Mr. Steve Ashton (Opposition House Leader): Madam Speaker, I was going to suggest that perhaps we move to five o'clock and that we consider the second resolution, No. 29, today and, with leave, leave No. 28 remaining on top of the Order Paper which means we would deal with that tomorrow. We obviously do not have time to deal with both private members' hours today, and that is our suggestion.
Madam Speaker: Is there leave to permit private member's Resolution 28 to remain standing in its current order on the Order Paper? [agreed]
Is there leave to call it five o'clock and begin the second hour of Private Members' Business? [agreed]
DEBATE ON SECOND READINGS--PUBLIC BILLS
Bill 201--The Health Services Insurance Amendment Act
Madam Speaker: Bill 201 (The Health Services Insurance Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Loi sur l'assurance-maladie) standing in the name of the honourable member for Sturgeon Creek (Mr. McAlpine). Stand? Is there leave to permit the bill to remain standing? [agreed]
Bill 204--The Child and Family Services Amendment Act (2)
Madam Speaker: 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) standing in the name of the honourable member for St. Norbert (Mr. Laurendeau). Is there leave to permit the bill to remain standing? [agreed]
Bill 205? Stand? [agreed] Bill 208? Stand? [agreed]
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PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS
Res. 29--Pregnant Mare Urine
Mr. Mervin Tweed (Turtle Mountain): Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the member for Morris (Mr. Pitura), that
WHEREAS Manitoba's economic growth in the agricultural sector depends on entrepreneurial spirit, innovation and the principles of sustainable development; and
WHEREAS Manitoba is the leader in western Canada's expanding PMU industry; and
WHEREAS Ayerst Organics Ltd. a processor of a necessary estrogen replacement product, is an example of a company which contributes to the province of Manitoba's reputation in animal husbandry; and
WHEREAS the continued growth and development of the PMU industry in Manitoba will bring lasting economic and medicinal benefits to all Manitobans.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba praise the expansion of companies such as Ayerst Organics Ltd. for their contributions to the provincial economy and for their work on behalf of the health of Manitobans.
Motion presented.
Mr. Tweed: Madam Speaker, I am disappointed that you could not read it again. It sounded very well coming from your voice also.
I rise today to speak on the important issue of the presence in Manitoba's agriculture sector, the pregnant mare urine industry.
As many of you in this Chamber are aware, the PMU industry is an important integral aspect of the agriculture sector of Manitoba. The expansion of Ayerst PMU operations in Brandon will invest an estimated $80 million a year into the provincial economy. Over half of this $80 million is expected to go directly to the province's 281 PMU farmers. Due to the expansion of Ayerst a total of 36 permanent staff were added to the 50 workers already employed. Further, it is anticipated that there will be over 1,000 new jobs created through construction, farm operations and through directly related industries.
Total expenditures for the expansion will be over $120 million. Due to this expansion 81 new PMU operations have been started in this province. Manitoba's domination of the PMU industry is demonstrated by the fact that of a total of 52,000 PMU mares in Canada, 30,000 are located right here in Manitoba. It is not yet known exactly what the extent of the economic spinoff will be from Ayerst, but it is anticipated to be quite substantial.
As you can see, the expansion of companies like Ayerst bring untold benefits not to just the immediate PMU producers but to the local community as well as the province as a whole. Companies such as Ayerst really illustrate the entrepreneurial spirit and innovative nature of people working in Manitoba's agricultural sector. Ayerst and all the PMU producers in the province clearly demonstrate that economic growth can be combined successfully with the principles of sustainable development. We have continually shown our commitment to the principles of sustainable development in all sectors including the PMU industry.
As with other sectors of the provincial economy, a healthy farm economy is important to all Manitobans. Through their hard work and efforts, PMU producers have constructed a successful and viable alternative to traditional livestock practices, one which is also in keeping with the principles of sustainable development.
I am aware that in the past, in this Chamber and in other public forums, there have been those who have directed unfair accusations towards the PMU industry and PMU producers. PMU producers have had their reputations as well as their livelihoods damaged by misinformation and incorrect, outdated data. Much of the false information directed towards the PMU industry has been generated by people and groups with their own specific agenda. They are unconcerned with the truth and so distort the facts to serve their own needs. Unlike the opposition, the government of Manitoba, our government, is united in our support of the PMU industry.
Although I was not a member of the House at the time, I do recall hearing two different opinions regarding the PMU industry from the official opposition. On one hand, there are some members who said they supported the PMU industry; on the other hand, there were other members who were quite vocal in their criticisms of this important and vital industry.
