ORAL QUESTION PERIOD
Winnipeg Jets
Public Shares
Mr. Gary Doer (Leader of the Opposition): My question is to the acting Premier.
On the 29th of May, the government indicated in this Chamber that the public shares would be 36 percent. On June 1 in the Premier's (Mr. Filmon) Estimates and on June 2 in Question Period, they indicated that the shares had been reduced to 18 percent, 9 percent from the province and the city.
This week, Madam Speaker, they, again, reversed their position on that and indicated that the shares would be worth 36 percent. Today, it is reported that a proposal will be made to the current owners of the hockey team and that the shares will be reduced to 24 percent.
I would like to ask the acting Premier, will he table today to the members of this Legislature the total proposal, in writing, in this Chamber, and can he indicate today, clearly, the specific percentage amount that our shares will be worth in this proposal?
Hon. Eric Stefanson (Minister of Finance): As we have consistently indicated to this House, if and when any agreements are concluded and any agreements that we are signatory to on behalf of the province of Manitoba, we will be making available. We will be sharing not only with this Legislature, but we will be sharing with Manitobans.
In terms of the issue of the current ownership by the public sector, by the City of Winnipeg and the Province of Manitoba, the estimated current value of the shares owned by the governments is approximately $30 million. In terms of any new entity being created, that is the value being attached to the current ownership.
What will happen is that this $30 million will become part of a total equity pool, which will involve equity being contributed by the current owners to a certain extent and equity being generated by people putting forward money towards this initiative, Madam Speaker.
Once that final total pool of money is determined, our $30 million will form a proportion of the amount, and it is estimated that this will be in the vicinity of between 20 and 25 percent, probably about 23 or 24 percent.
Winnipeg Jets/Arena
Contract Tabling Request
Mr. Gary Doer (Leader of the Opposition): The minister has confirmed in his last sentence that we have, in fact, reduced the public shares from 36 percent to 24 percent, contrary to what the government said in this House on three occasions this week, including the Estimates of the Minister of Finance.
Madam Speaker, I find it rather contemptuous of this Legislature that the government would not table, before any announcements are made to this Legislature, the proposal from the provincial government on the proposal to the private owners.
Why will the government not table the proposal in this Legislature, given the fact that we are paying $37 million for the arena, four times the promise the Premier (Mr. Filmon) made in the election? We are reducing our public shares. We do not have a plan to deal with the $17-million shortfall in the arena. We are giving away concessions. We are giving away parking, Madam Speaker.
Will the government now table today to the shareholders of this Legislature, the members of this Legislature, the full specific plan in writing, including the plan to make up the 17 percent shortfall on the Winnipeg Arena?
Hon. Eric Stefanson (Minister of Finance): Madam Speaker, first, I want to correct the Leader of the Opposition. There is absolutely no contradiction to any remarks I made during the Estimates process over the course of the last week. What we are saying here today is entirely consistent with everything that was said during the Estimates process.
I have already outlined for the Leader of the Opposition what is currently taking place, and I have already outlined and committed that any agreements, if concluded, if entered into by the Province of Manitoba, will be made public, Madam Speaker.
Winnipeg Jets
Operating Loss Agreement
Mr. Gary Doer (Leader of the Opposition): I think it is very, very wrong for the government not to make the whole proposal public in this Legislature. I think it is very, very unfair to the people of Manitoba, given the fact that you promised $10 million would be the limit.
Madam Speaker: Order, please. I would remind the Leader of the official opposition, this is not a time for debate. This is Question Period.
Mr. Doer: Madam Speaker, I would like to ask the government, given the fact that they promised also to cancel the operating loss agreement by May 1, 1995, an operating loss agreement that was signed by the Premier (Mr. Filmon) and the former mayor of the City of Winnipeg, what is their contingency plan to fulfill that election promise of cancelling the operating loss agreement by May 1, which the Minister of Finance stated in the media before the election and the Premier stated during the election time?
What is their contingency plan to cancel the operating loss agreement if the present owners of the team refuse the so-called proposal, that we do not know about, refuse to accept that proposal?
