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

Mr. Leroux (Shefford), seconded by Mr. Jacob (Charlesbourg), moved, — That, in the opinion of this House, the government should commit itself to having full light shed on the events occurring before, during and after the deployment of Canadian troops to Somalia, by extending the mandate of the Commission of Inquiry until December 31, 1997.

Debate arose thereon.

Pursuant to Standing Order 31, Members made statements.

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

Mr. Peters (Secretary of State (International Financial Institutions)) laid upon the Table, — Document entitled “Measures to Enhance the Fairness of the Tax System”. — Sessional Paper No. 8525-352-15.

Pursuant to Standing Orders 68(2) and 69(1), on motion of Mr. Caccia (Davenport), seconded by Mr. Finlay (Oxford), Bill C–368, An Act to amend the Export Development 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 Order 36, petitions certified correct by the Clerk of Petitions were presented as follows:

• by Mr. Leroux (Richmond–Wolfe), one concerning the highway system (No. 352-1614);
• by Mr. Knutson (Elgin–Norfolk), one concerning abortion (No. 352-1615), one concerning the tax on gasoline (No. 352-1616) and one concerning the highway system (No. 352-1617);
• by Mr. Malhi (Bramalea–Gore–Malton), one concerning immigration (No. 352-1618) and one concerning gasoline pricing (No. 352-1619);
• by Mr. Harb (Ottawa Centre), one concerning the highway system (No. 352-1620);
• by Mr. Maloney (Erie), three concerning the highway system (Nos. 352-1621 to 352-1623), one concerning the tax on gasoline (No. 352-1624), one concerning sexual orientation (No. 352-1625), two concerning the tax system (Nos. 352-1626 and 352-1627) and one concerning the Canada-United States tax convention (No. 352-1628).

Mr. Gagliano (Minister of Labour and Deputy Leader of the Government in the House of Commons) gave notice of the intention to move a motion at the next sitting of the House, pursuant to Standing Order 78(3), for the purpose of allotting a specified number of days or hours for the consideration and disposal of the report stage and third reading stage of Bill C–70, An Act to amend the Excise Tax Act, the Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act, the Income Tax Act, the Debt Servicing and Reduction Account Act and related Acts.

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. Leroux (Shefford), seconded by Mr. Jacob (Charlesbourg), in relation to the Business of Supply.

The debate continued.

Mr. Frazer (Saanich–Gulf Islands), seconded by Mr. McClelland (Edmonton Southwest), moved the following amendment, — That the motion be amended by deleting all the words after the word “inquiry" and by adding the following:

“and directing the Commission to make its final report as soon as possible, but not later than December 31, 1997.”

Debate arose thereon.

At 1:15 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 81(16), the Speaker interrupted the proceedings.

The question was put on the amendment and, pursuant to Standing Order 45, the recorded division was deferred until Monday, February 10, 1997, at the ordinary hour of daily adjournment.

At 1:30 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 30(6), the House proceeded to the consideration of Private Members’ Business.

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. Harris (Prince George–Bulkley Valley), seconded by Mr. Ramsay (Crowfoot), — That, in the opinion of the House, the government should consider strengthening penalties in those sections of the Criminal Code which deal with impaired driving offences in order to: (a) enhance deterrence; and (b) bring the penalties into line with the seriousness of the offence. (Private Members’ Business M–78)

The debate continued.

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

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

At 2:16 p.m., the Speaker adjourned the House until Monday at 11:00 a.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).