LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Mr. Speaker: O Eternal and Almighty God, from Whom all power and wisdom come, we are assembled here before Thee to frame such laws as may tend to the welfare and prosperity of our province. Grant, O merciful God, we pray Thee, that we may desire only that which is in accordance with Thy will, that we may seek it with wisdom, know it with certainty and accomplish it perfectly for the glory and honour of Thy name and for the welfare of all our people. Amen.
House Business
Hon. Dave Chomiak Government House Leader): Mr. Speaker, insofar as I understand, Hansard is on its way–the, the Order Paper is on its way because of a, and we should be receiving it in a couple of minutes. I thought perhaps I would use just a couple minutes to make House announcements.
So if it's the will of the House, Mr. Speaker, could you canvass the House to see if there's unanimous consent to extend the reporting deadline of the Special Committee on Senate Reform from June 11th, 2009 to October 8th, 2009?
Mr. Speaker: Is there unanimous consent to extend the reporting deadline of the Special Committee on Senate Reform from June 11, 2009 to October 8th, 2009? Is there agreement?
Some Honourable Members: Agreed.
Mr. Speaker: Okay, there is agreement.
Mr. Chomiak: Mr. Speaker, and I'd also like leave of the House to correct the announcement I made yesterday on the PMR to be, take place on Tuesday, September 12, because I made a–I, I called it–I made an error in the words so that we–instead of the PMR reading Reserve Forces month, that'd be Reserve Forces Day. So I'm asking leave of the House to make that correction to the PMR that I announced to pursuant to group 38, 1(b).
Mr. Speaker: Is there leave to amend the title of the private member's resolution to be considered on Tuesday, September 12 to reserves forces Day–September 12 to Reserve Forces Day–Oh, 15. Okay, just wait. I'm going to re-read that. So it's not the 12th, it's the 15th, right?
So is there leave to amend the title of the private member's resolution to be considered on Tuesday, September 15th to Reserve Forces Day. Is there agreement?
Some Honourable Members: Agreed.
Mr. Speaker: Okay, it's been agreed to.
Mr. Gerald Hawranik (Official Opposition House Leader): Normally I would introduce this, the private member's resolution during private members' hour between 11 and 12, but I'd like to announce, since we're, we've, we have some time at this point, Mr. Speaker, I'd like to announce, in accordance with rule 31, sub 9, I would like to announce that the private member's resolution that will be considered on Thursday, September 17th is a resolution on supporting a foreign trade zone at CentrePort Canada sponsored by the honourable Member for Arthur‑Virden (Mr. Maguire).
Mr. Speaker: In accordance with rule 31(9), it has been announced that the private member's resolution that will be considered on Thursday, September 17th is a resolution on supporting a foreign trade zone at CentrePort Canada sponsored by the honourable Member for Arthur-Virden.
Mr. Chomiak: Also, Mr. Speaker, I've made much of the fact that of the outstanding work done by the leader, House leader for the opposition and the House leader for the Liberal Party, on, on, on several years of work towards moving the House, and the Member for Russell (Mr. Derkach) and the Member for Fort Rouge (Ms. Howard). Some things have changed dramatically in this House in terms of how we deal with issues. The PAC committee is working quite, much more effectively, and the House is moving in a way much more effectively as we had conspired several years ago to try–conspire is a facetious word I'm using, as we had planned several years ago to get the House moving in a way that's more predictable, it would have, would have bills set over to allow for appropriate debate and then come back to be debated.
So I've said that a whole bunch of times, but I also have been loathe to forget to, since we have this time, to thank the Clerks and the staff and all of the people who work such long hours and run around and do everything they can to try to make us look good. [interjection] I say–no–well, their work is working. I think the fact of us not looking good is, is, is all individual responsibility, and they do such good work. We rarely, we rarely have a chance to really thank them, and I think they know how much we appreciate the work the Clerks, the table officers, the translators, everybody, the people in Hansard, and all those who make this wonderful parliamentary institution the very core of democracy in our society. And we may–lots of fun is made of it, and lots of criticism is made of it but it certainly, as Winston Churchill said, it may not be perfect but it's better than anything else in the world.
And it's the people here and the pacts that are kept and the rules that are kept and the work that is done and, that makes, that makes democracy work in this province and places across the world. So I just wanted to make note of that in case we don't have a chance to make note of that later today, and people should know that we do appreciate their work even though we don't always say it. Thank you.
Mr. Speaker: I thank the honourable member for those comments.
* (10:10)
PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS
Mr. Speaker: Okay. We'll, we'll now start orders of the day. Private members' business.
House Business
Hon. Dave Chomiak (Government House Leader): Yes, Mr. Speaker, I believe that–I believe that we're going to do–deal with two private matters this morning, by leave if necessary.
The first, that between 10 and 10:30, we're dealing with second reading of Bill 238, The Service Animals Protection Act in that second reading and, then, at 10:30, by leave, we're dealing with third reading of Bill 228, The Grandparents' Day Act; 238 at 10 o'clock, second reading, and 228 at 10:30, third reading.
Mr. Speaker: Is there leave of the House to deal with two private members' bills? The first one from 10 to 10:30, to deal with Bill No. 238, and from–and then from 10:30 to 11, the concur–concurrence and third reading of Bill No. 228. Agreed?
Some Honourable Members: Agreed.
Mr. Speaker: Agreed? Okay, there's agreement, so that will be the order.
Bill 238–The Service Animals Protection Act
Mr. Speaker: So now I'm going to call Bill No. 238, The Service Animals Protection Act.
Ms. Sharon Blady (Kirkfield Park): Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the member of Fort Rouge, that the bill, The Service Animals Protection Act; Loi sur la protection des animaux d'assistance, be now read a second time and be referred to a committee of this House.
Mr. Speaker: It's been moved by the honourable Member for Kirkfield Park, seconded by the honourable Member for Fort Rouge (Ms. Howard), that Bill No. 238, The Service Animals Protection Act, be now read a second time and be referred to committee of this House.
Ms. Blady: Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to open debate on The Service Animals Protection Act; Loi sur la protection des animaux d'assistance.
Mr. Speaker, this is a law that, while in title protects animals, it is really about protecting the people who rely on these animals for their daily activities and safety, and for those who train animals who keep the rest of us safe.
In working to bring this bill forward, I've had the privilege of working with so many wonderful individuals to–and, and to meet with so many devoted and highly trained service animals.
On Monday, when this bill was introduced, we were fortunate to have in the gallery some of the service animals and their owners and trainers who will benefit from the protection that this legislation affords them. I thank them for being here, and I want to let them know that this legislation has garnered national attention and is raising awareness about the special status of these two groups of service animals, those in personal service and those in public service.
Today, I would like to welcome to the gallery again many other guests who have worked from different communities, organizations and individuals towards getting this bill developed, and it is this bill that I hope will provide them the protection and peace of mind that they and their service animals so justly deserve.
Mr. Speaker, this bill addresses the issue of interference with a service animal, especially where that interference compromises the animal's ability to carry out its duties, whether those duties are to assist an individual in daily life or working with law enforcement on investigation, crime or rescue scenes.
A person who is convicted of an offence can be ordered to pay fines and compensation to help owners and handlers recover costs associated with the retraining or even replacement of these highly trained service animals.
Le présent projet de loi protège les animaux d'assistance et les personnes qui les utilisent, notamment les personnes ayant une déficiencé qui se servent d'un chien-guide et les pliciers qui ont recors des–à des chiens réenfleurs dans l'exercice de leurs fonctions. En vertu du présent proet de loi, constitue une infraction le fait de toucher à un animal d'assistance, de le nourrir, de lui porter entrave et de lui nuire ou permettez à un animal de toucher à un animal d'assistance, de lui porter entrave ou de lui nuire, et ce, sans autorisation.
En plus de payer une amende, la personne reconnue coupable d'une infraction peut être tenue de verser une indemnisation et en raison des pertes ou des dommages attribuables à l'infraction.
Translation
This bill protects service animals and the people who use them, such as persons with disabilities who have guide dogs, and police officers who use sniffer dogs in their duties. The bill makes it an offence to touch, feed, impede or interfere with a service animal, or to allow an animal to touch, impede or interfere with a service animal, without consent.
In addition to paying a fine, a person who is convicted of an offence can be ordered to pay compensation if the action causes loss or damage.
English
Mr. Speaker, one aspect of this legislation that needs to be considered and dealt with immediately within this debate is the important clause 2(1) that defines interference and indicates that no person shall touch, feed, impede or interfere with a service animal without lawful excuse or authority. It is important to note the final five words of this clause, and within the subsequent clause regarding interference by an animal. Those words are: without lawful excuse or authority.
This means that one must engage with the owner first regarding interaction with their animal. It does not mean that eventual engagement is completely prohibited. It means that you follow the direction and instructions of the person who is with the animal out of respect for them and out of respect for the job that their animal is doing.
Now, in many ways, this is common sense. We all know that we should not be walking up to random animals and petting them; we don't know what can happen. This is something that most of us teach our children, and we practise ourselves. So some might ask, well, why do we need this in legislation? Or is somebody going to be taking my five-year-old to court because they walked up to a guide dog at the grocery store and touched them before I could, you know, prevent them from doing so?
Well, I can assure you, Mr. Speaker, I can assure everyone in this House and within this province, that this is not legislation intended to punish children, but rather it is a law intended to protect those who use and train service animals and, hopefully, to educate people about the important roles that these animals play in each of our lives whether we realize it or not.
