REPORT FROM THE LEGISLATURE

Report From The Legislature- 12/09/2009

Report from the Legislature

By Larry Maguire, Critic for Infrastructure, Transportation, and Government Services

November 30^th was the first Throne Speech of the new NDP Premier – a chance to outline his view of where he’d like to see Manitoba go. This Throne Speech was presented by His Honour Philip Lee, the first Lieutenant Governor of Chinese ancestry in Manitoba’s history. On behalf of the citizens of Arthur-Virden, I personally congratulated him on his appointment made earlier this summer by Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

While there are some areas of agreement in this directive, I have concerns as well.

First, I agree with funds for a Police Helicopter as a start in tracking gang members and drug dealers in Winnipeg and therefore beyond. But as citizens are being lit on fire in their backyard or shot at a wedding more is needed.

As a harmonized sales tax is estimated to cost consumers $400 million, (ie. combining the PST and GST) we do not see it as feasible to implement this burden. The government agreed to this in the Throne Speech.

My concerns are with the fact that little focus was on rural issues – be it agriculture or health care. And while fiscal restraint is mentioned, Premier Selinger increased the size of his Cabinet by one; has now two Deputy Premiers – Wowchuk and Robinson – (the only province in Canada); as well as two members who are “liaisons” to report directly to the Premier. This at a time when they’ve directed areas of the Addictions Foundation to close over the Holidays putting some of our most vulnerable Manitobans at risk.

Two other major issues were implemented by the government this fall and a clear message of concern was sent by the Association of Manitoba Municipalities reeves, mayors, and councillors at their November A.G.M.

On September 28^th a policy was implemented to do away with sewage ejectors in all of Manitoba – not just along rivers, streams, and lakes – where it makes imminent sense. The new rule is that sewage ejectors must be replaced with a “field” or a “holding tank” – the latter from which sewage must be trucked to a lagoon. Former Conservation Minister, - now Agriculture Minister – Stan Struthers of Dauphin implemented this regulation (a non-debatable action). This action covers the whole province in spite of no science to back his blanket decision.    

The problem arises as this regulation now forces landowners to change from an ejector system to a field or tank either prior to the sale of the land or have up to two years to make this change after the sale. Either way, as pointed out at AMM’s convention, it is a direct cost to the landowner of up to $25,000 depending on work required. While everyone is concerned with keeping our water sources clean, it was not believed that this blanket approach with no scientific basis for how ejector systems deal with only grey water and not solids, was the best means to deal with this matter.

As we continue to debate the Throne Speech in this December sitting of the Legislature I want to take this opportunity to extend best wishes to everyone in Arthur-Virden for a Merry Christmas and all the Best in the New Year.