Province Législature Session Type de discours Date du discours Locuteur Fonction du locuteur Parti politique Alberta 16e 2e Discours du trône 13 février 1969 J.W. Grant MacEwan Lieutenant-gouverneur Alberta Social Credit Party MR. SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY It is with sincere pleasure I extend warmest greetings and welcome you to the Second Session of the Sixteenth Legislature of the Province of Alberta. On behalf of the Assembly, I wish to welcome Dr. D. Bouvier, chosen by the electors of the Constituency of Lac La Biche to represent them in the Legislature. Also, on your behalf, it is a special pleasure to pay tribute to the Honourable Ernest C. Manning, P.C., who, for over a quarter of a century, conscientiously devoted his great talents to the leadership of this province, prior to his retirement as Premier at the close of 1968. I would also like to pay recognition to his successor, the Honourable Harry E. Strom. To ensure that all honourable members and citizens of Alberta are conversant with deliberations in the area of federal-provincial constitutional matters, my Government will report fully at an early date in this session. My government is proud of the advances made during the past year in human and physical resources development. The comprehensive programs to be placed before you for approval will assure a continuation of Alberta's envied social and economic position in Canada. There is good reason for confidence in the future development and prosperity of Alberta and opportunity for all our citizens. The 1968 crop year was one of the most unpredictable on record. In spite of adverse weather conditions, ninety to ninety-five percent of the crops were harvested. Yields were generally above normal in most areas but this was offset to some extent by low grades and much of the grain was harvested in tough or damp condition. My government will continue an extension program to encourage drying operations so that the maximum amount of grain can be saved. Federal government assistance is gratefully acknowledged. Farm cash income from the sale of farm products during the first two quarters of 1968 was slightly higher than for the same period a year ago. Income from crops is nearly identical, while income from livestock sales was slightly higher. The Department of Agriculture will continue to emphasize and expand farm management activities to meet the business aspects of modern farming, which should help assess and resolve the increasing costs of production. The extension service of the Department of Agriculture has a positive program through provincial, regional and county, or municipal, organization to provide better technical and consulting service, as required by the modern business of agriculture. My government will further encourage planned regional development programs through advisory committees and cooperation with rural families, farm organizations, and agro-business. Due to the importance of agriculture, and recognizing the importance of a high level of educational skills for the rural population, my government will continue with its program of improving the facilities at our three Agricultural and Vocational Colleges. As an integral part of the post-secondary educational system, revisions of the curricula will continue to better meet the needs for diversified programs. These are required for the historical pattern of students returning to agriculture and also for those leaving agriculture, who will be taking upgrading and retraining courses required in some of the Human Resources Development programs. Current with this will be an expanded program under the Federal-Provincial Manpower Agreement. My government has taken steps to phase up policies of direct assistance to livestock breeders. This will be accompanied by increased assistance to performance and progeny testing programs; a completely revised program of swine testing; an accelerated cattle testing program, to be accompanied by the construction of a combined beef testing and research station at the University of Alberta, Edmonton. One of the highlights for this year will be the official opening of the Dr. 0. S. Longman Laboratory Building, Edmonton, which will provide consolidated laboratory services. This will be the scientific core of the Department of Agriculture for many policies, programs and services, relating to production and quality control. My government will introduce legislation to merge the operations of the Hail Insurance Board and the Crop Insurance Corporation. Also, an Act will be presented to assure safer use of agricultural chemicals, including pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers. The marketing of our agricultural products has become in recent years, and will be in 1969, of increasing concern to the producers of the province and to its government. My government will continue to examine this subject so that producers may improve their position with regard to marketing. The land development program, to encourage the selective use of suitable agricultural lands as part of the total resource development program, will be phased in regionally, when required. Programs of this nature will become inter-related with total resource development. Irrigation is of great importance to the economy of this province, and indeed to the economy of the country. My government will continue to examine irrigation in Alberta and new policies will be introduced respecting the financing of capital structures and the development of drainage. Attention to the proper assessment of water resource programs with respect to water problems, approaches and priorities, will continue within the overall framework of clearly definable economic and social goals. In keeping with this policy, you will be asked to approve a revision of The Water Resources Act. My government is pleased