Legislative Assembly of Manitoba DEBATES and PROCEEDINGS
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Third Session- Thirty-Sixth Legislature of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba DEBATES and PROCEEDINGS Official Report (Hansard) Published under the authority of The Honourable Louise M. Dacquay Speaker Vol. XLVII No. 55- 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 4, 1997 ISSN 0542-5492 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. DACQUA Y, 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, Hon. Arthur-Virden P.C. DRIEDGER, Albert Steinbach P.C. DYCK, Peter Pembina P.C. ENNS, Harry, Hon. Lakeside P.C. ERNST, Jim Charleswood P.C. EVANS, Clif Interlake N.D.P. EVANS, Leonard S. Brandon East N.D.P. FILMON, Gary, Hon. Tuxedo P.C. FINDLAY, Glen, Hon. Springfield P.C. FRIESEN, Jean Wolseley N.D.P. ' GAUDRY, Neil St. Boniface Lib. GILLESHAMMER, Harold, Hon. Minnedosa P.C. HEL WER, Edward Gimli P.C. HICKES, George Point Douglas N.D.P. JENNISSEN, Gerard Flin Pion 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. P.C. PITURA, Frank, Hon. Morris PRAZNIK, Darren, Hon. Lac du Bonnet P.C. RADCLIFFE, Mike, Hon. River Heights P.C. N.D.P. REID, Daryl Transcona P.C. REIMER, Jack, Hon. Niakwa P.C. RENDER, Shirley St. Vital N.D.P. ROBINSON, Eric Rupertsland P.C. ROCAN, Denis Gladstone N.D.P. SALE, Tim Crescentwood N.D.P. SANTOS, Conrad Broadway P.C. STEFANSON, Eric, Hon. Kirkfield Park N.D.P. STRUTHERS, Stan Dauphin P.C. SVEINSON, Ben La Verendrye P.C. TOEWS, Vic, Hon. Rossmere P.C. TWEED, Mervin Turtle Mountain P.C. VODREY, Rosemary, Hon. Fort Garry N.D.P. WOWCHUK, Rosano Swan River Vacant Portage Ia Prairie 4433 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA Wednesday, June 4, 1997 The House met at 1:30 p.m. WHEREAS Manitoba currently has only three centres where mammograms can be performed, those being PRAYERS Winnipeg, Brandon and Thompson; and ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS WHEREAS a trip to and from these centres for a mammogram can cost a woman upwards of$500 which PRESENTING PETITIONS is a prohibitive cost for some women; and Mobile Screening Unit fo r Mammograms WHEREAS a number of other provinces have dealt with this problem by establishing mobile screening Ms. Rosano Wowchuk (Swan River): Madam units; and Speaker, I beg to present the petition of John , Makowaychuk,Virginia Cork, Peter Zimmer andothers WHEREAS the provincial government has promised to praying that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba take action on this serious issue. request the Minister of Health (Mr. Praznik)to consider immediately establishing a mobile screening unit for WHEREFORE YOUR PETITIONERSHUMBLY PRAY mammograms to help women across the province that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba may be detect breast cancer at the earliest possible opportunity. pleased to request the Minister of Health (Mr. Praznik) to consider immediately establishing a mobile screening unit for mammograms to help women across READING AND RECEIVING PETITIONS the province detect breast cancer at the earliest possible opportunity. Mobile Screening Unit fo r Mammograms Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the Obstetrics Closure-Grace General Hospital honourable member for Swan River (Ms. Wowchuk), and it complies with the rules and practices of the Madam Speaker: I have reviewed the petition of the House. Is it the will of the House to have the petition honourable member for Kildonan (Mr. Chomiak), and read? it complies with the rules and practices of the House. Is it the will of the House to have the petition read? An Honourable Member: Dispense. An Honourable Member: Dispense. Madam Speaker: Dispense. Madam Speaker: Dispense. WHEREAS medical authorities have stated that breast cancer in Manitoba has reached almost epidemic THAT the obstetrics program has always been an proportions; and important part of the Grace Hospital's mandate; and WHEREAS yearly mammograms are recommended for THAT both people in the community and a number of women over 50, and perhaps younger if a woman feels government studies have recommended against the she is at risk; and further closure of community hospitals' obstetrics programs; and WHEREAS while improved surgical procedures and better post-operative care do improve a woman's THAT as a result of federal and provincial cuts in the chances ifshe is diagnosed, early detection plays a health budget, hospitals are being forced to eliminate vital role; and programs in order to balance their own budgets; and 4434 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA June 4, 1997 THAT the closure