Mr. John Evans (Ottawa Centre):

Mr. Speaker, on Friday, December 7, the Prime Minister made a statement in the House to the effect that the government would tax away 100 per cent of additional revenues accruing to the oil companies as a result of any oil price increases. This sent the Toronto Stock Exchange oil price index crashing 109 points and caused panic in the Toronto and New York investment communities before the right hon. gentleman's office could clarify the position. I would therefore move, seconded by the hon. member for Vercheres (Mr. Loiselle):

That in light of the Prime Minister's continuing obsession with contradictory and confusing statements, from now on the North American investment community be instructed to check with the office of the Prime Minister before believing anything he says.

Oh, oh!

Mr. Speaker, 1 rise on a matter of urgent and pressing necessity under the provisions of Standing Order 43. Today marks the thirtieth anniversary of the abolition of appeals to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council of Great Britain, thus making the Supreme Court of Canada the ultimate appeal tribunal for Canadian law. What is not generally recognized is that the Supreme Court of Canada, unlike the supreme court of the United States, is not a constitutional court but merely a creation of Parliament and, therefore, subject to abolition by an act of this legislature.

In order to provide our supreme tribunal with formal as well as substantial independence from political institutions so that it can enhance its role both as a court of appeal and as a constitutional arbiter, I ask leave to move, seconded by the hon. member for Windsor-Walkerville (Mr. MacGuigan):

That this House urge the government to introduce a constitutional amendment making the Supreme Court a constitutional court fully protected by entrenchment in the British North America Act.

Mr. Speaker:

Under the provisions of Standing Order 43, unanimous consent of the House is required before the motion can be presented. Is there unanimous consent?

Agreed.

No.

Mr. Peter Ittinuar (Nunatsiaq):

Mr. Speaker, I rise, under the provisions of Standing Order 43, on a matter of urgent and pressing necessity. Whereas the residents of communities in the Mackenzie Delta area are experiencing severe hardship as a result of power shortages caused by faulty generating equipment, and whereas the Northern Canada Power Commission has blamed its inability to properly repair and maintain this equipment on lack of funds, I would move, seconded by the hon. member for Skeena (Mr. Fulton):

That emergency funds be provided to NCPC so that they can immediately carry out necessary repairs and restore full service to the affected communities.

Mr. Speaker:

Hon. members have heard the motion proposed. Is there unanimous consent that it be presented?

Agreed.

No.

Mr. Girve Fretz (Erie):

Mr. Speaker, I rise, under Standing Order 43, to seek the unanimous consent of the House to move a motion on a matter of urgent and pressing necessity.

In view of the fact that a company by the name of S.C.A. in the United States has been dumping thousands of gallons of PCBs and other harmful chemicals into the Niagara River on a daily basis, and in view of the fact that the continuation of this method of disposal has a potentially harmful and lasting

December 10, 1979

effect on the health of all citizens, Canadian and American, who live along the river, 1 move, seconded by the hon. member for Niagara Falls (Mr. Froese):

That the government express its concern that the S.C.A. Company of the United States has been dumping thousands of gallons of PCBs and other harmful chemicals into the Niagara River on a daily basis, and urge the government of the United States to look directly into this matter and take what action is necessary so as to alleviate the potential danger of such a continued disposal method of harmful chemicals.

Mr. Speaker:

This motion can be presented for debate, under the terms of Standing Order 43, only with the unanimous consent of the House. Is there unanimous consent?

Agreed.

Mr. Speaker:

The House has heard the terms of the motion. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the said motion?

Agreed.