PRAYERS

VACANCIES

The House was informed that a vacancy had occurred in the representation in the House of Commons for the Electoral District of Windsor -- St. Clair, in the Province of Ontario, by reason of the death of Ms. Shaughnessy Cohen and, pursuant to subsection 28(1) of the Parliament of Canada Act, the Speaker addressed, on Thursday, December 10, 1998, his warrant to the Chief Electoral Officer for the issue of a writ for the election of a Member to fill the vacancy.

INTERRUPTION

At 10:31 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 10:44 a.m., the sitting resumed.

WAYS AND MEANS

Mr. Peterson (Secretary of State (International Financial Institutions)) laid upon the Table, -- Notice of a Ways and Means motion to amend the Excise Tax Act. (Ways and Means Proceedings No. 17) -- Sessional Paper No. 8570-361-18.

Pursuant to Standing Order 83(2), at the request of Mr. Peterson (Secretary of State (International Financial Institutions)), an Order of the Day was designated for the consideration of this Ways and Means motion.

Mr. Peterson (Secretary of State (International Financial Institutions)) laid upon the Table, -- Notice of a Ways and Means motion to amend the Income Tax Act and related Acts. (Ways and Means Proceedings No. 18) -- Sessional Paper No. 8570-361-19.

Pursuant to Standing Order 83(2), at the request of Mr. Peterson (Secretary of State (International Financial Institutions)), an Order of the Day was designated for the consideration of this Ways and Means motion.

DAILY ROUTINE OF BUSINESS

Tabling of Documents

Mr. Lastewka (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry) laid upon the Table, -- Report of Technology Partnerships Canada for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998. -- Sessional Paper No. 8560-361-203A.

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:

-- Nos. 361-1533, 361-1544, 361-1565, 361-1683 and 361-1722 concerning the Young Offenders Act. -- Sessional Paper No. 8545-361-45Q;

-- Nos. 361-1540, 361-1547, 361-1548, 361-1562, 361-1616, 361-1628 and 361-1693 concerning abortion. -- Sessional Paper No. 8545-361-60E;

-- Nos. 361-1563 and 361-1631 concerning immigration. -- Sessional Paper No. 8545-361-51H;

-- No. 361-1577 concerning cloning. -- Sessional Paper No. 8545-361-101;

-- No. 361-1610 concerning euthanasia. -- Sessional Paper No. 8545-361-20F;

-- Nos. 361-1715, 361-1753 and 361-1757 concerning the mistreatment of animals. -- Sessional Paper No. 8545-361-79C;

-- Nos. 361-1717, 361-1733, 361-1740, 361-1741, 361-1760, 361-1761 and 361-1792 concerning gun control. -- Sessional Paper No. 8545-361-67S;

-- No. 361-1720 concerning impaired driving. -- Sessional Paper No. 8545-361-32E;

-- Nos. 361-1723, 361-1724, 361-1725, 361-1726, 361-1730, 361-1731, 361-1735, 361-1737, 361-1738, 361-1742, 361-1743, 361-1749, 361-1755, 361-1756, 361-1763, 361-1770, 361-1771 and 361-1790 concerning marriage. -- Sessional Paper No. 8545-361-80L;

-- Nos. 361-1734 and 361-1748 concerning gasoline additives. -- Sessional Paper No. 8545-361-93F;

-- No. 361-1762 concerning the Divorce Act. -- Sessional Paper No. 8545-361-34E.

Presenting Reports from Inter-parliamentary Delegations

Pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), Ms. Bulte (Parkdale -- High Park) presented the Report of the Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) concerning its participation at the 44th Conference, held in New Zealand from October 16 to 23, 1998. -- Sessional Paper No. 8565-361-53G.

Pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), Ms. Bulte (Parkdale -- High Park) presented the Report of the Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) concerning its participation at the 21st Canadian Regional Seminar, held in Edmonton, Alberta, from November 20 to 22, 1998. -- Sessional Paper No. 8565-361-53H.

Pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), Mr. Maloney (Erie -- Lincoln) presented the Report of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum respecting its participation at the 6th General Assembly of the Asia- Pacific Parliamentarians' Conference on Environment and Development, held in Guilin, China, from October 14 to 18, 1998. -- Sessional Paper No. 8565-361-57E.

MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE

A Message was received from the Senate informing this House that the Senate has passed Bill S-20, An Act to amend the Act of incorporation of the Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation of Mackenzie, to which the concurrence of the House is desired.

Pursuant to Standing Order 135(2), the Bill was deemed to have been read the first time and ordered for a second reading at the next sitting of the House.

