PRAYERS

QUESTION OF PRIVILEGE

A question of privilege is raised by Mr. Hart (Okanagan -- Similkameen -- Merritt) in relation to the actions of Mr. Jacob (Charlesbourg).

INTERRUPTION

At 10:42 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 11:20 a.m., the sitting resumed.

QUESTION OF PRIVILEGE

A question of privilege having been raised by Mr. Hart (Okanagan -- Similkameen -- Merritt) in relation to the actions of Mr. Jacob (Charlesbourg), the Speaker ruled that there was a prima facie case of privilege;

Whereupon, Mr. Hart (Okanagan -- Similkameen -- Merritt), seconded by Mr. Frazer (Saanich -- Gulf Islands), moved, -- Whereas the member for Charlesbourg, acting as the defence critic for the Bloc Quebecois and supported by the then Leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition, released a communique on the letterhead of the Office of the Leader of the Official Opposition on October 26,1 995 before the referendum in Quebec inviting all francophone members of the Canadian Armed Forces to join the Quebec military in the event of a "yes" vote supporting separation from Canada;

That in the opinion of this House, this action by the Hon. Member for Charlesbourg, and the then Leader of the Official Opposition should be viewed as seditious and offensive to this House and constitutes a Contempt of Parliament; and consequently, the House refer the matter to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs for examination.

Debate arose thereon.

Mr. Zed (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons), seconded by Mr. Boudria (Glengarry -- Prescott -- Russell), moved, -- That the debate now be adjourned.

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

(Division--Vote N^o 7)

YEAS-POUR

Members--Députés

-- Adams -- Alcock -- Allmand -- Assadourian -- Asselin -- Augustine -- Bachand -- Baker -- Bakopanos -- Barnes -- Bélisle -- Bellehumeur -- Bergeron -- Bernier --  (Gaspé) -- Bernier --  (Mégantic - Compton - Stanstead) -- Bertrand -- Bevilacqua -- Blondin-Andrew -- Bodnar -- Boudria -- Brien -- Brown --  (Oakville -- Milton) -- Bryden -- Campbell -- Canuel -- Cauchon -- Chamberlain -- Chan -- Chrétien --  (Frontenac) -- Clancy -- Cohen -- Collenette -- Collins -- Comuzzi -- Crawford -- Crête -- Culbert -- Dalphond-Guiral -- Daviault -- de Savoye -- Debien -- Deshaies -- DeVillers -- Dhaliwal -- Discepola -- Dromisky -- Dubé -- Duceppe -- Duhamel -- Dumas -- Dupuy -- Easter -- English -- Fewchuk -- Fillion -- Finestone -- Flis -- Fontana -- Gaffney -- Gagliano -- Gagnon --  (Bonaventure -- Îles-de-la-Madeleine) -- Gagnon --  (Québec) -- Gallaway -- Gauthier -- Gerrard -- Godin -- Goodale -- Graham -- Gray --  (Windsor West/Ouest) -- Guarnieri -- Guimond -- Harvard -- Hickey -- Hubbard -- Ianno -- Irwin -- Jackson -- Jacob -- Jordan -- Keyes -- Knutson -- Lalonde -- Landry -- Langlois -- Lastewka -- Laurin -- Lavigne --  (Beauharnois -- Salaberry) -- Lavigne --  (Verdun -- Saint-Paul) -- Lebel -- LeBlanc --  (Cape/Cap-Breton Highlands -- Canso) -- Leblanc --  (Longueuil) -- Lee -- Leroux --  (Richmond -- Wolfe) -- Leroux --  (Shefford) -- Loney -- Loubier -- MacAulay -- MacDonald -- Maloney -- Marchand -- Marchi -- Massé -- McCormick -- McGuire -- McKinnon -- McTeague -- McWhinney -- Ménard -- Mercier -- Milliken -- Mills --  (Broadview -- Greenwood) -- Mitchell -- Murphy -- Murray -- Nault -- Nunez -- Nunziata -- O'Brien -- O'Reilly -- Pagtakhan -- Paré -- Parrish -- Patry -- Peric -- Peters -- Peterson -- Phinney -- Picard --  (Drummond) -- Pickard --  (Essex -- Kent) -- Pillitteri -- Pomerleau -- Proud -- Reed -- Regan -- Richardson -- Rideout -- Ringuette-Maltais -- Robillard -- Rocheleau -- Sauvageau -- Scott --  (Fredericton -- York -- Sunbury) -- Shepherd -- Skoke -- Steckle -- Stewart --  (Brant) -- Stewart --  (Northumberland) -- Szabo -- Telegdi -- Terrana -- Thalheimer -- Torsney -- Ur -- Vanclief -- Venne -- Verran -- Volpe -- Walker -- Wappel -- Whelan -- Wood -- Young -- Zed -- 162

