1. What Is the purpose of the group known as the Fort Churchill Recreation Association?

2. Who are the members of the executive of this organization?

3. Do any of these executive members hold positions in the public service of Canada?

4. Does the Fort Churchill Recreation Association collect any moneys on behalf of the Department of Public Works or the Department of National Defence, and, if so (a) what are these moneys for, and (b) what were the amounts paid in 1964 and in 1965?

Hon. G. J. Mcllraiih (Minister of Public Works):

1. The purpose of the Fort Churchill Recreation Association is to promote and manage recreation, social activities and welfare throughout Fort Churchill.

2. The members of the executive are: Chairman: R. B. Angus, Department of Public Works; Directors: Dr. J. H. Brandy, National Research Council; Lt.-Cmdr. D. W. Walker, Royal Canadian Navy; P. Nicholas, Department of Transport; A. N. Millican, Department of Northern Affairs and National Resources; Secretary: D. B. Norwood, Department of Public Works.

3. Yes.

4. Yes, on behalf of the Department of Public Works, (a) For food and lodging of transients; (b) 1964-1965, $76,256.84; 1965-1966 (to Dec. 31, 1965), $87,688.36.

1. Was the Canadian Pacific Railway behind in its scheduled delivery of grain to Vancouver as at January 20, 1966?

2. If so, by how many box cars?

3. Was the Canadian National Railway behind in its scheduled delivery of grain to Vancouver as at January 20, 1966?

4. If so, by how many box cars?

February 9, 1966

Hon. Mitchell Sharp (Minister of Finance):

Prior to entering into the sales contract for Canadian wheat and flour with the U.S.S.R. last August, a meeting was held between the Minister of Trade and Commerce, the presidents of the Canadian Pacific Railway and the Canadian National Railway, and the Canadian Wheat Board to assess rail transportation requirements for the massive grain movement envisaged. At that time the Canadian Wheat Board estimated total wheat and flour exports for the crop year at 600 million bushels, just slightly in excess of the record movement of 596 million bushels achieved in 1963-64. A movement of this magnitude would make possible the achievement of the proposed contract with the U.S.S.R. as well as all commitments under long term agreements and purchases by traditional customers.

With some qualifications about the rapid turn around of their equipment, high moisture content of the grain which could slow down the movement, and the necessity of their operations not being unduly restricted by wheat board quota policies, both railways indicated that the commitments envisaged by the wheat board could be met.

Cars loaded Aug. 1 to Jan. 20/66 CWB targets Aug. 1 to Jan. 20/66 Difference

Cars loaded Aug. 1 to Jan. 20/66 Cars loaded Aug. 1/63 to Jan. 20/64 Difference between 1965-66 and 1963-64 crop years

* Northern Alberta Railway cars included, handled by Canadian Pacific Railway 50 per cent.

Questions

Subsequent to this meeting the Canadian Wheat Board assessed box car requirements in relation to export and domestic shipping programs and in relation to the individual port areas for specific periods. For the guidance of the railways they provided suggested loading targets to maintain a continuous flow of grain to meet contractual obligations. In preparing its target the Canadian Wheat Board took into account that the full scope of the transportation requirement was known at the beginning of the crop year and the movement could start immediately, whereas in 1963-64 the large scale movement did not get underway until late October.

There was no specific commitment by the railways with respect to the board's loading target. Their commitment was only in terms of the over-all movement for the crop year as a whole.

With specific reference to the above questions, the following is the record of performance for the Vancouver area basis the Canadian Wheat Board's loading records and the transportation targets for the period

August 1, 1965, to January 20, 1966.

