2nd-36th, Volume 36 - Routine Proceedings

VOL. XLVI No. 36 - 1:30 p.m., THURSDAY, MAY 16, 1996

Thursday, May 16, 1996

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA

Thursday, May 16, 1996

The House met at 1:30 p.m.

PRAYERS

ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS

PRESENTING PETITIONS

Home Care Services

Mr. Gregory Dewar (Selkirk): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Kelly Wishnowski, Robert Shawcross, John Bonner and others requesting the Premier (Mr. Filmon) and the Minister of Health (Mr. McCrae) to consider reversing their plans to privatize home care services.

Mr. Doug Martindale (Burrows): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Paola D'Abramo, Anna Giannini, H. Hamilton and others requesting the Premier and the Minister of Health to consider reversing their plan to privatize home care services.

Mr. Leonard Evans (Brandon East): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Phyllis Spence, Bonnie Neil, James Slade and others requesting the Premier and the Minister of Health to consider reversing their plan to privatize home care services.

Ms. Jean Friesen (Wolseley): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Jan Mulder, David Pollock, Wendy Tod and others requesting the Premier and the Minister of Health to consider reversing their plan to privatize home care services.

Ms. Rosann Wowchuk (Swan River): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Lorna Sanderson, Cindy Allard, Lisa Joblonski and others requesting the Premier and the Minister of Health to consider reversing their plans to privatize home care services.

READING AND RECEIVING PETITIONS

Home Care Services

Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition for the honourable member for Wolseley (Ms. Friesen). It complies with rules and practices of the House (by leave). Is it the will of the House to have the petition read?

An Honourable Member: Dispense.

Madam Speaker: Dispense.

THAT on at least six occasions during the 1995 provincial election, the Premier promised not to cut health services; and

THAT on December 16, 1995, a plan to privatize home care services was presented to Treasury Board; and

THAT this plan calls for the complete divestiture of all service delivery to nongovernment organizations, mainly private for-profit companies as well as the implementation of a user-pay system of home care; and

THAT previous cuts to the Home Care program have resulted in services being cut and people’s health being compromised; and

THAT thousands of caring front-line service providers will lose their jobs as a result of this change; and

THAT profit has no place in the provision of vital health services.

WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba may be pleased to request the Premier (Mr. Filmon) and the Minister of Health (Mr. McCrae) to consider reversing their plan to privatize home care services.

* (1335)

Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Elmwood (Mr. Maloway). It complies with the rules and the practices of the House. Is it the will of the House to have the petition read?

An Honourable Member: Dispense.

Madam Speaker: Dispense.

THAT on at least six occasions during the 1995 provincial election, the Premier promised not to cut health services; and

THAT on December 16, 1995, a plan to privatize home care services was presented to Treasury Board; and

THAT previous cuts to the Home Care program have resulted in services being cut and people’s health being compromised; and

THAT thousands of caring front-line service providers will lose their jobs as a result of this change; and

THAT profit has no place in the provision of vital health services.

PRESENTING REPORTS BY

STANDING AND SPECIAL COMMITTEES

Committee of Supply

Mr. Marcel Laurendeau (Chairperson of Committees): Madam Speaker, the Committee of Supply has adopted certain resolutions, directs me to report the same and asks leave to sit again.

I move, seconded by the honourable member for Morris (Mr. Pitura), that the report of the committee be received.

Motion agreed to.

* (1340)

TABLING OF REPORTS

Hon. Harold Gilleshammer (Minister of Culture, Heritage and Citizenship): Madam Speaker, I would like to table the 1996-97 Supplementary Information for Legislative Review for the Department of Culture, Heritage and Citizenship.

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

Bill 45--The Consumer Protection Amendment Act

Hon. Jim Ernst (Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs): Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Labour (Mr. Toews), that leave be given to introduce Bill 45, The Consumer Protection Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Loi sur la protection du consommateur, and that the same be now received and read a first time.

Motion agreed to.

Bill 46--The Securities Amendment Act

Hon. Jim Ernst (Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs): I move, seconded by the Minister of Finance (Mr. Stefanson), that leave be given to introduce Bill 46, The Securities Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Loi sur les valeurs mobilières, and that the same be now received and read a first time.

Motion agreed to.

Bill 47--The Public Schools Amendment Act

Hon. Linda McIntosh (Minister of Education and Training): Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs (Mr. Ernst), that leave be given to introduce Bill 47, The Public Schools Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Loi sur les écoles publiques, and that the same be now received and read a first time.

Motion agreed to.

