Wednesday, October 11, 1995

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA

Wednesday, October 11, 1995

The House met at 1:30 p.m.

PRAYERS

ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS

PRESENTING PETITIONS

Emergency Health Care Services--Community Hospitals

Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Inkster): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Roberto Naval, Bob Alfaro, Cathie Woodhall and others requesting the Legislative Assembly urge the Minister responsible for Health (Mr. McCrae) to consider making a commitment to the people of Manitoba that emergency health care services in Winnipeg's five community hospitals will remain open seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

READING AND RECEIVING PETITIONS

Emergency Health Care Services--Community Hospitals

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

An Honourable Member: Yes.

Madam Speaker: Yes. The Clerk will read.

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

THAT emergency health care services are the core of Manitoba's health care system.

THAT Manitobans deserve the greatest possible access to this care.

WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly urge the Minister responsible for Health (Mr. McCrae) consider making a commitment to the people of Manitoba that emergency health care services in Winnipeg's five community hospitals will remain open seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

Bill 205--The Health Care Records Act

Mr. Dave Chomiak (Kildonan): Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the member for Swan River (Ms. Wowchuk), that leave be given to introduce Bill 205, The Health Care Records Act; Loi sur les dossiers médicaux, and that the same be now received and read a first time.

Motion presented.

Mr. Chomiak: Madam Speaker, this bill has been moved by members on this side of the House on four or five previous legislative occasions, and we are hoping that we will have the opportunity to debate and pass this bill during this session.

This bill is part of the spirit of the consumer movement and consistent, I say, with real health care reform. It provides for a legislative mechanism to enable health care consumers to have access to their own medical records, and it proposes the enshrinement of this principle in the confidentiality of the law.

This bill can only mean, in our view, better-informed health public, more openness and trust between the public, caregivers and improvements overall in our total health care system. Thank you.

Motion agreed to.

* (1335)

Bill 206--The Public Health Amendment Act

Mr. Dave Chomiak (Kildonan): Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the member for Thompson (Mr. Ashton), that leave be given to introduce Bill 206, The Public Health Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Loi sur la santé publique, and that the same be now received and read a first time.

Motion presented.

Mr. Chomiak: Madam Speaker, this is the second of three bills that we intend to introduce that we hope will help improve the public health and health in general of all Manitobans.

This bill recognizes mandatory reporting of adverse reactions to vaccination, and calls for information on both the benefits and the risks of vaccinations to be provided. The bill accepts that immunization has been a factor leading to the reduction of many diseases in this province but recognizes evidence linking vaccinations with disability and death in some healthy infants.

Like the previous bill, this bill proposes to ensure the active involvement by the public in our health care system and will lead to more informed consent, decision making and enhanced quality of health care services in the province.

I acknowledge the support of all members of the House in this bill and look forward to debating this bill and passage of this very important health legislation. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Motion agreed to.