Brandon Wheat Kings
Mr. Gerry McAlpine (Sturgeon Creek): Madam Speaker, as many of our members know, Manitoba is home to one of the most successful organizations in the Western Hockey League. Of course I speak of the Brandon Wheat Kings. What members of the Legislature may not be familiar with is the fact that 17 members of the Wheat Kings call Manitoba home.
Madam Speaker, in a day when hockey has become a truly international sport and where teams often have many players on their roster from overseas, it is truly notable that they have this level of talent from our own province on a team as skillful as the Wheat Kings. The players of whom I speak are: from Winnipeg, Justin Kurtz, Bobby Brown, Dorian Anneck, Mike Leclerc, Cory Cyrenne, Mark Dutiaume; from Thompson, Vinnie Jonasson and Stefan Cherneski; from Brandon, Jeff Temple and Daryl Stockham; also Brian Elder from Oak Lake, David Haun from Solsgirth, Daniel Tetrault from La Broquerie, Sven Butenschon from Oakbank, Burke Henry from Ste. Rose, Kelly Smart from McAuley, Ryan Robson from Russell.
Theses young men are representing our province well as they travel to various locations in western Canada and the northwest United States. Represented in each one of these individuals is a dedication of commitment each has invested to reach this level of sport, and they are to be congratulated. However, equal recognition should also be given to the parents of these young Manitobans for the countless hours of encouragement and support they gave so that they could reach such a high level of achievement. We need more parents in society of the ones I speak. The world would be a much better place.
This past winter, these parents of these young hockey players have ventured out under severe conditions to support these young men and their team. It is for this reason that I ask all members of this Assembly to join me in congratulating these parents on this dedication and loyalty to their children and their team. I would also ask honourable members to join me in wishing Manitoba's Brandon Wheat Kings, under the coaching of Bobby Lowes and the management of Kelly McCrimmon, well in their bid to bring the Memorial Cup to Manitoba in 1996.
Wapusk National Park
Mr. Eric Robinson (Rupertsland): Madam Speaker, I, too, have a statement for the House.
Last week, I was pleased to attend the official signing of the new national park, the Wapusk National Park in Churchill, along with the Minister of Natural Resources (Mr. Driedger) and the Minister of Northern Affairs (Mr. Praznik). This park will be a major effort not only for the North but also for the entire province.
First Nations people have been involved with the development of this park since 1989. This park not only protects an area that has special meaning for northern Manitobans, but it also recognizes existing treaty and aboriginal rights through renewable resource use of the parkland. Traditional land uses will continue in the park. Treaty land entitlement is also being respected and the management board of the park consists of representatives from the LGD of Churchill, the First Nations of Fox Lake, York Factory, the Province of Manitoba and the federal government. There is a commitment that 75 percent or more of the park jobs will be held by northern residents and that northern businesses will have first consideration in terms of park businesses and services, and the Akjuit space project will not be affected by the park.
Quite simply, this park is a model of how parks should be created. The contrast between the launching of this park compared to the four new provincial parks that were announced last year in northern Manitoba is truly remarkable. My congratulations to the working committee, to the former mayor, Doug Webber, the current mayor, Mayor Michael Spence for his hospitality, as well as to Rod McKenzie, the emcee, and most certainly to Chief Norman Kirkness of Fox Lake and Chief Eric Saunders for their hard work; also to the Minister of Natural Resources and the Minister of Northern Affairs, and, of course, all the residents of the town of Churchill. Thank you.
Spring Flood Volunteers
Mr. Frank Pitura (Morris): Madam Speaker, as the MLA for Morris, I am keenly aware of the impact that this spring's flood has had on my constituents and, as well, some other constituencies. Most areas are experiencing water levels that are close, if not equal, to 1979 levels.
Closer to Winnipeg, Ste. Agathe and St. Adolphe are expecting the water to rise above the levels experienced in 1979. What this means, Madam Speaker, is that there has been a lot of activity as people are either sandbagging their own properties or helping others who are in need.
I want to take a moment to recognize the countless volunteers who are giving of their time and effort in selfless ways. In fact, the volunteer contribution has been overwhelming. I acknowledge these true Manitobans.
In addition to the volunteers, I also recognize the rural municipalities that very quickly assumed leadership roles and helped their constituents. The R.M. offices were frequently the first place to get a phone call, and I appreciate and I think we all appreciate their preparedness.
