Mr. J. P. Nowlan (Annapolis Valley-Hants):

Madam Speaker, I rise on a question of privilege. I hesitate to bring forward the perennial point of privilege about a situation that members on all sides sometimes experience but, quite frankly, Your Honour, my patience has almost come to the end. Any sensitivity for the issues before this country would have perhaps given some direction to the Chair as to why I have been rising right from the beginning of the question period for two days, having asked three to four questions in English and one question in French during the total time of this session. I do not rise frivolously in most cases, and I have not asked a frivolous question this session.

I have a matter that could potentially grievously affect my province in Atlantic Canada, and particularly my riding. There have been three members on this side of the House recognized today, fellow colleagues, admittedly, who were also recognized by Your Honour yesterday. The hon. member for South Shore (Mr. Crouse), for whom I have great fondness

May 27, 1980

Privilege-Mr. Nowlart

and affection, was not on any list on Monday and was not on any list today, but you recognized him twice and still have been able to have a blind eye for this seat.

I would like to know what system the Chair uses. Admittedly you recognize front benchers, and you have help to guide the Chair, with which I fully agree; but I felt that once the question period was open the priority related to when members commenced to rise. I do not mind getting my exercise, Madam Speaker. I certainly enjoy getting exercise. But at some time I would like to know why my rising does not take precedence over other hon. members.

That is my question of privilege, Your Honour. I do not think either of the two ministers involved in the questions I wish to ask are going to be here tomorrow and I have given notice to both of them.

Madam Speaker:

Order, please. I have already explained to the House what is my policy in conducting the question period. I did say that, of course, when front benchers want to get into the question period and I know they might have a supplementary to a question asked by another member, I allow them to ask those supplementary questions because I want the question period to be as lively as possible and to bring out as much information as possible.

As for the hon. member for Annapolis Valley-Hants (Mr. Nowlan), his name was on the list of those who have risen in the House for several days. I do acknowledge that. I recognize hon. members in the order in which they have risen and the hon. member's name was the fifth to come up on my list, but we did not get to him before three o'clock.

Many members rise and I try to recognize them in the order in which they do so. I am assisted in that regard, to be as fair as possible, by the Clerk who tries to give me that order. 1 do my best in trying to recognize members as soon and as often as possible, but it is not possible to recognize everyone every day. On subsequent days I bring back the names on my list, but if hon. members are not in the House it is quite obvious I cannot recognize them. I cannot keep them on the list for five or six days in a row. That is my policy and the system that I have tried to establish in order to satisfy all members, but we all know that is impossible.

Mr. Nowlan:

Madam Speaker, I accept and appreciate the explanation. I do not like to say things in this House that reflect upon the Chair because the Speaker occupies a very onerous position, but when I see my colleagues, the hon. member for Kindersley-Lloydminster (Mr. McKnight), the hon. member for South Shore and the hon. member for Wetaskiwin (Mr. Schellenberger), all of whom were recognized yesterday, recognized again today on legitimate questions, I feel your system has to be revised to become a little more perceptive, with respect.

Mr. Bill Clarke (Vancouver Quadra):

Madam Speaker, 1 hope to be able to convince Your Honour that I have a question of privilege in relation to a matter which affects most hon. members of this Parliament and, indeed, many of the members of the Thirty-first Parliament. It is a matter that has just come to my attention through an inquiry made to the office of the Clerk of this House. The problem is that a custom, nay a tradition, of Parliament may be destroyed by a simple administrative decision.

The Thirty-first Parliament was unique to many people for many reasons. For example, for some it was their only stint as a member of Parliament. It may or may not have been the shortest Parliament on record; the record will show whether it was or was not. It was unquestionably the first Progressive Conservative administration for 16 years. I am confident that it will prove to have been the first, but not the last, of which the right hon. member for Yellowhead (Mr. Clark) was prime minister. It may be the only one during which the right hon. member for Mount Royal (Mr. Trudeau) was leader of the official opposition, as they tell me he is going to retire again.

Members of the House and, indeed, visitors to the Parliament buildings stroll through the corridors here and view various contributions to the history of this country. I am informed reliably now that composite photographs of the members of the Thirty-first Parliament of Canada will not be produced.

Madam Speaker:

Order, please. The hon. member has not given me notice of this question of privilege. I listened to him in order to determine whether it flows from the deliberations of today's session, but I find that it does not do so. Therefore, if the hon. member wants to give me notice I will hear him at another time.

Mr. Clarke:

With respect, Madam Speaker, this is the earliest opportunity I have had to raise the matter. I move, seconded by the hon. member for Crowfoot (Mr. Malone):

That the matter of the lack of publication of a composite photograph of the Thirty-first Parliament of Canada be referred to the Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections.

