LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA

Tuesday, May 26, 2009


The House met at 10 a.m.

Mr. Speaker: O Eternal and Almighty God, from Whom all power and wisdom come, we are assembled here before Thee to frame such laws as may tend to the welfare and prosperity of our province. Grant, O merciful God, we pray Thee, that we may desire only that which is in accordance with Thy will, that we may seek it with wisdom, know it with certainty and accomplish it perfectly for the glory and honour of Thy name and for the welfare of all our people. Amen.

Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Mr. Speaker, I think, if you canvass the House, you would find that there's leave to go directly to Bill No. 208, the universal newborn hearing screening.  

Mr. Speaker: Orders of the day.

ORDERS OF THE DAY

PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS

Mr. Speaker: Is there agreement to go directly to Bill No. 208, The Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Act? Is there agreement?

Some Honourable Members: Sure. Yes.

Mr. Speaker: Okay, there is agreement.

Second Readings–Public Bills

Bill 208–The Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Act

Mr. Speaker: Okay. I'll now call second reading of Bill No. 208, The Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Act.

Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the MLA for Inkster (Mr. Lamoureux), that Bill No. 208, The Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Act; la Loi sur le dépistage systématique des déficiences auditives chez les nouveau-nés, be now read a second time and be referred to a committee of this House.

Mr. Speaker: It's been moved by the honourable Member for River Heights, seconded by the honourable Member for Inkster, that Bill No. 208, The Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Act, be now read a second time and be referred to a committee of this House.

Mr. Gerrard: Mr. Speaker, Bill No. 208 mandates that there be universal newborn hearing screening in–throughout Manitoba. This screening under this bill would be conducted in accordance with the most recent recommendations of the Canadian Working Group on Childhood Hearing with respect to infants; and it would require that, unless a parent of a child objects, each newborn infant born in a hospital must be screened for hearing loss before being discharged, and if a child is born in a location other than a hospital or at a hospital which doesn't provide infant hearing screening, that the attending health professional must, unless a parent of the child objects, refer the child to a hospital or other health-care facility or health professional equipped for and capable of screening the child for hearing loss.

      This bill is, today, badly needed, and let me explain why. Hearing loss occurs in one to six to a thousand newborns. It occurs more frequently than any other health condition for which newborn screening is currently required. The screening is cost-effective, and the screening also, now, can be followed by highly affected early intervention and follow-up, which has demonstrated to make a huge difference in the life of a child and in the development of a child's health and communication and cognitive skills. And the screening itself is also important because the costs of not screening are high.

      Currently, in Manitoba there is universal screening provided in Brandon, in Burntwood, in North Eastman, but not in the other regional areas of the province and not in Winnipeg. It is, one might call, a hit-and-miss policy that we have after 10 years of NDP, and it's time to have a universal policy for all of Manitoba.

      Now, in the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, at the moment, we have what is called high-risk screening only. This screening provides screening for children in the neonatal intensive care unit and the intermediate care unit, but it doesn't adequately even screen well babies who may have other risk factors. So it's not even a full high-risk screening, in the sense that it misses–ordinary high-risk screening will miss about half the children with hearing loss, and it is likely that in Winnipeg we are missing more than half because we're not fully doing what needs to be done in terms of a full high-risk screening.

      And so we're missing children. They are falling through the gaps. They are not being picked up, and when a child is missed, it may leave the child behind for life. It is not as if you can just easily catch up, if the child is identified at three or four or five or six years of age. And the reason for this is that the brain and the neural development very early on, in the first year and two of life, are so critical for language, speech and cognitive development, that unless the pathways are laid down, unless the child is enabled to hear, unless you're able to provide the intervention which now can be provided, that these children can be left behind for life.

      The cost when a child is not picked up early, in primary and secondary education has been estimated in studies in British Columbia at $400,000 per child. So the cost of not screening and not intervention is huge to our education system and–and it's even larger when you consider the impact on the rest of a child's life in terms of productivity, social interaction, communication and so on.

      So this is so critically important that we act, that we have brought forward this bill, and we believe that it is important for children that they are not missed as they are currently being missed. We believe it is important because, right now, we're spending huge dollars later on because these children are being missed, and–and we know that the NDP like to throw away money, but we believe that we should be saving those dollars and we can do that by early intervention. This follow-up is critical, and the ability to detect and to make a difference for children is absolutely critical.

      It is being done in Ontario. It is being done in British Columbia. It is being done in almost every state in the United States, and there will come a time when we will be doing it here, indeed, I believe, from what the minister has said in the Free Press, she's heading in this direction. So we suggest to the minister that the time is now, that if you want to amend this so that the implementation date is a year from now or two years from now. We've had expert advice, that this can be implemented within a year, but if you want to have it a little longer than that, no problem. Support this bill. Let's all make a difference in this Legislature, because we have the opportunity to make a difference today. Let's do it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

* (10:10)

Hon. Theresa Oswald (Minister of Health): I'm pleased to stand in the House today to speak to the issue of universal newborn hearing screening. We know that in 2007 the federal government launched a report written by Dr. Leach, Reaching for the Top: a Report by the Advisor on Healthy Children and Youth, and in that report, among many interesting observations about health care for children and services available for children was the observation that about 41 percent of Canadian newborns are screened for hearing, which sounds not great on its face.

Ms. Marilyn Brick, Acting Speaker, in the Chair

      We know that we could do a lot better as a nation, but when we compare the rates of screening that occur in Europe and in the United States that reaches somewhere in the neighbourhood of 86 or 87 percent, we note that the 41 percent that Canadians post is really staggeringly low, Madam Deputy Speaker, and we know that Canada clearly has some catching up to do and must do that catching up quickly.

      We know that the majority of provinces in Canada, six out of 10 of them in fact, do not yet have universal newborn screening programs. We know that, at least as best I am aware at this point, I maybe stand–I may stand to be corrected, but as best I understand, there is no province that has a legislatively mandated universal newborn screening program for hearing or otherwise in fact, and we know that provinces that go currently without universal screening programs are certainly among those that have been leaders in other areas, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Québec being among them.

      So there's no question that, as a nation, on the issue of universal newborn hearing screening, we have lots of catching up to do. We know that when we came into government that there was no universal screening program anywhere in Manitoba and that we have endeavoured to make steady and concrete progress towards universal screening.

      In 2000, the government funded the launch of the infant hearing screening early assessment and referral, or I HEAR program in Brandon as a pilot project. The I HEAR program is establishing universal newborn hearing screening one RHA at a time. The I HEAR program has as its goal to screen all babies prior to one month of age and identify those with permanent hearing loss by three months of age and establish early intervention programs prior to six months of age.

      I HEAR is supported with funding from the Children's Therapy Initiative through Family Services and charitable contributions for equipment from the Lions Club districts, as well as existing audiology and nursing staff and equipment and resources that come from the regional health authorities that come from Manitoba Health and Healthy Living.

      The Children's Therapy Initiative is an interdepartmental initiative to enhance therapy services for children from birth to 21 years of age, Madam Deputy Speaker. I HEAR was initially piloted by the Brandon Regional Health Authority maternal child unit in 2000. We know that we have expanded this program and that universal newborn hearing screening has been established in Brandon, in North Eastman, in Burntwood, and the Assiniboine Regional Health Authority, and next on the list is the Central Regional Health Authority.

      We know that in all other Manitoba regional health authorities, hearing screening is performed on all high-risk newborns, as the member opposite has cited, which is the case also in most of Canada. The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority currently has screeners in place at Health Sciences Centre, in St. Boniface neonatal intensive care units, and hearing screening is done in baby nurseries in Winnipeg when there is a referral on a specific infant with high-risk factors.

      We know that the gold standard would be to move to a universal hearing screening program, and we are committed to do just that, one RHA at a time. We do, Madam Deputy Speaker, have a record of increasing resources for prevention and early detection initiatives such as screening programs and, of course, we've seen that happen in Manitoba without requiring legislation that would mandate us to do so. Our government is, overall, doing more screening, not less, and this is the direction that we're moving as we continue to develop the capacity.

      We know that our government has a record of expanding the types of universal screening available for newborns. Manitoba was the first province, for example, in Canada to screen at birth for exposure to alcohol during pregnancy. Our universal screen for alcohol, launched in 2003, has resulted in 97 percent of all births being screened by public health nurses. There are fetal alcohol spectrum disorder diagnostic clinics, the clinics for alcohol and drug exposed children in Winnipeg, and the fetal alcohol support team in Thompson providing a multidisciplinary diagnostic and follow-up type service to children and families.

      Newborn metabolic screening in Manitoba is another well-established and effective universal screening program for Manitoba newborns that involve–involves a partnership among the hospital, public health and provincial laboratories and, of course, individual practitioners.

      We know that we're also working to support families by providing subsidies for hearing aids. Hearing aids are subsidized up to 80 percent by the Province for all children under 18 years of age when prescribed by an otolaryngologist–I hope that was close–or audiologist. These individuals are eligible, and Manitoba Health will reimburse amounts of money for analogue devices, digital or analogue programmable devices and 80 percent of a fixed amount for additional services such as dispensing fees, ear moulds and ear impressions, and so forth.

      We know that we're engaged in service purchase agreements with Central Speech and Hearing. We know that we have been involved with reciprocal billing agreements since 1993 for cochlear implants, and we know the auditory verbal treatment plan is one that includes early detection programs and initiation of auditory verbal instruction, the consistent use of appropriate hearing aids, amplification or cochlear implants, a parent- or caretaker-centred approach providing those supports unquestionably to those individuals that need them the most, the individual who is living with hearing loss or hearing impairment and the parents or loved ones who are raising those individuals.

