Mr. Ben Sveinson (Vice-Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Public Utilities and Natural Resources): I beg to present the First Report of the Committee on Public Utilities and Natural Resources.

I move, seconded by the honourable member for St. Norbert (Mr. Laurendeau), that the report of the committee be received.

Mr. Clerk (William Remnant): Your Standing Committee on Public Utilities and Natural Resources present the following--

An Honourable Member: Dispense.

Madam Speaker: Dispense.

Your Standing Committee on Public Utilities and Natural Resources presents the following as its First Report.

Your committee met on Friday, October 25, 1996, at 10 a.m. in Room 254 and on Tuesday, March 18, 1997, at 10 a.m. in Room 255 of the Legislative Building to consider the Annual Reports of the Manitoba Hydro-Electric Board for the years ended March 31, 1995 and 1996.

Mr. John McCallum, chairman, and Mr. Bob Brennan, president and chief executive officer, provided such information as was requested with respect to the Annual Reports and business of the Manitoba Hydro-Electric Board.

Your committee has considered the Annual Report of the Manitoba Hydro-Electric Board for the year ended March 31, 1995, and has adopted the same as presented.

Motion agreed to.

Hon. James Downey (Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism): Madam Speaker, I am pleased to move, seconded by the Minister of Environment (Mr. McCrae) and member of the Legislature for Brandon West, that leave be given to introduce Bill 3, The North American Environmental and Labour Cooperation Agreements Implementation Act (Loi sur la mise en oeuvre des accords nord-américains de coopération dans les domaines de l'environnement et du travail), and that the same be now received and read a first time.

His Honour the Lieutenant Governor, having been advised of the contents of this bill, recommends it to the House. I am pleased to provide a copy of that message to the Legislature.

Motion agreed to.

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His Honour the Lieutenant Governor, having been advised of the contents of this bill, recommends it to the House. I would like to table the Lieutenant Governor's message, as well.

Motion agreed to.

Hon. Harold Gilleshammer (Minister of Labour): I move, seconded by the Minister of Rural Development (Mr. Derkach), that leave be given to introduce Bill 4, The Steam and Pressure Plants Amendment Act (Loi modifiant la Loi sur les appareils sous pression et à vapeur), and that the same be now received and read a first time.

Motion agreed to.

Hon. David Newman (Minister of Energy and Mines): Madam Speaker, I would like leave to introduce Bill 5, The Mineral Exploration Incentive Program Repeal Act (Loi abrogeant la Loi sur le programme d'encouragement à l'exploration minière), and also Bill 6, the Natural Gas Supply Repeal and Public Utilities Board Amendment Act (Loi abrogeant la Loi sur l'approvisionnement en gaz naturel et modifiant la Loi sur la Régie des services publics).

This is moved by myself, seconded by the Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs (Mr. Radcliffe), in both cases.

Madam Speaker: It has been moved by the honourable Minister of Energy and Mines , seconded by the honourable Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs, that leave be given to introduce Bill 5, The Mineral Exploration Incentive Program Repeal Act (Loi abrogeant la Loi sur le programme d'encouragement à l'exploration minière), and that the same be now received and read a first time.

Some Honourable Members: Agreed.

Madam Speaker: Agreed and so ordered.

Madam Speaker: I would ask that the honourable minister now read Bill 6. They must be done one at a time.

Hon. David Newman (Minister of Energy and Mines): I was pressing for more efficiency, Madam Speaker.

Moved by myself, seconded by the Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs (Mr. Radcliffe), that leave be given to introduce Bill 6, The Natural Gas Supply Repeal and Public Utilities Board Amendment Act (Loi abrogeant la Loi sur l'approvisionnement en gaz naturel et modifiant la Loi sur la Régie des services publics).

Motion agreed to.

Madam Speaker: Prior to Oral Questions, I would like to draw the attention of all honourable members firstly to the loge to the left where we have this afternoon Mr. Herold Driedger, the former member for Niakwa. On behalf of all honourable members, I welcome you this afternoon.

Also, seated in the public gallery, we have twenty Grade 5 students from the Princess Margaret School under the direction of Mrs. Susan Siwek. This school is located in the constituency of the honourable Minister of Justice (Mr. Toews).

Also seated in the public gallery we have seventy-five Grade 9 students from the General Wolfe School under the direction of Mr. Harold Driedger. This school is located in the constituency of the honourable member for Wellington (Ms. Barrett).

On behalf of all honourable members, I welcome you this afternoon.