Manitoba Hansard — 8 February 1960 (Sitting 15, 26th Legislature, 2nd Session)

26-2-15

Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)

Legislative Assembly Of Manitoba DEBATES and PROCEEDINGS Speaker The Honourable A. W. Harrison Volume IV No. 15 February 8, 1960 2nd Session, 26th Legislature Printed by R. S. Evans, Queen's Printer for the Province of _Manitoba� Winnipeg

DAILY INDEX Monday, February 8, 1960, 2: 30 p.m. Presenting Petitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . 317 In troduction Bill No . 57 (Mr. Carroll), No. 49 (Mr. Hutton) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318 Bill No . 50 (Mr. Witney) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . 319 Committee of Supply: Debate on procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320 Bill 26 (Mr.

Stanes) 2nd Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326 Bill 54 (Mr. Stanes) Bill No . 55 (Mr. Shoe maker) 2nd Readings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . 327 Motion re Agric. Credit (Mr. Shoemaker): Mr. Guttormson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328 Motion re Pensions (Mr. Grey): Mr. Reid . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328 Motion re Agric. Support (Mr. Wagner): Mr. Strickland (amendment) . . . . . . . . . . . . • . 329 Motion re Schools (Mr. Dow): Mr.

McLean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331

THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2:30 o'clock, Monday, February 8th, 1960. Opening Prayer by Mr. Speaker. MR. SPEAKER: Presenting Petitions MR. EDMOND PREFONTAINE (Carillon): Mr. Speaker, ·1 beg to present the petition of Les Petites Missionaires de St. Josef, praying for the passing of

an Act to incorporate Residence Ste. Therese Home for the Aged. MR. SPEAKER: Presenting Petitions. MR. GILDAS MOLGAT (Ste. Rose): Mr. Speaker I l:eg to present the petition of The Sisters of Charity praying for the passing of Ail Act to incorporate Ste. Rose General Hospital. MR. LAURENT DESJAB.DINS (St.Boniface): Mr. Speaker I beg to present three petitions �1 by the Slsters of Charity praying for the passing of Acts to incorporate 1. St. Boniface General Hospital, 2. Tache Hospital for chronic and geriatric patients, 3. St. Boniface Sanitorium. MR. FRED T. KL YM (Springfield): Mr. Speaker I beg to present a petition of Alexander Colonello and others praying for the passing of

an Act to incorporate Elmhurst Golf and Country Club. MR. SPEAKER: Reading and Receiving Petitions Presenting Reports by Standing and Select Committees Notice of Motion Introduction of Bills. HON. G. HUTTON (Minister of Agriculture) (Rockwood-Ibe rville) introduced Bill (No. 69)

An Act to Amend the Agricultural Credit Act, for the first time. HON. G. JOHNSON (Minister of Health and Public Welfare ) (Gimli) introduced Bill (No. 66)

An Act to Provide for the Education of Psychiatric Nurses, for the first time. MR. SPEAKER: Orders of the Day. MR. PREFONTAINE: Mr. Speaker, before the Orders of the Day I would like to brin g up a point of privilege. After having perused Hansard for Thursday February 4th, I am of the opinion that a breach of privilege was committed by the Honourable Attorney-General against myself when he chose to make himself the mouthpiece of a person who did not know what he was talking about.

The charge made was that I had caused survey stakes to be set up just before elections to indicate roads which were never built by the Liberal Govermnent. Of course, this would have occasioned wasteful expenditure of public funds, a rather serious matter for a Cabinet Minister. In view of this allegation I challenge the Honourable Attorney General to substantiate the charge. Let either himself or his informant prepare a statement showing the election or elections when this took place, the road or roads where this took place, and let them have this statement corroborated by the Department of Public Works.

If this is done, I hereby publicly promise to pay $100 in cash each to the Honourable the Attorney General and his informant. If this is not done I would eXPect the Honourable Minister would apologize on the floor of this House. I think, Mr. Chairman, I would be justified in saying to the Honourable Minister, according to the old English eXPression, "Put up or shut up". MR. SPEAKER: I'll take the matter under advisement. Orders of the Day. MR. D. L. CAMPBELL (Leader of the Opposition) (Lakeside): Mr.

Speaker, before the Orders of the Day are proceeded with I would like to ask the Honourable the Provincial Secretary if the report of the Civil Service Commission has yet been laid upon the table. HON. GURNEY EVANS (Provincial Secretary) (Fort Rouge): No, Mr. Sp eaker it has not. MR. CAMPBELL: Might I ask my honourable friend in that case, Mr. Speaker, if he doesn't think he is flirting rather seriously with the Act in question. MR. EVANS: No, I think not, Mr. Speaker. MR. CAMPBELL: May I ask him what he considers a flirtation then, Mr. Speaker? MR.

EVANS: I wonder if the Leader of the Opposition would care to say in what :-as- pect he thinks it is either a flirtation with the Act or any other kind of a flirtation? MR. CAMPBELL: Perhaps I should have said violation rather than flirtation. I think it is supposed to be in by now. February 8th, 1960 Page 317

MR. EVANS: My understanding is rather different, Mr. Speaker, that is that the only requirement is that the Provincial Secretary shall lay it on the table two weeks after he receives it. I think that will be found in the Act. MR. CAIVIPBELL: .... •••.•..• the Act? MR. EVANS: Shades of Wally Miller! MR. DAVID ORLIKOW (St. John's): Mr. Speaker, I wonder if I could direct a question to the Minister of Health and Welfare and ask him when the regulation s apro pos the Social Allowances Act will be available for study by the members of the legislature ? MR. JOHNSON (Gimli): Mr. Speaker, I hope to have them shortly.

The regulation s have been passed by Order-in-Council, and they were filed on February 5th with the Registrar of Regulation s and of course they will be published in The Gazette very shortly, at which time they are public property. But I do hope to have these very shortly. I'll take.� ••...•••..•• MR. CAMPBELL: Mr. Speaker, may I ask the Honou rable the Provinc ial Secretary that inasmuch as we may be dealing with the Provinci al Secretary's estimates fairly soon, if he would make a special effort to have the report of the Civil Service Commission before us before we deal with those estimates. MR.

EVANS: I should be glad to look into it right away Mr. Speaker. l\lffi. DESJARDINS: Mr. Speaker, the Manitoba Telephone System -used to put out besides their regular directory the directory entitled "Who Called Me". May I ask the Honour able the Minister of Public Utilities if that is still being done . I can't seem to get a copy of that, and if not, if it's been discontinued, why - the reason why it has been discontinued? "Who Called Me" with the numbers listed first and then the name . HON. J. B. CARROLL (Minister of Public Utilities) (The Pas) introduced Bill (No.5 7) for second reading. MR.

HU TTON: Under the provision of the Water Conservation District s Act there is a procedure for setting up the said districts. There is a commission comprised of the Director of Water Contro l and Conservation, the Director of Soils and Crops Branch, the Assistant Deputy Mini ster of the Departmen t of Mines and Natural Resource s, a person who is a chairman of the board or boards in one or more di stricts and is appointed a member of the Commission by Order-in- Council and any other members that the Lieutenant-Governor in -Council may appo int.

Now, their resolution requesting the establishment of the Water Conservation District is passed by council of a municipality of which the who le or a

part is included in the proposed district, the Minister shall submit this request to the Commission for its approval or dis ap proval. If it is approved by the Commission he shall submit it -- that is, the Minister - shall submit it for approval or disapproval of the council of each included muni cipality. The council of each municipality to which the request has been submitted shall consider it and shall by by-law approve or disapprove of it within 60 days after it has been submitted to them and the counc il shall no tify the Minister of its decision. Now, as

section 5 is presently worded the Minister is obligated under the Act to submit the matter of the establishment of a District to the Lieutenant-Governor -in-Counc il regardless of whether the decision of the council or councils invol"ved is in favour or has been in the negative. And the amendment chan ges the word from "shall" to "may" which will allow the Minister the right to use his discretion in the light of the decisions of the councils involved as to whether or no t he will submit the matter to the Lieutenant-Governor -in -Council.

Now, if I am no t incorrect and out of order, I think that in previous debate here the Governmen t has been accused of ignoring constructive and useful suggestions to the legislation and I think this is one case where we listened and acce pted the amendment of the Leader of the Op position and it just didn't work. We find ourselves in an impossible situation. I know that the weather was very warm and the debate had been long.

It had gone for almo st two months on this and other subjects but I think it points up very clearly the reason why the Government of this province must be very careful in accepting the suggestions and criticisms of the Opposition, because here we have a remarkable in stance of the Government being put in the position where it would have to administer the Act in complete and diametric op position to the will of the peop le of Manitoba. MR . CAMPBELL: Mr. Speaker, even before the Honour able the Mini ster made his Page 318 February 8th, 1960

(Mr. Campbell, cont'd) •• •• statement I had the guilty feeling that perhaps I was the person who had made that suggestion. If I was I appreciate the courtesy of the Honourable the Minister in not particularizing but I didn't get an opportunity to check Hansard in that regard and if I was the one who made that suggestion then I perhaps deserve the chastisement that he has administ ered. On the other hand, I would think that if he is inclined to still listen to my advice I would think that this amendment even in that case would go too far.

