Monday, June 29, 1998
The House met at 1:30 p.m.
Hon. James McCrae (Government House Leader): If I may, Madam Speaker, as a matter perhaps of House business, I am seeking leave of the House to let the House know of my intention after Routine Proceedings to introduce a motion amending last week's resolution with respect to the commission of inquiry into alleged Elections Act infractions.
Madam Speaker: Leave?
Some Honourable Members: Leave.
Madam Speaker: Leave has been granted.
Mr. Gary Doer (Leader of the Opposition): Perhaps, Madam Speaker, the government House leader--I am not sure whether he has apprised us of the specific amendments he is going to make.
An Honourable Member: There is a note on your desk.
Mr. Doer: Okay.
Madam Speaker: Leave has been granted.
An Honourable Member: There is no leave granted at this time, Madam Speaker.
Madam Speaker: Leave has been denied.
Mr. Doug Martindale (Burrows): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of K. Richards, J. Rybak, J. Sohor and others, praying that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba urge the Premier (Mr. Filmon) to consider permitting communities to hold plebiscites on VLTs, reducing gambling advertising and increasing funding for treatment of problem gamblers.
Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Burrows (Mr. Martindale). It complies with the rules and practices of the House. Is it the will of the House to have the petition read?
An Honourable Member: Dispense.
Madam Speaker: Dispense.
THAT in 10 years the current government has increased gambling revenues from $55 million to more than $220 million annually; and
THAT the introduction and the proliferation of video lottery terminals in virtually every licensed premises across the province has resulted in Manitoba having nearly 5,000 VLTs, the most per capita in the country; and
THAT gambling is now the Manitoba government's third largest revenue source behind only income tax and sales tax; and
THAT the provincial government doubled lottery advertising in 1996; and
THAT the Manitoba government has become more dependent upon gambling revenues than any other province; and
THAT the number of the tragedies involving people who have lost their savings homes and in some cases their lives following gambling addiction continues to grows; and
THAT the provincial government spends less than 1 percent of its VLT profits on gambling treatment programs; and
THAT the Manitoba Lottery Policy Review Working Group, amongst many others have requested that communities be allowed to hold plebiscites on banning VLTs as is allowed in Alberta and Saskatchewan.
WHEREFORE YOUR PETITIONERS HUMBLY PRAY THAT the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba urge the Premier (Mr. Filmon) to consider permitting communities to hold plebiscites on VLTs; reducing gambling advertising and increasing funding for treatment of problem gamblers.
Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Flin Flon (Mr. Jennissen). It complies with the rules and practices of the House. Is it the will of the House to have the petition read?
An Honourable Member: Dispense.
Madam Speaker: Dispense.
WHEREAS mining is an annual billion-dollar industry in Manitoba concentrated almost entirely in northern Manitoba; and
WHEREAS the Manitoba mining industry directly employs more than 4,300 people pumping more than $240 million in wages alone into the provincial economy; and
WHEREAS part of the mining taxes on operating mines goes into the Mining Reserve Fund; and
WHEREAS the Mining Reserve Fund was set up for the welfare and employment of persons residing in a mining community which may be adversely affected by the total or partial suspension, or the closing down, of mining operations attributable to the depletion of ore deposits; and
WHEREAS the Mining Reserve Fund had more than $15 million on account as of April 1998, despite withdrawals by the provincial government of more than $6 million which was put into general revenue; and
WHEREAS many mining communities having contributed millions of dollars to the provincial economy for many years are now nearing the end of their known ore resources and as such this fund is extremely important to the future of these communities in northern Manitoba; and
WHEREAS in order for a new banking service to establish a branch at Lynn Lake it has been suggested that they would need a minimum of $12 million on account.
WHEREFORE YOUR PETITIONERS HUMBLY PRAY that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba may be pleased to request the Minister of Energy and Mines to consider transferring the account of the Mining Reserve Fund to a banking service in Lynn Lake should such a facility meet provincial standards.