LEGISLATIVE
ASSEMBLY OF
Wednesday,
March 11, 1992
The House met at 1:30
p.m.
PRAYERS
ROUTINE
PROCEEDINGS
PRESENTING
PETITIONS
Ms. Rosann Wowchuk (
Mr. Oscar Lathlin (The
Pas): Mr. Speaker, I beg to present the petition of
Wayne Waddell, Richard Grouette, A. J. Asqarali and others requesting the
government show its strong commitment to aboriginal self‑government by
considering reversing its position on the AJI by supporting the recommendations
within its jurisdiction and implementing a separate and parallel justice system.
Mr. Daryl Reid
(Transcona): Mr. Speaker, I beg to present the petition of
Jennifer Davidson, Will Ziprick, Alf Wiebe and others requesting the Minister
of Justice (Mr. McCrae) call upon the Parliament of
Mr. Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable
member. It conforms with the privileges
and practices of the House and complies with the rules. Is it the will of the House to have the
petition read?
The
petition of the undersigned citizens of the
THAT
child abuse is a crime abhorred by all good citizens of our society, but
nonetheless it exists in today's world; and
It
is the responsibility of the government to recognize and deal with this most
vicious of crimes; and
Programs
like the Fight Back Against Child Abuse campaign raise public awareness and
necessary funds to deal with the crime; and
The
decision to terminate the Fight Back Against Child Abuse campaign will hamper
the efforts of all good citizens to help abused children.
WHEREFORE
your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislature of the
I have reviewed the petition of the honourable
member. It conforms with the privileges
and practices of the House and complies with the rules. Is it the will of the House to have the petition
read?
The
petition of the undersigned citizens of the
THAT
child abuse is a crime abhorred by all good citizens of our society, but
nonetheless it exists in today's world; and
It
is the responsibility of the government to recognize and deal with this most
vicious of crimes; and
Programs
like the Fight Back Against Child Abuse campaign raise public awareness and
necessary funds to deal with the crime; and
The
decision to terminate the Fight Back Against Child Abuse campaign will hamper
the efforts of all good citizens to help abused children.
WHEREFORE
your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislature of the
I have reviewed the petition of the honourable
member. It conforms with the privileges
and practices of the House and complies with the rules. Is it the will of the House to have the petition
read?
The
petition of the undersigned citizens of the
THAT
child abuse is a crime abhorred by all good citizens of our society, but
nonetheless it exists in today's world; and
It
is the responsibility of the government to recognize and deal with this most
vicious of crimes; and
Programs
like the Fight Back Against Child Abuse campaign raise public awareness and
necessary funds to deal with the crime; and
The
decision to terminate the Fight Back Against Child Abuse campaign will hamper
the efforts of all good citizens to help abused children.
WHEREFORE
your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislature of the
I have reviewed the petition of the honourable
member. It conforms with the privileges
and practices of the House and complies with the rules. Is it the will of the House to have the petition
read?
The
petition of the undersigned citizens of the
THAT
child abuse is a crime abhorred by all good citizens of our society, but
nonetheless it exists in today's world; and
It
is the responsibility of the government to recognize and deal with this most
vicious of crimes; and
Programs
like the Fight Back Against Child Abuse campaign raise public awareness and
necessary funds to deal with the crime; and
The
decision to terminate the Fight Back Against Child Abuse campaign will hamper
the efforts of all good citizens to help abused children.
WHEREFORE
your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislature of the
I have reviewed the petition of the honourable
member. It conforms with the privileges
and practices of the House and complies with the rules. Is it the will of the House to have the petition
read?
The
petition of the undersigned citizens of the
THAT
child abuse is a crime abhorred by all good citizens of our society, but
nonetheless it exists in today's world; and
It
is the responsibility of the government to recognize and deal with this most
vicious of crimes; and
Programs
like the Fight Back Against Child Abuse campaign raise public awareness and
necessary funds to deal with the crime; and
The
decision to terminate the Fight Back Against Child Abuse campaign will hamper
the efforts of all good citizens to help abused children.
WHEREFORE
your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislature of the
* (1335)
TABLING OF
REPORTS
Mr. Speaker: Pursuant to Section 55 of The Freedom of Information
Act, I am tabling the Third Annual Report of the Ombudsman.
INTRODUCTION
OF BILLS
Bill 63‑The
Highway Traffic Amendment Act (2)
Mr. Daryl Reid
(Transcona): I move, seconded by the honourable member for Burrows
(Mr. Martindale), that Bill 63, The Highway Traffic
Amendment Act (2); Loi no 2 modifiant le Code de la route, be introduced and
the same be now received and read a first time.
