Wednesday, May 15, 1996
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA
Wednesday, May 15, 1996
The House met at 1:30 p.m.
PRAYERS
ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS
PRESENTING PETITIONS
Home Care Services
Mr. Jim Maloway (Elmwood): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Margaret Klassen, Olive Bayluk, Carole Arklie and others requesting the Premier (Mr. Filmon) and the Minister of Health (Mr. McCrae) to consider reversing their plan to privatize home care services.
READING AND RECEIVING PETITIONS
Home Care Services
Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Selkirk (Mr. Dewar). 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: Dispense.
Madam Speaker: Dispense.
THAT on at least six occasions during the 1995 provincial election, the Premier promised not to cut health services; and
THAT on December 16, 1995, a plan to privatize home care services was presented to Treasury Board; and
THAT this plan calls for the complete divestiture of all service delivery to nongovernment organizations, mainly private for-profit companies as well as the implementation of a user-pay system of home care; and
THAT previous cuts to the Home Care program have resulted in services being cut and people’s health being compromised; and
THAT thousands of caring front-line service providers will lose their jobs as a result of this change; and
THAT profit has no place in the provision of vital health services.
WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba may be pleased to request the Premier (Mr. Filmon) and the Minister of Health (Mr. McCrae) to consider reversing their plan to privatize home care services.
Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Elmwood (Mr. Maloway). 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.
THAT on at least six occasions during the 1995 provincial election, the Premier promised not to cut health services; and
THAT on December 16, 1995, a plan to privatize home care services was presented to Treasury Board; and
THAT this plan calls for the complete divestiture of all service delivery to nongovernment organizations, mainly private for-profit companies as well as the implementation of a user-pay system of home care; and
THAT previous cuts to the Home Care program have resulted in services being cut and people’s health being compromised; and
THAT thousands of caring front-line service providers will lose their jobs as a result of this change; and
THAT profit has no place in the provision of vital health services.
WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba may be pleased to request the Premier (Mr. Filmon) and the Minister of Health (Mr. McCrae) to consider reversing their plan to privatize home care services.
Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Inkster (Mr. Lamoureux). 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: The Clerk will read.
Mr. Clerk (William Remnant): The petition of the undersigned citizens 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 services; and
THAT on December 16, 1995, a plan to privatize home care services was presented to Treasury Board; and
THAT this plan calls for the complete divestiture of all service delivery to nongovernment organizations, mainly private for-profit companies as well as the implementation of a user-pay system of home care; and
THAT previous cuts to the Home Care program have resulted in services being cut and people’s health being compromised; and
THAT thousands of caring front-line service providers will lose their jobs as a result of this change; and
THAT profit has no place in the provision of vital health services.
WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba may be pleased to request the Premier (Mr. Filmon) and the Minister of Health (Mr. McCrae) to consider reversing their plan to privatize home care services.
TABLING OF REPORTS
Hon. Glen Findlay (Minister of Highways and Transportation): Madam Speaker, I would like to table the Supplementary Estimates of the Department of Highways and Transportation for '96-97.
Hon. Darren Praznik (Minister of Energy and Mines): Madam Speaker, I would like to table the Supplementary Information for Legislative Review for 1996-97 Departmental Expenditure Estimates for the Department of Energy and Mines.
Hon. Vic Toews (Minister charged with the administration of The Civil Service Act): Madam Speaker, I would like to table the 1996-97 Departmental Expenditure Estimates for the Department of Civil Service Commission, along with a separate report of Employee Benefits and Other Payments.
Hon. Eric Stefanson (Minister of Finance): Madam Speaker, I would like to table the 1996-97 Departmental Expenditure Estimates for the Department of Finance.
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INTRODUCTION OF BILLS
Bill 27--The Museum of Man and Nature Amendment and Consequential Amendments Act
Hon. Harold Gilleshammer (Minister of Culture, Heritage and Citizenship): Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Urban Affairs (Mr. Reimer), that leave be given to introduce Bill 27, The Museum of Man and Nature Amendment and Consequential Amendments Act (Loi modifiant la Loi sur le Musée de l'Homme et de la Nature et apportant des modifications corrélatives), and that the same be now received and read a first time.
Motion agreed to.
Bill 28--The Winnipeg Stock Exchange Act
Hon. Jim Ernst (Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs): Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Environment (Mr. Cummings), that leave be given to introduce Bill 28, The Winnipeg Stock Exchange Act; Loi sur la Bourse de Winnipeg, and that the same be now received and read a first time.
Motion agreed to.
Bill 29--The Winnipeg Commodity Exchange Act
Hon. Jim Ernst (Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs): I move, seconded by the Minister of Health (Mr. McCrae), that leave be given to introduce Bill 29, The Winnipeg Commodity Exchange Act; Loi sur la Bourse des marchandises de Winnipeg, and that the same be now received and read a first time.
Motion agreed to.
Bill 30--The Dairy Act
Hon. Harry Enns (Minister of Agriculture): Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Natural Resources (Mr. Driedger), that leave be given to introduce Bill 30, The Dairy Act (Loi sur les produits laitiers), and that the same be now received and read a first time.
His Honour the Lieutenant Governor, having been made aware of this act, recommends it to the House, and I would like to table the Lieutenant Governor's message with the Page.
Motion agreed to.
Bill 31--The Livestock Industry Diversification and Consequential Amendments Act
Hon. Harry Enns (Minister of Agriculture): Madam Speaker, I would like to move, seconded by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism (Mr. Downey), that leave be given to introduce Bill 31, The Livestock Industry Diversification and Consequential Amendments Act (Loi sur la diversification de l'industrie du bétail et apportant des modifications corrélatives), and that the same be now received and read a first time.
