Health Care System
Emergency Services
Mr. Gary Doer (Leader of the Opposition): Madam Speaker, my question is for the First Minister.
On October 6 the government confirmed that they had ordered the closure of the community hospital emergency wards from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. In fact, on page 3712 of Hansard, the Minister of Health confirms that, as a result of a consensus reached with facilities and others, the government had instructed the closure of these emergency wards in the five community hospitals.
We have been informed that some hospitals are not going along with these closures in some of the communities; in fact, they have doctors in emergency wards. This is leading to a great deal of confusion on the part of the public: which hospital emergency wards are open between ten o'clock and eight o'clock in the morning, which ones are not; should they go visit those emergency wards with a family situation, should they not.
Could the Premier (Mr. Filmon) tell us today which one of those hospitals is open, or are going to be open, between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m., and which ones are closed out of the five hospitals, so the public will know?
Hon. James McCrae (Minister of Health): Madam Speaker, the community hospitals' emergency rooms are closed between the hours of 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. The honourable member might be referring to a story circulating yesterday that two hospitals were continuing to operate emergency departments. There is indeed that consensus to which I referred at that time.
Current night staffing at the community hospitals is operated according to a protocol amongst all of the five community hospitals. There is one physician there to cover each hospital, two registered nurses for the observation unit and one registered nurse in the emergency unit to assess patients coming in during the nighttime closure hours.
We did, this morning, a telephone survey of two of those hospitals which were the subject of this rumour, if that is what it was, and they confirm this morning that they continue to operate their emergency departments in accordance with the agreed-to protocols.
Mr. Doer: Madam Speaker, what we need is a protocol for the public, because the public is very confused. If you look at the nurses' letter that went to the minister three days ago, they confirmed the same issue. Some doors are open and some doors are closed, and the public does not know whether they should go to those doors or not go to those doors.
Will the minister tell us right now, what is the status of the emergency community hospitals in terms of ten o'clock at night to eight o'clock in the morning at Concordia, at Victoria, at Misericordia, at Grace, and at Seven Oaks? Can he give us specific answers to specific questions so the public will have the protocol, the public will be involved and know what to do as opposed to only the Minister of Health and his own bureaucracy knowing what is going on?
Mr. McCrae: There has been very, very significant public comment and coverage of the situation. The situation is, as I stated in my previous answer, and as has been the case basically since the end of the strike, the honourable member will recall that during the strike they were closed between midnight and 10 and since the strike the hours have been 10 p.m. until 8 a.m. There ought not to be any confusion in the honourable member's mind. We ask the public to use the Health Sciences Centre and the St. Boniface General Hospital, and all the ambulance operators in the city are aware of that.
The protocol that I referred to is to take account of people who may not have been aware and do present and they are in a life-threatening situation in the nighttime hours. There had to be some kind of provision for that, and there is that provision. I think with an integrated emergency system in place, and we have all of the players working together, the likelihood of a good quality and efficient emergency system for the long-term future is very much enhanced.
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Emergency Services Committee
Terms of Reference
Mr. Gary Doer (Leader of the Opposition): It is a little ironic when something is so important for the public, there are no government ads, but when something is just of the political interest of the Conservatives and the Premier (Mr. Filmon), there are hundreds of thousands of dollars spent on advertising.
Madam Speaker, the committee is meeting--the so-called Emergency Services Committee--today at 1:30 p.m. for their first meeting after the government has made the decision to close the emergency wards. The committee is going to meet to deal with it. Regrettably, we have no terms of reference on this committee, and, regrettably, there is no process in place for the public to be involved in the decisions.
I would like to ask the Premier, will he instruct his Minister of Health and his committee of 43 people, or 42 people, that are primarily made up directly of people working in the health care system, to demand as part of the terms of reference that there be mandatory public hearings in the communities where the community hospital's emergency wards are being closed down, so the public can be in partnership and be involved in these decisions that so directly affect their lives?
Hon. James McCrae (Minister of Health): I do not think the honourable member is prepared to give any credit to all of the people who have worked so closely, and continue to work closely, to develop a quality emergency services plan in Winnipeg and to ensure that on a daily basis we have a carefully monitored emergency system.
