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. 352-1506 and 352-1507 concerning impaired driving. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-352-73R;
2. Nos. 352-1508 to 352-1510 concerning sex offenders. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-352-2L;
3. No. 352-1514 concerning sexual orientation. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-352-45W;
4. No. 352-1515 concerning the nuclear industry. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-352-46E;
5. Nos. 352-1516 and 352-1517 concerning pornography. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-352-124D;
6. No. 352-1523 concerning the Criminal code of Canada. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-352-15M.

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

• by Mr. McGuire (Egmont), one concerning child poverty (No. 352-1745) and one concerning the highway system (No. 352-1746);
• by Mr. Taylor (The Battlefords–Meadow Lake), one concerning the highway system (No. 352-1747);
• by Mr. Williams (St. Albert), one concerning the highway system (No. 352-1748);
• by Mr. Adams (Peterborough), one concerning taxes on books (No. 352-1749) and one concerning rural communities (No. 352-1750);
• by Ms. Catterall (Ottawa West), two concerning the highway system (Nos. 352-1751 and 352-1752);
• by Mr. O’Reilly (Victoria–Haliburton), one concerning national unity (No. 352-1753);
• by Mr. Harper (Simcoe Centre), one concerning the sexual exploitation of minors (No. 352-1754);
• by Mr. Robinson (Burnaby–Kingsway), eight concerning the Canada Post Corporation (Nos. 352-1755 to 352-1762), one concerning the tax on gasoline (No. 352-1763) and one concerning the nuclear industry (No. 352-1764).

The Order was read for the second reading and reference to the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food of Bill C–72, An Act to amend the Canadian Wheat Board Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts.

Pursuant to Standing Order 73(1), Mr. Chan (Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific)) for Mr. Goodale (Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food), seconded by Mr. Gerrard (Secretary of State (Science, Research and Development)(Western Economic Diversification)), moved, — That the Bill be referred forthwith to the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food.

Debate arose thereon.

The question was put on the motion and, pursuant to Standing Order 45, the recorded division was deferred until Wednesday, February 19, 1997, at the expiry of the time provided for Government Orders.

The Order was read for the second reading and reference to the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development of Bill C–79, An Act to permit certain modifications in the application of the Indian Act to bands that desire them.

Pursuant to Standing Order 73(1), Mr. Irwin (Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development), seconded by Mr. Gerrard (Secretary of State (Science, Research and Development)(Western Economic Diversification)), moved, — That the Bill be referred forthwith to the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development.

Debate arose thereon.

Pursuant to Standing Order 31, Members made statements.

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

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. Irwin (Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development), seconded by Mr. Gerrard (Secretary of State (Science, Research and Development)(Western Economic Diversification)), — That Bill C–79, An Act to permit certain modifications in the application of the Indian Act to bands that desire them, be referred forthwith to the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development.

The debate continued.

The question was put on the motion and, pursuant to Standing Order 45, the recorded division was deferred until Wednesday, February 19, 1997, at the expiry of the time provided for Government Orders.

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Ms. McLellan (Minister of Natural Resources), seconded by Mr. Robichaud (Secretary of State (Agriculture and Agri-Food, Fisheries and Oceans)), — That Bill C–23, An Act to establish the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and to make consequential amendments to other Acts, be now read a third time and do pass.

The debate continued.

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

Accordingly, the Bill was read the third time and passed.

At 4:19 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 4:35 p.m., the sitting resumed.

At 4:35 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 83(2), the House proceeded to the consideration of Ways and Means Motion No. 15 for the Budget presentation.

Mr. Martin (Minister of Finance), seconded by Mr. Gray (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Solicitor General of Canada), moved, — That this House approves in general the budgetary policy of the Government. (Ways and Means Proceedings No. 15)

Debate arose thereon.

Mr. Martin (Minister of Finance) laid upon the Table,

1. Notice of Ways and Means Motion to amend the Income Tax Act. — Sessional Paper No. 8570-352-15;
2. Notice of a Ways and Means Motion to amend the Excise Tax Act. — Sessional Paper No. 8570-352-16;
3. Notice of a Ways and Means Motion to amend the Customs Tariff. — Sessional Paper No. 8570-352-17;
4. Budget Speech. — Sessional Paper No. 8570-352-18;
5. Budget in Brief. — Sessional Paper No. 8570-352-18A;
6. Budget Plan. — Sessional Paper No. 8570-352-18B;
7. Tax Fairness. — Sessional Paper No. 8570-352-19;
8. Canada Foundation for Innovation. — Sessional Paper No. 8570-352-20;
9. Working together towards a National Child Benefit System. — Sessional Paper No. 8570-352-21;
10. The Government’s Jobs Strategy. — Sessional Paper No. 8570-352-22.

Pursuant to Standing Order 83(2), at the request of Mr. Martin (Minister of Finance), an Order of the Day was designated for the consideration of each of the Ways and Means motions, notice of which was laid upon the Table today.

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. Martin (Minister of Finance), seconded by Mr. Gray (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Solicitor General of Canada), — That this House approves in general the budgetary policy of the Government. (Ways and Means Proceedings No. 15)

The debate continued.

By unanimous consent, on motion of Mr. Martin (Minister of Finance), seconded by Mr. Gray (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Solicitor General of Canada), Bill C–83, An Act to provide borrowing authority for the fiscal year beginning on April 1, 1997, was introduced, read the first time, ordered to be printed and ordered for a second reading at the next sitting of the House.

Recommendation
(Pursuant to Standing Order 79(2))

His Excellency the Governor General recommends to the House of Commons the appropriation of public revenue under the circumstances, in the manner and for the purposes set out in a measure entitled “An Act to provide borrowing authority for the fiscal year beginning on April 1, 1997”.

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. Martin (Minister of Finance), seconded by Mr. Gray (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Solicitor General of Canada), — That this House approves in general the budgetary policy of the Government. (Ways and Means Proceedings No. 15)

The debate continued.

Mr. Loubier (Saint-Hyacinthe–Bagot), seconded by Mrs. Tremblay (Rimouski–Témiscouata), moved, — That the debate be now adjourned.

Pursuant to Standing Order 83(2), the motion was deemed adopted.

— ORDERED: That a Message be sent to the House of Commons to acquaint that House that the Senate has passed Bill C–53, An Act to amend the Prisons and Reformatories 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–57, An Act to amend the Bell Canada 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–270, An Act to amend the Financial Administration Act (session of Parliament), without amendment.

At 6:05 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 83(2), the Speaker adjourned the House until tomorrow at 2:00 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).