Province Législature Session Type de discours Date du discours Locuteur Fonction du locuteur Parti politique Manitoba 33e 1ère Discours du trône 8 mai 1986 Pearl McGonigal Lieutenant-gouverneur NPD Madam Speaker, and Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Manitoba: I am pleased to welcome you to the First Session of the Thirty-Third Legislature of the Province of Manitoba. I wish to extend a particular welcome to the Members who are sitting in this Legislature for the first time. Ours is a province with proud traditions and endless horizons. Manitobans believe in their province and have a vision for its future. It is a vision in which all Manitobans can participate; a vision that has room enough to provide benefits for all within our society; a vision where those who require assistance and encouragement, receive it fairly and with dignity. My Government shares this vision and calls on all Members of the House to work with Manitobans everywhere to make it a reality, to help all Manitobans realize their full potential. Over the course of this decade, Manitobans have accomplished much. Our economy is among the strongest in the nation. Our health, education and social services have been maintained and enhanced despite the worst international recession in fifty years. These achievements have brought a surge of renewed confidence and a new hope for the future we must, and will, build for our children and for future generations. The credit for economic prosperity and social progress belongs to thousands of dedicated women and men throughout the province. It reflects a shared commitment to our future by all sectors in our economy - by workers, farmers, business owners and managers. That same commitment and cooperation is the strength we must draw on as Manitobans continue to strive to meet their full potential and to meet the exciting challenges of the future. But the relative buoyancy of the Manitoba economy and the maintenance and development of social programs still present dilemmas of priorization among the burgeoning expectations of people. The vital responsibility for prudent expenditure management is emphasized by the reduced growth in federal transfer payments to Manitoba, coincident with a rise in the demands on government for human services. My Government will continue in its determination to protect and enhance the fabric of human programs in Manitoba. This protection and enhancement process will be inhibited severely in the future by changes in the federal-provincial sharing formula under the established programs financing arrangements. These factors will call for tough decisions by my government and a clear establishment of public priorities on expenditure and taxation. My Government's mandate is clear. It is a mandate to do all within its power to ensure that Manitoba continues to move towards the fulfilment of its potential and vision. My Government will do this by focusing its energies on the areas of greatest concern to Manitobans: • Job creation and economic development, • Agriculture and rural development, • Greater fairness and improved quality of life, and • The protection and promotion of Manitoba's aspirations and interests. This is my Government's clear mandate. It will be fulfilled. JOB CREATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT In recent years, Manitoba has had an unemployment rate among the lowest in Canada. For specific periods within those years, it has been the lowest. It is my Government's intention to strengthen its commitment to job creation as both a priority and fundamental goal. My Government rejects the notion that unemployment is a necessary evil in our post-industrial-age economy. For Manitobans, employment is essential for individual development and fulfilment. It is through such development and fulfilment of the individual that our families, communities, and ultimately our province, realize their potential. Nous devons tout mettre en oeuvre pour permettre aux jeunes du Manitoba de travailler et vivre convenablement dans leur province car c'est sur les rêves et les aspirations des jeunes d'aujourd'hui que s'ouvriront les portes du vingt-et-unième siècle. Mon gouvernement continuera de travailler dans un esprit de collaboration avec les entreprises, la main d'œuvre, le secteur coopératif, les groupes communautaires et les organisations de toute la province afin de créer et d'augmenter les possibilités d'emploi pour tous les Manitobains. Ours is a diverse economy with a strong and vibrant small business sector. Historically, this sector of our economy has been responsible for the creation of the majority of jobs in Manitoba. My Government's recognition of the importance of small business development to the growth and diversification of our economy has been reflected in several initiatives introduced during the last four years. That support will increase as part of my Government's continuing commitment to job creation. In this Session, Members will be asked to authorize the issuance of Manitoba Small Business Bonds to help provide affordable loans to encourage the establishment of new businesses and the expansion of small businesses which have already proved successful. My Ministers remain committed to negotiating an equitable Canada-Manitoba Industrial Development Agreement and related arrangements to rationalize federal and provincial support for small business. This and other matters related to the 1984 Canada-Manitoba Economic and Regional Development Agreement are expected to be discussed with the Minister of Regional Industrial Expansion at a bilateral meeting in Winnipeg later this year. Construction of the Limestone Generating Station, which began last summer, is well under way. More and more Manitobans will be working on Limestone in the coming months as the building of the powerhouse and spillway commences. Manitoba business participation in Limestone is at unprecedented levels meaning even more jobs for Manitobans. The same commitment to the planned and orderly development of our natural resources to the benefit of all Manitobans, that led to the success of Limestone and the Northern States Power sale, has resulted in three more export agreements with six utilities operating in the United States. Manitobans may now look forward to a decade of hydro development and to the long-term benefits