Mr. Ron Schuler (Springfield): Mr. Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Henry Siemens, Katharine Siemens, Diane Oliphant and others, praying that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba request that the Minister responsible for Manitoba Hydro (Mr. Selinger) consider alternative routes for the additional 230kV and 500kV lines proposed for the R.M. of East St. Paul.

Mrs. Myrna Driedger (Charleswood): Mr. Speaker, I beg to present the petition of R. Hood, Ray Beck, R. Britton and others, praying that the Premier of Manitoba (Mr. Doer) consider reversing his decision to not support construction of an underpass at Kenaston and Wilkes.

Mr. John Loewen (Fort Whyte): Mr. Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Shirley Sylvestre, Roger Sylvestre, Lee Sylvestre and others, praying that the Premier of Manitoba (Mr. Doer) consider reversing his decision to not support construction of an underpass at Kenaston and Wilkes.

Mr. Speaker: The honourable Member for Springfield (Mr. Schuler), I have reviewed the petition and it complies with the rules and practices of the House. Is it the will of the House to have the petition read?

Some Honourable Members: Yes.

Mr. Speaker: Clerk, please read.

Madam Clerk (Patricia Chaychuk): The petition of the undersigned citizens of the province of Manitoba humbly sheweth:

THAT the R.M. of East St. Paul has the highest concentration of high voltage power lines in a residential area in Manitoba; and

THAT the R.M. of East St. Paul is the only jurisdiction in Manitoba that has both a 500kV and a 230kV line directly behind residences; and

THAT numerous studies have linked cancer, in particular childhood leukemia, to the proximity of power lines.

WHEREFORE YOUR PETITIONERS HUMBLY PRAY THAT the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba request that the Minister responsible for Manitoba Hydro consider alternative routes for the additional 230kV and 500kV lines proposed for the R.M. of East St. Paul.

Mr. Speaker: The honourable Member for Fort Whyte (Mr. Loewen), I have reviewed the petition and it complies with the rules and practices of the House. Is it the will of the House to have the petition read?

Some Honourable Members: Yes.

Mr. Speaker: Clerk, please read.

Madam Clerk: The petition of the undersigned citizens of the province of Manitoba humbly sheweth:

THAT the intersection at Wilkes and Kenaston has grown to become the largest unseparated crossing in Canada; and

THAT the volume of traffic for this railroad crossing is twelve times the acceptable limit as set out by Transport Canada; and

THAT vehicles which have to wait for trains at this intersection burn up approximately $1.4 million in fuel, pollute the environment with over 8 tons of emissions and cause approximately $7.3 million in motorist delays every year.

WHEREFORE YOUR PETITIONERS HUMBLY PRAY THAT the Premier of Manitoba consider reversing his decision to not support construction of an underpass at Kenaston and Wilkes.

Mr. Speaker: The honourable Member for Charleswood (Mrs. Driedger), I have reviewed the petition and it complies with the rules and practices of the House. Is it the will of the House to have the petition read?

Some Honourable Members: Yes.

Mr. Speaker: Clerk, please read.

Madam Clerk: The petition of the undersigned citizens of the province of Manitoba humbly sheweth:

THAT the intersection at Wilkes and Kenaston has grown to become the largest unseparated crossing in Canada; and

THAT the volume of traffic for this railroad crossing is twelve times the acceptable limit as set out by Transport Canada; and

THAT vehicles which have to wait for trains at this intersection burn up approximately $1.4 million in fuel, pollute the environment with over 8 tons of emissions and cause approximately $7.3 million in motorist delays every year.

WHEREFORE YOUR PETITIONERS HUMBLY PRAY THAT the Premier of Manitoba consider reversing his decision to not support construction of an underpass at Kenaston and Wilkes.

Mr. Conrad Santos (Chairperson): Mr. Speaker, the Committee of Supply has adopted a certain resolution, directs me to report the same and asks leave to sit again. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Selkirk (Mr. Dewar), that the report of the committee be received.

Hon. Dave Chomiak (Minister of Health): Mr. Speaker, I woud like to table copies of the Worklife Task Force. Renewing Our Commitment to Nurses. A Report to the Minister of Health from the Worklife Task Force.

Hon. Jean Friesen (Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs): Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Agriculture (Ms. Wowchuk), that leave be given to introduce Bill 31, The Municipal Assessment Amendment Act

Motion presented.

Ms. Friesen: Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to introduce Bill 31, The Municipal Assessment Amendment Act. Bill 31 includes both administrative amendments and fair procedures dealing with the appeal process. The administrative amendments that are proposed include amending the definition of the City of Winnipeg assessor and the definition of banks to ensure that foreign banks are included under the legislation. These amendments would be proclaimed on January 1, 2002.

* (13:35)

Hon. Gord Mackintosh (Minister of Justice and Attorney General): Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Health (Mr. Chomiak), that leave be given to introduce Bill 33, The Highway Traffic Amendment and Consequential Amendments Act (2) (Loi no 2 modifiant le Code de la route et modifications corrélatives), and that the same be now received and read a first time.

His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor, having been advised of the contents of this bill, recommends it to the House, and I will table the message.

Mr. Mackintosh: Mr. Speaker, this bill mainly enhances the sanctions and options for prevention to deal with impaired driving and auto theft.

Hon. Greg Selinger (Minister of Finance): Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Justice (Mr. Mackintosh), that leave be given to introduce Bill 43, The Auditor General Act; Loi sur le vérificateur général, and that the same be now received and be read a first time.

His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor, having been advised of the contents of this bill, recommends it to the House.

Mr. Speaker: Order. The honourable Minister of Finance, has the message been tabled by the honourable Lieutenant-Governor?

Mr. Selinger: I do have it right here.

Mr. Selinger: Mr. Speaker, this legislation will update the Manitoba Auditor's act and establish an auditor general for Manitoba.

Hon. Gord Mackintosh (Minister of Justice and Attorney General): Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Finance (Mr. Selinger), that leave be given to introduce Bill 46, The Provincial Court Amendment and Court of Queen's Bench Amendment Act (Loi modifiant la Loi sur la Cour provinciale et la Loi sur la Cour du Banc de la Reine), and that the same be now received and read a first time.

His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor, having been advised of the contents of this bill, recommends it to the House. I will table that message.

Mr. Mackintosh: Mr. Speaker, the primary purpose of this bill is to strengthen the constitutionality of the judicial compensation process and enhance the court's accountability to the public with respect to its administrative functions and deals with compensation for masters.

Hon. Jean Friesen (Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs): I move, seconded by the honourable Minister of Labour (Ms. Barrett), that leave be given to introduce Bill 48, The City of Winnipeg Amendment (Pensions) Act; Loi modifiant la Loi sur la Ville de Winnipeg (régime de retraite), and that the same be now received and read a first time.

Ms. Friesen: Bill 48 introduces amendments to permit the restructuring of the City of Winnipeg employees pension plan in order to enable the city and its employees to share pension surpluses and risks on an ongoing basis.

* (13:40)

Hon. Gord Mackintosh (Minister of Justice and Attorney General): Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Finance (Mr. Selinger), that leave be given to introduce Bill 49, The Statutes Correction and Minor Amendments Act, 2001 (Loi corrective de 2001), and that the same be now received and read a first time.

Hon. Dave Chomiak (Minister of Health): Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Minister of Justice (Mr. Mackintosh), that leave be given to introduce Bill 50, The Regional Health Authorities Amendment (Accountability) Act; Loi modifiant la Loi sur les offices régionaux de la santé (responsabilités), and that the same be now received and read a first time.

His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor, having been advised of the contents of this bill, recommends it to the House, and I would like to table the Lieutenant-Governor's message.