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Hon. Eric Stefanson (Minister of Finance): Madam Speaker, I think what we all should do is wait the outcome of the next day or so.
An official offer did go over late yesterday from the new private-sector investors to the current owners of the hockey team, an offer between those two parties. I believe the new private-sector investors will be providing more details of that offer later this morning.
Everybody has been working towards concluding an agreement here in Manitoba, and as the Leader of the Opposition knows full well, part of that agreement would include the governments no longer being responsible for future operating losses starting immediately with the closing of the agreement, Madam Speaker.
Winnipeg Jets
Public Shares
Mr. Tim Sale (Crescentwood): Madam Speaker, the trust of Manitobans has been sadly abused over the past six weeks by this government.
A $10-million promise has ballooned to a $37-million commitment. Subsidies have been sought from charitable status for donations. A site is being fast-tracked without adequate time for an environmental impact assessment. A $140-million project will not be tendered, and, now, this morning, the Minister of Finance is confirming that a further subsidy has been pumped into this deal. The minister appears to have confirmed that the shares of the public will be worth about 24 percent, he says.
Is the minister then saying that the value of this team today is $130 million, Madam Speaker? Is that what he is telling this House?
Hon. Eric Stefanson (Minister of Finance): Madam Speaker, I do not accept any of the preamble of the member for Crescentwood whatsoever. It is riddled with inaccuracies.
In terms of the value of the Winnipeg Jets hockey team today, I think most are agreeing that the value of that team is somewhere in the $80-million to $90-million value, based on a recent sale in the NHL of another Canadian franchise and based on discussions that the current owners have had with prospective purchasers of the Winnipeg Jets hockey team.
That has been the valuation of the hockey team. That has been the basis of determining the valuation of the public-sector shares today, and that has been the basis of the valuation of any residual that the current private owners have in any future organization, Madam Speaker.
Mr. Sale: Madam Speaker, I would like the honourable member to do a little bit of arithmetic.
Would the Minister of Finance confirm that 24 percent times $30 million is $120 million? That is the team value according to this minister today.
Mr. Stefanson: Madam Speaker, I do not need any lessons in arithmetic from the member for Crescentwood, I an assure you. I think he should understand any investment in any business venture.
What is happening is everybody is getting credit for the equity that they are bringing to the new organization. The public is bringing equity in terms of current ownership. The existing private owners are bringing some equity in terms of some residual ownership they have, and the public is bringing equity by contributing ultimately, probably, approximately $80 million of cash towards saving the Jets and keeping them here in Winnipeg.
Mr. Sale: Madam Speaker, will the minister then confirm, based on his immediate past comments, that there has just been a further subsidy of approximately $12 million sunk into this deal by virtue of new public-sector equity invested?
Mr. Stefanson: Not at all, Madam Speaker, because what the member for Crescentwood fails to recognize, and I know it is what he wants to see happen, is the only way that equity is realized is if the team is sold. That is the only way that the public will realize any equity, is if the team is sold.
I know they support selling the team, seeing it relocate to the United States and leave our province. That is the NDP position.
That has not been the position of this government. We are working towards a long-term solution. We are working with the support of thousands of Manitobans towards a long-term solution, and that will continue to be the path that we will follow.
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Workforce 2000
Tourism Employees
Ms. Jean Friesen (Wolseley): Madam Speaker, according to the recent newsletter of the Tourism Industry Association of Winnipeg, Workforce 2000 has a limited time offer of a $50-a-head signing bonus to tourism employers who enroll their staff in a Workforce 2000 certificate program.
I would like to ask the Minister of Education, why has her government chosen to cut women's programs in community colleges, ACCESS programs, New Careers, and yet has to pay employers to fill up the seats in this program?
Hon. Linda McIntosh (Minister of Education and Training): Madam Speaker, there are several points being addressed in that particular question, some of them not correct, and I think it is important for the record that they be corrected.
