Province Législature Session Type de discours Date du discours Locuteur Fonction du locuteur Parti politique Manitoba 36e 3e Discours du trône 3 mars 1997 W. Yvon Dumont Lieutenant- gouverneur PC Madam Speaker and members of the Manitoba Legislature, I welcome you to the Third Session of the Thirty-sixth Legislature of the Province of Manitoba. Je vous convie à la troisième session de la trente-sixième Législature de la province du Manitoba. As members of this Assembly gather to conduct the legislative and financial business of this House, 1997 continues to be a promising year for our nation and our province. Canadians everywhere have reason for pride and renewed confidence. After years of difficult but essential adjustment, our economic foundations are being secured and our industries are being modernized to compete with the best in the world. My government knows that responsible management of our public finances, using taxpayers' money wisely, should continue to be a high priority. Consecutive balanced budgets and the taxpayer protection legislation continue to assure Manitobans of that priority. With restored fiscal stability we have set our economy on a solid and sustainable path, opening new opportunities for jobs and growth. Our province's transformation has been remarkable and unprecedented, but the pace of change is accelerating around the world. We must stay on the path we have set as we continue to adapt and to target new opportunities. We have established a framework for growth which has proved its value. The elements of that framework are clear: • first, a balanced budget, to protect essential services, such as health care, and to finance important investments in our future; • second, a tax system that is fair and competitive; • third, an economic plan that builds aggressively on our many strengths and looks outward, to our trading partners, to the future, and to the new realities of innovation, technology, knowledge and lifelong learning. The basic aims of that plan are quality jobs and growth, for all regions of our province; • fourth, a social policy which ensures the benefits of growth are shared fairly among all our citizens, and protects and improves health care, education, justice and social services. Our social policy initiatives are aimed at encouraging self-sufficiency and work instead of dependency wherever possible; • finally, a spirit of community and a quality of life based on mutual respect, goodwill, and our heritage of co-operation. Our provincial government has committed to two immediate national priorities: job creation and children in need. The government of Manitoba has supported those priorities and will join with our partners in important new initiatives to address them. The federal government has made a commitment to work with the provinces on a comprehensive rebalancing of the Canadian federation. Where Ottawa has lived up to its partnership commitment, in the original national infrastructure program and in the three Team Canada trade missions, success has been substantial and obvious. Where the partnership principle has not been respected, however, important work has been set back and opportunities have been lost. With unilateral federal cuts in transfers for health, higher education and other programs now in the range of $7 billion a year across the country, the magnitude of the challenge is clear. Étant donné les coupures, actuellement de l'ordre de sept milliards de dollars par année à l'échelle du pays et effectuées unilatéralement par le gouvernement fédéral dans les paiements de transfert destinés à la santé, à l'enseignement supérieur et à d'autres programmes, l'ampleur de la tâche est évidente. My ministers believe that good-faith partnerships can only strengthen and help unify our country. To that end, my government expects in the near future to enter into a one-year agreement to top up the current national infrastructure program and to serve as a bridge to a new, long-term national program of investment in strategic capital works priorities such as our national highways system. Recognizing that a modern health system is vital to the Manitoba way of life, my government is embarking on a bold plan in partnership with Manitobans to make the necessary changes that will guarantee high quality and accessible health care well into the next century. My government also expects to join other provinces in signing a major new agreement with the federal government on labour market development and training. This agreement will increase the province's ability to ensure that key training initiatives reflect Manitobans' particular needs and circumstances. My government will also work closely with the other provinces and the federal government in the coming year on the design of a new, comprehensive national child benefit system. My government and all Manitobans believe that these efforts can serve as a model for a more positive, co-operative approach to social policy renewal. The accomplishments of the past year and the forecasts for the current year provide good economic news for Manitobans. Strong employment growth, five consecutive years of private capital investment growth and strong exports put Manitoba in the lead nationally. In 1996, the Manitoba economy grew at almost twice the national average and is forecast to grow at nearly the same rate in 1997. Retail sales have grown at twice the national rate for two years. In a national survey last year Manitoba led all provinces in the proportion of business owners who expect the performance of their firms will be stronger in 1997. Manufacturing shipments in 1996 grew by triple the national average, and building permits were up by double the national average. Virtually every sector of the economy is experiencing strong growth. The real significance of this improved confidence and strong economic growth is the high level of new job creation. Statistics for the last twelve months show that Manitoba created a remarkable 23,900 net new jobs, the largest increase in the country. Over the same period, Manitoba's unemployment rate declined, while the national unemployment rate rose slightly with more Manitobans working than ever before. Our youth have the option of staying in their home province for their future career opportunities. Manitoba businesses continue to enjoy remarkable success in exporting their goods and services, with