      So, Madam Deputy Speaker, I certainly do know that we, as a nation, have quite a distance to go to catch up to Europe and to catch up to the United States when it comes to universal newborn hearing screening. We know that Manitoba has a demonstrated record on the expansion of such initiatives. There will be individuals out there that will say that we're not moving quickly enough; I wouldn't disagree with those people.

      I would say that while we are ahead of the pack as far as Canada goes, when you're ahead of a pack that's moving too slowly, it isn't anything to be overly excited about. So, we know that with our investments, with I HEAR and our expansion one RHA at a time to the universal hearing screening process that we will get there. We will move as swiftly as we can to get there because we believe that, as the member has raised, there are important reasons to do so. Medical experts have acknowledged that there are important reasons to do so, and we're going to continue to work with experts in the fields and with our regional health authorities to move in an organized and planned fashion so that we can provide universal newborn hearing screening as swiftly as possible.

      Our record is ahead of the pack, but we need to continue to do more.

Mrs. Myrna Driedger (Charleswood): It's a pleasure today to rise and speak to Bill 208, The Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Act, introduced by the Member for River Heights (Mr. Gerrard). And we're very supportive of this legislation and supporting the efforts he's brought forward even beginning last year to bring this legislation forward before this Legislature.

* (10:20)    

      When the Minister of Health (Ms. Oswald) says there's a lot of catching up to do, for this NDP government, that's an understatement. This government tends not to act until there is a crisis, until a problem really bubbles to the surface. We've seen that time after time after time with this government, and I don't think we need, in the case of children, to be waiting for, you know, more problems to arise, more red flags to go up when, in fact, they could be doing a lot more. Considering this government has ramped up spending in health care, you would think that they would be able to get a bigger bang for their buck for patients, for adults, for children, than what they are doing.

      Imagine, Madam Deputy Speaker, for a child not to hear other children laughing, or not to hear a puppy barking, or not to hear birds singing, or squirrels chattering in the backyard. You know, it's hard to imagine a child not being able to hear and make sense out of what his parents are saying or his siblings are saying, and what a horrible environment that must be in for a child when, indeed, there are ways of getting in front of that: diagnosing it early and giving the child all the benefits they need to prevent the kind of anxiety and problems. And some of them, you know, very, very serious problems, in learning about his environment, in learning how to interact with others, and we certainly don't give a child then every advantage as soon as possible in being able to, to grow normally like other children. So hearing is one of those areas that I think we should certainly be seeing more priority put on by this government.

      Under this bill, all newborns will be screened for hearing loss unless a parent objects. I note that in the paper today, the minister has now indicated, and made publicly, a statement that they are already doing some screening, and it is being phased in over the next few years.

      Well, I think what the Member for River Heights is doing is challenging this government to be much more aggressive with this, and not just do it, you know, on a ad hoc basis. Do it because it's going to make a difference for children and their futures, and I think what will happen, because this bill will be legislated, is, you know, it will be one of those areas where we're getting in front of problems. It is part of that health-promotion, illness-prevention agenda. Unfortunately, acute care tends to take up so much money that not enough money tends to be put in the front of problems in looking at issues like this in health promotion and illness prevention.

      You know, all we have to do is, is look at, you know, the bricks and mortar that this government has been building in terms of health buildings. Why do they have to do that, when they could redirect some of that money and put it into programs like this?

      You know, another example is the west-side hydro line of $640 million that they are going to waste on that. They could take that money and put it into a program like this that would have a direct benefit on children and their families and their futures. Instead, we have a government that's decided to, you know, take a million dollars in a vote tax, build a hydro line that is going to cost hundreds of millions of dollars more. I've heard people say that the new WRHA building on Main Street's the fastest building that's ever gone up in Winnipeg, and that's coming from architects and engineers out there–and builders–that have said they've never seen a building go up so quickly.

      So it, it indicates that I think this government has got their priorities pretty messed up and, and really should be revisiting some of those, and look instead at something that could more directly benefit people.

      May is Speech and Hearing Month, so it's fitting, indeed, that we are debating this bill today. Hearing loss is one of Canada's most common birth defects, with six in every thousand newborns suffering from hearing loss, including profound deafness. When it comes to hearing loss, early recognition is absolutely key, and early identification of hearing loss helps to ensure that special education and support programs are accessed as soon as possible. The longer it takes for a child to be put into those programs, there are already significant challenges for that child.

      Without early detection and support that goes with it, children are more likely to develop poor language and cognitive skills. There affects–it affects their school work and their ability to socialize with other children, and we know and we've heard of children that have hearing problems and speech problems how sometimes they're bullied and mistreated at school. So, when you hear of those things, and you do hear of some of the types of bullying that goes on, and kids can be very cruel when they tease each other.

       Imagine a government being able to get in front of that and at least help some of those children by priorizing where they're spending their money, managing their spending better, and putting it into programs like this.

      The Canadian Academy of Audiology identifies that presently in most provinces, the average age of a child with an identified severe hearing loss is 2.4 years. School age for children are more likely to be identified as having mild to moderate hearing loss. The high-risk register for hearing loss only identifies 50 percent of congenital hearing loss, so that's why it's important to have universal screening.

      Hearing loss may have very harmful effects on social, emotional, cognitive and academic development as well as on vocational and economic potential. Children that are bullied do not do well in school, and if they've got a hearing problem or you know, a disability, you know, we know how cruel some children can be. So we've got an opportunity to strengthen that emotional development, that cognitive development, the academic development by being there for the kids at the time when they could benefit most from it.

      Research indicates that children identified at birth who receive early intervention have significantly higher developmental functioning, and therefore they have less need in the future for special education services. Not only is that a benefit to the child, but obviously there's a benefit in here where you could take the money you save in this area and redirect it into other services for those children. So it has a potential to save taxpayers dollars in the long run and put those dollars back into some good prevention programs.

      Hearing loss identification should occur as early as possible so that the remediation process can take full advantage of early brain and sensory system development. An important part of this bill is that it requires screening for all newborns, not only those identified as high risk, and this will ensure equal access to screening for all babies.

      You know, I'm sure there are people in other parts of the province that are questioning because of geography why are they not benefiting this. Why are, you know, certain areas of the province able to have their babies screened and other areas of the province can't have their babies screened? That's typical of what this Province does, though.

      We see Avastin being given for colorectal cancer in many, many provinces in Canada, and yet, because of geography, Manitoba patients are denied that, and again, here we see this government picking and choosing, as they have done with some screening programs as well. So this would not be the first one where they're picking and choosing winners, if you like, and they are looking across the province and putting it into some areas and not other areas. That is really unfair, and that is certainly something I don't think, if Manitobans were aware of, that they would be very, very happy to see.

      In other jurisdictions, universal newborn hearing screening has become a standard of care in some provinces, many European countries and numerous U.S. states. In fact, in Alberta, they're doing something. In Québec, they're doing something. In Ontario, they're doing something. So, Mr.–Madam Deputy Speaker, I think this government has a lot more to do in this, and perhaps they would like to have a look at where they've made their priority spending, because indeed this is a good place to be putting it. So, to conclude on this–

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Brick): Order. The honourable member's time has expired.

* (10:30)

Ms. Erna Braun (Rossmere): Madam Deputy Speaker, I'm pleased to rise today to put a few words on record regarding the issue of hearing screening for newborns.

      Last week, I had the opportunity of attending a musical event, which was incredible and remarkable in many ways, and being able to appreciate something so wonderful is not to be taken for granted. Our hearing is certainly a precious gift. That is why, as a government, we are making steady and continuous progress towards uni–universal screening in Manitoba. Granted, we have a way to go to match what is happening in Europe, but when we took office in '99, there was no universal screening anywhere in Manitoba. And, since that time, we have been making steady and–steady headway through a variety of initiatives.

      Our government funded the launch of the infant hearing screening early assessment and referral program in Brandon as a pilot project in 2000. The I HEAR program is establishing universal newborn hearing, and we are doing that one regional health authority at a time. So far, the universal newborn hearing screening has been established in Brandon, Assiniboine, northeastern Manitoba and Burntwood regional health authorities, and the Central RHA is next. In all other Manitoba RHAs, hearing screening is performed on all high-risk newborns, as in most of Canada. The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority currently has hearing screeners in place at Health Sciences and St. Boniface neonatal intensive care units. Hearing screening is done in baby nurseries in Winnipeg when there is a referral on a specific–on a specific infant with high-risk factors.

      We have a record of increasing resources for prevention and early detection initiatives, such as screening programs, and have done so without legislation mandating us to do so. Our government is doing more screening, not less, and that's the direction we're moving into.

      The goal of I HEAR is to screen all babies prior to one month of age, and identify those with permanent hearing loss by three months of age, and establish early intervention programs prior to six months of age. I HEAR is funded, is supported with funding from Children's Therapy Initiative, through Family Services, and charitable contributions for equipment from the Lions Club, as well as by existing audiology and nursing staffing and equipment resources in the RHAs.

      The Children's Therapy Initiative is an interdepartmental initiative to enhance therapy services for children from birth to 21 years of age, and, certainly, I know that when I was teaching at the Adolescent Parent Centre, the moms there were very appreciative about the supports that they received when issues arose with their children.