Certainly if the procedure that the Honourable the Minister has mentioned has been gone through and has resulted in an adverse decision, then I wouldn't suggest that the Minister should have to submit that one to the Lieu tenant-Governor-in-Council, or that the Lieutenant-Governor-in-Council should have to pass it.

On the other hand, it still seems to me, and I will be prepared to go into this matter more fully later on, it still seems to me that if that procedure has been gone through and there is a favourable decision that then it is only right that the Minister shall submit - so, perhaps I would be willing to go half way on this one, and certainly I am glad to see it go to Committee where we can go into greater detail. And if the Honourable Minister will tell me by that time whether I was the guilty party or not, I'll be prepared to make due amends. MR. E. R. SCHREYER (Brokenhead): Mr.

Speaker, after discussing this bill with some colleagues we decided that for the most part the intention behind this bill seemed to be a proper one but we feel that although brief as it is, there is something that could be said here with regard to the first substitution of the "shall" for "may". I do not see why the Minister could not make some provision here whereby if Council approved, then the Minister shall - see no reason why substitution should have been made as it has been made here in this bill. MR. SPEAKER: Are you ready for the question? The Honourable the Minister is closing the debate. . MR.

HUTTON: Mr. Speilker; Tdon't know whether I understand the suggestion of the Honourable Member for Brokenhead correctly or not, but when the Legislation of the Statutes in Manitoba say that the Minister of Agriculture shall do something, he shall do it, and there is no room for discretion left in the wording of the Act as it is presently constituted. I would suggest, however, that if there is still some disagreement as to the original wo rding of the Act, this can be dealt with in Committee and we would be·glad to consider the arguments pro and con at that time. Mr.

Speaker put the question and after a voice vote declared the motion carried. Mr. Hutton presented Bill (No. 49) for second reading. HON. C. H. WITNEY (Minister of Mines & Natural Resources)( Flin Flon) presented Bill (No. 50) for second reading. MR. WITNEY: Mr. Speaker, under this bill, under clause (1) of the bill we propose under the

section dealing with penalties under Game Birds to increase the minimum penalty for certain offenses from $10 to $25. Clause (2) which refers to big game under section (34) of the Act, this

section deals with a great many offenses under Big Game and the minimum penalty for most of these offenses is $25. In connection with three of these we recommend through this bill that the minimum be increased from $25 to $50 with no change in the maximum. The three offenses are in section (22) hunting out of season, section (26) unlawful possession, and section (27) non-resident exporting of big game without a permit. Clause (3) clarifies subsection (i.) of section (31) in order to accommodate the proposals through clause 4 and this deals specifically with the cases of night lighting.

The present penalty for a first offense is a minimum of $50, a maximum of $300, or imprisonment for not less than 10 days, or to both such fine and imprisonment. Under this clause (4) we propose to increase the penalty for night lighting to a minimum of $200 and a maximum of $500 plus imprisonment for not less than 7 days or more than 30 days. Clause (5) - this deals with the

section under which confiscations of articles are seized automatically following conviction. Under the amendment only game, fish, pelts, skins and containers will be subject to confiscation; in other words cars, trucks and guns, etc. will be returned after conviction. In clause (6) this deals with section (3) or subsection (3) of section (137) and is the

section under which the Minister in cases of hardship or injustice may relieve from confiscation; as in clause (5) we are deleting confiscations with the exception of game, fish, containers and pelts, etc., it has been advisable to delete this sub section (3) of section (137). In other words after conviction, if a man were caught shooting February 8th, 1960 Page 319

(Mr. Witney, .cont'd) •••••• a moose out of season, we would keep the moose, charge him the minimum peualty which would be $50, but we would return the car or the rifle. MR. CAMPBELL: Mr. Speaker, I certainly do not oppose this passage of the bill because I think it's a good idea that we should have some discussion on these clauses of the Game Act in committee where we can have game officials before us and have freedom of discussion. But it seems to me that this bill is stiffening up the penalties in one regard rather definitely and then in another regard it is lightening them.

And I am not at the moment pre pared to say which is the better way to move whether by fine and imprisonment or by confis cation of equipment. It seems to me that there are many cases where people are unable to pay the fine and it is probably not necessary to send them to gaol, and the coilliscation of a rifle might be the surest way of guaranteeing that the offense wouldn't happen again, or at least not very often. So I think there is a good ground for argument here. I'd simply like to stake out my claim to discuss it further in committee. MR. MORRIS A. GRAY (Inkster): Mr.

Speaker, I wish to be clear in one point. Is it a fine and gaol -no option - or a fine only or gaol. MR. WITNEY: Mr. Speaker, in the case of night lighting •· .•••. MR. PREFONTAINE: Mr. Speaker, in view of the fact that my leader has.not stated definitely what he though t of the questions of whether the fine sh9uld be increase d or whether the confiscations should be done away with, I would like to state my own opinion to the effect. that it seems to me a very good thing that we should increase the fine if necessary but do away with confiscations.

I have in mind a case that happened in my territ(lry ofthi-ee. men travelling on a Sunday with rifles in their car. They were caught and they:VIere.bro ught be fore the magistrate and they were fined $10 each but their firearm.s were ' qonfiscated. One man had a firearm worth $200, another had a firearm worth $50 and a tb,j.r:d one worth about $10, so that it seems to me that it wasn't right. They had committed the same offense and· ore man was pen alized maybe 20 times what the other man was and I didn't at that time like it very much.

I am happy to see that this change is being made and as far as increasing ..••.• (Interjection) •.• No I wasn't out there; some of my friends were out. But I am wondering if whethe r in the section (1) and (2) it's not an indirect way of increasing.the fees and the reven ues for the Province of Manitoba. MR. MOLGAT: Mr. Speaker, I just want to rise in agreement with my colleague the member for Carillon. This matter of confiscation I think has caused a great deal of trouble in the past.

It has meant inequality of penalty on many occasions and I know that from a prosecution standpoint it always seemed that the rifle was borrowed, or the car was borrowed and there was a great deal of trouble in this matter. I think the change is good. I would like to suggest to the Minister, however, that when this comes up in committee that there be sufficient advance notice of it appearing in committee so that the Game & Fish Federation in paj:1icular would be in a position to come and speak to us on this subject.

I suspect that they are completely in agreement with the changes but !think that representing the sportsmen of the pro;_ vince as they do that they should be asked specifically to appear before us. MR. GRAY: Mr. Speaker, I want to know whether the Minister got my question? - MR. WITNEY: Mr. Speaker, if there are no fm;ther questions, the philosophy behind the doing away with the confiscations has been well expressed by the Honourable Member for Carillon. It is felt that for the same crime that one man may lose a $250 rifle while another man may lose a $50 rLfle and that there is an unfairness.

That is the reason why the confis cations have been deleted. In answer to the question by the honourable member - in night lighting the fine of $200 minimum or $500 maximum will be plus seven days in gaol as a minimum or 30 days maximum. (Interjection). That is right and I assure you, Sir, that this is not meant to increase fees. Mr. Speaker put the question and after a voice vote declared the motion carried. MR. SPEAKER: Adjourned debate on the proposed motion of the Honourable the First Minister, that this House resolve itself into a committee to consider of the Supply to be granted to Her Majesty.

The Honourable Member for Ste. Rose. MR. MOLGAT: Mr. Speaker, I do not propose at this time to make a lengthy state ment upon the motion and my intention in getting up was to make sure that we would have the weekend to consider the Estimates. I think that has been the normal practice that we did Page 320 February 8th, 1960

(Mr. Molgat, cont'd) •• ••• adjourn when it was first brought up in the House so that all the members would have adequate time to study the Estimates, particularly due to the fact that the format 0f the estimates has been changed now from what it was, not last session, because as far as I can see it is pretty well the same thing this time -but from the previous sessions. I think it is good that the members have ample time to study them. I do want to agree with the statements of the Leader of the CCF party that the change. removing the number of people in the salary

section is a disadvantage in my opinion. I would like to suggest to the Government in this regard that they would prevent a lot of questions, and possibly needless questions, if they would supply us with a supplementary sheet in each department showing the number of salaries involved in each case, because I am sure that if they don't the question will be asked in every category.

In that regard I might add that the suggestion was made, I believe, last year by my desk mate and colleague, the Honourable Member for Selkirk, that there might be a great deal of what might be considered by some as unnecessary questions obviated if there was to be a descriptive sheet given to us by each minister on going into his estimates.

In other words a somewhat more detailed breakdown than what there is here - I think that was the suggestion that he made at that time, and if he gave us further breakdowns of figures, not asking for anything that is not of importance to this Hoose, or information that should not be given, but on the standard matters that it would solve a lot of our questions before they come up, and it would speed the operation in the House. On the question of format I only have one further coiilment to make.

