VOL. XLIV No. 21 - 10 a.m., FRIDAY, MARCH 17, 1995
Friday, March 17, 1995
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA
Friday, March 17, 1995
The House met at 10 a.m.
PRAYERS
ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS
PRESENTING PETITIONS
Physical Education in Schools
Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Inkster): Mr. Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Kathleen Lukas, Nancy Clyde, Iris Van Caeyzeele and others urging the Minister of Education (Mr. Manness) to consider reinstating physical education as a compulsory core subject area.
Mr. George Hickes (Point Douglas): Mr. Speaker, I beg to present the petition of Carlos Benevides, Jay Taylor, Rushawn McMaraman and others who request the Minister of Education (Mr. Manness) to consider maintaining physical education as part of the core curriculum from kindergarten to senior high.
READING AND RECEIVING PETITIONS
Communities' Public Education
Mr. Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member (Mr. Ashton). It complies with the privileges and the practices of this House and complies with the rules. Is it the will of the House to have the petition read?
An Honourable Member: Yes.
Mr. Speaker: The Clerk will read.
Mr. Clerk (William Remnant): The petition of the undersigned citizens of the province of Manitoba humbly sheweth that:
WHEREAS funding for public schools by the provincial government has been cut twice in the past three years; and
WHEREAS provincial funding for the school district of Mystery Lake has dropped by nearly $2 million over the same period, more than 10 percent; and
WHEREAS funding for private schools has increased by over 110 percent under the same provincial government; and
WHEREAS Thompson was faced with a 48 percent increase in the education support levy tax as a result of reassessment in 1993, resulting in $500,000 leaving our community; and
WHEREAS the Thompson school district is now faced with a massive $1.8-million deficit equivalent to a 48 percent increase in local school taxes; and
WHEREAS unless the minister reviews this funding the Thompson school district will be forced to consider both a $500,000 tax increase and severe program cuts totalling over $1.3 million.
WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly request the Minister of Education and Training (Mr. Manness) to reconsider the funding model to ensure that Thompson and other communities in this province are able to maintain quality public education.
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Physical Education in Schools
Mr. Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the honourable member (Mr. Clif Evans). It complies with the privileges and the practices of this House and complies with the rules. Is it the will of the House to have the petition read? Yes. The Clerk will read.
Mr. Clerk: The petition of the undersigned citizens of the province of Manitoba humbly sheweth that:
WHEREAS the proposed changes to the Manitoba curriculum would have no physical education required for students after Grade 8; and
WHEREAS the social, intellectual, emotional and physical benefits of physical education have been proven through extensive research; and
WHEREAS requiring physical education for high school sends a message that physical activity is important for life and encourages high school students to make life choices to stay active and it fits into a preventative health strategy; and
WHEREAS many parents, students, medical professionals and educators, health and recreation specialists are urging that physical education be increased in schools;
WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba may be pleased to request the Minister of Education to consider maintaining physical education as part of the core curriculum from kindergarten to senior high.
TABLING OF REPORTS
Hon. Eric Stefanson (Minister of Finance): Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table the Quarterly Report to January 31, 1995, for Manitoba Public Insurance.
INTRODUCTION OF BILLS
Bill 17--The City of Winnipeg Amendment Act
Hon. Linda McIntosh (Minister of Urban Affairs): Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to move the introduction of Bill 17, The City of Winnipeg Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Loi sur la Ville de Winnipeg, and that the same be now received and read a first time, seconded by the Minister of Justice (Mrs. Vodrey).
Mr. Speaker: It has been moved by the honourable Minister of Urban Affairs, seconded by the honourable Minister of Justice, that leave be given to introduce Bill 17, The City of Winnipeg Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Loi sur la Ville de Winnipeg, and that the same be now received and read a first time.
Mrs. McIntosh: Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to introduce second reading of Bill 17 to amend The City of Winnipeg Act, and the main components of the bill include new legislation which will permit the City of Winnipeg Council to have a program for issuing tax credits and rebates to people who make contributions to candidates running for council. This is a privilege which is accorded other levels of government and now will be extended to councillors as well.
As well, we are introducing legislation to strengthen the existing penalty provisions for violations of the elections expenses and contributions legislation, for greater consistency and equity between elected and defeated candidates, particularly as it comes to the filing of audited statements and campaign expenses. The penalties we are now attempting to make more equal between those who are elected and those who are defeated.
As well, we are introducing new legislation which will enable council to regulate the use of pellet guns and pellet weapons. This is a request the city has made. It is one that we have been looking at, and with Justice's input, the City Council will now be able to establish a by-law to regulate the use of weapons other than those in the Criminal Code, such as pellet guns, BB guns, et cetera. This legislation will be a by-law of the City of Winnipeg. It will enable them to set a by-law, and the city will also be subject to provincial regulation setting the terms and conditions under which the by-law can operate.
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As well, the legislation permits council to establish a program of tax credits and grants for the renovations of heritage buildings. This should assist in preserving the buildings that to date are very costly to landlords, and yet landlords are bound by the heritage building interests.
As well, we have some amendments to the planning and development legislation of The City of Winnipeg Act. These are simply trying to make the processes more streamlined, more common sense, and details of these amendments are available to the members. I believe a clarifying note has been passed around.
We will be enabling, Mr. Speaker, a simple variance procedure to be allowed in a area when it is not desirable to rezone an entire piece of land, but a section of that land is desired to be rezoned, so spot rezoning, I guess, would be a good term for it.
Mr. Speaker, I look forward to speaking in more detail to this bill at a future occasion. Thank you.
Motion agreed to.
Introduction of Guests
Mr. Speaker: Prior to Oral Questions, may I direct the attention of honourable members to the gallery, where we have with us this morning from the Linden Christian School seventeen Grade 9 students under the direction of Mr. Darryl Rempel. This school is located in the constituency of the honourable First Minister (Mr. Filmon).
From the Samuel Burland School, we have fifty-two Grade 9 students under the direction of Wendy Zamonsky and Dave Long. This school is located in the constituency of the honourable member for Seine River (Mrs. Dacquay).
Also with us this morning, we have in the gallery to my right Chief Norman Kirkness and the Council of the Fox Lake First Nations. These are guests of the honourable member for Rupertsland (Mr. Robinson).
Also, we have officials from the Western Reman. We have the president, Mike Jarvis, Garry Tesluck, Darwin Sparrow, Ivey Maksymich, Frank Cooney and Bob Delzel. These are guests of the honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism (Mr. Downey).
On behalf of all honourable members, I would like to welcome you all here this morning.