The Speaker informed the House that a vacancy had occurred in the House of Commons for the Electoral District of Calgary-West, in the Province of Alberta, by reason of the resignation of Mr. Stephen Harper, and that, pursuant to subsection 25(1)(b) of the Parliament of Canada Act, he had addressed, on January 20, 1997, his warrant to the Chief Electoral Officer for the issue of a writ for the election of a member to fill the vacancy.

At 11:01 a.m., pursuant to Standing Order 30(7), the House proceeded to the consideration of Private Members’ Business.

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. Frazer (Saanich–Gulf Islands), seconded by Mr. White (North Vancouver), — That Bill C–300, An Act respecting the establishment and award of a Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp for United Nations Peacekeeping to Canadians serving with a United Nations peacekeeping force, be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on National Defence and Veterans Affairs.

The debate continued.

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 National Defence and Veterans Affairs.

At 11:40 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 11:57 a.m., the sitting resumed.

The House resumed consideration at report stage and second reading of Bill C–60, An Act to establish the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and to repeal and amend other Acts as a consequence, as reported by the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food with amendments;

And of the motions in Group No. 8 (Motions Nos. 24, 25 and 26).

Group No. 8

Motion No. 24 of Mr. Chrétien (Frontenac), seconded by Mr. Crête (Kamouraska–Rivière-du-Loup), — That Bill C–60, in Clause 22, be amended by replacing lines 4 to 8 on page 7 with the following:

 

“corporate business plan, for study, to such committee of the House of Commons as is designated or established to consider agricultural matters for study by that committee.

(1.1)

After studying the corporate business plan, the committee referred to in subsection (1) shall either approve or reject the plan.

(1.2)

Where the corporate business plan is approved, the committee shall advise the Minister of the approval and the Minister shall table a copy of the plan in the House of Commons for approval by that House on any of the first fifteen days on which that House is sitting after the Minister is advised of the committee’s approval.

(1.3)

Where a corporate business plan is laid before the House of Commons under subsection (1.2) and rejected by that House, the Agency shall not implement that plan.”

Motion No. 25 of Mr. Chrétien (Frontenac), seconded by Mr. Crête (Kamouraska–Rivière-du-Loup), — That Bill C–60, in Clause 22, be amended by adding after line 8 on page 7 the following:

 

“(1.1)

Before submitting its plan to the minister, the Agency shall consult

(a)

any person from the agriculture, fisheries, food processing, food distribution and public health sectors whom the Agency considers appropriate to consult;

(b)

any government of a province that has advised, in writing, the Agency of its wish to be consulted; and

(c)

the unions representing some or all of the employees of the Agency.”

Motion No. 26 of Mr. Chrétien (Frontenac), seconded by Mr. Crête (Kamouraska–Rivière-du-Loup), — That Bill C–60, in Clause 23, be amended by replacing line 40 on page 7 with the following:

“detailed statement of the assessment by”

The debate continued on the motions in Group No. 8.

The question was put on Motion No. 24 and, pursuant to Standing Order 76(8), the recorded division was deferred.

The question was put on Motion No. 25 and, pursuant to Standing Order 76(8), the recorded division was deferred.

The question was put on Motion No. 26 and, pursuant to Standing Order 76(8), the recorded division was deferred.

Group No. 9

Mr. Chrétien (Frontenac), seconded by Mr. Crête (Kamouraska–Rivière-du-Loup), moved Motion No. 27, — That Bill C–60, in Clause 24, be amended by replacing lines 6 to 9 on page 8 with the following:

“24.

(1)

Subject to the regulations, the Minister may, on January 1, 2000, fix the fees to be paid for a service or the use of a facility provided by the Agency.”

Mr. Chrétien (Frontenac), seconded by Mr. Crête (Kamouraska–Rivière-du-Loup), moved Motion No. 28, — That Bill C–60, in Clause 26, be amended by replacing lines 17 to 20 on page 8 with the following:

“26.

(1)

Before fixing a fee under section 24 or 25, the Minister shall consult with the advisory board and may consult with any persons or organizations that the Minister considers to be interested in the matter.”

Mr. Chrétien (Frontenac), seconded by Mr. Crête (Kamouraska–Rivière-du-Loup), moved Motion No. 29, — That Bill C–60, in Clause 26, be amended by replacing lines 19 and 20 on page 8 with the following:

“persons or organizations that have an interest in the matter or that have expressed an interest in the matter to the Minister.”