Bill 48--The University of Manitoba Amendment Act

Hon. Linda McIntosh (Minister of Education and Training): Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs (Mr. Ernst), that leave be given to introduce Bill 48, The University of Manitoba Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Loi sur l'Université du Manitoba, and that the same be now received and read a first time.

Motion agreed to.

Bill 49--The Regional Health Authorities and Consequential Amendments Act

Hon. James McCrae (Minister of Health): Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Minister of Environment (Mr. Cummings), that leave be given to introduce Bill 49, The Regional Health Authorities and Consequential Amendments Act (Loi sur les offices régionaux de la santé et apportant des modifications corrélatives), and that the same be now received and read a first time.

Motion agreed to.

Bill 50--The Remembrance Day Amendment Act

Hon. Vic Toews (Minister of Labour): I move, seconded by the Minister of Culture, Heritage and Citizenship (Mr. Gilleshammer), that leave be given to introduce Bill 50, The Remembrance Day Amendment Act (Loi modifiant la Loi sur le jour du souvenir), and that the same be now received and read a first time.

Motion agreed to.

Bill 51--The Civil Service Superannuation Amendment, Public Servants Insurance Amendment and Teachers' Pensions Amendment Act

Hon. Vic Toews (Minister charged with the administration of The Civil Service Act): I move, seconded by the Minister of Rural Development (Mr. Derkach), that leave be given to introduce Bill 51, The Civil Service Superannuation Amendment, Public Servants Insurance Amendment and Teachers' Pensions Amendment Act (Loi modifiant la Loi sur la pension de la fonction publique, la Loi sur l'assurance des employés du gouvernement et la Loi sur la pension de retraite des enseignants), and that the same be now received and read a first time.

His Honour the Lieutenant Governor, having been advised of the contents of this bill, recommends it to the House. I would like to table the Lieutenant Governor's message as well.

Motion agreed to.

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Bill 52--The York Factory First Nation Northern Flood Implementation Agreement Act

Hon. Jim Ernst (Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs): Madam Speaker, on behalf of the Minister of Northern and Native Affairs (Mr. Praznik), I move, seconded by the Minister of Education (Mrs. McIntosh), that leave be given to introduce Bill 52, The York Factory First Nation Northern Flood Implementation Agreement Act (Loi sur l'accord de mise en oeuvre de la première nation de York Factory relatif à la convention sur la submersion de terres du Nord manitobain), and that the same be now received and read a first time.

His Honour the Lieutenant Governor, having been advised of the contents of the bill, recommends it to the House. I would like to take the message from the Lieutenant Governor.

Motion agreed to.

Bill 53--The Nelson House First Nation Northern Flood Implementation Agreement Act

Hon. Jim Ernst (Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs): Madam Speaker, on behalf of the Minister of Northern and Native Affairs (Mr. Praznik), I move, seconded by the Minister of Government Services (Mr. Pallister), that leave be given to introduce Bill 53, The Nelson House First Nation Northern Flood Implementation Agreement Act (Loi sur l'accord de mise en oeuvre de la première nation de Nelson House relatif à la convention sur la submersion de terres du Nord manitobain), and that the same be now received and read a first time.

His Honour the Lieutenant Governor, having been advised of the contents of this bill, recommends it to the House. I would like to table the message of the Lieutenant Governor.

Motion agreed to.

Bill 55--The Financial Administration and Consequential Amendments Act

Hon. Eric Stefanson (Minister of Finance): Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Environment (Mr. Cummings), that leave be given to introduce Bill 55, The Financial Administration and Consequential Amendments Act (Loi concernant la gestion des finances publiques et apportant des modifications corrélatives), and that the same be now received and read a first time.

Motion agreed to.

Bill 56--The Manitoba Investment Pool Authority Act

Hon. Eric Stefanson (Minister of Finance): Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Rural Development (Mr. Derkach), that leave be given to introduce Bill 56, The Manitoba Investment Pool Authority Act (Loi sur l'Office manitobain de mise en commun des placements), and that the same be now received and read a first time.

Motion agreed to.

* (1350)

Introduction of Guests

Madam Speaker: Prior to Oral Questions, I would like to draw the attention of all honourable members to the gallery, where we have this afternoon fifty Grade 9 students from Ken Seaford Junior High School. This school is located in the constituency of the honourable member for The Maples (Mr. Kowalski).

We have fifty Grade 5 students from Stanley Knowles School under the direction of Ms. Claretta Shefrin. This school is located in the constituency of the honourable member for Inkster (Mr. Lamoureux).

On behalf of all honourable members, I welcome you this afternoon.