Monday, June 3, 1996
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA
Monday, June 3, 1996
The House met at 1:30 p.m.
PRAYERS
ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS
PRESENTING PETITIONS
Teachers--Collective Bargaining and Compensation Review
Mr. Gary Kowalski (The Maples): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Donna Goodman, Anita Kinlet, Ingrid Riesen and others urging the Minister of Education (Mrs. McIntosh) to recognize the true value of teachers and reject the recommendation made in the May 1996 paper entitled Report of the Teacher Collective Bargaining and Compensation Review Committee.
Home Care Services
Mr. Doug Martindale (Burrows): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Lilly Berntzen, Dan McConachy, Julia Buffone and others requesting the Premier (Mr. Filmon) and the Minister of Health (Mr. McCrae) to consider reversing their plan to privatize home care services.
Mr. Conrad Santos (Broadway): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Dave Brown, Dale Swirsky, Tom Wiley and others requesting the Premier and the Minister of Health to consider reversing their plan to privatize home care services.
Ms. Becky Barrett (Wellington): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Norm Bickell, Bruce A. Bickell, Glen McCombe and others requesting the Premier and the Minister of Health to consider reversing their plan to privatize home care services.
Mr. Clif Evans (Interlake): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Rita Wenzoski, Mike Samborski and Delia D'Auteuil requesting the Premier and the Minister of Health to consider reversing their plan to privatize home care services.
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READING AND RECEIVING PETITIONS
Home Care Services
Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Osborne (Ms. McGifford). 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.
THAT on at least six occasions during the 1995 provincial election, the Premier promised not to cut health services; and
THAT on December 16, 1995, a plan to privatize home care services was presented to Treasury Board; and
THAT this plan calls for the complete divestiture of all service delivery to nongovernment organizations, mainly private for-profit companies as well as the implementation of a user-pay system of home care; and
THAT previous cuts to the Home Care program have resulted in services being cut and people’s health being compromised; and
THAT thousands of caring front-line service providers will lose their jobs as a result of this change; and
THAT profit has no place in the provision of vital health services.
WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba may be pleased to request the Premier (Mr. Filmon) and the Minister of Health (Mr. McCrae) to consider reversing their plan to privatize home care services.
Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Burrows (Mr. Martindale). 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: Dispense.
Madam Speaker: Dispense.
THAT on at least six occasions during the 1995 provincial election, the Premier promised not to cut health services; and
THAT on December 16, 1995, a plan to privatize home care services was presented to Treasury Board; and
THAT this plan calls for the complete divestiture of all service delivery to nongovernment organizations, mainly private for-profit companies as well as the implementation of a user-pay system of home care; and
THAT previous cuts to the Home Care program have resulted in services being cut and people’s health being compromised; and
THAT thousands of caring front-line service providers will lose their jobs as a result of this change; and
THAT profit has no place in the provision of vital health services.
WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba may be pleased to request the Premier (Mr. Filmon) and the Minister of Health (Mr. McCrae) to consider reversing their plan to privatize home care services.
Home Care Services
Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Elmwood (Mr. Maloway). 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.
THAT on at least six occasions during the 1995 provincial election, the Premier promised not to cut health services; and
THAT on December 16, 1995, a plan to privatize home care services was presented to Treasury Board; and
THAT this plan calls for the complete divestiture of all service delivery to nongovernment organizations, mainly private for-profit companies as well as the implementation of a user-pay system of home care; and
THAT previous cuts to the Home Care program have resulted in services being cut and people’s health being compromised; and
THAT thousands of caring front-line service providers will lose their jobs as a result of this change; and
THAT profit has no place in the provision of vital health services.
WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba may be pleased to request the Premier (Mr. Filmon) and the Minister of Health (Mr. McCrae) to consider reversing their plan to privatize home care services.
Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Broadway (Mr. Santos). 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: Dispense.
Madam Speaker: Dispense.
THAT on at least six occasions during the 1995 provincial election, the Premier promised not to cut health services; and
THAT on December 16, 1995, a plan to privatize home care services was presented to Treasury Board; and
THAT this plan calls for the complete divestiture of all service delivery to nongovernment organizations, mainly private for-profit companies as well as the implementation of a user-pay system of home care; and
THAT previous cuts to the Home Care program have resulted in services being cut and people’s health being compromised; and
THAT thousands of caring front-line service providers will lose their jobs as a result of this change; and
THAT profit has no place in the provision of vital health services.
WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba may be pleased to request the Premier (Mr. Filmon) and the Minister of Health (Mr. McCrae) to consider reversing their plan to privatize home care services.
Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Radisson (Ms. Cerilli). 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.
THAT on at least six occasions during the 1995 provincial election, the Premier promised not to cut health services; and
THAT on December 16, 1995, a plan to privatize home care services was presented to Treasury Board; and
THAT this plan calls for the complete divestiture of all service delivery to nongovernment organizations, mainly private for-profit companies as well as the implementation of a user-pay system of home care; and
THAT previous cuts to the Home Care program have resulted in services being cut and people’s health being compromised; and
THAT thousands of caring front-line service providers will lose their jobs as a result of this change; and
THAT profit has no place in the provision of vital health services.
WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba may be pleased to request the Premier (Mr. Filmon) and the Minister of Health (Mr. McCrae) to consider reversing their plan to privatize home care services.
