MEMBERS' STATEMENTS

Rusalka Ukrainian Festival

Mr. Edward Helwer (Gimli): Madam Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise this afternoon and relay to the House my participation in the eighth annual Rusalka Ukrainian Festival held in Teulon this past weekend. The Rusalka Ukrainian Festival is truly a unique two-day event featuring the vastness of Ukrainian culture and heritage. The events surrounded participants with festive music, pageantry, colour and delicious foods. Additional entertainment was offered through a free stage packed with delightful performers. There were many visual displays and exhibits, and for those individuals who enjoy taking a hands-on approach to activities, there were a number of workshops in which to participate.

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I would like to take a moment to congratulate the organizers and volunteers of this year's festival for the outstanding job they have done on the Rusalka Festival once again. The countless hours of volunteer time and effort to pull together such a highly successful event was clearly evident. I would therefore like to salute the organizers and volunteers on their efforts and let them know it was admired by all those attending.

I would also like to thank the several hundred or approximately 700 dancers who attended from throughout the province. I should note that the reputation of this event has increased so dramatically that the number of dancers actively participating has more than doubled since the festival began eight years ago. It was truly enjoyable to witness the fine performances throughout the festival and I wish all the dancers the very best. All the dancers involved have made a sincere effort to preserve the Ukrainian heritage and the Rusalka Festival is a tribute to that effort. The Rusalka Dance Club has through the years since its inception significantly improved the recognition, promotion and growth of the Ukrainian culture.

In conclusion, I hope that all visitors from both within Manitoba and outside Manitoba enjoyed the celebration of Ukrainian culture and heritage, as much as I did. Thank you.

Teaching Profession

Collective Bargaining

Ms. MaryAnn Mihychuk (St. James): Madam Speaker, today I would like to make a few comments on the teachers of Manitoba in reference to the ongoing attack by this government on the status, professionalism and morale of our public school teachers. I want to preface my remarks by pointing out that I spent a fair bit of time during my tenure as a school trustee--for five years--negotiating with teachers, as well as other support groups, in our education system. In that time, all sides in those negotiations faced difficult and tense situations involving the livelihoods, quality of the workplace and professional standing of teachers.

I also very clearly understand the challenges facing school trustees and administrators in the ongoing struggle to deliver a quality education to our children while juggling what seems to be fewer and fewer resources. I have no lessons to take from members opposite on the challenges of governing. Thank you.

However, Madam Speaker, I must say, at this time, that I have never seen teachers react with such emotion and conviction as what we have seen over the past five days. I have to admit the reaction has been extraordinary, but it does not really explain the reaction by trying to minimize the numbers of teachers who are upset or marginalizing them by questioning their professionalism like some members opposite have.

I think we must all recognize the reason for their fervent reaction, and I believe the reason is simple. It is the reaction of people who believe they have been betrayed. What is fair in removing the rights of teachers well beyond anything asked for by trustees. How is that fair? Members opposite quote from the teachers' handbook. I ask, when will the government speak and act with respect and dignity, deal judiciously with others, always mindful of their rights? If anyone needs to be criticized, it is the Minister of Education (Mrs. McIntosh) and this government.

Tourism Summer Events

Mr. Frank Pitura (Morris): Madam Speaker, now it appears that spring has finally arrived, summer cannot be far behind. At least we hope. What that means is that people across this province, across this country and across the continent and globe will be seeking holiday vacations. Let me, as a member of the Legislative Assembly, extend a heartfelt invitation to all who make Manitoba their vacation destination. I extend that invitation because of late our province has witnessed an increase in tourism both from our neighbours to the south as well as international guests.

Last year, U.S. travel to Manitoba went up by 2 percent which meant that over one-half million Americans came to enjoy all that our province has to offer. Add to this the fact that travellers arriving here by air went up by 13 percent, resulting in some two-and-a-half million people getting off planes at Winnipeg's International Airport and why not, Madam Speaker, we have so much to offer. Last year alone Folklorama attracted one-half million people. The Manitoba Museum of Man and Nature was viewed by some 650,000 people. Over 55,000 people attended the Mennonite Heritage Village in Steinbach and approximately 370,000 people took in the bucolic splendour of Riding Mountain National Park. Those numbers are expected to increase this year and we look forward to welcoming our guests from wherever they come. Interestingly enough, many of our guests are actually Manitobans who are discovering areas of their province that they have not visited before.

As the MLA for Morris, I wish to extend a personal invitation to events in my constituency: June 4-6, Ag Expo in Morris; June 22-23, the Miami Fair and Rodeo; July 11-13, the Carman Agricultural Fair and Exhibition in Carman; a weekend full of activity in Morris from July 18-21 with the RCMP Musical Ride as well as the Manitoba Stampede and Exhibition; and to finish off the summer at the St. Pierre Frog Follies on the August long weekend. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Maples Collegiate Racism Protest

Mr. Gary Kowalski (The Maples): Madam Speaker, it is with pleasure I rise today to inform the Chamber and my colleagues of a protest tomorrow on the steps of the Legislature, a protest that all members could support, a protest against racism. This is a protest of, we are estimating, around 200 students from Maples Collegiate.

Tomorrow at 9:30 in the morning, the students of Maples Collegiate will be walking from there to the Legislature, and expecting to arrive here between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to protest racism. This was arranged by the Maples Collegiate Unity Group.

In the fall of '95, Maples Collegiate participated in the Leadership Mentorship Conference. The most significant issue which the students identified was that of racism. Consequently, the unity group was formed. Under the guidance of Mr. Duboff, it became a tightly knit group dedicated to educating others to the evils of racism. The group organized open forums, panels, discussions and displays and culminated with a day of harmony on April 17, '96, where they had many speakers come in and the whole school was dedicated to antiracism exercises for the day.

These students are the leaders of Manitoba. Too often we only hear about youth violence. Yet violent crime comprises only 1 percent of the 5.4 percent of youth who come into contact with the law every year--just a popular myth, but it sells newspapers and makes good headlines. The real story should be the kids who organized this rally.

If walking nine kilometres is all it takes to show support for them, I will walk with them tomorrow and I will walk with them every year. I ask all members of this House to support their protest.

Teaching Profession

Collective Bargaining

Mr. Stan Struthers (Dauphin): Madam Speaker, I would like to put a few words to the Legislature about the recent cuts to education and the protests which have evolved over the last several weeks on behalf of teachers who are doing their protesting on behalf of the students of Manitoba.

It is not the first time that I have seen this government set a policy based strictly on their ideology and then have no rationale to back itself up. The other part of the formula that this government uses in dealing with education and other areas is to, first of all, implant their ideology in policy and then turn to scapegoats to try to provide the rationale for the policy they are implementing.

As a former teacher, I am deeply offended at the attack that this government has launched against public education, and I am deeply offended when this government attacks teachers when they democratically speak out against what the government is doing. This government has backed teachers into a corner. Does this government now expect these teachers to sit back and not react to what the government is doing? Does the government expect teachers to quietly and meekly get hit by this government and not say anything?

The cuts that this government is implementing on our public school system is hurting children, and teachers are standing up for these students. Madam Speaker, I know teachers; I have been one. Teachers are motivated by the well-being of their students. Teachers get very excited when things go right in the classrooms; teachers get very angry when this government picks fights with their students.

I want to end by giving some advice to this government. End your attack on teachers, end your attack on public school systems and start to work together with teachers and with parents to provide that balance that we seek. Thank you, Madam Speaker.