Alberta Hansard — 18 March 1988, Morning sitting (10:00) (Legislature 21, Session 3)

19880318

Alberta — Debates (Hansard)

March 18, 1988 ALBERTA HANSARD 7 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ALBERTA Title: Friday, March 18, 1988 10:00 a.m. Date: 88/03/18 [The House met at 10:00 a.m.] [Mr. Speaker in the Chair] PRAYERS MR. SPEAKER: Let us pray. Father, on this day of a new beginning, we ask for Your guidance in the responsibility we have undertaken and Your help in fulfilling our duties. As Members of this Legislative Assembly may we faithfully serve all Albertans and, in serving them, serve You. Amen. head: INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS MR.

SPEAKER: Hon. members, first, with regard to signaling the Chair about question period, we will revert to that in just a few moments. On this day it is my pleasure to introduce to the House Mr. Terry Howe, consul general of the United States of America. I would ask him to rise and receive the welcome of the House. I would also beg the indulgence of the House to vary our procedure just slightly. Intermediate Nuclear Force Treaty MR. SPEAKER: The House will recall that earlier, on Decem ber 9, 1987, in fact, this House passed a resolution with respect to the Intermediate Nuclear Force treaty.

And so it is on this day that Mr. Howe, the consul general of the United States, is present in the gallery and has earlier this morning delivered to me a copy of a letter from President Reagan, which I would now read into the record of the House. Dear Mr. Speaker: I greatly appreciate receiving your letter which contained the Assembly's motion saluting the successful summit I con cluded with Soviet General Secretary Gorbachev. The meet ings mark a historic moment in advancing international security.

The INF Treaty that I signed with the General Secre tary is clearly a landmark achievement; for the first time in history our two nations have agreed to reduce our nuclear ar senals, not just limit their growth. Furthermore there is the clear prospect of still greater progress in placing east-west rela- tions on a firmer foundation. Again, my thanks and gratitude to the Alberta Legislature for its message of support.

I know the best wishes of the mem bers go with me as I prepare for my visit to the Soviet Union this year, a visit that should be important to the safer peace that we are making every effort to achieve. (signed) Ronald Reagan On February 1, 1988, as Speaker I received on your behalf a letter from the ambassador from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Ambassador Rodionov, in which he acknowledged the resolution passed by this Assembly on December 9, 1987.

He also expressed appreciation in the stand of the Assembly in support of the Intermediate Nuclear Force treaty, and this letter was circulated to the House leaders on February 5, 1988, by myself. I thank hon. members for their attention. head: INTRODUCTION OF SPECIAL GUESTS MR. FJORDBOTTEN: Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to introduce to you and through you to members of the Assembly today, 35 energetic grades 7, 8, and 9 students from my hometown of Granum in the Macleod constituency. They're here for a couple of days to see how the Assembly works and to visit some of the attractions in the Edmonton area.

They're accompanied by their teachers Mr. Trembath, Miss Gordey, and parents Mrs. Demaere, Mrs. Hobbs, and Mr. Ostrowski. They're seated in the members' gallery, and I would ask them to rise and receive the warm welcome of the Assembly. DR. BUCK: Mr. Speaker, I take great pleasure in introducing to you and through you to the members of the Assembly, 51 grades 4 to 6 students from the Fort Saskatchewan elementary school. Now, the principal and the social studies teacher of the school Mr. Alexandruk has been bringing young people to this Assem bly for many, many years. They are accompanied by their teacher Mr.

Alexandruk, their parents Mrs. Gabert, Mrs. Berg, and Mrs. Kleinbergen, and their bus driver Mr. Eric Van Camp. They are seated in the public gallery. I would like them to rise and receive the recognition of this Assembly. MRS. BETKOWSKI: Mr.

Speaker, in recognition of Govern ment Motion 1, recognizing tomorrow as being the 82nd anni versary of the First Legislature of Alberta and the very impor tant role played by McKay Avenue school in our province's and our city's history, I am very pleased to welcome to your gallery today members of the Edmonton public school board and asso ciate staff, whom I would ask to rise as I read their names. First is Dick Mather, chairman of the Edmonton public school board; Dr. Lila Fahlman, trustee; Trustee Leon Lubin; Trustee Doug Tupper; and Trustee Joan Cowling. The board of trustees are accompanied by Mr.

Strembitsky, the superintendent of schools; Mr. Mcintosh, the associate superintendent; and Mr. Kostek, the archivist at the Edmonton Public Schools Archives and Museum. On your behalf, may they be welcomed to this Assembly. MR. WEISS: Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure today for me to introduce to you and to members of this Assembly, a group which has joined the ranks of champions crowned in our province. No, they're not Stanley Cup or Grey Cup champions, so I can't make that mistake.

In this case the special guests are members of the championship curling rink which will represent Alberta in the Canadian Legion curling championships in Moncton in mid-April. Three of the members are seated with their wives in the public gallery. First is the skip, Jerry Fisher, and his wife, Shirley; third, George Kjenner, and his wife, Irene; second, Harry White, and his wife, Gladys. The lead of this rink is fairly well known to members of this Assembly. He has had reference made on occasion to his proficiency as a golfer.

He has also demonstrated some skill as a politician -- we question that -- having been elected to this As sembly on six consecutive occasions. I refer to the hon. Mem ber for Clover Bar, Dr. Walt Buck. Dr. Buck's wife, Laura- Marie, is also seated in this public gallery, and I'd ask her along with Dr. Walter Buck and the rest of their championship team to rise and receive the greetings and best wishes of this Assembly.

8 ALBERTA HANSARD March 18, 1988 MR. SPEAKER: It's also an historic occasion to have to recog nize two members standing at the same time in the House. head: ORAL QUESTION PERIOD Government Policy, Social Programs MR. MARTIN: Mr. Speaker, I'd like to direct the first question to the Deputy Premier. Yesterday the Deputy Premier dropped a bit of a bombshell when he announced that we're now going to attack the universality of social programs.

Understandably, many average Albertans are concerned about this statement, so I want to ask this minister: could the minister indicate and clarify what he meant by moving away from universality of programs and specifically which programs he's talking about? MR. RUSSELL: Mr. Speaker, I dropped no such bombshell. I believe what the hon. member is referring to is a reference in the throne speech to a policy statement on social programs which will be presented to the Legislature during this session.

Of course, at that time there will be full debate and questioning with respect to the statements contained in that paper. It's true that the concept of caring and individual responsibility, respect for family and community, the aspects of universality as they apply to a great variety of programs, may be debated and ques tioned at that time. But certainly all members will have full op portunity to make their views known. MR. MARTIN: Mr. Speaker, it wasn't mentioned in the throne speech, but this minister went outside in a press scrum and said that they were moving away from universality.

Surely he has a responsibility now to indicate what he meant. I'm asking this minister one specific question. Which universal programs are on the chopping block? Will the minister tell us now? We want to know. MR. RUSSELL: Mr. Speaker, there are no programs on the chopping block. I stand behind anything that's contained in writing in our throne speech or which I say in the House. With respect to media reports which you may be referring to, I be lieve one member of your own caucus has already responded to that paper publicly several months ago. So I don't see what all the excitement's about. MR. MARTIN: Mr.

Speaker, what we are talking about is a statement about moving away from universality. Did the minis ter say the statement that we're moving away from universality of social programs or not? Are we or not? That's the question I want to ask the minister. MR. RUSSELL: Mr. Speaker, I can make it no clearer. The policy statement is referred to in the throne speech. The com mitment is there that it will be presented to the Legislature. At that time all members can make their views known. MR. MARTIN: A supplementary question, Mr. Speaker.

This is absolutely and totally irresponsible for this minister to make a statement and then not come back to the House and tell us which ones are on the block. I ask this minister: which seniors' programs are on the block? Tell us right now. MR. RUSSELL: Mr. Speaker, I really think the Leader of the Opposition is getting excited over nothing and should control his indignation until such time as he sees the paper in front of him. I was asked what principles would be discussed during the policy statement. Certainly the policy of universality as it ap plies to any program I imagine will be discussed.

Now, that's all that was said, and that shouldn't excite any hon. member here. MR. SPEAKER: The Chair draws attention that the lines of questioning [inaudible] really deal with statements made inside the House. The Member for Edmonton-Gold Bar. MRS. HEWES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. One thing to state the principle of independence and to write it in the paper and an other thing to find out how you apply it. In contrast to the puni tive approach now taken to social assistance recipients, is the government considering going back to means testing?

Is that what you're talking about in how you apply the principles of this paper? MR. RUSSELL: Well, Mr. Speaker, I can only repeat again: the commitment is there in the throne speech to present the pa per to the entire Assembly. Now, why don't the hon. members wait until they see what the paper says instead of dreaming up all kinds of conjectures? MR. R. SPEAKER: A supplementary question to the minister. I applaud the government's pursuit of self-reliance.

Could the minister indicate, in terms of the Canada Health Act, whether there's any suggestion in the remarks or in the paper that's go ing to be presented that basic programs that are accepted in other provinces of Canada as required under the Canada Health Act would be affected or reviewed in terms of the government of Alberta? MR. RUSSELL: Mr. Speaker, one of the basic five principles of the Canada Health Act is universality, and Alberta supports that. It always has. Lubicon Band Land Claim MR. MARTIN: Mr. Speaker, I'd like to direct the second ques tion to the Attorney General.

In recent days the government had at least made some symbolic gestures to removing a long standing injustice towards Alberta's Lubicon Indian Band. Could the minister indicate why he chose to antagonize the Lubicons by publishing an inflammatory and false

interpretation of this issue in a recent letter sent out to the papers? MR. HORSMAN: Mr. Speaker, it was important to get the facts before the public in Alberta as to what is actually taking place in this long-standing dispute, and that was done by the issuing of a fact sheet which sets out clearly the long history which has gone on. Of course, we are still going to pursue with the federal government, and we would much prefer to pursue it with the band as well, as the tripartite negotiation resolution of this settlement.

We have an offer outstanding at the present time on an interim without-prejudice basis, which would permit the fed eral government to proceed with the delivery to the Lubicons of a 25.4 square mile reservation for the band. That offer is out standing, and we are prepared to follow through with that if ac cepted by the band and the federal government.