So I know there have been some that have been running around looking at those first couple of words within that line of the clause and failing to get to the end of the sentence. This is one of those things that came up in consultations, especially with those in–who had personal service animals. They assured me that they're not going to be flippantly using this legislation to press charges at every turn, but rather that it gives them opportunity to address those who do not show respect themselves–respect to themselves or to their service animals, especially when the interference is persistent and repeated.
Chronic and repetitive interference is an ongoing concern of those with service animals, and I've been surprised by the kind of behaviour that people exhibit in relation to these working animals which constitutes interference. For example, I have been told stories of people trying to slip food to a guide dog as it walks past the café, presuming that the visual impairment of the owner will mean that they don't know that this is going on and that, somehow, that makes it okay. But it is taking the dog's focus off its duties, undermining the safety of the owner, and ultimately interfering with the overall training of the dog in the long term.
Or situations where a neighbourhood dog routinely barks at or intimidates a guide dog, causing the dog not to want to follow the designated path necessary for the owner to follow on their way to work, for example, and again, affecting the overall confidence and training of the animal in the long run.
Within public service animals experience, again I have been shocked by the examples of interference that have occurred without adequate means of recourse for the handlers and trainers. For example, opening the gate of a yard where a police service dog, a PSD, resides, in hope that the dog might go wander out, become lost or injured, or with the mistaken impression that because the dog may have aggressiveness training that it's, in fact, an, an aggressive dog and could possibly go out, attack someone and then be put down.
I have also heard of where poisoned meat is thrown over the fence of a house where a PSD resides in hopes that, again, the dog will eat it, become ill or possibly die. Tapping on the glass of a police service vehicle while a dog is waiting for its handler to take it onto a site while they're assessing the scene, again, in hopes that it will elicit aggressive behaviour, and again what will happen is the dog will then have to be calmed by the owner and, in the long term, this kind of behaviour towards these animals will undermine that animal's training.
And the unfortunate case where a police service dog was stabbed in the head with a screwdriver during the apprehension of a suspect.
So, to this point, the individuals that have experienced these exact situations have had no reasonable means of recourse, either in terms of reasonable charges, or compensation for the damages done to their animals, most of which either needed retraining or replacement. At best, mischief and cruelty to animals charges have been laid and some fines paid, but by no means has there been pop–proper compensation present in the current legislation for them to take to the courts.
* (10:20)
And I have to say that I found it surprising, as this issue came to my attention, that, again, they don't have protection from interference. And, again, their trainers and owners do not have reasonable means of seeking compensation under the current laws. And it's not just here in Manitoba, it is across the country. This is unacceptable that nowhere in this country are these animals protected the way they need to be.
While we have our Animal Care Act, which, again, prohibits the causing of extreme anxiety, distress or harm or serious injury to an animal by a person, again, owners have found this legislation ineffective in their particular si–situations with service animals.
Again, The Animal Liability Act, for those situations where an animal does harm to property, again, they have not been an effective or successful means of recouping losses.
The Criminal Code of Canada, again, makes it an offence to wilfully and without lawful excuse, kill, maim, wound or injure dogs and other animals, but, again, interference is not addressed.
And in the case of police officers, while section 129 states that it's an offence to willingly obstruct a police officer or a peace office in the execution of his or her duties, they have said repeatedly that it does not offer them adequate means of recourse in their experience. [interjection]
And I would hope members opposite, in their banter, might consider the value of these, these people that are doing this work and their service animals, and maybe keep it quiet to reflect the respect that these animals and their handlers deserve. These people keep each of us safe every day. These are the dogs that go out and sniff bombs. These are the dogs that are–save our lives at rescue scenes. These are the animals that keep us safe on a daily basis and improve the quality of life for individuals.
And I hope that everyone in this House recognizes the importance of this because, at this point, existing legislation only provides human rights recourse. These animals make a difference in our lives every day. This law is intended to educate people. I hope to God that we can pass this legislation and that it never gets used, because we educate people that when you approach an animal, you ask the owner first. You ask what they want done. And if it's a guide dog, you're probably going to get told no, let the dog focus with its owner.
But, as people saw on Monday here, when you asked Police Sergeant Bessason if it was okay to touch PSD Juno, we had a group of grade 4 and 5 students able to play with little Juno. She's a wonderful dog. So I want people to recognize–
Mr. Speaker: Order.
Mr. Ralph Eichler (Lakeside): I want to put a few things on the record in regards to–the member brought forward by the member from Kirkfield Park, Bill 237–or 238, The Service Animals Protection Act.
Being a farm boy my whole life and living in rural Manitoba, we've had animals around the farm and we've had dogs and cats and horses and a number of animals. In fact, I belong to a service organization called the Lions Club, who looks after donation of trained animals to the, those unfortunate enough not to be able to see, and we know the cost and the training that goes in providing that particular training for that animal used to assist those people with that disability.
Having said that, I do have some concerns in regards to this particular piece of legislation, and we look forward to it going to committee. When the member from Kirkfield Park introduced the bill, on Monday I believe, I know that he and–her and I had an opportunity to chat briefly about her bill. And one of the assurances that she had that I was very concerned about, and that was the consultation process.
Now we know very well that, as we go around the province, people that are fortunate enough, and communities are fortunate enough to have musical rides brought into their community, the first thing the police officers do is encourage people to get involved with animals, pet the animals, love the animals. And so we certainly don't want a mixed view out there when it comes to interpretation of the law.
And whenever we talk about this particular piece of legislation, we don't want that legislation to enhamper anybody in the promotion of their involvement with animals, because we certainly know that that's only the most important to bring in horses and people together, dogs and people together. And, of course, man's best friend is always the dog that we always come back to being one of our favourite. And when we talk about our children and our wonderful pets, in fact, there's a number of people that treasure their dogs beyond anything else in their family. In fact, seniors have a number of dogs. So they're naturally attracted to these animals. They, they go about their daily lives and see another little dog. In fact, movies have been made about man's best friend. And we know from time to time that, that, they're, they're, they're frequent meeters for helping people get together, get out. And part of that conversation piece comes as a result of, of, of dogs and other animals that are brought forward for conversation pieces.
But I know the member from Kirkfield Park talked about inappropriate touch and she talked about one particular example where a police dog was assaulted with, with a weapon. And I don't think that's the intent of this bill, to, to look after those. It's, it's service dogs that, that are protected for, for services that are provided under this bill.
We certainly look forward to the consultation process of whereby the stakeholders will have that opportunity to come forward in committee in order to have their views expressed on this particular piece of legislation. And I know that the member from Kirkfield Park talked specifically in her, her comments in regards, mainly in regards to the, to the, to the dogs and that, that was, that was talked about.
But service animals can be more than just that. There's a number of animals that are there that we use in our service industry that–and especially in the, in the drug business. And we know that anybody that's been across the border, clearing customs, going through security checks, we know that those animals are highly trained, highly sophisticated. And they do need that protection, that, that, that the member from Kirkfield Park talked about. But we also needed the education con–component of it as well. We need to ensure those people that when they're going through customs, whether they're going through trains or buses or planes, whatever they decide their mode of transportation, that those people don't touch those dogs. And if this piece of legislation is, is what's required to do that, then we certainly are more than prepared to have a look at it.
But I do caution, caution members to make sure that when we do the consultation process, that we don't cover an animal in there that's not necessarily one that don't need to be covered and, and actually contradict some of the hard work that a number of people have done in regards to the, the service industry that encourages pets to be part of that. And, and a lot of times these service, these service animals are pets and they use them in communities and they use them to bring people together.
So with that, Mr. Speaker, we look forward to this particular piece of legislation going to committee for that consultation process.
Ms. Jennifer Howard (Fort Rouge): I just have a few things I want to say. It's my pleasure to second this bill and it was my pleasure to be in the rotunda on the day it was introduced and meet with some of these service animals and the people they serve, both people who are blind, who have visual impairments, as well as police officers, fire and rescue officers and their dogs. And it made me think on that day that the overall atmosphere of this building might be improved if we had more dogs on a more regular basis, wandering the hallways. So that might be something in the future we should look into.
I also want to say that recently I visited the deaf blind resource centre. And when we talk about disability, I think it's always important to remember that people aren't disabled, it's the environments that we build around them that disable them. And there are many things that people can do–whether it's through service animals or technology, that help us interact with our daily environment and help us be part of society. And the deaf blind resource centre is really an amazing organization.
I got to witness an interview given by a fellow that is deaf and blind who's just recently been able to move into the deaf centre and live independently. He was giving an interview with Shaw TV and he sat across the table from his intervener. And he placed his hands on hers and she signed. And he could know what was being said to him through that. And then he would sign back to her and she would repeat what he said. And I thought, this–and the cameraman who was filming that interview said this was the most fascinating interview he'd ever had the opportunity to film. And I thought it was just such a good example of how, with very little technology really, we can help people be able to communicate with their world. There is, of course, also a need for much–
* (10:30)
Mr. Speaker: Order. As previously agreed, the hour is now 10:30 and when this matter is again before the House, the honourable Member for Fort Rouge will have eight minutes remaining.
And as previously agreed, we will now move on to concurrence and third reading of Bill No. 2–2–228, The Grandparents' Day Act.
The honourable Member for Rossmere–the honourable Member for In–Inkster.
Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Inkster): Yes, Mr. Speaker, I believe that if you were to canvass the House the, the will of the Chamber would be to see the, the previous bill actually pass so that we could possibly have committee meetings on the bill during the summer and I believe the member was just about to sit down not realizing the time.
