PRAYERS

NATIONAL ANTHEM

STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

Pursuant to Standing Order 31, Members made statements.

ORAL QUESTIONS

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

DAILY ROUTINE OF BUSINESS

Tabling of documents

Pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), Mr. Milliken (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons) laid upon the Table, -- Government responses, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8), to the following petitions:

(1) No. 351-3969 concerning the Criminal Code of Canada. -- Sessional Paper No. 8545-351-142E;

(2) Nos. 351-3972 and 351-3973 concerning forestry. -- Sessional Paper No. 8545-351-145A;

(3) No. 351-3976 concerning the parole system. -- Sessional Paper No. 8545-351-1-10II;

(4) Nos. 351-3980 and 351-3991 concerning euthanasia. -- Sessional Paper No. 8545-351-50II;

(5) Nos. 351-3983 and 351-3999 concerning the Canadian Human Rights Act. -- Sessional Paper No. 8545-351-300;

(6) Nos. 351-3992 and 351-3994 concerning the Young Offenders Act. -- Sessional Paper No. 8545-351-9FF;

(7) Nos. 351-4000 to 351-4002 concerning abortion. -- Sessional Paper No. 8545-351-30UU.

Presenting reports from committees

Mr. Milliken (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons), from the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, presented the 104th Report of the Committee (electoral boundaries). -- Sessional Paper No. 8510-351-171.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Issues Nos. 52 and 53, which includes this Report) is tabled.

Mr. Milliken (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons), from the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, presented the 105th Report of the Committee, which was as follows:

The Committee recommends, pursuant to Standing Orders 104 and 114, the following change in the membership of the Standing Committee on Finance:

Benoit for Silye

The Committee also recommends, pursuant to Standing Orders 104 and 114, that the following Member be added to the list of Associate Members of the Standing Committee on Finance:

Silye

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Issue No. 53, which includes this Report) was tabled.

Mr. Milliken (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons), from the Special Joint Committee on a Code of Conduct, presented the 2nd Report of the Committee (name change in French). -- Sessional Paper No. 8510-351-172.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Issue No. 1, which includes this Report) was tabled.

Introduction of government bills

Pursuant to Standing Orders 68(2) and 69(1), on motion of Mr. Rock (Minister of Justice), seconded by Mr. Gagliano (Secretary of State (Parliamentary Affairs) and Deputy Leader of the Government in the House of Commons), Bill C-110, An Act respecting constitutional amendments, was introduced, read the first time, ordered to be printed and ordered for a second reading at the next sitting of the House.

Motions

By unanimous consent, Mr. Milliken (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons), seconded by Mr. Boudria (Glengarry -- Prescott -- Russell), moved, -- That the names of Stephen Harper and Ted White be added to the list of Associate Members of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs.

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

By unanimous consent, Mr. Milliken (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons), seconded by Mr. Boudria (Glengarry -- Prescott -- Russell), moved, -- That the 105th Report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, presented earlier today, be concurred in.

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

By unanimous consent, Mr. Milliken (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons), seconded by Ms. Catterall (Ottawa West), moved, -- That the 2nd Report of the Special Joint Committee on a Code of Conduct, presented earlier today, be concurred in.

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

By unanimous consent, it was ordered, -- That Government Business No. 22 be withdrawn.

Presenting petitions

Pursuant to Standing Order 36, a petition certified correct by the Clerk of Petitions was presented as follows:

-- by Mr. Szabo (Mississauga South), concerning the income tax system (No. 351-4088).

GOVERNMENT ORDERS

Mr. Chretien (Prime Minister), seconded by Ms. Copps (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Environment), moved, -- That

Whereas the people of Quebec have expressed the desire for recognition of Quebec's distinct society;

(1) the House recognize that Quebec is a distinct society within Canada;

(2) the House recognize that Quebec's distinct society includes its French-speaking majority, unique culture and civil law tradition;

(3) the House undertake to be guided by this reality;

(4) the House encourage all components of the legislative and executive branches of government to take note of this recognition and be guided in their conduct accordingly. (Government Business No. 26)

Debate arose thereon.

PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS

At 5:39 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 30(7), the House proceeded to the consideration of Private Members' Business.

The Order was read for the second reading and reference to the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development of Bill C-202, An Act to prohibit the export of water by interbasin transfers.

Mr. Riis (Kamloops), seconded by Mr. Solomon (Regina -- Lumsden), moved, -- That the Bill be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development.

Debate arose thereon.

Pursuant to Standing Order 96(1), the Order was dropped from the Order Paper.

MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE

A message was received from the Senate as follows:

ORDERED: That a Message be sent to the House of Commons to acquaint that House that the Senate has passed Bill C-61, An Act to establish a system of administrative monetary penalties for the enforcement of the Canada Agricultural Products Act, the Feeds Act, the Fertilizers Act, the Health of Animals Act, the Meat Inspection Act, the Pest Control Products Act, the Plant Protection Act and the Seeds Act, without amendment.

ADJOURNMENT

At 6:39 p.m., the Speaker adjourned the House until tomorrow at 10:00 a.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).