Madam Speaker: On the proposed motion of the honourable member for Inkster (Mr. Lamoureux), Bill 200 (The Health Services Insurance Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Loi sur l'assurance-maladie), standing in the name of the honourable deputy House leader (Mr. Praznik). Is there leave to permit the bill to remain standing? [agreed]
Madam Speaker: On the proposed motion of the honourable member for Rupertsland (Mr. Robinson), Bill 201, The Aboriginal Solidarity Day Act (Loi sur le jour de solidarité à l'égard des autochtones), standing in the name of the honourable member for St. Norbert (Mr. Laurendeau). Is there leave to permit? [agreed]
Madam Speaker: On the proposed motion of the honourable member for Thompson (Mr. Ashton), Bill 203, The Public Assets Protection Act (Loi sur la protection des biens publics), standing in the name of the honourable member for St. Norbert (Mr. Laurendeau). Leave? [agreed]
Madam Speaker: On the proposed motion of the honourable member for Wolseley (Ms. Friesen), Bill 205, The Dutch Elm Disease Amendment Act (Loi modifiant la Loi sur la thyllose parasitaire de l'orme), standing in the name of the honourable member for St. Norbert (Mr. Laurendeau) who has 11 minutes remaining. Stand? [agreed]
Madam Speaker: Bill 202, The Home Care Protection and Consequential Amendments Act.
Mr. Ben Sveinson (La Verendrye): Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable member for Gimli (Mr. Helwer),
WHEREAS Manitoba's tourism industry employs more than 50,000 people and contributes in excess of $1 billion to the provincial economy; and
WHEREAS growth in the tourism industry in the past two years has increased; and
WHEREAS Manitobans are increasingly opting to remain in Manitoba for their vacations and more Americans are choosing Manitoba as their vacation destination; and
WHEREAS the provincial government has expressed its willingness to work co-operatively with the tourism industry; and
WHEREAS the provincial government has demonstrated its commitment to foster and increase tourism in Manitoba both through the publication of a new trade journal, The Tourism Journal of Manitoba, and through the formation of The Manitoba Tourism Marketing Council; and
WHEREAS the Manitoba Vacationmart, to be held in Winnipeg in 1996, is designed to introduce Manitobans and those outside the province to vacation possibilities in Manitoba; and
WHEREAS the Manitoba Tourism Education Council will train Manitoba's hospitality industry employees for the Canada Games in Brandon in 1997 and the Pan Am Games in Winnipeg in 1999.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT this Assembly recognize the importance and significance of the tourism industry to Manitoba's economy; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all members of the Legislative Assembly support and encourage further tourism development in Manitoba.
Motion presented.
Mr. Sveinson: The resolution today, of course, is on tourism, and I would definitely have given that up for the important debate that was going on on the amendment to the MTS bill. It is too bad that the members opposite did not take that opportunity.
Madam Speaker, the purpose of this resolution is twofold. Firstly, it is for the Assembly to recognize the importance and significance of the tourism industry to Manitoba's economy; and, secondly, it is to ensure that the tourism industry will continue to flourish and expand as a result of further legislation.
In June of 1993, Manitoba's framework for economic growth designated tourism as one of the six sectors of emerging opportunity along with six sectors of traditional strength. The industry advisory committee was created to establish a plan for economic development in tourism. A forum was held in November of 1994 where industrial organizations were invited to attend. A strategic direction for the sector was collectively established at this time. The results of this meeting were published in the Manitoba Tourism Strategy: A Framework for Development, released at the second tourism industry forum held in November of 1995. The over 200 tourism representatives who participated in last year's forum, entitled Exploring the Opportunities, developed many initiatives which clearly indicated that the people of Manitoba are interested in and committed to developing and promoting a vibrant and prosperous industry in rural Manitoba. The real test of the strategic framework success was the ability for industry and government to work together to develop strategic directions. The provincial government has helped to establish a healthy relationship with industry and has ensured the continued success of the tourism ministry in Manitoba.
Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh.
Madam Speaker: Order, please. I am experiencing difficulty hearing the honourable member for LaVerendrye.
Mr. Sveinson: Madam Speaker, tourism is a broad-based industry comprised of all products and services consumed by business and pleasure travellers. Various subsectors include accommodations, transportation, food and beverage, lodging and outfitters, travel and financial services, attractions and travel-oriented retail products. I am sure that all honourable members would agree that tourism is a critical and emerging sector in Manitoba. Its receipts are more than $1 billion annually and have a projected growth in receipts of 6 percent per annum to 1997. Manitoba's $1 billion represents approximately 3.5 percent; approximately, 23,000 full-time Manitobans are employed in the province's tourism industry. When seasonal part-time positions are considered, the number jumps to 50,000 jobs. This figure represents one in 10 Manitobans.
