Hon. Mike Radcliffe (Minister of Labour): Our government has long realized the benefits of both physical activity and community involvement in the promotion and preservation of good health. That is why we were proud recently to announce $650,000 in funding to the Kinsmen Reh-Fit Centre that will allow them to expand their facilities. This funding represents one-third of the necessary funding for Project Blue Sky. The remainder of the money will be raised through fundraising and sponsorship. The renovations to the Reh-Fit Centre will see an additional 20,000 square feet added to the facility, which will provide increased space for exercise and educational programs. As well, patrons will benefit from the addition of new exercise equipment.

The Reh-Fit Centre has been playing a role in community leadership for 20 years. The exercise and educational programs they offer to people suffering from chronic disease such as diabetes, osteoporosis and stroke are exemplary and have helped patients and their families recover and live with the effects of these diseases. They are especially well known for the programs they offer to those recovering from heart attacks and heart surgery. I am pleased to learn that this centre intends to expand the public education forum in seminars and workshops it offers to the public once the renovations are complete.

The Kinsmen Reh-Fit Centre should be commended for the role they play in promoting wellness, prevention and recovery. I wish to thank the Reh-Fit Centre for this excellent service they offer to the community and wish them continued success in the years to come.

Mr. Gregory Dewar (Selkirk): Madam Speaker, the crash of a small aircraft in St. Andrews yesterday, Sunday, July 11, and the loss of four lives with the tragic loss for the victims, their families, and for Canadian Mosaic '99, the 1,200 Girl Guides of Canada camping in St. Malo Provincial Park. Our hearts go out to everyone affected by this accident, and I know all members will join with me in passing on our condolences to the victims' families.

It will be months before we know what caused the accident. However, it will be a very long time before the horror of this tragedy is forgotten by local residents and the many others who knew the families and the victims.

Mr. David Faurschou (Portage la Prairie): Madam Speaker, recently I had the pleasure of attending a century farm celebration in the Edwin district near Portage la Prairie, along with 200 other invited guests. The occasion was to mark the 100th anniversary of the Pallister farm.

John Pallister, an English immigrant, established the family farm. Today, there are 101 direct descendants of Mr. Pallister, and currently his great grandson, Jim Pallister, and his family now farm the land. Jim remarked: My father said he could never sell this farm because it was not his to sell. He said: I do not really own it; I am just taking care of it for the next generation, and I cannot sell it either.

I am pleased to see so many Manitoba farm families recognize the importance of preserving the agricultural heritage. It is very commendable to see families such as the Pallisters, through their dexterity, maintain their farms for upcoming generations, just as their ancestors left them in their care.

The century farm designation was created in 1981 by the then Minister of Agriculture, the Honourable James Downey, to recognize something that Manitoba farm families hold in great esteem. The gate sign that is part of this designation is displayed at the end of their lane, and it means a great deal to the farm families. It is an indication of the strength and commitment that the people who reside in those yards have towards agriculture in the province.

Having established a farm business that has lasted a century is indeed a tremendous accomplishment, and I would like, from all members and on behalf of myself, to congratulate the Pallister family for achieving this goal. Thank you.

Ms. Diane McGifford (Osborne): Madam Speaker, I took advantage of last Friday's recess of this House to attend the Winnipeg Art Gallery's exhibition, Art in the Age of van Gogh. The show itself was a remarkable opportunity to view the cultural and artistic roots of several Dutch artists, including Piet Mondrian, Lawrence Alma-Tadema and of course, Vincent van Gogh. The paintings, almost all of them landscapes, reflected the 19th Century preoccupation with natural light and nature, as well as the passage from romanticism to modernism.

Judging from the crowds at the gallery, many other Winnipeggers and visitors to our city were eager to visit the exhibit before its closing yesterday. All galleries, including those showing the work of Robert Houle, those showing Inuit work, those showing historical sketches of the Upper and Lower Fort Garry, were well attended. The restaurant was fully booked, tours were packed, and business at the gallery shop was booming. I cannot remember ever seeing so many people at the Winnipeg Art Gallery, and as well, a considerable crowd was buying tickets for the Art Gallery's Art Walk, which includes visits to many of Winnipeg's excellent galleries.

I want to congratulate Patricia Bovey, the new director of the Winnipeg Art Gallery and her staff, both for their work in bringing Art in the Age of van Gogh to Winnipeg and for their work in reviving our gallery. I understand that the Winnipeg Art Gallery and the Art Gallery of Ontario are the only two galleries in Canada to show this exhibit. We are indeed fortunate.

In closing, I want to point out that, although van Gogh might have been the initial attraction, those in attendance appreciated all the exhibits, and I am sure many will return to view the works of Canadian and Manitoban artists. Finally, I ask the House to commend the Winnipeg Art Gallery's commitment to community, clear in their public-spirited policy of waiving entrance fees on Wednesday so that all citizens, regardless of income, can tour our publicly funded gallery.

Mr. Ben Sveinson (La Verendrye): Madam Speaker, Manitoba's economy continues to prosper. The latest figures released by Statistics Canada show that our province's unemployment rate has dropped to 5.3 percent and remains the lowest in the country. I know we are the envy of the country on this front. Recently the Toronto Dominion Bank Financial Group predicted Manitoba will lead the west in growth in 1999. The TD Bank Financial Group says Manitoba's economy will record growth of close to 3 percent as the province benefits from a strong expansion in its diversified manufacturing sector. The TD Bank Financial Group recognizes what many other independent financial organizations have said, that the Filmon government sound fiscal management policies have cultivated an environment that invites business to succeed.

All around the province we see evidence of the strong economy. Recently, Air Canada's Winnipeg maintenance hangar won a major contract to do repair and overhaul work for America West Airlines. The new contract could result in the hiring of an additional 150 skilled workers. In only a matter of weeks the new Maple Leaf plant will open in Brandon, creating hundreds of new jobs in a wide variety of spin-off benefits for the entire provincial economy.

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Manitobans are also snapping up homes at a fast pace, whether they are in Winnipeg, Steinbach, Brandon or other areas. Indeed, home sales in Winnipeg are up 17 percent over 1995. It all bodes well for our economic future. Every day more and more people realize that Manitoba is the best place in which to live, work and raise their family. We have a plan to make this province even stronger, and we all know that plan works. It works so well the NDP would like to claim it. The consecutive surplus budgets, no major tax increases and a plan to pay off the province's accumulated debt, all serve well and send a message to the world: Manitoba is open for business.

Thank you, Madam Speaker.