LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF
Monday,
March 6, 2006
The House met at 1:30 p.m.
PRAYER
ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS
Mr. Speaker: I am pleased to
inform the Assembly that the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly has received
from the Chief Electoral Officer a letter indicating the election of Hugh
McFadyen as member for the constituency of
Mr. Stuart Murray (Leader
of the Official Opposition): Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present to
you Mr. Hugh McFadyen, member for the constituency of
Mr. Speaker: On behalf of all honourable members, I wish to welcome you to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba and to wish you well in your parliamentary career.
Mr. Leonard Derkach (Official Opposition House Leader): Mr. Speaker, on a matter of privilege.
Mr. Speaker: The honourable Official Opposition House Leader, on a matter of privilege.
Mr. Derkach: Mr. Speaker,
I rise on a question of privilege this afternoon. One of the collective
privileges of the House is the ability of independent officers of the House
such as the Auditor General, the Chief Electoral Officer and others to report
to the members of the Legislature without interference in their duties. As
members representing the people of
So you can imagine our surprise when I read in the media the details of the Auditor General's report prior to him making it public on January 17, 2006. I know that this view is not only shared on this side of the House but by the government side as well and indeed by you, Mr. Speaker.
* (13:35)
In your letter to the Auditor General of January 18, 2006, you indicate and I quote: "It has come to my attention that an article by Martin Cash in the Winnipeg Free Press dated the 17th of January 2006, stated that the Winnipeg Free Press obtained the report prior to its scheduled release. In addition, various media outlets also had extensive coverage of the report and its contents on January 17, which would suggest the media had access to the report and the information obtained in the report prior to the report being provided to the Speaker and members of the Legislative Assembly."
We know, Mr. Speaker, that the Auditor
General is reviewing this matter. However, it is also a matter which we, as
legislators, must also review and reassure the people of
Maingot, in the Second Edition, reminds us that contempt of the House is an offence against the authority or dignity of the House. The events which led to this early release of the Auditor General's report is, Mr. Speaker, in my view, a contempt of the House and we need to address it.
Therefore, I move, seconded by the Member for Ste. Rose (Mr. Cummings), that the matter of how the media obtained the report Review of the Workers' Compensation Board prior to its appropriate release by the Auditor General on January 17, 2006, to the members of the Legislative Assembly and the people of Manitoba, be referred to the Standing Committee on Legislative Affairs.
Mr. Speaker: Before recognizing any other members to speak, I would remind the House that contributions at this time by honourable members are to be limited to strictly relevant comments as to whether the alleged matter of privilege has been raised at the earliest opportunity and whether a prima facie case has been established.
Hon. Gord Mackintosh (Government House Leader): Mr. Speaker, we certainly have no qualms with the view that this was raised at the earliest opportunity. In terms of whether this is a prima facie matter of privilege, it would be our view that it certainly is an affront to the House, is an affront to the members. Whether it is contempt or a matter of privilege, I will defer to you, but we have some questions as to whether it would meet that threshold test.
Nonetheless, in light of our concern that it certainly was an affront to members of the House and certainly an issue of very serious concern to all members, and indeed we wrote to you, Mr. Speaker, once we had learned of this leak and asked for some remedy to be provided at the earliest opportunity, it is my understanding that you most diligently and in the interest of the members of this House asked the Auditor General to provide a reply to the allegations of leak and get back to your office on an expeditious basis to make sure that information came to our attention that could then be addressed.
We have no qualms of this going to the Standing Committee or to LAMC for that matter, but it may be premature at this time. I will again defer to your office, Mr. Speaker, given that you have asked for what the investigation discovers done by the Auditor General. I do not think, in any event, that everything should end with the Auditor General's report, but I think that what is in that report may indeed deal with many of the questions that members of this House have.
I would defer to you, recognizing that on this side of the House we do not mind this is at all being reviewed, and I think whether it is LAMC or the standing committee, Mr. Speaker, I look forward to your ruling.
Mr. Speaker: I think I have probably heard sufficient argument. If the honourable member is rising because he or she feels there is some point that has been not touched upon, I will hear the honourable member very briefly.
* (13:40)
Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (
I think the public, along with the members, have a right to know in terms of what has taken place. That cannot be assured if this goes to LAMC. I believe, Mr. Speaker, that all MLAs should be able to participate because all of our rights have been called into question because of this leak, so all of us should have the opportunity to be able to address the issue in standing committee.
So, therefore, we support, in terms of
what the Opposition House Leader (Mr. Derkach) is suggesting as a remedy to
this particular issue. We recognize, Mr. Speaker, the value that the provincial
auditor's office has played here in the
So we do want to get to the bottom of what took place. I was under the understanding that it might have had something to do with the Web site, Mr. Speaker, so I think that we do need to get to the bottom of it, the sooner the better, and I would recommend that we go through a standing committee.
Mr. Speaker: A matter of privilege is of serious concern. I am going to take this matter under advisement to consult the authorities and I will return back to the House with a ruling.
Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (
The background to this petition is as follows:
The
As a direct result of the government not acting on what it knew, over 33,000 Crocus investors have lost tens of millions of dollars.
The relationship between some union leaders, the Premier (Mr. Doer) and the NDP seems to be the primary reason as for why the government ignored the red flags.
We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:
To request the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba to consider the need to seek clarification on why the government did not act on fixing the Crocus Fund back in 2001.
To urge the Premier and his government to co-operate in making public what really did happen.
Signed by J.L. Bennie, L.E. Kirton and J. Ziegler and many, many more.
Mr. Speaker: In accordance with our Rule 132(6), when petitions are read they are deemed to be received by the House.
Mrs. Leanne Rowat (Minnedosa): Mr. Speaker, I wish to present the following petition and these are the reasons for this petition:
A number of head-on collisions, as well as fatal accidents, have occurred on Highway 10.
Manitobans have expressed increasing concern about the safety of Highway 10, particularly near the two schools in Forrest where there are no road crossing safety devices to ensure student safety.
Manitobans have indicated that the deplorable road condition and road width is a factor in driver and vehicle safety.
It is anticipated that there will be an increased flow of traffic on this highway in the future.
We petition the Manitoba Legislative Assembly as follows:
To request the Minister of Transportation and Government Services (Mr. Lemieux) to consider providing sufficient resources to enhance driver and vehicle safety on Highway 10.
To request the Minister of Transportation and Government Services to consider upgrading Highway 10.
This petition is signed by
Ms. Marilyn Brick (Chairperson): Mr. Speaker, I wish to present the Third Report of the Standing Committee on Justice.
Madam Clerk (Patricia Chaychuk): Your Standing Committee on Justice presents the following as its Third Report.
Some Honourable Members: Dispense.
Mr. Speaker: Dispense.
Your Standing Committee on Justice presents the
following as its Third Report.
Meetings:
Your committee met on
Thursday, January 26, 2006, at 1 p.m. in Room 255 of the
Matters
Under Consideration:
Bill 13 – The Conservation Districts
Amendment Act/Loi modifiant la Loi sur les districts de conservation
Committee
Membership:
Committee Membership for the January 26, 2006, meeting:
Ms. Brick, Chairperson
Mr. Cullen
Mr. Dewar
Mr. Faurschou
Ms. Korzeniowski
Mr. Maguire
Mrs. Rowat
Mr. Santos
Mr. Schellenberg
Mr. Swan
Hon. Mr. Struthers
Your committee elected Mr. Schellenberg as
Vice-Chairperson.
Written
Submissions:
Your
committee received one written submission on Bill 13 – The Conservation Districts Amendment Act/Loi
modifiant la Loi sur les districts de conservation,
from the following organization:
Ron
Bell, Association of Manitoba Municipalities
Bills Considered and
Reported:
Bill
13 – The Conservation Districts Amendment Act/Loi modifiant la Loi sur les
districts de conservation
Your committee agreed to report this bill
without amendment.
Ms. Brick: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Rossmere (Mr. Schellenberg), that the report of the committee be received.
Motion agreed to.
* (13:45)
Ms. Brick: Mr. Speaker, I wish to present the Fourth Report of the Standing Committee on Justice.
Madam Clerk: Your Standing Committee on Justice presents the following as its Fourth Report.
Some Honourable Members: Dispense.
Mr. Speaker: Dispense.
Your Standing Committee on Justice presents the
following as its Fourth Report.
Meetings:
Your committee met on
Wednesday, March 1, 2006, at 6 p.m. in Room 255 of the
Matters Under Consideration:
Bill
16 – The Corporations Amendment Act/Loi modifiant la Loi sur les corporations
Committee
Membership:
Committee
Membership for the March 1, 2006, meeting:
Ms. Brick, Chairperson
Mr. Dewar
Mr. Dyck
Mr. Faurschou
Mr. Goertzen
Ms. Korzeniowski
Mr. Maloway
Mr. Santos
Mr. Schellenberg, Vice-Chairperson
Hon. Mr. Selinger
Mrs. Taillieu
Public
Presentations:
Your
committee heard two presentations on Bill
16 – The Corporations Amendment Act/Loi modifiant la
Loi sur les corporations, from the following individual
and organization:
Bruce King, Private Citizen
Dave Angus,
Written
Submission:
Your committee received one written
submission on Bill 16 – The Corporations Amendment Act/Loi modifiant la
Loi sur les corporations, from the following organization:
Dan
Sherbo, Business Law Section –
Bills Considered and
Reported:
Bill
16 – The Corporations Amendment Act/Loi modifiant la Loi sur les corporations
Your committee agreed to report this bill without
amendment.
Ms. Brick: I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Rossmere (Mr. Schellenberg), that the report of the committee be received.
Motion agreed to.
Hon. Dave Chomiak (Minister charged with the
administration of The
Hon. Gary Doer (Premier): I have a statement for the House, Mr. Speaker.
