Introduction of Guests

 

Madam Speaker: Prior to Oral Questions, I would like to draw the attention of all honourable members to the public gallery where we have this afternoon twenty-five Grade 9 students from Springs Christian Academy under the direction of Mr. Brad Dowler. This school is located in the constituency of St. Boniface.

 

And, forty-five Grades 7 and 8 students from Gordon Bell High School under the direction of Mr. Harold Neufeld. This school is located in the constituency of the honourable member for Wolseley (Ms. Friesen).

 

On behalf of all honourable members, I welcome you this afternoon.

 

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ORAL QUESTION PERIOD

 

Health Care Facilities

Food Services–Operating Costs

 

Mr. Gary Doer (Leader of the Opposition): Madam Speaker, my question is to the Premier. Last week we tabled minutes that demonstrated that the cooked food prepared at the frozen food facility was being shipped from the frozen food facility to the Deer Lodge hospital where it was being recooked, then shipped back to the frozen food facility to be refrozen again and retrayed, and then shipped back again to a hospital facility for serving to the patients.

 

Madam Speaker, does the Premier (Mr. Filmon) believe his Minister of Health that this is indeed a more efficient system to prepare and serve food to our patients in our hospitals?

 

Hon. Eric Stefanson (Minister of Health): Well, again, Madam Speaker, I think what the member opposite has to realize, and I hope that he agrees, that, first and foremost, the main objective is to provide quality nutritional food to the people in our health care facilities. Certainly that is the No. 1 objective of Urban Shared Services Corporation. Obviously a part of their objective is to gain efficiencies, effectiveness through some of the changes and to allow those resources to be dedicated to other health care needs in the system, so that is the objective of the corporation. They have taken steps in terms of ensuring the quality of food, as outlined by the member opposite, in terms of the quality of vegetables in some cases. They have done that with a number of products.

 

As I have indicated before, all of the food products are accessed through companies here in Manitoba; over 50 percent to 60 percent of that food is produced right here in Manitoba with the ongoing objective to continue to provide quality food to the people in our health care facilities.

 

Mr. Doer: Madam Speaker, of course, this is in complete variance in the justifications on cost savings from this government over the last year. Of course, they do not have cost savings and we know that.

 

We have been informed that the double-blanched vegetables are driving up the costs for the preparation of vegetables. Diced carrots cost 53 percent more; sliced carrots cost 51 percent more; peas and carrots cost 40 percent more. I would like to know how double-blanching vegetables makes them better and how a 50 percent increase in cost makes them cheaper.

 

Mr. Stefanson: Again, Madam Speaker, there is a committee in place, a long-term care food advisory committee. They have been in place since last fall with the objective of continuing to assess the food to be sure it is of appropriate quality for the patients at our health care facilities. They have met a number of eight times, and this suggestion came from that committee relative to the whole issue of the preparation of vegetables in certain situations. So it is a recommendation made by people who are working on behalf of the health care facilities to continue to provide quality nutritional food to the people in our facilities.

 

Mr. Doer: Madam Speaker, it came from the committee to deal with the frozen food folly of this government. They are trying to deal with the frozen food decision of the Filmon government rather than have an admission from this government that they made a mistake from day one, not studying New Brunswick, not having a business plan, not being able to prepare and table a contract, not having a cost-per-meal comparison.

 

Can the minister explain why double-blanched food is better for vegetable preparation at a 32 percent extra cost for waxed beans and a 19 percent increased cost for broccoli? Why is that more efficient, and how can double-blanched vegetables be better quality than having vegetables prepared the old-fashioned way, if I say so, in the kitchen by the people for the people?