I regret that the Government has not seen fit to follow the practice that they had in the estimates, I think it was in March of 1959 -let's call them the pre-election estimates - when in addition to the expenditure items they were so kind. as to give us and the remainder of the people of Manitoba the estimated revenue items. It's regrettable they can't follow that practice as well. Mr. Speaker put the question and after a voice vote declared the motion carried and that the House resolve into a committee toco nsider ofthe supplyto begranted to Her Majesty, and asked that the Honourable Member for St.

Matthews take the Chair. MR. CAMPBELL: I would like to ask the Leader of the House if it is the intention of the Government to proceed with these estimates in the absence of the Honourable the First Minister. MR. EVANS: Yes, Mr. Chairman, I was going to consult the wishes of the Committee and see if it would be agreeable to leave the estimates for which the First Minister is respons ible and proceed at once with the Provincial Secretary and then continue in order through the estimates as printed in the estimate book. MR. CAMPBELL: Mr.

Chairman, that would not be satisfactory as far as we are concerned because there are some things that I wish to say at the very beginning of the estimates and I first would like to have the statement that the Honourable the First Minister promised us - now I'm not meaning the statement that the Honourable the Provincial Secretary very kindly arranged for us to have the other evening but I mean the further statement that the Honourable the First Minister promised us with regard to certain changes in indemnities, expenses, cabinet ministers' salaries, opposition leaders' salaries, speakers' salaries, etc.

And because this is a matter that will come up on every one of the departments as far as I'm concerned, I would like to make my comments when the Honourable the First Minister is in the House, and after he has made his further statement because I think he should be given that courtesy of telling his story to the House before we start making our suggestions on it.

So that I must say, and I recognize that the Honourable the First Minister is busily engaged on very important work, I'm not in any sense criticizing his absence but I must say that I think on this occasion we must urge very strongly that we begin at the very start of the estimates because of those considerations. Now I would like to suggest to the government at the same time that they should inform us, if they could, at this stage as to whether we will be going straight through the estimates as printed or if they will vary from one department to another.

Then let me close this partic ular statement by saying that I would much prefer to not deal with the Provincial Secretary's department until we have the report that I referred to a short time ago. And I believe that the Honourable the Leader of the CCF Party has some information which he communicated to me in that regard and he should give it to the House-- to the Committee, rather than I. February 8th, 1960 Page 321

MR. RUSSELL PAULLEY (Leader of the CCF) (Radisson): Yes, Mr. Chairman, if I may, I couldn't get in on the question directed to the Honourable the Provincial Secretary by the Leader of the Opposition in respect of the report of the Civil Services Act, the Civil Services Superannuation Act until I had found the information. I'd like to draw to the atten tion of the Provincial Secretary the leaflet which is presented to us at the start of every session wherein are listed the reports which are required by legislation and state the time in the session within which time these must be reported to the Legislature.

And, with your permission, Mr. Chairman, I'll just refer to the items dealing with the Department of the Provincial Secretary -- Civil Services Act:- The Report of Commission under -- to Legisla tive Assembly within 15 days after commencement of such annual session, RSM 54,

Chapter 39,

Section 44. And in respect of the Civil Service Superannuation Act it is the same time limit of 15 minutes from the commencement of the annual session. So I suggest to the Honour able the Provincial Secretary that his remarks apropos this being after he has received them must be incorrect in view of this list here. MR. EVANS: I think that came to my attention earlier, Mr. Chairman, really I think it's a misprint in the leaflet to which the Leader of the CCF refers that the Act says 15 days after the report is handed to the Provincial Secretary.

The object in that case being to prevent the Provincial Secretary from delaying it after he has received it from the Civil Service Commission. I think if you look at the Act you111 find that the leaflet is not quite correct in detail. With regard to the remarks of the Leader of the Opposition I would say this, there's a good deal of work we can do.

I think surely we can leave open an item -- perhaps the Minister's salary would be the appropriate item to leave open for any further discussion that he might wish to have on the affairs of the Civil Service or anything else within that depart ment but we've now been in session some three or four weeks-- have we? --three weeks and it does seem to me that we're prepared to go ahead and there's a good deal of work that we can get done and I'm sure accommodate the wishes of the Leader of the Opposition and allow him to make his statements especially when the First Minister is here, and I do ask whether that would not be acceptable to the other members of the House that we proceed in that way.

MR. CAMPBELL: Mr. Chairman, I would think that as far as the Minister himself is concerned that it must be apparent to him that on the Provincial Secretary's estimates one of the main information sheets that we can get is the report of the Civil Service Commission. I found it so last year and I certainly would like to have the opportunity of perusing it because the Honourable the Minister will know what I'm interested in -- I'm wanting to find out the increase in staff. And while the Minister may be able to tell me, I would prefer to do it the other way around and be able to tell him.

And the reason for these reports being placed on the I table early in the session is scj that they will be available to the members of the House so that they will have this information when estimates, legislation and other matters are before the House. And I must suggest to the Honourable the Provincial Secretary that if the Act is at variance with what the information sheet says then we'd better change the Act because that's not a good way to have it. The Honourable the .

Minister and and I'm not suggesting that he would think of doing this but we could be held off until the very end of the session under that matter. So I don't like to appear to be stubborn about these matters but I must say that I did not foresee the possibility of this happening and the matters that I am prepared to deal with at the time are the first two pages, as a matter of fact, and I thought there would be enough discussion on that that it would occupy our time. So with all respects Mr.

Chairman, I sug gest to the Leader of the House that the only fair thing to do is to move that the Committee rise and report and go on with the other business of the House until the First Minister is avallable. And once again let me put it on the record, I'm not criticizing the First Minister for being engaged on the work that he's attending to today. MR. EVANS: Mr.

Chairman, I remember many occasions in the past when we con sidered it quite adequate to leave open some items so that the affairs of a particular department could be returned to, and that it's quite in order for the government to nam� the order in which the estimates shall be proposed to the Committee to be considered.

And I do seriously suggest that we might well get some useful work done today by proceeding with the estimates and leave items open --I'd be very pleased to leave the Minister's salary open which would give very wide leeway to discuss any matter within the thing for the honourable member to Page 322 Febrauary 8th, 1960

(Mr. Evans, cont'd.) ••••• take up after he's heard the First Minister's presentation. And I would suggest, Mr. Chairman, that we proceed that way. :MR . CAMPBELL: Mr. Ch:lirman, I'm interested in the Honourable the Minister's suggestion that it's been quite usual for the Government to name the order in which the estimates would be taken up but I'm sure that it has never been the custom to depart from the regular or der without notice in that regard.

And if at any time the Government feels it necessary to depart from the order in which the departments occur in the estimates, then that's quite all right provided they give a day or two notice or even over a night notice but I do not think it's in order to come in here at 2:30 in the afternoon and be told then that we're not going to take up the first three pages. And I seriously object to proceeding with the others at that time -- at this time. Now the Honourable Minister's suggestion that we could let the Minister's salary stand is equally useless in this regard, Mr.

Chairman, because that is the item on which we have a general discussion, and if we don't get the benefit of that general discussion which we have had year after year in the House then we are considerably handicapped in our attempt to make our representation on these items. So I really am not trying to delay matters. I think it will be apparent when I make my statement why I am anxious to proceed in the regular way and I have no idea how long the Honourable the First Minister will be in the other Committee but I would expect that almost any time he would come back in, so why Mr.

Chairman, couldn't we go to the Order Paper, . carry on with it until the First Minister comes back in, at which time I would be more than willing to immediately revert to the Committee of Supply. :MR . PAULLEY: Mr. Chairman, I hope the Committee will excuse me if my voice starts scrambling-- when I awoke first thing this morning I couldn't even say "Good Morning" to the wife because apparently I have a touch of laryngitis, possibly the committee may comment that it wish it still prevails.

And since that time on occasion my voice has been somewhat like that of an adolescent boy-- sometime it's away up in the clouds and next time it's away down deep so I hope that I'll be excused for that. I want at this time, Mr. Chairman, to agree with the general contention of the Leader of the Opposition at this point. In saying that I want to assure you that there's no coalition or no prearrangement between we two, as leaders of our respective parties on this side of the House.

But I gathered from his remarks that what he wishes to talk about has a reflection throughout all of the estimates and the mere holding up of the Minister's salary- in the ab sence of the First Minister would not give him the opportunity of raising the points which I think, and I may be wrong, that he has in his mind.

Now I think that his suggestion-- first of all may I say that I agree with the Honourable the Leader of the Opposition that as far as I can remember at any time we dealt with the estimates we in the Opposition were fairly well aware of the order in which the estimates would be dealt with prior to considerations and dis cussions of them. It seems obvious and proper so far as I was concerned that it would be rather unfair for us to jump into the Department of the Provincial Secretary in the absence of the report of the Civil Service Commission.

