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.

By unanimous consent, Mr. Stoffer (Sackville-Musquodoboit Valley -- Eastern Shore) for Mr. Laliberte (Churchill River), seconded by Mr. Gruending (Saskatoon -- Rosetown -- Biggar), moved, -- That, in the opinion of this House, the government should provide initiatives to deliver natural gas to unserviced regions and address environmental concerns and high energy costs. (Private Members' Business M-298)

Debate arose thereon.

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

GOVERNMENT ORDERS

The Order was read for the consideration at report stage of Bill C-23, An Act to modernize the Statutes of Canada in relation to benefits and obligations, as reported by the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights with amendments.

Pursuant to Standing Order 76.1(5), the Speaker selected and grouped for debate the following motions:

Group No. 1 -- Motions Nos. 1, 3 to 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, 19, 21 to 24, 27, 28, 31 to 33, 35, 37 to 39, 41, 43, 44, 46, 47, 49, 50, 52, 53, 55, 56, 58, 60, 61, 63, 64, 66 to 68, 70, 71, 73 to 76, 78, 79, 81, 82, 84, 86 to 90, 94 to 96, 98, 99, 101, 102, 104, 105, 107 to 110, 113, 115, 116, 135, 137, 138, 140, 142 to 144, 146 to 149, 153 to 158, 160, 161, 163, 164, 166 to 169, 171 and 172.

Group No. 2 -- Motions Nos. 14, 91 and 117 to 133.

Group No. 1

Mr. Robinson (Burnaby -- Douglas), seconded by Ms. Davies (Vancouver East), moved Motion No. 1, -- That Bill C-23 be amended by deleting Clause 1.1.

Mr. Robinson (Burnaby -- Douglas), seconded by Ms. Davies (Vancouver East), moved Motion No. 3, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 1.1, be amended by replacing lines 8 to 10 on page 1 with the following:

"the word "marriage"."

Mr. Epp (Elk Island), seconded by Mr. Benoit (Lakeland), moved Motion No. 4, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 1.1, be amended by replacing line 8 on page 1 with the following:

"the word "marriage" which, for the purpose of any federal law, means the lawful union of"

Mr. Wappel (Scarborough Southwest), seconded by Mr. Peric (Cambridge), moved Motion No. 5, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 2, be amended

(a) by replacing line 14 on page 1 with the following:

"(ii) marriage (being the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others)", in the sense that one is"

(b) by replacing "marriage" with "marriage (being the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others)», wherever it occurs throughout the Bill after Clause 2, with any changes that the circumstances require.

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 7, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 2, be amended by adding after line 30 on page 1 the following:

" "marriage" means the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others."

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 9, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 3, be amended by adding after line 7 on page 2 the following:

" "spouse" means either of a man or a woman who has entered into a marriage."

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 10, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 3, be amended by adding after line 7 on page 2 the following:

" "marriage" means the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others."

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 12, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 8, be amended by adding after line 42 on page 3 the following:

" "marriage" means the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others."

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 13, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 8, be amended by adding after line 42 on page 3 the following:

" "spouse" means either of a man or a woman who has entered into a marriage."

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 15, -- That Bill C-23 be amended by adding after line 6 on page 10 the following new clause:

"26.1 Section 31 of the Act is amended by adding the following in alphabetical order:

"spouse" means either of a man or a woman who has entered into a marriage."

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 16, -- That Bill C-23 be amended by adding after line 6 on page 10 the following new clause:

"26.1 Section 31 of the Act is amended by adding the following in alphabetical order:

"marriage" means the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others;"

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 18, -- That Bill C-23 be amended by adding after line 21 on page 10 the following new clause:

"27.1 Subsection 2(1) of the Act is amended by adding the following in alphabetical order:

"spouse" means either of a man or a woman who has entered into a marriage."

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 19, -- That Bill C-23 be amended by adding after line 21 on page 10 the following new clause:

"27.1 Subsection 2(1) of the Act is amended by adding the following in alphabetical order:

"marriage" means the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others."

