Mr. Caoueiie:

I should like to ask the hon. Member a question. The hon. Member has just said that this expenditure would be too high. Will the hon. Member tell us whether there is a shortage of materials to build such a bridge or tunnel so that the required services may be provided at that point? Why is the hon. Member speaking about the expenditure, in view of the fact that everything physically necessary is available?

Mr. Byrne:

Mr. Speaker, that is a typical expression of Social Credit philosophy: Anything that is physically possible is economically feasible. That may or may not be so, 22620-161

Access to Vancouver Airport but so far in this discussion I have not said that the proposed project is not justifiable.

Let me assure the hon. Member that if the Premier and the Cabinet of the Province of British Columbia were more co-operative and assisted us at least in informing the general public as to the amounts of expenditures the Federal Government makes in respect of joint programs, and in respect of direct grants, it would be helpful, but this co-operation is singularly lacking on the part of the Cabinet of the Province of British Columbia. I think every Member, whether he is a politician or a statesman, must and does realize that under our system of responsible Government, and no one knows this better than the Cabinet of the Province of British Columbia, when an expenditure is made by a body that has collected the taxes, that body should at least receive some credit. It should be shown that the contributing body is contributing, otherwise our system of responsible Government breaks down, and I refer particularly to the federal system.

I should like to give one example of the lack of co-operation in this regard, and this refers to something which took place while the Conservative Party was in power here in Ottawa. On the completion of a section of the Trans-Canada Highway through a very mountainous section of the Rockies and Cascades, which had received great publicity, the Federal Government planned a joint Federal-Provincial grand opening ceremony. The Provincial Government rushed ahead and conducted an opening ceremony two weeks ahead of the planned joint opening. The joint financial arrangements for the construction of this section of the highway provided that the Federal Government would contribute 90 per cent of the cost of 10 per cent of the highway, plus 100 per cent of the cost of construction of the highway through Western National Parks. As a result of this the Federal Government spent almost $100 million, whereas the Provincial Government spent $2,700,000. That is an example of the lack of co-operation on the part of the British Columbia Cabinet, and that is why I say that at least in respect of joint programs the provincial governments should co-operate in a small measure by informing the general public as to the source of this money.

It is six o'clock.

Mr. Winch:

Would the hon. Member permit a question? Is the hon. Member sure that in

June 16, 1965

Business of the House

his recent automobile accident he only cracked his ribs?

Mr. Byrne:

Would the hon. Member repeat his question, please.

Mr. Winch:

I was wondering whether during the hon. Member's unfortunate and regrettable recent automobile accident he only cracked his ribs.

Mr. Byrne:

From an observation of the actions of the hon. Member in this House over the past few years it is my thought that he must have had a serious accident some time ago.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Batten):

Order, please. I must inform the House that the time allotted for private Members' business has now expired. If there is any reference to the business for tomorrow, it should be made now.

Mr. MacNaughl:

Mr. Speaker, tomorrow we will resume the business that was interrupted

at five o'clock, namely a discussion of the budget resolutions. If they are completed, and I should imagine they will be early tomorrow, we will then consider Item No. 10 on today's order paper, resuming debate on the motion of the Minister of Justice to set up a joint committee on penitentiaries. That will be followed by Item No. 21, a resolution preceding the Fisheries Improvement Loans Act; Item No. 22, a resolution preceding a bill to provide for the construction of the Canadian National Railway Froomfield spur line near Sarnia. We will then take up supplementary estimates A relating to the Department of Labour; payments under the winter house building program. On Monday there will be a supply motion.

Mr. Knowles:

You have a quahaug's imagination.

At six o'clock the House adjourned without question put, pursuant to standing order.

Thursday, June 17, 1965