THAT this House convey to the family of the late William Kardash, who served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, its sincere sympathy in their bereavement and its appreciation of his devotion to duty and the useful life of active community and public service; and

THAT Madam Speaker be requested to forward a copy of this resolution to the family.

Motion presented.

Mr. Downey: Mr. Deputy Speaker, I want to extend to the Kardash family, on behalf of Premier Filmon and my colleagues in our caucus in government, as has been stated in the motion. I want to add a few additional comments, because I believe that, having read the history of Mr. Kardash in the obituary, he truly was a man who was committed to his cause, coming from a farm community to work to better the conditions of those people in the farm community through the co-operative movement. I can certainly associate with that, that there has always been a struggle to make sure that the values and the inputs of the farm people of this country are recognized. I also want to recognize the fact that he was certainly an active participant in the fight for the causes which he believed in and was not afraid to put himself forward in the kinds of actions that were necessary to enforce his beliefs.

I also want to add another note, because I think, if my memory is correct, that during my term in university, I had the opportunity to be on the fundraising committee for the annual yearbook. I believe Mr. Kardash at that particular time was involved in the Manitoba dairy and poultry co-operatives, which I had the opportunity to meet and solicit some support from, and I have to say that he was very generous in the receiving of myself and another young student who were out promoting the cause of the yearbook and had the opportunity to meet him first-hand. It is not often these kinds of things happen, that I find myself in this situation today in having to introduce and to speak to this.

I know the family members were very close to this individual. It is like any one of us when we lose an individual, regardless of the age. It is a loss to that family and it is a loss to the loved ones, and one can fully appreciate what they are going through. But it is time to give thanks for the contribution of those individuals and to say, without them, we would not have had the kind of country and province that we have had. There was a contribution made which we are all to be thankful for, and so I am pleased, on behalf of my wife and son, to express our sympathy to the family of Mr. Kardash for his contribution to the province.

Mr. Doug Martindale (Burrows): It is a pleasure to pay tribute to the late Bill Kardash, former member of the Legislature for Winnipeg North, and I would like to acknowledge the presence in the public gallery of members of his family today.

There has been a very lengthy obituary in the Winnipeg Free Press giving a long biographical history of his very interesting life, and I am not going to repeat what is there. I would rather just add to it. Also, there were many fine speeches at the Labour Temple at the time of the memorial service for Bill Kardash, and I was privileged to be asked to speak on that occasion as well.

As many of us know, Mr. Kardash was a veteran of the Spanish Civil War, and belonged to the Mackenzie-Papineau Battalion. He felt throughout his life that this battalion of Canadians who fought in the civil war did not receive the recognition and certainly did not receive any benefits from the Canadian government. However, he was fortunate enough to live long enough that there was a tribute paid to them by the unveiling of a historic plaque, I believe on the grounds of the Ontario Legislature, and he was healthy enough at that time to be able to attend and to speak and was very pleased to be a part of that occasion. I once mentioned the Mackenzie-Papineau Battalion in a speech of mine and sent it to Mr. Kardash, and he was very pleased that I had brought it up in the Legislature.

We know that he was a member of the Legislature from Winnipeg North and was elected in 1941 and re-elected in 1945, 1949, and 1953. He was a member of the Communist Party and unabashedly a Communist. He would make no apology for that. He was proud of his political beliefs and stood by them and defended them throughout his entire life.

I think it must have been particularly difficult to defend those beliefs, particularly during the Cold War. I know that he faced discrimination. I am sure there were many kinds of discrimination that he faced, many of which I am not familiar with. However, I did have the opportunity to visit him in his own home, and I visited him many times when he was in the hospital after a stroke, and I would like to share some of the examples that he and his family shared with me.

Mr. Kardash once told me that a colleague in the Manitoba Legislature told him about a benefit to which he was entitled as a member of the Legislative Assembly. It was actually the responsibility of the Clerk of the House to tell all members about all their benefits, and he believed that it was pure and simple discrimination on the part of the Clerk of that day that he was not told about that benefit.

Some members of the Legislature tried to ignore him, and he coped with this I think in a rather creative way. They would not even acknowledge his presence or say hello to him, so when he encountered them, in spite of being ignored, he would give them a cheerful hello and how are you.

