MEMBERS' STATEMENTS

Police and Peace Officer Memorial

Mr. David Newman (Riel): Madam Speaker, today I rise in the House to draw attention of all honourable members to a very important and a very sad ceremony which will be held tomorrow, September 27, 1996, at 10:30 a.m. in Memorial Park.

We will join with our fellow citizens across Canada for a brief flag-lowering ceremony to remember and honour the police officers and peace officers who have died in the performance of their duties. As police and peace officers, these individuals have devoted their lives to the protection of Canadians. Through their work, they have guaranteed the safety and freedom of society and have allowed Canadians the ability to benefit from and enjoy freely the merits of both family and community.

The dedication that these individuals have given to their work and supremely their loss of life is a gift to all of us. We, our children and our communities all benefit from the high standards of professionalism that the police and peace officers have provided. It is their commitment to our service that has made it possible for you and me to live and work in a secure and peaceful environment. We should all learn and greatly benefit from their fine example.

Finally, I would like to urge all members to take the time tomorrow to come out for the brief ceremony which will be held at 10:30 a.m. in Memorial Park. As the flag is lowered, I would ask all members to take a moment to remember all of those who have so proudly served to protect us, remember with pride the lives of those who have died for our safety and thank them for the service they have provided for all of us. Thank you.

Canadian Wheat Board

Mr. Stan Struthers (Dauphin): Madam Speaker, I am pleased to rise in the House today and put a few words on the record in terms of this government's sorry, greedy attitude towards the Canadian Wheat Board and in particular the lack of direction that it has been giving the farmers of Manitoba in terms of single-desk selling.

Farmers are very clear on this. They want some changes to the Canadian Wheat Board, but they want to keep the hands of the federal politicians and this government off the single-desk selling aspect of the Canadian Wheat Board.

Madam Speaker: Order, please. I am experiencing difficulty hearing the honourable member for Dauphin. I wonder if I might ask those members who are having private meetings at the back of the Chamber to please do so in the loge or outside the Chamber.

Mr. Struthers: Some may think that there is a lack of understanding on the part of the members opposite when it comes to the benefits of the Canadian Wheat Board and single-desk selling. It is my belief that this attitude of this government fits into their philosophy of providing some benefits for the very few, the big farmers who are living close to the American border, and they do not really care about the majority of farmers who live too far from the market to benefit from a switch from single-desk selling to their preferred method which is the dual-marketing system for our grains.

On this side of the House we want to make it perfectly clear that we are in favour of single-desk selling and that we fully support the Canadian Wheat Board and stand with farmers on this issue. My advice to the Conservative government across the way is to get off the fence, get out there, take a position one way or another and come clean with the farmers in the province of Manitoba. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Francotonne

Mr. Neil Gaudry (St. Boniface): Madame la présidente, j'aimerais féliciter le Conseil jeunesse provincial qui organise depuis plusieurs années un grand rassemblement pour les élèves des écoles franco-manitobaines. Cet événement a pour but de stimuler chez les jeunes une fierté d'appartenance à leur culture par l'entremise d'une variété d'activités, telles que spectacles et ateliers. Ceci étant dit, cet événement donne aussi l'occasion à notre jeunesse de vivre et découvrir une communauté franco-manitobaine rurale.

Cette année, Francotonne aura lieu le 27 septembre, demain, à Île-des-Chênes. Je profite de cette occasion afin d'inviter tous les membres de cette auguste Assemblée à se joindre à moi afin de féliciter le Conseil jeunesse provincial pour cet événement éducatif et culturel de grande valeur.

Merci, Madame la présidente.

[Translation]

Madam Speaker, I would like to congratulate the Conseil jeunesse provincial which, for several years now, has been organizing a major gathering for the pupils of Franco-Manitoban schools. This event is intended to stimulate among young people a pride in belonging to their culture by means of a variety of activities such as performances and workshops. As well, this event gives our youth the opportunity to discover and experience a rural Franco-Manitoban community.