 

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Mr. Stefanson: Madam Speaker, the rationale of the committee that made the recommendation to double-blanch the vegetables is to soften them in some cases to make them more appealing for individuals in certain situations, but again I question a lot of what comes from members opposite because we saw an example just last week where the member for Crescentwood (Mr. Sale) tabled information here in this House that is currently being assessed by Deer Lodge facility. In fact, the CEO of Deer Lodge is quoted in the paper as saying he spoke with all the senior nurses, and they do not know what this is all about. He said the investigation could not find any evidence, and he really goes on to question the entire information that was provided by the member for Crescentwood. I think we all have an obligation, if we are going to bring an issue, to bring accurate, quality information to this House.

 

I am pleased to indicate that I had a discussion this morning with the Provincial Auditor, and he has indicated, as part of his routine audits in 1999, they are going to be doing an audit of Urban Shared Services Corporation. I would hope that would be something that would be welcome across the way, and he will certainly provide the accurate information to substantiate what is happening with this organization as it relates to capital costs and operating costs.

 

Health Care Facilities

Food Services-Meeting Request

 

Mr. Tim Sale (Crescentwood): Madam Speaker, will the Minister of Health undertake to meet with the 14 families or the 14 patients whose loss of weight was so severe that they had to move one size down in their incontinent pads, their adult diapers–a sad commentary. Will he meet with the families of those people and explain why their loved ones have lost so much weight since November?

 

Hon. Eric Stefanson (Minister of Health): Madam Speaker, I will meet with any citizens of Manitoba as it relates to health care issues, but I am genuinely concerned about the quality of information that this member for Crescentwood brings to this House as it relates to this issue. My department has spoken with the CEO of Deer Lodge hospital who reported that he had met with the unit co-ordinators of every unit within the hospital, and that review could not identify any correlation between their patient records and the information that was tabled in this House on Friday. The CEO went on to express the concern that this upset the residents and obviously upset the patients and upset their families. The CEO has embarked upon an analysis of every patient in the hospital, which will be reviewed and signed off by the appropriate senior nurse and physician so that it can be assessed whether there actually are weight losses as tabled here. That is just an example of what is being done to follow up on the issue. This issue did come up last fall, and the WHA, the Winnipeg Hospital Authority, sent in their geriatric review team with people who are professionals in this area. They certainly found that there was no correlation at that particular time between the weight loss issue and the issue of food in Deer Lodge.

 

Food Services–Patient Weight Loss

 

Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Crescentwood, with a supplementary question.

 

Mr. Tim Sale (Crescentwood): Madam Speaker, I wonder if the minister could explain to this House why a number of different health care professionals, long-term, committed, dedicated professional people would call and would provide information from their records that is so clear. What possible interest would the staff, the professional caregivers of that facility who have spoken to us, have in providing incorrect information, and would he explain why, immediately after this information was made public, the hospital suddenly found it necessary to lock up the weight books and put away the data?

 

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Hon. Eric Stefanson (Minister of Health): Well, Madam Speaker, I certainly encourage the member for Crescentwood to table that information here in this House. All he did last week was table two blank pieces of paper here in this House, does not indicate the source, does not indicate what the basis of it is. I do not know whether it was prepared in the NDP caucus room or where it was prepared. But, as I indicated, when this issue was raised last fall, the geriatric team of the WHA went in, and I will table the release from that review that indicated very clearly there was no correlation between the issue of the food and the weight loss of patients at that particular point in time.

 

I also quote from the CEO of the Deer Lodge facility who says: this is a cruel joke, a fabrication, he goes on to say, in terms of the information that was tabled here in this House by the member for Crescentwood.

 

So I challenge him and encourage him to, when he comes to this House, bring accurate, credible information. Do not use scare tactics. Do not try to scare patients. Do not try to scare families. Bring accurate information if you are going to discuss health care on behalf of Manitobans.

 

Mr. Sale: I wonder, Madam Speaker, if the minister would explain to Pat Courtnage and to her mother and to the other families whose relatives and loved ones have lost so much weight since last November why Mr. Duprey was able to say on Thursday this was a fabrication while on Monday and Tuesday he is finally doing what he should have done in the first place, and that is an exhaustive check of every record. How did he know it was so false on Thursday, and today they are actually checking the records to find out? Will he tell the families why that is the case?