March 18, 1988 ALBERTA HANSARD 9 MR. MARTIN: Mr. Speaker, we'd like an answer to the ques tion about the open letter. We know of the agreement that was made, apparently, between the Premier and Chief Ominayak, but in that letter the minister says they're claiming 25,000 square miles. It says in that letter, and I quote, "10 percent of Alberta," including the town of Peace River. This minister knows that is blatantly false, and my question is to him. Why did he distort the Lubicons' position in that paper at this particu lar time? MR. HORSMAN: Mr.

Speaker, there are two actions which have been commenced by the Lubicon Band -- actually there are more than two. One was commenced in 1980, and one was commenced in 1982. In the 1980 legal action commenced by the Lubicon Lake Band in the federal court, 25,000 square miles of Alberta land was claimed. In a subsequent action in 1982 launched in the Alberta Court of Queen's Bench, this same amount of land, 25,000 square miles, was also claimed. That does represent one-tenth of the province of Alberta, and that was claimed by way of an aboriginal title claim.

In 1987 that state ment of claim -- the second one -- was amended by the Lubicon Band to claim 7,000 square miles of Alberta territory under an aboriginal claim. The first claim remains outstanding and has never been amended, to our knowledge, in the federal court. Subsequent to that, I am informed that a new action has been commenced against the federal minister of Indian and native affairs relative to recent events, and that is a new legal action which has also been commenced in the federal court.

So there are quite a number of legal actions which have been commenced by the Lubicon Band, and it was that 25,000 square mile claim that was referred to in the letter and in the fact sheet. MR. MARTIN: Mr. Speaker, the minister is well aware that this is now not the position of the Lubicons. He said himself that they changed it in 1987. Why, after there was some good will established between the Premier and the chief, would he go out and take the worst possible scenario? Is that helpful to these negotiations? MR. HORSMAN: Mr.

Speaker, the fact sheet sets out clearly what has taken place, and if anybody is unaware of it, I suggest they read it very carefully. It is a complicated matter. I repeat: we have made an offer to the federal government on an interim basis, without prejudice to the rights of the Lubicon Band to continue the litigation if they wish to do so, and we would much prefer to negotiate it on a tripartite basis.

But as all hon. mem bers are aware, the Lubicon Band has stated their preference not to negotiate directly with the province of Alberta in this process, although it is noted that the Premier has undertaken an initiative with Chief Ominayak to have such a provincial band discussion, and that was a very useful breakthrough at the initiative of our Premier. In addition, I can advise the Assembly that additional con versations have taken place between the Premier and the chief and that as late as yesterday.

Of course, when the Premier returns, we'll be able to report more accurately than I can do on the basis of those conversations. So we are interested in settling this matter harmoniously and amicably, if at all possible, and that is the intention . . . [interjections] Well, if the hon. mem bers don't want to hear the rest of my answer, I regret that.

But the fact is that we do wish to settle this matter fairly so that the federal government can go forward with its constitu tional responsibilities to the Lubicon Band in providing that band with infrastructure -- roads, housing, schools, and health facilities -- which the federal minister has indicated they stand ready to do.

I should also make it clear that in our most recent offer it was clear that we would wish to accommodate the band's desire to establish a new community on the point of the south shore of Lubicon Lake, and that was included as part of our interim offer, which we hope very much the band will take up at this lime be cause it was made in good faith and with the intention of trying to settle this long-outstanding dispute. [interjections] MR. SPEAKER: Order please. MR. MARTIN: Mr. Speaker, the Attorney General says they want to get this dispute settled, and I want to come back to the Attorney General.

They said they want to settle it fairly. So does everybody want it settled fairly. But my question is then: why was this letter put out when they knew it would deliberately antagonize the Lubicons, and was the Premier aware of this let ter when it went out? MR. HORSMAN: Well, it's unfortunate that people have been so antagonized by a statement of the facts of the matter. [inter jections] Well, if the hon. member can point out anything in the fact sheet which accompanied the letter that is in error, I'd be pleased to hear that.

The fact of the matter is that there have been many people in Alberta seeking information on this matter because, unfor tunately, not all the facts have always been reported accurately. It was the intention of the government to have a letter to the edi tor published. Unfortunately, the editors of the major newspa pers to whom those letters were sent have chosen not to publish the letters. MR. SPEAKER: A supplementary, Calgary-Buffalo. MR. CHUMIR: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A supplementary to the minister.

Albertans can't understand why the government has been so unreasonable and confrontational in this matter and are suspicious of a hidden agenda. Is the government's hard line based on a concern with respect to other native claims in the province, and if so what concerns and what claims does the gov ernment have in mind? MR. HORSMAN: Well, Mr. Speaker, the government is not taking a hard line on this matter. MR. STRONG: You're right. There's no line MR. HORSMAN: The hon. Member for St. Albert has a very loud voice -- we all know that -- but not much behind it. In reply to the hon.

Member for Calgary-Buffalo I would point out that we have made a legitimate offer. Keeping in mind the fact that when anybody is involved in an extensive lawsuit or lawsuits and proliferating lawsuits, we have to defend the interests of Albertans, generally speaking. But we do wish to have this matter settled fairly and squarely, based upon the le gitimate number of Lubicon Indians who are entitled to their treaty obligations of Treaty 8.

As far as other native land claims, we are in fact negotiating with the federal government and with two other Indian bands, Sturgeon Lake and White Fish, in order to try and accommodate the shortfall claims they have advanced. Those are under nego

10 ALBERTA HANSARD March 18, 1988 tiation now, and we have appointed a negotiator. The federal government has appointed a negotiator in each case, as have the two bands in question. Obviously, Alberta has an obligation under the Natural Resources Transfer Act to carry out these con stitutional obligations. We will do that, as we did in the most successful and largest settlement -- which members would do well to recall -- the Fort Chipewyan Cree settlement, which was concluded just over two years ago and settled at the end of December in 1986.

So we've been prepared in that case, and that was one where we had the tripartite discussion. We think that's the way to proceed, as we are doing with the White Fish and Sturgeon Lake bands at the present time, rather than being blocked out of the discussions, because it is Alberta lands that have to be put forward to settle our obligations, which are con stitutional and which we recognize. MR. SPEAKER: I beg the indulgence of the House. We might vary from procedure on this one occasion to have the Minister of Federal and Intergovernmental Affairs revert to the Introduc tion of Visitors. Is there agreement?

HON. MEMBERS: Agreed. head: INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS (reversion) MR. HORSMAN: Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to bring to your attention today the presence in your gallery of His Excellency Dr. Sergio Lacayo, Nicaragua's ambassador to Canada, who is in Alberta for a short visit. Alberta's relations with Nicaragua are centered on trade in agricultural products. The province of Alberta also provides aid to several nongovernmental and church groups working in Nicaragua through the Alberta Agency for International Development.

This is the ambassa dor's first visit to Alberta, and I would ask the members of the Legislature to join me in welcoming Dr. Lacayo to Alberta. head: ORAL QUESTION PERIOD (continued) Daishowa Pulp Mill MR. TAYLOR: Mr. Speaker, my first question today is to the Minister of the Environment. I know that this year, early in February as a matter of fact, I think the province was both stunned and pleased to hear about the announcement of the Daishowa paper plant in the Peace River country.

We were pleased because we were making a big stride forward -- and the government's to be congratulated on developing a renewable resource -- but also stunned by the fact that so little of their nec essary procedures had been gone through in seeing whether or not the people of the area, particularly some of the Indian tribes, had been consulted. With respect to the Minister of the Environment, his reading on a review that was put in the environment study on December 14, yet the announcement on February 1.

Could the minister tell us why the federal government was not asked to put in an im pact study in that period of time also? MR. KOWALSKI: Mr. Speaker, jurisdiction for environment matters within the province of Alberta rests with the province of Alberta, not with the federal government. MR. TAYLOR: Mr. Speaker, I would remind him that the fed eral government is putting quite a little money into this area and that over 25 percent of the land that's involved falls under the charge of the federal government and our Indian band. Mr.

Speaker, the supplementary question is: in the review that this Minister of the Environment is supposed to follow -- and his history has shown that he very seldom reads his own rules -- it says that deficiency reviews by government agencies and other government departments were supposed to be done. How in the world did he get anything back between December 14 and the first week of February from the other departments? MR. KOWALSKI: Mr. Speaker, ongoing consultation occurred with the proponent in this case, Daishowa, and with various de partments of the government.

They were very much involved in internal discussions with Alberta Environment with respect to the environmental requirements we have in our province with respect to their licences. There was opportunity in the Peace River country for public meetings to be held through 1987. We're pretty satisfied that basically everything was followed that was required to be followed. We are also satisfied that the environmental protection standards that will be followed by Daishowa will meet everything we expect in our province. MR. TAYLOR: Mr. Speaker, this minister is unbelievable.

"Unbelievable" -- I think it's okay in Beauchesne. How can this minister go about saying there were public hearings when by his own record, filed on December 14, not one hearing was taken east of the Peace River where over 25 percent of the timber will be culled and where the Lubicon Indians live? How can you say that has been covered? MR. KOWALSKI: Mr. Speaker, the Daishowa plant site is less than a couple dozen miles away from the town of Peace River. Surely if we're going to have meetings, the meetings are going to be held in the area.

The meetings could just as easily be held in the town of Peace River as 22 miles away or 17 miles either to the north or the south. It seems to me we would use build ings, halls that are available and opportunities for people to gather on an appropriate occasion to have the meetings there. The meetings were held. The leader of the Liberal Party, if he still is the leader of the Liberal Party, surely knows that. MR. TAYLOR: Mr. Speaker, the minister obviously needs a lesson in geography. Take his shoes off and take him out of Barrhead and he can't find his way around the province. MR. SPEAKER: Order please.

With respect to the two inter changes, they are both out of order. Perhaps we could have the supplementary question. MR. TAYLOR: A supplementary, Mr. Speaker, this time to the Minister of Career Development and Employment. Since his should be one of the departments that has made input into the question of the Peace River plant between December 14 and February 1 -- after all, there are 600 permanent jobs supposed to be created, and the minister of career development, I'm sure, would be most interested in how this is going to go about.

Was the minister of career development consulted sometime between his vacation, between December 15 and February 1, as to what he thought of the Simons environmental report submitted on behalf of the Daishowa pulp mill?

