1958-05-12

[Stage Direction]
!)ouse of Commons deflates
[Stage Direction]
Speaker: The Honourable Roland Michener

[Stage Direction]
The twenty-third parliament having been prorogued on the first day of February, 1958, and dissolved by proclamation on the same day, and writs having been issued and returned, a new parliament was summoned to meet for the dispatch of business on Monday, May 12, 1958, and did accordingly meet on that day.
Monday, May 12, 1958
This being the day on which parliament is convoked by proclamation of His Excellency the Governor General for the dispatch of business, and the members of the house being assembled:
Leon J. Raymond, Esquire, O.B.E., the Clerk of the House, read to the house a letter from the secretary to the Governor General informing him that the Honourable Patrick Kerwin, Chief Justice of Canada, in his capacity as Deputy Governor General, would proceed to the Senate chamber to open the first session of the twenty-fourth parliament of Canada on Monday, the twelfth of May, at eleven o'clock.
A message was delivered by Major C. R. Lamoureux, Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, as follows:
Members of the House of Commons:
The Honourable the Deputy Governor General desires the immediate attendance of honourable members in the chamber of the honourable the Senate.
Accordingly, the house went up to the Senate chamber, when the Speaker of the Senate said:
Honourable Members of the Senate,
and Members of the House of Commons:
I have it in command to let you know that His Excellency the Governor General does not see fit to declare the causes of his summoning the present parliament of Canada until the Speaker of the House of Commons shall have been chosen according to law, but this afternoon, at the hour of three o'clock, His Excellency will declare the causes of calling this parliament.
And the house being returned to the Commons chamber:


Right Hon. J. G. Diefenbaker (Prime Minister):: Mr. Raymond, in the light of the experience of the last few minutes, all hon. members realize that the traditional and constitutional requirement for the formal setting up as an operating body of the House of Commons demands the appointment of a Speaker. The choice of a Speaker is one of those responsibilities which more than anything else conduces to the regularity of our proceedings, to the assurance that the assembly shall be orderly in its operation, and above all that the prerogative rights and privileges of members of the commons shall be scrupulously maintained and preserved. Whoever is chosen Speaker will have much to do with determining the order of the proceedings of the house, the assurance that they are businesslike and efficient; and also, as I said a moment ago, he will determine whether the rights of minorities shall be preserved, without which parliament, under our traditions, cannot attain its responsibilities.
There are certain requirements that through the years have been referred to as necessary in the person of the member amongst us who is chosen to be the first commoner. One is that he shall be absolutely impartial; that is a fundamental requisite without which the discharge of his responsibilities would not be in keeping with the extent of those responsibilities. Whenever a government has a large majority it is more than ever important that he who is chosen shall, in every particular,

Election of Speaker
divest himself from his normal party affiliations and thereby practise an impartial, even a judicial rule. He must be the servant of no party. His responsibility is to be the servant of the whole house. To that end he must have a calm and equitable temperament, and from the experience of the past, a superabundance of patience. He must be firm. He must have a good presence and a good voice; and something that we all need in public life, a reasonable degree of humour, with an adequate knowledge of the practices and procedures of the house.
The hon. gentleman whose name I shall propose has demonstrated that he has that knowledge, as well as the experience that comes from having sat as a private member of the House of Commons and also in the legislature of the province of Ontario. The choice of a Speaker is not the right or prerogative of the government, although in our country since confederation the motion that is invariably made for the appointment of the Speaker has been at all times made by the prime minister of the day.
I think I should say a word with regard to the question of a permanent Speaker. This is a subject that recurs from time to time. At Westminster, the source of our parliamentary traditions, our usages and practices, the Speaker once elected is honoured by being re-elected to the chair at the beginning of each new parliament. But there is a difference between their procedure in that regard and ours. We have, in the light of the duality of our citizenship, provided in general for succession as between the two major races. I have nothing to say on this occasion with regard to the question of a permanent Speaker; that is a matter for future parliaments to determine in the light of the circumstances that develop through the crucible of history.
This is the second occasion on which I have moved the election of a Speaker, and the motion I make concerns the same candidate whose name I placed before you last year.


Some hon. Members:: Hear, hear.


John George Diefenbaker: Mr. Raymond, the response that has been given this suggestion indicates the generous support that his name will receive, by reason of the experience which those of us who sat in the last parliament had during his tenure of office. Some may say that this is a departure from the established practice. I may remind you that in three parliaments in the twenties one of the great custodians of that office, Hon. Ro-dolphe Lemieux, was appointed Speaker. He

was appointed first following the general election of 1921. His name was placed in nomination by the then prime minister, Mr. King. He was appointed again in the short session after the election of 1925, and finally in the new session that began following the election in 1926. During all those three sessions Mr. Lemieux acted as Speaker of the House of Commons. In the Senate, Hon. Hewitt Bostock remained Speaker during the same period of time.
Our rights, our traditions, our liberties and our ceremonies which we inherit from the past are in the custody of the Speaker of the House of Commons, and something more, the future of parliamentary government. All these things are embodied in the person of the Speaker. I think I can sum it up in this way: he is one of us, he is part of us, but he is apart from us. I believe that, if elected, the hon. member for St. Paul's, Mr. Roland Michener, will preside over the deliberations of this house in the tradition of the most illustrious of his predecessors who have occupied the most exalted position that it is possible for the House of Commons to confer.
I am most happy, therefore, to place in nomination, and I now so move-I am happy because this motion will be joined in by the Leader of the Opposition (Mr. Pearson):
That Roland Michener, Esquire, member for the electoral district of St. Paul's, do take the chair of this house as Speaker of this twenty-fourth parliament of Canada.


Hon. L. B. Pearson (Leader of the Opposition):: Mr. Raymond, I hope the Prime Minister will not draw any wrong conclusions as to my subsequent behaviour in this house if I tell him that my first words-and I am speaking not only on behalf of myself but on behalf of the official opposition-must be in hearty and complete agreement with what he has just said. I am indeed happy to second the nomination of Mr. Michener, the member for St. Paul's, to be our Speaker.
The Speaker is not only the servant but the first member of the commons. He is the protector of its rights and its privileges. He is the arbiter of our parliamentary problems and the composer of our procedural difficulties. As has so often been said in this house, it is an office with an old and fine tradition which we have inherited-as we have inherited so many good things-from the mother of parliaments at Westminster. As the Prime Minister has said, it is a position that requires tact, firmness, a sense of proportion and perhaps also a sense of humour. Above all, it requires fairness. The hon. member for St. Paul's has already shown, Mr. Raymond, that he possesses these qualities in an exemplary degree. Some of us

have already benefited from them when he presided over our deliberations in the last short parliament.
The office is also important, because the Speaker of the House of Commons can do much to promote in the country respect for the House of Commons and for parliamentary institutions at a time when this is very necessary. We know also that Mr. Michener is eminently qualified for this wider service.
There is another reason why I am happy to second this proposal, and it is purely personal. Even if the hon. member for St. Paul's did not have such outstanding qualifications of personality and experience for this position, I would still be happy to see him as our Speaker because of our old and close friendship, which I value and cherish. Indeed there is about him only one thing which I have never been quite able to understand. I refer to his party affiliation, which, however, I am sure he will agree, has never interfered with our mutual regard and esteem. As Speaker this particular weakness, which perhaps he inherited, will never be noticed because of the impartial position to which I feel certain this House of Commons is now going to elect him.
Therefore, Mr. Raymond, I have the greatest pleasure, on my own behalf and on behalf of the party which I have the honour to lead in this house, to second the nomination of the hon. member for St. Paul's as our Speaker.


