Manitoba Hansard — Sitting 1 (31st Legislature, 4th Session)

31-4-1

Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)

ISSN 0542-5492 I ; I Fourth Session - Thirty-First Legislature of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba DEBATES and PROCEEDINGS 29 Elizabeth 11 Published under the authority of The Honourable Harry E. Graham Speaker VOL. xxvm No. l - 2:30 P.M., THURSDAY, 21 FEBRUARY, 1980 Printed by W. T.Matwichyna, Queens Printer. Province of Manitoba

MANllUHA LJmIBLATIVE ASSEMBLY Thirty - First Legislature Members, Constituencies and Political Affiliation Name ADAM, A. R. (Pete) ANDERSON, Bob BANMAN, Hon. Robert (Bob) BARROW, Tom BLAKE, David BOSTROM, Harvey BOYCE, J. R. (Bud) BROWN, Amold CHERNIACK, Q.C., Saul CORRIN, Brian COSENS, Hon. Keith A. COWAN, Jay CRAIK, Hon. Donald W. DffiJARDINS, Laurent L. DOERN, Russell DOMINO, Len DOWNEY, Hon. Jim DRIEDGER, Albert EINARSON, Henry J. ENNS, Hon. Harry J. EVANS, Leonard S. FERGUSON, James R. FILMON, Gary FOX, Peter GALBRAffH, Jim GOURLAY, Hon. Doug GRAHAM, Hon. Harry E.

GREEN, Q.C., Sidney HANUSCHAK, Ben HYDE, Lloyd G. JENKINS, William JOHNSTON, Hon. J. Frank JORGENSON, Hon. Warner H. KOVNATS, Abe LYON, Hon. Sterling R. MaeMASTER, Hon. Ken MALINOWSKI, Donald McBR YD E, Ronald McGILL, Hon. Edward McGREGOR, Morris McKENZIE, J. Wally MERCIER, Q.C., Hon. Gerald W. J. MILLER, Saul A. MINAKER, Hon. George ORCHARD, Hon. Donald PARASIUK, Wi1son PAWLEY, Q.C., Howard PRICE, Hon. Norma RANSOM, Hon. Brian SCHROEDER, Vie SHERMAN, Hon. L. R. (Bud) STEEN, Warren UR USKI, Billie USKIW, Samuel WALDING, D. James WffiTBURY, June WILSON, Robert G. Constituency Ste.

Rose Sp ringfield La Verendrye Flin Flon Minnedosa Rupertsl and Winnipeg Centre Rhineland St. Johns Wellington Gimli Churchill Riel St. Boniface Elmwood St. Matthews Arthur Emerson Rock Lake Lake side Brandon East Gl adstone River Heights Kil don an Dauphin Sw an River Birtle-R ussell Inkster Burrows Portage la Prairie Logan Stu rgeon Cr eek Morris Radisson Ch ar les wood Thompson Point Douglas The Pas Brandon West Virden Roblin Osborne Seven Oaks St. James Pembina Transcona Selkirk Assiniboia Souris-Killarney Ross mere Fort Garry Cr escentwood St. George Lac du Bonnet St.

Vital Fort Rouge Wolseley Party NDP PC PC NDP PC NDP NDP PC NDP NDP PC NDP PC NDP NDP PC PC PC PC PC NDP PC PC PC PC PC PC Ind NDP PC NDP PC PC PC PC PC NDP NDP PC PC PC PC NDP PC PC NDP NDP PC PC NDP. PC PC NDP NDP NDP Lib PC

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA February 21, 1980 Time: 2:30 p.m. "At 2:3 0 o'clock in the afternoon the Sergeant-at-Arms carrying the Mace shoulder high and followed by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, The Hon. Harry E. Gr aham, the Clerk of the House, Mr. J. R. Reeves, and the Cl erk's Assistant, Mr. R. Willis, entered the House.

