Province Législature Session Type de discours Date du discours Locuteur Fonction du locuteur Parti politique Manitoba 26e 5e Discours du trône 15 février 1962 Errick F. Willis Lieutenant-gouverneur PC Mr. Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba: I welcome you to the fifth session of the 26th Legislature of the Province of Manitoba. The people of Manitoba will, I am sure, be happy to mark this year the 150th anniversary of the establishment of the Red River Settlement. We have reason for pride and encouragement when we consider what has been achieved in a century and a half by the co-operation of the various races who have come here in succession to the original French and Scottish settlers. Nineteen sixty-two is also the 50th anniversary of the accession to the province of the area north of the 53rd parallel of latitude. My Ministers hope to mark this important occasion in a suitable manner. On the opinion of my Ministers 1962 promises to be a year of opportunity and of progress for the people of Manitoba. There is strong evidence to show that our economy is buoyant and its prospects hopeful; that we have moved well into a period of economic upswing which should gain momentum as the year advances. While the agricultural industry may face difficulties in the coming season that reflect the effects of last year's serious drought, employment opportunities are increasing and for the provincial economy as a whole the prospects must be judged as encouraging. My Ministers inform me that for the first time in the history of any province provincial treasury bills have been successfully used by Manitoba as part of our financial structure. You will be asked to approve legislation facilitating this operation. The overwhelming response of Manitobans to last year's provincial savings bond issue is an indication of their confidence in the future of the province and their desire to devote their savings for this purpose. My Ministers intend to undertake a new issue of these savings bonds at an appropriate time during the coming year. Reflecting the population changes in the recent decennial census, you will be asked to make provision for an increase in the gross amount of unconditional grants to municipalities which should be of benefit to local taxpayers. My Ministers also plan to make a representation to the Royal Commission on Banking and Finance when that body opens its hearings in Manitoba. You will note with satisfaction that during 1961 the value of output of secondary manufacturing industries in Manitoba achieved their record level in spite of drought conditions throughout the West. This encouraging achievement was in part sustained by the expansion of existing industries and in part by the construction of new plants and factories. A growing number of Manitoba industries now contribute to the further processing of our raw materials and thus assist in the provision of secondary employment. The Regional Development Program and the Manitoba Development Fund have provided material assistance in the expansion of our industrial base and have contributed to the strengthening of many rural communities as well as of major centres. The tourist industry also achieved record dimensions in 1961 and my Government believe that by the building of good roads and by assisting in the expansion and improvement of recreation facilities and accommodation, this industry will continue to grow. Since we last met my ministers have convened the Committee on Manitoba's Economic Future to study and report on measures to effect the maximum economic development and employment in the province. This committee is at present engaged in a comprehensive program of investigation and research into all aspects of the economy My Ministers record their appreciation of the active support and cooperation offered by industry, business, labour, the university, governments, and the general public. The Committee has stated that contributions from private sources have been most gratifying you will as well be asked to provide public funds to support this work. Ways and means of effective co-operation with other levels of government in the field of public housing have been under study by my Ministers. You will be asked to give consideration to a new policy of provincial support in this connection and to make provision for necessary expenditures for the same. My Government are deeply concerned with the dramatic changes in international trade and particularly with the changes occurring from the establishment of the Common Market and the implication to Manitoba of Britain's joining that community. It is recognized that certain dislocations to Manitoba trade abroad are to be expected, but my Ministers believe that there may be offsetting opportunities for expanded trade open to US provided we place ourselves in a position to take advantage of favourable factors as they develop. You will be asked to give consideration to the policy of the government respecting this important development and its bearing upon our economy. Pending an agreement with the government of Canada for the redevelopment of the townsite of Churchill, interim measures to protect the health and sanitation of the area are being implemented by the departments concerned in co-operation with the people of the area. Legislation will be introduced to regulate the manner in which charges made in connection with credit purchase transactions are set forth for the information of the parties to such arrangements. My Ministers report that a substantial increase will be required in the funds needed to support the school system of the province as well as The University of Manitoba. Vocational training facilities will be further expanded in the coming year. I am informed that the Manitoba Teachers' Retirement Allowances Fund is under active study at the present time and that pending the completion of these studies some urgent amendments to the present act will be proposed. You will be asked to give consideration to the reorganization of the Educational Advisory Board so that increased emphasis may be placed on the problems of curriculum revision in the province of Manitoba. You will also be asked to support the proposals of the government in respect to uniformity of curricula across the nation. My Government are co-operating with the Law Society of Manitoba in a program to expand the availability of legal services to indigent accused persons in all parts of the province. You will be asked to appropriate moneys for the establishment and staffing of a new female detention and rehabilitation facility at The Pas to serve northern Manitoba. My Government are happy to report that the segregation and rehabilitation camp program instituted by the Department of the Attorney-General, in