In the last election in which he ran, I believe unsuccessfully, it was when the multimember seats had been abolished, and he believed and he spoke many times to me about this, that it was gerrymandering on the part of the government to get rid of him. He was very successful in terms of popular vote in the multiparty seats but was unsuccessful, I believe, in a single-member seat.

I visited Mr. Kardash only once in his home before he had a stroke, and I knew that some day I would probably, if I was still in the Legislature, speak on a condolences motion, so I asked him if he had any regrets. He said, yes, he did have a regret. He regretted that he spent so much time in the evening and on weekends attending meetings that he neglected his own family, which I think is something that all of us as members here can identify with. However, I know his son, Ted, and I know his daughter, Nancy, and I do not think they share this regret. All I hear from them is a great deal of pride in their father and what he stood for and the progressive issues that he fought for.

I have often attended the seniors club at the Ukrainian Labor Temple and when I first got elected, there were usually four or five tables of seniors sitting in rows and there was always entertainment, the mandolin orchestra or the choir or both. When I used to attend there six years ago, both Bill and his wife Mary Kardash were there, and they would not sit in the straight rows. They were always circulating and talking to people and asking people about their family and their well-being and their health and always took time to speak to me. Now when I go to the Labor Temple, whether it is a seniors club or other events, it does seem strange that they are not there and circulating with people. I know they are greatly missed, both by the progressive community of which they were a part and by their family and by me. Thank you.

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Mr. Gary Doer (Leader of the Opposition): Mr. Deputy Speaker, I, too, want to rise on the condolence motion for William Kardash and offer our condolences to the many friends of Mr. Kardash and to his direct family, his son, Ted, his daughter, Nancy and his granddaughter Dana.

Truly, it can be said that Mary and Bill were political and social powers in the north end of Winnipeg, people that fought tirelessly for working people and their families, together, whether it was on the school boards through Mary, or Bill in this Legislature, they fought on behalf of people and the poor people every hour of the day.

They are remembered with a lot of fondness, respect by people in the north end. I heard it even in this federal election, comments about both of them, and today we pay tribute to William, or Bill, 17 years in this legislative Chamber, which is a long time by any political measure. Certainly, the values of his upbringing and the values of his life are ones that all of us, I believe, respect and honour here today in this condolence motion to his family through this Legislature.

As the Deputy Premier has pointed out, he had a history of starting in farming and the co-operative movement in farming, the values of co-operation which we believe are so important to western Canadian producers and still remain an important part of our western Canadian prairie culture, each of us working together and banding together for the greater good, for our total producers, rather than going off as individuals in a kind of Darwinian marketplace.

He, of course, as the member for Burrows (Mr. Martindale) has pointed out, was also a person who volunteered to fight the fascists in Spain in the '30s, a person who was ahead of his time in terms of recognizing the danger that fascism presented to not only Europe directly but also to the free world in the 1930s. He volunteered in that struggle and was a veteran of that war and came back to Canada to warn people of the dangers of the authoritarian nature of fascism and the intolerance of fascism in terms of what it would represent for free people everywhere.

Bill was very involved in the co-operative movement, as the member for Burrows pointed out, in the Ukrainian Canadian organizations, whether they were seniors or the other organizations. I always found my contacts with Mr. Kardash to be a person who had dignity, a quiet strength that came through his personality. His strengths and his contributions to the people of the north end and particularly the poor people, for both him and his wife, Mary, are remembered today in the communities he served long after he was a member of this Legislature. His fight and his struggles on behalf of working people and their families that he and his wife participated in are remembered and are remembered with great honour and with great respect. That is the greatest testament that all of us can have or give to anybody else, the respect of the people.

Bill Kardash had the respect of the people. We are proud to honour his life here today. Thank you very much.

Mr. Steve Ashton (Thompson): I wanted to put a few remarks on the record on an incredible life, an incredible time period in this province. I want to reflect on a couple of points, and that is the uniqueness of Bill Kardash's political life and the unique times. This is somebody that volunteered, along with 1,400 Canadians, to fight against fascism in Germany and in Spain, fighting against the--I say in Germany, but against the Germans, the Italians in the 1930s tested their brute use of force and terrorism and mass murder on the people of Spain, against the democratically elected government of Spain.

Bill lost a leg in that fight. I remember I was very pleased about a decade ago, when we dealt, even in the 1980s, with the continuing fight of the Mac-Paps for recognition, a resolution brought in by the member for Inkster. Bill and others reminded people in the 1980s that despite the fact that they fought against fascism in the 1930s, because they were ahead of their time, there was not only virtually no recognition but, for many people, they came back blacklisted, subject to the kind of discrimination that was talked about before.