of that development. In this Session, my Government will introduce legislation establishing the Manitoba Energy Foundation. The Foundation will receive 50 percent of the profits from these long-term export hydro sales, to be used for Manitoba investment in job creation, economic growth and social development. The remaining 50 percent of profits from electrical exports will remain with Manitoba Hydro to help ensure that Manitobans continue to enjoy the lowest electrical rates in North America. In addition to promoting new economic initiatives, it is my Government's intention to continue building on our economic strengths such as transportation. A resolution in support of the future of the Port of Churchill will be introduced. It will be a resolution recognizing the hard work by Manitobans to build that Port and calling on the Federal Government to share our confidence in those people and in the future of Churchill. My Government's commitment to job creation and economic development is a commitment to all men and women in Manitoba regardless of where they live, their ethnic or racial background, or their disabilities. This commitment will be the basis of all training and youth employment programs. Training programs will be designed with the needs of all Manitobans in mind. Special emphasis will be placed on removing the barriers that have made training accessibility difficult for the many unemployed or under-employed groups within our society. Consultations will take place on further initiatives to complement our province's highly successful Career-start Program. Members will also receive reports on the status of my Ministers' negotiations with the Government of Canada concerning a new National Training Agreement, including the implications for institutional training at our community colleges. Members will be asked to approve amendments to The Private Trade Schools Act. Other measures to support the province's long-term economic development include amendments to The Securities Act and to The Real Estate Brokers Act, along with modifications to the legislation governing credit unions and caisses populaires. AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT The family farm and rural Manitoba have long been fundamental components upon which the Manitoba economy and our society have been built. We look to the future knowing that in order to realize our vision for Manitoba, and for our province and all its people to reach full potential, strong rural communities and secure family farms are essential. This will be among my Government's primary priorities throughout this Session of the Legislature and its term in government. Manitoba farmers, like farmers across Canada, are increasingly becoming the victims of a cost-price squeeze, caught between rising production costs and falling commodity prices. Recently, the Federal Government extended a small helping hand to farmers in the form of a package of initiatives announced by the Prime Minister. However, more meaningful action is still required to address the national crisis in agriculture, particularly as it affects Western Canada. Because this is the responsibility of all governments, my Government commits itself to do all within its power to deal with this crisis and pledges to continue its efforts on the national scene to ensure that the Federal Government joins in this battle for the preservation of the family farm and rural communities. My Government will introduce new measures in support of the rural economy. Work will begin on the establishment of a Fund for Rural Development. Members will be asked to endorse two recently announced initiatives, namely, Farm Aid and Farm Start. Each of these initiatives stems from my Government's commitment to rural Manitoba, its people and its economy. Farm Aid will provide much needed support for viable farmers caught in short-term financial crisis. Farm Start will support young farmers looking to begin producing while offering retiring farmers greater economic security in their retirement. To this end, you will be asked to consider amendments to The Manitoba Agricultural Credit Corporation Act, as well as new legislation known as The Family Farm Protection Act. Later this month, the Premier of Manitoba will chair the 1986 Western Premiers' Conference in Swan River. The crisis in Canadian agriculture will be the subject of intensive discussion at the Swan River Conference. GREATER FAIRNESS AND IMPROVED QUALITY OF LIFE My Government will continue its efforts to help Manitobans shape a better quality of life through a more equitable society. We must continue to strive for a society where every individual has access to services and the support they require to be able to meet their full potential. We must continue to promote and encourage multiculturalism in Manitoba. Le Manitoba ne pourra se doter d'une société plus juste et offrir à ses habitants une vie meilleure que si chacun se sent en sécurité, que si chaque famille peut s'épanouir et chaque collectivité prospérer dans la fierté. Les soins de santé, les services sociaux et l'éducation, fondés sur le principe d'application universelle, demeurent essentiels à la réalisation de ces objectifs. Mon gouvernement adoptera un certain nombre de mesures qui viendront renforcer ces services, ainsi que d'autres, conçus pour faire du Manitoba une province ou il est possible de vivre mieux au sein d'une société plus juste. Manitoba enjoys among the best-quality health systems in North America. Maintaining and enhancing that system will be a major priority with my Government. The secure future of our health care system depends to a large extent on finding new and innovative ways to control ever increasing costs, while in no way diminishing either the quality or accessibility of the system. Expansion of home care services is one such approach. Manitoba has been the Canadian leader in the provision of home care services and my Ministers have committed themselves to expanding the Manitoba Home Care Program in the current fiscal years. Measures will be introduced to assist and support Manitobans requiring income assistance. My Government has announced its intention to double benefits under the Manitoba Supplement for Pensioners while, at the same time, making the benefits available to more Manitobans. Legislation will be introduced