PRAYERS

GOVERNMENT ORDERS

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. Martin (Minister of Finance), seconded by Mr. Gray (Deputy Prime Minister), -- That this House approves in general the budgetary policy of the Government; (Ways and Means Proceedings No. 5)

And of the amendment of Mr. Manning (Calgary Southwest), seconded by Mr. Solberg (Medicine Hat), -- That the motion be amended by replacing all the words after the word ``That'' with the following:

``the House of Commons reject the Budget statement by the Minister of Finance because it denies Canadians debt and tax relief by spending away the federal budget surplus, thus killing opportunities for job creation and economic growth; it leaves Canadians saddled with the highest personal income tax rates in the G-7 countries resulting in systematic brain drain to jurisdictions with lower taxation levels; it allows interest charges on the national debt to consume one third of every tax dollar collected by the federal government and to exceed spending on health care, education, and old age security combined; it continues the steady decrease in real disposable income for the average Canadian through tax hikes; and it does not keep the government's promise of committing 50 percent of the surplus to new spending and the remaining 50 percent to some combination of debt reduction and tax relief.''

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.

QUESTION OF PRIVILEGE

A question of privilege was raised by Mr. MacKay (Pictou -- Antigonish -- Guysborough) in relation to statements attributed to certain Members.

INTERRUPTION

At 3:44 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 4:10 p.m., the sitting resumed.

QUESTION OF PRIVILEGE

A question of privilege having been raised by Mr. MacKay (Pictou -- Antigonish -- Guysborough) in relation to statements attributed to certain Members, the Speaker ruled that there was a prima facie case of privilege.

Whereupon, Mr. MacKay (Pictou -- Antigonish -- Guysborough), seconded by Mr. Muise (West Nova), moved, -- That certain statements attributed to Members of the House of Commons, appearing on page 7 of the March 8, 1998 Ottawa Sun, which may bring into question the integrity of the House of Commons and its servant the Speaker, be referred to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs.

Debate arose thereon.

Mr. de Savoye (Portneuf), seconded by Mr. Bergeron (Verchères), moved, -- That the motion be amended by adding, between the words ``referred'' and ``to the Standing Committee'', the word ``immediately''.

Debate arose thereon.

Mr. Kilger (Stormont -- Dundas), seconded by Mr. Adams (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons), moved, -- That the debate be now adjourned.

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

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, -- Orders in Council approving certain appointments made by the Governor General in Council, pursuant to Standing Order 110(1), as follows:

-- P.C. 1998-159, P.C. 1998-207, P.C. 1998-208, P.C. 1998- 267, P.C. 1998-268 and P.C. 1998-272. -- Sessional Paper No. 8540-361-14K. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration);

-- P.C. 1998-200, P.C. 1998-201 and P.C. 1998-262. -- Sessional Paper No. 8540-361-9D. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Finance);

-- P.C. 1998-191, P.C. 1998-251, P.C. 1998-252 and P.C. 1998- 253. -- Sessional Paper No. 8540-361-8H. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade);

-- P.C. 1998-270. -- Sessional Paper No. 8540-361-18F. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Health);

-- P.C. 1998-195, P.C. 1998-196, P.C. 1998-197, P.C. 1998- 263, P.C. 1998-264, P.C. 1998-265 and P.C. 1998-266. -- Sessional Paper No. 8540-361-16H. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Human Resources Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities);

-- P.C. 1998-198, P.C. 1998-259, P.C. 1998-260 and P.C. 1998- 261. -- Sessional Paper No. 8540-361-22I. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Industry);

-- P.C. 1998-209. -- Sessional Paper No. 8540-361-13H. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights);

-- P.C. 1998-211. -- Sessional Paper No. 8540-361-17B. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on National Defence and Veterans Affairs);

-- P.C. 1998-258. -- Sessional Paper No. 8540-361-6I. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Government Operations);

-- P.C. 1998-254 and P.C. 1998-255. -- Sessional Paper No. 8540-361-5C. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs);

-- P.C. 1998-192, P.C. 1998-193, P.C. 1998-194, P.C. 1998- 250, P.C. 1998-256 and P.C. 1998-257. -- Sessional Paper No. 8540-361-24K. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Transport).