What I found particularly fascinating in Mr. Kardash's case was the fact that he went on a few years later, and it is funny how times changed. It would seem remarkable to some today that he served 17 years in this Legislature. When he was first elected in 1941 times had changed. Soviets were allies. At that period of time we were not into the Cold War psychology that came later. But I think what is even more remarkable is that he continued his political career representing the north end, the Labour Progressives, the avowed Communists not only during that period but in the post-war period. This was a period when people could be expelled from political parties, including parties of the left, for doing nothing more than supporting the peace movement because that was seen as being a Communist front. But, when you consider the fact that he was an avowed Communist and had the courage of his convictions and sat and was re-elected throughout the Cold War, I think that is a testament to his courage but also to the unique diversity of this province.

We have had people in this Legislature that range from Social Credit, which, I think, everyone would say is on the far right, and very few people today even remember, outside of the north end, that we also had representation from the left in terms of elected Communists who were also by the way in Winnipeg. In the north end we had Joe Zuken for many years. For many years this was the only city in North America where you had elected Communists. It is interesting because in the psychology of the Cold War, and it continued later into the '50s and '60s and even '70s and '80s, in some ways, where it was considered the worst epitaph to call someone a Communist. I find it interesting in many countries of the world there are Communists now democratically elected, and this is part of the political culture. One looks at even Spain today. One looks at countries like Greece or Italy or France.

I wanted to comment on that because if there is one thing, I think, that is important for all of us to learn from the life of Bill Kardash and others is, regardless of whether one agrees with somebody else's political philosophy, I think you have to value the courage that he showed. A remarkable life; remarkable times. I do not know if there will ever be the Bill Kardashes again. That kind of courage to volunteer to fight Fascism in the 1930s in Spain. I do not know how many people of today's generation would ever have that courage. A lot of people in the 1930s and 1940s showed that type of courage. He, I think, was probably the most remarkable example. As I said, a remarkable life; remarkable time.

I do not want to just pay tribute for the 17 years in the Legislature because I remember even discussing this the time the Mac-Paps were here. That was simply one chapter in his life, and he left a legacy of fighting for social and economic justice in the north end. I say to a lot of people, I always get enriched when I go to the north end. I get strengthened because that kind of tradition is still very much in existence.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker.

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Hon. Darren Praznik (Minister of Health): I welcome the opportunity to put a few words on the record. As a student of history in the province of Manitoba, of political history, the name Bill Kardash certainly had a role to play in the political history of our province. I remember having met Mr. Kardash when I was a university student at a particular function and had a chance to speak to him about his time in Spain during that period of the Spanish Civil War, and it was only after I had actually met him that I came to realize that he had served 17 years in this Assembly as a member, I believe, first elected in the days of the 10-member Winnipeg constituency and then later, when that was divided into three three-member constituencies, served as the member for, I believe, Winnipeg North as the third member elected on a number of occasions.

His loss to this Legislature, or defeat, I think, came when we went to single-member constituencies. I think it was the CCF or the New Democrats who replaced him in the Burrows constituency at that time.

On this side of the House and certainly myself, I do not necessarily agree with many of the political philosophies or positions taken by Mr. Kardash, but I certainly want to acknowledge here today a respect for his conviction, a respect for his dedication to what he believed, and I certainly do not want to pass judgment on him in the context of his time. Because it is very easy, looking back today on that period, to speak about the facts, what went on in the Soviet Union and things during this time that were not necessarily common knowledge to many who promoted that particular turn of events. They were very turbulent times, very divided times in terms of philosophy and politics and dogma, in essence, that the division of political philosophy and belief was very, very great and divergent in the world, perhaps a characteristic of this century. As we near the end of it and we look back, perhaps one of the characteristics of the politics of this century will be the great division in political viewpoints and philosophy that determined so much of the history of this century.

Mr. Kardash, with his conviction, his sense of purpose, and his experience growing up in the north end and background, led him to travel across the world to fight in the Spanish Civil War, and I appreciate the comments of the member for Thompson (Mr. Ashton). That was a war many people do not want to talk about, but it was, in some ways, given the involvement of fascist Italy and fascist Germany, somewhat a precursor of what we would become involved in a few short years later in fighting those enemies. It became more than just a battle of political philosophy or government in Spain but really became a testing ground for other armies and philosophies that would lead to the World War. Mr. Kardash, like many from Manitoba and from Canada, found a role in that conflict and put his convictions into practice in serving in the international brigades.