I
rise today to mark the passing of two brave Canadian soldiers, Corporal Paul
Davis and Master Corporal Timothy Wilson. Their armoured vehicle was involved
in a serious collision near
These men were members of the Bravo
Company from the Second Battalion, 2-PPCLI stationed in
On behalf of the people of
* (13:50)
Mr. Stuart Murray (Leader of the Official Opposition): Mr. Speaker, I join the Premier in rising today to pay tribute to two fallen comrades, Corporal Paul Davis and Master Corporal Timothy Wilson, as well as to recognize another injured member from Canada, Private Nathan Justice of Dauphin.
Mr. Speaker, it is very fitting that our flags are at half-mast today to honour and recognize those people that choose to serve in the military do so and go into theatres that put them in harm's way from time to time. I know that there are those of us who watch these events unfold on television, and try as we might to understand the difficulty that these families and loved ones go through when somebody's life is taken, as it was as we saw with Master Corporal Timothy Wilson and Corporal Paul Davis.
Mr. Speaker, I think I speak on behalf of
all Manitobans who say we are honoured that we have men and women in our armed
forces who stand for freedom in very, very dangerous places on behalf of all
Canadians. We, on this side of the House, would very much like to send our
condolences both to the Davis and Wilson families, and, as well, we wish a
speedy recovery of hope to the Justice family of Dauphin and all of the loved
ones who are serving abroad. We wish them Godspeed back to
Hon. Jon Gerrard (
Mr. Speaker: Does the honourable member have leave? [Agreed]
Mr. Gerrard: Mr. Speaker,
on behalf of the members of the Liberal Party, I want to extend condolences, as
the others have in the House, to the families of Master Corporal Timothy Wilson
and Corporal Paul Davis who lost their lives in the Canadian effort in
Interestingly, I was in
Mr. Speaker: Would all members please rise for a moment of silence.
A moment of silence was observed.
* (13:55)
2006 Winter Olympians
Hon. Eric Robinson (Minister responsible for Sport): It gives me great pleasure as the Minister
responsible for Sport to rise before the House to recognize those Manitobans
who were selected and competed in the 2006 Winter Olympics in
Manitoba now has the honour of having the only Canadian to win medals in both Summer and Winter Olympics, Clara Hughes; and, another Manitoban, Cindy Klassen, who won one gold, two silver and two bronze, the most decorated Canadian Olympian ever in a single Olympics. Cindy has a career record of six medals, which is the most ever for a Canadian Olympic athlete, and just this weekend added to her collection with a World Cup title. She has won three of the five 3000-metre races this season to earn the World Cup title.
Jennifer Botterill, a member of the gold-medal winning women's hockey team was named the 2001 Manitoba Female Athlete of the Year. She carries on a family tradition of sport started by her parents. She was also a member of the 2002 gold-medal winning and 1998 silver-medal winning Canadian Olympic hockey teams and was named Most Valuable Player of the 2001 World Championships.
Regardless of medals, our athletes have to
be recognized for the incredible achievement it is to compete in the Olympics.
Every Canadian that has reached this pinnacle is a hero for all of us at home.
Manitobans are extremely proud to have these world-class athletes who
represented our province and our country at the 2006 Olympic games in
Thank you must also be given to the parents of these athletes for their dedication and commitment, the early morning practices and minus 30 weather and the effort it takes to encourage and nurture the talent that so many of our young athletes have. A special thank you to Helga and Jake Klassen, Maureen and Ken Hughes, Doreen and Cal Botterill, who are with us here today in the gallery, Mr. Speaker, and also to Rodney and Linda Collins, Pat and Rod Small, Darla and Robert Ireland, Shirley and Rick Rempel, Norine and Grant Schussler.
Athletes in
I would like to ask all members, Mr. Speaker, to join me in recognizing the achievements of these fine Manitobans and in extending well earned congratulations.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Leonard Derkach (Russell): I would like to join the minister this
afternoon, and on behalf of the members of this side of the House, and I would
say on behalf of all of us in this Legislature, Mr. Speaker, to extend our most
sincere congratulations to these wonderful athletes, these champions, these
Olympians who did Manitoba extremely proud in the Olympics. When we saw our
athletes compete at the Olympics, as we watched on television, one could not
help but feel that sense of pride that we have in our young people in this
province and in our athletes. When we saw how well
So, Mr. Speaker, on this side of the House, we join the government to congratulate not only the athletes but their parents who I know have dedicated many, many hours because any of us who have ever had children in sports know how many hours of dedication it takes to see these young people achieve. So to the parents and to the coaches, our sincere congratulations from this side of the House. Thank you.
* (14:00)
Hon. Jon Gerrard (
Mr. Speaker: Does the honourable member have leave?
Some Honourable Members: Leave.
Mr. Speaker: Leave has been granted.
Mr. Gerrard: Mr. Speaker,
I rise to join my colleagues in congratulating our athletes at the Winter
Olympics in
So we congratulate Mike Ireland, Shannon Rempel, Brittany Schussler, Sami Jo Small, Delaney Collins and others from other provinces who participated. I think it is particularly noteworthy the contribution that coaches and parents have made to this effort for without them none of this would have been possible. Let us congratulate all of them and wish them well in their athletic efforts in the future.
Fiscal Record
Mr. Stuart Murray (Leader of the Official Opposition): Mr. Speaker, since 1999, this Premier has
refused to be accountable to Manitobans for the overspending and mismanagement
of his government.
Under this Premier,
Manitobans deserve better. When will this Premier be accountable for his failures and stop settling for last place?
Hon. Gary Doer (Premier): There are a number of factual errors in the
question, and I know members opposite are having a retention problem across the
way. [interjection]
Well, the Member for Charleswood (Mrs. Driedger) is a big speaker in this House, but we note lack of action from her words over the last number of years.
I would point out that I just noted last
Friday that a vice-president from the Bank of Nova Scotia was saying that
Mr. Murray: Well, Mr. Speaker, the Premier is right.
Mr. Speaker, accountability is a foreign
concept to this Premier and his NDP government. The only concept that this
Premier seems to understand is spend more and get less. In times of
unprecedented revenues
In times of unprecedented revenues
Mr. Speaker, when will this Premier stop striving for mediocrity and be accountable to Manitobans for his failure to make us competitive?
Mr. Doer: Mr. Speaker, I would point out that the member
again contradicts himself from one question to the other. Let me just give one
specific example of where he is factually incorrect. He is correct to say that
we had the highest corporate taxes in
Mr. Speaker: Order.
Mr. Doer: Mr. Speaker, we did something that members opposite would find foreign. They raised taxes on farmers; we lowered taxes on farmers.
Crocus Investment Fund
Public Inquiry
Mr. Stuart Murray (Leader of the Official Opposition): Well, Mr. Speaker, this is what the Premier does not get. He talks about factual. He said that factually when they came into office they had the highest corporate taxes. Then he goes on to try to tell Manitobans of all the things that they have done to lower those taxes. Factually–
Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh.
Mr. Speaker: Order.
Mr. Murray: Mr. Speaker, only trained monkeys would
applaud the fact that they are still the highest taxed in
Mr. Speaker, this Premier refuses to be accountable for ignoring the red flags that led to the collapse of the Crocus Investment Fund. That resulted in some 33,000 Manitobans losing over $60 million. The Premier also refuses to be accountable for ignoring the red flags that were raised about the Workers Compensation Board. The Premier ignored these red flags and refused to act.
As a result
* (14:10)
Hon. Gary Doer (Premier): Well, Mr. Speaker, in that diatribe I want to go back to the fundamental first sentence that the member opposite raised. He said that when we came into office, he has now confirmed when we came into office, the corporate income tax was at 17 percent. I will challenge him to do some investigation. The tired gang across the way, when they left the office of government–
Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh.
Mr. Speaker: Order.
Mr. Doer: Thank you, Mr.
Speaker. I will encourage members opposite, maybe they are too tired to look at
the budget, but I will encourage members opposite to look at the budget today,
even look at the one last year. You will find that the corporate income tax is
no longer last place in
Auditor General's Report
Mr. Cliff Cullen (
In 2001, the chief executive officer, Pat Jacobsen, brought forward serious concerns regarding the chairman of the board, governance issues and investment issues. These concerns were raised to Becky Barrett, the Minister responsible for WCB at the time. Instead of dealing with these allegations, Ms. Barrett passed them back to the chairman of the board.
Mr. Speaker, the current Minister responsible for Workers Comp has made the following statement, and I quote: We believe the previous minister who received the letter from Pat Jacobsen did the right thing.
Mr. Speaker, does this minister still stand by that statement?
Hon. Nancy Allan (Minister of Labour and Immigration): Yes, Mr. Speaker, I still stand by that statement. The previous Minister of Labour received a letter from the former CEO of the Workers Compensation Board and she treated that letter as a letter that had concerns in regard to personnel issues. She forwarded that letter to the board of directors of the Workers Compensation Board. She followed the law, and I do believe she did what was reasonable and practical in absence of guidelines.
Mr. Cullen: Clearly, the eight-page letter sent to the minister by Pat Jacobsen should have raised a red flag with the minister at the time. The minister, of course, decided not to act on the allegations and sent it back to the chairman. The Auditor General questions the accountability of this government in his report.
Mr. Speaker, in his report, and I quote: This was inappropriate as several of the concerns raised dealt specifically with the former chairman.
Does this minister still stand by her statement that the previous minister did the right thing by passing the buck?
Ms. Allan: Mr. Speaker, I am
glad that the MLA has had time to read the Auditor General's report because I,
too, would like to quote from the report. "In
I made a commitment in this Legislature, Mr. Speaker, that we would have a serious look at any recommendations that the Auditor General made in regard to the Workers Compensation Board. The governance structure that the Auditor General is so critical of in the report is the governance structure that was in place throughout your entire term as government.
