Manitoba Hansard — 23 July 1984 (Sitting 2, 32nd Legislature, 4th Session)

32-4-2

Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA Friday, 8 March, 1985. rime - 10:00 a.m. OPENING PRAYER by Mr. Speaker. MR. SPEAKER, Hon. J. Walding: I am pleased to lay :m the table of the House the Certificate of Election for the by-election in the Electoral Division of Fort Gar ry. MR. G. FILMON: Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present to you Charles Birt, Esquire, Member for the Electoral District of Fort Gar ry, who has taken the oath, signed the roll and now claims the right to take his seat. MR. SPEAKER: Let the honourable member take his seat. Presenting Petitions . . . Reading and Receiving Peitions ...

PRESENTING REPORTS BY STANDING AND SPECIAL COMMITTEES MR. SPEAKER: The Honourable Member for Burro ws. MR. C. SANTOS: Mr. Speaker, I beg to present the Third Report of the Committee on Public Utilities and Natural Resources. MR. CLERK, W. Remnant: Your Committee met on Thursd ay, June 21 and Monday, June 25 at 8:00 p.m., Tuesday June 26 at 10:00 a.m. and Monday, July 23, 1984 at 2:00 p.m. in Room 255, Legislative Building to consider the Annua l Reports of Ma nitoba Energy Authority and Manitoba Hydro-El ectric Board. On July 23, your committee accepted the resignations of Hon. Mr. Schroeder, Messrs.

Eyler and Ransom as members of the committee, and elected Messrs. Filmon, Santos and Scott to replace them. Mr. Santos was selected to replace Mr. Eyler as chairman of the committee. Your committee received all information desired by any member of the committee from Mr. Saul Cherniack, Chairman of the Board, Mr. Marc Eliesen, Deputy Minister, Department of Energy and Mines, Mr. J. Amason, President and Chief Executive officer, and staff of Manitoba Hydro with respect to all material pertaining to the Annual Reports.

The fullest opportunity was accorded to all members of the committee to seek any information desired. Your committee examined the Annual Reports of Manitoba Energy Authority and Manitoba Hydro-Electric Board for year ended March 31 , 19 83, and adopted the same as presented. MR. SPEAKER: The Honourable Member for Bur rows. MR. C. SANTOS: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for lnkster, that the Report of the Committee be received. MOTION presented and carried. 9 MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS AND TABLING OF REPORTS MR. SPEAKER: The Honourable Minister of Community Services. HON. M. SMITH: Mr.

Speaker, I would like to ask the members of the Legislature to join with me this morning in officially recogniz ing today, Ma rch 8th , as International Women's Day. This year marks the 10th Anniversary since the United Nations began . . . MR. SPEAKER: Order please, order please. The Honourable Member for La Verendrye on a point of order. MR. R. BANMAN: Mr. Speaker, I believe it is customary, Mr. Speaker, that members do receive a copy of the Ministerial Statement. MR. SPEAKER: Indeed it is. MR. R. BANMAN: Thank you. MR. SPEAKER: Perhaps the Honourable Minister would wish to start again from the beginning. HON.

M. SMITH: This year marks the 10th anniversary since the United Nations began observance of this day. Indeed while, in the past decade, women have gained recognition as a group worthy of attention, social and economic equality are yet to be achieved. This government has recognized for some time the economic and social realities that exist for the majority of women and also how closely the two are intertwined. Along with this recognition has come the realization that, without greater economic opportunity, there cannot be dramatic social change for women.

Across the country more than 50 percent of women who are single parents live at, or below, the poverty line. Two of three women over 65 live in poverty and the majority of worki ng women remain ghettoized in traditional jobs which earn them two-thirds of what men earn. In Manitoba, though we still have a long way to go, we are proud of our achievements aimed at improving the economic and social climate for women. Two of my colleagues will be focusing in greater detail on those achievements, but I would like to touch upon some of them briefly.

They include increased support for job training and job creation, particularly in non-traditional areas and establishment of support systems, such as, day care to enable women to pursue their employment and career goals. Of particular concern to this government is that we make ava ilable tr aini ng and emplo yment opportunities for immigrant, rural, Native and other women who face additional barriers to achiev ing economic independence. As a government, we realize we can serve as an example for the private sector to ensur e gr eater on for

Friday, 8 March, 1985 economic equality and increased opportunities for women. Th erefore, we have subscribed lo the concept of affirmative action, have elevated women in greater than ever before to boards and commissions, and have ensured that government programs and policies reflect women's interests and needs. In the context of sociai programming in support of ail Ma nitobans, and particularly women, we have adopted a tough stand on pornography and family violence, particularly aimed at women. We support crisis services for women, and have instructed police to charge abusers.

We are working to provide housing for low income families and single parents, most of whom are women. I am proud to say , Mr.

Speaker, that as a result of our many initiatives, Manitoba is the leader in Canada today on a number of social fronts, providing one of the finest day care programs in the country; a program to enforce maintenance payments which has had an 85 percent success rate compared to an average 25 percent collection ra te in the rest of Canada; pension refor ms that are unequalled in the country and include pr ovisions for spli tting pen sions up on marria ge breakdown; abolition of sex discrimination in calculating pensions and extending pension eligibility to part-time workers.

Th is evening between 6:30 and 8:00 p.m., we will host a reception in Room 254 in honour of all Manitoba women. ! would like to extend an invitation to all members of the Legislature and the general public. Also at this time I would like to say special thanks to my colleague, the ML A for Kildonan who, as Labour Minister and Minister responsible for the Status of Women over the past two years, helped contribute to many of our achievements for women; we look forward to her continued input and support.

Having assumed her portfolio as Minister responsible for the Status of Women, I hope I can bring as much dedication and success to the position as did the honourable member. This year's theme for International Women's Day is equality, development, and peace. Let us strive for these, not only today but everyday, so that women may achieve greater equality be allowed to develop to their full potential and continue to contribute to and maintain peace in the world. MR. SPEAKER: Th e Honourable Member for Kirkfield Park. MRS. G. HAMMOND: Th ank you Mr. Speaker.

We, too, on this side of the House, would like to recognize International Women's Day. We applaud the women of Manitoba and of this country who have wor ked so hard to try and bring equality to the women in the province and in our country.

It hasn't been easy for them; it's hard to always be going against the status quo, but at the same time, all we have had from this government is talk about equality; we have not seen - (In terjection) There has been an affirmative action program that this governm ent has talked about from year to year and yet constantly we hear of women that cannot get out of their particu lar ghettos - they can't move from the secretarial force up.

I think you can talk about it every year, but what we really need is some action, 10 and hope this year !hat possibly we'll see some, ifs taken an election year to make this govern ment move.

We, on this side of the House, also applaud the government's initiative against pornograp hy, v•n•li>r>r:<> and wife abuse, but the money spent on when there are limited funds - and seems to be out of money - feel should to where it is going to help most Along with the money that's being spent on advertising to promote awar eness to women, which is vastly needed, they should take some of the money from the Jobs Fund advertising and use it for shelters, because where are we going to put these women that come forwar d? Tha t has got to be the most urgent need and yet the money is not being directed to that end.

I say it's nice to have everything, but when you can't have everything, let's go where we need it most. I really have to condemn the government for doing one without the other, they must go hand in hand. I would like to say that, as far as the programs are concerned, yes, we are certainly favour of day care. What we had is good day care legislation, but no more spaces; that does not help the working woman today. We've got a program to enforce maintenance payments which our governm ent put in place, and it is good and we are happy that this is continuing. So, Mr.

Speaker, I say closing that I, too, welcome the opportunity and we, on this side of the House, celebrate International Women's Day , but we want to see some action where it's going to count. MR. SPEAKER: The Honourable Member for Lakeside on a point of order. MR. H. ENNS: On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I am sure it has disturbed you this first working day of this Session that we are using a particu lar mecha nism a debating period when, of course, the appropriate on the Orders of the Day is for straight Ministerial Statements.

The statement recognizing the importance of this and the designation of this day as International Women's Day is an appropriate Ministerial Statement, along with the last paragraph of the statement which indicates some specific action the is doing - or inviting the general and members to a particular event. What is in-between the rat her lengthy statement leads precisely to the kind of debate that my colleague was quite prepared to enter into, and quite correctly under those circums tances. But, Sir, it was out of order.

The statement was out of order in its presentation in the way it was performed and I only rise at this very ear ly occasion because, Sir, surely we want to get on the right track with respect to how we conduct our business in this House. MR. SPEAKER: The Honourable Minister of Municipal Affairs to the same point. HON. A. ANSTETT: Mr. Speaker, to the same point of order. I regret that the Opposition House Leader does not share the concer n of members on this side, and particularly the Minister responsible for the Status

Friday, 8 March, 1985 of Women, about recognizing the role of women in our society, the importance of re cogn izin g this very important day, and all of the programs that governments for decades, more particularly during the last three years, have directed at women. I think that's important. I think that's legitimately the subject of something that this Ho use should be concerned about and I welcome the contribution of the Member for Kirkfield Park and, unlike the Member for Lakeside, I did not consider it a debate or at all inapp ropriate. It was comment, fair comment, from a member of the opposition. MR.

