Province Législature Session Type de discours Date du discours Locuteur Fonction du locuteur Parti politique Manitoba 29e 2e Discours du trône 12 mars 1970 William John McKeag Lieutenant-gouverneur NPD Mr. Speaker and members of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba: I have pleasure in welcoming you to the Second Session of the Twenty-ninth Legislature. I am pleased to note that the observance of the Centennial of our province if already well advanced. The ceremonies and community activities which have so far taken place show that our citizens wish to recognize our past and prepare to build a better Manitoba in our second century. We look forward to the visit this summer of Her Majesty the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Whales and Princess Anne, and express the hope that the Royal Family will see many of the various aspects of life in Manitoba and its several regions. As Manitoba celebrates its Centennial we grow increasingly conscious of our broader role in our nation and in the world. We are entering an era where, for the first time, solutions become possible to many classic socio-economic problems. New techniques of productions, distribution, management and administration have brought the potential of a material abundance that has no parallel in all of recorded history. My Ministers believe that the extent to which these techniques are used to reduce disparities and equalize opportunity will determine the success of government in solving the problems. My Ministers believe that at this time in our history we need to abandon old ideas, dogmas and traditions that have outlived their relevance and usefulness. In so doing we have a countervailing responsibility to seek new ideas and policies to supply the needs of our modern, rapidly changing society. My Ministers tell me that their long-range objective is to enhance political democracy and to make significant strides toward a greater degree of economic democracy. Realization of this objective will involve the bringing forward of new social and economic policies at this and successive sessions of the Legislative Assembly. At the last session of the Legislature, my Government began this task through undertaking to create more equity in the tax system by shifting approximately $24 million from flat rate premium taxation to that based on ability to pay. Although my Ministers recognize that there remain inequities in the present revenue collection system, they have decided that present conditions must be reviewed before new measures are implemented regarding further tax reform. Accordingly this legislative session will deal with those aspects of its program which will not require any substantial adjustment in the taxation system. The Government is currently studying the federal-provincial tax structure as it affects Manitoba. After a series of meetings of Finance Ministers, the report of the Federal-Provincial Tax Structure Committee has been made public. Its projections show that a fundamental imbalance exists and continues to worsen as regards the fiscal abilities of the federal government on the one hand and the provinces and municipalities on the other. There is need, therefore, that the Finance Ministers continue to meet in order to work out more satisfactory fiscal arrangements which will reverse the trend toward ever-growing deficits for provincial and municipal governments across the entire nation. The most recent Dominion-Provincial Conference on price instability recognized that the effects of inflation were being felt across the nation even though certain regions and provinces of the country were not the generating sources of inflationary pressure. There is also need for continued discussions with the Government of Canada relative to problems of regional economic disparities. We meet at a time when there is mounting uncertainty over the direction in which the economies of both Canada and the United States are moving. Certain anti-inflationary policies have already brought about recession in some sectors of our economy, and unemployment rates have begun to increase in comparison with conditions in recent years in most parts of the country. Despite certain setbacks and the need to exercise restraint in order to come to grips with the psychological effects of inflation, my Government looks forward to relatively good progress for Manitoba's economy in the coming year. My Ministers inform me that programs for economic and industrial development will be focused primarily on those areas in the province's economy which provide the greatest reward in terms of effective growth, productivity, and well-being for the citizens of Manitoba. The Government's program to encourage Regional Development Corporations will be extended to seven regions in the coming year covering all of Manitoba outside the Metropolitan Winnipeg area. You will be asked to consider legislation transforming the Manitoba Development Fund into the Manitoba Development Corporation, and also measures clarifying its powers and requirements for reporting information on its transactions to the Legislature and the public. My Ministers inform me that Manitoba Hydro reports substantial increase in the demand for electrical energy. Major additions to the transmission and distribution system will be made to meet increasing demands and to improve continuously the quality of service. My Ministers are reviewing The Manitoba Hydro Act in regard to the method used for setting and revising rates. My Ministers will also propose amendments to The Manitoba