Hon. J. W. Pickersgill (Bonavisfa-Twil-lingate):

Mr. Speaker, I should like to redirect to the Prime Minister a question I asked the Acting Prime Minister on Friday. Has there been any correspondence with any of the provincial governments about the federal-provincial conference or the matters discussed at that conference, since the conference adjourned?

Right Hon. J. G. Diefenbaker (Prime Minister):

Mr. Speaker, the answer is yes, and I hope to be able to table that correspondence at the earliest possible date.

Mr. M. J. Coldwell (Rosetown-Biggar):

I

should like to ask the Prime Minister a question which I asked the Acting Prime Minister last Friday but which I probably should have delayed until his return. When does he contemplate the calling together of the dominion-provincial conference, particularly in view of the fact that the legislatures are about to meet and the provincial treasurers must prepare their budgets, and that this conference may adopt some agreement which may involve budgetary considerations on the part of the provinces?

Right Hon. J. G. Diefenbaker (Prime Minister):

Mr. Speaker, in view of the uncertain duration of this parliamentary session it is impossible yet to say with any definiteness when the dominion-provincial conference will be reconvened. However, the matter is receiving consideration, and as soon as a decision is made it will be communicated.

Mr. H. R. Argue (Assiniboia):

May I ask a

supplementary question. Does the Prime Minister know whether on any other occasion the government has used as an alibi the fact of the house being in session, when parliament and the conference can be in session at the same time?

Hon. Alvin Hamilton (Minister of Northern Affairs and National Resources):

Mr. Speaker, on Friday I announced that the government had decided to offer to the provinces an arrangement under which it would be prepared to pay 50 per cent of the cost of construction of forest access roads where the construction is undertaken between the date of the offer and June 30, 1958.

I now wish to announce that the federal government has also decided to offer to the provinces 50 per cent participation in a program for the construction and improvement of camp grounds and picnic areas that would be of benefit to the very important tourist industry in this country.

Last October I was chairman of the annual federal-provincial tourist conference. During that meeting there was much discussion of the importance of expanding camp grounds and other tourist facilities along the highways of Canada and in the provincial parks. These recreation developments would complement the very extensive facilities that are now available in the national and provincial parks of Canada. All the provincial representatives indicated interest in doing something along these lines.

On the authority of the government I have written the premiers of the provinces to advise them that the federal government will be prepared to reimburse the provincial governments for 50 per cent of expenditures made on camp grounds and picnic area developments between the date of my letter and May 31, 1958. The letter makes it clear that the developments can be constructed anywhere in the province, and that the offer is made on the basis that not less than 50 per cent of all expenditures would be for the payment of wages of persons employed on the work.

As in the case of the offer on forest access roads, the amount of expenditure and the number of jobs that will be provided will, of course, depend on the extent of provincial participation. The supplementary estimates of the Department of Northern Affairs and National Resources for the fiscal year 1957-58 will include an amount of $1 million for this purpose in order that funds may be immediately available.

It is my hope that the letters I have sent to the provincial premiers outlining the federal offer for participation will produce an enthusiastic and immediate response. I

9G698-186^

Inquiries of the Ministry think the program contemplated is a far-seeing one that will result in projects that will have continuing recreation value for Canada.

It will also have the added value of providing a larger number of employment opportunities in all parts of the country during this winter season if the provinces act at once to implement the program.

For the convenience of hon. members might I suggest, Mr. Speaker, that a copy of the letter I sent to the provincial premiers under date of January 2 be printed as an appendix to Hansard? By leave of the house I should like to table a copy of the letter and have it printed as an appendix.

Mr. Speaker:

Has the minister leave of the house to have this letter to which he has referred printed in Hansard?

Agreed.

[For text of letter referred to above, see appendix, pages 2977-78.1 [Later:]

Mr. T. S. Barneii (Comox-Alberni):

I should like to direct a question to the Minister of Northern Affairs and National Resources arising out of his earlier statement today about the joint program of park development with the provinces. My question is as follows. Would the terms of the offer made to the provinces include the development of seaside parks for boating tourists, something which I understand the government of British Columbia has had under consideration?

Mr. Hamilton (Qu'Appelle):

I am not just quite sure of the implications of the question of the hon. member. The offer we have just made was on the subject that was raised at the dominion-provincial tourist conference and dealt primarily with picnic sites and camp sites along the sides of highways. It was on that particular subject that we made this offer. As to the question raised by the hon. member, I am unable to state whether that will be included because I do not know all it implies.

Mr. Barnett:

Will the minister look into the matter?

Mr. Hamilton (Qu'Appelle):

Yes.