Province Législature Session Type de discours Date du discours Locuteur Fonction du locuteur Parti politique Manitoba 34e 1ère Discours du trône 21 juillet 1988 George Johnson Lieutenant-gouverneur PC Mr. Speaker and Members of the Manitoba Legislature: I welcome you to the First Session of the Thirty-Fourth Legislature of the Province of Manitoba. The opening of a new Legislature and the beginning of a new Government provide an opportunity to take a fresh look at our province, to assess where we stand today and where we want to be in the future. My Government assumes office at a time when North America has enjoyed an unprecedented period of postwar economic expansion. The people of Manitoba have shared in the prosperity of the 1980s, but in the recent years the economic growth occurring elsewhere in the country has bypassed us. Manitobans are justly proud of the strength and diversity of our province. Our vast natural resources and the skills and ingenuity of our population are a winning combination, capable of the productive and rewarding development of those resources to provide meaningful jobs and a high quality of life for our citizens. Yet Manitobans are concerned that economic growth in recent years has relied upon an unhealthy and unsustainable level of public sector spending which has left a legacy of high debt and taxes and a growing burden of debt service costs. This legacy threatens our ability to fund the public program Manitobans want and deserve. It also threatens the investment and job creation potential of our economy which are essential to our continued prosperity. My Government is determined to meet the difficult challenges that lie ahead with a renewed spirit of openness and a willingness to listen. My Government's vision for Manitoba is simply stated: A competitive and diversified economy which will provide increased job opportunities for our citizens, and pay for quality health, education and social programs. Among the first of its initiatives, my Government will be introducing measures to provide more prudent and effective management within Government and Crown corporations. Programs will be implemented to encourage individual initiative and economic development. Better management and a stronger economy will permit my Government to employ additional resources to maintain and improve services to Manitobans. There are many social challenges facing Manitoba in the years ahead. My Ministers have developed policies to address many key areas of concern to Manitobans. Action will be taken to preserve and enhance our Medicare system. Initiatives will be presented to meet the challenge of educating and training Manitobans at all levels from basic literacy to post-graduate studies. Services to disadvantaged or vulnerable Manitobans will be protected and enhanced. Measures will be implemented to streamline and improve the administration of justice. Programs will be introduced to protect and develop our province's natural and cultural heritage. Finally, the emerging needs of our growing urban centres will be addressed. OPENNESS AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN GOVERNMENT As a new Government, my Ministers have the opportunity to implement changes in the approach to government as well as reforms to particular policies. In this spirit, my Ministers have advised me of their intentions to introduce policies and procedures to make this Government more open and accountable to the citizens of Manitoba. Since assuming office, my Ministers have been consulting broadly on matters of education policy, agriculture and resource conservation, economic development, local government and assessment reform, and social services reform. Those consultations will continue with individual Ministers taking lead roles in specific program areas. It is crucial that government reach out and listen to the concerns of Manitobans but open government means much more. Open government means keeping Manitobans fully informed and rendering public servants and politicians fully accountable. On September 30, 1988, my Government will take an important step towards a more open government by proclaiming The Freedom of Information Act. It has been three years since the Act was passed by Manitoba's Legislative Assembly and my Government will be proud to finally proclaim the legislation. To provide funding for an independent, province-wide voice for Manitoba's farmers, check-off legislation will be brought forward for the consideration of Members. To create a cooling-off period for former Ministers and senior officials, amendments will be introduced to The Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Conflict of Interest Act. The timing of this Session of the Legislature is another element of my Ministers' commitment to increased accountability in Government. For almost four months now my Government has required Special Warrants to meet its financial commitments. My Government believes that the people of Manitoba have the right through the Members of this House to examine and approve the Budget and Estimates of my Government at the earliest possible moment. You have been summoned to this early Session of the Legislature to establish quickly and without question the priority that must be given to financial responsibility. Crown corporations will also be expected to become more open and accountable. During this Session, amendments will be brought forward which will require the Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation and Manitoba Hydro to submit rate increases to the Public Utilities Board. All major Crown corporations will be required to publish quarterly financial statements. My Ministers also advise me that those Crown corporations no longer serving a useful public purpose and for which there are not sound public policy reasons for their continued existence will be wound down or transferred to the private sector. In keeping with its campaign commitments, my Government is now in the process of divesting Manfor and ManOil. The Public Investment Corporation of Manitoba will be wound down and replaced with