      In 2005, the Brandon RHA's I HEAR program was expanded into the Assiniboine and Burntwood RHAs in rural and northern Manitoba. As of 2008, I HEAR expanded into the North Eastman RHA. The I HEAR program is currently working with the Lions Club to raise funding for equipment in order to begin implementation in the Central RHA.

      If we look at other provinces in the area of infant hearing, there's really a range of services. So I think that one of the things that we can say is that certainly we are moving ahead and we are creating initiatives that are moving us into the forefront.

      There is also, certainly, and that was something that, teaching at the Adolescent Parent Centre, the expanded services in screening for newborns, and universal–pardon me, Manitoba was the first province in Canada to screen at birth for exposure to alcohol during pregnancy. Our universal screen for alcohol, family–Families First screening was launched in 2003 and has resulted in 97 percent of all births being screened by public health nurses. In 2007 and 2008, over 24,000 women were screened.

      Understanding these, extent and nature of alcohol use during pregnancy, is essential for developing effective FASD prevention and support programs. And certainly, again, in my experience, the supports that are available have been just tremendous.

      Newborn metabolic screening in Manitoba is another well-established and effective universal screening program for Manitoba newborns that involves a partnership between hospital, public health, provincial laboratory and the practitioner.

      Certainly, one of the students that I had, and young moms at the Adolescent Parent Centre, which was something very critical for her, was the fact that her daughter had been diagnosed with hearing issues, and the opportunity of having a hearing aid subsidy was incredibly important to her.

      Eighty percent subsidized by the Province for all children under 18, when prescribed by an audiologist, are eligible. Manitoba Health will reimburse 80 percent of fixed amounts for an analogue device to a maximum of $500 a year. And, certainly, the supports that were in place for this young mom were absolutely critical.

      The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority has a service purchase agreement with the Central Speech and Hearing Clinic and the funding that they receive is evenly split between children and adult programs.

      Cochlear implants have been paid for under the reciprocal billing agreements since '93 based on a precedent set by Insured Benefits branch at that time. The Central Speech and Hearing Clinic provides auditory and verbal rehab to deaf and hard of hearing children and certainly I was well aware of that when I was teaching at the Adolescent Parent Centre.

      I'm very pleased to make remarks on the kinds of initiatives that we have been moving forward on and I'm very pleased that we see this as an important issue that, that we are moving. Thank you.

Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Inkster): Madam Deputy Speaker, it's with pleasure that I speak to Bill 208.

      It's a bill in which I think is fairly simple and straightforward. We all know how very important it is to have the senses that we have been blessed with in many different ways and one of those senses is that of the ability to be able to hear. Madam Deputy Speaker, we should never take it for granted.

      You know, I can recall an incident that had occurred where it was recommended that MLAs try to imagine a day, if you will, and you can actually get the cuffs that cover your ears that virtually put you in a sense in which you don't hear sounds and it is very unique. I've had the opportunity to–and not all sound is–there is some sound that gets in but it really puts you in a different, different world and that's the reason why I believe the Leader of the Liberal Party has brought forward an initiative that can really make a difference.

      It's not earth shattering legislation. It's legislation that, in essence, would mandate it to–would make it legal that anyone that is, is born in the province of Manitoba would have to go through some form of testing in order to find out if there is any hearing impediments.

      The minister herself in her comments made, made reference to the low, low rate of screening in the province of Manitoba. There are other jurisdictions in North America that have really led the way in ensuring that the interests of our children are in fact better taken care of by providing mandatory screening. And this is in essence what it is that we want to be able to see take place in the province of Manitoba.

      Madam Deputy Speaker, I have often made reference to the issue of money and how critically important it is to have the money to be able to provide the types of services that Manitobans expect. And when we take a look at the issue of health care there is no shortage of dollars per, per se. The real issue is how it is that we're spending those, those dollars and I would suggest to you that there is room to take out of the bureaucracy of health care in order to implement into the province of Manitoba a universal screening process which would assist in identifying children that have a hearing deficit and to work towards ensuring that they're gonna be in a better position to be able to hear all the wonders, wonderful sounds that society and nature produce.

      So, so we look–[interjection] Well, that's another issue.

      Madam Deputy Speaker, we look at, at this particular issue of significant importance and that's why we look to the government to acknowledge it as an important issue as other jurisdictions have in North America and at the very least allow this particular bill to, to go to committee stage.

      You know far too often we have seen government ministers talk out legislation as opposed to allowing it to go to the committee stage and by allowing it to go to committee we would then be able to hear what the public of Manitoba have to, have to say.

* (10:40)

      There are many different stakeholders within this whole area that would welcome the opportunity to be able to share their thoughts on the issue. We're not necessarily asking Manitoba to, to be the leader. We're just asking that they act when there's a good idea that comes before them, and I would suggest to you that this is, in fact, a good idea, and that the government should accept it and allow it to, to go to committee and ultimately become, become law.

      Other jurisdictions in North America have, in fact, acted on such an initiative. We would ask that the government give serious consideration to the bill that's being put forward by the Manitoba Liberal Party. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.

Ms. Erin Selby (Southdale): Well, thank you very much–[interjection]

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Brick): Order. Order. I just wanted to remind all individuals in the gallery that there can be no participation in the business of the Legislative Assembly, and that includes clapping.

Ms. Selby: Madam Deputy Speaker, I'm very pleased to be standing up to speak on this issue. But I have to apologize, possibly in advance, that if we're going to talk about newborns and babies, well, I'm bound to talk about my own children. Any excuse I can to speak proudly of them and just be glad that we don't have an opportunity to share baby pictures, 'cause I'd probably be passing those out, as well, if I could find an excuse to do that.

An Honourable Member: Go ahead.

Ms. Selby: But, no worries, I will never share the pictures of me in that last few weeks of pregnancy. The Minister of Labour (Ms. Allan) is already groaning 'cause she's seen the pictures of me the night before I gave birth to triplets, and the Chamber is not fit to see that, I'm sure.

      I think it's really important that when we talk about the health of newborns and whether–any particular health, whether it's hearing or whether it's anything else that can happen, the place we have to start is to talk about healthy pregnancies, and it's really important that we follow the advice of health-care professionals and do all we can to ensure that, that we have healthy pregnancies. And, of course, good prenatal care is an important part of that, whether we're talking about nutrition, following the advice of your health-care professional, but, also, it goes back to having healthy families and healthy communities and support for pregnant women and their families as well. And, I'll talk a little bit more about all the important measures that our government does to ensure that prenatal care is as good as it can possibly be.

      I certainly know that when my children were born I did everything I could to make sure that I had three healthy children, and that included everything from making sure I was eating properly and taking those prenatal vitamins, as well as–well, in my case, a lot of bed rest as well; whatever you have to do to make sure that your children are healthy.

      One of the things that we're doing–several of the things that we're doing to ensure healthy pregnancies and healthy childbirth experiences is things such as the new women's hospital at the Health Sciences Centre, which is going to make the birthing experience, not only probably more healthy for the child and for the mother, but also more comfortable, and I think that has to say a lot as well.

      I recently got to visit a friend who had her baby at the upgrades at the maternity ward at the St. Boniface Hospital, and she was telling me that she spent quite a long labour, unfortunately, but she spent it in the–some of the–well, they look like big hot tubs, but probably not quite as relaxing as the average hot tub, but she spent it in there and talked about how that that was really a comfortable way to ease into the birth of her first child.

      We also, of course, are putting in the new birthing centre in south Winnipeg so that women will have options on how it is that they want to give birth, because, of course, it's different for everybody, whether they want to go through midwife or whether they maybe want to have a traditional birthing experience, and, perhaps, if they're a high-risk pregnancy, won't have that choice and will have to make sure that they've got all the, the sort of more medical interventions sort of thing. Of course, also, though, that means expanding the midwifery education program to southern Manitoba, as we mentioned in the 2009 budget as well.

      If I go back to my own experience, I had a scheduled Caesarean and I would think probably one of the most crowded ORs you can imagine. There was, of course, my husband and I and the doctor and a bunch of nurses and anesthesiologist, and then there was a whole bunch of people who were training 'cause it's not very often, I guess, you have the opportunity to assist in a triplet birth. So we had some interns and we had some student nurses, and then on top of that each of the babies also had their own full team. So there was a pediatrician in there and, and some pediatric nurses for–enough for each child. So it was a very, very crowded, very crowded OR.

      And I remember when the girls were born, we saw them quickly and then they were whisked off to a separate room, probably because it was so crowded in the OR that they did some of the screening that they do on newborns in a separate room to give a little bit more space, and my daughters were born in Québec, which is one of the provinces as well that does not have a universal screening for, for hearing. But I was very confident that with that many people checking them out and seeing what was going on and all the various different procedures that are done when a baby is born, that I was confident that when they whisked them back in the room that–and pronounced them all healthy–that I was comfortable that they were.

      But I think it's important to point out that, that what we're doing here in Manitoba is much of what we'll see happening across, across the, the country as well. You see that the majority of provinces do not have a universal hearing screening going on. That includes Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, P.E.I., as well as other ones as well.

      But I don't want to give the impression that if a baby is born in Manitoba and, and is for some possible reason perhaps at high risk of having hearing challenges or that, that it's not noticed at all. Of course, that if a baby is at high risk that, that, that hearing loss would be screened, that babies are, are definitely checked for, for normal reactions as they all are and, and that, that people are, are looking out for all kinds of behaviour to make sure that babies are breathing properly, that they're maintaining their temperature, that the–that they, they are able to suckle and, and all the things that are important for their first few days in their development in life. And, of course, if it’s a–if anything is, is detected as being abnormal or that there's a problem, that those babies will get the  care that they need.

