Winnipeg Arena

Business Plan

Mr. Gary Doer (Leader of the Opposition): My question is to the First Minister.

Madam Speaker, in a letter to City Council yesterday, the chief commissioner indicates to council members that the Premier has committed to Mr. Asper that the $17-million shortfall would be made up by the so-called public sector. The Premier, of course, has committed $37 million to the new facility. The city has committed $37 million and other infrastructure cost to the new arena, and the federal government has only committed $20 million.

Can the Premier indicate today, in light of the fact that $37 million is well over his election promise that he made throughout the campaign--could he table today the business plan to make up the $17-million shortfall that the Premier has committed to Mr. Asper?

Hon. Gary Filmon (Premier): We continue to work with the federal government to persuade them that they ought to be equal partners in this development, and we continue to have various areas in which we believe they can provide additional resources to meet their equal commitment.

Secondarily, we have indicated to our partners that we are also prepared to sell naming rights and the clock in the arena for a substantial contribution to the development of the arena.

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Mr. Doer: Again, we do not have a business plan from the government to deal with the $17-million shortfall, Madam Speaker.

Winnipeg Jets

Commitment to Stay

Mr. Gary Doer (Leader of the Opposition): I have a further question to the Premier.

On June 23 of 1993, the Premier indicated: If there is going to be any public investment in a new facility, it would be conditional on us having an absolute, ironclad commitment by the owners of the team that the team must stay here for at least a 20-year period.

In light of the fact that we can read no ironclad wording in any agreements that we have seen so far, can the Premier today table the ironclad agreement that he has with the new owners of the hockey team, that this team will stay in Winnipeg for 20 years, so that we do not go through these continuous deadlines that we have in the last number of months.

Hon. Gary Filmon (Premier): Madam Speaker, the member knows full well that none of the agreements have been reduced to legal wording at this point. The member knows as well that we have imposed the same conditions on the new ownership group as we would have on the previous ownership group with respect to that, and that is that the franchise would be put up as collateral on the lease on the arena so that there would be an assurance of either having control of the team or having the team there for a period of time under other ownership.

Winnipeg Arena

Tender Process

Mr. Gary Doer (Leader of the Opposition): Madam Speaker, the government has set a number of so-called deadlines and used those deadlines to justify certain decisions they have made: a deadline of June 30; a deadline of December, the MEC plan would have to be concluded; a deadline in February; a deadline of May 1; a deadline that then changed to May 6; a further deadline articulated by the Minister of Finance (Mr. Stefanson) that because the new facility would have to be started at the beginning of July, they could not tender.

Madam Speaker, we have a letter today from Mr. Frost who indicates that the new deadline for the start of the construction has moved to August 16, which contradicts what the Minister of Finance has told us previously about why they did not tender.

Would the Premier please today allow for the public tendering process to take place in light of the fact that the taxpayers of Manitoba, the City of Winnipeg and the federal government are responsible for $111 million, 100 percent of the cost? Can we have a process that is 100 percent public sector and have a public-sector tendering process as we should have?

Hon. Gary Filmon (Premier): Madam Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition should be careful in terms of the misinformation and disinformation that he continues to put on the record.

Almost all of those so-called deadlines that he referred to were ones that were imposed by the transactions among the various private-sector partners in the agreement. They were all contained within offers of purchase options and everything else. They were not deadlines that were imposed by this administration, and he should not be so dishonest as to put that on the record.

With respect to--

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Point of Order

Mr. Steve Ashton (Opposition House Leader): Madam Speaker, on a point of order, the Premier has yet again used unparliamentary language. He referenced dishonest, and we would ask that he withdraw that remark. That is most definitely unparliamentary and uncalled for.

Madam Speaker: On the point of order by the honourable member for Thompson (Mr. Ashton), I indeed did not hear the context in which the word was used, so I will review Hansard and report back to the House with a ruling if necessary.

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Mr. Filmon: Concluding my response, Madam Speaker--

Madam Speaker: To quickly finish his response, the honourable First Minister.

