2nd-36th, Volume 15 - Routine Proceedings

VOL. XLVI No. 15 - 1:30 p.m., THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 1996

Thursday, April 11, 1996

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA

Thursday, April 11, 1996

The House met at 1:30 p.m.

PRAYERS

ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS

PRESENTING PETITIONS

Home Care Services

Ms. Marianne Cerilli (Radisson): I beg to present the petition of Wendy Lewis, Lynette Rynski, Derek Sigurdson and others requesting the Premier (Mr. Filmon) and the Minister of Health (Mr. McCrae) to consider reversing their plan to privatize home care services.

Ms. Jean Friesen (Wolseley): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Lisa Chodirker, Stephen Routledge, Christine Burne and others requesting the Premier and the Minister of Health to consider reversing their plan to privatize home care services.

Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Inkster): I beg to present the petition of Emily Tarmasz, Harry Sell, Alice Munch and others requesting the Premier and the Minister of Health to consider reversing their plan to privatize home care services.

Mr. Steve Ashton (Thompson): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Warren Hooper, Sandra Desautels, Margaret Edwards and others requesting the Premier and the Minister of Health to consider reversing their plan to privatize home care services.

Mr. Jim Maloway (Elmwood): I beg to present the petition of Gertie Becenko, Bev Forbes, Frances Rose and others requesting the Premier and the Minister of Health to consider reversing their plan to private home care services.

Retention of Hogs Single-Desk Selling

Ms. Rosann Wowchuk (Swan River): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Jake Friesen, Lloyd Stoesz, Dennis Stoesz and others requesting that the Minister of Agriculture (Mr. Enns) consider reviewing his decision and retain a system of orderly marketing of hogs in Manitoba under Manitoba Pork.

Home Care Services

Mr. Eric Robinson (Rupertsland): I beg to present the petition of Mel Wiens, Susan St. Onge, Keith Boyd and others requesting the Premier (Mr. Filmon) and the Minister of Health (Mr. McCrae) to consider reversing their plan to privatize home care services.

Retention of Hogs Single-Desk Selling

Ms. MaryAnn Mihychuk (St. James): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Ben Wipf, Walter Budz, Robert Vopni and others requesting the Minister of Agriculture (Mr. Enns) to consider reversing his decision and retain a system for orderly marketing of hogs in Manitoba under Manitoba Pork.

Home Care Services

Ms. Becky Barrett (Wellington): I beg to present the petition of Paul Sokoliuk, Agnes Derbowka, Vernon Ballan and others requesting the Premier (Mr. Filmon) and the Minister of Health (Mr. McCrae) to consider reversing their plan to privatize home care services.

Mr. Leonard Evans (Brandon East): I beg to present the petition of V.K. Wood, H.K. Chapman, Deborah Chesley and others requesting the Premier and the Minister of Health to consider reversing their plan to privatize home care services.

Mr. Gary Doer (Leader of the Opposition): I beg to present the petition of Dave Stacey, Jason Skazyk, Kerry Gudmundson and others requesting the Premier and the Minister of Health to consider reversing their plan to privatize home care services.

Mr. Gerard Jennissen (Flin Flon): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Mark Smith, Carol Simms, Lucille Langhorne and others requesting the Premier and the Minister of Health to consider reversing their plan to privatize home care services.

Mr. Doug Martindale (Burrows): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Jennifer Penner, Deb King, P. May and others requesting the Premier and the Minister of Health to consider reversing their plan to privatize home care services.

Mr. Gord Mackintosh (St. Johns): I beg to present the petition of Brian Leitch, Helen Vuckovic, Ruth Major and others requesting the Premier and the Minister of Health to consider reversing their plan to privatize home care services.

Retention of Hogs Single-Desk Selling

Mr. Clif Evans (Interlake): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Henry H. Klassen, Margaret Watt, Garry Froese 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.

* (1335)

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: 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.

Home Care Services

Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Interlake (Mr. Clif Evans). 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: The Clerk will read.

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

THAT on at least six occasions during the 1995 provincial election, the Premier promised not to cut health services; and,

THAT on December 16, 1995, a plan to privatize home care services was presented to Treasury Board; and,

THAT this plan calls for the complete divestiture of all service delivery to non-government organizations mainly private, for-profit companies as well as the implementation of a user pay system of home care; and,

THAT previous cuts to the Home Care program have resulted in services being cut and people’s health being compromised; and,

THAT thousands of caring front line service providers will lose their jobs as a result of this change; and,

THAT profit has no place in the provision of vital health services.

WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba may be pleased to request the Premier (Mr. Filmon) and the Minister of Health (Mr. McCrae) to consider reversing their plan to privatize home care services.

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?

An Honourable Member: Yes.

Madam Speaker: The Clerk will read.

Mr. Clerk: The petition of the undersigned citizens of the province of Manitoba humbly sheweth:

THAT on at least six occasions during the 1995 provincial election, the Premier promised not to cut health services; and

THAT on December 16, 1995, a plan to privatize home care services was presented to Treasury Board; and

THAT this plan calls for the complete divestiture of all service delivery to nongovernment organizations, mainly private for-profit companies as well as the implementation of a user-pay system of home care; and

THAT previous cuts to the Home Care program have resulted in services being cut and people’s health being compromised; and

THAT thousands of caring front-line service providers will lose their jobs as a result of this change; and

THAT profit has no place in the provision of vital health services.

* (1340)

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

An Honourable Member: Yes.

Madam Speaker: The Clerk will read.

Mr. Clerk: The petition of the undersigned citizens of the province of Manitoba humbly sheweth:

THAT on at least six occasions during the 1995 provincial election, the Premier promised not to cut health services; and

THAT on December 16, 1995, a plan to privatize home care services was presented to Treasury Board; and

THAT previous cuts to the Home Care program have resulted in services being cut and people’s health being compromised; and

THAT thousands of caring front-line providers will lose their jobs as a result of this change; and

THAT profit has no place in the provision of vital health services.

Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh.

Madam Speaker: Order, please. I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Elmwood (Mr. Maloway). 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. Then I would request the co-operation of all honourable members in listening attentively to the Clerk as he reads the petition. Honourable members do indeed want to hear the petition.

The Clerk, to read the petition.

Mr. Clerk: The petition of the undersigned citizens of the province of Manitoba humbly sheweth:

THAT on at least six occasions during the 1995 provincial election, the Premier promised not to cut health services; and

THAT on December 16, 1995, a plan to privatize home care services was presented to Treasury Board; and

THAT previous cuts to the Home Care program have resulted in services being cut and people’s health being compromised; and

THAT thousands of caring front-line service providers will lose their jobs as a result of this change; and

THAT profit has no place in the provision of vital health services.

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

An Honourable Member: Yes.

Madam Speaker: The Clerk will read.

Mr. Clerk: The petition of the undersigned citizens of the province of Manitoba humbly sheweth:

THAT on at least six occasions during the 1995 provincial election, the Premier promised not to cut health services; and

THAT on December 16, 1995, a plan to privatize home care services was presented to Treasury Board; and

THAT previous cuts to the Home Care program have resulted in services being cut and people’s health being compromised; and

THAT thousands of caring front-line service providers will lose their jobs as a result of this change; and

THAT profit has no place in the provision of vital health services.

* (1345)

Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Osborne (Ms. McGifford). It complies with the rules and 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: The petition of the undersigned citizens of the province of Manitoba humbly sheweth:

THAT on at least six occasions during the 1995 provincial election, the Premier promised not to cut health services; and

THAT on December 16, 1995, a plan to privatize home care services was presented to Treasury Board; and

THAT previous cuts to the Home Care program have resulted in services being cut and people’s health being compromised; and

THAT thousands of caring front-line service providers will lose their jobs as a result of this change; and

THAT profit has no place in the provision of vital health services.

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

An Honourable Member: Yes.

Madam Speaker: The Clerk will read.

Mr. Clerk: The petition of the undersigned citizens of the province of Manitoba humbly sheweth:

THAT on at least six occasions during the 1995 provincial election, the Premier promised not to cut health services; and,

THAT on December 16, 1995, a plan to privatize home care services was presented to Treasury Board; and

THAT previous cuts to the Home Care program have resulted in services being cut and people’s health being compromised; and

THAT thousands of caring front-line service providers will lose their jobs as a result of this change; and

THAT profit has no place in the provision of vital health services.

Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Wolseley (Ms. Friesen). 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: The Clerk will read.

Mr. Clerk: The petition of the undersigned citizens of the province of Manitoba humbly sheweth:

THAT on at least six occasions during the 1995 provincial election, the Premier promised not to cut health services; and

THAT on December 16, 1995, a plan to privatize home care services was presented to Treasury Board; and

THAT previous cuts to the Home Care program have resulted in services being cut and people’s health being compromised; and

THAT thousands of caring front-line service providers will lose their jobs as a result of this change; and

THAT profit has no place in the provision of vital health services.

Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for St. James (Ms. Mihychuk). 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: The Clerk will read.

Mr. Clerk: The petition of the undersigned citizens of the province of Manitoba humbly sheweth:

THAT on at least six occasions during the 1995 provincial election, the Premier promised not to cut health services; and

THAT on December 16, 1995, a plan to privatize home care services was presented to Treasury Board; and

THAT previous cuts to the Home Care program have resulted in services being cut and people’s health being compromised; and

THAT thousands of caring front-line service providers will lose their jobs as a result of this change; and

THAT profit has no place in the provision of vital health services.

* (1350)

Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for St. Johns (Mr. Mackintosh). 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: The Clerk will read.

Mr. Clerk: The petition of the undersigned citizens of the province of Manitoba humbly sheweth:

THAT on at least six occasions during the 1995 provincial election, the Premier promised not to cut health services; and

THAT on December 16, 1995, a plan to privatize home care services was presented to Treasury Board; and

THAT previous cuts to the Home Care program have resulted in services being cut and people’s health being compromised; and

THAT thousands of caring front-line service providers will lose their jobs as a result of this change; and

THAT profit has no place in the provision of vital health services.

Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Burrows (Mr. Martindale). 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: The Clerk will read.

Mr. Clerk: The petition of the undersigned citizens of the province of Manitoba humbly sheweth:

THAT on at least six occasions during the 1995 provincial election, the Premier promised not to cut health services; and

THAT on December 16, 1995, a plan to privatize home care services was presented to Treasury Board; and

THAT previous cuts to the Home Care program have resulted in services being cut and people’s health being compromised; and

THAT thousands of caring front-line service providers will lose their jobs as a result of this change; and

THAT profit has no place in the provision of vital health services.

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

An Honourable Member: Yes.

Madam Speaker: The Clerk will read.

Mr. Clerk: The petition of the undersigned citizens of the province of Manitoba humbly sheweth:

THAT on at least six occasions during the 1995 provincial election, the Premier promised not to cut health services; and

THAT on December 16, 1995, a plan to privatize home care services was presented to Treasury Board; and

THAT previous cuts to the Home Care program have resulted in services being cut and people’s health being compromised; and

THAT thousands of caring front-line service providers will lose their jobs as a result of this change; and

THAT profit has no place in the provision of vital health services.

* (1355)

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

An Honourable Member: Yes.

Madam Speaker: The Clerk will read.

Mr. Clerk: The petition of the undersigned citizens of the province of Manitoba humbly sheweth:

THAT on at least six occasions during the 1995 provincial election, the Premier promised not to cut health services; and

THAT on December 16, 1995, a plan to privatize home care services was presented to Treasury Board; and

THAT this plan calls for the complete divestiture of all service delivery to nongovernment organizations mainly private, for-profit companies as well as the implementation of a user-pay system of home care; and

THAT previous cuts to the Home Care program have resulted in services being cut and people’s health being compromised; and

THAT thousands of caring front-line service providers will lose their jobs as a result of this change; and

THAT profit has no place in the provision of vital health services.

Retention of Hogs Single-Desk Selling

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

Some Honourable Members: Yes.

Madam Speaker: 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

Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the Leader of the Opposition (Mr. Doer). 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: The Clerk will read.

Mr. Clerk: 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

Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Dauphin (Mr. Struthers). It complies with the rules and 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: 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

* (1400)

Home Care Services

Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Rupertsland (Mr. Robinson). 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: The Clerk will read.

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

THAT on at least six occasions during the 1995 provincial election, the Premier promised not to cut health services; and

THAT on December 16, 1995, a plan to privatize home care services was presented to Treasury Board; and

THAT previous cuts to the Home Care program have resulted in services being cut and people’s health being compromised; and

THAT thousands of caring front-line service providers will lose their jobs as a result of this change; and

THAT profit has no place in the provision of vital health services.

Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Wellington (Ms. Barrett). 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: The Clerk will read.

Mr. Clerk: The petition of the undersigned citizens of the province of Manitoba humbly sheweth:

THAT on at least six occasions during the 1995 provincial election, the Premier promised not to cut health services; and,

THAT on December 16, 1995, a plan to privatize home care services was presented to Treasury Board; and,

THAT previous cuts to the Home Care program have resulted in services being cut and people’s health being compromised; and,

THAT thousands of caring front-line service providers will lose their jobs as a result of this change; and,

THAT profit has no place in the provision of vital health services.