Mr. Cullen: Mr. Speaker, I now remind the member opposite that there were no concerns brought forward when we were in government. The allegations were brought forward in 2001. The whole issue speaks to the moral accountability of this government. We need some government with some leadership on that side of the House. The Auditor General stated that this NDP government acted inappropriately and Manitobans believe the Auditor General.
Will this minister now admit that her government acted inappropriately and, in fact, did the wrong thing when dealing with these serious allegations that came forward?
Ms. Allan: We have accepted the recommendations that the
Auditor General has made in his report, Mr. Speaker. We showed leadership when
we introduced Bill 25 in this House that was supported unanimously. We improved
the governance structure of the WCB. It is now the most accountable and
transparent governance structure of any jurisdiction in
We look forward to once again showing
leadership in
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Accountability
Mr. Glen Cummings (Ste. Rose): Leadership on the part of this government is to fire anybody who wants to act on behalf of the public interest. That is what they do.
Mr. Speaker, my question is to the minister responsible for the Crocus Fund. Accountability is sorely lacking on that side of the House. Thousands of RRSP holders along with the teachers' pension fund will have lost millions of dollars. They will have lost retirement funds and peace of mind as they go forward into the future.
I ask this minister responsible for the Crocus Fund: What responsibility is he prepared to take for the losses at that fund?
Hon. Jim Rondeau (Minister of Industry, Economic
Development and Mines): Mr. Speaker, the member opposite should stand
corrected. Firstly, I am not the minister responsible for the Crocus Fund. I am
responsible for investment in the Crocus act. The board of directors is
responsible for the fund, and I would like to quote to the member opposite
since the report of the Auditor General came down. He said he would be hard
pressed to see or think of what could have been done in the last few months
that has not been done to respond to a very complex and difficult situation.
We have sent this to the RCMP for investigation. It has gone to the Manitoba Securities Commission. It has gone to Canada Customs and Revenue association. Now there is a trustee that is looking out for the shareholders. We are looking out for the shareholders. We are looking out for those investors and it is the appropriate thing to do.
Mr. Cummings: Well, sadly, Mr. Speaker, this minister was not looking out for the shareholders when he should have been. This government participated in a fraud when Crocus continued to sell shares, continued to sell shares right up to the cease trade dates.
Are the taxpayers now on the hook because this government was so fixated on trying to protect its friends?
Mr. Rondeau: Mr. Speaker, the member opposite should know that we are not responsible for the operation of the fund. I would like to quote very strongly from Al Rosen, a forensic accountant who is working on the class action suit, and what he said was: This situation should have been caught first by the officers of the company, then by the board of directors of the company, then by the auditors and then by the Manitoba Securities Commission.
This fund was not directly managed by the government. What we do is we set the parameters and what we do is we make sure that the law is followed and, if it is not followed, that the appropriate regulatory organizations take action.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Public Inquiry
Mr. Glen Cummings (Ste. Rose): Well, Mr. Speaker, this minister neatly avoids the fact that there was a government appointee on the board.
Mr. Speaker, if there is nothing wrong, then the people of this province deserve an inquiry. Who knew there were losses coming? Who knew that the warnings were being ignored? Someone over there knew.
Nobody wants to take responsibility. If there is nothing to hide, call an inquiry.
Hon. Jim Rondeau (Minister of Industry, Economic Development and Mines): Mr. Speaker, the member opposite has an interesting case of history. Most of the losses that happened with the Crocus Fund happened under the former government's watch. If you look at Westsun, Westsun was an investment made while the former members were in government. That was a $21-million loss.
You have Isobord which was invested under the former government. That is where the loss occurred. You also have Winnport Logistics, another investment made when the former government was in charge and that was a loss.
What we have done is we have assured that there is appropriate governance. The board member never reported to the government. That was stated by the Auditor General. I hope that you take the time to read his report and also the discussion at our hearing. We have had transparency–[interjection]
Mr. Speaker: Order.
* (14:20)
Fiscal Record
Mr. Gerald Hawranik (Lac du Bonnet): The third quarter financial report indicated that this overspending, underperforming NDP government will again overspend its budget this time to the tune of $275 million. What has this overspending produced? It has produced crumbling roads all across this province.
Why does the Minister of Finance (Mr. Selinger) refuse to demand positive results for all of this overspending?
Hon. Tim Sale (Acting Minister of Finance): Mr. Speaker, I have a distinct memory of
members opposite saying to us, why are you not helping our farmers? We did,
$50.5-million unbudgeted. I have a distinct memory of them saying to us, why
are you not fixing our roads in this bad winter when we have got
over-expenditures in roads? We did, $12.1 million additional spending. I have
memories of this side of the House saying to us, where are the doctors in
Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh.
Mr. Speaker: Order. I want to remind all honourable members, when the Speaker is standing the Speaker should be heard in silence and all members should be seated. I am asking the co-operation of all honourable members.
Mr. Hawranik: Mr. Speaker, the only
thing that this government is good at is spending more and getting less. This
overspending, underperforming NDP government will not only overspend the budget
this year by $275 million, but it overspent budgets in each of the years 2000,
2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 by a whopping total of $835 million. What did we get
for all of this overspending? We have got the worst health care system in
I ask the Minister of Finance, is he a bad manager or is it just that he cannot control his spending habit?
Mr. Sale: Mr. Speaker, each and every year that this government has been in power we have balanced under balanced budget legislation as attested to by the provincial Auditor General.
In the last two years that this party opposite was in power they took $365 million out of the rainy day fund. In two years, $365 million. The rainy day fund today is higher than it was when we formed government. As for getting more, we have 1400 more nurses, we have 200 more doctors, we have three times the number of MRIs. We are getting more because we are spending smarter, and we are balancing the budget every year.
Mr. Hawranik: Mr. Speaker, this government took $203 million out of Hydro in one year. This year's budget provides the Minister of Finance with an opportunity to finally get it right. With a new fiscal year the minister can resolve to get value for his massive spending habits.
I ask the Minister of Finance: Will he guarantee that he will not mindlessly overspend the budget?
Mr. Sale: Mr. Speaker, the benches over there have been filled with critics about agriculture asking us to spend more. The Member for Emerson (Mr. Penner) even told us to go into deficit to spend more. Now, today, it is spend less.
We have balanced the budget every year. We have a Fiscal Stabilization Fund that is higher than when we formed government and, Mr. Speaker, we still own Manitoba Hydro. We do not own Manitoba Telecom.
Government Commitment
Mr. Hugh McFadyen (
I just want to say before asking my question that I very much look forward to the debates and deliberations that I will be part of as we go forward, and I know that all members, regardless of party, are working toward the betterment of this great province.
My question today, Mr. Speaker, is for the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Trade. I, like all residents of Fort Whyte, daily navigate our city's and province's crumbling roads and I share the frustrations of the residents of my constituency that government can be spending so much more while our basic services continue to decline.
Whether it be the need for a new high
school, better roads or investment in our community clubs, the people of
Hon. Scott Smith (Minister
of Intergovernmental Affairs and Trade): Mr. Speaker, as this side of the House, I as
well welcome the Member for
Mr. Speaker, certainly as we look forward to
our work with the City of
Mr. Speaker, again this year as the member
sits and watches the budget unfold, I am sure he will see our support for the
City of
Mr. McFadyen: Mr. Speaker, the minister says wait for the budget. Manitobans have been waiting seven long years to see some action from this minister and this government and while they wait our province is being dragged down.
Mr. Speaker, when are the people of
Mr. Smith: Mr. Speaker, certainly as we have balanced the budget over the last seven years and increased the rainy day fund year over year, it comes as no surprise that we did not sell any of our Crown corporations to do that.
Mr. Speaker, the members opposite would
not have had a rainy day fund if they had not sold off
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of
Intergovernmental Affairs is not just for the city of
Mr. McFadyen: Well, Mr. Speaker, we are all well aware that
this government has managed to increase spending by $2 billion annually since
it came to power, and the result, the worst health care system in
Your government is not even attempting to
compete with
Mr. Smith: Mr. Speaker, I know as he did research for the former Premier, Mr. Filmon, I am sure he would have prepared much better notes than he received today.
Mr. Speaker, I can tell you certainly over
the last number of years, when we look at the members opposite that rant and
they rave and they talk about competitiveness, the corporate income tax in
Mr. Speaker, since we have come in we have reduced the corporate income tax, we have cut the small business income tax by half, we have reduced personal income taxes and, as the member may look outside the Perimeter, we have reduced the cost for our producers and our farmers, substantially reducing 50 percent of the educational tax paid by farmers outside the city of Winnipeg while they raised the portioning for farmers. It is nonsense.
* (14:30)
Fiscal Record
Mrs. Heather Stefanson (Tuxedo): Mr. Speaker, a Conference Board of Canada report released in January 2006 ranked Manitoba dead last in terms of overall health performance in comparison to other provinces despite being ranked as one of the highest per capita spenders in health care in the country.
Mr. Speaker, when will this NDP government wake up and realize that their spend more, get less management strategy is forcing Manitobans to continue waiting in pain?
Hon. Tim Sale (Minister of Health): Mr. Speaker, I am really troubled by the member opposite insulting nurses, doctors and caregivers in Manitoba because what the report that she quotes from said was that the Manitoba system ranked third in Canada behind B.C. and Alberta in terms of its performance as a health care system.
I am proud of the fact that today we have a maximum waiting time for diagnostics that is half of what it was a few years ago, Mr. Speaker. I am proud that today there were a thousand more procedures for hips and knees being done this year in Manitoba, in Winnipeg, specifically, than there were a few years ago under this previous government. I am proud of the performance of our system, and I will continue to support the doctors and nurses and not attack them as she does.
