The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
The second session of the 38th Manitoba Legislature adjourned Friday after passing Budget 2004 Ð a budget that is balanced and commits to paying down the debt with no planned draw from the Fiscal Stabilization Fund Ð as well as passing legislation that will make Manitoba the first province in Canada to adopt a provincewide smoking ban, targets organized crime, and dedicates all future gas and diesel tax revenue to Manitoba roads. "We remain committed to the priorities of Manitobans by improving health care and education, and enhancing public safety by taking action on crime," said Premier Gary Doer. "This year's budget keeps our promise to work within balanced budget legislation while dealing with a slowdown in national economic growth as well as a reduction of $104 million in federal funding for Manitoba health care. We continue to build for the future while meeting today's challenges." Doer said major accomplishments of the spring session include: strategic health care investments to address wait times, improve emergency room service and ensure an adequate supply of health care professionals; new infrastructure investments such as funding for significant new highways projects including the full twinning of the Perimeter Highway; support for growing industries through measures like extending and enhancing Manitoba's successful Film and Video Production Tax Credit; new opportunities for youth by creating a new graduate scholarship program and continuing the tuition freeze at colleges and universities, keeping tuition 10 per cent lower than 1999; new efficiencies with the merger of driver and vehicle licensing and Manitoba Public Insurance; and a continuation of personal income tax, property tax and business tax cuts that have totalled $385 million annually since 2000. See 'Canadian' P.# Con't from P.# The session included an ambitious legislative agenda that passed 51 public bills during the session. Legislation passed includes the following Canadian firsts: Bill 21, the Non-Smokers Health Protection Amendment Act, will make Manitoba the first province in Canada to adopt a provincewide smoking ban and positions Manitoba to set the standard for the nation. Bill 14, the Gas Tax Accountability Act, will dedicate all provincial road use gas and diesel taxes to Manitoba roads, highways and transportation systems and any new share of federal fuel taxes to municipal roads, highways and infrastructure. Bill 41, the Profits of Criminal Notoriety Act, will prevent criminals from profiting from both recounting their crimes and selling memorabilia by freezing and redirecting any profits back to the victims' families or victim programming. Bill 6, the Cross-Border Policing Act, will allow provincial or municipal police from other Canadian jurisdictions to be appointed as police officers in Manitoba for a limited time to allow for better cross-jurisdictional investigations, particularly investigations related to organized crime. Three bills, the Water Protection Act, the Planning Act and the Legal Aid Services Society of Manitoba Amendment Act, will be held over until the next session to provide for more debate and further public review and input. MLAs from all three parties also voted to accept the final Backman report on MLA pay and pension. The report freezes MLA pay for 2004-05 by rolling back an automatic 1.4 per cent pay increase awarded April 1. The report also gives MLAs the option to join a pension plan or remain with the current RRSP program Ð a recommendation which is revenue neutral to taxpayers. MLAs also passed a bill that refers future decisions on pay to an independent commission, with the findings binding on the legislature Ð thereby removing the necessity for MLAs to vote on their own compensation levels. The current legislative session began with a throne speech on Nov. 20, 2003. At the close of the session, members of the legislative assembly had effectively attended more than 105 house or committee sittings. The legislative assembly will resume on the following dates: Nov. 22 to Dec. 9, 2004; March 7 to 24, 2005; and April 11 to June 9, 2005. There are currently 34 New Democrats, 19 Progressive Conservatives, two Liberals and two vacant seats in the Manitoba legislature.