a more simplified and a more effective structure for Crown accountability. FINANCIAL AND MANAGEMENT REFORMS My Government will present the Legislature with a Budget and Estimates of Expenditure and Revenue which will contribute to greater fiscal responsibility and sustained economic growth. A full accounting of the current fiscal circumstances of the province will be presented. Manitoba's budgetary deficit will be significantly reduced in 1988 from the unsustainable levels incurred for six years by the previous administration. Improvement in our current fiscal position must be maintained for several years in order for Manitoba's debt load to be reduced and for debt costs to decline as a proportion of provincial expenditures. By living within our means, my Government will be able to introduce measures to reduce the burden of taxation and strengthen the competitiveness of Manitoba industry. The first Budget of this administration will be delivered to this Assembly on August 8, 1988. By following a path of prudent management, my Government will keep expenditure growth under control while maintaining and improving health, education and social services. My Government is already implementing needed financial reforms. A comprehensive audit of provincial finances has been commissioned. A review of our foreign debt position is under way. Multi-year budgets will become a feature of the annual budget process. My Government contains significantly fewer Ministers than the previous administration. My Government will be more efficient while continuing to deliver important services to Manitobans. The plan adopted by my Ministers calls for streamlining our Government operations, eliminating duplication and reducing overhead costs. To this end, two significant departmental consolidations are already under way. The Department of Industry, Trade and Technology is being consolidated with Business Development and Tourism. The new Department of Industry, Trade and Tourism will become the province's lead department for economic development. The Department of Cooperative, Consumer and Corporate Affairs will combine the Department of Cooperative Development and the Department of Consumer and Corporate Affairs. This action will bring the provincial regulation of financial institutions under one department. My Ministers believe that the cooperative and credit union movements will be more effectively served through the new consolidated department. They have played and will continue to play a meaningful role in the development of our province. Departmental consolidations reflect a new commitment on the part of government to fiscal responsibility and service to Manitobans. BUILDING A STRONGER ECONOMY There are always many demands on government and many real needs that go unaddressed. Some of these needs can be met with resources provided through better management. However, in the long term, a strong and vibrant economy is required if government is to secure the revenues necessary for needed health and social programs. My Government is determined to establish an economic climate that will encourage risk and reward initiative. My Ministers believe the first step to achieving that goal is through the removal of disincentives and not through the creation of new grants and incentives. My Government will follow through on its commitment to undertake a phased removal of the payroll tax to reduce disincentives to job creation. Amendments will be introduced to restore balance to Manitoba's labour legislation. Protecting the rights of both workers and employers is essential to sound labour relations. Amendments will be proposed to the legislation governing final offer selection. Over the past several years the workers' compensation system has experienced many difficulties resulting in increased rates for employers and deteriorating services to workers. Reform of the workers' compensation system will ensure the needs of the workers of the Province of Manitoba are protected by a financially stable and administratively sound compensation system. A major component of our renewed thrust for economic development is the expansion of our tourism sector. Significant additions will be made to the Estimates to intensify our efforts at tourism marketing and to expand our efforts under the Federal/Provincial Tourism Agreement. Plans are in place to implement my Government's commitment to improve provincial highways, with Highway 75 receiving an immediate priority My Government is committed to making full use of our natural resources in Manitoba. My Ministers are working to attract energy-intensive industries to the province to ensure that our surplus hydro-electricity is used to benefit Manitobans through jobs and investment. Such energy-intensive projects, along with other major resource development undertakings, would expand our economic foundations. Northern Manitoba will play a key role in the economic development of our province in the years to come. In cooperation with northern communities, my Government will create a long-term development strategy to address the North's unique problems and challenges. The federal Government is expected to participate in an agreement to build transmission lines into isolated northern communities. That will make available, for the first time, hydro-electric power to several Native communities. Many of the opportunities my Government is pursuing to strengthen and diversify Manitoba's economy provide for federal Government involvement. My Government is committed to a more cooperative approach with the federal Government as we prepare to renegotiate the federal-provincial agreements which foster economic and regional development such as the Northern Development Agreement, the Mineral Development Agreement and other sectoral agreements. Further, to ensure Manitoba receives a fair share of federal contracts, and to establish a strong presence in the nation's capital, my Government will open a Manitoba office in Ottawa. Domestic and international trading links continue to provide a vital source of growth and opportunity for the Manitoba