Mr. Ron Stewart (Simcoe South):

Madam Speaker, I rise, under the provisions of Standing Order 43, on a matter of urgent and pressing necessity.

In view of the fact that the General Rubber and Tire Company of Barrie, Ontario, has already laid off 50 workers and that a great many of the remaining 850 workers face a similar fate, even though the company is in the middle of a $16 million, privately-funded expansion program involving new equipment for the manufacture of radial tires, I move, seconded by the hon. member for Mississauga South (Mr. Blenkarn):

That the government not allow the proposed $55 million regional economic expansion grant to Michelin Tire in Nova Scotia which will do nothing to create new employment but will, at the expense of the Ontario taxpayer, transfer jobs from Ontario at a time when the tire industry is operating below capacity.

Madam Speaker:

Such a motion requires unanimous consent. Is there unanimous consent?

Agreed.

No.

Mr. Bill J. Yurko (Edmonton East):

Madam Speaker, I rise, under the terms of Standing Order 43, on a matter of increasing urgency and pressing necessity.

In view of the mounting anxiety of many Canadians with regard to the possible adverse implications of the Quebec referendum vote on May 20, and the increasing need to provide the nation with assurance of economic, social and political stability and continuity following the referendum, I move, seconded by the hon. member for Provencher (Mr. Epp):

That this House instruct the government to take immediate action to schedule a first ministers' conference at the earliest opportunity after the Quebec referendum vote on May 20 to discuss fully and evolve an economic, social and political strategy to deal with the consequences of the referendum vote on the nation and its international relations. Furthermore, that all official leaders of the oppositions in the ten provinces and the federal House of Commons be invited to fully participate as members of the conference.

Madam Speaker:

Such a motion requires the unanimous consent of the House. Is there unanimous consent?

Agreed.

No.

Mr. Ian Deans (Hamilton Mountain):

Madam Speaker, I rise, under the provisions of Standing Order 43, on a matter of urgent and pressing necessity.

In view of reports that United States trade representative Reuben Askew has indicated that no major overhaul of the Canada-U.S. auto pact is likely, and in view of Mr. Askew's statement that the pact is not perceived to be fair and helpful in spite of the $3 billion deficit which Canada now endures, all of which reflects an attitude toward the concerns of Canadian auto workers which could at best be described as unacceptable, I move, seconded by the hon. member for Winnipeg-Birds Hill (Mr. Blaikie):

That this government place before Parliament immediately the measures it intends to take to safeguard the Canadian auto industry and its workers from the continued losses which are occurring.

Madam Speaker:

Such a motion requires unanimous consent. Is there unanimous consent?

Agreed.

No.

Mr. Otto Jelinek (Halton):

Madam Speaker, I, too, rise on a matter of urgent and pressing necessity under the terms of Standing Order 43.

In view of the continuing deterioration of the automotive industry in Canada, and in view of the reluctance of the Minister of Industry, Trade and Commerce to bring this whole

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matter before the appropriate standing committee-indeed, the reluctance of the government to do so, as witnessed by the previous motion proposed on the subject under Standing Order 43-and since this government has failed in every way to ease the uncertainty within this vital industrial sector, I move, seconded by the hon. member for Brampton-Georgetown (Mr. McDermid):

That this House direct the Government of Canada to immediately consider the removal of the 9 per cent federal excise tax on North American-built automobiles in order to stimulate the industry and at the same time assure continued employment for the thousands of Canadians who are threatened with massive lay-offs.

Madam Speaker:

Such a motion requires the unanimous consent of the House. Is there such consent?

Agreed.