 

Mr. Stefanson: Madam Speaker, for the member opposite's benefit, ever since the change in food and issues came up last fall, there have been significant trackings of these issues continually over the course of the last few months. It is tracked regularly, and it certainly is obviously taken seriously by the CEO of the facility but just as seriously by the physicians, the people providing the direct care for the individuals in all of our health care facilities, including Deer Lodge.

 

I have indicated very clearly that when this issue came up before, the geriatric team of the WHA, the experts in the field, the people who know these issues, the physicians and so on, not the member for Crescentwood, not myself, people who know how to deal with medical issues related to the public went in and they examined this issue, because, again, I had speculated at the time once again the member for Crescentwood was probably trying to use scare tactics towards all the citizens in Manitoba. The experts went in, and they found no correlation between the issue of the food, the quality of the food and weight loss for any patients. Weight loss for some patients was attributed to entirely different medical issues and medical factors. Again, I challenge this member, when he comes to this House, please bring accurate, credible information so we can have a meaningful discussion on health care in Manitoba.

 

Manitoba Liquor Control Commission

Licensing–Cubby Barrett

 

Mr. Steve Ashton (Thompson): If they ever do a movie on the Monnin report, they are going to have to do a sequel because we are finding that many of the same cast of characters, not only involved in the attempt to fix the election in 1995, seem to pop up when it comes to liquor licence applications, the one area of government where the simple granting of a licence can make someone very wealthy.

 

Of course, that brings me to Mr. Cubby Barrett and his son, vacation friends of key Conservative cabinet ministers as recently, we understand, as a couple of months ago, who have been accused of using influence to get a licence in 1994-95 that the previous owners, the Sweeneys, could not get.

 

I would like to ask the Minister responsible for the Liquor Commission whether she has conducted the investigation she said she would conduct in 1997 into some very serious accusations involving Mr. Barrett and the then head of the Liquor Control Commission and members of the commission involving possible use of influence to get a liquor licence.

 

Hon. Rosemary Vodrey (Minister charged with the administration of The Liquor Control Act): Before committee, I reported to committee the method which was the usual method used in terms of acquiring that licence. Madam Speaker, as the member knows, there is currently a case before the courts, and so the matter will be dealt with more fully at that time.

 

Mr. Ashton: Then maybe as a supplementary, I will ask a question of the Premier–since obviously nothing has been done since 1997–whether the First Minister will investigate the fact that two individuals, John McCairn [phonetic] and Frank Ramdeen, have indicated that Mr. Barrett stated, and I quote: my friend Charlie Birt will get me the liquor licence, prior to the sale of the Cross Lake inn in 1994. Will he investigate the very serious accusations–

 

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Madam Speaker: Order, please. The question has been put.

 

Hon. Gary Filmon (Premier): Madam Speaker, the members opposite usually bring information of questionable quality to the House, and that matter, of course, that allegation, of course, is being investigated in the course of a court action at the current time. I would say to him that the first question of credibility is regarding that statement since Mr. Birt was not even the chairman of the Liquor Commission at the time when the application was approved.

 

Mr. Ashton: As a final supplementary, I am wondering when the First Minister will stop the same kind of approach he initially used on the vote-splitting scandal, questioning our integrity and credibility, and recognize that Mr. Birt was indeed the chair of the board–

 

An Honourable Member: Preamble.

 

Madam Speaker: Order, please.

 

Mr. Ashton: I began my question with "when," Madam Speaker. That is a question.

 

Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh.

 

Madam Speaker: Order, please. Would the honourable member for Thompson please pose his question now.

 

Mr. Ashton: Madam Speaker, my question was when the First Minister will stop attacking the credibility of information–we have two witnesses in this case–and when he will conduct an investigation in the fact that Mr. Birt was indeed the chair at the time this took place, and his political friends, Mr. Barrett gained because of the result of being granted a liquor licence that has made them significantly more wealthy.