Motion presented.
Mr. Reid: Mr. Speaker, the purpose of this bill is to
rectify an inconsistency in The Highway Traffic Act. Currently the amateur radio operators, also
known as ham operators, are allowed by statute to apply for and display the VE4
designated licence plate on his or her private car.
The
present statutes do not permit these operators to have and display such licence
plates in place of the standard issue plate on private light‑duty trucks
registered in their name.
The
ham operators play a significant role in our preparation and reaction to
disaster within our province and throughout the world. In conjunction with the Emergency Measures
Organization, the ham operators fill the communication void during times of emergency
or disaster when normal communications are disrupted. By allowing these ham operators
to display these VE4 plates on their private light‑duty trucks, it can
increase the role these radio operators play in an emergency or disaster
situations.
I
ask and look forward to the support of all members of this House for this
important bill.
Motion agreed to.
Introduction
of Guests
Mr. Speaker: Prior to Oral Questions, may I direct the
attention of honourable members to the gallery where we have with us this afternoon
15 visitors from the Adult ESL Winnipeg School Division No. 1. They are under the direction of Susan Israel.
On
behalf of all honourable members, I welcome you here this afternoon.
* (1340)
ORAL
QUESTION PERIOD
Piper
Aircraft
Mr. Jerry Storie (Flin
Flon): Mr. Speaker, some months ago the member for
The
Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism (Mr. Stefanson) assured us that the
department was still working hard to discuss the potential location of that plant
in the
Today
in the Globe and Mail, it is reported that Harvard investments, along with the
creditors involved in this bankruptcy action, have asked the courts to allow
the purchase by the
Can
the minister indicate whether in fact in terms of
Hon. Eric Stefanson
(Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism): The short answer to that question, Mr.
Speaker, is no. The owner of Piper, Mr.
Stuart Millar, was in
Mr. Storie: Mr. Speaker, according to the Globe and Mail article,
the minister continues to be Pollyanna about the prospect.
Seafood
Enterprises
Associates
Agreement
Mr. Jerry Storie (Flin
Flon): Some weeks later, Mr. Kim Sigurdson, the vice‑president
of SEA Inc., also said that some 160 to 200 jobs could have been located in the
community of
Can
the minister indicate now whether following on his remarks of a couple of weeks
ago he has met with SEA and whether in fact that plant will also be lost to
Manitobans?
Hon. Eric Stefanson
(Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism): Mr. Speaker, in terms of the issue
related to SEA, the honourable member for
I
should point out we have written a letter to SEA, as I indicated to the
honourable member for Flin Flon (Mr. Storie); to date, we have received no
reply. I have had no specific request to
meet with SEA. The honourable member for
I
should remind the honourable member, we are talking about significant financial
requests of the
Employment
Creation Strategy
Government
Commitment
Mr. Jerry Storie (Flin
Flon): Mr. Speaker, this minister and his department
have a string of losses that are really quite tragic for
My
question is to the Premier, who now sits as chair of the Economic Development
Board of cabinet. Does the Premier take
any responsibility for these bungled opportunities on behalf of
* (1345)
Hon. Gary Filmon
(Premier): Mr. Speaker, the people of
What
the member for Flin Flon is not telling the public is that he would be prepared
to risk $150 million of loan guarantee capital from the taxpayers of
Staff
Layoffs‑Portage la Prairie
Mr. Gregory Dewar
(Selkirk): Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister
responsible for MTS. As part of what
this government calls rightsizing, a minimum of 100 jobs and potentially over 1,500
jobs will be lost at MTS over the next few years. We are beginning to see this now when the
government decided to cut 22 operator jobs in the city of
Did
this minister consult with the City of
Hon. Glen Findlay
(Minister responsible for the administration of The
Mr.
Speaker, let me tell the member what
Mr. Dewar: What will the minister do to ensure that
Mr. Speaker: Order, please.
The honourable member for Selkirk, kindly repeat your question, please?
Mr. Dewar: Mr. Speaker, what will this minister do then
to ensure that
Mr. Findlay: Mr. Speaker, MTS is a very responsible
employer. They will be offering them opportunities for other employment, opportunities
of career counselling to help them identify other opportunities that exist.
I
am not saying there are any specific jobs that have been identified at this
time, but they are in a process that is responsible to both their employees and
to the telephone users of this province.
Mr. Dewar: Mr. Speaker, after the air base‑‑
Mr. Speaker: Order, please.
Question, please.
Federal
Telecommunications Bill
Government
Position
Mr. Gregory Dewar
(Selkirk): My final question is for the same minister.
