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. No. 351-4110 concerning the situation in Sri Lanka. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-352-20;
2. Nos. 351-4111 and 351-4137 concerning the Canadian Human Rights Act. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-352-21;
3. No. 351-4112 concerning sentences in the Criminal Code. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-352-22;
4. No. 351-4113 concerning the Canadian Armed Forces. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-352-23;
5. Nos. 351-4114 and 351-4126 concerning hormone use in livestock. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-352-14B;
6. Nos. 351-4131 and 351-4136 concerning gun control. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-352-16A;

Mr. Massé (President of the Treasury Board) laid upon the Table, — Document entitled “Getting Government Right — A Progress Report”, dated March 7, 1996. — Sessional Paper No. 8525-352-3.

Mr. Massé (President of the Treasury Board) laid upon the Table, — Document entitled “Program Expenditure Detail: A Profile of Departmental Spending”. — Sessional Paper No. 8520-352-1.

Pursuant to Standing Order 79(3), the Speaker read a Message from His Excellency the Governor General, presented by Mr. Massé (President of the Treasury Board).

Message on Estimates

His Excellency the Governor General transmits to the House of Commons the Main Estimates of sums required for the service of Canada for the fiscal year ending on March 31, 1997, and, in accordance with section 54 of the Constitution Act, 1867, recommends these Estimates to the House of Commons.

Mr. Massé (President of the Treasury Board) laid upon the Table, — Document entitled “1996-97 Estimates, Part II: The Main Estimates”. — Sessional Paper No. 8520-352-2.

Mr. Massé (President of the Treasury Board) laid upon the Table, — Document entitled “1996-97 Estimates, Part I: The Government Expenditure Plan and Highlights by Ministry”. — Sessional Paper No. 8520-352-3.

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

The Speaker laid upon the Table, — Document entitled “1996-97 Estimates for the House of Commons: Expenditure Plan”. — Sessional Paper No. 8520-352-4.

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 4th Report of the Committee, which was as follows:

The Committee recommends, pursuant to Standing Order 104(3), the following change in the membership of the Standing Joint Committee:

The Committee further recommends, pursuant to Standing Order 104(3), that the following member be added to the list of Associate Members of the Standing Joint Committee:

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

Pursuant to Standing Orders 68(2) and 69(1), on motion of Mr. Young (Minister of Human Resources Development), seconded by Mr. Massé (President of the Treasury Board), Bill C–11, An Act to establish the Department of Human Resources Development and to amend and repeal certain related Acts, was introduced, read the first time and ordered to be printed.

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 establish the Department of Human Resources Development and to amend and repeal certain related Acts”.

Pursuant to Order made Monday, March 4, 1996, the Bill (previously Bill C–96, 1st Session, 35th Parliament) was deemed to have been read the second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Human Resources Development.

Pursuant to Standing Orders 68(2) and 69(1), on motion of Mr. Young (Minister of Human Resources Development), seconded by Mr. Massé (President of the Treasury Board), Bill C–12, An Act respecting employment insurance in Canada, was introduced, read the first time and ordered to be printed.

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 respecting employment insurance in Canada”.

Pursuant to Order made Monday, March 4, 1996, the Bill (previously Bill C–111, 1st Session, 35th Parliament) was deemed to have been referred to the Standing Committee on Human Resources Development before second reading.

Pursuant to Standing Orders 68(2) and 69(1), on motion of Mr. Mitchell (Parry Sound–Muskoka), seconded by Mr. Hubbard (Miramichi), Bill C–227, An Act to amend the Bell Canada Act (construction charges), 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 Mr. Hill (Prince George–Peace River), seconded by Mr. Strahl (Fraser Valley East), Bill C–228, An Act to amend the Young Offenders Act and to amend certain other Acts in consequence thereof, 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, it was ordered, — That the 4th Report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, presented earlier today, be concurred in.

Pursuant to Standing Order 81(6), Mr. Massé (President of the Treasury Board), seconded by Mr. Young (Minister of Human Resources Development), moved, — That the Main Estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1997, be referred to the several Standing Committees of the House, as follows:

1. to the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development

   Indian Affairs and Northern Development, Votes 1, 5, 10, 15, L20, L25, L30, 35, 40, 45 and 50

2. to the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food

   Agriculture and Agri-Food, Votes 1, 5, 10 and 15

3. to the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage

   Canadian Heritage, Votes 1, 5, 10, 15, L20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, 120, 125, 130 and 135

4. to the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration

   Citizenship and Immigration, Votes 1, 5, 10 and 15

5. to the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development

   Environment, Votes 1, 5, 10 and 15
   Privy Council, Vote 30

6. to the Standing Committee on Finance

   Finance, Votes 1, 5, L10, L15, 20, L25, 35 and 40
   National Revenue, Votes 1, 5 and 10