He returned to Winnipeg and was elected to the Legislature. He, with great conviction, for those who have studied the record, always advanced the causes that he felt were important. I have come to appreciate in my brief political career the importance of exchange and dialogue, the importance of hearing other points of view, because I think one of the great results or the great characteristics of this latter part of the century is that we have modified our political philosophies considerably because we have listened to each side of the spectrum. We have modified towards the middle, and even though in this Chamber from time to time we get into what appears to be great debates of left and right, the realities compared to the early part of this century is that we are all far more moderate in our beliefs and views than those who have come before us, and perhaps we have learned from that time for the betterment of our citizenry. It might not make for as interesting politics and it may not make for great philosophical debates, but I would like to believe it is meant for better government for all in our population.

In some ways, Mr. Kardash's contribution of representing one part of that spectrum in those periods of the debate, like reference to Social Creditors who have sat in this House, Jake Froese, being the last, have contributed to, I think, moving that debate. Because we had debates of broad view, we ultimately as a province moved to, I think, the more moderate position that has served us well over the years.

So, Mr. Deputy Speaker, today we recognize and we pay tribute to a former member of this Assembly and an individual from really a very different time, but an individual, nonetheless, who served his province to the best of his ability. I think, as a historian, with his death, it really marks the passing of a period in our history of great turbulence, of great debate, of great activity on the international scene, of great change.

As the member for Thompson (Mr. Ashton), I think, so rightly pointed out, this Legislature has always had a history of many points of view. In fact, in the first--the election of 1936, if I am not mistaken, there were five political parties, five or seven political parties represented in this Chamber, the Communist Party, not with Mr. Kardash, but with Mr. Jim Litterick, represented here all the way to a five-member Social Credit caucus, Conservative caucus, a progressive caucus, a labour caucus, I think an independent labour group, a wide variety of opinion.

Manitoba has always been a very diverse place politically. We have always tolerated that diversity, and I think it has strengthened us as a province.

So we say from this side to recognize him and his family, his contribution not only to Manitoba and this Legislature but, certainly, the courage of his convictions in fighting for what he believed. Any individual who does that is worthy of respect, and we offer that here today. Thank you.

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt this motion?

Some Honourable Members: Agreed.

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Would the honourable members please rise and remain standing to indicate their support for the motion?

A moment of silence was observed.

Hon. James Downey (Deputy Premier): Mr. Deputy Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable member for Brandon West (Mr. McCrae),

THAT this House convey to the family of the late Edward McGill, who served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, its sincere sympathy in their bereavement and its appreciation for his devotion to duty and a useful life of active community and public service; and

THAT Madam Speaker be requested to forward a copy of this resolution to the family.

Motion presented.

Mr. Downey: Ed McGill was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba on June 25, 1969, for the electoral division of Brandon West for the Progressive Conservative Party. He was re-elected in the general elections of June 28, 1973, and October 11, 1977. He was not a candidate in the November 17, 1981, general election.

Mr. McGill served as Minister of Consumer, Corporate and Internal Services, Minister of Co-op Development, responsible for MTS and Communications, and responsible for the administration of The Manitoba Lotteries Act from October 24, 1977, to October 20, 1978; Minister responsible for MTS, Manitoba Forestry Resources Limited and MPIC from October 20, 1978, to November 15, 1979, and as a minister without portfolio from November 15, 1979, to November 30, 1981.

(Mr. Peter Dyck, Acting Speaker, in the Chair)

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Mr. Acting Speaker, Linda and I were good friends of Ed and Eve McGill and their family. I can say, as well, that Ed was truly a dedicated Manitoban, Canadian and a man who I held in high esteem. I had the opportunity of serving with Mr. McGill as part of the caucus and as part of the cabinet of Sterling Lyon in the 1977 to '81 period. He truly was of tremendous support and assistance. His sage advice and guidance for a young, rookie politician and minister was an example to follow which I tried to in many ways.