Hydro Act to clarify the position of this crown corporation with respect to the protection of resource values. The Manitoba Telephone System will install an additional 18,000 service units in the next fiscal year. Long distance traffic is expected to increase by 7% to nearly 17,000,000 calls. A healthy agriculture is still one of the pillars of our provincial economy. While questions of market and of prices are generally outside the provincial jurisdiction, my Government will propose measures to assist the industry through a difficult period of adjustment and low cash income, in the hope that these measures will give the agricultural industry a greater degree of flexibility in responding to cash income and marketing problems. My Government's recently introduced new agricultural credit program has been fully utilized by Manitoba farmers in just a few months. It intends now to follow through with additional new programs and legislation to assist farmers in the province to make the necessary adjustments to meet changing market conditions. My Government will undertake further measures to assist farmers to take advantage of opportunities in the livestock industry and will also establish regional veterinary clinics. A significant step forward will be taken through the introduction of a hail insurance program as a new and expanded supplement to the present crop insurance program. A major program of market intelligence and market development will be established. In addition a modern electronic mail-in farm accounting system will be made available to farmers to help them make the complex management decisions which confront them. In order to assist the people of Manitoba to preserve natural resources and maintain the productivity of our agricultural base, my Government informs me that it is necessary to introduce legislation whereby certain technical and financial assistance can be made available to municipalities who wish to undertake conservation programs. In recognition of the expanding role played by credit unions, my Government informs me that it will introduce legislation to provide the necessary framework for their further development. You will be asked to approve a major revision of The Crown Lands Act, a consolidation of legislation relating to water rights and water power, an extension of authority for the administration of water resources, and revisions of The Wildlife Act, The Predator Control Act, The Mineral Exploration and Assistance Act, and The Mining and Metallurgy Compensation Act. My Ministers have indicated a particular concern with the plight of citizens in isolated communities in Northern Manitoba. To this end the Northern Task Force has been vigorously fulfilling its responsibilities. My Ministers will desire to reconstitute that Task Force so that it may continue its deliberations. It is expected that the Task Force will ultimately present to the Legislature valuable suggestions relative to northern problems and northern development. It has already provided much useful material which my Ministers intend to act on at this session of the Legislature. In this regard my Ministers will be proposing as follows: 1. That the role of the Commissioner of Northern Affairs be clarified to make it clear that he is the servant rather than the director of the people in northern communities. 2. Legislation will be brought forward introducing in a formal way the concept of northern community councils which will be expected to have a much greater voice in the conduct of affairs in northern communities. 3. Provision will be made for ambulance services to remote northern communities. 4. Communication links with the rest of the telephone network will be provided for virtually all northern communities in Manitoba with a population of 50 persons or over during 1970. 5. A special program relative to medical services in the North will be instituted at Churchill, Manitoba. A systematic effort is being made by the province of Manitoba to bring about the orderly planning or infra-structure development in The Pas and the surrounding area including a number of smaller settlements and Indian Reserve Communities. I am informed that the Northern Task Force in the course of its work visited more than forty northern Manitoba communities, received written and verbal submissions from scores of northern residents and is in the process of preparing an interim report to this House. My Ministers inform me that an announcement will be made relative to an adjustment in the minimum wage during this session. Industrial relations are excellent in the province, reflecting good relations between labour and management and the effectiveness of the Government's conciliation services. The number of collective agreements negotiated during 1969 increased and, in the same period, the province had the lowest incidence in Canada of time lost from work stoppages. The Legislature will be asked to consider an extensive number of amendments to the province's labour legislation. These will include several changes intended to facilitate equitable relationships between employees and employers by improving collective bargaining procedures. Amendments to The Workmen's Compensation Act will be introduced to clarify and improve provisions respecting compensation for permanent partial disabilities. Changes will be made to The Civil Service Superannuation Fund Act and The Teachers' Retirement Fund Act to provide for improved retirement benefits. A new act to be known as The Fatalities Enquiries Act will be proposed to replace the present