SPEAKER: Notices of Motion . . . Introduction of Bills ... ORAL QUESTIONS Investment in Manitoba - lack of MR. SPE AKER: The Hono urable Leader of the Opp osition. MR. G. fllMON: Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Premier.

In view of the fact that the Throne Speech offers no assurances of economic development in this province that will lead to new investment, to long-term job creation, or to an improved economy in Manitoba in the near future, will the Premier tell Manitobans when he will call the next provincial election so that, as we begin this new Session of the Legislature, at least Manitobans will have something positive to look forward to? MR. SPEAKER: Th e Honourable First Minister. HON. H. PAWLEY: Mr.

Speaker, I really am very very disappointed in the bleak, negative attitude displayed just a few moments ago by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr. Speaker, we have confidence in Manitoba. I want to advise the Leader of tlie Opposition, that confidence we found was shared by investors outside this province whether ii was in Montreal, whether it be in Toronto, whether it be in Minneapolis. Mr.

Sp eaker , the Leader of the Op position unfortunately doesn't appear to have ... maybe we should improve the Leader of the Opposition's research cap acities because if he had better research capacities he would know that the large st inc rease in capital investment in any province in 1984 was right here in the Pr ovince of Ma nitoba. If the Leader of the Opposition had better research capacity he would know that the second largest inc rease in private investment in any province in Canada was right here in the Province of Manitoba.

If the Leader of the Opposition had indeed been spending more time reviewing what has been taking place in the Province of Manitoba he would know that Canada Packers has exp ressed optimism about further investment in the Province of Manitoba; he would know that Tupperware has announced its plans to centra lize its operations - in fact, in the constituency belonging to the Honourable Member for Pembina - some 100 additional jobs in the Province of Manitoba.

If, indeed, the Honourable Leader of the Op position had done his 11 research he would be aware of the announcements by Im per ial Cr own Gr oup in respect to their future investment; he would be aware of Cadillac Fairview's announcements in respect to their future development. Mr. Speaker, I do think that we should assist the Leader of the Oppo sition by probably considering some additional research capacity so that the Leader of the Op position would not be taking such a bleak lack of confident view of the Province of Manitoba. MR. SPEAKER: Or der please.

Ma y I remind all members that Oral Questions should be short, concise and to the point; and answers should also be short, precise and to the point. Oral Qu estions, the Ho nour able Leader of the Op position. MR. G. FILMON: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the rhetoric of the Premier on this matter because he has very little else to offer, and I'm sure that it will be small comfort to those people who, even in the eight and-a-half months since we last sat, have lost their jobs in Manitoba, Sir.

My question to the Premier follows upon the result of closures of businesses in Manitoba just in this past eight-and-a-half months, businesses such as Canadian Steel Tank, Valdi Stores, Century Flooring, Phillips Cables, Manitoba Cartage, Ray-0 - Vac, Pioneer Trust, Dominion Stores and many others; and my question to the Premier is, in view of those closures and the hundreds of jobs that were lost as a result of those closures, will he admit the complete failure of his economic policies and stop his anti business cruisade, get rid of the payroll tax and open up Manitoba for investment and job creation? HON. H.

PAWLEY: Mr. Speaker, I am increasingly amazed by the questions from the Leader of the Opposition. Mr. Speaker, we also share on this side the pain that there are so many unemployed in Canada, and right here in the Pr ovince of Ma nitoba the unemployment rate is unacceptably high, but let not the Leader of the Opp osition be a Chicken Little. Mr. Speaker, I was pleased some two months ago to have an opportunity to speak to his leader, the federal leader, the Prime Minister of Canada, in which the Prime Minister of Canada said that he was pleased with the economic performance in the Province of Manitoba.

The Prime Minister of Canada told me, Mr. Speaker, that indeed he was impressed with the interest in the Montreal investment community, in opportunities in the Pr ovince of Ma nitoba opened up by way of our announcements in respect to Limestone construction. So, Mr. Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition I know sometimes is not on very good speaking terms with his own leader in Ottawa, but, Mr.

Speaker, it might be wise, before the Leader of the Op position call Chicken Little, that he do - and I respond directly to his question because he related a number of closures - that he also might be aware of the fact that in 1984 we had the opening of Waltec Scientific Limited; St. Judes Medical Incorporated; Toro Canada Limited, in the constituency of the Honourable Member for La Verend rye, locati ng their operati ons here from Minneapolis; National Hard Chrome Plating Limited; Coldstream Products of Canada Limited; Simon-Day

Limited; Electrotrac Circuit Limited; Westeel Agricultural Products. Speaker, the Honourable Leader of the Opposition might be interested in knowing - and I'm sure he would share our pride - despite the closures that he has mentioned, there ha ve indeed been some 8,000 business incorpo rations in Manitoba in the past three years with about 2,700 in 1984 alone. Mr. Speaker, unlike the doom and gloom from honourable members across the way, the government shares with Manitobans a confidence and a pride in the potential development of the Pr ovince of Manitoba. MR. G. FILMON: Mr.

Speaker, I am pleased to have the Premier raise the matter of his trip to Montreal, because I wen t on a trip to Montreal and spoke to many of the same people . MR. SPEAKER: Question. MR. G. FILMON: . . . and they told me that they weren't very impressed with this Premier, and that they were waiting for a new Premier to be able to bring that economic development here , Sir. MR. SPEAKER: Question. MR. G.

FILMON: Sir, my question to the Premier is: in view of the fact that the Conference Board recently projected that Manitoba would have the lowest growth rate in the country this coming year, and that there are still almost 20,000 more people unemployed today in Manitoba than when his government took office in 1981, what is he going to do to give the people the assurance that something good will happ en other than making his fine-sounding phrases and pronouncements? HON. H. PAWLEY: Mr. Speaker, the Leader of the Opp osition - (Interjection) - Mr.

Speaker, first let me advise the Leader of the Opp osition, he raised the question of his trip to Montr eal, his meeting with the investment community in Manitoba. Mr. Speaker, let me advise the Leader of the Opposition that we visited Montreal, not in secret, as did the Leader of the Opp osition, we visited the Montr eal investment community and the Toronto business community with the fullest confidence in the Pr ovince of Manitoba. Mr.

Speaker, obviously the Leader of the Opposition spoke to different business people in the City of Montr eal than his Federal Leader, the Prime M'nister of Canada, Brian Mulroney, insofar as the reports which were received in regard to the success of our efforts in the Montreal business community. Mr . Sp eaker , we ha ve conf idence Hydro development. The Speech from the Throne dealt with the potential for Hydro development in the Province of Manitoba. Mr.

Speaker, in Manitoba we can take pride that in this year there wi ll be the commencement of construction of a $3 billion project, the larges! single investment commencement anywhere in the North American continent, right here in the Pr ovince of Manitoba. Mr. Speaker, I heard a report this morning that the Leader of the Opp osition felt this would be a boring Session. Mr. Speaker, we look forward to dehating 12 1985 Limestone with the Leader of the Opposition; we !ook for ward in deba ting the benefits of Limestone development and energy development with the Leader of the Opposition. Mr.

Speaker, this will not be a boring Session, it is a Session in which we can share ideas and we can look forward to opportunities for job creation and investment in Manitoba. MR. G. FllMON: I can assure the Premier that this won't be a boring Session either, but it is no thanks to him. Mr. Speaker, the difference between the visit to Montreal of the Premier and myself was that he went with public funds and he has an obligation to tell the people where he goes and why he goes there. MR. SPEAKER: Question. MR. G. FILMON: Mr.

Speaker, speaking of secret meetings, I wonder if he would care to share with us, since the staff of the Minister of Finance won't tell the public, why he is in New York and what he's doing there on public funds. HON. H. PAWLEY: Ta lking about funds, let me assure honourable members that we did not visit Montreal or Toronto to see the investment community by the receipt of any funds from the Royal Bank of Canada insofar as the hosting and receptions that took place in Montreal or Toronto. We went without any commitment to the banking institutions of this country, Mr. Speaker. MR.

SPEAKER: The Honour able Leader of the Op position on a point of privilege. MR. G. FILMON: Mr. Speaker, on a point of privilege. I did not go to any meeting in the receipt of funds from the Royal Bank of Canada, and I demand that the Pr emier withdraw that. HON. H. PAWLEY: Mr. Speaker, if the Leader of the Op position is telling this House that his dinner was not hosted by the Roya! Bank of Canada, I will withdraw my comments. Mlfl. G. FllMON: Mr. Speaker, my trip to Montreal and any of the expenses for my trip to Montreal were not paid for by the Bank of Montreal - (Interjection) - Sorry, the Royal Bank. Mr.

