Mrs. Myrna Driedger (Charleswood): Madam Speaker, it gives me great pleasure today to share information with my honourable colleagues about the significance of May 25. May has been designated as Green Ribbon of Hope month. I am very happy to see many members wearing their ribbons today, especially because today is also Missing Children's Day. The Green Ribbon Campaign and Missing Children's Day are promoted by Child Find to help raise awareness on issues related to missing children.
Green is regarded as the colour of hope and epitomizes the quest for the safe return of all missing children. Child Find Manitoba is a nonprofit organization whose mandate is to provide education programs on child personal safety to reduce the number of Manitoba children who go missing each year. Child Find also assists in the location of missing children through fingerprinting and photo identification clinics, the publication of pictures of missing children and the distribution of education material.
Because a missing child is everyone's responsibility, I would like to thank everyone here for supporting the Green Ribbon of Hope campaign. Only with increased awareness and education can we reduce the number of children who go missing each year. Thank you for your support.
Mr. Steve Ashton (Thompson): Earlier in Question Period, I raised the important issue of northern health. I want to put on the record the fact the Burntwood Health Authority has made it very clear to the Minister of Health (Mr. Praznik) that it has grave concerns about the funding formula that has been applied to northern hospitals.
I want to stress the backdrop of this because in 1993 we were faced with massive cuts to northern hospitals, whether it be in Thompson, The Pas or Flin Flon. The then Minister of Health, the member for Brandon West, came to Thompson, held a public meeting. Those cuts were put on hold until--when?--just after the provincial election, after which they were put in place. Our northern hospitals have been the hardest hit of any hospitals anywhere in the province. Is it any surprise now that this provincial government has in February of this year refused to institute a funding formula that would--guess what, Madam Speaker?--benefit northern Manitoba by recognizing the kind of patients and the patient care that we have in our northern hospitals.
I say to the Minister of Health he should heed the warnings, the grave concerns being expressed not just by members of the opposition, not just by northerners generally, but here by the Burntwood Health Authority. I want to put on the record by the way, Madam Speaker, that the Minister of Health was invited to meet with the health authority's board of directors in February. He has not done so. I also want to put on the record the same invitation I extended to the then Minister of Health, the member for Brandon West. I would like to invite the Minister of Health to come to northern Manitoba to meet with the board of directors of his own appointed Burntwood Health Authority in a public meeting and listen to the people of northern Manitoba, which the member for Brandon West did do.
I say to the Minister of Health his talk of an evolving funding formula just does not cut it, Madam Speaker. The people of northern Manitoba want a fair system. They want a system that is based on the needs of northern Manitoba, and we want exactly what the Burntwood Health Authority wants, that fair funding system now.
Mr. Peter Dyck (Pembina): Madam Speaker, yesterday was a day of accomplishment for Eden Mental Health Centre in Winkler. Their renovation project, which was a long time in planning and preparation, moved from the months of construction to completion. The staff at Eden will now be able to pursue their mission of healing and patient care in a greatly enhanced facility. The improvements will increase patient comfort and safety and enhance the physical facilities for providing a variety of vital services and programs.
Our government is a proud partner in the project through $750,000 in contributions and in advising on a number of factors connected with planning and execution. The commitment of Eden Mental Health Centre and the community was reflected in their financial contributions toward the project. I am proud to note that our government is maintaining its commitment to improve mental health facilities and treatment services for Manitobans as part of the overall plan for mental health reform.
The development and continued vitality of Eden Mental Health Centre provides a solid community base for both inpatient and community-based care in south-central Manitoba. Eden has been and continues to be a very important factor in the planning and development of regionally based programs and services which are geared to maintaining and strengthening the mental health of Manitobans as close to their home communities as possible.
Madam Speaker, on behalf of all honourable members, I would like to wish the board and staff of Eden Mental Health Centre every success as they serve the community for many years to come. Thank you.
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Mr. Gerard Jennissen (Flin Flon): Madam Speaker, bank profits for the second quarter are up over last year. The merger plans of the four major banks continue with little comment or opposition from the federal Liberals. It is predicted that as many as 120 communities across this country will lose their only bank over the next two years.
Lynn Lake has become a national symbol of what the major banks are doing. The local bank there closed in January, forcing residents to make a minimum three-hour round trip just to cash their pay cheques. The local branch had been there for many decades and was still making a profit when it was closed. The mine at Lynn Lake itself has an annual payroll of over $6 million. While banks seek ever higher profits and engage in merger mania, the one thousand residents of Lynn Lake and numerous local businesses are the innocent victims.
Recently, along with the NDP M.P.s Lorne Nystrom and Bev Desjarlais, I was pleased to meet in Lynn Lake with residents to discuss what could be done. We have proposed that the Mining Reserve Fund which comes from the North be kept in the North. It could result in Lynn Lake once again getting banking service.
Following our Lynn Lake meeting, the Rural Development minister put out a phoney press release claiming that the province is doing something about the issue. Under pressure from the media, he now accepts responsibility for what he calls a mixup. As a result, the Minister of Energy and Mines (Mr. Newman) has now agreed to seriously consider our proposal.
Moving the Mining Reserve Fund account to the North makes sense, Madam Speaker. I urge the province to act quickly on behalf of the North and save their press releases for initiatives that are genuine and positive for northerners and Manitobans. Thank you.
Mr. Denis Rocan (Gladstone): It gives me great pleasure to rise today and to wish the Royal Canadian Mounted Police a very happy 125th birthday. Yesterday, the RCMP celebrated its 125th year of service to Canadians. Winnipeg's D-Division marked the event with historical re-enactments by returning to its roots at Lower Fort Garry. The North West Mounted Police, the RCMP's predecessor in western Canada, initially used Lower Fort Garry as their first training ground in 1873.
The RCMP, one of Canada's most recognizable symbols, has undergone many changes throughout its 125 years. From a force of 300 men, the RCMP has grown to a force of 20,000 men and women across the country. As noted at the festivities yesterday, the history of the RCMP is nearly synonymous with the history of western Canada. The force was created at a very important time in our country's history, and it remains today a significant part of our heritage, not to mention our identity as a nation.
Please join me in wishing the Royal Canadian Mounted Police another 125 successful years serving Canadians. Thank you.