Monday, October 23, 1995

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA

Monday, October 23, 1995

The House met at 1:30 p.m.

PRAYERS

ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS

PRESENTING PETITIONS

Emergency Health Care Services--Seven Oaks General Hospital

Mr. Dave Chomiak (Kildonan): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Sheila Black, Evelyn Livingston and Alice Puloski requesting the Premier (Mr. Filmon) to consider maintaining 24-hour access to emergency health care at Seven Oaks Hospital as was promised in the 1995 general election.

Emergency Health Care Services--Community Hospitals

Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Inkster): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of R. Ludwick, Carl J. Havixbeck, Carl R. Havixbeck and others requesting the Legislative Assembly urge the Minister responsible for Health (Mr. McCrae) to consider making a commitment to the people of Manitoba that emergency health care services in Winnipeg's five community hospitals will remain open seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

READING AND RECEIVING PETITIONS

Emergency Health Care Services--Seven Oaks General Hospital

Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Kildonan (Mr. Chomiak), and 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.

The petition of the undersigned residents 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 care services; and

THAT following the election the Minister of Health promised that emergency services would not be reduced at community hospitals in Winnipeg; and

THAT the Minister of Health on October 6 announced that emergency services at these hospitals would be cut back immediately; and

THAT residents of the Seven Oaks Hospital vicinity depend upon emergency service at this hospital.

WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba go on record requesting the Premier to consider maintaining 24-hour access to emergency health care at Seven Oaks Hospital as was promised in the 1995 general election.

Emergency Health Care Services--Community Hospitals

Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Inkster (Mr. Lamoureux), and it complies with the rules and the practices of the House. Is it the pleasure of the House to have the petition read?

Some Honourable Members: Yes.

Madam Speaker: The Clerk will read.

Mr. Clerk (William Remnant): The petition of the undersigned residents of the province of Manitoba humbly sheweth

THAT emergency health care services are the core of Manitoba's health care system;

THAT Manitobans deserve the greatest possible access to this care;

That the government is considering reducing access to emergency services.

WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly urge the Minister responsible for Health consider making a commitment to the people of Manitoba that emergency health care services in Winnipeg's five community hospitals will remain open seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

* (1335)

TABLING OF REPORTS

Hon. James Downey (Minister charged with the administration of The Development Corporation Act): I am pleased to table the report of the Manitoba Development Corporation for the year ended March 31, 1995.

Introduction of Guests

Madam Speaker: Prior to Oral Questions, I would like to draw all honourable members' attention to the Speaker's Gallery, where we have with us today the Most Reverend Colin Bazley, Archbishop of the Southern Cone, South America, and Bishop of Chile.

Also with us in the Speaker's Gallery are six South African provincial parliamentarians: the Honourable J. Thibedi, the Honourable M.M.A. Nyama, the Honourable Ke Nong, Mr. L. Dantjie, Mr. G. Gasebuse and Mr. Re Kutama.

On behalf of all honourable members, I welcome you today.

Also seated in the public gallery this afternoon, we have forty-six Grade 11 students from Fort Richmond Collegiate under the direction of Miss Dawn Manby. This school is located in the constituency of the honourable member for St. Norbert (Mr. Laurendeau).

On behalf of all honourable members, I welcome you this afternoon.