Mr. Martindale moved:

Resolution No. 4: Winnipeg Inner-City Housing

WHEREAS problems of poor housing and homelessness, particularly in Winnipeg's inner city, have grown over the past decade into a significant issue for our province; and

WHEREAS community renewal, a top priority in Manitoba, requires that decent and affordable housing be available to all Manitobans; and

WHEREAS community groups determined to improve the housing in their neighbourhoods have used valuable time and resources approaching each level of government for funding, a process that can be both time-consuming and lengthy; and

WHEREAS single-window access streamlines the fund-raising activities of community groups by providing access to all levels of government funding through a single office; and

WHEREAS the current government pledged itself to the development of a new Winnipeg Housing and Homelessness Initiative which would provide community groups with single window-access to available funds for housing projects; and

WHEREAS the current government has kept its promise and over $850,000 in combined funding from the three levels of government has already flowed into the initiative as of November 2000 and is available from the recently established Winnipeg Housing and Homelessness Initiative "single window" office.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba commend the Provincial Government for its efforts in improving housing in Manitoba, particularly through the development of single-window access to government funding; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Assembly commend the Provincial Government for its support of community-based renewal projects that allow grass-roots organizations to decide what is best for their community and to access the necessary funding to make their vision a reality.

And a debate arising,

And Messrs. Martindale, Reimer and Tweed having spoken,

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

Mr. Aglugub moved:

Resolution No. 5: Changing Immigration Income Requirements

WHEREAS the ability of individuals to reunite with their family members residing in Canada is an important part of our humanitarian heritage; and

WHEREAS the current criteria for family class sponsorship of immigrants lumps all cities with populations over 500,000 into one category; and

WHEREAS this criteria places Winnipeg in the same category as Toronto and Vancouver; and

WHEREAS the cost of living in Vancouver and Toronto is significantly higher than in Winnipeg; and

WHEREAS these federal criteria are putting Manitoba at a disadvantage in its ability to attract new immigrants and deprives Manitobans of their right to reunite with family members in Canada.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba urge the Federal Government to guarantee family class sponsorships to Winnipeg be given special consideration due to its lower cost of living; and

BE IT FURTHUR RESOLVED that the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly be directed to send a copy of this resolution to all Members of Parliament from Manitoba.

And a debate arising,

And Mr. Aglugub having spoken,

And the attention of Mr. Acting Speaker having been drawn to the absence of a quorum at 11:13 a.m.,

And Mrs. Dacquay, Messrs. Santos, Reid and Martindale, Hon. Mr. Smith (Brandon West), Ms. Allan, Messrs. Aglugub and Schellenberg being present.

Pursuant to Rule 4, the House then adjourned at 11:15 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. Monday, June 4, 2001.

Hon. George Hickes,

Speaker.