Tuesday, December 5, 1995

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA

Tuesday, December 5, 1995

The House met at 1:30 p.m.

At 1:30 p.m., all members and guests standing, the Sergeant- at- Arms, carrying the Mace shoulder high and followed by the Speaker and Clerks of the Legislative Assembly, entered the Chamber and proceeded along the west side. The Speaker took post on the east side of the Chamber, the Clerks took post on the west side of the Chamber and the Sergeant-at-Arms returned along the east side of the Chamber to the main entrance where he stood and awaited the arrival of His Honour the Lieutenant Governor.

The Premier, members of the Executive Council, military and civil aides, and officers comprised of the officer escort met in the Lieutenant Governor's reception room.

The Premier, members of the Executive Council, military and civil aides, and officer escort accompanied His Honour from the reception room to the Chamber in the following order:

The civil aide on the right;

the military aide on the left;

the officer escort;

the members of the Executive Council;

the Premier; and then

the Lieutenant Governor.

At the main entrance, the military and civil aides, the officer escort, members of the Executive Council and the Premier halted and turned inward to allow the Lieutenant Governor to advance to the head of the officer escort where His Honour was met by the Mace.

Deputy Sergeant- at- Arms (Mr. Garry Clark): His Honour the Lieutenant Governor.

The Lieutenant Governor then, preceded by the Mace carried shoulder high, and followed on his left by the military aide and on his right by the civil aide, proceeded along the west side of the Chamber to the throne. The Premier proceeded along the east side and stood on the floor on the east side of the Chamber. The members of the Executive Council took their places.

The military aide took up his position on the east side of the throne, and the civil aide took up his position on the west side of the Chamber.

The officer escort was positioned on the west side of the throne.

The Lieutenant Governor seated himself on the throne; the Mace made obeisance and retired to the east side of the Chamber.

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The civil aide advanced from the position he had taken on the west side of the Chamber and, after the usual obeisance on each step, handed the Lieutenant Governor the Speech from the Throne.

The civil aide then retired, step by step, backwards and took up his position on the west side of the Chamber.

The Lieutenant Governor seated the House.

SPEECH FROM THE THRONE

Hon. W. Yvon Dumont (Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Manitoba): I welcome you to the Second Session of the Thirty-sixth Legislature of the Province of Manitoba.

The members of this Assembly are returning to the House soon after the conclusion of the First Session, in which a budget and Estimates of Expenditure for the current fiscal year were approved and several important matters of legislation were enacted.

In this the Second Session, my ministers will continue to fulfill the commitments they made to the people of Manitoba this spring, when they received a strong, renewed mandate for their policies of prudent financial management, innovative approaches to economic development and job creation and programs providing services to the citizens of our province.

In the last throne speech on May 23, 1995, my government re-dedicated itself to strengthening our economy, creating more jobs, providing better health care, building a stronger school system and ensuring safer streets. Much of the work of this session will focus on those fundamental priorities.

We are at a time in our nation's history when the threat to our unity has never been greater, and indeed our continued existence as a strong nation has never been more in jeopardy. In recent years, members of this Assembly have proven their ability to co-operate and work together to forge Manitoba positions that can contribute in a positive way to the national dialogue on our country's future. My ministers assure me that they will continue to work in co-operation with all members of this house to build consensus and to ensure Manitobans speak with the strongest voice possible on matters of national unity.

Par ailleurs, mes ministres exhorteront le gouvernement fédéral à agir en chef de file, dans une optique inclusive, et à défendre avec fermeté et conviction l'intégrité de notre pays. Ils encourageront également les efforts accrus déployés pour démontrer aux Canadiens qu'ils habitent le meilleur pays au monde.

At the same time, my ministers will urge the federal government to provide more inclusive leadership and to be more firm and resolute in its defence of our country's integrity. They will also support stronger efforts to ensure all Canadians recognize and appreciate that we are citizens of the world's most privileged nation.

As they work to protect the unity of Canada, my ministers believe it is just as essential that our nation's leaders continue to focus on the economic and fiscal health of Canada and our province. Our future prosperity depends not only on the political stability of our nation but on the economic and financial stability of our province. To that end, my government will continue to build on its record of fiscal responsibility and accountability.

