Tuesday, April 21, 1998
The House met at 1:30 p.m.
Mr. Conrad Santos (Broadway): I beg to present the petition of Marge Lange, Chris Pawley, Bill Maltman and others praying that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba ask the Minister of Health (Mr. Praznik) to put an end to decentralization and privatization of Winnipeg hospitals food services.
Mr. Deputy Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Broadway (Mr. Santos). It complies with the rules and practices of the House. Is it the will of the House to have the petition read? Dispense.
THAT the Urban Shared Services Corporation (USSC) has announced plans to privatize laundry, food services and purchasing for the Winnipeg hospitals; and
THAT it is estimated that more than 1,000 health care jobs will be lost over the next year as a result, with many more privatized in the next two or three years; and
THAT under the terms of the contract, Ontario businesses will profit at the expense of Manitoba's health care system; and
THAT after construction of a food assembly warehouse in Winnipeg, chilled, prepared food will be shipped in from Ontario, then assembled and heated before being shipped to the hospitals; and
THAT people who are in the hospital require nutritious and appetizing food; and
THAT the announced savings as a result of the contract have been disputed, and one study by Wintemute Randle Kilimnik indicated that, "A considerable number of studies have compared costs of service delivery in health care between self-operation (public sector) and privatization. Invariably, privatization is more expensive."; and
THAT no one in Manitoba seems to benefit from this contract, especially patients.
WHEREFORE YOUR PETITIONERS HUMBLY PRAY that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba urge the Minister of Health to put an end to the centralization and privatization of Winnipeg hospital food services.
Mr. Deputy Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Elmwood (Mr. Maloway). It complies with the rules and practices of the House. Is it the will of the House to have the petition read? Dispense.
THAT the Urban Shared Services Corporation (USSC) has announced plans to privatize laundry, food services and purchasing for the Winnipeg hospitals; and
THAT it is estimated that more than 1,000 health care jobs will be lost over the next year as a result, with many more privatized in the next two or three years; and
THAT under the terms of the contract, Ontario businesses will profit at the expense of Manitoba's health care system; and
THAT after construction of a food assembly warehouse in Winnipeg, chilled, prepared food will be shipped in from Ontario, then assembled and heated before being shipped to the hospitals; and
THAT people who are in the hospital require nutritious and appetizing food; and
THAT the announced savings as a result of the contract have been disputed, and one study by Wintemute Randle Kilimnik indicated that, "A considerable number of studies have compared costs of service delivery in health care between self-operation (public sector) and privatization. Invariably, privatization is more expensive."; and
THAT no one in Manitoba seems to benefit from this contract, especially patients.
WHEREFORE YOUR PETITIONERS HUMBLY PRAY that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba urge the Minister of Health to put an end to the centralization and privatization of Winnipeg hospital food services.