March 18, 1988 ALBERTA HANSARD 11 MR. ORMAN: Yes, Mr. Speaker. MR. MARTIN: Mr. Speaker, a supplementary question to the Minister of Forestry, Lands and Wildlife. Premier Getty has claimed that the Daishowa corporation had not expressed con cerns about the Lubicon's land claim. Now, apparently this is n't true. The forestry minister was apparently told in early March. My question is: why did the government mislead the public by saying there was no concern expressed by this corporation? MR. FJORDBOTTEN: Mr.

Speaker, I find it astounding to get a question like that, because if you are a company like Daishowa, which is a great corporate citizen -- it makes the larg est investment outside of Japan in the forestry industry, some $500 million. It makes an announcement; they of course watch the media reports to see how it's received. They've received concerns raised in the paper about the Lubicon issue and made a call to my department saying: "Is this under control? Is every thing okay?" I mean, it's a small area of concern. [interjec tions] With all respect, Mr.

Speaker, it was raised with them, and there was no alarmist approach in their concern being raised. I think the whole issue itself is being overplayed. MR. OLDRING: A supplementary, Mr. Speaker. Given that there seems to have been some concern expressed as it relates to jobs in this province, could the minister of forestry, lands please advise this Assembly what the Daishowa plant and other initia tives of this government in forestry mean as it relates to jobs in Alberta? MR. FJORDBOTTEN: Mr. Speaker, the basic reason for hav ing plants like this in the province is, number one, to create jobs.

Number two, it's utilizing a resource that isn't presently being utilized in other ways; for example, there are very limited uses for woods such as aspen. So we are happy to attract them here. What makes it so exciting: with these plants that have been an nounced, there's nearly 6,000 permanent, long-term jobs that will contribute to the economy of this province in a renewable resource, which is forestry. [interjections] MR. SPEAKER: Order please in the House, in all quarters of the House. Could the minister continue with the rest of his . . . Thank you. MR. FJORDBOTTEN: Looking at 6,000 jobs, Mr.

Speaker, that are long-term jobs in an industry that's renewable, such as the forest industry, is one that we all should be excited about. MR. SPEAKER: The Member for Clover Bar, a final supple mentary on this issue. DR. BUCK: Mr. Speaker, a supplementary to the minister. In the areas where the plants are going to be using the aspen or white poplar, are those areas going to be reforested with the same type of a tree or are they going to let them naturally regenerate? I would just like to know what they are doing for reforestation. MR. FJORDBOTTEN: Mr.

Speaker, that is one area we're very excited about, because in Alberta we are known across Canada as having the most progressive reforestation management prac tices possible. In the development of the forest management agreement we will now be negotiating with the companies that have announced their plants, we have a very tough regulatory process that they must go through. It takes into account the reforestation, what kind of trees go back in those particular areas, the habitat, the wildlife.

All of those are taken into con sideration to make sure that the watershed and everything is pro tected in the reforestation practices. In some areas, Mr. Speaker, to answer the question directly, there will be other types of forestry planted in that area. In some cases it will be natural regeneration. Assistance for Beginning Farmers MR. R. SPEAKER: Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Associ ate Minister of Agriculture.

In yesterday's throne speech the statement under agriculture which was of concern to me says, "My government has reaffirmed its commitment to beginning farmers." As I have traveled my constituency in Alberta in the last two months, I note a decrease in the number of beginning farmers who are able to stay on the farms.

My question to the minister is, and it's relative to the Options and Opportunities report that was made available to government over a year ago: could the minister indicate what specific recommendations of this report are in place to assist those beginning farmers whom we assisted through the Agricultural Development Corporation programs after 1972? MRS. CRIPPS: Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the question from the member because during the time since the last session I have had the opportunity, also, to meet with many farmers, either in dividually or with groups throughout the province.

I've also had the opportunity to announce the decisions made by the govern ment in terms of the ADC and its continued role in agriculture. The major decision that I think was made is that ADC shall con tinue to be involved in the beginning farmer program and in that way enhance the opportunities of young people to get into agriculture. We've also made the decision that borrowers should have the opportunity of accessing that program either through ADC or through co-operating lending institutions and are working on that aspect of the program.

We've made a decision that ADC should continue to provide direct lending service to farmers, and the Alberta government has given a commitment to develop ment of a strong agrifood industry which allows for farmers to have new opportunities to market their crops. Certainly the big problem in agriculture today is, in some cases, the prices of commodities, and anything we can do to im prove the agricultural marketing opportunities of the farmers all over the province will benefit agriculture. MR. SPEAKER: As brief as possible, Minister. A supplementary question. MR. R. SPEAKER: Mr.

Speaker, supplementary to the minis ter. The policies enunciated are theory at the moment in terms of bringing new farmers in to become beginning farmers, be cause agriculture, the grain industry specifically, cannot support them. What I'm talking about to the minister: what specific policies enunciated in here, if any, have been put in place to save the current beginning farmers on the farm, to keep them on the farm and in place, and to stop the flow we've got at the pre sent time from rural Alberta into urban Alberta where there

12 ALBERTA HANSARD March 18, 1988 aren't any jobs? MRS. CRIPPS: Mr. Speaker, the hon. member seems to indi cate that a specific policy in the Options and Opportunities re port is going to save the agricultural options of some of those farmers. Each and every one of these policy options is going to work in different ways for different farmers. The Speaker inter rupted me in terms of the specifics, but I can tell you -- I'll just add that more emphasis will be placed on training and manage ment assistance and the beginning farmer, as recommended by the Options and Opportunities report.

ADC will continue to work with the farmers, and we've introduced a number of op tions for farmers to resolve with ADC their fiscal problems. MR. R. SPEAKER: Mr. Speaker, a supplementary question. Could the minister indicate the specific policy from this report that has been implemented that can assist the beginning farmer to stay on the farm? In terms of the answers, to this point in time the minister has not clearly enunciated a specific policy.

If the minister can't, could the minister admit to this Assembly that this report does not have any policy directions to address the question of the beginning farmers we're losing on the farms of Alberta? MRS. CRIPPS: Well, Mr. Speaker, one of the concerns we've got in terms of the beginning farmer -- and all farmers, for that matter -- is that it depends on the kind of operation they're in.

The cattle operations were the operations in the past few years that have been in difficulty, and the fact of the matter is that we're finding that many of these people are now making prepay ments in anticipation of what they think might happen in the cattle industry. Last year there were certainly more payments made than projected. But to be specific in terms of what we're doing to help the beginning farmer, we've allowed for postponement of pay ments. We've allowed for refinancing of loans. We've got pro vision for loan guarantees.

We've allowed for a proportional quitclaim in order to allow the beginning farmer to stay on the farm but to lower their debt so that the payments are of a manageable magnitude. We've allowed for the assumption of mortgages so that if, in fact, some of the farms which are family farm operations -- so that if the mortgage can be assumed by someone else, that can be done. We've made a number of changes which are allowing more flexibility in terms of ADC loans officers working with the individual clients all over Alberta. MR. R. SPEAKER: Mr. Speaker, a final supplementary.

The basic assumption behind this report is that the implementation of equity financing programs, which are outlined on page 104, is the basis to save the farmers and enhance the agricultural indus try of Alberta, secure the family farm. Could the minister indi cate whether the government is pursuing that policy and whether there has been any kind of request from those who have the ca pability of providing equity financing to farming at the present time? Is the government pursuing that policy, and is it going to go into effect, and what results does the minister see? MRS. CRIPPS: Yes, Mr.

Speaker, we are pursuing the options of equity financing and other financial opportunities for begin ning farmers and all agriculture, and I hope to have some specifics on those options this spring. MR. BOGLE: Mr. Speaker, could the associate minister indi cate what steps she's taken in terms of meetings with beginning farmers across the province to ascertain their ideas on the solu tions and what might be done in terms of opportunities and options? MRS. CRIPPS: Mr.

Speaker, as I indicated at the beginning of the Member for Little Bow's question, I have met individually with farmers in the province and I've met with groups of farm ers throughout the province. I've traveled widely during the summer and this fall and have had an opportunity to meet with and talk to various groups and farmers. MR. TAYLOR: Mr. Speaker, a supplementary, but I may direct it to the Provincial Treasurer.

In view of the Quantz report's recommendation of vendor financing and other schemes -- they all involve a certain amount of tax deductions for people putting money into that form of financing young farmers -- could the Provincial Treasurer let the House know whether he is working on a plan or a project that will accommodate the tax ramifica tions of vendor financing for farmers? MR. JOHNSTON: Mr.

Speaker, although I would not want to give a comprehensive answer with respect to the tax implica tions suggested by the member, I can't on the quick notice think of any changes in the tax legislation which would be necessary to accommodate that very fact. What you would have is some body selling an asset, which obviously is covered in the capital gains legislation already, with respect to farm dispositions. Secondly, you would have somebody receiving interest on a loan outstanding, which is covered by the tax law as well. So I can't see that there's any need to consider that aspect.

Unless the member has some unique way of either changing the way in which the income is reported or something else in mind, I have no plan to change the tax legislation that's enacted. MR. FOX: Mr. Speaker, the growing number of young farm families forced by this government to abandon their futures in agriculture aren't asking for more reviews and more hearings and more reports; they want action.

I wonder when this minister will grab the bull by the horns, introduce some meaningful changes on debt set-aside, debt adjustments, debt write-down -- options that have been suggested in this Assembly and by a number of farm groups on many occasions -- and commit her self to a date. MRS. CRIPPS: Mr. Speaker, I don't think this government forced the farmers to take the loans in the first place, so we're not forcing them to make the decision about their financial obli gations in the first place. You have to realize that the beginning farmers who have had loans through ADC' have had up-front benefits.

In fact, a farmer who borrowed and had their interest incentive beginning farmer program reach a conclusion by 1986 had an up-front benefit of $60,000. If they are just now reaching the end of the beginning farmer program, they've had an up-front benefit of $54,000. That's a substantial benefit at the beginning of a loan, where a beginning farmer, certainly we recognize, has more difficulty in meeting his obligations. That's why the benefit was up front. In terms of debt set-aside, we're looking at, as I said, oppor tunities and alternatives.

We have in fact allowed them to put some of the problems they've got to the back of the loan at this point in time.