There has been so much misinformation, confusion and propaganda aired over our approach to the PMU industry that I feel I must take this opportunity to set the record straight. A careful viewing of the facts and a precise review of all available information will prove that many of the misconceptions and falsehoods surrounding the PMU industry are irresponsible and groundless.
The PMU horse is often considered the most pampered of farm livestock, and producers ensure that their animals receive the best of care. It is in the best interest of the producer to ensure that their animals are well looked after. It certainly would reflect to me that is the way you take care of the goose that is laying the golden egg.
Most PMU producers come from farming backgrounds and farming families. As a result, they are aware of the importance of providing for their animals and maintaining a superior standard of care.
I do wonder if the critics of the PMU industry, and there are many of them in this Chamber, realize that when they attack the PMU industry, they are also attacking the jobs, the dignity of many hardworking men and women in the province. It is unfair and unfortunate that individuals who are trying to better themselves, their families and their communities are treated in such an ill manner.
The government of Manitoba has worked closely with PMU producers and the PMU industry to ensure standards of care are maintained. In order to ensure the welfare of the animals on PMU farms, we have established a code of practice for the care and handling of horses in PMU operations.
In combination with the establishment of a code of practice, a horse specialist was also recently hired by the Department of Agriculture to lend assistance and provide information, not only to the PMU industry, but also to other horse raisers and breeders in the province.
Branch inspectors of the Department of Agriculture are also available in the event of any complaints of inhumane treatment to PMU mares and foals. They are also available to assist PMU producers to ensure that they are meeting proper and adequate standards.
But the best watchdog of the PMU industry is probably the PMU industry itself. It has established its own code of ethics, and I know that Ayerst provides its own ongoing supervision of its operations. I am confident that, given these measures, PMU producers in Manitoba will no longer have to endure the kinds of criticism they have had to endure in the past.
Certain members of this House, instead of maligning the industry, whether it be through innuendo, false information or scare tactics, should support this industry and should support the benefits. It contributes to the whole province. When the farm economy is strong, the provincial economy is strong.
It is amazing, you know, when one really stops to think about how successful the PMU industry has become. Manitoba is a world leader in the production of a pharmaceutical product which brings health benefits to thousands of women around the world. Ayerst is the only company in the world which produces a natural estrogen from PMU, making it a natural product whose benefits have been well documented and substantiated.
Madam Speaker, I have witnessed many occasions when the opposition has called for co-operation from all parties of this House, and when we support and promote successful ventures such as the PMU industry, we are attacked for trying to develop and sustain a viable commercial undertaking that brings significant income to Manitoba farmers and to the entire province.
I am calling on all members of this House to co-operate and support this resolution and to support PMU producers and the industry as a whole. Co-operation of all members of this Chamber is especially important in today's global economy. With the recent elimination of the Crow rate, the need for diversification on Manitoba farms is greater than ever.
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During this time of uncertainty in the agricultural industry in changing world markets, we as a government have to do everything in our power to assist the agricultural producers of the province. I believe that we as a government are more than prepared to meet the challenges that the changing world economy will present to us. We will continue to assist Manitoba farmers to expand livestock production as well as to try alternative and nontraditional approaches to livestock production.
The PMU industry is a perfect example of an alternative farming method used by Manitoba farmers. Not only did the expansion of Ayerst generate significant employment for the immediate and surrounding area, the expansion of the PMU industry really demonstrated how Manitoba farmers can respond to changes in the agricultural sector in a positive and productive manner.
Madam Speaker, I would call on all members of the Legislative Assembly to support this resolution. Thank you.
Mr. Gary Doer (Leader of the Opposition): Right off the bat, all the guffawing and comments across the way indicate to us that we have a lot more growing up to do about this resolution and what we are going to do about it, Madam Speaker, because I think there are a couple of issues that we have to deal with.
I expected the members opposite to play partisan politics before the election. We expect that, but for the sake of this industry, and if you are really interested in the industry more than you are in partisan politics, starting with the Deputy Premier (Mr. Downey) who I know has the dual role of Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism and co-chair of the Conservative re-election committee, we better start taking a good, long, hard look at where we are going and how we are going to work together. [interjection]
Well, Madam Speaker, the Minister of Education (Mrs. McIntosh) makes some comments. We proposed last year that we have an all-party committee to deal with this industry, because members opposite may want to keep their heads in the sand, but this is not just an issue in Manitoba. This is an issue that we are going to have to deal with on an international stage, and the world is full of failures--[interjection] Let me finish. The world is full of failures, on an international stage, of governments and people who have not looked beyond petty politics and long-term issues and have ultimately resulted in the decline of the industry that they purport to support.