      I just want to correct for a second. I think I misspoke when I was naming the provinces without universal screening, of course are Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Québec, Nova Scotia and Newfound, Newfoundland. So you can see that, that Manitoba is, is doing much of what the other provinces are doing and there's some things that, that we are doing differently as well. And I'll talk about some of that, that some of the screening that we do is particular to Manitoba.

      And I want to point out that, that there was no universal screening program anywhere in Manitoba when we took office. We are definitely making steady and, and concrete progress towards universal screening. And that babies who show–beg your pardon–show risk, of course, will get the help that they need.

      The government launched a program called infant hearing screening early assessment and referral program, which is called I HEAR, in Brandon as a pilot project in 2000. And the I HEAR program is a establishing a universal newborn hearing screening, one RHA at a time. It's not something that, that needs to be legislated because we're moving in that direction. And that universal screening program has been established in Brandon, Assiniboine, northeastern Manitoba, Burntwood regional health authorities and the Central Health Authorities are next as well. And I think it's important to say that even if your baby is not born in that area, if your, if you have a high-risk pregnancy or your child is showing signs that, that screening needs to be done, it will be done.

      We currently have what's called hearing screeners in place at the Health Sciences and St. Boniface neonatal intensive care unit where screening is being done in the baby nurseries and there is a referral on, on specific, for specific infants with high risk factors so, so babies that we know that are born, born premature are, are looked at even care, more carefully because we know that that's, that's a huge risk for, for many problems and, and it goes back to talking about good prenatal care, that we want to have babies get the best start in life and the best start is, is a healthy pregnancy.

      An interesting thing that my obstetrician told me, that every day in the womb is equal to one less week in the neonatal unit. So we know that the longer you can, can, can hold onto to the baby to, to as close to full term as possible, the, the less likely they'll spend time in the neonatal unit and chances are the healthier that that baby will be.

      But it is important to recognize that sometimes that these things can't be helped and occasionally and on–sometimes it happens that babies, for whatever reason, are born a little bit too soon and a little bit too small, and those babies are watched very carefully. And as I mentioned, they're watched by hearing screeners as well as people to make sure that, that they're putting on weight adequate, adequately, that they can learn to breathe on their own.

      So I think it's important to recognize that our government is doing more screening, not less screening and it's the direction that we're moving in to make sure that, that we have healthy pregnancies, healthy families and have healthy children born. But if, for some reason, parents can rest assured, that if, for some reason, the child is born with some special needs, that there are people there to recognize it and teams in place to start early intervention and children will be helped as early as possible. Because we know that's the best way to, to ensure that a child goes on to lead a healthy lifestyle with the supports in place.

      Thank you very much.

* (10:50)

Mrs. Leanne Rowat (Minnedosa):  Madam Deputy Chair, I appreciate the opportunity to speak to Bill 208, The Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Act, and I want to give credit to the Member for River Heights (Mr. Gerrard) in bringing forward this bill.

      Under this bill, all newborns will be screened for hearing loss unless a parent objects, and any parents within this House understands the importance and the significance of ensuring that everything possible is done to ensure that our children are brought into this world in a healthy way and any supports that are available, if there is a situation where extra support is needed, that that is provided.

      So, under this bill, I believe that hearing loss and early recognition of that is critical, and key, and this bill will provide the necessary supports or tools to address that.

      May is Speech and Hearing Month, so it's fitting that we are debating this bill today. Hearing loss is one of Canada's most common birth defects, with six in every 1,000 newborns suffering from hearing loss, including profound deaf–deafness.

      And I can speak personally for a couple of individuals within my own community. A young girl, by the name of Jessie Goodwell [phonetic] actually was born with serious hearing loss, and her parents were able to access supports within the province. The Central Speech and Hearing Clinic within our province played an integral role in providing Jessie [phonetic] with the supports that she needed to, to be able to do things that every other child in, in our, our province and our country appreciate and can do.

      Jessie [phonetic] was fitted with a cochlear implant and what Jessie [phonetic] was able to do from that, from having that procedure done, is significant. She was able to play hockey. She was able to participate in horseback riding and participate in a lot of activities that actually would have been more difficult if she didn't have this procedure done.

      And I give credit to Pam and Ken Campbell, who were instrumental in establishing the Central Speech and Hearing Clinic in Manitoba. It was established in 1989. It's a not-for-profit charity, and it's dedicated to assisting children and adults who are deaf or hard of hearing and, and their goal is to help fully integrate into the hearing world individuals who have been presented with these challenges. They support and promote integration into the social, educational and economic mainstream and are committed to the excellence through the provisions of, of services and advanced technological supports for children and adults.

      And I know that Ken and Pam have developed this clinic through personal, personal situations that have, have, have been placed in their family. They have two beautiful daughters, and both daughters actually were born with, with hearing impairments. And Ken and Pam researched and, through the love of their children and through the help and support of the community and, and supports outside of the community, were able to develop something that I think is very significant within our community.

      I know that, that the Central Speech and Hearing Clinic are so keen on seeing this bill pass. I know that they are so interested in seeing a universal newborn hearing screening process available within our province, and I do know that they are watching very closely to see what this government will do with regard to this, this legislation because I think it's–it will provide another Manitoba-grown opportunity instead of having children and families, you know, deal with these types of challenges outside of our province. We can actually, you know, build on what is happening in other jurisdictions.

      And, as was mentioned earlier, universal newborn hearing screening has become a standard of care in other provinces and many European countries and numerous United States. So this is not something new. Again, this government has an opportunity to do catch-up. I think it would bode well for individuals, such as the Campbells, who have worked tiressly in advocating for children's programs and adult hearing services.

      So I believe that this, this bill shows the need for a program that will aid in early recognition of hearing loss and help these children before they get to school. I know that my sister, Tracey [phonetic], had a–has a little guy, Tyler [phonetic], who was a preemie and, you know, hearing loss was a–was a concern through the–through the assessments that were taking place while he was a very, very tiny and they were trying to determine if there were any, any serious challenges that he was going to be facing. And I know that these types of services were available for her and it took away some of the stress and there were lots of stresses that she–that she was facing at that time and her and Carlos [phonetic] were facing at that time with Tyler [phonetic] and it just took away some of that worry and stress that this was something that was, was identified as not being a problem and they could carry on and, and, and focus on the other needs that Tyler [phonetic] obviously was going to be facing in the next while.

      So, in conclusion, I believe that this side of the House believes that this bill is a good idea and one that government should be supporting strongly, and I believe that Manitoba can, can actually be a leader in the area of hearing screening for newborns and I support this bill whole-heartedly and look forward to its passage into committee. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.

Ms. Jennifer Howard (Fort Rouge): It's my pleasure to rise today to put a few remarks on the record regarding the importance of universal screening for newborns, and I think that has been part of our philosophy looking at everything we can do for children at their earliest stages of life to help them have a strong and successful future. It's a philosophy that you see evident in our healthy child approach, our Healthy Child initiative which I think has gained success and gained praise from very diverse sources: the business community, the early childhood development community, and it's always a pleasure every time I get to go and speak to the people that work in the Healthy Child initiative about the kinds of work they're doing, because they are taking very innovative approaches and their commitment to children is certainly unparalleled.

Mr. Speaker in the Chair

      We are making steady progress towards universal screening in Manitoba, and I want to speak specifically about a program that my colleague from Southdale was talking about and that's the I HEAR program which is a great acronym, the infant hearing screening early assessment and referral program.

      It started in Brandon as a pilot project in 2000, and when I was living in Brandon I often spoke to Bea Jolly there, is her name, which is also a pretty good name. She was a former educator and she had worked with other former educators to provide on a volunteer basis early screening for children in hearing and all sorts of other developmental aspects. And they had taken this on because there wasn't that kind of universal screening available and so working with charitable organizations they had worked together to provide that because they knew, as former educators, that for children to be successful in school they have to be able to hear well. They have to be able to see well. They have to be able to communicate well and if they have challenges in those areas then they need the supports to meet those challenges.

      So I'm very pleased that we have now established that kind of program in Brandon, and that program is also been established. It was such a successful pilot program that it's also been established in Assiniboine, in North Eastman, in the Burntwood Regional Health authorities and will soon be coming to the Central Regional Health Authority.

      So we are increasing resources for prevention. We're increasing resources for early detection initiatives, such as screening programs, and we're also looking at what we can do to strengthen the prenatal health of mothers and you see that evident in our programs that help to provide funding to pregnant women, to increase their ability to get healthy food and increase their ability to have good nutrition, and those programs also help to–

* (11:00)

Mr. Speaker: Order. When this matter is again before the House, the honourable Member for Fort Rouge will have seven minutes remaining.

RESOLUTIONS

Res. 12–Filipino Community Celebrates 50 Years of Being in Manitoba

Mr. Speaker: The hour being 11 a.m., we will now move on to resolutions, and we will be dealing with the Resolution No. 12, Filipino Community Celebrates 50 Years of Being in Manitoba.

Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Inkster): Mr. Speaker, I would move, seconded by the member from The Maples, that it is important to recognize the 50th anniversary of the Filipinos' community's presence here in Manitoba; and

      WHEREAS it was in 1959 when a handful of health-care workers and a few others who originated from the Philippines made the decision to make Manitoba their home; and

      WHEREAS over the last 50 years the population of the Filipino community has grown through live births and immigration to an estimated 50,000 people; and

      WHEREAS Manitoba socially and economically has benefited by the many contributions that the Filipino community has made in all sectors of Manitoba society; and

      WHEREAS immigration has grown over the last number of years with the Philippines being Manitoba's primary source of immigrants; and

      WHEREAS the Filipino community will organize–will be organizing events like Philippine Independence week, Folklorama pavilions, Rizal day, and many other fiestas and numerous other activities in 2009, all of which will lead to dialogue about the 50th anniversary.

      THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba extend its best wishes to members of the Filipino community living here in Manitoba.

      AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba acknowledge the valuable contributions that members of the Filipino community have made which has greatly enhanced the quality of life for all Manitobans. [interjection] 

Mr. Speaker: Before I move the motion, I have to kindly remind our guests in the gallery there is to be no participation, and that also includes applauding.

      It's been moved by the honourable–the Member for The Maples, seconded by the honourable member–I mean, it's been moved by the honourable Member for Inkster, seconded by the honourable Member for The Maples (Mr. Saran), and, when reading the resolution, the honourable member had added a word or two here. So can we have this as printed?

An Honourable Member: Agreed.

Mr. Speaker: Is that agreed?

Some Honourable Members: Agreed.

WHEREAS it is important to recognize the 50th anniversary of the Filipino community's presence here in Manitoba; and

WHEREAS it was 1959 when a handful of health-care workers and a few others who originated from the Philippines made the decision to make Manitoba their home; and

WHEREAS over the last 50 years the population of the Filipino community has grown through live births and immigration to an estimated 50,000 people; and

WHEREAS Manitoba socially and economically has benefited by the many contributions that the Filipino community has made in all sectors of Manitoba society; and

WHEREAS immigration has grown over the last number of years with the Philippines being Manitoba's primary source of immigrants; and

WHEREAS the Filipino community will be organizing events like Philippine Independence week, Folklorama pavilions, Rizal day, many fiestas and numerous other activities in 2009, all of which will lead to dialogue about the 50th anniversary.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba extend its best wishes to members of the Filipino community living here in Manitoba.

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba acknowledge the valuable contributions that members of the Filipino community have made which has greatly enhanced the quality of life for all Manitobans.

Mr. Speaker: Okay. So it's been moved by the honourable Member for Inkster, seconded by the honourable Member for Maples,

      WHEREAS it is important–dispense?

Some Honourable Members: Dispense.

Mr. Speaker: Dispense.

Mr. Lamoureux: Mr. Speaker, usually when I stand up to address members of this Chamber, they'll note that I don't usually read from a piece of paper. This time's a little bit of an exception for me. I do want to make sure that I cover and make sure that I cover everything that I feel in my heart needs to be covered.

      First of all, I must say, that it is out of love and passion for the Filipino community that I introduced this resolution here today.

      Mr. Speaker, the late Rosalinda Cantiveros, a personal friend of mine, first told me about the 50th anniversary and how she was wanting to do something special for it. It is people like Linda who inspired me to move this resolution. There are many leaders within the Filipino community that take a great deal of pride in sharing their culture and their heritage with all Manitobans, and I believe that this is a resolution that will receive the unanimous support of this Legislature.

      In 50 years, the Filipino community has enriched our province in every imaginable way. I have said in the past and will say again that Canada needs the Philippines more than Philippines needs Canada. Nowhere is that more important than our very own province of Manitoba.

      In 1959, according to Stats Canada, 891,000 people lived in Manitoba, and today it is just over 1.2 million. We all say that our people are our greatest resource. Well, in short, realize that the Filipino community makes up more than 15 percent of Manitoba's population growth in the last 50 years, and in the past few years that percentage has grown. Mr. Speaker, the future growth even looks more promising for Manitoba.

      On a personal note, we have a number of people in the gallery that I would like to personally thank. In particular, I would classify him as my brother, Henry Celones, who, in essence, is my right arm and does the things that enable me to be able to be inside this Chamber and deal with all the legislation that's, that's before us. As many members know, I tend to speak a lot inside the Chamber. It's because of Henry and wonderful support staff that I am able to do the things that I do. Having said that, Mr. Speaker, I could go through the gallery and list off name after name of individuals that have not only touched my life, but my family's life, and we are often welcomed with open arms and have really been enriched personally, and as a family, because of the generosity and the things that the Filipino community has done for us.

      Well, it was over 50 years ago when a small group of people who originated from the Philippines first came to our province and, Mr. Speaker, what started off as a few health-care professionals at the beginning led to a large number of garment workers in '68 and '69 and many other health-care professionals. At that point, things really took off as the community started to sponsor family and friends to come–not to mention more independent immigrants started to choose Manitoba as a home. If we took–you take a look at the real value, you can talk about the economics in terms of providing labour and investments, purchasing goods and services, attending our universities and colleges, schools, the stimulation of job activity or job creation–every sector of the economy, you will see that there's, there's involvement. You can look at industries such as health care, aerospace, accounting, engineering, manufacturing, small businesses, service industries, the media–in every form of economic activity, you will see that the Filipino community is here today. In fact, the very page, Moses, who picked up the resolution, I understand, is of Filipino ancestry.

      Mr. Speaker, the community is involved in every aspect. We can talk about lifestyle. You know, the culture–I was never big on basketball until I started to attend and watch basketball and it is an exciting game. Much like hockey is to Canada, basketball is to the Philippines, and if people like myself take the time to get a better appreciation of basketball, I suspect that it would be very competitive with, with hockey and it's a sport in which I gained a great, much greater appreciation of.

      Arts and entertainment, you know, as many members will attest, you, you go to an event, whether it's a birthday event, a fiesta, whatever it might be, quite often you will see a six-year-old or a seven-year-old singing a beautiful song or performing a beautiful, a beautiful dance. The talent is, simply put, truly amazing that's within the community.

      Mr. Speaker, food–and we all love food. I can tell you we've really grown an appetite. Some of my favourites would probably be lechón, the barbecued pork, many forms of pancit, the little spring rolls. There's many things in terms of that, the food, that–[interjection] It makes me hungry, too. The food is something that's, again, a part of it. It's interesting, you know, years back I never had rice for breakfast, but today, periodically, I do have rice–rice for breakfast. It's a very sweet rice; highly, highly recommend it, especially if you take it with the pork.

      We could talk about the heritage. We all get a very good sense of the heritage when we have things such as the Independence Week, which is, which is coming up and there's a, a week of activities. We can talk about the Folklorama and if you participate and you attend this, some of the things that'll come to your mind when you see this, first and foremost, is the hundreds of volunteers that actually participate in these activities in order to make them successful. But you get a better appreciation and understanding of the Philippines by participating in activities of this nature, and what's so nice about it, Mr. Speaker, is it is the community reaching out to the broader community, so that all of us become that much more aware of, of the heritage of the Philippines.

* (11:10)

      I look at Canada quite different than the U.S. In Canada we appreciate and we cherish the heritage that people bring from other lands to, to Canada. That's what being Canadian is, is all, is all about and we need to look at the real value that's there and the benefits that we can bring to society as a whole when, in fact, we take proactive actions to encourage diversification of culture, culture and heritage.

      Mr. Speaker, when I think of, of community leaders this, this is a community that is not short of community leaders and I could provide endless names of individuals that, that have led the province of Manitoba and in their community in many different ways through associations like PAM. I mentioned pavilions, the Independence Week group of individuals, the dozens of, as I say, organizers for fiestas and support groups and so forth.

      Mr. Speaker, there is two things that I'd like to draw people's attention to. There is The First Filipino Immigrants in Manitoba that was authored by Gemma Dalayoan and co-authored by two others and I believe this is actually in the Legislative Library. I would recommend this book to people.

      My good friend, late Linda Cantiveros published, and it's in our Legislative Library and Encyclopedia of Manitoba, a wonderful history of the Filipino community in the, in the province of Manitoba. I would encourage, too, members to read. I would encourage members to share with the, with the community as we do all communities, our time and our energies, to get a better understanding, to promote and most importantly to recognize, Mr. Speaker, that this is, indeed, a significant year in the sense that we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the first Filipino settlement to our province.

      And, Mr. Speaker, I know that what I would ask from the Legislature is, is leave to provide a list of the individuals to you before the end of the hour of people that are in the gallery that actually attended so that our official record would show that they were here to, to observe this very important resolution.

      So if I can conclude my remarks by extending my very best wishes to the members of the Filipino community. The future is bright and I would ask for leave, Mr. Speaker, to be able to table that list once I have it completed.

Mr. Speaker: Okay, before recognizing–[interjection]

      Order. Order. I must ask our guests in the gallery that there's to be no participation and that also includes applauding, the clapping part. It's the members–you're the guest of the House.

      Before I recognize the honourable Member for The Maples (Mr. Saran), I want to put to the House the request for leave for the member to table the, the members of the public that are in the gallery. Is there agreement that it's okay to do that?

Some Honourable Members: Leave.

Mr. Speaker: Leave. Okay, it's been agreed to. Okay, so that will be done.

