Hon. Mr. Robinson presented:

Annual Report and Audited Financial Statements of the Communities Economic Development Fund for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2000.

(Sessional Paper No. 97)

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Following Oral Questions, Mr. Speaker made the following ruling:

After Prayers on April 10, 2001, the Honourable Member for Emerson rose on an alleged matter of privilege concerning critical issues facing the agriculture industry in Manitoba. He concluded his remarks by moving "THAT on Tuesday next the ordinary business of the House be set aside to debate the socio-economic crisis rural Manitoba communities are experiencing due to the ongoing impact of the downturn of grains and oilseeds and specialty crop sector and the resultant negative impact on rural businesses, industries and communities alike."

Subsequently, the House gave unanimous consent for the motion to be moved as a motion separate from the matter of privilege, and the motion was agreed to. Although the motion in question has been dealt with by the House in another capacity, I believe that it is important to indicate for the record that the matter raised was not a matter of privilege, as a prima facie case of privilege was not established, nor were the collective privileges of the House or individual privileges of Members breached.

This ruling does not affect the decision of the House to deal with agricultural issues next Tuesday.

By leave, following Oral Questions, the House reverted to "Ministerial Statements and Tabling of Reports".

Hon. Mr. Lathlin, the Minister of Conservation made a statement regarding an update on the flooding conditions in southern Manitoba,

Mr. Cummings commented on the statement.

Pursuant to Rule 23(1), Messrs. Helwer, Aglugub and Reimer, Ms. Korzeniowski and Mr. Penner (Steinbach) made Members' Statements.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed that the House would not sit on Easter Monday, April 16, 2001.

The House resumed the Adjourned Debate on the Proposed Motion of Hon. Mr. Selinger:

THAT this House approve in general the budgetary policy of the government.

And the debate continuing,

And Mr. Murray having spoken,

Mr. Murray moved an amendment as follows:

THAT the Motion be amended by deleting all the words after "House" and substituting the following:

therefore regrets this budget ignores the present and future needs of Manitobans by:

(a) failing to work hard today, to adequately prepare Manitoba for the challenges of tomorrow;

(b) failing to address very real concerns about the sustainability of the high level of expenditures built into this budget;

(c) failing to provide a vision or plan for Manitoba's economy;

(d) failing to protect the strong economic climate established in Manitoba during the last decade;

(e) failing to provide meaningful tax cuts to Manitobans;

(f) failing to recognize the importance of tax competitiveness so Manitoba can continue to prosper;

(g) failing to create an economic climate that will draw investment to Manitoba;

(h) failing to provide any incentive for our young people to stake their futures in Manitoba;

(i) failing to address the serious socio-economic crisis facing rural communities due to the crisis in the grains, oilseeds and specialty crops sector;

(j) failing to provide assistance to agriculture producers still affected by severe flooding in southwestern Manitoba in 1999;

 

(k) failing to properly priorize the highways and infrastructure needs of Manitoba;

(l) failing to end hallway medicine as promised;

(m) failing to address the growing shortage of health care professionals;

(n) failing to address health care waiting lists; and

(o) failing to address the critical shortage of teachers at all levels across the province.

As a consequence, the Government has thereby lost the confidence of this House and the people of Manitoba.

WHEREUPON Mr. Speaker ruled the amendment in order.

And the debate continuing on the amendment,

And Hon. Ms. Mihychuk, Messrs. Loewen and Struthers having spoken,

And Mr. Penner (Emerson) 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. Thursday, April 12, 2001.

Hon. George Hickes,

Speaker.