Mr. Chomiak: Mr. Speaker, this bill will provide delegated authority from the minister to go to the regional health authorities in order to provide direction and has been discussed with the faith communities and meets with their approval.

Mr. Stuart Murray (Leader of the Official Opposition): Mr. Speaker, the Premier has broken almost every single health care promise he made. Waiting lists have not been reduced; full-time nurses have not been hired; hallway medicine has not ended and patients are still going to North Dakota, in Grafton, for treatment.

This Premier (Mr. Doer) has no credibility on health care. The Health Minister (Mr. Chomiak) received a letter from a Mr. Gary Froese who raised concerns about how his mother had to go to Grafton, North Dakota, for an urgent MRI, and I would like to quote from the letter. Her neurosurgeon had specifically requested an MRI within a two-week period. The facility offering the MRI services did not respond with an appointment within the specified time period but rather scheduled one for nearly a month later.

Can this Premier explain to Mr. Froese and his family why his mother's urgent care for MRI was ignored?

Hon. Gord Mackintosh (Government House Leader): According to the rules, I wonder if the honourable member opposite would table the letter that he was quoting from.

Mr. Speaker: Would the honourable Leader of the Official Opposition table the letter he was reading from or quoting from, please?

Mr. Murray: I will table the letter later, if I could, Mr. Speaker. It is addressed to the–it is a letter that clearly is addressed to–

Mr. Speaker: Order. The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on the same point of order.

Mr. Murray: Mr. Speaker, I would be delighted to table it. Unfortunately, of course, the minister should be aware of it as it was sent to his personal attention on May 23, but I would be delighted to table it.

* (13:45)

Mr. Speaker: Order. On the point of order raised by the honourable Government House Leader, before I make my ruling I would just like to remind all honourable members that it is in our rules that when members are quoting from a private letter, they should have copies for other members. I would just like to remind all members of the House.

On that point of order, the honourable Leader of the Official Opposition has tabled the letter so that should resolve that matter.

Hon. Gary Doer (Premier): Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I hope the situation with the family is successful. I will read the specifics in the letter when I have an opportunity.

We are proceeding with authorities to purchase an MRI, an additional MRI at the Health Sciences Centre, Mr. Speaker. We are committed to the renovations at the Brandon general hospital, renovations that were promised seven times and cancelled six times.

Part of the renovations and part of the structural and capital changes will also be an MRI in the Brandon general hospital. We think that will make a difference.

Mr. Murray: Mr. Speaker, the Premier clearly promised during the election to slash waiting lists and put the Grafton Clinic out of business. He did that so people like Mr. Froese's mother would not be put into the position that she was put in.

I want to quote from the letter, which I believe the honourable minister and the First Minister would have a copy of, and it says: The time necessitated by the MRI initially scheduled for here in Manitoba would have meant the appropriate treatment of the patient, let alone the necessary type of care and, most importantly, the detailed understanding of the patient and her family members of exactly what was taking place and how best to provide comfort would not have been facilitated.

The Premier stood in this House on many occasions and he stated he would never make a promise that he could not keep, yet he knows full well that he has not kept the majority of his promises with respect to health care.

Can the Premier explain to Mr. Froese and to all Manitobans why he did not keep his promises to slash waiting lists and put the Grafton Clinic out of business?

Mr. Doer: Mr. Speaker, "slash" is a Tory word, not an NDP word.

Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh.

Mr. Speaker: Order.

Mr. Doer: We are increasing the number of MRI machines and that in turn will reduce the waiting lists. We are replacing two CAT scanners that were out of date and not functioning at the Victoria Hospital and the Seven Oaks Hospital. We have committed ourselves to five additional CAT scanners. Having said that, Mr. Speaker, the situation in the letter, I am advised by the Minister of Health (Mr. Chomiak) that there was a loss of life, not related to that situation, but I do understand the anguish that would create for any family and that is why we are continuing to try to improve health care services wherever we can.

* (13:50)

Mr. Murray: Mr. Speaker, this Government was given some $37 million to buy specifically equipment related to health care or upgrade it. They are still sitting on $18 million of that. Why have they not gone out and spent it, is what Manitobans want to know. As I said earlier, this Premier has not kept his election promises. His Minister of Health has admitted they have no grand scheme, no plan to fix health care. Any health initiative that this Government has announced since being in office for almost two years has done nothing to improve health care services for Manitoba. They have no credibility in terms of health care.

I would like to quote, for the benefit of the Premier and his Minister of Health, something that they stated during the election campaign. I am sure all Manitobans fondly remember the quote and it said–this is the First Minister, Premier Doer at that time speaking–Manitobans should not pay provincial taxes then wait weeks for tests and finally flee to Grafton and pay hundreds of dollars for the tests they need. Those were his words.

Considering the Premier broke all his promises to cut waiting lists and put the Grafton Clinic out of business, Mr. Speaker, resulting in Mr. Froese's mother having to go to Grafton for an urgent MRI, will the Premier today instruct the Minister of Health (Mr. Chomiak) to compensate the family for the $1,540 that they had to pay for their mother's out-of-province MRI?

Mr. Doer: Mr. Speaker, the ranting and raving of the Leader of the Opposition on a serious question belies the seriousness of the question. We are committed to reducing the waiting lists that we inherited from members opposite. We also know that it requires a number of measures as part of our plan to reduce waiting lists.

One, we had to increase the salaries that were 10th in Canada when we came into office for some of the needed technologists and staff, and we have done that. Secondly, we had to improve the capital funds for diagnostic equip-ment, which we did in our first Budget dramatically over the average of $700,000 which was in the last four years of Conservative budgets save the election year. Thirdly, we had to renovate a number of facilities, for example, at the Health Sciences Centre, because capital decisions were delayed, stalled and not undertaken. There were capital renovations necessary so that an MRI machine can be purchased and located appropriate and adjacent to the other diagnostic equipment that is located there.

When I talked to the professional staff at the Health Sciences Centre, they lamented the fact that for years they had requested the previous government provide the authority to purchase the MRI, and they did not get that authority.

Mr. Murray: Mr. Speaker, I believe Beauchesne's 417 says that the minister or the Premier should not provoke debate. My question was very clear to the Premier. Will he compensate the Froeses for having to go to Grafton, out of the province, for something that was urgent for that family? That is the question. Will he compensate them? We do not need a lecture on how bad their health plan is.

Mr. Speaker: The honourable First Minister, on the same point of order.

Mr. Doer: The Leader of the Opposition is blatantly abusing these rules of the House and does not have a point of order. You should rule accordingly, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker: Order. On the point of order raised by the honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, past Manitoba practice has been to allow leaders' latitude. I will allow that latitude to both leaders.

* (13:55)

Mr. Doer: So the MRI that will be located at the Health Sciences Centre that was requested for years under members opposite will be totally dedicated to the waiting lists, which are unacceptably long, so that neurosurgeons can make the decisions on the basis of medical priority and the equipment is properly in place.

The MRI that will be located in Brandon will also have a positive impact. It is incumbent upon us to redress the inadequacies of diagnostic care and the waiting lists when we came into office. We promised to do it. We are in the process of doing it, and we will do it.

Mr. Leonard Derkach (Russell): My question is to the Minister of Education. In the last few weeks the Minister of Education has indicated that he is prepared to change the high school graduation requirements where he will be allowing more student-initiated and local school-developed courses. During the 1980s and the NDP-Pawley years the universities and employers of our province openly criticized the school system for not adequately preparing our students for university education. It appears that we are now going back in time to those days.

Mr. Speaker, the Thompson Citizen reports that employers and employees have fears that the Manitoba diploma will become a watered-down patchwork quilt of courses that differ from school to school. My question, Mr. Speaker–

Mr. Speaker: Order.

