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

Whereupon, Ms. Thibeault (Saint-Lambert), Assistant Deputy Chairman of Committees of the Whole, took the Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 8.

PRAYERS

GOVERNMENT ORDERS

The Order was read for the second reading and reference to the Standing Committee on Industry of Bill C-11, An Act respecting the imposition of duties of customs and other charges, to give effect to the International Convention on the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System, to provide relief against the imposition of certain duties of customs or other charges, to provide for other related matters and to amend or repeal certain Acts in consequence thereof.

Mr. Peterson (Secretary of State (International Financial Institutions)) for Mr. Martin (Minister of Finance), seconded by Mr. Kilgour (Secretary of State (Latin America and Africa)), moved, -- That the Bill be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Industry.

Debate arose thereon.

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

Mr. Patry (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development) laid upon the Table, -- Compilation of 1996 Supplementary Reports of the Nunavut Implementation Commission, pursuant to the Nunavut Act, S.C. 1993, c. 28, s. 67. -- Sessional Paper No. 8560-361- 320. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development)

Mr. Patry (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development) laid upon the Table, -- Report of the Nunavut Implementation Commission for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997, pursuant to the Nunavut Act, S.C. 1993, c. 28, s. 67. -- Sessional Paper No. 8560-361-340. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development)

Mr. Patry (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development) laid upon the Table, -- Report of the Nunavut Implementation Commission entitled "Footprints 2: A Second Comprehensive Report of the Nunavut Implementation Commission", pursuant to the Nunavut Act, S.C. 1993, c. 28, s. 67. -- Sessional Paper No. 8560-361- 350. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development)

Presenting Reports from Committees

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 5th Report of the Committee, which was as follows:

The Committee recommends, pursuant to Standing Orders 104 and 114, the following change in the membership of the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans:

Howard Hilstrom for Reed Elley

The Committee also 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 Foreign Affairs and International Trade:

Sue Barnes Joe Jordan

Sarmite Bulte Gurbax Malhi

Paul Bonwick Bob Nault

Eugène Bellemare George Proud

Claudette Bradshaw Karen Redman

Aileen Carroll Jacques Saada

Raymonde Folco Bryon Wilfert

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings is tabled.

Introduction of Private Members' Bills

Pursuant to Standing Orders 68(2) and 69(1), on motion of Mr. Scott (Skeena), seconded by Mr. Breitkreuz (Yorkton -- Melville), Bill C-265, An Act to amend the Parliament of Canada Act and the Canada Elections Act (change of political affiliation), 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, Mr. Adams (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons), seconded by Mr. Patry (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development), moved, -- That the 5th 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.

Presenting Petitions

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

-- by Mr. Scott (Skeena), one concerning the Canada Pension Plan (No. 361-0110) and one concerning crimes of violence (No. 361-0111);

-- by Mr. Szabo (Mississauga South), one concerning the income tax system (No. 361-0112), one concerning alcoholic beverages (No. 361-0113) and one concerning police and firefighters' death benefits (No. 361-0114);

-- by Mr. Maloney (Erie -- Lincoln), two concerning nudity (Nos. 361-0115 and 361-0116).

GOVERNMENT ORDERS

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. Martin (Minister of Finance), seconded by Mr. Kilgour (Secretary of State (Latin America and Africa)), -- That the Bill C-11, An Act respecting the imposition of duties of customs and other charges, to give effect to the International Convention on the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System, to provide relief against the imposition of certain duties of customs or other charges, to provide for other related matters and to amend or repeal certain Acts in consequence thereof, be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Industry.

The debate continued.

The question was put on the motion and, by unanimous consent, the recorded division was deferred until Tuesday, October 28, 1997, at the expiry of the time provided for Government Orders.

PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS

At 1:16 p.m., by unanimous consent, the House proceeded to the consideration of Private Members' Business.

Mr. Crête (Kamouraska-Rivière-du-Loup-Témiscouata-Les Basques), seconded by Mrs. Girard-Bujold (Jonquière), -- moved, that, in the opinion of this House, the Government of Canada should make major changes in the employment insurance system, particularly by lowering contributions and improving benefits for seasonal workers and workers who have joined the labour market only recently. (Private Members' Business M-69)

Debate arose thereon.

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

RETURNS AND REPORTS DEPOSITED WITH THE CLERK OF THE HOUSE

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

-- by Mr. Scott (Solicitor General of Canada) -- Report of the Security Intelligence Review Committee for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997, pursuant to the Canadian Security Intelligence Service Act, R.S. 1985, c. C-23, s. 53. -- Sessional Paper No. 8560-361-31. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights)

ADJOURNMENT

At 2:16 p.m., the Acting Speaker adjourned the House until Monday at 11:00 a.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).