Mr. Speaker: Is there leave of the House for the Speaker to put the question on Bill No. 238? Is there agreement?
An Honourable Member: Leave.
Mr. Speaker: Okay, there is agreement, so I'm putting second reading on Bill No. 238, The Service Animals Protection Act. Is it the pleasure of the House to ado–to adopt the motion? Agreed?
Some Honourable Members: Agreed.
Mr. Speaker: Agreed and so ordered.
Bill 228–The Grandparents' Day Act
Mr. Speaker: Now I'm going to call concurrence and third reading of Bill No. 228, The Grandparents' Day Act.
Ms. Erna Braun (Rossmere): I move, seconded by the Member for Inkster (Mr. Lamoureux), that Bill 228, The Grandparents' Day Act; Loi sur la Fête des grands-par–grands-parents, reported from the Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development, be concurred in and now be read for a third time and passed.
Mr. Speaker: It's been moved by the honourable Member for Rossmere, seconded by the honourable Member for Inkster, that Bill No. 228, The Grandparents' Day Act, reported from the Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development be concurred in and be now read for a third time and passed.
Ms. Braun: Mr. Speaker, I'm very pleased that this bill is being read for the third time and moving on to being passed because it certainly illustrates the value of grandparents and their contributions to our society.
I'd also like to thank the seconder of this motion, the member from Inkster and I'm pleased that grandparents and their importance to families and communities is recognized by all, so I thank you.
I'm particularly pleased to be bringing this bill forward as the MLA from Rossmere and certainly I've spoken many times about my community being a very vibrant and energetic community that has very many seniors in it. And I'm assuming that with lots of seniors, there are also lots of grandparents in my community. And I know that they take great pride in their children and their grandchildren, and I find this very often when I'm visiting my constituents who are seniors, the gallery of family photos that I'm taken through and shown and the, the pride with which they speak about their, their grandchildren and their accomplishments.
In fact, yesterday I was at a retirement reception for the Winnipeg Teachers' Association and bumped into a, a constituent who's also someone that I've worked with and known for many years. And she very proudly told me that she was a first-time grandparent and looking forward to the summer break from teaching because it was going to be spent sharing parenting, grandparenting time with the other grandparents, as she would now have some quality time to spend with her new grandson. And she was absolutely thrilled to, to be able to, to take the time in the summer and to spend time helping out her daughter and son-in-law but also being able to share that time with her new grandson.
My community also has a, quite a number of grandparents who, for a variety of reasons, in the absence of the parents, are primary caregivers for their grandchildren, and thank goodness for their devotion and commitment to assuring that their grandchildren will grow up in, in supportive and loving homes. In fact, the very first visit that I had in my constituency office after I was elected came from, I was actually quite surprised how young of a grandmother she was, but shared with me her story about the fact that she was now caring for her twin granddaughters and the challenges that presented. But her dedication to her, her granddaughters was incredible and to be commended. I mean, it was just an amazing story that she had to tell.
This bill resolves that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba support the provincial government in establishing Grandparents' Day as an officially recognized day in Manitoba on the first Sunday after Labour Day in September, and I think what this will do is give us a chance to publicly affirm the value that our grandparents have in our society.
And I think that most of us can recall fondly our own grandparents and the impact that they've had on our lives. And I certainly know and I've shared this story before in terms of my grandmother and the profound influence that, that she had in our family's life and, and on myself in particular. As immigrants to Canada after the Second World War, my parents faced the struggles that many families have and–as they tried to establish themselves in a new land with new customs and challenges.
Early in my life, my father contracted TB and was confined for nearly three years to a sanatorium, and my mother had to find a job that–but also needed to find child care. My grandmother at that time lived with my uncle and, and two aunts. They were teenagers at that time in Steinbach, and the call went out and my grandmother packed up everyone and on the bus from Steinbach to Winnipeg she came with my mom's three younger siblings, and she moved into our family home in the west end. And for the next four years was the, the guiding light I would say for myself, as my mom went off to work every day, and as my dad recuperated at–in the sanatorium which is now the St. Amant Centre.
I was cared for and nurtured and kept safe while my mother entered the work force. My oma was a godsend, not only for me, but for my mom and dad who could be assured that the home front was well looked after and that they could do what they needed to do in order to get through.
Even after my father's health returned, he was able to work again and, like many immigrant families, both incomes were still required to make ends meet. And my mother and my aunts and uncle by that time also moved into a house and, like many extended families, moved just a couple of blocks over.
Until I was eight and we moved to North Kildonan, each day we made the trek to oma's house where I was left in her loving care. And I always think of one incident where she was very, very vigilant and made sure that I was well looked after, and I can recall having–there was a blizzard and schools were closed and my grandmother still made me trot off to school because she couldn't understand English, and so when I told her that school was closed, she insisted that I go directly to the school and find out for myself, and I wandered all the way over from Arlington to, to Wellington School and back just to let her know that, yes, indeed, the school was closed. She had done her due diligence to make sure that I wasn't trying to scam her in some way.
I was reminded of this childhood on, on numerous occasions when I knocked on doors in my constituency and found myself greeted by grandparents with, with toddlers on their arms and little ones at their side who cheerfully translated for their grandparents as I introduced myself.
My personal example is certainly not unique. This story of grandparents and their contributions to their families repeats itself in every corner of Manitoba. Grandparents play an important role in strengthening the family and in the parenting process. They bring stability, continuity and boundless affection to youngsters, which is so important in developing care–caring and healthy individuals.
And a grandparent's influence continues throughout the life of a grandchild. From childhood into adolescence, grandparents provide the constants and an anchor to children in the fast-paced world that we live in. And grandparents can also serve as wonter–wonderful intermediaries between parents and teenagers. And I can recall that too then. When tensions with my parents were, were a bit high that I could always go to my grandmother who was able to put things into perspective and kind of smooth the stormy waters in our family.
In society today our families often do not reflect the traditional definition of families from decades ago. With divorce and separation a greater reality than a generation or two ago, Grandparents' Day is also an opportunity to remind people of the valuable role that grandparents can play during the transition period for children between separation, divorce and remarriage.
It is also important that we recognize grandparents so that they remain an integral part of families and family life.
Our motion today–or The Grandparents' Day Act is also an occasion to shed light on the issue of grandparents' access to grandchildren in custody cases. In 2006, our government recognized the difficulties grandparents and other family members may have who wish to spend time with the child when, as a result of disagreements that have arisen with parents, access is not possible.
* (10:40)
One of the supports provided through our grand relations is that, is that of a grandparent advisor who can work with families to find the best solution or services in resolving disputes.
A friend of mine, who lives in Toronto, was telling me, a number of years ago, how she kept in touch with her father via e-mail, thanks to her nephew instructing his grandfather on the use of new technology.
So grandparents and grandchildren have wonderful relationships that, that are certainly to be cherished.
So, Mr. Speaker, it is an honour for me today to go on record in support of Grandparents' Day that will assign special recognition to our grandparents and show them that what they do each day is appreciated and valued. Thank you.
Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Inkster): I, too, wanted to express my pleasure in speaking today what I believe is a very important and noteworthy bill that will ultimately receive royal assent hopefully later today.
Mr. Speaker, this issue is before us I believe today because of a individual that had taken the time a number of years ago to join me on an evening at–a Thursday evening at McDonalds who shared with me some thoughts about Grandparents' Day–in fact, provided me the history of Grandparents' Day, and I believe he had gotten it or received it from the Internet because he provided me a little bit of a history.
And let me read what it is that was provided to me. And it, it reads, and I quote, Mr. Speaker, and I just believe it's from, from the Internet: A brief history of the holiday. In 1973, West Virginia began a state-wide campaign to set aside a special day just for grandparents. The first Grandparents' Day was set by Governor Arch Moore through concerted efforts on the part of individuals interested in preserving their heritage. This campaign was headed by Marian McQuade of Fayette County, mother of 15 children. Senator Jennings Randolph was especially instrumental in the project. In 1973, Senator Randolph introduced a resolution in the United States Senate and in 1978, five years after its inception, Congress passed legislation proclaiming the first Sunday after Labour Day as the national Grandparents' Day. September was chose–was the month chosen signifying the autumn years of life and today this event, begun by only a few, is observed by thousands throughout the United States.
Well, Mr. Speaker, this, this idea was brought to, to my attention back in August of 2005, and I believed at the time it was something that we needed to, to pursue. In fact, I had sent an e-mail to the Premier (Mr. Doer), and I would like to, to read what it is I sent to the, to the Premier back on September 1st, 2005.
Mr. Premier, I would like to share with you–and I quote: Mr. Premier, I would like to share with you some thoughts that I have in regards to putting aside one day a year in recognition of grandparents. A number of years ago, the United States proclaimed that the first Sunday after Labour Day is national Grandparents' Day. I believe that Manitoba, in bracket, Canada, should do likewise. In short, grandparents would be no different than recognition–or Grandparents' Day would be no different than the recognition that is given to parents on Mothers' or Fathers' Day. Our grandparents are a fundamental cornerstone to the unity of a family and play a critical role in the development of their grandchildren. Designating a day to our grandparents is the right thing to do, and if you or your office would like to further discuss it with me, please contact me.
Mr., Mr. Speaker, an idea that's originated from the United States to a constituent who brought it to my attention to passing on the concerns to the Premier's office to today, where we have a, a bill before us that ultimately is going to set aside the importance of Grandparents' Day.
