Monday, March 13, 1995
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA
Monday, March 13, 1995
The House met at 1:30 p.m.
PRAYERS
ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS
Messages
Commonwealth Day Message
Mr. Speaker: I am advised that I have a message from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, her Commonwealth Day Message, and I would have to ask all members to please rise while we read her message.
Commonwealth Day Message 1995, from Her Majesty the Queen, Head of the Commonwealth.
The General Assembly has proclaimed 1995 as the United Nations Year for Tolerance, a choice which is particularly appropriate for the Golden Jubilee of the United Nations organization itself. The same theme has been chosen for this year's Commonwealth Day.
We in the Commonwealth can teach the rest of the world something about tolerance because it is at the heart of the unique association to which we belong. Although our countries are spread all over the world and face many different problems, we know a great deal about each other and it is therefore easier for us to understand each other's point of view even when we disagree.
That understanding is essential to a tolerant society, which is not simply one which gives to the individual scope and freedom from restraint. Rather it is a society which actively develops the people who belong to it, brings out their gifts and enriches their lives because it values their diversity. It does not condone persecution or the harming of some people by others, but it knows how to make allowances when things go wrong.
It can forgive mistakes as well as giving encouragement and guidance on how to avoid them. It knows also that enhancing the quality of life of the individual brings benefit to the family, to the community, to the nation and to international relations.
That sort of tolerance is something which all of us must learn if we are to restore peace in the world, and here the young people of the Commonwealth have a special part to play. The young have the vision and ability to make the world a better place and are not fettered by experience. They can see where the older generation have made their mistakes through intolerance, and they can do better.
Over the last year we have seen shining examples of this quality in action in the emergence of new South Africa, which I shall be visiting next week, and in the recent signs of change in Northern Ireland. We pray that these examples will inspire everyone to try harder to make tolerance a universal rule of life.
On this Commonwealth Day, as we make the traditional affirmations which are at the centre of the Commonwealth Day observance, I send to all of you, with these examples in mind, a message of encouragement and hope for the future.
Signed Elizabeth R., the 13th of March, 1995.
PRESENTING PETITIONS
Communities' Public Education
Mr. Steve Ashton (Thompson): Mr. Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Sonia-Rae Cashman, James Dakers, Warren Kozuvarovski and others requesting the Minister of Education and Training (Mr. Manness) to reconsider the funding model to ensure that Thompson and other communities in this province are able to maintain quality public education.
Physical Education in Schools
Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Inkster): Mr. Speaker, I beg to present the petition of E. Sokoliwski, Irene Leperre, Al Compton and others urging the Minister responsible for Education to consider reinstating physical education as a compulsory core subject area.
READING AND RECEIVING PETITIONS
Communities' Public Education
Mr. Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member (Mr. Ashton). It complies with the privileges and the practices of this House and complies with the rules. Is it the will of the House to have the petition read? Yes. The Clerk will read.
Mr. Clerk (William Remnant): The petition of the undersigned citizens of the province of Manitoba humbly sheweth that:
WHEREAS funding for public schools by the provincial government has been cut twice in the past three years; and
WHEREAS provincial funding for the school district of Mystery Lake has dropped by nearly $2 million over the same period, more than 10 percent; and
WHEREAS funding for private schools has increased by over 110 percent under the same provincial government; and
WHEREAS Thompson was faced with a 48 percent increase in the education support levy tax as a result of reassessment in 1993, resulting in $500,000 leaving our community; and
WHEREAS the Thompson school district is now faced with a massive $1.8-million deficit equivalent to a 48 percent increase in local school taxes; and
WHEREAS unless the minister reviews this funding the Thompson school district will be forced to consider both a $500,000 tax increase and severe program cuts totalling over $1.3 million.
WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly request the Minister of Education and Training (Mr. Manness) to reconsider the funding model to ensure that Thompson and other communities in this province are able to maintain quality public education.
TABLING OF REPORTS
Mr. Speaker: I am pleased to table the Provincial Auditor's Report on Public Accounts for the year ended March 31, 1994, Volume 2.
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MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS
Manitoba Curling Champions
Hon. Jim Ernst (Minister responsible for Sport): Mr. Speaker, I have a statement for the House.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the Manitoba rinks who have reclaimed our curling supremacy as Canada's curling power.
Yesterday's outstanding performance by the Kerry Burtnyk rink at the men's championships in Halifax capped off an unbelievable year for Manitoba's athletes.
I would like to congratulate the 1995 junior men's champions from the Fort Rouge Curling Club: Chris Galbraith, Scott Cripps, Brent Barrett, Bryan Galbraith and their coach, Arnold Asham; the 1995 junior women's champions from the Deer Lodge Curling Club: Kelly MacKenzie, Joanne Fillion, Carlene Muth, Sasha Bergner and their coach, Bill MacKenzie; the 1995 women's curling champions from the Fort Rouge Curling Club: Connie Laliberte, Cathy Overton, Cathy Gauthier, Janet Arnot, Debbie Jones-Walker, Karen Purdy and their coach, Tom Clasper; and finally, the 1995 Canadian men's curling champions: the Manitoba rink of Kerry Burtnyk, Jeff Ryan, Rob Meakin, Keith Fenton and Denis Fillion.