What
is the government's position on the new telecommunication bill currently before
the House of Commons?
Hon. Glen Findlay
(Minister responsible for the administration of The
As
the member may remember, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding to the federal
government about a year ago that laid out our conditions under which we would
accept them introducing that kind of a bill.
My understanding is, the vast majority of the conditions in that MOU are
addressed in the present telecommunications bill. We will be watching it very carefully to be
sure that the rights of Manitobans are protected and the ability of Manitobans
to be regulated by Manitobans in the new CRTC process is respected as we laid
out in the MOU.
* (1350)
St. James
Seniors Group
Government
Assistance
Mr. Paul Edwards (St.
James): Mr. Speaker, for the Minister responsible for
Seniors: The minister, in a letter to me
of January 30 of this year, indicated that he would be meeting with representatives
of the St. James Senior Centre group the next day, January 31, 1992.
This
group has been organized for some time now, going on two years, and is
experiencing some considerable amount of frustration in securing a facility for
a seniors centre in St. James. The
minister is aware of that and indicates in his letter that he appreciates their
frustration in dealing with this issue.
Mr.
Speaker, can the minister indicate what assistance he was able to give that
group at the meeting on January 31 in order to curtail the frustration that
they are feeling, which he obviously recognizes and apparently sympathizes
with?
Hon. Gerald Ducharme
(Minister responsible for Seniors): Mr. Speaker,
I did meet with the group along with the St. James school board. As the member is aware, there are new methods
to obtaining school buildings. I went
through it also with our members who represent that area. Now we have the two groups together and they
are now working that situation out. I
will report back to this minister along to the members from St. James.
Mr. Edwards: Mr. Speaker, again for the minister‑‑and
I am pleased to hear that something is in the works.
Why
is this minister and this government able to come up with hundreds of thousands
of dollars for a commercial and residential project on
Mr. Ducharme: Mr. Speaker, as a result of this meeting, the
two groups had many of their questions answered. The two groups, especially the seniors group
did not understand the various means to obtaining provincial buildings and
especially schools. That was explained
by the local school board. The school
board told that group to go back with a proposal. Now that seniors group is going back to the
school division with their proposal which at the time they did not have ready.
Educational
Facilities
St. James
Seniors Group Usage
Mr. Paul Edwards (St.
James): Mr. Speaker, on the same matter for the
Minister of Education, will the minister indicate whether or not the schools
that were built by the school boards prior to them coming under the Public
Schools Finance Board will indeed remain in the hands of the school board; that
is, schools that were built and constructed by the school board prior to the school
finances board regime. Will they remain
entirely in the hands and at the discretion of the school board themselves?
Hon. Rosemary Vodrey
(Minister of Education and Training): Mr. Speaker,
we are in the process of developing a policy in relation to schools and the use
of schools and the devolving of schools. That policy is now being looked at by
MAST, the Manitoba Association of School Trustees, for their input in relation
to the policy. I expect to hear back
shortly regarding that.
Piney Area
Seniors
Group Co-ordinator
Mr. Conrad Santos
(Broadway): Mr. Speaker, as a young boy, my grandmother
advised me not to hesitate to spend my allowance when it came to food because
it is foolish to go hungry just to save some money.
Mr.
Speaker, the Piney area seniors co‑ordinating group has been working for the
last three years in order to build a program for a congregate meal for their
seniors. They have, for this purpose,
surveyed the area for the need. They
have prepared kitchen facilities, and they have mobilized community support for
this purpose.
Mr.
Speaker, why has the Minister responsible for Seniors neglected their funding
request for a co‑ordinator for the program?
Hon. Gerald Ducharme
(Minister responsible for Seniors): I feel like
the Maytag man. I have not had a
question for five weeks in regard to seniors.
I
will answer this particular gentleman across the way, the honourable gentleman,
that we have not ignored the seniors.
You will see that continually through when we file our budget today. We
are working with many groups throughout the city, especially seniors groups, on
all financial matters.
Mr. Santos: Will the honourable minister give to the Piney
area co‑ordinating group a final answer to their farthing request for a
co‑ordinator for their program?
Mr. Ducharme: Mr. Speaker, maybe the member from across the
way should look at my mandate of the Seniors budget he has asked me to
fund. To instruct the member across the
way, my job as Seniors minister is to work with many departments along the way to
make sure the seniors of this province are being well looked after, and I will
continue to make sure they are well looked after.
* (1355)
Seniors
Programs
Government
Commitment
Mr. Conrad Santos
(Broadway): I give the honourable minister a chance to
explain and reconcile this neglect for senior citizens. How does he reconcile this with their
government's so‑called commitment to senior citizens?
