VOL. XLVI No. 12 - 1:30 p.m., THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 1996
Thursday, April 4, 1996
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA
Thursday, April 4, 1996
The House met at 1:30 p.m.
PRAYERS
ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS
PRESENTING PETITIONS
Licensed Practical Nurses
Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Inkster): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Theresa Dumas, Adrienne Ballantyne, Don Preston and others praying that the Minister of Health (Mr. McCrae) recognize the value of LPNs and to consider reversing the decision to cut LPNs in Manitoba.
Retention of Hogs Single-Desk Selling
Mr. Clif Evans (Interlake): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Jeannette Giasson, Ben Barkman, Denver Plett and others requesting that the Minister of Agriculture (Mr. Enns) consider reversing his decision and retain a system for orderly marketing of hogs in Manitoba under Manitoba Pork.
Mr. Stan Struthers (Dauphin): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Edwin Sigurdson, Dorothy Minish, Joan Price and others requesting that the Minister of Agriculture consider reversing his decision to retain a system for orderly marketing of hogs in Manitoba under Manitoba Pork.
Manitoba Telephone System
Ms. Rosann Wowchuk (Swan River): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Kevin Makasoff, Stan Lychuk, Mary Lychuk and others requesting that the Premier (Mr. Filmon) not sell off Manitoba Telephone System.
READING AND RECEIVING PETITIONS
Retention of Hogs Single-Desk Selling
Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Swan River (Ms. Wowchuk). It complies with the rules and practices of the House. Is it the will of the House to have the petition read?
Some Honourable Members: Yes.
Madam Speaker: Yes. The Clerk will read.
Mr. Clerk (William Remnant): The petition of the undersigned citizens of the province of Manitoba humbly sheweth that:
WHEREAS the provincial government announced its intention to move to an open marketing system for hogs in Manitoba without consulting producers as it promised during the last election; and
WHEREAS a majority of hog producers support single-desk selling under Manitoba Pork, the marketing board; and
WHEREAS the hog industry in Manitoba has doubled under an orderly marketing system; and
WHEREAS processors, who will contribute to Manitoba’s value-added industry have publicly expressed their preference for orderly marketing because it is easier to deal with one agent rather than 2,300 producers.
WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba request that the Minister of Agriculture consider reversing his decision and retain a system for orderly marketing of hogs in Manitoba under Manitoba Pork.
Licensed Practical Nurses
Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Inkster (Mr. Lamoureux). It complies with the rules and practices of the House. Is it the will of the House to have the petition read?
Some Honourable Members: Dispense.
Madam Speaker: Dispense.
THAT many LPNs have been eliminated from most acute care facilities in Manitoba, including St. Boniface, Seven Oaks, and most recently HSC; and,
THAT the LPNs of this province are valuable members of the health care system, providing professional, competent, skilled and cost-effective services; and
THAT staffing cuts will only result in declining quality of health care and potentially tragic outcomes; and
THAT it will not be long before the negative results of this shortcut effort are realized, including higher costs and poorer services.
WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba urge the Minister of Health to recognize the value of LPNs and to consider reversing the decision to cut LPNs in Manitoba.
MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS
AND TABLING OF REPORTS
Potential Serious Flood Situation
Hon. Albert Driedger (Minister of Natural Resources): Madam Speaker, I have a statement for the House and I have copies.
Madam Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to make a statement to all Manitobans this afternoon regarding the potentially serious flooding this spring. Recent additional heavy snow has raised the potential for serious flooding, especially south of the Trans-Canada Highway. As well, the potential for significant flooding has developed in the southern Interlake.
Earlier this afternoon, I released the updated flood outlook. As all members know, spring weather conditions hold the key to the severity of this spring’s flood. Recent snowstorms have brought a total of 20 to 35 centimetres of snow to many areas of southern Manitoba and the adjacent states. The information we have received indicates that the runoff will begin somewhat later than usual which favours a rapid melt and untimely spring rainfall. This combination could result in major flooding in southern regions of the province.
Based on the long-range weather forecast, runoff is unlikely to begin before mid-April. Peak flows on the Red River are therefore unlikely to occur before mid-April or early May. There is still a chance that the melt will be gradual with below-average precipitation. If this weather scenario unfolds, flooding would not be as serious.
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The most serious flood threat is in the Red River watershed where both snow cover and soil moisture are much above the average from Grand Forks to Selkirk. Flooding along the Red River is likely to exceed 1974 levels and could reach 1979 levels with a rapid melt and untimely spring rains. Western tributaries of the Red River from the La Salle northward to the Grassmere Drain could experience record high levels with an adverse weather scenario.