Manitobans contribute more than $625 million annually to tourism by travelling within their own province. Other Canadians contribute $280 million, and foreign visitors contribute $135 million. Performance indicators suggest that 1995 was a very good year for tourism in Manitoba. Increases in domestic travel contributed to industry growth as Manitobans and Canadians travelled closer to home. In 1994, Manitoba was a popular place for Americans and other foreign tourists. More specifically, U.S. tourist arrivals to Manitoba in 1994 increased by 7 percent.
* (1640)
Manitoba had one of the highest growth rates in tourism from American visitors in Canada for that year. Statistics indicate the same trend occurred in 1995. Direct entries at Customs increased by 2 percent to 574,000 arrivals. According to the Canadian Tourism Research Institute estimates for 1995, domestic pleasure trips and domestic business trips in Manitoba were estimated to have increased by 3.2 percent and 3.6 percent respectively.
By examining some of the key tourism subsectors, accommodation occupancy rates have increased in Winnipeg by 7 percent to 67 percent for 1995. This survey done by Price Waterhouse ranks Winnipeg 28th out of Canadian jurisdictions surveyed. The survey also indicated that occupancy rates in rural Manitoba and Saskatchewan also increased by 7.5 percent to 59 percent.
The Winnipeg International Airport also celebrated a successful year in 1994. Passenger traffic has increased 12.5 percent. Attendance at Riding Mountain National Park exceeded above average numbers for the 1994 season. Festivals and events held across the province were also very well attended.
The Manitoba government has created many opportunities for developing a vibrant and prosperous tourist industry in rural Manitoba. Rural Manitobans would like more initiatives in identifying, developing and promoting their surrounding tourist attractions. According to the preliminary report of the Working for Value Task Force released in April 1996, rural residents have suggested the creation of a department of tourism based on the need for a higher priority to be placed on this area. This strategy would encourage more co-operation and co-ordination amongst communities and regions towards tourist promotion. As well it would create a vigorous marketing component targeted at key potential tourists such as the United States and Asia, and it would identify and co-ordinate resources and activity at all levels in support of rural tourism.
Within the last year, Madam Speaker, we have made some important first steps towards supporting the development of the tourism industry of Manitoba. Most importantly, the Department of Industry, Trade and Tourism has funded the Tourism Industry of Manitoba Association's publication of a quarterly journal entitled the Tourism Journal. This publication provides a central vehicle for the distribution of information, and it emphasizes co-operation between industry and government.
In the areas of training and development, the Department of Industry, Trade and Tourism continues to support the Manitoba Tourism Education Council. It will ensure that Manitoba's hospitality industry employees are qualified for events such as the Pan Am Games in Winnipeg in 1999. The department is working on the Pan Am Games committee. It has appointed an executive director to develop the strategy for pre and post opportunities for trade and tourism from the Pan Am Games and to ensure there is a lasting legacy of the games in both tourism and trade.
The department has initiated a co-operative marketing effort with the tourism industry through the establishment of the Tourism Marketing Council. This body has recently been appointed, which will work on developing the next marketing plan for Manitoba. We have established new partnerships with a tourism alliance for western and northern Canada and the Canadian Tourism Commission. The Department of Industry, Trade and Tourism has also introduced a tourism signage program with support from Rural Development and Highways and Transportation. This program has been established to develop policy and opportunities for tourist attractions and border-crossing signage, and it responds to calls from the tourism industry and the travelling public.
The department will also play host to regional tourism forums that will be held in early 1997 throughout Manitoba to assist in the development of regional strategies. These strategies will be incorporated into the Manitoba strategic plan for tourism. Regional forum team members will include representatives from Rural Development, Agriculture, Natural Resources, Tourism, Culture, Heritage and Citizenship, and from the private sector.
The Department of Industry, Trade and Tourism is committed to providing funding to various programs such as the tourism industry in Manitoba's reintroduction of the Manitoba Vacation Mart Showcase held on April 27 and 28 of this year. This event showcases the province's hospitality industry and promotes Manitoba's top-quality vacation opportunities. The department also participated in the Open Skies marketing program with the Tourism Alliance for Western and Northern Canada in 1995-96 and will support this program again this year. The program is designed to promote Manitoba as a destination to tour operators in the U.S.
Lately, an interdepartmental assistant deputy ministers' committee has been established to improve regulations and legal framework for tourism. The intention of this committee is to take a global approach to addressing issues in the tourism industry and to ensure that policies and regulations are practical and are nonconfrontational with other jurisdictions. The committee will ensure that the tourism industry is strong in Manitoba.