I also want to add that Ed had a distinguished military record with the RCAF and, of course, in continuing on with his public service and the recognition of that, McGill Field was named after Ed in Brandon. I also knew Ed before entering politics as the leader or the head of the Brandon Flying School, where I had the privilege of getting my pilot's licence under the guidance of Ed and the team of pilots that he had at McGill Field, and, again, had the privilege of knowing him through that particular part of my life.

On the lighter side, Ed was sometimes referred to as Mad Dog McGill, as truly reflecting in the opposite way his gentle demeanor and his quiet way in life. Of course, quite often that is the way people try to acknowledge an individual. But it was done with the greatest of respect in referring to Ed in that way.

Many community activities, whether it was with the Kinsmen, whether it was the many lodges, many activities that Ed participated in, everything was done to the finest with the finest of detail and making sure that everything was done to the exact way that had to be done. Of course, I am sure that his son and his two daughters and their families are extremely proud of him and his distinguished career as I am of being a friend and certainly knowing the individual in the way in which I have.

So I, Mr. Acting Speaker, want to extend to all the McGill families, on behalf of my family, sincere condolences.

I also want to on behalf of Premier Filmon and the members of our caucus, Mr. Acting Speaker, express all our sympathies to the McGill family as well. Thank you.

Mr. Gary Doer (Leader of the Opposition): I too would like to rise on the condolence motion to honour the life and other contributions to this Legislature and to Manitoba of Ed McGill and to send our words to his family. I know he has three children, Mickey, Douglas and Patricia, and a number of grandchildren that he certainly was very proud of.

Mr. Acting Speaker, I met Mr. McGill on a couple of occasions in my former career as president of the employee organization. I met him in events in Brandon, and I met him as Minister responsible for the Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation. I always found him to be, I guess I could use no other word than "gentleman" to describe how he acted and how our meetings took place. He was a person who was respectful of the role you had as representing the employees. He was thoughtful in terms of what you would present to him. He listened. He would sometimes act on the issues that we would raise in terms of employment in Brandon or employment across the province or other issues that we felt could improve the public service of the corporation to the people of the province of Manitoba. I always found him very good to deal with, a very, as I say, a really dignified individual.

I know in the community of Brandon he is certainly known for his contributions to aviation, whether it was at the flying schools or the clubs or the airport in Brandon, and I am not sure whether the field is named after him or not, but--it is named after him? Certainly that was my connection when I first saw the name of the field; I thought, Ed McGill. He always did get a military story or a flying story into his comments even though it may be only two sentences long, because he was kind of a Gary Cooper kind of character in terms of his language. Perhaps all of us could learn about his economy of words when it came to dealing with particular issues. I would say that he did not waste words. He did not waste sentences. He just merely was kind, dignified, intelligent, and respectful.

I want to pay tribute to his three elected terms here. If I recall correctly, I thought at one point he was the Deputy Premier, when he was minister without portfolio. I believe he was Deputy Premier of the Lyon government. I am not sure, and it is not in the obituary, but I thought he was. Now, maybe it is not listed because it is not an official title, or--he was not? I thought he was. I thought when he was minister without portfolio he was also Deputy Premier, but I am just going by memory. Members who have served in his caucus would have a much better recollection of that than I would. However, he had a number of cabinet portfolios through the Lyon years, and he obviously had the respect of his constituents. I know he is well respected by people across all party lines in Brandon and in the Brandon West area of the constituency.

I know that there was some controversy about some of the policies about the Lyon government, which, eventually, were dealt with in the '81 election, but I know that people respected Ed McGill throughout the disagreements that they had with the Lyon government, respected his integrity and his strength of character. So I just would like to put those words on the record, Mr. Acting Speaker.

Hon. James McCrae (Minister of Environment): Mr. Speaker, I have known the McGill family since I was 16 years of age. Certainly I have known Mr. McGill since that time over the years. Indeed, initially, when I came calling to the McGill household, calling upon Mr. McGill's younger daughter, Patricia, my recollection is that the economy of words referred to by the Leader of the Opposition was certainly one that struck me at that time, leaving me to wonder just in what esteem I was held by the father of that particular household.

