DEBATES and PROCEEDINGS
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ISSN 0542-5492 Second Session - Thirty-Second legislature of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba DEBATES and PROCEEDINGS 33 Elizabeth II Published under the authority of The Honourable D. James Walding Speaker VOL. XXXI No. 179A - 2:00 p.m., THURSDAY, 9 FEBRUARY, 1984. Prmled by lhe Office of the Oueens Prmter. Province of Manitoba MANITOBA LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Thirty-Second legislature Members, Constituencies and Political Affiliation Name Constituency Party ADAM, Hon. A.R. (Pete) Ste. Rose NDP ANSTETT, Hon. Andy Springfield NOP ASHTON, Steve Tho·:·.;;son NDP BANMAN,Robert (Bob) La Verendrye PC BLAKE, David R. (Dave) Minnedosa PC BROWN, Arnold Rhineland PC BUCKLASCHUK, Hon. John M. Gimli NDP CARROLL, a.c .. Henry N. Brandon West IND CORRIN,Q.C., Brian Ellice NDP COWAN, Hon. Jay Churchill NDP DESJARDINS, Hon. Laurent St. Boniface NDP DODICK, Doreen Riel NOP DOERN,Russell Elmwood NDP DOLIN, Hon. Mary Beth Kildonan NDP DOWNEY, James E. Arthur PC DRIEDGER,Albert Emerson PC ENNS,Harry Lakeside PC EVANS, Hon. Leonard S. Brandon East NDP EYLER,Phil River East NDP FILMON, Gary Tu xedo PC FOX,Peter Concordia NDP GOURLAY, D.M. (Doug) Swan River PC GRAHAM,Harry Virden PC HAMMOND, Gerrie Kirkfield Park PC HARAPIAK, Harry M. The Pas NDP HARPER, Elijah Rupertsland NDP HEMPHILL,Hon. Maureen Logan NDP HYDE, Lloyd Portage la Prairie PC JOHNSTON,J. Frank Sturgeon Creek PC KOSTYRA,Hon. Eugene Seven Oaks NDP KOVNATS, Abe Niakwa PC LECUYER, Hon. Gerard Radisson NDP LY ON, Q.C., Hon. Sterling Charleswood PC MACKLING, Q.C., Hon. Al St. James NDP MALINOWSKI, Donald M. St. Johns NDP MANNESS, Clayton Morris PC McKENZIE,J. Wally Roblin-Russell PC MERCIER, Q.C., G.W.J. (Gerry) St. Norbert PC NORDMAN,Rurik (Ric) Assiniboia PC OLESON, Charlotte Gladstone PC ORCHARD,Donald Pembina PC PAW LEY, Q.C., Hon. Howard R. Selkirk NDP PARASIUK, Hon. Wilson Transcona NDP PENNER,Q.C., Hon. Roland Fort Rouge NDP PHILLIPS, Myrna A. Wolseley NDP PLOHMAN, Hon. John Dauphin NDP RANSOM, A. Brian Turtle Mountain PC SANTOS,Conrad Burrows NDP SCHROEDER, Hon. Vic Rossmere NDP SCOTT, Don lnkster NDP SHERMAN, L.R. (Bud) Fort Garry PC SMITH, Hon. Muriel Osborne NDP STEEN, Warren River Heights PC STORIE, Hon. Jerry T. Flin Flon NDP URUSKI, Hon. Bill Interlake NDP USKIW, Hon. Samuel Lac du Bonnet NDP WALDING, Hon. D. James St. Vital NDP LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA Thursday, 9 February, 1984. Time - 2:00 p.m. MR. G. FILMON: I realize that the government members are very sensitive about this issue and the Minister of OPENING PRAYER by Mr. Speaker. Finance has many problems to deal with, but I wish that they would just keep themselves under control MR. SPEAKER, Hon. J. Walding: Presenting Petitions while I'm in the midst of my questioning, Mr. Speaker. Reading and Receiving Petitions . Presenting Mr. Speaker, given that the Premier is not a very Reports by Standing and Special Committees . objective observer of this, and the quote from the Ministerial Statements and Ta bling of Reports . newspaper article says, and I quote: ". but Pawley's Notices of Motion . Introduction of Bills . message in the main appeared to fall on deaf ears"; and the second portion of the media coverage said ORAL QUESTIONS that, "The largest cheer occurred when one individual called for the Premier to call an election and go to the Bilingualism in Manitoba public on the issue"; given that, Mr. Speaker, will . MR. SPEAKER: The Honourable Leader of the A MEMBER: It was a cynical laugh. Opposition. MR. G. FILMON: . I think maybe people ought to MR. G. FILMON: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. be cynical of the role of the Minister of Environment My question is for the Premier. In view of the rather who came out, I understand, with 17 of his own large turnout last evening at a public meeting in his supporters - 17 of his own supporters - to try and pack constituency, many of whom I understand were opposed the meeting; given all of these circumstances that to the government's French language proposal, and in definitely don't square with the Premier's interpretation view or the strong representation made by many of of the mood of the crowd, will the Premier come to those in attendance for him to withdraw the proposal, his senses, withdraw this proposal and put an end to Mr. Speaker, my question for the Premier is will he now this convulsion that he's putting Manitobans through? acknowledge the error of the course upon which he and his government are proceeding and one which is HON. H. PAW LEY: Mr. Speaker, first, if there is any contrary