Legislative Assembly

now face the cost of setting up consolidated elementary schools, perhaps more than we are capable of financing. I believe that the federal government should take more responsibility in the cost of education as education is a federal matter and of na- tional importance. I am not suggesting that they should in any way direct or in- fluence what may be in each province in the way of curriculum, but at least they should give federal grants for the construction of schools. This was started under a former administration with the erection of vocational and technical schools in our province. That very man who was instrumental in inaugurating that program of capital assistance in the building of these schools is now suggesting that the federal government assist the provinces in capital grants for all schools in all provinces. I think this is an excellent idea.

Now, Mr. Speaker, after the election last spring, as I said, the wrecking crew went about its job. They fired so many men who were doing an excellent job in the services of our province, and my friends over there, you needn’t shake your head and laugh. Some of these people who were displaced, some of these peo le who were depending on this as a livelihood to support their families did not thin so. It was bad enough but I have always a sympathetic feeling. and I think all righteous citizens should. for the man who during the last World War gave up his service for the protection of our freedom. (Applause) And they fell by the wayside the same as the rest, without any favour, without any plea on their part. We had in our District four machine operators, everyone of them returned men, who performed excellent service during the last war. But I am going to speak about one person in particular a young man who enlisted here in his very early teens; as soon as he was able to get into the army. he went overseas and he fought the battles of our country val- iantly and well. He fought his way up through Sicily and Italy. God only knows that was tough going. He fought on the beaches of Normandy and on towards Berlin and in the process of it all he was wounded. He recovered, came back home and he found it hard to rehabilitate. It was one of the first things we did, to give this man a job on a machine, and I venture to say that I know of no one that ever complained about his services. He did an excellent job, as faithful as during the years of service during the war. He broke his back in the performance of his duties. But he was discharged too, Honourable Speaker, and cast away; they didn't worry about him. He has no job yet, he can’t leave home. They don’t worry about him, but when the snow conditions got tough they asked for his services then. Now I know within this House we have several returned men, several service men whom I have a great deal of respect for. There are two on the government side at least that I know, and I am sure that if they were aware of this they would not condone this action. If the Minis- ter of Highways was here now I know if I asked him to re-hire this man, I have every faith in the sympathy and the consideration that the Minister of Highways would give towards him. If this man applies for his job I hope you honourable men over there will at least be courteous enough to provide the opportunity for him to once again do a job for the people of this province. (Applause)

I intended to ask the Minister of Highways a question but he isn’t here, and the Premier of the Province isn’t here, and I will have to set it back. However, I believe the time has come that we should have some legislation in this province such that no man should be fired from his job who is doing a good service on account of his race, his colour, his creed, or his political affiliations. (Applause) There is one thing that I have advocated in this Assembly several times before and I can say that I had the co-operation of the former Minister of the Opposition who be- lieved that is now becoming a necessity, and that is the appointment of an Ombuds- man for this province for people who are unjustly treated and who will have a re- course to present their case and at least get justification. Many of the provinces of Canada are doing this. I believe Manitoba only recently appointed a Grievance Man. and I think it is desirable with a government that is composed highly of Commis- sions and civil servants who have no direct responsibility to the people. Any man should have a recourse of appeal to an Ombudsman.

The Honourable Minister of Highways in his address a night or two ago in the House, said that when he came to be Minister of Highways that this province was well over-committed. And yet at the same time he said that he approved sixty addi- tional miles of pavement. And yet he said that he was very conscientious of the fact that we should keep within the budget and pledged himself to keep within his budget. But in the very first year that he was Minister of Highways he asked for

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