ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS

Hon. Glen Cummings (Minister charged with the administration of The Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation Act): I would like to table the Quarterly Report for the six months ended August 31 on behalf of the Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation.

Hon. James Downey (Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism): Madam Speaker, I have a brief statement to make and copies for honourable members.

I am pleased to inform the House that the Canadian Centre on Disability Studies has chosen Manitoba as its headquarters. The centre, which is unique in Canada, is the focal point for disability research, both in this country and abroad, through its links to Canadian universities and also Disabled Peoples International which is also based here in Winnipeg. The centre's main activities include research for academic purposes and on a fee-for-service basis for industry and government, as well as to provide education and information to the community as a whole.

We should be proud as Manitobans that such a groundbreaking centre has chosen Manitoba as its home. I encourage each of you, and indeed all Manitobans, to contribute in ensuring the centre's long-term success and to assist in other ways with its goals to remove barriers and to open opportunities for Manitobans with disabilities.

I invite all members of the Legislature to join me today at a reception that will bring together representatives from the business community and the Canadian Centre on Disability Studies in Room 254 at 4:30 p.m. Thank you very much, Madam Speaker.

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Mr. Tim Sale (Crescentwood): I thank the minister for the invitation. I am sure many members will want to accept his kind invitation.

Madam Speaker, Manitoba has long been a leader in the area of disability studies. Names like Mr. Enns, Mr. Simpson, Mr. Doerksen are known worldwide, perhaps even more widely known than they are in Manitoba, for their expertise on disability policy, particularly around issues of access and employment, so I am very pleased to support the development of this centre in our province and to further pay tribute to the many disabled Manitobans who have given not only provincial but national and international leadership to the development of a barrier-free world for all those with disabilities.

I can only regret that the federal government has not seen fit to be more proactive in regard to the needs of disabled Canadians in terms of their incomes and their rights, particularly with reference to the cuts that they have suffered under the Canada Assistance Plan and the Vocational Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons Act. I thank the minister again for his statement and I know many members will attend the opening. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Prior to Oral Questions, I would like to draw the attention of all honourable members to the public gallery where we have with us this afternoon seven Grade 11 students from Grand Rapids School under the direction of Mrs. Shelley Cook. This school is located in the constituency of the honourable member for The Pas (Mr. Lathlin).

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