Wednesday, September 25, 1996
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA
Wednesday, September 25, 1996
The House met at 1:30 p.m.
PRAYERS
ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS
PRESENTING PETITIONS
Manitoba Telephone System
Ms. Rosann Wowchuk (Swan River): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of R. Dealon, L. Hembroff and M. Hembroff and others praying that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba request the Premier (Mr. Filmon) not to sell the Manitoba Telephone System.
READING AND RECEIVING PETITIONS
Manitoba Telephone System
Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Thompson (Mr. Ashton). 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: 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 the Manitoba Telephone System has served this province well for over 80 years providing province-wide service, some of the lowest local rates in North America and thousands of jobs; and
THAT MTS has made over $100 million since 1990 and this money has stayed in Manitoba; and
THAT MTS contributes $150 million annually to the Manitoba economy and is a major sponsor of community events throughout the province; and
THAT MTS, with nearly 4,000 employees including more than 1,000 in rural and northern Manitoba, is one of Manitoba’s largest firms, headquartered in Manitoba and is committed to Manitoba; and
THAT the provincial government has no mandate to sell MTS and said before and during the 1995 election that MTS was not for sale.
WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba request that the Premier (Mr. Filmon) not sell the Manitoba Telephone System.
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?
An Honourable Member: Dispense.
Madam Speaker: Dispense.
THAT the Manitoba Telephone System has served this province well for over 80 years providing province-wide service, some of the lowest local rates in North America and thousands of jobs; and
THAT MTS has made over $100 million since 1990 and this money has stayed in Manitoba; and
THAT MTS contributes $150 million annually to the Manitoba economy and is a major sponsor of community events throughout the province; and
THAT MTS, with nearly 4,000 employees including more than 1,000 in rural and northern Manitoba, is one of Manitoba’s largest firms, headquartered in Manitoba and is committed to Manitoba; and
THAT the provincial government has no mandate to sell MTS and said before and during the 1995 election that MTS was not for sale.
WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba request that the Premier (Mr. Filmon) not sell the Manitoba Telephone System.
Rail Line Abandonment
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?
An Honourable Member: Dispense.
Madam Speaker: Dispense.
WHEREAS rail access is vital for the shipment of grain and other farm commodities in rural communities; and
WHEREAS the proclamation of the Canada Transportation Act on July 1, 1996, gives railways the ability to abandon lines throughout Canada with minimum notice; and
WHEREAS on July 2, 1996, Canadian National announced that it plans to abandon four rail lines in Manitoba including the lines from Dauphin to Minitonas and Swan River to Birch River; and
WHEREAS the abandonment of these lines would put the future of grain elevators at Birch River, Bowsman, Ethelbert and Fork River amongst others at great risk; and
WHEREAS the federal government sold CN without any conditions other than the headquarters of CN remain in Montreal; and
WHEREAS the loss of these rail lines will have a major negative effect upon the overall provincial economy; and
WHEREAS the provincial government has not made any plans to cover the costs of upgrading roads in the areas where rail lines are threatened with abandonment; and
WHEREAS the federal government has not committed any money from the Western Grain Transportation Adjustment Fund to upgrading roads in communities where rail lines are being abandoned.
WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba may be pleased to request the Minister of Transportation and the federal Minister of Transport to ensure that the communities currently using the Cowan Sub and the Erwood Sub are able to continue shipping their grain to markets.
TABLING OF REPORTS
Hon. Leonard Derkach (Minister of Rural Development): I would like to table the Annual Report for the Manitoba Water Services Board, and I would also like to table the Annual Report for Rural Development.
Hon. Vic Toews (Minister of Labour): Madam Speaker, I would like to submit the Annual
Report of the Civil Service Commission for the year 1995-1996, as well as the 1996 Annual Report of the Organization & Staff Development of the Manitoba Civil Service Commission.
Madam Speaker: I would like to table the individual reports of members' expenses for the year ending March 31, 1996. Copies for all members will be distributed at the end of Question Period.
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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 35 visitors from the Main Street Senior Centre under the direction of Miss Irene Massinon. This group 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.