Thursday, May 23, 1996
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA
Thursday, May 23, 1996
The House met at 1:30 p.m.
PRAYERS
ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS
PRESENTING PETITIONS
Seasonal Camping Fees
Mr. Oscar Lathlin (The Pas): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Carlos Viegas, Don Kerwin, Ian Henderson and others urging the provincial government not to increase seasonal camping fees by such a large amount.
Home Care Services
Ms. Jean Friesen (Wolseley): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Ardythe Basham, R. Reisel, Jason Kircher and others requesting the Premier (Mr. Filmon) and the Minister of Health (Mr. McCrae) consider reversing their plan to privatize home care services.
The Salvation Army Catherine Booth Bible College
Mr. Marcel Laurendeau (St. Norbert): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of The Salvation Army Catherine Booth Bible College praying for the passing of An Act to change the name from The Salvation Army Catherine Booth Bible College to The Salvation Army William and Catherine Booth College .
READING AND RECEIVING PETITIONS
Seasonal Camping Fees
Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for The Pas (Mr. Lathlin). It complies with the rules and practices of the House (by leave). Is it the will of the House to have the petition read?
Some Honourable Members: Dispense.
Madam Speaker: Dispense.
WHEREAS seasonal camping has provided an affordable form of recreation for many Manitobans; and
WHEREAS the provincial government has announced increases in seasonal camping fees of up to 100 percent; and
WHEREAS this huge increase is far more than any cost-of-living increase; and
WHEREAS this increase will lead to many people being unable to afford seasonal camping.
WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly urge the provincial government not to increase seasonal camping fees by such a large amount.
Manitoba Telephone System
Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Wolseley (Ms. Friesen). It complies with the rules and practices of the House. Is it the will of the House to have the petition read?
An Honourable Member: Dispense.
Madam Speaker: Dispense.
THAT the Manitoba Telephone System has served this province well for over 80 years providing province-wide service, some of the lowest local rates in North America and thousands of jobs; and
THAT MTS has made over $100 million since 1990 and this money has stayed in Manitoba; and
THAT MTS contributes $150 million annually to the Manitoba economy and is a major sponsor of community events throughout the province; and
THAT MTS, with nearly 4,000 employees including more than 1,000 in rural and northern Manitoba, is one of Manitoba’s largest firms, headquartered in Manitoba and is committed to Manitoba; and
THAT the provincial government has no mandate to sell MTS and said before and during the 1995 election that MTS was not for sale.
WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba request that the Premier (Mr. Filmon) not sell the Manitoba Telephone System.
Seasonal Camping Fees
Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Thompson (Mr. Ashton). It complies with the rules and practices of the House (by leave). Is it the will of the House to have the petition read?
An Honourable Member: Yes.
Madam Speaker: Yes. The Clerk will read.
Mr. Clerk (William Remnant): The petition of the undersigned citizens of the province of Manitoba humbly sheweth that:
WHEREAS seasonal camping has provided an affordable form of recreation for many Manitobans; and
WHEREAS the provincial government has announced increases in seasonal camping fees of up to 100 percent; and
WHEREAS this huge increase is far more than any cost-of-living increase; and
WHEREAS this increase will lead to many people being unable to afford seasonal camping.
WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly urge the provincial government not to increase seasonal camping fees by such a large amount.
PRESENTING REPORTS BY
STANDING AND SPECIAL COMMITTEES
Committee of Supply
Mr. Marcel Laurendeau (Chairperson of Committees): Madam Speaker, the Committee of Supply has adopted certain resolutions and directs me to report the same and asks leave to sit again.
I move, seconded by the honourable member for Crescentwood (Mr. Sale), that the report of the committee be received.
Motion agreed to.
INTRODUCTION OF BILLS
Bill 62--The Jobs Fund Repeal Act
Hon. Jim Ernst (Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs): I move, on behalf of the honourable Minister of Environment (Mr. Cummings), and seconded by the Minister of Education (Mrs. McIntosh), that leave be given to introduce Bill 62, The Jobs Fund Repeal Act (Loi abrogeant la Loi sur le Fonds de soutien à l'emploi), and that the same be now received and read a first time.
Motion agreed to.
Bill 63--The Statute Law Amendment (Taxation) Act, 1996
Hon. Jim Ernst (Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs): Madam Speaker, I move, on behalf of the honourable Minister of Finance (Mr. Stefanson), seconded by the Minister of Health (Mr. McCrae), that leave be given to introduce Bill 63, The Statute Law Amendment (Taxation) Act, 1996 (Loi de 1996 modifiant diverses dispositions législatives en matière de fiscalité), and that the same be now received and read a first time.
His Honour the Lieutenant Governor, having been advised of the contents of this bill, recommends it to the House, and I have attached the message from the Lieutenant Governor.
Motion agreed to.
Bill 66--The Boxing and Wrestling Commission Amendment Act
Hon. Jim Ernst (Minister charged with the administration of The Boxing and Wrestling Commission Act): I move, seconded by the Minister of Culture, Heritage and Citizenship (Mr. Gilleshammer), that leave be given to introduce Bill 66, The Boxing and Wrestling Commission Amendment Act (Loi modifiant la Loi sur la Commission de la boxe et de la lutte), and that the same be now received and read a first time.
Motion agreed to.
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Bill 205--The Dutch Elm Disease Amendment Act
Ms. Jean Friesen (Wolseley): Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the member for The Pas (Mr. Lathlin), that leave be given to introduce Bill 205, The Dutch Elm Disease Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Loi sur la thyllose parasitaire de l'orme, and that the same be now received and read a first time.
Motion agreed to.
Introduction of Guests
Madam Speaker: Prior to Oral Questions, I would like to draw the attention of all honourable members to the public gallery where we have this afternoon forty Grade 6 students from Mahnomen Elementary School under the direction of Mrs. Julie Sanders. This school is located in Minnesota, U.S.A.
Also, we have 27 seniors from Concordia Day Club Seniors under the direction of Mrs. Colleen Epp. This club is located in the constituency of the honourable member for Radisson (Ms. Cerilli).
On behalf of all honourable members, I welcome you this afternoon.