Mr. Bernard Dumont (Frontenac):

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a question of privilege.

In a statement published in today's issue of the newspaper Le Devoir, mention is made of a reply to a question by the honourable member for Belleehasse, Bernard Dumont, whereas the representative for Belleehasse is Adrien Lambert. I would therefore ask for a correction of this article which reads as follows:

Crop insurance:

The Honourable Horace Olson, Minister of Agriculture, stated that the federal government would participate in approved crop insurance programs to the extent of 50 per cent of administration costs and 25 per cent of premiums. This was in reply to a question from Mr. Bernard Dumont.

Of course, this should be Mr. Adrien Lambert.

Mr. Speaker:

In my opinion, this question of privilege is not in order.

Mr. Speaker, I hope the Leader of the Opposition will forgive me if I exercise my position as Prime Minister to report on the activities of one of the most select organizations in Canada, the prime ministers' alumni association. This group, Mr. Speaker, has but three living members and they are all very distinguished Canadians; but the House of Commons chapter has but a single member, and I must say that that chapter has never been in better shape.

Hear, hear.

Mr. Trudeau:

Its distinguished and very active representative here is known by different names to different peoples-Chief Great Eagle, Chief Walking Buffalo, Chief Many Spotted Horses-and some of us from other 29180-111

tribes call him by other names at other times. But in the House of Commons and to the people of Canada in general he is the hon. member for Prince Albert (Mr. Diefenbaker).

His unbroken tenure of office in this house, 28 years, is unmatched in length by any other member except the distinguished hon. member for Ottawa Centre (Mr. Mcllraith). The contribution of the right hon. gentleman is one of the greatest in Canadian life. Indeed, it has become a legend.

Hear, hear.

Mr. Trudeau:

The opportunity I have seized to make this report to the House of Commons is on the occasion of the right hon. gentleman's seventy third birthday.

Hear, hear.

Mr. Trudeau:

On behalf of the government,, indeed on behalf of all the people of Canada, I want to wish him very many happy returns of the day. I hope I will have occasion for many years, and possibly even my successors will have occasion, to make this annual report.

Oh, oh.

Mr. Trudeau:

In the meantime, Mr. Speaker, I wonder if I could offer him a blue flower as an expression of good will from the flower people.

Hear, hear.

[DOT] (2:40 p.m.)

Hon. Robert L. Stanfield (Leader of the Op-posilion):

Mr. Speaker, may I first of all say to the Prime Minister that I wish I found all his statements as agreeable as this report he has made to the house this afternoon. On behalf of the official opposition, the Progressive Conservative party and personally I am delighted to join with the Prime Minister in extending congratulations to our very distinguished colleague the right hon. member for Prince Albert. As members of parliament we are conscious of his great contribution to this chamber, the great part he has played here and the fight he has always made on behalf of the rights and traditions of parliament. His dedication has few parallels in the long history of this parliament of Canada.

September 18, 1968

Birthday Wishes to Mr. Diefenbaker

I am sure members of the house will understand that my reference today extends beyond the outstanding role of the right hon. gentleman as a House of Commons man. His great imprint here has made an even more enduring mark upon the country he has served in so many capacities, and in particular as prime minister. If I may speak very personally, sir, I know the esteem with which he is held by the people of my part of Canada. As the premier of a province I worked with the right hon. gentleman, and I know how deeply that esteem is deserved.

The right hon. gentleman has won a lasting place in the history of this parliament and the affection of the people of Canada. We have been personal colleagues for many years. It is a great privilege and a great personal pleasure to join other members of this house in extending to him congratulations on his birthday and to wish him many happy returns and many full and active years.

Mr. David Lewis (York South):

Mr. Speaker, I could not possibly attempt to match the charm and grace with which the Prime Minister introduced this subject. I wish to join him and the Leader of the Opposition in extending our very best wishes to the gentleman on his birthday.

I have not been a member of this house for a very long time, but I had the honour of sitting here when he was prime minister and again when he was leader of the opposition. One could never fail to notice the way in which his very rising from his seat electrified the house, whatever the electricity produced. One could also not fail to note his very great love for this institution and his devotion to parliament as a place of democratic battle. "Battle" I think is the appropriate word.

It is with very great pleasure, sir, that all of us in the New Democratic party wish him many happy returns, and wish him health so he may continue to make his unequalled and incomparable contribution to this house.

Hear, hear. [Translation]

Mr. Gerard Laprise (Abiiibi):