Through eight years of prudent fiscal management, with an unmatched record of no major tax increases, my government has been able to provide a sound and predictable fiscal base that is recognized internationally. Unfortunately, other governments have not been as committed and now find themselves in serious financial circumstances.

My government is pleased to reaffirm its commitment to Manitobans that it will not raise any major taxes.

Our positive financial performance is leading to increased investment and economic activity. Manitobans can be proud of the progress made in restoring our province to financial health. With the strongest balanced budget legislation in Canada, my government is prepared for the challenge of protecting essential public services while honouring legislative requirements.

My ministers recognize the Government of Canada must improve its fiscal situation. However, my ministers are concerned that the federal government, in its efforts to restore a more manageable fiscal situation, will implement policies and programs that will threaten our progress and financial health. My government will speak out where there is the threat of unfair actions and where our province is expected to carry a relatively larger burden than that faced by other provinces and regions.

Federal spending reductions will result in hardship for some Manitobans. My government will do its utmost to protect essential public services where it has the ability to do so.

The federal changes to unemployment insurance, which may punish Manitobans for living in a province that has been successful at job creation, is an example of federal actions which add to the challenges faced by my government. Unilateral changes to disaster assistance are another example.

Major reductions in federal social program transfers, particularly the cutbacks in funding and services to aboriginal citizens are an ongoing challenge. My ministers have also protested the elimination of significant support for our agricultural industry with minimal compensation, as well as the federal government's refusal to date to participate in a national highways program so critical to our future as a trading province.

In addition to the ongoing threats to Churchill and Shilo, recent reports suggest that the Whiteshell Nuclear Research Establishment at Pinawa may be closed. The institution and the community have contributed immensely to our economy and our province for more than 25 years. My ministers will lead an all-party task force to our nation's capital to put forward the case to safeguard this scientific research establishment and see it continue to operate as a vital asset for Canada.

During this session and throughout the coming year my government will focus on fostering continued economic growth and job creation. Notable successes have been achieved. In recent months our citizens have witnessed more than a half billion dollars in major investments, particularly in the agricultural value-added and forestry sectors in communities as widespread as Brandon, The Pas, Portage and Winnipeg. More announcements are expected.

The mining sector is expanding as a result of policies aimed at promoting exploration and development. Those policies will be continued and expanded to further stimulate job growth. The manufacturing sector continues its robust growth. Exports and capital investment are at record levels.

The federal elimination of the Crow rate highlights the need for government policies that help unleash and nurture the entrepreneurial spirit of rural Manitobans.

Among the programs my government has successfully launched are the rural Grow Bonds and Rural Economic Development Initiatives, the Agricultural Diversification Loans Program, and the community works program, all of which give rural Manitobans the tools to make the transition to value-added activities.

A task force will be established to travel throughout rural Manitoba to listen to and consult with Manitobans regarding the policies and programs targeted at rural Manitoba. Members will work with rural Manitobans to build upon these programs and develop strategies for rural communities, consistent with their vision of the future.

My government will expand on initiatives in other strategic sectors such as health research, information technology and telecommunications, and tourism. To better co-ordinate the promotion of our province a Tourism Marketing Council will be established.

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Our important apparel industry requires more skilled workers and my government is asking the federal government to alleviate this immediate need through the immigration of skilled workers, while we concurrently work with the industry on domestic training and recruitment.

My government is committed to removing barriers and improving access to capital so our entrepreneurs and small businesses, the backbone of our economy, can invest, expand and continue to create jobs.

The Manitoba Information Highway Advisory Council will identify opportunities and priorities for developing applications on the information highway to create jobs and improve the delivery of services for the benefit of Manitobans.

Manitoba Trade has been established to work with Manitoba companies in world markets such as Southeast Asia. In addition, the Pan American Trade and Tourism initiative will help Manitoba capitalize on the opportunities presented by the 1999 Pan Am Games. My ministers will continue to work with the people and businesses of Manitoba to take advantage of global economic opportunities. In particular, our province will pursue these prospects by participating with our federal government in the successful Team Canada missions.