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. 361-0015, 361-0021, 361-0025, 361-0026, 361-0027, 361- 0029, 361-0030, 361-0031, 361-0035, 361-0048, 361-0099, 361- 0124, 361-0154, 361-0215, 361-0216, 361-0224, 361-0235, 361- 0243, 361-0297 and 361-0325 concerning parental rights. -- Sessional Paper No. 8545-361-16C;

-- No. 361-0167 concerning the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. -- Sessional Paper No. 8545-361-40;

-- No. 361-0288 concerning social policies. -- Sessional Paper No. 8545-361-41;

-- No. 361-0326 concerning the highway system. -- Sessional Paper No. 8545-361-11E.

Pursuant to Standing Order 79(3), the Speaker read a Message from His Excellency the Governor General, presented by Mr. Massé (President of the Treasury Board).

Message on Estimates

His Excellency the Governor General transmits to the House of Commons Supplementary Estimates (B) of sums required for the service of Canada for the fiscal year ending on March 31, 1998, and, in accordance with section 54 of the Constitution Act, 1867, recommends these Estimates to the House of Commons.

Mr. Massé (President of the Treasury Board) laid upon the Table, -- Supplementary Estimates (B) 1997-1998. -- Sessional Paper No. 8520-361-84.

Introduction of Private Members' Bills

Pursuant to Standing Orders 68(2) and 69(1), on motion of Mr. Harris (Prince George -- Bulkley Valley), seconded by Mr. Stinson (Okanagan -- Shuswap), Bill C-365, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (desecration of the flag), 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. Benoit (Lakeland), seconded by Mr. Breitkreuz (Yellowhead), Bill C-366, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (deduction of mechanics' tool expenses), 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. McTeague (Pickering -- Ajax -- Uxbridge), seconded by Ms. Folco (Laval West), Bill C-367, An Act to amend the Motor Vehicle Safety Act, was introduced, read the first time, ordered to be printed and ordered for a second reading at the next sitting of the House.

Motions

Pursuant to Standing Order 81(5) and (6), Mr. Massé (President of the Treasury Board), seconded by Ms. McLellan (Minister of Justice) moved, -- That Supplementary Estimates (B) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1998, laid upon the Table earlier today, be referred to the several Standing Committees of the House, as follows:

(1) To the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development

-- Indian Affairs and Northern Development, Votes 1b, 5b, 6b, 15b, L20b, 35b and 40b

(2) To the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food

-- Agriculture and Agri-Food, Votes 1b, 10b, 11b and 12b

(3) To the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage

-- Canadian Heritage, Votes 1b, 5b, 10b, L21b, 25b, 45b, 60b, 65b, 70b, 85b, 95b, 105b, 110b, 115b, 130b and 145b

(4) To the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration

-- Citizenship and Immigration, Votes 1b, 2b, 5b and 15b

(5) To the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development

-- Environment, Votes 1b, 5b and 10b

-- Privy Council, Vote 30b

(6) To the Standing Committee on Finance

-- Finance, Votes 6b and 15b

-- National Revenue, Votes 1b and 10b

(7) To the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans

-- Fisheries and Oceans, Vote 1b

(8) To the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade

-- Foreign Affairs, Votes 1b, 5b, 10b, 11b, 20b, 25b and 26b

(9) To the Standing Committee on Health

-- Health, Votes 10b, 20b and 30b

(10) To the Standing Committee on Human Resources Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities

-- Human Resources Development, Votes 1b, 20b and 35b

(11) To the Standing Committee on Industry

-- Industry, Votes 1b, 5b, 20b, 30b, 35b, 50b, 60b, 65b, 80b, 85b, 90b and 120b

(12) To the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights

-- Justice, Votes 1b, 10b, 15b, 20b, 25b and 35b

-- Solicitor General, Votes 1b, 10b, 15b and 35b

(13) To the Standing Committee on National Defence and Veterans Affairs

-- National Defence, Votes 1b and 10b

-- Veterans Affairs, Votes 1b, 5b and 10b

(14) To the Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Government Operations