co-operation with the Department of Mines and Natural Resources, was expanded last year by the addition of two new camps. You will be asked to appropriate moneys for the next fiscal year for this expanded rehabilitation camp program in the Whiteshell and Duck Mountain forest reserves. During the past two years my Government actively participated in a number of Dominion-Provincial conferences charged with the task of devising a formula for the amendment in Canada of its constitution. You will be asked to give consideration to ways and means of domiciling the British North America Act. My Ministers propose the establishment of a Law Reform Committee to advise and assist the government in matters of legislation concerning better civil and criminal administration of justice in the province. Amendments will be presented to The Manitoba Telephone System Act which among other things will permit the establishment of a Board of Commissioners to guide the operations of this growing and important utility. Capital expenditures for new plant and equipment will continue at a high level during the coming year and will include the modernization of provincial services and the introduction of customer dialling of long distance calls. The use of electric power by the citizens of our province continues to rise. Taking into account the community and metallurgical developments at Thompson, total firm energy made available in Manitoba this year will increase by some 16.3%. Construction work on the hydro-electric development at Grand Elaplds is continuing according to plan and it is expected that power from this great installation will become available in time to meet the increasing needs of the province. The drought in 1961 underlines the wisdom of the electric interconnections between Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan which assisted greatly in reducing the cost to the Manitoba Hydro of low water at its hydro-electric plants. You will be asked to approve an increase in the present minimum limits for automobile insurance in Manitoba and for the limits applicable under the Unsatisfied Judgment Fund. My Ministers will propose the establishment of a Hospital Commission to administer the Manitoba Hospital Insurance Plan. It is anticipated that in this way better control may be obtained over the operation of the plan and the general public may be more closely associated with this important public service. The Commission will administer legislation relating to the construction, renovation and operation of our hospitals, and in particular the implementation of the government's policy respecting the report of the Manitoba Hospital Survey Board. Proposals that envisage a construction program of over $59 million in the period 1962-1968 are now being discussed with the hospitals concerned. It is hoped in this way to secure an orderly development of our hospital plant to meet the needs of our people in the most economic way. My Government consider it imperative that greater emphasis be placed in the coming years on the development of facilities for mentally ill persons and for patients requiring extended hospital care and treatment. My Ministers report that mental health services will be developed further during the coming year by the provision of more qualified staff to both community and institutional programs. My Ministers expect that the new Manitoba Rehabilitation Hospital will open during the coming year to improve our facilities for the physical restoration of disabled adults and children, as well as to provide a training centre for physiotherapist and occupational therapists. The Central Tuberculosis Clinic will also be located there. The completion of the new Cancer Treatment and Research Foundation building should markedly improve our facilities in this field. Out-patient coverage under the Hospital Plan has again been expanded, thus contributing to the economic operation of the system. Other expansions including physiotherapy may be anticipated. You will be asked to approve appropriations to extend the St. Amant Ward for Mentally and Physically Retarded Children; to open a new 180 bed unit for the School for Mental Defective at Portage la Prairie, as well as to give increased support for the training of mentally retarded children outside institutions. The brief submitted by my Government to the Royal Commission on Health Services will be placed before you for your information and you will be asked to give consideration to those aspects of policy which bear upon the problem of prepaid medical insurance. Through amendments to be proposed to The Hospital Services Insurance Act dependent young men and women under the age of 21 who are in attendance at certain educational institutions will be relieved from payment of hospital premiums. My Government inform me that they will recommend increases in provincial pensions for the blind and disabled and those receiving Old Age Assistance, and that they will propose that these changes be made retroactive to match the policy of the Government of Canada in regard to the Old Age Pension. My Ministers will recommend a constitutional amendment to provide for a system of contributory old age pensions and associated benefits proposed by the Government of Canada. The Social Allowances Act and particularly Medicare is proving to be of real merit in meeting the needs of elderly and disabled citizens, many thousands of whom are now being assisted in this way. You will be asked to consider legislation designed to co-operate with the Government of Canada and to provide financial support for a fitness and amateur sport program. My Ministers are pleased to state that the experimental program of community development designed primarily for Indian and Métis citizens is beginning to bear good fruit. You will be asked to provide additional funds to expand and strengthen the program. In this connection an agreement has recently been made between Canada and Manitoba whereby provincial child welfare services are being extended for the first time to certain Indian children in the province. This project which includes seven of the approximately 34 Indian reservations In the province is the first stage of a program to extend the protection and benefits of provincial child welfare legislation to all Indian children in the province. In order to protect employees, employers and the general public from modern day work hazards and conditions, my Government will submit substantial amendments to the Employment Standards Act, The Building Trades Production Act, The Elevator and Holst Act and The Electricians' Licence Act. You will be asked to consider amendments to The Labour Relations Act destined to meet changing conditions in this field. During the coming year