Mr. Jack Penner (Emerson): Last winter I was privileged to chair a panel of people that toured the province of Manitoba and asked people what kinds of changes they wanted to the justice system and the Young Offenders Act. It was a wonderful experience as we met in seven different communities and seven different forums, and we heard from people first-hand the kinds of situations that they encountered in their community with young people, young offenders. They demonstrated clearly their will and their desire to become part of making and recommending changes to the federal act.

Because of the results of the consultations, our province made nine recommendations to the federal government in recognition of what our people, the people of Manitoba had recommended. Some of our government's recommendations include charging under appropriate circumstances children under the young age of 12. People in Manitoba said: no matter how old or how young you are, you should take responsibility and parents should have responsibility for the actions of their children, expanding the age categories for youth charged with serious crimes in adult court and broadening the proposed circumstances where a violent or repeat young offender's name can be published. Manitoba would also have automatic-custody sentences for youth convicted of an offence involving weapons and impose adult parole requirements on youth convicted in adult court.

Madam Speaker, there are a number of other recommendations contained in the report that I presented to the minister yesterday which will be given to the federal minister as recommendations that Manitobans would like to see changed in the Young Offenders Act.

Ms. MaryAnn Mihychuk (St. James): Madam Speaker, the recent case before the Mining Board brought forward a serious problem in Manitoba's process of claims staking. Involved were a number of claims in southeastern Manitoba which were proven to be fraudulently staked. In another situation that we are aware of, another major company was involved in holding claims that were indeed found to be fraudulently staked. This company had invested $160,000 of work into that claim block.

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Madam Speaker, self-regulation means that industry takes its own responsibility. Claims staking has never been one that has worked on co-operation and partnership. It, in fact, is a very competitive field, and many claims stakers are out to get there first and get the best land, of course. The industry, the metallic mineral industry, is worth a billion dollars. Our petroleum industry is much smaller, worth approximately $80 million, and our quarry industry is worth approximately $80 million. We do have a number of inspectors, and during the NDP years of the '80s we had two inspectors in the metallic mineral sector, one for southeastern Manitoba and one for northern Manitoba. It is very unfortunate–

Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh.

Ms. Mihychuk: Madam Speaker, could you call–

Madam Speaker: The honourable member for St. James.

Ms. Mihychuk: Thank you, Madam Speaker, with the disruption, I hope that some consideration can be given to finish my statement.

Two full-time inspectors were employed during the '80s. Unfortunately, there was a reduction. One claims inspector based out of The Pas was inspecting all metallic mineral claims as well as all quarry minerals in northern Manitoba, half of the province, an unreasonable amount of work for anyone. He has since retired, and so therefore we have no mineral inspectors. The new Mines Act is so limiting that we understand there will not be any fines or charges against the individuals who were proven to have fraudulently staked the claims, that the act requires intent to be proved and that witnesses would have to be called in. Until Manitoba moose can be called in as witnesses–

Madam Speaker: Order, please. The honourable member's time has expired.

Mr. Gerry McAlpine (Sturgeon Creek): Madam Speaker, last evening I had the pleasure of attending the Golden Gate Middle School band and choir presentation: A Concert in the Park.

I must tell you that the audience was dazzled by the outstanding performances of the choir and the band. The soft sounds of music filled the air in the park and brought delight to the fans of jazz and concert music.

The Golden Gate Middle School band program is one that is known throughout the province and country for its bright, creative and talented students. These hard-working students and teachers have travelled to numerous festivals across the country and have achieved a level of success at each performance. During a performance in British Columbia, Dr. George King, an accredited musician and professor at the School of Music at the University of British Columbia, cited the Grade 8 jazz band as one of the best he had heard in North America.

The band program's success is the result of the hard work and dedication of all the students in the band and the choir, and I congratulate them all. I would like to recognize Principal Dave Bertnick for his support of the band program and offer congratulations and thanks to the directors of the program: Ms. Darrell Chrisp, Mr. Blaine Workman and Mr. Zbiginew Cichosz. Their love of music is evident and is passed on to their students as 330 of 500 students of Golden Gate participate in the program.

The band program provides students with an opportunity to be a part of something that is special and teaches them to set goals. I commend them for choosing the band program and thank the staff and parents for supporting these young talented students. Last evening's program included presentations by the Grades 6 and 7 Concert Band, the Golden Gate Singin' Gators, the Groovin' Gators Jazz Band, the Swingin' Gators Jazz Band, and the Grade 8 Concert Band. Each and every one of the performances was excellent.

Please join me in congratulating the students and staff at Golden Gate Middle School for an absolutely fabulous performance and wish them well in the future, Madam Speaker.

Ms. Rosann Wowchuk (Swan River): Madam Speaker, recent comments by CN and CP Rail that they would welcome competition are highly questionable. The same two railway giants have carefully avoided competing with each other for shipping grain or most other commodities. As few as 2 percent of branchlines are actually currently served by both railways.

Since the federal Liberals sold CN and passed the Canada Transportation Act giving new powers to the major railways, both CN and CP have scrapped thousands of kilometres of branchlines. They have also laid off thousands of workers in Manitoba. Manitoba alone has lost more than 6,000 railway workers since Gary Filmon and his Conservatives have taken office in this province. The two railways have not made any efforts to compete in shipping grain through branchlines during this period.

The Canadian Wheat Board, National Farmers Union and others estimate that farmers have been overcharged by $200 million this year by the railways, thanks to the higher rates they are charging. Attempts to get a full cost review of grain transportation has been repeatedly refused. The announcement by the federal minister that the Grain Transportation Agency will review grain handling costs was welcomed only by the railways themselves who know it will be of little consequence.

While the railways claim they believe in competition, anyone who has tried to assist the setting up of a short line knows that short lines continue to face obstacles. The federal legislation does not give short lines common running rights. Attempts to establish the Miami-Elgin subdivision have been unsuccessful. CN refuses to sell the Bay Line short of The Pas. The Irwood subdivision could be dismantled at any time because CN is not putting together a reasonable package. The Cowan subdivision will need extensive work, as well as a revenue-sharing agreement and joint running rights before it can operate. Even then, short lines will have to negotiate with CN and shipping companies over commodities.

Mr. Gerard Jennissen (Flin Flon): Madam Speaker, I would like to commend a young artist originally from Lac Brochet, Victor Tessessaze, for beginning the painting of the first aboriginal mural at the University of Manitoba. I also congratulate the University of Manitoba for showcasing aboriginal art.

Victor Tessessaze is a student at the Faculty of Art at the University of Manitoba. All of us in this Chamber wish him well and look forward to his continuing career as an artist. I would like to paraphrase Victor who has stated that aboriginal art in general and his art in particular encourage people to work together and also that such art indicates that there is unity on this continent.

It is wonderful to see young aboriginal artists providing powerful art in the footsteps of other great aboriginal artists; just to name a few, Daphne Odjig, Norval Morrisseau, Jackson Beardy and Robert Houle. I am sure that we are on the edge of a new golden age in aboriginal art and look forward to future creative expressions by the many young aboriginal artists now entering the field. Thank you.