6th-35th, Volume 11 - Routine Proceedings

VOL. XLIV No. 11 - 1:30 p.m., THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1994

Thursday, December 15, 1994

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA

Thursday, December 15, 1994

The House met at 1:30 p.m.

PRAYERS

ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS

PRESENTING PETITIONS

Physical Education in Schools

Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Inkster): Mr. Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Pam Fitzpatrick, Terri Grant, E. Bzikof and others, urging the Minister responsible for Education (Mr. Manness) to consider reinstating physical education as a compulsory core subject area.

Improvement of Highway 391

Mr. Steve Ashton (Thompson): Mr. Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Kenneth Ross, Hazel Fayant, Marlene Hrabriuk and others, requesting the government of Manitoba to consider reviewing the state of Highway 391 with a view towards improving the condition and safety of the road.

READING AND RECEIVING PETITIONS

Children's Dental Program

Mr. Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member (Mr. Reid). It complies with the privileges and the practices of this House and complies with the rules (by leave). Is it the will of the House to have the petition read?

An Honourable Member: Yes.

Mr. Speaker: The Clerk will read.

Mr. Clerk (William Remnant): The petition of the undersigned citizens of the province of Manitoba humbly sheweth that:

WHEREAS Manitoba has the highest rate of child poverty in the country; and

WHEREAS over 55,000 children depend upon the Children's Dental Program; and

WHEREAS several studies have pointed out the cost savings of preventative and treatment health care programs such as the Children's Dental Program; and

WHEREAS the Children's Dental Program has been in effect for 17 years and has been recognized as extremely cost-effective and critical for many families in isolated communities; and

WHEREAS the provincial government did not consult the users of the program or the providers before announcing plans to eliminate 44 of the 49 dentists, nurses and assistants providing this service; and

WHEREAS preventative health care is an essential component of health care reform.

WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba may be pleased to request the Minister of Health (Mr. McCrae) consider restoring the Children's Dental Program to the level it was prior to the 1993/94 budget.

Mr. Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member (Mr. Dewar). It complies with the privileges and the practices of this House and complies with the rules (by leave). Is it the will of the House to have the petition read?

An Honourable Member: Dispense.

Mr. Speaker: Dispense.

The petition of the undersigned citizens of the province of Manitoba humbly sheweth that:

WHEREAS Manitoba has the highest rate of child poverty in the country; and

WHEREAS over 55,000 children depend upon the Children's Dental Program; and

WHEREAS several studies have pointed out the cost savings of preventative and treatment health care programs such as the Children's Dental Program; and

WHEREAS the Children's Dental Program has been in effect for 17 years and has been recognized as extremely cost-effective and critical for many families in isolated communities; and

WHEREAS preventative health care is an essential component of health care reform.

Mr. Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member (Ms. Cerilli). It complies with the privileges and the practices of this House and complies with the rules (by leave). Is it the will of the House to have the petition read?

An Honourable Member: Dispense.

Mr. Speaker: Dispense.

The petition of the undersigned citizens of the province of Manitoba humbly sheweth that:

WHEREAS Manitoba has the highest rate of child poverty in the country; and

WHEREAS over 55,000 children depend upon the Children's Dental Program; and

WHEREAS several studies have pointed out the cost savings of preventative and treatment health care programs such as the Children's Dental Program; and

WHEREAS the Children's Dental Program has been in effect for 17 years and has been recognized as extremely cost-effective and critical for many families in isolated communities; and

WHEREAS the provincial government did not consult the users of the program or the providers before announcing plans to eliminate 55 of the 49 dentists, nurses and assistants providing this service; and

WHEREAS preventative health care is an essential component of health care reform.

WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba may be pleased to request the Minister of Health consider restoring the Children's Dental Program to the level it was prior to the 1993-94 budget.

* (1335)

Housing Authorities Voluntary Boards

Mr. Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member (Mr. Schellenberg). It complies with the privileges and the practices of this House and complies with the rules. Is it the will of the House to have the petition read?

An Honourable Member: Dispense.

Mr. Speaker: Dispense.

The petition of the undersigned citizens of the province of Manitoba humbly sheweth that:

WHEREAS thousands of Manitobans depend upon public housing as affordable housing geared to their income for themselves and their families; and

WHEREAS these units are particularly important for thousands of low income seniors and single parents; and

WHEREAS the provincial government upon the request of the federal Liberal government has increased without notice the rent payable for tenants; and

WHEREAS the federal Liberal government has eliminated all funding for new public housing; and

WHEREAS the provincial government has abolished the voluntary boards of public housing authorities and made other cuts to the public housing program in this province.

WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly request the Minister responsible for Housing to consider cancelling the recent unilateral rent hikes and restoring the voluntary boards of the housing authorities.

Mr. Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member (Mr. Martindale). It complies with the privileges and the practices of this House and complies with the rules (by leave). Is it the will of the House to have the petition read?

An Honourable Member: Dispense.

Mr. Speaker: Dispense.

The petition of the undersigned citizens of the province of Manitoba humbly sheweth that:

WHEREAS thousands of Manitobans depend upon public housing as affordable housing geared to their income for themselves and their families; and

WHEREAS these units are particularly important for thousands of low income seniors and single parents; and

WHEREAS the provincial government upon the request of the federal Liberal government has increased without notice the rent payable for tenants; and

WHEREAS the federal Liberal government has eliminated all funding for new public housing; and

WHEREAS the provincial government has abolished the voluntary boards of public housing authorities and made other cuts to the public housing program in this province.

