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

PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS

At 11:00 a.m., pursuant to Standing Order 30(6), the House proceeded to the consideration of Private Members' Business.

Mr. Laliberte (Churchill River), seconded by Mrs. Desjarlais (Churchill), moved, -- That, in the opinion of this House, the government should recognize the 55th parallel as the identified Canadian boundary for participation in the international circumpolar community. (Private Members' Business M-237)

Debate arose thereon.

Pursuant to Standing Order 93, the Order was dropped to the bottom of the order of precedence on the Order Paper.

MOTIONS

By unanimous consent, Mr. Boudria (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons), seconded by Mr. Gagliano (Minister of Public Works and Government Services), moved, -- That, notwithstanding any Standing Order or usual practice of this House, if at any time after 3:15 p.m. during this day's sitting, a Minister of the Crown requests that the House revert to Introduction of Government Bills, the House shall do so and the bill in the name of the Minister of Labour, entitled ``An Act to provide for the maintenance of west coast ports operations, 1999'', shall be introduced, read a first time, and shall be disposed of as follows:

Commencing when the said bill is read a first time and concluding when the said bill is read a third time, the House shall not adjourn except pursuant to this Order or to a motion proposed by a Minister of the Crown, and no Private Members' Business shall be taken up;

The said bill may be read twice or thrice in one sitting;

After being read a second time, the said bill shall be referred to a Committee of the Whole;

During consideration of the said bill, no division shall be deferred;

After no more than six hours of consideration of the said bill, all questions necessary to dispose of the bill at all remaining stages shall be put forthwith and successively without further debate or amendment; and

Immediately after the said bill is disposed of, the House shall adjourn.

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

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-11, An Act to authorize the divestiture of the assets of, and to dissolve, the Cape Breton Development Corporation, to amend the Cape Breton Development Corporation Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts.

Mr. Goodale (Minister of Natural Resources), seconded by Ms. Caplan (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration), 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.

Mrs. Dockrill (Bras D'Or -- Cape Breton), seconded by Mr. Mancini (Sydney -- Victoria), moved the following amendment, -- That the motion be amended by deleting all the words after the word ''That'' and substituting the following:

"Bill C-11, An Act to authorize the divestiture of the assets of, and to dissolve, the Cape Breton Development Corporation, to amend the Cape Breton Development Corporation Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts, be not now read a second time but that the Order be discharged, the Bill withdrawn, and the subject-matter thereof referred to the Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Government Operations."

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.

DAILY ROUTINE OF BUSINESS

Tabling of Documents

The Deputy Speaker informed the House that, in accordance with the representation made by the government under the provisions of Standing Order 55(1), the Speaker had caused to be published a Special Order Paper giving notice of one government motion and one government bill.

The Deputy Speaker laid upon the Table, -- Letter from the Government House Leader, dated November 13, 1999, concerning a notice of a government motion and a notice of a government bill (English text only). -- Sessional Paper No. 8527-362-5.

Pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), Mr. Pettigrew (Minister for International Trade) laid upon the Table, -- Response of the government, pursuant to Standing Order 109, to the 9th report of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade, "Canada and the Future of the World Trade Organization" (Sessional Paper No. 8510-361-195) presented to the House on Thursday, June 10, 1999. -- Sessional Paper No. 8512-362-195-01.

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

-- P.C. 1999-1840, P.C. 1999-1849, P.C. 1999-1965, P.C. 1999-1970 and P.C. 1999-1971. -- Sessional Paper No. 8540-362-2-02. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food);

-- P.C. 1999-1842, P.C. 1999-1843, P.C. 1999-1844, P.C. 1999-1968, P.C. 1999-1969 and P.C. 1999-1978. -- Sessional Paper No. 8540- 362-10-02. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans);

-- P.C. 1999-1841. -- Sessional Paper No. 8540-362-8-03. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade);

-- P.C. 1999-1845, P.C. 1999-1846, P.C. 1999-1847 and P.C. 1999- 1913. -- Sessional Paper No. 8540-362-16-03. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Human Resources Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities);