of the Grace Hospital obstetrics His Honour the Lieutenant Governor, having been ward will mean laying off54 health care professionals, advised of the contents of this bill, recommends it to many of whom have years of experience and dedicated the House. I would like to table the Lieutenant service in obstetrics; and Governor's message. THAT moving to a model where more and more births Motion agreed to. are centred in the tertiary care hospitals will be more costly and decreases the choices for women about Bill 51-The Personal Health Information Act where they can give birth. Hon. Darren Praznik (Minister of Health): Madam WHEREFORE YOUR PETITIONERS HUMBLY PRAY Speaker, I would move, seconded by the honourable THAT the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba request Minister of Agriculture(M r. Enns), that leave be given that the Minister of Health (Mr. Praznik) consider to introduce Bill 51, The Personal Health Information stopping the closure of the obstetrics program at Act; Loi sur les renseignements medicaux personnels, Winnipeg's Grace Hospital. and that the same be now received and read a first time. His Honour the Lieutenant Governor, having been PRESENTING REPORTS BY advised of the contents of this bill, recommends it to STANDING AND SPECIAL COMMITTEES the House. At this time, I would like to also table the message of His Honour the Lieutenant Governor. Committee of Supply Motion agreed to. Mr. Marcel Laurendeau (Chairperson of the Committee of Supply): Madam Speaker, the *(1335) Committee of Supply has adopted certain resolutions, directs me to report the same and asks leave to sit Bill 52-The Statute Law Amendment Act, 1997 again. Hon. Vic Toews (Minister of Justice and Attorney I move, seconded by the honourable member for St. General): I move, seconded by the Minister of Vital (Mrs. Render), that the report of the committee be Finance (Mr. Stefanson), that leave be given to received. introduce Bill 52, The Statute Law Amendment Act, - 1997 (Loi de 1997 modifiant diverses dispositions Motion agreed to. Iegislatives), and that the same be now received and read a first time. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS Motion agreed to. Bill 50-The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy and Consequential Bill 56-The Family Maintenance Amendment Act Amendments Act Hon. Vic Toews (Minister of Justice and Attorney Hon. Rosemary Vodrey (Minister of Culture, General): I move, seconded by the Minister of Family Heritage and Citizenship): Madam Speaker, I move, Services (Mrs. Mitchelson}, that leave be given to seconded by the Minister of Labour (Mr. introduce Bill 56, The Family Maintenance Gilleshammer),that leave begiven to introduce Bill 50, Amendment Act (Loi modifiant Ia Loi sur !'obligation The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy alimentaire), and that the same be now received and andConsequential Amendments Act; Loi sur l'acces a read a firsttime. !'information et Ia protection de Ia vie privee et modifications correlatives, and that the same be now His Honour the Lieutenant Governor, having been received and read a firsttime. advised of the contents of this bill, recommends it to June 4, 1997 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 4435 the House. I would like to table the Lieutenant Yesterday in this House, when we asked fivemonths Governor's message at this time. afterthe sale had taken place what was the percentage of shares that were indeed controlled by Manitobans, Motion agreed to. the minister stated that the information was not available. In fact, he said it may be available, it may Introduction of Guests not be available. Madam Speaker: I would like to draw the attention of Madam Speaker, I would like to ask the Premier what all honourable members, firstly, to the Speaker's authority has the government maintained to ensure that Gallery where we have with us this afternoon His his priority, his alleged priority of controlling the Excellency Antonio Britto, Governor of the State of Rio telephone system is going to be met. Grande do Sui. Hon. Gary Filmon (Premier): Madam Speaker, I On behalf of all honourable members, I welcome you think what is important to Manitobans is that they this afternoon. receive in their telecommunication services the highest quality of service possible at a reasonable rate, a very Also, seated in the public gallery we have forty reasonable rate, that it continues to be evaluated by an Grades 5 and 6 students from the Van Walleghem independent authority such as the CRTC and that School under the direction of Madelle Kim Peppler and indeed the operations are centred here, that the Mr.