Mr. Hazen Argue (Assiniboia):: Mr. Raymond, on behalf of myself and the C.C.F. group it is a pleasure for me to associate myself and my party with the words of the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition in proposing the name of Mr. Roland Michener, the hon. member for St. Paul's, as Speaker of this house. To the majority of members of this parliament Mr. Michener is relatively new. Many of us, however, have known him for a number of years. We have been associated with him in the opposition. I can look now at the government benches and say that it is by association in the opposition that we get to know each other best. We got to know Mr. Michener when we were in the opposition. We came to admire his sterling qualities. In the short parliament recently ended we found that Mr. Michener as Speaker was impartial, fair, courteous, firm and honest in all his decisions. The government knows, as do members of the opposition, that the ruling of Mr. Speaker was not always favourable to the point of order put forward by those on the government side of the house, any more than it was at all times 57071-3-1J
Election of Speaker
favourable to the point of order advanced by those on the opposition side of the house.
The Prime Minister has dealt with the precedent of alternating between an English speaking Speaker and a French speaking Speaker. In the light of all the precedents, and in the light of the short last parliament, I think the name of Mr. Michener was the best one that could have been advanced at this time. However, I feel that alternating between an English speaking Speaker in one parliament and a French speaking Speaker in a subsequent parliament is a good normal procedure. That does not, in my opinion, detract in any way from the excellent arguments that can be advanced in favour of naming a permanent Speaker. So long as we do not have a permanent Speaker, I think such alternation is ordinarily wise to follow. But in this instance, because the last parliament was so short we feel that in every respect the name of Mr. Michener was the one that should have been proposed.
It has been said by others, better than I am able to do it, that one of the important functions of the Speaker is to rule fairly on all points of order, no matter by whom they may be advanced. In the last parliament we were all a group of minorities. Confronted with a group of minorities Mr. Michener did an excellent job. In this parliament I think he will be tried even more severely than he was in the last parliament. I realize that in the last parliament we all had our thoughts, at least some of the time, on the possibility of an imminent election. But in this parliament we have a government party that has the largest majority that any government or any party has had in the Canadian House of Commons. I know the Speaker will use his office to protect the traditional rights of minorities in this house. In exercising that traditional role he will do great service to Canada, I suggest, in this parliament in protecting the rights of all members, no matter where they may sit.
It is an extreme pleasure on behalf of the C.C.F. group to associate ourselves with the motion proposing the name of Roland Michener as Speaker of this house.
The Clerk of ihe House declared the motion
carried in the affirmative, nemine contradic-ente, and Roland Michener, Esquire, member for the electoral district of St. Paul's, duly elected to the chair of the house.
Mr. Michener was conducted from his seat in the house to the Speaker's chair by Right Hon. J. G. Diefenbaker and Hon. L. B. Pearson.

Election of Speaker


Mr. Speaker:: Hon. members of the House of Commons, I beg to return my humble acknowledgments for the great honour you have been pleased to confer upon me in electing me as your Speaker. These traditional words used by my predecessors in the chair are no mere formality. They express the deep appreciation which I have for your confidence, particularly as it has been given a second time within the short space of seven months.
I thank the right hon. Prime Minister for the generous, yes, even embarrassing words in which he proposed my name, and also the Leader of the Opposition and the leader of the C.C.F. party for their gracious endorsation.
We are a House of Commons very different from the last; but although there have been greater changes than usual among the hon. members and in the proportions of the parties, the principles of parliamentary procedure and the fine traditions of the house remain intact. It will be my aim and my duty as the servant of the house, and with your approval, to uphold these principles and traditions, securing to each hon. member the right to express his opinions within the limits necessary to preserve decorum; protecting the recognized privileges of hon. members, of minorities and of the house itself; facilitating the transaction of public business in an orderly manner and with due economy of time and, above all, seeking to be fair and impartial in such decisions as you entrust to me.
If these are also your objectives, as I think they are, I ask for your patience and cooperation in approaching them. Success will not be unrelated to your moods-and these have been known to change between Monday and Friday-and also to your will, which is the final arbiter in all matters in the House of Commons.
(Translation):
My dear colleagues, allow me to thank you for this expression of confidence and to say that it will always be a pleasure for me to hear hon. members speak in the beautiful tongue of Bossuet, Racine or Corneille, for which I have always had the greatest admiration, even though I cannot express myself perfectly in that language.
Be assured that you may, at all times, count on my impartial enforcement of the standing orders of the house, which, in then-basic provisions, have been handed down to us, by custom and tradition, from the Anglo-Norman monarchy of which all of us in Canada are the proud inheritors.

(Text):



SITTING SUSPENDED

John George Diefenbaker: Mr. Speaker, without making a formal motion at this time might I suggest the suspension of the sitting until three o'clock this afternoon.
At 11.50 a.m. the sitting was suspended until 3 p.m. this day.



SITTING RESUMED

[Stage Direction]
The house resumed at three o'clock.

[Stage Direction]
Mr. Speaker read a communication from the Governor General's secretary announcing that His Excellency the Governor General would proceed to the Senate chamber at three o'clock on this day, for the purpose of formally opening the session of the dominion parliament.
A message was delivered by Major C. R. Lamoureux, Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, as follows:
Mr. Speaker, His Excellency the Governor General desires the immediate attendance of this honourable house in the chamber of the honourable the Senate.
Accordingly, Mr. Speaker with the house went up to the Senate.
Then Hon. Roland Michener, Speaker of the House of Commons, said:
May it please Your Excellency:
The House of Commons have elected me their Speaker, though I am but little able to fulfil the important duties thus assigned to me.
If in the performance of those duties I should at any time fall into error, I pray that the fault may be imputed to me, and not to the Commons, whose servant I am, and who, through me, the better to enable them to discharge their duty to their Queen and country, humbly claim all their undoubted rights and privileges, especially that they may have freedom of speech in their debates, access to Your Excellency's person at all seasonable times, and that their proceedings may receive from Your Excellency the most favourable construction.
The Honourable the Speaker of the Senate, addressing the Honourable the Speaker of the House of Commons, then said:
Mr. Speaker, I am commanded by His Excellency the Governor General to declare to you that he freely confides in the duty and attachment of the House of Commons to Her Majesty's person and government, and not doubting that their proceedings will be conducted with wisdom, temper and prudence, he grants and upon all occasions will recognize and allow their constitutional privileges.
I am commanded also to assure you that the Commons shall have ready access to His Excellency upon all seasonable occasions, and that their proceedings, as well as your words and actions, will constantly receive from him the most favourable construction.