Hon. Gord Mackintosh (Government House Leader): Mr. Speaker, I should have learned this yesterday: when the honourable member gets up I should immediately get out Beauchesne's. Of course, Citation 409: A question must be brief. A preamble need not exceed one carefully drawn sentence.

Mr. Speaker, would you please remind the member opposite who continually violates this citation in Beauchesne's?

Mr. Speaker: On the point of order raised by the honourable Government House Leader, I would like to take this opportunity to remind all members that, according to Beauchesne's Citation 409(2), a preamble should not exceed one carefully drawn sentence.

Mr. Speaker: The honourable Member for Russell, to please put his question.

Mr. Derkach: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister of Education whether in fact he is prepared to allow as many as 13 out of 28 school credits in high school to be locally developed or student-initiated courses in his proposed overhaul of the high school graduation programs.

Hon. Drew Caldwell (Minister of Education, Training and Youth): Mr. Speaker, it would seem that we on the Government side of the House and the people of Manitoba watching have been treated to a week of hypotheticals in this House in proposed legislation and hypothetical legislation. It is really unfortunate because we do have substantial bills that are actually in reality before this House on a day-to-day basis. You know, I make it generally the practice not to comment on hypotheticals, but I will say that we are in the Department of Education, Training and Youth, and broadly in Government, engaged in ongoing consultations and dialogue with teaching professionals in this province, with trustees in this province, with students, parents in this province around creating educational excellence and opportunities for students and will continue to do so.

* (14:00)

Mr. Derkach: Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the minister whether or not the facts that have been reported in the Thompson Citizen are true, and I would like to quote from this article where it says, and I quote, Caldwell said he expects to announce decisions on graduation changes within weeks.

Mr. Speaker, the minister has just said that this is all hypothetical. I would like to ask the minister whether indeed the article in the newspaper is accurate, that he intends to change the graduation program in high school so that 13 out of 28 courses are going to be student-initiated and locally initiated courses.

Mr. Caldwell: Mr. Speaker, we in Government have been engaged with the public education system in a meaningful and fundamentally respectful way for the last 20 months, in stark contrast to members opposite who ridiculed the public education system and cut funding to support the public education system year after year after year.

Mr. Marcel Laurendeau (Opposition House Leader): Beauchesne's 417: Answers to questions should be as brief as possible, deal with the matter raised and should not provoke debate. Mr. Speaker, every time this minister gets up, he never seems to have an answer, but he is always provoking debate.

Mr. Speaker: The honourable Government House Leader, on the same point of order.

Mr. Mackintosh: On the same point of order, I suggest the–

Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh.

Mr. Speaker: Order. May I remind all honourable members that a point of order is a very serious matter, and I would ask the co-operation of all honourable members.

The honourable Government House Leader, on the same point of order.

Mr. Mackintosh: Well, I simply suggest, Mr. Speaker, there is no point of order there whatsoever. The Opposition does not want to hear about its pitiful record in the area of education.

Mr. Speaker: On the point of order raised by the honourable Official Opposition House Leader, he has a point of order.

I would like to remind all honourable ministers that according to Beauchesne's Citation 417: Answers to questions should be as brief as possible, deal with the matter raised and to not provoke debate.

Mr. Speaker: The honourable Minister of Education, to conclude his comments.

Mr. Caldwell: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We will continue our dialogue with educators, parents, trustees, and we will continue to build educational excellence in this province.

Mr. Derkach: You know, Mr. Speaker, I have asked a fairly straightforward question, and I would like to ask a second supplementary question. I only ask the minister to answer truthfully and to answer without the arrogance and without the rhetoric that he puts on the record.

I want to ask the Minister of Education whether in fact he is now proposing that 13 out of 28 credits in our high school curriculum be student-initiated or locally initiated courses, because this has now caused some concern not only to universities and employers but indeed to MAST, who have commented on the inconsistency that this would cause and the patchwork that would be created as a result of this kind of move.

Mr. Caldwell: No, Mr. Speaker.

Mrs. Joy Smith (Fort Garry): Mr. Speaker, it is hoped from this side of the House that the minister will not get up and do his political rhetoric questions, because four school divisions, Fort Garry, Morris-Macdonald, St. James-Assiniboia and Interlake, have amalgamated their resources and have developed an Internet-based alternative instruction environment called InForM Net. Now this program offers 20 courses on-line. They will be offering the full 20 courses by September 2, '01 and it is available to all students in Manitoba.

Now can this minister advise this House in a clear manner if this Government is willing to assist funding for students who have selected to complete their education via the InForM Net?

Hon. Drew Caldwell (Minister of Education, Training and Youth): Mr. Speaker, I am always happy to get up and talk about how this Government has assisted the education system through investment in funding.

The member inquires about this Government's record vis-à-vis support and investment in the public school system. In the last 20 months in capital this Government has put in over $125 million. That compares favourably with the record of the entire last 10 years with the members opposite. In terms of operations, in the last two years, to support operations in the public school system, our classroom operations, this Government has invested $47.5 million. That compares with $15 million for the entire mandate of the last government of the members opposite.

So, Mr. Speaker, we are very happy to talk about this Government's investment in the public school system.

Mrs. Smith: Then perhaps the minister could talk about something called InForM Net and the lack of subsidizing or assisting students who need the on-line educational experience. Alberta and Saskatchewan fund on-line students.

My question to the minister is: Why is this minister not willing to supplement these schools and these students wishing to take the on-line courses, as they do for independent study courses?

Mr. Caldwell: The divisions referenced by the member opposite are all very good divisions. In fact, I made the capital funding announcement this year for the $76 million for capital funding, the largest in Manitoba's history, at St. James Collegiate in St. James-Assiniboia School Division.

Incidentally, I made that announcement in front of a gymnasium that was being built that was 10 years on the St. James-Assiniboia School Division's list for construction. So we are obviously taking steps to rectify the sorry legacy left by members opposite in terms of our public education system.

Mr. Marcel Laurendeau (Opposition House Leader): Mr. Speaker, on a point of order. Beauchesne's 417: Answers to questions should be as brief as possible, deal with the matter raised and should not provoke debate. Maybe the minister did not hear the question but it was about the InForM Net and the subsidy for the students who are taking these courses. He is provoking debate again.

Hon. Gord Mackintosh (Government House Leader): The minister was simply answering the question, a lengthy question. Beauchesne's says: A question must be brief. A long preamble and a long question takes an unfair share of time and provokes the same kind of reply.

So, Mr. Speaker, if there was a succinct question, that would make a difference. Unfortunately, the member did not make such a succinct question.

Mr. Speaker: On the point of order raised by the honourable Official Opposition House Leader, he does have a point of order. I would like to remind the honourable minister that according to Beauchesne's Citation 417: An-swers to questions should deal with the matter raised.

Mr. Speaker: The honourable Minister of Education and Training, to conclude his comments.

Mr. Caldwell: Mr. Speaker, the member did have quite a long preamble to the question, and it involved investment in education. I think it is important when we are talking about investment in education that we contextualize.

Of course, this Government is in support of the public education system. We are supportive of new technologies. The amount of resources that have been invested by the people of Manitoba in the public school system has been extraordinary in the last 20 months and will continue along that tack.

* (14:10)

Mrs. Smith: Then, Mr. Speaker, with all due respect, why is this minister not supporting the InForM Net initiative in these four school divisions and causing rural students to be in jeopardy because they are unable to get this on-line learning?

Mr. Caldwell: Broadly, this Government is very supportive of investment in public education. We are doing it at historic levels. In terms of InForM Net, I find it passing strange that members–

Mr. Speaker: Order.

