Tuesday, October 24, 1995

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA

Tuesday, October 24, 1995

The House met at 1:30 p.m.

PRAYERS

ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS

PRESENTING PETITIONS

Emergency Health Care Services--Seven Oaks General Hospital

Mr. Dave Chomiak (Kildonan): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Helen Fontaine, Wm. Puloski and Cheryl Boguski requesting the Legislative Assembly to request the Premier (Mr. Filmon) to consider maintaining 24-hour access to emergency health care at Seven Oaks Hospital, as was promised in the 1995 general election.

Emergency Health Care Services--Community Hospitals

Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Inkster): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Librada Retumalta, Fe Aliwalas, Carmelita Naval and others requesting that the Legislative Assembly urge the Minister of Health (Mr. McCrae) consider making a commitment to the people of Manitoba that emergency health care services in Winnipeg's five community hospitals will remain open seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

READING AND RECEIVING PETITIONS

Emergency Health Care Services--Seven Oaks General Hospital

Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Kildonan (Mr. Chomiak), 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: Dispense.

Madam Speaker: Dispense.

The petition of the undersigned residents of the province of Manitoba humbly sheweth

THAT on at least six occasions during the 1995 provincial election the Premier promised not to cut health care services; and

THAT following the election the Minister of Health promised that emergency services would not be reduced at community hospitals in Winnipeg; and

THAT the Minister of Health on October 6 announced that emergency services at these hospitals would be cut back immediately; and

THAT residents of the Seven Oaks Hospital vicinity depend upon emergency service at this hospital.

WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba go on record requesting the Premier to consider maintaining 24-hour access to emergency health care at Seven Oaks Hospital as was promised in the 1995 general election.

Emergency Health Care Services--Community Hospitals

Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Inkster (Mr. Lamoureux), and it complies with the rules and practices of the House. Is it the will of the House to have the petition read?

An Honourable Member: Yes.

Madam Speaker: Yes. The Clerk will read.

Mr. Clerk (William Remnant): The petition of the undersigned residents of the province of Manitoba humbly sheweth

THAT emergency health care services are the core of Manitoba's health care system;

THAT Manitobans deserve the greatest possible access to this care;

THAT the government is considering reducing access to emergency services.

WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly urge the Minister responsible for Health (Mr. McCrae) consider making a commitment to the people of Manitoba that emergency health care services in Winnipeg's five community hospitals will remain open seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

Bill 211--The Limitation of Actions Amendment Act

Ms. Diane McGifford (Osborne): I move, seconded by the member for Flin Flon (Mr. Jennissen), that leave be given to introduce Bill 211, The Limitation of Actions Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Loi sur la prescription, and that the same be now received and read a first time.

Motion presented.

Ms. McGifford: The principle of the bill is to extend the limitations of actions, so that victims of sexual assault where the assault takes place in a relationship of trust have an unlimited time in which to launch civil suits and where victims of other forms of assault have a limit of 30 years. Clearly, the amendment will broaden the time limitations for the initiation of civil suits.

Motion agreed to.

* (1335)

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 sixty Grade 9 students from Pierre Radisson Collegiate under the direction of Mrs. Bendall, Mrs. Lucille Miller and Ms. Patti Field. This school is located in the constituency of the honourable member for St. Vital (Mrs. Render).

On behalf of all honourable members, I welcome you this afternoon.