Yukon First Nations Self-Government Act  Mr. Speaker, it is quite clear we are facing a very complex problem. I do not pretend to have the answer but I can tell the member that I have read studies. One of them had a wonderful title. In fact the author and I were colleagues at the Australian National University for a long time.

China  The Liberal government is trashing a long-standing tradition of defending human rights, reducing Canada to the condition of petty trading nation without any vision, or heart or soul". This morning, the secretary of state reaffirmed the very clear framework of bilateral relations with China recently described by the Minister of Foreign Affairs. There is clearly a double standard regarding human rights violations, with Canada applying a very harsh policy in the case of poor countries-let us just think of Haiti-but a lenient one, one of turning a blind eye, as far as rich countries are concerned.

China  As the Minister of Foreign Affairs outlined in a speech last week, this government has a very clear framework when it comes to the conduct of our bilateral relations with China. This framework is based on four pillars: economic partnership; sustainable development; peace and security; and human rights and the rule of law.

Supply  Speaker, I think we could apply the results of the first vote to this one, and the hon. member could apply the same reasoning to the two votes on which they want to vote differently from the series of votes on which we will vote. Our agreement still stands, provided he makes it clear that a negative vote on the fifth vote applies to all votes except two. If he says which two, there is no problem.

Supply  Speaker, far be it from me to have been able to predict what the Reform Party would do, or for that matter the government whip. Whatever is going on here, Mr. Speaker, I just want it to be absolutely clear that the NDP caucus wants to support the motion of the Treasury Board allocating money to VIA Rail and to Industry grants. Then we want to be recorded as voting against the main estimates in their entirety.

Supply  In fact, provincial legislatures which are governed by the hon. member's party, the NDP, exercise extremely strict party discipline. One other matter that needs to be clear, and I would like to get the hon. member's comment on, is that we are not talking about free votes as being free spirited endeavours on behalf of individual members. We are talking about the members' freedom to vote the wishes of their constituents.

Supply  There is nothing procedurally or legislatively or anything like that that needs to be done. It is not clear when they are speaking. I am not making this up. Their argument sounds as if there is something the government should be doing. The thing they could do best, if they are really serious about this, is to demonstrate it in their own practices.

Supply  It will tell Canadians what kind of service and treatment they can expect to receive when they telephone a government number, visit a federal office or write to a government agency. This declaration will provide clear direction to all public service employees about the kind of service the government wants Canadians to receive from all federal offices. While we may not be able to deliver all services in line with the declaration right now, an achievable but challenging target is one way of getting there.

Supply  As for the Minister of Human Resources Development, he is currently conducting the most comprehensive review of the social security system in Canada since that program was put in place. It should be clear to everyone that the government intends to do what is necessary, and to do it in a responsible way, from a financial point of view. The results of these reviews and other initiatives will be made public as early as this fall, so that they can be discussed in the most open budget process ever put in place by a government.

Supply  They were Solange Chaput-Rolland and Jacques Hébert. Considering their past achievements, it is clear that their notoriety did not come from the fact that they were senators. Ordinary people do not see how the Senate could possibly help them. They only see a group of individuals appointed for reasons sometimes obscure, on whom they never call to defend their interests.

Supply  Speaker, I would like to question the previous speaker and the one prior to him on a couple of things. First of all, I want it perfectly clear that I stand firm in the belief of a truly triple-E Senate, and I also believe that what we presently have is ineffective and truly a waste of dollars for a lot of reasons. One area that I am familiar with is the United States, as that is where I came from, and although the systems are slightly different the Senate has a significant purpose in that country and that is to protect the districts and regions from exploitation from larger regions.

Supply  However, I must admit I was taking some notes in the chair, so I cannot comment on what was said by the hon. member for Joliette, who nevertheless caused the hon. member on the government side to raise his point of order. I do want to make it clear to hon. members that I will remain in the House until the end of the debate. And I want to thank the hon. member for his remarks, because members must behave in a parliamentary fashion, as has always been the tradition in this House, and I am confident that we will continue to do so.

Supply  They are accountable only to themselves". He adds: "We noted that the Senate did not, either officially or unofficially, delegate clear responsibilities to the administration or clearly indicate what the administration was accountable for". In other words, the administration of that chamber resembles a free-for-all. They do what they want with public money, as the Auditor General pointed out.

Western Grain Transportation  Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to inform members of the House of the government's plans to address several problems experienced during the current crop year in the transportation of western Canadian grain to market. These actions are intended to help clear up this year's difficulties. Even more important, they will help ensure that those difficulties are not repeated in the next or subsequent crop years. Members of the House will be aware that significant delays were experienced this year in getting western Canada's grain to market.

Members Of Parliament Retiring Allowances Act  Speaker, the House has been previously informed, as hon. members know, that there was a study commissioned by the previous government that was brought to a committee of the House and is now under study by a committee of the House as provided for by the Parliament act with respect to compensation including pensions for members of Parliament. The government has made it clear that it intends to bring about revisions to the pension plan for MPs. As soon as the Lapointe commission submits its report, which I understand will be about mid-July, we will examine the results.