Speaker, they were not paid for by the Bank of Montreal, the Royal Bank or any other bank, I can assure the Premier. HOf'�. H. PAWLEY: interesting because I received information, indeed from the Royal Bank, in my office in fact they had involved Leader Op position's visit to Montreal and Toronto. MR. G. FILMON: Speaker, in that case he should get better researchers, and perhaps he should after his own research before he after mine. MR. SPEAKER: Order please. HON. H. PAWLEY: Speake r, I think that honourable members might be interested in being

Friday, 8 March, 1985 1ware that the result of this morning's announcement n regard to principal labour force indications that the 1mount of employment in the Province of Manitoba ncreased 5,000 in Februar y, 1985 over Febru ary, 1984. illr. Speaker, not enough, but a substantial improvement n respect to the Province of Manitoba compared to >ther provinces. We remain a province that enjoys 1mongst the lowest unemployment. We are a province by way of employment growth :hat has stood well above the Canadian average and, \Ar.

Speaker, I think the honourable member could really Je somewhat more positive and a little less negative about the prospects for Manitobans. MR. G. FILMON: Mr. Speaker, those same employment statistics show that Manitoba remained stagnant in terms of its unemployment rate during the past month,

whereas the rest of the country improved by .2 percent, and 28,000 more jobs were created. - (I nterjection) - Mr. Speaker, in the past, when plant closures have occurred in this province, or were threatened, we've had the Minister of Labour involved in setting up task forces to assist in finding new jobs and retraining for the workp lace. What assistance has the Minister of Labour provided to the employees of Phillips Cables, Ray-0- Vac, or those threatened from CCIL with job losses at the present time? HON. H. PAWLEY: Mr.

Speaker, I sense the question is directed towards me, I think the Leader of the Opposition had indicated it towards the Minister of Labour. But, Mr. Speak er, again we have the Leader of the Opposition wanting to deal with the difficulties, which is proper and right, and we feel for those who ha ve been involv ed insofar as plant closu res are co ncerned , and I would think the Leader of the Opposition would be anxious to support us this Session in respect to positive forward efforts to reduce those situations that do involve plant closures in Manitoba. But, Mr.

Speaker, again I repeat to the Leader of the Op position that it has not been by accident, it has not been by some good luck that the Province of Manitoba enjoys overall the lowest rate of employment year to year that remains, I believe insofar as this morning's statistics are concerned, the second lowest - last year the lowest rate of unemployment anywhere in Canada. Mr. Speaker, I'm rather surp rised the Leader of the Op position said that we were the only province, if I reflect his statement about losing employment or something, our employment growth is up in the Province of Manitoba .

I understand from news reports this morning that th e latest figur es show Alb erta's employment figures down 7 ,OOO this month over last month. So I'm not sure again, Mr. Speaker, of the research capacity that appears to exist in the offices of the Leader of the Opposition. Vicon - location of head office MR. SPEAKER: The Honour able Mem ber for St. Norbert. MR. G. MERCIER: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Labour.

With respect to the specific 13 effects of the labour legislation passed by this government at the last Session, and about which we raised serious concerns, could the Minister advise whether Vicon, which purchased Co-op Implements will, as a result of an impasse with the union, as a result of the labour legislation passed by this government, whether Vicon will be locating its head office and new plant in Saskatchewan resulting in a loss of jobs for Manitoba? MR. SPEAKER: The Honourable Minister of Labour. HON. A. MACKLING: Mr.

Speaker, in connection with the difficulty that CCIL is having, the government of the Province of Manitoba was alerted as to this; we have met. Officials of the staff of my colleague's department, the Industry, Trade and Technology has met with the company staff of the Department of Labour, have met with the company and with the union, and we have been ende avou ring to facil itate any accommodations that are necessary in order to ensure the continuing viability of that company.

Honourable members know that the agricultural industry in this country has been plagued with difficulty for a couple of genera tions, there has been no leadership on the part of the Federal Government; there has been no leadership on the part of Conservative governments anywhere to facilitate a rebirth, or a regrowth, or a stabilization of agriculture and natural ly, as a natural concomitant of that, we have difficulty with agricultural equipment industry. MR. SPEAKER: Order please. The Honourable Member for Lakeside on a point of order. MR. H. ENNS: Mr.

Speaker, I have endeavoured to advise my caucus as to your concerns about the question period. I have asked my members to make their questions specific. The Member for St. Norbert asked a specific question with respect to a specific piece of legislation that has been singled out by the union president involved as being a problem in this instance. I would ask you to remind the honourable Minister to respond in a specific way to a specific question. MR. SPEAKER: I think the honourable member has just done so. The Honourable Minister of Labour. HON. A. MACKLING: So, Mr.

Speaker, there is no easy answer to the concerns that are there in respect to the agricultural machinery industry. There are longstanding problems because of the serious problems that affect agriculture itself. We cannot do, in the short term, what consistent old line party failures have accomplished in 20 years, and we are looking at ways in which we can facilitate and continue agricultural machinery operations in Manitoba. We will do everything we can to facilitate those concerns. Whether or not a company decides to locate in another jurisdiction is something that we cannot control.

We certainly can encourage them in many ways, and honourable members know that industry has indicated through their announcements that this is a healthy environment and climate in which to invest. a in a i M i o a t M b a

Friday, 8 March, 1985 MR. SPEAKER: Order please. The Honourable Member for St. Nor bert. MR. G. MERCIER: Mr. Speaker, the Minister has tried to divert attention away from the real problem of this government's labour legislation by referring to general agricultural problems. Mr.

Speaker, my question to the Minister is this, in view of the fact that Co-op Implements lost $ i 1.4 million last year and that the purch aser, Vicon, obviously requires a fresh start in order to maintain these jobs in Manitoba, would the Minister not agree to review and amend the labour laws which they passed at the last Session which require the purchaser of any failed business to assume the obligations of existing collective agreements in order to maintain jobs in Manitoba and not transfer them out of this province. HOii!. A. MACKLll\IG: Mr.

Speaker, the honourable member has underlined and confirmed the observations. I made in the answer I gave to his first question. The problem in respect to the agricultural equipment and machinery industry is a longstanding one, it has nothing to do with the labour legislation that was passed in this Legislature last Session. The fact that a number, and a growing number, of people in industry and business have recognized that Manitoba is a place in which to invest belies the statements the honourable member makes. We have an economy with a government that is responsive to the needs of that economy.

We are concerned to have a workforce that is productive, enthusiastic, and works in a climate, not of fear and oppression like they do in other parts of the world, even in other parts of this country. We believe that we do have that kind of a healthy working environment, Mr. Speaker. It is the longstanding difficulties in agriculture that has produced the malaise in that industry; policies, Mr. Sp eaker , that were pr omoted and prom pted by members opposite; high interest rates that have worked to destroy the base of agriculture in this country. MR. G. MERCIER: Mr.

Speaker, in view of the fact that the union leader clearly indicated the real problem by saying, in this province the law of the province is if you buy a plant - and that's whether it has failed or not - you inherit the present collective agreement in force, and that's the problem. In view of the fact that the ties of this government to organ ized labour were clearly indicated by the Labour Congress when they were elected, when they said in their publication, "Manitoba Victory, How Sweet It Is" . MR. SPEAKER: Question. MR. G. MERCIER: Mr.

Speaker, when will this Minister of Labour and this government break their ties with the leadership of organ ized unions and act to promote jobs in Manitoba and protect the interests of Manitoba, rather than the leaders of unions? MR. SPEAKER: Order please. The Honourable Minister of Labour. HON. A. MACKLING: Mr.

Speaker, I will be happy to debate at length with the honourable member labour 14 policy in this province, as against labour poiicy in other jurisdictions, and be able to demonstrate to him that, as a result of the kind of reasonable labour policy that is being adopted by this government, we have less work stoppages than comparable jurisdictions. Mr . Speaker , the honourable member, and the Ho nour able Member for Lakeside, the Opposition House Leader, rose out of concern for the answer was giving. The kind of questions that the honourable member asks leads to extensive debate. I don't believe, Mr.

Speaker, that it is appropriate for me to abuse the rules of the House to give lengthy answers, but those . are the kind of questions put that demand a full explanation. Mr. Speaker, when there is a change in an industry, such as happened in the agricultural machinery industry, it is one that has been occasioned by neglect of governments to deal with the real prob lems of agriculture; it is not a problem in dealing with the specific industry itself.