economy. My Government believes that there is much that can be done to promote the well-being of all Canadians by fostering interprovincial trade. Despite the difficult challenge of removing internal trade barriers and artificial provincial incentives, I am advised that there has been recent success in obtaining agreement in principle amongst all 10 provinces to join a National Red Meat Tripartite Plan for cattle, hogs and sheep. The implementation of a national tripartite plan creates a major opportunity for Manitoba producers to regain and build upon their traditional strong performance in this sector. Foreign trade is an increasingly important component of the Manitoba economy. Thousands of jobs in our manufacturing and service sectors are dependent on exports. Continued access to those markets is essential. My Government strongly supports bilateral and multilateral trade liberalization as a means to counter protectionism and to provide a basis for future economic growth and job creation within Manitoba. In the increasingly competitive international marketplace, research and development is essential for existing businesses to remain competitive and for the creation of new opportunities vital to Manitoba's future prosperity. My Government will continue to support Manitoba entrepreneurs with technology programs. Together with Manitoba businesses, universities and the research community, we will revitalize the Manitoba Research Council and encourage it to aggressively pursue the scientific and technological opportunities arising from the Canadian space program and other national initiatives. Manitoba can be a centre of research excellence. My Government is committed to pursuing, with the federal Government, their initiatives for establishing such centres to ensure that our province is prepared to meet the challenges of the coming century. Mes ministres sont conscients qu'un gouvernement responsable doit faire plus que de bien gérer l'économie et le régime fiscal. Ils rétabliront une gestion responsable dans le domaine des finances et encourageront l'essor économique afin de maintenir et d'améliorer les services sociaux offerts aux Manitobains. My Ministers recognize that responsible government means more than simply good fiscal and economic management. My Ministers will re-establish responsible financial management and encourage economic growth to protect and enhance the social services provided to Manitobans. MAINTAINING AND ENHANCING HEALTH CARE SERVICES My Government is committed to maintaining and enhancing high-quality health services for all Manitobans. We are moving towards a future of increasing demands and escalating costs in our health system. If we are to sustain the level of quality care expected by our citizens, we must be prepared to meet these challenges with new and innovative ideas on the provision of health care services. My Ministers recognize that government does not have all the answers to these challenges. A Health Advisory Network will be established to call upon the expertise of health care providers and lay people outside of government to address major policy issues and to assist in the development and implementation of improved health care services. During this Session, my Government will introduce initiatives in the areas of immediate concern building on the themes of innovation, affordability and sound management. My Government will work with industry and labour to undertake cooperative projects in the workplace focusing on the prevention and reduction of factors contributing to injury and disability. I am advised my Ministers will take a lead role in the improvement of provincial mental health services by ensuring that a coordinated approach is taken in the management of resources in the institutional and community mental health service sectors. A Hospital Program Review will be undertaken for the purpose of identifying centres of excellence and specialty leadership at the community hospital level. My Government will implement new and creative incentives to attract and retain physicians and other specialized health care professionals in rural Manitoba. Manitobans have expressed the view that the health care system should benefit from lottery revenues. Options for meeting this objective will be investigated. A major Needs Assessment Study is nearing completion. In support of my Government's commitment to AIDS education and prevention, additional resources will be made available to provide services across the province. My Government is implementing a series of initiatives to address the problems of chemical dependency and substance abuse. The western Premiers expressed their support for coordinated programs aimed at the very serious threat of youth drug and alcohol abuse. My Government will make additional resources available for education and prevention programming for young people. A prescription control program will be introduced to prevent the diversion of drugs to non-medical use. Additional resources for women will be provided for the expansion of education and non-residential treatment services at River House. EDUCATION My Government is committed to a course of action which will ensure that the strengths of Manitoba's education system are preserved and enhanced. At the same time, we will recognize the rights of all Manitobans to exercise choice in matters of education. My Government will take action on the pressing problem of illiteracy. A task force will be established to develop long-range strategies to address the literacy needs of Manitobans. Our objective is to have in place an effective response to illiteracy by 1990-91, the United Nations International Year of Literacy. My Government recently announced that the University of Manitoba Faculty of Dentistry, which was in danger of losing its accreditation, will receive a special provincial contribution of $3 million towards a complete revitalization of its facilities and equipment. The process of resolving the complex issues of educational finance, including property assessment and taxation, will continue in consultation with