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 Ms. Korzeniowski moved:

Resolution No. 2: Nursing Program

WHEREAS the exemplary work of nurses is valued by the Provincial Government; and

WHEREAS there is a long term nursing shortage in Manitoba built by years of inaction from the previous government; and

WHEREAS this government has introduced a comprehensive plan to deal with this shortage by helping Manitoba's health sector to reinvest in the nursing profession by attracting new students, recruiting more nurses and looking at the use of existing staff resources within the workforce; and

WHEREAS this plan will increase the number of qualified nurses by establishing a 23-month diploma Registered Nurse program, by increasing enrolment in the Licensed Practical Nurse program and by actively and aggressively recruiting nurses; and

WHEREAS this plan will improve access to staff development in the regional health authorities; and

WHEREAS this plan will improve the use of available nursing resources; and

WHEREAS this plan will improve working conditions; and

WHEREAS this plan will establish a nursing advisory council in order to advise the health minister on issues and concerns related to the role of nursing in the health care system.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba commend the Provincial Government's actions.

And a debate arising,

And Ms. Korzeniowski and Mrs. Driedger having spoken,

And Mrs. Driedger moved an amendment as follows:

Replacing the 1^st WHEREAS with "WHEREAS during the provincial election campaign on August 27, 1999 the Honourable Member for Concordia stated that 'We have a plan that will bring more nurses and doctors to rural Manitoba. …It's an achievable plan and it's a credible plan.' "; and

Striking the 2^nd WHEREAS and replace it with the following: WHEREAS the nursing shortage in Manitoba has grown from 600 in 1999 to more than 1,100 in 2000 under this Provincial Government; and

Adding the word "not" to the 3^rd WHEREAS following "this government has"; and

Adding the word "not" to the 5^th WHEREAS following "this plan will"; and

Adding the word "not" to the 6^th WHEREAS following "this plan will"; and

Adding the word "not" to the 7^th whereas following "this plan will"; and

Adding "THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba urge the Provincial Government to consider seeking solutions to Manitoba's nursing shortage that are achieved through cooperation and consensus among nursing educators, nursing associations and the Department of Health;" and

Adding "BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba urge the Provincial Government to consider curtailing the growing shortage of nurses in Manitoba;" and

Adding "BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba urge the Provincial Government to apologize to Manitobans for misleading them during the 1999 provincial election campaign."

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

And the debate continuing on the main motion,

And Mr. Struthers having spoken,

And Mrs. Mitchelson speaking at 11:00 a.m. The debate was allowed to remain in her name.

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Mr. Derkach moved:

Resolution No. 3: Rural Health Issues

WHEREAS during the 1999 provincial elections, the current Provincial Government promised "more doctors, more nurses and more services for rural Manitoba" which have not been provided; and

WHEREAS since their election in 1999, the Provincial Government has put numerous rural health care initiatives on hold which had been approved by the previous Progressive Conservative Government; and

WHEREAS on August 22, 1999, the Honourable Member for Concordia stated: "Patients in hallways deserve better than health care projects that are 'paused'"; and

WHEREAS almost one year later, on August 10, 2000, the same Honourable Member said of the planned new hospital building in Emerson: "…we are deferring this project pending a further examination…"; and

WHEREAS the former Progressive Conservative Government, in keeping its commitment to make health care a priority, announced a twenty bed expansion to Tabor Home in Morden on April 16, 1999; and

WHEREAS the Provincial Government put plans for the 20 bed expansion at Tabor Home on hold in September 2000; and

WHEREAS on October 12, 2000, the Provincial Government again shelved plans initiated by the former government, this time indefinitely delaying plans to provide a Community Health Centre and Assisted Living facility in St. Laurent; and

WHEREAS the Honourable Member for Kildonan in his capacity as Health Minister received the Regional Health Authority Template for the Determination of Minimal Standards for Acute Care Hospitals in January and has yet to respond to it, leaving rural hospitals to wonder whether or not they will be closed or converted to Personal Care Homes.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba urge the Provincial Government to consider keeping its 1999 campaign promises to rural Manitobans and to consider providing more services and health care professionals to rural areas of Manitoba; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba urge the Provincial Government to consider keeping the commitments of the former Progressive Conservative Government regarding rural health care initiatives.