March 18, 1988 ALBERTA HANSARD 13 We're not looking at debt write-downs. That was a state ment that was outlined in the news release I made on the Op tions and Opportunities report. We have to be fair to all farmers in Alberta. MR. SPEAKER: The Member for Stettler, followed by the members for Edmonton-Strathcona, Edmonton-Meadowlark, Red Deer-South, Edmonton-Centre, Athabasca-Lac La Biche. Ethanol Fuels Industry MR. DOWNEY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Agriculture with regard to the problems being faced, I guess, by our grain farmers all over the province and all over the west.

Recognizing the interest among grain producers to possibly use that surplus in the production of grain ethanol, I'm wondering what efforts the minister is making to investigate the opportunities there. MR. ELZINGA: Mr. Speaker, I'm happy to report to the hon. member that we had asked Ken Beswick to conduct an initial study as it related to the economic viability of ethanol produc tion within the province.

We received that study, but there were a number of questions that were unanswered, so we've asked Touche Ross to report back to myself by the end of March, recognizing the urgency of the situation, so that we can do a thorough economic analysis so that in the event that we do in volve ourselves in any incentives, they do flow through to the farming population. There is a real concern as it relates to the economic benefits, and I want to do this on a very sound basis. That is why we asked for Touche Ross to further investigate the study that had as many questions as it did answers. MR.

DOWNEY: A supplementary, Mr. Speaker. Given the fact that our neighbouring provinces to the east and to the west have offered tax relief for fuels containing ethanol and in the absence of a national policy at present to create a level playing field, will the minister assure this Assembly that he will take the necessary steps to ensure that Alberta's position is competitive in attracting potential development? MR. ELZINGA: Mr. Speaker, I'm happy to report to the hon. member that we will leave no opportunity unexamined.

We are looking to the federal government as to what initiatives they might pursue, as there was a statement at the former Ag. Out look Conference as it related to ethanol. In addition to that, as the hon. member is aware, we do have a direct incentive for ethanol production whereby they are exempt from the tax that is presently on gasoline within the province of Alberta. MR. SPEAKER: Supplementary, Vegreville, followed by Westlock-Sturgeon. MR. FOX: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We dealt with this in the fall.

Surely the minister recognizes that our incentive program is one-tenth the value of the incentive program in place in Sas katchewan. I'm wondering: is the minister willing to make a commitment to bring our program in line with our neighbouring province so that if an industry is to develop in western Canada, it's got as much of a chance of developing in Alberta as in Saskatchewan? MR. ELZINGA: Mr.

Speaker, what I'm more than happy to do is take the hon. member's advice that was advocated by the leader of his party, whereby we should work closely with the federal government in developing national policies for the bene fit of agriculture, and that's what we're going to do. MR. TAYLOR: Mr. Speaker, a supplementary on this question. It's to the Minister of the Environment I'm sure the minister is aware that the big demand for alcohol-related fuels is to cut down on the amount of carbon monoxide in the air.

Is the min ister contemplating changes in the air pollution regulations in this province so that gasoline containing alcohol will have to be purchased? [interjections] MR. KOWALSKI: Is it okay now, Mr. Speaker, to proceed? Mr. Speaker, two years ago I had the pleasure of serving as the Canadian president of the Canadian Council of Resource and Environment Ministers. All members will recall that at that time, in 1986, certain initiatives were taken on the Canadian level with respect to the reduction of lead in fuels.

Those changes are now in place and will be implemented over the next several years so that, in fact, pollution as a result of vehicle emissions will be greatly reduced in our province and our country. We believe very strongly that such a standard must apply to all of Canada, not simply to the province of Alberta, and we led in that regard. I think it's also very important as well, Mr.

Speaker, that we amplify what the Minister of Agriculture has already indicated: that one year ago, when the Provincial Treasurer brought down the new budget, in fact, there were very significant advantages for the use of propane, methanol, ethanol, and natural gas in terms of vehicle usage in our province. It's a very significant incentive of 5 cents per litre. Principal Group Inquiry MR. WRIGHT: My question, Mr. Speaker, is to the Provincial Treasurer and concerns the Code investigation.

The government has repeatedly refused to grant legitimate requests for a full and fair public inquiry into the activities of the Principal Group and the government's role therein. Instead, the government caused the Code investigation to be established under the Business Cor porations Act Has the Provincial Treasurer decided to review this decision in the light of the legal challenge mounted by Mr. Cormie? MR. JOHNSTON: Mr.

Speaker, I think the decision as to the form of review of the Principal affair is in fact before the court right now, and it's my understanding that a decision with respect to the application made by the Cormie family will be concluded this morning sometime. So I think that before I start making any recommendations as to changes, we should hear what the court has to say. I know that the Member for Edmonton- Strathcona, who is a member of the Bar, would certainly respect that position. MR. SPEAKER: Just a slight direction from the Chair, hon. members.

Standing Orders, 23(g), sub judice convention again: I think from the reporting that clearly the onus of responsibility is on the asker of the question, as also the minister attempting to respond, along the whole line of whether the issue is before the courts. It is clearly before the courts and awaiting decision. MR. WRIGHT: Yes, Mr. Speaker. I am very cognizant of that,

14 ALBERTA HANSARD March 18, 1988 and I am carefully asking my question so I do not presume any thing about the court decision. Whichever way it goes, it's full of the possibility of delay. In view of that, what in . . . MR. SPEAKER: Order. I hesitate to apologize again, but the beeper has gone for the end of question period, so I will attempt to give the hon. member more time to deal in a careful way. Do we have unanimous consent of the House to complete this series of questions? HON. MEMBERS: Agreed. MR. SPEAKER: Opposed? Carried. Hon. member. MR.

WRIGHT: In the light of that great possibility for delay whichever way the decision goes, what inquiries has the Treas urer made as to the options available in the light of this challenge? MR. JOHNSTON: First of all, Mr. Speaker, with respect to the potential for any delay, what has happened is that the applica tion was argued before Mr. Justice Berger on Monday, March 14. However, that has not at all delayed the process itself. Mr. Code is continuing with his inquiry. As of today the testimony is being taken.

I can't see anything which would suggest that there would be a delay, so on that point alone I think that is a question of judgment as to whether or not there would be a delay. My judgment is that there will not be a delay under any circumstance. But it should be known that in any event, pending the deci sion of Mr. Berger this morning, we have obviously thought through several contingency plans which we would implement. We will wait, however, to see what Mr. Berger's conclusion is before we would even outline those.

But I can assure all mem bers, including the Member for Edmonton-Strathcona, that we have given considerable thought to that possibility. MR. WRIGHT: Well, thanks for sharing it with us. Counsel for the Principal investors, Mr. Robert White, has stated publicly that the Code investigation was developed as a result of negotiations between the government and those acting on behalf of Mr. Cormie. My question, Mr. Speaker, is: will the Treasurer answer whether it continues to be government pol icy to deal in the back room with those representing the rich and the powerful? MR. JOHNSTON: Well, first of all, Mr.

Speaker, there is no substance to support the implications left in the member's ques tioning. I know he may think he's a Perry Mason in some places, but here he has to answer when he makes these kinds of misleading statements with respect to backroom agreements. What should be on the record here -- that is, with respect to the application made before Mr. Berger -- is that, in fact, the province together with the investors' counsel and the investors took the same position in arguing against the move by the Cormie family. So clearly, Mr.

Speaker, with respect to me le gal arguments it is a matter of record that the government along with the investors and the investors' counsel took exactly the same position with respect to the Code inquiry and maintained specifically in our arguments that the Code inquiry should continue. Mr. Speaker, the argument before the court is -- and I'm not going to interpret the law; my colleague the Attorney General gets nervous when I do these things -- that, in fact, the rights of the individual under the Charter may well be infringed.

What remains is that under both options, the Code inquiry option or public inquiry option, we must come back to this Legislature to seek the legal right to pass that. In both cases, this Legislature has given us the right to do either a public inquiry or to pursue it under the Business Corporations Act. The constitutional strength for that comes from this Legislature, and that's why we think, in terms of legal arguments, that we want to see the out come of Mr. Berger before we come to any conclusion as to how we will possibly react to his decision. MR. SPEAKER: Final supplementary. MR. WRIGHT: Yes, Mr. Speaker.

Perhaps the hon. member did not hear my question. It concerns not the course of the in quiry but the genesis of it in the back room. Since it has become clear that the government lacked the political will to get tough with Mr. Cormie before it was too late, how does the govern ment justify the subordination of the protection of the public to political advantage? MR. JOHNSTON: Mr. Speaker, it seems to me that if there's any suggestion the province assisted the Cormie family, the re cord does show that in fact we canceled the contracts on June 30, 1987. To me that is not at all collusion with the Cormie family.

MR. R. SPEAKER: Mr. Speaker, a supplementary question to the Provincial Treasurer. The government of Alberta is paying the accounting and legal fees of the Code inquiry. Could the minister indicate whether the fees and the charges of the Cormie family are included in those payments? MR. JOHNSTON: Mr. Speaker, similar to the precedents set with all inquiries, whether under the Business Corporations Act or under the Public Inquiries Act, there is clear precedent in Al berta that the costs of the legal fees are totally borne by the province.

With respect to the Cormie question, if there is any finding of wrongdoing, then the costs will not be shared. MR. SPEAKER: Member for Edmonton-Meadowlark. MR. MITCHELL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A supplementary to the Treasurer. It's clear that no matter how the Code inquiry is structured, it will not be able to review the demise of every single major financial firm in this province over the last seven years, and without looking at those failures, we will not be able to learn of the common themes, the common reasons . . . [inter jections] Sensitive point. MR. SPEAKER: Order please.

The hon. member is violating the graciousness of the House about allowing this whole ques tion to carry on. This is a supplementary question, please. MR. MITCHELL: We will not be able to learn from the com mon themes of that failure to find out how to build a financial industry for the future. What steps is the Treasurer taking at this time to review the failure of the financial industry more broadly and to develop policies and initiatives that will allow a financial industry to be created and developed in the future in this province?

March 18, 1988 ALBERTA HANSARD 15 MR. JOHNSTON: God save me from the temptation, Mr. Speaker. MR. SPEAKER: Consider yourself saved, hon. member. It's been a long time since I had a chance to save anyone from temptation, including myself. Perhaps we could now have Orders of the Day called and revert to some other business of the House. ORDERS OF THE DAY MR. SPEAKER: Might we have unanimous consent of the House to revert to the Introduction of Special Guests? HON. MEMBERS: Agreed. head: INTRODUCTION OF SPECIAL GUESTS (reversion) MR. WRIGHT: I'm obliged, Mr. Speaker. It's my pleasure to introduce Mr.

