Making Manitoba a Pet Friendly Province - Fluffy's Law - and the Rally 11:00 a.m. this Saturday, May 8 at the Manitoba Legislature

It is time to make Manitoba a Pet Friendly Province, to end the present discrimination against pet owners and to outlaw discriminatory no-pet clauses in those who are looking to live in an apartment.

A year ago, Larry and Lois Todd presented their situation in the Manitoba Legislature. As Larry pointed out in his presentation: "Animals, and pets in general, do provide a priceless component to the health and the well-being of persons of every age." And yet at the present time, all too often because landlords are allowed to discriminate against pet owners, many people when moving into an apartment in Manitoba today have to give up their pet. In Ontario, such a discriminatory approach is no longer possible because the Ontario government passes a law - Fluffy's Law which prevents Landlords from discriminating against pet owners.

In his speech to the Manitoba Legislature Committee a year ago, Larry Todd talked specifically about seniors who "by virtue of the fact that they are aging, experience many losses such as that of friends, family and general autonomy. Legislation to allow them the right to continue to live with a companion pet or pets will help lessen these losses in a significant way, support a better quality of life for them mentally, emotionally and spiritually and also reduce health-care costs in our province." Larry also talked about the "historic and moral obligation" to introduce and pass Fluffy's Law in Manitoba.

Lois Todd also spoke to the Legislative Committee she said: "Owning a pet is something that should not be taken away from people, especially when provisions can be made to protect the landlord. I believe this is a very positive thing for both sides."

In keeping with Larry and Lois Todd's presentation the Manitoba Liberal Party has stood up to the plate and has prepared and presented Bill 218 - Fluffy's Law to the Manitoba Legislature. It will end "no pet clauses" in apartment rental contracts. It will also provide for the ability of Landbords to provide "reasonable" rules for the standards of pet cleanliness and standards of pet behaviour. This legislation therefore provides for a reasonable balance which will enable many, many responsible pet owners to have pets when they move into an apartment. It will help the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being of Manitobans.

This Saturday there will be a rally at 11:00 a.m. at the Manitoba Legislature in support of Fluffy's Law. All are invited. And if you have a pet, please bring it along. Your pets are welcome too. This rally is being supported by the Winnipeg Humane Society and by the Manitoba Liberal Party. The Winnipeg Humane Society is a big supporter of Fluffy's Law, because they see, each year, thousands of pets come to them just because people are unable to take their pet with them into an apartment in Manitoba. Though there are some apartments which allow pets, they are all too few, and many, many people each year are forced to give up their pets and the companship of their pets.

Next Tuesday, at 10:00 a.m. Fluffy's Law will be presented for second reading at the Manitoba Legislature. Anyone who is interested in coming to watch in the gallery is welcome. Please call my office at the Manitoba Legislature (945-5194) and we will arrange gallery passes for you. If you are interested come early (at 9:00 a.m. to have refreshments). Come to room 169 in the Legislature and we will direct you to the room with refreshments.

For those who are interested, the full text of Bill 218, Fluffy's Law can be found at http://web2.gov.mb.ca/bills/39-4/b218e.php

A few additional notes on the health benefits of having a pet:

- Countless studies reveal the many emotional and physical health benefits of pet ownership. Pet owners are less lonely and report less stress, depression, isolation, and anxiety. Scientists in South Africa have conducted research which shows that a pet can serve as an anti-depressant, increasing the release of endorphins and other hormones tied to pleasure.

- A study of more than 5,400 people conducted by Australia's Baker Medical Research Institute found that pet owners had not only lower blood pressure, but also lower leves of blood cholesterol and triglycerides in comparison to the non-pet owners, reducing the risk of heart disease.

- Studies show that pet owners recover from surgery faster, have fewer doctor visits, and use pharmaceuticals less than non-pet owners. Studies conducted at Cambridge University in England and at the University of California at Los Angeles have also found that pet ownership corresponds to overall improved health and fewer medical care visits. Pet owners have also been found to have higher levels of fitness and activity.

Cost savings to government from increased pet ownership:

Since pet ownership means improved health for Manitobans, increased pet ownership translates into tremendous annual cost savings. With fewer ailments, fewer missed days from work, few doctors appointments and healthier citizens, our government can save millions of tax dollars each year. The immense public savings on health care when responsible pet owners are allowed to keep their pets should not be underestimated.

On-Line Gaming: The NDP is looking to Gamble on Manitoba's Future

Recently, the NDP have been considering introducing on-line gambling in Manitoba through Manitoba Lotteries. I don't think this development is by coincidence however. I believe that the NDP's desire to get into the online gaming business is so that they can bring in more revenue to address the huge deficit they have built up. Government run on-line gambling would offer online versions of casino games. Steve Ashton, NDP Minister responsible for Manitoba Lotteries says: "Clearly this is on the agenda."

