Pursuant to Standing Order 33(1), Mr. Ouellet (Minister of Foreign Affairs) made a statement.

By unanimous consent, Mr. Ouellet (Minister of Foreign Affairs) laid upon the Table — Copy of a letter from the United Nations concerning peacekeeping in Bosnia. — Sessional Paper No. 8525-351-38.

Pursuant to Standing Orders 68(2) and 69(1), on motion of Mr. MacAulay (Secretary of State (Veterans)) for Mr. Martin (Minister of Finance), seconded by Mr. Gray (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Solicitor General of Canada), Bill C–105, An Act to implement a convention between Canada and the Republic of Latvia, a convention between Canada and the Republic of Estonia, a convention between Canada and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and a protocol between Canada and the Republic of Hungary, for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income, was introduced, read the first time, ordered to be printed and ordered for a second reading at the next sitting of the House.

Pursuant to Standing Order 36, petitions certified correct by the Clerk of Petitions were presented as follows:

• by Mr. Szabo (Mississauga South), one concerning the income tax system (No. 351-3906);
• by Mr. Harper (Calgary West), one concerning Canadian Forces bases (No. 351-3907).

The Order was read for the second reading and reference to the Standing Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs of Bill C–78, An Act to provide for the establishment and operation of a program to enable certain persons to receive protection in relation to certain inquiries, investigations or prosecutions.

Mr. Gray (Solicitor General of Canada), seconded by Mr. Gagliano (Secretary of State (Parliamentary Affairs) and Deputy Leader of the Government in the House of Commons), moved, — That the Bill be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs.

Debate arose thereon.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to.

Accordingly, the Bill was read the second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs.

The Order was read for the consideration at report stage of Bill C–71, An Act to amend the Explosives Act, as reported by the Standing Committee on Natural Resources without amendment.

Mr. Goodale (Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food) for Ms. McLellan (Minister of Natural Resources), seconded by Mr. Marchi (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration), moved, — That the Bill be concurred in at report stage.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to.

Accordingly, the Bill was concurred in at report stage.

Pursuant to Standing Order 76.1(11), Mr. Goodale (Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food) for Ms. McLellan (Minister of Natural Resources), seconded by Mr. Marchi (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration), moved, — That the Bill be now read a third time and do pass.

Debate arose thereon.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to.

Accordingly, the Bill was read the third time and passed.

The Speaker laid upon the Table, — Report of the Auditor General of Canada to the House of Commons (Volume 2 — October 1995), pursuant to section 7(5) of the Auditor General Act, Chapter 32, Statutes of Canada, 1994. — Sessional Paper No. 8560-351-64C. (Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(d), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts)

Pursuant to Standing Order 31, Members made statements.

Pursuant to Standing Order 30(5), the House proceeded to Oral Questions.

By unanimous consent, it was ordered, — That four members of the Standing Committee on Human Rights and the Status of Disabled Persons be authorized to travel to Halifax, Nova Scotia, to attend the meeting of Provincial Disability Advisory Councils, October 17 and 18, 1995.

The Order was read for the third reading of Bill C–64, An Act respecting employment equity.

Mr. Axworthy (Minister of Human Resources Development), seconded by Ms. Copps (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Environment), moved, — That the Bill be now read a third time and do pass.

Debate arose thereon.

At 5:46 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 30(7), the House proceeded to the consideration of Private Members’ Business.

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. Szabo (Mississauga South), seconded by Mrs. Payne (St. John’s West), — That, in the opinion of this House, the government should consider the following initiatives for addressing the underground economy:

1. an enhanced information campaign to educate the public and to encourage their participation in addressing the problem;
2. a limited amnesty on interest and penalties otherwise payable when a taxpayer voluntarily declares income previously undeclared;
3. a tax credit to taxpayers on home improvements and renovations to provide an inducement to create the essential paper. trail and to serve as one of the primary vehicles for the information campaign. (Private Members’ Business M–382)

The debate continued.

At 6:32 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 93, the Speaker interrupted the proceedings.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on division.

At 6:33 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 38(1), the question “That this House do now adjourn” was deemed to have been proposed.

After debate, the question was deemed to have been adopted.

Pursuant to Standing Order 32(1), papers deposited with the Clerk of the House were laid upon the Table as follows:

At 6:47 p.m., the House adjourned until tomorrow at 10:00 a.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).