-- Canadian Heritage, Votes 135b and 136b

-- Governor General, Vote 1b

-- Natural Resources, Votes 1b, 20b, 25b and 35b

-- Privy Council, Votes 1b and 10b

-- Public Works and Government Services, Votes 1b, 5b, 15b, 16b, 17b and 18b

-- Treasury Board, Vote 1b

(15) To the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs

-- Parliament, Vote 5b

(16) To the Standing Committee on Public Accounts

-- Finance, Vote 30b

(17) To the Standing Committee on Transport

-- Privy Council, Vote 15b

-- Transport, Votes 1b and10b

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

Presenting Petitions

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

-- by Mr. Riis (Kamloops), one concerning the tax system (No. 361-0510), one concerning international trade (No. 361-0511) and one concerning the Canada Pension Plan (No. 361-0512);

-- by Mr. Mayfield (Cariboo -- Chilcotin), one concerning the Food and Drugs Act (No. 361-0513);

-- by Mr. Szabo (Mississauga South), one concerning police and firefighters' death benefits (No. 361-0514);

-- by Mr. Lunn (Saanich -- Gulf Islands), one concerning the Young Offenders Act (No. 361-0515);

-- by Mr. Cadman (Surrey North), one concerning the sexual exploitation of minors (No. 361-0516);

-- by Mr. Kenney (Calgary Southeast), one concerning radio and television programming (No. 361-0517).

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-26, Q-40, Q-48, Q-49, Q-59 and Q-69 on the Order Paper.

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

Q-41 -- Mr. Assad (Gatineau) -- How much has the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) spent during each of the last five years in each of the following areas: (a) primary health care, (b) basic education, (c) drinking water; and (d) sanitary services?

Mr. Adams (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons) presented the Return to this Order. -- Sessional Paper No. 8555-361-41.

GOVERNMENT ORDERS

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. Martin (Minister of Finance), seconded by Mr. Gray (Deputy Prime Minister), -- That this House approves in general the budgetary policy of the Government; (Ways and Means Proceedings No. 5)

And of the amendment of Mr. Manning (Calgary Southwest), seconded by Mr. Solberg (Medicine Hat).

The debate continued.

At 6:15 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 84(5), the Speaker interrupted the proceedings.

The question was put on the amendment and it was negatived on the following division:

(Division--Vote N^o 96)

YEAS-POUR

Members--Députés

-- Abbott -- Ablonczy -- Bailey -- Benoit -- Bernier --  (Tobique -- Mactaquac) -- Borotsik -- Breitkreuz --  (Yellowhead) -- Breitkreuz --  (Yorkton -- Melville) -- Brison -- Cadman -- Casey -- Casson -- Chatters -- Doyle -- Duncan -- Elley -- Epp -- Forseth -- Gilmour -- Goldring -- Gouk -- Grewal -- Grey --  (Edmonton North) -- Hanger -- Harris -- Harvey -- Herron -- Hill --  (Macleod) -- Hill --  (Prince George -- Peace River) -- Hilstrom -- Hoeppner -- Jaffer -- Johnston -- Jones -- Keddy --  (South Shore) -- Kenney --  (Calgary-Sud-Est) -- Kerpan -- Lowther -- Lunn -- MacKay --  (Pictou -- Antigonish -- Guysborough) -- Manning -- Mark -- Matthews -- Mayfield -- McNally -- Meredith -- Mills --  (Red Deer) -- Morrison -- Muise -- Obhrai -- Power -- Price -- Ramsay -- Ritz -- Schmidt -- Scott --  (Skeena) -- Solberg -- Stinson -- St-Jacques -- Strahl -- Thompson --  (Charlotte) -- Thompson --  (Wild Rose) -- Wayne -- Williams -- 64

