Ms. Marianne Cerilli (Radisson): Leave to make a nonpolitical statement?

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Does the honourable member for Radisson have leave to make a nonpolitical statement? [agreed]

Ms. Cerilli: Mr. Deputy Speaker, I realize that I have risen to speak a number of times lately about the situation of flooding in south Transcona, but I am pleased to rise today to say that the waters, unlike for a large part of the province, have subsided and receded in south Transcona.

(Mr. Gerry McAlpine, Acting Speaker, in the Chair)

My list of people to thank on behalf of the constituency of Radisson who live in south Transcona has grown. I want to extend thanks on behalf of the residents of south Transcona to the City of Winnipeg for dispatching many volunteers and trucks to help with sandbagging, a particular thanks to Mr. Gene Trudeau, the city employee who spent many long days sitting at the Esso station on Dugald Road to help dispatch the sandbags.

I also want to give a special thanks to the many students from schools, particularly those in the surrounding area in Transcona, Transcona Collegiate, John Gunn and Murdoch MacKay, as well as the Transcona scouts and cubs who made a tremendous effort to come out on short notice to help. I also want to give special thanks to the Transcona Legion who of their own volition organized a food truck to come out and provide food for the workers and volunteers with donations from Robin's Donuts, Tim Horton Donuts and Safeway, and also a thanks to Princess Auto and Wal-mart for donating gloves for all the workers who were sandbagging.

I want to thank Tom at Copa Cambana Pizza for their spirit in helping to feed the many volunteers with a donation of some pizza, as well as quickly making pizzas at our request two weekends ago. I also want to give a special thanks to Gerry at the Esso station on Dugald Road for allowing his parking lot and gas station to be turned into a flood protection centre. Indeed, there is still the need for many volunteers throughout the southern part of Manitoba to help with sandbagging, and I know the residents of south Transcona, now that their need has subsided, would be willing to help with sandbagging. They have sandbags that could now be transferred to other areas if people want to approach them individually.

With that, Mr. Acting Speaker, I would wish all those who are still experiencing flood waters in Manitoba all the best, and they have the support of those who have already benefited from the good spirit of volunteerism in Manitoba in south Transcona.

* (1430)

Ms. Diane McGifford (Osborne): Mr. Acting Speaker, do I have leave to make a nonpolitical statement?

The Acting Speaker (Mr. McAlpine): Does the honourable member for Osborne have leave for a nonpolitical statement? [agreed]

Ms. McGifford: I would like to thank and congratulate Winnipeg's cultural and arts facilities during this time of crisis. In the spirit of openness, they have opened their doors to the public, and they are, I think, in this way, like the rest of Manitoba, demonstrating the importance of co-operation and sharing during these times of anxiety and stress.

I want to point out that the Winnipeg Art Gallery is offering free admission for all flood evacuees, and this is particularly laudable at a time when they have to move their collection because they are worried about damage, I presume, from sewage. This is also true of the Manitoba Museum, which is offering free admission for evacuees. I know the Winnipeg Public Library is offering cards or at least use of Winnipeg Public Library books and other resources during this time. I know that on Sunday the Winnipeg Philharmonic Choir opened their performance to the public, and that was free of charge. I am sure that I have missed one or two or maybe even more arts groups who are offering this as a public service. So I thank them and apologize for having missed them. I know too that there is one swimming pool, the name I cannot remember, which is offering free admission, showing us the importance I think of keeping a sense of humour during the flood.

I am sure that all members of the House join me in thanking these groups, and we hope too that the evacuees will be able to enjoy this opportunity and use their evacuation as a time to get to know Winnipeg's cultural life. Thank you.