By leave, Hon. Mr. Smith (Brandon West) introduced Bill (No. 24) – The Securities Amendment Act/Loi modifiant la Loi sur les valeurs mobilières, and outlined the purposes thereof, it was read a First Time.

During Oral Questions, Mr. Laurendeau rose on a point of order regarding Beauchesne citation 417.

WHEREUPON Mr. Speaker ruled that there was no point of order,

From his decision, Mr. Laurendeau appealed to the House,

And the Question being put. "Shall the ruling of the Chair be sustained?"

It was agreed to, on the following division:

YEA

Pursuant to Rule 23(1), Ms. Asper, Mrs. Driedger, Ms. Allan, Messrs. Dyck and Rondeau made Members’ Statements.

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The House resolving into the Committee of Supply.

And the House continuing in Committee. The Proceedings were interrupted at 5:00 p.m. for Private Members' Business.

Mr. Rocan moved:

Resolution No. 8: State of the Canadian Grain Industry

WHEREAS in recent years the Federal Government has dramatically reduced the level of support to the agricultural sector; and

WHEREAS many Canadian producers have experienced several years of diminished incomes, thereby affecting their ability to farm; and

WHEREAS low world grain and oilseed prices are offset by generous government subsidies in the United States and European Union; and

WHEREAS Canadian farmers have recently faced the lowest grain and oilseed prices in two decades and Canadian grain and oilseed producers are among the lowest net income producers in the world; and

WHEREAS the United States government supports its grain and oilseed producers through tariffs, acreage payments, loan programs and transportation assistance; and

WHEREAS the European Union supports its agricultural sector at an even higher level through various actions and programs; and

WHEREAS Canadian farmers cannot survive on their own in an atmosphere of trade distorting actions by other countries; and

WHEREAS the Federal Government -- by reducing or eliminating all farm income support and safety net programs -- has failed to provide western Canadian farmers with adequate financial assistance in response to this crisis in agriculture; and

WHEREAS safety nets such as the Agriculture Income Disaster and the Canadian Farm Income Program have fallen short of addressing the needs of Canadian agricultural producers; and

WHEREAS many young farmers are either leaving agriculture or are choosing not to enter agriculture as a profession because of the Federal Government’s unwillingness to deal with the challenges facing the agricultural sector.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba urge the Provincial Government to consider taking strong action to ensure the survival of families in farming; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba urge the Provincial Government to impress upon the Federal Government its responsibility to bring a balance of support to western Canadian agricultural producers through equalization of tariffs and subsidies; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba urge the Provincial Government to live up to its responsibility to ensure a competitive climate for agriculture in Manitoba; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Legislative Assembly of Manitoba direct the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly to send a copy of this private members resolution to the Parliament of Canada, including the Prime Minister and the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

And a debate arising,

And Mr. Rocan, Hon. Ms. Wowchuk and Mr. Penner (Emerson) having spoken,

And Mr. Struthers speaking at 6:00 p.m. The debate was allowed to remain in his name.

The House then adjourned at 6:00 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 28, 2002.

Hon. George Hickes,

Speaker.