Coroners' Act. Among other changes the Act will set out new procedures with respect to the holding of inquests. My Government intends also to introduce legislation respecting security interests in personal property which will, among other matters, provide for central registration of such security interests. The legislation, to be known as The Personal Property Security Act, will also provide a codification of much of the law relating to personal property transactions, with some variations from existing law. My Ministers intend to establish a Law Reform Commission which will be charged with responsibility for continuing study and recommending updating and revision of provincial laws to government. All necessary arrangements for the operation of the office of Ombudsman have been made and my Ministers wish to confirm that this important service to the citizens of Manitoba will commence on April 1st of our Centennial Year. It is my Government's duty to see that betterment of the human condition for all individuals in society proceeds concurrently with economic progress. My Ministers believe that it is appropriate at this stage to enact legislation further guaranteeing civil rights and civil liberties. It is considered that such a legislative program is necessary as one of the steps towards the enhancement of our political democracy. At this session of the Legislature they will therefore introduce the following: 1. A Bill of Rights. 2. A bill to establish a Human Rights Commission and also to consolidate existing provisions for fair accommodation and fair employment practices. 3. New laws respecting the invasion of privacy. 4. A code of administrative practices setting out standard rules to be followed by government boards and commissions in the exercise of their jurisdiction. 5. A Criminal Injuries Compensation Act which will be a beginning towards the concept of compensating victims of the criminal acts of others. 6. Amendments to The Garnishment Act to prohibit garnishment of wages before judgment in the Court of Queen's Bench. 7. A new expropriation bill designed to protect the individual whose property is being taken in a compulsory way by the state. 8. A legislative guarantee that no employee shall be enjoined by court action to perform personal services for an employer. 9. A legislative guarantee that the right to freedom of speech shall not be enjoined against by court injunction. In this year of our Centennial, it is in the opinion of my Ministers, appropriate to recommend certain changes in legislation to make for greater recognition of the varied linguistic and cultural composition of our province. Accordingly an amendment to The Public Schools Act will be presented at this session whereby permissive legislation in the area of language rights and use as regards both official languages of Canada and other languages will be extended to the citizens of our province. In enhancing the character of Canadian citizenship and nationhood it is my Government's intention to assist the different minority partners in the Manitoba cultural mosaic in holding a congress. This will no doubt provide a forum where the different cultural groups in the province may express their views on measures needed to nourish and sustain their linguistic and cultural heritage. My Ministers express the hope that these measures will receive the support of all as being consistent with our desire to maintain the Canadian cultural mosaic in a free, plural and open society. My Government will introduce changes in legislation affecting automobile insurance in order to bring about greater benefit to Manitobans. Systematic reviews of automobile insurance in Manitoba and in other jurisdictions in recent years have found that greater equity and efficiency can be achieved. Steps will be taken to enlarge the borrowing authority of the Manitoba Housing and Renewal Corporation to enable it to assume its responsibilities to meet housing needs and to provide the Corporation with greater flexibility in dealing with the municipalities' needs and the requirements of Elderly Persons' Housing. The whole question of municipal assessment is of concern to the Government and the Legislature will be asked to cause the Standing Committee on Municipal Affairs to make a complete study of the subject. In the meantime legislation will be introduced dealing with specific problems pertaining to municipal assessment and taxation. My Government is applying itself to the problems associated with the structures of municipal government in Greater Winnipeg. In order to ensure that action may be facilitated during the next legislative session, my Ministers will propose legislation at this session suspending local government elections in Greater Winnipeg in 1970 so that the next elections in the fall of 1971 will be related to the new urban government structure. The provincial plan for the development of Tourism and Recreation is being formulated for implementation. Basic dimensions of this plan bearing on such matters as proximity of recreational facilities and established patterns of existing land and water resources use will be placed before you for consideration. As part of my Government's efforts to improve the quality and aesthetics of life, certain funds will be made available for the arts and the refinement of our sense of history. I am pleased to announce the opening of the Manitoba Museum of Man and Nature in July of this year. A study will be made of film censorship to determine whether statutory and administrative changes can be made that are more in