Mr. Gary Doer (Leader of the Opposition): I would like to again thank the Premier for his commitment today on the $100,000. I forgot to mention there are some pamphlets out, dated April '97, on the $30,000 limit. I think we should make sure that those do not confuse the public. They were just recently published and released.

Yesterday I asked the Premier some questions dealing with the levels in other provinces, and it was unclear to us and it is unclear from the interviews today about who establishes the upper limit. It was our understanding when we asked the question to the Premier yesterday that the provincial government is able to establish the upper-limit ceiling. Today that was confirmed by Mr. Axworthy in an interview in the media.

Does the province have the right to set that upper limit, and how does the confirmation work with the federal government that the Premier indicated?

Hon. Gary Filmon (Premier): It is our understanding that we do have the latitude to set those levels, and that appears to be confirmed by Mr. Axworthy's comments on CBC this morning.

There are some issues to do with the eligibility decisions that have to be made. I do not want to get into the detail of this because I think that it is best for us to attempt to clarify all of this by some discussions with federal counterparts, but I am told, for instance, on a specific example, that there is an anomaly whereby a church which is considered to be a secular institution would not be covered and that it has been rejected in the past by virtue of some interpretation of their guidelines.

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There are a number of things as to the application with respect to businesses that would deem things ineligible. We would hope to work out all of those things, so we wanted to make the major announcement today about the $100,000 limit now replacing the $30,000 limit and work out all of the details to ensure that there is no contradiction in what we might be saying to people who ask us about eligibility.

Mr. Gary Doer (Leader of the Opposition): Yesterday I raised the issue of cleanup and repairs, which are discretionary on the part of the provincial government. Red River gumbo and muck that will be coming from the river presents a horrendous cleanup problem for any of those victims in Ste. Agathe, Rosenort, Aubigny and other farmhouses in our communities and other houses that may be affected.

The provincial government, it seems to us, has the right to decide the cleanup and repair. Again, that is a question we are getting from people that have already gone through this tragedy, will that be covered or not.

Will the Premier be providing the decision on cleanup of that Red River muck in the homes that have been flooded to date, and can we give a definitive answer to the people that are calling us and calling the Premier on this issue?

Hon. Gary Filmon (Premier): Subject again to the detail which I might not be aware of because of the federal government's guidelines and our own guidelines, I can say that the new pamphlet which the member referenced in his opening preamble has been outdated now because the $30,000 limit being changed refers specifically to restoration to a predisaster condition as being an eligible cost, and it refers specifically to cleanup and debris removal including allowances for persons undertaking their own cleanup.

So I believe it is covered, and unless there is any further clarification that can be provided by my colleague the Minister of Government Services (Mr. Pitura), that is my interpretation of it.

Mr. Doer: It is our interpretation that this government can make that decision on the "may be covered," and it would be covered upon that decision.

Mr. Gary Doer (Leader of the Opposition): A final question: The Premier mentioned in his statement that the existing policy is dated in terms of its application. I asked yesterday the GST question which has come through since the flood relief policy and the disaster relief policy were established. The GST is not articulated as an item to be covered. We also note that some people unfortunately have been laid off because of the flood and the disaster that it presents. Motor Coach Industries has lost some people for some four to six weeks and the UI provisions or the EI provisions, whatever they are called now, have been changed dramatically over time affecting the livelihood of people.

Will the Premier be looking at updating the April '97 guidelines to deal with the GST and unemployment insurance and be discussing that with the federal government in terms of its impact on families?

Hon. Gary Filmon (Premier): Since both of those would fall under the realm of responsibility of the federal government, I will undertake to put that on the agenda for my discussions with the federal government in the very near future.

Mr. Daryl Reid (Transcona): Madam Speaker, at this point in time some 25,000 Manitobans have been evacuated from their homes due to the flood waters. In addition to the risk or loss of property, many families are without income at this point in time. It is my understanding, in looking at the government's pamphlet, that loss of income is one of the ineligible costs.

I would like to ask the Premier whether or not he will be able to, in his discussions with the federal government, ask them to waive the two-week waiting period for those who have been laid off--and that is currently the waiting period under the unemployment insurance system--so that these families do not have to undergo further financial hardship as a result of layoffs due to the flood conditions of this province.

Hon. Gary Filmon (Premier): I will undertake to put that item on the agenda for discussion with the federal counterparts as well.