Edda Pangilinan, Ramil Mar V. Costa, Gloriafer N. Shand, Ma (Gemma) Edralin C. Costa, Juanito Camungol, Pablito Sarinas, Rev. Dr. Neil Parado, Lito Taruc, Efren Perol, Ronaldo Ramos, Manny and Cora Chipongian, Lito Roxas, Terry Pampolina, Amang P.C. Salazar, Rene Carino, Rose Balbuena, Clarissa Calingasan, Gemma Dalayoan, Perla Javate, Clarita Nazario, Lita C. Bautista, Maven S. Baltazar, Moises Ben, Felino de Jesus, Oscar Maglanque, Henry Celones, Fe Ryder, Dr. Irene Guzman, Billy Polvorosa, Sammy Artuz, E. Rose Odero, Nancy Generao, Vely Ines, Lib Ines, Teddy Valdez, Mila Valdez, Jessie Flores, Priscilla Fabre, Milli Khan, Deirdre Khan, Ron Dhidirino [phonetic], Susan Tonog, Alfonso Tonog, Lilian E. Pineda, Nick Lim, Ben Villanueva, Vicky Villanueva, Linda Celones.

Mr. Speaker: I will now recognize the honourable Member for The Maples.

Mr. Mohinder Saran (The Maples): Mr. Speaker, I feel privileged to second this resolution. Today, we have our Filipino friends sitting in the gallery. Let me say first of all, magandang umaga po sa inyong lahat.

      Mr. Speaker, before I talk about the history, I will like to say a few words as an immigrant. Those Filipino immigrants who arrived 50 years ago, majority of them must be in their teenage years or in early 20s. You are excited for better life but you sacrifice a lot for taking those steps. You get separated from your parents, friends. You miss those streets where you played and you miss those little games you play with your friends. You are physically in new country but you mentally are in your mother country. At night time, you play with your friends in your dreams back in, back in your country, but your morning alarm brings you back to Canada. Not only you suffer emotionally, your parents suffer as well.

      They think you will make enough money someday and will come back and they will enjoy your familiar company during old age. They will watch marrying their grandchildren and will feel proud of among their grandchildren and for that time–for some, that time never comes. They die and take their hopes to cemetery. That kind of emotional suffering immigrants family go through.

      On workplace, sometimes they get rough ride. They are considered no good until they prove otherwise. That's immigrants' fate. Their qualifications are not recognized. Now, thanks to NDP government's effort, that gap is being closed.

      I know I can go forever about the emotions but let us–we talk about the history. This year, the Filipino community is celebrating its 50th anniversary of its significant presence in Manitoba. The Filipino community will start its celebrations with a flag-raising ceremony at Philippine Canadian Centre of Manitoba on June 6, Saturday at 9:30 a.m. to commemorate the gaining of independence from the Spaniards on June 12, 1898.

      As a country which had been under foreign rule for more than 300 years, the Philippines has risen to be the champion of democracy and its ideals in South East Asia. Despite hard times and its very thick population composed of about 87 million people, its economy has continued to flourish, and its citizens continue to live peacefully in the past years.

      Filipinos constitute the largest visible minorities that have contributed significantly to all aspects and endeavours of life in Manitoba. The rise of Filipino immigration to Canada during the last few years has also been amazing. There were only 243 Filipino immigrants that entered this country during the five-year period 1958 to 1962. Most of them were nurses, doctors, educators, technologists and other professionals whose working or scholarship visas had expired from the United States.

      They came here to visit while waiting for their renewal, but most of them fell in love with Canada and stayed. Good news spread about our country. Thus the next five-year period, 1963 to 1967, the number of Filipino immigrants significantly, significantly increased to 7,558.

      The introduction of the points system in 1967 and the subsequent immigration policies of the Canadian government, including the family reunification program in 1971, have tremendously diversified the Canadian population that was before the '60s were mainly made up of white people. Thus the Filipino immigration in Manitoba and its capital city, Winnipeg, in particular, has also been phenomenal.

* (11:20)

      Manitoba government's 2003 statistics report on immigrant–immigration facts indicates that the Philippines is ranked as the top source country for the province for the years since 2000. Out of approximately 327,545 people who claimed to be Filipinos in 2001, about 31,210 resided in Winnipeg. However, observers estimate the number of Filipinos at about 400,000 in Canada and 47,000 in Winnipeg. Now, it is commonly quoted that there are between 50,000 to 60,000. The 2001 census that revealed that Filipinos have become the largest visible minority community in this city. More are coming by the thousands because of the successful Provincial Nominee Program that favours heavily on educated and skilled workers with relatives, and have English or French language ability.

      A book entitled The First Filipino Immigrants, by–authored by Filipinos, namely, Gemma Dalayoan, Leah Magsino and Leonnie Bailon, highlights the contributions of the first arrivals from 1959 to 1975, the nurses, doctors, teachers, technologists and other professionals, followed by waves of garment immigrants who arrived in the late '60s.

      The first immigrants' work ethics, skills and abilities to adapt to the new country helped them to excel well in Manitoba. Most of the first immigrants are still alive and are now in their 70s, that include: Dr. Rey Pagtakhan, first MP and had occupied several cabinet positions in the federal government; Conrad Santos, first MLA; Dr. Roland Guzman; Cris Aglugub, former MLA; Fe Ryder, first nurse who arrived here; and other doctors and technologists and nurses who have occupied leadership positions in several hospitals in Winnipeg. The five waves of immigrant workers saved our failing garment industry by arriving from 1968 to 1975.

      In the late '60s, there was a realization that Canada was becoming more economically progressive, but to sustain growth necessitated the expansion not only of its population but also its work force. In the light of its need for human resources, Canada has also tried to attract immigrants to ensure the economic development. However, from the time of its colonization until the 1960s, it pursued policies in conformity with its ideal of a white settler colony. I am glad that Canada has realized that it was inevitable that it gives up the concept of an ideal white settler community because, as I look around, more people are coming to our province of different colours, contributing to our economic, social, political development of our country.

      I know I won't be able to say it all, but I would say, because my time is running out, therefore, I will say I'm proud of being MLA of the constituency. We are multicultural [inaudible] Filipinos, and I am, day by day, I'm–strive to knowing their culture, they say, [inaudible], we will say, [inaudible]. So that's a respectable word to respect–elders are respected, somebody whom you respect. Therefore, I wish–I extend my best wishes to members of the Filipino community, and I would say, Mabuhay ang mga Pilipinos. Long live Canada. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Hugh McFadyen (Leader of the Official Opposition): I want to begin by acknowledging the Member for Inkster (Mr. Lamoureux) for introducing the resolution that's before the House today. It's–it's an absolutely appropriate measure for this House to be taking to acknowledge the outstanding contributions of members of the Filipino committee–community to the building of our great province. And notwithstanding the differences that we will have, within this House, between different political parties from time to time, I think it is important to acknowledge the passion and determination that the Member for Inkster brings to his representation of his constituents and, in particular, those members of the, of the, of the Filipino community.

      I want to thank the member for Maples for his comments as well today, and for seconding the resolution, also thank him for acknowledging the previous member for Maples, Cris Aglugub, who played a historic role in this House as a voice for the Filipino community in Winnipeg and Manitoba.

      Mr. Speaker, this is a, a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge many important people, and I see many familiar faces and friends of mine in the gallery today, and I say, mehumbai [phonetic] to all of you and welcome, and thank you for all the great things that you're doing for the province of Manitoba.

      I want to, in particular, pay tribute to the late Linda Cantiveros who I know is somebody who is not just a great mother and wife to her husband and children, but also a force to be reckoned with within our community, somebody who is an outstandingly articulate and energetic advocate on behalf of Filipino people in Manitoba, and somebody whose presence here in Winnipeg is, is missed since her passing last year. I also would like to acknowledge and thank Consul General Edda Pangilinan who is with us as well.

      I had the privilege last year, along with the Member for Minnedosa (Mrs. Rowat), of travelling to the Philippines along with the consul general and many other members of the community, some of whom are with us today in the gallery and who will be listed, thanks to the Member for Inkster and his request to have names of members–those in attendance today listed. It was an incredible opportunity for both myself and the Member for Minnedosa to learn more about the remarkable country that is the place of birth, and the, of both current members of Manitoba's Filipino community and also the ancestors of those who are members of Manitoba's Filipino community today.

      Ambassador Jose Brillantes was part of that trip as well. We had an opportunity to see a great deal in, in the Philippines while we were there, the opportunity to visit Malacañang Palace. Also to visit Corregidor Island and learn a great deal about the incredible history of the Philippines. One, which I think would be fair to characterize is as the resilience of people as they confront significant challenges.

      Also many, many blessings on–on those beautiful islands with many challenges in terms of natural disasters, Mr. Speaker. We were all saddened by the loss of many lives over a year ago now when the–a ferry boat sunk in the midst of a storm en route from Cebu to Manila, and these are the sorts of challenges that are faced by people in the Philippines on, on quite a regular basis.

      In addition to the natural challenges that arise from time to time the history of the cont–of the country is, is a remarkable one. From the brilliant leadership of José Rizal as a voice of democracy and freedom for the Filipino people, which in turn led to the independence ultimately of Philippines from Spain 111 years ago. Through the evolution of the Philippines and the time since, it has been a remarkable story of resilience and cheerful determination to overcome significant challenges over many years.

      On our visit to Corregidor we learned a great deal about the very trying period of time during the occupation of the Philippines in the Second World War, of the eventual arrival of General McArthur at Leyte toward the end of the Second World War, and the evolution of the modern Philippines from the end of that conflict to the present day. And we have been greatly blessed in Manitoba to have so many people from the remarkable–those remarkable islands, Mr. Speaker, come and choose Manitoba and make it their home.

