Agreed.

No.

February 5, 1975

Mr. Speaker:

There not being unanimous consent, the motion cannot be debated at this time.

Mr. Broadbent:

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order concerning your ruling on the motion moved under Standing Order 43 by the hon. member for Yorkton-Mel-ville (Mr. Nystrom). If I understood your ruling correctly, Your Honour said that because of what had been said earlier with reference to other motions on the Syncrude project you had decided not to put the motion. I should like Your Honour to clarify that ruling because, according to my understanding of the rules, just because the House says no to one motion on a general subject, that does not mean, logically or in any other way, that it will be negative on another motion which is on the same general subject but the particular details of which are different. With respect, I urge that the motion of the hon. member for Yorkton-Melville be put.

Mr. Speaker:

Order, please. The hon. member for Oxford (Mr. Halliday).

Mr. Peters:

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order.

Oh, oh!

Mr. Speaker:

Order, please. The hon. member for Oxford.

Mr. Bruce Halliday (Oxford):

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a question of urgent and pressing necessity under Standing Order 43. This House is, of course, aware that Canadian farmers producing tobacco, tomatoes, sugar beets, fruits and similar crops rely on offshore and Mexican labour in harvesting these crops due to the reluctance of Canadians to take this type of employment. In the past the government has permitted the seasonal entry of such labour. Due to the depressing unemployment forecast for 1975, there are reports that the government will prohibit such seasonal immigration this year. Our farmers who produce these crops are presently in a state of uncertainty in planning the size of their crops for the spring planting which will shortly be upon them. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, with consent, I move, seconded by the hon. member for Norfolk-Haldimand (Mr. Knowles):

That the Minister of Manpower and Immigration assure this House that the government will continue in 1975 the policy of permitting the entry into Canada of offshore and Mexican labour as seasonal farm labour in order that the farmer-producers of tobacco, tomatoes, sugar beets, fruits and similar crops may make a full contribution to the national economy.

Mr. Speaker:

The House has heard the terms of the motion. It being proposed pursuant to Standing Order 43 and it cannot be debated without the unanimous consent of the House. Is there unanimous consent?

Agreed.

Tar Sands

No.

Mr. Speaker:

There not being unanimous consent, it cannot be debated at this time.

Mr. Leonel Beaudoin (Richmond):

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 43,1 seek the unanimous consent of the House to discuss a very urgent and important matter.

In view of the fact that the spiralling costs of farm products will certainly cause a great many farmers to go bankrupt in the near future, since there will be, according to the Minister of Agriculture's estimation, a 12 per cent reduction in their net income, also that the government will immediately have to do the utmost, at least to meet the demand of consumers for the next few years and maintain farm production at its current level, and finally that inflation is also driving farmers into bankruptcy, I move, seconded by the hon. member for Lotbiniere (Mr. Fortin):

That the House of Commons may discuss the problem with which farmers are faced due to exorbitant production costs, so that steps may be taken to help farmers obtain supplies at reasonable prices.

Mr. Speaker:

Order, please. The House has heard the hon. member's motion. Pursuant to Standing Order 43, this motion requires the unanimous consent of the House. Is there unanimous consent?

Agreed.