Resignation Request--Deputy Prime Minister

Mr. Mervin Tweed (Turtle Mountain): Madam Speaker, today is a historic day, for it was on this day that the Bard, William Shakespeare, was born. Anyone living in this wonderful land of Canada recognizes the name Shakespeare and is aware of the contribution he has made to our literary heritage. He was a philologist, that is, a lover of words. I wonder will history ever produce others who, like Shakespeare, can work magic with words.

Today, Madam Speaker, I announce a contender. In addition to announcing the birthday of the Bard, I announce the birthday of those who also wax eloquently with words, the Liberal Government of Canada. I recall during and after the last federal election that members of the Liberal Party of Canada campaigned on the promise that they would abolish, and I use the word “abolish,” the goods and services tax.

In fact, Madam Speaker, on several occasions the Deputy Prime Minister of Canada, Sheila Copps, said that if the GST were not abolished she would resign. Today, on the same day that the Bard was born, the federal Liberals have succeeded not in abolishing the GST but in harmonizing it with the provincial sales tax of our three Atlantic provinces.

Abolish, according to the Winston dictionary of Canada, means to do away with, to put an end to. There is nothing of abolish in the word “harmonize.” I am sure that the Deputy Prime Minister would agree with me that Canadians have a right to hold their elected officials to promises that say if such and such does not happen, they will resign. It takes a lot of courage to make a promise like that. Let us be perfectly clear. Ms. Copps said on October 18, 1993, she would resign if the GST were not abolished. Today, the GST was harmonized with the three Atlantic provinces. It was not abolished; it was harmonized. So today, I respectfully ask the Deputy Prime Minister of Canada to keep the promise she made to Canadians and resign, effective today.

Grand Medieval Feast Dinner--Clifton School

Ms. Becky Barrett (Wellington): Madam Speaker, on Wednesday, April 17, it was my pleasure to participate in the Grand Medieval Feast Dinner put on by the parents, teachers and Grade 5 students of Clifton School. The gym was transformed into the Great Hall of Clifton in the kingdom of King Arthur. There was dancing, jousting, singing, jesters, magic, drama, fire-eating dragons slain by St. George, support from Len Udow of the Artist in the School Program and a sumptuous feast.

This wonderful evening would not have been possible had it not been for the hard work and co-operation of the parents, students, Bob Hinther, the Grade 5 teacher; Tanya Patience, the student teacher; and principal Fatima Mota, who spent many hours, in addition to their regular work, creating, rehearsing, sewing and cooking so that the Grand Medieval Feast Dinner would be a success.

Here is a perfect example of how our public education system can and should work. Let us hope that these events that bring the entire school community together continue to take place. Education is much more than book learning. We must ensure that our public school system continues to include parents, students, teachers and administrators. If we do not support every element of this delicately balanced system, we will all lose. Thank you.

Canada Post Layoffs--Rural

Mr. Edward Helwer (Gimli): Madam Speaker, on the weekend it was reported in the Winnipeg Free Press that Canada Post will lay off a yet-to-be-determined number of people at more than 100 rural post offices located in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and northwestern Ontario. Some 35 communities in rural Manitoba will see their post offices affected.

One of the communities impacted is located in my constituency in the town of Stonewall. As all members know from comments I have made in the Legislature, Stonewall is a vibrant and growing community of over 3,000 and counting, and it has been the fastest-growing community in Manitoba for the last three years. Its economic strength has been witnessed during the past couple of years, 1994 and ’95, with 257 building permits issued, resulting in approximately $11 million of investment locally, and the move by Canada Post to reduce their deficit on the backs of Manitoba’s rural communities is unjustifiable.

The result will be, according to the president of the Manitoba branch of the Canadian Postmasters and Assistants Association, a delay--

Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh.

Madam Speaker: Order, please. I am experiencing great difficulty hearing the honourable member for Gimli. I wonder if those members who are holding private meetings would do so in the loge or outside the Chamber.