Mr. Caldwell: I find it passing strange how the typical drumbeat from members opposite is tax cut, tax cut, cut, cut, cut. When I get–

Mr. Speaker: Order.

Mr. Laurendeau: Mr. Speaker, Beauchesne's 417: Answers to questions should be as brief as possible, deal with the matter raised and should not provoke debate. There is only one thing that is passing strange in this House, and it is this minister.

Mr. Speaker: The honourable Minister of Education, Training and Youth, on the same point of order.

Mr. Caldwell: We are discussing the support and financing of programs, and that is exactly what I am addressing.

Mr. Speaker: Order. On the point of order raised by the honourable Official Opposition House Leader, he does have a point of order. Beauchesne's states very clearly, Citation 417: Answers to questions should deal with the matter raised. The question I heard was dealing with the InForM Net. So I would ask the honourable minister to please answer the question.

Mr. Caldwell: Mr. Speaker, as I said, the InForM Net is a valuable resource in the province of Manitoba with the four divisions in question. There is no doubt about that. The level of support from the people of the province of Manitoba in the last 20 months has been at historic levels, over $150 million going into the public education system. We will continue at those levels of support.

Mr. Ron Schuler (Springfield): During the last provincial election, the NDP made the promise that of the roughly 200 000 students in Manitoba, each would have an e-mail address through what they called "Immediate Initiative." From the press release that was sent out I quote: We will provide every student with an e-mail address.

Can the Minister of Education tell this House how many, of the roughly 200 000 students in Manitoba schools, have an e-mail address today?

Hon. Drew Caldwell (Minister of Education, Training and Youth): The commitment around information technology in the public school system is one that this Government takes very seriously. We are working with educators throughout the province of Manitoba to ensure that such access is handled in a safe way. We will continue to work with educators across the province of Manitoba to ensure that this is met in a responsible fashion and not holus-bolus as members opposite may like.

Mr. Schuler: Yes, this is an important issue, so I ask the Minister of Education: Of the roughly 200 000 students in Manitoba, can he give us a percentage? Is it 50 percent of the students that now have e-mail, and when is he going to fulfil his election promise that we will provide every student with an e-mail address? When will that take place? A promise made, Mr. Speaker, should be a promise kept. When are they going to do that?

Mr. Caldwell: The member asked a couple of questions, but I will respond to the last one first, Mr. Speaker. We are working, as I said, in response to the first question, with educators, with trustees, with parents, with those who are expert in the field of technology and IT to proceed in a safe, responsible manner with full consultation with parents and educators around this particular matter.

We are not prepared to act irresponsibly without full understanding of the implications involved with this particular question. The Minister of Justice (Mr. Mackintosh) has been very diligent in providing for safe schools, and this Government believes in safe schools. That is the way we will proceed on this issue.

Mr. Schuler: I would direct my next question to the Premier (Mr. Doer), the individual who actually made the promise. The promise made was: We will provide every student with an e-mail address. When does the Premier expect that commitment that the over 200 000 students in Manitoba will have an e-mail address? The Premier made the promise. When will the Premier live up to that promise?

Mr. Caldwell: There is an expectation in the public and certainly in the homes of the province of Manitoba that there will be on-line protection for children in the province of Manitoba. That is the way we are responding.

Today my colleague, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Mines (Ms. Mihychuk), announced a partnership with Microsoft for the Manitoba Network for Science and Technology Teacher Mentorship Summer Institute, a public-private partnership. This Government believes in working with business, working with teachers, working with labour, working with the field in developing sound policies.

Mr. Marcel Laurendeau (Opposition House Leader): On a point of order, Mr. Speaker, Beauchesne's 417: Answers to questions should be as brief as possible, deal with the matter raised and not provoke debate.

It was very clear: How many e-mail addresses do the students have? Does the minister have a percentage? It was a promise made in the last election. We would just like to know. Have they fulfilled their commitment? Is he deaf?

Mr. Speaker: Order. The honourable Minister of Education, Training and Youth, on the same point of order.

Mr. Caldwell: Mr. Speaker, of course, the member did not have a point of order. He was taking the opportunity to state a question again.

The context of this issue is significant. The answers given were in the context of on-line safety for children, and that is the way we are proceeding.

Mr. Speaker: On the point of order raised by the honourable Official Opposition House Leader, I would like to once again remind all ministers that Beauchesne's Citation 417: Answers to questions should deal with the matter raised.

Mr. Speaker: Has the honourable Minister of Education concluded his comments?

The honourable Member for Ste. Rose. I have recognized the honourable Member for Ste. Rose.

Mr. Glen Cummings (Ste. Rose): Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister of Education.

We expect our children to be able to provide progress. We are simply asking how much progress has he made in providing an e-mail address.

Hon. Drew Caldwell (Minister of Education, Training and Youth): Mr. Speaker, there has been significant discussion on this issue. There has been significant progress made.

Mr. Speaker, members opposite may want us just to issue e-mail addresses holus-bolus and allow the children of Manitoba to be exposed to the pernicious influence of much of what is on the Web, but we on this side of the House believe in acting responsibly, and that is the way we are going to proceed.

Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh.

Mr. Speaker: Order. The honourable Member for Springfield, on a point of order.

Mr. Ron Schuler (Springfield): On a point of order, Mr. Speaker, the rules are very clear that answers are not supposed to provoke debate. We are talking about e-mail addresses, not the Internet, not Web sites. We are talking about e-mail addresses. That is what was promised by the Premier (Mr. Doer), and we want to have an answer to that question.

* (14:20)

Mr. Speaker: The honourable Minister of Education, Training and Youth, on the same point of order?

Mr. Caldwell: On the same point of order, Mr. Speaker, it defies logic or thinking how an e-mail address is separate from the Web.

Mr. Speaker: On the point of order raised by the honourable Member for Springfield, he does not have a point of order. It is a dispute over the facts.

Mr. Cummings: Mr. Speaker, most teachers that I have had contact with would not be satisfied with the results that this minister is producing.

Will he confirm to this House that he has not made any progress on the Premier's promise?

Mr. Caldwell: Well, of course, Mr. Speaker, that is absurd. We have been working for 20 months on a variety of issues.

The commitment to provide stable funding in accord with economic growth–commitment made, commitment kept. The commitment to replace a Grade 3 end-of-year standards test with an earlier diagnostic to help kids throughout the school year–commitment made, commitment kept.

Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh.

Mr. Speaker: Order. The honourable Official Opposition House Leader, on a point of order.

Mr. Marcel Laurendeau (Opposition House Leader): Mr. Speaker, Beauchesne's 417, and I am sure the minister has heard this before: Answers to questions should be as brief as possible, deal with the matter raised, should not provoke debate.

Mr. Speaker, if the minister was listening, he can answer the question. If he was not listening, he can sit down and let somebody else answer it.

Mr. Caldwell: Mr. Speaker, the member asked about commitments made and commitments kept. On every issue that was a commitment, including e-mail addresses, we are meeting them.

Mr. Speaker: On the point of order raised by the honourable Official Opposition House Leader, he does have a point of order.

Beauchesne's Citation 417: Answers to questions should deal with the matter raised, and the question that was raised was about the Internet.

Mr. Cummings: Mr. Speaker, my question is very specific. What percentage of Manitoba students now have an e-mail address? I would ask the Premier (Mr. Doer) if he will comment on that promise that he made.

Mr. Caldwell: Mr. Speaker, this Government committed to improving school safety. This Government committed to e-mail addresses. We are working with educators, with parents, on this issue. We are meeting our commitments in every area, and we will continue to work on this.

Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Monsieur le président, ma question est pour le ministre des Finances. Dans le budget du ministre, il y a 40 millions de dollars pour le canal de dérivation de la rivière Rouge pour protéger la ville de Winnipeg. Jusqu'à date, il n'y a pas eu de décision de commencer la construction sur le canal de dérivation.

Je demande au ministre si les 40 millions de dollars seront dépensés cette année, si on considère les délais.

Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister of Finance. In the minister's budget, there is $40 million for the Red River floodway to protect the city of Winnipeg. To date, no decision has been made to begin construction on the Red River floodway.

Hon. Greg Selinger (Minister of Finance): En réponse à la question du député de River Heights, il y a en ce moment une étude de faisabilité sur la meilleure façon de construire le canal de dérivation. C'est une étude très importante, parce que sans une telle étude il y a le danger de construire un canal de dérivation qui n'est pas acceptable à la majorité des Manitobains, et c'est aussi absolument nécessaire d'avoir la contribution du gouvernement fédéral à ce projet.

In response to the question of the Member for River Heights, at this time a feasibility study is being conducted on the best way of building the floodway. It is a very important study, because without such a study there is the risk of building a floodway that is not acceptable to the majority of Manitobans, and it is absolutely necessary as well that the federal government contribute to this project.

Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Ma question supplémentaire au ministre des Finances: Je demande aussi si le budget du ministre inclut des fonds pour la construction du pont Provencher qui est très important pour le quartier de Saint-Boniface.

My supplementary question to the Minister of Finance: I ask also whether the minister's budget includes funds for the construction of the Provencher Bridge, which is very important for St. Boniface.

Hon. Greg Selinger (Minister of Finance): Dans notre budget, il y a un programme qui s'appelle le Programme d'infrastructure, et dans le cadre de ce programme la ministre des Affaires intergouvernementales (Mme Friesen) est en négociation avec la Ville de Winnipeg sur ses priorités, et on en verra le résultat. On doit aussi avoir la réponse du gouvernement fédéral sur ses priorités pour ce programme.

Within our Budget, there is a program called the Infrastructure Program. In the context of that program, the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs (Ms. Friesen) is in negotiations with the City of Winnipeg concerning its priorities, and we will see what is the result. As well, we need the response of the federal government as to its priorities for that program.

Mr. Gerrard: Ma question supplémentaire au ministre des Finances: Je demande au ministre, pourquoi n'est-il pas certain que ces fonds sont là pour la construction du pont Provencher?

My supplementary question to the Minister of Finance: I ask the minister, why is he not certain that those funds are there for the construction of the Provencher Bridge?

Mr. Selinger: Comme j'ai justement expliqué au député de River Heights, il y a un programme dans le budget qui s'appelle le Programme d'infrastructure. Il faut avoir un consensus entre les gouvernements fédéral et provincial et la Ville de Winnipeg. Mais quand il y a un consensus sur les projets, les ressources sont là.

As I have just explained to the Member for River Heights, there is a program in the Budget called the Infrastructure Program. There must be consensus among the federal and provincial governments and the City of Winnipeg. But when there is consensus on projects, the resources are there.

Mr. Doug Martindale (Burrows): Mr. Speaker, when the North End YM-YWCA closed in June of 1995, it was a very sad day for residents of the North End and West Kildonan, and the Filmon Conservative government did absolutely nothing, did not lift a finger, did not spend a nickel to do anything to reopen that much-needed recreation facility.

My question for the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs is: What is our Government doing to facilitate consultation amongst community organizations in the north end to help–

Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh.

Mr. Speaker: Order.

Mr. Martindale: To continue my question, Mr. Speaker, what are we doing to assist community groups to come up with a business plan and consult with the community to reopen this much-needed recreation facility?

Hon. Jean Friesen (Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs): Mr. Speaker, I think many members in this Chamber are aware that the loss of the North End Y was viewed by many people in the mid-1990s as the community turning its back on the north end.

I would like to advise the member that, early on coming into government, we commissioned a feasibility study which laid some of the groundwork for innovative proposals from the community for a wellness project, a holistic concept to address the health, recreation and social needs of the North End, and it will include proposals for the North End Y. We provided funding for a business plan, a commitment to capital development. We have met with the working group on a number of occasions and facilitated the active co-operation of many departments and agencies.

Mr. Speaker, the working group is developing specific proposals to be presented to an open community forum in the very near future, which I am sure many members will want to attend. It is part of our Government's commitment to working with inner-city people to renew inner-city neighbourhoods.

Mr. Harold Gilleshammer (Minnedosa): Mr. Speaker, there is a growing number of Manitobans and Manitoba groups who are adding their voice to chorus to ask this Government to take the hydro rates to the Public Utilities Board. The Consumers' Association, the seniors association, editorial boards and the Industrial Power Users Group has asked you to do that.

Mr. Speaker, could the minister responsible confirm that the Hydro Board or management went to the Public Utilities Board and asked for a hearing in February? They have since cancelled that hearing.

* (14:30)

Hon. Greg Selinger (Minister charged with the administration of The Manitoba Hydro Act): The Manitoba Hydro has not had a public hearing or a public review of the rates in the last three years of the former government and the first two years of this Government. The Government, on the equalized utility rates, have decided to proceed by legislation, which is, as I understand it, fully supported by Manitoba Hydro, and we will put our policy in front of Manitobans, Mr. Speaker, and let the Legislature vote accordingly.

Mr. Gilleshammer: On a new question, Mr. Speaker, the process is clear that any change in rates has to go before the Public Utilities Board. Manitoba Hydro officials knew that. They made an appointment to go to the Public Utilities Board. That hearing has since been cancelled.

Did the minister or the Premier direct them to cancel that hearing?

Mr. Selinger: Mr. Speaker, the Government decided to proceed with their election promise with an appropriate package of legislation to equalize rates. It was promised in the election, it was announced in the Throne Speech, and it will be proceeded by legislation here in this House.

Mr. Gilleshammer: Mr. Speaker, on a new question, this Government is reverting to the Government of Howard Pawley of the 1980s, with Vic Schroeder and the Member for Concordia (Mr. Doer) sitting around the Cabinet table adjusting rates in a political fashion.

Will the Premier now tell us whether he gave the order to cancel that hearing where Hydro was prepared to go before Public Utilities to have the rates reviewed?

Hon. Gary Doer (Premier): I am shocked, Mr. Speaker, that members opposite do not believe. I know members opposite. I should not expect them to follow democracy because, in the 1995 election, they promised they would not sell the Telephone System, and then they went back on their word, on orders of the former Premier, to break his word. Now rates have tripled in rural Manitoba.

We, on the other hand, promised in the election campaign that, if we were elected, we would lower the rates in rural Manitoba, we would lower the rates in northern Manitoba, we would lower the rates for people outside of the city of Winnipeg.

Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh.

Mr. Speaker: Order. The honourable Official Opposition House Leader, on a point of order.

Mr. Marcel Laurendeau (Opposition House Leader): On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Beauchesne's 417: Answers to questions should be as brief as possible, deal with the matter raised and should not provoke debate.

Mr. Speaker, this question was clearly about the meeting which Hydro cancelled with the PUB. That is what this question was about, and this question came from one of the critics to the Leader. So the leaders' latitude does not apply in this case.

Mr. Speaker: The honourable Government House Leader, on the same point of order.

Hon. Gord Mackintosh (Government House Leader): Mr. Speaker, I think we have had a record number of points of order raised from the Opposition today.

What we are seeing here today is an Opposition that does not want to face the truth. They want to forget history. They want to forget their role in Manitoba and how they tripled MTS rates in Manitoba.

Mr. Speaker: Order. On the point of order raised by the honourable Official Opposition House Leader, Manitoba practice has been to allow leaders' latitude , and I will continue–

Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh.

