-98 would exceed for a two-year undergraduate $10,000 and for a four-year graduate $20,000. MR. SPEAKER: Final supplemental. MR.

PHAM: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the same minister. Some students are expressing frustration in dealing with CIBC.

3010 Alberta Hansard November 10, 1994 For example, they have to consolidate their loans by telephone rather than in person. Are you prepared to address this problem, Mr. Minister? MR. ADY: Mr. Speaker, I believe what the member is saying is that he's received some communication from students who are finding that when they go to consolidate their student loan, they're being encouraged to use the 1-800 number system that CIBC has put in place for them. CIBC put that there because they felt it would be more convenient for a student to be able to do it from the comfort of his own home over the telephone.

However, they now find that students are asking for the opportunity to come and do it one on one with the institution. So they're putting provi- sions in place so that students can go to the local CIBC branch, sit down with the loans officer there, and consolidate their loan. I believe that it's in place. MR. SPEAKER: The hon. Member for Sherwood Park. Special Places 2000 MR. COLLINGWOOD: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The govern- ment continues to talk about protecting Alberta's natural heritage through Special Places 2000, but it has been almost a year since the report of the advisory committee and nothing has happened. This program has been weakened to the point where the Premier questioned its importance in his address to the Canadian and American landsmen in June of this year. But now even Alberta's energy industry has shown leadership by embracing this program and saying that we must get on with identifying areas under Special Places 2000.

My first question to the Minister of Environmental Protection: now that Bill 41 allows for the unconditional sale of Crown land by whatever minister happens to be in charge of public lands, what happens to Special Places 2000? MR. SPEAKER: The hon. Minister of Environmental Protection. MR. LUND: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the hon. member, there is absolutely no connection. MR. COLLINGWOOD: Mr. Speaker, I was concerned about the environment in Alberta before, but I'm really concerned about the environment now. [interjections] 2:40 MR. SPEAKER: Order. [interjection] Hon. Member for Cypress-Medicine Hat, order. MR.

COLLINGWOOD: Mr. Speaker, my supplementary question is to the Legislative Secretary res ponsible for tourism. Given that the government report card on the rural development initiative issued on October 14 shows tremendous tourism opportunities from Special Places 2000, what has this secretary done to support this program? MR. SPEAKER: Order please. That question is asking for what a certain member has done. The question should be directed to the government, as to what it has done. MR. COLLINGWOOD: Mr.

Speaker, I'll refer my question then to the Minister of Environmental Protection indeed as the last supplementary question. My question then to the Legislative Secretary will be: what has the government done to s upport this program because it is important to tourism in Alberta? MR. SPEAKER: The Chair will direct that question to the acting minister responsible for tourism. MR. DA Y: Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to take this particular question on advisement, because I believe what the member is asking for is a rather detailed list. The list is detailed, significant, and very exciting.

Rather than take up the entire time of the Assembly, because when in the Assembly ministers take too long to respond, the shouting opposite becomes overwhelming, we'll make sure that that very significant, detailed list is made available to the member. MR. SPEAKER: Final supplemental. MR. COLLINGWOOD: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Since there's no one on the government side who can answer these questions, I don't have a further supplementary. head: Members' Statements MR. SPEAKER: The hon. Member for Cypress-Medicine Hat. Now's your chance. Merak Projects Ltd. DR. L. TA YLOR: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

On behalf of the Alberta Research Council I'd like to bring the attention of the members of this House to the announcement that was made on Tuesday of last week by the National Quality Institute. That announcement awarded Merak Projects Ltd. of Calgary one of the 12 winners of the prestigious 1994 Canada award for business excellence. Merak is one of Canada's leading suppliers of petroleum software. Their companies include Amoco, Gulf, Merrill Lynch, Petro-Canada, Mobil Oil, and the Bank of Montreal. Merak was cited for its enduring commitment to R and D research.

The company's revenues have gone from $140,000 in 1986 to $6.5 mi llion the last fiscal y ear. This is truly a successful Alberta company. A contributor to this success, Mr. Speaker, was the Alberta Research Council. The ARC and Merak entered a joint research venture two years ago to design Helios. Helios is a data transport and management tool for the petroleum industry. Winners of the awards for business excellence are selected in a rigorous fashion from businesses across Canada. They are truly the best of the best.

So I wish on behalf of this House to congratulate Merak and its employees for being an Alberta company in an expansion mode and being the best of the best. MR. SPEAKER: The hon. Member for Redwater. Input from Aboriginal People MR. N. TA YLOR: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don't know if this House can take two Taylors in a row. The First Nations people in Alberta are not receiving the recognition to which they are entitled. Like all those on low incomes aboriginal peoples are being disproportionately affected by recent provincial cutbacks in education, social services, and health care.

