Mr. Oscar Lathlin (The Pas): Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the member for Point Douglas (Mr. Hickes), that leave be given to introduce Bill 200, The Interpretation Amendment Act (Loi modifiant la Loi d'interprétation), and that the same be now received and read for a first time.

Motion presented.

Mr. Lathlin: Madam Speaker, just a very few comments regarding our introduction of the bill. As you know, the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry, when it was released in August of 1991, recommended that The Interpretation Act of Manitoba be amended to provide that all legislation be interpreted subject to aboriginal and treaty rights.

This act deals with the general principles of statutory interpretation. Express recognition of aboriginal and treaty rights with this law would assist in ensuring that all Manitoba legislation is interpreted properly in light of these constitutionally protected rights. Given that several Manitoba statutes currently infringe on rights recognized by past Supreme Court decisions, action on The Interpretation Act is warranted. Without going into details, I will simply note that the current Wildlife Act, The Wild Rice Act, the provincial parks act and The Crown Lands Act, to name a few, all should undergo such a review.

I look forward to debating this bill. Thank you.

Motion agreed to.