Then His Excellency the Governor General was pleased to open parliament by a speech from the throne.
And the house being returned to the Commons chamber:
Mr. Speaker:: I have the honour to report that, the house having attended on His Excellency the Governor General in the Senate chamber, I informed His Excellency that the choice of Speaker had fallen upon me, and, in your names and on your behalf,
I made the usual claim for your privileges, which His Excellency was pleased to confirm to you.



OATHS OF OFFICE

John George Diefenbaker: for leave to introduce Bill No. 1, respecting the administration of oaths of office.
Motion agreed to and bill read the first time.



SPEECH FROM THE THRONE

Mr. Speaker:: I have the honour to inform the house that when this house did attend His Excellency this day in the Senate chamber, His Excellency was pleased to make a speech to both houses of parliament. To prevent mistakes, I have obtained a copy, which is as follows:
Honourable Members of the Senate:
Members of the House of Commons:
It is my pleasure to welcome you to this first session of the twenty-fourth parliament of Canada. We all recall with pleasure the historic events of last autumn when Her Gracious Majesty was present to open parliament herself and to receive the warm welcome and wide acclaim of her Canadian subjects. We look forward to the presence this summer of Her Royal Highness Princess Margaret to take part in the centennial ceremonies of British Columbia and to visit other parts of Canada.
As further evidence of the expanding sense of mutual interest among the countries of the commonwealth as well as the growth of the commonwealth itself, it is pleasing and significant that we will be welcoming to Canada this summer both the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and the Prime Minister of Ghana.
My ministers have been glad to note the widely expressed desire of the peoples of many nations that the manifold advances of science shall be devoted to the betterment of mankind rather than to the arts and engines of war. My government will continue to make unremitting efforts to assist in the peaceful solution of international problems and in the accomplishment by patient negotiation of a substantial measure of disarmament. In the meantime, my advisers will ask your support to maintain, in co-operation with our allies, armed forces adequate to deter any potential aggression.
My government believes that the condition of international economic affairs is such as to require major concerted efforts to encourage the expansion of trade. It is accordingly very gratifying that all countries of the commonwealth have accepted the proposal of Canada that a commonwealth trade and economic conference be held in September of this year in Montreal.
Speech from the Throne We look forward with pleasure to the visits to Canada this summer of the President of the United States and the President of the Federal Republic of Germany. My ministers welcome the opportunities which these visits will afford for useful conversations.
My government regrets to have to report that efforts to avert a strike of firemen on the Canadian Pacific Railway were unsuccessful. It is however encouraging to note that negotiations which my ministers arranged between the parties have succeeded in narrowing the issues in dispute to the point where further direct discussions may yet resolve the question. My government continues to maintain a constant watch over developments in this situation and will be ready in the light of events to recommend such action as the national interest demands and circumstances may require.
My government will propose to you the enactment of a bill of rights to safeguard the rights of all persons in Canada in respect of all subjects within the jurisdiction of parliament.
You will be asked to approve a number of measures and appropriations to continue and extend the program of my government in sustaining employment by the acceleration of useful public works and by encouraging the development and processing of our natural resources.
You will be asked immediately to amend the Unemployment Insurance Act in order to extend for a further six weeks, during the current year, the period during which special seasonal benefits may be paid. Already the amendments to this act made in November last and those made to the Unemployment Assistance Act have proven their value in mitigating the difficulties of Canadians who are temporarily without jobs. Further amendments to the Unemployment Insurance Act will be proposed at a later stage in the session.
My government will continue to promote a vigorous program of house building, which has already proven to be a strong feature of our economy and which constitutes the best opportunity for increased work in meeting the needs of our people. My ministers are ready to co-operate fully under the authority of the National Housing Act in further projects for slum clearance and urban redevelopment to improve the cities and towns of Canada.
In order to ensure the continuation of our national housing program, you will be asked at an early date to approve an increase in the public funds made available under the National Housing Act.
You will be asked to make provision for a substantial program of public investment to be carried out by government departments and crown companies and to provide assistance to provincial governments for certain agreed types of projects. In particular, a large expansion in the construction and equipment of our system of airports and airways will be proposed and an increase in our work on harbours and rivers and public buildings.
In order to promote our national development on the frontier in the north you will be asked to authorize the construction of a railway to Great Slave lake. My ministers regard this as a major step in the establishment of productive industry on an economic basis in the Northwest Territories. You will also be asked to provide for the construction of important roads needed for development in the Yukon and Northwest Territories and in the provinces, with the co-operation of their governments. You will be asked to provide for the initiation of a program of research to assist in opening up the mineral resources of our Arctic islands.
My ministers have made progress in arrangements for the construction of the South Saskatchewan project. Proposals will be placed before you to make possible the commencement, this year,
8	HOUSE OF
Speech from the Throne of the construction of the main dam intended to create a great reservoir in the heart of the prairie in order to further the productive development of this part of Canada.
The easing of the stringency in the capital markets of Canada during the past eight months encourages confidence in the expectation that large programs of public investment can be successfully financed not only by my government and its agencies but also by provincial governments and municipalities. My ministers remain mindful of the importance of financing their large program of expenditures in such manner as will best safeguard against a recurrence of inflationary dangers in future. They wish to urge upon all groups in our society a recognition of the dangers and inequities of inflation and the need to restrain demands which will give rise to increases in prices and the costs of production.
The improvements in our financial relations with the provinces made by the last parliament are having a beneficial effect upon our economy bymaking it possible for provincial governments and their municipalities to proceed with greater confidence upon expanded programs of necessary services and works.
There will be placed before you a proposal to establish a new agency to regulate broadcasting in Canada and to ensure that the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and the privately owned broadcasting stations work effectively together to constitute a national system to provide satisfactory television and radio services to all Canadians within reach. Related amendments to the Radio Act will also be proposed.
To promote and guide the proper long-term development of our national capital region upon lines worthy of our nation, my government will request you to enact a new national capital act to replace the present Federal District Commission Act.
Changes will be proposed in the Hospital Insurance and Diagnostic Services Act to make certain that payments may be made to participating provinces qualifying under the act in respect of any periods commencing after June this year.
You will be asked to authorize the establishment of a harbour commission to combine the growing harbours at Fort William and Port Arthur and to fit this lakehead harbour to handle the larger traffic to be expected as a result of the seaway.
Unremitting efforts are being made to sell Canadian agricultural and fisheries products in the markets of the world and considerably larger exports of wheat and cattle have been made. Support prices have now been established for a considerable number of products under the Agricultural Stabilization Act to carry into effect, for the current year, the desire of parliament that agriculture should be thus assisted to realize fair returns for its labour and investment.
The act to provide cash advances on farm-stored grain has proven to be of advantage to a large number of farmers and to the economy as a whole. Certain amendments will be proposed to that act in the light of experience in its application.
Amendments will also be proposed to the Prairie Farm Assistance Act and the Canadian Farm Loan Act.
In order to assist small business, there will be established a small business section within the administrative machinery of government. The functions of this organization will be to provide liaison between the government and small businesses, to study the problems of small business and to advise on measures necessary to meet them.
You will be asked to replace the present Ticket of Leave Act with a new statute to establish a national parole board. There will be submitted for 