Mr. Filmon: Madam Speaker, the member opposite should be aware that the process by which the general contractor was selected was a competitive bid process in which four different organizations were invited to bid and that they continue to award almost all areas of subcontract by a competitive bid process which can be verified by speaking with any of the contractors who are receiving those contracts.

Pediatric Cardiac Care Program

Inquest

Mr. Gord Mackintosh (St. Johns): Madam Speaker, my question is to the Minister of Justice.

Yesterday I asked whether the government recognized a conflict of interest, given that the inquest into the Health Sciences Centre infant deaths and the role of this government was being conducted by lawyers of this very same government and of her department. The minister said the concern was incredible. In fact, worse things were said.

My question to the minister is, would the minister now acknowledge that a conflict does indeed exist, given the expectation that the families of the infants are filing a civil suit against this very same government which this minister's department will be called on to defend, therefore unquestionably giving the government a stake in the inquest findings.

Hon. Rosemary Vodrey (Minister of Justice and Attorney General): Madam Speaker, my comments yesterday stand today.

Manitoba's highest court recently considered an allegation of conflict of interest by Crown attorneys. The Court of Appeal said, and I quote: The Attorney General is in a unique position, one quite unlike that of a member of the private bar. It is no answer beyond political window-dressing to retain outside counsel. However her agents may be, whether her permanent staff or outside special appointments, they must function under the Attorney General's direction.

Those are the comments of the Court of Appeal, Madam Speaker. They do not see a conflict.

Mr. Mackintosh: Given the inapplicability of this case to the inquest, would the minister explain why some of her employees will have conduct of the inquest and decide what is or is not relevant information, when some of her employees and her own department, particularly the Chief Medical Examiner's office, will be the subject of the inquest.

Mrs. Vodrey: Madam Speaker, as I said yesterday, first of all, the Crown attorneys who have been assigned to assist the judge in fact-finding are, in fact, professional individuals, and I am sure the member would not want to cast any question upon the behaviour of our Crown attorneys. The judge in this case, Associate Chief Judge Sinclair, is responsible for dealing with the parameters.

My main concern, Madam Speaker, is to see that all of the relevant facts are uncovered, and I am completely satisfied that the senior Crown attorneys can assist the judge in doing this.

Mr. Mackintosh: I ask the minister, is it this government's policy to disregard not just the recommendations of the Honourable Archie Dewar following the Ticketgate matter, but the conclusions of Judge Sinclair himself in the Osborne and Harper inquiry where the AJI recommends, regarding government lawyers at inquests, quote: The government cannot defend its actions and present a version while at the same time purporting to assess independently and present all the available evidence.

Madam Speaker, does this government concur with the recommendation that whenever a government agency or department's actions are to be scrutinized at an inquest, counsel conducting the inquest should be independent of government?

Mrs. Vodrey: Madam Speaker, the quote which I gave, the ruling to which I refer comes from Manitoba's highest court, Manitoba's Court of Appeal.

Manitoba's Court of Appeal suggests that what the member is asking for is window-dressing. We are not interested in window-dressing. We, in fact, are interested--[interjection]

Madam Speaker: Order, please. The honourable Minister of Justice, to quickly complete her response.

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Mrs. Vodrey: Madam Speaker, I would say to Manitobans, again, that the purpose of our Crown attorneys, very senior Crowns who have been assigned to this case, is to assist the judge in fact-finding. The judge has set the parameters, very wide parameters for the inquest, and we will certainly be looking to participate in every way.

Forest Fires

Firefighting Resources

Mr. Stan Struthers (Dauphin): Madam Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Natural Resources.

I would first like to congratulate all those involved in the safe evacuation of the communities of South Indian Lake and Gods Lake Narrows. I would also like to acknowledge the efforts of all the firefighting crews, resources staff and volunteers who are working tirelessly in difficult weather conditions to keep the fire situation under control.

On several occasions this minister has assured the House that there were adequate resources in place to deal with the forest fire situation. Judging from the weather conditions and from the situation in other provinces, one could see that the potential was there for multiple fire starts, as was the case over the weekend. Natural Resources officials are now having to pull back firefighting crews--

Madam Speaker: Order, please. I am certain the honourable member for Dauphin has a question.