Mo Sihota, the Member for Esquimalt-Port Renfrew in the British Columbia government, seated in your gallery -- that's to say, the Member for Esquimalt-Port Renfrew in the British Columbia Legislature and the justice critic, there fore my counterpart in that caucus. Perhaps Mr. Sihota will stand and receive the welcome of the Assembly. MR. M. MOORE: Mr. Speaker, it's my pleasure this morning to introduce 23 grade 9 students from the constituency of Smoky River, from the Girouxville school They're here touring our Legislature.

It's a pleasure to have them on the first full day of the legislative session after the opening yesterday. They're seated in the members' gallery, accompanied by teachers Robert Owens and Lorraine St Andre. I'd ask them to rise and receive the recognition of the Assembly. MR. TRYNCHY: Mr. Speaker, it's my pleasure this morning to introduce to you some 28 grade 6 students from the Entwistle elementary school in my constituency. They're seated, I believe, in the members' gallery. I can't see them. I hope they are. They're accompanied by their teacher Doug Tomilson, par- ents Mrs. Kowalenko and Mrs.

Rose, and their bus driver Mr. Tufty. I'd ask them to rise and receive the welcome of the Assembly. head: MOTIONS OTHER THAN GOVERNMENT MOTIONS MR. YOUNG: Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning to ask unani mous consent of the House -- and I may say that I believe it is the first of three unanimous consents that have been agreed upon between House leaders this morning -- that, notwithstanding rule 8 of Standing Orders, the Hon. Member for Redwater- Andrew may receive consent to move Motion 246. HON. MEMBERS: Agreed. MR. SPEAKER: Are there any opposed? Unanimous consent has been received.

The Member for Redwater-Andrew. 246. Moved by Mr. Zarusky:

Be it resolved that the Legislative Assembly of Alberta ex tend congratulations to Albertans of Ukrainian descent who, along with the Ukrainian community throughout the world, are celebrating in 1988 the millennium of Christianity in the Ukraine. MR. ZARUSKY: Thank you. Mr. Speaker, 1988 is a very im portant year for the thousands of Albertans of Ukrainian de scent This year marks the millenium of Christianity in the Ukraine; that is, 1,000 years of Christianity. This event will be commemorated through special church services, community events, and festivities throughout our province. Mr.

Speaker, Ukrainians helped to build Alberta, and their arrival at the turn of the century enriched this province both cul turally and spiritually. Albertans of all faiths and all members of the Assembly share in the excitement of this historic celebra tion and reconfirmation of faith. MR. EWASIUK: Mr. Speaker, I wish to rise in support of this resolution. The anniversary the Member for Redwater-Andrew refers to is to commemorate a significant event in Ukrainian his tory and of course is being celebrated throughout the world. It marks 1,000 years of Christianity in the Ukraine.

Christianity has flourished in the Ukraine for all these years in spite of the obstructions they have had to contend with. Also, this year marks the 70th anniversary of the declaration of independence of the Ukraine and also is worthy of mention. Mr. Speaker, the Ukrainian community has made a signifi cant contribution to the development of Alberta and Canada generally, and I think with this celebration we're bringing to the attention of all Canadians and Albertans the significance of our contributions. I particularly refer to those who helped to de velop this country in the rural areas.

The people from the Ukraine were primarily farmers and, in my opinion, have devel oped the farming communities of this country and this province particularly. I therefore invite all Albertans to join, as the Mem ber for Redwater-Andrew has stated, with all Ukrainians to celebrate this significant event this year. MR. TAYLOR: Mr. Speaker, it's also a pleasure for me to add the voice of our party in congratulations and offer the thanks of Albertans in general for being the home of so many of the Uk rainian settlers who have picked Alberta as their place to settle.

As one travels Alberta and looks at the place-names you enter, it is very obvious that many people immigrated earlier and had given up. The second wave, the Ukrainian immigration and their knowledge of farming -- their stick-to-itiveness, their stub bornness, their ability to work with the land and really make that land flower -- is something we all pay tribute to.

I think there's hardly a family in Alberta, now that the Ukrainians have been here for maybe three generations or more, that does not have Ukrainian relatives and blood in their veins; consequently, it's almost impossible to measure the contribution they have. But their rugged resourcefulness, their willingness to stick it out when many others would have left, is one of the contributions I think we can all be very proud of. DR. BUCK: Mr. Speaker, I'd like to support the resolution on behalf of myself and my colleague the Member for Little Bow.

Also, being about the only Ukrainian I know of who has had his name lengthened and not shortened, I would like to compliment the government on the Ukrainian Heritage Village in Elk Island park, not only because it's in my constituency. I served on the committee with the hon. member Mary LeMessurier in trying to

16 ALBERTA HANSARD March 18, 1988 establish that I would like to encourage the government to make sure that it becomes a living museum -- which is the direc tion they're moving in, and I think that is the right direction -- so you can go out to the heritage village and not only see the artifacts but enjoy the ethnic food and see some of the old cos tumes and so on. So I would like to encourage the government to keep that up. But as a Canadian, when we discussed what Canadians were, I said when the Constitution was passed that I am a Canadian of Ukrainian descent; I'm not any more a Ukrainian Canadian.

Because I think it's just about time in this country that we started calling ourselves Canadians. When we put things down as to racial origin, because we've been here for many genera tions now, I am a Canadian of Ukrainian descent. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. MR. SPEAKER: All those in favour of the motion as moved by the Member for Redwater-Andrew, please say aye. HON. MEMBERS: Aye. MR. SPEAKER: Opposed, please say no. The motion is carried, and let the record show unanimously. head: GOVERNMENT MOTIONS MR. YOUNG: Mr.

Speaker, I rise again to request unanimous consent to propose a motion dealing with the anniversary of this Legislature and one which has been just distributed to all members. MR. SPEAKER: Would the pages please distribute the motion. It's now been distributed, thank you. Would the minister like to speak to the motion? MR. YOUNG: Mr. Speaker, I'd like to read the motion, if I may:

Be it resolved that the Legislative Assembly recognize March 19, 1988, to be the 82nd anniversary of the First Legislature of the province of Alberta and express at this time to those mem- bers of past Legislatures not now sitting as members, or their families where the past member is deceased, the appreciation and gratitude of the citizens of Alberta for their contribution to the growth and prosperity of our province; and, Be it further resolved that on Thursday, April 28, 1988, not withstanding Standing Order 8(2), following the Daily Routine the Assembly shall stand adjourned until 8 p.m., Thursday, April 28, 1988, to allow members to participate in ceremonies recognizing the 82nd anniversary of the First Legislature of the province of Alberta to be held in McKay Avenue school, in the city of Edmonton, the original site of the First Legislature of the province of Alberta.

MR. SPEAKER: Do we have unanimous consent under Stand ing Order 40 for this matter to be discussed? HON. MEMBERS: Agreed. MR. SPEAKER: Opposed? Hon. minister, continue with re marks please. MR. YOUNG: Mr. Speaker, very briefly, I would just say that this will be a most auspicious occasion and observation, which McKay Avenue school has been readied for. I would encourage hon. members to support thus opportunity to participate in what I believe will be a piece of history and also pageantry. Mr.

Speaker, I would just draw to hon. members' attention that they have been provided today with a pin by the McKay Avenue school and the Edmonton public school board, and would encourage all members to support this initiative. MR. TAYLOR: Mr. Speaker, I rise, and in supporting the mo tion I want to congratulate the present government for bringing this forth. I'm particularly pleased because although our history is short, we are recognizing our beginnings and have spent money and time on, you might say, remodeling the McKay Ave nue school.

But particularly I'm very pleased to recognize a time when the first government of this province was a Liberal government. I understand we may well be re-enacting some of those early times, and I look forward -- unless the rumour could possibly be wrong, Mr. Speaker -- to acquiring the Premier's chair on April 28 to represent the government of the day for that one day. MR. MARTIN: I certainly will support the motion, and I will try to make it serious rather than the frivolity we've had over here. I think we all unanimously support the motion. MR. R. SPEAKER: Mr.

Speaker, as leader of the Repre sentative Party, I would like to add my support to the resolution before the House. There were some political remarks I was go ing to make about the heritage of the Liberal Party, but that's best left for outside conversation. Certainly Alberta is coming into the times in terms of his tory, and I note in my own responsibility in this Legislature for the past 25 years that we often address current problems or cur rent situations and neglect that great heritage we have in this province.

One that was brought to my attention during my re cent presession meetings was the heritage of the Blackfoot In dian Reserve of this province, where we have medicine wheels and caves and early inhabitation that has gone unrecognized. We have done it because we are such a young province and such a young land, and by neglect we often walk over those early pieces of history that we as a generation must take the respon sibility to retain.

I think doing this with McKay school is just a good move and an indication of greater attention we should pay to other attributes we have historically in this province of Alberta. MR.

SPEAKER: There's a call for the question, but before I put the question, I would like to make my own personal com ments of commendation to all those who have been involved in the McKay Avenue restoration project Having visited the site on a number of occasions, I am really quite impressed by the detail that has been gone into, and I'm certain all members when they do visit the site will find that indeed it is a very remarkable and a very moving achievement. On the appropriate date, if the motion does indeed carry, most of us will revert to that site to be able to enact that very important piece of our history.

MR. SPEAKER: All those in favour of the motion, please say aye. HON. MEMBERS: Aye. MR. SPEAKER: Opposed, please say no. The motion is carried, let the record show, unanimously.

March 18, 1988 ALBERTA HANSARD 17 head: MOTIONS OTHER THAN GOVERNMENT MOTIONS (continued) MR. SPEAKER: Member for Westlock-Sturgeon, a request under Standing Order 40. MR. TAYLOR: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Under Standing Or der 40 I would seek unanimous consent of the Assembly to pre sent a notice of motion without notice having been given due to the urgent and pressing necessity of the motion I shall now dis tribute. The motion is a very short one. I'll read it:

Be it resolved that the Legislative Assembly express to the city of Calgary and the Olympic Organizing Committee its thanks and congratulations on behalf of the people of Alberta for their most successful organizing and hosting of the XV Olympic Winter Games. Be it further resolved that the Legislative Assembly extend thanks to the thousands of volunteers whose participation en sured that the games were a success. Mr. Speaker, in speaking to it for just a short moment . . . MR. SPEAKER: Hon. member, just half a moment. Hon. members have heard the motion. Is the House willing to give unanimous consent? HON.