your consideration amendments to the Citizenship Act and the Indian Act to eliminate certain discriminatory provisions in these statutes.
Amendments will be proposed to the Veterans Insurance Act, the Returned Soldiers Insurance Act, the Children of War Dead (Education Assistance) Act, the Emergency Gold Mining Assistance Act, the Transport Act, the National Parks Act and a number of other statutes.
Members of the House of Commons:
You will be asked to appropriate the funds required to carry on the services and payments approved by parliament.
My ministers will lay before you in accordance with the law the special warrants which I issued upon their advice to authorize expenditures urgently required for the public good during the period since the twenty-third parliament was dissolved. You will be invited to consider and approve these expenditures. An amendment to the Financial Administration Act will be proposed relating to the use of special warrants.
Other measures will be proposed to improve the effectiveness of the processes of parliament.
The government will ask your approval of the installation in the House of Commons of a system of simultaneous translation.
You will be asked to set up a select committee on broadcasting, a standing committee on estimates and a standing committee on veterans affairs, all with power to send for persons and papers. My ministers will propose that a member of Her Majesty's loyal opposition be elected chairman of the committee on public accounts.
Honourable Members of the Senate:
Members of the Commons:
May divine Providence bless and guide you in the accomplishment of the high purpose which brings you here.
Right Hon. J. G. Diefenbaker (Prime
Minister) moved:
That the speech of His Excellency the Governor General to both houses of parliament be taken into consideration later this day.


[Stage Direction]
Motion agreed to.


[Stage Direction]
Right Hon. J. G. Diefenbaker (Prime
Minister): Mr. Speaker, the longer we are in this chamber the more we become aware of the fact that we who meet together through the years find our ranks reduced year by year to an extent which gives all of us occasion to realize something of the shortness of life.
In this parliament, in this House of Commons which had not yet been constituted, one of those who over the years has been a valued member of this chamber passed away last evening. If he had taken his place in this parliament he would have had the distinction of having been elected to, and taken his place in, eleven successive parliaments. He was first elected in 1921 for the constituency of Grenville-Dundas; he resigned to make way for Right Hon. Arthur Meighen, and was reelected to subsequent parliaments since then.

During the passage of the years he had become the dean of this chamber. He served as party whip to the Conservative party for 20 years but finally gave up that position with the advent of a lengthy illness some two and a half years ago. However, after being absent for a very long period of time he returned to his parliamentary duties in October last, becoming the deputy chairman of committees in the house.
I refer, Mr. Speaker, to Arza Clair Cassel-man, known to members who served in previous parliaments as "Cass". Born in 1891 and educated at Osgoode Hall, he went overseas at the beginning of the war as a gunner in the artillery, served overseas, and then returned to serve his country in days of peace as in the days of war almost continuously throughout the intervening years with the exception of four years in that parliament during which Right Hon. Mr. Meighen sat for Grenville-Dundas following the resignation of Mr. Casselman.
It is difficult to express what one feels on an occasion such as this. If there is one thing which new hon. members will appreciate as the years go by and as they look back on their membership in this house, it is the comradeship and the fellowship in this chamber which know no boundaries of political faith.
Speaking now as one belonging to his own party, I know something of the way in which the late Mr. Casselman discharged his duties. When I came here as a new member in 1940, it was Mr. Casselman who gave me that assistance, that direction and that counsel which all of us receive as new members. I feel a distinct sense of personal loss as, I know, do all of us who served with him through successive parliaments. Able, courteous, Mr. Casselman takes his place among those very few people who of the 24 parliaments-this being the twenty-fourth since confederation-had been elected to almost half. To those he left behind I extend on behalf of this party and I am sure on behalf of hon. members in every party in this house our heartfelt condolences. To Mrs. Casselman and to the sons and daughter go our heartfelt feelings of sympathy.
It is very seldom-it certainly has not occurred in my time-that at the same time as I refer to the passing of a fellow member in this house condolences with one of the hon. members should also be in order. I refer to the hon. member for Dufferin-Simcoe (Mr. Rowe). To him and through him to the other surviving members of the family goes that abiding feeling of comfort which flows from the membership of this house. The hon. member for Dufferin-Simcoe has lost a son-in-law, but all of us have lost a fine public
The late A. C. Casselman
servant who gave devoted service and made a contribution to the betterment of his country which few of us are privileged to make.
Mr. Speaker, Mr. Casselman belonged to that group of men who in their devotion to their country earned not only the commendation of their fellow men but, in this house, something that is far greater-that feeling of fellowship which binds us all together and which is evinced on occasions such as this. I ask the sympathy of the House of Commons, and I am confident it will be extended to those who mourn at this time.
Lester Bowles Pearson: Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has I am sure spoken for all members of the house in the tribute of respect and regret which he has just paid to our late colleague, but on behalf of the opposition and on my own behalf I would like to join him in that tribute. I think when we met this morning many of us hoped that at this opening we would be spared the sad duty of paying a tribute to one of our colleagues who had passed away since we last met, but when we came here this morning we learned that that was not to be.
The Prime Minister expressed in words which I believe reflect the feelings of us all what those of us who were his colleagues in the house thought of the late member for Grenville-Dundas. As has been said, he was the dean of the House of Commons having been first elected in 1921, but before he began his long period of service to his country in this house he had already served Canada gallantly and well in world war I. Throughout his career in the house and out of the house he took a great interest in the welfare of veterans.
For many years, of course, Mr. Casselman was the chief whip of his party, and as such he was an officer of parliament who won the respect and affection of members on all sides and in all parties. It is a melancholy circumstance that he has been succeeded as dean of the house by one who was so close to him not only in friendship but through the marriage of his daughter to Mr. Casselman. I am referring, as the Prime Minister has referred, to our friend the hon. member for Dufferin-Simcoe (Mr. Rowe).
May I conclude by joining the Prime Minister once again in the expressions of regret that he has given, and tell him that we sympathize with him and the members of his party in the loss of a valued party colleague. Especially do we extend at this moment our deepest sympathy to Mrs. Casselman and the members of the family in this hour of great
sorrow.

The Ministry


Hazen Robert Argue: Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the C.C.F. group I know I can say that the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition spoke for us today as I know they spoke for all members in this house when they said it was with profound regret that we learned of the passing of a long-time friend in the person of Mr. Clair Casselman. I want to join with them in the sympathy they have extended to the family, the relatives and friends.
I have known Mr. Casselman for a number of years, indeed since 1945 when I came into the House of Commons. He was the chief whip of the Conservative party from 1935 to 1955 and in that office served his party faithfully and well under a number of leaders. The office of chief whip is an important one in any party. It is one that carries with it a great deal of responsibility and work and requires a person who is devoted to his task. It is not one of those positions that carry with them the same degree of public appearance and perhaps public acclaim as well that is carried with other posts, but we do know it is one of the most important positions in any political party in the House of Commons.
In the years that I sat near Mr. Casselman I saw from personal observation that he was a faithful attendant in this chamber and that he carried out his duties for his party and for the members of this house loyally and efficiently. The C.C.F. group join with all hon. members of this house in expressing to the Prime Minister and the members of the Conservative party our sympathy at their loss and our condolences to the hon. member for Dufferin-Simcoe, Mrs. Casselman, and the three sons and daughter.