The honourable member really does insult the professionals at St. Boniface Hospital, Health Sciences Centre, Children's Hospital, Misericordia Hospital, Grace Hospital--
Madam Speaker: Order, please.
Point of Order
Mr. Doer: On a point of order, again the minister is impugning motives by saying that I am insulting professionals; I did no such thing. I am not insulting professionals. I am asking for public input, which is a totally different question.
Madam Speaker: Order, please. The honourable Leader of the official opposition does not have a point of order.
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Madam Speaker: The honourable Minister of Health, to quickly complete his response.
Mr. McCrae: Madam Speaker, I just wanted to complete and tell the honourable member that nursing and medical professionals and ambulance professionals are involved and the public is being consulted as well. I have asked that the Manitoba Society of Seniors be contacted to ensure that their concerns are made known to every member of the emergency services working group. We are also asking the Manitoba Association of Registered Nurses, the Manitoba Nurses' Union, as well as the Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals to take part in these deliberations, as well.
So the honourable member should tell it like it is and give the people who are involved in delivering emergency services a little more credit than he is giving them.
Seven Oaks General Hospital
Service Reduction
Mr. Doug Martindale (Burrows): Madam Speaker, the best example of people working closely together is the example of the residents of north Winnipeg who worked long and hard for many years to open a hospital in their own community to meet their own needs in their community. Regrettably, as a result of this government's policies, there have been layoffs of LPNs, layoffs of nurses, the closing of emergency rooms at night, the closing of beds and now the layoff of staff in the emergency department.
I would like to ask this Minister of Health why his policy of reducing the funding to Seven Oaks Hospital by $2 million this year has resulted in a reduction of services to the residents of north Winnipeg, and why is he punishing these people who worked so hard to have a hospital in their community?
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Hon. James McCrae (Minister of Health): The honourable member supports a political party which has seen to it that we do not have $600 million this year to spend on hospitals, Madam Speaker. You know, if we did not have--[interjection]
Madam Speaker: Order, please.
The honourable member for Burrows, with his supplementary question.
Point of Order
Mr. McCrae: On a point of order, Madam Speaker, I was not finished my answer. I had not taken very long. I spoke for only seconds.
Madam Speaker: Order, please. The honourable Minister of Health does not have a point of order.
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Mr. Martindale: I would like to ask the Minister of Health, who can say anything he wants to me, what is he going to say to the residents of north Winnipeg to explain and justify and rationalize if he can, and I believe he cannot, the reduction of hospital services to the residents of north Winnipeg because of the layoffs and the closures at Seven Oaks Hospital? [interjection]
Madam Speaker: Order, please.
Mr. McCrae: I am sorry, Madam Speaker, honourable members opposite make it necessary for you to get to your feet as often as you have today, knowing as I do that you experienced an incident yourself yesterday dealing with your foot.
Madam Speaker, what I am going to tell the people of north Winnipeg is the same thing I am going to tell to people in south Winnipeg and east and west and all over this province, and that is that, partly because of the profligacy of the government represented by the Leader of the Opposition (Mr. Doer) during the Pawley years and other governments as well in this country, we are now in a situation where we have to look at providing quality services in an efficient manner.
I am going to tell them in north Winnipeg and everywhere else too that what we will have as a result of a proper scoping of our health care system and planning is a system that we can keep for future generations, in spite of the misdeeds of honourable members opposite.
Emergency Services
Mr. Doug Martindale (Burrows): Why is this minister who is part of a government which ran up the highest deficit in the history of Manitoba, $819 million, not only punishing the residents of north Winnipeg by reducing hospital services but also the victim of rape who attended Seven Oaks Hospital in the middle of the night and, because the emergency services were not available, instead of following the usual protocol of being accompanied to the Health Sciences or being sent by ambulance, was sent by herself to the Health Sciences? Did this--
Madam Speaker: Order, please. The question has been put.
Hon. James McCrae (Minister of Health): Madam Speaker, I must review the preamble to the honourable member's question, but, you know, it is passing strange here that honourable members over there should be raising any kind of question whatsoever in terms of the spending of public dollars.
He talks about deficits here in Manitoba. My colleague the Minister of Finance (Mr. Stefanson) should sit down with the honourable member and remind him about how many dollars are being spent to finance debt that has been imposed upon us by honourable members opposite in this province.
