Renaissance Capital Manitoba Ventures Fund

Mr. Gerry McAlpine (Sturgeon Creek): Madam Speaker, I am pleased to have the opportunity to rise today and speak for a few moments about how this government continues to support businesses in Manitoba. Recently the Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism announced our government will contribute $3 million to a new venture capital fund. This money will be available to Manitoba businesses for start-up and expansion costs.

The Renaissance Capital Manitoba Ventures Fund will give assistance to small and medium businesses and will focus on helping them succeed in the knowledge-based economy. Support will be given to companies operating in information technology, communications, value-added agriculture and health care. All of these areas offer opportunities for growth, investment and job creation. This is a further indication of how this government is creating an optimum climate for economic growth and expansion. We are committed to helping businesses develop and seize new opportunities. Manitoba is a world leader in knowledge-based jobs, and we are committed to staying on this path to success. This province is a national leader in job creation and economic growth, and we will continue to show leadership in this area. This government is truly making Manitoba the best place to live, work and raise a family. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Ms. Diane McGifford (Osborne): Madam Speaker, on April 24, 1999, writers, publishers and friends of the literary arts community celebrated the 11th annual Manitoba writing and publishing awards, Brave New Words. I was in attendance and noted that a number of awards are supported by private enterprise and memorial trusts. As well, at this year's ceremony, Councillor Jenny Gerbasi announced that the City of Winnipeg would next year institute the annual Carol Shields literary award, yet the Province of Manitoba has not, to date, followed the examples of the mayor or of McNally Robinson Booksellers who offer two of the Brave New Words literary awards.

At this year's ceremony, the recipients told us that the awards were vital to their literary lives. Tomson Highway described Manitoba's growing international literary reputation. The NDP believes in nurturing our artists and fostering our provincial reputation. Today, then, it is with great pleasure that I announce that an NDP government would plan to institute three annual literary awards: one for book of the year in French and in English, one for publisher of the year, and one for the year's most outstanding periodical. Although details are not yet delineated, we would like to present our awards at the annual Brave New Words ceremony.

New Democrats honour the principles of participation and community, and to reflect our principles we would invite the Manitoba publishing and awards committee to assist us in finalizing the specifics of the awards.

Mr. Peter Dyck (Pembina): Madam Speaker, new legislation designed to revitalize Manitoba's apprenticeship system, support job opportunities for Manitobans and build a skilled workforce for economic growth was proclaimed on Saturday. By strengthening and approving Manitoba's apprenticeship system with this legislation, we are helping Manitobans connect with rewarding careers and preparing the province to meet the future demands of the businesses. Our system will be more responsive to the needs of our key stakeholders, industry sectors, apprentices, employers and tradespersons.

The new Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications Act strengthens the system by increasing the involvement of industry, stakeholders, employers and employees, and making the regulatory process more efficient. The act recognizes apprenticeship status as an equally important post-secondary educational system and sets out the legal framework for the apprenticeship partnership between industry and government. Apprenticeships provide Manitobans with nationally recognized certification in an expanding array of increasingly technical trades. Currently there are more than 3,500 apprentices enrolled in 51 designated trades in Manitoba. Well-trained tradespeople are the backbone of our economy and are crucial to Manitoba's success.

Last Friday I had the pleasure of attending a ceremony recognizing the achievements of the top 30 apprentices in Manitoba. They are in diverse fields ranging from aircraft maintenance to cabinet making to welding to commercial cooking. The level of ability and dedication exhibited by these award winners is a testament to the excellence of Manitoba's Apprenticeship Program. In fact, construction electrician Ryan Bell of Border View Electric Limited in Winkler was one of the apprentices recognized.

I am pleased our Apprenticeship Program is evolving. This broader revitalization initiative supports youth and aboriginal participation, flexible training delivery, and the development of new trades for apprenticeship and doubling the size of Manitoba's apprenticeship system. The entire Manitoba economy will benefit from the success of the Apprenticeship Program. Thank you.

Mr. Steve Ashton (Thompson): Madam Speaker, this past weekend was a very significant day for the Hoti family in Thompson as they welcomed relatives fleeing the war in Yugoslavia. They are a Kosovar–Albanian family who has been welcomed to our community with support from every cross-section of our community.

As I travelled on the plane with Mrs. Hoti, seeing the relief in her eyes to see her family reunited, I was reminded of my own experience in what was then Yugoslavia a number of years ago when I in fact met my wife, who is also from a country in the Balkans. I was reminded of the fact that in our own small community of Thompson we have so many people who continue to not be able to sleep at night because of the situation that exists currently in Yugoslavia and in the former Yugoslavia: the Bosnian-Serb refugee who is in my daughter's class in high school who still cannot sleep at night; the caretaker at her school who is Kosovar Albanian who cannot sleep at night because of the conflict; the Bosnian-Muslim family from Sarajevo who for many years suffered wondering if their family would survive the dreadful war in Bosnia; the Serb who cannot sleep at night because of worrying about the bombing that is taking place in Belgrade where he has family, including two sons.

Madam Speaker, as I saw the joy in the face of the Hoti family, and as I know I have seen the anguish in the eyes of everyone of the former Yugoslavia and the continuing anguish at the conflict that exists there, I want to speak today to urge people of good will to come together and find a peaceful, diplomatic solution. I look forward to the day when they will again be able to live side by side in peace.

Madam Speaker, I want to urge everyone to give peace a chance.

Mr. Ben Sveinson (La Verendrye): Madam Speaker, I would like to take a moment to remind Manitobans about the importance of being prepared for an emergency. Be prepared, not scared is this year's theme for National Emergency Preparedness Week, which is being observed May 3 to 9. Emergency Preparedness Week is held annually across the country to raise public awareness of the importance of planning for emergencies. The theme is a reminder to everyone that emergency preparedness starts at the individual level.

All levels of government have a role to play in the area of emergency preparedness and response. For example, the Manitoba Emergency Management Organization works closely with municipalities to ensure emergency plans are in place and kept current and that the municipal responders are trained to deal with any emergency situation. But ultimately emergency preparedness starts with the individual, and by planning ahead people will know what to do before, during and after a disaster strikes.

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Manitobans know all too well the devastating effects of flooding and forest fires. This past spring parts of the province were affected by flooding, and in recent days forest fires have forced the evacuation of hundreds of Manitobans from their homes. The summer months also bring with them the risks associated with hailstorms, tornadoes and even leisure activities such as swimming and boating.

People need to be aware of what to do during these natural emergencies and during human-caused situations to ensure their own safety. Emergency preparedness starts with individuals. Knowing the risks in their community is a first step to being prepared. Manitobans should endeavour to learn about and prepare for natural disasters, service disruptions and technological or environmental accidents that could impact the community. By identifying potential risks, planning ahead and being prepared, we can all reduce the fear and ensure that we can recover more quickly from a disaster or emergency situation. Thank you, Madam Speaker.