Mr. McCurdy:

Mr. Speaker, as you know, I cited some concerns with respect to this legislation, concerns that I suggested may be addressed by an amendment to the Bill. It is an amendment that I have reason to believe the proponents will accept, because it recognizes the essentially non-partisan nature of our approach to foreign aid and-

I do not wish to cut the Member off, but we are on Clause 6 and I believe his comment is on Clause 7. Shall I carry on with Clause 6 first?

Clause 6 agreed to.

Shall Clause 7 carry?

On Clause 7-Board of Directors

Mr. McCurdy:

Mr. Chairman, my hunger expedited my intervention. We did arrive at the appropriate place. I would hope that what I said earlier would still apply. I would move an amendment as follows:

That Clause 7 of Bill C-147 be amended

(a) by deleting line 38 on page 3 and substituting the following:

"7. (1) There shall be a Board of Directors of' (b) by adding the following after line 42.

"(2) All appointments pursuant to this section shall be made after consultation by the Minister with the Leader of the Opposition and the leader of every other recognized Party in the House of Commons."

September 13, 1988

Mr. Gauthier:

I am speaking in support of this amendment, Mr. Chairman. I hope that the Government will accept this amendment. Indeed, it is one that would allow for a more nonpolitical, non-partisan assurance that the nominations will be made to this board, to this centre, in a manner which would possibly make it more transparent to Canadians, that indeed, it is not a patronage appointment, it is not a nomination to the centre done by the Governor in Council, that is the Prime Minister and the Cabinet, but rather it is done through the consultation process with the Leader of the Opposition and Leaders from other recognized Parties in the House.

I would have liked to see the NGOs also involved in this process of consultation, but I understand the difficulties with that. I would have liked some experts in the field to have also been consulted. I take it that that will be part of this whole process, and I would recommend strongly to the Government that it keep in mind the non-governmental organizations. If we keep the amendment, these organizations will be important to the Government and to us.

Mr. Stackhouse:

Mr. Chairman, the Government is willing to accept the amendment. I should point out to the House that already the process of consultation of interested and informed parties has begun. So far hundreds of letters have been sent to interested persons and groups in this field to ask for recommendations of prospective nominations for the proposed board and already many and useful suggestions have been received. Such consultations will obviously continue. We are certainly happy to expand that consultative process to include the Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of any other recognized Party in the House.

The Deputy Chairman:

Before I put the amendment, under "Organization", it should read "by adding the following after line 42." Is that so agreed?

Agreed.

The Deputy Chairman:

Hon. Members have heard the amendment. Shall the amendment carry?

Agreed.

The Deputy Chairman:

Shall Clause 7, as amended, carry?

Agreed.

Clause 7, as amended, agreed to.

Clauses 8 to 27 inclusive agreed to.

On Clause 28-Payments to Centre

Mr. de Corneille:

Mr. Chairman, I just want to make sure it is clear. Do I understand correctly that, according to the schedule, the amount of funds available will be immediately $1

Human Rights

million-if this Bill passes, of course-and that another $2 million will be available on April 1, 1989, so by April, 1989, S3 million will be available? Is that correct?

Mr. Stackhouse:

Mr. Chairman, that will be correct except for any moneys expended.

Mr. Gauthier:

Mr. Chairman, the Hon. Member heard my speech at second reading. Can he assure me that this is new money, that this is not money coming from existing budgets of, say, CIDA or other organizations of the Government in similar work? Is it a request for new money that the Government is making, and can we have an assurance that those other budgets will not be diminished by the amounts allowed in this Bill?

Mr. Stackhouse:

Mr. Chairman, to my knowledge, this represents money to be received from an expanding developmental program.

Clause 28 agreed to.

Clauses 29 to 32 inclusive agreed to.

Clause 1 agreed to.

Mr. de Corneille:

Mr. Chairman, I want to ask the Hon. Member for his comments on the problem relating to the definition of "democratic development". I thought at this stage I would bring this matter forward again.

Mr. Stackhouse:

Mr. Chairman, we are satisfied that the proposed title in the Bill adequately and clearly states the nature of the proposed centre.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Paproski):

When shall the Bill be

read the third time? By leave now?