Mr. Edward Helwer (Gimli): Madam Speaker, this past Friday I had the pleasure of participating in an important event in Gimli. There it was announced that the Manitoba government, the town of Gimli and the federal government will each spend $600,000 towards the improvement of the Gimli harbour front. The expansion of Gimli's south harbour will strengthen its tourism and fishing industries and help the town prepare for the 1999 Pan American Games when it will play host to the sailing competition.
The harbour front project will be assisted with the help of funding from the Canada-Manitoba Economic Development Planning Agreement. The development of Gimli south harbour will see parking spaces increased, container storage expanded, the existing harbour dredged, the south harbour area expanded, boat berths constructed and a new wooden walkway developed along the new breakwater.
This project will play a significant role in helping Gimli capitalize on its freshwater fishery as well as its beaches, harbour and harbour front, yacht club and the town's Icelandic culture and heritage. The expansion will make Gimli one of the most significant inland harbours of Canada and will provide the foundation for an exceptional tourism marketing program.
Enhancement of the Gimli harbour front will also create jobs and business opportunities in the community and in the Interlake region. This investment promises a substantial payoff in terms of future economic and tourism benefits for the Gimli area, and I would like to congratulate all three levels of government for co-operating on this very important project. Thank you.
Mr. Tim Sale (Crescentwood): When an election is held in any jurisdiction, Madam Speaker, the parties to the election expect it to be fought on fair grounds, and they expect the acts and the laws of the land to apply. When it appears that the laws of the land do not apply, every single statute that deals with this issue deals with it as a very, very serious matter, one of the most serious in all of our legal codes. Whole acts are put in place to ensure that elections are fairly fought.
Madam Speaker, allegations in regard to the funding of aboriginal candidates in three ridings in Manitoba were made shortly--in fact, before election day in 1995. Statements were taken from those making the allegations, signed statements, but those who were affected by the allegations, against whom the allegations were made, were either not searched out and spoken to at all or were spoken to in a very friendly manner over coffee in a restaurant. So far as we are aware, no sworn statements were taken, no statements under oath were taken. So far as we are aware, no bank records were subpoenaed, no attempts were made to ascertain where $4,913.95 came from to a candidate who himself has now said it came from members of the Conservative Party.
Madam Speaker, these are not trivial allegations. These are new and serious allegations from four different individuals: a campaign manager, a candidate, another candidate and an official of the PC Party. Manitobans deserve to have the air cleared. All those who have been named, both pro and con on this issue, must have the opportunity to swear under oath and to give testimony before a judicial inquiry. Nothing less will satisfy justice in this case.
Mr. Mervin Tweed (Turtle Mountain): Madam Speaker, when Marj Hocking composed a story promoting the town of Killarney as a retirement community, she did so by drawing on her 36 years of experience as a resident. Her article about the quality of life in Killarney, which she entered in the Canadian Living's national competition, won first prize and will be printed in the July edition. Canadian Living magazine, which reaches 2.2 million Canadians, picks top towns and cities in categories ranging from community spirit to gardening to sports. Killarney now has the honour of being designated the top community for retirement.
This kind of third party endorsement reaches millions of homes across our country, does a great deal to assist Killarney's efforts in promoting itself as a retirement haven. Ms. Hocking's comments are something out of a tourist guide and have captured the essence of what makes Killarney a unique community.
She wrote: situated on beautiful Killarney Lake, it offers everything retirees could possibly need in the social, recreational, cultural, spiritual, educational, and above all, friendship fields. In her article, she also touched on the personal care homes, restaurants, shopping facilities and parks in the area.
Madam Speaker, I am proud to represent the town of Killarney in this Legislature. With citizens such as Marj, who at age 90 continues to selflessly promote her community, Killarney and Manitoba are all the richer.
Ms. Jean Friesen (Wolseley): Madam Speaker, I want to draw the attention of members of this House to a coalition of Manitoba high school and university students calling themselves the McIntosh Resignation Coalition, who are calling on the Conservative caucus to request the resignation of Manitoba's Minister of Education and Training (Mrs. McIntosh). These students are angry because the minister has continually undermined, insulted and attacked students instead of working with all members of the education community to improve the education system.
The students raise a number of concerns which have been raised with us by many Manitobans. They are concerned about the offloading of education funding onto school divisions. We have heard from many rural divisions who are finding it increasingly difficult to meet the needs of their students. They believe and they put it in writing to this government that they fear the quality of education is deteriorating in their jurisdictions.
The students also expressed their concerns that the rapid increases in students' fees are making it more and more difficult for ordinary families to have access to post-secondary education. They point to the absence of a fee policy. I know that the minister made promises as long ago as 1994 that there would be a fee policy forthcoming within 12 months. It is now 1998 and there is no fee policy on the horizon
These students claim that the minister has argued that the delay is because of massive consultations with students. These students, on the other hand, argue that no such massive consultation has taken place, a point that we have raised many times in this Legislature.
We urge the minister and the government to respond to the many, many serious issues raised by these Manitoba students.
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Mr. Peter Dyck (Pembina): Last Wednesday evening, I, along with several of my colleagues, had the opportunity to attend the Central Manitoba Regional Health Authority's annual general meeting. The theme of the meeting was, and I quote: Touching Tomorrow. It was seen throughout the hall. Posters illustrating students' views on health care covered the walls.
The students put a lot of time and effort into this competition, and my congratulations go to Kristen Olson, the regional finalist. Her poster graced the cover of the RHA's annual report and will also be featured on their new website. Kristen knows the value of a healthy lifestyle and wrote, and I quote: on my poster I put a girl thinking about healthy things. You should do all these and more. Some things are getting enough sleep, eating healthy, exercising, having a good physical environment. It really is your health, your future.
By all accounts, the AGM was a successful event, allowing students and residents of the Central Region to meet with members of the governing board reviewing their financial statements and discuss issues of concern. I would like to commend the Central Manitoba RHA and executive for their efforts to improve the health and lifestyle of the 96,000 people of the region. The board has worked hard this year and has made great efforts to consult with the public. The community health needs assessment was an ambitious and successful project, especially for such a large region. This assessment has laid the groundwork for the RHA's endeavours over the next year.
Madam Speaker, the year ahead is a busy one for the Central RHA, but through consultation and a dialogue with Manitobans, I have every confidence that their health needs will be met both now and in the future. Thank you.
Mr. Edward Helwer (Gimli): I move, seconded by the member for Pembina (Mr. Dyck), that the composition of the Standing Committee on Law Amendments for Monday, June 22 at ten o'clock be amended as follows: the member for Rossmere (Mr. Toews) for the member for River Heights (Mr. Radcliffe). This substitution had been moved in the committee, by leave, this morning, and I am now moving the same substitution in the House so that the official records will be accurate.
Motion agreed to.