I indicate to the member, first of all, that one in five members of the workforce has received training through Workforce 2000 in Manitoba. That is not an insignificant number, and it is of very great benefit to the province. I am surprised that she does not support those people receiving training to be able to advance in their workplace.
Having said that she does not recognize the benefit of on-site training in the workforce, I should indicate that there have been no cutbacks to women's programs at Keewatin Community College that have been the result of anything done by this government.
The member for The Pas (Mr. Lathlin) yesterday raised a question, taken as notice by the Minister of Family Services (Mrs. Mitchelson), that implied that a private sponsorship program that had finished the amount of funds it had was somehow being cut by this government, a totally inaccurate statement.
Incentive Plans
Ms. Jean Friesen (Wolseley): Madam Speaker, can the minister tell us whether such incentive programs, signing bonuses, rebates or other incentives, exist elsewhere in the Workforce 2000 program?
Hon. Linda McIntosh (Minister of Education and Training): Madam Speaker, I thank the member for the question. It is a question, I believe, that would be properly placed during the course of Estimates of expenditures, which we are in right now.
Yesterday, in fact, it was indicated to the member that we would have information available on the detailed specifics of Workforce 2000 which we will provide to her. She has written to request detailed information on Workforce 2000. I have a letter in the mail to her with those specifics, which she should receive today or Monday.
We have a broad general overview that can be provided here. That is to say that the program Workforce 2000 has done an incredibly good job of training people in the workforce to become updated, to be relevant, to give incentives to industry, to be partners with education in terms of providing training that the taxpayers would otherwise have to foot or that would be foregone.
So I can provide specific details in Estimates. I would be pleased to do that today.
Grants/Program List
Ms. Jean Friesen (Wolseley): Madam Speaker, could the minister make a commitment to the House that in that letter, which she has written to me, will be the full annual listing of Workforce 2000 grants, which she knows I requested on December 19, 1994, again on May 12, 1995, and again in the House earlier this week?
Will it be the full listing of the grants and programs?
Hon. Linda McIntosh (Minister of Education and Training): Madam Speaker, I believe I just answered that question by indicating that I have responded to her letter with a listing of all of the grants in response to the question that she asked in her letter, and that is in the interdepartmental mail right now. She should have it today or Monday.
It is a lot of work for the staff to compile. It takes them time. They have done that for me to provide to her. When she gets it, if there is anything about it she would like further detail on, we will again go to the time and the trouble of opening the computers and pulling everything out for her. I am pleased to do that.
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Keewatin Community College
Women's Sponsorship Program
Ms. Diane McGifford (Osborne): Madam Speaker, my questions are for the Minister responsible for the Status of Women.
Several times this week, my colleagues have expressed concerns about cuts to KCC. Yesterday, the member for The Pas (Mr. Lathlin) questioned the Minister of Family Services (Mrs. Mitchelson) about the end of the women's sponsorship program at KCC.
We are concerned about the nine single-parent women whose educations have been terminated and about the 16 children whom these women share among them.
Does the Minister responsible for the Status of Women have a solution for these women and their educational and personal futures?
Hon. Linda McIntosh (Minister of Education and Training): Madam Speaker, it is important for the member to note, and for all members on the opposite side of the House to note, that the government has not cut any Education and Training programs for women at Keewatin Community College. There was a private sponsorship that came from the Limestone Training Agency, and the funding in that has now completed. It is now empty of funds.
We encourage private sponsoring groups to do this type of endowment, this type of sponsorship. We appreciate it when they do, but we cannot force them to provide this kind of funding.
What I do say, Madam Speaker, and I think it is the second part to the answer that is very important to note, is that our support for community colleges is extremely good. We have increased funding to community colleges far above the percentage that their budgets indicate they require. As a result, student enrollment is up, and more access to these courses is available.
Ms. McGifford: Madam Speaker, my second question is also for the Minister responsible for the Status of Women.
Will the minister intercede with her colleagues on behalf of the Keewatin Community College women and perhaps propose a grandfather clause which would protect their educations?