Madam Speaker, I have a strong tourism industry in my constituency. I have seven golf courses, some of which have been putting together packages for tourists from other countries and, indeed, from other provinces, other countries such as the U.S., Japan and others. These packages consist of a stop, for example, in Winnipeg where they might attend the ballet or other attractions right in Winnipeg, then off on a fishing trip or hunting trip in northern or other parts of rural Manitoba. Next possibly would be a day at Quarry Oaks, one of the finer golf courses in Manitoba or Falcon Lake or Cottonwood or Oakwood, which are all very fine golf courses, and then maybe a couple of days in the Whiteshell at one of the very beautiful lodges or wilderness cabins which in fact, through our tourism initiatives, have increased or modified or done some renovations that make these places absolutely beautiful. My wife, Milly, and I have spent a little bit of time at these places, and they are really something to experience.
The Trans-Canada East tourism group has been very active. The name itself tells you where they are, and that is running the Trans-Canada east from Winnipeg. They have done a lot of work to their establishments and have really done well in the last couple of years as far as tourists and people spending a lot of time in their campgrounds and the different tourism businesses that they have. There is a strength, determination, a really good feeling in the tourism groups out there right now. I can only say to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism (Mr. Downey) congratulations for doing the work that you have in working co-operatively and with the groups out there. They really appreciate the work you have done. Thank you.
* (1650)
Mr. Stan Struthers (Dauphin): Madam Speaker, I want to rise today and tell a little bit about the tourism that is taking place in the Parkland, something that we are very much proud of in the Parkland area. I want to also point out that this is despite this government's backward, regressive, elitist, 18th Century approach to tourism in this province. I would like to say that there are a lot of very good things happening in the Parkland when it comes to attracting people up to our part of the world. I would like to also point out that the local folks around Dauphin and Swan River and Roblin and Russell and Ste. Rose and other areas in our Parkland Region have done a lot of good work to get people from around not only the province but from outside of the province and indeed from outside of North America.
People in Dauphin who have recently opened a bed and breakfast, the Edgar House Bed and Breakfast in Dauphin, have had people come from all over different parts of the world. Just as I looked through some of the people who have signed in at the Edgar House Bed and Breakfast, it shows that there are a lot of good things in Dauphin happening that are attracting people from around the globe.
I just want to make sure that a few things that we are doing in our part of the world get put on the record here. Of course the No. 1 thing that people hear about in Dauphin these days when it comes to tourism and having a fun time and people coming from all destinations is our Countryfest celebration that we have on the July long weekend. I would indeed encourage all members in the House to come and--
An Honourable Member: They are sold out.
Mr. Struthers: That is exactly right. The Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism (Mr. Downey) makes a very valid point. Countryfest's tickets went on sale here on November 4 and 72 hours later all the tickets were sold. People like Countryfest. They like the Dauphin area. They come up and they take part in an absolutely world-class event and they have fun in our town.
Of course, yes, even some Tories come and partake in the excitement. Yes, once they loosen up a little bit the Tories are fun too. The other event that happens in Dauphin for 31 years now, and I know that the member who actually put forward this motion, the member for La Verendrye (Mr. Sveinson), was actually at this event in Dauphin last year, and I want to recognize that and congratulate the member for La Verendrye for coming up and taking part in our National Ukrainian Festival, the Canadian National Ukrainian Festival, where we celebrate the Ukrainian heritage, the Ukrainian food, the culture, the traditions, the customs, the dance.
On the long weekend, on the north side of Riding Mountain, the Selo site, which my predecessor, Mr. John Plohman, did a lot of work in putting together and allowing for that site to be built nestled inside the north side of Riding Mountain, an absolutely perfect venue for events like Countryfest and the Canadian National Ukrainian Festival and of course Jesus Manifest, which takes place in the middle of July, a country gospel event well worth the trip to Dauphin to take part in.
For the first time, this summer we are going to host The Passion Play, an event that takes place in South Dakota. They went around looking for a venue in which to do their Passion Play in Canada, and it came down to Dauphin and the city of Hamilton. The folks from South Dakota who put on The Passion Play came up to Dauphin and checked out our venue, checked out the people in Dauphin and who they could get to organize, and they were so impressed that they chose us over Hamilton.
So that is a real feather in the cap for the organizers in Dauphin, a feather in the cap of the local people in Dauphin who did the work, went out and brought yet another exciting venue for the people of not just Dauphin and the region but, of course, other people in Manitoba, including the Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism (Mr. Downey), if he would like to come up and see what we have to offer in Dauphin.
Of course, Madam Speaker, those are some of the bigger events that we have in the Dauphin area that take place in the summer. We do not just rely on the big events, though, to attract tourism to our area. Dauphin is one of the, probably the--I might even get some flak from members on my own side of the House here, but I am going to be so bold as to suggest that there is no better place in the province than Dauphin to come and have a good time in the summer or in the winter.