our exports doubling over the past five years. To maintain and improve upon this success and create more jobs, my government is committed to full implementation of the 1994 Agreement on Internal Trade. Our efforts in the coming year, focusing on extending the agreement to cover the procurement of other public sector organizations, will ensure that Manitoba suppliers have access to the full Canadian market. My government, having consulted with interested Manitobans on the negotiation of a North American Free Trade Agreement, insisted that additional measures would be needed to ensure the proper enforcement of labour and environmental standards in all countries that belong to the NAFTA. Accordingly, in January my government signed federal-provincial agreements that allow our full participation in the North American agreements on labour and the environment which accompany the NAFTA. During this session, legislation will be introduced to provide for the full implementation of these side agreements in Manitoba. The remarkable success enjoyed by Manitoba businesses exporting to Mexico and the United States under the NAFTA, with exports more than doubling since 1990, will be protected through effective enforcement of labour and environmental laws. Markets of opportunity for Manitoba exporters are being targeted. A successful entry into the South American marketplace was initiated through a joint government-business mission into Brazil, Argentina and Chile. Ukraine, Asia, and South Africa are other key markets. Together, businesses and government will continue to develop a Manitoba profile and presence in these marketplaces. My government is actively promoting the mid-continent trade and transportation corridor initiative which will provide for a seamless, uniformly regulated infrastructure to support the efficient and effective movement of Manitoba goods and services to new and expanding markets in North America and beyond. The 1999 Pan American Games will be the largest celebration of sport and culture ever staged in Canada. Planning for this major international event is well underway. None of this would happen without our enthusiastic volunteer base. My government is working closely with the Pan Am Games organizers to take full advantage of the economic and community development benefits of staging the games. In addition to their significant direct economic impact, the games will also provide Manitoba and indeed all of Canada with a vehicle to expand economic and cultural relationships in the Americas and to further showcase our city, province and country. The Pan American Games economic development initiative will focus on the many legacy components of the games, including enhanced trade and investment, tourism development, community development and cultural industry expansion. My government will support such endeavours through its existing operations. Several major announcements will be forthcoming. My government will also continue to support the Winnport private sector effort to establish Winnipeg as a global hub for multimodal transportation and logistics services. Our goal is to increase economic activity and jobs in Manitoba through maximizing transport efficiency and facilitating economic linkages along this historic trade corridor in the heartland of our continent. Small business continues to be the leader in job creation in the Manitoba economy with over 34,000 small businesses and 83,000 self-employed entrepreneurs. More than one-third of Manitobans are employed in firms with less than 50 employees and small business accounts for over $3 billion or 28 percent of Manitoba's total payroll. My government will continue to build partnerships with other service providers for small business, including other provincial agencies, the federal and municipal governments, industry associations, cooperatives, aboriginal economic development groups and women's business associations. The mandate is to ensure proper training and educational tools are available and accessible for business entrepreneurs. Tourism continues to be a high growth and job creation sector. My government will promote and support new initiatives through a provincial tourism strategy which has evolved from two provincial tourism forums. In 1997, Regional Tourism Forums will help develop strategic regional plans through grassroots consultation. Manitoba's oil and gas industry is strong, aided in large part by the introduction of the Petroleum Exploration Assistance Program. As a result of sales in this year and previous years, the amount of land leased to the petroleum industry is the highest since the initial development of Manitoba's oil fields in the 1950s. The level of petroleum exploration in 1996 was two and a half times the 1995 value, with nearly twice as many wells drilled. The Mineral Exploration assistance program has led to significant increases in the value of exploration expenditures and the number of companies active in our province, primarily in the North. Many Manitobans have taken up the challenge of building a stronger future by adapting and diversifying our rural economy. It is their hard work that is the reason for the impressive economic growth which is amongst the best in the nation. The task force on rural diversification will soon be reporting. With this advice my government will continue to support the efforts of all rural Manitobans by intensifying its efforts to ensure the availability of program support for rural small-business people, individuals and communities. Over the past year agriculture and the agri-food sector have achieved significant success in both diversification and value-added initiatives. Hog production, potato production and processing, new crops and nontraditional livestock are all experiencing phenomenal growth as producers in our province respond to massive changes in transportation and trade and seize emerging opportunities. The changing international and domestic scene in agriculture and agri-food which has spurred an immediate requirement for adjustment within Manitoba presents boundless opportunities. Never before has the need for industry development and applied research been so urgent. In response, my government will support development and research in all aspects of the industry, including primary crop production, livestock, value-added, biotechnology and market development. This important investment