Mr. Struthers: Can the minister tell the House what his plans are to get more equipment in place in northern Manitoba so that the safety of front-line fire crews can be assured?

Hon. Albert Driedger (Minister of Natural Resources): Madam Speaker, I, once again, want to congratulate and compliment our firefighting crews out there who are doing a yeoman's job as I mentioned yesterday.

Madam Speaker, we have equipment, we have professional people out there who are doing the best they can.

One thing we cannot control is the environment itself, the temperatures the way they have been for the last 10 days, the lightning strikes that we had. We had another 20 fires start yesterday. We are managing to control as much of it as we can. I think we are fortunate that we have only had to evacuate two communities to date. With a little bit of break in the weather, we will be able to have those people go back and not have to evacuate any more.

Mr. Struthers: Madam Speaker, can the minister then explain to the House what measures are being taken to prepare for the rest of the fire season, given that it is only June and it is so far the worst year for forest fires on record.

Mr. Driedger: Madam Speaker, it is not in my hands as to what will happen weatherwise between now and the fall. Normally, towards the end of August, our fire season tapers off. I have no indication of what will happen. If we get cool weather, if we get rains, the situation improves dramatically, but next to 1989, this is probably one of the worst years that we are facing right now.

We are hopeful that the weather conditions will change and the situation will improve.

Mr. Struthers: Instead of offloading onto Mother Nature, could the minister tell the House why there is such a lack of equipment that trained fire crews, including graduates from the Brandon Fire College, are going unutilized in one of the worst forest fire years in our province's history?

Mr. Driedger: Madam Speaker, I think the member does an injustice to the very qualified people we have out in the field there by making those kinds of statements. We have professional people out there who are doing a yeoman's job out there, and for him to make that kind of insinuation, I think he should apologize to the people who are out there in this kind of weather fighting the fire.

Madam Speaker, we have 700 people who are actively fighting fires out there. We have in the area of 70-some odd pieces of equipment that are being used. I think the member should ascertain some of his facts before he makes those kinds of statements here.

Railway Industry

Federal Regulations

Mr. Gerard Jennissen (Flin Flon): Madam Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Highways and Transportation.

The federal government is selling off CN and now is making it easier for both railways to abandon rail lines with the new legislation introduced today. This bill goes far beyond allowing short lines that will make many shippers captive to a single railroad.

My question is, what position has this government taken or will this government take on this issue, which, in effect, ends almost all regulatory power over railways in this country?

Hon. Glen Findlay (Minister of Highways and Transportation): Madam Speaker, as I have mentioned to the member previously, our mission is to be sure that we have two competitive railways able to offer services to shippers across Canada.

Certainly the federal government has taken some strong initiatives in the way they are allowing the railroads to unfold that opportunity in the future, and, Madam Speaker, we have proposed that common running rights be part of the process to allow short lines to be able to competitively offer services to shippers. Unfortunately, that is not part of the bill that the federal government has brought in at this point, as we understand it.

But we do support very strongly the ability of short-line railroads to be in the business of helping shippers offer services on rail. This Legislature passed it, and the Manitoba railway act came into effect here on July 1, 1994.

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Rail Line Abandonment

Cost to Farmers

Mr. Gerard Jennissen (Flin Flon): Madam Speaker, my supplementary question is, does the minister have a rough estimate of the anticipated added cost which will be put on Manitoba farmers and municipalities in the wake of the anticipated rail line abandonment?

Hon. Glen Findlay (Minister of Highways and Transportation): Madam Speaker, that is a very difficult question to answer, the anticipated cost. There has been a lot of railway abandonment over the last 25 years. An awful lot of goods and services that go into and out of towns come now on trucks, in other words, on roads as opposed to rail. So the process has been ongoing for some period of time.

Very clearly, municipalities are impacted, and UMM and SARM and the Alberta Union of Municipalities have advocated very strongly that they receive some support from the federal government, because roads will be impacted because of less rail being used by the main lines, and, certainly, the three provinces have asked for the same consideration.

