Mr. Peter Dyck (Pembina): Madam Speaker, do I have leave to make a nonpolitical statement?

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

Mr. Dyck: Last evening I had the pleasure to be part of the Co-operative Education Employer Appreciation Banquet held in the community of Winkler. While there, I was able to pay tribute to this innovative program and its participants. I recently read the mission statement for Garden Valley Collegiate which described the school as, and I quote, an educational community which allows intellectual challenge, lifelong learning and self-discipline within a respectful, supportive environment.

This job training program, which matches students with employers in their field of interest, has met with rousing success. It clearly has met all the conditions set out by the school's mission statement. Since 1990, approximately 35 students a year have participated, finding temporary work in areas such as secretarial, law enforcement, Canada Customs and working in veterinary offices.

Students have the opportunity to test drive a potential career while earning--

Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh.

Madam Speaker: Order, please. I am experiencing great difficulty hearing the honourable member for Pembina.

Mr. Dyck: Students have the opportunity to test drive a potential career while earning necessary high school credits. Employers have the opportunity to be active community members and have access to an enthusiastic and talented work pool.

This is a win-win situation, and everyone at the banquet deserves applause for their efforts in making this program an ongoing success. By changing the educational setting for our students, by adapting to meet their needs and concerns, we all benefit.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of all members, I congratulate the students on an excellent job; as well, a special thank you to the staff, including Mr. Giesbrecht and Mr. Vanstone, and thank you to the parents and businesses involved, who without their active involvement the program would not have achieved so much. Thank you very much.

Madam Speaker: Does the honourable member for Turtle Mountain have leave for a nonpolitical statement? [agreed]

Mr. Tweed: Madam Speaker, I rise today with the honour of recognizing the many seniors in the Westman area of Manitoba as they take the time to enjoy some of Manitoba's fine sunshine during the Westman Seniors Day picnic celebration.

Last year I had the privilege of hosting both the Westman Seniors Day, as well as the MSOS 55 Plus Summer Games, and I can assure you that these events do not happen on their own. Therefore, I speak from first-hand experience when I say thank you to the volunteers in Minnedosa for hosting this year's event. The popularity of these events has continued to increase since the Minister responsible for Seniors (Mr. Reimer) first decided to hold these events outside the Legislature. As a result of this decision, seniors events are now held in various regions throughout the province.

Seniors Day in Westman is always a special treat because the organizing committees are so enthusiastic and energetic. Each year, the host community plans an interesting and fun-filled day, and the Minnedosa organizing committee has certainly followed this tradition. Therefore, on behalf of the many seniors in Turtle Mountain and all of southwestern Manitoba, I would like to say thank you to everyone involved for their contribution toward the success of today's event in Minnedosa.

* (1430)

Mr. Ben Sveinson (La Verendrye): Madam Speaker, may I have leave to make a nonpolitical statement?

Madam Speaker: Does the honourable member for La Verendrye have leave to make a nonpolitical statement? [agreed]

Mr. Sveinson: Madam Speaker, I rise today that I may thank on behalf of all members a true corporate citizen. Every year, Tim Horton's holds a camp day fundraiser. These funds are traditionally donated to the Tim Horton's Children's Foundation which sends monetarily underprivileged children to camp.

This year, however, the proceeds are being shared equally by the Children's Foundation and the Manitoba Flood Relief. The result of the hard work by all Tim Horton's staff across Canada was the raising of $1.7 million. Yesterday, Mr. Ron Joyce, co-founder of the Tim Horton's chain, presented Blair Graham, chair of the Manitoba Flood Appeal Advisory Committee a cheque in the amount of $850,000. This tremendous donation by Tim Horton's on behalf of their store owners and customers will make a significant impact on the current phase of the flood relief efforts. I was proud to represent our government at this cheque presentation, and I want to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt thanks to Tim Horton's for their generosity. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr. George Hickes (Point Douglas): I move, seconded by the member for Burrows (Mr. Martindale), that the composition of the Standing Committee on Law Amendments be amended as follows: Burrows (Mr. Martindale) for Thompson (Mr. Ashton); Kildonan (Mr. Chomiak) for Flin Flon (Mr. Jennissen); Osborne (Ms. McGifford) for Broadway (Mr. Santos); St James (Ms. Mihychuk) for Elmwood (Mr. Maloway), for Thursday, June 12, 1997, for 7 p.m.

Motion agreed to.

Mr. Edward Helwer (Gimli): Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the member for Turtle Mountain (Mr. Tweed), that the composition of the Standing Committee on Law Amendments for Thursday, June 12, at 7 p.m. be amended as follows: the member for Sturgeon Creek (Mr. McAlpine) for the member for Pembina (Mr. Dyck); the member for Lac du Bonnet (Mr. Praznik) for the member for Brandon West (Mr. McCrae); the member for Emerson (Mr. Penner) for the member for Turtle Mountain (Mr. Tweed); the member for St. Norbert (Mr. Laurendeau) for the member for River Heights (Mr. Radcliffe).

I move, seconded by the member for Turtle Mountain (Mr. Tweed), that the composition of the Standing Committee on Law Amendments for Friday, June 13, at 10 a.m. be amended as follows: the member for Niakwa (Mr. Reimer) for the member for Gimli (Mr. Helwer).

I move, seconded by the member for Turtle Mountain (Mr. Tweed), that the composition of the Standing Committee on Economic Development for Friday, June 13, 1997, at 10 a.m. be amended as follows: the member for Rossmere (Mr. Toews) for the member for Gimli (Mr. Helwer); the member for Morris (Mr. Pitura) for the member for St. Vital (Mrs. Render); the member for Arthur-Virden (Mr. Downey) for the member for Gladstone (Mr. Rocan); the member for River Heights (Mr. Radcliffe) for the member for Kirkfield Park (Mr. Stefanson); and the member for Springfield (Mr. Findlay) for the member for Turtle Mountain (Mr. Tweed).

Motions agreed to.