Whether you look at the seal industry in Newfoundland or whether you look at the consumer boycott on forest products in British Columbia, we live in an international community, and, Madam Speaker, I think we better get our act together in this province, because we can have our disagreements, but we are fighting on a world stage, and we have some challenges we have to deal with beyond self-congratulatory resolutions that are before us here today.
Madam Speaker, I--and I say this in all sincerity. When the London Times had this issue on the front page of the paper, we wrote a letter to the editor of the London Times to talk about the great way in which this industry worked in Manitoba and the great economic benefit and to try to dispel some of the myths. We wrote to the international community because we were speaking as part of Manitoba. We were speaking as one Manitoba group.
What did members opposite do? They would rather put out a press release in the local--you know, in terms of attacking people rather than standing up in an all-party way with the rest of Manitobans.
We have to look at this issue. Why has this all-party committee not met?
I have met with the mayor of Brandon and talked to the mayor of Brandon. He says the Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism (Mr. Downey) does not care about it, does not want to meet, does not want to get together. He would rather just play--
An Honourable Member: Is that what he said?
Mr. Doer: You have not called the meeting together. I have met with the head of the PMU agricultural industry. He says he too would like this all-party committee recommended by the NDP to get going. They too now want to get this committee going.
You know, we will let the ostriches across the way continue to cluck but, Madam Speaker, we have proposed this six months ago, eight months ago, and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism is more concerned in partisan politics and self-congratulatory letters than they are about some of the long-term viability of this industry in an international market.
There is no question that this is a positive economic industry in Manitoba. It has a number of agricultural producers that are able to invest a lot of money and have revenue in this province. It has already been outlined by--[interjection]
Madam Speaker: Order, please.
Mr. Doer: Thank you, Madam Speaker.
There is no question that this produces tremendous economic benefit to Manitoba producers. It also producers a number of very, very important jobs, particularly in the community of Brandon. We have met with young people that work in the Brandon Ayerst plant, and they are very happy to have the jobs, and we are happy they do have those jobs and the payroll in the community of Brandon.
There is no question that the PMU producers are producing revenue from this industry that is very positive in many Manitoba communities. There is absolutely no question of that. To that we are all thankful. That we think is positive. But there are challenges on the horizon that we have to deal with in a more intelligent way, I suggest to members opposite, than either you are for or against the industry in a very simplistic way.
There are very big challenges, and let us not fail in Manitoba, as other provinces have failed in other industries, in an international world, in an international community with, as Marshall McLuhan said, the global village. Let us not fail because we are so interested in pointing fingers at the member for Radisson (Ms. Cerilli) or the member for Swan River (Ms. Wowchuk) or somebody else. Let us not fail, and I say that the leadership should be right across from us on this point.
Now we have had the election. You tried to win some of the rural seats. You know, we are all over 18; we understand that. But now the election is over, let us get our act together. Let us get our act together about something that will be challenged. That is why we propose the all-party committee. We think it is very important--
An Honourable Member: Why do you not tell the truth? It was the mayor of Brandon that proposed it.
Mr. Doer: I wrote him, and I will table the letter. Well, I will have to get three copies, but--
An Honourable Member: You get three copies all right.
Mr. Doer: I wrote the minister--or I met with the mayor and the industry and wrote the letter proposing the committee.
Madam Speaker, the minister would do well to stop talking and start acting on this issue because, quite frankly, over the next three or four years, he is the minister responsible. If this thing continues to encounter difficulty on the international market, he could potentially--
Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh.
Madam Speaker: Order, please.
Mr. Doer: Madam Speaker, I know it is hard for the members opposite to be mature, but I would ask them to at least listen to our comments.
An Honourable Member: At least we tell the truth. Tell the truth.
Point of Order
Mr. Doer: A point of order, Madam Speaker, are you going to call the members opposite to order on a point of order?
Madam Speaker: Order, please. On the point of order, I would remind all honourable members that it is a courtesy to the member that is debating to allow that member to debate without interruption.
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Mr. Doer: Thank you, Madam Speaker. So we have identified a very positive industry to which all of us are proud, whether it is the construction of the plant, whether it is the people working in the plant, whether it is the people working at the head office, whether it is producers that are in our communities, whether it is producers in those communities that are purchasing goods and services in our communities, all extremely positive, the establishment of the Ayerst plant at Brandon, positive, the expansion of the Ayerst plant in Brandon, positive, no question about that.