Other members will have their chance to get up and make their cases once I am done, so I would invite them to do that, but here we are in Dauphin nestled between the Duck Mountains on the north and Riding Mountain on the south. The natural beauty of the area is something to behold, something that all Manitobans should come up and take a look at. What is this government doing to promote people to come up to, say, the Duck Mountains to view from the top of Baldy Mountain, the highest point in the province? I have been up on the tower on Baldy Mountain. I can see all over. I was there in the autumn when there were greens and oranges and reds and yellows. It was beautiful.
What is this government doing to promote that? It has come up with increases in park fees. It fines people $66 who do not have a park permit stuck on the rearview mirror of their car. Is that good for tourism? Is that helping us in Dauphin and throughout the Parkland to promote our provincial parks at Asessippi or at Duck Mountain or the little Manipogo Park north of Rorketon? This government should be ashamed of the way it is treating tourists in this province, and this government should start to think of ways that it could promote people using our parks rather than what they are doing in making our parks inaccessible, available only to those who can afford to go there.
Madam Speaker, in the Duck Mountains, which this government is so intent on scaring people away from, we have all kinds of work being done on the lakes, lakes such as Blue Lake, Perch Lake, Laurie Lake, Childs Lake. A good example is Perch Lake, where the Swan Valley Sport Fishing Enhancement group has restocked the lake with bass and with brown trout. Now, the Swan Valley Sport Fishing Enhancement fund, which I am a member of, proudly, which I support, which I would hope that the government would support, has to step in because the Natural Resources department is moving away from and cutting back on the amount of money it puts into restocking lakes. So I am really glad that the Swan Valley Sport Fishing Enhancement group is able to come to the Duck Mountains and work at Perch Lake to make that lake available for people to come and use and enjoy, because this government is not helping out a whole lot.
Let us go south. Let us give the provincial government a little bit of a rest here and let us move to see what is happening at the federal park in Riding Mountain, which is just south of Dauphin. Now, in our part of the world the Intermountain Sport Fishing group at Dauphin is also working to make up the difference where this government seems to be wanting to pull back. But let us look at Riding Mountain National Park. You have Clear Lake, one of the best known lakes in Manitoba, a deep, clear, cold lake, good for fishing, beautiful beach; Audy Lake, another good destination for people in Manitoba to come to.
What is the federal government doing to promote these lakes? Again, they are kind of following along with the Conservative government here in Manitoba, increasing the fees that people need to pay to go and golf at the Clear Lake Golf Course, to get into the park to golf there or to take part in any of the lake's activities that are going on, and they are cutting back on the number of people in the park. These are those federal Liberals following the lead of this Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism's (Mr. Downey) colleague in Natural Resources by cutting back on the number of people employed within the park who can be there to help monitor such things as poaching, the number of people at the front gates who do have a role to play in keeping some kind of control on what happens in the park.
So in those two examples, one federal and one provincial, one federal park at Riding Mountain and one provincial park at Duck Mountain, we can see that each of the governments is not doing a whole lot to help encourage tourism in that part of the world. But despite that, Madam Speaker, we in the Dauphin area and throughout the Parkland continue along, and we try our best to make sure that the Dauphin area is well known. There are a lot of activities in the Dauphin area to attract people up to take part in all the activities that we have going.
In the wintertime, there is just as much fun and excitement to be had in the Dauphin area. If people are interested in snowshoeing, you could come to the Duck Mountains or the Riding Mountains, and there are oodles of trails there that you can use--all again, no thanks to the provincial government, but all again developed by local groups who are interested in providing this kind of a service to people, groups such as the Fort Dauphin Museum and a man I mentioned here a while ago by the name of Joe Robertson, who heads a group of snowshoers every Sunday up into the Riding Mountains, cross-country skiing, trails being built by local folks, by people who are interested in having tourists actually come up to Riding Mountain and up to Duck Mountain.
* (1700)
Madam Speaker, there is a thriving, strong group in the Dauphin area who are also concerned with snowmobiling. Snowmobiling is a very quickly fast-growing sport in our area, and there are good examples of trails that have been developed throughout the Parkland area. In on this whole thing, the people of Dauphin have had the foresight to support the construction of our Parkland Recreation Complex, which I know will draw people from around the province up--
An Honourable Member: Where did you get the money to help support that?
Mr. Struthers: Well, let us talk about where the money came from to support the Parkland Recreation Complex. This government put in enough money to get a headline in the Dauphin Herald, hoping beyond all hope that we would not have the courage to go ahead and raise the bulk of that money locally. That is exactly what this government did. Despite the government's lack of commitment on this, the people of Dauphin have gone ahead and we have almost reached our target to raise the amount of money that is necessary to build this Parkland Recreation Complex. No amount of obstruction by this government is going to stop us in Dauphin from developing a tourism package that is going to be the absolute envy of all.