La collaboration fédérale-provinciale a également permis aux entreprises d'obtenir de meilleurs services grâce à l'amélioration des mécanismes d'approvisionnement et de dépôt de soumissions.

Federal-provincial co-operation has also resulted in better service to businesses through improved procurement and bidding processes.

My ministers are committed to maintaining a level of capital spending that will provide the strategic infrastructure necessary to ensure our businesses and our communities, urban, rural and northern, continue to prosper. Increasingly, governments in Canada recognize that strategic infrastructure investment promotes both immediate and long-term employment consistent with the principles of sustainable development.

Our First Minister and other provincial First Ministers have renewed their call for an ongoing federal commitment to infrastructure investment.

One of my government's guiding principles has been a commitment to improving management and accountability. Innovation in the provision of public services by promoting ongoing program review, performance measurement and customer service standards is occurring across all provincial departments and agencies. Legislation will be introduced to increase the financial accountability of public sector institutions and organizations funded by Manitoba taxpayers by requiring greater disclosure of how revenues are expended.

As my government has moved through the sometimes difficult process of restoring Manitoba's fiscal health, it has honoured its pledge to Manitobans to focus on the priority areas of health, education and family services. As the federal government moves to restore its fiscal position, my government is troubled by evidence that the federal government may not give priority to these essential areas of service.

In the coming fiscal year, the federal government is expected to cut $147 million from its transfer payments for health and post secondary education. In the 1997-98 fiscal year, it is estimated that the federal government will remove $220 million from its funding for these services, an amount nearly equivalent to the annual operating budget of the University of Manitoba or to the total annual budgets of the five Winnipeg community hospitals. In spite of this, my government will continue with its commitment to health, education and family services.

As we meet the challenge of preserving priority services, our province cannot stand still nor be afraid to change the way we do things. My government will continue to make needed changes and calls upon all members of this House, our partners in the public sector and all Manitobans to put forward ideas and solutions that will meet the needs of Manitobans now and into the 21st Century.

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An affordable, accessible health care system remains a high priority. My ministers will continue to work with Manitobans to design a health care system that serves their needs now and into the next century.

The greatest threat to our health care system remains the dramatic reductions in federal financial support across the country. In the past, government decision-making has benefited from the input and commitment of nurses, doctors, other health care professionals and the general public as it moved ahead with transforming the health system. Ongoing consultations will contribute to success in meeting the future challenge.

My ministers tell me they will be establishing structures, such as rural and northern regional health boards, that are better able to identify the needs and priorities of the communities being served.

My government will also be developing a new integrated structure for Winnipeg health services and programs. In this way decisions about health services will not be made in isolation, and opportunities will be created for consolidating and enhancing programs and services.

To encourage independent living, I am advised that implementation of the province-wide community-based mental health system will continue. Community-based primary health care will be encouraged through the establishment of community nurse resource centres. As our system shifts from high-cost institutional care to community-based care, my government will reform and improve the delivery of home care services.

Notre province a été à l'honneur pour ses nombreuses innovations dans le domaine des soins et de la recherche en santé. L'instauration d'un partenariat s'est avérée fructueuse et nous continuerons de miser sur cette formule.

Our province has been recognized for many innovations in health care and health research. The partnership that has been developed is proving successful and will be continued.

Even during periods of a healthy and expanding economy, reliance on government assistance in the provision of basic needs is a reality for some Manitobans.

The development of responsive social programs must address the needs of children as a priority. My government has enhanced its capacity to focus on children through the establishment of the Child and Youth Secretariat.

Other innovative pilot programs aimed at providing early intervention for children and families at risk will be implemented under the Winnipeg Development Agreement. An important objective of the agreement is to open new economic opportunities for members of the aboriginal community.

