Youth Crime
Parental Responsibility
Mr. Gerry McAlpine (Sturgeon Creek): Madam Speaker, two days ago, the honourable Minister of Justice (Mrs. Vodrey) introduced legislation designed to increase parental responsibility for the actions of their children.
Our government has repeatedly asked the federal government to toughen up the Young Offenders Act and with little success. We believe that, in light of the fact that today's youth are engaging in criminal activity to the extent that they are, change is required. After all, we live in a world of change and for us to pretend that today's youth are no different than they were a generation or two ago would be highly naive.
At the same time, we believe that parents must also assume a greater responsibility for what their children do. This was not only an election promise of this government, it was referenced in the throne speech, and we can no longer perpetuate the notion of a society devoid of responsibility. As a parent, you have an obligation to ensure that your children, your child, is contributing to the betterment of our society and not to its demise.
You have heard me speak and commend the many good youths we have in our province. Somehow we have to elevate these youths as role models for those who choose a life of crime and violence, unlike the opposition members who support disruption and disrespect, as they showed in the House today.
Madam Speaker, the legislation which I referenced is the first of its kind in Canada, and I am proud to be part of a government that is progressive in its actions against criminals regardless of their ages. As such, this legislation is groundbreaking and something to be proud of.
Imagine then, if you will, my surprise to read what the opposition Justice critic had to say in yesterday's paper. He said, and I quote: “This is at best just a raindrop on fire.”
How disappointing it is to read words like this from members opposite who, while they formed the government, implemented no such progressive legislation. If our legislation is at best just a raindrop, then Manitobans will be ecstatic that we took them out of the barren wasteland that the members opposite left them in. Applause and accolades to the Minister of Justice. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Women's March Against Poverty
Ms. Diane McGifford (Osborne): The National Women's March Against Poverty, sponsored by the National Action Committee on the Status of Women and the Canadian Labour Congress, has stopped in Winnipeg as it crosses Canada, raising awareness about the issue of women in poverty. The marchers are calling on the federal government to live up to its commitments on national child care, universal health care and social programs, and a job strategy that includes full-time stable employment for women.
My caucus has a long history of commitment to child care, quality universal services and employment equity. We have seen an erosion of these ideals under the federal Liberals and the Filmon Tories to the extent that it has had a great impact on the incomes of women and the quality of life for children in this province.
The recession of the early 1990s and the ideology of deficit reduction through social program cuts has had a serious effect on Manitoba women. It culminated with the creation of the Canada Health and Social Transfer federally and the Tory version of balanced budget legislation provincially. These two policy initiatives fundamentally changed the universality of social programs while at the same time layoffs, cutbacks and user fees made women more dependent on those programs.
Single parents living on social allowance, the poorest of Manitoba women, have experienced a drop of 6.9 percent in benefits since 1992, 2.7 percent of which came as a result of this year's provincial government. The numbers of adults and children who are using food banks have also increased dramatically.
Today my caucus joins our voices with the women who are travelling across Canada, and we call on our provincial government to do the same. As well, we congratulate NAC and the CLC on their initiative and struggle for social justice and send our good wishes to all marchers. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Morden Kinsmen Club
1996 Kinsmen Community Service Award
Mr. Peter Dyck (Pembina): On June 7, the Morden Kinsmen Club will pay special recognition to one of Morden's most deserving and worthy citizens. On that day Abe Thiessen will be presented with the 1996 Morden Kinsmen community service award..
Mr. Thiessen is an individual who has dedicated a lifetime towards helping others and the task of building a stronger community. He has demonstrated his compassion for those who are less fortunate through his nearly 40-year affiliation with the Association for Community Living.
He has shown his commitment to the young people of our province by acting as a church youth leader, a volunteer with the boys' club and a Sunday school teacher. Mr. Thiessen even found time this spring to help build sets for the Morden Collegiate drama, Alice in Wonderland.
Recently, he has turned some of his attention towards helping the seniors in the community of Morden through the Morden Services to Seniors as chair of the seniors mediation program. In 1992, he has also found time to become a chair of Morden Friendship & Senior Services Activities Centre and was a key part of the development of the new facility.
