Madam Speaker: I have two rulings for the House. Regrettably I do not have two rulings for the House; they are not in my drawer.

Is the honourable minister up on a nonpolitical statement? No. Are there any nonpolitical statements? No.

Mr. Gerard Jennissen (Flin Flon): Madam Speaker, may I have leave for a nonpolitical statement?

Madam Speaker: Does the honourable member for Flin Flon have leave for a nonpolitical statement? Leave? [agreed]

Mr. Jennissen: Madam Speaker, last week, along with my colleagues the members for Swan River, Dauphin, and Transcona, I was very pleased to attend the very important Hudson Bay Route Association 53rd Annual Convention in Swan River. Delegates dealt with issues of vital importance to northern Manitoba, namely the future of the Hudson Bay Line, the Port of Churchill and the urgent need to increase shipments of grain and other commodities along this line. Regrettably, over the past four years shipments through the port have been far below the promises of 1993, and, in fact, the port has lost money each year.

The new Canada Transportation Act, the sale of the CNR, the sale of the Sherridon line and the Bay Line itself from The Pas north of Churchill and the proposed sale of the Port of Churchill along with major reductions in track and passenger train maintenance all make a very challenging future for northern Manitoba.

Delegates discussed these and other major issues at the convention which was very well organized. Given Swan River's commitment to the Bay Line, it was an excellent choice as a site for the convention. Delegates were very impressed with the facilities and the friendliness of the community.

The Hudson Bay Route Association has a long and noble history. My colleagues and I look forward to continuing to work with the Hudson Bay Route Association to increase shipment along the Bay Line. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

* (1420)

Mr. Edward Helwer (Gimli): Madam Speaker, do I have leave to make a nonpolitical statement?

Madam Speaker: Does the honourable member for Gimli have leave? [agreed]

Mr. Helwer: It is my pleasure to honour the Teulon Saints girls basketball team who defeated the Niverville Panthers at the AA varsity girls basketball tournament played at Teulon and Gimli on March 21 and 22. Coach Art Koop led the team to a victory with a 48 to 34 finish.

Team members include Stacy Dyck, Jackie Willis, Karla Willis, Teresa Olson, Melissa Stone, Denise Morin, Kristin Sandison, Lisa Bodnarus, Pam Skrabek, Holly Johnson and, last but not least, one of our Manitoba legislative pages who is here in the House today, Chrissie Ambrose. The tournament's most valuable player was awarded to Saints player Jackie Willis who scored 16 points in the finals. Chrissie Ambrose added three points for the Saints throughout the game.

The Saints have had a very successful season. They defeated Gimli in their Zone 5 final to capture their first-ever zone championship. Their overall season record was 18 wins and 14 losses. A number of their games were even played against AAA basketball teams including the top two teams in this league, River East and Dakota. The Saints competed in various tournaments throughout the province, including those at St. Mary's, Neelin, Neepawa and the Teulon pre-Christmas invitational meet.

This win for the Saints girls basketball team was a high point for this team this year. The girls were especially determined to win the provincial tournament this year since they lost by only one point in the provincials last year.

The Teulon Saints girls basketball team should definitely be congratulated for their tremendous year of teamwork, dedication and hard work. So, on behalf of all the members of the Legislative Assembly, I would like to commend them on becoming the AA girls basketball champions of Manitoba. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr. Marcel Laurendeau (St. Norbert): Madam Speaker, do I have leave to make nonpolitical statement?

Madam Speaker: Does the honourable member for St. Norbert have leave to make a nonpolitical statement? [agreed]

Mr. Laurendeau: Madam Speaker, all too often we take opportunities to jump and take heed against the city employees or the provincial employees. I would like to congratulate all the city employees and the provincial employees, those within the fire, the police services, the ambulance services, hydro, who went out and did a job that was just fantastic over the past two days in an emergency situation.

We went through something that showed where the heart of Winnipeg and the heart of Manitoba really is. The volunteers came out and helped all those that were in need, and no one seemed to be stranded without having that little bit of security, including some of our ministers.

So, Madam Speaker, I would like to thank all of those who went out of their way to help others in the past two days. Thank you.