Legislative Assembly of Manitoba DEBATES and PROCEEDINGS
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Fifth Session- Thirty-Sixth Legislature of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba DEBATES and PROCEEDINGS Official Report (Hansard) Published under the authorityof The Honourable Louise M. Dacquay Speaker Vol. XLIX No. 24 - 1 :30 p.m., Monday, May 10, 1999 MANITOBA LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Thirty-Sixth Legislature Member Constituency Political Affiliation ASHTON,Steve Thompson N.D.P. BARRETT,Becky Wellington N.D.P. CERILLI,Marianne Radisson N.D.P. CHOMIAK,Dave Kildonan N.D.P. CUMMINGS, Glen, Hon. Ste. Rose P.C. DACQUAY, Louise,Hon. Seine River P.C. DERKACH, Leonard, Hon. Roblin-Russell P.C. DEWAR,Gregory Selkirk N.D.P. DOER,Gary Concordia N.D.P. DOWNEY,James Arthur-Virden P.C. DRIEDGER, Albert Steinbach P.C. DRIEDGER, Myrna Charleswood P.C. DYCK, Peter Pembina P.C. ENNS,Harry, Hon. Lakeside P.C. EVANS,Ciif Interlake N.D.P. EVANS,Leonard S. Brandon East N.D.P. FAURSCHOU, David Portage Ia Prairie P.C. FILMON,Gary, Hon. Tuxedo P.C. FINDLAY, Glen Springfield P.C. FRIESEN,Jean Wolseley N.D.P. GILLESHAMMER, Harold,Hon. Minnedosa P.C. IIELWER, Edward Gimli P.C. HICKES,George Point Douglas N.D.P. JENNISSEN, Gerard Flin Flon N.D.P. KOWALSKI, Gary The Maples Lib. LAMOUREUX,Kevin Inkster Lib. LATHLIN,Oscar The Pas N.D.P. LAURENDEAU,Marcel St. Norbert P.C. MACKINTOSH, Gord St. Johns N.D.P. MALOWAY,Jim Elmwood N.D.P. MARTINDALE,Doug Burrows N.D.P. McALPINE,Gerry Sturgeon Creek P.C. McCRAE,James, Hon. Brandon West P.C. McGIFFORD,Diane Osborne N.D.P. MciNTOSH,Linda, Hon. Assiniboia P.C. MIHYCHUK,MaryAnn St. James N.D.P. MITCHELSON,Bonnie, Hon. River East P.C. NEWMAN,David, Hon. Riel P.C. PENNER,Jack Emerson P.C. PITURA, Frank, Hon. Morris P.C. PRAZNIK,Darren, Hon. Lac du Bonnet P.C. RADCLIFFE, Mike,Hon. River Heights P.C. REID, Daryl Transcona N.D.P. REIMER, Jack, Hon. Niakwa P.C. RENDER,Shirley, Hon. St. Vital P.C. ROBINSON, Eric Rupertsland N.D.P. ROCAN, Denis Gladstone P.C. SALE, Tim Crescentwood N.D.P. SANTOS,Conrad Broadway N.D.P. STEFANSON,Eric, lion. Kirkfield Park P.C. STRUTHERS,Stan Dauphin N.D.P. SVEINSON, Ben La Verendrye P.C. TOEWS,Vic, Hon. Rossmere P.C. TWEED,Mervin, Hon. Turtle Mountain P.C. VODREY,Rosemary, Bon. Fort Garry P.C. N.D.P. WOWCHlJK,Rosann Swan River J'acant St. Boniface 1051 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA Monday, May 10, 1999 The House met at 1:30 p.m. central areas of the province, it is however still dry in the north and eastern areas. This has PRAYERS affected the fo rest fires, and we are holding the fire in the Manigotagan area, but it should be ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS noted that there are still 250 firefighters working in this area and good progress is currently being MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS made. Rain may move north and that will significantly help this if it occurs in the next 24 Flood Forecast hours. This rainfall has created concerns fo r our communities and agriculture producers in the Hon. Glen Cummings (Minister of Natural Souris River watershed and in southwestern Resources): I have a statement fo r the House, Manitoba, and we urge them to contact local Madam Speaker. Natural Resource officers if they need assistance. Madam Speaker, we have had heavy rains * (1335) this past week and more rain is predicted fo r today which will create continuing flooding Mr. Stan Struthers (Dauphin): Madam problems on the Souris River watershed. Speaker, I thank the minister fo r an update again Forecast fo r today are another 40 millimetres or in terms of firefighting and flood fighting. We 1.5 inches of rain in the watershed. The rain is on this side of the House are very pleased that producing significant runoff, with conditions in the rain is helping out with the fo rest fire many areas looking similar to what transpired situation, putting us in the ball game there to three weeks ago when the snow melt was control the fires and minimize the damage to occurring. A strong weather system is moving Manitobans. We have to realize too, at the same through the area, and we are watching to time, that while we do not have a control over determine what action will be needed. the tap, the amount of water that is hitting other parts of the province will cause damage and will At this time the Department of Highways cause grief fo r Manitobans living in the Souris and Transportation is considering rebuilding the River watershed. dike on PTH 3. This additional rainfall, along with 115 millimetres or 4.5 inches of rain last I have been in contact with some of the local week to most of the drainage areas from Minot people from the area, and