But we have some challenges on the horizon. When you have a European community that is critical of your industry, you can do two things. You can pretend that it does not exist, the criticism does not exist. You can pretend that it will not affect that industry, or you can deal with it. Now let me suggest that the B.C. forest industry tried to pretend that a consumer boycott would not make any difference to their industry. It took them three or four years and declining sales and markets in their communities for them to finally realize that they had to come up with acceptable international forestry practices so their products would not be subject to an international boycott. It took them three or four years. I suggest to members opposite, you can pretend that this will not happen, or you can face the facts that it will. Well, it is quite amazing to watch this happen across the way.
Madam Speaker, we believe that we must deal with this international criticism, and the Minister of Agriculture, it seems to us, finally agrees that he must deal with this as well. There is a code of conduct dealing with the animal issues in the PMU industry, and it has been proposed that there be regulations so that we not only be perceived to be handling the animals in this industry in a very acceptable worldwide way--that we are not only doing it, but we are perceived to be doing it. We agree with Harry Enns, or the Minister of Agriculture, when he says there will be regulations because I think that is a good idea to take away some of the potential criticisms of this industry and of the PMU producers. I know that the PMU industry head wants to also deal with these ways, and that is why we are suggesting the all-party committee to deal with that.
So I suggest we can go the way of the B.C. forest industry and just pretend it is not a problem, or the minister can pretend that it is a challenge that we have to deal with. We have already written the London Times. Our Agriculture critic has already written the London Times to talk about why the criticisms were wrong and what we can do about it. We also believe that estrogen and the production of estrogen, which produces the economic benefits that we have talked about in a very positive way, is also going to be an issue that we are going to have to address in this Legislature. There have been major reports out about estrogen, and we believe, Madam Speaker, that obviously it is a woman's right to take those prescription drugs if they choose, but there is going to be a considerable amount of education and information available to women making decisions about the use of estrogen.
I point to members opposite, the study that was produced last year by women family doctors that did say for certain cases estrogen is very, very positive in their opinion for some people, but for other people it would be very negative and could in fact be threatening to their health. It is a challenge we are going to have to deal with and members opposite should be aware of it. I think they are also responsible for the health care system in Manitoba and the whole issue of estrogen and its utilization is an issue. You can say it is not, but it is, and it is better to deal with things from a sense of reality, especially dealing with these very, very important issues to people, than not.
The issue of the environment, we were criticized for raising the issue of the environment. We believe that any discharge in any river should have an environmental impact study whether it is Winnipeg putting their sewage in the river or Brandon or Swan River or any other community. It is not unique to Ayerst. It is not germane just to the Ayerst industry or the Ayerst lagoon issue. We think an environmental assessment is part of the new Environment Act. You have a proponent, you have a river system, you have a referee. It is the environment process, the environmental assessment process.
Madam Speaker, we talk about the economic benefits, we talk about the regulations that we think the Minister of Agriculture (Mr. Enns) is rightly proposing to deal with some of the concerns in the international community. Good idea. Let us see them. We talk about environmental consistency and we talk about the reality that we are going to have to deal with on estrogen.
This is a good industry for Manitoba. Let us work in an all-party way to deal with some of the challenges that are on the horizon. Yes, it has produced jobs; yes, it has produced revenues, badly needed revenues for farmers; yes, it has produced badly needed investments in our communities. All that is very positive and we acknowledge that. I stand here today acknowledging all the positive parts of this industry, but I do not want to repeat in Manitoba by our lack of co-operation, by our lack of working together, and I say that by our lack of working together and now that the election is over, let us work together on this industry.
An Honourable Member: Oh, sure.
Mr. Doer: Well, you choose to do what you want. Madam Speaker, we believe in the all-party committee--
Madam Speaker: Order, please. The honourable member's time has expired.
Mr. Frank Pitura (Morris): I would like to lend support to this resolution by the honourable member for Turtle Mountain (Mr. Tweed), and many of the things that our honourable opposition has brought up to date in regard to the entire industry, I could not agree more that we have to work together. This is an important industry to Manitoba that with certain interest groups, if left unchecked and we are not going to respond to them, we could see that this industry could encounter some problems. So we do need wholehearted support to ensure that this industry has a future in this province and that it is not subjected to some small interest group that wants to get rid of the industry.
The important thing here, Madam Speaker, is that, with the WGTA or the Crow benefit disappearing from Manitoba almost overnight in one little budget announcement, Manitoba producers are now faced with having to pick up a freight bill, something around the neighbourhood of about $200 million a year. This is going to hurt our agricultural industry. We have seen this year that the commodity prices are stronger. That is going to try and offset this hurt a bit, but we Manitoba producers are continually looking at diversification opportunities and value-added opportunities.
