Search this site

Mr. Santos, Chairperson of the Committee of Supply, presented the Report of the Proceedings of the Committee of May 25, 2000 as follows:

The following Resolution was adopted:

7.4 RESOLVED that there be granted to HER MAJESTY a sum not exceeding FIFTEEN MILLION, TWO HUNDRED EIGHTY THOUSAND DOLLARS for FINANCE:

TAXATION $15,280,000.00

for the fiscal year ending the 31st day of March, 2001.

Resolution was reported.

Report was received and the Committee of Supply obtained leave to sit again.

______________________________

Hon. Mr. Doer, the Honourable First Minister made a statement regarding the Western Premiers' Conference,

Mr. Gilleshammer commented on the statement.

______________________________

Hon. Mr. Lemieux, the Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs made a statement regarding the passing of the late Maurice "Rocket" Richard,

Mr. Tweed and, by leave, Hon. Mr. Gerrard commented on the statement.

______________________________

Pursuant to Rule 23(1), Messrs. Rondeau, Reimer and Struthers, Mrs. Smith (Fort Garry) and Mr. Smith (Brandon West) made Members’ Statements.

______________________________

On motion of Mr. Dyck:

ORDERED that the composition of the Standing Committee on Law Amendments be amended as follows:

Monday, May 29, 2000 at 10:00 a.m.:

Mrs. Smith (Fort Garry) for Mr. Praznik.

_____________________________

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. Helwer concluding his remarks,

And Mr. Pitura having spoken,

Mr. Pitura moved an amendment, as amended by leave, as follows:

THAT the motion be amended by adding the following after the first "BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED" clause:

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Assembly urge the Government of Manitoba to acknowledge that the Minister of Finance has indicated that the Fiscal Stabilization Fund should be saved for use during disasters only; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that there is agreement that all sides of this House agree that the 1999 flood constitutes a disaster; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Assembly urge the Government of Manitoba to now acknowledge that its 2000 budget fails to address the very serious issue of providing any assistance to farmers affected by the 1999 flood; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Assembly urge the Government of Manitoba to consider immediately revisiting the issue of providing assistance to farmers affected by the 1999 flood and consider accessing the Fiscal Stabilization Fund in order to provide the needed disaster relief; and

WHEREUPON Mr. Speaker ruled the amendment in order,

And the debate continuing on the amendment,

And Hon. Ms. Wowchuk having spoken,

Mr. Speaker advised the House that notice had been received by the Acting Leader of the Official Opposition that he had designated his unlimited speaking time to speak on this amendment to the Honourable Member for Emerson.

And Mr. Penner (Emerson) speaking at 6:00 p.m.,

And the debate was allowed to remain in his name.

______________________________

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

Hon. George Hickes,

Speaker.