I want to congratulate to Wawanesa, is producing significant runoff. them on the preventative flood damage measures As reported on the weekend, some flooding is that they have been taking in order to protect underway in lower-lying areas. Medora Creek their communities and to protect their farms and was spilling its banks further upstream. Slow to protect their businesses in the southwest and steady rises are expected on the Souris River corner of the province. I also urge the minister, for approximately the next 12 days. not only in the prevention stage but after the flooding has occurred and if there is some The unusually heavy rain since May 4 will damage that has been done, that the local people, extend the period of flooding along the Souris the local R.M.s and town councils and River to Manitoba for at least three to four individuals who are affected by the flood receive weeks. It will be well into June before lower the continued support of the provincial lying lands along the river emerge, and the government, something that we have raised in colder area will likely be past mid-June before it this House before. becomes dry-not good news for that area at all. While the rainfall was certainly of help in the I thank the minister fo r his statement and fo rest firefighting situation in western and hope fo r all the best in the Souris River area fo r 1052 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 10, 1999 local people fighting this heavy amount of rain * (1340) and flooding thatmay occur. ORAL QUESTION PERIOD INTRODUCTION OF BILLS Nursing Profession Recruitment/Retention Strategy Bill 24-The Municipal Amendment Act Mr. Gary Doer (Leader of the Opposition): Hon. Leonard Derkach (Minister of Rural Madam Speaker, in 1992 the government Development): I move, seconded by the released a report called Quality Health for Minister of Highways and Transportation (Mr. Manitobans -The Action Plan on Health Care in Praznik), that leave be given to introduce Bill Manitoba. That report promised a five-year 24, The Municipal Amendment Act; Loi strategy fo r nursing recruitment, training and modifiant Ia Loi sur les municipalites, and that retention here in the province of Manitoba. the same be now received and read a first time. I would like to ask this Premier (Mr. His Honour the Lieutenant Governor, having Filmon): could he now table the five-year plan been advised of the contents of the bill, that his government promised in 1992 to deal recommends it to the House, and I would like to with nurse recruitment, training and retention table the message of the Lieutenant Governor. here in the province of Manitoba? Motion agreed to. Hon. Eric Stefanson (Minister of Health): Introduction of Guests Well, Madam Speaker, as we have discussed in this House on previous occasions, provinces Madam Speaker: Prior to Oral Questions, right across Canada today need more nurses. firstly, I would like to draw the attention of all Certainly, Manitoba is amongst those provinces, honourable members to the table and ask them to and that is why we are doing a number of things assist me in welcoming Monique Grenier, our to attract and retain more nurses in the province newly appointed Clerk Assistant/Journals Clerk, of Manitoba. to the table. We have established a $7-million nurse Monique, who comes to us fr om the recruitment and retention fund here in the Legislative Counsel office, replaces JoAnn province. We continue to work with employers McKerlie-Korol, who has been appointed a where we see more and more positions in our Clerk Assistant-Committee Clerk. Monique will health care system being made permanent be serving at the table on a regular basis if and positions. That continues to be a major part of when we get into Estimates. Welcome, the fo cus on behalf of nurses. It is certainly an Monique. issue that we hear time and time again from nurses-continuing to work with our educational I would also like to draw the attention of all programs in Manitoba. honourable members to the public gallery where we have this afternoon twenty-four Grade 11 The Leader of the Opposition, I am sure is students from Neepawa Area Collegiate under aware, just on Friday of last week, with a the direction of Mr. Bob Ferguson. This school significant expansion of the licensed practical is located in the constituency of the honourable nursing program going from an intake of 90 Minister ofNatural Resources (Mr. Cummings). nurses to 190 nurses coming up this next year through the Assiniboine Community College and We also have thirty Grade 9 students from Misericordia Hospital, continually working with Sargent Park School under the direction of Ms. the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Ricki Syrota.