First Nations people affected by the cuts should have input into the policies and programs that affect them. I believe it

November 10, 1994 Alberta Hansard 3011 is their constitutional right. An aboriginal representative should be invited to sit on each regional hospital authority, and the Department of Education should have an advisory board right here in Edmonton. There are many examples of the First Nations being ignored. For instance, Indian bands who traditionally hunt and fish on land adjacent to the Alberta waste management facility at Swan Hills have not been given the means to conduct independent monitoring or to review the impact of emissions.

The Energy Resources Conservation Board failed to obtain proper permission from the Lubicon band before allowing Unocal to construct a sour gas plant two and a half kilometres from the projected reserve. Plans for a merger of six IDs into adjacent MDs are being made wit hout input from the more than 20 Indian bands and Metis settlements affected. This is despite a memorandum of understanding to consult with the Grand Council of Treaty 8 First Nations on important issues. For too long the first inhabitants of Alberta have been treated as second-class citizens, Mr. Speaker.

It is time for the Alberta government to recognize the rights of First Nations people. MR. SPEAKER: The hon. Member for Olds-Didsbury. Education Week MR. BRASSARD: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Education is this government's highest priority. In total almost $3 billion is spent to educate over half a million students across this province. There are approximately 30,000 t eachers spending time with our children helping them to learn about the world around us. Beginning in January 1995 there will be over 400 trustees working at the local level ensuring that our educational system will continue this mandate.

Not to be forgotten are the parents and community members who work hard in partnership with schools all across Alberta. They combined with businesses are providing the time, the expertise, and the dedication to work with our educational professionals to give Alberta students a quality education. But I know that a quality education, a su ccessful education for students requires that we all work together. That means students setting out to achieve their best.

It means more parents getting involved in the school councils, more community members sharing their expertise with schools, and more businesses forming educational partnerships with schools. It means asking yourself and your local school board: how can I help make a difference? November 14 to 18 is Education Week in Alberta, and we have much to celebrate about our educational system.

I am pleased to see that as part of the celebrations of this week Alberta Education in partnership with AGT, Syncrude, Apple computers, Xerox, McDonald's Restaurants of Canada, and Westworld Computers Ltd. will be dividing 23 computers and a fax machine amongst four prize winners. It is part of the contest called the Hunt for Success. We have a good education system here in Alberta. Through you, Mr. Speaker, to my Legislature colleagues, if you have not been in school for awhile, drop in when you're back in your constituency. Y ou will find many a positive story and thousands of joyful faces.

Thank you. head: Projected Government Business MRS. HEWES: Mr. Speaker, may I ask the hon. House leader what the agenda for next week will be. MR. DA Y: Our agenda, Mr. Speaker, is to continue serving the people of Alberta. Speaker's Ruling Privilege MR. SPEAKER: The Chair doesn't believe there are any points of order, but the Chair received written notice that the hon. Minister of Transportation and Utilities was intending to raise a point of privilege this afternoon.

The matter relates to an exchange that occurred between the minister and the Member for Calgary-North West concerning work that may have been done on the minister's driveway. At the time the Chair intervened during the main question and ruled the supplementary out of order. 2:50 One of the considerations that the Chair must take into account under Standing Order 15(6) is whether the question of privilege was raised at the earliest opportunity.

As Beauchesne states at paragraph 1 15, "a gap of a few days may invalidate the claim." As questions of privilege are the most serious matters dealt with by the Assembly, it is essential that these important matters be raised at the earliest opportunity. The question of privilege raised by the minister arose from an exchange in the Assembly on November 2. The Chair finds that this matter was not brought up at the earliest opportunity, and accordingly the matter will not proceed.

The Chair notes, however, that the allegations made by the Member for Calgary- North West could be viewed as calling into question the integrity of the minister. The comments by the member could be consid- ered as allegations of serious impropriety on the part of the minister, which the minister denied, and under these circum- stances the Member for Calgary-North West may wish to clarify matters. [interjections] Then we will proceed with the application by the hon. Member for Edmonton-Centre under Standing Order 40. head: Motions under Standing Order 40 Genie Award Nomination Mr. Henry:

Be it resolved that the Legislative Assembly congratulate Alberta playwright Brad Fraser for his Genie nomination and wish him every success on Genie night, December 7, 1994. MR. HENRY: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I'm resisting the temptation to respond to the hon. Government House Leader's comment about serving Albertans next week by saying that I'm glad to see that change in government direction. Aside from the jest, I do rise under Standing Order 40 to seek unanimous consent to propose the motion. Mr. Speaker, I have arranged for distribution of this to members.

To the urgency, obviously in the air it suggests that we're not going to be in this House much longer this fall, and we will not be returning until February, after Genie night. I think that if we want to pursue this matter in terms of considering the motion, we should do so now. Thank you. MR. SPEAKER: Is there unanimous consent in the Assembly for the putting of this motion under Standing Order 40? SOME HON. MEMBERS: Agreed. SOME HON. MEMBERS: No.