-- P.C. 1999-1917, P.C. 1999-1918, P.C. 1999-1982 and P.C. 1999- 1983. -- Sessional Paper No. 8540-362-22-02. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Industry);

-- P.C. 1999-1914, P.C. 1999-1915, P.C. 1999-1916 and P.C. 1999- 1981. -- Sessional Paper No. 8540-362-6-03. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Government Operations);

-- P.C. 1999-1985 and P.C. 1999-1986. -- Sessional Paper No. 8540- 362-1-02. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development);

-- P.C. 1999-1973, P.C. 1999-1974, P.C. 1999-1975, P.C. 1999-1976 and P.C. 1999-1977. -- Sessional Paper No. 8540-362-3-03. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage);

-- P.C. 1999-1979 and P.C. 1999-1980. -- Sessional Paper No. 8540- 362-24-02. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Transport).

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

-- No. 362-0049 concerning sexual orientation. -- Sessional Paper No. 8545-362-21-02;

-- Nos. 362-0063 and 362-0066 concerning the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. -- Sessional Paper No. 8545-362-18-05;

-- No. 362-0064 concerning gun control. -- Sessional Paper No. 8545-362-27-01;

-- No. 362-0065 concerning marriage. -- Sessional Paper No. 8545- 362-28-01.

Presenting Reports from Inter-parliamentary Delegations

Pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), Ms. Bulte (Parkdale -- High Park) presented the Report of the Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) concerning its participation at the 38th Conference of the Canadian Region, held in Quebec City from August 7 to 13, 1999. -- Sessional Paper No. 8565-362-53-01.

Pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), Ms. Bulte (Parkdale -- High Park) presented the Report of the Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) concerning its participation at the 45th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, held in Trinidad and Tobago from September 18 to 23, 1999. -- Sessional Paper No. 8565-362-53-02.

Pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), Ms. Bulte (Parkdale -- High Park) presented the Report of the Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) concerning its participation at the 11th Seminar of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, held in Malta from May 27 to June 3, 1999. -- Sessional Paper No. 8565-362-53-03.

Presenting Reports from Committees

Mr. Richardson (Perth -- Middlesex), from the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, presented the First Report of the Committee (Chapter 6 of the April 1999 Report of the Auditor General of Canada). -- Sessional Paper No. 8510-362-3.

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

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meeting No. 2) was tabled.

Mr. Richardson (Perth -- Middlesex), from the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, presented the Second Report of the Committee (Chapter 10 of the April 1999 Report of the Auditor General of Canada). -- Sessional Paper No. 8510-362-4.

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

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meeting No. 2) was tabled.

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

The Committee recommends, pursuant to Standing Orders 104 and 114, the following change in the membership of the Standing Commmittee on Finance:

Karen Redman for Carolyn Bennett

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, 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 was tabled.

Introduction of Private Members' Bills

Pursuant to Standing Orders 68(2) and 69(1), on motion of Mr. Johnston (Wetaskiwin), seconded by Mr. Bailey (Souris -- Moose Mountain), Bill C-315, An Act to provide for the settlement of labour disputes affecting west coast ports by final offer arbitration, 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. Cadman (Surrey North), Bill C-316, 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.

Motions

By unanimous consent, it was ordered, -- That the Seventh Report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, presented earlier today, be concurred in.

Presenting Petitions

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

-- by Mr. Goldring (Edmonton East), one concerning the official languages of Canada (No. 362-0165);

-- by Mr. Adams (Peterborough), one concerning telephone service (No. 362-0166) and one concerning the situation in the Middle East (No. 362-0167);

-- by Mr. Riis (Kamloops, Thompson and Highland Valleys), one concerning the Senate (No. 362-0168);

-- by Mr. Thompson (Wild Rose), one concerning pornography (No. 362-0169);

-- by Ms. Wasylycia-Leis (Winnipeg North Centre), one concerning the Senate (No. 362-0170).

GOVERNMENT ORDERS

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. Goodale (Minister of Natural Resources), seconded by Ms. Caplan (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration), -- That Bill C-11, An Act to authorize the divestiture of the assets of, and to dissolve, the Cape Breton Development Corporation, to amend the Cape Breton Development Corporation Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts, be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Government Operations;

And of the amendment of Mrs. Dockrill (Bras D'Or -- Cape Breton), seconded by Mr. Mancini (Sydney -- Victoria).

