Debates of June 21st, 1994

Fisheries

[Brian Tobin, Liberal, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for his question. Indeed we are aware of the American vessels in the area of AB line and the Dixon Entrance.

The member knows it is not unusual over the years that both Canadian and American vessels are in this disputed zone and that each nation conducts its fishery and enforces its own fishery in this disputed zone.

The question is being asked in a manner that would suggest that somehow there is something unusual or something that is precedent setting. It misleads the House and I know that is not the member's intention. His usual practice is to inform the House. I inform him that we are monitoring the situation very closely as usual.

Presence In The Gallery

[The Speaker]

I would like to draw to the attention of hon. members the presence in our gallery of His Excellency Dr. Mate Granic, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Croatia.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear.

[The Speaker]

Dear colleagues, I have a question of privilege, and two points of order, one of them from this side.

The hon. member for Gaspé on a question of privilege. This is about something that happened during Question Period.

Point Of Order

[Yvan Bernier, Bloc, Gaspé, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I will try to be brief even though this is the end of the parliamentary session and I am a young member.

Earlier, in response to my second question, the Prime Minister distorted my words. The Prime Minister was referring to a question I had raised regarding sovereignists and the definition of "separatist". I had reminded-

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[Yvan Bernier, Bloc, Gaspé, QC]

-that hurts the ears of the hon. members opposite.

[The Speaker]

My dear colleague, it is certainly a point of debate but I do not think it is a question of privilege.

The hon. member for Laurentides on a point of order.

[Monique Guay, Bloc, Laurentides, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I want to bring to your attention the words and attitude of the vice-chairman of the Standing Committee on Government Operations during the June 15 sitting. We parliamentarians find it very disturbing to work with a vice-chairman who is constantly cutting us off and is biased against what we say. I also think it is very disrespectful to talk about absent members and call them by their personal names.

I therefore table the "blues" of this committee and ask you to read them attentively and take the necessary actions.

[The Speaker]

That also is a point of debate.

[Alfonso Gagliano, Liberal, Saint-Léonard, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I would appreciate it if you would ask the House for unanimous consent, when taking the vote on second reading of Bill C-37, to dispense with the ringing of the bells since the majority of the members are here.

[The Speaker]

The House has heard the proposal for unanimous consent to dispense with the ringing of the bells. Is there unanimous consent?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[Some hon. members]

No.

[The Speaker]

There is no unanimous consent.

The House resumed from June 20 consideration of the motion that Bill C-37, an act to amend the Young Offenders Act and the Criminal Code, be read the second time and referred to a committee.

Young Offenders Act

[The Deputy Speaker]

It being three o'clock p.m. pursuant to Standing Order 45(5)( a ) the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred division on the motion at second reading of Bill C-37, an act to amend the Young Offenders Act and the Criminal Code.

Call in the members.

[Diane Ablonczy, Reform, Calgary North, AB]

I rise on a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I believe there was a request for unanimous consent to hold the vote without the ringing of the bells. There was a loud denial for that unanimous consent. I am puzzled why the vote is proceeding.

[The Deputy Speaker]

I say to the hon. member for Calgary North that I asked exactly the same question. I am told that when a situation like this arises the bells will ring for up to 15 minutes and if during that time the whips of the government party and the Official Opposition get together we would not have to ring the bells for 15 minutes.

(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)

[The Speaker]

I declare the motion carried.

(Bill read the second time and referred to a committee.)

[Lyle Vanclief, Liberal, Prince Edward—Hastings, ON]

I rise on a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I was unavoidably detained in the lobby for a moment and not here at the beginning of the vote. If I had been here I would have voted in favour of the legislation.

[Audrey McLaughlin, NDP, Yukon, YT]

Mr. Speaker, regrettably I was not near and I would like to record my vote as a yes.

[Gurbax Malhi, Liberal, Bramalea—Gore—Malton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I was not in the House at the start of the vote. Had I been present I would have voted with the government.

The House resumed consideration of the motion that Bill C-32, an act to amend the Excise Tax Act, the Excise Act and the Income Tax Act, be read the third time and passed.

Excise Tax Act

[The Deputy Speaker]

The hon. member for Vegreville has 10 minutes remaining.