The agricultural equipment industry has been affected by the serious decline in purchase of agri culture equip ment, and that, of cou rse, is occasioned by the fact that there is a tremendous reduction in income to farme rs, income that is available with which to repla ce equip ment. Th ose are the problems, Mr. Speaker; they are not easily answered by any government by any handout to any business.

We are prepared to work with any company to ensure that the working conditions are fair and reasonable and, in this case, my col league's department and our department have worked with the company and with the union, and we will continue to endeavour to ensure that, where we can save and protect jobs in Manitoba, we will do so. MR. SPEAKER: Order please. The Honourable Member for Elmwood. Morgentaler Clinic MR. R. DOERN: Mr.

Speaker, I would like to direct a question to the Attorney-General conc erning the concern of thousands upon thousands of Manitobans on the abortion question, and the potential reopening of the Morgentaler Clinic. I would like to ask him whether he is considering proceeding with the charges against Dr. Morgentaler. MR. SPEAKER: The Honourable Attorney-General. HON. Ft PENNER: The charges that are outstanding against Dr. Morgentaler will be proceeded with in due course. MR. Ft DOERN: Mr.

Speaker, I would like to ask the Attorney-General whether he is indicating, and whether he has not indicated, that he has no choice in the matter but to wait for the Ontario decision; but would like to ask him whether, in fact, he doesn't have a variety of choices, he doesn't have a series of options, and that what he is doing, in effect, by sitting idly by . MR. SPEAKER: Question. MR. R. DOEFll\I: . . . is indicating his preference and his party's preference for the Morgentaler Clinic.

Friday, 8 March, 1985 HON. R. PENNER: Not at all, Mr. Speaker. Wha t, in fact, is happening here happens in all jurisdications, namely, when there are serious questions of the validity of the law, or its constitutionality, that have finally been addressed in the App eal Courts, then it is normally the case where charges are outstanding that the trial of those cha rges will wait the outcome of those proceedings to, in fact, see whether or not the law is valid or is constitutional.

The trial that we are talking about, between its preliminary and the trial itself, would cost the taxpayers of Manitoba somewhere between $250,000 and half a-million dollars. We could go through that and find at the end that a decision comes down which says that the law is invalid. I think it would be irresponsible to do that kind of thing; irresponsible by any test of the fairne ss in the admin istration of crimi nal justice; irresponsible with respect to the expenditure of money when we know that the appeal is being heard in Ontario in April. Indeed, the situation in Ontario is the same as it is here.

The Attorney-General in Ontario is waiting, in terms of further action there, on the outcome of that appeal. That seems to me to be the wisest course of ac tion that can be taken, and I propose to continue along those lines. MR. R. DOERN: Mr.

Speaker, I would then ask the Attorney-General, in view of his concern about cost and his concern about what is irresponsible and what isn't, I ask him whether he has concern about the possibility of violence on the picket line in front of the Corydon cli nic if it reopens, and if he would care to put a figure on the cost financial, and the cost in terms of responsibility, of that action by sitting idly by. HON. R. PENNER: Of course, Mr. Speaker, obviously I am concerned about irresponsible statements, such as, the last one which suggests that the citizens of Manitoba will resort to violence.

It is just that kind of thing whic h gets some people thinking along those lines. I regret that a member of this House should see fit to raise it. If, in fact, Mr. Speaker, we were to set a date for the preliminary hearing, then the first thing that would happen, and it's inevitable that it would happen, is that the lawyer for the accused would go to court to take a constitutional challenge. That, in itself, would be the same thing that is already happening in Ontario and, just for that to be heard, we would have to wait for many months, and its appeal for many months, and so on.

So that pressing on, in the way that is suggested, would not change the situation one iota in terms of whether or not the clinic will open. The opening of the clinic is not something that is within the control of the Government of Manitoba or the Attorney-General of Manitoba. Superior Bus - manufacturing in Oklahoma MR. SPEAKER: The Honourable Member for Morr is. MR. C. MANNESS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, I would like to pose my questions to the Minister of Labour 15 and they will follow upon the questions of the Member for St. Nor bert.

I'm wondering if the Minister could inform the House as to whether the now defunct Superior Bus Company of Morris, which was driven out of the country, in part, because of the labour reasons expounded upon by the Member for St. Nor bert, I'm wondering if the Minister can inform the House whether this company is about to begin production producing three to five school buses a day employing 80 people in Chickasha, Oklahoma. MR. SPEAKER: The Honourable Minister of Labour. HON. A. MACKLING: Mr.

Speaker, I certainty regret the fact that the honourable member in his question endeavors to cloud and distort a problem that occurred in respect to the viable continuance of an operation in a community he represents. There were very serious prob lems there, ec onomic problems , again the honourable member tries to gloss over those problems and impute some wrong doing to this Government. Mr. Speaker, there were serious problems there that had nothing to do with any labour legislatio n of this government.

There were concerns on the part of people in the community as to relationships, and I don't think it's fair or reasonable for the honourable member to place in question that whole array of problem and suggest that it was occasioned by this Government. That kind of fabrication Mr. Speaker, is not helpful to the people of his community, or the people of Manitoba anywhere. MR. C. MANNESS: Mr.

Speaker, I'm wondering if the Minister can advise as to whether the same company about to begin producing in Oklahoma will be employing 110 people by the end of the year, 500 people within two years, and paying to those employees a salary equivalent to what Canadian workers would receive if they were still producing buses here. MR. SPEAKER: Order please, order please. Questions should be on matters which are within the administrative com petence of the Minister involved. Perhaps the honourable member would wish to re- phra se his question? Order please. The Honourable Member for Morris. MR. C. MANNESS: Mr.

Speaker, I would ask the Minister whether he has had contact with the former General Manager of the Superior bus plant in Morris and whether or not that general manager has provided this same information either to him, or officials within his department. HON. A. MACKUNG: Mr. Speaker, I heard a statement in the second intervention of the honourable member which you indicated was not in order. He asks now about some correspondence; I'll certainly take that as notice. I'm not aware of correspondence, certainly there may have been communication in respect to areas that he urges. But I repeat again, Mr.

Speaker, that if the honour able member is seriously concerned about employment in industry in his constituency it would be helpful if he communicate it to me so that I could prepare a full and detailed response to his questions. But the

way he asks questions is to impute some wrong doing on the part of this government or this minister and then suggest; what have you got to say about it? Now if that's the kind of responsible questions we're going to get in this House Mr. Speaker, then I think the people of Manitoba will recognize that we have an irresponsible opposition. CC!l closure - cost to taxpayers MR. SPEAKER: The Hono urable Mem ber for La Verendrye. MR. B. BANMAN: Thank you Mr. Speaker.

I direct my question to the Minister in charge of Co-operative Development and would ask him to inform the House as to what outstanding involvement, in the form of loans and loan guarantees, that the taxpayers of Manitoba now have in the closed down CCIL facility? MR. SPEAKER: The Honourable Minister for Co operative Development. HON. J. COWAN: Yes, generally in answer to the member's question we have those loans and loans guarant ee commitments which were entered to in 1981 and 1983.

I can provide him with the exact detail as to the amount that is outstanding at the present time perhaps at the next question period so that I am assured of the accuracy of those figures. MR. B. BANMAN: Thank you Mr. Speaker. I wonder if the Minister could inform the House as to what the approxima te losses will be to the taxpayer of Manitoba with regard to the closure of that business. HON. J. COWAN: Again, tha t type of detailed information is available and I'll be pleased to provide it to the Member for La Verendrye at my earliest convenience.

But I might say to members opposite that the situation with CCIL , as indicated by my colleague and is known by them, is not an unusual situation in respect to the agricultural implement industry in this Province or any other province in this country.

What we, as a Government, have endeavoured to do, and I believe we have honestly struck out to work with the parties involved to ensure that whatever benefits are available to CCIL to continue their operation here were available to them; that we dealt with this matter in a realistic way so that we would be assured that they would have full opportunity to review the benefits of their operation here, and we will continue to work with the agricultural implement industry in Manitoba to ensure that the problems that they are experiencing here, which are similar and like to the problems they are experiencing elsewhere, are dealt with in a fair manner.

So there are obligations on the part of the taxpayers in Manitoba through the government, and I might add that member himself was, at the time of the loan agreement in 19 83, involved in re viewi ng the opportunities, and also the dangers in providing that money to the industry. At that time, they agreed it was an appropriate use of the taxpayer's money, and at this time, we believe it is an approp r iate use of 16 1985 taxpayer's money, but I'll provide that information to him in the near future. CCIL - losses to credit union system MR. B. BANMAN: Thank you Mr.