MEMBERS: Agreed. MR. SPEAKER: Opposed? Please proceed. MR. TAYLOR: Just speaking to the resolution, Mr. Speaker, I think it goes without saying that most of us were glued, as we would have been in a Stanley Cup or Grey Cup final, to the TV or were out on the hill or out watching the events. Certainly the city of Calgary and its organizing committee that spent many years -- actually thousands, and maybe even millions, when you get to total the hours -- is worthy of this type of support. But I would be remiss on sitting down, as one that often heaves a ver bal hand grenade across the aisle, Mr.

Speaker, not to give some tribute also to the government and the minister of recreation, who was always evident, always cheerful. I'm sure he had many questions and complaints to answer, and in general the government gave very good backup to the city of Calgary. Nevertheless, it is the city of Calgary, with many hours of time in organizing, that I'm congratulating with the motion. MR. PASHAK: Mr. Speaker, I too would like to add my voice in support of this motion. I was in Calgary during the Olym pics, and I personally derived a great deal of pleasure and satis faction from attending many of the events.

Of course, it goes almost without saying that the Olympics was successful, and it couldn't have been successful without the 9,000 and more Cal garians that contributed generously of their time and volunteered to make the Olympics the great success it was. MR. R. SPEAKER: Mr. Speaker, I would like as well to sup port the resolution and offer my congratulations to the city of Calgary, the province, the ministers and their staff that so ably helped many a visitor.

I know that my constituents were as sisted a number of times, and I want to extend my appreciation to the minister of economic development and the minister of recreation as well for their help and openness during that period of time. I'm sure there were many long hours of struggle and help and patience that they provided to the Olympics. I would say that I thought one of the notes of recognition came through a television program I saw from sort of way down in the southern part of the United States. I was not visiting, but it happened to come as a clip on another program.

They said on that program that they recognize Calgary for a certain item. I thought, you know, that Calgary is now an international word. I think that's what the Olympics really did for Calgary and the province of Alberta: put us into that international field of com merce and recreation and notoriety. The event was well run. Congratulations. I indicated in an earlier session that I'd be concerned if there was a deficit. There is not; there is money to fund the various heritage facilities that are left.

And I congratulate the government, the governing body of the Olympics, and certainly the city of Calgary and the fed eral government for being able to capably run an operation on a financially sound basis. MR. ALGER: Mr. Speaker, I'd be remiss if I didn't speak to this resolution for the very fact that I wanted to congratulate the town of Okotoks for the magnificent work they did in hosting several groups and families from Germany as well as the famous Russian skaters.

They skated in our arenas and practised there, and they were made most welcome by all the members of the Highwood constituency, particularly the members of the town of Okotoks. They were billeted in our homes, they enjoyed our shopping areas, and they were free to go and come as they wished. I think that in their expressions of gratitude they indi cated to us, indeed to all Canadians, that they'd never had a greater time in all their lives. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. MR. SPEAKER: Minister of Recreation and Parks. MR. WEISS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I certainly stand in sup port of the motion and would encourage all members to support it as well. I'm very pleased that the mover of the motion brought the motion forward and would congratulate him for having done so. As it certainly was referred to in the throne speech, I assume then that he would support the rest of the throne speech as well. I will try and be brief, because there will be an opportunity in time as well to congratulate the many people who were in volved. I would hope to do so at a later date. But I should point out to the Assembly and to all, Mr. Speaker, that recognition will be ongoing.

There have been letters going out from the Premier and myself and the various ministers responsible, as indicated earlier, and such events as the Alberta achievement awards and ongoing recognition will be continued. It should be noted as well that the Alberta Olympic Game Plan was co-ordinated, Mr. Speaker, through and by the Alberta Sport Council, and I'll have an opportunity later to speak to that as well. I would like to thank at this time, though, my predeces sor who was so responsible for the ongoing development and organization to bring it to what it was today, the hon.

Peter Trynchy, the Member for Whitecourt. I should say as well that the host community of Canmore was very responsible in the overall development and success of the Olympics, as well as the many communities and the people from all over Alberta. I would add congratulations to all athletes and coaches, not only for their competitive performances and outstanding results but as fine goodwill ambassadors for this province. A job well done, and thanks to all members of the Assembly who made it possible and to Albertans everywhere.

18 ALBERTA HANSARD March 18, 1988 Thanks once again, Mr. Speaker. MR. TRYNCHY: Mr. Speaker, I wasn't going to get up and say anything, but I thought maybe I should, having spent some eight years with the people that organized the games, starting back in Montreal in '79 when we won the bid and on to Baden-Baden, Germany. All those meetings and sessions we had were just tremendous. I want to congratulate Frank King and the group that put on the games, the city of Calgary, and all my colleagues for the support I had from them all over the eight years.

It was a tremendous effort by Albertans, by Canadians, and I'm sure the people of the world have recognized us as a centre of good sports and good people. Thank you. MR. SPEAKER: There's a call for the question. All those in favour, please say aye. HON. MEMBERS: Aye. MR. SPEAKER: Opposed, please say no. The motion carries, let the record show, unanimously. head: CONSIDERATION OF HER HONOUR THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S SPEECH Moved by Mrs. Mirosh: That an humble address be presented to Her Honour the Honourable the Lieutenant Governor as follows: To Her Honour the Honourable W.

Helen Hunley, Lieu tenant Governor of the province of Alberta: We, Her Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Legislative Assembly, now assembled, beg leave to thank Your Honour for the gracious speech Your Honour has been pleased to address to us at the opening of the present session. MRS. MIROSH: Mr. Speaker, it is with considerable pride that I rise on behalf of the constituency of Calgary-Glenmore to move the acceptance of the Speech from the Throne which was presented yesterday by Her Honour the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta.

It gives me great pleasure to extend to you, Your Honour, my sincere respect and admiration for your gracious presentation of the throne speech to the Third Session of the 21st Legislature. As Alberta's representative of the Queen, Her Honour has brought both dignity and grace to our Assembly and carries out her responsibilities in a manner that is most ad mirable. I'd like to add on a more personal note that Albertans who have met Her Honour have always commented on her warmth and sincerity. Mr.

Speaker, I would like to thank the Premier for giving me the honour and privilege to move the acceptance of the Speech from the Throne. This is indeed an exciting moment for me as representative of the Calgary-Glenmore constituency. There are so many positive and progressive things happening in this great province right now, it is exciting to be a part of it all. Mr. Speaker, it is comforting to see you in the Chair, as I know you will continue to preside over us with a combination of fairness and good humour that we've become accustomed to.

You ensure the proceedings of our Assembly are conducted in proper parliamentary fashion. I also enjoy having you close by as MLA for Calgary-Egmont, bordering the Calgary-Glenmore constituency. At this time I'd like to also extend a sincere welcome to our new member in our Assembly and commend her for taking on the challenge of becoming an MLA. It's great having the MLA for Chinook here in our Assembly. I am pleased to note that there is now equality in this House. As the old saying goes, it takes 10 men to equal one woman.

Her Honour has presented us with a very clear agenda of programs and policies which can only serve to make a great province even better. Most important, we have leadership. Our Premier has a forceful national voice and is a strong provincial leader. The Premier does not merely react or respond to na tional issues; he takes; the initiative. This was apparent when he chaired the provinces' first ministers' meeting during the debate of the Canada/U.S. trade agreement which recognizes the impor tance of trade to Alberta.

The constituents of Calgary-Glenmore endorse free trade wholeheartedly and are looking forward to the passing of this Legislature. The embarkment on free trade is economically significant and will be extremely beneficial to our province. The Alberta spirit and imagination will enable us to market our goods and take advantage of the large population across the border.

Another example of the Premier's leadership abilities was the way he expressed the interests of Albertans during the Meech Lake accord debates by stressing areas of vital impor tance to us such as spending powers and securing a promise of Senate reform. The proposal of a Triple E Senate has been ac cepted by Albertans. Under our Premier's leadership this government has brought the province through two years of extremely tough times. Al berta is recovering; we're seeing economic growth and regain ing strength daily. This is a direct result of sound management.

The drop in the prices of oil, gas, and grain, combined with un changed expenditures, resulted in a budget deficit of over $3 billion in the fiscal year of 1986-87. Since it is not possible to reduce expenditures quickly, the government prepared a finan cial plan which will move the province gradually to a balanced budget by 1990. The financial plan consists of a reasonable mix of expenditure cuts, tight budgets, plus backup income from the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund.

I think it is important to note that the Alberta government is the only government in Canada with a plan for a balanced budget. [some applause] The courage of a government that re duces its expenditures instead of increasing them must be ap plauded, as you have done so. The plan is to slow down the growth of spending, to decrease the number of public servants, and to increase government efficiency. I think it should be ob vious that our fiscal policies are showing responsibility to the next generation, our children. We are committed to the contin ued health and prosperity of this province.

The constituents of Calgary-Glenmore have suffered economically. However, they see strength and leadership in our government as it guides indus try to more and more successful ventures at home and abroad. The energy industry, a priority to Calgary-Glenmore con stituents, is vital to the province's economic health. The hard times that we have recently been through have been a direct re sult of low oil prices. Today the industry is healthy, optimistic, and growing again. In the past year there has been a large influx of new capital venture and a surge in drilling activity and capital commitments.

In 1986, in response to lower oil prices, the gov ernment announced various incentive programs totaling more than $1.7 billion to assist the energy industry. The adjustments made to the royalty system and the implementation of royalty holidays, in combination with reduced finding costs and the elimination of the PGRT, have resulted in the energy industry growing stronger.

March 18, 1988 ALBERTA HANSARD 19 Diversification: a key word. We cannot solely depend on the oil and gas industry. Forestry is fast becoming a major part of our economy. The total capital cost of projects in this area equals $1.5 billion. This will create approximately 5,000 new direct and indirect jobs in central and northern Alberta. High technology and research are strong sectors in Alberta. Several projects have been established to provide support to this growing industry.

Many of my constituents who are small busi ness entrepreneurs want to remain that way and will continue to benefit from the many programs initiated by this government to assist in their growth and success. Small business is a great source of job creation in this province, and we want to continue to capitalize on that. Another important job-creating sector in our economy is agriculture. Agriculture is the government's top priority. Up to $2 billion of farm financing at 9 percent interest for terms of 10 to 20 years is available to agricultural producers.

