Mr. Leonel Beaudoin (Richmond):

Mr. Speaker, I should like to put a question to the Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources.

Could he tell us whether officials of his department are discussing with his American counterpart the setting up of a pipeline in Alberta to develop the Prudhoe Bay oil-fields?

Hon. }. I. Greene (Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources): Mr. Speaker, there has been discussion for the last year or two in general vein, but there has not been any in the last few weeks.

Mr. Speaker:

The hon. member for Brandon-Souris.

Mr. Nielsen:

I have a supplementary question, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker:

Order, please. The Chair has recognized the hon. member for Brandon-Souris. I will recognize the hon. member for Yukon immediately thereafter.

Hon. W. G. Dinsdale (Brandon-Souris):

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Transport. As a result of the failure of IATA to reach agreement on overseas air fares and the resulting "hanky-panky" which forced Air

Canada to reduce its trans-Atlantic fares to $186, is the government taking action against domestic "hanky-panky" which allows Air Canada to charge $280 for fares from Ottawa to Vancouver?

Mr. Speaker:

Order, please. The Chair will allow the minister to reply. However, I think hon. members should take care in placing questions before the House to make sure that, from the procedural aspect, they are in a form which makes it easy for the Chair to allow the questions to be asked and answers given.

Hon. Donald C. Jamieson (Minister of Transport):

Mr. Speaker, may I say how much I appreciate that ruling. I would not wish to be known as the minister in charge of "hanky-panky".

Mr. Baldwin:

That portfolio is already occupied.

Shame.

Mr. Jamieson:

Answering the question, I am hoping to have discussions with Air Canada within a few days with regard to the whole question of fares and the like resulting from the IATA disagreement or from the failure to reach agreement. I have nothing new to report at this time other than what I have said in the past.

Mr. Dinsdale:

A supplementary question, Mr. Speaker. With respect to your comments, Sir, may I say that I picked up that phrase from the report of these discussions. I should like to ask the minister if he is aware of expert opinion to the effect that a fare of $180 would be economically feasible for the Ottawa-Vancouver run?

Mr. Jamieson:

Mr. Speaker, there are all kinds of experts in these matters. I should like to get the evidence directly.

Mr. Erik Nielsen (Yukon):

Mr. Speaker, I have a supplementary question to ask of the Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources with respect to the potential pipeline from Prudhoe Bay across the Yukon and down the Mackenzie Valley to Alberta. Since the completion of ecological studies is now in sight, and since the consortiums which are prepared to commence construction of this $2 billion project are on the threshold of beginning, will the minister say whether the government has come to grips with the only remaining problem, namely, immediate consultation with native peoples in order to settle their land rights in the areas involved.

Hon. J. J. Greene (Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources):

Mr. Speaker, the question of consultation with the native peoples comes under the jurisdiction of my colleague, the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.

Mr. Nielsen:

Where is he?

September 21, 1971

Inquiries of the Ministry

Mr. Greene:

I understand that these consultations have taken place. Certainly, I am confident that the government, having foreseen the problem some two years ahead of time, will be ready to answer effectively any application that is made for the construction of a pipeline in the public interest.

Mr. Nielsen:

A supplementary question, Mr. Speaker. In the absence of the minister who is enjoying the outdoors in my riding at this moment-