Mr. Speaker: Order. A point of order is a very serious matter, and I would ask the co-operation of all members of the House.

On the point of order raised by the honourable Official Opposition House Leader, Manitoba practice has been to allow leaders' latitude, and I will follow that practice unless I am given recommendations that are jointly agreed to by both House leaders.

Mr. Laurendeau: Mr. Speaker, regrettably, I have to challenge your ruling.

Mr. Speaker: The ruling of the Chair has been challenged. All those in support of sustaining the ruling of the Chair, say yea.

Some Honourable Members: Yea.

Mr. Speaker: All those opposed, say nay.

Some Honourable Members: Nay.

Mr. Speaker: In my opinion, the Yeas have it.

Mr. Laurendeau: Yeas and Nays, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker: A recorded vote has been called for. Call in the members.

Order. The question before the House is shall the ruling of the Chair be sustained.

Madam Clerk (Patricia Chaychuk): Yeas 30, Nays 23.

Mr. Speaker: The ruling of the Chair has been sustained.

Mr. Speaker: The honourable Member for Minnedosa.

Order. I have not reverted back to Question Period. I thought he was getting up on a point of order.

Mr. Gilleshammer: This is a new question, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker: No, I have to call "resuming Question Period," and when we left Question Period, the honourable First Minister had the floor. We have to revert back to where we left off.

Mr. Doer: Mr. Speaker, as I said, in the election campaign, we promised to have rate equalization for hydro in Manitoba.

As I recall correctly, the former Minister of Northern Affairs under the former government, Mr. David Newman, I believe was quite sympathetic to that idea in a debate we had with MKO in northern Manitoba, in The Pas, during the election campaign, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, the ultimate authority of this commitment and the legislation before the House is the people of Manitoba. This was a promise made in the campaign. It is something that we put in the Speech from the Throne. We now have legislation before the people in this Legislature.

The ultimate authority on policies dealing with issues like hydro rates is in this Legislature. Rural electrification was made by–

Mr. Speaker: Order. The honourable Official Opposition House Leader, on a point of order.

Mr. Laurendeau: On a point of order, Mr. Speaker, Beauchesne's 417: Answers to questions should be as brief as possible, deal with the matter raised and not provoke debate.

Mr. Speaker, this question was directed by the critic for Hydro, not by the leader, so the leaders' latitude does not apply.

Mr. Speaker: The honourable Deputy Government House Leader, on the same point of order.

* (15:30)

Hon. Steve Ashton (Deputy Government House Leader): Mr. Speaker, being at somewhat of a disadvantage, having just attended a funeral, not knowing the original context of the question, I do know that there is a tradition in this House of leaders' latitude and–[interjection] Well, having been House leader on the opposition for 10 years, there seems to be a difference of interpretation on either side.

Mr. Speaker, I remember numerous occasions in which the former Premier waxed eloquently when asked questions by members other than our leader, but I would suggest, given the normal tradition, that the appropriate way to resolve this would be through discussions with the House leaders.

That has been the normal tradition when it comes to items which fall outside the direct purview of the rules. But the Manitoba tradition is leaders' latitude, Mr. Speaker, and I believe the First Minister's (Mr. Doer) answer was well within the parameters of that protocol.

Mr. Speaker: On the point of order raised by the honourable Official Opposition House Leader, my interpretation of leaders' latitude, I have done some research, and I have checked it out, and there is nothing that is consistent.

I mentioned before I am only a servant of the House. I need directions that are agreed upon by both House leaders to give me some direction on what you would like me to enforce. There is nothing that is consistent in order for me to make an interpretation on a ruling that I would feel justifiable in enforcing in this House.

I ask the House to decide on the interpretation that the House would like for me to enforce, and I would be more than happy to interpret that. Until I am given an agreement that is jointly agreed to by the House leaders, my interpretation of leaders' latitude is leaders' latitude.

I mentioned before when I made a ruling, if the honourable Leader of the Official Opposition (Mr. Murray) rises on question No. 3, question No. 6, No. 7, is he no longer the Leader of his party? In my interpretation–[interjection] Order. There are mechanisms in place for members if they do not agree with the Speaker.

So when the Leader of the Official Opposition rises in the House, to me as the Speaker, my interpretation is he is a leader of a recognized official party in this Chamber, and when the First Minister (Mr. Doer) rises in this Chamber he is the leader of his party. That is my interpretation. It is totally left to the interpretation of a Speaker of the day. I am asking the House to help me to resolve this, and I ask the House leaders to please get together to come to some agreement. Whatever that agreement is, give me some directions on what it is you would like me to enforce.

Until that time, my interpretation of leaders' latitude is a leader is a leader in this Chamber. That is my understanding and my interpretation. Until I am given directions that are agreed upon by both House leaders, my ruling is that Manitoba practice has been that leaders have the latitude, and that is my ruling. I am sorry, but I will rule that until I am given directions that are agreed upon by both House leaders.

So the honourable member does not have a point of order.

Mr. Laurendeau: Regrettably, Mr. Speaker, I must challenge your ruling. We had an agreement when we were in government that worked.

Mr. Speaker: The ruling of the Chair has been challenged.

Mr. Speaker: Those in support of sustaining the ruling, please say yea.

Some Honourable Members: Yea.

Mr. Speaker: Those opposed, say nay.

Some Honourable Members: Nay.

Mr. Speaker: In my opinion, the Yeas have it.

Mr. Laurendeau: Yeas and Nays, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker: A recorded vote has been requested. Call in the members.

Order. The question before the House is shall the ruling of the Chair be sustained.

Madam Clerk (Patricia Chaychuk): Yeas 31, Nays 20.

Mr. Speaker: The ruling of the Chair has been sustained.

Mr. Speaker: We will resume Question Period where we left off. The honourable First Minister had the floor.

Mr. Doer: As I said, Mr. Speaker, this is a promise made to the people of Manitoba. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker: Time for Oral Questions has expired.

Mr. Harry Schellenberg (Rossmere): Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak on the Conflict Mediation Program at the Valley Gardens Junior High School, which is located at 220 Antrim Road.

Recently, the Minister of Education, Training and Youth (Mr. Caldwell) and I were invited to Valley Gardens Junior High to hear a presentation on the Conflict Mediation Program. The teachers at the school pointed out to us that conflict is a natural state, and especially at the junior high level. The basic goal of this program is to provide the opportunity for students to help their peers solve disputes, disagreements and differences. When you enter the school, you will see photos of 20 students chosen by their peers, who are taught how to mediate the various kinds of disputes such as fighting, bullying, name calling, spreading rumours, teasing and bugging, to name a few.

Although the program is organized by teachers, the daily operation is in the hands of the students. Students are responsible for booking the mediation room, getting signed permission from a teacher to allow students out of class and ensuring that students return to class after disputes have been mediated. Some long-term goals or impacts are improved attendance, improved self-esteem, appropriate behaviour, increased motivation towards classroom studies, less violence, and, of course, reduced teacher stress.

Mr. Doug Nowicki, co-ordinator of the program, said that he can see the results of the program on a day-to-day basis with a reduction of violence in the school.

As the Minister of Education (Mr. Caldwell) and I visited the school, we were impressed with the mature behaviour of students all over the school. I commend the administration and the teaching staff for developing a sense of community in their school, which is so important to our youth today. I congratulate Doug Nowicki, co-ordinator of the program, for the strong support of the program and his dedication to the students at the school. I would like to thank Principal Diana Posthumus and Vice-Principal Don Reed for their hospitality as we toured the school.

Mr. Speaker: Order. The honourable member's time has expired.

