Province Législature Session Type de discours Date du discours Locuteur Fonction du locuteur Parti politique Manitoba 35e 6e Discours du trône 1er décembre 1994 W. Yvon Dumont Lieutenant- gouverneur PC Mr. Speaker and members of the Manitoba Legislature. I welcome you to the Sixth Session of the Thirty-fifth Legislature of the Province of Manitoba. Je vous convie à la sixième session de la trente-cinquième législature de la province du Manitoba. Throughout 1994, families and communities across our province have come together to celebrate the International Year of the Family. The year 1994 also brought special rewards to our province. All Manitobans rejoiced with the selection of our capital city as the host for the 1999 Pan American Games. Winnipeg was chosen as well to host a special G7 Conference on Ukraine, recognizing the proud traditions of our province and the many relationships to Ukraine. We look forward to 1995, the year in which Manitobans will celebrate our 125th anniversary as a Province. It was Manitoba that made Canada more than a collection of colonies and provinces along the St. Lawrence and the eastern seaboard. Manitoba became the focus of the westward expansion of our nation. All Manitobans will be encouraged to celebrate our achievements in a year that may be one of the most critical in our nation's history. In 1995, all of us who value democracy and freedom throughout the world will celebrate important events, VE Day and VJ Day, marling the victory of the combined forces of free nations who stood side by side against tyranny. By May 8, 1995, the 50th anniversary of the end of the war in Europe, our province will have completed the naming of geographical features after Manitobans who lost their lives in World War II, an everlasting reminder for future generations of the sacrifices made in the quest for peace and freedom. In keeping with my government's commitment to better serve its citizens and to harness the electronic highway, this throne speech is electronically accessible for the first time through local freenets, and throughout most of the world on Internet. My government's ongoing commitment is to work in partnership with our communities to bring the full potential of the information economy to all Manitobans, regardless of geographic, cultural or physical barriers. It is the development and innovative application of knowledge infrastructure which will enable our youth and our children to work where they choose to live. This is the promise of economic decentralization which will make Canada a stranger, more dynamic federation. Jobs and the Economy My government's aggressive commitment to fiscal responsibility and economic growth has positioned Manitoba to take advantage of the international economic recovery. Throughout our a, individuals and families are looking forward with a sense of optimism to the future as the international recession has ended and as recovery has taken hold. Exports this year to foreign markets have grown approximately 30 percent, the best performance in Canada. Manufacturing employment is at its highest in 13 years with our job growth in this sector leading all provinces this year. After a period of adjustments, our economy has become increasingly competitive, with increased track being a leading factor in our recovery. Manitoba's overall economic growth has outperformed the Canadian average for three of the last four years, and the Conference Board of Canada forecasts a 3.7 percent growth for 1994. These figures include the bad crop years which preceded this year s bountiful harvest. Tourism too is buoyant. Thus far in 1994, Manitoba has experienced among the best growth of all provinces in overseas visitors and in overnight visits of U.S. tourists. The tourism industry now contributes over $1 billion annually to our economy. My government is working with the industry to double its revenues by the year 2000. These indicators and others are solid evidence that Manitoba is taking the best possible advantage of the international recovery. My ministers have established a record of leadership, stability, consistency and success. My government has put Manitoba on the road to prosperity. My ministers will work with Manitobans to build for tomorrow by offering new ideas, seeking new opportunities and fording new avenues to explore, all with the goal of jobs and greater security for this generation and those who follow. There is no question that my government's commitment to fiscal responsibility and economic development is why we are so well positioned to take advantage of the recovery. Over seven budgets, my government has frozen major tax rates and has introduced tax cuts and incentives for individuals and small businesses to stimulate economic growth and job creation, a record unmatched in any jurisdiction in North America. As a result, Manitoba now enjoys a most competitive tax structure. What had been a major inhibitor to growth of investment and employment is now a positive factor in our economy. Spending taxpayers' dollars smarter has been our guiding principle. Programs have been made more efficient by eliminating overlap and duplication. Spending in many areas has thus ban reduced. As a result, more of every tax dollar is directed to the highest priority services. Ensuring that government programs can be delivered within the revenues generated by a competitive tax structure is the best guarantee that the vital public services we teed most will continue to be available to our children. That is why my ministers placed so much importance on their fiscal plan to balance the budget by 199tr97. That fiscal plan remains firmly on track. Ongoing deficits lead to higher debt, higher interest rates and growing interest payments. Those payments limit Manitoba's ability to create jobs and fund vital services. My