I think the Leader of the Opposition has suggested a proposal and I, too, agree with him, Mr. Chairman, as to the importance of the absence of the First Minister at this time before the Royal Commission on Transportation. I think that it's only proper and we would not expect him to. be in the House for this.

But I do make this suggestion that the suggestion of the Honourable the Leader of the Opposition is a good one; that we revert back to the Order Paper and consider the resolutions and have a discussion on those resolutions and then I think with the permission of the House it would be in order, then to revert back to this Committee stage after that has been done. That would achieve two things- it would achieve the -- or facilitate the return of the First Minister and also overcome the objections of the Leader of the Opposition which I suggest in all fairness are1very very valid, Mr. Chairman. JYIR. EV ANS: Mr.

Chairman, I recognize the impact of what the two leaders have said, that is with respect to one of the items -- the Civil Service Commission, a report which is expected has not been tabled and would be useful in the discussion. I think I can say this that the Leader of the -- First Minister will not be in the House this afternoon and I think it's doubt ful he'll be back this evening so I would like to proceed by agreement if we can. I offer a further suggestion now that we might leave then the whole

section of the Civil Service Commission for discussion at a later date -- hold that one and proceed in the normal way with the other items February 8th, 1960 Page 323

(Mr. Evans, cont'd.) ••••• which can be discussed. We'll proceed through the Provincial Secretary's estimates. If we came to the end of them, we would still hold the item and hold the total --that is hold the item for Civil Service Commission and hold the total and proceed then with the Education estimates on which the report has been tabled. Then we could proceed in an orderly way with our business that way. I would like to hope that that suggestion would meet the wishes of the Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the CCF as well. MR. PREFONTAINE: Mr.

Chairman, I do not think that the point taken by the Leader of the House a few moments ago was quite right when he stated that we had a similar situation in this House before. A situation where we were discussing estimates in the absence of the Leader -- the usua:i Leader of the House. I don't recall that we had that situation on the first day that we were considering estimates. We've j:Iad it in later days -- on later days but on the very first day when we were getting into the estimates I don't think that I remember having seen the true Leader of the House absent at that time.

I don't think -- this is an unique situation; it's more unique in the sense that we have something special right at the start of the estimates.

Now with respect of going on with the estimates of the Provincial Secretary, l would like to suggest that I have placed an Order for Return, Order No. 1, on January 22nd, with respect to the number of civil servants and it hasn't been tabled yet, And I would like to ask the Minister when this will be done but I would not like to go ahead w\th the estimates ,of the Department of the Pr.ovincial Secretary before at least the report has been tabled -- the usual report _:_ and possibly the report to the Order of the House that I have brought down my self. MR. EVANS: Mr.

Chairman, my honourable friend knows that I a,greedto look into the question -- I think for the Leader of the Opposition as to when the rep0rt(;lfthe Civil Service Commission would be in, and I think you will find that the inforination that's in the report is the same as called for in the Order for Return, or the information can be found in report. I think the Honourable Member for Carillon is correct in saying that this is the first time in which a variation in the order of the estimates, at least in my experience, has been called for on the first day, I don't see particular significance in that.

I would think that we could well proceed with the business that we can get ahead with and then come back and do the other items as soon as the information is at hand and those responsible are in their seats. MR. CHAIRMAN: I see no reason myself why we shouldn't proceed. It's quite in order that if anyparticular item that the House -if the Committee wishes that it should stand then it would stand and we would move to the next item. It seems that the principal thing was-related to (

a) Administration -the sala!JI but there are other items under legislation and under Executive Council that could be well proceeded with and the resolutions passe� _so I think that we should proceed. MR. MOLGAT: Mr. Chairman, I regret but I must disagree completely with your sug gestion in this respect because I think that the statements that have been made by the Leader of my group and the Leader of the CCF party in this regard are quite correct. We received these estimates at the end of last week. We had no knowledge before of what the estimates would contain.

We've done a great deal of work on them over the week -end but naturally we prepare our work in the sequence in which the estimate::; are made. I think that that's a reason able thing for us to be doing and we have prepared our work for today on the basis of what we might reasonably expect would be taken up. Now we had no advance notice of this suggested change at all. I realize it's not the government's fault. We don't suggest in any way that they're trying to force us into other estimates for specific reasons of their own.

It's one of those things that has arisen -the First Minister cannot be here but the fact still remains that we had no advance• notice of this whatever; we've had no means of knowing that tbis would come up and here we're faced-- in the position of having to jump into something which we're not totally prepared to discuss at this moment, because we can rot prepare our work on esti -· mates -- on the whole of the estimates over the courre of a week-end. This takes some time and I think it's only logical that we would follow what is 'in the book.

Now under these circum stances it seems to me that if we proceed as has been suggested with the other items on the Order Paper with the understanding that we v.i 11 go back to this as soon as the First Minister can be here, that we would achieve the same purpose-- the House would proceed. We're. not asking for the afternoon off, we 're quite prepared to work here all afternoon and all evening, Page 324 February 8th, 1960

(Mr. Molgat, cont•d.}.LLO .but it seems to us that in all fairness to the Opposition Parties that without advance notice, we shouldn't be asked to jump from one

section of the estimates to the other one. MR. EVANS: Well, Mr. Speaker, --Mr. Chairman, as I've said before, I still remem ber the difficulties in study and so on that there are that face the members of the Opposition. I would like to suggest now that we might agree to the requests in view of the absence of specific pieces of information which have been requested and I see some force in the argument although I think it's rather more a debating point than anything else that the entire week-end wasn't long enough to go through Legislation and the Assembly and whatever the other preliminary articles are.

However, I think I would ask your views to this, that if we were to now revert to the priv ate members' resolutions that we would have the government business tomorrow instead of today. MR. CAMPBELL: Mr. Speaker-- Mr.

Chairman, as far as I'm concerned, I have never had any objection to the order of business because it's always the policy of this House to clean up all busine ss on the Order Paper anyway, so I see no particular advantage in insisting on the private members' time or other members' time and I have no objections whatever to that arrangement if the honourable member would want to have it that way, but I would think that in fairness that only an equal amount of time or approximately equal should be taken, as is taken on the private members' business time.

Not the whole day because it happens that tomorrow is private members' day during the whole day and there's no great worry as far as I'm concerned on that point. But let me say one thing, I would like to suggest to the Honourable the Leade r of the House that when we start on estimates again, I would like, if it's impossible for the Honour a.Qle the First Minister to be here, I'd like to have us begin at the first of the estimates anyway because there are some matters that I want to speak on at that time that I think must come, as far as I'm concerned, at the beginning of the discussion.

So if we must go back and we're not going to have the First Minister here, then I'd suggest that we begin at the very start even in his absence so that I may at least have the opportunity of making my statement. And let me say this, Mr. Chairman, that I think the Honourable Leader of the House has not helped this situation by mentioning that the First Minister may not be here this evening. Surely that isn't the case. I have never known of one of these Commissions to sit in the evening -- is it proposed that this one will? A very different ••••• MR.

EVANS: I'm not-- I don't know what the First Minister's engagements are. I simply said that he may not be here. I think, however, that I wish the Leader of the Opposition wouldn't haggle over these matters as a question of debits and credits and the number of hours that may be subtracted from one day being transferred to another. Surely we can proceed in a spirit of co- operation which I was trying to offer in my latest suggestion.

And I think that this question of debit and credit accounting of hours is a little meticulous for the Committee and also it would not be acceptable to bind ourselves to proceed with the first item in the estimates even in the absence of the First Minister if he should continue to be absent. That would not be acceptable to this side of the House. I think the reason for accepting the suggestion that we re turn to the House rather than stay in Committee that impressed me was the statement of the Honourable Member for Ste.

Rose who said he had not anticipated that we would reach this item and hadn't done his homework. That's a valid argument. Now, however, he can do his home work tonight and we will all have a profitable discussion then on the Provincial Secretary's estimates tomorrow. If the situation tomorrow is the same as it is today, we would propose to proceed with the estimates of the Provincial Secretary. If, however, the First Minister is here, doubtless he would want to hear the stateJI1ent· the Honourable the Leader of the Opposi tion has to make if it's on the subjects that I �im�_gi ne_it might well be on.

But in his absence we do not bind ourselves to proceed with the first item on the estimates. MR. CAMPBELL: Mr. Chairman, my honourable friend accuses me of haggling-- I don't consider this to be haggling; I have not been critical of the Honourable the First Minister for being away because the v.u rk in which he is engaged is very important. But I do say this, that when he knew that the Commission was going to be sitting today, if he had any idea of the length of time that it might take, then he should not have asked the House to sit this afternoon.

Because I didn't know in advance, the First Minister didn't consult me, I didn't know the length of brief that he had to present and if I had kn own the length of that brief, I would certainly have objected to the House sitting this ·afternoon. And the fact that he asked for it to sit this February 8th, 1960 Page 325

(Mr. Campbell, cont'd.) ••.•• afternoon and go into estimates I think is not what we have a right to expect. However, in order to end what my honourable friend thinks of as haggling, I'd better accept the suggestion that he makes, at least that the Committee rise and report and then when private members business is disposed of, I gather that the intention is that we will not sit again today. MR. CHAIRMAN: Is it the wish of the Committee that the Committee rise and rEport. MR.

