PRAYERS

BOARD OF INTERNAL ECONOMY

The Speaker informed the House that Mr. Milliken (Kingston and the Islands) has been appointed a member of the Board of Internal Economy for the purposes and under the provisions of An Act to amend the Parliament of Canada Act, Chapter 32, Statutes of Canada, 1997.

DAILY ROUTINE OF BUSINESS

Tabling of Documents

Mr. Axworthy (Minister of Foreign Affairs) laid upon the Table, -- Document entitled ``Export of Military Goods from Canada, 1996.'' -- Sessional Paper No. 8560-361-94.

Mr. Lastewka (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry) laid upon the Table, -- Report of the Canadian Tourism Commission for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997. -- Sessional Paper No. 8560-361-87.

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. 361-0231 and 361-0248 concerning parental rights. -- Sessional Paper No. 8545-361-16B;

-- Nos. 361-0232 and 361-0233 concerning the Canadian flag. -- Sessional Paper No. 8545-361-15C;

-- No. 361-0244 concerning the highway system. -- Sessional Paper No. 8545-361- 11C;

-- Nos. 361-0250 and 361-0253 concerning nudity. -- Sessional Paper No. 8545-361- 7E.

Presenting Reports from Inter-parliamentary Delegations

Pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), Mrs. Parrish (Mississauga Centre) presented the Report of the Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association respecting its participation at the 43rd Annual Session of the North Atlantic Assembly (NATO Parliamentarians), held in Bucharest, Romania, from October 9 to 13, 1997. -- Sessional Paper No. 8565-361-50.

Pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), Mr. Wilfert (Oak Ridges) presented the Report of the Canada-Japan Inter- Parliamentary Group respecting its participation at the 8th Annual Meeting with the Japan-Canada Parliamentarians Friendship League, from November 8 to 16, 1997. -- Sessional Paper No. 8565-361-57.

Presenting Reports from Committees

Mr. Williams (St. Albert), from the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, presented the 3rd Report of the Committee (Chapter 17 of the Auditor General's Report of April and October 1997). -- Sessional Paper No. 8510-361-32.

Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the government was requested by the Committee to table a comprehensive response.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meetings Nos. 6, 12 and 13) was tabled.

Mr. Williams (St. Albert), from the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, presented the 4th Report of the Committee (Chapter 19 of the Auditor General's Report of April and October 1997). -- Sessional Paper No. 8510-361-33.

Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the government was requested by the Committee to table a comprehensive response.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meetings Nos. 8 and 14) was tabled.

Mr. Alcock (Winnipeg South), from the Standing Committee on Human Resources Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities, presented the 1st Report of the Committee (Ensuring Access: Assistance for Post-Secondary Students). -- Sessional Paper No. 8510-361-34.

Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the government was requested by the Committee to table a comprehensive response.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meeting No. 14) was tabled.

Mr. St-Julien (Abitibi), from the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, presented the 2nd Report of the Committee (Bill C-6, An Act to provide for an integrated system of land and water management in the Mackenzie Valley, to establish certain boards for that purpose and to make consequential amendments to other Acts, with amendments). -- Sessional Paper No. 8510-361-35.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meetings Nos. 6 to 10, and 12 to 18) was tabled.

Mr. Speller (Haldimand -- Norfolk -- Brant), from the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade, presented the 3rd Report of the Committee (Canada and the Multilateral Agreement on Investment). -- Sessional Paper No. 8510-361-36.

Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the government was requested by the Committee to table a comprehensive response.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meeting No. 20) was tabled.

Introduction of Private Members' Bills

Pursuant to Standing Orders 68(2) and 69(1), on motion of Mr. Bélanger (Ottawa -- Vanier), seconded by Mr. O'Reilly (Victoria -- Haliburton), Bill C-303, An Act to amend the Expropriation Act (disposal of expropriated lands), 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. Breitkreuz (Yorkton -- Melville), seconded by Mr. Casson (Lethbridge), Bill C-304, An Act to amend An Act for the Recognition and Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and to amend the Constitution Act, 1867, 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 Mr. Szabo (Mississauga South), one concerning the tax system (No. 361- 0315);

-- by Ms. Wasylycia-Leis (Winnipeg North Centre), one concerning the Canada Pension Plan (No. 361-0316);

-- by Mr. Guimond (Beauport -- Montmorency -- Orléans), one concerning Canada's railways (No. 361-0317);

-- by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), one concerning national unity (No. 361-0318) and one concerning crimes of violence (No. 361-0319);

-- by Mrs. Wayne (Saint John), one concerning pay equity (No. 361-0320);

-- by Mr. Adams (Peterborough), one concerning rural communities (No. 361- 0321);

-- by Mr. Strahl (Fraser Valley), one concerning the sexual exploitation of minors (No. 361-0322);

-- by Mr. Dubé (Lévis), one concerning Canada's railways (No. 361-0323);

-- by Mr. Breitkreuz (Yorkton -- Melville), one concerning children's rights (No. 361-0324) and one concerning parental rights (No. 361-0325).

GOVERNMENT ORDERS

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. Boudria (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons), seconded by Mr. Mifflin (Minister of Veterans Affairs), -- That this House take note of the 2nd Report of the Standing Committee on Finance, presented on Monday, December 1, 1997. (Government Business No. 9)

The debate continued.