STANDING COMMITTEES

John George Diefenbaker: That a special committee be appointed to prepare and report, with all convenient speed, lists of members to compose the standing committees of this house under standing order 65, the said committee to be composed of Messrs. Argue, Balcer, Cardiff, Green and Habel.


[Stage Direction]
Motion agreed to.

[Stage Direction]
Right Hon. J. G. Diefenbaker (Prime Minister) presented the following message from His Excellency the Governor General:
The Governor General transmits to the House of Commons a certified copy of an order in council appointing the Hon. Donald Methuen Fleming, Minister of Finance, the Hon. Leon Balcer, Solicitor General, the Hon. George Clyde Nowlan, Minister of National Revenue, and the Hon. Ellen Louks Fairclough, Secretary of State, to act with the Speaker of the House of Commons as commissioners

for the purposes and under the provisions of chapter 143 of the Revised Statutes of Canada, 1952, intituled: An act respecting the House of Commons.
(Translation):

John George Diefenbaker: That Pierre Sevigny, Esquire, member for the electoral district of Longueuil, be appointed chairman of committees of the whole house.


[Stage Direction]
Motion agreed to.
(Text):

John George Diefenbaker: That Charles Rea, Esquire, member for the electoral district of Spadina, be appointed deputy chairman of committees of the whole house.


[Stage Direction]
Motion agreed to.


John George Diefenbaker: Mr. Speaker, at this time, with your permission and with the leave of the house I wish to make a brief statement concerning changes in the ministry.
I regret to have to announce that hon. Senator John T. Haig has relinquished his appointment as government leader in the Senate and has retired from the cabinet in which he served as a minister without portfolio. I am sure all members of this house will agree that in his many years of service, not only in the other place but also prior thereto in the municipal and legislative arena, he has given devoted service to his country. He has been in the Senate since 1935, and has been Conservative leader in that place since 1945. He was prevailed upon by his family to retire. They believed the time had come for him to give up the heavy and responsible duties in that place. He will continue to hold an honoured place in the upper chamber. His counsel will be available to the people of Canada and to the parliament of this country.
In his place I had the pleasure to announce this morning the appointment of the hon. Senator Walter Aseltine as government leader in the Senate. Senator Aseltine's experience in that place dates from 1933. His service to the parliament of Canada and to the committees of the Senate over those years has

been such that I am very happy he has accepted the additional responsibilities that follow in the wake of his appointment.
In this chamber I wish to announce that the hon. member for Hamilton West (Mrs. Fairclough) was today sworn in as Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. Since her appointment to the cabinet she has had the custody of the Great Seal of Canada, and it is necessary on occasions such as this to advise the house that she returned the Great Seal this morning for safekeeping to His Excellency the Governor General. Shortly thereafter His Excellency was pleased to hand the Great Seal to the hon. member for Labelle (Mr. Courtemanche), who was sworn of the privy council and to the portfolio of Secretary of State.
At this time as well I wish to announce that the portfolio of defence production, the responsibilities of which have been discharged by the house leader since June last, will now have a permanent appointment, and not an acting one, in the person of the hon. member for Lotbiniere (Mr. O'Hurley), who was sworn of the privy council and to the portfolio of Minister of Defence Production.
The hon. gentleman was elected for the first time last June and assumed responsibilities as a parliamentary assistant, and as such we believe, having discharged his duties so well, he merited the advancement he has received.
This, sir, does not complete the entire roster of appointments. There will be another appointment made at a very early date to cover that area in the eastern part of Quebec that is as yet not represented in the cabinet, and I hope in a very short time to be able to announce a further appointment in that connection.



APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEE

[Stage Direction]
Right	Hon.	J.	G.	Diefenbaker	(Prime
Minister): Mr. Speaker, by leave of the house I wish to move, seconded by the Minister of Finance (Mr. Fleming):
That this house will, at its next sitting, resolve itself into a committee to consider of a supply to be granted to Her Majesty.
Motion agreed to.


[Stage Direction]
Right	Hon.	J.	G.	Diefenbaker	(Prime
Minister): Mr. Speaker, I beg leave to move, seconded by the Minister of Finance (Mr. Fleming):
That this house will, at its next sitting, resolve itself into a committee to consider of the ways and means for raising the supply to be granted to Her Majesty.
Motion agreed to.
The Address-Mr. Lafreniere SPEECH FROM THE THRONE

[Stage Direction]
The house proceeded to the consideration of the speech delivered by His Excellency the Governor General at the opening of the session.
(Translation):
Mr. Robert Lafreniere (Quebec-Monimo-rency):: Mr. Speaker, following the right hon. Prime Minister's, Mr. Diefenbaker's, kind invitation to propose the address in reply to the speech from the throne read by His Excellency the Governor General a few moments ago, I sought for quite some time to detect what strictly personal qualifications had made me worthy of so redoubtable an honour. I must humbly confess to this house that I failed to discover any.
It was easier for me to consider that this mark of appreciation and esteem was meant for the people of the riding of Quebec-Mont-morency who gave to the man now addressing you a victory that will remain historic. In the hope that no one will contradict me on this point, at least until the end of my speech, may I say, Mr. Speaker, that the county of Quebec-Montmorency, with its industrious population of about 125,000, is one of the most densely populated and most beautiful ones in Canada. To those people I express today my kindest and most grateful regards, and the assurance of my fullest devotion to their cause.
Moreover, Mr. Speaker, I note that the seconder of this motion, the representative of the Yukon (Mr. Nielsen) is also a young man. The honour we are sharing today on this memorable occasion is therefore more particularly aimed at our young people who, throughout Canada, most generously gave the right hon. Prime Minister and his government their warm and enthusiastic support. There has never been a public figure in Canada who has inspired our youth with as much confidence in the future of this country, and the results of the last federal election are unprecedented in Canadian history and certainly also in the records of most democratic countries in the world.
At the very beginning of my remarks, may I be allowed, Mr. Speaker, to offer you, on behalf of my colleagues and myself, warmest congratulations on your appointment to this exalted position to which you have been called on account of your deep knowledge and distinguished personality. The qualities you have displayed at the last session, which were appreciated by Canadians in all provinces,