Speaker. wonder if the Minister, at the same time he's providing me with that information, could inform the House as to what the exposure, and if there are any potential losses to the credit union system of Manitoba with regard to the closure of CCIL. HON. J. COWAN: Certainly I'll be prepared to do that in respect to the losses, and in light of the confidentiality requirements that may be in place, and subject to those confidentiality requirements of which the Member is well aware in respect to the credit union system itself.

We will provide the information fully on what the public exposure is for the people of Manitoba. I would expect that as long as that informa tion is of a public nature we can provide it to him regarding the credit union system, but he, himself, is aware that there are certain requirements on the part of government and part of the credit union system that may necessitate him asking that question directly of the credit union system. Pharmacare deductible - savings to government MR. SPEAKER: The Honourable Member for Pembina. MR. D. ORCHARD: Thank you Mr. Sp ea ker. My question is for the Minister of Health.

Can the Minister of Health indicate the savings to government through his recently announced 33 percent increase in the Pharm acare deductible to all Manitobans? MR. SPEAKER: The Honourable Minister of Health. HON. L DESJARDINS: Mr. Speaker, I'd like to set the honourable member right. The increase in Pharma car e deduction is only dealing with the people that are under the age of 65, and that is the $25, the equivalent of $20.00 because they'd have to pay 20 percent of that anyw ay. So the increase actually is only for those 65 and under and that's $20.00 for the year. MR. D. ORCHARD: Thank you Mr. Speaker.

And what is the savings to govern ment of that increase to Manitobans presently enjoying those benefits under Pharm acare? HON. L. DESJARDINS: As far as the savings Mr. Speaker, I haven't got that at this moment but I'll gladly provide that information for my honourable friend. MR. D. ORCHARIJ: Thank you Mr. Speaker. I find it passing strange that the Minister of Health doesn't have those figures at his fingertip when he can bring out ballpar k figures of sav ings in ether deparirPenta i cutbacks in his Deoartment of Health. Mr. Speaker, my question is to the First Minister.

Is it the intention of :vlinister to continue imposing additional user tees on Manllobans through the

Friday, 8 March, 1985 care system, and other program deliveries of the Province of Manitoba, to finance his image-making media-blitz and advertising campaign on the backs of Manitoba families of low income who have sick children, and Manitobans who can ill afford to contr ibute more money to this government to be wasted on advertising to prop up a sagging and fading government image? MR. SPEAKER: Or der please. Or der pl ease. The que stion is ar gumentat ive, would the honour able member wish to rephrase his question? MR. D. ORCHARD: Mr.

Speaker, can the Minister indicate that if it's government policy to raise user fees in the medical health system of the Province of Manitoba to impact on low Manitobans, to derive revenues which will be wasted on image advertising to prop up the NDP party image in the Province of Manitoba? HON. H. PAWLEY: No, Mr. Speaker. MR. SPEAKER: Order please. The time for Or al Questions has expired, Orders of the Day. The Honourable Member for Swan River. MR. D. GOURLAY: Mr. Speaker, I'd ask for leave to make a non-political statement at this time. MR.

SPEAKER: Does the honourable member have leave? (Agreed) NON-POLITI CAL STATEMENT MR. SPEAKER: The Honourable Member for Swan River. MR. D. GOURLAY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Recently Mr. George Church, from Minitonas, which is located in the Swan River constituency, won the Carling O'Keefe Canadian Five Pin Bowling championship held here in Winnipeg, and I would ask that all members of the House join with me in congratulating Mr. Church on this very fine accomplishment. MR. SPEAKER: Order please. The Honourable Member for Lakeside on a point of order. MR. H. ENNS: Yes, Mr.

Sp eake r, ju st pr ior to commencing with the Orders of the Day, I believe it is customary to acknowledge new assistants that we have from time to time in this Chamber, and the Official Opposition would welcome and recognize the presence of the Assistant Clerk, Bev Bosiak. We look forward to working with her, and we look forward to her help in making this House run better. ORDERS OF THE DAY THRONE SPEECH DEBATE MR. SPEAKER: Order please. In the matter of the Speech by Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor, the Honourable Member for Wolseley. MS. M. PHILLIPS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I move, seconded by the Member for Riel, that a humble 17 address be presented to Her Honour the Lieutenanl Governor of the Province of Manitoba as follows: We, Her Majesty's dutiful and loyal subjects, the Legisla tive Ass embly of Ma nitoba, in Session assembled, humbly thank Your Honour for the gracious speech which Your Honour has been pleased to address us at the opening of this present Session. MOTION presented. MR. SPEAKER: The Honourable Member for Wolseley. MS. M. PHILLIPS: Mr.

Speaker, I begin by offering my humble thanks to my Premier for the honour that he has once again bestowed on me by giving me this privilege of moving acceptance of this the Fourth Speech from the Throne in this Session of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. However, much more than being honoured personally, more importantly I conside r it a much deserved compli ment to the wonde rful people in Wolseley constituency. I say wonderful people because I believe they collectively express the ideal of a neighbourhood where the co-operative approach to economic and social justice is amply demonstrated.

Our many vital and dynamic neighbourhood groups can be held up as a model for any neighbourhood in this land. I also point with pride to many many Wolseley residents who are activists and regularly devote their time and energy to both economic and social issues which affect the wider community of our city, our province and our country. I am proud of each of them and humbled with the duty they have given me as their spokesperson in this House for, while there are many who can and do speak out there are also many, because of economic and social injustices, who ar e unable to do so.

It is for them that I rise to speak today. Mr. Speaker, I have a special delight in having the opportunity today for it is International Women's Day. It is the 75th Ann iversary since International Women's Day has been demonstrated in 17 countries around the world; the 53rd year it has been celebrated in Manitoba.

It has been celebrated in Manitoba since 19 22. 1985 is the close of the 10t h decade of women as declared by the United Nations in 1975, and it is exactly the 3r d anniv ersary of my first nervous contribution to debate in this Chamber; and three years later, I publicly renew my commitment to women in Wolseley and throughout Manitoba to continue the wor k begun so many years ago by very brave women. I would also like to take this opportunit y to congratulate our first female House officer, Miss Bev Bosiak, our new Clerk's Assistant; to Tannis Manikal, the Cler k of Committees; welcome to the House.

This is our opportunity to pay deep tribute to the foremothers of all of us who have passed on to us the right and the strengths to be here in the Legislature today. So we have a responsibility, as legislators, to pursue with all our heart and vigor the attainment of true and meaningful equality in our society. We also have a responsibility to set an example, because of our fortuna te accident of birth in the Province of Manitoba, to societies ar ound the wor ld. We have a responsibility to young women, especiall y in this International Year of Youth, to prepare for them

Friday, 8 March, 1985 a better future; to elderly women, for their contribution of the past, to more than a sentence of poverty; to our sisters strug gling to raise their chil dr en on social allowance to more than a subsistence existence; to Native women who constantly face double discrimination in the workplace and, if they are luc ky, only daily in our community; to wome n we have welcomed from other parts of the world, we have a responsibility to assist them in adapting in their struggle to fit into our society here in Manitoba; to women who work outside the home to equality of opportunity for work in safe and healthy workpla ces, they deserve no less than equal pay for work of equal value or pay equity for the work that they do; and for the assurance of quality child care for their children who are the responsibility, after all, of all of us; to wealthy women who suffer abuse at the hands of their husbands as often and as damaging as do poor women.

We have a responsibility to share the joy of happy women and to share the grief and the pain of grieving. women; to single, married, separated, divorced and widowed women, regardless of their marital status, each and every individual deserves economic and social justice. On March 8, 1908, hundreds of New York women demonstrated to demand the vote and the eight-hour day. In 1912, 20,000 workers walked out of the woolen mills of Lawrence, Massachusetts, in a spontaneous protest against a cut in their weekly wages which were $8.76 for a 56-hour work week.

They eventually won important concessions for a quarter million women in the needle trades. Out of those struggles came a moving and inspiring theme song. Because I believe that song exempl ifies the foundation on which both this government and the Speech from the Throne are based, I would like to quote a couple of verses from that anthem. "As we come marching, marching; we battle too for men. For they are women's children; and we mother them again. Our lives shall not be sweated, from birth until life closes. Hearts starve as well as bodies, give us bread but give us roses.

As we come march ing, ma rc hing, unnum bered women dead, Go crying through our singing, their ancient cry for bread. Small art and love and beauty, their drudging spirits knew. Yes, it is bread we fight for, but we fight for roses, too. As we come marching, marching, we bring the greater days. The rising of the women means the rising of the race. No more the drudge and idler, ten that toiled while one reposes; But a sharing of life's glory, bread and roses, bread and roses." You see, Mr. Speaker, the economic and social policies outlined in this Throne Speech carries that vision.

The essence of the Throne Speech and our commitment to the people of Manitoba, our raison d'etre of our social policy is not economic growth for growth's sake alone, but economic growth which results in a fair and 18 equitable benefit to all the people of our province. Mr. Speaker, just bread is not enough, we all need roses too. All too often women's issues are seen to be social issues, not economic issues.

