Mr. DUBUC:

I was paired with the senior member for Halifax (Mr. Black). Had I voted I would have voted for the amendment

Mr. DUBUC:

I was paired with the hon. member for Halifax (Mr. Black). Had I voted I would have voted against the motion.

Mr. DUBUC:

Yes.

Mr. J. E. A. DUBUC (Chicoutimi):

Mr. Speaker, I should like to know from the Minister of Railways (Mr. Crerar) whether this bill would have any prejudicial effect on the Saguenay river and the Chicoutimi district as the nearest point in the province of Quebec to James bay. It appears from the bid that the terminal is proposed to be on the Notta-way river. Would it not be in the interests of the Canadian National Railways not to renew the charter unless the promoters are prepared to build at once? In view of what the country has at stake at Fort Churchill, and that a further outlet on the Saguenay river, where navigation is possible until the end of December, would be of great importance to western Canada, I 'believe nothing should be done that would prevent the Canadian National Railways having that outlet. Therefore I would ask the Minister of Railways to tell the house if anything in this charter might obstruct in the future the development of the plans of the Canadian National Railways in that section?

Hon. CHARLES A. DUNNING (Minister of Finance): The Minister of Railways is

absent at the moment and I can speak only from memory regarding this particular proposal. Two years ago the Canadian Pacific Railway, who own this particular charter, came before parliament and asked for a renewal. The renewal was given then in the same terms as are proposed in this bill, providing for commencement- of construction within two years. This railway runs generally in a northerly direction and is built now as far as Angliers in the province of Quebec, which I believe, is immediately east of lake Timiskamdng, and the proposal is to continue the line from there north-ward to the Nottaway river. 1 am under the impression that my hon. friend from Chicoutimi (Mr. Dubwc) has in mind a line which conceivably might run from the Nottaway eastward to the Saguenay river.

Mr. DUBUC:

I was paired with the 'hon.

member for Toronto Northwest (Mr. Church). Had I voted, I would have voted against the amendment. .