Hon. Rosemary Vodrey (Minister responsible for the Status of Women): Thank you very much, Madam Speaker, and the member--[interjection]
Madam Speaker: Order, please. I am certain that the opposition would like to hear the response, given they asked the question.
Point of Order
Mr. Gary Doer (Leader of the Opposition): Madam Speaker, I believe you will hear that there was heckling coming from both sides.
Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the official opposition makes a valid point, and, indeed, I heard most of the noise, regrettably, from my left ear, but I would ask for the co-operation of all honourable members in ensuring that a response is heard.
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Mrs. Vodrey: Madam Speaker, I am happy to go over with the member the number of incentives, the number of programs which this government has put in place to support women in Manitoba.
However, as the Minister of Education has announced, program decisions are made by the community colleges which are run by independent boards. They are also made as a result of grants which are received from the federal government or from outside agencies. So, Madam Speaker, this government continues to look to support the position of women in Manitoba.
I point again to the Training for Tomorrows Scholarship which this government instituted, which was instituted from the Women's Directorate, to support women in programs in which labour market forecasts indicate there will be jobs at the end, and, in fact, jobs which should support women economically in a secure way.
Ms. McGifford: My third question is also for the Minister responsible for the Status of Women.
What specific action or specific advice could the minister give to these specific individual women whose careers and personal lives have been threatened by these cuts?
Mrs. Vodrey: Certainly, if people's educational careers have been interrupted, that would be a concern, obviously, to those women, and I am sure that she has recommended, as I would recommend, that they approach the college and find out if there is some interim possibilities with the college or if there is some way they can work with the college to complete their studies or perhaps with the community.
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Pharmacare
Betaseron
Mr. Dave Chomiak (Kildonan): I am sure all members of the House are aware of the fact that multiple sclerosis is almost in epidemic proportions in Manitoba. It has one of the highest incidences of multiple sclerosis in the entire world.
Last July, I wrote to the Minister of Health asking why the government was not funding the use of the drug betaseron that has been proved to be very effective in alleviating the symptoms of multiple sclerosis.
Can the minister, today, explain to this House why the government is not funding the use of betaseron to multiple sclerosis victims?
Hon. James McCrae (Minister of Health): Madam Speaker, the situation with betaseron is similar to the situation with other experimental drugs whose trials have either not been completed or which have not yet been approved by the Canadian federal authority.
Because betaseron is a drug, as opposed to a nutritional supplement like Lorenzo's Oil, we are not able, at this time, to offer the same assistance. We would like very much to do so upon being satisfied that betaseron is as efficacious as the honourable member suggests. There may have been, as part of the trials, indications that this is so.
If the trials prove that is true, then we would address the honourable member's question. We want to avoid potential dangers of the kind that arose with respect to the drug thalidomide, for example.
Mr. Chomiak: I have written numerous letters to the minister on this matter, and I would like to ask him today, will the minister explain why, last December, in one of his replies to me on this issue, he said that the provinces asked that the Canadian Co-ordinating Council for Health Technology undergo pharmaceutical evaluation of this product--last December.
Can the minister explain whether or not that evaluation has been conducted and completed, because apparently in December that was the reason the drug was not being funded.
Mr. McCrae: If that had been done and the result had been positive, I would assume the federal drug authority would have taken action by now.
Provinces right across the country would, I expect, respond in the same way I would. Should that approval come, then we would be addressing the honourable member's question more positively.
Mr. Chomiak: My final supplementary: Will the minister undertake today to contact federal officials to try to determine where the snag is in the system and perhaps come back with a time line and time frame, so people who are victims of multiple sclerosis will have some idea as to when they can receive funding for this drug.
Mr. McCrae: I think the honourable member's suggestion is a good one. I suspect that that is being done across the country by ensuring authorities across the country with respect to this particular drug.
I have said I would not want to have any delays that would be bureaucratic in nature, but I think that it is appropriate that these trials be conducted and that we not just rely, as the honourable members suggests, on American decisions to make ours here in Canada.
Quebec Referendum
Manitoba Position
Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Inkster): Madam Speaker, my question is for the Deputy Premier.