Hon. Gerald Ducharme
(Minister responsible for Seniors): Mr. Speaker,
when he sees the budget today, he will see how we have reconciled to the
seniors throughout this province, unlike anything they did when they were in
power for the 16 of 20 years.
Foreign
Domestic Workers' Program
Government
Position
Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (
It
is in respect to the foreign domestic program, a program in which
I
would ask the minister what her government's position is on this new
criteria. Does the minister support it,
or does she oppose the new criteria, and will she‑‑
Mr. Speaker: Order, please.
The question has been put.
Hon. Bonnie Mitchelson
(Minister responsible for Multiculturalism):
Mr. Speaker, it was as a result of the information that has been
provided that there are going to be some changes by the federal government in
this area. I had a meeting with the
domestic workers in the
Mr. Lamoureux: Mr. Speaker, I can provide for the minister a copy
of a press release from the federal government that has the actual criteria.
The
question simply is: Does the minister
support the changing of the criteria, yes or no? The two specific points in particular, with
regard to the six‑month, full‑time training and the equivalent of
the Canadian Grade 12, does she support it or does she not?
Mrs. Mitchelson: Mr. Speaker, I can indicate that I support unequivocally
all Manitobans and all those who come to
Mr. Lamoureux: Mr. Speaker, will the minister make a
commitment to contact her federal counterpart and demand that the foreign domestic
program, as it was established, be fully reinstated so the domestics in the
province or potential domestics are not going to be abused?
Mrs. Mitchelson: Mr. Speaker, I can state unequivocally that this
government would not tolerate any member of
Oil Spill
Mr. Oscar Lathlin (The
Pas): Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the
Minister of Environment.
Last
night, Mr. Speaker, one of the turbines at the hydro dam in
I
want to ask the minister: Can he tell
the House and the people of
Hon. Glen Cummings
(Minister of Environment): Mr. Speaker, that is
certainly a legitimate question that the member raises.
I
want to tell you that it is my understanding that any spread of oil has been
confined to the powerhouse. If it should
go beyond that, there have been provisions made for booms to be put on the
surface of the water exiting from the powerhouse to make sure that we contain
any oil that would escape from there.
There
are Environment officials there, along with Manitoba Hydro. I would like to add that the information I
have received so far is that this oil is in fact nontoxic and biodegradable. That
should go a long way towards helping us make sure that there is no
environmental damage or that it is minimized, and provide some comfort to those
who are concerned about the quality of the water.
I
want to assure the member that this minister has also been told that one of the
first responsibilities following on his work regarding the environment will be
on the part of our director to make that he is in touch with the fishermen and
to the local community to make sure that they are fully informed.
Mr. Lathlin: Mr. Speaker, maybe also the minister can tell
the House what accommodations he has prepared.
I know he is saying that the booms are in place to contain the spreading
of the oil, but maybe he would like to advise this House as to what accommodations
he is taking to ensure that residents will have safe drinking water while his
department continues to work and test the water.
Mr. Cummings: Mr. Speaker, we want to make sure that every necessary
precaution is put in place. As I said a
moment ago, the environmental officer who is at the site, one of his first responsibilities
will be to work with the local community.
I think, obviously, giving them the assurance that the water quality is
protected will be one of his primary responsibilities.
* (1400)
Turbine
Inspections
Mr. Oscar Lathlin (The
Pas): Mr. Speaker, there were reports that more
than one of the turbines had been vibrating for a while before this incident.
Could
the minister‑‑will he be recommending to Manitoba Hydro that they
immediately order inspections of other turbines at the other sites?
Hon. James Downey
(Minister of Energy and Mines): Mr.
Speaker, I thank the member for the question.
I
have been informed by Manitoba Hydro that a full investigation will take place
of that unfortunate incident at
Program
for Older Worker Adjustment
Status
Report
Mr. Edward Connery (
Recently
the minister announced an assistance program for older laid‑off
workers. Will the minister tell this
Legislature and the people of
Hon. Darren Praznik
(Minister of Labour): Mr. Speaker, the Program
for Older Worker Adjustment, which is a Canada‑Manitoba program which has
affected laid‑off older workers recently in both the constituency of the
member for
Mr. Connery: Mr. Speaker, members opposite jeer when we
talk about senior‑‑
Mr. Speaker: Order, please.