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 21, -- That Bill C-23 be amended by adding after line 36 on page 10 the following new clause:

"28.1 Subsection 2(1) of the Act is amended by adding the following in alphabetical order:

"spouse" means either of a man or a woman who has entered into a marriage."

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 22, -- That Bill C-23 be amended by adding after line 36 on page 10 the following new clause:

"28.1 Subsection 2(1) of the Act is amended by adding the following in alphabetical order:

"marriage" means the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others."

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 23, -- That Bill C-23 be amended by adding after line 15 on page 11 the following new clause:

"29.1 Subsection 100(1) of the Act is amended by adding the following in alphabetical order:

"spouse" means either of a man or a woman who has entered into a marriage."

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 24, -- That Bill C-23 be amended by adding after line 15 on page 11 the following new clause:

"29.1 Subsection 100(1) of the Act is amended by adding the following in alphabetical order:

"marriage" means the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others."

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 27, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 30, be amended by adding after line 23 on page 11 the following:

" "marriage" means the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others;"

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 28, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 30, be amended by adding after line 23 on page 11 the following:

" "spouse" means either of a man or a woman who has entered into a marriage."

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 31, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 40, be amended by adding after line 3 on page 14 the following:

" "marriage" means the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others."

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 32, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 40, be amended by adding after line 3 on page 14 the following:

" "spouse" means either of a man or a woman who has entered into a marriage."

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 33, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 42, be amended by replacing lines 1 to 3 on page 16 with the following:

"42. (1) The definition "spouse" in subsection 2(1) of the Canada Pension Plan is replaced by the following:

"spouse" means either of a man or a woman who has entered into a marriage."

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 35, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 42, be amended by adding after line 15 on page 16 the following:

" "marriage" means the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others."

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 37, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 66, be amended by adding after line 32 on page 37 the following:

"(4) For the purposes of this Act, "spouse" means either of a man or a woman who has entered into a marriage."

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 38, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 66, be amended by adding after line 32 on page 37 the following:

"(4) For the purposes of this Act, "marriage" means the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others."

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 39, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 72, be amended

(a) by replacing line 18 on page 39 with the following:

"12. (1) In subsections 10(1) and 11(1), "com-"

(b) by adding after line 22 on page 39 the following:

"(2) For the purposes of this Act, "spouse" means either a man or a woman who has entered into a marriage, which is the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others."

Mr. Benoit (Lakeland), seconded by Mr. Epp (Elk Island), moved Motion No. 41, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 72, be amended by adding after line 22 on page 39 the following:

"(2) For the purposes of this Act, "spouse" means either a man or a woman who has entered into a marriage, which is the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others."

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 43, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 73, be amended by adding after line 39 on page 39 the following:

"In this paragraph, "marriage" means the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others."

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 44, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 73, be amended by adding after line 39 on page 39 the following:

"In this paragraph, "spouse" means either of a man or a woman who has entered into a marriage."

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 46, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 74, be amended by adding after line 8 on page 40 the following:

" "marriage" means the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others;"

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 47, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 74, be amended by adding after line 8 on page 40 the following:

" "spouse" means either of a man or a woman who has entered into a marriage."

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 49, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 77, be amended by adding after line 28 on page 40 the following:

" "marriage" means the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others;"

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 50, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 77, be amended by adding after line 28 on page 40 the following:

" "spouse" means either of a man or a woman who has entered into a marriage."

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 52, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 78, be amended by adding after line 19 on page 41 the following:

" "spouse" means either of a man or a woman who has entered into a marriage."