Mr. Helwer: --in service to rural communities as great as three days, much to the surprise of the federal government. Rural Manitobans do receive important mail. Many businesses, schools and individuals rely on Canada Post to deliver in a rapid manner, and a delay of three days can have an immense impact upon a person waiting for that important letter, notice or package. A great deal can be lost during the course of three days.

As well, it was further reported in the article that the rural reduction of post office hours and staff could merely result in an increase in the city of Winnipeg workload, therefore offering no savings to Canada Post and further frustrating its customers.

While our government, through recent budget initiatives and the rural task force, continues partnering with rural Manitoba to develop communities in which people want to live, work, and raise a family, the federal government appears to be deserting the rural communities throughout Canada.

I am especially disappointed with the federal Member of Parliament for Portage-Interlake, who has allowed this to occur without any visible attempt to intervene on his constituents’ behalf. Representation such as this fails to serve those who have elected their Member of Parliament.

Today, I have written to the minister responsible for Canada Post in order to express my views on their ill-thought decision. I have further requested that their department fully review their reduction and necessity. Thank you.

Manitoba Telephone System--Campaign

Mr. Steve Ashton (Thompson): Across this province, thousands of Manitobans have joined the campaign to save MTS, to save our low-cost, efficient, publicly owned phone system. Now we are seeing that they had the support of rural and northern councils, including the Manitoba Association of Urban Municipalities which passed a resolution on this issue last week.

Madam Speaker, I would like to read into the record some of the councils that have spoken out in favour of saving our publicly owned telephone system. They include: Oak River, Minitonas, Pine Dock, Hamiota, Brandon, Dauphin, East St. Paul, Gladstone, Springfield, Grandview, Grey, Woodlands, McCreary, Mountain, St-Lazare, Rapid City, Pelican Rapids, Coldwell, Snow Lake, Saskatchewan, Cross Lake First Nation, Nelson House First Nation, Fisher Bay, Leaf Rapids, National Mills, R.M. of Russell, Grand Rapids, Glenboro, Grahamdale, Rosedale, Selkirk, Morris, Carberry, Rivers, St-Pierre-Jolys, St. Francois Xavier, Cormorant, Piney, Brokenhead, Ellice, Fox Lake First Nation, Fisher River First Nation, Fulton, Killarney, North Cypress, and Archie.

Madam Speaker, the people of Manitoba are speaking out. They want this government to save MTS. I, today, speak out on behalf of many Manitobans, including the 47 councils that have passed resolutions and the Manitoba Association of Urban Municipalities. The message to the government is, do not sell off our phone company; keep MTS publicly owned. Thank you.

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Maples Collegiate Conference

Mr. Gary Kowalski (The Maples): I am pleased to have the opportunity to thank the students and staff of Maples Collegiate for allowing me to participate in their harmony through diversity conference. This event was held on April 17, 1996. It was a student-initiated project that set aside an entire day on an issue that the students had identified as being very important to their school and community. The exchange of ideas that took place was just another example of the extremely positive influence that young people from all backgrounds and histories can have on their community when given the chance.

There was a host of people from all ethnic communities that were together, including teachers, students, staff, community members, to make the conference a success. A special mention about the efforts of Jennifer Harvey, the student organizer, and Chuck Duboff, the teaching staff event organizer, should be made to recognize the time and effort they put into the event.

It was, by all accounts, an outstanding success. In discussion with students, they conveyed a feeling of satisfaction that they were able to bring together so many people to support and work towards the goal of racial and ethnic harmony. Their only disappointment was in their inability to get the message to a larger audience.

The lack of media coverage, especially from television, was a disappointment. Students were disappointed that their school would be swarmed with reporters if there was a gang problem or any event that could put young people in a negative light. The media must balance their coverage of our communities. We cannot accept the constant portrayal of young people in a negative light. Young people add to the quality of life in our community. They are a source of vision and hope.

Jennifer and the Maples Collegiate Unity Group are representatives of this thoughtful and energetic community. These young people should be recognized for the benefits that they bring to our community.