The Sergeant-at-Arms proceeded to the main entrance of the House, the Speaker took post on the east side of the House and the Cl erks took post on the west side of the House, stood and waited the arrival of His Honour the Lieutenant- Governor." DEPUTY SERGEANT-AT-ARM& His Honour the Lieutenan t- Governor. "The Lieutenant- Governor entered the Chamber and then, preceded by the Mace, carried shoul der high, and followed on his left by the Military Aide, and on his right by the Ci vil Aide, proceeded along the west side of the Chamber to the Throne.

The Officer Escort divided upon reaching the Table, the left file going to the east side of the Chamber, and the right file going to the west side of the Chamber. The Premier and the Members of the Executive Council proceeded along the east side of the Ch amber and stood on the floor on the east side of the Chamber. The Military Aide then took up his position on the right of the Throne and the Civil Aide took up his position on the west side of the Chamber. The Escort Officers formed up on either side of the dias.

The Lieutenan t- Governor then seated himself upon the Throne; the Mace made obeisance and retired to the east side of the Chamber. The Civil Aide then advanced from the position he had taken on the west side of the Ch amber and after the usual obeisance on each step handed the Lieutenant- Governor the Speech from the Throne. The Civil Aide then retired step by step and took his position on the west side of the Chamber." HONOURABLE FRANCIS L. JOB IN, Lieutenant-Governor: Would you please be seated. SPEECH FROM THE THRONE HONOURABLE FRANCIS L. JOBINa Mr.

Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Manitoba: I welcome you to the Fourth Session of the thirty-first Legisl ature of the Province of Manitoba. Manitobans were pleased to welcome His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales to our province last year. He inspected the Royal Winnipeg Rifles, the senior military unit in western Ca nada of which the Prince is Colonel- in-Chief.

Le jugement recent de la Cour Supreme du Ca nada sur les droits linguistiques fondamentaux au Manitoba a fait l'objet d'un examen attentif de la part de mon gouvernement qui a pris des decisions administratives prevoyant la traduction des projets de loi, des lois et des reglements tel que le stipule l'article 23 de l'Acte du Manitoba. Nous vous demanderons d'adopter la legislation requise pour la mise en vigueur du jugement de la Cour Supreme dans !'administration provinciale.

Two years ago, in the Second Session of the Thirty- First Legisla ture, my government announced its intention of achieving a basic redirection of the public policies of Manitoba. The principal commitments made at that time were : first, to begin to restore the ability of the economy and the people of Manitoba to compete within the larger national and international economy. To achieve this my Ministers undertook to remove government from fields of activity where, in the opinion and by the traditions of the people of this province, - 1 -

LE GISLA TIVE ASSE MBLY OF MANITOBA government had no legitimate role; and secondly, to manage the programs and operations of government with prudence and efficiency to assure that Manitobans were not forced to bear excessive levels of taxation and to assure that the resources of government were not wasted; and thirdly , as these efforts took effect, to concentrate the resources of government on an effort to stimulate and encourage well - founded growth within our economy and on measures to assure that the services provided by and for the people of Manitoba, through their government, were both adequate to meet real needS and responsive to the changing and emerging requirements of our evolving society.

My Ministers inform me that in large measure the first two of those principal commitments have been fulfilled. The levels of taxation borne by the people of Manitoba are now once again comparable to those borne by the people of other parts of Canada. Government intrusion into the ownership of private enterprises and of farmland throughout Manitoba have la rgely ceased.

Specific taxation and other measures of government that had adversely affected the ability of famil y- owned enterprises and small businesses to grow and to compete and that discouraged investment and development in our key resource industries have been changed. As a result my Ministers inform me that the economy of Manitoba is expected to grow at a rate generally above the national average. In addition the total spending of government as a proportion of the wealth created by the people of Manitoba has been reduced. j The deficits of government have been controlled and reduced.