The exact figure, it is very difficult to give the member a figure because of all the variables involved.

Railway Industry

Bayline

Mr. Gerard Jennissen (Flin Flon): Madam Speaker, my final supplementary is, can the minister, or for that matter, can anyone be optimistic over the success of the bayline as a short line when the Gateway North report, among others, pointed out necessary upgrades which the federal government has not agreed to fund.

Hon. Glen Findlay (Minister of Highways and Transportation): Madam Speaker, I and this government remain optimistic in terms of Churchill and future capabilities of being able to make the bayline and the port active. Additional tourism, supply to the Keewatin district, all of those aspects are part of the package.

Gateway North has put together a proposal to the federal government. To my knowledge, the federal government has not responded to that proposal, but we endorse Gateway North and the proposal they put forward to the federal government for consideration of both maintaining the line and the port, and I am optimistic that that opportunity will happen.

Canada-U.S. Commission on Grains

Chairperson Resignation Request

Ms. Rosann Wowchuk (Swan River): Madam Speaker, the Canadian Wheat Board has played a very important role in the economy of this province and, in fact, western Canada.

We on this side are very concerned with the activities of the international joint commission which is reviewing the grain industry in this country.

Madam Speaker, the co-chair of the commission, Mr. Jim Miller, has been hired by the U.S. International Association of Wheat Growers, an organization which has long lobbied to undermine the Canadian Wheat Board.

I want to ask the Minister of Agriculture if he agrees that Mr. Miller is in a conflict position and should be asked to resign from the position of co-chair of this committee that is reviewing the grain industry.

Hon. Harry Enns (Minister of Agriculture): Madam Speaker, this is an important commission that is dealing with a very important issue. Both Canada and the United States are sovereign nations. They appoint to these commissions and groups like this people whom they have confidence in.

It is not for Canada to object to that particular person's position on that commission. I am assuming he is there because of his knowledge of the American grains industry. I am satisfied that we have equally qualified people representing Canadian interests, and I am pleased to report to the House it is my expectation to be meeting with one of them later on this afternoon.

Federal Inquiry

Ms. Rosann Wowchuk (Swan River): I hope that at the minister's meeting with the commission, he will defend the Wheat Board when he meets with them--

Madam Speaker: Order, please. I would remind the honourable member for Swan River that, indeed, for a supplementary question, there is to be no preamble.

Would the member please pose her question now?

Ms. Wowchuk: Madam Speaker, in light of the fact that the commission has been very selective in whom they have been meeting with and clearly meeting with people who are against the board, will the minister contact the federal Minister of Agriculture and ask that he call for an inquiry into the activities of the board to ensure that the Canadian Wheat Board is being viewed fairly?

Hon. Harry Enns (Minister of Agriculture): Madam Speaker, this, of course, is not the first time that this issue has been brought to the floor of this Chamber by both the Leader of the Opposition (Mr. Doer) and my Agriculture critic.

I marvel at how much information they seem to have on a report that has yet to be released to either the American government or, indeed, to our Canadian government.

There have been presentations made, representations made, but the reports have not officially been released to either of the governments. I await that report, and I will be more than happy to report to this House and to anybody else with respect to the recommendations that are contained therein.

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Canadian Wheat Board

Minister's Position

Ms. Rosann Wowchuk (Swan River): In light of the fact that farmers clearly indicate that they want the Wheat Board maintained, I want to ask the Minister of Agriculture if he will take a strong position when he is meeting with representatives of this commission and make a very strong statement that the Wheat Board is what the Canadian farmers want and that it must be protected.

Hon. Harry Enns (Minister of Agriculture): Madam Speaker, I do not wish to unnecessarily offend the honourable member for Swan River, but she presumes that indeed she and/or the Canadian Wheat Board in all instances speaks for the Canadian or Manitoba farmer.

I happen to know that uppermost in the Manitoba farmer's mind--particularly in this coming post-WGTA era, the most important issue to that farmer is markets and price, and the Canadian Wheat Board has to demonstrate its ongoing capability of providing that service to the Canadian grain farmer.

