PRESENTING PETITIONS
Home Care Services
Mr. Doug Martindale (Burrows): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Modesto B. Aguirre, Vivencia Aguirre, Bernice Gorre and others requesting the Premier (Mr. Filmon) and the Minister of Health (Mr. McCrae) to consider reversing their plan to privatize home care services.
Ms. MaryAnn Mihychuk (St. James): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of L. Podheiser, P. Becker, M. Cardwell and others requesting the Premier and the Minister of Health to consider reversing their plan to privatize home care services.
Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Inkster): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Rob Sandhu, Greg Manson, Peter Ahi and others requesting the Premier and the Minister of Health to consider reversing their plan to privatize home care services.
Seasonal Camping Fees
Mr. Steve Ashton (Thompson): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Angie Toner, Cara Kuzma, Linda Guerra and others urging the provincial government not to increase seasonal camping fees by such a large amount.
Home Care Services
Ms. Jean Friesen (Wolseley): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Brenda Taylor, Sherry Kippen, and Carol Buquing requesting the Premier (Mr. Filmon) and the Minister of Health (Mr. McCrae) to consider reversing their plan to privatize home care services.
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READING AND RECEIVING PETITIONS
Home Care Services
Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Burrows (Mr. Martindale). It complies with the rules and the practices of the House (by leave). Is it the will of the House to have the petition read?
An Honourable Member: Yes.
Madam Speaker: The Clerk will read.
Mr. Clerk (William Remnant): The petition of the undersigned citizens of the province of Manitoba humbly sheweth:
THAT on at least six occasions during the 1995 provincial election, the Premier promised not to cut health services; and
THAT on December 16, 1995, a plan to privatize home care services was presented to Treasury Board; and
THAT this plan calls for the complete divestiture of all service delivery to nongovernment organizations, mainly private for-profit companies as well as the implementation of a user-pay system of home care; and
THAT previous cuts to the Home Care program have resulted in services being cut and people’s health being compromised; and
THAT thousands of caring front-line service providers will lose their jobs as a result of this change; and
THAT profit has no place in the provision of vital health services.
WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba may be pleased to request the Premier (Mr. Filmon) and the Minister of Health (Mr. McCrae) to consider reversing their plan to privatize home care services.
Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Inkster (Mr. Lamoureux). It complies with the rules and practices of the House. Is it the will of the House to have the petition read?
Some Honourable Members: Yes.
Madam Speaker: Yes. The Clerk will read.
Mr. Clerk: The petition of the undersigned citizens of the province of Manitoba humbly sheweth:
THAT on at least six occasions during the 1995 provincial election, the Premier promised not to cut health services; and
THAT on December 16, 1995, a plan to privatize home care services was presented to Treasury Board; and
THAT this plan calls for the complete divestiture of all service delivery to nongovernment organizations, mainly private for-profit companies as well as the implementation of a user-pay system of home care; and
THAT previous cuts to the Home Care program have resulted in services being cut and people’s health being compromised; and
THAT thousands of caring front-line service providers will lose their jobs as a result of this change; and
THAT profit has no place in the provision of vital health services.
WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba may be pleased to request the Premier (Mr. Filmon) and the Minister of Health (Mr. McCrae) to consider reversing their plan to privatize home care services.
Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Osborne (Ms. McGifford). It complies with the rules and practices of the House. Is it the will of the House to have the petition read?
Some Honourable Members: Yes.
Madam Speaker: Yes. The Clerk will read.
Mr. Clerk: The petition of the undersigned citizens of the province of Manitoba humbly sheweth:
THAT on at least six occasions during the 1995 provincial election, the Premier promised not to cut health services; and
THAT on December 16, 1995, a plan to privatize home care services was presented to Treasury Board; and
THAT this plan calls for the complete divestiture of all service delivery to nongovernment organizations, mainly private for-profit companies as well as the implementation of a user-pay system of home care; and
THAT previous cuts to the Home Care program have resulted in services being cut and people’s health being compromised; and
THAT thousands of caring front-line service providers will lose their jobs as a result of this change; and
THAT profit has no place in the provision of vital health services.
WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba may be pleased to request the Premier (Mr. Filmon) and the Minister of Health (Mr. McCrae) to consider reversing their plan to privatize home care services.
Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Wellington (Ms. Barrett). It complies with the rules and practices of the House. Is it the will of the House to have the petition read?
An Honourable Member: Yes.
