Mr. Edward Helwer (Gimli): Madam Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the organizers of the 1998 Labatt Brier for staging a most successful and enjoyable event at the Winnipeg Arena. This was the first time Winnipeg had hosted the event since 1970, so the games were eagerly anticipated.
Competition and hospitality are two of the key ingredients to host the Brier, and both were in ample supply in Winnipeg. Visitors from across the country were treated to traditional Manitoba hospitality at its finest as they took part in the 69th men's Canadian curling championship.
Hundreds of volunteers enthusiastically greeted the fans and the players and ensured that they received high-quality services during their time in Manitoba. Whether they were taking in the games or spending time at our fine local hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions, the Brier participants were warmly received.
The competition was stellar. Even a brief power outage could not dampen the enthusiasm of the curlers, fans and organizers who gathered for the final match between Ontario's Wayne Middaugh and Quebec's Guy Hemmings.
Some 147,000 fans took in the games at the arena, and thousands more watched on television. All can say they witnessed a series of exciting games which exhibited curling's most usual standards of high-quality play and a strong spirit of sportsmanship.
Once again, congratulations to all the curlers, organizers, sponsors and volunteers for a job well done. Their hard work and dedication bodes well for the upcoming world junior hockey champions and also the Pan Am Games. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr. Doug Martindale (Burrows): Madam Speaker, 100 years ago the Philippines declared their independence. Yesterday I was pleased, along with my wife and many others, to mark this occasion at Casa Bueno banquet hall along with more than 300 other people. It was an extremely enjoyable event and one that will be remembered by the participants for a long time.
In addition to outstanding entertainment, I think the highlight was a trivia quiz on the history and geography of the Philippines. As a result, their Canadian-born guests learned many new facts, and everyone had fun taking part in the trivia challenge. I want to congratulate the organizers of this successful event which was sold out.
There are now more than 40,000 Manitobans of Filipino descent living in Winnipeg. They have made enormous contributions to the culture and business development of this city and province. Over the course of this year, there will be many more events celebrating the centenary of the declaration of independence. I encourage anyone who can attend to participate in such events, and I look forward to attending some of those functions, as do many other members of this Legislature. Thank you.
Mrs. Shirley Render (St. Vital): Madam Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the heroic actions by Collette Daley, a teacher at Ecole Varennes. "Hero" is a word that is often used to describe the actions of an individual, but seldom does the word so appropriately fit as it did last week.
During lunch break at Ecole Varennes last week, Ms. Daley noticed a kindergarten student choking on her lunch. Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, Ms. Daley quickly leapt into action and performed the Heimlich maneuver on the student and, by doing so, dislodged the piece of food that was causing the student to choke. Her knowledge of this maneuver and her very quick use of it in all probability saved this young student's life. I am confident that to one young student at Ecole Varennes, Collette Daley is a hero in every sense of the word.
Having worked with Ecole Varennes and its teachers for several years, I know the quality of the teaching staff is among the highest, and this most recent action confirms what I have known all along. So, on behalf of all members of the Manitoba Legislature, I would like to acknowledge Collette Daley's fast thinking and fast action. In a matter of a few seconds, she turned a potential tragedy into an important lesson for all, and that lesson is that we should all have the basic lifesaving skills necessary so, if we are confronted with similar circumstances, we too can take action. Thank you, Collette Daley.
Mr. Conrad Santos (Broadway): Madam Speaker, my colleague from Burrows has already expressed greetings on the first event celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Philippines. As a member of that community, I wish to add more information about the background of our country of origin.
The Philippines had been under the Spaniards for almost 300 years. When the rule was over, we were placed under the Americans under the conqueror, Admiral Dewey, and we were under the United States for almost 50 years of benevolent political rule. Finally they gave us commonwealth status in the early 1930s, and we enjoyed some degree of local autonomy, which then matured into full independence in 1946--political independence that is, but not economic independence. Therefore we are celebrating this year the beginning of a hundred years of the existence of the country as an independent nation after suffering many of such difficulties in history.
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Many of our people in this community have resided mostly in Winnipeg, and due to sheer hard work and thrift, they have seen their children--sons and daughters--achieve their dreams in this province of opportunity. They have become doctors, lawyers, nurses, engineers, and successful in another dozen professions. Although we came here for many different objectives and purposes, economic opportunity was one of them, and we are very grateful to the people of this province. Thank you.
Mr. Peter Dyck (Pembina): In the constituency of Pembina, we are fortunate to have a strong volunteer base that serves a variety of organizations. Their ongoing assistance and the countless hours volunteered ensure local organizations are healthy and well run. In 1996, the Governor General's Caring Canadian Awards were created. It was started to recognize Canadians whose voluntary contributions provide extraordinary help or care to people in the community. This year's 53 recipients were announced last week, and I am very pleased to note that a constituent of mine from Morden, Basil Agnew, is a recipient of the Governor General's Caring Canadian Award. Out of the 53 recipients, Mr. Agnew is the only Manitoban to be recognized. Mr. Agnew has been devoting his time for over 20 years to helping others in his community and parish. He was very involved in raising funds to build the Morden Friendship Centre and in recruiting volunteers for the 1996 Manitoba Summer Games. The citation noted, and I quote, his warmth and caring are most evident in the countless, low-key, often anonymous acts of kindness he performs for community members in need, from providing transportation for senior citizens to helping friends and neighbours with gardening and home maintenance.
Like a true volunteer, Mr. Agnew was somewhat modest about his community work, but I am more than willing to sing his praises. On behalf of all residents of the Pembina constituency and all members of the Manitoba Legislature, I would like to congratulate Basil Agnew. Your formal recognition through this award only reinforces what your community has known all along: that you are a generous and caring individual whose ongoing efforts to assist others is a blessing to us all. Thank you.