Mrs. Myrna Driedger (Charleswood): Madam Speaker, as we have seen in the hallways of the Manitoba Legislature this week with the taping of the Jane Seymour-James Brolin movie, the film industry is booming in Manitoba. The film industry has come a long way in the last decade. In 1986, revenue from the film industry was less than $1 million. In 1998, it is estimated that production may reach as high as $60 million. This is a 600 percent increase.
In order to further develop the industry in Manitoba, our government has introduced the Manitoba Film and Video Production Tax Credit. The success of this tax incentive is apparent. The National Screen Institute and its 23 members have relocated to Winnipeg. Cheryl Ashton, executive director of the Manitoba Motion Picture Industry Association commented: There is no doubt the government tax incentive played a role in our decision. As well, in the first half of this year some 30 film scouts have visited Manitoba, triple last year's total.
Madam Speaker, as more films are produced in Manitoba, I have every confidence that those Manitobans who dream of Hollywood will have a chance to see their dreams come true right here in Manitoba. Thank you.
Ms. Diane McGifford (Osborne): Madam Speaker, as a parent of a child who from Grade 7 to Grade 12 attended an alternative or flexible learning program, I was annoyed to hear alternative parents dismissed by the Minister of Education (Mrs. McIntosh) as "yesterday's people." Even more distressing was the minister's refusal to take the opportunity afforded her by the member for Wolseley (Ms. Friesen) and offer a public apology to the parents she had maligned.
Perhaps the minister does not understand the position some parents have taken. Perhaps she does not understand that whether she personally likes that position or disagrees with it, their position is founded on--
Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh.
Madam Speaker: Order, please. I am experiencing difficulty hearing the honourable member for Osborne. I would ask that the honourable members having private conversations do so in the loge or outside the Chamber, please.
Ms. McGifford: I was saying that perhaps the minister simply did not understand that these people's positions were founded on deep conviction and principle and not on whim and not on a disregard for all forms of evaluations.
Some parents simply think that the evaluation and testing methods, which the minister favours, are bad pedagogy. Perhaps the minister does not understand that when parents disagree with her, they have every right to voice and to act on their disagreement. Indeed, most of the dissenting parents probably feel they have a higher duty than subservience to the minister, responsibility to their children. Probably these parents also think that the Education minister should listen with grace and not dispense insults.
As the parent of a child who thrived in an alternative program, I advocate that the minister find out more about these programs, the dedicated teachers who work in them, the children who attend them and the parents who support them. Perhaps this kind of outreach work would broaden the minister's horizons, tame her tongue and encourage her to support Manitoba parents.
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Mr. Peter Dyck (Pembina): For approximately 20 years, every May long weekend has seen communities in Manitoba and northwestern Ontario host the Golden Falcon sport competition. This past weekend the town of Morden once again outdid itself as an accommodating and gracious host community.
On Saturday, I had the opportunity to review the Wing Parade and Drum Head Ceremony, and I was most impressed with the attention to detail presented by all cadets. As well, I attended the Air Cadet League of Canada's provincial effective speaking contest featuring prepared and impromptu speeches. The young men and women who presented speeches focused on two main themes: patriotism and self-discipline. They spoke with wisdom and energy well beyond their ages. Air cadets have a proud and long tradition in our country. The young men and women of today's air cadets will go on to be the leaders of tomorrow. Their experiences in air cadets will help shape them and prepare them for the future, whether that future is with the military or in civilian life.
It is my hope that the hundreds of participants this past weekend enjoyed their time in Morden. Although not everyone received medals for their achievements this past weekend, I believe that everyone in attendance was a winner. The memories of a well-played baseball, soccer or volleyball game, the friendships forged and the chance to represent their squadron to the best of their abilities have ensured that all cadets came away with something they can cherish.
I would also like to thank Mr. Kenneth Gibson and Lieutenant Richard Helps of the 179th Royal Canadian Air Cadets for their generous invitation to the parade and closing banquet. Thank you very much.
Mr. Gerard Jennissen (Flin Flon): Vision Quest, the second annual conference on aboriginal economic development, is currently being held in Winnipeg at the International Inn. Last year more than 70 businesses and organizations had booths at the event. From what I saw today, this year's event promises to be even bigger in numbers of businesses participating, the numbers of workshops and increased attendance from across the province.
The conference is about building partnerships and business relationships. It is a forum where aboriginal people from across the province can exchange ideas, business plans, proposals, with those businesses who want to work with aboriginal organizations and individuals. It is a chance for potential entrepreneurs to get advice from and access to experts in various business fields. Neither the provincial nor the federal government has fully acknowledged the ecotourism potential for First Nations communities. This must change.
Aboriginal people are not looking for handouts; they are looking for the chance to operate on their own. For a hundred years the paternalistic Indian Act has hampered economic development; that is changing, thankfully. Increasingly, the future of this province will be determined in the growing First Nations communities across Manitoba. It is time that First Nations people from these communities had the same opportunities to develop that exist elsewhere.
Vision Quest celebrates the many aboriginal success stories and points to new directions and possibilities. It is a recognition that aboriginal people are taking their own destinies in hand and moving towards true self-government and independence. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr. Doug Martindale (Burrows): Madam Speaker, I rise to speak briefly on shaken baby syndrome which is a very serious problem in our city and our province. We know that since 1990 there have been 30 documented cases of shaken baby syndrome, and 25 percent or seven of these ended in death. In the past month, a six-week-old girl died and a nine-month-old was and possibly still is on life support.
We have some experts who have commented on this very serious problem, such as Dr. Debbie Lindsay, associate director of the Child Protection Centre. It has been noted that the child poverty rate, which is the highest in Canada, combined with a high teen pregnancy rate, makes for a potentially deadly combination.
I would also like to quote Verna McKay, executive director of North End Community Ministry, who said: I believe more and more young parents are struggling. Young people today are under a tremendous amount of pressure, and that takes its toll. That fits with a report titled Trends, Issues and Innovations in Winnipeg's Human Care Services, a report on discussions amongst United Way of Winnipeg member agencies, who talked about shrinking resources and cuts in government services but increasing demands on United Way agencies for their services. One of the problems that they point out is a higher incidence of unemployment and poverty. So we have some contributing factors to shaken baby syndrome which I believe this government could have a positive impact on decreasing, such as the child poverty rate, which is the highest in Canada, and teen pregnancy rate. We have asked for the government to do something about these problems and to initiate an inquiry into the causes and means of preventing these deaths. Thank you.