Tuesday, October 3, 1995
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA
Tuesday, October 3, 1995
The House met at 1:30 p.m.
PRAYERS
ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS
READING AND RECEIVING PETITIONS
Federal Immigration Policies
Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Point Douglas (Mr. Hickes), and it complies with the rules and practices of the House. Is it the will of the House to have the petition read?
Some Honourable Members: Yes.
Madam Speaker: The Clerk will read.
Mr. Clerk (William Remnant): The petition of the undersigned citizens of the province of Manitoba humbly sheweth that:
WHEREAS Manitoba has been immeasurably enriched socially, economically and culturally by immigrants and their families; and
WHEREAS it was for this reason that successive provincial and federal governments have encouraged immigration to Manitoba; and
WHEREAS since 1993, the current federal Liberal government has reversed these policies by instituting a series of changes making immigration more difficult; and
WHEREAS the 1994 changes in quotas for family reunification class of immigrants were unfair and punitive; and
WHEREAS the fee increases for immigrants instituted in the 1995 federal Liberal budget are neither fair nor justifiable and border on racism; and
WHEREAS the new $975 fee being imposed on adult immigrants is more than many immigrants make in their home country in an entire year, and will make it even more difficult for people from these countries to immigrate to Canada;
WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba may be pleased to request that the Government of Canada cancel these fee increases and instead institute policies that will encourage immigration to Manitoba.
TABLING OF REPORTS
Hon. Jim Ernst (Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs): I am pleased to table, Madam Speaker, the 1994-95 Annual Report of the Vital Statistics Special Operating Agency and also the Report of the Automobile Injury Compensation Appeal Commission.
Hon. Darren Praznik (Minister of Northern Affairs): Madam Speaker, it is my privilege to table the 1994-95 Annual Report of the Department of Northern Affairs.
Madam Speaker: I am pleased to table today the Annual Report of the Chief Electoral Officer on The Elections Finances Act 1994.
INTRODUCTION OF BILLS
Bill 200--The Legislative Assembly Amendment Act
Mr. Steve Ashton (Thompson): I move, seconded by the member for Swan River (Ms. Wowchuk), that leave be given to introduce Bill 200, The Legislative Assembly Amendment Act (Loi modifiant la Loi sur l'Assemblée législative), and that the same be now received and read a first time.
Motion presented.
Mr. Ashton: I rise just to give a brief explanation according to our rules in terms of the intent of Bill 200. We gave notice at the beginning of this session of our intention to introduce this particular bill.
This bill would enable the Legislature to elect the office of Speaker. I would like to point out this is being adopted in a number of jurisdictions, and it was recently adopted by the House of Commons in Ottawa. We are hoping this bill will give MLAs the opportunity to debate whether Manitoba should consider following a practice that has been fairly well established by the House of Commons.
Motion agreed to.
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Bill 204--The Child and Family Services Amendment Act (2)
Mr. Doug Martindale (Burrows): I move, seconded by the member for Wellington (Ms. Barrett), that leave be given to introduce Bill 204, The Child and Family Services Amendment Act (2); Loi no 2 modifiant la Loi sur les services à l'enfant et à la famille, and that the same be now received and read a first time.
Motion presented.
Mr. Martindale: The purport of my bill is to do what this government under two Ministers of Family Services, the current one and the previous one, refused to do, and that is to amend The Child and Family Services Act to require that the Children's Advocate report to the Legislature instead of to the minister. I believe this is something that would protect the independence of the Children's Advocate similar to that of the Ombudsman and would be an improvement over the current situation.
Motion agreed to.
Bill 208--The Elections Amendment Act
Mr. Gord Mackintosh (St. Johns): I move, seconded by the member for Point Douglas (Mr. Hickes), that leave be given to introduce Bill 208, The Elections Amendment Act (Loi modifiant la Loi électorale), and that the same be now received and read a first time.
Motion presented.
Mr. Mackintosh: Madam Speaker, this bill gets patronage out of the administration of elections. It takes the power to appoint returning officers from the cabinet and gives that power to the Chief Electoral Officer to be exercised by considering merit.
I cannot imagine an area where patronage is more repugnant than election administration. The bill will ensure that returning officers are both seen to be and are impartial and will ensure timely appointments and professionally trained administrators.
Motion agreed to.
Introduction of Guests
Madam Speaker: Prior to Oral Questions, I would like to draw the attention of all honourable members to the public gallery, where we have with us this afternoon fifteen Grade 12 students from Kelvin High School under the direction of Mrs. Ethier. This school is located in the constituency of the honourable member for Crescentwood (Mr. Sale).
On behalf of all honourable members, I welcome you this afternoon.
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