      The resolution today makes reference to the fact that it's been 50 years now since the first arrivals to our province from the Philippines came and began to have their impact on the community in the area of health care initially, but, as the Member for Inkster has quite correctly identified in modern Manitoba today, the members of the Filipino community are actively involved in every aspect of life: in health care, in business, in social services, in the, in the, in the sector–government sectors as well as–as well as in the–as well as in the business community, and the determination of the community is something that's remarkable.

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      The resiliency and the extent to which members of the Filipino community look after one another as well when people arrive from the Philippines and start to make the adjustment to life in Manitoba which can be very challenging for many people. It is very often leaders within that community that take the lead in ensuring a smooth transition for people when they make their arrival here.

      And it is a remarkable story of thousands of people making the choice to come to Manitoba, and I think all of us would, would want to say very clearly that Manitoba today would not be the Manitoba that we know, and it would not be the great Manitoba that we know, were it not for the outstanding contributions of members of the Filipino community.

      I have had great experiences attending Folklorama, learning a few new dance moves, not always well executed I might say, Mr. Speaker, but certainly attempted in any event. I know there are some members opposite who seem pretty proficient in the area. But I had the pleasure of being part of the celebrations at Folklorama last year and in several years preceding that, and it has been just a, an incredible pleasure for me to get to know so many members of this vibrant community. And I've always appreciated the cheerful celebrations that are regularly put on by the Filipino people here in Manitoba; the fiestas, activities and the regular community gatherings that provide opportunities for people to celebrate in many ways, but also to find ways to, to assist one another in various ways.

      One recent example of that were the activities connected with supporting Gawad Kalinga which is a, an organization that has been established to assist people in the Philippines who are living in impoverished conditions. The Member for Minnedosa (Mrs. Rowat) and I had an opportunity to visit a Gawad Kalinga project in Quezon City when we were there, and we were absolutely inspired by the remarkable work of that organization and the support that has flown to it as a result of the generosity of the Filipino people here in Manitoba.

      And, so, Mr. Speaker, I want to acknowledge many, many people. I wish I had the opportunity to name–to name many people for the record. But, they will be named as a result of the–as a result of the list being added to the record. But, in particular, I've had the–I've had the distinct pleasure and honour of getting to know some members involved with the Filipino Youth Initiative and, in particular, Ron Cantiveros and Maureen Cruz, who, with the active support of councillor Mike Pagtakhan and others, have done a great deal of work in this community to support and raise money for many good causes. And there are so many other members of the community who are doing similar things around our province, and we would be a–we would be a much weaker and poorer province were it not for their contribution.

      So, Mr. Speaker, again, I thank the member for the resolution. I welcome members of the community. Thank you for your great contributions to Manitoba and to Canada, and thank you for what you do to make me proud to be a Manitoban and for all that you do to make Canada the greatest nation on earth. Thank you.

Ms. Flor Marcelino (Wellington): Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for the opportunity to put a few words in support of this morning's private member's resolution.

      I thank the member from Inkster and the member from The Maples for this private member's resolution honouring the 50th anniversary of Filipino settlement in Manitoba. I also thank the honourable member–the Leader of the Opposition for his kind words to the Filipino community.

      Before I forget, which is not unusual given my age, I would like to invite all honourable members of this House and our guests at the gallery to a Filipino lunch in room 334. It is not a feast as Filipinos are want to hold to celebrate milestones given the limited lunch time we have. It will only consist of Filipino fried chicken, a Filipino noodle dish and Filipino cake with purple yam and macapuno, a coconut mutant. 

      That cake, by the way, that Filipino yam cake, purple yam cake, was baked by a young Filipino lady, a new immigrant, and it's one of the most delicious cakes I've ever tasted. For your information, the member from Inkster, The Maples and myself have conspired to give you a little taste of the Filipino cuisine today. 

      Mr. Speaker, 50 years may not seem so long ago that the first Filipinos settled in Manitoba. It started with a handful of health-care professionals, doctors and nurses. Soon others followed, friends and families of the professionals. Then Manitoba needed workers, particul–particularly sewers for the many factories in the city. Fifty years later, the Filipino community is now 50,000 strong and still growing.

      For many during those early years, it was not an easy decision to immigrate to Canada. It was so difficult to leave a country you have called your home. Moreover, it is so painful to leave family, relatives and friends you love. For many, it was their adventurous spirit that led them to come to Canada. Why Manito–Manitoba of all places? Manitoba it is, because they know a family or a friend who settled in Manitoba.

      Mr. Speaker, I remember very clearly a conversation I had with my brother-in-law one February day in 1982. We were preparing ourselves to immigrate to Manitoba. I ask him what the temperature was in Winnipeg at that time. He said something like minus 30 degrees centigrade with a wind chill of minus something. I didn't even care for the wind chill reading, since I cannot comprehend what a wind chill was. Then I ask him, explain how cold the temperature is; how cold is minus 30 degrees? He answered, very cold. Then he said, it is even colder than the freezer's temperature. That description didn't make sense to me at that time, but when I had my first winter experience in '82-83, I got it.

      Why would Filipinos want to settle in Manitoba when there are other provinces and cities in Canada to choose from, Mr. Speaker? I know of some Filipinos who came to Manitoba and left for other cities, but I know of many, many more Filipinos who came to Manitoba, left the province, and came back again for good after realizing Manitoba–with all its cold and bitter winter months–is still the best place to be. Besides its friendly people, there are Fili–these Filipinos have realized the higher quality of life here and the many opportunities available to hardworking and law abiding citizens. I am confident I speak on behalf of Filipino-Canadians and new immigrants and Filipino foreign workers that, indeed, Manitoba is the province that we are happy and grateful to call our home.

      Mr. Speaker, the Filipinos are conscientious, hardworking people. Today, you see Filipinos in all places of employment and professions. Filipinos are recognized for their industry and dedication to their job. Not only are the parents hardworking but their children as well. As the representative for Wellington, is it–it is a great honour and joy for me to attend awards day and graduation ceremonies at the schools in the Wellington constituency. I see many graduates and award recipients are children of Filipino immigrants.

      While a good number of Filipinos in Manitoba are professionals and successful business people, the bulk of the members of the community are considered working class. It is no surprise that the working class segment of this community thrive in Manitoba. It is in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in the months of May and June in 1919 that history was made which put the working class in the limelight, when business and government stood still because workers from all sectors showed unity in demanding just and fair wages and humane working conditions.

      The whole country and the world recognized the value of workers. Indeed, workers play a critical role in the economic, social and political life of any province and country. The Filipino working class in Manitoba is well served by the gains of the workers who fought for their rights during the general strike in 1919. The legacy of that strike is not lost on this government. Today, Manitoba leads the country in legislation protecting workers.

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      Mr. Speaker, Manitoba is home to many Filipinos and the numbers are growing. The Philippines is the No. 1 source country for immigrants through the very successful Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program. The Philippines continues to be among the top 10 country source of immigrants under the program. Since 1999, a total of 9,795 have arrived in Manitoba. More immigrants come to Manitoba from the Philippines than any other country, with Filipino newcomers accounting for more than 25 percent of the province's total immigration. The Filipino is a close-knit family and the concept of family is not just limited to blood relatives. Friends, neighbours are family to us as well. We're just one big happy family.

      Speaking of political life, it is no surprise that Filipinos in Canada are considered political. In the old country, politics occupies a central place in the life of its citizens. It is a sad commentary, though, that it is a different kind of politics as we know it here. I remember as a young person I was looking forward to the day that I would be eligible to vote. I was praying and hoping that my vote, as well as that of my many friends and relatives, will make a difference in the outcome of the political life in the country, but the year I would have voted, in 1972, martial law was declared and the elections held after that were marred with gross violations of decency and honesty. It is an understatement to say that elections results–election results are dependent on whose candidates has the most gold, employed the most goons. How sad to note that election-related violence and fatalities precede the set campaign period, and that number is staggering.

      No wonder Filipinos in Canada are political being that they are. Here we can expect that our votes will be counted honesty, honestly and accurately. As well there is no fear to life and limb if you get involved politically and vote according to what our conscience dictates on election day and so you find Filipinos are adherents of all political parties and are actively involved in the political process, and Filipinos who are new immigrants in Manitoba will appreciate that our government–excuse me–Filipinos–where am I?

      No wonder Filipinos in Canada are the–the political being that they are. Here we can expect their votes will be counted honestly and accurately. As well, there is no fear to life and limb if you get involved politically and vote according to what our conscience dictates on election day, and so you find Filipinos are adherents of all political parties and are actively involved in the political process, and Filipinos who are new immigrants in Manitoba will appreciate that our government and I thank the resourcefulness and initiative of the Minister of Labour and Immigration (Ms. Allan) for the resources and settlement programs available to new immigrants, the various actions done to have their professions and credentials accredited. I also thank the Minister of Competitiveness, Training and Trade (Mr. Swan) for the strides made in skills training. I need to thank the Minister of Education and Youth (Mr. Bjornson), the Minister of Advanced Education (Ms. McGifford), the Minister of Finance (Mr. Selinger), and the list goes on, Mr. Speaker.

      I need to thank this government for the many programs that are available to all Manitobans and Filipinos in Manitoba have found their way to it.

