November 17, 1999 Alberta Hansard 1839 Legislative Assembly of Alberta transforming economies in Europe and is one of our newest NATO allies. We are looking forward to a continued and strong relation- Title: Wednesday, November 17, 1999 1:30 p.m. ship with the Czech Republic and opportunities for Alberta compa- nies. I would ask all of the members of the Assembly to give our Date: 99/11/17 very honoured guests a very warm and traditional welcome. [The Speaker in the chair] MRS. GORDON: Mr. Speaker, I would like to introduce to you and head: Prayers through you Leighton and Beverly Decore, brother and sister-in-law THE SPEAKER: Good afternoon and welcome back. I would ask of the late Laurence Decore. I would ask Mr. and Mrs. Decore to members to remain standing after prayers so that we may pay tribute rise in the Speaker’s gallery and be recognized by all members of the to our former colleagues who passed away since we were last in the Assembly. House. As we commence proceedings today in this Assembly we ask for MRS. McCLELLAN: Mr. Speaker, I’m honoured today to introduce divine guidance so that our words and deeds may bring to all people to you and through you to members of this Assembly three members of this great province hope, prosperity, and a vision for the future. of the late Jack Butler’s family. I am so pleased that they are able Amen. to be here today to join us in paying tribute to Jack. Seated in your gallery are Elaine Butler, daughter-in-law, and two of his grand- Mr. John Edward (Jack) Butler daughters, Susan Butler and Kim Braden. Please join with me in October 21, 1916, to November 4, 1999 providing our guests with the warm and traditional welcome of this THE SPEAKER: On Thursday, November 4, 1999, John Edward Assembly. (Jack) Butler passed away. Mr. Butler represented the constituency of Hanna-Oyen for the Progressive Conservative Party. Mr. Butler head: Presenting Petitions was first elected in the election held on March 26, 1975, and served THE SPEAKER: The hon. leader of the third party. until March 14, 1979. During his years of service in the Legislature Mr. Butler served on MS BARRETT: Okay. Thank you. I have a petition today in the Select Standing Committee on Private Bills, the Select Standing support of the government “banning the establishment of private, Committee on Public Affairs, the Select Standing Committee on for-profit hospitals so that the integrity of public, universal health Public Accounts, and on the special committee reviewing the care may be maintained.” It’s signed by 243 Albertans. Ombudsman Act. THE SPEAKER: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Strathcona. Mr. Laurence Decore, QC June 28, 1940, to November 6, 1999 DR. PANNU: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have two petitions to THE SPEAKER: On Saturday, November 6, 1999, Laurence present. The first one is by the Provincial Injured Workers Coalition Decore, QC, passed away. Mr. Decore represented the constituency Society. There are 1,641 signatures here, and all the signatories to of Edmonton-Glengarry for the Liberal Party. Mr. Decore was first the petition are requesting the government to hold public input into elected in the general election held on March 20, 1989, and served the WCB. until March 11, 1997. He was leader of the Liberal Party from The second petition is a petition signed by 226 Albertans, and this October 8, 1988, to July 15, 1994. has to do with their deep concerns about underfunding of the public During his years of service in the Legislature Mr. Decore served health care system which is jeopardizing the very future of publicly on the Select Standing Committee on Law and Regulations, the funded and universally accessible public health care systems. Select Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing, and the Select Standing Committee on Public THE SPEAKER: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Centre. Affairs. Mr. Decore played a significant role during 1993 in bringing about major changes to the Standing Orders, the parliamen- MS BLAKEMAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to present a tary rules followed in the Alberta Legislature. petition signed by 70 constituents of Calgary who would like to With our admiration and respect there is gratitude to members of urge the Government to increase funding of children in public and their families who shared the burdens of public office. Our prayers separate schools to a level that covers increased costs due to contract are with them. settlements, curriculum changes, technology, and aging schools. In a moment of silent prayer I ask you to remember hon. members Thank you. Jack Butler and Laurence Decore as you have known them. Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon THE SPEAKER: The hon. Member for Spruce Grove-Sturgeon-St. them. Amen. Albert. Please be seated. MRS. SOETAERT: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. It’s my head: Introduction of Visitors pleasure to introduce a petition signed by 62 people from Calgary MRS. McCLELLAN: Mr. Speaker, I’m pleased to introduce to you very concerned about the level of funding of education. They are and through you to members of the Assembly the ambassador of the called the SOS parents, and they are urging the Legislative Assem- Czech Republic, His Excellency Vladimir Kotzy. He is accompa- bly nied by his wife, Mme Kotzyova and also our honorary consul of the to increase funding of children in public and separate schools to a Czech Republic in Calgary, Mr. Lubos Pesta. We want to welcome level that covers increased costs due to contract settlements, on behalf of the members of the Assembly his excellency on his first curriculum changes, technology, and aging schools. official visit to Alberta. Mr. Speaker, the Czech Republic is one of the most advanced THE SPEAKER: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Ellerslie. 1840 Alberta Hansard November 17, 1999 MS CARLSON: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I’m presenting a separate schools to a level that covers increased costs due to contract petition put together by the SOS parents signed by 73 people who settlements, curriculum changes, and aging schools. reside in Calgary who are urging Thank you very much. the Government to increase support for children in public and separate schools to a level that covers increased costs due to contract THE SPEAKER: The hon. Member for Lethbridge-East. settlements, curriculum changes, technology, and aging schools. DR. NICOL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also have a petition from THE SPEAKER: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Rutherford. 73 residents of Calgary requesting the government to MR. WICKMAN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I table a petition with increase funding and 67 signatures of persons from Calgary which reads: support for children in public and separate schools to a level that We the undersigned residents of Alberta, petition the Legislative covers increased costs due to contract settlements, curriculum Assembly to urge the Government to increase support for children changes, technology, and aging schools. in public and separate schools to a level that covers increased costs Thank you. due to contract settlements, curriculum changes, technology, and aging schools. THE SPEAKER: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Calder. Thank you. MR. WHITE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise to table a petition THE SPEAKER: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Meadowlark. from 68 Calgarians that urges the Government to increase support for children in public and MS LEIBOVICI: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, have a petition to separate schools to a level to that covers increased costs due to table in support of the SOS parents urging “the Government to contract settlements, curriculum changes, technology, and aging increase support for children in public and separate schools.” schools. Thank you, sir. THE SPEAKER: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Glenora. 1:40 THE SPEAKER: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Glengarry. MR. SAPERS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s my pleasure to present to the Assembly a petition signed by 76 residents of Calgary and MR. BONNER: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With your permission I Airdrie who petition the Assembly to do as follows: beg leave to present two petitions today. One urges Whereas, excellence in public education is the cornerstone of the Government to increase support for children in public and our future, and students, parents, teachers and community volunteers separate schools to a level that covers increased costs due to contract are being exhausted by endless fundraising for basic educational settlements, curriculum changes, technology, and aging schools. materials and services; The second petition, Mr. Speaker, is signed on behalf of 317 We the undersigned residents of Alberta . [interjections] Albertans from Edmonton, Leduc, Slave Lake, Mundare, Sangudo, Hinton, Stony Plain, Red Deer, Olds, Wetaskiwin, and St. Albert THE SPEAKER: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Glenora has the urging the government to hold floor. an independent public inquiry of the Worker’s Compensation Act, including an examination of operations of the WCB, the Appeals MR. SAPERS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And on behalf of Albertans Commission, and the criteria for appointments to the Board. I’ll continue. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We the undersigned residents of Alberta, petition the Legislative Assembly to urge the Government to increase funding of children in THE SPEAKER: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Mill Woods. public and separate schools to a level that covers increased costs due to contract settlements, curriculum changes, technology, and aging DR. MASSEY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With permission I’d schools. present a petition signed by parents in southeast Calgary urging THE SPEAKER: The hon.