I am personally opposed to the Manitoba government operating on-line gambling. On-line gambling is highly addictive, especially amongst young people. Government-run online gaming will increase the problem with addiction in Manitoba and ultimately increase the personal problems associated with gambling addictions some of which include drug abuse, theft, family breakups, and unemployment.

When you add in the additional costs associated with managing the social problems that arise from gambling addiction, the revenue from online gaming will nowhere near cover the cost to taxpayers. But as in many NDP ideas they only look at the very short term benefits and in this case the beenfit they are looking for is more money on their bottom line.

The NDP are horrible at looking at the big picture and long-term costs associated with their policies. They tend to make quick, poorly thought-out decisions that end up costing Manitobans more in the long run. Gambling is the perfect example: it may bring revenue in now but the costs to treat the results of addiction to gambling are spread out over many years and many budgets.

The NDP Minister of Finance is wrapping a nasty present in BITSA paper.

The NDP made the law in 2008, then this year they are acting outside the limits of this law, and now they want to change the law again to make their bad bahaviour legal.

In 2008, the NDP, even before the recession hit, realized that they were having monetary problems. Instead of working to improve their approach to money management, the NDP deceided they wanted to change the law so that their actions would be legitimate. The then Finance Minister Greg Selinger brought in legislation Bill 38, the Balanced Budget, Fiscal Management and Taxpayer Accountability Act. The bill's long title was designed to cover up the fact that it allowed for a convoluted approach to what is called a deficit in Manitoba. In fact, the bill was so bad that it is this bill which has allowed the NDP to call a $600 million deficit a "balanced budget". Clearly, if each of us operated our personal finances this way, we would soon be bankrupt.

But this was not enough. The NDP's financial management has got worse and worse. It is so bad that the loopholes in the 2008 Act are no longer big enough to allow the excesses of NDP mismangement to be called legal. Thus, this year, to allow for even worse financial managment the NDP have brought in more revisions to the Balanced Budget Legislation. They are doing this specifically because they are in more trouble than most people realize, and because if they did nothing the Premier and Cabinet Ministers would have to have their salaries reduced by 40% (the previous legislation was designed to make the Premier and Cabinet Ministers feel it in their own pockets if they made bad financial choices).

So, what have the NDP done? They have brought in the amendments to the Balanced Budget Legislation in a bill called the BITSA bill. This bill is designed to make a variety of taxation and other adjustments related to the budget. It was never designed to be the basis for changing the Balanced Budget legislation, or for protecting cabinet ministers salaries! In adding the most recent amendments to the BITSA bill, the NDP are trying to sneak it through with less controversy, and more speedily. They may get it through more speedily, but there will certainly be plenty of controversy. Putting the unpleasant amendments to Balanced Budget Legislation in the BITSA bill may provide a temporary cover. But just like most Canadians had not heard of "prorogue" before the national Conservatives misused the process, so Manitobans may all of a sudden be hearing a lot about BITSA.

Asian Heritage Month - Opening Ceremony

This afternoon, at the opening ceremonies for Asian Heritage Month in Winnipeg we were treated to a really good display of dancing, or martial arts and of singing.

In the top photo, Priyanka Mysore served as the Master of Ceremonies. Below, Philippine Martial Arts students who are members of the Sikiran Arnis Canada/Winnipeg Sikaran Arnis Academy (PCCM Branch) show off their skills.

Rapid Transit in Winnipeg and Jane's Walk

Saturday morning I joined others on Jane's Walk (named after Jane Jacobs), to see the route that the first stage of Rapid Transit will take. Paul Hesse and Thomas Novak served as excellent guides as we walked the route from the VIA Rail station to the Osborne Street underpass and beyond.

In top photo, Paul with his megaphone is talking about the development on Corydon Ave just north-east of the Masonic Temple. In the background you can see heavy equipment which is being used to prepare the area for the first Rapid Transit station.

The bottom photo shows the underpass being constructed where the Rapid Transit route will go under the CN line - just west of the Osborne Street underpass.

Dominique Maranan's painting and the Inaugural Ball of the Manitoba Council of Candian-Filipino Associations

Friday night this last week, I was at the Inaugural Ball of the Canadian-Filipino Associations. This was an important event because it brings together many associations to be able to work together and to speak with a unified voice.

An art competition was held and the art work of Dominque Maranan was chosen. It is very colourful, featuring the motto of the Association "One Voice, One Strength", the Philippine Flag and showing many Maple Leaves. In the photo, I am standing with Domique Maranan and she is holding her painting.