Province Législature Session Type de discours Date du discours Locuteur Fonction du locuteur Parti politique Manitoba 27e 5e Discours du trône 3 février 1966 Richard S. Bowles Lieutenant-gouverneur PC Madam Speaker and members of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba: I welcome you to the Fifth Session of the Twenty-seventh Legislature of the Province of Manitoba. I should like first of all, on behalf of all the people of the province, as well as on my own behalf, to express deep appreciation for the many services rendered to our province over the years by my distinguished predecessor, the Honourable Errick F. Willis. To him and to Mrs. Willis I convey a message of our goodwill. The Centennial of our nation is now but one year away. Plans are going forward among our people to commemorate the One Hundredth Anniversary of the creation of our nation in a manner worthy of the occasion. The people of Manitoba itself have entered into a unique heritage. Not only can this province look to its joint foundation by English and French speaking Canadians, but also rejoice in the presence of Canadians of other cultures and other origins. Manitobans therefore may feel a legitimate patriotism and pride in the contribution that our province makes to our country and to its future. My Ministers believe that the building of a progressive and developing province within the circle of Confederation and conscious of its responsibilities, not only to itself, but to the nation of which it is a part, is in keeping with the traditions of our past and with the clear desire of our people today. My Ministers state that our province is in the midst of an unprecedented period of prosperity and growth. The most important current economic problem is to achieve and maintain adequate growth of productivity. Though the private sector of the economy has a basic responsibility in this field, many measures to be proposed to you in this session are directed to the same end. I am informed that the coming year will see new initiatives of great magnitude in the development of our natural resources and the expansion of northern Manitoba. The Manitoba Hydro Board has announced the expansion of the Grand Rapids power station by one-third, the extension of main line hydro connections to Thompson and The Pas and new low rates for the northern diesel electric system. Pursuant to an agreement which was entered into between my government and the Government of Canada to carry out an extensive engineering and economic study of the hydro-electric power potential of the Nelson River, a recommendation has been made that the governments of Manitoba and of Canada give immediate consideration to proceeding with the first phase of this great development at an estimated cost in excess of $300 million. My Ministers have made a proposal to the federal authorities indicating Manitoba's readiness to begin this project at once with federal co-operation. The full development of the Nelson River will require investment in excess of $1 billion and will underwrite low cost electric power both for the north and the south of Manitoba for the balance of the twentieth century. The utilization of this great natural resource will have an immeasurable effect on the economic development of the province and the nation. This project will be the largest single development in the history of Manitoba. My Ministers also expect that in the coming year there will be important new developments in the exploitation of the mineral and forest resources of the province. You will be asked to approve measures to promote this growth. In order to broaden the base of the industrial sector of the province and to reinforce its successful operation, proposals will be made for new terms of reference for the Manitoba Development Fund and for a large expansion of its capital authorization. My Ministers believe that the productivity of the basically small industry structure of the province is hindered by lack of satisfactory industrial research and development facilities. In this respect a conference will be convened early in the year to which all Manitoba interests will be invited to consider with my government ways and means of making this vital service available to industry in our province. My government has been active in problems connected with our position as an air centre. My Ministers believe that federal policy has not been employed to our advantage, and they will continue to press for international air connections to and from Winnipeg. They have also made a vigorous case for the retention and expansion of the Air Canada overhaul centre here. My Ministers are also prepared to take the initiative in the construction of an air cargo facility at the Winnipeg International Airport in co-operation with the industry and the federal authorities. Increased funds to encourage tourism will be recommended to you. On the initiative of my government the Prairie Economic Council has now been formed. Among the important matters of regional interest that my Ministers have placed before the Council is the future of the Port of Churchill and a joint three-province attack is being made on this problem. In addition the Government of Canada has been requested to join with Manitoba in a special study of the north-south rail and air transportation system of this province with a view to reducing transportation costs in northern Manitoba and promoting the development of the area. My Ministers inform me that coupled with very high employment and very low unemployment there is a substantial shortage of workers to fill all the job opportunities available. Measures to increase the supply of skilled workers will be intensified and the establishment of a Director of Immigration will be recommended to help rectify on a carefully selected and qualified basis the shortage of skilled workers. The inflow of relations and friends of citizens of Manitoba will be particularly encouraged. It is the aim of my government to provide a modern diversified educational system to encourage and make possible the fullest development of every citizen in the province. With the extension of the high school division system to every area where its introduction is practical, my Ministers report that Phase I of their program in education is complete. Every child in Manitoba is now within reach of the high school system. Large and extensive new policies will be proposed to you embodying Phase II of our educational advance. While a White Paper on this subject will be presented shortly setting forth these policies in detail, you will be asked to consider among other things, proposals touching on the following : - Elementary school consolidation and graded elementary schools and their relation to school divisions - Extension of capital grant support to include public school kindergartens - A new system of regional vocational collegiate institutions to provide a new dimension in the type of education available - Education of the mentally retarded - Enhanced foundation grants with emphasis on teachers' salaries - An expansion of teacher training facilities - Upgrading of teacher training requirements, and new methods to promote teacher recruitment - Greatly expanded northern school system including new facilities at Cranberry Portage, Norway House, and Churchill and throughout the Frontier School Division - Integration of educational services for Indian and Metis citizens - An expansion of the Manitoba Institute of Technology - A new Institute of Applied Arts - A new provincial commercial high school for the metropolitan area Extension of adult education services - A University Establishment Enabling Act - A $4 million capital construction program at the University of Manitoba Increased scholarships and bursaries - Special area pilot program to modernize the elementary school system of the Interlake area. In addition to these measures my Ministers will propose increased support for the inplant training program and funds to assist in the operation of an Institute of Management designed to improve top level skills. A proposal is being made to the federal authorities for the initiation of a manpower development pilot project in the Interlake area to complement the modernization of the school system. Work is also proceeding on a thorough going reform of the school curriculum in all its aspects which will have a marked effect on the improvement of the quality of education in the province. My Ministers are pleased to report that this challenge is being well accepted by the teachers of the province. My Ministers recognize that the automated society into which we are rapidly moving places unprecedented stresses on the young people of our province. A new Youth and Man-power Agency will therefore be established to design appropriate ways of involving our young people more directly in shaping their own future within the province and to co-ordinate man-power development policies generally. The problems of our fellow citizens of Indian origin are of continuing concern to my government. Many of these people live in isolated communities which can no longer support their growing numbers. They want and need jobs. You will be asked to vote considerably increased sums to strengthen job finding, placement, guidance, training, and relocation services for these citizens. My Ministers propose in co-operation with private enterprise to proceed as well with an experimental plan aimed at establishing economic methods of bringing employment-to Indian and Metis people where this may be practicable. In the interests of self-help a revolving fund to provide financial support for Indian and Metis co-operatives will be recommended. New diesel electric supply is being brought to many northern communities inhabited by these citizens. A revolving fund to assist in the installation of electricity in the homes of non-treaty Indian and Metis families thus affected will prove an exciting Centennial project. A measure designed to strengthen counselling services for deserted wives and children and to deal with fathers deserting their family responsibilities will be laid before you. You will be asked to provide funds to permit the extension of The Social Allowances Act in the coming year. This measure will relieve the taxpayers of the City of Winnipeg and other municipalities of considerable welfare costs. A new financing pattern will be recommended to provide for the largest program on record for the construction of elderly persons’ housing, hostels, and care homes. Included in this proposal is assistance for subsidized housing being provided under the auspices of the Y. W: C. A. The appointment of a Commissioner for Northern Affairs will be recommended. My Ministers intend that this new authority will provide a focus and act as a clearing house on northern development problems. It will be particularly concerned with the improvement of municipal type services and the co-ordination and expansion of government services in unorganized northern areas. The Manitoba Telephone System have informed my Ministers that they have made a proposal to the federal government by which they are prepared to proceed with capital installations valued at $l million to facilitate provision of television in northern Manitoba. They have also informed my Ministers that it is well over a year since they submitted other proposals to the federal authorities to provide improved radio network service in northern localities such as Lynn Lake. My government has presented a proposal for a national fresh water fish export marketing board to the federal Royal Commission investigating this question. My Ministers believe that the adoption of this recommendation is essential to the rationalization of the fish industry of the province. You will be asked to make a large appropriation to continue the expansion of the provincial park system with special emphasis on: Birds' Hill, Whiteshell, Grand Beach, Spruce Woods, Clearwater, Turtle Mountain, and Asessippi. You will also be asked to consider a new act in the field of corrections designed to improve the philosophy and operation of the correctional system in Manitoba. Substantial sums will also be sought to provide for Royal Canadian Mounted Police services and the expansion of probation, work camps and other rehabilitative projects. The problem of alcoholism remains a cause for concern. A new institution for female alcoholics, the first in Canada, is now available. A new program of public education respecting alcoholism and safe driving will be proposed. A review of the course of studies in our schools on alcoholism will also be carried out. You will be asked to support a new industrial workshop for handicapped people in Brandon. In association with the new policy for the education of the mentally retarded already referred to, a registration and assessment service will be recommended. Appropriations will be sought for more cottage type facilities at the Manitoba School for Retardates at Portage la Prairie. Financial provision will be recommended to include another 60,000 people in the health, laboratory and x-ray unit system. An expansion of services in the field of community mental health will be placed before you. Negotiations are under way with the federal government and with others respecting Manitoba's participation in a program of medical services insurance. My Ministers will inform the House in respect of these matters and the policy that my government is pursuing. Since 1958 my Ministers report an investment of $40,500,000 in 44 new hospital projects, almost all of which are completed. Twenty-five more projects estimated to cost $21 million will start in 1966. One of the largest of these will be the extension to the Children's Hospital. A number of amendments will be sought in the field of labour relations. These will include improvements in The Vacations With Pay and The Workmen's Compensation Acts, a broadening of the jurisdiction of the Labour Relations Board in dealing with unfair labour practices, improved conciliation procedures and a modification of the legislative requirements respecting strike votes. Manitoba's crop insurance program, which my government pioneered, has proved.to be a sound economic approach to offsetting crop failure losses with their disrupting effect both on farm business and on the Manitoba economy. The availability of this program to 90% of our farmers during the coming crop year will constitute another Canadian first and bring us close to our objective of providing this service to all our farmers. My Ministers inform me that the continuing trend in agriculture indicates the need for a farm management consulting service. You will be asked to provide the moneys for the purpose of initiating such a service. Water is coming to be recognized more and more as a key resource basic to future development. In keeping with my government's interest in this matter and to further public involvement in considering matters relating to water development and use, you will be asked to consider legislation to establish a Manitoba Water Commission. The Commission will provide a forum for public participation in dealing with this important natural asset. I am informed that the construction of the Red River Floodway is proceeding on schedule and that the Assiniboine River projects at Portage la Prairie and Shellmouth are under way. You will be asked as well to provide moneys to make substantial increases in the professional staff available in the water conservation and drainage field, to facilitate dealing with the large demand for planning engineering service in this connection. Legislation respecting the control of Dutch Elm disease will be introduced. My government has also made proposals for the convening of a national conference on farm goals. The hope is that by such means we may establish new goals for government and farm people and ensure co-ordinated and complementary national and provincial policies in this field. My Ministers also intend to propose to the agricultural industry of the province that consideration be given to the establishment of an Agricultural Productivity Council on which successful practical farmers and the industry generally are appropriately represented and which will set guide lines for farm development in Manitoba. My Ministers will place before you another large program for highway development and expansion in the province. To underline the changing conditions in this field and to meet the needs of our people, a measure will be proposed to reorganize the Department of Municipal Affairs into a new department of Urban Development and Municipal Affairs. Included in this measure will be a proposal to assist municipal public transportation systems in our urban centres. A new Local Government Boundaries Commission will be proposed. A bill to incorporate the townsite of Thompson as a municipality will be sponsored. Plans for the speeding up of the provincial municipal assessment and for an expansion of town planning services will be recommended. An appropriation to assist urban renewal will be placed before you. The Manitoba Telephone System will require a further large capital appropriation for its expansion in 1966. The System's program to improve its services continues to show results in the reduction of the number of subscribers on rural party lines and a considerable saving to telephone users by means of the latest reductions in rates to, from or between northern centres. The driver testing and driver improvement program will be expanded again in 1966 with a view to covering most of the province. An extracurricular course in driver training for high school students will be introduced in the fall of 1966. A complete revision of The Highway Traffic Act will be placed before you. A policy will be proposed to promote the development of local airports in various parts of the province. My government is aware of recent developments in connection with trust companies, securities, financing, consumer credit, automobile insurance and related matters. Proposals will be placed before you dealing with these subjects. My Ministers will propose that the requirements of school construction be given first priority in the allocation of Canada Pension Plan funds at low interest rates. This should provide a substantial saving to taxpayers. Legislation will be proposed to provide for the integration of the Civil Service Superannuation Fund, the Teachers' Retirement Allowances Fund and municipal pensions with the Canada Pension Plan. I am informed that the negotiation of a collective bargaining agreement between the government and the Manitoba Government Employees' Association is proceeding satisfactorily. Following on the work of the Federal-Provincial Tax Structure Committee, my Ministers state that 1966 will be a critical year in the field of public finance and Dominion-Provincial relations. As the Economic Council of Canada has pointed out, the costs of provincial and municipal government will climb at a faster rate in the foreseeable future than the cost of federal government. The implications of this for federal-provincial tax sharing are obvious. My Ministers believe that the necessary increases in provincial fiscal resources, particularly for education, can be provided by the federal government while at the same time protecting its constitutional responsibility to act in the interest of the nation as a whole. My Ministers have long maintained that national policies, specific to the needs of all regions, are essential to the maximum economic growth of Manitoba. They note with interest that the Economic Council of Canada, in its second annual report, stated that there are significant deficiencies in this regard. My Ministers pledge full co-operation in the development of the changes in national policies that the times require to ensure the balanced growth of the nation. Estimates for the requirements for the public services for the province for the next fiscal year and the public accounts for the last fiscal year will be placed before you for your consideration. Recommendations will be made for the alleviation of certain tax measures now on the statute books. In leaving you I pray that you may have the guidance of Divine Providence in your deliberations and decisions.