The size of government, as reflected in the size of the public service, is significantly smaller today than it was two years ago. Major improvements in the administration and organization of government including improvements in the mechan isms whereby government is held financially accountable to the Legislature have been undertaken. My Ministers believe that providing more complete and accurate financial information to the people of the province and to the Members of the Legisl ature contributes to more effective and responsible government and to a greater effectiveness of the House. In

summary the first stages of the recovery which my government began during its first months in office have now been largely completed and are beginning to bear fruit. Based on the success of the First part of that recovery process my Ministers inform me that during this session of the Legislature they will put before you a program of measures to stimula te and encourage stable long-term economic growth in Manitoba and a series of initiatives to reform, improve and expand the contribution government makes to the quality of life enjoyed by Manitobans through the services and activities of government.

Over the next number of years the economy of Manitoba, li ke other economies of Ca nada, will face a range of changes, challenges and opportunities. The international situation, which has become very unsettled since we last met, adds yet another dimension of underlying concern to all our domestic challenges. Infla tion will however continue to be the most serious economic problem facing our nation. As long as interest rates remain at their current high levels they will represent a burden on the consumers, farmers and small businessmen of Manitoba.

In response to those economic realities, my government will be proposing a series of measures to assure that Manitoba benefits from and is successful in adjusting to the major economic changes that will take place over the next number of years . At the heart of my government's strategy for development of our economy lies the sound and orderly development of our hydro-electric resources. My government remains committed to the full development of the hydro-electric potential of our Nelson-Churchill river system.

My Ministers are currently involved in discussions with the other western provinces and with certain electrical utilit ies in the United States with the objective of achieving agreements for the sale of electrical power generated in Manitoba. My government is optimistic that those discussions will be successful in the near futur e.

My government's position is that further development of our northern hydro-electric resources should proceed only on the basis of such clearly identified markets in order to protect the interests of Manitoba hydro consumers and the overall financial strength of our provincially-o wned utility Manitoba Hy dro. The Energy Rate Sta bilization Act passed at the last session of the Legislature removed from Manitoba Hy dro the tremendous burden that had resulted from the impact of exchange -2 -

VOL. XXVIII NO. 1 - 2:3 0 P.M., THURSDAY, 21 FEBRUARY, 1980 rate fluctuations on Hydro's debt. This has permitted a five year freeze on hydro rates adding in a very significant way to Manitoba's ability to attract needed new investment and safeguarding the financial strength of the utility itself. Fu rther to augment the ability of Manitoba Hy dro to meet its responsibilities to the citizens of the province my government will be bringing forward legisl ation based in part upon the recommendations of the Special Commission of Inquiry into Hy dro's operations.

That legislation should enable better management structures in the future operations of all Crown agencies in Manitoba. Dur ing the session you will also be asked to approve legislation creating a Manitoba Energy Authority. The Authority will provide a central focus for the province's initiatives on a broad range of energy matters including expanded export opportunities, su pply monitoring and contingency planning.

The Manitoba Energy Council will be re-structured and given a stronger mandate to encourage public participation in energy matters with particular emphasis on conservation, research and development so as to complement the operations of the new Energy Authority. In addition my Ministers report that negotiations for the federal-provincial Energy Conservation Agreement will be completed in the near future.

The agreement will provide the government with financial capacity to support new energy conservation initiatives with particular relevance to Manitoba in such fields as housing, motive fuels, community serv ices, product development and renewable resource dev elopment including more efficient use of our hydro-electric resources. My government will also be bringing forward proposals for the provision of incentives through the tax system for the promotion of the practical use of gasohol and other renewable energy sources as well as other conservation measures.

The total impact of all these measures will be to provide a sound foundation for continued hydro-electric development in Manitoba as well as for the range of other energy initiatives from which Manitoba can benefit over the next number of years. When construction of ad ditional generating capacity in northern Manitoba becomes economically viable it will provide a significant stimulus to the construction industry within the province. My government is also determined to use those major capital projects to provide opportunities for the manufacturing indust ries of Manitoba and the other regions of Canada.