The debate continued.

QUORUM

The attention of the Deputy Speaker was drawn to the lack of a quorum and, fewer than 20 members having been counted, pursuant to Standing Order 29(3), the bells were rung to call in the Members.

After one minute, a quorum was found.

GOVERNMENT ORDERS

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. Goodale (Minister of Natural Resources), seconded by Ms. Caplan (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration), -- That Bill C-11, An Act to authorize the divestiture of the assets of, and to dissolve, the Cape Breton Development Corporation, to amend the Cape Breton Development Corporation Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts, be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Government Operations;

And of the amendment of Mrs. Dockrill (Bras D'Or -- Cape Breton), seconded by Mr. Mancini (Sydney -- Victoria).

The debate continued.

STATEMENTS BY MINISTERS

By unanimous consent, Mrs. Bradshaw (Minister of Labour) made a statement.

TABLING OF DOCUMENTS

By unanimous consent, Ms. Bradshaw (Minister of Labour) laid upon the Table, -- Letters from the B.C. Maritime Employers' Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada concerning an agreement on the west coast port work stoppage (English text only). -- Sessional Paper No. 8530-362-2.

GOVERNMENT ORDERS

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. Goodale (Minister of Natural Resources), seconded by Ms. Caplan (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration), -- That Bill C-11, An Act to authorize the divestiture of the assets of, and to dissolve, the Cape Breton Development Corporation, to amend the Cape Breton Development Corporation Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts, be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Government Operations;

And of the amendment of Mrs. Dockrill (Bras D'Or -- Cape Breton), seconded by Mr. Mancini (Sydney -- Victoria).

The debate continued.

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 Ms. Bradshaw (Minister of Labour) -- Reports of the Canada Labour Relations Board for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999, pursuant to the Access to Information Act and to the Privacy Act, R. S. 1985, c. A-1 and P-21, sbs. 72(2). -- Sessional Paper No. 8561-362-644-01. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights)

-- by Ms. Bradshaw (Minister of Labour) -- Reports of the Merchant Seamen Compensation Board for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999, pursuant to the Access to Information Act and to the Privacy Act, R. S. 1985, c. A-1 and P-21, sbs. 72(2). -- Sessional Paper No. 8561-362-850-01. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing of Justice and Human Rights)

-- by Ms. Copps (Minister of Canadian Heritage) -- Summary of the Corporate Plan for 1999-2000 to 2003-04 of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, pursuant to the Broadcasting Act, S.C. 1991, c. 11, sbs. 55(4). -- Sessional Paper No. 8562-362-849-01. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage)

-- by Mr. Gray (Deputy Prime Minister) -- Reports of the Millennium Bureau of Canada for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999, pursuant to the Access to Information Act and to the Privacy Act, R.S. 1985, c. A-1 and P-21, sbs. 72(2). -- Sessional Paper No. 8561-362-709-01. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights)

-- by Mr. Manley (Minister of Industry) -- Copy of the Rules amending the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Rules (SOR/99-416) made by Order in Council P.C. 1999-1872 on October 21, 1999, pursuant to the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, R.S. 1985, c. B-3, sbs. 209(2). -- Sessional Paper No. 8560-362-284-01. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Industry)

-- by Mr. Martin (Minister of Finance) -- Report of the Canadian International Trade Tribunal entitled "Request for tariff relief by Ballin Inc. regarding certain polyester/rayon fabrics", dated October 27, 1999, pursuant to the Canada-United States Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act, S.C. 1988, c. 65, s. 54. -- Sessional Paper No. 8560-362-572-02. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Finance)

-- by Mr. Rock (Minister of Health) -- Reports of the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999, pursuant to the Access to Information Act and to the Privacy Act, R. S. 1985, c. A-1 and P-21, sbs. 72(2). -- Sessional Paper No. 8561-362-602-01. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights)

ADJOURNMENT

At 6:38 p.m., the Deputy Speaker adjourned the House until tomorrow at 10:00 a.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).