This year, Francotonne will take place on September 27, tomorrow, at Ile-des-Chenes. I would like to take this opportunity to invite all members of this august Assembly to join with me in congratulating the Conseil jeunesse provincial for this very valuable educational and cultural event.

Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Misericordia General Hospital

Mr. Mike Radcliffe (River Heights): I am pleased today to rise and tell my colleagues in this Chamber that last Sunday, September 22, I participated--and I would advise my colleagues that I completed--a five-mile run in support of a fundraising venture that the PC members of this government are continually running, a fundraising venture for the Misericordia General Hospital Foundation.

The participants in the Misery Five-mile Run came from a broad cross-section of our Winnipeg community. They included elite runners, moms and dads from the community with their children, supporters of the Misericordia and staff and friends of the hospital. The Mis run has been held for the seventh year consecutively. It was initiated by the staff at the Misericordia, and this year the celebrated Monty Hall was the race starter.

The foundation raised over $7,000 which will go to the breast care centre at the Misericordia General Hospital. The Misericordia General Hospital Foundation is headed by Mrs. Susan Skinner, a River Heights constituent, and their fundraising goal for this year is $500,000. Congratulations, Susan. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Rail Line Abandonment

Ms. Rosann Wowchuk (Swan River): Madam Speaker, I rise today to bring to this House a very important matter which will have a negative impact on the economy of Manitoba but, most particularly, on the Parkland in the North. That is the federal government policy to, first of all, privatize CN and then pass Bill C-14 that allows for the rail lines to be abandoned at an accelerated rate. In fact, we are losing the Cowan Subline and the Winnipegosis line, and very soon I am sure we will see the Erwood Sub and other lines up for grabs.

Unfortunately, we are not getting the support that we need from our member of Parliament, Marlene Cowling. I want to share with you what she is saying on this. She says, first of all, I share your concern about what the changes will mean to our rural community, but I would like to reassure the people of Dauphin and Swan River that this issue does not mean the end of economy for the area; rather, it is a window of opportunity. If we take the time to embrace the opportunity, we can chart the course to our future by working together looking for real opportunities and networking to make the future look brighter.

Madam Speaker, this is a person who sees rail line abandonment that will destroy our communities, and rather than speaking up for the people of the area, she says this is a real opportunity and I am very disappointed that we are not having better support. The NDP has asked for Reg Alcock, the chairman of the transportation committee, to hold hearings to look at the impact of this on rural Manitoba, but to date neither the government nor any of the 12 Liberal members have the fortitude to stand up and fight for Manitoba.

Members of the community formed a committee, the northern Manitoba rail committee chaired by Maxine Plesiuk, and letters have been written to David Anderson asking for a meeting to discuss this matter. Letters have been written to the provincial government asking them for support to delay the end of these lines until a buyer is found. We have had no support, and I want to again reinforce and call on our provincial government to stand up for Manitobans and do an impact study. Fight for Manitobans and look at what the cost of the loss of these lines will be. I urge you to help us delay the loss of these lines until an alternate buyer is found and we can have a way to transport grain out of the area.

Committee Changes

Mr. George Hickes (Point Douglas): I move, seconded by the member for Broadway (Mr. Santos), that the composition of the Standing Committee on Economic Development be amended as follows: Elmwood (Mr. Maloway) for The Pas (Mr. Lathlin), for Friday, September 27 for 10 a.m.

Motion agreed to.

* (1430)

Mr. Edward Helwer (Gimli): Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the member for Morris (Mr. Pitura), that the composition of the Standing Committee on Economic Development (for Friday morning at 10 a.m.) be amended as follows: the member for Morris (Mr. Pitura) for the member for Sturgeon Creek (Mr. McAlpine); the member for La Verendrye (Mr. Sveinson) for the member for River Heights (Mr. Radcliffe); the member for Arthur-Virden (Mr. Downey) for the member for Turtle Mountain (Mr. Tweed).

Motion agreed to.