The roses we bring home occasional ly, if there are a few pennies left over for luxuries after paying the real bills, this is far from reality and we, in the New Democratic Party Govern ment, reject that model outright. Therefore, we debate a Throne Speech which has social and cultural issues laid out in economic terms. After two successful years, the commitment is made to continue the Jobs Fund as our top economic priority.

With emphasis on long-term job creation plans are laid out for consider ation to assure tha t Manitoba employees and employers share in the risks and rewards of a rapidly changing work environment. Our vision has concrete job creation and employment preservation proposals, which incorporate a human face on the technological change challenge. Is our Community Assets Program a bread or a roses issue?

Is it purely an economic program under the Jobs Fund simply because it has been successful at levering $3.00 for every $1 .00 invested by this government, or is it a roses issue because it is providing a much-needed community project such as dozens of renovated child care facilities for children and their working parents? Of course, the Tory opposition would prefer to give tax free grants to their business buddies on the vague hope that they would reinvest it in creating employment. The wide acceptance by business - (Interjection) - MR. SPEAKER: Order please. MS. M.

PHILLIPS: . . . of Jobs Fund programs such as the Grads in Business Program, Careerstart and Manitoba Jobs and Tra ining, show government and business can work together co-operatively to tackle the tragedy of unemployment. Our Hydro Resou rces Dev elop ment is anothe r example of this government's commitment to assuring long-term benefits of economic activity accrue to all the people in our province. I am delig hted to reiterate tha t purchasing, emplo yment and training oppor tunities are being instituted to ensure Manitoba men and women will benefit.

Is it bread or is it roses that Native women's groups have joined the consultative process so they can also benefit from this opportunity? I wholeheartedly endorse the proposal in the Throne Speech to set up what could be called our own in Made-in-Manitoba version of a Heritage Fund through which the profits from hydro sales can be reinvested in the economic growth of our province, at the same time keeping hydro costs to consumers amongst Canada's lowest. Our vision includes a continuation of the bold housing program which has been lauded by all sectors across the country.

It has also been responsible in part for our low unemployment rate. My constituency, as a good example, has benefited greatly by such components as the Buy and Renovate and the Critical Home Repair Programs. They have assisted many dozens of families who have moved into Wolseley. A family has not only the opportunity to decent affordable housing, but has helped in the revitalization of our neighbourhood as well. Is that bread, or is that roses?

Friday, 8 March, 1985 I am especially delighted that a new 43-unit housing project at Furby and Cornish will be under construction any day now. it will be a wonderful altern ative to low income families to some of the substandard housing that they have been forced to settle with in the past I am especially delighted with the design which is no! only compatible with the aesthetics of the surrounding neighb ourho od, but also with the fact that it incorp orates space especially designed for a day care centre on the main floor, all of this because years back the Sch reyer Government had the foresight through MHR C to purcha se the land.

We could have had people living in this kind of environment many years earlier if the former Tory Government had not frozen the project for four years. Was it seen as roses, therefore those families would have to wait? Our vision says bread is having a roof over one's head, any kind of root. Roses is having a decent, safe, clean and yet affordable home. I am also proud to have the Un iversity of Winnipeg in my constituency. Wher eas the President of the Un iversity of British Columbia yesterday resigned in disgust wit h the So cr ed com rade s of our To ry opposition, we have just the opposite relationship.

We not only have the new Athletic Centre off and running, but also the Student Unions Child Care is now out of the old Library Building basement, out of the bus fumes, away from the silverfish into a newly renovated facil ity. This facility not only serves child care needs of university students and staff and the neighbourhood, but through the Skills Growth Fund houses a new training facility for child care workers throughout the province. I look forward to a continued good working relationship with the fine and dedicated staff at our dynamic downtown campus. Two more issues before I close.

Firstly, I am delighted that the Throne Speech refers to pay equity or equal pay for work of equal value. Often this issue is seen as roses, some luxur y to be addressed when economic times are great. Well, Mr. Speaker, in this country we have had great economic times in the past, but we have never had pay equity. Women can no longer be expected to buy the line, "A half-a-loaf of bread is better than none." I am proud of belonging to a government brave enough to make commitments in this area. The second issue is the issue of pension reform.

There is no other issue which so blatantly exemplifies the attitudes and goals of the members opposite and their big business bosses. A recent report from the Legislature from their Tory Leader delivered to my home refers to ". . . pension legislation out of step with the rest of the countr y." I wish to say unequivocal ly, Mr.

Speaker, that after the Royal Commission Report on the Status of Women in 1967, many many federal provincial dialogues over the years, and 10 years of effort on this issue personall y, I am most proud to be a member of a government, the one government in Canada, who has the courage and determination to bring in the most progressive, exciting and equitable pension legislation in this countr y. I wou ld al so like to take this opp ortu nity to acknowledge the work and dedication by the former Min ister of Labour who intr oduced that bill, the Honourable Mar y Beth Dolin.

But for her courage, wisdom and dedication to women in this province, we might still have had the Tory status quo. Women across 19 Canada support us on this ach ievement. Pensions are certainly bread, and not just roses. That kind of economic and social progress is the reason we are here, not like my friends across the way who believe in power for power's sake. Mr. Speaker, Conservative economic and social philosophy is well documented as one of power, control and selfishness, getting as much as one can for one's self, dog eat dog.

In fact, their slogan remains even on International Women's day, every man for himself; yes, in the most sexist meaning of the word. We have heard also in relation to social issues from Tories in the past few months about sacred trusts. It seems the trusts they hold most sacred are those of their friends resting in financial institutions. It seems to me the Tory's commitment to progress for women is removing the male buffalo from their logo, and that is as far as they are prepared to go.

Democratic socialism and feminism, on the other hand, are based on a concept of mutual concern, fairness and co-operation; on a vision of a province where each sector pr ospers because of an interdependence on each other, not at the expense of one for the benefit of the other; a vision of equality which was passed to us by Nellie McClung and the suffragettes in whose tribute we wore the yellow rose of hope yesterday which was their symbol; a vision best expressed by J.S. Woodsworth, "What we desire for ourselves, we wish for all.

To that end we take our share of the world's work and the world's struggles." It does make, Mr. Speaker, economic and social sense. Thank you very much. MR. SPEAKER: The Honourable Member for Riel. MRS. D. DODICK: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the experience and the guidance which you have shown during which time you have occupied the senior position within this Cham ber. Mr . Sp eaker , I want to br iefly expr ess my congratulations to the Honourable Member for The Pas who has recently been appointed to the Cabinet.

His work for The Pas and his work on the northern working group has already been known throughout the northern part of our great province. I was very pleased to see him assume the responsibility of Northern Affairs, and to know that he is contributing the same enthusiasm and leadership in this role that he showed as a caucus chairpers on. The Honourable Member for Rupertsland has many times expressed to me his approval of the Member for The Pas' commit ment and under standin g of the concerns of the Native people of this province.

At the same time, I must mention how pleased I was to witness the recent election of my colleague, the Member for Wolseley, as the Government Caucus Chairperson. The Honour able Member for Ste. Rose has served his constituents well since 19 71, and I am sure that the members from all sides will agree that his retirement from Cabinet and the Legislature will be a loss for this province. I was also very pleased to hear that he has accepted the request of our Premier to become a Legislative Assistant to the Premier. The Honourable

Friday, 8 March, 1985 Member for Ste. Rose distinguished himself in the three portfolios he held at various times in Cabinet, and will be long remembered throughout rural Manitoba for his leadership in designing and im plementing the Main Street Manitoba Program. As well, I wish to pay my respects to the constituents of Riel who have supported me during the past three years, and for allowing me the honour to act as their spokesperson in the Legislature of the Province of Manitoba. I am pleased today, Mr. Speaker, to second the Speech from the Throne.

As the contents of the Throne Speech indicate, the government is again proposing a comprehensively legislated program that calls for action in all key areas which are of most importance to Manitobans, to consolidate and to improve on already favourable economic decisions and to move forward together with the constituents of Riel and the one million other Manitobans. As members are aware, Manitoba's population has increased year over year without interruption since 1981. This is in contrast to the drain of population during other areas in 1979 and 1980 experienced under the previous government.

In retail sales, Manitoba leads the west. We have the lowest or the second-lowest unemployment rates in Canada , and our youth unemp loyment rates are continually remaining at the lowest. Our housing starts have reached a record high. As well, Mr. Speaker, after the neglect and the slashing of the pr evious gover nment's pol icies of acute, protracted restraint had created insecurity and loss of business confidence, Manitobans are pleased to have a government that has created an atmosphere of co operation between business and labour.

