The Clerk informed the House of the unavoidable absence of the Speaker.

Whereupon, Mr. Kilgour (Edmonton Southeast), Deputy Speaker and Chairman of Committees of the Whole, took the Chair, pursuant to subsection 43(1) of the Parliament of Canada Act.

PRAYERS

RECALL OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS

The Deputy Speaker informed the House that, pursuant to Standing Order 28(4), he has recalled the House today for the sole purpose of granting Royal Assent to certain Bills.

ROYAL ASSENT

The Deputy Speaker informed the House that the Honourable the Deputy Governor General will proceed to the Senate today at 6:30 p.m., for the purpose of giving the Royal Assent to certain Bills.

MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE

Messages were 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-45, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (judicial review of parole ineligibility) and another Act, without amendment.

-- ORDERED: That a Message be sent to the House of Commons to acquaint that House that the Senate has passed Bill C-63, An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act, the Parliament of Canada Act and the Referendum Act, without amendment.

ROYAL ASSENT

A Message was received from the Right Honourable Antonio Lamer, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, in his capacity as Deputy Governor General, desiring the immediate attendance of the House in the Senate.

Accordingly, the Deputy Speaker, with the House, proceeded to the Senate.

The Commons returned to the Chamber.

Whereupon, the Deputy Speaker reported that, when the Commons had been in the Senate, the Honourable the Deputy Governor General was pleased to give, in Her Majesty's name, the Royal Assent to the following Bills:

Bill C-26, An Act respecting the oceans of Canada -- Chapter No. 31;

Bill C-35, An Act to amend the Canada Labour Code (minimum wage)

-- Chapter No. 32;

Bill C-61, An Act to implement the Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement -- Chapter No. 33;

Bill C-45, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (judicial review of parole ineligibility) and another Act -- Chapter No. 34;

Bill C-63, An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act, the Parliament of Canada Act and the Referendum Act -- Chapter No. 35;

Bill C-347, An Act to change the names of certain electoral districts -- Chapter No. 36.

ADJOURNMENT

At 6:45 p.m., the Deputy Speaker adjourned the House until Monday, February 3, 1997, at 11:00 a.m., pursuant to Standing Orders 28(2) and 24(1).