government will introduce balanced budget legislation to ensure our financial house remains in order because balanced budgets increase the ability to generate jobs and provide services. Since 1988, jobs and the economy have been our top priority. The Framework for Economic Growth outlined strategic directions, addressing the need for a favourable and competitive economic climate for growth. Economic growth is not an end in itself, but is essential to creating jobs and to sustaining our health care, education social services, and our high quality of life. Over 30,000 small businesses in Manitoba form the backbone of our economy. In addition to lower taxes on small business, my government has responded to the need for smarter regulations and reducing red tape. Innovative programs such as the Rural Economic Development Initiative and Grow Bonds were introduced to assist rural Manitobans to invest in their communities. Small business accounts for about 80 percent of the new jobs in the economy and the number of home-based businesses and cottage industries is growing, strong evidence of a renewed spirit of entrepreneurship in Manitoba. My government will introduce new initiatives to help encourage entrepreneurs to invest in their dreams and create jobs. My government is acting upon a number of recommendations of the Manitoba Task Force on Capital Markets to improve access for financing. Building upon successful capital instruments such as Business Start, Grow Bonds, Crocus Investment Fund and Vision Capital Fund, a new pooled investment fund will provide additional capital for small businesses in Manitoba to expand their operations and create new jobs. New plans are underway for a major event in the Spring of 1995 to connect entrepreneurs and small-business owners with investors. Experience has proven that targeting strategic sectors in partnership with the private sector can produce results. For example, the health care industry has grown from a handful of companies to approximately 1,500 jobs. My government's intensive efforts to attract information and telecommunications activities to Manitoba have helped secure an impressive number of new investments and new jobs in North America's fastest growing sector New operations announced over the past two years will create close to 3,000 new jobs in the telecommunications sector. Manitoba has long benefited from its role as the centre of cross-Canada transportation and distribution is now solidifying its position as a world class transportation and distribution centre for the movements of goods throughout North America and overseas. The transportation sector employs close to 25,000 Manitobans, the highest level per capita of any province. The concerted efforts of both the public and private sectors will be necessary to ensure Winnipeg continues to establish itself successfully as the global transportation and distribution hub envisioned by the Northern Hemisphere Distribution Alliance. Building on our strengths, my government will establish Transportation Initiative to focus on the needs of the transportation sector. My government awaits the recommendations of the Canada-Manitoba-Saskatchewan Task Force on the Port of Churchill. The rail line, the port and the community are vital assets for Manitoba, for the West and for Canada. My ministers will not accept closure as an option. My government welcomes the advances made in opening world markets through the final GATT agreement and NAFTA. Despite a welcome agreement, led by my government, to reduce trade barriers between provinces, the Canadian market alone is not sufficiently large to support the whole range of Manitoba firms trading into the world economy. My government will continue its successful campaign, in co-operation with the private sector and other governments, to assist Manitoba exporters in capturing the opportunities arising from emerging markets. Manitoba's exports to Mexico nearly tripled between 1991 and 1993 and exports for the first nine months of 1994 are nearly double those of the same period last year. Manitoba's success in attracting the Pan American Games in 1999 my government will launch a new initiative entitled Pan American Trade and Tourism 1999. Its focus will be on establishing and severing new trading opportunities and tourism prospects with all Pan American countries. The liberalization of trade and the emergence of new market economies around the world offer Manitoba businesses an unprecedented opportunity to export their products and services. There will be a continued focus on Asia-Pacific countries, in particular China, Japan and Indonesia, following on several successful missions, including the Premier's recent mission with Team Canada. The activities of the government and business leaders have resulted in an extremely strong interest is Manitoba from China, including the signing of an economic cooperation agreement with Henan Province. The government will lead a business delegation to China early in 1995 to pursue business opportunities identified when five delegations from China visited Manitoba this fall, The federal, provincial and city governments continue to make progress on a new Winnipeg Development Agreement to support the sustainable economic development of Manitoba's capital city. We expect to enter into a new agreement soon. Le Canada, le Manitoba et la Ville de Winnipeg continuent enregistrer des progrès en ce qui concerne une nouvelle Entente sue l'aménagement de Winnipeg destinée à favoriser l'essor économique durable de la capitale manitobaine. D'ailleurs, nous nous attendons à ce que l'Entente en question devienne bientôt réalité. The two-year $205 million Canada-Manitoba Infrastructure Works Program is a very successful initiative. In addition to renewing our basic infrastructure and creating thousands