Physical Education in Schools

Mr. Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member (Mr. Lamoureux). It complies with the privileges and the practices of this House and complies with the rules. Is it the will of the House to have the petition read?

An Honourable Member: Yes.

Mr. Speaker: The Clerk will read.

Mr. Clerk: The petition of the undersigned residents of the province of Manitoba humbly sheweth:

THAT in July 1994, the Minister of Education introduced an action plan entitled Renewing Education: New Directions;

THAT this report will make physical education an optional course in Grades 9 to 12;

THAT the physical education curriculum should be regularly reviewed to ensure that it meets the needs of students;

THAT the government is failing to recognize the benefits of physical education such as improved physical fitness, more active lifestyles, health promotion, self-discipline, skill development, stress reduction, strengthened peer relationships, weight regulation, stronger bones, reduced risk of health diseases and improved self-confidence.

WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly urge the Minister responsible for Education to consider reinstating physical education as a compulsory core subject area.

Housing Authorities Voluntary Boards

Mr. Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member (Mr. Robinson). It complies with the privileges and the practices of this House and complies with the rules (by leave). Is it the will of the House to have the petition read?

An Honourable Member: Dispense.

Mr. Speaker: Dispense.

The petition of the undersigned citizens of the province of Manitoba humbly sheweth that:

WHEREAS thousands of Manitobans depend upon public housing as affordable housing geared to their income for themselves and their families; and

WHEREAS these units are particularly important for thousands of low income seniors and single parents; and

WHEREAS the provincial government upon the request of the federal Liberal government has increased without notice the rent payable for tenants; and

WHEREAS the federal Liberal government has eliminated all funding for new public housing; and

WHEREAS the provincial government has abolished the voluntary boards of public housing authorities and made other cuts to the public housing program in this province.

Improvement of Highway 391

Mr. Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member (Mr. Ashton). It complies with the privileges and the practices of this House and complies with the rules. Is it the will of the House to have the petition read?

An Honourable Member: Yes.

Mr. Speaker: The Clerk will read.

Mr. Clerk: The petition of the undersigned citizens of the province of Manitoba humbly sheweth that:

WHEREAS the state of Highway 391 is becoming increasingly unsafe; and

WHEREAS due to the poor condition of the road there have been numerous accidents; and

WHEREAS the condition of the road between Thompson and Nelson House is not only making travel dangerous but costly due to frequent damage to vehicles; and

WHEREAS this road is of vital importance to residents who must use the road.

WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislature of the Province of Manitoba may be pleased to request that the government of Manitoba consider reviewing the state of Highway 391 with a view towards improving the condition and safety of the road.

Handi-Transit

Mr. Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member (Mr. Martindale). It complies with the privileges and practices of this House and complies with the rules. Is it the will of the House to have the petition read? Dispense.

The petition of the undersigned citizens of the province of Manitoba humbly sheweth that:

The Manitoba government has decreased funding to the City of Winnipeg Transit budget by $300,000; and

At the same time the City of Winnipeg has increased funding to Handi-Transit by $430,000; and

The Filmon government has refused to provide the City of Winnipeg with sufficient funding to maintain Handi-Transit service; and

As a result of the province's refusal to cost-share with the city for Handi-Transit services, Handi-Transit has cut back on approximately 42,000 trips per year; and

Over 10,000 disabled Manitobans rely upon Handi-Transit as their primary means of transportation; and

Handi-Transit operators are now turning down over 200 ride requests per day; and

This lack of transportation will result in many disabled Manitobans losing their independence and dignity and being forced to be institutionalized at far higher costs to the taxpayers of this province; and

The Filmon government has refused to even send a representative of the government to sit on the Handi-Transit Task Force committee.

WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly will urge the Minister of Urban Affairs to consider working with the City of Winnipeg and the disabled to develop a long-term plan to maintain Handi-Transit service and ensure that disabled Manitobans will continue to have access to Handi-Transit service.

Physical Education in Schools

Mr. Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member (Ms. Cerilli). It complies with the privileges and practices of this House and complies with the rules. Is it the will of the House to have the petition read? Dispense.

WHEREAS the proposed changes to the Manitoba curriculum would have no physical education required for students after Grade 8; and

WHEREAS the social, intellectual, emotional and physical benefits of physical education have been proven through extensive research; and,

WHEREAS requiring physical education for high school sends a message that physical activity is important for life and encourages high school students to make life choices to stay active and it fits into a preventative health strategy; and,

WHEREAS many parents, students, medical professionals and educators, health and recreation specialists are urging that physical education be increased in schools.

WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba may be pleased to request the Minister of Education to consider maintaining physical education as part of the core curriculum from kindergarten to senior high.

Children's Dental Program

Mr. Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member (Mr. Clif Evans). It complies with the privileges and practices of this House and complies with the rules. Is it the will of the House to have the petition read? Dispense.

WHEREAS Manitoba has the highest rate of child poverty in the country; and

WHEREAS over 55,000 children depend upon the Children's Dental Program; and

WHEREAS the Children's Dental Program has been in effect for 17 years and has been recognized as extremely cost-effective and critical for many families in isolated communities; and

WHEREAS preventative health care is an essential component of health care form;

TABLING OF REPORTS

Hon. Harry Enns (Minister of Agriculture): Mr. Speaker, I have the privilege of tabling the Annual Report for the year 1993-94 of the Ministry of Agriculture.

Hon. James McCrae (Minister of Health): Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to table the Annual Report for 1993-94 of the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba.