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

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

PRAYERS

ADDRESS IN REPLY TO THE SPEECH FROM THE THRONE

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Ms. Bulte (Parkdale -- High Park), seconded by Mr. Drouin (Beauce), -- That the following Address be presented to His Excellency the Governor General of Canada:

To His Excellency the Right Honourable Roméo A. LeBlanc, a Member of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Chancellor and Principal Companion of the Order of Canada, Chancellor and Commander of the Order of Military Merit, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY:

We, Her Majesty's most loyal and dutiful subjects, the House of Commons of Canada, in Parliament assembled, beg leave to offer our humble thanks to Your Excellency for the gracious Speech which Your Excellency has addressed to both Houses of Parliament.

The debate continued.

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.

DAILY ROUTINE OF BUSINESS

Tabling of Documents

Pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), Mr. Speller (Haldimand -- Norfolk -- Brant) presented the report of the Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) concerning its participation at the 36th Canadian Regional Conference held in Regina, Saskatchewan, from July 12 to 18, 1997. -- Sessional Paper No. 8565-361-53.

Presenting Petitions

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

-- by Mr. Breitkreuz (Yorkton -- Melville), one concerning the Food and Drugs Act (No. 361-0040) and one concerning crimes of violence (No. 361-0041);

-- by Mr. Adams (Peterborough), two concerning the Food and Drugs Act (Nos. 361-0042 and 361-0043);

-- by Mr. Lee (Scarborough -- Rouge River), one concerning national unity (No. 361-0044).

ADDRESS IN REPLY TO THE SPEECH FROM THE THRONE

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Ms. Bulte (Parkdale -- High Park), seconded by Mr. Drouin (Beauce).

The debate continued.

At 2:44 p.m., by unanimous consent, the Deputy Speaker interrupted the proceedings, pursuant to Standing Order 50(8).

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

Mr. Boudria (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons), seconded by Mr. Gagliano (Minister of Public Works and Government Services), moved, -- That the Address be engrossed and presented to His Excellency the Governor General by the Speaker.

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. Cauchon (Secretary of State (Federal Office of Regional Development (Quebec))) -- Reports of the Federal Office of Regional Development (Québec) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997, pursuant to the Access to Information Act and to the Privacy Act, R.S. 1985, c. A-1 and P-21, sbs. 72(2). -- Sessional Paper No. 8561-361-328. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights)

-- by Mr. Collenette (Minister of Transport) -- Reports of the Department of Transport for the fiscal years ended March 31, 1995 and March 31, 1996, pursuant to the Access to Information Act and to the Privacy Act, R.S. 1985, c. A-1 and P-21, sbs. 72(2). -- Sessional Paper No. 8561-361-690. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights)

-- by Mr. Goodale (Minister of Natural Resources) -- Report of the Cape Breton Development Corporation for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 150(1). -- Sessional Paper No. 8560-361- 106. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Government Operations)

-- by Mr. Goodale (Minister of Natural Resources) -- Reports of the Canada -- Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997, pursuant to the Access to Information Act and to the Privacy Act, R.S. 1985, c. A-1 and P-21, sbs. 72(2). -- Sessional Paper No. 8561-361-378. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights)

-- by Mr. Goodale (Minister of Natural Resources) -- Report of the Canada -- Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum Board, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997, pursuant to the Canada -- Newfoundland Atlantic Accord Implementation Act, S. C. 1987, c. 3, sbs. 29(3). -- Sessional Paper No. 8560-361-505. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Government Operations)

-- by Mr. Goodale (Minister of Natural Resources) -- Reports of the Canada -- Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum Board for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997, pursuant to the Access to Information Act and to the Privacy Act, R.S. 1985, c. A-1 and P-21, sbs. 72(2). -- Sessional Paper No. 8561-361-556. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights)

-- by Mr. Goodale (Minister of Natural Resources) -- Report of the Canada -- Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997, pursuant to the Canada -- Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act, S. C. 1988, c. 28, sbs. 30(3). -- Sessional Paper No. 8560-361-586. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Government Operations)

-- by Mr. Goodale (Minister of Natural Resources) -- Reports of the Department of Natural Resources for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997, pursuant to the Access to Information Act and to the Privacy Act, R.S. 1985, c. A-1 and P-21, sbs. 72(2). -- Sessional Paper No. 8561-361-653. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights)

-- by Mr. Goodale (Minister of Natural Resources) -- Reports of the National Energy Board for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997, pursuant to the Access to Information Act and to the Privacy Act, R.S. 1985, c. A-1 and P-21, sbs. 72(2). -- Sessional Paper No. 8561-361-689. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights)

-- by Mr. Goodale (Minister of Natural Resources) -- Reports of the Atomic Energy Control Board for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997, pursuant to the Access to Information Act and to the Privacy Act, R.S. 1985, c. A-1 and P-21, sbs. 72(2). -- Sessional Paper No. 8561-361-707. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights)

-- by Mr. Martin (Minister of Finance) -- Reports of the Bank of Canada for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997, pursuant to the Access to Information Act, and to the Privacy Act, R.S. 1985, c. A-1 and P-21, sbs. 72(2). -- Sessional Paper No. 8561-361-684. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights)

-- by Mr. Martin (Minister of Finance) -- Report of the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997, pursuant to the Financial Institutions and Deposit Insurance System Amendment Act, R.S. 1985, c. 18 (3rd Supp.), s. 25. -- Sessional Paper No. 8560-361-535. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Finance)

ADJOURNMENT

At 2:45 p.m., the Deputy Speaker adjourned the House until Monday at 11:00 a.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).