DAILY ROUTINE OF BUSINESS

Presenting Reports from Committees

Mr. Graham (Toronto Centre -- Rosedale), from the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade, presented the 7th Report of the Committee (Canada and the Nuclear Challenge: Reducing the political value of nuclear weapons for the twenty-first century). -- Sessional Paper No. 8510-361-125.

Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the government was requested by the Committee to table a comprehensive response.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meetings Nos. 22 to 24, 27, 32 to 35, 39, 54, 59, 61, 67, 74, 78 to 81 and 85) was tabled.

Mr. Gallaway (Sarnia -- Lambton), from the Special Joint Committee on Child Custody and Access, presented the 2nd Report of the Committee (For the Sake of the Children). -- Sessional Paper No. 8510-361-126.

Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the government was requested by the Committee to table a comprehensive response.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meeting No. 55) was tabled.

Mr. Provenzano (Sault Ste. Marie), from the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans, presented the 8th Report of the Committee (The Prince Edward Island Report). -- Sessional Paper No. 8510-361-127.

Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the government was requested by the Committee to table a comprehensive response.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meeting No. 61) was tabled.

Mr. Harvard (Charleswood St. James -- Assiniboine), from the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food, presented the 4th Report of the Committee (The Farm Income Crisis in Canada). -- Sessional Paper No. 8510-361-128.

Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the government was requested by the Committee to table a comprehensive response.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meetings Nos. 54, 55, 62, 64, 66, 67 and 69) was tabled.

Mr. Bevilacqua (Vaughan -- King -- Aurora), from the Standing Committee on Finance, presented the 12th Report of the Committee (Study of the Report of the Task Force on the Future of the Canadian Financial Services Sector). -- Sessional Paper No. 8510-361-129.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meetings Nos. 165 and 166) was tabled.

Mr. Bevilacqua (Vaughan -- King -- Aurora), from the Standing Committee on Finance, presented the 13th Report of the Committee (Bill C-59, An Act to amend the Insurance Companies Act, without amendment). -- Sessional Paper No. 8510-361-130.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meetings Nos. 166 and 167) was tabled.

Mr. Adams (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons), from the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, presented the 50th Report of the Committee, which was as follows:

The Committee recommends, pursuant to Standing Orders 104 and 114, that the following Members be added to the list of Associate Members of the Standing Committee on Human Resources Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities:

Eleni Bakopanos

Joe Jordan

Nancy Karetak-Lindell

Judi Longfield

Andy Scott

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings was tabled.

Mr. Adams (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons), from the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, presented the 51st Report of the Committee (The Business of Supply: Completing the circle of control). -- Sessional Paper No. 8510-361-131.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meeting No. 46) was tabled.

Introduction of Government Bills

Pursuant to Standing Orders 68(2) and 69(1), on motion of Ms. Copps (Minister of Canadian Heritage), seconded by Mr. Boudria (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons), Bill C-64, An Act to establish an indemnification program for travelling exhibitions, 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 establish an indemnification program for travelling exhibitions''.

Introduction of Private Members' Bills

Pursuant to Standing Orders 68(2) and 69(1), on motion of Mr. Kenney (Calgary Southeast), seconded by Mr. Epp (Elk Island), Bill C-466, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (exemption from taxation of 50% of U.S. social security payments to Canadian residents), was introduced, read the first time, ordered to be printed and ordered for a second reading at the next sitting of the House.

Motions

By unanimous consent, it was resolved, -- That this House express its dismay and sorrow concerning the recent religiously and ethnically motivated acts of violence in Indonesia; that this House take note of the devastating impact this cycle of brutality has had on the victims, including ethnic Chinese, Indonesians, Christians and Muslims; that given the multi-faith and multicultural nature of Indonesian society, this House call on all parties to do their part to bring an end to the violence and to uphold the spirit of the international convention on the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination, which the Indonesian government has promised to ratify; and that this House call on the Indonesian government to condemn these inhumane acts and take actions to ensure a better future for all Indonesians, regardless of their faith or ethnicity.

By unanimous consent, it was ordered, -- That Bill C-59, An Act to amend the Insurance Companies Act, be now concurred in at the report stage and read a second time and a third time and do pass.

Accordingly, the Bill was concurred in at the report stage and read a second time, and read a third time and passed.

By unanimous consent, Mr. Adams (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons), seconded by Mr. Lastewka (St. Catharines), moved, -- That the 50th Report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, presented earlier today, be concurred in.