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 53, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 78, be amended by adding after line 19 on page 41 the following:

" "marriage" means the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others;"

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 55, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 84, be amended by adding after line 11 on page 43 the following:

" "spouse" means either of a man or a woman who has entered into a marriage;"

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 56, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 84, be amended by adding after line 11 on page 43 the following:

" "marriage" means the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others;"

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 58, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 87, be amended by adding after line 13 on page 44 the following:

" "marriage" means the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others;"

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 60, -- That Bill C-23 be amended by adding after line 39 on page 44 the following new clause:

"88.1 Subsection 2(1) of the Act is amended by adding the following in alphabetical order:

"spouse" means either of a man or a woman who has entered into a marriage;"

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 61, -- That Bill C-23 be amended by adding after line 39 on page 44 the following new clause:

"88.1 Subsection 2(1) of the Act is amended by adding the following in alphabetical order:

"marriage" means the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others;"

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 63, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 89, be amended by adding after line 22 on page 45 the following:

" "marriage" means the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others;"

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 64, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 89, be amended by adding after line 22 on page 45 the following:

" "spouse" means either of a man or a woman who has entered into a marriage;"

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 66, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 91, be amended by adding after line 43 on page 45 the following:

" "marriage" means the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others;"

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 67, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 91, be amended by adding after line 43 on page 45 the following:

" "spouse" means either of a man or a woman who has entered into a marriage;"

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 68, -- That Bill C-23 be amended by adding after line 34 on page 46 the following new clause:

"96.1 Subsection 45(1) of the Act is amended by adding the following in alphabetical order:

"marriage" means the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others;"

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 70, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 99, be amended by adding after line 20 on page 48 the following:

" "marriage" means the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others;"

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 71, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 99, be amended by adding after line 20 on page 48 the following:

" "spouse" means either of a man or a woman who has entered into a marriage;"

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 73, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 106, be amended by adding after line 8 on page 54 the following:

" "marriage" means the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others;"

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 74, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 106, be amended by adding after line 8 on page 54 the following:

" "spouse" means either of a man or a woman who has entered into a marriage;"

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 75, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 111, be amended by adding after line 10 on page 56 the following:

" "marriage" means the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others;"

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 76, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 111, be amended by adding after line 10 on page 56 the following:

" "spouse" means either of a man or a woman who has entered into a marriage;"

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 78, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 116, be amended by adding after line 19 on page 57 the following:

" "marriage" means the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others;"

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 79, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 116, be amended by adding after line 19 on page 57 the following:

" "spouse" means either of a man or a woman who has entered into a marriage;"

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 81, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 122, be amended by adding after line 32 on page 58 the following:

" "spouse" means either of a man or a woman who has entered into a marriage;"

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 82, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 122, be amended by adding after line 32 on page 58 the following:

" "marriage" means the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others;"

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 84, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 124, be amended by adding after line 30 on page 59 the following:

"(1.2) In subsection (1), "spouse" means either of a man or a woman who has entered into a marriage, which is the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others."

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 86, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 125, be amended by replacing line 4 on page 60 with the following:

"employee's child, and"

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 87, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 125, be amended by adding after line 4 on page 60 the following:

"(c) the spouse of the employee."

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 88, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 125, be amended by adding after line 4 on page 60 the following:

" "marriage" means the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others;"

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 89, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 125, be amended by adding after line 4 on page 60 the following:

" "spouse" means either of a man or a woman who has entered into a marriage;"

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 90, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 127, be amended by adding after line 37 on page 60 the following:

"4.3 For the purposes of this Act, "marriage" means the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others."

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 94, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 139, be amended by adding after line 13 on page 67 the following:

" "marriage" means the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others;"

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 95, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 139, be amended by adding after line 13 on page 67 the following:

" "spouse" means either of a man or a woman who has entered into a marriage;"

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 96, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 147, be amended by adding after line 34 on page 68 the following:

"(1.1) Subsection 20(1.1) of the Act is amended by adding the following after paragraph (1.11):

(1.12) For the purposes of subsection (1.1), "spouse" means either of a man or a woman who has entered into a marriage, which is the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others."

