2nd-36th, Volume 16 - Routine Proceedings

VOL. XLVI No. 16 - 10 a.m., FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 1996

Friday, April 12, 1996

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA

Friday, April 12, 1996

The House met at 10 a.m.

PRAYERS

ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS

PRESENTING PETITIONS

Licensed Practical Nurses

Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Inkster): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Judy Parnell, Tracy Thomson, Doug Rowsell and others urging the Minister of Health (Mr. McCrae) to recognize the value of LPNs and to consider reversing the decision to cut LPNs in Manitoba.

Retention of Hogs Single-Desk Selling

Ms. MaryAnn Mihychuk (St. James): Madam Speaker, I beg to present to petition of Nelson Boychuk, Mark Brandt and W. Myska 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

Mr. Jim Maloway (Elmwood): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Walter Johnston, Janice Lamirande, Bluma Levine and others requesting the Premier (Mr. Filmon) and the Minister of Health (Mr. McCrae) to consider reversing their plan to privatize home care services.

Manitoba Telephone System

Ms. Rosann Wowchuk (Swan River): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Herb Christian, Shirl Christian, Olive Sweetser and others requesting the Premier (Mr. Filmon) not to sell the Manitoba Telephone System.

Home Care Services

Mr. Gerard Jennissen (Flin Flon): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Gayle Eadie, T. Venema, F. West and others requesting the Premier (Mr. Filmon) and the Minister of Health (Mr. McCrae) to consider reversing their plan to privatize home care services.

Licensed Practical Nurses

Ms. Diane McGifford (Osborne): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Lisa Scott, Wendy Scott, Greg Anderson and others urging the Minister of Health (Mr. McCrae) to recognize the value of LPNs and to consider reversing the decision to cut LPNs in Manitoba.

Mr. Dave Chomiak (Kildonan): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Bev Arron, Joan Thomas, Winnie Wellnitz and others urging the Minister of Health (Mr. McCrae) to recognize the value of LPNs and to consider reversing the decision to cut LPNs in Manitoba.

READING AND RECEIVING PETITIONS

Home Care Services

Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Radisson (Ms. Cerilli), and 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 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.

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.

* (1005)

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 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 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: Dispense.

Madam Speaker: Dispense.

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.

Retention of Hogs Single-Desk Selling

Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Swan River (Ms. Wowchuk), and 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.

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.

* (1010)

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?

An Honourable Member: Dispense.

Madam Speaker: Dispense.

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.

Retention of Hogs Single-Desk Selling

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: Dispense.

Madam Speaker: Dispense.

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

Home Care 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?

An Honourable Member: Dispense.

Madam Speaker: Dispense.

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.

* (1015)

Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable Leader of the official 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: Dispense.

Madam Speaker: Dispense.

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 Flin Flon (Mr. Jennissen). 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: Dispense.

Madam Speaker: Dispense.

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: Dispense.

Madam Speaker: Dispense.

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. 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?

An Honourable Member: Dispense.

Madam Speaker: Dispense.

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.

* (1020)

Retention of Hogs Single-Desk Selling

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?

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

MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS

Potential Flood--Preparations

Hon. Brian Pallister (Minister of Government Services): I have a statement for the House, Madam Speaker.

Mr. Pallister: Madam Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to advise members of the House on activities and preparations taken in response to the potential flood situation in Manitoba this spring. This information is timely as in the past 24 hours we have seen local flooding along the Deadhorse Creek in the Morden-Winkler area and a number of temporary road closures due to drainage overflow.

Although the effects of this localized flooding have been limited, it reminds us all of the values of being prepared. The Inter-Agency Emergency Preparedness Committee chaired by the co-ordinator of Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization has been meeting regularly since early March to review flood forecast reports, flood preparedness plans and activities of departments and agencies, agricultural concerns regarding the protection of grains, livestock, poultry and other agricultural products, special permits to allow the transportation of flood protection materials and agricultural products over roads on which weight restrictions apply and protection of communities in the Red, Morris, Assiniboine and Souris River flood plains, as well as disaster financial assistance policy.

Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization has taken preliminary action necessary to open the Manitoba Emergency Co-ordination Centre. MEMO has briefed federal authorities on flood potential, contacted all lead agencies to ensure that flood prep is in place, maintained contact with local authorities keeping them apprised of flood potential and assessing flood response capabilities and initiated distribution of flood forecasts and reports to potentially affected communities, as well as developed and distributed information packages for communities.

Town hall meetings were held in Morris and Russell to brief elected officials, emergency co-ordinators and secretary-treasurers on the flood potential in their areas. Various government departments and agencies were present to respond to concerns and the questions of local authorities.

Some of the work of our government departments includes establishing flood inquiry lines at Niverville, Russell, Melita and Grosse Isle, initiating regular flood forecasts, updates and news releases, conducting technical presentations on floodway operation, diking, et cetera. As well, our officials have participated in the City of Winnipeg town hall meeting in St. Norbert.

Family Services, Emergency Social Services has made arrangements to utilize dormitory facilities at the U of M to house evacuees and to host an emergency social services meeting in Morris to begin plans for possible evacuation of communities in the Red River Valley.

Manitoba Housing is undertaking an inventory of available housing units and preparing these units to house possible evacuees.

Manitoba Health is preparing to open their emergency operation centre, and the life flight is alerted and prepared to handle emergency health cases in flooded areas.

Agriculture is providing advice to farmers regarding grain and livestock movement from flood-prone areas, and all departments have alerted staff of the situation and to be prepared for flood response as may be required.

Madam Speaker, I wish to advise members that a listing of key flood telephone numbers will be provided to caucus rooms for the information of members. I am confident that our government’s co-ordinated and co-operative approach and partnership with Manitobans at the local level will allow us to successfully rise to the challenges that nature has placed before us this spring.

* (1025)

Mr. Stan Struthers (Dauphin): I want to thank the Minister of Government Services for making the effort to keep the House informed of the flood conditions. I want to commend him for taking some steps to have some public input on this. I note the meetings in a variety of communities across the province. I would encourage the government to continue with collecting public input in the areas that are prone to flooding, and I would also suggest that the door remain open to communities which have yet to maybe be hit with some floods. As we know, Mother Nature can throw a curve ball every now and then, and one area that is not prone to flooding right now or is not on the list could very quickly be added to it.

I am pleased to see some type of co-ordination between the departments, interdepartmental co-ordination with Agriculture and such. My basic advice is that we have to get the water flowing early. Last year we got caught flat-footed by not having dams open early enough to draw down some water, and we ended up paying for it through the nose later on. In specific, I want to point out that the Red River Floodway for city residents needs to be utilized early, and it needs to be utilized to its potential to actually do its job and have residents of Winnipeg safe from the flooding that could actually occur.

Along those lines as well, last year we got caught flat-footed at the Shellmouth Dam. I think what we need to do is make sure that dam is opened early enough to draw down the water so it does not cause problems throughout the whole system. We also need a plan for Lake Winnipeg because if we do not get that water down to a decent level, we are going to cause problems in the North with the rivers flowing out of the north of Lake Winnipeg. We do not want to end up with a whole lot of problems with too much water in Lake Winnipeg and then have to draw it down at a later date. The same applies for Lake Manitoba where, again, we think there could be some very drastic flooding in through the Fairford area because of the high levels on Lake Manitoba, and I think that what we need there is a plan. I want to say that our member for the Interlake (Mr. Clif Evans) is actually going to go and check this out for himself and assess the possibilities of flood there.

So, with those comments, I would encourage the Minister for Government Services (Mr. Pallister) to continue keeping us informed in the House, and I thank him very much for his information.

TABLING OF REPORTS

Hon. Eric Stefanson (Minister charged with the administration of The Manitoba Lotteries Corporation Act): Madam Speaker, I am pleased to table two reports of the Manitoba Lotteries Corporation, one for the second quarter for the period April to September 1995, and one for the third quarter for the period April to December 1995.