And I think it's very appropriate, when I look up and I see inside the Chamber, I suspect we have a number of schoolchildren. I'm not too sure which school they're, they're from, but I want to, to emphasize the important role that our, our children and our schoolchildren, in particular, our educational system has in promoting this day.
This September 13th, of 2009, will be the first official Grandparents' Day in the province of Manitoba, and what I look forward to seeing is, is children throughout the province writing, whether it's a card inside the class, inside the classroom, or it's a thought at home of sending a grandparent a, a, a flower, inviting them to, to lunch, that special card.
Ms. Bonnie Korzeniowski, Deputy Speaker, in the Chair
We all know how much grandparents love and cherish their grandchildren and the role that they play in society, Madam Deputy Speaker, and I would suggest to you that, in fact, this is, indeed, an appropriate bill of this legislature. In fact, we are leading the country on an initiative that I believe that once it gets out, that more and more provinces will in fact do what Manitoba has done and recognize the valuable role that get–grandparents have played.
I, I've had on my, my Web site for years now, reference to grandparents, Grandparents' Day, and one of the aspects of the Web site is recognizing a special flower. You know, we, we know that the crocus is Manitoba's provincial flower but, you know, the seniors have actually adopted the forget-me-not flower, which is a beautiful flower, as the grandparents' flower, and I would suggest to you–suggest to you, Madam Deputy Speaker, that, in fact, the forget-me-not flower should be designated as the flower to be appreciated and shared with grandparents of all ages, come September, September the 13th. I think it's a–and maybe it might be a follow-up amendment to this particular bill.
But the point, the point is, Mr. Speaker, is that let's, let's shower our grandparents with love and kindness on September the 13th, and it's not just to say that Grandparents' Day is the only day that we should be showering them with love and kindness, it should be year-round. But much like we recognize our, our parents on Mother's Day and Father's Day, we need to do the same thing for, for our grandparents. The love that a grandparent has for their grandchild is, is second to no other with the possible exception, maybe, of the parents, one might argue. But I would, I would suggest to you that it is, indeed, appropriate for this Legislature to, to recognize the date.
I, in closing, I would like to let members know that, at times, I would receive–and I was really encouraged by Springs Church when I was sent a card about Springs Church, and this is September the 9th, so that would go back a few years because it's not always the same day in September in terms of it's not every year September 9th, because it's always the first Sunday after Labour Day weekend. This one coincides with September the 13th. But on September the 9th, a couple of years ago, Springs Church had a special celebration for, for grandparents, and I suspect that if members of this Chamber were to use things such as mailing privileges–and we all know how much we enjoy sending out cards and so forth, that if we recognize September the 13th as, as it should be recognized as a wonderful day to express appreciation of our, our grandparents, that this will, in fact, become a very popular day and I think that we all benefit as a society if we recognize the valuable contributions that our grandparents not only have, but continue to play in Manitoba society.
Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, and I look forward to the bill passing.
Mrs. Leanne Rowat (Minnedosa): I would like to put some thoughts on the record with regard to Bill 228, The Grandparents' Day Act. I want to congratulate the Member for Rossmere (Ms. Braun) for bringing this resolution forward.
Grandparents are–play a significant role in a lot of our lives and I've had the privilege over the last six years to meet a lot of seniors, a lot of grandparents throughout the province in the, in the work that I was doing with regard to grandparents' rights. And I think that what I, I learned from that experience was that not everybody is as fortunate as I am to have grandparents, not only for my children but for myself, play a big and important role in, in my upbringing and my children's upbringing.
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I grew up in a little community called Angusville. It's, it's a population of about a hundred people. At the time there were a few more, but I had two grandmothers that were very, very important in, in my upbringing. Granny Semochko, or Big Granny, as we called her, was married to Little Grandpa, or Little Gido. They were very, very connected in the community. My grandfather was on council; my grandmother was active in the church and in the community. And what played a very important role in, in community fall summers and weddings, my grandmother, Granny Semochko and my aunt, Aunty Ann Gallant [phonetic], actually were, were the leaders in a lot of the community weddings; they prepared the food, they co-ordinated the women to get the meals going. And I learned through those fall suppers how to roll perogies so that they were exactly the size of your little finger, and knew how to pinch perogies perfectly so that they would not fall apart and that they would be very presentable for, for the wedding.
So I learned a lot about food prep. My daughter laughs because she didn't believe that I knew how to make perogies, and a couple years ago, we did it. We, I sat down and I showed her that her mom actually does know how to make pyrohy, knows how to make perogies–
An Honourable Member: Bring some to caucus.
Mrs. Rowat: –well, they're not perfect. They're, they're not perfect, but they were, they were good and my daughter was quite proud. And so we've done that a few times and she's now taken an interest in, in trying to try some of the, the soups.
And, and that was something else Granny Semochko or Baba Semochko was very good at doing, was making borscht and kapusta and, and, and all those wonderful soups. And, and a lot of that has been lost because, as much as I try to, you know, participate, 'cause really when you were growing up in a, in a community with my grandmother you weren't playing house, you were actually helping her prepare meals for either the farm hands or for mom who was at work. So it was a lot of, a lot of work but there was always an opportunity to enjoy food.
Mr. Speaker in the Chair
My other granny, Babas–Baba Kostiuk, was Little Granny, and she was married to, to Big Grandpa, and Little Granny was, was a hard worker. She had, I, I'm sure, an acre of garden, and so I learned a lot about how to, to, to plant, how to, to shell, how to, to can and she had chickens. And actually she had chickens probably until she was almost ninet–eighty-some years old, 85 years old, and she would go to Berg's Hatchery in Russell and pick up her chickens. And Berg's Hatchery would always give her a few extra because Granny Kostiuk had been getting birds from them for I don't know, 50 years, and, and she was always so pleased that they were so kind to give her more chickens.
And I would always laugh because at the time that we had to, to kill the chickens in the, in the fall, she would be cursing these chickens, because she had had to raise them and feed them and then we had to chase them, and, and so I, I remember those things and they're important to me because I think that it gave me an appreciation of so many hardships that I know that my grandparents had when they were growing up.
So I, I, I think that it's important that people get to understand and appreciate the role grandparents play in our lives. My children are experiencing that right now. My mom and dad, Baba and Ba–Baba and Gido Kostiuk are, are very active in my children's upbringing, and I think I've shared that in the House before. It's nothing for my baba, or my mom, Baba, to come to Angus–or to Souris, an hour and a half away, to take my kids to a hockey game in Killarney, or if we need help in any way. So my parents have continued to play a very important role in, in my children's lives.
My husband's parents, Don and Joan Rowat, Grandma and Grandpa Rowat, are very important in helping my children know, you know, the, the important things about nature. They–they've learned how to swim at Silver Beach at their cottage. They took lessons there. Grandpa takes the kids on hikes through the, through the Riding Mountain. So we learn, my children are learning, again, different things about the importance of being with grandparents, but again I think that by having a Grandparents' Day, it will give families an opportunity to share the importance and the significance of grandparents in their lives.
So, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member for bringing this bill forward and the Member for Inkster (Mr. Lamoureux) to second it, and I totally support this and I think it's a great act, and I look forward to celebrating with my children, or my children's children, and on Grandparents' Day in the future. Thank you.
Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Mr. Speaker, I rise to add my support to The Grandparents' Day Act to recognize the role that grandparents have played in the lives of many of us, certainly for myself. My grandparents were important. Recognize the role that my parents played as grandparents to our children, and to recognize the role that elders have traditionally played in Aboriginal society and indeed, I think, in various ways, in all our communities and customs. A tremendous source of wisdom, help, assistance in making sure that things work well.
I'd like to specifically recognize the role of the MLA for Inkster in championing the idea of a Grandparents' Day recognition over many years, putting supporting material on his Web site, talking about it again and again, and of course, working together with the MLA for Rossmere and the NDP and the Conservatives to make sure that there was an opportunity to get this bill passed, and I would say, specifically, passed in terms of making sure that it's going to be passed before September of this year so that we can recognize it, and I think that congratulations to the MLA for Inkster for his hard work on this and thank all members for supporting this legislation. Mr. Speaker, thank you.
Mr. Speaker: Is the House ready for the question?
Some Honourable Members: Question.
Mr. Speaker: The question before the House concurrence and third reading of Bill No. 228, The Grandparents' Day Act. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? Agreed?
Some Honourable Members: Agreed.
Mr. Speaker: Agreed and so ordered.
Mr. Gerald Hawranik (Official Opposition House Leader): Is it the will of the House to call it 11 o'clock?
Mr. Speaker: Is it the will of the House to call it 11 o'clock?
Some Honourable Members: Yes.
Mr. Speaker: Agreed? Okay, it's been agreed to, so we will now move on to resolutions, and we'll deal with Resolution No. 17, 80th Anniversary of Women as Persons.
Res. 17–80th Anniversary of Women as Persons
Mrs. Mavis Taillieu (Morris): I move, seconded by the Member for Wellington (Ms. Marcelino),
WHEREAS until October 18 of 1929, Canadian women were not considered persons under the law; and
WHEREAS, because of this interpretation of the British North America Act, women had no legal rights; and
WHEREAS governments often used this interpretation of the law to keep women out of positions of leadership such as the Senate of Canada; and
WHEREAS the efforts of five Canadian women, including Nellie McClung of Manitoba, led to a landmark British Privy Council decision in 1929 known as the Persons Case, which finally granted women legal status as persons; and
WHEREAS, because of the contributions of these women, known as the Famous Five, women were granted legal rights and the ability to participate fully in politics and affairs of the state; and
WHEREAS, over the last 80 years, since being granted a status as persons, women have made remarkable achievements in positions of leadership across all sectors of Canadian society.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba recognize the efforts of the Famous Five to the advancement of women's rights and gender equality; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Persons Case as an important event in the history of this province and country.
