Wednesday, June 28, 1995
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA
Wednesday, June 28, 1995
The House met at 1:30 p.m.
PRAYERS
ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS
PRESENTING REPORTS BY
STANDING AND SPECIAL COMMITTEES
Standing Committee on Law Amendments
Second Report
Hon. Jim Ernst (Government House Leader): Madam Speaker, I wonder if we might have leave to introduce the Report of the Law Amendments committee of last evening.
Madam Speaker: Is there leave to have the report of the Law Amendments committee heard? [agreed]
Mr. Edward Helwer (Vice-Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Law Amendments): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the Second Report of the Committee on Law Amendments.
Your Standing Committee on Law Amendments presents the following as its Second Report.
Your committee met on Tuesday, June 27, 1995, at 7 p.m. in Room 255 of the Legislative Building to consider bills referred.
At that meeting your committee elected Mr. Helwer to fill a vacancy for the Vice-Chairperson position.
Your committee heard representation on bills as follows:
Bill 24--The Tobacco Tax Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Loi de la taxe sur le tabac
Dexter Harvey - Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba
Your committee has considered:
Bill 24--The Tobacco Tax Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Loi de la taxe sur le tabac
and has agreed to report the same without amendment.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
Mr. Helwer: Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the member for La Verendrye (Mr. Sveinson), that the report of the committee be received.
Motion agreed to.
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 Emerson (Mr. Penner), that the report be received.
Motion agreed to.
TABLING OF REPORTS
Hon. Leonard Derkach (Minister of Rural Development): I would like to table the Annual Report for 1994-95 for Manitoba Decentralization.
Hon. Harold Gilleshammer (Minister responsible for Multiculturalism): I would like to table the Annual Report for the Multiculturalism Secretariat 1993-94.
Hon. James Downey (Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism): I am pleased to table the Annual Report for the Manitoba Horse Racing Commission for 1994-95.
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MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS
Forest Fire Tragedy - Leaf Rapids
Hon. Albert Driedger (Minister of Natural Resources): Madam Speaker, I have a statement for the House.
It is my duty to inform the members of this House and the citizens of Manitoba of a tragic accident which occurred today near Leaf Rapids. At 9:40 a.m. today a Bell 205 helicopter east of the province and engaged in firefighting activities near Leaf Rapids crashed. I understand the helicopter crashed into a bridge near Leaf Rapids and fell into the water. Although information is still sketchy, the last report is that we have two people who were taken to Leaf Rapids hospital in stable condition, two walked away and one was taken by helicopter to Thompson. I am also told that there has been confirmation by the RCMP of one fatality and two people are still missing.
We do not know what caused the crash nor the extent of the injuries. An RCMP dive team as well as other rescue workers are on the scene. Transportation Safety Board of Canada has been alerted to the incident and will be conducting a full investigation. I am told they will be proceeding to the site by road as soon as they are able. They are responsible for investigating, and I would refer any comments about the cause of the crash to them.
The Fire Commissioner's office has made a stress debriefing team available to help people cope with the incident, and a telephone line has been made available for families to call if they are concerned about a family member possibly being on board. The number they can call in Thompson is 677-7947, 677-7945 or 677-7946. Thank you.
Mr. Gary Doer (Leader of the Opposition): Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the minister for his statement in the Chamber today. We all recognize the great deal of sacrifice that the men and women dealing with our forest fires go through, the great deal of risk they have to their own personal life on behalf of Manitoba communities, and the great deal of sacrifice they put in on behalf of our communities at risk.
It is indeed a tragedy when that sacrifice results in injury and loss of life. I would like to, on behalf of our party, offer our prayers to the families of those members whom we still do not know exactly their fate.
I would like to suggest, Madam Speaker, that, in recognition of the sacrifice and the ultimate sacrifice with the fatality reported today by the minister, this House rise for a minute of silence for the deceased member fighting fires on behalf of Manitobans.
Madam Speaker: The House will observe a one-minute silence.
A one-minute silence was observed.
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INTRODUCTION OF BILLS
Bill 34--The Municipal Amendment and Consequential Amendments Act
Hon. Leonard Derkach (Minister of Rural Development): Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Agriculture (Mr. Enns), that leave be given to introduce Bill 34, The Municipal Amendment and Consequential Amendments Act (Loi modifiant la Loi sur les municipalités et apportant des modifications corrélatives), and that the same be now received and read a first time.
His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor, having been advised of the contents of this bill, recommends it to the House. I would like to table his message.
Motion agreed to.
Bill 36--The Municipal Assessment Amendment Act
Hon. Jim Ernst (Government House Leader): Madam Speaker, I wonder if there might be leave to introduce for first reading today Bill 36 which is shown on page 8 of the Notice Paper for Friday next, The Municipal Assessment Amendment Act.
Madam Speaker: Is there leave?
Some Honourable Members: Leave.
Madam Speaker: Leave has been granted.
Hon. Leonard Derkach (Minister of Rural Development): Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Northern and Native Affairs (Mr. Praznik) that leave be given to introduce Bill 36, The Municipal Assessment Amendment Act (Loi modifiant la Loi sur l'évaluation municipale), and that the same be now received and read a first time.
His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor, having been advised of the contents of this bill, recommends it to the House. I would like to table His Honour's message.
Motion agreed to.
Introduction of Guests
Madam Speaker: Prior to Oral Questions I would like to draw the attention of all honourable members to the public gallery where we have this afternoon 15 visitors from Ukraine under the direction of Mr. Tom Monastyrski.
Also, we have fifty-six Grade 5 students from École Robert Browning under the direction of Michelle Ager. This school is located in the constituency of the honourable Minister of Finance (Mr. Stefanson).
We also have thirty-five Grade 5 students from Landmark Elementary School under the direction of Mr. Russ Dirks. This school is located in the constituency of the honourable member for La Verendrye (Mr. Sveinson).
On behalf of all honourable members, I welcome you this afternoon.