The Address-Mr. Lafreniere have no doubt guided the Prime Minister's decision again to entrust to you that high function.
Mr. Speaker, no one here will be surprised if I take the liberty of recalling in particular the memorable day of March 31, 1958, which will forever remain engraved in the hearts and minds of all Canadians.
That historic event could not have occurred save as a result of the fruitful achievement and character of a great statesman whom all Canadians, without exception, including political opponents, have learned to love, to admire and to respect, that is to say the magnanimous successor of Sir John A. Macdonald and Sir Georges-Etienne Cartier (the twentieth century saviour of the Canadian confederation), the right hon. Prime Minister of Canada.
On behalf of all government members, of all my colleagues, old and new, on behalf too of the population of the province of Quebec and of Quebec-Montmorency which I particularly represent, may I be allowed, Mr. Speaker, to offer the Prime Minister our appreciation for the wisdom and foresight with which he has administered the country since June 1957, and especially for having so splendidly served, through positive action, the great cause of national unity. As I said a moment ago, never before in the history of our country had the Canadian people elected so many members to form a government. The reasons behind this extraordinary achievement are to be found in the numerous and efficient initiatives taken by a minority government in the last parliament.
In my constituency and, indeed, all across the country, people are fully aware of what the government has achieved in the last legislature.
It raised the old age pension to $55 a month, increased veterans' allowances, earmarked $300 million for the building of new homes, extended the period of unemployment benefits and, according to His Excellency the Governor General's speech, I now find that this period is to be further extended. It has provided for agricultural products a fair program of minimum prices based on production cost, organized a vast public works program, increased wheat exports and provided advanced payments for farm-stored wheat. It has determined and recognized the particular needs of the maritimes, and all it has achieved over there is not to be compared with all that it will do to put all parts of Canada on an equal footing. Having realized the responsibilities of Canadian statesmen, the Prime Minister and the members of his cabinet have informed us that they propose to develop our Canadian north.

This, Mr. Speaker, is only a very incomplete list of the government's achievements during the last parliament and these achievements benefited millions of Canadians who then found a way to prove their gratitude.
When I think of this government, which was a minority government until the last general election, I have to recall those words pronounced by Sir Winston Churchill when he described the Royal Air Force in the last war:
(Text):
Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.
(Translation):
The people having understood that this government wished to get closer to them the better to serve them, got closer to the government the better to support it. I take this opportunity, Mr. Speaker, to express the admiration which the population of Canada has felt for all the members of the cabinet who gave to the whole country a consistent example of devotion to duty of dignity and ability.
With all the ministers and members of this house, I am glad to see in the speech from the throne delivered by His Excellency that many of the above mentioned accomplishments will be further improved upon.
I wish to emphasize particularly that at the beginning of the speech from the throne, the government has expressed its intention to co-operate with all other nations in taking all possible means to apply scientific developments to the welfare of mankind rather than to the creation of weapons and to the arts of war. And this reminds me of the words of the Prime Minister speaking before the students of St. Mary's University, of Halifax, on January 31st 1958, and I quote:
(Text):
There is a new higher premium on science, on the scientist. The laboratory is to become either the cradle of humanities golden age or the mortal cockpit of mankind.
(Translation):
We should add, Mr. Speaker, that we are reassured by the mental attitude of the head of the government, who makes it a point in all his activities of raising spiritual values above material values. It would be interesting for all to know this statement of the Prime Minister, which is engraved on one of the walls of the Canadian pavillion at Brussels, in Belgium. It is as follows:
(Text):
I am of those who believe that freedom can survive in the future as it has in the past only

when free men, while not ignoring the demands of science and technology, maintain undiminished their faith in ethical and spiritual values.
(Translation):
We are grateful to the Prime Minister for his constructive and courageous efforts for the maintenance of peace. It is undoubtedly interesting to hear fine speeches on peace but deeds are more effective, and I believe the suggestions made by our Prime Minister as representative of our country are more important than mere theories on this subject.
Mr. Speaker, the speech which His Excellency the Governor General so eloquently delivered a while ago in the upper house casts in the heart of all Canadians unlimited hope in the immediate and distant future of our country. Our national economy will certainly be greatly improved by the commonwealth economic conferences soon to be held and by means of which our trade relations with other countries will be diversified and developed.
Everyone in this country will be happy to see that this government intends to intensify the development of our natural resources in co-operation with the provinces and to see to it that, as far as possible, our raw materials are processed in Canada, to the greater advantage of our own people. Other conferences will be held with regard to our commercial relations.
I am happy to see, Mr. Speaker, along with most of the young people of this country who are about to marry, that the government is determined to amend the national housing act so as to put more money into the hands of taxpayers. We were all sorry to see the credit restrictions which were, in a large measure, responsible for the unemployment crisis, in so far as they paralysed the building of homes throughout this country. It is with pride today that we can hope for an ever increasing development of private enterprise through the easing of credit restrictions. Do I need to mention here to what extent the extensive program of new public works has been appreciated, particularly by the manual workers who make up such a large proportion of the population of this country?
Mr. Speaker, there is one matter which is very close to the heart of every Canadian, whatever his or her origin. It concerns a relationship between the federal government and the provincial legislatures. Since the present government has been in power, praiseworthy efforts have been made to foster understanding and harmony between federal and provincial authorities. During the last parliament $81 million in all were distributed to the various provinces of this country. In 57071-3-2A
The Address-Mr. Lafreniere
fact $19 million went to the province of Quebec which I represent more particularly. That money was made available to the needy mothers of my province.
Those higher authorities will hold other conferences and such conferences will lead to financial agreements which will be of advantage also to all municipalities of Canada. Several members have had experience in municipal councils and they are aware of the problems facing municipalities. Municipal governments are the cornerstone of democracy. They get their powers from provincial legislatures and, as the financial situation of the provinces improves, the financial burden weighing so heavily on the municipalities will be lightened accordingly.
May I now, Mr. Speaker, express the earnest hope that this government will direct its attention to the problems besetting at this time the workers of the Canadian textile industry. There are many of those workers across Canada and their problems are also of particular interest to an important part of the people of the constituency of Quebec-Montmorency which I have the honour to represent in this house. It is highly advisable that appropriate measures be taken in this regard in the very near future by this government.
The speech from the throne also mentions the fact that the house will be called upon to amend the Transport Act. In view of the wide expanse of our country and of the natural wealth to be found in the most isolated corners of Canada, the government shows great foresight in promoting transportation, so that the inhabited areas of our country may be extended as rapidly as possible. Let me point out at this point the initiative and driving spirit of the minister responsible for that department. The National Parks Act will also receive particular attention from the government. If I may, I should like to point out to the house that the federal government, thanks to the Prime Minister, has granted to the city of Quebec the Jacques Cartier park which will soon be turned into a national site.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to remind the people of Canada of the great honour graciously granted them last year by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, when for the first time she opened a Canadian parliament. This historic event will be an imperishable memory. We, of the province of Quebec, were particularly moved when, in the speech she delivered in both languages, she said she was proud to say that the French Canadians had remained faithful to their language and to their faith. This year again Canada will