Mrs. Stefanson: Mr. Speaker, only members opposite would
applaud being dead last in
Mr. Speaker, a Freedom of Information request filed by my office requesting a breakdown of the total cost of performing certain surgical procedures was denied, citing the non-existence of the requested information. If this NDP government has no idea where they are spending their money within our health care system, how can they set targets and be truly accountable for health care spending and delivery in our province? Perhaps that is why we are dead last.
Mr. Sale: Mr. Speaker, we are very accountable for the money that is being spent. The information that the member asked is available at year-end and not in the middle of the year.
We are spending $22 million so that we have three times the number of MRIs that we had when we formed government. We are spending $56 million to shorten the wait list for hip and knee surgeries so that today about half of those needing their surgery are now getting it under the federal benchmarks. We are attacking the long-waiters within a very short period of time and I expect to see that long waiting list substantially reduced.
Mr. Speaker, when we announced our waiting times for MRIs, CTs, bone density scanning, if the members would take the time to look they would find that the times today are approximately half the waiting list times that they were in the past. We are spending and we are getting results.
Mrs. Stefanson: Mr. Speaker, we have no doubt in our minds how much more this government is spending, but what are we getting for it? Nothing. We are getting increased wait lists, and so on, and it is unacceptable. Throwing more money at a health care system that lacks accountability and transparency will not help to reduce wait lists.
A recent Health Council of
Mr. Speaker, when will this government
recognize that their spend more, get less management strategy is not working
in the best interest of
Mr. Sale: Mr. Speaker, what
Manitobans have is a new hospital in
Mr. Speaker, they have 160 new ambulances on the road. We inherited a system that was decrepit. We have 1400 more nurses practising today than in 1999, more than 200 more doctors practising today than in 1999. We have work to do, but we delivered on all our commitments in health care and will continue to deliver on the ones that will be made shortly in our budget today.
Public Inquiry
Hon. Jon Gerrard (
I ask the Premier: When will the Premier set up a public inquiry into the Crocus Investment Fund, the scandal of the Crocus Investment Fund, so that Manitobans will know what really happened?
Hon. Jim Rondeau (Minister of Industry, Economic Development and Mines): I urge the member opposite to read a 245-page report as done in public by the Auditor General. The Auditor General came up with 120 public recommendations, some of which were to our government. We have acted, in Bill 51 and the implementation team, on all those recommendations.
There is a public Auditor General's report that I urge you to read. There is a public court case going on now. The Manitoba Securities Commission will issue its information publicly. Canada Customs and Revenue is going through an investigation and the RCMP is going through an investigation. These are public bodies. I urge the member to read the newspaper, look at what is happening. It is out there.
Mr. Gerrard: Mr. Speaker, the fact is that the Auditor General's report raises so many questions. When did the Crocus board realize that the fund was in trouble? Who was in the inner circle and knew what was going on? Who was involved in making this secret loan from the Québec fund? Did the Québec fund actually know what they were getting into? Which board members knew the truth and approved misleading the public about the purpose of the loan? What discussions were held about taking money from Manitobans who were being misled about the health of their funds? When did the government and the public's representative on the board know? What did he know and when? What did he tell his political masters? When did the Premier (Mr. Doer) know? When will the Premier call a public inquiry so that we can know what really happened?
Mr. Rondeau: I urge the member opposite to read the Auditor General's report. What he said is that the board had certain requirements, fiduciary responsibilities, and there is a Manitoba Securities Commission investigation to ensure that all those questions, the 35 questions you just asked, are being responded to by the Manitoba Securities Commission. That is the group that is responsible, and that is the group that has the mandate to conduct the investigation without political interference and come up with the appropriate remedies to that issue.
The other thing that has to happen is you have to have it without political influence. I know the Liberal Party might not understand the term "without political influence," but our government knows where the responsibility lies and how to let the people do their job that they are qualified to do.
Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (
The shareholders want a
public inquiry. Opposition parties want a public inquiry. Independent media
want a public inquiry. Even Ed Schreyer wants a public inquiry. Even former NDP
Premier Ed Schreyer wants a public inquiry. When is this Premier going to do
the right thing, stand on his feet and do for once what is right in
* (14:40)
Mr. Rondeau: Mr. Speaker, the member opposite might not have been listening to the last answer. The Manitoba Securities Commission, an independent body, is going on an investigation. We have had an Auditor General's Report. The Auditor General had unfettered access when he went to the Minister of Finance and said, do I have access to the information that I am allowed? Yes, he was given access. I gave him access as an authorized person to get information, any information he wanted, from the Crocus Investment Fund.
The Auditor General had access. He used that access to find out the information and create a 245-page report. We are acting upon all those recommendations and we are following his recommendations. If you had attended the financial accounts hearing what you would have found out is that the Auditor General said that we are taking action. We are taking all action that is prudent, and we are doing it in a very timely manner.
Wait List Reduction
Mr. Bidhu Jha (Radisson): Mr. Speaker, in November of last year, the Minister of Health announced a number of initiatives to reduce wait lists.
Can the minister inform the House the progress made to address the need of pediatric dental surgeries.
Hon. Tim Sale (Minister of Health): Mr. Speaker, I am very proud that
Last year we challenged the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority to reduce the unacceptably long pediatric dental wait lists, Mr. Speaker. We announced that Misericordia hospital would have a target of an additional 600 surgeries during the next 12-month period.
Mr. Speaker, during the last nine months, we have reduced the pediatric dental wait list from 1400 to 557. Misericordia hospital and the fine health professionals that put us third in this country have performed admirably, and by the first of April they will have completed not 600, but 750 more dental procedures. Kudos to the people of Misericordia and WRHA.
The Water Protection Act
Regulations
Mr. Ralph Eichler (Lakeside): Mr. Speaker,
Mr. Speaker, can the Minister of Agriculture tell this House what direct input she and her department had in drafting these ridiculous regulations?
Hon. Rosann Wowchuk (Minister of Agriculture, Food and
Rural Initiatives): Mr. Speaker, unlike members opposite, the
member opposite may not realize that this government works collectively. This
government and all Manitobans want to ensure that we are taking the proper
steps to ensure that we work in a sustainable way. This government has created
the Department of Water Stewardship, and the Department of Water Stewardship,
Department of Agriculture, Department of Conservation and other members of this
government take very seriously the challenges that we are faced particularly
with
I can assure the member that, as the Minister responsible for Agriculture, I have had many discussions with people in the industry, Mr. Speaker. I have had many discussions with my colleagues with regard to the regulations that are being put in place to ensure that we have a long-term sustainable industry in this province and that we put in place rules that will be in the best interests of all Manitobans.
Mr. Speaker: Time for Oral Questions has expired.
Introduction of Guests
Mr. Speaker: Order.
I would like to draw the attention of all honourable members to the Speaker's Gallery where we have with us today the parents of the Olympic gold medal athletes. We have Mr. Jake Klassen and Mrs. Helga Klassen. Also, we have Mr. Ken Hughes and Mrs. Maureen Hughes and Mr. Cal Botterill. These are the parents of Cindy Klassen, Clara Hughes and Jennifer Botterill.
On behalf of all honourable members, I welcome you here today.
Ms. Kerri Irvin-Ross (
Oscar Awards
Mr. Kelvin Goertzen (Steinbach): Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a
Not to be outdone, Mr. Speaker, even in this Legislature, we have efforts that are worth an Oscar. In a few minutes time, I am sure the Minister of Finance (Mr. Selinger) will make himself a leading candidate for best work of fiction when he introduces the next budget. We have seen from past budgets where the spending was underestimated over and over, and the minister knows how to craft a good work of fiction.
In the role of supporting actor in fiction is the Minister of Justice (Mr. Mackintosh), who has promised for seven years to get tough on gangs, and yet he has refused to do it.
For supporting actress, we have the
Minister of Agriculture (Ms. Wowchuk), who has been nominated by Manitobans
because she has failed for seven years to look after the farmers here in
Mr. Speaker, when it comes to not delivering on its promises the Oscar goes to the Doer government.
Mr. Andrew Swan (Minto): Mr. Speaker, in light of this being budget day, I also waive my member's statement today.
Military Casualties (
Mrs. Leanne Rowat (Minnedosa): Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to
honour the service and courage of the Company Bravo, 2-PPCLI battle group from
Shilo. The Canadian flag is flying at half-mast as we all band together to lend
support to the families of the local soldiers involved in the fatal collision
near
Military families are a very close and tightknit unit. While their loved ones are worlds away, our Canadian soldiers are diffusing hostile situations and attempting to maintain peacekeeping duties. It is with great sadness we learned of Corporal Paul Davis and Master Corporal Timothy Wilson's deaths and the serious injuries of the five other soldiers, including Dauphin resident Private Nathan Justice, wounded in the collision.
While many of us will never know what it
is like serving overseas in conflict, we are all well aware of the important work
that our peacekeepers do. On behalf of the PC caucus of
When a tragedy like this occurs, it forces all of us to pause and take notice of the sacrifices made by our Canadian peacekeepers and their families. I know we are all wishing the safe return for not only the injured men from CFB Shilo, but all Canadian soldiers. Our thoughts and prayers are with the military community and their families during this very difficult time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Rob Altemeyer (Wolseley): Mr. Speaker, in light of the budget, I, too, wish to waive my member's statement.
* (14:50)
Mr. Leonard Derkach (Official Opposition House
Leader): In accordance with Rule 36(1), Mr. Speaker, I
move, seconded by the Member for
Mr. Speaker: Before recognizing the honourable Member for Russell, I believe I should remind all members that under Rule 36(2), the mover of a motion on a matter of urgent public importance and one member for the other parties in the House is allowed not more than 10 minutes to explain their urgency of debating the matter immediately.
As stated in Beauchesne Citation 390, urgency in this context means the urgency of immediate debate, not of the subject matter of the motion. In their remarks, members should focus exclusively on whether or not there is urgency of debate and whether or not the ordinary opportunities for debate will enable the House to consider the matter early enough to ensure that the public interest will not suffer.