7. to the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans

   Fisheries and Oceans, Votes 1, 5 and 10

8. to the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade

   Foreign Affairs, Votes 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, L25, L30, 35, 40, 45 and 50
   Public Works and Government Services, Vote 40

9. to the Standing Committee on Government Operations

   Canadian Heritage, Vote 140
   Governor General, Vote 1
   Parliament, Vote 1
   Privy Council, Votes 1, 5, 10 and 35
   Public Works and Government Services, Votes 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35
   Treasury Board, Votes 1, 5, 10, 15 and 20

10. to the Standing Committee on Health

    Health, Votes 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30

11. to the Standing Committee on Human Resources Development

    Human Resources Development, Votes 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40

12. to the Standing Committee on Human Rights and the Status of Persons with Disabilities

    Justice, Vote 10

13. to the Standing Committee on Industry

    Industry, Votes 1, 5, L10, L15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, 120, 125 and 130

14. to the Standing Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs

    Justice, Votes 1, 5, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40
    Privy Council, Vote 40
    Solicitor General, Votes 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50

15. to the Standing Committee on National Defence and Veterans Affairs

    National Defence, Votes 1, 5 and 10
    Veterans Affairs, Votes 1, 5 and 10

16. to the Standing Committee on Natural Resources

    Natural Resources, Votes 1, 5, 10, L15, 20, 25 and 30

17. to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs

    Parliament, Vote 5
    Privy Council, Vote 20

18. to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts

    Finance, Vote 30

19. to the Standing Committee on Transport

    Privy Council, Vote 15
    Transport, Votes 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 and 45

20. to the Standing Joint Committee on the Library of Parliament

    Parliament, Vote 10

21. to the Standing Joint Committee on Official Languages

    Privy Council, Vote 25

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

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

• by Mr. Nunez (Bourassa), one concerning the tax on gasoline (No. 352-0111);
• by Mrs. Jennings (Mission–Coquitlam), one concerning the labelling of food products (No. 352-0112), three concerning the Divorce Act (Nos. 352-0113 to 352-0115) and one concerning the Young Offenders Act (No. 352-0116);
• by Mr. White (North Vancouver), one concerning the income tax system (No. 352-0117);
• by Mr. Szabo (Mississauga South), one concerning the income tax system (No. 352-0118), one concerning alcoholic beverages (No. 352-0119) and one concerning corporal punishment (No. 352-0120).

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. 1)

The debate continued.

Mr. Loubier (Saint-Hyacinthe–Bagot), seconded by Mr. Pomerleau (Anjou–Rivière-des-Prairies), moved the following amendment, — That the motion be amended by replacing all the words after the word “That” with the following:

“the budget statement by the Minister of Finance be rejected by this House because:

• it proposes no real job creation initiatives and does not reduce government spending, most notably the approximately $50 million appropriated annually to the Senate;
• it uses the Unemployment Insurance Fund surplus to reduce the budget deficit and reduces social transfers to the provinces;
• it undermines labour sponsored venture capital funds, such as the FTQ and CSN funds;
• it does not propose a transparent process for achieving genuine reform of corporate taxation, or an unequivocal determination to undertake such reform;
• it undermines the provinces’ fiscal autonomy;
• it eliminates subsidies to dairy producers without offering them adequate financial compensation;
• it jeopardizes women’s financial independence by adopting household income as the basis for determining seniors’ benefits.”

Debate arose thereon.

Mr. Grubel (Capilano–Howe Sound), seconded by Mr. Solberg (Medicine Hat), moved the following sub-amendment, — That the amendment be amended:

1. by adding after the word “Senate” the following:

   “and in particular, its impact on investor confidence results in these investors continuing to demand high interest rates on Canadian bonds, which delays economic recovery and normal job creation”; and

2. by adding after the words “transfers to provinces” the following:

   “and in particular, it does not offer Canadians a definite date within this government’s mandate in which the deficit is eliminated, and in which economic growth once again would make feasible discussions about tax cuts, debt reduction and the restoration of social program spending”.

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. Martin (Minister of Finance), seconded by Mr. Gray (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Solicitor General of Canada); (Ways and Means Proceedings No. 1)

And of the amendment of Mr. Loubier (Saint-Hyacinthe–Bagot), seconded by Mr. Pomerleau (Anjou–Rivière-des-Prairies);

And of the sub-amendment of Mr. Grubel (Capilano–Howe Sound), seconded by Mr. Solberg (Medicine Hat).

The debate continued.

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

Pursuant to Standing Order 36, a petition certified correct by the Clerk of Petitions was filed as follows:

• by Mr. Strahl (Fraser Valley East), concerning the tax on gasoline (No. 352-0121).

At 7:09 p.m., the Speaker adjourned the House until tomorrow at 10:00 a.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).