Madam Speaker, again, I want to look at the potential, because we know in Dauphin that locally we are doing a good job of promoting our area; we will continue to do that because we know a couple of things. First of all, I read an article not too long ago that said the two fastest growing sports in the world were: One, gardening, and I can assure you that Dauphin is no slouch when it comes to gardens; and No. 2, the article said, sport. I am just quoting from the article.
Now, the other sport that the magazine talked about was bird watching. Now if you want to go and you want to watch birds, there is no better place than in the Parklands and the Waterhen area. Members opposite someday should take a trip up to Waterhen, binoculars in hand, and go out there and start counting. Start counting those birds, I say, to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism (Mr. Downey). He can understand the importance of having tourism in a very wide-ranging, very holistic, very eco-centred way, that is the way of the future.
That is the way we in Dauphin in the Parkland intend to proceed and we will continue to offer the great tourist activities that we have in the past, and with our eye on the future, we hope to be able to attract even more people to our beautiful part of the province. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Hon. Linda McIntosh (Minister of Education and Training): I just wanted to say a few things about this particular resolution because I think since we are here anyhow and we are here and we know that we are supposed to be here to be debating the Manitoba Telephone System bill, all our other work having been completed we extended the session to deal with Bill 67, it is a great disappointment that everyday we make ourselves available to debate Bill 67 and everyday the opposition refuses to lay aside the work we have already completed in order to avoid their--
Madam Speaker: Order, please. The honourable member for Wellington, on a point of order.
Ms. Becky Barrett (Wellington): On a point of order, I do believe that the resolution that we are discussing today is a resolution on tourism. It was brought forward by a member of the government side, and I would ask you to call the Minister of Education to order so that we can debate and discuss the resolution at hand.
Madam Speaker: Order, please. On the point of order raised by the honourable member for Wellington, the honourable member for Wellington does indeed have a point of order. I would remind the honourable minister that debate should be relevant to the proposed resolution.
Mrs. McIntosh: Madam Speaker, I was indicating that I am glad we are speaking on tourism today since we have to be here anyhow. Even though all other business of the House is technically finished and has been since November 7, I am still pleased that if we are going to be here--not being given leave to continue the debate on Bill 67 for which we are here--then I say that tourism is a good topic to fill in the hours since they will not be filled with what we should be here to do.
Madam Speaker: Order, please. I believe the honourable Minister of Education was about to start talking about the resolution, and I have already ruled previously that the minister's comments should be relevant to the proposed resolution.
Mrs. McIntosh: Madam Speaker, I would be well into my remarks on tourism by now. I find it interesting to hear my words that I used to ask her to be relevant being now given back to me asking me to be relevant. I am not going to go on about that, because I do want to talk about tourism even though I would rather talk about Bill 67, which is why we are still here.
One of the factors you will find that is a very important part of tourism of course is the ability to have telecommunications access to get into resort areas and make reservations, et cetera. The whole business of telecommunications of course can be better served by having an industry that can respond quickly to the changing marketplace to make us more viable in a whole variety of areas including tourism.
It would be very nice--[interjection] Now the member, of course, who has been chastising me is now out of order herself by heckling from her seat. I do not think that I am off topic in stressing the importance of telecommunications to the tourism industry and the need to be able to provide quick and accurate service for people at rates that are competitive. We know that CRTC controls the rates, and we should be spending a lot of time talking about this. Unfortunately, although all of us are here on our side of the House cancelling appointments, breaking appointments to be here to debate MTS. Every day we say, please, could we have leave, and every day they who want to be here to debate it say, no, we will not give leave to debate it. So I am going to say in terms of tourism that telecommunications is a very vital important part of telecommunications--
Madam Speaker: Order, please. The honourable member for Wellington, on a point of order
Madam Speaker: Order, please. On the same point of order, the Minister of Education.
Mrs. McIntosh: The member saying my speech is not relevant is incorrect, because telecommunications is a very vital and important part of the tourism industry. We know that, if you have fishing lodge up north and you have telephone access there or fax machines, you have, Madam Speaker, a more viable entity. We know that. They will not even talk about it, so it is going to have to come into this resolution. [interjection] It is relevant.
* (1710)
We adjourned debate because we had asked leave of the House to have debate. They said no, they will not debate, so we adjourned because there is nothing else to do. So, when her point of record on the order says that we adjourned the House, let it also be shown we adjourned the House because they would not debate the important issue we are here to do. They are cowards to talk about it. Tourism, Madam Speaker--
Madam Speaker: Order, please. On the point of order raised by the honourable member for Wellington (Ms. Barrett), I have cautioned the honourable member. The point of order initially was moving in the right direction, but the latter comments by the honourable member for Wellington provoked debate and also were not relevant to the point of order.
I have cautioned the minister previously and would appreciate it if she would keep her comments specific to the resolution.
