The following petitions were presented:

Mr. Schuler – Legislative Assembly of Manitoba request the Minister of Education to reverse the decision to split the Transcona-Springfield School Division and allow it to remain as a whole or to consider immediately convening the Board of Reference to decide the matter. (G. Williams, C. Meyer, D. Kumhyr and others)

Mrs. Smith (Fort Garry) – Government of Manitoba consider ensuring that local property and education taxes do not rise as a result of the offloading of provincial responsibilities onto the City of Winnipeg, the City of Brandon, the Fort Garry, Assiniboine South, Winnipeg No. 1, St. Boniface and St. Vital school divisions. (L. Lemoine, J. Lawe, L. Friesen and others)

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The following petition was read and received:

Mr. Schuler – Legislative Assembly of Manitoba request the Minister of Education to reverse the decision to split the Transcona-Springfield School Division and allow it to remain as a whole or to consider immediately convening the Board of Reference to decide the matter. (G. Crumb, A. Kendel, D. Risbey and others)

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Hon. Mr. Lathlin, the Minister of Conservation made a statement regarding an update on the flooding that continues to affect areas of southern Manitoba,

Mr. Penner (Emerson) commented on the statement.

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Pursuant to Rule 23(1), Messrs. Schellenberg and Penner (Steinbach), Ms. Cerilli, Mrs. Driedger and Mr. Santos made Members’ Statements.

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The House resumed the Interrupted Debate on the Proposed Motion of Hon. Mr. Caldwell:

THAT Bill (No. 14) – The Public Schools Modernization Act (Public Schools Act Amended)/Loi sur la modernisation des écoles publiques (modification de la Loi sur les écoles publiques), be now read a Second Time and be referred to a Committee of this House.

And on the Proposed Amendment of Mr. Hawranik,

THAT all the words after the word "THAT" be deleted and the following substituted therefore:

this House declines to give Second Reading to Bill (No. 14) – The Public Schools Modernization Act (Public Schools Act Amended)/Loi sur la modernisation des écoles publiques (modification de la Loi sur les écoles publiques), until such time as the Minister of Education, Training and Youth undertakes meaningful consultations with all effected stakeholders within Manitoba's education system.

And the debate continuing on the amendment,

And Mr. Enns, Mrs. Dacquay, Mrs. Mitchelson and Mr. Loewen having spoken,

And Mr. Laurendeau speaking at 5:00 p.m. The debate was allowed to remain in his name.

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Mrs. Dacquay moved:

Resolution No. 16: Combating Elder Abuse

WHEREAS elder abuse is a major concern to all Manitoba citizens; and

WHEREAS older adults can be victimized by spouses, caregivers, family members and strangers alike; and

WHEREAS elder abuse can take many different forms, whether it be the misuse of medication, neglect, emotional, physical, psychological, or financial abuse; and

WHEREAS a national survey revealed that 4% of the Canadian population 65 years of age or older living in private dwellings experienced at least one type of abuse; and

WHEREAS victims who are abused by members of their own family often suffer severe emotional stress in addition to the physical, psychological, or financial abuse; and

WHEREAS because the population of many countries is aging, it is expected that this crime will grow in incidence; and

WHEREAS the victims of elder abuse, for a number of reasons, often choose not to tell anyone about their problems; and

WHEREAS victims of elder abuse often feel that they would rather suffer with fear and pain than with the embarrassment or the guilt associated with acknowledging they have been abused; and

WHEREAS being silent or ignoring abuse will not stop it from happening again; and

WHEREAS victims of elder abuse need to be informed that this type of conduct on their person is a crime that needs to be reported and stopped; and

WHEREAS by educating community professionals on how to respond to abuse complaints, the effectiveness of available supports in the community for the abused elderly is enhanced; and

WHEREAS the provinces of Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick each have an Adult Protection Program in place to provide assistance or protection intervention to vulnerable adults unable to protect themselves from abuse or neglect; and

WHEREAS it is the right of Senior Citizens to be safe, secure, and free from being harmed; and

WHEREAS community awareness and education about elder abuse is needed to allow elderly Manitobans who are suffering from abuse to feel safe in telling others that they are being abused.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba urge the Provincial Government to consider providing Manitobans with a comprehensive public awareness and educational program that will create better awareness about elder abuse, help identify how elder abuse can be prevented, and encourage older adults suffering abuse to seek assistance.

And a debate arising,

And Mrs. Dacquay, Hon. Ms. McGifford, Ms. Korzeniowski and Mr. Martindale having spoken,

And Hon. Ms. Barrett speaking at 6:00 p.m. The debate was allowed to remain in her name.

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The House then adjourned at 6:00 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 18, 2002.

Hon. George Hickes,