The flood potential continues to be high on the Pembina River, the Souris River and the lower Assiniboine River. However, the flood potential is only moderate on the Assiniboine River upstream of Brandon. The flood potential is low in regions of western Manitoba from Riding Mountain north to The Pas. In the Interlake, flooding is likely along the Icelandic River and the Fisher River with normal spring weather. A rapid melt and untimely spring rain of 35 millimetres or so could produce serious flooding similar to that of 1974 and 1979 on these streams, particularly if ice jams occur.
The government is taking all the necessary measures to prepare for the possibility of a major flood. As my colleague the Minister of Government Services (Mr. Pallister) has indicated, preparation is the best defence against flooding. We want to ensure that Manitobans have the information and the resources needed if serious flooding occurs. We will continue to monitor the flood potential very closely, gather all the information available and keep all Manitobans well informed. Major flood control works such as the Red River Floodway, Portage Diversion and Shellmouth Dam will be operated in such a way to prevent or reduce flooding along the Assiniboine River and in the city of Winnipeg.
The government has established three flood liaison offices in the province to handle public inquiries. The offices will provide information to local residents and municipalities and will be available to answer specific questions from residents about flood conditions and how forecasted water levels may affect their properties. Liaison offices have been established in Melita, Niverville and Russell. They will be of great help to local municipalities and communities.
The district communication will be important in keeping everyone informed and up to date. At Melita, the phone number is 522-3256. At Niverville, the number is 388-6480 and at Russell, the phone number is 773-3830.
We have met with many municipal representatives to discuss the flood potential and ensure that emergency plans and resources will be available to assist Manitobans. I am requesting that residents continue to call their municipal offices for assistance in flood fighting such as sandbagging and diking. Natural Resources engineers will be available to advise municipalities on the flood situation as it develops. An interagency group of 30 representatives from affected agencies, as well as the deputy ministers from involved departments are continuing to meet on a regular basis to plan for any possible flooding in the province.
Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization and Natural Resources are continuing to prepare information for distribution to municipalities. Madam Speaker, I believe that by working together with all Manitobans we are prepared to meet the challenges if the flooding situation develops.
Madam Speaker, I would also like to thank you and would like to present to all members a copy of the latest Red River Floodway brochure which has detailed information regarding the floodway and its benefits of flood protection. I believe this is a very informative piece and would encourage all members to review it. Thank you.
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Mr. Stan Struthers (Dauphin): Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the Natural Resources minister for informing the House of the plans that his government has so far in place to deal with what could be a drastic flood situation this spring. I want to point out though that it is not all dependent on Mother Nature and that we would expect the government to be prepared for whatever Mother Nature has to throw at us, unlike last year where I believe the government was caught somewhat flat-footed, especially in the area of the Shellmouth Dam which presented many problems that this government failed to address.
I also want to make sure that the minister is aware that there needs to be some type of liaison in the Interlake area, particularly with the Fairford Dam, which I did not see mentioned in the address that he has just given to the House. I am also concerned with the flooding situation in the north Parkland area and not much mention in the statement about that. I think we need to keep in mind as well the situation that could develop within the city of Winnipeg. I would just like to thank the minister for bringing this to our attention, and we look forward to co-operating with him in minimizing the damage of the flood. Thank you.
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Hon. Rosemary Vodrey (Minister of Justice and Attorney General): Madam Speaker, I would like to table the 1994 Annual Report of the Manitoba Human Rights Commission and the Twenty-third Annual Report of Legal Aid Manitoba, March 31, 1995. I am pleased to table pursuant to The Regulations Act, a copy of each regulation registered with the Registrar of Regulations since regulations were tabled in this House in June of 1995.
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 with us this afternoon three schools.
There are 40 students from St. Maurice School under the direction of Mr. Shaun McCaffrey. This school is located in the constituency of the honourable Minister of Justice and Attorney-General (Mrs. Vodrey).
Also, we have twenty Grade 11 students from Churchill High School under the direction of Mr. Lenzmann. This school is located in the constituency of the honourable member for Osborne (Ms. McGifford).
We have thirty Grade 5 students from Victoria-Albert School under the direction of Ms. Karen Boyd. This school is located in the constituency of the honourable member for Point Douglas (Mr. Hickes).
On behalf of all honourable members, I welcome you this afternoon.