Education Minister Nancy Allan and MLA for Fort Garry/Riverview James Allum Are Given A Tour of the New Science Lab at Winnipeg’s Vincent Massey Collegiate

July 10, 2013

SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER AND CONSTRUCTION IS UNDERWAY ON NEW SCIENCE LABS FOR WINNIPEG HIGH SCHOOLS

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New Labs Giving Students Access to Latest Technology, Quality Education: Allan

School is out for the summer and work is underway to ensure that when students and teachers return in the fall, many will be learning in new science labs.  Construction is underway on 11 science labs in eight high schools across Winnipeg, Education Minister Nancy Allan said today as she toured the newly renovated science lab at Vincent Massey Collegiate.
“Our government knows these critical infrastructure projects provide students with high-quality learning opportunities that will inspire them to pursue careers in science and prepare them for challenging and rewarding jobs in the global economy,” said Allan.
The minister noted that design work is currently underway on a number of other Winnipeg science labs at Dakota and Glenlawn collegiates and newly renovated labs have already opened at Miles Macdonell, River East and Garden City collegiates.
The minister also noted that throughout the province, construction is underway on 19 labs in 14 schools.  Design work is underway on an additional 11 labs in nine schools and work has recently been completed on 16 labs in 11 schools, she said.
These projects are part of the government’sScience Education Action Plan.  The plan includes funding for science classroom renewal, teacher training and new strategic partnerships to promote provincial science programming.  The plan will ensure that high school students have access to the best labs and equipment, and are taught according to a continually updated science curriculum, the minister said.
The province is also providing an additional grant of $25,000 for each science lab renovation project to purchase state-of-the-art equipment, such as Smart Boards, iPads for student use, digital microscopes and self-contained ecosystem aquariums.
“Access to the latest technology supports teachers in providing our students with high-quality, engaging science education, which opens the wonder and mystery of the world of science,” said Allan.
Manitobans can visit the Science Education Action Plan website at: www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/cur/science/action_plan/index.html.

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BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Moment: December 11, 1931

Imperial Conference 1926. (L-R): Hon. Ernest Lapointe, Rt. Hon. W.L. Mackenzie King, Vincent Massey, Hon. Peter Larkin. Credit: Aitken Ltd. / Library and Archives Canada / C-001690

The Statute of Westminster is a momentous, yet often overlooked, occasion in Canadian history. Despite being granted the right to self-government in 1867, Canada did not enjoy full legal autonomy until the Statute was passed on December 11, 1931. This year marks the eightieth anniversary of the signing of the Statute of Westminster — Canada’s own declaration of independence.
The Statute of Westminster finds its origins at the Imperial Conference of 1926. Lord Balfour, Britain’s Foreign Minister, suggested that all Dominions be granted full autonomy in their legislations. This would establish equality amongst Britain and the Dominions. These nations included the Dominion of Canada, the colony of Newfoundland, the Commonwealth of Australia, the Dominion of New Zealand, the Union of South Africa, and the Irish Free State.
Prime Minister Mackenzie King and the head of the Department of External Affairs, O.D. Skelton, were determined to achieve autonomy for Canada. In 1929, Skelton attended the Conference on the Operation of Dominion Legislation in London. After two months of negotiations, recommendations were made that would set the resolutions made at the 1926 Imperial Conference in motion. In 1930, the issues were revisited and governments submitted terms of the future Statute to their Parliaments.
It was made clear under the Statute that each of the Dominions would have the right to choose which of the new resolutions it would accept, and which would be rejected in favour of past regulations. All but one of the Dominions chose to adopt every resolution and thus sever all legal ties to Britain; Canada was not fully prepared for complete independence. Government ministers were unable to agree upon a method which could be used to amend the Constitution, so it was decided that Britain would temporarily retain the power to do so. This remained in effect until the Constitution Act was passed in 1982.
Four years after Lord Balfour first suggested independence for the Dominions, negotiations were complete and the Statute of Westminster was signed on December 11, 1931. The act proclaimed that although the Dominions were to remain in allegiance with the Crown, each would be granted full legal autonomy. Britain and its now autonomous Dominions became known as the British Commonwealth of Nations.
Under the Statute, nations were granted the freedom to pass their own laws without the consent of British Parliament, and Britain was no longer able to void or alter laws made in its Dominions. Dominions were also free to amend and repeal their own laws, including ones already in existence. In addition, laws passed by the British government would no longer extend to the Dominions unless the Dominion wished to adopt it. The governments of each Dominion now held the power to build their own legislation without British interference.
It may not be as widely acknowledged as Confederation in its contribution to Canada’s independence, however the Statute of Westminster is arguably a more momentous occasion in Canada’s journey to sovereignty. The Statute granted Canada independence from British regulations and the freedom to pass, amend, and repeal laws within an autonomous legal system. Full autonomy gave the government the independence it needed to build a legislative foundation upon which Canada still stands today.