PRAYERS

GOVERNMENT ORDERS

The Order was read for the consideration of the Business of Supply.

Mr. Nystrom (Qu'Appelle), seconded by Mr. Mancini (Sydney -- Victoria), moved, -- That this House condemns the government for promoting an economy where the gap between the superrich and ordinary Canadian families is widening, risking the future of our youth, and strongly urges the government to introduce in the coming budget measures ensuring every Canadian an opportunity to share in a new prosperity.

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.

WAYS AND MEANS

Mr. Martin (Minister of Finance) laid upon the Table, -- Notice of a Ways and Means motion to amend the Excise Tax Act. (Ways and Means Proceedings No. 6) -- Sessional Paper No. 8570-361-6.

Pursuant to Standing Order 83(2), at the request of Mr. Martin (Minister of Finance), an Order of the Day was designated for the consideration of this Ways and Means motion.

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. 361-0050 concerning sex offenders. -- Sessional Paper No. 8545-361-35;

-- Nos. 361-0292, 361-0293, 361-0294 and 361-0295 concerning the Canadian flag. -- Sessional Paper No. 8545-361-15F;

-- Nos. 361-0299 and 361-0314 concerning the tax system. -- Sessional Paper No. 8545-361-6C;

-- No. 361-0331 concerning taxes on books. -- Sessional Paper No. 8545-361-3E.

By unanimous consent, Ms. Caplan (Thornhill) laid upon the Table, -- Copy of a letter addressed to the Prime Minister of Canada concerning a resolution for a united Canada (English text only). -- Sessional Paper No. 8530-361- 11.

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 22nd Report of the Committee (Amendments to the Standing Orders -- Joint Committees). -- Sessional Paper No. 8510-361-38.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meetings No. 11 and 12) was tabled.