EV ANS: I would like however, to have it clear -- to make sure that my honourable friend understands the situation that we would probably not sit again today, would sit at the regular hour of 2:30 tomorrow afternoon, that the order of business would be the same as on government days and that we would probably proceed with the Provincial Secretary's estimates unless the First Minister has appeared and is willing to go on with his. MR. CHAIRMAN: Will the Committee rise and report. MR. PAULLEY : Mr. Chairman, on that point, I think we all must be clear on this pro position.

In the arguments of my honourable friend, I somewhat got lost. Of.course, that's under standable knowing me, but apart from that now is this the undertaking that the Honourable the Leader of the Opposition has given in respect of the suggestion of the Honourable the Acting Leader of the House, tbat this afternoon the Committee will rise and we '11 go on to the resolutionS:· standing on the Order Paper in the name of the various private members and then tomorrow, we will forego private members' resolutions and go straight into goyerrurie:n'�::business. Is that the understanding of my honourable friend?

Now then� I might say that tAat Would require the unani mous consent of the House and in all fairness to all of the members of thk 'House, I-think we should have a gentlemen 1 s agreement this afternoon that that ,;,ill b� the . pi_o.cedure for tomorrow, be cause in the absence of that -- and I'm trying to be fair, Mr. (Jhairmail. ,-- in t:Q.e absence of that, �y single individual member of this Assembly could raise his obje'Ctions tomorrow and the House would, of course, have to go along with the business of the House in accordance with the rules of the House.

Now, our group had on the -- given notice of the introduction of what we con sider a number of very important resolutions for the consideration of this House. But I think that I can give an undertaking insofar as our particular group is concerned that if it is also the agree ment of the official opposition that we v.i ll not, or any members of our caucus will not raise the question and upset the una nimous decisions of the House.

But I would suggest-- oh, he's not in his seat at the present time -- that there is one member of the Assembly who is not under, or who is --I was going to say, not under a Party Leader or not under a Whip, but he's all three of them, and that particular member could raise the objection. I'm just pointing that out that if the govern ment is prepared to take the chance and if the leader of the Official Opposition is prepared to speak for his group on this arr·angement, I'm prepared to agree with it insofar as my group is concerned. MR. EVANS: Mr.

Speaker, if we can accept this in general agreement, I would like to say that I think our disposition on this side would be to be as accommodating as possible. In Committee and especially the Committee of Supply there is a good deal of give and take. It's our intention and our wish to give as much information as we can and to give as full explanation as the Opposition or any member of the House would like to have. And so in that spirit, I think we have come to a meeting of minds on this and I'd be v_ery happy, Mr. Chairman, if we pro ceed in that way. MR.

CHAIRMAN: If that's an understan ding then,will the Committee rise and report. Call in the Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Committee of Supply desires to report progress and requests leave to sit again. MR. MARTIN: Mr. Speaker, I beg to move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Cypress that the report of the Committee be received. Mr. Speaker presented the motiori and following a voice vote declared the motion carried. MR. SPEAKER: Second reading of Bill No. 26.· The Honourable Member for st. James. Mr. Stanes presented Bill No. 26,

an Act to a.nend the St. James Charter, for second reading. Page 326 February 8th, 1960

MR. D. M. STANES (St. James) : Mr. Speaker , this Bill consists of two sections. The first

section is amending that which at the moment is covered by the Municipal Act. In the Municipal Act it states that no person who is an official of a municipal corporation is el"igible for nomination for municipal election. Members may recall that just over a year ago, the case arose in St. James, whereby a person who is an employee of another municipal corporation, was elecU.d to council in St. James. The matter was protested and fought by a publ"ic-spirit ed person who felt there was a conflict of interest and therefore it should not be allowed.

The matter was taken to court but due to the fact that too much time had elapsed, the matter was dismissed on that case. What the amendment is, is to admit any person, whether he be an official or employee of anoth. er municipal corpo ration except in those of St. James to be el"igible for nomination to St. James Council . The other

section of the Bill, Mr. Speaker, is permis sive legislation for the council of St. James to raise $1 1/2 million for the proposed Grace Hospital rebuilding in St. James. It's only permissi ve because in the first place, of course, it has to be approved by the Honourable Minister of Health and Welfare and then it goes to the vote of the ratepayers- -the referendum. MR. T. P. HILLHOUSE, Q. C. (Selkirk) : Mr.

Speaker, I have no object ion to find with the second part of the Bill, dealing with the issue of debentures for the Salvation Army, but I do take exception to the first part of the Bill and feel that this matter is being approached in the wrong way. Now, what the City of St. James is asking this Legislature to do, is to relieve it from a certain provision in our Municipal Act, which is applicable to all municipal corporations in Manitoba. Now, I'm not going to question the rightness or the wrongness of the principle as enunciated in

Section 303 of the Municipal Act, but what I do say is this, that the City of St. James must consider that subsection one, subsection D of

Section 303 of the Municipal Act is wrong insofar as it refers to the City of St. James. Now my point is this, if it's wrong insofar as it refers to the City of St. James, well, why isn't it wrong insofar· as it refers to and relates to all mun icipal corporations in Manitoba? And if that is the case, the proper way to approach this matter is by the Minister of Municipal Affairs or some private member to bring in a Bill deleting this certain subsection from the Municipal Act. Now, :Mr.

Speaker, this Bill clearly exemplifies a point that I have previously raised in this Legislature, namely that we should have uniformity of legislation for all the cities in the Province of Manitoba. I know that the Honour able Attorney�General when I mentioned that subject the first time he was in the House , he ad mitted the necessity of it but he said, "why didn't we do it when?" Well, I say to him now, "why don't you do it now ?" You've had one year within which to do it; it was brought to your attention and nothing has been done.

And I submit that the situation today is just as critical and just as necessary as it was when I spoke on this matter in March of 1959 and that something should be done. But the point that I want to make relative to this Bill is this, if that principle which the City of St. James doesn't consider good to be applied to it, well, then,why is it good if applied to another municipal corporation in the Province of Manitoba? And we are adopting the wrong procedure here. What we should do is amend the Municipal Act. MR .

STANES: I hope this and other questions can be brought up in the committee with those who are more acquainted with the details than myself. MR. SPEAKER: I didn't hear what the honourable member said. MR. STANES: Mr. Speaker, I'm just hoping that this and other matters can be brought up in the committee to people who are more acquainted with these problems than myself. Mr. Speaker put the question and following a voice vote declared the motion carried. Mr. Stanes introduced for second reading, Bill No. 54,

an Act to Amend the St. James Charter, No. 2. · Mr. Speaker put the question. MR . STANES: Mr. Speaker, this is quite a simple amendment. It's conforming with the City of Winnipeg and it's just increasing the period from nomination day to election day from two weeks to thr ee. weeks. Mr. Speaker put the question and following a voice vote, declared the motion carried. Mr. N. Shoemaker (Gladstone) introduced for second reading, Bill No. 55,

An Act to amend

an Act respecting the rural municipalities of Lakeview and Westbourne. lVIr. Speaker put the question. MR. SHOEMAKER: Mr. Speaker, this is indeed a very simple Bill. Lakeview ar>d February 8th, 1960 Page 327

(Mr. Shoemaker, cont'd. ) . . Westbourne municipalities have in their boundariP-s a community pasture and now it is desired by both municipalities that a road be built through the marsh that would connect Langruth and Plumas. If there was a road through there it would only be a mat ter of 18 miles,

whereas presently they have to travel about 55 miles to get from one town to the other and the explanatory note in front of the Bill simply says that when the Act respecting the rural municipalities of Lakeview and Westbourne, being

Chapter 99 of the Statutes of Mani toba, 1939, was passed, closing the road allowance or highways described in

Schedule "C" em bodied in said Act, it was not expected by the rural municipality of Westbourne that a road would be constructed in that district. The ratepayers of both the rural municipality of Westbourne and the rural municipality of Lakeview have demanded a road between Phimas and Langruth and the council of the rural municipal ity of Westbourne finds it necessary to re� pen the road allow ance between sections 23 and 26 in township 16, and range 11, west of the principal meridian for the construction of the very much desired road; Mr.

Speaker put the question and following a voice vote declared the motion carried. MR. SPEAKER: Adjourned debate on the proposed resolution of the Honourable Membez: for Gladstone. The Honourable Member for St. George. MR . E. GUTTORMSON (St. George): Mr. Speaker, at the present timethere's approx imately one thousand farmers in Manitoba who have applications into the Manitoba Agricultural Credit Corporation waiting to have their lands appraised. A great deal of--a large number of these applicants are asking for only small loans.