Madam Speaker, people of all ages owe thanks to Mr. Thiessen for the devotion he has continually shown to the town of Morden and its citizens. I consider myself fortunate to count him as a friend and I am thankful for the example that he has set for each one of us.
We are each given a gift when we come to this earth and it is our responsibility to make the most of it for the benefit of God and his creations. I feel confident in saying that the gift Abe received was one of compassion, caring and giving. It seems equally clear that he is putting that gift to its intended use. I have often said in this House that the spirit of community and giving is alive and well in the constituency of Pembina. Mr. Thiessen is certainly a worthy example of the richness of that spirit.
On behalf of all members of this House, I would like to extend congratulations to Mr. Thiessen on this notable achievement. Thank you.
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Speaker's Ruling
Challenge
Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Inkster): Madam Speaker, actually I wanted to comment on the bell- ringing process. I believe to the best of my knowledge, this is the first time where I was not present for an actual vote in over eight years. The reason why is that I am not too sure--I agree with the New Democrats when they call into question the competence of the Minister of Justice (Mrs. Vodrey) and so does the member for St. Boniface (Mr. Gaudry), and as the member for The Maples (Mr. Kowalski) illustrated in voting with the New Democrats on this particular issue. But I have to question at times why it is that this particular tactic was being used. We have Bill 35, a bill which we were prepared to pass and on which the New Democrats had adjourned debate, which would in fact see pimps, if you like, put on a child registry, something that could have been very positive being done in placement of the bells ringing.
I do not want to impute at length in terms of motives, but when we sat around as a caucus to discuss this the thought crossed our minds if, in fact, this is a way in which the New Democrats would challenge again more so the authority of the Speaker. Over the last number of days we have seen the New Democratic Party not accept you as the Speaker of this Chamber and rather have chosen to do what they can to discredit you in an attempt for whatever other reasons they might have--[interjection] It is not reflecting on the Chair at all, to the member for Point Douglas (Mr. Hickes), but one gets somewhat tired with some of the tactics that are in fact being used. [interjection] My apologies to the member for Point Douglas, the member for Burrows (Mr. Martindale).
Madam Speaker, there should be no doubt in the minds of members of this Chamber that we too do question the competence of the Minister of Justice. We also question the integrity of the New Democrats.
Nellie McClung
Status of Women
Ms. Becky Barrett (Wellington): Madam Speaker, 1996 is the 80th anniversary of the winning of the vote for Manitoba women. Nellie McClung, who was an educator, suffragist, reformer, legislator, author and mother was instrumental in gaining that fundamental right for women.
She spent many of her formative years in Manitoba, first in the Souris Valley and then Winnipeg. She was an effective speaker who won audiences and her points with humorous arguments. She played an important role in laying the groundwork for winning the vote for Manitoba women although, unfortunately, she was in the province of Alberta when that vote finally was won for the women of Manitoba.
However, Nellie McClung did not rest on her laurels. She continued throughout her long life to work for women's suffrage, dower rights, factory safety legislation and many other reforms. She was a member of the Canadian Authors Association, on the CBC's first board of governors and a delegate to the League of Nations.
The causes Nellie McClung spent her life addressing are all unfortunately still with us. Women are still underrepresented in the halls of political power. Women are still faced with the effects of patriarchy, sexism and racism in issues such as employment ghettoes where in Canada today women still only make 70 percent of what men do. Women are still prime targets for provincial and federal program cutbacks. Women's health research is still funded at approximately only 4 percent of that for men. Women still work in unhealthy environments--when they can get a job. Women are still doing the majority of the world's work and receiving virtually no recognition for that work.
I urge all members of the Manitoba Legislature to celebrate the life and victories of Nellie McClung through renewed efforts to carry on her work to the benefit of all of us.
Committee Change
Mr. George Hickes (Point Douglas): I move, seconded by the member for Broadway (Mr. Santos), that the composition of the Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections be amended as follows: Burrows (Mr. Martindale) for Thompson (Mr. Ashton); Osborne (Ms. McGifford) for Swan River (Ms. Wowchuk) for Tuesday, June 4, for 10 a.m.
Motion agreed to.