As we all know, a coalition has been formed in the province of Quebec for the sole purpose of breaking Canada up. I am sure all of us here recognize the importance of Canada staying together.
My question to the Deputy Premier is, what is going to be the role of the Manitoba government in ensuring that Canada is, in fact, going to be staying together in the upcoming fall referendum in Quebec?
Hon. James Downey (Deputy Premier): Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Inkster for that question.
I can assure the member for Inkster that I believe that this government--and I hope the members of the opposition, as I could say that I believe the majority of Manitobans--desperately believes in Canada.
We are very proud of our country, and we will do everything that we can to maintain the country that we know as Canada.
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All-Party Agreement
Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Inkster): Madam Speaker, I am very pleased to hear that.
I would ask the Deputy Premier, would the government then, given the comments, entertain the passing of an all-party resolution to indicate to the people of Quebec that the people of Manitoba want Quebec to remain a part of this Confederation?
Would the Deputy Premier give the government's consent to see the passage of this resolution before we break for summer?
Hon. James Downey (Deputy Premier): Madam Speaker, as the member knows, there is a process by which agreements and activities between parties take place. We have government House leaders who, I am sure, would entertain that.
I as one member of a government and an individual would have no difficulty in recommending to my House leader and to my caucus colleagues that we could proceed on that basis, and I think it would clearly send a message as to Manitoba's position.
Mr. Lamoureux: I am wondering if the Deputy Premier would make the commitment in terms of getting a representative from all three political parties to sit down, work out a resolution, all three political parties inside the Chamber, and come up with a resolution which all of us could find would be passable before summer.
Would he make that commitment to an all-party gesture?
Mr. Downey: Madam Speaker, the commitment that I will make is that this government and this party will do everything we can to keep Canada united. Our House leader, who is responsible for activities in this House, I am sure will take the question that he has heard and advance it appropriately.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Prevention Strategy
Mr. Eric Robinson (Rupertsland): Madam Speaker, yesterday, I had the opportunity of taking part in a workshop on fetal alcohol syndrome in Churchill. I understand there was a similar workshop in Thompson.
My question is for the Minister of Health.
Fetal alcohol syndrome is a tragic, preventable situation which deserves a concentrated approach from the provincial government. Given the social and economic consequences of FAS, is the minister prepared to increase educational outreach efforts in this area by increasing counselling and preventative measures?
Hon. James McCrae (Minister of Health): Madam Speaker, our child health strategy includes partnership between my department and the Family Services department and others. It has also been the subject of some pretty important discussion between the honourable member for Kildonan (Mr. Chomiak) and I in the course of the Estimates process.
I think it is becoming very, very clear, if it has not been for sometime, that fetal alcohol syndrome is a very, very serious matter, especially in places like Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Our child health strategy also includes consideration of matters related to prenatal and neonatal care. It is a very important time in the life of a child and its mother at the time when the child is being carried.
I appreciate the honourable member raising the question. As we continue to move forward with child health strategy initiatives, I fully expect to be dealing with the FAS issue.
Warning Labels
Mr. Eric Robinson (Rupertsland): Madam Speaker, I would like to ask the minister whether or not he would recommend now to his government to proceed with warning labels on liquor bottles as a preventative measure.
Hon. James McCrae (Minister of Health): Madam Speaker, that question, too, arose yesterday, and I undertook to consult my colleagues about the matter to see if that is, indeed, a measure that we could use and whether it would achieve the desired results.
Prevention Strategy
Mr. Eric Robinson (Rupertsland): I would like to ask the minister a final question on FAS, whether he feels, as I do, that there should be stronger action in dealing with the syndrome, becoming more proactive in assisting caregivers and social workers and also people in education in dealing with this very severe problem.
Hon. James McCrae (Minister of Health): The honourable member for Kildonan (Mr. Chomiak) has very wisely urged that same approach in our dealings with health care professionals throughout the province, public health nurses, doctors' offices, in regard to this and one or two other important matters relating to the health of Manitoba children.