Mr. Speaker: Okay, we'll accept–is it the agreement of the House to accept the resolution as printed?
Some Honourable Members: Yes.
WHEREAS until October 18, 1929, Canadian women were not considered persons under the law; and
WHEREAS, because of this interpretation of the British North America Act, women had no legal rights; and
WHEREAS governments often used this interpretation of the law to keep women out of positions of leadership such as the Senate of Canada; and
WHEREAS the efforts of five Canadian women, including Nellie McClung of Manitoba, led to a landmark British Privy Council decision in 1929 known as the Persons Case, which finally granted women legal status as persons; and
WHEREAS, because of the contributions of these women, known as the Famous Five, women were granted legal rights and the ability to participate fully in politics and affairs of the state; and
WHEREAS, over the last 80 years, since being granted status as persons, women have made remarkable achievements in positions of leadership across all sectors of Canadian society.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba recognize the efforts of the Famous Five to the advancement of women's rights and gender equality; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Persons Case as an important event in the history of this province and country.
Mr. Speaker: Okay. It's been moved by the honourable Member for Morris, seconded by the honourable Member for Wellington,
WHEREAS–dispense?
Some Honourable Members: Dispense.
Mr. Speaker: Dispense.
* (11:00)
Mrs. Taillieu: I'm pleased to rise today to speak to this important resolution. As legislators and in particular, as women, it's very easy to take our rights for granted, our right to vote, to participate in the political process, to sit in this Chamber, and to run for elected office. But these rights were hard won and, in fact, were won relatively recently. It was the effort of many women, but five in particular, who took on the legal system and challenged its assertion that under the law, women were not considered persons.
This resolution is intended to recognize the importance of the work these women did and commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Persons Case. I'm dressed today as a woman would have been dressed in 1929 to emphasize the difference in time, but also to recognize that it was not that long ago that women could not hold public office.
Here in Manitoba, the first woman was elected to this Chamber in 1920. So we are ahead of other provinces. But for many Canadian women, it was not until October 18th of 1929, due to the tenacity and perseverance of five women known as the Famous Five that women were recognized as persons.
So, let me tell you the story. Back in 1917, a court case in Alberta, Emily Murphy had been appointed as a magistrate, but her authority to preside as a judge was challenged by a lawyer on the basis that women were not persons under the British North America Act. But the Alberta Supreme Court ruled that women were persons, and so it was settled, at least in Alberta.
Later, Murphy allowed her name to be put forward to Robert Borden, the Prime Minister, as a candidate for the Senate. Even though 500,000 Canadians signed a petition asking that she be appointed, he said he could not on the basis of an 1876 British common law ruling that stated that women were eligible for pains and penalties, but not rights and privileges. In Canada, at least five people had to sign a petition asking for constitutional clarification from a Canadian Supreme Court. So Emily Murphy asked four other women to come to tea and to sign a petition. They were Henrietta Muir Edwards, Nellie McClung, Louise McKinney and R–Irene Parlby, later to be known as the Famous Five.
On October of nin–19th of 1927, the Governor General submitted this question for clarification to the Supreme Court: Does the word "persons" in section 24 of the British North America Act of 1867 include female persons?
The Supreme Court ruled on April 24th of 1928 that the meaning of "qualified persons" did not include women.
Not to be deterred, the Famous Five appealed to an even higher court, the British Privy Council. The question was duly submitted to them, and on October 18th of 1929, 80 years ago this year, the decision of the Canadian Supreme Court was overturned, and it was declared that the word "person" did, indeed, include persons of the female gender.
Lord Sankey, speaking for the British Privy Council said, exclusion of women from all public offices is a relic of days more barbarous than ours. And to those who would ask why the word "person" should not include females, the obvious answer is, why should it not?
Although Emily Murphy did not fulfil her dream of being appointed to the Senate, it was only a year later that on February 15th of 1930, the first woman was. She was Cairine Reay Wilson.
The word "persons" has had a much broader meaning than its strict legal definition and has been used to exclude women from university degrees, from voting, from entering professions and from holding public office. Once Canadian women were recognized as persons, the doors were flung open for the future of female persons.
The Famous Five broke down barriers so that women could participate in all aspects of public life: in politics, public service, medicine, education and academia, the justice system, later on, police and armed forces. Whether it's stay-at-home moms, labourers, professionals, women excel in all areas of our economy and social landscape.
Mr. Speaker, although women in Canada have had these rights and opportunities, we also recognize there are still many places where women are marginalized and disenfranchised. We must be mindful of that and help women worldwide achieve what we here in Canada and Manitoba now take for granted.
Now, Manitoba has a rich and colourful history of women's movement across all political parties. Nellie McClung was a leader for women's rights in Manitoba before she moved to Alberta and was a member of the Famous Five. She fought for the right to vote and in 1916, Manitoba was the first province to allow women to vote. Since then, women have gradually entered the political realm.
I also want to recognize that Aboriginal women and men faced many barriers before getting the right to vote in Canada.
Liberal Edith Rogers was elected on June 29, 1920, as Manitoba's first female MLA. NDP Muriel Smiss–Smith was the first women in Canada to serve as deputy premier. Progressive Conservative Thelma Forbes was the first women to serve in Cabinet and the first woman Speaker in Manitoba. Liberal Sharon Carstairs was the first female Leader of the Opposition in Canada.
Today, in 1920–in, in–today, sorry–in 2009, Manitoba has the highest percentage of elected women of any provincial or federal Legislature in the country. Our Legislature also has the first we–female of colour, the Member for Wellington (Ms. Marcelino), and the longest-serving female MLA in the Manitoba Legislature and the second-longest serving in Canada, the member from River East, who has served for 23 years. I'm also extremely proud to say that on June 3rd, 2003, I became the first woman ever elected to represent the constituency of Morris.
Mr. Speaker, I also want to acknowledge Muriel Koscielny in the gallery today, who was someone who actually suggested to us that the 80th anniversary of the Persons Case should be publicly acknowledged. Muriel is an excellent source of knowledge on this matter and very involved in establishing a portrait of Nellie McClung here in the Legislature in 1996.
I'd also like to acknowledge several organizations who work on behalf of women every day in Manitoba: the Provincial Council of Women, Women's Health Clinic, the Prairie Women's Health Centre of Excellence, the Women's Legal Education and Action Fund, Mother of Red Nations, and so many more who have dedica–who are dedicated to gender equality in our society.
I also want to thank the historic fashion review of the Costume Museum of Canada for the loan of this authentic 1929 outfit, and especially to Margaret Mills for arranging that for me. I want to acknowledge the work of this museum that started as the Dugald museum of Springfield and started by the Women's Institute over 50 years ago as a fashion show to raise money.
Mr. Speaker, though the–through this resolution, we commemorate the importance of the Persons Case so that–was–and what it did for Canadian women. In closing, I would like to quote Manitoba's member of the Famous Five, Nellie McClung, in her passionate pursuit of women's rights: "Never retreat, never explain, never apologize; just get the thing done and let them howl."
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
Ms. Flor Marcelino (Wellington): Mr. Speaker, I rise today to second the motion of the honourable member from Morris. I thank the honourable member for donning the beautiful authentic outfit and for bringing back to our memory a very significant victory won by the Famous Five: Henrietta Muir Edwards, Nellie McClung, Louise McKinney, Emily Murphy and Irene Parlby for the women of Canada which reverberated all over the world.
Mr. Speaker, in the early years of the 20th century, women in Canada were not considered persons. As such, they could not vote, own property, nor be elected to office. The few who were lucky enough to have access to education were still discouraged to obtain higher education and relegated to learning do–domestic duties or the importance of deportment.
It is to the credit of Manitoban women that in 1916, we became the first province in Canada where women could vote. Today we remember the courage of Nellie McClung and her friends who persisted in their struggle for women's rights despite receiving patronizing treatment from Conservative Premier Rob–Rodney–Roblin in 1914.
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What a display of ingenuity for McClung and the Political Equity League to hold a mock parliament to satirize the narrow-minded and condescending attitudes of the ruling elite. To paraphrase slightly: Hell hath no fury than a determined and rights-conscious women scorned.
Mr. Speaker, the British North America Act declared women are persons in matters of pain and penalties, but are not persons in matters of rights and privileges. Thus, the Famous Five petitioned the Supreme Court of Canada to include women in the word "persons" as declared in section 24 of the British North American act of 1867. Undeterred by Supreme Court's refu–refusal to grant their petition, the Famous Five brought their appeal to a higher court, the British Privy Council.
Mr. Speaker, the rights of women are now enshrined in the constitution of the land thanks to the brave and remarkable efforts of the Famous Five. The Famous Five achieved unprecedented victory for Canadian women. The momentous date, October 18, 1929, marked the beginning of an era that turned the tide in Canadian politics. Women were declared persons under the law and were given the right to be appointed to the Senate.
The Famous Five facilitated the representation of women in all levels of Canadian politics. Today, we are very proud of the accomplishments of women in our province. Their achievements mark a path for us to follow and serve as strong examples as we move on in life.