of jobs, a number of innovative projects are being developed. The annual Premiers' Conference id its borders and building on endorsed the position that the Government of Canada make a long-term commitment to this important program. Through substantial investments, Manitoba has a modern and evolving information infrastructure, including an extensive fibre-optic network and a digitized telecommunications system that will be fully in place by 1996. Our objective is that every citizen and business will have the chance to participate on the information highway. My government has undertaken several initiatives to spend smarter and improve service delivery through practical and innovative applications utilizing the information highway, such as the Drug Program Information Network, distance education projects and rural library automation. My government will be introducing further practical applications and services. My government has introduced several incentive programs which have encouraged increased exploration and mining activity in the province. 1n fact, since 1988, Manitoba is repositioned from having the highest provincial mining taxes to being among the lowest today. New mining exploration in Flip Floe, Lynx Lake and Thompson provide evidence that our incentive programs and mixing tax structure are working to the advantage of Manitoba. Gold production has resumed in the province, with one new mine already open and two new mixes slated to open in 1995. A titanium/vanadium discovery is being explored as a world-class deposit with significant potential for future development. My government is confident that the target of doubling the value of mineral production in the province by the year 2000 will become a reality. Manitoba farmers have always demonstrated an ability to adapt to a changing agricultural environment by growing nontraditional crops and diversifying. The need for the industry to adapt is as gnat as ever and significant new capital investment will be required for Manitoba's farmers to take advantage of new diversification and value-added opportunities, including food exports to emerging markets. In the evolving global economy Manitobans will be required to continue to train and upgrade skills to ensure success as entrepreneurs and business managers. Work experience for young Manitobans through programs such as Workforce 2000, CaneerStart, Partners with Youth and the REDI initiatives are instrumental in creating employment for thousands of young Manitobans and in giving them the experience to move into the permanent workforce. New Directions for Education Following an extremely positive response, my government will move ahead with implementation of Renewing Education: New Directions. Parent Advisory Councils will give parents a greater voice in the operation of schools. Guidelines for these councils are being distributed. To befit from their continuing advice, a second Parents' Forum will be organized. My government is expecting to receive the report of the School Boundaries Review Commission soon. The development of new curricula will assist our efforts to have anti students read, write, compute and solve problems at a high level. My government will work with the western provinces and territories to develop common core curricula which will specify clearly what students should know and be able to do. Curriculum documents will also specify the expected levels of student performance. Mathematics will be the first curriculum developed Test development to assess student performance will begin in September 1995, starting with trade 3 math. Parents will be given greater flexibility in choosing a public school best suited to their children s learning requirements. To support the development of literacy skills, a Western Institute of Reading Recovery will be established in Winnipeg, with programs to equip teachers with strategies to intervene early and prevent students from falling behind in literacy and communication skills so essential for success in all subject areas. Recognizing the critical role that teachers play in the education process, a review of teacher education and certification has begun to ensure that teachers have the necessary knowledge and skills to help students become successful learners. Teachers will also be invited to participate in a special forum designed to get feedback directly from the deliverers of education. Schools should be safe, productive environments where teachers and students can work together. Teachers must feel secure in the classroom. My government will be introducing amendments to give teachers more power to preserve order in the classroom and permit schools to have increased authority in addressing school violence. Distance education and technology offer tremendous potential for enhancing the design and delivery of educational programs, from kindergarten to post-secondary levels, throughout the province. Community-based technical and administrative infrastructures, interactive television systems and increased electronic linkages among libraries, are being established. To ensure province-wide coordination and effective use of resources, a Provincial Advisory Council on Distance Education and Technology with strong regional representation will be established. By December 1995, a large majority of schools outside of Winnipeg will have access to distance education, placing Manitoba among the leaders nationally. In response to the Roblin commission, my government has undertaken to link all post-secondary institutions more closely with labour market demand. New diploma programs are being identified in priority sectors. Colleges and universities are being challenged to co-operate so that academic achievement at community colleges may be recognized in university programs. My government is also working with the private