The pregnant mares industry is an industry that gives a diversification opportunity. Also, in the right locations in this province, it is an opportunity for producers to engage in certain crop rotations that are also beneficial to the soils that are on their farms in terms of the amount of forages that are used in the rotation. It is also an industry that can utilize some of the feed grain that is produced in Manitoba, thereby lessening the effect of this abolition of the Crow.
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The PMU industry in Manitoba, Madam Speaker, is an industry that can provide and does provide a very good return to its producers; and, as my honourable colleague for Turtle Mountain (Mr. Tweed) indicated, these producers are very conscientious about the operations that they have, and they are not going to kill the goose that lays the golden egg.
Now this industry has come under attack by animal rights groups that maintain that the horses under the operation are being mistreated, mishandled and abused, but we also see animal rights groups affecting other components of livestock as well. In many cases, if they had their wishes, we would have a livestock-free economy. I think we all realize that livestock is the very basis and a strong basis of our agricultural industry here in Manitoba, in Canada and throughout North America and, indeed, the world.
I have had the pleasure, Madam Speaker, of visiting with the PMU operation in my constituency, and I would like to report that, on inspection of that operation, the particular individual takes very good care of the horses. Every horse, indeed, on that farm has a name, is treated almost like a pet in the family. So there is this gentle handling of those animals on that operation. I think that producers throughout this have a great deal of respect and will have a great deal of care for their animals.
Another important thing, Madam Speaker, is that this industry, when it was established--I can remember that back in the 1960s when this industry was first getting off the ground in Manitoba that it was a fledgling industry. It was an industry really that not too many people could conceptualize. There were a few people that took that plunge and started to have horses and get into the PMU industry. So it has been around this province a long time.
One important thing to note is that over the 30-some years that it has been in this province, it has never had to have a government subsidy to keep it going. So it is a very beneficial industry to this province and to the people of Manitoba from that aspect.
As my honourable colleague mentioned, the PMU industry in Manitoba has now 280 farms, a rapid growth in this industry, with 81 new operations. This industry is a good example of sustainable agriculture from the standpoint of utilizing the feed grains and utilizing the good crop rotation system in terms of soil erosion control, soil conservation and also in terms of the great impact it has on the industry.
Just recently, in October of 1992, when Ayerst announced plans to triple their production in their plant at Brandon, they are projected to contribute more than $80 million to the Manitoba economy. I understand that the majority of this money is going to end up in Manitoba producers' hands.
The total expansion will be somewhat in the neighbourhood of $120 million, Madam Speaker. The inclusion and the occurring of more new jobs happening in Manitoba and as well the spin-off jobs over the years will probably be in the neighbourhood of about a thousand.
Now, in terms of the environmental impact of the Ayerst plant in Brandon, Manitoba Environment reports, and I think it has been substantiated, that there are no grounds to the claims that the Ayerst plant in Brandon has or is polluting the Assiniboine River.
The industry also has a code of practice which has been developed. We have seen codes of practices developed for the beef industry, for the hog industry, for the dairy industry, for the sheep industry and for the horse industry, and these codes of practices, as producers call themselves professionals, they will adhere to these codes of practices. This is their way that they will operate their industry.
Manitoba Agriculture has also employed a person as a horse specialist by the name of Ray Salmon. I happen to have known Ray for a number of years. I know that he is a very conscientious, highly professional type of person who has a very sincere interest in this industry, who will endeavour to help in the educational process with PMU operators to ensure that the code of practice is followed.
There will also be inspections on a frequent basis by Manitoba Agriculture officials to take a look at the PMU industry barns to see that they are indeed adhering to the code of practice. The whole industry is an industry that works together as a team because producers know that they have to have and follow a code of practice in order to ensure their future. They are very concerned about the individual groups who would like to take their industry and eliminate it. I think that most of the people in the PMU industry today will gladly open their doors and allow the public, us the public, to come in, to have a look to ensure that their operations are being run according to the code of practice.
I think that is very important for this industry as the only way that they can counteract the antagonism towards the animals that they have or by the people who would like to see this industry halted. I think one of the comments made by our honourable members on the other side was that we were often self-congratulatory on this side with these kinds of operations. I do not think, Madam Speaker, we are self-congratulatory as much as we are proud of an industry in this province that is contributing jobs, contributing to the economy of this province. Of that, we are very proud, and I think Manitobans are proud in general.
But, yes, I will agree that the industry has some hurdles. I think that it has to be more open with the public. It has to hold itself open for scrutiny, and I think that if that is done all these innuendoes and scare tactics that are being carried out by these animal rights activists will fade away into the sunset.
