Hon. Ms. Barrett presented:

Auditor's Report and Financial Statements of the Public Service Group Insurance Fund for the year ending April 30, 1999.

(Sessional Paper No. 2)

Annual Report of the Civil Service Commission for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1999.

(Sessional Paper No. 3)

Annual Report of the Manitoba Labour Board for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1999.

(Sessional Paper No. 4)

Annual Report of the Office of the Fire Commissioner for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1999.

(Sessional Paper No. 5)

Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation, Quarterly Report, Six Months, March 1, 1999 to August 31, 1999.

(Sessional Paper No. 6)

Annual Report of the Department of Labour for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1999.

(Sessional Paper No. 7)

______________________________

Hon. Mr. Lemieux presented:

Annual Report of the Department of Consumer and Corporate Affairs for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1999.

(Sessional Paper No. 8)

Annual Report of the Companies Office for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999.

(Sessional Paper No. 9)

Annual Report of the Manitoba Gaming Control Commission for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999.

(Sessional Paper No. 10)

Annual Report of the Automobile Injury Compensation Appeal Commission for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1999.

(Sessional Paper No. 11)

Annual Report of the Residential Tenancies Branch for the year ending December 31, 1998.

(Sessional Paper No. 12)

Annual Report of the Residential Tenancies Commission for the year ending December 31, 1998.

(Sessional Paper No. 13)

Annual Report of The Property Registry Agency for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999.

(Sessional Paper No. 14)

Annual Report of the Vital Statistics Agency for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999.

(Sessional Paper No. 15)

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Hon Mr. Mackintosh presented:

Annual Report of the Manitoba Human Rights Commission for the year ending December 31, 1998.

(Sessional Paper No. 16)

Annual Report of the Department of Justice and Justice Initiatives Fund for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999.

(Sessional Paper No. 17)

Annual Report of the Law Enforcement Review Agency for the year ending December 31, 1998.

(Sessional Paper No. 18)

Annual Report of the Law Reform Commission for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999.

(Sessional Paper No. 19)

Annual Report of the Public Trustee for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999.

(Sessional Paper No. 20)

Annual Report of the Civil Legal Services Special Operating Agency for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999.

(Sessional Paper No. 21)

Annual Report of Legal Aid Services Society of Manitoba for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999.

(Sessional Paper No. 22)

Annual Report of the Justice, Criminal Justice Division – the Victim Services for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1999.

(Sessional Paper No. 23)

Copy of Regulations filed under The Regulations Act, being Regulations Nos. 63/99 to 148/99.

(Sessional Paper No. 24)

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Hon. Mr. Ashton, the Minister of Highways and Government Services made a statement concerning the loss of a data tape by Elections Canada during a transfer of data from the Division of Driver Vehicle and Licencing to Elections Canada,

Mr. Cummings commented on the statement.

______________________________

Pursuant to Rule 20 (1), Mr. Jennissen, Mrs. Driedger, Messrs. Nevakshonoff, Loewen and Martindale made Members’ Statements

______________________________

By leave, Hon. Ms. Wowchuk moved:

WHEREAS Manitoba’s Total Net Farm Income is projected by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to drop by at least $287 million below the previous 5 year average; and

WHEREAS low commodity prices, caused by export subsidies in the United States and the European Economic Community, have made it difficult for our producers to make a living on the farm; and

WHEREAS Canadian farmers only receive 9% subsidy on wheat, compared to 38% received by American farmers and 56% received by European farmers; and

WHEREAS the loss of national supports over the last few years has cost Manitoba farmers $350 million every year; and

WHEREAS the cancellation of the Crow rate subsidy alone has caused the transportation costs of Manitoba farmers to triple; and

WHEREAS our producers are some of the most efficient and technically up-to-date in the world; and

WHEREAS the crisis faced by Manitoba’s agricultural producers will continue to have an effect on the entire Manitoba economy, including communities, businesses and services which rely on a healthy farm economy; and

WHEREAS a Manitoba delegation consisting of representatives from producer organizations and elected members of all three provincial parties met with federal cabinet ministers and made a joint request for an immediate $300 million in bridge funding; and

WHEREAS this request has not been satisfied.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that this Legislative Assembly continue to work in a non-partisan way to make the federal government aware of our serious farm crisis and the urgent need for federal government action;

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba strongly urges the federal government to take immediate action and grant our request for $300 million for Manitoba’s farm families.

And a debate arising,

And Hon. Ms. Wowchuk and Hon. Mr. Gerrard having spoken,

And Mr. Penner (Emerson) moved in amendment as follows:

WHEREAS farmers are the primary source of food production; and

WHEREAS the European Economic Community has decided to produce enough food to ensure starvation will never again occur in their countries; and

WHEREAS the European Economic Community ensures an adequate income for its farmers while at the same time maintaining low food prices at the grocery store counter through direct commodity supports and acreage payments to its producers; and

WHEREAS surplus European production is exported using price reduction incentive programs (export subsidies); and

WHEREAS the United States government, without individual state support, is using similar methods of support for its farm community to ensure the survival of its agricultural sector and low food prices for its citizens; and

WHEREAS this food price war has caused huge reductions in commodity prices, thereby reducing Manitoba farmers' incomes to a level that farms and food production cannot be maintained; and

WHEREAS Canadian farmers must compete with the government treasuries of European nations and the treasury of the United States federal government; and

WHEREAS the federal Liberal Government in Ottawa has constantly insisted that the provincial governments must bear a large part of the cost of food price reduction programs; and

WHEREAS there is a huge difference in ability to pay for these measures among individual provinces; and

WHEREAS the federal Liberal Government in Ottawa has removed virtually all levels of support to its farmers; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba strongly urge the federal Liberal Government in Ottawa to assume its responsibility to the food producers not only in Manitoba, but the rest of Canada; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the federal Liberal Government be urged to mirror the level of support to its farmers as provided by the European Economic Community and the United States government; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that through this action, the people of Canada are assured a continuation of a quality food supply.

WHEREUPON Mr. Deputy Speaker ruled the amendment in order.

And a debate continuing on the amendment,

And Messrs. Struthers, Penner and Nevakshonoff having spoken,

And Mr. Pitura speaking at 6:00 p.m.,

The debate was allowed to remain in his name.

______________________________

By leave, it was agreed to waive Private Members' Business for Monday, November 29, 1999 and Tuesday, November 30, 1999.

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The House then adjourned at 6:00 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 30, 1999.

Hon. George Hickes,

Speaker.