local governments. Mon gouvernement s'est engagé à consulter les parents, les enseignants et les administrateurs scolaires sur les importantes questions des études à domicile, des droits des parents et de la révision des programmes scolaires. My Government is also committed to consultations with parents, teachers and school administrators on the important issues of home schooling, parent rights and curriculum review. Independent schools are an accepted and vigorous option in the Manitoba educational system and will receive increased funding as my Government moves to enhance the educational opportunities for all Manitobans. IMPROVING SERVICES TO PEOPLE My Government will lay before the Legislature a series of initiatives to address the needs of disadvantaged and vulnerable Manitobans. Increased emphasis will be placed on providing support to victims of family and child abuse. A replacement facility for Osborne House is being planned and additional resources are being made available for the Child Protection Centre. The Women's Directorate has been mandated to develop a coordinated strategy for programs designed to assist women to overcome longstanding barriers that are clearly unacceptable. My Government will increase options in day care delivery to meet the changing needs of families in both urban and rural areas of the province. The number of day care spaces available to Manitobans will be increased in cooperation with the federal Government. Particular emphasis will be placed on developing workplace day care, providing additional training and upgrading for child care workers and introducing new programs and support for special needs children. A long-term child care strategy will be developed by a Day Care Task Force established to examine areas such as provision of day care to rural and part-time users, health and safety standards, guidelines on the reporting of child abuse and the qualifications and training of child care workers The Single Parent Job Access Program will be enhanced to allow single parents, most often women, to gain the skills necessary to allow them to participate as full and productive members of society. Employability enhancement programs will be expanded in cooperation with the Government of Canada to provide skills to Manitobans receiving social assistance who aspire to meaningful employment. My Government believes that the seniors of this province deserve recognition for their lifetime contributions to the economic, social and cultural life of our province. A Minister responsible for Seniors, has been designated to ensure that issues of concern to seniors are given the attention they deserve. My Government is planning specific measures to meet the challenges of an aging society, including the establishment of a comprehensive strategy to coordinate the delivery of health care services to seniors. A White Paper on Elderly Abuse will be released. REFORMING THE JUSTICE SYSTEM Reforms to reduce delays in the justice system while increasing its fairness and efficiency will be a priority of my Government. During this first term, measures will be taken to establish an integrated Ministry of Justice. Programs of crime prevention and justice for victims of crime will be given priority treatment. Steps will be taken to reduce dramatically the current backlog of criminal cases before our courts. Measures will be adopted to ensure that serious and repeat offenders are dealt with expeditiously. Amendments will be introduced to increase the limit for claims heard in Small Claims Court to $5,000 to ensure that individuals have access to the justice system without having to retain costly legal advice for minor matters. An independent Law Reform Commission is being re-established to ensure that the ongoing review of our laws and procedures will be impartial and responsive to the public needs. A Commission of Inquiry into the Administration of Justice and Aboriginal People in Manitoba has been confirmed. My Government supports the need for modern and progressive family law legislation and programs that will ensure that Manitoba continues to be a leader in this area. A pilot program to assist in the enforcement of Access Orders to encourage continued contact and support to children by the non-custodial Parent will be introduced and carefully monitored. My Government is also committed to the effective delivery of justice services to Manitobans in all regions. My Government will be taking steps to restore and strengthen rural policing services and other justice services throughout the province. Families can experience no greater tragedy than the unnecessary loss of life or injury caused by the irresponsibility of drunk drivers. My Government will move quickly to develop measures aimed at dealing with this senseless waste. CONSERVATION OF AGRICULTURAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES My Government is dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of our natural resources and is ever mindful of our responsibility to future generations of Manitobans. This summer's drought has been a persistent reminder to Manitobans and to all Canadians of our ultimate dependence on the natural environment. My Government recognizes the importance of our natural environment to the health and well-being of Manitobans and to both short- and long-term economic prosperity for the province. Our agricultural industry has suffered most from the drought. In cooperation with the federal Government and the other prairie provinces, my Government will continue its efforts to work with farmers and communities to ease this period of difficulty. My Government will also be pursuing comprehensive rural development policies such as the creation of off-farm income opportunities through diversification to ensure long-term stability in rural Manitoba. In addition, my Government will announce further action to help farmers meet the current challenge and protect the longer-term productive base of the Manitoba agriculture sector. My Government is committed to developing a comprehensive water strategy through broad consultations