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Mr. Reid: I would like to also ask the First Minister, when he has his discussions with his cabinet, whether he will make a determination on whether or not--since the people who are eligible for unemployment insurance, having been laid off due to flood conditions--this government will undertake to top up the unemployment insurance payments to these families, so that they do not, in addition, suffer financial loss as a result of the flood conditions. Will you top up those funds in addition through the compensation package to these families, since they are not eligible for 100 percent of their lost income?

Mr. Filmon: Madam Speaker, one thing that strikes me is that people do carry income replacement insurance, and there is such a thing available. Under our disaster assistance program, we do not normally cover matters for which people could insure themselves. I will take a look at that issue and see whether or not there are things that we might consider, but the first thing that strikes me is that there is insurance available for loss of income.

Mr. Daryl Reid (Transcona): I would like to also ask the First Minister: Because there are many displaced families from southern Manitoba and families here within the boundaries of the city of Winnipeg who have been laid off, members of the workforce who have been laid off as a result of flood conditions, what financial assistance is the government providing to these families in particular who have been displaced? It is my understanding that in the Saguenay region those families received some $2,500 to assist them over the rough period of time. Can the minister advise what support the government is providing to these families through this difficult period of time?

Hon. Frank Pitura (Minister of Government Services): Madam Speaker, in response to the honourable member's question, when people are advised to evacuate an area and they register at the local authority from which they are leaving, upon arrival at the reception centre, once they are registered, they are provided with, I guess, a variety of packages depending on what their accommodation will be. If it is a congregate setting, then there is a certain package of assistance that is available. If they are staying with friends and relatives, there is also a compensation package available. If they are staying in a hotel- or motel-type facility, there is, as well, a compensation package available for aid to these families, so that they can in fact be looking after all their basic needs in terms of accommodation, food and other sundry effects.

Mr. Stan Struthers (Dauphin): Madam Speaker, my question is for the Premier (Mr. Filmon). For some time the municipalities have waited for decisions to be made regarding their compensation for equipment and overtime costs. The provincial government can apply to the federal government for advance payment, thus speeding the process and providing cash to municipalities sooner.

Can the Premier indicate whether the province will apply to the federal government for an advance payment to cover costs incurred in this flood?

Hon. Frank Pitura (Minister of Government Services): Madam Speaker, of course that is something that we have had some ongoing discussion with the federal government about--advance payments. At the present time, I would like to inform the member that we have applied for an advance payment for the 1997 flood.

Mr. Struthers: I thank the minister for that answer. Can he tell me then when municipalities can look forward to receiving their first compensation package?

Mr. Pitura: Well, Madam Speaker, that is a difficult question to answer specifically at this time. Right now we have municipalities that are still very much in the thick of trying to keep flood waters from doing more damage than they have.

I think that once the flood event is over and re-entry has taken place into a lot of the communities, municipalities at that time will be prepared to come forward with a request for assistance, and, of course, it is difficult to respond unless they ask for assistance from us in that regard.

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Mr. Struthers: According to federal guidelines, the province must have already incurred the expenditure. I am wondering can the minister tell me: Does this mean that the province has to pay out money before the federal government releases dollars to the province?

Mr. Pitura: That is, of course, what has happened historically, and as a result it sometimes takes up to two--the province pays for all the flood costs up front and then applies to the federal government for the amount that is cost-shared. By the time all the paper work is done and the auditing is done by the federal government, it can take up to two years to receive our payment. In fact, I would share with the House right now that we are still awaiting federal compensation from the 1995 flood and also from the 1996 flood. So, to have had to keep on going, we could have a tremendous receivable from the federal government by the time 1997 is over.

Ms. Jean Friesen (Wolseley): Madam Speaker, yesterday I asked the Minister of Education to table the federal-provincial agreement on training. The minister appeared to think that a government press release would suffice, but later outside the House her staff did provide that agreement. For that, I would like to thank the minister and to thank her staff.

I would like to table that agreement in the House and to ask the Premier if he would consider adopting a protocol on the formal tabling in the Legislature of all federal-provincial agreements signed on behalf of the people of Manitoba.

Hon. Gary Filmon (Premier): Madam Speaker, I think that is a reasonable request. Given time limitations--you know, I do not know if I could do it two hours after or the day after, but as long as we have some understanding that we will do it as quickly, as expediently after, then I would certainly undertake to do that--oh, sorry, as long as the federal government agrees. They have the right to say no to that.

Ms. Friesen: I would like to thank the Premier for that response.