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

An Honourable Member: Yes.

Madam Speaker: The Clerk will read.

Mr. Clerk: The petition of the undersigned citizens of the province of Manitoba humbly sheweth:

THAT on at least six occasions during the 1995 provincial election, the Premier promised not to cut health services; and,

THAT on December 16, 1995, a plan to privatize home care services was presented to Treasury Board; and,

THAT previous cuts to the Home Care program have resulted in services being cut and people’s health being compromised; and,

THAT thousands of caring front-line service providers will lose their jobs as a result of this change; and,

THAT profit has no place in the provision of vital health services.

Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for The Pas (Mr. Lathlin) . 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: The Clerk will read.

Mr. Clerk: The petition of the undersigned citizens of the province of Manitoba humbly sheweth:

THAT on at least six occasions during the 1995 provincial election, the Premier promised not to cut health services; and,

THAT on December 16, 1995, a plan to privatize home care services was presented to Treasury Board; and,

THAT previous cuts to the Home Care program have resulted in services being cut and people’s health being compromised; and,

THAT thousands of caring front-line service providers will lose their jobs as a result of this change; and,

THAT profit has no place in the provision of vital health services.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS

Delegation--Northwest Province, South Africa

Hon. Gary Filmon (Premier): Madam Speaker, I have a brief ministerial statement.

Many members will remember that we were honoured almost a year ago by the visit of Premier Popo Molefe and a senior delegation from the northwest province of South Africa. Today we have a second delegation from the northwest with us here in Manitoba. They are here as a direct result of our co-operation agreement which focuses both on governance and on building economic development and trade links. Our agreement is the first of several between South African and Canadian provinces and was made possible in part through the support and assistance of CIDA, the Canadian International Development Agency, and the International Development Research Centre.

If I might direct the attention of the members to the Speaker’s Gallery, I would like to introduce Mr. Job Mokgoro, the director general and secretary to Cabinet, Mr. Jan de Waal, the director of corporate services, Department of the Premier, Ms. Henda Pretorius, acting deputy director of Department of the Premier, Mr. David Ceruti, the project manager, Strategic Change Management, Mr. Hannes Du Preez, businessman, a farmer and director of the Agribank and ABSA Bank and Mr. T. Gaelejwe, a businessman and hotel owner from the northwest province, as well as Professor Stefan Coetzee, chairperson of the Premier’s Economic Advisory Council.

I know that all honourable members of the Legislature will want to join me in extending a warm Manitoba welcome to our friends and colleagues from the northwest province.

Mr. Gary Doer (Leader of the Opposition): Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the Premier for his statement today and join with him in welcoming our visitors from the northwest province in the country of South Africa. We look forward to meeting with the delegation as we did with the previous delegation that visited our great province. We on this side have been very proud that we have worked in solidarity with the people of South Africa for a number of years with initiatives that we took over the years to support the antiapartheid movement in South Africa and we are pleased that in a small way Manitoba, through its trade policy in the ’80s, was able to help work with South Africa to ensure that the people in South Africa receive the vote as we believe democracy dictated for a number of years.

So I know there are a lot of members of this House who are very proud to welcome our visitors today and I also know there are a lot of very, very active people in our community who were very active in the antiapartheid movement over the last number of decades in support of the people of South Africa to obtain democracy. Thank you very much, Madam Speaker.

Introduction of Guests

Madam Speaker: I would also like to draw all honourable members’ attention to the public gallery where we have seated this afternoon five Grade 9 students from Sioux Valley School under the direction of Mr. Dave Thiessen. This school is located in the constituency of the honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism (Mr. Downey).

On behalf of all honourable members, I welcome you this afternoon.

TABLING OF REPORTS

Hon. James McCrae (Minister of Health): Madam Speaker, I am tabling today Departmental Expenditure Estimates Supplementary Information for Legislative Review for 1996/97.

* (1410)

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

Bill 2--The Municipal Assessment Amendment and Assessment Validation Act

Hon. Leonard Derkach (Minister of Rural Development): Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Urban Affairs (Mr. Reimer), that leave be given to introduce Bill 2, The Municipal Assessment Amendment and Assessment Validation Act (Loi modifiant la Loi sur l'évaluation municipale et validant certaines évaluations), and that the same be now received and read for the first time.

His Honour the Lieutenant Governor, having been advised of the contents of this bill, recommends it to the House, and I would like to table the Lieutenant Governor's message.

Motion agreed to.