We will take what the honourable member has said as representation and discuss it further within the department to see if there are ways we can step up our education programs.
Immigrants
Information Confidentiality
Mr. George Hickes (Point Douglas): Madam Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Culture, Heritage and Citizenship.
We have learned today that a new computer program is threatening the confidential treatment of some immigrants to our province. Workers at the Manitoba International Centre are being required to input highly confidential information obtained during interviews with their clients for use by the federal government.
My question to the minister is, did the provincial government have any input into the decisions to change the rules regarding the gathering of this confidential information?
Hon. Harold Gilleshammer (Minister of Culture, Heritage and Citizenship): The short answer to that is no.
The issue is being raised at a federal conference that is currently taking place in the city of Winnipeg where we have officials from my department. We have been in touch with the federal ministry to further get a better understanding of this issue.
Mr. Hickes: Will the minister ensure when they have that meeting with the federal government that immigrants to Manitoba are treated with respect, and will he ensure that they feel comfortable going to the government for assistance?
Mr. Gilleshammer: I can assure the member and this House that we are making every effort to treat immigrants to Manitoba with respect.
Our department has become much more proactive in trying to sell Manitoba abroad and to provide settlement service here within the province.
Mr. Hickes: Can the minister assure immigrants to our province that this kind of confidential information will not be required at the provincial level as a requirement before receiving provincial assistance of any kind?
Mr. Gilleshammer: I can assure the member that our department works very proactively with immigration groups within the province to provide settlement services, and we will continue to do that at a very high level.
Housing Starts
Decline
Mr. Leonard Evans (Brandon East): Madam Speaker, I have a question for the Minister of Finance.
One important indicator of our economic health is housing starts. In the mid-1980s, we realized in Manitoba between 6,000 and 7,000 housing starts per year, but, regrettably, between 1988 and '94, our urban housing starts declined by 63 percent, and we were down to about 1,700 last year.
Now, in the first five months of this year, we have declined by a further 41 percent from the same period last year, and we may be down to around only 1,000 starts for the year 1995.
So I would like to ask the Minister of Finance, can he explain why housing demand has declined so drastically in the province of Manitoba?
Hon. Eric Stefanson (Minister of Finance): Madam Speaker, I do encourage the member to look in some detail at the statistics, because last year in 1994, housing starts throughout all of Manitoba increased by some 30 percent--the best performance in all of Canada.
In fact, our performance in housing starts over the last three years has outperformed the national average all three years, so I hope he will take the time to look at these housing starts, and I certainly would also welcome a question from him on today's job stats.
Mr. Leonard Evans: Will the minister acknowledge that this weakening demand for new housing starts is a reflection of a relatively weak population growth which, in turn, results from the continuing heavy exodus from Manitoba, the continuing heavy exodus of people to other provinces?
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Mr. Stefanson: Madam Speaker, I do not accept that for a minute, and I encourage the member to look at the job stats that were just released today that show in Manitoba today, there are 14,000 more Manitobans working than a year ago.
Manitoba's unemployment rate of 7.4 percent is the second-lowest unemployment rate in all of Canada. We have had job increases in Manitoba for five months in a row. No other province in Canada can match that.
There are 11,000 more people that are off of the unemployment list. Again, that is amongst the best performance in all of Canada. Winnipeg's unemployment rate today is at 7.6 percent, tied for the lowest in all of Canada, and our youth unemployment rate today is 10.1 percent, the lowest in all of Canada.
Mr. Leonard Evans: I thought I asked a question about housing.
Madam Speaker, will this minister undertake to do a comprehensive analysis of the reasons for the current disturbing low level of housing starts in this province and make it available to this Legislature?
Mr. Stefanson: Madam Speaker, I know the member started with housing starts, and I have outlined very clearly for him how Manitoba has compared in a relative sense on housing starts--amongst the best in Canada over the last three years.
Obviously, part of his question was related to the overall economy of Manitoba. I have shown him today what the job stats are as of this morning, the tremendous performance of Manitoba in a relative sense, so we certainly have a lot to be proud of in terms of how Manitoba's economy is performing, not only in housing starts, but with the outstanding job performance, having the best record in Canada in so many areas, Madam Speaker.
