* (1005)

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

Bill 17--The Retail Businesses Holiday Closing Amendment Act

Hon. Harold Gilleshammer (Minister of Labour): Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Rural Development (Mr. Derkach), that leave be given to introduce Bill 17, The Retail Businesses Holiday Closing Amendment Act (Loi modifiant la Loi sur les jours fériés dans le commerce de détail), and that the same be now received and read a first time.

Motion agreed to.

Bill 202--The Child and Family Services Amendment Act

Mr. Neil Gaudry (St. Boniface): Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the member for Inkster (Mr. Lamoureux), that leave be given to introduce Bill 202, The Child and Family Services Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Loi sur les services à l'enfant et à la famille, and that the same be now received and read a first time.

Motion presented.

Mr. Gaudry: Madam Speaker, the intent of this bill is to allow grandparents to apply to court for access to a child in a custody battle. Under current legislation, grandparents must meet a criterion of exceptional circumstance before allowed access to their grandchildren. To date, most grandparents have little access in meeting this criterion. Children benefit knowing their parents, and this legislation will allow grandparents to continue their family ties after parents' separation or divorce.

I would urge all members of this Legislature to support this bill.

Motion agreed to.