Mr. Derkach: I thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know how unusual it is for a matter of this nature to be raised on a budget day. In accordance with our rules, there are two conditions that must be satisfied for this matter to proceed. The first requirement is to file the motion with the Speaker's office at least 90 minutes prior to Routine Proceedings, and I believe that this requirement was met. The second condition is that this matter is of an urgent nature. Indeed, this report is of an urgent nature since it speaks to the lack of accountability and the moral authority of the current government. Clearly, there are serious questions about the actions, the judgment and the scruples of this government in its dealings with Manitobans. In fact, these issues are fundamental to the healthy functioning and effective democracy.
Mr. Speaker, Manitobans want us to raise issues of this kind. Under the rules of this House, we have to raise these matters at the earliest possible time, and the earliest possible time is now because, as everybody knows, this report was filed in the intersession period when the House was not sitting. Manitobans want and deserve to have a government that is honest, forthright and will act in their best interests. The Auditor General's report outlines in a number of ways how the government has not been conducting its business in a matter befitting Manitobans.
We are concerned because of the serious allegations about investment decisions, board governance issues, and the professional conduct of the Workers Compensation Board chair that were raised back in 2001 by a very credible source, then WCB president and CEO, Pat Jacobsen. Instead of acting on her serious concerns about issues regarding the Workers Compensation Board, its investments and its chair, this NDP government referred the matter back to the WCB Board, the subject of her complaints. In addition to this, Ms. Jacobsen was fired three days after raising her concerns. The Auditor General's WCB report verifies Ms. Jacobsen's 2001 claims and chastises this government for failing to act appropriately when the matter was raised in 2001. All of these issues raise the fact that, had this government listened to Ms. Jacobsen, 33,000 Manitobans may have not lost those enormous funds, those $66 million of funds that were lost as a result of this government ignoring those red flags, those warning signs, in fact, a direct letter to the minister.
Mr. Speaker, although there are going to be protests from members opposite, the fact remains that the WCB review became public during a time when this Assembly was not in session and, as such, this, as I said before, is my first opportunity to bring this matter forward. Clearly, the government is trying to deflect attention away from this issue, away from the information and the recommendations of the Auditor General and remove itself from the spotlight of the record of no accountability and focus the public attention on what we expect to be another overspending and underachieving budget and turn the attention away from the pressing issues at hand, issues such as the Workers Compensation report
Mr. Speaker, because of these reasons and the many more that I do not have time to list right now, I could go on on this subject for hours, but I prefer that we deal with this matter as effectively and urgently as we can and allow for this debate to carry on because it is of such urgent nature. Manitobans are losing money. Manitobans have lost their investments because of this government's ignoring of the red flags and the warning signals.
So, therefore, I urge this House to move ahead with this urgent public matter.
Hon. Gord Mackintosh (Government House Leader): Well, very briefly, when it comes to the Workers Compensation Board, Mr. Speaker, I note that there has been a 20-percent reduction in the time loss injury rate from 2000 to 2004. I also note that the Auditor General stated that the Workers Compensation Board is in a good financial position, maintaining an overall surplus, and my understanding is that on December 31, '04, had a surplus of $70.5 million. Interestingly as well, the Gomery report, I recall, recommended that government actually have less influence in the management of Crown corporations, not more.
Mr. Speaker, the reason that the member opposite said that MUPIs are rarely raised on budget day is because there is one very important matter of public importance today, and that is the budget for Manitobans. I say shame on them. I think they are ill-advised in bringing in a MUPI today. Clearly, in my view, in light of the long-standing rules in this House, it is no more than a stunt because rule after rule after rule from the Speaker's chair has concluded that, because the budget debate is so all-encompassing, MUPIs are just out of order today.
They have plenty of time if they want to
debate this matter, and we are more than happy to do that. Today is budget day,
and I conclude by referring to the ruling of Speaker Dacquay, March 1998. It is
the same as every other ruling I think I have ever heard on this topic.
Mr. Speaker, clearly, this is not a matter of urgent public importance whatsoever in terms of it having to be debated today. It is a matter, if members think it is urgent, to talk about it every day during the budget speech debate. There is plenty of latitude. It is unfortunate they raise it and take up the time of Manitobans. People are waiting to hear the budgetary address. That is what is of public importance today.
Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh.
Mr. Speaker: Order.
Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (
Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh.
Mr. Speaker: Order. Does the honourable member have leave?
An Honourable Member: No.
An Honourable Member: Absolutely.
Mr. Speaker: Does the honourable member have leave?
An Honourable Member: Yes.
An Honourable Member: No.
Mr. Speaker: No? Did I hear a no? I heard a no. The honourable member does not have leave.
I thank the honourable members for their advice–
An Honourable Member: I think that says it all–
Mr. Speaker: Order. I thank the honourable members for their advice to the Chair on whether the motion proposed by the honourable Official Opposition House Leader (Mr. Derkach) should be debated today.
The notice required by Rule 36(1) was provided. Under our rules and practices, the subject matter requiring urgent consideration must be so pressing that the public interest will suffer if the matter is not immediately given attention. There must also be no other reasonable opportunities to raise the matter.
I do not doubt that this matter is one that is of serious concern to some members in the House, and I also have listened very carefully to the arguments put forward. However, I was not persuaded that the ordinary business of the House should be set aside to deal with this issue today. Although undoubtedly this is a very serious issue that the member has brought forward, I do not believe that the public interest will be harmed if the business of the House is not set aside to debate the motion today.
* (15:00)
Additionally, I would like to note that there are other avenues for members to raise this issue, including questions in Question Period, raising the item under Members' Statements and also Grievances, and raising the issue during the upcoming budget debate.
Therefore, with the greatest of respect, I must rule that this matter does not meet the criteria set by our rules and precedents. I rule the motion out of order as a matter of urgent public importance.
Hon. Gord Mackintosh (Government House Leader): Mr. Speaker, this is to request just a five-minute recess, and no more, to allow those holding budget passes to come into the galleries. Would you please ring the bell for one minute to ensure that members are here at the end of the five minutes.
Mr. Speaker: Is there a willingness in this House to recess for five minutes? Is there a willingness? [Agreed]
Okay. [interjection] Order. Before I recess the House, I would like to announce that anyone in the public gallery without a blue pass must leave the visitors' gallery prior to the budget speech.
So we will now recess for five minutes, and, prior to the expiration of that time, the bells will ring for one minute.
The House recessed at 3:01 p.m.
____________
The
House resumed at 3:08 p.m.
Hon. Greg Selinger (Minister of Finance): Mr. Speaker, I move seconded by the Minister of Justice (Mr. Mackintosh), that this House approves in general the budgetary policy of the government.
Mr. Speaker: Before moving the motion, I would just like to remind our guests in the gallery that there is to be no participation by our guests. That includes applauding that I just saw earlier. So I just want to remind all guests.
Motion presented.
* (15:10)
Mr. Selinger: Mr. Speaker, it gives me great satisfaction today to present Budget 2006: Meeting Commitments, Building Opportunities.
Budget 2006 meets and exceeds important commitments our government made to Manitobans. Today's budget makes our province more affordable, more competitive. It improves our quality of life and builds opportunities for long-term growth and prosperity. We are building on Manitobans' accomplishments and taking actions on Manitobans' priorities.
Nous sommes conscients des formidables
avantages qu'offre le Manitoba ainsi que des qualités exceptionnelles de sa
population. Dans notre province, le taux de bénévolat figure parmi les plus
élevés du pays, et la proportion de dons de charité par personne est la plus
forte de toutes les provinces.
Translation
We recognize the great advantages that
English
Manitobans watched with tremendous pride
as Manitoban after Manitoban won Olympic medals on behalf of their country at
the 2006 Winter Olympics. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that on behalf
of all Manitobans, Budget 2006 pledges $100,000 in the winning spirit of
Manitoba Olympians: $50,000 for KidSport to increase sport opportunities for
children in
Building on our success in hosting the 2005 Canadian Juno Awards,
Mr. Speaker, this year brought great honour when BusinessWeek magazine named
Rural Manitobans have demonstrated their resilience in dealing with challenges, such as extensive flooding brought on by record-high water levels, the lingering impacts of cross-border trade disputes and the pressure of a high Canadian dollar. We recognize the hard work of rural Manitobans and will continue to work with families, producers and industry to build strong rural communities.
Our government will continue to work with all Manitobans to capture the Olympic "can do" spirit and achieve our goals together.
Budget 2006 centres on four main building blocks:
· Growing Green, Growing Smart
· Healthy Families, Healthy Communities
·
Tax Savings for
· Balanced Budgets
Our government has worked hard to address the challenges of the 1990s and build opportunities for the 21st century.
In 1999,
Since 1999, we have reversed the tides of decline. We outlined a plan to invest in Manitobans' priorities, to grow a strong economy, to deliver sustainable tax relief and to implement a sound fiscal plan. And we have delivered, Mr. Speaker:
·
Nous
avons apporté à l'éducation post-secondaire et à la formation professionnelle
un appui sans précédent qui a contribué à augmenter d'un tiers les inscriptions
dans les universités, les collèges et les programmes d'apprentissage.
Translation
We have provided record support to post-secondary education and training, supporting a one-third increase in university and college enrollment and apprenticeships.
English
· Budget 2006 includes a major new multi-year funding commitment to universities and colleges.
· We have also invested in health professionals and rebuilding our health care system. Budget 2006 advances our Wait-time Reduction Strategy and new healthy living initiatives.
· We have worked to make our communities safer. Budget 2006 provides new resources for our Crime Fighting Action Plan, Lighthouses in our communities and our fight against crystal meth.
