PRAYERS

NATIONAL ANTHEM

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. 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. 361-0041, 361-0111 and 361-0228 concerning crimes of violence. -- Sessional Paper No. 8545-361-36;

-- No. 361-0155 concerning corporal punishment. -- Sessional Paper No. 8545-361- 37.

Introduction of Private Members' Bills

Pursuant to Standing Orders 68(2) and 69(1), on motion of Mr. Abbott (Kootenay -- Columbia), seconded by Mr. Strahl (Fraser Valley), Bill C-359, An Act to require every organization that receives a grant of public money to submit a report on the way it is spent that is to be available for public inspection, 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. Peric (Cambridge), seconded by Mr. O'Reilly (Victoria -- Haliburton), Bill C-360, An Act to amend the Transfer of Offenders Act (removal of foreign offenders), 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. Bernier (Bonaventure -- Gaspé -- Îles-de-la-Madeleine -- Pabok), one concerning the fishing industry (No. 361-0452);

-- by Mr. Steckle (Huron -- Bruce), three concerning gasoline pricing (Nos. 361- 0453 to 361-0455);

-- by Mr. Dubé (Lévis), one concerning VIA Rail (No. 361-0456);

-- by Mr. Malhi (Bramalea -- Gore -- Malton), one concerning immigration (No. 361- 0457);

-- by Mr. Alcock (Winnipeg South), four concerning post-secondary education (Nos. 361-0458 to 361-0461);

-- by Mr. Szabo (Mississauga South), one concerning police and firefighters' death benefits (No. 361-0462).

Questions on Order Paper

Mr. Adams (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons) presented the answer to question Q-9 on the Order Paper.

NOTICES OF MOTIONS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF PAPERS

Ordered, -- That a Humble Address be presented to His Excellency praying that he will cause to be laid before this House copies of all documentation related to the recent provincial Ministers of Health meetings; the Health Care Transition Fund; and the Council of Deputy Ministers of Health and Ministers of Health, specifically, documentation pertaining to: (a) dicussions on a National Blood Agency; (b) discussions on a new National Pharmacare Program: and (c) discussions on a new National Homecare Program. (Notice of Motion for the Production of Papers P-1 -- Mr. Thompson (Charlotte)).

Mr. Adams (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons) presented the Return to this Order. -- Sessional Paper No. 8550-361-1.

GOVERNMENT ORDERS

The Order was read for the consideration of the Business of Supply.

Mr. Charest (Sherbrooke), seconded by Mr. Power (St. John's West), moved, -- That, in the opinion of this House, the government should lower the tax burden on Canadians and offer interest relief to student loan holders in order to address the brain drain crisis which is forcing Canadians to move to the United States where unemployment rates, income tax rates and student debt levels are lower and the standard of living is 25 percent higher than in Canada.

Debate arose thereon.

Mr. Brison (Kings -- Hants), seconded Mr. Power (St. John's West), moved the following amendment, -- That the motion be amended by adding the word ``serious'' before the words ``brain drain''.

Debate arose thereon.

At 7:30 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 81(16), the Speaker interrupted the proceedings.

The question was put on the amendment and, pursuant to Order made Tuesday, February 17, 1998, the recorded division was deferred until Monday, February 23, 1998, at the expiry of the time provided for Government Orders.

PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS

At 7:32 p.m., pursuant to Order made Tuesday, February 17, 1998, the House proceeded to the consideration of Private Members' Business.

Ms. Davies (Vancouver East), seconded by Mr. Godin (Acadie -- Bathurst), moved, -- That, in the opinion of this House, the government should set targets for the elimination of poverty and unemployment, and should pursue those targets with the same zeal it has demonstrated for targets to reduce the deficit. (Private Members' Business M-133)

Debate arose thereon.

Pursuant to Standing Order 96(1), the Order was dropped from 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. Axworthy (Minister of Foreign Affairs) -- Report of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade on the Annual Summary of Steel Permit Information for the year 1997, pursuant to the Export and Import Permits Act, R. S. 1985, c. 13 (3rd Supp.), s. 1. -- Sessional Paper No. 8560- 361-525. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade)

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 Mrs. Chamberlain (Guelph -- Wellington), concerning the Canadian flag (No. 361-0463).

ADJOURNMENT

At 8:32 p.m., pursuant to Order made Tuesday, February 17, 1998, the Speaker adjourned the House until tomorrow at 10:00 a.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).