Madam Speaker: Yes. The Clerk will read.
Mr. Clerk: The petition of the undersigned citizens of the province of Manitoba humbly sheweth:
THAT on at least six occasions during the 1995 provincial election, the Premier promised not to cut health services; and
THAT on December 16, 1995, a plan to privatize home care services was presented to Treasury Board; and
THAT this plan calls for the complete divestiture of all service delivery to nongovernment organizations, mainly private for-profit companies as well as the implementation of a user-pay system of home care; and
THAT previous cuts to the Home Care program have resulted in services being cut and people’s health being compromised; and
THAT thousands of caring front-line service providers will lose their jobs as a result of this change; and
THAT profit has no place in the provision of vital health services.
WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba may be pleased to request the Premier (Mr. Filmon) and the Minister of Health (Mr. McCrae) to consider reversing their plan to privatize home care services.
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PRESENTING REPORTS BY
STANDING AND SPECIAL COMMITTEES
Committee of Supply
Mr. Marcel Laurendeau (Chairperson of Committees): Madam Speaker, the Committee of Supply has adopted a certain resolution, directs me to report the same and asks leave to sit again.
I move, seconded by the honourable member for Riel (Mr. Newman), that the report of the committee be received.
Motion agreed to.
Standing Committee on Public Accounts
First Report
Mr. Conrad Santos (Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the First Report of the Committee on Public Accounts.
An Honourable Member: Dispense.
Madam Speaker: Dispense.
Your Standing Committee on Public Accounts presents the following as its First Report.
Your committee met on Friday, April 19, 1996, at 10 a.m. in Room 254 of the Legislative Building to consider the Public Accounts, Volumes 1, 2 and 3 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1994; the Public Accounts, Volumes 1, 2 and 3 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1995; the Provincial Auditor’s Report for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1994; and the Provincial Auditor’s Report for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1995, Volumes 1, 2 and 3.
Your committee received all information desired by any member at the meeting from the Minister of Finance and from Mr. Warren Johnson, Acting Provincial Auditor. Information was provided with respect to the receipts, expenditures and other matters pertaining to the business of the province.
Your committee finds that the receipts and expenditures of the monies have been carefully set forth and all monies properly accounted for.
Your committee has considered the Public Accounts, Volumes 1, 2 and 3 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1994, and the Provincial Auditor’s Report for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1994, and has adopted the same as presented.
Mr. Santos: Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable member for Point Douglas (Mr. Hickes), that the report of the committee be received.
Motion agreed to.
MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS
Flooding and Disaster Assistance
Hon. Brian Pallister (Minister of Government Services): Madam Speaker, I have a statement for the House.
As we know, flooding is taking place over wide areas of southern Manitoba. Earlier today, the First Minister (Mr. Filmon), the Minister of Natural Resources (Mr. Driedger) and I flew by helicopter over flood-stricken areas between St. Jean Baptiste and Selkirk. We landed in Selkirk and Morris. In both towns, we met with officials from area municipalities and were briefed on the situations in their communities. On Friday, I also visited and toured flood-threatened sites in central Manitoba.
Madam Speaker, it is a very humbling experience to see the power of nature as evidenced by the immense flow of water through our province. At the same time, it is heartwarming to see how Manitobans are pitching in to help their neighbours and communities to prevent flooding of homes and to rescue precious possessions.
My colleagues and I have been particularly impressed by the dedicated efforts of volunteers in the municipalities in flood-threatened areas. From school children to retired people, we have seen and heard about the sandbagging and other vital work they have done to prepare for high water and defend their homes and their communities. On behalf of the government, I would like to commend and thank them for taking time off work and their leisure activities to help their communities and their neighbours.
I would also like to thank the municipalities for their swift, efficient mobilization of resources to prepare for flooding. Thanks to their efforts, communities are in a position to respond to forecasted flooding and take additional steps as are necessary. Madam Speaker, the government believes the flooding situation facing us in Manitoba is of sufficient gravity and potential effect to warrant federal assistance under disaster provisions and agreements.
I would like to inform the House, Madam Speaker, that on behalf of Manitoba I have written to the Minister responsible for Emergency Preparedness, the Honourable David Collenette, to request federal recognition that our situation warrants disaster funding to assist our provincial flood control efforts. We are hoping for and anticipating a positive federal response. In the meantime, we will continue to mount a co-ordinated response to the flood threat backed by the efforts of the Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization, Manitoba Natural Resources and other government departments, affected municipalities and volunteers.