Teachers--Collective Bargaining and Compensation Review
Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for The Maples (Mr. Kowalski). 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: 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 the May 1996 report of the Collective Bargaining and Compensation Review Committee is a direct attack on the collective rights of all teachers and consequently will negatively affect the quality of education in Manitoba; and
THAT by pursuing the direction and recommendations suggested by this report, teachers will be stripped of any powers they have with regard to collective bargaining; and
THAT teachers, by educating our youth to compete successfully in the knowledge-based economy of the 1990s, are generators of wealth; and
THAT any changes to the teacher's compensation process only be undertaken with the idea of improving the present system and not by attacking teachers' ability to bargain.
WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba urge the Minister of Education to recognize the true value of teachers and reject the recommendations made in the May 1996 paper entitled: Report of the Teacher Collective Bargaining and Compensation Review Committee.
Home Care Services
Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Elmwood (Mr. Maloway). 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.
THAT on at least six occasions during the 1995 provincial election, the Premier promised not to cut health services; and
THAT on December 16, 1995, a plan to privatize home care services was presented to Treasury Board; and
THAT this plan calls for the complete divestiture of all service delivery to nongovernment organizations, mainly private for-profit companies as well as the implementation of a user-pay system of home care; and
THAT previous cuts to the Home Care program have resulted in services being cut and people’s health being compromised; and
THAT thousands of caring front-line service providers will lose their jobs as a result of this change; and
THAT profit has no place in the provision of vital health services.
WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba may be pleased to request the Premier (Mr. Filmon) and the Minister of Health (Mr. McCrae) to consider reversing their plan to privatize home care services.
Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Broadway (Mr. Santos). 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.
THAT on at least six occasions during the 1995 provincial election, the Premier promised not to cut health services; and
THAT on December 16, 1995, a plan to privatize home care services was presented to Treasury Board; and
THAT this plan calls for the complete divestiture of all service delivery to nongovernment organizations, mainly private for-profit companies as well as the implementation of a user-pay system of home care; and
THAT previous cuts to the Home Care program have resulted in services being cut and people’s health being compromised; and
THAT thousands of caring front-line service providers will lose their jobs as a result of this change; and
THAT profit has no place in the provision of vital health services.
WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba may be pleased to request the Premier (Mr. Filmon) and the Minister of Health (Mr. McCrae) to consider reversing their plan to privatize home care services.
Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Wellington (Ms. Barrett). 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 on at least six occasions during the 1995 provincial election, the Premier promised not to cut health services; and
THAT on December 16, 1995, a plan to privatize home care services was presented to Treasury Board; and
THAT this plan calls for the complete divestiture of all service delivery to nongovernment organizations, mainly private for-profit companies as well as the implementation of a user-pay system of home care; and
THAT previous cuts to the Home Care program have resulted in services being cut and people’s health being compromised; and
THAT thousands of caring front-line service providers will lose their jobs as a result of this change; and
THAT profit has no place in the provision of vital health services.
WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba may be pleased to request the Premier (Mr. Filmon) and the Minister of Health (Mr. McCrae) to consider reversing their plan to privatize home care services.
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, directs me to report the same and asks leave to sit again.
I move, seconded by the honourable member for Gimli (Mr. Helwer), that the report of the committee be received.
Motion agreed to.
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TABLING OF REPORTS
Hon. Harold Gilleshammer (Minister charged with the administration of The Liquor Control Act): I would like to table the third quarter report for the Manitoba Liquor Control Commission.
INTRODUCTION OF BILLS
Bill 76--The Gaming Control and Consequential Amendments Act
Hon. Jim Ernst (Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs): Madam Speaker, on behalf of the Minister of Finance (Mr. Stefanson), I move, seconded by the Minister of Environment (Mr. Cummings), that leave be given to introduce Bill 76, The Gaming Control and Consequential Amendments Act (Loi sur la Commission de régie du jeu et apportant des modifications corrélatives), 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 would like to table the message of the Lieutenant Governor.
Motion agreed to.
Bill 203--The Public Assets Protection Act
Mr. Steve Ashton (Thompson): Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the member for Brandon East (Mr. Leonard Evans), that leave be given to introduce Bill 203, The Public Assets Protection Act (Loi sur la protection des biens publics) (and that the same be now received and read a first time).
Motion presented.
Mr. Ashton: Madam Speaker, in accordance with our rules, I have a brief statement on this bill. The purpose is very clear. It is to protect the people of Manitoba from the likes of this government which is now selling off MTS with no mandate from the people of Manitoba.
It would require that the issue of the sale of Crown corporations, whether it be MTS, which is currently being sold off, or Autopac, which is under threat, or Hydro, which is under threat, a number of other Crown entities, could not be sold off unless there was a vote by the shareholders of those Crown corporations. By the way, that is the 1 million-plus Manitobans.
I recommend this to the House. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
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 fifty-six Grade 5 students from Bonnycastle School under the direction of Melanie Vermeylen and Mrs. Munro. This school is located in the constituency of the honourable Minister of Justice and Attorney General (Mrs. Vodrey).
And, we have twenty-two Grade 4 students from Tyndall Park School under the direction of Mr. Colin Stark. This school is located in the constituency of the honourable member for Inkster (Mr. Lamoureux).
On behalf of all honourable members, I welcome you this afternoon.