Tuesday, June 20, 1995

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA

Tuesday, June 20, 1995

The House met at 1:30 p.m.

PRAYERS

ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS

PRESENTING REPORTS BY

STANDING AND SPECIAL COMMITTEES

Committee of Supply

Mr. Marcel Laurendeau (Chairperson of Committees): Madam Speaker, the Committee of Supply has adopted certain resolutions, directs me to report the same and asks leave to sit again.

I move, seconded by the honourable member for Morris (Mr. Pitura), that the report of the committee be received.

Motion agreed to.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS

TR Labs

Hon. James Downey (Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism): Madam Speaker, I have a ministerial statement to make.

It was my pleasure today to participate in an event at TR Labs in Winnipeg as they announced the establishment of leading-edge telecommunications research technology with the highest speed research test bed in Canada.

This technology represents an exciting new advance for TR Labs and for Manitoba's telecommunications industry, which, as we know, is one of the fastest growing industries in this province, with virtually unlimited growth and job creation potential.

This latest technology keeps Manitoba in the forefront of technology and positions Manitoba as a continued leader in telecommunications and multimedia services in Canada and the world.

With this new link to the information highway, TR Labs will be in a prime position to conduct research and develop applications which will enable service providers to better understand the needs of customers and capabilities of the information highway.

This latest advance in research capabilities, which is being conducted in association with the Manitoba Telephone System, AT&T Network Systems Canada and the University of Manitoba gives our province world-class research capabilities which will open new doors to new opportunities for growth and job creation.

* (1335)

Manitoba is the call centre capital of Canada. Our government has been committed to seeing this industry grow and prosper because we know it is a sector which is capable of creating opportunities for Manitobans and attracting new wealth-generating companies to our province.

The sort of project undertaken by TR Labs and its partners will enhance Manitoba's leadership in telecommunications technology and research in North America.

We are pleased to congratulate TR Labs and its partners in this exciting new initiative. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr. Tim Sale (Crescentwood): Madam Speaker, we would be pleased to join with the members opposite in congratulating this company in the development of new research and development facilities in Manitoba. We are concerned that such support undergird the capacity of our publicly owned telephone system and make it an even more important resource for Manitobans in the future.

We would also underscore the need, Madam Speaker, for universities and colleges to receive appropriate long-term core support for original research and development which, unfortunately, has not been forthcoming either from the federal government or from this government to undergird the pure research capacity of the province. Nevertheless, we welcome the potential for new jobs and wish the employees and staff of TR Labs well.

TABLING OF REPORTS

Hon. Eric Stefanson (Minister charged with the administration of The Crown Corporations Public Review and Accountability Act): Madam Speaker, I would like to table the 1994 Annual Report for the Crown Corporations Council.

Hon. Jack Reimer (Minister of Housing): Madam Speaker, I would like to table the Annual Report 1993-94 for Housing, Manitoba Housing and Renewal Corporation, Manitoba Housing Authority.

Introduction of Guests

Madam Speaker: Prior to Oral Questions, I would like to draw the attention of all honourable members to the Speaker's Gallery where we have with us today Mr. Tomislav Bosnjak, Consul-General of the Republic of Croatia.

On behalf of all honourable members, I welcome you.

Also seated in the public gallery we have thirty-five Grades 7 and 8 students from Border Valley School under the direction of Mr. Jack Enns. This school is located in the constituency of the honourable member for Pembina (Mr. Dyck).

We have thirty Grade 5 students from Beaumont School under the direction of Mrs. Tannis Nadurak. This school is located in the constituency of the honourable Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs (Mr. Ernst).

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