Similarl y Manitoba's manufacturing industries stand to gain major benefits not only from our own hy dro dev elopments but from the many other major capital projects that will be undertaken in the rest of Canada and particularl y in western Canada over the next number of years. To assure that Manitoba does benefit to the greatest extent possible from the growing economies to our west my government will be undertaking a greatly expanded marketing effort in western Canada.

That marketing effort will include working in co-operation with the other western provinces to identify areas where major resource developments can result in increased orders for products manufactured, first of all in the west, and secondly, elsewhere in Canada. Further to assist the ability of our manufacturing and distribution enterprises to serve the growing western market my Ministers also inform me that the government will be making significant improvements in the support services available to small businesses.

In add ition the role of the Manitoba Research Council will be expanded to provide more adequate service to industry in the development and transfer of industrial technology. My government will in addition be exploring opportunities for increased sales of manufactured goods elsewhere in Can ada, for expansion of some of our traditional U. S. markets and for opportunities in the emerging Mexican market. My government is pleased as well at the encouraging recovery that is already taking place in our mining industry.

Government policies that provide that industry with improved security of tenure and opportunities for competitive financial returns in combination with improved world markets for many metals have caused mining exploration activity in Manitoba to reach its highest level in nine years. My government tells me that continued expansions in mineral exploration activity are anticipated for the coming year. In addition to the potential for major new mineral discoveries the high level of exploration activity also adds to the security of existing mining communities by extending the life of our current mining enterprises.

I am also told that geophysical exploration in the oil-potential areas of Manitoba is currently proceeding at levels unequalled since the earl y Fifties. Ev en relatively modest oil -3 -

LE GISLA TIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA finds in Manitoba by reducing the amount of oil we must purchase outside the province can have very significant impacts on Manitoba's economy. Once again my government believes that the current high levels of exploration activity in the oil industry are taking place as a result of energy demands and of the reforms made in the taxation of these enterprises during the la st session of the Legislature.

While my government is optimistic about the new opportunities for Manitoba through additional hydro-electric de velopment through expansions in our traditional role as the centre of manufacturi ng and distribution for western Canada and through expansion in our mining and oil industries, we will continue to rely on agriculture as our primary industry. To assure that that primary industry remains strong Manitoba will continue to press for improvements in the grain handling system.

And to assure that current branch line abandonments do not harm the ability of Manitoba's farmers to compete my government will also be seeking federal cost-sharing of funds to provide necessary improvements to accommodate freight transfer from rail to high way. In that way in addition to accommodating an estimated three per cent increase in overall traffic growth my government will assist in offsetting the impact of the branch line abandonments that will occur.

My government will also be asking you to vote funds to support enhanced programs to expand markets and marketing activities for the livestock and other agricultural products of Manitoba. The Agri-Water program will continue to provide water for livestock and crop production and under the terms of the "Agro-Man Agreement" my government will continue research into new crops to provide additional value to the processing industry in Manitoba. My Ministers are also pleased that in 1979 the decline in our tourist industry which had begun in 1975 has been halted.

As Members will know the responsibility for that important industry has been placed in the Department of Economic Development and in 1979 the funding of the province's tourist market effort was expanded. As well as continuing that higher level of financial support for tourist marketing my Ministers inform me that through the enhanced programs of support to smalls businesses they will be providing additional management and other help to smaller tourist operators in the coming year.

In addition through the expansion of highway transportation to communities throughout the province my government believes it can permit more communities to benefit from that important industry. In

summary my government will continue to enhance its support for our basic agricultural industry and our mining, oil and tourist industries. These are some of the major features of the economic development program mmy Ministers will be putting before you during the present session of the Legislature. My Ministers will of course also be putting a range of other related measures before you including measures to provide added protection for holders of surface rights in oil-producing areas of the province and measures to improve the efficiency of the motor carrier industry.

You will also be asked to consider revisions to the Wildli fe Act both to facilitate more effective management of our wildlife resources and to encourage land owners to maintain wildli fe habitat. My government will also be proposing a number of initiatives to help assure that the kind of economic activity taking place within the province serves the public interest. You will be asked to consider amendments to the Clean Environment Act to provide the basis for protection of the environment in the field of hazardous waste management and other environmental health factors.