Ms. Jean Friesen (Wolseley): I wanted to ask the Minister of Education if she could explain to the House the roles of both the federal and provincial governments in this agreement in respect of the training of aboriginal people both on and off reserve since it appears to be the only agreement signed so far which has specific mention of urban aboriginals.

Hon. Linda McIntosh (Minister of Education and Training): Madam Speaker, I must clarify to the member, first of all, that yesterday I had indicated that I would gladly share the details of the agreement with her. Read Hansard, please. It says I will gladly "share the details later with the member." I brought it today to table. It is in the Legislative Library, which is about 20 feet there, and could have been picked up easily. It has been broadly distributed to a wide variety of groups around the province, but she did not know that and yesterday I did not have it with me. I just want to clarify that because in the preamble I think the member owes me a little bit of an apology for having misled my answer yesterday.

Madam Speaker, in answer to the question--

Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Thompson, on a point of order.

Mr. Steve Ashton (Opposition House Leader): On a point of order, Madam Speaker, the first question that the member asked was to the Premier (Mr. Filmon), and the Premier did answer that question I think very satisfactorily, that those documents should be tabled. Now the Minister of Education, in response to a supplementary that was on a specific question about this, is trying to answer the first question when indeed I think the Premier just spoke for the government. I would like to ask--[interjection]

You might also ask the Minister of Education to be a little bit more patient when points of order are raised. I would ask that she answer the second question that was explained instead of trying to justify why she did not follow the government policy as outlined by the Premier, which is to table those documents.

Madam Speaker: The honourable Minister of Education, on the same point of order.

Mrs. McIntosh: Madam Speaker, yesterday in Question Period the member for Wolseley (Ms. Friesen) asked if I would table the agreement because it was secret. I said it was not secret, and I would be pleased to share the details of the agreement with her. We did not get a second or third question. I subsequently had my staff take her the agreement and brought it here to table today. I was to rise today in response to that question. I have another one I want to rise on, too. I only indicate for the record this is not a secret agreement; it is in the Legislative Library, and the Premier has indicated our willingness to table it.

So the member, I think, has no point of order. I was responding to yesterday's request.

Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Thompson did have a point of order. I would remind the honourable Minister of Education to respond to the question asked.

Madam Speaker: The honourable Minister of Education, to quickly respond to the question asked.

Mrs. McIntosh: The member had asked if there was to be satisfactory work done between aboriginals and the governments in terms of training. [interjection] Well, perhaps then she could repeat it, Madam Speaker, because I understood her to ask what the federal and provincial governments would be doing in regard to training for aboriginals as a result of this agreement. [interjection] That is the question? [interjection] Okay.

Then I indicate that we will be developing specific details on that. We expect to be signing a bilateral agreement on this particular issue only. We have indicated in here our desire and intention to proceed to develop specific training for aboriginals due to the fact that Manitoba has a very different makeup in terms of population than other provinces and per capita numbers of native peoples in this province.

Ms. Friesen: Madam Speaker, could the minister indicate what process she is going to undertake for consultation with aboriginal people in the preparation of that bilateral agreement?

Mrs. McIntosh: Madam Speaker, we have a whole series of people with whom we are in regular contact. We also have organizations with whom we are in regular contact in the aboriginal community. We have a number of programs currently underway that are provincial only, and those are headed by a wide variety of native leaders in Manitoba. We have begun work as well on a whole aboriginal strategy government-wide, so all of those people and all of those organizations--the member may be familiar with many of the people that we consult with on a regular basis and that we have on our aboriginal steering committee, native leaders in Manitoba. So we will be looking at all of those organizations as we work with them to develop items for that.

Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Inkster): My question is for either the Premier (Mr. Filmon) or the minister responsible for emergency measures. There has been a lot of time, effort and resources put into constructing new dikes in many different areas of the province, particularly in the south and in the city of Winnipeg. I understand that there is a bit of a problem in terms of compensation if in fact some deem that they would like to, through landscaping, make these more of a permanent diking facility.

My question to the government is: Is the government currently looking at areas in which we could have some of these dikes remain as a permanent fixture with proper landscaping?

Hon. Frank Pitura (Minister of Government Services): Madam Speaker, I think the honourable member for Inkster poses a good question. It is one that we have had considerable discussion on with the federal government because, as you may be aware, under the disaster assistance policy, if a temporary dike is constructed, it must be removed in order to receive assistance. So, during the 1996 flood, as an example, we do have some outstanding claims as a result of temporary dikes being placed and not taken down and returned back to their original form, and so therefore assistance could not be paid.