Madam Speaker:

I want to say to the hon. member that if those photographs have not been put out, as they usually are, it is simply because a lot of the members were absent and we could not take their photographs. This is done as a matter of course. I hope this explanation satisfies the member; if not, I would ask him to give me notice and I will hear him another time.

May 27, 1980

Hon. Allan J. MacEachen (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance):

Madam Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 41(2) I wish to table three copies, in both official languages, of the Annual Economic Review of the Department of Finance.

Hon. Lincoln M. Alexander (Hamilton West):

Madam Speaker, I hope that you will forgive me if I take a few moments of the time of this House. 1 know that there are matters of significant importance which must be debated, but I feel that it is necessary, after having spent 12 years in this House, to give some credibility to what is already a fact, that I will be leaving my "family", as I would like to have it known, this House of Commons, because I have accepted a position with the Workmen's Compensation Board of Ontario.

I wish you well, Madam Speaker. 1 saw that you were being tested today. I think that you have the fortitude and excellence of mind to handle yourself in your new position. I am sorry that 1 did not have an opportunity to become more involved and to challenge you as well, but I thank you for giving me this opportunity to speak to the House.

I have been touched by the excitement of this place. I have been moved by the challenges and touched by the joys and disappointments. But what is more important to me is that I have been touched by the friendships which I know I have made, because I have received so many letters wishing me well. When my friend from Edmonton East (Mr. Yurko) triggered that spontaneous standing ovation, it was a good thing that I did not have to speak at that time because there were tears in my eyes. I am not ashamed to say that I was not able to control myself. That was a great tribute and one 1 will never forget.

That is why I feel so sad at this particular time. This is a great family and a tremendous institution. When I think of the

Resignation of Member

criticism which comes from all quarters, I say to my colleagues, "Forget it, because you are serving". Let those who criticize try to get into this place. There are so many who try to get in, but who cannot make it.

However, I have been blessed. I am grateful to three of four people, who I would like to single out, with your patience, Madam Speaker. The late Right Hon. John George Diefen-baker is the one who asked me to run, who believed that I should be here in this House and who believed that I had a role to play. No matter where he may be, I hope that I have not disappointed him.

I remember Bob Stanfield. He plucked me from what is called the back benches and honoured me by making me a critic in the shadow cabinet.

Of course, there is the right hon. Leader of the Opposition (Mr. Clark) who made me a cabinet minister. Madam Speaker and my dear colleagues, I stand here naked because in my wildest dreams I never believed that I would represent my country as a member of Parliament or that it was possible I would represent my country as a cabinet minister.

Yes, I will have some very fond memories of this place, but 1 think it must be recognized that there are many around us who make our lives more successful. It is not only the "me's" and the "I's" who are fortunate to be sitting here temporarily, but I think of those who are involved in Hansard, the maintenance department, the office of the Clerk, the Sergeant-at-Arms, security, the post office, public servants and even the media- although, there are a couple I would like to mention specifically, but I will let them know that I have love and forgiveness in my heart! Frankly, I could not care less what they think about me anyway.

I care about what the hon. members of this House think of me, and I care about what the people of Hamilton West think of me. 1 am pleased to have concrete evidence that they thought enough of me to send me back to this House on five occasions. But to those people to whom I made reference, I would like to say thank you, because without their assistance and help the Alexanders and anyone else you would like to mention, Madam Speaker, would not be effective in this House of Commons. They are the people who protect us and who look after us. I would like publicly to thank them now for looking after me for the past 12 years.

Hear, hear!

Mr. Alexander:

These people have made my task very easy and very pleasant. I would like to extend a special thanks to Labour Canada. Although I was not there long, they did keep me out of trouble, and I thank them from the bottom of my heart. I wish them well because they are a fine group of people. When a new government takes charge and new ministers are appointed, there are some who believe that perhaps the public servants are not on their side. I can stand here and say that I had the confidence of my department, for which I am very grateful and I thank them.

May 27, 1980

Tributes to Mr. Alexander

Last but not least, I want to thank the constituents of Hamilton West who gave me their confidence, loyalty, and faith over the years. It is in this area that I feel a little confused and a little sad because they were counting on me. However, I will not disappoint them in the future because I am going into another area of service. I can advise them, as I can advise my colleagues here, that you expect much of me, that you want me to do a good job and I will not disappoint you, as I have tried not to disappoint you in all the years I have been here.

In conclusion, Madam Speaker, I would like to tell you in all sincerity and from the bottom of my heart that I will miss this place. But I think having served in this place I am a much better person, and for that I am grateful. Thank you very much.

[Editor's note: Mr. Alexander received a standing ovation.]

Mr. Alexander:

Madam Speaker, I would now indicate to you that I resign my seat in the House of Commons for the constituency of Hamilton West effective midnight, May 28, 1980.