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 98, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 148, be amended by adding after line 14 on page 69 the following:

" "marriage" means the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others;"

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 99, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 148, be amended by adding after line 14 on page 69 the following:

" "spouse" means either of a man or a woman who has entered into a marriage;"

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 101, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 153, be amended by adding after line 36 on page 70 the following:

" "spouse" means either of a man or a woman who has entered into a marriage;"

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 102, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 153, be amended by adding after line 36 on page 70 the following:

" "marriage" means the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others;"

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 104, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 159, be amended by adding after line 31 on page 72 the following:

" "marriage" means the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others;"

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 105, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 159, be amended by adding after line 31 on page 72 the following:

" "spouse" means either of a man or a woman who has entered into a marriage."

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 107, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 170, be amended by adding after line 31 on page 76 the following:

" "marriage" means the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others."

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 108, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 176, be amended by adding after line 25 on page 81 the following:

"(3) Subsection 2(1) of the Act is amended by adding the following in alphabetical order:

"marriage" means the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others;"

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 109, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 187, be amended by adding after line 25 on page 88 the following:

" "marriage" means the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others;"

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 110, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 187, be amended by adding after line 25 on page 88 the following:

" "spouse" means either of a man or a woman who has entered into a marriage."

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 113, -- That Bill C-23 be amended by deleting Clause 192.

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 115, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 192, be amended by adding after line 37 on page 91 the following:

" "spouse" means either of a man or a woman who has entered into a marriage;"

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 116, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 192, be amended by adding after line 37 on page 91 the following:

""marriage" means the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others;"

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 135, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 210, be amended by adding after line 31 on page 100 the following:

"(3) For the purposes of this Act, "marriage" means the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others."

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 137, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 211, be amended by adding after line 24 on page 101 the following:

" "spouse" means either of a man or a woman who has entered into a marriage."

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 138, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 211, be amended by adding after line 24 on page 101 the following:

" "marriage" means the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others."

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 140, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 243, be amended by replacing line 21 on page 116 with the following:

"plan, means either of a man or a woman who has entered into a marriage, and includes a person who is a party to a"

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 142, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 243, be amended by adding after line 29 on page 116 the following:

" "marriage" means the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others;"

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 143, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 243, be amended by replacing line 38 on page 116 with the following:

" "époux" S'entend d'un homme ou d'une femme unis par les liens du mariage et de la personne"

Mr. Epp (Elk Island), seconded by Mr. Benoit (Lakeland), moved Motion No. 144, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 254, be amended by replacing lines 2 to 6 on page 120 with the following:

"254. (2) The definitions "joint and survivor"

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 146, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 254, be amended by adding after line 33 on page 120 the following:

" "marriage" means the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others;"

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 147, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 254, be amended by replacing line 34 on page 120 with the following:

" "spouse" means either of a man or a woman who has entered into a marriage and, in relation to an individual, in-"

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 148, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 266, be amended by adding after line 7 on page 126 the following:

" "marriage" means the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others."

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 149, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 266, be amended by adding after line 14 on page 126 the following:

" "spouse" means either of a man or a woman who has entered into a marriage."

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 153, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 286, be amended by adding after line 29 on page 131 the following:

"(3.1) For the purposes of this Act, "marriage" means the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others."

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 154, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 288, be amended by adding after line 43 on page 132 the following:

"(4) For the purposes of this Act, "marriage" means the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others."

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 155, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 288, be amended by adding after line 43 on page 132 the following:

"(4) For the purposes of this Act, "spouse" means either of a man or a woman who has entered into a marriage."

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 156, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 291, be amended by adding after line 37 on page 133 the following:

"(a.1) For the purposes of this Act, "marriage" means the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others;"

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 157, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 295, be amended by adding after line 32 on page 134 the following:

" "marriage" means the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others;"

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 158, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 295, be amended by adding after line 32 on page 134 the following:

" "spouse" means either of a man or a woman who has entered into a marriage;"

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 160, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 298, be amended by adding after line 38 on page 135 the following:

" "marriage" means the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others;"

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 161, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 298, be amended by adding after line 38 on page 135 the following:

" "spouse" means either of a man or a woman who has entered into a marriage;"

