2nd-36th, Volume 30 - Routine Proceedings

VOL. XLVI No. 30 - 1:30 p.m., TUESDAY, MAY 7, 1996

Tuesday, May 7, 1996

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA

Tuesday, May 7, 1996

The House met at 1:30 p.m.

PRAYERS

ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS

PRESENTING PETITIONS

Home Care Services

Mr. Jim Maloway (Elmwood): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Ron Cruickshank, Sean Robinson, Glen Unwin 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. Kevin Lamoureux (Inkster): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Linda Kowalski, Brenda Black, Brenda Coates and others requesting the Premier and the Minister of Health to consider reversing their plan to privatize home care services.

READING AND RECEIVING PETITIONS

Home Care Services

Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Elmwood (Mr. Maloway), 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: 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.

Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Point Douglas (Mr. Hickes), 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: 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 Selkirk (Mr. Dewar), and it complies with the rules and practices of the House (by leave). 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.

* (1335)

PRESENTING REPORTS BY

STANDING AND SPECIAL COMMITTEES

Committee of Supply

Mr. Marcel Laurendeau (Chairperson of Committees): Madam Speaker, the Committee of Supply has considered certain resolutions, directs me to report progress and asks leave to sit again.

I move, seconded by the honourable member for Riel (Mr. Newman), that the report of the committee be received.

Motion agreed to.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS

National Forest Week

Hon. Albert Driedger (Minister of Natural Resources): Madam Speaker, I have a statement for the House.

It is my pleasure this afternoon as the Minister of Manitoba Natural Resources to declare this week as National Forest Week. As is the tradition during the first full week of May, everyone across this great country has the opportunity to celebrate this special week. National Forest Week is a time to celebrate our trees and forests. I congratulate the Manitoba Forestry Association for its efforts to remind us of the importance of our valuable resource.

Usually at this time of year I have the pleasure of presenting on behalf of the Manitoba Forestry Association a white spruce seedling to all members in this House. However, because of the winter conditions this year the seedlings will only be available in a few weeks, at which time every member will receive a white spruce.

You have likely noticed a placemat on your desk. This was produced as a joint effort between the Manitoba Forestry Association and several partners, including my department, to promote awareness of our provincial tree emblem. It is a most attractive and effective item.

The white spruce is significant to our province. Our industry depends on this tree for lumber and pulpwood and your placemats likely contain some white spruce from the Pine Falls company forest management licence area. Early inhabitants used the white spruce to make canoes. Some of our wildlife, like the crossbill you see on the right side of the placemat, can open spruce cones to get the seeds inside.

This government, with its commitment to the principles of sustainable development, has developed a new forest management plan which provides a framework into the next century. The plan is based on environmental and economic stability and provides many opportunities to change and modify the way we manage our forests. The strengthening of partnerships, including all members of the forestry sector, is a major factor in the new forest plan.

Madam Speaker, I thank everyone involved for making Manitoba National Forest Week a special time for all Manitobans.

Mr. Stan Struthers (Dauphin): Madam Speaker, I am glad to rise and speak on behalf of my colleagues on this side of the House in celebration of National Forest Week. I appreciate the comments that the Minister of Natural Resources has brought to the House today, and I thank him especially for explaining why we got a sheet of plastic in front of us instead of a real tree like we had last year.

The other thing that I would like to point out, Madam Speaker, which the minister touched on in his comments was the process by which we protect Manitoba's official tree, the processes by which we protect our environment, the processes that allow Manitobans to have a say in the utilization of our forest products. It is no small wonder given the commitment of this government to the process that it got a D-minus rating by the WWF as of last week.

I would suggest, Madam Speaker, with all respect, that what the minister might want to do is take a look at the process enacted in British Columbia over the last four years and maybe learn some lessons on protection of wildlife, not only wildlife but the trees and the forest products in that province.

It is with those few words, Madam Speaker, that I join with the minister in celebration of National Forest Week this week. Thank you.

* (1340)

Introduction of Guests

Madam Speaker: Prior to Oral Questions, I would like to draw the attention of all honourable members to the Speaker's Gallery where we have with us this today His Excellency Anthony Goodenough, High Commissioner of Britain to Canada.

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

Also seated in the public gallery this afternoon, we have twenty-five Grade 9 students from H.S. Paul School under the direction of Mr. Nick Curci. This school is located in the constituency of the honourable Speaker (Mrs. Dacquay).

We also have sixty Grade 9 students from Maples Collegiate under the direction of Mr. Howard Kowalchuk. This school is located in the constituency of the honourable member for The Maples (Mr. Kowalski).

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