The Address-Mr. Lafreniere be honoured by the visit of Her Royal Highness Princess Margaret who will take part in the ceremonies of the British Columbia centennial. This royal solicitude reminds us that Canada is one of the oldest members of the commonwealth of nations.
Mr. Speaker, despite all my good will, it will be understood that I cannot analyse the huge program submitted by the government for this session. The study of all this legislation will require strenuous and consistent efforts on the part of each and every hon. member. There are a great number of them, and many are still very young, so much so that it could be said that this parliament is the parliament of youth and of the future. May I be allowed to congratulate them, whatever their political colour, on having been chosen by their respective constituencies as official representatives of the population.
Mr. Speaker, you have acquired the reputation of getting out of trouble, with as much wit as tact, any member who gets himself into certain difficulties in this house. With the new members of this parliament, you will surely have numerous opportunities to exercise that skill and to show your customary impartiality.
I wish to congratulate the government for its intention to study the advisability of installing in this house an improved system of simultaneous translation. Since such a system is not working today, I am sure that my English-speaking listeners will no doubt think that I have delivered a good speech.
Before closing, Mr. Speaker, I wish to express, because of very special circumstances, a few ideas concerning the population of our country.
I believe that my constituency of Quebec-Montmorency is a reduced image of the general aspect of Canada. We have French Canadians, English Canadians, Irish, Scots, as well as other fellow-citizens from other racial descent, and of various religious beliefs. Ours is a happy community where work is done in harmony and where no group ever attempts to interfere with another.
For too many years, Mr. Speaker, a few politicians have attempted to create disruption and disunity among the people of Canada by playing on racial and religious prejudices. In the name of the province of Quebec, which I particularly represent, I wish to say to the house that we are proud of the co-existence and cohabitation of the two great races which constitute the population of our country. We of Quebec earnestly want national unity through the respect of the rights and privileges of each and everyone of our citizens, whatever their race, religion or language.

(Text):
Mr. Speaker, I feel that I should repeat this statement in English. Whatever has been said before, I want you to know that we from Quebec want national unity in the respect of everyone's rights and privileges, justice for each and every Canadian citizen. We members of parliament should give an example to the nation and never speak from now on about prejudice of race and religion.
(Translation):
I have said, Mr. Speaker, in the respect of the rights and privileges of everyone. I wish to add that the word respect, in its true meaning, includes esteem which in its term is conducive to the most cordial friendship.
Our French and English cultures are different but they are not incompatible. The mingling of our cultures and of our different racial qualities is a source of enrichment rather than a subject of contradiction for our country. For a Canadian citizen, whether by birth or by naturalization, there is no barrier to success if he has talent, initiative and willingness to work.
As for us, members of parliament who represent the different races of our country, our function can be compared to that of an educator and our duty is to give to the Canadian people a living example of national unity and mutual understanding between the nations that, by God's will, must live on the same territory, to build a country which is already playing a major part in world affairs.
We realize that the Prime Minister, who presides over the destinies of our country, is above all moved by a great spirit of justice towards all and each of the Canadian citizens without distinction of race or religion.
In the last election campaign, we reasserted the concept of the constitution and we have taken one more step towards the transformation of the concept of confederation into greater national unity. Our forefathers under Macdonald and Cartier developed western Canada; they settled the country from one ocean to the other. The task undertaken now by our Prime Minister and his government is the development of northern Canada. These northern lands hold vast unworked riches, hydro-electric resources, various minerals and practically all the resources required to expand substantially our present economic structure.
The province of Quebec has chosen two thirds of its representatives amongst the conservative candidates. That is a striking fact. There have been differences of opinion and difficulties in the past but, to me, the last election has the same significance for all those living in the province of Quebec. That

province, the province of Ontario and all the other provinces, as well as people of all nationalities, are all determined to work for the success of that great experiment which is the building-up of our country.
And now, having expressed the pleasure I derive from this occasion, I have the honour to move, seconded by the hon. member for Yukon (Mr. Nielsen):
That the following address be presented to His Excellency the Governor General of Canada:
To His Excellency the Right Honourable Vincent Massey, C.H., Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada.
May it please Your Excellency:
We, Her Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the House of Commons of Canada, in parliament assembled, beg leave to offer our humble thanks to Your Excellency for the gracious speech which Your Excellency has addressed to both houses of parliament.
(Text):


Mr. Erik Nielsen (Yukon):: Mr. Speaker, may I first say how acutely aware I am of the honour which has been bestowed upon me, the people of the Yukon and the north in my being afforded this opportunity to second the address in reply to His Excellency's gracious speech from the throne and to tell you something of the Yukon's hopes and aspirations.
I should first like to congratulate you, Mr. Speaker, on your election to the high office which you occupy in this house. The people of the Yukon and I are grateful to the Prime Minister (Mr. Diefenbaker) for being given this opportunity to dispel some of the misconceptions that are held about the north, particularly misconceptions born of such appearances as perhaps that of the hon. member for Mackenzie River (Mr. Hardie) who unfortunately is not here at the moment but who appeared in this august chamber today in native garb.
It is most appropriate at this time when Yukon is this year celebrating her gold rush jubilee that I am given this opportunity, for it was 60 years ago that the Yukon was in the middle of this nation's greatest gold rush in history. Sixty-two years ago this August 17 gold was first discovered near Dawson city. I would consider it a privilege, as I am sure would all Yukoners, to be host to as many hon. members of this house as would care to come to Yukon this summer to experience personally some of the wonders of the north.
The immediate history of the Yukon and indeed of all of northern Canada is that of mining. Its future is a mining future. As the
The Address-Mr. Nielsen history of Canada has unfolded from the beginning of this century, great advances have been made in all phases of our nation's development. Our manufacturing industry has come into its own, particularly as a result of the demands placed upon it by world war II. At the outset of the century this industry was valued at one half billion dollars as contrasted with the situation today when it is valued at $19J billion. Agriculture in 1956 yielded a gross $3J billion and our industries based on forest products yielded $2 billion last year. The metals industry yielded the same. Viewing this advance across Canada against a gross national product of $37 billions gives us every justification for believing that the 20th century is indeed Canada's.
Canada has progressed in her development from the Cobalt days of silver to the discovery and development of this nation's vast hard rock and gold mining industry, with her copper and nickel in Ontario and Manitoba and her copper and iron ore in Quebec and Labrador, her base metals in British Columbia and fresh discoveries in New Brunswick, of silver in the Yukon, uranium in Ontario, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories and her infant oil industry rapidly growing in Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan and even now advancing into the Yukon and Northwest Territories. More and more mineral discoveries are coming to light in the more northern areas of the provinces and within the last decade Canadians have often heard such names as Ungava, Cassiar, Moak lake, Rankin inlet, Uranium City, Beaverlodge, Calumet, Yukon, Yellowknife.
The Canadian mining industry is making prodigious advances and I cannot overemphasize the importance of all Canadians- particularly business and political leaders- taking a keen and personal interest in the welfare of this industry. Mining is by nature an industry of many problems and one that is most sensitive to political and world conditions. It is an industry which should at all times be encouraged for, in the not too distant future, Canada will take her place as the leading mining nation of the world.
Living as we do on the threshold of the space age the door is open to many new uses and an increased world demand for metals-metals which a few years ago were of secondary importance and which are now springing into the limelight, such as boron, uranium, molybdenum, titanium and lithium. These are now most sought after by prospectors. In the struggle to conquer outer