The farm fer tilizer price protection plan, the Alberta farm fuel distribution allowance, and the Crow benefit offset program all remain in place as a support network for Alberta farmers. Our agriculture industry will grow with the addition of some 1.5 million acres of land which will be irrigated as a result of major irrigation pro grams and efforts stimulated by this government. The agricul tural sector will be diversified and expanded upon through the efforts of the Alberta Agricultural Research Institute, the proc essed food market expansion program, and the Farming for the Future program.

The government is keenly aware that one of the underlying strengths of our province is the agricultural in dustry, where Alberta families produce not only for Albertans but for the world. The family farm is a key to Alberta's eco nomic and social well-being. This is known and will be protected. The constituents of Calgary-Glenmore support agriculture: they love to eat. Keeping Albertans on the job is another priority of this government. For three consecutive years since 1984 Alberta has been experiencing employment growth. In our most recent em ployment statistics Alberta showed a record employment level.

Alberta continues to have the highest participation rate in Canada. This means that compared to all provinces, Alberta has the highest proportion of its working-age population, both males and females, participating in the labour market. A precious resource of society is our youth. Our government has shown responsibility in assuring that this resource is well looked after. Young people need good education in order to grow and be productive. They get that in Alberta.

The recent announcement of funding for programs like STEP and the intro duction of the Stepping Stone program are indeed significant proof that our government has shown a commitment to our youth. Assuring excellence in quality education is a prime focus for Calgary-Glenmore constituents. Bill 59, introduced last summer in this Legislature, has provoked controversy and praise, but most of all involvement. People of this province care about the quality of education for their children. It is important that Bill 59 gave many of our constituents a chance for input.

Without this input, we as a government have not done our job for the people of Alberta. It is indeed rewarding to see in the throne speech a reference to substantial changes made to Bill 59 as a result of the strong participation Albertans have shown. Calgary-Glenmore constituents have had considerable input into Bill 59, and I thank them for that. Calgary-Glenmore has a unique situation of having a diversity of schools: public schools, separate schools, a Jewish school, and private schools, all providing excellent quality of education.

The promotion of good health and medical care is a strong priority of this government. I'd like to commend the Premier on his Commission on Future Health Care for Albertans. The com mittee's first priority is to examine concerns expressed by the nurses of Alberta. As a member of the Alberta Association of Registered Nurses, I'd like to ensure and assure my nursing col leagues that this government does care about them. Nurses are dedicated to their profession and have sent a strong message about working conditions in our hospitals. I'm proud to be a nurse in Alberta.

Dedication to patients has to remain a number one priority. Professionalism must be retained. Communication is a key factor. We must work together to retain quality health care for Albertans. It is encouraging to see quality ambulance services addressed in this province and addressed in the throne speech. This shows another example of our government's commitment to listening and caring about quality health care for the people of Alberta. I am proud to have chaired the committee which recently made public A New Vision for Long Term Care -- Meeting the Need.

I want to thank all my colleagues for their most positive and rewarding support. This government paper addresses the needs for the elderly in Alberta. When I look across the room and behind me, I see the gray wave coming. [interjection] Yes, my friends and colleagues, this future in long-term care may affect you -- except for the Minister of Recreation and Parks. It is also most rewarding to have released this document February 19 and to have sent 6,000 copies to Albertans, with another 6,000 scheduled for reprint. This is a number one seller.

This proves again that this government is concerned about the grow ing needs and the care of the elderly. The New Vision for Long Term Care discussion paper has been perceived by most people in Alberta to be very, very positive. Mr. Speaker, the seniors have provided a great deal of input into this paper and have sent a strong message. They want to remain in their own homes for as long as possible and remain independent for as long as possible. When their health fails, our system has to be versatile and flexible enough to provide that care for our seniors.

In the past the seniors had to fit into our system; in the future the system will fit the senior. This can be achieved by co-ordinated programs and continued co-operation with health care givers. Mr. Speaker, my colleagues and I are looking forward to the comments firstly and foremost from seniors, as well as health care givers and all Albertans, with respect to the long-term care discussion paper. The discussion paper endorses the promotion of wellness, supports independence for the seniors, with a strong emphasis on the provision of home care reducing the need for premature institutionalization. [Mr.

Deputy Speaker in the Chair] Co-ordination of our health care programs and services is essential. Calgary-Glenmore is very fortunate, as there are at least 4,000 healthy seniors, with many volunteer day programs provided to them through churches and the community. There are three private nursing homes providing excellent care, one auxiliary hospital adjacent to an acute hospital, and all of these institutions have to be commended for the the delivery of serv ice to the community and providing quality care, proven by their recent accreditation programs.

I want to now take the time to recognize and thank Al bertans: our government members here in the Assembly, the

20 ALBERTA HANSARD March 18, 1988 federal government, the municipal government and, most of all, the Calgarians who served unselfishly as volunteers in the XV Olympic Winter Games -- over 10,000 volunteers. They have to be commended for a job well done. And to Frank King, OCO chairman and a constituent of Calgary-Glenmore: I thank you for your strong leadership throughout the initial onset through to the end of the games. The excellence and excitement created throughout the games was overwhelming. The world watched us and put Calgary on the map. It was indeed an enlightening experience.

We're proud to be Canadians, Albertans and, most of all, Calgarians. Watching that Olympic torch travel across Canada, creating excitement, bringing tears to Canadians' eyes, was indeed a feeling of pride and a shared spirit that we can never repeat. We brought the whole country and the whole world together. There was peace and tranquility experienced that has never occurred with any Olympic Games before. The opening ceremony, watched by the world, created by local people, brought again a happiness and a feeling difficult to express. To the athletes: they were absolutely wonderful.

Without these athletes, their talent, enthusiasm, and dedication, we wouldn't have had the Olympics. Athletes with outstanding tal ent brought the world together, sharing, and proving that coun tries from five different continents of the world can compete and be friends. It was wonderful to be a spectator, even if you didn't have tickets. I would also like to have the local media recognized in this House for their strong, positive reporting through the games. They helped leave our visitors with a feeling that they would come back.

This feeling has been conveyed through the many friends we have made to visitors around the world. Calgarians also opened their hearts and their homes to athletes' parents from around the world. This was also a wonderful gesture. The friendship Okotoks showed towards the Russians was an exam ple of rural/urban friendship and partnership. Calgarians have been left with first-class facilities for our children and first-class world athletes to use. The Olympic Games still leave Calgary on a high. There's no depression in our city, only more op timism. Next, we win the Stanley Cup. And now, Mr.

Speaker, I'd like to again commend the Pre mier for his leadership in launching a new international program as a follow-up to the best ever Olympic Winter Games. The initiative taken with the tourism industry is a joint marketing program, Team Tourism: it's absolutely phenomenal. Cal garians and constituents of Calgary-Glenmore thank you and thank this government for the forward planning on capitalizing on an industry that is most welcome to this province: tourism. In closing, Mr. Speaker, I have highlighted only a few very positive issues and initiatives that this government has taken.

Positive attitude towards strong economic growth and positive input pull Albertans together to achieve. Albertans have always been achievers, thus maintaining the high quality of life they enjoy. This government has long been characterized as a team. The team approach to governing is our trademark, and I'm proud to be a member of this team. MR. CHERRY: Mr. Speaker, it is a great privilege and honour for me to second the motion of the Hon. Member for Calgary- Glenmore. I congratulate my colleague on her eloquent presentation. As we start this Third Session of the 21st Legislature, I say to you, Mr.

Speaker, may you continue your wise guidance of the daily proceedings of this Assembly. As I sat yesterday lis tening to the presentation of the throne speech by Her Honour the Lieutenant Governor, I thought once again how fortunate we are to have such a gracious and distinguished lady as the Queen's representative in our fair province, which brings me, Mr. Speaker, back to the honour that has been bestowed on the good people I represent in the constituency of Lloydminster, of seconding the Speech from the Throne.

As I reflected on Her Honour's words yesterday, the message that came to me with great clarity was a message of opportunity. The opportunities of Alberta are not new. Doubtlessly, as An thony Henday traveled along the Battle River some 230 years ago -- now the southern boundary of my constituency -- he was struck by the magnificent possibilities of this land he was first to explore. The Barr colonists followed the promise of a new land to the Lloydminster area 85 years ago. They were not alone. Hundreds of thousands of people heard and dreamt about the opportunities that were here in a new land.

They came here to put down their roots and raise their families, and those pioneers built a strong and free land. Today, Mr. Speaker, we are still a land of opportunity that people seek, whether for a new business, a new home, or a new start. Perhaps it is local chauvinism on my part, but I think the Lloydminster constituency is especially full of promise, full of the spirit and potential that make Alberta the place it is. I think the best description of that spirit is from the song we heard often during our 75th anniversary year, describing Albertans as down-to-earth but reaching for the moon. Mr.

Speaker, I especially want to talk about opportunity be cause of the adversity we have experienced in the last few years. Weathering these storms has made us stronger, has made us see opportunities we hadn't considered happening before. We have used adversity to our advantage. That sounds like a paradox, but it's true. To quote an ancient philosopher: The good things which belong to prosperity are to be wished, but the good things that belong to adversity are to be admired. So what are these good things?

Two are outstanding, I think: the unquestionable spirit of Albertans and our efforts to diver sify our economy. There have been those, Mr. Speaker -- and I won't point fin gers -- who say that our government hasn't diversified this province. Well, those naysayers do our province and people a disservice. Building a diversified economy takes time, not just a year or even a decade:. But I think there is no denying that with out the diversification that has taken place, the most recent lows we have seen in our traditional primary strength of agriculture and energy would have dealt us a far more devastating blow.

We have to diversify to even out the roller-coasting highs and lows of the boom-and-bust of the resource based economy. The best way is to build on our strength and develop secondary and even tertiary industry. That is happening, and probably even more so in this period of decline during the booms. As startling as it may seem, more business empires got their start in the dark days of the 1930s' Depression than in the roaring '20s. Maybe it was because more caution, more prudence, and a real exami nation and exploration of real opportunities were required. I think that is what has happened here in the 1980s.