It seems to me that it's only reasonable that we ask or allow the officials in the corporation to use some discretion with these loans, partic ularly in cases where a man is asking for maybe a thousand dollars when it is very obvious to the corporation that he has collateral worth five or six times as much as that. The Minister-- ! was disappointed in his remarks the other day because when he spoke on this subject he talked around--he talked about everything else except the point in question.

The member for Broken head, I thought, dealt very well with this subject and when he said that there are a lot of people seeking loans--alidHw as qui.te obvious to anyone that they have collateral which was many times- worth much more than the amount they were asking--and there was unnecess ary delays. by ask- ing them to wait until such time as the frost and the snow was off the ground; so I would urge the House to support this resolution so that more farmers can get speedier action on their ap plications .

I would agree with mem bers on the other side of the House when they said that this corporation had to operate on a businesslike manner. That's quite true. But, surely, when a man is asking for only a small loan--and he has a lot. of collateral--! don't think we have to worry about keeping him in line for maybe a year's time as is the practice at the present time. MR. SPEAKER: Are you ready for the question? MR . E. I. DOW (Turtle Mountain): Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Honourable Leader of the Oppo sition that the debate be adjourned. Mr.

Speaker put the question and following a voice vote declared the motion carried. MR. SPEAKER: Adjourned debate on the proposed resolution of the Honourable Member for Turtle Mountain and proposed motion and amendment thereto by the Honourable the Leader of the CCF and a proposed motion of the Honourable Member for Selkirk in further amend- ment thereto. The Honourable Member for Carillon. - -- MR. PREFONTAINE: Mr. Chairman, I am very sorry that this morning I left my notes with respect to this matter in my house.

I was so positive I would not speak on it and my work bench is downstairs and I left home being sure that I wouldn't be called upon to speak today. So if there is somebody else who wants to speak, let them speak. If not, I would like to ask the indulgenc e of the House to have this matter stand. MR. EVA NS: We'd be very happy to allow this matter to stand, Mr. Speaker. MR. SPEAKER: Order stand. Adjourned debate on the Honourable Member for Inkster. The Honourable Member for Kildonan. MR. A. J. REID (Kildonan): Mr.

Speaker, in rising to speak on this resolution now, I add further to what my colleague from Seven Oaks has spoken. Mr. Speaker, the Honourable Member from Winnipeg Centre was surprised that the CCF brought in the same resolution again. Well, Sir, the Honourable Member for Inkster has brought this resolution in now, I believe, for 19 years and 18 times out of that period the Conservatives and Liberals have voted against it. I have observed, Sir, that the only time that the Conservaties vote with the CCF in this House Page 328 February 8th, 1960

(Mr. Reid, cont'd. ) •• is for adjournment and naturally they';e not going to change their policy now. Let us take a look at this resolution, Mr. Chairman, --which seems to be such a contro versial one, --at what it actually says : that this House request the government to petition the Federal Government for an increase for old age pensioners and blind pensioners in the province from $55 . to $75 per month--a vecy simple resolution. The Honourable Member for Winnipeg Centre quoted on February 2nd, that only about 20% of our citizens in Canada between the ages of 65 and 70 receive the old age pension.

That's between 65 and 70, which is likely true, Mr. Speaker. But what we must remember that the other 80% between 65 and 70, by the time they've reached 70 -.:. they have used up their savings ; their unemployment insurance benefits; and spare ti.J:Ile employment remuneration. So by the time they are 70 they have only the old age pension cheque, and possibly a small retirement cheque. Because any worker who has retired recently or for some time, Mr� Speaker, his cheque would be very modest.

And further, the honourable member quotes, as was said, reading down here--oh, yes --he goes on quoting, "the cost of living has gone up 72% but in the meantime pensions, old age pensions have gone up 175%". _Then he goes on to say, "in other words, if the old age pension had been tied to the cost of liv ing in 1927, the old age pension cheque today would have been $34. 40". Well, Mr.

Speaker, I don't know what he based his logic on there because I am sure if the old age pension had been tied in to the cost of living, and when you consider the inflationary value of our dollar these days, actually the value of the dollar is about 50% of par. So to get at a figure where I figure where that pension be tied in with the cost of living bonus, you would have to double that $34. 40 and you'd come up with a figure of $68. 80. That, Mr. Speaker, is pretty close to the figure the Ho.nourable Member for Inkster is proposing.

True , he's got a few dollars more in his resoluti OJ;J., but I think he's considering that for the future cost of living increases. I think, Mr. Speak er, this present government is afraid to tread on the toes of the Federal Government, because if the honourable members remember the last few federal elections--the first one, the Liberal Government at that time announced an increase of $6. 00 per month. Then the minority govern ment of Conservative Party announced an increase of $9 .0 0 per month prior to the election. So.

Sir, as sure as we are assembled here prior to the next federal election, the government will announce an increase of at least $15. 00 per month to entice the old age pensioners' vote. Mr. Speaker, all this resolution is asking that they do it now, and It is perfectly in order for all the members to support same, because as we all know, it'll take the Federal Government .a t least two years to give its decision on it. So I request, Mr. Speaker, that when this resolu tion comes to vote that all members give their wholehearted support and vote for same. Thank you. 1\JIR. SPEAKER: Are you ready for the question?

MR. P. WAGNER (Fisher): Mr. Speaker, I beg to move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Seven Oaks that the debate be adjourned. Mr. Speaker presented the motion and after a voice vote declared the motion carried. MR. SPEAKER: Adjourned debate on the proposed resolution of the Honourable Mem ber for Fisher. The Honourable Member for Ham iota. MR. B. P. STRICKLAND (Hamiota): Mr. Speaker, the

preamble of this resolution states that the Agricultural Support Bill of the Federal Government does not give any assistance to the growers of wheat, oats atid barley in western Canada. This is a true st�tement, Mr. Speaker, but it makes me wonder if the Honourable Member for Fisher is under the impression that the farmer wishes to come under the Agricultural Support Bill, rather than the Wheat Board, an::l while the statement may be true, Mr. Speaker, it certainly leaves a wrong impression. What about the $40 million acreage payments? What about the grain storage charges of nearly 40 million?

PF AA assistance nearly 25 million; PFRA about 17 million; freight assistance on western grains, approximately 20 million; and there are 50 millions in the form of credit for purchase of wheat under the Colombo Plan, which went to the western farmers; and also in terest free cash advances on farm-stored grain. So while that statement may be true, it cer tainly leaves a wrong impression of what the Federal Government has done in regard to the growers of wheat, oats and barley. The second paragraph, Mr. Speaker, says that since 1947, the cost of goods farmers have to buy have risen approximately 50%.

These proponents of labour say nothing of the February 8th , 1960 Page 329

(Mr. Strickland, cont' d. ) .. increase in wages by lOO%; of labour in this same period and its _effect on farm prices . In fact the Honourable Member for Seven Oaks says labour watches in dustry and when labour finds industry making a certain profit, then labour has a right to a por tion of this profit, and apparen tly this is regardless of why a certain profit is necess ary and re gardless of its ultimate effect on farm machines. It is my opinion, Mr.

Speaker, that the CCF represent only the upper echelon of labour, because I too represent labour, and where the people in my area are perfectly happy with the going wage scale--the last thing they ever want is a strike--it would appear from the wording of this resolution that the CCF, come willynilly, are going to have these increases regardless of its effect on farm costs. It is not my intention, Mr. Speaker, to leave the impression that the number of dollars pumped into prairie agricul ture is any measuring stick of a good farm policy, nor that labour is the only reason for the rise in cost to farmers .

This 'isn't so. And I'm just as critical as any Manitoban of the Feder al Government for not having produced a policy that comes to grudge with this problem. In my opinion it is a delusion for anyone to think that deficiency payments, acreage payments , cash advances or what have you, will make up the difference between cost and prices to the farmer. Mr. E. A.

Bowden, Director of the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool, told the annual meeting of Saskatchewan Farmers Union on December 2nd, and I'm quoting him: "action is needed quick- ly on a plan to distribute periodic 'food surpluses or plans to stabilize farm income Will be fruit less and the general public may rebel against all government farm stabili�ation program!3"· And further on he says: "as leaders in you respective commu:tiit:ies, I hope yorl i::lo not take the positi''- " · on that price alone will solve all. the ills of agriculture.

Tb: do so would n!-Jt be responsible leadership in my opinion". ' , The Honourable Member for Fisher in his 30 minute speech the qther day, gave us our best example of what deficiency payments will do for heris, old roosters and eggs. When we talk of farmers and the standard of living comparable to the average enjoyed by the people of Canada, everyone appears to think of farmers as being in one category. And this. isn •t the case. I know of many farmers whose main worry between January and May is income tax. And I know of many more who are never even required to make out a return.

If the labour must pay a de ficiency to the man whose main worry is the amount of income tax he must pay, then he in turn is going to demand more wages, and this in turn is going to increase the cost to the farmer. Surely it isn't our wish, Mr. Speaker, to press the Government of Canada only for cash pay ments to the farmer. I think not, and I'm just as certain that these farmers do not want this type of assist ance. I've been told many, many times, that if the government would find markets for their grain, the farmer would still make a reasonable profit, even at present prices . I would suggest, Mr.