Last year, in fact, when the Premier accompanied me on a tour of a portion of the Constituency of Riel, we were pleasantly surpri sed when a recurring theme of small businesses' optimism that we heard whether we were in the St. Vital Shopping Centre, in the public or private meetings, where we heard all of the plans for the expansion in the Dakota Mall or other small stores and businesses throughout the riding, small business which creates new jobs and expansion in Riel as they are throughout Manitoba.

This being International Youth Year, I am pleased to see the involvement of our government in programs for youth. As the Throne Speech said, our government recognizes the need for opportunities for youth to obtain training and experience to prepare themselves for future successful careers. Recently I was disturbed to read in a To ronto newspaper a series of difficulties of the young people there in obtaining the all-impor tant first job and the high cost of living.

While the Federal Conservative Government have been recently trying to blame the victims of high unemployment for their state, studies such as this point out the actual lack of jobs and barriers to empl oyment that the young peop le, who lack experience, face. In Ottawa, for example, one employment office listed 10 new job openings on the day surveyed, but none of them for people without previous experience.

When a bus pass in Toronto costs $38.50 per month compared to $27 in Winnipeg, and Medicare premiums $340 per person, it is not surprising that many young people in 20 that province get demoralized and find it difficult to support themselves. Fortunately, in Manitoba, we have a government which does not charge Med icare premiums and a government that truly cares about our youth. As has been mentioned before, but it bears repeating, our government is committing over 14 million on youth employment this summer, considerably more on a per capita basis than most other pr ovinces.

Youth unemployment continues to be a serious problem in Manitoba while the Federal Government has reduced their allotment of funding for the summer works in . Manitoba. Our government has increased the funding this year. Our go vernment ha s estab lished a Manitoba International Youth Year office to co-ordinate the year's events and activities and to help young Manitobans to partici pate and advise the government. An important aspect of this International Year in Manitoba is the fact that our province is more ethnic devised than any other in Canada.

According ly, the first provincial poster produced for International Youth Year included some 20 languages. The Minister responsible for the pro vince's International Youth Year Program, the Honour able Member for Brandon East, has assured me that besides having the lowest youth unemployment rate in Canada our government is committed to improving opportunities for youth, and that this will be a major focus of our commitments in the International Youth Year.

Particularly he noted two new programs, Jobs in Tr aining and Youth Business Start, which will be of special importance in reac hing our goal of giving our young people opp ortunities for meaningful experience which will enhance their future prospects. In mentioning the contributions of Riel to our province, I must mention with pride all Manitobans felt last year when the Laliberte team played in the world curling championship in Perth, Scotland, and brought home the championship. Mr. Speaker, our government initiatives on behalf of agricultur e, as outlined in the Throne Speech, are impressive and sincere.

Agriculture is a key sector of our provincial economy and one which our government understands and cares greatly about. The Minister directly responsible for agricultur e, the Honourable Member for Interlake, a farmer himself, has close ties to the farmers of this province. His efforts to save our farmers in the face of neglect and stabilized farm income s and to supp ort farmers facing financial difficulties caused by exorbitant interest rates are well known and respected.

The government's efforts to aid farmers' difficult conditions, some which were outlined in the Throne Speech, will be enthusiastically supported, not only by members in this Legislature, but also in farming communities throughout Manitoba. Yesterday, Mr. Speaker, the Speech from the Throne mentioned our gover nment's concerns about the inadequacy of the federal tax system. In my constituency work in Riel, I often hear the complaints about the tax loopholes which cost our economy billions of dollars.

I feel it is only appropria te at this time that I remind the Legislature of some of the points that the Auditor General of Canada, Kenneth Dye, made in his 1984 report. At a time when many of my constituents are filling out their tax forms, it is relevant to recall that

8 March, 1985 he estimated that Ottawa could retire its entire $35 billion deficit and show a modest surplus if it had the courage and the wisdom to eliminate the conundrum of the tax preferenc es and ioopholes that have grown under successful Li beral and Cons ervat ive Governments over the past 30 years. As Mr. Dye put it, for every $1 00 that the Federal Government spends directly it may well be spending an additional $30 to $50 by way of a tax expenditure. Tax expenditures are a huge hidden budget in the financial affairs of Canada.

It is my fervent hope that the provincial governments across the country will respond to our recent call for a national conference on tax reform to correct this pres sing pro blem before the Federal Conservative Government decides to cut social programs in an attempt to balance its unnecessary deficit. Mr. Speaker, the Speech from the Throne highlighted many of the important measures that our government is taking to ensure that the Manitoba economy continues its leading role in combatting unemployment and crea ting jobs.

Like many Mani tobans, I was particularly pleased to hear of the work done by the Minister from Seven Oaks, Brandon East, Tr anscona and the rest of my colleagues, in developing innovative joint government labour industry consultations which will produce and continue spirits, co-operation and harmony development for which this government is known for. For businesses, Manitoba's Jobs Fund jobs and training programs is expected to generate more than 2,000 jobs this year.

To assist with the problems of the youth unemployment, I am pleased to note that an additional $3 million for Manitobans, age 16 to 24, has been made available for new, and perhaps mor e important, long-term opportunities. Our young people are our most important natural resources for the future of this province. T he grad uates in business programs, career starts, youth business starts, are expected to create thousands of jobs in a province where the youth unemployment rate has consistently remained among the lowest in Canada.

Last year alone over 70 students were hired in Riel by small busin esses in using gr ants from our government program called CareerStarl. These stores and businesses raised from such devised businesses as the As siniboine Credit Union on St. Mary's Road, the Meadowwood Personal Care Home and the Mother Goose Nursery School, and of course a beauty salon in our St. Vital Shopping Centre. This year, I anticipate even more small businesses will take advantage of !his imaginative and important program. Mr .

Speaker , our government comm itted to the orderly and development of hydro power in our province as outlined yesterday in the Speech from the Throne deserves some praise and comment. The Limestone pro ject is the onl y cu rrent major development in Canada. We are building the dam at a time when construction costs are relatively low and a stimulous of this project will be felt throughout the Manitoba economy for many years to come.

As the Speech from the Throne indicated Manitobans - thanks to the prudent action of this government - can look forward to a decade of hydro development with new purchasing, employment and training policies which wili maxim ize the benefits of the Ma nitoba 21 business and labour. The sound consistent management of our government is evidenced by our careful cautious approach to hydro sales and development provides wealth for the future of the province. Mr.

Speaker, I was shocked to hear of the news recently about the high hydro cost tha t Newf oundlandlers pay, and am very proud of our record of stewardship here in Manitoba where , thanks to sound planning, Manitobans continue to have the lowest hydro rate in the country. · Mr. Speaker, I want now to speak of something that can no longer be tolerated in the civilized society. I am sure ML As from both parties will agree with me that the recent government initiatives outlined in the Throne Speech to combat spouse abuse, child abuse and elderly abuse, are of great importance to our province.

Since our Attorney-General, the Honourable Member for Fort Rouge, instructed police to lay charges in investigating cases of wife abuse in 19 83, the increase in charges of the seriousness of the issue have become more public. The recent announcement of the Public Aw areness Program announced by my colleague, the Honourable Member for Osborne, will provide a vital link for isolated, frightened women across this province. Our efforts alone will not eliminate the problem.

However, once women throughout our province realize that the help is available, that they need not stay in abusive situations, then the incidents can be significantly reduced. I want too, today on International Women's Day, address the status of women in this pr ovince. International Women's Day should be a time for the celebration of the efforts and the accomplishments of women. Many strides have been made toward achieving equality for women, however many challenges also remain. Social justice for women will only come with economic sec ur ity.

The Government of Ma nitoba strongly believes that it has a responsibility to act to ensure tha t genuin e economy equa lity is, in fact, achieved by women. This government takes great pride in the numerous policies, programs and pieces of legislation that it undertakes since its election. In fulfilling its commitment to equality for women and as indicated in the Throne Speech yesterday, we will be bringing forward even more concrete initiatives beneficial to women. The ava ilability of equa lity of child care often determines whether or not many women even have the opportunity of entering the paid labour force.

In its determination to eliminate what is for many women a impediment to their equality the workp lace, govemmenl has significantly improved the quantity, the qua lity and the acce ssibility of the care provided. Since assuming office three years ago, we have more than doubled our child care budget enabling us to increase fee subsidies, maintenance as well as the number of spaces. We have also enacted legislation establishing standards for staff qualification, program quality and physical facilities.