Madam Speaker, it is absolutely astounding to me that they should raise any questions about deficits when their own performance is the reason that we have debt that we have to look after each and every year, unfortunately for many years.
University of Manitoba
Labour Dispute
Mr. Daryl Reid (Transcona): Madam Speaker, the Premier (Mr. Filmon) and the Minister of Labour (Mr. Toews) have clearly displayed their biased opinions against the U of M Faculty Association and the students attending the University of Manitoba by openly siding with the Tory-appointed board of governors.
My question is for the Minister of Education.
Can the Minister of Education tell the House today, since she wrote to the U of M Faculty Association requesting a commitment to the students, has this minister also written to the U of M board of governors, reminding them of their commitment to the students, and if she has not written to the board of governors, why not?
Hon. Linda McIntosh (Minister of Education and Training): I have indeed written to UMFA. I have indeed, through my deputy on my instructions, written to the administration asking for measures to be put in place to assist the students through this difficult time.
I also wish to point out to the member that which he knows but refuses to acknowledge, and that is that the board of governors does have 23 people, 12 of whom are appointed by the government, two of whom are students and one of whom is the chair, so in terms of voting power, the senate members on the board of governors have very, very strong ability to input, and, in fact, do input into the decisions made by the board of governors. So I think he should cease and desist in terms of making those implications.
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Our concern is with the students, Madam Speaker. The reason that the Faculty Association was written is because they are the only group in this whole affair, the only group, that has turned its back on the students and walked away from its obligations to the students. None of the other groups have walked away from the students, and we are saying, please, go back, put your students first, as you indicated to me in July you would, and continue your own problem solving in an atmosphere that does not negatively impact upon students who have done nothing wrong to deserve the impact they may experience.
Mr. Reid: Contrary to the minister's words--and I will table a copy, Madam Speaker--the Graduate Students' Association unconditionally supports the U of M Faculty Association's decision to strike, so the minister's words are wrong.
Can this Minister of Education, if she says she really cares for the plight of the students, indicate if she has advised the board of governors to get back to the bargaining table over the weekend to try and resolve this matter, so that the students can get back to their classes on Monday?
Mrs. McIntosh: Madam Speaker, again, the member is selective in the points he brings forward.
The graduate students are the only group of students that have passed a motion supporting UMFA. The other students have said, will somebody please teach us? We would like to get the learning experience for which we are paying.
Madam Speaker, I met with UMSU yesterday. My door is open at any time that UMSU wishes to come back. They know that. We will be in regular touch with each other, so that I can personally hear from the students what the students are saying. I will listen to them, not to what somebody else says, taking little selective groupings.
Madam Speaker, I have indicated in my earlier question the only group that is walking away from the students and refusing to bargain are the professors. The other people are willing and eager to get on with the task.
Mr. Reid: My final supplementary to the Minister of Education: Can the Minister of Education tell the students at the University of Manitoba why her government's previous Minister of Labour told the parties in the Manitoba sugar beet dispute that there were three options, mediation and arbitration, or is the Minister of Education telling the students her government's final option is, it is over, it is done, get on with their lives?
Why is arbitration available for the sugar beet dispute and not for the students in this province, Madam Speaker?
Mrs. McIntosh: Madam Speaker, I do not presume to speak for the Minister of Labour, past or present. However, I will say that as Minister of Education and as a former school trustee, it is well known and should be well known to both sides that arbitration boards traditionally take the position that if public dollars are concerned, there is always an ability to pay, unlike private companies.
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The ability to pay either comes from the taxpayer or from the assessment of fees, and, Madam Speaker, the last thing in the world I want is to see student fees go up because of a settlement that comes about because of suggestions made by members opposite who do not care if student fees rise or not because of a labour dispute.
Emergency Services Committee
Membership
Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Inkster): My question is for the Minister of Health.
Regarding emergency health care services, there is a very important meeting that is coming up with the Emergency Services Committee, and, Madam Speaker, it is important that there is representation at this meeting from all the different stakeholders, if you like.
What I would ask the Minister of Health to indicate to the House today is, can he table or give us an update in terms of who is actually sitting on this particular committee?