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

By unanimous consent, it was ordered, -- That the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food be authorized to travel to Washington, D.C., in February 1999, except for the period between February 19 to 21, in order to conduct some pre-World Trade Organization negotiations on agriculture with their American counterparts for four days, and that four staff members do accompany the committee.

By unanimous consent, it was ordered, -- That the House shall not sit on Friday, December 11, 1998, provided that, for the purposes of Standing Orders 28 and 32(1), it shall be deemed to have sat and adjourned on that day.

Presenting Petitions

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

-- by Mr. Tremblay (Lac-Saint-Jean), one concerning the economy (No. 361-1883);

-- by Ms. Leung (Vancouver Kingsway), one concerning human rights in Indonesia (No. 361-1884);

-- by Mr. Blaikie (Winnipeg Transcona), nine concerning international trade (Nos. 361-1885 to 361-1893);

-- by Mr. Brien (Témiscamingue), one concerning the economy (No. 361-1894);

-- by Mr. Jackson (Bruce -- Grey), one concerning the nuclear industry (No. 361-1895);

-- by Ms. Bulte (Parkdale -- High Park), one concerning banks (No. 361-1896);

-- by Mr. Perron (Rivière-des-Mille-Îles), one concerning the economy (No. 361-1897);

-- by Mr. Morrison (Cypress Hills -- Grasslands), three concerning banks (Nos. 361-1898 to 361-1900) and one concerning government spending (No. 361-1901);

-- by Mr. Adams (Peterborough), two concerning the Canada Pension Plan (Nos. 361-1902 and 361-1903), two concerning impaired driving (Nos. 361-1904 and 361-1905) and one concerning veterans' affairs (No. 361-1906);

-- by Mr. Lastewka (St. Catharines), five concerning pornography (Nos. 361-1907 to 361-1911) and one concerning marriage (No. 361-1912);

-- by Mr. Forseth (New Westminster -- Coquitlam -- Burnaby), two concerning housing policy (Nos. 361-1913 and 361-1914);

-- by Mr. Szabo (Mississauga South), one concerning human rights in Indonesia (No. 361-1915).

Questions on Order Paper

Mr. Adams (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons) presented the answers to questions Q-32 and Q-145 on the Order Paper.

Pursuant to Standing Order 39(7), the following question was made an Order for Return:

Q-151 -- Mr. Muise (West Nova) -- With regards to Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) funding, will the Minister responsible for ACOA provide the following information: (a) a complete breakdown of all companies who have reveived government funding to expand existing businesses over the last 3 years; (b) a complete breakdown of all new companies who have received government funding over the last 3 years; (c) provide details of their projections for job creation; and (d) provide updates of the results of these initiatives?

Mr. Adams (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons) presented the Return to this Order. -- Sessional Paper No. 8555-361-151.

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. Chrétien (Prime Minister) -- Report of the Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to Cabinet to the Prime Minister on the Public Service of Canada, pursuant to the Public Service Employment Act, R. S. 1985, c. P-33, sbs. 47(2). -- Sessional Paper No. 8560-361-376A. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Government Operations)

-- by the Clerk of Petitions -- 1st Report, pursuant to Standing Order 131, which was as follows:

The Clerk of Petitions has the honour to report that the petition from the Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation of Mackenzie, praying for the passage of a private act, filed by Mrs. Redman (Kitchener Centre) on Wednesday, December 9, 1998, meets the requirements of Standing Order 131.

-- by the Examiner of Petitions for Private Bills -- 1st Report, which was as follows:

Pursuant to Standing Order 133(2), the Examiner of Petitions for Private Bills has taken into consideration the petition from the Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation of Mackenzie, received by the House on Thursday, December 10, 1998, and has the honour to report that the requirements of the Standing Orders regarding notice have been fully complied with.

PETITIONS FILED WITH THE CLERK OF THE HOUSE

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

-- by Mr. Strahl (Fraser Valley), one concerning pay equity (No. 361-1916), one concerning the Young Offenders Act (No. 361-1917) and one concerning the income tax system (No. 361-1918);

-- by Mr. Adams (Peterborough), one concerning marriage (No. 361-1919);

-- by Mr. Milliken (Kingston and the Islands), one concerning pornography (No. 361-1920).

ADJOURNMENT

At 11:15 a.m., on motion of Mr. Boudria (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons), seconded by Mr. White (Langley -- Abbotsford), out of respect for the memory of the late Ms. Shaughnessy Cohen, the Speaker adjourned the House until Monday, February 1, 1999, at 11:00 a.m., pursuant to Standing Orders 28(2) and 24(1).