Mrs. McIntosh: Thank you, Madam Speaker. We know of all the wonderful things that Manitoba has done to encourage tourism. The growth in tourism, the impact on the economy in Manitoba of a viable tourism industry have been important. This government's record is exemplary in that regard.
One of the things that we have done of, course is, to ensure that long distance rates in telephones and so on are extremely good. Madam Speaker, we have done that in order to assist those in all walks of life, including tourism, to be able to compete and to survive and be viable. I think that we cannot ignore the importance of telecommunications and good competitive industry that will bring good results on the tourism industry in Manitoba. Telecommunications does impact onto all areas of life, and I think it is important that we discuss the impact of telecommunications.
On almost any resolution that comes forward before this House, telecommunications will have an impact. It is unfortunate that we cannot get on with making decisions on telecommunications so that the tourism industry, amongst others, can be made stronger and better by this government and by the people of Manitoba and by private industry which could do the job better than government. We know that CRTC, for example, will determine the rates and those rates which are public and private. So as far as tourism is concerned in Manitoba, those decisions will be made in terms of how effective we can be in communications for our fishing lodges and hunting lodges and hotels and--
Madam Speaker: Order, please. The honourable member for Wellington, on a point of order.
Ms. Barrett: Madam Speaker, throughout the debate in the House today, the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker have asked members on both sides of the House to remain relevant to the topic at hand, I being one of the ones who was called on several times. I would like you to ask once again for the Minister of Education to discuss tourism without bringing into the debate, the discussion, extraneous material. Ask her to be on topic, please.
Mrs. McIntosh: On the same point of order, Madam Speaker, I am absolutely shocked that the member for Wellington would think that telecommunications in the tourism industry is not applicable to the topic under discussion. Tourism in Manitoba without any ability to access the operators and to provide services for clients in hotels and fishing lodges and so on is absolutely pertinent, and I am horrified for her to think that it would not be to show us how little they know about the Manitoba Telephone System and what it does in Manitoba.
Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh.
Madam Speaker: Order, please. I recognize this is a very sensitive issue, but there have been continual points of order, identical points of order raised on several occasions during the last 11 minutes. I would ask for the co-operation of all honourable members in adhering to the rules of the House.
Mrs. McIntosh: Madam Speaker, in June of 1993, Manitoba's Framework for Economic Growth designated tourism as one of six sectors of emerging opportunity. They had a meeting in November 1994 where industrial organizations were invited to attend, and a strategic direction for that sector was collectively established at that time. The results of this meeting were published in the Manitoba Tourism Strategy: A Framework for Development, released at a second tourism industry forum held in November of 1995. In terms of exploring opportunities, which they did at last year's forum, many developed initiatives that clearly indicated the people of Manitoba are interested in and committed to a vibrant and prosperous tourist industry in rural Manitoba and that certain things will be required for a vibrant and prosperous tourist industry in rural Manitoba.
Of course, we know one of the things that is really required and it is totally relevant is a strong, viable, vibrant competitive communications industry, and that is relevant. That is absolutely relevant to this particular topic. It is unfortunate that I am here emphasizing, only able at repeated badgering from the opposition, to speak about one aspect of the telecommunications industry when we are supposed to be here to debate the whole thing, but that is beside the point.
That is beside the point, Madam Speaker, stay on topic. I am restricted only to talk about the types of things that are required in tourism, even though the only reason we are here and extending the session is because of Bill 67 which they will not debate, because I do not know why they will not. I do not know why they will not. They have run out of things to say, I guess. That is why they want to do this instead.
But they cannot run away from the fact that telecommunications will affect every aspect of life in Manitoba and that it had better be done responsibly and had better be done well and it had better be carefully, carefully, carefully--carefully--thought out instead of just knee-jerk ideological, hide-bound thinking because that is what we are seeing over there. They want to socialize everything. We know there are things government can do and should do, and things that government cannot do and should not do. We are trying to be pragmatic in these decision-makings instead of ideologically hidebound.
I am going to conclude my remarks there because clearly they are not the least bit interested in tourism over there. They are not listening; they are talking; they are heckling. They also do not want to talk about the Manitoba Telephone System. I do not know what they want to do expect spend $10,000 of taxpayers' money every day to sit in here and play silly games instead of getting down to the business in hand which is work.
Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh.
Madam Speaker: Order, please.
Mr. Gerard Jennissen (Flin Flon): Madam Speaker, I am pleased to note that the Minister of Education has blazed the trail for me in tourism, erratic though that trail might be. I presume in the next cabinet shuffle she will be the Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism which may give our teachers a sigh of relief.
I am pleased to rise today to speak on this resolution because the tourism industry is indeed extremely important to the economy of this province and it certainly is to the economy of northern Manitoba. So when we talk about a $1-billion tourist industry, it is not the only billion-dollar industry in northern Manitoba. Hydro is certainly one of those and so is mining, and I do not believe that forestry is far behind.