The amendments will also incorporate an environmental review process designed to assess the impacts of new projects across the province and to assure that environmental matters are considered carefully in the processes whereby such new projects ae planned and approved. My government will also be asking for fun ding for two new programs in workplace health and safety. The first will seek to id entify and control toxic and carcinogenic substances within the workplace. The second will protect the hearing of Manitoba workers.

In addition my government will be establishing a clear policy regarding the handling of asbestos in the workplace to reduce the hazards associated with the use of that substance. My Ministers inform me that the report of the Commission of Inquiry regarding safety in the mines will be tabled earl y in this session. At the time of the first session of the thirty-first Legislat ure the ability of my government to undertake significant reforms or improvements of the services provided to people in Manitoba was severely limited by the harsh financial reali ties my Ministers had to face. · -4 -

VOL. XXVIII NO. l - 2:3 0 P.M., THURSDAY, 21 FEBRUARY, 19 80 Because economic growth and job creation were lagging behind the rates being achieved in other parts of Canada government revenues were growing slowly. Resou rces available to government were committed in mmany cases to purposes which, in the view of my Ministers, did not operate effectively or usefully in the interest of Manitobans.

Because of the measures my government has taken over the past two years while carrying out the first part of its overall process of recovery for Manitoba my Ministers inform me that we are now in a much stronger position to continue additions and improvements in services to people in the province. Members are aware of the Shelter Al lowance for El derl y Renters or SAFER program that has already been introduced. That program is only one part of an overall effort to improve services to the elderly in Manitoba.

My Ministers have as their first priority the maintenance and improvement of the basic and essential services in the fields of health and education which have been developed under successive governments of Manitoba. In addition my Ministers have identified a number of areas in which the quality of life of our people can be improved by the provision of additional or special services to help individuals and families to deal with health or other problems. My government has established a new fee

schedule negotiated with the Manitoba Medical Association. That fee

schedule by addr essing the legitimate economic concerns of medical practitioners in Manitoba will reinforce our Medicare system. My Ministers remain committed to the principles of Medicare and are determined that Manitobans will continue to enjoy full access to medical service. Another feature of the new fee

schedule that will be of interest to Members is the fact that it provides special compensation to doctors who practise north of the 53rd parallel. My Ministers will also be seeking approval for funds to carry out a continuing program of new and replacement hospital construction throughout the province including the completion of the 336 bed Seven Oaks Hospital in northwest Winnipeg and some major phases of the $1 38 million redev elopment of the Health Sciences Centre. In addition my government will seek approval for the construction of a number of new personal care homes in Manitoba.

As well as those basic measures to maintain and improve our existing health care system my Ministers will be bringing forward a number of new services in the health care field. A new program financed through the Health Serv ices Commission will provide improved capacity to protect high-risk, new-born infants. The program will make a su bstantial contribution to improvements in maternal and child health. A new insured dental service will be introduced to provide the special treatment needed by children suffering from cleft palate and lip disorders.

You will be asked to approve funds to improve the services at the emergency department of the Victoria General Hospital. My Ministers intend to expand the capacities of the self-care dialysis programs at both the Health Sciences Centre and the St. Boniface General Hospital. Funds will also be requested for enhanced work in Rheumatology and Immunology and the Rheumatic Disease unit of the Health Sciences Centre.

You will be asked to approve funding within the budget of the Health Serv ices Commission for a histocompatability laboratory program at the Health Sciences Centre and an additional specific appropriation for Manitoba-based medical research. Funding will be requested to enable certain hospitals to expand out- patient physiotherapy services. In addition my Ministers intend to proceed as quickly as possible to meet the need for specialized facilities for adolescent Manitobans suff ering from psychiatric disorders and for children with le arning disabilities.

