The following petition was 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 (D. Howes, K. Howes, M. Kuzyk and others)

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 (R. Mustard, F. Mustard, J. Mustard and others)

Mr. Speaker presented:

Auditor General's Report – Investigation of Missing Artifacts at the Anthropology Museum of the University of Winnipeg dated June, 2002.

(Sessional Paper No. 171)

Report pursuant to subsection 38(1) of the Indemnities, Allowances and Retirement Benefits Regulation for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2002.

(Sessional Paper No. 172)

The following Bills were, by leave, severally introduced, had the purposes outlined thereof and were read a First Time:

(No. 40) – The Highway Traffic Amendment Act/Loi modifiant le Code de la route

(Hon. Mr. Ashton)

(No. 202) – The Electoral Divisions Amendment Act/Loi modifiant la Loi sur les circonscriptions électorales

(Mr. Helwer)

(No. 42) – The Off-Road Vehicles Amendment Act/Loi modifiant la Loi sur les véhicules à caractère non routier

(Hon. Mr. Ashton)

Pursuant to Rule 23(1), Messrs. Rocan, Aglugub and Maguire, Ms. Asper and Mr. Helwer made Members' Statements.

Hon. Ms. Friesen moved:

THAT Bill (No. 39) – The City of Winnipeg Charter Act/Loi sur la Charte de la ville de Winnipeg, be now read a Second Time and be referred to a Committee of this House.

And a debate arising,

And Hon. Ms. Friesen having spoken,

The debate was, on motion of Mrs. Dacquay, adjourned.

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. Penner (Emerson) moved:

Resolution No. 20: National Agriculture Summit Needed

WHEREAS in June 2001, federal, provincial and territorial agriculture ministers met in the Yukon to discuss the state of Canada’s agricultural sector; and

WHEREAS arising out of this meeting was a national action plan ostensibly aimed at ensuring that Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sector is well prepared for the future; and

WHEREAS the Member for Swan River was a signatory to this action plan, whose strategy for renewal in agriculture includes having farm families pursue options such as "enhancing the capacity to earn off-farm income" or "choosing non-farm income"; and

WHEREAS Manitoba farmers were hoping for something more substantive to arise from the Yukon meetings, instead of being offered an action plan whose idea of renewal is to have farmers work off the farm or to get out of the business all together; and

WHEREAS farmers need an immediate cash infusion, not more vague pledges to review safety nets; and

WHEREAS through the actions of the Federal Government and the Provincial Government, a negative message about the viability of the agriculture sector is being sent to existing farmers and those who might be considering getting into agriculture in the future; and

WHEREAS a comprehensive, national agricultural and rural development strategy would provide tremendous benefits not only to farmers and to rural communities, but also to the overall Canadian economy; and

WHEREAS a national summit is urgently needed to address both the challenges and the opportunities facing Canada’s agricultural sector and the rural economy; and

WHEREAS such a summit should include participation by all the stakeholders – including producers, industry, business and community leaders and politicians – in order to examine impediments to growth in the agricultural and rural economy and to find ways to overcome them.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba urge the Provincial Government to ask the Federal Government to consider organizing a national summit to examine ways of developing an approach aimed at producing and sustaining growth in the agricultural sector and the rural economy; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba direct the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly to send a copy of this resolution to the federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

And a debate arising,

And Mr. Penner (Emerson), Hon. Mr. Lemieux, Messrs. Struthers and Maguire having spoken,

And Mr. Nevakshonoff 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. Wednesday, June 26, 2002.

Hon. George Hickes,

Speaker.