MEMBERS' STATEMENTS

Mr. Jack Penner (Emerson): Madam Speaker, I rise today on a point of concern. When I read on May 10 an issue on the front page of the Winnipeg Free Press, the headline said: Health issues hound

canola–Vegetable-oil concerns pose risks for $2.5-billion industry. It really caused me a great deal of concern when I read the article, first of all, and I questioned the data that was used to determine the quality that was raised by the Japanese in demonstrating that there had been some risk to rats that had been fed canola oil.

Three days hence, on May 13, there was another article and the headlines of that article said: Canola oil gets clean bill of health. That clean bill of health was derived out of a study and test done by the Department of Health in conjunction with funding from the farm community through the Canola Council whereby they contributed $285,000 to this testing.

What amazed me and astounded me was when the NDP Health critic, Judy Wasylycia-Leis, questioned the partnership of the Canola Council and the Department of Health in determining and doing tests to determine whether in fact the canola industry and the canola products were safe, and the testing has clearly demonstrated the safeness and the quality of the product. She added that she believes that Health Canada alone should do the testing. Well, Health Canada alone does the testing. The agricultural industry, through the Canola Council, does support and fund this industry. There are two things that should happen: No. 1, an apology from the federal member in regard to the questioning of this; and secondly, that the Free Press probably do a converse on its publishing on issues such as this whereby they should probably do the positive story on the front page and the negative story on the third page.

Mr. Steve Ashton (Thompson): Madam Speaker, yesterday the Premier (Mr. Filmon) said he felt like Mick Jagger. I have news for the Premier. Not only is he not Mick Jagger, it is the people of Manitoba who are singing "can't get no satisfaction" when it comes to this government.

Madam Speaker, since elections are called on Tuesday, we hope that next Tuesday will be a Ruby Tuesday, and we are hoping the Premier will get off of his cloud and, in the spirit of the song Start Me Up, perhaps actually call the election that the people of Manitoba want right now. Thank you.

Mr. Ben Sveinson (La Verendrye): I would like to take a moment to speak about an important organization, the recently founded Manitoba chapter of the Canadian emergency preparedness association.

Madam Speaker, the purpose of the organization is to be a respected voice and resource promoting emergency preparedness through partnerships and dialogues with our communities. The membership base includes representatives from all levels of government and their respective departments, business, nongovernmental agencies, education institutions, as well as emergency managers, planners, responders and the general public.

The Manitoba chapter of the Emergency Preparedness organization has several objectives including: promoting better knowledge, understanding and co-operation in emergency preparedness matters in the region; raising public awareness and involvement in the role and importance of emergency planning and community preparedness for natural and human disasters; enhancing through continuing education the knowledge and skills of persons involved in the provision of emergency preparedness services; encouraging and facilitating emergency preparedness training and research.

Manitobans have risen to the challenge of natural disasters and other emergencies on many occasions. Indeed, we have become experts in many fields of emergency management. Every response to an emergency situation requires the highly co-ordinated team effort of several agencies, organizations, government departments and the community itself.

I would like to congratulate all those involved in the founding of the Manitoba chapter of the Canadian emergency preparedness association and wish them well. Their efforts are appreciated by all Manitobans. Thank you.

Ms. Becky Barrett (Wellington): Madam Speaker, I would like to read into the record the entire letter that I talked about in my question in Question Period.

From Susan Morrice to the honourable Minister of Health. "On March 28, 1999, I was admitted to the Grace Hospital for shortness of breath and severe pain in my leg. There were no beds for me, so I was moved to the hallway in emergency. I lay there for almost 4 days. apparently there was room for 14 stretchers in the hallway, however, most days there were 17.

"The purpose of my letter is to try to explain exactly how it feels to lay in the hallway of one of your great institutions. The indignity one feels at having to urinate and defecate under the covers in front of everyone. The pain one feels lying on the stretcher with a 3 inch mattress worn thin where the buttocks has indented a pothole in the mattress from too much use. I don't think you realize that a hallway was made for busy people to walk through not for sick people to lay in day after day. The ventilation is such that it blows cool air. I lay under one of these vents. I was in pain and had a fever. With the cold air blowing on me I became sick with a cold on top of all my other pain. There was no sleep in the hallway to help relieve the pain and cold.

"During my stay, I watched people come and go. Staff had to constantly move stretchers out of the way in order to move down the hall. Most of the patients were elderly and confused. Some were terrified, not knowing where they were and why they were there. I must say I consider this to be elderly abuse.

"Your staff, however, are wonderful; although I don't believe that you know it. It takes a very special person to work in the health field and under such conditions. The way you treat them and the atmosphere you make them work in is atrocious. You have made them feel guilty about their work, I saw it in their eyes as they passed me in the hallway. Many could not look me in the eye because they felt so bad about having me lay in the hallway while I received my much needed treatment.

"Not one hour passed without patients complaining about being in the hallway. The abuse your staff receives because of your decision to reduce funding, lay off staff and close beds is horrible. People yell at your staff and they take it daily, all the while maintaining composure so they can move on to the next patient and be caring and compassionate in their daily commitment to help ease the pain.

Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Inkster): Madam Speaker, in listening to Question Period today, there were two issues which I wanted to comment on. One is in regard to a document that we received from the Minister of Industry and Trade (Mr. Tweed) in which it is very clear that the government should be releasing and we believe is holding back for more political reasons than anything else. I look to the Premier (Mr. Filmon) to show some leadership on this particular issue and indicate who it is that is receiving the $2-million loan of which $1.65 million has already gone out.

Having said that, the other issue which the New Democrats brought up was Ron Fewchuk, the severance package of $300,000. It is interesting that they would pose that question. I wonder if the same principle would apply to the individual that Bucklaschuk is responsible where the taxpayers had to foot a $2-million bill because of neglect from the NDP. I wonder if the New Democratic Party should be held responsible and accountable for that as opposed to the taxpayers paying it. Then you would see, no doubt, it would likely financially bankrupt the New Democratic Party. So then you would not only have a financially bankrupt party, you would also have a morally bankrupt New Democratic Party.