Hon. James McCrae (Minister of Health): Madam Speaker, it is a very large and inclusive committee dealing with participation by all of the community and tertiary hospitals, as well as medical and nursing organizations, as well, also, as people representing lab and X-ray people.
Mr. Lamoureux: Madam Speaker, I would ask the Minister of Health to give assurances to this House that, in fact, there are individuals, potential patients, the average person that is sitting down, individuals representing different communities, so that, in fact, we are talking about or at least on the table they are talking about, in essence, community-based health care services and the benefits of that. It is important that that side of the argument is going to be presented.
There is no doubt the other side is going to be presented. I am concerned about the community-based health care service being presented.
Mr. McCrae: Well, Madam Speaker, I just told the honourable member the community hospitals are very, very adequately represented on this working group. I remind the honourable member that each community hospital is operated by a community board made up of volunteers from the community, and those boards send their medical and nursing people and whomever they feel appropriate to send to the emergency services working group.
We are very mindful, Madam Speaker, that the health system belongs to the people of this province. It does not belong to the Leader of the Opposition (Mr. Doer) or the honourable member for Kildonan (Mr. Chomiak) or a doctor or a nurse or anyone else. It belongs to all of us, and we will provide emergency services for all of the people.
Eye Examinations
Deinsurance
Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Inkster): Madam Speaker, I would ask the Minister of Health if he would respond to a quote from the seniors' society newsletter in which it says that the Conservative administration of Manitoba has announced it is considering eliminating coverage for annual eye examinations.
Is, in fact, this government looking at eliminating eye examinations for Manitobans?
Hon. James McCrae (Minister of Health): Madam Speaker, that was a question that arose earlier this year when there was word that the Medical Services Council might be looking at that, and as a result of the concerns raised, I raised with the council the requirement that there be appropriate consultation with the optometrists association and others, so that at this point I have no update for the honourable member on anything happening in that regard.
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Environmental Education
Sustainable Development Grants
Ms. Jean Friesen (Wolseley): Madam Speaker, last year $340,000 worth of grants were given to Manitoba schools for environmental education. There were some interesting projects, and we want to extend the best wishes of this side of the House to the students and teachers.
It should come as no surprise to this House that, of the 26 grants, 24 went to Tory ridings. An interesting issue then becomes the other two. I want to ask the Minister of Education if she could tell us, how did she enable those grants in Crescentwood and Selkirk to get through the net?
Hon. Linda McIntosh (Minister of Education and Training): Madam Speaker, I cannot answer the member's question in terms of how was each of these things decided because I was not making those particular decisions, but I will check into which areas received grants, what the criteria were and I will get back to the member on it.
I do not have those details here, but I do wish to clarify that there was no netting or slipping through the net or any of the things that she implies. Of that I am certain, because I know the people on the staff who make those recommendations are people who make recommendations based on merit. This is back like the Home Renovation Program, where members on this side took the trouble to inform constituents and members on that side did not, the same kind of implication.
Ms. Friesen: Madam Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Environment because I am talking about the Sustainable Development Innovations grants.
Will he confirm that this set of grants, unlike arts grants, unlike heritage grants or normal research grants, in fact had no external evaluations but were allocated only by cabinet committee?
Hon. Glen Cummings (Minister of Environment): Madam Speaker, they are all evaluated by departments that have relevance with the project that is put forward.
Sustainable Development Innovations Fund
Information Tabling Request
Ms. Jean Friesen (Wolseley): Would the same minister undertake to table in the House a historical account of the Sustainable Development Innovations Fund since 1989-90 so we may see all the grants in the same way that the Provincial Auditor finally had to require this department to publish the accounts for the last year?
Hon. Glen Cummings (Minister of Environment): Madam Speaker, out of all of the granting programs in government, this one is the most fully accounted for in this House. We tabled the report only a week or two ago, and I would invite the member to review it.
Dwayne Archie Johnston
Parole
Mr. Eric Robinson (Rupertsland): Madam Speaker, my questions are for the Acting Minister of Justice and the Minister responsible for Native Affairs.