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 163, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 303, be amended by adding after line 31 on page 137 the following:

" "marriage" means the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others;"

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 164, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 303, be amended by adding after line 31 on page 137 the following:

" "spouse" means either of a man or a woman who has entered into a marriage;"

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 166, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 311, be amended by adding after line 14 on page 139 the following:

" "spouse" means either of a man or a woman who has entered into a marriage;"

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 167, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 311, be amended by adding after line 14 on page 139 the following:

" "marriage" means the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others;"

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 168, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 315, be amended by adding after line 12 on page 141 the following:

"(3) For the purposes of this Act, "marriage" means the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others."

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 169, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 315, be amended by adding after line 12 on page 141 the following:

"(3) For the purposes of this Act, "spouse" means either of a man or a woman who has entered into a marriage."

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 171, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 317, be amended by adding after line 19 on page 143 the following:

" "spouse" means either of a man or a woman who has entered into a marriage."

Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), seconded by Mr. Chatters (Athabasca), moved Motion No. 172, -- That Bill C-23, in Clause 317, be amended by adding after line 19 on page 143 the following:

" "marriage" means the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others."

Debate arose on the motions in Group No. 1.

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 (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. 362-0635 concerning the highway system. -- Sessional Paper No. 8545-362-12-04;

-- Nos. 362-0636, 362-0637, 362-0638, 362-0639, 362-0640, 362-0641 and 362-0646 concerning the labelling of food products. -- Sessional Paper No. 8545-362-29-10;

-- No. 362-0643 concerning the tax system. -- Sessional Paper No. 8545-362-17-13;

-- Nos. 362-0647 and 362-0648 concerning child poverty. -- Sessional Paper No. 8545-362-16-09.

Presenting Reports from Committees

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 23rd Report of the Committee, which was as follows:

The Committee recommends, pursuant to Standing Orders 104 and 114, that the following Member be added to the list of Associate Members of the Standing Joint Committee on Official Languages:

Jean-Guy Chrétien

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings was tabled.

Motions

By unanimous consent, it was ordered, -- That the 23rd 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 Mrs. Ablonczy (Calgary -- Nose Hill), one concerning the Department of Human Resources Development (No. 362-0930);

-- by Mr. Hubbard (Miramichi), three concerning the Canada Post Corporation (Nos. 362-0931 to 362-0933);

-- by Mr. Robinson (Burnaby -- Douglas), one concerning the situation in the Middle East (No. 362-0934);

-- by Mr. Thompson (Wild Rose), one concerning child poverty (No. 362-0935) and two concerning marriage (Nos. 362-0936 and 362- 0937);

-- by Mr. Muise (West Nova), two concerning pornography (Nos. 362- 0938 and 362-0939) and three concerning marriage (Nos. 362-0940 to 362-0942);

-- by Mr. Lowther (Calgary Centre), one concerning marriage (No. 362-0943);

-- by Mr. Steckle (Huron -- Bruce), one concerning child poverty (No. 362-0944).

GOVERNMENT ORDERS

The House resumed consideration at report stage of Bill C-23, An Act to modernize the Statutes of Canada in relation to benefits and obligations, as reported by the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights with amendments;

And of the motions in Group No. 1 (Motions Nos. 1, 3 to 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, 19, 21 to 24, 27, 28, 31 to 33, 35, 37 to 39, 41, 43, 44, 46, 47, 49, 50, 52, 53, 55, 56, 58, 60, 61, 63, 64, 66 to 68, 70, 71, 73 to 76, 78, 79, 81, 82, 84, 86 to 90, 94 to 96, 98, 99, 101, 102, 104, 105, 107 to 110, 113, 115, 116, 135, 137, 138, 140, 142 to 144, 146 to 149, 153 to 158, 160, 161, 163, 164, 166 to 169, 171 and 172).

The debate continued.

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 6:43 p.m., the Speaker adjourned the House until tomorrow at 10:00 a.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).