Mr. Derek Lee (Parliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Lib.)

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table, in both official languages, a number of order in council appointments made recently by the government.

Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 110, these appointments are deemed referred to the appropriate standing committee, a list of which is attached.

Mr. Derek Lee (Parliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Lib.)

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table, in both official languages, the government's response to six petitions.

Mr. Paul Szabo (Mississauga South, Lib.)

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I would seek the unanimous consent of the House to withdraw my private member's Bill C-204, which was first introduced in the House in October 1998 and was reintroduced in October 1999.

This bill sought to extend maternity and parental leave benefits to a full year. In view of the budget provisions announced last evening, I now ask the House for its consent to withdraw Bill C-204.

Is that agreed?

Agreed.

(Order discharged and bill withdrawn)

Hon. Lucienne Robillard (President of the Treasury Board and Minister responsible for Infrastructure, Lib.)

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Orders 81(4) and 81(6), I move:

That the main estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2000, laid upon the table on February 29, 2000, be referred to the several standing committees of the House in accordance with the detailed allocation attached.

There is a lengthy list associated with the motion. If it is agreeable to the House, I would ask that the list be printed in Hansard as if it had been read.

Is that agreed?

Agreed.

To the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development

Indian Affairs and Northern Development, Votes 1, 5, 10, 15, L20, 25, 30, 35 and 40

To the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food

Agriculture and Agri-Food, Votes 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35

To the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage

Canadian Heritage, Votes 1, 5, L10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, 125 and 130

Privy Council, Votes 30 and 35

To the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration

Citizenship and Immigration, Votes 1, 5, 10 and 15

To the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development

Environment, Votes 1, 5, 10 and 15

Privy Council, Vote 40

To the Standing Committee on Finance

Canada Customs and Revenue Agency, Votes 1, 5 and 10

Finance, Votes 1, 5, L10, 15, 30 and 35

To the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans

Fisheries and Oceans, Votes 1, 5 and 10

To the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade

Foreign Affairs, Votes 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, L30, L35, 40, 45, 50 and 55

To the Standing Committee on Health

Health, Votes 1, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25

To the Standing Committee on Human Resources Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities

Human Resources Development, Votes 1, 5, 10, 15 and 20

To the Standing Committee on Industry

Industry, Votes 1, 5, L10, L15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115 and 120

To the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights

Justice, Votes 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50

Privy Council, Vote 50

Solicitor General, Votes 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50

To the Standing Committee on National Defence and Veterans Affairs

National Defence, Votes 1, 5 and 10

Veterans Affairs, Votes 1, 5 and 10

To the Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Government Operations

Canadian Heritage, Vote 120

Governor General, Vote 1

Natural Resources, Votes 1, 5, L10, 15, 20, 25 and 30

Parliament, Vote 1

Privy Council, Votes 1, 5, 10, 45 and 55

Public Works and Government Services, Votes 1, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25

Treasury Board, Votes 1, 2, 5, 10, 15 and 20

To the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs

Parliament, Vote 5

Privy Council, Vote 20

To the Standing Committee on Public Accounts

Finance, Votes 20 and 25

To the Standing Committee on Transport

Privy Council, Vote 15

Transport, Votes 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35

To the Standing Joint Committee on Library of Parliament

Parliament, Vote 10

To the Standing Joint Committee on Official Languages

Privy Council, Vote 25

(Motion agreed to)

Hon. Don Boudria (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Lib.)

Mr. Speaker, there have been consultations among all parties earlier this day and I would like to move the following motion without debate:

That, in accordance with subsection 53(3) of the act to extend the present laws of Canada that protect the privacy of individuals and that provide individuals with a right of access to personal information about themselves, Chapter P-21 of the Revised Statutes of Canada, 1985, this House approves the reappointment of Bruce Phillips as Privacy Commissioner for a term of four months, effective May 1, 2000.

This is a four month extension only.

Does the hon. the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons have the unanimous consent of the House to propose this motion?

Agreed.

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

Agreed.

(Motion agreed to)

Mr. Dale Johnston (Wetaskiwin, Ref.)

Mr. Speaker, my constituents, along with other Canadians, are horrified by pornography which degrades children and are astounded by legal determinations that possession of such pornography is not criminal.

Therefore, the petitioners call upon parliament to take all necessary measures to ensure that possession of child pornography remains a serious criminal offence and that federal police forces be directed to give priority to enforcing this law for the protection of children.

Mr. Dale Johnston (Wetaskiwin, Ref.)

Mr. Speaker, in the second petition my constituents urge parliament to fulfil the promise made in 1989 by the House of Commons to end child poverty by the year 2000.

Hon. Christine Stewart (Northumberland, Lib.)

Mr. Speaker, I have the pleasure to present two petitions to the House today. The first petition is from constituents from various communities in Ontario who express their concern about cruelty to animals and request that the federal government bring in new legislation to deal with it.

I am sure they will be pleased with the legislation we have tabled in the House.

Hon. Christine Stewart (Northumberland, Lib.)

Mr. Speaker, the second petition is from constituents who believe that registered charities and not for profit groups deserve the same tax credit advantage for donations of $1,150 and under as federal political parties.

Mr. John Reynolds (West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast, Ref.)

Mr. Speaker, I have three petitions to present this morning. The first one is from constituents in western Canada who ask the government for 25% tax relief. I wish them good luck.

Mr. John Reynolds (West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast, Ref.)

Mr. Speaker, the second petition is from constituents who ask that parliament ensure that the supremacy of God remains in the Canadian constitution.