Hon. Mr. Selinger delivered to Mr. Speaker the following message from His Honour, the Administrator of the Province of Manitoba as follows:

CHIEF JUSTICE SCOTT

Administrator

The Lieutenant Governor transmits to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba estimates of additional sums required for the services of the province for the fiscal year ending the 31^st day of March 2004 and recommends these Supplementary Estimates to the Legislative Assembly.

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA

September 16, 2003

(Sessional Paper No. 39)

Hon. Mr. Ashton presented:

Annual Report of the Manitoba Hazardous Waste Management Corporation for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2002.

(Sessional Paper No. 40)

Annual Report of the Manitoba Product Stewardship Corporation for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2003.

(Sessional Paper No. 41)

Annual Report of the Manitoba Round Table for Sustainable Development for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2003.

(Sessional Paper No. 42)

Pursuant to Rule 26(1), Mr. Dyck, Ms. Melnick, Mr. Derkach, Ms. Brick and Mr. Lamoureux made Members’ Statements.

By leave, following Members' Statements, Hon. Mr. Mackintosh moved:

THAT the business of the House after Routine Proceedings for Wednesday, September 17, 2003 shall be the consideration and completion of interim supply in the Chamber, with consideration of departmental estimates to take place concurrently in Committee Rooms 255 and 254. The sections meeting in Committee Rooms 255 and 254 are to operate under Friday supply rules regarding quorum and votes; and

THAT despite the sessional order agreed to on September 8, this House will rise on October 1. The only business for October 1 shall consist of Routine Proceedings and the consideration of Condolence motions.

And the Question being put. It was agreed to.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed to have two sections of Committee of Supply to meet concurrently with the House in order for the House to consider a Matter of Urgent Public Importance.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed to waive the quorum requirements and any recorded votes arising in the two sections of Committee of Supply sitting in Rooms 254 and 255.

By unanimous consent, the sequence for consideration of estimates, as outlined in Sessional Paper No. 18 tabled on September 8, 2003, was amended in order that the estimates of Labour and Immigration be considered in the Chamber following the estimates of Culture, Heritage and Tourism.

By unanimous consent, the sequence for consideration of estimates, as outlined in Sessional Paper No. 18 tabled on September 8, 2003, was further amended in order that the estimates of Education and Youth, Advanced Education and Training, Seniors Directorate, Status of Women, Conservation, Family Services and Housing, Legislative Assembly and Capital Investment be considered in Room 254.

By unanimous consent, the sequence for consideration of estimates, as outlined in Sessional Paper No. 18 tabled on September 8, 2003, was further amended in order that the estimates of Aboriginal and Northern Affairs be considered in Room 255 following the estimates of Finance.

______________________________

By leave, prior to Orders of the Day, Mr. Derkach rose on a Matter of Urgent Public Importance and moved:

THAT under Rule 36(1) the regular business of the House be set aside to deal with a Matter of Urgent Public Importance being the urgent state of health care in rural Manitoba with the closure of a number of rural hospitals.

And Hon. Mr. Mackintosh and Mr. Derkach having spoken to the urgency of the motion,

WHEREUPON Mr. Speaker ruled as follows:

There are two conditions to be satisfied for this matter to proceed. The first condition has not been met in that I did not receive the proper notice from the Honourable Member of this motion.

I would like to advise Honourable Members that according to our Rule 36.1, a Member wishing to move that the ordinary business of the House be set aside to consider a Matter of Urgent Public Importance must provide the Speaker with 90 minutes notice prior to the sitting of the House. I have not received the required notice.

In order for this matter to proceed, unanimous consent of the House is required in order to set aside the requirements of Rule 36(1).

The second condition is that debate on the matter is urgent and that there is no other reasonable opportunity to raise the matter.

The Estimates for the Department of Health are now concluded, so it is not possible to raise this issue during those estimates. However, Members still have the opportunity of asking questions during Question Period, and can also ask questions during consideration of the concurrence motion.

Despite these procedural shortcomings, there appears to be a desire to debate this matter. Given that this is a serious issue, and given that the notice requirement must be waived in order for the matter to proceed.

Mr. Speaker then put the Question, "Shall the debate proceed?" It was agreed to.

And a debate arising,

And Mr. Derkach, Hon. Mr. Doer, Mr. Murray, Hon. Mr. Chomiak, Mr. Penner, Hon. Mr. Caldwell, Messrs. Tweed and Struthers, Mrs. Rowat, Hon. Ms. Wowchuk, Ms. Driedger, Hon. Mr. Gerrard and Mr. Cummings having spoken.

The debate was terminated in accordance with Rule 36(6).

The House resolving into the Committee of Supply.

The House then adjourned at 5:40 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 17, 2003.

Hon. George Hickes,

Speaker.