NAYS-CONTRE

Members--Députés

-- Abbott -- Ablonczy -- Althouse -- Axworthy --  (Saskatoon -- Clark's Crossing) -- Benoit -- Breitkreuz --  (Yorkton -- Melville) -- Chatters -- Cummins -- Duncan -- Epp -- Forseth -- Frazer -- Harper --  (Simcoe Centre) -- Hart -- Hayes -- Hermanson -- Hill --  (Macleod) -- Hill --  (Prince George -- Peace River) -- Hoeppner -- Johnston -- Manning -- Mayfield -- McClelland --  (Edmonton Southwest/Sud-Ouest) -- McLaughlin -- Meredith -- Morrison -- Penson -- Ramsay -- Riis -- Ringma -- Scott --  (Skeena) -- Silye -- Solberg -- Solomon -- Speaker -- Stinson -- Strahl -- Taylor -- White --  (North Vancouver) -- Williams -- 40

Paired Members--Députés Pairés

-- Caron -- Catterall -- Copps -- Eggleton -- Guay -- Kraft Sloan -- Lefebvre -- Lincoln -- Plamondon -- Tremblay --  (Rosemont)

DAILY ROUTINE OF BUSINESS

Tabling of Documents

Pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), Mr. Zed (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) Nos. 351-4103, 351-4108 and 351-4109 concerning abortion. -- Sessional Paper No. 8545-352-26B; (2) Nos. 351-4104 and 351-4118 concerning euthanasia. -- Sessional Paper No. 8545-352-19C; (3) Nos. 351-4117 and 351-4142 concerning the income tax system. -- Sessional Paper No. 8545-352-28; (4) No. 351-4135 concerning the Divorce Act. -- Sessional Paper No. 8545-352-27A; (5) Nos. 351-4140 and 351-4144 concerning the situation in Sri Lanka. -- Sessional Paper No. 8545-352-20A.

Presenting Reports from Committees

Mr. Zed (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons), from the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, presented the 6th Report of the Committee, which was as follows:

The Committee recommends, pursuant to Standing Order 104 and 114, the following change in the membership of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage:

O'Brien for Bertrand

The Committee also recommends, pursuant to Standing Order 104 and 114, that the following Members be added to the list of Associate Members of Standing Committees:

Canadian Heritage

Bertrand

Human Resources Development

Minna

Government Operations

Bélanger

The Committee further recommends, that the name of the following member be deleted from the list of Associate Members of the Standing Committee on Human Rights and the Status of Persons with Disabilities:

Bélanger

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

Introduction of Private Members' Bills

Pursuant to Standing Orders 68(2) and 69(1), on motion of Mr. Nunziata (York South -- Weston), seconded by Mr. Riis (Kamloops), Bill C-234, An Act to amend the Criminal Code, was introduced, read the first time and ordered to be printed.

Pursuant to Order made Monday, March 4, 1996, the Bill (previously Bill C-226, 1st Session, 35th Parliament) was deemed to have been read the second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs

Pursuant to Standing Orders 68(2) and 69(1), on motion of Mrs. Gagnon (Québec), seconded by Mr. Bellehumeur (Berthier -- Montcalm), Bill C-235, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (genital mutilation of female persons), was introduced, read the first time and ordered to be printed.