to advise that the PRIME program for the development and conservation of our water resources is making satisfactory progress. A recent highlight is the plan to construct the Bighorn Dam on the North Saskatchewan River, plus several other activities. Co-operation and progress on the Saskatchewan-Nelson River Studies have been excellent, and progress will continue at an accelerated rate during the coming year. Alberta's manufacturing industry continued to grow during 1968, and the outlook for 1969 indicates good diversification. In 1968, the output stood at 1.6 billion dollars, double the 1958 volume in dollar terms. Healthy expansion of Alberta's resource-based industries has been augmented by expansion of secondary manufacturers to round out the province's development picture. The secondary industries, by providing additional employment opportunities, have been most important. During the next year, economic research studies to provide feasibility and market trends will be undertaken to promote further economic growth in Alberta. Mineral production exceeded 1.1 billion dollars for 1968, with major increases in sales of crude oil, natural gas, and sulphur. In 1969 and in later years, coal production will add to those increases. Construction of the Alberta Resources Railway during the past three years has made it possible to begin full scale development of the vast deposits of very high grade metallurgical coal along the Smoky River in Western Alberta, and has made it possible to attract new pulpwood industry to this area. A modern business and residential community at Grande Cache will be established and administered in accordance with the provisions of The New Towns Act. With improved techniques and equipment, a total of 2,655 additional rural gas installations were made in 1968. Nine hundred of these, as members of co-operatives, were assisted by government guarantees. We are likely to see an acceleration in the rate of installation during the coming year. In the area of Human Resources Development, good progress is being made in obtaining closer co-ordination between government departments. Particular benefits are anticipated in such matters as recreation, child welfare, students' assistance, and family life education. It is noted with gratification that the native people of Alberta are indicating a renewed pride and confidence in themselves, and a strong sense of common purpose. It will continue to be one of the main efforts of the Human Resources Development Authority during the coming year to assist and encourage them in their efforts to a greater self-determination and independence. Legislative approval will be sought regarding a Co-operative Development Guarantee and Loan Act for native associations to meet their special needs. The continued good work of the many private agencies in the province assisting in this area is viewed by your government with much satisfaction. Again, it will be the endeavour of our Human Resources offices to assist and encourage these private endeavours. In the matter of creation and distribution of job opportunities, it is evident that new attitudes among our people and new approaches will be necessary. .Your government will be soliciting the best efforts of business and industry in both urban and rural areas, so that job, and job training opportunities, may be developed for the greater benefit of Alberta citizens. It is anticipated that the Human Resources Development Authority will be working with the new Federal Department of Regional Development, and other Federal agencies, on these and other matters. In order to expand the beneficial application of The Human Rights Act, certain amendments will be submitted for your consideration. Legislation will be presented that will change the name of the Department of Public Welfare to the Department of Social Development. My government proposes to realign the functions of the department to make it more truly developmental. In close co-operation with the Human Resources Development Authority and other departments involved in human resources, my government will do whatever is possible to ensure opportunity for community and individual development and, at the same time, assure an acceptable standard of living for those persons who are excluded from the working force. In response to public concern over growing irresponsibility of some parents, whose children are being supported by public funds, a new Act will be introduced, known as The Maintenance and Recovery Act. The Diagnostic and Assessment Centre in Edmonton, which has already been most successful in a realistic assessment of children made wards of the Crown, will be completed by the addition of the third unit and recreational facilities. The Senior Citizens' Homes' Program will continue to meet need, consistent with financial resources available. My government has decided not to enter the Federal Medicare Program in 1969 because of the long-term financial implications that are involved. The Alberta Health Plan, which makes available to our citizens a voluntary personal health insurance program, will be continued with financial subsidization to people in low income groups. My government's program of pollution control supported and encouraged by the Advisory Committee on Pollution Control, representative of the public at large, will be continued. Improvement in the services of mental health will be carried on in order that this serious area of illness may receive increasing recognition and attention. A new College Act, to establish a provincial college system, will be introduced. This important new Act is the result of deliberations of the Provincial Board of Post-Secondary Education. We can anticipate rapid growth in the field of post-secondary education within the next decade. It is exceedingly important that we develop appropriate structures to