My Ministers will be bringing forward legislation to strengthen the administrative capability of the Health Sciences Centre. Since my government took office it has increased support for virtually every aspect of our health care system. This has made possible the maintenance and improvement of the essential health care services that have grown up in Manitoba under su ccessive governments as well as the addition of new services and initiatives to provide better health care for Manitobans.

Similarl y in the field of education my government is committed to the maintenance and improvement of the basic and essential services as well as to the introduction of a number of specific improvements to provide enhanced services for our people. -5-

LE GISLA TIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA I am informed that the estimates for the coming fiscal year will contain substantial increases in the amounts provided for the operation of post-secondary institutions and the public school system. You will be asked to approve increases to support expanded programs for children with special needs. You will also be asked to approve increases for initiatives in curriculum and professional development including improvements and expansions in French language education.

Funds will be sought for expansion of the Assiniboine Community College in Brandon to provide add itional opportunities for vocational education at the post-secondary level to the people of western Manitoba. To improve the effectiveness of our vocational education programs throughout the province my government will begin the development of a variety of on-the-job training programs in Manitoba schools.

My Ministers inform me that the hearings having been completed by the Standing Commi ttee on Privileges and El ections and they will re-introduce a revision of the Publ ic Schools Act and the Education Administration Act. My Ministers have been impressed by conscientious and effective efforts that have been made throughout the school system, as a whole, to achieve greater efficiencies and more effective management of resources.

In order to improve program analysis and budgeting procedures in school systems throughout Manitoba my government will begin the development of a new program-accounting and budgeting system this year. Because of the changes that are taking place in the age mix of our society our school systems face rapid and dra matic shifts in the kind of serv ices demanded from them. It is important that they have the planning and management tools needed to permit them to adjust to those changes in the most effective possible manner.

In addition to the maintenance reform and improvement of existing govern111 ,ent services my Ministers believe it will be increasingly important for government to be able to respond to the emerging needs and expectations of our evolving society. They believe as well that the people of Manitoba can and should play a greater role in identifying new needs and in the process of developing responses to them. To that end my government is appointing the Manitoba Council on Aging announced at the last session of the Legislat ure.

At the present session you will be asked to approve funding for an Advisory Council on the Status of Women. Al though the new Council will concern itself with every aspect of government operations as they affect women in Manitoba, it is anticipated that much of its early activity will focus on the adequacy of services provided to women and to the familiy in the light of the much wider participation by women in the workforce of Manitoba.

In addition during the session my Ministers will establish an Attorney- General's Advis ory Committee on Crime Prevention and Control to review existing legislation and to recommend new programs in that field. ''"' In order to permit as many retarded people to live as fully and as independently as possible my government will ask you to approve funds for the., development of new community residences for the retarded as well as workshops, day activity centres and training centres in order to offer needed support to retarded people living in the community.

You will be asked to approve funds for similar expansions in the facilities available to mentall y ill people in the community. In order to provide more effective protection for the elderl y, the mentall y ill and others in Manitoba who reside and receive care in "guest homes" my government will introduce legislation to permit the regulation, licensing and inspection of those private facilities in order to ensure acceptable levels of safety and public health in them.

Because of the changing and broader role played by women in all aspects of our society my government recognizes the importance of day care services and will be asking you to approve funds to permit the continued viability of pre-school day care in Manitoba and to allow for the development of addi tional day care places. My government will ask you to approve funds for a major effort to improve fire protection in northern Manitoba to improve northern transportation services and to support economic dev elopment and the creation of additional opportunities in northern communities.

Our citizens of native ancestry will continue to benefit from these and other programs offered by the Province of Manitoba. Because of the importance my government places on the cult ural and recreation resources and activities of the province you will be asked to approve funding to help reduce deficits built up by some of our major cultural institutions. -6 -

VOL. XXVIII NO. 1 - 2:30 P.M., THURSDAY, 21 FEBRUAR Y, 19 80 My Ministers will introduce amendments to the Publ ic Libraries Act incorporating incentives for the establishment of larger and better regional libraries and an equalization formula to take into account the varying ability of municipalities to bear a portion of the costs of the development and maintenance of library services.