The Address-Mr. Nielsen space it appears obvious that those countries possessing the greatest mineral resources together with the scientific ability to utilize them will lead the way.
Because of the vital importance of the metals industry to the preservation of our democratic way of life, we have not only a national but an international obligation to foster the healthy growth of our mining industry in every possible fashion. As the world demand for metals increases our northern frontiers must be pushed further and further back by those venturesome people associated with the mining industry. The individual prospector must be encouraged and assisted in every way. Northern Canada and particularly those areas such as the Yukon with already proven mineral resources should indeed have a bright future ahead. But mineral wealth is a hidden wealth and vast amounts of time and money are required to bring new mines into existence. The risks are great and the disappointments many. If this industry is to flourish-and the future of Canada demands that it must flourish- there should be a minimum number of restrictions and the maximum amount of encouragement-encouragement which has been wanting for so long, particularly in the more northerly areas of Canada.
It is important that confidence be restored among those whose tasks it is to discover and develop Canada's mineral resources. Adequate and immediate measures should be taken to develop these northern resources, for it is of vital importance to the future of our country.
The resources of the Yukon stand second to none-gold, iron, asbestos, copper, silver, nickel, and all the other base and precious metals are there, as well as potentially vast oceans of oil. We have the necessary power potential to process these minerals. As a matter of fact the latent potential of the Yukon river and lake system is twice that of the St. Lawrence seaway project.
These are the main reasons for the people of the Yukon being there at all-they are there because they have a faith, born of knowledge, of the potential of the Yukon. Until recently this faith has been shared only by those who sought their futures in the Canadian north, people who are in the fullest sense pioneers. But these people now see the fulfilment of their hopes-the hopes of all Canadians-in the dynamic plans for resource development which lie at the very core of the policy of this government.
It has taken a long time, perhaps too long, for the attention of Canadians to be drawn to their northland, its wealth and its people

and, I might add, its location. It rather surprised me to learn of the number of people who believe that the Yukon is either a part of Alaska or of the Northwest Territories, or who are still wondering whether or not British Columbia has taken over part of the Yukon. I wonder how many realize, calculating ore reserves, that the largest silver mine in the world is in the Yukon; I wonder how many realize that our temperature compares with that of Alberta and Saskatchewan; that the Alaska highway-giving access to the Yukon from Alberta and British Columbia and maintained by the Canadian army at such a high standard-is the best gravel highway of its kind to be found anywhere on this continent.
I do not think that any member of this house entertains any doubt about the future of the Yukon or the certainty of her riches or the quality of her people, but wealth and willing hands alone are not enough without the means of transportation. I have spoken of the Alaska highway and we also have the beginning of a road system within the Yukon and a railway from Whitehorse to tidewater at Skagway in Alaska. Between us and the heritage of the people of Canada in the mineral and oil resources of the north, however, lie miles upon miles of bush, rock and uncrossed rivers. These gaps must be bridged and here lies the essence of this government's policy. We must build the roads, the railways, the communications to make accessible these northern areas of hidden wealth. We must build the power projects and unite them with the mineral wealth to ensure the industrialization of Canada's north. I need not remind you, sir, of the part that transportation has played in uniting this nation from east to west, politically and economically, but today there is a new and exciting concept which can be grasped by those who have confidence in Canada's future.
Canada's first national development policy was given to her by our first great, and Conservative, prime minister, Sir John A. Macdonald. In that day the building of a railway and other communications was a matter of vision, of faith, and confidence in the future. There were men of little vision then; men who said that a railway to the west coast would add nothing to the economy of this nation; men who said that the vast open spaces of the prairies were destined to remain empty; men who said that the Pacific could never be safeguarded for North America.
But Sir John A. Macdonald and his government were not prepared to wait for the oil wells of the west to flow, those same oil fields which only last year contributed

almost $445 million to the national economy; they were not prepared to wait for the development of the forests. and mines of British Columbia; they were not prepared to wait for the uranium, industrial and other resources of the prairie provinces to develop. Sir John A. Macdonald and his government of that day built those communications, and who today can doubt the wisdom of their having done so.
Today just as then, we have another great, and Conservative, Prime Minister. He and his government have formulated a new and dynamic national development policy; a program involving the construction of a vast network of roads and other communications in northern Canada; a program which is the first step in a long overdue aggressive approach to national development; a program based principally on northern development, parts of which are already under way-for instance the survey of the road north from the Dawson city area of Yukon into the oil bearing area of the Peel plateau has started.
I might pause for a moment to mention, sir, that contrary to the belief of some hon. members to your left, Yukon is not a land where there is nobody, and I can assure you, sir, that there are really no igloos in Yukon.
The speech from the throne will bring satisfaction to Canadians everywhere as they note the definitive measures of this government to give effect to its policies. The whole national development policy can reach fruition only as we build our communication and transportation lines to enable our raw materials to be collected, processed and distributed.
Under former governments proven resources had to exist before development roads could be built. We now see roads projected that will enable Canadians actually to carry out the development tasks that must follow upon exploration before resources can be proven and brought to market.
A few moments ago I spoke of the projected road into the potential oil fields of northern Yukon. It is with a great deal of gratification that I note that since the Prime Minister's opening campaign address in Winnipeg three months ago today-an address in which the Prime Minister outlined the national development policy of this government
The Address-Mr. Nielsen -almost 25 million acres have been taken out in Yukon and Northwest Territories oil exploration permits. The oil companies concerned are committed at this date to spend $25 million in exploration work in Yukon alone. This is action suited to the need.
The railway to Great Slave lake will bring into production the vast mineral deposits at Pine Point on the south shore of the lake. The decision to proceed with the development of this mine is an indication of the confidence with which Canadian investors greet the forward-looking policies of this government. This railway will unlock these mines. It will connect the railway system of Canada to Mackenzie river navigation without the impediments of the shallows of the Athabasca delta and the portage at Fort Smith. The railway will also bring life to other resources along its route-timber, fish, agriculture, the vast wealth of oil in the tar sands and other mineral deposits.
North from Great Slave lake we are to see a road pushed through to Great Bear lake and ultimately to the Arctic coast linking up with the route through the promising Yukon oil fields to Fort McPherson. Roads in the northern parts of the provinces are welcome news to all as they are most essential to northern development and to the full realization of the resources development program.
So, we see the first steps that are being taken to unite Canada north and south, just as they were taken so long ago to unite this nation east and west. It gives me as a Yukoner and a northerner the utmost gratification to reflect on the manner in which all Canadians have overwhelmingly caught the vision of a new and greater Canada.
In seconding the address in reply to the speech from the throne I should like to conclude on a note of warmest satisfaction that in this year of Yukon's gold rush jubilee we are seeing the beginning of a truly national development-northward. I should like to think that in welcoming this new era I speak not just for the people of Yukon but for all Canadians everywhere.
On motion of Mr. Pearson the debate was adjourned.
On motion of Mr. Diefenbaker the house adjourned at 5.30 p.m.

Tuesday, May 13, 1958