Mrs. Louise Dacquay (Seine River): Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Manitoba's participants in this year's National Chess 'N Math Tournament. This year's tournament was recently held at the University of Toronto. Manitoba's youngest chess champions represented our province and certainly made us proud. In the overall ranking, Manitoba placed fifth and scored a total of 54.5 points. This marks a new record for Manitoba. No other Manitoba team has ever scored this high at a national championship.

In addition to the team's overall performance, individual participants also did very well. I would like to congratulate Trevor Vincent, who came in third among the Grade 5 students, Justin Gushuliak, who placed second among the Grade 8 students and Joshua Henson, who was awarded third place among the Grade 12 students.

On behalf of all members, I again extend my congratulations to Manitoba's chess champions who put on an impressive performance at this year's national tournament. You have represented yourselves, your team and our province admirably and have certainly made us proud. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Ms. Linda Asper (Riel): J'ai le plaisir de dire quelques mots à propos du nom de la nouvelle école élémentaire française au sud de Saint-Vital. Le nom a été dévoilé le 23 avril aux parents, aux enseignants et enseignantes et aux élèves de l'École Lavallée.

A compter de maintenant, la nouvelle école s'appellera l'École Christine Lespérance en souvenir de la toute première enseignante à Saint-Vital. Ce nom, soumis par une des archivistes chez les Soeurs Grises, Carole Boily, a attiré l'attention du jury du comité scolaire des parents de l'École Lavallée, ainsi que de la Division scolaire franco-manitobaine, parmi 34 autres soumissions remises à l'occasion d'un concours l'hiver dernier.

* (16:40)

Christine Lespérance, née au Québec en 1828, entre au noviciat des Soeurs de la Charité de Montréal en 1850. Un mois plus tard, la jeune novice s'embarque pour la lointaine mission de la rivière Rouge où elle termine son noviciat à Saint-Boniface et fait ses voeux perpétuels en 1852. En 1860, à la demande de Monseigneur Alexandre Taché, elle est nommée pour aller ouvrir une petite école à Saint-Vital où elle fait la classe à une soixantaine d'enfants. Soeur Lespérance enseigne à Saint-Vital pendant neuf ans. Elle passera ensuite du temps à Saint-François-Xavier, à la lointaine mission de Lac la Biche en Alberta, au Québec, à Saint-Norbert et à Saint-Boniface, où elle remplit une variété de fonctions: enseignante, supérieure du couvent, supérieure de la maison-mère des Soeurs Grises et économe des missions. Elle décède le 5 février 1902 à l'âge de 73 ans.

It is my pleasure to say a few words about the name of the new elementary French school in south St. Vital. The name was revealed on April 23 to the parents, teachers and pupils of École Lavallée.

Mr. Speaker: Order.

Mrs. Joy Smith (Fort Garry): Mr. Speaker, it brings me great pleasure to rise in the House today to once again acknowledge the tremendous work and accomplishments of students from Arthur A. Leach School in the Fort Garry constituency.

Senior 1 students at Arthur A. Leach School, under the direction of their Art-Drama teacher, James McLellan, have created their very own movie, Time Virus, under their school's media literacy program. This wonderful initiative allows students to gain first-hand experience in the area of media and multimedia, giving them valuable skills which will no doubt be of assistance in many future endeavours. Students of Arthur A. Leach were the sole writers, producers, editors and stars of the film, and the final product was truly a work of which they can be proud.

I personally had the opportunity to view this wonderful production at the advanced screening held on June 4 at the Famous Players Silver City Theatre in St. Vital. I must say I was pleasantly amazed and impressed with the quality and professionalism of the film. The regular screening will be held on June 9, and I strongly encourage all members to attend to show their support for our young local talent.

I would like to extend special congratulations to nine Arthur A. Leach students who received the certificate of merit for Time Virus: David Turcan, Ken DeRuyck, Craig Ward, Brittany Willacy, Carly Rodgers, Jason Zhang, Riasat Rahman, Alasdair Dunlop and Brian Roach. Also, a warm thanks to James McLellan, their teacher, and to Advance Electronics professional division, Thunderbird Restaurant and Famous Players for making this production possible.

Ms. Bonnie Korzeniowski (St. James): I am pleased to rise today to draw attention to the 25th anniversary celebrations at the Discovery Children's Centre on Hampton Street in St. James. The non-profit child care centre has served the St. James community and the city of Winnipeg since 1985. The centre has grown considerably over the last 25 years. Beginning as a small nursery in a church basement, the centre now offers care to 180 preschool and school age children on weekdays, evenings and on Saturdays.

Over the years, the Discovery Centre has led the child care community in finding child care answers for working parents. The Discovery Children's Centre is well known for its warm, loving atmosphere, flexible hours of service and for the excellent care it provides to children with developmental delays or disabilities. The centre has more reasons than one to celebrate this year as their director, Ron Blatz, is a 2001 recipient of the Director of the Year Award sponsored by the Manitoba Child Care Association. I would like to take this opportunity to personally commend Ron for his lifetime of service to the children in my community.

A few years ago Ron received a commemorative medal for his work at the Discovery Centre and last year he received a Medal of Bravery from the Governor General of Canada for saving a woman's life on Christmas Day, 1997. With the support and dedication of individuals like Ron Blatz, I am confident that the Discovery Children's Centre will continue to provide excellent child care services to the St. James community, hopefully for another 25 years and longer. Anniversary celebrations begin this Friday, June 8. On Saturday, the centre will host a family fun day featuring a barbecue, the Titanic inflatable slide, a penny carnival and official ceremonies.

The Minister of Family Services (Mr. Sale) and I invite you to join us in celebrating the Discovery Children's Centre's 25th anniversary this Saturday and in congratulating Ron Blatz on receiving the Director of the Year Award.

Mr. Speaker: The honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Mines, on a grievance?

Hon. MaryAnn Mihychuk (Minister of Industry, Trade and Mines): No. Mr. Speaker, I ask leave that we revert to Introduction of Bills.

Mr. Speaker: Order. I just have to deal with Grievances first, and then I will recognize the honourable minister. Grievances?

Some Honourable Members: No.

Ms. Mihychuk: I would ask for leave to revert to Introduction of Bills, please.

Mr. Speaker: Is it the will of the House to revert to Introduction of Bills? [Agreed]

Hon. MaryAnn Mihychuk (Minister of Industry, Trade and Mines): I move, seconded by the honourable Minister of Finance (Mr. Selinger), that leave be given to introduce Bill 28, The Labour-Sponsored Investment Funds (Various Acts Amended) Act (Loi sur les fonds de placement des travailleurs (modification de diverses dispositions législatives), and that the same be now received and read a first time.

His Honour the Administrator, having been advised of the contents of this bill, recommends it to the House, and I would like to table the Administrator's message.

Ms. Mihychuk: This bill, Bill 28, updates the legislation governing labour-sponsored investment funds in Manitoba and amends both The Manitoba Employee Ownership Fund Corporation Act and The Labour-Sponsored Venture Capital Corporations Act to make them more consistent with one another. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Hon. Gord Mackintosh (Government House Leader): Mr. Speaker, I would like to announce that the following bill that was previously referred to the upcoming meeting of the Standing Committee on Law Amendments for Monday will now not be referred to the committee for the Monday meeting but will be referred to the committee at a future date. The bill is No. 8, The Mines and Minerals Amendment Act.

Mr. Speaker, would you please call second readings, that is, of the bills as they appear on the Order Paper, 22 and 42?

Mr. Speaker: It has been announced that the following bill, which was previously referred to the upcoming meeting of the Standing Committee on Law Amendments on Monday, June 11, 2001, at 10 a.m., will not now be referred to the Law Amendments Committee for the Monday meeting, but will be referred to committee at a future date. The bill is Bill 8, The Mines and Minerals Amendment Act.