Some of the things I have to say about Mr. McGill this afternoon will strike a particularly responsive chord with Mr. McGill's fraternal associates and my own as well, but these words would also strike a responsive chord for anyone who knew Mr. McGill. Ed McGill was a man who moved quietly and modestly in the sphere of his life without blemish. He fulfilled his duties as a man, a subject, husband, and father. Never ostentatious, he served his fellow citizens without self-interest and without courting applause. Ed McGill was respected by all noble-minded people. He was not the kind of person who would proclaim what he had done, would do or could do, but where there was need, he served with resolve, determination and dedication. After his distinguished life of service to country, province, and community, Ed McGill retired without pretension into the multitude, because all of his good acts were performed not for himself but for the cause of good. Ed McGill was the personification of all of the highest ideals of good citizenship.

Although his life's partner and wife, Eve, predeceased him a few short years ago, Ed McGill is survived by Mickey, Doug, Pat and Betsy and their families, and we join them in remembering fondly the life and the person of Ed McGill. In so doing, we also offer them our condolences on his passing.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Dyck): Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt this motion?

Some Honourable Members: Agreed.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Dyck): Would the honourable members please rise and remain standing to indicate their support of the motion.

A moment of silence was observed.

Hon. James Downey (Deputy Premier) I move, seconded by the honourable Minister of Culture (Mrs. Vodrey),

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THAT this House convey to the family of the late James Cowan, who served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, its sincere sympathy in their bereavement and its appreciation of his devotion to duty and a useful life of active community and public service; and

THAT Madam Speaker be requested to forward a copy of this resolution to the family.

Motion presented.

Mr. Downey: Mr. James Cowan, Q.C., elected to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba on June 16, 1958, for the Progressive Conservative Party for the electoral division of Winnipeg Centre. He was re-elected in the general elections of May 14, 1959, December 14, 1962, and June 23, 1966. He was defeated in the general election of June 25, 1969.

Mr. Acting Speaker, I would like to say at this particular time it is clearly evident by the obituary of the commitment of Mr. Cowan not only to his community and a larger part as an elected member of the Legislature, but also in his service in the army, in the Second World War, his continuation and involvement in the legion housing program, plus a life member of the Royal Canadian Legion. He also was elected as city alderman, helping to direct the City of Winnipeg. So I do not think there is any question, Mr. Acting Speaker, of his commitment to the public and to the general good of his province and his community at large. He, as well, was from a family of pioneer stock, truly involved in many activities in life. He also, I understand, was involved in the general insurance business as well as practising law.

Mr. Acting Speaker, I think it points out again, as it has been said many times today, the commitment of individuals like James Cowan to spend a portion of their life to work, whether it was to be in a Legislative Assembly, City Council or to put themselves forward in the protection of the freedom of our country. Each and every one of us want to say thank you for that contribution.

So at this particular time I want to extend to, particularly Rose and to any of the Cowan family who are still with us, on behalf of the Premier (Mr. Filmon), my colleagues and my family, my sincere condolence to them and say thank you for the life and contribution of Mr. James Cowan. Thank you.

Mr. Gary Doer (Leader of the Opposition): I will say just a few words. The member for Transcona (Mr. Reid) knows Mr. Cowan and the family, and I will leave it to him to make comments about the personal contributions of Mr. Cowan to our community.

I just want to say that we join with the Deputy Premier in the condolence motion here today. We want to honour the life of James Cowan, his contributions to his fellow citizens, to his community, to the people of this province. As the Deputy Premier has noted, Mr. Cowan served, before he was elected, in the armed services. He was elected as an alderman to City Council in the city of Winnipeg and was elected in '58 through the Roblin years through to '69, elected and re-elected a number of times in the Winnipeg Centre constituency. He obviously had the success of his constituents in mind in his continued re-election. Obviously he was an able representative because he was re-elected on a number of occasions to this Chamber. As the Deputy Premier has also noted, he was a participant in housing projects through the legion and a participant with the legion--and he is obviously, reading his history--a person worthy of tremendous respect from his fellow Manitoba citizens to his contributions to our community, to our province. He has obviously been part of making this province of Manitoba one of the best places to live, and I, on behalf of our party, want to honour his life and thank him for his great contributions to his fellow Manitoba citizens and Canadian citizens. Thank you very much.