I do not think I need to repeat those numbers again, although I know members of this House would love to hear the strong performance of Manitoba's job stats today.
Public Housing
Insect Eradication Policy
Ms. Marianne Cerilli (Radisson): Madam Speaker, yesterday, the Minister of Housing agreed that the infestation problem on Young Street needed more extensive treatment since, as he knows, it has been an ongoing problem since 1993.
Can the minister today confirm that this entire apartment building will be sprayed as part of a long-term treatment plan, and will the minister apply the same program to spray apartment buildings also experiencing long-term problems, so that we can ensure this is not going to be a recurring problem for all these tenants?
Hon. Jack Reimer (Minister of Housing): Madam Speaker, as indicated yesterday regarding the infestation at that particular location, the complaint was filed.
There was action taken, and the indication was sent to the department that if there is a problem in that building, they are to seek out the infestation, the nesting, if you want to call it that, of the cockroaches and eradicate it in that particular building.
Ms. Cerilli: Madam Speaker, the minister did not answer the question.
Since the minister did not answer the question, will he now confirm that this same program for long-term treatment, spraying more than just the dwelling that lodged the complaint, will occur in all apartments or properties where there are long-term infestation problems? Will the program that has been applied here be applied throughout the province?
Mr. Reimer: Madam Speaker, I can reiterate to the member that if there is a problem that has been identified within that complex or any complex that the Manitoba Housing Authority has jurisdiction on, the problem will be analyzed. It will be looked after, and an action plan will be put into place.
Ms. Cerilli: Similarly, I want to ask the question for the Minister responsible for the Residential Tenancies Branch.
Will he ensure that private accommodations where there is a long-term infestation problem will have the same kind of treatment, where rather than just spraying the dwelling that lodges the complaint, the associated common areas as well as nearby apartment suites will also have treatment?
Hon. Jim Ernst (Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs): Madam Speaker, I can advise the member for Radisson that should problems occur in any Residential Tenancies building in Manitoba, that the Residential Tenancies Branch will take action.
Natural Gas Leaks
Public Safety
Mr. Daryl Reid (Transcona): Madam Speaker, in 1993, natural gas from a ruptured gas line migrated back into a Portage Avenue mall, resulting in a massive explosion and fire. Video tapes last week showed that except for a stroke of luck, a similar situation could have occurred involving residential housing in Winnipeg. Now we learn that gas leaks were discovered at several schools in Winnipeg.
My question is for the Minister responsible for Workplace Safety and Health.
Can the Minister responsible for Workplace Safety and Health tell the House why it took so long, over two hours, Madam Speaker, for Centra Gas replacement workers to shut off the gas service for the affected housing in Winnipeg on June 1, putting at risk the homes and the families?
Hon. Vic Toews (Minister of Labour): Madam Speaker, members of my department are continually looking at the situation, ensuring that the safety of members of the public, their children, continues.
The government department will continue to make those efforts to ensure that the public and its safety are not compromised.
Madam Speaker: Time for Oral Questions has expired.
NONPOLITICAL STATEMENTS
Hon. James Downey (Deputy Premier): Madam Speaker, I wonder if I may have leave to make a nonpolitical statement.
Madam Speaker: Does the honourable Deputy Premier have leave to make a nonpolitical statement? [agreed]
Mr. Downey: Madam Speaker, I would first of all like to thank members for allowing me the opportunity to extend to the new government in Ontario, Premier Mike Harris and the people who were elected, congratulations.
I have not--
Madam Speaker: Order, please.
Mr. Gord Mackintosh (St. Johns): Madam Speaker, I suppose we could have told by the gleam in the eye of the Deputy Premier as he stood up that this was a phoney--
Madam Speaker: Order, please.
Mr. Mackintosh: Madam Speaker, there is a long-standing tradition in this House of asking for non--
Madam Speaker: Order, please.