Now the conversation that we have had thus far with the federal government would indicate verbally at this point in time that they are prepared to allow a temporary dike that has been constructed and then converted to a permanent dike to be available or at least have an allowance for compensation, but at this point in time I just want to assure the member that it has been a verbal exchange so far. We are awaiting confirmation on that, but we feel fairly positive that that is going to occur.

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Mr. Lamoureux: Madam Speaker, would the minister be prepared to share with the Chamber a list of those potential dikes that the minister makes reference to so that we also might be able to participate in lobbying or whatever might be necessary in order to allow for these dikes where warranted to continue on with the proper, as I say, landscaping?

Mr. Pitura: Madam Speaker, the types of dikes that are being put into place, either to protect a residence--well, in most cases they are to protect residences, and if they are of earthen dike and made as a ring dike as part of the potential landscaping of the yard, the decision and the criteria under which the dike would be deemed to be permanent or temporary would have to be left until such point in time as an inspection takes place once a disaster claim has been submitted, and then the inspection would take place, and there would be evaluation of the diking structure at that time as to whether it can be left as a permanent dike or it would be considered temporary and should be removed.

Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Inkster): My final supplementary is to the Minister of Finance (Mr. Stefanson), where we have a program known as the Green Team, which is an environment job creation for young people program.

My question to the minister is: Is the government prepared to add additional resources so that this particular program can be expanded, given the cleanup effort that is going to be required? I think it would be a very positive gesture, and we would like to see the government make that if at all possible.

Hon. Glen Cummings (Minister of Natural Resources): Madam Speaker, the components of that program associated with Natural Resources and Rural Development, we have already had discussions in that respect, and certainly the intention is that we will be looking to have an expanded opportunity to assist with cleanup and using that opportunity to involve the youth and provide them with the experience and certainly the opportunity to assist in the very extensive cleanup.

Mr. Jim Maloway (Elmwood): My question is to the Deputy Premier. Madam Speaker, on Monday, the minister once again attempted to deny information on ManGlobe by saying that he did not know what ManGlobe agreement I was referring to.

Madam Speaker, since October 28, '96, this minister has taken as notice many questions about the Canada-Manitoba Communications Agreement with ManGlobe, so he knows what agreement we are talking about, and I want to know: Has he found his copy of the agreement, and will he now table it in this House?

Hon. James Downey (Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism): I am trying to be as co-operative as possible with the member. He makes reference to questions that were raised in the House last October. We have researched the Hansard, Madam Speaker, and find that we have in fact responded to the questions that the member has asked and, given the information that was requested, because it relates to the private nature of the company we are dealing with, there are certain things that can or cannot be released. However, I can tell the member that we have as a province participated in a research and development project with a company known as ManGlobe, of which the province has put in three different tranches of money which have equalled $500,000.

The money was not used for travel in the magnitude of which the member has referenced. The money was not used to the magnitude that the member has referred to as salaries. The money has been used appropriately as it relates to the project, and that is what I have been told by my department.

Mr. Jim Maloway (Elmwood): My supplementary to the same minister is--the minister is clearly afraid to release this agreement. I would like to ask the minister: If Tracey Deleeuw as the project director did not get a salary of $240,000, and if Karen Alcock as the project manager did not get a salary of $120,000 as phase one of the ManGlobe project as the documents indicate, will this minister table any information he has that suggests what their salaries were?

Hon. James Downey (Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism): As it relates to the questions and the federal government and the involvement of--

An Honourable Member: Karen Alcock.

Mr. Downey: Oh, that is right. Any questions may be better asked of the federal government as it relates to the participation of individuals whom he has mentioned.

I can, and I am somewhat reluctant to do this, Madam Speaker, but maybe in this situation I will, because it just clearly demonstrates how inaccurate the information is that the member brings to the House. But I am informed that the individual referred to received something like $130,000 for some 18 months of work, not $240,000 for salaries. Now that could have been for wages and other research work carried out by that individual.

Again, it is a research and development project. There are some 10 to 12 jobs employed in this company. It is still operating, and they have new private-sector money involved in the project.

Mr. Jim Maloway (Elmwood): My final supplementary to the same minister is this: Since November 4 of '96 and on April 15, '97, this minister misled the House when he said the $500,000 was a loan, will he come clean and admit now that the $500,000 was indeed a grant under the Canada-Manitoba Communications Agreement, and will he now table that agreement as asked for many times in this House?