Pursuant to Order made Monday, March 4, 1996, the Bill (previously Bill C-277, 1st Session, 35th Parliament) was deemed to have been read the second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs

Motions

By unanimous consent, Mr. Zed (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons), seconded by Mr. Discepola (Parliamentary Secretary to the Solicitor General of Canada), moved, -- That the 6th 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.

Presenting Petitions

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

-- by Mr. Abbott (Kootenay East), one concerning the parole system (No. 352- 0140) and one concerning the tax on gasoline (No. 352-0141);

-- by Ms. Augustine (Etobicoke -- Lakeshore), three concerning nuclear and military exports (Nos. 352-0142 to 352-0144);

-- by Mr. Szabo (Mississauga South), one concerning the income tax system (No. 352-0145) and one concerning alcoholic beverages (No. 352-0146);

-- by Mr. Ianno (Trinity -- Spadina), one concerning sexual orientation (No. 352- 0147);

-- by Mr. Althouse (Mackenzie), one concerning the Young Offenders Act (No. 352-0148), one concerning the grains industry (No. 352-0149) and one concerning the public pension system (No. 352-0150);

-- by Mr. Riis (Kamloops), one concerning the parole system (No. 352-0151), one concerning the income tax system (No. 352-0152), one concerning employment (No. 352-0153) and one concerning sexual orientation (No. 352-0154).

GOVERNMENT ORDERS

The Order was read for the consideration of the Business of Supply.

Mr. Gauthier (Roberval), seconded by Mr. Loubier (Saint-Hyacinthe -- Bagot), moved -- That this House require the Minister of Human Resources Development to withdraw Bill C- 12, An Act respecting employment insurance in Canada, from the Order Paper immediately and go back to the drawing board, since this reform hits young people, women, seasonal workers and immigrants hard.

Debate arose thereon.

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.

GOVERNMENT ORDERS

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. Gauthier (Roberval), seconded by Mr. Loubier (Saint- Hyacinthe -- Bagot), in relation to the Business of Supply.

The debate continued.

Mrs. Brown (Calgary Southeast), seconded by Mr. Epp (Elk Island), moved the following amendment, -- That the motion be amended by deleting all the words after the words "drawing room".

Debate arose thereon.

MOTIONS

By unanimous consent, Mr. Zed (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons), seconded by Mr. Scott (Fredericton -- York -- Sunbury), moved, -- That, notwithstanding the Order made on Thursday, March 7, 1996, Vote 130 of the Main Estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1997, of the Department of Canadian Heritage, be withdrawn from the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage and be deemed referred to the Standing Committee on Government Operations;

And, that Vote 140 of the Main Estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1997, of the Department of Canadian Heritage, be withdrawn from the Standing Committee on Government Operations and be deemed referred to the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage.

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

By unanimous consent, Mr. Zed (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons), seconded by Mr. Scott (Fredericton -- York -- Sunbury), moved, -- That a Special Joint Committee of the Senate and the House of Commons be appointed to develop a Code of Conduct to guide Senators and Members of the House of Commons in reconciling their official responsibilities with their personal interests, including their dealings with lobbyists;

That seven Members of the Senate and fourteen Members of the House of Commons be the Members of the Committee, and the Members of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs be appointed to act on behalf of the House as Members of the said Committee;

That changes in the membership of the Committee on the part of the House of Commons be effective immediately after a notification signed by the member acting as the chief Whip of any recognized party has been filed with the clerk of the Committee;

That the Committee be directed to consult broadly and to review the approaches taken with respect to these issues in Canada and in other jurisdictions with comparable systems of government;

That evidence adduced in the First Session of the Thirty Fifth Parliament by the Special Joint Committee on a Code of Conduct be deemed to have been laid upon the Table and referred to the Committee;

That the Committee have the power to sit during sittings and adjournments of the House;