3012 Alberta Hansard November 10, 1994 MR. SPEAKER: The Chair hears non-unanimity. head: Orders of the Day head: Government Bills and Orders head: Third Reading Bill 59 Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 1994 (No. 2) MR. SPEAKER: The hon. Minister of Justice. MR. EV ANS: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Y esterday we had the opportunity to have second reading and Committee of the Whole on this Bill, and I took seriously the comments made by the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Edmonton- Whitemud that his caucus would want to review this Bill or review some of the provisions.

I'm sure that they've done that over the evening, and I'm sure that they'll sleep much better this evening knowing that these are basically housekeeping provisions in the Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act. Therefore, I would move third reading of Bill 59. MR. SPEAKER: Is the Assembly ready for the question? HON. MEMBERS: Question. [Motion carried; Bill 59 read a third time] head: Royal Assent MR. DA Y: Mr.

Speaker, His Honour the Honourable the Lieutenant Governor will now attend upon the Assembly. [The Provincial Treasurer and the Sergeant-at-Arms left the Chamber to attend the Lieutenant Governor] [The Mace was draped] [The Sergeant-at-Arms knocked on the main doors of the Chamber three times. The Associate Sergeant-at-Arms opened the door, and the Sergeant-at-Arms entered] MR. SPEAKER: Order. SERGEANT-AT-ARMS: All rise, please. Mr. Speaker, His Honour the Honourable the Lieutenant Governor awaits. MR. SPEAKER: Sergeant-at-Arms, admit His Honour the Lieutenant Governor. [Mr.

Speaker left the Chair] [Preceded by the Sergeant-at-Arms, His H onour the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, Gordon Towers, and the Provincial Trea- surer entered the Chamber. His Honour took his place upon the throne] HIS HONOUR: Please be seated. MR. SPEAKER: May it please Y our Honour, the Legislative Assembly has, at its present sittings, passed certain Bills to which, and in the name of the Legislative Assembly, I respectfully request Y our Honour's assent. CLERK: Y our Honour, the following are the titles of the Bills to which Y our Honour's assent is prayed. No.

Title 41 Government Organization Act 42 Banff Centre Amendment Act, 1994 43 Students Loan Guarantee Amendment Act, 1994 44 Advanced Education Foundations Amendment Act, 1994 45 Alberta Health Care Insurance Amendment Act, 1994 (No. 2) 46 Hospitals Amendment Act, 1994 47 Safety Codes Amendment Act, 1994 48 Occupational Health and Safety Amendment Act, 1994 49 Civil Enforcement Act 51 Liquor Control Amendment Act, 1994 52 Child Welfare Amendment Act, 1994 53 Social Care Facilities Licensing Amendment Act, 1994 54 Alberta Corporate Tax Amendment Act, 1994 55 Loan and Trust Corporations Amendment Act, 1994 56 Nova Corporation of Alberta Act Repeal Amendment Act, 1994 59 Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 1994 (No. 2) 217 Motor Vehicles Statutes Amendment Act, 1994 [The Lieutenant Governor indicated his assent] 3:00 CLERK: In Her Majesty's name His Honour the Honourable the Lieutenant Governor doth assent to these Bills.

SERGEANT-AT-ARMS: All rise, please. [Preceded by the Sergeant-at-Arms, the Lieutenant Governor and the Provincial Treasurer left the Chamber] [Mr. Speaker took his pl ace in the Chair, and the Mace was uncovered] MR. DA Y: Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Government Motion 34, as we move to adjourn, I think it would be appropriate to acknowl- edge a small part of Alberta history which will unfold this weekend which will be the choosing of a Leader of Her Majesty's Official Opposition.

We would like to acknowledge that that role has been filled under many challenges and pressures by the Member for Edmonton-Glengarry. [applause] Of course, he briefly passed that torch on an interim basis, thank goodness, to the Member for Edmonton-Gold Bar, who also did a very significant job, and we wanted to acknowledge that. [applause] As the role of Her Majesty's Official Opposition is indeed critical to the role of democracy in Alberta, we do hope that everything goes well and as best as it possibly can this weekend as they select a new leader.

On that note, I'd also like to express appreciation on behalf of my colleagues for the many moments of co-operation that did take place over this session. Obviously, there were other moments, but we appreciate the co-operation. We look for extended co- operation as we move to the next session. [The Assembly adjourned at 3:05 p.m.]

Document details

Collection	Alberta — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	19941110
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	L23 S2 19941110 1330 01 han.pdf
Language	en
Format	json
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	ce7b92de96006071adf86c9ccf74e513477cd6eb

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