Mr. Daryl Reid (Transcona): Mr. Acting Speaker, Uncle Jim, as we affectionately called him, came to my home many, many times. Uncle Jim and Auntie Rose, his wife, were close personal friends of my mother-in-law. I know the Minister of Highways and Transportation (Mr. Findlay) had the opportunity to meet my mother-in-law a number years ago in the Toronto airport, and they shared many political thoughts during that brief meeting which I am sure, my mother-in-law said, was a memorable event. Uncle Jim and Auntie Rose were personal friends of my mother-in-law, my wife and myself. Uncle Jim was a lawyer prior to his being elected to the Manitoba Legislature. I believe it was in June 1958, when he was first elected. Of course while he was serving as a lawyer, he was appointed to the Queen's Counsel, something which he cherished. It was a very honourable event for him to become a member named to the Queen's Counsel.

Uncle Jim, unfortunately, lost election in June of 1969, so he served some 11 years in that capacity as MLA representing Winnipeg Centre constituency, and served honourably during those years.

Uncle Jim was a generous, caring and gentle individual. I know that my wife and family members cherish the times that they spent as children, in particular my wife's case, for the years when they went to Delta Beach where Uncle Jim and Auntie Rose had their cabin. Uncle Jim and Auntie Rose had the opportunity on many occasions to invite not only family members but friends to Delta Beach to share their humble summer home and to take part in the many, many barbecues that they shared together.

I know I look back fondly on events where Uncle Jim would invite us, in one particular case, to the Winter Club here in the city of Winnipeg when his daughter came to visit him travelling all the way from Ireland with her family. Uncle Jim gathered up the family members in the province of Manitoba here and close family friends and rented out the facilities at the Winter Club and put on a huge, huge dinner for his daughter and her family that came from Ireland. So we remember that with great fondness for that particular occasion. His daughter, Margaret Gubbins and her children were the ones that we were honouring on that particular occasion.

I look back too on the days when Uncle Jim used to come down the street where we live now, driving down the street, and you could hear that car coming from some distance away. There was, obviously, some difficulties with the exhaust system underneath it. It was a 1970 vintage Dodge Aspen. I can recall going out and talking to Uncle Jim out in the driveway in front of my home and saying to him, it looks like it might be time to send on this particular automobile to greener pastures. Of course, no, he saw that there were still many more years of useful service that could be gained out of this automobile. In fact, when he used to get the odd fender bender or nick, you know, in and about the yard, moving into the yard--or he had the great habit of getting out the bucket of yellow house paint, going out and touching up the nicks on the fender with the house paint just to make sure that the rust did not set in, that he could preserve the automobile for further use.

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I know that members opposite--and I think back to not that long ago when we went to the funeral services for Uncle Jim that the former premiers of Manitoba, Premier Lyon and Roblin, were at the funeral services recognizing Uncle Jim's contribution not only to the province of Manitoba, but to the Conservative Party of Manitoba. I note in their conversations and in their eyes, the surprise that Uncle Jim would have friends that were beyond the Conservative Party, but Uncle Jim was a kind, gentle, and caring person and made time for people from all walks of life. He treated everybody fairly and equally, and for that we are quite thankful to have had the opportunity to know him personally and to have him come to our home and to share in our family times together.

(Mr. Marcel Laurendeau, Deputy Speaker, in the Chair)

So on behalf of my family and my colleagues, we would like to extend to Uncle Jim and to Auntie Rose, who is now in, I think, Central Park Lodge--she has Alzheimer's and is unaware of events that are transpiring around her, but I know our thoughts are with her as well. We extend our sincere condolences to Auntie Rose and to the rest of the Cowan family members, and we wish them well. Thank you.

Hon. Glen Findlay (Minister of Highways and Transportation): Mr. Deputy Speaker, I will just put a few comments. I may be moved because of what the member for Transcona (Mr. Reid) has just said, but I have to reflect on other events of this week in sort of extending condolences to the Cowan family, because Mr. Cowan obviously served in the Duff Roblin government and was part of the government that put the floodway in place that just saved the city of Winnipeg one more time.

I think it is important that we pay recognition to people that contributed in that period of time to that great decision that the Duff Roblin government made. Mr. Cowan was part of it and, indeed, on behalf of myself and the citizens of Manitoba that live east of Winnipeg, I respect the decision he made in terms of protecting citizens from future floods that we have just encountered again.

With those few words, I extend my condolences to the Cowan family for what he has done in that great period of time of decision making in the Duff Roblin government in the 1960s.

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt this motion?

Some Honourable Members: Agreed.

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Would honourable members please rise and remain standing to indicate their support for the motion.

A moment of silence was observed.