S;;>eaker, that in these cases, the government would be of much greater help by spending more dollars for finding ways and me ans of grain marketing. In Manitoba, two -thirds of our farmers produce about 90%, and I believe it is the 35% that Jf! our woblem . "" . This is the group that have a quarter

section or less and in most instances they are on poor land. Is a deficiency payment going to help this farmer to have an average standard of living? Surely our purpose as a provincial government is to urge Ottawa to implement a policy in which the farmer can help himself, and not become a ward of the government. We recognize that since such a policy is not being formulated, then the western farmer--and I'm not restricting this to the grain grower-- is in need of cash assistance.

In the Manitoba Federation of Agriculture brief they say this: "In the ev:ent that the Federal Government cannot see its way clear to pay deficiency payments on grain, we seek support in urging the Federal Government to extend the acreage payment program. We do not consider that either of these measures will meet the real needs of a long-term policy, but we are convinced that they wouid be a worthwhile meas- ure of immediate assistance during the transition period until more satisfactory measures can be instituted". I wish to move, Mr.

Speaker, seconded by the Honourable Member for Minnedosa that the proposed resolution be amended by striking out all the words after "whereas" in the first line thereof and subst ituting the following: Agriculture·in Manitoba is experiencing great dif ficulty in obtaining a fair share of the national income; and

whereas the question of prices and markets, while not the only considerations, are two important factors in this problem; and

whereas these questions of prices and markets for agricultural products lie largely within the federal sphere of responsibility, therefore

be it resolved that in the opinion of this House, the Page 330 February 8th, 1960

(Mr. Strickland, cont•d. ) .. Government of Manitoba as spokesman for the people of the prov ince, should impress upon the Government of Canada , the urgent need for action to improve this situation either by immediate payment of cash assistance or other effective measures con sistent with the general public interests . Mr. Speaker presented the motion. MR. SCHREYER: I take it that the amendment is in order. I haven't heard you say any thing to the contrary, so I would beg to move , sec onded by the Honourable Member for Logan that the debate be adjourned. Mr.

Speaker presented the motion and after a voice vote declared the motion carried. MR. SPEAKER: Adjourned debate on the proposed resolution of the Honourable Mem ber for Turtle Mountain. The Honourable Minister of Education. HON. STEWART E. McLEAN (Dauphin): Mr.

Speaker, early in the proceedings of this Legislature the Honourable Leader of the Opposition had some harsh things to say about the Minister of Education getting school boards and trustees and taxpayers into a great deal of dif ficulty, and while I have been on occas ions associated with the--l'm not just too certain what the expression would be, but--with "stew" but this was the first time I had ever been accused of an assoc iation with pickles.

I can think of no better way to cause increased expenditures by lo cal ta..'l:payers for school purposes than by adopting the resolution which the Honourable Member for Turtle Mountain has placed on the Order Paper and which is presently under debate, be cause the inevitable result of course of raising the limit upon which the basis on which grants are paid towards school construction would be to automatically increase the costs of all school building to all school districts and to all school divisions .

Tha t'increase in cost would not only be an increase in cost to the Province of Manitoba so far as grants are concern ed, but would be a substantial increase in cost to the local taxpayers. The example which he gave in spe aking to this resolution was a clear--in itself contained that information without any question. Now just taking a few examples at random, the fact of the matter is that the $15 thousand per classroom cost limit upon which the grants payable by the Province of Manitoba are based, is proving, in my opinion, quite adequate at the present time.

For example, the Assiniboine north schooL division constructed a new high school with 34 rooms at a cost of just slightly over $1 3, 000 per classroom. Ridgeville consolidated school district constructed a school with an actual cost per classr oom of $:12, 500. Portage la Prairie school division No. 10, cost of $1 5, 000 per classroom; and St.

Vital school division also $15, OOO,as well as St.Boniface; Teulon .ll)onsolidated school district--and they opened their school just the other day -- cost of $i3 , 000 per classroom; Transcona and Ty:ndall both had $15, 000 per classroom; Mapleton new school, at a cost of $1 2, 500 per classroom; St. James school division, $13, 333 per classroo m; Ham io ta consolidated school district, $12 , 416 per classroom. What I want to point out, Mr. Speaker, is that many schools in the Province of Manitoba are now constructing their classroom space well within the $15, 000 per classroom figure.

It's true, I suspect, that in Winnipeg they do not do it at that figure, because they construct perhaps schools with more extensive services than are generally provided in schools outside of the city. But we are satisfied that the schools that are constructed throughout the Province of Manitoba have all of the necess ary requisites of good schools and the requirements for good education, and that at the present time there is not any requirement of raising the limit which would simply carry the total costs upward with it.

You co•.1ld have, indeed, a cost limit of $50 ,0 00 per classroom, and I am certain that architects and others engaged in that business would be well able to spend that amount of money. There is , however, no evidence that the $1 5, 000 per classroom is not sufficient for the requirements of our educational purposes at the present time . , Furthermore, Mr. Speaker, a great deal in this matter depends upon circumstances and upon the manner in which the school district or school division concerned goes about having a school constructed.

And one of the 'large factors in this regard is the matter of timing of their construction contracts. And there are instances where school boards have, by the judicious tim ing of their projects , been able to provide their school accomm odation at ver y reasonable rates . Furthermore, I'm not satisfied that architects and school boards, and indeed ourselves- '-and I include all of us in this--that we are making the best use of alternative methods and alternative materials, both of which I am satisfied can result in substantial savings in school construction.

And I believe that it is one of the responsibilities that we have to examine these alternative February 8th, 1960 Page 331

(Mr. McLean, cont'd.) .. materials and alternative methods in order to make our construction costs within a figure which will be adequate and yet not out of reason to the taxpayers generally. And if I may here advert to a speech which I made not very far from here and to which the Honourable the Leader of the Opposition made some reference-'-the reply was not misquot ed or misreported in any way, although my entire speech wasn't reported--but the point I was endeavouring to make with the school trustees, Mr.

Speaker, on that occasion was just this, that aside altogether from the necessity of providing funds for school construction, and indeed the obligation on us to provide school accommodation, there was an obligation on all of us to exercise good common sense and judgment in the way in which we spend those funds. And what I said on that occasion is in no wise inconsistent with the policies which I have advocated in this House and for which I am responsible insofar as the administration is concerned. I would fur ther point out, Mr.

Spr:1aker, that if the cost--if the limit of cost were raised, that of cour'3e would automatically as I say increase the cost of school buildings and I would think would bring with it the very strong possibility that in many instances, by-laws, --local by-laws for money for school construction would be defeated and that would be a very serious matter.. That hap pens in practically no cases at the present time.

There are very seldom that school by-laws are defeated, but I think that local taxpayers might well be frightened by the cost of buildings if the unit cost per room were raised, being accompanied as it would be by actual higher costs to the ratepayers . I think, Mr. Speaker, that our obligation in this matter is quite clear cut, that is to- within the De partment of Education--to continue a very careful examination of school plans, materials used, methods of construction and to do whatever we can and wherever we can to keep those costs as low as possible.

And that obligation, of course, is one that we have. and one that school districts and school divisions have as well, and that I would hope that they would share our views an:i that instead of extending an open invitation to everyone to increase the cost, that we would by some joint efforts and by co-operation, reduce the costs wherever we can. MR. PAULLEY: Mr. Speaker, I just want to say a word or two in connection with this resolution. First of all, Sir, may I say that it was with surprise and amazem ent that I saw the introduction of this resolution by my honourable friends to my right.

You know Sir, we of the CCF Party have often been accused in this House of being irresponsible and asking for the moon insofar as expenditures of money are concerned, and--as my honourable friend says, "hear, hear"--a nd more particularly by his particular group. I think the explanation that has been given by the Honourable the Minister of Education is a very valid one. I think that at the present time the grant of $15, 000 maximum is very close to a fair and reasonable figure, and I sometimes wonder, Mr.

Speaker, as to whether it is a good policy--and I don't see how we can really avoid it--but I sometimes wonder whether it's a good policy to have written into the grant structure of this nature a maximum at all. Because I suspect greatly that this leads in some cases, or may lead--let me qualify that--of establishing a goal or a figure at which estimates are made in respect of construction costs.

It was rather amusing to hear on the introduction of this resolution for an increase of this nature in light of the adjournment of the House the other day, to tackle the remarks of the Honourable the At torney-General to the Fort Garry Council, because of tl).e fear that because he had mentioned a figure of possible road construction costs that that would be the figure that the construction in dustry, insofar as road building was concerned, would use as the level on which to base their tenders if they haven't already been called for.

So it appears to me that there isn't very much consistency with my honourable friends to my right when they argue one day this way, and then next day just the reverse. On noting this resolution before the House, I, and I'm sure that other members of the House did likewise, got in touch with as many school districts as I could to see how this present ceiling of $15, 000 is affecting them. And I find that in general, and the Honourable the Min ister of Education mentioned Transcona as being at the level of the $15, 000, and I also had found that to be true.