in our agriculture industry's future will enable us to meet the challenges and opportunities before us. In keeping with its continuing commitment to sustainable development, my government will initiate sustainable development strategies for the province's fisheries and wildlife resources. Manitobans will again have the opportunity to participate in public consultations and contribute to the development of these new strategies to provide Manitoba with improved fisheries, wildlife and habitat management policies, and to serve as the foundation for future review of The Wildlife Act. My government is on schedule to meet our commitment to build a network of protected areas. An action plan was recently announced outlining the second phase of Manitoba's co-ordinated approach to furthering the establishment of the network for today's generation and for generations to come. Manitobans will continue participating in this process through public consultations. Building on the successful co-operation which resulted in the creation of Wapusk National Park, my government will work toward the proposed establishment of a national park to represent the Manitoba lowlands region of Canada. While Manitobans and other Canadians are justified in being encouraged by our economic progress, we must also acknowledge that an important group in our society has been largely bypassed in realizing the benefits. The Royal Commission on Canada's Aboriginal Peoples provides a number of recommendations for dealing with the bleak futures facing far too many aboriginal Canadians. Much of the responsibility for this deplorable situation must rest with the government of Canada, which has failed to live up to its historic and legal obligations to First Nations, while acting unilaterally and offloading growing costs onto other jurisdictions. The federal government's withdrawal from its long-standing financial support for services delivered to Status Indians off reserve has cost our province alone over $100 million over the last five years. Those reductions, along with those in health and education transfers, are unfair to Manitobans and limit their opportunities to advance and realize their potential. While my ministers do not support these federal government actions, we have made it clear that we believe we must work in close partnership with each other, with First Nations representatives and with the private sector on these challenges if we are to make the best possible use of available resources. In this spirit of partnership, my government will be announcing a new initiative to place unemployed aboriginal high school, college and university graduates into positions in the private and public sectors by encouraging employers to commit to a number of entry level positions each year for aboriginal graduates. This program will help address the high levels of unemployment in the aboriginal community and will be financed in part by the provincial and federal governments. Negotiations on Northern Flood Agreement claims are expected to be successfully concluded with community ratifications by this summer. Similarly, significant progress is being made on finalizing treaty land entitlement negotiations. These negotiations arise from provincial constitutional obligations to return land to Canada in order that the federal government may address outstanding land obligations to certain Indian bands through the signing of treaties. Seven TLE agreements have been completed to date and my ministers anticipate signing a TLE framework agreement with Canada and the remaining 19 bands in the near future. The settlements of this outstanding obligation which has existed for decades will help secure economic progress and independence for those communities. De nouveaux partenariats sont également essentiels pour que nous puissions nous attaquer aux grandes questions de politique sociale dans notre province et dans tout le pays. New, co-operative partnerships are equally critical in addressing the broad challenges of social policy in our province and across the country. In health care, and despite large-scale federal funding cuts, the Manitoba approach, of carefully developed pathways leading to better co-ordinated, integrated health services, is beginning to show results. The Winnipeg Hospital Authority, the Brandon and the rural health authorities, and the Winnipeg Community Health Authority are being developed. By looking at the system as a whole, we can take the best qualities from each facility and use them throughout the province for the benefit of all Manitobans. My ministers advise me that more services such as post-surgical cardiac rehabilitation, dialysis, chemical dependency programs, mental health programs and an expanded intravenous program will be provided closer to home. A new integrated model for palliative care is also being considered. Investing in health and spending smarter also mean preventing illness, protecting health and promoting wellness. This requires new and innovative approaches such as a mobile child health clinic, diabetes prevention, a provincial children's asthma education program, an expanded role for nurses, a cardiovascular strategy, midwifery and other women's health initiatives. Education continues to be a key factor of my government. Despite massive reductions in transfers from the federal government, my government continues to provide funding for education that is second only to health as a percentage of the provincial budget. Building a foundation for our youth demands an education that equips them with the skills to be competitive in today's and tomorrow's global economy. World-class standards and uniform testing will be adopted throughout the province to help assure success for our youth. Increased and regular parental involvement improves our schools and our education system. In the recent announcement of support for public schools the level of funding was maintained. To assist school divisions in their forward planning, this will be the base funding level for next year. School divisions have found increased efficiencies in the areas of administration and operations. Consistent with the government's commitment, they will be able to keep surplus funds resulting from those savings and redirect them into the classroom. To demonstrate my government's commitment to lifelong learning and access to basic education, funding will be