 

Madam Speaker: Order, please. I would like to remind all honourable members that supplementary questions (a) require no preamble and (b) should consist of a single question.

 

Mr. Filmon: As the minister has indicated, that matter and those allegations have been challenged and are going to be addressed in a court action that is currently underway.

 

Interlake Regional Health Authority

Board Membership–Cubby Barrett

 

Mr. Clif Evans (Interlake): Madam Speaker, Justice Monnin named a Mr. Roland Cubby Barrett as a major participant in the vote-rigging plot of 1995. The Premier since promised that members of the PC Party who were involved in the plot would not hold any official positions in any party or government boards.

 

I want to ask the Premier: will he tell us why Mr. Cubby Barrett is still on the advisory council to the Interlake Regional Health Authority?

 

Hon. Gary Filmon (Premier): Madam Speaker, I am informed that we do not appoint the advisory councils; we appoint the regional health authorities.

 

Board Membership–Eddy Trachuk

 

Mr. Clif Evans (Interlake): As the health authority board members are government appointees plus funded with taxpayers' money, I want to ask the Premier: in the inquiry Mr. Eddy Trachuk, the official Conservative candidate, was also named as a major participant, and I want to know why he is still on this advisory council.

 

Hon. Gary Filmon (Premier): Madam Speaker, the member opposite obviously has not listened to the answers, because the answer to the second question is the same as the answer to the first question.

 

Manitoba Progressive Conservatives

Membership–Cubby Barrett

 

Mr. Clif Evans (Interlake): Madam Speaker, these advisory council members are paid a per diem–

 

Madam Speaker: Order, please. Would the honourable member please pose his question without preamble.

 

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Mr. Clif Evans: Does Mr. Cubby Barrett continue to be a lifetime honorary member of the PC Party, and if he is, how can Manitobans believe the Premier when he has sternly expressed that no one will be part of his party or his team in the future?

 

Hon. Gary Filmon (Premier): I think this probably falls in the category of bottom feeding. If the member opposite, if this is the best that he has to offer, he must really feel the heat from Betty Green in Interlake.

 

Kidney Dialysis

Out-of-Province Treatment

 

Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Inkster): Madam Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Health. Back on October 11 of '95–

 

Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh.

 

Madam Speaker: Order, please. I am having difficulty hearing the honourable member for Inkster.

 

Mr. Lamoureux: As I was saying, back on October 11 of 1995, the Liberal Party brought to the attention of this Chamber the issue of dialysis where we had individuals from Winnipeg being brought outside of Winnipeg at quite a great expense because they were not able to get dialysis here within Winnipeg. Again yesterday, Madam Speaker, we see on one of the media reports that we still have individuals leaving Winnipeg in order to get dialysis treatment. What I am asking the Minister of Health is: is it today accepted practice for individuals requiring dialysis that they do have to leave Winnipeg on occasion, or will the minister finally acknowledge that there is a problem in this area?

 

Hon. Eric Stefanson (Minister of Health): Madam Speaker, we certainly have been expanding our dialysis capabilities right across Manitoba. I believe the community of Ashern recently received additional support for providing dialysis services. I think what is very important–and I do not know if the member for Inkster had an opportunity to see in the information that was provided on Friday with the 1999 capital program, but if he gets an opportunity to look at the summary of all the initiatives, he will see the category referred to as dialysis and what it refers to: expanding dialysis sites as recommended by the Winnipeg Hospital Authority, provincial dialysis program with exact sites and project scope to be finalized. A community-based site in Winnipeg and several rural sites will be announced after further discussions with the RHAs, and so on.

 

There has been $5 million allocated in this capital program to provide enhancement to the very services that he asks about. So certainly we have expanded the dialysis capabilities in Manitoba, and there are significant additional resources dedicated to continue that very important expansion.