Mr. Speaker, today, with sincerity, tenacity and diligence, women in Canada can overcome obstacles and challenges in life and realize their full potential. Today, women in this country can aim to fully participate in determining policies and legislation that will govern and improve the lives of all members of society. It is a stark reality that women comprise almost half of the work force but earn disproportionately much lower income than their male counterparts. Population-wise, Statistics Canada, in 2008, revealed women outnumber men by over 200,000. It is but right that women be given the opportunity to represent their issues and concerns in the corridors of power.
Mr. Speaker, I am grateful that my party recognizes the value of women's participation in governance. It is our party's intentional step to seek qualified women to run for nomination in winnable seats so that, today, Manitoba's Legislature holds the title of having the highest percentage of women elected in office.
On this side of the House, there are 13 women out of 36 seats won, with six of those women in Cabinet. It is also a feat to see five women out of 19 seats won by the opposition Conservatives. And when we finally mark that important day when we see that Aboriginal, First Nations, Métis and visible women take their seats in this House, then we can be confident that we are on the right track. We are continuing the work that McClung and her friends set out, to make sure that women who have been powerless in the past have their ability to make decisions and choices about our collective future.
Manitoba Legislature today is a much better and far richer than it was 80 years ago when these seats were all populated by male legislators. I bet, Mr. Speaker, you would not be as enthused and invigorated in carrying out your duties today if it were not for the committed, smart, capable and good-looking women from both sides of the House. The House debates and caucus deliberations are certainly more substantive and diverse because of women's presence. It is still imperative, however, that more women be elected to political office in Canada. We need more women on school boards, municipal councils, in the provincial Legislature and in the House of Commons. This is something our party believes strongly.
Mr. Speaker, I am heartened by my party's commitment to women's equality and welfare, as well as the inclusion of all sectors of Manitoba society. I owe a debt of gratitude to other women legislators in our party whom I admire for their courage and vision, such as the likes of Muriel Smith, Myrna Phillips, Jean Friesen and Becky Barrett. I also learn a lot and grateful for the company, friendship and dedication to party principles of veteran female colleagues in the House and the female class of 2007.
I'm honoured and humbled by being the first woman of colour to be elected in the Manitoba Legislature and the first woman of Filipino descent to hold an elected office in all of Canada. I credit that to the inclusive values of my party. By the way, in last month's election in B.C., another woman, Mable Elmore from the NDP, made history as the first Filipino-Canadian to be elected in the B.C. Legislature in Vancouver-Kensington.
Mr. Speaker, the policies of past and present NDP governments have profoundly and positively impacted the lives of women, Aboriginals, First Nations and Métis, and visible minorities and new immigrants. In 1970, the Schreyer government consolidated Manitoba's various human rights into one code, The Human Rights Act. In 1980–in the 1980s, the NDP government introduced significant child care, family law and pension legislation, all issues important in the advancement of women's equality.
Today, Manitoba's child-care program is held as one of the best in Canada. Its hair–home care program is the best in Canada. Through initiatives like our Family Choices agenda, this government is continually working towards greater funding for accessible, affordable and quality day care.
Education is another area in which this government has worked to promote greater inclusion of women. We've bols–bolstered ACCESS programs by over two-thirds since 1999. These programs provide a support network to students from under-represented groups, including women and single parents. We've also invested in Training for Tomorrow scholarships for women studying math, science or technology at community colleges.
There are many, many more programs and initiatives done by this government to equip women to realize their full potential. I am sure the rest of my colleagues have much to say on this, and I will now defer to them. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mrs. Myrna Driedger (Charleswood): I am indeed honoured to rise today to speak to this, this wonderful resolution that has been brought forward by our, our colleague from Morris and, and, in looking at her today, it is amazing to think that, you know, in this House, that number of years ago, 80 years ago, we might have had a woman sitting here dressed like that, speaking to our members, and it would have been quite an amazing sight to behold, as it is today to see this incredible costume that has been given to her as a replica of something that women wore in 1929 when this occurred. And somehow, I just think the clothes we wear today seem to be a little bit more comfortable and easier to wear. But it is indeed an amazing outfit, and I acknowledge all the work she put into this and the extra effort she took to indeed play the part of one of the Famous Five.
You know, as legislators, and, and particularly as women, there has been a, a fight to get us to where we are today. It hasn't necessarily come easy, but it is something I think we all feel very, very passionate about, and I don't think any of us take for granted our, our right to vote, as women, and to participate in the political process and to sit in this Chamber or run for any kind of elected office. It is easier today; it's still not the easiest it could or should be, but it has come a long way from 80 years ago. And when we think of what the Famous Five achieved at that time, particularly Manitoba's Nellie McClung, it's, it's amazing to think of what that group had to go through in order to achieve something very, very significant in their day and the hurdles that they would have had to jump in order to get there.
And so it is very, very timely that we do begin to acknowledge more often the achievements of these women because they really started to pound on that glass ceiling, and they made it easier for those of us today to accomplish what we can accomplish. In fact, if it wasn't for them, very likely we would not be here as women because in those days we weren't declared persons, so we could never have run for office. We couldn't have been legislators. We couldn't have been in the Senate. And it was because of their fight–a small group of women, but a very powerful five in that group that made something spectacular happen, and they just never gave up. Their dogged determination took them forward and they were an amazing group of women.
And often, when we look back at those early days, I find out that women often accomplished things as–you know, in the pioneer days–as groups of women. We don't often in the early days see, you know, one woman on her own that, that set out and was able to accomplish as much as a smaller group, and women had a tendency to work in groups because that was the pioneering attitude of the day, and that is how they accomplished a lot of things. And they were able to accomplish what they did here because of their work together as a group of five.
* (11:20)
But they were, you know, determined and they took on the legal system and they challenged its assertion that under the law women were not considered persons, and this resolution today is intended to recognize the important work that these women did and commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Persons Case.
On October 18th, 1929, a landmark legal decision for Canadian women was made when women were legally recognized as persons under British common law. The decision was made necessary because the British North America Act, which governed Canada at the time, used the word "persons" when it referred to more than one person and the word "he" when it referred to one person. Those who wanted to keep women from being appointed as judges and senators claimed that women weren't eligible for these positions because they weren't recognized as persons under the law.
Five Canadian women disputed this claim. They were: Judge Emily Murphy, the first Magistrate in the British Empire; Henrietta Muir Edwards, Convenor of Laws for the National Council of Women; Louise McKinney, the first woman elected to a Legislature in the British Empire; Irene Parlby, an Albertan Cabinet minister; and Nellie McClung, the writer, orator and political activist who was instrumental in making Manitoba the first province to grant women the right to vote. And we have had an opportunity lately to acknowledge Nellie McClung's good work when the Free Press ran their competition and Nellie McClung was listed as the fifth-most famous Manitoban in this province.
Mr. Speaker, these Famous Five women first went to the Supreme Court of Canada, which decided the word "persons" did not include women. Undaunted, they took the case to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London, England, which was, at that time, the final court of appeal for Canada. The Privy Council ruled that the exclusion of women from all public offices is a relic of days more barbarous than ours, and they won their case.
And that is–speaks to the tenacity of, of this group of women. They were certainly undaunted in what they did. They broke down barriers so that women can participate in all aspects of public life: in politics, the public service, medicine, education and academia, the justice system and, later on, the police and the armed forces. Women are now Supreme Court judges, Canadian astronauts, professors, chief executive officers, Cabinet ministers, senators, lieutenant governors, governor generals. We see women able to accomplish a lot more than what they were allowed to do 80 years ago. Whether they're stay-at-home moms, labourers or professionals like doctors and teachers, women excel in all areas of our economy and our social landscape.
And thanks to the efforts of the Famous Five and women like them, Canadian women now have endless choices in pursuing their goals, and I feel such a particular debt of, of gratitude to these women because I feel very honoured to be able to represent the public here. I think it is such a privilege to have that honour, and without the work of these women and without the work of our own Nellie McClung, that would never have happened.
A few years ago, I also was very, very privileged to bring forward a private member's bill on the creation of the Nellie McClung Foundation, which will see the creation of a Nellie McClung monument on the grounds of the Manitoba Legislature, and with all-party support we will move that initiative forward. We are getting closer and closer to the time when that will happen, and I think that will be a monumental time for women in Manitoba because it will give us a chance in, in our own province where we haven't fully and as grandly acknowledged the work that Nellie McClung did in this province to move forward the, the issues for women. And it was because of her work–and I've been told by researchers that have looked at the Famous Five, that Nellie McClung was the most significant of those Famous Five, in her background work, in her ability to help to move this group forward and to advise them, that she really was a powerhouse amongst that group of five.
And so I look very, very forward to the day where we can all stand on the grounds of this Legislature and acknowledge the work of those pioneering women who brought us to where we are today and to be able to acknowledge what, what women have done to move this province and this country forward. And I think it's going to be a good day for all Manitobans when we can do that and when we can celebrate what we can all achieve if we all put our minds to it and all move forward with the passion that these women did.
So I feel very privileged today and I, again, thank the Member for Morris (Mrs. Taillieu), for bringing forward this private member's resolution. Thank you.
Hon. Nancy Allan (Minister of Labour and Immigration): I'm very pleased today to put some words on the record in regards to the upcoming 80th anniversary of the Persons Case when Canadian women became persons under the law.