Mr. Chrétien (Frontenac), seconded by Mr. Crête (Kamouraska–Rivière-du-Loup), moved Motion No. 30, — That Bill C–60, in Clause 27, be amended by replacing lines 29 and 30 on page 8 with the following:

“27.

(1)

Subject to subsections (2) and (3), the Treasury Board may make regulations for the purposes of sections 24 to 26.

(2)

Every regulation the Treasury Board proposes to make under subsection (1) shall be sent by that Board for study and approval to such committee of the House of Commons as is designated or established to consider agricultural matters.

(3)

Where, after studying a proposed regulation referred to it under subsection (2), the committee rejects that regulation, that regulation may not be made by the Treasury Board.”

Debate arose on the motions in Group No. 9.

The question was put on Motion No. 27 and, pursuant to Standing Order 76(8), the recorded division was deferred.

The question was put on Motion No. 28 and, pursuant to Standing Order 76(8), the recorded division was deferred.

The question was put on Motion No. 30 and, pursuant to Standing Order 76(8), the recorded division was deferred.

Group No. 10

Mr. Chrétien (Frontenac), seconded by Mr. Crête (Kamouraska–Rivière-du-Loup), moved Motion No. 31, — That Bill C–60, in Clause 31, be amended

1. by replacing line 29 on page 9 with the following:

   “31. (1) The Agency must keep books of account”

2. by adding the following after line 31 on page 9:

   “(2) One year after the Agency is established, the Agency shall make available for inspection its books of account and records for that year.”

Mr. Chrétien (Frontenac), seconded by Mr. Crête (Kamouraska–Rivière-du-Loup), moved Motion No. 32, — That Bill C–60, in Clause 32, be amended by replacing lines 40 to 42 on page 9 with the following:

“(c) provide a report to the President, the Minister and such committee of the House of Commons as is designated or established to consider agricultural matters on the audit, opinion and assessment.”

Mr. Chrétien (Frontenac), seconded by Mr. Crête (Kamouraska–Rivière-du-Loup), moved Motion No. 33, — That Bill C–60 be amended by adding after line 42 on page 9 the following new Clause:

“32.1.

Before providing the report under paragraph 32(c), the Auditor General of Canada shall consult

(a)

any person from the agriculture, fisheries, food processing, food distribution and public health sectors whom the Minister considers appropriate to consult; and

(b)

any government of a province that has advised the Auditor General of Canada, in writing, of its wish to be consulted.”

Debate arose on the motions in Group No. 10.

The question was put on Motion No. 31 and, pursuant to Standing Order 76(8), the recorded division was deferred.

The question was put on Motion No. 32 and, pursuant to Standing Order 76(8), the recorded division was deferred.

The question was put on Motion No. 33 and, pursuant to Standing Order 76(8), the recorded division was deferred.

Pursuant to Standing Order 31, Members made statements.

Pursuant to Standing Order 30(5), the House proceeded to Oral Questions.

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 a Ways and Means motion for a Budget presentation on Tuesday, February 18, 1997, at 4:30 p.m.

Pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), Mr. Zed (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:

1. P.C. 1996-1903, P.C. 1996-2022 and P.C. 1996-2023. — Sessional Paper No. 8540-352-1C. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development);
2. P.C. 1996-1905 to P.C. 1996-1907, P.C. 1997-2 and P.C. 1997-7. — Sessional Paper No. 8540-352-8H. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade);
3. P.C. 1996-2010, P.C. 1997-68 and P.C. 1997-69. — Sessional Paper No. 8540-352-2C. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food);
4. P.C. 1996-2013, P.C. 1996-2015 and P.C. 1997-1. — Sessional Paper No. 8540-352-24H. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Transport);
5. P.C. 1996-2016 to P.C. 1996-2018, P.C. 1997-3 and P.C. 1997-4. — Sessional Paper No. 8540-352-3H. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage);
6. P.C. 1996-2020. — Sessional Paper No. 8540-352-13F. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs);
7. P.C. 1996-2021, P.C. 1997-6 and P.C. 1997-70. — Sessional Paper No. 8540-352-5H. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs);
8. P.C. 1996-2024. — Sessional Paper No. 8540-352-22F. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Industry);
9. P.C. 1996-2026 to P.C. 1996-2033, P.C. 1997-5, P.C. 1997-11 to P.C. 1997-13 and P.C. 1997-67. — Sessional Paper No. 8540-352-16F. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Human Resources Development);
10. P.C. 1996-2053 to P.C. 1996-2061 and P.C. 1997-19. — Sessional Paper No. 8540-352-14G. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration);
11. P.C. 1996-2067, P.C. 1997-8 and P.C. 1997-9. — Sessional Paper No. 8540-352-9G. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Finance);
12. P.C. 1997-10. — Sessional Paper No. 8540-352-6G. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Natural Resources).

Pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), Mr. Zed (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:

1. No. 351-4268 concerning research and development. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-352-136;
2. No. 352-0709 concerning child labour. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-352-101A;
3. No. 352-0887 concerning nuclear warships. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-352-99A;
4. Nos. 352-1056 and 352-1322 concerning the income tax system. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-352-28CC;
5. Nos. 352-1139, 352-1140, 352-1173 and 352-1277 concerning the pharmaceutical industry. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-352-94B;
6. No. 352-1236 concerning the nuclear industry. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-352-46B;
7. Nos. 352-1258, 352-1281, 352-1285, 352-1313 and 352-1317 concerning the highway system. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-352-137;
8. Nos. 352-1295 to 352-1298 and 352-1326 concerning sex offenders. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-352-2K;
9. Nos. 352-1306, 352-1315 and 352-1325 concerning sexual orientation. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-352-45O;
10. No. 352-1307 concerning the sexual exploitation of minors. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-352-74J;
11. No. 352-1314 concerning profits from crime. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-352-97J;
12. No. 352-1318 concerning Canada’s railways. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-352-115A.

Mr. Pagtakhan (Parliamentary Secretary to Prime Minister) laid upon the Table, — Report of the Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to Cabinet to the Prime Minister on the Public Service of Canada, pursuant to the Public Service Employment Act, R. S. 1985, c. 33, sbs. 47(2). — Sessional Paper No. 8560-352-376. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Government Operations)

Pursuant to Standing Order 33(1), Mr. Boudria (Minister for International Cooperation and Minister responsible for Francophonie) made a statement.

Mr. Peterson (Willowdale), from the Standing Committee on Finance, presented the 7th Report of the Committee (Bill C–70, An Act to amend the Excise Tax Act, the Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act, the Income Tax Act, the Debt Servicing and Reduction Account Act and related Acts, with amendments). — Sessional Paper No. 8510-352-74.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings and Evidence (Issue No. 9, which includes this Report) was tabled.

Mr. Zed (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons), from the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, presented the 49th Report of the Committee, which was as follows:

The Committee recommends, pursuant to Standing Orders 104 and 114, the following changes in the membership of the Standing Committee:

The Committee further recommends, that where a Member is appointed as permanent member to a Committee in accordance with this report and to which he was previously appointed Associate Member, that the name of the Member be struck from the list of Associate Members of the said Committee.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings and Evidence (Issue No. 3, which includes this Report) was tabled.

By unanimous consent, Mr. Zed (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons), seconded by Mrs. Ur (Lambton–Middlesex), moved, — That the 49th 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.

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

• by Mr. Harvard (Winnipeg St. James), three concerning the highway system (Nos. 352-1545 to 352-1547);
• by Mr. Jackson (Bruce–Grey), one concerning breast milk substitutes (No. 352-1548);
• by Mr. O’Reilly (Victoria–Haliburton), one concerning AIDS research (No. 352-1549) and one concerning national unity (No. 352-1550);
• by Mr. Pillitteri (Niagara Falls), one concerning the highway system (No. 352-1551);
• by Mr. Reed (Halton–Peel), one concerning profits from crime (No. 352-1552).

Mr. Zed (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons) presented the answer to questions Q–52, Q–58, Q–60 and Q–94 on the Order Paper.

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

Q–71 — With respect to the consultants working at the headquarters of the Canadian International Development Agency, will the government provide a list of all consultants, including the following information: (a) branch and division, (b) remuneration, (c) terms of reference, (d) resume (or employment background), (e) past positions at CIDA (contract or otherwise) and (f) whether the contract went through a competitive allocation process.

Mr. Zed (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons) presented the Return to this Order. — Sessional Paper No. 8555-352-71.

The House resumed consideration at report stage and second reading of Bill C–60, An Act to establish the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and to repeal and amend other Acts as a consequence, as reported by the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food with amendments.

Group No. 11

Mr. Goodale (Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food), seconded by Mr. Pickard (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food), moved Motion No. 34, — That Bill C–60 be amended by adding before line 1 on page 10 the following:

“32.1.