I thank the Natural Resources staff for their great co-operation and for the high level of client service and for the tireless hours they are putting in towards the needs that require attention.
I also appreciate the Highways staff who have often worked around the clock helping to direct traffic and informing people who are on the roads about which highways were closed and how to get to their destination.
It can, Madam Speaker, be a very frustrating time when people's patience is stretched to the limit. I thank those affected for the patience they have demonstrated and for being so understanding. I know from the people I have spoken with, any and all efforts have been greatly appreciated. It is a testament to the spirit of Manitobans that, when there is a need, there are people who are willing to give of their time. We cannot control the weather, but we can roll up our sleeves and help our neighbours.
To all those who have helped their neighbours, we thank you.
Workplace Safety--Role of Labour Movements
Mr. Steve Ashton (Thompson): Sunday was a very important day for the working people of this country, Madam Speaker, the national day of mourning. In Thompson we were very fortunate to have a service to commemorate this, which was attended by Alexa McDonough, national Leader of the NDP, by Gary Doer, our provincial Leader, by Mayor Bill Comaskey, and by Bob Desjarlais, the president of the United Steelworkers of America Local 6166.
Also this weekend, Madam Speaker, to mark the occasion, we were very fortunate to have in Thompson a play called Westray, The Long Way Home, put on by the group, Two Planks and a Passion, a theatre group from Nova Scotia, which addressed first-hand the reality of what happened in the Westray mine disaster.
Madam Speaker, as we reflect on the day of mourning and the message of the impact that that tragedy had in the province of Nova Scotia, I think it is important to recognize two things, first of all, the fact that we continue to have unsafe working conditions in this province. We have had six mining deaths in this province over the last number of years.[interjection]
Madam Speaker: Order, please. I wonder if I might ask the co-operation of all honourable members who are having private meetings at the back of the Chamber and at other members' desks, if they would return to their desks or move outside the Chamber for the meetings.
I am having great difficulty hearing the honourable member for Thompson in his member's statement.
Mr. Ashton: Thank you, Madam Speaker. We have to reflect on the reality of continuing unsafe conditions in this province, and also the fact that disasters such as Westray have a very political dimension, in that province a federal Conservative and a provincial Conservative government that ignored the very clear warnings of the unsafe conditions, and I believe very much led to the 26 deaths that took place.
But there is something else that we have to reflect on, Madam Speaker, and it is something that I think was unfortunate the Minister of Labour (Mr. Toews) failed to recognize in his statement on Thursday, when not once in his statement to the House, on the day of mourning, did he mention anything about the labour movement or the important role that unions play in fighting for safe workplaces.
Madam Speaker, I know for political reasons it has been the practice of this government, particularly this session, to attack unions, and attack union leaders and union members. But you know, without the union movement, the labour movement, we would not have the many kinds of improvements we have in health and safety in this province, and it is about time this government recognized it has to accept the reality of the fact that unions do speak for workers. They seek better wages. They seek better working conditions, and they are key players in getting better workplace safety and health in our workplaces.
Thank you, Madam Speaker.
* (1450)
Balanced Budget
Mr. Ben Sveinson (La Verendrye): Madam Speaker, this government tabled a budget in April that demonstrated fiscal responsibility. Unlike the members opposite, this government believes in living within its means, something that my constituents readily applaud. On a broader scale, I also know that Manitobans as a whole agree the balanced budget legislation will benefit this province in the short term and in the long run, which shows, in fact, there is a vision for the future.
Part of that vision requires money be put aside in case of disasters such as flood or forest fires. My people in St. Adolphe, Ile des Chenes and Lorette, right at this point, know the devastation of flood. I received a fax recently from a group called the Manitoba Taxpayers Association. The message from this association is a simple one, deal with the debt. This association also has a message for those, the NDP and Liberals, who would like to see the surplus spent. The message is that the money is being set aside to pay for billions worth of government excess, excess that the NDP are mostly responsible for, an excess that continues to plague this province even though we have tabled the second balanced budget.
Madam Speaker, the support that we are receiving for our budget from the Manitoba Taxpayers Association is not unique. This is just another group within Manitoba that is taking a long, hard look at the fiscal directives of this government, and they approve. We want to ensure that we look at the big picture, which includes what Manitoba needs right now and what Manitoba needs in the future. This has to be offset with what Manitoba currently has available to meet those needs. It is really quite simple. It is called a balanced budget and it is called living within our means.
Thank you, Madam Speaker.