Hon. Darren Praznik (Government House Leader): Madam Speaker, I understand His Honour the Lieutenant Governor will be arriving very shortly to give Royal Assent to I believe Bill 27, The Essential Services Amendment Act. In the meantime, while we are waiting for his arrival, I would like to make a few announcements.

I know we are still working out some details on committee, but I think it would be safe to announce today that the Standing Committee on Public Utilities and Natural Resources will meet on Tuesday, June 8, 1999, at 10 a.m. in Room 255 to continue discussing the 1996, '97 and '98 and the 1999 five-year operating plans for the Workers Compensation Board, the annual reports of the Workers Compensation Board for the years ended December 31, 1996, '97 and '98, and the December 31, 1996, '97 and 1998, reports of the Appeal Commission. I understand that the work of that committee was not completed and that it was seeking another day, so we will call that committee for that particular Tuesday.

I would also like to announce as well that the Standing Committee on Public Utilities and Natural Resources will meet on Tuesday, June 15, 1999, at 10 a.m. to discuss the annual report of the Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation for the year ended February 28, 1999.

In discussions with the opposition House leader (Mr. Ashton), we are trying to accommodate committees, critics, ministers, et cetera. Regrettably, we were not able to do that for this week, so we may be considering another committee for next week, but I have to have further discussions with my colleagues opposite to see if that is possible. So there may be a further announcement if we are able to accommodate all concerned for a possible committee meeting on Monday of next week, but again, it is a matter of trying to accommodate all of the parties, including critics, around that time.

Madam Speaker, it would be our intention today, after the arrival of the Lieutenant Governor, to proceed to Committee of Supply for Estimates. I would ask if you could canvass the House to see if there is unanimous consent to waive private members' hour today on the understanding, of course, that we would be using the Thursday morning sitting for Private Members' Business.

Madam Speaker: Is there unanimous consent of the House to waive private members' hour for today? [agreed]

Two announcements regarding standing committees. The Standing Committee on Public Utilities and Natural Resources will meet Tuesday, June 8, 10 a.m., in Room 255 to continue to consider matters related to the Workers Compensation Board; and the Standing Committee on Public Utilities and Natural Resources will meet on Tuesday, June 15, 10 a.m., to consider matters related to the Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation.

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Mr. Praznik: Madam Speaker, understanding that there is a reception tonight sponsored by the High Commissioner of Great Britain and that certain members do want to attend that, what I think I would like to propose is, following the arrival of the Lieutenant Governor, when we move the motion of Supply, that we should leave it to each committee, each of the sections, to determine their own arrangements whether they would like to adjourn at five o'clock or they would continue sitting until six, because it does not affect all members.

So I think we could have an understanding in this House that we would leave it to each section, members in each Committee of Supply to work out the detail. I understand there is an interest in Education, for example, to wind it up at five o'clock because of members wanting to attend that function. So if there is that willingness I certainly have no objection as government House leader to that decision being made in each section of committee.

Madam Speaker: My understanding is that the House will technically adjourn at 6 p.m., but is there unanimous consent of the House to have individual decisions made in the three individual sections of Committee of Supply as to determining the time for adjournment today? [agreed]

Mr. Praznik: Madam Speaker, we are just awaiting the arrival of His Honour, so if the House could just be patient, I understand that he was entertaining the honourary consul of the Belgian King here this afternoon. Perhaps our colleague for Point Douglas or others may want to entertain us. I look to the member for Wolseley. If I could catch her attention, I know her interest to attend the reception of the British High Commissioner.

I would ask if we could also agree today that after 5 p.m. if any standing votes are required or any recorded votes are required that they would be put over to the next day.

Madam Speaker: Is there unanimous consent of the House not to deal with any recorded votes this afternoon in Committee of Supply? [agreed]

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Deputy Sergeant-at-Arms (Mr. Garry Clark): His Honour the Lieutenant Governor.

Madam Speaker: May it please Your Honour:

The Legislative Assembly, at its present session, passed a bill, which, in the name of the Assembly, I present to Your Honour, and to which bill I respectfully request Your Honour's assent.

Bill 27–The Essential Services Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Loi sur les services essentiels.

Mr. Clerk (William Remnant): In Her Majesty's name, His Honour the Lieutenant Governor doth assent to this bill.

Hon. Darren Praznik (Government House Leader): Madam Speaker, I would move, seconded by the honourable Minister of Family Services (Mrs. Mitchelson), that this House now do resolve itself into a committee to consider of the Supply to be granted to Her Most Gracious Majesty.