That the Committee have the power to report from time to time to send for persons, papers and records, and to print such papers and evidence as may be ordered by the Committee;

That the Committee have the power to retain the services of expert, professional, technical and clerical staff;

That quorum of the Committee be 11 Members whenever a vote, resolution or decision is taken, so long as both Houses are represented and that the Joint Chairpersons be authorized to hold meetings, to receive evidence and authorize the printing thereof, whenever six Members are present, so long as both Houses are represented;

That the Committee be empowered to appoint, from among its Members, such sub-committees as may be deemed advisable and to delegate to such sub-committees all or any of its power except the power to report to the Senate and House of Commons;

That the Committee be empowered to authorize television and radio broadcasting of any or all of its proceedings;

That the Committee make its final report no later than June 21, 1996;

That, notwithstanding usual practices, if the Senate is not sitting when the final report of the Committee is completed, the report may be deposited with the Clerk of the Senate and it shall thereupon be deemed to have been presented to that House; and

That a Message be sent to the Senate requesting that House to unite with this House for the above purpose, and to select, if the Senate deem advisable, Members to act on the proposed Special Joint Committee.

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

GOVERNMENT ORDERS

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. Gauthier (Roberval), seconded by Mr. Loubier (Saint- Hyacinthe -- Bagot), in relation to the Business of Supply;

And of the amendment of Mrs. Brown (Calgary Southeast), seconded by Mr. Epp (Elk Island).

The debate continued.

MOTIONS

By unanimous consent, it was ordered, -- That, the House continue to sit until no later than 8:00 p.m. for the purpose of considering the Business of Supply;

At which time the question shall be deemed to have been put on the amendment and a recorded division thereon demanded and deferred until Wednesday, March 13, 1996 at 6:30 p.m.

Provided that, during debate thereon, the Chair shall not accept any dilatory motions or quorum calls; and that no other motion shall be debated.

GOVERNMENT ORDERS

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. Gauthier (Roberval), seconded by Mr. Loubier (Saint- Hyacinthe -- Bagot), in relation to the Business of Supply;

And of the amendment of Mrs. Brown (Calgary Southeast), seconded by Mr. Epp (Elk Island).

The debate continued.

PROCEEDINGS ON ADJOURNMENT MOTION

At 6:40 p.m.,by unanimous consent, the question "That this House do now adjourn" was deemed to have been proposed.

After debate, by unanimous consent, the question was deemed withdrawn.

GOVERNMENT ORDERS

Pursuant to Order made earlier today, the House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. Gauthier (Roberval), seconded by Mr. Loubier (Saint-Hyacinthe -- Bagot), in relation to the Business of Supply;

And of the amendment of Mrs. Brown (Calgary Southeast), seconded by Mr. Epp (Elk Island).

The debate continued.

At 8:00 p.m., pursuant to Order made earlier today, the question was deemed put on the amendment and, a recorded division deemed requested and deferred until Wednesday, March 13, 1996, at 6:30p.m..

RETURNS AND REPORTS DEPOSITED WITH THE CLERK OF THE HOUSE

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

-- by Mr. Martin (Minister of Finance) -- Report of the Canadian International Trade Tribunal entitled "Request for Tariff Relief by Pelion Mountain Products Ltd. regarding dyed polyester fabric with a urethane coating" dated February 16, 1996, pursuant to the Canada-United States Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act, 1988, c. 65, sbs. 21(2). -- Sessional Paper No. 8560-352-572D. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Finance)

-- by Mr. Martin (Minister of Finance) -- Report of the Canadian International Trade Tribunal entitled "Request for Tariff Relief by Château Stores of Canada Ltd. regarding bouclé and mohair knitted fabrics" dated February 13, 1996, pursuant to the Canada-United States Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act, 1988, c. 65, sbs. 21(2). -- Sessional Paper No. 8560-352-572E. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Finance)

ADJOURNMENT

At 8:00 p.m., pursuant to Order made earlier today, the Speaker adjourned the House until tomorrow at 2:00 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).