The Order was read for the second reading and reference to the Standing Committee on Finance of Bill C–17, An Act to amend certain statutes to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on February 22, 1994.

Mr. Eggleton (President of the Treasury Board), for Mr. Martin (Minister of Finance), seconded by Mr. Robichaud (Secretary of State (Parliamentary Affairs)), moved, — That the Bill be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Finance.

Debate arose thereon.

Pursuant to Standing Order 31, Members made statements.

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

Mr. Eggleton (President of the Treasury Board) laid upon the Table, — Report on Employment Equity in the Public Service for the fiscal year March 31, 1993, pursuant to section 11 of the Financial Administration Act, Chapter F–11, Revised Statutes of Canada, 1985. — Sessional Paper No. 8560-351-333. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Human Rights and the Status of Disabled Persons)

Mr. Peters (Secretary of State (International Financial Institutions)), laid upon the Table, — Notice of Ways and Means Motion to Amend the Excise Tax Act (5). (Ways and Means Proceedings No. 11) — Sessional Paper No. 8570-351-11.

Pursuant to Standing Order 83(2), at the request of Mr. Peters (Secretary of State (International Financial Institutions)), an Order of the Day was designated for consideration of this Ways and Means motion.

Pursuant to Standing Order 33(1), Mr. Eggleton (President of the Treasury Board) made a statement.

Mr. Milliken (Kingston and the Islands), from the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, presented the 13th Report of the Committee, which was as follows:

In accordance with its Order of Reference of Thursday, March 24, 1994, your Committee has considered Bill C–18, An Act to suspend the operation of the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act, and has agreed to report it without amendment.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings and Evidence (Issue No. 6 which includes this Report) is tabled.

Mr. Milliken (Kingston and the Islands), from the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, presented the 14th Report of the Committee, which was read as follows:

Your Committee recommends the following changes in the membership of Standing Committees:

Your Committee also recommends that the following Members be added to the list of Associate Members of Standing Committees:

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings and Evidence (Issue No. 6 which includes this Report) is tabled.

Mr. LeBlanc (Cape Breton Highlands–Canso), from the Standing Committee on Human Resources Development, presented the 1st Report of the Committee (Concerns and Priorities Regarding the Modernization and Restructuring of Canada’s Social Sys tem — Interim Report). — Sessional Paper No. 8510-351-4.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings and Evidence (Issues Nos. 1 to 11 which include this Report) was tabled.

Pursuant to Standing Orders 68(2) and 69(1), on motion of Mr. Peters (Secretary of State (International Financial Institutions)), for Mr. Young (Minister of Transport), seconded by Mr. Massé (President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada), Bill C–21, An Act to amend the Railway Safety Act, 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 Orders 68(2) and 69(1), on motion of Mrs. Jennings (Mission–Coquitlam), seconded by Mrs. Gaffney (Nepean), Bill C–232, An Act to amend the Divorce Act (granting of access to, or custody of, a child to a grandparent), was introduced, read the first time, ordered to be printed and ordered for a second reading at the next sitting of the House.

By unanimous consent, Mr. Milliken (Kingston and the Islands), seconded by Mr. Bodnar (Saskatoon–Dundurn), moved, — That the 14th 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, it was ordered, — That up to ten Members of the Standing Committee on Finance and up to ten staff be authorized to travel to Toronto, Winnipeg, Regina, Edmonton and Vancouver between April 10 and 16, 1994 and up to ten Members of the said committee and up to ten staff be authorized to travel to Québec, Fredericton, Halifax, St. John’s and Charlottetown between April 17 and 22, 1994.

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

• by Mr. Duhamel (St. Boniface), one concerning the income tax system (No. 351-0171);
• by Ms. Phinney (Hamilton Mountain), three concerning crimes of violence (Nos. 351-0172 to 351-0174);
• by Mr. Rideout (Moncton), one concerning the prayer in the House of Commons (No. 351-0175).

Debate resumed on the motion of Mr. Martin (Minister of Finance), seconded by Mr. Robichaud (Secretary of State (Parliamentary Affairs)), — That Bill C–17, An Act to amend certain statutes to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on February 22, 1994, be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Finance.

Mrs. Lalonde (Mercier), seconded by Mr. Dubé (Lévis), moved the following amendment, — That the motion be amended by deleting all the words after the word “That” and substituting the following:

“this House declines to give second reading to Bill C–17, An Act to amend certain statutes to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on February 22, 1994:

1. because the amendments to the Unemployment Insurance Act do not reduce the inequities between the rich and poor areas of the country and contain no specific measures for reducing unemployment among young people;
2. because the amendments to the Unemployment Insurance Act do not abrogate the increase in contributions by workers and businesses since January 1, 1994.”

Debate arose thereon.

At 1:46 p.m., pursuant to Standing Orders 33(2) and 30(6), 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 Public Accounts of Bill C–207, An Act to amend the Auditor General Act (reports).

Mr. Gauthier (Ottawa–Vanier), seconded by Mr. Milliken (Kingston and the Islands), moved, — That the Bill be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts

Debate arose thereon.

By unanimous consent, Mr. Gauthier (Ottawa–Vanier), laid upon the Table, — Letter concerning Bill C–207, An Act to amend the Auditor General Act. — Sessional Paper No. 8530-351-7.

Debate resumed on the motion of Mr. Gauthier (Ottawa–Vanier), seconded by Mr. Milliken (Kingston and the Islands), — That Bill C–207, An Act to amend the Auditor General Act (reports), be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts.

Pursuant to Standing Order 93, the time provided for consideration of Private Members’ Business expired and the Order was dropped to the bottom of the order of precedence on the Order Paper.

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

At 2:46 p.m., the Speaker adjourned the House until Monday, April 11, 1994, at 11:00 a.m., pursuant to Standing Orders 28(2) and 24(1).