Hon. James Downey (Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism): I am not aware of the fact that I made reference to the fact that it was a loan. If I did, I apologize to the House.

Mr. Steve Ashton (Thompson): Apologize twice; you said it twice.

Mr. Downey: Well, I apologize twice then if that makes the member for Thompson feel better, but there was no intent to in any way, shape or form to mislead this House, unlike the member for Elmwood who continues to bring inaccurate information to this Assembly.

Mr. Leonard Evans (Brandon East): I have a question for the Minister of Housing. I have been advised by a constituent that Manitoba Housing is in the process of selling off some of its social housing inventory in the Westman area, including units in towns such as Deloraine, Melita and Boissevain.

Can the minister advise the House if this is the case and the rationale for this reduction in social housing in the Westman area of this province?

Hon. Jack Reimer (Minister of Housing): Madam Speaker, as the member for Brandon is well aware, part of the problems that the--

An Honourable Member: Brandon East.

Mr. Reimer: Carman.

An Honourable Member: Brandon East.

Mr. Reimer: Brandon East, I am sorry. We are in the process of an evaluation of the offer from the federal government for the devolution of their portfolio to Manitoba. No decision has been made on that, but part of the analysis is looking at the total assets of not only the federal offer but also the assets that we have under Manitoba Housing. It is a position of evaluation of worth. No decision has been made as to what units would or should be sold off. It is just a matter of going through the process of trying to come up with an idea of what type of program the federal government is bringing forth for an evaluation process.

Mr. Leonard Evans: I am not quite clear from the minister's statement where they stand on this matter. I want to ask him then: Is he telling us that he is satisfied that Westman has more than adequate social housing for families in need, or is he suggesting that they may at some point have plans to improve the situation in those various towns where there is a need for social family housing?

Mr. Reimer: Madam Speaker, what I was relating to the member for Brandon East was the fact that Manitoba Housing has placed a very high priority on accommodating the people's needs in particular areas. The areas that he is relating to have a certain amount of homes and housing accommodations that we will evaluate from time to time as to the needs and the vacancies. The vacancies will dictate the amount of people who are living in the unit. The fact that we are in the process of doing this type of analysis is a normal process in trying to come to some sort of direction as to the decision that the federal government is bringing forth for us.

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Mr. Leonard Evans (Brandon East): I wonder if the minister could tell the House whether, in his work and his looking into matters, he has any studies of the social housing situation in the city of Brandon and, specifically, any plans to construct more social housing where there, indeed, are just too many slum housing units in the city of Brandon.

Hon. Jack Reimer (Minister of Housing): Madam Speaker, Brandon has been well served with public housing. We are in the process of always evaluating the needs. There have been additional units put through through the EPH programs. These are units that have been brought on stream since we have come into government. We are not in a process of expanding the program because, as the member knows, the federal government has pulled out of the cost-shared approach of expanding any type of public housing in Manitoba. We are of the position that we can always try to improve with creative partnerships with other organizations in places where there is a need. So we will continue to look at any type of innovative way to provide housing in and around Brandon or in any places in Manitoba.

Mr. Doug Martindale (Burrows): Madam Speaker, the Canadian National Institute for the Blind was organized in 1918, and they have provided many important services to the visually impaired since that time. A consumer group, the coalition for service accountability, has written to the minister with questions, and I would like to ask the Minister of Family Services the same questions. That is: Would she be willing to talk to CNIB in Winnipeg and ask them why they are laying off front-line service delivery staff and hiring more people in management? What is she prepared to do to see that people provide services to those who need the services instead of increasing the management staff?

Hon. Bonnie Mitchelson (Minister of Family Services): Madam Speaker, I thank my honourable friend for that question. I want to indicate to him, though, that we have funded to a significant degree the CNIB over many, many years to provide a very valuable service, and we have maintained that funding. If internally at CNIB they are making decisions that are not in the best interests of the clients that they serve, I think it is incumbent that we all know and understand and try to work towards ensuring that appropriate services are being provided, but those are decisions that CNIB makes, and from time to time there is criticism. We want to work with those that are receiving services to ensure the services they need are there for them when they need them.

Mr. Martindale: I would like to ask the Minister of Family Services what she is prepared to do, since taxpayers of Manitoba give the CNIB over a million dollars a year, to have them accountable for how they spend that money so that the maximum amount of service goes to people in the community that need the service, and whether or not those services are appropriate. She certainly has been prepared to step in, in other situations, like with WASO and with the Anishinaabe Child and Family Services. Here I am only asking that she make inquiries on behalf of the clients who are served in the community.