 

Mr. Lamoureux: Madam Speaker, the Liberal Party brought this issue up a long time ago, and my question to the Minister of Health is: can the minister indicate to us what are the costs of this government's inaction on this particular issue, both the human cost and the financial cost of this government's inability to provide the needed services here in the city of Winnipeg?

 

Mr. Stefanson: Madam Speaker, I indicate to this member that I would acknowledge that he has brought this issue to this House on previous occasions. Certainly, as a result of not only information that he has brought forward but people in our health care system, people who participate in our regional health authorities and so on, we have continually expanded the opportunity for dialysis services across Manitoba. We are committed to continue that expansion, and that is why our 1999 capital program, just recently announced, includes an additional $5 million not only for enhancements here in the city of Winnipeg but for the provision of dialysis services at additional sites throughout rural Manitoba as well.

 

Mr. Lamoureux: My question to the minister is: as we continue, then, to wait for yet another capital commitment from this government, what in the short term is going to be done for these individuals that require dialysis? Is there any short-term hope coming for these individuals?

 

Mr. Stefanson: Madam Speaker, I do not have the information right at my fingertips in terms of the expansions that have been done over the course of the last short period of time. I will certainly undertake to provide that detailed information to the member for Inkster because there has been an expansion of dialysis services in Manitoba. Certainly the community of Ashern is one community that comes to mind. But, more importantly, to continue to enhance the provision of these very important services, we have dedicated an additional $5 million, and we will be coming forward shortly with the communities that that service will be expanded to. So I would think he would be acknowledging that he has been one part of people who have brought an issue to our attention. We have taken appropriate action, and we are continuing to expand and provide additional dialysis services right throughout Manitoba.

 

Churchill Regional Health Authority

Board Membership

 

Mr. Eric Robinson (Rupertsland): Madam Speaker, I have some questions for the Minister of Health. The regional health authority set up by this government has been unsuccessful on several fronts. In Churchill, for an example, the RHA there has failed to maintain a 25-year agreement with the Keewatin district. Now, as a result, a full year before Nunavut came into creation, the contract was cancelled and one board member from Winnipeg has yet to attend a single board meeting in person in Churchill.

 

I would like to ask the minister if any appointments to the board will be made to better reflect the interests of Churchill and the outlying areas.

 

Hon. Eric Stefanson (Minister of Health): Madam Speaker, we continue to look at being sure we have appropriate representation on all of our RHA boards, and we will continue to do that with the Churchill RHA. I believe that we also solicit names from what was the Northwest Territories and now the two territories, and we also look for contribution and names from those regions to be sure that we do get appropriate representation and opportunities to deal with all issues relative to the Churchill RHA.

 

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Central Manitoba Regional Health Authority

Board Membership–Aboriginals

 

Mr. Eric Robinson (Rupertsland): I would like to move from Churchill to Portage la Prairie, to the central Manitoba region. I would like to ask the minister how many members of that board on the central health authority are aboriginal.

 

Hon. Eric Stefanson (Minister of Health): Madam Speaker, I do not have that information with me here this afternoon, but I will certainly undertake to provide that information to the member opposite.

 

Mr. Robinson: Madam Speaker, I would like to table a press clipping from the Portage la Prairie Daily Graphic of March 25 indicating that aboriginal health was being targeted. As well, I would like to table a letter dated March 24 from the Minister of Health to Mr. Chris Beaulieu and also a letter from Mr. Chris Beaulieu to the Minister of Health. I would like to ask the minister why no aboriginal person appointed to that board last month was nominated or in fact appointed to the board when the board said it wanted to concentrate on aboriginal issues at the same time to appoint an aboriginal person to the board.