I think even one of our members opposite, who is the MLA for Radisson (Ms. Cerilli), was even--I believe this is from the Hansard. It is from a letter that was sent to The University of Minnesota Hospital Clinic in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to a Dr. Lavalleur, and is signed by the member for Radisson. The letter says: Thank you for the interest you have expressed in the issue of the expanding use of hormone replacement therapy for women as well as the PMU plant expansion in Brandon, Manitoba, the environment and health. Enclosed is a paper for your consideration. Please call if you are interested in working to do education and organizing work on these issues.
It is not organizing to try and make this project happen; it is organizing to try and stop this project. The entire paper that is attached to this letter is filled with inaccurate statements that condemn the process of producing this Premarin drug, that condemn the use of this Premarin drug, that condemn the plant from a health care standpoint, from an environmental standpoint and everything else.
I think, Madam Speaker, the point here is that as members of this Assembly we all have to work together to try to make this industry go, to make sure that the industry in terms of the code of practice that we have issued for it follows the code of practice and that it is very open about its affairs and to make sure that the future of this industry stays well and alive.
I would just like to mention one thing else. I know that estrogen is the hormone that is produced with pregnant mare operations. I know the members opposite indicated that eventually down the road this is going to have to be addressed as an issue in the Legislature, and that is probably true. There is also more to that than that. I think that recently, if my memory serves me correctly, we are even looking at some synthetic drugs now that will undoubtedly be competition for this business in the future.
I think that in regard to the whole industry, the way it is set up right now and the way it is heading is that it will have a long future, but it needs our entire support. So I thank you very much, Madam Speaker.
House Business
Hon. Jim Ernst (Government House Leader): On a matter of House business, I would like to inform the House that Bill 2, the balanced budget legislation, will be referred to the Standing Committee on Economic Development for a meeting to be held this Thursday, October 19, commencing at 7 p.m.
Madam Speaker: Bill 2 will be referred to the Standing Committee on Economic Development, 7 p.m., Thursday.
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Hon. James Downey (Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism): Madam Speaker, I will not take a long time, but I do want to clarify the record in the comments that I want to speak on the resolution that is very appropriate from the member for Turtle Mountain (Mr. Tweed) and very capably spoken to by the member for Morris (Mr. Pitura), because I will be interested to hear where the member for Swan River (Ms. Wowchuk) is going to come down on this one, because she flip-flopped all over the place in the last few months.
Madam Speaker, for the record, why did this all come about? You know, we heard the arsonists today trying to put out the fire. The Leader of the New Democratic Party is trying to put out the fire.
Point of Order
Mr. Doer: Madam Speaker, on a point of order, I am sure the Speaker has noted that, to allege that somebody, through his gesture, has committed a criminal act is against our rules, and I am sure you would want to not allow this.
Madam Speaker: Order, please. I did not hear the exact words that the minister reiterated. I will take it under advisement and peruse Hansard and, if necessary, report back to the House.
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Mr. Downey: Why has this whole issue started and been propelled into the arena the way in which it has? It is because the member for Radisson (Ms. Cerilli) in a letter and in a petition to a clinic in Minnesota some two years, prior to all these letters, the member makes reference to, speaking out, getting the people of the international community excited about what was going on in Manitoba, about the production of Premarin, about the production of PMU activities, that is why all of this started.
It did not come from the PMU industry. It did not come from the health industry. It came from the left-wing member for Radisson and her radical approach to what is going on in this province. That is what this is all about. That is what started this whole thing, and it is clearly on the record. Her phone number to be phoned when people phoning in opposition and concern about what was going on in Manitoba with the PMU industry. So single-handedly she was the one who stirred this whole thing up in opposition to the PMU industry in Manitoba. She should take the whole credit for it because she is the cause of all this.
What did it cause to have it, Madam Speaker? Certainly the NDP Leader, (Mr. Doer) on March 31 of 1994 wrote a letter to Charles Knockaert saying, look, we are for the industry. Trying to, again, do damage control for what his member for Radisson in fact had done to him. The same day he forced his member, or I am sure she had a change of mind, but on the 31st, the same day she wrote a letter to the PETA saying, stop using the NDP name in the--[interjection] Why would she? She wanted all the opposition phoned to her office. It is on the letter that she sent out in the petition: Petition us to make sure we get after the PMU industry. It is clearly on the record. Then they realized how much trouble they were still in and so then--and this is the other problem that I have--when the Leader of the opposition party says that I should have--[interjection]
Madam Speaker: Order, please.
