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

Whereupon, Mr. Milliken (Kingston and the Islands), Deputy Speaker and Chairman of Committees of the Whole, took the Chair, pursuant to subsection 43(1) of the Parliament of Canada Act.

PRAYERS

GOVERNMENT ORDERS

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. Gagliano (Minister of Public Works and Government Services), seconded by Ms. Fry (Secretary of State (Multiculturalism) (Status of Women)), -- That Bill C-10, An Act to amend the Municipal Grants Act, be now read a third time and do pass.

The debate continued.

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

Accordingly, the Bill was read the third time and passed.

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

Pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), Mr. Lee (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. 362-0645 and 362-0656 concerning the Canada Post Corporation. -- Sessional Paper No. 8545-362-6-09.

Presenting Reports from Committees

Mr. Grose (Oshawa), from the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights, presented the Second Report of the Committee (Bill C-23, An Act to modernize the Statutes of Canada in relation to benefits and obligations, with amendments). -- Sessional Paper No. 8510-362-37.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meetings Nos. 27 to 40) was tabled.

Motions

By unanimous consent, it was ordered, -- That the Order for second reading and reference to a legislative committee of Bill C-374, An Act to amend the Canada Shipping Act (definitions of "child" and "infant"), standing on the Order Paper in the name of Mr. Harb (Ottawa Centre), be discharged and the Bill withdrawn.

Presenting Petitions

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

-- by Mr. Riis (Kamloops, Thompson and Highland Valleys), one concerning pornography (No. 362-0849) and one concerning the criminal justice system (No. 362-0850);

-- by Mr. Assad (Gatineau), one concerning breast cancer (No. 362- 0851);

-- by Mr. Hilstrom (Selkirk -- Interlake), two concerning the agricultural industry (Nos. 362-0852 and 362-0853);

-- by Mr. Harb (Ottawa Centre), one concerning breast cancer (No. 362-0854);

-- by Mr. Bergeron (Verchères -- Les-Patriotes), one concerning the Canada Post Corporation (No. 362-0855);

-- by Mr. McNally (Dewdney -- Alouette), one concerning the tax system (No. 362-0856) and one concerning the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (No. 362-0857).

GOVERNMENT ORDERS

The Order was read for the second reading and reference to the Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Government Operations of Bill C-12, An Act to amend the Canada Labour Code (Part II) in respect of occupational health and safety, to make technical amendments to the Canada Labour Code (Part I) and to make consequential amendments to other Acts.

Mr. Gagliano (Minister of Public Works and Government Services) for Ms. Bradshaw (Minister of Labour), seconded by Mr. Baker (Minister of Veterans Affairs), moved, -- That the Bill be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Government Operations.

Debate arose thereon.

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

Accordingly, the Bill was read the second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Government Operations.

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 the Deputy Speaker, -- Minutes of Proceedings of the Board of Internal Economy of the House of Commons for February 22, 2000. -- Sessional Paper No. 8527-362-13.

ADJOURNMENT

At 1:52 p.m., by unanimous consent, the Deputy Speaker adjourned the House until Monday at 11:00 a.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).