C.P.R. C.N.R. Total*25,218 22,284 47,50233,706 28,987 62,693-8,488 -6,703 -15,19125,218 22,284 47,50223,748 22,893 46,641+ 1,470 - 609 + 861

For 1963-64 crop year division of such cars cent, by Canadian National Railway 50 per

1. What action is planned regarding the post offices at Wentworth and Greenville Station, N.S.?

2. If any action is contemplated, will it result in the closure of any of the post offices?

3. Will any new rural routes be established in this area, or extensions to existing rural routes be made?

Hon. Jean-Pierre Cote (Postmaster General):

1. No change is contemplated at the Wentworth post office.

As regards the Greenville Station post office, the Postmaster has reached the age of retirement and an inquiry is now being made into the possibility of closing the post office and serving the residents in the area by a rural route emanating from either Westchester Station or Wentworth Centre.

2. Should a rural route be established from either Westchester Station or Wentworth Centre, the Greenville Station post office would be closed.

3. At the present time, there is no proposal to establish new rural routes in the area other than the one mentioned in part 2.

Similarly, there is no proposal to extend the existing rural routes in the area.

February 9, 1966

Questions

1. On what day did the governments of Canada and the United States agree to negotiate on the co-operative development of the Saint John river in Maine and New Brunswick?

2. Was this agreement reached in an exchange of notes between the Secretary of State for External Affairs and the United States ambassador to Canada?

1. December 18, 1965.

2. Yes.

1. Is the government aware of a recommendation of the Montreal Chamber of Commerce advocating giving the same autonomy to the port of Montreal as enjoyed by the port of Toronto?

2. If so, is the government considering the advisability of giving effect to such recommendation?

Mr. J. A. Byrne (Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Transport):

1. The Junior Chamber of Commerce of the district of Montreal has recommended that a harbour commission be established for the port of Montreal and that the National Harbours Board co-ordinate the activities of some 300 Canadian ports.

2. The representations made by the Junior Chamber of Commerce will be given the most thorough consideration, with due regard for the fact that the port of Montreal serves the whole of Canada.

Does the government contemplate exempting from the 11 per cent tax, building materials purchased under the Winter Works Incentive program?

Hon. Mitchell Sharp (Minister of Finance):

Representations on this matter, as well as on a wide range of other tax subjects, are being studied during the preparation of the budget.

1. In the event of a sudden accident or emergency on any of the great lakes, such as a small boat capsizing, collision, drowning, or boats or persons overdue and presumed missing, with whom or with what organization should an interested party get in touch at the following places: Long Point Beach, Turkey Point, Port Rowan, Normandale, Port Dover, Grand Bend, Ipperwash Beach, Parry Sound, Midland, Port Bruce, Port Burwell, Port Stanley, Rondeau Park, Wah-Wah-Taysee Post Office, Kincardine?

2. What are the names, addresses and telephone numbers of the persons or organizations referred to in (1) above?

3. Is some person always available at the above referred to telephone numbers, locations or addresses?

4. What sort of assistance would be rendered in the emergencies described in (1) above?

5. How long would it take for such assistance to arrive?

6. What level of government is responsible for providing this assistance?

Mr. J. A. Byrne (Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Transport):

1. In the event of a marine accident occurring anywhere in the Canadian waters of the great lakes, interested parties should at once contact the R.C.A.F. search and rescue co-ordination centre at Trenton, Ontario, telephone Trenton 392-3511, local 211, or the nearest office of the R.C.M.P.,

O.P.P. or municipal police.

2. See (1) above.

3. A continuous watch is always maintained at the rescue co-ordination centre and at most police offices.

4. Where possible to do so immediate local action may be taken by the police, using resources immediately available. In other cases the rescue co-ordination centre makes the details of the incident known to any other vessels in the vicinity, which may then be requisitioned for search and assistance purposes. The rescue co-ordinating centre may direct any Canadian registered vessel or any Canadian government vessel to provide the desired assistance, as well as any available government owned aircraft. Four Canadian coastguard cutters are stationed throughout the great lakes area specifically for search and rescue purposes. Six other Canadian coastguard vessels employed in the area are also available.

5. The promptness of the arrival of assistance depends upon the accuracy of the initial reports and the location of the accident relative to the available assistance. It is normal for vessels to be alerted to a marine accident within minutes of receipt of its report.

6. The R.C.A.F. has the over-all responsibility for co-ordinating search and rescue activities in Canadian waters.