As many, a couple–several of my colleagues have said today here in the House, the Persons Case refers to a ruling of the Privy Council in England on October 18th, 1929, naming Canadian women persons under the British North American act. The Privy Council was the highest court of appeal for Canada at that time.
This ruling allowed Canadian women to hold seats in public office, including the Senate, and offered women all the rights and liberties of personhood. As a result of this ruling, in 1930, the Liberal Prime Minister, Mackenzie King, appointed Cairine Wilson to be the first woman in the Canadian Senate.
A group of five women from Alberta, now known as the Famous Five, led the legal battle that resulted in this very historic ruling. Emily Murphy, an activist and the first female police magistrate, put her name forward as a candidate for the Canadian Senate. When her candidacy was denied, based on the fact that she was not a person under the law, she and four other women appealed this decision unsuccessfully to the Supreme Court of Canada in 1927.
Other members of the Famous Five included Henrietta Muir Edwards, Nellie McClung, Louise McKinney and Irene Parlby. Nellie McClung is a prominent figure in Manitoba history as she lived in Manitoba from 1880 to 1915 and led the provincial women's suffrage movement in the early 1900s. From early pioneers like Nellie McClung to the trailblazers of today, women have made lasting contributions to matters of importance in Manitoba.
Each year in October the government of Manitoba celebrates Women's History Month by hosting an event to acknowledge women and their many significant contributions to our province.
Last year, when we had Women's History Month, we were honoured and pleased to have the opportunity to honour women right here in Manitoba who have made many, many contributions to the social, economic and legal changes that women have fought so hard to gain here in Manitoba. We acknowledged Lee Newton, who is a woman who has taken the lead on poverty and food access issues in our province. We also recognized Myrna Phillips, who was one of the first MLAs in the NDP government in the 1980s, Mr. Speaker, who was–who played a leadership role in developing our child-care strategy here in Manitoba; Dr. June Marion James, who is a pediatrician and a well-known black woman, one of the first black pediatricians here in Manitoba who is well known by many of us, who has, who has played a huge role, not just in the medical field here in Manitoba but also with her ethno-cultural community and supporting multiculturalism in our province; two other–three other women that we recognized: Diana DeLaronde‑Colomb and Mrs. Edith Regier and Karen Busby.
These–all of these women have made a difference for Manitoba, and they've made a difference in health care, child care, food security, art and equality law. They have diverse interests, but these are all women who have achieved social, economic and legal gains for women by creating and changing programs, services and legislation.
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And I think we're very, very fortunate here in Manitoba. We have always had a history of women who have made huge gains because they have, they have made women's issues and fighting for equality a, a, an important part of their life. And, and it's very–and we're honoured to have some of them in the gallery with us today, and I'd like to thank them for being here. Their work is invaluable to some of the equity legislation and policies that we have in our government today.
The women's movement in Manitoba started many, many years ago and the women of the labour movement were, were, were significant in regards to fighting for, for equality. The reality of working and farm women in the early 20th century and into the Great Depression was one of both social and economic inequality.
The experience of economic insecurity and poor working conditions raised the po–political consciousness of many of those women. Women played an integral role in the 1919 General Strike. They acted as strikers, were members of the Central Strike Committee and of the Women's Labour League. At the time, women compromised a significant portion of, of compromise–comprised a significant portion of paid labours and were therefore active participa–participants in the struggle for a living wage. And it's interesting, Mr. Speaker, we're steel–still dealing with that issue today, 80 years later.
They advocated to unionize working women and to aid working-class homemakers in their battle to defend their family's standard of living. The Women's Labour League played a key role in the General Strike. Under the leadership of Ada Muir, the league was organized to improve working conditions for women and to press for the vote. As well as promoting equal pay for equal work, the league later campaigned for union organization.
The farm movement within the CCF brought a belief in peaceful, parliamentary change, and established traditions of autonomous women's farm organizations. These women were strong advocates of women's self-organization and female suffrage.
And I can remember, Mr. Speaker, my mother, who was involved in that farm movement in the CCF in MacGregor, Manitoba, in the early years, and she, she was passionate about social justice issues, and it certainly–she was a woman before her time. She ran in 1953 and 1958 in the constituency of Lakeside, and she ran against Premier Douglas Campbell who, at the time, was one of the most popular women–or popular premiers in, in Manitoba. And I know it's hard to believe, but she didn't win. But she certainly–I can still recall, at a very young age, her talking about running, and I'm not so sure my dad supported her. I think he probably thought she, you know, should probably be at home taking care of five children, but she, she was passionate about it.
And it's very, very exciting now for me to be in the Legislature, and to be in a Legislature with the most number of women elected of every jurisdiction in Canada, and it's exciting to see, you know, to be in a Legislature we–where we have elected the first woman of colour here in Manitoba. And I think, I, I think back to my history and my roots, and I know that my mom would be thrilled at some of the advancements that we have made in regards to having women elected. It's, it's been a long time coming, where we have gotten to this point, and I think we have more work to do on that.
This October, when we celebrate Women's History Month, we are going to celebrate the 80th anniversary, again, of the Persons Case, and at that time we are gonna celebrate another historic occasion. We have reached gender parity on the Manitoba Provincial Court bench. And this is–our celebration is going to honour the 19 female judges, as well as the fact that the provincial court now has an equal number of men and women on the bench, and I think that is a significant accomplishment here in Manitoba. And we really look forward to advancing that celebration in October, and I know that there will be many of the people that have contributed to Manitoba celebrating with us.
Manitoba's always been a leader in the advancement of women's rights, particularly in the areas of political leadership. We have a lot of accomplishments in that–in this area. We have made significant gains for women in Manitoba since the Persons Case but we must not be complacent. There is still much to do in elevating the status of women in our province and fighting for equality and we will continue to work with all of the stakeholders and the women's movement, the organizations that have worked so hard along beside us in doing that. It's been a privilege and thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
Mrs. Bonnie Mitchelson (River East): Mr. Speaker, and I'm actually thrilled to have the opportunity to put a few comments on the record this morning and thank the Member for Morris (Mrs. Taillieu) for bringing this resolution forward for debate in the Legislature and I also thank the Member for Wellington (Ms. Marcelino) for seconding the resolution.
The issue of recognizing and applauding and supporting women crosses all political lines and I think it's so very important that we have all parties in the House today that are prepared to unanimously support this resolution and give recognition to women in this province and, indeed, across the country who have achieved significant milestones as the result of the Famous Five, way back 80 years ago, that fought so very hard to ensure that women were declared persons, and that women would have equal opportunity to participate in all aspects of life in, in our country and in our province.
And, Mr. Speaker, I just want to share a bit of personal information and, and history and my grandfather, maternal grandfather, moved to Manitoba and homesteaded in Chater, Manitoba, just outside of Brandon. And he kept a daily journal and I've had the opportunity to look at those journals. It's one of my cousins that holds the journals but there was an entry in his journal that said, special visitor yesterday, Nellie McClung came to our, our home.
And, you know, for me, I looked through some of my grandmother's treasures, I suppose, that she kept and found and still have newspaper clippings in my possession today that talked about Nellie McClung and the things that she was doing to try to advance women in, in our province and across the country. And it made me feel very special and I would've loved to have been a fly on the wall in that room many, many years ago when she came to visit and I'm sure made a lasting impression on all of those who were there that day.
I remember my maternal grandmother too who came out to Chater, Manitoba, to marry my grandfather and she married a widower of five children and went on to have another five children with him on her own. It was a large family and she ended up doing–being a teacher in the community. She ended up being the midwife that travelled and delivered babies and I can remember she was 92 and died just the week before I graduated from my nursing diploma at the Health Sciences Centre.
And I remember sitting reading my yearbook to her and her crying and saying that if she had had the opportunity, she would have loved to have been a nurse. But in those days, of course, there wasn't the opportunity for women to get the kind of education that we are afforded today. And I will never forget that and I know as she's looking down today, she would be very proud of, not only me, but of all of the women that have advanced and, and had the opportunity as a result of a woman in her era that had the strength. Many women, five women particularly, the Famous Five, that had the strength and the determination and the commitment to fight as hard as they did to get women the rights that they have today.
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And I just want to talk a bit too about 23 years ago when I was elected, first elected to the Manitoba Legislature, and things were different even then than they are now. We have come a long way in bringing some sanity to this Chamber and I con–contribute a lot of the changes that have been made to many of the women that have brought a different pace to this Legislature, and not that it doesn't take all of us, and I think that I am very proud of the men over the 23 years that I have served with in this Legislature and at the effort and the teamwork that it takes to be either a, a governing party or a member of an opposition caucus. It does take both men and women working together and understanding issues of importance that make it happen.
But I remember getting elected and wondering what I'd got myself into. All of a sudden I was here in this Legislature during session until 10 o'clock three evenings a week. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays we sat till 10 p.m. And, you know, some of the activity wasn't, I didn't believe, that terribly relevant, but that was the way it was then and, you know, you kind of wondered why we couldn't get the work that we were doing till 10 o'clock done in saner hours of the day. Well, things have changed and, you know, we, we moved the daily sittings to 6 p.m., and now it is 5 p.m., and it's made it much more user-friendly, family-friendly, I think, and it does give women the opportunity to be able to be at home and participate in the activities of family during the evening hours rather than sitting here in this Legislature.
So things have changed and we have made significant improvements. And there are many, many women that came, certainly before my time, that had significant influence, not only in this Chamber but right throughout, throughout society.
