Mr. Marcel Laurendeau (St. Norbert): Madam Speaker, I would like to draw your attention and that of all honourable members to an important event that takes place today. Today is the National Organ Donation Discussion Day. The idea is to raise the profile of organ donations and to bring families together to discuss their wishes on this topic. This way–

Madam Speaker: Order, please. Could I please ask those members having private meetings to do so either in the loge or outside the Chamber so that other members may be able to hear the honourable member for St. Norbert on his member's statement.

Mr. Laurendeau: Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, today is National Organ Donation Discussion Day. The idea is to raise the profile of organ donations and to bring families together to discuss their wishes on this topic. This way, should a tragedy occur, the wishes of individuals are known, and the family members will not have to make hasty decisions. If an individual wishes to donate organs, other family members will take comfort in knowing that they have carried out their loved one's final wishes.

Madam Speaker, when a tragedy occurs, medical personnel and organ donor co-ordinators approach family members for the final consent. Whilst people may sign their organ donor cards, it is also important that family members are aware of their wishes. Time is of crucial importance in situations such as these. Organ donations require transportation and transplantation, and organs deteriorate after a 24-hour period. The odds of a successful transplant taking place increase dramatically when families make clear and quick decisions.

Madam Speaker, currently there are 2,800 Canadians waiting for lifesaving organ transplants. Although more than 21,000 Canadians have received organ transplants in the past few decades, hundreds of Canadians die every year while waiting for much-needed organs. We can help decrease these numbers by informing our family members of our wishes.

Madam Speaker, I urge all honourable members and all residents of the province to set aside time today to talk about organ donation with their loved ones to ensure that their wishes are understood and carried out. I would ask all my colleagues to consider becoming an organ donor. Thank you.

Mr. Eric Robinson (Rupertsland): Madam Speaker, I have a statement.

Tomorrow, April 23, marks the first anniversary of the helicopter crash at Wasagamack. A year ago this tragedy took place in the community. The pilot, Jacques Nollette and two elders from the Wasagamack First Nation, Flora Harper and Bernadette Harper, were killed at that accident.

The crash occurred just months after the crash at Little Grand Rapids of course, and for more than five years the provincial government has been claiming that all other northern Manitoba airport improvements are on hold due to the commitment for the Wasagamack project. Last year, the very day before the crash, the band was sent a letter from INAC withdrawing support for the airport project.

Since then the federal government agreed to assist the project after all and there has been some progress, but it is expected that it will be at least two to three years before the project is completed. We recommended a task force on northern airports, identified some serious shortcomings at many of these northern airports. Madam Speaker, the only response has been a commitment to have the federal government fund lighted beacons at 17 of these 22 airports.

For some five weeks a year or longer, all goods and people going in and out of Garden Hill, Wasagamack and other communities, St. Theresa Point, must use a helicopter as the airport is on provincial land across the lake from the community. Other concerns, from: the runway is too short to accommodate the provincial air ambulance, to: the MTS tower on the edge of the God's River airstrip, have not been addressed.

So, Madam Speaker, I would like to extend, on behalf of my colleagues on this side of the House, our sincere hope for strength for the families of the pilot, Mr. Nollette, and the two elders. Mrs. Flora Harper's son, William Little, who spoke out on the issue last year, to Flora's husband, Epstein Harper, who survived the crash–we wish him continued good health–and Sam Harper who also survived the crash. We are indeed grateful that the Creator spared their lives so that they will be here to talk about this in a time to come and that the need for improvements in northern air transportation will perhaps be heard at some point by a caring government. Thank you.

Mr. Gary Kowalski (The Maples): Madam Speaker, I rise to make a statement in regard to an event that is happening this year. I do not know how many chances I will get to make a member's statement, so I want to draw members' attention to the fact that this year is the 125th anniversary of the Winnipeg Police Service. I want to draw members' attention that it will also be the 75th anniversary of the Winnipeg Police charity ball coming up in May. Last year there was myself, the member nominated in Carman–I do not know what his present riding is–and I believe the member for St. Johns (Mr. Mackintosh) were at the police charity ball last year. I hope as many members as possible will join in with the Winnipeg Police Service to join in this 75th anniversary of their charity ball and also to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Winnipeg Police Service.

In regard to the anniversary of the Police Service, many members may not know that at 130 Allard Avenue there is a police museum. The curator, Staff Sergeant Jack Templeman, retired, would be pleased to show members around there. I would encourage members to tour the police museum and also possibly take constituents and children who would be interested in seeing the history of the police service, a very proud history that I am proud to be a part of, Madam Speaker. So thank you for this opportunity.

Mr. Peter Dyck (Pembina): Earlier this week I had the pleasure of representing Premier Filmon and the Honourable Eric Stefanson, Minister responsible for Sport, for the presentation of the Province of Manitoba's Order of Sports Excellence Awards at the Garden Valley Collegiate in Winkler. I was delighted to extend very warm congratulations to the Garden Valley Collegiate Boys Basketball Team for winning the Provincial AAA Basketball Championship and to the Garden Valley Collegiate Boys Soccer Team for winning the 1999 rural Manitoba High School Soccer Championship.

The Order of Sports Excellence consists of certificates and medallions for athletes and coaches who have excelled in their sport. Through the collective effort and hard work of the players and coaches, the teams were able to achieve great success.

I would also like to take a moment to recognize all the students and staff who supported the teams throughout the year. A winning team consists of dedicated and skilled players, but it also includes a group of committed and supportive school mates, teachers, administrators and family. I would like to congratulate the support group of these teams for their efforts. It is evident that the entire school has worked together to make the two teams a winning success. I am certain that their enthusiasm and support has been very much appreciated by the players and coaches alike. Please join me in congratulating the Garden Valley boys basketball and soccer teams on achieving the province of Manitoba's Order of Sports Excellence and encouraging all Manitobans to participate in sports in this province. Thank you very much.

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Ms. Diane McGifford (Osborne): Madam Speaker, this morning, along with my colleagues from St. James and Burrows, I attended the opening ceremonies and keynote address of the 1999 national Child Care Conference co-hosted by the Manitoba child care association and the Canadian Child Care Association. The theme this year, the Spirit of the Village, reflects the belief that schools, child care centres, churches, government, community and family are all necessary partners in creating full and healthy lives for our children. The keynote speaker, Dr. Gordon Cleveland, spoke on the benefits and costs of good child care, interestingly entitled–subtitled, pardon me, The Economic Rationale for Public Investment in Young Children. Dr. Cleveland identifies several factors as straws in a wind that signify a changing attitude toward child care. He identifies shifting fiscal conditions, changing families and family needs and child poverty.

He sees these as indications that Canadians and their governments may, once again, be concerned about child care. He believes the time is right for advancement but warns that we must move wisely and cautiously, Madam Speaker.

Dr. Cleveland made reference to many major studies which demonstrate the social and personal value of early childhood education. Most of them are familiar to us. His particular study was a cost-benefit analysis, and his basic conclusion is that the benefits exceed the costs by two to one. Furthermore, children, parents, family, society, and governments benefit as a result of a universal high-quality early childhood education. But the accents here are on universal and high quality, and the centrality of these factors suggest, as Dr. Cleveland made clear, that child care must not be left to the whims of the market.

In closing, I just want to add that experts are beginning to recognize early childhood education as perhaps the most important tier in our education, and given this awareness, Madam Speaker, I urge the Minister of Family Services (Mrs. Mitchelson) to do something posthaste to address the near critical shortage of child care workers in our system.