the Minimum Wage Board will be convened to study developments in its field of responsibility. The members of the Workmen's Compensation Board have been placed on a full-time basis so that ample attention may be given to those who suffered illness, injury or bereavement incurred in the course of employment. My Ministers state extensions of the joint federal-provincial-municipal winter works program as it affects municipalities and unorganized areas alike will contribute to the effectiveness of this important employment measure. The operations of the Metropolitan Corporation of Greater Winnipeg have been under review during recent months. Proposals bearing on this subject will be placed before the Legislature for consideration. To facilitate and improve the administration of the provincial-municipal assessment program, a measure of decentralization will be included in this year's estimates. During the past four years you have been asked to approve an unprecedented investment in the Manitoba road network. During these years more than $15 million has been invested in highway maintenance and aids to municipalities. At the same time the expenditure for highway construction has reached a total of $110 million. The favourable 1961 construction season saw the completion of the Saskatchewan river bridge at Grand Rapids and the Winnipeg river bridge leading to the new atomic energy townsite at Pinawa. Mining activities at Osborne Lake have been connected to the Roads to Resources mining roads system and work is progressing on the remaining portion of the road to Thompson. You will be asked to approve the continuation of the highway construction and reconstruction program. Funds will again be sought to provide assistance to municipalities where priority will be given to the construction of school bus routes. Development of the memorial park will proceed as weather permits. Legislation will be placed before you to provide for new classification of certain municipal roads at present constructed and maintained by the province. You will be pleased to know that the value of mining in Manitoba during 1961 was at a very high level indeed and it is expected that along with a high level of exploration activity this trend will continue in 1962. With federal participation an aero-magnetic survey of the Precambrian areas of the province will be commenced and will extend over four or five years. The data to be obtained will assist in the development of our mining industry. Last year my Government established two new provincial parks and 40 recreational areas and improved and expanded facilities in a number of places. The program for 1962 will provide for further substantial improvements. A revised Game and Fisheries Act will be placed before you for consideration. Drought conditions in 1961 presented my Government with an emergency. Immediate steps were taken to lessen the impact of this serious situation by instituting, in co-operation with the Government of Canada and the two major railways, programs providing assistance in the transportation of hay, haying equipment and livestock. This action prevented liquidation of breeding herds and the development of a serious marketing problem. Additional emergency programs for filling farm dug-outs and developing well-water supplies were undertaken. You will be asked to amend The Well Drilling Act to place it under the administration of the Department of Agriculture and Conservation as part of a new program to develop the ground water resources of the province. My Ministers inform me that a study of major importance is to be undertaken to determine in detail the most suitable development of the Pembina river watershed for the benefit of all water users, including municipal, agricultural, industrial and recreational interests. This study is to be carried out under the supervision of the International Joint Commission and will include consideration of engineering problems, potential developments, alternative uses and requirements for the water, suitability of soil in the area for irrigation, and the economic and social implications of the development of irrigated farming in the area. I am informed that planning and design work has continued during the year on the major water development programs for the Red and Assiniboine watersheds. You will be asked to provide funds to assist commencement of excavation of the Red River Floodway and for engineering field surveys for the Shellmouth reservoir and the Portage la Prairie diversion. My Ministers believe that it would be appropriate for the Legislature to review the major water control and conservation policies of the administration and a measure in that connection will be placed before you. Additional funds will be required to meet the increasing demands for the services of the Manitoba Water Supply Board in its efforts to provide dependable water supplies for towns and villages. As a result of the initiative taken by my Government during the past year in calling a national conference to consider the need for and the wisdom of establishing an Agricultural Economic Research Council for Canada, it now appears that the establishment of such a council is imminent. You will be requested to provide funds for Manitoba's commitment for the operation of this organization. During the current year the Department of Agriculture and Conservation, in co-operation with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and The University of Manitoba, presented a televised Agricultural Short Course - the first of its kind in Canada. My Ministers state that the response has been gratifying and would appear to indicate that the efficiency of extension services can be improved by the use of this medium. My ministers inform me that the crop insurance program has proved to be of invaluable assistance to the farmer faced with drastically reduced crop yields. In anticipation of increased demands for insurance, you will be asked to provide additional funds and to amend the Crop Insurance Test Areas Act. You will be requested to provide capital moneys for the Manitoba Agricultural Credit Corporation. I am informed by my Ministers that negotiations are under way with the Government of Canada to enable the undertaking of programs which qualify under The Agricultural Rehabilitation and Development Act (Canada). It is anticipated that with the assistance of the Government of Canada present programs can be expanded and new projects developed. Estimates for the requirements of the public services of the province for the next fiscal year and the public accounts for the last fiscal year will be placed before you for your consideration. In leaving you I pray that you may have the guidance of Divine Providence in your deliberations and decisions.