Almost two years ago, Mr. Speaker, in my maiden speech to this Assembly, I described the economy of my constituency as resting on the pillars of agriculture and energy. That remains true today. What is also true is the many opportunities that we can see in these sectors and in other major industries. The en ergy industry has recovered and has gained momentum. We are

March 18, 1988 ALBERTA HANSARD 21 extremely appreciative of that recovery in the Lloydminster con stituency. The industry is in evidence wherever you travel: from the steady rhythm of the pump jacks along the Battle River to the steam recovery of heavy oil in the northern part of the constituency and, of course, the related industries scattered throughout the area and centred in the city of Lloydminster. We hope for even more momentum. We in Lloydminster constituency are waiting for the announcement of the Husky Upgrader. We are confident that that announcement is going to be made.

We aren't just patiently waiting, but are actively wait ing by continuing our discussions with all of the players in volved. Security of future oil supplies and Canadian self- sufficiency are important, and we know the key role the Husky Upgrader can play in these goals. We also know the positive effects, the spin-offs, the Upgrader will have not only in the con stituency but across this province and across our nation. Mr. Speaker, I'll leave energy now and go on to the industry which started our province and will continue to be a precious and vital part of our existence: agriculture.

There's a mis conception that the prairies are three flat provinces, that the av erage central Canadian might be able to stand at the Ontario/ Manitoba border and be able to take an uninterrupted gaze straight at the Rocky Mountains, then stand on tiptoe and peer at Vancouver. We know that isn't quite true. My constituency is rolling prairie, some gentle undulations, and some gentle, high hills, like the hills that defined Paradise Valley and gave the early settlers a name inspired by the beauty of their new home and the opportunities it would provide.

Beneath the roll of this prairie landscape is soil that for over 80 years, and in some cases four generations, has been nurtured, providing food for home and abroad. The men and women, the families who farm in the Lloydminster constituency are of a quality and dedication that their land is second to none. I invite you, Mr. Speaker, and indeed all of my hon. col leagues in the Assembly to take a drive through my constituency in, say, July. Come when the canola is in bloom. Stop your vehicle on one of those high hills and watch a gentle prairie breeze ripple waves of green grain.

These crops are seeking heat, and hope for moisture to grow, fill, and ripen. You would feel secure about Alberta as you gazed, Mr. Speaker, and in the opportunities that are always in the land. There are also opportunities in the products that come from the bounty of our prairie. In particular I am thinking of the po tential of using locally produced grain to make ethanol. We have been excited and challenged by the prospect of such an industry within the Lloydminster constituency. The site that has been discussed is near the community of Dewberry.

Dewberry is a village of about 200 people, located northwest of Lloyd minster. It's a small community, like so many other smaller communities that form part of a strong backbone of our province. The independent, proud, and enterprising spirit of these people defines Alberta. It is important, Mr. Speaker, that industry like an ethanol plant find its way to communities like Dewberry. In ignoring our small towns, allowing them to stag nate and wither away, we are destroying a part of our history and a spirit that contributes mightily to what is Alberta. It is also important, Mr.

Speaker, to note that places like Dewberry are advantageous sites for some industry, and we have to be vigilant in assisting our smaller communities to draw new business. That is one potential for secondary agriculture-related in dustry. We already have in Lloydminster a canola-crushing facility, and we know we have other capabilities that enterprisers with vision will bring into reality -- and I stress that: that enterprisers with vision will bring into reality. Because that is the way of this government.

Our job as a government is to provide the environment, the economic climate that makes an enterpriser feel that he or she can confidently start a business. Mr. Speaker, we've taken for granted for quite some time a natural resource that is just begging to be explored. We really awoke to the potential of tourism in the early '80s. We realized that we had more to offer the world than just the Rockies, that we could offer the world and ourselves all sorts of unique and wonderful Alberta breaks. The Lloydminster constituency is no exception.

While tourists do the obvious -- stop to take pictures of pump jacks and cattle grazing in the fields along the highway -- we have much more to offer to the tourists and to local citizens; for example, municipal park developments. The Three Cities regional park in Paradise Valley and the Jubilee regional park near the North Saskatchewan in Marwayne, or a great new trout fishing spot at Jackfish Lake near Myrnam: the serenity and beauty of these places are a great escape.

But as I have said already, just take a drive through our countryside, then stop for coffee in Derwent and dinner some where else along your trail, and just simply enjoy the glory of this marvelous province. You're also guaranteed lots of smiles from some of the friendliest people around. Mr. Speaker, the dictionary definition of "opportunity" includes: a situation or condition favourable for attainment of a goal.

I firmly believe that such situations and conditions exist in the infrastructure and services government has built and sup ported through this province, and particularly in the Lloyd minster constituency. My first thought is of transportation, which is crucial for rural agriculture and other industry. High way 16, the Yellowhead -- and if my southern friends will par don my prejudice, a more scenic route through our province -- is almost fully twinned through my constituency.

Highway 45, that links the northern communities of my constituency, has been continually improved, as have the secondary highways such as 897, which links the constituency from the south to the north border. It also is an important link to the St. Paul and Bonnyville constituencies. We have secondary highways, such as 619, that serve as other important community and business links. Last year another important transportation event was the opening of the Baynton bridge over the North Saskatchewan River on Highway 17 north of Lloydminster. The hon. Minister of Transportation and Utilities, the hon.

Minister of Public Works, Supply and Services, and the Member for St. Paul were all present at the official opening. Together we bid adieu to the Meridian Ferry, that used to transport us across the river, and accepted the progress and now much faster and easier crossing. As Her Honour said yesterday, education has the highest pri ority of our government, and the schools within the Lloyd minster constituency bear witness to that. As I've said at many school openings, Mr. Speaker, a school is four walls with tomor row inside.

We've helped the tomorrow of thousands of stu dents in the present and in the years to come by providing top- notch facilities for their learning environment. I think of the addition and modernization of the comprehensive high school in Lloydminster, Rendell Park elementary school, that has in tegrated handicapped children into the main school stream, of the new junior/senior high school and the modernization of the elementary school in Kitscoty, and other upgraded facilities throughout my constituency. Also, I think of the regional Lakeland College, which not only provides educational oppor

22 ALBERTA HANSARD March 18, 1988 tunities to our youth but continuing education for all ages. We are excited that the construction of the Lloydminster campus will start in June and look forward to its completion. We must also necessarily take care of our sick. Lloyd minster now has a new biprovincial hospital that we all take great pride in. It's not our only hospital, as both Myrnam and Islay have hospitals to serve their areas. Kitscoty is home to the suboffice of the Minburn/Vermilion health unit.

We are proud of what these health facilities can offer to the citizens of our constituency and the health care professionals who work in them. I think we can also be proud that we take good care of our senior citizens of the Lloydminster constituency. New senior housing units will be going into Kitscoty. Our communities have the same kind of facilities that have been well used throughout the years. In Lloydminster we will be building a new auxiliary hospital and modernizing the Dr. Cooke nursing home. I am also proud, Mr.

Speaker, of the many senior citizen centres in my constituency, and I know we are going to be well represented at the Seniors Games that are being held next door in Vermilion this summer. Mr. Speaker, I also want to say a few words about our unique border city of Lloydminster. The fourth meridian may divide our city into an Alberta and a Saskatchewan side, but the meridian hasn't interfered with the ability of citizens or levels of government to work together. It is a unique co-operation from the unique situation and relationship that is beneficial to all of us. Lloydminster is not a city divided.

It is a city that brings together people from both provinces, whether they are picnick ing at the Bud Miller All Seasons Park, visiting the Barr Colony Museum, or shopping at the downtown heritage centre or one of the city's malls. Mr. Speaker, I want to conclude my remarks this afternoon with another opportunity discussed in the opening of the throne speech. Her Honour described the leadership role of our prov ince and our Premier in the historic agreements reached in 1987, agreements that will have far-reaching and long-term effects on our province and our nation.

We stand on the threshold of a new era in Canada. That new era brings new opportunities. Eighty-four years ago Sir Wilfrid Laurier, then Prime Minister and a Liberal who was for free trade, uttered a phrase that has been described as a touchstone of national aspiration measured against national achievement He said that the 20th century be longed to Canada. Perhaps we haven't achieved that lofty claim, but in this 20th century we have built and grown. We are still a young nation, and we are still struggling with a political definition that reflects our growth and not just our beginnings.

The Meech Lake accord represents that continued seeking and building. Within the agreements are elements that will redress some of the regional frustrations we have railed and rallied about. Perhaps one of the most hopeful elements of the agreement is the agenda for Senate reform. I believe, Mr. Speaker, we have come a long way in a short time. I also be lieve it is because we have seen leadership from most of our first ministers that shows their interest in Canada, a total and a complete Canada with equal partners and a nation that believes in itself.

I was proud to be part of the unanimous vote in this Assembly that passed the constitutional amendments of Meech Lake, and I look forward to continued reforms. Mr. Speaker, I must also comment on the free trade agree ment with the United States. It is shortsighted not to see the potential of this agreement. It is a disservice to your nation and to your fellow citizens not to see the renewed strength that will result. I cannot help but echo the sentiments that the hon.

Pre mier and others of my colleagues have made: that if you feel strongly about the; potential of your nation, the talents and the resources that we have, then you'll embrace the opportunities and challenges of both Meech Lake and free trade. I am in awe, Mr. Speaker, of the opportunities that still abound in this Alberta of ours. We live in a place where we are limited only by our imagination of what we can do. It means the future we can offer to our grandchildren and their grandchildren is filled with immeasurable possibility and rich ness.

It makes our present a challenging one, especially with the responsibility we hold as legislators in this Assembly. We are the stewards and the guardians of abundant opportunity. I am humbled by that but proud to be committed to such a vision. Good afternoon, Mr. Speaker. MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Member for Calgary- Mountain View. MR. HAWKESWORTH: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On behalf of the Leader of the Opposition I'd like to beg leave to adjourn debate. MR.

DEPUTY SPEAKER: Having heard the motion by the Member for Calgary-Mountain View on behalf of the Leader of the Official Opposition, all those in favour, please say aye. HON. MEMBERS: Aye. MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Opposed, please say no. So ordered. [At 12:10 p.m. the House adjourned to Monday at 2:30 p.m.]

Document details

Collection	Alberta — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	19880318
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	L21 S3 19880318 1000 01 han.pdf
Language	en
Format	json
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	d8c6a7e9eae46e36c6ac219d86796c3ea6598675

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