4th-36th Vol. 60-Members' Statements-Committee Changes

Mr. Gerry McAlpine (Sturgeon Creek): I would like to bring two recent Winnipeg Free Press articles to the attention of all honourable members. These articles are a clear indication that Manitoba's economy continues to grow unabated. The headline read: Manitoba bucks trend: building permit value rise.

According to Statistics Canada, the value of building permits issued in Manitoba in April rose 7.5 percent, bucking a trend that saw permits decline 3.6 percent nationally. As well, the year-over-year increase for Manitoba was highest among the provinces at 120.1 percent with residential permits up 72 percent and nonresidential up a whopping 166.8 percent.

The second headline read: House sales jump in Winnipeg.

Last month, housing sales were up 66 percent over last year's figures.

Members opposite may wonder why. The answer, according to Rolf Hitzer, president of the Winnipeg Real Estate Board, is that this has a lot to do with Manitobans having a more positive consumer outlook on employment and the economy in general.

Our government has worked hard to undo the economic damage left behind when members opposite vacated office. Whether it has been the high level of taxes they imposed or the massive debt they left for our children, we have for 10 years worked to restore Manitobans' confidence in themselves and our economy. With one of the lowest unemployment levels in Canada, private investment up for seven consecutive years, four consecutive balanced budgets and recently announced tax cuts, Manitobans have every right to be confident about the economy and their employment opportunities. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Ms. Diane McGifford (Osborne): Madam Speaker, on Thursday, June 4, I was delighted to attend the 25th anniversary, the silver anniversary, of the Fort Rouge ecumenical apartments at 400 Stradbrook. The apartment complex had its genesis in the community ecumenical ministry, a ministry which included three Osborne churches. The honourable member for Crescentwood (Mr. Sale) was a member of the original ecumenical ministry and played an important part in the establishment of 400 Stradbrook. He was one of several guests and speakers, including Dorothy Hill from the Seniors Directorate, Glen Murray, Ken Murdoch, a former ecumenical minister, and myself.

The evening's program took as its theme: 25 years of caring and sharing. Indeed, the caring and sharing were evident from the photographic history of the complex to the beautifully decorated room to the well-prepared dinner to the words of remembering and red roses for 25-year residents.

Master of ceremonies Joyce Ramsay, the current president of the board, was a gracious and capable hostess. I am sure all residents join me in thanking her. I want to honour the volunteers whose dedication has made 400 Stradbrook a warm and hospitable community, but particularly Ruby Cooper and Doris Smith, who were on the board of directors in 1973 and are on the current board. Their 25 years of dedicated work is an example to us all.

Prairie Thistle, an accomplished local group of male singers, which includes the member for Crescentwood (Mr. Sale), provided entertainment, won the hearts of residents, showing again the importance of music, voice and sing-alongs in creating community.

In conclusion, I ask all members to join me in congratulating the Fort Rouge ecumenical apartments, the board and the residents, on their highly successful community.

Mrs. Myrna Driedger (Charleswood): Madam Speaker, last Thursday evening I had the pleasure of attending the Manitoba Association of Registered Nurses professional achievement awards dinner. It is indeed a very high honour to be recognized for excellence in one's chosen field of work. I would like to congratulate Penny Triggs for her outstanding work in nursing administration, Gay Hordienko and Mardel Hume for their commitment to clinical nursing, Beverly Kearley for her work in nursing education, and Donna Goodridge and Dr. Pamela Hawranik for their work in nursing research. I would also like to recognize Dr. Janet Beaton, Marion Suski and Marilyn Goodyear Whiteley, who all received 1998 outstanding achievement awards in professional nursing.

It gives me great pleasure to acknowledge the work of these very hard-working, dedicated individuals. Their commitment to nursing is a commitment not only to their profession but also to their patients. I would like to applaud the award recipients for excelling in what can be at times a very challenging way of life.

I would ask all members of the House to join me in congratulating all of the recipients of the Manitoba Association of Registered Nurses 1998 professional achievement awards. Thank you.

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Mr. Stan Struthers (Dauphin): It is my pleasure to rise in the House today and congratulate the students at the Sandy Bay School on the Sandy Bay Reserve upon graduation from Grade 12, and also students who graduated there from the adult education program.

I want to begin by thanking one of the grads, Mr. Jeffrey Beaulieu, who invited me and the member for Rupertsland (Mr. Robinson) to take part in this celebration in their community.

I want to pay particular attention to some people who played a big role in putting this graduation together: Chief Dennis Roulette, who attended the graduation ceremony; the director of education, Mr. Isaac Beaulieu, who was the master of ceremonies for the grad; Principal Norbert Mercredi and his staff of teachers and volunteers who worked so hard, not just at grad but also throughout the course of the educational career of these students; and, of course, Madam Speaker, the parents of the students who were in attendance at this ceremony. I also want to pay my respects to Clinton McIvor, who spoke on behalf of the board of trustees for Sandy Bay. He is the chair of that school board.

Madam Speaker, the following students graduated on Saturday and are now looking forward to building on their dreams begun in their early years of education. The grads were: Garett Beaulieu, Jeffrey Beaulieu, Louisa Beaulieu, Sherri Demerais, Adrienne Mousseau, Shari Richard, Chris Roulette, Lena Spence, Samantha Starr, Sheila Beaulieu, Ashley Eastman, Clarence Mousseau, Theresa Pashe, Harvey Popien, Candace Richard, Reynold Roulette, Tiffany Roulette, Matthew Whitford, Tania Beaulieu, Raymond Spence, Holly Roulette, Kevin Richard. The following were the adult education graduates: Judy Mousseau, Doris Desjarlais, Marlene Roulette, Eugene Roulette, and Selena Roulette.

On behalf of the member for Rupertsland (Mr. Robinson) and myself, I congratulate those students for their hard work and the very excellent graduation that they put on, on Friday afternoon. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr. Peter Dyck (Pembina): I am pleased to share with my colleagues and members opposite the dedication by our government to ensure that Manitoba students are provided with fitness and recreation facilities.

I attended the grand opening of the new and improved tennis facilities at the Morden Collegiate on Friday afternoon. Through the Manitoba Community Places Program, we were able to assist Morden Collegiate in the renovations of the current tennis facilities. It was a great pleasure to represent our government in presenting a cheque to the principal, Mr. Fred Colvin. The school is very pleased about these renovations as it also serves as a local centre providing fitness activity to the people of Morden at no charge. It is important to all Manitobans to stay healthy, providing fitness and recreation centres to assist in the challenge of a healthy life. It is always a great pleasure to be involved in the Pembina constituency. It is very exciting when we are delivering benefits to the students and youth of the Pembina constituency. Thank you.