I join all Manitobans and I hope all members of this House in thanking these athletes for their achievements in bringing these much coveted championships to the home of champions, Manitoba. I join all Canadians in wishing you the best of luck and good curling at the world championships, two of which will be held in Brandon, Manitoba later this year. Thank you very much.
Mr. Gary Doer (Leader of the Opposition): Mr. Speaker, I would like to join with all members of the House in congratulating the great, great performances and championships of Manitoba curlers in all the national championships that have taken place in this country this year.
I know that we are all looking forward to the world championships in Brandon. What a great, great situation to have the two Canadian representatives to be from Manitoba in that championship game.
Mr. Speaker, I know that it was already good news when the Burtnyk rink was fighting Saskatchewan, two prairie rinks. Of course, it was great to see Kerry Burtnyk and his team of Jeff Ryan, Rob Meakin, Keith Fenton and the fifth, Denis Fillion win again for Manitoba. They join of course Connie Laliberte, Chris Galbraith and Kelly MacKenzie in those great, great victories. We want to again on behalf of our side congratulate them. Obviously, Manitoba is the curling championship centre of Canada, and we are very, very proud of that, as well.
I am sure there will be some nonpolitical statements after Question Period, but I also want to congratulate the University of Winnipeg women's basketball team that for three years in a row has won the Canadian women's university championships. So we also want to congratulate that basketball team too. Thank you very much.
Ms. Avis Gray (Crescentwood): Mr. Speaker, I, too, rise on behalf of my colleagues in the Liberal Party to give congratulations to our fine curlers here in Manitoba.
I think it is very gratifying that as we have ministerial statements and oftentimes this is a House of adversary and complaints and whining that in fact we can all agree that Manitoba is the centre of curling in Canada.
As a regular curler at the Charleswood Curling Club where, in fact, Kelly MacKenzie hails, we are certainly very, very pleased with her win as junior champion. We also bring congratulations to Chris Galbraith, Connie Laliberte and Kerry Burtnyk. I think some of us had an opportunity to take out a few hours on Sunday to actually watch that very exciting game, and indeed it was.
We certainly wish all the best to Kerry Burtnyk and Connie Laliberte as they enter the World Curling Championships in Brandon, Manitoba.
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INTRODUCTION OF BILLS
Bill 14--The Louis Riel Institute Act
Hon. Darren Praznik (Minister of Labour): Mr. Speaker, I would move, seconded by the honourable Minister of Agriculture (Mr. Enns), that leave be given to introduce Bill 14, The Louis Riel Institute Act; Loi sur l'Institut Louis Riel, and that the same be now received and read a first time.
Motion presented.
Mr. Praznik: Mr. Speaker, this particular piece of legislation provides for the incorporation of the Louis Riel Institute, which will promote educational training for Manitoba's Metis people and will serve as a centre for research into Manitoba's history. The act, in itself, is an incorporation document which sets out the structure of the institute, its powers, et cetera, that are part or fundamental to its creation.
It is hoped that in this 125th anniversary of Manitoba's entry into Confederation through this act the institute will help raise the awareness of the vital role of the Metis people in the founding of our province, as well as provide for ongoing contributions in the area of historical research and improvement of educational opportunities for Metis people.
Motion agreed to.
TABLING OF REPORTS
Hon. Glen Findlay (Minister of Highways and Transportation): Mr. Speaker, may I have leave to return to Tabling of Reports, please?
Mr. Speaker: Is there leave to revert to Ministerial Statements and Tabling of Reports? Leave? [agreed]
Mr. Findlay: Mr. Speaker, I would like to table the 1993-94 Annual Report of the Highways and Transportation department. A report has been previously distributed to all members.
Hon. Darren Praznik (Minister of Labour): I would also like to table today the 1993-94 Annual Report of the Manitoba Civil Service Commission, as well as the two quarterly reports for the Communities Economic Development Fund as of December 1994, as well as of September 1994.
Introduction of Guests
Mr. Speaker: Prior to Oral Questions, I would like to draw the attention of honourable members to the Speaker's Gallery, where we have with us today His Excellency Antoin Mac Unfraidh, the Ambassador of Ireland to Canada.
On behalf of all honourable members, I would like to welcome you here this afternoon, sir.
Also with us this afternoon in the public gallery from the Maple Leaf School, we have sixty-two Grade 5 students under the direction of Mrs. Metcalfe. This school is located in the constituency of the honourable Minister of Family Services (Mrs. Mitchelson).
Also, from the F.W. Gilbert School, we have thirty-five Grade 5 students under the direction of Mrs. Merle Stepaniuk. This school is located in the constituency of the honourable Minister of Labour (Mr. Praznik).
On behalf of all honourable members, I would like to welcome you all here this afternoon.
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