· We have implemented our Action Strategy for Economic Growth, resulting in continued strong economic performance. Budget 2006 advances strategies to improve competitiveness, innovation and clean energy to keep our economy growing green and growing smart.
· We have invested in cleaner water, flood protection and emergency preparedness. Budget 2006 adds resources for increasing water quality, drainage projects and pandemic planning.
· We have built roads and infrastructure. Budget 2006 advances new highways funding and resources for priority infrastructure projects.
· We have worked with Aboriginal communities in partnership to close the quality of life gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. Budget 2006 supports our commitment to targets under the Kelowna Accord.
· We have provided increased funding to municipalities tied to growth revenues. Budget 2006 includes a $7.9-million increase in the Building Manitoba Fund for municipalities for 2006.
Today's budget reduces education taxes, personal income taxes, small business taxes and corporate taxes. Mr. Speaker, taxes are lower today than they were in 1999, more affordable for families, more competitive for business. We have met or exceeded every tax reduction promise we have made to Manitobans.
And we are delivering on our commitments within a responsible, balanced fiscal framework. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that Budget 2006 is our seventh consecutive balanced budget under balanced budget legislation. Furthermore, Budget 2006 anticipates a surplus of $148 million on a summary basis.
Aujourd'hui, un nouveau vent d'optimisme et de
confiance souffle sur le Manitoba. Nous avons encore du travail à faire, mais les résultats montrent que nous
sommes sur la bonne voie.
Translation
Today, there is renewed
optimism and confidence in
English
Our economy is performing
well, with the second-lowest unemployment rate in the country and economic
growth of 2.9 percent in 2005. A growing confidence is reflected in rising consumer
spending and business investment. Over the past five years,
· 33 percent growth in retail sales;
· 85 percent growth in housing starts; and
·
30 percent growth in real
investment in machinery and equipment, almost double the rate for
The Government of Canada has signed a number of important
federal-provincial agreements with
Recent meetings of the Council of the Federation focussed on the
critical need for new federal support for post-secondary education and skills
training. Continuing strong provincial investment and renewed federal resources
are needed to improve productivity and address skill shortages in
We are delivering on our commitments: investing in Manitobans' priorities for health care; education; cleaner water and roads; building a strong, leading-edge, sustainable economy; making taxes more affordable and competitive; and keeping to a sound fiscal strategy and debt repayment plan. We will continue to build opportunities for all Manitobans.
A sound education strategy is at the heart of a solid economic strategy.
In support of education excellence, we have made major investments
in post-secondary capital. Our $50-million investment helped kick-start a
successful $237-million
Le Budget 2006 maintient la réduction des
frais de scolarité de 10 pour cent pour les étudiants, qui a entraîné une
hausse d'un tiers dans les inscriptions.
Translation
Budget 2006 retains the 10 percent tuition reduction for students, which has supported a one-third increase in enrollment.
English
As we have done every year, we are providing fully offsetting revenue to universities and colleges to compensate for the tuition reduction, tied directly to the number of students enrolled. Our annual compensation for the tuition reduction has grown from $8 million in 2000 to $13.8 million with today's budget for a cumulative total of $81 million since 2000. Thanks to increased enrollment, universities and colleges are also benefiting from a 38 percent increase in tuition income.
Mr. Speaker, Budget 2006 builds on our
record of strong support with a major new three-year funding commitment of $60
million for universities and colleges. This is the largest commitment of its
kind in
* (15:20)
In addition, Mr. Speaker,
Today's budget increases resources for:
· the College Expansion Initiative;
· Adult Learning Centres;
· ACCESS programs; and
· training partnerships with industry to address skills gaps in growth industries.
Mr. Speaker, Budget 2006 expands the Graduate Scholarship and Hope
Bursary programs established by our government to encourage bright and talented
students to stay in
Through a new federal-provincial Labour Market Partnership Agreement, targeting workers outside the post-secondary system, new funding will support apprenticeship, literacy and essential skills, workplace skills development and enhanced work force participation of Aboriginal people, immigrants and persons with disabilities.
Mr. Speaker, for the seventh year in a row, we are keeping our government's commitment to public schools by increasing funding by the rate of economic growth. This year's increase brings total provincial operating funding to $926 million.
Increased funding is also being provided for English as an Additional Language for students who have refugee and war-affected backgrounds.
Today's budget provides resources to respond to the Public Libraries Review, which will enhance public library service, including to underserved First Nations.
Over the last five years,
Budget 2006 extends our successful Co-operative Education Tax Credit
to a broader range of employers. In addition, Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to
announce the introduction of a new Co-op Graduate Hiring Incentive to support
the employment of
Expanding the number of new immigrants coming to
Grâce à un nouveau soutien du gouvernement
fédéral, le Budget 2006 prévoit une augmentation de financement de
20 pour cent pour renforcer les services d'intégration des
immigrants.
Translation
With new federal support, Budget 2006 provides 20 percent more funding to strengthen immigration integration services.
English
Today's budget expands support for
Investments in research and innovation are investments in productivity, new product development, competitiveness and scientific discoveries.
Building on last year's 33 percent increase in the Research and Development Tax Credit, today's budget increases our support for the Manitoba Centres of Excellence Fund, increasing investment in world-class research being performed right here in Manitoba.
Budget 2006 makes a new investment in the Industrial Technology Centre to assist small- and medium-sized businesses to develop and grow. Recognizing the unique opportunities that exist in the digital media industry, today's budget also doubles the capacity of the Manitoba Interactive Media Fund.
Just this past January, based on private-public partnerships, new state of the art biotech facilities were opened at Red River College, offering the most complete biotech and pharmaceutical training programs in Canada.
Since 1999, private investment in
Sustaining this strong growth in investment is essential for continued expansion of our research and innovation capacity, productivity and competitiveness of local business. Our government is committed to doing its part by improving services, implementing regulatory efficiencies, reducing red tape and making taxes more competitive.
According to a recent study by the Canadian Federation of
Independent Business,
Over the next year, our government will put in place the infrastructure necessary to support a significant expansion of e-commerce capability.
We are also working to:
· expand the Canada-Manitoba Biz Gateway;
· extend use of the common business identifier; and
· establish BizPal service to streamline information about business requirements to make compliance easier and less expensive.
Manufacturing is one of the most important sectors of
Last year, to encourage more investment by the manufacturing sector, our government made used equipment, machinery and buildings eligible for the Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that our government is renewing the Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit and increasing the refundable portion of the credit from 20 percent to 35 percent.
Growing entrepreneurship is key to
Mr. Speaker,
We have worked to diversify the international markets in which our
small- to medium-sized companies do business. Our non-U.S. bound exports have
increased from 19 percent to 24 percent of total exports over the last four
years. Last month, our Premier led a trade mission to
The actions taken by Manitobans have made our province a world leader in developing clean energy and addressing climate change.
Notre avantage en termes d'énergie propre place
le Manitoba dans une situation privilégiée qui nous permet de préserver et de
protéger notre environnement tout en favorisant une forte économie verte
Translation
With our clean energy advantage,
English
Hydro exports have increased from $363 million in 1999 to an all-time high of $818 million in 2005. That is a growth of 125 percent. With the potential to double our existing capacity, Manitoba Hydro is well positioned to take advantage of growing export markets to the east, west and south.
Manitoba Hydro and Nish-āwā-shik Cree Nation are proposing
to develop the 200-megawatt Wuskwatim hydro dam in full partnership. Advancing
the development of Conawapa to capture export markets will provide enormous
community and economic benefits for northern
We are also moving forward on our hydrogen strategy.
Manitoba Hydro has launched expanded Power Smart programs promoting customer savings through more efficient use of energy. Over 23,000 residential customer loans totalling over $78 million have been approved to date, proof, Mr. Speaker, that Manitobans are saving money by becoming "power smart."
* (15:30)
Through our new Green Manitoba office we are rolling out new eco-solutions that work for Manitobans around energy efficiency, water conservation and waste reduction activities.
So much of what we are building today begins with water. Clean water is at the heart of our ecosystems, our communities and our economy.
Le budget d'aujourd'hui accorde une grande
priorité à la protection de notre eau potable, de notre eau souterraine et de
notre réseau unique de lacs et de rivières.
Translation
Today's budget puts high priority on protecting our drinking water, our ground water and our unique network of lakes and rivers.
English
Budget 2006 expands resources for improved drinking water safety initiatives.
Protecting
Budget 2006 provides a new incentive for farmers to adopt beneficial water-related practices.
Today's budget expands resources for:
· more Conservation Districts;
· the Canada-Manitoba Hydrometric program for flood forecasting;
·
the
· the Environmental Livestock Program.
Budget 2006 provides a new intake under the enhanced Riparian Tax Credit program that helps protect sensitive lands bordering waterways.
Today's budget provides resources for a made-in-Manitoba parks reservation system, with bookings to be offered through a call centre or the Internet and now on-site at campgrounds. To enhance public safety, we are also extending 911 emergency services to five major provincial parks.
Our initiative to make 1,000 cottage lots available has sparked
significant interest from
Since 1999, we have designated new provincial parks and added to our network of protected areas, including the recent addition of Tall Grass Prairie Preserve, made possible in partnership with the Manitoba Naturalist Society. Over the last two years, we have established five new ecological reserves, offering the highest level of protection.
Mr. Speaker, Budget 2006 provides additional resources to advance the First Nations-Manitoba-Ontario UNESCO World Heritage site nomination and doubles our grant to the Nature Conservancy of Canada's National Campaign for Conservation to $200,000.
In recognition of the unique communities, ecosystems and
circumstances on the east side of
Mr. Speaker, our government is taking seriously the risk of a global
pandemic.
Budget 2006 expands
Supported by a federal partnership, Budget 2006 advances construction of the floodway expansion project. Renewing a federal partnership for completion of the floodway expansion is a top priority.
