Mr. Bill Yurko (Edmonton East):

Mr. Speaker, I thank you for giving me the opportunity to say a few words on this most important Bill. When I spoke to it on April 18 at second reading, I said the following:

Mr. Speaker, as the culmination of the Prime Minister's (Mr. Trudeau) peace initiative we have before us Bill C-32, an Act to establish the Canadian Institute for International Peace and Security. The principles involved in this legislation are sound. Let us cease this ongoing nitpicking and send this legislation to committee where we can adjust the language and change "shalls" to "mays" if advisable. Let us get on with this legislation. With regard to the principles behind this legislation, we need only ask whether it is needed, what its dimensions are to be, and where the institute shall be located.

The Bill has been considered extensively in committee. Many people appeared before the Standing Committee on External Affairs and National Defence to express their views. Some amendments to the Bill have been made. I am pleased that the Bill will be passed before we adjourn tomorrow.

I want to say again that I support the Bill, but let no one think that the proposed Institute will solve the conflicts of the world or, for that matter, reduce in the short term present tensions between the two superpowers of the world. However, it is a breath of fresh air in the world process of dialogue and study toward world peace. In particular, it may be some help in building the bridge of reason, discussion and accord between our two mighty neighbours to the south and to the north of us. Again I say let us locate this Institute in western Canada as a beginning of that bridge between our two neighbours.

International Peace and Security

In closing, I wish the retiring Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for External Affairs (Mr. MacEachen) well in his future endeavours. I suggest to him that he should wear his kilt more often; it is becoming.

Mr. Yurko:

What a rare privilege it has been to occupy a chair in this place-even a corner chair. Where else in all of Canada could one embrace centuries of democratic evolution? Where else could one feel the searing fire of man's vanity, or the cold winds of deception and hypocrisy; where illusion becomes reality and where silence is the greatest sin? Yet is this not a place where truth triumphs, where reason is fundamental, and where justice is supreme? It is so, and it will continue to be so.

Yes, Mr. Speaker, it has been a privilege and an incomparable gift to toil herein for the last five years. I want to say thanks to all who gave me the opportunity to sit here.

Mr. Bill Yurko (Edmonton East):

Mr. Speaker, this is a week of reflection for each of us in this Chamber. The future is uncertain, but the past is known. For me, the last Five years have been memorable. I have had the privilege of occupying a chair in three of the four back corners of this Chamber. From these three prominent corners I have had my say, and represented my constituents and the nation to the best of my ability.

Mr. Yurko:

Mr. Speaker, I gave notice-

Mr. Yurko:

Mr. Speaker, you will recall that I walked up to you on that day and spoke to you privately about whether such a motion could be brought forward that day. You advised me that there was no way under the rules that you could deal with that question of privilege in the House on a matter which occurred in committee. That is why I was not in my place to brint it forth that day. Since the transcripts were tabled last night for the first time, this is my first opportunity to bring forth a question of privilege. I shall read to you Section 75 of Beauchesne.