You will be asked to approve increased levels of funding for the upgrading and expansion of facilities within provincial parks in order that Manitobans and visitors to our province will have greater opportunities for recreational enjoyment of our natural resources. In addition to continued support for programs and services to communities and to sport and recreation organizations my government will ask you to approve a major new sports program. The purpose of that program will be the upgrading and improvement of the capital recreation facilities in towns, villages and rural municipalities.

The initiative will provide a major benefit to those communities and will extend the use and the useful life of recreational facilities throughout the province. 1 Many areas of our province experienced extensive flooding in the spring of 19 79 and in the Red River Valley it was the most severe since 19 50. Flood fighting initiatives undertaken by my government, by municipal governments, Indian Bands, and by individ ual citizens, assisted by the Government of Canada and the Armed Forces, minimized property damage and no loss of life was suffered.

The effort expended by volunteers and government employees was exemplary. I am informed that the Winnipeg Fl oodway functioned as intended and prevented what would otherwise have been a disaster for the Cit y of Winnipeg. The citizens of our capital city have thus been reassured as to their security during floods. 1 In order to minimize future effects of flooding in the Red River Vall ey my government initiated a special flood damage reduction program cost-shared with the Government of Canada.

You will be asked to approve funding for the first stages of a long-term program of providing flood protection to towns and villages with a history of significant flooding. My government proposes to undertake new initiatives in water management in co-operation with the Government of Canada to ensure the existence of water supplies during periods of dr ought and to improve the management of groundwater. Discussions are underway with rural municipalities to de wvelop a new legislat ive framework within which municipal governments may co-operate to manage water resources more effectively.

My government informs me that within the older neighbourhoods of the City of Winnipeg there are a variety of special housing problems which will be addresed over the coming months. The importance of preserving stable neighbourhoods and of maintaining the quality of the housing stock in the Core area of the city has been recognized and acted upon by my Ministers. The development of further housing in those areas to maintain the quality of the housing stock will continue to be a priority for my government.

In addition at the present session you will be asked to make provision for the introduction of the community improvement program. That program has been negotiated with the federal authorities and will permit the province to provide 25% of the costs of renewal projects in designated improvement areas. One of the additional benefits of my government's program of Shelter Al lowance for Eld erly Renters is that it contributes to the maintenance of the stability of neighbourhoods by making it possible for older residents to continue to live in the areas where they have long resided.

You will be asked to approve funds for the continuation of SAFER. You will be asked to approve measures to provide increased support staff and systems to improve the administration of justice in the province. In total these initiatives represent a significant series of improvements, additions and reforms to the services provided by and to the people of Manitoba through their government. In order to ensure that government continues to have the capacity to provide needed services my Ministers remain committed to the effective management and control of all operations of government.

During the session you will also be asked to consider a variety of other legislation including amendments to the City of Winnipeg Act, the Defamation Act, the Executions Act, the Mental Health Act, the Landlord and Tenant Act, the Consumer Protection Act, the Corporations Act, the Sec urities Act, the Mechanics' Lien Act, the Child Welfare Act and others. During this session as wel l my government intends to present to the House the results of its review of the provincial cost of living and propc;erty tax credit programs. -7-

LE GISL ATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA My Ministers inform me that during the past twelve months Manitoba has enjoyed a year of impressive stability in labour-management relations. My government tells me that this will be a busy and demanding session of the Legislature as my Ministers continue to put before the House the major elements of their economic dev elopment program and the measures they are proposing for the improvement of services to people in Manitoba. It is their hope that the debates and discussions that take place here can contribute markedly to the quality of the measures finally adopted.

In the twenty-seven months since my Ministers first met the House Manitoba has taken important steps toward an overall recovery. Current estimates indicate that the annual gross output of Manitoba's economy exceeded the milestone level of $10 billion for the first time last year. In 19 79 there were 24, 000 more Manitobans with jobs on average than there were in 1977 with virtually all new jobs in the private sector.