This government failed to consult the family of Helen Betty Osborne when it decided to go against the recommendations of the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry and not lay charges against James Houghton in the brutal murder of Helen Betty Osborne. A week ago we asked the Minister of Justice (Mrs. Vodrey) whether she was prepared to use her office to intervene in the parole proceedings of Dwayne Archie Johnston.
I would like to ask the acting minister to table in this House today what action the minister has taken with respect to this matter.
Hon. Darren Praznik (Acting Minister of Justice and Attorney General): I wish to thank the member for that very pertinent question. I believe the Minister of Justice at the time, if my recollection serves me correctly, made a commitment or indicated her position with respect to that matter, and I will so take as notice his question today as to what action has been taken since. I will take that as notice on behalf of the Attorney General (Mrs. Vodrey).
Mr. Robinson: Madam Speaker, to the same minister, given that it is the Solicitor General, not the Minister of Justice, at the federal level who is responsible for this matter, I am wondering if the minister could indicate and check with the Justice minister that proper procedures are being undertaken to request intervener status in this very important matter.
Mr. Praznik: Certainly the question that the member raises is a very important one to the people of our province, and I will take his question as notice on behalf of the Minister of Justice.
Mr. Robinson: Given that the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry stated that the murder of Helen Betty Osborne clearly was motivated by racism, and the flawed investigation and prosecution was also motivated at least in part by racism, what is the minister prepared to do to ensure that the racist policies of the past which allowed Dwayne Archie Johnston and his accomplices to avoid the trial for 16 years will not be compounded by the early release of Dwayne Archie Johnston?
Mr. Praznik: Madam Speaker, again to the member on this very important matter, I will take his question as notice on behalf of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General.
University of Manitoba
Labour Dispute
Mr. Steve Ashton (Thompson): Madam Speaker, to say that there is a great deal of concern about the strike situation at the University of Manitoba is an understatement. There are more than 20,000 students across this province, concerned families, and it also impacts on off-campus programs such as the Access program in Thompson for the Social Work faculty.
What I would like to ask the minister, since earlier in Question Period she confirmed that she has written to the Faculty Association but has only through her deputy made any contact with the board of governors, I am wondering if the minister would listen to the pleas of many students and family members and this weekend take personal, direct action by sitting down with all the parties involved and discussing any way, whether it be arbitration or any other way, of solving this dispute as soon as possible.
Hon. Linda McIntosh (Minister of Education and Training): Madam Speaker, I indicate to the member that the previous member asked if I had written to both sides, and I have said I have written to the one side that has walked out on the students, and I have through my deputy written to the other side.
I have been in contact by telephone, Madam Speaker, to talk to the chairman of the board of governors and asked that the board of governors do everything in its power to ameliorate any impact of the professors' actions negatively on the students. [interjection] It is really hard to hear sometimes. I know you appreciate that. I am going to carry on over the comments.
I indicate to the member for Thompson and I appreciate his concern because I hope we would all share concern first for the students, not the bias that they are displaying, which is pretty clear, but I think, Madam Speaker, the member for Thompson should realize that I have indicated since this began, as soon as the strike was called, I am most willing to meet with any of the parties who would like to meet with me at any time that they would like to meet with me, but I will not impose myself or thrust myself upon them unwillingly. As I say, the students have been asking to meet with me and I have met with them and will continue to meet with any group.
Mr. Ashton: With a supplementary question: I would like to ask the minister if she can explain her comments earlier in Question Period in which she indicated that from her experience as a school trustee, she has difficulty with arbitration.
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Why is this minister refusing to consider arbitration, a mechanism that would allow the students to get back to their classes immediately and result in a settlement brought in by an arbitrator that will be fair to both sides? Why will you not bring in arbitration?
Mrs. McIntosh: Madam Speaker, first of all, it is not my decision, but, secondly, in reference to clarify the remarks that he made, and I think they are important remarks and an important principle to understand, arbitrators have put in writing and have made it very clear that if they are dealing with the public purse there is unlimited ability to pay. You can either go to the taxpayers or you can assess fees. That has been clear precedent-setting in my personal experience as a school trustee. That is something that is made clear.
Unlike when you arbitrate with private companies where there is a finite number of dollars, arbitrators traditionally and historically take the position that there is an unlimited ability to pay by either raising taxes or raising fees. That is a fact.