sector and universities and colleges to create opportunities for women to enter nontraditional fields of study. My government is proud to announce a now Training for Tomorrow Scholarship Award Program to enable women to attend nontraditional programs at each of our three community colleges, geared towards disciplines in math and science. It is appropriate that as we enter this special anniversary year, a bill will be introduced to create the Louis Riel Institute. À l'aube dune année qui masque un anniversaire spécial, nous proposerons un projet de loi portant sur la création de l'Institut Louis Riel. Public Security My government believes that the security of the public and the security of the individual must be high priorities. One of the initiatives that will be undertaken concerns the level of policing in the province by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and municipal forces. My government is working with the appropriate authorities to ensure that Manitobans can continue to feel safe and secure in their homes and in the pursuit of their daily activities. My government will continue to co-operate in the provision of aboriginal policing on reserves. My government has consistently taken a fun position that the Young Offenders Act requires strengthening to deal with young people who commit crimes. Manitoba has set out the strongest position in Canada and believes the changes are essential to produce a more effective framework for haling with young offenders. My government will also be taking steps to ensure that victims of stalkers are notified in the event that the stalker, once charged with a criminal offence, escapes from custody or is released on bail by the courts. Similarly, initiatives to permit notification of the public about dangerous sexual offenders who are in the community, particularly those who prey upon children, will be brought forward. Mechanisms for placing the names of convicted pedophiles on the Child Abuse Registry are being reviewed. In early 1995, evening judicial services will be introduced for those young persons who are charged with criminal offences. By establishing a night court, my government will enable young orders to attend with their parents at a time that will be least disruptive to their proper education and their parents' employment. Expanded community magistrate training programs and the appointment of an additional 20 magistrates in communities without local justice services will improve community based justice services. L'augmentation des programmes de formation à l'intention des magistrats oeuvrant dans les communautés ainsi que la nomination de 20 magistrats supplémentaires dans les localités dépourvues de services judiciaires locaux contribueront a l'amélioration de tels services à l'échelle locale. My ministers advise they are pursuing the development of initiatives to permit expanded services for victims of crime. Even though the Manitoba Maintenance Enforcement Program has served as a model for other enforcement programs throughout Canada, My government is committed to taking an even stronger stance against maintenance default. When parents and spouses fail to meet their support obligations, all Manitobans pay the price, but the persons who suffer most are the spouses and children who rely upon regular support payments to survive. As part of a comprehensive approach to maintenance enforcement, legislative amendments will be brought forward to strengthen enforcement measures. Recognizing it is important to maximize sources of funds the program can access for support obligations, my government is also committed to expanding the scope of attachable resources. Third, payment incentives and stronger penalties will be implemented. My government will expand our rigorous youth confinement initiatives into the adult corrections system, featuring an expanded work system and a full work day. A bill will be introduced to protect sellers of residential property from being liable to the mortgagor where the mortgage has been assumed as part of the property sale and the mortgagor has, in writing, approved the assumption of the mortgage. Enhancing Our Health Care System The preservation and protection of the Canadian health care system, encouraging prevention and wellness and achieving a better balance of community-based institutional services remain challenges for all governments in Canada. Although approaches to reform of the health care system vary by province, my ministers remain convinced that the approach adopted in Manitoba, of incremental improvements and reforms, technological advances and innovative changes to service delivery, remains the one most suited to our circumstances. Through co-operation among health care professionals and providers, institutions and government, severe measures seen in other provinces have been avoided. My government takes pride in the active participation of more than 15,000 Manitobans in the renewal of Manitoba's health services as we move toward a more responsive system dedicated to the health and well-being of all Manitobans. Through the dedicated efforts of health providers, significant improvements have been made to give Manitobans a more efficient system. At 34 percent, Manitoba already spends a higher proportion of its budget on health care than all other provinces. For the coming year, my government will maintain its strong commitment for the health care system, which will include reinvestments in critical areas of health care needs. My ministers remain committed to increasing the proportion of community-based care and service within our health system. Bringing health care closer to home means not only better care but more opportunities for Manitobans to become involved in making decisions about their services. In particular, my ministers advise me that the