The provisions made by any Appropriation Act for the fiscal year in which this section comes into force or a subsequent fiscal year, based on the Estimates for that year, to defray the charges and expenses of the public service of Canada within the Departments of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Fisheries and Oceans and Health in relation to any matter for which the Agency is responsible by virtue of Section 11 are deemed to be an amount appropriated for defraying the charges and expenses of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency in such amount as the Treasury Board may, on the recommendations of the Ministers of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Fisheries and Oceans and Health, determine.”

Recommendation
(Pursuant to Standing Order 76(3))

His Excellency the Governor General recommends to the House of Commons the appropriation of public revenue under the circumstances, in the manner and for the purposes set out in the following amendment to Bill C–60, An Act to establish the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and to repeal and amend other Acts as a consequence. That Bill C–60 be amended by adding before line 1 on page 10 the following:

“32.1.

The provisions made by any Appropriation Act for the fiscal year in which this section comes into force or a subsequent fiscal year, based on the Estimates for that year, to defray the charges and expenses of the public service of Canada within the Departments of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Fisheries and Oceans and Health in relation to any matter for which the Agency is responsible by virtue of Section 11 are deemed to be an amount appropriated for defraying the charges and expenses of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency in such amount as the Treasury Board may, on the recommendations of the Ministers of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Fisheries and Oceans and Health, determine.”

Debate arose on the motion in Group No. 11.

The question was put on Motion No. 34 and, pursuant to Standing Order 76(8), the recorded division was deferred.

Pursuant to Standing Order 76(8), the House proceeded to the taking of the deferred recorded divisions at report stage and second reading of Bill C–60, An Act to establish the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and to repeal and amend other Acts as a consequence, as reported by the the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food with amendments.

Pursuant to Standing Order 45, the recorded divisions were further deferred until Tuesday, February 4, 1997, at the expiry of the time provided for Government Orders.

The Order was read for the consideration at report stage of Bill C–57, An Act to amend the Bell Canada Act, as reported by the Standing Committee on Industry without amendment.

Mr. Irwin (Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development) for Mr. Manley (Minister of Industry), seconded by Ms. Marleau (Minister of Public Works and Government Services), moved, — That the Bill be concurred in at report stage.

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

Accordingly, the Bill was concurred in at report stage.

Pursuant to Standing Order 76.1(11), Mr. Irwin (Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development) for Mr. Manley (Minister of Industry), seconded by Ms. Marleau (Minister of Public Works and Government Services), moved, — That the Bill be now read a third time and do pass.

Debate arose thereon.

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

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

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. Massé (President of the Treasury Board and Minister responsible for Infrastructure), seconded by Mr. Irwin (Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development), — That Bill C–49, An Act to authorize remedial and disciplinary measures in relation to members of certain administrative tribunals, to reorganize and dissolve certain federal agencies and to make consequential amendments to other Acts, be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Government Operations.

The debate continued.

Mr. Crête (Kamouraska–Rivière-du-Loup), seconded by Mr. Mercier (Blainville–Deux-Montagnes), moved the following amendment, — That the motion be amended by deleting all the words after the word “That” and substituting the following:

“Bill C–49, An Act to authorize remedial and disciplinary measures in relation to members of certain administrative tribunals, to reorganize and dissolve certain federal agencies and to make consequential amendments to other Acts, be not now read a second time but that it be read a second time this day six months hence.”

Debate arose thereon.

Pursuant to Standing Order 32(1), the following papers, deposited with the Clerk of the House were deemed laid upon the table on Wednesday, December 18, 1996:

Pursuant to Standing Order 32(1), the following papers, deposited with the Clerk of the House, were deemed laid upon the Table on Wednesday, January 22, 1997:

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

• by Mr. Bertrand (Pontiac–Gatineau–Labelle), one concerning national unity (No. 352-1553);
• by Mr. Fontana (London East), one concerning the highway system (No. 352-1554);
• by Mrs. Stewart (Northumberland), one concerning the nuclear industry (No. 352-1555), one concerning AIDS research (No. 352-1556) and one concerning youth employment (No. 352-1557);
• by Mr. Milliken (Kingston and the Islands), one concerning the highway system (No. 352-1558);
• by Mr. Manning (Calgary Southwest), one concerning the highway system (No. 352-1559) and one concerning taxes on books (No. 352-1560);
• by Ms. Beaumier (Brampton), one concerning the situation in Vietnam (No. 352-1561) and one concerning housing policies (No. 352-1562).

At 6:40 p.m., the Speaker adjourned the House until tomorrow at 10:00 a.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).