As to whether or not a decision to put an arbitrator in place, only one side has asked for it and that decision would rest with the Minister of Labour (Mr. Toews), not with the Minister of Education.
Mr. Ashton: Well, Madam Speaker, can the minister then confirm, based on her answer in this House today, that the real reason this government will not bring in arbitration is because it is afraid of what kind of settlement is ahead? In other words, this government has a political agenda which comes ahead of the needs of the students and their families in the province of Manitoba.
Mrs. McIntosh: Madam Speaker, I am responding to questions put, and as the member for Thompson, who just asked a series of questions, knows, on the earlier question I was asked for my opinion as to--I was told and asked to comment upon the fact that in the opinion of the opposition, binding arbitration would be the ideal solution. In my response, I indicated that in my experience in the school board area, it has not always been the best solution. The decision of whether or not to go to arbitration is a request that would have to come from both parties and be decided by the Minister of Labour.
But, Madam Speaker, I indicate to the member that the professors have indicated and have stated that this is not about money. So if he is believing what the professors are saying, then the point that he raises is totally irrelevant. They are saying it is about academic freedom. There are some who feel that perhaps it is really freedom for unlimited job security, but that is a matter the two parties will have to decide together.
The fact is the university feels the need to have to downsize and the profs agree there is that need to get rid of irrelevant programs, courses that people do not want to register for, and in review of the $220-million cut we are going to see from the feds.
Forest Fires
Firefighting Procedures
Mr. Gerard Jennissen (Flin Flon): Madam Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Natural Resources.
Has the department made any changes in forest firefighting policies in light of the tragic deaths this past summer, along with the two high-risk evacuations from Leaf Rapids.
Hon. Albert Driedger (Minister of Natural Resources): Madam Speaker, the record of the department in fighting forest fires has been really good over many years. Unfortunately, we did have that accident this year.
Situations of that nature are being reviewed all the time, and if there are changes required in terms of how we fight forest fires, I have to say we have very capable people out there, our record has been very good, and I will take the specifics as notice to see whether any changes have been recommended because of the investigation.
Mr. Jennissen: Madam Speaker, I thank the minister.
Firefighting Costs
Mr. Gerard Jennissen (Flin Flon): Could the minister, for the record, give to this House the total cost of forest firefighting in Manitoba this summer and Manitoba's portion of that?
Hon. Albert Driedger (Minister of Natural Resources): Madam Speaker, the forest firefighting figure that we have at the present time is a shade over $29 million. We have a subtraction of approximately $2 million where we have cost-recovery from other provinces that we have assisted with, so the net figure is, I believe, around the $26 million-something for fighting forest fires.
Leaf Rapids, Manitoba
Fire Insurance
Mr. Gerard Jennissen (Flin Flon): Madam Speaker, my final supplementary question is to the Government Services minister.
Given the difficulties many residents of Leaf Rapids have had getting fire insurance prior to and after the forest fires this summer, has the Minister of Government Services reviewed this situation to investigate what can be done to assist the people affected?
Hon. Brian Pallister (Minister of Government Services): I thank the member for the question.
Our department has worked very closely with the residents of the Leaf Rapids area and other unfortunate victims of both flooding and fires this past year, and I believe that the claims that have been submitted from the member's area and every other private claim in this province have now been dealt with. Some claims remain to be settled in terms of the dollar amounts because of repairs still to be undertaken, but for the most part, I believe the claims have been processed.
As far as the issues of insurance and so on, the member can certainly bring to my attention if he has any specific incidents of concern, and we will be happy to deal with those in our department on an individual basis.
Museums
Funding
Ms. Diane McGifford (Osborne): Madam Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Culture, Heritage and Citizenship.
Last week I asked the minister about the Department of Canadian Heritage's Museum Assistance Program cuts and the effects on Manitoba museums. The minister spoke of regular meetings with Manitoba's museums and giving museums "whatever support we can within our resources." That is a quotation.
I would like to ask the minister today if he was able to assure the AMM and others that his government would not follow the federal policy by cutting its grants to museums?
Hon. Harold Gilleshammer (Minister of Culture, Heritage and Citizenship): Madam Speaker, I thank the member for the question.