Winnipeg Development Agreement

Project Selection Criteria

Ms. Becky Barrett (Wellington): Madam Speaker, the objective of the $6-million strategic initiatives program of the Winnipeg Development Agreement funded by all three levels of government is, and I quote: To identify and fund feasibility analyses and planning activities required to pursue potential projects of strategic importance to Winnipeg's sustainable economic development.

I would like to ask the Minister of Urban Affairs, what specific projects have requested funding under this initiative, and could a project receive money from all three levels of government?

Hon. Jack Reimer (Minister of Urban Affairs): The Winnipeg Development Agreement has some very broad goals in its achievements, in its parameters of interpretation. As mentioned by the member for Wellington, it is to assist the people in job opportunities where necessary and to find out where there is potential for future employment. It is also there for the creation of a safe and healthy environment, for the sound community in which to live and work and do business.

These are the types of programs that also are looked at for creating long-term employment by focusing on future industrial growth areas. The parameters of selection, as the member for Wellington has mentioned, are within the purview of the three levels of government. It is an ongoing process of evaluation as projects come forth. It is a five-year program. There is the long-term gains of analysis that are brought forth from time to time on various aspects.

Arena Funding

Ms. Becky Barrett (Wellington): Again, the minister has not answered.

Could the minister indicate whether the strategic initiative or any other Winnipeg Development Agreement program money is being considered as a source for the private sector, Spirit of Manitoba, to fund any of its activities?

Hon. Jack Reimer (Minister of Urban Affairs): To the best of my knowledge the Winnipeg Development fund is not involved, but I will take that question as notice for further analysis.

Ms. Barrett: The minister then perhaps could answer this question or take it as notice as well.

Could any of the Winnipeg Development Agreement funds be accessed by the public sector, given the current $17-million shortfall in the funding for the Winnipeg Jets arena at The Forks?

Mr. Reimer: I will take that question as notice.

Gaming Commission

Access to Information

Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Inkster): Madam Speaker, my question is for the Premier (Mr. Filmon). According to a very confidential report, it is estimated that 32 percent, that is almost one-third, of the clients of the AFM gambling program tried to kill themselves last year.

My question for the Premier is, given the enormous social costs that have been underestimated consistently by this government, will the Premier release a report prepared by the Awareness and Information Unit of the AFM entitled, Clients of the AFM Gambling Program and Callers to the Provincial Problem Gambling Help Line: A Statistical Profile, given that presenters at Monday's gambling hearings can have access to information which will allow them to make the most informed and constructive presentations possible.

Hon. Gary Filmon (Premier): Madam Speaker, it is my understanding that a researcher for the Liberal caucus was in the offices of the Desjardins commission where they came upon this report that was being prepared for the Desjardins commission. That is the basis upon which this information now is being asked by way of blockbuster questioning here by the member for Inkster.

My understanding is that the raw data which is contained in this material that was prepared for the Desjardins commission indicates that in the past three years 21 of the people questioned--and there were a total of 49--had attempted suicide at some point in the previous three years. The remainder of the 49 people, some 28, had attempted suicide before the introduction of the VLTs to the province.

The AFM report is raw data. It has not been analyzed by experts but fits with the kind of information that is contained in the Volberg report which suggests that people who are addicted to gambling are compulsive personalities who also have other addictions, oftentimes alcohol, drugs and other things that lead them to this kind of predisposition.

It is part of the research that is being developed for the Desjardins commission. One of the reasons why the Desjardins commission is acquiring this kind of knowledge and information is so that they can make rational and informed recommendations to government rather than just trying to create a cheap political issue.

Mr. Lamoureux: Madam Speaker, if the Premier is not prepared--

Madam Speaker: Order, please. Would the honourable member for Inkster please pose a question now.

Mr. Lamoureux: Madam Speaker, if the Premier is not prepared to release the report, can he indicate to this House that the gambling committee does have the authority to release this report so that people and individuals, interest groups and so forth have the report and the statistical information that is necessary in order to complete a presentation? Will he make the commitment that the gambling committee does have the authority to do this?

