Thursday, April 16, 1998
The House met at 1:30 p.m.
PRESENTING PETITIONS
Mr. George Hickes (Point Douglas): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Maria Juzwa, Konseng Phengpacdy, Doreen Guenette and others praying that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba urge the Minister of Health (Mr. Praznik) to put an end to the centralization and privatization of Winnipeg hospitals food services.
Mr. Jim Maloway (Elmwood): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Keith Wilding, Mike Lalonde, Miles Youzwa and others praying that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba urge the Minister of Health to put an end to the centralization and privatization of Winnipeg hospitals food services.
Mr. Gregory Dewar (Selkirk): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Michelle Masserey, Rocco Boniello, John L. Snively and others praying that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba urge the Minister of Health to end the centralization and privatization of Winnipeg hospitals food services.
Mr. Doug Martindale (Burrows): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Doris Makoid, Mary Sydor, Deanna Craig and others praying that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba may be pleased to request the Minister of Health to consider immediately cancelling the hospital food proposal and concentrate on delivering quality health care instead of using health dollars to provide contracts to private firms.
Mr. Gerard Jennissen (Flin Flon): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of P. Verne, Terry Proctor and J. Proctor praying that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba may be pleased to request the Minister of Health to consider immediately cancelling the hospital food proposal and concentrate on delivering quality health care instead of using health dollars to provide contracts for private firms.
Mr. Clif Evans (Interlake): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Pauline Pellack, Pearl Ali, Lilliane Bridges and others praying that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba urge the Minister of Health to put an end to the centralization and privatization of Winnipeg hospitals food services.
Winnipeg Hospitals Food Services--Privatization
An Honourable Member: Dispense.
Madam Speaker: Dispense.
THAT the Urban Shared Services Corporation (USSC) has announced plans to privatize laundry, food services and purchasing for the Winnipeg hospitals; and
THAT it is estimated that more than 1,000 health care jobs will be lost over the next year as a result, with many more privatized in the next two or three years; and
THAT under the terms of the contract, Ontario businesses will profit at the expense of Manitoba's health care system; and
THAT after construction of a food assembly warehouse in Winnipeg, chilled, prepared food will be shipped in from Ontario, then assembled and heated before being shipped to the hospitals; and
THAT people who are in the hospital require nutritious and appetizing food; and
THAT the announced savings as a result of the contract have been disputed, and one study by Wintemute Randle Kilimnik indicated that, "A considerable number of studies have compared costs of service delivery in health care between self-operation (public sector) and privatization. Invariably, privatization is more expensive."; and
THAT no one in Manitoba seems to benefit from this contract, especially patients.
WHEREFORE YOUR PETITIONERS HUMBLY PRAY that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba urge the Minister of Health to put an end to the centralization and privatization of Winnipeg hospital food 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 (by leave). Is it the will of the House to have the petition read?
An Honourable Member: Dispense.
Madam Speaker: Dispense.
THAT the Urban Shared Services Corporation (USSC) has announced plans to privatize laundry, food services and purchasing for the Winnipeg hospitals; and
THAT it is estimated that more than 1,000 health care jobs will be lost over the next year as a result, with many more privatized in the next two or three years; and
THAT under the terms of the contract, Ontario businesses will profit at the expense of Manitoba's health care system; and
THAT after construction of a food assembly warehouse in Winnipeg, chilled, prepared food will be shipped in from Ontario, then assembled and heated before being shipped to the hospitals; and
THAT people who are in the hospital require nutritious and appetizing food; and
THAT the announced savings as a result of the contract have been disputed, and one study by Wintemute Randle Kilimnik indicated that, "A considerable number of studies have compared costs of service delivery in health care between self-operation (public sector) and privatization. Invariably, privatization is more expensive."; and
THAT no one in Manitoba seems to benefit from this contract, especially patients.
WHEREFORE YOUR PETITIONERS HUMBLY PRAY that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba urge the Minister of Health to put an end to the centralization and privatization of Winnipeg hospital food services.
Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Point Douglas (Mr. Hickes). 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 Urban Shared Services Corporation (USSC) has announced plans to privatize laundry, food services and purchasing for the Winnipeg hospitals; and
THAT it is estimated that more than 1,000 health care jobs will be lost over the next year as a result, with many more privatized in the next two or three years; and
THAT under the terms of the contract, Ontario businesses will profit at the expense of Manitoba's health care system; and
THAT after construction of a food assembly warehouse in Winnipeg, chilled, prepared food will be shipped in from Ontario, then assembled and heated before being shipped to the hospitals; and
THAT people who are in the hospital require nutritious and appetizing food; and
THAT the announced savings as a result of the contract have been disputed, and one study by Wintemute Randle Kilimnik indicated that, "A considerable number of studies have compared costs of service delivery in health care between self-operation (public sector) and privatization. Invariably, privatization is more expensive."; and
THAT no one in Manitoba seems to benefit from this contract, especially patients.
WHEREFORE YOUR PETITIONERS HUMBLY PRAY that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba urge the Minister of Health to put an end to the centralization and privatization of Winnipeg hospital food services.