We have worked with many groups that our department relates to, and we have been able to maintain our support through this budget for museums, for other groups that come under this department like libraries. We are very pleased that, while the federal and municipal governments have been withdrawing funding, we have been able to maintain our resources.
Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Osborne, with one very short question.
Ms. McGifford: Madam Speaker, has the minister communicated with his federal counterpart and expressed his concern for the future of Manitoba's museums and heritage? If so, what has resulted from this communication?
Mr. Gilleshammer: Madam Speaker, I, along with other ministers across the country, have been attempting to communicate with the federal minister. I am pleased, after over two years of trying, that we are going to have a ministerial meeting later this year in western Canada.
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Madam Speaker: The time for Oral Questions has expired.
Speaker's Ruling
Madam Speaker: Order, please. I have a ruling for the House.
I am ruling on a matter taken under advisement by the Deputy Speaker during debate of Bill 28, on Thursday, October 5, 1995. A point of order was raised by the honourable Minister of Government Services (Mr. Pallister) about words used by the honourable member for Elmwood (Mr. Maloway) in reference to the honourable Minister of Education (Mrs. McIntosh).
The Minister of Government Services, in raising his point of order, said that the member for Elmwood was making a personal attack on the Minister of Education and made reference to Beauchesne and unparliamentary language.
In reviewing the Hansard, I find that the words spoken by the member for Elmwood immediately before the point of order raised were: "it is obvious to me that the member for Assiniboia would not get herself into so much trouble if she did not have such a thin skin. In the political life that we are in, one learns to develop a thick skin in this business."
In my opinion, the words complained of do not constitute unparliamentary language nor a personal attack on the member; therefore I find there is no point of order.
NONPOLITICAL STATEMENTS
Aboriginal Youth Achievement Awards
Hon. Bonnie Mitchelson (Minister of Family Services): Madam Speaker, might I have leave to make a nonpolitical statement?
Madam Speaker: Does the honourable Minister of Family Services have leave to make a nonpolitical statement? [agreed]
Mrs. Mitchelson: Madam Speaker, last evening I was privileged to attend the second annual Aboriginal Youth Achievement Awards, hosted by Anishnaabe Oway-Ishi.
The event honoured those who have made a difference, in other words, young people who have demonstrated their commitment to a drug-, alcohol- and violence-free society and truly are role models and leaders within the aboriginal community.
The entertainment and other portions of the evening were also examples of young people who stand out as a credit to their families, their communities and all those who have been influential in their lives.
The honour ceremony where the 14 recipients stood solemnly, holding aloft their eagle feathers while the traditional prayer was offered by Art and Joseph Shofley, was truly inspiring.
I am delighted to offer congratulations to the young people who have learned, and I quote the keynote speaker Allen McLeod: The past does not have to equal the future and that it is possible to break free from self-imposed limitations and baggage.
Madam Speaker, there were 80 young people nominated for the award categories, and 14 were ultimately chosen by the 36-member selection teams. Those who have made a difference were: Anita Crate and Deanna Kimball in the academic category; Aaron Peters and Brian Clyne in the artistic category; Victor Tssessaze and Neebin Noodin Singers in the cultural category; Spring Squires and Lisa Monkman in the community volunteer category; Shannan Nepinak and Murray Monkman in the athletic category; Rena McLeod and Sydney Stove in the personal achievement category; Brian McLeod in the business entrepreneurial category; and Adam Kennedy in the traditional employment category.
I know many members of the House were present last evening at the awards ceremony. It was one of the most touching events I have attended, and I want to congratulate all of those who organized and all of the recipients of the awards. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr. Eric Robinson (Rupertsland): May I have leave to make a nonpolitical statement?
Madam Speaker: Does the honourable member for Rupertsland have leave to make a nonpolitical statement? [agreed]
Mr. Robinson: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the Minister of Family Services (Mrs. Mitchelson) for her kind words.
As an aboriginal person, as a member of a First Nation, one of the sacred elements in our communities is our young people, and we are told by our forebears, our elders, to always show respect to the young people. It is told in our tradition that the two most important elements in our societies are our elders and our youth. We must nurture our youth and provide them with the proper guidance and direction, so that they will fulfill the role that they have to fulfill in the future, either as leaders or as doctors or as nurses, whatever their profession may be in the time to come. It is our responsibility to provide that direction and to assist in a guidance delivery for our youth.
