Province Législature Session Type de discours Date du discours Locuteur Fonction du locuteur Parti politique Manitoba 26e 2e Discours du trône 19 janvier 1960 Errick F. Willis Lieutenant-gouverneur PC Mr. Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba: I welcome you to the second session of the 26th 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 add an expression of united goodwill and appreciation to my distinguished predecessor, the Honourable J.S. McDiarmid, for the many services which he and Mrs. McDiarmid rendered to our province over the years. I am happy to report that there has been substantial and satisfactory progress in all the principal fields of responsibility of the provincial government. The 1959 provincial road building program completed was the largest on record. Another large highway program, including access roads, Roads to Resources, and natural resources development roads will be proposed for 1960. The year 1959 will be recorded as a difficult year for many Manitoba farmers. Excessive moisture conditions blighted any hope of a harvest for many whose farms were located in the agricultural area east of the Red River. The unprecedented heavy snowfall of early October, and subsequent sub-zero weather, extending over a wide area of the province abruptly ended the completion of what appeared on many farms to be a promising harvest. While in the more favoured agricultural areas production was reasonably satisfactory, I note that approximately one million acres of unharvested crops representing 20 to 25 million bushels of grain and other crops remain snow-covered with little hope of salvage value. While the estimated value of Manitoba's 1959 total agricultural production of approximately 321 million dollars is slightly more than one million dollars higher than that of 1958, I must emphasize that net farm income for the year just closed will be lower than that of 1958. To prevent heavy liquidation of livestock from farms upon which unthreshed crops and feed supplies were buried by the early October snowfall, my Government is providing transportation assistance programs on the movement of feed grain, hay, straw, shavings and sawdust into the stricken area. As a further measure of assistance to farmers who have harvested less than 50% of their total crop acreage, my Government is sharing with the Government of Canada an acreage payment program. My Government expects that these programs of assistance will require a heavy provincial outlay. My Government is pleased to report that, at the request of the province and with its co-operation, a comprehensive economic land classification study has been undertaken by the Economics Division, Canada Department of Agriculture. This study will provide the basis for sound land use and agricultural development policies. An expanded weed control program is to be undertaken in co-operation with municipal authorities. My Government is pleased to report that the Manitoba Agricultural Credit Corporation which has been functioning over the last ten months has approved loans totalling approximately $4.000,000.00. My Ministers inform me that the newly established Crop Insurance Agency will shortly be offering to farmers, in three test areas, comprehensive crop insurance. Recent surveys indicate that only 7% of farm homes in this province are equipped with modern water supply and sewage systems. My Government, through the Extension Service of the Department of Agriculture and Conservation, is introducing a useful program to assist rural people to plan and install their own modern water supply and sewage disposal systems for their farm and home. During the past year my Government has undertaken essential engineering investigations consequent on the major flood protection program recommended by the Royal Commission on Manitoba. During the coming year it has been decided to institute an experimental program of community development in certain selected areas where that type of activity locks promising. Manitoba will participate with the Federal Government in World Refugee Year and has agreed to accept tuberculous immigrants for treatment in our sanatoria. As a result of continued experience gained in the administration of the Hospital Insurance Plan, an independent Hospital Survey Board has been established to make a detailed study of the needs for future hospital expansion throughout the province. The Board will report its findings and recommendations to my Government during the coming year. You will, however, be asked to grant financial help to a number of hospital building projects for which interim approval is expected. The quality of care of the mentally ill will be improved by the provision for increased teaching staff and medical residencies in our institutions and the standardization of training curricula for psychiatric nurses. My Government has already announced that the Social Allowances Act will be proclaimed on February 1st when the Department of Health and Public Welfare will begin to receive applications and to make allowances available to needy pensioners and to the aged and infirm requiring care by some other person or institution or nursing home. The Department of Health and Public Welfare will at the same time assure the full cost of all children committed to the care of the Director of Public Welfare and to the Children's Aid Societies. My Government will ask for substantial increases in expenditures to finance this first and biggest step in putting into effect the social allowances program. A further substantial appropriation of funds will be seek for the construction of elderly persons' housing accommodation. Since the report of the Greater Winnipeg Investigating Commission was tabled last year, my Government has been diligently considering the many questions rising from it. My ministers have met with representatives of the municipalities concerned and have the benefit of the views of the official spokesmen on behalf of each of these municipalities. You will be asked at this session to consider legislation providing for the establishment of a central control of certain essential common services in the Greater Winnipeg area. The Licence and Registration Suspension Appeal Board has now begun its operations. You will be asked to consider changes in the Unsatisfied Judgment Fund and connected natters. My Government also proposes to extend the safety program to larger areas of the province. Arrangements are being made by the Manitoba Power Commission to distribute power to Churchill commencing in 1960. Under a recent decision of the Hydro-Electric Board which has been approved by my Ministers, 2nd immediate start will be made on the development of the Grand Rapids site on the Saskatchewan River approximately 50 miles north of Winnipeg. My Government has the assurance of the Board that the interest of residents in the area will be protected. This large and important hydro-electric project is estimated to cost more than 10 millions of dollars and will require five years for completion. It is the intention of the Board to schedule the work on this project so that initial generation and transmission of power to southern Manitoba may be achieved by the autumn of 1964 if the electrical needs of the province require it. My ministers regard as of the greatest importance the decision. to proceed With this great new project, not only for the purpose of providing an ample source of electrical energy but also as a stimulus for the development of our northern territories and of the resources of the lower Saskatchewan and upper Nelson basins. To ensure that the personal program of my Government may provide the most modern concepts and techniques, the first major revision of The Civil Service Act since 1948 will be placed before the Legislature. You will be asked to consider the capital appropriation which will be required for these and other purposes of the Hydro Electric Board, the Manitoba Power Commission and the Manitoba Telephone System. Estimates for the requirements for 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.