The following petition was presented:

Mrs. Dacquay (Seine River) – Minister of Justice make certain that the Government of Manitoba continue to partner with schools and law enforcement to ensure Winnipeg Police Athletic Clubs provide recreational and athletic activities. (K. Ritchie, A. Syrota, A. Matiowsky and others)

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Hon. Mr. Chomiak, the Minister of Health made a statement regarding this week being recognized as National Nurses Week 2000,

Mrs. Mitchelson commented on the statement.

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By leave, Hon. Ms. Friesen introduced Bill (No. 16) – The City of Winnipeg Amendment Act (2)/Loi n^o 2 modifiant la Loi sur la Ville de Winnipeg, and outlined the purposes thereof, it was read a First Time.

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Pursuant to Rule 23(1), Messrs. Helwer, Martindale and Gilleshammer, Ms. Cerilli and Mr. Dyck made Members’ Statements.

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The House resumed the Interrupted Debate on the Proposed Motion of Hon. Ms. Wowchuk:

WHEREAS excess rainfall in the fall of 1998 and spring of 1999 resulted in over one million acres of land going unseeded, primarily in the southwest, but also in other areas of the province; and

WHEREAS the federal government has recognized the disaster situation and is compensating people for mould and other property damage under the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA); and

WHEREAS farmers lost chemical and fertilizer inputs and incurred extra costs to restore their land and for weed control, at the same time as they had no 1999 crop to sell; and

WHEREAS the Manitoba Government has repeatedly requested support from the federal government, which has the lead responsibility for disaster financing, for farmers who sustained damage to their land; and

WHEREAS the Manitoba Government pursued support for compensation under Section 25 of the DFAA, which specifies loss of applied fertilizer and land restoration and was turned down by the federal government; and

WHEREAS the Manitoba Government requested a Canada/Manitoba agreement for the provision of assistance similar to the levels provided in the 1996 Saguenay River Flood, the 1997 Red River Valley Flood and the 1998 Eastern Canada Ice storm, and the federal government has refused; and

WHEREAS there has been all-party cooperation on lobbying the federal government for assistance for Manitoba farmers.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba urge the federal government to reconsider its position on funding for the 1999 flooding which occurred throughout the province, but specifically in the southwest, and include loss of applied fertilizer and land restoration as eligible costs under the DFAA; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba urge the federal government to consider programs and assistance similar to that provided for disasters such as the 1996 Saguenay River Flood, the 1997 Red River Valley Flood and the 1998 Eastern Canada ice storm.

And the debate continuing,

And Mr. Loewen concluding his remarks,

And Messrs. Smith (Brandon West), Laurendeau, Struthers and Maguire and Hon. Mr. Lemieux having spoken,

And Mr. Helwer speaking at 5:00 p.m.

The debate was allowed to remain in his name.

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Mr. Gilleshammer moved:

Resolution No. 7: Foreign Trade

WHEREAS Manitoba has a strong record of foreign trade with numerous countries in all parts of the world; and

WHEREAS 1998 was the fifth consecutive year in which Manitoba's foreign export growth exceeded Canada's; and

WHEREAS the increase in Manitoba’s export’s over those five years totals 72%, compared to national growth of 40%; and

WHEREAS foreign exports of goods and services are equal to approximately one-third of Manitoba’s $30 billion economy; and

WHEREAS the United States is Manitoba's most important trading partner, in terms of volume of sales; and

WHEREAS Manitoba's exports to the United States totaled over $6 billion, a growth of $13.1%, in 1998; and

WHEREAS Manitoba expanded trade with the United States to include more U.S. states as well as diversifying the types of goods and services exported; and

WHEREAS the Member for Fort Rouge, while in Opposition, was extremely critical of what he termed Manitoba’s "trade dependency" with the United States; and

WHEREAS the New Democratic Party, upon forming government, now appears to favour trade with the United States and values Manitoba’s southern neighbours as trading partners on the global stage.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba urge the Government of Manitoba to sustain their new found enthusiasm for trade with the United States; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba urge the Provincial Government to build upon the efforts of the previous Progressive Conservative administration by considering supporting and expanding our free trade agreements with other countries to ensure that Manitoba's economy continues to grow and prosper.

And a debate arising,

And Mr. Gilleshammer, Hon. Ms. Mihychuk, Messrs. Tweed, Aglugub and Penner (Emerson) having spoken,

And Mr. Smith (Brandon West) speaking at 6:00 p.m.

The debate was allowed to remain in his name.

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The House then adjourned at 6:00 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 10, 2000.

Hon. George Hickes,

Speaker.