Mr. Filmon: Madam Speaker, the short answer to it is, of course, yes. We have placed no restrictions on the Desjardins commission. They have, in fact, commissioned this kind of information.

The net effect of the question that is being put by the member for Inkster is that he has a group of people associated with his political party that have a predetermined idea of what outcome should come from this kind of commission and what kind of information should be provided, and they just need this research to confirm their opinions.

This is not the kind of thing that the Desjardins commission is doing. They are trying to obtain valuable and informed decision making by virtue of proper research and proper information gathering. They are not doing this for the kind of political purposes alluded to by the member for Inkster.

Mr. Lamoureux: Madam Speaker, can the Premier then indicate whether or not the gambling committee has the authority also to look into matters with respect to the Manitoba Lotteries Corporation, things such as the five-year capital plan and so forth? If the response to that is yes, and I hope it is, do they have the authority again to release that information to the public?

Mr. Filmon: Madam Speaker, I repeat, we have placed no limitations on the Desjardins commission's access to information that will be important to them in making their recommendations to government and arriving at their conclusions.

Winnipeg Jets/Arena

Donations--Tax Deductibility

Mr. Tim Sale (Crescentwood): Madam Speaker, I have a question for the Minister of Finance.

Both the minister and the City of Winnipeg have confirmed that the Spirit of Manitoba is still actively seeking charitable status for the Jets endowment fund. Yet, Revenue Minister Anderson, and I want to table this quote from Hansard, in response to a question in the federal House said, and I quote: It has been determined over a fairly lengthy series of court cases that an organization entirely for the promotion of a sport is not a charitable organization.

I would like to ask the minister then, does this government still support the seeking of charitable status for a foundation to cover Jets losses?

Hon. Eric Stefanson (Minister of Finance): Madam Speaker, without accepting any of the preamble of the member for Crescentwood, he knows full well that this is an issue being dealt with by the Spirit of Manitoba and Revenue Canada of the federal government.

They will be making their applications to the federal government on any tax rulings that they believe they can qualify for. Revenue Canada will make their determinations and make their decisions, and the Spirit of Manitoba will have to accept those and deal with the kind of structure, ultimately, that they put in place and they feel is in the best interest of the long-term viability of the Spirit of Manitoba.

Mr. Sale: Madam Speaker, does the government then support the City of Winnipeg's use of its charitable status as a loophole to achieve the same objective by different means?

Mr. Stefanson: Madam Speaker, again, any discussions that the Spirit of Manitoba is having with the federal government Revenue Canada in terms of tax rulings, any discussions that they are having with the City of Winnipeg, they will continue to have as they pursue avenues in terms of structuring their financial agreement.

They will live within the decisions made by all levels of government as to what they do and they do not qualify for. Plain and simple, they will qualify for what they are entitled to qualify for and nothing more than that.

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Mr. Sale: Madam Speaker, will this government then seek independent legal counsel advice on this issue of charitable status and finally take a morally defensible stance on the question of using charitable status to cover professional hockey losses?

Mr. Stefanson: Unlike the member for Crescentwood and unlike the NDP, we are not continually trying to throw roadblocks in front of the Spirit of Manitoba to find a solution to keep the Winnipeg Jets here in Manitoba.

We value the $50 million of economic benefit they bring to our province. We value the $6 million annually of tax revenue they bring directly to the Treasury here in Manitoba. We value the $10 million and the 2,000 jobs that will be created if and when an arena is built. We, unlike the NDP, do not want to see the Winnipeg Jets playing down in Minneapolis, but we know what their view is on the issue.

The Spirit of Manitoba are entitled to apply for different rulings. They are doing those kinds of things. Decisions will be made by various levels of government as they relate to the Spirit and whether or not they qualify, but we, unlike the NDP, will not each and every day try to find roadblocks to stop the Jets from staying here in Manitoba. We want to see them stay in our province, Madam Speaker.

Lockport, Manitoba

Dead Fish Cleanup

Mr. Gregory Dewar (Selkirk): Madam Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Environment (Mr. Cummings).

