Mr. Gary Doer (Leader of the Opposition): I am pleased to stand and recognize the parents, the students and the teachers of Sister MacNamara School, a school that is just about 10 blocks from here that was recognized with the National Post Award for Physical Fitness and recognized here in this country. They are recognized for the daily participation in physical fitness. They are recognized for the integration of physical fitness with their studies. They are recognized for the integration of physical fitness with music and art, an approach that the teachers and students are using together to develop the whole person. I am pleased that they have been so successfully recognized.
This is truly a success story, Madam Speaker, because 10 years ago people said there were not enough kids in the inner city to justify a school. Now the Sister Mac school has 500 students, in the inner city, the third largest elementary school in this city of Winnipeg and the province of Manitoba.
Madam Speaker, they also work in conjunction with the Boys and Girls Club. Some 100 kids after school participate in physical recreation programs at the Boys and Girls Club in the inner city. Many of the people are to be recognized and congratulated. The Winnipeg School Division No. 1, which is emphasizing educational development through the development of the whole student rather than just some narrow parts. They have one of the last art programs left, regrettably, in the city of Winnipeg. Winnipeg School Division No. 1 is to be congratulated, and so too is Wayne McMahon and Janet Campbell who have worked at Sister Mac school with this very, very successful program.
Congratulations, students. You won a national award and you deserve it. Thank you very much, Madam Speaker.
Mr. Gerry McAlpine (Sturgeon Creek): On Friday, I had the pleasure of attending a special milestone in the history of Bristol Aerospace, the grand opening of their new composite manufacturing centre. This past year has certainly been eventful for this company. The major highlight, of course, was the purchase of Bristol by Magellan Aerospace which put the company firmly in Canadian ownership. Then the large contract with Boeing Canada soon followed, and the significant contract will help Bristol to move firmly into the civil aerospace market by developing new capabilities in producing composite structures for aircraft.
Our government, through the Department of Industry, Trade and Tourism, has been pleased to support this new direction for Bristol and to provide a $4.4-million repayable loan towards this new composite manufacturing centre. Besides creating some 200 jobs in the next two years, this expansion reflects the resurgence of Manitoba's aerospace sector. Few manufacturing sectors have such a long and distinguished history in Manitoba as does aerospace, which, of course, dates back some 70 years, and few sectors hold such promise for our future.
So I would like to recognize the management of Bristol, Mr. Bill Matthews, Mr. Murray Edwards and Jim Butyniec, as well as the management of Boeing, Mr. Jim Edwards, and Standard Aero Ltd., Mr. Robert Hamaberg, as they build the future of aerospace in our province. It is precisely because of the vision and the commitment of individuals like these that Manitoba's aerospace sector is now ranked third in Canada, and Canada is now ranked fourth from fifth in the aerospace industry. Under this leadership, I have every confidence that it will be even better in standing in the years ahead, Madam Speaker.
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Mr. Clif Evans (Interlake): Madam Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity this afternoon to extend my congratulations to students, teachers and staff of Inwood School, which recently became one of the elite schools in Canada when it was also awarded the Post School Recognition Award. Less than 5 percent of the schools across Canada qualify for this award which is presented by the Canadian Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, and Inwood School is one of only 486 schools from across Canada to receive this award.
To qualify, a school must dedicate adequate time towards its physical education program. At Inwood School, this goal was achieved not just through their health and phys ed programs but through extracurricular activities such as intramurals, interschool sports and family and community sports' nights at the school.
Thomas Kowalchuk, principal of Inwood School, said they are trying to meet not only the academic needs of the students but their physical needs as well, and through this program, they are trying to educate the whole student.
Madam Speaker, I know that all members here in the Legislative Assembly will agree with the words of the principal, Thomas Kowalchuk, and would want to join me in offering sincerest congratulations to Inwood School for this tremendous achievement.
Mr. Ben Sveinson (La Verendrye): Madam Speaker, every member in this Chamber recognizes the valuable contribution that teachers make. Throughout their daily interaction, they play an important role in the ongoing development of our children. Teachers are truly a guiding force in the lives of all students.
Our government provides Manitoba schools with the necessary financial resources to educate our youth and post-secondary students. As you are aware, in the 1998-99 Manitoba budget we allocated $320.6 million for education spending, up from $304.1 million budgeted in 1997-98. We must remember, however, that it is not how much we spend but how much our children learn.
I am, therefore, pleased to make all members of this House aware of a very special Ste.
Anne Elementary School teacher who has gone beyond the call of duty. Mr. Daniel Forbes, a Grade 8 teacher, was one of 55 teachers selected nationwide to receive the Prime Minister's Certificate of Achievement. I should note that Mr. Forbes is the only rural recipient among the six Manitoba teachers recognized this year. Nominated by his peers, Mr. Forbes has been singled out for his ability to inspire and motivate his students, while equipping them with the skills necessary to succeed in today's competitive global environment.
Although Ste. Anne Elementary School is a small rural school with 225 students, due partly to Mr. Forbes's efforts, it is well equipped with computers, science lab and a computer-operated weather station.
Our government is committed to ensuring an effective and modern education system that continues to prepare our children for the world that awaits them. With the assistance of teachers like Mr. Forbes, I know we will succeed. Thank you.
Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Inkster): Very briefly, just to follow up with some emphasis from Question Period earlier today, Madam Speaker. The Health Links program has been a program that has been around for awhile now, and we would like to see the government take a stronger action in trying to implement what many in rural Manitoba we believe want to see happen today, as opposed to putting it off indefinitely. Hopefully, the Minister of Health (Mr. Praznik) in his response earlier today will in fact take the necessary actions to demonstrate the political will to make it happen some time this year. Thank you.