I would like to thank the minister for her kind words with respect to the Aboriginal Youth Achievement Awards, the second annual put on by the Anishnaabe Oway-Ishi program, and a number of other people who are also involved, including Leslie Spillett and Dan Highway.
We on this side of the House, as well, would like to congratulate the people that the minister named off, including Anita, Deanna, Aaron, Brian, Victor, Spring, Lisa, Shannon, Murray, Rena, Sydney, Adam and Brian.
I think this is truly reflective of the positive things that aboriginal people are contributing to society, and I think that our future does indeed look very bright, especially with the young people who were honoured last night. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Madam Speaker: Does the honourable member for The Maples have leave to make a nonpolitical statement? [agreed]
Mr. Gary Kowalski (The Maples): On behalf of the Liberal members of this Legislature, I would also like to add our congratulations to the nominees and award recipients of the Aboriginal Youth Awards last night that we attended, also the organizers. It was a very large event and it must have taken a lot of work to put on such an event, and the organizers should be congratulated. As the Minister of Family Services (Mrs. Mitchelson) mentioned, it was a very touching event.
What I found interesting was that all the award recipients talked about some adult in their lives that touched them and assisted them and, as a result, they were able to achieve things that possibly they would not have without a caring adult in their lives.
I also found it interesting that several of the award winners talked about their future objectives to become police officers. I saw a large contingent from both the RCMP and the Winnipeg Police Services there, and it shows there is a growing bond between the aboriginal community and the law enforcement community in this province.
Once again, my congratulations to both the award recipients and all the nominees. Thank you.
Canadian Highland Dance Interprovincial Championships
Ms. Becky Barrett (Wellington): Madam Speaker, I wonder if I might have leave to make a nonpolitical statement.
Madam Speaker: Does the honourable member for Wellington have leave to make a nonpolitical statement? [agreed]
Ms. Barrett: Madam Speaker, in July of this year, Kirsten Henry of Strathcona Street in the constituency of Wellington represented Manitoba as the 11-and-under champion at the Canadian Highland Dance Interprovincial Championships held in London, Ontario.
Kirsten did exceptionally well, coming home with 17 medals. She was the only medal winner from Manitoba in the 11-and-under category and one of only five Manitoba medallists out of the 15-member team.
Kirsten, who is 10 and is a student at Clifton School, has been dancing since she was three years old. According to her mother, she never has to be coaxed to practise, to go to classes or to perform. She just loves to dance.
I ask all members of the Legislature to join me in congratulating Kirsten, who is in the public gallery today, not only on her remarkable achievement at the Canadian Interprovincial Championships, but also on her love of Highland dancing and her commitment to her sport.
There are many, many young people like Kirsten, and we recognized 14 of them today in earlier nonpolitical statements in our province, and it is a pleasure to acknowledge her as one of whom we are all very proud. Thank you.
Bill Arnott Housing Complex Opening
Mr. Gary Kowalski (The Maples): Madam Speaker, do I have leave to make a nonpolitical statement?
Madam Speaker: Does the honourable member for The Maples have leave to make a nonpolitical statement? [agreed]
Mr. Kowalski: Yesterday, along with the member for Pembina (Mr. Dyck), I attended the opening of the Bill Arnott housing complex in the constituency of The Maples on Watson Street.
This is a housing complex for the physically challenged. Bill Arnott and his board first had worked on another housing complex called Tranquility Place on Watson Street, twenty-five units designed to meet the needs of those who are physically challenged, with low counters, wide doors, large spaces, that allow people who are physically challenged to live with dignity and be self-sufficient.
In attending the opening, I noted the pride of the residents there, many of them coming from places where they had inadequate housing, that they were now self-sufficient and they had dignity, and they spoke of it. This housing complex was a joint effort of the provincial government and the federal government, which had representatives there, along with Michael O'Shaughnessy, the city councillor.
I think Bill Arnott and his board deserve a mention in this Legislature of the good work they have done to add to the dignity and self-reliance of these people. Thank you, Madam Speaker.