to remove municipal assistance liens to make the social assistance system fairer. My Government will continue its efforts toward social and economic equality for women. My Ministers are committed to both an increase in day care spaces in the current year and a medium-term plan for orderly expansion over a four-year period. Work with the Federal Government and the other provinces towards the development of an adequate national day care program, will continue. In cooperation with all sectors of the Manitoba economy, my Government is committed to advancing pay equity both in the public and private sectors and consultation will begin on the creation of new human resource centres providing support to Manitoba families in their communities. Planning is also under way to facilitate more equitable access to the benefits of life in our province for disabled citizens. Manitoba has been a leader among provinces in support of aboriginal constitutional reform. My Government will continue supporting and working with natives as they strive to fulfil their aspirations. My new Minister responsible for Native Affairs will have this matter as his main priority. Quality, affordable housing for Manitobans continues to be a major concern of my Government. Plans have been announced to introduce an innovative new housing program to assist in the purchase and renovation of older homes. The Manitoba of the future must be one of a clean and sound environment. A new ten-year River Renewal Program will focus, initially, on clean-up of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers and will complement existing and planned riverbank developments. Local governments are key players in any efforts to bring greater fairness and quality of life to Manitobans. The financing of those governments, including both urban municipalities and rural communities, is a matter of growing concern. Assessment reform will proceed, as will some changes to The City of Winnipeg Act. Amendments will also be proposed for The Local Authorities Election Act, The Municipal Act, and The Planning Act. Proposed revisions to The Public Schools and Liquor Control Acts will also deal with matters of interest to municipalities. My Government will continue to encourage and enrich our cultural and historical resources beginning with the proclamation on May 12th, Manitoba Day, of The Heritage Resources Act passed at the last Session. The promotion of multiculturalism and equality in Manitoba society will continue to be a major thrust of my Government. Crime prevention and support for the victims of crime will be priorities in the strengthening of our justice system. A Justice for Victims of Crime Act will be proposed at this Session. Steps will also be announced concerning the establishment of a Crime Prevention Centre designed to facilitate the work of local citizens' groups presently engaged in a variety of crime prevention programs. Because my Government believes the involvement of the community in the formulation and development of the laws is an important part of our democratic tradition, legislation will be introduced to create a Law Foundation for Manitoba. Improvements to laws and programming related to the family will continue and the Maintenance Enforcement Program will be expanded to ensure more effective enforcement in rural communities. Measures will be introduced to combat the growing incidence of the abuse of vulnerable persons in society, particularly the elderly. Amendments to The Trade Practices Inquiries Act strengthening the Government's ability to protect consumers from unfair prices, will be introduced. New environment and hazardous waste management legislation, is also planned. As a result of careful work of citizens' groups and individuals, the Government will introduce a second Charter Compliance Bill to bring further improvements to the province's legal regime. Fundamental to a fairer Manitoba and a fairer Canada, is the reform of the national tax system. A tax system that is fair to individual Canadians and to the various governments is essential to the long-term growth of individuals, institutions and services. Tax reform will be a major thrust of my Government on both the provincial and national levels. PROTECTION AND PROMOTION OF MANITOBA'S ASPIRATIONS AND INTERESTS My Government remains convinced that intergovernmental cooperation is a pre-requisite for effective action in dealing with provincial, national and international problems and challenges. Beginning this month with the Western Premiers' Conference, my Ministers will aggressively seek cooperation and support in the advancement of Manitoba's legitimate interests in such matters as agriculture, western transportation, international trade, and federal fiscal policy issues, such as, cutbacks in transfer payments, off-loading of federal expenditure responsibilities, and the urgent need for reform of the national tax system. My Government will pursue these interests and others important to Manitobans at all available federal-provincial forums. My Government shares the concern of many Manitobans regarding the possible establishment of a nuclear waste repository in the Red River Valley in North-western Minnesota. My Ministers will continue to work with the States of Minnesota and North Dakota to actively oppose these plans. CONCLUSION My Government believes the initiatives it will propose during this Session will help Manitobans move ever closer to realizing their individual potential and making their vision of the future a reality. They will mark the start of a new stage in the development of our province, but they will also reaffirm the basic principles for which my Government and the people of Manitoba stand. Building our future together is the only road to a better Manitoba for our children and for our future generations. Madam Speaker, Members of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba: Since October 1981, it has been my great honour to serve the people of this province as Her Majesty's representative. As my term as Lieutenant-Governor will be completed later this year, may I take this opportunity to express to this Assembly my sincere appreciation for your advice, assistance and courtesy. I wish you success as you carry out your demanding and challenging duties. May Divine Providence guide you in your deliberations.