Mr. Speaker: Order. Order. The honourable member's time has expired.

Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Mr. Speaker, it is time to recognize the contributions to Manitoba made by people who have come to our province from the Philippines. It is time to recognize the contributions that they have made and the contributions being made day by day by the children, the grandchildren and the great-grandchildren who've come here from the Philippines.

      It is important that we are providing this recognition today–at the time of the 50th anniversary of the first immigrants to Manitoba from the Philippines, and it is important that we recognize that people like Fe Ryder who came here as nurses in 1959 have led a huge wave of immigrants and people who have come here and who are now making a tremendous contribution.

      As a doctor and as a politician, I've had the opportunity to work closely with people from the Philippine communities day by day and see first‑hand the enormous contributions that are being made day in and day out, and I want to thank the members of the community for all that you do, those that are here and those that are all over Manitoba, because even when I go to Flin Flon, I find people who have come from the Philippines to stay here in Manitoba.

      It is, I think, interesting in the book, The First Filipino Immigrants that highlight, for example, on Fe Ryder who was a nurse and it's a, you know, little bit of pride being from the health profession to see that that was where the initial immigrants were coming from. People like Dr. Roland Guzman and Dr. Irene Guzman who came in 1961 to Manitoba and, of course, many, many others, and now representing just about every profession and every position, employment, every row in our society. There are people from–who've come from the Philippines or descendents of the people of the Philippines who are playing at that role in that position here in Manitoba.

      It is–and I want to mention specifically, Dr. Rey Pagtakhan who I worked very closely with at the Children's Hospital. We worked side by side and we both got into politics. And in this book, The First Filipino Immigrants of Manitoba, there is a section on page 82 and page 83 which talks about the important role that Dr. Pagtakhan played in bringing the Philippine community in Manitoba together, speaking with one voice. And, of course, Dr. Pagtakhan went on to become a renowned member of Parliament, a Cabinet minister representing Canada abroad and building the relationship between Canada and the Philippines and other countries around the world.

      So it, it is wonderful that we are here today and this year celebrating together the achievements and the contributions of people who have come from the Philippines to Manitoba. And so I join all others in very strong support of this resolution, which I hope we're going to be able to pass as a signal of our support to the Philippine community in Manitoba. Thank you.

Mr. Bidhu Jha (Radisson): It's a really great, great pleasure for me to rise this morning to speak on this resolution, and I know that all of us wants to. We don't have too much time, so I'll be brief. But I thank member from Inkster to bring this particular resolution which is very timely to recognize this community which has celebrated 50 years of presence. I thank the leader of opposition. I thank member from Maples and member from Wellington and member from River Heights to speak on this, this particular thing to recognize this community.

      For me, Mr. Speaker, it's exciting because I have a lot of similarities with this community, being born in India. At least the exotic food described by the member from Maples made my mouth go a little watery, to say, well, I'd like to taste that food.

      So I think it is something that I feel very, very happy that we have now, this country called Canada, which has brought such a beautiful philosophical value to make the world united by bringing everyone together.

      Because when I was raised by late, my late father, who was a professor of Sanskrit, taught me a śloke, a mantra called "Vasudhaiv Kutumbakum"means world is a large and happy family. So we call, about family, that means we have differences but we're still together. And I think this community here–I salute members who have worked hard.

      I remember Dr. Rey Pagtakhan. He was the physician of my children who are now doctors themselves. So, this community has not only done work in the trade, they have not only done work in the business, they have done work in health care, they have done work in community building, they have done work in volunteers and social work.

      But most of them, I salute this community to be very peaceful, very loving and a wonderful neighbourhood that you offer. And I think that, I salute you for, for what your character and bringing of a new value to Canada, which is the best country in the world, to enjoy living together in harmony as human beings.

      And I think I have spoken here again, as Guru Gobind Singh Ji has said, that the human race is won, some 300, you know, a few years back. So we are all thinking of building a good society that we can enjoy living each other and have.

* (11:50)

      And I'm very honoured to say that the minister of multiculturalism, I remember her speaking at the function when the–my last colleague, Cris Aglugub function was there and she spoke, and she spoke very passionately about how our team is doing, doing together. So, particularly, I'm very thankful, Mr. Speaker. My caucus here has a colourful mosaic representation and that makes me very, very proud.

      So once again, I thank all the members here to support, and I congratulate the Filipino community, and I really respect you to do what you're doing. Keep building Canada. Keep building Manitoba as the best province and the best country in the world.

      Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

Mrs. Leanne Rowat (Minnedosa): Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and it is indeed an honour to be able to stand in this House to recognize the 50th anniversary of the Filipino community and their presence within our province, Manitoba. And I might add that the presence of so many Filipino people in the–in the gallery today, it speaks, speaks volumes to your commitment to not only the Filipino–or the Philippines, but also to your new home, Manitoba. So I want to thank you for taking the time to be here today and sharing your support on this resolution.

      I want to congratulate the Member for Inkster (Mr. Lamoureux) for bringing it forward, this resolution, because I think it is, it's a very appropriate resolution for Manitobans to be recognizing and supporting.

      I want to recognize in the media gallery friends and people that have supported and, and ensured that of the dialogue within this building and the dialogue outside in the community is, is shared with, with not only Manitobans, but Canadians and, and with family and friends back in the Philippines. So thank you for doing that.

      Since 1959, we've since an influx of Filipinos into our province, and I think that we need to, to recognize, you know, the significant growth that is happening. The Member for Inkster spoke of the 15 percent growth in Manitoba's population being–coming from the Filipino community. I think that's significant, and I think that what is even more significant is, is the roles that these individuals have, have taken on in, in becoming Manitobans and being part of our communities.

      Not only Winnipeg. I represent the constituency of Minnedosa, and I had the pleasure of hosting the honorary consul on a parkland tour this last year, and, and I gave her an opportunity to see what Manitobans in rural Manitoba actually appreciate within their communities, and it's very similar to the Filipino community. I think it was–is an excellent opportunity for the honorary consul to actually identify with a lot of the communities where we're seeing an influx of new, new health-care professionals coming into Manitoba. A significant number of new nurses are coming into our communities and, and she's now seeing some of those communities.

      I also want to speak to Rod Cantiveros and doing a wonderful event in the Minnedosa constituency at Minnedosa Beach bringing out a lot of–or Filipinos who actually haven't had an opportunity to see the Minnedosa hills and the Minnedosa Lake, and we–I was so proud and privileged to be a part of that organizing group to help ensure that Filipinos had a taste of Minnedosa. We enjoyed pork from Springhill Farms. We had games. We, we–there were speeches, but there was an opportunity for people from in–within my community of Minnedosa to mingle and meet and to interact with the Filipino people, and I want to thank the Cantiveros' for that.

      When we travelled the Philippines with the honorary consul and then with others within the consul's extended group, we learned a lot about the Filipino cultures and the Filipino people and the challenges, but also the beauty within their culture. Alan Canlas, who is here today, was really very helpful in providing history and, and understanding and, and what the Filipino people are proud of and some of the challenges.

      So I will always remember that trip and the significance of that and how that relates to my playing a role as a legislator within the province to build on that relationship and to continue to foster friendships and relationships within our two countries.

      While in the Philippines, I had the opportunity to meet with several organizations that do play a role in the immigration process and that was with the honorary consul. We visited training centres like TESDA who actually are very proud of their role in helping train Filipinos to bring them–to allow them to immigrate into Canada and into significant roles within our employment stature. I was able to provide them with some background on the needs within our local RHA, and they were appreciative of that, understanding that within a few short months, the Province would be doing an extensive recruitment in the health care field.

      So I think that we as legislators have a role to continue to build in our relationships with the Filipino people, and I think that recognizing the 50 years of residency within our province is significant, but there's more to do, and there's always opportunities to expand our friendships and our relationship.

      So I think, in closing, I would like to ask for leave that the members of this House rise in support of this resolution. I think the members in the gallery are waiting with anticipation that this resolution is supported by all members within this House.

      So I ask for leave at this point to have all members rise and support this resolution. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker: Is the House ready for the question?

Some Honourable Members: Question.

Mr. Speaker: The question before the House is the resolution brought forward by the honourable Member for Inkster (Mr. Lamoureux). Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the resolution?

Some Honourable Members: Agreed.

Mr. Speaker: Agreed? Agreed and so ordered.

Mr. Lamoureux: Mr. Speaker, I wonder if we could canvass the House to ensure that it's unanimous support of this Legislature to pass this resolution.

Mr. Speaker: The resolution will be recognized as passed unanimously. Agreed?

Some Honourable Members: Agreed.

Mr. Speaker: Agreed.

House Business

Hon. Dave Chomiak (Government House Leader): I thank the House for its unanimous co‑operation.

      Pursuant to rule 31, sub 8, I am announcing the private member's resolution to be considered next Tuesday will be one put forward by the honourable Member for Burrows (Mr. Martindale) and the title of the resolution is Economic Stimulus.

Mr. Speaker: Okay, it's been announced that the private member's resolution to be considered next Tuesday will be the one put forward by the honourable Member for Burrows. The title of the resolution is Economic Stimulus.

* * *

Mr. Speaker: Move on to the next resolution.

Mr. Chomiak: I wonder if we might call it 12 o'clock, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker: Is it the will of the House to call it 12 o'clock?

Some Honourable Members: Agreed.

Mr. Speaker: Okay, the hour being 12 noon, we will recess and we will reconvene at 1:30 p.m.