Point of Order
Mr. Mackintosh: A point of order, Madam Speaker.
Madam Speaker: Thank you. The honourable member for St. Johns did not indicate he was on his feet for a point of order.
Some Honourable Members: Yes, he did.
Mr. Mackintosh: Several times, Madam Speaker, I indicated that.
Madam Speaker: I apologize. I did not hear the honourable member state that he was on his feet on a point of order, and I had already stopped the honourable Deputy Premier on the fact that I started to listen very carefully to his words. I am in the process of warning the Deputy Premier that, indeed, in my opinion, his remarks are not acceptable because they are not a nonpolitical statement.
Point of Order
Mr. Gary Doer (Leader of the Opposition): On a new point of order, I would ask the Speaker to review Hansard, and I believe the Speaker recognized the member for St. Johns on a point of order.
Madam Speaker: On the Leader of the official opposition's point of order, I do not recollect recognizing the honourable member for St. Johns, because I did not see him on his feet.
Prior to my speaking to the Clerk however, I will indeed check Hansard to ascertain whether he was on his feet and bring a ruling back on the point of order.
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Mr. Downey: Madam Speaker, on a point of order--[interjection]
Madam Speaker: Order, please. I am trying to clarify whether the Deputy Premier is on his feet on the same point of order, and I would appreciate it if the honourable member for St. Johns would afford me that co-operation to hear the Deputy Premier.
Mr. Downey: Madam Speaker, on a point of order, it was not my intention to make a nonpolitical statement into a political statement. I was not given the opportunity. If you were to check Hansard, I would believe that I have not made any reference to any politics and did not intend to and would not intend to. It is merely a recognition of an event that took place--
Madam Speaker: Order, please. I had already ruled that I felt the comments were not appropriate as a nonpolitical statement.
Canada Volunteer Award
Ms. Marianne Cerilli (Radisson): May I have leave to make a nonpolitical statement?
Madam Speaker: Does the honourable member for Radisson have leave to make a nonpolitical statement? [agreed]
Ms. Cerilli: Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the volunteer work of Ziggy Dykstra, a resident of Transcona, who is receiving the Canada Volunteer Medal Award and I understand is also going to receive a certificate from the Minister of Health (Mr. McCrae).
He is being recognized for his many volunteer activities, many of those co-ordinated through his position with the Amalgamated Transit Union where he is the public relations committee chairperson. He has done fundraising campaigns for the city of Winnipeg, raising thousands of dollars for charities such as the Shriner's Hospital, the Variety Club, the CNIB. It was the CNIB that nominated him for this award.
Ziggy has been referenced as the pied piper of volunteers. I think his approach and good humour are exemplified when in accepting the award he accepted it on behalf of everyone who says, yes, when he calls them to help.
I am familiar with Mr. Dykstra's work in his volunteer efforts with the Park City West Community Club, where he again has organized to raise thousands of dollars, particularly through bingo nights. I have participated calling all-night bingo and at the pancake breakfast there, and he is a driving force that brings it all together.
I want to wish him well in his trip to Ottawa and extend the congratulations on behalf of the entire community that benefits from the work of this extraordinary citizen. Thank you.
Ag Expo - Morris, Manitoba
Mr. Frank Pitura (Morris): Madam Speaker, I request leave to make a nonpolitical statement.
Madam Speaker: Does the honourable member for Morris have leave to make a nonpolitical statement? [agreed]
Mr. Pitura: Madam Speaker, over the last three days, Manitoba's largest indoor and outdoor agricultural trade show, Ag Expo, was held in Morris. This show, in its seventh year, is put on by a group of dedicated volunteers headed up by Bonnie Hagborg in association with the Valley Agricultural Society. The Valley Agricultural Society is celebrating its 100th birthday this year.
This agricultural trade show is dedicated to providing Manitoba farmers with leading-edge technology, and is also committed to exploring new value-added and diversification opportunities for Manitoba farmers.
I would like to take this opportunity to offer congratulations, on behalf of all members of this Assembly, to this faithful group of volunteers for putting on yet another successful show.