HANSARD A Report from the Government Relations Office NOVEMBER 2004 In this Edition… Federal Speech from the Throne: University Highlights On October 5, 2004 the Governor General delivered the Liberal government’s second Speech From the Throne (SFT) outlining the federal government’s priorities for this • Federal Speech from the parliamentary session. The speech contained few surprises but stated goals in tune Throne with last February’s SFT, Budget 2004 and the June Liberal election platform. • Provincial Cabinet Shuffle Nevertheless, the speech contains a number of issues that may be of interest to the • Mayor Shuffles EPC university community. For example: • Upcoming events • the government plans to improve the recognition of foreign credentials; • a commitment to assist low-income families in saving for their children’s post- secondary education through the previously announced learning bond; • the recently appointed National Science Advisor, Dr. Arthur Carty has been mandated to better integrate the government’s in-house science and technology activities; • a reiteration of the previously announced commitment to increase venture capital through the Business Development Bank of Canada to develop biotechnology, information and communication, and advanced materials; • the government announces the creation of the Canadian Academy of Sciences, funded with $35M over 10 years; • regional development agencies like Western Economic Diversification will focus 3 broad themes from the SFT: on initiatives like skills upgrading, support for research and development, community development, and modern infrastructure such as broadband • Ensuring strong social communication; programs • Building a 21st century • a strategy for the development and commercialization of new environmental economy technologies; • Canada’s role internationally emphasis on research and development of clean renewable energy alternatives • and energy efficiency measures; and • a recommitment to the previously announced Canada Corps - a new program to help Canadian youth apply their skills to development efforts overseas. For full details on the Federal Speech From the Throne visit: www.umanitoba.ca/government_relations Hansard is published by the Government Provincial Cabinet Shuffle: Sale & Chomiak Swap Relations Office. Premier Gary Doer shuffled his cabinet last month by moving two of Manitoba’s senior If you have any comments or ministers into new positions. Tim Sale leaves Energy, Science and Technology (EST) questions please contact us at: and goes to the Health portfolio. In his place Dave Chomiak, Canada’s longest serving 106 Administration Building provincial Health Minister, shifts to EST, the department responsible for provincial University of Manitoba research funding. Scott Smith fills the vacancy in Intergovernmental Affairs left by (204) 474-7881 Maryann Mihychuk, who resigned earlier this year to run in the Winnipeg mayoral Fax: (204) 474-8421 race. Jim Rondeau is promoted to Industry, Economic Development and Mines from [email protected] the junior portfolio of Healthy Living. In his place Theresa Oswald, former Legislative Assistant to the Premier becomes the Minister of Healthy Living. Con’t on p.2 HANSARD Page 2 Provincial Cabinet Shuffle con’t. Events Calendar The Premier also shuffled the Legislative Assistants (LA). LAs Nov 15-Dec 17 are MLAs appointed to assist cabinet ministers. Bidhu Jha is Parliament in session the new LA to the Premier. Andrew Swan became the LA for Justice. Doug Martindale remains the LA for Family Services Nov 15-16 Conference Board of Canada and Housing. Tom Nevakshonoff remains the LA for 2004. Western Compensation & Agriculture, Food, and Rural Initiatives. Cris Aglugub remains Human Resources Outlook LA for Labour and Immigration. Lastly, Kerri Irvin-Ross, MLA for Conference (Calgary). Fort Garry, remains LA for Culture Heritage and Tourism. Nov 16 Finance Minister Goodale Department Minister delivers federal Economic & Fiscal Update Health Tim Sale Nov 17-21 Energy, Science & Technology Dave Chomiak International Education Week Intergovernmental Affairs Scott Smith Nov 22 Industry, Economic Development, & Jim Rondeau Alberta Election Photos: Tim Sale, Mines Health Minister Nov 22-Dec 9 Healthy Living Theresa Oswald (above). Dave Manitoba Legislature in session Chomiak Minister for Energy, Science and Nov 22 Technology (below). Provincial Speech From the Throne Nov 23 Manitoba Chambers of Commerce breakfast with Tim Sale, Minister of Health from Mayor Shuffles EPC 7:30-9:00 am. 948-0100. Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz announced last month the new membership of the Executive Policy Committee (EPC), City Hall’s so-called ‘inner-cabinet’. The main changes will see Nov 23 Gord Steeves (St.Vital) replace Councillor Jenny Gerbassi (Fort Rouge/ East Fort Garry) Smartpark Interactive Speaker as the Chair of Protection and Community Services as the new structure is put in place. Series presents An Economic and Financial Market Outlook: The Year Ahead with Craig Deputy Mayor Mike Pagtakhan (Point Douglas) Wright, RBC Financial Group at Chair of Fiscal Issues Bill Clement 2:00 pm. 474-7975. (Charleswood/Tuxedo) Chair of Protection and Community Services / Gord Steeves ( St. Vital) Nov 23 Acting Deputy Mayor Manitoba Chapter of Canadian Women in Communications Chair of Public Works Jae Eadie (St. James/Brooklands) professional seminar with Lise Chair of Property and Development Peter De Smedt ( St. Charles ) Chowdhury, Monsanto Canada Chair of Downtown Development from 9:00-11:30 am. Secretary of Urban Aboriginal Opportunities Lillian Thomas (Elmwood/East www.cwc-afc.com Kildonan Dec 1 World AIDS Day. In addition to the appointments to EPC, the Mayor also tasked some councillors with new duties. John Angus (St. Norbert) will be chairing Alternative Service Delivery, Franco Dec 2 Magnifico (St. Boniface) will chair the Red Tape Commission, Russ Wyatt (Transcona) is EU - Canada Summit (The tasked to chair the Rapid Transit Review Task Force, and Mark Lubosch (North Kildonan) Hague). has been appointed as the Secretary of Urban Environmental Strategies. Mayor Katz has stated publicly that the relationship of City Hall with other levels of governments is a Dec 17 priority and therefore has undertaken the duty of overseeing the Intergovernmental Affairs Parliament winter recess duties. In addition, he will also chair the newly created Jobs and Economic Growth begins. Committee, which will deal with the economic development policy for the City of Winnipeg. .