Finance  But apparently the Liberals see nothing illegitimate about taking that money and using it to subsidize debt repayment, nothing corrupt about seizing it to fund a tax break geared to upper income Canadians. It is precisely because the government cannot be trusted to manage the fund that New Democrats, along with other opposition parties, called for the UI premium account to be separated from overall government revenues as of April 1, 1999 with an independent commission made up of worker and employer representatives.

International Olympic Committee  Speaker, in a recent article in Le Soleil , the President of the Treasury Board is quoted as saying that he would support a city of Quebec initiative to try to recoup the millions of dollars spent on its failed Olympic bid for the 2002 games. It appears that a member of this government was well aware of the corruption that permeated within the IOC and should have adequately advised the Quebec Olympic committee. Would the President of the Treasury Board not agree that the Government of Canada has some responsibility and therefore should compensate the Quebec Olympic committee for its losses?

Foreign Affairs  Speaker, my question is for the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. On Monday, December 7, 1998, this House passed Bill S-21, the corruption of foreign officials act. Will the parliamentary secretary please explain the international importance of Canada's speedy adoption of this bill?

Foreign Affairs  Speaker, first of all I would like to thank my colleague for her ongoing contribution to the subject of foreign affairs. In 1997 the Prime Minister made a commitment that the OECD convention on the corruption and bribery of foreign officials would be ratified in this House. Thanks to the co-operation of members of all parties, this bill has been passed into law. Canada is one of five OECD countries necessary to make this convention law.

Corruption Of Foreign Public Officials Act  Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

Corruption Of Foreign Public Officials Act  Agreed.

Corruption Of Foreign Public Officials Act  On division. (Motion agreed to, bill read the third time and passed)

Corruption Of Foreign Public Officials Act  Madam Speaker, I have already outlined the concern I had that this was introduced in the Senate. As the parliamentary secretary said, it is a more efficient process. It might be a more efficient process but it lacks the legitimacy it needs. The reason is members there technically have the right to introduce this legislation.

Corruption Of Foreign Public Officials Act  Is the House ready for the question?

Corruption Of Foreign Public Officials Act  Question.

Corruption Of Foreign Public Officials Act  Madam Speaker, I am very pleased to hear the hon. member quote Winston Churchill on democracy. He apparently agrees with Mr. Churchill. If he really believes in that, why does the Liberal government not try it some time? It would be wonderful if we could introduce a bit of democracy into the House and into the country.

Corruption Of Foreign Public Officials Act  Madam Speaker, I remind the hon. member that in 25 minutes we will be practising the art of democracy.

Corruption Of Foreign Public Officials Act  It is my duty, pursuant to Standing Order 38, to inform the House that the questions to be raised tonight at the time of adjournment are as follows: the hon. member for Halifax West, National Defence; the hon. member for New Westminster—Coquitlam—Burnaby, Employment Insurance; the hon. member for Brandon—Souris, Agriculture; the hon. member for Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup—Témiscouata—Les Basques, Employment Insurance.

Corruption Of Foreign Public Officials Act  What about Kim?

House debate  The House resumed consideration of the motion that Bill S-21, an act respecting the corruption of foreign public officials and the implementation of the Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions, and to make related amendments to other acts, be read the third time and passed.