My government will proceed with reforms to our social security system to reward initiative and enhance individual dignity. Resources will be targeted on those in greatest need of assistance such as seniors, disabled and single parents. Other recipients will be expected and encouraged to engage in work or in training. My government will put supports in place and will work harder to forge links with those sectors involved in training and job creation to ensure the availability of opportunities for those who are employable. These linkages will be made with departments and agencies at all levels of government, social service agencies, the business community and non-profit organizations.

My ministers advise me that they are fully engaged with other provinces in dealing with social policy reform, all the more necessary because of reductions in federal support to the provinces. My ministers are committed to developing with the other governments a national vision reflecting the needs and support of Canadians for social services and taking into account the fiscal realities facing all governments. Members of this House will be kept apprised of progress.

To respond to changing needs and concerns in the community, my government will launch a comprehensive review of The Child and Family Services Act, with public consultation an integral part of that review. All segments of our society can take a more active role in assisting Manitobans in need. For example, active partnerships with business to identify employment opportunities for those entering or re-entering the workforce will help Manitobans become more self-reliant.

During this session there will be opportunity to debate key requirements for the future of our province. With the economy and society continuing to change dramatically, Manitobans entering the workforce must have the knowledge of new technologies and the skills to be adaptable and flexible. That is why my government is implementing new youth programs so that they may gain experience in emerging fields of employment, such as information technology.

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My government will continue to implement its blueprint for change in education. Standards and testing, increased parental involvement and ongoing consultation are essential components as we reshape our education system.

Our post-secondary education system must also respond to changing circumstances and challenges. Efforts to maintain accessibility are all the more important given the recent federal reductions in post-secondary financing. Legislation creating a council for post-secondary education will be introduced. Further co-ordination and integration within our post secondary system will be encouraged in order that students may move freely between institutions to obtain the education and training they require.

Personal safety is an issue of growing national importance. Manitobans and other Canadians demand their communities and neighbourhoods remain safe. Fulfilling an earlier commitment my government has provided additional resources for the hiring of police officers in Winnipeg and in rural Manitoba. Community crime prevention initiatives are being supported and special efforts are being made in the area of youth crime.

Mon gouvernement reconnaît que notre système judiciaire doit accorder plus d'importance qu'auparavant aux besoins des victimes d'actes criminels. C'est pourquoi, au cours de la prochaine année, il continuera d'améliorer sa performance déjà remarquable en matière de prévention de la criminalité et d'aide aux victimes.

Recognizing that our justice system must give greater recognition to the needs of victims of crime, my government will build on its already impressive record of crime prevention and victim support initiatives in the upcoming year.

My ministers will fulfill commitments to introduce legislation dealing with those who prey on our youth. My government will continue to combat prostitution by adopting all responsible measures, including having those convicted of soliciting young prostitutes deemed child abusers. My government will also continue to urge the Government of Canada to implement changes with respect to young offenders and will take action to enforce parental responsibility.

Youth justice committees and other volunteer groups which provide services such as counselling, mediation, victim-offender reconciliation and alternative sentencing will be supported with special expertise.

My government will soon proclaim the toughest maintenance enforcement legislation in Canada to give the province more power and authority to obtain support owed to children and families. Federal co-operation will be sought to locate defaulters.

A task force to recommend changes to reduce wasteful and costly civil litigation will be created, and will report later in the coming year.

Since it was first elected, my government has strived to consult broadly with the people of Manitoba to provide responsive government. The all-party constitutional task forces ensured that Manitoba spoke with one voice on those vital questions. Other task forces have sought views and opinions on a diverse range of topics. My ministers are committed to continuing to consult Manitobans on how best to develop policies and programs in job creation, health, family services and law and order.

The input of Manitobans has been invaluable as government focused on those issues of most importance to the people of our province. Real change and new policies resulted. This co-operative partnership will continue to provide Manitobans with a government which listens and responds.

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As we approach the end of 1995, the year in which we celebrated our 125th anniversary as a province in Canada, as well as the contributions of our seniors, Manitobans continue to display their pride in their heritage, and look forward to the future with hope and confidence, secure in what they have accomplished, and prepared to confront the challenges of a less than certain future, nationally and internationally.