Mr. Downey: He makes a big to-do, Madam Speaker. In fact, on the 18th of January he writes a letter to the mayor of the City of Brandon. Now he is claiming that it is his idea that we get together in an all-party task force. The last time I can recall, it was the mayor of Brandon who called us, and he phoned me and he met with us and he said, we are concerned about the image the PMU industry is getting in the international marketplace. We suggest--the mayor of Brandon suggested--we get an all-party committee together. And, of course, the NDP Leader says, good idea. It is a great way to cover up some more of what we have caused and try to cover up the problems that we have started, and we will now take credit for this.
But it was an appropriate time, Madam Speaker, talking about elections and preparing for an election. He knew there was an election coming, so on the 18th of January, 1995, he says, I will cover the tracks even better. We will initiate this proposal. We have had a few meetings. We had a meeting with the industry, representatives from the industry, and we will continue to meet with the industry, with the City of Brandon and of course as a collective group. Yes, we welcome the NDP party, but I do not want the record to state that it was his idea, that it was anything more than him trying to cover his tracks for the irresponsible action of his member for Radisson (Ms. Cerilli) who started this whole thing, brought the attacks on the PMU industry in Manitoba.
It has been spoken to very capably, so the record now is clear. It was the mayor of Brandon who called for the all-party committee. It was the member for Radisson who started this whole business of accusing the livestock producers of being cruel to their animals, Madam Speaker. Absolutely untrue, that the Premarin had not been tested. It has been in the marketplace for almost 30 years and no one has been able to prove that it is not a very, very good product. Of course, my colleague the Minister of Environment (Mr. Cummings) can speak to it, that there is continuous testing of the river and an environmental licence has been issued so that there is not any damage to the Assiniboine River.
Madam Speaker, this is nothing more than a clear effort by the Leader of the Opposition (Mr. Doer) to try to carry out damage control and put a bunch of ill informed and misinformation on the record. Thank you.
Ms. Rosann Wowchuk (Swan River): Madam Speaker, over the rhetoric, I did not hear you.
Madam Speaker, following those comments, it is very important that we do set the record straight because the Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism did not put some factual information on the record.
Dealing with this resolution I want to say that I want to tell the member who introduced this resolution that I wish that he had been a little bit more progressive in the resolution rather than just congratulating the government, that he would ask them to introduce the regulations, encourage the government to introduce regulations and to pull together the all-party committee that has been proposed. Those would be things that would be positive actions rather than just congratulating the government. There are other things that we have to do.
Madam Speaker, with respect to the all-party committee, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism does not have his facts straight. It is in fact as a result of a meeting that we had in Brandon with the mayor of Brandon and PMU Ayerst representatives when we had the discussion on how we could work with the industry. It was at the suggestion of our Leader and other members who were there that we said there should be an all-party committee established and that would be the way we could deal with this.
Quite frankly, I think that was a very good suggestion and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism took the initiative and said there would be an all-party committee. He even called for names of people who would be on that committee. But, again, that was only before the election. They are not prepared to take action now to address the real concerns because we are facing real challenges in this industry, and it requires all of us to work together.
This government is not prepared to do that. They would rather play cheap politics rather than address the real issues, Madam Speaker, and there are real issues here. [interjection] The member across the way talks about damage control. He better start looking at his own damage control.
The minister talks about the letters that were sent. Certainly. We sent a letter to the London Times, telling them that they were wrong in what they did, the statements that they made, and we invited them to come to Canada to look at the industry. We did not hear this government doing any of that. When the animal rights people took statements out of context and started to publish them, our Environment critic, the member for Radisson (Ms. Cerilli), wrote to them and asked them not to use her name in their literature.
Madam Speaker, with respect to this industry, it is an important industry to the economy of this province. It is important to the community of Brandon, where there are many jobs resulting in it. It is important to the economy of rural Manitoba. It is very important in my constituency, where there are many PMU operators. It had a great impact on the building industry when a number of barns were built several years ago.
I have talked to the people in the industry, and they have no problem with the minister bringing in regulations, and they are waiting. There are people in my constituency who have said they are waiting for this. The minister in a statement said that he would be updating The Animal Husbandry Act. He was supposed to be addressing that, and we are waiting for those. There are concerns and problems that have to be addressed.
There are misconceptions out there with respect to how the animals are being treated, and the industry has to be regulated.
Point of Order
Hon. Leonard Derkach (Minister of Rural Development): The member for Swan River has indicated that she has spoken to PMU producers who are waiting for information from this government, and I would like her to table those names, because I know the producers, and it would be appropriate for her to table those names.
