Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Point Douglas with committee changes.
Mr. George Hickes (Point Douglas): Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the member for Broadway (Mr. Santos), that the composition of the Standing Committee on Law Amendments be amended as follows: Swan River (Ms. Wowchuk) for Elmwood (Mr. Maloway); Selkirk (Mr. Dewar) for Osborne (Ms. McGifford), for Thursday, June 11, 1998, for 10 a.m.
Motion agreed to.
Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Gimli with committee changes.
Mr. Edward Helwer (Gimli): Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the member for Pembina (Mr. Dyck), that the composition of the Standing Committee on Law Amendments for Thursday, 10 a.m., June 11, 1998, be amended as follows: the member for Rossmere (Mr. Toews) for the member for Ste. Rose (Mr. Cummings); the member for Lakeside (Mr. Enns) for the member for Arthur-Virden (Mr. Downey); the member for Gimli (Mr. Helwer) for the member for Springfield (Mr. Findlay); and the member for Portage la Prairie (Mr. Faurschou) for the member for Riel (Mr. Newman).
Motion agreed to.
SEEDS Canada Foundation Award
Mr. Clif Evans (Interlake): Madam Speaker, yesterday I was pleased to be a part of what was a commemorative day for the Arborg Early/Middle Years School as the students and staff officially celebrated a milestone in their environmental endeavours by being officially designated as an Earth School by the SEEDS Canada Foundation.
The school received this prestigious status after completing and recording 1,000 environmental action projects. Arborg Early/Middle Years School is only the third school in Manitoba to receive this recognition and in fact one of only 97 across all of Canada to reach this level of success.
Under the SEEDS Canada Foundation program, students undertake projects, which are designed to enhance the environment, and receive recognition as they proceed through the program. Arborg Early/Middle Years School enrolled in the learners in action program in the fall of 1992 and since then have progressed through the green school, jade school and emerald school levels to the point where they have now achieved the highest level of achievement possible in this program.
Over 4,500 schools across Canada have registered in this program, and less than half are expected to complete 100 projects because of the huge amount of work and organization that is required. This fact illustrates what a tremendous accomplishment it is for the students and staff at Arborg Early/Middle Years School to complete 1,000 projects and to be acknowledged for this accomplishment by receiving the Earth School status.
Madam Speaker, I know that all members here in the Legislative Assembly would want to join me in offering our sincerest congratulations and say how proud we are of the Arborg Early/Middle Years School for this tremendous accomplishment.
Mr. Edward Helwer (Gimli): This past weekend I had the pleasure of attending the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame induction banquet in Brandon, an event which recognized the men and women who helped build this fine sport in our province. As the member for Gimli, I was delighted to see several Interlake residents inducted.
For example, for more than half a century, Teulon resident George Ledochowski has been a commanding presence when it comes to local baseball. In addition to his years as a player and coach, he played an integral role in the development of the high-quality Green Acres Park. Stonewall resident Gladwyn Scott's ongoing involvement in baseball has also benefited others. Whether it was playing with teams in Cardale, Foxwarren, Hamiota, Miami and Carman or coaching and managing teams at the local, national and international level, Scott's dedication to the game of baseball has been exemplary.
Baseball has always played an important role in the life of Winnipeg Beach resident and former journalist John Robertson, who became the first media inductee in the Hall of Fame. Baseball fans in Winnipeg, Regina, Montreal and Toronto long enjoyed his coverage and support of the game.
I would be remiss if I did not mention the Fort Whyte Baseball Club as well, for a number of Interlake players spent time with this team and provided a great source of entertainment to many fans over the years
Once again, congratulations to the organizers of the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame for recognizing the province's outstanding baseball players, promoters and supporters. I know they have set a fine example for others to follow as the game continues to flourish in Manitoba. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr. Doug Martindale (Burrows): I rise to pay tribute to Child and Family Services of western Manitoba who held their dinner and annual general meeting at Brandon University on Thursday, June 4, which I had the pleasure of attending. An impressive 180 people from many communities in western Manitoba were present, a testimony to the widespread community support given to their agency.
The meeting was conducted efficiently and with a sense of humour by the outgoing president, Maggie Ramsay. During the meeting, staff and volunteers were honoured for their long service and dedication. Volunteers provided an amazing 4,779 hours of service in 1997 and '98. The agency had fewer children in care year over year and are very supportive of prevention, including their Elspeth Reid Family Resource Centre and the Victoria Day Care Centre which they operate.
While there are still some outstanding issues between the agency and the provincial government, their main funder, Westman Child and Family Services, their executive director Mr. Kenneth Knight, the board, staff and volunteers are to be congratulated for doing such a fine job on behalf of children and with such widespread community support.
Brooklands Weston Legion Branch No. 2
Ms. Becky Barrett (Wellington): On Sunday, May 31, I was privileged to participate in the 70th anniversary of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Brooklands and Weston Legion Branch No. 2. Since 1928, the Ladies Auxiliary has provided support to servicemen, to victims of the 1950 flood, to the Salvation Army and the Heart Fund, to the Shrine Circus, to Poppy Day, to visiting veterans and auxiliary members in hospital. As well, they have donated a wheelchair, player piano, recreational equipment, suction cart and cash to the Deer Lodge Centre and Veterans Manor, to the Children's Hospital, the Seven Oaks Hospital.
Cash donations have been made to various charities, including the Cancer Society, the Heart Fund, the Rainbow Society, Ronald McDonald House, the CJOB shut-ins fund, the provincial council scholarship fund, the Legion sports foundation, Legion housing, the Shrine Circus Daddy Club, the joint hospital and metropolitan committees and various other in-memoriam contributions. As well, they have presented annually two scholarship awards to students at Cecil Rhodes and Brooklands Schools in the community. They have donated, as well, cash and furnishings over $60,000 to the local branch during these 70 years.
They actually have one remaining member of the charter legion in 1928, and that is Mrs. Mary Blundell, of the 13 who started the Legion Auxiliary. I know all members will join with me in recognizing the women of the Ladies Auxiliary who carry on the tradition of hard work, sheer determination and benevolent donating of funds to ensure the continued support of veterans, auxiliary members and their families, who never forget the auxiliary motto of Service not Self.