PRAYERS

NATIONAL ANTHEM

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 32(2), Mr. Adams (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:

-- No. 361-0718 concerning taxes on books. -- Sessional Paper No. 8545-361-3I;

-- No. 361-0719 concerning the income tax deduction for volunteer firefighters. -- Sessional Paper No. 8545-361-58A.

Introduction of Private Members' Bills

Pursuant to Standing Orders 68(2) and 69(1), on motion of Mr. White (North Vancouver), seconded by Mr. Breitkreuz (Yorkton -- Melville), Bill C-398, An Act to amend the Broadcasting Act (designation of cable channels), 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. White (North Vancouver), seconded by Mr. Breitkreuz (Yorkton -- Melville), Bill C-399, An Act to amend the Elections Act (appointment of election officers), 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. Assadourian (Brampton Centre), seconded by Mr. McKay (Scarborough East), Bill C-400, An Act to amend the Tobacco Act (substances contained in a tobacco product), 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. Shepherd (Durham), seconded by Mr. Alcock (Winnipeg South), Bill C-401, An Act to amend the Holidays Act (Flag Day) and to make consequential amendments to other Acts, was introduced, read the first time, ordered to be printed and ordered for a second reading at the next sitting of the House.

Presenting Petitions

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

-- by Ms. Carroll (Barrie -- Simcoe -- Bradford), one concerning nudity (No. 361-0872);

-- by Mr. Byrne (Humber -- St. Barbe -- Baie Verte), one concerning the Canada Labour Code (No. 361-0873);

-- by Mr. Szabo (Mississauga South), one concerning the income tax system (No. 361-0874).

NOTICES OF MOTIONS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF PAPERS

The Notices of Motions for the Production of Papers P-14, P-16 and P-17 were called and, pursuant to Standing Order 97(1), were transferred by the Clerk to the Order of "Notices of Motions (Papers)".

GOVERNMENT ORDERS

The Order was read for the second reading and reference to the Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Government Operations of Bill C-31, An Act respecting Canada Lands Surveyors.

Mr. Anderson (Minister of Fisheries and Oceans) for Mr. Goodale (Minister of Natural Resources), seconded by Ms. Robillard (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration), moved, -- That the Bill be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Government Operations.

Debate arose thereon.

QUORUM

The attention of the Speaker was drawn to the lack of a quorum and, fewer than 20 members having been counted, pursuant to Standing Order 29(3), the bells were rung to call in the Members.

After one minute, a quorum was found.

GOVERNMENT ORDERS

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. Goodale (Minister of Natural Resources), seconded by Ms. Robillard (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration), -- That Bill C-31, An Act respecting Canada Lands Surveyors be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Government Operations.

The debate continued.

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

Accordingly, the Bill was read the second time and, by unanimous consent, referred to a Committee of the Whole.

The Committee considered the Bill and reported it without amendment.

Pursuant to Standing Order 76.1(12), Ms. Robillard (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration) for Mr. Goodale (Minister of Natural Resources), seconded by Mr. Scott (Solicitor General of Canada), moved, -- That Bill C-31, An Act respecting Canada Lands Surveyors, be concurred in at report stage.

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

Accordingly, the Bill was concurred in at report stage.

By unanimous consent, Ms. Robillard (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration) for Mr. Goodale (Minister of Natural Resources), seconded by Mr. Scott (Solicitor General of Canada), moved, -- That the Bill be now read a third time and do pass.

Debate arose thereon.

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

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

PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS

At 4:36 p.m., by unanimous consent, the House proceeded to the consideration of Private Members' Business.

The Order was read for the second reading and reference to the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage of Bill C-369, An Act to amend the Holidays Act (Sir Wilfrid Laurier Day) and to make consequential amendments to other Acts.

Mr. Wilfert (Oak Ridges), seconded by Mr. Alcock (Winnipeg South), moved, -- That the Bill be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage.

Debate arose thereon.

Pursuant to Standing Order 96(1), the Order was dropped from the Order Paper.

MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE

A Message was 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 agreed to the amendments made by the House of Commons to Bill S-5, An Act to amend the Canada Evidence Act and the Criminal Code in respect of persons with disabilities, to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act in respect of persons with disabilities and other matters and to make consequential amendments to other Acts, without amendment.

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. Gagliano (Minister of Public Works and Government Services) -- Reports of the Royal Canadian Mint from April 1, 1997 to December 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. 8561-361-443A. (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 National Energy Board for the year ended December 31, 1997, pursuant to the National Energy Board Act, R. S. 1985, c. N-7, s. 133. -- Sessional Paper No. 8560-361-188. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Government Operations)

PETITIONS FILED WITH THE CLERK OF THE HOUSE

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

-- by Mr. Wappel (Scarborough Southwest), concerning the situation in Sri Lanka (No. 361-0875).

PROCEEDINGS ON ADJOURNMENT MOTION

At 5:34 p.m., by unanimous consent, the question "That this House do now adjourn" was deemed to have been proposed.

After debate, the question was deemed to have been adopted.

ADJOURNMENT

At 5:55 p.m., the Speaker adjourned the House until tomorrow at 10:00 a.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).