In the past year, Manitobans have also witnessed and participated in events marking the 50th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. I am sure all members of this Legislative Assembly continue to recognize that they owe their privilege of serving to the sacrifices made by others in the pursuit of peace and freedom.

Members have also participated in the United Nations 50th anniversary celebrations. That institution continues to carry forward the aspirations of all of our people for lasting world peace, in safe, healthy, secure environments.

In previous throne speeches I have had the privilege of addressing what my ministers believe is the positive and realistic vision of Manitobans for the future of our province. The pursuit of the goals of secure jobs, a sound education system, a health care system that is accessible and fair, safe neighbourhoods and a respect for all within a multicultural heritage must continue if we are to keep Manitoba as the best place to live, to work, to raise a family, to invest and to build a future with pride and confidence. My ministers believe that vision and those goals are shared by all Manitobans.

In the course of this session, my ministers will lay before this Legislature a number of specific proposals for review. Members will also be asked to consider Estimates for the requirements for the public services of the province in the next fiscal year, as well as the most recent Public Accounts.

I leave you now to the faithful performance of your many duties and trust that in meeting them you may benefit from the guidance of Divine Providence in all your deliberations.

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The civil aide advanced and, after obeisance, received the speech from the Lieutenant Governor and retired to the west side of the Chamber.

The Mace then made obeisance before the Lieutenant Governor and preceded him along the east side of the Chamber to the main entrance, accompanied by the Premier, the aides and the officer escort. All members and guests stood.

God Save the Queen and O Canada! were sung.

The Speaker proceeded to the Chair after His Honour retired from the House.

The Premier proceeded to his seat in the Chamber.

The Sergeant- at- Arms proceeded to the Speaker who was standing before the Chair. The Mace made obeisance and returned to the table.

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Madam Speaker: O Eternal and Almighty God, from Whom all power and wisdom come. We are assembled here before Thee to frame such laws as may tend to the welfare and prosperity of our province. Grant, O Merciful God, we pray Thee, that we may desire only that which is in accordance with Thy Will, that we may seek it with wisdom, know it with certainty and accomplish it perfectly, for the Glory and Honour of Thy Name and for the welfare of all our people. Amen.

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

Bill 1--An Act Respecting the Administration of Oaths of Office

Hon. Gary Filmon (Premier): Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Deputy Premier, Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism (Mr. Downey), that leave be given to introduce Bill 1, An Act Respecting the Administration of Oaths of Office; Loi sur la prestation des serments d'entrée en fonction, and that the same be now received and read a first time.

Motion agreed to.

House Business

Madam Speaker: I wish to inform the House that in order to prevent mistakes, I have obtained a copy of the address of His Honour which was read.

I am also pleased to introduce to the House the five young people who have been selected to serve as Pages at this session. They are, beginning at my right: Jennifer Adolphe, Fort Garry School Division No. 5; Mirko Daijic, Winnipeg School Division No. 1; Anna Tennenhouse, Independent Schools; Kyle Jaroweck, St. Vital School Division No. 6; and Chantal Deslauriers, St. Vital School Division No. 6.

Mr. Filmon: Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Minister of Environment (Mr. Cummings), that the Votes and Proceedings of the House be printed, having first been perused by the Speaker, and that the Speaker do appoint the printing thereof, and that no person but such as the Speaker shall appoint do presume to print the same.

Motion agreed to.

Mr. Filmon: I move, seconded by the honourable Minister of Health (Mr. McCrae), that the speech of His Honour the Lieutenant Governor be taken into consideration tomorrow.

Motion agreed to.

Mr. Filmon: Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Leader of the Opposition (Mr. Doer), that this House do now adjourn.

Madam Speaker: Before putting the motion to the House, may I inform all present that a receiving line composed of Their Honours the Lieutenant Governor and Mrs. Dumont, the Premier and Mrs. Filmon, and the Speaker and Mr. Dacquay will form shortly in Room 200 at the north end of the building, and that refreshments will be served in Room 254 at the south end of the building in approximately five minutes time.

Motion agreed to, and the House adjourned and stands adjourned until 1:30 p.m. tomorrow (Wednesday).