Tuesday, December 13, 1994
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA
Tuesday, December 13, 1994
The House met at 1:30 p.m.
PRAYERS
ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS
PRESENTING PETITIONS
Physical Education in Schools
Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Inkster): Mr. Speaker, I beg to present the petition of T. Headon, G. Milne, H. Boundy and others urging the Minister responsible for Education (Mr. Manness) to consider reinstating physical education as a compulsory core subject area.
Canada Post--Unsolicited Mail
Ms. Jean Friesen (Wolseley): Mr. Speaker, I beg to present the petition of John Samson, M.E. Owen, Karen Moffatt and others requesting the minister responsible for Canada Post to continue bringing in legislation requiring all unsolicited mail and fliers to use recycled materials.
Children's Dental Program
Mr. Daryl Reid (Transcona): Mr. Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Justina Waldner, Rachel Waldner, Hilda Waldner and others requesting the Minister of Health (Mr. McCrae) to consider restoring the Children's Dental Program to the level it was prior to the 1993-94 budget year.
Rent Hike Cancellation
Mr. Eric Robinson (Rupertsland): Mr. Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Patricia Sinclair, Ricky Spence, Leonard McPherson and others requesting the Minister responsible for Housing (Mrs. McIntosh) to consider cancelling their recent unilateral rent hikes and restoring the voluntary boards of the housing authorities.
Children's Dental Program
Mr. Gregory Dewar (Selkirk): Mr. Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Angie Waldner, Mary Anne Waldner, Dave Waldner and others requesting the Minister of Health (Mr. McCrae) to consider restoring the Children's Dental Program to the level it was prior to the '93-94 budget.
Ms. Marianne Cerilli (Radisson): Mr. Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Deborah Waldner, Leonard Waldner, Ruben Waldner and others requesting the Minister of Health to consider restoring the Children's Dental Program to the level it was prior to the '93-94 budget.
Rent Hike Cancellation
Mr. Doug Martindale (Burrows): Mr. Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Ed Gregoire, Albert Oman, Ernie Spence and others requesting the Minister responsible for Housing (Mrs. McIntosh) to consider cancelling the recent unilateral rent hikes and restoring the voluntary boards of the housing authorities.
READING AND RECEIVING PETITIONS
Physical Education in Schools
Mr. Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member (Mr. Lamoureux). It complies with the privileges and the practices of this House and it complies with the rules. Is it the will of the House to have the petition read?
An Honourable Member: Yes.
Mr. Speaker: Okay, the Clerk will read.
Mr. Clerk (William Remnant): The petition of the undersigned residents of the province of Manitoba humbly sheweth:
THAT in July 1994, the Minister of Education introduced an action plan entitled Renewing Education: New Directions;
THAT this report will make physical education an optional course in Grades 9 to 12;
THAT the physical education curriculum should be regularly reviewed to ensure that it meets the needs of students;
THAT the government is failing to recognize the benefits of physical education such as improved physical fitness, more active lifestyles, health promotion, self-discipline, skill development, stress reduction, strengthened peer relationships, weight regulation, stronger bones, reduced risk of health diseases and improved self-confidence.
WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly urge the Minister responsible for Education to consider reinstating physical education as a compulsory core subject area.
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TABLING OF REPORTS
Mr. Speaker: In accordance with Section 54 of The Freedom of Information Act, I am pleased to table the Annual Report for the period January 1, 1993, to December 31, 1993.
Hon. Jim Ernst (Minister responsible for Sport): Mr. Speaker, I would like to table the '93-94 Annual Report of the Fitness and Sport Directorates.
Hon. Darren Praznik (Minister charged with the administration of The Communities Economic Development Fund Act): Mr. Speaker, I would like to table the Annual Report of the Communities Economic Development Fund for the year ending March 31, 1994.
As well, I would like to table the Communities Economic Development Fund Quarterly Report to June 1994 which was provided, I believe, earlier in the year to all members directly.
Hon. Harold Gilleshammer (Minister of Culture, Heritage and Citizenship): Mr. Speaker, I would like to table the following Annual Reports: 1993-94 for the Manitoba Centennial Centre Corporation, the Centre Culturel Franco-Manitobain, and 1993-94 for the Department of Culture, Heritage and Citizenship.
On behalf of the Minister of Family Services (Mrs. Mitchelson), I would also table the Annual Report 1993-94 for Manitoba Family Services.
Hon. Rosemary Vodrey (Minister of Justice and Attorney General): Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table, pursuant to The Regulations Act, a copy of each regulation registered with the Registrar of Regulations since the regulations were tabled in this House in April 1994.
Also, I am pleased to table the Annual Report 1992 of the Office of the Commissioner, Law Enforcement Review Agency.
INTRODUCTION OF BILLS
Bill 202--The Winnipeg Jets Funding Agreement Termination Act
Mr. Gary Doer (Leader of the Opposition): I move, seconded by the honourable member for Wolseley (Ms. Friesen), that leave be given to introduce Bill 202, The Winnipeg Jets Funding Agreement Termination Act; Loi sur la résiliation de l'accord de financement des Jets de Winnipeg, and that the same be now received and read a first time.
Motion presented.
Mr. Doer: Mr. Speaker, this bill is straightforward. It is modeled after the Pearson Airport bill that has been introduced federally.
This Legislature, we believe, should have had an opportunity to vote on the operating-loss agreement of the Winnipeg Jets before the contract was signed. This legislation will do that and will also protect the 18 percent that was agreed to in the agreement.
This is extraordinary legislation, and we understand that, but we believe that extraordinary legislation is necessary in order to protect the taxpayers for operating losses of some $43.5 million, which was entered into by the provincial government without any debate, without any vote in this Legislature, without any consultation with the people of Manitoba. Thank you.
Motion agreed to.
Introduction of Guests
Mr. Speaker: Prior to Oral Questions, may I direct the attention of honourable members to the gallery, where we have with us this afternoon thirty-five Grades 5 to 12 students of the Manitoba Association of Christian Home Schools. They are under the direction of Mrs. Debbie Martin. The students and parents are the guests of the honourable Minister of Education and Training (Mr. Manness).
Also, from the Inwood School, we have twenty-five Grades 7 to 9 students under the direction of Mrs. Donna Jaremy. This school is located in the constituency of the honourable member for Interlake (Mr. Clif Evans).
On behalf of all honourable members, I would like to welcome you here this afternoon.