Mrs. Myrna Driedger (Charleswood): In keeping with our philosophy that early intervention and prevention are the best ways to address social concerns, my government recently announced its support for an innovative program aimed at helping at-risk youth. We have announced more than $80,000 in funding for a unique project that will pair at-risk truant children with mentors. This in-school mentoring project was developed by the Big Brothers, Big Sisters of North America and has been run very successfully at Isaac Newton School. Thirteen children were paired with mentors during the 1998-1999 school year.

To help address increased demand for the program, my government has provided additional funds to expand the program in Winnipeg and establish it in Brandon. Volunteer partners in the program include employees from corporate sponsors, members of community foundations, businesses and education organizations. Mentors spend one hour each week with a student in school during school hours. There they engage in conversation with a child, help them with their reading, play sports and participate in playground activities.

Madam Speaker, the contact that these at-risk truant children will have with positive adult role models will do much to give them a sense of self-esteem, support and encouragement. Often at-risk children only need some guidance such as this to set them on the right path. I am confident that the funding for this initiative will give these young Manitobans the help they need to become healthy and productive citizens. Thank you.

Ms. Diane McGifford (Osborne): Madam Speaker, the Osborne Village Business Improvement Zone is the creator and sponsor of Winnipeg Snapshot, a project designed to reflect the essence of Winnipeg and its citizens at the close of the 20th Century. Through the creation of a time capsule, the project will offer an opportunity for Winnipeggers to mark the millennium, certainly a historic moment in time. Canadian Waste has supplied an industrial waste-collection container that will serve as the time capsule's container. The sides of the container will feature many murals reflective of Manitoba's past, present and future. To preserve the capsule's content for the future, all submissions will be enclosed in heavy plastic envelopes and then sealed in plastic boxes.

On December 31, 1999, as part of the new year's celebration at The Forks, the capsule will be sealed during an official closing ceremony. On January 1, 2000, the capsule will be transported to the burial site and buried. The site will be marked with a plaque. The intention is to exhume the capsule in 2074 as part of Winnipeg's 200th birthday and bicentennial celebrations.

Osborne Village business owners encourage submissions from all Winnipeggers and all former citizens. Details about submissions and guidelines are available from the Osborne BIZ office.

I want to take this opportunity to congratulate Osborne BIZ on their creativity, public service and respect for history. I will not be present in 2074, but I am enjoying contemplating the excitement when the time capsule is opened, the past revealed and my grandchildren enlightened. I ask all members of the House to join me in offering congratulations, and on behalf of Osborne Village BIZ I invite members to prepare their personal reflections for submission.

Mr. Peter Dyck (Pembina): Madam Speaker, today is a special day for students as the official proclamation for Hire-a-Student Week was signed on the grounds of the Legislature.

Hire-a-Student Week which runs to July 11 encourages businesses and homeowners to employ students and youth this summer. Summer employment provides valuable work experience and financial assistance to young Manitobans. Employers also benefit from the enthusiasm and skills students bring to the workplace.

Young Manitobans seeking summer jobs can access 34 Manitoba Youth Job Centres across the province. The centres, funded by the Manitoba government, work closely with community groups. In addition there are 13 youth student resource centres co-sponsored by the federal and provincial governments. The job centres operate a community job referral and placement service to help employers find the right person for their summer employment needs. The centres screen suitable applicants for available jobs to make the employer's selection easier. The service is available free to all Manitoba businesses and homeowners.

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In 1998 the centres helped find summer jobs for approximately 10,075 Manitobans between the ages of 16 and 24. An additional 11,508 young people took part in training and workshops focusing on job search skills, and 1999 is shaping up as another banner year on the student employment front in Manitoba, thanks to the strong provincial economy and the upcoming Pan Am Games.

I would like to encourage private and public sector employers to consider hiring young people, providing them the real-life work experience essential to anyone beginning a career. Government initiatives like Hire-a-Student Week help keep Manitoba's youth unemployment rate one of the lowest among Canadian provinces.

Mr. Eric Robinson (Rupertsland): I rise today to congratulate the St. Theresa Point youth marathoners that ran from Thompson to Winnipeg over the last five days, arriving at the Legislature at noon today. The runners along with their parents, relatives and volunteers are to be commended for their community spirit and initiative.

Congratulations to Reynelda Wood, youth marathon organizer, and the runners Billy Joe Flett, Clarence Flett, Calvis Manoakeesick, Neil Manoakeesick, Nestor Monias, Alana Taylor, Arlene Taylor, Brian Taylor, Jason Taylor, Waylon Taylor, Wayne Taylor, Chris Wood, Jackie Wood, Joe Wood, Lenny Wood, Melvin Wood, Shirley Wood and Toban Wood.

Congratulations also to Chief Reggie Mason and council, the other chiefs of the Island Lake area, Chief David Harper of Garden Hill, Chief Wesley Harper of Red Sucker Lake, Chief Epstein Knott of Wasagamack, along with Grand Chiefs Rod Bushie and Francis Flett and all supporters of the walk.

In many northern communities there are urgent needs for recreational activities and facilities, and we hope that the federal government and also this government will act on the request of the St. Theresa Point youth and support them in their efforts to establish a youth centre at St. Theresa Point.

Madam Speaker: Grievances.

Mr. Jack Penner (Emerson): It gives me great pleasure to rise today to honour somebody that I have had a great deal of–

Madam Speaker: Are you on a grievance or a member's statement?

Mr. Penner: Member's statement, I am sorry.

Madam Speaker: I apologize. Is there leave to revert to Members' Statements? [agreed]

Mr. Penner: It gave me great pleasure to attend last week a reception for this year's recipients of the Manitoba Council on Aging Recognition Award, at which Sam Sadler, the former mayor of Emerson, received an award for outstanding contribution by an individual.

Sam retired from his work at Canada Customs where he had worked for many years and then took on a real job. He became the mayor of the town of Emerson and became very involved in trying to convert the town of Emerson into a place in which seniors would really want to be and want to live.

Mr. Sadler's efforts in his community have greatly enhanced the quality of life for seniors. He was one of the community members involved in bringing the Handi-Van service to Emerson in 1984 and still serves as a secretary and chairman of the Handi-Van finance committee. Mr. Sadler is also a volunteer Handi-Van driver for both local and long-distance trips and has been active as a driver for Meals on Wheels since 1982.

Mr. Sadler was instrumental in establishing the Emerson senior citizens' home, South Gate Haven, in the 1960s and served on its board of directors for a number of years.

He is an active member of the Emerson branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, serving as president from 1960 to '61, and again from 1994 to 1998, and is often credited for having kept the legion alive and active in the town of Emerson.

I would like to ask all members of this House to join me today in not only congratulating but thanking Sam Sadler for being the kind of person in a rural community who makes life much, much better. For that, he received recognition and an award.

I would like to also recognize Myles Haverluck of Dauphin, Dr. G.L.E. Ullyot of Winnipeg, Smith's Florists of Pilot Mound, The Pas Kinsmen Club, and the Safeway stores, 3393 Portage Avenue and 3059 Ness, for their outstanding contributions to seniors in this province.

Again, on behalf of all of us, thank you very much.