It is also true in many other school districts that he didn't refer to that this has been done, and in many cases there are schools still being built at considerable less than the $15, 000. And I suggest, Mr. Speaker, that if the ceiling was raised as suggested by the official opposition to $20, 000 that it would not be very long--as a matter of fact I'd suggest the day after the resolution being agreed to--that we wouldn't be able to find any under the Page 332 February 8th, 1960

(Mr. Paulley, cont'd. ) .. $15, 000 per classroom. There •s only one suggestion in connection with school construction costs that I might add for the conSideration of the minister that in convers::.tion with the school districts or the secre tary-treasurer, it appears at the present time there is no real disagreement with the $15, 000 as the ceiling. There is, however, a great concern in the school district of the rate of interest on the debentures, particularly as the costs of construction increase.

And I would like to sug gest for the consideration of the minister that rather than take into consideration this resoluti on--which he is not, of course--that there may be some argument in favour of considering an adjustment in view of the increasing interest rates, that

whereas for instance, if I recall cor rectly, the $15, 000 maximum was established when the rates of interest I think was 5 1/4 or 5 1/2, that consideration might be given to an adjustment so that the overall cost of the debent ures to the school districts in the light of the increased interest rates to 6 or 6 3/4 or whatever it is at the present time , may be considered. Basically, Mr.

Speaker, I say that I'm surprised at the introduction of this resolution by my honourable friends to the right and if we may have had a bit of a coalition in respect to the conduct of the House with my honourable friends at the start of this afternoon's ses sion, I may say, Sir, that there is a coalition with the government in respect of this. And I w()uld like again to point out to all of the critics of my party in the past of our not worrying about expend itures of governmental money,_ I think in this instance we can prove conclusively that such is not the case.

We are concerned and most of the argum ents of the Honourable Minister of Edu cation in this respect are valid and we agree with him. MR. STRICKLAND: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Souris-Lansdowne that the debate be adjourned. Mr. Speaker presented the motion and following a voice vote declared the motion carried. MR. SPEAKE R: Adjourned debate on the proposed resolution of the Honourable Mem ber for LaVerendrye. The Honourable Member for Roblin. MR. K. ALEXAND ER (Roblin): Mr. Speaker, I ask the indulgence of the House to have this matter stand. liJ.IR. SPE.AKER: Matter stand.

This brings us to the end of the Order Paper. M,.""t, EVANS: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Honourable the Attorney-General that the House do now adjourn. Mr. Speaker put the question and after a voice vote declared the motion carried and the House adjcurned until 2: 30 Tuesday afternoon. February 8th, 1960 Page 333

INDEX TO VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS, 1960 Introduction of New Members . • . • . • . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Speech from the Throne Debate: Mr. Groves, Mr. Jeannotte, Mr. Campbell . • . . . . . . . . 6 Resolution: Rules (Mr . Lyon) , Mr. Prefontaine , Mr. Paulley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . • . . . . • . 32 Motion: Election Act (Mr. Lyon) , Mr . Paulley, Mr. Campbell . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . • 34 Introduction of Bills: Nos. 43, 27, 14, 18, 45 .. ..... •......... ......... ... .•..... . 35 Orders for Returns: Mr .

Prefontaine, Mr . Dow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . 37 Speech from The Throne Debate: Mr . Paulley . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . • • . 38 Introduction of Bills: Nos. 20, 3, 19, 49, 36 ............. ................ .......... 49 Speech from The Throne Debate: Mr . Froese, Mr. Orlikow ........... ... .. .. .. •. . . . 50 . Bill No . 2 (Mr . Hutton) 2nd Reading: Mr . Ca.Iilpbell, Mr. Roberts • . . . • . . . • . . . • • . . . . . 60 Bill No. 4 (Mr. Johnson, Gimli) 2nd Reading: Mr .

Campbell . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Bill No . 5 (Mr. Roblin) 2nd Reading: Mr . Campbell, Mr . Paulley, Mr . Gray . . . . . . . . . 62 Bill No . 6 (Mr. Roblin) 2nd Reading: Mr . Campbell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . • . . . .. . 64 Bill No. 8 (Mr. Johnson, Gimli) 2nd Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . .. . 65 Introduction of Bills: Nos. 52, 54, 15, 16, 50, 52, 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . • . • 67 Statement, re Television, Mr.

Carroll . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Motion, re Agricultural Credit Corporation, Mr . Shoemaker .... ................... , 7 0 Resolution, re School Construction Grants , Mr . Dow, Mr . Schreyer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 3peech from The Throne Debate: Mr . Peters, Mr. Stanes .....•........ , .•....... : . . 7 6 Introduction of Bills: Nos. 55, 56 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 Bill No . 3 (Mr .

Lyon) 2nd Reading . . . ... . . . .. . ... , ......... ..•..... ,- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 Throne Speech Debate: Mr . Schreyer, Mr. Seaborn, Div. to Amend't to the Amend1t . . . 87 Introduction of Bill, No . 57 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • • . . . . . . . . . . . . • 95 Throne Speech Debate: Mr. Martin, Mr . Hryhorczuk, Mr . Christianson, l\ifr. Dow, Mr . Desjardins, Mr. Weir, Mr. McLean, Mr . Hutton .......• ....... .. ..... 123 Motion, re Agricultural Credit (Mr. Shoemaker) Mr . Smellie, Mr .

Wagner .. •........ 134 Tabling of Reports, Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . • . . . . . . 141 Motion re Agricultural Credit (Mr. Shoemaker) Mr. Roberts •..•..... ..•...•...••...• 151 Motion re Pensions Increase, Mr. Gray ... ......... .. ..•..••.. .........•..... .• .•. 152 Throne Speech: Mr. Reid, Mr. Scarth, Mr. Tanchak, Mr . Roblin . . . . • . . . . . . . . . • . . . . 154 Statement re Fire at Kelsey, Mr . Carron .................... ... ........... ....... 173 Ruling, Mr.

Speaker, Division on Ruling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . • . . 174 Second Readings: Bills 17, 14, 15, 16, 21 . . . . . . . . . • . • . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175 Throne Speech: Mr . Prefontaine , Mr . Froese, · Mr. Guttormson, Mr. S.chreyer, Mr . Roberts, Division on Amendment ..•••. _ .... •..• .•.•...........•...... 177 Mr. Gray, Mr . Hutton, Mrs. Forbes, Mr·. Klym .............. .......... ...... 197 Bill No . 13, (Mr. Groves) 2nd Reading ... ...... .. .....•..•.••...... ... ..••••••••.• 210 Resolutions re School Construction (Mr .

Dow) Mr. Hamilton .•• ' .. ... . . . . • • . . . • . . • . • . 212 French Addresses: Mr. Prefontaine , Mr. Roberts . . _ . . . .. : .............. � � .. _ . . .. _. • . 214 Select standing Committees, Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215 Introduction of Bills: No. 58, re Mechanics Lien Act (Mr. Lyon) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216 Resolution re Agricultural Credit (Mr. Shoemaker) Mr. Alexander ... ... . ... . . . · . . • . 219 Resolution re School Construction (Mr. Dow) Mr.

Paulley ....•. .. ·• . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221 Resolution re Pensions (Mr. Gray) Mr . Cowan . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . 223 Resolution re Agricultural Support, Mr. Wagner : . . • . . . . . . . • . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225 Resolution re School Room Grants , Mr. Dow ..... . . . .. ..... .. . . . . ... .. .... . .... · . . . 228 Bill No . 11 (Mr. Christianson) 2nd Re ading . . . • . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229 Throne-Speech Debate: Mr. Hillhouse, Mr . Harris, Mr. Corbett, Mr.

Seaborn ....... 229 Motion re Education (Mr. McLean) l\ifr. Campbell, Mr. Orlikow, Mr . McLean ........ 238 Bill No. 12 (Mr. Evans) 2nd Reading ....... .......... ......... .... ... .... ......... 240 Throne Speech Debate: Mr. Wright, Mr . Shoemaker, Mr. Johnson (Assiniboia), Mr. Cowan, Mr . Wagner, Mr. Bjornson, Mr. Carron ...................... 243 Introduction of Bills: No . 63 (Mr. Ridley), No . 64 (Mr. Johnson, Gimli) ............. 269 Second Readings: Bill Nos. 18, 19, 20, 27 , 43, 45 , 46 . . .. .. • .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . .. . 269 Throne Speech Debate: Mr . Tanchak, Mr . McKellar, Mr .

Prefontaine, Mr . Shewman, Mr . Froese, Mr. Molgat, Mr . Guttorn:: son, Mr . Lyon, Mr. Roberts, Division .. .. ......... ............ ..•..... .... .............. 27·1

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Collection	Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	26-2-15
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	26th 2nd hansardpdf 15.pdf
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	cff3e519b28846110cb942a9261359f0a1d432f0

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