 

Mr. Stefanson: Madam Speaker, I have certainly undertaken to the member opposite to look into the issue. The majority of members on RHA boards, I think as he is well aware, come as a result of nominations where either an individual I believe can self-nominate or they can be nominated by some other individual who thinks that person should serve on an RHA. That is the majority of appointments. I believe certainly there are some ministerial appointments, but the majority of the appointments come as a result of nominations coming from the communities themselves, which is the most appropriate way to be sure that we get people who either themselves declare they want to serve on a board or, of course, somebody is recommending them, having talked to them about their willingness to contribute. We certainly want people who are going to participate and be active participants in our regional health authorities to be absolutely certain we get the best recommendations, the best actions taken by those boards right across Manitoba.

 

Mr. Robinson: A new question, Madam Speaker. Perhaps the minister did not understand my question. I was quite vague. Simply, what I was pointing out was that Mr. Beaulieu was in fact nominated to the central health authority in Portage la Prairie; however, his nomination was not taken seriously, and from the things that I have been told, there is in fact no aboriginal representation on the board of the central health authority.

 

My question to the Minister of Health is: when will he take the issue of aboriginal representation on these health authorities seriously?

 

Mr. Stefanson: Again, on this total issue that the member is asking about, aboriginal representation on the RHA boards, certainly, as I have already indicated to him, I will undertake to provide him with that information.

 

We also do have a situation that I have indicated is based on people either self-nominating or being nominated by other individuals. Fortunately, in almost all cases we do get more names than there are vacant, open positions. Again, I think that is positive, that that is healthy, that we do have people prepared to either step forward and put their own name forward or are willing to have their name put forward by somebody on their behalf. That is certainly exactly what we want to see taking place right across Manitoba with all of our RHAs.

 

In terms of the issue of aboriginal representation on RHA boards in total and the specific question about both Churchill and more specifically now central, I will get back to the member, Madam Speaker.

 

Headingley Correctional Institute

Temporary Unit

 

Mr. Gord Mackintosh (St. Johns): Madam Speaker, my question to the Minister of Justice. Due to dangerous and record prison overcrowding, taxpayers will be on the hook for one and a quarter million dollars to build a one-year temporary, portable, prefab jail unit at Headingley.

 

My question to the minister is this: would the minister admit that the safety threat and this cost is due to the government's failure to listen to Ted Hughes who two and a half years ago said that a permanent unit was, and I quote, imperative and should be constructed and opened at the earliest possible date, to which this government joined in with a high-profile, damage-control emergency press conference in 1996 announcing construction? It did not follow through on its promise.

 

Hon. Vic Toews (Minister of Justice and Attorney General): Well, Madam Speaker, I am glad to see that the member finally realizes that we do need secure facilities as opposed to year after year standing up and asking whether we will implement policies that create open-door prisons in this province. It is a suggestion that I have consistently and our caucus has consistently rejected. We in fact do believe in secure prisons for dangerous, violent offenders.

 

Mr. Mackintosh: Would the minister get a grip on reality, deal with the problem and admit that the government's prefab unit, this slap-dash improvisation to make up for a broken promise, is going to cost taxpayers and is going to cost Manitobans in terms of safety, and they have just put off that announcement for two and a half years for election season, Madam Speaker?

 

Mr. Toews: Madam Speaker, the member, of course, understands that we are building a maximum security unit in the Headingley jail, and indeed we abandoned plans to create a less secure unit in favour of a medium security unit. Those beds are, in fact, the result of long discussions not only with people knowledgeable in the field but also with the union and the guards whom the union represent.

 

I must say that we have had very productive discussions with the union in respect of the development of secure facilities at Headingley jail and indeed throughout the province. If this member would care to take a look at what in fact we have been doing and how we have been doing, I think he would in fact agree that we have been proceeding on a timely fashion.

 

Mr. Mackintosh: If timely is two and a half years on, Madam Speaker, would this minister, who has heard that this prefab unit is being called "the wood shack" by correctional officers, admit that he has not learned anything from the tragedy at Wasagamack three weeks ago where an 18-year-old died when there was a fire at a wooden jail, or even from the story of the three little pigs? Why is he building a wooden jail at the site of the worst prison riot in Manitoba history?