MOTIONS

By unanimous consent, it was ordered, -- That the House shall not sit on Friday, December 12, 1997, provided that, for the purposes of Standing Order 28, it shall be deemed to have sat and adjourned on that day.

GOVERNMENT ORDERS

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. Boudria (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons), seconded by Mr. Mifflin (Minister of Veterans Affairs). (Government Business No. 9)

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.

MOTIONS

By unanimous consent, it was ordered, -- That, in relation to its study of social and economic challenges facing Members of the Canadian Forces, the Standing Committee on National Defence and Veterans Affairs be authorized to travel to Western Canada from January 25 to 31, 1998, and that the necessary staff do accompany the Committee.

By unanimous consent, it was ordered, -- That ten Members of the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans be authorized to travel to Prince Rupert, Vancouver, Sechelt, Saanich, Ucluelet, Sointula, Alert Bay, Port Hardy and Campbell River for the week of January 18 to 26, 1998, and that the necessary staff do accompany the Committee.

PRESENTING REPORTS FROM INTER-PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATIONS

By unanimous consent, Mrs. Parrish (Mississauga Centre) presented the Report of the Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association respecting its participation at the Spring Session of the North Atlantic Assembly (NATO Parliamentarians), held in Luxembourg from May 28 to June 1, 1997. -- Sessional Paper No. 8565-361-50A.

PRESENTING PETITIONS

By unanimous consent, a petition certified correct by the Clerk of Petitions was presented as follows:

-- by Mr. MacKay (Pictou -- Antigonish -- Guysborough), concerning taxes on books (No. 361-0333).

GOVERNMENT ORDERS

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. Boudria (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons), seconded by Mr. Mifflin (Minister of Veterans Affairs). (Government Business No. 9)

The debate continued.

MOTIONS

By unanimous consent, Ms. Augustine (Etobicoke -- Lakeshore), seconded by Ms. Catterall (Ottawa West -- Nepean), Mr. Harb (Ottawa Centre), Miss Grey (Edmonton North), Mrs. Wayne (Saint John), Ms. Wasylycia-Leis (Winnipeg North Centre) and Ms. Debien (Laval East), moved, -- That, in the opinion of this House, the government should consider the request of the Famous Five Foundation to honour the memory of Emily Murphy, Nellie Mooney McClung, Irene Marryat Parlby, Louise Crummy McKinney and Henrietta Muir Edwards (The Famous Five) by allowing a statue commemorating them to be placed on Parliament Hill.

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

By unanimous consent, it was ordered, -- That, notwithstanding Standing Order 24(2) or any other usual practice, the time provided for Government Orders be extended by fifteen minutes, provided that no quorum calls nor dilatory motions shall be received by the House after 5:35 p.m.

GOVERNMENT ORDERS

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. Boudria (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons), seconded by Mr. Mifflin (Minister of Veterans Affairs). (Government Business No. 9)

The debate continued.

PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS

At 5:50, pursuant to Standing Order 30(7), the House proceeded to the consideration of Private Members' Business.

Mr. Riis (Kamloops), seconded by Ms. Vautour (Beauséjour -- Petitcodiac), moved, -- That, in the opinion of this House, the government should consider the advisability of giving to the members of the MacKenzie-Papineau Battalion and other Canadians who fought with Spanish Republican forces in the Spanish Civil War between 1936 and 1939, the status of veterans under the federal legislation and making them eligible for veterans' pensions and benefits. (Private Members' Business M-75)

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), 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 November 25, 1997. -- Sessional Paper No. 8527-361-13.

-- by Mr. Collenette (Minister of Transport) -- Summaries of the Corporate Plan for 1997-2001 and of the Operating and Capital Budgets for 1997 of VIA Rail Canada Inc., pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R. S. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4). -- Sessional Paper No. 8562-361-803. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Transport)

-- by Mr. Massé (President of the Treasury Board) -- Report on the Administration of the Members of Parliament Retiring Allowances Act for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997, pursuant to the Members of Parliament Retiring Allowances Act, R. S. 1985, c. M-5, s. 41. -- Sessional Paper No. 8560-361-173. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Government Operations)

-- by Mr. Massé (President of the Treasury Board) -- Report on the Administration of the Supplementary Retirement Benefits Act for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997, pursuant to the Supplementary Retirement Benefits Act, R. S. 1985, c. S-24, s. 12. -- Sessional Paper No. 8560-361-366. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Government Operations)

-- by Mr. Massé (President of the Treasury Board) -- Report on Crown Corporations and Other Corporate Interests of Canada for the year 1997, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 151(1). -- Sessional Paper No. 8560-361-476. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts)

-- by Mrs. Stewart (Minister of the Environment) -- Report on the Administration of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1996, pursuant to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, R. S. 1985, c. 16 (4th Supp.), s. 138. -- Sessional Paper No. 8560-361-601. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development)

PETITIONS FILED WITH THE CLERK OF THE HOUSE

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

-- by Mr. Bélanger (Ottawa -- Vanier), one concerning the highway system (No. 361-0326), two concerning national unity (Nos. 361-0327 and 361-0328) and four concerning housing policy (Nos. 361-0329 to 361-0332).

PROCEEDINGS ON ADJOURNMENT MOTION

At 6:30 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 6:40 p.m., the Speaker adjourned the House until Monday, February 2, 1998, at 11:00 a.m., pursuant to Order made earlier today and to Standing Orders 28(2) and 24(1).