Mr. Cyril Keeper (Winnipeg North Centre):

Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions on what is probably the last full day of Parliament before we enter an election.

The first petition indicates that, on June 12, 1988, when the South Moresby Park Agreement was signed, the federal Government committed itself to spending $20 million or more to explore for hydrocarbons in the South Moresby Marine Park.

The Queen Charlotte region has higher earthquake activity than the San Andreas fault, and the Hecate Strait has among the roughest and most unpredictable seas in the world.

The undersigned petitioners state that they do not want any more hydrocarbon exploration activities to take place in their coastal waters, nor do the petitioners want the Government to pay for any such activities from this day on. This petition was circulated by the Greenpeace organization.

September 29, 1988

Questions on the Order Paper DEPORTATION FROM CANADA OF SALLY ESPINELI

Mr. Keeper:

My colleague says that he has no explanation. I give the Minister the benefit of the doubt. I assume that he will get up and respond to the comments that have been made by Members on this side of the House. I hope his response will be adequate to the situation. I hope that he takes the initiative in his own hands and says: "Yes, this makes a great deal of sense". If we are going to preserve languages in this country, then we ought to preserve not only the languages of multicultural groups, Polish, Ukrainian, Portuguese, Filipino, et cetera. They are legitimate. Not only should we preserve the languages of the French and of the English but we ought to preserve and promote the languages of the aboriginal peoples of Canada. I ask the Minister to rise to the challenge, to indicate that he is accepting this amendment and that he is going to do a full job rather than half the job.

September 29, 1988

Canadian Heritage Languages Institute Act

Mr. Keeper:

I have my colleagues quickly giving me advice. They must think I am in quicksand here because they are telling me to make it clear that I meant Players and not some other brand.

Mr. Keeper:

It does not include them either.

Mr. Keeper:

Why are you afraid to mention aboriginal people?