I just want to speak briefly about one of my mentors in this Legislature, and that was Gerry Hammond. Gerry Hammond was passionate, absolutely passionate about women's issues, and before she was appointed to Cabinet in the Filmon government, she undertook the women's initiative on behalf of our party and travelled throughout the province and listened to women, and as a result of all of her hard work, I know that there were many policies that were implemented as a result. And one of them was zero–the zero tolerance policy around domestic violence. And that was one of her major achievements.
She was very, very instrumental in getting stable funding for our shelter system throughout the province, and, you know, there isn't any one government that does everything right or everything wrong, but I think in, in the instance of Gerry Hammond, working as hard as she did, there were many positive things that happened, and many of those things are ongoing today and have been expanded as needs are identified and resources are available.
So I know that all of us have made a contribution. Everyone has a passion. Everyone is attracted to a certain profession because of something within them that calls them to that profession and that there is usually a cause or a reason that we become involved. And I think that hats off to absolutely everyone for choosing to serve the public through their public service in the Manitoba Legislature, both men and women in this Chamber.
But I, specifically, on a day like today, want to single out all of the women that have achieved so very much and just say thank you to all of you, and let's hope that, as we see on the bench today, that half of the judges in the province of Manitoba are women, that we will see that same thing happen in our Legislature into the future. May the numbers of women continue to grow and, thanks to the Famous Five, thanks to those that were able to get women declared persons 80 years ago, that we have the privileges and the opportunities that we have today. Thank you.
Ms. Jennifer Howard (Fort Rouge): Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this motion and want to thank the honourable Member for Morris (Mrs. Taillieu) for bringing it forward, and she referenced in her speech–and I think it's important to note–that the Persons Case was historic and did mean that for the first time women were considered people, but the benefits of that case have not been enjoyed equally by all women in Canada.
So I want to, particularly today, on the first anniversary of the historic apology to residential school survivors talk a little bit about Aboriginal women and their place and their struggle in Canadian history. For Aboriginal women, of course, the vote did not come until 1952, and the vote, the ability to vote, without losing status did not come until 1960, and we have not yet elected an Aboriginal woman to this Chamber, and I look forward to the day when we do that.
I also just, today, want to pay tribute to the woman who was elected as the first female chief in Manitoba in 1971, in the year that I was born, Jean Folster of Norway House. I think that's another woman, important woman, in our history who made a contribution whose name we should remember.
And, of course, the struggle for Aboriginal women continues, as we all know today. We know that Aboriginal women face a disproportionate amount of violence in our society. We know that the faces of Aboriginal women, as we see every day, are among those who are missing in our society. So I think it's important for us always to remember that as far as we've come in these 80 years and as much as we have all struggled, as women and as men of conscience, to make sure that we're creat–creating an equal society, that we still have much, much to do.
Of course, for Aboriginal women the rights in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms took on life in 1985 when Bill C-31 was brought forward, so that women who had lost their Aboriginal status because they'd married non-Aboriginal men were restored that status. Now that, in 1985, wasn't the end of that fight for those women and, in fact, that fight continues today for the children of those women who were born before 1985 to have that status, and, really, that court case is a question of equality, the idea that a male child is worth as much as a female child and that ancestry should be gender blind.
And so–I want to also briefly today pay tribute to Sharon McIvor whose case has worked its way through the courts and through the appeal court in B.C. and has now resulted in the federal Minister of Indian Affairs taking on the job of amending the Indian Act to make sure that status can be restored to the children of those women who lost their status before 1985. And I think it's important to remember that Sharon McIvor took forward that challenge in the courts without the benefit of funding through the Court Challenges Program because that no longer exists. In fact, she had to raise money and do much of the legal work herself. So the struggle of women, the struggle of Aboriginal women, continues to be a struggle that happens individually, that happens collectively, that happens around kitchen tables, that happens in the Legislature, and I think we're all very proud to have been part of that.
Before I sit down and give time over to whoever wants to speak next, I just want to also say that, recently, one of the many press releases that comes through our e-mail inboxes was the one from the Manitoba Arts Council, and it was talking about the recipients of the major awards this year. And I read the release and I read the names and, fortunately, know some of the names on that list, and I read them again and I thought, you know, something is standing out about this list. I can't quite put my finger on it, and I read it a third time and I realized that all five of those recipients of a major award, a $25,000 award, were women artists, and I'm not sure if that's ever happened before. I can certainly remember a time in my university days, when we were challenged to think of one famous female artist, and now we see that the major recipients of major awards in Manitoba are all women who are making contributions to the arts.
So it is as small moments where you're reminded that we have come a long way, and there's a long way to go, and I'm very pleased that today we can all put some words on the record, not only recognizing the struggle of women for personhood and the contributions of women historically but also looking forward to the work that we all have yet to do. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
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Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Inkster): Mr. Speaker, rare is it that I'm provided so much material on such an important issue and as I tried to go through it and realized that I have probably about five minutes to be able to say some thoughts or share some thoughts on an important resolution.
I would start off by acknowledging the apparel that the member from Morris is wearing, and I would suggest to you it's even added to the debate by you wearing what you have chosen to wear today, and it tells me that your heart's in the right place in terms of the spirit of the resolution that you've introduced and I believe has the unanimous support of this Legislature, Mr. Speaker.
I also want to make mention, the member from River East, on the important role that she has played inside this Chamber. She is very quickly approaching to be the dean of this Chamber and one never knows. I think in '86, I believe, is when she was first elected. The member from Thompson, I think, was '81. I don't think there was anyone else outside of that, so if the member from Thompson sticks around, you won't have to worry about taking that particular title, but you never know. There may be a day.
Mr. Speaker, when I reflect on my years inside this Chamber, the women of this Chamber have had a great influence on me. First and foremost, Sharon Carstairs. She was the lady, or the individual, that enabled me to even get involved in the way in which I have in the Liberal Party and inside the Manitoba Legislature, a lady that has accomplished a great deal for the province of Manitoba and continues to do so today inside the Senate.
I can reflect on discussions of former caucus colleagues such as Norma McCormick, Iva Yeo, Gwen Charles and the benefits of their contributions to my personal development and, in fact, to the betterment of this Legislature.
Mr. Speaker, there was a time in which, if you were to stand and look at the MLAs, you would have seen a bunch of white, old men. Well, things have changed, and the white, old men are now a minority inside, inside this Chamber, and I think that, as time evolves, you see that there is change and sometimes you need to see change happen in a much quicker fashion, and that's when we take a look at the Famous Five or the valiant five and how they captured the will of the public as a whole and were able to take the fight to the politicians and to the courts of the land and be so successful at prevailing, and we see the benefits of that fight today.
I was reading a book that my leader had put forward a little while ago, and I'd like to quote from it and it's in regards to Nellie McClung in a meeting that she had encountered with a premier and it's Sir Rodmond Roblin–yesterday, and I quote:
Sir Rodmond Roblin yesterday told a delegation of women that he is absolutely opposed to women's suffrage. Sir Rodmond's argument was quite unequivocal. Women's place was in the home, her duty, the development of the child character and the performance of wifely duties. To protect her into the sphere of party politics would be to cause her to desert her true seer, to the grave danger of society. In summary, he concluded: I don't want a hina in petticoats–a hiny?–in petticoats talking politics at me. I want a nice, gentle creature to bring me my slippers. Nellie McClung turned and stomped out of his office, quote, You'll hear from me again and you may not like it. Is that a threat, asked the premier? No, replied Nellie, over her shoulder, it's a prophecy.
Mr. Speaker, I think that there are endless quotes that one could take that Nellie and other members of the Famous Five that you could take and recite a whole lot better than I. I need reading glasses, I must say, but you could take, you can take many of those quotes and you would be able to capture the spirit of what it is that those five wonderful women were able to accomplish in such a short time frame that led to universal suffrage in terms of women being able to vote here in the province of Manitoba, that led to women getting elected, that reformed the way in which our courts looked at women in society.
Today, Mr. Speaker, in short, when individuals look at the past and they look at today, they would wonder how could it be that wo–women were treated in such disdain, or treated as a second, second-class citizen. Much like we, we combat racism, we, we look at many of the injustices of the past and recognize that there's always a few that rise to the top to advance society in such a fashion that it expedites and ensures that there's more equality and justice for all.
And we look at this resolution as a resolution that is worthy of this Chamber's unanimous support because we, as all, believe that women are, in fact, an equal force in society no matter where it might be in the province of Manitoba or, indeed, the world. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker: Is the House ready for the question?
Some Honourable Members: Question.
Mr. Speaker: The question before the House is the resolution brought forward by the honourable Member for Morris (Mrs. Taillieu).
Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the resolution?
Some Honourable Members: Agreed.
Mr. Speaker: Agreed. Agreed and so ordered.
Mr. Gerald Hawranik (Official Opposition House Leader): Yes, Mr. Speaker, I would ask that we call it unanimous.
Mr. Speaker: Okay, the vote has been unanimous.
Is it the pleasure of the House to call it unanimous?
Some Honourable Members: Agreed.
Mr. Speaker: Agreed. Okay, that's agreed to.
Mr. Hawranik: Yes, Mr. Speaker, is it the will of the House to call it 12 o'clock?
Mr. Speaker: Is it the will of the House to call it 12 o'clock?
Some Honourable Members: Agreed.
Mr. Speaker: Okay, agreed. So the hour now being 12 noon, we will recess and we will reconvene at 1:30 p.m.