implementation of rural and northern health associations is proceeding as planned. A Provincial Health Information System, a comprehensive electronic communication network linking all health care stakeholders and building on the strengths of our government's Drug Program Information Network, is being developed. The new system will eliminate unnecessary waste, duplication and abuse of services while contributing to improved health care and better information for consumers and professionals. Important new procedures not currently available in our province will be introduced, including enhancement of a consolidated cardiac sciences program. Building on a commitment to establish breast cancer and cervical cancer screening programs in 1995, my government will continue to take measures to address the growing concern over cancer in our province. A Prostate Centre will be established to provide leading-edge services to the more than 2,000 Manitoba men who have prostate disease. Bone-marrow transplant services will also be enhanced. The self-managed home care program is being expanded to rural Manitoba. Federal support is being sought. Nous sollicitons l'aide du gouvernement fédéral puisque nous étendons aux régions rurales le programme autogéré de soins à domicile. The Home Care program is being strengthened to better meet the needs of seniors, the disabled, and patients who are discharged early from the hospital system. The Home Care appeal process now in place is working well. Additional funding will be provided to meet these changing requirements. To ensure that appropriate community services are in place, my government will reinvest fiends to enhance the role of community health centres. In co-operation with the Manitoba Association of Registered Nurses, my government is introducing community nurse resource centres. As part of an active partnership working through the Child and Youth Secretariat, my government will implement strategies for healthy child development focusing on early interventions for children at risk. Early nurturing of vulnerable children is one of the best investments in the future that can be made. A key component of our commitment to children will be the development of a Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Diagnostic Laboratory. Caring for Families Manitobans have a tradition of caring for those in need. Our strong community and family values are at the root of our desire to help others during difficult times. As such, we have created a system of social services and income support programs to ensure that those who need help get the support they need. Governments across Canada have been challenged by increasing social services caseloads and by the rapidly rising costs of social programs. There is a growing sense that the federal-provincial social safety net that was designed in an earlier era is not able to cope with the demands being placed on it and is in need of reform in order to meet today's realities. My ministers will continue to implement reforms that strengthen incentives to work, increase work expectations and encourage economic independence for employable welfare recipients, while maintaining basic income supports for our most vulnerable citizens. My government is concerned about child growing up in poverty and their prospects for a better life. My ministers believe the best way to support these child is for their parents to have jobs, and will continue to seek out innovative ways to help families with children become self-sufficient. In recent months, the Making Welfare Work initiative, a series of programs and pilot projects designed to help welfare recipients improve their skills and attain employment, has been launched. My government recognizes the heavy expectations facing women as caregivers and providers of income. The recent announcement of the Taking Charge initiative which assists single mothers to enter the labour force is further evidence of our commitment to families in Manitoba. My government is also looking at opportunities through our existing programs, the Family Support Innovations Fund and the new Winnipeg Development Agreement to provide children living in poverty with the tools and opportunities for better prospects in life. The federal government has unilaterally discontinued its long-standing financial responsibility for social assistance and child and wily services for Status Indians living off-reserve. This action alone has caused Manitoba taxpayers to pay an additional $60 million for services which were previously paid for by the federal government. Manitoba is unique in having the highest proportion of aboriginal Population of any province. Federal offloading in Manitoba therefore has more serious implications. My government is seeking to have its special circumstances recognized in the social security reform. My misters are committed to continuing to work with aboriginal leadership to redress this grievance. The government of Manitoba also considers Treaty Land Entitlement to be priority and will continue to work with the federal government and Manitoba's First Nations toward an equitable and final settlement of these long-outstanding obligations. My government will be extending our second-stage housing program across the province to provide longer-term options, beyond crisis assistance, for women and children leaving abusive relationships. As a further measure to support those in need, a Food Donations act will be introduced. In an effort to reduce the duplication of service required to provide separate voters lists, my government will invite Canada and representatives of municipal governments to participate in a tripartite investigation of a common voters list as an alternative to independent enumerations. Resources and Environment My ministers advise me of their continued