Mrs. Mitchelson: Madam Speaker, I certainly am not going to sit by and see services for people who need those services being withdrawn. I do want to indicate that I have in other instances worked with members of the community. When you had those who are adventitiously blind and deaf that were experiencing some difficulty with the kinds of services and supports that were being provided, we worked very co-operatively with them and the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, and we came up with a solution that would allow them more opportunity to make decisions over the kinds of care they needed as a result of that. We will continue with the United Way and the government of Manitoba, who are significant funders of CNIB, and we will be endeavouring to ensure that the services that are provided are meeting the needs of those that require those services.

Mr. Doug Martindale (Burrows): Will the Minister of Family Services also work with CNIB and with consumers to see that they have a more open membership policy so that consumers do indeed have much more input into the level of services and the appropriateness of services since this organization really needs to be restructured in order to serve its client group much more efficiently?

Hon. Bonnie Mitchelson (Minister of Family Services): Again, I say to my honourable friend that we want to ensure the services that are needed by people will be there for those people, that they have some ability to make the decisions on how those services can be delivered. We do know that CNIB is a national organization; they have a Manitoba chapter. Again, I will repeat that, in the best interests of the people that need the service, we will work with them to ensure that that service is appropriate to their needs.

Hon. Linda McIntosh (Minister of Education and Training): Madam Speaker, I took as notice some time ago a question from the member for Wolseley (Ms. Friesen) who had inquired about the progress of the development of the history curriculum through the western protocol, asking if it would be ready in time for this September and, if not, would we be continuing as we currently are with the current offering of history.

The answer is that she is correct in her understanding that the western protocol is slowing things down a bit. I think it is a good reason to slow down because we will end up with something that is completely acceptable to British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Alberta, Northwest Territories and the Yukon, but it is going to take longer. We had indicated to the field, in 1996, that until the new curriculum was ready, the current system would apply and that holds in the field. We will be having confirmation of that because our plan of 1997 has indeed been delayed because of the western protocol collaboration.

Ms. Becky Barrett (Wellington): Madam Speaker, we have just heard on the radio and I would like to ask the Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism to confirm the fact that it is highly probable or it looks very likely that the Garden City Eaton's will be closing. I would like the minister to confirm if that is his understanding, and if that is the case, what is his committee and his group doing to try and stem this decision, turn this decision around, and give us an update on what his committee is doing about the Eaton's situation in the city of Winnipeg which includes not only the Garden City Eaton's but the downtown Eaton's and the Warehouse Store.

Hon. James Downey (Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism): Madam Speaker, I understand that information is accurate as it relates to the Garden City Eaton's store, that they in fact have given announcements or notices that they plan to close sometime. I think it is in February of 1998 that they have asked them to retain the operation of that store to. The committee is still working with Eaton's to try and make sure that they minimize the loss of stores in the province of Manitoba, including Brandon, the downtown store and the Warehouse Store. It is unfortunate. However, I can assure the member that the province, the city and all those people who are interested in our province are working aggressively to try and bring forward some options that may well be part of the commercial part of the city, but the decisions will initially be made by Eaton's as it relates to their future and their financial backers.

Ms. Barrett: Madam Speaker, I know we are all sorry to hear that decision that has been made by Eaton's, even though the implementation of it will not be until February of next year.

Ms. Becky Barrett (Wellington): I am wondering if the minister can share with us some of the areas of suggestions that his committee is working on with the city and with Eaton's to try and keep the closures of Eaton's throughout Manitoba to a minimum, if in fact any of them do need to close. What kinds of things are you looking at doing and working with Eaton's to try and make the losses as minimal as possible?

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Hon. James Downey (Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism): Madam Speaker, I can tell the member that one of the messages that is going through to Eaton's is the fact that the province of Manitoba and the people who have bought retail products from them have been supporters of that company for many, many years, and the message is that we would hope they would give a lot more consideration to the province of Manitoba and to the business that they have carried out in the province of Manitoba.

As it relates to any specific options, I am not at liberty and do not have any of that information right at my fingertips. I do know there are a lot of people working and working very aggressively to try and maintain the services of Eaton's and/or a similar type activity in the province of Manitoba.

Madam Speaker: Time for Oral Questions has expired.