Now in the four northern constituencies of The Pas, Thompson, Rupertsland and Flin Flon, tourism is of great economic importance both for the citizens of northern Manitoba and indeed for all of Manitoba. The crystal clear lakes and the pristine wilderness of this region are well known. In fact, my home town of Cranberry Portage is situated just at the edge of the Canadian Shield in this very scenic region. Every year hundreds and hundreds of tourists and sightseers, hunters and anglers, mainly American but some European, some Manitobans and Canadians as well, visit the Flin Flon, Cranberry Portage, Snow Lake, Sherridon area. Many excellent lodges cater to the needs of these welcome visitors. We have a lot to offer, scenic splendour, great fishing, boating and hunting, excellent hiking and skiing trails, fine shopping and dining facilities. No wonder that tourists who visit our area once keep coming back.
Now as the member for La Verendrye has pointed out, it is important that the members of this Assembly recognize the importance and significance of tourism to the Manitoba economy, and the members should do all within their power to support and encourage further tourism development in Manitoba. Increasing fees to park users is viewed by many Manitobans, however, as a step in the wrong direction.
The member for La Verendrye makes mention of the Canada Games in Brandon in 1997 and the Pan Am Games in Winnipeg in 1999. Of course, all Manitobans rejoice at both those events because they give prominence to Manitoba and they are good for the Manitoba economy. Worthwhile though both the Pan Am Games and the Canada Games will be, they will not necessarily have a great spin-off for central and northern Manitoba. We in northern and central Manitoba hope that in all the PR, in all the glossy pamphlets extolling both the Canada and the Pan Am Games, there will be at least a mention of the tourist attraction of northern and central Manitoba. I am not suggesting that Brandon or Winnipeg lack drawing cards for visitors or tourists, but I am suggesting that there needs to be more vigorous marketing of the wonderful tourist potential further north than the cities and the wheatfields.
* (1720)
Northerners are aware that more vigorous marketing is needed and to that end are willing to develop and stimulate tourism. They are willing to build on existing strength. We applaud the efforts of the Northwest Manitoba Futures Development Corporation centred in Lynn Lake and similiar efforts by the Greenstone Futures in the Flin Flon region in promoting tourism. Equally commendable are the volunteer efforts of the Grass River Corridor Tourism Association Incorporation. This regional group was formed on October 25, 1994. The capable chairperson for this group is Mr. Jack Forsyth from Snow Lake, a distinguished northerner and the former mayor of Snow Lake. The Grass River Corridor Tourism Association, Inc., consists of the chairperson and a representative of 19 sectors in the region, representatives speaking on behalf of lodge owners, hotels, mining, forestry, chambers of commerce, trappers, NAC communities, wild rice growers, fishermen, and so on and so on. All representatives are volunteers and all communities in all sectors are represented. Each member has a vote, and 99 percent of all decisions are made via consensus.
The association held a forum in October 1995 and over 100 people attended. Northerners are interested in expanding the enormous tourist potential in the North. We need more well-paying jobs in northern Manitoba beyond the hydro jobs, the mining jobs and the forestry jobs. Tourism is the logical strength upon which northern Manitoba can diversify and expand its economy.
The members of the Grass River Corridor Tourism Association Inc. seek to diversify the economy of the region and to enhance the type of employment opportunities that are available to northern Manitobans by developing the area's potential as a tourism destination. That is their mission statement.
The region under discussion is a huge area that encompasses the Flin Flon, Sherridon, Cranberry Portage, The Pas area in the west towards Snow Lake, Wabowden and Thompson, further east to Thicket Portage, Bird, Gillam and York Factory.
The process used by the Grass River Corridor Tourism Association Inc. is sound and straightforward. It is a process that fits well with our northern tradition. We try to be objective, we try to reach consensus, we try to co-operate even if there are differing political views or opinions in the group. Madam Speaker, I sometimes wish that southerners and city dwellers could be as accommodating and as courteous and hospitable as our northern people are.
The Grass River Corridor Tourism Association Inc. started at a logical point, namely to take an inventory of all the positives that each community or smaller area had to offer. In other words, make a list of the unique strengths upon which tourist activity could be built. The second phase is to do market studies. We know there are demands out there, demands for ecotourism, demands for consumption tourism.
We have one of the most beautiful and scenic regions of the world. There are numerous people in Canada, the United States, Europe and Japan who have the dollars and the leisure time to come to northern Manitoba for a great experience. In fact, several months ago on a flight to Flin Flon I happened to meet Mike Harris's brother-in-law. We may not have agreed upon Mike Harris's common sense revolution or common sense nightmare, whatever, but we sure as heck agreed upon the great fishing, the great scenery and the great hospitality that northern Manitoba has to offer.