Point of
Order
Mr. Steve Ashton
(Opposition House Leader): Mr. Speaker, opposition
members are often admonished, particularly by the member for
Mr. Speaker: Order, please. On the point of order raised, I had just
reminded the honourable member for
* * *
Mr. Connery: Mr. Speaker, will the minister tell us when
the program was brought in, and how many workers are affected in this latest
program?
Mr. Praznik: Mr. Speaker, the federal government made the
offer to various provinces in the latter part of the 1980s, and it was at the
coming to power of this administration that an agreement was struck and I
believe signed by my predecessor, the Honourable Gerrie Hammond.
In
the current round of announcements, there are three particular layoff
situations that were affected‑‑Burns Meats in
Mr. Connery: Mr. Speaker, there were concerns raised about whether
all workers could access the program.
Will the minister tell us if he has concerns about the program and if he
is anticipating changes to it?
Mr. Praznik: Mr. Speaker, it is with great irony‑‑if
we did not have this particular program in place, I am sure members opposite would
be asking us why we did not have it so, in fairness, it is a very legitimate
question.
Mr.
Speaker, this government, including the ministers who have negotiated and
signed this agreement had some concern that the program criteria were somewhat
narrow in terms of the significance of the layoff to the community. That will be one item that we will be
discussing when myself and national Ministers of Labour across the country meet
some time later on this spring.
CKND
Television Strike
Government
Advertising Policy
Mr. Steve Ashton
(Thompson): Mr. Speaker, for more than 160 days, CKND employees
have been on strike against their employer and media magnate Izzy Asper, on a
strike that is one of the longest strikes in the recent history of
My
question is to the Minister of Labour. I
would like to ask the Minister of Labour whether he has made representations to
his colleagues, to the Premier (Mr. Filmon), to ask that the government of
Hon. Darren Praznik
(Minister of Labour): Mr. Speaker, I am delighted
to answer this question because this is probably one of the few times that a
minister of this government has been able to get up and agree with a member of
the opposition.
This
government will not choose sides, and not choosing sides in the labour dispute
means that we do not change our course of action. If this government were to withdraw
advertising to that station, then we would be choosing a side. If also this government were to increase
advertising to the station, specifically to support the station, we would also
be choosing a side. Consequently, we are
remaining in a neutral position and not changing our course of action.
Mr. Ashton: The Minister of Labour is saying that what is
good for many local businesses in
How
can he believe that they are not taking sides by continuing to advertise?
Mr. Praznik: Mr. Speaker, unlike the individual businesses
or individuals in the province who are their own agents and can make their own
choice, government, whatever party be in power on this side of the House, has a
responsibility to all people in this province, something long forgotten by
members of the New Democratic Party when they have been on this side of the
bench. Consequently, we have assumed a neutral position in all labour disputes.
CKND
Television Strike
Government
Advertising Policy
Mr. Steve Ashton
(Thompson): My final question, Mr.
Speaker is to the Premier. I ask the
Premier: Why will he not ensure that advertising
continues, yes, on other stations, but why will the Premier not listen to the
pleas for fairness from the 70 employees at CKND and withdraw the advertising
only for the length of the strike, and ensure fairness for those employees and indeed
fairness in the labour process?
Hon. Gary Filmon
(Premier): Mr. Speaker, being in government carries with
it many special responsibilities to ensure that we act in a manner that is fair
and consistent at all times. In so doing,
we have to ensure that we do not create policies in the midst of a public
issue, such as a strike, that are designed to put pressure on one side or the
other, and in effect to change the fair, consistent manner in which government
should operate at all times.
What
the New Democratic Party and their critic are suggesting is that we do take
sides in a strike. That is not
supportable either by law, that is not supportable by the Constitution, that is
not supportable by people in the public at large, the taxpayers, who expect
that government will always be fair and consistent in the way in which it
operates and will not change policies in the midst of a strike in order to
favour one side or the other.
* (1410)
Cross-Cultural
Counselling Unit
Mr. George Hickes (Point
Douglas): My question is for the Minister of
Health. Nearly two weeks ago, this House
was told that Core Area Initiative funding for the Cross‑Cultural Counselling
Unit which delivers in 10 different languages at the Mount Carmel Clinic was
ending as of February 28.
I
would like to ask the minister if his department has reviewed
Hon. Donald Orchard
(Minister of Health): Yes, as I indicated to my
honourable friend when he posed those questions, we had been asked to come into
that discussion as a potential funder in early February. Given the planning process of budget
development creation, we with regret had to inform
Mr. Hickes: Mr. Speaker, my supplementary question is to
the same minister.
If
they are unable to fund this valuable program for ethnic minorities, would the
minister consider the bridge funding of $6,000 to at least give them a chance
to find alternative funding?