My Ministers believe the needed foundations have been laid in the form of a restored ability for the people and the economy of Manitoba to lcompete in lthe larger national and international economy and in the form of prudent and orderl y management of public affairs within the province. Du ring the session you will be asked to join in building upon those foundations to stimulate stable, long- term economic growth and to enhance the contribution that government can make to the quality of life through the various kservices it provides to the people of the province.

The estimates of expenditure for the public service of the province and capital works projects for the next fiscal year as well as the public accounts for the last fiscal year will be submitted for your consideration. En vous quittant, je prie la Divine Providence de vous guider et d'eclairer votre jugement dans vos deliberations. May God bless the Queen and our country. God Save the Queen "The Civil Aide then advanced and after obeisance received the Speech from the Lieutenan t- Governor and retired to the west side of the Chamber.

The Mace then made obeisance before the Lieuten ant- Governor and preceded His Honour along the east side of the Chamber to the Bar of the House, accompanied by the Premier and his Aides, followed by the Officer Es cort. The Premier then took his seat in the Chamber. The Speaker proceeded to the Chair after His Honour had passed the Bar of the House. The Sergeant-at-A rms then proceeded to the Chair, after His Honour had passed the Bar of the House. The Mace then made obeisance to the Speaker and retired to the table." MR. SPEAKER, Hon. Harry E.

Graham (Birtle-Russell): 0 Eternal and Alm ighty God from Whom all power and wisdom come; we are assembled here before Thee to frame such laws as may tend to the welfare and prosperity of our Province; grant 0 Merciful God, we pray Thee, that we may desire only that which is in accordance with Thy Will; that we may seek it with wisdom, know it with certainty and accomplish it perfectly for the Gl ory and Honour of Thy Name and for the welfare of all our people. Amen. The Hon. Firs t Minister. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS HON. STERLING R. LYON, Premier (Charleswood) Introduced Bill No. 1,

An Act respecting The Administration of Oaths of Office. MOTION presented and carried. MR. SPEAKER: In order to prevent mistakes, I have obtained a copy of the Address of His Honour, as read this afternoon. - 8-

VOL. XXVIII NO. 1 - 2:3 0 P.M., THURSDAY, 21 FEBRU ARY, 1980 I should also like to announce to the House that Mr. Edward Lai ng has been appointed Sergeant-at-Arms for the Fourth Session of the Thirty-F irst Legislat ure. The Honourabl e First Minister. MR. LYON: Mr. Speaker, I beg to move, seconded by the Honourable the Minister without Portfolio, that the Votes and Proceedings of the House be printed, having first been perused by Mr. Speaker; and that he appoint the printing thereof; and that no person but such as he shall appoint and do presume to print the same. �01'10 N presented and carried. �R. LYON: Mr.

Speaker, I beg to move, seconded by the Honourable the Minister of Health that the Speech of His Honour the Lieut enant-Governor be taken into consideration tomorrow. �OTIO N presented and carried. M:R. LYON: Mr. Speaker, I beg to move, seconded by the Honourable the Attorney-General , that this House do now adjourn. M:R. SPEAKER: Before I put the Motion for Adjournment, may I point out to all members and their guests that the receiving line will be in Room 200; that's His Honour The Lieutenant-Gove rnor and Mrs. Jobin, the Premier and Mrs. Lyon and my wife and myself.

That will be in approximately 5 minutes, as soon as we get out of this room. Room 200 is at the north end of the building. Refres hments will then be served in Room 2 54, which is in the south west corner on this floor. MOTION presented and carried And the House is accordingly adjourned and stands adjourned until 10:00 a.m. tomorrow morning. -9- M M M M M

Document details

Collection	Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	31-4-1
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	31st 4th hansardpdf 1.pdf
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	ebea1892a3f80a2843f69d9fd62b71a7a5ef07d6

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