Thursday, March 19, 1998
The House met at 1:30 p.m.
PRESENTING PETITIONS
Winnipeg Hospitals Food Services--Privatization
Mr. Gord Mackintosh (St. Johns): Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Kevin Solinsky, Chad Smith, Fred Pennell and others praying that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba urge the Minister of Health (Mr. Praznik) to put an end to the centralization and privatization of Winnipeg hospital food services.
Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Wellington (Ms. Barrett). It complies with the rules and practices of the House. Is it the will of the House to have the petition read?
An Honourable Member: Dispense.
Madam Speaker: Dispense.
THAT the Urban Shared Services Corporation (USSC) has announced plans to privatize laundry, food services and purchasing for the Winnipeg hospitals; and
THAT it is estimated that more than 1,000 health care jobs will be lost over the next year as a result, with many more privatized in the next two or three years; and
THAT under the terms of the contract, Ontario businesses will profit at the expense of Manitoba's health care system; and
THAT after construction of a food assembly warehouse in Winnipeg, chilled, prepared food will be shipped in from Ontario, then assembled and heated before being shipped to the hospitals; and
THAT people who are in the hospital require nutritious and appetizing food; and
THAT the announced savings as a result of the contract have been disputed, and one study by Wintemute Randle Kilimnik indicated that, "A considerable number of studies have compared costs of service delivery in health care between self-operation (public sector) and privatization. Invariably, privatization is more expensive."; and
THAT no one in Manitoba seems to benefit from this contract, especially patients.
WHEREFORE YOUR PETITIONERS HUMBLY PRAY that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba urge the Minister of Health to put an end to the centralization and privatization of Winnipeg hospital food services.
Madam Speaker: Is there leave to revert to Presenting Petitions? [agreed]
I had reverted to Presenting Petitions, and I am not sure if that is the one that was submitted.
An Honourable Member: Probably it is reading and receiving. Sorry, wrong one.
Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Point Douglas did not read his petition into the record. May I ask him to do so now, please.
Mr. George Hickes (Point Douglas): It would be a pleasure to read it.
Madam Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Dana Myrowich, Mark Myrowich, Tannis Drysdale and others praying that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba urge the Minister of Health (Mr. Praznik) to put an end to the centralization and privatization of Winnipeg hospital food services.
Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member for Point Douglas (Mr. Hickes) It complies with the rules and practices of the House. Is it the will of the House to have the petition read?
An Honourable Member: Dispense.
Madam Speaker: Dispense.
THAT the Urban Shared Services Corporation (USSC) has announced plans to privatize laundry, food services and purchasing for the Winnipeg hospitals; and
THAT it is estimated that more than 1,000 health care jobs will be lost over the next year as a result, with many more privatized in the next two or three years; and
THAT under the terms of the contract, Ontario businesses will profit at the expense of Manitoba's health care system; and
THAT after construction of a food assembly warehouse in Winnipeg, chilled, prepared food will be shipped in from Ontario, then assembled and heated before being shipped to the hospitals; and
THAT people who are in the hospital require nutritious and appetizing food; and
THAT the announced savings as a result of the contract have been disputed, and one study by Wintemute Randle Kilimnik indicated that, "A considerable number of studies have compared costs of service delivery in health care between self-operation (public sector) and privatization. Invariably, privatization is more expensive."; and
THAT no one in Manitoba seems to benefit from this contract, especially patients.
WHEREFORE YOUR PETITIONERS HUMBLY PRAY that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba urge the Minister of Health to put an end to the centralization and privatization of Winnipeg hospital food services.