line with the current thinking of our times. Larger appropriations will be sought for education generally including specific provisions for student financial aid, technical training assistance and for those who require special effort to overcome basic literacy skills and orientation handicaps. Steps will be taken to provide students 18 years or over with an equitable assistance program for their vocational and/or post-secondary education. My Ministers tell me that a program of construction of new Composite Schools to be located in Selkirk, Dauphin, Swan River and in Metropolitan Winnipeg is under way. This will require approval of new grants assisting the local school boards in the operation of those schools and in making their facilities available to pupils from other divisions. You will be asked to approve extension of the authority of the Public Schools Finance Board to permit it to carry on bulk buying where feasible in order to achieve economies in supply purchases. My Ministers will ask your approval of a new system of grants for children who have special learning problems and for the perceptually handicapped child. This new grant system is intended to permit school boards to have freedom to organize programs for these children in a more suitable way and to encourage their integration wherever possible. My Government intends to initiate public health measures that will emphasize even more the practice of preventative care in all its phases. Proposals will be outlined that will describe how my Government intends to proceed with the establishment of community health and social service centres in the local community. My Government will propose legislation to implement certain recommendations set forth in the Social Service Audit report. Because of increasing urgency to combat pollution and maintain a clean environment, it is my Government's intention to raise anti-pollution standards in Manitoba and to enact legislation to complement anticipated federal legislation. My Government will introduce a measure to enable it to assume administrative responsibility for all social assistance programs in the province. It is part of this new concept that administrative responsibility for health and social services will be further centralized while the delivery system for these services will be further decentralized. My Ministers inform me that for improved service to the public and for greater efficiency and economy they will seek your approval for a measure providing for the integration of the Manitoba Hospital Commission and the Manitoba Health Services Insurance Corporation under the authority of the Manitoba Health Services Commission. You will be asked to consider a measure relating to dental mechanics' services. Highway projects to be recommended will be selected with the safety of the travelling public in mind and with the view to bringing to northern Manitoba an adequate network of roads so badly needed to overcome problems of remoteness and to give access to resource development. The active participation of local residents of northern Manitoba in the highway construction program will be encouraged. Major expenditures on the highway and street construction requirements of Metropolitan Winnipeg and the other regions of the province will be sustained. Construction work on the Trans-Canada Highway will be carried forward to ensure the maximum utilization of funds available for that project and, in particular, so that those parts of the Trans-Canada east of Winnipeg and also west of Portage la Prairie with heavy traffic densities shall be upgraded. Since the last session of the Twenty-ninth Legislature, Members of the Legislative Assembly have been actively engaged in their work on a number of Legislative Standing and Special Committees. They have brought forward proposed revisions to The Landlord and Tenants' Act, The Municipal Act, The Local Authorities Election Act and other important legislative matters which will be presented to the House. My Ministers wish to record their appreciation of the work performed by such Honourable Members as have served on these Committees and on the Northern Task Force. In order to strive for the ideal in political democracy and electoral practices in particular, certain measures will be placed before you to make more effective provisions for the disclosure and limitation of election expenses and revenues. My Ministers will recommend that certain electoral reforms made in other jurisdictions be embodied, at least to a significant degree, in our Elections Act. My Ministers wish to express their appreciation of the loyalty, dedication and goodwill with which the public servants of the province carry out their duties. Their contribution to the public service is worthy of recognition. We meet at a time when many important economic indices are signalling that some basic adjustment is at work in the international, national and provincial economies, and we must be ready to respond quickly should recessionary trends set in. For this reason my Ministers inform me that the estimates of supply, current and capital, have been drawn up so that while restraint in spending is being exercised, nevertheless the capability to offset such trends through capital projects will remain open to them. These estimates for the requirements of the welfare and prosperity of the province in the next fiscal year and the accounts for the last fiscal year will be submitted for your consideration. In leaving you I pray that you may have the guidance of Divine Providence in your deliberations.