Introduction of Private Members' Bills

Pursuant to Standing Orders 68(2) and 69(1), on motion of Mr. Harb (Ottawa Centre), seconded by Ms. Augustine (Etobicoke -- Lakeshore), Bill C-319, An Act to amend the Canadian Bill of Rights (right to education), 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. Harb (Ottawa Centre), seconded by Ms. Augustine (Etobicoke -- Lakeshore), Bill C-320, An Act to amend the Canadian Bill of Rights (right to literacy), 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. Peric (Cambridge), seconded by Mr. Jordan (Leeds -- Grenville), Bill C-321, An Act to amend the Immigration Act (improvement of enforcement in the case of those who commit offences), 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. Harb (Ottawa Centre), seconded by Ms. Augustine (Etobicoke -- Lakeshore), Bill C-322, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (donors to food banks), 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. Harb (Ottawa Centre), seconded by Ms. Augustine (Etobicoke -- Lakeshore), Bill C-323, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (tax credit for mental or physical impairment), 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. Harb (Ottawa Centre), seconded by Ms. Augustine (Etobicoke -- Lakeshore), Bill C-324, An Act to establish national literacy standards across Canada, 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. Harb (Ottawa Centre), seconded by Ms. Augustine (Etobicoke -- Lakeshore), Bill C-325, An Act to establish national standards across Canada for education provided by the provinces, 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. Harb (Ottawa Centre), seconded by Ms. Augustine (Etobicoke -- Lakeshore), Bill C-326, An Act to amend the Canadian Bill of Rights (right to housing), 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. Harb (Ottawa Centre), seconded by Ms. Augustine (Etobicoke -- Lakeshore), Bill C-327, An Act to amend the Bank Act (definition of "infant"), 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. Harb (Ottawa Centre), seconded by Ms. Augustine (Etobicoke -- Lakeshore), Bill C-328, An Act to amend the Bills of Exchange Act (definitions of "infant" and "minor"), 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. Harb (Ottawa Centre), seconded by Ms. Augustine (Etobicoke -- Lakeshore), Bill C-329, An Act to amend the Canada Business Corporations Act (definitions of "infant" and "minor"), 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. Harb (Ottawa Centre), seconded by Ms. Augustine (Etobicoke -- Lakeshore), Bill C-330, An Act to amend the Divorce Act (definition of "child"), 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. Harb (Ottawa Centre), seconded by Ms. Augustine (Etobicoke -- Lakeshore), Bill C-331, An Act to amend the Canada Pension Plan (definition of "child"), 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. Harb (Ottawa Centre), seconded by Ms. Augustine (Etobicoke -- Lakeshore), Bill C-332, An Act to amend the Canada Health Act (definition of "child"), 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. Harb (Ottawa Centre), seconded by Ms. Augustine (Etobicoke -- Lakeshore), Bill C-333, An Act to amend the Canada Shipping Act (definitions of "child" and "infant"), 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. Harb (Ottawa Centre), seconded by Ms. Augustine (Etobicoke -- Lakeshore), Bill C-334, An Act to amend the Canada Student Loans Act (definition of "full age"), 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. Harb (Ottawa Centre), seconded by Ms. Augustine (Etobicoke -- Lakeshore), Bill C-335, An Act to amend the Canada Cooperative Associations Act (definition of "infant"), 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. Harb (Ottawa Centre), seconded by Ms. Augustine (Etobicoke -- Lakeshore), Bill C-336, An Act to amend the Canada-United Kingdom Civil and Commercial Judgments Convention Act (definition of "infant" in matters originating in Canada), 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. Harb (Ottawa Centre), seconded by Ms. Augustine (Etobicoke -- Lakeshore), Bill C-337, An Act to amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (definition of "child"), 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. Harb (Ottawa Centre), seconded by Ms. Augustine (Etobicoke -- Lakeshore), Bill C-338, An Act to amend the Excise Act (definition of "adult"), 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. Harb (Ottawa Centre), seconded by Ms. Augustine (Etobicoke -- Lakeshore), Bill C-339, An Act to amend the Excise Tax Act (definition of "child"), 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. Harb (Ottawa Centre), seconded by Ms. Augustine (Etobicoke -- Lakeshore), Bill C-340, An Act to amend the Divorce Act (right of spouses' parents to access to or custody of child), 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. Harb (Ottawa Centre), seconded by Ms. Augustine (Etobicoke -- Lakeshore), Bill C-341, An Act to amend the Canada Transportation Act (definition of "adult"), 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. Harb (Ottawa Centre), seconded by Ms. Augustine (Etobicoke -- Lakeshore), Bill C-342, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (definition of "child"), 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. Harb (Ottawa Centre), seconded by Ms. Augustine (Etobicoke -- Lakeshore), Bill C-343, An Act to amend the Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act, 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. Harb (Ottawa Centre), seconded by Ms. Augustine (Etobicoke -- Lakeshore), Bill C-344, Canadian Child Rights Act, 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. Harb (Ottawa Centre), seconded by Ms. Augustine (Etobicoke -- Lakeshore), Bill C-345, An Act to amend the Canadian Forces Superannuation Act, the Carriage by Air Act, the Cree-Naskapi (of Quebec) Act, the Criminal code, the Pension Act and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Superannuation Act, 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. Harb (Ottawa Centre), seconded by Ms. Augustine (Etobicoke -- Lakeshore), Bill C-346, An Act to amend the Territorial Lands Act (definition of "adult"), 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. Harb (Ottawa Centre), seconded by Ms. Augustine (Etobicoke -- Lakeshore), Bill C-347, An Act to amend the Interpretation Act (definition of "child"), 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. Harb (Ottawa Centre), seconded by Ms. Augustine (Etobicoke -- Lakeshore), Bill C-348, An Act to amend the Extradition Act (definition of "child"), 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. Harb (Ottawa Centre), seconded by Ms. Augustine (Etobicoke -- Lakeshore), Bill C-349, An Act to amend the Government Employees Compensation Act (definition of "infant"), 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. Harb (Ottawa Centre), seconded by Ms. Augustine (Etobicoke -- Lakeshore), Bill C-350, An Act to amend the Hazardous Products Act (definition of "child"), 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. Harb (Ottawa Centre), seconded by Ms. Augustine (Etobicoke -- Lakeshore), Bill C-351, An Act to amend the Indian Act (definition of "infant child"), 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. Harb (Ottawa Centre), seconded by Ms. Augustine (Etobicoke -- Lakeshore), Bill C-352, An Act to amend the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act (definition of "child"), 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. Harb (Ottawa Centre), seconded by Ms. Augustine (Etobicoke -- Lakeshore), Bill C-353, An Act to amend the Insurance Companies Act (definition of "infant"), 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. Harb (Ottawa Centre), seconded by Ms. Augustine (Etobicoke -- Lakeshore), Bill C-354, An Act to amend the Land Titles Act (age of majority and definition of "infant"), 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. Harb (Ottawa Centre), seconded by Ms. Augustine (Etobicoke -- Lakeshore), Bill C-355, An Act to amend the Pension Fund Societies Act (definition of "minor child"), 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. Harb (Ottawa Centre), seconded by Ms. Augustine (Etobicoke -- Lakeshore), Bill C-356, An Act to amend the Privacy Act (definition of "minor"), 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. Harb (Ottawa Centre), seconded by Ms. Augustine (Etobicoke -- Lakeshore), Bill C-357, An Act to amend the Wages Liability Act (definition of "adult"), 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 Mrs. Desjarlais (Churchill), one concerning pay equity (No. 361-0440);

