Debates of Nov. 1st, 1999

Points Of Order

[Don Boudria, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, I believe you would find unanimous consent for the following motion:

That the standing committee on aboriginal affairs be authorized to travel to Victoria, Vancouver, Terrace, Prince George and Smithers, British Columbia, during the week of November 14 to 20, 1999, during its consideration of Bill C-9, an act to give effect to the Nisga'a Final Agreement; and

That, during its consideration of matters pursuant to Standing Order 83.1, the Standing Committee on Finance be authorized to adjourn from place to place within Canada and to permit the television broadcasting of its proceedings thereon; and that the said committee be permitted in 1999 to make its report pursuant to the said standing order on or before December 10, 1999.

[The Speaker]

Does the hon. member have the permission of the House to put the motion?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Speaker]

The House has heard the terms of the motion. Shall I dispense?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[Some hon. members]

No.

[The Speaker]

Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

(Motion agreed to)

Nisga'A Final Agreement Act

[Don Boudria, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

moved:

That in relation to Bill C-9, an act to give effect to the Nisga'a Final Agreement, not more than one further sitting day shall be allotted to the consideration of the second reading stage of the said bill and, fifteen minutes before the expiry of the time provided for government business on the day allotted to the consideration of the second reading stage of the said bill, any proceedings before the House shall be interrupted, if required for the purpose of this order, and in turn every question necessary for the disposal of the stage of the bill then under consideration shall be put forthwith and successively without further debate or amendment.

[Randy White, Reform, Langley—Abbotsford, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I would like the Chair to note that the official opposition has only been given a matter of hours to debate this issue and already the government is moving time allocation. I question why the government would do such a thing.

[The Speaker]

That is surely a point of interest, but not a point of order.

The question is on the motion. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[Some hon. members]

No.

[The Speaker]

All those in favour of the motion will please say yea.

[Some hon. members]

Yea.

[The Speaker]

All those opposed will please say nay.

[Some hon. members]

Nay.

[The Speaker]

In my opinion the nays have it.

And more than five members having risen:

[The Speaker]

Call in the members.

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

Division No. 47

[The Speaker]

I declare the motion agreed to.

[Sue Barnes, Liberal, London West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I was delayed on my aircraft. I would have loved to have voted with my government.

The House resumed from October 27 consideration of the motion that Bill C-9, an act to give effect to the Nisga'a Final Agreement, be now read a second time and referred to a committee, of the amendment and of the amendment to the amendment.

[Dick Harris, Reform, Prince George—Bulkley Valley, BC]

Madam Speaker, it is obvious from the noise on the Liberal members' side of the House that Bill C-9 is not an important bill to them. Therefore they are not really concerned, as they have demonstrated on a number of occasions, about hearing the voices of the people of British Columbia, the province that will see the impact of this ill planned and ill conceived bill that is wrought with peril, should it proceed.

I am speaking about Bill C-9, the Nisga'a final agreement act. Before I go any further I want to point out to anyone who is watching and any of the Liberal members who would care to listen what the government has done to the people of British Columbia, and indeed to the people of Canada.

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh.

[Dick Harris, Reform, Prince George—Bulkley Valley, BC]

Could we please have some order in the House, Madam Speaker. This is very disrespectful.