I am also proud of the fact, Madam Speaker, that six of my own relatives and acquaintances from Holland are coming to northern Manitoba this May as tourists, as hunters and as fishermen. We hope it will help to open the floodgates. We would like to triple the number of tourists visiting northern Manitoba. It can only be good for the northern Manitoba economy. We need the jobs out there.
The third part of the process embarked upon by the Grass River Corridor Tourism Inc., apart from making a regional inventory and apart from assessing global tourist demands and market studies, is to encourage entrepreneurs to meet the demands.
I will give you an example. Many tourists, especially overseas tourists and especially those from Europe and Japan, also seek to meet aboriginal peoples. They are interested in aboriginal values, lifestyles and spirituality. For these tourists it is not enough to enjoy the scenery, to photograph the wildlife or to catch a trophy fish, they want a deeper human experience, and this involves talking to aboriginal elders, meeting people with different lifestyles, different cultures.
Yes, these tourists want to meet southern Manitobans, but also northern Manitobans, especially aboriginal Manitobans. For example, a tourist can now visit or stay at a teepee village in Wabowden. In the evening such a tourist can talk to elders who are willing to discuss aboriginal ideas, values and spirituality.
Madam Speaker, we know that ecotourism is the growth industry of the future. We still wish to maintain consumption tourism, hunting and fishing, but all resources are finite, so ecotourism, experiencing the land but not touching the land is the direction of the future. Northern Manitobans are committed to sustainable development.
We talk about an increased north-south flow of trade and tourism. We talk about central North American trade corridors. We talk about Manitoba's central location and, yes, we are the Keystone Province. It is logical for trade and tourism to expand further north, to flow further north. We hope that the new owners, the potential owners anyway of the northern Manitoba CN lines, that is, OmniTRAX of Denver, will do a better job of marketing northern Manitoba, especially the tourism portion of it.
An Honourable Member: From Denver?
Mr. Jennissen: Yes, they are from Denver. We would have preferred to see a Canadian company, but we will work with whomever does own that line.
Yes, there is great tourist potential along the Sherridon line, the Cranberry Portage, Pukatawagan, Lynn Lake area. There is great tourism potential along the Bay Line. That is why all members of this House should commend such grassroots organizations as the Grass River Corridor Tourism Association Inc. Associations such as this explore the diversity and the potential of northern Manitoba. They seek places where the tourist potential can be expanded or created. Sometimes this takes strange and surprising directions, Madam Speaker. For example, in the last few years the remains of two former northwest fur trading posts were discovered, one on Lake Athapapuskow and one on Reed Lake. That will definitely hearten those amateur historians who revel in the fact that we have fur trading routes in this province. Certainly, I know that the former mayor Jack Forsyth and a friend of mine, Barry Phillips from Frontier Collegiate Institute, an amateur historian will be delighted to explore this further.
Yes, tourism can also involve amateur and professional archeologists. It can involve fossil hunters. We have some major fossil deposits along Athapap Lake on some of those lines, limestone ridges. So we need to identify the potentials, to assess the demands and to create the entrepreneurship that is willing and able in a creative manner to exploit those demands. Tourism creates jobs and we need the jobs. We need a strong tourism industry in Manitoba, especially in northern Manitoba. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr. Leonard Evans (Brandon East): Madam Speaker, I know I do not have very much time, but I would like to add a couple of words to this important topic of tourism in Manitoba. I think everyone would agree in this House that expanding tourism is good for the Manitoba economy and we as legislators, as government, will want to do everything in our power to stimulate the tourist industry to bring more dollars into the province.
Unfortunately, we have some very serious challenges in Manitoba. I suppose one of them is the weather. Unlike our cousins on the B.C. coast where it is a much more moderate temperature, we have a greater challenge in overcoming this. But I want to say that our community groups do overcome it and make use of that which exists with us. I am thinking specifically of how we challenge the winter weather through activity, particularly such as the Festival du Voyageur. The Festival du Voyageur is one of the major activities in Manitoba attracting tourists from the United States, indeed, from other parts of Canada. This is one way we can overcome the obstacle of very cold weather or what would look to be as a deterrent to many potential visitors.
Also, our community groups have met the challenge of attracting tourists here and keeping Manitobans in Manitoba to celebrate their holidays or to fulfill their holidays by activities such as Folklorama. Folklorama has become a world-class activity. It is a world-class tourist attraction, and it is one that has enriched our community. It has grown over the years and it has played a significant role.
Madam Speaker: Order, please. When this matter is again before the House, the honourable member for Brandon East will have 13 minutes remaining.
The hour being 5:30 p.m., this House is adjourned and stands adjourned until 1:30 p.m. tomorrow (Wednesday).