ORDERS OF THE DAY
Hon. Jim Ernst (Government House Leader): I move, Madam Speaker, seconded by the Minister of Environment (Mr. Cummings), that Madam Speaker do now leave the Chair and the House resolve itself into a committee to consider of the Supply to be granted to Her Majesty.
Madam Speaker: Order, please. Does the honourable government House leader wish to withdraw that previous motion?
Mr. Ernst: With the permission of my seconder, Madam Speaker, yes, I do. I got ahead of myself here.
Madam Speaker, would you call for second reading of Bill 18 and Bill 26?
SECOND READINGS
Bill 18--The Housing and Renewal Corporation Amendment Act
Hon. Jack Reimer (Minister of Housing): Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Education (Mrs. McIntosh), that Bill 18, The Housing and Renewal Corporation Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Loi sur la société d'habitation et de rénovation, be now read a second time and referred to a committee of this House.
Motion presented.
Mr. Reimer: Madam Speaker, I am pleased to speak on Bill 18, a bill to amend The Housing and Renewal Corporation Act.
During the recent election campaign, our Premier (Mr. Filmon) spoke of the need to adapt our institutions to modern times, to make them more responsive to the citizens they serve and to seek greater economies in the conduct of public business. The Premier also committed this government to reduce the number of separate Crown entities delivering public services.
The Manitoba Housing and Renewal Corporation was created in 1967 as a separate Crown corporation that operated within general policy and fiscal guidelines issued by government. In 1982, the Department of Housing was created. Manitoba Housing and Renewal Corporation became a Crown corporation with no employees and only civil servants on its board of directors, with the Minister of Housing serving as chair.
A great deal has changed since 1982. Three years ago, the Manitoba Housing Authority was created to consolidate the operations of over 90 separate housing authorities in this province. This measure was designed to improve the efficiency of providing social housing to those Manitobans that need it and to introduce greater equity and consistency in the manner by which our tenants, our clients access these services.
Manitoba Housing and Renewal Corporation has been the institution which has funded and monitored the activities of the Manitoba Housing Authority. Both the Manitoba Housing and Renewal Corporation and the Manitoba Housing Authority are served by civil servants within the Department of Housing.
The various working relationships between a department of government, a Crown corporation and a Crown agency have introduced a certain degree of ambiguity in reporting relationships, responsibilities and accountability for performance. There may be a certain amount of duplication in the current situation, and this bill will give the government some flexibility in clarifying these roles and responsibilities.
Indeed, as recently as June 15, 1995, the Provincial Auditor's office has commented on the need for some clarification in the working relationship between the Manitoba Housing and Renewal Corporation and the Manitoba Housing Authority. I quote from a letter that was sent to me: We are also concerned with the reporting relationships which result from the existence of two separate boards of directors, one of MHRC and one of the Manitoba Housing Authority. It would appear that with both boards there is not always clarity as to the responsibility and authority. We recommend that you review the existing governance structure.
Bill 18 removes the existing limitations on composition of the Manitoba Housing and Renewal Corporation board and gives the government the option of opening board membership to noncivil servants, to consolidate the Manitoba Housing Authority and Manitoba Housing and Renewal Corporation if that is deemed to be appropriate and to clearly clarify accountability in the management of tax dollars for social housing.
We are committed to change, to improvement and to delivering social housing as effectively as possible.
Madam Speaker, that concludes my introductory remarks. I look forward to a fuller discussion of the bill at committee stage. Thank you.
Ms. Becky Barrett (Wellington): Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the member for Wolseley (Ms. Barrett), that debate be adjourned.
Motion agreed to.
Bill 26--The Liquor Control Amendment Act
Hon. Harold Gilleshammer (Minister of Culture, Heritage and Citizenship): Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Minister of Education and Training (Mrs. McIntosh), that Bill 26, The Liquor Control Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Loi sur la réglementation des alcools, be now read a second time and be referred to a committee of this House.
Motion presented.
Mr. Gilleshammer: Madam Speaker, I am pleased to introduce for second reading Bill 26, The Liquor Control Amendment Act. The Liquor Control Act is one which must from time to time be examined in order to understand the changing needs of the customers of the MLCC, both licensees and the public. Prior to these amendments coming forth, there have been discussions with interested groups such as the Manitoba Hotel Association, the Restaurant Association and the Royal Canadian Legion to ensure that the changes genuinely reflect the needs and wishes of Manitobans.
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This bill contains three amendments. The first one proposes to allow the service of liquor in licensed establishments on Remembrance Day. Currently, service is allowed only in licensed dining rooms and on a permit basis in veterans' clubs. This bill will extend that service to beverage rooms, cocktail lounges, cabarets, sports facilities, private clubs, spectator activities and others. Manitoba's tourism and hospitality industries continue to grow and this bill will allow Manitoba's licensees to provide services to their clients as is now the case in all other Canadian provinces.
This amendment has been discussed with the Northwestern Command of the Royal Canadian Legion who are in agreement. No new service will be permitted before 1 p.m. to prevent any conflict with memorial services taking place.
Secondly, the bill proposes to allow veterans' associations to have up to 50 percent of their permanent local membership as guests. Currently, veterans' associations are allowed to have up to 10 percent of permanent local membership as guests. This bill will enable veterans' associations to continue to serve their members and their communities, despite declining membership in many branches.
Finally, the bill proposes to allow hotel beer vendors to sell beer to licensees within their communities. Currently, licensees may purchase beer only from the Manitoba Liquor Control Commission distribution centre, Liquor Commission stores or from private beer distributors. This bill gives licensees more flexibility in making those purchases, particularly in the case of rural licensees who are often at a great distance from the nearest current outlet. The hospitality industry will have an opportunity to improve the level of service they provide to their customers.
Madam Speaker, I look forward to the debate in this House on this bill. These amendments recognize our changing times and the changing needs of Manitobans, while continuing to provide liquor service in a socially responsible manner.
Madam Speaker, I do have spreadsheets for opposition party critics. Thank you very much.
Ms. Diane McGifford (Osborne): Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable member for Transcona (Mr. Reid), that debate be adjourned.
Motion agreed to.
REPORT STAGE
Bill 35--The Elections Amendment, Local Authorities Election Amendment and Consequential Amendments Act
Hon. Jim Ernst (Government House Leader): I move, seconded by the Minister of Environment (Mr. Cummings), by leave, that Bill 35, The Elections Amendment, Local Authorities Election Amendment and Consequential Amendments Act; Loi modifiant la Loi électorale, la Loi sur l'élection des autorités locales et apportant des modifications corrélatives, reported from the Standing Committee on Law Amendments, be concurred in.
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Motion agreed to.
House Business
Mr. Ernst: I move, seconded by the Minister of Environment (Mr. Cummings), that Madam Speaker do now leave the Chair and the House resolve itself into a committee to consider of the Supply to be granted to Her Majesty.
Motion agreed to, and the House resolved itself into a committee to consider of the Supply to be granted to Her Majesty, with the honourable member for St. Norbert (Mr. Laurendeau) in the Chair.