with Manitobans. Public input will be the key to the successful developments of practical policies to serve our long-term water needs. This strategy will be expected to identify water projects that will help alleviate water shortages in time of drought. My Ministers will be negotiating soil and water conservation programs with the federal Government as part of the commitment to the long-term vitality of the agricultural industry of Manitoba. To assist my Government in the preparation of a sustainable development strategy for Manitoba's natural resources, a Round Table on Environment and Economy will be established. My Ministers are also mindful of the strong support of local private sector groups for Manitoba as the location of a Centre for Sustainable Development. My Government will work closely with those groups to achieve this goal for Manitoba. RESPONDING TO THE URBAN CHALLENGE The Manitoba economy is characterized by strong and productive links between rural and urban communities. One of the main goals of economic policy in our province should be to strengthen those links and to ensure balanced growth in all regions. Just as our cities cannot prosper without a viable rural Manitoba, the reverse is also true. Economic development and diversification must also be encouraged in our capital city and other urban centres. In Winnipeg, my Government is committed to making the Forks Development a national showcase. An urban Native adjustment strategy focusing on economic and social issues will be developed in consultation with Native and municipal leaders and the federal Government. My Government will continue to offer and support programs aimed at encouraging non-profit housing. A special project is the development of a centre for the handicapped. The Members of the Legislature will be asked to consider amendments to The City of Winnipeg Act to improve the effectiveness of electoral representation. ENRICHING OUR CULTURAL HERITAGE There is more to the heritage we share than the conservation of our natural resources. Our history is about people. We have in Manitoba a vibrant and dynamic society in which diversity and creativity are valued and encouraged. Mon gouvernement appuie nos communautés ethnoculturelles et artistiques et travaillera en collaboration avec leurs représentants afin de recueillir leurs suggestions et d'améliorer ainsi les politiques et les programmes établis dans ce domaine. My Government supports our ethnocultural and artistic communities and will work with their Members to obtain their suggestions for the improvement of policies and programs. My Government recognizes the important role played by our cultural industries, not only in the artistic sense, but also in their major contribution to the provincial economy and as significant tourist attractions. Through the support of community initiatives such as the Winnipeg Fringe Festival, Spotlight'88/Women and the Arts, and the expansion of Folklorama, we are committed to providing a helping hand in the growth and development of these industries. THE 1987 CONSTITUTIONAL ACCORD With the beginning of the new Legislature, Manitobans have a unique opportunity to examine not only our direction as a province, but our role within Canada. Constitutional discussions have held a significant position in the national agenda throughout this decade. However, the achievement of patriating the Canadian Constitution remains marred by the failure to secure the inclusion of the Province of Quebec. L'Accord constitutionnel de 1987, qui fera du Canada une nation plus unie et plus forte et qui permettra la réforme du Sénat, a été approuvé par la Chambre des Communes et par l'Assemblée législative de huit provinces. La neuvième province, le Nouveau-Brunswick, a exprimé son intention de tenir des audiences publiques dès cet automne. The 1987 Constitutional Accord, through which we will have a more unified, stronger Canada and the opportunity for Senate reform, has been approved by resolutions of the House of Commons and by the Legislative Assemblies of eight provinces. The ninth province, New Brunswick, has announced its intention to begin public hearings on the Accord this fall. The previous administration committed the Manitoba Government to introduce the resolution in this House. My new administration will honour that commitment in this Session. In Manitoba, public hearings are guaranteed under the unique rules of this Assembly for any constitutional amendment. This basic guarantee was put in place to protect the democratic process and the interests of the people of Manitoba. My Government is committed to that hard-won process. LOOKING TO THE FUTURE When I began my Address, I spoke of the opportunity provided to a new government to re-examine and redirect the future of our province. In this Address, my Government has described a fresh and innovative approach to government, one that focuses on increased openness, accountability and responsibility. My Ministers will implement measures to strengthen accountability in our provincial finances as well as our Crown corporations. Members of the Legislature will have the opportunity in this Session to take concrete steps to remove barriers to future economic growth and job creation. By reducing waste and improving management, my Government will have additional resources for initiatives in health care, education, social services, justice and the protection of our natural and cultural resources. In short, my Government will live within its means while providing better services to Manitobans. Before I close, it is with great pleasure that I inform the Members of this Assembly that the new provincial government office building on Portage Avenue will be officially named the Walter Weir Building in honour of a former Premier of this province. I know that all Members of this Assembly will be pleased with this decision. 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. I leave you now to the faithful performance of your many duties and trust that in meeting them, you may have the guidance of Divine Providence in all your deliberations.