Mr. Edward Helwer (Gimli): Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the member for Portage la Prairie (Mr. Faurschou), that the composition of the Standing Committee on Public Utilities and Natural Resources be amended as follows: the member for Assiniboia (Mrs. McIntosh) for the member for River Heights (Mr. Radcliffe), the member for Sturgeon Creek (Mr. McAlpine) for the member for Gladstone (Mr. Rocan).

Hon. Darren Praznik (Government House Leader): Madam Speaker, in terms of business for today, we are going to call for introduction for second reading Bill 33. I understand the minister has very short remarks. Following that, we will be going into Estimates.

There are some changes in the order of Estimates for which I am going to seek leave of the House. First of all, I believe if you canvass the House, you will find that there is agreement to waive private members' hour. Of course, we will be doing that on Thursday in the morning session.

Madam Speaker: Is there unanimous consent of the House to waive private members' hour for today, with the understanding we will have private members' hour Thursday morning? [agreed]

Mr. Praznik: Madam Speaker, today in the Chamber I believe we will revert to Executive Council. There is likely going to be a change in this for tomorrow that the opposition House leader (Mr. Ashton) and I are discussing, which we will have some announcement on likely later.

In Room 255, I understand that Sport, which was placed in that room yesterday, will continue. I believe that at five o'clock it will be adjourning or completed. Either way, Madam Speaker, we would seek leave for the Department of Consumer and Corporate Affairs to be moved into Room 255.

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Madam Speaker: An announcement first. Today, in the Committee of Supply, the Estimates of Executive Council will be dealt with in the Chamber. Is there unanimous consent of the House to, after the completion of Sport in Room–

Mr. Praznik: Madam Speaker, it is not completion. It is at 5 p.m. in Room 255, whether Sport finishes or wishes to adjourn at that time, that they be followed by Consumer and Corporate Affairs.

Madam Speaker: Is there unanimous consent of the House that Sport will continue in Room 255 until 5 p.m. today, at which time the Department of Consumer Affairs will commence? [agreed]

Mr. Praznik: Then, Madam Speaker, I would move, seconded by the honourable–

Madam Speaker: Order, please. Did the honourable minister not indicate earlier that we would have second reading?

Mr. Praznik: Oh, yes, my apologies, Madam Speaker. If you could please call that bill before I move the motion.

Hon. Mike Radcliffe (Minister of Labour): Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Minister of Urban Affairs and Housing (Mr. Reimer), that Bill 33, The Special Payment to Certain Dependent Spouses of Deceased Workers Act; Loi sur le paiement spJ cial destinJ B certains conjoints B charge de travailleurs dJ cJ dJ s, be now read a second time and be referred to a committee of this House.

Mr. Radcliffe: I am very pleased to have the opportunity to say a very few words about this particular bill. The purpose of Bill 33 is found in Section 2.1 of the bill. This bill is not to confer a right where none previously existed but to in fact recognize a change in society in the times that we are living in now, and it expresses a desire by our government to do the appropriate thing for compassionate and humanitarian reasons.

This special lump sum payment is in essence an ex gracia payment. When I say that, I am of course referring to the legal term which has a very specific meaning, and I sincerely do not intend any disrespect to the widows and widowers in my usage of this term. In fact, I would like to acknowledge the work and the efforts of the Manitoba Workers Compensation Board Widows Action Group and in particular to recognize their co-chairs Meryl Mutch and Alvina Bartlett. These two women represented their cause well. It was a pleasure for both the Premier (Mr. Filmon) and me to meet with them. I am also pleased that we could reach a solution so quickly after those particular meetings.

This bill represents a balanced solution to a complex issue. It provides a financial payment to widows and widowers whose benefits were terminated under law following their remarriage before the date of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms came into effect. It also represents a solution that is fiscally responsible and will not result in a Workers Compensation Board premium rate increase for Manitoba employers.

Madam Speaker, I look forward to a speedy passage and proclamation of this particular bill. Thank you very much.

Mr. Daryl Reid (Transcona): I move, seconded by the member for Thompson (Mr. Ashton), that debate be adjourned.

Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Inkster): Madam Speaker, I was wishing to actually speak to the bill this afternoon. My comments will be very brief.

Madam Speaker: Order, please. Is there leave to permit the honourable member–

An Honourable Member: Leave.

Madam Speaker: Thank you. That is why I hesitated, and then the member sat down, so I was not certain. But I assumed that is what he wanted.

Mr. Lamoureux: Madam Speaker, I thank the indulgence of the House. We did want to put just a few words on the record, not necessarily wanting to indicate that I know all of the details of every clause of the bill, but rather understand what it is that the government is hoping to achieve by the quick passage of this particular bill, looking at the sense of frustrations that widows and widowers have had over the years, and we just wanted to stand up in support of the bill going to committee. With those very few words, we applaud the advocacy from the different interested stakeholders in ensuring the government took responsible steps in terms of compensation of a very special group of people. Thank you.

Madam Speaker: As previously agreed, this bill will remain standing in the name of the honourable member for Transcona (Mr. Reid).

Hon. Darren Praznik (Government House Leader): Madam Speaker, I would move, seconded by the honourable Premier (Mr. Filmon), that Madam Speaker do now leave the Chair and that this House do resolve itself into a committee to consider of the Supply to be granted to Her Most Gracious Majesty.