NAYS-CONTRE

Members--Députés

-- Adams -- Alarie -- Alcock -- Anderson -- Assad -- Assadourian -- Augustine -- Axworthy --  (Winnipeg South Centre) -- Bachand --  (Saint-Jean) -- Baker -- Bakopanos -- Beaumier -- Bélair -- Bélanger -- Bellehumeur -- Bellemare -- Bennett -- Bergeron -- Bernier --  (Bonaventure -- Gaspé -- Îles-de-la-Madeleine -- Pabok) -- Bertrand -- Bevilacqua -- Blondin-Andrew -- Bonin -- Bonwick -- Boudria -- Bradshaw -- Brien -- Brown -- Bryden -- Bulte -- Calder -- Cannis -- Caplan -- Catterall -- Cauchon -- Chamberlain -- Chan -- Charbonneau -- Chrétien --  (Saint-Maurice) -- Clouthier -- Coderre -- Cohen -- Collenette -- Copps -- Cullen -- Davies -- de Savoye -- Debien -- Desjarlais -- DeVillers -- Dhaliwal -- Discepola -- Dromisky -- Drouin -- Duceppe -- Duhamel -- Easter -- Eggleton -- Finestone -- Finlay -- Folco -- Fontana -- Fry -- Gagliano -- Gagnon -- Gallaway -- Gauthier -- Godfrey -- Godin --  (Acadie -- Bathurst) -- Goodale -- Graham -- Gray --  (Windsor West) -- Grose -- Guarnieri -- Guimond -- Harvard -- Hubbard -- Ianno -- Iftody -- Jackson -- Jennings -- Jordan -- Karetak-Lindell -- Karygiannis -- Keyes -- Kilger --  (Stormont -- Dundas) -- Kilgour --  (Edmonton Southeast) -- Knutson -- Lastewka -- Lavigne -- Lebel -- Lee -- Leung -- Lincoln -- Longfield -- Loubier -- Mahoney -- Malhi -- Maloney -- Manley -- Marchand -- Marchi -- Marleau -- Martin --  (LaSalle -- Émard) -- Massé -- McCormick -- McGuire -- McKay --  (Scarborough East) -- McLellan --  (Edmonton West) -- McTeague -- McWhinney -- Mercier -- Mifflin -- Mills --  (Broadview -- Greenwood) -- Minna -- Mitchell -- Murray -- Myers -- Nault -- Normand -- Nunziata -- O'Brien --  (London -- Fanshawe) -- O'Reilly -- Pagtakhan -- Paradis -- Parrish -- Patry -- Peric -- Perron -- Peterson -- Pettigrew -- Phinney -- Picard --  (Drummond) -- Pickard --  (Kent -- Essex) -- Pillitteri -- Pratt -- Proctor -- Proud -- Provenzano -- Redman -- Reed -- Richardson -- Riis -- Robillard -- Rocheleau -- Rock -- Saada -- Sauvageau -- Scott --  (Fredericton) -- Serré -- Shepherd -- Solomon -- Speller -- St. Denis -- Steckle -- Stewart --  (Brant) -- Stewart --  (Northumberland) -- St-Hilaire -- St-Julien -- Stoffer -- Szabo -- Telegdi -- Torsney -- Turp -- Ur -- Valeri -- Vanclief -- Vautour -- Venne -- Volpe -- Wappel -- Wasylycia-Leis -- Whelan -- Wilfert -- Wood -- 175

Paired Members--Députés Pairés

-- Barnes -- Caccia -- Carroll -- Comuzzi -- Dion -- Girard-Bujold -- Godin --  (Châteauguay) -- Harb -- Kraft Sloan -- Lalonde -- Laurin -- MacAulay -- Marceau -- Ménard -- O'Brien --  (Labrador) -- Plamondon -- Tremblay --  (Lac-Saint-Jean) -- Tremblay --  (Rimouski -- Mitis)

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. Axworthy (Minister of Foreign Affairs) -- Reports of the International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development 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. 8561-361-619. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights)

-- by Mr. Collenette (Minister of Transport) -- Summaries of the Corporate Plan for 1998 to 2002 and of the Operating and Capital Budgets for 1998 of the Atlantic Pilotage Authority, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R. S. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4). -- Sessional Paper No. 8562-361-842. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Transport)

-- by Mr. Collenette (Minister of Transport) -- Summaries of the Corporate Plan for 1998 to 2002 and of the Operating and Capital Budgets for 1998 of the Great Lakes Pilotage Authority Ltd., pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R. S. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4). -- Sessional Paper No. 8562-361-843. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Transport)

-- by Mr. Collenette (Minister of Transport) -- Summaries of the Corporate Plan for 1998 to 2002 and of the Operating and Capital Budgets for 1998 of the Laurentian Pilotage Authority, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4). -- Sessional Paper No. 8562- 361-844. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Transport)

-- by Mr. Collenette (Minister of Transport) -- Summaries of the Corporate Plan for 1998 to 2002 and of the Operating and Capital Budgets for 1998 of the Pacific Pilotage Authority, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R. S. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4). -- Sessional Paper No. 8562-361-845. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Transport)

PROCEEDINGS ON ADJOURNMENT MOTION

At 6:51 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 38(1), 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 7:06 p.m., the Speaker adjourned the House until tomorrow at 10:00 a.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).