to the wishes of the vast majority of reference to "falling on deaf ears," it was the fact that Manitobans, will he now support our amendment that the people that were in the audience were will allow this matter to be settled and done with for overwhelmingly either one side or other of the issue. the benefit of all Manitobans? That indeed was the case. There were very few there, Mr. Speaker, that were not on one side or the other MR. SPEAKER: The Honourable First Minister. of the issue except . HON. H. PAWLEY: Mr. Speaker, the Honourable Leader A MEMBER: I know I saw Doern there. of the Opposition was not present last night, but the media reports are quite correct in indicating that there HON. H. PAWLEY: Well, yes, I saw Mr. Doern there was a great deal of support as well as a great deal of and he clearly is on one side of the issue. opposition. Mr. Speaker, there was also a large number, Mr. Speaker, I would like to suggest for the Leader in fact I believe there were probably more people of the Opposition that he follow the advice from the speaking from the mike in support of the government's former Leader of the Conservative Party in Manitoba, proposal than speaking against the government's one that is held in high esteem on this side of the proposal. So, Mr. Speaker, rather than have the Chamber, when Mr. Spivak indicated a few days ago Honourable Leader of the Opposition think that it would on radio, "There was an opportunity with the change cause any regret on my part or any reluctance, I was in leadership for Gary Filmon to take a look at the impressed by the fact that there was indeed a large national scene and to follow the example of the national number of people present at the meeting that expressed leader, Brian Mulroney. What he should have done is support, and media reports are correct in indicating allowed a free vote by the Conservatives. If a free vote that it was a mixed reaction, just about evenly divided would have taken place, in my opinion there may have according to the media. I think that the majority, in been one or two or even three or four who would have fact, were in support of the government's position. supported the government's position, or would have supported an amended position of what the government MR. G. FILMON: Mr. Speaker, given that the Premier proposed." Mr. Speaker ... is a less than objective observer of it . SOME HONOURABLE MEMBERS: Oh, oh! HON. V. SCHROEDER: This wasn't Tr anscona, Gary. This wasn't Transcona. MR. SPEAKER: Order please. MR. SPEAKER: Order please, order please. HON. H. PAWLEY: I think the former Leader of the The Honourable Leader of the Opposition. Conservative Party reflects considerable thinking within 5911 Thursday, 9 February, 1984 the Conservative Party. Mr. Speaker, he reflects the himself in this whole issue to be the Mad Hatter or the thinking of Mr. Epp, the Member for Provencher, that March Hare. But, Mr. Speaker, it's a very simple question according to reports was not received well by the and it's a topic that he's brought forward today, so all Provincial Conservative Caucus; he reflects the thinking I want is a very simple answer from the Premier if he's of Conservative Jake Murta in Lisgar constitutency; capable of giving one and that is: will he permit a free Lee Clark in Brandon-Souris constituency; Charles vote on his side on this issue? Mayer in Marquette constituency; reflects the thinking of many Conservatives that feel that this Conservative HON. H. PAWLEY: Mr. Speaker, it would not make any Opposition is not following a very constructive difference to this side of the Chamber. It might make leadership position in respect to the debate before us. a difference to that side of the Chamber; it would not make a difference to this side of the Chamber. MR. SPEAKER: The Honourable Leader of the Opposition. SOME HONOURABLE MEMBERS: Oh, oh! MR. G. FILMON: Mr. Speaker I am . MR. SPEAKER: Order please, order please. Order please. SOME HONOURABLE MEMBERS: Oh, oh! Is the House prepared to allow the First Minister to complete his answer? MR. SPEAKER: Order please. The Honourable First Minister. MR. G. FILMON: Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Natural HON. H. PAWLEY: Mr. Speaker, I thought it might be Resources has a great deal to say but none of it is in fact worthwhile for all of us to have a free vote and worth listening to, so I wish he'd just curb his childish complete this matter right now. desire ... SOME HONOURABLE MEMBERS: Oh, oh! MR. SPEAKER: Question? MR. SPEAKER: Order please. The Honourable Leader of the Opposition. MR. G. FILMON: ...to be heard. We'll give him an opportunity tomorrow and ask a question tomorrow, MR. G.