Madam Speaker, Selkirk and Lockport residents deserve quick action to clean up the 2,000-plus freshwater drum which are trapped by the locks, all this at a time when nearly 40 percent of Selkirk's drinking water is coming from the Red River.

My question for the minister: Has the provincial government come to an agreement with the federal government to get this cleaned up?

Hon. Albert Driedger (Minister of Natural Resources): Madam Speaker, my understanding is that we have a private organization that has undertaken to clean up the dead fish.

Red River

Drinking Water Source

Mr. Gregory Dewar (Selkirk): Madam Speaker, my supplementary question is to the Minister of Environment.

Madam Speaker, is his department confident that treated Red River water is safe to drink?

Hon. Glen Cummings (Minister of Environment): Madam Speaker, this is not a humorous question and one that we take very seriously.

Let me assure the member that it certainly would be my expectation that the usual precautions are being taken to make sure that there has not been any change in the water quality. If he has any different information, I would be glad to hear it.

Selkirk Water Project

Phase II Funding

Mr. Gregory Dewar (Selkirk): Madam Speaker, my final question is for the Minister of Rural Development.

My question is, has the province received word yet whether the federal government will uphold their share of the second phase of the Selkirk water project, so residents will no longer have to use the Red River as an emergency source of drinking water.

Hon. Leonard Derkach (Minister of Rural Development): Madam Speaker, as the member knows, our government has participated in the PAMWI agreement for the various communities in Manitoba. Unfortunately, the federal government has indicated they will not be living up to the $90-million commitment that was agreed to in the beginning, that indeed the program will be reduced by $10 million or almost $10 million.

Officials in our departments are still working with federal officials to try and encourage the federal government to live up to its commitment so that we can continue not only with the project in Selkirk but other projects throughout the province as well.

University of Manitoba

Sexual Harassment Report

Ms. Diane McGifford (Osborne): Yesterday, the dean of arts at the University of Manitoba released some details from a report on a chilly climate for women in the political studies department. The dean went on to say that despite very serious allegations of harassment, he could not release the full report because to do so would violate confidentiality and compromise due process.

My first question is for the Minister responsible for the Status of Women (Mrs. Vodrey).

Is the minister satisfied with these actions, and is she satisfied that the correct remedial steps have been taken to restore women's faith in the reputation of the political studies department?

Hon. Linda McIntosh (Minister of Education and Training): I should indicate to the member that I have asked for a copy of the report. I understand that it has now arrived in my office. I have not yet had a chance to read it, but I have written to the president of the university asking for a meeting to discuss this topic further because I do appreciate and understand what the member is saying.

We certainly do not wish to see faculties in which women feel, for whatever reason, that they are not welcomed as full and equal partners in the faculty. So I have written that, sent off just before Question Period, and I look to obtain more information and have further dialogue on that very sensitive issue.

Ms. McGifford: My second question is for the Minister of Education.

Will the minister now take steps to ensure that the full report is released to the campus human rights officer and to the sexual harassment officer?

Mrs. McIntosh: Again, I thank the member for the question because, certainly, what we are looking for here is a full resolution. We are looking for answers to questions that will ensure that women, students or faculty at the University of Manitoba have no cause for discomfort of any kind in terms of their being received as equals.

I will certainly take her question and commentary to me as constructive suggestion, and I look forward to my dialogue with the president when he receives my letter. I will keep in mind her helpful comments in this regard.

Ms. McGifford: Has the Minister of Education consulted with the Minister responsible for the Status of Women (Mrs. Vodrey) to together ensure that a safe, harassment-free environment for students and faculty members exists at the University of Manitoba?

Mrs. McIntosh: Madam Speaker, absolutely.

The Minister responsible for the Status of Women and this minister, indeed other cabinet ministers and caucus members of our government, are all very concerned about the treatment that people in our society receive, in this instance the women of Manitoba in terms of being afforded full and equal status, not just in verbiage but in reality.

Certainly, the minister and I have had many conversations on this type of topic and on this one in particular. We will be doing all that we can to ensure that there is never again an opportunity for any female member to feel that for whatever reason she is not welcome on faculty as a full member.

Madam Speaker: Time for Oral Questions has expired.

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