And a debate arising,

And Mr. Derkach, Struthers, Penner (Steinbach) and Nevakshonoff having spoken,

And Mr. Dyck speaking at 12:00 p.m. The debate was allowed to remain in his name.

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The following petitions were presented:

Mr. Schuler – Legislative Assembly of Manitoba request that the Minister responsible for Manitoba Hydro consider alternative routes for the additional 230KV and 500KV lines proposed for the RM of East St. Paul (M. Conover, P. Friesen, J. Nault and others)

Mr. Pitura – Legislative Assembly of Manitoba request that the Premier of Manitoba consider reversing his decision to not support construction of an underpass at Kenaston and Wilkes (B. Dyck, S. Boulet, M. Penner and others)

Mr. Loewen – Legislative Assembly of Manitoba request that the Premier of Manitoba consider reversing his decision to not support construction of an underpass at Kenaston and Wilkes (A. Jones, D. Bekolay, M. Kulas and others)

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The following petitions were read and received:

Mr. Schuler – Legislative Assembly of Manitoba request that the Minister responsible for Manitoba Hydro consider alternative routes for the additional 230KV and 500KV lines proposed for the RM of East St. Paul (J. Cornwall, D. Cornwall, J. Butler and others)

Mr. Pitura – Legislative Assembly of Manitoba request that the Premier of Manitoba consider reversing his decision to not support construction of an underpass at Kenaston and Wilkes (C. Wrixon, D. Tallaire, L. Manson and others)

Mr. Loewen – Legislative Assembly of Manitoba request that the Premier of Manitoba consider reversing his decision to not support construction of an underpass at Kenaston and Wilkes (N. Carswell, D. Carswell, L. Van De Mosselaer and others)

Mrs. Driedger – Legislative Assembly of Manitoba request that the Premier of Manitoba consider reversing his decision to not support construction of an underpass at Kenaston and Wilkes (V. Barbour, I. Karr, P. Dunmall and others)

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The following Bills were, by leave, severally introduced and read a First Time:

(No. 23) – The Highway Traffic Amendment Act/Loi modifiant le Code de la route

(Hon. Mr. Mackintosh for Hon. Mr. Ashton)

(No. 32) – The City of Winnipeg Amendment Act/Loi modifiant la Loi sur la Ville de Winnipeg

(Recommended by His Honour, the Lieutenant Governor)

(Hon. Ms. Friesen)

(No. 34) – The Municipal Amendment Act/Loi modifiant la Loi sur les municipalités

(Recommended by His Honour, the Lieutenant Governor)

(Hon. Ms. Friesen)

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Hon. Ms. Friesen presented:

Message from His Honour, the Lieutenant Governor recommending the disposition of public revenue for Bill (No. 32).

(Sessional Paper No. 158)

Message from His Honour, the Lieutenant Governor recommending the disposition of public revenue for Bill (No. 34).

(Sessional Paper No. 159)

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During Oral Questions, Mr. Laurendeau rose on a point of order regarding comments spoken by the Honourable Minister of Health,

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

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

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Pursuant to Rule 23(1), Messrs. Aglugub, Maguire and Rondeau, Mrs. Driedger and Ms. Cerilli made Members' Statements.

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By unanimous consent, it was agreed to allow the Honourable Member for Steinbach to speak a second time on Bill (No. 26) – The Winnipeg Commodity Exchange Restructuring Act/Loi sur la réorganisation de la Bourse des marchandises de Winnipeg, and that the Member be allowed to speak for a full 40 minutes.

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The House resolving into a Committee of Supply.

And the House continuing in Committee.

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The House then adjourned at 6:00 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. Monday, May 28, 2001.

Hon. George Hickes,

Speaker.