Jim's Member Statements - 1999
December 13, 1999
Private Members' Business:
Assiniboia Community Activities
I would like to bring all members'attention to a number of activities that I have recently attended within the Assiniboia constituency. Ness Middle School, Hedges School, Heritage Park Children's centre, Fairlane daycare centre and John Taylor Collegiate concerts have all just recently taken place. I was impressed by these activities. They had excellent student, staff, parent and community involvement. I must commend all those who have spent countless hours volunteering their time and talents in these and other endeavours.
These activities provide excellent opportunities for the growth of all our children. Studies have shown that most CEOs and community leaders have participated in extracurricular activities such as bands, sports teams, et cetera. These activities develop interpersonal skills, communication and teamwork skills which contribute greatly to our society. Our government supports these and other initiatives which help develop the youth of our country into adults.
Thank you very much to all those people who have spent countless hours in activities to make our society stronger.
December 8,1999
Private Members' Business:
Health Care
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring the attention of my honourable colleagues to the January 4, 1999, commentary from the Winnipeg Sun. As so clearly stated in that column, Manitoba health-care planners can only be thinking about one thing as they grapple with the most recent emergency room crunch. Why did the Filmon government not proceed with plans in 1995 to open hundreds of new nursing beds?
The Tories promised voters during the 1995 provincial election to spend some $600 million on capital health care projects, including several hundred new personal care homes. Within months, the Filmon government scrapped the plan. Had the plan proceeded, there would have been some 200 to 300 more acute care beds available today, absorbing most of the influx of patients into hospitals. The main reason ERs are overcrowded today is because hospitals were forced to cut some 600 beds between 1992 and 1997 when their operating budgets were slashed by the province. The result: patients with acute illnesses like heart attacks or kidney failures regularly wait days in draughty hallways, with no privacy, before getting a bed.
During the 1995 election year, the province increased hospital funding slightly, by only about $2 million, but during the next two years, hospital funding was chopped by almost $70 million, a cut of almost 8 percent, while costs were rising. It is not as if the Filmon government had no money. The province socked away over $500 million in its rainy day fund over this period. Manitoba is going to need more personal care homes than originally projected because the number of people in this province that are getting older is growing quickly, especially in Assiniboia.
In closing, I ask my honourable colleagues to recognize the work and commitment of Minister Chomiak and the people in his department as they implement policies and measures to correct the penny-wise, pound-foolish policies of the previous government.
December 2, 1999
Private Members' Business:
Literacy Partners of Manitoba
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize a number of events that have occurred in our community. The first one is that the Literacy Partners of Manitoba had their annual general meeting in Winnipeg over the weekend, which I attended. This group has worked very, very hard over the last 12 years, bringing a lot of support for literacy instructors, material and a library for resources for those involved in literacy. They bring information and also conduct a lot of professional development sessions. This group has worked throughout the province, recognized and helped adult learners and children throughout the province learn how to read, write and do numeracy.
I would like to recognize Marg Rose, the executive director, and all the board members and, of course, the membership, the Literacy Partners, for a wonderful AGM and tireless efforts on behalf of a very important sector of our society.
I would also like to bring the members' attention to the efforts of the Grace Hospital volunteers. I attended their Breakfast with Santa, and it was great. There were about 500 people there. There were lots of grandchildren, parents, children having fun, lots of clowns from a number of community support groups. It was great. I was really particularly impressed that they raise over $150,000 a year on volunteer efforts on behalf of the community and for efforts in that regard. This money has been given for beds, equipment, and worthwhile causes in the hospital. So I would like to recognize that group.
I would also like to recognize the children's centres in Assiniboia, which I attended over the last few days. We have been doing a blitz of children's centres where we provide candy canes.
|