Mr. Speaker, since 1999, we have been rebuilding our health care system. We have invested in training and expanding the number of health care professionals, in medical innovation, technology and health care capital, in expanded healthy living and prevention initiatives and in delivering care sooner and closer to home.
Our top health care priority is reducing wait times, not only for critical life and death treatments where we have made some important gains but also for key quality-of-life procedures where we are dramatically increasing the number of hip and knee procedures.
Since 1999,
· the average wait time for cancer radiation treatment has been reduced from six weeks to one week; and
· the wait time for cardiac surgery has been reduced by more than one third.
Monsieur le Président, le Budget 2006
investit dans la réalisation d'un nouveau centre d'excellence en chirurgie
cardiaque ultramoderne à l'Hôpital général de Saint-Boniface.
Translation
Mr. Speaker, Budget 2006 invests in creating a new, state of the art, centre of excellence in cardiac surgery at St. Boniface General Hospital.
English
With expanded capacity at Concordia, Brandon and Boundary Trails hospitals, we are on pace to complete more than 3,500 hip and knee surgeries this year, an increase of more than 800 from last year.
Budget 2006 continues our investment in increasing diagnostic testing and bringing health care services closer to home.
Our public health care system has more than quadrupled the annual
number of MRIs since 1999, with the addition of new MRI machines, including the
first MRI located outside of
More than 20,000 additional MRI tests will be performed at the Health Sciences Centre, St. Boniface General Hospital and the Pan Am Clinic over the next three years.
Since 1999, the number of CT scans has almost doubled. CT scanners
are now available in Steinbach, Selkirk,
More than 15,000 additional CT scans will be performed over the next three years.
Mr. Speaker, Budget 2006 completes the replacement of our entire 160
ambulance fleet. This year, we will be opening a new transportation and
communication centre in
Our wait-time reduction strategy goes above and beyond national priorities. Budget 2006 invests in:
· more pediatric dental surgeries;
· increased testing for sleep disorders;
· pain clinic expansion at the Pan Am Clinic; and
· expanded community mental health programs.
In addition to the new St. Boniface cardiac centre, we are
supporting the massive reconstruction of the Health Sciences Centre to serve
all of
Budget 2006 invests in the redevelopment of the Selkirk Mental Health Centre to meet the needs of Manitobans living with acquired brain injury and mental illness. In addition, we are expanding assertive treatment for people who are ready to live in the community but need support to achieve their goals.
In 1999, we were faced with a declining number of health care professionals. We have taken action. The number of doctors in training has increased by 21 percent, from 591 to 712. Our program to increase the number of nursing education seats has more than tripled the number of graduates.
Mr. Speaker, Budget 2006 fulfills our commitments to:
·
increase the number of medical
spaces at the
·
l'augmentation
à 25 du nombre de places d'accueil des diplômés internationaux en médecine;
Translation
· increase the intake for international medical graduates to 25 spaces;
English
· increase enrollment in nursing training to 3,000; and
· increase technologist training to 57 seats, exceeding our commitment.
We continue to work with regional health authorities on recruitment and retention of physicians through our new Physician Resource Co-ordination Office. We are also offering new opportunities to expand nursing roles within our health care system.
With our First Nations and Métis partners, we continue to work with
the federal government to meet the unique health needs of Aboriginal communities.
Budget 2006 expands the federal-provincial Chronic Disease Prevention
Initiative to 40 communities throughout
The Canadian Diabetes Association has recognized the low
out-of-pocket costs for diabetes drugs in
Our Pharmacare program has adopted best practices and expanded the use of generic drugs to control costs. Nonetheless, the cost of this important program continues to grow, underscoring the need for a national Pharmacare system. This year, Pharmacare deductibles will increase by $3 to $6 per month for most Pharmacare families. We are improving the program this year with new flexible payment options.
In establishing our Healthy Living Ministry, we are expanding opportunities for Manitobans to live healthier lifestyles.
* (15:40)
Mr. Speaker, we know that healthy active children are more likely to
become healthy active adults. The federal government has announced its
intention to introduce a Children's Physical Activity Tax Credit, and I am
pleased to announce that
Our government is moving forward on the recommendations of the Healthy Kids, Healthy Futures Task Force. Budget 2006 provides resources to expand the number of "in motion" communities to encourage kids to get active and stay healthy.
This year, we will be introducing new healthy food and nutrition
guidelines for schools, as well as extending and strengthening curriculum for
health and physical education. Mr. Speaker, we are also kick- starting a new
bicycle safety program by purchasing 1,000 bike helmets to be made available to
Mr. Speaker, through Healthy Child
· the Healthy Baby program;
·
Centres
de la petite enfance et de la famille into more Francophone schools; and
· the school-based teen clinic initiative.
Our government, working in co-operation with pharmacists and retailers, is implementing a comprehensive strategy to combat the dangerous street drug, crystal meth, including restricting the sale of products that can be used to make crystal meth as well as a far-reaching public education campaign about the dangers of the drug. Mr. Speaker, today's budget commits $2 million in new annual funding for our strategy on crystal meth and addictions.
Mr. Speaker, our government continues to support children and families and to combat poverty on many fronts.
In 2002, in advance of a federal-provincial partnership on child care, our government launched a major five-year plan focussed on expanding the number of child care spaces and investing in early childhood educators.
Au mois d'avril de l'année dernière, le
gouvernement du Canada a signé des accords avec le Manitoba, l'Ontario et le
Québec prévoyant le versement sur plusieurs années de nouveaux fonds fédéraux
pour l'apprentissage et la garde des jeunes enfants.
Translation
In April of last year, the Government of
English
Building on our five-year plan, our
quality public child-care system would be enhanced with new and expanded
choices for
·
1,650 newly funded child-care
spaces for
· new training spaces and wage increases for early childhood educators.
We will work with the Government of Canada and other provinces to
find a positive balance between the promises made by the federal government and
the investments we are making to expand child-care choices for children and
families throughout
Under the federal-provincial Affordable Housing Initiative and other
housing programs, we have invested in the repair, renovation and construction
of 3,000 housing units in
Our government is also undertaking a major restructuring and
enhancement of
Today's budget invests in:
· supported living for persons with mental disabilities;
· creates a new active training and employment assistance program for people on income assistance; and
· expands community-based services and community living support for seniors.
Mr. Speaker, our record of investment in infrastructure priorities is evident all across the province. Since 1999, we have focussed on overdue investments in capital for health care, public schools, post-secondary education, highways and vital water and municipal projects.
In 1999, a promised new hospital for
With our seven budgets, we have provided capital support of more than $200 million for universities and colleges and $378 million for public schools.
Mr. Speaker, Budget 2006 provides more than $29 million in additional highways expenditures for new construction, winter roads and maintenance, bringing our record support to $257 million with this budget.
Un nouveau financement appuiera des
investissements importants pour répondre aux nouveaux besoins relatifs à la
route no 1 à l'est de Winnipeg et à la route no 75
au sud.
Translation
New funding will support significant investments to
address emerging needs on Highway 1 east of
English
Mr. Speaker, Budget 2006 provides for a 30 percent increase in water infrastructure projects, and funding specifically for drainage is more than doubling.
We are providing $32 million under cost-shared agreements so that
municipalities can advance infrastructure and other priorities, such as the
Our last budget established the Building Manitoba Fund, providing
$119 million to support
The Building Manitoba Fund is working the way it was intended, growing by $7.9 million in 2006.
Mr. Speaker, the City of
The Building Manitoba Fund will also provide an additional $3.4
million for outside of
In keeping with our commitment, Budget 2006 provides for a new grant
to the City of
A partnership approach to working with the City of
· the MTS Centre;
· the Millennium Library;
· construction of the Manitoba Hydro headquarters; and
·
new residential redevelopment
along
According to a new study by the Downtown BIZ, Winnipeggers' visits to the downtown are up 50 percent since 2003.
Monsieur le Président, l'année dernière notre
gouvernement a élargi le programme efficace Quartiers vivants pour inclure
sept quartiers additionnels de Winnipeg.
Translation
Mr. Speaker, last year our government expanded our
successful Neighbourhoods Alive! program to include seven new areas in
English
Budget 2006 provides second-year funding to support this expansion.
This year, our government will extend our support for community economic development to a new innovative Community Financial Service Centre pilot project in the North End of Winnipeg, helping to address the declining presence of mainstream financial providers and the expansion of payday lenders.
The city of
Our government has supported the $15-million redevelopment of
The Province has also committed to a substantial relocation of the
The development of the new national Curling Hall of Fame will
provide yet another attraction for the city of
Neighbourhoods Alive! has contributed $1.8
million to date for revitalization activities in
* (15:50)
Mr. Speaker, agricultural producers faced a number of challenges
over the past year, including significant overland flooding, the lingering
impact of the border closure and weather-related weakness in crop production.
Rural Manitobans have once again demonstrated their dedication and hard work in
addressing these challenges. The partial reopening of the
Our government's Growing Opportunities initiative is helping to meet the changing needs of today's farmers and their families and to expand rural economic development opportunities, jobs, slaughter capacity, and value-added processing.
Provincial investments are supporting a unique international calibre cluster in research and development and commercialization of functional foods and natural health products including:
· the new Richardson Centre for Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals;
· the Canadian Centre for Agricultural Research in Medicine; and
·
the newly expanded Food
Development Centre in
Mr. Speaker, there is growing excitement in rural
La première centrale éolienne du Manitoba, un
projet de 210 millions de dollars situé à Saint-Léon, tournera à plein
régime cette année.
Translation
Manitoba's first wind farm, a $210 million project in
St.
English
Proposals for wind developments of up to 1,000 megawatts over 10 years are presently being reviewed. Our wind strategy is expected to generate $2 billion in investment and $100 million in wind-rights payments to landowners.
