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

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

PRAYERS

GOVERNMENT ORDERS

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Ms. Copps (Minister of Canadian Heritage), seconded by Mr. Mitchell (Secretary of State (Parks)), -- That Bill C-38, An Act to amend the National Parks Act, be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage.

The debate continued.

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

Accordingly, the Bill was read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage.

The Order was read for the second reading and reference to the Standing Committee on Finance of Bill S-3, An Act to amend the Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985 and the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions Act.

Mr. Eggleton (Minister of National Defence) for Mr. Peterson (Secretary of State (International Financial Institutions)), seconded by Mr. Collenette (Minister of Transport), moved, -- That the Bill be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Finance.

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. 12) -- Sessional Paper No. 8570-361-13.

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. Jackson (Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board) laid upon the Table, -- Government responses, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8), to the following petitions:

-- No. 361-0365 concerning aboriginal affairs. -- Sessional Paper No. 8545-361-4D;

-- Nos. 361-0517, 361-0528, 361-0539 and 361-0540 concerning radio and television programming. -- Sessional Paper No. 8545-361-42D;

-- Nos. 361-0545 and 361-0568 concerning the seal industry. -- Sessional Paper No. 8545- 361-50A;

-- Nos. 361-0646, 361-0647, 361-0648, 361-0649 and 361-0650 concerning parental rights. -- Sessional Paper No. 8545-361-16E;

-- Nos. 361-0651, 361-0652, 361-0653 and 361-0654 concerning children's rights. -- Sessional Paper No. 8545-361-18C;

-- No. 361-0658 concerning the Young Offenders Act. -- Sessional Paper No. 8545-361-45E;

-- Nos. 361-0378, 361-0410, 361-0411, 361-0417, 361-0418, 361-0419, 361-0436, 361-0478, 361-0488, 361-0504, 361-0511, 361-0523, 361-0571, 361-0572, 361-0573, 361-0574, 361- 0575, 361-0576, 361-0577, 361-0578, 361-0579, 361-0581, 361-0591, 361-0592, 361-0593, 361-0594, 361-0595, 361-0596, 361-0598, 361-0602, 361-0603, 361-0604, 361-0605, 361- 0606, 361-0607, 361-0608, 361-0609, 361-0610, 361-0611, 361-0612, 361-0613, 361-0615, 361-0616, 361-0617, 361-0618, 361-0619, 361-0620, 361-0621, 361-0622, 361-0623, 361- 0624, 361-0625, 361-0626, 361-0627, 361-0628, 361-0629, 361-0630, 361-0631, 361-0632, 361-0633, 361-0634, 361-0635, 361-0636, 361-0637, 361- 0639, 361-0661 and 361-0662 concerning international trade. -- Sessional Paper No. 8545-361-54.

Presenting Petitions

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

-- by Mr. Szabo (Mississauga South), one concerning alcoholic beverages (No. 361-0736) and one concerning the income tax system (No. 361-0737);

-- by Mr. MacKay (Pictou -- Antigonish -- Guysborough), one concerning international trade (No. 361-0738);

-- by Mr. Gilmour (Nanaimo -- Alberni), one concerning euthanasia (No. 361-0739) and one concerning the capital punishment (361-0740);

-- by Ms. Wasylycia-Leis (Winnipeg North Centre), one concerning international trade (No. 361-0741);

-- by Mrs. Redman (Kitchener Centre), one concerning the former Yugoslavia (No. 361- 0742);

-- by Mr. Cummins (Delta -- South Richmond), one concerning health care services (No. 361- 0743) and one concerning aboriginal affairs (No. 361-0744);

-- by Mr. Kilger (Stormont -- Dundas), one concerning the Young Offenders Act (No. 361- 0745), one concerning nuclear weapons (No. 361-0746) and one concerning nudity (No. 361-0747).

GOVERNMENT ORDERS

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. Peterson (Secretary of State (International Financial Institutions)), seconded by Mr. Collenette (Minister of Transport), -- That Bill S-3, An Act to amend the Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985 and the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions Act be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Finance.

The debate continued.

PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS

At 1:24 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 Justice and Human Rights of Bill C-284, An Act to amend the Criminal Records Act and the Canadian Human Rights Act (offences against children).

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Hill (Prince George -- Peace River), moved, -- That the Bill be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.

Debate arose thereon.

Pursuant to Standing Order 93, the Order was dropped to the bottom of the order of precedence on 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. Gagliano (Minister of Public Works and Government Services) -- Report of the Royal Canadian Mint, together with the Auditor General's report, for the year 1997, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R. S. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 150(1). -- Sessional Paper No. 8560-361-176. (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. Kilger (Stormont -- Dundas), concerning immigration (No. 361-0748).

ADJOURNMENT

At 2:21 p.m., the Acting Speaker adjourned the House until Monday, April 20, 1998, at 11:00 a.m., pursuant to Standing Orders 28(2) and 24(1).