-- by Mr. Stinson (Okanagan -- Shuswap), one concerning nuclear weapons (No. 361- 0441).

Questions on Order Paper

Mr. Adams (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons) presented the answer to question Q-18 on the Order Paper.

GOVERNMENT ORDERS

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. Nystrom (Qu'Appelle), seconded by Mr. Mancini (Sydney -- Victoria), in relation to the Business of Supply.

The debate continued.

Pursuant to Standing Order 81(19), the proceedings expired.

PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS

At 1:30 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 30(6), the House proceeded to the consideration of Private Members' Business.

Mrs. Tremblay (Rimouski -- Mitis), seconded by Ms. Girard-Bujold (Jonquière), moved, -- That, in the opinion of this House, the government should revoke the verdict of "guilty of high treason" pronounced on Louis Riel on August 1, 1885, and commemorate him by declaring November 16 of each year to be Louis Riel Day throughout Canada. (Private Members' Business M-108)

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), papers deposited with the Clerk of the House were laid upon the Table as follows:

-- by the Speaker -- Minutes of Proceedings of the Board of Internal Economy of the House of Commons for December 1, 2 and 4, 1997. -- Sessional Paper No. 8527-361-16.

-- by the Speaker -- Amendments to the By-laws adopted by the Board of Internal Economy on February 10, 1998. -- Sessional Paper No. 8527-361-17.

-- by Ms. Copps (Minister of Canadian Heritage) -- Summaries of Corporate Plan for 1997-1998 to 2001-2002 and of the Operating and Capital Budgets for 1997-1998 of the National Capital Commission, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R. S. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4). -- Sessional Paper No. 8562-361-821. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage)

-- by Mr. Martin (Minister of Finance) -- Report of the Canadian International Trade Tribunal entitled " Textile Reference -- Annual Status Report" for the period October 1, 1996, to September 30, 1997, pursuant to the Canada-United States Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act, S. C. 1988, c. 65, sbs. 21(2). -- Sessional Paper No. 8560-361-553A. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Finance)

-- by Mr. Martin (Minister of Finance) -- Report of the Canadian International Trade Tribunal entitled "Request for Tariff Relief by Jones Apparel Group Canada Inc. Regarding Certain Acetate or Triacetate Fabrics", dated December 19, 1997, pursuant to the Canada -- United States Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act, S. C. 1988, c. 65, sbs. 21(2).

-- Sessional Paper No. 8560-361-572B. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Finance)

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 Ms. McLellan (Edmonton West), one concerning nuclear weapons (No. 361- 0442).

ADJOURNMENT

At 2:33 p.m., the Speaker adjourned the House until Monday at 11:00 a.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).