Hon. James Downey (Deputy Premier): Mr. Deputy Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Highways and Transportation (Mr. Findlay),

THAT this House convey to the family of the late James Mills, who served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, its sincere sympathy in their bereavement and its appreciation of his devotion to duty in a useful life of active community and public service; and

THAT Madam Speaker be requested to forward a copy of this resolution to the family.

Motion presented.

Mr. Downey: Mr. James Thomas Mills, or more commonly referred to, as it reads in the obituary, as Jim, Mr. Mills was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba on December 14, 1962, for the Progressive Conservative Party for the electoral division of Kildonan. He was defeated in the general election of June 23, 1966. Mr. Deputy Speaker, I want to as well extend, on behalf of the Premier (Mr. Filmon) and my colleagues, to the family of Mr. Mills, our sincere sympathy.

I can say by reading the obituary, Mr. Deputy Speaker, that I guess I should reflect at the last--when was it?--Jim or James, this is a Jim or a James--I have quite a bit in common with that name and, reflecting on the obituary, can clearly get a feel for the kind of individual that Mr. Mills truly was. Truly a family person, he excelled in everything he did. I think it is also important to point out, and this is true, certainly not necessarily a necessity but an asset in the career which Mr. Mills was involved, he truly loved people. I think that has to be part of not only--it is not essential--but it is certainly an important asset to have in the role that he played not only as a member of the Legislative Assembly, but also holding positions as a city councillor and also involved in the greater Winnipeg election committee, as well as a member of the other activities in this community such as Rotary, the Knights of Columbus, Toastmasters International, which I can associate with, the Progressive Conservative Association of Manitoba and the Winnipeg executives. Truly a busy person, also a very active businessperson not only in his years in business in Manitoba, but when considered moving out west to retire, he did not retire. He continued on to carry out business activities and further fulfilling his ambitions in life.

I think it is also important to note, Mr. Deputy Speaker, the reference to "Papa Jim" made it easy for a lot of people to associate with him. Again, his ambition and his hard work truly, I think, is again reflected in the comments that are made in the obituary, that to follow his lead was to help to make the world a happier place. So I want to extend to the family of Mr. Jim Mills the condolences from myself, my family, and all the members of our party and of this House.

Mr. Gary Doer (Leader of the Opposition): I, too, want to forward our condolences to the Mills family, his wife, Eleanor, his children and his 13 grandchildren, and pay tribute to his contributions to this Legislature and to the people of this province. He sounds like a person who would be a very interesting individual to spend time with. Obviously, a person who loved to sing, who loved to be with people, who passed on words to all of us: Do not despair, we want to all leave this life, leave our communities in a happier condition than when we first came to them. He sounds like a person that lived life to the full in terms of his community contributions and his personal successes.

His personal successes obviously start with his family. Thirteen grandchildren is a tremendous success by anybody's definition in terms of the ability to have a continuance of the family and contribute to the happiness of so many other people. He also was very successful in business, it appears to me by reading his history. It looked like wherever he would start something, he would succeed and succeed well, whether it was here or Victoria or in the winter place in terms of where he spent time with Eleanor.

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He certainly was elected--I believe part of his constituency would be now in the constituency of Concordia. It was called then the Kildonan riding. It was East Kildonan. I am sure he would have been very happy to see probably the seniors at the Morse Place Community Centre, that probably was in his riding, where Manitoba Seniors Day was being celebrated, and song and dance was the order of the day for people in that community. It sounds pretty consistent with his love of life. Certainly he had the respect of his fellow citizens. He was elected to the City Council, and that always meant, in my view, that you were close to the people, close to the grassroots, because councillors are always elected on their connection to the people. They are not elected on party banners. They are elected on their contacts with the people in the area.

He was elected to this Legislature in '62, and would have participated in some of the debates, the early debates, about dealing with the reports dealing with the Winnipeg flood and the recommendations on the floodway and the Shellmouth Dam and the Assiniboine diversion. Obviously, those of us who live in the east side of the city, those of us that are closer to the river, would appreciate the decisions he made with his other colleagues in the Roblin government in those periods of times and, of course, laid the groundwork for the Shellmouth Dam that followed in the Schreyer years in the '70s. I again want to pay tribute to his life and honour his contributions to this Legislature and to the people of Manitoba. Thank you.

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt this motion?

Some Honourable Members: Agreed.

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Would honourable members please rise and remain standing to indicate their support for the motion.

A moment of silence was observed.