Hon. John M. Reid (Kenora-Rainy River):

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Secretary of State for External Affairs. A delegation from the Canadian section of the Canada-U.S. Parliamentary Association met recently in Washington with the two Senators from the State of Alaska and the two Senators from the State of Washington, to discuss the stalled West Coast salmon treaty negotiations. One of the recommendations of the Canadian group was to have the Minister appoint a personal representative, just as the United States Secretary of State has appointed a personal representative. Would the Minister indicate whether or not he will accept this recommendation and if, in fact, he has appointed a personal representative to fulfil these duties?

June 28, 1984

Oral Questions

Mr. Reid (Kenora-Rainy River):

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I have had consultations with Members from all sides of the House and I would beg leave for unanimous consent to deal with Bill C-252, a Bill which stands in my name and is seconded by the Hon. Member for Lethbridge-Foothills (Mr. Thacker), through all stages. This Bill deals with the provision of access to the records of the Special Committee on the Defence of Canada Regulations which sat during the Second World War. This is the only way these

Stadacona Mines Limited

records can be opened up. Since the Government has made available most of the other records relating to the Japanese and others, this is the only set of documents from the Second World War that has not yet been released dealing with these items.

The Hon. Member for Lethbridge-Foothills is the seconder of the motion. I do not see him in the House, but the Hon. Member for Dartmouth-Halifax East (Mr. Forrestall) has agreed to second the Bill in his place. The Hon. Member for Lethbridge-Foothills has just walked in.

Hon. John M. Reid (Kenora-Rainy River) moved

that Bill C-252, an Act to grant access to records of the Special committee on the Defence of Canada Regulations, be read the second time and referred to a Committee of the Whole.

Hon. John M. Reid (Kenora-Rainy River) moved

for leave to introduce Bill C-252, an Act to grant access to records of the Special Committee on the Defence of Canada Regulations.

Mr. Reid (Kenora-Rainy River):

Mr. Speaker, the purpose of the Bill is to make available to the public the records and information acquired by the Special Committee during World War II. Those records are still under lock and key and are not available. It is now 1984 and the war ended in 1945. I believe it is time those records were made available to the Canadian public.