facilitate this expansion. In consultation with native groups, my government is currently exploring possibilities with representatives of the Government of Canada for assuming full responsibility for the provision of educational services to all Indian children. Through agreements between Indian Affairs and local school jurisdictions more than half of the Indian school population is now attending provincial schools. A master agreement would include all Indian children of school age, a number now in the neighborhood of 10,000. A committee, including representatives of trustees, teachers, and the Department of Education, has been established to draft a complete revision of The School Act for the consideration of this Assembly in 1970. In keeping with our concern for the development of youth, we propose, in co-operation with other agencies, to establish Youth Services Centres in the cities of Calgary and Edmonton. Resource material, and other information, will be provided to assist our youth to take their place in an increasingly complex society. The centres will endeavor to serve both urban youth and the large numbers of young people moving to these cities from the outlying areas and smaller communities of our province. The Department of Youth will co-operate with the Department of Education in the further encouragement of Alberta communities in planning for school community facility development to meet community and school needs. Although many communities are already making optimum use of community and school facilities, it is hoped that such arrangements can be expanded. During this legislature, you will be asked to consider details of other program extensions and developments--in leadership assistance to northern communities; an outdoor education centre, other recreation achievements, and the educational program on the misuse of drugs and narcotics. The travel industry remains healthy and is growing, with a good future. Since approximately four million visitors visited the province's forty-six provincial parks this year, a continuing program of expansion and development of provincial parks will be carried out, to accommodate the large annual increase of park visitors. In order to provide adequate health and safety standards, the Provincial Parks Board is making provision for improvements and refinements in washrooms, sanitary facilities, beaches and swimming areas. The Department of Lands and Forests' Hunter Training Program is being revised, and the minimum age limit will be dropped from fourteen to twelve, with the administration of this program being broken down into six regional areas of the province. Markets for high grade pulp are improving, as forecast, which should result in the development and expansion of pulp operations in the province, in accordance with existing agreements. The future for fish and wildlife in the province remains extremely favorable, with many areas still lightly exploited by anglers and hunters. It is expected that a Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation, in conjunction with the Federal Government, will be in operation in the province during the summer or fall of 1969. In 1968, the Northern Alberta Development Council's membership was increased from five to six, with the addition of a member representing the Lesser Slave Lake area. This addition provides better geographic representation to include a region which is receiving attention from the government in terms of its requirements for development. The expanded Council will continue to play an active role in all matters affecting development in the northern portion of the province. A close working relationship between the Council and the Human Resources Development Authority is being developed to better co-ordinate the activities of both groups, which share a joint interest in regional development programs aimed at developing both the physical and human resources of Northern Alberta. A revision of The New Towns Act, as well as amendments to other statutes, affecting municipal administration, will be submitted for your approval. A new Oil and Gas Conservation Act, revising and updating the existing statute, will be presented for your consideration. Funds will be requested to enable the Department of Public Works to complete the program of buildings now under construction and to commence those necessary projects for which planning and design work has already been carried out. Funds will also be requested for planning work on new institutions or additions to existing institutions, particularly in the fields of education, mental health, and penology. My government will continue its comprehensive program for the extension and improvement of Alberta's highway system throughout the province. The department will continue to emphasize safety in its designs and practices. Reports, arising out of studies into mental health services and facilities, and the adequacy of facilities and programs at Alberta correctional institutions, announced during the last session, will be reviewed and dealt with during business of the House. Special Committees of the Legislature will report with recommendations on The Workmen's Compensation Act, Methods for the Redistribution of Legislative Seats, and Highway Safety and Automobile Insurance. Amendments to The Financial Administration Act and The Municipal Financing Corporation Act will be recommended for your approval. The Public Accounts for the last fiscal year and the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the ensuing year will be presented for your most careful scrutiny. I leave you now to the business of the session, confident that you will apply yourselves to your responsibilities in a manner which will redound to the best interests of all the citizens of this province. I pray that Divine Providence will guide and direct your deliberations.