4th-36th Vol. 57-Third Readings

ORDERS OF THE DAY

Hon. James McCrae (Government House Leader): Madam Speaker, would you be so kind as to call the bills listed for third reading on page 2 of today's Order Paper?

THIRD READINGS

Bill 3--The Elections Finances Amendment and Consequential Amendments Act

Hon. James McCrae (Government House Leader): On behalf of the honourable First Minister (Mr. Filmon), I move, seconded by the honourable Minister of Family Services (Mrs. Mitchelson), that Bill 3, The Elections Finances Amendment and Consequential Amendments Act (Loi modifiant la Loi sur le financement des campagnes éléctorales et modifications corrélatives), be now read a third time and passed.

Motion agreed to.

Bill 5--The Agricultural Credit Corporation Amendment Act

Hon. James McCrae (Government House Leader): Madam Speaker, (on behalf of the honourable Minister of Agriculture (Mr. Enns)), I move, seconded by the Minister of Family Services (Mrs. Mitchelson), that Bill 5, The Agricultural Credit Corporation Amendment Act (Loi modifiant la Loi sur la Société du crédit agricole), be now read a third time and passed.

Motion agreed to.

Bill 6--The Animal Liability and Consequential Amendments Act

Hon. James McCrae (Government House Leader): Madam Speaker, (on behalf of the honourable Minister of Agriculture (Mr. Enns)), I move, seconded by the honourable Minister of Culture, Heritage and Citizenship (Mrs. Vodrey), that Bill 6, The Animal Liability and Consequential Amendments Act (Loi sur la responsabilité à l'égard des animaux et modifications corrélatives), be now read a third time and passed.

Motion agreed to.

Bill 7--The Public Utilities Board Amendment Act

Hon. James McCrae (Government House Leader): Madam Speaker, I move, (on behalf of the honourable Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs (Mr. Radcliffe)), seconded by the honourable Minister of Culture, Heritage and Citizenship (Mrs. Vodrey), that Bill 7, The Public Utilities Board Amendment Act (Loi modificant la Loi sur la Régie des services publics), be now read a third time and passed.

Motion agreed to.

Bill 9--The Mines and Minerals Amendment Act

Hon. James McCrae (Government House Leader): Madam Speaker, I move, (on behalf of the honourable Minister of Energy and Mines (Mr. Newman)), seconded by the honourable Minister of Rural Development (Mr. Derkach), that Bill 9, The Mines and Minerals Amendment Act (Loi modifiant la Loi sur les mines et les minéraux), be now read a third time and passed.

Motion agreed to.

Bill 15--The Dutch Elm Disease Act

Hon. James McCrae (Government House Leader): I move, (on behalf of the honourable Minister of Natural Resources (Mr. Cummings)), seconded by the honourable Minister of Family Services (Mrs. Mitchelson), that Bill 15, The Dutch Elm Disease Act (Loi sur la graphiose), be now read a third time and passed.

Motion presented.

Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Inkster): Yes, just very briefly, Madam Speaker. We do understand that with Bill 15, The Dutch Elm Disease Act, has been in place for a number of years now and is a major legislative tool in terms of protecting Manitoba's urban ecosystems. These changes, from what we understand, are fairly consistent with The Sustainable Development Act and are fairly supportive of that.

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We understand that they address tree purging techniques and wood disposal options and the need to better define tree enforcement procedures, and that responsibility for things such as the certification of things like tree pruning has moved from one department over to another department. There is always a great deal of concern with trees in our urban centres. It seems every year there is a great deal of discussion about Dutch elm disease. They are beautiful trees, and where government can assist in protecting our trees, I think, is a positive thing. Therefore, this particular bill is quite supportive of it. Thank you.

Madam Speaker: Is the House ready for the question? The question before the House is third reading of Bill 15, The Dutch Elm Disease Act. Is it the will of the House to adopt the motion.

Some Honourable Members: Agreed.

Madam Speaker: Agreed and so ordered.

Bill 17--The Legislative Assembly Amendment Act

Hon. James McCrae (Government House Leader): Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Minister of Culture, Heritage and Citizenship (Mrs. Vodrey), that Bill 17, The Legislative Assembly Amendment Act (Loi modifiant la Loi sur l'Assemblée législative), be now read a third time and passed.

Motion presented.

Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Inkster): Again, very briefly, we understand effectively this bill does allow for things such as the Deputy Chairperson of Committee of the Whole. This will also allow the three sittings during the Estimates process. Madam Speaker, there is no doubt that there have been a number of changes that somewhat speed up the Estimates process. There still are some changes that are, in fact, necessary, and I am hopeful that we will see some of those changes. I think of LAMC and our rules, the idea of putting into part of our process, or part of our procedures, the time lines. I was a big fan, for example, of the need to have second readings prior to summer, third readings in the fall time. This way it allowed opportunities for more public consultation which I think would have been a positive thing. I hope it will not be too far in the distant future when we will see positive changes that have been excluded from previous discussions, whether it is provisional rules or a legislative amendment act, because it is definitely going to continue to be somewhat of an issue over the years, I am sure. Thank you.

Madam Speaker: Is the House ready for the question? The question before the House is third reading of Bill 17. Is it the will of the House to adopt the motion?

Some Honourable Members: Agreed.

Madam Speaker: Agreed and so ordered.

Hon. James McCrae (Government House Leader): Madam Speaker, would you be so kind as to call Bills 25, 21, 4, 12, 14, 16, 36.