Our government is partnering with the federal government to deliver
a $1.5-million Biodiesel Production Program to promote the development of
smaller community-based biodiesel production facilities. Mr. Speaker, we will
be providing further support to grow the biodiesel industry across
Budget 2006 provides new resources to pursue a federal partnership
to double the number of
Today's budget also establishes a new loan program to assist farmers in making economic and environmental improvements to their farm operations, complementing existing incentives under the Agricultural Policy Framework.
Our government has made a significant investment in the future of northern Manitoba in establishing the University College of the North, which now has over 2,000 registered students in over 40 programs in 12 locations throughout the North.
Over 800 trainees have already benefited from the $60-million
pre-project training partnership between
At the
Today's budget provides new funding to engage Aboriginal communities in mineral resource activities.
A growing number of northern
Today's budget continues our multi-year commitment to the Churchill Gateway Initiative, helping to market Churchill's shipping advantages to the world.
With Budget 2006, our government, in partnership with the federal
government, is supporting the conversion of the community of
In leading up to meetings in
Arts and culture are an integral part of
Successful films like Capote
and the Falcon Beach movie-drama
turned TV series are promoting
Budget 2006 increases support for major cultural organizations. Funding for the Community Festivals program is also growing, expanding support for more rural and northern festivals, and provides new resources to work with the Aboriginal community to establish a new annual Aboriginal cultural festival.
Budget 2006 continues our commitment to increase funding for Sport
Manitoba and supports hosting the 94th CFL Grey Cup Championship Game in
Monsieur le Président, il est
important de réduire la criminalité et d'améliorer la sécurité si l'on veut
bâtir des collectivités saines.
Translation
Mr. Speaker, reducing crime and improving community safety are important aspects of building healthy communities.
English
Our government's approach to justice has always been: Tough on crime, tough on the root causes of crime.
Last year, funding for 54 new police positions was provided, the
largest funding increase for police in our province's history. Budget 2006
commits 31 additional police positions: 23 for
Today's budget doubles the size of the Gang Prosecutions Unit which has supported over 280 gang convictions since it was established. This specialized team will be expanded to 16 positions, including five new prosecutors, to target gang activity.
We are also expanding our strategy to combat gangs with a focus on
community mobilization and intensive supervision and supports for youth at
risk. This will complement successful programs already underway, such as the
provincially supported Integrated Organized Crime Task Force with the RCMP and
More than 150 drug dens and gang and prostitution houses have already been shut down under The Safer Communities Act and The Neighbourhoods and Fortified Buildings Act.
Lighthouses are an innovative initiative of our government, serving
as beacons of hope for
Budget 2006 increases support for community-based family violence prevention initiatives, for crisis accommodations for vulnerable adults and the Victim Services Intervention Unit to work with police in assisting families at risk in situations where formal charges are not laid.
Mr. Speaker, we will be adding a fifth Provincial Court Judge located in the North to serve Aboriginal communities.
Our government established a special consultative committee to provide guidance on the location and type of facility needed for a new correctional centre to replace the aging women's jail. Our government will be releasing the committee's report and taking action to implement its recommendations.
In addition, new funding is provided to increase capacity and security at the Dauphin, Headingley and Milner Ridge correctional facilities.
* (16:00)
Mr. Speaker, safety in our communities includes safety in our workplaces. Healthy and safe workplaces are good for workers, good for families and good for business. We are making progress in reducing time loss due to injury. A 20 percent reduction has already been achieved. In partnership with the Workers Compensation Board and building on the success of the SafeWork campaign, Budget 2006 expands resources for workplace safety and health initiatives.
Budget 2006 is providing tax savings to make
Manitobans enjoy:
· among the lowest auto insurance rates and the lowest electricity rates;
· a quality, affordable higher education system;
· a healthy, attractive natural environment; and
· world-class, affordable arts and cultural activities.
·
And even with improving housing
values,
Our province boasts a competitive business environment. KPMG's
recent study of competitive business costs ranks
Our competitive business advantage is rooted in a unique combination of factors, such as:
· a productive, well-educated and multi-lingual labour force;
· quality, public health care and education systems;
· competitive land, office and construction costs;
· strong research and development capabilities combined with generous tax incentives; and
· a strategic mid-continent trade corridor location.
Monsieur le Président, pendant sept ans, nous
avons tenu chaque promesse de réduction d'impôt et de taxe que nous avons
faite, et dans certains cas nous avons même été plus loin.
Translation
Mr. Speaker, for seven years, we have kept or exceeded every tax promise we have made.
English
Our government is committed to doing our
part to keep
Budget 2006 delivers on our commitment to eliminate the residential
Education Support Levy, ESL, saving Manitobans an additional $34 million this
year. This will save Manitobans an additional $34 million this year. This is an
annual saving of $163 on a $150,000 home. Mr. Speaker, there is now one less
tax in
After 11 years of rising residential property taxes, each of our seven budgets have reduced provincial education taxes for homeowners. We are committed to making further progress on education taxes for homeowners with future budgets.
In 2003, we promised to reduce farmland education taxes by 20
percent. We exceeded our promise with a 50 percent reduction. For 2006, we are
going beyond our previous commitment to farmers by increasing the reduction on
farmland education taxes to 60 percent. Mr. Speaker, this additional reduction
will provide new tax savings of $4.6 million for
Budget 2006 also builds on our record of providing steady reductions in personal income taxes. It is my pleasure today to announce that Budget 2006 delivers on our commitment to reduce the middle income tax rate to 13 percent, effective January 1, 2007, for a total reduction of 20 percent since 2000. In addition, the basic personal amount will be increased by another $100. Mr. Speaker, these new measures will provide Manitobans with additional savings of $32.3 million in annual tax relief and remove 2,000 low-income earners from the tax rolls.
In 1999,
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce today that we are exceeding
our promise to small business. The tax rate for small business will be reduced
to 3 percent on January 1, 2007. This will make it the second-lowest rate in
In 1999,
I am also pleased to announce that, effective January 1, 2007, Budget 2006 doubles the corporation capital tax deduction from $5 million to $10 million, reducing the number of firms paying this tax by 19 percent; 90 percent of firms will no longer be covered by the capital tax. In addition, our government will begin to phase out the general corporate capital tax with a 20 percent rate reduction to take effect on July 1, 2008, subject to balanced budget requirements.
Changes made by our government to improve the competitiveness of
Mr. Speaker, our government will further support the record-breaking growth of this industry by providing a retail sales tax exemption for drilling rigs and other equipment used for oil and gas exploration.
Mr. Speaker, by 2007, Manitobans will enjoy annual savings in personal, property and business taxes of $618 million compared to 1999.
This is significant tax relief for Manitoba families and Manitoba business, savings that exceed our commitments, savings that we have delivered within a fiscally responsible framework, without compromising important public investments in health care and education and without ceasing our debt repayment plan.
Last year, we made a commitment to implement full summary budgeting by 2007-08, a comprehensive reporting of all government and government-controlled entities, using generally accepted accounting principles, GAAP.
Nos progrès sont constants et nous
sommes sur la bonne voie pour respecter cet engagement.
Translation
We are making steady progress and are on track to meet this commitment.
English
Last fall, we tabled the March 31, 2005,
Public Accounts, the first ever Public Accounts in
Budget 2006 is balanced on a summary basis, forecasting a surplus of $148 million.
In 1999-2000, the net debt to GDP ratio stood at 31.4 percent. We have made progress in reducing this rate and forecast that it will decline to 24.5 percent in 2006-07. Over the medium term, our projections indicate summary surpluses will continue.
For the seventh straight year we are balanced under
The balance in
Our prudent management of the government's finances has been rewarded with two credit rating upgrades since we took office.
Budget 2006 provides for 3.4 percent growth in expenditures, the same rate as last year.
One of our first tasks after coming to office in 1999 was to develop
a comprehensive plan to address
Mr. Speaker, Budget 2006 meets our commitments to take action on Manitobans' priorities and builds opportunities for today and tomorrow.
Measures we advance today will:
· increase investment in education at all levels;
· improve health care for all Manitobans;
· invest in key infrastructure for highways, water and drainage, health care, and education;
· provide vital support for children, families and communities; and
· make taxes more affordable for families and more competitive for business.
And all this is accomplished while projecting a summary budget surplus and a positive balance for the operating fund.
Manitobans can take pride in their province.
Nous avons tant accompli et nous pouvons aller
encore plus loin.
Translation
We have accomplished so much, and we can do so much more.
English
We are proud to present Budget 2006 to the people of our province.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Stuart Murray (Leader of the Official Opposition): Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Lac du Bonnet (Mr. Hawranik), that debate be adjourned.
Motion agreed to.
Mr. Selinger: Mr. Speaker, I have two messages from His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor as well as the budget documents which I would like to table.
Mr. Speaker: Please rise for the reading of the messages.
The Lieutenant-Governor transmits to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba Estimates of sums required for the services of the Province for the fiscal year ending March 31 of 2007 and recommends these Estimates to the Legislative Assembly.
Also, the Lieutenant-Governor transmits to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba Estimates of sums required for the services of the Province for capital expenditures and recommends these Estimates to the Legislative Assembly.
Please be seated.
These Estimates have been tabled.
* * *
Hon. Gord Mackintosh (Government House Leader): Mr. Speaker, an invitation is extended to everyone in attendance for refreshments in Room 200 on adjournment.
I move, seconded by the Minister of Finance (Mr. Selinger), that this House do now adjourn.
Mr. Speaker: It has been announced that an invitation has been extended to the public, in Room 200, by the Minister of Finance.
It has been moved by the honourable
Government House Leader, seconded by the honourable Minister of Finance, the
House do now adjourn. Agreed? [Agreed]
The House is now adjourned and stands adjourned until 1:30 p.m. tomorrow (Tuesday).