Madam Speaker: Order, please. The honourable Minister of Rural Development does not have a point of order.
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* (1730)
Ms. Wowchuk: With respect to that challenge, if the minister is so familiar with the people in the industry, he would know what is going on, but he does not. He is not familiar with the concerns.
Madam Speaker, there are many challenges. The member for Morris (Mr. Pitura) talked about the scare tactics. There are--[interjection]
Madam Speaker: Order, please.
Ms. Wowchuk: Madam Speaker, I think the Minister of Education (Mrs. McIntosh) cannot answer questions that come to her during Question Period, but she seems to have comments that she wants to make on the PMU industry. I welcome her to make those comments when I finish mine.
Madam Speaker: Order, please. I would remind all honourable members once again. There is bantering going back and forth here like it is going out of style. I would ask for the co-operation of all honourable members to accede the floor to the member that has been recognized. It is only common courtesy.
Ms. Wowchuk: There is need for regulation. I am very pleased that the government did take action and appoint an inspector, a specialist. There was a problem in the industry this summer when there was an outbreak of swamp fever. It was through that horse inspector that has been put in place that the information got out to other producers in the area, and the problem was addressed.
That is one step in appointing an inspector, but the Minister of Agriculture (Mr. Enns) did make commitments to put in regulations and update The Animal Husbandry Act. We are looking for that from the minister because those are the things that we need to do. We need to work together as a committee to address the concerns. The minister has to bring forward the regulations that will result in much of the scepticism about the industry that is there right now being taken away. That is what we have to do.
It is unfortunate that rather than addressing those issues we have to revert to petty politics. Members across the way should just forget about that kind of stuff and just deal with the real issues because it is through their actions and their press releases that this issue has been stirred up in Manitoba, and their actions have hurt the producers in Manitoba.
The issue of environment is important. We have the issue raised about the lagoons in Brandon and the environmental impact. It is unfortunate that the government chose to go the route of not having an environmental impact assessment. No matter which project we have in this province, if we are going to diverse our economy and it is going to have an impact on the other resources, such as water or soil or the forest, there should be a full environmental impact assessment. That should be put in place.
Point of Order
Hon. Glen Cummings (Minister of Environment): On a point of order, Madam Speaker. Would the member then advocate environmental hearings on hog barns?
Madam Speaker: Order, please. The honourable Minister of Environment does not have a point of order.
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Ms. Wowchuk: The Minister of Environment just raised the hog industry. There are certainly going to be some real challenges in the hog industry with respect to the environment. I look forward to seeing how this government is going to enforce regulations that have been put in place on environmental guidelines because again, no matter which industry we have, we have to be sure that one person's benefit is not compromising another one. We should not be compromising another person's water supply. We should not be compromising another person's ability to make a living. All of those things have to be taken into consideration--fishermen, all of those people, have to be taken into consideration.
The member across the way also talked about the women's issues that must be addressed, and certainly there are a lot of studies on both sides of the issues as to whether the use of estrogen is positive or negative on women. I would encourage this government to look at all sides of this and make an effort to provide women with the information to allow them to make choices. There are many women, Madam Speaker, who choose not to take estrogen. That is their choice. But there are many women who do not have the information, and that is the role of government in preventative health, which they spout about, getting all the information out to women.
Madam Speaker, the member across the way talks about going to the physician and there are opportunities, but at that physician there should be information available on both sides. It is a matter of education, and this government should not be afraid. You should not be afraid to provide women with choices. It is a very simple choice.
Madam Speaker, I think that we see that this government is paying themselves platitudes and talking about sustainable development here, but I do not believe they have addressed all the issues. I want to state clearly that I believe that the PMU industry is a good industry in Manitoba; and, for the members across the way, if they check the records, that has always been the position of members of this side of the House. We recognize, but we want the industry to be run right and we look forward to regulations.
We look forward to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism (Mr. Downey) who, I understand, is responsible for calling the all-party committee on the industry--I look forward to the day when he is going to call that committee because he has said that he would. He called for some names to be submitted prior to the election, but he has not done it.
So I want to say to the member who introduced this resolution, it is a resolution worthy of discussion. I hoped he would have put more comments on the record with respect to sustainability, and I wish he would have made comments with respect to the regulations in the industry. But, certainly, I would again say to the Minister of Industry--
Madam Speaker: Order, please. When this matter is again before the House, the honourable member for Swan River will have three minutes remaining.
As previously agreed, the hour being six o'clock, this House is adjourned and stands adjourned until 1:30 p.m. tomorrow (Wednesday).