 

Mr. Toews: Well, Madam Speaker, the member has sunk to a level of quoting nursery rhymes and name calling. I would prefer to deal with the issues. One of the things that I am concerned and I know that Manitobans are concerned about are issues of public safety. In order to have secure facilities, it is also very important to consult with the union and the guards to ensure that they work in safe conditions. I know that if the guards have safe working conditions, the public generally is protected.

 

So, Madam Speaker, I am committed to the issue of public safety, which includes guard safety, and we will continue to develop very carefully our strategy of keeping violent prisoners in prison.

 

Public Housing

Tenant Management Policy

 

Ms. Marianne Cerilli (Radisson): I have written to the Minister of Housing a number of times, and I have asked the minister a number of times in Estimates to provide us with Manitoba Housing's policy on tenant management. I have received no such documents, but I have conducted research in other provinces in Canada and have found that throughout Canada there are specific policies and procedures in place to move to tenant management.

 

I want to now ask the Minister of Housing if he will commit to providing to this House a policy and a procedure for moving to tenant management for Manitoba Housing, and will it include how you are going to communicate this information to tenants in Manitoba Housing properties.

 

Hon. Jack Reimer (Minister of Housing): I thank the member for Radisson for this question because I believe that there is a willingness, in conversations with her before, that tenant-managed responsibilities of public housing is a very, very important aspect of bringing stability into the tenants complexes, having the tenants take responsibility for the management, the direction and some of the involvement that they feel is best for their associations.

 

It is something that we have been moving towards on a gradual basis because it needs a lot of involvement with the tenants associations, and we work with mature tenants associations so that there is a sense of confidence that they build up within themselves as they deal with a lot of the delegated authorities that were working with them. As for a rigid and a formal policy that the member is asking for, we are working towards the policy with the tenants to develop it, and that seems to be the best result for them because the tenants associations themselves are asking for that type of involvement.

 

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Ms. Cerilli: What I am asking for this government is to do what other governments across the country are doing and put your policy in writing so that the public and tenants in your properties can understand what you are doing. I want to table for the minister a copy of the Aitkins Housing Co-operative conversion plan submitted by Alexandra Park Residents Association in Toronto and three copies of the executive summary for the minister.

I want to ask him: will you ensure that your tenant management policy will have a way that all the tenants will have input and will be informed of tenant management requirements prior to moving to tenant management in the province?

 

Mr. Reimer: Madam Speaker, a lot of what the member is talking about is exactly what we are trying to accomplish with working with the tenants associations. The tenants associations themselves have requested that we work in co-operation with them in developing guidelines and procedures for them. We do not believe that it should be all directed primarily by government policies or government directions.

 

We believe that we should be working with the tenants associations, building upon a procedure so that there is a comfort level for not only them to take over the management of their associations, but they will have the confidence of the decision making that they come to through the co-operation between our department and the tenants associations. It is a development between the two parties, and we believe that is the best way to come to any type of understanding for the delegation for them to become the decision makers.

 

Ms. Cerilli: I want to ask the minister finally if he has a business plan prepared for movement to tenant management for properties in Manitoba, particularly at Gilbert Park in the northwest end of the city, and if he will put that document into the House here or provide it to us after Question Period.

Mr. Reimer: The association that the member is referring to, the Gilbert Park Tenants Association, is something that myself and the member for Inkster (Mr. Lamoureux) have been working very, very closely with in trying to develop with that community. The member for Inkster has always been very, very helpful and very supportive of trying to work with the tenants association in that particular complex. This is one of the areas where we feel that we can make some very positive inroads with that tenants association. In fact, just recently, I believe it was yesterday that they had an election of new officers in that tenants association. I look very, very favourably upon working with this new tenants association to try to develop this further involvement with the tenants in their building, and I know that the member for Inkster will join me in trying to work with these people to get a better understanding.

 

Madam Speaker: Order, please. Time for Oral Questions has expired.