Monday, December 5, 1994

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA

Monday, December 5, 1994

The House met at 1:30 p.m.

PRAYERS

ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS

PRESENTING PETITIONS

Physical Education in Schools

Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Inkster): Mr. Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Carla Turner, Shauna Ward, Aaron Turner and others urging the Minister responsible for Education (Mr. Manness) to consider reinstating physical education as a compulsory core subject area.

READING AND RECEIVING PETITIONS

Physical Education in Schools

Mr. Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member (Mr. Lamoureux). It complies with the privileges and the practices of this House and complies with the rules. Is it the will of the House to have the petition read?

Some Honourable Members: Yes.

Mr. Speaker: The Clerk will read.

Mr. Clerk (William Remnant): The petition of the undersigned residents of the province of Manitoba humbly sheweth:

THAT in July 1994, the Minister of Education introduced an action plan entitled Renewing Education: New Directions;

THAT this report will make physical education an optional course in Grades 9 to 12;

THAT the physical education curriculum should be regularly reviewed to ensure that it meets the needs of students;

THAT the government is failing to recognize the benefits of physical education such as improved physical fitness, more active lifestyles, health promotion, self-discipline, skill development, stress reduction, strengthened peer relationships, weight regulation, stronger bones, reduced risk of health diseases and improved self-confidence.

WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly urge the Minister responsible for Education to consider reinstating physical education as a compulsory core subject area.

TABLING OF REPORTS

Mr. Speaker: Under the Freedom of Information Act, in accordance with Section 42 of The Ombudsman Act, I am pleased to table the 24th Annual Report of the Ombudsman, covering the calendar year January 1, 1993, to December 31, 1993.

Also, I have the privilege of tabling the Annual Report on The Elections Finances Act covering the period from January 1, 1993 to December 31, 1993.

Hon. James McCrae (Minister of Health): Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table the annual statistics for the Department of Health for 1992/93.

In addition, I am pleased to table the Annual Reports for '92/93 and '93/94 of the Manitoba Health Research Council.

Introduction of Guests

Mr. Speaker: Prior to Oral Questions, may I direct the attention of honourable members to the loge to my right, where we have with us this afternoon Mr. Ed Connery, the former member for Portage la Prairie. On behalf of all honourable members, I would like to welcome you here this afternoon.

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Speaker's Statement

Mr. Speaker: I have a statement for the House.

As members know, the Manitoba Legislative Internship Program has been in operation since 1985. Each year a total of six interns are chosen for the program. Again this year, two interns have been assigned to each of the three caucuses. Their term of employment is 12 months. During their term, interns perform a variety of research and other tasks for private members as distinct from ministers.

My purpose today is to announce the names of the six young people who are serving as Manitoba's 1994-95 legislative interns. They commence their assignments at the beginning of September.

Working with the government caucus are Ms. Laura Gareau of the University of Manitoba and Brandon University and Ms. Kerry McQuarrie of Queen's University and Brandon University.

Working with the caucus of the official opposition are Ms. Inez Vystreil of the University of Manitoba and Mr. Mark Hudson of the University of Manitoba.

Working with the caucus of the second opposition party are Mr. Kris Saxberg of the University of Winnipeg and the University of Manitoba and Ms. Jane Gray of the University of Winnipeg.

Introduction of Guests

Mr. Speaker: Also with us this afternoon, we have seated in the public gallery from the Sisler High School thirty Grade 9 students under the direction of Mr. Richard Pesik. This school is located in the constituency of the honourable member for Inkster (Mr. Lamoureux).

Also from the O.V. Jewitt School, we have eighty Grade 5 students under the direction of Mrs. Rhonda Beddome. This school is located in the constituency of the honourable member for The Maples (Mr. Kowalski).

On behalf of all honourable members, I would like to welcome you all here this afternoon.