Tuesday, September 24, 1996
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA
Tuesday, September 24, 1996
The House met at 1:30 p.m.
PRAYERS
ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS
PRESENTING PETITIONS
Manitoba Telephone System
Mr. Oscar Lathlin (The Pas): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Alvin Mather, Louise Sliziak and Janice Klemick praying that the Legislature of Manitoba requests that the Premier (Mr. Filmon) not sell the Manitoba Telephone System.
Rail Line Abandonment
Ms. Rosann Wowchuk (Swan River): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of William Hart, Reid Shiel, Steve Kushnerek and others requesting the Legislative Assembly to request the Minister of Transportation (Mr. Findlay) and federal Minister of Transport to ensure the communities currently using the Cowan Sub and the Erwood Sub are able to continue shipping their grain to market.
READING AND RECEIVING PETITIONS
Rail Line Abandonment
Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Swan River (Ms. Wowchuk). 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 (William Remnant): The petition of the undersigned citizens of the province of Manitoba, humbly sheweth that:
WHEREAS rail access is vital for the shipment of grain and other farm commodities in rural communities; and
WHEREAS the proclamation of the Canada Transportation Act on July 1, 1996, gives railways the ability to abandon lines throughout Canada with minimum notice; and
WHEREAS on July 2, 1996, Canadian National announced that it plans to abandon four rail lines in Manitoba including the lines from Dauphin to Minitonas and Swan River to Birch River; and
WHEREAS the abandonment of these lines would put the future of grain elevators at Birch River, Bowsman, Ethelbert and Fork River amongst others at great risk; and
WHEREAS the federal government sold CN without any conditions other than the headquarters of CN remain in Montreal; and
WHEREAS the loss of these rail lines will have a major negative effect upon the overall provincial economy; and
WHEREAS the provincial government has not made any plans to cover the costs of upgrading roads in the areas where rail lines are threatened with abandonment; and
WHEREAS the federal government has not committed any money from the Western Grain Transportation Adjustment Fund to upgrading roads in communities where rail lines are being abandoned.
WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba may be pleased to request the Minister of Transportation and the federal Minister of Transport to ensure that the communities currently using the Cowan Sub and the Erwood Sub are able to continue shipping their grain to markets.
Manitoba Telephone System
Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Radisson (Ms. Cerilli). 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: The Clerk will read.
Mr. Clerk: The petition of the undersigned citizens of the province of Manitoba humbly sheweth:
THAT the Manitoba Telephone System has served this province well for over 80 years providing province-wide service, some of the lowest local rates in North America and thousands of jobs; and
THAT MTS has made over $100 million since 1990 and this money has stayed in Manitoba; and
THAT MTS contributes $150 million annually to the Manitoba economy and is a major sponsor of community events throughout the province; and
THAT MTS, with nearly 4,000 employees including more than 1,000 in rural and northern Manitoba, is one of Manitoba’s largest firms, headquartered in Manitoba and is committed to Manitoba; and
THAT the provincial government has no mandate to sell MTS and said before and during the 1995 election that MTS was not for sale.
WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba request that the Premier (Mr. Filmon) not sell the Manitoba Telephone System.
* (1335)
Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Selkirk (Mr. Dewar). 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: The Clerk will read.
Mr. Clerk: The petition of the undersigned citizens of the province of Manitoba humbly sheweth:
THAT the Manitoba Telephone System has served this province well for over 80 years providing province-wide service, some of the lowest local rates in North America and thousands of jobs; and
THAT MTS has made over $100 million since 1990 and this money has stayed in Manitoba; and
THAT MTS contributes $150 million annually to the Manitoba economy and is a major sponsor of community events throughout the province; and
THAT MTS, with nearly 4,000 employees including more than 1,000 in rural and northern Manitoba, is one of Manitoba’s largest firms, headquartered in Manitoba and is committed to Manitoba; and
THAT the provincial government has no mandate to sell MTS and said before and during
the 1995 election that MTS was not for sale.
WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba request that the Premier not sell the Manitoba Telephone System.
* (1340)
Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Interlake (Mr. Clif Evans). 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: Read.
Madam Speaker: The Clerk will read.
Mr. Clerk: The petition of the undersigned citizens of the province of Manitoba humbly sheweth:
THAT the Manitoba Telephone System has served this province well for over 80 years providing province-wide service, some of the lowest local rates in North America and thousands of jobs; and
THAT MTS has made over $100 million since 1990 and this money has stayed in Manitoba; and
THAT MTS contributes $150 million annually to the Manitoba economy and is a major sponsor of community events throughout the province; and
THAT MTS, with nearly 4,000 employees including more than 1,000 in rural and northern Manitoba, is one of Manitoba’s largest firms, headquartered in Manitoba and is committed to Manitoba; and
THAT the provincial government has no mandate to sell MTS and said before and during the 1995 election that MTS was not for sale.
WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba request that the Premier not sell the Manitoba Telephone System.
Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Brandon East (Mr. Leonard Evans). 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: Dispense.
Madam Speaker: Dispense.
THAT the Manitoba Telephone System has served this province well for over 80 years providing province-wide service, some of the lowest local rates in North America and thousands of jobs; and
THAT MTS has made over $100 million since 1990 and this money has stayed in Manitoba; and
THAT MTS contributes $150 million annually to the Manitoba economy and is a major sponsor of community events throughout the province; and
THAT MTS, with nearly 4,000 employees including more than 1,000 in rural and northern Manitoba, is one of Manitoba’s largest firms, headquartered in Manitoba and is committed to Manitoba; and
THAT the provincial government has no mandate to sell MTS and said before and during the 1995 election that MTS was not for sale.
WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba request that the Premier not sell the Manitoba Telephone System.
Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Wolseley (Ms. Friesen). 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: Dispense.
Madam Speaker: Dispense.
THAT the Manitoba Telephone System has served this province well for over 80 years providing province-wide service, some of the lowest local rates in North America and thousands of jobs; and
THAT MTS has made over $100 million since 1990 and this money has stayed in Manitoba; and
THAT MTS contributes $150 million annually to the Manitoba economy and is a major sponsor of community events throughout the province; and
THAT MTS, with nearly 4,000 employees including more than 1,000 in rural and northern Manitoba, is one of Manitoba’s largest firms, headquartered in Manitoba and is committed to Manitoba; and
THAT the provincial government has no mandate to sell MTS and said before and during the 1995 election that MTS was not for sale.
WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba request that the Premier not sell the Manitoba Telephone System.
Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Point Douglas (Mr. Hickes), and 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: Dispense.
Madam Speaker: Dispense.
THAT the Manitoba Telephone System has served this province well for over 80 years providing province-wide service, some of the lowest local rates in North America and thousands of jobs; and
THAT MTS has made over $100 million since 1990 and this money has stayed in Manitoba; and
THAT MTS contributes $150 million annually to the Manitoba economy and is a major sponsor of community events throughout the province; and
THAT MTS, with nearly 4,000 employees including more than 1,000 in rural and northern Manitoba, is one of Manitoba’s largest firms, headquartered in Manitoba and is committed to Manitoba; and
THAT the provincial government has no mandate to sell MTS and said before and during the 1995 election that MTS was not for sale.
WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba request that the Premier not sell the Manitoba Telephone System.
Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Burrows (Mr. Martindale). 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: Dispense.
Madam Speaker: Dispense.
THAT the Manitoba Telephone System has served this province well for over 80 years providing province-wide service, some of the lowest local rates in North America and thousands of jobs; and
THAT MTS has made over $100 million since 1990 and this money has stayed in Manitoba; and
THAT MTS contributes $150 million annually to the Manitoba economy and is a major sponsor of community events throughout the province; and
THAT MTS, with nearly 4,000 employees including more than 1,000 in rural and northern Manitoba, is one of Manitoba’s largest firms, headquartered in Manitoba and is committed to Manitoba; and
THAT the provincial government has no mandate to sell MTS and said before and during the 1995 election that MTS was not for sale.
WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba request that the Premier not sell the Manitoba Telephone System.
Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for St. Johns (Mr. Mackintosh). 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: Dispense.
Madam Speaker: Dispense.
THAT the Manitoba Telephone System has served this province well for over 80 years providing province-wide service, some of the lowest local rates in North America and thousands of jobs; and
THAT MTS has made over $100 million since 1990 and this money has stayed in Manitoba; and
THAT MTS contributes $150 million annually to the Manitoba economy and is a major sponsor of community events throughout the province; and
THAT MTS, with nearly 4,000 employees including more than 1,000 in rural and northern Manitoba, is one of Manitoba’s largest firms, headquartered in Manitoba and is committed to Manitoba; and
THAT the provincial government has no mandate to sell MTS and said before and during the 1995 election that MTS was not for sale.
WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba request that the Premier not sell the Manitoba Telephone System.
Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Osborne (Ms. McGifford), and 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: Dispense.
Madam Speaker: Dispense.
THAT the Manitoba Telephone System has served this province well for over 80 years providing province-wide service, some of the lowest local rates in North America and thousands of jobs; and
THAT MTS has made over $100 million since 1990 and this money has stayed in Manitoba; and
THAT MTS contributes $150 million annually to the Manitoba economy and is a major sponsor of community events throughout the province; and
THAT MTS, with nearly 4,000 employees including more than 1,000 in rural and northern Manitoba, is one of Manitoba’s largest firms, headquartered in Manitoba and is committed to Manitoba; and
THAT the provincial government has no mandate to sell MTS and said before and during the 1995 election that MTS was not for sale.
WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba request that the Premier not sell the Manitoba Telephone System.
Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Elmwood (Mr. Maloway), and 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: Dispense.
Madam Speaker: Dispense.
THAT the Manitoba Telephone System has served this province well for over 80 years providing province-wide service, some of the lowest local rates in North America and thousands of jobs; and
THAT MTS has made over $100 million since 1990 and this money has stayed in Manitoba; and
THAT MTS contributes $150 million annually to the Manitoba economy and is a major sponsor of community events throughout the province; and
THAT MTS, with nearly 4,000 employees including more than 1,000 in rural and northern Manitoba, is one of Manitoba’s largest firms, headquartered in Manitoba and is committed to Manitoba; and
THAT the provincial government has no mandate to sell MTS and said before and during the 1995 election that MTS was not for sale.
WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba request that the Premier not sell the Manitoba Telephone System.
Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for St. James (Ms. Mihychuk). 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: Dispense.
Madam Speaker: Dispense.
THAT the Manitoba Telephone System has served this province well for over 80 years providing province-wide service, some of the lowest local rates in North America and thousands of jobs; and
THAT MTS has made over $100 million since 1990 and this money has stayed in Manitoba; and
THAT MTS contributes $150 million annually to the Manitoba economy and is a major sponsor of community events throughout the province; and
THAT MTS, with nearly 4,000 employees including more than 1,000 in rural and northern Manitoba, is one of Manitoba’s largest firms, headquartered in Manitoba and is committed to Manitoba; and
THAT the provincial government has no mandate to sell MTS and said before and during the 1995 election that MTS was not for sale.
WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba request that the Premier not sell the Manitoba Telephone System.
Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Rupertsland (Mr. Robinson), and 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: Dispense.
Madam Speaker: Dispense.
THAT the Manitoba Telephone System has served this province well for over 80 years providing province-wide service, some of the lowest local rates in North America and thousands of jobs; and
THAT MTS has made over $100 million since 1990 and this money has stayed in Manitoba; and
THAT MTS contributes $150 million annually to the Manitoba economy and is a major sponsor of community events throughout the province; and
THAT MTS, with nearly 4,000 employees including more than 1,000 in rural and northern Manitoba, is one of Manitoba’s largest firms, headquartered in Manitoba and is committed to Manitoba; and
THAT the provincial government has no mandate to sell MTS and said before and during the 1995 election that MTS was not for sale.
WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba request that the Premier not sell the Manitoba Telephone System.
Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Dauphin (Mr. Struthers), and 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: Dispense.
Madam Speaker: Dispense.
THAT the Manitoba Telephone System has served this province well for over 80 years providing province-wide service, some of the lowest local rates in North America and thousands of jobs; and
THAT MTS has made over $100 million since 1990 and this money has stayed in Manitoba; and
THAT MTS contributes $150 million annually to the Manitoba economy and is a major sponsor of community events throughout the province; and
THAT MTS, with nearly 4,000 employees including more than 1,000 in rural and northern Manitoba, is one of Manitoba’s largest firms, headquartered in Manitoba and is committed to Manitoba; and
THAT the provincial government has no mandate to sell MTS and said before and during the 1995 election that MTS was not for sale.
WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba request that the Premier not sell the Manitoba Telephone System.
PRESENTING REPORTS BY
STANDING AND SPECIAL COMMITTEES
Standing Committee on Economic Development
First Report
Mr. Mike Radcliffe (Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Economic Development): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the First Report of the Committee on Economic Development.
An Honourable Member: Dispense.
Madam Speaker: Dispense.
Your Standing Committee on Economic Development presents the following as its First Report.
Your committee met on Friday, September 20, 1996, at 10 a.m. in Room 255 of the Legislative Building to consider the financial statements for Manitoba Mineral Resources Ltd. for the year ending December 31, 1994.
Mr. Jim Clarke provided such information as was requested with respect to the financial statements of Manitoba Mineral Resources Ltd. for the year ending December 31, 1994.
Your committee has considered the financial statements for Manitoba Mineral Resources Ltd. for the year ending December 31, 1994, and has adopted the same as presented.
Mr. Radcliffe: I move, seconded by the honourable member for LaVerendrye (Ben Sveinson) that the report of the committee be received.
Motion agreed to.
MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS AND
TABLING OF REPORTS
Hon. Rosemary Vodrey (Minister of Justice and Attorney General): Madam Speaker, I am pleased to table the Annual Report, 1995-96, of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board.
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 this afternoon 30 visitors from Lions Place Adult Day Club under the direction of Mrs. Danielle Jantzie. This group is located in the constituency of the honourable member for Wolseley (Ms. Friesen).
On behalf of all honourable members, I welcome you this afternoon.
* (1345)