provided for pupils, including adults, attending school beyond the normal school day, to complete their diploma requirements. Progress continues in many other areas of education renewal. Curricula emphasizing English, math and science are being implemented. Western provincial collaboration in curriculum development continues, resulting in greater consistency across the provinces. In addition to core subjects, the initial steps are being taken to develop heritage language curricula and resources. Later this year my government will receive the results of a review of special education in Manitoba. The education and training system is continuing to be more responsive to the needs and aspirations of aboriginal peoples. More funding for technology as a foundation skill is being committed. Distance education is increasingly a reality for schools and universities throughout our province. Together with our education partners, this technological network will provide better access to educational programs, facilitate collaboration, provide greater choice for students and generally provide exciting, cost-effective learning opportunities. The Council on Post-Secondary Education will begin operations with emphasis on the development of stronger partnerships and collaboration within the postsecondary education system and improved linkages with the business community. The recommendations of the Task Force on Apprenticeship which are expected this spring will lead to the revitalization of apprenticeship, a cornerstone of Manitoba's training strategy which provides exciting career opportunities. The Employment First strategy and the welfare reform initiative have helped Manitobans gain independence through employment. We know Manitobans want to work, and we are creating an environment that will help people become independent. We want to invest in their future to break the cycle of dependency and allow Manitobans to reach their full the collective efforts to address these important potential. Nous sommes à mettre en oeuvre de nouveaux projets, concernant notamment la création de partenariats entre les employeurs et la communauté, et l'accroissement de l'importance accordée par les organismes communautaires à l'alphabétisation des adultes. New initiatives, including the development of employer and community partnerships, and an increased emphasis on adult literacy training through community organizations, are being implemented. My government has achieved these successes through innovative partnering with the private sector and community-based groups such as the Mennonite Central Committee. Youth NOW is one of the new programs that has been introduced. By the end of this fiscal year, more than 600 single parents will be entering the workforce with new skills as they make the shift to independence through programs such as Taking Charge!. My ministers believe our system of social services and income support programs created to care for those in need is reinforced by our tradition of strong community and family values. My government has made significant strides in meeting the challenges and will be undertaking a number of new initiatives to make further progress toward achieving our objectives. My ministers are actively involved in the work of the Ministerial Council on Social Policy Renewal established by Canadian Premiers in 1995. The Purpose of the Council's mandate is to co-ordinate the activities of various sectors to address the policy vacuum created by the federal government's reduction in transfer payments to provinces, as well as by the significant changes to federal social programs. The federal government has now joined with provinces and territories and has participated as an active partner in the collective efforts to address these important challenges. Canadians are concerned about children growing up safe and secure and with real prospects for a better life. Our province has already introduced measures such as the Manitoba tax reduction to assist many lower income families by reducing the income tax they pay. Manitoba will work with other governments to deliver a new national child benefit. My government welcomes this nationwide initiative and, in particular, we welcome the participation of the federal government. Children who begin their lives in want and poverty do not have the fair and equal chance to flourish, grow and achieve what Manitobans believe should be the birthright of every child. The joint federal-provincial initiative as it is evolving promises to help reduce poverty among many Manitoba families with children, but my government is not yet satisfied that this new initiative includes a recognition of, and effective measures to address, the very special problems of child poverty that affect many of Manitoba's First Nations people. Taking action to overcome the levels of poverty among First Nations people is an urgent necessity. In the months ahead my government will be working hard, with the federal authority and other provinces, and with First Nations communities across Manitoba, to ensure that the national initiative against child poverty and other actions of government include realistic measures to include First Nations Manitobans fully in the benefits and opportunities we aim to create. In the area of child and family services, our efforts have emphasized and will continue to emphasize child protection and development. My ministers have engaged the community in dialogue on how to best provide support to families in difficulty. During the past year, my ministers initiated a review of the child welfare system to identify approaches to modernize the system and sought community input in the process. Amendments to The Child and Family Services Act based on these public consultations will be submitted for consideration. My government will redesign youth emergency services as part of its strong commitment to a safer society, in our homes, neighbourhoods, and schools. It will continue to apply the standard of zero tolerance for violence against women. Support for the best crisis shelter system in Canada will be maintained and increased. In addition to providing shelter for women and children in crisis, our system provides counselling for children who have witnessed violence in the home. My government's commitment to youth and families will be demonstrated through initiatives such as the urban youth sports