His Honour the Lieutenant Governor, having been advised of the contents of this bill, does recommend it to the House. I have tabled His Honour's message with the Clerk.
Motion agreed to.
Bill 32--The Council on Post-Secondary Education Act
Hon. Linda McIntosh (Minister of Education and Training): Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs (Mr. Ernst), that leave be given to introduce Bill 32, The Council on Post-Secondary Education Act; Loi sur le Conseil de l'enseignement postsecondaire, and that the same be now received and read a first time.
His Honour the Lieutenant Governor, having been advised of the contents of this bill, recommends it to the House, and I am pleased to table His Honour's message.
Motion agreed to.
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Bill 33--The Education Administration Amendment Act
Hon. Linda McIntosh (Minister of Education and Training): Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs (Mr. Ernst), that leave be given to introduce Bill 33, The Education Administration Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Loi sur l'administration scolaire, and that the same be now received and read a first time.
Motion agreed to.
Bill 34--The Contaminated Sites Remediation and Consequential Amendments Act
Hon. Glen Cummings (Minister of Environment): Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Rural Development (Mr. Derkach), that leave be given to introduce Bill 34, The Contaminated Sites Remediation and Consequential Amendments Act (Loi concernant l'assainissement des lieux contaminés et apportant des modifications corrélatives), (and that the same be now received and read a first time).
His Honour the Lieutenant Governor, having been advised of the contents, recommends this to the House, and I wish to table his message.
Motion agreed to.
Bill 36--The Social Allowances Amendment and Consequential Amendments Act
Hon. Bonnie Mitchelson (Minister of Family Services): Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Urban Affairs and Housing (Mr. Reimer), that leave be given to introduce Bill 36, The Social Allowances Amendment and Consequential Amendments Act (Loi modifiant la Loi sur l'aide sociale et apportant des modifications corrélatives), and that the same now be received and read a first time.
His Honour the Lieutenant Governor, having been advised of the contents of this bill, recommends it to the House, and I would like to table that message.
Motion agreed to.
Bill 37--The Ambulance Services Amendment Act
Hon. James McCrae (Minister of Health): Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Minister of Family Services (Mrs. Mitchelson), that leave to given to introduce Bill 37, The Ambulance Services Amendment Act (Loi modifiant la Loi sur les services d'ambulance), and that the same be now received and read a first time.
Motion agreed to.
Bill 38--The Health Services Insurance Amendment Act (2)
Hon. James McCrae (Minister of Health): Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the Deputy Premier (Mr. Downey), that leave be given to introduce Bill 38, The Health Services Insurance Amendment Act (2) (Loi no 2 modifiant la Loi sur l'assurance-maladie), and that the same be now received and read a first time.
Motion agreed to.
Bill 39--The Pari-Mutuel Levy and Consequential Amendments Act
Hon. James Downey (Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism): Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Finance (Mr. Stefanson), that leave be given to introduce Bill 39, The Pari-Mutuel Levy and Consequential Amendments Act (Loi concernant les prélèvements sur les mises de pari mutuel et apportant des modifications corrélatives), and that the same be now received and read a first time.
Motion agreed to.
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Bill 40--The Pension Benefits Amendment Act
Hon. Vic Toews (Minister of Labour): I move, seconded by the Minister of Government Services (Mr. Pallister), that leave be given to introduce Bill 40, The Pension Benefits Amendment Act (Loi modifiant la Loi sur les prestations de pension), and that the same be now received and read a first time.
Motion agreed to.
Bill 41--The Fisheries Amendment Act
Hon. Albert Driedger (Minister of Natural Resources): Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Agriculture (Mr. Enns), that leave be given to introduce Bill 41, The Fisheries Amendment Act (Loi modifiant la Loi sur la pêche), and that the same be now received and read a first time.
His Honour the Lieutenant Governor, having been advised of the contents of this bill, recommends it to the House. I would like to table his message.
Motion agreed to.
Bill 42--The Northern Affairs Amendment Act
Hon. Darren Praznik (Minister of Northern Affairs): Madam Speaker, I would move, seconded by the honourable Minister of Urban Affairs and Housing (Mr. Reimer), that leave be given to introduce Bill 42, The Northern Affairs Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Loi sur les Affaires du Nord, and that the same be now received and read a first time.
Motion agreed to.
Bill 43--The Municipal Assessment Amendment, City of Winnipeg Amendment and
Assessment Validation Act
Hon. Leonard Derkach (Minister of Rural Development): Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Urban Affairs (Mr. Reimer), that leave be given to introduce Bill 43, The Municipal Assessment Amendment, City of Winnipeg Amendment and Assessment Validation Act (Loi modifiant la Loi sur l'évaluation municipale et la Loi sur la Ville de Winnipeg et validant certaines évaluations), and that the same be now received and read a first time.)
His Honour the Lieutenant Governor having been advised of the contents of the bill, recommends it to the House. I would like to table his message.
Motion agreed to.
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Bill 44--The City of Winnipeg Amendment and Consequential Amendments Act
Hon. Jack Reimer (Minister of Urban Affairs): Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Energy and Mines (Mr. Praznik), that leave be given to introduce Bill 44, The City of Winnipeg Amendment and Consequential Amendments Act (Loi modifiant la Loi sur la Ville de Winnipeg et apportant des modifications corrélatives), and that the same be now received and read a first time.
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 this afternoon eighteen Grade 4 students from Richard School under the direction of Mrs. Jocelyn Benoit. This school is located in the constituency of the honourable member for Gladstone (Mr. Rocan).
On behalf of all honourable members, I welcome you this afternoon.