Recently we embarked on a ma.ior program, the first of its kind in Canada, skills of child care workers while they retain in the centres. During this Session, the government will be expanding on its commitment to accessible quality child care even more. Although Manitoba clearly leads the way on this issue in Canada, we are commit ted to facilita ting and

Friday, 8 March, 1985 advancing the development of our child care services across the country. As a result, this past November, the Minister of Community Services brought forward a working model for a universal child care system. In June the Manitoba Government will be co-hosting the Federal-Provincial Territorial Conference of Ministers responsible for the Status of Women, at which child care will be a major agenda item. We hope at this conference, the Ministers responsible will be able to arrive at a consensus on this issue of critical importance to childr en and women.

With four out of 10 marriages ending in divorce and with 75 percent of maintenance orders across Canada in arrears, the enforcement - or rather non-enforcement - of these orders is key in determining the economic situation of many women and their children. Manitoba is the first and to date the only jurisdiction to implement a Ma intenance Order Enforcement Program which consists of computerized monitoring of all payments and automatic enforcement upon default. The success of this program has been outstanding, resulting in payment rates of 85 percent as compared to the national rate of 25 percent.

Once again, Manitoba is urging Ottawa and the other provinces to develop similar programs so as to facilitate enforcements across boundaries. This government does not merely talk about economic security for women and childr en, it acts upon it. Another issue on which Manitoba is far ahead of other governments is that of pension coverage for women. With two out of three elderly women living below the poverty line in Canada, the provision for adequate pensions for women is absolutely essential.

This government's amendments to pension legislation provides for improved portability arrangements and a reduced vesting period, both of which are particularly beneficial to women who tend to leave and re-enter the labour force more frequently because of their child bearing responsibilities for which they should not be penalized.

Survivor benefits, the splitting of pension credits upon marriage breakdown and the extension of pension eligibility to many part-time employees the majority of whom are women , and the abolition of sex discrimination in pension calculations, in other words, unisex mortality tables, yet another first in Canada. At this point, I would like to pay tribute to our dear colleague who is the Member for Kildonan. In her dual capacity as the Min ister of Labour and Minister responsible for the Status of Women, she worked tirelessly on behalf of the women in this province.

Her deep commitment and caring can be credited for many of the advances now enjoyed by women. I look forward to her advice and counsel during this new Session. As an active member of our caucus, she will continue to see that Kildonan is well-represented in this Legislature. One issue which the Member for Kildonan pioneered and of which the government will be introducing some measures this season is that of pay equity. Women will never achie ve economic equality as long as they continue to earn an average 65 percent of what men earn, while still having to pay the same pric es as men for food and shelter, etc.

With more and more women heading single parent households, equal pay for work of equal value is crucial for the economic survival of many families. 22 Thr oughout most of the history, we have been depr ived of the full contributions of half of our population. It is no wonder that concerns are raised about productivity in this country. The fact is that the attainment of genuine economic equality for women will benefit all society, and I am proud to be part of a government that is continuing working in improving the opportunities for women to realize their full potential.

I want at this time to mention briefly the Welcome Home Program initiated by my honourable colleague, the Minister of Community Services, the Member for Osborne. This admirable and innovative program has . been designed to produce more community-based services for mentally handicapped Manitobans, thereby enabling a larger proportion of them to live in their home communities. The actual program varies in extent and mandate, depending upon the local community needs.

The overall project is to create a suitable range of commu nity-based services for the mentally ha nd icapped , including day activity centres and recreat ion pr ograms, medical services including physical and speech therapy. My colleague has told me that over the next three years, over 200 residents of provincial institutions for the mentally handicapped will move into a variety of community residential settings through the Welcome Home Program. The key to the program is the emphasis on the special needs of the families and the individuals concerned.

Recently I was honoured to attend, with the Member for Osborne, a dinner in my own riding of Riel at the St. Amant Centre. The St. Amant Centre is, of course, well-known in this city for its dedicated workers and their commitment to the welfare of residents. That night, over 100 of us gathered to thank and praise the work of parents of the children, volunteers and staff through a myriad of fundraising efforts including bingos, raffles, casinos and bake sales, bazaars and door-to-door canvassing, they raised just over $1 million in the last four years to construct 24 cottage units at the St.

Amant Centre for mentally-handicapped patients. Through the generosity of the donors of Riel, Winnipeg, and citizens throughout our province and the hard work of the volunteers and the staff of the St. Amant Centre, these young people will now stay in their home and live more satisfying lives with easy access to family and friends. I am quite proud to inform the House that our government has promised to subsidize, on a yearly basis, part of the cost of operating these cottage units to keep them affordable for the families involved.

The people in Riel, while for the most part of modest incomes, are well-known for their generosity of spirit and their fundraising efforts. While unique, it is not too typical for our community. Such community participation and thoughtfulness as has occurred here in Riel show that our government's desire to identify and develop community-based services for mentally handicapped will be successful.

In many other communities, similar understandings of the mentally handicapped need for links with their community, show that our government's desir e to identify and develop communi ty-based services for the mentally handicapped will be successful. Clearly in Riel, thanks to the work of the families concerned, the staff of the St. Amant Centre, volunteers and generous donations of the citizens of Riel and others across the province, this link will be continued.

Friday, 8 March, 1985 The communi ty spirit shovm at the St. Arnant is also evident in other parts of Riel. The Riverside Lions Estate for the handicapped is a unique facility in As many mem bers may the suites are !or seniors and their families and, as well, for people who may become subsidized grants and the fact that apartments include suites with two and three-bedroom units mean that they allow famili es lo together who might otherwise be forced to break up or apart. I was truly honoured in January of this year when I attended the 35th Anniversary dinner of the Riverside lions Club.

The Riverside lions Club now have a permanent place in Riel. To help celebrate this event, a bronze plaque was unveiled to commemor ate the completion of the Centre. It was a proud moment for the Riverside Lions and a proud mome nt for Riel, a constitue ncy which, with our government's help and encouragement, is making progress on many fronts. Recreation is, ol course, an im portant part of the life of Riel, and here once the communi ty spirit found at the Lions Centre at the St. Amant Centre is also evident.

I am very pleased to mention the three clubs in particul ar, the Glenlea, the Greendell and the Norberry Community Clubs of which our government was able to aid through the Community Assets Program par! of the Manitoba Jobs Fund. The Greendell Commu nity Club has moved two baseball diamonds order to construct a third hockey rink and skating rink due to the increased demand for facilit ies simil ar. The Norb erry Communi ty Club is renovating two skating rinks and storage areas. Last the Greendell Commu nity Club built a new hockey with the aid of the grants from our government.

Nearly 60 jobs were created last year in the gr ants to recrea tional facilities here in Riel. The government got excellent leverage in the grants as, for every dollar granted, another $3.00 was put up for the projects. recall only too well the mood of cynicism and despair that many tenants and homeowners relayed to me during the iast provincial election about their concerns being ignored. Thankfully , since being elected the Mem ber for Riel in that election, i have been able to see that the views of Rie l's citizens are taken seriously in our government once more.

I am to say that our government quickly introduced a Regulation Board which, unlik e Conservative and Social Credit Governments, does not and will not charge user fees before investigating concerns of problems that tenants migh t have. Rents have not increased unreasonably in Manitoba in the last three years despite the high interest rates softenin g housing construction and the large increase in our population. While high inter est rates ha ve hur t housing construc tion, our go vernment's commitme nt to 23 affordable housing is clear.

One program alone, Rental Starts, received applications requesting nearly $12 0 million, over six times the original planned expendit ures. Cle arly, housing construction would greatly the Federal Government would take responsibility for the high interest rates which create by discouraging housing renovations vacancy rates construction. constituency colleagues tell me There is mood of nntirriic::n is increasing aga in. Mr. Speak er, am honoured, therefore, to second the Speech from the Throne. INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS MR. SPEAKER: Can have order, please. May I direct the attention of members to the galler y.

We have 40 students of Grade 9 standing from the Whitemouth School. They are under the direction of Mr. Steinh off. The school is in the constituency of the Honourable Minister of Municipal Affairs. On behalf of all of the mem bers, I welcome you here this mor ning. THRONE SPEECH DEBATE MR. SPEAKER: Are you ready for the question? The Honourable Leader of the Opposition. MR. G. Flll\!ION: Mr. Speak er. I move, seconded by the Honourable - (Int erjection) - MR. SPEAKER: Order please. G. FilMON: I know it's with great disappointment, Mr.

Speaker, but I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Turtle Mountain, that debate be adjourned on this motion. MOTION presented and carried. SPEAKER: The Honourable Min ister of Mun icipal Affairs. HON. A. ANSTETT: Thank you, Mr. Speak er. Mr. Speaker , I move, seconded by the Minister of Natural Resources, that the House do now adjourn. MO TION presented and carried and the House adjourn ed and stands adjourned un til Mo nda y afternoon at 2:00 p.rn.

Document details

Collection	Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	32-4-2
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	32nd 4th hansardpdf 2.pdf
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	dc80fa1100da53b723bb35e7d0132b38e92fc0f3

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