camp, housing assistance for high risk groups, and innovative pilot programs aimed at providing early intervention for children and families at risk. Public safety will continue to receive priority attention. While crime rates are dropping, Manitobans continue to express concerns about their safety. As a result, a Public Safety Branch responsible for crime prevention initiatives and victims programming has been established. Services and programs now provided will be improved. New programs for victims and crime prevention will be developed. Les programmes de sécurité personnelle seront améliorés dans nos résidences pour les personnes âgées, afin d'assurer le confort et le bien-être de ces dernières. Life safety programs will be enhanced in our seniors housing to ensure the comfort and well-being of senior tenants. The program aimed at revitalizing capital infrastructure in older Winnipeg neighbourhoods has been highly successful, resulting in the rejuvenation of a number of city neighbourhoods. My government intends to continue its commitment to Winnipeg's older neighbourhoods through a new six-year program. Announcements addressing the capital needs of our cities and communities and providing for public amenities will be made in the months ahead. Renewal of the strategic infrastructure necessary to support strong and stable city neighbourhoods will be the focus of the Winnipeg Development Agreement's Neighbourhood Infrastructure Program which will be implemented this year. My government will implement a plan for the ChildrenFirst strategy, including pilot projects that will draw on the best practices throughout the world to address the pressing issues faced by Manitoba's children and youth. Input from non-governmental organizations will be essential to the success of this initiative. A new approach to the placement of foster children in schools will be implemented with our community partners to overcome fragmented services and to increase the ability of both the child and the school to make successful transitions. The rising concern about the safety of our children has necessitated an increase in our diligence ensuring that those who work with our children are deserving of the trust placed in them. An abuse screening protocol has been developed to ensure schools are a safe place for children. My government will introduce new legislation ensuring both the right to privacy protection and the granting of access to information for all Manitobans. The need for stronger privacy protection of personal information, including health information, has emerged during this decade as electronic information technologies have developed together with their ability to manage and communicate vast amounts of data as never before. Extensive public consultations are providing important guidance in preparing this legislation, which will address the challenge of technological change and balance the right of privacy against the privilege of access to information. Members will be asked to consider amendments to The Elections Act and the Elections Finance Act in response to recommendations from the chief electoral officer. My government has undertaken a broad cross departmental approach to public service reform and renewal. Several years ago civil servants were called upon to participate directly. My ministers have been heartened by the literally hundreds of civil servants who have come forward to work on our Service First Initiative and other activities such as Better Methods and Better Systems, which will transform the way in which government does business internally and the way in which it interacts with the taxpayers and citizens it serves. Despite the excellent outlook for Manitoba, we are all too well aware of the threat of very serious flooding in our province this spring. As in past years, our communities are now coordinating their preparations and staff from all levels of government are working to provide assistance. We know from experience that these kinds of emergencies bring out the best in our citizens and strengthen the spirit of community that is one of our proudest attributes. In western Manitoba, the people of the Brandon area are putting the finishing touches to their preparations for the Canada Games in August. Thousands of young athletes will be welcomed as they gather to display their abilities, strengths and enthusiasm, the same traits that we count upon to build our country at the turn of the century and into the new millennium. The national showcase for our youth and the spirit with which the volunteers of Brandon and western Manitoba will welcome their fellow Canadians typifies the spirit of Manitoba. Later this year the Royal Winnipeg Ballet will bring further honour to our province when they perform as the feature guests during the Commonwealth Heads of State Conference in Edinburgh, Scotland. Their invitation is an honour and a recognition of the decades of commitment and talent that have forged the reputation of Canada's premier ballet company. It is the same hard work and commitment of Manitobans that has built the solid foundation which positions our province for unprecedented economic growth in the coming years. My government has built a solid fiscal foundation that has allowed our province to enjoy two consecutive balanced budgets, with a third balanced budget to be delivered during the upcoming session. All of this has been accomplished within the context of nine years of freezes on major taxes, an unparalleled accomplishment in North America. And, while services are being preserved, we will be among the first provinces to begin to pay down our debt. My ministers commit to continue spending wisely and prudently, to provide services needed and wanted by Manitobans and to pursue policies that lead to continued investment, job growth and improved public services. Mes ministres entendent continuer à dépenser sagement et prudemment, afin de fournir les services que les Manitobains et Manitobaines veulent et dont ils ont besoin, et dans le but de maintenir des politiques qui permettront la poursuite des investissements, la croissance de l'emploi et l'amélioration des services au public. 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 in the next fiscal year, as well as the most recent Public Accounts. 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. 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.