VOL. XLIV No. 16 - 10 a.m., FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 1995

Friday, March 10, 1995

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA

Friday, March 10, 1995

The House met at 10 a.m.

PRAYERS

ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS

PRESENTING PETITIONS

Communities' Public Education

Mr. Steve Ashton (Thompson): Mr. Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Jennifer Jonas, Henry Bayer, Brock Holowachuk and others requesting the Minister of Education and Training (Mr. Manness) to reconsider the funding model to ensure that Thompson and other communities in this province are able to maintain quality public education.

READING AND RECEIVING PETITIONS

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? No. Dispense.

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.

Introduction of Guests

Mr. Speaker: Prior to Oral Questions, may I direct the attention of honourable members to the gallery, where we have with us this morning, from the Grant Park High School, twenty-five Grade 9 students under the direction of Mr. Ed Lenzmann. This school is located in the constituency of the honourable member for Crescentwood (Ms. Gray).

On behalf of all honourable members, I would like to welcome you here this morning.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS AND

TABLING OF REPORTS

Mr. Speaker: Is there leave to revert to Ministerial Statements and Tabling of Reports? [agreed]

Hon. Leonard Derkach (Minister of Rural Development): Mr. Speaker, I would like to table the 1993-94 Annual Report for Rural Development.

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