Hon. Dave Chomiak (Minister of Health): Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Justice (Mr. Mackintosh), that Bill 22, The Cancer Treatment and Research Foundation Amendment and Consequential Amendments Act; Loi modifiant la Loi sur la Fondation de traitement du cancer et de recherche en cancérologie et modifications corrélatives, be now read a second time and referred to a committee of this House.

Mr. Chomiak: Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to bring to the House for second reading amendments to The Cancer Treatment and Research Foundation Act.

I think it is worth noting, Mr. Speaker, the remarks made in the recent report from the Thomas committee in response to the Manitoba pediatric cardiac inquest. The committee noted the complex accountability and operating structures within our health care system. Here is an instance where we are providing the health care system with some better clarity and consistency.

This legislation addresses accountability in the operating structure of CancerCare Manitoba and makes them consistent with the framework in which regional health authorities operate. Consistency, Mr. Speaker, is very important in a complex health care system, and we are trying to move towards better lines of consistency and accountability. This legislation, in addition, acknowledges the growth of this organization and ensures that its role in providing health care reflects both its status and expectations.

Mr. Speaker, providing a more streamlined process for acquiring patent rights for emerging cancer care treatments is another benefit of this legislation that will help CancerCare Manitoba provide needed services to Manitobans. The legislation officially changes the name of the organization to CancerCare Manitoba and will enable more effective co-ordination of activities with those regional health authorities.

I would like to review some key points of this legislation that outline some of the highlights. This legislation will enable the minister to give directives to CancerCare in relation to the use of any funding provided by the minister and in connection with the delivery of health services. This is consistent with other legislation relating to regional health authorities. It will require CancerCare to submit to the minister for approval an annual health plan unless otherwise determined. It will permit CancerCare to manage and allocate its resources in accordance with any approved health plan any direction. It will provide to the minister reports, returns, statistical information and individual level data required. It updates the objects of the corporation to more accurately reflect its current role, and it changes the approval mechanism for patent acquisition for emerging cancer treatment from the Lieutenant-Governor-in-Council to the minister, essentially simplifying the process.

It is going to change the approval mechanism for borrowing by CancerCare for capital projects from the Lieutenant-Governor-in-Council with the minister and expand the approval requirements requiring approval for all borrowing by CancerCare, whether related to capital projects or not, similar to the restriction on borrowing by regional health authorities. It requires the ministerial approval for CancerCare to purchase, lease or otherwise acquire for consideration real property similar to the requirements in the area relating to regional health authorities. It will enable the minister to provide grants to CancerCare rather than the Minister of Finance (Mr. Selinger) to reflect the current practice and it changes the approval mechanism for the issue of securities by CancerCare to the Hospital Capital Financing Authority rather than the Minister of Finance alone as required in relation to hospitals and personal care homes.

Generally, Mr. Speaker, these are updates of existing legislation and existing practices, moves some of the approvals into practices that are more akin to how we deal with other health corporations and effectively streamlines the process and makes it in harmony with the way we deal with health corporations, specifically regional health authorities.

* (16:50)

I am pleased to inform the House, Mr. Speaker, that CancerCare Manitoba was consulted in connection with this effort and welcomes this updated legislation. It provides clarity and reflects the current work of this organization. These amendments assure that our fiscal accountability structures are coherent and consistent, and, as I indicated, we did discuss this with the board of CancerCare Manitoba which approved of these particular changes.

I anticipate speedy passage in this House and support from all members of this House in order to bring CancerCare Manitoba, its naming and some of its structures and some of its organization, into a more consistent framework and similar to that of regional health authorities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mrs. Myrna Driedger (Charleswood): I move, seconded by the Member for Gimli (Mr. Helwer), that debate be adjourned.

Hon. Dave Chomiak (Minister of Health): Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Justice (Mr. Mackintosh), that Bill 42, The Regulated Health Professions Statutes Amendment Act; Loi modifiant diverses lois sur les professions de la santé réglementées, be now read a second time and be referred to a committee of this House.

Mr. Chomiak: Monsieur le président.

An Honourable Member: Bravo, bravo.

An Honourable Member: How do you say that in Ukrainian?

Mr. Chomiak: Pon Boss, Pon Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak to proposed legislation known as The Regulated Health Professions Statutes Amendment Act. This legislation ensures that Manitoba meets the requirements of the labour mobility provisions under the Agreement on Internal Trade and the Social Union Framework Agreement signed by the Province to promote the free movement of people across the country. This legislation will be supported by subsequent regulation amendments for a number of those professions and some other health professions such as midwifery and denturists.

The Agreement on Internal Trade, AIT, which came into effect in 1995, makes it easier for people, goods and services to move across Canada. Chapter 7 of the AIT, the labour mobility chapter, says that any worker qualified for an occupation in one province or territory should be granted access to employment opportunities in that occupation in any other province or territory. Qualifications of workers from one part of the country are to be recognized and accommodated in other parts of the country. Differences in occupational standards are to be recon-ciled as much as possible.

Mr. Speaker, the goal is to see people licensed and registered based primarily on their competency to do the job, not where they came from. The Social Union Framework Agreement signed February 4, 1999, called for full com-pliance with the labour mobility provisions of the Agreement on Internal Trade by July 1, 2001.

The Conference of Ministers of Health has been working with the Forum of Labour Market Ministers to address labour mobility issues related to regulated health professions. Manitoba's health profession regulators have been meeting their counterparts from across Canada to develop mechanisms to recognize each other's members. In addition, Mr. Speaker, Manitoba Health consulted all of the regulated health professions in the province to identify whether amendments to legislation would be necessary.

The regulatory bodies for dentistry, dietitians, optometrists, pharmacists, psychologists and respiratory therapists proposed amendments to their legislation following these discussions. At this time, other regulated health professions do not require amendments to their legislation to comply with the labour mobility provisions of the AIT.

The Regulated Health Professions Statutes Amendment Act will assist the Government in meeting the labour mobility obligations of the AIT. It amends six health profession statutes to facilitate the recognition of the qualifications of health professionals from other parts of Canada. If the necessary amendments are not enacted, the Government will not be able to comply and disputes could arise in regard to those six professions.

Most of the amendments concern registration requirements and are housekeeping amendments. These include elimination of province-specific examination requirements which duplicate other assessment processes practitioners have already undergone; requirement for mandatory continuing competency requirements as one way to help ensure quality assurance and that knowledge and skill are maintained; provision of authority for conditional registration to allow practitioners to work should they need to upgrade their skills to meet provincial requirements.

The proposed amendments to The Psychologists Registration Act are broader. Currently, Mr. Speaker, seven out of ten jurisdictions allow master's-level psychologists to practise independently. Proposed amendments will accommodate master's-level psychologists who are practising autonomously as psychological associates.

I would point out, Mr. Speaker, that this legislation updates registration requirements in a number of areas for labour mobility purposes. It does not end ongoing work to repeal and replace a number of statutes that require renewal or updating, and I know that there have been discussions on a whole variety of areas for a period of time in this regard.

Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I recommend this legislation to the House and look forward to the extensive debate that will occur as a necessary step in this regard to ensure Manitoba is able to meet the obligations we agreed to when we signed these agreements. Thank you.

Mrs. Myrna Driedger (Charleswood): Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Member for Gimli (Mr. Helwer), that debate be adjourned.

Hon. Gord Mackintosh (Government House Leader): Mr. Speaker, would you canvass the House to determine if there is leave or a will to call it six o'clock.

Mr. Speaker: Is there unanimous consent to call it six o'clock? [Agreed]

The hour being 6 p.m., this House is adjourned and stands adjourned until 1:30 p.m. on Monday.