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

Mr. Pitura commented on the statement.

Mr. Speaker presented:

Annual Report of the Ombudsman – Access and Privacy for the year ending December 31, 1999.

(Sessional Paper No. 100)

Hon. Mr. Lathlin presented:

Annual Report of the Manitoba Round Table for Sustainable Development for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2000.

(Sessional Paper No. 101)

Five Year Report of the Ecological Reserves for the period April 1, 1994 to March 31, 1999.

(Sessional Paper No. 102)

By leave, Mr. Schuler introduced Bill (No. 200) – The Electoral Divisions Amendment Act/Loi modifiant la Loi sur les circonscriptions électorales, and outlined the purposes thereof, it was read a First Time.

During Oral Questions, Mr. Laurendeau rose on a point of order regarding the word "scurrilous" spoken by the Honourable Minister of Finance.

And Hon. Mr. Mackintosh and Mr. Laurendeau having spoken to the point of order,

WHEREUPON Mr. Speaker informed the House he would take the matter under advisement.

Pursuant to Rule 23(1), Messrs. Pitura, Dewar and Dyck, Ms. Asper and Hon. Mr. Gerrard made Members' Statements.

By leave, it was agreed that the Standing Committee on Agriculture would meet at 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 18, 2001, concurrently with the House.

By leave, it was agreed to waive the quorum requirement in the House between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. for April 18, 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 on the Proposed Amendment of Mr. Murray:

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.

And the debate continuing on the amendment,

And Mrs. Driedger, Hon. Mr. Smith (Brandon West), Mr. Gilleshammer, Hon. Mr. Ashton, Messrs. Penner (Steinbach) and Rondeau having spoken,

The debate was allowed to remain open.

______________________________

The House then adjourned at 6:00 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. Thursday, April 19, 2001.

Hon. George Hickes,

Speaker.