commitment to the principles of sustainable development and to protecting the ability of our natural resources to contribute to the well being of Manitobans. Government has a particular responsibility is safeguarding the environment and managing natural resources. Existing partnerships assist in the protection and management of wildlife habitats in Manitoba. To enable private citizens, landowners and conservation organizations to assist in the conservation of natural areas and habitat retained as part of land holdings the government will bring forward legislation for conservation easements. This new conservation tool will help protect and conserve valuable habitats and natural areas on private lands without the necessity of government buying or selling land. Manitoba will continue to meet its commitments to establish a network of special places in Manitoba in support of the International Convention of Biological Diversity and the World Wildlife Fund of Canada's Endangered Spaces Program. In addition, my government is continuing to co-operate with the federal government on the establishment of new national parks to ensure that habitats and characteristics representing Manitoba's natural regions will be preserved for future generations. Upon receipt of the final recommendations of the Manitoba Round Table, my government will introduce a Sustainable Development act to institutionalize the principles of sustainable development throughout government and the province in order to protect the environment and future economic growth and job creation. To deal with the complex issues of contaminated site remediation, my government will introduce legislation reflecting the principles adopted by the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment. The Manitoba legislation will contain an allocation process apportioning liability among responsible parties relative to their respective contribution to the contamination. Manitoba will release its third biennial State of the Environment Report in the Spring of 1995 as required by the Environment Act. En vertu de la Loi sue l'environnement, le Manitoba publiera au printemps 1995 son troisième rapport biennal sue l'état de l'environnement. Sustainable solutions to long-standing waste management problems will be implemented in the coming months consistent with the government's pledge to reduce solid waste in Manitoba by 50 percent by the year 2000, including a province-wide curbside collection and multi-material depot recycling initiative. Looking to the Future Honourable members, the address I delivered to you in the Spring of this year referred to the hopes and aspirations which Manitobans have for the future of our province. I believe that vision bears repeating, because in many ways, it defines our purpose here. Manitobans want secure and satisfying jobs, not only for ourselves but for everyone who is able to work and who values the dignity of employment. We want our children to be taught the fundamentals and the new skills they will need in the next century. We want our health care system to be high-quality, accessible and fair, and we want it to be protected as one of our most important assets. We want our cities and our rural communities, our farms and our businesses, all those who create jobs, to prosper and grow, and to do so in ways which are consistent with the principles of sustainable development. We want our streets and our neighbourhoods to be safe, day and night, for young and old alike. We want our heritage as a multicultural province to be honoured and respected. Nous voulons que notre patrimoine, qui a fait de note province une société multiculturelle, soit reconnu et respecté. We want our public business to be conducted with integrity, efficiency, and accountability. We want our governments to be responsive and to work in partnerships with the community, listening to new ideas and acting to meet Manitoba's priorities. We want our contribution to Canada's advancement to be recognized fairly, and we want to co-operate with all provinces and regions in developing the policies and initiatives our country requires to strengthen national unity and to compete more successfully in the global economy. By staying true to these goals, by continuing to pursue them with all our talents and efforts, we are succeeding in making Manitoba the best place anywhere to live, to work, to raise a family, to family, to invest, and to build a future with pride and confidence. My government has shown consistent leadership in its fiscal and economic framework, in areas like justice and sustainable development, in protecting our investment in the priority areas of health, education and family services, in managing change through difficult times, and on many national issues. We have shown that with a long-term vision, focus and partnerships with the community, a great deal can be accomplished. Where it is in the best interests of Manitobans, we have co-operated with federal governments. But where the interests of Manitobans are compromised, we have always stood up for Manitoba and will continue to stand strong for the interests of the people of Manitoba. In the course of this session, my ministers will lay before this Legislature a number of specific proposals for review. Members will also be asked to consider estimates for the requirements for the public services of the province is the text fiscal year, as well as the most recent Public Accounts. I leave you now to the faithful performance of your many duties and trust that, in meeting them, you may benefit from the guidance of Divine Providence in all your deliberations. Je vous laisse maintenant aux nombreuses tâches que vous allez être appelés à accomplir fidèlement. Que la divine Providence vous éclaire au cours des délibérations nécessaires à l'exécution de ces tâches.