Mr. Gregory Dewar (Selkirk): Madam Speaker, on behalf of my colleagues, I would just like to respond to the minister’s statement.
Madam Speaker, this past weekend, in the town of Selkirk, in the R.M. of St. Clements, in the R.M. of St. Andrews, there was a very, very serious situation with the high water level, the flooding and much damage to property. Fortunately, there was no loss of life.
Madam Speaker, I received many calls over the weekend at my home and the area residents were concerned about a number of issues, or two in particular. One was they were encouraging me to encourage the government to blast the ice upstream from Selkirk, but I do agree with the government that this would have been both futile and dangerous. The other issue that was raised was the opening of the floodway in the Lockport area, where the floodway joins the Red in Lockport, and there was concern that this may have compounded the damage to our area. However, after talking with government officials and the Premier (Mr. Filmon) this morning, and the Minister of Government Services (Mr. Pallister) and the Minister of Natural Resources (Mr. Driedger), I am convinced that their response was a correct one.
Madam Speaker, I would just like to encourage the government to keep the public informed on this issue, as well to work with the federal government in a very aggressive manner to resolve the outstanding disputes over the cost-sharing with the R.M.s. I know that was an issue that was raised this morning at their meeting, and I am pleased that the minister has written a letter. I encourage the minister to meet with the federal minister as soon as possible to get this issue solved.
Madam Speaker, finally, on behalf of all members here, I just hope and wish that the worst is behind us in this area. Thank you very much.
TABLING OF REPORTS
Hon. Vic Toews (Minister of Labour): Madam Speaker, I have the pleasure to table the 1995 Annual Report of the Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba and Appeal Commission, as well as the 1996-97 Manitoba Labour Estimates.
INTRODUCTION OF BILLS
Bill 3--The Surface Rights Amendment Act
Hon. Leonard Derkach (Minister of Rural Development): Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Highways andTransportation (Mr. Findlay), that leave be given to introduce Bill 3, The Surface Rights Amendment Act (Loi modifiant la Loi sur les droits de surface), and that the same be now received and read a first time.
Motion agreed to.
Bill 5--The Horticultural Society Repeal Act
Hon. Glen Findlay (Minister of Highways and Transportation): Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Rural Development (Mr. Derkach), on behalf of the honourable Minister of Agriculture (Mr. Enns), that leave be given to introduce Bill 5, The Horticultural Society Repeal Act (Loi abrogeant la Loi sur les associations horticoles), and that the same be now received and read a first time.
Motion agreed to.
Bill 6--The Veterinary Science Scholarship Fund Amendment Act
Hon. Glen Findlay (Minister of Highways and Transportation): On behalf of the honourable Minister of Agriculture (Mr. Enns), I move, seconded by the Minister of Education (Mrs. McIntosh), that leave be given to introduce Bill 6, The Veterinary Science Scholarship Fund Amendment Act (Loi modifiant la Loi sur le Fonds des bourses d’études vétérinaires), and that the same be now received and read a first time.
Motion agreed to.
Bill 7--The Medical Amendment Act
Hon. James McCrae (Minister of Health): Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism (Mr. Downey), that leave be given to introduce Bill 7, The Medical Amendment Act (Loi modifiant la Loi médicale), and that the same be now received and read a first time.
Motion agreed to.
Bill 8--The Chiropodists Amendment Act
Hon. James McCrae (Minister of Health): Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Minister of Family Services (Mrs. Mitchelson), that leave be given to introduce Bill 8, The Chiropodists Amendment Act (Loi modifiant la Loi sur les chiropodistes), and that the same be now received and read a first time.
Motion agreed to.
Bill 4--The Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation Amendment Act
Hon. Glen Cummings (Minister charged with the administration of The Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation Act): I move, seconded by the Minister of Finance (Mr. Stefanson), that leave be given to introduce Bill 4, The Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation Amendment Act (Loi modifiant la Loi sur la Société d’assurance publique du Manitoba), and that the same be now received and read a first time.
Motion agreed to.
Introduction of Guests
Madam Speaker: Prior to Oral Questions, I would like to draw the attention of all honourable members to the public gallery, where we have with us this afternoon twenty-two Grade 9 students from Linden Christian School under the direction of Mr. Rempel. This school is located in the constituency of the honourable First Minister (Mr. Filmon).
On behalf of all honourable members, I welcome you this afternoon.